Guyanatime 25 april 2018

45 Indigenous communities to be titled and demarcated P12

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Issue No. 3544

No tax amnesty for Guyana Stores – GRA …company begs for extension to file tax returns Page 3

Lindener gets 2 life sentences for raping 8-year-old

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Alexander Village shooting P8

More time requested for psychiatric report on GDF rank

GRA distances self from plan VAT on export

Page 12

P7

Kitty roundabout almost complete

Sexual harassment

Location does not affect P13 occurrence – Chief Justice

The much-anticipated Kitty roundabout is about a month away from completion as workers strenuously work on creating the ‘island’ and installing lights at the roundabout. This is according to Senior Engineer at the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Sherod Parkinson

Vessel found with smuggled fuel

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Owners to pay $36M in taxes Govt collects Opposition to challenge $1.1B in taxes DPP’s dismissal in High Court from DEMTOCO

City Hall woes

P10

Retiring staff promoted to get benefits

…Mayor disapproves

Page Charges against Lawrence, Norton 11

Page 9

Duo charged for resisting, obstructing arrest P15

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news

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wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, April 25 – a night-time retraction at 02:00h and a day-time retraction at 12:30h-14:00h and Thursday, April 26 – a night-time retraction at 02:30h and a day-time retraction at 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 25 – 12:45h-14:15h and Thursday, April 26 – 13:45h-15:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloudy skies in the early morning are expected to give way to light to thundery showers that are expected to continue throughout the day and into the evening.

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

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

High Tide: 00:53h and 13:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.27 metres and 2.33 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:50h and 19:21h reaching minimum heights of 0.97 metre and 0.82 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, April 21, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

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TuesDAY, April 24, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 03 09 13 24

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Evening Draw

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No tax amnesty for Guyana Stores – GRA

…as company begs for extension to file tax returns

O

ne month after Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) lost its legal battle against the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), regarding the payment of Corporation Tax, it is still to make any payments but worse than that, the company will not benefit from the ongoing tax amnesty for delinquent taxpayers.

This was made clear on Monday by GRA’s Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia during a press conference. Statia reminded that in addition to being required to pay $3.8 billion to the GRA, the company also has a legal obligation to pay all its outstanding tax returns over eight years.

“There will be no amnesty for this particular taxpayer…

I keep saying all the time, you come to equity, you have to come with clean hands and if you have pushed us around all these years, you cannot expect that we are going to give you the olive branch,” the GRA boss asserted.

Statia explained that the company was first given the chance to submit all his outstanding tax returns, and also provide the GRA with a settlement proposal as to how they want to go about payments. While it is not in the interest of the GRA to close any business, he said GSL has a responsibility to pay up.

While the company is required to pay $3.8 billion in taxes, Statia said “a sizeable amount of that will be penalty and interest and unless he tells us how he is prepared to liquidate the outstanding principle taxes, because it is more than that anyhow.

When you add the outstanding tax return he has not been filing and paying over the years, so it might be a lot more than that.”

The least payment the GRA is prepared to accept initially is just over $300 million in the initial phase.

While the media questioned the GRA to state what the entire principle is, the Commissioner General said because of rules of confidentiality, he said he would not be able to divulge that information.

The company had requested 30 days to file those returns which have expired.

The company has since begged for another extension, which was granted by the GRA allowing for a final deadline on Monday, April 30, 2018, which also marks the deadline for the filing of all tax returns across the country.

During early March, GSL lost its appeal in a matter involving the payment of Corporation Tax to GRA, which it had taken before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to determine whether a two per cent minimum Corporation Tax was unconstitutional and amounted to

Guyana Stores Limited

the taking away of private property.

The CCJ dismissed the GSL appeal and awarded cost to the GRA as respondents. The matter arose in 2012 when the GSL refused to pay more than $3 billion in Corporation Tax after a notice of demand was sent to the company. The GSL had moved to the local courts, but both the High Court and the Court of Appeal had ruled against GSL, and ordered that it pay the $3,807,346,397 in Corporation Taxes.

The GSL then moved to the CCJ. However, the CCJ ruled that the two per cent Corporation Tax was not a forced loan, but the tax was constitutional. The CCJ stated that the Income Tax Act provides a specialised procedure for challenging assessments, and the GSL should have used that procedure.

The CCJ also held that the two per cent minimum Corporation Tax was not a loan, because the State does not repay the taxpayer, nor does the taxpayer have any right to repayment or redemption, which were crucial elements of any loan.

Under section 10A of the Income Tax Act, the taxpayer simply gets a credit if, and when, the stated conditions

are met, and the taxpayer may then apply that credit in reduction of a tax liability, but the taxpayer is never entitled to repayment.

The court also held in its summary that the provisions of the Corporation Tax Act were clear and unambiguous, so that Parliament must be taken to have considered the implication of taxing turnover as distinct from taxing profit, and felt satisfied there was no need to exclude loss years or safeguard the taxpaying company’s capital.

The GRA was represented

by Attorneys Ronald BurchSmith and Mark Waldron.

Guyana Stores Limited is

owned primarily by Tony Yassin and Glenn Lall, publisher of the Kaieteur News.

Meanwhile, Guyana Stores Limited still owes the Government hundreds of millions of dollars for the purchased of the building on Water Street, Georgetown.

National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited currently has several court actions against GSL for millions in outstanding monies owed to the Government.

Lall and Yassin, Directors of Guyana Stores, owe US$2 million of the US$6 million the property was sold in December 1999.

Past due interest on the outstanding balance would amount almost to another US$2 million or even more.

The matter is sub judice, as the Government owned corporation moved to the courts to recover its monies. In the meantime, the profits of the company are collected by the two owners and shareholders have complained of never receiving any dividends since the company was privatised.

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wednesDAY, April 25, 2018

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

Breakdown in family structures

O

ver the last four decades, developing Caribbean countries have been struggling to maintain law and order within their respective territories while simultaneously causing a reduction in the increasing levels of crime and criminality in their societies which pose the most serious threat to their forward movement and the notion of national security.

While these countries have all approached the subject matter differently, most of them have failed in addressing the root causes of crime and criminality so much so that their judicial systems have become ineffective and slothful in the dispensation of justice.

This is not as a result of poor management on the part of the judiciary or the lack of adequate resources in the form of magistrates or lawyers but can be directly attributed to a breakdown in the traditional family structures within our societies, the changing socioeconomic domestic and regional environment, the shifting of gender roles, the emergence of new complex gender identities and the changing dynamics of a world now driven by newer forms of Information and Communication Technologies.

While all of the abovementioned factors are important to any discussion on solving the proliferation of crime within our regional economies, many researchers and policy makers underestimate the role of males and boys in growth and sustenance of the Region’s crime problem.

In fact, little or no effort is made to reform our boy children to ensure that they are able to contribute in more meaningful, progressive and productive ways to the societies in which they live.

The truth is, most Caribbean men and boys are being poorly socialised and are many times not given enough attention during their early years of development at home, in school and within the wider society from adults who still arguably have the ability to mould them into right-thinking, right-acting and upstanding menfolk who are employable, educated and civilised men within their communities.

At an early age, boys within developing countries are told that they must be tough and the burden to provide for their families still falls on their shoulders despite the shifting gender roles and the advances made in gender equality. They are socialised to hide their weaknesses and sensitivities and to shun anything that even slightly appears feminine.

We must re-educate our boys, therefore, and change how they perceive the importance of an education despite the economic hardships and feminisation of this tool by the societies in which they dwell.

A renowned Jamaican educator, Wayne Campbell, offers a number of solutions for saving our boys and reducing their involvement in crime that could see them moving from not populating jails but universities and think tanks that arrive at solutions for male empowerment and the economic advancement of the entire family as a unit.

Campbell asserts that “there is also the need to urgently recast our current gender policy. One way of doing so is to incorporate more men in the discourse to shape our national gender policy. It's ludicrous to think that women only, or a gender board dominated by women, can advocate the needs of our boys and men. We also need to examine the possibility of creating so-called 'boy-friendly' curricula, assessment and pedagogical practices. We now know that boys learn differently than girls and, therefore, we should use this knowledge to refashion teaching methodologies that speak to both sexes in the classroom.”

In Guyana, there is a need to view the issue of male underperformance and underachievement with a sense of urgency and dispatch, if not; we are going to continue to witness the spread of a deviant strand of hyper masculinity sweeping across the education system. This reconstruction of masculinity is already manifesting itself in all our schools. Our boys are wearing their school pants well below their waist and at times exposing their undergarments. Those boys who wear the correct uniform are teased and referred to as "old".

Our boys have become more violent in recent years even to the point of physically abusing female teachers. Male teachers, over the years, have endured physical attacks from our boys; however, this new attack on the female teachers by our boys should be viewed as a wake-up call for school administrators and policymakers about the urgent need to rescue our boys.

Three bear cubs were found by the Bulgarian authorities in the wild and rescued at the Dancing Bears Park near Belitsa, Bulgaria. The cubs, who are about three months old, will be relocated in the next days to a bear orphan station in Greece (Reuters)

Greater hardships, deepening poverty

I

am pleased to note that you have responded with such alacrity to my correspondence of April 16, 2018.

Having read statements made by you and others yesterday at the symbolic march organised

by SARA, l am now compelled to respond to both.

My correspondence pointed out glaring instances of some of the grossest violations of the constitutional and statutory provisions regarding financial probity, transparency and accountability which you as a self-proclaimed anti-corruption campaigner would, l would have thought, be profoundly concerned about.

The examples l raised were not necessarily exclusive to the powers you hold as Director of the State Assets Recovery Agency but as a citizen who spoke out so often publicly and authoritatively accusing successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Governments of massive corruption, and have continued to do so, I therefore thought that now that you head such a powerful body with a hefty legislative clout and have access to the inner camera of the political directorate that you would want to do something to expose, investigate and protect the citizens from any acts of corruption and violations of the Constitution and laws of our country regardless of who was involved.

Sadly, your response only confirms what most people believe; that the SARU now SARA, is a body created for one purpose and with one target alone on their radar – the PPP/C leaders and supporters!.

This view is bolstered by official statements such as the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU)’s response to the Private Sector Commission’s comments on the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Bill, February 15, 2017:“In some areas of corruption, the size of loss speaks for itself. Before the change of Government, the nation was losing $28-$35 billion each year through procurement fraud. With regard to illicit capital flight, the nation was losing $90 billion every

year. Furthermore, the underground economy caused the nation to lose $188 billion per year. This adds up to a grand total of $306-$313 billion per year, which is a conservative figure as according to several international agencies, this amount is grossly understated.

Given the purposes of the bill and the damaging losses to the economy as stated above, it is imperative that the bill be passed immediately. The scale of corruption discovered

by SARU, to date, is astounding. The Guyanese population is eager to see the country’s assets recovered and appropriate action taken against the perpetrators of corruption. The SARA Bill is geared toward these purposes.”

After the great haste to pass the bill in April 2017, supported by such screaming assertions, aimed at recovering these assets, a year has passed. You now say that “SARA does not and cannot initiate investigations without first receiving a complaint such as yours.”

So can you say who made the complaints about the $2835 billion lost each year in procurement fraud or the $306313 billion per year being lost due to corruption? Strange to say, these are the same figures you used prior to the 2015 elections? Are you, sir, the Complainant? And where is your evidence? If you declared such losses were real and then used your position in the SARU/SARA without evidence and mere mathematical speculation, then this is a case of reckless irresponsibility of enormous proportions.

Such disinformation fed to the Guyanese electorate for several years leading up to the 2015 elections as well as friendly governments and international organisations clearly has been now exposed as a concerted political campaign to get the PPP/C out of office.

If your allegations are the source of these investigations, why then are the complaints and exposures made by civic-minded individuals and the media about corruption by members of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance

For Change (APNU/AFC) Government not worthy of investigation?

In terms of your defence as to why no action has been taken with regard to the numerous cases of corruption l raised in my previous correspondence, l wish to remind you of statements made during an Anti-Corruption Sensitisation Seminar (Demerara-Mahaica), by your Deputy Director, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer and reported in the media on November 9, 2017, that “Guyana’s State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) has 25 “solid cases” of officials of the previous Government having properties that they acquired unlawfully using their then privileged positions”. It is now over a year later and no action has been taken.

This number of “solid cases” has now dropped to 10 cases to be brought in the last quarter of this year external to Guyana as declared by you.

Why wait to the end of the year, what are the reasons for the delay? Is it because you are having trouble finding “cogent evidence to satisfy the court that the property is the proceeds of unlawful conduct of a public official” as required in civil recovery under the SARA Act. Or is it you wish to keep massaging the lie against the PPP/C leaders leading up to the 2020 elections? Therefore you are guilty, as are others, of the worse fraud perpetrated on the hearts and minds of the Guyanese people in the nation’s history.

Whilst no case has been brought to substantiate these outrageous claims you and the Government have besmirched people’s characters and lives and tried people in the public eye with no proof to uphold any of the claims.

I have noted your proclivity to drop names with regards to experts from international agencies including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Bank and the United Nations who you claimed helped to develop and widely reviewed the bill as to the powers of the Head of the SARA. Nevertheless, the constitutionality of the SARA Act and the Director’s powers

which override the independence of constitutional post holders such as the Director of Public Prosecutions will be determined by our courts and not any unnamed international experts.

And you continue to drop names with regard to “documents received from External Law Enforcement Agencies such as Interpol, Homeland Security and CFTAF have shown the massive scale of corruption and money laundering during the late 2000s to the mid 2010s”. After spending over $150 million expended on forensic audits to undercover the corruption of the PPP/C Government and assuming the above-mentioned documents are available, after three years, you have been unable to find the $30 billion per annum you and others publicly claimed for years was stolen by the PPP/C Government.

At the April 20 march, you now admit that “We can’t recover State property in this country….without fighting in the courts outside of Guyana…. It’s a global fight!

The wealth has left Guyana.

It is deposited into accounts in places outside of Guyana… we need to get to those accounts to place the charges against the persons who hold Guyanese assets through some initial unlawful conduct and to try to recover it for Guyana.”

A day after writing me, you now publicly admit that documents you referred to receiving from those external law enforcement “did not contain hard evidence to make out strong court cases.” You now admit that “there is a difference between information and evidence”.

I hope you have taken to heart the statement by the British High Commissioner, as you do not seem to want to take the word or information of a Guyanese such as myself, or any other Guyanese, that “There can be no escape and no impunity for those who are corrupt. Regardless of where you are, regardless of who you are, everyone must act within and be subject to the laws of the land.” continued on page 5

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WEDNESDAY, April 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

An assault on our freedoms Siting of the Indian Dear Editor, The discontinuing of charges brought against the Ministers of this Government is a grave violation of our constitutional rights as citizens of this country. The total disregard for the charges is telling this nation that nothing, absolutely nothing this Government does can at least be questioned in a forum of fairness.

It further represents an assault on our freedoms as a people through our representative, to agitate on a platform that necessitates fair debates or arguments, we have no redress. It means that the excesses of this Government know no boundaries.

The sum total of it all is that we have no voice.

Now, the legal system in our country is very much under seige, held in a stranglehold by the People’s National Congress-led Government.

Why can’t the Director of Public Prosecutions substantiate charges against these Ministers, why? The Constitution makes ample provision for it. But I think the DPP is under tremendous pressure to keep her job, as well as being extremely fearful of a Government under whom she serves.

What Mrs Hack is harping on is that she should not bring charges against a sitting Minister, or one carry-

ing out his duties in a current Administration. In essence, she is saying that a “Minister of Government” cannot be tried in a court of law.

Well, she is ever so wrong, a Minister of Government can be tried in a court of law as it is with those cases brought against former Government Ministers. Let them show me where the law states that charges can only be instituted against “former Government Ministers” and not Government Ministers per se. Then, if that were the case, Guyana’s laws are indeed bias and discriminatory where only former Government Ministers can be charged.

Greater hardships...

Your sudden insertion in your letter referring to a criminal case against a former Permanent Secretary having $20 billion in his bank accounts is interesting as this case has been in the courts for over a year and seems to be going nowhere. Or are the sources of this money too close to home?

Since SARA seems to be having a problem with the cases l raised, let me make a complaint to you about the following cases that fall squarely in your remit:1. The acquisition of a house and land in Bel Air Gardens, then State owned, below market value at that time and with no recourse to any procurement process by the former Finance Minister of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government and now 2nd Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge of the APNU/ AFC coalition.

2. The PPP/C Government responded to the Burnham family’s request for land and issued five acres of prime land in Georgetown at no costs to former Vice President and First Lady Viola Burnham and widow of President Forbes Burnham in D’Urban Backlands.

3. The acquisition of a huge tract of land to the PNC for their party headquarters, Congress Place, in Sophia, at no cost and where sections have been sold over the years at market value and for profit, the most recent sale took place after the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

All of these cases are easily investigated as all the records are publicly available. And remember the SARA Act provided for retroactivity, probably one of the first statutes that did so.

As such, l am now formally laying my complaint with reference to the cases regarding corruption, abuse in public office and violation of the Constitution, Procurement Act, and financial laws listed in my letter dated April 16, 2018 and those listed above and call on SARA to investigate them.

The most egregious case relates to the sale of our national patrimony in oil and natural gas well below what is observed internationally and “relatively favourable to investors by international stan-

dards,” as stated in the IMF report prepared for Guyanese officials. Follow the trail Dr Thomas, you will find the answers and the accounts of those who benefitted.

Again your letter refers to the US International Narcotic Control Strategy Report and other reports which “depicted Guyana as one of the most corrupt countries in the world”.

How do you now address the most recent 2018 US State Department report which stated that “Narcotics trafficking and Government corruption are the primary sources of laundered funds. However, other illicit activities, such as human trafficking, illicit gold mining, contraband, and tax evasion, are also sources. “( pg 111, Volume 11) ?

You must admit that the phrase “Government corruption” was never used before to depict a “primary source of laundered funds.”

Your view of the PPP/C Administrations is so jaundiced that you stated that “little if anything was done institutionally between 2008- and mid 2010s to ensure “corrup-

What the Constitution does make provision for is the Head of State, who cannot be tried in a court of law when he is dispensing his duties as President, whether in or out of office. Those courtesies do not extend to the Ministers of Government, therefore private individuals or Opposition can go after those Government Ministers who have violated the law.

Guyana is in a full-fledged dictatorship, where the Constitution is bent to serve only one set of individuals. As the lyrics of the good old song states “Heaven help us all.”

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Arrival Day monument Dear Editor, I recognise that my continuing efforts to have the Indian Arrival Day monument sited at Highbury, where the first batch of Indian immigrants actually arrived, instead of Palmyra which is apparently being pushed because of ‘convenience’ and/or ‘conspicuousness’, might now be seen as ‘whipping a dead horse’; but in all seriousness, I again beg the relevant authorities to please let good historical reason and commonsense prevail. It is still not too late to do so.

And now there is yet another good reason to choose Highbury: the fact that far less ‘foundational works’ is re-

quired at Highbury as opposed to Palmyra where the soil condition has already been proven to be less hospitable and to reduce its in-hospitability will definitely require more time and resources without any guarantee against another collapse.

Why risk another ‘collapse’ and the possibility that the extra foundational works will require more time and money which militate against the year-end target in order to accommodate the fortuitous visit of the Indian Prime Minister.

American Convention Against Corruption between 20082015, l wish to suggest that you familiarise yourself with the reports submitted by Guyana in the four rounds of review between 2006-2014 to see what progress was being made and the review reports of the MESICIC. All are available on the OAS MESICIC website.

In closing, l note your statement that “the goal is to repel procurement fraud, stolen State assets, corruption so that Guyanese of all walks of life can be assured their roads, national patrimony, gold and other State assets are used for the betterment of all Guyanese”. In other words all the cases l brought to your attention in my first letter and this follow up fall into that stated goal.

So l return, sir, having

read your response now even more convinced that you will do nothing but play “smoke and mirrors” and continue on your and the APNU/AFC mission to do nothing about corruption in this Government’s circles but continue to mislead the people and target the PPP/C leaders.

I therefore return to my earlier letter and reiterate that “the APNU/AFC Government can easily be classified as the most corrupt Government in the post-independence English speaking Caribbean,” costing the Guyanese people billions of dollars with greater hardships and deepening poverty.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

from page 4

tion is everybody’s business”.

Unfortunately you have failed to acknowledge that the fundamental anti-corruption legislative framework was established under successive PPP/C Governments. To name a few:- constitutional reform that insulated the Auditor General from executive interference; - many new laws – the Procurement Act; Financial Management and Accountability Act; the AMLCFT Act 2009; Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act; Access to Information Act; - the removal of power to appoint Judges from the President including the appointment of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions; - the appointment of the three service commissions through a consensual parliamentary mechanism instead of appointment by the President.

Backed with administrative measures to enhance transparency such as the public opening of tenders, the posting of the minutes of the

opening of bids and awards by the NPTAB on its website, all of these are no longer available and the website is devoid of information. Guyana was the only country in the Region that introduced such scrutiny with the procurement process.

In other words, the framework to prevent and reduce corruption in Government and by public officials through the separation of powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary based on rule of law was put in place by the PPP/C Government. All of these measures guarded by the Constitution, law and administrative mechanisms are unravelling in the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

As the former Guyana Expert between 2008-2015 on the MESICIC, the mechanism that monitored the implementation of the Inter-

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira, MP Chief Whip for the parliamentary Opposition

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wednesDAY, April 25, 2018

Page

By Jeanie Lerche Davis

Y

ou know the checkout line scenario: three-yearold child wants this toy, this candy, this something – and she wants it nooooow!

The crying starts, escalating into a full-blown tantrum.

In his new book, The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting, Laurence Steinberg, PhD, provides guidelines based on the top social science research – some 75 years of studies. Follow them, and you can avert all sorts of child behaviour problems, he says.

After all, what is the goal when you’re dealing with children? To show who’s boss?

To instil fear? Or to help the child develop into a decent, self-confident human being?

Good parenting helps foster empathy, honesty, selfreliance, self-control, kindness, cooperation, and cheerfulness, says Steinberg. It also promotes intellectual curiosity, motivation, and desire to achieve. It helps protect children from developing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, anti-social behaviour, and alcohol and drug abuse.

“Parenting is one of the most researched areas in the entire field of social science,” says Steinberg, who is a distinguished professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The scientific evidence for the principles he outlines “is very, very consistent”, he tells WebMD. Too many parents base their actions on gut reaction.

But some parents have better instincts than others, Steinberg

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

says. Children should never be hit – not even a slap on a toddler’s bottom, he tells WebMD. “If your young child is headed into danger, into traffic, you can grab him and hold him, but you should under no circumstances hit him.”

Ruby Natale, PhD, PsyD, professor of clinical paediatrics at the University of Miami Medical School, couldn’t agree more.

She offered a few of her own insights.

“Many people use the same tactics their own parents used, and a lot of times that meant using

really harsh discipline,” she tells WebMD. A parent’s relationship with his or her child will be reflected in the child’s actions – including child behaviour problems, Natale explains. “If you don’t have a good relationship with your child, they’re not going to listen to you. Think how you relate to other adults. If you have a good relationship with them, you tend to trust them more, listen to their opinions, and agree with them. If it’s someone we just don’t like, we will ignore their opinion.”

Steinberg’s 10 principles hold true for anyone who deals with children – coach, teacher, babysitter, he says.

The 10 principles of good parenting What you do matters “This is one of the most important principles,” Steinberg tells WebMD. “What you do makes a difference. Your

kids are watching you. Don’t just react on the spur of the moment. Ask yourself, ‘What do I want to accomplish, and is this likely to produce that result?’”

You cannot be too loving “It is simply not possible to spoil a child with love,” he writes. “What we often think of as the product of spoiling a child is never the result of showing a child too much love.

It is usually the consequence of giving a child things in place of love – things like leniency, lowered expectations, or

material possessions.”

Be involved in your child’s life “Being an involved parent takes time and is hard work, and it often means rethinking and rearranging your priorities. It frequently means sacrificing what you want to do for what your child needs to do. Be there mentally as well as physically.”

Being involved does not m e a n doing a c h i l d ’s

homework – or reading it over or correcting it. “Homework is a tool for teachers to know whether the child is learning or not,” Steinberg tells WebMD. “If you do the homework, you’re not letting the teacher know what the child is learning.”

Adapt your parenting to fit your child Keep pace with your child’s development. Your child is growing up. Consider how age is affecting the child’s behaviour.

“The same drive for

independence that is making your three-year-old say ‘no’ all the time is what’s motivating him to be toilet trained,” writes Steinberg. “The same intellectual growth spurt that is making your 13-year-old curious and inquisitive in the classroom also is making her argumentative at the dinner table.”

For example: An eighth grader is easily distracted, irritable. His grades in school are suffering. He’s argumentative. Should parents push him more, or should they be understanding so his selfesteem doesn’t suffer?

“With a 13-year-old, the problem could be a number of things,” Steinberg says. “He may be depressed. He could be getting too little sleep. Is he staying up too late? It could be he simply needs some help in structuring time to allow time

for studying. He may have a learning problem. Pushing him to do better is not the answer.

The problem needs to be diagnosed by a professional.”

Establish and set rules “If you don’t manage your child’s behaviour when he is young, he will have a hard time learning how to manage himself when he is older and you aren’t around. Any time of the day or night, you should always be able to answer these three questions: Where is my child? Who is with my child?

What is my child doing? The rules your child has learned from you are going to shape the rules he applies to himself.”

“But you can’t micromanage your child,” Steinberg tells WebMD. “Once they’re in middle school, you need let the child do their own homework, make their own choices, and not intervene.”

(Excerpt from WedMD)

to be continued

Getting student input on the burden of homework Continued from Tuesday

By Peter Badalament

These key steps were critical to achieving a successful outcome: Gather data on the scope of the issue through student and parent surveys.

Recruit teachers from every department (including guidance counsellors, special educators, and tutors, for a total of 14 adults and four students).

Establish a limited number of meetings to avoid an endless process.

Provide specific research ahead of time for the group to read.

Facilitate the discussions using protocols so all voices are heard.

Coming up with workable changes

In the end, the Working Group came up with three recommendations that were implemented schoolwide: No homework assigned over the weeklong vacations (we have three).

All homework assignments posted on Google Calendar (we had been using multiple platforms).

Homework

needed to be available before the end of the class period so students could get work done during study halls and before athletics in the afternoon.

Students I talked to in the halls saw these changes as steps that definitely improved their daily lives.

And it’s worth noting that the faculty bought in because we didn’t impose time limits on the amount of homework that could be assigned by individual teachers.

Without the incorporation of student voice, I’m sure this effort at making school-wide change would have ended up as yet another committee whose efforts lead to no real change.

Because we involved students with different profiles and backgrounds and supported them prior to their engagement with the adults, they were better able to effectively harness the power of their experiences.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GRA distances self from planned VAT on exports

W

hile declaring that he was speaking on behalf of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and not the Finance Ministry, GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia said amid concerns regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) on exports, companies would first have to provide empirical evidence to prove that was true.

He noted that if businesses could prove that they were affected, the GRA “will recommend to the Minister of Finance (Winston Jordan) changes to the Schedule and VAT Act to minimise such effect”.

He added that this was an ongoing exercise, and was the case for the fishing and forestry industries where after being presented with empirical evidence in 2017, changes were effected to the VAT Schedules, thereby allowing the affected items in the manufacturing process to be exempted.

“We are not a political organisation. If you need political advice, you should ask the Minister,” he said while addressing the issue on Monday at his Camp Street office. “All I am asking, is if you are saying that you would be adversely affected, prove it to me, show me the facts.”

The Commissioner

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

General was referring to statements made by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on behalf of organisations such as the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA); the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Rice Exporters and Millers Association (GREMA).

Statia claimed that the GRA has been in constant discussion with stakeholders about this issue.

“We understand the reasons for moving items from exempt to zero rated and vice versa. In the initial phases when we made the changes in 2017, what we were trying to do was to minimise a re-

quest for refunds and, therefore, what we tried to do was to move exempt items, move zero-rated items to exempt.”

In response to representation made by correspondence of April 9, 2018, he said the Minister advised the GREMA that it should supply the GRA with the empirical data to support its claims of significant losses on costs owing to the change from zero-rated to exempt status by the 2017 amendments to the VAT Act, so that remedial action could be taken.

This request was made in light of the previous initiatives taken to exempt the raw materials and other items used in this industry to reduce the burden of VAT. The items that are exempt include the supply of paddy, fertilisers, ploughs, import of raw materials and packaging materials, etc.

Additionally, the GRA boss said substantial waivers on duty and VAT on imported items for the rice industry were provided. He said it should be noted that the VAT placed on electricity and water would rarely apply to GREMA members since they enjoy their own power generation and have their own water supply. The data on the losses, he reminded, is yet to be submitted to the GRA. Previously, the

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Government used zero-rated goods to lower the tax burden on low-income households by zero-rating essential goods.

For items with no value added or that were first in the value-added chain, there is no difference to the consumer between exempting and zero-rating the items.

In order to ensure that local manufacturers of exempt products that were previously zero-rated whether for export or local supply were not unduly affected, many products exempted were the first in the chain, so they would not have attracted any value-added element, hence no significant input VAT to be reclaimed, eg, lumber and lumber products, poultry, and fish.

While Statia argued that the PSC was mixing up the laws and may not have a full understanding of the VAT law, the Private Sector body said Monday that it strongly believed that the GRA was fusing two amendments, neither of which supported the interpretation and advice offered by the Authority to the Minister.

The PSC said the GRA was causing the Minister to reverse an undertaking giv-

en to the National Assembly in January 2018 that “none of these proposed amendments will negatively affect any individual or business”.

It was observed by the PSC that no changes were made to the zero-rated list in respect of exports, but the Minister and the GRA were advising that exports of goods and services listed in the exempt schedule were not zero-rated even if they were listed in the zero-rated schedule.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was the first to state that serious consideration was being given to having the zero rating of exports for VAT purposes removed. A day later, Minister Jordan strongly denied that any changes have been made, or would be made, that would impact exporters in a negative way.

8 NEWS

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Alexander Village killing

More time requested for psychiatric report on GDF rank

Murdered: Reona Payne

T

he prosecution has requested more time to submit a psychiatric report on Orwain Sandy, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, who allegedly murdered his lover, Reona Payne, by shooting her some 14 times about her body at Alexander Village, Georgetown.

Sandy reappeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday where he calmly stood before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

The court was told that Sandy met with head of the Mental Health Unit of the Public Health Ministry, Dr

Bhiro Harry to be mentally evaluated.

However, the report is yet to be submitted to the prosecution, who requested additional time. Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves also revealed that they are still several outstanding statements in the matter.

As such, Magistrate Latchman adjourned the matter for May 2, when the psychiatric report is expected to be presented to the court.

Family members of Sandy filled the courtroom to show support for the accused killer.

Outside of the courtroom, friends, and family members along with Payne’s three children were seen sporting T-shirts with her picture calling for justice for the dead woman.

A tearful Sandy made his first appearance in court on April 6 where he was remanded to prison.

The charge against him alleged that on March 31, 2018, while in the vicinity of First Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, he murdered Payne.

Guyana Times previously reported that the couple

Ex-GDF Captain Orwain Sandy

was in their car proceeding along First Street, Alexander Village, when a heated argument reportedly ensued.

As such, Payne reportedly exited the vehicle after which Sandy followed, carrying a loaded firearm, his service pistol.

He then shot the woman once, resulting in her dropping to the ground. However, this online publication was told that Sandy proceeded to stand over her, and emptied the entire magazine on the woman.

The captain then fled the scene and turned himself over at the Ruimveldt Police Station,

where he reported the matter.

The Police were also summoned by residents who heard the gunshots.

When this publication visited the scene, the woman’s lifeless body was seen on the road along with several spent shells which were recovered by the Police.

Meanwhile, at the Ruimveldt Police Station, Sandy was taken into custody as he was questioned as to what led to the brutal murder.

The GDF has since released a statement confirming the shooting and outlined that the captain ‘was immediately interdicted from his duties.’

Payne and Sandy reportedly dated but later married separate people. However, a few years after they left their respective spouses and rekindled their relationship.

The dead woman reportedly told relatives and friends along with a co-worker that she was being physically abused by Sandy. She even sent photos which purportedly showed marks of violence on her body to a family member to attest to this.

Justice…

O

…subverted nce again, the march towards tyranny moves on inexorably under the jackboots of the PNC. The latest step was taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who allowed the common law charge of “misconduct in a public official” to be brought against two ex-officials from the PPP Government, but dropped the identical charge brought against two sitting Ministers of the present PNC Government!! And imagine even during the days of Burnham, Kwayana, as a private citizen, brought corruption charges against two sitting Ministers – Hamilton Green and David Singh – and had one of them convicted!!

Obviously, Granger doesn’t only want to fulfil Burnham’s legacy, but to SURPASS it!! What’s next?? For the Chancellor and the Chief Justice be appointed by him unilaterally – WHILE the PNC flag flies over the Appellate Court?? Now back in 1970 when Kwayana brought his charge he had to file charges with the Ombudsman – since that was the only constitutional office available to go after the big ones.

But since then, the DPP was created – specifically to shield the power to prosecute individuals in the judicial system from political interference. It’s a constitutional office which, “is the sole authority vested with the power and responsibility to exercise control over the prosecution of all criminal matters except the institution of a Court Martial.” But the right of the private citizen to bring charges, which is sacrosanct and guaranteed by the common law from time immemorial, was not ceded. The citizen could still do so…but the DPP had to take over the prosecution. The standard for the DPP is to see that “every dog” must have its day in court – even the most humble.

The DPP could also enter a nolle prosecui – that is a plea not to continue with the prosecution. But to prevent exactly what went down with the PPP charges against the two Ministers, the DPP MUST inform the citizen bringing the charges of the reasons. High up there would be if she doesn’t consider the evidentiary submission to be enough; a public interest nexus isn’t shown or the prosecution is likely to damage the interests of JUSTICE. Now guess what this DPP gave as her reasons for ducking the charge?? First, that the Police didn’t investigate!! Not that the evidence presented is insufficient but that it wasn’t the Police that dug up the dirt!! Well duh!! Isn’t this what these charges against officials are all about? The second “reason” was that “in the interest of good governance”, the Police should’ve been brought in!! Circularity?!!

So we have a DPP – guided not by the pursuit of justice, but by the politics of “good governance”.

Which, to Burnhamites, was established by Machiavelli!! …trampled Your Eyewitness has been around the block – and some!! So he thought he’d heard it all. But, dear reader, you could’ve knocked him over with a feather after he heard PNC’s Chairperson Amna Ally’s response to PPP’s (rigging) concerns on house-to-house registration. She claims Guyanese are enjoying the PNC-promised “good Life” and the PPP are just jealous!!

That’s right folks. Seven thousand seven hundred (7700) persons in the streets after being fired by the Government from GuySuCo enjoying the good life!! The bauxite workers staring at an imminent halt to operations at RUSAL’s Berbice operations enjoying the good life!! The forestry sector’s been halved after Barama’s pull out but the unemployed workers are enjoying the good life!!

Amna Ally and the PNC have to be really contemptuous of the Guyanese people when she can talk about the good life when even her growth figure has been cut by HALF!!

One wonders if Amna Ally isn’t into S&M if she thinks that’s the good life!!

While one may shrug that off with “different STROKES for different folks”, this isn’t only about her, is it? …for City Hall Aren’t you all cut up about City Hall? The King just sobbed as to how they have to run their business on a “shoestring”.

A shoestring the circumference of the Earth!!

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

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wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Charges against Lawrence, Norton

Opposition to challenge DPP’s dismissal in High Court

Former AG Anil Nandlall

O

ne day after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, dismissed charges against Government Ministers Volda Lawrence and George Norton, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition has indicated its intension to challenge the decision in the High Court.

This was announced by former Attorney General and Opposition’s legal representative, Anil Nandlall.

“I am now actively considering challenging the DPP’s decision in court because her decision is reviewable by the High Court… I will do it, it’s just a matter of time,” he told this media group during a telephone interview on Tuesday.

“The DPP has exercised her discretion and her powers unlawfully and discriminatorily and therefore, her actions are illegal and unconstitutional,” Nandlall noted.

According to the former AG, while the DPP has the power to take over and discontinue all criminal charges filed, this “power and discretion” is not absolute, and must be exercised reasonably and in accordance with established principles.

To this end, he pointed out that that the reasons advanced by the DPP cannot withstand objective legal scrutiny.

“The two legal reasons given in the press statement are dubious at least. One that a report was not made to the Police station, the DPP was careful not to point which law requires for such a report to

be made because there is no such law... Secondly, the DPP said she’s acting in good governance; ‘good government’ is not part of the responsibility of the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions…,” he stated.

The former Attorney General further outlined that there seems to be a battle between authoritarianism and the rule of law unfolding, while noting that every time an authoritarian act is not challenged, then it is allowed to prevail over the rule of law.

“It is important that we do not allow unlawful decisions and abuse of power to go unaddressed… It is a pity that organisations and persons, who a few years ago were very vociferous on these very issues, have now become silent. History will judge their hypocrisy harshly,” Nandlall stated.

Hours after private criminal charges were filed against three more Government Ministers by Nandlall on behalf of Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill, the DPP announced discontinuance of the case filed on April 19, 2018, against Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and former Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton over the sole sourcing of over $600 million in drugs and other pharmaceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack

Corporation and the rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, to be utilised as a drug bond at a cost of $12 million monthly, respectively.

This move by the Opposition came on the heels of former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), being charged by the State on April 12, for “misconduct in public office: contrary to common law” as it pertains to the sale of three plots of State land.

Nevertheless, the DPP said in a statement on Monday that, “…These charges concern a grave issue under the criminal law in relation to

two serving Ministers. In the interest of good governance in the State of Guyana, such allegations ought first to have been reported to the Guyana Police Force for an investigation to be launched and the advice of the DPP sought.”

However, Nandlall had pointed out on Monday that, as far as he is aware, no one wrote requesting a review of the charges against Ministers Lawrence and Norton.

“I am aware that at a press conference held on Saturday, the 21st day of April, 2018, Attorney General Basil Williams stated that ‘the Government expects’ the DPP to review the private criminal charges filed against the Ministers. It is now apparent that, even without a request, the Government’s expectations were met,” he observed.

Moreover, he also recalled writing the DPP inviting a review of the charges filed against former Finance Minister and former head of NICIL that were brought on last week, and to date, he has not received a response.

Nevertheless, the PPP Opposition moved on Monday to file criminal charges

Minister Volda Lawrence

Minister George Norton

against another three Government Ministers; this time in relation to the controversial D’Urban Park Project.

The private criminal charges were filed against Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, alleging a breach of the Procurement Act in relation to the expenditure of $906 million in public funds to a private company, Homestretch Development Inc, for the construction of the controversial D’Urban

Park Project, which has been a contentious issue for some time now.

Jordan and Patterson have been jointly charged with misconduct and abuse of public trust for having allegedly authorised the payment, while Dr Roopnaraine, who was a Director of the company, has been charged with alleged misconduct and the abuse of public trust for having received in his capacity as Director the $906 million in public funds while serving as Minister.

10 news

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

City Hall woes

Retiring staff promoted to get benefits …Mayor disapproves

G

eorgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green, placed on record her disapproval as it relates to the reason Senior Superintendent Laurel Gittens was promoted to the office of Deputy Chief Constable.

Gittens was promoted to Senior Superintendent at the April 10 Statutory Meeting based on a recommendation of the Legal Affairs and Securities Committee after which she was immediately promoted to the office of DCC with the six-month probationary period waived.

The Council was told that Senior Superintendent Gittens is scheduled to retire in 2019 and the Council, based on the mere fact that had it remained in place then she would proceed on retirement and could not have accessed her full benefits, waived the only reason the probationary period.

“This probation is because she’s retiring? I am against it. If this particular officer was promoted because she will soon retire, I have difficulties with that, serious difficulties because we are not here to pay people a paycheck with their gratuity and pension,” Chase Green said.

PPP Councillor Bishram Kuppen said when the issue came to the Council, the recommendation was for

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

Gittens to be promoted and the probation period withdrawn, however, he related that he was forced to abstain from voting because a procedure was not followed.

“For you to be promoted to a position, there has to be a probationary period but there was an overwhelming majority of the Councillors decided that they will forego the probationary period because that will lead her into retirement and she would not get the benefits,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chase Green said raising objections with the decision has nothing to do with Gittens personally, rather it has to do with the promotion protocol and questioned the basis on which she was promoted from Superintendent to Senior Superintendent. However,

no explanation was given, rather it was related that she was appointed because she has been acting as DCC for a while.

“What criteria was used, what procedure was used?

There is nothing wrong with who you recommend but your recommendation must stand up to scrutiny. All the Councillors on the Legal Affairs Committee are culpable. It must be clear that when we promote anybody in this Council that they must stand the scrutiny because we would have followed a certain procedure.

I am not satisfied with the procedure that was used,” Chase Green said.

“We can do better than that, far better than that and that’s why I say we must have a policy. She is a woman like me and I am proud that she is the Deputy Chief Constable but how will she stand scrutiny,” she added.

Meanwhile, King said the appropriate information was given to the Council and that Councillors were aware of the implications when they took the decision.

“The Council was advised by the Town Clerk that the probationary period should remain in place and that was removed even after full explanation by the Town Clerk as why it should remain and there

Legal nincompoop

S

Senior Superintendent Laurel Gittens

was some other discussions among this particular discussion so Councillors were aware when they took this decision,” he said.

It was suggested that they rescind the decision, but the Mayor said it would require a two-thirds majority vote, which they did not have.

The precedence of withdrawing the probation period was set in the past when Chief Constable Andrew Foo was not subjected to the six months. Foo had since expressed reservations with Gittens’ appointment but refused to disclose his concerns.

Now that Gittens has gotten the nod, she is still acting DCC and would only be confirmed after the Local Government Commission approves it.

atiricus was in trepidation. He knew he was going to get it good when he got to the Back Street Bar. But there was nothing he could do about it. He wondered if his leader Nagga Man was still affected by all that anaesthesia he’d inhaled over in the States. “Why in the hell would he make such statements?” he fumed to himself as he trudged to his appointed Inquisition!

“A whe’ yuh leada l’arn law?” Bungi demanded even before Satiricus could sit down.

“The same place alyu Attorney General study,” replied Satiricus gruffly as he started on his waiting beer. He’d decided offence was going to be his ONLY defence.

“Well, ‘e mussee skulk den, beca’se he jus’ talk wan load a sh*t ‘bout de law!” said Cappo just as truculently.

“All right…all right, Cappo, calm down,” said Hari quietly.

“Don’t forget Nagga Man entered law school as a pensioner.

His brain was gone!!”

“So tell me what my leader said that was so out of place,” Satiricus demanded.

“Well, ‘e seh de Pee-Pee-Cee na should charge dem Ministah fuh t’ief!” exploded Bungi. “Dat de ole AG na know de law!”

“Budday even wan cane-cutta like me know regula’ people can bring charge pan people w’en dem t’ief or do wrang t’ing!” said Cappo.

“It’s not the charge,” said Satiricus. “Nagga Man said the matter was handled already in parliament!”

“Sato, don’t play the fool,” said Hari. “Minister Morton didn’t even get a slap on the wrist for giving away $450 MILLION for bottom house warehouse!!’

“Well, they removed him and put him in another Ministry!” countered Satiricus slapping the table.

“Budday, an da why de DPP na sh’uda drap de case!” said Bungi triumphantly. “Da evidence Minista Morton fo somet’ing wraang!!”

“An’ as fuh Minista Vulga, she na gat shame,” said Cappo. “Jus’ like Nagga Man.” “And why is that?” demanded Satiricus.

“Well, she replaced Minister Morton who got fired for his Pee an See friend thiefing and then she went and had her Pee an See friend thief $605Million!!” said an exasperated Hari.

“I give up!” said Satiricus. “Let’s drink!”

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tuesDAY, april 24, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt collected $1.1B in taxes from DEMTOCO D

espite recording a decline of 9.5 per cent in its profit before taxes revenue for 2017, the Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO) paid the Government over $1.1 billion in taxes, according to its financial statements presented at the company’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday.

DEMTOCO’s Chairman, Marcus Steele, said 2017 was a challenging year for the company due to a number of factors inclusive of volatility in the foreign exchange market, which affected foreign currency transactions and the performance of the company. He said 2017 represent a fundamental change in the local regulatory landscape of the tobacco industry with the passage and promulgation of the Tobacco Control Act. He noted that while the measures under the Tobacco Control Act will come into effect later in 2018, they have already began experiencing some market fluctuations.

“As a result of these key macro-economic and industry related realities, the company experienced a five per cent volume decline over 2016, with gross revenues also declining by four per cent when compared to the previous year. Profit before tax amounted to $2.5 billion, a decline of 9.5 per cent as compared to last year,” he said.

A section of the gathering at the Annual General Meeting

The Chairman said the management team is instituting measures aimed at effectively preparing the company for transition into the new regulatory environment. He further related that the global tobacco industry faces increased regulatory measures and while they are not opposed to the measures, they believe the regulations should be balanced and enforceable.

“These measures will certainly impact the way we have operated our business and so we take this opportunity to urge the Government to provide the requisite clarity and to exercise the comprehensive public education and raise awareness which is required to minimise dislocations and anxiety during the enforcement of the Act,” Steele said.

Steele said they were

able to engage the authorities towards fully understanding the negative implications from “aggressive and unmitigated” taxation of the industry.

As it relates to the regulations to the tobacco industry, the company has been in constant contact with the Public Health Ministry.

Steele related that it is very important to note that legislations implemented without consultations tend to be

a disaster.

Meanwhile, Managing Director Maurlain Kirton said they have secured a tentative meeting with Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, which will address some of the issues they have as it relates to the legislation.

“There are six key areas which concerns us, one of which is the ban on vending or in trays, the issue of the ban on 10s, the issue on

the ban on sponsorship and promotion, the issue of the ban on corporate branding because the legislation extends itself beyond product branding but our corporate brand that has been around for 84 years is also threatened,” she said.

“We are at the stage where the minister has agreed to a meeting through a third party and we have supplied her with an agenda for that meeting and we are hopeful that meeting happens very soon in another two weeks, we are prepared to sit down and have an engagement,” Kirton added.

The Managing Director said the intention of that meeting is to ensure that the Demerara Tobacco Company continues to exist and adapt to the legislation but stressed the need for enforcement.

Tax stamp

As of September 2018, the Guyana Revenue Authority will be introducing tax stamps on all alcohol and tobacco products.

In response to this move, the Managing Director said there will be compliance with the legislation but noted there will be consequences.

She warned that if the regulations are not enforced then there will be an increase in illicit trade, revealing that it currently accounts to 25 per cent of the total consumption.

Kirton said if not properly enforced then it will be disastrous for both the companies and Government since they will both lose revenue.

Additionally, Chairman Steele said there is enough evidence in the Caribbean to support the sentiments expressed by Kirton, explaining in Jamaica, they have seen illicit trade rise from 10 to 30 per cent due to the implementation of regulations without consultation.

The Tobacco Control Act became law in August 2017 after passage by the National Assembly and subsequent assent by the President.

12 news

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lindener gets 2 life sentences for raping 8-year-old

A

trade unionist was jailed after he was found guilty on two counts of rape on Tuesday.

The jury returned with a guilty verdict, resulting in Justice Jo-Ann Barlow sentencing Michael Williams of Linden to serve life in prison for each count.

The man was emotionless while his sentence was read out to him. He is accused of raping an eightyear-old between December 2017 and January 1, 2018.

He will become eligible for parole after serving two decades in prison.

45 Indigenous communities to be titled and demarcated T he Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry has completed the investigations for 45 hinterland communities identified for land titling and demarcation. This was confirmed by Coordinator of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project, Enrique Monize.

Sixty-eight communities

Coordinator of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project, Enrique Monize

were initially targeted, and 23 villages were investigated in the early stages of the project.

Monize also disclosed that the Ministry is now in the process of surveying these villages and completing those reports and discussing the way forward with the relevant agencies.

“This process is a very long one (and) we had some setbacks. We have 10 villag-

es that are not giving consent for demarcation, and so we couldn’t move forward so we had to stop those 10 villages. This set us back a bit further because we could have already completed some of those communities,” Monize explained.

“The issue with State lands is that forestry has interest in terms of giving out land concessions, Lands and Surveys gives out leases, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) gives out mining concessions and we also have the Protected Areas Commission which has an amount of land

that is legally given to that Commission to manage and so we have to take all of this into consideration.”

In regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), where there is heavy mining, the process for land application and extension takes a longer period.

Under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), the Government of Guyana in 2013, signed a US$10.7 million agreement for the implementation of the Land Titling and Demarcation project. This project is being spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme.

The ALT project seeks to enable Indigenous people to secure their lands and natural resources for sustainable social and economic development. Titling and demarcation will strengthen land tenure security and the expansion of the asset base of Amerindians, enabling improved long-term planning for future development.

The Amerindian Land Titling project has been ongoing for four years.

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wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sexual harassment

Location does not affect occurrence – Chief Justice

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George sharing her remarks during the panel discussion

A

cting Chief Justice Roxane George said she does not believe persons in rural areas are more vulnerable to sexual harassment in the workplace.

Her comments came in response to a question posted at the University of Guyana’s Awareness and Action Forum held on Monday at the Pegasus Hotel, under the theme ‘Respect Due: Voices Against Sexual Misconduct in Institutions’.

The acting Chief Justice said she believes the location of a person does not matter, since persons can be harassed anywhere. “I do not know that the fact of working in remote areas means that one is more vulnerable (to sexual harassment in the work place). One can be in any area… I’m not saying that the remote areas provide for a more vulnerable situation, but it’s just to emphasise that the remoteness of an area does not mean that one is more vulnerable (because) it can happen anywhere,” she posited while addressing a call made by an audience member, for the authorities to put protective measures in place for persons in rural areas.

The discussions were being done at that interactive session, with the intent of tackling sexual harassment in work places, rather than just highlighting them.

Gender Specialist, Adel Lilly from the Gender Affairs Bureau, Social Protection Ministry, highlighted the fact that both men and women and victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.

He added that the cultural norms must be broken and urged persons to speak out against this act. Lilly explained that sexual harassment in the workplace is an unwanted act that makes the victim feel intimated. It is usually meted out by persons who are in authority and

abuse take advantage of their power.

“Many persons do not understand the entirety and consequences of sexual harassment and the person can be charged for violating someone,” he stated.

Lilly said he believes that the workplace should be one where decency is practiced and equal respect for workers should be demonstrated.

This month has been dedicated to Sexual Assault Awareness in Guyana and several other countries across the world.

The month-long awareness activities are being held under the theme ‘Embrace your Voice’. The sensitisation on this touchy issue comes at a time where Guyana is plagued by numerous cases of sexual assault against women and children.

In one of the most disheartening situations reported, a duo was found guilty of raping a 17-year old girl, who was then attached to the Barama Company Limited, East Bank Demerara.

Many still believe that partial justice was given since the case took nine years to come to an end. The teen was found naked and crying on a bed, at her workplace.

On the evening of December 5, 2007, the then 17-year-old female dryer operator was working the night shift when her Supervisor asked her for assistance and led her into a room, where he proceeded to rape and sodomise her.

He reportedly then locked the young woman in the room and later returned in the company of another who also reportedly proceeded to rape and sodomise her.

After some time elapsed, the two men left the room, locking the woman in, once more; it was then that a third person entered and reportedly sodomised the young woman.

Two of the accused were sentenced to prison, meanwhile the third walked free.

In another situation, an unrepentant child rapist was jailed for life.

Following a series of attacks on a young victim, Rohan Daniels, a logger, also known as “Shine Buck” was found guilty on two counts of sexual activity with a child family member. The court was tasked with handing a verdict on four separate counts of child sex activity.

According to the particulars, Daniels between April 12 and 13, 2014, and July 23, 2016 performed vaginally penetrative acts on the minor. She was between 10 and 13 years old during the span of the attacks.

According to the victim, since the sexual abuse, she often has nightmares and bad dreams with constant flashbacks of the harrowing attacks inflicted upon her. She said she does not play with friends and spends much time self-harming herself.

14 News

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vessel found with smuggled fuel

Owners to pay $36M in taxes ‌no word on charges

T

he directors of the company that owns a shipping vessel which was discovered with over 200,000 gallons of suspected smuggled fuel last week will have to pay some $36 million in taxes to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

This disclosure was made on Monday by GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia, who said that the vessel was not seized, but the Agency has impounded the vessel until the taxes have been paid.

Statia was referring to the vessel named Jubilee, which entered the Georgetown port on Friday, but its officials failed to disclose that it had fuel to customs officials until checks were made.

At present, the GRA is examining records from the Maritime Administration Department and Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation to determine the number of times the vessel had entered Guyana.

The Commissioner General said this would determine if there were some logistical issues or if the vessel was in fact smuggling fuel. However, he said some inadequacies were discovered at the Customs Boathouse.

According to him, persons made attempts to falsify an entry after the boat was already boarded.

The ship which was intercepted

Statia said a similar seizure last year saw the captain being fined $20 million, to release the vessel. While he did not confirm if this same approach would be taken in this matter, he did not rule it out.

According to reports, the fuel transported on the vessel was purchased in Trinidad with Suriname as the destination port.

After that arrangement fell through, however, the vessel reportedly docked here.

Reports indicate that Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) agents boarded the vessel, which was carrying fuel tanks and pumps after the crew was unable to provide the requisite documentation.

Information also suggests that a senior Government official and a local sports official have direct links to the vessel, which is owned by a compa-

ny incorporated in Guyana under the Companies Act in 2016.

These individuals are said to be shareholders of the company since 2017.

One of the aforementioned company shareholders is in fact the designated secretary of the company. However, on Monday, efforts to contact the GEA on the matter proved futile. However, a source close to the investigation told Guyana Times, there has been no word on any charges on the matter.

Last year, the GEA’s Fuel Marking Division (FMD) was reportedly able to seize over 11,000 gallons of illegal fuel as part of its fight against fuel smuggling.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between the GRA and GEA to work closely to stamp out fuel smuggling which the GRA boss said was producing results.

news

15

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

CJIA expansion

June is new deadline for completion Looks a lot like we of arrival building – Patterson are on the road to T the return of the PNC toll gates

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is extraordinarily insensitive to the plight of poor people.

Last week they prohibited fishermen from using docking areas at Hope Canal, without giving the poor fishermen any option. Last week, some hard-working people from South Georgetown were Dr Leslie Ramsammy given a two-week notice to remove themselves and their livestock or the APNU/ AFC City Government would remove the livestock to the slaughter house. These stories are happening on a daily basis.

APNU/AFC’s coldness resembles absolutely the behaviour and attitude of dictators. As people’s lives become more depressing, more and more of the APNU/AFC leaders claim the Guyanese people are enjoying the “good life” like never before.

It is in this vein that even the talk of road tolls causes such anxiety among people. Road tolls are something a large section of the Guyanese people remember with a hefty dose of anxiety and ugly memories of political vindictiveness. The people of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) know that road tolls were used to punish them politically because they refused to support Forbes Burnham and the People’s National Congress (PNC) through the 1960s and until 1992. While road tolls are internationally used to generate revenues to support maintenance of roads, in Guyana, a large section of the population experienced the spiteful use of road tolls to politically discriminate against them. Travelling across Region Six and other parts of Guyana last week, I was amazed how quickly, the potential return of road tolls became a major discourse, particularly under the bottom houses in Region Six. Why has this ugly and vile practice of road tolls as a political weapon risen again among citizens? Infrastructure Minister David Patterson last week signalled the intention of the APNU/AFC Administration to introduce road tolls in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). This announcement immediately made many of us wonder if APNU/AFC has intentions of re-introducing tolls on the East Berbice Highway.

In fact, after increasing or introducing new taxes in more than 200 categories in just over two years of being in Government and encouraging parking meters in Georgetown, I am almost certain that this Government has every intention of introducing tolls on highways across Guyana. The announcement of tolls for Region Seven is just testing the waters for the introduction of road tolls. This tax and spend Government is determined to suck every cent they can from the Guyanese people.

It should not shock anyone that APNU/AFC is signalling its thinking about tolls to support its brazen tax and spend propensity. After all, APNU/AFC comes out of the belly of the People’s National Congress (PNC). The PNC’s DNA and, therefore, that of APNU/AFC, includes a hefty reliance on schemes such as road tolls to raise money, but most worrying is that it is a political force that uses road tolls as a political weapon. The citizens of Region Six will never forget the brazen and reprehensible targeting of that region for the use of road tolls to punish people for their political alignment.

People my age will remember that the East Berbice Highway had three toll gates – at Number 19 Village, Adventure and at Number 63 Village. The only highway that had multiple tolls was the East Berbice Highway. The reason was obvious – the people of East Berbice were overwhelmingly opposed to the PNC. The PNC wielded but its main purpose was political vendetta against the citizens of Region Six for their overwhelmingly solid opposition to the PNC. For almost 20 years, those toll gates stood as a symbol of the political spitefulness of the PNC. Cheddi Jagan and the People’s Progressive Party had promised that they would abolish tolls on the East Berbice Highway. The Hoyte Administration in preparation for the first free and fair election in independent Guyana gave in to pressure and abolished the tolls in 1992, just before the elections.

In May 2015, I warned that road tolls will be re-introduced and used selectively as a political weapon. The possible introduction of road tolls in Region Seven, as announced by Minister Patterson, will be followed by introduction of other road tolls and the East Berbice Highway will be a priority for the introduction of road tolls. I suspect that the West Demerara and Essequibo Roads will also be subjected to tolls.

I hope that if this is just wild speculation that the Minister will immediately dismiss the possibility that he and his Government has any intention to introduce tolls on our roads.

he new arrival building located on the south-western section of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is expected to be completed in June.

This was according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who, on Monday, during a local radio programme said that the project was almost 80 per cent completed and had some two months more before completion.

This announcement comes on the heels of complaints being made by passengers entering the coun-

Duo charged for resisting, obstructing arrest

T

wo men stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday morning and admitted to resisting and obstructing arrest.

Twenty-one-year-old Aubrey Hunch of King Edward Street, Albouystown, Georgetown; and 29-year-old Tramain McKenzie of Lot 33 Middle Road, McDoom, Greater Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were separately charged for the two offences.

Hunch initially denied that he assaulted City Police Shawn Persaud with intent to resist arrest on April 12, 2018, at Brickdam but later changed his plea to guilty.

McKenzie however admitted to obstructing said City Police Persaud from executing his duties.

According to Police Prosecutor Devon Goodman, Hunch and another were observed by Persaud having a confrontation. As such, the City Police attempted to resolve the matter when he was verbally assaulted by Hunch who screamed “no ****ing body can’t arrest me!”

Persaud further attempted to handcuff him but had his hands pushed away.

While still attempting to arrest him, McKenzie got involved and proceeded to stop the City Police from arresting Hunch.

Both were later arrested, told of their respective offences and charged.

Hunch told the court that he resisted arrest because he was being arrested wrongfully. He noted that he did curse but not at Persaud.

Magistrate McLennan gave him six months of community service for the offence or a default of three months imprisonment with strict warning for him to be on good behaviour.

McKenzie was also fined $5000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him being jailed for three weeks.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

try about overcrowding and congestion in the arrival area.

In order to facilitate the ongoing expansion project, the immigration and security operations were shifted to the former Greeters Hall.

After the mandatory security checks, passengers would then proceed along another corridor to the Departure Lounge area to await boarding.

The expansion project is geared at addressing four critical areas: insufficient public parking; overcrowd-

ing within the terminal; conflicts of parking aircraft while at the same time permitting larger aircraft on the international apron and a safety area in the event of an aircraft overshooting the runway.

The project is expected to result in two air passenger boarding bridges for passengers’ arrival and departure; a 450-person departure seating area and escalators and elevators, in addition to the extended runway that would cater for categories of larger aircraft.

The Minister further noted that the project was progressing smoothly and on schedule to the completion date, and this is a planned stage of the renovation works to accommodate construction while maintaining operations of the existing terminal.

In February last, President David Granger and his Cabinet were given a tour of the airport, and were updated on the progress of the works.

During a presentation on the project, it was revealed

that some US$114 million has thus far been expended on the airport, while an additional US$27 million would be spent before the end of the year.

The airport expansion works are between 75 and 80 per cent completed. The Project’s Manager, Carmichael Thorne, during his presentation, stated that under the previous Administration, Guyana had secured a US$138 million loan from the China ExportImport (Exim) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government has injected some US$12 million.

However, when the coalition Government came in to power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but following discussions between the Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and the contracting company, China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), it was announced that the project would be continued, but with a reduction in its design and capacity.

16 News

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US report on human rights

PPP takes PM to task over ‘misleading comments’

T

he Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has called out Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo over what they described as “misleading comments” he made while citing the 2017 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Guyana released by the United States (US) State Department.

The People’s Progressive Party said while the Prime Minister pointed to some positives in the report, he willfully ignored other pressing and important matters released by the US, because it creates a bad image for the Government.

The Party was speaking also about the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), which cites “Government Corruption” as a major source of money laundering for the first

time.

“Nagamootoo instead of addressing this issue remains silent. He opts, instead, to defend the cause of good governance as ‘defined’ by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and stands in defence of the siphoning off of State resources through corrupt dealings,” the PPP said referring to several breaches of Guyana’s financial laws and the financing of several controversial projects including the D’Urban Park.

Making reference to the statements made by the Prime Minister with regards to “pervasive corruption” being cited in the 2017 report, the PPP said Nagamootoo ignores the scathing comments about the Integrity Commission, which speaks to financial disclosure under the law requires public officials to declare their assets to an

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Integrity Commission, the Commission had not been constituted by year end.

The Party noted that Nagamootoo made no comment on the fact that the Secretariat of the Integrity Commission was disbanded under the current Administration.

“He did not comment on the fact that he appointed his ‘friend’ as the Chairman of the finally constituted Integrity Commission, an admission that came from no less than the new Chairman himself. And he also remained silent on the fact that since taking of-

fice, not one of his colleague Ministers has filed declarations with the Integrity Commission.”

Speaking about what the report had to say about the independent media in it expressing a wide variety of views without restriction, the PPP reminded about the discovery where the Prime Minister determined that all headlines in the State-owned print media be approved by the Office of the Prime Minister.

“In April (2017) the Minister of Communities publicly admonished the Editor of the State-owned newspaper for using a report on oil and gas as its lead article. The Minister stated a report on a Local Government should have been the lead article,” the party also reminded.

The PPP said Nagamootoo’s aversion to dealing with facts was also

exposed when he talked about the “inherited problem of over-crowding” of prisons. The Party highlighted that the Prime Minister failed to mention that the report makes no mention of the two jailbreaks in three weeks, during July 2017, and the destruction of the Georgetown Prison and the deaths that resulted from that incident.

“This so called ‘advocate’ for anti-corruption, not only distorts reality for his purpose, but sits silently in the face of some of the most egregious acts, acts of corruption only surpassed by the APNU/AFC coalition Government’s incompetence. Nagamootoo is involved in his Government’s actions that make a mockery of Guyana’s financial and other laws, actions that are in stark contrast to good governance.”

Around the world

17

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Trump and France’s Macron seek new Chilean clerical sex abuse victim urges Pope measures on Iran as deadline looms to fire "toxic" bishops

French President Emmanuel Macron reaches out to US President Donald Trump as he speaks during their joint news conference at the White House in Washington, US, April 24, 2018

U

S President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran, as the US leader considers whether to ditch an international accord meant to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

At a joint news conference after

lengthy talks, Trump did not repeat threats to withdraw from the 2015 agreement with Iran which was negotiated by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, but made clear he has little patience for staying in the deal.

Midway through a three-day State visit by Macron, the two leaders were

remarkably chummy, repeatedly shaking hands and extolling each other’s friendship.

The friendliness extended to their talks on Iran, Syria and trade, but there was no indication of a breakthrough on Macron’s bid to persuade Trump to keep the United States in the Iran nuclear deal, maintain US troops in Syria and exempt European allies from 25-per cent steel tariffs.

“It’s not a mystery, we did not have the same starting positions, stances, and neither you nor I have a habit of changing our stances or going with the wind. That being said, I can say that we’ve had a very frank discussion,” said Macron.

He said he and Trump had discussed “a new deal” that would address Iran’s expansion in the Middle East and its ballistic missile programme.

Trump must decide by May 12 whether to restore US economic sanctions on Tehran, which would be a severe blow to the pact that Iran signed with China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain, and the United States. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Toronto van attack: Suspect charged with 10 counts of murder

A

driver suspected of killing 10 people and injuring 14 more by ploughing a rental van into pedestrians in Toronto has appeared in court in the city.

Alek Minassian, 25, was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

Minassian wore a white jumpsuit, with a shaved head and his hands behind

his back. He showed little emotion.

He was read the charges and ordered to have no contact with surviving victims.

He will return to court on May 10.

A man believed to be a relative of Minassian sat in the front row of the court and wept. Asked by reporters after the hearing if he had anything to say, the

man replied “sorry”.

Minassian’s court appearance came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed reporters in the city, calling the incident a “senseless attack and a horrific tragedy”.

The suspect was arrested several blocks from the scene of Monday’s attack, after a tense standoff with a Police Officer. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Chilean victim of clerical sexual abuse Juan Cruz speaks during an interview ahead of his meeting with Pope Francis, outside the Vatican in Rome, Italy, April 24, 2018

A

Chilean man who was sexually abused by a priest as a boy will urge Pope Francis to sack “toxic” bishops who covered up the assaults, he said on Tuesday ahead of a face-toface meeting with the leader of the Catholic Church.

Juan Carlos Cruz, who has become a symbol of the Church’s abuse crisis, will spend several days in the Vatican as a guest of the Pope in the residence where he lives. Strong papal ac-

tion in Chile would send a long-overdue message to the entire Church, he told Reuters in an interview.

“I would say ‘hold these bishops accountable, fire a few of them, if not many of them, but fire them and not give them a cushy job here at the Vatican,’” Cruz said.

“Like in a company (I would say) ‘you need to be preparing your résumé’.

That’s what I would say to these bishops.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednESDAY, april 25, 2018

ARCHIE

Discipline and hard work will pay off, but at what cost?

(March 21Pace yourself and don’t beApril 19) come exhausted trying to take on too many responsibilities or covering for someone else.

ARIES

Study every situation you TAURUS face carefully and figure out (April 20- what will serve you best and May 20) help you excel. Take care of your health, and make time for the people closest to you.

dilbert

Honesty may be a probGEMINI (May 21- lem when dealing with othJune 20) ers. Listen to what’s being said and be wary of evasiveness. If you don’t fully understand something, ask direct questions.

Your intuition won’t let you down. You can be sure of (June 21- your feelings. Answers to your July 22) questions will resolve any issue you have with someone using persuasive or manipulative tactics.

CANCER

Peanuts

Go over your personal fiLEO nances and recent spend(July 23- ing habits. Resolve any unAug. 22) finished business and clear the way for new beginnings.

Speak up if you disagree with someone.

Calvin and Hobbes

Command the floor at VIRGO meetings or events to make a (Aug. 23difference. Offer alternatives Sept. 22) and back up your plans with reasonable timelines and procedures that you know will run smoothly.

Make constructive changLIBRA (Sept. 23- es at home or to your lifeOct. 23) style that will ease financial stress and encourage greater personal stability. Keep your personal matters and passwords secret.

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

SUDOKU

Emotional deception is SAGITTARIUS apparent.

Whether it’s some(Nov. 23one leading you astray or Dec. 21) you just refusing to see the truth, problems will arise if you don’t re-evaluate what’s actually going on.

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

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — CONFERS

censor cero cone core corf corn crone once noes

nose fern force fore fresco froe rose scone score

scorn serf senor snore sone sore

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Get involved in a projSCORPIO ect, protest, or group effort (Oct. 24that you believe in. The peoNov. 22) ple you surround yourself with will make a difference to your attitude and your accomplishments.

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Look at your financial situation or personal expenditures and make necessary adjustments. Home improvements will turn out to be beneficial. A solid investment will stabilise your future.

Talk is cheap if you don’t follow through on your words. Someone will give you false hope or will expect something that you cannot deliver. Know what you want and what’s expected of you.

Use your intuition, imagination, and vision to get ahead. Be detailed and precise, and present what you can do with finesse and confidence. Progress is apparent.

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018

19

Strong male team shortlisted for Bolivia Volleyball Invitational A

s the Bolivia Volleyball Invitational looms nearer, some 16 males were shortlisted to be part of the national senior team who will represent Guyana when the tournament spikes off on May 26. Following weeks of intense training, match simulations, and other measures which were part of the preparatory camp, National Head Coach Levi Nedd made the first step in finalising the squad, following Sunday’s session at the National Gymnasium.

The jam-packed Gymnasium saw a number of top players from both

Georgetown and Berbice vying for spots in the team ahead of the competition, which will serve as further preparation ahead of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) at the end of the year.

Nedd and company carried out a thorough assessment starting in the afternoon and going into the evening. In the end, Nedd was satisfied with the day’s activities and he announced a strong team featuring some of Guyana’s foremost male national/international players, as well as a number of upcoming talents.

The squad features popular names such as Quacy

Matheson, Devendra Latchman, Adriel Moore, Shemroy Ross, Samuel Fraser, Trevlon McRae and others who have represented Guyana with great success at various overseas tournaments in the past. With just a few weeks more until wingout time, Nedd confirmed that both the male and female teams, who were shortlisted in the past successive weeks, will continue their training at the respective Berbice and Georgetown locations.

Also, both teams are scheduled to meet this coming Friday and Saturday at the National Gymnasium to

Quacy Matheson, Devendra Latchman and Samuel Fraser were among those shortlisted

specifically fine-tune themselves ahead of the Bolivia invitational, with the Coach promising further shortlisting will be done in the days to come.

Senior males shortlisted for Bolivia: Ronaldo Bobb, Trevlon McRae, Samuel Fraser, Ian Bagot, Shemroy Ross, Quacy Matheson, Joshua Jagmohan, Juan

Calzado, Geno Carroll, Adriel Moore, Marcelious Hector, Kapil Samaroo, Akeem Bowling, Richard Samaroo, Dester Hoppie, and Devendra Latchman. (Clifton Ross)

20 Nedd pleased with shortlisted players for Bolivia tourney

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018

F

ollowing the first of many shortlisting sessions for both male and female senior volleyball teams over the weekend ahead of the Bolivia Invitational on May 26, National Coach Levi Nedd said he was satisfied with the current 31 players selected.

The final selection for the men was conducted on Sunday at the National Gymnasium, where Nedd selected some 16 males who will continue training alongside their female counterparts in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

Nedd told Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday that he was pleased with his selection choices, as he was impressed with what he saw.

"In the male section, we have to knock off some rust from them, because they have not played in seniors on the international scene for some time. As such, I have to bring them up to par with the international preparation and competency needed and how to put forward themselves," said Nedd.

Some of the players selected have been in the international fray for some time while others are new to the international

National Volleyball Coach Levi Nedd

circuit; however, the veteran coach believed that with the experience, the males can only improve, it is now up to the inexperienced ladies to build their overseas credentials.

"We have a good crop of players; in terms of specifications needed, such as high jumping and power, we have persons there. It’s just ‘bout preparing them for the tournament. In terms of the females, they might be a bit more difficult, because they have to work on their international system. They (girls) have not been out there in a while, but it’s good for them when they get out there," he added.

Speaking on the challenges of the selection process thus far, the ex-national player denounced any hardships, saying "For me, I think it was easy this time around, the crop we have might have been the best. I think it was easy this time, because the competitiveness was there, but heading down to the final 14; it might be a bit more difficult."

Concluding his interview, the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) President confirmed that the road to Bolivia would be a hard one as he expected to step up training as the days wind down. "As it is, Berbice [players] is training in Berbice and Demerara is training in Demerara with Berbice training in the evenings and Demerara more likely in the afternoons. It's hoped that we can gel quickly as we train leading up to crunch time. Last year, we would have done well so we have to put everything into our preparation and want to do well, both players and the administration," he concluded. All players shortlisted will now continue their training with the men's current 16 being reduced to a final 14 while the 15-woman team will be trimmed to 14. (Clifton Ross)

Indian Premier League 2018…

Sunrisers rattle Mumbai for 87 M umbai Indians equalled their lowest IPL total as they collapsed to a 31run defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.

The Indians came into the fixture with only one victory from five matches and the Sunrisers' modest total of 118 offered hope that they could claim a much-needed win.

However, that figure became the second lowest total ever to be defended in the competition as the Indians' chase lacked bite, the hosts posting just 87.

With the exception of Suryakumar Yadav (34) and Krunal Pandya (24), no Indians batsman reached double figures, Siddarth Kaul feasting on that lacklustre display with three wickets for 23 runs.

Sunrisers' batting display had not been too much better, captain Kane Williamson and Yusuf Pathan top-scoring with 29 apiece.

But they will be happy to collect two points that pull them level with second-placed Chennai Super Kings, while the Indians remain locked with Delhi Daredevils Siddarth Kaul is mobbed by Shakib Al Hasan and Manish Pandey © BCCI

at the bottom.

Indians' lowest total For a spell, the Indians looked likely to set a new marker for their lowest total in the competition.

When Kaul took the wickets of Mitchell McClenaghan and Mayank Markande in the 16th over, leaving the Indians 80-8, the history books appeared set for a rewrite.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mustafizur Rahman did manage to haul the side level with their previous worst, but this result will come as a huge knock to a side already severely lacking in confidence.

Triple skittle Another rarity for the IPL was also achieved on Tuesday, as all 20 wickets fell in one match for only the third time in the competition's history.

Sunrisers' innings was cut eight balls short, while the Indians' unsuccessful chase lasted only one delivery longer.

The two previous instances occurred in a 2010 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers, and a Kolkata Knight Riders versus Royal Challengers Bangalore clash in 2017. (Sportsmax)

sports

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21

Linden Guinness Football…

Chance to seal KO spots happens tonight

T

he final night of group action in the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Linden Championship kicks off today at the Silver City Hard-court with six pivotal matches.

Many of the slated matches are virtual knockout encounters as several sides are yet to secure their

passage to the next round. In the opening clash, High Rollers tackle Next Level from 19:30h, while Amelia’s Ward Russians take aim at Amazings at 20:00h.

Defending champions Dave and Celina’s All-Stars will then match skills with Hard-Knocks from 20:30h, while tourney favourite

NK Ballers engage Young Kings at 21:00h.

The fifth encounter will witness Swag Entertainment tackling Big Guns at 21:30h, while home side Silver Bullets match skills with Wisroc from 22:00h.

The winners of the competition will pocket $400,000 and the

championship trophy. They will also earn an automatic berth to the National Championship.

The second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $150,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively and the corresponding accolades.

Foster implores Berbice clubs to “organise themselves”

B

erbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster has warned clubs in the county to organise themselves or face the possibility of being left behind in the new era of cricket.

Foster was at the time speaking at a well-attended Stakeholder Conference held on Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex. Dozens of players, cricket officials, umpires, and representatives of over 35 Berbice cricket clubs attended the historic Conference.

In a comprehensive report on the current state of Berbice cricket, Foster unveiled to the appreciative stakeholders a plan for cricket tournaments, coaching programmes, and off-the-field developmental projects that would make the Ancient County, the pride of the Caribbean.

Foster called on clubs to get themselves organised with a proper management structure, to attract younger players and to be involved in fundraising events to obtain finances that would allow them to participate in the busiest cricket season in Berbice history.

Foster received support from delegates for all divisions and clubs to have a management Team in place and to register a minimum of 20 players for a cricket season.

Only one non-Berbician would be

BCB Vice President Albert Smith makes his address in the presence of other executives

allowed to play in a tournament while no over-40 players would play at the First Division level. Teams would also be required to be properly attired for all matches while the transfer system for players moving from one club to another would be strengthened to avoid any abuse.

First-Division clubs apart from the Police Cricket Club would also have a proper nursery structure that includes Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 teams. Teams that do not have a proper nursery structure or are unable to be properly at-

tired would be left out of the FirstDivision leagues.

Foster also challenged SecondDivision teams to put their houses in order by electing a management team and making sure that the entire team were properly attired in white. Delegates also supported the suggestion that a $3000 bond should be lodged by teams to the Berbice Cricket Board that would be refunded to the clubs as long as they completed their full fixtures in the tournament.

Clubs were informed that a po-

tential coach should be selected to participate in a Pre-Level Coaching Programme that would be organised as the objective was to have a Cricket Coach for every club in Berbice.

They also unveiled plans to have senior Berbice players to visit schools, community centres and cricket clubs across Berbice as role models to inspire the next generation of players.

Foster cautioned the Berbice stakeholders to be aware of persons who have their own personal agendas and urged the clubs to work together with the common goal of lifting Berbice cricket to its highest level.

He committed himself to running an administration free of corruption and malice and stated that under his leadership, Berbice cricket shall not be a puppet to anyone but rather serve in the interest of all Berbicians.

Other executives present at the two-and-half-hour Stakeholders Conference were Vice President Albert Smith, Secretary Robby Saywack, Treasurer Dr Cecil Beharry, Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahaman, Public Relations Officer Colin Bynoe Jr, Executive Committee Members Angela Haniff and Desmond Conway.

Deaf Chess workshop for teachers concludes

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n the heels of hosting an Introduction to Chess workshop for Deaf Students, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), in collaboration with the Deaf Association of Guyana, has sought to extend their teachings to teachers who work with deaf students.

The workshop was held over the course of last week at the David Rose Special School. A total of 10 teachers hailing from the Diamond, Tuschen and David Rose Special Schools were taught the rules, regulations and fundamental practices of the game, in accordance with the FIDE (World Chess Federation) rules. Of the 10 teachers, four are deaf. At the end of their training, the teachers tested their newfound skills against each other.

The training session was hosted with the aim of equipping teachers with the requisite knowledge to pass on to their students. In addi-

A few of the teachers in full Chess mode

tion, it is the hope of the GCF that this will lead to the implementation of Chess clubs in the respective schools.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, workshop facilitator Wendell Meusa stated that the GCF hoped to expand the training sessions outside of Georgetown. Identifying areas such as Linden and Berbice, Meusa said that it would be great to have the programme countrywide.

On March 19, the Federation hosted the student version of the workshop at the National Racquet Centre with the aim of training deaf students and identifying promising players within the batch.

These players will hopefully make up the National Deaf Chess Team.

In the near future, it is expected that players will be selected to represent Guyana at the FIDE Deaf/ Dumb Chess Championships.

22 Lady Jags ready to roar Alleyne pumped for North in CFU Challenge Series American Powerlifting GUYANATIMESgy.COM

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The local contingent was in constant training sessions ahead of the tournament

ead Coach of the National Senior Women’s Team, commonly known as the “Lady Jags”, Dr Ivan Joseph said the team were ready for their first match of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Challenge Series against Grenada scheduled for the Ato Bolton Stadium today from 16:00h.

Dr Joseph pointed out that even though the team were ready, the focus would be on identifying the tactical and technical aspects of the players. He revealed this in an interview following the team’s almost hour-long first technical session held on the lawns of the team’s hotel Tuesday in Trinidad and Tobago as they prepared for

the first of three matches in the series.

According to Dr Joseph, as the “Lady Jags” rebuild, the focus of the tournament is on development: “I’m really concerned with whether our players can execute the established systems. The outcome and the results of that game are irrelevant. Does our right back stay wide? Does our centre back hold the centre of the park? Does our goalkeeper collect the balls in the air? Does our team have speed that I don’t know of?

Are the players fitter than I thought? Those are the things that I’m looking to really find out and no matter the opponent, I’ll be able to draw those conclusions at the end of the game or, at least, be a long way towards finding those answers.”

Championship

Head Coach, Dr Ivan Joseph

Meanwhile, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Ian Greenwood said he was pleased that the priority areas of the women’s national programme were being achieved: “The GFF has established key performance indicators for the women’s national team, including integration of the new staff structure (international and Guyana).”

While no physical training session was conducted on the first day of the team’s arrival, there were player and technical staff familiarisation group sessions and an excellent large group team bonding session, the first step to building a strong and competitive team.

The “Lady Jags” arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday and will play two other matches of the tournament against Suriname on April 27 and hosts Trinidad and Tobago two days after.

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Orin Alleyne

he North American Powerlifting Championship is on the horizon and as it approaches, National Powerlifter Orin Alleyne has divulged that he was ready for the international competition slated for July-August.

Alleyne will be accompanied by 14 other lifters as they compete for the regional top spots in bench press, deadlift and squats.

Speaking on his preparations, Alleyne disclosed that he has already begun a few aspects of his training. “Right now for me I have my powerlifting chart starting next month; I’m focusing on the body building training,” he stated.

When questioned about the progress he has made since last year’s competition, Alleyne said, “So, I’ve already surpassed two of my regional lift totals from last year, so for me I’m feeling really good.”

The record holder has set his sights on breaking records and beating his personal best at this year’s competition. “I’m trying to break my previous deadlift record also, which is currently 622 lbs.” He noted that sticking to his rigorous training and the help of God would see him achieve that goal.

Currently, the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation is hosting a number of meets to prepare athletes and raise funds for the upcoming championship. The first of those fundraisers was held at Club 704 on Saturday, when Martin Pratab and Natoya Robinson emerged as the male and female winner respectively.

The Federation is expected to send a 15-member team to Mexico in July. The powerlifting fraternity is no stranger to international success; in 2017, a 15-member team recorded impressive performances at the NAPF/FESUPO Pan-American Powerlifting Championships and returned to Guyana with a total of 33 medals.

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FIA conducts preliminary inspection for

South Dakota upgrade

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fficials from the International A u t o m o b i l e Foundation (FIA) conducted a preliminary inspection at the South Dakota Circuit on Tuesday to assess the further development needed to accommodate high-level action such as Formula 4 cars for the North and Central American Championship (NACAM).

Engineer Julian Abed, who is a member of the FIA Circuit Commission; Fernando Gutierrez-Benjumea, General Secretary of the FIA Americas and FIA and NACAM Ambassador Selwyn “Buddy” Persaud made the brief visit.

They were accompanied by officials of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club

GMR&SC Vice President Hansraj Singh in discussion with Engineer Julian Abed and FIA Ambassador Selwyn Persaud about the plans for the pits

(GMR&SC) such as Vice President Hansraj “Richie” Singh; Cheryl Gonsalves and local engineer on the project, Joel Oudkerk.

For the most part, they discussed the current drafts the club has proposed for the expansion and made recommendations on projects that should be implemented for the safety of drivers and spectators; some of those pointers should be a reality for the mega November race meet.

Gutierrez-Benjumea, speaking on behalf of Abed, noted they were impressed with the level of improvement done on the track after a previous visit in 2014.

He also expressed enthusiasm that Guyana, being the lone English-speaking country in South America,

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County 50-Over…

Berbice, U-17s record commanding wins

Hand-in-Hand Insurance representative Sachin Kanhai presents the Man-of-the-Match award to Junior Sinclair

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he U-17 Select romped to a 71-run win over Essequibo while Berbice hammered Demerara by 119 runs when round two of the ongoing Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-inHand U-19 50-Over InterCounty competition con-

cluded on Tuesday.

Some 20 extras, 23 from skipper and opener Sachin Singh, coupled with Marvin Prashad’s gritty yet match-winning 63, did little to buff the U-17s’ innings as they were routed for 131 inside 48 overs.

Essequibo’s lethal bowl-

ing unit again played a key role in giving their side an early advantage, as Besham Moses (3-14); Joel Fortune (2-26) and Joshua Jones (1-10) starred with the ball.

The chase turned out to be a hellish one as no batsman apart from Moses, who scored 12 way down the order, was able to reach double figures.

It was an overall dismal team outing, which saw them put on the worst batting performance to date as they succumbed for just 60 in 40 overs, losing by 71 runs.

Man of the Match Nigel Deodat snatched 4-17 with national U-15 pacer Sheldon Charles and Seon Glasgow bagging two wickets to help stem the flow of runs and wrap up a commanding win.

Essequibo never were in the game after bowling exceptionally well. None of their stars, namely the in-form duo of Captain and opener Kevin Christian (6) and his partner, Vice Captain Kurt Lovell (4), fired, thus making a meal of the relatively small target.

Earlier, the U-17s en-

dured a tough time batting first as they lost six of their batsmen with less than 40 runs on the board.

Singh hit two sixes before he was removed by Moses.

After the Essequibo bowlers scythed through the U-17 middle order, Prashad counterpunched with four sixes and five fours in his 85-ball knock which revived his team to a respectable total, before Moses and company wrapped up the innings on the stroke of lunch.

Over at Lusignan, brisk knocks from the Berbice top order took their side to an imposing 224 all out in their 50 overs. Alex Algoo (23); Junior Sinclair (61); Javed Karim (45) and Kevlon Anderson (22) led the batting charge.

For Demerara, it was the West Indies youth pair of pacer Qumar Torrington (3-20) and spinner Ashmead Nedd (2-37) who made a significant impression with the ball.

In reply, Demerara fell short by a whopping 119 runs, as they were kept to 105-10 in 38.1 overs. The futile chase was set up by top scorer, the in-form opener Adrian Hinds, who hit 32 with contributions from Stephon Wilson (18); Robin Williams (16) and Nedd (13).

could become a major attraction during the off season, given the pristine weather experienced for most of the year.

Progress

Additionally, Singh conveyed that the officials were duly impressed with the groundwork they have implemented to date.

“The FIA is pleased with what we have been doing so far in terms of the groundwork for the setting for the FIA-approved track. This inspection and the meetings… have been productive.”

He added, “We are supposed to do some modifications and based on the progress, they will further advise us on the way forward.”

The GMR&SC executive expressed that substantial

progress could soon be seen, but it would depend on how quickly they could acquire just over US$2 million to compete the circuit enhancement.

“We had several meetings with both Private Sector and Government to come off the ground pretty soon. Anytime between the 2018-19 period, we should see some progress. We started phase one, but I won’t say it is full-blown,’ he explained.

South Dakota, which is considered the mecca of motor racing in the Caribbean, is known to have massive crowds at the annual November race meet which concludes the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships.

Beginner’s Table Tennis Programme underway

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton interacting with students from the Rama Krishna Primary

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umerous primary school students around central Georgetown are currently benefiting from the Beginner’s Table Tennis Programme organised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion/National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Table Tennis Association.

The activity allows for 24 students from select schools to visit the National Gymnasium and receive hands-on beginner’s training from a group of experienced coaches. The group of 24 is made up of students between the ages of 6 and 11.

National Table Tennis Coach Linden Johnson explained that the programme has been ongoing since the early 2000s, but it has been on and off. However, owing to the great relationship

that has been forged with both Ministries, it is expected that the training will become a regular fixture.

Within the one-hour sessions, students are taught the basic skills and rules of the sport. The Programme acts as a means of publicising the sport to the younger generation. Additionally, Johnson explained that it was the Federation’s hope that young talents would be birthed out of the Programme.

Last Thursday, students of the Rama Krishna Primary School were surprised with a visit from the Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton. The Minister took the time to interact with students and play a few rounds of the game with them.

The exercise will conclude on May 4 with a tournament for all the participating schools.

wednesDAY, april 25, 2018

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

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FIA conducts preliminary inspection for

Pg 23

South Dakota upgrade FIA Americas General Secretary Fernando Gutierrez-Benjumea; GMR&SC official Cheryl Gonsalves; GMR&SC Vice President Hansraj “Richie” Singh; Engineer Julian Abed of the FIA Circuit Commission; FIA Ambassador Selwyn “Buddy” Persaud and local engineer Joel Oudkerk on Tuesday at South Dakota

Lady Jags ready to roar in CFU Challenge Series Pg 22

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