Guyanatime 2 march 2018

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, March 2, 2018

Issue No. 3490

Don’t buy into stereotypes about PPP – Jagdeo Page 3

...says rumours about ExxonMobil keeping APNU/AFC in power false

GPA denounces Ramjattan’s “haul yuh ass” outburst – Ramjattan 'apologises', says he was provoked

Page 7

UG secures $31M grant for spanking new library

Page 15

Phagwah celebrations commence with burning of Holika

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$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Hindu P13 festivals help to foster cohesion – President Granger

Guyana leading the way in Vault C spinal P5 implant surgery

Court P20 absolves vendor of Christmas Day murder

Concerns P9 raised about “camping Cubans” at CJIA The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) hosted its annual Holika Dahaan or the Burning of Holika event at the Camptown Ground on Thursday

SPU claims 100 cane Police harvesters seeking legal rehired advice Region 9 DREO rape allegations

Page 13

Page 14

Controversial Lindo Creek CoI hears

Seelall ordered use of one coffin for victims’ Page burial 23

PPP/C Regional Councillor denies lying to RDC P14

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news

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friDAY, march 2, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 2 – 05:30h-07:00h and Saturday, March 3 – 05:00h-06:30h.

Don’t buy into stereotypes about PPP – Jagdeo

...says rumours about ExxonMobil keeping APNU/AFC in power false

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 2 – 16:35h-18:05h and Saturday, March 3 – 05:20h-06:50h.

Stereotypes

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

WEATHER TODAY

Partly to light cloudy skies are expected throughout the day and into the evening, with overall temperatures expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly and East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 04:52h and 17:10h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.84 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:43h and 23:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.39 metre respectively.

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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alk about ExxonMobil receiving the deal it did when the 1999 agreement was renegotiated by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government, in exchange for keeping the coalition Government in power for the next 20 years were discounted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. He addressed the matter at his news conference on Thursday at his Church Street office.

He noted that such comments have been reported by activists who have indicated that this is the line that the coalition Government is peddling to excuse it actions with respect to the increasingly controversial ExxonMobil deal. However, he urged Guyanese not to “buy into rumours” being peddled.

A confident Jagdeo declared that come 2020, the difference of votes at the General and Regional Elections will be a whopping 50,000, given the work currently being done on the ground, including in APNU strongholds. Hard work, in addition to the fact that the APNU/AFC coalition Government has failed miserably on delivering its many manifesto promises, will deliver a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) victory, according to him. “I don’t know what new they will come up on. All of their manifesto promises have been broken… the only card they are left with is the race card,” he said.

The Opposition Leader disclosed too that already several former supporters of the APNU/AFC coalition have joined the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). “A group of individuals who worked very hard for APNU joined us recently,” he disclosed. Jagdeo added that work continues to break the stereotypes peddled about the PPP. At a prior news conference, he referred to the fact that the one of the former APNU/AFC supporters was in a recent confrontation with a PNC leader, Aubrey Norton, and was told: ‘You will never make it to the top floor of Freedom House’.

Jagdeo pointed out that many of his news confer-

PNC's Aubrey Norton

ences are held on the very top floor and Norton’s comments are evidence of the warped view being peddled about the PPP. “Mister Norton and others who believe that there are secret rooms in Freedom House, I can invite them for a tour… this is the perception that is being peddled actively, that Freedom House is not receptive of persons from different races. Anyone is free to join the Party… we urge them not to fall prey to these stereotypes,” he said.

According to Jagdeo, Norton’s comments reflect the most recent stereotype peddled about the PPP – and the latest that has been rubbished. “This is similar to the list that was circulated 10 years that said the PPP Government killed 400 Afro-

President David Granger

Guyanese… we have been re-circulating the list and it is clear who are on the list… it was not a list of people killed by the PPP but that stereotype thrived again and was actively peddled in many communities to create an impression of the PPP,” he said.

The PPP General Secretary added, “… a third issue is that Afro-Guyanese fared worse under the PPP than under the [People’s National Congress] PNC… I have said let us do factbased analysis… let us see the difference between 1964 and 1992 and 1992 to 2015 and now… look at access to education, home ownership, wealth accumulation…

Afro Guyanese, all Guyanese fared better under the PPP.”

Open to all Guyanese

Jagdeo made clear that the PPP’s work continues and all Guyanese are welcomed as supporters of the

PPP. “We are working to change that and we urge people to look at the facts… we are leading the struggle to retake Government,” Jagdeo said.

He has stressed too that the coalition has proved that it is “incapable” of running a country. According to him, the current Administration is not only bereft of ideas on how to manage and grow the local economy, but has demonstrated it proclivity for greed, mediocrity and arrogance, in addition to being “hopelessly” incompetent. “This Government has made deception an art form,” he said.

Jagdeo added that by 2020 – or sooner – the PPP hopes to implement the plan that it has for the country, plans aimed at enhancing progress and development that benefits all of Guyana.

“We will be bigger, better and stronger (by 2020),” Jagdeo declared.

Turn to page 12

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friDAY, march 2, 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

Reducing TB cases

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t is well known that tuberculosis (TB) is one of the world's top health challenges with nine million new cases and nearly 1.5 million deaths each year. Over 95 per cent of TB deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, poor communities and vulnerable groups.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), while there has been significant progress in the fight against TB, with more than 43 million lives saved since 2000, the battle is only half-won as over 4000 people lose their lives each day to this leading infectious disease.

At a recent international forum, which was organised to help complement the functioning of, and assist in capacity building among, national TB laboratories, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings boasted that Guyana was currently winning the war against TB. She said that in spite of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causing a spike in the number of TB cases dealt with last year, the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) were working round the clock to heighten the Isoniazid Preventative Therapy in citizens living with the deadly disease.

Even though Guyana still has a far way to go, this country can boast of tremendous progress made in its fight against TB; and all efforts must be made to ensure these gains are not reversed. It could be recalled that the actual number of new TB cases diagnosed by the National TB Programme (NTBP) rose steadily throughout the 90s.

However, with some key interventions by the previous Administration, such as the implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment Short (DOTS) programme (20022007), annual cases declined from 2008 and stabilised for four years thereafter due to further DOTS expansion.

Based on official statistics, the case notification rate over the past five years decreased from 92 per 100,000 in 2012 to 70 per 100,000 in 2017. This is quite an achievement and kudos must be given to all the stakeholders that are working to further reduce TB cases in Guyana.

Some years ago, the DOTS system was successfully implemented in all the regions of the country and has been essential to ensuring case detection, standardised treatment, with supervision and patient support. That said, the national rate is still below the target for the WHO’s END TB Strategy 2025 of 90 per cent.

According to recent analysis by the WHO of the TB epidemic, “momentum is growing at country and community levels – including in the 30 countries with the highest TB burden (over 85 per cent of the global burden). A number of countries are strengthening the strategic agendas of their TB programmes, by adopting newer tools, extending access to care and linking with other parts of Government to reduce the financial costs borne by patients. Other countries are partnering with researchers to speed development of diagnostic tests, drugs and vaccines, and to improve delivery”.

However, despite these advances, formidable challenges remain including fragile health systems, human resource and financial constraints, and the serious co-epidemics with HIV, diabetes, and tobacco use.

Ending TB will only be achieved with greater collaboration within and across governments and with partners from civil society, communities, researchers, the Private Sector and development agencies. This means taking a whole-of-society and multidisciplinary approach, in the context of universal health coverage.

Funding also remains a crucial component. All partners can help take forward innovative approaches to ensure that everyone suffering from the disease has access to TB diagnosis, treatment and cure. Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) may have the best ideas to tackle TB, but it makes very little sense if there are inadequate financial resources to ensure their effective implementation.

The authorities here must continue to build on the gains made over the years regarding efforts to reduce TB cases in keeping with the WHO targets.

President David Granger got started on the Phagwah celebration early as he adorned this little girl, among others, with abeer during a pre-Phagwah Day event at State House on Thursday (Carl Croker photo)

How dare Minister Ally undermine that flag-raising event Dear Editor, The inner compass of all people usually directs the soul towards justice. But what I have observed is that inner compass has been ossified in the men and women who dominate the decision-making process in the Granger Government. I can only arrive at such a conclusion after observing the vindictive nature of the actions of Amna Ally on this flag-raising ceremony at Corriverton. How more anti-democratic and anti-patriotic can these people become?

In the national pledge, we all pledge to honour always the flag of Guyana. The greatest hon-

our we can do to that flag is to raise it and raise it proudly from Point Playa to Crabwood Creek on every occasion that presents itself. So how dare Amna Ally! How dare her!

For her education, Article 7 of the Guyana Constitution clearly states that “it is the duty of every citizen of Guyana to “respect the Guyana flag”. So how dare the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress (PNC) abuse her powers as a Minister of the State to disrespect the flag raising process. The Mayor of Corriverton should have rejected this abuse of power and raise the flag come what may. The Police

have no power to present a citizen from raising our Golden Arrowhead which is a right enshrined in our Constitution. So how dare them!

It is a shame that the PNC and Amna Ally are so intolerant that they cannot bear the thought that this nation has to be shared. Not only the PNC has rights to this nation and its national symbols. These people have lost their moral compass and that moral right to lead this nation because they have become mentally corrupt in less than three short years. But these political novices must understand that managing the affairs of the State require

greater tolerance in order to navigate the chasms of being in Government that they will encounter along the way.

This foolish path of not heeding that this is a land that is made up of more non-PNC supporters than there are PNC supporters in 2018, will cause them sink in the cesspit of political history, just like they sunk in 2006 when Corbin barely scraped one-third of the voters. Wake up PNC boys and girls, Guyana is all “awee” own. Rule justly or even your own supporters will reject you soon.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

There is a portfolio crisis in the Government Dear Editor, After bungling their respective portfolios in the oil and sugar sectors, the holders of these portfolios are being relieved and the responsi-

bilities, shunted off to other agencies.

In the case of sugar it must be queried whether the assigned agency was ever designed to manage and administer an industry as huge as sug-

ar?

Your truly, Shamshun Mohamed

Our children’s future is at stake Dear Editor, We read daily in the national newspapers of the robbery that is taking place.

Exxon is in the process of robbing us blind (as we say here). Is this not a crime, robbery? Can’t we do a class action lawsuit in the Hague?

I am willing to contribute my two cents.

They have taken advan-

tage of our Governments’ ignorance. Our past and present governments must accept some blame but this is a case where a world bully is taking advantage of our ignorance at the expense of Guyana children’s future.

If you go to the market and buy an item of value $100 for $10 from the vendor’s son because you are

an adult, more experienced, worldly and have better command of the English language, we would all agree that that is robbery; morally reprehensible and the many more colourful Guyanese descriptions that we cannot say publicly.

We the Guyanese people of all political persuasions must act together against

Exxon without debating which Guyanese party is responsible.

The person who is robbing us is Exxon but we can be friends if they would threat us fairly. We need a movement that is race-less and politically blind.

Best regards, Mohamed F Khan

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guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Guyana leading the way in Vault C spinal implant surgery

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uyana has become the first country in South America to perform a Vault C Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion System (ACDF) implant surgery successfully; not once but twice. The surgeries which were performed by Guyana’s leading Neurosurgeon, Dr Amarnauth Dukhi at two separate private institutions gave two patients the ability to utilise their motor skill after being partially and fully paralysed.

According to Carlo Koren, President of Innovation Medical Technologies Incorporated, Guyana is the only country in the South American continent to perform the procedure. Innovation Medical Technologies is the South

Post ACDF with double implants on the 51-year-old patient American distributor of the titanium plate, which is manufactured by Precision Spine, a US-based company that was used in the surgery.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Dr Dukhi explained that both patients – ages 51 and 65 – suffered from spinal inju-

ries due to separate motor vehicular accidents which left them bedridden and paralysed.

Dr Dukhi said in the case of the 51-year-old male, a double implant was performed and prior to the surgery, the patient experienced severe weakness in the upper and lower limbs, difficulty walking and limited or no function of the arms. While, in the case of the 61-year-old male, the patient suffered a motor vehicular accident in December 2017 in the interior which left him completely paralysed.

However, post-ACDF implant, he was able to recover movement of the upper limbs and is currently under rehabilitation of the lower limbs. His surgery

Head of neurosurgery at GPHC, Dr Amarnauth Dukhi

was done five days after the incident.

In explaining the technical procedure, the surgeon said, “a small incision is

Is GECOM intent on shifting Ramjattan should not abuse the media the boundaries? (Pt 2) Dear Editor, It is known that some persons who are interested in seeing development in their communities and serious about getting their supporters on the voters list, are now calling for clarity. Hence, it is imperative that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) circulate the lists according to the relevant constituencies with the correct boundary descriptions. Citizens must know the clear boundaries and make sure that their names are in the specific constituency.

Last Local Government Elections (LGE), changes to the original configuration of the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) impacted results. It is observed that the Division #333122 in La Parfaite Harmonie/Two Brothers was made up of two Sub-Divisions that are #3332122A and #3332122B. These two Sub-Divisions form part of the Canals Polder NDC which is listed as comprising of Divisions: #333121, 333122, 333123, 333124, 333125, 333126 and 333127.

However, in the list for LGEs in 2016, the SubDivision #333121A was annexed on the GECOM list without any consultation with political parties, to the Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen NDC which was originally listed as comprising of Divisions #333241, 333242, 333243 and 333244. This Sub-Division #333122A was then used to create constituencies for the Malgre Tout/ Meer Zorgen NDC, and persons residing in this SubDivision, casted their votes as part of the Malgre Tout/ Meer Zorgen NDC. A careful look at what took place is a revelation as persons in Division #333122

voted in two different NDCs. While persons in Division #333122A voted for Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen and persons in Division #333122B voted for the Canals Polder NDC. We must therefore ask GECOM if that kind of voting was legal? Further, citizens are seriously concern with the original composition and are asking if the changes were official.

More serious is the fact that the La-Grange/Nismes NDC is tasked with the responsibility for the removal of garbage in Sub-Division #333121A. These boundary issues will come to a head-on confrontation as they impact the choice of Councillors to represent the NDCs and communities. GECOM must do their job and resolve these issues now.

Finally, one very important observation is that GECOM needs to establish markers on the ground which defines constituencies. This is essential as the demographics of many areas have changed due to development. An example can be noted in the description for Division 412235 as follow: Division 412235 (Sugar Cane Fields – Eccles Ramsburg): This Division extends from the common boundary between Eccles and Rome from the western boundary of Sugar Cane Field Number 3 in Eccles (North), to the common boundary between Eccles and Sage Pond, the common boundaries between Rome and Sage Pond, Rome and Profit, Rome and Henry, Rome and Perseverance to the centre line of Mocha Village Public Road and its western prolongation from the Lamaha Canal to the western boundary of Field Number 3 in Ramsburg, at its southern extremity, and from the Lamaha Canal

at its western extremity to the western limits of Sugar Cane Cultivation in Fields Number 3 in Ramsburg 27 and 28 in Providence, 87 in Pater’s Hall, (South) 84E in Peter’s Hall (North) and 4 and 3 in Eccles South respectively at its western extremity.

The questions are obvious because many of these names are no longer used and cane fields have become housing developed areas.

Could GECOM actually establish for the benefit of the public the following?

1. Where sage pond starts and ends now.

2. Where field Number 3 & 4 starts and its extremity lie. And, 3.

What are the Geographical parameters for places called Profit and Henry?

The resolve must be to make the process simple and transparent!!!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Dear Editor, I believe it is the second time that the nation has witnessed Minister of Public Security and second Vice President abusing and accosting the media in the most vulgar fashion.

On both occasions, it was during working hours, the Minister was on duty, the Minister knew cameras were on him and recording devices were recording him. Yet, he exercised no restraint. He was bold enough to tell them that he is free to use expletives. From all indications, this Minister acted deliberately and intentionally.

I wish to compare Ramjattan’s outburst with that of former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs infamous recorded conversation with a Kaieteur News reporter. From my recollection, Nandlall claimed that he was having a private ‘gaff’ with a person whom he knew

from school. The conversation was not during working hours, not on a working day, he was not giving an interview and he did not knew that he was being taped.

However, Ramjattan and a whole host of organisations and individuals both in and out of politics demanded Nandlall’s head on a platter.

These condemnations came almost every day calling for his resignation. Kaieteur News carried this story front page for nearly two months.

I must ask where are all those voices of righteousness now. The Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association, Kaieteur News, Red Thread and even some of Nandlall’s own colleagues.

What Ramjattan has done is far worst, as he did it officially and intentionally.

The double standard and hypocrisy in this country is sickening.

Yours faithfully, Riaz Ally Mohammed

done on the neck, where you have to go from the anterior approach through the skin, then you separate the trachea, the oesophagus to one side and then all the vessels and the nerves to the other side. You go through all those structures through the neck to the spine. When you get to the spine then you have to prepare it; after preparation – the traumatic disc that has migrated and compressing the cord will be removed.”

Dr Dukhi continued, “So you decompress the cord by removing that disc and now [in] that space that is left empty, the implants are placed. It is fixated into that spacing so you reconstruct and realign the spine using implants, then it is fixed by utilising the screws.”

He noted that surgery of this nature is a very complex procedure that has a limited timeline in order to yield successful results.

“This type of surgery depends on how quickly you get the patient. This surgery will not change the prognosis in patients who are paralysed for a prolonged period and surgeries delayed for long periods.

If there is hope, the correct thing to do is immediate surgery. If the spinal cord is damaged, there is also no point for surgery. Timing is critical,” he stressed.

Dr Dukhi also revealed that in a move to further enhance neurosurgery in Guyana; four doctors are presently being trained in neurology at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. He is also collaborating with Professor Ivor Crandon from Jamaica to design a “University of Guyana/University of the West Indies” programme to train local doctors at a post-graduate level. Dr Dukhi is optimistic it will be ready in less than a year.

Dr Amarnauth Dukhi has been transforming neurosurgical procedures in Guyana since 2015 and has successfully completed over 450 surgeries, giving patients a second chance at a normal life.

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friDAY, march 2, 2018

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H

ealthy eyes and vision are a critical part of children's development.

Their eyes should be examined regularly, as many vision problems and eye diseases can be detected and treated early.

Eye doctors Be sure to make vision care and eye checks a part of your child's routine medical care.

Different kinds of doctors offer eye care, and the names

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

can be confusing: Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who provide comprehensive eye care with medicine and surgery.

Paediatric ophthalmologists are doctors who have additional special training to treat children' eye problems.

Optometrists provide services that may be similar to ophthalmologists, but they don't perform surgery. Some optometrists specialise in chil-

Spotting eye problems Signs that a child may have vision problems include: constant eye rubbing extreme light sensitivity poor focusing poor visual tracking (following an object) abnormal alignment or movement of the eyes (after six months of age) chronic redness of the eyes chronic tearing of the eyes a white pupil instead of black In school-age children, other signs to watch for include: being unable to see objects at a distance having trouble reading the blackboard squinting difficulty reading sitting too close to the TV Watch your child for signs of poor vision or crossed eyes. If you notice any eye problems, have your child examined right away so that the problem doesn’t become permanent. If caught early, eye conditions often can be corrected.

dren's eye problems.

Opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses.

Eye exams Routine medical exams for children's vision include: Newborns should be checked for general eye health by a paediatrician or family physician in the hospital nursery.

High-risk newborns (including premature infants), those with a family history of eye problems, and those with obvious eye irregularities should be examined by an eye doctor.

In the first year of life, all infants should be routinely screened for eye health during check-ups with their paediatrician or family doctor.

Around age three and a half, children should have eye health screenings and visual acuity tests (tests that measure sharpness of vision) with their paediatrician or family doctor.

Around age five, children should have their vision and eye alignment checked by their paediatrician or family doctor. Those who fail either test should be examined by an eye doctor.

After age 5, routine screenings should be done at school and the primary doctor's office, and if symptoms such as squinting or frequent headaches occur. (Many times, a teacher will notice that a child isn't seeing well in class.)

Children who wear pre-

scription glasses or contacts should have annual check-ups by an eye doctor to screen for vision changes.

Common eye problems Several eye conditions can affect children. Most are detected by a vision screening using an acuity chart during the preschool years.

Amblyopia ("lazy eye") is poor vision in an eye that may appear to be normal. Two common causes are crossed eyes and a difference in the refractive error between the two eyes.

If untreated, amblyopia can cause irreversible visual loss in the affected eye. (By then, the brain's "programming" will ignore signals from that eye.)

Amblyopia is best treated as early as possible, ideally before a child is eight years old.

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes; they may turn in, out, up, or down.

If the same eye is chronically misaligned, amblyopia may also develop in that eye.

With early detection, vision can be restored by patching the properly aligned eye, which forces the misaligned one to work. Surgery or specially designed glasses also may help the eyes to align.

Refractive errors mean that the shape of the eye doesn't refract (bend) light properly, so images appear blurred.

Refractive errors also can cause amblyopia. Nearsightedness is the most common refractive error in school-age children; others include farsightedness and astigmatism: Nearsightedness is poor distance vision (also called myopia), which is usually treated with glasses or contacts.

Farsightedness (also called hyperopia), which is usually treated with glasses or contacts.

Astigmatism is imperfect curvature of the front surface of the eye, which is usually treated with glasses if it causes blurred vision or discomfort.

Other eye conditions need

tor if your child is at risk for any of these conditions.

immediate attention, such as retinopathy of prematurity (a disease that affects the eyes of premature babies) and those associated with a family history, including: Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumour that usually appears in the first three years of life. The affected eye or eyes may have visual loss and whiteness in the pupil.

Infantile cataracts can occur in newborns. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens.

Congenital glaucoma in infants is a rare condition that may be inherited. It is the result of high pressure in the eye from incorrect or incomplete development of the eye drainage canals before birth and can be treated with medication and surgery.

Genetic or metabolic diseases of the eye, such as inherited disorders that make a child more likely to develop retinoblastoma or cataracts, may require children to have eye exams at an early age and regular screenings.

Be sure to talk to your doc-

than plastic lenses.

Polycarbonate lenses are best for all children, especially those who play sports.

Polycarbonate is a tough, shatterproof, clear thermoplastic used to make thin, light lenses.

However, although they're very impact-resistant, these lenses scratch more easily than plastic lenses.

Babies born with congenital cataracts may need to have the cataracts surgically removed during the first few weeks of life. Some wear contact lenses after cataract surgery.

Around age 10, children may want to get contact lenses for cosmetic reasons or if they play sports. To wear contacts, a child will need to know how to insert and remove lenses properly, take them out as required, and clean them as recommended by the doctor. Contact lens problems are almost always due to poor habits and bad hygiene.

Your eye doctor can help you decide what type of vision correction is best for your child.

Glasses and contacts Children of all ages – even babies – can wear glasses and contacts.

Keep these tips in mind for children who wear glasses: Let children pick their own frames.

Plastic frames are best for children younger than two.

If older children wear metal frames, make sure they have spring hinges, which are more durable.

An elastic strap attached to the glasses will help keep them in place for active toddlers.

Children with severe eye problems may need special lenses called high-index lenses, which are thinner and lighter

(kidshealth.org)

7 GPA denounces Ramjattan’s “haul yuh ass” outburst news

friDAY, march 2, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

– Ramjattan ‘apologises', says he was provoked

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he Guyana Press Association (GPA) has condemned the actions of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan following his intemperate outburst on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at the Police Sports Club Ground after the farewell parade of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, when Ramjattan was approached by media operatives for a comment on the firearms dealer licence scandal involving the outgoing Top Cop. Persaud had, in January, applied for, and granted himself, approval for gun dealership and firearm licences. It was, however, reported that the matter had reached and engaged Cabinet’s attention, and the outgoing Commissioner has since been instructed by Minister Ramjattan to revoke the dealership licence.

When approached, the Public Security Minister was hostile towards the media, declining to comment on the matter when asked.

“No! Absolutely not! You seem to not have time and place, apparently,” he declared. Ramjattan then pointed out that he had spoken with online news Demerarawaves earlier in the day, and was promptly reminded that he had “cursed” in that telephone conversation with veteran journalist Denis Chabrol.

In response, the Public Security Minister, who was also performing duties as acting Prime Minister, said, “Yes! There are times when

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

I could use expletives”.

Further pressed on the matter, Ramjattan declared, “I am not dodging no issue”.

He then proceeded to walk away, heading to his vehicle; and while doing so, he uttered over his shoulder, “Haul yuh ass!” leaving media operatives in disbelief.

The remark, he later clarified, was directed towards Chabrol only.

“The Guyana Press Association calls on Minister Ramjattan to apologise to our members, and also calls on His Excellency, President David Granger, to remind his Cabinet that journalists play a major role in this growing democracy of ours, and should be allowed to do their jobs without fear or hindrance,” the media representative body has said.

The GPA went on to pledge its commitment towards ensuring that its members remain respectful in their trade, but lament-

ed that this is becoming increasingly difficult when dealing with some ministers of Government and public officials.

Accepting that the incident did occur, Ramjattan said, “I indeed plead in mitigation that I was very much provoked into it, after several times over indicating to him I will not make any public comments about the Commissioner at the Commissioner’s farewell parade. I still believe, notwithstanding my reluctance to do so, his questioning me on that score was totally out of place and wholly unwarranted. But I suppose the Press is always right.”

The Public Security Minister, in a letter on Thursday, again mentioned the telephone conversation with Chabrol, saying that he should not have expressed his feelings the way he did.

“I always thought that he was adult enough to accept my unvarnished language, especially when in a private telephone conversation. I intended him no abuse or hostility by that expletive.

From now on, I assure you, he will not hear anything from me of that sort; probably not anything at all!” the Public Security Minister stated.

Nevertheless, Ramjattan went on to apologise to GPA President Nazima Raghubir, Chabrol, the GPA, and all media workers for what had transpired the day before.

Approached for a comment on the issue, on Thursday afternoon at a Holi event at State House,

Lindener fined $20,000 for speeding

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indener Mark Humphrey, charged with the offence of exceeding the speed limit while driving motor car PWW 4523 along the Half Mile Public Road in Wismar, Linden on Tuesday, February 12th, 2018, pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $20,000.

The 45-year-old has two weeks to pay the fine, or face the alternative of 2 weeks’ incarceration.

GPA Executive Member and veteran journalist Denis Chabrol

President David Granger told reporters that it was “not the time and place” to address the matter.

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friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS Matter dismissed against father who threw boiling water on son

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hen 49-year-old Compton Sealey appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday, he was faced with the charge of having inflicted grievous bodily harm on his 15-year-old son.

The resident of Guyhoc

Park in Georgetown told the court that it was an accident that would never happen again, and that he was sorry for his actions.

It was revealed to the court that on the day in question, the elder Sealey had asked his son to make a cup of tea for his younger

sibling, but this son went on to take a phone call outside of the home instead of making the tea.

The elder Sealey allegedly became angry at this, and threw a bottle of boiling water on the 15-year-old’s legs.

The matter was reported, and the elder Sealey was ar-

rested and charged.

The virtual complainant and his mother (defendant’s estranged wife) appeared before the court to inform that they no longer wanted to continue the matter against the elder Sealey.

Accordingly, the matter was dismissed.

Mentally-challenged woman charged with damage to property

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hebike Chase of Lot 180 Charlotte Street, Lacytown Georgetown appeared on Thursday before City Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer a charge of maliciously and unlawfully damaging Andrew Cush’s

motor car, PPP 9553, which was parked on the parapet in front of her home on December 15, 2017.

It was alleged that Chase and Cush had a misunderstanding, which resulted in a confrontation, after which Chase armed

herself with a brick and threw it against Cush’s car windshield.

Chase pleaded not guilty to the charges, and told the court that Cush had severely beaten her, causing her to sustain a broken arm and leg.

It was also brought to the court’s attention that the 37-year-old Chase is mentally unstable.

She was released on $50,000 bail, and is expected to return to court on April 6 for statements.

Stripped…

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…or severed? h well! Your Eyewitness predicted it would happen, didn’t he? The Government announced that the oil sector, now the largest chunk of our “Natural Resources – and growing uncontrollably, like Topsy! – won’t be under “Nassau” Trotman’s portfolio.

But when this newspaper announced the AFC/PNC insider was “stripped” of authority over oil, the MoP got their drawers all into a knot and demanded a retraction!!

Now your humble Eyewitness is always ready to learn from anyone, no matter how idiotic they may sound initially. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings and all that! So he immediately rushed to his trusty dictionary (well nowadays, he just hits the search key on Google!!) and there was the accepted meaning of “Strip”: deprive someone of (rank, power, or property) – "the lieutenant was stripped of his rank"; synonyms: “take away from someone, dispossess someone of, deprive someone of, confiscate, divest someone of, relieve someone of.”

So wasn’t Nassau “deprived” of the power to deal with matters concerning oil? Just like that time he was “deprived” from the leadership of the AFC and immediately announced he was retiring from politics because he’d suddenly developed an (undefined) life-threatening illness? Of course he underwent a miraculous cure when PNC-leader David Granger offered him the Speakership over AFC’s nominee Moses Nagamootoo. But that is neither here nor there! Except one would want to know if the miracle occurred before or after “Nassau”!!

So is it a semantic objection to the verb “strip”??

Would “deprive”, “denude”, “dispossess”, “divest”, “decorticate”, “hive off” etc, be more acceptable? But we know what’s going on here, don’t we? The word “strip” suggests the powers over oil were taken away against Nassau’s will – as in “wrest”. But the line the PNC want’s to push is Trotman himself came up with the idea to “slough off” (?) what’s now the most critical power in Guyana!! So he’s not quite the ogre the big, bad media’s making him out to be!! Look how he’s sacrificing for the greater good! Ooooo!

But that’s the rub, isn’t it? Why would Nassau want to jettison (?) his oil authority if he were doing such a fantastic job?? After all he did DOUBLE the royalties and locked down that MASSIVE bonus, didn’t he?? But dear reader, your Eyewitness did say it was simply a feint to remove Nassau from the firing line and it’s all a “cock”, didn’t he? And he advised we look at what’ll unfold.

Well, it’s even worse than your (jaded) Eyewitness feared. One fella in the know says the PNC leader will have his nephew run the oil agency!!

A new Baby Jesus and it ain’t even Christmas!! …to the buff How’d you know the measure of a man? Not by what he declaims from a stage…but by what he does in unguarded moments. Or when he loses his cool.

Take the erstwhile Public Security Minister and Vice President of our fair Republic – Khemraj Ramjattan. At the function to honour the departing COP whom he’d just sandbagged by revealing the man has asked himself for a gun-dealer’s licence – he was asked about the details. Ramjattan finally ejaculated, “Haul yuh ass!!”

That evidently shocked the assembled media corps who’ve now demanded an apology.

There is a God!! When this same Minister routinely answered reporters from this newspaper by the same, low-life, low-down expression, no one gave a hoot.

Well now they’re getting a taste of the fetid medicine – and some more! Seems some stronger “words of excrement” were hurled earlier at a senior reporter, and he’s all miffed!

Your Eyewitness looks at these things contextually.

Firstly, Ramjattan was under strain after his rejection by his “fellow” Berbicians.

Then, he’s just a bottom feeder!! …of I and I Some unkind and ignorant folks are snickering at (now) former CoP Seelall writing to himself for that gun and gun dealer’s licence.

Don’t they realise I-man always refer to himself as “I and I”??

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

9 Concerns raised about “camping Cubans” at CJIA News

friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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ver the past months, several outgoing travellers have complained about their free flow of passage at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) being hampered by Cuban nationals who are using the airport as a camping ground.

There has, of recent, been an influx of Cubans into Guyana to do business.

On a daily basis, hundreds of Cubans would line the streets of Georgetown, conversing in their native language as they spend exorbitant amounts of money on clothes to take back to Cuba.

Caribbean Airlines recently began offering flights to Cuba, but Cuban nationals have been using chartered flights to take their cargo back to their homeland. As of recent, Cuban nationals utilising Copa Airlines and InselAir have been using the departure section of the

There has, of recent, been an influx of Cubans into Guyana to do business. Cuban nationals have been using chartered flights to take their cargo back to their homeland

Cheddi Jagan International Airport as camping ground as they await their flights.

Employees at the airport have related that the Cubans would arrive with their multiple pieces of luggage several hours before their flights are due -- and in some cases the nights before their flights are due -- and just camp out in the waiting

area.

The airport employees have related that this issue has already been raised with management of the CJIA, but very little is being done to address it.

One traveller told Guyana Times it is absolutely disgraceful that Cuban nationals are allowed to simply camp out in their numbers

Man granted bail for fraudulent conversion

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lenroy Joyce of 39 Public Road, Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo was on Thursday arraigned before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on a charge alleging that he had embezzled $2,650,000 from his employer, John Fernandes Limited, while he served as a clerk/ cashier during the period July/August 2017.

Represented by Attorney Dexter Todd, the 34-yearold pleaded not guilty as charged.

It was detailed to the court that during his tenure at the shipping company, Joyce had allegedly taken the money into his possession at the company’s operations at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown. However, the court did not hear how Joyce had disposed of the embezzled money.

Defence attorney Dexter Todd told the court that his

client, who is unemployed at the moment, had given an oral statement to a representative of the shipping company, and had already partially refunded the company; but his arraignment in court was occasioned because he had failed to make a payment to the company

on time last month.

Todd said his client is willing to keep his end of the deal: fully reimbursing the company the sum in question.

Joyce has been placed on bail in the sum of $100,000, and is scheduled to return to court on April 6.

in front of the Departure Area, with no provisions being in place for their comfort. He questioned whether the airline or the administration of the airport should be held accountable for this situation.

CJIA employees relate that the issue is becoming out of hand because the number of Cuban passengers is steadily growing.

They relate that sometimes these foreigners would send their baggage ahead while they wait for another flight.

Local businesses have reported that most of their customers are Cubans or

Brazilians who are shopping for clothing at reasonably cheap prices to take back to their home countries.

A simple walk through the streets of Georgetown on a daily basis would be enough to convince an enquirer about the factual basis of the business owners’ statement.

On a daily basis, the streets are lined with Cubans and Brazilians armed with enormous shopping bags, chatting away and shopping like at Christmastime.

One of the newest requirements for stores to hire sales representatives is the ability to converse in either

Spanish or Portuguese, and the ability to speak both languages means preferential hiring.

When this newscast visited the airport on Wednesday, travellers related their concerns about the situation, and free access to the departure area was obstructed by numerous pieces of luggage lining the area.

Security guards were observed trying to police the Cubans, but because of the language barrier, it was proving to be a difficult task for them.

This publication reached out to the Chief Executive Officer of the CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, for a comment on the situation, but was told to direct all questions to the Public Relations Department. An email was sent to the department, but up to press time, a response was yet to be received.

In January, hundreds of Cuban nationals were stranded for over three days after their chartered flight had encountered mechanical difficulties. In that instance, they used the CJIA as a camping ground to wait for their flight.

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friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

S RAIGHT How can Guyana get a fair deal?

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f the current phase of oil exploration in Guyana was handled skillfully in the 2016 Granger/Trotman-led negotiations, it would have offered a unique opportunity to alleviate poverty. The royalty and tax structure of that agreement did a great disservice to the Guyanese people and now we are cut out from a broad-based development plan that would have actively and directly improved living standards across the country within the medium term.

After all, the minimum the Guyanese people were expecting from this oil and gas development is adherence to the Constitution. As clearly outlined in the preamble, WE THE GUYANESE PEOPLE are prepared to “forge a system of governance that promotes concerted effort and broad-based participation in national decision-making in order to develop a viable economy….” But there is very little that is viable for Guyana from this 2016 Granger/ Trotman oil and gas contract. The only people this contract serves is the small Granger cabal and the international contractors. Isn’t this almost imperialist plunder with local political poodles to do their bidding? Something must be done and soon.

Is mass protest action by the people against this onesided contract an option until it is re-negotiated by following global best practices? It is my conviction this might be the only option left to bring attention to this abuse of the people by the Granger cabal and the oil contractors. The bigger the street demonstration, the quicker this contract can be brought back to the negotiations room and a better deal offered to the people.

It is not right and grossly unfair to the people that these finite Guyanese resources are not being put to use so that all sides can win. If one reviewed the data on the US stock markets, between the dates when the oil discovery was announced in Guyana in 2015 to the date this contract was signed in 2016, the valuation of the EXXON stocks went up by US$24,648 million. Guyana saw US$18 million of that cash or 0.07 per cent of the new wealth recorded on the contractor books. This certainly is not a win for the Guyanese people, compliments of the Granger Cabinet. There must be some lessons we can learn as we renegotiate this skewed 2016 Trotman/Granger oil and gas agreement?

1. We must have laws that uncover all of the real owners of the companies that are working in the oil and gas sector, especially those who are given the local content contracts and including the sub-contractors to ensure the politicians are not drawing from both sides. It was reported to me that the wife of a Minister is on a G$30 million a year contract with one of the developers? How is this possible when her qualifications are in childcare management? Is this why the President made the decision to set up an oil department in the Ministry of the Presidency?

2. The citizens of Guyana need to know how much oil is extracted from the well on a daily basis. In Nigeria, some 40 per cent of the oil production is illegally smuggled and sold into the black market by the very same international companies. This is very easy to do if the well is offshore out of the sight of the citizens. To avoid this, the contract must be amended to give us permanent monitoring and auditing capabilities of the production process and this must become mandatory by Guyanese law so that no Government present or in the future can waive this requirement.

3. This contract really shortchanged Guyana because the contractors have the right to, in accordance with Article 14 of the contract to “use as much of the production as it may need for its petroleum operations” and “transportation and terminal systems”. All these quantities shall be excluded from the computation to determine Guyana’s Oil Entitlement (value or in kind). If the royalty was 10 per cent, then, of course, Guyana can afford to pay for all of these items, but at two per cent, it means the net valueadd on top of the two per cent will be materially reduced.

4. If the Minister is unable to market Guyana’s oil entitlements, the developer will charge Guyana a marketing fee to be deducted from the payments due to Guyana and the Minister can only exit such a situation after giving six months’ notice. Again another cost to the nation compliments of Trotman. History will show that when the oil companies overestimated their cost by just a few pennies in Alaska in the 1980s, they were able to increase their profits by billions of dollars to the detriment of the State of Alaska. If they can nail America to the cross, whom else will these companies not mount?

In the final analysis, this 2016 Trotman/Granger oil contract must be renegotiated.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

NEWS

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friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

‘Surreptitious moves’ in addressing ‘active threats’ not the way to go – Jagdeo

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he words “threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity” from neighbouring Venezuela have finally been uttered – albeit tangentially – by President David Granger, according to former President and current Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. For weeks he has been calling on the Grangerled Government to come clean with the Guyanese people about the “active threats” to Guyana’s territorial sovereignty.

A report from the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday (February 28, 2018) said: “President David Granger, today, told residents of Baramita, BarimaWaini (Region One) that the Government is working to ensure the security of their community and region against threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity as a result of claims to the nation’s territory by neighbouring Venezuela.

Speaking at the Baramita

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Primary School this morning, the Head of State declared that his Administration will do everything in its power to ensure the safety of the residents of Baramita and other residents of, what he has defined as, front-line communities along the 800 kilometre border with Guyana’s western neighbour.”

Jagdeo noted that Granger, for the past several weeks, has

been visiting border communities and has addressed the issue of security, with respect to criminal activities, but has failed to respond to the parliamentary Opposition’s call for him to address the larger issue at hand. “Now we have one line… tangentially he talks about it… again we come back to the culture of secrecy in this Government… they seem to believe that they own the defence of Guyana, not us the Guyanese people,” he lamented.

The Opposition Leader also decried the fact that it is the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) that has been asked to address the Parliamentary Committee on Security Oversight, with respect to the developing situation with Venezuela. “We hear the Army will brief the Parliamentary Security Oversight Committee… Ganger has come to Parliament to speak about a whole list of inconsequential things,” Jagdeo said.

He noted that Government ought to have called in the parliamentary Opposition and related a brief of the situation at hand. According to him, Granger could have also either addressed the nation or addressed Parliament. In the case of the latter, a resolution could have also been put to the floor of the National Assembly, whereby all parliamentarians could have voted in support of moved to defend Guyana’s territorial integrity – all in the interest of maintaining a national position on the matter.

“These surreptitious moves, keeping it (the issue) in the Cabinet is not the way to go,” the former President stressed.

“This is a vital matter for our country,” Jagdeo declared, stressing that the Government has the full support of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic in taking steps to defend Guyana’s territorial integrity.

12 news

friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Electrical products must Local government to comply with GNBS standards become more independent – Minister Ferguson

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he Guyana Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) on Wednesday hosted its fifth annual electrical conference themed “Embracing a Green Energy Sector to Power a Green Economy”.

The event, which was held at the Umana Yana, in Kingston, Georgetown, saw the attendance of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) electrical contractors, electrical inspectors staff of the Public Infrastructure Ministry and representatives from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and the Guyana Fire Service.

During her address, Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson reiterated

that with Guyana’s initiative to ‘go green’; all electrical products must be in compliance with the standards of the GNBS and GEI. She also stated that it is essential that all electrical suppliers ensure that these criterias are met. This is in light of the constant fires that Guyana has been experiencing in the recent times, which is generally caused by defective household appliances.

“Too long we have been hearing of homes destroyed by fire and most of the times, it is not a GPL problem, but faulty electrical products sold by stores across this country,” the Minister noted.

While stating that many uncertified persons have la-

‘Don’t buy into...

He assured that the PPP will not neglect its support base, but will continue to reach out to all its supporters and stated that the PPP is a Party for all of Guyana and will take its message across the country.

Moving forward, Jagdeo made clear that the Party must be guided by what is good for all Guyanese and Guyana and by the founding principles of the PPP. The PPP, he said, also has to decentralize and build up

…as reform project is launched

A

Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson

belled themselves as contractors, Minister Ferguson added that these persons must be certified by the GEI. She stated that there are plans by Government to invest more in solar energy, as it is ‘the future for us’. This is their way of aiming Guyana towards greater renewable energy use.

From page 3

local leaders so that the PPP is in “tip top” shape to respond to the challenges of the day.

Jagdeo underscored the fact that the PPP has always been inclusive and will continue to engage anyone, regardless of ethnicity, religion or any other factor. According to him, the PPP is an unifying force. “We will work hard for the next few years to take back this country… those who voted for us and those who didn’t want to know what the

Party stands for,” he said.

Specifically, he spoke to the need to strengthen the PPP family; the need for the PPP to remain open to new members and be accommodating to supporters who had left, but are returning; and the need to defend existing freedoms by understanding what is happening.

Jagdeo is also the PPP’s General Secretary. “At the moment my role is to prepare the Party to win the next elections,” he said.

plan aimed at improving and reorganising Guyana’s Local Government sector has been launched by the Ministry of Communities, in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The ‘Local Government Reform Project’ will seek to build the capacity of the Communities Ministry, The Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM), and the municipalities that support local democratic organs (LDOs), all while ensuring that they are better equipped to manage their respective obligations in an effective and efficient manner.

The project would identify the necessary tools and resources that the various entities would need for reform, and would provide a decentralised approach to the delivery of public service and improvement of community participation in the local government arena.

The project would also identify avenues for potential partnerships, collaboration and cooperation in hope of making a contribution to economic development.

One of the dire areas highlighted is the Local Government’s reliance on Central Government for funding. This feature was

deemed ‘inadequate’ for local government service delivery. Therefore, a main objective of the project is to branch off the available public resources, so that local government can be financially independent.

Local Government was described as having the potential to become a key driver in transforming the economy for better, as noted by Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics at the CDB. “Local Government can be much more than a conduit for the provision of Central Government services. By being closer to local communities, it is better placed to find local solutions to local problems, freeing up Central Government to address the many national challenges it faces today and will face in future,” he stated at the launching.

Additionally, the MoC/ CDB project intends to incorporate vulnerable populations, such as women, children, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, marginalised groups, and those disadvantaged by poverty or other circumstances.

On a similar note, Ram touched on the importance of youth in Government. “It will seek to address the difficulties that young people in Guyana face, and pro-

vide opportunities to better engage youth in the governance process,” he noted.

Another component of the project would include possible legislative reform and a synchronising of existing legislation which govern the local democratic organs; and the programme also aims at reviewing the current rate collection process, including the requisite property value updates, as well as examine other avenues for revenue generation.

A State Paper presented by the late President Hoyte to the National Assembly, titled “Reorganisation of the Local Government System in Guyana”, stated that, in their original construct, local authorities could not cope with the massive and complicated developmental demands of their respective areas, because the intrinsic design of the system presented legal, organisational and other inhibitors to any effort and ambition of the councils.

Therefore, the Ministry’s overall mandate is to transform the local government landscape through capacity-building at all levels, to improve accountability and transparency, which would inevitably accommodate the transfer of greater autonomy and decentralisation.

NEWS

SPU claims 100 cane harvesters rehired A

s the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) seeks to ascertain how its new Board will be constituted, it was announced on Thursday that the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), which falls under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), will rehire 100 cane harvesters to work in the fields at the Rose Hall Estate.

This comes two months following the dismissal of some 4000 workers from Skeldon, East Demerara (Enmore) and Rose Hall Sugar Estates after Government, through GuySuCo, opted to downsize the industry. However, much criticism from industry stakeholders followed on the basis that viable cane was abandoned in the fields.

In an official statement on Thursday, the SPU pointed out that the Rose Hall canes would be sent to the Albion factory, which still fell under GuySuCo’s management. The SPU noted that Rose Hall was one of the entities handed over to the Finance Ministry for privatisation and/or diversification.

According to the SPU, it conducted surveys which revealed that GuySuCo had left a sugarcane crop in the ground that was going to be ready for harvesting.

“The sugar cane in the

Rose Hall Estate

ground at Rose Hall represented significant value that would be lost if not harvested. The sugar cane at Rose Hall also represented an opportunity for the SPU to produce molasses to help meet local demand in 2018,” the body pointed out.

It was late last year that a major beverage giant expressed concern that the country’s supply of molasses, a key ingredient in the manufacture of rum, was under threat owing to the closure of several Estates. The company even stated that it was interested in taking over the Enmore Estate, another entity under the SPU/NICIL. It was announced earlier this year that the Estates could be temporarily re-opened to attract private investors – both domestic and overseas.

The SPU noted on Thursday that it was continuing to collaborate with GuySuCo to take the sugar cane harvested at Rose Hall to Albion factory for

crushing. It was further explained that the cane harvesters commenced work this week and they were expected to harvest some 2300 hectares. It was also highlighted that the Rose Hall Estate has 4300 hectares of sugar cane in the fields for the second crop in 2018.

Commenting on the financial arrangements of the venture, the SPU claims that it will be paying the contracted harvesters and will recoup the funds from the molasses sales afterwards.

At present, NICIL has direct responsibility for all of the divested GuySuCo Estates and the process is being managed by the SPU. NICIL’s takeover was made official by the publication of an extra-ordinary issue of the Official Gazette dated December 30, 2017. However, it was made clear that the takeover did not include any assets, land or property of the Berbice Estates of Albion and Blairmont and the

Uitvlugt Estate on the West Coast of Demerara, as those entities would remain under GuySuCo for the foreseeable future. However, in recent days, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder stressed that GuySuCo was now under the Finance Ministry, via NICIL. While the divestment plans continue to take shape, it is unclear who will head the new GuySuCo Board. It was reported that Government has given its nod to the appointment of a new Board of Directors after the supposed removal of economist Dr Clive Thomas from the Chairmanship post and his replacement with SPU and NICIL Head Colvin Heath-London.

Despite reports of replacement, Professor Thomas and the Agriculture Minister both denied being aware of any changes made to the GuySuCo Board. On Monday, the SPU announced plans to obtain $30 billion in loans and investments to support GuySuCo. According to the Unit, the funding will cover a four-year period and will provide capital as well as support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt. The funds are also expected to go towards developing new cogeneration capacity for the estate operations and the electrical grid.

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friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hindu festivals help to foster cohesion – President Granger

A group of dancers performing their piece

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resident David Granger on Thursday asserted that festivals like Phagwah assist in the fostering of social cohesion in Guyana.

This remark was made during a chowtaal session and pre-Holi celebrations hosted at State House on Thursday in the company of Cabinet members and other significant representatives of the Hindu society.

The event featured performances from many dancers and singers who entertained the gathering. There was a chowtaal session which involved a group of persons singing to welcome spring; the aspect of which the Festival of Colours is based upon.

In his remarks, the President stated that these festivals promote cohesion, also noting that he is proud to be a Guyanese.

“Festivals like this help to foster cohesion, foster re-

spect, foster understanding and I just wish that this was not just a coastal performance; and people in all parts of the country could understand what the Guyanese nation is all about,” President Granger noted.

There was also a presentation by Pandit Ravi Persaud, who explained the meaning behind Phagwah or the Festival of Colours. He stated that Phagwah exemplifies the arrival of a new year for Hindus and is celebrated in spring; which depicts freedom and morality.

“We’re seeing diverse colours. It is nature exhibiting its beauty to the fullest.

Nature’s beauty is beyond any other beauty,” Persaud said.

The national holiday for Phagwah 2018 will be celebrated today (March 3) with many brightly coloured powders, water and delicious sweet meats.

14 news

friDAY, march 2, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP/C Regional Councillor denies lying to RDC

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People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) councillor is insisting that the information provided about Orealla lacking the services of a doctor is accurate.

Laddy Peneux, the PPP RDC Orealla representative, has been supplying the RDC with information which suggested that the Amerindian reservation has been without a regular doctor for more than a year, contradicting claims made by Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Stephen, to the effect that a doctor had been sent to the community, which is home to 1500 villagers.

When the RC met on Thursday, Chairman of the Regional Health Committee, Zamal Hussain, presented a committee report which recommended that Peneux should refrain from reporting inaccuracies to the RDC; failing which, disciplinary action should be taken against him.

Peneux had, in February, told the RDC that the doctor had been absent from the community since November. The Regional Health Committee was instructed to visit the community, during which the Orealla Village Councillors stated that the doctor had been living on the reservation over the past year, except for the period when his wife was pregnant and when he had to seek medical attention on the coastland.

PPP RDC Orealla representative Laddy Peneux

When the issue was raised on Thursday, the RDC was critical of the reports Laddy Peneux had been providing.

This RDC had, for eleven months, been engaged in discussing this issue, and the information we were receiving was inaccurate, Councillor Shurla Scott said.

Peneux, however, has maintained that there have been problems with the attendance of a doctor at Orealla; but according to the Director of Regional Health Services, the doctor at Orealla also serves the neighbouring community of Siparuta -- situated five miles from Orealla and having a population of 300 persons.

However, the Region Six Chairman has said he would ask the Captain of the reservation to provide a monthly report on the doctor’s activity.

Mechanic causes 2nd accident at Stanleytown

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he driver, who is at the centre of the investigations surrounding a Stanleytown fatal accident on February 10, 2018, was on Monday evening driving the said vehicle when it hit a pedestrian causing the man to be hospitalised.

According to reports, the mechanic was behind the wheel and travelling at a fast rate on Monday evening when the man who was crossing the road was hit. The accident occurred at Main and 36 Streets, Stanleytown.

The incident occurred about 600 meters from where the previous accident was.

Police say they are investigating.

On February 10, at Main and 47 Streets, Ramanand Pooran, also called “Pumpy”, 43, of 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam was crushed to death by a moving 4x4 while he was seated on the carriageway of the main access road.

In the past, Pooran had to be removed from the said roadway on several occasions after either sitting or lying

dangerously. According to sources, Pooran was imbibing for several hours prior to going to the spot where he sat for a few minutes before venturing onto the road where he sat.

The driver, who is also a mechanic, reportedly told the Police he thought he hit a dog.

The dead man’s brother had taken the driver to task over that statement.

According to Ganishwar Pooran, the driver has admitted to the Police that he saw an object on the road and still hit it. “He is saying so and the Police put him on station bail two days after and the next day give him back his vehicle.

Now, look what he go and do again.”

The family members of the dead man are of the view that the investigation done by the Police has not been transparent. The older Pooran claims that at the accident scene, he questioned whether the Police were going to conduct a breathalyser test on the driver and was told that they did not have the necessary equipment on the scene to do so and had

promised to have it done later.

He told Guyana Times that when he went to the Central Police Station, he was told that the test was already conducted and that there was no alcohol found on the driver’s breath.

“When I ask them to see the slip with the result they tell me that I can’t see it and I think that is wrong because it is my brother; they should give me some satisfaction if they say it is zero,” he argued.

Meanwhile, he told this newspaper that the Police removed the body from the New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary and took it to the Port Mourant Hospital Mortuary for the post-mortem examination the very day the pathologist was conducting examinations at the New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary.

“More than that, they make us pay the cost to take the body to Port Mourant. I think they wanted to do the post-mortem where we could go and see it and get to talk to the doctor.”

Pooran’s body was said to have had multiple fractures.

“The leg smash up, they had to wrap it in plastic to hold it straight. They had to put cardboard around the body to put it in order and stuff it with cotton wool because it would be flat,” one of the brothers who witnessed the autopsy reported to this publication.

“If he was going slow he couldn’t do all that damage,” Pooran concluded.

“And the Police are covering this up, when I asked the Corporal a few questions, he turn and tell me that he does normally drunk and lie down on the road so who I bothering them now.”

“The Police who investigating the accident tell me that he does be begging for cigarette and run all over the place so let me don’t bother him. These Police acting like the man pay them so they not concerned with this family,” he said.

Police have reported that the file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

Police seeking legal advice on Region 9 DREO rape allegations

W

eeks after allegations of rape were levelled against the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the file has now officially been completed and the matter has been sent for legal advice.

Some two weeks ago, the accusations surfaced which stated the DREO, Sherwin Wellington, had raped one of his female colleagues while on

a business trip to Karasabai on behalf of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

However, since the initial report at the Lethem Police Station in excess of two weeks ago, there has been no word on the progress of the case.

On Thursday, Guyana Times spoke with Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis, who currently headed the Police’s F Division (Lethem and Interior Locations).

In the phone interview, Superintendent Adonis confirmed that the file has indeed been completed. “Yes, the file is completed and it was sent for legal advice,” Adonis noted.

After the allegations were made, Region Nine Chairman Brian Allicock was the first to speak out on the matter, noting that such occurrences “tarnish the image of the administration”.

Wellington has since de-

nied the allegations stating that if such an accusation was made, he would have been notified of it.

This is the second occasion on which such accusations have been made against a Region Nine official, the first being in 2016 when Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker was accused of raping a female colleague who was serving on the RDC.

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UG secures $31M grant for spanking new library

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or the next seven months, contractors and workmen will undertake construction tasks to complete the first phase of the a brand new University of Guyana library which falls under a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)funded project worth over $31 million. The announcement was made at the Office of the Vice Chancellor on Thursday where it was noted that the project which the institution secured was valued at US$150,000. CDB Director of Economics, Dr Justin Ram told the media that the regional bank is pleased to be associated with educational improvement initiative. “[Thursday’s] announcement signals that this institution is one step closer towards the construction of a new library and towards im-

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith with CDB Director of Economics, Dr Justin Ram, handing over UG’s 50th anniversary memorabilia on Thursday

proving the quality of education this Campus delivers,” he stressed.

The new structure will boost a larger size and enhanced features and will be located over the canal that lies West of the current building. Reporters were

Recreational facility commissioned in Paradise

Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton and children of Paradise cutting the ribbon for the opening of the ground

T

he Social Cohesion Ministry in collaboration with the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council on Wednesday, February 28, commissioned a recreational ground in the Paradise community.

Regional Community Enhancement Officer, Dolston Huston said the ground, which was officially commissioned by Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton, will expand the sporting fraternity of the Mahaica-Berbice region beyond their dreams.

The ground was fenced

to the tune of $7 million and works commenced on November 22, 2017. Its completion was slightly delayed due to adverse weather conditions. “Not only does the community have a fenced recreational facility now, but 85 per cent of the labour force during the rehabilitation was from the community, even the blocks were bought in the very community,” Huston explained.

“The project is a dream come through for many,” Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Emile Wilson highlighted and expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the residents.

however told that a ‘Needs Assessment’ will have to be carried out to determine the adequacy and suitability of the current infrastructure.

The CDB informed that final designs and cost estimates for the new library will be prepared. Director Ram further stressed that his organisation is optimistic that new facilities will be environmentally resilient and social inclusive as a place of study.

He added that libraries give students from vulnerable socio-economic circumstances access to services which

they otherwise may not be able to afford. UG Librarian Gwyneth George expressed much delight for the long awaited advancement. At the same time, she echoed the sentiments of the CDB official when she observed that even with all the available digital avenues, libraries are still needed in developing countries as some students have limited or no access to electricity and Internet.

The institution’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith observed that this latest improvement forms part of a grander infrastructural overhaul.

“As we enhance the physical, intellectual and other components of our enterprise, we are mindful that we have a campus in Berbice with two components, mindful of the IDCE (Institute of Distance and Continuing Education) in Anna Regina, Linden, New Amsterdam and Georgetown... we are one university with several different locations and our intention is to enhance everything within that university space,” the Vice Chancellor

expressed.

The CDB disclosed that Government and the

University contributed some US$26,000 of the total US$150,000 grant.

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G

uyanese from all walks of life will today be colourfully disguised as they join in with their Hindu brothers and sisters to celebrate Phagwah or Holi – the Festival of Colours. In extending wishes to the Hindu community, the cohesion of a multicultured people was highlighted.

Holi breaks race, religious barriers; fosters social cohesion – President In his Phagwah Day message, President David Granger said the festival reflects the unshakeable belief in God and the inevitability of the triumph of good over evil, while at the same time fostering social cohesion.

“Holi is a unifying festival that helps to break down barriers of class, race and religion. When people shower each other with Abrack or Abeer, they do so usually without regard to the status they enjoy in society or the God they worship. Holi is an enduring example of cultural retention,” he said of the festival that was brought to Guyana by Indian indentured immigrants 180 years ago.

friDAY, march 2, 2018 | guyan

According to the Head of State, in a multicultural country such as Guyana, Holi celebrations bring people together, especially at the community level.

“They play a vital role in social cohesion by reinforcing community identity; fostering healthy and helpful relations between persons of different cultures; dismantling barriers which have traditionally divided our people and by implanting spiritual values of hope and togetherness.

I urge communities, countrywide, to celebrate this festival with faith and fervour. I encourage mass celebrations because they promote

community identity and reinforce bonds of social solidarity. Respect for cultural diversity is at the heart of social cohesion. Holi must preserve its vitality as a festival which unities communities.

PNCR calls for Guyanese to enjoy rich cultural diversity Meanwhile, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extended Holi greetings, not only to the Hindu community but Guyanese as well, since all embrace the festival. The party said the festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival

of spring, the end of winter and for many, a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forgive and forget and repair broken relationships.

“The significance of Phagwah is two-fold. Its secular significance lies in the advent of the season of spring, and its real and allegorical implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration. The religious significance of Holi lies in the conquest of good over evil, manifested by the destruction by Prahalada of his demonic father, King Hiranyakashipu… We urge all Guyanese to use this occasion to refresh their spirit and enjoy life and to participate fully in this colourful festival and enjoy the rich elements of our religious and cultural diversity.”

Heed the pertinent messages of Phagwah - PPP The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has said as Guyanese at home and abroad, especially the Hindu community, prepare to celebrate the joyous festival of Holi or Phagwah, the Party takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all on this occasion.

“Holi is a festival that has truly become national and one that is most anticipated having transcended religious boundaries.

This is manifested through the participation of a wide cross section of Guyanese throughout the country. The fun and frolic that have come to be associated with it remain a catalyst for forging harmony among all of our people,” the Party’s Phagwah 2018 messaged read.

It explained that the kaleidoscope of colours that exemplify the celebrations, heralds the dawn of spring, reminding not only of nature’s beauty but the vibrancy of our rich diversity.

“Our Party urges all Guyanese

to heed the pertinent me this festival – that of the tr good over evil. The story of reinforces that hope mus remain alive for in the end, ultimately be defeated,” t said.

Holi emphasi es unity and eq ity – Dharmic Sa Outlining that Phagwah the end of the Hindu year and also coincides w arrival of spring, the Guyan Dharmic Sabha notes that th pervaded an air of joy in ho communities with persons e affection by greeting eac

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2, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

the pertinent message of val – that of the triumph of r evil. The story of Prahalad s that hope must always live for in the end, evil will y be defeated,” the Party

oli emphasisunity and equalDharmic Sabha ning that Phagwah signifies of the Hindu calendar d also coincides with the f spring, the Guyana Hindu Sabha notes that the festival d an air of joy in homes and ities with persons expressing by greeting each other by playfully spraying perfume and squirting Abrak (coloured water) and Abeer or Gulal (coloured powder) on their faces and body. The colours of the Abrak and Abeer reflect the vivid hues of spring as at this time nature blooms in abundance.

“Holi is all embracing and possesses an unparalleled social dimension which is conducive to reunion, exchanges and togetherness occurring in an atmosphere of absolute cordiality. The festival is

proletarian in outlook with elements which spontaneously fashion an atmosphere of total equality and people from all walks of life and social strata are literally engulfed in merriment, joy and happiness.

Holi transcends all barriers. There is complete unity.”

According to the Dharmic Shabha, one of the largest Hindu communities in the Guyana, with the passage of time, the legend of Prince Prahalad and his despot father King Hiranyakashyap

became associated with the festival, adding the symbolism of the triumph of good over evil.

“Hol is a time for reflection and analysis. Consequently the merriment and joy which Holi brings should not make us oblivious of the true significance of the festival. Holi does not license anyone to recklessly and wantonly drench passers-by or to barge into people’s homes and splash water on the occupants. Holi should never be associated in any way with events not in consonance with its spiritual dimension; no alcohol, vulgar and lewd music, barbeques and similar activities should be associated with Holi or Phagwah. These acts are against the spirit of our lovely Holi festival and should not form part of the Phagwah celebration. Every effort made to divest this unique festival of practices alien to Phagwah.”

GAWU – Holi is truly national celebration In spite of its roots in the Hindu community, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) noted that the Festival of Colours is generally recognised as an

integral part of the Guyanese social and cultural history, and Holi has evolved into a truly national celebration.

“GAWU sees the togetherness in joyous colourful celebration on this occasion as an example of the need to forge common efforts to bring about and ensure the well-being, peace of mind and steady enhancement of the prosperity of our people. The spirit

of unity that is so well manifested on this occasion is testimony to the good prospects we have to strengthen our nation and overcome divisiveness…

May the understanding associated by festivals like Holi lead to a united and better country where our people of different faiths will take pride in our progress and developments knowing that a secured future is being built for all.”

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friday, march 2, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

Shaky Cummingsburg Accord being undermined by APNU/PNC – Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

the issue regarding this Accord has been discussed more widely and there have been calls within the AFC’s executive and central committee to have the agreement revised as soon as possible.

Speaking about Trotman’s announcement that in a few months’ time, he would no longer have responsibility for the oil and gas sector, one of the largest natural resources sector Guyana is about to have,

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

mid concerns that the Alliance For Change (AFC) has still not managed to get a fair share of governance in the coalition Administration, there is now new worry over the fact that AFC Ministers have been given lucrative Ministries to handle, something that is not sitting too well with members of the People’s National Congress (PNC), the largest party within the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo drew this conclusion while addressing a media conference at his Church Street, Georgetown office on Thursday, when he highlighted that the move taken

by President David Granger to strip Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman of responsibility for the oil and gas sector was not the first decision that proved that the AFC Ministers’ responsibilities were slowly being taken away from them.

But more so, Jagdeo hinted that this could undermine the Cummingsburg Accord, the sweetheart deal that was signed between the AFC and APNU when they agreed to form a coalition to contest the 2015 General Election in Guyana. However, as of recent,

Minister Noel Holder

Jagdeo said, “I say he was stripped of his responsibility, because no matter how many press releases they issue, can they deny the fact that he was stripped? … How stupid do they think we are? They took it away from him.”

The Opposition Leader said he did not believe the “silly excuse” given by Trotman, whereby he has claimed that he recommended to President Granger that the Department of Energy be established without having it placed under his watch. “He was recommending the Department of Energy to be created within his Ministry and with him being the Minister. That is what he was recommending. Not that the Department be created in the Office of the President and him being stripped of the ministerial responsibility,” Jagdeo posited.

Minister Raphael Trotman

Warning signs

Responsibility for the environment was first taken away from Trotman when a decision was made to establish the Department of Environment that is now housed in the Ministry of the Presidency.

According to the Opposition Leader, this came as no surprise to him, because he saw that moves were being made to implement certain major changes, but not just specific to Trotman’s perceived demotion.

The first sign, he said, was when President Granger did not show up to deliver the feature address at the inaugural Oil and Gas Summit (GIPEX 2018). Instead, Trotman delivered the address and Minister Carl Greenidge also delivered remarks.

“That was a precursor. But before that, I had spoken to the media about an investigation and the conflict within APNU … that tensions would rise within their structure because I pointed out that a lot of people had taken information to Granger about Trotman, particularly AFC members,” he alleged.

Given the fact that the Government has said little about this issue, Jagdeo believes that the Administration would “keep circling the wagons”. He said, “Trust me in circling the wagons, you would see for the next few days, they

will talk up Trotman, they will say he is the greatest thing since ice-cream. They may give him a few more useless designations… something of that nature will manifest itself.”

A persistent Jagdeo told the press, however, “we need to know why he was removed.

Is it because they found something or a lot of things that are adverse? My information is that they found quite a bit.

They know quite a bit. And my

Minister Cathy Hughes

en the responsibility of AFC Ministers.

Undermining AFC Ministers

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

information also is that the PNC people are saying that the AFC people making all the money, because they have lucrative Ministries. So it’s their turn now.”

Now that plans are being made for the Department of Energy to be placed under the Ministry of the Presidency that responsibility will now fall directly under Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. But this is not the first move made

by President Granger to less-

In fact, the first move he made was directed at the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), whereby its leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was removed as Education Minister and appointed Minister responsible for Public Service.

That Ministry again falls under the direct responsibility of the Ministry of the Presidency, with Harmon as the head.

Another AFC executive, Minister Cathy Hughes was first appointed as Minister of Tourism in 2015 when the coalition Government first took office. Her stint as Tourism Minister was short-lived, and she was reassigned a relatively unknown ministry which has fewer responsibilities, the Public Telecommunications Ministry.

The Tourism Ministry now falls under another AFC executive and son-in-

law of the President, Dominic Gaskin, who also is in charge of the Business Ministry, a lesser known ministry.

Only recently, a decision was taken by Government to also transfer the responsibility of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the sugar industry to the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) that has been set up under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). NICIL falls under the Finance Ministry, which is headed by Winston Jordan. One can only conclude that another AFC Minister, Noel Holder has also been stripped of his responsibility of the sugar sector.

Although AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan has responsibility for national security, the Department of Citizenship was created for PNC member Winston Felix who heads that department.

At present, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, also an AFC member, performs a ceremonial role as a senior Government functionary. His major responsibility is for the public information sector. Entities such as the State-owned Guyana Chronicle newspaper, the National Communications Network, and the Department of Public Information, formerly the Government Information Agency, fall under his charge.

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US$31M Sheriff St-Mandela Court absolves vendor of Ave road upgrade to commence Christmas Day murder

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ork on the Sheriff Street-to-Mandela Avenue road enhancement project is set to commence sometime this month, after years of being delayed by various technicalities.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI) has said a US$31.03 million contract for the project had been awarded to Sinohydro Corporation Ltd back in November 2017, and the contract was signed the following month.

The two-year project, which will cover approximately seven kilometres of road, is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and involves the following works: relocation of utilities, lane and shoulder improvements, placement of sidewalks and paved shoulders, traffic signals, traffic signs, streetlights, drainage, a pedestrian overhead walkway, culverts, bridges, and a roundabout.

Residents living close to the road, as well as road us-

ers generally and the wider community, may be inconvenienced by traffic delays, dust, and general construction activities during the period of construction, the MPI has cautioned.

“The Ministry wishes to emphasise that these impacts will be temporary, and will be constantly monitored to ensure their minimisation.

The Ministry advises that persons take all necessary precautions (in negotiating that stretch of road while it is undergoing upgrade),” it added.

Coordinator of the MPI’s Works Services Group (WSG), Geoffrey Vaughn, said Last month that the contractor has been mobilising and conducting preliminary works before the project commences.

The IDB had, earlier last year, revised the scope of works on this road project, putting it on hold and delaying the opening of tenders for the project. This was done following discussions entered

into with the Ministry of Finance aimed at achieving completion of the project before the loan deadline set by the IDB had expired.

Initially, Loan-2741 was signed in 2012 to the tune of US$66 million, with a completion deadline of March 2018.

The revised scope, which is anticipated to cost US$35 million, would include the relocation of utilities, for which the GTT and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) have been contracted.

The initial project was tendered twice: first in 2014, and then again in 2015, both times under the previous administration. On the second occasion, tenders were returned in May 2015, as none of the contractors was deemed responsive.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry said last year that several of the internationally funded projects were unable to get a start in 2016, and the Sheriff Street-toMandela Avenue project was one of those that did not get off ground as anticipated.

It was explained that Government had decided to have a review of this project with it being nullified twice, once in 2015 and then in 2016.

“It was basically sent up for review, which has been completed; and that should be out for tendering at the end of this month, once we receive all the no-objections,” Geoffrey Vaughn of the MPI had noted.

The review was conducted by the WSG Design Unit along with the consultant firm Egis, in association with SRK Engineering.

Mark Greaves became a free man after two days of trial

M

ark Greaves, who was on trial for Owen Fredericks’ December 25, 2015 murder, will spend his holiday weekend as a free man following the court’s determination that there insufficient evidence to proceed with the matter. This decision was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown on Thursday after Graves’ Attorney, George Thomas, presented a no-case submission in the absence of the 12-member jury, as is customary.

Just after lunch, the jury was recalled and the Judge informed the panel of the prosecution’s insufficient evidence. As such, he ordered Justice Singh to return a formal not guilty verdict.

Thereafter, Singh told the former accused that he was

free to go and Greaves, all smiles, departed the court and walked to freedom.

The prosecution had contended that Fredericks was murdered at James Street Albouystown, Georgetown and Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan had given his cause of death as shock and haemorrhage via a cut to the artery from stab wound. The jury was told that Fredericks would have suffered “extensive” blood loss. When State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs presented the opening address on Wednesday, she indicated that the deceased did odd jobs and noted that the Fredericks and Greaves had a verbal exchange which, according to her, led to the stabbing. Gibbs had also told the jury that the deceased died as a result of injuries. It was reported that Fredericks

was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

A medical report was tendered into evidence on Wednesday after the Judge overruled the prosecution’s objection which contended that the exhibit did not form part of its case. It was under cross-examination by the defendant’s lawyer that former Police Constable Xavier Vasconselos indicated from the report that the deceased was stabbed to the chest.

Prosecutor Shawnette Austin also appeared for the State, while Attorney Nekeisha Persaud assisted Defence Counsel Thomas.

Greaves is the second murder-accused in just weeks to have been freed by a Judge’s determination as opposed to the matter being handed to the jury. On February 8, Edward “Pretty Boy” Skeete and Nabadingi Gobin, called “Dangles”, were freed of Ryan Clementson’s murder at the Turning Point Tucville Snackette murder

by Justice Navindra Singh on the contention that there was insufficient evidence to continue with trial. This came after no-case submissions were made and upheld.

In this case, it was however reported that the Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed the acquittal on grounds that the dying declaration should have been admitted into evidence. The duo’s lawyers were Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

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Controversial Lindo Creek CoI hears

Seelall ordered use of one coffin for victims’ burial

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ormer Crime Chief Seelall Persaud had ordered that the remains of the eight miners killed at Lindo Creek be buried in one coffin, some four years after they were killed, despite the advice of the Lyken Funeral Home.

This information came to light during the afternoon session of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry (CoI), where evidence was given by Dr Dawn Stewart of the Lyken Funeral Home.

According to Dr Stewart, on the day of the incident back in June 2008, she received a call for the pick-up of the remains. However, when she received the remains, she did not open them as she did not want to tamper with the evidence.

The remains, she said, was at the funeral home for some

four years; the longest time any corpse has been at the facility in its 95-year history.

According to Dr Stewart, the home had advised the Police to have the remains buried; however, they were told not to since the investigation was still ongoing. She said within the first year, some family members had been making inquiries about the remains, however, they were always referred to the Police.

Dr Stewart said when the funeral home was finally given the go-ahead to bury the remains, they were told that “one coffin would do” by then Crime Chief Seelall Persaud.

However, the remains were eventually buried in three coffins at the Le Repentir cemetery. She explained that the home took it upon itself to have a short service “for closure”

Dr Dawn Stewart

with a few family members of one of the victims. And even with family members making further inquiries about the deceased, Dr Stewart said there was nothing that could be done since “we didn’t know who was who.”

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry has

been established to enquire into the circumstances surrounding the killings of Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Horace Drakes, Bonny Harry, Lancelot Lee, Compton Speirs, Nigel Torres and Clifton Berry Wong, on or about the June 21, 2008, and to report the findings and recommendations to President David Granger.

The CoI was also established to investigate and make findings of facts on all matters in relation to the killings of the eight miners in the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice region in June 2008. It will also make recommendations on actions to be taken against all persons and/or organisations that are deemed responsible for the deaths of those persons.

The Commission will meet again on Tuesday, March 5.

East Berbice-Corentyne hosts Heritage Exhibition the years.

This is the first such activity to be held in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region, but

“E

The gathering at the one-day Heritage Exhibition

mbracing our history, showcasing our cultural diversity” was the theme for the Heritage Exhibition hosted on Wednesday at the New Amsterdam Town Hall in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Speaking at the event, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Youth, Culture, and Sport, Dr. George Norton, told students, “This must not be the first and last of such an exhibition”, for it gives them a chance to be properly informed and to appreciate the country’s rich, diverse culture. Minister Norton also announced an administration decision to have the upcoming Independence celebrations “conducted at the level of schools”; and “youths will play a vital part”, he declared.

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion collaborat-

ed with the New Amsterdam Social Cohesion Ambassadors Group to host the one-day exhibition, which saw participation of a total of seven (7) schools in the region. Regional Health Officer Jevon Stephens commended the ministry for work done thus far, and lauded the New Amsterdam Social Cohesion Ambassadors Group for taking up the initiative.

“It’s not easy to bridge the gaps in Guyana, but we have moved leaps and bounds so far. These initiatives ensure that youths understand, and play a role in developing, their communities”, Stephens explained.

Regional Executive Officer Kim Williams-Stephens urged that youths have “pride and dignity as a Guyanese person”.

There were booths on different cultural aspects of Guyana’s post and pre-Independence eras, including infrastructure and presidents over

the New Amsterdam Social Cohesion Ambassadors Group plans to have several such activities throughout the year.

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Atif Aslam for Labour Day T

concert at the Guyana National Stadium

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be presenting popular Bollywood playback singer Atif Aslam and troupe in concert at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on May 1.

In addition to recent super hit “Dil Diyan Gallan” from the film “Tiger Zinda Hai”, Aslam has numerous hit songs including “Pehli Nazar”, “Tu Jaane Na”, “Tere Sang Yaar”, “Piya O Re Piya” and “Main Rang Sharbaton Ka”. In addition, his qawalis and old song tributes are much loved.

The concert is being held as Guyana celebrates 180 years of the arrival of Indians. All proceeds from the show will go towards the Dharmic Rama Krishna School Expansion project; in particular, construction of its new buildings.

For ticket bookings and other information, call 227-6181.

Devindra Pooran

S

Terry G

cores of people flocked the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground for Red Square Vodka’s “A Night to Remember” last evening.

Patrons were well-entertained by several artistes, including Guyana’s Baboo, Terry Gajraj and singing sensation Devindra Pooran alongside with veteran Guyanese singer Celia Samaroo and rising stars Vicadi Singh and Steven Ramphal.

The action continues on Saturday evening at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus, Berbice and on Sunday, March 4 at the Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Bank

Shakti Strings

Steven

Vicadi

Demerara.

However, Terry Gajraj as well as the Shakti Strings Orchestra will not be performing at the Aracari Resort due to other engagements.

Apart from the renowned artistes mentioned above, the Shakti Strings Orchestra featuring Yoland Nedd, Aamir Khan and Avinash Roopchand on keyboard will definitely set the tone for the evening.

The emcee for the evening will be popular radio personality Seegobin. Tickets for the events will be $1000 and will be available at regular ticketing agents.

T

he town of Corriverton will come alive today as one of the biggest concerts will be hosted in celebration of the Festival of Colours.

The event is promoted by the Price is Right Supermarket and will feature some of the top Chutney artistes in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Headlining the concert

A

will be reigning Chutney Soca Monarch Nishard M, who is fresh off of winning the international competition. This will be the first time he will be performing in Guyana after winning the competition.

Also slated to perform are Guyana’s Baboo, Terry Gajraj; De Hitman; Sally Sagram; Vanita; and Guyana’s Chutney King,

Bunty Singh.

The mela will also feature lively dance pieces by the Shelita Dancers. The event is billed for the parking lot of the Classic International Hotel at Number 79 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Admission to the grand Phagwah Mela is absolutely free and it gets underway at 14:00h. Lighting and stage is provided by Crown Vibes.

– JP to headline Phagwah Mela at Guyana National Stadium

fter a fun-filled day of participating in Holi celebrations, the action continues at Guyana’s premier entertainment spot, Palm Court for its second annual Colour Festival.

Patrons will be fully entertained by former International Chutney Monarchs Kris Persad, popularly known as KI, and Omardath Maraj. Last year, the venue was packed to capacity as the then reigning Chutney Monarch, Ravi B took to the stage.

This time around, the event is expected to be epic as the artistes promise a night of fun and excitement. Persons will be admitted free before 22:00h after which a fee of $3000 will be charged. Upon entry, patrons will be given free Phagwah powder.

In addition, there will be a free tequila happy hour where patrons can pay $1000 for three shots and bucket specials on beers all night long.

However, the Guyana N a t i o n a l Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity today as

Inspire Inc hosts its annual Phagwah Mela.

This year, the event will see performances by members of the Shakti Strings Orchestra and after two years of not performing in Guyana, the prince himself, Prince JP, will take to the stage. The host for the programme will be the “party boss”, WR Reaz.

To add to the excitement, water slides and other fun rides, lots of vegetarian foods and sweets will be available. Admission to the event is absolutely free.

friDAY, march 2, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

25

Around the World

Putin, before vote, unveils 'invincible' Afghan Policemen nuclear weapons to counter West kidnapped in

P

resident Vladimir Putin announced an array of new nuclear weapons on Thursday, in one of his most bellicose speeches in years, saying they could hit almost any point in the world and evade a US-built missile shield.

Putin was speaking ahead of an election on March 18 that polls indicate he should win easily. He said a nuclear attack on any of Moscow’s allies would be regarded as an attack on Russia itself and draw an immediate response.

It was unclear if he had a particular Russian ally, such as Syria, in mind, but his comments looked like a warning to Washington not to use tactical battlefield nuclear weapons.

His remarks were greeted with scepticism in

Russian President Vladimir Putin stands on the stage as he addresses the Federal Assembly, including the State Duma parliamentarians, members of the Federation Council, regional governors and other high-ranking officials, in Moscow, Russia March 1, 2018

Washington, where officials cast doubt on whether Russia has added any new capabilities to its nuclear arsenal be-

yond those already known to the US military and intelligence agencies.

The Pentagon, which re-

cently announced a nuclear policy revamp based partly on the bellicose posture from Moscow, said it was not surprised by Putin’s presentation.

John Rood, US Under Secretary of Defence for policy, declined to comment on US intelligence on Russian capabilities. But, addressing a forum in Washington, Rood generally played down Putin’s presentation, saying: “I think it’s broadly consistent with things that have been stated before (by) Russian officials.”

The Trump Administration accused Moscow anew of violating a Cold War-era treaty which banned nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500-5500 km (3003400 miles). (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bds$90M approved for CLICO payout in Barbados

T

housands of policyholders of CLICO International Life Insurance Company Limited and British American Insurance Company, which went under a decade ago, are closer to receiving their long awaited settlement with the Senate’s approval this week of over Bds$90 million (US$45 million) to meet the payments.

Government Senator Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo, who introduced the measure, said

Barbadians who have been awaiting a payout for several years, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Senator Darcy Boyce said one of the problems that led to the collapse of CLICO was the fact that there was no regional consolidated supervision of the insurance industry. Independent Senator John Watson expressed similar sentiments, stressing that it was important to “carefully monitor inflows and outflows of for-

eign exchange via these establishments” when dealing with foreign-owned companies. The Lower House had in December last year approved a similar measure, with Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler revealing at the time that the judicial manager was expected to complete transferring CLICO’s operations to Resolution Life Insurance Limited (ResLife)

by December 31.

This, he said, would set the first two phases of the transfer

process in motion in January 2018, entailing the judicial manager handing over all CLICO assets and liabilities and the verification of information by ResLife. Thereafter, the Minister of Finance had said, the Central Bank would issue the bond this month and New Life Investment Company (NLICO), the company taking over the business of the collapsed insurance conglomerate, paving the way for payouts this year. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

Taliban bus attack

T

aliban fighters have killed at least six Policemen in an attack on a checkpoint and kidnapped dozens of bus passengers in two separate incidents in southern Afghanistan, officials said.

A group of fighters wearing army uniforms kidnapped 30 people, including 19 Policemen, after stopping a bus on Tuesday night at the border between Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces.

"There were civilians in the bus as well and we are trying to identify the people kidnapped in the attack," Qudratullah Khushbakht, a spokesman for the Kandahar governor, told Al Jazeera.

In the second incident, a Police checkpoint in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province came under attack by the Taliban fighters leaving six Policemen dead and wounding five others, General Abdul Razik, Kandahar's

Police chief, told local media.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for both attacks saying they kidnapped police officers "alive". The Afghan Army and the USled coalition forces continue to battle the Taliban for the control of areas in the country but the security situation has been deteriorating.

According to a report published in 2017 by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR), a US congressional watchdog, a total of 2531 Afghan security forces were killed and 4,238 wounded in the first four months of the year.

In an earlier report by SIGAR, at least 6785 Afghan soldiers and Police personnel were killed in the first 10 months of 2016, showing at least 20 soldiers and Police being killed each day highlighting challenges faced by the Afghan Army. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

New Zealand teenager tried to kill Queen Elizabeth in 1981

Venezuela presidential election postponed to May

T

he snap presidential election in Venezuela scheduled for April 22 has been pushed back by a month, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has announced. The CNE said the poll would now be held in the second half of May, but did not give an exact date.

The move came after an agreement was reached between the Government and a small number of Opposition parties. President Nicolás Maduro has registered to run for a second six-year term.

The head of the Electoral Council, Tibisay Lucena, also announced that the Government had agreed on "electoral guarantees" for the forthcoming elections with a

number of Opposition parties.

Traditionally, presidential elections are held in Venezuela in December.

But in February the CNE announced they would be brought forward to April 22.

The decision was widely interpreted by critics of the Government as an attempt to steamroll the deeply divided Opposition coalition and throw it into disarray.

It comes amid an ever worsening economic and political crisis which has left many Venezuelans malnourished and led hundreds of thousands to flee the country.

It also triggered international criticism, with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru

At the time, Police reportedly said the gunshot noise was a sign falling over

President Nicolás Maduro has registered to run for a second six-year term

all rejecting the early election and some countries warning that they would not recognise the result.

The US has said it would consider imposing fur-

ther sanctions against the Government if it went ahead with the presidential vote under what it called fraudulent conditions. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Brazil 'invites deforestation' with overhaul of environmental laws

B

razil’s supreme court has upheld major changes to laws that protect the and other biomes, reducing penalties for past illegal in a blow to environmentalists trying to protect the world’s largest rainforest. Congress agreed to sweeping revisions in the law in 2012, including an amnesty programme for illegal deforestation on “small properties”

that occurred before 2008 and reduced restoration requirements in others. The changes effectively reduced deforested land that must be restored under previous rules by 112,000 square miles (290,000 square kilometres), an area nearly the size of Italy, according to a 2014 study published in the journal Science. Environmentalists said the revised laws, known

collectively as the forest code, would create a culture in which illegal deforestation is acceptable. “This awards the guy who deforested, the guy who disobeyed the law,” said Nurit Bensusan, policy coordinator at the Brazilian non-governmental organisation, Instituto Socioambiental. “With this amnesty you create a climate that invites deforestation in the fu-

ture. It creates the impression that if you deforest today, tomorrow you’ll be handed amnesty.”

Farmers and the powerful agriculture lobby argue that the new laws allowed for continued growth of the sector key to the Brazilian economy, without bogging it down in adjudicating crimes of the past. (Excerpt

from The Guardian)

A

teenager tried to kill Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to New Zealand in 1981, declassified official documents confirm. Christopher Lewis, 17, fired a shot as the Queen toured the city of Dunedin, New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service (SIS) said.

Police had said at the time that the gunshot sound had been caused by a sign falling over, local media report. A former Police Officer and local media have suggested a cover-up took place.

New Zealand feared future royal tours could be cancelled, it is claimed. The royal parade took place in Dunedin on October 14, 1981. Police and members of the public heard "what they took to be a shot", according to the declassified documents obtained by news website Stuff.

Lewis was arrested short-

ly afterwards and Police discovered a rifle and used gun cartridge in a building overlooking the parade. Lewis was not charged with attempting to kill the Queen but was accused instead of offences including discharging a firearm.

An SIS memo written shortly after Lewis's first court appearance and obtained by Stuff said officials feared journalists would connect Lewis to the Queen's parade.

The New Zealand government was accused of covering the incident up by former Dunedin Police Officer Tom Lewis in 1997. The New Zealand authorities feared that if the incident became public knowledge, future royal visits could be called off, Stuff said. Tom Lewis said the teenager was initially facing a charge of attempted treason but that subsequently changed. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

26

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, March 2, 2018

ARCHIE

Observation will help you avoid being caught in some(March 21one else's blunder. Don't feel April 19) the need to back up someone who has proven to be untrustworthy in the past.

ARIES

Getting along with othTAURUS ers will be key if you want to (April 20- get things done. Don't feel you May 20) must pay for others or put up with someone asking for a handout.

dilbert

Group efforts will be difficult.

GEMINI Either someone you are close to (May 21will complain about where you June 20) are spending your time, energy or money, or you'll be taken advantage of by someone.

Positive changes can be made at home or work. What (June 21- someone does to annoy you July 22) will be a blessing in disguise.

Follow your heart and prepare to make a move.

CANCER

Peanuts

Problems with a friend or LEO family member must be han(July 23- dled carefully. Don't blame Aug. 22) others or get angry if someone wants to do things differently. Avoid travel, emotional discussions and indulgence.

Making personal and VIRGO physical changes or plans (Aug. 23with someone special is highSept. 22) lighted. A romantic encounter will lift your spirits and encourage you to make a commitment.

Calvin and Hobbes

Getting along with your LIBRA (Sept. 23- peers or employer will make Oct. 23) your life easier. Do what's expected of you and positive change will come your way.

Don't underestimate the competition's ability.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — THIAMINE

Average mark 30 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 42 or more words in THIAMINE? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — RECEIPT

erect cire cite creep crepe crept peer

pert peter piece pier pierce price tier

tierce tire tree trice trip tripe

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

changes will boost your morale and give you the necessary momentum in a romantic pursuit.

Problems with friends, SAGITTARIUS relatives and authority fig(Nov. 23ures will be emotionalDec. 21) ly and financially costly.

Arguments will not solve the problem, but common sense and practicality will. Do what's right.

(THIAMINE: THY-uh-min: A vitamin of the B complex.)

recipe recite retie rice ripe rite epic

Make love a priority and SCORPIO do something nice for the peo(Oct. 24ple you care about. Personal Nov. 22)

solution for Puzzle

Take care of matters that CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- require commitment, like perJan. 19) sonal contracts, negotiations and joint finances. A romantic gesture will encourage unity, greater stability and a promising future.

Situations will escalate AQUARIUS quickly and get blown out of (Jan. 20proportion if you aren't willFeb. 19) ing to compromise and negotiate fairly. The ability to give and take will be necessary.

PISCES Put more into your per(Feb. 20- sonal and professional relaMarch 20) tionships. Set the standard and expectations, and stick to what's important to you.

Don't mirror others. Be who you are to find happiness.

friDAY, march 2, 2018

27

GFF-Pele Alumni Frank Watson Memorial U-15…

Combined Team hammer Pouderoyen 5-2

T

he GFF-Pele Alumni Frank Watson Memorial U 15 Tournament witnessed action last weekend with matches continuing on Saturday in West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) at the Wales Community Centre Ground while the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) officially launched theirs on Saturday at the Golden Grove Ground.

In the doubleheader played at the Wales Ground, the Combined Team defeated Pouderoyen FC 5-2 in the first match and Wales FC edged out Eagles FC 2-1 in the feature game that was witnessed by President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde; FIFA Regional Director, Marlon Glean; Technical Director, Ian Greenwood; GFF Second Vice President, Rawlston Adams and Senior Men’s National Coach, Wayne Dover.

In an exciting encounter played before a small crowd, the Combined Team reaped success from the

FIFA's Marlon Glean and GFF officials greeting players in the West Demerara FA U-15 tournament

boots of Shawn Patterson and Arvin Pollard, who both netted doubles; 14th, 23rd, 45th, and 50th respectively, with support from Travis Fraser in the 64th minute.

Pouderoyen’s goals came off the boot of Ezekiel Goppy (11th) and Trevon Connell (66th).

Pouderoyen strike unit signalled a clear intention from the onset when Omali Anderson latched onto a loose ball and sprinted to

the opposition’s goal.

He then passed to Kenaz Humphrey who deftly pushed the ball past the advancing custodian. Determined to regain some pride, Travis Fraser launched an offensive for the Combined Team and was effective right up to the goalmouth when he inadvertently scooped the ball over the uprights.

All this time, Patterson was lurking on the right

wing and after receiving a pass, sprinted to the opposition’s goal to tuck in the first of his two successes. Joshua Fowler should have extended the lead for the Combined Team but his shot from close up lacked the requisite power and was scooped up by the goalie.

Playing in the defensive mid-field position, Travis Fraser’s success was amazing as he latched on to a Tyler Wharton’s rebound

off the uprights to slam in a fierce header that left the opposition’s custodian and the spectators in awe.

The match progressed at a fast pace and both sides were guilty of blunders that could have extended their score line. If anything could be said of the players they must be complimented on their superb fitness level. It was 70 minutes of intense football that continues this Saturday with another double header.

In the feature attraction, Wales FC and Eagles FC turned in an exciting performance and when the smoke had cleared, it was the former team that prevailed with a 2-1 victory over the latter.

Ezekiel Guppy (11th) and Trevon Connell (10th) were the marksmen for the winners while David Chisholm netted the consolation goal for the losers in the 70th minute.

Meanwhile, even as executives of the West Coast resumed activities, those of the EDFA commenced theirs at the Golden Grove

Ground. Four teams participated in the march pass and President of EDFA, Alfred King, delivered keynote remarks.

He urged the players to remain steadfast in their projected objectives so as to reap positive results in the future.

King further thanked the members of the executive for their dedication to the development of the sport.

He urged them to continue to work to ensure the continuity of football in the area.

He then wished all the participating teams well before declaring the tournament open. Shortly afterwards, Golden Stars faced off with BV/ Triumph United and the latter team prevailed 5-0.

The marksmen were Omari Glasgow (16th 30th), Tyrice Dennis (45th), Samuel Garnett (45+1) and Jerome Robinson (66th).

Activities continue this Saturday with four other games, slated for Golden Grove.

Warner's, Smith's

fifties underpin close-fought day

David Warner gets forward against the new ball © Getty Images

A

u s tralia were 2255 when stumps were called prematurely due to bad light in Durban, Steve Smith and David Warner having

passed 50.

D a v i d Warner and Steve Smith made half-centuries but it was honours even on an attritional first day of the Test series between South Africa and Australia at Kingsmead.

Captain Smith inspired his side to a 4-0 Ashes thumping of England and made 56 on a slow pitch as Australia closed on 225-5 in Durban after winning the toss.

Warner contributed 51 at the top of the order, but two wickets apiece for the excellent Vernon Philander (2-36) and spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-69) kept the tourists in check.

Shaun Marsh chipped in with 40 and his broth-

er Mitchell was unbeaten on 32 along with Tim Paine (21 not out) when bad light brought the opening day of the four-match series to a close with 14 overs still due to be bowled.

South Africa, who left out Lungi Ngidi in favour of Theunis de Bruyn, lost a review when Morne Morkel thought he had Cameron Bancroft leg before in the first over, but the righthander was on his way after edging behind advancing to a Philander delivery which swung away.

Warner struck Philander for a glorious straight drive and breathed a sigh of relief when the Proteas used up their second review, convinced a sharply turning first ball from Maharaj trapped the opener lbw.

Australia were two down with only 39 on the board, though, Kagiso Rabada (158) drawing an edge from Usman Khawaja (14) in his first over and Quinton de Kock clinging on to take a

superb diving catch.

Warner hooked the hostile Rabada to the boundary and was going along nicely until edging the last ball of the morning session from Philander to AB de Villiers at first slip to leave Australia 95-3 at lunch.

The prolific Smith looked ominously comfortable from the outset, punishing loose deliveries on both sides of the wicket in a patient knock with support from Shaun Marsh.

The watchful older Marsh brother survived a big lbw shout from Rabada and De Villiers failed to hold on to a sharp chance offered

by Smith before the skipper brought up his 24th Test half-century.

Smith hit 11 boundaries in another assured innings, but fell before tea when he edged Maharaj attempting a cut and De Villiers took a simple catch after the ball clattered into De Kock's gloves and looped up in the air to end a stand of 56.

Mitchell Marsh got off the mark by punching a short ball from Maharaj through the covers for four and his older brother was rattled on the helmet by Rabada prior to hitting Maharaj for two boundaries in an over.

The spinner saw the back

of the left-hander with a beauty after tea, De Villiers again taking the catch, but the positive Mitchell Marsh and Paine (21no) ensured no further damage was done before play was cut short.

(Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD Australia 1st innings C Bancroft c †de Kock b Philander D Warner c de Villiers b Philander U Khawaja c †de Kock b Rabada S Smith* c de Villiers b Maharaj S Marsh c de Villiers b Maharaj M Marsh not out T Paine † not out Extras (b 4, lb 2) 6 Total (76 Overs) 225/5 Yet to bat: MA Starc, PJ Cummins, JR

5 51 14 56 40 32 21

Hazlewood, NM Lyon Fall of wickets: 1-15 (CT Bancroft, 5.5 ov), 2-39 (UT Khawaja, 11.4 ov), 3-95 (DA Warner, 26.6 ov), 4-151 (SPD Smith, 49.4 ov), 5-177 (SE Marsh, 58.4 ov) Bowling : M Morkel 16-3-480, Philander 17-8-36-2, Maharaj 24-4-69-2, Rabada 16-4-58-1, Markram 1-0-20, T de Bruyn 2-0-6-0 South Africa XI: D Elgar, A Markram, H Amla, AB de Villiers, F du Plessis* , Q de Kock †, T de Bruyn ,V Philander, K Maharaj, K Rabada M Morkel

28

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, march 2, 2018

Miller saves Windies from embarrassing UAE defeat A

five-for veteran spinner Nikita Miller helped spare the blushes of a struggling Windies batting line-up in a 32 run win over the United Arab Emirates in a rain-hit 2019 ICC World Cup Qualifiers warm-up on Thursday.

Batting first the regional team were bundled out for just 115 in 33 overs after being badly shaken by UAE spinner Imran Haider who claimed figures of 4-16.

At the top of the order Windies talismanic batsmen, Chris Gayle was prised out for 16 and his opening partner Evin Lewis for 10. Both succumbed to the bowling of pacer Mohammed Naveed. Shimron Hetmyer made 20 before being bowled by Rohan Mustafa and Marlon Samuels made 15, but they were the last batsmen to reach double figures.

In reply, however, the UAE fared even worse off as the team was dismissed for 83. Only four batsmen reached double figures with No.7 batsman Adnan Mufti top-scoring with 14 runs. Miller did most of the damage with the ball by taking 5-20 but pace bowler Kemar Roach also played his part after taking 3-15.

The West Indies will open their campaign against the UAE again on Tuesday.

The UAE will in the meantime get things under way against Papua New Guinea on Sunday. The Netherlands and Ireland are also in Group A. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD Windies 1st innings C Gayle b Naveed 16 E Lewis c † Shabber b Naveed 10 S Hetmyer b Mustafa 20 M Samuels c † Shabber b Haider 15 S Hope † b Haider 8 J Mohammed c † Shabber b Raz a 4 R Powell b Haider 6 J Holder* b Raza 8 C Brathwaite c Anwar b Haider 2 A Nurse not out 3 D Bishoo c † Shabber b Mustafa 6 Extras (b 5, lb 6, nb 1, w 5) 17 Total (all out; 33.4 Overs) 115 Fall of wickets: 1-31 (CH Gayle, 6.1 ov), 2-32 (E Lewis, 6.6 ov), 3-66 (S Hetmyer, 15.2 ov), 4-81 (MN Samuels, 17.3 ov), 5-84 (SD Hope, 19.5 ov), 6-88 (JN Mohammed, 20.6 ov), 7-101 (R Powell, 25.4 ov), 8-103 (CR Brathwaite, 25.6 ov), 9-105 (JO Holder, 26.6 ov), 10-115 (D Bishoo, 33.4 ov) Bowling: Naveed 5-0-27-2, Hayat 5-1-18-0, Ahmed 4-0-19-

National table tennis teams qualify for CAC games C

ompeting in the qualification tournament in Cuba on Wednesday, both the male and female national table tennis teams produced the fireworks to seal their spot at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in Colombia scheduled for July 19 – August 3.

The men’s team comprising of Shemar Britton, Christopher Franklin, Joel Alleyne and Nigel Bryan were ranked fifth heading into the tournament and defeated both St Vincent and Haiti 3-0 but lost to Panama 1-3.

The results were good enough for them to reach the quarterfinals, a position which they were in before in 2010 when the actual Games were held in Puerto Rico.

Furthermore, there was an upset; in the Women’s team event as Guatemala, the top seeds, experienced defeat. In a tension packed contest they were beaten by Guyana. Star of the show w a s

Trenace Lowe was in outstanding form on Wednesday (Photo: Calixto No. Lanes)

0, Mustafa 3.4-0-10-2, Haider 8-2-16-4, Raza 8-0-14-2 United Arab Emirates Innings (target: 116 runs from 50 overs) R Mustafa (c) b Roach 12 A Ahmed c †Hope b Roach 7 G Shabber † c Nurse b Roach 6 R Shahzad lbw b Miller 11 C Suri c Nurse b Miller 1 S Anwar c Holder b Miller 12 A Mufti b Miller 14 M Usman c †Hope b Nurse 1 M Boota c Powell b Miller 8 A Raza lbw b Nurse 1 A Hayat not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 8) 9 Total (all out; 29 Overs) 83 Fall of wickets: 1-19 ( Ahmed, 3.4 ov), 2-29 ( Mustafa, 7.3 ov), 3-36 (Shabber, 9.3 ov), 4-37 ( Suri, 12.6 ov), 5-48 ( Shahzad, 18.5 ov), 6-55 ( Anwar, 20.3 ov), 7-58 ( Usman, 21.5 ov), 8-71 ( Boota, 24.6 ov), 9-73 (Raza, 25.5 ov), 10-83 (Mufti, 28.6 ov) Bowling: Cottrell 0.2-0-10, Holder 3.4-0-18-0, Roach 5-1-15-3, Nurse 5-0-21-2, Miller 10-2-20-5, C Brathwaite 4-0-6-0, Bishoo 1-0-1-0

Door open for Sweden World Cup return, says Zlatan Zlatan Ibrahimovic

M Qualified! National Men’s team: (L-R) Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne, Christopher Franklin and Shemar Britton

Trenace Lowe; in the second match of the fixture she beat Andrea Montufar (115, 11-5, 114), before in the concluding contest, with matters level at two matches apiece, keeping her nerve to overcom e

Mabelyn Enriquez by the very narrowest of margins (14-12, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 119).

The one further win for Guyana was secured in the opening match of the fixture when Natalie Cummings accounted for Andrea Estrada (8-11, 118, 11-9, 11-9). The wins for Guatemala were recorded in the doubles, the third match of the engagement, when Mabelyn Enriquez and Andrea Estrada accounted for Jodyann Blake and Natalie Cummings, prior to Andrea Montufar levelling matters in the fourth match of the contest by overcoming

Jodyann Blake (11-7, 11-6, 11-9).

The top eight outfits in each of the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events join the four national associations who receive direct entries.

Cuba and Puerto Rico receive direct entries to the Central American and Caribbean Games in both the Men’s Team and Women’s Team events; it is the same for Colombia, as the hosts.

Additionally, for the men, Mexico are direct entrants; for the women, the Dominican Republic are already on the Barranquilla entry list.

The qualifiers conclude on Sunday after which Britton and Alleyne stay in Havana for the Latin America Championships from March 4-9.

anchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has opened the door for a return to the Swedish national team at this year’s World Cup in Russia if he can recover his fitness in time. “We’ll see, it’s a tough question. I want to feel that I can perform and give back. I don’t want to come just because I‘m somebody.

The door isn’t closed for anything,” he said.

Speaking to reporters at the opening of his new paddle tennis centre in Stockholm, the 36-yearold added that it was hard to watch the Swedes play without him.

“I miss the national team. When you’ve played in the national team for 20 years and then you’re not in it anymore, and you see the others playing in the national team, it’s tough,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“It’s tough in general, when you think that I‘m injured and not playing. I want to play, with the club

team, with the national team, it’s the same thing.

They (the Swedish national team) have done a good job,” he added.

Without him, Sweden came second to France in World Cup qualifying Group A, edging the Netherlands on goal difference, and then beat Italy in a playoff to reach the finals.

Ibrahimovic has struggled to recover from a serious knee injury sustained in April 2017 and he missed United’s Europa League final victory over Ajax Amsterdam in Stockholm last May. Sweden’s record goalscorer with 62 goals in 116 games, Ibra quit after their exit at the Euro 2016 group stage but said even a phone call may not be necessary for him to return.

“I don’t think anyone needs to call. If I want to, I‘m there, that’s how it is. But one thing at a time. When I can do what I want to, I’ll have other thoughts,” he said. (Reuters)

sports

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Hemraj, a free-flowing left-handed batsman was recently picked for Windies ‘A’ 50-over duties against England Lions and told Guyana Times Sport from Antigua, “I am really excited right now since I was hoping to get picked by one of the teams.

I have been playing a positive brand of cricket recently and it has brought me success and every time I get an opportunity to play I try to make the most of it and I will do the same for the Stars”.

The 24 year-old who is having a season to remember in both the four-day and Super50 where he had a decent average of over 30, was on the cautious side of describing the feeling of coming against the ‘house’ in the “Biggest Party in Sport”.

“Definitely would love to preform against them [Guyana Amazon Warriors] and do well but my main focus right now is the A team and ensuring we succeed against the Lions”.

Fellow newbie in

the Windies ‘A’ squad is fast-bowling all-rounder Shepherd who also used the regional season to make a strong c a s e with some impressive ‘death bowling’ in the recently concluded Super50.

“I am really excited at the moment knowing that I am in both the Windies ‘A’ team and the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad; hard work is paying off”.

The Berbican added, “ I must thank coaches [Esuan] Crandon, [Rayon] Griffith and [captain] Leon Johnson who believed in my skills and I would hope I can play a role in helping the Warriors cross the final hurdle this season”.

Youngest of the lot is 19 year-old Rutherford who from early age-group gave hints this format of the sport is one which suits his batting.

“Being select for the Warriors is such a great

feeling and it was my dream to play this type of cricket so I am very excited to go give my best”, the Demerara Cricket Club player expressed.

Romario Shepherd

Sherfane Rutherford

Commenting on the composition of the squad, he outlined, “We have a good team, a lot of experience along with some very good young players who are very hungry to do well so I think this will be the opportunity for us to win the tournament”.

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29

Royals, Raiders clash in opening night feature

T

he Linden Amateur B a s k e t b a l l Association (LABA) will bounce off its 2018 opening tournament with its ‘March Madness’ Open championship featuring its top four clubs tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

Linden champions Victory Valley Royals will tip off the night's double header against fourth seed Retrieve Raiders at 18.30h while the second seed Half Mile Bulls clash with Amelia's Ward Jets in the second game from 20.00h in the five-night championship.

The six-club championship which is sponsored

by Banks DIH under their Malta Supreme brand will be played in a two group round-robin format with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.

The other playing dates are March 11, 16, 18 and 24 when the final is to be played. The clubs are Royals, Bulls, Jets, Raiders, Flames and Falcons Meanwhile, in a release Thursday following their LABA’s Executive

Basketball action returns to the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court tonight

Committee meeting on Monday, it was stated that when the LABA held its Annual General Meeting in January, three officers were elected to fill positions as the biennial term entered its second year.

Dr. Karen Perreira is the new 2nd Vice President, former assistant secretary Joel Webster is now the Treasurer and Dillette Marvin takes the position of assistant Secretary.

The three now join the others who were elect-

ed when the association held its AGM and Biennial Elections in January 2017, namely President Lawrence Simon, Abdulla Hamid 1st Vice President, Joseph ChapmanSecretary, Christopher Pollydore the Organising Secretary, Tracey Liverpool as Public Relations Officer and Committee Members Kevin Joseph, Eusi Francis and Hubert Wade. At the AGM last January also it was decided to boost the female game and national play-

ers Shanua Chester and Nichola Jacobs were chosen to represent that aspect on the association while Kerwin Abrams overlooks the refereeing and table officiating on the LABA. The release also noted that president Simon, speaking at the AGM on January 10, at the Mackenzie Sports Club Lounge, said he was elated “to report that we are making some progress in some areas, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Looking at the hurdles faced over the past year Simon pointed out that the failure of some members to make themselves available to function effectively, has resulted in the association deciding to elect new officers with the hope of operating with a higher efficiency this year.

Dr. Perreira, previously served the association as a table official before leaving to study medicine via a scholarship in Cuba. She along with the other two executives were elected unopposed by the six of the seven clubs which attended last January's AGM. Those clubs were Amelia’s Ward Jets, Bankers Trust Falcons, Retrieve Raiders, Victory Valley Royals and Block 22 Flames with the only club absent being Half Mile Bulls.

30

friDAY, march 2, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Scotiabank Table Tennis tournament poised to be action-packed

The trophies that will be on offer at the Scotiabank Junior Table Tennis Invitational

T

he Scotiabank sponsored Junior Table Tennis Invitational tournament which is being organised under the auspices of the Titans Table Tennis Club is being touted to be one filled with intense action at the Queen’s College Auditorium on Saturday and Sunday. Marque youth players Miguel Wong, Kyle Edghill, Niron Bissu, Jamal Nichols, Neveah Clarkson, Jonathon Van Lange, Kaysan Ninvalle and Thuraia Thomas are some of the names headlining the tournament. The events set to be competed are the Boys & Girls 15 years & Under; Boys & Girls 18 years and under; 21 years & Under and the Open and "B" Class Open.

Registration commences at 09:00h on Saturday and the fee for B class & 21 open is $500 and the other categories being $300. The u-18s will be the first to wield their rackets when action starts at 10:00h on Saturday followed by the u-15s from 13:30h and the 21 years and Open from 15:00h while the

‘B’ Class open is on Sunday from 10:00h.

Head Coach at the club Dwain Dick posited the tournament which is their second in two weeks has the “aim of setting a solid foundation for progress and sustaining table tennis”.

He added, “Scotiabank has come on board as you can see to support our vision to revitalize and promote table tennis as one of the best indoor sports”.

Additionally, winners from the previous tournament will be awarded and

the under-15 doubles will be contested after bad light halted play.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, march 2, 2018

31

Caribbean Premier League Player Draft 2018

Gajanand Singh played some match-winning knocks last year

By John Ramsingh

T

h e player draft for the 2018 Hero CPL T20 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) took place on Thursday March 1 at Gfinity eSports Arena in London with many of the world’s top cricketers being selected for the tournament that will begin on August 8 at Providence.

T h e G u y a n a A m a z o n Warriors who finished third in 2017 have changed the formula as they look for a team that will bring their maiden title. The three-time finalist has gone for experience and lots of youth which team owner, Dr. Ranjisinghi Ramroop as “an excellent move.”

At the start of the draft, the Amazon Warriors who were represented by Dr. Ramroop and Operations Manager Omar Khan, immediately retained Pakistan’s leftarm seamer Sohail Tanveer who has been the spearhead of the attack for two consecutive years.

Their next pick was new-comer Shoaib Malik as the marque player for US$130,000.

The tournament’s leading batsman in 2017, Chadwick Walton was next to be retained by the

Keemo Paul had an impressive debut season last year

Malik, Delport, Tahir among Warriors' top picks

…Tanveer, Walton, Ronchi retained ...young players duly rewarded Warriors in round three at US$ 110,000.

C a m e r o n Delport who is an opening batsman and medium pacer was next to be drafted and his selection was described by the franchise owner as value for money since he is a T20 specialist that is tried and proven. The Warriors then retained all-rounder Rayad Emrit for his third stint before snapping up the effervescent South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

Consistent middle order righthander, Jason Mohamed was retained as was New Zealand’s Luke Ronchi who came in as a replacement in 2017 and looked the part in four matches at the backend of the tournament.

Guyanese seasoned leftarm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul was the highest paid local player who was retained for US$15,000. After a steady debut season in 2017, Barbadian all-rounder Roshon Primus was retained for US$10,000 while Windies players Shimron Hetmyer and Devendra Bishoo were inked for US$7,500 each.

The Warriors then retained rising star, Keemo Paul as the Windies under-19 player while a new facet of the tournament sees Guyana Jaguars First Class batsman Akshaya Persaud being drafted as a Windies under-23 player. Gajanand Singh was retained at US$5,000 and will be joined in the squad by new comers Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd who had excellent returns for the Guyana Jaguars in recently.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment Dr. Ramroop told Guyana Times Sport that he is very pleased with the outcome of the draft as they look to the future.

“We have gone deep to invest in the youths who are in their prime as their recent records will show, so they are deservedly rewarded. Additionally, we have picked players that are expected to be available to us for the entire duration of the tournament (CPL) and not

those who may have to leave due to international commitments,” Dr. Ramroop stated.

The draft which lasted for just about two hours, saw Chandrapaul Hemraj being picked by the St Lucia Stars for US$5,000 and Steven Jacobs by the Jamaica Tallawahs for US$4,000.

Former Warriors players Chris Lynn went to defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders and Martin Guptill to Barbados Trindents.

Some other big names which went in the draft were Lendl Simmons and D’Arcy Short who were picked up by the Stars and Shahid Afridi and David Miller to

the Tallawahs. Hashim Amla and Shakib AlHasan are now with the Tridents after previously representing Trinbago Knight Riders and Tallawahs respectively while Kieron Pollard moves from the Tridents to the Stars. This year’s tournament takes place between August 8 and September 16.

Trinbago Knight Riders are the defending champions and have retained most of their players from their winning camAkshaya Persaud looked paign in 2017. the part in First Class cricket this year

Shimron Hetmyer missed out in 2017 due to international duties

friDAY, march 2, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean Premier League Player Draft 2018

Sohail Tanveer is the Warriors' most successful bowler for the past two seasons

Malik, Delport, Tahir among Warriors' top picks Shoaib Malik was previously with the Barbados Tridents

‌Tanveer, Walton, Ronchi retained ...young players duly rewarded Cameron Delport is well travelled having played 139 T20s globally

The Luke Ronchi (left) and Chadwick Walton show that started in 2017 will continue this year Imran Tahir is a veteran of 190 T20 matches

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