Guyanatimes

LOOK INSIDE !

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

Issue No. 3108

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, February 5, 2017

GuySuCo takeover

Govt refuses to conduct social, economic assessments See stories on pages 9&13

…Indian company bid for full buyout

UN diplomat GBTI staff dies after crashing robbed in into utility Campbellville pole Page 11

Page 17

PRICE

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Banks DIH P16 Linden branch records 3.3 % sale increase

Region 2 REO accused of hiring P13 geriatric PNC supporters Lithium P18 exploration to commence soon in Guyana …prospecting permit granted Digicel’s 10th anniversary

‘10 charities in 10 days’ initiative P6 kick-started

Wanted man leads Police to ganja field

P8

5 arrested P8 following ammo find in Essequibo Parking meters Calling all Warriors! Dancing to the Amazon Warriors anthem, students of the South Ruimveldt Secondary School decked in the home team’s logo branded uniforms competed in the Schools National Physical Display Competition 2017, held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday. They displayed their physical skills in a pyramid to the cheers of the roaring crowd (Marceano Narine photo)

Forensic audit findings

Former CEO took millions in personal loans from Go-Invest … authorised $480,000 entertainment allowance for himself Page 7 … personal driver paid $232,365

Arrested businessman seeking legal advice for redress P11

2

SUnDAY, FEBRuary 5, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, February 5 – 11:30h-13:00h and Monday, February 6 – 13:00h-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 5 – 10:45h-12:15h and Monday, February 6 – 12:05h-13:35h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers in the morning hours are expected to give way to light rain showers in the afternoon, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tides: 11:18h reaching a maximum height of 2.36 metres.

Low Tides: 04:44h and 17:29h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 0.86 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

02

06 07

08

09

20

04 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 02 12 14 15

25

LUCKY 3 8 4 6

5

Afternoon Draw

6

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 03

04 05

11 15 17

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

3

SunDAY, February 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GuySuCo takeover

Govt refuses to conduct social, economic assessments

E

ven as the coalition Government assured that no decision would be taken on the future of the cash-strapped and heavily indebted Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) without meaningful consultations with the relevant stakeholders, it has come under criticism for not undertaking any social or economic assessments.

At one of its consultation meetings on Saturday, the State’s delegation was asked whether any assessments were done before, particularly ahead of its decision to close the Wales Sugar Factory to ascertain the implications.

The delegation was led

by Second Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and included Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, and Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma. The issue was raised by the Opposition’s representative Irfaan Ali, who along with Juan Edghill were at the meeting.

“When I enquired from GuySuCo about any social or economic assessment that was done to inform any of the Government plans and recommendations, which include closure of estates, it was quite revealing to learn that none was done. How could the Government even contemplate a position on such an important industry to the economy and people without examining the social and economic implications?”

Ali pointed out to Guyana Times.

He noted that both the Sugar Corporation and the Government officials acknowledged that despite neither of these studies being done, they went ahead with the closure of Wales Estate since they saw no need for it.

“This is the height of irresponsibility and we must not tolerate this as a people.

The social and economic landscape of tens of thousands is being dissipated without any assessment of what the decision means for the country and people,” Ali remarked.

The Opposition member further said that what was even more shocking was Vice President Ramjattan’s

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

response that Government has enough information to make their decision. Ali outlined that the Minister even went on to say that if the Opposition wants a social and economic study they can do it themselves.

“It is clear that the Government has no concern about the welfare of these communities, the people and the sugar industry. An examination of the social and economic impact of any decision relating to the sugar industry is fundamental if we are to understand the holistic contribution of this industry to national life,” he explained.

are concentrated.”

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, who was also at the meeting, also told this newspaper that Government was irresponsible in not conducting any assessment beforehand.

He explained that a social economic impact study should have been done, especially since Government will soon be making a decision on the beleaguered sugar industry.

“Having not done a study or assessment on an industry that has such a wide-spread effect is big and having not done any, they say they will not do one now… It does not show that they are a responsible Government and a Government that cares about the people,” Chand noted.

The GAWU head explained that the closure of GuySuCo will have far reaching implications not only because of the thousands of workers who will be displaced, but because there are thousands more Guyanese who depend upon the workers’ income.

He pointed out that the spin-off effect of the work-

Stakeholders meeting with Government to consult on GuySuCo’s future

According to the Caribbean Development Bank mechanisation report December 2014, “the sugar industry still contributes around five per cent of GDP; provides direct employment for approximately 16,000 (in 2013) (95 per cent male); supports over 300 services providers; and is the third largest contributor of foreign exchange. It also plays a critical socio-economic and environmental role in the predominantly low-income coastal communities where cultivation and processing

ers distributing their income and the effects it has on the economy, is something that Government is not bothered about, otherwise they would have done the assessments, which would have provided critical information about how much the Guyanese population depended on the sugar industry and the consequence of closing the industry.

According to Chand, the assessment would have also highlighted what other sector or industry the displaced workers can possibly turn to.

GAWU President Komal Chand

There continues to be uncertainty over the future of GuySuCo with accusations of “secrecy” against Government, following a deal struck a Trinidadian company. month, Guyana Last Times broke the story that Trinidadian company D Rampersad and Company Limited (DRCL) was likely to rake in major benefits from the Guyana Government, including favourable tax incentives for the development of an integrated sugarcane processing facility at the Skeldon Sugar Estate, after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked in December for the undertaking of a feasibility study.

However, Government has since denied any secrecy in a deal struck with a Trinidadian company, with Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman pointing out that it was merely a MoU to conduct a feasibility study.

Moreover a few days after, the coalition administration was faced with more backlashes after it was revealed that Prime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo’s son-in-law is reportedly working to bring in investors for a possible takeover of the cash-strapped GuySuCo. A previous correspondence from the Agriculture Ministry had stated that it was having dialogue on potential investments in GuySuCo with representatives of an Indiabased Company with extensive knowledge of the sugar industry, Srinath Ispat Limited.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, february 5, 2017

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

Editorial

The Parking Meter Debacle

A

s the well-advertised one-hour, peaceful and lawful protest against the City Hall-imposed parking meter contract got underway on Friday, it unexpectedly encountered a counter-protest organised by the two parties to the contract - City Hall and Smart City Solutions. Citizens have a constitutional right to make their views known about actions of their Governments, when they believe the power they have conferred on that entity is being abused. But only in Guyana, do we find governments arrogant enough to counter-protest against the citizenry.

We also witnessed this shocking anomaly when the Ministry of the Presidency counter-protested a peaceful candlelight vigil by the lessees of Red House, who felt they were being wrongfully evicted by the Central Government.

These governmental counter-protests betray, at best, a fundamental misapprehension of the power relations between the governors and the governed in a democracy, and at worse, an authoritarian mind-set peacefully. This fundamental right of citizens in a democracy to protest arises out of the social contract they made with the Leviathan they created, and all Guyanese must now protest the refusal of both the Central and City Governments to adhere to its tenets.

But the counter-protest by City Hall and Smart City which, as with the one at Red House, inevitably precipitated heated tempers - becomes even more outrageous when the protested contract and the circumstances of its formation, are examined. These, unlike the misdirection the Town Clerk is introducing, about citizens opposing parking meters and “modernisation”, are the issues.

Most germanely, the contract with Smart City was conducted in secret by the Mayor, the Town Clerk and two close associates when they were flown out to Latin America by the meter provider. This act alone was enough to set off alarm bells, without the latter’s obdurate refusal of the Mayoral inner circle to share the contract with other Councillors. Even at this stage, when the meters have already been rolled out, the citizens of this country have not been made aware of the terms of the contract. The excuse offered time and again by the Town Clerk that to do so would in effect be to betray “commercial secrets” is not only risible, but contemptuous of the intelligence of the Guyanese people.

What secrets could there possibly be in the positioning of some used parking meters on the streets of a decrepit third world city?

But we know from the bitter experience of other cities like Chicago, the danger of being fleeced for decades when parking is privatised via a “secret contract”. In the case of Chicago, back in 2008, the city was caught in a cash crunch and sold its revenue stream over 75 years from its parking meters for an up-front payment of US$1.2 billion. There were no public hearings, and the aldermen never saw the bid documents. Here in Guyana, we did not even get an upfront payment, but will give more than three-quarters of the revenue – 80 per cent actually for over 20 years - to the contractor. And we don’t even know what happens then: will the City have to pay the aptly named Smart City for its meters and “technology”?

The devil, the successor Mayor and other Chicagoans found out the details of the contract. An audit revealed that the contract was worth US$1 billion more. How much more of the revenues should we have received? 50/50? The price of parking was soon quadrupled in Chicago. When City Hall sponsors events - along the lines of the Main Street Lime and Mashramani Float Parade - the Contractor had to be reimbursed for “lost revenues”. Chicago was also billed for allowing the construction of new private garages. Was a similar clause the reason why Teleperformance was harassed over its new parking lot here?

While the rates charged for parking by Smart City is too high, the protest must go beyond demanding a moratorium on, or lowering of, those rates. They must demand a release of the contract.

Smile! The theme to which these students made their presentation at the National Schools Physical Display Competition which kicked off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Georgetown on Friday morning

Ms Prithima Kissoon must be congratulated for her courage Dear Editor, The media has recently been dominated by the case of Ms Prithima Kissoon, Deputy Solicitor General, and Mr Basil Williams, Attorney General.

Ms Kissoon must be congratulated for the brave stance she has taken to defend her integrity and her professionalism. She has taken the matter up with the Public Service Commission.

From all the information available in the media, it is clear that Ms Kissoon has done nothing wrong.

The problem lies with the Attorney General who made a huge mistake, even though an elementary one, in the filing of the appeal in a case involving the Leader of the Opposition.

Williams had the appeal filed in his name, although he was not a party in

the original case. According to Ms Kissoon and Ms Sita Ramlall, Williams was advised that it was not in his place to appeal. He, however, insisted.

Now having been exposed for his incompetence, he is attempting to cast blame on an obviously bright, competent professional, Ms Kissoon. She has alleged that he abused and harassed her, and is now trying to have her dismissed.

She has already been sent on leave.

Ms Kissoon is not the only young professional to have been treated that way by the Attorney General and his office. Many others have been fired, harassed and forced to resign.

The following is a short list of earlier victims: 1. Indira Ananjit (Permanent Secretary,

Legal Affairs Ministry) 2. Seeta Ramlall (Solicitor General, Legal Affairs Ministry) 3. Prithima Kissoon (Deputy Solicitor General) 4. Cecil Durjohn (Chief Legal Draftsman, Legal Affairs Ministry) 5. Sasha Mahadeo (State Council) 6. Rajendra Jaigobin (State Council) 7. Fareeda Baksh 8. Dwajendra Rooplall (Personal Assistant) 9. Kemraj Mangroo 10. Deborah Chan (Clerk) 11. Chandradat Mangroo (Driver) That ministry is a small one and the ethnic cleansing is noticeable.

Four Guyanese of African descent were also forced out of their jobs - Adrian Smith, Stephen Roberts, Beulah Williams and Vonette

Atwell. Their issue is that they are suspected PPP/C supporters.

This case involving Ms Kissoon has highlighted and exposed the behaviour of one Minister, Basil Williams.

This has been exposed because of the arrogance of Mr Williams.

Once again, IndoGuyanese and non IndoGuyanese, PPP/C supporters are being made to feel that they are aliens in their own country. Many are being forced to migrate.

That is why Ms Prithima Kissoon must be congratulated for her courage. She has stood up to the bullyism.

All Guyanese need to stand up to prevent further deterioration before it is too late.

Dear Editor, We human beings can only recognise whatever evil we purport to see in others because some of those same negative qualities are within ourselves, simply because of this common human nature.

This must certainly lead us to behave more empathically with those we view as opponents in any area of activity.

In our political situation,

we must appreciate that the errors committed by those “opposed” to us are not necessarily due to a corrupt nature, but much of it may be due to mistakes committed simply because of this fallible nature that all of us possess.

I must say that any unbiased onlooker to the recent political actions concerning public servants can reasonably concede that this

is due to some measure of witch-hunting and prejudice against others politically and even racially, and may be ascribed to this same perception that those on the other side are corrupt and therefore feel justified to act against them.

This “we against them” approach is seriously affecting the national efforts by both sides of the political divide towards political,

as well as social unity, and we must therefore appreciate the urgent need to review our opus operandi and make it our top priority to make conscious and determined efforts to remove this false stance, and consolidate this togetherness among our people in all areas of our lives.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Witch-hunting and prejudice

Sincerely, Roy Paul

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, february 5, 2017

5

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

Poor public policy Condemnation of

Dear Editor, It would be negligent of me to let another example of poor public policy under the Granger administration pass by without offering my remarks. The Guyana Chronicle, on February 2, 2017, reported that Finance Minister Winston Jordan informed the Cabinet about the “disequilibrium (imbalance) in the foreign exchange market” and offered as a policy response, more regulations and guidelines to ensure that “exporters repatriate their export earnings to the banking system”. Knowing that such badly designed exchange control policy in the past was one of the main reasons that contributed to Guyana’s state of un-credit worthiness in the international community under the Burnham regime, one wonders, why are we back here?

Minister Jordan claimed he was cutting teeth in the Finance Ministry in those dark days of the early 1980’s and thus he, more than any, ought to have been aware of the foolhardiness of that strategy then and now. If this is his policy response, I am shocked because he clearly wasted his years in the Finance Ministry.

His action today in the face of widespread rejection of these measures from the business community will only guarantee a path to certain economic meltdown over the next two to three years, which will then lead to social and economic implosion that even the promised oil money in 2022 cannot help. Has he learnt nothing from Desmond Hoyte, the intellectual architect who turned around Guyana’s economy?

The Private Sector is-

sued a firm statement which “strongly condemns this move by the Government”. In the words of the PSC, this move by the Granger administration “would have the certain effect of accelerating the capital flight which has already begun with the erosion of confidence in the economy.”

There is two phrases in that PSC statement that sends shivers down my spine - acceleration of capital flight and erosion of confidence.

Knowing the information put out by the private sector is one grounded in economic truth and it corroborates what I have already put out in my Straight Up Column of Friday, February 3, 2017, in the Guyana Times on the state of the investment portfolio, I am now calling on President Granger, as Head of State, to seek alternative advice on this issue. This recommended policy action exposes a situation where there is a heavy dose of policy paralysis in the Office of the Finance Ministry. I am absolutely sure even the President’s sonin-law, a longstanding businessman, Minister Dominic Gaskin has a better grasp of this situation.

What is required is policy actions to drive the economic reforms needed to bring back confidence in the economy and stem the capital flight that is now well advanced.

Bullyism and regulations to control are not the answer; understanding the real problem is the first step.

Hard-nosed non-political answers to these questions will go a far way in helping the President. Why has the private sector lost confidence in the Granger administration? Why is there a short-

Dear Editor, I wish to support the excellent letter written by Dr David Hinds in another section of the media on February 1, 2017, making a strong case against terminating the services of proficient and effective officials on the basis of their age, irrespective of their competencies.

As a long-serving international Human Resource Management professional (and as one who is already past the biblical ‘three score years and ten’ but still gainfully employed, thank God!), I can attest to the fact that age is not necessarily a measure of someone’s ability to perform well. Indeed, there are numerous examples of persons in their 50’s and 60’s who are already mentally and physically ‘challenged’, if not ‘retired’, while there are others who are decades older, but still performing optimally.

The challenge is to assess persons based on objective appraisals of their performance and potential without undue consideration of their date of birth. This is especially important in our Guyana context, where there is no surfeit of skilled and effective persons, and where the

dearth of suitable technical and professional persons is likely to become more acute in the coming years.

Why put out some of our skilled and effective Guyanese professionals to pasture on the questionable pretext of age, while retaining even older individuals who are not necessarily more effective; in any event, there is no proof that they are denying opportunities for younger compatriots!

age of foreign currency today, compared to May 2015 when there was not? How to rebuild the private sector’s confidence in the economy? There is so much more to share, but out of respect for the newspapers and their space constraint, I have to hold fire on this matter. The ball now is President Granger’s court.

Finally, please permit me now to respectfully invite the President to reconsider this scattered brain policy of his Finance Minister. As a guideline, the foundation of this problem is the state of the Net International Reserves in the banking system at the end of December 2016. The facts are Guyana lost some US$60 million of its reserves in the banking system between May 2015 and December 2016, as reported on in the Bank of Guyana Statistical Abstract Understanding, what is driving the inflows and outflows are critical to drive the required policy actions. Also understanding why GuySuCo, SARU, SOCU and the GRA are in the middle of the solution are also of critical importance.

Alternatively, he might wish to consider sending his Finance Minister on another taxpayer-funded ministerial educational course, so that he can update himself on how the modern world deals with the issue of capital flight and loss of confidence in an economy by the private sector. At least this time compared to the two cases before, hopefully the taxpayers will be able to see some return on their investments.

Sincerely, Sase Singh

Age is just a number

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

attacks on Judiciary Dear Editor, The Berbice Bar Association condemns in the strongest possible terms the un-warranted and un-justifiable attack by the Attorney General and the Guyana Chronicle on the Chancellor and the Judiciary. (January 19, 2017) This association adopts the article published in your newspapers by Mr Murseline Bacchus, Attorney-at-Law, where he gave a comprehensive history of the appeal filed by the Attorney General against the ruling of Justice Navindra Singh quashing the charge against the former President.

It is observed by this Association that no one, including the law offices of the State, has disputed the factual matrix presented

by Mr Bacchus in that article.

Therefore it is of grave concern to us that neither the Guyana Bar Association nor the Association of Guyana’s Women Lawyers has seen it fit to make a statement critical of the Attorney General’s and the Guyana Chronicle’s attack on the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of its highest judge. By their silence those association have condoned the attacks.

We remind those associations that an attack on the judiciary is by necessary extension an attack

on the entire bar, since all members of the judiciary came from the bar. Not even in the days of “paramountcy of the party” when a certain flag was attached to the Court of Appeal, did anyone make an attack on the Judiciary.

We also condemn the Prime Minister, who holds responsibility for the Guyana Chronicle, for not disciplining the editors of the Guyana Chronicle or at least to make a public statement on the matter.

Those responsible for the attack on the Judiciary are guilty of scandalising the Court and perhaps the time is ripe for that august body, the Judiciary, to move the Court in Contempt proceedings against those responsible, including the editors of the Guyana Chronicle.

We have looked at the official court records and are convinced, as any sober person would, that the filing of the appeal with the Attorney General as “Appellant”, was a colossal legal blunder and that un-

lawful act could not have been salvaged legally.

We also condemn the attempt by the article to suggest that the decision was that of the Chancellor alone, when in fact it was the decision of the full Court - the Chancellor, Justice of Appeal BS Roy and additional Judge Madam Dawn Gregory.

It is noted by us that the Attorney General has said, and we quote: “We will take the case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).” We wish to remind him that an appeal to Caribbean Court of Justice requires leave from the Court of Appeal or the Caribbean Court of Justice itself and that for such leave to be granted the burden is on him to show that the intended appeal has merit. We doubt very much that the intended appeal would have any merit in as much as the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal.

Regards, Berbice Bar Association

6

SunDAY, february 5, 2017

Page

Foundation

Digicel’s 10th anniversary

Rum till I die: Redux T

Anu Dev

he mentality and behaviour of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction and unless they have structured help, they have no hope” - Russell Brand Last week, for my first foray into the clinical side of psychiatry, I had to sit-in and observe patient-counselling in the substance-abuse clinics.

For most of the patients, the addiction they were struggling with was alcoholism, but there were a few marijuana addicts sprinkled into the mix. Now, for these patients to have been referred to this clinic, they had to have been admitted to the hospital because they were having serious problems. Some of them tried to quit alcohol, but because of the copious amounts they were accustomed to drinking, ended up with severe withdrawal symptoms. Some of them were admitted because of severe drug-induced psychoses. Some of them were admitted because they tried to

guyanatimesgy.com

seriously injure themselves while under the influence.

But at least these were the patients who decided to take a step towards recovery by actually showing up for their appointment. Unfortunately, there are so many patients who default on their appointments, and they never get the help that they need. And there are so many others that haven’t even recognised that they have a problem. The latter two cohorts far outnumber the first. Our challenge is to reverse them.

Right here at home in Guyana, alcoholism is a huge problem. A 2014 WHO report stated that the average Guyanese, aged 15 or older, consumed more than 8L daily of pure alcohol, in 2010 - the global average is 6.2L. Like in suicide, I don’t think this is an area in which we should be aspiring to be world leaders.

Back in 2011, when I was in high school, I wrote about the cultural influences that promote this sort of alcohol use, specifically chutney songs like ‘Rum till I die’. There’s the question as to whether such songs are simply describing a reality, rather than promoting the act. Alcohol has become so

ingrained in our society - starting on the sugar plantations. For young males especially, they’re expected to drink once they’re a certain age - it’s what “men” do. It’s a rite of passage. Unfortunately girls, who had often seen their mothers become the object of male alcoholic rages, are increasingly picking up the habit.

But the problem isn’t the drinking. The problem is the quantity they’re drinking. The reasons they’re drinking and what they are culturally conditioned to do once they get “high”. Some cultures, such as Italians, allow consumption of large quantities of wine - especially with meals. But they don’t have the level of alcoholism as we do, nor do they get as violent as we do. Culture is a key variable in alcoholism prevalence. Some drunks “open up” and others get violent.

The quantities of alcohol the patients in clinic admit to consuming, are staggering - and that’s just the amount they’re admitting: most patients like to lowball the number. One patient said that he had to keep drinking more and

‘10 charities in 10 days’ initiative kick-started

more and more because it wasn’t having an effect anymore.

For many people, for their drinking to reach that point, it’s because there’s an underlying problem. For some its marriage problems, work-related stress, or all of the million other problems they’re dealing with that day. But they’ve been conditioned to believe the answer can be found at the bottom of a bottle.

I’m still a medical student, but in the time I have spent at the hospital, I have seen patients admitted with serious injuries from falling down drunk, from getting into fights while drunk and from trying to hurt themselves. I’ve seen patients in liver failure after years of alcohol abuse.

There are serious consequences of alcohol abuse and on reflection I am amazed there aren’t more centres to deal with those consequences in Guyana.

Digicel Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, staff and Brand Ambassadors Jumo Primo and DJ Casual with administrators and boys of the Shaheeds Boy’s orphanage

A

s Digicel Guyana draws near in celebrating its 10th anniversary on February 14, the telephone giant has already started its celebrations by giving back to the people who really matter; its customers.

The company will visit 10 special needs schools and orphanages throughout Guyana in 10 days to deliver some much need-

versary, we would like you to know that we are here to support you young people and we will always be here to lend a helping hand,” said James to the small gathering.

After the handing over of the items to Director Sister Julie Matthews, the staff was more than happy to assist the boys in finding their sizes so they could be off to school in their new

Digicel staff members along with Director Sister Julie Matthews and boys from the St John's Bosco Orphanage

ed appliances, school supplies, school shoes, food hampers and other items.

The St John’s Boys Orphanage was the first stop in a series of visits; Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, along with several members of staff, joined the boys and administration on Thursday last as they delivered breakfast, school shoes, school packs, school items, a washing machine and other supplies that were needed by the orphanage.

“We are happy to be here with you as we will soon be celebrating our 10th anni-

shoes and new backpacks.

Sister Matthews, along with 14-year-old Stephan, thanked Digicel for their timely donations and encouraged those present to “keep doing good”. So far, the telecommunications company has visited four special needs schools and will be stopping by at six others in the week of its anniversary. The schools that were targeted are Diamond Special Needs School, Linden Resource Unit for the Blind, New Amsterdam Special Needs School and the Gifted Hands Special Needs School.

news

7

sunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Forensic audit findings

Former CEO took millions in personal loans from Go-Invest

… authorised $480,000 entertainment allowance for himself … personal driver paid $232,365

T

he forensic audit into Go-Invest, conducted by Nigel Hinds and Associates, has unearthed situations where former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Burrowes, used his authority to run roughshod over the entity he was entrusted with.

According to the forensic audit report, Burrowes took a personal loan amounting to over $3 million, without any approval from the Board of Directors. In fact, Burrowes was not entitled to an entertainment allowance or salary advances, as Go-Invest was not responsible for his salary.

The report noted that as CEO of Go-Invest, a position he vacated in 2015,

Former GO-Invest CEO Keith Burrowes

Ledger showing transactions in Go-Invest flagged by auditors

Burrowes’ salary was financed from the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB)/Guyana Cooperative Financial Services.

“However, as at July 31,

2015, Mr Burrowes had personal loans from Go-Invest amounting to $3.2 million.

The outstanding amount was fully repaid by February 2016.”

The report also noted that

Document detailing the circumstances of Burrowes’ request for $400,000 in advances

Burrowes authorised and received an entertainment allowance for himself, to the tune of a whopping $480,000.

This was done without the approval of the Board of Directors.

“Salary advances were abused by senior management. In some cases advances exceeded two or three times their salary. Despite the regulation that no staff should have more than two advances outstanding, the regulation was often not adhered to,” the auditors revealed.

While Burrowes used his own authority to authorise monetary payments to himself, Hinds and Associates found that there was no clear policy for paying employees.

The report noted that whenever employees were paid, the CEO did so at his discretion. In fact, auditors found that Burrowes re-designated employees and fixed new allowances for them. But that was not all. According to the forensic audit, the former CEO exercised sole control in hiring new employees.

His jurisdiction was at the expense of the recruitment, Human Resources Manager and Accountant, who had little to no input in deciding who to hire. “Mr Burrowes sourced applicants, invited and conducted interviews for new hires by himself, instead of utilising the administrative department. The interview panel comprising the CEO, Accountant/Personnel Officer and a Senior Investment Officer was rarely utilised.”

The audit found that even Go-Invest employees’ pension plans were not safe. In 2014, the Workers Pension Plan was suspended, creating “a sense of insecurity among staff of Go-Invest”. Auditors noted that this was the workers only security for retirement.

In accordance with the ad hoc system in place, the report detailed that Burrowes, as

CEO, instructed that his personal driver be paid $232,365 for his service. This was done despite the driver not being an employee of Go- Invest.

“This instruction was given by memorandum dated December 22, 2014, and executed on December 23, 2014,” the report revealed.

Go-Invest is a statutory body which functions as the facilitator of local and foreign investment in Guyana.

Considering the substantial portfolio Burrowes managed, governance structures would normally be in place to prevent mismanagement.

But according to the report, Go-Invest did not have an Internal Audit Department or Audit Charter. And according to Hinds’ report, in his observations, the audit firm’s initial requests for documents were hampered at first, though they eventually procured the documents with cooperation from staff.

“As a consequence, they are not prepared to improve the agency’s governance, risk management, provide checks and balances and implement

Another advance for Burrowes is detailed in this correspondence

internal controls.”

“Go-Invest operated without a documented governance structure, this allowed for adhoc decision-making, resulting in serious deficiencies in how the agency was managed at both the Board of Directors and Executive level for the period under review.”

Recommendations

The auditors recommended that the unauthorised payments to Burrowes’ personal driver should be recovered from Burrowes himself. They also recommended that all outstanding staff advances be recovered or cleared according to the terms when they were made.

TURN TO PAGE 15

8 news

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Wanted man leads Police to ganja field

A

54-year-old farmer of Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) who was wanted by Police for questioning in relation to a report of simple larceny, was on Friday nabbed at his Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden home with 450 grams of cannabis.

Upon his arrest, he reportedly took a team of Police ranks to his farm located in the said area, where he showed them an acre of cannabis under cultivation, with plants measuring one-foot to four feet in height.

The Police immediately destroyed the plants by setting them on fire. The man is expected to be charged as soon as Monday. Late last month, ranks in B Division (Berbice) unearthed 7748 grams of ganja during several raids in the Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, Berbice. Two men were subsequently arrested and placed before the court. Over the years, mem-

Killing the goose…

W A section of the field of cannabis

bers of the Police narcotics branch have been putting a dent in the drug trade at the grass-root level, with raids being conducted along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, Berbice, Demerara

River and other areas.

Only recently, the Police destroyed more than $147 million in marijuana that were seized during several operations between 2015 and 2016.

5 arrested following ammo find in Essequibo

F

ive persons are now in Police custody following the discovery of four live rounds of .32 ammunition in a house at Riverstown, Essequibo Coast,

on Saturday.

Based on reports received, Police acting on information went to the house where searches were conducted on three properties,

during which the ammunition was discovered hidden in one of the houses. Five men who were at the house at the time were taken into custody and are being grilled by law

enforcement. Police are of the belief that the bullets found may have a matching weapon. The lawmen are continuing their investigation into the discovery.

…in Georgetown

hile the sentiment, “death and taxes are certain” has been expressed for quite a while, it seems the powers-that-be in Guyana are hell-bent on amending it to “death THROUGH taxes” as the lot of Guyanese. Hot on the heels of the US$2.50/ hour parking fees imposed (in Queens and Brooklyn our relatives earning TEN times our salaries pay US.75 CENTS/ hour!) comes news that City Hall has hiked property rates by 10 per cent. Oi vey!!

But that’s not all. This is only at the City Level. Don’t forget your friendly Central Government has insisted on extending VAT to electricity and water - and a host of essentials through the subterfuge juggling “zero-rated” and “exempt”! For those city slickers who enjoy their AC’s to escape the muggy heat of their concrete jungle and watering their lawns to enjoy their ambiance, they’ll discover their dollar needs to be stretched way beyond what even their ‘plastic’ will allow.

But it’s not only the residents of Georgetown who’re facing the Grim Reaper: for business owners, their prognosis is even grimmer! While the average homeowner hasn’t really been hit by the parking meters - but the expansion to their environs has been promised! - the businessmen in the City’s commercial downtown area have had their trade cut in half by the falloff in the traffic, occasioned by the bandits cleverly camouflaged as “parking meters”. The pickpocket trade has also taken a hit - but they’ve resorted to jumping on their CG motor bikes to seek other marks.

Have you seen the uptick in that activity?

Now your Eyewitness understands governments - local and national - need revenues. But the collection of those revenues aren’t an end in itself, nor are they supposed to end up in the pockets of government officials. They’re supposed to be spent to provide services for the good citizens. When, like in the Scandinavian countries, those services are fully provided and folks can live in dignity, they don’t mind parting with huge chunks of their income.

But when, as in Guyana, one still can’t get electricity without daily blackouts, or garbage that’s collected on someone’s whim (the ‘whim” being when the City decides to pay the garbage men!) these taxes aren’t only onerous, but odious. And folks will do what any reasonable animal above the phylum invertebrata will do - avoid the taxes by all means necessary.

But in the meantime, that game of avoiding the taxman just adds to the stress of living in Guyana - and one ends up with high blood pressure, road rage, domestic violence, kicking the dog, eating too much junk food.

And dying to avoid taxes!

…on capital?

Some predictions can become self-fulfilling - especially when the persons making the predictions have skin in the game. For weeks, businessmen have been complaining of a foreign currency shortage - read US greenbacks. After stoutly denying this, the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Guyana have been forced to explain why the exchange rate shot up from GY$205 to $216 to US$1 in the last week! The reason proffered is one “non-Guyanese” cambio sent out US$100 million to its mother country and other Guyanese might be hoarding greenbacks or shipping it offshore!

Now, by refusing to name the recalcitrant cambio, are the Government officials in damage control mode suggesting - like that fella from Harry Potter - if the name’s said aloud, evil will descend upon our heads and the land?

And that the cambio and all those parking their US funds offshore, are by definition also “evil”?

That’s sad. Cause, in a financial system that’s been completely liberalised, “capital flight” is par for the course… When the financial sector feels the economy’s tanking!

Government… heal thyself!!

…and humanity

Your Eyewitness thought our humanity was proven by our willingness to “be our brothers’ keeper”. No more.

Today, having to sign in to a paid site, he was asked to “prove his humanity” by solving 1+9=?.

Numeracy makes us human?

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

news

9

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GuySuCo takeover

Indian company bids for full buyout A

possible battle looms over the takeover of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as another company officially proposes to Government its interest to invest in the cashstrapped estates.

The Indian firm, which was introduced to the Government

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s son-in-law, Tony Joseph, has formally

facturing and co-generation of power divisions.

“We intend to put our equity as investment required for modernisation of the plant to operate smoothly and profitably and also for the working capital whereas the existing assets, including plant and machinery, would be as equity of GuySuCo,” the corporate entity outlined in the letter which was interestingly

A copy of the letter written by the Indian firm

proposed to buy over the sugar company.

In a letter to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, dated January 27, 2017, Shrinath Ispat Limited said it wanted to take over the management and operations of the entire estate, including sugar manu-

copied to the Prime Minister, but not to President David Granger, nor Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

The company expressed gratitude to the Government and the Sugar Corporation for giving its delegation an opportunity to visit all six of

the sugar estates. The company promised to provide a more detailed plan for takeover if the proposal piques Government’s interest.

Nepotism

Despite immense criticisms and concerns of nepotism, the Prime Minister defended his son-in-law’s involvement in this sensitive arrangement.

According to Nagamootoo, his son-in-law is helping the Government out of the pureness of his heart.

“This issue is not about the Prime Minister’s son-in-law.

This issue is about a businessman, a credible successful businessman who has decided that he will bring investors to Guyana wherever he can find them. He’s a Guyanese, he is a Berbician and he wants to help Guyana,” Nagamootoo had told this newspaper.

Joseph, a businessman, was encouraging investors to meet with Government officials to deliberate on possible plans for the local industry, however, the first known company to visit Guyana through him was the Indian firm.

Joseph became involved in this initiative after the suggestion was made by Nagamootoo.

“He just listened to the Prime Minister in India saying bring some investors to help the crippled sugar industry and he did… I met him in Delhi (India) where there was a Rotary club meeting, I met him with the High Commissioner, he went there on his own business and I met with all the business people.

He asked me to go to a dinner and everyone wants to come to Guyana… they want

Businessman Tony Joseph

to even form a Guyana/New Delhi Friendship Society and I said, ‘listen Tony, get a list of all who wants to invest in Guyana, coordinate with our High Commissioner and see if you can make contact (with Ministries)’,” the Prime Minister explained.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Conflict

However, a Trinidadian firm has already indicated its interest in investing in the Skeldon Estate.

The company, D Rampersad and Company

Limited (DRCL), already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) on behalf of the Government for the undertaking of a feasibility study.

The feasibility study is proposed to commence on April 3 and will be completed in the second-quarter of the year.

The integrated sugarcane processing facility will include developing an integrated sugar-to-ethanol and electric power project. While sugar will not be produced, the Skeldon Factory will still have to process the sugar cane all the way to the molasses stage, but the diffuser for extracting the sugar will become redundant. turn to page 18

10

sunDAY, february 5, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Entrepreneurs urged to use more digital platforms E xisting and budding Guyanese entrepreneurs are being urged to incorporate digital forums to boost their businesses in a world where technology is rapidly advancing and becoming increasingly relevant in modern society.

The call was made by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin at the country’s first ever Digital Wealth Summit at the Marriott Hotel on Saturday.

The Summit is the brainchild of the Masterclass Institute – a business education and training organisation with a goal of transforming the country’s economic landscape by using digital media to create additional streams of income for entrepreneurs.

During his presentation

A section of the gathering at the event

at the event, the Business Minister emphasised the need for more Guyanese to climb on-board the digital train, which is driving the global economy.

“Digital wealth creation means making money and using online platforms to do so… it’s an area of wealth creation Guyanese entrepre-

neurs are not participating in enough… I’d like to see more young Guyanese integrated more comfortably into the global network that is using digital connectivity as a platform for doing business,” he stated.

Gaskin said entrepreneurs need to grasp the concept that technology is

changing the game of doing business and Guyana cannot be spared from these technological advancements.

“Use this tool to extend your reach,” he urged.

P u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes also delivered remarks, particularly about her sector’s role in shaping an environment conducive for entrepreneurs to step up their game in the modern technological arena.

She reiterated that her Ministry’s aim is to work with partners to transform Guyana’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) landscape and to create a technologically driven economy.

“Until we start to improve the level of connectivity each and every citizen in Guyana has, we will not be able to get anywhere,” the Minister stated.

Hughes noted that the Ministry has made significant strides to open avenues for existing and budding entrepreneurs to capitalise upon for additional wealth creation.

Meanwhile, Masterclass Institute Founder, Dr Rosh Khan underscored to a packed room the importance of digital technology.

“A revolution is happening. We cannot afford to be left behind. It’s about time our economy takes part of this revolution… technology is here, it is time to apply our strategic knowledge,” he stated.

The Digital Summit will show attendees exactly how to use technology to make legitimate and life-changing money with the Internet.

The Summit will help Guyanese understand all the elements to creating digital profits by tapping into the global demand for virtual service, promising that the knowledge shared at the Summit has the power to change the economic landscape of Guyana.

No dispute large enough

S

atiricus was all choked up. He couldn’t believe men with such goodness in their hearts still walked on the face of the earth. If he didn’t let out his feelings soon, he felt he’d burst like a balloon and be splattered all over the walls of the Back Street Bar where he was held up with his usual posse.

“Fellas!” he exclaimed breathlessly. “Can you believe in two whole years, the KFC and Pee-an-See have never used the Com-in-de-burg Accord”?

“Sato…” said Hari with a worried look, as he swallowed the beer he’d just swigged. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“Don’t you guys read the paper?” Satiricus asked aggrievedly. “Rum Jhaat just said he and the other leaders in the Coalition get along so well, they just talk through whatever problems they have! They don’t need no agreement in writing!”

“Me bin fo’get ‘bout de ‘Come-in-de-burg Card’,” Bungi confessed. “KFC an APANU bin sign am Valantine Day, na?” ”Yes! Yes!” said Satiricus impatiently. “And Valentine’s coming up! It spelled out how they divided power and how they would settle disagreements.”

“But Sato, I don’t see the big deal,” said Hari, with a smirk. “Why would there be need to settle differences when whatever Pee-an-See tell KFC, Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man say, ‘Yes dear’!”

“Da soun’ jus’ like when Sato a ta’k to ‘e wife!!” guffawed Bungi. “Dem nevah fight!”

“C’mon fellas! Don’t be cynical,” said Satiricus. “What you mean?”

“Well, when APANU took away Nagga power to chair the Big meeting, what did he say?” asked Hari.

“Yes Dear!!” squeaked Bungi before Satiricus could answer.

“And when they took away half of Rum Jhaat Ministry, what did he say?” continued Hari.

“Yes dear!!” chuckled Bungi with a simper.

“So what problems do they need an Accord to settle?” asked Hari, as he slapped the table.

“None dear,” said Satiricus in a deflated tone.

news

11

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

UN Diplomat robbed Former Ambassador Noel Sinclair passes on in Campbellville

T

he UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka, was robbed on Thursday evening in Campbellville, Georgetown.

Based on information reaching Guyana Times, the diplomat was relieved of her handbag containing important documents and an undisclosed sum of cash.

Reports are the robbery

was executed by a lone bandit on a motorcycle who relieved the woman of her bag and rode away. After reaching a short distance, he reportedly fell off the motorcycle eager to escape; leaving the bike behind and escaping on foot.

The motorcycle was taken by Police as an investigation was launched.

Attempts to contact Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on the issue proved futile.

Nevertheless, based on a de-

scription given to the Police by eyewitnesses, the Police are in pursuit of the suspect.

The Police, however, did not release an official statement on the robbery. It is unclear if the bandit was arrested or any of the woman’s belongings recovered.

The diplomat arrived in Guyana in August 2016 to take up the top UN position here after serving in a similar post in Yemen, TimorLeste, Pakistan, China and New York.

Parking meters

Arrested businessman seeking legal advice for redress

C

ity businessman Timothy Tucker is seeking legal advice on the way forward after he was arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to cut the boot placed on a vehicle driven by his daughter.

Tucker is also being charged for allegedly assaulting the officer who ar-

(SCS).

The businessman’s daughter had stopped outside of the Outdoor Store on Church Street to enquire if they sold the prepaid parking meter cards. She spent no longer than two minutes when a parking meter warden placed a boot on the vehicle.

Businessman Timothy Tucker being assaulted by a City Constable (Newssource photo)

rested him. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Tucker told Guyana Times that he is currently seeking legal advice regarding the upcoming court matter, after which he will deliberate with his lawyers the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the City Council and/ or the parking meter company, Smart City Solutions

Tucker, after receiving a call from his daughter, arrived on scene with a pair of shears.

He said when he was walking towards his daughter’s car; a City Constable tapped him on his shoulder and informed him that he is under arrest.

But Tucker said he then asked the Constable what

was the charge since he did not cut anything.

However, the officer returned the shears to his vehicle and then attempted to make his arrest in a hostile manner.

On February 2, Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed that in spite of Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan already signing off on the By-laws governing the controversial operation of the parking meter system implemented throughout Georgetown, Attorney General Basil Williams is currently reviewing the documents before they are approved for gazetting.

the UN in 1979.

“It is clear that Ambassador Sinclair’s rise in the Foreign Service was based on his understanding of international diplomacy, his capacity for hard work and his ability for productive interpersonal relations,” the Ministry

The late former Ambassador Noel Sinclair

F

ormer Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Noel Sinclair, has died after losing a battle with cancer.

The 76-year-old diplomat died on Saturday.

In a statement issued late Saturday afternoon, the Foreign Affairs Ministry noted the exemplary service that the diplomat gave to the country.

“His passing represents the end of a career that was spent almost entirely within the diplomatic service, with the brief exception as a Master at Central High School,” the Ministry stressed.

Ambassador Sinclair joined the then established External Affairs Ministry in 1969 and served as Third Secretary in Guyana’s Embassy in Caracas, in addition to Second Secretary in the Washington Embassy from 1969 to 1972. The diplomat also served in Lusaka, Zambia from 1976 to 1979 and finally Permanent Representative to

said in its statement.

He was described as a well-spoken and socially sophisticated individual. Throughout his career, he made several presentations at the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations.

12 news

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Giftland parking signs

National Hardware denies requesting M&CC to act …says Mall’s security hinders Demerara Estates residents’ access

A

s the fallout over the removal of Giftland Mall’s parking signs

continues, National Hardware (Guyana) Limited, which developed a housing scheme be-

hind the multibillion-dollar complex – Demerara Estates – on Saturday denied any col-

lusion with City Hall to have the signs removed. On Friday, a delegation of guards and workers attached to the City Council removed signs, which included Diplomatic Parking allocations and parking notices that were installed for customers of the Mall.

While it was noted that the signs were removed to facilitate access to construction

the M&CC to remove any of Giftland’s signs – a removal which the Mall’s owners had deemed “anti-business”. “(National Hardware) NH did not ask the Mayor & City Council to go move MCG’s (Giftland Mall’s) parking signs; the only time that NH had communication with the M&CC was previously when MCG bullied our residents and placed a cement truck blocking their ac-

portedly benefited under the previous Administration.

“They (MCG) have blocked and threatened to continue that blockade, preventing residents of Demerara Estates from accessing their homes, even ignoring the local authorities and Police requests for them not to block the residents from their homes,” National Hardware noted.

It was during the parking meter protests on Friday

An overhead view of the access road to the Mall and Demerara Estates

sites in the area, Giftland’s head, Roy Beepat, was quoted in the media as saying that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was “flexing its muscles” to benefit individuals who were using his land to reach their homes.

But National Hardware on Saturday took offence to Beepat’s assertions, noting that it had not requested

cess. In fact, MCG’s guards verbally assaulted many of our residents, including an old widower,” the company noted.

The hardware giant criticised sections of the media which published allegations against the purchase of its land development, while omitting a supposed “sweetheart deal” from which Giftland re-

last that the parking signs attached to the access road and compound of the Giftland Mall were removed by the City Council. After this occurred, management of the mall in a statement to the media had concluded that City Hall was creating a safety hazard that could affect their customers.

news

13

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

The nationalist agenda

T

he world is looking on in amazement at the uproar in the United States that has followed President Donald Trump’s executive order, which denies entry to citizens from seven Muslimmajority countries.

The President’s order was the fulfilment of a campaign promise to “ban Muslims” from entering the US, which was part of the nationalistic fervour that fed Trump’s popularity and won him the White House.

One tongue-in-cheek definition that explains the difference between nationalism and patriotism states: a patriot Ryhaan Shah is proud of his country for what it does and a nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does. The first attitude is derived from a feeling of responsibility, while the second is rooted in blind arrogance.

Writer George Orwell stated that nationalism is “the worst enemy of peace”. He believed that nationalism feeds feelings of your country’s superiority over all others and in every regard, while patriotism is an expressed pride in your national values, beliefs and way of life.

While patriotism comes from feelings of affection, nationalism is rooted in rivalry and resentment. In broad terms, nationalism is militant, while patriotism fosters peace. While a patriot feels that everyone in the world is their equal, a nationalist views only the people of their own country as their equal.

Because nationalism makes you contemptuous of other nations and blind to any of their virtues, it feeds militant attitudes. For this reason, nationalists are very preoccupied with borders and with securing them in order to keep everyone deemed inferior out.

Trump’s top advisor, Steven Bannon, proclaims himself a nationalist and exemplifies the mistake most nationalists make in believing that they can disguise themselves as patriots and not be discovered.

But the “America First” theme of Trump’s presidency is nationalism sloganized and writ large, and arises from the notion that Americans are more important than other people in the world. Some of Trump’s directives and policies and the people he has chosen for cabinet and advisory positions signal a nationalist agenda.

A fool-proof way to tell the difference between nationalism and patriotism is to remember that Hitler was a nationalist and Mahatma Gandhi, a patriot.

Guyana, as a whole, does not contribute to nationalistic fervour, but there are elements within our country whose speech and actions appear closely aligned with nationalist tendencies.

For instance, leaders of nationalist movements always try to find justification for past mistakes and it is Orwell again who stated: “The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”

The PNC-led Coalition ran its election campaign on a platform of forgetting its past and, to date, the PNC has never ownedup to the election rigging, racism, party paramountcy, and the thuggery and violence which marked its 28-year dictatorship.

In fact, since its return to power, the PNC-led Government seems intent on continuing from where it left off and appears indulgent of African Guyanese groups which are attempting to make themselves more entitled than others by trying to stake out indigeneity claims.

No other Africans in the West – not in Brazil, America, Suriname, or anywhere else – have ever done so, perhaps, out of due regard for the inviolable rights of the Americas’ First Peoples.

Indian Guyanese are still seen as outsiders and aliens by these groups, and even as usurpers who arrived “late” and have inherited what is not rightfully theirs, whereas, like immigrant communities everywhere, our fore-parents came with their values and beliefs, worked hard and settled here, and paved the way for the full citizenship of their descendants.

Indian Guyanese are equal to every other citizen with respect to all legal and human rights and are entitled to an equal share in the national patrimony. Denying these rights to any Guyanese group or citizen can be rightfully viewed as prejudice, based on nationalist feelings. Indian Guyanese have endured open cultural and political violence for half a century and many fled to North America, some as refugees, as recently as the turn of the century from the Buxton-centred racial/political violence.

They fled race-led nationalism in Guyana and have made safe homes in Canada and the US. Many of them are on the frontlines in the battle to make sure that the US does not go down the path of Guyana because of their experience here where nationalism, with all its inbuilt prejudices, is actually justified and encouraged by several political and cultural leaders.

The events unfolding in the US should be vital lessons for the nationalists in our midst.

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

Region 2 REO accused of hiring geriatric PNC supporters … Chairman calls for youth employment

T

ension is rising in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), with officials crying foul over attempts by a top regional official to fill several vacant positions with the elderly.

According to Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, the regional administration has vacancies for an Administrative Officer, Mechanical Superintendent, Superintendent of Works, Clerk of Works, Checker and Administrative Assistant.

Ramdatt revealed in a statement that Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson, sent a memorandum dated January 17, 2017 to the Ministry of the Presidency. In the memorandum, Ramdatt stated that Hopkinson requested approval to hire “senior citizens” for the positions. The Chairman claimed that the nominees are “known People’s National Congress supporters.”

Ramdatt claimed that the nominees for Administrative Officer and Checker are 58 years old, while the Mechanical Superintendent nominee is 63; Superintendent of Works is 61; and Clerk of Works is 60. While he did not have the age of the Administrative Assistant nom-

inee, Ramdatt said that he was also a senior citizen.

“The Regional Democratic Council of Region Two totally rejects the efforts to employ retirees to fill fabricated positions within the regional administration. The qualification, experience and ability of these senior citizens to function efficiently and effectively is highly questionable and will compromise the quality of human resource in the public service.”

“The Regional Democratic Council observed with keen interest the President's recent comments on the age of persons serving the public, in this case it is the exact opposite, most of the positions require rigorous field visits which will be a challenge for these elders.”

Ramdatt said he had written Communities Minister, Ronald Bulkan, criticising the approach to such employment practices. According to the Regional Chairman, even the basics – vacancy notice, application perusal, shortlisting of suitable applicants and interviews – were not done.

“In fact it is a breach of employment practice within the Public Service. At a Statutory Meetings of the

Regional Executive Rupert Hopkinson

Officer

Regional Democratic Council, Councillors unanimously condemned this action against the Coalition Councillor,” he said.

He noted that Region Two has a high level of unemployment, pointing that many qualified young people and graduates from the University of Guyana are seeking employment. According to the Chairman, this breach of employment practice points to the Government’s lack of interest in creating opportunities for young Guyanese.”

“Only in July of 2016; a qualified young Guyanese was appointed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to be Deputy Regional Executive

Officer (DREO), Region Two. REO Hopkinson was part of that interview panel that recommended the young man for the post of Deputy Regional Executive Officer. When the DREO reported for duties after being instructed by the PSC he was never given access to his office by Hopkinson,” Ramdatt alleged.

He stated that the Region Two Co-op Department is presently not in operation because a qualified Co-op Officer, a graduate from the University of Guyana cannot be provided with office space.

“The Regional Democratic Council calls on the Minister of Communities and Ministry of the Presidency not to proceed with the employment of the six retirees and to pursue the appointment of the DREO as recommended by the Public Service Commission in July of 2016.”

The Government recently announced a policy change, whereby senior citizens in the public service would have to give way to youth. Justice Cecil Kennard’s age was cited as a factor when President David Granger recently asked him to vacate his position as chair of the Police Complaints Authority.

14 news

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Younge’s Take Basil: The Great

T

hese are tumultuous times. A lot of drama is unfolding in Guyana because of the Government’s inability to understand both the ‘mood’ of the populace and its ‘resentment’ for poorly thought out policies and initiatives that appear burdensome, discriminatory and unnecessary.

The satiation is made more complex when one examines the rising levels of tension between the Government which is the Executive policy-maker and the Judiciary which is duty-bound to defend the law.

A classic example can be found in the recent exchanges between representatives from both branches of Government on issues which have engaged the attention of the Courts, and require the interpretation of the Constitution of Guyana.

While the Judiciary appears to be discharging its mandate independently and in line with Michael Younge the tenants, as well as spirit of the Constitution, the Executive is throwing a tantrum as opposed to acting maturely whenever judgments are handed down that are not within its favour.

The Government, through its Attorney General Basil Williams, is displaying a lack of grace, dignity and self-respect.

It is behaving as though it is desperate, spiteful and vengeful.

One may even say that the responses and movements made after the Judiciary takes a position on various issues demonstrates a lack of knowledge, intelligence and basic understanding of key principles of law on the part of the Government.

This can be seen in the attacks made by the learned Attorney General against the Deputy Solicitor General Prithima Kissoon.

For weeks now, he has been laying blame for the State’s failure to win several cases against prominent figures in the Opposition at the feet of Ms Kissoon.

He has resolved in his mind that she is “unprofessional” and somehow compromised because of her perceived or imagined closeness to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and his predecessor Anil Nandlall. Also, Mr Williams appears to be convinced that some conspiracy is afoot within the Judiciary to tarnish what, no doubt will be his short “stint” as Attorney General if he continues to act so irrationally.

What is strange, however, is the fact that Mr Williams has not laid any blame at his feet for allowing cases to be filed in the courts in the first place, which are misconceived and bad in law.

He does not seem to understand that as the Government’s chief legal advisor, he is duty-bound to vet all of these cases and ensure that are arguments put forward by lawyers from his chambers, including the Solicitor General and her deputy, are sound.

He is not exempt from appearing in person whenever necessary if he feels that the Judiciary will be biased. After all, he is a specially anointed and ‘hand-picked’ Senior Counsel, and any failure on part of Ms Kissoon as he has alleged is also a failure on his part.

His decision to continue his diatribe in the media against Ms Kissoon is unprofessional and could be deemed racially motivated if the public was to understand the full context of his protestation as some other lawyers do.

Not even the Acting Chancellor Carl Singh is exempt from the Attorney General’s wrath and discontentment in many respects.

Recall how Mr Singh was given notice about the Government’s dissatisfaction with him being in that current portfolio. He should have responded to the comments of Messrs Trotman and Williams with more force. The Chancellor should have sanctioned the Guyana Chronicle which was in contempt of Court. No amount of window-dressing by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and polemic explanations can undo the tone and focus of those attacks.

These attacks along with the shameful libellous statements made against other judicial office holders, like the Deputy Registrar, by Mr Williams does not augur well for Guyana’s democracy and the principle of separation of powers.

Mr Williams would be serving the public well if he implements more programmes to tackle the backlog of cases in the Judiciary and address forthwith the efficiency of the same. He could turn his eyes away from politics for a moment and give good advice to the Government that could correct major flaws in a series of poorly framed and conceptualised legislation which were tabled and passed in Parliament that have vexed the public across the political divide.

Make no bones about soon the Government will have its way.

Carvil Duncan is being removed from the Commissions on which he serves. Soon Mr Singh will retire and a new Chancellor will have to be appointed. There will also be a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice which will have to be fulfilled.

No one is safe from Basil – the Great, if they dare oppose him or challenge his legal acumen, especially if they win or appear sympathetic to the PPP. If the Government’s chief cultural advisor can call for the burning of a media conglomerate (part of the fourth estate) and remains on the job. Then Basil – the Great will face no sanction from his superiors for attacking the Judiciary, I think.

guyanatimesgy.com

sunday, february 5, 2017

15

News

Local law school

Committees set up to monitor establishment A s the Guyana Government moves to establish a law school here, two committees will be established to have oversight to ensure that the project is being pursued in accordance with the necessary requirements.

According to Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, this decision was taken during the recently concluded meeting of Council of Legal Education’s (CLE) Executive Committee

held in Kingston, Jamaica, last week.

“The Executive Committee agreed that two committees would be set up to collaborate on the proposal to establish the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas in Guyana, in keeping with the criteria required for law schools under the auspices of the CLE,” he stated.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, the Government will estab-

lish one of the committees which will include representatives of its joint venture partners and the Attorneys General of Jamaica and Guyana. Meanwhile, CLE’s committee will comprise of its Chairman, Reginald Armour, SC; the Principals of Hugh Wooding, Norman Manley and Eugene Dupuch Law Schools; and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Dean for the Faculty of Law, Dr Leighton Jackson.

Former CEO took millions...

FROM PAGE 7

To prevent reoccurrences, auditors recommended that an internal audit department be established. It was noted that having this in place would improve governance, risk management and internal controls. “An audit charter, audit plan and an audit manual should be documented. The internal audit charter provides the functional and organisational framework within which internal audit will operate.”

“The charter will set out the scope, objectives, authority, accountability role and responsibility of internal audits within Go-Invest.”

Burrowes stepped down as CEO in 2015 due of the flurry of criticisms levelled against him. He also came under fire from the Private Sector Commission. It had been reported that Burrowes’ decision was prompted by the criticisms that he was a “political appointee.”

The Go-Invest audit is one of several commissioned by Government into State entities in 2015.

It was only on Thursday that Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, renewed his challenge for the Government, rather than just talking, to hire a firm to go after those who were involved in malfeasance in office. This, he had stressed, was only if claims of such malfeasance were legitimate.

Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

Moreover, the Legal Affairs Minister outlined that the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Guyana Government and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) and the Law College of the Americas (LCA) will see a feasibili-

ty study being conducted to ensure that all the requirements of the Council are met.

“The CLE’s requirements for the establishment of its law schools include matters such as physical plant, staffing, library facilities and infrastructures. The feasibility study to be undertaken pursuant to the MoU… will encompass those criteria,” Williams noted.

Government’s move to establish the JOF Haynes Law School of the Americas in Guyana comes on the heels of law students from the University of Guyana (UG) continuing to face challenges in finding spots at the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) in Trinidad to pursue their Legal Education Certificate.

The agreement between the Guyana Government and HWLS to facilitate this arrangement

comes to an end next year and so Government is hoping to have the law school up and running here by 2018.

However, before any physical construction gets underway, a feasibility study will have to be conducted to determine the best route of implementing this project.

The project will be undertaken in the form of a public private partnership, with Government holding 30 per cent interest and the private partners 70 per cent.

Government’s contribution will be to provide the land needed for the development of the school, which is anticipated to accommodate up to 400 students.

With the law school operating under the Council of Legal Education, it will therefore be open to students all across the region.

16 news

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Banks DIH Linden branch records 3.3% sale increase

T

he management and staff of the Linden Branch of beverage giant Banks DIH Limited came in for high praise once again on Friday, as the company presented its 2016 financial report at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) in recognition of its 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In her review of the performance of the Linden branch for the fiscal year ending September 2016, Branch Manager Shondell Easton revealed to scores of shareholders and Executives present at the meeting that the branch performed creditably, achieving total sales of $1,052,750,764 ($1.05 billion), a slight increase of 3.3 per cent from the previous year.

The Branch Manager further noted that on the phys-

ical case sale, the branch sold a total of 712,399 cases, which signalled a slight decrease of 5.6 per cent.

Addressing the gathering in the compound of the Linden branch, located at Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, Easton said the company looks forward to continued support from its customers, as it continues to strive on building a good relationship with the community through sport, education and entertainment.

In his presentation, Banks DIH Limited Chairman Clifford Reis attributed the successes of the sales at the Linden branch to the dedication and good relationship between the staff and the people. In congratulating the branch, Reis noted that Easton went even further this year by increasing the profits of the branch

A section of gathering at the Banks DIH AGM (Linden branch)

by $8 million.

Citizens Bank

Additionally, Reis indicated that Citizens Bank’s branch in Linden also had a relatively “good” year. He stated that during the financial year ending September 30, 2016, the total revenue

for the branch increased by $5 million. Reis noted that only $720 million was borrowed from the bank in 2016, as he urged Lindeners to make better use of the bank’s loan services.

“What is surprising us though, you’re not borrowing enough. People are not

borrowing enough money at Linden. You only borrowed $720 million and we want to know why. We’re willing to lend you, but we have to lend you under certain conditions. If you meet the right conditions, you get the loan.

So, my fellow shareholders and friends in Linden, it is

your bank…” he said as he called for loan applications.

Following the company’s overall and branch financial report, presentations were made to the West Watooka Nursery School and the Linden Centre for the Disabled.

Trophies and cash incentives were also presented to outstanding teams and individuals which participated in the annual Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Banks DIH GT Beer Cup football tournament, which was held in Linden from December 6, 2016 to January 1, 2017.

Among some of the officials present were Banks DIH’s Company Managing Director, George McDonald; Deputy Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell; and Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, among others.

news

17

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Anna's

President Granger’s cookup Republic

W

e’ve always had a problem with crime in Guyana, but the situation has become untenable under the Coalition.

We have a President who defends that the mother of all crimes is narcotics, when in fact it is poverty and social disparities that engender crime, including narco-trade.

At the same time, President Granger has cultivated the image of being a criminallover by releasing almost one hundred prisoners to date, Anna Correia without ensuring that proper rehabilitation measures were implemented to guarantee their successful reintegration in society. It is therefore unsurprising that quite a few of the same pardoned criminals went right back to re-engaging in illicit activities, some of which they were previously condemned.

At the same time, we have a Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, who, albeit being forced to dwell in Granger’s shade, was handed a diminished portfolio which is a now but a mere shadow of what the Home Affairs Ministry used to be. But even with his reduced responsibilities, Ramjattan has to date been incapable of fighting crime, much less containing it.

The alarming crime rate is intrinsically tied to several factors, notwithstanding the President’s notorious leniency towards criminals. Socioeconomic issues, such as chronic unemployment, the current economic stagnation, the lack of private investments, inaccessibility to higher learning for young people, or decent jobs for young professionals, etc, all engender poverty, which in turn contributes to the increase in crime.

Perhaps it is the President’s laissez-faire attitude and the Public Security Ministry’s incompetence in cracking down on crime, that have invested criminals with a sense of immunity from law and order, resulting in their reinforced brazen attacks on Guyanese from all backgrounds combined. But if we can be certain of one thing, it is that Guyanese are fed-up of the Government’s inaptitude in proposing a durable, longterm strategy to fight crime and its root cause. The recent gunning down of young man in Albouystown has resulted in the people of the neighbourhood in question, to demand that President Granger “step-up” to put a muzzle on crime.

But in all appearance their call has gone unanswered and President Granger continues to show reticence in holding the much awaited press conference he owes to the Guyanese people. One might rightfully venture that the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is afraid to acknowledge his cumulated failures to people, but also, that he has no regard for democratic principles such as transparency and accountability.

Today, however, I join my voice to those of thousands of my frustrated country-women and men, and ask President Granger to come out and face us, the people of Guyana.

President Granger must tell us what he has done so far to secure the future of Guyana’s youth, to lift us out of poverty and by extent, break the vicious cycle of crime.

Why is it that contrary to his campaign promises, President Granger claims that it is not the Government’s responsibility to provide jobs for young people? Why will the President and his administration not take responsibility for the thousands of jobs lost in both the private and public sectors since 2015? Is it not the Government’s responsibility to create sustainable policies which stimulate economic growth and job creation? Is this President Granger’s definition of a socially inclusive and cohesive society?

Why is cook-up rice, plantain chips and cassava chips the President’s best employment strategy on his Public Interest show? When should we expect real solutions to Guyana’s problems on the Public Interest show? Where is President Granger’s long-promised crime-fighting strategy and what are all those military-trained advisors who were hired, doing to contain and reduce crime?

If President Granger cannot be a man of his words and live up to his own promises, then perhaps he should stop wasting time and hard-earned tax-dollars on his weekly propaganda dubbed Public Interest, and focus the country’s resources on tackling poverty and crime.

President Granger and his administration have done little to prove their worth so far. Instead, they are draining the energy out of Guyana and sucking the marrow out of our people.

Contact sundayarrow@gmail.com

GBTI staff dies after crashing into utility pole

A

staff member attached the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited was on Saturday morning killed after she lost control of the car she was driving and slammed into a utility pole in Berbice.

Dead is 29-yearold Shabana Ali of Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to reports received, at the time of her demise, Ali was driving her motor car bearing registration number PNN 189 and attempted to negotiate a turn in the vicinity of Palmyra when she lost control of the vehicle.

After slamming into the utility pole, persons ran to her rescue. She was pulled from the wreckage in an unconscious state and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Divisional Traffic Officer Boodnarine Persaud told Guyana Times that there were no skid marks on the

The wrecked car driven by Ali on Saturday morning

roadway, which indicated that Ali had full control of the vehicles moments before it drove off of the main carriageway. He further stated that there is evidence which suggested that brakes were applied after the vehicle reached the gravel at the side of the road.

Persons at the scene claimed that Ali overtook them in a speed, assuming that she was probably late

to get somewhere. One man said she was actually driving at about 130 kmph.

The dead woman’s brother; Zaman Ali, said she was on her way to Georgetown on work business.

“Yesterday (Friday) I talk to her and she told me that she had to go to Georgetown for some training at the head office. I did not talk to her this morning because I had to go to the

airport and it was when I was coming back I received the devastating message,” the brother noted.

The mother of a fouryear-old daughter has been working at the financial institution for the past eight years. She leaves to mourn her husband, daughter, parents, siblings and other relatives.

The Police are continuing their investigations.

18 news

SunDAY, february 5, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Legal advice being sought on retired regional officials occupying quarters

R

egional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Gavin Clarke said he has been directed to seek legal advice regarding the way forward on buildings still being occupied by retired regional officials, as well as those who are no

longer employed by the system.

Clarke said the issue is a serious one for the administration of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and one in which it is more or less charged to have rectified. The concern was raised

by Councillors on Thursday

where it was stated that the officials who are no longer employed by the State, refuse to give up the housing quarters in the region, while officers currently employed are in need such quarters.

"The truth of the matter, there is about, to be exact, about seven persons or

so who are living in quarters, who've been written to. They were asked to leave the property and some people blatantly refused. I was advised to seek legal advice. Letters were sent, but people just refuse to respond," Clarke said.

He added that it was brought to his attention

that the issue is not unique to Region 10, but noted that REOs across the country are faced with similar difficulties.

Clarke also explained that while a contract is renewed on an annual basis, occupants of these quarters are not paying rent and as such have refused to sign. The REO stressed that he would be happy to have the support of the Council in having those persons removed.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian said the administration will write the office of the Attorney General regarding the issue. Meanwhile, Councillor Douglas Gittens urged that the Council should move in the direction of physically removing such occupants, as was done in the past, but the option was shut down by Morian.

"We shouldn't, because we've been advised by the legal people… Even the person who you may perceive to be in breach have rights also… they have rights that the law would have to deal with… I'm

REO Gavin Clarke

saying to the REO, write the Attorney General, that the RDC need the support to get these persons out," Morian told the Council.

The Regional Chairman also said that he wants the issue to be fast-tracked, and as such, the Council would provide relevant information to the Attorney General regarding those occupants who refuse to give up regional quarters.

Prospecting permit granted for Lithium exploration

A

locally registered company has been granted a special prospecting permit to continue exploring for lithium in Guyana following a significant discovery late last year.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman told Guyana Times that the company will also be exploring for other minerals and then provide a report to the Ministry.

Based on the findings, Government will make a decision on whether the company can move into mining.

“We are hoping that in a few months we'll get some updates,” Trotman stated.

He explained that substantial deposits of lithium were unearthed in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) particularly.

Lithium is a chemical element that is derived from stone. It is used in rechargeable batteries found in mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, electrical vehicles, pacemakers, toys and clocks.

Given the growing importance of energy metals and

Securing a consistent supply of lithium is a top priority for technology companies around the world

lithium-ion batteries, securing a consistent supply of lithium is a top priority for technology companies around the world.

Lithium’s uses extend far beyond rechargeable batteries, but many predict that this application will dominate demand for the metal in coming years.

Lithium is also used in everything from glass and ceramics to grease and polymers. It's even used in medicine to treat bipolar disorder.

Indian company bids...

from page 9

The feasibility study will examine the cultivation and harvesting of sugar cane and sugarcane processing.

It will also look at the production of fuel-grade ethanol, and the production of bulk rum for local, regional and international markets.

The feasibility study will also focus on power production from bagasse, production of high-test molasses, the construction of a liquid bulk terminal and the development of a solar power generation facility.

The findings of the feasibility study will provide critical information and set the platform to make a defini-

tive project proposal to the Government of Guyana.

Meanwhile, the MoU was signed without full disclosure to the Guyanese public and without any public notice or public tender. The company has no experience with any agricultural enterprise, and provides engineering services to the automotive and oil industries in T&T. Notably, however, as witness to the signing was Noel Rupie Shewjattan, the owner of Auto Fashion Store on Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.

Auto Fashion Store also has no experience in the agricultural sector.

sunDAY, february 5, 2017

19

Ali, Mangra

win GUMDAC Men doubles title − Ramdhani creates history

P

riyanna Ramdhani will be remembered as the first local badminton player to play in all the open doubles final of a single competition as she recently completed a successful run in all three categories of the GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Tournament.

She partnered with Greer Jackson to win the ladies open doubles, with Jonathan Mangra she won the mixed doubles title and with Avinash Odit, Priyanna played the men’s open final for the first time finishing as runners up.

The Guyana Badminton Association started off the year with the GUMDAC Annual Open Doubles Tournament which started on Wednesday February 1 and ended on Friday February 3 at the National Gymnasium.

This tournament which is playing for the fifth year is made possible through Darrell Carpenay, Managing Director of GUMDAC and also an executive on the GBA. The highlight of the evening was in the Men Doubles where National and Caribbean Champion Ramdhani competed in the Men Doubles partnered with Odit and took the top men pair of Nicholas Ali and Jonathan Mangra to a three Setter, losing in the first set 21-14, coming back in the second game to win 21-19 and finally lost in the third game

Action in GUMDAC badminton men’s doubles tournament at the National Gymnasium

set 21-13. It was a great effort this young player put in and proved that she can be on top with the male players.

The Matches Played were: Open men doubles third place: Marlon Chung and Ronald Chang Yuen defeated Gokarn Ramdhani and Javid Rahaman: 21-16, 2119. Open men doubles finals: Nicholas Ali and Jonathan Manga defeated Priyanna Ramdhani and Avinash Odit: 21-14, 19-21,

21-13. Open ladies doubles round robin: Priyanna Ramdhani and Greer Jackson defeated Angelica Holder and Pricilla Moore: 21-9, 21-10, Angelica Holder and Pricilla Moore defeated Ayanna Wickham-Watson

and Emelia Ramdhani: 21-17, 21-12. Open mix doubles third place: Ronald Chang Yuen and Pricilla Moore defeated Avinash Odit and Angelica Holder: 21-13, 17-21, 1721. Open ladies doubles finals: Priyanna Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra defeated Nicholas Ali & Greer Jackson: 21-17, 21-15.

The over-all winners are: MEN DOUBLES: First – Nicholas Ali and Jonathan Mangra, Second- Priyanna Ramdhani and Avinash Oit, Third- Marlon Chung and Ronald Chang Yuen. Ladies doubles: First-Priyanna Ramdhani and Greer Jackson, second-Pricilla Moore and Angelica Holder, third- Ayana Wickhan-Watson and Emelia Ramdhani.

Mix doubles: First - Priyanna Ramdhani and Johnathan Mangra, second- Nicholas Ali and Greer Jackson, third Ronald Chang Yuen and Pricilla Moore.

The GBA is pleased with the turnout of the players especially at the starting of the New Year 2017 and will be getting plans in order for the Mash Tournament planned for later in this month.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, february 5, 2017

CWI/ Regional Super50 2017…

Peaking Jaguars seeking redemption against unbeaten Pride T

he Guyana Jaguars have managed to gain some momentum in this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 tournament with convincing wins in their last three matches to move into second place in Zone B in Barbados.

Today they will once more face their toughest opponents in the group, Barbados Pride at the Three Ws Oval from 09:00h.

The last time these two sides met in the tournament’s opening match at the Kensington Oval, Jaguars suffered a horrendous 145-run defeat. Set an imposing 303 runs after West Indies player Kraigg Braithwaite scored his maiden List A century, the Jaguars batting simply imploded, being bundled out for 157 in 32 overs, with captain Leon Johnson’s score of 55, being the only fighting power shown.

Johnson’s form continued as he went unto score two more half centuries being the team’s leading run-getter and the tournament’s third with 206 runs from five matches at an impressive average of 51.50.

Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been the preverbal “rock” of the team, as after missing the first match

due to injury, he scored a century against Jamaica Scorpions then a solid 58 not out against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners in the last match to average 181 from four matches.

Though the former West Indies captain’s contribution will be integral today, the rest of the batting needs to fire, especially the top-order. In all five matches to date, the Jaguars have lost their first wicket with less than 20 runs on the board, in fact in one match they were 14-4 against the Scorpions.

More so, the combination of off-spinner Ashley Nurse and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn shared eight between themselves when the two teams last met and the batters will need to play positive against the two West Indies players.

On the bowling side, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton has been the leading wicket takers for the Guyana based franchise. Both players consistency have earned them 10 wickets a piece and have gone below five runs per over.

The off-spin of Steven Jacobs, has also been a standout, though he has only taken four wickets, his economy rate of 2.77 throughout the tournament has been outstanding considering in four of his five matches he has bowled his full allotment of 10 overs.

However, the bowling department will once again

face a humongous task of containing a batting line up t h a t boasts several current West Indies players.

Braithwaite managed to score his second century of the tournament, in his last match against ICC Americas, taking his tally to 302 runs but only Jonathon Carter with 201 runs has been the other real consistent performer with the bat.

T h e r e is still the threat of Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Carlos Braithwaite, Jason Holder and Roston Chase, who scored 57 in his last match.

With the Jaguars having three more matches (including today’s) they are hoping they can secure a victory and push closer to qualification for the semifinals in Antigua on February 15 and 16.

The Pride are all but certain to qualify for the knock-out matches, leaving the next spot in the group to be a battle among the Jaguars, Jamaica Scorpions and CCC Marooners.

The Scorpions will be in action against the Marooners today as well at the Kensington Oval from 13:30h.

USA batsman Fahad Babar returns home because of immigration worries U SA batsman Fahad Babar has left the ICC Americas squad midway through their WICB Regional Super50 campaign in Barbados on the recommendation of his immigration lawyer. Babar, a Pakistan national who qualified to play for USA under the ICC's seven-year residency rule, said he returned to the USA as a precautionary measure in the wake of the executive order from US President Donald Trump blocking entry for 90 days to people from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Babar left Barbados

on Wednesday night after ICC Americas' 66-run loss to Jamaica and landed in Chicago on Thursday morning.

"I had no issues coming in and out," Babar told ESPNcricinfo on Friday. "But there's always that fear which bothers you. So that's the issue. Other than that I've had no other problems."

He is one of six Muslim players in the ICC Americas squad. Ali Khan and Akeem Dodson, both American citizens, are the two other USA players while the rest reside in Canada.

Babar said the uncertain-

ty over his own immigration status weighed on his mind during his time in Barbados, where he scored 29 runs in two innings. Leaving the team to come back to Chicago was a difficult decision, particularly because one of the incentives for the ICC Americas squad members is an opportunity to be drafted by a Caribbean Premier League franchise through their performances at the Regional Super50, but he said he felt this was the best course of action after speaking with USA head coach Pubudu Dassanayake, other members of the ICC Americas staff and his law-

yer, William McClean.

"Cricket is a mental game and you have to be mentally fit enough to play the game and I think it affected me a little bit in my performance," Babar said. "I worked really hard to get into the ICC Americas team. I had to perform and prove myself before coming here. I was in Sri Lanka to gain experience to work hard towards this.

Unfortunately, it's not my time right now. That's what I can say and I will work hard in the future to get another opportunity. It's disappointing but it's life and you have to be strong sometimes to get

United States even if he's travelling for cricket and that's what we're scared of."

Babar, 24, came to the USA as a 14-year old and went on to represent the USA Under-19 team in 2011 before making his senior team debut in 2013. He has developed into one of USA's most consistent batsmen and was named tournament MVP at the 2015 ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 championship in Indianapolis.

Babar recently spent two months in Sri Lanka playing first-class cricket for Kalutara Physical Culture Club through an opportuni-

United States is that they put him in secondary inspection," McClean said. "A lot of people have to go through that but there was no reason for him to have to go through secondary inspection and they made him go do that anyway. Secondary inspection is a room with no windows and a locked door.

"That 120-day rule, that should not apply to Fahad because he's not a refugee and he's not from any of those countries that are affected by the ban. But he's not a citizen.

Green card holders are being excluded from the United States but for Fahad himself, the actual bar should not have

Fahad Babar began his cricket career with USA Under-19s after coming to the country as a 14-year old

through this."

Currently, the US travel-ban specifically applies to nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. McClean said he was wary of the list being expanded beyond the initial seven countries and wanted his clients to be protected in case that happens.

"He's [Fahad] from Pakistan which is close to those other countries and might be next on the chopping block," McClean told ESPNcricinfo. "If he's out of the US when they say, 'okay we're extending the ban to Pakistani people', Fahad will be barred. He will not be allowed to come back into the

ty organised by Dassanayake.

He came back through Miami on January 24 on his way to Barbados for the Regional Super50, just days before President Trump's executive action was signed halting immigration from certain countries.

USA's next international competition is the ICC WCL Division Three in Uganda in May. However, McClean said he will continue to advise caution because Babar was flagged for "secondary inspection" on his arrival back to the USA this week.

"The only thing that happened to him, in my opinion, that shouldn't have happened when he came back to the

an effect on him."

No replacement player has been named for Babar, who was replaced by Dodson in the starting XI for Friday's match against Barbados, and an ICC Americas source indicated that none would be added for the team's final three matches at the Regional Super50.

Babar's departure leaves the squad with essentially 13 available players from their original 15. Ali Khan has not played since aggravating a hamstring injury in the team's first warm-up match prior to the start of the Regional Super50 and his fitness is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

YELLOW PAGES sunday, FEBRuary 5, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

KEY CUTTing

“Conferences & Retreats – Full Service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities. Aracari Resort WBD – 264 2946 Alex Wayne”

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks.

Get your extra key today.

“Weddings & Anniversaries: Rental or Full Service: Banquet Hall & Catering.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264 2946 Alex Wayne” “Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbor Bridge) – All Modern Amenities – Rates from $25. Phone 264 2946-8”

Business Opportunity Businessman interested in restarting a profitable venture. Need approximately $10 Million for 2 years, Lucrative Returns Safe. Email: businessopportunity12@yahoo.com or businessopportunity@yahoo.com. Mobile: 641-7074 Complete package, key cutting machine plus 1000 blank keys:.Price: $450,000.

Vers Realty: To Rent Office Space & Store Front, 17 Brickdam & Smyth Street, Stabroek, Georgetown Guyana. Tel: 2231217 Or 600-5759

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION REGISTER - learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard and train your voice NOW OR in the Summer. Call 225-1151/ 6578404 Learn to Play Music at Foundation7: Call NOW: 225-1151/6578404

FOR SALE WATER PUMP TO PUMP WATER INTO RICE FIELDS WITH DRIVE SHAFT AND TWENTY FOOT CANVAS TO CONVEY WATER; CAGE WHEEL FOR JOHN DEERE TRACTOR 5090; STEERING RACK FOR TUNDRA 2000 SERIES; FUEL PUMP FOR TOYOTA HILUX 1 KD – FTV ENGINE; SET OF SIX INJECTORS FOR DAF 6-CYLINDER DIESEL ENGINE. CONTACT: 2201630, 638-1829.

PPP SERIES TOYOTA PREMIO FOR SALE, WITH A/C, ALARMS AND MUSIC SYSTEM FULLY FUNCTIONAL. CONTACT: 655-2867 Powerline Battery Water/wholesale. 1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 680-3863 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 226-5053.

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc.

Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/ VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 4446376, Corriverton: 339-3536, MetenMeer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

health Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com FOR YOUR HEALTH AND BEAUTY: Natural Choice Chai (Tea) & Moringa Powder, keep yourself healthy and beautiful from the inside out! Add Natural Choice products to your health foods today! Ask for it at your local supermarket. Now available at Flambouyant Supermarkets in Diamond and Eccles, all DSL Cash & Carry branches, The Guyana Shop (GMC) at Robb & Alexander Sts, Bourda, Medi Care Pharmacy in South Ruimveldt, (Royal Castle Building), Ram’s Supermarket at Vreed-En-Hoop and Sangeeta Supermarket in Linden.

LAND for sale Land for sale. 1.5 Acres WBD. Close to Plantation Walk, Vreed-En-Hoop. Call: 658-0115 Plot of land used to cultivate RICE, Plantation Better Hope, Essequibo Coast. Size 33.14 Acres. Tel: 625-1514

prIVATE INVESTIGATION SERVICES: polygraph testing, cheating spouse, background checks, criminal investigations, private investigations, security survey – risk analysis, due diligence, bodyguard service, security consultancy, any other worldwide services. Contact Central Advisory Service – email: internationallpi1@ yahoo.com. Tel : 592-630-4041

property for sale ONE 2-STOREY, RECENTLY, RENOVATED PROPERTY – CONCRETE AND WOODEN STRUCTURE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BACK, SUB – LOT KITTY. EACH LEVEL HAS 2 BEDROOMS, 1 BATHROOM, KITCHEN, DINING / LIVING ROOM. $28M NEGOTIABLE. CONTACT. TEL 693-0003 (DURING BUSINESS HOURS) PROPERTY FOR SALE IN ENTERPRISE SCHEME. 1 LARGE FAMILY HOME, 4 BEDROOM, FULLY GRILLED, 2-CAR GARAGE, RESERVOIR, OVERHEAD TANKS AND WATER FILTRATION, ETC. CALL/WHATSAPP NAVIN: 1-347517-7432 Two buildings on lot at 180 Charlotte Street. L 20 x W 30.

Contact Tel: 624-7341, 227-6817, 226-5183. Price Neg. Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. Mon Repos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park: $20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp & Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence (land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmonie (land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

SALON / SPA “COSMETOLOGY – FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000.

Aracari Salon & Spa, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927”

services BRAIN’S CONSTRUCTION AND RENTAL SERVICE. WE RENT ALL TYPES OF EQUIPMENT: EXCAVATORS, BOB CATS, TRUCKS, TOOLS. WE DELIVER SAND, MUD AND CONTRACT BUILDINGS. Tel: 219-0904, 601-5024

Technician – specializes in repairing and servicing to washing machines, pressure pumps, refridgerators, exercising machines, treadmills, stove/ ranges, dryers, ovens, pressure washers, solar systems, water heaters. Tel: 673-9283

1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003

Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719.

TOYOTA COASTER BUS EXCELLENT CONDITION PRICE: $1.95 MILLION CONTACT: 266-3173-6

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 6028997

PPP SERIES TOYOTA PREMIO FOR SALE, WITH A/C, ALARMS AND MUSIC SYSTEM FULLY FUNCTIONABLE CONTACT: 6552867

HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

1 TOYOTA ALLION 2004 MODEL TEL: 681-3004

PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE. CERTIFICATE TRAINING COURSE IN JANUARY 2017. REGISTER NOW AND GET 50% DISCOUNTFOR CHRISTMAS UP TO 31ST DECEMBER. CALL: 6948322 OR 671-9603 House plans & estimates, weeding of grass & spraying done within 48hrs.

Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

spirituality

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now.

Email: anew-life@live.com

WANTED SALES GIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL, BRASSONIC Bldg.

(MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST, GEORGETOWN. 231-7101

SPIRITUAL HEALING: REMOVE BLOCKAGE , VOODOO, HEXCURSE, BLACK MAGIC, SPELL, BUSINESS, UPLIFTMENT, PREGNANCY, LOVE & MARRIAGE PROBLEMS, CLEARANCE ETC. Contact: 6121975, 683-5228

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO LET THREE STOREY 75 FT’X 30 FT BUILDING/BOND, OPEN FLOORS, 2 OFFICES, 2 WASHROOMS, DRIVEWAY. 25B PRINCESS ST, CHARLESTOWN. TEL: 223-0654, 225-0605 UNFURNISHED BOTTOM FLAT – 2 BEDROOMS, BATHROOM, KITCHENETTE, DINING/LIVING ROOM, PRE-PAID METER. QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD – KITTY. NO CHILDREN. NO PETS. SUITABLE FOR STUDENTS OR SINGLE WORKING PERSONS. $55,000 PER MONTH. 2 MONTHS SECURITY DEPOSIT. RENT CONTRACT FOR 6 – 12 MONTHS. CONTACT 693-0003 (DURING BUSINESS HOURS)

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921

8

21 teams battle sports

for Republic Cup at Everest today

Everest Cricket Club, known as the “Mecca” of softball cricket will host Republic Cup 4

T

he fourth edition of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League’s Republic Cup takes place tomorrow at the Everest Cricket Club with eight teams battling in two categories.

In the All-Star Category, Regal, Success XI, Speed Boat and Farm XI will battle for honours while in the Masters Category Regal Masters, Success Masters, Mike’s Wellman and Ariel Masters will go at each other.

The teams were in action last weekend in the KPL Fundraiser and will no doubt be going in to today’s event well prepared. The most prepared of the lot will be Regal Masters and All-Stars who won their respective categories last week.

The masters were led beautifully by Fazleem Mohamed, David and Raymond Harper, Eric Thomas, Rudolph Baker, Mahendra Arjune and Mahendra Hardyal and will be looking for consistency if they are to win the Republic Cup. They must watch out for Mike’s Wellman who depend heavily on Wayne Jones, Mike Singh, Latchman Kallicharran, Motilall Chumandatt and Greg De Franca for their recent improvement. Success and Ariel Masters are seasoned teams and will be looking to create upsets.

In the Open category, Regal All Stars will be the team to beat. They have been red hot on the local scene and with the likes of Kelvin Orford, Vishnu Tannichandra, Wazeer Hussain, Sarfraz Esau and Fazal Rafeek in the green and yellow they have an excellent chance of taking the top honours again. Speed Boat must not be underestimated and will be looking for a good start from Lennox “Assassin” Mark and Shazim Hussain. The Success and Farm teams have been very competitive and on their day will beat all opponents.

A full day of excitement is anticipated when the action starts at 09:00h with the semifinals. The tournament was further boosted when Guyana’s bigger and better mobile network, Digicel and Stag Beer joined the list of faithful supporters for the one day event. The others being Trophy Stall in the City Mall and Bourda Market, Top Brandz Distributors, Elegance Jewelry and Pawn Shop, Wild Catch Fish Depot at Meadow Bank and Mon Repos Public Road, Crown Mining Supplies, Star Party Rentals and Ink Plus.

2nd T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament for the Blind

Douglas leads West Indies to 1st win

VACANCY ONE ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTION / MANAGER TO WORK AT CLUB PURPLEHEART ON THE ESSEQUIBO COAST. MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE IN SAID FIELD. ACCOMODATION AND ATTRACTIVE SALARY OFFERED. CONTACT – 226-9768 HOUSEKEEPER – 624-0033

CUSTOMER/SALES ASSISTANT – 624- 0033 PUMP ATTENDANT – 680-3863 DRIVER/COMPANY – 680-3863 FAST GROWING FOOD DISTRIBUTION COMPANY SEEKING A BOOK KEEPER / INVENTORY CLERK, EXPERIENCE AND POLICE CLEARANCE NEEDED CALL FOR INTERVIEW 231-8344, 223-1027 OR 223-1034

VEHICLES FOR SALE FOR SALE. TOYOTA HILUX EXTRA CAB PICK UP, GVV 2574, EXCELLENT CONDITION. CONTACT NUMBER: 601-5024 FOR SALE! 1 TOYOTA AVENSIS, PRR 825. $2.2M NEGOTIABLE. CALL TROY: 619-2975

Kevin Douglas

G

uyanese B3 player, Kevin Douglas hit 96 to lead West Indies to a comfortable 43-run victory over Nepal in the 2nd T20 World Cup Cricket for tournament for the Blind on Saturday in India.

Batting first in their round six match, West Indies got to 208/7 from their 20 overs with Douglas hitting 10 fours from 59 balls before he was run out. With fellow Guyanese Leroy Phillip (23), Douglas put on 53 for the first wicket which laid the foundation for the competitive total. Caneel Graham, batting at number three made 27 before retiring.

Nepal gave away 28 extras while four bowlers picked up one wicket each.

In looking for their second win of the tournament, Nepal were restricted by some good bowling and fielding from the West Indies and eventually made 165/3. At one stage, Nepal were 70/3 before Sunil Magar (70 not out) and Lok Thapa (36 not out) put on an unbroken 4th wicket partnership of 95 which was not enough.

Guyanese B3 bowler, Ganesh Singh picked up 1-36 while Anthony Cummins took 1-14. West Indies, who are now in 7th position with three points will take on New Zealand tomorrow in Mumbai. Nepal, also on three points will meet Sri Lanka in Pune today.

Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are in a threeway tie for first so far with 15 points each from five wins a-piece. After each of the 10 teams play each other once, the top four teams will in the semifinals before the grand final on February 12.

22

T

guyanatimesgy.com

sundAY, february 5, 2017

Guinness Greatest of the Streets West Demerara

Defending champs Showstoppers crush Small Panama

he West Demerara Zone of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Football Tournament commenced Friday evening at the Pouderoyen tarmac with 10 highly competitive matches, one of which saw defending champions Showstoppers sending strong signals of a title repeat with the 3-0 defeat of Small Panama.

After Panama conceded an own goal in the 7th minute, Dexroy Adams and Kayode King added two more, scoring in the 16th and 20 minute.

Similarly, strikes by Dwayne St. Kitts (6th) and Gideon Payne (12th) led Westside Ballers to a 2-0 win over Comfort Ballers.

DeKinderen Ballers also had a rewarding evening defeating Vege Boyz 1-0 after Steffen Dickson scored in the 19th.

Part of the intense action on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen tarmac

Meanwhile, Agricola lost 0-1 to Future Crane, with Ashton Hodge’s goal in the 13th being the difference between the two teams.

In the evening’s only two goalless matches in regulation time, Hustlers won 1-0 on penalty

kicks against Bagotstown Ballers while Bagotstown Warriors also won in identical fashion against Young Ballers.

Nicquan Nestor led ESPN pass Samaroo Dam, scoring in the 14th minute while Admiral United were also on the winning note after Lexroy Manfield had a double, scoring in the 2nd and 5th and Emanuel Henry in the 11th.

Harmony-B lost to Good Intent AllStars 1-0 with Daniel Alves scoring in the 15th while Patentia Street Ballers got the better of Raiders with Kurt Garnett (15th) and Andre Bernard (18th) being the marksmen.

Action will continue on Tuesday at the same venue with more matches. The top teams will competing for a top prize of $450,000 while second to fourth place finishers will pocket $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Everest is next stop for Holland Touring Friends CC

E

verest Masters will host Cricket Club Holland Touring Friends this Wednesday February 8 in a 35 overs a-side match at the Everest Cricket Club Ground from 11:00h.

The Dutch team is currently in Trinidad and Tobago where they are playing two matches before making Everest in Guyana their second stop on their three-nation tour of the Caribbean.

From Guyana, the team coming out of Holland will head to Suriname to complete their tour.

The touring team which is made up mainly of past cricketers includes; Bijai Jawala, Soechit Bhanpersad, Jawalapersad Monie, Misier Baidjnath Deo, Changoer Bhoepin, Jiawon Anil, Beta Chaturi Pannalall, Moor Jani Manish, Rooij Martin, Mans Prescod, W.E. Walter, Mohamed Farouk Ayube, Jagesar Devanand Bhaijen, Harkisoen Dewdath Karan, Lakhai Anand, Nathie Ram Jainarain Betlall and Mohamed Ali. The very active Everest Masters team are preparing for their week-long tour of Trinidad and Tobago in March and will use the game as a warm-up.

Everest masters will come from; Rajesh Singh, Johnny Azeez, Rohan Sarjoo, Ramotar Bissoon, Sahadeo Hardaiow, Satyendra Khemraj, Richard Sukhdeo, Ronald Jaisingh, Rakesh Gangaram, Saeed Khan, Prakash Balgobin, Hubert Wright, Latchman Persaud, Saheed Mohamed and Kalyan Tiwarie.

Trophies and plaques for the game are sponsored

by Trophy Stall of City Mall and South Road Bourda.

There will be live entertainment throughout the day’s activity.

Limacol Football hits Victoria Ground tonight

23

guyanatimesgy.com

sundAY, february 5, 2017

Current Points Standings Group-A Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts

Winners Connection Milerock Grove Hi-Tech Northern Rangers

2 2 2 2

1 1 1 0

0 1 1 1

1 0 0 1

3 2 2 1

1 2 3 2

+2 0 -1 -1

4 3 3 1

Group-B Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts

Western Tigers Eagles Uitvlugt NA United

2 2 1 1

2 1 0 0

0 1 1 1

0 0 0 0

3 2 1 1

1 2 2 2

+2 0 -1 -1

6 3 0 0

Group-C

– Mahaica, Ann’s Grove will be in action

T

Ann’s Grove (red) managed to hold off an attacking Santos unit for the most part in their opening match

he exciting Petra organised Limacol round-robin knockout football will grace the Victoria Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara for the first time this year, with two intriguing round two matches.

The first match at 18:30h will pit an impressive Mahaica Determinators against the formidable Riddim Squad.

Mahaica played on the opening night but were held by Guyana Police Force 2-2 despite a double by talented striker Eion Abel.

The Mocha based Riddim Squad faced the same faith as Determinators in their opening match, as they drew with Camptown 1-1 in a thrilling draw which they achieved thanks to a Teon Jones goal.

Considering both teams have only played one match, walking away with a draw each, they will eager to get their first three-points as only the top two sides in each group reaching the

quarter-finals.

In the second game, Ann’s Grove United will tackle Pouderoyen from 20:30h as both sides will also be looking for their first victory of the tournament.

Ann’s Grove avoided defeat against Santos due to an own goal but their performance on field throughout the match was certainly rewarding of goal.

The West Demerara side on the other hand had a less rewarding outing against arch rivals Den Amstel losing 2-0 at the Leonora Stadium.

Sitting in the cellar position in Group C, Pourderyen will be desperate for a win against an opponent who is just one place ahead of them.

The top teams are competing for a $500,000 first place prize while second to third will receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.

In addition, the top teams in the groups will be rewarded $100,000, $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000.

CWI/ Regional Super50 2017

Ambris, Shillingford give Volcanoes crucial win

F

or a second time in this year’s Regional S u p e r 5 0 W i n d w a r d Volcanoes defeated West Indies Under 19, this time by five wickets at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Volcanoes won the match handsomely with more than nine overs to spare and five wickets in hand as wicket keeper batsman Sunil Ambris registered his fourth half century of the tournament to give his team their second win from five matches. He led the chase with an unbeaten 67 as Volcanoes successfully closed on 210-5 in 40.2 overs replying to the 207-9 made by the U19s.

Johnson Charles assisted with 41 in the chase as Mikyle Louis captured two wickets. Man of the Match, Shane Shillingford

ended the match with one of his two sixes in his knock of 25 not out in the mavth winning 42-run partnership with Ambris.

E a r l i e r, West Indies U-19’s total was built around another good innings from Matthew Patrick.

The elegant batsman made 45 while Shian Braithwaite made 42, Shemar Springer 29 and Kristian Kallicharan 24 chipped in for the youth team. All-rounder Kyle Mayers was the principal bowler for the Volcanoes with figures of 4-38 from his quota of 10 overs and was supported beautifully by Shillingford with 10-1-22-3.

It’s the Volcanoes second win and they will need to win their remaining three matches to keep the hopes alive of making it to the semifinals.

Other than title sponsors Limacol, the organisers have also managed to gain the support of Bank DIH under their GT Beer brand, Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall.

Admission to the venue is $500.

W L D GF GA GD Pts Team GP

Den Amstel Santos Ann’s Grove Pouderoyen

1 1 1 1

1 0 0 0

0 0 0 1

0 1 1 0

2 1 1 0

0 1 1 2

+2 0 0 -2

3 1 1 0

Group-D Team GP W L D GF GA GD Pts

Guyana Police Force Mahaica Riddim Squad Camptown

2 1 1 2

1 0 0 0

0 0 0 1

1 1 1 1

3 2 1 1

2 2 1 2

+1 0 0 -1

4 1 1 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Limacol Football hits Victoria Ground tonight

Pg 23

– Mahaica, Ann’s Grove will be in action

Mahaica Determinators (black and green) proved that they are no pushovers

Ali, Mangra win GUMDAC Men doubles title

– Ramdhani creates history

Pg 19

Winners of the GUMDAC 2017 Badminton tournament

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.