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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2886

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

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Public officials should declare local,foreign assets – US Embassy deputy

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Walter Rodney CoI report

Family launches petition on findings

Page 3

CANU unearths 1276 lbs marijuana in container with heavy-duty equipment Page 7

P9

Surendra owes Govt $26M in spares – P9 audit report Madewini murder

Mechanic's P8 killer arraigned

Uniform voucher programme P17 The packets of marijuana found in the container

Corned beef thief deported to Guyana

Education Minister to investigate Alim Shah's claims

Page 10

Page 7

Education Ministry shuts down Brickdam Secondary

Food and Drug Dept cracks down on fake aji Page 17

Wales Estate closure

Jobless workers petition for redundancy payments

P12

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 15 – 14:00h-15:30h and Thursday, June 16 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 15 – 12:50h-14:20h and Thursday, June 16 – 13:40h-15:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery rain showers can be expected in the early morning hours while light to heavy rainfall can be expected in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies with light rains can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 00:35h and 13:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.26 metres and 2.24 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:35h and 18:56h reaching minimum heights of 0.96 metre and 0.95 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016

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Public officials should declare local, foreign assets – US Embassy deputy

By Vahnu Manikchand

O

utgoing Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Bryan Hunt is of the view that Guyanese public officials should be made to publicly declare all assets, both local and overseas, in the name of transparency.

This comes in light of Government using its oneseat parliamentary majority back in January to turn down a motion tabled by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition that would provide for all Members of Parliament (MPs) making public declarations of taxable income and all assets to the Integrity Commission.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Hunt said that without siding with any of the political parties, he believed that public disclosure of assets was an important aspect of transparency. He noted that it was important for not only the executive branch but all State officials to publicly declare all of their assets.

“While this is a debate the Guyanese public needs to have as oppose to the international community, I think in principle the ultimate objective should be to have all public office holders, all senior civil servants disclose fully all

US Deputy Chief of Mission Bryan Hunt

assets they may hold whether it’s in Guyana or overseas,” he posited.

According to Hunt, there needs to be disclosure legislation that is not only on the books but actively enforced across the board for all public office holders at all levels.

The US diplomat, who will be leaving next month after a three-year tour in Guyana, said that it was equally critical for the same to be applied to Opposition members as well.

“So, I would encourage both sides of the (National Assembly) to move as quickly as possible to put those sorts of public disclosure laws in place,” he urged.

However, the outgoing Deputy Chief of Mission opted not to take a position on what process should be adopted to ensure such transparency.

“What specific legislation, whether it’s multiple legislations, whether it’s broad or in over some period of time, whether you start with A and move to B, I’ll leave to the politicians and the public to debate, but the end goal of all of this needs to be full disclosure of all assets, wherever they may be held anywhere in the world,” he stated.

The proposed Code of Conduct for Government officials and parliamentarians is part of a menu of measures that call for accountability and proper demeanour by MPs and Government officials.

According to the proposed Code of Conduct, the coalition Government has, over time, committed to being scrutinised by all as it believes that it is accountable to the people.

The Government assures that it will continue to strive to live up to its promise of transparency and accountability in all of its endeavours.

In fact, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration had long been pushing for transparency and had even accused members of the PPP/C regime of stashing their wealth abroad.

However, when the Opposition proposed the motion to have Ministers’ tax records and statements made available to the Integrity

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Commission and released to the public, it was defeated by Government. The coalition noted that it was not in favour of the public declaration, and would prefer to make such disclosures to the Integrity Commission instead.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that he had already declared all his assets to the Integrity Commission and was willing to disclose his international possessions as well, if Government was prepared to follow suit.

“Yeah… I will declare everything local and overseas.

The local money is in my Integrity Commission everything. Everything you have to declare there, you would have seen it there,” he stated back in April.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyana-times.com

wednesdAY, june 15, 2016

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 gift of life J

une 14 is the date set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as World Blood Donor Day. The theme this year is “Blood connects us all.” The date was chosen to recognise the benevolence of blood donors who voluntary contribute blood to those in dire need of it, in addition to bringing awareness to the need for more persons to come on board and donate blood.

The Government, over the years, through the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) and in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other international and local bodies, has been making positive strides in recording donations in Guyana.

It was noted that Guyana’s blood donations grew from 25 per cent in the 1990s to 90 per cent currently, a commendable feat for a low-income country.

The Public Health Minister in observance of World Blood Donor Day highlighted the impetus of his Ministry in wanting to achieve 100 per cent voluntary blood donations by 2020.

Furthermore, the NBTS has outlined that it recorded a donated total of 9698 units of blood annually. The body, however, is aiming for 10,000 to 12,000 units donated yearly since this is the average amount required for over 15,000 surgeries.

This is where the challenge presents itself, since there is apparently a direct correlation to the amount of blood donated and the economic income of the country. According to the WHO, over 108 million blood donations are collected globally, “half of which comes from high-income countries”. “In lowincome countries, up to 65 per cent of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age; whereas in highincome countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is over 65 years of age, accounting for up to 76 per cent of all transfusions.”

The Health Organisation also posited: “There is a marked difference in the level of access to blood between low- and high-income countries…The median blood donation rate in high-income countries is 36.8 donations per 1000 population.

This compares with 11.7 donations in middle-income countries and 3.9 donations in low-income countries.”

According to the international organisation, 75 countries reported collecting fewer than 10 donations per 1000 population. Of these, “40 countries are in WHO’s African Region, 8 in the Americas, 7 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 6 in Europe, 6 in South-Eastern Asian and 8 in the Western Pacific. All are low- or middle-income countries.”

What the data suggests is that high-income countries tend to receive more blood donations than low-income countries.

In Guyana’s case, we are classified as a low-income country, but maybe due to our thriving economic growth of four to five per cent growth annually, we were in a position that afforded the input of 90 per cent donations up to this point.

However, Guyana’s economy has since slumped and our growth projections are expected to reduce significantly until mechanisms are put in place to facilitate growth.

What this invariably means is that based on the information provided by the WHO, Guyana might very well see a decrease in persons who will volunteer to donate blood in the near future.

While that theoretical application may or may not play out in the near future, it is something that we should take into consideration as we strive to reach 100 per cent voluntary blood donations in 2020.

Persons should not lose hope, however, and should continue to support the much-needed cause to donate blood as often as they could, since they will not only be saving lives by giving the gift of life, they will also be benefiting from their benevolence whether they know it or not.

Studies have shown that for persons who donate blood regularly, their blood tends to flow better and the excess buildup of iron in their blood and consequently body is reduced.

This equates to better health for them, as statistically they are 88 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Additionally, the mere act of doing good for others has an effect on the longevity of life. A study in Health Psychology found that people who volunteered for altruistic reasons had a significantly reduced risk of mortality four years later than those who volunteered for themselves alone.

While the health benefits of donating can act as an incentive to do so, persons should always note that donating blood saves lives. A single donation can save the lives of up to three people, according to the Red Cross.

First Lady Sandra Granger chatting with a young boy, who received a hearing aid, during a Community-Based Hearing Health Care Starkey Foundation training session on Tuesday

Shocked and disappointed Dear Editor, Though I have read in the newspapers of multiple reports of the perverse and plenteous acts of nepotism and cronyism within the Georgetown Municipality, I was nonetheless shocked and disappointed to observe a few days ago whilst shopping at the Bourda Market, that one of the newly built

stalls located at the corners of Regent Street and Orange Walk is painted in a luminous green, in fact the first one at the corner which sells stationery and office supplies, is possessed and controlled by the son of a very senior administrative officer at the Mayor and City Council of the City of Georgetown.

How could the Council build stalls using the citizens’ money, on the reserve where goods used to be loaded and off loaded, much to the inconvenience of the legitimate stall holders inside the market, then turn around and gift them to the relatives of senior officers?

With such wanton disregard for ethics, it is logical to

assume that if not yet started, that the next thing one will hear is this same vendor is supplying the Council with office supplies and stationery.

What next?

Yours sincerely, Nadine Jerrick

Is there a conspiracy against Harmon Dear Editor, In my previous letter I indicated that I would have written to you again in the hope that some answers to the questions I asked then (and those of Nigel Hinds in his letter around the same time) would have been forthcoming.

I don’t think I saw anything in response, and so my thoughts remained unshared on the scenarios I had envisaged.

But the Kaieteur News editorial (June 9) headlined “Political Self Destruction” reignited this eerie-sure feeling that something is not right. It can’t be.

Whether the aim is to destroy Joseph Harmon politically so as to pave the way for others, or to satisfy overinflated egos by flaunting the power of the fourth estate, or a combination of both, I don’t know, but for sure, there has to be some kind of a conspiracy here.

I still cannot see why making Brian Tiwari an honorary adviser, or backing-off GRA from Bai Shan Lin, would warrant this continuing public attack campaign by the Kaieteur News and surely ‘others’ behind the scenes.

It warrants therefore that I share with you some of my thoughts as regards

who are some of the players cum intellectual authors in this ugly scheme.

This letter will start with two. Others and the plot in more detail are to follow as things evolve.

In order to avoid libel and the excuse for non-publication, I have to resort to satire which I am advised should escape the discerning of, say, the ordinary passenger in the Route 42 mini bus.

I hope, however, that some readers and, of course, the actors will figure out who I am talking about.

As is their right, they can agree or disagree, or they can even believe wrongly who I am referring to.

Either way, I can imagine them asking “who the hell is William Tell”.

So, let me start with the Snake.

Irrespective of its realisation that it can get no further than where it is, it cannot change its habits.

It will continue to look to see what can be done to whom it perceives is in the way of its ambitions, using its accumulated venom smartly and sparingly.

Venom use in this instance is in direct contrast to the ad lib use of its ‘snake oil’ as we saw during the election campaign, leading those unsuspecting and

gullible constituents into a mess that they will have to cleanse themselves of. (But that is another story for another time) Because this letter must not be too long, let me just ‘wrap up’ on the Snake by saying that the Chinese have no regard or respect for it. After all, it is no secret that they eat the darn thing.

The Mongoose, on the other hand, is in a different category all together.

According to Wikipedia, it was introduced into the Caribbean islands, including the Bahamas, to help control the snake. But being the resourceful ‘smart alec’ that he is, Mr Mongoose quickly adjusted his game plan against the Snake, with its eyes on ‘the big fat chicken’ instead.

He will allow Mr Snake all the sabre-rattling it wants, in full confidence that it will triumph over the Snake when the time comes.

After all, it did happen before, and for sure, he has read Rudyard Kipling’s “Riki-Tiki-Tavi” a hundred times, and more.

As to whether Kaieteur News is part of this conspiracy is for the readers to judge.

But the Editor ought to be cautioned that the moral of its own editorial applies equally to it too. It is

not only politicians who are sweetened by power, or use it to feather their nests for future ambitions and aspirations. As a matter of fact, this is somewhat acceptable in politics.

But when media houses become so pompous as to crave and even flaunt power to influence the state of play, then we are in for more trouble.

It is no secret what Kaieteur News did to the PPP Government. And having tasted the sweetness of the power in doing so, and as rumour has it that a new political party is in the pipeline, it would appear that the modus used against the PPP is now being adjusted and fine-tuned for continuation. Those selected as targets are apparently not envisaged as a part of the new dispensation.

Harmon though seems to be a fighter.

Last I heard he was listening to folk and country music.

Let me guess. “Sly mongoose” and Charley Pride’s “Snakes Crawl At Night” may be in repeat mode.

I hope to write again soon.

Yours faithfully, William Tell

guyana-times.com

wednesDAY, june 15, 2016

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

Timely medical Commentaries on Independence outreach struggle racially aligned

Dear Editor, Recently, the Regional Health Authority carried out a few ‘outreach’ programmes at Brother’s Village, Angoy’s Avenue and Port Mourant.

In his letter to the press, the Director of Health Services of Region Six boastfully highlighted this event which I believe is good, since ‘if a man does not beat his own drum, no one will do it’.

The Director also added that “medical supplies, OTC drugs, medical equipment, bed sheets, etc, were distributed to all 16 NDCs and 3 municipalities”. The Kilcoy/Hampshire NDC , where I am the Chairman, received respirators (which I presumed to be medical equipment in the context of the Director’s letter); Advil liquid gel tablets (6 packs); Gummy vitamins (3 bottles); some loose sanitary pads in a plastic bag and some crepe bandages – these can be termed “medical supplies, OTC drugs and first aid kits”. As the Chairman for the NDC, I wish to compliment his Herculean effort in bringing such immensely valuable medical resources to our greatly impoverished NDC and all the other NDCs and municipalities.

Mr Stephens should also be complimented for the fact that his mathematical, accounting and management skills have been utilised to the fullest. When one looks at the amounts of Advil and vitamins given to us, one may probably say that the amounts are so small, but this is where the genius of the Director comes into play. These drugs will expire within the next three months so you will not have it available for use when it expires! What a genius! I do sure that if he can translate this ingenuity into oth-

er spheres of the medical service in Region Six, our health will greatly improved. For example, making drugs readily available to our patients, having medical supplies such as x-ray films, syringes readily available and in adequate supply, avoid having dogs and cats having meals with patients among other items.

However, it must be pointed out that it has been the practice to dump expired drugs costing millions of dollars almost annually, so it is good that the Director has the foresight to avoid this costly dumping. In a few months, this would have been a reality.

On the other hand, I do hope that the fact that these drugs are so close to the dumping date have been told to the recipients. (This was not done in the case of my NDC.) If this advisory is not given, then I am sure that many persons will continue to use these drugs since they will feel that they have only recently received them. In addition, the expiry date on the Advil box is camouflaged in black and that makes it hardly visible unless one takes a real close look. This is compounded by the fact that many persons may lack the literacy skills to read the labels.

Lastly, I do hope that in the future a more timely distribution of drugs is done at these medical outreach programmes so that persons can reap maximum health benefits and avoid unnecessary risks.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf Chairman of the Health Committee – Region six Regional Councillor

Dear Editor, In browsing through the dailies, almost every commentary pertaining to the struggle for British Guiana’s Independence has been polarised or influenced by race and party with Afro writers praising PNCites (African figures) and Indo-writers praising PPPites. It is indisputable that Dr Cheddi Jagan was the leading figure in the struggle for Independence, hence the title the Father of the Independence Struggle.

Forbes Burnham was also a leading figure in the struggle, but his anti-Jagan, anti-Indian, anti-socialist, and anti-PPP positions resulted in the delay of the colony's Independence. It was his sister Jesse, who exposed his machination collaborat-

ing with the imperialists in order to delay Independence and establishing the situation whereby he would take the colony to Independence.

Burnham does not command much respect among progressive forces who blame him for the racial conflict in Guiana during the 1960s and subsequently. He is also viewed as an ally of imperialist forces since he was on the payroll of the CIA and collaborated with British intelligence to create racial disturbances in Guyana.

Recently, Elton McRae, in a letter mentioned the names of “Martin Carter, Sydney King, Hubert Critchlow, Burnham, Winifred Gaskin, Kendall and John” as the leading figures in the strug-

gle for Independence. While all of those who fought for Independence cannot be mentioned in a short missive, at least the towering personalities like Cheddi and Janet Jagan should have been mentioned.

Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Rudy Luck, Moses Bhagwan, Pandit Ramlall, Nasrudeen (all five of whom spent time in jail for advocating for Independence); Yacoob Ally; Boysie Ramkarran; Fenton Ramsahoye; Ashton Chase; Brindley Benn; JB Singh; Latchman N Singh; CV Nunes, etc – were far more instrumental in Guyana obtaining its Independence than some of the names McRae mentioned.

It is noted and in public records that Burnham

was criticised for collaborating with Britain and the US to delay Independence.

Critchlow was initially for Independence, but then had a change of heart when Jagan and the PPP would have taken the colony to Independence, a move he opposed; Critchlow also opposed adult universal suffrage, according to Jagan, saying he could not support all adult Indians getting the right to vote.

Writers should try to focus on facts and give credit to all figures – regardless of ethnic and party affiliation – who partook in the liberation movement.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Mayor, Deputy Mayor respectively can speak for Council Dear Editor, There seems to be fear and insecurity existing in the Georgetown mayor’s office.

From recent reports, the new Mayor is trying to muzzle her deputy. One may accept her position when she said that the comments of deputy mayor on the issue of parking meters in the city were reflective of his own views and not those of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). But luckily he did express those views as they are out of genuine concern for continued impropriety within the council.

Someone has to tell the citizens of Georgetown of

the council’s indiscretions, including its current movement to award a gigantic contract to a little known company, for the installation and operation of a parking meter system without adhering to proper and transparent financial systems and procedures.

But it goes from the sublime to the ridiculous when she suggests that the only persons with authority to speak on the council’s behalf were the town clerk, or the public relations officer (PRO). So why then was she addressing the press about the matter and not King or

Lewis? What obtained before the council had a PRO? And why was it that when she was deputy mayor, she was allowed to seize every opportunity she could to interface with the press in an effort to get the limelight?

Quite simply, knowing her limitations in public speaking, and constraints in leadership capacity, one should not be surprised at her reluctance to let the public see the virtuosity of her deputy, lest when her year is up, she is replaced by him.

Is this the same Patricia Chase-Green, then Deputy Mayor who constantly tried

to prevent all the previous town clerks from having press conferences? And where in the Municipal and District Council’s Act that only the town clerk and PRO are allowed to speak on behalf of the Council? This would have to be the first and only city across the globe that the mayor and deputy mayor are prevented from speaking on behalf of the respective councils.

Or is this an edict issued

by Royston King the new Czar of the City?

Sincerely, Debra Gibson

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wednesday, june 15, 2016

Page Foundation Why parents are still spanking children International

By Melissa Willets

A fifth of parents admit to spanking their children on a regular basis, but most believe it doesn't actually correct their children’s misbehaviour

The short of it

A new study finds parents are still spanking their children, even though they don't think it works. So why are they doing it? The answer might surprise you.

A new study commissioned by parental education nonprofit Zero to Three proves that 90 per cent of parents love having children, but most, 70 per cent, say it isn't easy. And perhaps the hardest part of raising children is discipline.

So, it's no wonder parents try a variety of measures to get their little ones to behave, including spanking them. The study found a quarter of parents of children ages five and younger "pop or swat" them a few

times a week or more. A fifth of parents admit they spank their children on a regular basis. And 17 per cent actually hit their kids with objects, like a belt or a wooden spoon.

Still, most parents say they know spanking is not a very effective form of dis-

cipline and doesn't actually correct their kids' misbehaviour.

So why do parents spank children if it doesn't even work? Claire Lerner, senior parenting strategist at Zero to Three, says it's because they don't know what else to do or they fear their child is in danger. For instance, if a toddler runs into traffic, a parent spanks him less to teach him a lesson and more because it scared the parent half to death.

Pre-interviews conducted by researchers confirm this notion. Lerner told Time magazine, "We saw a lot of angst for using harsh discipline. We have stories of parents crying in another room while their child is

crying. We heard a lot of real desperation from parents, saying, 'I don't want to do this, but I don't know what else to do.'"

Part of that frustration likely has to do with another key finding in the study: many parents may not understand enough about child development. For example, children typically won't develop the ability to share and take turns, control their emotions, or resist the urge to do something they know they shouldn't until the age of three or four. Just 29 per cent of parents didn't expect their child to do those things until that age.

"Parents really overestimate just how much selfcontrol kids have in the early years," says Lerner.

It's important to point out that research has linked corporal punishment of children to poor outcomes, such as over-aggressiveness, low self-esteem and eventual drug and alcohol use.

But don't be too hard on yourself if you have spanked your child. As Lerner notes, teaching children right from wrong is a huge responsibility, and no one is an expert.

Just keep in mind that children are going to test limits and misbehave. It's our job as parents to help them learn self-control and the right things to do.

The most important thing you can do when your child misbehaves is to remain calm. If you get hysterical, so will your child.

And just realise you're going to make mistakes as a parent. But with more practice and planning ahead, you can effectively discipline your child without raising a hand to him. (parenting.com)

guyana-times.com

Day of Yoga

By Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh – Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)

T

oday we are letting you sit, but it’s on an imaginary chair. This

dominal organs · Stretch the chest and shoulders · Strengthens the ankle, thighs, calves and spine · arthritis Reduce and joint pain

palms facing inwards, or join the palms (optional) but do not bend the elbow. Exhale. (ii) Inhale and bend

magnificent asana is called Utkatasana (Chair posture) which has great benefits. You might not know but yoga is the best antiaging remedy with results guaranteed. Let’s follow these simple techniques as we are one step closer to a healthy lifestyle.

UTKATASANA (CHAIR POSTURE)

In this position, the individual stands with the feet parallel and hands loosely at the side as in Tadasana.

It’s known as “chair posture” since it may look as if the person is sitting. When doing this asana you need to take deep breath and hold the position so as to get the best out of it.

This asana has significant benefits such as: · Tones the leg muscle excellently · Stimulates the heart, diaphragm and ab-

TECHNIQUE

(i) Stand in tadasana.

Inhale and raise your arms upright to the floor. Either keep the arms parallel,

your knees, trying to take the thighs down as nearly as possible pushing your pelvis down as if you are sitting in an imaginary chair. Ensure your knees don’t go beyond your toes. Exhale. (iii) Inhale and be comfortable or at least try to be!

Ensure that you keep your hand parallel to the ground sitting upright and lengthen your spine. Hold this positionfor a few seconds. (iv) Exhale and return to the mountain pose. Relax and do this again from the start at least five times.

Do have a stress-free day and a pleasant reminder that Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Guyana will be observing International Day of Yoga on Sunday, June 19, 2016 at Leonora Secondary School at 13:00h (1pm).

All are invited. Southland International is the official beverage sponsor. Their Blue Waters Cran+ is the healthier alternative to soft drinks which is great when practising yoga.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Education Ministry shuts down Brickdam Secondary

By Ramona Luthi

C

hief Education Officer Olato Sam shut down Brickdam Secondary School on Tuesday, in response to a sit-in by the teachers at the school last week. On Tuesday, Sam asked students to return home while requesting that teachers vacate the premises after submitting all school records.

However, according to the teachers of the Secondary School, the decision to sit in was made after their numerous demands for better work and educational facilities fell on deaf ear. They highlighted that over the years, there have been scores of complaints pertaining to the hazardous and unsanitary conditions students as well as teachers are forced to dwell in on a daily basis, but nothing except empty promises came from the Education Ministry.

“The decision to close the school down came after the teachers took a stand for better working conditions and generally an environment that is conducive for learning. Teachers asked for these things. We’ve been asking for these things for years and it has reached to the point where it is overbearing. The students and the teachers have decided that we’ve had enough and we would like the Ministry to do something about it,” one teacher said.

Meanwhile, a ParentTeacher Association (PTA) meeting was held at St Stanislaus College on Tuesday with the Chief Education Officer, Assistant Chief Education Officer Leslyn Charles, the Principal Education Officer responsible for schools in Georgetown, the District Education Officer in Georgetown, other representatives of the Ministry, the PTA Board Chairman, scores of parents and students of the Brickdam Secondary.

At the meeting, Sam highlighted that after being

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam at the PTA meeting

informed that the teachers of the Brickdam Secondary School were on strike, he, along with members of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and other officers of the Education Ministry, met with them on Friday last to resolve the issues.

The Chief Education Officer said that it was his understanding that a compromise was made between him and the teachers whereby emergency repairs would be conducted over the weekend, and teachers would resume working for the remaining three weeks of the school’s semester, giving the Ministry time to implement permanent restoration measures at the school for the new term in September.

However, on Monday, he found that this was not the situation as he was informed that the teachers still refused to work. Sam asserted that it was this that resulted in his decision to have the school closed, students relocated to other schools in order to continue their secondary education, and teachers to different educational facilities.

“As a result of the teachers not working, we had to devise the best plan of action in the best interest of our students so that they get an education, complete the end-of-term assessment and everything else. And that would give us an opportunity to satisfy our teacher’s demands. We cannot allow teachers to sit in at the school for the remainder of the term when our students aren’t learning anything.

It’s totally unacceptable and so our teachers have all been

reassigned to other schools.”

According to the Chief Education Officer, the students would be admitted to Grade “A” schools such as North Georgetown Secondary, Christ Church Secondary, Central High School and North Ruimveldt Multilateral High School for the rest of the term while the Ministry assesses its options to provide a permanent solution.

However, this announcement resulted in a massive disruption within the crowd of parents as they chanted “No!” to the list of schools provided by Sam. Parents and teachers angrily expressed their frustrations towards Sam, who voiced that since the teachers refused to take the option of resuming work at Brickdam Secondary for the next three weeks and be given a permanent resolution next term, it was now “off the table”.

He left the meeting shortly after declaring this, since the commotion created by parents did not quiet down.

Teachers of the Secondary School told Guyana Times that they were prepared to work and would have readily accepted the condition put forward by the Chief Education Officer, had he mentioned it prior to the meeting.

They voiced that their only concern revolved around better facilities for the children that they teach.

The teachers asserted that the decision to have students and teachers relocated was done out of spite: “The Ministry wants to make us an example because we stood up for our rights.”

It was also relayed that the Headmistress of the school refused to stand up with the teachers in their fight for better facilities.

While some parents agreed with the decision to have the children relocated on a temporary basis, many refused to accept it. These parents voiced their belief that their children were being subjected to unfair treatment having been transferred to schools that were considered below the educational standard.

“We have no choice. This is being shoved down our throats. We have no choice.

My child has been disenfranchised because they wanna send her down to a lower school. We don’t have a choice. What is this? Is this communism? Is this the change I voted for? No. No way,” asserted a parent, Tracy Martin.

CANU unearths 1276 lbs marijuana in container with heavy-duty equipment

A

routine check by local law enforcement agents on a container on the John Fernandes Limited Wharf resulted in the discovering of over one thousand pounds of compressed marijuana.

This was confirmed by Head of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unity (CANU) James Singh on Tuesday.

He told Guyana Times that the narcotic amounted to 1276 pounds and was found in a container that arrived in Guyana since mid-May on the vessel MV Fouma.

According to reports, agents from the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA)

Drug Enforcement Unit and the Container Control Programme (CCP) were inspecting the container which was said to be carrying heavy-duty machinery, when the marijuana was found in several packets.

The container contained sawmill equipment as well.

This newspaper understands that the container, destined for Guyana, arrived here on May 16 from Jamaica but had originated from the United States.

Several persons, including the owner of the container, are being questioned in relation to the bust.

Public officials...

Jagdeo, who was at the time speaking about the leaked “Panama Papers”, declared that he did not have any hidden wealth in shell accounts. He took the opportunity to restate that the coalition Administration should agree to have the International Police (Interpol) or any other credible, independent international firm investigate the local and overseas wealth of all current and former parliamentarians.

“We are prepared to do this, ask them if they are prepared to do this; to go with us jointly and make a request of anybody, if not Interpol, an investigative firm, together to look at all of the holdings of everyone,” he remarked, while

FROM PAGE 3

ruling out the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) which he said was loaded with “political hacks” who were surreptitiously looking to damage people’s reputations.

“Let’s do this as a motion in Parliament, so the international organisation won’t treat it as partisan, they will treat it as a national thing,” Jagdeo, who served as President for 12 years, said. “Not just the status of all Presidents and ex-Presidents, all Members of Parliament, their holdings abroad.”

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wednesDAY, june 15, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Madewini murder

Mechanic’s killer arraigned

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ayon Jones, 20, of Lot 121 Fourth Street, Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Tuesday remanded to prison for the brutal stabbing to death of mechanic Puranand Baljit, also known as “Andrew” at Madewini, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The charge, which was read

by Magistrate Judy Latchman, stated that on June 9, 2016, at Madewini, EBD, he murdered Baljit during the course of a burglary. Jones was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

He was represented by Attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who told the court that Jones has a reputed wife with a mi-

At the time of the stabbing incident, the young man’s father and stepmother were at home and heard a moaning sound coming from his room and it was then they realised something terrible had happened.

Jones was arrested on Sunday in Georgetown and during interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

He reportedly told detectives that he had been monitoring the movements of Baljit for quite some time. On the night of the murder, he went to the house and as the occupants retired to bed he made his move.

He admitted walking towards the young man’s bedroom window and as he looked

into the bedroom, he saw several phones on a table. The young man, he said, was asleep.

The suspect recounted that he collected a concrete block which he used to climb through the window. However, while in the bedroom, Baljit woke up and a scuffle ensued between them.

During the scuffle, the suspect claimed that he was chopped to the hand by the now dead man and in retaliation; he collected another knife and dealt one blow to the young man’s neck.

As Baljit collapsed on the bed, he continued to stab him.

He then took a phone and a laptop computer and escaped through the window.

Cyon “Picture Boy” Collier

Dead: Ray Walcott

Dead: Carl Andrews

the jury of her discovery when visiting Mohan Singh at his Lot 28 Anns Grove Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara home, on two separate occasions. She was testifying about her visit to the

man’s home after he was absent from court.

The witness testified that on her first visit to Singh’s home on June 2, 2016, under the instructions of Corporal Moore, she said she met

Mohan Singh personally but he struggled to the door and when she informed him about his court appearance, he said “I sick, I can’t come to court.”

According to the witness, she again visited Mohan Singh’s home on June 9, 2016, and upon arrival there, he was unable to get out of bed, signalling that his condition had deteriorated further.

Additionally, taking the stand was Superintendent Edmund Cooper who is stationed at the Brickdam Police Station.

Cooper, at the time of the first trial, was the Prosecutor at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where Collier had appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

The Superintendent stated that Mohan Singh had testified at the material time and was cross-examined by defence counsel James Bond, who represented Collier at the time.

He further stated that Singh had his testimony read to him by the presiding Magistrate and was free to add or remove anything after which he proceeded to sign the document.

Collier is accused of murdering two brothers in Victoria, on the East Coast of Demerara on September 23, 2006. Reports state a group of young men were playing dominoes at the Victoria four-corner, when the two brothers; Ray Walcott, called “Sugar”; and his younger brother Carl Andrews, called “Alo” were allegedly shot by the accused who rode up on a motorcycle.

The brothers were rushed to hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The trial continues today.

nor child and also has no prior or pending convictions.

Rahamat made an application for the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) to be a paper committal, based on what was related by her client. She explained that this may be the best option to expedite the trial in the High Court.

Jones was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred to the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court for July 5.

On June 9, 25-year-old Baljit was reportedly stabbed seven times to his body while lying in his bed at about 22:00h.

He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

“Picture Boy” murder trial - 5 witnesses testify

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he long awaited trial of double murder accused, Cyon “Picture Boy” Collier continued on Tuesday, with five witnesses testifying.

In a controversial absence of main witness Mohan Singh, defence Attorney Lyndon Amsterdam questioned the credibility of a medical letter sent to the court from the Chest Clinic of the Georgetown Public Hospital, which stated that due to the severity of his condition, he could not attend court to testify.

According to the medical letter, Singh is suffering from tuberculosis.

Meanwhile, taking the witness stand was Community Policing Group member Lilawattie Singh, who told

Eyew tness

Eye pass...

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...by City-Biggies

as a time – a time the notion of “honour” was respected – if you treated a person discourteously, he’d challenge you to a duel. Or later... to a shootout at 20 paces! Well, even in this age of louche insouciance about mores – much less manners – there are still some things you just don’t do or else you’ll be “called out”.

Even the young – always ones to push the social envelope – have the expression “diss” for behaviour that just shouldn’t be allowed to pass unremarked. In Guyana, we have a stronger expression for such behaviour – “eye pass” which in extreme circumstances becomes “rass pass”. Well, Dear Readers, what’s going on with the tag team of Mayor and City Clerk – Green and King – is rass pass to the people of Georgetown and Guyana.

And we just can’t allow this “rass pass” to pass. As was their wont when the PPP was in the Central Government, the pre-LGE City Council – being a den of thieves, in the words of one commentator – blithely continued with as of yore when returned to the Council. Like farming out the cleaning contracts to prepare the city for the Jubilee visitors to their friends and relatives. But at least the work was done and we could glimpse patches of the old “Garden City”. Then there were stalls doled out to friends and relatives...and most folks shrugged: “thieves will be thieves”.

But then came this rass-pass Parking Meter hustle.

From the very beginning, anyone with even the slightest exposure to the goings on in Guyana would know this was a hustle. It had all the telltale signs. Big, fancy talker who drops the pic he took with Prezzie to imply he has an in with the highest office in the land... hundreds of millions MENTIONED as what the city’d be raking in.

But when the chips are down, fella can’t show a dime or even a storefront that his “company” – which would get a 49-year contract to take in $800 million PER YEAR – even EXISTS! Yet the fella would pocket $29.2 Billion!

One former financial regulator wrote a book after the financial meltdown in the US: “The best way to rob bank is to own one!” If this parking meter scam goes through, someone should write our local counterpart: “The best way to fleece the Citizens of Guyana is to get a parking meter contract”. Starring the new Mayor and old Town Clerk.

In the meantime, no other member of the City Council has even glimpsed a contract. Is it like “honour among thieves”?

...in Reg 5

What has happened to the citizens of Reg 5 during this rainy season is also beyond “eye pass”. With us now having three levels of government – Central, Regional and local –- how is it they’ve all allowed so many villages to be under water for almost a month? Even anyone who’s passed by on the Public Road and never even ventured off, would’ve seen how these folks live with their animals and crops in a landscape that’s as flat as a billiard table and far as the eye can see.

If the outfalls aren’t cleaned and the pumps aren’t working, these communities are gonna be flooded as sure as their dogs get fleas and their hogs guzzle their garbage. So, exactly what were all these layers of officials doing in the preceding months? Apart from sitting on their hands, that is. Now we hear that pumps aren’t working? Canals not cleaned?

What happened to the “change” that was promised?

...our Labba and iguanas

You gotta hand it to Prezzie – he tells it like he sees it! After seeing how most of those 15,000 Jubilee foreign Guyanese waded into our “wild meat” while down here, he warned them off “Labba and souse”!

We might just have to follow the Chinese who staged public protests over folks eating dog meat!

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

news

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wednesday, june 15, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Walter Rodney CoI report

Family launches petition on findings

Dr Walter Rodney

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he widow and family members of slain historian and founder leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr Walter Rodney have commenced a worldwide petition, calling on Government to make the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into his death public and the recommendation therein acted upon.

The widow is continuing to fight for justice for the death of her husband, who died in a bomb blast some 36 years ago.

She, along with her children, friends and supporters, began circulating a petition throughout the Caribbean and around the world, calling for justice for the renowned scholar.

The petition is also calling for a change in the manner of death stated on Rodney’s death certificate, from “death by misadventure” to “murder”, for the change of his profession from “unemployed” to “Historian/ Professor”, for the overturning of the conviction of his younger brother Donald Rodney, and to expunge any related criminal history.

The petition has also fired at Government, stating that its celebration of the life of former Prime Minster and People’s National Congress (PNC) Leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham during

the celebration of Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary was a revisionist account of Guyana’s history. The findings of the CoI report have fingered the former Prime Minister as the mastermind behind Rodney’s death.

The statement said “enough is enough”, speaking to those who have continued to cover-up what it said are the staggering facts and findings in the CoI Report.

Details coming out of the 18-month investigation – heard evidence from numerous witnesses – revealed that the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham regime of the 1980s had been very forceful and had used its political power to injure smaller and defenceless political parties. Rodney, a world respected political and social activist, died in June 1980, after a communication device he was examining exploded in his lap.

It was the theory of those close to the founding Leader of the WPA that the man he had somewhat come to trust; a then Guyana Defence Force Sergeant and communications expert William Gregory Smith, had implanted the explosive in the device Rodney was expected to test.

The theory claimed too that the Government of the day, the People’s National Congress and its leader, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, had used Smith to carry out the attack.

In the report, the three Commissioners – Barbados Queen’s Counsel Richard Cheltenham, Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown and Trinidadbased Guyanese Senior Counsel SeenathJairam – concluded that given all the relevant facts, events and circumstances set out in the report, they could do nothing else but

Dr Patricia Rodney

establish that William Gregory Smith was not acting alone but had the active and full support, participation and encouragement of, and/or was aided and abetted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) – both agencies of the State – and the political directorate including Prime Minister Forbes Burnham in the killing of Dr Rodney. The Working People’s Alliance on Monday issued another call to Government to allow the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report to be laid in the National Assembly.

Executive member, Dr David Hinds, called on Government to fulfil its promise and have the report properly laid before Parliament and debated.

“I hope that such a debate avoids the political finger-pointing and instead focus on the big lessons, in particular the banishment of the use of the State and para-State institutions as a tool of violence against political opponents and the citizenry in general,” the political commentator stated.

He also urged Government, of which the WPA is part of, to honour Dr Rodney in the most non-partisan manner by re-naming the University of Guyana “the Walter Rodney University of Guyana”.

Surendra owes Govt $26M in spares – audit report

T

he forensic audit conducted into the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has revealed that the India-based company that was contracted to supply the Government of Guyana with drainage pumps was also supposed to provide several spares, but failed to do so.

According to the audit report, compiled by Nigel Hinds, of the US$2.9 million paid to Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited of Mumbai, India, for the acquisition of pumps, some US$126,000 (approximately 26 Million) was for the supply of spares.

“The spares were never received by NDIA,” the auditor revealed, adding that “consequent upon the nonreceipt of spares, the contract was terminated on October 8, 2014”.

The monies paid were part of an agreement between the Guyana Government and the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India on July 26, 2010.

The agreement provided for a Line of Credit to the tune of US$4 million for the purpose of acquiring, installing and commissioning fixed and mobile pumps. The contract was awarded to Surendra.

Hinds noted that while the NDIA was unable to provide the dollar credit line agreement, from discussions and documents reviewed by his team it was noted that Surendra was contracted in May 2011 to

supply and install eight fixed and six mobile drainage pumps. As part of the contract, the company had to also supply spares and provide technical support.

The auditor pointed out that a total of US$2,991,147 was disbursed, leaving a balance of US$1,008,853, which they are trying to locate.

“We are yet to receive a confirmation from Exim Bank through the Ministry of Finance that this balance exists,” the auditor stated.

Moreover, it was pointed out that the then Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth had indicated that four of the pumps were rejected because of poor quality materials. The report further stated that there were significant delays in the shipments from India as was noted at several Board meetings.

“The first batch of (mobile) pumps along with auxiliary components along with engine, radiator and hydraulic hoses arrived in January 2013, the remaining pumps along with engine, radiator and hydraulic hoses arrived in March 2013,” the auditor stated.

These complete units are presently installed in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) at Lima Sluice and Three Fields Sluice; at Lusignan, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Pine Ground, Mahaicony in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), and in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) at Rose Hall Town Sea Side

and Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder.

As it relates to the fixed pumps, they consist of several units including: engine and radiator, power take off or clutch assembly, drive shaft, gear box and pump assembly. Most of these components had arrived with the exception of one piece each in most cases.

The 14 pumps supplied

by Surendra Limited are located at: Albion; Bengal, Corentyne; Black Bush Polder; Canal No 1; Crab Wood Creek; Eversham and Gangaram, Corentyne; Lima, Essequibo; Number 19 and Number 43, both in Berbice.

The other locations for the Surendra pumps are: Paradise/Enterprise; Pine Ground, Mahaicony; Rose Hall and Windsor Forest.

Surendra Engineering Company Limited had several other contracts with the Government of Guyana, including one for the construction of the Specialty Hospital; however, that contract was yanked from the Indian firm in 2014 after there were allegations of fraud and financial irregularities.

Following this, the other contacts that the company had were terminated including the one for the supply of the pumps.

As part of the contract, engineers from Guyana were sent to India to inspect putting together of the drainage pumps that were being acquired for local use.

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guyana-times.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

News

Region 5 flooding

Several communities in Mahaicony River remain flooded

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s floodwaters slowly recede in the affected areas of West Berbice, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), residents and farmers in communities along the Mahaicony River continue to suffer losses. In an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal explained that water in Trafalgar, Union and Lovely Lass have almost completely receded, while in the Mahaicony riverine communities, the floodwaters are high.

The Chairman explained that it is “very difficult” for the regional administration to intervene in these locations since the entire drainage network falls under the control of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA). He also noted that it is also a difficult undertaking to conduct irrigation and excavation to remedy the situation.

“For the areas that are affected, the region will need additional help to clean the trenches and residential drains; the water in Bushlot receded but the trenches are still clogged with the weeds,” he noted. The water at Blairmont is also receding.

Ramphal further expressed that he has informed the Civil Defence

Laser-Parking

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The flood situation at Blairmont on Tuesday

Commission (CDC) and the Agriculture Ministry of the situation and the need for relief in the affected communities. One of these communities was in the Amerindian settlement of Moraikobai, which can take some three hours to reach by boat. A medical team had been dispatched to the settlement but no outbreaks were reported.

“I spoke to the Toshao there and he said that the water has receded but not to the fullest but the damage was already done and they still are affected because they can’t go back to the farm as yet,” the Region Five Chairman told this newspaper.

“Farmers are calling for seed paddy, fertliser and even cash to put them back

on their feet,” the Chairman opined. The Chairman stated that “over 60 acres” of rice crops were lost in the Mahaicony area.

The flood situation in Region Five has been occurring at intervals for the last several weeks. This latest period of flooding came as a result of heavy rains coupled with the reported faulty and damaged pumps. It was only Monday, that this newspaper highlighted that the mobility of residents at Blairmont was hindered as bridges were still under water.

Guyana Times was informed that the regional administration is monitoring the situation. On Sunday, it was reported that a regional team visited several communities along the Mahaicony

River, most of which were flooded. This newspaper was told that because of the flooding in Moraikobai, villages such as Mora Point, Pine Ground and Gordon Table were also flooded.

Many farmers in these villages said that they have lost some of their cash crops.

Over the last few weeks, this publication has been highlighting the challenges which communities in Region Five have been facing as a result of flooding. A breached dam along the Perth Canal in Branch Road, Mahaicony, led to significant acreages of rice lands being inundated last month.

Barama rape case

3 witnesses testify

A

mixed jury was on Tuesday empanelled at the Demerara Assizes to begin the trial of Paul Abrams, Claude Craig and Holston Melville who are accused of raping and sodomising a 17-year-old girl in the Barama Complex, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara on December 5, 2007.

Three of the seven witnesses that the prosecution intends to call testified on Tuesday.

Attorney-at-Law Bernard De Santos is representing two of the accused – Craig and Abrams – while Attorneys-atLaw Nigel Hughes and Kezia Williams are representing Melville.

The matter is presided over by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow while the prosecution is headed by State Counsel Siand Dhurjon.

According to reports, the teen was raped by Abrams, her supervisor, while she was working on the night shift with him. Reports are Abrams asked for help and then led her into a room and had sex with her without her consent.

After the accused was finished, he allegedly locked the teen in the room and returned with a friend who reportedly sodomised her after which the third accused allegedly went in and did the same.

The trial continues today.

atiricus was bemused at all the fuss being made about the parking meter installation offered to Georgetown.

“This is such a typically Guyanese reaction!” snorted Satiricus to his friend Cappo. “We are so technologically backwards!” They had just settled in their seats at the Back Street Bar and ordered two beers.

“Wha’ mek yuh like cuss abee down, Sato?” asked Cappo plaintively. “Me bin visit me buddy in New Yark, you know.

And me na see not’ing fancy wid dem parking meter.”

“Well, that’s what I’m talking about, Cappo,” Satiricus said exasperatedly. “The meter this overseas Guyanese fella Tush bringing to Georgetown isn’t those pieces of pipe in the ground where you have to put in coins.”

“So abee gon tu’n mo’ advance dan ‘merica?” said Cappo with his eyes opened wide. “But me hear Tush gon charge abee “advance” money too! $500 fuh wan hour parking!”

Satiricus slapped the table and nearly toppled Cappo’s beer bottle. “That’s the same thing I can’t understand with you Guyanese!’ he exclaimed. “Tush want to give us better than First World parking and you complaining. Jeez!!”

“Suh if Tush na put pole wid meter in de ground, wha’ he gon do fuh abee park abee cyaar and tek abee “advance” money?” asked Cappo sarcastically.

“Budday, I’m glad you asked,” said Satiricus excitedly.

He’d missed Cappo’s sarcasm. “Tush will install invisible laser beams that will intersect to create a parking space. No poles in the ground!”

“Like dem laser beam dat does guard dem bank night time?” queried Cappo with a raised eyebrow. “Me see dat in “Ocean 11”!”

“Yes! Yes!” continued Satiricus impatiently. “And you will pay with your phone credit...or else an alarm will go off.”

“But wha’ gon happen if me stan’ up in waan-a-dem Tush parking place?” said Cappo, downing his beer.

“If you park you tail for an hour, then you’ll have to shell out $500!!” said Satiricus with satisfaction. “High tech cost money, boy!”

“But Sato, tell me somet’ing,” said Cappo softly. “If abee cyaan keep abee street light goin’; you t’ink abee gon keep laser light wukkin’?”

Satiricus became very quiet.

“Suh buy wan nex’ beer, na, Sato!” said Cappo slyly. “An’ tell me mo ‘bout Tush “advance” parkin’”

Corned beef thief deported to Guyana A 5 1 - y e a r - o l d Guyanese man was on Tuesday ordered to leave Barbados after pleading guilty to theft in the District A Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sergeant issued the deportation order to Johnny Harington Worrell, who has been living in Barbados illegally for the past 11 years.

Worrell, who resided in Deacons Road, St Michael, was charged with stealing one can of corned beef valued at Bds$5, two cans of tuna worth Bds$6.20 and three cans of condensed milk valued Bds$11.55 from A1 Supermarket Limited.

He was arrested Monday after security personnel responded to a report that a man was seen concealing items “on his person”.

The tuna was found in

Johnny Harington Worrell

spandex-like underpants while the other items were found in the small of his back under a vest.

According to a report, the accused arrived in Barbados in December 2004 and applied for an extension to stay in the country until June the following year.

However, he failed to regularise his status when it expired on August 31, 2005.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Wales Estate closure

Jobless workers petition Keeping it real for redundancy payments Legalising

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

W

hile the High Court case regarding the non-consultations of unions over the severance and redeployment of workers attached to the Wales Sugar Estate continues, some 99 workers believe that in the meantime, they should be paid for the time they have been unemployed.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the workers have petitioned the Wales Estate manager for payment in lieu of work.

This newspaper was told the workers are contending that their severance packages were approved since March 22, 2016, and as such, are requesting that they be paid from April 22, 2016 up to point at which they will be paid their redundancy allowance. The petition, along with letters sent to the estate’s manager, was seen by

the publication.

“I hereby request that I be paid my redundancy allowance and payment in lieu of work from April 22, 2016 up to the point of the payment of my redundancy allowance in keeping with Clause 6(2) (i) of the Collective Labour Agreement between my Union, GAWU, and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc,” one of the letters stated.

After the Sugar Corporation confirmed the closure, workers, without the requisite union consultation were given the option of transferring to Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, or receiving severance packages. As many of the workers were against the move to transfer to Uitvlugt, they opted to receive their severance.

Using the injunction as its justification, GuySuCo has maintained that it was

unable to pay the 105 Wales sugar workers their severance packages even though these workers on March 22 received letters which stated that they would have been paid on May 4. The Sugar Corporation then gave employment to six of the 105 workers, suggesting that 99 remain without the Estate’s employment. Many of these workers have said that they have found some difficulty in garnering alternative jobs.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has rejected the Sugar Corporation’s stance of non-payment, noting that the agreement between the workers and GuySuCo was reached before the injunction was granted.

The court action was first brought on after GuySuCo began discussions with individual employees of the Wales estate to ne-

gotiate severance packages, without informing or involving the unions. At one point, workers had been given a three-day ultimatum to make their decisions but GuySuCo later backpedalled from this move.

Unions, GAWU and NAACIE are also seeking damages in excess of $1 million for breach of statutory duty owing under the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, Cap 99:08, Laws of Guyana. The judges had granted an interim injunction, restraining GuySuCo from proceeding to implement their decision to sever the employees until the hearing and determination of a Summons returnable in Chambers.

GuySuCo has since requested time to respond to the litigation. Sugar operations at Wales will close by the end of 2016.

Marijuana

I

recall an incident in Guyana as a youth. An older relative of mine used a “hookah” for many years. Unknown to me at the time, hookah used an ingredient called ganja, made from the hemp plant, commonly called marijuana (cannabis sativa). Today, marijuana has fast become an acceptable drug use of choice in Guyana. More countries are decriminalising the use of marijuana but Guyana is yet to do so, even Dr Baytoram Ramharack at a time the drug has proven to have medicinal value and our laws heavily penalise its users.

I had previously written a piece in response to Clairmont Lye’s call for the legalisation of marijuana and his recommendation that Guyana embark on large scale production of the hemp plant for international export. Though I support decriminalisation, I opposed plans for large scale private cultivation and production of marijuana as a boost to the economy for a number of reasons: the international regime does not facilitate the marijuana trade, the negative effects of marijuana have been documented, marijuana is considered a gateway drug, and Guyana simply has too many societal vices to worry about rather than taking on additional problems related to the drug trade.

A few days ago, several groups, including the Guyana Hemp Association, Neurvana (note the fancy name) and Green Acres Team, made similar calls for large scale hemp production, presumably to secure a niche in an anticipated world market.

They claimed that there’s need for “sensitising” the public.

Its members argued that the hemp trade will benefit our struggling economy. Yes, Guyanese need to be sensitised to the effects of the marijuana trade, both negative and positive.

But, there is no doubt in my mind that these individuals have not carefully thought out the consequences, risks and impact a “legalised” expanded hemp trade would have on Guyana.

Some may be anchoring for potential economic gains from the hemp trade.

It is possible that Guyana may move towards this direction in the future. But the time is not now. We do not yet have the infrastructural safety net to accompany the negative effects of marijuana and other drug use. As it stands, the drug trade involves a) the production and manufacture of drugs, b) sophisticated money laundering techniques to hide the income earned from the illicit drug trade, and c) the use of precursor chemicals used to manufacture illicit drugs; all of which require global cooperation through an international regime on narcotrafficking to contain their proliferation. It is highly unlikely that an anticipated legalised trade will significantly impact the economy, particularly since other countries will perfect their technique to manufacture “high value” marijuana.

Any attempt to engage in legitimate large scale production of marijuana will encourage traffickers to shift attention to illegal drugs, like cocaine and heroin. Guyana is already a trans-shipment point for illicit drugs destined for other countries, primarily the US. As the US International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, repeatedly recognised, Guyana is a long way from controlling the illicit drug trade and domestic resources to address addiction are limited. Despite a more aggressive role by the GPF, CANU, GRA, strengthening FATF and AML/CFT laws, and the presence of the US DEA in Guyana, weak enforcement measures and endemic corruption within the Police Force make it difficult to engage in illicit narcotics control. Sophisticated and organisational network and resources controlled by traffickers can potentially corrupt the most moral citizen.

The US National Academy of Science concluded that cannabis and its derivatives (hashish and hashish oil) have shown promises in the treatment of glaucoma, asthma, seizures, nervous system disorders and nausea and vomiting resulting from cancer chemotherapy. However, potential longterm effects of marijuana include euphoria, loss of memory, paranoid delusions, laughter, visual illusions, hallucinations, cancer, emphysema and bronchitis. Perhaps this is why most countries are not yet comfortable with a globalised marijuana trade.

Any decision to engage in large scale cultivation to meet demands of a future growing international consumer market must be carefully weighed against its impact on Guyana and the international narcotics regime change, not by a few citizens guided by personal gains.

Guyana has a narcotics expert in Professor Ivelaw Griffith, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana. A good place to start would be to establish a task force, headed by Professor Griffith, to study this issue.

Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Automotive workshop Fraudster fined $100,000 A launched at LTI

Representatives of the Education Ministry and the Canadian High Commission at the ribbon cutting ceremony

T

he long-anticipated Automotive Workshop and Heavy Equipment Maintenance programme of the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) was launched on Tuesday, following an official ceremony on the lawns of the institution in the presence of students, dignitaries and representatives of partnering associations.

The initiative is a partnership between the Education Ministry and the LTI in partnership with College of the North Atlantic, the Marine Institute of Newfoundland Canada and MACORP. Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, in delivering his remarks before the gathering, applauded the partners in the initiative, while emphasising that it was expected that the facility would be a centre of excellence in heavy-duty equipment in the Linden community.

The modern facility, situated in the compound of the LTI, initially took shape in 2006 and was officially declared open. The facility is equipped with offices as well

as tool, operation, lecture and locker rooms to facilitate both students and lecturers.

Referring to it as a significant community asset, Sam further encouraged the need to optimise its use, preserve and maintain it for future use as well as to ensure that the true essence of the project for education and employment was realised.

The Chief Education Officer said the reality was that LTI was underutilised, which was ironic given the unemployment in the community. He stressed the need to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Canadian High Commission Charge d’Affaires Daniel Joly, in delivering brief remarks, noted the importance of such partnerships between training institutions and industries, pointing out that it was critical to bridging the gap which existed in the Caribbean and throughout the world between skilled persons and employers seeking those skills. Further em-

phasising the importance, he noted that the Canadian college system had been very successful in promoting partnerships with industries and were involved in technical and vocational education. On that note, he said MACORP was visionary in establishing the link with LTI. Speaking on behalf of MACORP, Training Coordinator Miguel Oviedo said LTI was chosen as a pilot institution for the programme and praised the collaboration. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), he said, was signed between LTI and MACORP in 2013 to identify and ensure mutual relations to assist with the development of Guyanese through employment in the mining sector. Oviedo said MACORP would continue its support to LTI. Also present at the ceremony were LTI Board Chairman Gordon Gumbs, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and representatives of the Education Ministry.

n East Coast Demerara man was fined $100,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded guilty to a fraud charge.

Christopher Ramsammy, of Lot 51 Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, admitted that during the month of May 2016, he fraudulently obtained $850,000 from Ravi Duran claiming to be the owner of a motor vehicle bearing registration plates PVV 3489.

The 31-year-old man was also accused of uttering to Duran a fake registration document for the said vehicle, on May 13, 2016.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the vehicle was entrusted by its legal owner, whose name was not provided to the court to his friend, identified to the court as “Tall Man”, who also happens to be a friend of the defendant.

However ignorant of their plot, Duran agreed to

Christopher Ramsammy

purchase the vehicle and paid the $850,000 sum.

An agreement of sale was made between the complainant and Ramsammy, who

also created the fraudulent vehicle registration documents.

Ramsammy in plea of mitigating told the court that his intention was never to sell the vehicle to Duran but rather to pawn it since his friend “Tall Man” told him he was low on cash, and it was a way for them to make money.

It was at this point that Magistrate McLennan enquired from the Prosecution the whereabouts of “Tall Man”. Prosecutor Jones told the court the man’s location is currently unknown to Police.

Ramsammy was ordered to repay Duran his $850,000 on or before September 30, 2016, with his first payment of $250,000 on July 30 for the fraud charge.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of $100,000 for uttering the fake registration documents to Duran.

However failure to pay will result in him spending two years in prison. He will return to court on July 1.

14

guyana-times.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

News

Food and Drug Department Director GTU stands in unity with Brickdam refutes Superfood boss’ claims Secondary School teachers – alleges forged signature, corruption by businessman

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he threat of legal action made by local Rafik businessman Ahmad of Superfood Inc against the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAF&D), may very well be a lost cause, as the organiastion on Tuesday refuted the claims made by the Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown businessman.

GAF&D Director Marlon Cole on Tuesday gave the organsiation’s side of the matter, which he said is currently before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The claims made by the businessman through his lawyer Anil Nandlall is that the Food and Drug Department has been preventing him from uplifting a container of tinned milk which came into the country several months ago.

According to Ahmad, this is the first time something like this has happened, and he has ordered through his lawyer that the items, which will reach expiry date in less than four months, be released.

But Cole speaking to Guyana Times said since the arrival of the item in December 2015, Customs for the entry reached his office in early February this year.

He said a number of discrepancies were found, including the recognition of his forged signature.

It was also found that while Ahmad had recorded the item in the container as powdered milk, it was in fact a sweetened condensed milk.

“My forged signature was used to clear the confine-

Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department Director Marlon Cole

ment and at the time it was recorded full cream milk, which is [Value Added Tax] VAT exempted from tax, imported by Superfood Inc by Rafeek Ahmad”.

He said it was Customs that recognised the unusual signature and alerted the Department.

“When we looked at the signature, we recognised that it was unusual. We then sent for the document at Customs; however, before the Department received it, it was intercepted by a staff.

It was then realised that the staff may have been in collusion with the Customs broker and the importer,” Cole told Guyana Times.

He said the Police was called in, the staff was placed on bail, the importer was charged and the matter is currently before the court.

According to the Director, the Department was seeking to gain access to the full cream milk, because there were reports of substandard milk being imported by Ahmad.

“We had wanted to retrieve a sample of the milk, but when we got to the container, it was not a container of full cream milk, but of Moee condensed milk. We then wrote the Customs Department on March 29.

Since the February 8, we trying to get to examine the container and get a sample of the milk. We were only able to examine the container on March 24.”

Cole further related that the importer was supposed to be charged by the Guyana Revenue Authority for false declaration, but he couldn’t say why Ahmad has not yet been charged.

He said when it was realized that the contents of the container were condensed milk, it was stamped “entry refused” in March. “We found that it is milk filled with vegetable fat and is being sold as regular standardised milk.

So Customs received the entry and the item was changed to condensed milk. The importer had to pay $1.5 million in duty. It was presented to the Department, and was again stamped “refused entry” because it was filled with vegetable fat instead of animal fat.”

He said Customs was informed of the reason why the milk was refused entry – it bore the forged signature of the Director. Ahmad later went to the Department, demanding the document, but was informed that he could not get such. Cole added that Nandlall subsequently wrote the Separtment, stating that it has had the document for over a month and asked that it be immediately released.

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s the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) stands committed to the teachers of the Brickdam Secondary School, who took industrial action against the Education Ministry due to its failure to upgrade the school’s facility, the Union is hoping that the requisite measures are put in place to ensure that overcrowding does not become another concern.

The Union asserted its position in the situation, noting that it will stand by the teachers throughout the ordeal and until they are transferred to other public schools, ensuring that the transition is smooth and effective.

These sentiments were shared by the General Secretary of the Union, Coretta McDonald, who pointed out that the GTU had been in concord with the teachers since the beginning when they were formulating the strike action.

This was further extended as the Union indicated that it had been supporting past and present teachers of the school over the years, when the proposal for a new building was made to the

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

Ministry.

McDonald related that teachers had been appealing for the Ministry’s intervention for years, since the school’s outer facilities had begun to deteriorate.

However, with no repairs done overtime, the school’s structure was further depleted but even this was disregarded by the Education Ministry, of both past and present administrations.

With the conditions now dubbed as “unbearable”, McDonald told Guyana Times that the teachers decided to take a stand against the

Ministry; an action that had been endorsed by the GTU. While noting the strong possibility of overcrowding at the facility since the quota of students at these schools had already been established, she said the Union is especially concerned about this development.

However, she related that the Ministry had assured that measures were in place to have this addressed.

“We know that a number of students had already been assigned to each classroom but the Ministry had indicated that it will transfer these students to schools in close proximity to their area. It had been indicated that overcrowding will not be an issue but the Union will monitor this.”

To this end, the GTU remains stern in its mandate of ensuring that teachers’ rights are not violated and at all times, they are comfortable around the classroom and the school as a whole.

In the case of any further grievances, McDonald said the Union along with the teachers will move to take any further action to resolve these.

Prison Service lacks resources to deal with mentally ill inmates – CoI

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CoI Commissioners Dale Erskine, Chairman James Patterson and Merle Mendonca

he Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has no resources, financial or human, to deal with mentally ill prisoners.

This was concluded by the Commission of Inquiry into the deadly Camp Street Prison riot which occurred earlier this year. According to findings of the CoI report, the GPS was noted as “the major casualty of as an inexcusably primitive approach” to mental health in Guyana.

The Commissioners pointed out that even though the prison service lacks the requisite resources to integrate the psychologically challenged inmates; those who pass through the courts still end up in the facilities of the over-crowded penitentiary.

While the Commissioners recommended that the Public Health Ministry pro-

vide a full-time medical doctor at the prison, they noted that the delivery of routine medical care, including mental health services, remains a constant problem.

It was further pointed out that the lack of medical care brings “systematic hardship on all aspects of prison life” since less concern is devoted to the stressful effect on other prisoners who live with mentally ill inmates in the over-crowded spaces.

Commissioners also recommended that an intervention led by the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the magistracy, the Police and the prison service is urgently needed to better integrate these prisoners.

When Chief Prison Officer, Medex Patricia Anderson testified to the Commission, she noted the

grave emotional impact which the riots had on the staff of the prison. At that point, Chairman Patterson expressed shock that the prison did not have a permanent doctor stationed there.

The CoI ran from March 8 to May 9, 2016 and the report was handed over to the President David Granger on the first of June. The Head of State ordered the inquiry into the fire after inmates met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan after a “gentlemen’s agreement” was reached. It was after two days of rioting at the Camp Street penitentiary and the death of 17 inmates after fire engulfed the Capital A Block on March 3.

It was concluded that the fires were as a result of the actions by inmates.

wednesday, june 15, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

Venezuelan Government France labour dispute: Paris condemns “international protests descend into violence bullying”

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he Venezuelan Foreign Minister has said her country is "a victim of international bullying" as a political and economic crisis grows.

Delcy Rodriguez was speaking at the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

International pressure is building on Venezuela to resolve its problems.

Supplies of food and medicine are running short, with the Opposition blaming President Nicolás Maduro's socialist Government.

On May 2, Opposition Leaders handed the National Electoral Council (CNE) a petition with almost two million signatures demanding that a referendum be held to recall Maduro.

After a series of delays and cancelled meetings, the CNE announced on Friday that its scrutiny of the sig-

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said Venezuela was a free and sovereign nation

natures suggested that 600,000 of them were fraudulent.

But even with those 600,000 signatures deducted, the Opposition has more than six times the number of signatures needed at this

early stage of the process.

The CNE announced that the remaining 1.3 million signatories would be asked to verify their identities by having their fingerprints checked at CNE offices between June20 and 24.

But on Monday, the Government asked the Supreme Court to reject the petition, alleging widespread fraud.

The Government has also said that it would not hold the referendum this year.

The timing of the referendum is key. If it is held

by January 10, 2017 and President Maduro loses, a new election will be called.

If it is held after that date and the vote goes against him, his Vice President – who is loyal to Maduro – will take over and remain in power until the end of the presidential term, in January 2019. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Protesters gather during a demonstration against proposed labour reforms near the Grand Palais, in Paris on June 14

P

rotests in Paris over a French labour reform bill have turned violent, with at least 40 people injured, including 29 Police Officers, and 58 arrests.

At least 75,000 demonstrators had convened in the capital as the Upper House of Parliament debated changes to employment laws.

One of the city's bestknown attractions, the Eiffel Tower, was closed due to strike action by staff.

The new law makes it easier for employers to hire

and fire workers.

It would also relax the limit on work hours.

Students and several unions organised protests across the country, part of weeks of industrial action.

Rail workers and taxi drivers are also on strike, disrupting transport.

Police also fired tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators, who could be seen hurling objects at officers and reportedly storming a building site.

The crowd marched from

south-east Paris to the wellknown tourist attraction, the Invalides plaza.

The unrest coincides with the Euro 2016 football championship well under way in the country – an event marred early on by violence among fans.

In a separate protest, Air France pilots went on strike to demand better working conditions.

An estimated 20 per cent of all Air France flights were cancelled as a result, the company said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Child dies in St Lucia after French Police couple contracting H1N1 virus

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nine year-old girl has died after contracting the H1N1 virus.

And the development has prompted Chief Medical Officer, Dr Merlene Fredericks to urge the public to be vigilant and remain on guard against vector borne diseases as the wet season progresses.

“Persons will recall that the island had a huge H1N1 swine flu outbreak in 2009, with thousands of children affected, and we actually had to shut down some schools because of the outbreak,” she said.

“But in 2009 we had no

deaths in children from this disease. So we are right now investigating the situation.

We want to ensure that the child in particular didn’t have any underlying medical conditions which may have predisposed to the outcome in that particular child.”

Dr Fredericks urged members of the public, especially those most at risk – the elderly, the youth, health care workers, and people with underlying medical conditions – to get vaccinated.

She said the public could access flu shots, free of charge, at all wellness cen-

tres.

The Chief Medical Officer also assured that the island had adequate stores of the medication to treat H1N1 and could access more if it was required.

The H1N1 virus, often referred to as the swine flu virus, is transmitted from person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Symptoms are similar to those of the seasonal flu and include: cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

killed in terrorist attack

A

Frenchman who pledged allegiance to Islamic State stabbed a Police Commander to death outside his home and killed his partner, who also worked for the Police, in an attack the government denounced as "an abject act of terrorism".

Larossi Abballa, 25, also took the couple's three-yearold son hostage in Monday night's attack. The boy was found unharmed, but in a state of shock after Police commandos stormed the house and killed the attacker.

Born in France of Moroccan origin, Abballa

was jailed in 2013 for helping Islamist militants go to Pakistan and had been under security service surveillance, including wiretaps, at the time of the attack, Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said.

The attacker told Police negotiators during the siege he had answered an appeal

by Iraq-based Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "to kill infidels at home with their families", Molins told a news conference.

"The killer said he was a practising Muslim, was observing Ramadan and, that three weeks ago, he had pledged allegiance to ... Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," Molins

said.

Police found a bloodied knife at the scene along with a list of other potential targets including rap musicians, Journalists and Police Officers, the prosecutor said.

The killings came as France, which has been under a state of emergency since Islamic State gunmen and bombers killed 130 people in Paris last November, was on high security alert for the Euro 2016 soccer tournament, which began last Friday.

In a video posted on social networks, Abballa linked the attack to the soccer championship, saying: "The Euros will be a graveyard." (Excerpt from

Senator in Trinidad resigns in sexually explicit videos/blackmail scandal Afghanistan-Pakistan border

G

overnment Senator Hafeez Ali has called it quits after finding himself in the midst of a scandal involving sexually explicit videos of him being posted online, and an alleged blackmail plot by the woman responsible for leaking the videos.

No official announcement has been made of his resignation, but local media reports have quoted highplaced Government sources as confirming that Ali resigned last Friday.

He had reportedly turned to the Fraud Squad last week informing law enforcement officials that a woman he met online, and to whom he sent nude videos of himself, was trying to extort money from him.

Hafeez Ali was reportedly being blackmailed by a woman who was threatening to release nude videos of him

The 43-year-old Senator, who is also a businessman and pilot, claimed that he had already paid her to take down previous videos, but she was threatening to repost them if he did not hand

over more money.

Head of Corporate Communications of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Ellen Lewis, confirmed to the Newsday publication that an investigation had been launched.

“I can confirm that a report was made by a Government Senator in which he is alleging being blackmailed and this report is being investigated by the Fraud Squad,” she told the newspaper.

Ali flew the People’s National Movement (PNM) flag in the Barataria-San Juan constituency in the September 7 general elections. However, he lost to the United National Congress’ Dr Fuad Khan.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Reuters)

clashes kill two soldiers

O

ne Afghan soldier and a Pakistani army major have been killed after border forces exchanged gunfire at the main crossing point between the two countries.

Pakistan shut the border with Afghanistan for the second day in a row on Tuesday due to the continued clashes.

Twenty-two others were wounded in the fighting, ten of them were civilians, including children, Chief Administrator of Khyber Agency, Khalid Mehmood, told Al Jazeera.

Sunday's overnight clashes at the Torkham crossing began shortly after 21:00h local time.

Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said tensions have been brewing for a while over Pakistan's attempts to erect a gate on the border.

Afghanistan has long opposed this idea as it does not recognise the gate as a legitimate dividing line.

"The guns have fallen silent, but the situation is extremely tense," said Hyder.

"Everything is suspended.

A curfew has been imposed and many families have been forced out of that area to seek refuge in other places."

The curfew has been declared at the Pakistani Landi Kotal town, which lies

at the edge of the Khyber Pass, the main entrance to Afghanistan.

Both countries blamed each other for starting the fighting, which reportedly stopped at 05:00h on Monday.

"The Government of Pakistan expresses its deep concerns about the security of Pakistani soldiers near the border, in relation to the reports of unprovoked attacks that are unhelpful in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations," Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office said in a statement.

The Prime Minister urged Afghanistan to investigate the incident. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Enmore Martyrs remembered

“T

he gains made for sugar workers on the whole are gradually being whittled away by an unsympathetic and uncaring regime.”

This is according to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which in observance of Enmore Martyrs Day noted that the Party was committed to defending the rights of all sugar workers, especially at this time when the industry was experiencing extended periods of challenges.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the PPP saluted the memory of the five sugar workers who were gunned down by colonial Police in British Guiana on June 16, 1948.

“The five slain sugar workers, now referred to as the Enmore Martyrs stand as a living monument to the struggles and sacrifices waged by sugar workers for a living wage and better conditions of work,” the Party noted.

The workers who died were Lallabaggie and Dookie from Enmore, and Rambarran, Harry and Pooran from Enterprise/ Nonpareil.

It was noted that the killing of these five workers served as a catalyst to the formation of the PPP back in January 1950. “Indeed, it was at the graveside of the slain workers that Dr Jagan

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Sickening hypocrisy is ruining our nation

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The Enmore Martyrs Monument at Enmore, East Coast Demerara

made that silent pledge to dedicate his entire life to the cause of the working people,” the Party said.

According to the PPP, sugar workers today face an uncertain future with the decision to close Wales Estate and the impending closure of the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate. It added that workers are also being denied their Annual Production Incentive (API) and the fruits of other collective bargaining agreements with their union.

“The gains made for sugar workers and workers on the whole are gradually being whittled away by an unsympathetic and uncaring regime, which is more concerned about feathering its

own nest rather than that of the working class. The PPP urges all workers to unite and close ranks against this onslaught in honour of the heroic struggles waged by the Enmore Martyrs who paid the ultimate price of sacrificing their lives in defence of their rights,” it added.

The PPP is also calling on the Administration to stop “playing politics” with the livelihoods of sugar workers by immediately halting the closure of sugar estates. The PPP has reiterated calls for Government to instruct the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to “respect the collective labour agreement it has with unions operating in the sugar industry”.

“This disrespect and callous attitude displayed by GuySuCo is a clear violation of industrial relations enshrined in the Conventions of the International Labour Organisation. The PPP takes this opportunity of Enmore Martyrs Day to serve notice on the APNUAFC administration that it will not sit idly by and allow the rights of workers to be ignored and violated,” observed the Party.

Kwakwani businessman charged for stealing truck, chainsaws from BaiShanLin

Accused: Sherwin Sealey

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Kwakwani businessman was released on $400,000 bail on Tuesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts accused of stealing millions of dollars in items from Chinese-owned logging company BaiShanLin. Sherwin Sealey, 38, of Lot 220 Kwakwani Water Front, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), allegedly stole a truck valued at $20 million along with 10 chain saws valued $2,000,000 – all valued $22,000,000 from the logging company between May 20 and 25.

Sealey pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones made no objection to bail, but requested that it be in a substantial amount.

The matter was transferred to the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court for June 17.

olitical hypocrisy is abound in our country today. Even as we celebrated our 50th independence anniversary, it cannot escape decent-minded citizens that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) is narrow-minded and hypocritical as they selfishly abdicate their responsibilities to our people and our nation.

Each new day reveals new and more glaring hypocrisies.

In just over a year, citizens overwhelmingly have lost confidence in the APNU/AFC’s regime.

On Monday, June 13, Guyana sadly remembered the brutal slaying of Walter Rodney. I am not shocked that Vincent Alexander, a longtime senior member of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Dr Leslie Ramsammy sought in a TV programme this past weekend to exculpate the PNC from responsibility for Rodney’s murder by clumsily admitting that the PNC was fearful of Rodney’s influence on middle class Afro-Guyanese. A close ally of Rodney who has many times in the past, soon after Rodney’s assassination and for years after, insisted that Burnham and the PNC were responsible for the murder, this past weekend continued the recent embrace of Rodney’s tormentors and those responsible for Rodney’s death. While the embrace of Rodney’s enemies by his former comrades, including Dr Rupert Roopnaraine is sad, it does not shock me, yet it is still sheer hypocrisy and betrayal.

But I am disgusted by the hypocrisy, buffoonish and shameless rewriting of history by Moses Nagamootoo, as he continues to drink soup from the very people who are now in disguise, but whose political party has been unambiguously incriminated by an international Commission of Inquiry in the murder of Walter Rodney. Nagamootoo is for all eternity in bold print known for his eloquent incrimination of Burnham and the PNC for the murder of Rodney. Those writings cannot be denied. Today, however, he seeks to excuse the murder and, instead, find fault with the Commission of Inquiry. He has been bought, like Judas, with a few shiny gold medals.

This week also revealed that APNU/AFC is bent on political recrimination. The Alim Shah stores are a family business that has served Guyana for almost 50 years. I have known that family business all my life. Mr Shah has never, as far as I know, took political sides. He has invested in Guyana and through thick and thin, has maintained loyalty to his country.

His daughter continues to be a citizen that strives for a better country and is willing to voice her concerns pertaining to the direction Guyana is going. This lady has never been fearful to express her concerns, even when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was in power. But now, APNU/AFC has decided that the Alim Shah business must be targeted and treated as political enemy. The Alim Shah stores have now been shamefully removed from the list of businesses that supply school uniforms through the Government voucher subsidy programme.

While a family business that has served our country for more than 50 years has been de-recognised, the Mayor and City Council under the control of APNU/AFC have given a company that has no record in Guyana or anywhere else a more than $100 million contract to implement a parking meter system in Georgetown. Not only is the contract questionable because the company has no history of being in business anywhere before, there is no evidence that it has any experience with parking meters. Worse yet, there is no evidence of any advertisement or tendering. Clearly, it is solesourcing. Even as the controversy rages, the Mayor and her comrades have travelled to Mexico to continue reinforcing the contract.

APNU/AFC in a major way persuaded enough people to vote for it because it spoke of accountability and transparency.

Without evidence, they painted the PPP as corrupt. They have spent almost $150 million in sole-sourced forensic audits, even though they told the people before the election that they have the evidence of PPP corruption in their back-pockets.

Those back pockets of Granger, Nagamootoo, Trotman, Williams, Greenidge, Ramjattan and others, turn out not to contain any evidence of PPP corruption and their forensic audits have been unable to provide them with evidence of PPP’s corruption.

But today, APNU/AFC has taken corrupt practices to another level. Sole-sourcing has become the norm with APNU/AFC. Their hypocrisy and arrogance are ruining our country. While crime is spiralling out of control and the economy is on a downward trajectory, APNU/AFC is more concerned about who next to victimise, intimidate and fire on the one hand, and, on the other hand, who they will provide with political patronage. Fear stalks our land as citizens and businesses wonder who is next in line for victimisation. It is deja vu, the return of party paramountcy and dictatorship.

(Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com)

17

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

KN grenade attack

Uniform voucher programme

Trio to be arraigned today

Education Minister to investigate Alim Shah's claims

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fter more than one week of intense investigations into the grenade attack on Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, the Guyana Police Force has charged three persons who will be appearing in court today. was confirmed This

by Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum. On Tuesday, the Police were advised to go ahead and institute charges against three suspects, one of whom recently turned himself in to Police.

Janiel Howard also called “JP”, 30, of Lot 322 Section C, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, turned himself in after a wanted bulletin was issued for him on Monday for questioning in relation to “attempting to cause explosion” on June 4, at Lall’s Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown business.

Howard will appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts today along with two others.

Guyana Times understands that the Police recently arrested a suspect who allegedly was the one who handed over the fragmentation grenade to other individuals with the aim of causing mayhem on Saffon Street.

The man, who also handed over a quantity of cash to the perpetrators to carry out the job, is said to be one of the persons likely for court today.

Meanwhile, according to further reports reaching this publication, the third suspect is the owner of the car used

Janiel Howard also called “JP” is among the three for court today

to commit the attack. He had reportedly given investigators conflicting accounts of how the car was left abandoned.

On Friday last, the Police had at least 13 persons in custody, but, according to reports, most of them were released over the weekend. To date, only three persons are in custody assisting with investigations while Police were hunting the mastermind.

The Police had issued a wanted bulletin for 20-yearold Shemar Wilson also known as “Abdue” of Lot 43 North Sophia, Georgetown and Lot 51 West La Penitence, Georgetown, on Friday for questioning.

The live grenade was hurled at the luxury vehicle belonging to Lall last Saturday evening during the first night of the wake to pay last respects to deceased Assistant Editor Dale Andrews.

Wanted: Shemar Wilson also known as “Abdue”

Persons who were at the wake recalled hearing a strange sound, but assumed that it was the sound of a shattering glass. However, when a thorough check was made, the grenade was found lying next to the right tyre of Lall’s black Lexus vehicle.

The Police were summoned and the area was immediately cordoned off, while bomb experts deactivated the device. They noted that it was a miracle that the grenade did not explode.

After a review of footage from surveillance cameras which revealed the grenade was thrown from a grey motor car, it was found abandoned in the vicinity of Norton Street and Mandela Avenue. It had reportedly hit a woman before slamming into a utility pole in the area.

Prompt investigation led to the discovery of the car and the arrest of six persons who were later joined by another seven as investigations continued.

Food and Drug Department cracks down on fake aji

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he Food and Drug Department (F&DD) is cracking down on fake one (1) Lb, two hundred (200g) and one hundred (100g) brands of Ajinomoto which are on the local markets that are prevalent in rural areas.

The F&DD is advising consumers, wholesalers and retailers against the use of the fake product since the product can have a negative long term effects on consumers.

According to the F&DD, the original product is made in Brazil and the official distributor is Continental Agencies Limited of Industrial Estate, Ruimveldt Georgetown and a carton of fifty (50) packs X 454 grams of the original Ajinomoto cost approximately $20, 000 while the cost for a carton of the counterfeited product is only $14,000.

F&DD laboratory conducted an analysis for Purity both in Brazil and Japan that revealed that the original product is 99.90% pure while the counterfeited product is only 91.63% pure.

The F&DD disclosed that, “using the counterfeited Ajinomoto can result in excessive salt (sodium) intake by consumers since more Ajinomoto would be added in food than normal to reach the required level of aroma and / or taste. This is of public health significance since; ex-

cessive salt (sodium) intake is a contributing factor in the epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in our society that results in obesity, hypertension and congestive heart failure.”

Visible differences can be seen in the products which the crystal’s of the original is white while the counterfeit is cream in colour.

The F&DD pointed out that on the label of the original ajinomoto the expiry date and related information is printed on the right sided outer seal of the plastic package, while on the counterfeited product, a production date and an expiry date is placed directly on the body (main panel) of the package.

The department stated they have since seized and removed the counterfeited ajinomoto from several stalls and supermarkets in the low-

er East Coast area but was recently denied access to the premises of the suspected Importer.

Speaking with Guyana Times Director of F&DD, Marlon Cole said that the department has refused entry to the product by a local distributor, who attempted to import the fake product.

“Persons found deliberately offering for sale items of food that is not according to the prescribed standard is guilty of an offence and can be prosecuted under the Laws of Guyana Food and Drug Act Chapter 34:03 Section seven (7),” added Cole.

The F&DD urges wholesalers, retailers and consumers are asked to ensure that the packages of Ajinomoto are checked for the highlighted difference between the original and counterfeited ajinomoto.

E

ducation Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said he will today investigate the claims made

by Rhyaan Shah, daughter of local businessman Alim Shah, that the business’ name has been taken off the list of suppliers for the Government school voucher programme.

Shah said on Sunday that from the list issued by the Education Ministry in its full page advertisement, it appears that her father’s business was the only one that was singled out for omission this year. She said it was felt that it was a direct result of her, as a col-

umnist of Guyana Times, being critical of the Granger Administration.

However, on Monday, when she contacted the Ministry’s Chief Accountant, she was told that the business’ name was still on the list of suppliers. According to her, the official said the advertisement in the newspaper was not sanctioned by that office. She could not say who placed the ad.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Tuesday, Dr Roopnaraine said it was only on Tuesday that he was made aware of the issue, and categorically stat-

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

ed that his Ministry would not condone any such move.

18

guyana-times.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

ARCHIE

Plan a vacation or devote some time to a loved one.

(March 21April 19) Making personal adjustments will lead to a positive plan or a new adventure.

ARIES

Ask and you shall receive.

TAURUS Let your intuition and experi(April 20- ence guide you when it comes May 20) to advancement. Don't let anyone saddle you with responsibilities that don't belong to you.

DILBERT

Put your plans into moGEMINI tion. Use your power of per(May 21June 20) suasion to entice others to see and do things your way. Love is in the stars, but temptation will lead you astray.

Show restraint when CANCER asked to keep a secret if you (June 21- want to avoid damaging your July 22) reputation. Concentrate on a creative endeavour or improving yourself or your home.

Avoid an emotional scene.

PEANUTS

If you look for a way to LEO help, you will discover a new (July 23way to use your skills in a Aug. 22) more diverse manner. You will enjoy feeling needed.

Romance will enhance your life.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Observation will be necVIRGO essary if you want to avoid a (Aug. 23scandal.

Don't get caught in Sept. 22) a position that will make you look bad or incompetent. Bide your time.

If you give your all, you LIBRA (Sept. 23- will get the same in return.

Oct. 23) Good fortune is around the corner socially, emotionally and financially. A romantic gesture will encourage a positive change in your life.

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD – CRUMBLING

SUDOKU

Serious talks can help SAGITTARIUS smooth over a misunder(Nov. 23- standing or disagreement, but Dec. 21) honesty will be required in order to bring about the changes you desire. Compromise and incentives will bring good results.

(CRUMBLING: KRUM-bling: Breaking into small fragments or particles.)

Average mark 35 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in CRUMBLING? The list will be published Monday.

YESTERDAY'S WORD – MATURED made mare mart mate mead meat mute armed tame tamer tare team tear

term trade tram tread true rate read ream remuda rude rued dame dare

dart date dater datum dear demur derma dram drat dream dreamt drum duet

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Let your emotions lead the SCORPIO (Oct. 24- way when it comes to personNov. 22) al matters. An unusual lifestyle change will help you obtain a lifelong dream.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Finish what you start and CAPRICORN clear your agenda so you can (Dec. 22enjoy some downtime with Jan. 19) friends and family. Sharing your ideas will result in support and encouragement.

A chance to step into the AQUARIUS limelight is apparent, but it (Jan. 20Feb. 19) must be handled graciously. Stick to facts and realistic promises. Personal gains look promising.

Honesty is the best poliPISCES (Feb. 20- cy when dealing with friends March 20) and family. An interesting partnership will be enticing, but you need to iron out the details before you commit to anything long-term

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

Digicel School Football Championships 2016

20 schools to compete in Region 6

James, Irving explode to keep Cavs alive in NBA Finals

CSS to play Overwinning

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he biggest zone in the ‘Zone Six’ (East Berbice/Corentyne) Zone of the Digicel Annual National Schools Football knockout tournament starts today.

Twenty schools will participate in the zone, one more that the second biggest zone; Georgetown.

The competition in Region Six will be played at three venues Burnham Park, Skeldon Community Center and the Orealla Community Center Ground.

Today, Canje Secondary will take on Overwinning Secondary at the Burnham Park. Tomorrow the action will be moved to the Corentyne where Lower Corentyne Secondary will take on Skeldon Linepath Secondary at Skeldon. Overwinning has never made it to the second round of the competition.

Last year, Skeldon showed good promise as they made it to the third round, while lower Corentyne has never made it past the first round in their three years competing. The defending regional champion is

Berbice High which will play their first match on June 23, against Manchester Secondary at the Burnham Park.

The first round will be completed on June 28 when two former regional champions Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) clash with New Amsterdam Technical Institute at the Burnham Park. Nine matches will be played at the Burnham Park and ten at Skeldon. Orealla will have one game on Sunday when Siparuta and Orealla meet. Orealla has a ten percent dominance over Siparuta in the competition which is in its sixth year.

A total of 180 schools will participate in the tournament this year which began last Friday. Linden’s Christianburg Wismar Secondary School is the defending champion, having played in in all five finals and winning four consecutive titles.

The Zone Six finals will be played on July 13 at Skeldon. The national finals will be held on July 31 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Lebron James and Kyrie Irving both finished with 41 points

L

eBron James powered the sharpshooting Cleveland Cavaliers to a season-saving 112-97 win over the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Monday to climb within 3-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

Cleveland, facing elimination at the hands of the top-seeded Warriors, got 41 points each from James and Kyrie Irving and displayed a tenacious defense to set up another do-or-die game for the Cavaliers on Thursday in Cleveland.

“We are just happy we got another day, that’s all we can ask for. We got another day to survive,” James, who also had 16 rebounds and seven assists, said after the game.

“We understand this is a great team no matter who is out on the floor for those guys. They are the champions so

we’ve got to be ready.”

With their season on the line, the Cavaliers exploded with their best game yet of the NBA Finals as James and Kyrie Irving proved too much for a Warriors team playing without suspended defensive stalwart Draymond Green.

The Cavaliers duo became the first teammates to score at least 40 points in an NBA Finals game.

“They had two great games, two breakout games. We need those two guys to give us confidence early, and they both did that,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said about James and Irving.

“But I’m just very excited and proud of the way we scrapped and continued to play hard. That’s how we’ve got to play. That’s us.”

The game got off to a wild start and produced the best 24 minutes yet of the Finals as the Warriors and Cavaliers each displayed some incredible shotmaking that left the teams tied 61-61 at halftime.

It marked the highest-scoring first half in an NBA Finals game since the 1987 championship between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

But after a tight first half it was Cleveland who finally pulled ahead by 10 points late in the third quarter as Irving carried over the shooting clinic he put on during the first 24 minutes to keep the home crowd in check.

With a chance to clinch the title on their home court, where they had lost just three times all season, the Warriors were unable to find a way back into the game as the Cavs stymied any bit of momentum Golden State tried to generate.

Klay Thompson had a team-high 37 points for the Warriors on 11-of-20 shooting, including six three-pointers, but it was far from enough on this night.

“We had a good offensive first half, made some shots, had 61 points, and then kind of got bogged down in the second,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “We tried a lot of different things, and nothing seemed to work. It was one of those nights.”

Green will be back in the Warriors lineup for Thursday’s pivotal Game Six after serving a one-game ban after being assessed his fourth flagrant foul from his scuffle with James in the previous contest.

The Cavaliers are trying to become the first team to win a championship after falling behind 3-1 in the NBA Finals.

T&T Football: Soca Sharapova files appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport over 2-year ban Warriors wary of U-20 opponents M

T

rinidad and Tobago Under-20 head coach Brian Williams will err on the side of caution ahead of the team’s opening round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-20 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

The young Soca Warriors have been drawn in Group 2 alongside Turks and Caicos, Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia.

While Trinidad will be favourites to progress to the next round the team are acutely aware of the fact that they were beaten at the Under-17 level by St Lucia last year.

“St Lucia we know will

be no push overs, similar to the other teams in the group. They got the better of the Under-17s in the last CFU tournament and they will have the majority of the players in this current Under-20 team,” Williams said.

“We expect that all the games will be tough and we have to be mentally and physically ready for the challenges,” Williams said.

Trinidad and Tobago will open the tournament against Guadeloupe on Wednesday, followed by a match against Turks and Caicos on Friday and close out against St Lucia on Sunday. (Sportsmax)

19

aria Sharapova has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) after being banned from tennis for two years for using a prohibited drug.

Sharapova, who tested positive for meldonium at January’s Australian Open, was last week suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The 29-year-old, a five-time Grand Slam winner, said in her appeal her ban should be “eliminated” or reduced.

Cas said it would rule on the Russian’s case by 18 July.

A statement from Sharapova’s lawyer said the ITF’s tribunal reflected the player “did not intend to violate the rules”.

It added she was given an “unfairly harsh suspension because she is such a famous athlete and they wanted to make an example out of her”.

Sharapova says she has been taking meldonium, a heart disease drug, since 2006 for health issues. It became a banned substance on 1 January 2016.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam winner

She has admitted she continued taking the substance past that date, saying she was unaware it had been added to the banned list as she knew it

by another name - mildronate.

The ITF tribunal ruling said Sharapova tested positive for meldonium in an out-of-competition test on 2 February, as well as in the aftermath of her Australian Open quarterfinal defeat by Serena Williams on 26 January.

It treated both results as a single anti-doping violation, with Sharapova’s ban backdated to 26 January.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) said it would “review the decision, including its reasoning” before deciding whether to appeal.

Aged 17, Sharapova became the first Russian to win Wimbledon, added the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008, before completing a career Grand Slam with the French Open title in 2012.

She won the French Open again in 2014, but the 2018 tournament in Paris is the next major Sharapova can enter, unless her ban is reduced.

20

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

GHB/Lucozade Indoor Championships 2016

GCC Bounty Farm beat Old Fort Knockers 20-0 in opener

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Aroydy Brandford (7) in action at the recent Pan American Championships

he Guyana Hockey Board, in collaboration with LUCOZADE, opened their first Indoor Hockey Tournament of the year on Tuesday June 14, 2016 with a resounding opening victory for Bounty GCC who beat Old Fort Knockers 20-0 while in the second game on the opening night Hikers squeezed passed Old Fort Stallions 7-5.

The championship is being played every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday onward. This will be the first local major tournament

since the new Executive was elected, and eyes and ears are glued to observe the potential progress of this vibrant group. The other substantial point to note is that this tournament is a stepping stone for both the male and female teams since they have their sights set on the Pan American Indoor Championships in Canada slated for April of next year, and the locker room gossip is that the odds are, so far, in the local teams’ favour.

GCC has entered three male teams and two female

teams, the A team being sponsored by Pizza Hut. This A team has been crushing the competition for some time and are touted as the tournament favorites, but the second string GCC female team (The Spartans) has shown vast improvement and promise to hold their own as well.

The Old Fort squad boasts of two formidable male teams and a female “underdog” side that will hold no punches. The Hikers, on the other hand, brings one male team to the game but are confident in their numbers, while

their female squad is in its rebuilding stages but promises to make their mark nevertheless. The Saints squad brags of male team that is a force to be reckoned with.

All junior players return to their respective sides after not playing with their teams for two years due to under 21 training. This bolsters the anticipated competition and will make for some exhilarating entertainment.

Players to watch are Junior National stars Aroydy Brandford and Andrew Stuart from the Hikers team, which also consist of Senior National players Robert France and Shane Samuels.

The latter is the reigning MVP of the National Indoor Tournament. Juniors Daniel Hooper and Kareem McKensie, along with National Goalkeeper Medroy Scotland (who is in for an injured Junior Captain Mark Sergeant), will rejoin GCC; while Saints will have the skills of Ato Greene and Hilton Chester in their arsenal. Old Fort will also be stronger due to Omar Hopkinson’s presence. The action goes down at the National Gymnasium, beginning at 17:00 Hrs every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Copa America Centenario, USA 2016

Mexico seal 1-1 draw with Venezuela, ensuring it finish top of Group C

Jesus “Tecatito” Corona scored a brilliant equaliser

er in the box came off his shoulder and went out for a goal kick.

Mexico was then denied by a stunning double save from Hernandez, who tipped away Diego Reyes’ header before blocking the follow-up from Hector Moreno. Jesus Corona continued to threaten the Venezuela goal before he finally made the breakthrough in the 80th minute.

The 23-year-old Porto winger dribbled his way through a sea of Venezuela defenders before blasting a shot past the helpless Daniel Hernandez.

Venezuela came close to winning it in dramatic fashion through Martinez, but the Torino striker’s overhead kick was brilliantly tipped out for a corner by Jose Corona, with the game ending 1-1.

ubstitute Jesus “Tecatito” Corona produced a late moment of individual brilliance, helping Mexico seal top spot in Group C with a 1-1 draw against Venezuela at the Copa America Centenario.

Jose Velazquez had Venezuela on its way to a shock win at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday courtesy of his stunning overhead kick in the first half.

But Jesus Corona was the hero for Mexico, scoring with 10 minutes remaining to ensure El Tri finished top of the group at the special-edition centenary tournament.

The victory also meant Mexico extended its unbeaten run to an incredible 22 games, but the team’s 11-match winning run was ended.

While top spot in the group was up for grabs, Mexico and Venezuela had already qualified for the quarterfinals of

Uruguay closed off its disappointing Copa America Centenario campaign with a 3-0 win over Jamaica in the last game of Group C. Abel Hernandez opened the scoring early in the first half on Monday, before a Je-Vaughn Watson own goal put Uruguay 2-0 up midway through the second period.

Second-half substitute Mathias Corujo wrapped up the result in the dying stages at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California with his first international goal. The win also ended a fivegame winless streak for Uruguay in the Copa America, stretching back to its 1-0 victory over Jamaica in last year’s edition of the tournament in Chile.

Jamaica, meanwhile, has lost all six of its Copa America matches, without scoring a single goal.

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the competition, and there were plenty of changes made by both sides. Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio made nine changes to the starting XI that beat Jamaica 2-0, while Venezuela counterpart Rafael Dudamel made five from his side’s 1-0 win over Uruguay.

One of those five changes was Velazquez, who justified his selection in the 10th minute.

A free kick was flicked on by Christian Santos, and center back Velazquez looked more like a well-versed striker, converting the goal with an scissor kick to give Venezuela a surprise lead.

Mexico knew a loss would more than likely mean a quarterfinal clash against Argentina, and was keen to get back level as soon as possible. Osorio introduced Javier Hernandez shortly after and the Bayer Leverkusen forward almost had an immediate impact, but a free head-

Aliann Pompey Invitational gathering momentum

By Rene Stoby

T

he inaugural Aliann Pompey Invitational continues to gather momentum and all systems are in place for the 15 events extravaganza at the National Track & Field Facility at Leonora.

With just three days remaining preparations for Guyana’s biggest Track & Field meet scheduled for Saturday June, 18 are well on its way and the athletes are eagerly anticipating the prospect of competing against each other.

“The athletes are excited to compete, both the athletes here in Guyana and those travelling in”, revealed the smiling four times Olympian Aliann Pompey who spoke with this news paper yesterday.

Athletes from Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Haiti, Ireland, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and the US Virgin Islands are expected in Guyana on Friday June 17.

Pompey said she felt a “twinge of jealously” as she shared her bitter sweet feeling of not having the opportunity of performing at an event of this magnitude, “I would’ve like to have done something like this as an athlete, to run at an event like this”.

However, the St. John’s

University sprints and hurdles coach was quick to excitingly say that the next best thing was to be able to put on an event like this as it presents an opportunity for both the local and overseas Guyanese athletes to show the country what they are capable of.

The Events are: (1) Digicel 4G Men’s 100m (Digicel 4G sponsored) (2) Fly Jamaica Women’s 100m (Fly Jamaica Sponsored) (3) Men’s 200m (4) Digicel 4G Women’s 200m (Digicel (5) Guyana Olympic Association Men’s 400m (6) Quality Plus Fast Foods and Bakery Women’s 400m (7) Men’s 800m (8) Lorrian Adams Women’s 800m (9) Men’s 5000 m (10) Women’s 1,500 m (11) Ramada Princess Men’s 110m Hurdles (12) Women’s 400m Hurdles (13) Banks DIH Men’s 400m Hurdles (14) Women’s Triple Jump (15) Guysuco Men’s Triple Jump The event starts at 15:00 hrs and admission is $1,000.

Sponsors of the event include Digicel 4G, Fly Jamaica, Quality Plus Fast Foods and Bakery, Ramada Princess Hotel, GUYSUCO and Banks DIH.

Digicel Schools Football Championship 2016

St Cuthbert trash Hauraruni 11-0

Uruguay 3 – 0 Jamaica

S

t. Cuthbert’s Secondary inflicted a 11-0 drubbing of Hauraruni Secondary as action in the 2016 edition of the Digicel School’s Football Championship continued yesterday.

In the game played at the Hauraruni ground along the Linden /Soesdyke Highway St. Cuthberts were led by Zak Ferreira in the 1st, 14th and 16th minutes, Keoan Kattow with strikes in the

6th, 17th, 18th and 25th , Elroy Dundas 55th and 57th Mark Clenkian two goals in the 49th and 62nd minute.

The competition continues today with two more matches; at the Beterverwagting Community Centre ground Buxton Secondary take on Plaisance Secondary from 15:30 Hrs while at the Leonora Stadium Covent Garden Primary come up against Providence Primary.

YELLOW PAGES wednesDAY, june 15, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

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lic health globally.

While numerous countries have seen cases of the virus, which has been linked to birth defects and other medical issues, the focus of the statement was travel to and from Brazil for the Olympics and Paralympics.

While acknowledging the risk at hand, the committee “noted that the individual risks in areas of transmission are the same whether or not a mass gathering is conducted, and can be minimised by good public health measures.”

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he World Health Organisation (WHO) rejected calls for travel restrictions to countries experiencing Zika outbreaks.

The World Health Organisation says athletes and fans heading to Brazil for the Rio Olympics are not likely to spur an international Zika outbreak and travel to countries dealing with the mosquito-borne virus should not be restricted.

The WHO on Tuesday reiterated its stance after a meeting of the emergency committee charged with assessing Zika’s threat to pub-

jected calls to cancel or move the Games based on fears that infected persons might spread the virus throughout the world after they leave Brazil.

“The Committee concluded that there is a very low risk of further international spread of Zika virus as a result of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as Brazil will be hosting the Games during the Brazilian winter,” the WHO wrote.

“The Committee reaffirmed its previous advice that there should be no general restrictions on travel and trade with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission, including the cities in Brazil that will be hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The only specific travel recommendation was that pregnant women should not visit affected areas and “should ensure safe sexual practices or abstain from sex for the duration of their pregnancy” if their sexual partners travel to such areas.

In the big picture, the WHO said, the focus should be on education and prevention for those who will be in Zika-prone areas in the coming months. (Sportsmax)

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The medals designed for Rio Olympics

he Rio 2016 organising committee unveiled its Olympic and Paralympic medals on Tuesday, showcasing a simple, straightforward design in gold, silver and bronze.

A total of 2,488 medals, each weighing 500g, have been produced - with 812 gold, 812 silver and 864 bronze.

They were made with

“sustainability at their heart”, say organisers.

The gold medals are free from mercury, the silver and bronze medals are made from 30% recycled materials, and half of the plastic in their ribbons is from recycled plastic bottles.

The designs feature laurel leaves - a symbol of victory in ancient Greece - surround-

A sleeping lion...

In each over from the 27th to the 34th over Samuels managed to score a boundary, bringing up his third fifty in ODIs against the Australians during the process.

Positively assisted by wicket keeper/ batsman Dinesh Ramdin who provided Samuels with the strike and hit leg spinner Adam Zampa for a six, Samuels ensured he kept his innings intact as he edged closer to three figures and his side closer to victory.

Samuels, Australia Spat In the 41st over bowled

by Zampa there was a spat between Samuels and the Australians, particularly

wicket keeper Mathew Wade.

He shimmied down the wicket to the first ball and played miscued shot to the hands of Head at Long off who was off balanced and the ball eventually landed for six. The second and the third deliveries also went for sixes, before Samuels was run out attempting a suicide single on 92.

Samuels’ innings not only revived his ODI career, but brought some life back to the West Indies camp. For the Jamaican right hander it was his highest individual ODI score against the Aussies, his first ODI 50 after failing to reach that mark in his previ-

ing the Rio 2016 logo, and organisers say they celebrate “the relationship between the strengths of Olympic heroes and the forces of nature”.

The front of the Olympic medals features the Rio 2016 logo and the five Olympic rings, while the back portrays a winged figure inside a stadium and the words “XXXI Olimpiada Rio 2016.”

from page 23

ous 19 innings, his first six off Marsh took him to 100 sixes in ODIs. Meanwhile for West Indies it was their first win since 2012 against Australia, ending a consecutive seven game losing streak. The first time since 2006 the lads from the Caribbean defeated Australia chasing a score of 250 or more.

West Indies has now earned two win from three matches in the tri-nation series and with much joy to their fans since the sleeping lion (Marlon Samuels) has been awakened. It is now time for him to continue to roar.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

wednesDAY, june 15, 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016

Moody hails growth of CPL and predicts bright chapter in Sunshine State – International Director of Cricket says inclusion of world-class talent highlights CPL’s standing

A

ustralian two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner Tom Moody believes that this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be the most competitive yet and that the inclusion of a myriad of world-class players across all six teams will make it the biggest and best yet.

Moody, who recently steered Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title as Head Coach, is the CPL’s International Director of Cricket and played a key role in securing the signing of overseas players of the calibre of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum and Shane Watson for the first time.

The 50-year-old believes that their commitment to the biggest party in sport, allied to a host of outstanding local West Indies and international stars, is a ringing endorsement of the growing international stature of the CPL, which will this year be played between 29 June and 7 August.

Speaking exclusively to www.cplt20.com, in an interview which is available for free download and editorial use, the former Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Western Australian all-rounder, who scored 21,001 first class runs and took 361 first-class wickets in a career spanning 16 years, spoke about winning the IPL, the growth of

Adam Zampa

CPL’s standing internationally and outlined his hopes for the forthcoming season.

On coaching the IPL winners: “It was definitely career highlight to be involved in a successful IPL campaign. The IPL, as we all know, is a big tournament and to end up winning what is a pretty hard-fought battle, and get the reward at the end of it is a real bonus for all involved in the campaign.”

On the impact of West Indies’ Treble winning success over the last six months: “I think it (the Treble victories) was just wonderful and it’s not just the Men’s team, it’s right through from the Under-19s winning their

World Cup and the Women winning their World Cup and then then Men putting the cherry on the cake.

I think that’s an enormous boost to West Indies cricket and it’s a great way to launch another CPL season.

The CPL is on the rise, everyone’s talking about it, everyone wants to be involved in it and to have that success at all those levels is only going to have the islands buzzing.”

On the CPL’s recruitment drive in the close season: “I think it’s enormous (boost). I obviously spoke to all of these players (AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar

Sangakkara and Shane Watson) with regard to getting involved in the CPL in 2016 and it wasn’t a hard sell. The best players in the world want to play in this tournament because they have heard a lot of positive things about the tournament, they’ve heard how successful it’s been, they’ve heard how competitive it’s been and the best players want to play in the best tournaments. It’s as simple as that. To lure the likes of McCullum, de Villiers, Watson and whoever it might have been to this tournament, and it’s littered with big international names, was a reasonably easy task purely because of what the CPL has managed to build over the last three years.”

On developing the next generation of West Indies players: “For me the CPL is one pathway where players, right from the Under-19’s level through to domestic players, who might not get the light shone on them during the summer, can launch their careers. We’ve seen it before in the IPL with young Indians, and in Australia with young Australians (in the Big Bash). And it should really be no different in the Caribbean where the CPL can be a vehicle for young players to be really highlighted on the big stage because they’re playing against some of the best players in the world. If they can stack up against those

players and perform consistently and really shine over the tournament, it’s a real launching pad for them into their career.”

On the emergence of Guyana Amazon Warriorsbound Adam Zampa in recent months: “It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran of 100 Test matches, or a rising star, the Caribbean Premier League is a tournament that people want to perform in.

Adam Zampa is a great example of someone who sees the Caribbean Premier League as an opportunity for him to continue to develop and increase his stock as a cricketer. If he continues to have a good Tri-Series prior to this tournament, and he backs it up with a good CPL, he’s going to be looked upon more and more as a real contender for Australian cricket in all formats of the game.”

On the move to Lauderhill in Florida and the entry of CPL into the USA: “I think it’s a very exciting opportunity for the CPL to introduce a formal, vibrant and successful tournament to the American market. We know it’s going to be very diverse, in terms of the audience, and that’s the exciting thing. We’ll be introducing the game to some new people and we’re going to be bringing the game to people that have been starved of live cricket. I can see a lot of people travelling from far and wide just to capture a few days’ cricket and, to me, it’s a really exciting oppor-

tunity for the players of the Caribbean and the internationals who are involved to really showcase their skills and put on a show in that week were in Florida.”

On the competitiveness of squads across the board in this year’s CPL: “There’s no doubt that every side was very shrewd through the Draft process and recruited very well. You can’t pick a winner. In the past you could have hinted that maybe the (Barbados) Tridents and the (Jamaica) Tallawahs were destined to play Finals cricket. But you look at the teams now and it’s very hard to pick a top two. And that’s very exciting for the tournament. There’s nothing better than having all six teams towards the back end of the tournament vying for the Finals.”

On the Australian influence at CPL 2016 (Watson, Hussey, Lynn, Zampa): “You can guarantee that the Australian audience Down Under will be keeping an eager eye on some of their favourite players. I know that the CPL has definitely got traction in Australia and people do follow the tournament closely. Obviously likes of Watson and Hussey are favourites in all forms of the game, Hussey is continuing to show how it’s done long after his international retirement and with Zampa, everyone’s excited with his meteoric rise, there’s no doubt it’s exciting when he gets the ball in his hand.”

GBTI Independence Golden Jubilee Open

Resaul, Persaud through to Boys' Open final H

eimraj Resaul and Joshua Kalekyezi recovered to score a victory in their tough match against Albert Razick and Bobby Adelson, in the Men’s Open doubles of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Jubilee Tournament.

Resaul/ Kalekyezi returned to win the final two sets 6-1, 6-2 after going down to their opponents 6-1 in the opening set at the GBTI Recreational Facility on Sunday. For three sets, the local pair of Resaul/ Kalekyezi hammered tennis balls back and forth to their American competitors.

Resaul/Kalekyezi was no match for Razick/ Adelson in set one.

The Guyanese boys’ shaky opening resulted in the pair winning a measly two games in the first set. Resaul/Kalekyezi unified all efforts to take on the task before them in the second set. Turning a set-

L-R: HeimrajResaul and Joshua Kalekyezi

back into triumph, the boys had a break in set, placing Razick/Adelson on their toes. Resaul supported Kalekyezi on service and both youths played remarkably well, almost mirroring their rival’s first set score as they clinched the second set at 6-1. Determined not to cave, Razick/Adelson maintained their intense game play, forcing Resaul/ Kalekyezi to counterattack with equal and opposite force.

The talented young men swiftly rose to a five game lead in the challenging third set, slipping only one game in favor of Razick/Adelson.

Resaul/ Kalekyezi advances to Round of 16 to challenge VadeanandResaul/Devine Kalekyezi.

Heimraj Resaul and Keenan Persaud reach the finals of the Boys Open Singles after respective wins over Mark McDonald and Jordan Beaton. Resaul claimed a convincing victo-

ry over McDonald 6-1, 6-2 in two sets while Persaud in a tougher encounter got past Beaton 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).

In other matches; Men’s Open Singles Anthony Quarterfinals: Downes def Mark McDonald 6-0, 6-0.

Mixed Open Doubles Quarterfinals: D. Lopes/A. Dey def K.Rodney/S. Gentle 6-4, 5-1 retired. Men’s Open Doubles Round of 16: S. Bailey/O. Coggins def D. Gabriel/H. Persaud w/o, N. Fentey/L. Leacock def R. Ramprasad/S. Lewis 6-0, 6-0. Novice Medley Singles Quarterfinals: Asif Subhan def Alvin Doris 6-3. Novice Medley Doubles Round Robin: A. Subhan/D. Gonsalves def M. Campbell/P. Hope 6-3.Ladies Open Singles Quarterfinals: Afruica Gentle def Cristy Campbell 6-1, 6-1. Ladies Open Doubles Quarterfinals: A. Gentle/C. Campbell def S. Daly/F. Bushell 7-5, 6-2.

guyana-times.com

wednesdAY, june 15, 2016

Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series

Confident West Indies take on shaky South Africa

The powerful South Africa batting will be tested once again with huge expectations on the shoulders of AB De Villiers and Hashim Amla

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first-up win by West Indies over South Africa was something of a surprise, but their victory over Australia in St Kitts has shown that Jason Holder’s side are genuine contenders for the triangular series title, particularly as injury worries have depleted both opponents. Having squandered a winning position against Australia, South Africa now find themselves in the unedifying position of needing to catch up with West Indies, on a small ground that clearly suits the block-and-bash style of Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard and others.

In defeating Australia, West Indies ran up a mighty differential in fours and sixes - the hosts’ 32 boundaries towered over the 21 managed by the visitors. What’s more, Charles and Andre Fletcher reached the rope seven times inside six overs, before

Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch had done so even once.

So it is clear that to restrict West Indies, South Africa’s pacemen and spinners need to find the right lines and lengths to jam their big hitters and prevent further barrages.

A lack of batting depth and balance has been South Africa’s major worry for quite some time in limited overs matches. While the likes of Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers are undoubtedly world-class players, there is too little behind them to allow for freedom of expression with the bat. Amla has been outspoken in stating that the top four need to do the heavy lifting, and it will require partnerships of considerable heft to achieve that against Sunil Narine in particular, who confused South Africa completely in scooping six wickets during their earlier meet-

ing.

Even during West Indies’ warm-up matches for this tournament, Darren Bravo was making starts. Scores of 24, 21, 30, 19 and 39 suggest an engine that is revving up nicely without quite hitting the desired gear. Each of the three most recent innings have included the odd glorious stroke, followed by a dismissal at a time when Bravo should have been about to dominate. No one can question Bravo’s talent or commitment to his side but, after Marlon Samuels’ spinal innings against Australia on Monday night, the bar has been set for the kind of performance West Indies need from their left-handed No. 3.

Much like Bravo, Quinton de Kock has made a trio of starts in his matches so far, without going on to anything substantial. Given the slowish conditions faced in the Caribbean, it is quite an ad-

vantage to be able to get started against the new ball, and a privilege de Kock has enjoyed without making the most of it. Additionally, given that South Africa’s batting lacks the depth of West Indies and Australia, there is more responsibility than usual on the top four to produce.

The combination that restricted and then defeated Australia on Monday should be set to turn out again, though Sulieman Benn did appear to pick up a niggle while fielding.

Chris Morris is fit again and may press Kyle Abbott for his place. Morne Morkel is yet to play a game in the tournament.

The Warner Park surface is swifter than that of the Providence Stadium, but it showed signs of tiring during the previous match. It also took some spin in the evening. It’s quite interesting to note that the West Indies last won consecutive ODIs when they defeated Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the World Cup in February last year.

Also, West Indies haven’t won consecutive games against South Africa since an ODI series in the Caribbean in 1992.

23

A sleeping lion awakened

by World Champs

A

Marlon Samuels

sleeping lion was awaken by the world champions Australia on Monday night providing West Indies with a convincing four wicket victory at Warner Park ground in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.

World T20 hero Marlon Samuels, on the back of a solid platform from openers Johnson Charles (48) and Andre Fletcher (27) who added 74 runs, played a match winning innings, providing his side with a rare win against the Australians.

He finally began to unleash a fury of shots after a usually slow start where he looked patchy for 22 from 37 balls, with his only convincing shot being a six over long on off Mitchell Marsh. In unfamiliar fashion where the prey would be attacked by its

predator, this predator was provoked by his prey before he attacked.

It was clear that the Aussies did not learn from the English, as they too got Samuels going when they began to sledge him in the World T20 finals. First a return to the wicket keeper from the midwicket area, seemingly unintentional, hit Samuels in the back. The batsman gave the fielder a stare then it began.

Looking to be more aggressive he opened his stands to the pacers and use his feet to the off spinner Travis Head. At the start of the 27th over he danced down the wicket to Head and elegantly drove him past cover before another beautiful drive raced past a diving mid-off off Hazlewood’s bowling. continued on page 22

wednesdAY, june 15, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Moody hails growth of CPL and predicts bright chapter in Sunshine State

Pg 22

– International Director of Cricket says inclusion of world-class talent highlights CPL’s standing

CPL’s International Director of Cricket Tom Moody (right) with Chris Gayle in Jamaica

Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series

Digicel School Football Championships 2016

Confident West Indies take 20 schools on shaky South Africa to compete Pg 23

in Region 6 CSS to play Overwinning Pg 19

The West Indies are riding the wave of confidence ahead of their clash with South Africa at Warner Park

FLASHBACK! Canje Secondary lost 11-0 to eventual zone winners BHS last year

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