Guyanatimes 11 january 2018

Reading corner for health centres in Region 6

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Issue No. 3447

PRICE

Estates closure

Dismissed sugar workers to receive 50% severance pay this month …other half by year end

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Schoolboy P16 stabbed by bicycle bandits Push cart P8 vendor gets 10 years for killing friend

Page 3

Crime spiralling out of control

US$18M signing bonus

$80 vat included

6 robbed by Govt pleads gunmen ignorance in separate of legal action …as private citizen decries lack of accountability, transparency over deal attacks Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated in Guyana Page 7

In light of sexual assault allegations

M&CC wants power to discipline P15 constab officers

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Page 17

The Indian High Commission in Guyana hosted a local celebration of the 2018 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. This celebration is held annually in India to honour overseasbased Indians who have made contributions towards the development of their country. In photo, dancers performing a cultural piece as (inset) High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam and cultural activist Neaz Subhan among the gathering look on

Opposition motion

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Poor leadership led to Camp Street Prison fire, unrest – Teixeira

Teen remanded for robbing P8 sisters ToRs empower UK expert to review P15 all SOCU investigations

Police deny P14 sugar workers use of loudspeaker in protest GWI to clamp down on stealing of P17 water Korner Kick manager was murdered P16 – post-mortem

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

Estates closure

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

Thursday, January 11 – 13:30h-15:00h and Friday, January 12 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 11 – 12:50h-14:20h and Friday, January 12 – 13:40h-15:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery and heavy showers can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Dismissed sugar workers to receive 50% severance pay this month …other half by year end

G

overnment has announced that it will pay 50 per cent of the severance benefits to dismissed sugar workers by the end of this month. This commitment represents over $2 billion in severance payments.

This announcement was made in Parliament

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

Workers and their families protesting for severance payments on Tuesday

High Tide: 12:22h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 05:50h and 18:27h reaching minimum heights of 1.04 metre and 0.98 metre respectively.

President David Granger

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2018

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on Wednesday when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo read a statement from President David Granger.

However, he said that the remainder will be paid in the second half of the year.

This move comes one day after disgruntled workers attached to the former Rose Hall Sugar Estate protested for their severance payment as they demanded that the Government get its act together.

Eight hundred and fifty workers, whose last day of employment was December 29, 2017, on Tuesday protested the non-payment of millions of dollars, which are collectively owed to them by the David Granger Administration and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

According to the President, GuySuCo is not being dismantled. He claimed that Government is working actively to ameliorate the impact of retrenchment on workers livelihood.

As such, it will also move to embark on an extensive review of expenditure in every sector to the extent of reducing ministerial budgets in order to find funds to enable sugar workers to receive their severance pay; and, set aside $100 million to provide small loans for entrepreneurial activities for these people.

While noting the invaluable contribution of the sugar industry to the development of Guyana, the President said Government will continue to work towards returning the reformed sugar industry to profitability and improving the personal income of sugar workers.

He made reference to some of the work that has started which includes the establishment of an Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), aimed at providing support by enabling displaced employees

to access available opportunities to function in other fields.

Already, he said, Government has embarked on the training of employees to work in new operational fields across the industry in places such as the field workshops and providing services.

Some 500 employees from the West and East Demerara estates will be retrained in fields such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, mechanical and electrical works and in small business enterprises, the President said.

“The Government has acted resolutely and responsibly to protect the livelihood of workers, to preserve the viability of rural communities and prevent the further financial depletion of the country’s Treasury,” he added.

Both the current and past Government, the President said, have struggled to maintain the industry’s viability; by implementing several initiatives. He referred to the work done under the People’s Progressive Party to engage

international advisory, technical and managerial corporations such as Booker-Tate Ltd, Bosch Projects (PTY) and Global Cane Sugar between 1992 and 2015.

In addition to that, a new factory at Skeldon in the East Berbice-Corentyne region was built at a cost of

US$212 million and $48 billion was expended in financial support to the industry since 2011, while $32 billion was spent over the past 30 months, which when calculated sums up to a rate of about $1 billion a month.

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

Diasporas’ linkages

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he news that 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the political aisles – along with three Mayors – were part of a delegation to a People of Indian Origin (PIO) parliamentarian conference hosted by the Government of India, was a very welcome development.

For years, since the beginning of the millennium, India has sponsored what had been annual “Pravasi Bharitiya Divas” – Overseas Indian Day – on January 9; the day on which Mohandas Gandhi had returned to India in 1915 from a 20year stay in South Africa.

There, not so incidentally, he had invented and honed the techniques of non-violent resistance – “Satya Graha” or “Truth Force” – which was to inspire colonies across the British Empire in Guyana and Africa in their struggles for independence. An integral aspect of British colonialism was to transport “natives” from its colonies in Africa, India and even China which was nominally free, to provide labour in other colonies. First it was slave labour from Africa and then indentured labour from Portugal, India and China.

This massive movement of human bodies across continents resulted in the creation of “Diasporas” of people from these latter countries. In the case of Africa, the “countries” as we know them had not even been created – ironically by the colonials who divided up the world without any “consultations” with the natives. The word “Diaspora” was first applied to the Jewish people who had been scattered across the globe in several expulsions starting in pre-historic times and extending into the twentieth century.

The slave experience in the colonies and the severe underdevelopment of Africa inspired the first consciousness of a new “diasporic” thinking in modern times. This was not surprising in light of the modern nature of race and racism that developed during the enslavement of peoples from Africa: a common oppressive system creates to a large extent, a common view of the world and a common identity. The First Pan-African Congress (PAC) was organised in 1900 in Britain and attracted delegates from the US, the Caribbean and Africa.

The most fateful was the fifth PAC held in Manchester in 1945 just as WWII had ended: the attendees were to return to their countries to lead the latter to independence. The Conferences then shifted to Africa from 1974 by which time most countries there had achieved independence. The movement was accepted by the African Union (AU) and the last and 8th PAC was held in Accra, Ghana in 2015. There is presently a call for a 9th PAC. The Chinese and Indian diasporic communities were comparatively unorganised until the last quarter of the 20th century as the originating countries began to develop economically. Deng Xio Ping, in 1980, for instance, overturned the hands-off attitude to overseas People of Chinese ancestry and actively encouraged them to return and assist in China’s drive towards industrialisation and development. The policy proved so successful, that almost every other country with Diasporas started to emulate it – including Guyana.

India belatedly entered the arena as mentioned with its PBD meetings in 2003 but these were primarily “meetand-greet” gatherings emanating from previous efforts of non-governmental organisations such as the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), that were dominated by “Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who were very focused on exploiting business opportunities. After the Government of PM Narendra Modi took office in 2014, the PBD’s were scheduled biennially and involved focused constituents that contributed to the formulation of policies that strategically addressed the needs of both the overseas communities and India.

That the PBD involved Shashi Tharoor from the Opposition Congress Party was a very powerful signal that the Modi Government would not transfer its domestic partisanship on the Diaspora stage. This is a welcome example to those parliamentarians from Guyana who represented the Government and the Opposition.

Domestically, there may be differences in approach to any or all issues.

But ultimately there is only one country, Guyana, which they must all develop.

While driving on Ireland’s scenic Ring of Kerry, photographer Max Malloy could not resist stopping at a roadside market for this smiling threesome. “It looks like the man is making a cross with reeds while the dog barks instructions and the donkey checks his work,” he says (nationalgeographic.com)

High level of crime in Guyana

Dear Editor, Within recent times, there have been constant reports from every section of the media on daily armed robberies, home invasions, carjackings and wanton lawlessness.

These acts are becoming so prevalent and done with such impunity, several times each day, that it is only a matter of time before they become

acceptable to social norms.

They will become ingrained as acceptable social behaviours, because those who are responsible for the preservation of law and order are either often found being actively involved in criminal behaviour and those that are not involved are least concerned. Civil society is then left defenceless to the mercy

of those who chose to wreak havoc on their lives.

It takes the average Guyanese more than courage and brevity to live in this society. It borders on luck, but how long will it last for those who have not yet suffered from these brazen acts of violence and mayhem? The only consolation from the agency whose motto is “to protect

and serve” is the nice statistics that crime is on the decline, and the usual conclusion on every media report that “an investigation has been launched”, and thereafter faded into permanent obscurity.

Yours faithfully, Selwyn Narinedatt

Local authorities should not be held hostage Dear Editor, The consistent rainfall has taken a heavy toll on property, infrastructure and investments across the country. Overcoming the ruthlessness of the impacting damages will certainly require the strongest individual and collective resilience of our people, given the recognisable negative support emanating from the hallows of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Chambers.

It is also regrettable and sad that in many rural the Local Government Areas (LGAs) which were severely affected, the impacts may have been minimised to some measure. Relevant and serious in this regard, is the stifling grip of frustrating many elected Councils that the Communities Ministry has imposed. Not only is our people’s health and livelihood threatened, the flaying economy is now deficient of millions of dollars’ worth in cash crops and livestock lost all over the country.

The Canals Polders on the West Bank of Demerara is one area in particular

where farmers and residents suffered very heavily.

During the examination of the 2018 Budget Estimates, several questions were asked by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Opposition members, regarding the plans to support LGAs. It was not surprising that information requested from Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, remained unanswered as he used his customary empty promises to lay the answers to the National Assembly at a later date. Given that Parliament is still awaiting the answers to 2017 questions, the incompetence of the Minister suggests that the enquires regarding the 2018 Budget may never be responded to in any timely or meaningful way.

It is important to note that of the G$6.5 billion allocated for the Communities Ministry in Budget 2018, G$1 billion was allocated for subventions to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and municipalities. However, the Minister was unable to answer to the very important questions regarding the allocations of these appro-

priations and he promised to present the information requested within 48 hours. To date, he has not given any answer.

The coalition Government seems to be working in cahoots with other arms of the Government to frustrate the work of some NDCs, especially those that are managed by PPP Chairmen and Deputy Chairs. I am reliably informed that every dime spent by the NDCs must be prior approved by the Regional Executive Officers at many Regional Democratic Councils (RDC), although the amounts often fall below the threshold approved under the Procurement Act Chapter 73:05 for such agencies.

It follows that if the NDCs approves the spending of $20,000 on a corrective project in its constituency, the Overseer must first frustratingly travel to the RDC to have prior approval, often spending hours and taking up valuable time for approval.

The Communities Minister should expedite the requests of elected Councils and to advance the formation

of District Tender Boards.

Notably, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has the responsibility to make sure that some drainage and irrigation canals are kept clean and functioning. However, residents in many villages are of the strong opinion that their drainage canals are deliberately not being cleaned. The recent Canal episode is a clear example of neglect by the Regional Executive Officer of Region Three, who has control of the regional machinery and the drainage and irrigation department.

The onus is on the APNU/ AFC coalition Government to make sure that the LAAs are given an opportunity to function efficiently. The staff or Councils must not be held hostage under the control of the Communities Ministry. The Subventions for the Local Authority Areas must be spent in the interest of the specific districts or villages as the people so desired.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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

Why is AG pathetically playing the blame game?

Dear Editor, No Attorney General in the history of the Caribbean has had his/her competence, suitability and performance so vigorously challenged and questioned by the public and the media than Basil Williams. This by itself is an indictment. Even the President was forced to come out and bat for him recently.

On every occasion that he is found wanting, he finds someone to blame, most times me, in order to shift blame away from himself.

Recently, the Press zeroed in on his dismal performance and queried the number of case which the State has lost since he assumed Office. Two and a half years after I left Office, he pathetically continues to blame me for very straight forward and elementary cases which the State lost. The truth is that incompetence and ignorance of law cannot win cases whether the cases are good or bad.

In any event and for the record, I left no bad or weak cases at the Attorney-

General Chambers. I settled most cases of that nature, so as to avoid wasting the Court’s time resources and that of the State. Lawyers at the practicing Bar can attest to this.

Invoking my name, therefore, was his usual modus operandi to which the Press and the public have become quite accustomed. Apart from the cases which he allegedly “inherited,” he lost almost every case of substance filed against State, since he assumed Office.

It is public knowledge that that I filed several of those cases and they were successful. That is now public knowledge. Indeed, the last time I checked, the AG Chambers owes my Office and my clients millions of dollars in outstanding judgements and costs in respect of cases filed and won over the last twoand a half year.

The Learned Attorney General should have been full and frank with the Press and inform them the he personally drafted the applica-

tion to the Caribbean Court of Justice in the multi million dollars case involving Dipcon Engineering Inc. When the Court dismissed said Application as being the wrong procedure employed and wrong documents filed, he then denied to the Staff at AG’ Chambers that he drafted the documents, accusing them of forging his signature!

He should have also explained that in the Berbice Sangha case, he refused to settle the case by rejecting an offer of $7 million. He end-

ed up losing the case with Judgement being awarded against the State for over $30 million dollars; nearly five times more!

As Mr Williams continues to mislead the public on these matters and blame others for his misdeeds, I will continue to set the record straight.

After all, it is my parliamentary duty do so.

Sincerely, Anil Nandlall Former Attorney General

Still not too late to save sugar Dear Editor, I have noticed that the Government mentioned that it is still to make a final decision on the closure of more estates. It, therefore, suggests that this is not yet a closed deal.

Simultaneously, I have seen the Private Sector registering some grave concerns and at the same time proposing to buy some of the estates.

I have read the grave concerns of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) in relation to the availability of molasses, the main raw material for its core product, rum.

With all of these legitimate positions by various entities the industry can be saved from closing and made profitable again. The Wales Estate can go back into production as well.

It is my view that the Private Sector can be mobilised to put together a new

company to buy estates that the Government does not want to hold on to.

Two of those companies, DDL and Banks DIH Limited can benefit tremendously if this industry is allowed to continue. I say “allowed to” because I am convinced that the industry could be very profitable and can continue to make a great contribution to our country as a whole.

If they could be persuaded to take the lead in creating a new company to take over the estates, that would be a major step forward. The rest of the Private Sector can also be part of this new venture.

If the more recognised Private Sector companies want to be conservative and don’t want to put all the capital needed at the start-up level, they could also make shares available to the workers, the unions in the indus-

try and the public at large.

We still have in Guyana a considerable amount of skills and experience in the sugar industry. If this initiative is perused quickly, those skills can be retained to help manage this new company. If it is not done soon, most of those technical skills and managerial experience will migrate and can be lost to our country.

Already Guyanese are playing vital roles in the Jamaica sugar industry as well as in the US and further afield. We can harness them here and allow them to save this industry once given the opportunity.

The industry is not difficult to turn around. It can be done with good management, which it did not have since 2015. The Government hired persons who had no interest in making the industry profitable. They were liquidators than messengers.

DPI’s statement misleading Dear Editor, The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) wishes to make it very clear that the non-payment of 2017 tax refunds to workers employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) has absolutely nothing to do with their submission of tax returns.

In a statement issued by the Department of Public Information (DPI), carried in sections of the media, headlined “Bauxite workers’ refunds delivered to GRA from RUSAL” it is stated that bauxite workers are to submit a claim to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for refund and this was communicated to the GB&GWU and all the parties concerned. DPI attributed the instant statement to Minister Keith Scott, who has responsibility for labour. This is wrong.

The procedure for the refund was expressly outlined by the GRA via letter dated November 30, 2017, signed by Commissioner General Godfrey Statia and

addressed to BCGI Chief Accountant Rafeek Khan.

A copy is attached for your perusal. The instant letter directed BCGI that the money deducted between January and November 2017 be refunded to the workers and the company will reclaim same when submitting future taxes on workers’ income to the GRA (See items 1-3).

In effect what the stated items mean is that: a) BCGI shall pay workers all monies deducted for taxes on overtime and premium hours workers for year 2017; and b) for the year 2016 the workers, individually, shall submit their returns to GRA which will be cross-referenced with the information submitted by BCGI in order for refund to be effected. The issue presently under contention is the non-refund to workers for taxes deducted on overtime and premium hours worked in 2017.

GB&GWU is concerned that BCGI has to date not complied with the GRA’s directive which demonstrates continued blatant disregard

for this nation’s sovereignty, its institutions and citizens/workers. The Union is further concerned about Minister Scott’s seeming comfort, as attributed in the DPI’s statement, to continuously mislead on this serious matter that borders on laws and effective functioning of government that he, by oath, has obligation to safeguard, protect and defend.

GB&GWU calls on Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, who has responsibility for labour, to intervene and ensure this matter is treated with deserving seriousness and alacrity in order that the workers receive what’s duly theirs. Further, DPI is being advised there is no such company as RUSAL operating in Guyana. The name of the legally registered company is Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), which the Government of Guyana is part owner of.

Sincerely, Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union

Before the infrastructure in the industry is broken up completely this initiative needs to be pushed now.

As I have said over and over many new revenue streams can be established and the industry can be made very, very profitable.

Already, the programme to transform the fields into more machine-friendly lay out has started. At Skeldon estate it has gone a far way.

At Enmore estate some 80 per cent of the lands are already converted for more machines-friendly operations.

While this process is going on, the productivity of labour has gone up by use of cane loaders.

The industry can have a distillery, a plant to produce ethanol; a sugar refinery and more co-generation plants, to name some additional products. Its by-product can help create other factories.

Already, one company was using its bagasse to produce bio-degradable containers, for example, food boxes.

A lot of cost cutting measures can be applied. Liquid fertilisers can be used and that will bring down our import cost greatly. Bagasse could be compacted and replace wood in starting up the factories. Another huge cost benefit. This was already tested and proved hugely successful. It was done together with scientists from IAST. Such investments in the industry would pay great dividends in a very short period of time.

Providing resources to sugar should not be seen as

subsidy. Indeed, it is an investment. The industry can be made very profitable.

Over the centuries the sugar industry has proven to be very resilient. This is not the first time that it has been in crisis. But it always bounced back stronger. This can happen again, if the regime thinks and involves others instead of throwing in the towel after the first punch.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Fromer President

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Foundation

Create a culture of

accountability in your home

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he most important thing for every family is to have a culture of accountability in your home.

This means your child is accountable to you: how he talks to you, how he talks to his siblings, how he treats his family members. When he’s bullying his siblings, don’t get sucked into his excuses; just because he had a bad day at school does not give him the right to mistreat anyone in your family, for example. Let me say it again: Your child is accountable to you.

When a bully feels powerless and afraid, he’s much more likely to be aggressive, because that makes him feel powerful and in control.

Don’t forget, bullies often have cognitive distortions – they see the world in a certain way that justifies their bullying. So you’ll frequently hear them blaming others and making excuses for their b e -

haviour. Most of the time, they really believe that stuff: they believe what they think, and that’s what you’ve got to challenge. You can say directly, “It sounds like you’re blaming Jesse for the fact that you punched him. It is not Jesse’s fault that you hit him.”

Schools should also have a culture of accountability, and I think that many try.

That’s what detentions, suspensions and expulsions are all about –if your child breaks the rules, he

should be held accountable, and it’s very important that you let him deal with the natural consequences and not try to shield him.

The skills your child needs to learn

Plain and simple, a child who bullies needs to learn how to solve social problems and deal with their emotions without acting out behaviourally. Have conversations with your child where you ask, “What happens when other kids don’t want to play your games? What do you do?

What do you do when other kids have things you want and they won’t give them to you? How do you handle that?

H o w d o

you handle it when you think you’re right and they’re wrong and there’s nothing you can do about it?”

Your child has to learn how to resolve conflicts and manage his emotions. He needs to learn the skills of compromise, how to sacrifice, how to share and how to deal with injustice. He should also learn how to check things out, and to ask himself, “Is what I’m seeing really happening?

Does Jonathon really hate me, or is he just in a bad mood today?”

Kids have got to learn how to manage their impulses. If their impulse is to hit or to hurt or call someone names, they have to learn to deal with that in an appropriate way.

Many children and adolescents have the impulse to hurt others—they have impulses to do all kinds of things. But they need to learn to handle them, and kids who bully are no exception.

What to do if your child is bullying others in school

Kids who are bullying others should be held accountable at home – they should absolutely be given consequences for their behaviour. And the consequences should go like this: your child should be deprived of doing something he or she likes. So, no TV or computer games or cell phone, for example. And they also should have to do a task: they should write an essay or letter on what they’re going to do next time they’re in the same situation or feel the same way – instead of bullying. It’s critical that they start thinking of other ways they can solve this problem. Understand that they may not have any ideas, and that’s where you have to interact with them and coach them as a parent. If your child is hurting or bullying others, he needs to have conversations that solve problems. He does not need or benefit from conversations that explore emotions. Bullies tend to see themselves as victims, so the conversation has to focus on them taking responsibility for their behaviour.

Remember that bullies don’t stop bullying when they get home – they often target younger or weaker siblings.

You have to be very clear if your child is bullying –be very black and white; leave no grey areas. Don’t forget, your child is bullying because solving problems— talking to peo-

ple and working things out— is very hard for him. Again, your child is taking the easy way out. We all go through the growing pains of learning how to negotiate in social situations—in fact, we may work on this skill our whole lives. There should be no exceptions for anyone in your family when it comes to these skills. For a child who is using bullying as a shortcut instead of developing these skills, you have to work even harder as a parent to coach them on what to do.

When bullies grow up

Make no mistake, if a child bullies, that tendency can stay with them their whole lives. Fortunately, some bullies do mature after they leave school. You’ll see them get into their early twenties and go their own way; they get married, they go to college, they start a career, and they stop their bullying behaviour.

But sadly, you will also see young child bullies who become teenage bullies and then adult bullies. How does this behaviour and lack of social skills affect them? These are the people who abuse their wives and kids emotionally and sometimes physically. These are the people who call their spouses and kids names if they don’t do things the way they want them to.

Bullies may also become criminals. Look at it this way: a bully is somebody who is willing to use aggression, verbal abuse, property destruction or even violence to get his way.

An anti-social personality disorder (which is how criminals are classified) refers to somebody who is willing to use aggression and violence to get his way. The criminal population is literally full of bullies who, among other things, never learned how to resolve conflicts and behave appropriately in social situations.

If you think your child is bullying others, it’s very important to start working with him now. This behaviour is already hurting his life – and will continue to do so if it’s left to fester. If you expect your child to “outgrow” bullying once he reaches adulthood, realise that you’re also taking the risk that he may not – and that choice may negatively affect him for the rest of his life (Excerpt from empoweringparents)

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US$18M signing bonus

Govt pleads ignorance of legal action …as private citizen decries lack of accountability, transparency over deal

Trevor Thomas

By Michael Younge

T

he Guyana Government said on Wednesday that it was unaware that legal action had been filed by a private citizen in the country’s top court with the aim of compelling it to deposit the signing bonus it received from US oil giant ExxonMobil into the Consolidated Fund.

The action was filed on behalf of Troy Thomas by Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram in the High Court.

Thomas is the current Head of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), Transparency International’s local arm. He wants the court to grant orders directing Finance Minister Winston Jordan to deposit the US$18 million it received in August 2017 from ExxonMobil directly into the Consolidated Fund as is provided for in the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

The funds at the centre of the controversy are currently sitting in a special ac-

Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram

count in the Bank of Guyana (BoG) upon the instruction of President David Granger after Finance Secretary Hector Butts wrote the Bank’s Governor in order to establish the account. The Government was forced to admit the existence and receipt of the monies after Guyana Times published the letter written to the Bank’s Governor, which exposed the slew of misinformation peddled by senior Government functionaries.

Unaware of legal challenge

Questioned about the Government’s response to the lawsuit as he entered Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon pleaded ignorance about the action, but not before saying even if it was indeed filed, his Government was not bothered by it. “…But I don’t think it’s something that bothers us in any significant way…the money is in an account which by law we are entitled to put it

there…so I am not concerned; I am not worried about the lawsuit,” he explained when questioned by this newspaper.

He would offer no other comment on the matter, but Finance Minister Winston Jordan said that Government would defend its decision to keep the signing bonus separate and apart from the monies in the Consolidated Fund if indeed there was a matter brought before the courts aiming to twist the Administration’s arm to place the monies there.

Highlighting the fact that, according to the media, the matter is now before the courts, Jordan said he was constrained in what he could say about the issue. He said that there have been no deliberations at the level of the Cabinet recently. “…The money is there for a particular purpose and when that purpose comes about, the money will be transferred to the Consolidated Fund,” Jordan remarked before explaining that “the Consolidated Fund is a general purpose fund, you put money in there and it cannot be earmarked…it can be used for any and all purposes…you know the Consolidated Fund is in deficit…you put money in there and all it does is reduce the deficit,’ Jordan added.

In addition, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, when questioned by the media about the action said that he had not seen it. He even asked, “Who were the parties to the action”,

Dismissed sugar workers...

“This Government cannot sustain the sugar industry in its current state. It has had to make difficult choices in order to ensure the industry’s viability,” the Head of State added.

Granger recalled that one of the earliest measures included the convening a Commission of Inquiry into the state of the industry in October 2015; publishing a State Paper on the future of the industry in May

2017; and creating a Special Purpose Unit to manage the reform of the industry in June 2017.

“I iterated – in my address to the 71st sitting of the National Assembly on 2nd November 2017 – that: The sugar industry is being consolidated; it is not being closed.

We will explore all options… to ensure a viable industry, mindful of its impact on the

From page 3

nation’s rural economy and its residents.”

The Government, he added, will also continue to engage the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees, the Corporation, other major stakeholders, but most importantly the workers themselves.

AG Basil Williams

and when it was filed.

Illegal and unconstitutional

But Thomas, speaking with Guyana Times during an interview on Wednesday, insisted that he took the decision because he felt that the Government’s move to keep the money outside of the Consolidated Fund was illegal and unconstitutional.

Thomas said that the Government’s handling of the signing bonus and its justification of the decision for keeping it secret were disappointing to say the least, as it also exposed the David Granger Administration’s double standards on the core principles relating to accountability, transparency, and good governance.

“I decided to take the matter so far, because I believe as Guyanese we have to start expecting higher standards from our Government,” Thomas related before explaining

that thousands of Guyanese had accepted the current Government’s rhetoric about fighting corruption and standing on the principles of transparency and accountability.

He charged that this was what largely led to the election of the coalition Government, as people were tired of the secrecy and executive lawlessness that was taking place, so they voted for a change in the way things were done.

He was adamant that “Guyana loses” when citizens do not challenge the Government whenever there are breaches of laws and procedures that could result in corruption and secrecy.

Thomas said that he expected that the action would end in his favour as he reminded that he was encouraged by the challenge given by the President that he would transfer the money if the court so ruled or advised.

Guyanese money

Thomas said that the money paid by ExxonMobil was not the Government’s money, but the people of Guyana’s money.

The TIGI Head also said that he hoped the Government understood the importance of its role when negotiating future oil deals and contracts that could impact the country’s wealth and progress as scarce oil and gas resources were bartered.

In court documents seen

by Guyana Times, Thomas,

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

via his Attorney, claims that the non-disclosure of the funds and the non-transferral of the bonus have breached several sections of the FMAA Act, including Section 38 (1) which states that “all public monies raised and received by the Government shall be credited fully and promptly to the Consolidated Fund, except (a) monies credited to an extra budgetary fund as stipulated in the enabling legislation establishing that fund, (b) monies credited to a Deposit Fund, and (c) as stipulated in the Constitution”.

In his affidavit, Thomas claimed that he was advised that the monies were not reflected as part of the 2016, 2017 or 2018 national estimates. He wants the Court to issue orders to correct this and several financial missteps taken by the Government in relation to the bonus.

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thursDAY, january 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Push cart vendor gets 10 years for killing friend

T

wenty-nine-year-old Quincy Messiah, who murdered his friend following an argument over a hammock in November 2014, was on Wednesday sentenced to serve 10 years behind bars for the capital offence by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court.

After considering the facts of the case presented to him by State Prosecutors Tiffini Lyken, Abigail Gibbs and Natasha Backa, Justice Singh told the accused that no excuse can justify his actions on the faithful day of November 28, 2014; that is the day he murdered Trevor Ragabeer.

Both men, Messiah and Ragabeer, resided at Lot 9 Camp and D’Urban Streets, Georgetown.

Quincy Messiah

On the day of the tragic incident, the men had an argument over a hammock which was being used by both of them, when Ragabeer reportedly made a derogatory remark to Messiah about his mother.

Messiah’s mother was

killed in front of him when he was seven-years-old.

This remark reportedly enraged Messiah and as such, he picked up a knife and dealt Ragabeer several stabs about his body, killing him.

Attorney for the accused, George Thomas, told the court that because of the trauma faced by his client at a young age when his mother was murdered in front of him, Messiah was unable to get over his past which resulted in his actions on November 28. He begged for leniency, reminding the court that the accused accepted ownership of the crime he committed.

Messiah told Justice Singh that he was sorry for his actions and revealed that he was affected mentally. He

further revealed that since his imprisonment, he has been taking anger management classes.

Prosecutor Gibbs however objected to leniency being granted to the accused noting that a lack of education, a troubled past and growing up without a mother cannot be used as justification for taking a life.

Justice Singh in making his deliberation said that he noted that the accused did indeed have a troubled past which triggered him when he was told about his mother by Ragabeer.

He recommended that Messiah receive special counselling. He then sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment, with time already served to be deducted.

Venezuelan woman arrested at Diamond strip club charged

O

ne of the women arrested last week when ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) raided the Diamond nightclub based on information received of illegal activities at the establishment, was on Wednesday charged for entering Guyana illegally.

Mariah Alexander Mauchigo denied the allegation against her when it was read to her by Magistrate Fabayo Azore. The charge alleged that on September 20, 2017, at Lethem, she entered Guyana by crossing a land frontier and failed to present herself to an immi-

gration officer.

According to the facts of the matter, ranks raided the nightclub and arrested 41 foreign nationals.

While in Police custody, Mauchigo’s passport was inspected and found to be without a stamp, and as such, she was charged with

the offence.

She was granted $20,000 bail and is expected to return to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on February 12.

She is also expected to report to the Police Criminal Investigation Department on a weekly basis.

Teen remanded for robbing sisters

A

teenager of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Wednesday before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for robbing two sisters last month.

Chris Fernandez, 19, of E Field, Sophia, denied that he robbed Jacqueline and Elizabeth Percival

on December 3, 2017, at their Lamaha Springs, Georgetown home.

The prosecution is contending that the two sisters were awoken at about 02:00h by three men, who were already in their flat concrete home. Two of the men were armed. The men then proceed to bind their

hands with scotch tape. As the others were ransacking the house for valuables, one of the men held the sisters at gunpoint.

They escaped with $1.6 million worth of jewellery and cash. Following investigations, Police arrested Fernandez and he was charged. He appeared before

Magistrate Fabayo Azore and denied the offence but was nonetheless remanded to prison. The case will continue on January 31.

3 charged with break and enter granted bail

T

hree men who allegedly went on a break and enter spree early this month were on Wednesday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Eon Thompson, 30; Courtney Sobosa, 33; and Marlon Williams, 38; a minibus driver, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and all denied the charge read to them.

The charge alleged that between January 6-7, 2018, in Georgetown, they broke and entered a motorcar belonging to Kennette David and stole $153,000 worth of items.

The men also broke and entered the cars of Ricky Noods and Derick Henry and stole a total of $403,900 worth of items.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne had no bail objections and this was granted in the sum of $25,000 on each count. The trio is expected to make their next court appearance on February 7.

Tutelage…

S

…of the Bounty Hunters am Spade is the iconic fictional, had-boiled detective launched in the 1930’s book The Maltese Falcon and played by Humphrey Bogart in the movie by the same name. Sam Sittlington is the retired Irish Cop who’s been brought to Guyana to tutor SOCU in enforcing the Anti-Money laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CTF) legislation. We’ll call him “Sam Sit” in the tradition of private dicks having short, snappy names!

There’s historical precedence for this appointment, of course, arising from the days when we were a colony of England and slavery had just ended. What to do in case those newly freed poor souls – who’d been enslaved for centuries – decided to take matters into their own hands and seek retributive justice? Simple…set up a Police Force like the armed one they’d formed in Ireland to keep down those benighted Irish – who’d wanted to get back at the British just as bad as the freed slaves! None of that baton-twirling Cops like the English Metropolitan Police!

In Ireland, it was “punish them by any means necessary, mate!!”

From then on, the Irish Police provided most of the officers to instruct the newly-formed colonial Police on how to keep down the natives. With 28 years being an Irish Cop, Sam Sit knows more than a thing or two about frontier justice. In Guyana, while his remit’s supposed to be AML/CTF related, his biggest case – which the Government insisted he dig up – was the Pradoville 2 charges of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and some other Executives of the PPP! After two previous stints in 2016 and 2017, he’s been brought back again since his promised convictions on Pradoville 2 haven’t materialised. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it??! No one, for instance, has even SUGGESTED that Jagdeo et al, has been involved in either money laundering or financing terrorism.

Quizzed about the case falling apart, Sam Sit insists he has a track record that “speaks for itself” and that the evidence also “speaks for itself”. The “speaking for itself” phrase, of course, alludes to the legal term “res ipsa loquitor” – the “thing speaks for itself”. It’s clear that Sam Sit – with a PhD and all! – isn’t your run-of-the-mill private dick!!

However, if his record and evidence have been “speaking”, why haven’t the SOCU fellas he trained heard anything?

Even Sam Sit can’t make silk purses out of sows’ ears!! …in agriculture Everyone in Guyana owes Agriculture Minister Noel Holder an apology. We’ve been beating up on the poor fella for over a year – first for abruptly firing 1700 sugar workers at Wales last Christmas, and then, for consistency and improvement; another 4000 this Christmas.

According to Noel, actually he was a good guy – a hero, even – who SAVED 5000 jobs at GuySuCo!!

What happened?? According to the unsung hero, some 9000 persons should’ve been fired but like the boy who stuck his finger in the hole in the dike, he and the Government “assimilated” 5000 workers into the public service”!! Your Eyewitness isn’t going to nit-pick on the disparency in numbers – he’ll keep focused on the BIG picture. Did he miss the forest for the trees in that picture?

He (humbly) wonders if the goodly Minister could advise where exactly those 5000 persons were “assimilated”.

The 100 workers trained in cake making and sewing that he knows about, haven’t been hired, have they?

…in whistle blowing Town Clerk Royston King just warned the City Constable who blew the whistle on his Corporal who forced a youth to perform a sexual act.

Says he “defamed” the Mayor and Town Clerk. Did the Constable say these two were also involved?

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

News

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thursDAY, january 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Unemployment woes

Unpaid rent behind sacking of 100 cement workers …NICIL defends role in fallout with Caricom Cement

F

ollowing the sacking of 100 workers in the Caricom Cement factory, the unemployment woes in Berbice have taken a turn for the worse. But the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) is defending its role in the controversy.

NICIL owns the Everton, East Bank complex, formerly belonging to the Berbice Mining Enterprise Limited (BERMINE), on which the factory operates. NICIL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Horace James on Wednesday told Guyana

management were futile.

years. NICIL terminated their contract and the matter is in court,” James related, in an interview on Wednesday. “So, we had terminated the contract and we had taken possession of the property, but the matter is now in court.”

He related that all this happened late in December, but that attempts are being made to reach arbitration. According to James, the company’s argument against NICIL is that termination of their lease was unlawful.

“They started to pay rent and then they just stopped

Government had long announced plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, reduce the annual production of sugar, and take on the responsibility of managing the drainage and irrigation services offered by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Since then, Berbice has been thrown into turmoil with the divestment of a number of sugar estates, also being undertaken by

for two years; that’s the fact,” James, who took over the helm of NICIL in March of last year, stated. Efforts to contact Caricom Cement

NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU). This process has been accompanied by the retrenchment of thousands of sugar workers, who

Unemployment

The Caricom Cement factory

Times that Caricom Cement was more than two years behind in its rent payments.

“They (Caricom Cement) owed NICIL for over two

NICIL CEO Horace James

are yet to receive their severance payments.

In August 2017, after much discussion on unemployment on Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had promised that Caricom

Cement would employ 400 of the workers who were to be sent home from the Rose Hall Sugar Estate. However, the Rose Hall Estate has now closed and so has the Caricom Cement factory.

More than 100 persons attached to the cement company reached out to this publication on Monday, saying they were sent on the breadline some three months ago.

According to the workers, they left work on October 8, 2017, as per normal and when they turned up for duty on October 9, they found a padlock on the gate.

According to the workers, they were later informed that NICIL had padlocked the gates.

An employee of Caricom Cement, Moses Jaipaul, told this newspaper that the terminated employees

all have bills to pay, but up until Monday they had not heard anything from either of the companies. Jaipaul had been employed with the company for three years.

The company had hired overseas experts and had developed a formula of making high-quality cement from a mixture of clay, paddy husk, sea shells, and bauxite overburden. In October 2017, the cement company was testing the local formula when the gates were locked, leaving the workers jobless.

The production of cement locally could have added growth to the Berbice economy in the manufacturing sector. Cement production would have put little strain on foreign exchange reserves, but would have added value to the agricultural industry.

10 news

thursDAY, january 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Opposition motion

Poor leadership led to Camp Street Prison fire, unrest – Teixeira

T

he parliamentary Opposition spared no effort in criticising Government and laying full blame at their feet for the disastrous Camp Street Prison fire and unrest which took place last year.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who moved a motion in the National Assembly on Wednesday, claimed that the law enforcement officials were unprepared and ill-advised.

“The issue is leadership and acting responsibly. You give leadership and you didn’t on that day. None of you! And I am not going to blame the prison and Army and Police. I am not!” she told the Government MPs in the House.

The motion, written by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill, calls on Government to launch a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the unrest and make new changes to the local prison system.

Teixeira, a former Home Affairs Minister, told the House that law enforcement officers are not to be blamed for this incident, since

the buck stops with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

The Opposition Chief Whip said as head of the country’s security sector, Ramjattan ignored numerous warning and signs before the unrest, and essentially failed to act to prevent the disaster from happening.

“The situation was completely unavoidable… You (Ramjattan) sat on your laurels and did nothing!” she posited, noting that the matter could have been handled in a much safer and efficient manner.

Teixeira contended that the Minister should have been made to resign since the first disaster at the Camp Street Prison in 2016. But even more so, preventative measures should have been put in place following the 2016 unrest that killed 17 prisoners at the same penitentiary.

She explained that following the 2016 unrest, a CoI made several recommendations which were not implemented by Government to avoid such a situation from

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

happening again.

The Opposition MP noted too that during the CoI, another riot erupted and yet the Government failed to take precautionary measures to ensure the situation did not reoccur.

Reference was also made to a statement by the Inter American Commission on Human Rights which urged Government to take action to protect prisoners’ rights and address the situation of over-

crowding.

She also blasted the Minister and the entire Government for its poor direction and leadership after the incident which eventually resulted in the escape of an additional 13 inmates from the Lusignan Prison, on the East Coast of Demerara.

The Opposition Chief Whip pointed out to the House that the motion was put off for almost five months but the questions are still relevant since the Government has remained mum on how they went about addressing the issues and still have multiple questions to answer in this regard.

“And I believe that the issue of non-disclosure, of not telling the people of what is going on and the reluctance of this Government to hold everything to you is so extraordinarily dangerous for the nation’s public safety and is also undemocratic,” Teixeira argued.

The Opposition feels this incident highlights the Government’s incompetence in handling matters of national security, and as such, wants

the Administration to take full responsibility for the incident.

She said, “These events and the ineptitude of the Minister, and in fact the entire Government; these events are an indictment of your collective inability to address the issues of security and public safety, to manage our economy, to bring the good life to our people.”

Teixeira continued, “No matter which way you twist it, these were the worst incidents that have ever taken place in our prison system. The worst that has taken place in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The burning down of an entire prison… It is important and we have to stop pretending that this is just business as usual.”

The Government, she said, came into office with a campaign promise that they had the answers to crime and security and committed to fixing it, yet within the past two years, there has been an increase in some serious crimes, which include murders, robbery, rape, showing no signs of letting up.

Meanwhile, Minister

Ramjattan while addressing Parliament late Wednesday evening claimed that the Opposition’s arguments were baseless and lacked substance.

He also asserted that whatever could have been done in the current circumstances, with whatever resources were available was done to the best.

While he also took responsibility for both the 2016 and 2017 fires, Ramjattan said these incidents do not warrant his resignation as Minister. “I said I am responsible. I’ve always said that and I hold myself responsible, but that does not mean because you’re responsible, means resignation.”

While calls have been made to launch a CoI into the 2017 prison unrest and fire, the Minister said Government will stick to its initial promise to have it done when the two remaining escaped prisoners are recaptured. “At this point in time, we will not have an inquiry. Until such time that these prisoners are recaptured, it is not going to be done,” Ramjattan told the House.

Guyana-Venezuela border

Govt still awaiting word from UN …as rep to Guyana has to submit report on controversy to SG

By Jarryl Bryan

F

ar from December 31, 2017 (Old Year’s Night) being the deadline when Guyanese should have known if the border controversy with Venezuela would head to the International

Court of Justice (ICJ), it was in fact only the beginning of the road to a final settlement.

Speaking to Guyana Times during an interview, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry,

Audrey Jardine-Waddell related that even the Government was waiting for the final word from the United Nations.

According to Waddell, UN Secretary General António Guterres still has to make

Flashback: President David Granger at the time of a meeting last year with UN Secretary General’s representative Dag Halvor Nylander

a deliberation on the best way to resolve the controversy. This will, however, be after his special representative to Guyana tasked with handling the border controversy, Dag Halvor Nylander, submits a report on the matter to him.

“We’re still awaiting the decision of the SG. That’s where we are now. December 31st is (actually) when the process ended,” Waddell explained.

“We’re awaiting that report. We don’t receive the report. That was part of the process. You submit the report to the SG, the process ending on the 31st of December and the SG will make his decision.”

Last year, a meeting with representatives from both sides was organised by Nylander. The meeting was aimed at providing a chance for the two Governments to arrive at a solution.

Appointed in February 2017, Nylander had visited Guyana a number of times to hold talks with President David Granger and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, among others.

The Guyana delegation to the General Debate of the 72nd session of the UN

General Assembly had also met with Guterres, as well as Nylander, in September of last year. Informal discussions were also held with Venezuelan counterparts.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have worsened ever since oil giant ExxonMobil announced in 2015 that it had found oil in Guyana. Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits were found

by ExxonMobil.

In fact, Venezuela’s National Assembly had approved an agreement to reject the oil exploration activities in March 2017.

Venezuela, with almost 40 times the population of Guyana and a territory that is several times bigger, purported to claim in 1968 the entire territorial sea of Guyana by means of the Leoni Decree, which has never been withdrawn.

In 2015, the Government of Guyana requested then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take steps towards resolving the controversy. In 2016, as a consequence of a stalemate on the matter, the outgoing Ban

agreed with his successor, Guterres, to continue to use the Good Offices Process until the end of 2017 as a means of arriving at a settlement.

It is with that intention that Guterres appointed Nylander as an envoy to resolve the border controversy.

According to the mandate of the Personal Representative, “If, by the end of 2017, the Secretary General concludes that no significant progress has been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice as the next means of settlement, unless the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

It is understood that if the Secretary General decides to refer the matter to the ICJ, this referral is not contingent on agreement from Venezuela. In a previous statement on the matter, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had noted that this referral does not require Venezuela’s approval beyond what is allotted in the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

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Thursday, JANUARY 11, 2018

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thursDAY, january 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police deny sugar workers use of loudspeaker in protest T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Wednesday expressed its concern and perplexity at the recent decision by the Guyana Police Force to disallow the use of a noisy instrument during its protest march.

On Tuesday, hundreds of dismissed sugar workers and their families along

Some of the sugar workers and their families at Tuesday’s protest

with Union representatives marched from the High Bridge at Rose Hall to the Canje Junction and back while demanding that they be paid their severance packages.

GAWU said they wrote a letter on January 4, 2018, to B Division (Berbice) Commander Lyndon Alves, requesting permission to use a noisy instrument during the march and that permission was granted on January 8.

“On this occasion though, just prior to the commencement of the march at 07:00h, we were informed

by the Police that the use of a noisy instrument during the march was not permitted. We immediately objected and drew to the officers present the Union’s, as well as the Police Force’s correspondences. Despite what we view as a clearly approved application, the officers insisted we could not proceed to use the noisy instrument,” the Union said in a statement.

The Union further stated that following the march, they met with Commander Alves who indicated that he did not grant approval for the use of a noisy in-

strument. The statement added that the Union has since penned a letter to acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, expressing their concern.

“Our Union is at a loss as to the cause for the sudden denial. We cannot help but wonder whether there was any undue influence in an attempt to derail our activity. Not only were similar approvals granted to GAWU by the Police Force but we are aware that other organisations have, generally, been granted similar permission too,” the statement added.

Tempers flare at City Hall over Stabroek Market Clock repairs

I

n 2016, the United States embassy in Guyana donated US$41,000 for the rehabilitation of the iconic Stabroek Market Clock and since then the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown have been battling to have it repaired. At Monday’s statutory meeting, tempers flared and emotions ran wild as the M&CC tried to decide on a course of action in relation to the clock.

Town Clerk Royston King said while the money sits in the coffers of City Hall, the municipality simply cannot afford to have the clock repaired at this time. He explained that according to the engineers, before the clock is repaired the entire area that houses the clock would have to be rehabilitated.

“We should do the housing because the housing is in a real terrible condition that is to say the stairway and all the other parts that house the clock,” King said.

The Town Clerk noted that

The Stabroek Market Clock

they were trying to execute the rehab works but did not have the capacity and would have tendered for it twice but noted they are not in the financial position to have it done. Only two companies qualified for the works and estimates it to be $24 million and $32 million respectively.

Based on that information, at the last Markets and Public Health Committee meeting it was decided that the Committee Chairman, Deputy Mayor Lionel Jaikaran, would

approach the Government for some assistance.

At Monday’s statutory meeting, Jaikaran noted that at the time when the decision was taken, the city was and still remains in a financial crisis hence the reason for the proposal to approach the Government. He noted that they were informed that the contractor was willing to complete the work in credit but said that the committee was against this.

Turn to page 17

news

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thursDAY, january 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ToRs empower UK expert to review all SOCU investigations T

he Irish white-collar crime expert working alongside the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), has hit back at accusations that he has been overstepping his authority at the Unit. The Unit’s Advisor, Dr Sam Sittlington, refuted the criticisms that have come his way.

Sittlington, who only returned to his old job advising SOCU, on Monday addressed the issue during a press conference hosted by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn.

The Advisor rejected claims that he interfered in the workings of the Unit from an operation perspective.

He stressed that while he may sometimes have to be on the ground to observe SOCU’s handling of investigations, this is just so he can make recommendations. He stressed that he is here to advise SOCU and that he will do so from a safe distance.

“Although I'm there to assist SOCU and advise them, I do that from a prop-

UK crime expert Sam Sittlington

er distance. Sometimes I may have to observe them from the ground when they're involved in searches and interviews to see whether they're asking (the right) questions. And that their search procedures are (effective) and that they're collecting evidence in the proper manner and the continuity of the evidence being seized from the property.”

According to Sittlington,

those are areas of an investigation where a case can fall apart. But he reiterated he does not make decisions on behalf of SOCU, but rather gives advice and trains individual officers based on his knowledge and experience.

“I've been doing this a long time and I've been doing it in a lot of countries.

The Terms of Reference are very clear about what I’m doing and there’s nothing in there to justify (claims).

I rely on the public to see through any undermining of me.”

“I have a track record, it speaks for itself and you know if someone is convicted and sent to prison, (then) the first thing they say to the prison guard is I didn’t do it. So the evidence there will speak for itself. Criticism against me, I used to have broad shoulders, they’re not broad anymore, for me, its water on the duck’s back.”

Sittlington was hired by the British in January 2016 and seconded to SOCU. As a result, British High

The Special Organised Crime Unit

Commissioner Quinn also defended him against the accusations of undue influence. According to Quinn, Sittlington’s Terms of Reference mean he has to advice SOCU on cases, no matter which Government is in power.

“If the Government changed tomorrow, Sam would be able to continue on based on the Terms of Reference,” Quinn related. “The first mentor we provided to SOCU was in 2014, under the previous Administration. So there is no link to UK assistance to

In light of sexual assault allegations

M&CC wants power to discipline constab officers

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he Legal Affairs and Security Committee of the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown has been tasked with reviewing and making amendments to the Municipality and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01 to allow for City Hall to be able to discipline their officers.

The move comes on the heels of an investigation by the Committee into allegations of sexual assault involving a City Constabulary Officer and a minor in custody. The Committee found that Chapter 28:01 allows the municipality to only discipline officers who earns below $18,000.

At a previous statutory meeting, Chairman of the Committee, Sherod Duncan, said the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 dictates that City Hall would be unable to discipline the officers since they are paid over $18,000 per annum.

“Now everybody above $18,000 per annum would have to submit themselves to be disciplined through the Local Government Commission… the legal advice is that the recommendations and report be submitted to the Local Government Commission for an investigation and determination of the matter,” Duncan had stated.

It was advised that Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan review the specific sections of the act that address the issue of $18,000 per annum.

At Monday’s statutory meeting, Mayor Patricia

Chase Green noted that if they are to refer all disciplinary matters to the Local Government Commission, then it would cause a backlog.

“We have to talk to the Minister about that, in terms of how we are going to look at the scales and what scales are expected to be deferred for disciplinary action to the Local Government Commission and for what scale we can deal with at the level of this Council. If we have to send every single body, I don’t see us moving forward in having some matters dealt with as speedily as we would like,” she lamented.

It was Town Clerk Royston King who advised that the Legal Affairs and Security Committee look at the legislation and make recommendations for its amendment before approaching the Minister.

“We will have to do it and recommend it to the Minister because as for now we are not in a good position to discipline any officer or worker that is receiving above $18,000. As you know we don’t have anyone receiving below $18,000 so as of now the authority to discipline is with the Commission but the legal advice has suggested that we ourselves look at making amendments to the law,” he advised.

Following the revelation of the legal advice, the Mayor then proceeded to bash the Town Clerk for withholding vital information from the Council, hence stalling a process that should have already commenced. She then ordered that the review of the law

SOCU to one political administration.”

Two days after a number of former Government officials were arrested and questioned, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, along with SOCU Head Sydney James and Dr Sittlington, were seen at a popular city café.

They appeared to be clinking glasses in an extremely celebratory atmosphere in the dimly lit establishment.

The parliamentary Opposition had been critical of this seemingly cozy friendship and had urged that the matter be probed.

When asked about it, Sittlington denied anything untoward had occurred.

Noting that he had to be friendly with the persons he worked with at SOCU, Sittlington was adamant that he had paid for his own food and drinks and played down the episode.

ToRs

Town Clerk Royston King

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

be given priority at the next Committee meeting.

Foo, and ASP Virjanand Gafur – supervisor of investigations be sent on 14 days leave for serious neglect of duty as it related to their roles in investigating sexual assault involving a minor at the City Constabulary.

The Committee also expressed an alarming concern about the breaches of Standard Operating Procedures at all levels of the City Constabulary and general administration.

As it relates to Corporal Baveghems, the Committee found that he failed to record the alleged incident as well as his departure time in the station diary. In addition, he failed to inform the Duty Officer of the incident.

As a result, the Committee recommended that he be strongly reprimanded.

The report of the Committee was sent to the Local Government Commission and the Town Clerk has since reported that the Commission indicated that they would address the incident after they are finished setting up their secretariat.

For now the two officers continue to be paid by the cash strapped municipality.

The allegations Corporal Quacy Baveghems claimed that he witnessed Lance Corporal Clifton Pellew, of the City Constabulary engaged in a sexual act with a minor in August. The incident allegedly occurred when a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody on August 17, 2017, and placed before the court on a charge of wandering. At some point during his detention for reasons unknown, the minor was transferred to the M&CC’s Regent Street Outpost where the alleged incident occurred between August 22 and 23.

The incident caused quite a stir as citizens accused the municipality’s administration of attempting to cover up the incident.

However, it was reported to the Police a few weeks after and the investigation is still ongoing. Additionally, the officers have been sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Police investigation.

City Hall’s Legal Affairs and Security Committee has since recommended that Chief Constable Andrew

This publication was able to view Sittlington’s employment Terms of Reference. His job will include a detailed review of all current investigations being carried out by SOCU. He is also mandated to provide advice and guidance on each case, as well as make

recommendations on lines of enquiries to follow.

Sittlington will also advice or assist in liaising with other internal and external agencies, to facilitate probes. He can also advise the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Attorney General’s Chambers on procedure for general and specific criminal matters. The expert is also tasked with liaising with the Judiciary with respect to money laundering and asset recovery cases.

The ToR details that Sittlington will “conduct meetings, workshops, research and discussion with key stakeholder agencies to assess and evaluate the impact of economic crime; conduct training needs analysis of SOCU and partner agencies and address gaps in operational requirement; Review previous recommendations and their implementation or not, reassess, modify through discussion with partner agencies.”

He also has to review the impact of the new State Asset Recovery Bill on the unit’s investigations by discussing and meeting with the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA); nor does his role end here, as he will be the liaison between SOCU and the Barbadosbased Regional Security System (RSS).

The ToR adds that he will be submitting a quarterly report detailing activities during the reporting period for review to the UK National Crime Agency and the British High Commission; annual reports are also required to close off each financial year. It is understood that Sittlington will be on and off the job for six months at a time, up until 2020.

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News

6 robbed by gunmen in separate attacks

A

lone gunman is now being pursued by the Police after he reportedly attacked an accountant and taxi driver, robbing them of their valuables on Tuesday.

The accountant, Lauren Thomas, 29, of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) left the Regent Street bank where she worked in a taxi which was being driven by the second victim, 43-yearold Mark Hogobin of Kitty, Georgetown.

According to reports, Hogobin arrived at Providence, at around 20:20h when suddenly he was stopped by a male on a motorcycle who stopped in front of his taxi.

After Hogobin was forced to stop the vehicle, the perpetrator came off his motorcycle and walked to the driver’s side of the car, drew a gun and struck the driver to his head.

He then relieved both Hogobin and Thomas of their valuables amounting to over $90,000. The perpetrator then made good his escape in a northern direction. The matter was reported and the Police are investigating.

In the meanwhile, 21-year-old Dominique Garraway was attacked at

P

around 20:00h on Tuesday and robbed of over $50,000 worth of valuables including a gold band.

The incident occurred at Crown and New Garden Streets, Georgetown, as Garraway and friends were leaving Churches Chicken.

They were stopped by two men, one of whom was armed and Garraway was robbed while his friends ran away.

Also, Boodram Hemraj, 61, and Ramdin (only name given) both of Independence Street, West Bank Demerara (WBD) were robbed of one weeding machine by gunmen.

The incident occurred at around 05:30h at Church Street in the vicinity of the Lodge building.

Enquiries revealed the victims had stopped at Church Street to begin working when the gunmen

Schoolboy stabbed by bicycle bandits

A

15-year-old student of Central High School was stabbed multiple times by two bandits as he was on his way home from after school lessons.

Reports are on Tuesday, the teen was almost a corner away from his Green Heart Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown home when he was attacked by the duo.

Guyana Times was told that the bandits, who appeared to be in their teens, approached him and one of them then pushed his hands into the school boy’s pocket and took away his cellphone.

A fight then broke out among the three, after which the school boy was pushed to the ground and dealt several blows to his body.

In a bid to block further injury, the teen attempted to bar the stabs with his arm, and the duo still managed to inflict five stab wounds on his right arm.

Korner Kick manager was murdered – post-mortem

This newspaper was told that persons in the area saw was transpiring and raised an alarm. This led to the two fleeing the scene.

Speaking with this publication, the teen’s mother said after learning about the incident, she went to the scene and took her injured teen to the East La Penitence Police Station to file a report.

While at the Police Station, the mother said a friend who saw the incident, decided to drive behind the alleged bandits and saw that they went into a house in the East La Penitence area.

The mother then related this information to the Police, who encouraged her to take the child for a medical and return to the station. The Police have since launch an investigation into the matter. No arrest has been made yet.

rode up on a motorcycle and showed the men a gun before escaping with the weeding machine.

That matter was reported and the Police are investigating.

And finally, Shafeek Azeez, a 51-year-old supervisor at Pretty Paul Singh Investment and of CC Eccles, EBD was robbed of his bird and birdcage along with cash by two men; one of whom attempted to spray him with pepper spray.

The incident occurred at Providence, EBD at round 06:45h on Wednesday.

That matter was reported and is also being investigated. (Kizzy Coleman)

olice detectives are now pursuing a homicide case after a post-mortem examination has determined that the Korner Kick Bar and Restaurant manager found dead in his bed could not have shot himself.

The lifeless body of 21-year-old Tevin Parris was found with a gunshot wound to the head on Monday morning at his Lot 66 Garnett Street, Newtown, Georgetown home.

Initially, investigators were treating the case as suicide since a 9mm pistol containing 14 live rounds of ammunition was found in his hand. Additionally, a matching spent shell was recovered from the scene.

However, while the post-mortem examination revealed that Parris died as a result of a single gunshot, Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, who conducted the autopsy on Wednesday

Dead, Tevin Parris

morning, has found that the warhead entered the young man’s right nostril and exited the middle of the head.

It was determined that given the trajectory, the gunshot wound “was not self-inflicted”.

A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander

Marlon Chapman subsequently told Guyana Times that the probe would continue as a murder investigation.

Parris’s body was discovered by his uncle some time around 07:40h. The Police had not ruled out anything despite the scene being consistent with that of a suicide, and the family members of the now dead man had maintained that he was murdered, saying he had no reasons to take his own life.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the young man was not a holder of a firearm licence and as such, checks are being made to trace the ownership of the weapon. When asked about this, Chapman said that the Police were still trying to determine whether the weapon was licensed.

In the meantime, the body of Parris has been handed over to relatives for burial.

Reading corner for health centres in Region 6

I

n an effort to improve literacy and make visits to health centres in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) more accommodating, the Education Ministry, in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry, has established a reading corner at the New Amsterdam Family Health Centre.

On Monday, the Education Ministry, through its Region Six Literacy Coordinator, Simone Dainty, launched the initiative.

According to Dainty, the goal of this pilot programme is to facilitate reading and promote literacy throughout Region Six. She observed that the centres will provide

Mothers and other residents perusing the reading material at the reading corner

mothers attending clinic appointments with an opportunity to read to their chil-

dren, thereby fostering an appreciation for books from an early age.

Persons visiting the centres will be able to access books as well as educational tools such as puzzles, letter and number cards, and colouring books among other items for their toddlers and babies. There are plans to add reading materials for adults to the collection in the future.

Dainty stated that the Education Ministry would continue to visit the health centres to monitor the progression of the reading corner.

The Literacy Coordinator stated that similar projects would be established at other health facilities throughout East Berbice.

Local students benefit from social justice issues training

S

tudents of School of the Nations benefited from a training programme in the area of social justice issues.

The programme was conducted by a private not-forprofit, Bahá’í-inspired, residential high school, Nancy Campbell High School, whose students travelled to Georgetown from Canada to train the students in areas of social issues such as drug abuse, equality between men and women, domestic abuse, gang violence, and racism.

While the aim for the programme is to learn from each other and help establish the World Citizenship programme, a number of the youth of The School of Nations in 4th to 6th forms utilised their free time between classes and after

A student of Nancy Campbell High School, Raya Abu-Nuwar, singing at one of the training sessions at School of the Nations

school to commit to become active agents for social action in their communities.

The goal of this programme is to use the arts to touch on such prevalent issues that not only take place in Canada and Guyana, but also all over the world.

The youths of Nancy Campbell High School worked for months, training and practicing in order

to be fully prepared to meet the students and to also build strong bonds of friendships with the youths at the school.

The youth from Canada are also training the youth from Guyana through the Ruhi Institute, to become involved in the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programme.

The Ruhi Institute has

attached special importance to this educational programme and typically engages older youth as animators of younger peers aged 11 to 15 to help them develop their powers of expression, capacities for moral reasoning, developing a moral identity and an ethic of service to others.

The programme combines study, mentorship and social action.

According to a representative of the Academy, they believe every student has the right to be one of tomorrow’s leaders and the students are critical thinkers who plan to make a positive change in the world.

The fundamental focus is advanced academics while the fundamental difference is our foundation.

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17

News

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrated in Guyana T

he Indian High Commission in Guyana on Tuesday hosted a local celebration of the 2018 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which is held bi-annually in India to honour overseas-based Indians who have made contributions towards the development of the country.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which translates to Indian Diaspora, is observed on January 9 annually and commemorates the return of Mahatama Gandhi, the country’s greatest Pravasi, to India from South Africa to lead the independence struggle.

This year’s event was held under the theme: “Diaspora – The connection with India”. It also saw the hosting of the first ever People of Indian Origin (PIO) Parliamentarian Conference.

A section of the gathering at the event on Tuesday

A 23-member Guyanese delegation of 20 Members of Parliament (MPs), including former President Bharrat Jagdeo, attended the conference on Tuesday in New Delhi, India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebration in India started back in 2003 and

provides a platform to discuss issues concerning the Indian Diaspora. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are also given.

Prominent Guyanese such as former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar along with business tycoon, Dr Yesu Persaud

GWI to clamp down on stealing of water

T

he Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is taking steps to immediately clamp down on non-revenue water loss, particularly that caused by pilfering or metering inaccuracies.

According to GWI’s Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, plans are underway this year to install ultrasonic meters countrywide to alleviate the issue. “In 2017, we discovered a number of issues with people taking water illegally and it’s a good spectrum of people taking water illegally – those who live in opulence, those who are squatting, but these things we have to arrest…We have to meter the entire coun-

try if we are to reduce the non-revenue loss.”

Dr Van West-Charles was at the time outlining the utility company’s 2017 year-end performance. He explained that the meters to be installed were proven successful during a recent pilot programme. “… these new meters are able to detect leaks in homes. It will also help us to become more efficient in meter reading.”

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), citizens are being encouraged to be responsible, report leakages and pay their bills in a timely manner, as these measures will assist the water company as it continues to upgrade its

services. During 2017, GWI had embarked on purchasing and installing approximately 20,000 meters, but the process was delayed owing to issues with the procurement process. The Managing Director is optimistic that the full implementation of the devices will be achieved in 2018 and unmetered customers and those who require meters replaced will be the beneficiaries. The Government has indicated its commitment to support GWI as it aims to achieve universal access to safe and affordable drinking water. To this end, the sum of $3.2 billion was allocated in the 2018 National Budget for the water sector.

have all been recipients of the award in the past.

Addressing the gathering at the local celebrations held at the Indian Culture Centre, High Commissioner V e n k a t a c h a l a m Mahalingam said IndoGuyanese, who are the in third and fourth generations of indentured ancestors, have made great contributions in shaping Guyana.

He noted too that in doing all this, they managed to preserve many of the cultures and traditions passed on by their foreparents.

“Amazingly, they have preserved their Indian culture in various forms through religious practices music, costumes, food habits, etc, though they have lost linguistic and family contacts from their ancestral land primarily due to enor-

mous distance involved,” he stated.

However, Mahalingam noted that the High Commission has since been engaged in various activities to further strengthen and sustain the cultures and traditions that were passed down. In fact, he noted that the High Commission will soon be organising cooking classes to teach Guyanese authentic Indian cuisines.

Meanwhile, Cultural Activist Neaz Subhan was invited to speak on the topic: ‘Continuation of Cultural Moorings – Guyana’s experience’.

He reflected on the journeys of Indian ancestors, who ensured that their identities, especially their cultural genetics, were never compromised when they decided to stay and build their lives in this foreign land.

However, while much has been done to preserve the culture and traditions passed down, Subhan warned of the cultural erosion that is largely impacted by western and other influences, including technology.

He urged Indo-Guyanese to remember in mind and spirit who they are and where they came from. “…We must not allow ourselves to succumb to complacency for it is being bombarded by tremendous influences with unfortunate erosion in some areas. But

we cannot give up and must not be overwhelmed by the influences despite the difficulties and the lure, for if we do, then I don’t think we can genuinely pay homage to our indentured foreparents and the value of their selfless sacrifices can eventually disappear. While there is not so a subtle hint of gloom in that, we must also be proud of what we have done within the context of the Guyanese experience,” he said.

On this note, the cultural activist posited that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas must be seen as an avenue to foster ideas and introspection that will aid in the navigation through the challenges and times when necessary adaptation is no longer an option.

The opportunity afforded to Indians across the world to meaningfully participate is not only most useful, but must be commended.

The longevity of our culture, the continuation of the cultural moorings so that we can have and preserve the Guyanese experience, may depend a lot on such events including this simple gathering here this afternoon,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, Subhan noted that on the local context, Indo-Guyanese must find ways and means beyond to sustain and broaden the efforts triggered by the cultural moorings over time.

Linden municipality to pilot “Green” project initiative

Miner nabbed with 279g marijuana

A

41-year-old miner of Canvas City, Linden was arrested about 10:40h on Wednesday at 30 Miles Potaro Road with 279 grams of cannabis in a haversack he had slung on his shoulders.

At the time of arrest, two Police ranks were in the area conducting a mobile patrol on an AllTerrain Vehicle (ATV) when they noticed the suspicious behaviour of the miner. A search of his per-

Tempers flare at...

“I do not agree that we should be taking credit especially when we cannot honour our employees’ wages bills. The last decision I made is that the Deputy Town Clerk would get a letter addressed for us from the Council to say what has happened and this is where we stand,” he said.

However, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke, noted that the Council missed its window of opportunity since the repairs to the housing area was never brought up during the budget consultations.

A number of Councillors supported the idea of approaching the Government, noting that the clock is a

son and haversack was conducted and the drug was found.

The suspect who has admitted ownership of the illicit substance is being processed for court.

From page 14

symbol of national patrimony and as such the Government would be on board to assist with its rehabilitation.

Nevertheless, in the usual manner of butting heads with the Council, Town Clerk King strongly advised against approaching the Government noting that the Council should engage its faculties and look at other options. “When you go to the Government for money you compromise your authority and autonomy and we see that happening. The Council must engage its faculties and use the provisions in the law and have its own funds to carry out works.

We do not have a credit card

with Government and we must engage our faculties to decide to how we would approach our work,” King said.

Mayor Patricia Chase Green said the Council should not be in the habit of going to the Government for everything, noting that they must explore revenue-earning options.

According to the National Trust, Governor Cornelius H Kortwright officially opened the Stabroek Market on November 1, 1881. Built partly on land and water, this steel structure was designed by an American engineer, McKay and serves as one of the main hubs for economic activities in the capital city.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland (front centre) and Head of the Office of Climate Change, Janelle Christian (third from right) pose with municipal Councillors

T

he municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) is on the verge of creating a 'greening' initiative pilot project which involves financing under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) – an initiative which is being peddled by the Office of Climate Change within the Ministry of the Presidency.

On Tuesday, Head of the Office of Climate Change, Janelle Christian, along with other officials including consultants, met with Linden Outgoing Mayor Carwyn Holland and Councillors to discuss plans for the initiative. Christian said the Office of Climate Change have been working with the United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP) to elaborate on a national project for financing. She noted that the visit was geared at better understanding the projection for the town and for engagement with consultants, who will work along with the Mayor and his team to shape the project.

"An important component of that is to look at community-based pilots with respect to energy efficiency and renewable energy. And so, the municipality of Linden...

Upper Demerara-Berbice region, we're hoping to work with a community there..." she explained.

She said there is a particular interest in working with youth to ensure climate change awareness and

to work towards the mandate of Guyana becoming a ‘Green state’. Full medium-scale proposals for community-based pilots are expected to be approved by the end of March. Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Holland in response said it is important for Linden to go green, as he pointed out that the community would have already commenced its Green Space Project. An area which needs to be examined, he noted, is that of energy efficiency, regardless of the fact that the community receives cheap electricity. The Mayor noted that the municipality would have already put together a proposal which was sent to the Office of Climate Change.

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thursDAY, january 11, 2018

ARCHIE

Give a little, take a little.

ARIES Learn to share and to com(March 21- promise with the people you April 19) care about most. How you treat others will determine how you are treated in return.

Start discussions that TAURUS will lead to positive changes (April 20- to your lifestyle and the dyMay 20) namics of relationships that are important to you. Selfimprovement and added romance are featured.

dilbert

You are best off focusing GEMINI on getting along with your (May 21peers and undertaking joint June 20) ventures. Knowing what’s going on at all times will help you ward off unnecessary losses or setbacks.

Personal changes are favored. Update your appear(June 21- ance or use your charm to July 22) encourage someone to spend more time with you. Love and romance will improve your life.

CANCER

Peanuts

Search for truth and be LEO willing to make personal (July 23- changes. Aim to lower your Aug. 22) overhead and revamp your lifestyle or living arrangements to fit your budget. Take the high road.

Plan a vacation or to adVIRGO just how or where you live.

(Aug. 23Sprucing up your surroundSept. 22) ings, making plans with loved ones and personal physical improvements are favored.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

An opportunity is apparent. Not all the changes that take place will be to your liking, making it vital that you think about your needs when making a decision.

The planets are aligned, SCORPIO and the chance to make per(Oct. 24sonal, financial and profesNov. 22) sional gains will unfold if you are quick to take advantage of an opportune situation that develops.

Don’t share personal inSAGITTARIUS formation with someone us(Nov. 23ing charming tactics to put Dec. 21) you at ease. Be the one asking the questions instead of the one put in a vulnerable position.

YESTERDAY’S

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Updating your image or CAPRICORN adopting a healthier life(Dec. 22style is a good idea. How Jan. 19) you present who you are and what you can do will attract support, interest and new beginnings.

Listen carefully when AQUARIUS dealing with the powers(Jan. 20that-be. You need to fully unFeb. 19) derstand the consequences before you make a decision that will affect your future.

Avoid indulgent behavior.

You are in the driver’s PISCES (Feb. 20- seat. Negotiate to bring March 20) about the changes that will help you reach your goal.

Love and romance will be more stable as you move forward.

thursDAY, january 11, 2018

19

“I believe we can win” …confident Persaud departs for Youth World Cup

By Akeem Greene

B

rewing with confidence and high expectations, Windies under-19 wicketkeeper batsman Joshua Persaud departed these shores on Wednesday afternoon to meet the regional youth team in New Zealand for ICC Youth 50-over World Cup. His fellow countrymen left since December 28 for their preparatory camp in New Zealand but the player’s departure was delayed for what is understood to be VISA issues.

When Guyana Times Sport spoke to the player at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, he placed the disappointment behind and conveyed his readiness for the title defence.

While not giving any specific details on why his departure was delayed, he stated, “I was a bit disappointed not getting to initially travel with the rest of my team since I knew being a part of the camp in New Zealand would have been great in helping me acclimatise but I am still happy be heading off now and joining the team. I am confident I

Joshua Persaud at the departure area of the Eugene F Correia International Airport

can make a positive impact when given the opportunity.”

Aside from the camp, Windies would have played one warm-up match against Papua New Guinea which they won comfortably by seven wickets while the other scheduled for Tuesday against Zimbabwe was washed out.

They will now open their campaign against hosts, New Zealand on Saturday while four days later they face South Africa then Kenya on January 20 for their final group match.

The 17 year-old has to endure overnight stays in Barbados and Dubai before reaching New Zealand until Saturday morning which likely rules him out of the opener.

“I have a rigorous travel schedule ahead of me which usually takes a toll on the body but I tried to stay fit while still in Guyana, doing the necessary gym work. I kept in contact with my teammates so I always knew what were the team plans heading into the tournament. I am confident I can hit the ground running if called upon,” the player explained.

With the boyhood dream now being fulfilled, the elegant right-handed batsman

Joshua Persaud, along with Bhaskar Yadram and Cepas Cooper, listening attentively to the advice of Head Coach Graeme West at a previous preparation camp

said the nerves are creeping in but he plans on remaining focus and sticking to the basics which has brought him success over the years.

Quizzed on whether he thinks the region has what it takes to stage a momentous title defence, he responded confidently in the affirmative.

“Yes I fully believe we can win the title again. We have been training very hard for an extended period.

We know each other’s weakness and strengths and with

Chelsea, Arsenal play to goalless draw A

rsenal recovered from the humiliation of their FA Cup third-round exit at Championship side Nottingham Forest to earn a battling draw in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea.

The Gunners, with manager Arsene Wenger watching from the Stamford Bridge press box as he serves a technical area suspension, showed the resilience that was missing at the City Ground to frustrate Chelsea.

Arsenal were also the beneficiaries of careless Chelsea finishing, with Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Christensen culprits with poor headed efforts, while keeper David Ospina saved well from Victor Moses and Alvaro Morata.

Alexandre Lacazette blazed Arsenal’s best chance over the bar in the first half but there was no doubt they were happier with the result to set up the second leg at Emirates Stadium.

Referee Martin Atkinson consulted the video assistant referee (VAR) system on two penalty claims, when Moses tangled with Ainsley Maitland-

the advice coach Graeme West has been giving we can do it. It is important we remain calm and have match awareness. Sticking to the basics will help us reach the final.”

The Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) club player will join fellow countrymen Ashmead Nedd, Raymond Perez, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Bhaskar Yadram at the World Cup. The rest of the squad comprises of Emmanuel Stewart

– Captain (Windward Islands- Grenada), Kirstan Kallicharan – Vice Captain (Trinidad & Tobago), Alick Athanaze(Windward IslandsDominica), Cephas Cooper- (Trinidad & Tobago), Jarion Hoyte(Barbados), Kimani Melius(Windward Islands- St. Lucia), Kian Pemberton(Leeward Islands- St.Kitts & Nevis), Jeavor Royal(Jamaica), Keagan Simmons(Trinidad & Tobago) and Nyeem Young(Barbados).

BMX silver medallist in coma after accident

O

This was the fourth meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea this season. All have ended in draws, with Arsenal winning August’s Community Shield on penalties

Niles in the first half and for Danny Welbeck’s last-minute challenge on Fabregas, but he was satisfied enough with the evidence relayed to him not to award a spot-kick.

The two sides will meet in the second leg at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, 24 January.

Chelsea had the opportunities

to build an advantage for the second leg - but found Arsenal in resilient mood and wasted the chances that presented themselves.

Arsenal needed a show of strength after Sunday’s embarrassing FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest and showed steel, with Shkodran Mustafi and

Calum Chambers excellent in defence.

Fabregas wasted a clear headed chance in the first half, while Christensen was also profligate - which led to frustration for manager Antonio Conte and an animated discussion with the match officials after the final whistle. (BBC Sport)

lympic BMX silver medallist Jelle van Gorkom is in a coma after a training accident on Tuesday.

The Royal Dutch Cycling Union said the 27-year-old had "broken ribs, a fracture in the face, a tear in the skull and damage to the liver, spleen and kidneys".

The incident occurred at the National Sports Centre Papendal in Arnhem.

Van Gorkom won silver medals at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio Games.

Bas de Bever, the Dutch national BMX coach, asked that the rider, his girlfriend and his family be given "peace and privacy", while Jochem Schellens, director at the National Sports Centre Papendal, added: "It is a terrible accident and... we wish them all the strength in the coming Jelle van Gorkom won silver at the 2015 World Championships period." (BBC Sport) and the Rio Olympics in 2016

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, january 11, 2018

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18…

Teams playing for revenge & higher placements – Devon Smith closing in on 1000 runs their final position in the table after a topsy-turvy season, the same goal when Jamaica Scorpions host Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Sabina Park.

Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, St George’s, Grenada

W

Devon Smith is the season’s leading run scorer with 899 runs from eight matches

ith the destination decided for the Headley/ Weekes Trophy, symbol of WINDIES first-class supremacy, focus will shift naturally to individual performances of the players, but there are still goals which each of the teams will be looking to fulfill in the Digicel 4-Day Championship.

Barbados Pride will look to spoil newly-crowned champions Guyana Jaguars celebrations when they meet in the feature match of the ninth round, beginning today at the Kensington Oval.

Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force clash at the Grenada National Stadium with the aim of improving

Blessed with good fortune in their last three games that have brought them a tie, a win and a draw, Volcanoes will be hoping that the positive trend continues.

Red Force however, are strongly favoured to complete the season sweep, even though fortune has not been too kind to them, and they have slumped to defeats in their last two matches after starting the season strongly.

The visitors have won their last three matches against Volcanoes, including the corresponding contest at this same venue last season.

Squads: Volcanoes; Tyrone Theophile (captain), Miles Bascombe, Roland Cato, Larry Edward, Kirk Edwards, Kavem Hodge, Delorn Johnson, Shermon Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Shane Shillingford, Denis Smith, Devon Smith, Josh Thomas Red Force; Denesh Ramdin (captain), Yannic Cariah, Bryan Charles, Amir Jangoo, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Ewart Nicholson, Anderson Philip, Khary Pierre, Isaiah Rajah, Jeremy Solozano, Daniel St. Clair, Tion Webster.

Jamaica Scorpions vs Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Kingston, Jamaica

Another ding-dong battle is expected between Scorpions and Hurricanes, two teams whose confidence are in different places at the moment.

Hurricanes have been buoyed by their sensational, come-frombehind victory over Red Force in the previous round, at the same time that Scorpions crashed to defeat against Jaguars.

Based on the pattern over the last three seasons in the PCL, Hurricanes are favoured to win the return leg of the series, after they were beaten soundly in the first leg.

But this expectation has to be tempered, due to the fact that they have won just once in their three previous matches at this venue – albeit

Burton, Jason Campbell, Keacy Carty, Jahmar Hamilton, Chaim Holder, Montcin Hodge, Jeremiah Louis, Mervyn Matthew, Akeem Saunders, Devon Thomas.

The leading run scorers are Devon Smith with 899 runs followed by Denesh Ramdin on 620 and Anthony Bramble on 493 runs while Imran Khan with 46 scalps leads the bowling charts followed

by Veerasammy Permaul on 44 and Jeremiah Louis on 34.

last year.

Squads: Scorpions; Nikita Miller (capt a i n ) , Fabian Allen, Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Assad Fudadin, Derval Green, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Christopher Lamont, Andre McCarthy, Marquino Mindley, Paul Palmer, Chadwick Walton.

Hurricanes; Kieran Powell (captain), Sheeno Berridge, Rashidi Boucher, Shane

Chadwick Walton returns from international duties for his first match this season

Djokovic returns in time Champion of for Australian Open champions softball F set for Sunday

T

Regal Masters will look to begin 2018 on a winning note this Sunday

he softball cricket season bowls off on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground with a four-team invitational round robin competition beginning at 10:00h.

The competition which is organized by the Georgetown

Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc) will see Regal Masters, HS Masters, Tropical Springs and Ariel Masters playing each other for trophies and medals.

Matches will be 15-overs per side and teams will seek to impress to get the early

momentum in what is expected to be a busy year for the GSCL Inc. In February, the body is expected to host the annual Republic Cup nationwide tournament while the Prime Minister’s Softball Cup II will go down in the last quarter of 2018.

ormer world some fitness concerns for him. n u m b e r "There was a doubt, especialone Novak ly after I pulled out of the first Djokovic says he week of the year," said Djokovic, intends to play who had not played since retiring in in the Australian the Wimbledon quarter-finals last July.

Open "for now".

"I don't say I'm at 100%, I can only The Serb resay that when I get the feel of a tournaturned after six ment. months out with an "Ideally I would have had anothelbow injury to win er tournament before the start of the 6-1 6-4 against world Open, but it was not meant to be." number five Dominic Djokovic, who pulled out of a Thiem, 25, at the warm-up tournament in Abu Dhabi Kooyong Classic. last week, easily overpowered The 30-year-old said Thiem, who only arrived in he was "very happy with Melbourne on Monday how it went" after his first night after four days competitive game since in bed with a virus.

Wimbledon.

"I'm free of feWhen asked if he will play ver and healthy in the Grand Slam that starts again. I'm still jetnext week, he added: "For now, lagged and was I'm in the tournament." slow at the beginDjokovic, who has dropped ning of the match to number 14 in the world, will but I'll be fine for be chasing a record seventh the Open," the Australian Open title if he Austrian competes in the tournasaid. ment, which begins on 15 A n d y Murray, January.

Victoria Azarenka The 12-time Grand and Serena Williams have Slam champion already withdrawn from 2018's opening said potential fiveGrand Slam while Stan Wawrinka reset matches in mains a doubt. (BBC Sport) Melbourne hold Novak Djokovic

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sports

21

Guyanese trio FINED for breaching code of conduct

C

Vishaul Singh and Anthony Bramble

ricket West Indies advised that Guyana Jaguars’ pair of Anthony Bramble and Vishaul Singh, along with Jamaica Scorpions’ Assad Fudadin were penalised for Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct during the eighth round of matches which ended on Sunday in the Digicel 4-Day Championship.

Bramble, Singh and Fudadin all admitted to their respective offences – which occurred in the match between Scorpions and Jaguars at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica – and

accepted the imposition of the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings.

The charges were brought by umpires Jacqueline Williams and Johnathan Blades, along with reserve umpire Christopher Wright.

Match referee Denovan Hayles imposed fines as per the Code of Conduct having considered the umpires’ reports.

Assad Fudadin

UCCA/Roy Baijnauth T20

Scorpions drain Young Blood, Challengers trample Red Rose

N

umber 43 Scorpions and #48 Challengers picked up wins as the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) / Roy Baijnauth T20 knockout competition continued this week in Berbice.

In their match played at the # 70 Young Blood Ground on the Corentyne Coast, the # 43 Scorpions made light work of the # 70 Young Blood, whipping them by 7 wickets. Batting first, # 70 Young Blood were bowled out for 116 in 18 overs with Arjune Persaud 24 and C. Nandkishore (18), the top-scorers.

Bowling for # 73 Scorpions Farook Drepaul (2-25), R o n a l d Pottaya (2-28), Marcel Henry (221) and Bhajpaul Deen (3-14), ripped

through their opponents.

Replying to a decent target, the Scorpions cruised to 123 in just 11.3 overs with Marcel Henry and Pottaya slamming unbeaten 40’s.

Over at the # 69 Red Rose Venue, # 48 Challengers defeated hosts # 69 Red Rose by a massive 124 runs. Batting first # 48 Challengers scored 156 for 4 in their 20 overs thanks to Devin Baldeo (43), Monesh Lalu (41) and Mandrekhar Bhola (39). In the end, # 69 Red Rose were mowed down for 32 during their chase.

The competition continues over the next four weeks with the 12 teams who h a v e qualified from the previous rounds, preparing to do battle in the next rounds.

Bramble was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for a breach of Section 1.2 of the Code of Conduct during Jaguars’ second innings, when he was dismissed.

The umpires reported that Bramble pointed to his shoulder, indicating the ball did not touch his bat, when he was given out caught behind in the 13th over of his side’s second innings, displaying behaviour that could be deemed as showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.

S i n g h was charged 20 per cent of his match fee for a breach of Section

1.1 of the Code of Conduct during Jaguars’ second innings, when he was dismissed.

Singh was reported by the umpires for slamming his bat into the pavilion wall on leaving the field after his dismissal and then hitting a bottle in the direction of the reserve umpire, displaying behaviour that could be deemed as abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.

Fudadin, who is Guyanese but plays for the Jamaican franchise was also fined 15 per cent of his match fee for a breach of Section 1.2 of the Code of Conduct during the 38th over of the Jaguars’ second innings, when batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was ruled “not-out” following an appeal.

The umpires reported that Fudadin threw the ball and his helmet to the ground in dissatisfaction following the umpire’s ruling, displaying behaviour that could be deemed as showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.

The Guyana Jaguars went on to win the match by two wickets and the championship for a fourth consecutive time.

Muguruza

WITHDRAWS from Sydney

W

imbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has pulled out of the Sydney International with a thigh injury, five days before the start of the Australian Open.

The 24-year-old reached the quarter-finals with a 6-3 7-6 (86) win over Netherlands’ Kiki Bertens, 26.

But the top seed, who called for a medical timeout after the third game, withdrew hours after her victory.

“Since the start I felt a little bit my abductor,” the Spaniard said after claiming her first win of the season.

“I already felt it in Brisbane, so I thought I was going to be much better, but it came back.

“You always have to adapt.

Sometimes you don’t need to have a pain. You just want to play a certain style of game or some tactic.”

Despite only converting three of the 13 break-point opportunities i n the second set, Muguruza sealed victory on her fourth match point in the tiebreak.

It was a first win in four meetings with Bertens for Muguruza, who retired from last week’s Brisbane International with cramps.

(BBC Sport)

Garbine Muguruza was given a wildcard for the Sydney International

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, january 11, 2018

CWI/Digicel 4-Day Championships 2017-18…

Strengthened Pride seeking to spoil Jaguars’ party

Kemar Roach

Anthony Bramble

By Akeem Greene

H

osts Barbados Pride will start today’s penultimate round of the 2017/18 Cricket West Indies/ Digicel Four-Day Championship with the ultimate goal of bringing a blemish to Guyana Jaguars quest for another unbeaten run.

Jaguars have already confirmed their status as four-time champions given their unassailable points lead but based on the views from the management they do not want to take their foot off the pedal at the

Kensington Oval.

In the champions hold on the title, only Pride and Leeward Hurricanes have defeated them, which would give the hosts confidence of spoiling the party even though they are 49.2 points in the rear.

With the exception of Jason Holder and Carlos Braithwaite, Pride have the rest of marquee players returning from international duty to bolster the second-placed team which has endured an in-different season.

When a full-strength Pride met the Jaguars at the Mecca of cricket in the Region last season in a similar situation, they (Pride) were on the cusps of pulling off a crushing victory had it not been for local boy Raymon Reifer with a steely 35 in just 15 minutes shy of four hours at the crease.

After pulling his team from the brink of defeat, he nearly led them to victory taking four of the five Bajan wickets to fall in pursuit of just 93 late on the final day.

The all-rounder who is

now Windies newest Test addition, will again be a vital player for captain Leon Johnson.

The skipper himself will be hoping to end the season on high in a bid to regurgitate his Test career.

In his eight matches, he has scored 396 runs at an average of 28.28 runs per innings but made his highest First-Class score this season with a majestic 165 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Stepping up to the plate this season is wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble who sits third on championship’s batting charts with 493 points at an average of 49.30 while Test player Vishaul Singh is trailing closely with 485 runs at a healthy average of 53.88.

Seasoned campaigner, left-arm spinner

Veerasammy Permaul (44) and mediu m - p a c e r Keemo Paul (32) have been the two trump cards combining to take 76 wickets. Paul in particular will be licking h i s lips over facing h i s opponents again since he was awarded the Player-ofthe Match accolade for his match haul of 9-122 Shai Hope at Providence.

Staging the defence of home territory will be a powerful Pride unit

which includes five current Test players and two others with international experience.

Discarded One Day International player Jonathon Carter (450 runs) and Shayne Moseley (412) in his debut season has propped host throughout the season but now they have the support of Test batmen Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich.

Brathwaite and Hope had hammered scores of 143 and 215 not out when they last played the champions at the Oval in March 2017.

Their chief destroyers with the ball come in the form of former Test spinner Jomel Warrican and seasoned off-spinner Kenroy Williams who snared 32 and 19 wickets respectively.

However, Williams makes way for the pace artillery of Kemar Roach, Miguel Cummings and Chamar Holder.

With the exception of Pride’s humiliating innings and 4 runs defeat to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes where they failed to reach 150 in either innings earlier this season, the Bridgetown pitch has mostly produced scores in excess of 300 runs in the other two matches.

Regarding team news, all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford makes his way back in the place of injured fast-bowling spearhead Keon Joseph.

Also, Akshaya Persaud who made his debut in the last round but failed to grab the opportunity could likely miss out at the expense of original opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul who has recovered from illness.

Raymon Reifer

Pride Squad: Shamarh Brooks (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Chemar Holder, Shayne Moseley, Kemar Roach, Shamar Springer, Hayden Walsh Jr, Jomel Warrican.

Jaguars squad: Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Keemo Paul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble (wicketkeeper), Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford.

LGC season tees off with Trophy Stall Open T

Flooding at the Lusignan Golf Club seems to be an issue of the past

rophy Stall have been confirmed as sponsors for the Lusignan Golf Club’s (LGC) first tournament of 2018, set for Saturday January 13 at the newly restored course.

After some weeks of drainage and irrigation works at the course, golfers for the first time in roughly four years will take to the greens months ahead of the routine time. The club’s first major tournament of the year is expected to lure a full field of golfers, who according to LGC President Aleem Hussain have rushed to register in

order to have a crack at the new fairways.

Some of Guyana’s best Male and Female pros are set to grace the greens, with high-caliber players like eight-time women’s' champion Christine Sukhram, two-time champion Joaan Deo and eighttime men’s' champion Avinash Persaud all looking to start 2018 off with a bang.

Trophy Stall has been a long-time sponsor of sports in Guyana, more so the LGC who it has been supporting a lot over the years. Managing Director Ramesh Sunich pledged

his continued support to the fraternity, especially in light of the plans that the Club has for the next few years.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s competition will feature numerous prizes, lunch and snack being provided to players, members and guests as the LGC seeks to establish itself as the destination for events and relaxation.

thursDAY, january 11, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

23

Guyana to host opening match …5 matches likely for Providence

Caribbean Premier League Chief Operating Officer Pete Russell

es especially in Australia, New Zealand and in India and the other parts of Asia where there are likely to have a lot of eyeballs.

Also, the COO added that it was critical for more young players to be intro-

over the seasons while some of them have even gone onto play for their countries at the senior level or West Indies.

Regarding teams’ player retention rule and salary cap, Russell said that

tive, Guyana recorded some US$14 million or 2.8 Billion Guyana dollars in turnovers from last year’s CPL, prompting the COO to hail the tournament’s value as a marketable product which

The crowd has asked for more CPL and in 2018 more matches are planned for Providence, the home of the Guyana Amazon Warriors

By Clifton Ross

C

hief Operating Officer (COO) of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pete Russell confirmed that the sixth edition of the “Biggest Party In Sport” will bowl off in Guyana and that the cricket crazy nation will also see an increased number of matches being played at Providence.

Russell who spoke exclusively to Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday during an official visit to Guyana

said that in addition to the tournament’s curtain raiser being held in Guyana there is a possibility that the Guyana Amazon Warriors will have ‘two bites of the cherry’ at home.

The COO said that the local franchise will likely three matches at Providence at the start of the tournament and will wrap up the competition with an additional two matches towards the back end of the five-week tournament.

According to Russell,

Guyana will indeed be hosting the opening matches this year, making it a first for the country since the launch of the competition back in 2013.

The COO noted that while the previous player-drafts were held in the Caribbean, this year may see the March 1 draft taking place in London. While Russell did not fully confirm London as the final destination he was upbeat, stating that the London time is prime for most audienc-

The entertainers add to the overall unforgettable experience at CPL matches

duced to the CPL as it is in their plans to use the league as a direct feeding system into the Windies team.

He pointed out that emphasis will be placed on roping in more Under-19 players as they have been making significant impacts

no changes were made to the rules, adding that CPL wants to build a fan base for its die-hard followers with regards to minimizing players being shuffled around the respective franchises every season.

From a financial perspec-

has been slowly reshaping the landscape of the sport Regionally.

This year’s CPL is set to bowl off early in August and will run up until September the same window period that was used in 2017.

8-lane synthetic track for Linden

– official ground work to commence in February

By Utamu Belle

A

ssistant Director of Sport Melissa DowRichardson has announced that instead of a four or six lane synthetic track proposed for Linden, the community is on the cards to receive an eight lane synthetic track, complete with security fencing.

She made the disclosure on Tuesday, as she, along with a team comprising officials of the Public Infrastructure Special Projects team and the Buildings team within the Ministry of Education made their third site visit to discuss the synthetic track in the presence of Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland.

Evaluation works continue to move apace on the set-

ting up of synthetic track, slated to be constructed at the Bayroc Ground at Wismar. According to DowRichardson, the team is working towards completion of the track by this yearend.

"What I can say is that this project is unique...the company responsible for it, they've already sent in their consultants, they've already sent in their engineer and they have done evaluation... the site identified is suitable, it's actually quite welcoming. They're expecting us to forward the surveys to them...and we have a hope and expectation to begin work in this region within this first quarter, certainly in February," she said.

The Assistant Director of Sport added that she fore-

Assistant Director of Sports Melissa Dow-Richardson presents Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland with a sports magazine following the synthetic track discourse on Tuesday

sees the Linden track creating an environment for competitive development and training among nation-

al athletes in a high altitude environment. Mayor Holland, who had initially proposed a six-lane track,

noted how ecstatic he was by the news. He said this will boost the sports capacity in Linden tremendously.

"If you're looking at development, we need an eight-lane track. That would give us full competition standard...

We can have the National Championships there...I know this will be very impactful for Linden as we can now look at our timings effectively. We have the second fastest 400-meter runner in the world in Linden...We have Compton Caesar and they're expected to be heading to the Commonwealth Games, these things will help them for international meets...With the eight-lane, we can do well. With Linden being a sports loving community, we can host international meets," he pointed

out.

Holland further proposed for a training centre, an upgraded pavilion and a football area during the discourse on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Menthis of the Public Infrastructure Ministry Special Projects unit said the team will focus on having the ground totally surveyed and the soil tested.

A team was expected to visit the site on Wednesday to conduct tests.

"The surveying component could be started this Friday. Hopefully, by Tuesday we get all the drawings and the surveying results in. So with the soil testing and also the surveying component would be into the Ministry by Wednesday," he explained.

thursDAY, january 11, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Guyana to host opening match Pg 23

…5 matches likely for Providence The crowd support for the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence is second to none

LGC season tees off with Trophy Stall Open Pg 22

Female players fine-tuning their preparation while also testing out the greens

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