Guyanatime 9 may 2018

Public Health Ministry mulls establishment of Nurses’ P College 5

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Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Issue No. 3558

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SOCU charges

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

“I have absolutely no fear”

P11 AFC-REO rift causes suspension of Region 2 RDC

See stories on pages 3 and 7

– Dr Ashni Singh …"We did no wrong" – Winston Brassington …released on $6M bail each

…civil proceedings for reputational damage to follow – Attorney

GRA seizes smuggled chicken, mosquito coils

Wales Estate closure

P9 20 admin employees dismissed – source ...as only 2 office staff remain on job

Page 11

Berbice rice farmers decry condition of access dams Page 14

P15 Cubans remanded for forging US visas Land of Canaan accident

Security guard charged for causing death by dangerous P15 driving Ganja in freezer

60-year-old remanded P8 on narco trafficking charge

...as Police clamp down on muddy tractors, grain carts Lindo Creek CoI

Teen gang member blames "Fine Man" crew for massacre – Police Page 12

Anna Regina woman found dead in home

P11

Pirate massacre

No new arrests, 15 still missing Page 13

…Opposition to raise issue in Parliament as matter of urgency

Region 10 statutory meeting

P9

Shocking $8000, $10,000 short drop taxi bills rattle new REO

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

SOCU charges

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

Wednesday, May 9 – 12:30h-14:00h and Thursday, May 10 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 9 – 11:45h-13:15h and Thursday, May 10 – 12:45h-14:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning hours while light cloudy skies with intermittent drizzles and thundershowers can be expected throughout the evening. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 11:42h reaching a maximum height of 2.14 metres.

Low Tide: 05:13h and 17:50h reaching minimum heights of 1.16 metres and 1.02 metres respectively.

Singh, Brassington released on $6M bail each …civil proceedings for reputational damage to follow – Attorney

T

he Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts were packed to capacity on Tuesday afternoon with several former top Government officials, when former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former NICIL’s Privatisation Unit Head, Winston Brassington appeared to answer to three charges of misconduct in public office.

Both men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan who granted them $2 million bail on each of the three joint charges, despite the defence attorney had sought a reduction for these amounts to $1 million for all three charges for each person.

The two former Government officials were charged for allegedly selling several plots of land on the East Coast of Demerara to National Hardware Guyana Ltd for over $598 million; Scady Business Corporation at a cost of $150 million, and to Multi-cinemas Guyana

Former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former Head of NICIL’s Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington

mental evidence to support the arguments that the defendants will not appear in court to stand trial. On that basis, Nandlall said considerations should be given to

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Some of their supporters outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

Inc at a cost of $185 million. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) had filed the charges against the two former Government officials early last month.

During Tuesday’s hearing, lead attorney for the defendants, Anil Nandlall said both men are no flight risk and they have no criminal record, nor were they served with a summons to attend court. He requested that the former Government officials be released on their own recognizance.

However, although Nandlall was backed by a large team of lawyers, which included Mark Waldron, Ronald Burch-Smith, Stanley Moore, Priya Manickchand, Sase Gunraj, Euclin Gomes, and Marcia Nadir-Sharma, Special Prosecutor in the case Trenton Lake argued that the accused could stand bail. He told the court that both defendants are subject in other investigations being conducted by the SOCU. In his defence, Nandlall said Lake’s argument that his clients could acquire their bails is not grounds to make the offence bailable. He said too that there is no funda-

their track record and status.

Further, Nandlall requested that the charges to be read summarily instead of indictably. However, Lake objected explaining that he is not positioned to disclose the files on the charges. The Prosecutor told the court that because additional investigations are ongoing, it would be untimely to do so.

But the lead attorney for the defendants argued strongly that no effort was ever made to serve Singh and Brassington with the summons. While explaining that his clients work overseas, Nandlall noted that both men voluntarily appeared in court and there was no reason why they would not attend court again.

Meanwhile, Senior

Council Stanley Moore, who is representing Brassington, said his client voluntarily returned to Guyana to answer to the charges so as to allow the course of justice to take place. He said both men came back so that they can stand trial, so that their innocence could be vindicated in a court of law, and it is an indication that they have no intentions of absconding.

During his arguments, Nandlall, a former senior Government Minister himself, told the court that the charges are an expression of political victimisation against his clients and it is unfortunate that the administration of justice has to be contaminated in the manner that it has.

Following the court proceedings, both men were escorted by Police in handcuffs and placed in the prisoner’s dock where they waited for a few minutes before being released. Nandlall described the act of handcuffing Singh and Brassington as dehumanising and one that sought to humiliate these two former senior Government officials, who served the country with distinction.

Nandlall said once the current charges are over, there will be a barrage of civil proceedings that will be fielded for reputational damage caused to the duo. The attorney noted that persons are going to be charged personally for their involvement in the matter, and not the State alone.

Singh and Brassington are due to return to court on June 5.

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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

Implementation of National Youth Policy

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ack in 2016, the Education Ministry announced the completion of a modern National Youth Policy, which it had hoped would fast track youth development and address some of the core issues affecting the forward movement of Guyanese youths.

The Policy, from all indications, had set out a bold and realistic framework for the advancement of the social, economic, cultural, and academic upliftment of youths in all 10 administrative regions, with a heavy focus on those residing in the rural and hinterland areas.

As expected, the Government wasted no time in promoting the newly-completed policy, which was tabled and adopted in the National Assembly.

After all, it was always the intention of the new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition once it became Government (according to its 2011/15 manifesto) to reduce youth unemployment and haplessness; reduce youth crime and criminality; reduce the rates of suicide and teenage pregnancy; advance the socio-economic interests of youths by providing equitable access to opportunities and scholarships; cause the reformation of the public education sector through the establishment of more schools, higher standards, and the upgrade of quality education provided via tertiary institutions and more specifically the University of Guyana.

There can be no doubt that over the past year and a half, senior politicians in the coalition have recommitted themselves to pursuing the ideals outlined in both the youth policy and their manifestos. They continue to make reference to the issues affecting youths at various forums with the aim of highlighting what should be done and what needs to be done.

Whenever they do this, especially in the presence of some youths, they appear as champions of youth empowerment.

But other youths who make it their duty to keep themselves informed and abreast with current affairs as well as knowledgeable of the policies and reforms being pursued

by David Granger’s Government view these public statements as window dressing because somehow the stark reality is, progress for youths in Guyana has been slow and most times, a rollercoaster experience depending on the specific issue at hand.

In fact, others are perturbed, concerned, and frustrated by the lack of progress made in the full implementation of the National Youth Policy, and the snail’s pace at which the other Government-controlled agencies are addressing youth concerns.

They believe that the senior politicians on both sides of the political divide are failing them daily when one looks at the ancient, piecemeal and, most times, ethnically discriminatory actions being taken under the guise of commencing the process of providing a “good life” for youths.

Over the last year and a half, statistics provided by the Social Protection Ministry and its Labour Department show that unemployment and joblessness have increased by at least six per cent. The suicide rate has doubled, with youths in rural communities being the largest category of victims. Youth crime has also increased which has resulted in the increase of persons on remand who are mostly between the ages of 17 and 35.

There is no realistic cultural programme being pursued to get young people involved in the development of the cultural arts or in the creation of newer forms of sub-cultures that could redefine Guyana’s image in this respect within the Region and the competitive international arena.

Regrettably, youths are saying they feel isolated, deprived, and put upon by adults, especially politicians who they trusted because of their failure to deliver on the menu of initiatives that were promised at election time. Now feeling used and betrayed, many young people are opting to migrate to other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, the US and Canada where the pastures appear greener, more promising and pro-youth.

The truth is, all Guyanese youth aspire to achieve is the ownership of their own homes at affordable prices; an education on which they could secure opportunities to various career paths in order for them to make their mark and change the world in which they reside; a family that could thrive and lead a good life without fear of being discriminated against on the basis of their skin colour, religion, or social standing; and a Government that respects the will of the electorate and understands the importance of inclusionary democracy.

The Government must act more swiftly in order to achieve more tangible results and save our youths from a life of crime and criminality, poverty and social stagnation.

First Lady Sandra Granger lauded the contestants and organisers of the Annual Mother and Daughter Pageant, noting that it is one of the best competitions in the country which celebrate women and their children. The First Lady made these remarks when the organisers and contestants paid her a courtesy call at her State House office. In photo, the First Lady, (centre), organisers and some of the contestants of the Mother and Daughter Pageant share a photo op

Justice is supposed to be a virtue not a vice Dear Editor, The sight of Brassington and Singh in handcuffs on callous and unwarranted charges has left me with a hollow and empty feeling.

Vendetta and persecution reign supreme in our land of Guyana. What good does this mean-spirited and vindictive act do? Does it garner votes or lose votes? Does it ap-

pease the racists among us?

What now? Will we see Carl Greenidge in handcuffs? This is a trampling of justice.

The handcuffing of Singh and Brassington is

an act of unspeakable cowardice by this APNU/AFC Administration.

Dear Editor, How is it remotely possible that a man with several kilos of ganja gets a four-year sentence, but a man who blatantly admitted to beating his wife with a rolling pin, severely damaging her body, (not to mention the mental, physical and emotional trauma she must have faced previously), gets only 18 months?

The funding, programmes, “initiatives” and women’s groups are all in vain if men keep seeing light sentences for blatantly brutalising and admitting to brutalising women.

Its sets a sub-conscious precedence that a woman’s life is worth less than a bag of dope. Newspapers and people preach constantly

about how the “attitude” of the culture needs to change, but what really needs to change is the way the court and law enforcement deal with these sensitive cases.

Selling, smoking weed is a non-violent offence; much of the world is beginning to see the benefits of the plant and legalisation has begun in some countries. Yet here we are in 2018, jailing men for a plant but allowing rapists, child molesters and abusers to run rampant. And you wonder why there is little to no social progress? Why or country is in shambles? Why people are getting robbed in broad daylight? Violence begets violence, the abuse witnessed by these young people at home is the trickle-down effect of the crimes

we’re seeing within our society today. If people in power, in any capacity, truly cared for this country, implementing ways to fully eradicate domestic violence would be at the forefront of their campaign. We would be creating ways to prevent, not treat crime.

Instead we keep putting a band-aid over a bruise, hoping it would heal the wound. What needs to be done is stricter laws have to be put in place for these atrocious men who feel as if they are rulers over the women in their lives. Police and relevant authorities need to be adequately trained and then held accountable if they belittle, disrespect or disregard these abused women or these abuse claims.

Real support and protection needs to be given to these women and their families.

How many brave, strong women have somehow found a means of escape from their abusers, trying to raise their family and contribute to society in a positive way, only to find their abuser staking, threatening and in many cases killing them after many unheard cries for help from the Police. The creation of wealth from oil and gas means absolutely nothing if we as a country continue to inadvertently co-sign on the inhumane killings, abuse and disrespect of our women.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

Abuse and disrespect of our women

Sincerely, Stephanie Persaud

“What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” Dear Editor, It would be difficult to find a citizen of Georgetown who was not nauseated and repelled by the photograph in the newspapers recently of the Town Clerk of Georgetown and colleagues brutishly removing over 30 hapless vendors who have been plying their trade on Alexander Street, Georgetown.

Why do they not remove the vendors at the corners of Regent and Avenue of the Republic obliquely opposite City Hall, who are selling rat poison and other pesticides?

The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) of Guyana has said numerous times that the

sale of pesticides and other toxic chemicals from roadside vendors is dangerous to health and against the law.

Indeed, the law requires vendors to be certified before they sell. These vendors are not certified. It seems as though the folks at City Hall are completely unconcerned that according to the World Health Organisation, 44.2 in every 100,000 Guyanese commit suicide every year – compared to the global average of 16. And the epidemic affects young and old with children as young as 10 killing themselves, with the most common method being through the use of poison, generally involving pesticides or rat poison.

Why don’t they stop the vendors around Bourda and other markets from selling chicken especially after hours? The Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01, City Market By-laws states that: “it shall not be lawful for any person to bring without permission of the Council uncooked fresh meat into the Market.

Also, no person shall sell or offer for sale in any market fresh meat except at a stall set aside and appropriated for that purpose”. So why is the City turning a blind eye to the selling of poultry meat outside the markets?

But aside from these two egregious examples, one just has to look at the pavements

of Regent, Robb, Water, King, Wellington, America Streets, etc and one will see them chockfull with vendors.

Are they not as illegal as the ones they are removing from Alexander Street? Are they not interfering with traffic as well and blocking entrances?

What about the mobile fish caravan that is illegally occupying a spot at the corners of Regent and King Streets? Should they not be removed?

Come on City Hall.

“What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”

Sincerely, Modi Sankar

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Public Health Ministry mulls establishment of Nurses’ College

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n an effort to address the human resources aspect in the health sector, the Public Health Ministry is seeking to acquire 30 acres of land to establish a college for nurses, as a way to build capacity.

“A college, where all tiers of persons within the nursing profession will be given the opportunity to improve themselves.

Where, for example, we can have modern technology that will allow for simulations whether it is with a university in the

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

United States, Russia or Cuba.

Students can be right here in Guyana and be connected to those classes,” Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

This was highlighted by the Minister during the observations for the 90th anniversary of the Guyana Nursing Association (GNA). This initiative is one of many that the Ministry has planned as it continues to development of the

healthcare services in Guyana.

“We want to ensure also that at the end of the day, irrespective of where our people would like to reside because the world is becoming a very small place that we continue to have the necessary resources we need in Guyana”.

The Minister pledged that her Ministry will continue to work assiduously towards achieving the Health vision 2020.

The greatest disappointment to hit the Guyana landscape?

Dear Editor, I believe the greatest disappointment for Guyana was the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), joining forces with the People’s National Congress (PNC) in a coalition. I used the term "was" in describing the WPA because that entity is no more, they are a spent force, one which has lost its relevance and importance to society, the greatest casualty to hit national headlines. Can anyone tell me what importance this political association holds in society? The answer is none, because this ragtag grouping is now groping in the wilderness trying in every which way they can to utter a feeble voice of reasonableness before its deathbed. reality behind The Guyana's political coalition was that there was never an Alliance For Change, that party was an appendage or extension of the PNC. With Trotman being the main figure, he was the mover and shaker of everything in that grouping. That left us with the WPA, who was the only stabilising force where educated discussions were concerned, or so we thought.

The WPA is a party made up of educated people who should have lent a sobering balance to the coalition, but we were mistaken in our assessment of the sensibilities of these gentlemen in its midst.

Subsequent events did substantiate my claim because that one real voice – the WPA – became no voice at all when the PNC unleashed its bullyism.

So, let us follow the sequence of events: When the WPA joined the coalition, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was handpicked by David Granger to represent that party in Government. What clearer message did the WPA want, than to have their point man in Government fired and put into a humiliating place on

the death anniversary of its party's leader? Further display of dictatorial prowess is the fact that when their party's representative at the Guyana Elections Commission died and had to be replaced, Granger again picked a successor of his own choosing.

Fantastic! The last straw was the ban on Dr David Hinds from publishing in the Government's newspaper, which is further proof of the domineering attitude of the PNC in forcing the lifeblood out of its subordinates.

All of those atrocities, Dr Hinds is prepared to accept because he, like Moses Nagamootoo, would rather hang on to power no matter the cost.

Finally, this "water-boy" mentality of Hinds was bound to show up sooner rather than later be-

cause he is a supremacist, who can do no better than make shameless apologies for his supremacist friends.

So, he keeps on churning out these meaning-

less diatribes of a People’s Progressive Party’s alleged misrule. Although Hinds claims to be a "freed black" and one who speaks his mind, the gist of what

he is saying speaks to the contrary.

I hope Hinds and the others in the WPA face the full reality that their party is a colossal failure and

needs to carry out a requiem mass.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Granger shortchanges Indian Guyanese Dear Editor, I read the media reports of the speech delivered by President David Granger at the celebration of Indian Arrival Day at Highbury last weekend.

The speech included in some detail, the involvement of Indo-Guyanese immigrants in all aspects of manual, physical and structural activities at the patently noticeable exclusion of their significant involvement and contribution to the equally, if not more important, mental/intellectual/scientific/ managerial and investment

aspects of Guyana’s development after the abolition of slavery and introduction of immigration from India.

The omission is so stark, especially having regard to the President’s personal/professional background as a historian, that I am forced to wonder if the faux pas is attributable to his ‘speech-writer’ and perhaps his Excellency did not ‘proofread’ the speech before he delivered it. I would like to think so and take this opportunity to respectfully suggest to His Excellency that he might wish to confirm

this in a manner he considers appropriate.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

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wednesDAY, may 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“I have absolutely no fear” – Dr Ashni Singh on charges

…"We did no wrong" – Winston Brassington

M

oments after being released on bail, former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh expressed confidence that the charges brought against him will be disposed of in the near future because he feels they are frivolous and have no bearing.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Dr Singh said he discharged his functions as a Minister of Government and public servant diligently and in accordance with the law at all times.

“I have no fear whatsoever about the discharge of my duties being subjected to the ultimate degree of scrutiny… I have absolutely no reservation about that and I have absolutely no fear,” he added.

The former Minister said the court proceedings on Tuesday are significant in Guyana’s history.

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NICIL Winston Brassington also stated “I voluntarily came.

We did no wrong. The evidence speaks for itself. In time I believe we will be vindicated.”

Singh, on the other hand, also defended the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government stating, “it has absolutely no difficulty with our period in office being subject-

writing the relevant agencies to say in the event you need to contact these two gentlemen, we are their legal representatives. You may contact us and no attempt whatsoever was made to contact us. But the innuendo keeps being repeated,” he observed.

He further added that he is confident that

conduct in public office that are being committed right now.”

According to him, “They’re setting a bar as it relates to misconduct in public office which they themselves are wholly incapable of applying, and achieving and adhering…

And so you need to ask yourself what is the assumption

Former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former NICIL CEO, Winston Brassington addressing the media on Tuesday

ed to the ultimate scrutiny, but noted that the three matters that are the subject of the current proceedings are not a sudden discovery.”

“These transactions were publicly disclosed by a variety of means. They were published in an extremely comprehensive document produced by Mr. Brassington on privatisation transactions,” he said.

As far as privatisation transactions are concerned, that publication, according to Dr Singh, is without comparison in the degree of detail and the level of transparency displayed in that document.

Dr Singh noted that all the information was publicly disclosed by the PPP/C Government, as well as all of other privatisation transactions. “I hasten to add, unlike our predecessors in office and now our successors in office, our privatisation transactions in office were subject to full transparency and scrutiny, and we will always defend the calls of transparency and openness in Government.”

Further, the former Minister noted that Brassington has already written a letter that has set out in great detail the tremendous development, positive developmental impact of transactions such as

this. This letter he referred to was published in most daily national newspapers.

Furthermore, Singh described the actions by Government as “rule by innuendo, insinuation, and intimidation.”

He said these innuendos have been uttered and repeated.

“For example, that attempts had been made to contact Brassington and Singh since 2015. Both of us are on public records as having had our lawyers

Some of the supporters outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday

Guyanese will not fall for such schemes, while positing that if these “frivolous” transactions are considered “misconduct in office” then “I shudder to think of the number of instances of mis-

that they are making related to their own tenure in office because anybody who behaves like this clearly believes that they will never have to answer to the people of Guyana.”

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wednesDAY, may 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ganja in freezer

60-year-old remanded on narco trafficking charge

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Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man, who alleged that he is a cancer patient, found himself slapped with a narcotics trafficking charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning.

Sixty-year-old Edgar Bollers of Lot 949 Haslington, ECD, denied he had 27 kilograms 170 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking on May 7, 2018 at Haslington.

Reports are the man was arrested after the cannabis was found hidden in a freezer at his ECD home.

Reports are an intelligence-led operation saw members of the Police Narcotics Branch visiting the man’s home at Haslington, where a search was conducted, and five well taped parcels of the compressed marijuana were unearthed.

In court on Tuesday, Police Prosecutor Gordan Mansfield stated that the case file has been completed.

As such, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded the 60-year-old to prison. The case will continue on May 29 at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.

Another take…

L

The compressed marijuana found in the freezer

DeSinco employee charged for embezzlement

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n employee of DeSinco Trading Limited was slapped with two charges of embezzlement and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

Rawle Peters, 33, of

Lot 22 Garnett Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charges.

He denied that on February 22, 2018, at Georgetown, while being a

clerk or servant of DeSinco Trading Limited, he fraudulently embezzled $164,721 taken by him for or in the name of DeSinco Trading.

Additionally, on February 28, 2018, at DeSinco Trading, he embezzled $288,648.

The prosecution had no objections to bail but requested that Peters report weekly to the Criminal Investigation Department.

As such, he was placed on $200,000 bail. The case will continue on June 1.

…on labour

incoln Lewis of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is quite miffed that the PNC-led Government wouldn’t even give “Labour” the courtesy of having a “Ministry of Labour” to deal with the needs of that bloc. But really, he should be very happy since one would be hard-pressed to identify even one of the 23 Ministries set up by the PNC as helping their identified constituents. In fact, if the truth be told, they’ve worked assiduously to UNDERMINE those interests.

Pick a Ministry…ANY Ministry, dissect its operations and you’ll agree with your Eyewitness. Ministry of Finance?

Does Lewis REALLY think this Ministry’s SHRINKING of the Guyanese economy, rather than to encourage it to grow, is what Labour needs?? Agriculture?? Now, don’t snicker too hard, Dear Reader, you could hurt yourself!! There are serious concerns whether there will be something called “agriculture” in Guyana, after this Minister!! And then there’s the so-called Minister of “Social Cohesion”: this should clinch the argument!! Never have so few screwed up the possibilities of “cohesion” of so many – possibly with the exception of Attila the Hun and his invading hordes!!

No…what Labour needs in Guyana are “JOBS”…scads and scads of them. It’s as simple as that…it’s only with a job where you get paid for your labour that you can live with some modicum of dignity. And how do you create jobs?

Not by expanding the public service, the Army and Police, bringing back the Militia and the Cadets like the first PNC Government did – and this one is replicating. Those aren’t jobs that create anything to generate revenues…they are meant to SERVICE a society in which there are already productive jobs to do that.

And that’s what BUSINESSES do!! So the PNC wasn’t wrong to set up a Ministry of Business. If that Ministry does its job and attract businesses, wouldn’t they be compelled to hire LABOUR?? And isn’t this what Lewis wants? This isn’t a chicken and egg problem where we agonise forever about which comes first: business comes BEFORE labour.

Without businesses to utilise the skills we may possess or develop, we are just lumps of flesh and sinews…not LABOUR! The problem with this Government is the fella they’ve appointed a Minister of Business…and their unfortunate compulsion to count business people’s money and get all hot and sweaty about getting a piece of the action. Lewis can wax eloquent as much as he wants about the glory days of Labour when it produced all the politicians now running around like Little Caesars.

Those days came about because the State was unabashedly backing foreign BUSINESSES to exploit labour.

At least, let’s create new businesses which unions can then rail about!!

…on corruption

One fella who’s been threatening to launch a new political party took time out to take some pot shots at some individuals who he probably considers as threats to his ambitions. There’s that old saying about crabs in a barrel!! But in his remarks about what one of his “rivals” might’ve said about “corruption”, he reveals he’s not ready for the big leagues.

Now your Eyewitness knows it’s politically correct to condemn “corruption” in toto. But the aspiring politician should ask why does corruption flourish in some countries and wither in others. If corruption was just a matter of greedy folks, surely greed’s evenly distributed.

What economists – like De Soto – discovered decades ago when they investigated that question was corruption flourishes where institutions don’t function….and actually hinder processes that were intended. So, say, it takes 10 years to get title to a property – when that title is needed to sell it and invest the proceeds – don’t be surprised if a bribe is passed to “grease the wheels”.

And from an economic perspective the bribe’s “good”!!

…on this Government’s failure

In its first incarnation, the PNC destroyed all the functioning institutions left by the British. And that’s why corruption became so endemic.

But then Granger’s vowed to complete Burnham’s legacy!!

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

News

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wednesDAY, may 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wales Estate closure

20 admin employees dismissed – source

...as only 2 office staff remain on the job

By Shemuel Fanfair

W

hile many in the sugar belt continue to cry out about the reduced finances owing to the December 2016 closure of the Wales Sugar Estate, many more workers and their families are dealing with a similar plight following the entity shedding even more staff. Guyana Times was told on Tuesday that in the past few months, an additional 20 Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) office staff attached to Wales Estate were terminated.

A source revealed to this publication that apart from nine sluice attendants functioning in the West Demerara area, only two office staff were retained. According to information disclosed, one of the staff

members is working in welfare to mainly look after pensioners while another is stationed in the Finance Department. In addition, it was revealed that there are a few guards employed and about six persons attached to ensure the estate’s turbine continues to function for electricity purposes.

Guyana Times reported earlier this year that operators within the Mechanical Tillage Department are currently being phased out. A GuySuCo source revealed in February that some eight members of staff attached to the Wales office department, who were mainly women, were set to be retrenched.

The skeletal numbers seen today are a steep reduction from the 1000-plus workers that toiled when Wales was

The Wales Sugar Estate

in its heyday. However, with the end of preferential deals in the European market and rising production costs, sugar has been seen as unprofitable. This was enshrined in Government’s rationale when it highlighted that Wales would be closed. However, many in the business sector, political Opposition and other stakeholders including those directly affected by the State’s downsizing of the industry had

called for Government to first consider how the loss of jobs would impact on workers, residents and the wider village economies.

This newspaper visited the once famous Wales ‘Friday Market’ where vendors were seen packing up their stocks before 13:00h for the day. They indicated that this has been the case for the last several months, but they are still hoping that Wales could be saved.

Region 10 statutory meeting

Shocking $8000, $10,000 short drop taxi bills rattle new REO

…says dysfunctional system needs to be fixed

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ewly appointed Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Orrin Gordon has admitted that the system of administration within the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), which he inherited almost two months ago, is "struggling", as he pointed to a dysfunctional system.

Gordon made the revelation during the most recent statutory meeting of the Council last week. Addressing Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, Councillors and Department Heads, Gordon gave a synopsis of what he has encountered so far stating, "I don't want to be harsh, but I will say that the organisation in my view is struggling at this point in time; where we have systems which I'm quite sure were there from the beginning and somewhat gone astray over time. Therefore, it would take quite a bit of effort to really pull it back and put it back on track.”

The REO pointed to issues in the system in the areas of education, the Regional Works Department and finances (overspending and unnecessary spending), adding that there were others which he would prefer not to disclose at the meeting, but rather directly to the Regional

REO Orrin Gordon

Chairman himself.

Gordon stated that some of the charges and costs which come to the RDC is "phenomenal". He spoke specifically of costs for transportation to transport school feeding materials after the Council's vehicle encountered problems.

"I have a difficulty paying a taxi between $8000 to $9000 to traverse one mile...If I had to hire a vehicle from the office (RDC) to the Mackenzie High School I had to pay that vehicle $20,000... If we need to pull this system back, all of us, in the circumstances have a responsibility to ensure that we get value for money,” he said. He also spoke of certain

documents which he has received which he noted shows some level of dysfunction.

"My initial view of some of the documents that would come in front of me over time is one that says (there is) some amount of dysfunction in the system...", Gordon stated. In response, the Regional Chairman urged Gordon not to sign off on some of the high or suspicious costs but rather to "send it back".

"Some prices that do

hit you, especially from the Department of Education does kill you, but it continues to happen. I'm happy that the REO recognise these prices and 'Sir, don't sign because we gon hold you responsible. Send it back," Morian urged.

Additionally, Gordon said both the Council and the administration need to work together to move the process forward and bring the administration back on track.

Additionally, former Wales cane harvesters have been waiting since late 2016 to receive their termination benefits after they refused to take up employment at the Uitvlugt Estate.

This refusal was formed on the basis that they cannot be compelled under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA) to travel beyond 10 miles from their original place of work. Uitvlugt is some 22 miles away from Wales.

Meanwhile, over 4000 workers attached to Enmore,

Skeldon, Rose Hall were given dismissal letters by December 2017.

However, some of the former Enmore and Skeldon workers were temporarily rehired under plans by Special Purposes Unit (SPU) to reopen the two estates as the State-owned body eyes private investors. This revelation has prompted stakeholders to push Government to rehire all of the dismissed sugar workers on the contention that the sugar industry remains a viable one.

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Suspect who snatched $5M from businesswoman for court today

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he suspect, who was nabbed after snatching a bag containing more than $5 million from a Soesdyke businesswoman on Monday, is expected to be charged and taken to court today.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Paul Williams told Guyana Times on Tuesday that there was no reason to further detain the suspect, who was trailed after committing the crime and was apprehended while attempting to escape in some bushes.

Meanwhile, the Crime Chief added that investigators are still hunting for his accomplice, who is believed to be in possession of the stolen money.

According to reports reaching this newspaper, a businesswoman was attacked and robbed at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The woman, who operates a service station in Soesdyke, EBD, and lives at Land of Canaan Gardens, was on her way to a commercial bank to make a deposit accompanied by an employee.

Reports are that while on her way to the Diamond, EBD bank, the woman stopped at a business place in Land of Canaan to drop off an invoice and as she was about to re-enter her car, two men on a CG motorcycle confront-

The robbery suspect who was nabbed

ed her.

One of the bandits, who was armed with a handgun, grabbed her and forced her into the car, after which he grabbed the bag containing the money.

After collecting the bag, he handed it over to his accomplice who was on the motorcycle.

The gunman then exited that car, hopped onto the motorcycle, and the

bandits rode away. As the men rode off, an alarm was raised and the woman went in pursuit of the men, who turned into Sarah Johanna. The men rode down to the back of the village, where they abandoned their bike and escaped into nearby bushes.

By that time however, persons in the village were made aware of what transpired and began looking for the two perpetrators during which the suspect was nabbed. The woman had identified the man as the one who relieved her of the bag, which was nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, this publication was told that the money contained in the bag was from sales at the service station over the weekend. Based on the CCTV footage at the service station, it is believed that the robbery was executed with the assistance of an employee.

In fact, the suspect in custody was seen in the footage speaking with someone at the business place. The CCTV footage has since been handed over to the Police as they continue their investigations and hunt for the second suspect.

Guyana Times understands that the employees at the service station were questioned in connection with the robbery.

Killing waters S

atiricus was shaken to his core. As an old hand in the newspaper business, Satiricus had witnessed many horrors in his time. But this massacre of the 16 fishermen took him back to the sickening days of Funeman and his gang. They had followed up their killing of 13 men, women, and children at Lusciwan with another 15 at Kartica. What was going to happen now?

“Me know nuff people get kill, Sato,” said Bungi to Satiricus’s question as they morosely discussed the killings at the Back Street Bar. “But dis diff’rent.”

“How so?” asked Satiricus. “Funeman wanted to take revenge for his girlfriend being kidnapped, and these pirates wanted to take revenge for their leader’s killing.”

“Budday!! Funeman na bin wan t’ief-maan like dem pirate,” pointed out Bungi. “Dem bin a fight fuh ovah t’row de guvment!”

“Yeah,” added Hari. “And the Opposition Leader today didn’t say there were no bandits in Corentyne, when he went to the scene of the crime!!”

“Well, I am happy my fearless leader Rum Jhaat went over to give some help to the Sarname government!” said Satiricus.

“Sato, me fr’en, wha’ Rum Jhaat do in de t’ree year ‘bout dem pirate?” asked Bungi exasperatedly. “’E na de police bass?” “’E bin seh ‘e guh gi’e dem fisha-maan gun,” asked Cappo. “Whe’ de gun deh?”

“It’s at the same place where the drone he promised to intercept drugs is!” chuckled Hari.

“That’s not fair!” protested Satiricus. “We are talking about 16 people murdered!”

“Suh how come Grain Ja sen’ Rum Jhaat dis time?” asked Bungi. “W’en only he a ta’k ‘bout security befo’?”

“Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man tu’n watah bai!!” chortled Cappo.

“I guess that’s why the relatives of the victims didn’t even come out to see Rum Jhaat,” commented Hari.

“What you want the man to do?” asked Satiricus in frustration.

“Resign fram ‘e Minista pos’,” said Bungi quietly. “Ah ‘e own Berbice people get kill.”

news

GRA seizes smuggled chicken, mosquito coils …3 in custody

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s it continues to crack down on smuggling activities, the Guyana Revenue Authority GRA) has reported that its Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) last week intercepted a vessel carrying large quantities of foreign chicken and mosquito coils.

According to the revenue collection agency, the ship was intercepted during a sting operation on May 2, 2018 while the vessel was in the Atlantic Ocean.

Upon discovering hundreds of boxes of foreign chicken and mosquito coils,

suspected to be smuggled from Suriname, the GRA said the Captain and two sailors, who were on board the vessel, were apprehended and placed into custody as investigations continue.

The tax collection body noted that they were firsttime offenders; however, several recent interceptions have implicated repeat offenders. Second-time offenders are liable to pay three times the duties and taxes as a fine. While, thirdtime offenders may be prosecuted and/or be allowed to pay three times the value of the item as a fine, as compensation in lieu of court

proceedings. In many cases, these offences also result in seizure of the goods and confiscation of the vehicles involved.

This recent interception comes as GRA’s LEID continues its fight against smuggling. In fact, the Authority disclosed that from January 2018 to date, the Division has been able to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in Customs Duties, Excise Taxes, Environmental Levy and VAT, in addition to fines, and has confiscated significant quantities of commonly smuggled items including alcohol, foreign chicken

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and mosquito coils.

“The LEID operations exemplifies the GRA’s commitment to deter, disrupt, and prosecute individuals who attempt to import prohibited items, and evade the payment of their fair share of duties and taxes,” the agency asserted.

Moreover, the Authority went on to outline that whistleblowers have significantly improved LEID’s performance and the agency’s revenue collection.

To this end, the GRA said the general public must be complimented in aiding the Authority’s efforts to stamp out this activity.

AFC-REO rift causes suspension of Region 2 RDC of the RDC, showed respect and apologise. The RDC Chairman called for a vote and all except one

AFC Councillor Naitram

REO Rupert Hopkinson

he Region Two ( P o m e r o o n Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council was once again suspended after the Regional Executive Officer (REO) refused to apologise to Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Naitram for shouting at him at the last meeting.

When the monthly statutory meeting was held on Tuesday, the REO, Rupert Hopkinson was

once again asked to apologise to Naitram. However, the REO said that while he regretted his action, he did not see any reason for an apology. The REO told Naitram on Tuesday that even at Parliament there was heckling and he did not see his action of shouting to be offensive.

However, Naitram called for a suspension of the sitting until the REO, who was also the clerk

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Anna Regina woman found dead in home

Mohanie Hansrajie’s body being removed by undertakers

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56-year-old mother of one was found hanging in her Anna Regina New Housing Scheme, Essequibo home on Tuesday by her husband.

Dead is Mohanie Hansrajie. Reports are the woman’s husband found

her body about midday on Tuesday when he went home for lunch.

According to a neighbour, Mohanie recently underwent major surgery and was at home recovering. The body was taken to the Suddie Funeral Home as Police are investigating.

Councillor voted in favour of the suspension. The RDC is now suspended until the next sitting.

Hundreds of boxes of foreign chicken and mosquito coils found on the vessel

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wednesDAY, may 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lindo Creek CoI

Teen gang member blames “Fine Man” crew for massacre – Police

Special Superintendent of Police, Trevor Reid reading Dwayne Williams’ statement

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he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the June 2008 massacre at Lindo Creek heard that a then 15-year-old member of the notorious Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins gang told Police investigators that the gang was responsible for murdering the eight men at their mining camp.

When Special Superintendent of Police Trevor Reid took to the stand on Tuesday, he testified that he was the one who took the caution statement from then 15-year-old gang member, Dwayne ‘Small Friend” Williams. Despite failing to produce the original state-

ment to the CoI, Reid was allowed to read a photocopy after positively identifying it.

Williams, who is now 25 years old and currently on remand for several murders, in July 2008 told investigators that they (the gang) had escaped the Police in the Ituni area where Otis “Mud Up” Fifee was killed.

The statement related that after escaping, they walked along the creek after which they made a raft to cross the Berbice River.

After crossing, the gang consisting of Williams, Cecil “Magic” Ramcharran, Robin “Chung Boy” Chung and leader Rondel Rawlins stum-

bled upon the Arokium’s mining camp at Lindo Creek where they encountered miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres.

“We hold on pon them (the eight miners) and Magic tie them up. We cook a chowmein and we stay deh till next morning. The morning time we mek tea and give them (the miners) to drink, the nighttime rain bin falling. We bin fuh beat out the said night, but we didn’t worry,” the statement said.

“When night done, the next day then night come back again, rain start falling again. About 12 o’clock time me bin sleeping me hear shots start buss. When me look me see them man (the miners) what them tie up, them shoot up them man… them pull down them blue tarpaulin from one ah dem camp and “Magic” throw gasoline pon them and light them afire,” Williams related to the Police.

Williams’ statement also revealed that following the incident at Lindo Creek, the gang left the site and whilst walking they encountered another Joint Services

Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Souvenir during his testimony

Checkpoint which they eluded. He further related that the following night Chung, Rawlins and Ramcharran left him behind after which he was captured while hitching a ride out of the Lindo Creek area.

“Me keep on walking all the time and me see one grader with a trailer, me ask the man fuh give me a drop, he give me and when we a come a truck stick up the road, the grader man give them a pull up. The grader man go way and the truck man give me one drop out. The man stop by one shop and buy channa and drink then another man come over and ask what this fine man does do with you then he say ‘nobody don’t move Police in plain clothes.’

The Police hold on pon me, me story done deh, them put me in a cell and night time the soldier come and bring me this side (Georgetown CID Headquarters),” Reid testified.

Also during his testimony, Reid told the Commission that based on his investigative experience, he felt that the investigation by the Office for Professional Responsibility was incomplete and needed much more

work to be done.

Reid also testified that he never visited the Lindo Creek area and was also tasked with compiling the case file to be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Additionally, he further related that a post-mortem examination was conducted on the bodies of the eight men by a Jamaican Pathologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital but never saw the report.

Encounter with “Chung Boy” and “Magic”

Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Souvenir also testified that he was a part of the Joint Services Taskforce stationed at Kwakwani and on June 16, 2008, they engaged the men in the Goat Farm area.

“During the evening we were doing foot patrol in the area just off the trail and we saw three armed men. We concealed ourselves and called on them to halt because this is the Joint Services the men fired at us, we returned fire.

One of the men run away and keep firing at us but because of the angle he run from us it was difficult to keep engaging him and we went forward to

the other two. They were motionless on the ground we disarmed them… we loaded the men onto the vehicle, we restocked the ammunition of the remaining ranks and we headed to Kwakwani,” he testified.

After disarming the men, they were taken from the site to Kawkwani where they were identified at “Chung Boy” and “Magic”. They also found a series of ammunition and two AK47s belonging to the Guyana Defence Force, among other items, which included credit cards and frequent flyer cards belonging to then assassinated Agriculture Minister Satyadeo Saw. The items were found in haversacks the men were carrying.

Additionally, Souvenir said he would have accompanied a team of officers that included then head of OPR, Heeralall Makanlall, to the Lindo Creek site. He said when they got there, the camp was destroyed with everything scattered.

“There was a group of human bones with flesh falling off. It was nauseating and I started to throw up and went into a corner and allowed the Police to do their investigation,” Souvenir said.

Sometime between June 12, 2008 and June 24, 2008, miners Cecil Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Clifton Wong, Lancelot Lee, Bonny Harry and Nigel Torres were shot and killed, and their bodies burnt at the Upper Berbice River mining camp, which was being operated by Leonard Arokium.

The CoI was established to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the killings of eight miners, and to report its findings and recommendations to President David Granger.

news

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Pirate massacre

No new arrests, 15 still missing …Opposition to raise issue in Parliament as matter of urgency

Surinamese law enforcement officials taking one of the bodies recovered to the morgue

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s the investigation into the deadly pirate attack continues, the Police in Suriname and Guyana are yet to charge anyone or make any additional arrests. They are also yet to find any of the 15 missing fishermen.

Two Saturdays ago, four boats were attacked by a group of men who brutalised the occupants then threw them overboard. Two days later, another boat

was attacked and the captain killed. The crew is still missing. Those identified as missing include Ramesh Sanchara, Ganesh Persaud, Vickey Persaud, Glenroy Jones, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony, and Tiaknauth Mohabir.

The bodies that were recovered are yet to be positively identified while five persons have survived the attack.

The relatives of the missing fishermen are com-

plaining about the treatment meted out to them by the Surinamese authorities since they are not allowed to view the recovered bodies of the men.

Additionally, both Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan led teams to the Dutch speaking country where they met with the aggrieved families and Surinamese authorities to discuss the way forward with possible areas for collaboration.

The Surinamese Police said they have 13 in custody but the country’s Justice and Police Minister, Stuart Faith reported that 30 persons have been arrested.

The arrests, he noted, were made on water and on land.

Meanwhile, Surinamese Defence Minister Ronni Benschop assured that in a week’s time, the fishermen could safely return to work at sea after the fisherfolks refused to work in light of the deadly attacks.

The Guyanese authorities also have three persons in custody assisting with investigations on this end.

Parliamentary discussion

Meanwhile, Jagdeo has since indicated that he

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo with relatives of the missing fishermen in Suriname

will be raising the issue at Friday’s sitting of the National Assembly with the hopes that Speaker Barton Scotland allows a discussion.

He noted that they are ready to support the Government, providing they handle the situation with the urgency and importance it requires.

Guyana Times understands that a boat owner

who reported the robbery to the Police described the men he recognised during the brutal attack on the fishermen. He reportedly told the Police that “Dick”, “Bolo”, “Crackhead”, “Sanbad” and another man he did not know carried out the attack.

The owner also told officials that the suspects were all Guyanese.

News coming out of Suriname also stated that the Coast Guard has also brought in a boat and suspects and handed them over to the Police. Upon inspection of the boat, it appeared that the crew could not produce a permit. The people on board also had no identification papers.

14 News

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice rice farmers decry condition of access dams ‌as Police clamp down on muddy tractors, grain carts

Already being plagued by late pumping of water into the cultivation area, farmers in Berbice are now being charged for emptying their grain carts on the road shoulders along with muddy tractors on the roadways. In addition, they are also being asked to have those grain carts registered to a tractor.

This, the farmers say, is almost counterproductive since one tractor will service several grain carts. According to the rice farmers who operate on the Upper Corentyne, during harvesting, they borrow other farmer’s grain carts when they are reaping and lend their carts to other farmers when those farmers are reaping their paddy.

Farmers, in objecting to the move by the Police to charge them, said that had the access dams not been in a deplorable state, they would not be forced to use the road shoulders to empty their grain carts.

On Tuesday the farmers met with the 52/74 Water Users Association to discuss the issue.

According to Soondat Hardat, who farms at Numbers 64 and 65 Villages, he has been stopped from discharging his paddy from the

The condition of the roadway after the tractors traverse the deplorable access dams

grain cart to his trucks on the road shoulder.

He explained that they are forced to carry out the operation on the road shoulder because the trucks cannot go into the dams and have to wait for the carts to bring the paddy out.

The dams, he explained, are inaccessible to trucks.

He appealed to the regional administration to make the access dams into all-weather roads so that they can be able to take their trucks into the backdam.

Also attending the meeting was Regional Vice Chairman

Dennis DeRoop who said he could not make a commitment to the farmers.

Meanwhile, Sudishwar Dyal, who farms between Numbers 64 and 66 Villages, claims the Police are after them while on the road taking their tractors from the field. There are also reports of Police firing shots at one farmer, who crossed the road with a tractor from the field and was going into his street.

The farmer allegedly saw the Cops and abandoned his tractor and ran. Gunshots were fired at him. turn to page 16

news

Ramsammy’s Ruminations The constancy in APNU/AFC's playbook

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ven as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirms, contrary to Government's earlier assertion, that the Government of Guyana must pay all Corporate Income Taxes for Exxon from Guyana's share of oil profits, Minister Raphael Trotman has been caught with yet another lie. More than four months ago, he announced that Government had established a Cost-Recovery Task Force to analyse the expenses that the oil company has claimed.

Trotman even claimed that the Budget Director at the Finance Ministry, Sonya Dr Leslie Ramsammy Roopnauth, is the head of that cost-recovery team.

But the Finance Ministry is now confirming that no such team exists, that the team will be named sometime in the future and Roopnauth will not head the team. The Ministry claims it could not proceed with appointing a committee because the Terms of Reference which Trotman was supposed to have developed have not been completed.

Lies and fabrication, misinformation, misdirection, obfuscation are various techniques the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has been using to avoid accountability and transparency. They have a playbook and this playbook is visible with the oil contract.

In APNU/AFC's oil contract playbook, the goal is to keep the nation in total darkness. But their playbook has proven to be ineffective because despite APNU/AFC's desperate effort to keep details of the contract a secret and despite overt and blatant lies, the Guyanese people have become aware of the sordidness of the contract.

In this regard, we have much to be grateful for because of the herculean effort of sections of the private media.

We have to be grateful to a number of political activists who have scrutinised the contract, even when APNU/AFC has tried desperately to hide the details. Christopher Ram has played an indispensable role in bringing information relating to the contract to the Guyanese people. The Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and the People’s Progressive Party have been in the forefront in and out of Parliament exposing APNU/AFC's playbook of deceit in this scandal.

Expenses for expenditures up to the end of 2016 have already been submitted, amounting to US$460 million.

Even though it is coming up to almost one year since the APNU/AFC received the account, no review has been conducted. Initially, APNU/AFC claimed that the account was being reviewed and then Trotman was quoted as saying that a Cost-Recovery Task Force was established under the leadership of Roopnauth to audit the US$460 million expense account submitted. Now we know that no audit has been done and none is planned for the immediate future. This is consistent with another lie that the APNU/ AFC has perpetuated. The contract, in fact, provides for minimum to zero scrutiny of the expense account. APNU/ AFC has denied this.

The same way the APNU/AFC has distorted the truth about the Cost-Recovery Task Force, the same way they tried to obfuscate with the provisions in the contract relating to taxes. When Bharrat Jagdeo, the PPP, Christopher Ram, and the private media and others exposed the fact that the contract requires the Guyana Government to pay all corporate taxes, APNU/AFC accused them of spreading fake news. Now the IMF has confirmed that the contract will require Guyanese taxpayers to foot the bill of all corporate taxes that the company will owe to Guyana. The APNU/AFC signed a contract in which Guyana must use its portion of the profits from oil to pay taxes.

Virtually every aspect of the contract has been shrouded in secrecy, lies and misinformation, entirely consistent with the APNU/AFC's playbook, a playbook that elevates lies and fake news as critical component of governance. This is the reason why, to this day, we do not know the truth relating to the signing bonus which they kept as a secret for more than a year. Once we exposed them for receiving US$18 million, we discovered it is in a secret bank account. Since then we have heard that it is in a secret bank account in the Bank of Guyana, in the Consolidated Fund, used to pay the legal bills for the International Court of Justice and is in a secret account in a foreign bank. Which is it? The playbook of lies and fake news want us to keep guessing.

Cubans remanded for forging US visas

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hree Cubans, who all forged United States visas, found themselves before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Rafeal Rodriguez Baroso, 41; Elinese Esperaso, 20; and 35-year-old George Alleyne Ortega – all of Cuba – denied the charges brought before them.

It is alleged that Baroso and Esperaso with intent to defraud on May 5, 2018, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), uttered to Sachin Ram, a Customer Service Agent attached to the Timehri Handling Service Incorporation, their Republic of Cuban passports in favour of themselves with a forge US

visa inserted, knowing same to be false.

It is also alleged that between April 22, and May 5, 2018, they conspired with persons to forge the said visas. Ortega was slapped with the same two offences which he reportedly committed on April 28, 2018.

When questioned, Esperaso revealed that she was told that she would be able to obtain her US visa easier from Guyana. She however noted that she was unaware that her visa was forged.

Magistrate McLennan remanded the trio to prison. The case will continue at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on May 15.

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Land of Canaan accident

Security guard charged for causing death by dangerous driving

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he West Coast Demerara (WCD) resident who drove recklessly on Sunday last, causing the death 47-year-old Garfield McPherson, was on Tuesday remanded to prison.

T we nt y - e i g ht - y e a r- o l d Delon Dublin of Lot 70 Anna Catherina, WCD, denied that on May 6, 2018 at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he drove motorcar PRR 6380 dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of McPherson.

On the day of the accident, Dublin was transporting two passengers; Diana McGarrell and McPherson to

Georgetown.

The defendant was reportedly proceeding at a fast rate in the northern direction when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby trench.

He, along with the two injured persons, were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where McPherson succumbed to his injuries.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield had no objections to bail being granted. However, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan whom he appeared before remanded Dublin to prison. The case will continue on May 21.

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wednesDAY, may 9, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

D’Urban Street killing

Policeman discovered woman in pool of blood

Anthony Morrison

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olice Lance Corporal Jason Kyte testified before the 12 member jury as the retrial of Anthony Morrison, who is accused of murdering his reputed wife, Donna Thomas, continued at the High Court on Tuesday. The woman was reportedly killed between May 25 and 26, 2012.

The Police witness, who was stationed at the Brickdam Police Station at the time, testified to examining the body of the murdered woman, who he found with what

appeared to be blood on her head, hands and face.

Kyte noted that he also saw blood on the bed where the woman was lying at an apartment where she lived at Lot 65 Cross and D’Urban Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. He recalled that on May 27, 2012, at the Brickdam Police Station, he told the accused of the offence after which he reportedly stated whilst in custody: “I was going out; she didn’t want me to leave. I had a knife and I cut she in she neck. Me an know that woulda happen to she,” Kyte recalled.

He also noted that he saw a man lying on a makeshift bed in a nearby apartment. Kyte said no one else was charged for the woman’s murder. The case will continue before Justice Sandhill Kissoon at the High Court this morning.

According to reports, Thomas’ body was found in a pool of blood with several stab wounds at the home she shared with Morrison.

A post-mortem examination revealed Thomas died from

Dead wife: Donna Thomas

asphyxiation due to compression to the neck, compounded by blunt force trauma to the head.

Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh had testified that he observed the woman had 16 incised wounds to one hand, while he found six such wounds on the other hand. Based on his expert knowledge, he said these wounds were defensive. He observed that Thomas died as a result of being deprived of oxygen and that her heart eventually stopped.

‘Head in bucket’ trial adjourned

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indra Siriram who has been accused of submerging his common-law wife, Shelly-Ann Persaud, in a five-gallon bucket of water between June 9 and June 10, 2014, is likely to know his fate on Thursday.

Guyana Times understands that the summing up of the case before the jury could deliberates was affected owing to technical glitches.

As such, Justice James adjourned Bovell-Drakes the matter for Siriram, who has been on trial for allegedly murdering the mother of his three children at their Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home. It

Murder accused: Vindra Siriram

was stated that Siriram and Persaud were heard arguing

prior to the woman’s death.

A post-mortem examination later revealed that Persaud died as a result of drowning and manual strangulation. The pathologist had testified that there were marks of violence about the body and signs of compression as if someone forced her head down. Persaud was 25 years old at the time of her demise and she was said to have dropped out of school during the relationship.

Damian Da Silva is representing the defendant while Seeta Bishundial and Shawnette Austin are appearing for the prosecution.

Berbice rice farmers decry...

DeRoop said he contacted the Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Linden Alves, who assured him that he will instruct ranks to allow the farmers for the next three weeks that the cultivation period is expected to last.

Tractors coming onto the roadway with their cage wheels deposit large portions of mud on the roadways, endangering the safety of road users.

Meanwhile, acting Chairman of the 52/74 Water Users Association, Yuaisthir Lutchminhauth said something must be done urgently.

“Because of the Police, the farmers can’t come out with their tractor and the cart. As soon as you come out, is the Police and you have to pay s bribe or something for them to

lose you to go back in for your paddy. It is only one trip per day they can make to come out on the road. When you come out and if a Policeman hold you, the paddy leff because the whole day done dea. Then sometimes the night is rain so the next day you can’t go back for you paddy so it leff they again.”

About 15,000 acres of paddy is being planted in the 52/72 area. And about two-thirds have already been harvested.

Lutchminhauth added that they should have been almost to the end of the harvesting process and blames the regional administration for the plight the rice farmers are facing. He noted that had the administration started pumping water late thus contributing to

From page 14

the late sowing. Had this not occurred, he added, then the farmers would not have been having altercations with the law enforcement officers.

The current crop, he added, should be completed within a three-week time frame. “The rain start. April 2, and since then is almost every single day we getting rain. The combines only getting to cut about two hours every day. Because of the weather, you can’t get a full day from them.”

According to the water users Chairman, had they gone into the crop as planned at the start of the year, they would have harvested an average of 95 per cent of the crop compared with 65 per cent currently. (Andrew Carmichael)

Correction

Relative to a May 7, 2018 report in this newspaper regarding a man accused of threatening a La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) woman, Guyana Times, would like the clarify that Revo Bijulisingh was the poultry farmer that was released on $15,000 bail for the alleged offence and not Oswald Bijulisingh as was published. The newspaper apologises for any inconvenience that may have been caused.

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Trump abandons Iran nuclear Argentina seeks IMF loan to rescue peso deal, to revive sanctions from downward slide P

resident Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal with Iran in a step that will raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America’s European allies and bring uncertainty to global oil supplies.

Trump, speaking in a televised address from the White House, said he would re-impose economic sanctions on Iran. “This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made,” Trump said. “It didn’t bring calm. It didn’t bring peace. And it never will.”

The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanc-

US President Donald Trump displays a presidential memorandum after announcing his intent to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, US, May 8, 2018

tions on Iran in exchange for the country limiting its nuclear program. The pact is

seen by many in the West as a way to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.

But Trump complains that the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

He also said the agreement did not prevent Iran from cheating and continuing to pursue nuclear weapons. “It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement,” he said. “The Iran deal is defective at its core.” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Iran will remain in the nuclear deal without Washington.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

New outbreak of Ebola kills 17 in northwest DR Congo

S

eventeen people in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have died from Ebola, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday, describing the fresh outbreak as a “public health emergency with international impact.”

“Twenty-one cases of fever with haemorrhagic indications and 17 deaths” have been recorded in Equateur province, it said, citing a notification to the Ministry as of May 3.

It is the DRC’s ninth known outbreak of Ebola since 1976, when the deadly viral disease was first identified in then-Zaire by a Belgian-led team. In Geneva, the World Health

Ebola is one of the world’s most notorious diseases, being both highly infectious and extremely lethal

Organisation (WHO) said lab tests in the DRC confirmed the presence of Ebola virus in two out of five sam-

ples collected from patients.

It said it had released US$1 million (840,000 euros) from an emergency con-

tingency fund, set up a coordination group and deployed more than 50 experts to work with the DRC Government and health agencies.

“The action plan prepared by the Health Ministry has been approved,” an official statement released after a Cabinet meeting said.

“Since the notification of the cases on May 3, no deaths have been reported,” it said, without specifying when the first case came to light.

The outbreak occurred in Bikoro, on the shores of Lake Tumba. Ebola is one of the world’s most notorious diseases, being both highly infectious and extremely lethal. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

A

rgentina has appealed to the International Monetary Fund for an emergency credit package in an effort to avoid a financial crash and rescue its faltering peso currency from a long downward slide against the dollar.

The announcement, against a backdrop of surging interest rates and stubbornly resistant inflation, brought back echoes of Argentina’s monetary crash and foreign debt default in December 2001 when the peso dropped overnight to a quarter of its value against the dollar and bank accounts were frozen nationwide.

“This will allow us to face the new global scenario and avoid a crisis like the ones we have faced before in our history,” President Mauricio Macri said, announcing the

loan in a televised address.

Macri said international conditions had changed since he assumed office in December 2015. Last week Argentina’s central bank raised interest rates from 33.25 per cent to 40 per cent in a bid to halt the slide in the peso.

The Argentinian currency has been losing value against the dollar at a steady rate in the last few months, falling from under 20 pesos to the dollar to 24 pesos on Tuesday despite the latest rate rise. The peso has depreciated by 18 per cent so far this year.

Government sources quoted in Argentina suggested that Macri will be requesting US$30 billion from the IMF at below market interest rates. “It’s a large loan that justifies paying the political cost,” the daily Clarín said. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Senior lawman in T&T suspended over sexy photos of woman in Police uniform

Barbados court paves way US calls for Maduro for Caricom nationals to to step down be included on voters list

T

he Court of Appeal has paved the way for people residing here for more than three years to be included in the list of voters as Barbadians get ready to elect a new Government on May 24.

Attorney Gregory Nicholls said that the Court of Appeal on Monday threw out long standing rules that barred Commonwealth citizens resident here for three years from voting.

He said the Appellate Court ruled the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) EBC and Chief Electoral Officer unlawfully refused to register his clients on the electoral list.

Previously, the EBC

had stated it was its longheld policy that the agency was not authorised to register anyone as an elector in Barbados, unless that person was a citizen or person having the immigration status of resident or immigrant in Barbados.

In February, Chief Justice Marston Gibson ruled that Commonwealth citizens who meet the requirements under the Representation of the People Act have a right to vote in Barbados after the four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals, who have been living here for more than a decade, challenged their exclusion from the voters’ list. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

A

fter urging members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Monday to suspend Venezuela, the United States one day later called for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently seeking re-election, to step down.

This is according to the Associated Press (AP), which quoted US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley as saying: “For the safety and security of all the peoples of Latin America, it is time for Maduro to go.”

More than one million Venezuelans have fled to neighbouring countries to escape a deep economic crisis, which has resulted in

Armenia: Nikol Pashinyan elected as new Prime Minister

A

rmenia’s Parliament has elected Opposition Leader Nikol Pashinyan as the new Prime Minister, two weeks after Serzh Sargsyan resigned following widespread anti-Government demonstrations.

Pashinyan’s so-called Velvet Revolution has exer-

cised true people power – the ability to conjure up a storm of support on request. His protest movement began with a non-violent march on March 31, demanding that Sargsyan step down.

Pashinyan, 42, experienced a meteoric rise in populari-

ty in recent weeks by appealing to Armenians of all ages.

The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor who spent time in prison for fomenting unrest, marks a rupture with the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

widespread shortages of food and other basic supplies. The country, which officially has denied there is an ongoing humanitarian crisis and has refused to allow international aid, is deeply divided between those who support the Government of the socialist Maduro and those who blame him for the country’s economic crisis and want him gone from power.

“I am not sure how we will make that happen, but I know that we can’t stop,” Ambassador Haley added right after her speech during a conference organised by the Council of the Americas, the news agency reported. “We have to continue to isolate Maduro until he gives in.”

According to AP, Haley said the people of the South American country were “unwilling victims of a criminal narco-state”, and said the May 20 elections in which Maduro was seeking re-election would be fraudulent if independent observers were absent.

Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Sooker (right) has been suspended as investigations are carried out into the photos, like the one on the left

A

senior lawman in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has been suspended as investigations continue into how a seductively dressed woman came to be photographed wearing part of the uniform of an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The selfie images, which were circulating on social media, showed a woman wearing some type of lingerie and a Police shirt bearing the name and number of Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Michael Sooker.

In a statement announcing the “immediate investigation” by the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) last week, Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said the photographs appeared to have been taken at a Police station.

He said the PSB had

been given clear directions that the matter is to be treated with a level of urgency so that the appropriate action can be taken.

And last night, it was confirmed that ASP Sooker had been suspended.

The TTPS said that Williams had “issued a suspension notice to be served on Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police, Michael Sooker, of the North Eastern Division, relative to an allegation of discreditable conduct linked to photographs that surfaced on social media last week”.

Under the Police Service Act, anyone other than a Police Officer who wears a police uniform or any part of it, without written permission from the Commissioner of Police, is liable on summary conviction to a fine and imprisonment. (Caribbean360)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, May 9, 2018

ARCHIE

Don’t feel pressured by what others do. Focus on keep(March 21- ing up with economic trends April 19) and the latest technology.

Avoid gossip or letting someone meddle in your private affairs.

ARIES

If you offer people freedom TAURUS of thought, you will be giv(April 20- en the same privilege. If you May 20) don’t question others, you can avoid sharing personal secrets. Fact-check any information you are given.

dilbert

Persuasive tactics will get GEMINI you into trouble. Don’t agree to (May 21something that you don’t realJune 20) ly want to do. Leading someone on will cause gossip that will damage your reputation.

You’ll find comfort in doing

CANCER something with a friend or rela(June 21- tive and can ease your stress by July 22) getting involved in a creative

Peanuts

project. Explore new hobbies to meet someone interesting.

You’ll find creative soluLEO tions that will help you put the (July 23- changes you want to make into Aug. 22) motion. Set a strict budget to avoid adding stress to your life.

Calvin and Hobbes

You’ll be intrigued by someVIRGO one quite different from you.

(Aug. 23Don’t be fooled into thinking Sept. 22) you are missing out on something. What’s good for someone else may not be good for you.

Don’t try to change others LIBRA (Sept. 23- when you should be concentrating on physical and intellectual Oct. 23)

improvements. Better health, diet and fitness routines will change your attitude and make a difference to your future.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — BODYSURF (BODYSURF: BOD-ee-surf: To ride the waves to shore without a surfboard.)

Can you find 19 or more words in BODYSURF? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S WORD — SHORTCUT stout strut such hocus horst host hour hurt ouch ours

oust roust rout rush rust ruth thou thrust thus torch

tort torus touch tour tout trot troth trout trust truth

tutor chorus cost court couth crush crust curst curt

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

will make a difference. Don’t let an outsider lead you astray.

Trust in facts, not in hearsay.

Emotional manipulation SAGITTARIUS can be expected when deal(Nov. 23ing with a friend or loved one.

Dec. 21) Listen, take notes and show interest, but don’t make a decision until you are satisfied that your facts are accurate.

Average mark 15 words Time limit 25 minutes

scour scout scut short shot shout shut sort sour south

Stop stewing over someSCORPIO thing you cannot change and (Oct. 24get involved in projects that Nov. 22)

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take everything into consideration. If you try to make a snap decision, you will be disappointed in the results you get. Don’t let anger overpower your ability to get things done properly.

Moderation will be necessary when dealing with anyone who tends to be excessive or prone to overreaction.

Spend time fixing up your living quarters or altering your current living arrangements.

An emotional matter will leave you feeling uncertain about someone close to you.

Don’t let someone from your past disrupt or interfere in your personal life. Ulterior motives are apparent.

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018

Bargain Supermarket T20…

West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships…

Rutherford’s assault gives Golden Achievers triumph N

Promising signs being showcased in preparations – Fields Dylan Fields leaves the 900 yards bank at the GuyanaNRA 150th anniversary event in October 2017

P

reparations ahead of the defence of Guyana’s respective Short and Long Range titles at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships (WIFBSC) are almost complete ahead of this year’s championships, which will be hosted in the land of the Flying Fish” at the Paragon Ranges, Christ Church, Barbados from May 20. Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Fullbore Section Vice Captain Dylan Fields has disclosed that practice session have been going well over the past few months and he was very pleased with the way things have been progressing. Fields stated that adjustments would have had to be made to the team setup given the sickness of Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud, who is on the mend following a brief period of illness.

“But what I am seeing with the team is positive and the morale is quite high at the moment. We have been shooting all ranges in the last few months, but we have been do-

ing team match simulations for the past two weeks,” he indicated.

Fields also disclosed that there was one more session remaining based on the preparation plan and that was set for this Sunday at the Timehri Rifle Ranges.

Meanwhile, the GuyanaNRA fundraising raffle is set to be drawn this Saturday at the Industrial Safety Supplies Inc compound, 226 Camp Street, Georgetown. The raffle was originally set to be drawn on April 7, but the Association decided to extend the time to this Saturday. Persons who would have purchased tickets are asked to take note. The following prizes are to be won: 1st prize: one 125cc Motorcycle (Jailing Guyana); 2nd prize: one 8hp outboard engine (Crown Mining Supplies); 3rd prize: one 50? flat screen TV (Industrial Safety Supplies); 4th prize: one refrigerator (Queensway Security) along with 10 consolation prizes.

Modern Optical Service contributed towards printing of the raffle books.

Friendship outplay Soesdyke in secondary school league

F

riendship Secondary were once again celebrating on Monday evening after they trounced their opponents Soesdyke Secondary by 38 runs in the 2017/2018 Guyana Cricket Board/Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/National Sport Commission/National Secondary School Cricket League (GCB/DMLAS/ NSC/NSSCL).

Having won the toss at the GNIC Ground on Woolford Avenue, Friendship Secondary elected to bat first and carefully put together a score of 114. Middle-order batsman Adrian Lim topscored with 40 runs while his teammate Rondel Kaltow was the only other batsman recording double figures with his score of 12.

The Friendship boys only managed to utilise 16.3 of their 30 allotted overs.

On the other side of the

19

match, Soesdyke’s lower-order batsman Noel Henry was the only one to reach double figures scoring 17 runs, as his team struggled to 76 off 14.3 overs.

The impressive bowling attack could be attributed for Friendship’s win. Kaltow had excellent returns of 4 for 7 from just 3 overs, while Damion Smith and Johnathan Jagdeo grabbed 3 for 26 and 2 for 20 respectively.

The GCB/DMLAS/NSC/ NSSCL tournament continues at the Lusignan Community Center ground with Ann’s Grove coming up against La Bonne Intention (LBI).

The 2017/2018 Guyana Cricket Board/ Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/ National Sport Commission/ National Secondary School Cricket League (GCB/ DMLAS/NSC/NSSCL)

ational all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford belted eleven maximums and seven fours in a blistering innings of 116, which led Golden Achievers to an emphatic 133-run victory over Bee Hive when the East Coast Demerara Cricket Committeeorganised Bargain Supermarket T20 tournament got under way at the Ogle Ground on Sunday.

Rutherford propelled his team to 256-4 in their allotted overs to which Bee Hive could only reach 123-8 in response as Quacy Cummings snared 4-30; Harrynarine Samlall and Arvind Rajmangal made 36 and 25 respectively.

At Enterprise, Anthony XI went down to Enterprise A by three wickets as the best batsman made an unbeaten 62 to see his team reach their target of 111. Charway McPherson with 58 was the top scorer for Anthony XI as Rohan Mangal picked up 3-16.

Also in the day’s play, Strathavon defeated Mahaica by six wickets. Mahaica won the toss and took first strike posting 44 in 13.2 overs as Guyana Under-15 spinner Chandrapaul Ramraj claimed 4-8 and M Motie returned 4-7.

Strathavon, in reply, raced to the target in 9.3 overs, with Tagnarine Chanderpaul top-scoring with 18.

At Enmore Community Centre Ground, Better Hope B emerged victorious by four wickets over Enterprise B. Enterprise B could only manage 85-8 in their full quota, with 25 runs each from Hansraj Sookdeo and Ravindra Beepat. Better Hope required 16.2 overs to reach 86, losing six wickets along the way as Dave Persaud picked up 4-12 while Annand Persaud top-scored with 28.

Paradise defeated La Bonne Intention (LBI) by 40 runs after Paradise posted 156-5 thanks to C Fraser’s unbeaten 65 and F Jones’ 40.

In reply, LBI folded for 117 with one over

to go as H Blackman picked up 4-12 and J Persaud claimed 3-19.

At Lusignan Community Centre Ground, the hosts won the toss and batted, posting 1237 with Keon Franklin unbeaten on 46. Fairfield were limited to 103-8 as the overs ran out, with Travon Charles, unbeaten on 26, unable to see his side home as they fell to a 20-run loss.

At Enmore, Buxton fought well, but still lost by two wickets to Enmore. Buxton took first strike and were bundled out for 62 with Rudolph Singh and Chris Surat returning figures of 5-12 and 3-9 respectively. Enmore recovered from 25-6 to finish on 67-8.

Matches continue on Sunday.

Sherfane Rutherford

GSCL Inc/Ink Plus/Crown Mining Enterprise/ Elegance Jewellery Tournament

Regal Masters begin with crushing win T

he third week of action in the Ink Plus/Crown Mining Enterprise/ Elegance Jewellery softball tournament saw powerhouse Regal Masters beginning their quest for another major title on a winning note at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground, Queenstown last Sunday.

After their initial opening match against Albion Masters was washed out the previous week, the experienced side took on Savage Masters and trounced them convincingly by nine wickets.

With the ball, Regal Masters were led by the diminutive left-arm spinner Laurie Singh with figures of 3-17 from four overs and pacer Fazleem Mohamed with 2-18 (3 overs) to restrict Savage Masters to 114-8 from their 20 overs. Rudolph Perreira made 26 (4x4; 1x6) and Herbert Gentle 17 (2x4; 1x6) as they desperately tried to get the big white ball away.

In reply, the Regal Masters’ top order made light work of the chase, getting to 120-1 in 16.2 overs with opener Eon Abel clobbering four sixes and three fours to finish unbeaten on 50.

He was supported nicely by his open-

Eon Abel

ing partner, Mahesh Chunilall, who made 20 (2x6) before he was dismissed to make way for Rudolph Baker, who sealed the deal with a rapid 39 not out (2x6; 4x4).

The tournament, which is organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc, (GSCL Inc) is being con-

tested in two categories: the male open and the male masters for players 40 years and older with no entrance fee per team. In the open category, the small balls are being used while in the masters category, the big white ball is being used while the format is round robin.

In other matches last Sunday at DCC, Fishermen XI (133-9 (17.2 overs): Troy Ramsaywack 34, Ramo Malone 31; Ron Ramnauth 3-32 and D Mohabir 2-22) beat R&R Masters (128 for 6 (20 overs): Khemchand Dindyal 30, and R Mohamed 25; Ramo Malone 2-33 and Zameer Hassan 2-43) by one wicket and Success Masters (130-4 (18.3 overs): Hakim Majeed 52, and S Budhram 26) beat HS Masters (128-9 (20 overs): Clyde Hoyte 26; Mark Fung 3-28 and Raymond Karim 2-22) by six wickets.

Meanwhile, over at the Hydronie Ground, Parika Defenders (1674 (15 overs): B Singh, 72 not out, Ucil Armstrong, 48) beat Essequibo Masters (138 all out (15 overs)) by 29 runs , and Essequibo Masters 134 all out (15 overs) beat Narine Masters (97 all out (15 overs)) by 37 runs.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018

Indian Premier League 2018...

Rahul unbeaten, but Royals beat rest of Kings XI promotion to the top of the order, hitting a solitary six and nine fours in his 58-ball knock.

However, from 82-2 at the halfway stage, Rajasthan struggled in the second half of their innings. Sanju Samson made 22 but Andre Tye (4-34) claimed three wickets in the final over to help restrict the hosts, albeit their final score always looked competitive.

A positive spin

Fall of the empire: Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes erupt in celebrations after Chris Gayle is stumped © BCCI

R

ajasthan Royals climbed off the foot of the Indian Premier League table with a 15-run victory over third-placed Kings XI Punjab.

KL Rahul made an unbeaten 95 but found little support from his Kings XI colleagues, meaning they fell comfortably short in their attempts to overhaul Rajasthan's total of 158-8 in Jaipur.

Indeed, Marcus Stoinis (11) was the only other player to reach double figures in a Kings XI innings that nev-

er recovered from the early loss of Chris Gayle.

They finished on 143-7 even with 16 runs coming off the last over, opener Rahul hitting a six and two fours as he posted his highest score in the Twenty20 competition.

Jos Buttler had earlier led the way with 82 for Rajasthan, who remain in the hunt to reach the playoffs after posting their fourth win of the campaign.

Calling the shots

While he failed to reach

double figures during his time at the crease, managing just nine from 10 deliveries, Ajinkya Rahane did make a crucial contribution to his team's triumph.

The Royals captain boldly opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, a policy that immediately paid off when opening partner Buttler lunched an onslaught in the powerplay overs.

The England international registered a third successive half-century since his

Krishnappa Gowtham (2-12) spun Kings XI's reply into early trouble, including claiming the prized scalp of Gayle for one thanks to some smart work by Buttler, who pulled off a leg-side stumping to dismiss the big-hitting left-hander. Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin's move up the order failed to pay off as he was bowled for a two-ball duck in the same Gowtham over.

Ish Sodhi also starred for the Royals on a sluggish surface, the New Zealand leg-spinner recording excellent figures of 1-14 from his four-over spell. Pace on the ball proved more beneficial to the batsmen yet Jofra

Archer delivered a succession of yorkers in a 17th over that crucially only leaked four runs, leaving even the inform Rahul with too much to do in the closing stages. (Sportsmax)

KL Rahul gets on top of a short ball © BCCI

SCOREBOARD Rajasthan Royals Innings (20 overs maximum) A Rahane (c) c Nath b Tye 9 J Buttler † st †Rahul b Rahman 82 K Gowtham c Tiwary b Stoinis 8 S Samson c Tiwary b Rahman 22 B Stokes c Ashwin b Tye 14 S Binny run out (Nair/Tye) 11 M Lomror not out 9 J Archer c Tiwary b Tye 0 J Unadkat c Nair b Tye 0 Extras (b 1, nb 1, w 1) 3 Total (8 wickets;20 Overs) 158 Did not bat: I Sodhi, A Singh Fall of wickets: 1-37 (Rahane, 3.4 ov), 2-64 (Gowtham, 6.3 ov), 3-117 (Samson, 14.3 ov), 4-132 (Buttler, 16.2 ov), 5-147 (Binny, 17.6 ov), 6-152 (Stokes, 19.1 ov), 7-153 (Archer, 19.3 ov), 8-158 ( Unadkat, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Stoinis 2-0-151, Patel 3-0-24-0, Sharma 3-029-0, Tye 4-0-34-4, Ashwin 4-0-34-0, Rahman 4-0-21-2 Kings XI Punjab Innings (target:

159 runs from 20 overs) K Rahul † not out 95 CH Gayle st †Buttler b Gowth am 1 R Ashwin (c) b Gowtham 0 K Nair c Unadkat b Archer 3 A Nath c Gowtham b Sodhi 9 M Tiwary c Rahane b Stokes 7 A Patel run out (Binny/†Buttler) 9 M Stoinis c Gowtham b Unadkat 11 A Tye not out 1 Extras (b 4, lb 1, nb 1, w 1) 7 Total (7 wickets;20 Overs) 143 Did not bat: M Sharma, M Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Gayle, 2 ov), 2-14 (Ashwin, 2.2 ov), 3-19 (Nair, 3.4 ov), 4-45 (Nath, 8.6 ov), 5-66 (Tiwary, 11.6 ov), 6-81 (Patel, 13.3 ov), 7-127 (Stoinis, 19.1 ov) Bowling: Gowtham 3-0-12-2, Archer 4-0-32-1, Unadkat 4-0-36-1, Stokes 2-0-13-1, Sodhi 4-0-14-1, Lomror 2-0-19-0, Singh 1-0-12-0

Berbice, Demerara ladies in tussle for title

Left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz could play a crucial role for Demerara

F

ollowing two rounds of action in the 2018 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Women’s 50-

Over Inter-County tourney, defending champs Berbice will face rivals Demerara for the crown today at Lusignan.

Both sides took full advantage of a very inexperienced Essequibo team, thumping the Cinderella ladies on respective occasions to help set up the final showdown.

After disposing of Essequibo on Sunday in the opener at Bourda by eight wickets, Demerara should feel confident going into the finals.

All-rounder Mandy Mangru; opener Latoya Smith; left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz, who won the MVP for her 4-5 versus Essequibo and national players skipper Akaze Thompson and Loshanna Toussaint showed glimpses of form and will play a key role against the strong Berbice team.

From the Ancient County

Veteran all-rounder Erva Giddings will look to pull out another MVP performance in the final

perspective, the Tremayne Smartt-led Berbice flexed their muscles against

Essequibo, inevitably warming up for the Demerara challenge. Senior Windies and

Guyana pacer Erva Giddings was the instrument of destruction, blasting 45 before bagging an impressive 5-5 with her left-arm pace.

Half-centurion Ketana Mentore, opener Shenita Grimmond, and Smartt all played crucial roles in the 161run thumping of Essequibo on Monday. With the performance of Giddings, Berbice will fancy their chances of overcoming the Demerara threat.

Following the 50-Over tournament, the ladies will have a few days to further organise themselves ahead of the T20 leg. The first ball is set to bowl off at 09:00h, weather permitting.

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spirituality & ASTROLOGY

Sean Rodrigues of Sueria Manufacturing hands over sponsorship to BCB President Hilbert Foster in the presence of CEO Frank Sanichara

E

very promise made to the stakeholders of Berbice cricket would be kept because the current leadership of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is passionate about the work we do. We committed ourselves to organising cricket at all levels, we have already fulfilled that promise in just over two months and to be honest, the county of Berbice has not seen nothing yet as much more would be done in 2018 as we work overtime to return Berbice cricket to the top.”

Those were the words of BCB President Hilbert

eting talents in the school system, to encourage schools to invest in the game, to assist cricket clubs to attract new members and encourage more youths (males and females) to play the game at the competitive levels.

Foster expressed gratitude to Sueria Manufacturing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frank Sanichara for his confidence in the Board, noting that Sanichara was already sponsoring the Countywide Magic Moments 20/20 Cricket Tournaments for teams in four Sub-Zones.

He reassured Sanichara that the School Tournament,

Academy in Region Six. The schools in Region Five are Rosignol Secondary, No 8 Secondary, Ash Educational Institute, Woodley Park Secondary, Fraser Educational Institute, Fort Wellington Secondary, Bush Lot Secondary, Novar Secondary, and Mahaicony Secondary.

The top two schools in both Regions would advance to the semi-finals before the grand finals, which would be played at the Albion Cricket Ground.

All matches start at 11:00h.

A maximum of two players would be allowed out of the 30-yard circle for the first five overs while five would be allowed out for the rest of the innings.

Hercules looking to rebuild Essequibo ladies team

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Foster at the launching for another major cricket tournament for youths in Berbice.

BCB on Friday last joined hands with Sueria Manufacturing Ltd of Eccles, East Demerara to officially launch a 30-Over Knockout Cricket Tournament for Secondary Schools to be played by 19 Schools in Region Six (East BerbiceCanje) and 10 schools in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

The main objectives of the Tournament, which is sponsored under the Mogu Mogu brand, are to identify crick-

which would start as soon as the weather permitted, would be properly organised and achieve all of its objectives.

Sanichara, in brief remarks, praised the BCB for the work it was doing to transform cricket in Berbice, and stated that as a Berbician he was proud to play a part. He expressed the belief that sports were the best avenue to get youths away from crime.

The Inter-School Tournament is to be contested by Upper Corentyne Technical Institute, Line Path Secondary, Skeldon High, Tagore Memorial, Central Corentyne Secondary, Black Bush Polder Secondary, Winifred Gaskin Memorial, Lower Corentyne Secondary, Manchester Secondary, Port Mourant Secondary, JC Chandisingh Secondary, New Amsterdam Technical Institute, Canje Secondary, Berbice High School, Vrymens Erven Secondary, New Amsterdam Secondary, Berbice Educational Institute, and Tutorial

Ryan Hercules

ewly-elected Essequibo Senior Women’s Head Coach Ryan Hercules said he was looking forward to the challenges of breathing fresh air into the team, following a disappointing 50-over series.

The former U-19 pacer, following his recent appointment, told Guyana Times Sport that while the task of rebuilding the women’s team would be hard, he was eager to help restore some fire in his county’s female division.

“Indeed, it’s a bit more technical, because we have girls that’s never played cricket before.

Bringing them straight into a tournament is always going to be a tough challenge, but they can only get better with dedication and hard work; I keep mentioning it to them,” Hercules said.

Hercules, who took the senior Essequibo male team to the Jaguars 3-Day title, said he was still positive about his team’s success going forward. “We have a few players that have played national female level, but were out for a while so a lot of work will be done by me over the next three days starting today at Everest.”

He continued, “We have three days before our next T20 encounter, and we will work very hard on certain aspects to improve the players’ catching, spot bowling, batting, etc.”

Essequibo were thrashed by eight wickets on Sunday courtesy of Demerara, before being hammered by more than 150 runs by the Berbice ladies.

The new Coach admitted that the players have a long way to go but while things might be difficult at first, he was adamant that he could turn their fortunes around. “Yes, it was a hard start for us coming into the tournament with nine players in the first game, no manager and coach, so it was always gonna be a challenge,” he noted.

“When you have a team that came with no coach, no manager and short of players, but I’m here and into

the second game, we had a full side and we will work step by step to be more competitive in all aspects,” the ex-pacer said.

Regarding the future of the ladies team and their journey to rebuilding, the new Coach said that he wanted to get them on par with the females from the other counties. “I don’t think we can get them equally on the level of the men, but we can get them to a high level as other female players in the country. A lot of work will be done and we are looking forward to the days ahead; they’re keen on playing cricket and hopefully with my help, I can try my best to get them to a level where they can get success.”

Concluding his interview with this newspaper, the former youth player hailed the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for its support of Essequibo in a time when they are currently rebuilding both male and female teams.

“I must commend the Guyana Cricket Board for their help with the Essequibo team, knowing they could have just scratched them out, but they chose to keep them and work with the players to improve their game.”

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018

Record entries anticipated for Caribbean School Boys boxing championships

uyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle is confident a record number of entries will make their way to Guyana for the third edition of the highly successful Caribbean School Boys boxing championships slated for August 17-19.

Ninvalle foresees the number of teams will grow exponentially from four in 2017 to nine, with countries such as Jamaica, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Cayman Islands, and French Guiana also slated to make the trip to the Land of Many Waters.

The GBA further highlighted the championships have shifted from its usual April-May timeline to August which allows a greater number of competitors to travel, on account of the school break.

Regarding preparations, he revealed that the locals would be encamped prior to the event to ensure they

The action-packed Caribbean School Boys boxing championships return in August with an anticipated nine countries participating

were in position to perform at their best and defend the “homeland”.

In 2017, the locals stuck to the script and dominated the event by retaining the overall title with six gold medals and two silvers while Trinidad and Tobago claimed four gold medals and four silvers.

Success of novices Over the weekend, the Association held its Andrew Lewis National Novices Championship, which was rated as a “success”.

“I think the Novices was highly successfully; we are happy that the Republican Gym (prison gym) could have

joined us back into the fold, although they would have not had a lot to prepare.”

The immediate agenda for the GBA will be the preparation of Keevin Allicock and Colin “Superman” Lewis for the May 28-June 8 South American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The duo would have just returned from a commendable showing at the 21st Commonwealth Games held in Australia and also from the Central American and Caribbean Games qualifiers in Mexico, which sealed their passage to the games in Colombia in July. (Akeem Greene)

New system in place for Youth Olympics selection

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uyanese athletes will now have Olympics Committee (IOC), and they will to go through a different process determine who will represent Guyana at for selection ahead of the Youth the Games.

As of last year, Guyana had one univerOlympic Games. Athletics Association of Guyana President Aubrey Hutson made sality spot at the Youth Olympics; Hutson the disclosure as he announced the host- shared that he has been making strides to have that changed, so more athletes would ing of the replacement event.

“Well, we are in final preparation for be able to represent Guyana at the Games.

“I’ve argued constantly for this to Youth Olympics this year, and we were supposed to go into a trial, which would in- change; we should go to trials. If I send 10 athletes and all 10 of them get first, clude all the countries in the Americas they should all go to the Youth coming from Canada all the way Olympics,” he said. down to Argentina; that is not Some consideration has coming to happen anymore,” been given to Hutson’s plea Hutson said. and as such, Guyana now The international meet has three spots. The AAG was initially scheduled to be will host the National held in Columbia, but there Youth and Junior was a political upheaval Championships in order to with regard to sport in that make the selections for the country. As such, the meet Youth Olympic Games. was moved to Guatemala; however, that country experienced social unrest and was unable to host the games. Finally, it was decided that each country would host their meet locally.

“What the area is looking at right now is us holding our championships and producing the kind of results so that they can determine who can come to the Youth Olympics,” he explained.

When these championships are held, the results will then be forwarded to the International Association of Athletics Federations Athletics Association of Guyana President Aubrey Hutson (IAAF) and the International

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018

"I will fight

23

for the CMRC championship" – Vieira

By Akeem Greene

2

016 is a year etched deeply into the memory of young motor biker Matthew Vieira since he had many solo rides around various tracks, savouring the winning feeling with the chequered flag, and knowing ultimately he would be crowned Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) Super Stock champion.

Well, in 2017, his fortunes changed vastly. An accident impeded much of his participation for the year and then former MotoAmerica Champion Bryce Prince, who rides under the Team Mohamed’s banner for Guyana, unleashed a beastly performance to win the title.

Prince, along with British teammate Matt Truelove, who rode a Super

Biker but is understood to be making a switch to the 600cc action, were simply a step above the annual “local competition” that Vieira came to dominate.

Based on reports, Prince will not be making the trip to Jamaica for the first round CMRC at the Jamwest Circuit in Jamaica from May 12-13, which opens the door marginally for Vieira to stage a challenge for the title, albeit Truelove will be in action.

“I was actually looking forward to racing with Bryce in Jamaica. I would’ve learned a lot from a professional rider. I’m confident that my chances are really good to win a race there, but there are other skilled racers and you know it’s racing, anything could happen,” he conveyed to Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday.

He went on to state, “It feels great to get back into my suit and also to race on a different track. I plan to fight hard for the championship.”

Jamwest is known for more high-speed action due to longer straightaways, and the 20 year-old is banking on his previous knowledge to bring the desired results.

“I’ve been looking at a lot of Jamwest race videos and training to get into physical shape for the race and I think I’m ready. I was in Jamaica in 2016 and didn’t really get a lot of practice there, but I’m sure we’ll be fine,” the son of veteran car racer Mark Vieira declared while expressing gratitude for the support of Houston Industrial Services and Company (HISCo) and Fly Jamaica.

Close to 20 bikers are

Number 48 was in sublime form at the National Race of Champions held in March (GT Ridez Photo)

expected to take the grid for this weekend’s test of speed, which will also see Guyana being represented

Independence track & field meet returns May 19-20

by Paul Yearwood, Raveiro Tucker, John Bennett, and the recent addition of LeRoy Cort; Guyana Motor Racing

& Sports Club President Ramez Mohamed is the lone driver on the team.

Mohamed’s big hitting seals massive win for Everest Masters

– 85 athletes already booked for intense competition

Everest Masters Captain Rajesh Singh (left) collects the winning trophy from his opposite number, Anil Beharry in the presence of Man of the Match Saheed Mohamed (right)

A AAG President Aubrey Hutson, Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association President David Thomas and AAG Administrative Coordinator James Cole

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he track and field competition, which is being organised by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG); the Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association and the Social Cohesion Department, was first hosted to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary in 2016.

The third edition is expected to be hosted at the Leonora Track and Field Centre on the West Coast of Demerara on May 19-20. The competition is open to athletes as young as eight years of age. AAG President Aubrey Hutson revealed that there was a US$10,000 budget, so accommodation, transportation and meals would be provided for the athletes with the help of the Social Cohesion Department.

The track and field meet is expected to be larger than previous years and the AAG is anticipating participation from over 100 athletes. AAG Administrative

Coordinator James Cole disclosed the number of registered athletes thus far, who hailed from 13 clubs.

“Our preparations are on stream in terms of clubs sending in their entry forms; to date we have 85 persons who would have registered and registration is opened until the 17th,” he said.

Over the years, the parties involved have strived to better the competition so as to provide a better platform for the local athletes. Last year’s games saw the introduction of hurdles and steeple chase, two races that are not popular locally.

Guyana Overseas Based Sports Association President David Thomas disclosed that next year’s event would be improved upon by inviting international athletes to participate.

“Next year, we will try to make this an international event. As Mr Hutson right fully said competition is the key

to success, but international competition always makes us better,” he stated.

The former athlete explained that inviting competitors from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and other countries improved the level of competition for local athletes. “We have a nice programme planned for next year for our athletes and those we intend to invite.”

The action begins at 10:00h and there will be an entrance fee of $300 for those who wish to visit the event. Aside from medals, the professional athletes will receive cash prizes.

“We’re encouraging people to come out and support our athletes… These are the future of Guyana’s track and field that are going to be on show, so just come out and support,” Hutson urged.

swashbuckling innings of 76 from Saheed Mohamed gave the Everest Masters a comfortable 64-run victory over Albion Masters on Arrival Day in Georgetown.

The friendly T20 match, which was contested at the Everest Cricket Club Ground in observance of Arrival Day on May 5, saw the hosts winning the toss and batting first in cool conditions. Mohamed muscled his way to the only half-century of the match, hitting seven towering sixes and four well-timed fours. On the wicket which was twopaced, Mohamed was supported by Basil Persaud with 17 and Rakesh Gangaran and Ronald Jaisingh who scored 14 runs each as the home team ended on 153 for 8 from their 20 overs.

Veeren Moonsammy rolled back the years to return brilliant figures of 4-23 bowling for Albion Masters.

In their turn at the

crease, the visitors were held up by some tidy and steady bowling from the Everest Masters, especially the opening bowlers Ronald Jaisingh and Rajesh Singh, who shared eight overs, conceded 28 runs, and picked up two wickets.

The Berbicians never recovered from the ordinary start and were eventually bowled out for 89 from 19 overs. Former senior Berbice inter-county player Randolph Latcha hit a six and two fours in the top score of 31 in a losing cause.

Rakesh Gangaram and Rohan Sarjoo were the leading Everest Masters bowlers with two wickets each for 15 and 23 runs respectively.

Saheed Mohamed was adjudged Man of the Match.

Since 2018 started, Everest Masters have shown consistency, winning eight of their 10 matches to date. Trophies for the day’s event were sponsored by The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.

wednesDAY, may 9, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 23

Independence track & field meet returns May 19-20 – 85 athletes already booked for intense competition Some big names are expected to be at the starting line at the National Track and Field facility (Orlando Charles photo)

"I will fight

for the CMRC championship" – Vieira Pg 23

Matthew Vieira wants to take an early lead in his fight to regain CMRC Super Stock supremacy (GT Ridez photo)

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