Guyanatime 6 april 2018

President Granger to attend Commonwealth Heads Meeting in London Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, April 6, 2018

Issue No. 3525

Guyana to receive US$900M loan from Islamic Development Bank Page 7

– to assist with several local development initiatives

Deodat Indar re-elected GCCI President Page 14

P12

GPL needs Amaila Falls Project, not US$110M – MP Ali

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

School of the Nations likely to increase P10 fees

Ganja in gas bottles case

CANU ranks P9 testify in trial of baker, wife

Page 13

– vows to advance small and medium-scale businesses ...says long-term sustainability needed in energy sector

Firefighters P10 receive special training from UK specialists P14 DPP recommends murder charge for GDF Captain NA Market stall burglarised …thousands of dollars in stocks missing P11

PagePage 15 9

Govt wants closer ties with Private Sector – as local content, GSDS and security discussed at PSC corporate dinner

Linden Hospital nurses stage sit-in over shortage of critical drugs, medical P12 supplies …Health Ministry launches probe

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon shares a light moment with Chairman and Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited, Clifford Reis; PSC Executive Ramesh Dookoo; BK Managing Director Brian Tiwari and Digicel CEO Gregory Dean, some members of corporate Guyana who were present at the dinner

School of the Nations hosts Page 9 Caribbean educational leadership conference

– aimed at developing Guyana’s education sector

Soldiers injured during paratrooping exercise

Page 8

‘Head in bucket’ murder trial continues P8 April 16

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friDAY, April 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana increases judicial pressure on Venezuela G

uyana, on March 29, 2018, filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Venezuela – requesting, among many things, that Venezuela refrain from threatening or using force against any person and/or company licensed by Guyana or engage in economic or commercial activity in Guyanese territory.

“Venezuela shall refrain from threatening or using force against any person and/or company licensed by Guyana or engage in economic or commercial activity in Guyanese territory as determined by the 1899 Award and 1905 Agreement, or in any maritime areas appurtenant to such territory over which Guyana has sovereignty or exercises sovereign rights, and shall not interfere with any Guyanese or Guyanese authorised activities in those areas,” a release by the principal judicial organ of the United Nations said.

Moreover, in its application, Guyana requested the court “to confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the Award Regarding the Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana and

pute resolution mechanism to adopt for the peaceful settlement of the controversy, in accordance with Article 33 of the United Nations Charter.

As such, the applicant requests that the Court adjudge and declare that “the 1899 Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela, and the boundary established by that Award and the 1905 Agreement is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela”; “Guyana enjoys

The International Court of Justice

the

United States of Venezuela.” “The applicant claims that the 1899 Award was “a full, perfect, and final settlement” of all questions relating to determining the boundary line between the colony of British Guiana and Venezuela. Guyana affirms that, between November 1900 and June 1904, a joint Anglo-Venezuelan Boundary Commission “identified, demarcated and permanently fixed the boundary established by the Award” before the signing of a Joint Declaration by the Commissioners on 10 January 1905 (referred to by Guyana as the “1905 Agreement”).”

Guyana contends that

in 1962, for the first time, Venezuela contested the Award as “arbitrary” and “null and void” and according to them, this led to the signing of the Agreement to resolve the controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana at Geneva on 17 February 1966, which “provided for recourse to a series of dispute settlement mechanisms to finally resolve the controversy”.

The applicant [Guyana] further submits that the Geneva Agreement authorised the United Nations Secretary General to decide which appropriate dis-

full sovereignty over the territory between the Essequibo River and the boundary established by the 1899 Award and the 1905 Agreement, and Venezuela enjoys full sovereignty over the territory west of that boundary; Guyana and Venezuela are under an obligation to fully respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the boundary established by the 1899 Award and the 1905 Agreement”;

“Venezuela shall immediately withdraw from and cease its occupation of the eastern half of the Island of Ankoko, and each and every other territory which is recognised as Guyana’s sovereign territory in accordance with the 1899 Award and 1905 Agreement,” and “Venezuela is internationally responsible for violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, and for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo returns home

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, his daughter Maria Nagamootoo (left), and wife, Sita Nagamootoo entering the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) VIP Lounge, accompanied by AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams (right)

P

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo returned to Guyana after spending several weeks in the United States of America (USA) recuperating following a successful heart bypass surgery.

Accompanied by his wife, Sita Nagamootoo, and his eldest daughter, Maria Nagamootoo, the Prime

Minister arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at 07:10h on Thursday morning, to a warm welcome from several government ministers, including Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, and Member of Parliament Michael Carrington and well-wishers.

In February, a routine

medical examination done in Guyana revealed that the Prime Minister had some cardiac issues and had to undergo the heart bypass surgery at a medical institution in the USA. Following the successful surgery, he spent recovery time at his family’s residence in the USA.

news

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friDAY, April 6, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Joint Services adequately resourced to protect Guyana’s border – Harmon

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

Friday, April 6 – 09:00h-10:30h and Saturday, April 7 – 09:30h-11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 6 – 07:30h-09:00h and Saturday, April 7 – 08:30h-10:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals with light cloudy skies can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 6.26 metres.

High Tide: 07:54h and 20:27h reaching maximum heights of 2.43 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:30h and 13:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.81 metre respectively.

wednesDAY, april 4, 2018

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FREE TICKET

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 05 10 15 16 LUCKY 3 2 4 0

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

I

n light of growing concerns about the safety and security of citizens living and working along the border communities who complain of increasing attacks, particularly from the Venezuela-based Sindicato gang members, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that security forces were adequately equipped with resources to defend the border and protect citizens, but at the same time, they were struggling to determine the credibility of the reports they receive from those areas.

“I would say that the disciplined forces there – the Police and the Army – they have the resources to respond quickly to these reports … the important thing is to get these reports to them as quickly as possible so that they can respond.” And this, according to Harmon, is proving to be a challenge.

The Minister of State told reporters at Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing that the security forces in the hinterland, particularly along the border communities, were struggling with regard to the time it takes for reports of attacks to get to them. He explained that often times when attacks occurred, the victims usually would make contact with relatives, friends, or even the media first before the security forces were able to get to the locations where the incident occurred to investigate.

“It requires time (for the reports) to get to the security forces where they are based, for them to respond and to go to deal with these matters… And so, while there’s some build-up of information in Georgetown, sometimes the Policemen and the Army at Eteringbang and those locations there, they are not told right away,” the Minister noted.

Added to this, Harmon, who also holds the portfolio of Secretary to the Defence Board, went on to say the security forces were faced with wastage of resources

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

in verifying the reports of attacks that were being received.

“There are also sometimes nuisance reports where persons who actually have private scores to settle make these reports to security forces and have them going after persons… So, all of these are matters which when these reports come, you have to make a careful analysis of the information before you consider it to be what you call actionable intelligence upon which the forces can be deployed,” the State Minister noted.

Over recent months, there have been increased reports of attacks on Guyanese along the western border. In addition, there are also reports of the Venezuelan Army conducting exercises on its border with Guyana, raising security concerns among citizens here.

However, Minister Harmon explained that without any credible evidence, Guyana was unable to approach international authorities regarding the reported actions taken by the neighbouring country to undermine its territorial sovereignty.

“We cannot, as a nation, approach the international agencies, we cannot approach the United Nations with hearsay. We have to have credible information upon which we can file these reports, upon which we can dispatch note verbales, that

is, things that are happening that affect the security of our borders and our citizens. But we have to have – and I want to emphasise this – credible information.

“Imagine you have a report and in the era of “fake news” and all these things that are going on, and you take that and you go to the United Nations to say look this is what is happening and then you have the other side saying something like this never occurred.

So, we have to have credible reports that are verifiable reports about things occurring on our border,” Minister Harmon stressed.

Nevertheless, the Minister of State emphasised the importance of protecting the country’s border, and urged citizens in frontline communities to report incidents or attacks but to ensure that it is credible information and not hearsay.

“Anything that occurs on the border is a matter of concern and we must pay attention to it, because we cannot have activities which threaten the territorial integrity of Guyana that goes unreported,” Harmon noted.

Furthermore, in highlighting the importance of the safety and security of citizens along the border in light of these recent attacks, the Minister of State disclosed that the National Security Council earlier this week discussed the issue and coming out of that meeting was a high-level se-

curity visit to these border areas.

“A very high-level delegation has gone in there, commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), a senior superintendent from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources…

They’ve had specific briefings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that basically deal with matters in relation to the border and the need for them to exercise caution in dealing with these matters.” He related.

Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector team, led by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, recently visited the region. During that visit, the Committee, which comprises elements from both the Government and the Opposition, as well as personnel from the National Assembly, spoke with the ranks and the citizens in those border areas, assuring them that Central Government was addressing their concerns.

Of recent, President David Granger has been visiting frontier communities along the border with Venezuela and has announced several measures to beef up security in those areas, including an increased presence of Community Policing Group (CPG) members.

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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

Winnie Mandela’s mark

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n Monday, anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Mandela passed away, after a period of prolonged illness in South Africa. Known for her fiery personality and courage, Mrs Mandela’s death has brought to a close a period in South Africa’s history defined by struggle, racism and ethnic insecurity, and inequality.

Side by side with her husband Nelson Mandela, Winnie struggled against discrimination, marginalization, and victimization of South Africa’s blacks by white minority oppressors. Even after her husband was imprisoned, she remained committed to the struggle for an end to the dastardly system of apartheid, even before she became the symbol of resistance and the face of hope for millions of black South Africans.

While it was true that Mrs Mandela was many different things to her family, to Africa and to the world, she was indeed a patriot and revolutionary woman, who did all that was necessary to support her husband’s vision and passion for equality and respect for all the races and people in South Africa.

In fact, CNN described her as an “anti-apartheid crusader.”

The BBC called her an “anti-apartheid campaigner.” Some newspapers described her merely as “controversial.” The Rev. Jesse Jackson said she was the “face of hope and courage.”

For years after her husband’s imprisonment, she was the unfortunate face of a just cause. The kindest description was “the former wife of Nelson Mandela.”

It is true that Mrs Mandela had a complex and unpredictable personality. After all, she had seen the world in her own colours. She did not forgive easily, and she was very suspicious of whites. And the world saw how unforgiving she could be back in 1993 when she even scolded her ex- for accepting the Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. De Klerk, who had overturned decades of apartheid and led the white National Party to seek a partnership for black-and-white peace. “I cannot forgive him for going to receive the Nobel with his jailer de Klerk,” she said.

“Hand in hand they went. Do you think de Klerk released him from the goodness of his heart? He had to. The times dictated it, the world had changed, and our struggle was not a flash in the pan, it was bloody to say at the least. We had given rivers of blood.

“Mandela let us down. He agreed to a bad deal for the blacks. Economically, we are still on the outside. The economy is very much white. It has a few token blacks, but so many who gave their life in the struggle have died unrewarded.”

But at Mr. Mandela’s funeral in 2013, standing at the coffin, she imposed herself on the rites as the grieving widow, even though Mr. Mandela had married again.

Mrs Mandela did not believe that enough was done or accomplished over the past decades in dealing with South Africa’s race problem, but she was satisfied that progress was taking place and blacks were reasserting themselves as dominant players in the country’s socio-economic politics .

When she died, South Africa’s politics was reaching a precipice, with attacks on white farmers increasing and rumblings in the parliament about expropriating more white-owned land.

Political events in South Africa are trending Winnie’s way.

But the moving finger writes, and history is not written in permanent ink.

That aside, She suffered greatly at the hands of the white minority Government, especially by the fact she was deliberately detained by the authorities every time her children, who were forced to live abroad, came home to visit her. But she met the brutality of racial segregation with fire.

Recall, too, that by the time her husband was set free, Mrs Mandela had been battered and bruised by the apartheid system, and its ugly scars etched deep. In later years, her reputation became tainted legally and politically, and few were surprised that their marriage did not survive.

But as anti-apartheid activist Mosioua Lekota noted in her defence: “Those who did nothing under apartheid never made mistakes.”

As put by retired archbishop and Nobel laureate Mr Desmond Tutu she remains the “defining symbol of the struggle against apartheid” and someone whose “courageous defiance was deeply inspirational…to generations of activists”.

Winnie Mandela will be remembered as one of the great personalities of our times. She was an inspiration to women of all racial backgrounds as an enduring example of resistance to tyranny. And also to men everywhere who fight against oppression of the weak by the strong.

Exploring Guyanese history: Visitors traverse the ruins of the more than four centuries-old Fort Kyk-Over-Al, one of Guyana’s historic landmarks and tourist attractions

The Hope Secondary School matter

Dear Editor, The Ministry of Education (MoE) has noted with concern a letter in the Kaieteur newspaper of March 21, 2018 titled “Parents of Students of Hope Secondary School Need Hope”. In that letter, the writer lists several issues affecting the East Coast of Demerara learning institution. The MoE, as a responsible body with a mandate to serve this nation, feels obligated to respond to the contents of that missive.

Firstly, the writer posited the view that the teachers display a lack of dedication, and consequently the school is apparently flouting educational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). While

the writer did not indicate what procedures were not being adhered to, the MoE, upon learning about these allegations, dispatched two Senior Education Officers to investigate these claims.

Note, Mr. Editor, the MoE said claims, so all the issues will be addressed in an itemized manner. So, let’s return to the alleged lack of dedication by the teachers: the officers found that there were some issues with curriculum delivery by a few teachers. Those teachers were spoken to in the presence of their Heads of Department.

Additionally, teachers’ lesson plans are being continuously monitored, and the students’ work books were

checked and will continue to be checked randomly, to ensure the curriculum is being followed. So it is safe to say that the foregoing issue is not a representation of all teachers, because there are many hard-working teachers at the Hope Secondary School, who continue to play their part in moulding and preparing the nation’s future leaders.

The letter writer also said there are numerous fights owing to the students being idle, and that these fights would happen during instructional (teaching) time.

The MoE’s investigation has found that this is not true. As a matter of fact, the school authority provided ev-

idence to the contrary.

The issue of dog’s fecal matter in classrooms happened more than a year ago, and this was due to some classrooms not being locked at the end of the school day.

This situation has long been corrected, and students are now learning in a healthy, child-friendly environment.

The MoE takes seriously its responsibility to educate this nation, and will always welcome constructive criticisms, since these are important if any progressive institution is to continue to effectively serve the people it is intended to.

Sincerely, Education

Ministry

Make kite flying a yearround national pastime Dear Editor, It was sad to read an article in the Kaieteur News stating that some of our local kite flying traditions are dwindling. We must move quickly to stop this.

Kite flying has always been an important part of our cultural traditions, but for some reason, people only associate it with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ or the Messiah Prophet Jesus Christ.

While the origin of the local tradition linking kite flying to Easter is unclear to me, I am fully aware that there is no Biblical link between kite flying and the

resurrection of Jesus Christ (God bless His soul which is in Heaven).

That is why in countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Europe, North America and many Caribbean territories, kite flying is a relaxing national pastime that is not only done at Easter, but throughout the year.

Just using the wind to get a kite in the air is great fun and it is even more enjoyable to hear a ‘singing-engine’ kite hum as it soars in the sky, especially handmade ones. Children usually get great satisfaction from building, decorating and fly-

ing their own kites, even if they are just ‘pointer’ kites.

I am calling on the Guyanese people to try to make kite flying a national pastime.

Maybe the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport or the Public Health Ministry can promote it as a year-round national activity because kite flying involves moving and exercise and is good for concentration and general relaxation.

Furthermore, senior citizens who are ill or immobile can also enjoy flying kites from their wheelchairs. Those suffering from

Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory loss can also entertain themselves in this way.

Let us keep our kite flying traditions alive. It is a vitally important part of our cultural make-up, even though it is usually only done at Easter time.

We must do our very best to make sure that this culture does not disappear.

Maybe it would help to promote kite flying year-round and as a tourist attraction on our breezy seawalls.

Yours truly, Roshan Khan Sr

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

The court and The President should have met political life with jobless sugar workers Dear Editor, One of the main characteristics of a democratic society is the separation of powers. The three pillars on which it stands are the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. In democratic societies, there are variations on how society is managed, but all free and democratic states are based on those separation.

The Judiciary has particular importance, since it should be independent and interpret the law impartially and fairly. Thus the saying ‘Justice is blind’.

When this begins to fail, people tend to lose hope and confidence in the ability of the State to protect their interests.

Aspiring dictators tend to move to undermine the Judiciary in the process of establishing an undemocratic system.

In Guyana, we saw this process first beginning slowing then picking up speed during the 1964 to 1992 period.

First was the appointment of politically biased Judges who were willing to carry out the wishes of the Executive and to try to justify that in law.

The other side of that coin was the removal of Judges who demonstrated integrity and independence and who fearlessly discharged their duty of upholding the law and Constitution.

Some of those who immediately come to mind are Guya Persaud, Sir Joseph Luckhoo and Justice Vieira.

After removing the ‘undesirable’ Judges, the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime then removed accountability by withdrawing from the Privy Council without leaving anything to put in its place.

When that process was completed, the dictator did not even have to instruct the Judges which way to rule.

Ashton Chase once wrote that the Judges began to anticipate what the dictator wanted and dutifully ruled in that way.

Under such a system, it was only a small step to put the party symbol on the courts. The PNC’s flag was hoisted on a taller fly pole than the nation’s flag in the Guyana Court of Appeal compound. The Chancellors appointed by the PNC did nothing about that.

We have come a far way since those days. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic restored the separation of powers. Moreover, it was Cheddi Jagan who insisted that the Caribbean Court of Appeal be established. He even threatened to return to the Privy Council if the Caribbean Court of Appeal was not established.

Guyana was among the first countries to sign to make the Caribbean Court of

Appeal operational. Now we are once again seeing troubling signs of a reversal or some setbacks in this regard.

We find many important constitutional cases not being heard by the Judiciary.

The first and most notable is the Elections Petition case of 2015. Three years have already elapsed and it is not being called up. Not even started. This seems to be deliberate. It appears that the Judiciary does not want to displease the Executive that is most likely in power due to fraud.

A second case in point is the case as regards the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Many learned persons in the law are of the view that the present person in that post is there illegally and unconstitutionally.

A case was brought to the courts to decide this.

However, it seems to have been lost in the bureaucracy. This is another method of frustrating the majority of people in this country. But this is not all.

On more than one occasion, the Communities Minister has been violating the Constitution in his appointment of some Mayors, and Chairpersons at the Local Government level.

Court cases have been filed but that seem to be where the matters end. No dates have been fixed for the hearing.

There are other constitutional cases that were heard.

The matters completed in the court but no ruling has been made. These things are tied up in the court for years.

In light of the above, one wonders if the Judiciary is taking orders or they are anticipating what the rulers want and are using their positions to deliver.

I am appalled that the legal fraternity is so tightlipped about these dangerous and ominous signs.

If we contrast our situation here with Trinidad and Kenya where challenges to the elections were made, we see how expeditiously the courts heard the cases and ruled on them. In the case of Kenya, elections had to be redone.

I wish to warn that there are consequences for every simple person in our country when these violations are allowed to happen.

The experience all over the world has shown that when the Judiciary does not perform its functions, it leads to dictatorship in our political life.

In economic life it leads to decline and even collapse.

Things become bad and lines are formed for essential items like salt and toilet paper.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Dear Editor, I recognised through the media, President David Granger continuing the tradition that begun with his predecessors to distribute kites to children of several communities. It is a good gesture, especially at this time when parents are finding it difficult to put food on their tables, let alone to purchase kites for their children. Social media, I recognise, was abuzz with

the ‘Presidential kite’ which featured the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change ‘green and yellow’ and a portrait of the President himself. I recall His Excellency speaking about partisanship recently and I cannot help but wonder whether the kites he was sharing out does not contradict what he was saying.

But important as that is, I recognised that the President visited several communities

along the Corentyne coast which are reeling from the repercussions of mass retrenchment following the closure of estates. The President, I noted for instance, had a kite distribution exercise at Republic Square, Corriverton.

Certainly, His Excellency could have gone to see the jobless sugar workers residing nearby. Similarly, he could have visited those of Canje and elsewhere during his trip

to Berbice. This is the second time in a matter of weeks the President has visited Berbice and has not seen it fit to visit the distressed and depressed now jobless ex-sugar workers.

President Granger, please, I urge you, once again, to live up to your promise to be a “good President for all the people.”

Yours sincerely, Liebert Alleyne

Let us assist differently abled cyclists Dear Editor, By way of invitation, Guyana has been invited to attend and compete in Canada at the UCI C1 Para Cycling event in April 2018 and Walter Grant Stuart, a differently abled cyclist, is the ambassador who will carry the Golden Arrow Head (National Flag) for representation. Guyana, you should be extremely proud to be represented. Having known Stuart for some years now, via my photography coverage of cycling events in Guyana, it is well-deserving that this opportunity was bestowed on him and I

In photo, one can view Stuart in competition during my coverage of a cycling event

wish him well with his quest for the international competition.

ANSA McAL has paved the

way as a contributor towards this event, with a donation and I applaud you wholeheartedly.

Horace Burrowes, President of the Guyana Cycling Federation has also added his effort and for that, I give you 10 across the board. Guyana, let us all make an effort towards assisting Stuart via donation towards this quest. He can be contacted on telephone number 684-6625. Reference to KN report, dated Saturday, March 17, 2018… I only got hold of this press report yesterday and hope it’s not too late to make a contribution.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

As we remember Dr King’s life, let us build on his legacy Dear Editor, The United Nations Secretary General joins the United States and the world in celebrating the legacy of civil rights leader, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, whose life was so tragically cut short 50 years ago.

Dr King was one of the moral giants of the 20th Century. He devoted his life to

equality, justice, and non-violent social change. Decades after his death, he continues to inspire all those around the world who are struggling for human rights and human dignity in the face of oppression, discrimination and injustice.

His advocacy and pronouncements against discrimination, and in favour of social jus-

tice, of global understanding and the virtues of diversity are more relevant today than ever.

The United Nations honoured Dr King for his outstanding contribution to the promotion and protection of the human rights embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other United Nations human

rights instruments, awarding him posthumously the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978 As we remember Dr King’s life, let us build on his legacy.

Sincerely, Stéphane Dujarric Spokesman for the Secretary General

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Foundation

Seize the day, seed tomorrow: conversations

with parents

– have you explored the future potential of your present connections?

By Rick Miller

S

ometimes a “last conversation” with a parent is a very profound moment, but isn’t it a shame to let things go for so long?

Most of us resist thinking about the death of parents until we are forced to face it. But as we age, our parents age, and with each passing day, the need to let them go impinges on our awareness.

Both dreaded and unspoken, our feelings of uneasiness increase. How will we get through it? Everybody does, though it is never easy.

Of course, some parent-child relationships are conflictual.

Parents and children may be estranged from each other. Some folks may even wish to be rid of their parents for good. The truth is, though, the death of a parent doesn’t guarantee freedom for the offspring; in fact, the fulfilment of such wishful thinking may make grief very complicated.

In the final moments, families often have powerful conversations. And these conversations can be very helpful as life and death come into close proximity. Connecting on this level may allow the parent to let go, and the child to feel permitted to keep going to live life fully.

Traversing the end of life with a parent ideally includes a series of conversations. With some time and space these conversations can help everyone build an understanding about the mutuality of love within the relationship, and to accept both the positive and painful circumstances that occurred throughout the years. At this juncture, there is a chance for recognition and peace.

But could there be even more? Why wait until the final moments to have these conversations or to reflect on remarkable moments with our parents?

What if we could find time now to be more appreciative and communicative?

What if we went a little out of our way to spend more time with our parents? What if we didn’t just agree to show up for the big events like the milestone birthdays or anniversaries? It seems wiser to seize the moments we have rather than wait until we are almost out of them.

Create meaningful moments So, what can you do to change the course of your relationship? Create meaningful moments with your folks and purposefully enjoy the bond that exists

between you. Be sure to express these things along the way! You can take the time to engage in conversations about who you are to your parents, who they are to you, about the significance of your relationship with each other, with family, and the many adventures you have shared. These conversations will be treasured and remembered forever, the intimacy and love internalised far beyond the moment.

Though my own father died when I was a young man, early to be losing a parent, we were fortunate to have had several deep conversations that at the time

seemed simply natural. At the time, I felt they were satisfying conversations, but I had no idea how defining they would become. They provided closure and afforded me the opportunity to feel greater peace after his death than I ever would have imagined. There wasn’t much left unsaid, and I feel grateful for that, even two decades later. I was fortunate to be able to internalise our connection.

Here’s another example: Meet Matt, an individual psychotherapy client who brought his mother in for a session one day. The intention was to have his mother clarify her expectations for him about caring for his ill brother and thereby relieve some of his burden. It was a magical meeting. The power of their relationship was shining this particular day.

Matt’s mother told him that he had done enough and that it was important for him to live his own life now, instead of assuming the responsibility for his brother.

Even more powerful, however, Matt and his mother spoke about their relationship with each other and how they both had experienced this bond so profoundly. They had simply never discussed it before! They beamed with love and respect for each other. I was beaming too!

Defining moment A couple of years later, Matt’s mother died rather quickly after a brief illness.

It was difficult, yet the conversation that they had in my office that day served as a defining moment for them. Even with her death, though he missed her terribly, Matt felt truly whole based on the love he had been able to internalise.

Maybe bringing your mother or father into therapy isn’t feasible, but the point

is the quality of the content of the conversation that took place between Matt and his mother, not the venue. Maybe it’s time for you to drop the status quo of the same old communication.

Here are some ideas: Go out of your way to have both pleasant and difficult conversations with your parents. Yes, it is easier to avoid these moments, but instead pick up the phone and push yourself. You won’t regret it in the long run!

Make it a point to notice when ordinary moments are more than ordinary. When a conversation or family visit is enjoyable, pause to reflect on the significance of the interaction.

Just take the time and make the effort to notice and appreciate it.

Strategise about delving into some of the differences between you and your parents. Have a goal in mind. Run things by a friend, mentor, or therapist in order to map out a productive plan. For some, the goal may be to achieve some kind of reconciliation, whereas for others it may feel okay to let go of expectations so that fresh space can open up for something new to come in.

Enjoy today with your parents rather than assuming there will be an endless number of tomorrows. Your parents may not be going anywhere soon, but still you can take hold of each moment together. How easy it is in our busy world to keep putting off connection – a habit that leads to regret! (psychologytoday.com)

Good family relationships: how to build them

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ood family relationships are enjoyable for their own sake – it just feels good to be part of a warm and loving family.

But good family relationships are important for lots of other reasons too. They: make children feel secure and loved, which helps their brains develop can help to overcome difficulties with children’s eating, sleeping, learning and behaviour make it easier for your family to solve problems and resolve conflicthelp you and your children respect differences of opinion as your children develop more independence give children the skills they need to build healthy relationships of their own This is why it’s always worth looking at the relationships you share with your children and other family members, and thinking about how you can improve them. As a parent, you’re doing the best you can for your children, probably while you’re juggling work, friends, household management and more.

But even for the busiest of parents, there are plenty of easy things you can do to develop good family relationships. Good family relationships are an important part of strong families. Strong families grow from love, security, communication, connection – and a few rules and routines too.Quality family time can happen anywhere. It’s about making the most of the time you spend together. Here are some ways you can make quality time happen in your family: Use everyday time together to talk and share a laugh. For example, family meals and car travel can be great times to catch up on the day. Have one-on-one chats with each family member to strengthen individual relationships. It can just be five minutes before each child goes to bed. Set aside time with your partner, if you have one. It can be a good idea to explain to your children that it’s good for your relationship with your partner to have this quality time together.

Do regular, fun things together as a family. This can be as simple as a family soccer game at the local park on Saturdays, or a family board games night each week. (raisingkids.net.au)

To be continued

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friDAY, April 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana to receive US$900M loan from Islamic Development Bank – to assist with several local development initiatives

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he Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has, for the period 2018 to 2020, committed to providing Guyana with financial and technical assistance to the tune of US$900 million, which will be directed into the country’s key development areas to assist with its plans for continued social and economic development.

This disclosure was made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his address at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the IsDB Group in Tunisia. According to the minister, this money will aid Government’s plans in a meaningful way, as it would give direct support to several Government programmes in many developmental areas.

“The Bank fielded a programming mission in December 2017, where a work programme for the three-year period 2018-2020 was formalized. Financing and technical assistance of about US$900 million will be directed to key development areas; including economic infrastructure, rural development, human development, and trade and competitiveness,” the minister explained.

Jordan claimed that Government has been steadfast in its resolve to ensure growth in the economy. That resolve, according to him, resulted in economic growth averaging about 3 percent between 2015 and 2017. The Finance Minister noted that this growth was achieved at a

Finance Minister Winston Jordan at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the IsDB Group in Tunisia

time when many of Guyana’s neighbours were facing low or negative growth rates and reduced standards of living.

“My Government has and continues to concentrate on a number of key strategic approaches for the economic well-being of our country.

These include: strengthening national planning; building a robust oil and gas industry; and consolidating the macroeconomic fundamentals,” he said. “But importantly also, the aim is to foster economic diversification and strengthen private sector capacity, among other (things).

The Finance Minister told the meeting of Guyana’s Green State Development

Strategy, which is aimed at becoming a living example of the country’s commitment to the planet. “Our Green State Development Strategy will ensure sustainable growth with equity that redounds to the economic well-being of every citizen. It could become, quite possibly, a model for other like-minded economies,” he added.

Jordan also said that strategy is being fashioned through a collaborative and consultative process, and will inform future financing streams for the country. It will also allow the Guyanese people opportunity to shape the scale of the country’s development priorities, given

the resource flows.

He said Guyana will continue to employ timely policy measures to correct imbalances and mitigate negative effects that could stymie growth.

He said, “In this regard, we aim to strengthen our analytical capability to determine the macroeconomic effects of various policies and interventions employed to grow our economy. Through the continued partnership with our multilateral partners, and specifically with our growing engagement with the IsDB, my Government is very enthusiastic about the full realization of our development agenda.”

Reference was also made to Guyana adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Framework, which Government recognizes has the potential to expand the resource cloak for public sector investment in a prudent, efficient and effective manner. This Framework, he said, provides a structured platform for local and external private sectors to meaningfully engage with Government to achieve economic development.

“Agriculture continues to be a major contributor to growth and expansion in our economy. In this regard, the Government has leveraged the inter-locking capacity of

the Bank, and is currently in an advanced stage of designing a Reverse-Linkage Project with the Malaysia Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) which will assist in updating Guyana’s expertise and technology in rice production.”

This project will support the introduction of innovative rice varieties that are more resilient, and will significantly increase rice yields per acre, Jordan said.

Shifting his attention to another key area, the Finance Minister said Government continues to be proactive in the promotion of non-traditional agricultural products, new technologies, and supporting infrastructure with the ultimate goal of enhancing national production and productivity.

These efforts will not only ensure national food security, he said, but also substantially transform the cost structure and competitiveness of Guyana’s agriculture sector. With the Bank’s continued support as a financing mechanism and provider of technical expertise, Guyana is optimistic about growth.

In helping to set the agenda of ensuring human capital development that could assist with the long-term productivity and growth at both micro and macro levels of the

country, Jordan noted that Guyana and the IsDB have programmed a project to improve national education at the primary and secondary levels.

This project will embrace the Inquiry Based Science and Mathematics Education (IBSME) approach. It will also make use of UNESCO’s Global Micro-Science Experiments programme and supporting mathematics kits, and will lead to the integration of mathematics through science lessons.

The aim is to raise the level of scientific and mathematics literacy among teachers and students.

The minister also used the opportunity to reaffirm Guyana’s commitment to resolve to further strengthen its cooperation with the Bank and fellow member countries.

“It is quite evident that our joint efforts can go a long way in bringing about socio-economic stability and prosperity in Guyana, which can redound to the benefit of the Latin American and Caribbean Region. Guyana remains hopeful for its future, and grateful for the Bank’s support.” he added.

Public Relation Officer of the Ministry of Finance Wanita Huburn confirmed that 99 percent of the US$900M would be in the form of loans.

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friDAY, April 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Soldiers injured during paratrooping exercise

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wo soldiers, whose identities were not released to the media, are now hospitalized following an accident during a routine paratrooping exercise at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Based on reports received, the two soldiers, attached to the 31 Special Forces Squadron of the

Guyana Defence Force, sustained injuries after their parachutes became entangled on Thursday at about 08:15h.

The two soldiers were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they are listed as being in stable condition but are being evaluated to determine the seriousness of their injuries.

The families of the two men were contacted, and an investigation has been launched into the accident.

Questioned about the incident, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told media operatives that it is normal for paratroopers to be injured during an exercise. He explained that in some cases there is a “maywest”, an occurrence where

there is no air and the parachutes do not open as they should.

The minister explained that paratrooping has always been an occupational hazard, especially when someone is in the military.

Harmon reiterated: “These injuries do occur when they (paratroopers) exit a moving aircraft”.

‘Head in bucket’ Linden man accused murder trial of unlawful wounding continues April 16 offences denied bail

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he High Court trial of Vindra Siriram was adjourned to April 16

by Justice James BovellDrakes, who is presiding over the matter. It was on Tuesday that Siriram denied murdering the mother of his three children, Shelly Ann Persaud at their Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home in June of 2014. According to reports back then, Persaud was found with her head submerged inside a five-gallon bucket of water. It was stated that Siriram and Persaud were heard arguing prior to the woman’s death.

A post-mortem examination had later revealed that she died as a result of drowning and manual strangulation. The State’s indictment read that Siriram committed the act between

The High Court trial of Vindra Siriram continues later this month

June 9 and June 10, 2014, but he entered a plea of not guilty. In September 2014, he was committed to stand trial for the woman’s murder. The defendant is represented by Attorney-atLaw Damian Da Silva while the State Prosecutors are Shawnette Austin and Seeta Bishundial.

wenty-one-year-old Lennox Estwick of Central Amelia's Ward, Mackenzie, Linden was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Linden Magistrate Clive Nurse on charges of unlawful wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The miner is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Kent Austin at Amelia's Ward on August 31, 2017; and of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Dillon Batson at Amelia's Ward on Friday, January 18, 2018.

Because of this defendant’s failure to attend trial, an arrest warrant was issued for him. Asked his reason for not attending

court, the father of one explained that he spends most of his time in the interior.

The prosecution objected to the defendant being placed on bail on grounds of the seriousness of the offences and because he was a no- show for the first matter, which had been called since August of last year.

Noting that the defendant has two pending matters, the first of which he did not appear for trial, the prosecution contended that he may likely not return to court if granted bail.

The presiding magistrate therefore remanded the defendant to prison, and set the matters for recall on April 9 and 13 respectively.

US-based Guyanese family donates to WAD

First Lady Sandra Granger giving brief remarks at the event

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irst Lady Sandra Granger Thursday joined the Women Across Differences (WAD) organisation to receive a donation from the Bathersfield family, a US-based Guyanese family that originally hailed from Buxton.

The donation, comprising of personal hygiene products, clothing and undergarments, was handed over at the WAD headquarters in Anira Street, Queenstown; and 21 teenage mothers who are currently part of WAD’s Comprehensive Empowerment Programme are to benefit from this donation.

The First Lady, Patron of the organisation, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the family’s act of kindness, and

offered the girls some words of encouragement. “This is not the last stop for you. It is the beginning, and once you believe in yourselves and you keep pushing, even when things look a bit dark and gloomy, know that you can always move forward,” She said.

Tessa Bathersfield, who represented the family, explained that the donation was made as part of the family’s annual philanthropic exercises in Guyana. The family learned of WAD’s work through Programme Coordinator Clonel Samules-Boston, who is also a friend of the family, and connected with the work of the organization, since a few members of the family had also been teenage mothers.

Singing…

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…for his supper ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was caught by the media crowd on the sidelines of a “drug observatories” seminar that included the US Embassy and the OAS. Big timers!! Unfortunately, on security matters all, Ramjattan could do was moan and groan about “the challenges” he’s facing with the porous borders and all. Unfortunately none of the reporters asked him about the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) he’d launched with great fanfare back in December 2016 which, he assured us, would solve the problem. Maybe he was thinking about his grandfather, who’s called “NANA” by Indian Guyanese!!

More germanely, they also didn’t ask him about his announcement two months before. Quoting from the Chronic (controlled by a “senior AFC Minister, we now know!) lest your scrupulously fair Eyewitness be accused of fabricating – fresh back from a “Caribbean-United States (US) Security Cooperation dialogue held at the Washington State Department in Washington DC, he (Ramjattan) presented Guyana’s ‘border security’ issues as a major concern, especially with the high prevalence of drug and gun-related crimes…near Brazil.”

“He asked the US State Department for help through providing airplane surveillance or drones that could go 100 miles and back with its location being at a subcommand centre likely to be installed at Lethem…” The Americans, Ramjattan declared, “made a commitment that yes, there will be assistance in that regard.” At the time, your Eyewitness was quite sceptical (to say the least!!) about the US sending down one of these drones that cost at least US$12 million a pop – and run up flight expenses of US$5000/per hour!!

But with US Embassy personnel in attendance, wasn’t this an opportune time to grill Ramjattan as to why the US promise hadn’t been kept?? The converse – that there wasn’t any such promise in the first place – surely couldn’t possibly be the case with such a paragon of probity as Ramjattan!! Naaah…the reporters didn’t ask him because they were probably worried he’s give his usual snarling yelp to “hard” questions: “haul yuh ass!!”

Anyhow, the softball question lobbed about his views on the seawall killings did draw a weird answer –Ramjattan affirmed his faith in the Police’s story because – he explained – the Police have to be assumed innocent! So why did he warn about “corrupt Cops” on so many occasions? Shouldn’t he have been a tad more circumspect than his carte blanche imprimatur??

The point of the matter is Ramjattan’s absolutely clueless about how to assert any sort of authority of both the crime fighting unit or over policies guiding them.

The President has taken this portfolio over to the OP in everything but name.

Ramjattan’s just singing for his supper!! And is off key!!

…for AFC’s survival Another softball lobbed to Ramjattan – and the answer also given prominence in the Chronic – was that the AFC will be going into the Local Government Election (LGE) joined to the hip with APNU!! Didn’t your Eyewitness say this will be the case when Trotman suggested his party will be holding some kind of conclave to make that decision?? Where’s the conclave? What’s there to decide, between “dead meat” and “life support”?? And the latter is what Ramjattan and the AFC are desperately praying for right now!!

There’s no way in hell the AFC are going to expose the fact they’re naked of any possible support base – which is what going alone at the LGE would do!! But the 64-million-dollar question shouldn’t have been treated lightly as Ramjattan did: who exactly will be the candidates from each “partner”? For sure, the AFC isn’t getting any 40 per cent cut of the offices!!

They should surely be worried they won’t die from the thousand cuts the PNC will be inflicting on them as they jettison ‘dead meat”!!

…and paying through the nose The parents of Mae’s students are whining about the 42 per cent tuition hike!! Hey, that’s par for the course when you try to buy “class” isn’t it?

Try shopping at Oscar de la Renta in NYC!!

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

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friDAY, April 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Give M&CC administration chance School of the Nations hosts Caribbean to address city woes – Harmon educational leadership conference

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ne day after City Hall approved the amended by-laws paving the way for the return of the controversial parking meter project, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has urged that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) be given an opportunity to attempt to address the city’s woes and if citizens were still not satisfied, then they can have city administrators removed at the upcoming local government polls.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister Harmon posited Government was never against paid parking in Georgetown, but only intervened to ensure that the controversial contract between the M&CC and Smart City Solutions (SCS) was reviewed.

“What we felt was that there was a need for order in the city and that the City Council in its deliberation and its judgement recognised that this is a way to go, and I believe we must allow the City Council to function as a city council, and not just as an arm of Government. The people elected them to govern the affairs of the city and

they must be given that opportunity to govern,” he noted.

According to the Minister of State, if citizens are still not happy with the way the city’s affairs is being handled by this current administration, then they will have the opportunity to do something about it.

“Later on this year or some time later this year, you will have an opportunity to have a referendum as to whether in fact you believe the city fathers and mothers are doing a good job. And so allow them to function, because it must not be said that ‘Oh we were not allowed to function and this is why this didn’t happen or that didn’t happen.’ Give them an opportunity to do what they have to do and let us move on from there,” Harmon posited.

The Minister went on to reiterate that the Georgetown City Council was an independent body, and that the decisions that were being made were well within the remit of the City Council.

“Therefore, unless an approach is made to Central Government, we would prefer to allow the City Council to do its work,” Harmon

urged.

The implementation of paid parking in the city was met with widespread protests from civil society.

This forced Government to order City Hall to suspend the contract with SCS back in March last year and have it reviewed. A committee was subsequently set up to renegotiate the contract and amended bylaws, which were debated and approved by the Council at a special meeting on Wednesday.

City Hall will now have to display the amended by-laws for a minimum of 14 days in public spaces and during that time, persons could write to City Hall expressing their concerns.

They will then be forwarded to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan for his approval; if approval is given, the by-laws will be gazetted.

Under the new agreement, persons will be paying $150 per hour and $800 for eight hours of parking in the city. Meanwhile, residents of the city will be issued with a restricted residential pass for free parking from 17:00h to 19:00h Monday to Friday while parking will be free on Saturdays.

Ganja in gas bottles case

CANU ranks testify in trial of baker and wife

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he trial of Tucville, Georgetown baker Colin Denny, 37, and his 35-year-old common-law partner Malika Softleigh continued at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where two ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) testified to what they did in relation to discovering 57.9 grams of marijuana the couple allegedly trafficked.

The baker and his spouse are currently out on $400,000 bail for possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, which Police said was committed between November 14 and November 15 at Lot 6 C Tucville Terrace. Denny and Softleigh are represented by Attorney-at-Law James Bond in a matter being heard by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford called the two witnesses to stand on Wednesday. The first witness testified to being part of a search party on November 15, 2017 which conducted the operation at Tucville. He

Baker Colin Denny and his common-law wife, Malika Softleigh

noted that he was the photographer.

The male rank, who has several years of service, informed the court that no one was home at the time of the operation and noted that CANU ranks later found three white gas bottles after searching the property. He noted that the bottles were checked via a sound test and they produced a hollow sound. The CANU officer observed that the bottles were taken by another officer to the Unit’s headquarters where further inspection was conducted.

He told Magistrate Latchman that on November 26, 2017, he printed 36 photographs which included images of the house, the cutting of the bottles, and the extraction and weighing of the suspected narcotics. The photographs were tendered and marked as exhibits, and the rank identified and provided descriptions of the photos he took. According to reports, the cylinders were open and mud was found stuffed into the bottom with black plastic. The case continues at Court Three on April 23, 2018.

– aimed at developing Guyana’s education sector

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everal educators from various countries on Thursday converged at the School of Nations for a Caribbean conference and workshop focused on education leadership.

The two-day event, which is in collaboration with the Education Ministry and the British High Commission, is an initiative which will result in introduction of the Cambridge Certificate in Educational Leadership, which the institution has been approved to offer by the Education Ministry.

Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Jennifer Cumberbatch, who shared remarks on behalf of Education Minister Nicolette Henry, noted that Guyana had a history of producing inspirational educators, but this has vanished over the past few years.

“It is vital to remember our history, the fact that we were at the top of our field in education and across the Caribbean region. We’ve had an education system that was diverse in its reach and scope. The recipients of this lost legacy have become leaders themselves, here in Guyana and in the diaspora, across a wide spectrum of professions,” she added.

Additionally, from the panel of key speakers, a representative of the Limited Resources Teachers Training (LRTT), Emily Fennigan, gave an insight on the projects that will, in the coming months, be conducted to improve Guyana’s education sector from a teaching perspective. The LRTT has been working in Guyana for the past three years in various areas of developmental studies.

“We believe that teacher quality is really the key to ensuring that every child has a rich education and experience. So many teachers and Guyana included don’t have access to quality training, or they’re looking for more support in that area,” she stated.

In light of this issue, partnerships were de-

The book Educational Leadership, was launched on Thursday

veloped between the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia, where teachers from these countries would visit the local communities to assist, observe, and also learn from the local educators. For five weeks, teachers’ training conferences are then organised to address various issues being faced by the teachers.

Fennigan also added that there are plans to introduce this programme in other countries of the world, such as Gambia and Afghanistan. During the two-day exercise, educators from various countries are expected to share their experiences with various institutions and communities that they have served. Director of Nations, Dr Brian 0’Toole, also took the opportunity to launch his new book, titled “Educational Leadership”, which outlines 40 years of experience in working on developmental projects in Guyana, which he has accumulated during his stay here.

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friDAY, April 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

School of the Nations likely to increase fees Photographer’s murder

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he administration of School of Nations has revealed that fees are likely to be increased in the near future. This would make School of the Nations the second privately run school to hike its fees, after Mae’s Schools recently announced a similar move.

This announcement was made by the Director of the institution, Dr Brian O’Toole, who explained that with the growing economy and increased costs of production and services, the need has arisen to implement the increase. The fees currently been charged are also considered very low when compared to other institutions.

“It’s likely that we will review the fees, because if we want the best possible education, we charge at the moment $1200 (US). In international terms, that’s a very low figure. We want to make sure we offer it to as wide a cross section as possible,” he stated.

Dr O’Toole further ex-

School of the Nations

plained that the fees would not be hiked to an extent that would force students of the institution to leave. If the fees are increased, the director assured, students will still be able to complete their studies.

Dr O’Toole added, “We’re going to look at making it a balance between ensuring we can get the best quality and making sure that we re-

spect the reality of the pockets of Guyana.”

Recently, Mae’s Schools hiked their fees by 40 percent, despite the Government’s removal of the 14% Value Added Tax (VAT) on education during the 2018 budget.

As such, parents are in disapproval of this sudden increase.

Dr O’Toole has reiterated that the fees being re-

quested at the School of the Nations will certainly not be as much as 40 percent, as consideration must be given to not only the individuals from whose pockets the monies are extracted, but also the school’s perspective that approximately 60 students are presently studying through a scholarship.

“Nations is looking at it.

We will not increase fees by the extent. We will not increase our fees by 40 percent.

For all the fancy cars you see in the car park, we have other people that walk here, people that come by bicycle, and they have enriched the school and we want to make sure that they stay, so we certainly aren’t going to price them out of coming,” the director said.

The institution has revealed that with the growing population of over 3000 students, the school is looking to establish other centres in the North West District and in the Rupununi, to assist the other regions.

trial continues as Police Officer testifies

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Murder accused Rayan Carter

hotographer Rayan Carter, of 575 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, appeared yesterday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman as the Preliminary Inquiry continued into the murder of Kaneville resident Ishwar Ramanah on January 13th,

7-year-old laid to rest following horrific accident

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Scenes from the funeral of Jagdesh Mohanlall

seven-year-old boy was laid to rest on Thursday after he

was killed in an accident on Tuesday in Essequibo.

Jagdesh Mohanlall, a

Primary One student from Aurora Primary School, was paid glowing tributes

as he was laid to rest in the presence of scores of family members, friends, and residents.

According to his uncle, he was going to purchase kite paper on Tuesday when he met his demise.

He was struck down by motor car PNN 9465 driven by a businessman of Hibernia, Essequibo Coast.

Jagdesh is survived by his father, Balram, who cared for him after his mom died.

Dead: Ishwar Ramanah

2018.

Carter, 22, was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge, and is expected to return to court later this month.

The facts presented to the court indicated that Carter was remanded to prison after being charged with the death of the machine operator, who was fatally shot during a robbery at his home in January last.

Ramanah, called ‘Jack,’ of 624 Macaw Drive, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, was shot in the abdomen during the robbery, which occurred around 12.10 am on December 13th, 2017.

The attack was carried out by two gunmen who invaded his home and robbed him of a $40,000 gold chain.

Ramanah had been rushed to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was treated before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). He underwent surgery, and had been admitted as a patient of the Intensive Care Unit of the GPHC, where he succumbed.

Firefighters receive special training from UK specialists

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irefighters from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) last Sunday were exposed to more specialised training on fire prevention and containment.

The exercise conducted at the Leonora Fire Station is aimed at building the capacity of the GFS. The training was carried out by the United Kingdom, Fire Risk Management consultancy experts of Quantum Fire Solutions.

Consultant Mike Evers acknowledged that there is much know-how in the Guyana Fire Service already.

However, he noted that they “have come from England to work with them and alongside them and exchange techniques of firefighting in smoke control and also high-temperature scenarios”.

Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle expressed

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle

satisfaction with the performance of the local firefighters during the training exercise. He noted that the training also provided the GFS with the opportunity to test simulators, ensure they were functional

and could be used for the purposes they were intended. In 2017, the simulator was certified as having met international standards by Angloco Limited UK, an international company.

NEWS

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S RAIGHT Blood-stained sheet tendered as evidence friDAY, April 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Big Foot” murder trial

– as Police account of Room 10 opening differs from employees

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The authorities are depleting the foreign currency market

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he graph below extracted from Table 2.16 (a) of the Bank of Guyana January 2018 Statistical Abstract revealed a hazardous reality. The Central Bank has actively bought more foreign currency from the banking system that it sold to the system in 2017 for the first time in 12 years.

The graph illustrates a situation where the Bank of Guyana bought some US$37.6 million more than they sold on the local open foreign currency market in 2017, unlike the other years under review. This is nothing but a simple drain of hard currency from the market, which will lead to shortages in the supply of US dollars.

olice Lance Corporal Dwayne McPherson who is attached to the crime lab at the Brickdam Police Station testified before Justice Sandhill Kissoon on Thursday, stating that he retrieved the blood-stained covering that was over the mattress on the bed of Room 10 where the South Central Hotel owner’s body was found. Bryan Leitch, who was said to be the last known person to stay in Room 10, is on trial for Joseph Jagdeo’s murder. Jagdeo’s body was found bound and gagged at the guesthouse on November 14, 2013. Lance Corporal McPherson told the 12-member jury under re-examination by State Prosecutor Mandell Moore that he did not check the other rooms because he received information that Room 10 was the place of the alleged crime scene and that force was used to gain entry

Murdered South Road hotelier Joseph Jagdeo

to the said room. However, this revelation contrasted that of two former employees attached to the South Central Hotel, who testified on Wednesday that they opened the door using the room’s key after gaining the key through the room’s win-

dow.

During Wednesday’s trial, former maintenance man, Wendell Eastman, called “Buxton”, testified that he had informed another worker, Patrick Wilson, called “Bullai” of the Jagdeo’s pet cat’s “strange behaivour.”

After being told of the animal’s behaviour, Eastman said he climbed onto a shed and peered through the jalousie window and saw the key to Room 10 on the bed.

He claimed that he took a pipe, pulled out the key and gave it to Wilson who opened the room. The maintenance man had testified that at this point, the cat ran into the room, ran back out and started meowing. He said he told Wilson: “Don’t go in.”

Wilson later testified and corroborated much of Eastman’s testimony, adding that after he opened the door of Room 10, he saw the body under the bed. He said

he took out his cellphone and called the Police.

At Thursday’s trial, the Police witness also testified that he took photographs of the crime scene and noted that he put the covering in a plastic evidence bag.

McPherson noted that while he saw the man’s mouth and hands were bound, he did not see any marks of violence on the body. The bloodstained sheet was shown to members of the jury.

The prosecution contends that Leitch committed the crime between November 13 and 14, 2013 at South Road, Georgetown.

State Counsel Lisa Cave is assisting the prosecution’s case while Leitch is being represented by defence Attorneys Hewley Griffith and Lawrence Harris.

Justice Kissoon adjourned the matter to Monday at 09:00h. (Shemuel Fanfair)

NA Market stall burglarised The last time this happened was when Guyana had a genuine national disaster; the GREAT FLOODS of 2005. In that year, such an outcome was expected since the system had to support emergency purchases of fuel, equipment and all sorts of other emergency items, all of which were unforeseen, unexpected and unavoidable. But what is the explanation of the national currency crisis of 2017 in Guyana? Is there a HURRICANE called INCOMPETENT DAVID GRANGER in progress?

The reality of 2017 exposed the economic folly of this Granger administration. They took a policy action to dismantle one of the largest contributors of foreign currency into the market; Guysuco.

Any first-year economics students would know that there is a material difference between actual foreign currency flowing into an economy and what is booked. So although the gold sector booked some US$800 million of foreign currency flows in 2017, less than half of that amount actually flows into the Guyanese foreign currency market and by extension the Guyanese economy. When these gold bars leave Guyana, less than half of their real value returns to the Guyanese banking system. Clearly, the owners of capital chose to invest their capital elsewhere and that is their right. But the economic consequences for Guyana are dreadful. Guysuco, on the other hand, being a state-owned company, does empower the Government to channel most of its earned foreign currency into the local system in a controlled manner. With higher inflow from Guysuco in the previous years, the pressure on the foreign exchange market was usually relieved and mitigated. With Guysuco now contributing to the local foreign currency market less than one-third of what it did just 4 years ago, the choices available to the Central Bank are fewer. Thanks to the troika of human destruction (Clive Thomas / Noel Holder / Errol Hanoman) that wrecked havoc in the sugar belt, this situation will not improve in the near future. We cannot blame the Central Bank, as they have a duty to maintain their foreign reserve targets and thus they had no choice but to drain the local foreign currency market to meet these targets. But such action will have economic consequences. It is only a matter of time before there is a run on the exchange rate. From the Bank of Guyana Daily Report on the Foreign Exchange Market for March 29, 2018, one of the local banks was already selling foreign currency drafts to the public at G$216.50 for US$1. I am being advised that at the local non-bank cambios, "off-the-books" trading in March 2018 averaged around G$222 to US$1. I would not be surprised if the official exchange rate reached G$240 to US$1 by September 2018 when the procurement for the Christmas season commences. As the supply shrinks in 2018, the only option left is devaluation.

There are public policy lessons to learn from this wild adventure being engaged in Team Granger. When you close down and privatize large segment of state own industries that have significant export capabilities, you take away control of many vital factors that facilitate stability in the economy. Guysuco is not Guyana Stores Ltd, it is a foreign currency earner. Because of what Team Granger did to Guysuco, the nation has now lost its ability to effectively control the foreign exchange rates, the inflation rates, the unemployment rates, the growth rates and so on. In short order they have lost control of the economy.

It is clear as the Bank of Guyana scrambled to meet its international reserves targets, it had to take draconian actions like the disposal of some 85% of its gold reserves within 24 months.

Now that the gold stocks are gone, they will have no choice but to print Guyana dollars in order to buy foreign currency on the local open market to meet its international reserves targets. I am truly hoping that Team Granger is willing to make some common sense decision and incentivize the local private sector to invest; not hound them into the underground using agencies like SARA because they have a big property.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

…thousands of dollars in stocks missing

A

Tamika Benjamin

stall at the New Amsterdam Market was discovered burglarised on Thursday morning, and close to a quarter of a million dollars in stocks has been reported missing.

Tamika Benjamin told this publication that that morning she went to her stall, situated aback the market in an unsecured area, and as she got there, she opened up and spent several minutes before opening the main door.

The woman noted that the items which she had placed on the floor were not in the shop. She also discovered that a board was removed from the back of the business place.

A board was apparently removed, and the perpetrator used a stick to pull whatever was possible.

A total of $232,000 in clothing and beverages was missing.

The woman explained that 27 pairs of slippers worth $40,000 were also stolen, along with a quantity of sandals valued at $87,000.

In November last year, thieves had broken into Benjamin’s stall and removed $36,000 worth of goods.

Benjamin has been operating her stall in the market for two years. A few years back, breakages in the New

Amsterdam Market were weekly occurrences. On one occasion a beret belonging to a constable was found at a broken stall on the morning when vendors went into the market.

Recently, a former constabulary officer alleged that he was told to assist with the breakage of stalls on the third night of his employment. The ex-employee noted that all those in the department were a part of that activity when he worked there. Benjamin told this publication that breakages and not as frequent now. “I can’t remember when last I hear that a market stall break,” she said.

The hole created in the wall to remove the items

12 news

friDAY, april 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden Hospital nurses stage sit-in over shortage of critical drugs, medical supplies …Health Ministry launches probe

A

The Linden Hospital Complex

s a result of issues surrounding the shortage of critical drugs and medical and non-medical supplies within the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), nurses attached to the medical institution on Thursday morning downed tools and staged a three-hour sit- in.

During this time, approximately 50 protesting nurses sat in the Outpatient Department of the Hospital, while there was reportedly no replacement staff in place. The management of the LHC, which was reportedly unaware of plans to conduct the sit-in, later met with the staff in the Outpatient Department to address their concerns.

According to LHC Public Relations Officer Toshanna Alicock, the Hospital's CEO, Dr Farouk Riyasat reassured the staff that their issues were being addressed at the bimonthly Section Heads Meeting and management was pursuing all possible avenues to have the issues rectified.

She said since management was unaware of plans to conduct the sit-in, it did not have the opportunity to put a skeleton staff in place at the time, which, she noted, was worrisome.

Temporary fix

On Thursday afternoon, Alicock noted that a decision was made to temporarily acquire critical drug supplies.

"At 2:30 pm, Management teleconferenced with the Honourable Minister of Public Health, Dr Volda Lawrence and Director of Regional Health Services, Dr Kay Shako to address the issue, and it was decided that the LHC will be acquiring supplies through Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) temporarily.

“Representatives are currently on their way to Georgetown to uplift the first set of these supplies from GPHC," Alicock noted, stressing that this was only a "temporary fix" until the previous system of acquiring drugs was straightened out with the Materials Management Unit (MMU) bond. She added that the drugs which were being acquired under the temporary arrangement fall under the critical drugs, pharmaceuticals, and medical and surgical supplies heading.

The PRO further stressed that necessary drugs were unavailable from time to time at the bond and also unavailable for private purchase. "One of the issues that we're hav-

ing is the timely release of funds from the Ministry of Finance to purchase the critical drugs that we need.

Though we do get drugs from the MMU, we are allotted a certain amount of money to purchase critical drugs. So, we're having that hiccup."

The process of acquiring the funds for purchase, she said, is a lengthy one owing to the amount of information which is now required. Alicock related that LHC management would be meeting with the staff today to provide feedback on the decisions made so far. By then, she noted, the first set of supplies would have been received.

Meanwhile, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Regional Representative Maurice Butters, who met with the protesting staff, said they related frustration over the lack of work materials and facilities and, therefore, decided to conduct the sit-in. Butters pointed out that it was a "sad" situation.

He said the staff, in speaking to the Hospital's CEO on Thursday, would have raised concerns over these issues which they explained have been affecting them for months, adding that staff have cast blame on the Public Health Ministry.

"They were very firm... that they made requisitions for these things, but they don't get it...they voiced their disapproval of the way things are going and the amount of supplies which are available at the Hospital."

He said the Hospital's CEO would have also related difficulties which management faced. "But their contention is, while the grass is growing, the cow is starving. Because they have to provide medical service to the people of this com-

President Granger to attend Commonwealth Heads’ Meeting in London

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resident David Granger will be attending the 25th Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations, slated for April 16-20, 2018 in London, and to be held under the theme, “Towards a Common Future”.

This was announced today by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during a post-Cabinet press conference.

The president will be accompanied by Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Director General Audrey Waddell, and Guyana’s High Commissioner to London, Frederick Hamley Case.

President Granger will emphasize Guyana’s role in, and contribution to,

President David Granger

the green agenda of the Commonwealth.

“It will be pointed out that 2019 will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Iwokrama Reserve. It will also be recalled that Guyana has dedicated approximately

700,000 hectares of protected area on Konashen, the home of our Wai-Wai people in the South Rupununi, in the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy,” Minister Harmon pointed out.

Guyana will, therefore, use the opportunity of the Heads of Government Meeting to continue its leadership role in the establishment of the green agenda in the Commonwealth, even as the country seeks to establish a green economy and state as a model of development.

According to the State Minister, the 2018 meeting is likely to orient the Commonwealth towards a more proactive and relevant global role as this relates to increasing global turbulence and unease.

munity, and if the supplies are not there, it means they cannot do their jobs properly. These people have been working under these conditions for quite a long time and they've been doing their best...but it would've meet a stage where they cannot go further," Butters noted.

The GPSU Representative added that

was hoping for a positive response from the Ministry.

However, the Hospital's PRO indicated later on Thursday that she was unaware of the Minister's plan to meet with staff today, but noted that management promised to contact her to have a meeting with staff some time in the future.

She said management

March 6 to March 21, medical supplies were ordered by the Linden Hospital from the MMU. On March 6, 16 of the 24 items requested were delivered, and on March 18, 91 of the 171 items ordered were received.

While it is normal procedure for the Linden Hospital to purchase drugs and other medical supplies when-

Nurses during the sit-in on Thursday

staff were also aggravated over the failure of the Public Health Minister to meet with them to address their concerns, although a promise was made over a year ago. "The staff is saying they noticed she's going to other hospitals and not visiting Linden."

He also noted that he would have received information that the Minister would meet with staff today following an additional request, adding that he

had initially planned to travel to Georgetown on Thursday, but teleconferenced the Minister instead, in an effort to find a temporary solution to the issues.

But the Public Health Ministry said it was currently investigating the circumstances and addressing the issues which resulted in the LHC recording a shortage of medical supplies.

According to a statement issued by the Public Health Ministry, during the period

ever there was a shortage, the Public Health Ministry notes, as a result of poor forecasting, all the money the Hospital possessed had already been spent during the first quarter of the year.

As such, the Ministry has commenced the implementation of necessary measures to correct this situation. Presently, a number of containers which contain some key medical supplies are being cleared.

Re-hired sugar workers being exploited – Nandlall ...claims constitutional rights being violated; employees not unionised

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ne month after the Special Purpose Unit (SPU), which falls under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), first announced that some 100 cane harvesters were re-hired to work in the fields at the Rose Hall Estate, allegations of exploitation of employees are being levelled against the State body.

The accusations were detailed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian and former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who, on Thursday, opined that workers are operating under unconstitutional arrangements.

Responding to an advertisement by NICIL/SPU inviting expressions of interest for the "contracting of farmers for planting, crop husbandry, and harvesting” at the Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore estates, Nandall claimed this arrangement makes plain that the SPU wants “no dealings with any trade union”. He observed that this is against constitution provisions in Article 147 of the document.

Rose Hall Estate

“There is an emphatic insistence that these workers must not be part of, or belong to, any trade union.

This is clearly unconstitutional and in violation of the protection accorded to workers by Article 147 of the Constitution, which guarantees protection of freedom of assembly and association. This Article provides that "no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of assembly, association...and in particular, to form or belong to political parties, trade unions or other associations for the protection of his or her interests," he stressed in a lengthy statement.

He pointed out that the SPU posited that workers who are to be employed must be employed by the private cane farmers, who must be responsible for their NIS and GRA payments, health benefits, insurance, transportation to and from work, and every other amenity.

This, he reasoned, suggests that the SPU and the closed estates’ predecessor, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), “intend to further trample upon trade unionism and the rights and interests of workers to be represented by a trade union of their choice. turn to page 14

13 GPL needs Amaila Falls Project, not US$110M – MP Ali news

friDAY, april 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...says long-term sustainability needed in energy sector

I

nstead of pumping more finances into fixing the plethora of issues at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc, Government should instead seek to invest in building a cleaner and more efficient energy system that will trickle down to the benefit of consumers, which will have a long lasting effect.

And while it is doing this, a more strategic and robust programme could be worked out to reduce its burdensome technical and non-technical losses.

This is the firm view of former Government Minister and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali who said the matter involving GPL now seeking US$110 million to assist with an overhaul of their system, points to the bad decision made by Government to abandon the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

“The Amaila Falls Hydro

Former Minister and Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

Project was a long-term solution to our energy requirement in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. By today we would have been enjoying power from Amaila Falls, we would have been enjoying it at much less or far less the cost that consumers are paying today,” he opined.

However, Ali said the coalition Government abandoned

that very project without any plans as to how they will sustain the energy climate for the country. The former Minister said the main objective right now should be to looking at a long-term solution to the country’s energy problem, to ensure that energy is also generated in a sustainable, cost-effective manner and one that will bring benefit to the

Drought-affected Wakapao residents get relief

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esidents of the Wakapao community in the Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two finally have access to potable water, after being plagued with arid weather conditions for almost two months.

This follows an intervention by a team of officials from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), who yesterday visited settlement areas in the community to assess the situation and render assistance.

GWI Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako [right], demonstrating the filtration system of the slowsand filter system. He is accompanied by GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles [centre] and other GWI officials.

During the visit, approximately 15 households in Mora, Yarashirima, and St. Lucian’s Mission settlements received jerry cans, while six slow-sand filter systems were installed in strategic locations at the St. Lucian’s Mission settlement community in Wakapao.

Managing Director of GWI, Dr. Richard Van WestCharles, has said that, in addition to fulfilling GWI’s mandate of providing communities across Guyana with access to potable drinking water, this initiative is fulfilling a basic human right.

“We want to ensure that when the children are in school and in the kitchen, the dorms where the teachers -- and in particular the health centre, where the doctors are -- there is access to safe water,” he explained.

During the dry period, the residents were forced to source water from a nearby creek and pond, since the community’s three wells became inoperable almost immediately after their construction, prior to the 2015 election.

The water company will be installing ultraviolet systems in the area to treat bacteria, making the water extremely safe. Dr. Van West-Charles highlighted that infrastructur-

GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles and Marcy Fredericks, a Councillor from the St Lucian’s Mission, testing one of the jerry cans

al interventions are forthcoming.

“Within another week, I will prioritise all the drinking water issues. In addition, you have a large reservoir. The engineer said it’s about 9000 gallons, so we have to work together to first clean the reservoir, Then we will bring water from the creek, filter it into the reservoir, so the community can have access to potable water,” the Managing Director stated.

Dr. Van West-Charles stressed the need for collective efforts to maintain the filters, and disclosed that monthly testing will be conducted to maintain the safety of the water. According to the Managing Director, GWI will be assessing a long-term solution for the drought season. “We understand that there is scarcity in the dry weather, so the engineers will come back to suggest the establishment of a catchment area. This will be used to store water for those dry periods,” he explained.

Similar initiatives will be implemented in other communities along the Pomeroon River Dr. Van West-Charles assured. Director of Operations, Dwyane Shako, indicated that the slow-sand filter system has been in existence for a number of years, but was selected above the more conventional filtration system because it is more effective and provides much cleaner water.

“It filters water very slow-

ly, and by doing that, it allows not only the aesthetics of the water in terms of the sediments to be treated, but it allows for a biological treatment; which means it kills the bacteria in the water,” Shako explained.

According to the Director of Operations, the difference between the slow-sand filter and the conventional filter systems is that the sand in the sand filter system is much finer.

Due to this, the filtration process is much longer, but cleaner. Both the Mora and Yarashirima settlements will soon benefit from their slow sand filter systems. This intervention was welcomed by residents. Others were relieved that students attending school will have access to quality water.

GWI has already begun work in several areas across Guyana, to fulfil its commitment to goal six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which speaks to equitable access to quality water, and efficient use of water in the world by 2030.

Last month, the utility company embarked on an initiative which will soon see the community of Rincon in Moruca, Barima-Waini benefiting from access to potable water for the first time.

The sum of $3.2 billion was allocated to GWI in the 2018 budget to improve the quality of water supply across the country.

consumer.

“Pumping money into GPL will not allow it, but the Government should therefore rethink its strategy and rethink its position on the Amaila Falls Hydro Project…

Any investment should be able to equip us of our capability for energy to be generated in a sustainable way,” he opined.

One of the greatest challenges facing this sector is the growing demand on the system. However, the current capacity has not grown to meet that demand. “They’ve also seen a retrograde in terms of reliability of power and if you look at for example what is going on with blackouts and so on, it is far worse today than when we had the contract with Wärtsillä,” he added.

The Government had moved away from the Wärtsillä support mechanism with the promise that black out will be a thing of the past and the system would have been far more efficient.

However, the Opposition MP pointed out that the system today is far more inefficient and a lot of maintenance is due. Also, the cost of energy has not gone down and the supply cannot meet the demand.

Importantly also, Ali said based on the marked reduction in fuel between 2014 and 2016, this could have resulted in a surplus position of GPL. He said if this is the case, the power company needs to say

how much that surplus was for each year and what they did with the surplus. “Because when the price for fuel came down there was no adjustment to the cost of electricity to the consumer,” he recalled.

The Opposition has long called for the reintroduction of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project for a number of important reasons. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said not only does the scrapping of the project threaten the forest pact agreement with the Kingdom of Norway, which could cause the country to lose out on another US$3 billion in savings, but it could assist Guyana to combat climate change.

The project, which formed part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), was the brainchild of Jagdeo, and was commissioned in 2009. And having taken up office in 2015, the now Government had repeatedly stated its disapproval of resurrecting the project.

But the former President believes that the coalition Government has killed the project, although it was set to provide Guyana with a massive source of electricity. “This is the year we would have turned on the switch and hydropower would have flowed through the country,” he stated.

Arrangements under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, would have guaranteed that

the Government would not have incurred any debt for this project. In fact, part of the financing was expected to come from a Norwegian grant to buy equity into the project. The remainder would have been private funding from the contractors, who were expected to sell power to Government, some through equity and some through a loan.

An independent assessment of the project had revealed that the only realistic path for Guyana moving towards an emission-free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential and the fastest way forward is to maintain the project. The report, which was compiled by Norconsult, an engineering and design consultancy firm out of Norway contracted by the Government of Norway, detailed an “objective and facts-based” assessment of the Project on the agreement of the two Governments.

According to the report, which was handed over to the Government, the first needed step for revitalising the project is a decision by the Government to maintain the project as the priority project in the transition to a green generation regime, as recommended in the “Initial Study on System Expansion of the Generation and Transmission System” of 2014, and reiterated and embraced by Government in June 2016.

14 NEWS

friDAY, april 6, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPL will become worldDeodat Indar reclass utility company – CEO elected GCCI President

Guyana Power and Light Inc CEO Albert Gordon

W

hile there continues to be widespread criticisms over the quality of services provided by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc., its newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Albert Gordon, has promised to change that view by making the power company more efficient and worldclass.

Gordon told the media on Wednesday that several bold initiatives will be rolled out soon to ensure that the image of GPL is changed. The CEO said the aim is to make customers satisfied with the quality and service the GPL provides, and ultimately bring some level of improvement to the entire operation of the power company.

He explained that several consultants have been evaluating the company’s performance, and at present, the company has not been able to move beyond the 20 percent mark. While admitting that there is a lot of work to be done, he said the plan is to take GPL to about 40 percent and hopefully beyond 50 percent, which would put it neatly in that world class space with other companies across the world.

In laying out his vision for GPL, the CEO said GPL would support the sustainable development of Guyana, addressing social, economic and environmental issues in a sustainable manner. Not only does GPL

plan to deliver reliable and affordable energy services, but the company will seek to comply with applicable standards and environmental obligations, and develop and operate in a manner that is sustainable.

“GPL will be a world class utility service provider, as seen by our success in exceeding the expectations of customers. And (from) what I’ve been seeing in the media, I know the expectations are not so high…there is increased expectations going forward, and we intend to exceed those expectations,” Gordon reaffirmed.

Another key area that the new CEO plans to look at is improving the company’s strategic planning.

At present, he said, GPL does not have a discreet unit that drives the strategic planning for the utility.

However, he said that is essential in order for the company to achieve both longand short-term goals.

He said, “We’ll excel in the management of projects, the management of risks, and in the management of the quality of our operations and our processes. We will continually see improvements in our processes, which will drive performance and will continue to develop skills and capabilities.”

Financial sustainability

Another major goal of the new CEO is to make GPL more stable, and to drive fi-

nancial sustainability over the coming years. In order to do this, Gordon said, the power company will assist with the drive to support the use of renewable energy as part of the entire supply of energy to consumers.

Government has made known its policy to have 100 per cent demand of local energy to be met by renewables, and the CEO has said he fully supports this initiative. “It is brilliant and necessary. It is a good idea, because we could produce power from renewables and export it,” he explained.

According to him, GPL has over 7000 megawatts of hydroelectric potential to export that power. GPL can therefore generate more than the demand. While explaining that Guyana is blessed with resources, he said GPL will support all forms of renewables, whether it be wind, biomass or any other form.

“We are fully supportive of development of renewables,” he stated, while explaining that plans are being made to meet with the Public Utilities Commission to discuss his plans to tap into renewables.

A similar project that was adopted in Jamaica is being touted, and could be used to push that process.

On Wednesday also, Gordon revealed that GPL has already approached Government, seeking assistance in the tune of US$110 million to help to resolve some of the immediate issues facing the company. He said that money will be used to upgrade and reconfigure the supply system to produce better electricity.

While explaining that there are a multiplicity of issues facing GPL, which are ultimately responsible for the constant power outages, the new CEO said fixing these issues depends on the investment to make the necessary changes that are required to bring some normalcy to the system.

Re-hired sugar workers...

from page 12

“This is certainly a retrograde step in industrial and labour relations in our country. The right of workers to be represented by a union of their choice is a right that was struggled for and won after decades of activism by thousands. The sugar workers in particular, led by Dr Cheddi Jagan, held some of the longest strikes in the English-speaking Caribbean before their union, GAWU, was allowed to represent them,” the senior PPP member expressed.

“All of these tremendous advances are now being eroded by what I can only describe as another act of authoritarianism reminiscent of the dark days of the [Forbes] Burnham dictatorship,” he stressed, referencing the period when the late leader reigned from 1964 to

his death in 1985 under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government.

Nandlall also stressed that under the PPP/C rule, the Guyana Trades Union Recognition Act was enacted, facilitating workers’ representation by a union of their choice.

He noted that that right forms part of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions to which Guyana is a signatory.

He highlighted that the incentive schemes under which workers benefited, such as the Annual Production Incentive (API), will [not] be available, because no cane farmer will have the financial capacity to finance them.

“The whole scheme is exploitative, is cruel and degrading to the workers.

GuySuco and the SPU know the workers are vulnerable and desperate; they know the workers and their families are on the bread line; they know the workers are battling for their very survival, so they unleashed this vicious scheme to exploit them and deny them their dignity and human rights. It is a sad human rights tragedy,” he noted.

In December 2017, some 4000 workers from Skeldon, Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar estates were placed on the breadline after Government, through GuySuCo, opted to downsize the industry.

Additionally, in another cost-cutting move, the Wales Estate was shuttered in December 2016, displacing more than 1000 workers at that entity.

– vows to advance small and mediumscale businesses

GCCI’s 2018-2019 Executive Management Committee

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ewly elected President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, has committed to strengthening the tenets of economic development so that the country can be resilient in the instance of declining prices for Guyana’s oil & gas industry, which is set to commence in 2020.

Indar has vowed to advance programmes that would facilitate the growth of small and medium scale businesses.

“I want to work with our partners in working on developing small and medium sized businesses. Our partners include Government, financial institutions, development agencies, aid agencies, to make sure that they provide help,” he told Guyana Times.

He related that measures will be implemented to ensure that small operators manufacture products to accepted standards where packaging and functionality of the product are concerned. The GCCI President

said these products must be suited for consumption. He further explained that he would also be working with services industries to ensure that they, too, elevate their standards.

He told Guyana Times that the small and mediums size business owners must not just receive “handouts” in the form of grants and loans, but Government policies should support the growth of the business environment. He observed also that taxes must not be burdensome, and stressed that the GCCI would continue to press for adjustments to policies which are not in keeping with business growth.

“The main objective of the chamber is to make sure that whatever additional taxes or increase in taxes (are levied, they) are not burdensome. We will continue to work with our Government partners to explain, to advocate, to show by way of analysis and empirical information, that whatever the policies are that are affecting businesses... once businesses [have]

sustained downturn, then (those policies are) not effective in developing a conducive business environment,” Indar told this newspaper.

He added that he would advocate for Guyanese businesses to benefit from the oil & gas sector, and noted that importers and retailers must be properly treated by regulators such as the Government Analyst Food and Drugs Department and the Guyana Revenue Authority. He noted that GCCI will continue pushing for the removal of value-added tax on several products and services, such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, electricity and water.

“They [Government] removed from the zero-rated list a whole set of items.

Those things are having an impact on businesses,” he stressed.

The Sterling Products Limited Executive was on Thursday elected GCCI President for the year 20182019 following last week’s election of a new GCCI Council of 21 members.

Indar told Guyana Times that the council’s election process was smooth, transparent, and without hiccups.

Aside from Indar’s election, Nicholas Deygoo Boyer was elected Senior Vice President, Timothy Tucker of Rid-O-Pes was elected Junior Vice President, and Kester Hutson of Dapper Technology was elected Secretary; while Shanti Persaud of Silvie’s Variety Store was named Treasurer.

Established since 1889, GCCI has expanded its membership to over 200 members for 2017/2018.

The body also attained a net surplus of $ 5.6 million for 2017 out of $ 72.4 million for total revenue recorded.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

DPP recommends murder charge for GDF Captain

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he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Thursday returned to the Police the investigative file on Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Captain Orwain Sandy -- who shot and killed his reputed wife Reona Payne on Saturday last – with a recommendation that he be charged for murder.

Sandy is expected to be arraigned before a city magistrate sometime today.

Earlier this week, detectives working on the case had confirmed that the file was completed and sent to the DPP for legal advice.

Well-placed source had told the <<Guyana Times>> that the Captain had given a confession statement when he walked into the Ruimveldt Police Station after shooting

the woman.

On the day in question, the GDF Captain and the now dead Reona Payne were in a motor car proceeding along First Street, Alexander Village when an argument ensued after he reportedly accused her of being unfaithful. It was reported that he stopped the car, and as the woman exited, he opened fire, riddling her body with bullets from his service revolver.

He left her lifeless body on the roadway and drove to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where he surrendered, informing ranks what he had done moments earlier.

Ever since the shooting, there have been speculations that Payne had been seeing two other men while living with the GDF Captain.

Guyana Times was told that after Sandy had found out that she was seeing a colleague of his, it angered him, and the shooting seemed nothing but premeditated.

Relatives and friends of the now dead woman have told media operatives that the woman was involved in an abusive relationship with the Captain. It was also reported that the mother of two had encouraged the Captain to reconcile with his legally married wife.

A post mortem examination done on Payne’s remains on Wednesday has revealed that she died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds. The woman was shot 14 times, 13 to her chest and once to her head, at close range.

friDAY, april 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

15

News

Govt wants closer ties with Private Sector – as local content, GSDS and security discussed at PSC corporate dinner

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inister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday evening said the Private Sector and the Government of Guyana are not adversaries, but rather partners in development, who must work in tandem with each other.

He made these remarks in an invited comment at the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) corporate dinner, hosted at the Rotunda, Banks DIH Limited, Thirst Park, and added that such engagements are aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Government and the Private Sector, since the administration strongly believes that private enterprise is the engine of growth of the economy.

“We believe that we have to set the regulatory and the other frameworks which would allow businesses to flourish, and to provide that good life for the people of Guyana that we are talking about. So this dinner here tonight is basically my meeting with some of the CEOs [Chief Executive Officers] of major companies of the country to discuss the Green

State Development Strategy (GSDS), local content in legislation, and matters of that nature.

“I know they will also want to discuss how crime impacts their businesses, so it is going to be a very interactive dinner. I am happy to be here to represent the views of the President and the Government, so that the Private Sector understands that this is what we are really about. If you have a well-functioning Government and a well-functioning Private Sector, then it rebounds to the benefit of the Guyanese people, and that is what we want,” he said.

Last year, the Government, in collaboration with the Private Sector Commission, hosted a twoday business summit at the Marriott Hotel. The concept, a brainchild of President David Granger, sought to ensure that the interests of all business owners – including farmers, fisher-folk, miners, loggers, traders and workers – could be considered, and that the event would set up the basis for consultation rather than confrontation.

Attendees at the Private Sector Commission’s corporate dinner

An outcome of that summit was the drafting of the ‘Private Sector Commission’s Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of Guyana’. Minister Harmon received a copy of the Plan at the dinner, and noted that the Government is committed to perusing the document in its entirety, and engaging the Commission on it at the earliest possible time.

“We will study this document, and certainly you will get the Government’s response to it in a short space of time, so that we can move this country forward. I believe that, for far too long, we have operated in little silos: the Government silo, the Private Sector silo and the Opposition silo; and it is time

Brazil’s Lula must start prison term, Supreme Court rules

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razil’s ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be jailed while he appeals against a graft conviction, the Supreme Court has ruled.

He is facing 12 years in jail on charges of accepting a bribe but had asked to remain free during his appeal.

Lula claims the charges are politically motivated, and designed to prevent him from running for President in October. He has a lead in opinion polls. His Workers’ Party said the ruling was a “tragic day for democracy and Brazil”.

The Supreme Court Judges ruled against him by six to five after a marathon session, which ended in the early hours of Thursday. Lula watched the ruling at the Metalworker’s Union, where his supporters held an upbeat concert. The 72-year-old former President is likely to remain

Brazil’s ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claims charges against him are politically motivated

free until paperwork for his arrest is completed.

Lula served as President between 2003 and 2011.

Despite his lead in the polls, he remains a divisive figure.

Up to 20,000 people protested in São Paulo on Tuesday calling for his immediate imprisonment, while supporters also rallied in large numbers in a rival demonstration. Until recently, defendants in Brazil were allowed to remain free

until their final appeal had been exhausted.

However, the Supreme Court was considering a 2016 ruling from a lower court, under which defendants could be sent to jail after a failed first appeal.

Lula lost his first appeal in January, when the appeals court not only upheld his conviction, but increased the sentence from nine and a half years to 12. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

US rules out Trump meetings with Castro, Maduro

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he White House on Thursday ruled out the already faint possibility that President Donald Trump will meet the leaders of Cuba or Venezuela on his first trip to Latin America next week.

“We don’t anticipate at this point a direct meeting between President Trump and (Raul) Castro,” a senior administration official

said. “He won’t be having bilateral meetings with Venezuela.”

Trump has been at pains to contrast his presidency with that of predecessor Barack Obama, who held a historic meeting with Raul Castro at the last Summit of the Americas in Panama in 2015.

That paved the way for a thaw in relations after de-

cades of Cold War rivalry.

During this year’s event, taking place on April 13-14 in Lima, Peru, Trump looks set to be less conciliatory.

A week before he departs for his first meeting summit with southern neighbours he ordered the National Guard to the Mexican border, as he sought to burnish his tough-on-migrants credentials. (Jamaica Observer)

that we break down these silos in the interest of the people of this country. If – for no other reason, I think – if this document serves that purpose, then I think we would have had time well spent at that Conference,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman and Managing Director of Banks DIH Limited, Clifford Reis, in a brief comment, said that while there are areas for the

Government and the Private Sector to increase cooperation, the Private Sector must, at the same time, recognise that its role is not solely to criticise.

“The Private Sector has a serious part to play in not only criticising Government, but it has to work with Government and develop the future of this country… It is about time we start working together. Let people know that we are one nation, one people, and that we have a good future,” he said. PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer, in an invited comment, said that the Commission appreciates the engagement with the Minister of State as it is his third engagement with members of the Private Sector in just over one week.

Last week, Minister Harmon addressed the Georgetown

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Annual General Meetings.

“We have great hopes because the Minister of State has always given us a great sense of how the Government and the Private Sector ought to work together so we would be engaging him on some of the issues regarding the wider Private Sector and issues where we can play a part and the public-private partnership along with the fact that we have done a series of events together. At the end of it, we want to create employment, we want to see the Guyanese people benefit from jobs and benefit from the industries such as the oil and gas, which is coming on stream,” he said.

PAHO launches campaign to vaccinate children against diphtheria

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he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) says has launched a campaign to vaccinate more than two million children in Haiti against diphtheria, a bacterial infection that causes throat inflammation and difficulty breathing and that, in severe cases, can lead to death.

PAHO said that the programme, which will target children between the ages one to 14 was launched in mid-March by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners.

According to a preliminary report, around one million children were vaccinated and PAHO said on April 8, a similar campaign is slated to begin in Haiti’s Ouest department, the most populated in the country, seeking to reach more than 1.2 million children.

Since the beginning of this year, PAHO said Haiti has reported 14 confirmed cases of diphtheria and 48 probable cases. Children under 15 are the most affected, and nearly half of the confirmed and probable cases were not vaccinated, PAHO said.

During this period, it said there have been six deaths among the probable

cases and one among the confirmed cases.

Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Symptoms often appear gradually, starting with sore throat and fever. In severe cases, the bacteria generate a toxin that results in a thick grey or white plaque in the throat, blocking airways and hindering breathing or swallowing, and may cause a dry cough, PAHO said.

It said the disease is easily transmitted from one person to another, through direct contact or by air through respiratory droplets spread through coughing or sneezing. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Facebook fined US$33M for failing to aid Brazil graft probe

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Brazilian Judge has ordered that Facebook Inc pay 111.7 million reais (US$33.4 million) for failing to cooperate with a corruption investigation in the state of Amazonas, federal prosecu-

tors said on Thursday.

Facebook was fined for failing to give access in 2016 to WhatsApp messages exchanged by individuals under investigation for an alleged scheme to defraud the state’s health system, pros-

ecutors said in a statement.

Prosecutors said Facebook lawyers had called the fine “excessive and disproportional.” A representative for Facebook did not immediately comment on the matter. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UWI gets financial support

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n the face of dwindling enrolment numbers and persistent fiscal challenges, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus has received some much-needed financial support.

It has come in the form of several new scholarships from the business sector and individuals. The announcement came from deputy principal, Professor Clive Landis, at the Cave Hill campus’ 15th annual Student Awards ceremony titled: Celebrating Success, Resilience And Excellence,

on Tuesday night.

This academic year there were five new undergraduate awards: The Carlos Holder Memorial Scholarship, valued at Bds$2000; Hinds Transport Services Scholarship, worth Bds$5000; Co-operators General Insurance Co Scholarship, valued at Bds$5 000; the Bds$5000 Edgar and Joan Hynam Scholarship; and the Foster Foundation Scholarship Fund, worth Bds$2000.

There was also the introduction of the Anthony and Joy Bland Scholarship, award-

ed to three students, at Bds$5000 each.

Meanwhile, CIBC F i r s t C a r i b b e a n International Bank donated 15 undergraduate scholarships worth Bds$2500 each for a total of Bds$35000, and SOL Caribbean scholarships totalling US$32,250 (Bds$64,500).

Speaking at the ceremony held in the Roy Marshall Teaching Complex, Principal Professor Eudine Barriteau called on other entities and individuals to also give the campus their support. (Excerpt

from Nation News)

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friDAY, april 6, 2018

Around the World

Timothy Cunningham: Missing US Salman Khan: Bollywood superstar jailed for poaching Government scientist found dead

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n Indian court has sentenced Bollywood superstar Salman Khan to five years in jail for poaching rare antelope back in 1998. The court in Jodhpur also fined him 10,000 rupees (US$154; £109) for the crime. He has since been taken to jail.

Khan killed the two blackbucks, a protected species, in the western state of Rajasthan while shooting a film. Four other actors who starred with him in the movie and were also charged with the offence have been acquitted.

Khan, 52, can appeal against the verdict in a higher court. Correspondents say he will have to spend at least a few days in prison.

This is the fourth case filed against the actor in connection with poaching animals during the filming of the 1998 movie Hum Saath Saath Hain.

In 2006, a trial court convicted the actor in two cases

Khan can appeal against the verdict

of poaching and sentenced him separately to one year and five years in prison. The Rajasthan high court suspended the sentences the following year, and eventually quashed both convictions in 2016.

The state government has appealed against that order in the Supreme Court.

Khan was then acquitted of a third case in 2017, which was for possessing unlicensed weapons used to poach the wildlife in 1998.

The original poaching complaint against him was filed by the local Bishnoi community, who revere and worship the blackbuck. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Bahrain discovers offshore oilfield “containing 80B barrels”

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ahrain says a newly-discovered oil field contains up to 80bn barrels of tight (or shale) oil, dwarfing the Gulf island kingdom’s current reserves.

Appraisals of the offshore Khaleej Al Bahrain basin by two US firms also suggest the presence of 280 billion to 560 billion cubic metres of natural gas.

Oil Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said it was not yet known how much oil could be extracted. But it could turn Bahrain into a major player in the global market.

Officials expect extraction from the oil field to begin

within five years, according to Bahrain’s national news agency.

Before the discovery, Bahrain had proven crude reserves of just 125 million barrels and 92 billion cubic metres of natural gas.

By comparison, neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has 266 billion barrels of proven reserves. Qatar, the top exporter of liquefied natural gas, has 24 trillion cubic metres of gas.

In recent years, the Bahraini Government had responded to its relatively small reserves and falling oil prices by seeking to

diversify the economy into other sectors, such as financial services and tourism.

Sheikh Mohammed told a news conference in Manama on Wednesday that the National Oil and Gas Authority aimed to attract foreign oil and gas firms to develop the Khaleej Al Bahrain field, which covers 2000sq km.

Bahrain currently produces about 50,000 barrels of oil per day from the Bahrain Field, which was discovered in 1932. It also gets another 150,000 barrels per day from the Abu Saafa field, which it shares with Saudi Arabia. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

he body of a US Government disease scientist who vanished more than six weeks ago has been found in a river in Atlanta, Georgia, Police say.

Timothy Cunningham left work at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta on February 12, saying he was feeling unwell.

The 35-year-old’s body was discovered in the Chattahoochee River on Tuesday night, said Atlanta Police Department. Police say they do not suspect any foul play, but have not ruled it out.

The Harvard graduate had worked on tackling the Ebola and Zika outbreaks before his death. His body was found late on Tuesday by a group of fishermen.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Cunningham, who was known to collect rocks, was found with crystals in his pocket and wearing running shoes.

His death has been classified as a drowning.

Cunningham, who was an

The Harvard graduate had worked on tackling the Ebola and Zika outbreaks

epidemiologist in the CDC’s chronic disease department, lived with his dog.

The pet, along with Cunningham’s keys, wallet, phone, identification, credit cards and passport were all found by investigators safely locked in his Atlanta home.

Police initially said that on the day Cunningham was last seen alive, he had expressed disappointment to

his supervisor about missing a promotion.

But the CDC said last month that information was incorrect.

Acting CDC Director Dr Anne Schuchat said Cunningham had actually received an early promotion to commander in July last year “in recognition of his exemplary performance”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

German court rejects extradition of former Catalan leader on rebellion charge

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German court on Thursday rejected an extradition request for Catalonia’s former leader Carles Puigdemont on the charge of rebellion for his role in the campaign for the region’s independence.

The court agreed to release Puigdemont on bail and said extradition to Spain was possible on the lesser charge of misuse of public funds. The former Catalan leader was arrested last month on a Spanishissued arrest warrant as he

entered Germany.

The ruling means Puigdemont, who fled Spain five months ago for Belgium after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dismissed his regional administration, cannot be tried for rebellion in Spain once extradited on the lesser charge, a German court spokeswoman said. “The court must now decide if extradition for embezzlement is a possibility,” said spokeswoman Frauke Holmer.

“If that is the case, and

Puidgemont can be extradited for embezzlement of public money, then a prosecution for rebellion is not possible.”

Spain respects the German court’s decision, a Spanish government spokeswoman said earlier.

Spain’s Supreme Court reactivated international arrest warrants last month for Puigdemont and four other Catalan politicians who went into self-imposed exile last year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Hundreds of Jewish settlers Spy poisoning: Russia says UK storm al-Aqsa compound is “playing with fire”

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undreds of Jewish settlers, flanked by heavily armed Israeli special forces, have stormed al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that around 500 settlers entered al-Aqsa Mosque in the early hours of Thursday before performing Jewish religious rituals near the Dome of the Rock Mosque.

Firas al-Dib, a spokesman for the Religious Endowments Authority, said at least 491 settlers and 13 special forces officers “broke into the compound”, bringing the total number of Jewish settlers illegally entering the religious site since Sunday to 1731.

The ancient marble-and-

Palestinians fear Israeli hardliners are trying to take control of the site

stone compound - known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif – houses al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, and the 7th-century Dome of the Rock.

Visits by Jewish groups, including politicians, have triggered violence over the years, with Palestinians fearing that

Israeli hardliners are trying to take control of the site.

Also on Thursday, hundreds of Jewish settlers, backed

by Israeli forces, pushed their way into a religious shrine in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus and began attacking Palestinians, according to witnesses. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ussia has accused the UK of inventing a “fake story” and “playing with fire” over the Salisbury spy poisoning.

Moscow’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzia told a meeting of the UN Security Council: “We have told our British colleagues that you are playing with fire and you will be sorry.”

The UK claims Russia is behind the attack. Moscow denies responsibility.

Britain’s UN representative Karen Pierce accused Russia of undermining global security.

She likened Russia’s requests to take part in the investigation to an arsonist investigating his own fire.

Russian former spy Sergei Skripal and his

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, remain in hospital.

The Skripals were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury more than a month ago

daughter Yulia were found unconscious in Salisbury on March 4. Skripal, 33, is recovering in hospital and has released a statement saying her “strength is growing daily”. Her father, 66, remains critically ill but stable.

Moscow called the special meeting of the Security Council in New York to discuss the attack, saying Britain had “legitimate questions” to answer.

Nebenzia said the accusations were “horrific and unsubstantiated”, and claimed the UK was waging a “propaganda war” against Russia. He said Novichok – the group of nerve agent used in the poisoning – is “not copyrighted by Russia, in spite of the obviously Russian name” and has been developed in many countries. (Excerpt from BBC News)

friday, april 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Akisha Payne

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Anasa Williams

Merissa Garraway

ine beauties from across Guyana will compete for the title of Miss Earth 2018 which is slated for later this month.

The last Miss Earth Guyana Pageant was held in 2010 when Soyini Fraser was crowned queen but a representative was sent up

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ver the past weekend, Guyana’s representative to the Miss Black San’ International Swimsuit Pageant 2018, Faydeha King, walked away with the coveted title.

The pageant was held in St Kitts where King outshone her eight rivals to win the title.

This makes the second year Guyana has w o n

Anita Baker

Orianna Castello

for the international pageant as recent as 2014.

It was local belle Stacy Ramcharran who took the crown back then, but after the franchise was lost one year later, it was not possible to choose another girl. As such, she remains the reigning Miss Earth Guyana; that is un-

the pageant. Last year, Xameria Kipping won the crown and title as the first ever queen.

However, this year, King walked away with the Top Designer Swimsuit, Best in Identical Swimwear, Best Top Model and Best Battle of the Brushes MUA awards. All the contestants competed in various swimwear segments showcasing the rich culture of the Caribbean.

Twenty-five-year-old Faydeha King, who is no stranger to pageantry, is a socialills practitioner who is currently co m p l et i n g h e r

Gabriella Chapman

Prudence Lam

til the grand coronation of Miss Earth Guyana 2018.

The Miss Earth Pageant is one with a difference which gives women from across the country the opportunity to raise awareness, not only about the environment but health related issues that follow.

degree in social work and masters in psychology and she hails from the ancient county of Berbice.

She participated in several pageants including Miss Skeldon High, Miss Berbice, Miss Bartica Regatta, Miss Jamzone, Miss Universe Guyana, Miss Caribbean Culture Guyana, Miss Caribbean Culture Regional, and Miss Global International.

Meanwhile, the Black San’ Bang-a-Lang is an eclectic community festival, with events ranging from open-air concerts and talent pageants to J’Ouvert street jams in which calypso bands parade through the streets.

The local director is renowned Guyanese designer Randy Madray.

Xamiera Kippins

As the pageant builds momentum, the contestants were sashed at a Gala Dinner and Sashing Ceremony held at the Aracari Hotel.

Miss Earth Guyana 2018 and her court will benefit from a prize package of over one million dollars in cash and other prizes. The

O

Luann Pellew

ne of the most popular love stories of Bollywood featuring the l e g e n d a r y Amitabh Bachchan will be screened on Saturday evening at the Indian Culture Centre; Lot 67, New Haven, Bel Air, Georgetown.

Silsila, (Series of Events) is a 1981 Indian Bollywood Hindi romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra.

The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha and Sanjeev Kumar.

Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Shashi Kapoor make guest appearance in the film. The movie is said to be loosely inspired by the alleged real-life love triangle of its three stars – Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha –

coronation night is scheduled for April 28.

Vying for the title of Miss Earth 2018 are Xamiera Kippins, Prudence Lam, Luann Pellew, Merissa Garraway, Anita Baker, Gabriella Chapman, Oriana Castello, Akisha Payne and Anasa Williams.

the most talked about love affair back then.

Orphaned at very young age, the brothers S h e k h a r Malhotra (Shashi Kapoor) and Amit Malhotra ( A m i t a b h Bachchan) led independent lives.

Shekhar fell in love with the lovely Shobha (Jaya Bachchan), while Amit seeks to woo the attractive, Chandni (Rekha). Amit finds professional success as a playwright in Delhi, enjoying a successful launch into the circles of Delhi’s intellectual elite.

Amit’s passion and dedication to his craft wins Chandni’s affections for Amit, and they share a brief, blissful period of courtship.

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friday, april 6, 2018

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s Guyana celebrates the 179th anniversary of East Indian arrival in Guyana, one of the most spectacular Bollywood and chutney shows in a very long time is planned for the Guyana National Stadium on May 5.

The show will feature the Angels Caribbean Band out of New York and the Caribbean Hotshots Band out of Guyana.

The show is expected to be off the hook, with several other performers taking the stage before the main band.

Both of the bands are known for their high-quality performances and it with this in mind, they intend to perform to their best before their Guyanese fans. Also part of the show will be Deejay Stephan out of 71 Sound System and the 89.5 FM’s

Morning Drive Team.

Tickets for the evening cost $1000 and if you buy three, the fourth will be absolutely free. However, VIP tickets cost $5000. These tickets for the event can be won Monday to Friday on RGI 89.5FM between 07:00h and 09:00h and on Sundays on Television Guyana between 10:00h to 14:00h.

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he winners of the “Spotlight” Talent Show, Euphoria Dance Crew, is on the path of making its dreams come true as they are presently in Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the World of Dance Competition. The team departed Guyana earlier in the week and is ready to take the stage by storm on Saturday evening.

Upon arriving in the Twin Island Republic, the team had the opportunity to meet their competitors but more so, they were given a tour of the venue where all the action will unfold Saturday evening.

The dance crew is a group of dancers who specialise majorly in the hip hop aspect of dance. Other dance styles include African, soca, interpretive and dancehall.

The group got its name from the work euphoria which tells of excitement and happiness. In addition, the members always enjoy making people happy and excited whenever they dance. The group was formed approximately four years ago by five members – Jemal Ellis, Carlus Persaud, Seon Douglas, and Kevon and Yannick Collins.

Since those years, two founding members

took a different path in life to further their studies and focus on work but the group will always remain and have a strong friendship and bond with each other.

Presently, there are four main dancers in the group, namely Jemal Ellis, James Lamonga, Yannick Collins and Carlus Persaud.

What makes this group unique? The different dance styles that comprise this group. Each of the four main dancers specialises in a different aspect of hip hop.

Collins, a hip hop dancer, specialises in the art of break dancing – a style of dance that involves a lot of strength, style and rhythm.

On the other hand, Ellis specialises in krump dancing and is also the lead choreographer in the group. His style of dance utilises aggression as well as character.

Persaud is a turf dancer which involves flexibility and creativity. The two main aspects of his dance are connections and arm contortions.

Lamonga is the popper of the group. His dance style requires precision and musicality.

Guyana Times Entertainment wishes the dance troupe all the best at the competition this weekend.

erbicians are in for a treat this Saturday as several high-profile performers take to the stage in the first ever “Bacchanal in Berbice” stage show billed for the Feroz Family Fun Park at Number 6 Village, West Coast Berbice.

The event will feature performances by Guyanese Baboo, Terry Gajraj; reigning Chutney King, Bunty Singh; AW Lyrical; Sasenarine; Arigit Singh; Steven Ramphal; Nishal B; Vanita Willie; Satish Udairam; Kris Rampaul; Krish and Trevor Vibes.

Adding some vibes to the event will be Brain who is known for his exotic dance moves, as well as Granny Ivelaw. Comedians Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones and “Katahar” will also be in the house. Emcee for the evening will be Drew P. Admission to the event cost $1000. Gates open at 18:00h and the show is expected to get underway at 20:00h. The first 100 persons in the venue will receive free CDs.

eam MMR, a combination of Party Boss WR Reaz and Selector Andy joined forces in April 2013 to give Guyanese the most exciting party experience ever.

Five years later, the duo is a force to be reckoned with. From hosting concept parties to creating the right vibes at a wedding, the combination has been doing exceptionally well. Over the years, the group has evolved and its membership has grown but the founders are still kicking strong.

In addition to hosting parties and setting a stage on fire, the duo owns their own television and radio shows that have been creating quite a stir on air. Their selection of music spans all genres and caters for the old, not so old, young and the versatile.

The duo has even spread their wings to the USA where they match the lyric “When we touch down, the whole place shell down”.

However, despite their busy and hectic schedule at work, they always find time to mix and mingle with their families, friends and supporters as they promise never to shun the people who have helped them to be the most versatile and exciting duo around.

In addition, they are always open for constructive criticism – something that complements or improves their work; hence making Guyanese smile brighter. Team MMR has held shows such as Music of the World, Clash of the Titans, Red Square Vodka Chutney Show, and the East Coast Explosion, among others. Nevertheless, Team MMR will be hosting its 5th anniversary in fine style at District Ultra Lounge this evening.

There will be drink specials all night long, with some juggling by selector Andy and Golden Chyld. The party is expected to be epic as the entire Team MMR crew will be in the house. Ladies will be admitted free before 21:00h after which admission will be $2000.

Guyana Times Entertainment takes this opportunity to congratulate the duo on their 5th anniversary and wishes them the best in the years to come.

friDAY, APRIL 6, 2018

19

Commonwealth Games

“Superman”

Lewis trounces Ferrari in opening event B

oxing’s "Superman" Colin Lewis registered Guyana’s first win at the Commonwealth Games to kick off the event on a high note for the local contingent.

Lewis who has dominated the local boxing arena, brought his ‘A’ game to the Oxenford Arena in Australia where he squared off with Nathan Ferrari of St. Lucia.

‘Superman’ went into the match with high levels of confidence after defeating Ferrari twice before.

The St. Lucian rival was

no match for Lewis who breezed through the three round match delivering uppercut after uppercut.

Eventually, Lewis convincingly won the 64kg category match by points 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, 27-30 and 2928, resulting in a 4:1 ratio which was in the favor of the Guyanese boxer.

The Guyanese boxer will return to the ring on Sunday April 8, where he will match up against South Africa’s Sinethemba Blom.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Guyanese contingent

has not found their footing as yet. In the pool, Andre Fowler finished in third place in his 50m butterfly heat with a time of 27.32s.

Unfortunatley, his time was not good enough to make the top 16 cut.

In the table tennis arena, Guyana suffered losses to the dominant England team. In the men’s singles, Christopher Franklin was defeated 4-11, 3-11, 4-11 by Samuel Walker whilst Shemar Britton lost 5-11, 5-11, 6-11 by David McBeath. In the doubles, Britton and Nigel Bryan

were trounced 1-11, 7-11, 5-11 by Paul Drinkhall and McBeath. On the women’s side, Trenace Lowe was lost 2-11, 9-11, 6-11 to Kelly Sibley and Natalie Cummings was outplayed 5-11, 5-11, 3-11 by TinTin Ho. In the doubles, Cummings and Priscilla Greaves were defeated 1-11, 5-11, 3-11 by Sibley and Maria Tsaptsinos.

However, there is still a glimmer of hope for the Guyanese squad as Jamila Sanmoogan prepares to hit the pool for the 50m freestyle.

Colin "Superman" Lewis

UFC 223: New champ to be crowned

– McGregor stripped of lightweight title

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h a b i b Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway will headline a sizzling event in Brooklyn at UFC 223, but it's a familiar Irishman who'll undoubtedly be stealing the headlines once the final bell rings on Saturday night.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Conor McGregor's lightweight title, which he claimed in 2016 at UFC 205, will be officially stripped this weekend, and will be claimed by either Nurmagomedov or Holloway.

"No interim champ. When this fight is over, champion,” White said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Pointing to Nurmagomedov and Holloway, he said, “One of these guys will be the champion.”

White had been criticised in the past for putting the title on hold during McGregor's 18-month stint away from MMA, but has said that the prize-fighter is "100% coming back" at some point in 2018.

McGregor, who tweeted his displeasure about the announcement, is expected to make an appearance at UFC 223, reigniting a rivalry with Nurmagomedov in the process: a man who's tallied 25 fights with 25 wins.

The undefeated Russian was all set to fi-

nally fight UFC interim lightweight champ Tony Ferguson, who was riding a stellar run of form himself, but a freak injury during a media appearance at the FOX Sports studios left 'El Cucuy' with a badly-torn PCL - and the title fight in tatters.

news of an immediate replacement: undisputed UFC featherweight champion Max 'Blessed' Holloway.

This involved the Hawaiian stepping up a weight class to face Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title.

Holloway may be moving up a weight class, but he’ll

featherweight and won’t look out of place at 155lbs.

Indeed, the biggest test for 'Blessed' will be making weight at such short notice.

Usually he gets a run-up of 8-12 week, but this time he’s coming in on just six days-notice without a fight camp. It’s a big ask.

Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) and Max Holloway

At the 11th hour - and at the UFC’s fourth attempt to make the bout - the long-awaited meeting between the pair was called off.

It could have left the UFC with a major headache, but, thankfully, the announcement of Ferguson’s withdrawal also came with

be no pushover. He has a career record of 19-3, is unbeaten in a dozen straight contests over a five-year period, and holds back-to-back stoppage wins over featherweight legend Jose Aldo, as well as finishing former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.

Holloway is also a big

Holloway on speed-dial It may be a short-notice matchup for Holloway, but it’s a bout he was prepared to step into months ago.

During a UFC press conference earlier in the year, UFC president Dana White was asked if he had a contingency plan in place should the seemingly cursed

Ferguson-Nurmagomedov bout fall through again.

But before the UFC supremo could answer, Holloway grabbed his own mic and stepped in.

“You’ve got a ’45 champion who’d gladly take that spot after 3 March,” he said, adding that he had to get his scheduled bout with Frankie Edgar out of the way first.

An ankle injury forced Holloway out of that fight, but with his injury now sufficiently healed, it meant there was one name at the top of the UFC’s list when Ferguson dropped out.

And, as promised, Holloway answered the call.

Respect before battle In stark contrast to the trash talk between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov, the lead-up to Saturday night’s main event has been noticeably more respectful.

The pair have both been working out next to each other at the host hotel’s gym, and even exchanged pleasantries, thanking each other for agreeing to the short-notice matchup.

The duo’s competitive rivalry came out during the pre-fight press conference on Wednesday, but they kept their emotions in check, with no outlandish insults thrown or expletives hurled.

But despite the clear respect between the pair for agreeing to the bout, it’ll be

all business when the octagon door closes on fight night, as Nurmagomedov explained.

“For Max, its going to be a long night,” he told reporters during the pre-fight presser.

“I respect him. Max is going to try to knock me out in front of my own people: my team, my friends, my whole family. When the cage closes, I’m gonna give him a hard 25 minutes.”

Holloway was just as happy to state his case as he prepares to spring what most believe will be a huge shock after coming in at such short notice to make his debut at a higher weight.

“This is how legends are made,” he told the fans and media in Brooklyn.

“This guy’s one of the best guys in the world the best 55er. People don’t want to fight him. But to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. And the best is ‘Blessed’, baby! Let’s go!”

And, after an entertaining back-and-forth between the pair over who’ll have the upper hand on fight night, they eventually ended in agreement, with Holloway pointing out that everything will be decided in the octagon on fight night.

“Khabib, you know what’s beautiful? We find out Saturday night, baby!”

(BBC)

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friDAY, APRIL 6, 2018

Pele Alumni Corp's YEDP a resounding success

The 2018 Pele FC Alumni Educational Programme participants display their gift vouchers at the end of the Programme on Wednesday at the Carifesta Sports Complex

– 80 participants presented with gift vouchers

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he second edition of the Pele Alumini Corporation (PAC), Youth Education Development Programme came to an end on Wednesday afternoon last at the Carifesta Sports Complex and has been deemed a ‘resounding success’ by Coordinator, Dennis Ivor Carrington, one of the Alumini Directors.

Two days of inter-

active sessions which also included a visit to Parliament Buildings saw the youths ranging from ages 10-16 being exposed to a number of topics were aimed at enhancing their knowledge, inclusive of Careers Guidance, Public Speaking, Dental Hygiene, Conflict Resolution, Goal Setting for a Positive Life, Preparing for the Future, Benefits of Sports,

Etiquette and Information Technology.

The jubilant youth were also presented with tee shirts and back packs containing educational and personal hygiene items.

Carrington, in an invited comment said that this year’s programme was satisfying given the amount of students participating, the level of interaction and involvement.

“Despite some challenges we were able make adjustments as we went along to ensure the kids had a fun time. I believe that the detailed planning we put into this activity also bore fruit; the kids enjoyed it immensely, especially learning new things about themselves.”

The former national footballer also shared that the participants were taught

how to use a knife and fork and most of them said that they are happy now that they have learnt the art.

The gift certificates he said were compliments of one of the Alumini’s sponsors who felt the need to give something extra to the youths towards educational supplies for school.

“It’s in addition to the back packs with school supplies and the jerseys with

Pele colours that they can wear proudly for their participation in the two-day educational programme.

Planning for next year has already commenced Carrington noted.

The planning Committee will meet today to review the programme and to assess areas of strengths and weaknesses with a view to make the programme better for the youths come 2019.

BCB Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Tournament...

RHT, Albion, Blairmont, Tucber Park & Young Warriors advance

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he second Edition of the Berbice Cricket Board Under-21 Cricket Tournament continued on Sunday with defending Champion Blairmont, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Albion, Tucber Park and Young Warriors advancing to the playoff segment.

The tournament which is being sponsored by the Cosmetics brand, Elizabeth Styles has proven to be very popular with cricket fans in the Ancient County while it has also showcased the high level of talents available in Berbice, one of the main objectives of the Under-21

Cup. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Blairmont, Tucber Park has advanced to the Semifinals while Albion and Young Warriors would clash in a playoff match to determine the 4th Semifinal position. Scores in the second round matches are: Tucber Park Cricket Club defeated Upper Corentyne by 107 runs at Kendall’s Union. Leon Swammy top scored with 49 and received support from A. Ramsammy 20 and N. Liverpool 29 as Tucber Park rattled up 179 all out in 40.2 overs. Zakeel Gordon took 3

for 47, Afsar Hussain 2 for 26 and Totoram Rajaram 2 for 17 for Upper Corentyne, who was bowled out for 72 in 23-overs as Swammy took 4 for 26 and Raymond Vankenic 6 for 23.

Blairmont Cricket Club crushed D’Edward Cricket Club by seven wickets.

D’Edward was bowled out for 114 in 33.2 overs with Dilanauth Persaud 42 and Wasim Inshan 21 being the principal scorers. Seon Glasgow 3 for 20, Keon Gangoo 3 for 25 and Nigel Deodat 3 for 20 were the destroyers for Blairmont who cruised to 118 for 3 in 16.1

overs. Deodat was 36 not out while Jared Karim 34 and Saheed Khan 25 offered support.

An impressive Albion Cricket Team crushed a hapless Ramnarine Memorial Team by 297 runs at Port Mourant. Antonio February stroked a classy 139. Kevin Omroa 40 while extras provided a healthy 55 runs as Albion amassed 339 all out in 47 overs. In response Ramnarine Memorial had no answer to the left arm spinner of Kevin Omroa who claimed 5 for 12 and Mahendra Chaitram 2 for 5

as they were bowled out for a meager 42 in just 14 overs.

Young Warriors Cricket Club defeated Tamarind Root Cricket Club by 84 runs at the Cumberland Ground. Led by Alex Algoo 34, K. Ramdehol 77, Trevon Stanislaus 39 and Ronaldo Dorway 37, the home team reached 261 from 40 overs.

Leg spinner Brandon Prashad took 3 for 37 from eight overs. Tamarind Root in reply were bowled out for 177 in 37 overs with K. Seeraj 27, Brandon Prashad 37 and R. Mahadeo 24 being the main scorers. Algoo re-

turned with the ball to claim 4 for 24 from 5 overs.

At the Hampshire Ground, Rose Hall Town Gizzmos & Gadgets Under-21 easily defeated Paradise Cricket Club of West Coast, Berbice by nine wickets. Paradise 99 not out. Orlando Lowenfield 22, Peter Reid 20. Kevin Sinclair 3 for 23, Keith Simpson 3 for 5, Nicholas Lawson 2 for 10 and Sylus Tyndall 2 for 23.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets 103 for 1 in 11.2 overs, Kevin Sinclair 60 not out, Junior Sinclair 32 and Kevlon Anderson 11 not out.

WDFA’s AGM set for April 21 T

he West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) will stage its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections on Saturday April 21st at the Boardroom of National Track and Field Facility at Leonora, West Demerara from 18.00hrs.

WDFA is asking that each club pay their full registration to participate in the upcoming AGM and Elections of the Executive Committee of the WDFA. President of the Association, Orrin Ferrier, stated that those clubs which will participate in the elections must affiliate for 2018.

They are Beavers FC, Crane Rovers FC, Eagles FC, Golden Warriors FC, Jetty Gunners FC, Pouderoyen FC, Stewartville FC, Uitvlugt FC, Vegae Boys FC, Wales FC, Young Achievers FC and Zeelugt FC. Leon Swammy and Raymond Vankenic of Tucber Park

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Berbice 2017 National Under-19 players presented Berbice legend Joe Solomon with his awards

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n his election to the Presidency of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), Hilbert Foster ledged to make sure that every hero in the county was recognised and honoured.

On Monday last, the BCB started the process by honouring West Indies Cricketing Legend Joseph Solomon at a simple function at the Albion Sports Complex.

In attendance were the forty Under-19 Cricketers invited to Berbice trials, Foster, Vice President/Chairman of the Selection Committee Albert Smith and Senior Coach Julian Moore.

Foster in remarks at the simple ceremony stated that it was important to remember those who laid the foundation to plan for the future. He described Solomon as a Berbice Legend who was not only a brilliant cricketer but also someone who contributed a great deal as an Administrator.

Solomon, the fifth Berbician to play Test Cricket after John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and Ivan Madray was widely remembered as a fielder who effected the run out to earn West Indies a tie in the famous Test Match in Australia in 1960. He scored 1326 runs in 27 Test Matches.

His highest test score 100 not out was his only test century while he also had nine half centu-

ries while his part time leg spin earned four test wickets.

Overall, Solomon a product of the vintage Port Mourant Cricket Club played 104 First Class Matches scoring 5318 runs with 12 centuries and 27 half centuries. He ended his First Class career in 1968 and later served the game as an outstanding administrator. He is also fondly remembered as a Cricket Coach for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco).

The Cricket Board President told Solomon that Berbice would forever be indebted to him, Rohan Kanhai, John Trim, Ivan Madray and Basil Butcher for placing the Ancient County of Berbice in the 1950’s and for inspiring the following generation of players like Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran to follow in their footsteps. He noted that under the brother Keith’s Presidency, the BCB introduced the Tribute to Heroes, Berbice All Time XI, Hall of Fame Programme to make sure that every hero is honoured and his administration would continue the tradition.

Vice President Smith also hailed the contribution of the Berbice Legend. Smith, a highly decorated Cricket Coach stated that he heard a lot from Solomon while working together and told the attentive Berbice Under-19 Players that they were privileged to be in the presence of a truly outstanding Berbician. Like Foster, the Smith pledged to make sure that every hero is honoured while the BCB works hard to return Berbice Cricket to its former glory.

Solomon expressed gratitude to the Berbice Cricket Board and its hard working President for honouring him. He stated that he is humbled by the gesture and that it id s honour to be recognised for his services to the Gentleman’s game.

He praised the work of the current Cricket Board and predicted that good times are ahead for Berbice Cricket. He spoke directly to the players, advising them to practice with a plan in mind and to always aim for the highest standard.

The Berbice Cricket Board presented Solomon with a Tribute to Hero Trophy, Medal and two publications on Berbice Cricket.

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” ...

East Coast champions to be

decided

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he final night of the East Coast Demerara zone commences on Saturday at the Haslington Tarmac.

Defending champion Melanie-B lock horns with Uprising in the first semi-final at 20:30hrs, while Buxton Diamond takes aim at Paradise-A from 21:15hrs.

The resulting winners will advance to the championship match, with the losers facing off in the third place playoff.

Winner of the competition will pocket $400,000 and the championship trophy. They will also earn an automatic berth to the National Championship.

On the other hand, the second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $150,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

Also, the Guinness Plate

Championship will feature the four teams that failed to advance from the group stage.

Victoria Church Yard will battle Mahaica at 19:30hrs, while BV-A will oppose Belfield from 20:00hrs.

Meanwhile, Wisroc, Quiet Storm, Big Guns, Amazing and Hard Knocks were amongst the teams to secure wins in the playoff round of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden leg on Wednesday.

Wisroc dism a n t l e d Exodus 4-0 at the Silvercity Hard-Court, while Quiet Storm made light work of All-Star Blazers 4-1.

Big Guns crushed Red Line 3-0, while Amazings came from

behind to defeat Haynes Hitters 2-1. Also, Hard Knocks squeaked past Coomacka 1-0.

Meanwhile, the trio of Assassa Ballers, NK Ballers and Next Level defeated Attention Family, Ripping Bullets and Blocks Yard via respective walkovers.

The official tournament will start on April 15th at the Mackenzie Bus Park Tarmac. The other playing dates are April 20th, 22nd, 25th, 1st and 5th.

Complete Results (Linden):

Game-1 Assassa Ballers vs Attention Family Assassa Ballers won by walkover Game-2 Next Level vs Block Yard Next Level won by walkover Game-3 Quiet Storm-4 vs All-Stars Blazers-1 Game-4 Haynes Hitters-1 vs Amazings-2 Game-5 Exodus-0 vs Wisroc-4 Game-6 Big Guns-3 vs Red Line-0 Game-7 NK Ballers vs Ripping Bullets NK Ballers won by walkover Game-8 Hard Knocks-1 vs Coomacka-0 East Coast Demerara FixturesSaturday April 7th: Championship Final Winner (3) vs Winner (4)-23:15hrs Championship 3rd Place Off Loser (3) vs Loser (4)-22:45hrs Plate Final Winner (1) vs Winner (2)-22:00hrs Championship Semi-finals (4)Buxton Diamond vs Paradise-A-21:15hrs (3)Uprising vs Melanie-B-20:30hrs Plate Semi-finals (1)Belfield Warriors vs BV-A-20:00hrs (2)Victoria vs Mahaica-19:30hrs

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Magic Moments T20 Tournament taking public by storm

Shemaine Campbelle

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, APRIL 6, 2018

he New Amsterdam/ Canje Zone of the Berbice Cricket Board organised Magic Moments 20/20 Cricket Tournament bowled off in grand style on Sunday last with Edinburgh, Rose Hall Canje, Betsy Ground, Police, Young Warriors and Sisters Village registering victories.

The tournament is being

played in four zones: “West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne and a Champion will be crowned in every zone before the four Champions clash in a playoff tournament for the right to be crowned overall Berbice Second Division 20/20 Champions.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Courtland and Fyrish have all advanced to Lower Corentyne Semifinals while Albion and

Chesney will clash to determine the fourth team Team.

The Tournament which is being sponsored by Sueria Manufacturing Ltd under the Magic Moments brand has taken the cricketing public by storm with large crowds turning up to support their home teams.

Courtland will play the Rose Hall Town Bakewell team while Fyrish clashes with the winner of the Albion and Chesney match.

Scores from the second round of matches are: 1) Rose Hall Town Bakewell defeated Toopoo Cricket Club by 78 runs at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

Batting first, Rose Hall Town Bakewell amassed 138 for 5 from their allot-

ted 20-Overs with National Junior Cricketer Junior Sinclair top scoring with a classy 71 and West Indies female player Shemaine Campbelle supporting with 40. Skipper Kevin Sinclair scored 15 as left arm spinner Norman Mangar claimed 2 for 14 from four impressive overs. In response, the visitors were shot out for 60 in 12-Overs as West Indies Female Cricketer Erva Giddings took 3 for 20, Sylus Tyndall 2 for 15 and Junior Sinclair 3 wickets for no runs from 2 Overs.

2) At Port Mourant, the home team was upset by Chesney who squeezed to a close two wickets victory. Daniel Samaroo struck 49 not out as Port Mourant Cricket Club reached 140 for 7 in 20-Overs. Azam

Mohamed 20 and Kellon Carmichael 19 supported Samaroo as Imran Khan took 3 wickets for 18 runs from four overs. Stanford 20/20 hero Imran Khan then returned with the bat to stroke 48 and with support from Michael Subhader 28 not out, guided Chesney to victory at 144 for 8 off 19.3 Overs. Bowling for Port Mourant Cricket Club George Hughes took two wickets for 19 and Kellon Carmichael 2 for 40.

3) Courtland Cricket Club defeated Kildonan Cricket Club by ten wickets at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town. Kildonan batting first was bowled out for 65 in 17-Overs with J. Gray topscoring with 16. Bowling for Courtland Leyland Edwards took 4 for

17 and Troy Mathieson 3 for 12. Courtland reached 66 without loss in 12.3 Overs as Oliver Giddings 28 not out and Leyland Edwards 30 not out batted well.

4) At the Port Mourant Ground, Fyrish defeated Jai Hind by 6 wickets to book a place in the Semifinals.

Batting first, Jai Hind was bowled out for 96 in 17.5 Overs. Arif Chan topscored with 28 and Michael Chinsammy 15. Bowling for Fyrish S. Bacchus 3 for 15 and M. Shivdyal 2 for 22.

In response, Fyrish reached 95 for 4 in 18-Overs with Y. Chinapen 34 and Javed Mohamed 23. Bowling for Jai Hind in a losing cause, left arm spinner K. Mangal took 2 for 17 from 4-Overs.

NSC supports GCA/V-Net U-13 tourney RHTY&SC’s calendar bowls off of activities Saturday T

Flashback! GCA President Roger Harper accepts the sponsorship cheque on behalf of V-Net’s CEO Safraz Sheriffudeen and son during last month’s launching

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he Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/V-Net Little Champs Under-13 pairs tourney will bowl off this Saturday, April 7 with three exciting matches billed for the opening round.

The 25 overs-per-side pair’s competition which was launched a few weeks back, will finally bowl off on Saturday with Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and long-time rivals Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) throwing down at the YMCA Ground, Thomas Lands from 9:30h.

Match number two which takes place at the aforementioned venue; features an encounter between the boys from Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) and the Transport Sports Club (TSC), from 14:00h.

The final match of round one bowls off at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Ground in Woolford Avenue will see Queen’s College (QC) and Diplomats squaring off from 14:00h.

Teams are scheduled to play some 7 rounds of cricket, one each weekend until Saturday May 19 when the preliminary ends. The four top teams will then advance to the semis set for May 26 with the respective winners colliding in the finals which will be held at the YMCA Ground on June 2nd, weather permitting.

In the past, the tournament featured the likes of West Indies U19 players Ashmead Nedd, Ronaldo AliMohamed, Joshua Persaud, Bhaskar Yadram and Raymond Perez; who were all a part of it.

he National Sports C o m m i s s i o n (NSC) under the Directorship of Christopher Jones for the third successive year has partnered with Guyana’s leading Youth and Sports Organisation, the RHTY&SC. The NSC will co-sponsor the RHTY&SC 2018 Youth Review Magazine and assisting the Club with a quantity of cricket balls which is to be shared out to several Clubs in the Ancient County.

Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster noted that Director of Sports Christopher Jones and his Deputy Brian Smith have been very supportive of the activities of the RHTY&SC since 2016. The Club in 2018 has targeted a total of 700 activities after successfully completing a record of 712 in 2017. The 2018 Youth Review Magazine would consist of 48 pages and would be published at the F & H Printery in Campbellville, Georgetown. Foster who also serves as Editor in Chief of the Magazine stated that the National Sports Commission Co-sponsorship was a major boost in raising the necessary funds for the publication of the Magazine.

The Magazine would feature the outstanding work of the Club during the period January 2017 to May 2018, Profiles of Outstanding Cricketers, information on its ten cricket teams and several articles on interest to youths.

These articles include Drug abuse, Suicide, Guyana’s Green Economy Campaign

Director of Sport Christopher Jones (left) hands over sponsorship to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

and the Importance of Education. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Health and NSC will also provide articles for the Magazine which be distributed free of cost to other cricket clubs, Youth and Sports Organisation, sponsors of the RHTY&SC, the University of Guyana, Government Ministries and Schools. The Editorial Committee hopes to have the 2018 Edition printed by the late May or early June. The Magazine will feature a Patron’s Remark

by His Excellency President David Granger, RHTY&SC President Keith Foster and Mayor of Rose Hall Town Vijai Ramoo.

Foster explained that every year the RHTY&SC holds a Cricket Ball Programme

where it would assist fellow cricket clubs with balls in an effort to get them to fulfill their mandates. The RHTY&SC, he stated over the last twenty-eight years has been blessed with tremendous success and it wants other clubs to enjoy similar success. The 2010 National Sports Personality Awardee stated that Sports is the main avenue to keep youths away from the evil ways of Satan and as such the RHTY&SC would continue to assist as possible.

Among the Clubs expected to benefit are Mental Hospital, Whim National, No. 73, Mount Sinai, Tamarind Root, Police, Rose Hall Canje, Blairmont, Kildonan and Young Warriors.

Vice President Mark Papannah and Asst

Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu both hailed the contribution of the NSC to the RHTY&SC and described Director or Sports Christopher Jones as a true friend of the dynamic Berbice Club. Papannah assured the Commission that the sponsorship would be used for the intended purpose and would make a positive difference. Eighteen years old Naidu the youngest elected official in the history of the RHTY&SC stated that the distribution of the balls would be done at the Club’s 28th Annual Award Ceremony scheduled for the April 29. Director Jones stated that the National Sports Commission was pleased to be associated with the RHTY&SC and wished the Club all the best in the future.

friDAY, APRIL 6, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Grant-Stuart well poised ahead of para-cycling event

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– thanks GCANA/NSC for assistance

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uyanese Differently Able cyclist Walter GrantStuart’s said he’s poised ahead of the upcoming Canadian Para-Cycling event, adding that he’s grateful for the overwhelming support from the local cycling fraternity as well as the National Sports Commission.

The class cyclist told Guyana Times Sport on Thursday, that he was in tip-top shape both mentally and physically as he continues his rigorous training leading up to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) event which is set to pedal off from April 28th – 29th at the Circuit GillesVilleneuve, Montreal, Canada.

Stuart, who received financial assistance recently on behalf of the Guyana Cycling Association of North America (GCANA) members; former cyclists Monty Davis, Gavin Lowman, Victor Rutherford, Aubrey Gordon and Cecil ‘Dallas’ Bernard Rudolph ‘Duckie’ Apiah, Kevin Jeffery and Andrew King said he was very thankful for the all-round support he has been receiving.

“I wrote to a lot of places and they said no, so the persons that helped me I’m thankful because I don’t feel I’m entitled to anything, I’m just an athlete looking to go to this event and make his country proud”, said the cyclist.

Guyana Cycling Association President Hassan Mohamed (left) hands over the donations to Walter Grant-Stuart in the presence of national cyclist Geron Williams

A seasoned cyclist who has competed around numerous big races around the Caribbean, Grant-Stuart said that he has been stepping up his training in recent times to help when he arrives in Canada.

“I’m focused and very prepared based on my fitness and training programme, I’m very fit

at the moment. For this particular event my recent results I try to end well I might be in the top five or six and this time I think Guyana has a good opportunity to win outright and gain the necessary qualification points for World Championships”.

Speaking about his regime, the cyclist said that he has been

doing more cycling in terms of maintaining his endurance by riding to Linden and back, adding that his training these days, span usually six hours at a time.

“I normally train six hours a day, I usually ride from South to Linden and back. I’m trying to adjust to the colder sider by waking at 4 in the morning and try to

train when it’s raining or its cold so I can acclimatize to the cold weather”. He said.

As the lone representative of Guyana, he will most certainly have his work cut out for his but the Guyanese remains poised that he can still emerged despite the odds being stacked against him. “I’m not taking anything for granted, because there will be riders from Italy, Germany, Belgium and they have 8 or 9 guys. I’m the only person representing Guyana, but the good thing for me I race at high levels around the world in big races”.

Concluding his interview, Stuart sent special thanks to the Cycling fraternity for yet again aiding in his quest to put Guyana on the map. He also made special mention of Director of Sports Chris Jones who he said has been extremely helpful in his campaign, as such he said that he will channel all the assistance he receives to make those home proud.

“For me I really want to go and do Guyana proud, I fell that Guyana national anthem should play at the Olympics whether it be at the regular Olympics or Para-Olympics. Guyana is missing a medal for years and I feel I could do it for my country”. He ended. (Clifton Ross)

Barbados win 5th Venture’s century hands Regional U-15 title Sans Souci victory – spirited Guyanese lose by 4 wickets

A

fter an impressive run in the 2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-15 tournament, Guyana’s dreams of becoming 5-time champs ended when they were sent packing by Barbados in Wednesday’s final.

Held in Jamaica, the U15 tourney saw top performances from a number of future Windies players who did their best to ensure their team was crowned winner.

Guyana had an amazing run leading up to the finals but somehow allowed the Bajans to steal their momentum as they lost by 4 wickets in a good match.

The 5th and final round contested at the Kensington Cricket Ground in the urban community of Rollington Town, saw Guyana’s hopes of a win based on the impressive knock of 98 from Mavendra Dindyal who helped pip the team’s total to 206-9. Romel Datterdeen’s 24 were the next best

score as two wickets each from; Johann Layne, Tariq O’Neale, Rashad Worrel which kept the Guyanese subdued.

Chasing 207 for victory, the Barbadians reached their target with 14 balls remaining, thanks to opener Jaden Leacock’s 47 and some resistance from skipper Nimar Bolden* who scored 42; as the pair teamed up to hand Barbados their 5th title and for the first time ever, winning back-to-back titles, following their success last year on home soil.

Again the Guyanese top performances were to be overshadowed as Jonathan Rampersaud’s sublime figures of 5-10 were unable to keep his team from going under.

O’Neale who was not out on 14 and formalised the result for Barbados, who completed the Tournament with four wins out of their

five games, losing only to regional sporting arch-rivals Trinidad & Tobago in the opening round, for a total of 26.2 points – 1.7 more than the Guyanese.

Earlier, Dindyal was the rock upon which Guyana built their total 206 for nine in 50 overs, after they chose to bat i n the topof-thetable

decider. After they suffered the loss of opener Mahendra Gopilall for a duck, Dindyal put the Guyanese batting on his back and anchored two half-century stands to lead the charge.

He dominated a second wicket stand of 57 with Shamar Yearwood and gave the innings backbone when he put on 89 for the fourth wicket with Jonathan Rampersaud, but Guyana kept losing wickets at critical stages to undermine their bid to set an impregnable total.

In the other matches: Windward Islands toppled hosts Jamaica by five wickets at Sabina Park and Leeward Islands edged Trinidad & Tobago by runs at Melbourne Oval.

Navishaul Pooran

C

leon Venture struck a fine century as Sans Souci defeated Zeelandia by 26 runs when the Wakenaam Cricket Committee/Badri Prasad Memorial T20 tournament continued on Sunday last at Zeelandia.

Venture slammed seven fours and 12 maximums in an unbeaten 122 as Sans Souci posted 249-6, batting first.

Heera Sukram supported with 45 including six fours and two sixes as Mahendra Jadookul claimed 2-35.

Zeelandia threatened but were restricted for 223-5 in reply. Navishaul Pooran stroked

81 and Jaspaul Gangaram 67; Devon Rambarran snared 2-35.

At the Wakenaam Community Centre ground in Good Success, Good Success Sports Club defeated G Square Cavaliers by 30 runs.

Batting first, Good Success SC managed 136-9. Tulsieram Ramadeen made 31 while Mahase Ramnarine got 24 and Nazeer Mohamed 18 off six balls. Satnarine Sahadeo picked up 3-27, Jaggernauth Manbodh 2-24 and Tulsie Sahadeo 2-34.

G Square Cavaliers responded with 106-8. Romario Stephen made 21 and Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon 16. Wazir Khan had 2-11, Gurnauth Khemraj 2-18 and Vickram Ramnarine 2-26.

Maria’s Pleasure beat Noitgedacht SC by five wickets at the said venue. Noitgedacht SC were bowled out for 71 in 17.4 overs, taking first strike.

Matthew Cheong made 29 as Vinood Sanichara captured 3-6, Leorayan Ramlakhan 3-12 and Bernard Lewis 2-6.

Maria’s Pleasure scored 73-5 in nine overs in reply.

Ramlakhan led with 31 as Neil Ramalho took 2-30. The competition continues on Sunday.

friDAY, aPril 6, 2018

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Pg 19

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Pg 20

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