Guyanatime 27 march 2018

$18M infirmary, outpatient clinic built at Palms Geriatric Home

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3516

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

PRICE

Chronicle columnists firing

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Senior AFC Minister conveyed Cabinet’s dissatisfaction to EIC – Desmond Trotman

2011 US murder

Magistrates’ Court cannot hear US extradition case – Defence Attorneys

Page 7

P9

…adds WPA tired of being disregarded

Trio nabbed in rice field after robbing gas vendor

Page 9

Pensioner killed in Bath Settlement accident

Linden's Mayor-elect has eyes set on children, seniors P8

Page 10

Region 3 REO admits flouting rules

Corentyne crime wave

Page 12

– Region did not return unclaimed cheques to Consolidated Fund

Italian company wants to drill for oil offshore Guyana

Page 9

“We can initiate parking meters…and we will!” – Clarke

…as City Hall defers vote on amended by-laws

Trio confess to robberies after turning selves in P12 Govt admits caucus on P2 oil sector strategy was mundane

Scrap metal trade resumes next month after ban – P2 Minister

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman with officials from Italian oil company ENI after the meeting on Monday

Page 12

$80 vat included

Eyewitness surfaces, gives different account of Kingston Seawall shooting Page 3

Man who ate at Palm Court but refused to pay charged P8

2 news

TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Scrap metal trade resumes next month after ban – Minister

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fter several months of delays, Government has decided to reopen the scrap metal trade next month on a limited basis to facilitate the clearance of some of the accumulated scrap metal across the country.

While a date for the resumption of the trade has not been announced, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin told Guyana Times on Monday that the date depended on several important factors.

The Minister disclosed that a meeting was held with exporters and dealers a few weeks ago to introduce them to a new system that the Business Ministry was trying to implement.

According to him, it is a software system that was specially designed to help the Ministry to monitor and regulate the trade once it resumes, creating a level playing field for all.

“We’ve met with them, we’ve discussed it with them and we have arranged some training sessions for them to familiarise themselves with how the system will work,

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

and we are looking to do a little resumption starting next month. I can’t give you an exact date, because it depends on a lot of things,” he explained.

Gaskin said with the resumption of the trade, it would give the Ministry the opportunity to test the system to ensure that it was working, and also that it would help to clear some of the accumulated scrap metal that has been legitimately acquired from some of the ex-

porters or dealers’ yards.

Government had approved a restart of the scrap metal trade in Guyana in February 2017 after closing down the industry one year prior to that. The main reason for this was to allow exporters to ship out the existing stock for a limited period of three months, as well as ensure that there was no pile-up of these materials.

In September 2016, Cabinet accepted the proposal of Minister Gaskin to restart the scrap metal trade on the basis of a new menu of measures being put in place.

This included putting together new guidelines and regulations. The trade had been suspended on June 15, 2015 to facilitate a forensic audit.

Gaskin had said that the audit report advised that reforms be introduced into the system, including legislative amendments, new regulations, and smarter monitoring of the trade. And the Guyana Scrap Metal Association (GMRA) later came out stating its support for the new measures.

In 2016, Ram and McRae,

Chartered Accountants, produced a report on its findings from the probe, revealing a string of irregularities, including the mishandling of packing procedures for scrap and the expenditure of millions of dollars in the Scrap Metal Unit within the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

To this end, Government removed oversight for the trade from the CH&PA under the Communities Ministry to the Business Ministry.

Legitimacy

Meanwhile, on another issue, Gaskin said that the Business Ministry was trying to determine the legitimacy of the newly-formed Guyana Metal Dealers General Exporters and Association (GMD&GEA).

The Association has since taken the Government to task for the continued ban on the scrap metal trade.

But Minister Gaskin told this publication that the Government recognised the GMRA, and was still trying to understand who the new Association really rep-

resented and whether there was some conflict between the two groupings. Until such time, the Government will continue to recognise the GMRA only.

“I am not sure that I know enough about them and their membership. There is already an Association. I am not sure how the membership is divided, because one is claiming the same members the other one has. We need to get to the meat of that,” Gaskin related.

The Minister said he did not want to mix the two up,

and Government was just trying to find out more about the GMD&GEA before it decided to engage the body in any serious discussion regarding the sector.

“I am just trying to find out who the body is before I engage them, because I don’t want to enter any discussion with a body that represents the industry and then find out that it is not so, or [that they do not] represent the members. I really need to get a better sense of who they are and who their members are,” he added.

Govt admits caucus on oil sector strategy was mundane

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overnment has now admitted that the recent high-level caucus for Cabinet Ministers to engage global thinkers and experts on natural resource management as part of the agenda to prepare for petroleum production in 2020 and beyond was, in fact, mundane or low-key.

Acting Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, made this admission to the media recently, stating that the caucus was not aimed at learning something new, but exchanging experiences with those who have been teaching or working on petroleum issues across the globe. “…to exchange with them the challenges that we face, the arrangements we have in place to deal with some of those challenges, and to hear from them how other countries confront those challenges – be it the press, general stakeholders or companies,” Greenidge explained.

According to him, the experts who participated in that caucus requested Government to set out broader objectives: the type of structures currently in place or being considered, and to state how it saw the international community in all of these arrangements.

He said, “It may sound mundane or low-key, but that is very important to Ministers who have policy responsibility for the oil.”

Based on persistent calls for Government to renew the current contract it has with ExxonMobil, the acting Prime Minister reiterated the position of the Government – it did not have any plans to revisit the contract. The Government has been advised against that by the experts who attended the caucus.

“As an academic, Minister, regional and international public servant, there has never been an occasion in which you do something that is difficult and you don’t ask yourself, ‘have I done the right thing?’, and you don’t check with others with what they think. That is the case here.

In this point of time, we have noted the clamour and taken into account the specifics and see no reason for revisiting the contract.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had said

Acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge

while international advice was good, he also called for the Government to interact more with the local experts and civil society.

“They haven’t seen it fit to include the Opposition. They haven’t seen it fit to engage civil society in a manner that will address their concerns,” he said, while explaining that Government did not even have to formally engage the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“Even if the people bring the best practices from around the world and speak to this Cabinet about it, there is no guarantee that they will implement any of those things, because they have been given world-class advice prior to this and until now they have ignored it. It’s absolutely no guarantee. It’s a show. They just parading the people to say they are doing something about the sector,” he observed.

The event was facilitated

by Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs through its New Producers Group, and featured world-renowned experts Sir Paul Collier, noted Professor of Economics at Oxford University; Sir Shridath Ramphal, Caribbean statesman and advisor; Eric Parrado, former Manager of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Chile; Ambassador Patrick Duddy, Lecturer, Duke University; Dr Valerie Marcel, Chatham House Fellow; Professor Matthew Andrews, Harvard, Kennedy School of Government; Professor Peter Harrington, Harvard, Kennedy School of Government and Natural Resource Governance Institute Advisor Patrick Heller.

news

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TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Eyewitness surfaces, gives different account of Kingston Seawall shooting

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, March 27 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 13:30h-15:00h and Wednesday, March 28 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

scene, lock down everything; and after then was that…the silver car was the Police car…

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 27 – 13:00h-14:30h and Wednesday, March 28 – 14:20h-15:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Cloudy skies with some sunny periods are expected to prevail throughout the day and evening, with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 7.15 metres.

High Tide: 13:36h reaching a maximum height of 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 07:07h and 19:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.98 metre and 0.78 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

09

17 20

24 26 27

21 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 01 04 11 14 19 LUCKY 3 6 1 0 Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

01

02

07

7

1

08

4

Evening Draw

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

Dextroy Cordis

Kwame Assanah

By Bisham Mohammed

to be involved, but this had to have some coordination; because if the seawall road was blocked prior to the eruption of the gunfire, prior to the car being stopped and one of the occupants exiting the car, then it seems to have required (a) lot more coordination …”.

During interrogation at the press conference, the eyewitness claimed that on the day in question he saw the Police, the bodies were lying on the ground and someone was standing over one of the men.

“About 15 minutes after, camera people show up on the scene; Police show up on the

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ore than two weeks after three suspected bandits were shot and killed along the Kingston Seawall, an eyewitness has come forward accusing the Police of murder.

Devon Lyte, a construction worker of Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown, who was working on the roof of the Guyana Softball Association on Carifesta Avenue on the day of the shooting, is holding out that he witnessed the alleged murder of Dextroy Cordis, Kwame Assanah and Errol Adams.

Not taking any chances, the young man contacted prominent attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes and sought advice; and during a press conference on Monday, the revelations were made.

The eyewitness, in a written statement, claimed that as he was on the roof, he noticed a black car being pursued by a silver motorcar.

Soon after, the black car came to a halt and a man exited. Similarly, the silver vehicle stopped and a man exited, and walked towards the parked black car.

“In fact, the driver of the black car was on the ground being physically assaulted for more than ten minutes before the gunfire erupted and three occupants, as you all know, were all dead… there were no motorcycle which disappeared with any pillion rider or any mysterious rider,” Hughes told media operatives at his office.

Lyte, in the statement, posited that the roads leading to the seawalls were all blocked to vehicular traffic prior to the shooting.

“Perhaps the most disturbing to me was that this was not just a group of Police officers who appeared

the car from behind, start opening fire”, Lyte alleged.

Turn to page 13

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, march 27, 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

2020 and Youths

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ince commencement of the 21st century, political leaders have been encouraging young people to play an integral role in the development of their communities and countries by getting actively involved in the decision-making processes of their societies.

They have, time and time again, posited that “young people are tomorrow’s leaders” as they underscored the importance of equipping youths with the requisite skills, knowledge and resources that are necessary to make a positive impact on the world.

This has resulted in some experienced and genuine politicians lobbying within the Executive and Legislative branches of their respective Governments for larger investments to be channelled towards education as a sector, and towards youth development.

There has also been a dedicated campaign on the part of some modern-minded politicians aimed at fighting for youths to be included as a serious and permanent partner in the democratic structure and decision-making inner group of Governments and leading national policy-making bodies around the world.

At the same time, these politicians realise that, despite their best efforts, they are unable to cope with the wave of social change that has gripped their countries and disrupted the traditional political status quo. They understand that, as politicians, they must enlist the support and bright new ideas of younger people if they are to remain in control and protect the legacies that they have fought hard throughout their careers to achieve.

It is at this point that the situation becomes interesting and dangerous. While some older politicians have no difficulty with passing the baton to younger minds to continue the political struggle for the creation of more developed and economically sound countries, others either procrastinate or quietly refuse.

The first group embarks on a process of training and educating youths by delegating major tasks related to governance and political activism to folks who are considered political novices. It is these novices who, with the right guidance from party elders, embark on bold and revolutionary policies that not only radically and positively change their own political institutions, but change the prevailing national political culture and country.

The second group has a history of enlisting youths as distant observers of the governance process. The involvement of youth is limited, and they are reminded, even when they have worked hard, that they must remain loyal and be thankful for any reward they receive, especially if it is a Government posting or elevation in party rank. These youths are kept like ornaments on shelves in a backroom, and are oiled and placed in front of the windows only when an election is imminent. And the problem is that these very young people are being used to fool and convince their peers that a better life is ahead of them if they exercise their franchise to keep their elders in and other younger and sometimes promising candidates out.

The final group consists of politicians who do not govern in the interest of the country, but for a particular constituency.

While they hide behind the guise of patriotism, they are, in fact, the biggest threat to the unification of the society they strive to govern. To them, youths are collateral damage and ‘strange fruits’ that they can exert influence over.

They promise change and youth empowerment and leadership, but reward only those in line with their mantra. Youths must wait until all the elders have served. They lock youths out, and attempt to speak and make decisions for them.

In Guyana, youths have grown weary of the aforementioned types of politicians. The elections of 2011 and 2015 have left many youths from the three major political parties feeling bitter, dissatisfied, hurt, betrayed and used. Many of the issues that drove youths to cross political lines and support elder candidates for the posts of President and Prime Minister are still unresolved, as unemployment soars and youth violence remains constant.

Apart from completion of the National Youth Policy, young people are not treated with the respect they deserve. If they are seriously the leaders of tomorrow, then the present crop of today’s politicians needs to give way so that they can directly impact tomorrow’s policies.

As a former American leader, Rachel Jackson, said: “Our youth are not failing the system; the system is failing our youth. Ironically, the very youth who are being treated the worst are the young people who are going to lead us out of this nightmare.”

Also, statements attributed to a youth from the Bronx in the US are full of food for thought for Guyanese leaders. He said, “If you had a problem in the Black community, and you brought in a group of White people to discuss how to solve it, almost nobody would take that panel seriously. In fact, there’d probably be a public outcry. It would be the same for the women’s issues or gay issues.

“But every day, in local arenas all the way to the White House, adults sit around and decide what problems youth have, and what youth need, without ever consulting us.”

Therefore, as 2020 approaches, if young people are not allowed to speak for themselves, then they will speak via their ballots.

The Lusignan Golf Club came alive when it teed off in style with a Fashion Show and Tea Party Sunday afternoon at the clubhouse.

Patrons were treated to a captivating collection of designs by Sonia Noel, Vanda Allicock and Veronica Glenn, and hats by Melba La Gadoue. The event was organised in order to raise funds for the Living with Intention motivational tour and was a collaborative effort of the Sonia Noel Foundation and the Lusignan Golf Club. In this Carl Croker photograph, some stylish patrons showed off their hats

We are taking too many risks (Part 1)

Dear Editor, Having worked in the upper echelons of companies with over 100 years of experience, one of which has over 300 years, it is surprising how fast the Administrations – current and previous – of our country are at presuming that they have all the answers.

These companies I am referring to have unparalleled size and experience vs our economy, one of which is close to 17 times that of our economy on an annual basis, and yet these companies seek out advice and guidance for their sustainable growth.

It is unfortunate how a few inexperienced ministers in key positions can quickly have a negative, long-term impact on the future of such a beautiful and promising

nation.

Slowing down and taking the necessary steps to do things well is always the best approach when you are still gaining the experience you need to be effective.

This approach would have served the sugar, fish, rice and oil industries well.

However, it appears that a window of opportunity to salvage the outcome of poor decision-making still exists, and it is important that the correct people are involved to ensure the job is done properly. We must not continue to over-leverage individuals with little business and industrial experience, especially if lacking it on a global scale. Learning by doing is quite okay for small- and medium-sized local entities; however, when dealing in the inter-

national arena, only the best rise above the others.

This means being the best in multiple dimensions, and the internal workings of the nation must be stellar to compete effectively. It is evident that there is still a lot to do within many of the ministries, and urgent attention needs to be given to these ministries.

Avoiding an arrogant disposition and an aggressive, adversarial stance should be the order of the day on both sides of Parliament. Keeping such a divided house has allowed both foreign and local predatory companies to take advantage of our limited resources, as evident in some of the agreements that have been pursued thus far.

It still amazes me that a country of this scale is still prone to overspend-

ing; high levels of risk-taking; and clear disregard for good, long-term actions that not only support but foster growth for many generations to come. There is clearly a talent deficit that none of the administrations has been able to address.

Some may say this is due to a desire to pillage, others may say this is due primarily to self-preservation, and other positive thinkers are of the view that it is just due to a lack of proper guidance and training. Thus spending of taxpayers’ money to deve-lop and foster talent and growth in our economy continues to be a top priority, as reflected in the national budget of today.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Getting the right picture, or getting the picture right?

Dear Editor, Getting the right picture, or getting the picture right? In response to WPA’s criticisms of the high-handed manner in which WPA Executive Member David Hinds was booted out of the pages of the State-owned Guyana Chronicle as a fifth columnist, a picture of President David Granger and WPA’s co-leader Rupert Roopnaraine embracing each other graced the pages of

the Chronicle, along with a plea by Roopnaraine for the WPA to remain within the APNU. It was obvious that the Chronicle’s picture was worth a thousand words.

The article featured Roopnaraine’s appeal to the WPA not to break away from the APNU and the governing coalition of the APNU/ AFC. The WPA is an integral part of the APNU. It is interesting to note that presidential candidate Granger,

in the 2015 elections, campaigned with a picture of Moses Nagamootoo and himself as a symbol of racial unity. What exactly was the picture of the President and Roopnaraine projecting in the current situation?

After running with David Granger in the 2011 elections, Roopnaraine and the WPA cleared the way for Moses Nagamootoo to become the Prime Minister in 2015. At the press confer-

ence announcing the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord, when asked by a reporter if the WPA was not concerned that it had lost its place and was now a junior partner, Tacuma Ogunseye responded that, for the WPA, the national interest was more important than the party’s interest, and that was a price that the WPA was willing to pay to advance the country. continued on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

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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

We must struggle against Another valuable those who corrupt us crime-fighting strategy Dear Editor, Ms. Gertrude Stein’s poem, Sacred Emily, published in 1922, captured an important thought as follows, “A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose”, which clearly outlines what is happening politically under President David Granger.

Every act the PNC leadership takes exposes that leadership as nothing else but a cabal of convenience.

And let us, in the interest of definition, outline who makes up this Granger cabal. They number less than 25 persons in the leadership of the PNC, and comprise of close friends and family members of the Granger family. The PNC rank and file members have no say in what is happening today, so we must not chastise them; they are suffering as much as the non-PNC supporters.

This group that dominates the Granger cabal are the intellectual authors behind the misconception that their “daddies” left them a transport on political power.

Being mainly descendants of the League of Coloured People (LCP), these people operate like if they are the new “Massa”; and, like the LCP and the teachings from their colonial “Massa”, use ethnic mobilization to prop up their political operations.

But the historical facts clearly reveal that this is nothing but a manufactured position invented by the “REAL MASSA” in the 1960s, whose primary game plan was to divide the working class and rule the former colonies from a distance.

The facts will reveal that political independence was earned, but economic dependence was preserved, because this small group, with their anti-working class actions, loyally delivered the assets of the people at pen-

nies on the pound to the multi-nationals. Isn’t that what we are observing today under Mr. Granger on this oil contract?

So once the bidding of the international economic hitmen are met, the devouring of the AFC and now the deflowering of the WPA will not even be noticed come 2020.

As the General Secretary of the PNC, Ms. Amna Ally, said: this is a “little thing”.

This act against Dr. David Hinds was planned from the day he wrote his very first critical column way back in 2015. This is how Mr. Granger rolls: slowly, but patiently, like a well-camouflaged political python. When the time was right, the strike was decisive and swift. This was also how Hitler moved in the 1930s: total loyalty was demanded at all times.

Now is the time for the swift political clean-up, and that is why Ms. Ally can confidently say “…if that (the WPA leaving the coalition) is so, what else can you do…” The line in the sand has been drawn on the WPA; tek’ it or leave it buster, we on top now.

So do not worry about Mr. Tacuma Ogunseye bubbling his gum. Two shakes up from Ms. Ally and he shall put his tail between his legs and run for the hills. The hypocrisy in the WPA and the AFC today is there for all to see. They pretend not to know that an elite inner core dominates this Granger cabal. This Granger cabal believes it has titled rights to not consult with the people, but, at the same time, make decisions for self-enrichment, even if it means indebting the masses without their permission. That is why they can make financially reckless decisions to deplete the gold reserves by

85% in less than 20 months.

This same inner Granger clique has depleted the stock of cash in the public corporation by some G$20 billion in less than 2 years, and continues to spend over a billion per year on international travels for themselves, friends and family. These are not accidental acts!

This Granger cabal is no different from the Burnham cabal that ejected all the paying passengers and commandeered the Guyana Airways as he saw fit then.

The contradictions of the cruelty in those days was so much that Mr. Burnham demanded the stocking of his flights with the most expensive whiskeys and caviars for himself and his political bootlickers when, as the Head of State, he provided little money for the children of Guyana who were suffering from “beriberi” and white mouth. This is the nature of the Granger cabal, same stripes as the Burnham dictatorship.

Although Dr. Hinds would have made a better Minister of Education than anyone sitting in the Granger cabinet, he shall never be called to serve. Why? In the eyes of the aloft and elitist Mr. Granger, he is nothing but a dark-skinned country boy from Buxton that does not fit in with the group that is running Guyana today, which is made up of mainly urban mulatto descendants from the League of Coloured People.

On Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s 100th birth anniversary, we must all recommit to this struggle against social injustice and economic upliftment in the interest of the working class. With an agent of the “Massa” like Mr. Granger in office, the ALUTA Continua!

Sasenarine Singh

Getting the right picture...

As was pointed out in Ogunseye’s account of events in relation to the 2011 elections, the PNCR wanted an Indian prime ministerial candidate to run with presidential candidate Granger. This was to symbolize racial outreach within the APNU platform.

The abrupt termination of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (WRCOI) posed a serious challenge to the WPA very early in the life of the new Government. Roopnaraine’s silence on this matter exposed the WPA to ridicule both at home and abroad. At the same time, it proved to President Granger that he could rely on Roopnaraine to subvert the will of the WPA. The manner in which

Roopnaraine was assigned the Ministry of Education without any consultations whatsoever with the WPA revealed a single-mindedness of President Granger in party politics.

Roopnaraine’s assignment as Education Minister was arbitrarily decided. His subsequent removal from the ministry and reassignment to another ministry in the most bizarre of manner displayed a contempt for both Roopnaraine and the WPA that would have made the Mona Lisa weep.

The debate surrounding the posturing of Roopnaraine is now a source of great concern for the WPA. There is an obvious and glaring problem when Tacuma Ogunseye put the possibility of the

Dear Editor, Carjacking is a scourge that has gripped Guyana in recent years, and those that benefit from this nefarious trade seem determined to win at all cost. At the present moment, their criminal network seems altogether secure; after all, the criminal proceeds are good, vehicles are in abundance and are easy for the taking. You just stake out your victim and violently take away what is the victim’s. It is a lucrative trade for the thieves in that they can either become instant owners of a vehicle or the illegal recipients of a hot sale. In either case, the carjackers are unjustly enriched from criminal enterprise. This practice has gone on for too long, and it is high time to bring it to an end.

Recently, the Guyana Police have made some arrests wherein some key figures are now facing charges for this newest form of grand theft. Those busts by law-

through? How did they get a clean bill of ownership? The legal aspects of certifying the vehicle for road usage must be adhered to. Important information as to how the operator got ownership of the vehicle, whether it was from a dealer or from a previous owner; what is the chassis number, among other things.

Those having improper or bogus documentation, or chassis numbers that have been tampered with, must face the full weight of the law.

In like manner, those corrupt officials must atone for their illegal transactions.

To process stolen vehicles and make them appear to be legal is a crime, and the GPF needs to charge and haul all such officers before the courts. That illegal gateway where carjackers have been creating havoc in society needs to be tightly shut right now.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Let’s do more to promote our English curriculum Dear Editor It is said that the educational system is failing Guyanese. What would you expect when ordinary people are not being educated in English to understand and converse at a high level?

May I remind Guyanese that the majority of books on science, technology, business, computer science, maths, etc are written in English, not Creolese?

If students do not comprehend English from an early age, it tends to put them behind in other areas of learning.

Also, when the State starts promoting Creolese culture in a multicultural society, it would be at the expense of other cultures.

We’re a country of less than one million people; the

From page 4

WPA withdrawing from the APNU coalition if it is not treated with some respect, only to be contradicted by Roopnaraine. There was no explanation whatsoever on the part of Dr Roopnaraine on why the WPA must be treated in such a disgraceful manner and remain within APNU. The Chronicle picture portrays a message of racial unity, disregarding three years of non-consultation with the WPA on serious matters of Government policies, placing it in a delicate position were it to attempt to discipline Roopnaraine.

Any attempt by the WPA to deal with Roopnaraine’s misguided role as it affects the well-being of the WPA may be open to exploitation by opponents of the WPA.

men are a welcome respite to many an aggrieved vehicle owner, whose hard-earned investment was so violently taken away from him/ her. They can now breathe a sigh of relief that, at least right now, their vehicles -- some of them their only means of earning a living -are at least, for the moment, shielded from theft. This is a huge success story.

Now, while we can pat ourselves on the shoulders for the inroads made in this carjacking ring, there is still much more ground to cover. For starters, the knowledge we now have suggests a whole new world of racketeering out there, with many twists and turns; and the sooner we can get each opening blocked, the better. Our investigations will now take us right up to the top of the chain, at the licensing office.

I speak of those licensing officials, whether at the GRA or the Licensing Office.

How did the carjackers get

These opponents will seek to portray it as an attempt by the African members of the party to rid itself of one of its Indian leaders, a possibility that has forced the WPA to tread carefully on this matter. But failure to resolve this issue will only continue to do more damage to the WPA. The party will have to trust the public’s opinion as to whether it has acted correctly on this matter, and will have to deal with it in a transparent manner, so that the right image can be projected.

Sincerely, Rohit Kanhai Member of Working People’s Alliance Overseas Associates (WPAOA)

rest of the world is not about to abandon English and learn Creolese.

Yours faithfully Sean Ori

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Foundation

Family meetings: ones that worked – and one that didn’t …how to make yours go well – and mistakes to avoid

By Thomas Lickona, PhD

Step 5: “Active listen” (paraphrase) your kids’ feelings Mother: James, you feel Elizabeth always wants to sit with you and play with you.

Also, you don’t like it when she hits you. Elizabeth, you say that James makes you cry when he hits you and won’t play with you. And you don’t like it when I yell.

Step 6: Ask your kids to active listen to your feelings Mother: Can you remember what I said about the situation?

James: You want us to try not to fight because it upsets everybody.

Mother: That’s right, James. Elizabeth?

Elizabeth: What James said, Mommy.

For most parents, just getting to mutual understanding is BIG achievement.

Remember, this mutual understanding is essential if you’re going to find a solution that all agree is fair.

Once they understood each other’s feelings, Mom, James, and Elizabeth were ready to try to discuss fair solutions.

Solve the problem fairly Step 7: Brainstorm fair solutions.

Mother: How can we make this situation better? Let’s make a list of things we can do that are fair to everyone.

They then came up with these possible solutions: Don’t hit.

James should try to teach

Elizabeth some of his games.

Mommy shouldn’t yell.

Elizabeth should try to find things to do by herself sometimes.

Everyone should say and do nice things.

Step 8: Make a fair plan and sign it.

The mother says, “We agreed on the following plan: No hitting or yelling by anyone – Mommy, James, or Elizabeth.

James should play with Elizabeth at least once a day.

Elizabeth should try

to play by herself sometimes.

Everyone should try to say and do nice things.

“We all signed our agreement.”

Step 9: Plan a follow-up meeting.

“We posted our solutions on the fridge. Next to that was a list for nice things said and done during the next two days. James agreed to record Elizabeth’s additions.

We agreed to tell Dad about our plan and meet again in

two days to see how we were doing.”

Follow through Step 10: Hold a follow-up meeting.

The mother said, “We read the list of nice things people had said and done. We decided that everyone had indeed tried to be kinder.”

Mother: James, I’m so pleased that you’ve included Elizabeth in your playing. I’ve had to speak to you only twice in two days.

And Elizabeth, you are certainly trying to be nicer to everyone.

James: I’m glad you’re not yelling, Mommy. And Elizabeth hasn’t hit me.

Elizabeth: James played with me, and he let me sit in the bean bag with him.

The mother concluded: Our home is happier now.

We keep adding to the list of nice things we say and do for each other. Dad has also gotten involved. We’ll use this fairness approach to discuss other kid problems and even issues between my husband

Continued

and me.

do.

A family meeting that did not go well Okay, now for what NOT to

In the next example, the family jumped into debating things about which family members had strong feelings – and in a way that only made things worse. The mother describes the tension in the air before the family meeting started: Our 15-year-old daughter Carolyn had just had another altercation with her 12-yearold brother Gary. Gary was calling me unfair for my handling of the situation. Dad had just come home from work and was upset to hear Carolyn and Gary going at it again.

What were the mistakes?

This was the wrong kind of atmosphere for attempting a first family meeting.

The parents hadn’t done anything to lay the groundwork.

They hadn’t talked to Carolyn and Gary individually ahead of time to explain the purpose of a family meeting – not blaming anyone, but working together to solve a problem – and to get them on board with that positive goal.

They began the meeting without an absolutely essential step: establishing agreedupon rules for respectful talking and listening.

They began without doing anything to create good feelings, such as asking, “What’s something

someone in the family did for you recently that you appreciated?”

The mother opened the meeting by asking a wellmeaning but too-general question: “How can we try to make things a little happier around here?” That didn’t focus the family on the goal of working together to solve a specific family problem, but instead opened the door to complaints and accusations: Gary (12): I’d be happier if everybody around here would try to be a little bit nicer.

Carolyn (15): I’m always getting dumped on! I’d be happier if Mom didn’t baby Gary and didn’t yell at me about school stuff and my friends.

When you don’t trust me, that gets me mad.

I also don’t like it when you complain about my clothes and room.

Mom: Well, I’d be happier if I didn’t have to be a nagging mother.

Dad (to Carolyn): I think it’s only reasonable for us to expect you to care about how your room looks.

Carolyn: Every kid gets their room dirty!

Dad: I’d be happier in this family if there was a more positive atmosphere.

The mother says, “We ended the meeting in a funk, with no progress on anything.”

Before trying another family meeting, this mom and/ or dad should: Have individual conversations with Carolyn and Gary to ask them to agree to contribute in a positive way at the next meeting – to help solve an identified family problem.

Propose a problem that is truly a family issue, not just a problem between Carolyn and her parents, as the conflict about her room apparently was.

Bottom line: Do everything you can to maximise your chances of having productive family meetings – but don’t throw in the towel if you hit bumps in the road.

The mark of a healthy family isn’t never failing.

It’s never giving up. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

Top tips for the night before, and the morning of, an exam

A

re you fed up of revision guides patronisingly telling you to eat health foods, sleep and make revision schedules?

Well, Bright Network skips all that; here are the tips that will help you succeed and send you into that exam ready to win.

Use your moments wisely The few minutes before you switch off the light are great for memorisation. So when you’re tucked up in bed, have a quick read through of the most important facts, equations or vocabulary.

Then switch off.

Eat a great meal Make a special effort to eat a decent meal. I’m not suggesting “brain food” such as nuts or oily fish, but a meal you’d have if you were celebrating and wanted to spoil yourself, such as steak and chocolate tart. It’ll make you feel happy and give you a boost ready for the next day.

Laugh Do one fun thing like watching a comedy show, having a kickabout or fiddling around with photos on Instagram. Laughing will relax you, lower stress and help you get a good night’s sleep.

Make sure you wake up Set an alarm. Set two. Get a family member or friend to

check you’re up if you’re still worried. Just make sure you get to the exam in plenty of time.

Know when to stop In the morning, eat a hearty breakfast. If you don’t know your stuff by now, you never will! Too much lastminute cramming minutes before, can send your brain into a spin.

Use the space When in the exam room, sit comfortably and spread out. It’s proven that when we physically make ourselves larger, by spreading our arms or leaning back on the chair, this releases a type of hormone which makes you more confident. It works – we promise.

Don’t drink too much Don’t drink too much water, a sip every hour is all you need. Dehydration is not going to be a problem during the exam, but drinking many pints of water and needing a toilet break every five minutes is. The sip is just for a quick diversion to give your brain and hand a breather.

Do what works for you Finally, everyone is different. Do whatever puts you in the best frame of mind and you’ll be set up perfectly to ace the exam. (Excerpt from

brightnetwork.co.uk)

news

7

TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Boy” chopped me twice to the Senior AFC Minister conveyed head – Grove man tells jury Chronicle columnists’ firing

Cabinet’s dissatisfaction to EIC – Desmond Trotman …adds WPA tired of being disregarded

L

ongtime Working People’s Alliance (WPA) activist, former Member of Parliament Desmond Trotman, revealed that it was a senior Alliance for Change (AFC) Minister who contacted the Guyana Chronicle’s Editor in Chief and related Cabinet’s dissatisfaction with the writings of columnists David Hinds and Lincoln Lewis.

During a televised programme on Sunday, Trotman said the Chronicle’s assault on press freedom began sometime earlier, and rose to climax with the firing of Lewis and Hinds.

“The previous Chairman of the Guyana Chronicle was at odds with the other members of the Board, because he wanted the Chronicle to go in a certain direction and members of the Board objected to that, and I think it led to his resignation. That person holds a high positon in the Prime Minister’s Office, and I sense that he wields tremendous influence,” Trotman said.

“I suspect that he belongs to the same party that the Prime Minister belongs to; and so when I was told that a senior minister who belongs to the AFC…was one of the persons who conveyed to the editor in chief of the Chronicle that there is dissatisfaction within the Cabinet about the direction that those two columnists were going…,” he posited.

Since Chronicle’s EIC, Nigel Williams, fired Lewis and Hinds, several executives of the WPA have come out condemning the actions of the state newspaper.

WPA’s Tacuma Ogunseye has since expressed the opinion that his party should leave the coalition, since its views are being silenced. He has been very vocal in the media.

In this regard, Trotman said he would have had discussions with at least two high ranking People’s National Congress (PNC) officials who have since ex-

WPA Activist and former MP, Desmond Trotman

pressed their support for the views of Ogunseye.

He noted that although the WPA issued a firm statement on what that party thought is the denial of press freedom, it was Ogunseye’s letters to the local press that generated the interest in the matter.

The former MP explained that the Government is forcing its supporters away with its attempt to stifle criticisms of its policy direction.

“When you go in that direction (of silencing your critics) you’re forcing people to go underground and take positions life-threatening to this thing we call the coalition… When we sat down to discuss what led to the formation of the APNU, we took a whole range of things into consideration, and those views were represented in the Statement of Principles of the Party. We were concerned about the trampling of press freedom, and we swore (that) in a new dispensation that will not happen,” Trotman noted.

Meanwhile, also appearing on the programme was Ogunseye, who noted that the WPA, despite being a founding member of the APNU Coalition, does not have any “effective places” in the Cabinet; and, as such, depends on the inclusiveness of coalition politics.

“I think that when an issue becomes an issue, where those in the Cabinet feel

WPA Executive Tacuma Ogunseye

that they got to take action, the first place they were supposed to come to is to assemble the party and say these two columnists creating problems, and have a debate on it, and let (us) see how we could deal with it,” Ogunseye said.

“It is this high-handedness of the Cabinet…I don’t understand it politically.

You’re not giving the political process a chance to alter behaviour; because you got the power to make things happen the way you want them to happen, you exercise that power and everybody must shut their mouth.

I mean if that’s not dictatorship, then what is it?” he questioned.

Ogunseye has explicitly stated he would not stand up and let Guyana slip into a dictatorship-styled Government, because he, along with others, would have fought against that. He also called on the APNU and President David Granger to deliver the type of governance it promised its supporters.

Williams wrote to Hinds and Lewis, informing them that their contracts will be terminated effective March 12, 2018 in an effort to rebrand the state newspaper.

The duo have since called the Government out as being the one who made the decision to have them fired because of their critique of its performance.

T

he attempted murder trial of Andy Boodram, known as “Boy”, commenced before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown on Monday as the chopping victim, Deonarine Prasad, called “Anil”, identified the accused as the one who chopped him to the head.

Appearing before a 12-member jury, “Anil” explained that “Boy” chopped him twice on September 24, 2011 following a dispute that stemmed from Boodram playing his music loudly at his Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) residence, which also served as a business place.

According to the Virtual Complainant (VC), “Boy”, whom he had known about nine months prior to the incident, operated a shop and would play music to entertain his customers. However, Prasad said that he came outside and asked him to lower the volume of the music as he and his wife had a young child. He claimed that they exchanged expletives for 15 minutes after Boodram told him that he was not “turning down no [expletive] music”.

Afterwards, the VC told

the courtroom, he was speaking with a woman called “Shirley”, who subsequently shouted: “Anil, run! Boy coming with a cutlass!”

He said that he did not run at the said time, but when he turned around, he saw “Boy” swinging the cutlass. Prasad noted that after he was chopped to the right side of his head, he used his hand to block the accused and was dealt a chop to his hand. “”Boy” continued to broadside me even when I fell to the ground on my back,” he noted.

The VC added that he lost consciousness and only regained his senses at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

He said that he was hospi-

talised until October 4, 2011 with regular check-ups after. He added that he also had surgery six months after to fit three pieces of his skull that were preserved in his stomach back into place.

He noted that swelling in his head had prevented doctors from immediately conducting the corrective procedure.

Under cross-examination

by Boodram’s lawyer, George Thomas, Prasad admitted that he became angry when the accused did not want to turn down his music. He, however, maintained that he did not attack Boodram.

State Prosecutors Abigail Gibbs, Tiffini Lyken and Abigail Gibbs are appearing for the State.

8 NEWS

TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden’s Mayor-elect has eyes set on children, seniors

By Utamu Bell

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inden’s 10th Mayor, Waneka Arrindell, and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune are set to be sworn in on Wednesday, March 28.

Arrindell, who served two terms as Deputy Mayor, will replace outgoing Mayor Carwyn Holland, who also served for two terms. She will also be the community’s third female Mayor.

In highlighting some of her plans to move the community forward, Arrindell recently outlined what would be her main focus.

“While the Council continues to focus on all the necessary things that must be done in our town, as Mayor, I have my eyes

Linden’s incoming Mayor, Waneka Arrindell right where I had it when I began – on our children and a new interest in our senior citizens.

Outgoing Mayor Mr Carwyn Holland would have made sig-

Man who ate at Palm Court but refused to pay charged

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man who ordered from Palm Court food worth more than $20,000, including chicken wings and nuggets, found himself on Monday before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman after he refused to honour his debt.

Thirty-two-year-old Oswin Randy Archer of Third Avenue, Bartica denied that on March 6, 2018 at Main Street, Georgetown, he incurred debt at Palm Court by obtaining credit of $21,000 by purchasing Hennessey shots, Guinness, chicken nuggets and wings etc, for which he refused to pay.

Archer has also been charged for using a taxi to take him to several locations, including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), on March 7, but refusing to

pay for the service.

The taxi Archer used was owned and driven by Jamilla Dazzle.

Moreover, Archer was charged for stealing Dazzle’s Blu cell phone, valued $39,000, on the day that he used her taxi.

Archer explained to the court that he has arranged to pay the Palm Court Restaurant and Bar, but is unaware of the other charges against him.

A representative of Palm Court was present in Court, and denied that there was any arrangement with the defendant in regard to payment.

As Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore did not object to Archer being placed on bail, he was granted bail in the sum of $160,000, and the matter has been set for recall on March 29 2018.

Policeman, mother charged for damage to property, wounding

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Policeman and his 53-year-old mother were on Monday charged for assaulting a father and son at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The father and son were, however, crossed-charged for the offences of wounding and damage to property.

The four persons charged are David La Rose Snr, David La Rose Jnr, Dellon Thorne and Claudette Thorne, all of Lot 20 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown Georgetown.

The Court heard that on January 13, 2018 at Trench Road, Albouystown, Georgetown, the four persons unlawfully wounded each other.

LaRose Jnr was also charged with damaging a car windscreen valued $85,000, property of Dellon Thorne.

He was further charged for wounding Claudette Thorne at the Ruimveldt Police Station, and for using abusive language.

The 21-year-old was granted bail to the tune of $130,000 in total.

His father, a 51-year-old

construction worker, was also charged for unlawfully wounding Claudette Thorne. He, like his son, denied the allegation and was granted bail in the sum of $40,000. The men are expected to return to Court on April 16 2018.

Dellon Thorne, a 25-yearold Police officer, was charged for damaging a car windscreen belonging to David LaRose Jnr, and valued at $55,000. He denied the allegation and was granted $120,000 bail.

His mother, Claudette, was charged with assault carried out at the Ruimveldt Police Station. She has denied the charge.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objection to bail being granted the defendants, and it was granted in the sum of $20,000. The duo will reappear in court on April 16, 2018.

Moore revealed the facts of the matter, which disclosed that the four defendants all live in the same yard, but on the day in question, had an argument which escalated.

Bricks pelted resulted in all of them receiving injuries. The matter was reported and they were all arrested and charged.

nificant strides in the area of understanding the importance of empowering our next generation to lead,” Arrindell noted.

Her signature project, the first in the country, is to create a Junior Mayor programme.

This will be done within secondary schools with the main aim of having continuity in leadership at the local level. The project, she said, was birthed out of the struggles the Council faced following Local Government Elections, coming into office without any prior training. The second phase entails sessions in primary schools at the Grade Six level, as an introduction to local governance.

Arrindell also noted her interest in creating literacy hubs all across Linden and to see a literacy school developed, to work with slow learners. This, she noted, will make it easier for them to cope with the upper-level schools and attain an education.

“While I just want to start with literacy hubs, I hope to see a school for remedial work where children who are unable to cope will be able to come into a setting, develop, and then be placed in the system,” she outlined.

Arrindell said that along with working with all the Councillors, she has chosen her area of charity work for this year, as work continued on the youth drive that Holland started.

“Each child must be able to read and write according to their age specification, for an educated population is a population that will survive,” she said. “We also will focus on our senior citizens, creating envi-

ronments that can aid in making their lives easier. I was reminded the other day that one of our Councillors would have stated that her desire is to have a bus to transport our seniors to pick up their pensions. Those are all creative ideas and needs that must be addressed. Senior citizen homes need to be renovated and built. Activities for our seniors must be forthcoming and we will promote this in our community,” Arrindell said.

Another focus, she said, is to make sure that the public is fully informed of all works of the Council.

“The works of the Council are all public information. All works must be transparent and so the door of the Council is open to all residents of the township of Linden who pay their rates and taxes. You are allowed to come in to find out and to be informed. Of course, this must be done in an organised manner,” Arrindell stated, as she stressed that the dissemination of information was also top priority.

She said a day would be set aside (either weekly or monthly) according to her availability and that of the Council.

Arrindell, who is a married mother of three, is the holder of a certificate in Theology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography. She was Secretary and President of the Section Youth Ministry for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and a former journalist and teacher. She has also worked with the Linden Care Foundation and National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

Duo charged for breaking and entering man’s house, wounding him

W

ayne Peters and Marlon Jones found themselves before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday, charged with breaking and entering the Mandela Avenue home of Delmark Booker, and stealing therefrom his cell phone valued $80,000 and clothing valued $15,000.

The charge detailed that in committing the burglary -- between March 16/17, 2018 – the defendants wounded Booker in the process.

Jones also faces a charge of wounding Booker after Booker confronted Peters who was seen wearing some of his missing clothing.

According to Peters, he was a tenant in Booker’s home, and on the day in question, he found Booker’s clothing outside of the room which he occupied.

He revealed that he was

also locked out of the house, and, as such, he took the clothing and left. He explained that he was confused as to why he was being charged.

However Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore contended that Booker had secured his premises, and when he returned the following day, he found that it was broken into, and the articles were missing. The matter was reported and the accused persons were later arrested and charged.

The Court heard that when Booker had confronted one of the defendants, that defendant took up a steel pipe and dealt Booker a lash to his face.

The prosecutor did not object to either defendant being placed on bail, and each was placed on $80,000 bail. The next hearing of this matter in court is set for April 16, 2018.

America passport fee increased

A

US$10 increase in the fee for American citizens applying for their American passport will soon be implemented.

The fee will now be US$35 and will go into effect all over the world next month.

The new fee is applicable to all first-time passport applicants and certain other applicants who must apply in person, such as minors under

the age of 16.

However, American citizens who apply for a passport renewal by mail will not see an increase.

No other charges for consular services were instituted.

To make an appointment to renew their passport in Georgetown, American citizens should contact the Consular Section via the Embassy’s website.

Betrayal…

M

…of Integrity ore than anything else, the opposition PNC/ APNU/AFC combined, after 2011, made “corruption” their major plank against the PPP government. They certainly couldn’t do anything about the PPP’s highest growth rate in the region!! Supported by a vicious spit-press, they got some mud to stick; and along the 23-year “incumbency factor”, was probably the reason for the PPP losing the 2015 elections by a whisker.

In their manifesto, the combined promised to eradicate corruption by Government officials through a “Code of Conduct” that would be enacted in the first 100 days!!

It was Number 16 on their hit parade, and declared: “A Code of Conduct will be established for Parliamentarians, Ministers, and others holding high positions in government public office to abide by, including mechanisms for demitting office if in violation of the Code of Conduct.”

The PPP had protested without effect; they’d passed an “Integrity Act” early in their administration which demanded that all MPs and Ministers etc should declare their assets annually to the Commission that was established. The PNC, and then the AFC, refused to comply – even though it was the law of the land!! With this as the background, the populace waited with bated breath for the PNC-led Coalition APNU/AFC government to enact their Code of Conduct by the end of June 2015 – the promised date.

Well, with THREE YEARS in office coming up fast and furious, your Eyewitness hopes the populace isn’t still waiting to exhale – since the promised Code of Conduct is still just that -- a promise!! In the beginning, though, the coalition did deploy a lot of smoke and mirrors to claim the Code was forthcoming. As corruption scandals broke in waves over them – from Jubilee Park to Pharmagate etc – Trotman announced the PRINCIPLES of a Code that were so rarefied it sounded like a remake of the Sermon on the Mount!!

This was handed off to PM Nagamootoo, who was bereft of a portfolio, having been screwed out of chairing the Cabinet!! By now a year had passed, and Nagamootoo announced this Code could be integrated with the Integrity Act – which they’d flagrantly denounced only two years before!! He handed the “Code” to the parliamentary drafters. In the meantime, the corruption in high places grew like Topsy…including the signing of the oil contract.

Another year had passed, and Nagamootoo finally tabled the amended Integrity Act in June 2017 in Parliament. Hope sprang afresh in the bosoms of the faithful – but your (jaded) Eyewitness knew better. And said so!! Another year later, an INTEGRITY COMMISSION – under unchanged laws from the derided PPP version – was set up!

And the Government’s boasting about addressing official corruption!! …of justice “Justice” in the legal system we inherited from the British is represented by the blindfolded Roman goddess Justicia holding a sword and scales. The blindfold’s supposed to signal that Justice would ignore personal characteristics like race and (party) affiliations, and disputes would be settled impartially. But in the case the PNC-led APNU/AFC government’s been building against the PPP officials under SOCU, it does seem Justice is being made to peek under the blindfold while her scale’s seriously unbalanced!!

But the biggest violation of Justice in the SOCU Pradoville case is on what the sword’s supposed to represent – swift delivery of Justice. Truly, it’s been said: “Justice must be swift, sure, and seen to be done, or it’s not done at all”. The audit on the Pradoville land transactions was done way back in 2015 by no other than Chris Ram. What’s the matter? Ram left out some “shenanigans”?? So why not say so?

But we all know what’s going on, don’t we? It’s all dirty PNC politics, where being railroaded is “justice”! …beyond bounds In the petty and sick denial of the centenary commemorative stamps for Cheddi Jagan, the bard said it best: “O Judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts, and men have lost their reason!”

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

News

9

TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Italian company wants to drill for Trio nabbed in oil offshore Guyana rice field after robbing gas vendor A n Italian oil and gas exploration company could be the “new kid on the block”, if the Government of Guyana gives its go-ahead, for it to carry out exploration offshore Guyana.

ENI is a multinational oil and gas company headquartered in Rome. It is considered one of the world’s largest publicly-owned oil and gas companies, also known as supermajors. It operates in 79 countries and is currently the world’s 11th largest industrial company with a market capitalisation of 68

billion euros.

Earlier on Monday, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman met the company’s Senior Vice President, Guido Zappala and his team at the Natural Resources Ministry, where he received a plan of action from the company’s representatives.

Minutes after the meeting, Minister Trotman said the oil company had since last year expressed its interest to the Government.

“So, we had a long discussion with them about their practices elsewhere, what

they are looking for. And obviously Guyana’s basin has become attractive and they have assured us that they are not worried about the current issue between Guyana and Venezuela.

They are prepared to pursue and should there be any cause for concern, they will manage.”

According to Minister Trotman, ENI, which is partly owned by the Italian Government, has an excellent track record in terms of safety and good environmental practices. The company, he said, has been lending its

support to other countries, helping to develop their renewable energy capacity.

“Thirty per cent of the shares is owned by the Government. So, you actually have a company that is undergirded by the Government and is a main driver of the economy of Italy,” he said.

His next move, he said, will be to prepare a report to present to President David Granger for his consideration.

The company has suggested another meeting in the next two weeks.

2011 US murder The three suspects after being apprehended by the Police

H

ours after robbing a gas vendor at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara of $100,000 in cash, three suspects were arrested in a

The bandits were taken into custody, and were positively identified by the victim. The men are being processed for court.

The horse cart with the gas cylinders owned by the victim

nearby abandoned rice field.

Based on reports received, the vendor, who sells gas and kerosene oil at times on a horse cart, was intercepted by the three cutlass-wielding bandits on Monday morning and relieved of the money that he had in his possession.

After committing the robbery, the three men made good their escape on foot.

The Police were summoned to the area, and a manhunt was launched to find the three suspects. After two hours, they were found hiding in the abandoned rice field with the cutlasses used in commission of the robbery in their possession.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Magistrate’s Court cannot hear US extradition case – Defence Attorneys

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ttorneys Nigel Hughes, Darren Wade and Bernard DaSilva, representing fugitive Troy Thomas, stated at Monday’s extradition proceedings that their client could not be extradited.

Thomas explained to the Magistrate’s Court that it had no jurisdiction to hear the case and there were violations of his client's rights to be protected as a Guyanese citizen.

Additionally, the string of lawyers requested that the matter be called at the High Court, where it could be well-addressed.

Troy Thomas

The oral submissions continued as Attorney Wade disputed that the extra-

dition treaty between the United States of America (USA) and Guyana was ever introduced into local law, and therefore it would have no effect, alluding to several cases in the past.

On behalf of the USA, Stacy Gooding made her appearance and revealed that she would need some time to review the cases, since she was not presented with them before.

In light of these circumstances, the matter was adjourned until April 11 and was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate

Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus would continue to preside over the case.

Thomas, a Guyanese American, is wanted in New York in connection with the murder of Keith Frank in 2011. Frank was shot multiple times after a confrontation outside a nightclub. Thomas was recognised as the alleged murderer after which he moved to Guyana and has not since visited the USA. After receiving information that he was residing in Guyana, the USA had issued a warrant for him earlier this year.

WCD flood victims demand compensation

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esidents on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) who were affected by a flood caused by a high spring tide are calling on the relevant authorities as it related to the compensation that they were promised.

When Guyana Times spoke to the aggravated residents on Monday, they noted that they have not received any word on the compensation that was owed to them.

A livestock farmer, whose only name was given as Singh, explained that all

of his livestock were killed or injured in the floodwaters. As such, his income vanished.

“What happen is that we ain’t hear from these people and we need the money.

Right now I don’t have anything. I lost all the chickens in the flood,” he stated.

Meanwhile, others indicated that owing to infrastructural losses, they needed the monies to restore their lives. The early March flood also destroyed appliances and other valuable belongings.

As such, members of the affected communities are requesting that they receive their compensation as soon as possible.

When contacted, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Uitvlugt/ Tuschen, Vishal Ambedkar, revealed that they have not received any official confirmation about the compensation and that “it will fall from an official at the RDC level”.

However, when this publication spoke via phone with

the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Julius Faerber, he said: “I don’t know anything about that. We have not heard anything. Those lists were sent directly to the Minister of State. I have not seen any of those lists so far.”

Earlier this month, huge waves pummelled the sea defence, causing breakages along sections of the seawalls and major flooding in a number of communities along the coast. As such,

losses totalling approximately $100 million were assessed by the Geographical Representative and Member of Parliament (MP), Mohammed Irfaan Ali and submitted to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

However, they were awaiting a final confirmation from Minister Harmon to verify whether the assessments were accurate. To date, no response has been given to the flood victims in respect to the status of their compensation.

10 NEWS

TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pensioner killed in Bath Settlement accident

Dead: Majeed Indraneah

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pensioner was on Sunday evening killed after coming into the path of a lorry along the Bath Public Road, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

The dead man has been identified as Majeed Indraneah 68, of Lot 561

Bath Referendum, West Coast Berbice. It is believed that he might have been crossing the road when he was hit by the lorry.

According to his sister, Zairoon Rahaim, 44, he was very likely going to her place when the accident occurred. The accident occurred at about 18:30h. The injured man was picked up by the driver and taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital in an unconscious condition. The driver later went to the Fort Wellington Police Station where he was taken into custody.

The pensioner, who worked as a Drainage and Irrigation employee with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), did not sleep at his home in an attempt to escape attacks by villagers.

The lorry which allegedly hit the pensioner

His granddaughter, Shemela Ramnarine, told this publication that youths in the community would break into her grandfather’s home at nights and beat him. She further explained that he was on the road shoulder when she saw him.

“He was standing in the corner of the road. He was

alive, and when we reach home we get a phone call saying that a man get knock down and he at the hospital.”

At the scene of the accident, marks on the road indicated that the injured man was picked up 40 metres from the point of impact.

Meanwhile, Ramaim re-

lated that the lorry driver told her he dipped his lights after seeing the pensioner seemingly about to cross the road. “An when he do that, he ent see him when he turn on back the bright light.”

She said the driver did pick up the injured man after hitting him. However he claimed that he first went to the Police station to report the matter, and then to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

The grieving daughter said she found out differently.

According to Ramaim, when she got to the hospital, her father was still alive.

“They had him lying on a bed and then they tell us to go outside…. We see when they put on the oxygen mask on him,” she related.

After being stabalised at the Fort Wellington

Hospital, Majeed Indraneah was transported to the New Amsterdam Hospital. He died on the way. Ramaim said her father’s hip and ribs were broken.

On February 2, another resident of Bath Settlement, who also lived alone, was hit by a vehicle on the same spot where Indraneah was hit, and he also died.

Meanwhile, on Christmas Eve 2015, Indraneah’s daughter who lived with him at the time drowned in the village, and August last year his wife died; since then he had been alone.

He leaves to mourn three children.

The lorry driver remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

Bartica to get new $27M teachers’ dormitory

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fourth set of living quarters for teachers is expected to be commissioned in approximately two weeks in the community of Bartica.

This was disclosed by acting Regional Education Officer Akbar Chindu.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Chindu explained that the $27 million project, which is being monitored by the regional

authorities, would benefit the community.

Currently, there are three students’ and teachers’ dormitories in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) located in Bartica, Three Miles and in the Upper Mazaruni. These teachers’ quarters are the fourth to be constructed and will be located next to the Bartica Secondary School. Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford said this was all in an effort

to attract certified teachers to the Region.

Bradford added that the newly-constructed teachers’ living quarters were expected to have four apartments for teachers and their families and would be fully or semi-furnished.

The Regional Chairman further added that approximately $1,294,982 has been allocated in the 2018 Budget for works in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni district’s

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford

education sector. Bradford noted that for the development of education, there must be proper infrastructure, and adequate teaching staff; as such, the regional administration was currently working towards that.

The education sector has been undergoing an overhaul since April 2016 when the coalition Government launched an inquiry into the state of the

education system. This was aimed at gathering “evidential basis” for the system’s revision, upgrading, and extension. According to the findings of the investigation, there is need for greater collaboration between the regional education departments, and their respective regional administrations; this dormitory project is an example of that collaboration.

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TuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$18M infirmary, outpatient clinic City Hall words war… built at Palms Geriatric Home “We are all stupid people” – Clarke …“I take umbrage with such a statement” – Ferreira

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I

The observation ward in the infirmary, at the Palms Geriatric Home

n an effort to improve the services provided to residents of the Palms Geriatric Home and by reducing referrals of these patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital, the facility has now been furnished with an $18M infirmary and outpatient clinic, along with equipment and furnishing.

The official commission of this new facility took place on Monday with Social Protection Minister Amna Ally declaring that the project is part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that the country’s seniors receive the best possible care whilst at the public institution.

“We cannot bypass our elderly, and every day we look at the improvement of the services that we can provide for our elderly at the Palms and today, this is a manifestation to show that we really do care,” she said while acknowledging that there was a dire need for this to be included in the services provided.

The Minister urged warned staffers against the mistreatment of the residents of the facility. “One

day we are going to get old and we would not like when we get old to be mistreated and so, like our elders we would also like to ensure that we are given the best treatment,” she also added.

It was also explained by Director of Social Services, Wentworth Tanner that the ward will cater specifically for those persons with communicable diseases. This is to ensure that they are quarantined.

“We took a lot of things into consideration here, in the infectious ward there are special bath rails, special bath stools, to ensure that the best possible care can be provided here” “Many times there are cases when persons come back from the hospital, they are not yet at a place where we feel comfortable taking them back to the general ward, so we can bring them here for observation and complete their recovery before we send them to the ward and they’re also cases that aren’t serious enough to send them to the Georgetown hospital so we can deal with it in-house so we are going to bring those

people down here for observation and continued care,” Tanner continued.

Some of the most common infections there are lung related. There are also cases of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases which comes with age. He said prior to the establishment of the facilities, there is an in-house doctor who visits the ward at least once per week.

The infirmary is now equipped with an infectious ward, a doctor’s office and an observation ward with six beds. The outpatient clinic has a waiting area, a doctor’s office, and a dispensary.

The project, which was conceptualised in 2016, will see a reduction in the number of referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

There will be two medical doctors on call 24 hours per every day, along with three nurses per shift, to attend to those persons with communicable diseases, thereby improving ward visits.

The facility houses approximately 200 residents.

Jury frees Whim murder accused duo

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Freed: Carlton Akeem Bourne

Dead: Winston Ragnauth

mixed jury on Monday freed the two accused on trial for murdering a Whim Village, Berbice businessman during the commission of a robbery in 2012.

Elton Haynes, 28, a former Policeman of Manchester Village, Corentyne and Carlton Akeem Bourne, 23, from Whim Village, ran out of the Berbice High Court after being set free on the murder charge, five years after they were arrested.

The duo was on trial for

the November 7, 2012 murder of Winston Ragnauth, 57, called “Tony”, of Lot 2 Whim Public Road.

Haynes was represented by Attorney-at-Law Sasha Roberts of the Legal Aid Clinic while Stateappointed Attorney Arud Gossai appeared for Bourne.

The State’s case was presented by Attorneyat-Law Tuana Hardy.

According to the State’s case, the two men, back in November 2012, met at Liverpool Village, Corentyne and planned to

break into Ragnauth’s business and rob him. Haynes, being armed with a dangerous weapon, then went to the premises of Ragnauth, who operated a beer garden and grocery store.

The State alleged that it was during the robbery that Ragnauth was killed. It had been alleged that although Haynes had physically killed Ragnauth by slashing his neck, Bourne was equally accountable. The man’s body was discovered on November 7, 2012, at his home, after his grocery shop had been broken into.

Haynes was subsequently arrested after the incident and gave a statement to the Police relaying the identities of the persons who were involved and the sequence of events that transpired during the robbery. Bourne was arrested one year later.

The trial was presided over by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

ust two weeks after a motion was passed, by the Mayor and City Councillors (M&CC), to have councillors disciplined for misbehavior former PNC General Secretary, Councillor Oscar Clarke blatantly disregarded that when we referred to all councillors as being “stupid”.

He made the comment during an attack on Councillor Malcolm Ferreira after objections were raised about the contents of the amended by-laws of the parking meter contract.

Ferreira, who served as chairman for the first negotiating committee, complained about time allotted prior to the discussion of the amendments noting that he is unsure of the contents of the amended contract.

“He said that he had no idea what is in the document, that for me suggest that we are all stupid people. Because if someone here can be involved in the process at the level of the chairmanship of the committee, and then say he does not know what is in this document,” Clarke argued.

He further stated that Ferreira would have had the opportunity to peruse the document several times before and questioned the ba-

City Councillor Oscar Clarke

sis on which he is asking for an extension. Clarke said that there are some councillors just asking for an extension because they want to mobilize the press and their friends to come and protest outside City Hall again.

If you want some more time and ask for that. Don’t come and say you don’t know what in it because what you’re doing is really you not helping yourself.

You must know what’s in it.

I am saying that you can’t say you don’t know because you had expansive discussions on this document,” Clark said.

During Clarke’s rant, Ferreira maintained his cool but later unleashed when he was given a chance to respond.

“Councillor Clarke

City Councillor Malcolm Ferreira

you’re one of the councillors I learned a lot from and stupid is not a word I would associate you with or attribute to anybody sitting around this table so I take umbrage with such a statement. I don’t come here and disrespect nobody and nobody aint gon disrespect me and I tek it, you understand?

So please sir stupid is not a word I’ll ever put you near or anybody around this table,” Ferreira countered.

Meanwhile, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green seemed to take issue with Ferreira’s response to her PNC comrade which resulted in her chiding him to which he responded “it’s a problem with Malcolm says it”. However, she had nothing to say to Clarke.

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Corentyne crime wave

Trio confess to robberies after turning selves in – gun, cutlass found after labourer shot, robbed – salesman arrested for buying stolen property

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hree young men on Monday evening turned themselves over to Police custody in Berbice after being on the run for two days.

The men are prime suspects in Saturday night’s robbery at Albion, Corentyne, during which a labourer was shot.

Police had been on the hunt for several persons following the robbery which left hospitalised Jagdeo Ganish, 37, of Lot 117 High Reef Albion, Corentyne.

The labourer was injured when a bullet pierced his right arm and became lodged in his abdomen. He was also lashed several times with a cutlass during the attack. Both arms were fractured as a result.

The cutlass was also reportedly broken.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening at about 20:20h.

At the time the six masked bandits invaded the building, five persons were at home.

They were all watching television, but the door was open to retrieve a cellular phone which was left outside.

When the first bandit entered the home, he told everyone not to move. However, the 22-year-old said they all thought the bandits were friends pulling a prank, until the first gunshot was fired at one of them. It shattered a mirror, but no one was injured.

The injured man’s father, Gangapersaud Ganish, told

Injured: Jagdeo Ganish

Guyana Times that although there were three men in the house at the time, there was not much that could have been done, as the bandits told them to all lie on the floor. He said he was in a bedroom with his wife, and he secured himself.

After having his hands fractured, Ganesh rushed into his bedroom for a cutlass to defend the rest of the family, but the cutlass was not in the bedroom because it had been removed by his brother who was weeding the yard earlier in the day. Reports are that as Ganish was going into the bedroom, two shots were fired at him, but they missed.

His father related that when Ganish came out of the bedroom, he wrestled with one of the bandits, who was at the time carrying a cutlass. It is then that he was shot.

The men escaped with

$321,000 along with US$300 and two cellular phones.

As they were fleeing the area, the men ran through a yard and stole a bicycle.

The Police quickly responded, and based on information gathered, they went to a location at Topoo, Albion, Corentyne and arrested a 22-year-old suspect in whose possession was a black T-shirt which looks similar to the one used to mask one of the suspect’s face during the robbery.

The T-shirt was found in his crotch. The suspect has since admitted to the crime; and also, after being interrogated, gave Police the identities of his accomplices and later led them to an area a short distance from where he was apprehended and showed them where the firearm was.

The Police found a .32 revolver with two matching rounds, two bicycles and a cutlass.

The arrested suspect has also admitted having committed two recent robberies on the Corentyne.

Police also received information which led them to a salesman at Ankerville, Port Mourant, where stolen articles from one of the other two robberies were found. The salesman has been arrested.

The Police also found the bicycle which was stolen from a yard after the robbery.

Meanwhile, the Police are currently making stringent efforts to quickly arrest the other suspects.

Region 3 REO admits flouting rules

– Region did not return unclaimed cheques to Consolidated Fund

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REO Denis Jaikarran

heated exchange ensued at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Three being forced to defend the Region's murky procurement practices.

The Auditor General’s 2016 report had flagged instances where contracts were not being awarded to the lowest bidder, a fact that the PAC pointed out resulted in missed opportunities to save money.

In addition, the fact that the Region held on to some 19 cheques without returning them to the Consolidated Fund was put under the microscope by the PAC. PAC member Juan Edghill questioned REO Denis Jaikarran

on this.

“Could the REO indicate to us why these 19 cheques totalling $8.8 million were still on hand as of September 2017? And could he indicate to us when were they refunded, if they were?” he asked.

Jaikarran’s protestations that the cheques were eventually refunded did not sway the Committee, with Chairman Irfaan Ali questioning whether he knew the rules. In response, Jaikarran claimed that contractors were “not coming forward to uplift them”.

“Yes, the cheques were on hand,” Jaikarran admitted.

“But all would have been refunded to the Consolidated Fund … I’m advised that those cheques were kept on hand despite the fact that they should not have been there, because persons were not coming forward to uplift them.”

According to Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003, at the end of each fiscal year, any unexpended balance of public monies issued out of the Consolidated Fund shall be returned and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund.

Article 216 of the Constitution of Guyana also states, “All revenues or oth-

er (sums of) money raised or received by Guyana (not being revenues or other sums of money payable by or under an Act of Parliament into some other fund established for any specific purpose; or that may, by or under such an Act, be retained by the authority that received them for the purpose of defraying the expenses of that authority) shall be paid into … (the) Consolidated Fund.”

However, the Auditor General’s Report had stated that an inspection of the SubTreasury’s safe revealed that there were 19 cheques totalling $8.887 million which were still on hand at the Sub-Treasury Department in respect of 2016.

The Audit Office had recommended that the Regional Administration institute measures to ensure full repayment to the Consolidated Fund of all amounts remaining unpaid at the end of each financial year in compliance with the FMA Act. That very report had flagged the fact that the Consolidated Fund of Guyana is in the throes of a heavy overdraft showing that at the ending of 2016.

The Fund reflected an overdraft of $67.5 billion and the cash book, $86 billion.

Region 2 residents sensitised about oil spills

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xxonMobil, in collaboration with oil spill management expert Thomas Tomblin, engaged regional officials along with residents and stakeholder organisations in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on how to deal with oil spills, as Guyana prepares for petroleum production in 2020.

The one-day seminar was held in the Regional Democratic Council’s Boardroom in Anna Regina on Monday.

At the seminar, the Essequibo Fishermen Association expressed concerns about the possible destruction of marine life should Guyana experience an oil spill. However, they were informed by Tomblin that officials were looking at the best location to house quick response equipment either in Guyana or neighbouring Trinidad. He also said that with the new tech-

Stakeholders during the seminar

nology in place, they were now in a better way to deal with oil spills.

Popular Essequibo businessman Mr Ramotar asked why a period of seven days’ notice must be given by Government officials for a visit to the oil rig and questioned whether there was something to hide.

In response to Ramotar’s question, ExxonMobil’s Manager explained that the notice was on account

of safety precautions, adding that it would take some time to arrange the trip.

“ExxonMobil’s only means of getting to the rig is by helicopters so we have to put safety first,” he said.

The residents in the Region are also calling for more outreaches so that they can be kept abreast with the developments in the oil and gas sector and prepare for any eventualities.

“We can initiate parking meters …and we will!” – Clarke …as City Hall defers vote on amended by-laws

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t is just a matter of formality before the metered parking system is reintroduced in the City of Georgetown, as City Hall is all set to vote to adopt the amended by-laws proposed by the Re-negotiation Committee.

At Monday’s Statutory Meeting, Councillor Ivelaw Henry moved that the Standing Orders be suspended to deal with the urgent issue of voting and accepting amended by-laws, and it was after a highly emotional debate that the vote was deferred to April 4.

Team Legacy’s Councillor Malcolm Ferreira, said he receive his copy of the 76-page amended by-laws sometime around 20:00hrs on Saturday.

He highlighted that enough time was not provided for him to properly examine the document.

“I feel we should have more time. Given the fact that the last by-laws were found null and void by the court of law in Guyana, I feel we should have been given more time to peruse this document and gain legal advice as it relates to parts of it; and I am doing so to protect the city from a recurrence of what happened previously,” Ferreira noted.

The Councillor urged his colleagues to support a deferral, because of the time allotted prior to the discussion. He said the parking meter project has been a controversial one, hence the city could not afford for it to be scrapped once again.

Responding to the assertion that the by-laws were thrown out by the court, Town Clerk Royston King related that the court ruled the process to be invalid, and not the by-laws.

“This is the start of another process that will determine how this ends up, so can’t we take some time at this stage

Councillor Oscar Clarke

of the process to totally digest this document in front of us?

I can’t pronounce on it right now. To vote yes would be unfair, to vote no would be unfair; so you are putting me in a position where I can’t vote on it,” Ferreira explained.

However, Ferreira’s inability to toe the line did not seem to go down too well with former PNC General Secretary Oscar Clarke, who emphatically stated that installing parking meters is the legal right of the Council, and he went as far as saying that they will be implemented.

“We are not going to move away from our legal responsibility. Under the law, we can initiate parking meters in Georgetown, and we will.

No matter how many people you bring to gather and make noise outside, that doesn’t change the position of Council. Council has a right and Council will carry out that right,” Clarke said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Re-negotiating Committee, Akeem Peter, explained that the amendments are presented on a separate page, and that councillors should trust the recommendation of the committee.

“I don’t know the motive behind asking for more time, but personally, thinking without emotion or with-

out an ulterior motive…if the committee has submitted (the 6 pages of amendment) to you for your perusal/approval, then I believe that they should trust the judgment of the committee,” he noted.

“I don’t see the need for an extension of time, (where) I see the need, is for councillors to take their jobs seriously, because this is a project that has been going on for a year now,” Peter advised.

In the end, the Councillors were given the extension of time and would meet on April 4 at 14:00hrs to complete discussion and vote on the amendments.

Following re-negotiation, SCS and the M&CC reached a new agreement under the controversial Parking Meter Project, which will now see persons paying $150 per hour and $800 for eight hours of parking in the city.

Meanwhile, residents of the city would be issued with a restricted residential pass for free parking from 17:0019:00hrs Monday to Friday, while parking will be free on Saturdays.

Under the modified contract, both parties have agreed to have an oversight committee set up to monitor, review, and manage the operation of the project. The committee is expected to have three representatives from City Hall, 3 from SCS, and one third party with the terms of reference for the committee expected to be agreed upon at a later date.

The Committee’s report noted that during the renegotiations, the subject of share profit and contractual obligations were discussed and it was agreed to have it remain the same being the 20/80 M&CC-SCS for a period of 20 years. It was also disclosed that in the event of arbitration, the proceedings would be held in Miami, despite the jurisdiction being Guyana.

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West Berbice rice land leases, Red House cases continue before CJ

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imelines and dates for submissions for two court case involving the current Attorney General, Basil Williams SC, and his predecessor, Anil Nandlall have been set by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC. The cases which garnered much attention are the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc (CJRC), challenging the State’s decision to revoke the Red House lease and three more West Coast Berbice (WCB) rice farmers who are challenging President David Granger’s revocation of their Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development AuthorityAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) rice lands.

Guyana Times understands that for the Red House matter, both sides are expected to submit written submissions by May 7 after which, they will meet in court on May 16 for clarifications.

For the MMA-ADA matter, this newspaper was told that AG Williams was granted leave to file an affidavit in defence to the challenge, after which Nandall will be able to reply, if necessary. This matter is expected to continue in May. It was following the successful challenges of six sets of applicants against the MMA-ADA revocations that three more farmers mounted similar action in the High Court. Fariel Johnson, Doreen Monah and Sharon Solomon, through their attorney, Nandlall, are challenging the compulsorily acquisition of their lease “without the prompt pay-

ment of any or adequate compensation”. The applicants are further seeking the court to declare that the cancellation of the said Lease is “con-

t r a r y to and in violation of Article 142 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”

Apart from seeking court costs, the farmers are also asking for damages in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for “breach of the Applicant’s fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed to her by Articles 142 and 153 of Guyana’s

Constitution.

It was in August 2017 that the acting Chief Justice had ruled in favour of Joylyn, Gratien and Herman Nicholson; Tiffany Hubbard and Vaughn Aaron and Brian George ruled that their leases constitute property under Article 142 of the Constitution, and the President’s revocation of those leases amounted to depriving the applicants of property without compensating them.

Justice George in December 2017 ruled similarly for three additional farmers: Phillip Johnson, Rupert Blackman and Rawle Miller. The six sets of farmers were each awarded $300,000 in court costs by Justice George.

Meanwhile, it was December 2016 that President David Granger gave the occupants of the CJRC 48 hours to clear the premises but the move was halted via court action.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had labelled the President’s decision to revoke the lease as “unconscionable and vindictive”.

Eyewitness surfaces, gives...

From page 3

He also alleged that the occupants of the black car first exited their vehicle, and there was no exchange of gunfire. He also stated that there were no other vehicles on the seawall at the time of the shooting.

Hughes, however, questioned the rationale behind someone withdrawing $9.2 million from a bank and wanting to go to the seawall, while pointing out that the facts that were obtained from Lyte seems highly likely that the men were executed.

In light of the sudden disclosures, Hughes noted that his client is deeply concerned for his safety, especially considering that Guyana does not have the best history when it comes to witness protection.

Nonetheless, he noted that one of the reasons why the press conference was held before taking the eyewitness to the Police was because he wanted what Lyte had to say out in the public. “So you don’t get the Police version of what he is alleged to have said to the Police…

Clearly, there are people

whose interests are going to be threatened by what he has to say,” Hughes predicted.

Hughes stated that he had also spoken to the two other men who were working at the site with Lyte at the time, but refused to comment on the findings, which he promised will be release in due course.

The relatives of Dextroy Cordis of Grove, East Bank Demerara are calling for justice. They, too, feel their brother was murdered, and have urged that the Police officers who pulled the trigger be charged with murder.

Hours after the shooting deaths of the three men, the Police, in a statement, related that the men were followed by an unmarked Police vehicle after they were seen trailing a customer who had left the Scotia Bank on Robb Street, Georgetown.

The Police claimed that in the vicinity of the seawalls, the men in the black Toyota car opened fired on them, and in retaliation they returned fire, fatally wounding the men. The

post mortem revealed that the men were shot between six and ten times, a revelation that comes as a shock to many.

In fact, a private firm is being contracted to review the autopsy reports and to determine what really took place on the day in question. It was also reported that the Police vehicle bore two gunshot holes to the front windscreen but there were none on the vehicle that was used by the alleged bandits, thus leaving unanswered the question: was there indeed a shootout?

Nevertheless, the Police commissioner in the past week, has thrown his support behind his ranks, claiming that the killings were justified.

Meanwhile, the Police, in a release on Monday, confirmed that Devon Lyte visited the Criminal Investigations Department in the company of lawyer Nigel Hughes, and submitted a statement to Crime Chief Paul Williams.

He was asked to return today (Tuesday) to be interview by senior detectives.

Wedding Expo 2018 dubbed a success

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rom the extravagant exhibitions to the glitz and glamour that engulfed the Duke Lodge last weekend, this year’s Wedding Expo has been deemed as the best one thus far.

These sentiments were expressed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia during an interview with the Guyana Times.

While mentioning that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the exhibition in Guyana, Gouveia highlighted that all aspects of the events turned out to be a success.

“It was spectacular.

There was an exposure to colours, music, dancers and religion. It was just amazing when you look at the show and the exhibitors,” he stated.

In addition to the colossal turnout of spectators, just to get a glimpse of the entertaining manifestations and the display of approximately 45 different booths, the weather also submitted to the evenings’ requirements.

While explaining that there is the need for more collaboration among other businesses in the events, Captain Gouveia emphasized on the need for Guyana to understand the importance of wedding tourism. This is light of the fact the Government is initiating to reform the legislation, which allows persons to come to Guyana

and get married within three days.

“A lot of foreigners will choose Guyana as a wedding destination. They will also bring other people and more revenues will be earned. It will create an enormous economic benefit for Guyana,” he stated.

When asked about the

jewelry, clothing, catering, photography and music that can be made available while the exhibitors gained an opportunity to promote their businesses. This year, exhibitors were pleased with the bookings they received from new clients.

Gouveia added, “Our exhibitors this year were very

A display of the cultural wedding outfits Wedding Expo 2018

plans for the next Wedding Expo, the CEO revealed, “This is the tenth year of our wedding expo and wedding expo is going to continue to be here for the next 100 years”.

He also added that the only plan so far for the next exhibition is to make it “bigger and better” for 2019.

This years’ wedding expo was a three day event and featured displays of different services that are needed during the wedding season. Patrons, who visited the exhibition free of cost, were exposed to the amenities such as décor,

enthusiastic about the response of the bookings they got so wedding expo really lived up to all of the expectations that we had”.

Additionally, the excitement continued with a presentation of outfits by a number of religions and cultures. However, the main attraction was the “Race to the Altar” competition, in which one lucky couple won an all-expense paid for wedding.

Applications for next year’s competition are already available and couples who wish to get married are encouraged to submit their request.

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Gaskin highlights the importance No measles outbreak in Region 1 – PAHO/WHO of agricultural sector

Some of the locally-manufactured products

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ith the oil and gas industry paving the way for Guyana’s development, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin has reiterated the importance of other sectors in the country’s economy, primarily the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.

This announcement was made at the launch of Marketplace Uncapped, an exhibition aimed at promoting the products of local manufacturers in Guyana.

During his address, Minister Gaskin stressed on the significance of understanding how greatly the agricultural sector affected the country and the opportunities that were possible from Guyana’s growing agro-processing industry.

“It’s important to note that our government sees the agricultural and agro-processing sector as priority sectors, because we too understand that long after the oil has been extracted and there’s no more left, we still need to eat and feed others,” he stated.

Currently, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) is working with small-scale manufacturers to highlight their businesses. While the use of quality ingredients is a requirement, packaging also

plays an important role in gaining the customers’ attention. As such, Gaskin encouraged local producers to have their items featured at exhibitions to improve in these areas.

The Minister revealed, “Our job is not to criticise those whose packaging is not that attractive, but to help them appreciate the need to not only compete on the basis of your ingredients, but on how well you package and how attractive your product is – when it is lined up on the supermarket shelf next to imported products and other products.”

“We’re also trying to help smaller producers who don’t yet understand the benefit of packaging, ensuring that their goods are properly packaged and labelled,” he said.

While adding that employment was created for farmers by small business ventures, Gaskin also emphasised the fact that Guyana’s import bill has been reduced, stating: “All these things are good for farmers, because we know that we import these foods. Every year, there is a high import bill that we have to face and if we can produce them locally and process them locally and make them available for local consumption, then we’re ahead of the game.”

During his remarks, Minister Gaskin also touched on the fact that Guyana no longer exported catfish to the United States of America (USA). This is in light of the non-compliance with the United States Food Safety Modernisation Act, which he thinks should be fulfilled urgently. The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is collaborating with the University of Hawaii on educational programmes, which will assist with compliance on these requirements.

“It doesn’t help us to sit down and attributing blame to each other. What we need to figure out: what needs to be done, what are the requirements, how can we help each other to achieve these requirements,” he stated.

Presently, the Agriculture Ministry has embarked on a sustainable agricultural plan, which is financed through a US$15 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank and is expected to impact the agricultural sector in a tremendous way. Spices such as turmeric and black pepper are also being cultivated in various areas in Region One (BarimaWaini).

Additionally, the Business Ministry is working on two incubators, in Berbice and Lethem, which will assist small operators.

While these are all systems that were put in place to diversify and develop the country’s agro-processing industry, the Business Minister, in his final comments, highlighted that for the sector to emerge victorious, consumers must patronise these businesses and buy the products, which are no less of good quality than imported products.

…Health Ministry admits influx of undocumented Venezuelans poses public health threat

F

ollowing reports citing concerns from Region One (Barima-Waini) Chairman Brentnol Ashley about a measles outbreak “along the Venezuela-Guyana border”, the Public Health Ministry has confirmed that there was no case of the airborne disease found in the area.

The Ministry said in a statement on Monday that its team along with representatives from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) visited more than 12 villages during a two-day visit.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Shamdeo Persaud was quoted as saying that the Ministry and the PAHO/WHO team were “determined to ensure” that the entire population was fully immunised against measles and other contagious diseases. The CMO added that Guyana would strengthen its surveillance system to detect any cross-border introduction of measles to Guyana and ensure rapid and effective response by authorities.

Measles is highly infectious as it is caused by the measles virus and symptoms include watery eyes, sneezing and a dry hacking cough. The Ministry stated that Guyana, along with other countries in the Americas, was certified as “measles and rubella free” as there were no cases over 15 years. However, it was conceded that the influx

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings

of Venezuelans in Region One and other hinterland locations posed a “potential challenge to this status”.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Vishal Ramjas was quoted as saying that the presence of these undocumented persons in Region One was a “potential public health threat”, which could harm vulnerable populations and “lead to crisis”.

The Ministry, however, indicated that there were 105 surveillance sites across the 10 Administrative Regions which were geared to provide weekly reports on “rash with fever”.

“All suspected cases are identified, interviewed, and blood samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for testing,” the Ministry disclosed.

Meanwhile, Region One Chairman Ashley now says that he is “very much aware

that there isn’t a measles outbreak”.

Ashley clarified on Sunday that he meant there was a measles outbreak in Venezuela, especially in areas close to where the two countries share a border, and based on that information, he felt that there was a potential threat of this spilling over to the Guyanese border and possibly affecting locals.

“There isn’t any confirmation. The Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Department would have started putting systems in place to deal with any case that could pop up,” the Regional chairman said, explaining that he did not confirm or suggested that an outbreak had occurred in Guyana.

Ashley had previously explained that the Public Health Ministry has already deployed systems and personnel to deal with the situation.

“Vaccination has started for that in the various communities; we have a high influx of Venezuelans coming to our borderline communities, but the worrying thing is that we haven’t heard the statistics as to how many persons would have been vaccinated,” he had disclosed earlier this month.

Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings had swiftly denied the report attributed to Ashley’s disclosure, and informed the public that there was no confirmed report of measles in Guyana.

Fruit products co-op group formed Guyana, France eye student exchange programmes from Self Reliance Workshop

The group of 17 young women from the Self Reliance and Success in Business workshop who formed the Co-Op business group

S

eventeen women who graduated from the Self Reliance and Success In Business workshop, on Friday last, established their cooperative business group at the graduation ceremony of the workshop, which was held at the Women’s Leadership Institute, Cove and John, East Coast Demerara.

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Chairperson Genevieve Allen on Monday last, at the opening of the workshop, had issued a challenge to the participants to utilise the vast number of fruit trees located on the grounds of the Institute.

It was this challenge that motivated the young women to create the group, which will focus primarily on the production of fruit preserves and juices.

Facilitator of Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated, Sanjay Yohann Pooran, in an invited comment, explained that after the

Regional Chairperson issued the challenge, he and the participants discussed how they would bring the concept to reality.

“Lots of them [the participants] expressed interest in seeing that project move from just a small business to something of a co-op; as you know, a small business is a little bit different from a co-op experience, because they have to collaborate and partner in order to make it successful. From about Thursday we started to get more interest; by the end of Thursday, we had 17 women who expressed their interest in participating and were willing to not only receive training on how to preserve fruits, process fruits or even make the juices, but also to market the product, present it to a national market and, hopefully, regional market… We’re going to collaborate with [Ministry of] Social Protection, we’re going to collaborate with Interweave

and the Institute, bring us all together around the table. We hope to have it registered as a co-op, receive the funding and move forward from there,” he said.

Fazillia Ramphal, a graduate from the workshop, described the experience as wonderful and helpful, since she was an aspiring young entrepreneur. “It was impactful.

[I learnt] to keep records, it helped us to balance business books to keep, to let us know whether we’re making a profit or loss and other areas to make the business run smoothly,” she said.

During the course of the workshop, participants were split up into four groups. They intend to focus on waste management, unemployment, infrastructural development, and juvenile delinquency.

The workshop, which had originally commenced with 38 women hailing from Mahaica, Clonbrook, Victoria, Belfield, Golden Grove, Haslington and Cove and John, ECD, saw a total of 41 graduates on Sunday.

The Self Reliance and Success In Business initiative is organised by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry and Interweave Solutions (Guyana) Incorporated. This is the third Self Reliance Workshop for the year.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry and French Ambassador to Guyana, Antoine Joly

W

ith the aim of strengthening bilateral relations through the education sector, Guyana and France have discussed the possibility of exchange programmes for students and teachers between the two countries in addition to an increased offering of the French language in local schools.

These proposals were among a number of matters addressed during dialogue between Education Minister Nicolette Henry and French Ambassador to Guyana, Antoine Joly on Monday.

“We could have Guyanese teachers go to France to teach while improving their knowledge of French, especially since Haiti is a member of Caricom,” Ambassador Joly was quoted as saying.

He added, “It is my hope

and plans to have Guyana send assistant teachers to teach English and at the same time, improve their interest in French through Government relations.”

In a statement issued by the Education Ministry, it was observed that there were also discussions on improving relations with the French Guiana University and the University of Guyana.

According to the release, Minister Henry, in response, dubbed the proposals as “good and useful opportunities to build capacity to teach and learn French”.

She was quoted as saying that the Ministry “is interested in the exchange programmes for six months for teachers and will work on all other possibilities for education development of teachers and students

towards a more balanced society”.

“France is also looking for opportunities to improve the way English is being taught in their school system and the Ambassador was adamant that Guyana is as good an Englishspeaking territory as any other to field teachers to teach English,” the statement added.

Minister Henry added that she would have the Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson “work as the point of contact for the Ministry of Education to work out the modalities”.

Ambassador Joly said that President of the French Guiana Assembly, Rodolphe Alexander said he would work with French Guiana authorities to make bilateral relationships possible for an improved education sector among others.

He also signalled interest in an interface with the Guyana Government via an official visit later this year. Minister Henry has expressed pleasure at the proposed visit and stands ready to interface with Alexander to ensure that discussions are had on a commonly agreed path for education development.

Minister Henry also spoke of the ongoing education efforts for the promotion of the greening of the Guianas on the Guiana Shield through student exchanges.

news

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tuesDAY, march 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagan’s 100th birth anniversary

Govt denies scrapping commemorative stamps – but says stamps will be issued only once they conform to standards

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

G

overnment is holding out that it will issue the commemorative stamps in honour of late former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, once the stamps adhere to equity and the national criteria for such symbols.

According to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, stamps are national symbols, and they “must not be used for private, partisan or political messages.”

Despite the fact that the stamps were supposed to be issued on a particular date to commemorate Jagan’s anniversary and were not, the Government, in its statement, denied scrapping the issuance of the stamps.

“The Government of Guyana has no intention of ‘scrapping’ or ‘scuttling’ the issuance of commemo-

rative stamps. The Ministry of the Presidency reasserts that commemorative stamps, which are national symbols, must adhere to national criteria, and must not be used for private, partisan or political messages.”

Government’s message continued: the stamps “ought to be used for national purposes. The Government has stated clearly and has iterated its decision to ensure that the stamps will be distributed within that context.”

The Ministry of the Presidency (MotP) has lashed out at the <<Guyana Times>> and the Stabroek News, claiming that the newspapers’ articles “seemed aimed at stirring up strife and creating controversy.”

The MotP has reiterated previous statements made that national symbols will be announced shortly for both former presidents Jagan and Arthur Chung.

CJRC

This publication had reported statements from the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) which were critical of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) for failing to deliver on its commitment to make the collection of stamps available for Dr Jagan’s birth centenary last week.

In a statement on Wednesday last, the CJRC

The stamps that were prohibited from being issued

blasted Government for the deliberate attempt to disturb the activities planned on Tuesday to launch the stamps. According to CJRC, this should have been a routine transaction…rather than a politically interfered one, and it views this as a measured attempt to hinder the work of the Centre amidst the controversy over Red House.

The CJRC highlighted that despite being given assurance by the GPOC and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes that the collection would be made available, the CJRC was told by the Guyana Post Office Corporation that the Office of the President should be contacted in this regard.

Former Chairman of the Board of GPOC, Juan Edghill, said it is unprecedented for a client, in this instance the CJRC, to be referred to the Ministry of the Presidency for explanations or other information as it relates to this un-

fulfilled transaction between the Corporation and a client.

“This is nothing short of a full and open display of petty, partisan politics influencing a business transaction that could be considered purely an administrative matter,” Edghill noted on Wednesday.

The CJRC had also reflected this as an “action of assault” against the late President of Guyana, who made significant contributions towards the development of the nation.

No authority

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, one of the most resounding voices against the Government’s move, has contended that the process should not have been politicised by the Ministry of the Presidency in the first place.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Nandlall stressed that GPOC is a statutory body corporate. He pointed out that, by law, it is managed by a Board of Directors

and possesses its own personnel. Hence, he chalked the Ministry of the Presidency’s actions to an exhibition of authoritarianism. “(GPOC) can attract liabilities, own assets and hire its own employees. It is not a department of the Government, but an agency of the state.

It must now be inexorably clear that the GPOC is not a Government department. It is not part of the Government.

Therefore, its policies and activities are not to be dictated by or interfered with, by the Government. Likewise, its employees are not employees of the Government,” Nandlall stated.

“They are not public servants. Therefore, they are not subject to Government’s supervision or control. It must also be unequivocally clear that any attempt by the Government, including the President, to interfere with the day-to-day activities and operations of the GPOC and its staff would be unlawful, clear executive lawlessness, and abuse of power.”

Nandlall noted that it was the CJRCI that entered into a contract with the GPOC to produce and issue the stamps.

He related that after a seven-month-long discussion, the CJRC paid GPOC a 50 per cent deposit.

“Although it was absolutely unnecessary, I am informed that the transaction received

President David Granger

the positive imprimatur of the subject Minister. Yet, on the day in question, the GPOC failed to deliver the stamps.

They directed CJRCI to make contact with the Ministry of the Presidency. Based upon the legal authorities to which I have referred, the Ministry of the Presidency has absolutely no authority in this matter.

“The Ministry of the Presidency, in a statement, essentially admitted that (it has) prohibited GPOC from issuing the stamps. Clearly, the Ministry of the Presidency has acted ultra vires and has unlawfully usurped the functional responsibility of an independent statutory body corporate. It has also exposed the GPOC to civil liabilities for breach of its contract with CJRCI.”

2nd “Namaste India” event hosted successfully

First Lady Sandra Granger on Sunday evening attended the second annual “Namaste India” event hosted by the High Commission of India. The event, which was held at the Pegasus Hotel, included an exhibition of Indian fashion, cuisine, and art

Also present at the event were Business Minister Dominic Gaskin and his wife, Hans Gaskin; High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam and Anu Mahalingam, former First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and other distinguished guests

Pensioner, friends charged for assaulting man Sophia man charged for assaulting IN THE COURTS

man who picked his coconuts

A

Plum Park, Sophia resident was on Monday charged for assaulting a man whom he claimed picked all of his coconuts from his farm.

Tyrone Fordice, 63, appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and initially admitted to the offense.

He pleaded guilty to the

charge, and explained that on March 23, 2018 at Plum Park, he unlawfully assaulted Mark Stephens.

He told the Court that he and the virtual complainant (VC) had a misunderstanding when threats were issued to him.

He noted that he armed himself and the VC left.

However, later that day, he went to his farm to find that

the VC had chopped down all of his coconuts.

Following his explanation, a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore had no objections to bail being granted, and this was granted in the sum of $10,000.

Fordyce is expected to return to Court on April 16, 2018.

S

ixty-five-year-old Alston Primo of 551 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown; 60-year-old Stephen Braithwaite of 810 Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara (WBD); and 59-year-old stroke patient Harry Blackman were on Monday arraigned before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on a charge of brutally attacking a man who claimed to have witnessed a crime they allegedly commit-

ted.

Particulars of the charge are that on February 22, 2018, at the Muneshwer’s Building on Water Street, they unlawfully assaulted Hardid Parsuit.

The virtual complainant, Parsuit, told the court he had witnessed the defendants and others robbing a woman of money; and later that day, he was attacked by six men, three of whom he recognised, and was dealt several slaps and cuffs about his body.

The defendants all claim to have been mistakenly identified. Braithwaite told the Court that he was at a funeral on the day in question.

Blackman explained that he is a stroke patient and does not have the use of one of his arms. As such, he could not have been one of the persons who assaulted Parsuit.

Bail was granted to the men in the sum of $30,000 each, and they are expected to return to Court on April 9 2018.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

Regional

Brazil’s Lula loses procedural appeals, faces prison

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Brazilian appeals court rejected on Monday final procedural objections raised by lawyers of former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva against his conviction for corruption, raising the possibility that he would soon be jailed.

However, Lula will not be imprisoned until the country’s Supreme Court decides on April 4 whether to accept his request that he be allowed to exhaust his appeals process before landing in jail.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that defendants should begin serving prison sentences after their conviction was upheld on a first appeal. However, several members of the court are pressing to revisit that decision and perhaps reverse it.

Lula, Brazil’s first working-class leader, remains the most popular politician in Latin America’s biggest nation. He oversaw years of robust growth and falling inequality during a commodity boom in the last decade, and has indicated that he wanted to run

Cop killed in apparent love triangle gone sour in Barbados

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olice in Barbados are investigating the death of one of their colleagues amid media reports that he was killed in an apparent love triangle.

“We are appealing to the general public who may have any information in relation to this matter to contact any Police station,” said Police Public Relations Officer, acting Inspector

Rodney Inniss, who confirmed that the body of Constable Shane Welch, 31, had been outside his Christchurch home, early on Monday.

“The Commissioner of Police and the administration of the Force express heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of Constable

Welch,” he added.

Media reports state that a female Police Officer was at the centre of the dispute involving Welch and another man, believed to be her husband.

Since Welch's death, a video has been circulating on social media detailing the circumstances surrounding the apparent love triangle. (CMC)

Boat sinks in Haiti, 12 feared dead A demonstrator shows a doll depicting former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in jail during a protest against Lula da Silva in front of a Brazilian federal appeals court in Porto Alegre, Brazil, March 26, 2018

again for president.

Whether he is jailed or not, Lula is barred from running due to his conviction for receiving as a bribe – a seaside apartment – from an entrepreneur awarded Government contracts during his presidency.

In January, the appeals court in Porto Alegre upheld Lula’s conviction and increased his sentence to more than 12 years.

Despite that conviction and Lula facing six other corruption trials, he con-

tinues to enjoy wide popularity and leads all early polls for the October 7 vote.

His supporters maintain he is being persecuted politically with dubious accusations aimed at keeping him out of the race.

Lula’s critics say his economic policies ruined Brazil and his situation has polarised the country.

While touring the southern state of Santa Catarina over the weekend, Lula’s bus was pelted with eggs and stones that broke a window. (Reuters)

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resident Jovenel Moise has led the country in expressing condolences to the families of those reported missing and presumed dead after a boat carrying 17 people sank in the Canal de la Tortue, off the northern coast of Haiti, over the weekend.

“I express all my pain following the sinking of a sailboat on the route Saint Louis North / Turtle Island.

A search is currently underway to find the bodies of the victims and the survivors of this tragedy,” Moise said.

Media reports are that the incident occurred last Saturday evening in the waters between the Turtle Island and the coast of

According to the reports at least 12 people, including a Roman Catholic priest assigned to the Sacred Heart parish on Turtle Island, are missing and feared dead

Haiti.

According to the reports at least 12 people, including a Roman Catholic priest as-

signed to the Sacred Heart parish on Turtle Island, are missing and feared dead.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Jamaica: PNP urging PM to fund re-verification of voters’ list

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he People's National Party (PNP) is calling on Prime Minister

Andrew Holness to provide the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) with fund-

ing to carry out a re-verification of Jamaica's voters' list in time for the next

General Election.

PNP General Secretary and Opposition member on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Julian Robinson pointed out that the Party had taken note of a commitment given over the weekend by the Prime Minister that funds would be provided to the EOJ to complete the re-verification exercise before the next General Election constitutionally due by February 2021.

The PNP General Secretary, in a release from the PNP on Monday, quoted the Prime Minister as saying that “at the appropriate time we will make

PNP General Secretary and Opposition member on the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, Julian Robinson

allocations to the Electoral Office”.

However, Robinson ar-

gued that the appropriate time to make the allocation would be the present financial year.

He emphasised that funds would need to be allocated to the EOJ in the 2018/19 financial year to allow the EOJ to begin the preparations for the re-verification exercise, which he estimates could take up to two years.

“For the Prime Minister's commitment to be meaningful, he must provide the funding in the present budget so the exercise can begin without further delay,” said Robinson.

(CMC)

Brazil Police escort buses in Fortaleza after attacks

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olice in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza on Monday escorted public buses after a series of attacks on public buildings and vehicles over the weekend.

Buses and buildings were firebombed in the city and the surrounding state of Ceará in at least 10 incidents.

The attacks may be in retaliation for a move to block mobile phones in prisons, local media report.

But officials blamed a war between rival gangs for the attacks.

In the state capital of Fortaleza, gunmen shot at the building housing Ceará's Justice Ministry. Police shot three of the suspects dead but four others escaped, officials said.

Shots were also fired at a special criminal court building in the state capital.

Dozens of vehicles were set alight, including at least five buses in Fortaleza.

In the town of Cascavel, south of Fotaleza, 50 vehicles were burned in a bus depot belonging to the Infrastructure Ministry.

Six people have been ar-

rested in connection with the attacks.

Local media said that the series of attacks started on Thursday when a post office was targeted. A threatening note was left in the post office saying that more attacks would follow unless State Governor Camilo Santana dropped plans to block mobile signals in prisons.

Prisons in Brazil are notoriously overcrowded and gang members serving time often not only control the prison itself but plan criminal actions on the outside via their mobile phones.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

US, EU to expel more than 100 Russian diplomats over UK nerve attack

T

he United States said on Monday it would expel 60 Russian diplomats, joining Governments across Europe in punishing the Kremlin for a nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain that they have blamed on Moscow.

It was the strongest action that US President Donald Trump has taken against Russia since coming to office. He has been criticised by Democrats and members of his own Republican Party for failing to be tough enough on Russia over US allegations of Russian meddling in the US electoral system, including the 2016 presidential campaign.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, welcoming the show of solidarity, said

17

18 countries had announced plans to expel Russian officials. Those included 14 European Union countries.

In total, 100 Russian diplomats were being removed, the biggest Western expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Twitter that Monday’s “extraordinary international response by our allies stands in history as the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers ever and will help defend our shared security”.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the expulsions a “provocative gesture”. The Kremlin spokesman said the West was making a “mistake” and that President Vladimir Putin would make a final decision about Russia’s response.

Moscow has denied being behind the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the southern English city of Salisbury. Skripal, 66, and Yulia Skripal, 33, were found unconscious on a public bench in a shopping centre on March 4 and remain critically ill in hospital.

Monday’s wave of expulsions followed EU leaders saying last week that evidence presented by May of Russian involvement in the attack was a solid basis for further action. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Japanese media reported earlier on Monday that a high-ranking Pyongyang official appeared to have arrived by train in Beijing.

Kyodo, citing sources close to the matter, said the visit was intended to improve ties between Beijing and Pyongyang that have been frayed by North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and China’s backing of tough sanctions against North Korea at the United Nations Security

Council.

The visit could not immediately be confirmed by Reuters.

Footage from Nippon News Network, owned by Nippon TV, showed what an announcer described as a green train carriage with yellow horizontal lines, part of a 21-car train, similar to the kind that Kim’s late father, Kim Jong Il, rode when he visited Beijing in 2011.

Beijing has traditional-

ly been the closest ally of secretive and isolated North Korea. But Kim is due to hold summit meetings separately with China’s rivals, South Korea and the United States.

“Such a visit would reflect China’s effort to get back in the game,” said Scott Snyder, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank. “Xi would not tolerate being third in line to meet Kim.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

People leaving Russia’s Manhattan Embassy

White House 'strongly' denies Trump's alleged affair

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he White House has denied allegations that t Donald Trump had an affair with an adultfilm actress.

Stormy Daniels gave details about the alleged 2006 affair during an interview on CBS News' 60 Minutes programme.

"The President doesn't believe that any of the claims that Ms Daniels made last night in her interview were accurate," said spokesman Raj Shah.

President Trump's lawyers are seeking US$20 million in damages from her, saying she broke a non-disclosure deal.

Daniels, 39, told CBS in an interview aired on Sunday night that she had

accepted US$130,000 in "hush money" from Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen just before the 2016 election because she was concerned for the safety of her family.

She said she was threatened by a stranger in a car park in 2011 to "leave Trump alone".

But Shah said the President does not believe Ms Daniels' claim to be true, adding that Cohen would need to be asked about the specifics of their monetary arrangement.

"The President strongly, clearly and consistently has denied these underlying claims, and the only person who has been inconsistent is the one making the claims," said Shah. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Facebook faces US North Korea leader Kim Jong Un visits China – Bloomberg privacy inquiry

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orth Korea leader Kim Jong Un has visited China, Bloomberg reported on Monday citing three unnamed sources, in what would be his first known overseas trip since taking power in 2011 and ahead of a potential summit with US President Donald Trump.

Details of his visit, including its purpose and itinerary, were not yet known, Bloomberg said.

Sisi to win Egyptian election but seeks high turnout

E

gyptians began voting on Monday in a presidential election that guarantees victory to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, running virtually unchallenged with all credible candidates intimidated or locked up.

Sisi, who appears to see the vote more as a referendum on his rule than a serious democratic contest, has urged Egyptians to vote, hoping a large turnout will give him a mandate to repair the economy, crush Islamists fighting to topple him and revive Egypt’s diminished regional clout.

Opposition figures have called for a boycott, while the President’s sole challenger is Moussa Mostafa Moussa,

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi writes as he arrives to cast his vote during the presidential election in Cairo, Egypt, March 26, 2018

a Sisi supporter widely seen as a dummy candidate.

Sisi’s top potential challenger, influential former

military chief of staff Sami Anan, was arrested and halted his presidential bid; another serious contender, ex-Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, dropped his campaign, apparently under pressure.

Egypt’s election commission said the election would be free and fair, and Sisi said he would have liked more candidates running.

By evening, turnout among the 59 million eligible voters appeared low.

Polls closed at 21:00h (1900 GMT), but there are two more days for Egyptians to cast votes, with official media hammering the message that voting was a national duty to foil the country’s “enemies”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T

Facebook could be hit with heavy fines over the data breach

he US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will investigate Facebook over how private data on millions of users was given to Cambridge Analytica.

The social network has been criticised for letting the analysis firm scoop up data on 50 million users.

The information is believed to have been used to help Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for US president.

The FTC said its probe would determine whether Facebook had "failed" to protect users' privacy.

News of the FTC probe, which former FTC officials say could trigger fines in the trillions of dollars – sent shares down 6.5 per cent in afternoon trading in New York before they recovered slightly.

Tom Pahl, acting director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said it took the reports about user data going astray "very seriously".

He said the FTC regularly took "enforcement action" against firms that caused substantial injury to consumers by breaking laws that govern how personal information should be kept safe.

Facebook is required by law to notify users and get their permission before data is shared beyond their preferred privacy settings in what is known as the "consent decree".

David Vladeck, the former Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said that the penalty for each violation of the consent decree was $40,000. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Barrage of missiles on Saudi India: Minister's 'naked' visa claim criticised n Indian minister has In January, an Indian journalist Arabia ramps up Yemen war sparked a social media said she was able to access citizens'

T

he Houthi movement that controls northern Yemen vowed on Monday to fire more missiles into Saudi Arabia unless it stops bombing the country, after one of its missiles caused casualties in the Saudi capital for the first time.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis accused them of using Iranian-made missiles.

Spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said the coalition reserved the right to respond to Iran “at the ap-

propriate time and manner”, under international law and within the framework of the United Nations, to protect Saudi Arabia.

The incident threatens to sharply escalate a war that has already unleashed what the United Nations considers the world’s most urgent humanitarian crisis.

Millions of Yemenis live under threat of mass starvation and disease, at the mercy of combatants who have sometimes cut off food and medical supplies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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storm with his comments on the country's controversial biometric identity scheme.

Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam said Indians had no problem "getting naked" for a US visa, but object to the Aadhaar scheme over privacy concerns.

It is not clear what he meant exactly, but he may be referring to airport strip searches.

Since Aadhar's inception, critics have been worried about data safety.

Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam said Indians have no problem "getting naked" for a US visa, but complain about Aadhaar

personal details on the Aadhaar website after paying an agent 500 rupees (US$8). The Government called it a data breach at the time.

More than a billion Indians have enrolled in Aadhaar and have received a 12-digit unique identification number after submitting biometric data.

It started out as a voluntary programme to tackle benefit fraud, but the ID number has become increasingly necessary for financial transactions and social welfare. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, March 27, 2018

ARCHIE

Get involved in events or projects that you feel drawn (March 21to. Share your feelings with April 19) someone you are close to or who has the clout to help you get ahead.

ARIES

Go about your business.

TAURUS Don’t make a fuss or get into (April 20- a discussion regarding doMay 20) mestic issues. Keep life simple and your relationships amicable, and move forward with confidence.

dilbert

Discuss any personal GEMINI (May 21- plans before you put them June 20) into play. An emotional shift with someone you love will give you reason to pitch in and help more.

You’ll be called upon to help a friend or relative, but (June 21- before you sign up for duty, July 22) make it clear what you are and are not willing to do.

CANCER

Peanuts

You’ll be eager to gain exLEO perience and apply whatever (July 23- you learn to your current sitAug. 22) uation. Refuse to let someone who tends to overreact or has bad habits influence you.

Calvin and Hobbes

Do some research before VIRGO you engage in something that (Aug. 23will take you into unfamiliar Sept. 22) territory. Your thoroughness will pay off and will encourage you to look for alternative ways to get what you want.

The help you offer will deLIBRA (Sept. 23- termine if someone takes adOct. 23) vantage of you. Instil standards that you can live with and don’t let anyone adjust the boundaries you set.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD – TEXTILES (TEXTILES: TEX-tiles: Fabrics.)

Taking a short jaunt SAGITTARIUS to visit someone you hav(Nov. 23en’t seen in a long time or Dec. 21) to attend a seminar or retreat that is geared toward self-improvement will result in personal gains.

Average mark 22 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 30 or more words in TEXTILES? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – CHANCERY cache cancer cane caner care chance chancy char chary crane cyan hare

hayer hear hyena ache achy acne acre aery arch nacre nary near

each earn race racy ranch reach rhea yare yarn year yearn

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

Keep your thoughts to SCORPIO yourself and don’t make (Oct. 24a fuss.

Give any situation Nov. 22) you face a chance to unfold. Knowing the facts before you make a move will change your response.

solution for Puzzle

Don’t get angry when you CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- should be expressing your Jan. 19) thoughts and feelings with diplomacy. Have a backup plan in case someone you are dealing with lets you down.

You’ll know what to do AQUARIUS and what not to do. An op(Jan. 20- portunity will help you take Feb. 19) positive steps forward. A partnership will help sell what you have to offer.

It will be difficult to figure PISCES (Feb. 20- out what’s best for you. An March 20) unusual opportunity should be looked into and considered. A personal gain is possible, and a challenge will excite you.

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

“Brazil still haunted by

B

razil coach Tite says his side are still haunted by "the ghost" of their 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat by Germany four years ago.

The sides meet for the first time in Berlin on Tuesday since Brazil were humiliated at their home World Cup. "This has a huge psychological meaning - no-one needs to fool themselves about that," Tite told Kicker.

"The 7-1 is like a ghost, people still talk about it. The more you talk about it, the less this ghost disappears."

Toni Kroos scored twice and Miroslav Klose broke the World Cup scoring re-

19

7-1 ghost” – Tite

Brazilian were left deflated after the 7-1 humiliation by Germany at the 2014 World Cup

Benjamin stars in New Amsterdam’s cycle race

cord in 2014, when Germany went 5-0 up in 29 minutes.

For Tuesday's Berlin friendly, Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho is expected to replace Douglas Costa in the only change from the team which beat Russia 3-0 in Moscow on Friday without the injured Neymar.

"I was watching the game [in 2014] at home in Sao Paulo with my wife and after the third goal went in, she started to cry," said Tite.

"That started me off. It was a moment of great inspiration for Germany, every shot was a goal - stuff like that doesn't even happen in video games.

"The wound is still open

and the match in Berlin is a part of the process of closing it." Germany manager Joachim Low has rested Arsenal's Mesut Ozil and Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller for the game, with Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno playing 45 minutes each in goal.

Low - whose side are favourites to retain their title in Russia this summer said: "There might be three or four players in the starting line-ups from 2014.

"Of course, the Brazilians probably have a bit of desire for revenge, but you can't turn the clock back.

"The 7-1 is the past." (BBC)

GFF Elite League III…

Milerock upset GDF – Buxton sink NA United

M

F

The winner poses for a photo opportunity

ormer national champ and veteran cyclist Wilber Benjamin used his experience to win the Mayor’s Cup around the town 25-mile cycle road race on Sunday in New Amsterdam.

Benjamin also won the REO’s (Regional Executive Officer’s) trophy. The event which was organised by cycle coach Randolph Roberts for the Flying Ace Cycle Club was the first such event to be held in the town for more than two decades.

Sixteen cyclists had earlier participated in a ride past with the salute being taken by Mayor Winifred Yearwood, former mayor Errol Alphanso, sponsor Lloyd Roberts and head of the Municipal Constabulary

, Assistant Superintendent Charles Roberts.

The race was for ten laps using Republic Road into Vryheid Street, Main Street and Philadelphia Street. Benjamin, Balram Narine, Ralph Seenarine, Clement Doris and Syborne Fernandez broke away on the first lap and remained together until the end.

There was rivalry among the five as five sprint point prizes were up for grabs; one at the completion of each lap, Narine grabbed three and Seenarine the other two.

The winner of the race was decided in the last 100 metres as they all came off of their seats in a dash for the finish line. However, Benjamin had the perfect

timing to start the sprint and by the time the younger legs could follow he was already too far ahead.

Narine, Seenarine, Doris and Fernandez followed in that order with the later not worrying to participate in the final 100-metre dash which determined the top five placing. Narine and Seenarine crossed the finish line almost simultaneously.

Seenarine was also the first junior cyclist to complete the distance. In the BMX 12- 14 category over the same distance, Shivnarine Bhowandin was the winner with Mario Washington second and Jeremiah Joseph third.

The BMX 9- 12 category was won by Nehum Rigby

ahead of Sachin Karan and Daniel Blair, while the BMX 6- 9 category was won by Lumesh Singh finishing before Nashawn Rigby and Gregory Daniels.

In what was considered the veteran category 67-yearold Daniel Rigby lapped 78-year-old Lloyd Williams; both riders went the full distance.

A special prize was also given to Arfaan Blair. The 5-year-old competed in the BMX 6- 9 and showed great potential with his finish.

Meanwhile, Coach Roberts explained that the Mayors Cup will remain with the club and given to the cyclist who wins it for three consecutive years.

(Andrew Carmichael)

ilerock Football Club recorded a much needed victory against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Sunday evening when the two sides met in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League III. Playing at the home, Camp Ayanganna Ground saw GDF needled by the Linden side who moved onto six points and overtook Ann’s Grove (4 points) to be seventh in the ten-team tournament.

GDF remain at third on 14 points, trailed closely

by Den Amstel (13) and Victoria Kings (12).

Meanwhile, Buxton United moved closer to the Kings on the points' table with their win over New Amsterdam on Sunday. Buxton now have ten points and still sit at sixth.

W e s t e r n Tigers head the table with 19 points while Fruta Conquerors are second with 18 points. In contrast, NA United have only recorded one win while Cougars are yet to make a mark on the table; they

sit 9th and 10th, respectively.

The army men were handed their second defeat of the tournament as they battled with Milerock to a goalless first half.

However, Randy Jerome found the back of the net two minutes into the second half; a question which the defending champions had no answer for.

In the other match, Deshane Garnette scored in both halves to ensure a 2 – 0 win against the Berbician side. Garnette scored as early as the seventh minute, then completed his brace in the 69th minute.

20

Disgraced Smith GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

steps down from Rajasthan Royals’ captaincy

….as fall out over ball tampering continues

S

teven Smith has "stepped down" as captain of Rajasthan Royals for the 2018 IPL season, in the wake of his admission to orchestrating a plan to tamper with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. India batsman Ajinkya Rahane will lead Royals, who are returning to the IPL this year after serving a two-year ban for corruption during the 2013 season of the tournament.

Both Smith and Rahane had represented the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiant franchise for the last two years while Royals served the ban. Smith had been retained by the returning Royals franchise ahead of the 2018 IPL player auction, while Rahane was bought back for INR 4 crore (USD 625,000 approx) using a right-to-match card.

Though Smith will not lead Royals, he will available for selection. According

to the franchise, only if Smith gets banned by Cricket Australia or if the BCCI says he cannot play, will he not play the IPL. In a statement issued on Monday, the franchise said it was in "best interest of Rajasthan Royals that he steps down as captain" so that the team can prepare for the tournament without any "ongoing distractions."

Zubin Bharucha, the head of cricket at Royals, said Rahane was the automatic choice as a replacement captain because he had been with the franchise for a long time.

"The incident in Cape Town has certainly disturbed the cricket world. We have been in constant touch with the BCCI and taken their counsel," Bharucha said. "Furthermore we have been in regular contact with Steve. Ajinkya Rahane has been an integral part of the Royals family for a long time now and he understands the culture and val-

ues of our team. We have absolutely no doubt that he will be a great leader of the Rajasthan Royals."

Manoj Badale, the Royals' co-owner, said what happened in Cape Town was "clearly wrong". "It is important that all cricket fans retain a balanced perspective on the situation.

What happened in South Africa was clearly wrong, especially given that it appears to have been pre-meditated," Badale said. "That said, this will be a difficult time for Steve as well, given how much he cares about the game."

Smith has already been banned for one Test and fined 100% of his match fee by the ICC for his role in the ball-tampering incident that occurred on the third day of the Newlands Test, and he was stood down as captain - along with David Warner as vice-captain by Cricket Australia before the fourth day's play began.

CA took that decision in the

face of mounting pressure at home, from the Australian government, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the public. The board appointed Tim Paine as caretaker captain for the remainder of the Cape Town Test - which Australia lost on the fourth day - and Smith and Warner took the field under the wicketkeeper's leadership. CA chief executive James Sutherland flew to South Africa on Monday to join the board's Head of Integrity Iain Roy and team performance manager Pat Howard, who had already flown to Cape Town to launch an inquiry into the ball-tampering scandal.

Sunrirsers Hyderabad have made no comment on the future of Warner as their captain. As of Sunday, the Sunrisers' stand was that they would retain Warner as captain subject, unless the BCCI directed otherwise or Cricket Australia banned the batsman. (Cricinfo)

Ajinkya Rahane takes over the mantle

Wagner bounces England out to seal win in final session

M

Ben Stokes fends off a short ball © Getty Images

arch 26, 2013, Auckland. England lost their seventh wicket, Ian Bell to the last ball of the penultimate session. Caught Tim Southee, bowled Neil Wagner.

England hung on for a draw.

March 26, 2018, Auckland. England lost their seventh wicket, Ben Stokes, to the last ball of the penultimate session.

Caught Southee, bowled Wagner. But New Zealand triumphed this time, over-

coming two days of play lost to rain and another dogged England rearguard to complete an innings win under lights at Eden Park.

Stokes and Chris Woakes survived close to the entirety of the second session to provide England with an opportunity to salvage an incredible draw, a distant dream when they were dismantled for 58, their sixth-lowest Test score, on the first day. On the stroke of another break

though, for the third successive session, England lost a vital wicket as Stokes topedged an attempted cut to backward point off Wagner.

New Zealand chipped away at England's middle order in the afternoon, but lacked the penetration in the second session. Stokes and Woakes cut England's deficit from 152 to 69 and, more importantly, faced a combined 185 balls. The Barmy Army found their voice, but then the match turned again before dinner.

Early in his innings, Woakes was surprisingly satisfied with chasing wide deliveries in the search for quick runs. If New Zealand created a chance or the ball beat the bat, Woakes subsequently tightened his technique, playing close to his body.

With the lower order, Woakes was stolid, taking the majority of the strike and latching onto scoring opportunities to reduce the deficit. There wasn't much he could do to avoid his dismissal, though, fending a brute of a bouncer from Wagner to short leg.

Stokes was more selective, strategically picking lengths to score against.

Apart from cross-batted strokes against Wagner's short-ball strategy, he played largely with the full face, driving straight and

Neil Wagner is pumped after dismissing Ben Stokes © Getty Images

through cover - 32 of his 66 runs, close to 50%, came in these regions. After reaching his fifty however, off his 128th delivery, Stokes appeared fatigued, losing his energy about as quickly as Auckland was losing natural light, resulting in an uncharacteristically loose shot.

It was a much better batting performance from England, aided by improved underfoot conditions. Fuller-length deliveries were easily negotiated with the old pink ball not swinging, and the shorter ones were more comfortable to handle too, a slow fifth-

day pitch allowing batsmen the time to adjust.

Jonny Bairstow contributed a 72-ball 26, but was reprieved twice: a thick inside edge down leg not collected by BJ Watling, diving to his left, and then a drop by Trent Boult, at midon, off a long-hop from legspinner Todd Astle who was in his first spell of the Test. In a bizarre period of play, Bairstow pulled another long-hop, 11 balls later, to midwicket, where Kane Williamson leapt to his right to take his second terrific catch of the match.

Astle eventually finished with 3 for 39, the best returns of the second innings.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD England 1st innings 58 New Zealand 1st Innings 427/8 dec England 2nd innings ( Overnight 132-3) A Cook c †Watling b Boult 2 M Stoneman c Boult b Wagner 55 J Root (c) c †Watling b Boult 51 D Malan c Latham b Southee 23 B Stokes c Southee b Wagner 66 J Bairstow † c Williamson b Astle 26 M Ali lbw b Boult 28 C Woakes c Nicholls b Wagner 52 C Overton lbw b Astle 3

S Broad not out 1 J Anderson c Boult b Astle 1 Extras (b 8, lb 2, nb 1, w 1) 12 Total (all out; 126.1 Overs) 320 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Cook, 2.5 ov), 2-94 (Stoneman, 29.4 ov), 3-132 (Root, 46.5 ov), 4-142 (Malan, 51.2 ov), 5-181 (Bairstow, 72.4 ov), 6-217 (Ali, 82.4 ov), 7-300 (Stokes, 113.3 ov), 8-304 (Overton, 118.5 ov), 9-319 (Woakes, 125.2 ov), 10320 (Anderson, 126.1 ov) Bowling : Bolt 27-9-673, Southee 26-4-86-1, C de Grandhomme 24-10-40-0, Wagner 32-11-77-3, Astle 16.15-39-3, Williamson 1-0-1-0

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1st

sports

21

BCB Elizabeth Styles Under-21…

round off to successful start

T

he Berbice Cricket Board on Saturday started to fulfill its commitment to play cricket at all levels, as play in the Elizabeth Styles 50over Under-21 Tournament bowled off at venues across the Ancient County.

Blairmont Community Centre defeated Young Achievers by 145 runs.

Blairmont scored 233 all out from 37-Overs with Zameer Inshan topscoring with a blistering 82 (8x6s,5x4s) while Nigel Deodat supported with an attractive 51.

Bowling for Young Achievers, offspinner N. Persaud took 3 for 48, R. Daniels 2 for 41 and L. Dhana 2 for 30. The Visitors in response were bowled out for 88 in 22-Overs as only N. Persaud offered any resistance with 29. Deodat returned with the ball to take 3 for 5 from 4-Overs while Keijon Gangoo 2 for 13, Ramveshwar Samaroo 2 for 29 and Seon Glasgow 3 for 25 offered support.

Seon Glasgow

D’Edward Sports Club defeated Bush Lot Rising Star by 6 wickets at Bush Lot. Bush Lot Rising Star was dismissed for 71 in 26-Overs as Yougendar Budhu 34 and Daniel VivaKanand 13 were the main scorers.

In response, Wasim Ishan basted a quick fire 51 as D’Edward reached 72 for 4 in 16-Overs to win easily.

Y. Budhu took 3 for 21 for the home team.

Kildonan Cricket Club making a welcome return to

Berbice Cricket at the junior level was brushed aside by Tamarind Root Cricket Club at the Hampshire Ground.

Mohin Gopilall topscored with 24 while Angelino Ramdihal supported with 16 as Kildonan was bowled out for 78 in 20.1 Overs.

Bowling for Tamarind Root, Ramnarine Mahadeo took 4 for 15 and Ricko Ramsammy 3 for 3.

Skipper Brandon Prashad then blasted 51 not out (6x4s,4x6s) as he led his team to a ten wicket victory. Mahabir Suraj supported with 16.

At the Rose Hall Canje Ground, Young Warriors Cricket Club defeated Rose Hall Canje by 8 wickets.

Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club scored 123 all out in 34-Overs as Z. Lindee topscored with 25 while Alex Algoo had bowling figures of 8-1-45.

Algoo a National Junior cricketer returned with the bat to score an impressive 62 and together with

Trevon Stanislaus 33 not out led their team to 127 for 2 in 24.3 Overs. Berbice Under-15 Player took the two wickets to fall for 18 runs in 4.3 overs.

At the Kennard’s Memorial Ground, located in Bush Lot, Central Corentyne, the Ramnarine Memorial Club defeated Big Star by 168 runs in a one sided affair. Batting first, the home team amassed 183 all out in 30-Overs as

Alex Algoo

Amanullah Amit topscored with 61 while Keemo Layon hit 30. In response, Big Star was shot out for 15 runs in just 7.2 Overs as pacers Gobin Mangroo 5 for 3 and Naresh Noothsingh 5 for 6 bowled well on a pitch offering some resistance.

Tucber Park defeated Kendall’s Union Sports Club by 73 runs. National Youth Player Steve Deonarine struck 57 while Brandon Corlette supported with 55 as the visitors ended on 223 from 42-Overs. Mark Barker took 5 wickets for 30 runs.

In response Kendall’s Union was dismissed for 150 as Joshua Singh took 3 wickets for 25 while Leon Swammy and Joel Davis both claimed two wickets.

Mark Barker stroked 55 while H. Harris supported with 27 for Kendall’s Union in a losing battle.

The Tournament continues on Saturday with the second round of matches.

Faye Joseph Domino Competition…

Major excitement brewing ahead of opening day

W

ith just under four days left for the start of the Hairoun Beer-sponsored Faye Joseph International Domino Competition, the anticipated excitement has begun to saturate the fraternity and the registration of teams has started.

This is according to members of the Organising Committee who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all systems are in place to stage what is considered to be the biggest event on the sport’s calendar to date.

Already, teams from regions outside of Georgetown and overseas have signaled their intentions to be part of the competition and the Organisers are expecting a large turnout to usher in the calendar of activities planned for this year.

Speaking with Faye Joseph, who apart from wearing two hats, being President of both the Guyana National Domino

Domino has been on the rise and this tournament only adds to its value

Federation (GNDF) and the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA), whose brainchild it was to organise the tournament some five years ago, disclosed teams have begun to enquire about the tournament, while some have already confirmed their participation.

“As someone who has been around the sport for some time, having seen it move from a recreational activity to a more organised and structured sport I am

confident that the tournament will be a success and Top Brandz Distributors under its Hairoun Beer brand will be proud of us and more than willing to continue its relationship with the domino fraternity,” she stated.

No one could dispute the fact that under her stewardship the sport has become more organised, recognised and certainly more lucrative and teams have responded in kind travelling from outlying regions just to partici-

pate in competitions.

Over $1million in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs and the tournament commences this Friday, March 30 with the Pull-a-Rama, at the President’s Residence at 1223 Gaulding Place, South Ruimvedt.

An appeal is being made to all interested teams including those from the corporate community, Private and Public Sectors, individual teams to participate in

the competition.

The winning team will receive $500,000 plus trophy and medals, while second and third place finishers will take away $300,000 and $200,000 respectively along with trophies and medals.

The Most Valuable Player in the final will win $10,000 and a trophy.

It was also revealed that a small fee of $2,000 will be charged for the Pull-A-Rama or Individual Competition and registration has already begun.

The registration fee for teams is $20,000 and each team will be entitled to a free case of Hairoun Beer upon completion of registration.

The competition runs from March 30-April 7 and interested teams or individuals can contact Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire on tele#665-5855, Barbara Marshall on 683-8280, Faye Joseph on 685-1009 or Rodwell Phillips on 6860632 for more information.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

National U-15 cricketers “Breaking Barriers” depart for Jamaica the Race Walk set for April 8 T

National Under-15 team along with Manager Latchman Yadram (far left) and Coach Winston Smith (far right)

T

he National Under-15 team departed on Monday for Cricket West Indies’ regional 50over tournament which commences on Wednesday in Jamaica.

The team which is being coached by the Level 3 accredited Winston Smith and Managed by Latchman Yadram will have their first match against Windward Islands.

The squad comes from Zeynul Ramsammy ( Captain) , Jonathan Rampersaud (Vice Captain), Mahendra Gopilall, Nicholas Rajpat, Mavendra Dindyal, Shamar Yearwood, Chanderpaul Ramraj, Romel Datterdeen, Jeremey Sandia, Zachary Jodah, Safeik Khan, Tomanni Caesar, Isai Thorne and Ajay Gainda.

Players benefitted from exposure in the Guyana Cricket Board Under-17

Inter County Tournament and from a week’s pre-tournament camp they appeared high in confidence and well prepared for their competitive regional encounter.

O n Friday GCB

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES (All matches start at 9:30 am local time– East Caribbean add 1 hour) Round 1 – Wednesday, March 28 Barbados vs Trinidad & Tobago – Melbourne Oval Guyana vs Windward Islands – Up Park Camp Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – Kensington Cricket Ground Round 2 – Thursday, March 29 Windward Islands vs Barbados – Chedwin Park Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica – Kensington Cricket Ground Leeward Islands vs Guyana – Melbourne Oval Round 3 – Saturday, March 31 Barbados vs Jamaica – Chedwin Park Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – Jamalco Cricket Ground Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana – Windalco Cricket Ground

Secretary A n a n d Sanasie and Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart met with players and their parents and encouraged them to make the best of this opportunity and to be good ambassadors of their country.

Round 4 – Monday, April 2 Leeward Islands vs Barbados – Windalco Cricket Ground Guyana vs Jamaica – Jamalco Cricket Ground Trinidad & Tobago vs Windward Islands – Chedwin Park Round 5 – Wednesday, April 4 Guyana vs Barbados – Up Park Camp Trinidad & Tobago vs Leeward Islands – Kensington Cricket Ground Jamaica vs Windward Islands – Melbourne Ova

he cream of the country’s Race Walkers and a host of newcomers are expected to match steps on Sunday April 8 when the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club in association with the Guyana Hemp Association (GHA) stage the ‘Breaking the Barriers’10K Race at the National Park.

The event is part of the GHA GuyHemp Festival which is aimed at sensitizing Guyanese on the importance of establishing an Industrial Hemp Industry in Guyana which will create opportunities, large scale employment, and eradicate poverty.

Trophies, medals and other prizes will be at stake for the top three finishers in the male and female (seniors), juniors, veteran and differently abled.

M e a n w h i l e , Coordinator of the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club, Jennifer Major, in addressing the club’s monthly meeting, said that the sport has power to inspire, educate and unite youth of all ages, background and other abilities.

‘Through playing tog e t h e r youth also

interact more with each other thereby improving their communities, decision making and skills, and this is also a powerful tool for building peaceful communities.

Major pointed at that the sport Race Walking is growing from strength to strength and has achieved several milestones which were useful to the sport despite the scarcity of sponsorship. “Guyana has a lot of raw talent in the sport Race-walking, and without the necessary support, access to more training and participating in more races both locally and whereas these talents will be left to deteriorate.

Interested participants must be at the startling line by 7:00 hrs.

Race time is 8:00 hours

East Coast Guinness "Greatest of the Streets"…

Buxton to challenge Melanie B’s title retention endeavours

D

efending champion Melanie B will commence the defence of their title with a tricky engagement against Buxton B as action in the East Coast Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition kicks off tomorrow night, at the Haslington Tarmac.

They play in the penultimate game of eight scheduled matches and the organisers are confident that the venue will be filled with fans in support of their respective teams, all based along the villages on the East Coast Demerara.

In the opening fixture, former champion Plaisance A tackles Belfield Warriors and this encounter is anticipated to provide the perfect start for the night’s proceedings.

Host Haslington Hypers takes on visitors Mahaica Determinators to bring the

Some intense action is anticipated on Wednesday evening

curtains down on opening night action and they will be hoping to turn in a sol-

id performance in front of the expected large home crowd.

The first night only eight teams will progress to the next round set for

Saturday, at the same venue when the round robin stage begins, before the final, semi-final and Plate final bring the 3-day competition to a close on Easter Monday.

Over $700,000 in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs over three days, while the Plate final carries a first prize of $50,000.

The winning team in the competition will receive $400,000, while second, third and fourth place finishers take home $150,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively.

The sixteen participating teams are: Melanie-B, 2014 winner Melanie-A, Plaisance-B, 2013 winner Plaisance-A, 2015 champ BV-A, 2016 winner BV-B, Buxton Diamond, Buxton, Victoria Church Yard, Haslington Hypers,

Belfield Warriors a n d Paradise-A, Police-B, Mahaica Determinators, Mahaica Guinness Bar and Uprising The full fixtures for Wednesday are: Plaisance-A vs Belfield Warriors-19:00hrs Victoria Church Yard vs BV-B-19:30hrs Buxton Diamond vs Mahaica Guinness Bar20:00hrs BV-A vs Police-B20:30hrs Melanie-A vs Uprising21:00hrs Paradise-A vs Plaisance-B-21:30hrs Melanie-B vs Buxton22:00hrs Haslington Hypers vs Mahaica Determinators22:30hrs

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

Happy to be back on top – Matthew Vieira A

healthy group of budding prospects in the pool is set to partake in the seventh annual Easter vacation swim camp being held at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilendaal.

The camp was declared open on Monday morning

by Assistant Director of Sport Brian Smith' and organisers revealed that though late regis-

Assistant Director of Sport Brian Smith

t r a tion was still on-going they have surpassed 100 students.

Running from Monday to Friday until the culmination on April 6, the collaborative effort of the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Sports Commission is geared to

W

hopefully inject new blood into the sport, since it caters for ages six to eleven.

Smith explained this is one method of the government through NSC investing in young people and they should absorb as much information possible and consider the options of joining clubs under the umbrella of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA).

With the aim of teaching young children to swim by helping them eradicate their fears of the water, GASA President Ivan Persaud urged participants to remember they are learning a life-long skill.

Persaud hopes in the future they can attract even more participants and further stated this year, with the help of governing body FINA, they will have outreach programmes to hinterland areas.

Jialing joins in support of Guyana Rifle Association

Jailing Representative Mahadeo Chateram (right) hands over keys for the Jailing 125cc motorcycle to GNRA’s Gordon Richards in the presence of Amelia Hansrajsingh (Jailing) and GNRA’s Leo Romalho

J

ialing Motorcycles has made good on its promise to the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) when the company handed over a 125cc motor cycle which is the first place prize for the association’s fund raising raffle set to be drawn on May 12 next at Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Compound, 226 Camp Street.

Making the trek to receive the motorcycle on behalf of the association at Jialing’s Robb Street Head Office were Gordon Richards and Leo Romalho. Handing over the item were Jialing Representatives Mahadeo

Chateram and Amelia Hansrajsingh.

Richards thanked Jialing for its tangible commitment towards the association’s quest to raise funds to send its team to contest the 2018 Caribbean Short and Long Range championships which are taking place under the auspices of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC).

Guyana will be defending its Short and Long Range titles at these championships that would take place at the Paragon Ranges, Christ Church.

For only one hundred dollars, persons would have

the chance to win the Jialing Motorcycle and a number of other attractive prizes: 2nd (One 8HP Outboard Engine – Crown Mining Supplies), 3rd (One 50” Flat screen TV – Industrial Safety Supplies), 4th (One Refrigerator – Queensway Security) along with Ten (10) Consolation prizes.

Modern Optical Service contributed towards printing of the raffle tickets.

Meanwhile, Team Guyana continue to practise at the Timehri Rifle Range as they seek to make a successful defence of their titles.

ith horrendous motor bike troubles in 2017 which hampered participation significantly, former Caribbean champion Matthew Vieira is happy to return at the pedestal.

Vieira ran rampant on Sunday when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club staged their National Race of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit.

The result as three from three. With the absence of 2017 Champion Kevin Persaud and the likes of Stephen Vieira and John Bennett, Vieira's closest challenger was Raverio Tucker who, despite all the promise shown, was no match for the Yamaha R6 rider.

“Yes I’m happy to be back on top; this is a great start to my 2018 season. The plan was to win all three races at any cost and score the maximum amount of points available, he reflected to Guyana Times Sport on Monday.

Given a long season and more intense competition lies ahead, the 20 yearold is conscious of the need to improve his fitness.

“I think my biggest problem on Sunday was my fitness level and I need to improve on that aspect and

also I need to train harder on the track as well”.

Is there another Caribbean title in the tank? Vieira knows he first has to get ahead of Team Mohammed’s group riders who have been unstoppable.

“I’m getting better all of the time and I would never back down from the challenge. We’ll only know when that time comes”.

He further expressed optimism over the future of the sport. “This year we started an amateur road bike class that allows anyone with a quick enough road bike to participate and we saw some new faces and I hope to see that class grow”.

Unsure of whether he will ride the first leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships in Jamaica from May 12-13, he ex-

tended appreciation to sponsors Houston Industrial Services and Company and Cyril’s Taxi Service along with father Mark for the support and Pure Racing’s Andy and John Phang for tuning and preparing his machine.

Matthew Vieira

tuesDAY, march 27, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Easter Swimming Camp attracts over 100 participants Pg 23

Part of the group along with officials who will be participating in the swim camp at the National Aquatic Centre

Pg 20 Pg 23

2018 has started in the best possible way for the rider

Happy to be back on top – Matthew Vieira

Disgraced Smith steps down from Rajasthan Royals’ captaincy ….as fall out over ball tampering continues The ball tampering crisis has left Steve Smith’s career and reputation in tatters

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