Guyanatime, friday 27, april 2018

UN body pleased with Guyana’s preparation for CRIC 17 P14 …to be hosted next year Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3546

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, April 27, 2018

PRICE

Govt wants $788M more for ICJ border case

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Sophia man arrested with illegal gun P3 Paul Slowe P2 tipped to head Police Service Commission

…says additional spending to cover new ‘legal fees’

Cummingsburg February 14th review deadline Linden womanPage AFC’s leader admits nursing burns 11 date, agenda still Page after doused with 16 hot liquid by husband being worked out

Police discover 1100 grams of marijuana strapped to Mahdia passenger Page 15

First Lady, P9 Telecoms Minister say more girls needed in ICT

“Duck man” remanded for ex-girlfriend’s murder P8 Local rice P7 production to be boosted – as GRDB launches new paddy variety

DPP nixes 2nd set of charges against APNU/AFC See stories on Ministers pages 12 and 16

– Opposition says act vacuous as it moves to High Court for redress

– Harmon denies instructing, influencing DPP

Prisoner hangs self in Mahdia lock-ups Page 3

– OPR launches investigation

Region 5 P10 Chairman concerned over REO’s spending of public funds Nurse, fiancé charged P8 for narcotrafficking

2 news All Region 4 health centres staffed with doctors T friDAY, april 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Regional Democratic Council Regional Health Department under its Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Quincy Jones has achieved unprecedented medical first in Guyana.

The medical first is the acquisition of a doctor being stationed at every health centre in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

An elated Dr Jones said they are very excited and proud of the achievement, noting that this was better achieved before. “We are proud to announce that we are the only region in Guyana that has been able to acquire a doctor for every health centre within the region,” he said.

He disclosed that with 31 health centres, the region currently boasts 43 doctors. This, the RHO said, relates to at least one doctor at each health centre. He disclosed that in the history of Guyana, this is the first time such a feat is being achieved.

“We are very proud of this and as the RHO, I am sure that all can imagine my

consistently fought to have it achieved. Aided by the endorsement and acknowledgment of the Regional Health service (RHS) we were able to achieve this,” he said.

Meanwhile, REO Pauline Lucas was high in praise for her Regional Health Officer, Dr Quincy Jones who she congratulated on

The doctors stationed at the various health centres in Region Four cover the East Bank and the East Coast of Demerara

excitement and satisfaction that each and every health centre from Cane Grove on the East Coast to St Cuthbert’s Mission on the Linden Soesdyke Highway has at least a medical doctor there. It simply means that patients can be assured of enhanced medical attention and care from their respective health centres,” he said.

The RHO noted that with every health centre having a medical doctor it can help in reducing the workload at the two hospitals in

Region Four, namely the CC Nicolson and the Diamond Hospitals. “We are beginning to see that because the health centres have a doctor the workload at these two hospitals are reducing, as people no longer have to go to the hospital for every little thing, they can now access healthcare much faster and in some cases, in a more efficient way from their respective health centre,” he disclosed.

Dr Jones said while the health department is cel-

ebrating this major feat, he and his team remain thankful to the hardworking efforts of the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Pauline Lucas, who he said had led the fight in ensuring that each health centre have a doctor. “When I spoke to the REO of paving the way for a doctor to be assigned to every health centre, she didn’t only like the idea but wholeheartedly supported the initiative; she had supported it to the point where she aggressively and

achieving what she said was an initiative that was birthed by the RHO. She said the numerous achievements and successes that are being achieved in the health department are as a result of the cohesive and teamwork that the RHO aided by her administration has been able to achieve.

Paul Slowe tipped to head Police Service Commission

F

ormer Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe has been nominated to head the Police Service Commission.

This is according to Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton on Thursday as he laid the 11th Report of the Committee on Appointments in relation to the appointment of members of the Commission.

In addition, retired Assistant Commissioner Clinton Conway and retired Woman Assistant Commissioners Vesta Adams and Claire Jarvis have been recommended to be part of the PSC. The nominations were made by the Association of Former Members of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Police Association.

According to the Minister, these recommendations will be acted upon only after they have been reviewed and considered by the Head of State, David Granger.

Slowe had been the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the alleged assassination plot against the President last year.

It was alleged that an East Bank Demerara man, Andriff Gillard reported to the Police that his friend and neighbour Nizam Khan offered him $7 million to assassinate the President.

The State newspaper, under the direct responsibility of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, had reported that the report completed by Slowe recommended that substantive Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud be forced to resign or be removed if he refused.

“The Commission recommends that Commissioner Seelall Persaud should be made to resign his position as Commissioner of Police for the Guyana Police Force, under such terms and conditions that His Excellency considers appropriate. Failing which, proceedings should be initiated in accordance with Article 225 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to have him removed from office for misbehaviour,” the State media had reported.

Moreover, according to the excerpts of the leaked CoI report, Slowe had found that Commissioner Persaud acted improperly when he instructed Inspector Prem Narine to send Nizam Khan on bail on the night of March 29, 2017.

It was also recommended that Persaud be investigated for perjury in relation to his

Former Police Service Commissioner Paul Slowe

statement when he said that he was not aware of the allegations until after 16:00h on March 29, 2017, as Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken had told the CoI that he reported the incident to Persaud around 10:00h.

Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine was acting as Police Commissioner when the allegation was levelled, and he told the CoI that he felt a proper investigation was not conducted.

As such, the report recommended that sanctions be imposed against him for his failure to ensure that a proper investigation was conducted.

In relation to Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum, Slowe recommended that he be replaced for poor leadership and questioned his role in the successful solving of crimes under his watch.

Additionally, Slowe further recommended that Blanhum’s Deputy, Senior Superintendent Rishi Dass, be disciplined for neglect of duty for failing to ensure the correct date of the allegation made by Gillard.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, at that time had indicated his belief that Slowe had “had an axe to grind” and was acting on the basis of a vendetta.

According to Jagdeo, if President Granger was serious about an investigation into the alleged plot against him, “he should not have appointed Paul Slowe to head it, because Paul Slowe has bad blood with many people.”

He then drew attention to the fact the PSC nominee had in fact served on the coalition’s campaign team in the last General Election held in May 2015.

“He was put there to do a hatchet job on the leadership of the Police Force, destroying professionalism,” Jagdeo had said.

news

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friDAY, april 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt wants $788M more for ICJ border case

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, April 27 – a night-time retraction at 03:00h and a day-time retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, April 28 – a night-time retraction at 04:00h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 27 – 14:40h-16:10h and Saturday, April 28 – 15:25h-16:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with light to partly cloudy skies prevailing in the later afternoon and evening hours.

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

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 02:43h and 15:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.54 metres and 2.56 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:38h and 20:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metres and 0.63 metre respectively.

…says additional spending to cover new ‘legal fees’

By Samuel Sukhnandan

O

ne month after Government formally filed legal proceedings against neighbouring Venezuela at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to finally confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award, the coalition has moved to Parliament, seeking millions to pay legal fees.

This request comes at a time when Government is yet to state how much of the US$18 million it received from ExxonMobil in the form of a signing bonus has been expended for this same case.

That money is said to be sitting somewhere in the Central Bank in a private account.

According to Financial Paper Number Two of 2018, the Government is requesting $488,000,000 to meet the estimated cost in 2018 of representing Guyana at the ICJ, including payment of legal fees. While $300 million was listed as voted provision, $788,049,000 in supplementary provision is now being sought.

Asked to provide an explanation as to why this amount is being sought, Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge disclosed that that sum will cover the cost for retaining lawyers to do whatever it is that is needed to be done during the course of 2018 in terms of this border case.

“We don’t know exactly how much it would cost, because we don’t know how the court process will unfold. It depends in part on what the court requires. They may look at it and decide to ask us to do this or that…and we might have to go and get somebody else to supplement the information,” he explained.

Greenidge said Venezuela may also choose to appear or not appear, and that too could affect the budget. “So it’s a little difficult to say exactly what will be required; that is why it is an estimate. So we may find at the end of the year that it is less or more. You pay lawyers by time, so it’s very much dependent on them.”

The Minister had said US$15 million of the entire bonus had been set aside for legal fees, but Government might need to find more money as the case progresses.

Greenidge said Cabinet has decided that, as the need arises each year, the money would be transferred from the special account at the Bank of Guyana to the Consolidated Fund to “meet the estimated expenditure” for the lawyers.

Meanwhile, the Government has disclosed that the team which represented Guyana in the matter against Suriname in 2007 has been retained. That team is headed by Paul Reichler, a partner in the Washington office of law firm Foley Hoag

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

LLP. There is still no word on which other firm has been hired.

Minister Greenidge has, however, said Government may disclose their entire legal team in eight weeks’ time, depending on how soon the entire arrangement is finalised. The Minister is also not too keen on divulging that information yet, especially since Venezuela is still to decide whether they will challenge the matter.

“When the entire arrangement is tied up, we will let you know…You got firms, and the individuals may not all be free all the time. At the moment, we have recruited three firms, and may likely recruit more, based on the need to do so.

Some may be hired part time, as well to do research and so on,” he added.

Guyana’s application to the ICJ follows a decision

by UN Secretary General António Guterres to choose the ICJ as the next means of resolving the controversy that arose as a result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award in regard to the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela was null and void.

According to Guyana’s application to the World Court, for more than 60 years, Venezuela had consistently recognised and respected the validity of the binding force of the 1899 Award and the 1905 Map agreed by both sides in furtherance of the Award.

Venezuela changed its position formally in 1962, as the United Kingdom was making final preparation for the independence of British Guiana.

The court document further noted that while Venezuela has never produced any evidence to justify its belated repudiation of the 1899 Award, the neighbouring country has used it as an excuse to occupy territory awarded to Guyana in 1899, to inhibit Guyana’s economic development.

The UN Secretary General’s authority to choose the ICJ as the means for resolving the controversy is rooted in the Geneva Agreement of 1966, negotiated just before Guyana attained independence.

Guyana to host regional workshop for Judges, Prosecutors

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At a press conference on Thursday, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams disclosed that over 60 participants are expected to attend the workshop. These will mostly be Judges and State Prosecutors from the 25 member countries of CFATF. While each country will have two participants – one judge and one prosecutor, Guyana has entered High Court Judges, Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Jo Ann Barlow, as well as Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar AliHack, to attend the work-

lone occupant, and conducted a search during which a .380 Star Pistol was unearthed.

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Prisoner hangs self in Mahdia lock-ups

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shop.

The workshop will be facilitated by the experts from the Commonwealth Secretariat and CFATF. Meanwhile, at the opening ceremony, addresses will be delivered by President David Granger and the Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland.

During the period, Guyana will also be hosting receptions to welcome the participants including one at the President’s residence, State House.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, among the topics up for discussion

during the two days are countering violent extremism and the financing of terrorists and terrorism activities as well as CFATF’s mutual evaluation reports, investigative orders, prosecution and management of money laundering cases and international cooperation.

“The outcomes intended include having a better appreciation on the part of both bench and prosecution of the nature of money laundering offences, terrorist financing and what has been added to this is countering violent extremism,” Minister Williams stated.

Sophia man arrested with illegal gun

Evening Draw

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s part of its mandate as Chair of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Guyana will be hosting a twoday workshop, which will address pressing issues in the Region, including violent extremism and the financing of terrorism.

The seminar will be held on May 3 and 4 at the Pegasus Hotel and is a collaborative effort of the Guyana Government, the Commonwealth Secretariat, CFATF and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The financing of the event will be covered by these bodies.

– OPR launches investigation

53-year-old prisoner was found hanging in a cell at Mahdia Police Station on Wednesday.

Reports are that Shameer Khan of 111 Miles Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) was discovered

by Police around 15:40h.

The now deceased man was arrested and charged for simple larceny and fined $40,000, with an alternative sentence of 18 months' imprisonment. He was unable to pay the fine and was placed in custody.

The body of Khan is presently at Mahdia Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The matter is being investigated by the Police's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

P

olice ranks in Georgetown have arrested a Sophia, Greater Georgetown resident after he was found in possession of an unlicensed weapon.

The discovery was made sometime around 02:00h on Thursday at Leopold and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

According to Police re-

ports, ranks of the AntiCrime Unit were on patrol duty when they observed the suspect in a Toyota Premio motorcar. The officers stopped the vehicle, in which the suspect was the

The 34-year-old man has been taken into Police custody and is assisting with the investigation.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, April 27, 2018

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

Growth and the Private Sector

T

his week, the Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC) officially presented a copy of its “Action Plan for the Sustainable Development of Guyana” report to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo at his Church Street office in Georgetown. The PSC had already shared its recommendations and report with the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government.

The compilation and presentation of the report by the PSC, after several rounds of discussions with its members and civil society, is both timely and demonstrates its seriousness and commitment towards working with all stakeholders to advance the country’s overall development and growth.

After all, the Private Sector in any country is seen as the engine of growth and like every other stakeholder is no doubt affected by the poor economic performance and slow rate at which the economy is progressing.

It knows fully well that its performance is intricately linked to and affected by the economic stewardship of the Government of the day and the quality of the policies which that Government pursues. The PSC, by its actions, also appears to understand that it must take a hands-on approach to cautioning the Government against adopting policies which are short-sighted and could adversely affect the disposable income of the populace which represents the lifeline of Private Sector growth, profitability, and sustenance.

It is, therefore, expected that President David Granger and his Cabinet will set aside a special part of their agenda to seriously discuss the report and recommendations made by the PSC if they are serious about averting the resurgence of an economic crisis in the country.

Already, the statistics and surveys being undertaken by independent analysts, financial institutions, and other advocacy groups are painting a worrying picture about Guyana’s macroeconomic performance and fiscal management fundamentals. The Government itself via Finance Minister Winston Jordan accepted last week that the economy was not performing as it had expected or hoped, even after revising the actual growth figures three times downwards.

This alone is reason for the Government to accept with open arms, all of the external assistance it can get from reputable entities within Guyana like the various chambers of commerce bodies which could also be called upon to make proposals on projects and policies that could be pursued to boosting the economic performance of regional economies, counties, and towns.

This means that the Government has to be willing to listen more and loosen its grip on several areas of fiscal management. One such area is taxation as the current policies being pursued and implemented by the Government have been described by some as antibusiness, anti-poor and anti-development despite the fact that Government revenues from this source have doubled if not tripled since 2015.

The parliamentary and political Opposition too must continue to lobby and agitate the Government in a less confrontational manner to change some of the economic policies it is keen on re-implementing. In order for this to be done, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has to invite the Government to dialogue even if the Government does not see it fit to initiate such discourse. The success of talks of this nature will rely heavily on the level of maturity of the leaders of both sides and their commitment to advancing positive economic change outside of their partisan interests and political nuances.

And the Private Sector as well as civil society could be seen as the referees in the talks given that they stand to lose the most if there is no change in the economic status quo of the country.

The Mackenzie Sports Club Ground came alive on Tuesday at the Linden Town Week (LTW) annual Skip to my Lou Jump Rope Competition. Hundreds of spectators flocked the facility to get a first-hand glimpse of the students’ creative and choreographic skills and dance moves with a rope in their hands. In photo, winners of the competition show off their trophies and medals (DPI photo)

House-to-house registration: A ruse to steal (Pt 2) Dear Editor, Last year an email was sent from Basil Williams, Chairman of the PNC, to Amna Ally, Joseph Harmon, Winston Felix and Raphael Trotman. In that email, he reminded them of some decisions that were taken by the PNC’s Elections Committee in preparing for the next elections.

In it he spoke about their throwing on some mega parties to attract young people.

A lot of money will be spent to bring artistes from the Caribbean and further afield.

He is, no doubt, working on the assumption that by doing these ‘feel good things’, they will be able to shore-up their flagging support.

In fact, he was explicit. Their disrespect for their supporters knows no bound.

It is rooted in their philoso-

phy that, give them a sport and they will forget their own conditions.

Note that they are planning ‘a Carnival’ in May for Independence. This is the plan kicking in. Foreign artistes and huge parties are being planned. The ‘oil’ money is being spent in advance.

He also had some other measures to deceive the Guyanese people, including temporary removal of some taxes and relaxation of the 2 a.m. curfew, until after elections.

So, if they can succeed in postponing the elections for two years, as was done in 1990, then, with oil money, they hope to intoxicate the country with parties. They believe that that would make their supporters forget the abominable performance of the regime and make them

stay with this corrupt and incompetent regime.

In passing, it is interesting to note the persons who the email was addressed to.

Is this the rigging team?

The first step in the rigging ‘process’ is to postpone the elections and to splurge.

They hope that that would serve as the explanation for an APNU ‘victory’ if they succeed in implementing their scheme.

However, they should put in their equation that the PPP/C is not in the mood for any postponement, they could be putting the country in a constitutional crisis.

Secondly, the crude way that they used to rig ‘in’ the past may not be possible now. The PPP/C is going to work hard to block every loophole, to prevent rigging.

The new measure that

was used in 2015 was bogus statements by poll. It would be hard for them to repeat that stunt in the next elections.

They are using ‘their influence’ in the judiciary to frustrate the hearing of the Elections Petition case. That would expose them and their plants operating in GECOM. This is disgraceful.

The PPP/C is working to deal with all their shenanigans. It needs the support of all democratic and peace loving people to stop the riggers.

Amna Ally’s call is just a ruse to implement their diabolic plan. Let us ensure that they don’t succeed, and in so doing win back democratic government.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

A response to questions about Guyana’s oil wealth Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing the recent article around the question of what could Guyana do if paid to leave the oil in the ground. A number of questions have been asked and published concerning where possible funding for such an approach may come from, keeping in mind that the go get is a secured annual $1 billion US influx supported by a proven asset base of discovered oil. A recommendation would be for the fund supporters to pay into the fund on an agreed schedule that allows for long-term investment and earnings that also supports the ongoing efforts of the UN in combatting change. Thus there is also much benefit to be had by the UN in embracing Guyana’s offer.

Currently there are a number of organisations in the UN structure that focus specifically on climate change funding. Some exam-

ples are the following: 1. Global Environment Facility which was established by UNFCCC 2.

Special Climate Change Fund However, a recommended preferred approach would be for the Government, if interested, to have discussions with the UN’s High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Finance. The timing appears to be good as they are currently looking into a wide variety of sources to fund climate change initiatives in developing countries. This may present an opportunity for Guyana to be a member of this advisory group, which could foster the adaptation of the suggested approach of paying to keep the oil in the ground.

Also to be considered are some of the beneficiaries of this proposal, such as: 1. OPEC members who would benefit in the near term from supply adjustments. These countries are

also aggressively investing in transitioning to renewable energy sources and partnering with them has many positive attributes in addition to possible funding, such as renewable energy technology transfer.

2. In addition, the oil companies are currently facing numerous law suits for climate change issues and they also stand to benefit from aiding developing countries in such a transition. The positive impact being both on their liabilities and corporate image, and the taking of corrective and preventative action towards the damage they have knowingly caused.

3. Also we must remember the developed members of our community of allies that are being negatively impacted by climate change.

The Caribbean area which includes locations such as Florida has proven itself to be vulnerable and positive actions taken in the

Caribbean will also benefit this community.

As for the question on how to prevent the squandering of the funds obtained, it will be the same issue if the country receives funds from the sale of oil. From my experience, in order to prevent such problems, it usually requires solid fiscal policies and systems, coupled with good governance and the implementation of a robust support structure that is both transparent and easily auditable. The problem is not insurmountable especially if the long-term revenue streams are secured while being supported by responsible fiscal management and the latter comes down to having the right team on board whose members hold each other accountable while embracing and expecting high levels of personal integrity.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

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friDAY, April 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s finances are being mismanaged

Dear Editor, From Plato through to the 21st century, mankind could draw on comprehensive thoughts to guide their governments and societies towards a better life. What I am witnessing today under this Granger government are major acts of economic mismanagement of the nation’s finances. But what is even scarier is how unprepared the Fourth Estate is at exposing this economic mismanagement. If it were not for some stellar work from Chris Ram and Anand Goolsarran, the nation would have been totally in the dark on many key things.

Am I to believe that we, as a people, have lost our foundational supports in the media?

Where are the investigative journalists on the local scene?

The media should be aware that the politicians have set a trap for them by creating a daily circus to fill the papers with nuisance value items. It is all “smoke and mirrors” tactics to hide the current financial skullduggery in the economy.

As an example, the nation has lost G$58 billion at the Bank of Guyana from Government Deposits since President Granger was sworn.

I am presenting a chart with source documents to attest to this fact. I am hoping a bright journalist will have the courage of conviction to ask the good Minister the hard questions behind this situation.

A Central Bank is a lender of last resort in an economy.

When the banking system seizes up, it is the function of the Central Bank to prevent the financial system from failing. But it can only do this if its balance sheet remains stable and strong. If one were to peruse the balance sheet of the Bank of Guyana, one would see it has been losing value for a while now under this Granger administration. This is a major economic threat, and all the evidence of this economic meltdown can be found on Table 1.2 on the latest Bank of Guyana Statistical Abstract.

On the liability side of the Balance Sheet, if one cross-examines the numbers, one will find a column called Government Deposits.

According to the notes of this BoG document, Government Deposits are current account deposits from the Central Government at the Central Bank – literally the local savings of the government.

In February 2014, the Government had liquid cash (savings) deposited in the Bank of Guyana to the tune of G$38 billion (see chart).

When Mr Ramotar left in May 2015, some G$23 billion had been depleted, but there was still a savings of G$10 billion.

But what has happened since then? Mr Granger told the nation that he was the better man, and the man who would turn around the economy. Utter bollock!

Since Mr Granger came to office, some G$58 billion was drained from the Government Deposits at the Central Bank.

But you only met G$10 billion in savings, so what did you do? You borrowed some G$48 billion from the Central Bank. And it was déjà vu and

Bill Cosby, once beloved 'America's Dad,' convicted of sexual assault

C the Burnham days of reckless spending not supported by adequate revenues are here again.

You have deliberately imported major systemic risk into the Central Bank, which they did not experience since the Burnham days, when his team collectively drove the economy into a state of “uncreditworthiness” and bankruptcy in the 1980s.

This act of deliberately weakening the balance sheet of the Bank of Guyana by of-

fering the silly explanation that the future oil revenue will replenish the overdraft is economic hogwash. WHY? What if the oil price changes? What if the world demand flattens and another source floods the market, leading to a slow-up in the production in Guyana? This Granger government has unilaterally made the decision to already spend 2 years of the oil revenue before it has actually touched it. What a gamble!

I am calling on President

Granger to reflect deeply on what his government is doing to this nation’s finances, and take the high road and repay the Central Bank every single cent of the G$48 billion that his government took from this institution of financial stability since May 2015. It is your duty as the President to preserve the integrity of the nation’s financial system.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

APNU/AFC has continued to fail in Government

Dear Editor, The APNU/AFC coalition government campaign platform was racial unity and the promise that the coalition would ensure that no Guyanese is discriminated against. As such, over 20,000 persons in Region Six voted for the coalition government.

That was just another method to just make people feel that the coalition government would treat Guyanese equally; this is another promise that is not being fulfilled. Despite over 10,000 Indo-Guyanese residents of Region Six voted for the coalition government.

Just imagine, the mon-

ument site at Palmyra is still incomplete after several years. A few ministers came weeks before 5th May as a smoke screen to lie to IndoGuyanese about the coalition government’s failure to erect this monument. Social Cohesion Minister George Norton said this project would have been completed for May 5th 2018. But I realize that PM Nagamootoo, who also promised to complete it since last year, is an ‘authentic rubber stamp’ who is powerless and does nothing to represent Region Six. Reason why is because Amna Ally at Fyrish, Corentyne said that Region

Six did not vote for us, but the coalition government is still spending in the region.

This is an insult to the residents of Region Six, and Minister Amna Ally should remember that taxpayers money is being spent, not her personal monies.

We should congratulate the Indian High Commissioner and Government of India to ensure that the respect of the East Indians is not being tarnished by the APNU/ AFC coalition government.

Sincerely, Zamal Hussain

The Guyana Football Federation doesn’t need an investigation

Dear Editor, Reference is hereby made to the above caption as it relates to the publication of an article captioned “GFF launches investigation into Futsal shooting incident (SN 19.04.18).

In acknowledging that “the Holy Prophet Mohammed had to go to the mountain, the mountain didn’t go to him”, by a similar token, it was a colossal mistake on the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) behalf to publicly state that: “A meeting would be convened with stakeholders and private promoters to regularise privately run tournaments, moreover street football.

Editor, in my estimation, what the GFF should have done was to document its conditionalities, publicise and circulate them to affiliates, the Ministry which holds responsibility for sport, and the National Sports Commission. In so doing, clubs, via their respective associations, and most importantly players and officials, would have known the Federation means “serious business”.

As a consequence of the incident that occurred at the National Gymnasium on April 14, 2018 and disrupted the finals of the PETRAcoordinated/Corona-sponsored Futsal finals, one can see “a ticking time bomb in the making”. The incident occurred at a Governmentowned and controlled facility, without some semblance of decency and social decorum, as in the past, it left much to be desired.

Reiteratively and remonstratively, a high level of duplicity exists, since during the course of last year, a finals had to be aborted due to: “Crowd encroachment at the ungodly hour of 02:30h; while alcoholic beverages were being sold in defiance of the ruling from the Public Security Minister. Such sales must cease at 02:00h”. With this breach of security, occurring in a tournament co-sponsored by

the NSC, did it register in the “mindset of the NSC Director that stringent policies, in collaboration with the GFF, prior to rental, must be in place?

Would both parties now sit together and decide upon a “menu of measures” for the staging of future tournaments? Of course, the Guyana Police Force, Fire Service, St John’s Ambulance Brigade/Red Cross are all equal partners in their respective areas of: crowd control security, evacuation, first aid and physiotherapy.

Editor, I may be wrong, but when I am I remain subject to correction. The Sports Director should, if he hasn’t reached with the Chairman of the Providence National Stadium, towards: “Contractual arrangements and obligations, ahead of rental”. Whereby (semi) international standards are always maintained, that is “Prohibition of selling beverages, in glass bottles”! I’m absolutely positive that the National Gymnasium, by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) standards, would not receive an approval as a venue to host a CFU Futsal qualifying leg, since basic amenities such as “Medical room, visible fire extinguishers, fire alarm, security room and adequate emergency exits would come up short”.

Finally, as a previous participant at a FIFA-funded, GFF-coordinated one-day seminar, “Stadium Management and Security, at the GCC pavilion, in 2008, the once world famous Bourda Ground was deemed unfit to host a World Cup Qualifier”. The rest is now history!

By the way, does the National Gymnasium have an official time of closure?

Respectfully yours, Lester Sealey

omedian Bill Cosby was convicted on Thursday of drugging and sexually assaulting a onetime friend in 2004, marking the first such conviction of a celebrity since the #MeToo movement that has brought down rich and powerful men for their treatment of women.

Cosby, 80, best known as the lovable father from the 1980s TV hit “The Cosby Show,” faces up to 10 years in prison for each of three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand, 45, following a three-week trial at the Montgomery County courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

After maintaining decorum throughout the trial, Cosby exploded following the verdict when prosecutors asked the judge to take him into custody, saying he was a flight risk in part because he owned a plane.

“He doesn’t have a plane, you asshole!” Cosby responded in a booming voice as he leapt to feet.

District Attorney Kevin Steele later remarked that with the outburst, “You got to see who he really was.”

As the verdict was read, Cosby looked down with a sad expression. Lili Bernard, one of his many accusers, began sobbing. Constand sat stonefaced.

Judge Steven O’Neill ruled Cosby could remain out of jail on US$1 million bail pending sentencing at a later date, as long as he surrendered his passport and remained at home.

Cosby then left the courthouse with his lawyers and publicist.

“The fight will go on,” defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau told reporters, adding he would appeal the conviction.

Sentencing was expect-

Comedian Bill Cosby ed within 60 to 90 days, after Cosby submits to a “sexually violent predator assessment”.

Although he could get up to 10 years for each count, state sentencing guidelines suggest a term of less than 10 years.

The conviction marks the downfall of a man once celebrated as “America’s Dad” but whose reputation was ruined after some 50 women accused him of similar offences going back decades.

Cosby had been a transcendent figure in show business, coming up as a black comedian during the civil rights movement of the 1960s and winning over white audiences with a clean routine.

He went on to several successful television series when African-Americans were largely absent from TV. In “The Cosby Show” from 1984 to 1992, he played the wise and witty Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, the father of an affluent black family.

All the while, his accusers say, he had been drugging and molesting women.

Only one of those cases was recent enough to be eligible for prosecution, that of Constand, a former administrator for the women’s basketball team at Temple University, Cosby’s alma mater. She had no comment after the verdict. (Reuters)

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Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

By Jeanie Lerche Davis Continued from Wednesday

"

…research demonstrates psychosocial benefits for parents and children

I

t’s no surprise that when parents read to their children, it helps them succeed in school.

Three separate systematic reviews of what educators call dialogic reading – essentially engaging in a conversation with young children as you read to them – found positive effects including improved language skills, literacy, and school readiness.

Now a new body of research is finding even more benefits of reading to children – for both the children and the parents. A systematic review published last month in the journal Pediatrics looks at broader benefits of intervention programmes designed to encourage parents to read to their children.

Researchers looked at how reading interventions affected both children’s and parents’ psychosocial functioning – essentially their physical and mental wellness and ability to interact in society.

(Psychosocial functioning is typically measured by indicators of depression and stress, behaviour problems, quality of life, and personal skills.)

The reviewers found 18 studies of interventions that included more than 3200 families. The interventions provided structured training to show parents the best ways to read with their children, and then followed up with the children and parents.

The shortest duration was one month and the longest was 48 months.

Eleven of the interventions focused on parents with low levels of education and 13 focused on families with a low socioeconomic status.

The reviewers found, on the whole, that these reading intervention programmes had a significant positive impact on both child and parent psychosocial functioning. Specifically, children showed improvements in social-emotional skills and their interest in reading, and reported improved quality of life. And parents experienced better attitudes toward reading, improved relationships with their children and improved parenting skills.

The benefits extend to babies and toddlers, as well as children up to age six and apply equally to boys and girls.

While it’s clear that reading is great for children, the evidence also shows that some parents need guidance in engaging with children and books. The Reading Rockets project, sponsored by the US Department of Education, provides some practical tips.

Among them, use fun voices for different characters, ask your child questions about the story as you go, and connect what you are reading to real-life experiences whenever possible.

If there are any small children in your life, sit down with them for a regular story time. The evidence shows it’s great for children, and might just benefit you as well!

(psychologytoday.com)

Foster your child's independence

Setting limits helps your child develop a sense of self-control. Encouraging independence helps her develop a sense of self-direction. To be successful in life, she's going to need both."

It is normal for children to push for autonomy, says Laurence Steinberg, PhD. "Many parents m i s t a ke n l y e q u a t e their child's independence w i t h rebelliousness or disobedience.

Children push for independence because it is part of human nature to want to feel in control rather than to feel controlled by someone else."

Be consistent

"If your rules vary from day to day in an unpredictable fashion or if you enforce them only intermittently, your child's misbehaviour is your fault, not his. Your most important disciplinary tool is consistency.

Identify your non-negotiables.

The more your authority is based on wisdom and not on power, the less your child will challenge it."

Many parents have problems being consistent, Steinberg tells WebMD. "When parents aren't consistent,

children get confused. You have to force yourself to be more consistent."

Avoid harsh discipline

Parents should never hit a child, under any circumstances.

"Children who are spanked, hit, or slapped are more prone to fighting with other children," he writes. "They are more likely to be bullies and more likely to use aggression t o

s o l v e disputes with others."

"There is a lot of evidence that spanking causes aggression in children, which can lead to relationship problems with other kids," Steinberg tells WebMD. "There are many other ways to discipline a child, including 'time out,' which work better and do not involve aggression."

Explain your rules and decisions

"Good parents have expectations they want their child to live up to," he writes.

"Generally, parents overexplain

to young children and underexplain to adolescents.

What is obvious to you may not be evident to a 12-year-old.

He doesn't have the priorities, judgment or experience that you have."

An example: A six-year-old is very active and very smart – but blurts out answers in class, doesn't give other kids a chance, and talks too much in class.

His teacher needs to address the child’s behavioural problem.

He needs to talk to the child about it, says Steinberg. " P a r e n t s might want to meet with the teacher and develop a joint s t ra t e g y.

That child needs to learn to give other children a chance to answer questions."

Treat your child with respect

"The best way to get respectful treatment from your child is to treat him respectfully," Steinberg writes.

"You should give your child the same courtesies you would give to anyone else. Speak to him politely. Respect his opinion. Pay attention when he is speaking to you. Treat him kindly. Try to please him when you can. Children treat others the way their parents treat them. Your relationship with your child is the foundation for her relationships with others."

For example, if your child is a picky eater: "I personally don't think parents should make a big deal about eating," Steinberg tells WebMD. "Children develop food preferences. They often go through them in stages.

You don't want turn mealtimes into unpleasant occasions.

Just don't make the mistake of substituting unhealthy foods. If you don't keep junk food in the house, they won't eat it."

Likewise, the checkout line tantrum can be avoided, says Ruby Natale, PhD, PsyD, professor of clinical paediatrics at the University of Miami Medical School. "Children respond very well to structure.

You can't go shopping without preparing them for it. Tell them, 'We will be there 45 minutes. Mommy needs to buy this. Show them the list. If you don't prepare them, they will get bored, tired, upset by the crowds of people."

"Parents forget to consider the child, to respect the child," Natale tells WebMD. "You work on your relationships with other adults, your friendships, your marriage, dating. But what about your relationship with your child? If you have a good relationship, and you're really in tune with your child, that's what really matters. Then none of this will be an issue." (Excerpt

from WebMD)

7 Local rice production to be boosted news

friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– as GRDB launches new paddy variety

T

he introduction of a new variety of paddy will not only see increase in rice production in less time, but also guarantee low risk of crop losses, given its high resistance to rice blast diseases.

The new rice variety – GRDB 15 – dubbed “Guyana Pride”, was launched on Thursday by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). It is an early duration, semi-dwarf paddy. GRDB 15 will produce some seven to 8.5 tonnes per hectare, that is, 45 to 55 bags per acre; contains 150 to 250 grains per panicle, and has a maturing period of 105 to 110 days, and 73 days to flower after sowing. The average weight of this new grain is 26.6 grams, while its average length is 9.7 millimetres.

With cultivation of this new rice variety to commence this year, the optimum sowing periods are May 15 to June 30 and November 15 to December 15. It is critical that sowing be done during these periods, so that maximum sunlight us available during flowering and grain filling.

According to GRDB’s Chief Scientist and Plant Breeder Dr Mahendra

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder examining a sample of the new paddy variety – GRDB 15 – in the presence of officials from the Rice Board

Persaud, this new paddy variety is unexpectedly a significantly improvement of Guyana’s current top grain – GRDB 10.

In a detailed presentation on the vision and developmental process behind GRDB 15, Dr Persaud noted that the high yielding capability of the new paddy variety will prove to be beneficial not only to farmers by increasing their outputs, but the country as well, by broadening its products to tap into the many opportunities available on the international market.

“We have to think

ahead in terms of what we gonna deliver. The work that we start in breeding today, you will see it bearing fruits in the next five six years, so our vision was (to) provide varieties beyond seven tonnes per hectare… We have noticed, if you look at it, around 6.7 bags per acre, close to seven bags per acre yield advantage over the 31 trials that we harvested so far.

This is chalking out to be like 17% yield advantage over the current dominant variety – GRDB 10,” the Rice Board’s Plant Breeder stated.

Meanwhile, President

Stakeholder support key to improving Hydromet forecasting

Stakeholders gathered at the Fourth National Climate Change Outlook Forum

T

he top weather forecast man at Guyana’s Hydrometeorological Department is calling for closer collaboration between stakeholders to improve the weather forecast services.

Chief Hydromet Officer (ag) Dr. Garvin Cummings has said the services provided by the Department are intended to meet the demands of those in the society who depend on them. These persons include farmers, fisherfolk and others.

Dr. Cummings was addressing the Fourth National Climate Change Outlook Forum (NCOF) held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

“What we are trying to do is to expand (on) the traditional services of just climate and weather, and present services that are representative of what a hydromet service (should be),” Dr. Cummings said.

Chief Hydromet Officer (ag), Dr Garvin Cummings

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Delma Nedd, noted the timely nature of the forum, which is aimed at bridging gaps between the Hydromet Department and its stakeholders.

“Today’s dialogue is expected to improve inter-agency coordination

and collaboration towards managing climate risk.

The Hydromet service of the Ministry of Agriculture stands committed and driven to strengthen a national framework for climate services in terms of the development of clear and precise and user- targeted climate information and predictions,” Nedd stated.

NCOF serves as a key national platform for promoting dialogue and inter-agency coordination in responding to national hazards, climate variability, and extreme changes of weather.

Among the stakeholders present were the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

of the Rice Producers Association, Leekha Rambrich, posited that as both a farmer and miller, he is excited about the new variety.

“This would be a great plus… I’m sure that farmers with even five or six bags more per acre would earn much more for their pockets when it comes to returns on their investments; and I’m sure that with the 4000 bags of seed that we have within the system, (it) would be enough to give to the farmers,” Rambrich posited.

On this note, GRDB General Manager Nizam Hassan urged farmers to secure their new paddy variety seeds from the research station as soon as possible, so that cultivation can commence early. He indicated that the new variety will be sold at the same price as existing seeds on the market.

The packaged new paddy variety, GRDB 15, which was launched on Thursday at the Pegasus Hotel

Meanwhile, in his feature address before formally releasing the new paddy variety to the public, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder expressed Government’s continuous efforts towards the development of more new varieties and technology to further enhance the country’s rice industry.

“I pledge my Ministry’s and Government’s sup-

port for a partnership with Guyana’s rice farmers in ensuring the continued growth of the local industry, not only in the yields per acre, but in the amount of lands cultivated… We will also continue to use green technology and renewable energy in production of our rice variety,” the Agriculture Minister asserted.

8 NEWS

friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WBD man who allegedly murdered lover dies N

igel Glasgow, a resident of Good Intent on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) who allegedly murdered his lover and slit his own throat on Wednesday died later that evening while receiving medical treatment at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WRDH).

Guyana Times understands that the 40-year-old was being treated for the injuries to his neck. After Glasgow underwent surgery at the medical institution, he was discharged and taken into Police custody at the Wales Police Station.

However, on Wednesday evening, complaints were raised by the man of being in discomfort. He was subsequently taken back to the Hospital, where he reportedly succumbed. A post-mortem examination has been scheduled to determine the cause of death.

This publication had reported earlier that Diane Hernandez, a 48-year-old of Recht-Door-Zee was discovered lying on a bed by relatives of the mother of Glasgow’s children, at her partner’s Good Intent home on Wednesday.

She was seen with her hands bound

Nigel Glasgow

and what appeared to be a cable wire around her neck. The now dead suspect was seen lying next to her and bleeding from the throat.

It is alleged that the suspect contacted the woman, who is a pump attendant, and told her to take care of their children. This raised some suspicion so

the pump attendant asked her relatives to make a check at Glasgow’s home; they had to break into the locked house where they reportedly found the couple lying on a bed.

According to Glasgow’s neighbours, it was reported that Hernandez arrived at Glasgow’s home minutes before midnight on Tuesday evening. However, around 03:00h on Wednesday, eyewitnesses reported hearing screams and shouts emanating from the man’s house. This resulted in his two dogs barking continuously, which appeared to anger the man to the point where he reportedly killed them both.

Subsequently, they were found lifeless with what appeared to be empty gasoline bottles next to them. Additionally, the man then attempted to set his neighbour’s house afire after which he reportedly padlocked his front door from the outside, gained entry through a window and allegedly murdered Hernandez.

The two persons who made the discovery had to break the window to get into the house.

Nurse, fiancé charged for narco-trafficking A

nurse attached to the Herstelling Health Centre was on Thursday charged jointly with her fiancé for narcotics possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Shellyann Gilgeous, 27, of 1139 Providence New Scheme, East Bank Demerara and Lansdale Hope, 34, of the same address, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

According to facts presented to the court, on April 23, 2018, ranks attached to the Police Narcotics Branch acting on intelligence intercepted the duo who was at the time travelling in motor vehicle PSS 2037.

A search was carried

Shellyann Gilgeous and Lansdale Hope

out on the said vehicle and 66 grams of amphetamine (ecstasy) was found concealed in the woman’s

hand bag.

Gilgeous then told the ranks that it was given to her by Hope for safe-keep-

ing.

They were both arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

Defence lawyer Dexter Todd, in his application for bail, asked that it be granted in a small sum.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail citing that the defendants gave statements which were recorded and signed by them.

Magistrate McLennan granted bail in the sum of $150,000 each and ordered the couple to report to the Providence Magistrate’s Court this and every Monday until the matter was resolved.

The case was adjourned until May 28, 2018.

“Duck man” remanded for ex-girlfriend’s murder

D

evindra Ramdiah, called “Duck man,” 34, of Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on Thursday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plea to the indictable murder charge.

The court heard that on August 30, 2016, at Soesdyke, EBD, he murdered his ex-girlfriend, 37-year-old Shawnette Savory.

The Police prosecutor objected to bail citing the seriousness of the offence, adding that the file is incomplete.

Savory went missing almost two years ago after she left her lot 222 Prospect, EBD home to purchase credit.

Shortly after she went

Devindra Ramdiah

missing, it was alleged that the accused had confessed to killing the woman.

The case was reopened in 2017 after Police received information relating to Savory’s demise.

He was remanded to prison until May 24.

Reaching out…

S

“

…for security

ecurity” is such an omnibus term…and everyday it seems to pick up another dimension. We even hear about “happiness security” up North!! But we’re still stuck at the first stages of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where we agonise about our physical security so as not to get bopped on the heads as we grub for food, clothing and shelter!!

Anyhow, for over a couple of decades, the PPP Government had been revamping and retooling the security sector, to little effect. The problem was the Burnhamite PNC, which preceded them, had created one of the largest “security sectors” in the world, comparatively speaking; so you’d think security was the last thing we’d be worried about. But since Burnham’s “security forces” were actually created for the maintenance and survival of his illegal regime, you can understand why ordinary folks felt their security actually decreased.

And we still haven’t recovered, and the PPP suffered because they couldn’t clean up that Augean stable. Folks didn’t want to hear about the Police being corrupt, or not taking orders, or whatever other excuse was offered to explain why they still had to be putting up more grilled windows and doors in their homes than Alcatraz!! The PPP even brought in foreign experts, the last experts being the British. But they (the PPP) complained the British wanted to dilute our “sovereignty” – presumably since they were funding the reforms – and said, “Sorry, but no thanks.”

Now, at the last elections, the PNC-led coalition ran on a platform that – starting with their Presidential candidate David Granger -- they were so chock-full of “security” experts, and they’d have our backs the moment the PPP was voted out, and they took over. But here we are – two-and-a-half years down the road -- and Guyanese are still cowering behind their (grilled) doors and windows!!

To make matters worse, the PNC Government have brought back the same Brits and resuscitated the plan the PPP had abandoned. What gives? Well firstly, the Minister they put in charge of “Public Security” – which they presumably changed from “Home Affairs” because they wanted him to be clear about his remit – focused more than anything on the closing time for bars!! Clearly, he was still thinking about HIS “Home Affairs”, since he was known to be a habitué of watering holes!!

Secondly, the PNC Government seem more interested in going after the PPP by funding and training (by the same British!) a whole alphabet-soup of “corruption” outfits – SOCU, SARA, CANU, etc.

But the unkindest cut of all was the riposte of the British on citizens’ security: “We’ve got to wait till the oil money starts flowing!!”

…to workers

This is SUCH a caring Government, isn’t it? A tear rolled down your Eyewitness’s stubbled cheek when he read about Ministers Trotman and Broomes rushing over to give Government’s comfort (and succour?) to the 500-odd bauxite workers of Kwakwani, whose jobs were POSSIBLY threatened due to an edict of Trump against RUSAL’s owner. They even buried the hatchet with trade unionist Lincoln Lewis – who’d been given the bum’s rush from the Chronic!! – and brought him along to give comfort and succour.

Now this wasn’t easy jaunt…since Kwakwani is miles and miles up the Berbice River. In fact, they could’ve brought along Trotman’s father, Justice Trotman, to take a peek at the Lindo Creek (cold) crime scene, since it’s just a stone’s throw away!! Your Eyewitness wondered what was different about the 1700 sugar workers at Wales, who were not just THREATENED about losing their jobs, but were actually FIRED – but yet the subject Minister didn’t even visit.

Was it because Wales is just across the river from his office!!??

…to touch Trump Or was it a slap? It was certainly shades of the imperious De Gaulle when the incumbent French President – young Macron – lectured Trump and the US on their responsibility to the world!

But can the French seriously lecture anyone on excessive nationalism??

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

News

9

friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

First Lady, Telecoms Minister say more girls needed in ICT

W

ith a view to women reaching the highest pinnacle, First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger yesterday urged women and girls to develop their capacity in Information Communication Technology, and to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields.

First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger flanked on the left by Co-Founder of SheLeadsIt, Nicole Pitter-Patterson, and on the right by Minister of Public Telecommunications, Hon. Catherine Hughes (PTI) and Minister of Business, Hon. Dominic Gaskin along with students and teachers.

The First Lady was at the time speaking at the launching of the Girls in ICT Day 2018 Caribbean Tech Lab-Guyana.

“ICT can provide women and girls with education job training, promote literacy, improve access to health care, enable the exercise of legal rights and participation in government,” Mrs. Granger noted.

Recent statistics from the United Nations show that 90 percent of the jobs in the near future will require these qualifications.

Telecommunications Public Minister Cathy Hughes continued her mantra that with the emergence of the local oil and gas industry, the

Milady’s and Austin’s Bookstore partner to promote reading

First Lady Sandra Granger flanked on the left by Co-Founder, SheLeadsIt, Nicole Pitter Patterson and on the right by Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin along with students and teachers

need for an ICT proficient population is even more relevant.

“I want you to see the many possibilities that will be open to you when you continue to acquire higher skills and training in ICT,” the Minister urged the female students.

Students at Thursday’s tech lab will benefit from teaching on topics such as Design Thinking with Google, and Introduction to Website Development.

The Tech Lab is an initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) spearheaded by GeoTech Vision in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, Cerulean Incorporated, Sites Gy, and Roraima Airways.

Initiatives under the Girls in ICT day contribute to country targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender equality and empowerment for women and girls.

Opposition identifies ‘grey areas’ in Juvenile Justice Bill

– calls for simple review in Special Select Committee Alumnus of Comenius Primary School, Mizana Gonsalves

R

eading corners are designed to create a stimulating space for children to focus on reading and as part of their corporate social responsibility, Milady’s House of Beauty has partnered with their clients, as well as Headmistress and senior staff of Comenius Primary School, to establish a reading corner for students.

The management and staff of Milady’s broached the idea of launching a reading programme and corner at the Queenstown school after their clients were impressed with the Easter décor produced by the students, which was being displayed in the salon.

“I think [it] is a fabulous idea to promote literacy.

Proprietrix of Milady’s House of Beauty, Colleen Reis

It provides an atmosphere where the kids can be relaxed… literacy helps with education,” said Colleen Reis, owner of Milady’s.

Comenius Headmistress, Michelle Booker spoke of her gratitude for the programme at her school.

“Today is a blessed day indeed, we are happy that Milady’s came on board to present these books and tokens to you,” Booker said.

One of Milady’s clients, the wife of the proprietor of Austin’s Book Store, a book lover herself, donated scores of books to the school.

“Contributing to the fundamentals for a successful future” was the recurrent theme mentioned

by Alumnus of Comenius Primary, Mizana Gonsalves,

also a client of the salon.

The idea was birthed after the students created Easter decorations for the salon. This move prompted Reis to enquire from the Headmistress, what could be done to assist the school with the funds that her clients donated.

In 2016, Milady’s donated several drinking water units to the school after there was growing concern over the young students crossing the busy road to access clean drinking water from the salon, which is located a stone’s throw away from the institution.

They also donated caps, umbrellas and water bottles to the pupils. They also deliver drinking water.

A

lthough throwing its support behind the Juvenile Justice Reform Bill, the parliamentary Opposition has said it still has some reservations in relation to some aspects of the bill and is therefore requesting that it be finetuned.

Following the second reading of the Bill in Parliament on Thursday

by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, parliamentarians from both sides of the House were given the opportunity to debate the merit of the Bill.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr Frank Anthony said while he is not

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

opposed to the Bill, he has identified some shortcomings which he would hope could be addressed before it

is passed.

“There are some little things that we see as contradictions, what can be I think ironed out, because the measures here are all good measures and this is a direction we meant to go,” he told the House.

However, he said the small issues that need to be ironed out could be done so quickly, if the Minister would consider that the Bill be taken to the Special Select Committee.

One of Dr Anthony’s contentions is the need to have clearer provisions in place to deal with children under the age of 14 who commit serious crimes. turn to page 11

10 news

friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 5 Chairman concerned over Govt refuses to lift ban REO’s spending of public funds against Hope fishermen ...“it’s non-negotiable” – Min Holder declares

T Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison

R

egion Five (MahaicaBerbice) Chairman Vickchand Ramphal has expressed concern over the unauthorised spending of Government funds by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison.

The Chairman has also expressed concern over the continued disruption of Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meetings in that region by the coalition Councillors and the REO. Ramphal said it was unfortunate that their most recent meeting was also disrupted making it only one meeting for the year to have been concluded. He says as a result of what has been happening people could not receive the services which as taxpayers and citizens of the Region they are entitled to.

“Our council cannot elaborate on issues affecting our people of Region Number Five and more importantly, we cannot scrutinise the spending of our Regional Executive

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal

Officer. We have seen recently that the Public Accounts Committee [PAC] had sent him back to the Region to get some information because of him not providing the information and the same is happening in the Region, he is not providing information to the finance committee so that it can properly scrutinise his spending in Region Five,” Ramphal stated.

The Chairman described the REO’s actions as being undemocratic. He says he wants to work for the development of the Region, but has not been getting the support of the REO and coalition Councillors.

Meanwhile, the alleged secrecy under which the REO of Region Five operates allows for him to spend Government funds as if they were his own.

“The Council is not being aware of the tendering of contracts, not being brought aware of monies that have been realised from savings from the previous year, and

so monies are being spent without Council’s approval.

This is highly unacceptable; that means that democracy is not prevailing in this region,” the Regional Chairman stressed.

Making mention of the embarrassment the Region was put through when the REO was placed before the PAC to answer questions based on the Auditor General’s report, Regional Vice Chairman Rion Pieters says the breaches of contractual regulations by the REO should not go unnoticed.

More recently, he added, the REO appointed a chairperson for the RDC against the regulations which govern such procedures.

PAC Chairman Irfaan Ali recently told Morrison that as REO he needed to ensure efficiency, accountability, fairness and transparency, in order to afford every person equal access and equal opportunity to whatever is available in the Region.

he ban imposed against fishermen, preventing them from operating at the Hope Canal, is said to be “non-negotiable”.

This announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder during Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, after he was probed by Member of Parliament (MP) Nigel Dharamlall in respect to the measures that the Ministry has set to ensure that fishermen ply their trade unhindered.

Holder indicated that the fishermen had not sought permission before using the canal to dock their vessels. He recalled that for a number of years, the men were utilising the Hope Drainage Canal Outlet Channel. It was after the establishment of the Hope Canal that they chose to shift for the purpose of mooring their boats.

“After the construction of the eight-door relief sluice at Hope -- this was commissioned in 2015 -- some fishermen from the Hope drainage outfall started to moor their vessels at the Hope Relief Outfall Channel,” the Minister stated.

The Minister also highlighted that the migration, which began in early 2017, has been rapidly increasing over the past months. As a result, many challenges have been faced with when

the men utilise the canal at various hours during the day, since they work in correspondence with the changing tides.

“The passage of fishermen and, who knows, perhaps other persons of questionable character at varying hours during the night has caused a security nightmare at the site, and has resulted in numerous confrontations and threats between the site security and the fishermen,” he stated at the National Assembly.

Furthermore, it was revealed that a site in close proximity to the canal, which normally houses valuables such as generators, motors and wenches, holds an accumulated cost of $43.7 million.

“The Ministry of Agriculture is reluctant to expose the site and its valuables to any fish trader,” Holder said.

In response to a question posed by Dharamlall, asking whether the gates leading to the canal would be open for the vehicles of the fish traders, Holder said that from the time the Hope Relief Sluice was constructed, there was always a gate at the beginning of the road, near the East Coast Public Road.

However, that gate has been relocated, he said, and a fence has also been added to prevent vehicles from “continuing to tra-

verse the high level dam”, as he claims that this could result in a breach, which could also prove to cause severe flooding in the Ann’s Grove village, among other nearby areas.

Earlier this month, a notice was subsequently served by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), preventing the men from docking their fishing vessels at the canal. Due to this, several concerns were raised to address the situation, which led to their dockage at the opening of the canal.

This included the damages that their boats receive by forceful waves when they are left in the open, which results in losses to their earnings and livelihoods.

Fishermen have stated that they simply cannot relocate to the koker, since they reasoned that it was smaller and incapable of lending support to all of the vessels during high tides and inclement weather conditions. Some had even agreed to tie their fishing boats away from the canal, where it would not pose a threat to the water flow or structures.

Those who operate at the canal had pleaded with Government for the decision to be reviewed, noting that their only intention is to harbour their boats and save the vessels from incurring losses.

S RAIGHT A nation existing in false hope under Mr Granger

news

Former Linden woman nursing Essequibo burns after doused with hot liquid by husband Imam A dies at 105 Linden woman is now a patient at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) nursing burns about her body after her husband reportedly doused her with a hot liquid on Thursday afternoon.

The victim, 38-year-old Onika Kingston of Silvertown, Wismar, Linden, reportedly suffered first and second degree burns to approximately 28 per cent of her upper body, including her back, chest and arms.

The incident reportedly occurred at approximately 12:30h at the couple’s home after which the woman was rushed to the medical institution’s emergency department where she remains a patient.

Reports indicate that the perpetuator after committing the act went to report the incident at the Wismar Police Station. Police have since launched an investigation into the Onika Kingston incident.

C

onfronted with a debt of over G$345 billion at the end of 2017, the politicians are yet to convince the people that the “GOOD LIFE” is coming. This Granger government is exhibiting a mentality that says it can out-borrow, out-tax and outspend any other government in the history of Guyana. But to what end? Where is empirical evidence to prove that all of this borrowing has helped to expand the productive sectors and productivity per capita?

The two main indicators to identify debt stress in a nation are the Debt-to-GDP ratio and the Debt Services-to-Total Revenue ratio (see graph below). On both scores, the post-2015 government has moved in the wrong direction.

Opposition identifies ‘grey...

Ramjohn Mohammad Khan

A

In May 2017, the Government of Guyana promised the IMF, in the Debt Sustainability Analysis process, a Debt Services-toRevenue ratio in 2018 below 7.7%. But that was nothing but an empty promise, because, within 12 months, it had marched on these figures in the opposite direction, as the graph above proves.

Today Guyana is rapidly moving toward a point of increasing its debt stress, with the Debt-to-GDP ratio set to surpass 50% in 2019, for the first time since 2014.

Why are these indicators important to the people? The Debtto-GDP ratio tells the story of the ratio of the total public debt to the value of the total goods and services produced in that country within a year. This ratio indicates the ability of a nation to pay back its debt. A higher ratio speaks to the fact that it will become more difficult to pay back the incurred debt. To complicate matters, Guyana's growth rate is currently in the "dog house", thanks to the policy paralysis in the Granger regime.

The Debt Services-to-Revenue ratio is an indicator of the portion of revenue set aside exclusively to pay debts. The higher this ratio, the more difficult it becomes to repay one's loans, and fewer dollars will be available for important services like education and healthcare. In economic management, a higher Debt-to-GDP ratio usually leads to a higher Debt Services-to-Revenue ratio. Today, all the indicators are pointing to increasing debt stress, thanks to the bankrupt economic policies of this Granger government.

In 1990, under the PNC, the Debt Services-to-Revenue ratio was 140%, which means that Guyana had to default on some of its debt in those days, because it could not meet its debt repayment.

At that time, the international community deemed Guyana as uncreditworthy and technically bankrupt. By 1993, during the PPP administration, it had dropped to 105%, thanks to some work under Hoyte, but Guyana was still not out of the woods. By 2009, that ratio had dropped to 6%, thanks to a combination of efforts both locally (focused agenda from the PPP on paying debt installments) and internationally (debt write-off initiative).

However, since 2009, there have been serious concerns about how our debt stock was being managed. Loans are being borrowed, but it is unclear who has benefited from these loans. In a growing economy, the challenge is masked, and thus under the PPP, though it was a concern, it was not brought to the front burner. But when an economy is flatlining, as is happening today under Mr. Granger, we have a major problem, as the debt stress escalates without much recourse.

The solution is simple: increase revenue or cut expenses. What is happening today under Mr. Granger is revenue is flatlining and expenses are rapidly expanding. In the APNU/AFC Manifesto, the Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, promised the nation that his government shall “cut out waste and extravagance and limit borrowing”. But as the evidence proved, Mr. Nagamootoo is just a button that Mr. Granger presses when he want to hear codswallop, because Nagamootoo’s word are nothing but hot air.

If one observes Table 9 in the National Budget, one can find that the travel cost of the government in 2014 was G$3.5 billion. In 2017, it was G$4.9 billion. This Granger administration has increased its international travel cost by over G$1 billion within 30 months. In those same 30 months, over G$300 million was spent on the two State Houses on Main Street for two families. Until this financial waste and extravagance is cut out, the only way to complete the financing of the budget is more borrowing. But expansion in debt not backed by expanding payback capacity destroys jobs and economic growth, and the world know it. Can we understand why the investors are not coming?

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

former lmam of the Aurora Masjid, Ramjohn Mohammad Khan, also known as “Jahno”, died peacefully on Wednesday at his home in Aurora Estate, Essequibo Coast.

Khan was born to Indian immigrant parents Faqueerbuksh Mohammad Khan and Bibi Woulfath on the August 16, 1912.

In 1936, he purchased his first home at Lot 10 Aurora Estate, Essequibo Coast. He got married on January 12, 1941, to the dream of his life Mabel, more affectionately called “Betty” who was only 15 years old and someone he knew since she was a baby.

The marriage brought forth 12 children, two of whom died at an early age.

On February 23, 1986, Khan was awarded the Medal of Service by then President Hugh Desmond Hoyte. He was a very devoted Muslim and read the Quran every day until his passing.

The centenarian was laid to rest on Thursday in his home village of Aurora.

In making reference to other countries, the MP said in Scotland, the criminal responsibility is eight years old.

However, he noted that there are special institutions and other measures in place to deal with children under that limit who commit serious offences.

Despite these concerns, the former Youth Minister nevertheless described the Bill as comprehensive. However, he reminded that the Bill was first piloted by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government.

Meanwhile, Minister Ramjattan who opened the debate. said it will provide a better quality of life for young offenders, as the Government continues to work towards strengthening its response to youths.

“In this day and age, we have to provide a humane alternative to incarceration for young lawbreakers. This certainly will help them avoid falling deeper into a life of crime,”

Opposition MP, Dr Frank Anthony

Minister Ramjattan said.

The Juvenile Justice Bill would see the abolishment of truancy and wandering as crimes. The Bill would also pave the way for more ‘stringent’ methods when dealing with juvenile matters.

The draft Bill was conceived in 2004 under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration with the support and input from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

from page 9

The first draft was produced in 2007 after a series of consultations and submissions by stakeholders, inclusive of the Rights of the Child Commission; however, progress was delayed and efforts to revive the process began in 2014.

The 11-part Bill makes provisions for the establishment of facilities to enable the rehabilitation and education of juvenile offenders.

It seeks to amend and consolidate the law in relation to criminal justice for juveniles and make provision for proceedings with respect to young offenders and provide for the establishment of facilities for the custody, education, and the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

According to the Bill, “the evaluation shall include an assessment of the cognitive, emotional, psychological and social development of the child.”

After much deliberation and debate, the Bill was unanimously passed.

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friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DPP’s dismissal of charges

Opposition says DPP acted “vacuously”, vows to move to the High Court soon

– Nandlall receives acknowledgement of request for review

I

n establishing that the powers exercised by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack are reviewable, the Opposition’s legal representative and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has said he will be moving to the High Court shortly to challenge the DPP’s decision to drop five private criminal charges made against five Government Ministers over various acts of alleged corruption.

Nandlall said, “Having terminated the first two (charges), I am not surprised that these others have been terminated. It is quite unfortunate that the DPP is exercising her powers in the manner in which she has done…

I will have to go to the High Court to challenge the termination of these challenges.”

The former AG maintained that the DPP acted vacuously. “On what basis has she terminated the charges? The reasons advanced are foolish. And good governance is not part of the responsibility of the DPP and the fact that the charges have not been reported to the Police is not a basis.”

According to him, the DPP had nothing to review and it

now brings to bear that the DPP acted without evidence.

He maintained that when one exercises discretion, they must have materials before them.

“And there is nothing before her. If she had requested of me what evidence I have to support these charges, and I was not able to produce the evidence, or I provided evidence that is not acceptable or not sufficient, then in that case one could have concluded that she did not conclude her discretion vacuously.”

However, he said that the decision could only be best described as “frivolous and vexatious.”

Asked whether he has had any updates on his formal request to have the DPP review the charges made against former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former Special Purpose Unit (SPU) Head Winston Brassignton, Nandlall told Guyana Times that the only response he has received is a letter of receipt thanking him and expressing that the content of the letter is duly noted.

“That is the scant regard that the DPP holds for the citizenry of the country. Most importantly it smacks of bias, it shows deep prejudice and it’s

Opposition’s legal representative, Anil Nandlall

an act of unequal treatment before the law. One cannot also discount that every time the AG speaks and expresses an expectation that the DPP will act, the DPP acts. So in my view and in the view of the average Guyanese, the DPP has lost credibility in their eyes and that office cannot be considered independent,” the Attorney concluded.

While the DPP is yet to respond to the criticisms made by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which claimed that her office may be compromised, the Government came to her defence and said in a statement

on Thursday that the DPP is independent, no one can instruct her. Minister of State Joseph Harmon has also rejected allegations that the Ministry of the Presidency issued instructions.

“That is a malicious report, nobody can instruct the DPP. The DPP is an independent office and the DPP exercises her responsibilities without interference from anyone. I can say categorically, that nobody, no senior personnel from the Ministry of the Presidency instructed the DPP, so that is a malicious report,” the Minister said. were first Charges filed against Dr Singh and Brassington on April 12, 2018.

The duo was charged with three counts of misconduct in public office contrary to common law in Georgetown. The matter was called up before the court on the said day and adjourned until May 7.

Days after, the Opposition filed criminal charges against former Health Minister, Dr George Norton and current Health Minister Volda Lawrence.

They were charged with regard to the sole sourcing of drugs for the Georgetown Public Hospital from ANSA McAL Trading Limited. The other issue pertains to the rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown to be utilised as a drug bond at a cost of $12 million monthly.

The private criminal charges were also filed against Finance Minister Winston Jordan; Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson; and Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. The

charges against the Ministers alleged a breach of the Procurement Act in relation to the expenditure of $906 million for the construction of the controversial D’Urban Park Project.

Anna Regina residents want streetlights fixed

R

esidents of Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are calling for the urgent repair of streetlights which have not been working in various communities for the past nine weeks.

The contour of nonfunctional lights spans from the village of Three Friends to Walton Hall. As such, concerns have been raised, since the area pose a threat to persons who use the roadway in the evening hours.

A resident of Anna Regina (name withdrawn) who contacted this publication noted that the Cotton Field area is seemingly perilous since there were a number of reported robberies in the past few weeks. It is, moreover, dangerous to students who would take that route after sundown when their lessons are dismissed.

“I have children that come home after dark and it’s not safe because they could be

robbed, or even worse,” the resident explained.

Recently, the man noted that there were instances wherein a number of persons were relieved of their belongings by bandits who camouflaged themselves due to the unlit path.

“They hide themselves in all the corners and wait for people to pass, and then take away whatever they have,” the concerned resident explained.

Additionally, the roadways are unsafe for motor vehicles, since the only light to pave the way if that of a car’s headlights. This results in the increase of animal fatalities in that section of Anna Regina.

“Now, the animals are on the road but we can’t see them from far, so most of time we hit them unintentionally,” he added.

Members of the various communities are calling on the relevant authorities to have the streetlights fixed as soon as possible.

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friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 News

friDAY, april 27, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UN body pleased with Guyana’s Cabinet considering additional names for new preparation for CRIC 17 GuySuCo Board – Holder ….to be hosted

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next year

M

inister of State Joseph Harmon has assured a visiting mission from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) of the full support of the Government of Guyana as they work to successfully pull off the 17th Session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 17), which is slated for January 8-12, 2019, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

The delegation, which is led by the Chief-of-Staff of the UNCCD, Rajeb Boulharouf, is currently in Guyana to undertake an assessment of the venue and other facilities that will be used for the conference.

“I am extremely pleased that the decision was taken to hold this conference in Guyana. It is a very important time in the history of our country; it is a time when we are affirming our commitment to issues in relation to climate change and

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and the visiting delegation at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency. The team was accompanied by Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor Benn

the environment... This is an opportunity that we have to showcase to the rest of the world, that even though we are a small country, we are prepared to step up to accept any challenge,” the Minister of State said.

He noted that while Guyana will not be able to provide all of the amenities that wealthy, firstworld countries can, the Government’s commitment and political will to fulfil its obligations is unwavering. “We are very committed to conservation; we

are very committed to the Convention and to the 2030 agenda,” he said.

Meanwhile, Boulharouf said his team is extremely satisfied with the level of commitment, goodwill and preparation shown thus far. He informed that they are currently working to finalise the Host Country Agreement by mid-year.

“With the commitment and support demonstrated by the Government and other local stakeholders, we anticipate a very successful joint venture,” he said.

The UN official also took the opportunity to commend Guyana’s efforts in the global climate change arena and its long-standing commitment to sustainable development.

CRIC is a subsidiary body of the Conference of Parties (COP). This event will see between 400 to 00 people from approximately 100 countries across the globe, coming to Guyana and will significantly raise the profile of the country as a ‘green’ state. Guyana has been a signatory to UNCCD and an active participant since 1997.

The country is also the first English-speaking Caribbean country to have acceded to membership of the CRIC Bureau.

s there continues to be uncertainty over the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Board of Directors, Cabinet is currently looking at some new names.

This was revealed

by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, who said on Thursday that Cabinet was still continuing deliberations on the appointment of a Board of Directors for GuySuCo, adding that new names are being looked at.

“We are discussing possible names… I put some names up, they look at it.

They say vetting (by) this other person and so on and so forth. So, it’s in the course of being discussed,” the Minister said.

Of recent, there have been reports of an apparent tug-o-war within the coalition over the sugar industry, which is now under the control of a Special Purpose Unit that was created under the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) for the divestment process.

In fact, reports had surfaced about disagreements allegedly between Ministers from the two coalition parties regarding the chairmanship and members of

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

the GuySuCo Board. It was reported early March that Finance Minister Winston Jordan had allegedly proposed for Head of SPU, Colvin Heath-London, to be the Chairman of the new GuySuCo Board after the previous body had expired on February 14. The purported proposal was reportedly not accepted by the other Cabinet members.

However, Minister Jordan had subsequently issued a statement denying making such a suggestion, saying that he was in Jamaica for a Pre-Governors meeting of the InterAmerican Development Board (IDB) and thus was not present for the Cabinet turn to page 16 meeting.

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friDAY, april 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police discover 1100 grams of marijuana strapped to Mahdia passenger

By Michael Younge

A

29-year-old unemployed male was on Thursday afternoon arrested after Police ranks discovered 1100 grams of illicit narcotics strapped to his body after they stopped and searched passengers who were in a public minibus destined for Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The discovery was made around 17:45h when ranks on duty at the Mabura Police Outpost (Check Point) conducted searches on passen-

Marvin Daniels of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice

gers of a route 72 minibus, bearing licence plates BTT 9966.

Police Constable Peters then proceeded to search Marvin Daniels of Levi Dam Angoy’s Avenue New Amsterdam, Berbice, since he was acting in a suspicious manner.

During the search, the rank discovered Daniels had four black plastic bags with leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, strapped to both of his legs.

The rank told him of the offence committed, arrested

The plastic bags used to conceal the drugs

and cautioned him. Daniels admitted ownership of the suspected narcotic and claimed that he is a ‘hustler’.

The suspected narcotic was

weighed in his presence and amounted to 1100 grams.

Daniels was placed into Police custody and is being processed for court.

The narcotics found strapped to Daniels’ body

GTA needs rebranding, reorganisation to maximise tourism potential – new GTA Director says

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or the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to break barriers and promote Guyana as a tourist destination, there is a severe requirement that the organisation be aligned, in order for it to correspond to the areas that will be endorsed in the future.

This was revealed by the newly appointed Director of the GTA, Brian Mullis during his formal introduction ceremony to the public at Cara Lodge on Thursday.

Speaking at the event, Mullis noted that Guyana should be propped as a tourist destination on a worldwide scope, which is considered as the most important characteristic of tourism development.

“I want to elevate destination Guyana in the global marketplace in order to maximise the positive social economic and important conservational outcomes of tourism. We’re seeing this happen all across the world.

It is the most progressive

recipe sustainable tourism development,” he stated.

As such, Mullis stated that this vision can only be achieved be tackling the situation from the foundation, which is the GTA. “In order to achieve that agenda, I have to focus on taking action and generating outcomes and maintain open lines of communication. It is probably no surprise that one of the primary things that I have to do is maximise alignment.

It starts with the Guyana Tourism Authority. We need more alignment within our own organisation. That will be no small feed and will take some time to get it right but it will be a model that will enable the organisation to grow,” Mullis indicated.

From that point onwards, there are plans to further implement this alignment to both Public and Private Sector entities that are associated with the promotion of Guyana’s tourism sector.

New Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Brian Mullis (third from left) with some of the attendees at THAG’s welcome reception

“It is also alignment with supporting organisations that we’re working on within the Government starting with the Department of Tourism but also other governmental organisations that are important to our work like the Protected Areas Commission [and] also aligning with the tourism private sector,” he stated.

While addressing the gathering on his priorities and responsibilities as the new Director, Mullis asserted that his main focus is

to implement licensing for the tourism institutions in Guyana. For the sector to develop, changes must be made to facilitate the demands of the industry.

He said, “A top priority for us is licensing and I know there’s doubt and skepticism but we’re trying to fix what is not a functional system right now for a while.

Because of that (licensing), it can only get better.”

“We have to focus on a more progressive and holistic approach to destination development. We cannot continue to engage in ad hoc tourism development. A lot of destinations go that way but then when there is that alignment and coordination, they’re able to take things to

the next level,” he added.

Additionally, the aspects of the country’s widespread offerings as a tourist destination will be marketed on a global standpoint. It was indicated that there has been a lack of marketing in the past, which testifies to the sector being stagnant.

“My priorities are, in addition to fostering this alignment, is very substantive in achieving the overall aim and agenda of elevating destination Guyana [with] marketing. We all know, we need more marketing. We’re working to secure market representation in our private markets,” the new Director stated.

While highlighting the urgency of these implementations, it was revealed that a committee has been appointed from the Board of Directors to assist with the Terms and References that will address these modifications.

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friDAY, april 27, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cummingsburg February 14th review deadline

AFC’s leader admits date, agenda still being worked out

A

lliance For Change (AFC) Leader Raphael Trotman on Thursday admitted that the date and agenda for talks between his party and the A Partnership for National Unity coalition (APNU) on the revision of the Cummingsburg Accord are still being worked out, signalling that no official or formalised discussions have commenced this year.

Trotman’s pronouncements sharply contrast the comments made publicly by his General Secretary Marlon Williams who told the media back on March 20 that discussions had already begun between the two sides on the revision of the Valentine’s Day Accord.

Williams had even said then that Trotman had dispatched the formal letter to trigger the talks a “long time back” as was mandated by the National Executive Committee which is the second highest decision-making forum of the AFC. “We are already engaged and we are in discussions”, Williams was quoted as saying before explaining that the talks are expected to continue over a specified pe-

AFC’s General Secretary Marlon Williams

riod of time. He had also declined to state then how long that period could last and instead pointed online media house Inews to the party’s release on the matter which had called for talks and a review to be completed by February 14. That date had elapsed without any substantive progress being accomplished.

Asked if he was satisfied with the engagements between the APNU and AFC back in March, Williams declined to offer any assessment of the process.

“I think we will be in a far better position to give an assessment at the end of those talks”, the AFC General Secretary contended as he stayed clear of offering any analysis that could signal the party’s displeasure or satisfaction with what has transpired so far.

But AFC’s leader on Thursday maintained that arrangements are now being worked out for officials from the AFC and APNU to meet to commence discussions regarding the sweetheart deal – the Cummingsburg Accord – following pressure to do so

by AFC members.

He said the matter is still on the front burner and a meeting between both parties could be arranged soon.

While he could not give specific details, he did state however that discussions will be advanced as soon as these arrangements are worked out.

“The letter (to the APNU) has been sent and we are setting the date for that meeting and the agenda for that meeting. That meeting could happen very soon, but I can’t give a date,” Trotman explained while noting that executives within the AFC

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman

have been discussing this issue for some time now.

However, APNU executive Amna Ally when asked whether any progress has been made with regards to discussion regarding the revision of the Accord, refused to comment. The APNU was awaiting official correspondence from the AFC to meet.

In mid-November 2017, the top leadership of the AFC had decided to revise its governing agreement with coalition partner, APNU. This decision was

taken after the AFC – the smaller of the two factions forming the Government – was accused of being coerced by its large partner.

There have been reports that the AFC was not too comfortable with the current Cummingsburg Accord which sets how the two coalition partners would divide up the Ministries. A deadline for February 14 was set to review the plan, but that fell through after several issues regarding how they will move ahead.

Political analyst Dr David Hinds has said the AFC stands to lose more than they would gain if they are to revise the Accord.

While declaring that there is no need to rush a renegotiation of the Accord, the Working People’s Alliance executive noted that these things by their very definition move at a slow pace.

“Remember the AFC got more from the Accord than it duly deserved – it struck a hard bargain and got quite a lot. So, it would be conscious that it risks messing up a “good thing.” Once the Government becomes entrenched, there is less and less reason to upset the sta-

tus quo – that is a reality,” he stated.

According to Dr Hinds, he thinks the AFC is overly eager to touch the Accord and it would make little political sense to push for it, when the risks far outweigh the potential benefits.

Nevertheless, President David Granger who leads the APNU, said the AFC is within its right to request the review and noted that he is willing to facilitate discussions regarding this review process.

Under the current configuration of Government, the AFC has received the portfolios of the Prime Minister, Public Security Ministry, Public Infrastructure Ministry, and the Agriculture Ministry, among others.

The party named a Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee (CARC) of eight members – Dr Vincent Adams, Dr Rohan Somar, Marlon Williams, David Patterson, Joel Edmond, Sherod Duncan and one representative each from the party’s Women For Change and Youth For Change.

DPP dismisses 2nd set of charges against Govt Ministers

T

he Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has again dismissed ‘misconduct’ charges brought against three more Government Ministers by the PPP Opposition, this time over the controversial D’Urban Park Project.

The private criminal charges were filed on Monday against Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, and Public Service Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall as the Attorney, and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill as an applicant.

The charges against the ministers alleged a breach of the Procurement Act in relation to the expenditure of $906 million in public funds to a private company, Homestretch Development Inc, for construction of the controversial D’Urban Park Project, which has, for some time now, been a contentious issue.

Jordan and Patterson were jointly charged with misconduct and abuse of public trust for having allegedly authorised the payment, while Dr Roopnaraine, who was a director of the company, was charged with alleged misconduct and the abuse of public trust for having received, in his capacity as director, the $906 million in public funds while serving as minister. However, the DPP’s Chambers said in a statement issued late Thursday afternoon

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack

that the private criminal charges against Ministers Jordon, Patterson and Roopnaraine, for misconduct in public office, contrary to the Common Law, were discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Article 187 (1) ( c) of the Constitution.

“These charges concern a grave issue under the criminal law in relation to (three) serving ministers. In the interest of good governance in the State of Guyana, such allegations ought first to have been reported to the Guyana Police Force for an investigation to be launched and the advice of the DPP sought,” the Chamber said.

Confirmation from the DPP’s Office comes following a report published in the state-owned Guyana Chronicle newspaper on Thursday, announcing the dismissals.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Legal Affairs

Attorney General Basil Williams

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Public Service Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Minister, Basil Williams, at a press conference on Thursday, also revealed that he was informed of the dismissal since Wednesday, when his office received a copy of the dismissal order that was sent to the magistrate by the DPP. According to Williams, the DPP, Shalimar AliHack, has a proactive role to patrol the corridors of justice, which she did.

“I think the DPP was clear that the charges hadn’t been filtered through any established state investigatory body. They have no evidence; if you have evidence that means you’re supposed to take the evidence to the relevant and appropriate authorities; and those authorities, if they investigate and had a charge, they would have sent it to the DPP for them to look at it,” the AG posited, while hinting at the possibility of impending counter libel action to be taken by the Government minis-

ters.

This is the second set of charges filed by the Opposition that the DPP has thrown out, citing the same reasons. On Monday, she also discontinued against

Government Ministers Volda Lawrence and Dr George Norton charges that were filed last week respectively over the sole-sourcing of more than $600 million in drugs and other pharma-

ceuticals for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, and the rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown to be utilized as a drug bond at a cost of $12 million monthly.

Cabinet considering additional...

Meanwhile, about two weeks later, NICIL published the names of the new Board, naming HeathLondon as Chairman while the other members included Fritz McLean, Komal Singh, Verna Adrian, Vishnu Panday, Annette Arjoon, Arianne Mc Lean, Roshan Khan Jr and George Jervis, with two other names to be added to the 11-member body. A full-page ad had detailed that the new Board was approved by Cabinet on February 26, 2018.

However, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had said the same day that there were some issues with regard to the timing of the ad

and Cabinet was reviewing the matter.

Addressing the issue, Minister Holder brushed aside reports of an apparent power struggle within the Cabinet, saying his Ministry was constitutionally responsible for the sugar industry.

“The Corporation is totally and solely owned by the Government of Guyana.

The Minister of Agriculture answers to Parliament for what happens in GuySuCo. I am accountable to this nation for its activities; therefore, the Minister of Agriculture should have responsibility for GuySuCo. Therefore, the Minister of Agriculture will appoint the

from page 14

Board of GuySuCo,” Holder posited.

Furthermore, the Agriculture Minister went on to outline that NICIL was a creature of the Government and thus carried out instructions from the executive.

“NICIL is a holding company. It holds the shares for GuySuCo; it holds the shares for Guyoil; it holds the shares perhaps for GPL; it’s a holding company. It is not a government and, therefore, it carries out instructions of the Government…

Perhaps someone didn’t tell NICIL their role,” Holder noted.

guyanatimesgy.com

T

he Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara is expected to be transformed into a Bollywood arena as profound playback singer Atif Aslam takes to the stage on the evening of Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

The singer is expected to arrive in Guyana on the morning of the show and is expected to take the stage by storm. He promises his audience a show of a lifetime – one that they will remember for a long time.

He will be bringing his entire band, as well as Sound and light engineers; thus giving that unforgettable experience. He will be performing all of his popular Bollywood songs as well as oldies, folk classics such as “Mast Kalandar”, “Qawalis” and some of his pop hits.

Also gracing the stage on Tuesday will be Vivek Mishra out of India and members of the Dharmic Nritya Sangh who also impress with their dance routines.

Lighting and sounds for the entire production will be provided

by Travellers Sound.

Aslam has taken the world of playback singing by storm in recent years, rendering hit songs such as “Pehli Nazar”, “Tu Jaane Na”, “Tere Sang Yaara”, “Dil Diyan Gallan”, “Tera Hone Laga Hoon” and “Main Rang Sharbaton Ka”.

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“E

chos From The Plantation” – a movie that portrays the livelihood of Indians on the sugar plantation will be released on Saturday at the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation at Metem-MereZorg, West Coast Demerara, in time for the 180th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

The movie which has a cast of local cane, provision and rice farmers was directed by Kishore Sewnarine out of New York.

The movie came about in 2014 when the director made a research presentation at his office as a speech.

One year later, he used that speech as an opening monologue for a play staged by Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation Inc, USA. While performing the monologue both in NYC and Toronto, Sewnarine noticed tears in the eyes of the audience as they related to the story. After the production, many asked if he can record the monolog and post it up

to YouTube.

While it caught his ears, it did not satisfy his artistic desire. He had been acting since 1977 and to slap together a YouTube video with stock footage from the Internet was not sounding good to him. As such, he committed to making a movie.

He began writing the script in 2016 and the scenes were shot it in 2017. The scenes were shot in Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo. In one of the scenes, the village of India was built from scratch in Perseverance Estate on the Essequibo coast.

The logee and slave ship were also built at Bola Sawmill in Hubu.

The primary reason for this production is to celebrate/commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Guyana.

Because of that intention, the movie focuses on the first batch of Indians only. There are many other elements of the Indian history in Guyana but many of those elements happened later in the saga.

friday, april 27, 2018

His concerts everywhere are popular for his energy, versatility, cool performance style and ability to switch seamlessly from the Bollywood genre to folk music, Qawalis and pop songs.

All proceeds from the concert will go towards the Dharmic Rama Krishna School Expansion Project which will involve the construction of a new secondary school and additional primary facilities.

Tickets for the concert cost VVIP $20,000, VIP reserved seating $6000, general seating - $2500 and standing $1500.

Tickets are on sale at the Dharmic Kendra – Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown; Red Mango – Robb Street, Georgetown; all E-networks locations; Harinarine and Sons – Regent Street, Georgetown; Countryside Agri Centre – Vreed-en-hoop, West Bank Demerara; The Murti Shop – West Coast Demerara; and NTN – Brickdam, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, the Sabha will also be hosting a special Ramayan Festival at the Oceanview Mandir Compound on Saturday, May 5, celebrating the Ramayan traditions brought by ancestors to Guyana. There will also be cultural events at the Tain Campus, Berbice on May 4 and at the Anna Regina Mandir and West Berbice on May 5 to mark this important milestone in Guyana’s history.

he Diamond Tarmac will come alive on May 5 with some excellent drumming from some of the best tassa groups in the business. The event is hosted to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.

The groups are from the East Bank, East Coast, West Bank and West Coast of Demerara with at least one group from West Berbice. They all will be competing for over $500,000 in cash prizes and trophies. The event is organised by RB Dubraj Production.

This event promises to be very entertaining with a packed cultural show that will see live performances by the Caribbean Hotshot B a n d led by

Dharmendra Gobin and Rajesh Dubraj.

Also performing at the event will be Nishal Balkissoon, Arijit Singh, Vanita Willie, Omkar, A W Lyrical, Maya Persat, Elizabeth Wong, Savethri Li, Paras Prasad and others.

In addition, there will be several dance pieces by members of various dance troupes but the main attraction will be the tassa drumming competition.

However, persons can also enjoy Indian delicacies in abundance and partake in the mehendi designing camp as well as feast their eyes and dig into their wallets and purses at the extravagant exhibition and costume sale.

The kids will not be left out as there will be lots of games to keep them occupied. Action starts at 16:00h and admission to the event is absolutely free.

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friday, april 27, 2018

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he place to be on Saturday, April 28 is the National Cultural Centre for an appreciation concert honouring Guyanese Gospel Artiste, Eon Greaves.

The Cultural Centre will be anointed by several high-class singers including Synerositic Choir, Carl Damon, Earl Bishop and Band, Jeremiah Williams, Sean Sobers, Samuel Medas, Miriam C Williams, Saiku

Andrews and Kester Dean.

It will be a night of worship and celebrations as they honour Greaves who has made a huge contribution to the gospel industry.

Tickets for the event cost $2000 balcony; floor front, $3000; and auditorium back, $1500, and are available at the National Cultural Centre and Kester D Music Centre, Charlotte Street, Georgetown.

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esidents of Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, are in for a treat as several deejays will compete in the first ever sound clash titled, “No Retreat, No Surrender”. The event is set for Saturday, April 28 at the Teamo Fun Park, Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.

The event will feature the “baddest” deejays in Berbice. These include Deejay Unruly, Deejay Marvin, Deejay Keifer, Deejay Versatile, Deejay Von Hype and Deejay Delly Ranks.

The winner will receive $100,000 in cash, the winner trophy and a spot in the Art of War 2018 Deejay competition billed for the latter part of 2018. Before the competition begins, juggling will be done by Ricochet and Shocking Vibes.

The clash will commence at 22:00h. Emcee for the evening will be deejay Dauren. Admission to the event is $1000 before 22:00h. The event is powered by Guinness with Sounds by Gold Rock.

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n Saturday, the Albion Sports Complex will come alive when the MMP Foundation for Excellence hosts its inaugural T-20 Floodlight Cricket and After-Party.

The event will see six teams competing for supremacy, including Port Mourant, Young Warriors, Albion, Fyrish, Rose Hall Tigers and Blairmont Blazers.

The first ball bowls off at 10:00h with an official ceremony expected to be attended by Minister with responsibility for sport, Dr George Norton and a representative from the National Sport Commission.

The preliminaries will be played on a 10-overs basis after which the semi-final will be 15 overs each and the finals will be played under floodlights at 20 overs apiece.

During the day, there will be exciting activities for the

children, ranging from bouncy castles to face painting, trampoline and others.

However, the after-party is set for later in the evening after the presentation ceremony.

So far, the deejays of the Showtime Sound System will definitely add the flavour to the event with some of the best juggling.

In addition, an international deejay is expected to add his touch on the console and there will also be a few routines from the best dance groups in Berbice.

Tickets for the event cost $500 for adults and $200 for children and are available at Benjamin Sport and Gym, Albion Road; Stationery Plus and Baby Store, Rose Hall; Dr Ramesh Sugrim’s Clinic; JC Chandisingh Secondary School canteen; and Big B Restaurant.

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his weekend, the action continues in the mining town of Linden, with the hosting of the annual Linden Town Week (LTW) event.

The event’s calendar is packed with a wide range of entertainment activities to choose from.

Tody, the communities of Silvercity and Victory Valley will come alive with a village day which will be hosted at Silvercity, Wismar from 10:00h. Then, later on in the day, the Versace Boyz Biker Fest will be held from 15:00h and the TC Ice Cream Road Jam from 20:00h – both events being hosted on Burnham Drive, Wismar.

Also on Friday evening, reggae fans can come out and enjoy ‘Reggae on the River’ at the Wismar Market Square from 20:00h.

Meanwhile, the annual Poker Street Lime and the LTW Colour Party (camouflage) are also on, with the latter being hosted at the Christianburg Hard Court, Wismar from 20:00h.

On Saturday, the Linden Museum presents its storytelling activity on location from 14:00h.

The Linden Trade Fair and Exhibition is also on at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) from 10:00h, while the Caribbean Food Festival is on from 16:00h at Upper Republic Avenue, Mackenzie.

In the evening, the party vibes continue as Vybz Entertainment presents its All Black Party at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground from 20:00h.

On Sunday, Banks Village is on at the Wisroc/ Amelia’s Ward bus park. The Linden River Wall will also be jamming with the XTra Beer Village.

ANSA McAL will also present its village celebration at the Linden- Georgetown bus park. These events are slated to commence at 20:00h.

In addition, from Sunday midnight to 11:00h on Monday, it’s Sunrise Breakfast at the Mackenzie High School hard court.

Also later on Monday evening, the international concert is on at the MSC Ground from 20:00. The activities culminate on Tuesday with the annual ‘Wash Down’ at the Mackenzie pool from 19:00h.

friDAY, april 27, 2018

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Shakib, Rashid star as Sunrisers defend another low total N

o Billy Stanlake and Bhuvneshwar Kumar? No problem, again. Two nights after pulling off the second-lowest successful defence in the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad defended 132 to snap Kings XI Punjab’s four-match winning streak. That they could pull off another coup seemed improbable when Ankit Rajpoot’s 5 for 14 - the best figures in IPL 2018 and the sixth best overall pinned Sunrisers down to 132 for 6. It seemed as improbable when KL Rahul and Chris Gayle, the most prolific opening pair this season, raised their fourth fifty-plus stand in as many innings opening together.

Enter Rashid Khan, the No.1 T20 bowler right now, and the experienced Shakib Al Hasan. They ran rings around Kings XI’s line-up and threatened both edges.Sandeep Sharma did his bit with knuckle balls. And, just like that, there was a slip breathing down the batsman’s neck. Just like that, Kings XI’s chase unravelled: from 55 for 0 they imploded to 101 for 9.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman then hacked and reverse-swept his way to 10 off five balls - his first runs in T20 cricket - and reduced the equation to 15 off the last over.

The first ball of that from Basil Thampi was a sharp inswinging yorker, which thudded into the pads of Mujeeb, who sneaked in a leg bye. Thampi then nailed the base of Rajpoot’s middle stump to cap Sunrisers’ comeback and move them to second on the

points table.

Bouncing ‘em out

The ball was bursting off a length and zipping through to the keeper in Hyderabad.

The conditions here might have reminded Rajpoot of his stint in South Africa earlier this year as a net bowler. He bounced out Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan in the Powerplay before returning in the last over of the innings to floor Manish Pandey’s middle stump with an inch-perfect yorker from wide of the crease.

Rajpoot had shown signs of his hit-thedeck bust l e

against Delhi Daredevils on Monday, when he claimed 4-0-23-2 in an uninterrupted four-over spell with the new ball. But this pitch had more grass and offered more bounce. Rajpoot exploited it in his first over and had Williamson splicing a catch to mid-off for a duck. This was the reason why he was picked ahead of the more experienced Mohit Sharma.

Barinder Sran, at the other end, also found extra bounce but lacked enough disci-

had strayed. At that point, Shakib was on 0. Sran came close to a wicket on another occasion, when he had Pandey skewing one over mid-off. R Ashwin ran back but he could not cling on.

Squeezing ‘em out

Pandey had two more lives, but he could not break out of the funk. Ashwin and Mujeeb did not make his life easier with their bag of tricks. They kept batsmen guessing with offbreaks, legbreaks, googlies, carom balls, and front-ofthe-hand sliders. Andrew Tye’s knuckle balls ensured there was no escape against him either. The three bowlers had combined figures of 12-0-79-1. The 52-run partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Pandey, which came at just 5.88 runs an over, was the slowest stand of 50 or more this season. Pandey’s fifty, off 48 balls, was the slowest this season, but it hauled Sunrisers past 130 and gave their bowlers a sniff.

Sunrisers’ attack bosses it, again

Rashid Khan finished with 3-19

pline.

He had S h a k i b top-edging a cut to third man, but replays indicated that Sran’s front foot

A sniff was all that they needed. Rahul and Gayle had just seen off Sandeep’s opening spell and shaved 53 runs off the target in seven overs. Rashid, though, provided the breakthrough in his first over, with a perfectly pitched legbreak, which turned just enough to beat the outside edge and clatter into off stump. Rahul did not read it: he was playing inside the line, searching for

a googly. In the next over, Thampi rushed Gayle for pace and pouched a return catch. Two set batsmen gone in four balls.

Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal nervously knocked the ball into the gaps to leave Kings XI needing 56 off 48 balls. Then, instead of continuing to find the gaps, Agarwal hared down the track to Shakib, but did not meet the pitch of the ball and holed out to wide longon. That set in motion a terminal collapse.

Mujeeb gave Sunrisers

a late scare but the spinners and Sandeep had done enough to help them survive it. Rashid and Shakib combined for figures of 7-0-37-5.

Then there was the reserve quick Thampi providing the finishing touches and highlighting the depth in the attack. He had been named the emerging player of the year last season, but could not break into the team in 2018 until Stanlake and Bhuvneshwar sustained injuries. That’s how good this attack is. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sunrisers Hyderabad Innings (20 overs maximum) S Dhawan c Nair b Rajpoot 11 KS Williamson (c) c Ashwin b Rajpoot 0 WP Saha † c Tye b Rajpoot 6 MK Pandey b Rajpoot 54 Shakib Al Hasan c Agarwal b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 28 YK Pathan not out 21 Mohammad Nabi c Agarwal b Rajpoot 4 Extras 8 (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 5) TOTAL 132-6 (20 Overs, RR: 6.6) Did not bat: Rashid Khan, Basil Thampi, S Kaul, Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-1 (KS Williamson, 0.4 ov), 2-16 (S Dhawan, 2.2 ov), 3-27 (WP Saha, 4.5 ov), 4-79 (Shakib Al Hasan, 13.4 ov), 5-128 (MK Pandey, 19.4 ov), 6-132 (Mohammad Nabi, 19.6 ov) Bowling: AS Rajpoot (4-0-145), BB Sran (3-0-27-0), R Ashwin (4-0-34-0), MK Tiwary (1-010-0), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (40-17-1), AJ Tye (4-0-28-0) Kings XI Punjab Innings (target: 133 runs from 20 overs) KL Rahul † b Rashid Khan 32

CH Gayle c & b Basil Thampi 23 MA Agarwal c Pandey b Shakib Al Hasan 12 KK Nair lbw b Rashid Khan 13 AJ Finch c Pandey b Shakib Al Ha san 8 MK Tiwary c Williamson b Sandeep Sharma 1 R Ashwin (c) c Williamson b Rashid Khan 4 AJ Tye lbw b Sandeep Sharma 4 BB Sran run out (†Saha) 2 AS Rajpoot b Basil Thampi 8 Mujeeb Ur Rahman not out 10 Extras 2 (b 1, lb 1) TOTAL 119 all out (19.2 Overs, RR: 6.15) Fall of wickets: 1-55 (KL Rahul, 7.5 ov), 2-57 (CH Gayle, 8.2 ov), 3-77 (MA Agarwal, 12.1 ov), 4-82 (KK Nair, 13.4 ov), 5-88 (AJ Finch, 14.2 ov), 6-92 (MK Tiwary, 15.3 ov), 7-96 (AJ Tye, 15.5 ov), 8-99 (BB Sran, 16.5 ov), 9-101 (R Ashwin, 17.2 ov), 10-119 (AS Rajpoot, 19.2 ov) Bowling: Sandeep Sharma (4-0-17-2), Mohammad Nabi (2-0-24-0), S Kaul (4-0-250), Basil Thampi (2.2-0-142), Rashid Khan (4-0-19-3), Shakib Al Hasan (3-0-18-2)

World T20s to replace Champions Trophy S

ay goodbye to the Champions Trophy - again - and get ready for back-to-back editions of the World T20. The future of one of the most popular ODI tournaments has been seemingly sealed with the ICC board moving to replace the 2021 Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in India, with a World T20. That will be the second World T20 in two years, following the 2020 event in Australia. India will host 2021 World T20, as well as the 2023 World Cup. “ICC Members have signed off a new Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2019-2023 that incorporates the introduction of a World Test Championship and an additional ICC World T20 event in place of the Champions Trophy in 2021,”

Pakistan, ranked No 8 before the tournament, took the trophy home last time

an ICC release said. “This provides opportunities for 16 teams to compete at a global level with a

sub-regional, regional and global qualification process every two years, giving more regular cricket to

more Members.”

This will be the second time the World T20 has been held in consecutive years: in 2009 the event was held in England and then, less than a year later, in West Indies. It is the third time, since the 2009 Champions Trophy, that its death has been announced.

The ICC’s management had proposed the switch, and had spoken to the BCCI about it in Auckland last October. At the time, BCCI officials said they “needed to see the financial implications” of the decision. The idea was for the ICC’s chief executives’ committee (CEC) to then deliberate the pros and cons of such a move before a decision.

But the CEC never got the

opportunity.

ESPNcricinfo understands the ICC board took the decision at the next ICC meeting in Dubai on February 9, with the approval of Amitabh Choudhary, the BCCI’s treasurer. The minutes of that meeting, seen by ESPNcricinfo, include the ICC’s intention to “convert” the 2021 Champions Trophy to a World Twenty20 with “45 matches”. This week in Kolkata, the decision was notified to the CEC. That February meeting and Choudhary’s approval is important because before this week’s meetings, Choudhary had spoken publicly of not being in favour of the move because it could cause a loss to the BCCI.

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ICC announces 2019 50-Over World Cup schedule

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he International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday confirmed the schedule of the 2019 50 Over Cricket World Cup, which will be staged in England and Wales from 30 May to 14 July.

Hosts England will open the tournament at the Oval on 30 May when they take on South Africa, while Australia will launch their title defence on 1 June against the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier champions Afghanistan in a day/ night match in Bristol.

Reigning ICC Champions Trophy winners and former champions Pakistan will start their campaign against the ICC World Twenty20 winners and 2-time for-

mer champions the Windies at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on 31 May. Old Trafford in Manchester and Edgbaston in Birmingham will

stage the two semi-finals on 9 and 11 July, while Lord’s will play host to a World Cup final for the fifth time, on 14 July. All these three matches will have reserve days.

Some 11 world-class venues will be used in the 46-day tournament in which each side will play the other once in a single-league format with the top four sides after 45 matches progressing to the semi-finals.

Old Trafford in Manchester will host maximum six matches, while Edgbaston in Birmingham, Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, Lord’s and The Oval (both in London), Trent Bridge in Nottingham will stage five match-

es each.

Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff and Headingly in Leeds have been allocated four matches each and County Ground Bristol in Bristol, County Ground Taunton in Taunton and The Riverside in Chester-Le-Street have got three matches each.

India, the 1983 and 2011 world champions who also won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 in England and Wales, will play their first match on 5 June against South Africa at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton. Their feature match against traditional rivals Pakistan will be at Old Trafford in Manchester on 16 June.

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019 SCHEDULE (VENUE-WISE): Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff 1 June – New Zealand v Sri Lanka (d) 4 June – Afghanistan v Sri Lanka (d) 8 June – England v Bangladesh (d) 15 June – South Africa v Afghanistan (d/n)

26 June – New Zealand v Pakistan (d) 30 June – England v India (d) 2 July – Bangladesh v India (d) 11 July – Second semi-final (2 v 3) (d) 12 July – Reserve day

County Ground Bristol, Bristol 1 June – Afghanistan v Australia (d/n) 7 June – Pakistan v Sri Lanka (d) 11 June – Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (d)

Hampshire Bowl, Southampton 5 June – South Africa v India (d) 10 June – South Africa v Windies (d) 14 June – England v Windies (d) 22 June – India v Afghanistan (d) 24 June – Bangladesh v Afghanistan (d)

County Ground, Taunton 8 June – Afghanistan v New Zealand (d/n) 12 June – Australia v Pakistan (d) 17 June – Windies v Bangladesh (d) Edgbaston, Birmingham 19 June – New Zealand v South Africa (d)

Headingly, Leeds 21 June – England v Sri Lanka (d) 29 June – Pakistan v Afghanistan (d) 4 July – Afghanistan v Windies (d) 6 July – Sri Lanka v India (d)

FIBA/GABF Regional Workshop rated a success

Participants in the huddle as Frederick Brow makes a point during a session

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he recently concluded International Basketball Federation (FIBA) sanctioned Regional Development Workshop for Coaches and Referees, held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, has been hailed a success by many of the participants.

Held for a one-week period, the training programme saw Referees, Commissioners, Table Officials, Coaches, and

Players from host country Guyana, along with a number of neighbouring countries such as Suriname, Grenada, Bahamas and Barbados, in attendance.

Bahamian National Instructor Frederick Brow and FIBA Referee Roberto Vázquez were tasked with tutoring the programme.

It was a Regional Training Camp designed to improve the Officiating Team in the FIBA Federations, and iden-

tify potential prospects at national level to be future FIBA referees, in order to support licensing 2019+ and facilitating a two-to-six-year plan to scout national talents in time. The overall aim was thus to increase the standard and quality of national officiating.

FIBA has a new licensing system to select the FIBA Referees and the FIBA Commissioners, which commences in January 2019.

Lord’s, London 23 June – Pakistan v South Africa (d) 25 June – England v Australia (d) 29 June – New Zealand v Australia (d/n) 5 July – Pakistan v Bangladesh (d/n) 14 July – Final (d) 15 July – Reserve day Old Trafford, Manchester 16 June – India v Pakistan (d) 18 June – England v Afghanistan (d) 22 June – Windies v New Zealand (d/n) 27 June – Windies v India (d) 6 July – Australia v South Africa (d/n) 9 July - First semi-final (1 v 4) (d) 10 July – Reserve day

The Oval, London 30 May – England v South Africa (d) 2 June –South Africa v Bangladesh (d) 5 June – Bangladesh v New Zealand (d/n) 9 June – India v Australia (d) 15 June – Sri Lanka v Australia (d) The Riverside, Chester-Le-Street 28 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa (d) 1 July – Sri Lanka v Windies (d) 3 July – England v New Zealand (d) Trent Bridge, Nottingham 31 May – Windies v Pakistan (d) 3 June – England v Pakistan (d) 6 June – Australia v Windies (d) 13 June – India v New Zealand (d) 20 June – Australia v Bangladesh (d)

Messi wins fight to register himself as a trademark A

European court has ruled that Lionel Messi, the world’s top earning footballer, can trademark his own name.

The Barcelona and Argentina striker fought a seven-year fight to be able to use his name on sports goods.

His original application was challenged by the Spanish cycling brand, Massi, which argued that the names were too similar and would cause confusion.

But the EU’s General Court ruled that the footballer was too well known for confusion to arise.

The ruling comes days after France Football magazine reported Messi had overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest earner in football, with an income of €126m (£108m).

Ronaldo is making €94m, the maga-

zine said.

Messi’s application to trademark his name was made to the European Union Office for Intellectual Property (EUIPO) in 2011.

It ruled against the footballer, saying the names were similar, because their dominant elements, “consisting of the terms ‘Massi’ and ‘Messi’, are almost identical visually and phonetically”.

EUIPO said that only some people would be aware the two were different.

But the General Court, the EU’s second highest court, disagreed.

It said on Thursday: “The football player’s fame counteracts the visual and phonetic similarities” with Massi.

“Mr Messi is, in fact, a well-known public figure who can be seen on television and who is regu larly discussed on television or on the radio,” the court said.

Widely considered one of the world’s greatest soccer players, Messi, 30, scored his 600th professional goal last month and is

the alltime highest scorer for both Barcelona and Argentina’s national team.

Lionel Messi – arguably the greatest footballer ever

sports

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share fruitful meeting D

From left to right: Colonel Ronald Hercules, GSSF Director Aleemul Ali, GSSF Treasurer Ray Beharry, Army Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West, GSSF Secretary Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, GSSF President Ryan McKinnon, and Colonel Nazrul Hussain

irectors of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) paid a courtesy call on the Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Patrick West, on Thursday April 5, as part of their programme.

Led by veteran marksman and President Ryan McKinnon, GSSF Director Aleemul Ali, GSSF Treasurer Ray Beharry,

and GSSF Secretary Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon were also there. The executives visited Defence Headquarters at Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, where they sought an audience with the military leader.

Also receiving the GSSF executives were Colonels Nazrul Hussain and Ronald Hercules, who were part of the discussions. The basis

of the visit was to brief the GDF ranks on their plans for the future, while giving updates on the progress of the GSSF and its programmes thus far.

Since its inception, the GSSF has enjoyed the kind assistance of the GDF and the use of the Rifle Range at Timehri for its shooting events. Brigadier Patrick West wished the Foundation well in their future endeav-

ours while encouraging them to continue promoting sport shooting in Guyana.

Topics discussed included, but were not limited to, increased collaboration between the GDF and the GSSF, the Federation’s supporting role in assistance with Steel Challenge Shooting as a sport item on the GDF sports calendar.

Also, there were talks regarding financing for the

upgrade of the GDF Indoor Pistol Range, establishment of a Sport Shooting Unit, and the newly instituted range rental fees for the Timehri Rifle Range.

The GSSF thanked the GDF for its assistance, which was documented in Persaud-McKinnon’s sentiments written in the Visitor’s Book after being invited to make an entry.

BCB hosts 1st stakeholders’ conference

E

xecutives of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), as part of their ‘Meet the Club’ Programme on Sunday last, hosted the first Berbice Cricket Stakeholders Conference at the Albion Sports Club.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, has made it quite clear that all major decisions concerning Berbice Cricket would only be made after consultation with stakeholders across the entire county.

The President stated that no one has a monopoly on ideas, and as such, every suggestion or idea would be taken into consideration before a decision on the way forward is made.

As such, the BCB is pleased to inform the cricketing public that the following decisions were made at the stakeholders’ conference, which was attended by the majority of clubs in the Ancient County. The vote was unanimous and the BCB, as mandated by the Stakeholders of Berbice Cricket, would work hard to achieve them.

On a recommendation from the Albion Cricket Club, delegates supported the return of the Senior Inter-County Championship between Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo. Delegates were of the opinion that the Senior Inter-County Championship was an honour for players to represent their county at the highest level, and should be held once again. They agreed that the

BCB President Hilbert Foster

Guyana Cricket Board Franchise League was a novelty idea, but said it should not replace the historic championship.

Delegates supported the call for the Guyana Cricket Board to permit the Berbicians on cricket contracts to train in Berbice under the supervision of a Guyana Cricket Boardappointed Level II coach. Delegates were very vocal that it was totally unfair for players to travel four days per week to Georgetown, as the monthly stipend for the Academy players are used up doing so. The usage of the Guyana Cricket Board Hostel should also be made avail-

able to the players, if the first suggestion is ignored.

The Albion Cricket Ground is the most ideal venue to conduct daily training, while Berbice has numerous gyms for the players to train.

Coaches like Julian Moore, Michael Hyles, Albert Smith and Winston Smith are all Berbicians, and are available to supervise the players.

Delegates supported the call for the end of any discrimination against players who leave the Guyana Cricket Board Cricket Academy Programme. Players are of the view that they are being blacklisted when they cancel their contracts, and this should not be the case.

The BCB would support all players, as they have their financial status and families to consider when making decisions.

Delegates also supported the call for the hosting of inter-county matches in Berbice at the junior level. They were of the view that it was totally unfair for one team to have one hundred percentage home advantage when Berbice has venues like Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall Canje or Skeldon to host such matches. Travelling to Blairmont is less than ninety minutes from the hostel, the same as travelling to venues over the Demerara River. With the Berbice Bridge in operation, there is no excuse for not bringing matches to the Ancient County.

BCB feels its players have the right to play games at home in front of their club mates, friends and families. They are confident that no sponsor would object to this, as Berbicians support their businesses and deserve to be treated equally.

Delegates supported the BCB policy of enforcing discipline at all levels, the wearing of the proper cricket attire at all matches, and the policy of focusing on Berbician players to play in BCB tournaments.

Only one non-Berbician would be allowed to play in certain competitions, while none would be allowed at the Second Division level.

Delegates supported the motion that selection for the Guyana Cricket Board Franchise League must be properly done in a transparent way, with the setting up of Selection Committees for the West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne Franchise Leagues.

They were of the view that the selection policy left much to be desired, as one person was doing the job and was mostly biased to friends and club mates. The policy of selecting managers and coaches also needs to be looked into; it makes sure that the most qualified persons are selected.

The BCB intends to work hard to fulfill the mandate of its stakeholders.

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friDAY, april 27, 2018

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" – Linden

Swag Ent and High Rollers score big wins S

wag Entertainment and High Rollers were in no-nonsense mood when the Guinness Greatest of the Street Linden Leg continued on Wednesday night.

Big Guns suffered a massive 6-0 defeat at the hands of Swag Entertainment, as Shane Luckie led with a second-minute goal, then piled on a Guinness Goal in the 19th minute. He was supported by Colwyn Drakes (4th), Romel Matthews (7tH) and Royston Fraser (9th).

High Rollers had their time to shine with a 4-1 drubbing of Next Level. Jonah Simon’s Guinness goal alongside Qualon Andries’s 5th minute goal and Kendolph

Lewis’s 12th minute strike was more than enough to overshadow Next Level. Their lone goal was scored by Allan Reece in the ninth minute.

Wisroc defeated Silver Bullets 1-0, compliments of Clarence Higgins, who scored the decider in the eighth minute.

Dave and Celina’s got past Hard-Knocks by a similar scoreline, thanks to Tyric McAllister who scored as early as the seventh minute.

Russians and NK Ballers claimed the other two victories via walkover, since Amazings and Young Kings both failed to produce teams.

The preliminary rounds wrapped up on Wednesday evening in Linden

Windies want to be in Lord’s final – Holder T

he Windies captain Jason Holder has expressed resolve and optimism that his side not only wants to feature in another Lord’s final but also wants to lift the World Cup once again after the twotime former world champions’ schedule in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 was confirmed today.

“We want to be there at Lord’s in the final to lift the trophy – we believe we are good enough to win it,” said 26-year-old fast bowler, adding: “It is always great to

play in a global event. As a young cricketer who set your sights on this kind of event and do something special for the Windies fans on the world stage.”

The Windies, who won the first two tournaments when they were staged in England in 1975 and 1979, will only visit Lord’s if they reach the final as they have no matches scheduled in London.

Their opening two matches are at Trent Bridge in Nottingham against the 1992 world champions and reigning ICC Champions

Trophy winners Pakistan on 31 May, and against defending champions Australia on 6 June.

They will then travel to Southampton where they will play South Africa and England on 10 and 14 June respectively at Hampshire Bowl, while their fifth match in the 10-team single-league tournament will be against Bangladesh on 17 June at the County Ground in Taunton.

Old Trafford, once upon a time the second home to the legendary Clive Lloyd,

will be their venue for the next two matches against New Zealand and India on 22 and 27 June respectively.

Their penultimate round match will be against Sri Lanka at The Riverside in Chester-le-Street on 1 July, while the repeat of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier final against Afghanistan will take place on 4 July at Headingley, Leeds.

Holder, who has taken 106 wickets in 77 ODIs to date, said: “The World Cup i s

extremely special for us.

As players and as a team it means everything. We have a great history and we won the first two editions, so the aim is to make it three in 2019.

“We took the qualifiers route to get to this World Cup, but that was a blessing in disguise as it brought us closer as a team and we grew as a unit during that tournament. For the World Cup, we will enter as underdogs but we believe in each other and know who and what we are playing for.”

Shai Hope, who will be looking forward to featuring in his maiden World Cup, said: “We have to make sure we play quality cricket and tick off the wins as

best as we can.

There is nothing that we can change (about the tournament format). We go out there and play the cricket, as long as we play and win, we will be in the semis.

“Me personally, it

“For the World Cup, we will enter as underdogs but we believe in each other and know who and what we are playing for,” says Jason Holder

will be a great feeling (to win the World Cup). I’ve always wanted to win the World Cup, that is one of my biggest dreams. I’m sure I can also say that for the rest of the players in the team.

There is a lot to look forward to.”

The Windies’ schedule of World Cup matches:

31 May – v Pakistan, Trent Bridge (d) 6 June – v Australia, Trent Bridge (d)

1 0 June – v South Africa, Hampshire Bowl (d) 14 June – v England, Hampshire Bowl (d) 17 June – v Bangladesh, Taunton (d) 22 June – v New Zealand, Old Trafford (d/n) 27 June – v India, Old Trafford (d) 1 July – v Sri Lanka, The Riverside (d) 4 July – v Afghanistan, Headingley (d)

Windies at the ICC Cricket World Cups:

* The Windies have a success rate of 58.57 per cent, after having won 41 of their 71 matches. They have lost 29 matches, while one has been a no-result. * The Windies won the first two tournaments when they were staged in England in 1975 and 1979. * The Windies lost the 1983 final to India, featured in the semi-final of the 1996 event in the subcontinent and reached the quarter-finals in the 2011 and 2015 events. * The Windies qualified for the Super Eight stage of the 2007, but failed to clear the first round in the 1987, 1992, 1999 and 2003 tournaments.

friDAY, april 27, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Lady Jags kick off CFU with a draw G

uyana’s National Women’s football team, commonly known as the ‘Lady Jags’, have begun their Caribbean Football Union (CFU) women’s challenge campaign with a goalless draw against Grenada on Wednesday evening.

23

– tackle Suriname today

Consisting of nine newcomers to the international scene, the team had an impressive showing, breaking down Granada’s defense on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, the Guyanese ladies were unable to reach the back of the net.

“We were able to break down their backline several times, but we didn’t quite have the composure to finish those chances,” Head Coach Dr. Ivan Joseph stated.

However, Joseph was particularly pleased with the team’s performance, highlighting their strong of-

fensive plays.

The Lady Jags are in Group E of the series, and will come up against Guyana’s eastern neighbours, Suriname, today at 16hrs. In their next match, the women will face home team Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday at 17.30hrs. All

matches are being played at the Ato Boldon stadium in the twin island republic.

The national team will use the CFU series as a preparatory tournament for the CONCACAF qualifiers that are coming up in May of this year.

PKF Barcellos Narine School Berbice whip Essequibo Cricket set for D'Urban Park by 5 wickets A T

he Royal Cricket Academy, in partnership with PKF Barcellos Narine & Company, will host their 2018 School Boys Tape Ball Cricket Competition on Friday, April 27 at the Jubilee Park on Homestretch Avenue.

The 6-overs-a-side competition will bowl off from 14:00h, and there are tons of trophies and medals up

for grabs. Players from West Demerara, Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank have so far registered to participate in the annual event.

Matches are set to continue on Saturday, April 28 at the same venue.

Persons interested in participating can contact Mr. Suresh Harry on 6266179 regarding more information on being a part of the competition.

nother complete performance by Berbice helped set up a 5-wicket win over a hapless Essequibo in Thursday’s GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter-County 50-Over Tournament played at Tuschen.

It was another low-scoring, poor batting outing from Essequibo, who again were as sloppy as in a previous game, falling for 59 all out, with top-scorer vice-skipper

Kurt Lovell run out for 12.

The bowling, which has been spot on thus far, was led by the all-round leader Kevlon Anderson, who bagged 5 wickets, and Keith Simpson, who supported with 3 scalps in a clinical effort.

The chase was a simple one for the in-form Berbicians, who sped to 60-5 with the in-form openers Alex Algoo (13), Kevin Sinclair (14) and Anderson

(15) leading the way.

Spinner Sherlan Anthony and Joel Fortune grabbed two wickets in a decent effort.

Meanwhile the persistent weather in town washed out action at Everest between Demerara and the U-17 XI.

Suriname Touring Friends

win big on Guyana tour

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ast weekend marked a significant period for Suriname cricket -- a visiting team from the Dutch-speaking nation toured Guyana for a series of matches.

The inclement weather meant that only two of the five scheduled matches were possible, with the Dutch side winning one and losing the other.

On Saturday morning, Akesh Jaipaul with the ball and Andy Rodrigues with the bat, lead the visitors to a commanding nine-wicket victory over local side, Star Sports Masters, in a T20 match at the Busta Enterprise Sports Club.

The locals had first strike and only mustered 101 from their allotted overs, with Jaipaul reaping the rewards with 3-11 from his 4 overs, while Vishnauth Gobin made 26.

With an eye on the weather, opener Rodrigues then wasted little time in his commanding innings of 76 not out, as Suriname Touring Friends finished on 104-1 from 11 overs, to win by 9 wickets and 9 overs to spare. Rodrigues was later named Man of the Match.

Also, the visiting side recognized the recent record-breaking performance from Bhaskar Yadram, who hit a mammoth 301 not out in the opening round of the Hand-in-Hand three-day Under-19 inter-county tournament earlier

The Suriname Touring Friends side after their match against Star Sports on Saturday at the Busta Enterprise Sports Club Ground

in April. In accepting the award, Yadram thanked the Surinamese for their gesture, and pledged to work hard and do more in the fu-

ture.

In invited comments at the post-match ceremony, Star Sports Masters congratulated the visitors

on their performance, and wished them well for the future. They also thanked Sheik Mohammed of Enmore for the kind sponsorship

extended to their team.

The rain then came and spoiled the rest of the weekend, forcing the visitors to remain indoors until Monday, when they lost to Lusignan Sport Club by 47 runs in a 30-overs a-side encounter at the same venue.

Lusignan Sport Club batted first and got to 136 before being rolled over in 27 overs, with T. Motielall stroking 35 while eventual Man-of-the-Match Akesh Jaipaul, who was virtually unplayable, grabbed 5-21 from his six overs.

The visitors were hoping to end the tour on a high, but ran into quality bowling from off-spinner Ferron Kadir and were bowled out for 89 in 24 overs. Only Pradish Balkissoon resisted with 30.

After the match, which also marked the end of the tour, Suriname Touring Friends thanked Busta Enterprise Sports Club for hosting them and promised to reciprocate in the near future.

The Suriname side was scheduled to play a Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) select side under lights at the Demerara Cricket Club ground on Friday night, and the Busta Enterprise Sports Club Legends and a Media side on Sunday, but those matches were washed out.

friDAY, april 27, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Lady Jags kick off CFU with a draw

Pg 23

– tackle Suriname today The Lady Jags’ starting line-up against Grenada

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" – Linden

Swag Ent and High Rollers score big wins

Pg 22

Action on Wednesday evening in the Guinness "Greatest of the Streets", Linden edition

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