Guyanatime 25 february 2018

LOOK INSIDE !

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3485

Sunday, February 25, 2018

PRICE

New NOC sex scandal

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Official hiding reports of sexual activities between staff and inmates – source

Senior Cop arrested after highway P11 accident

Page 7

GPL woes

“Blackouts” will only worsen – Jagdeo warns Page 3

…unless urgent, affirmative action is taken

Pensioner burnt to death in Plaisance fire P12

East Bank/East Coast road link

Govt finalising feasibility study with P16 Indian engineering company …technicality causing delays – Jordan Corruption index P9

Guyana still has a long road ahead – TIGI

…as country still seen as corruption prone Ushering in Phagwah: Dancers performed a cultural piece on Saturday when the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha hosted its annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar titled "Rang Rasiya" to kick-start the celebrations for 2018 (Dexter Ceres photo)

Gunmen storm Chinese general store …escape with cash Page 2

Parika Market Centre bond goes up in flames

… nearby stalls destroyed

Blocking of Corriverton flag raising

It wasn’t me: Commander denies stopping ceremony

Page 9

Page 10

Bollywood actress P17 Sridevi dies

Caricom intersessional meeting

President shelves planned visit to P14 Haiti …in the wake of efforts to secure borders

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news

SUnDAY, february 25, 2018 guyanatimesGY.com

Gunmen storm Chinese general store ‌escape with cash

T

wo bandits on Saturday afternoon carried out a brazen daylight robbery on a Chinese business located at Lot 10 Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

The men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, relieved the owner, 23-yearold Xu Kai of $30,000 in cash which was kept in a box behind the counter.

Reports are the Chinese national was in the general store beyond the counter when the two men entered.

Soon after one of the men

reportedly whipped out a handgun from his pants waist and held the victim at gunpoint. The suspect then pushed his hands over the counter and took away the cash that was in the box.

After committing the robbery, the two men left the store, jumped on a bicycle and rode off. The Police were then summoned to the scene and the CCTV was extracted.

Those recordings are being reviewed to determine the identities of the two men. The Police are con-

tinuing their investigations and are hopeful of apprehending the suspects at the soonest.

In the past week, three

East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessmen were relieved of large sums of money. In the first instance, Chatterpaul Persaud and

his wife at Enmore, ECD were confronted by gunmen, who gained entry into the home via a door they prised open.

After ransacking the house, the men escaped with a quantity of gold jewellery and closed to $7 million in cash. Persaud was also hit to the head and had to seek medical attention.

In another robbery, 38-year-old Terry Chand, a contractor of Hope West Enmore, ECD, was shot to his head shortly after leaving a Triumph, ECD bank.

It was reported that the now injured man was just entering his Foulis worksite after visiting the bank when a man armed with a handgun held him at gunpoint while another kept watch.

The gunman ordered Chand to hand over his bag containing $600,000 but

he refused, and it was this time, he was shot.

In another case, Lionel Persaud, 59, of Atlantic Gardens, ECD, was shot to the left leg by an armed man who relieved him of a bag containing $260,000 which he had withdrawn from the same Triumph bank. It was reported that as the man arrived home; a car appeared and blocked him from entering his yard.

One man exited, brandished a handgun and walked up to Persaud demanding that he had over the bag containing the money.

Persaud reportedly held onto the bag and in retaliation, the gunman discharged one round hitting him. The men then escaped. The Police have not made any arrests in the East Coast Demerara robberies.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, February 25 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 12:30h-14:00h and Monday, February 26 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 13:00h-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 25 – 11:55h-13:25h and Monday, February 26 – 13:15h-14:45h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Lightly cloudy skies in the early morning are expected to give way to light rain showers which will last until early afternoon. Lightly cloudy skies are expected to return in the afternoon, with partly cloudy skies expected in the evening. Overall temperatures are expected to range between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 00:03h and 12:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.33 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 05:57h and 18:45h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.84 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, february 24, 2018

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

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPL woes

“Blackouts” will only worsen – Jagdeo warns …unless urgent, affirmative action is taken

E

ven with a change of management at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), power outages remain a reality for thousands across Guyana.

Coming out swinging at the power company, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has pointed out that without effective action, the energy situation would only get worse.

During a recent press conference, Jagdeo decried the constant power outages coming from the GPL. Using the Amaila Falls Hydro Project which the Government has officially abandoned, he said the absence of a strong alternative energy policy is behind GPL’s woes.

“With the daily blackouts now, I see an ad from (Minister of Public Infrastructure David) Patterson’s outfit, saying they’ve saved Guyana tons of money by supplying power (from Power Producers and Distribution Incorporated) to GPL. The whole (previous) night we had blackout, the (next) day the ad was in the newspapers,” a frustrated Jagdeo said.

The former President said some of the units that have to generate power are old and may have to be put in reserve. He posited that, without Government putting an effective plan in place, power outages would only get worse.

“It’s going to get worse because they’re not taking steps to address it. There is no new power. Amaila should have been in the system from 2017, (providing) 100 megawatts. There is no new installed capacity in the horizon now,” he said.

“They’re still running with what the PPP had (while) in office, and we had planned to bring in an additional 160 megawatts of power. So those units, some

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

of them are already old and they need to be replaced or put in reserve. But if there’s no plan, it’s going to get worse,” Jagdeo predicted.

In a bid to revamp its operations, GPL recently appointed Albert Gordon, a Jamaican, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The appointment of this former Vice President of the Jamaican Water Commission took effect on February 1.

Gordon has replaced the former GPL acting CEO Renford Homer. His appointment has come at a time when GPL is touting the use of renewable energy, such as wind, to power its national grid.

No capacity

But, indeed, industry experts have expressed the view that GPL may not have the capacity to benefit from renewable energy. At a forum sponsored by the University of Guyana last year, head of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat’s Energy Unit, Dr Devon Gardner, had described GPL’s generation and distribution systems as below industry standards. He had noted that while GPL is contending with reach-

ing unserved areas, there is also pressure surrounding the utility company going green. He painted a picture of a company that has bitten off more than it could chew.

“To start with, the grid they currently operate is not in the best of shape, to say it mildly. There’s not a lot of investment that is going into the grid right now.

And the fact is: it’s always difficult to manage and maintain infrastructure in countries like Guyana, where the population density is very small compared to the distance over which the grid is run,” Gardner had said.

Dr Gardner had further explained that the longer the transmission line a utility company uses, the more that company’s losses are likely to be from both a technical and criminal standpoint -- from the increased possibility of theft.

The specialist noted that this all amounts to lost revenue and investment diverted away from upgrading the grid.

For perspective, Gardner had explained that the industry’s standard of transmission losses is five to six per cent, compared to GPL’s 28 per cent. He noted that as a result of these statis-

New GPL CEO Albert Gordon

tics, GPL could stand to benefit from the introduction of renewables.

But the absence of any significant renewable energy from the grid is costing the company. In the Ministry of Finance’s 2017 Mid-year Report it was detailed that GPL’s expenditure increased from $9.3 billion in the first half of 2016 to $12.6 billion in the same period this year.

However, this increase in expenditure was noted to be due to higher costs for Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), reinforcing the need for clean and renewable energy if the Government hopes to cut costs.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, february 25, 2018

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

Editorial

Holi 2018 T

he Hindu community will this Friday be joined by most of the rest of the country to celebrate the festival of Holi, or Phagwah.

Holi, as we all know, is celebrated very boisterously, with gaiety and abandon as revellers douse each other first with water, then, in the afternoon, with powders of all hues, the scarlet liquid “abeer,” and FINALLY, a sharing of sweets.

But we should know, too, the reason for the celebration; because while each Hindu festival generally emphasises the theme of “good overcoming evil,” they are grounded in narratives that are intended to educate us to act in our present circumstances. So, before we celebrate Holi, we are exhorted to perform in the here and now the actions that can later be celebrated.

In the case of Holi, it all began with that old trope – the ruler who begins well, but is seduced by the trappings of power and then begins to rule tyrannically and oppress the people. So, it was in this particular instance that the ruler Hiranyakashipu had been conferred with great powers that he thought made him beyond the reach of even God, the highest power; and thought he could do anything, no matter how dictatorial. In modern times, he was like those rulers who are elected to office but believe they are above the highest laws as encapsulated in the Constitution.

Against Hiranyakashipu, the resistance came from an unexpected quarter – his own son, Prahalad; who defied the dictatorial father, who then retaliated with his own sharper steel. He asked his sister Holika, who was unaffected by fire, to immolate herself with Prahalad, expecting his own son would be assassinated. But it was Holika who perished in the flames.

Later, Prahalad would educate his young friends not to bow down to his dictatorial father; but to stand up to him and do the right thing and follow the path represented

by Lord Vishnu. In the end, due to the steadfastness of young Prahalad, Vishnu himself adopts a special form and materialises to destroy Hiranyakashipu.

It was this event of good overcoming evil that was then celebrated by the people in the kingdom so boisterously, because the yoke of oppression had been removed from their necks.

In Guyana, therefore, it would be a travesty to simply celebrate if evil is roaming the land. For instance, this Holi, there are 5700 sugar workers who were fired by Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and are on the breadlines.

They are joined there by over 2000 workers who laboured for private cane farmers who lost their GuySuCo markets for their sugar cane with the closure of the factories. These 7700 workers have families, so at least thirty thousand men, women and children have nothing to celebrate and everything to mourn.

The highhandedness of those who made this astounding decision to shutter the sugar estates ignored their own advisors, and one can only conclude that they were motivated by reasons other than the social perspective that guides the running of a state.

This year, Holi is also significantly preceded by Republic Day, which is commemorated with the festival of Mashramani. Republic Day demands that citizens reflect on the sacrifice it took for our forefathers to throw off the yoke of oppression of the foreign, tyrannical rulers in the form of the British. That is an act worthy of celebration, but not if the ideals of sacrifice that guided our forefathers – just as those of Prahalad’s -- are sacrificed on the altar of expediency for selfaggrandizement and self-enrichment.

This Holi, we call upon all Guyanese to rise up to the true meaning of the festival, and take a vow to do the right thing: to rid the land of oppression in all its myriad forms. Whether it occurs in our homes; our villages; our regions; and yes, our country, it is our duty to do the right thing. Only then we would have earned the right to celebrate boisterously in the streets.

And shout, “Holi re!!”

Body painting, one of the fastest growing art forms in Guyana, was evident in many of the floats as Guyanese celebrated Mashramani 2018. In photo, these two young ladies portrayed a beautiful butterfly and the jaguar

More confusion from Jordan

Dear Editor, I have written about the quicksilver nature of this Government with regard to vitally important economic decisions which have had negative effects on our country, and the fact that our citizens will continue to suffer the ripple effects of those decisions for generations to come.

The media reported in an article under a caption which reads ‘$15 billion to Reopen Estates’ that “Gov’t seeks funds to restart operations at Skeldon and Enmore”, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Now, after many criticisms from the public, the Finance Minister has changed his tune, not unlike the US$18 million signing bonus. An official from the Ministry of Finance has stated, “I can confirm to you that the Minister was misunderstood. The finance being sourced is for the operations of GuySuCo and

its three estates -- Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt; it has nothing to do with the four closed estates. This is being handled separately”.

If this is so, then how come the SPU is involved in the negotiations of the $15 billion loan from the commercial banks? The SPU is involved in the preparation for sale, and the sale of the closed Estates, and NOT the operational Estates. The closed estates are separate entities. Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt are still being run by GuySuCo, and not NICIL! Something is definitely fishy here!

Furthermore, Minister Jordan was reported to have said that the revenue from the sale of the estates and land will be used to repay the proposed $15 billion loan within 3-5 years. He stressed that, “This will be a government debt, so that when we get a buyer, we will service the debt”.

When this is evaluated

from the statement made by the same minister -- that there is a new model of operation which will make GuySuCo more ‘cost efficient,’ and therefore profitable -- it leaves us in a quandary as to the real reason for the requirement of the proposed loan to finance existing operations at the three estates. Why not use this ‘model’ on the three estates being operated by GuySuCo? I still do feel that another lie will be forthcoming in regard to the financing of the closed estate, to facilitate ‘miniature operations’ and to avoid the ‘moth balling process’!

It is also reported that 30,000 tons of canes will be harvested at Enmore to produce sugar for DDL. Let us do a simple calculation about the revenue factor.

At a TC/TS of 15, it means that 1200 tons of molasses will be produced with 2000 tons of sugar. This should bring in an approximate in-

come of $19.5 million from molasses and $212 million from sugar sales at US$500 per ton, a total income of $231.5 million. However, if all the canes are utilized for molasses purpose only, then approximately 4500 tons of molasses will be produced at a local market value of $73.3 million, and a loss of approximately $158.2 million will result!

How will this bring profits to GuySuCo? In addition, we need to be given some estimates and some hard facts by the Minister of Finance how the injection of $15 billion will result in profits? Or is this a ‘figment of his imagination’?

We have been exposed to ‘voodoo economics’ by this Coalition Government for too long!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor Region Six

Disappointing Mash experience

Dear Editor, Please allow me to comment on my Mash 2018 experience. Durban Park was packed to capacity. My family and I settled at stand # 22. I expected the music, float and revellers to enter the park from the western end and go around the block, allowing the spectators to witness their final dis-

play. Instead, the trucks entered the park, turned off their music, and quietly exited the eastern entrance with revellers.

This was a cold show for Mashramani. Everyone in the stand sucked their teeth. They didn’t even have extended speakers so the spectators on the eastern side could hear

what was going on at the judges table.

Whoever are the organizers must know that they have disappointed those who came out to be part of Mashramani 2018.

Yours sincerely, C Woolford

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, february 25, 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

Confusion in Govt over sugar industry Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), through reports that appeared in several sections of the press, was -- to say the least -- surprised to learn that the state-owned NICIL Special Purpose Unit (SPU), according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, was seeking financing in the region of $10 billion to $15 billion in order to resume operations at the East Demerara and Skeldon estates.

By any yardstick, this is a huge sum, and we initially thought that the minister was maybe misquoted. This, however, turned out not to be the case. Minister Jordan has said the SPU was close to finalizing the financing through an arrangement with a consortium of local

banks.

Our Union, on this score, cannot help but wonder about the collateral that would have to be put up, or the interest rates that would be demanded, among the other conditions that the banks would impose. Just some food for thought!

Sum of investment Aside from those important considerations, we are perplexed by the need for such a large sum. We recall that GuySuCo, with seven (7) factories under its fold, had required less financing from the Treasury; and therefore we are at a loss to figure out why the need for this significant sum.

Moreover, if the minister’s comments are anything to go by, it seems that hardly any of the money being sought would be going

to the workers. The minister, according to a one report, was quoted as saying, “…it would have been more expensive to keep them [the estates] open, especially in the areas of staffing and costs”. Therefore, it seems that workers’ remuneration would be kept to the barest, which in itself would present its own problems.

It seems that the sums being sought would be utilized towards meeting capital expenditure. If this is factual, then the figures, from our point of view, seem high.

We recall that the Sugar CoI has estimated that capital expenditure for the period 2016 to 2020 for East Demerara and Skeldon would be $2.57 billion and $1.151 billion respectively.

With those investments, the CoI concluded, the two (2)

estates would have produced 39,615 tonnes and 61,744 tonnes sugar respectively by 2020.

Should the additional sums be used to fund the sugar diversification projects recommended by the Sugar CoI and endorsed by our Union, then, we believe, it would be shortsighted to sell rehabilitated and improved estates to allow the private owners to cream off the massive profits that could be realized from the implementation of these initiatives.

Whatever is the case, we believe it would be difficult for NICIL to fully recover its entire investment.

Therefore, the unrecovered portion of the investments being contemplated would amount to a State subsidy to the new owners, apart from the other fiscal conces-

Consequential mistake made by Govt Dear Editor, As a true patriot of Guyana and an ardent supporter of the Government, I feel compelled to inform the Coalition Government of a grave and consequential mistake it has made since assuming office in 2015.

The mistake I refer to was the appointment of the Public Relations Officer of the Mayor and City Council, Royston King, to the position of Town Clerk in the municipality of Georgetown back in 2015, not long after coming into office.

In the first instance, the minister who issued a letter of appointment to King, which commenced on July 14, 2015, should have been aware that King did not have the requisite qualifications for the job, which necessitate that the candidate be legally trained. He is neither qualified nor experienced in public administration. His qualifications are strictly in the realm of communications, which was required for his job as Public Relations Officer.

Secondly, it was public knowledge that the foregoing mayor had taken pains

to write copiously, and to voice -- every opportunity he had -- about the unsuitability of the gentlemen to continue working as the Public Relations Officer of the Council, let alone to ever be promoted to the position of Town Clerk. The archives of the Ministry of Communities and the Georgetown Municipality must be overflowing with such letters, in which the former Mayor described the current Town Clerk as being indolent, incompetent, and lacking in moral standards.

So why were these copious missives not taken into consideration when the appointment was being considered?

Thirdly, one would have to ask why corrective actions or disciplinary measures were not taken since July 2015, when the current Town Clerk went over the edge. Why was there no insistence that audits be conducted at the Georgetown Municipality each year?

Why, when contracts were consistently being awarded without a bidding process being undertaken, did no one ensure that Tender Board rules were adhered

to? Why -- when grand luxury trips were being undertaken around the world at significant costs to the citizenry and without the Council’s prior knowledge or permission -- were checks and balances not put in place?

Now that everything is falling apart, there seems to be some concerns being expressed. Workers are being paid late each month, and their statutory deductions are being withheld, No problem! The animals at the Abattoir are being slaughtered inhu-

manely, No problem! The Constabulary ranks are committing statutory rape on juveniles and the Town Clerk takes his own sweet time to report it to the Police and Child Protection Agency.

No Problem!

Contracts worth more than $100 million are awarded to clean the Cemetery without being tendered. No problem!

Should we wait to close the stable door after the horse has bolted?

Sincerely, Nadine Jerrick

sions that the private owners would obviously demand.

It appears that the best approach would be for the State to retain ownership.

Timeline for sale We also learnt that Minister Jordan expects that sale of the estates identified for privatisation would be completed, according to another section of the media where he was quoted as saying, “…in another six to nine months”. The Minister’s statement is in vast contrast to SPU privatization specialist Shawn Persaud.

We recall Mr Persaud as being quoted in a January 26, 2018 Das saying“…authorities could not wait two years for the estates to be sold…”.

Is it nine months or two years? But the minister added to the confusion when he said, according to NCN, that the loan the SPU is hoping to secure would be repaid in three to five years. In effect, the Finance Minister is saying that the SPU would have long disposed of the assets from which it would have derived the revenue to re-

pay the loan it is now seeking. No prudent banker in their rightful sense would approve such a loan, unless it is guaranteed by the Government. If this is so, then this amounts to a further subsidy by the State down the road.

Or maybe it is that the Minister misspoke, or is in a state of obvious confusion.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary, GAWU

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018

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Foundation

Your child’s secret life online:

7 ways to manage it as a parent

By Spencer Melnick

Here are some ways for parents to manage their child’s online life and open dialogue about it that I’ve found to be effective.

7 ways to manage your child’s online life

Set large boundaries early. If you have younger children between the ages of five and eight, consider setting large boundaries around your own smartphone or tablet. I do this with my own children. My wife and I make the limit very clear: “You cannot touch Daddy’s iPhone. If you want to see my pictures on the phone, you have to ask first.” I do this because I only want them to be exposed to what’s appropriate for them at that age. And, frankly, it’s just easier for me at this stage. I minimize the risk of them getting on the web and going down some scary road by setting one large, simple limit and staying consistent with it. For example, I do this a lot in my practice. Use the words, “Show me.” I’m at an age where I can very clearly remember what it was like to be 15, but I’m far enough away from it to ask a question that’s fairly innocent. So if I want to know what kind of social media platforms a teen is engaging in, I’ll simply say, “Hey,

what’s SnapChat about? Can you show me?” It’s a simple question, and more often than not, children will show you the app on their phone, and you can start a conversation about it. You’re not asking to see specific content

and pry into your child’s privacy. You’re simply asking about the app. And you can see where your child is comfortable and uncomfortable.

If you feel empowered to be truly curious, you will learn something and connect with your child. It’s no longer a big secret. I think this is essential when it comes to the online world. If you don’t ask questions, how else will you learn?

Ask your child ques-

tions about their online experience with no judgment. Ask when you can do so with openness and genuine curiosity, not when you’re feeling testy or angry.

Take the stance that “No one’s in trouble here.”

Ask your teen what other children are doing.

I use this question to get children to open up about drug use among their peers: “What kinds of drugs are you seeing kids use?” You can use a similar question about how “other kids” use social media or online chat: “I’m curious. What kinds of social media apps are other kids using? Are they chatting online these days?

How?” Again, if you can remain open and curious, this is an opportunity for your child to talk about what’s happening for them online, through the example of “other kids”.

Ask your teen: “Have

you ever seen anything online that disturbed you?” As parents, we’ve all encountered things online that made us hit the back button or the home button and get out of it. Your teen has likely done the same thing and may be more interested in talking about it than you think. Ask the question and talk about a personal example of something you found disturbing.

It normalises the experience and makes it less of a secret.

Speak with like-minded parents. You are not the only parent who wishes their child would engage with them half as much as they do their devices. Ask parents whom you trust, “How are you managing phones in your family?” You’re likely to get some good tips on managing technology. All you have to do is ask.

Establish text-free times for everyone in your home. Model appropriate use of technology. Set aside time each day for no texting, Facebook-checking or email sending. And follow it as parents. Put down your iPad. Use that time to talk about how your children’s days went.

Replace online time

Part 2 with family time. Limits around technology use are a lot easier to enforce if you replace what you’re taking away with something that benefits everyone. Plan a technology-free night as a family. No phones, no Instagram, no texting. Go to a movie or to the beach… and talk.

There’s nothing more powerful than parental influence in a child’s life. But technology holds a seductive type of power for adults and children that can overwhelm parental influence without us even being aware of it.

The antidote to this can be one or two sincere questions that you ask your child and a willingness and courage to allow for whatever the answer is. (Excerpt from empoweringpar-

ents.com)

Embracing the arts touted at Republic anniversary lecture

T

here is much more than meets the eye in the creative arts, and according to Dr Natalie Hopkinson, Guyana can benefit significantly if investors pump capital into the industry.

Dr Hopkinson, a Howard University and University of Maryland graduate, was the guest speaker at this year’s Republic Anniversary Distinguished Lecture held on Wednesday evening at the Umana Yana, in Georgetown.

“It doesn’t cost anything to be creative, but you do need some help outside,” she told the gathering. “They have been pulling out all of the riches out of Guyana forever. So, it is a matter where you have to agitate and make it go to places that reflect your values.”

Dr Hopkinson delved extensively into Guyana’s pluralistic cultural society and the richness of its diversity.

“Art is about radical imagination, it is about imagining a future we cannot now see. It is not just about the poets and the painters, it is also for the women and men on the street. We are in trying times and we really need allhands-on-deck, no voice and

Guest lecturer, Dr Natalie Hopkinson

no vision should be left behind,” she emphasised.

Quoting the renowned Poet, AJ Seymour, Dr Hopkinson said for the artist of Guyana, the revelation of a national identity is the most revolutionary possibility that exists. “The Guyanese man has to recreate himself in his own image as an indispensable basis on which to realise the image of a national identity,” she said.

The distinguished lecture was part of a series of activities organised by the Education Ministry leading up to the 48th anniversary of Guyana’s Republic.

news

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

New NOC sex scandal

Official hiding reports of sexual activities between staff and inmates – source

A

senior official of Guyana’s largest juvenile detention centre -- the New Opportunity Corps at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) -- is being accused of covering up several instances of sexual activity occurring between inmates and staff members at that institution.

A staff member has said this matter has been reported on several occasions, but the issue is being pushed under the carpet. This source related that a senior official (name withheld) has since developed close relationships with a number of staff members, and those relationships involve him sweeping accusations of sexual misconduct under the rug.

The inside source told Guyana Times that, in the past months, there have been approximately six female inmates reporting sexual activities and inappropriate behaviour from two particular staff members, and nothing has been done about it.

“On previous occasions, the female students would be writing letters to male staff members about their feelings and so on, and when you bring it to the attention of the management, nothing is being done,” the source revealed.

“After the male teachers receive these letters, they would call the female students into their office and they would kiss them up and do all sorts of things to them. Plenty times the staff members would witness these things, and when they talk, their voices are not being heard. There are several reports being made to both the previous Ministry of

The New Opportunity Corps

Education and this one, but Mr (name withheld) would just say that it is untrue and continue to cover up for the men,” the source related.

This person further stated that the senior official would even make sexual advances towards the female staff members, and when they refuse his ad-

vances, they would be subjected to undue pressure and other acts of victimisation. The source added that there currently are two other members of staff (names provided) who are in active relationships with the female minors, but no action is being taken against them.

“One is a driver and the

other one is an agriculture instructor. The driver one had to be re-assigned because some of the students were pressuring to get the matter taken further,” the source explained.

The source further related that the female inmates are also being impregnated by both staff members and male inmates, often resulting in abortions. In 2013, an investigation had to be launched by the then Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry after three inmates were discovered pregnant.

The New Opportunity Corps houses youths between the ages of 10 and 18, after they are sentenced there by the courts to participate in correctional programmes lasting up to three years. Most of them are sentenced there for petty offences, such wandering, minor assault and theft. However, over 50 percent of the more than 100 inmates are at the NOC for wandering.

There are separate dormitories for males and females. However, understaffing and general favouritism are being blamed for the illegal relations, according to the source.

Apart from condoning an illegality, the source also accused the senior official of inviting friends into the NOC compound after hours to participate in parties.

Several accusations of rape have been levelled against both ministry officials and NOC staffers in the past.

Since the Coalition Government came into power, responsibility for the NOC has been assigned to the Social Protection Ministry.

However, when Guyana Times reached out to NOC administrator Mark Dover for a comment on the issue, it was told to call back on Monday.

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Mela hosted to commence Phagwah celebrations

T

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha on Saturday hosted its annual Phagwah mela and bazaar, titled ‘Rang Rasiya’, to kick start the Phagwah celebrations for 2018.

The event, held at the Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar, saw hundreds of persons partaking in the different activities. Attendees were, in the afternoon, treated to spectacular stage performances with rich cultural overtones from the popular Dharmic Nritya Sangh. Many talented Guyanese artistes, including Mona Gowkaran, Ganindra, Shivanand Singh, Vidya Ram, Varun Samlall, Celia Samaroo and Avinash

Some of the patrons partaking of the delicacies on sale

Roopchand, took the stage to entertain the audience with their musical renditions.

Additionally, there were dramatic pieces directed under the baton of Travez

Piaralall.

Prior to commencement of the programme, patrons participated in a feast of sweet and savory delicacies that were on sale, and this

transitioned them into the Phagwah spirit.

The younger children were fascinated with the face painting, games and henna designing; while the adults took the opportunity to purchase their vibrant coloured powders infused with various scents.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhya Persaud, related that this annual activity has been around for over three decades, and has evolved through these years because of the increase in patrons who grace the event.

The national holiday of Phagwah will be celebrated on Friday.

Hapless…

T

…in agriculture he agony at Wales continue, as the severance payments of the 1400 who received them run out. The picketing exercise by the 300+, who are still fighting being treated like slaves and indentured servants who had no labour agreement, brought this out clearly from their placards and cries. How many “pointer brooms” can they sell to survive, when there is no other alternative?

The workers’ call for the dismissal of Agriculture Minister Noel Holder is not just because of the spiteful withholding of their severance. This is the man who, back in December 2016, did not even have the decency to show up and tell the workers face-to-face that Wales would be shuttered and they would be fired. But it would seem that the workers are too late with their calls for Holder’s head; another section of the press has stated that GuySuCo has been removed from his portfolio and placed with NICIL. Now, the Special Purposes Unit (SPU) within NICIL had already been given responsibility for disposing of the four estates that were closed by the Government. Does this wholesale dumping of the entire sugar industry into their arms translate into a confirmation of your Eyewitness’s prediction that sugar is kaput?? If Holder was universally adjudged to be totally unqualified to run agriculture, what can one say about the SPU, which was specifically cobbled together to do nothing but sell off the closed estates?? To a hammer, everything is a nail; and we can just see the SPU recommending hammering the last nail in the coffin of sugar.

As your Eyewitness bemoaned, the fact that the Finance Minister (who’s in charge of NICIL) can talk about re-opening Skeldon and Enmore to produce only molasses shows how hapless he and the rest of his accountants are about the nitty-gritty of sugar production. To these fellas it’s all about the numbers, and to hell with the human lives that hang in the balance by those numbers.

Your Eyewitness doesn’t think this Government would listen; they obviously intend to make their political point, and punish 17,000 workers whom they see as “PPP supporters”. If that were not the case, they would have long solved the challenge in the sugar industry.

The sugar factories were not the problem – with the exception of Skeldon – the problem was producing sugar cane efficiently. But private farmers showed that was not a problem, since they were able to consistently deliver twice the yields of GuySuCo. Maybe the accountants may be the ones to say the emperor has no clothes.

And lease the lands to workers while selling off the factories! …in oil negotiation Your Eyewitness wants to make one thing clear on our oil revenue prospect against the background of his criticism of “Nassau” Trotman’s (mis)handling of the oil contract: He’ll have no truck with those who say that “oil don’t spoil”; implying that “Nassau” could’ve walked away from the negotiation table with Exxon. Oil mightn’t spoil, but its price can plummet to levels that Exxon could walk away from.

With the coming age of renewables and electric cars, our oil will take several decades to be exhausted, and can easily face a glut that’ll force prices below US$40/bl. The head of British Petroleum just the other day predicted reaching Peak Oil Demand by 2030. It’s best to take as much as we can get up front.

The point is this: Trotman was so out of his league that he wasn’t even playing in the same game with Exxon.

He was a softball player in a hardball league!

What has to be done is to renegotiate with Exxon: they know they have to make as much profits RIGHT NOW. They don’t want to b e held up in litigation. …in rice shell game Poor rice farmers: they’re no match for the slick operator Doerga, who always plays the angles. Right now he’s playing a shell game – perfected by the offshore bankers – with front companies to avoid paying for paddy.

Now you see it…now you don’t!!

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

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Corruption index

Guyana still has a long road ahead – TIGI …as country still seen as corruption prone

W

hile Guyana’s progression on Transparency International’s ranking is a good sign, the ranking shows the country is still prone to corruption and according to Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), there are still outstanding issues the Government has to address.

In an interview with Guyana Times, TIGI President, Dr Troy Thomas noted that the reality is Guyana still has a long road to travel. In addition, he noted that events like the questionable US$18 million signing bonus that was concealed by the Government – an issue ventilated late in 2017 – may not have been factored in.

“I think that is a good sign for Guyana. (But) an improvement in ranking does not mean all is well. It means people believe we are in the right direction. But at the same time, Guyana is still corrupt. So, it doesn’t mean we are out of the woods. It means that there have been some improvements but there are still areas.”

He stressed that the question of corruption did not just involve bad decisions but also persons benefiting inappropriately from good or bad decisions being made. These issues, the anti-corruption advocate said, remained to be stamped out.

With dire warnings

TIGI head, Dr Troy Thomas

that countries in the region make anti-corruption as a national policy and priority, International watchdog Transparency International (TI) had given Guyana a ranking of 91 out of 180 countries on the index.

The index

According to the index, which was released just days ago, countries that fail to make anti-corruption a priority stand the risk of losing ground in their corruption fighting efforts in future indexes. “(But) countries that prioritise anti-corruption and create national policies through consensus and public and political participation; are better positioned to make a significant qualita-

tive leap forward,” the report stated.

While the report shied away from saying that the Region’s anti-corruption fight had come to a standstill, it did observe that more must be done to tackle structural issues. This, the report noted, includes “political funding, public procurement and the strengthening of independent, strong, and flexible legal institutions.”

Guyana was ranked at 91, with a score of 38; an improvement from 2016’s ranking of 108. For 2016, the country received a score of 34; in 2015, 29 and in 2014, 30.

The last time the index had been released, it was noted that there were outstanding issues with corruption that were not being addressed.

During one of his rare press conferences, President David Granger had denied knowledge of any corruption within his Government.

This came in the wake of a number of instances when Government’s accountability and transparency was put in the spotlight.

While he insisted that he would do whatever possible to ensure the integrity of his Ministers working in the industry, Granger had acknowledged that “God couldn’t confirm that his people wouldn’t be compromised by adultery.”

At the time, Government

had been facing much heat from the political Opposition as well as civil society. They had been criticised for the controversial Sussex Street bond, the Hope Wind Farm

project, a $605 million solesourced drug contract, the handpicking of a Dutch firm to conduct a feasibility analysis on a new Demerara Harbour Bridge, among oth-

ers.

They were also criticised for collecting a US$18 million oil bonus but never disclosing the transaction to the nation.

Blocking of Corriverton flag raising

It wasn’t me: Commander denies stopping ceremony

“B

” Division Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Lyndon Alves, has denied that he instructed his ranks to halt the flag-raising ceremony at Corriverton, East Berbice on Thursday evening.

In a telephone interview with Guyana Times, the commander said he received information about the halting of the ceremony only late Thursday evening, and as such, he could not have given such an instruction.

When this publication attempted to question him further on whose instruction the ceremony was halted, the commander declined to comment further on the issue, saying only that he

Former Mayor of Corriverton, Ganesh Gangadin, being escorted off the stage by Police Officers after the flag-raising ceremony was stopped by Police

would speak to the officers who had been designated to provide security at the event.

The stopping of the event has raised eyebrows, since it had reportedly stemmed

from the organising committee rejecting the request for Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to be the feature speaker at the event. turn to page 18

10 news

SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Parika Market Centre bond goes up in flames …nearby stalls destroyed

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move to the front, and that stall turn into a bond. It had clothes, wares, cosmetics, bicycle, toys and so on. It is a lot of money (involved), and I don’t know if she had insurance,” Shamma related.

Shamma said family members have been operating in the market for over 28 years, and the family owns

and timely response. They declared that if the GFS had not arrived on time, the entire Marketing Centre could have been engulfed and billions of dollars in damages would have resulted.

“Is a good thing them come in time, and then I hear people saying that is some lil boy that was playing with fire and a pointer

The Parika Market bond on fire

ven as three business owners are counting their losses, major disaster was averted at the Parika Marketing Centre, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Saturday morning, when a fire completely destroyed a bond and damaged two nearby cook shops located in the Marketing Centre.

According to the Market’s Administrator, Toolaram Rohit, a security guard making his routine checks observed fire coming from inside the bond just after 09:00h and immediately raised an alarm.

The Guyana Fire Service was summoned, and arrived just in time to contain the fire to the bond, while nearby stalls suffered minimal damages.

“I called the Fire Service at Leonora (Fire Station)…

The Market has two fire extinguishers, and I gave them that, but it couldn’t work because the fire start-

ed to (spread); and people came and we did the bucket brigade, but it still didn’t out it, because the heat was so intense they couldn’t do anything. When the fire tender came, they contained the fire and then another truck came and they out it, but the stall was completely burnt down,” Rohit related.

The fire reportedly started in, and destroyed, the storage bond of Sharmilla Shaw of Lot 2449 Block 8, Tuschen, EBE, and then spread to the neighbouring cook shops.

Shaw was too distraught to speak to this publication, but her sister and co-owner of the bond, Sharda Shamma, related that she received a call about the fire and immediately rushed to the market, only to find everything destroyed.

“The stall is at the back of the market, and we used to sell there; but since business up there slow down, we

Stallholders combing through the debris after the fire

four stalls, selling clothing, toys, cosmetics and other everyday items. She said the fire is a major setback, and added that a 10-yearold who is the grandson of one of the nearby stallholders admitted to playing with a stick which he lit.

However, she could not definitively say whether that is what caused the blaze.

Several persons at the scene praised the members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for their exceptional

that start the fire,” vendor Vashti (only name given) said.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent Karim Baksh, the Divisional Commander, said that such information is yet to be related to him. He added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether there was any foul play involved.

The Guyana Fire Service is conducting its investigation to determine the origin of the blaze. (Lakhram Bhagirat)

Republic Fete S

atiricus was smiling all the way to the Back Street Bar. He and the fellas had looked at the Mash Float Parade on TV this year at their individual homes, and he knew they would be comparing notes. In previous years, they’d all taken their families to look at the jump up and wining, but this year the wives had drawn a line: There were too many robberies taking place, and they weren’t going to take any chances in the hyena’s den!

“Budday, wha’ yuh tink?” called out Cappo to Satiricus as he spied him coming. “Abee prappa gat nuff big skin ‘oman, na?”

“Me hope yuh notice none a dem na cane-cutta wife,” butted in Bungi. “Dem tu’n prappa maaga since dem husban’ get knack aff.”

“Bungi, why you have to look at the glass half-empty again?” complained Satiricus. “We are just celebrating the birth of our Republic, man! Loosen up, nuh!”

“But Bungi has a point, Sato,” said Hari as he sipped his beer slowly. “What do we really have to celebrate this year?”

“Budday, we became a Republic!” said Satiricus exasperatedly.

“What else do you want?”

“Yes Hari,” smirked Cappo. “Abee gat plenty big skin ‘oman apart fram cane cutta wife! Wha’ mo yuh want de Republic gat?”

“Me want de Republic get jab fuh all dem cane-cuttah de guvment fyaah,” said Bungi doggedly as he disagreed with his friend for once.

“Bungi, jobs will come,” said Satiricus with certainty. “We found oil, you know!”

“Oil? Oil?” interjected Cappo who stopped skinning his teeth.

“Venezuela gat mo ile dan anybaddy in de worl’, an’ all dem big skin ‘oman get fine, fine!!”

“That’s what I’m trying to say, fellas,” said Hari patiently.

“Venezuela was the first Republic in South America! What has it done for them?”

“Dem a come heah in Guyana fuh look fuh jab!” said Bungi triumphantly. “Yuh t’ink dem a flounce about like dem head na good?”

“Dem na flounce about beca’se dem na gat any mo big skin ‘oman!” said Cappo triumphantly. “Dem tu’n maaga like abee cane cuttah wife!”

Satiricus gave up and started to sip his beer.

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Senior Cop arrested after highway accident Whose Guyana?

A

senior Policeman was arrested following an accident on Saturday afternoon on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

along the Linden Highway heading to Georgetown when he lost control of his vehicle. This resulted in a collision with a Police pa-

By Ryhaan Shah

N

ot since “Burnham’s Guyana” has there been such a relentless onslaught on everything right, decent and lawful. Everyone who experienced those times cannot help but feel a sense of déjà vu. It is not just the state corruptions and contempt for the rule of law, but the strengthening of the army and the promised return of the People’s Militia. These are clear signs of a return to a militarised state.

The bias against Indian Guyanese, as under Burnham, is vengeful; and there appears to be no embarrassment or shame about the photographs, statements, and ethnic cleansing that underline the Granger Government’s policies and open favour of African Guyanese.

It is not a stretch to conclude that the PNC are acting from a long-held position that Guyana belongs to them and their supporters, i.e., to African Guyanese; and that every other ethnic group has less rights and legitimacy to Guyanese citizenship.

That attempt to make Africans indigenous by claiming that they arrived here even before those who are universally accepted as the First Peoples of the Americas was not being forwarded as a spurious claim, but was intended to question and even upend historical facts and data.

No other African people in the Caribbean or North and South America have questioned or tried to debunk the legitimacy of Americas’ First Peoples, their indigenous status, and any of their inherited rights. African Guyanese stand alone in this regard, and all the talk about social cohesion is empty rhetoric and a national distraction as Granger moves to solidify the PNC’s hold on the entire public service; and, through the dispensation of state funds and international aid, favour African Guyanese communities.

Aid and support to the tune of more than US$12 million by the Granger Government and the Caribbean Development Fund will be given to the villages of Ithaca, Triumph, Buxton and Mocha – largely African Guyanese villages – to help them revitalise agriculture.

On the face of it, helping to develop Guyana’s agricultural sector is commendable; but when the same Government has retrenched over 5,000 sugar workers, closed sugar estates, and is throwing rice farmers at Hope Estate off the land -- all the affected workers and farmers being mainly Indian Guyanese – those other moves to boost agricultural development expose a clear racial bias.

Granger says his Government is trying to regain lost ground, and is helping communities neglected by the PPP/C Government; but pursuing a policy of “regaining lost ground” by wilfully creating jobless communities of mainly Indian Guyanese is unjust, and the move to reopen the Skeldon and Enmore sugar estates shows that shutting down the estates was never the result of a considered development strategy.

It appears as an act of vengeance against perceived PPP supporters.

For too long, Guyana has been the victim of this tit-fortat politics. Whatever ills the PPP/C did during its governance, it did hand over a civil service, Police Force and army that had not changed much since Burnham’s time. They were still staffed largely by African Guyanese, a status quo that is now being widened by Granger to include as many other sectors as possible.

Indian Guyanese have always been relegated to an ethnic minority status that belies their numbers in a region where African Caribbean culture and politics are dominant; and African Guyanese, via the PNC, continue to act from this position of dominance.

While we all emerged from a brutal colonial past, we have yet to rediscover that short-lived united front that was evident when we stood against colonialism and fought for our freedom. We continually betray that legacy of dignity and courage, and find ourselves shaping our own history of brutality, corruption and contempt as we scrap over “whose Guyana?”

Like all history, ours occurred on a continuum. It cannot be picked apart piecemeal, but is a legacy inherited by every citizen, whose story adds to the historical narrative. No one is an island because of the interconnectedness of the time continuum.

History also gives a measure of how far we have travelled, and how much still needs to be done; and Guyana’s postindependence fight for political domination along ethnic, partisan lines has created varying levels of distrust for our political leadership, which is yet to rise to the challenge and embody the hopes of this nation of peoples.

Perhaps there needs to be a seismic shift, and the real struggle should be to first accept the legacy that history has placed on us, and to establish and uphold a political system that would provide just governance of a richly diverse society of peoples, who each have talents and skills that can help build this country.

The car bearing registration plates PWW 5491, driven by the Senior Policeman

The Police vehicle which was involved in the accident

According to reports, the senior Cop, who was the driver of motorcar PWW 5491, was proceeding South

trol vehicle which was heading in the opposite direction.

As a result of the im-

pact, the car which the senior Police Officer was driving careened off the road and into trees alongside the highway, before turning turtle and coming to a halt.

Two of the three Policemen in the patrol vehicle received injuries

and were transported for medical attention. The Policemen were responding to a report of domestic abuse in the Yarrowkabra area and were on their way back to the Police Station when the accident occurred.

Instigations into this accident are ongoing.

12 news

SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pensioner burnt to death in Plaisance fire

T

he charred remains of 82-year-old James Johnson, a pensioner, was on Saturday afternoon found among the debris of the multiple occupancy building at Victoria Road, Plaisance that was destroyed by fire.

Fire Prevention Officer, Andrew Holder, was the one who made the discovery sometime at 15:00h on Saturday after relatives reported the elderly man as being unaccounted for.

According to Holder, firefighting activities went

on until about 02:00h on Saturday morning as the search for the pensioner in the burnt buildings intensified, after residents reported a strange scent emanating from the still smoking debris.

“After several checks

with family members turned up empty-handed, we decided to thoroughly comb the debris. On do-

being kept at the Lykens Funeral Parlour for further analysis.

When asked about the

was not at its best… there were a lot of improvised electrical installation with drop cords running here

Fire officials, Police and residents gathered as word spread on the discovery of the pensioner’s body in the debris

ing so I uncovered the remains of a body. I cannot say whether it is a male or female but it is the remains of a human body,” Holder explained.

“The area in which the body was found, I understand from a resident of the home that an elderly person lived there, an 82-yearold gentleman of the name James Johnson,” he added.

He further stated that following the discovery, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department were summoned and investigations were launched.

The remains of the body are

cause of the fire, the expert related that investigations are still ongoing, and several theories are being examined.

“There are reports of persons having to run into this building and they to put out accidental fires. A gentleman, from the back, said on several occasions he had to come into the elderly gentleman apartment because he forgot something on, like the stove etc,” he noted.

“What I can say… this building being a multi occupancy building, the wiring, the electrical installation

and there and it (the investigation) can lead in any direction but it will take some time,” Holder added.

The dead man’s neighbour related that he did not see Johnson at any time on Friday, adding that his fears were confirmed when he contacted the man’s daughter who informed him that her father was in the building at the time of the fire.

He added that Johnson was a friendly person and he would regularly check in on the elderly man.

CONTINUED TO PAGE 16

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

The legacy of terror

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here are increasing signs that we are fast descending into a repeat of the widespread terror unleashed on the populace during the Burnham dictatorship. Maybe it is part of the project to continue his “legacy”, so we should continue to examine that legacy.

The terror in Burnham’s state was generated essentially from two sources. First, there was the physical violence meted out by organised bands of thugs and the rapes and murders of the ‘kick down the door’ bandits. Secondly, there was the psychic violence emanating from the breakdown in the legal order; the destruction of societal values, and the pervasive lawlessness which the regime extended into every facet of the lives of the citizens.

Organised terror

In a bifurcated state (ethnic or otherwise), where the governing party has decided to maintain its rule Ravi Dev by subjugating the excluded group, violence against this group is inevitable; and from the perspective of the rulers, salutary. The message is inculcated into the dominated group: the wages of rebellion is extermination.

Violence as a political tactic was introduced into Guyanese politics during 1962-63 by the CIA/TUC/PNC/UF alliance against the PPP Government, and is the variable that distinguishes us from TT and Suriname. It quickly escalated into a racial civil war due to the racial support base of each political party. The PPP attempted to reciprocate in 1964, but soon learned that the success of the tactic of violence depended on whose group controlled the coercive apparatus of the state, and it was not the PPP’s.

Burnham was fond of informing his audiences: “The PNC brought peace to Guyana”, and that if they were removed violence would return. The Guyanese people understood his message. During the seventies, the House of Israel (HOI), comprised of young African Guyanese, was Burnham’s personal “goon squad,” and was used indiscriminately against Indians and other opposition figures. In 1979, the group was provided with automatic rifles and other weapons.

“Kick-down-the-door” bandits were small bands of armed hoodlums (some claimed they included members of the HOI and members of the Disciplined Forces) who viciously preyed on the population, inflicting gratuitious violence during their robberies.

Eusi Kwayana said their directed depredations against Indians “had the flavour of racial genocide”. Their terroristic actions, which have evidently been revived, were so pervasive into the 80s that few Indians families did not “keep watch” during the night.

The pervasive lawlessness

Even more insidious than the direct violence was the feeling of helplessness and a belief that nothing and no one could change the situation. This “atomisation” and fatalism of the excluded group is the goal of the maximum leader. The impoverisation of the population, seen today in the sugar belt, further contributes to the atomisation. As Aristotle observed, when the people have to scavenge for food all day, they have very little time or inclination to plot rebellion or revolution against the dictator.

They are impelled towards individual solutions which are the “fight, flight or submit” responses of cornered animals. The individual who elects to fight the system is easily contained and defeated by the bureaucracy, the Police, the judiciary and other state forces arrayed against him. The conflict is not allowed to escalate to higher levels. This existential reality has forced Guyanese to opt for the other two solutions of “flight” (emigration) and “submission”.

These options have provided the dictatorship with its major safety valves. Emigration increased steadily from the early sixties, and at this point, it is estimated that as many Guyanese are “outside” as are “inside”… These emigrants include the majority of the middle class and intelligentsia - the groups from which most revolutionary movements have sprung. Most Guyanese remaining in the country are either “waiting for their papers” (visas) or “hoping for their papers”. All eyes are cast aboard.

Submission to the system in Guyana and surviving implies acceptance of corruption as a way of life.

Corruption becomes institutionalised: the maximum leader understands that corruption can be a substitute for violence: when the citizen offers the bribe and the official accepts, both satisfy their immediate wants; but, more importantly, the citizen tacitly accepts the status quo. The Citizen boasts of having ‘lines’connections. He who corrupts a system’s officer is more likely to identify with the system than he who storms the system’s Police stations.

14 news

sunDAY, february 25, 2018| guyanatimesgy.com

Caricom inter-sessional meeting

President shelves planned visit to Haiti …in wake of efforts to secure borders

I

ncreased activities on the border and the ongoing threat from the infamous ‘Syndicato’ cartel has forced President David Granger to cancel a

planned trip to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government meeting in Haiti.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger

will not be attending the 29th Inter-sessional meeting of the conference, in order to “focus on domestic issues at this time.” Leading Guyana’s delegation will be Foreign Affairs

Minister Carl Greenidge.

“Guyana’s three-member delegation to the meeting will be led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, who is also performing the duties of Prime Minister. The Intersessional meeting is being hosted in Haiti from Monday, February 26 to Tuesday, February 27, 2018,” the release stated.

During a recent press conference, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had revealed his receiving from a source credible information suggesting that there is a real threat to Guyana and its sovereignty emanating from neighbouring Venezuela.

Jagdeo told the media conference he feels the Government is also aware of this potential treat, and is urging the Administration to keep Guyanese abreast of these developments.

Jagdeo had stressed that the matter should not be discussed just among Cabinet members, but if Guyana were to be subjected to any act of aggression, it would be the people of the country, not just the military, who would have to respond.

The former Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces had also said, “And whilst we have to ensure that our communities are protected from gangs, I think the Government has available all the analysis.

I don’t want to speak about it, but I have received some of the information from other sources, (which) leads me to believe that there is a real enhanced threat to our nation and its sovereignty.”

This publication on

President David Granger during his recent visit to a village in Region One which is in close proximity to the border with Venezuela

Saturday made contact with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on the veracity of such a threat, but he declined to comment beyond what the President had said in his Republic Day address.

In his message to the nation on the country’s 48th Republic Day anniversary, the Head of State had said that Guyana’s green grandeur – its grasslands, highlands, islands, wetlands, lakes, coastal mudflats, rainforests, rivers and waterfalls – must be protected.

“We, Guyanese, in the exercise of our sovereignty, are defending the Republic. We are protecting our patrimony.

We are ensuring that future generations will be able to inherit this beautiful country, to live in peace and to enjoy the good life and prosperity which this bountiful country has to offer,” he has declared.

He had posited that the country would now move closer towards a juridical settlement of the territorial controversy, following the

decision of United Nations Secretary General António Guterres in January to go to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means to resolve the decades-old controversy.

The Head of State also went on to recognise external support, saying that Guyana looks forward to the intensification of cooperation with friendly foreign states, especially in building capacity for the Defence Force’s technical corps, to improve the national infrastructure in every part of the country, to defend its territorial integrity, to protect citizens, and to respond to emergencies.

“International cooperation is essential to preserving this continent as a zone of peace; to preventing and interdicting transnational threats such as drug, gun- and human-trafficking, the spread of contagious diseases, terrorism, and to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and natural hazards,” he had asserted.

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Health Department swoops down on ECD supermarket Sovereign Wealth Fund within the context of a Developing Economy (Part 7)

– Guyana’s economy is largely underdeveloped, is an SWF necessary at the onset of oil production?

L

ast week’s edition introduced a new dimension to the thematic discussions with respect to SWFs – in the context of a developing economy. Having thus, in the previous six articles, outlined the governance frameworks, legal models, and macroeconomic perspectives among other key elements, the final two articles seek to contextualize the notion on whether an SWF is absolutely necessary at the onset of commercial oil production in 2020. Readers would recall that last week’s article concluded by illustrating Nigeria as an example – wherein it was posited that though Nigeria had set up an SWF, it has contributed insignificantly to the economic growth of that country.

In a developing economy, the merit of maximizing current spending from resource revenues is that it provides an opportunity to increase the consumption of a poor population.

It also relaxes potential borrowing constraints, and thereby enables increasing investment in domestic capital, with high rates of return. Therefore, constraining spending, inter alia SWF, with restrictive spending rule may involve welfare loss; such a situation existed in Uganda (Hassler et.al, 2015).

To further put things into perspective, this columnist is of the view that some commentators, along with other sections of the media, are taking things a little bit overboard with respect to the badly negotiated Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the multinational oil company operating in Guyana and the Government of Guyana. Though one would agree that the contract could have been better, it is, after all, not an entirely bad deal, and therefore it would be in the spirit of national interest that we collectively move on and now shift focus on other critical aspects.

To this end, particular reference is made on how we are going to spend the oil revenue to develop this country; and by doing so, this also addresses the question raised herein: whether an SWF is necessary. And it is also the intent of this article to stimulate further public debates and/or discussion on this aspect of the subject matter.

Essentially, a Sovereign Wealth Fund is a savings fund for a country that has large surplus funds, and it is used to invest in various financial instruments in the global capital markets.

In other words: if Guyana earns $100 billion in oil revenues, and it is then locked away for investment in an SWF in which those investments are going to earn, say, 5 or 10 % return on investment, would this model be of any direct economic benefit to the people of Guyana? The answer is no. Fortunately, this may practically not happen.

Another point of interest is that countries that have created SWFs were not at all as underdeveloped as Guyana currently is. For example, Norway’s oil industry is about four decades old, and the Norwegians had created their SWF (Government Pension Fund – Global) in 1990. That is about twenty-eight years ago, which means Norway’s SWF was created just over the first decade when its petroleum industry started to develop. More interesting to note is that even before Norway’s oil era began, Norway was a very advanced country before oil came. In fact, according to a report published by PETRAD (a Norwegian Government foundation established in 1989 to transfer knowledge and experience on petroleum resource management and technology), before Norway’s oil era, Norway had a sound economy; well-developed welfare; high employment; stable and homogenous population; moderate-high technology; efficient government; political consensus; extensive trade; was a friendly nation; had pietism and was caring for nature; and politicians were trusted. Another good example is China. China has the second largest SWF in terms of asset size -- US$900 billion -after Norway; and its SWF was only created in 2007. Bearing in mind that China is one of the leading emerging economies on the global stage, and has enormous amounts of surplus funds, to the extent that China virtually funds trillions of dollars in the U.S Government’s spending and in other parts of the world, as is universally known.

Guyana, on the other hand, has a Consolidated Fund that is almost always in deficit, and so is the national budget, which is almost always a deficit budget; which means the country borrows heavily to fund budget spending. This is coupled with the fact that the country is a Third World country, and therefore needs massive investments in infrastructure, health care, education, information and communication technology etc.

In the final analysis, Guyana does not need a SWF at the onset of oil production. Instead, a Stabilization Fund would be more appropriate – such that a greater portion of the oil revenues could or should be utilised to advance massive infrastructural developments among other crucial aspects of national development, which the country badly needs. *The Author is the holder of an MSc. Degree in Business Management, with concentration in Global Finance, Financial Markets, Institutions & Banking from a UK university of international standing.

(For comments, questions and responses on articles featured in this column, readers can reach the author at jbinsights@outlook.com).

…several expired products seized …criminal charges for repeat offenders – GA-FDD head

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he Environmental Health Department of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) swooped down on Saturday on a popular supermarket located at Vigilance, East Coast Demerara and seized thousands of expired products displayed on its shelves.

Upon inspection of the products on display, the Buxton/Foulis district Environmental Health Officer (EHO) revealed that a number of items were expired. As such, the goods were seized from the supermarket shelves.

The seized products included beverages, dairy products, condiments, and other commodities.

Over the last week, inspections were carried out by the department at numerous supermarkets, shops and outlets within the same area. A number of

GA-FDD head, Marlan Cole

damaged and expired items were also seized at those places and destroyed.

Checks are also made for the possession of sanitary certificates by those retailers who are subjected to have them.

The purposes of these inspections are to improve the quality of food products be-

ing retailed to consumers, and improve the level of food safety in Guyana. The operation has been ongoing since October of last year.

To reduce the amount of expired products on the market, retailers are asked to rotate the goods on the shelves and conduct checks for expiration dates, to ensure that all the products are of good quality. Consumers are also encouraged to check the quality of food items before purchasing them.

Speaking with Guyana Times on the matter, Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), Marlan Cole, said these checks are regularly carried

out by food and drug inspectors at supermarkets and restaurants.

“If they are seen with expired items, they can either voluntary surrender the items and allow them to be destroyed. Or if it too frequent, the officers are able to initiate secure proceedings against them. It’s not a current practice, but it’s something [that] we have discussed at our recent food safety meeting. If we discover supermarkets and so forth that knowingly and deliberately sell expired items time after time, we would start a process of taking them before the court,” Cole told this publication on Saturday.

Region 1 seeking market for agri produce age them to grow more cash crops, (but) when it (is) time to reap the crops, there (usually is) no market to sell the produce. This is one of the factors that affected the establishment of an agricultural market in the region,” he explained.

The main economic activity for Region One over

Mayor of Mabaruma, Henry Smith

T

he regional administration of Region One (Barima-Waini), with intent to develop its agricultural sector, is encouraging its residents to increase their cash crop production for this year.

However, with the lack of markets for residents to sell their produce, there is a hindrance in this transition.

Region One Mayor Henry Smith, in a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), related that there is the need for a feasibility study to be conducted to determine the types of crops that are suitable for residents to produce; and moreover, there is need for markets for the distribution of the crops once they are harvested.

Smith said the people of Region One are willing to plant cash crops, but they are concerned about where they would be able to sell their goods.

“The people within the region are not lazy, but what (has) caused them to lose interest is the fact that persons would encour-

the years has been logging and gold mining. In some areas, the alluvial soil is used to plant coffee, ground provisions and nuts. But with the recent economic decline in those products, the regional administration has decided to shift to something that the residents can implement to survive.

The mayor noted that the region is trying to expand its agricultural sector and be more prominent in that field. He is certain that Barima-Waini can be successful in this new venture if there is the availability of markets, which the administration is currently seeking.

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news

SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

East Bank/East Coast road link

Govt finalising feasibility study with Indian engineering company …technicality causing delays – Jordan

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he Government is currently finalising arrangements with the Indian engineering consultancy company – RITES Limited – that was contracted to carry out a feasibility study and look at the design for a bypass road, linking the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.

In 2016, Finance Minister Winston Jordan signed a US$50 million loan with the EXIM Bank of India for the construction of a 20 kilometre road from Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara to Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara. Since the Indian Government is funding the project, it is required that the contracts be awarded to companies from that country and as such, RITES Limited was selected to conduct the study and look at the design of the road.

The company was expected in Guyana since the beginning of this year to start its work, however, Minister Jordan told <<<Guyana Times>>> last week that there were some snags.

“Although we identified them, our law requires them

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

to put up a bond but now the argument is that since (RITES) is a public sector company, whether they’re required to put up a bond. But I think we’re going to solve that right now and hopefully they’re going to be here early next month,” the Finance Minister explained.

In fact, Head of the Works Services Group (WSG) of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Geoffrey Vaughn, told this newspaper that they are now trying to prepare to pay the company a mobilisation advance. Following this

payment, he noted that the company would start mobilising and should be here within a month and a half’s time.

“We had to get some stuff sorted, like their visas and so on but there has been some movement in getting them here,” he stated.

Vaughn went on to explain that a design of the road link was previously done under the previous Administration by the then Housing Ministry but that might be dated hence when the consultancy team arrives, they will be reviewing that and advice on the way forward.

According to the Works Coordinator, the project was initially earmarked a as residential road but what obtains now is a bypass road that seeks to reduce the amount of vehicular traffic on the East Bank Highway.

The feasibility study is expected to last for a period of 10 months to one year after which works will commence on hiring a contractor for the construction phase.

During the interview last week, Minister Jordan told <<<Guyana Times>>> that

Coordinator of WSG, Geoffrey Vaughn

he does not foresee the project being completed entirely before 2020.

“I don’t see the road becoming a reality before 2020, if I were to hazard a guess. I would love it to be there before but based on how things go and based on the difficulties of communication and tendering and so on, because everything

has to come from India, the consultants and contractors… so they have to do tendering there and tendering here so it will take some time before its completed,” he opined.

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion for commuters on the East Bank of Demerara, which leads to the country’s main point of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) regime was working on constructing an East Coast to East Bank bypass road and sought funding from the Indian Government in 2015.

The following year, Minister Jordan signed off on the loan. However, the Finance Minister had explained mid-last year that Government is having a hard time securing contractors from India to carry out major projects that are being funded by the Asian country.

He went on to point out

that this difficulty arises from the fact that new systems have been put in place in India, with regards to the procurement and tendering procedures.

Moreover, Jordan added too that the insufficiency of the monies for the projects also pose challenges for Government to recruit contractors from the Asian nation.

The new road link will serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles and Peter’s Hall as well as the Aubrey Barker Road in Greater Georgetown. It will also provide a bypass for persons heading to the East Bank from the East Coast and Berbice, and vice versa, from the city where most traffic flows daily, resulting in massive congestion and major delays. (Vanhu Manikchand)

Charred remains of...

FROM PAGE 12

Meanwhile, Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes, led a delegation to meet with the victims and she pledged Government’s support to provide aid.

The Minister and a member of the gold mining fraternity said there are many mining operators reaching out to her to provide assistance to the victims and that in the coming days, that will materialise.

On her visit, Broomes presented the victims with toilet-

ries and other supplies.

On Friday at about 14:30h, smoke was seen emanating from the Lot 40-41 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara apartment building while most of its occupants were lining the streets of Georgetown either watching the annual Mashramani Costume and Float Parade or revelling with one of the bands.

Guyana Times understands persons became aware

to the blaze when thick smoke was seen billowing from the apartment building owned by Shirley Cummings, who resides next door. The Guyana Fire Service was called to the scene, but by the time its tenders arrived, the fire had already spread to two other houses located aback the apartment building, and to an unoccupied house next door.

The flattening of the building resulted in over 30 persons becoming homeless.

news

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SunDAY, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 6 Chairman calls Bollywood actress Sridevi dies for political reconciliation B

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everal calls were made for unity as Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) ushered in Republic Day with a flag- raising ceremony which commenced with activities on Thursday evening. The need for unity among races and political parties was highlighted by a number of speakers as Guyana commemorated its 48th Republic anniversary.

The first call for unity was issued to the gathering of hundreds by Region Six Chairman David Armogan.

He posited that the nation has come a long way since receiving Republican status some 48 years ago, and that Guyana has the resource potential to become one of the leading countries in the 21 century.

The Chairman charged the gathering to find common ground with one another, stating: “The time has come for us in this country to find political reconciliation. If we continue to fight each other, we have nowhere to go, despite the abundance of resources that we possess.”

On a similar note, New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood made the call for unity and support, while highlighting the volume of development that is taking place in New

Region Six Chairman David Armogan addressing the gathering at the event

Amsterdam.

The Mayor touched on the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s commitment to the improvement of the nation’s oldest township. She noted that development would be realised only if all efforts receive the full support of stakeholders.

The feature address of the event was delivered

by Education Minister Nicolette Henry, who focused on the development of Region Six. Minister Henry advised that all Guyanese need to be prepared to contribute in an optimal way to the development of Guyana.

“It is time to research, educate, retrain, seek and complete the necessary skills qualification you need to be part of the 21st Century workforce that

will take Guyana to places we have all dreamt of,” the Education Minister said.

But even as Chairman Armogan called for political reconciliation, the Corriverton Town Council was prevented from hosting its annual flag-raising ceremony after the APNU/ AFC Coalition Government and the Guyana Police Force blocked its officials from carrying out the event.

“It was a dark night in the history of Corriverton, when the Police and Government attempted to undermine the will of the people and our right to local democracy. In all of our 48 years of hosting flag-raising events, this has never happened. I am not only upset, but I am concerned about the embarrassment that we faced; but the people were on our side,” Corriverton Mayor Krishnand Jaichand told this publication.

Speaking with Guyana Times during an interview on Friday afternoon, Jaichand related that neither Minister Ronald Bulkan nor the leadership of the Guyana Police Force had reached out to the Town Council to formally apologise over the fiasco which saw the event being halted prematurely.

ollywood actress Sridevi passed away on Saturday night after a cardiac arrest, confirmed her brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor. She was 54.

“Yes, it is true that Sridevi passed away. I just landed here, I was in Dubai and now I am flying back to Dubai. It happened roughly around 11.00-11.30. I don’t know more details yet,” Sanjay confirmed the news to indianexpress.com. Sridevi was reportedly with her husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi at the time of death.

They were with the entire Kapoor family in UAE to attend the wedding ceremony of Mohit Marwah.

Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, Sridevi worked in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films before entering Hindi films. She made her Bollywood debut as a child artiste in Julie (1975). Her

Bollywood actress Sridevi

first adult role was at the age of 13 in Tamil film Moondru Mudichu (1976). Sridevi went on to become one of the biggest female stars India ever had. The Government of India awarded her Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour, in 2013.

Her most remarkable films include Sadma, Chandni, Himmatwala, ChaalBaaz, Mr India,

Nagina and Gumrah among others. After working in Judaai, she took a 15-year break from movies only to be back to winning hearts in her second innings with English Vinglish in 2012.

She was last seen in 2017 film MOM. Sridevi’s most memorable onscreen pairing was with her real-life brother-inlaw Anil Kapoor, while her most successful films were produced by husband Boney Kapoor.

Sridevi got married to filmmaker Boney Kapoor and had two daughters – Janhvi and Khushi. She was Boney’s second wife. In the recent past, Sridevi was a regular at various events and was seen making public appearances with her daughters. Her elder daughter Janhvi is set to make her Bollywood debut this year with Karan Johar’s directorial Dhadak. (The Indian Express)

18 news

sunday, february 25, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Security guards protest for unpaid salaries

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number of security guards in regions Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) areas, who voiced their concerns over nonpayment of their salaries, were promised that they would soon receive payment.

The Integrated Security Service had recently taken over from Home Safe Security Services the provision of security services to Government buildings in the two regions.

In January, its workers began complaining about not receiving their salaries. In a bid to have their plight heard, the upset workers staged a protest outside of the company’s New Amsterdam office, demanding the monies that are owed to them.

“No money no wuk! Rent to pay, light bill to pay, Courts to pay, Singers to pay, bank to pay. We want we money now!” were among the chants being echoed at Saturday’s demonstration.

The workers were also equipped with placards stating, ‘Integrated must go’, ‘People children hungry’, and ‘Where he come from? He was nowhere in the bid’.

While some of the workers declared that they have not received any payment since the security service was given the contract late last year, others mentioned that, so far, they have received only one payment of $16,000, which is the fortnightly sum.

“The minister (Labour Minister) come till here in New Amsterdam and meet him and tell him to give us $265 (per hour); but, instead, he giving people $16,000 for the month or in a fortnight.

I only get pay one time, so I ain’t know if is for the whole month,” one worker stated.

Another worker explained her current financial situation, which she said is in due to the nonpayment. “I owe rent for December and January, and the landlord keep calling me. I have a loan to pay at Republic Bank, and they keep calling me all the time. I can’t get no money, when ah come they say my name is not listed.”

Another problem the

The frustrated workers showcased placards outside of the Integrated Security office in New Amsterdam

guards highlighted is that they were told that their names are not listed for payment. “I was here until ten past nine on Thursday night, and they say my name is not listed. How long you gon keep hiding from the landlord and the bank? I don’t have nothing in the house to eat, I had to borrow passage to come here,” a woman said in tears.

According to the guards, only a handful of them were given full payment for the month of December; the majority of workers were given part-payment. They are still owed for work performed in January and February.

On Friday, some of the workers were paid at the New Amsterdam office. However, most of the guards were told they would be paid on Saturday. When they arrived at the office on Saturday, it was locked.

Blame for the payment fiasco has reportedly fallen on the supervisors. The company has said they are the ones at fault for submitting ‘ghost names’, incorrect calculations, and omissions. This has allegedly resulted in the company delaying payment, and doing so late, ever since being given the contract, from December 1, 2017.

The supervisory staff has refuted those claims, stating that they were in the same supervisory positions when they were working under the previous company, which had a similar contract; and no allegations of this sort were ever made.

Adding to their woes,

workers have allegedly been forbidden from speaking with the media about the ill treatment they are receiving.

The Region Six Administration have since

distanced itself from the issue, stating that it had already fully paid the security company for services rendered.

In a telephone inter-

view with Guyana Times on Saturday, the company gave assurance that it would remunerate its guards. Ms Cromwell (only name given), the administrative assistant of the company, stated: “The workers would be paid by tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.”

Ms Cromwell said she was unable to say why there was a backlog of payment, but she assured that the company was working to resolve the issue.

The security service, contracted to provide services for RDC offices, schools, health centres and other Government offices, had told workers that they would be paid by the second Friday in each month, but that promise has not been kept for the past three months.

In a previous publication, Guyana Times reported on picket action the workers had taken earlier this year.

The workers noted that they had worked many hours and had received nothing, leaving them unable to pay bills and take care of their children.

“We are asking the President to look into this, because we are suffering and have our children to send to school. We don’t have salt; we don’t have rice, flour, sugar; no kero in the stove. How they expect we to live? We don’t know how (the Regional Administration) gon give (this contract to) a person who don’t have a conscience.

When you talk, he penalizes you”, one of the workers explained at Saturday’s demonstration.

Caricom Inter-Sessional Meeting

Building climate-resilient community among topics for discussion

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he Caribbean hurricane season is slated to commence in three months’ time, and given the widespread devastation wreaked especially during last year’s season, the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) push to build a more climate-resilient community is among top matters for deliberation by Caricom Heads of Government at the upcoming 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting.

The two-day conference will be held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti over the period February 26 and 27, 2018.

Irma and Maria, two backto-back Category Five hurricanes, swept across the Caribbean last September, cutting a swathe of destruction as they took lives, devastated infrastructure, and cancelled years of economic development in several Caricom member states.

The Commonwealth of Dominica and Antigua’s sister isle, Barbuda, were decimated.

Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands were devastated. The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands were severely affected, and Haiti and St. Kitts and Nevis also suffered damage.

Caricom, with its

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) at the forefront, has been helping to lead the recovery and rebuilding effort. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Caricom

amined. Heads, at their last meeting, discussed key initiatives directed towards combating transnational organized crime, which they noted continues to be one of the most immediate and significant threats facing the region.

also staged a High-Level Pledging Conference at UN Headquarters in New York last November, which realized over US$1.3 billion in pledges.

The region, however, still needs significant levels of financing for recovery and building resilience. And with just three months to the June start of the next hurricane season, Heads are expected to examine measures to ensure adequate preparation, and to facilitate quick responses to any emergency needs.

The high incidence of crime and violence across the Community will also be ex-

They also directed their focus towards the development of a Caricom Counter terrorism Strategy which is being finalized for adoption.

The Meeting will seek to advance plans to further strengthen key elements of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), including those related to travel and trade.

Discussion will also focus on key transportation issues, including regional air services, and on advancing regional initiatives in tourism that are aimed at stimulating further sustainable growth in

It wasn’t me: Commander denies...

The event was organised by the Corriverton Town Council with the blessings of the Region Democratic Council and the National Events Committee.

On the night of the event, Police officers seized the public address system, the drummers were instructed not to perform, and the children who had prepared their cultural presentations were prevented from stepping onto the stage.

The Police reportedly instructed the organising committee to proceed with the event with only prayers, the recital of the National Pledge, and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead.

In an attempt to start the proceedings, the former mayor of the town, Ganesh Gangadin, walked onto the

stage, but was allegedly told by the Police that they were given stern instruction by the Commander not to allow the ceremony to go on. The former mayor was escorted from the stage, but in the process, he pleaded with the officers to at least allow one cultural presentation.

In an invited comment, the former mayor said, “This is what democracy is coming to… Amna Ally is instructing the Police to shut down a national event. We are not doing anything wrong, we are not breaching any laws; we are simply trying to have a programme run as it has been for the past 48 years, and now you have a minister instructing the Police to stop it. What are we coming to as a country?”

Corriverton Mayor

Krishnand Jaichand explained that the event is held annually, and the committee had received the full support of the Police in the past, and was thus not sure had gone wrong this time around.

“The Guyana Police Force, students from various schools, the (town) constables and the GuySuCo security personnel all take part. It is normally planned and discussed at a pre-planning meeting with National Events Chairman Winston Roberts,” the confused mayor explained.

Further, he said that prior to the flag-raising ceremony, Minister Ronald Bulkan had indicated that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan would attend the ceremony.

“The minister wanted Minister Ramjattan to give

the sector.

Heads will look at the impact on Caricom member states of blacklisting actions.

Last December, the EU included four member states on a list of countries it deemed non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. There is also ongoing concern about the de-risking strategies by global banks, and the labelling of Caricom member states in some quarters as tax havens.

The meeting, at the Mariott Port-au-Prince Hotel, opens on Monday with a brief Opening Session at which remarks will be presented by Caricom Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; immediate past Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada; and the current Chairman, President Jovenel Moise of Haiti.

President David Granger has now cancelled his attendance at the two-day, high-level regional meeting, opting to stay in Guyana to focus on “domestic issues”.

Guyana’s three-member delegation to the Community’s Inter-sessional Meeting will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who is also performing the duties of Prime Minister.

from page 9

a feature address, so I told them that I will inform the committee. I did, but they (committee members) held on to the decision that Adrian Anamayah and Minister Ramjattan would bring greetings”, Jaichand explained.

Mayor Jaichand said the council previously never had to seek permission to stage a flag raising ceremony.

“It was a dark night in the history of Corriverton, when the Police and Government attempted to undermine the will of the people and our right to local democracy. In all of our 48 years of hosting flag-raising events, this has never happened. I am not only upset, but I am concerned about the embarrassment that we faced; but the people were on our side,” Jaichand told Guyana Times.

sunDAY, february 25, 2018

19

India hold nerve to clinch series I

ndia sealed the T20 series against South Africa with a victory in the decider that was almost snatched away from them by a feisty South African lower-order effort.

South Africa were asked to pull off the second-highest successful chase at Newlands and then fell so far behind the required run-rate that they needed 59 runs off 21 balls. Then, debutant Christiaan Jonker and old-hand Farhaan Behardien plundered 51 runs in the last three-and-ahalf overs but could not get

the hosts over the line.

South Africa were 114 for 5 in the 17th when Behardien joined Jonker.

If Jonker was nervous, he didn't show it. He took 18 runs off Shardul Thakur's final over to reconstruct his figures of 3-0-17-1 into 4-035-1 and leave South Africa with 35 to win off the final two overs.

Together, Behardien and Jonker scored 16 runs off Jasprit Bumrah and needed 19 off the last over and 12 off the last three balls but the mistakes their team-mates had made earlier were too

big to rectify.

A slow start - South Africa were 25 for 1 after the Powerplay and 52 for 2 after 10 overs - on top of a clumsy fielding effort left South Africa so close, yet so far from the win that would answered some of the questions about their depth and their ability to handle pressure.

Shikhar Dhawan was India's top scorer but only fortuitously so because South Africa, in the form of Tabraiz Shamsi, let him off twice. Dhawan was on 9, and India 54 for 1 in the

sixth over, when he cut a Chris Morris ball to short third man, where all Shamsi had to do was accept, but he was unstable as the ball popped out of his hands.

Seven overs and 49 runs later, Dhawan, who was on 34, top-edged Aaron Phangiso to Shami at short fine leg. Shamsi ran back

CWI/ Regional Super50 Cup 2018…

Volcanoes upset Pride to lift title SCOREBOARD

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fighting unbeaten run-a-ball 23 from Alick Athanaze took the Windward Islands Volcanoes to a well-deserved three-wicket victory over Barbados Pride to win the Super50 Cup on Saturday night at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua.

The 19-year old walked to the crease with the Volcanoes at 176 for 6 in the 41st over with 57 runs still required for victory and drove Shamar Springer to the cover boundary in the final over to seal the deal with three balls to spare.

The young Volcanoes lift the Clive Lloyd Trophy, the symbol for Regional 50-over supremacy.

It was the first match of the season for the Windies U-19 player who replaced the injured Tyrone Theophile in the team.

It was the seventh con-

secutive victory for the new champions in the Super50 which began in the group stage in Barbados.

Set 233 for victory, the Volcanoes got 54 from Roland Cato and 39 from the inform Kavem Hodge.

The former champions used eight bowlers in all to prevent the Volcanoes from romping home but only 20year old Dominic Drakes got the rewards.

Earlier, Jonathan Carter got a useful 80 to set up the Pride’s total. The Volcanoes bowlers were impressive and were supported in the field which was responsible for the pre-final favourites only managing 232.

Obed McKoy, Shane Shillingford and Larry Edward took two wickets each for the champions who last won the championship in 2013 under Liam Sebastian.

Barbados Innings (50 overs maximum) KC Brathwaite* st †Charles b Shillingford 30 OJ Phillips b John 0 JL Carter c Hodge b Athanaze 80 RL Chase c Hodge b LM Edwards 44 KA Stoute b LM Edwards 5 SK Springer c Athanaze b McCoy 22 KD Williams run out (KA Edwards/LM Edwards) 5 HR Walsh c KA Edwards b Shillingford 0 TT Walcott† not out 18 DC Drakes b McCoy 11 KJ Harding not out 2 Extras (b-4, lb-1, nb-1, w-9) 15 Total (For 9 wickets; 50 Overs) 232 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (OJ Phillips, 1.5 ov), 2-72 (KC Brathwaite, 17.3 ov), 3-140 (JL Carter, 31.6 ov), 4-151 (KA Stoute, 34.6 ov), 5-187 (RL Chase, 40.4 ov), 6-195 (KD Williams, 42.5 ov), 7-195 (HR Walsh, 43.5 ov), 8-195 (SK Springer, 44.1 ov), 9-226 (DC Drakes, 48.6 ov) Bowling Hodge 10-0-39-0 (w1), John 4-0-21-1 (w-1), Mayers 6-0-32-0, Shillingford 10-144-2 (w-2), McCoy 5-0-29-2 (w-4, nb-1), Edwards 10-0-412 (w-1), Athanaze 5-0-21-1

Barbados Innings (50 overs maximum) Windward Islands Innings (target: 233 runs from 50 overs) DS Smith c Springer b Drakes 29 J Charles† b Carter 16 KA Edwards run out (Harding/†Walcott) 10 KAR Hodge c †Walcott b Drak es 39 RO Cato lbw b Harding 54 KR Mayers b Brathwaite 32 RD John c Springer b Drakes 6 A Athanaze not out 23 S Shillingford* not out 7 Extras (b-1, lb-4, nb-1, w-14) 20 Total (For 7 wickets; 49.3 Overs ) 236 Did not bat: LM Edwards, OC McCoy Fall of wickets: 1-44 (DS Smith, 10.6 ov), 2-55 (J Charles, 13.1 ov), 3-72 (KA Edwards, 18.5 ov), 4-152 (KAR Hodge, 36.1 ov), 5-164 (RO Cato, 39.3 ov), 6-176 (RD John, 40.5 ov), 7-205 (KR Mayers, 44.3 ov) Bowling Drakes 10-1-38-3 (w3), Harding 9-1-49-1 (w-2, nb1), Brathwaite 4-0-20-1 (w1), Carter 10-1-25-1 (w-2), Springer 9.3-0-52-0 (w-3), Walsh 3-0-25-0 (w-1), Stoute 3-015-0, Williams 1-0-7-0

Man of the Match Suresh Raina (left) and Player of the Series Bhuveneshwar Kumar (BCCI photo)

but reprieved Dhawan again. Between the two chances, Dhawan found the boundary for the first time, off the 29th ball he faced, delivered by none other than Shamsi.

But, Shamsi also saw some success in that period.

Suresh Raina, who had announced himself with a six off Junior Dala, tucked into Andile Phehlukwayo's first two balls and taken boundaries off short balls from Morris and JP Duminy, eventually holed out off Shamsi for a feisty 43. It was not Raina's dismissal, but Manish Pandey's that allowed South Africa to pull India back.

Pandey hit his one meaty six off Shamsi and then tried to do the same off Dala, who returned in the 14th over and immediately banged in a short ball. Pandey could not control the pull and was caught at long-on. In addition to the wicket, Dala only conceded six runs in that over, none in boundaries, and Phehlukwayo followed up with an eight-run boundary-less over of his own.

That was enough to create some pressure and Dhawan was run-out off the first ball of the over that followed.

He hoicked a Shamsi delivery to deep midwicket, where Dala was stationed. A single was on, but Dhawan wanted a double and Dala effected a direct hit before Dhawan could complete his return to the striker's end.

At the end of 17 overs, India were 136 for 4, and had only scored 25 runs in the previous four overs.

Instead of turning to Phangiso, who had kept things tight, Duminy opted for Morris, who conceded 21 runs in his last two overs, though he did also take two wickets. Still, India would have been satisfied especially with the way their attack started.

India’s two-month tour of South Africa is now at an end. The home side won the test series 2-1, but were thumped 5-1 in the OneDay Internationals.

South Africa start a four-test series at home to Australia on Thursday. (ESPN

Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD India Innings (20 overs maximum) RG Sharma* lbw b Dala 11 S Dhawan run out (Dala) 47 SK Raina c Behardien b Shamsi 43 MK Pandey c Miller b Dala 13 HH Pandya c †Klaasen b Morris 21 MS Dhoni† c Miller b Dala 12 KD Karthik lbw b Morris 13 AR Patel not out 1 B Kumar not out 3 Extras (lb-2, nb-1, w-5) 8 Total (For 7 wickets; 20) 172 Did not bat: SN Thakur,JJ Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-14 (RG Sharma, 1.3 ov), 2-79 (SK Raina, 9.4 ov), 3-111 (MK Pandey, 13.1 ov), 4-126 (S Dhawan, 15.1 ov), 5-151 (MS Dhoni, 18.2 ov), 6-163 (HH Pandya, 19.2 ov), 7-168 (KD Karthik, 19.4 ov) Bowling Morris 4-0-43-2 (w1, nb-1), Dala 4-0-35-3 (w-1), Duminy 3-0-22-0, Phehlukwayo 3-0-26-0, Shamsi 4-0-31-

1, Phangiso 2-0-13-0 South Africa Innings (target: 173 runs from 20 overs) RR Hendricks c Dhawan b Kumar 7 DA Miller c Patel b Raina 24 JP Duminy* c Sharma b Thakur 55 H Klaasen† c Kumar b Pandya 7 C Jonker c Sharma b Kumar 49 CH Morris b Bumrah 4 F Behardien not out 15 Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-2) 4 Total (For 6 wickets; 20 Overs) 165 Yet to bat: AL Phehlukwayo, AM Phangiso, CJ Dala, T Shamsi Fall of wickets: 1-10 (RR Hendricks, 2.5 ov), 2-45 (DA Miller, 9.1 ov), 3-79 (H Klaasen, 12.5 ov), 4-109 (JP Duminy, 15.6 ov), 5-114 (CH Morris, 16.3 ov), 6-165 (C Jonker, 19.6 ov) Bowling Kumar 4-0-24-2 (w-1), Bumrah 4-0-39-1 (w-1), Thakur 4-0-35-1, Pandya 4-0-22-1, Raina 3-0-27-1, Patel 1-0-16-0

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sunDAY, february 25, 2018

Stokes set to return for New Zealand Series ries, but that will depend on how his body pulls up."

Stokes missed the recent Ashes series, which hosts Australia won 4-0, and a Twenty20 tri-series that also involved N e w

Ben Stokes last represented England in September 2017

A

ll-rounder Ben Stokes is set to return to the England team for Sunday's one-day international against New Zealand in Hamilton after a five-month absence.

Durham's Stokes, 26, has not played for England since an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

He travelled to New Zealand after being bailed

when he appeared in court on 13 February on a charge of affray.

"He was very fit when he arrived. He has continued to train hard," said England captain Eoin Morgan.

"We are expecting him to be fit to play. We'd like to manage his progression probably throughout the se-

Crown Court, although he is not required to return to the UK to attend it.

In a statement posted on Twitter after he was charged, he said he was "keen to have an opportunity to clear my name".

While not considered for England selection, Stokes played six domestic matches for Canterbury Kings in New Zealand.

His return is expected to

Date Zealand.

England are preparing to play five one-day internationals and two Tests against New Zealand.

The first hearing of Stokes' trial is scheduled for Monday, 12 March at Bristol

25 February 28 February 3 March 7 March 10 March 22-26 March 30 March-3 April

result in Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hales or Jason Roy being dropped from the top of the batting order.

"It's a good problem to have but unfortunately one of them will probably miss out," said Morgan.

"Ben, if he can bowl, almost gives a safety net as a captain whether you think it is going to spin or seam around. It gives you plenty of options." (BBC Sport)

Match and venue 1st ODI with New Zealand, Hamilton 2nd ODI, Mount Maunganui 3rd ODI, Wellington 4th ODI, Dunedin 5th ODI, Christchurch 1st Test, Auckland 2nd Test, Christchurch

Windies A looking for series sweep

– Pink ball ‘Test’ begins Monday Windies A will look to their new spin twin in Jomel Warrican and Rahkeem Cornwall to once again do the job with the ball to restrict their opponents. Leftarm spinner, Warrican has 20 wickets so far in the series with a best of 8 for 34 coming in the second match at Sabina Park while Cornwall has 14 victims.

With the bat, Shane Dowrich who scored a match-winning 119 in the first ‘Test’ is the Regional side’s leading run scorer while Jahmar Hamilton (100 runs) and Raymon Reifer

(104 runs) are in good form after their good showing in the second match. Captain Kieran Powell has shown some form as well with 89 runs in three innings including 59 at Sabina Park where the Windies made 422 in their lone innings.

The home team may make some changes to their squad to give other players exposure including left-handed batsman Vishaul Singh who missed the second match and Keemo Paul who was brought in as a replacement for the injured Miguel Cummins.

The Lions on the other hand will look to bounce back to save some pride with a victory before the three-match 50-Over series which begins on March 6 at the Coolidge Cricket ground also in Antigua.

For the visitors who were out played in all departments, Matthew Leach is their leading bowler with 14 victims while Liam Livingstone has six scalps.

With the bat, so far they are unable to put together big scores. Paul Coughlin is their leading batsman with 118 runs while Keaton

Jennings (97 runs), Joe Clarke (94 runs), Haseeb Hameed (93 runs) and Nick Gubbins (92 runs) have gotten starts without carrying on.

The pink ball is expected to move a bit more under lights and the toss could be critical on a pitch where the batting friendly condition is expected to prevail throughout the match.

This is the first time that the Windies A team will be involved in a day/night ‘Test’ which makes the contest much more interesting. The first ball is at 14:30h.

GT Tuners car exhibition

set for Kitty seawall Keemo Paul who celebrated his 20th birthday last Wednesday is in line for a debut with the A team

T

he third and final unofficial fourday ‘Test’ match between Windies A team and England Lions begins Monday at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, North Sound Antigua with the hosts looking for a third consecutive victory for a series sweep.

Windies A won the first match at the Trelawny Multiplex by the slim margin of two wickets then took the second match at Sabina Park much easier by an innings and 17 runs and will be looking to maintain their dominance in the historic day/night encounter beginning Monday.

G

T Tuners will have their first official car meet today at the Kitty Seawall from 16:30h where several car enthusiasts are set to gather to exhibit their machines and interact on custom upgrades they implemented.

One of the founding members of the group, Kunal Persaud explained, “Our aim is to create a community where everyone can help each other on their project

cars, street cars, whatever you are building. Respect everyone, give guidance and not discouragement.”

He added “main objective of the event is for everyone to come out, exhibit their cars and have a good time getting to know each other in the motor racing community whether you are a racer or just a fan.”

Persaud also advocated for drivers to be cognisant of road safety and not to engage in drinking and driving.

sports

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McKinnon pleased with movement of GSSF

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21

R

ecently elected Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) President Ryan McKinnon said he’s happy with the direction the federation is heading in, adding that he hopes to continue playing a role in the progress.

With the positive direction the GSSF is headed towards, regarding its expansion as a fraternity, McKinnon told Guyana Times Sport in a recent interview that taking over the federation came with huge responsibility but he was still poised on continuing the good work.

“The GSSF has achieved much since its establishment, these achievements were not obtained via any singular feat or by holding an elitist authoritative approach to sport, nor did the administration/Board over the years have an ‘in the box vision’. Rather, the GSSF’s former board humbly performed its mandate to our membership, shared information with the media and respectfully confirmed to criteria as set out by the various administrative entities and agencies from which services were sought,” said

McKinnon.

The veteran marksman, who took over the president from for-

try wide as it relates to firearm safety while spreading the awareness of shooting sports to all counties.”

team, coupled with the support from our local sporting organizations and the Private Sector; can ensure

From left: Ryan McKinnon, former President Vidushi Persaud, Minister Nicolette Henry and Director of Sport Christopher Jones back in 2016 when the GSSF won the National Sports Award for the Most Improved Federation/Association

mer-head Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, said that as President he’s happy with the current position of the GSSF despite more to be done. “As President I’m happy to continue the modus operandi of the former executive and wish to further share my vision coun-

McKinnon continued “I believe with the support of the Board of Directors who are likeminded and focused on maintaining inclusivity and a democratic atmosphere resonates throughout the GSSF, the legacy left by former President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and her

that all sports will be widen across the horizon of Guyana”.

Regarding some of the challenges likely to be faced, McKinnon identified numerous areas in which he plans to place heavy emphasis on going forward. “The ability to obtain venues

to host our sessions inclusive of practice, trainings, events and competitions is always a challenge. This is mainly due to the demand that is always present for the use of suitable venues, this demand not only due to the shortage of facilities but the fact that most of our social, economic and logistical activities are primarily focused within the county of Demerara.”

Meanwhile, the GSSF head said that apart from the pistol shooting aspect, Guyana are well on course with regards to becoming more centralized with indoor archery.

The deadeye concluded by praising Nicholas Hing, Chairman of Archery Guyana, as they have been instrumental in building several PVC bows to donate to some schools as a pilot programme by mid-2018, along with doing outreach to qualifying outlying areas so as to build the sport.

“Archery Guyana also has in the pipeline to host a certified international coach in Guyana who will conduct a training camp for its members and qualifying personnel. This camp is something which the GSSF will seek to support Archery Guyana financially and we have also extended the collaboration effort to the NSC,” he ended. (Clifton Ross)

Svitolina beats Kasatkina to retain Dubai Open World number four Svitolina has won 11 of her 13 tournament finals

T

op seed Elina Svitolina retained her Dubai Duty Free Championships title with a comprehensive 6-4 6-0 victory over unseeded Russian Daria Kasatkina.

Ukrainian Svitolina broke early in the first set against world number 24 Kasatkina, who had beaten second seed Garbine Muguruza in the semi-finals.

She kept up the pressure in the second set and quickly wrapped up victory for her 11th career title.

"It has been an amazing week," world number four Svitolina said.

"Coming here I didn't have any expectations and here I am holding this trophy again."

Svitolina, who had won both her previous meetings against Kasatkina, becomes the third woman to win successive Dubai titles after Justine Henin and Venus Williams. (BBC Sport)

22

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 25, 2018

GBA/Patrick Ford Memorial Boxing

Ferrari squares off with “Superman” – 13 other bouts carded

T

he National Gymnasium will be lit this evening when the inaugural Patrick Ford Memorial Boxing tournament gets underway with 14 top fights.

The first Guyanese to a boxing title fight, Ford, who is rated among the best Guyanese pugilist ever, will have his memory revived when some of Guyana’s and the Caribbean best clash from 19:00h.

The late Guyanese and British Commonwealth Featherweight champion boxer challenged twice for the world featherweight title. He was credited with paving the way for Guyanese professional boxers that followed, won sixteen consecutive professional bouts at the start of his career in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria between 1978 and 1980.

A renowned power-hitter, one the opponents he knocked out, the unbeaten Cecil Ferandez died after getting knocked out by Ford in the ring in Georgetown, Guyana in 1979.

At a press conference held at the Tower Suites on Saturday, Guyana Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle said

Left: St Lucian “Furious” Nathan Farrari and Guyanese/Caribbean Light welterweight champ; Colin “Superman” Lewis square off ahead of tonight’s bout

the event will help the newer generation of boxers to embrace the efforts of past legends in the sport, adding that the overall aim is to develop the sport across all facets.

Ninvalle added that the upcoming talent pool is so overwhelming that it was only fitting to have given a few newbies a chance to showcase their skills while keeping the card firm with more experienced encounters.

Sunday’s card will see numerous top Guyanese fighters including Commonwealth silver medalist Keevin Allicock and a few others. However, one of the most anticipated bouts will be the return match between Caribbean Light welterweight champ; Guyanese Colin “Superman” Lewis and St Lucian “Furious” Nathan Farrari, a rematch from the last Caribbean Championships held in St Lucia.

The St Lucian Farrari said he will be doing his talking in the ring but urged his opponent to bring his A game on Sunday. He added that the last time they met things went in favor of the Guyanese but noted that come Sunday, he was keen on seeing if the “Superman could really fly”.

Meanwhile, an upbeat Lewis said that he was looking to finally put a stop to the Ferrari and he plans to do it with the support of the Guyanese crowd behind him.

The Guyana Defence Force boxers says that with the support of his home country and the confidence from the last match, said that he “punctured the Ferrari’s wheel” before but now he will be “Looking to take out the whole engine.”

Meanwhile, the sister of the late Ford who was present at the launching said that on the behalf of her family they will be handing over a donation to the GBA as part of continuing the legacy of the star boxer.

Tickets are $1,500 for ringside and $1,000 for stands.

The event is sponsored by Tower Suites, Ministry of Social Cohesion, and McDonald Promotion in collaboration with the GBA.

Milo Schools Football Tournament 2018…

Battle for roundof-16 spots heats up

Some more intensifying action is anticipated today at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue

T

he final round of group matches in the sixth annual Milo Schools football tournament will continue today with teams looking to finish on a high to secure spots in the roundof-sixteen leg of the tournament.

With the competition taking a break on Saturday due to the Republic Anniversary celebrations, some the lifeline battles will erupt with Friendship Secondary tackling Carmel Secondary from noon. Both teams will be hoping to notch a win after facing some crushing defeats.

South Ruimveldt

Secondary and Buxton Youth Development who follow from 13:30h should be an up-tempo encounter as South seek for the next spot.

The final two matches pit Queen’s College against Queenstown Secondary from 15:00h then a duel of Masters Academy and Lodge Secondary from 16:30h.

The under-18 tournament which is a collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health is played under the theme “there is excuse for violence”. The top prize for teams is 500,000 which goes towards a school project of their choice.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 25, 2018

Grassroots is where dreams begin – FIFA Regional Director

23

Banks running with inaugural Triple Crown

…as GFF unveils Kool Kidz grassroot programme

By Akeem Greene

F

IFA’s Regional Director Marlon Glean applauded the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for implementing a grassroots programme stating that it is where the young talents in the country are unearthed.

Glean was at the time speaking at the launching of the GFF/ Kool Kidz grassroot programme which was held at the federation’s secretariat on Saturday.

The Director contended the infancy stages are where the future stars are unearthed and then developed into polished products. The Grenadian-born explained this is also the direction in which FIFA is headed in the future.

He reminded the gathering that the likes of Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele and Maradona all would have gathered the initial for their careers from programmes of this nature.

Ian Greenwood, GFF Technical Director ex-

plained this how the country balancing academics and will be able to nurture fu- football. ture national players. While The first of these procommending the impact the grammes is set to officialAcademy training centres ly commence next Sunday are having in transitioning in Tiger Bay, the GFF age group players into the had conduction a trial run Albouystown during national team, Greenwood in felt this initiative will help January which attracted build a larger surplus of close to a 100 young enthuplayers, some of whom can siasts. become future stars.

Commercial Director of Guyana Beverages Inc Samuel Arjoon, whose company have pledged the bulk of the sponsorship for the programme outlined this is another opportunity to develop the country’s human resource.

Arjoon that football is not the only facet of the sport will be learnt as many life skills will be developed and most imFIFA’s Regional Director Marlon Glean portantly they will understand

Dennisa Paton (2nd from left) hands over the Triple Crown trophy to organizer Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr in the presence of Mortimer Stewart (left) and Irshad Mohamed

B

anks DIH Limited continues its support for horse racing in Guyana and has committed its sponsorship of the first Triple Crown organized by Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee in association with Jumbo Jet Also Sales.

During a simple ceremony at Thirst Park, Banks DIH Limited handed over its sponsorship package including the Championship Trophy ahead of the first leg of the competition billed for March 4 at the Rising Sun Turf Club in West Berbice.

Dennisa Paton, Sales Administration employee of Banks DIH Limited made the presentation to Nasrudeen Mohamed Event

Coordinator in the presence of Mortimer Stewart, Outdoor Events Manager and Irshad Mohamed.

Most of the country’s top race horses will compete for the prestigious prize and over $20 million in cash prizes over three days of competition.

The second leg will he held also at Rising Sun Turf Club while the third and final leg will take place at Port Mourant Turf Club on the Corentyne.

Mohamed said he was very happy to be partnering with Banks DIH Limited for the Triple Crown, the first of its kind in Guyana.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 23

Grassroots is where dreams begin – FIFA Regional Director …as GFF unveils Kool Kidz grassroot programme FIFA’s Regional Director Marlon Glean (second from left back row) along with GFF officials and sponor Guyana Beverage Inc at the launching of the Kool Kidz Grassroot programme on Saturday at the GFF Headoffice

Pg 20

Windies A looking for series sweep

– Pink ball ‘Test’ begins Monday The rivalry resumes today with the historic pink-ball ‘Test’ in Antigua

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2

news

SUnDAY, february 25, 2018 guyanatimesGY.com

Gunmen storm Chinese general store â&#x20AC;Śescape with cash

T

wo bandits on Saturday afternoon carried out a brazen daylight robbery on a Chinese business located at Lot 10 Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

The men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, relieved the owner, 23-yearold Xu Kai of $30,000 in cash which was kept in a box behind the counter.

Reports are the Chinese national was in the general store beyond the counter when the two men entered.

Soon after one of the men

reportedly whipped out a handgun from his pants waist and held the victim at gunpoint. The suspect then pushed his hands over the counter and took away the cash that was in the box.

After committing the robbery, the two men left the store, jumped on a bicycle and rode off. The Police were then summoned to the scene and the CCTV was extracted.

Those recordings are being reviewed to determine the identities of the two men. The Police are con-

tinuing their investigations and are hopeful of apprehending the suspects at the soonest.

In the past week, three

East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessmen were relieved of large sums of money. In the first instance, Chatterpaul Persaud and

his wife at Enmore, ECD were confronted by gunmen, who gained entry into the home via a door they prised open.

After ransacking the house, the men escaped with a quantity of gold jewellery and closed to $7 million in cash. Persaud was also hit to the head and had to seek medical attention.

In another robbery, 38-year-old Terry Chand, a contractor of Hope West Enmore, ECD, was shot to his head shortly after leaving a Triumph, ECD bank.

It was reported that the now injured man was just entering his Foulis worksite after visiting the bank when a man armed with a handgun held him at gunpoint while another kept watch.

The gunman ordered Chand to hand over his bag containing $600,000 but

he refused, and it was this time, he was shot.

In another case, Lionel Persaud, 59, of Atlantic Gardens, ECD, was shot to the left leg by an armed man who relieved him of a bag containing $260,000 which he had withdrawn from the same Triumph bank. It was reported that as the man arrived home; a car appeared and blocked him from entering his yard.

One man exited, brandished a handgun and walked up to Persaud demanding that he had over the bag containing the money.

Persaud reportedly held onto the bag and in retaliation, the gunman discharged one round hitting him. The men then escaped. The Police have not made any arrests in the East Coast Demerara robberies.