20th june 2013

P2 Broadcast monitoring body to be announced soon – Shaddick Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 1805

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, June 20, 2013

PRICE

22 broadcast licences approved – operators to pay at least $2.5M annually

See stories on page 10

Third National Drama Festival launched

$60 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Budget cut case

Justice Chang exempts P3 Granger, Dr Singh from hearing

See story on page 13

Chinese bank updated on Amaila Falls P7 project

Participants performed a play on Wednesday as part of a cultural programme to launch the National Drama Festival at the National Cultural Centre. The festival will end on November 17 (Carl Croker photo)

U.S. honours Govt to re-engage Broomes as opposition on anti-TIP hero GPL subsidy See story on page 2

See story on page 13

GPSU P8 celebrates 90 years of service Port activity in Caribbean was sluggish in 2012 – ECLAC P10 Grandmother rescues P12 toddler from burning house Region 10 RDC sets up committee P13 to probe missing $4M

2 News

Thursday, june 20, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

U.S. honours Broomes as anti-TIP hero

T

he United States government has honoured Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes as a 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) hero as Washington unveiled its annual report on the global scourge.

In a statement, United States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt said Guyana and the U.S. have in recent years developed a more active and productive dialogue on TIP aimed at strengthening Guyana’s ability to identify and protect victims, prosecute offenders, and prevent future cases of TIP.

Workshop

“We held a workshop on TIP identification, investigation, and prosecution for government and civil society representatives. We conducted outreach in Bartica with local law enforcement, mining, and civil society representatives to boost understanding in that region of how to combat trafficking.

We welcome the commitment of the government and people of Guyana to work in partnership to address this global threat to the dignity of children, women and men,” the ambassador declared.

He said nowhere was this commitment more evident than in the extraor-

A 2013 TIP hero, Simona Broomes

dinary work of the GWMO “under the courageous leadership of Simona Broomes, who was recognised yesterday (Tuesday) by Secretary of State John Kerry as a 2013 TIP Hero.”

Hardt said Broomes established the GWMO in January 2012 to empower women miners and address the unique challenges women face working in remote areas of Guyana. After seeing first-hand the plight of trafficking victims, she decided to take action to rescue victims, bring cases to the attention of authorities, and help ensure adequate protection.

“Broomes and her GWMO colleagues have shown extraordinary bravery and leadership, most recently in rescuing four young victims in Puruni.

Thanks to her commitment, more trafficking victims are being identified and rescued from a life of slavery. All of Guyana should be proud of what she and her organisation have been able to accomplish to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society,” the U.S. ambassador said.

Hardt noted that unfortunately, no country is immune from modern slavery.

“Both the United States and Guyana have victims in our midst and among our citizens abroad. Only by joining together with the same determined spirit as Guyana’s own Simona Broomes can we hope to meet this challenge and defeat the scourge of modern-day slavery.

Modern-day slavery

The report was released on Tuesday under the theme: “Victim Identification: The First Step in Stopping Modern Slavery”. It highlights the continuing challenge all countries face in bringing to light this shadowy crime by identifying and protecting victims, while investigating and prosecuting perpetrators. Hardt said eradicating modern slavery remains an uphill struggle.

Based on the information governments have provided, only around 40,000 victims were identified in the past year. However, social scientists estimate that as many

as 27 million people are victims of trafficking at any given time.

This reveals that only a fraction of the millions of men, women, and children who suffer in modern slavery has been uncovered and identified by governments and is receiving the protection and support they need.

Victim identification

He said another consequence of the failure to identify victims is that the traffickers who enslave and exploit vulnerable people are operating with impunity, beyond the reach of the law. Modern anti-trafficking laws and structures go unused, existing as theoretical instruments of justice.

“That is why this year’s U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report focuses on victim identification as a top priority in the global movement to combat trafficking in persons. The report looks at training and techniques that can boost countries’ identification efforts.

It also highlights innovations and partnerships within and beyond government that can enhance identification efforts.

If successfully implemented, such innovations will enable more effective delivery of services to survivors of human trafficking,” the ambassador said.

Broadcast monitoring body to be announced soon – Shaddick

By Michael Younge

T

he Guyana National Broadcast Authority Board is expected to make a major announcement in the next two weeks with regards to the composition of the monitoring committee which would report on breaches within the broadcast sector.

Board Chairman Bibi Shaddick said the persons were decided upon at the last board meeting and will comprise one member of the governing board. The fivemember committee would be tasked primarily with carrying out functions formerly the remit of the former Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB), which will be brought under the umbrella of the authority. The committee’s role is clearly defined in the new act and will see closer attention being paid to regulations breaches within the sector.

“I will not give the names because I have yet to write the people to get them to formally accept,” Shaddick told reporters at a news conference. She announced July 1 as the deadline by which the committee will be up and running, while opining that the four other persons identified will be well-received by

the broadcasting community.

“They are amply qualified to sit where they sit... in the field of broadcasting, media and communications. They will have adjudicated on the matters before bringing it to the attention of the board…”

“In fact, we wrote letters before asking for nominees from broadcasters who they think would be fair,” she said explaining that this was one of the reasons why a decision could not be reached. “I am very sad to report that some answers came back and people were nominating themselves, their lawyers, children or people who were their employees.”

Shaddick also reported that aggressive steps would be taken to bring the staff and functions of the ACB under the ambit of GNBA. She contended that the ACB staff usually monitors and digitally records programmes, explaining that the role it played was more of a social function than anything else – looking for stations that broadcast pornographic material in prime time etc.

“We are also in the process of finding suitable accommodations for both GNBA and NFMU because both buildings... will be replaced by a new and bigger building which will house several other authorities.”

News

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Thursday, june 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

bridge openings

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Thursday, June 20, from 14:00h to 15:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Thursday, June 20, from 13:35h to 15:05h.

Weather

Countrywide: Cloudy conditions are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly at two to five metres per second.

High Tide: 13:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.59 metre.

Low Tide: 07:12h reaching a minimum height of 0.64 metre.

Budget cut case

Justice Chang exempts Granger, Dr Singh from hearing

A

cting Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled on Wednesday that opposition Leader David Granger and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh are exempted from the 2012 budget cuts case, leaving Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman the lone respondent in the legal action brought on by the government.

Justice Chang, in his ruling at the High Court, said as members of parliament, the Constitution provides immunity for Granger and Dr Singh as it relates to lawsuits, and based on that, he excluded the two members of parliament from further proceedings in the trial, while stating that they should not have been included in the legal action.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

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On the other hand, the chief justice explained that Trotman falls into a different category as the Speaker of the House, therefore when the “article” was examined, it did not exempt him. He also ruled on an application made last week that Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon does not have to appear in court for cross-examination, instead his affidavit evidence will be used.

The matter will move forward with Attorney General Anil Nandlall and lawyer for the Speaker, Attorney Khemraj Ramjattan. Both parties will have to agree on a statement of facts before they further proceed with the matter. At the next hearing set for July 5, legal arguments will commence between the parties.

Granger’s Attorney Basil Williams expressed his dis-

Attorney Basil Williams

appointed at the ruling, stating that the government must be answerable on how they are spending the people’s money. “We are very disturbed by the ruling and we believe that Dr Luncheon and his cohorts in the government must come and face the people’s representatives and give us an account of how they are spending the money and they must show why they are saying that we were not justified in making the cuts,” said Williams.

He said the Speaker has no interest in examining the Cabinet secretary, but is only concerned with whether he can cut the budget or

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang

not. Williams said he will be appealing the chief justice’s decision.

However, Nandlall, who had made the application for Dr Luncheon’s affidavit evidence be used instead of him having to appear in court, told media operatives that he is happy with the ruling since a cross-examination was “absolutely unnecessary” because the matter involves “pure questions of law”.

“The legal issue is simple and, that is, does the opposition have the power to reduce the national estimates presented by the finance minister? I am happy

about the ruling which will advance the case further, so that we will bring the matter to an end,” stated the AG. In April 2012, the combined opposition used its one-seat majority to slash $21.9 billion from the proposed $192.8 billion 2012 budget, claiming that enough explanation was not provided to them by the government.

The government moved to the court to block the National Assembly from cutting the budget, and Justice Chang in a preliminary ruling said the opposition could only approve or disapprove of the budget in its entirety.

However, this year, the opposition refused to abide by the preliminary ruling handed down by Justice Chang, arguing that it was not binding or final. As a result, the combined opposition with the Speaker’s blessings shaved more than $31.4 billion off the 2013 $208.8 billion budget presented by government. The Speaker also proclaimed that the courts have no oversight responsibility or powers over the legislature.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

CAL’s unfriendly skies

T

he news that our Minister of Tourism, Irfaan Ali is engaging his Trinidadian counterpart about the unilateral, dramatic increase of airfares by Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) from Guyana is welcome. Even more welcome would be news that the talks have resulted in the reduction of those fares to more tolerable levels as has prevailed earlier this year. In several cases, for instance to New York and Trinidad, the fares have almost doubled.

The utterances of CAL’s communications head Clint Williams on the issue, when solicited by this newspaper, do not address the fundamental question – which has to do with prices. For him to suggest that flights must be booked almost a year in advance to obtain lower fares is to ignore not only human nature but also human practicality. Only a tiny sliver of humanity are so disciplined to make their travel plans so early in advance.

His remarks about “destinations” being a variable are also irrelevant: the destinations being questioned invariably generate flights that are filled to capacity. What is happening is that CAL is taking advantage of its monopoly position in our air transportation sector now that Delta Airlines has decamped and EZjet folded for reasons that had nothing to do with profitability. Delta also could not complain about empty seats.

Absent in all the obfuscating statements are the promised benefits of CAL being designated the “flag carrier” of Guyana. CAL had long lobbied for this facility and it was expected that, after its receipt, Guyana would be treated in some sort of “insider” basis. As far as we can see, Guyana has received absolutely nothing after conferring the flagship carrier status onto CAL. In addition to the above, it would have been expected that as the flag carrier of Guyana, the government of this country would at least been consulted before the radical hiking of ticket prices. This country is in the midst of a vigorous campaign to increase the number of tourists coming into Guyana. Apart from the 20 yachts that will be arriving later this year, tourists have to arrive in Guyana via airplanes.

Most of our visitors are actually “overseas Guyanese” who are reconnecting to their native land. Most of them have been adversely affected by the downturn of the economies in their new homes in North America. The steep increase in airfares will certainly have a crippling effect on travel to Guyana this summer. In addition to those visitors, the launching of the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 (CPL T20) tournament would have encouraged many fans to also make the trip at the end of July/early August. Telling those fans to book their flights since last year, when the league was not even launched, is a non-sequitur.

CAL’s communications head mentioned that the summer months are the peak periods for visitors to Guyana. This means that the flights to and from Guyana are even more jam-packed. This should allow CAL to spread their fixed costs over a wider number of travellers eliminating the need for price gouging. We understand the fix that CAL has found itself in terms of its operating losses racked up because of the burdens of acquiring Air Jamaica and the extraordinary operating overheads in its Trinidad headquarters. But here again CAL has to be cognisant that its long-term survival depends on maintaining good relations with its customer base. Of recent, it is coming off as an opportunistic hustler.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago is the owner of CAL. In addition to providing jet-fuel at subsidised rates to CAL, it has also pumped in a tremendous infusion of cash to keep the airline afloat. They should emphasise to the management of the airline that it is losing an opportunity to lock in a market that is vital for its survival. It should lower fares because it makes good business sense.

The alternative is for Guyana to rescind the flag carrier status and bestow it on another airline.

Lake Hillier is a bubble-gum-pink lake right on the edge of Recherché Archipelago’s largest island in Australia. It’s literally just a few steps away from a “normal” coloured Southern Ocean, but despite the pressure from its neighbour it refuses to compromise its pink colour. Scientists cannot figure out why Lake Hillier is pink, speculating that it’s caused by a reaction of sea salt and sodium bicarbonate (which you know as baking soda), or caused by red halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts (The AdvenTourist)

Concerns over an accused rapist being set free Dear Editor, The details are just too scanty. It is that someone accused of raping a woman was set free. The ruling of “case dismissed” for this matter is not pleasing to me.

To me, there is an extremity at play here. Either this woman is fabricating a story, or she is simply too bashful to pursue the matter.

Another dimension, where rape cases are concerned, is really what happens when the victim withdraws support for the

prosecution, or no longer wishes to give evidence. This is an important question.

This does not mean that the case should be automatically stopped. If the victim has decided to withdraw support for the prosecution, we have to find out why.

How about a few steps: ask the police to take a written statement from the victim to explain the reasons for that withdrawal; to confirm whether or not the original complaint was true; to find out whether or not the

victim had been put under any pressure to withdraw support; and ask the police to give their views about the evidence in the case and how they think the victim might react if they are compelled to attend court.

I, like any prosecutor, will want to know the reason why the victim was no longer a feature as such. This may be because the victim is experiencing feelings of embarrassment or fears that she may not be believed.

It may be because the

victim live in a place in which she felt isolated or particularly vulnerable, and we recognise that feeling isolated or vulnerable may have deterred or delayed the victim from reporting the incident in the first place.

The bottom line here is that this particular case is just too important to be dismissed – we are talking abduction and rape here.

Yours truly, Pamela Compton

The statutory powers of a JP Dear Editor Kindly publish this letter with the use of my full name as signed herein. A few days ago a hire car driver whose vehicle was involved in an accident in my Region Two district related to me that he was advised by the police to get a documented agreement of settlement between the parties involved from a justice of the peace (JP) before the matter could be settled at the Suddie Police Station.

But as far as I am aware, there is no provision set out by statute them empowers a JP to do so, and likewise a similar situation applies to the police who are in violation of the law for contributing to making of such a document as well (it would be useful for someone in authority to prove me wrong).

According to the driver he was arrested and released on $10,000 station bail and warned of prosecution to attend court for dangerous driving on Thursday, June 20. He was also advised to avoid the long drawn out process required in providing the document which was responsible for the matter coming to an end, with payment of $30,000 to the victim.

For the preparation and attesting of the document, the JP was paid $1500, which the police had no right to request, having regard to the fact that such an agreement cannot be considered legally binding.

A document of this nature does not have any validity whatsoever, and the enforcement of its use is contrary to the rule of law, mak-

ing a mockery of the justice system.

The vested authority to prosecute or not lies solely with the director of prosecution (DPP), whose functions are clearly usurped here, when what is needed at all times is for the police to confine their operations to within the ambit of their duty.

It is totally wrong and illegal too for settlements to be effected at the station level, when the rightful forum for this to be done is at court, where the state stands to benefit financially from the imposition of monetary penalties.

Justice was never designed to be put on sale, with an obvious benefit being achieved somewhere along the line when settlements are made at the sta-

tion level in a short cut to defeat the proper course of action from being taken.

The law must be allowed to take its course and what was being done here is tantamount to perverting the course of justice, which is a criminal offence that reminds me of the saying, “A watchman is to watch a thief, but who is to watch the watchman?”

A simple directive from someone in authority can eliminate this presumptuous practice, ever so much detrimental to the state, once and for all, with a conspicuous notice at stations reading, “Settlements must only be made at the courts,” as guidance to the general public as well.

Yours faithfully, Baliram Persaud

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Explore Guyana GPL must get serious instead Dear Editor, With the peak season for travelling in its prime and lone flag carrier Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) charging Guyanese in excess of US$1000 for a round trip to New York, wouldn’t it our money be better spent exploring Guyana?

Guyana has certainly made its mark in the world with Kaieteur Falls, Rupununi Savannahs, and

several resorts throughout our country with various flora and fauna to be explored.

Not to mention the numerous forts such as Kyk-OverAl, Fort Zeelandia and others.

Take the time and take your families on a much needed vacation to explore our country, our heritage, Guyana!

Yours truly, Norma Singh

Fuel concession for fishing vessels is a worthy consideration Dear Editor, It is very comforting to note that boat owners may very well be in for a treat.

They are now upbeat as Cabinet is expected to soon review a proposal for the granting of concessions on fuel for small fishing vessels. If and when this happens, it will go a long way toward aiding our fisher folk in Guyana. Many of them operate in other neighbouring countries and all because of various concessions.

Currently, high operational cost per each fishing trip is quite high, and I do know of many boats that are moored all because of a lack of capital.

At a recent meeting between a group of seven fishermen, the president and the agriculture minister, the men requested concessions on fuel that they said is more than 50 per cent of their operational cost per trip.

Sometimes, a boat has to travel for as many as three days non-stop to reach fishing grounds. A return trip then, say of about two weeks, will entail six days

of travel. That is fuel talking here.

Boat owners are being unfairly treated, since the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Processors is accessing cheap fuel, while small fishing vessels are not enjoying similar privileges. We need a level playing field. Also, as regards these trawlers that are depleting the ocean – just ask any fisherman, and he will willingly take people and show them how much of a threat to sustainable fishing they are.

The trawler association purchases fuel for $600 per gallon, while owners of small vessels pay over $1000 per gallon of fuel. This is quite ridiculous. I really hope for some respite for these hardworking men.

Respectfully yours, Lloyd Wilson

Dear Editor, We have a problem in Guyana where the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is concerned. We have to face it and deal with it. The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) owes over $1 billion to GPL. June 15 was supposed to be the deadline for M&CC to be disconnected, if the matter was not redressed. Well, I have not heard of any development.

It could be that M&CC paid up, or that it suffered the consequences that were threatened.

A GPL employee was forced to abort an emergency operation at Reliance because he was attacked by

a raging resident. The employee, understandably so, is still shaken and is fearful that a repeat of the incident may occur. I know of quite a few of these attacks where disconnections had to be aborted.

What is ironic here is that the employee was attending to a transformer that had to be fixed, so that residents in the area could be supplied with power again. After the escape, aided by a villager, a report was lodged with the police, while another was filtered to the superintendent of the Emergency Unit. I do not know if this angry citizen would be

charged, but irrespective of that, it shows that the populace is very upset with GPL. I am a victim of poor electricity supply. I recently bought a fridge, but had the additional expense of purchasing a voltage regulator. I was actually commanded by the dealer to do so. He explained that the power supply in Guyana is not only inconsistent, but suffers from high to low voltage fluctuations. This, he explained, is most detrimental to things like fridges and washing machines.

Most people these days have to go this route.

It may be difficult to es-

tablish that it was the voltage fluctuations that did the damage, and secondly, I am not sure that GPL will be understanding and merciful.

Even as GPL is going through a tough time, more so with the recent budget cuts, I suggest that the company work take a more stringent approach with errant customers. If it means taking a few police officers along, so be it. If and when people make illegal reconnections, their penalties should intensify.

Respectfully submitted, Maniram Persaud

Saving the local sugar industry Dear Editor, President Donald Ramotar does not mind innovations, regarding the local sugar industry.

Whatever happens, as far as he is concerned, is that consideration may be given to employing co-ops as a means of turning around the fortunes of the sugar industry.

The president has admitted that many challenges are confronting the industry, and these challenges apparently are beyond the control of the administration. As far as I see it, it is time to move on.

For example, look at what is obtaining in the industry: bitter disagreements between management and staff, too many strikes, questions about benefits, and low production.

In the past, the sugar industry used to absorb almost an entire village of non-academic people, whether by their own choice or default. I know of so many old-timers, who actually saw working in the sugar industry as a calling, even that of cane-cut-

ting and factory labouring.

Maybe, if the sugar sector thing can get back to where it was decades ago, then there may be fewer people on the streets and better yet, fewer crimes in the villages.

I am not advocating for

anything or anyone. All I am saying is that we need to be realistic. The sooner we get sugar back on its feet, the better for all of us in Guyana.

Yours faithfully, Beverlie Garraway

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Foundation

The burdened child

BY STEPHEN VAN BEEK

T

here are some who skip true childhood and arrive precociously in the world of the adult without experiencing much of the innocence that childhood ignorance guarantees.

These are the children who shoulder too much of the emotional and psychic burden of parents who find themselves unable to deal with the weight and responsibility of their own adult lives. Grief, loss, disappointment, worry, anxiety, anger, frustration and self-loathing descend from such parents into the very deepest recesses of the overburdened child.

What may such a child look like?

Like a lonely, isolated adult, very much an imitator of its parents.

Like one for whom who could actually say “childhood is for other people”. One around whom a subtle air of deprivation and grief clings, incongruously disconnected from the actual circumstances of the family itself. A young person with a soul too old and shoulders already weary.

Such a child is frequently, from the view of others, quite a success.

Other adults, ignorant of the psychic dynamic, will praise the parents whose child seems so grown up for her age. See her deal successfully with the chaos around her, smiling cheerfully and ironing father’s shirts, minding the baby, opening the bills for father to pay later, or willingly, so it seems, cooking dinner most nights because, as she claims.

“I want to make mother happy.” And what a success she is destined to be, for she will repeat the burden in her own adult life…

Later when a friendly man, a confidant of these parents, molests her repeatedly she heeds his command not to say anything to the parents since it would just bother them. The majority of her adult years become a routine of falling in love and then shying away from men who genuinely care for her, lest she be a bother to them, so strong is the ingrained pattern of taking on all responsibility for things no child should bear alone. She clings to life

tenaciously in a series of poorly paid occupations despite evident intellectual brilliance and a high level of integrity towards doing a good job because she says she cannot expect more from life.

So she does, for unless she does the family life is impossible.

Or see the harried boy at the end of the school-day after hauling hundreds of newspapers door to door, pretending he is too old for the games that occupy his luckier playmates. His reward is to count up his

small change so that his future education will not burden father, who mother regards as a waster because he buys paperback novels in which to hide. Such a boy mediates the anguish of the parents, who live in their heads and avoid all the painful feelings of their own unsuccessful relationship. When the parents are frustrated with each other and he cannot bring them peace, they beat him. Then further punish him by forcing him to apologise to them for being such a difficult child.

The same child studies hard, even in the early years of school, in order to meet the intellectual expectations of his parents, who tell him it will be very difficult for him to be admitted to a college, he lacks intelligence, and without such an education his life will be a misery. He does not know that what he is living is misery, so this motivates him through fear. He wants this praise, even if it is not forthcoming. Praise in such a household is in the form of telling him how he should improve, not of recognising what was well done.

Later such a child arrives at university, sees that even the lazy are admitted, and is astonished that all his worrying and woe about whether he can make the grade has been in vain. It may take years for him to realise that his lowered self-esteem belonged to his parents, who were anxious about their own intellectual capacity. In the meantime he has diminished his capacity to be socially at ease with those his own age because his burden has been consuming him.

Many years of such a grown-up boy’s life are spent overachieving in

the hope of getting recognition, but always managing not to ask for adequate financial compensation or recognition, because the family injunction is that nobody deserves more than a little bit to live on.

It is a terrible irony that such children often devote their energies to causes that benefit others, are innovative, diligent, hyper-responsible, and the people to whom others gladly bring their problems for a resolution. Many family fortunes have been built on the backs of burdened children, for their desire to make things right for others, that at least somebody somewhere may be happy, is extremely high.

Solving the problems of others comes easily enough to such people as it soon becomes their main reason to exist. Real hope and courage is needed for the overburdened child to even consider entering therapy.

To do so would require knowing they have failed. They see the failure as not saving the family, and as an admission that one really deserved the ill treatment they received by parents who left them in this plight.

The therapy of the overburdened child is often dramatic and painful for these reasons. Such people are loath to assign responsibility of their misery to their parents, since they possess a heightened awareness of the difficulties that their parents could not resolve. There is also an unfortunate self-preservative tendency to feel pride at having been useful that clouds clear recognition of how bad things really were at home. What compensates for a lost childhood, when all is said and done? (www.stephenvanbeek.therapytoronto.ca) (TO BE CONTINUED)

The effects of an older sibling taking care of a younger sibling

BY AYRA MOORE

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ith children being raised by parents who both work full-time jobs, or by a single parent who works, a larger number of adolescents are left to take care of younger siblings. Depending on the stability and maturity of the older sibling, such a situation can have a positive or negative effect on both children.

Bullying

Sometimes teens and preteens who appear up for the challenge of babysitting their younger siblings do so to be able to have control over situations. In some cases, this can lead to bullying of younger children. Being unfairly bossed around by an older sibling causes feelings of anxiety, depression and confusion in the younger child, which usually negatively affects cognitive and social development. By learning the difference between bullying and harmless sibling rivalry, you will be able to prevent future abuse. If you suspect that your younger child is being bullied, you should either put him in child care or find an alternative solution.

Delinquency

Adolescents without proper parental supervision are more likely to engage in delinquent acts, from occasional truancy to more severe infractions, such as property or violent crimes. When an older child is given the job of taking care of his younger sibling, he can be a negative influence and involve the younger child in delinquent acts. This is especially the case when the younger sibling is very impressionable or idolises her older brother or sister.

Responsibility

A positive outcome of older children taking care of younger children is having the opportunity to learn responsibility and time management skills. Adolescents in this type of situation are still required to study and do homework, complete any assigned chores, as well as take care of their younger siblings. While it is a lot to expect out of most adolescents, some are ready for this level of responsibility.

To assure that your older child is ready for this type of challenge, ask yourself if he can follow rules, if he is mentally and physically able to care for himself and his sibling, and if he is comfortable with the situation. (www.livestrong.com)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chinese bank updated on Amaila Falls project A

government delegation recently visited China, to provide an update on the progress of the Amaila Falls Project, which is receiving funding from the China Development Bank.

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said the status of the project is of concern to its financiers, thus, a government delegation accompanied by other stakeholders involved, travelled to China, to inform officials there of progress made so far.

“You are aware of the considerable role played by the Chinese government and specifically the China Development Bank in financing the Amaila project and it is of concern, understandably so, to major financiers, the developments as they take place, the status of the project and it is in that light that one can appreciate the latest visit to China by

a government delegation,” said Dr Luncheon.

The Cabinet secretary said it is expected that participants would be keen on the development of the project as they approach financial closure, noting that Guyana has never undertaken a project of such magnitude and complexity.

He pointed out that the road component is one of the more important elements of the project, as it provides for the construction of an all weather road that spans a number of geographic regions through flat surfaces, and forested riverine communities.

Dr Luncheon noted that considerable attention is being paid to the eastern section of the project, and assured that some comfort has been accumulated about progress, noting that it is likely to be completed by its deadline, sometime close to year-end.

The Cabinet secretary

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls project

added that level of confidence is now building with entry of additional contracting power at the western section of the project.

He added: “China Railway First Group’s (the contractor involved in the project) new insertion into lot seven… has not led to project execution at a level that inspires the same level of confidence as the more

eastern segments; they have not been there for even a month in terms of their insertion into the contractual force into the completion.”

Guyana could very well face penalties if it is not ready to construct the Amaila Falls Project dam by the deadline for financial closure, which is this yearend.

Following a number of

delays since a 2011 deadline, the financial closure of the project has been pushed back as the financiers await the completion of the road.

Dr Luncheon had previously said the road access to the facility and the actual construction of the power plant have to be completed in a timely manner, even as financial closure is met.

The US$840 million

Amaila Falls Project is designed to reduce Guyana’s dependence on fossil fuel for power. Its framework agreement was signed on July 15, 2010 by the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL); Sithe Global’s Amaila Holdings, China Development Bank, and the China Railway First Group.

Government, Granger differ on progress on anti-money laundering bill hurdle.”

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

H

ead of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon has described the opposition’s stance in the parliamentary special select committee on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act as a delaying tactic.

He made this comment at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, on the heels of complaints by government members of the select committee that the opposition is procrastinating on purpose.

“Members on the select committee were at pains with what was unveiled at successive … meetings and it is on their disclosure that ‘deliberate sloth’ was applied to the behaviour of the opposition,” he stated.

The opposition’s insistence upon sending the bill to the select committee caused Guyana to miss the interna-

Opposition Leader David Granger

tional deadline of May 27, 2013 for the amended legislation to be passed. The country was granted an extension until November to ensure the legislation is in place by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF); however, the new deadline for the bill to be enacted is August 26.

Dr Luncheon believes “the avoidance of a near calamity in Managua, Nicaragua recently, seemingly has whetted their (the opposition’s) appetite for the next real thing, come November 2013”.

He stated that the CFATF has made its position clear on the November deadline, by confirming the request of the special select committee.

“CFATF has already indicated that August 26 is the deadline for enactment that would allow us to consider the enacted bill by the November deadline and for Guyana to overcome that

The head of the Presidential Secretariat said Guyana was fortunate to avoid what was being predicted in Managua, Nicaragua and therefore, government expected a change in behaviour from the opposition in fast tracking deliberations on the bill.

“One should see a sea change in behaviour post-Managua, particularly immediately postManagua, but is that happening?”

Luncheon questioned. He said he would like to see the select committee’s scrutiny of the bill end by July 3.

Opposition being careful

Responding to Dr Luncheon’s comments, Opposition Leader David Granger noted that the opposition is being careful in its deliberations, given the complexity of the act and will not rush the process.

He said the “focus is on correcting deficiencies of the bill, since it was not properly administered by the executive itself”.

As such, he deems Luncheon’s statements as “completely incorrect”.

Granger said the opposi-

tion’s job is to “ensure the people of Guyana have an act that is more enforceable than the existing one”, thus the amendments are important.

The CFATF has stressed that if Guyana does not take specific steps by November, then it will identify Guyana as not taking sufficient steps to address its AML/CFT deficiencies and will call upon its members to consider implementing countermeasures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana.

Sanctions looming

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Wednesday announced that CFATF has set the new deadline for August 26.

He said that this was done based on the request of the select committee to have the taskforce provide a confirmed deadline.

Guyana avoided international sanctions when Nandlall travelled to the financial forum in Nicaragua to seek an extension for the deadline.

Guyana is signatory to several treaties internationally that specify

the need for such legislation and will be sanctioned for non-compliance, if the amendments to this anti-money laundering law are not passed by the newly-stipulated deadline. Sanctions include restrictions on doing business internationally, and Guyana will also be subject to heightened scrutiny of procedures involved in conducting business across our

borders.

If passed, the AML/CFT amendments would give the central bank governor the right to maintain a list of terrorists, terrorist groups, or organisations based on information provided by the United Nations. The list would be circulated to financial institutions requesting information on whether these identified groups have funds in Guyana.

8 news

thurSday, june 20, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Husband threatened to chop off wife’s head – after she locked him out, court hears

A

man accused of verbally abusing his wife and maliciously damaging her property was remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Fabian Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Dwayne Williams, 40, of Lot 14 East La Penitence, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charges of unlawful and malicious damage to property, use of abusive lan-

guage, and use of threatening language.

It is alleged that on June 16 at East La Penitence, the mason unlawfully and maliciously damaged several glass windows valued $60,000 and kitchen utensils valued $30,000, property of Shamaine Williams.

Prosecutor Ronetta Bentham objected to bail, stating that the defendant threatened to burn down the VC’s home and chop off her head. The following

day, he damaged the articles mentioned, so there is a likelihood that if granted bail, he would carry out the threats.

During the proceedings, the defendant asked to change his plea to guilty.

He stated that on Father’s Day he bought a few beers to drink with some friends and his wife locked him out of their home, which caused him to break the window to gain entry. The accused, however, denied the other two allegations

and told the court that his wife lashed him with a pot about his body. The magistrate stated that in such a case what the accused stated reflected a not-guilty plea. Williams then responded that he only changed his plea, to ensure that he would be allowed to relate what really transpired.

Bail was refused and Williams was remanded to prison until June 26 where he will be making his next court appearance.

GPSU celebrates 90 years of service

T

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on Wednesday celebrated 90 years of existence

and continued growth.

Speaking to the media, GPSU President Patrick Yarde said that the union has recorded a number of significant achievements over the years.

Yarde said the union has been in constant talks with government and able organisations to assist in bringing change to some of the policies and guidelines employees work under.

The veteran trade unionist stated that the

GPSU has been continuously fighting for the rights of workers in Guyana, and outlined a number of changes that have been made in favour of public servant workers.

Highlighting one of the positive changes, Yarde said at one time that once a woman was working in the public sector and became pregnant, she would have to submit her resignation, but this is no longer so.

In referring to an-

other singular achievement, he said public servants are now entitled to one month’s paid vacation leave. “Workers are now privileged to their leave passage, the public servant vacation allowance … the monthly commitment should not be infringed upon,” he said.

The union has planned a number of activities to celebrate its anniversary under the theme, “In defence of labour rights”.

East Bank Essequibo electrocution

Fasciotomy performed on GPL worker

O

ne day after a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) technician, Rayon Henry, 29 of Lot ‘N’ Bent Street, Wortmanville, sustained severe electrical burns about his upper body, officials at the Georgetown Public Hospital disclosed that a fasciotomy was performed on him. A fasciotomy is a surgical procedure that cuts away the fascia – which is the thin connective tissue covering, or separating, the muscles and internal organs of the body

– to relieve tension or pressure.

Hospital officials confirmed that Henry suffered first, second and third degree burns, so the fasciotomy was necessary. The patient is now in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the hospital, fully conscious but sometimes disoriented. He is being monitored by doctors.

Henry was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday after he sustained burns to his face, shoulders, and left hand while installing a

pre-paid meter on a utility pole at Hubu, East Bank Essequibo.

Another worker, Jacques Trotman, received injuries to one of his legs after he reportedly jumped off the utility pole to safety.

Henry and two other technicians had installed five pre-paid meters and were installing a sixth when he accidentally came into contact with live wires on the pole.

Henry reportedly continued to install the meter

and ordered a colleague to bring a tool from the work vehicle.

Shorty after, the sound of sparks was heard, followed by a huge flame on the utility pole. As a result of the shocks, Henry lost his footing and was hanging from the pole by his safety harness for a while before his colleagues and villagers cut down him. He was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital and then he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Diamond-Grove Lions Club inducts new members

T

he Lions Club of Diamond-Grove induced nine of its new members, including three affiliates, on June 13, at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The new board of directors for the fiscal year 20132014 was installed by First Vice District Governorelect Maxine Cummings, while the charge was de-

livered by Past Council Chairperson Ivor English.

The incoming president is Petal Elizabeth Ridley, while the vice presidents are Ivan Waithe, Kemie Williams, and Eric Benjamin. Also serving on the board is Indira Anandjit as secretary, Clifford Van Doimen as treasurer, Fenton Haynes and Deborah Profeiro as first-year directors, and

Thomas Nestor Pradeep Sharma as second-year directors. The membership chairperson is Haimwaite Ghir-Somar and the immediate past president is Kennard Macklingam.

In her acceptance speech, Ridley said the club has to reposition itself and work as one to strengthen the resource base. She stated that in doing so, members will

be motivated to new beginnings, new friendships, and new standards of performance, pledging to continue serving with humility and pride.

The Diamond-Grove Lions Club, which was established just over a year ago, has been making a significant impact in its community – erecting traffic signs and helping needy families in the area.

Eyew tness Spinning wheels... ...in the diaspora A news item from Jamaica spoke of the disappointment of Jamaican officials in their efforts to get their diaspora involved in the development of their country. If we Guyanese think there’s a lot of us in “foreign”, we have nothing on Jamaicans. Wherever we might have gone, whatever we might have done out there – with the Jamaicans its “been there; done that”!

There are huge Jamaican enclaves in New York (Brooklyn), London (Brixton) and Toronto. For years Jamaica has tried to mobilise them. One effort was the biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference of which the fifth one is underway. In the words of one of the organisers, however, they were all just excuses for overseas Jamaicans to return and have a party. This year, with the theme a bit more explicit: “A Nation on a Mission: Jamaica-Diaspora Partnership for Development”, they’re hoping for something different.

All of that reminds of the ambitious project that was rolled out last year to “map” our diaspora – with the same goal of identifying their skills and assets etc that might be tapped for our development. Funded by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), our Foreign Affairs Ministry was supposed to execute the project. But apart from a few high-profile “launches” in New York and Toronto and a website, we haven’t heard squat recently.

Now, this is much too much an important initiative for it to be killed on the vine through neglect by some bureaucrat or another. As has been pointed out so often, we’re starting from such a low base since 1992 that we can’t afford five per cent growth rates – while that’s nothing to sneeze at. For us to start catching up with our neighbours, we have to hit double-digit growth rates.

And this is where the diaspora comes in. They’ve already acquired skills that would take us years to develop in the normal course of things. Most importantly, they’ve become plugged in to the global supply chain that keeps the world spinning nowadays.

Studies have shown that even our present local firms would increase their sales exponentially if they can tap into these contacts.

We hope this lights a little fire under whoever’s in charge of the project. We just can’t wait for those folks in “foreign” to fill out the forms on your website. Let’s beat some bushes, ladies and gentlemen. ...in City Hall We hadn’t seen so much action in City Hall since the riots that burnt down half of Water Street in the 1960s. The city councillors moved with so much alacrity that some of them must’ve pulled muscles in their shoulders and backs. And what was it that roused them – from both sides of the aisle – into action? The proposal by the acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba that they would only be paid for meetings they attended or work they actually did.

Man, you ought to see them thrusting their hands into the air to vote down the proposal!! We’d forgotten there was life in those hands – judging by the previous sloth in taking care of such pressing problems like garbage or their building crumbling over their heads and suchlike. The Mayor Hamilton Green, who through his inaction and inattention to his duties inspires them in their sloth, quickly rushed to their defence.

“What about those times they visit their “constituents” to fix local problems,” he asked. Well, if even of them could produce a note from a single constituent whose problem they “fixed”, we’ll eat our words. ...on street lights We all know that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is in dire straits. One of the reasons is that City Hall owes them $1 billion. Threatened to have the lights at their offices cut off, the mayor proposed that street lights be cut first!! Sure... let rapes and crimes in the streets increase. But how can we have Green not seeing the numbers on his cheques? Wanker!!

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Prosecutors sharpening skills on anti-money laundering Plaisance woman burnt to A death – autopsy s Guyana moves towards passing the Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Finance of Terrorism Act (Amendment) Bill, the British High Commission in Guyana through the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP) hosted a workshop for staffers of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), prosecutors and magistrates on Wednesday, at the Grand Coastal Hotel.

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack said the workshop comes at an opportune time and will be beneficial to all of the participants. She said while money laundering is a relatively new area of law for Guyana, prosecutors and magistrates must have a sound understanding of the legislation and the provisions available, especially to assist them in their decision making. Ali-Hack said it is not only new, but different from what persons in the legal profession are custom to.

Criminal charges

“I say different, because this is one piece of legislation wherein provisions are made for both criminal charges, as well as applications to be made in the High Court in the civil jurisdiction,” she opined. The DPP explained in these applications which are made within the civil jurisdiction, a fine can be ordered in the judgement and if not paid, the enforcement is

not against property, “as we know it in the average civil case, but imprisonment. One may call this a high hybrid system”.

Additionally, the applications provided for in the legislation are for freezing and forfeiture of assets in relation to money laundering and the financing of terrorism. There are also provisions for orders such as production, monitoring and interception orders, which can be used to facilitate the investigations. It could also include ultimate orders, such as the freezing and forfeiture orders.

Overseas assistance

The legislation, Ali-Hack said also addresses assistance given to foreign countries. On this note, she lauded the British High Commission for its assistance in this regard, not only to Guyana but other countries in the Caribbean and for the setting up of CCARP, which is based in Barbados. The DPP recalled that she met the CCARP legal advisor Alex Ferguson, who had developed a guide relating to the Antimoney Laundering Act for England and Wales, among other countries.

She asked for his assistance in developing one for Guyana. This was done by the CCARP legal adviser and is the basis for the workshop.

In explaining the objectives of the guide, the DPP said that it will assist prosecutors in

their duties under the legislation and seeks to provide directives for summary offence of money laundering and financing of terrorism.

The guideline, she said also makes provisions for minor offenses, such as persons disclosing information in relation to any statutory reporting or duties under the legislation and failure to comply with production order. It will also provide guidance, as it relates to the confiscation of property, among several other areas.

Stringent measures

Ferguson has 18 years experience in prosecution and since 2000 has been working on cases of fraud, money laundering and proceeds of crime. He has prosecuted many major cases which made headlines in the media.

In his remarks, the CCARP official said while the antimoney laundering legislation covers many areas of financial crimes and some of the key persons targeted are drug traffickers. He said the new legislation seeks to create stringent measures used to prosecute those persons.

In the past, drug traffickers were willing to pay a fine or serve a sentence, with the intention of coming out and still having their assets intact. The new legislation now provides for the law to confiscate their assets, take it and have it reinvested into the community. He said while the

legislation is new to Guyana and this side of the world, it has been in place in the developed world since the early 1980s.

British High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre said the training will be both beneficial and useful to participants as it will tackle key areas, especially as it relates to drug trafficking. The British diplomat said organised crime is a business for financial gains.

He explained that perpetrators in the past were willing to pay a fine or serve a sentence, but money laundering legislation now provides for the criminal’s assets to be confiscated and used by the state.

Training

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh spoke briefly of the importance of the guide developed by CCARP and said it will be very useful for prosecutors and magistrates. He said he is hopeful that the training will be extended to have more persons included, especially those from the legal profession.

The workshop is being facilitated by CCARP legal adviser Alex Ferguson.

Topics covered in the workshop include confiscation of the proceeds of crime, powers of investigation, restraining property and assets and pecuniary penalty orders.

A

post-mortem examination performed on the remains of Suzanne Sylvia Mc Neil, who died during a fire at her home on Sunday morning at Victoria Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, gave the cause of death as severe burns.

The post-mortem examination was performed

by Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary on Wednesday.

In light of the findings by the pathologist, speculations about the woman being murdered and set alight have been erased.

Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker on Wednesday disclosed that at no point in time was a suspect in custody for the incident, but the issue is being treated with due regard.

On the other hand, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle explained that if it were a case that would warrant a police investigation, the fire service would fully cooperate.

Gentle had stated that fire officials are looking at the possibility that Mc Neil was asleep and was knocked-out by the carbon monoxide which circulat-

Dead: Suzanne Sylvia Mc Neil

ed in the atmosphere when the fire started.

The remains of Suzanne Sylvia Mc Neil, 37, were discovered by fire officials in her bedroom lying on a mattress by fire officials just about 05:00h after her house went up in flames.

The fire also destroyed another house, leaving at least four homeless, while it scorched another.

It was reported that smoke was seen coming from Mc Neil’s bedroom and within minutes, flames engulfed the entire building.

The fire quickly spread to a nearby house and despite desperate measures to contain the blaze to one location by public-spirited citizens who formed a bucket brigade, their efforts proved futile.

10 news

thursday, June 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Broadcasters to pay at least $2.5M annually

By Michael Younge

G

uyana National Broadcast Authority Board Chairman Shaddick has disclosed that Cabinet has approved the formula that would be used to determine the licence fee that each approved broadcaster will pay for the use of the spectrum. The new broadcast act provides the formula, which is based on technical specifications that are set by the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU).

The fee is a percentage of gross revenue for the year prior to the year that the entity is seeking approval for. “The decision of Cabinet was that the annual licence fee for radio, TV and cable will be three per cent of their gross revenue for commercially operating firms, providing that the three per cent is no less than $2.5 million,” she revealed.

Maxwell Thom

Rudy Grant

Anand Persaud

Enrico Woolford

Court decision

Audited accounts

The GNBA head said the monies would be calculated using figures that form part of the specific entity’s audited accounts for the previous year, but quickly informed the media that the board had taken a “practical decision”.

This decision will see 2011 being used as the baseline year to determine the payments due because it is not likely that at December 31 of any given financial year, those entities would be in possession of fully audited accounts.

Shaddick also announced that new applicants that have never broadcast but were granted permission to do so in 2011 and came into being before the enactment of the broadcast authority act, would be required to pay the minimum sum of $2.5 million as their licensing fee.

“For all the broadcasters that we have approved so far, only two are paying more than $2.5 million, because they declared monies of which three per cent was more than the $2.5 million,” she said. “I don’t feel I am inclined to,” she said in a dismissive tone.

Further justifying the amount which some broadcasters feel is exorbitant, Shaddick maintained that “you have to value this commodity called

Jams Entertainment (Rawle Fergusson), Alfro Alphonso and Sons Enterprise (Alfro Alphonso), Haslyn Graham (of Linden), Little Rock Television Station (Rocliffe Christie), and Rudy Grant, the younger brother of international singer Eddy Grant In addition the government of Guyana has officially paid $500,000 dollars to Television Guyana Inc (TVG, as successor to Vieira Communications Limited (VCT), for damages after it was sued for breaching the company’s fundamental rights to a radio broadcast licence.

Rawle Ferguson

Alfro Alphonso

Haslyn Graham

Omar Lochan

tion and authority, she maintained that all previous companies must reapply if they want their applications to be determined.

“Any application that was not made after the coming into force of the GNBA is not an application that the GNBA will consider...,” she said.

Meanwhile, on March 14 in Parliament, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds listed the number of persons/companies who were granted permission to broadcast television, cable and radio signals.

Specifically for radio, those granted permission are the National Communications Network (NCN/Government), Radio Guyana Inc (Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop), Telecor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc (Omar Lochan), NTN Radio (Anand Persaud), New Guyana Company Ltd (Dharam Kumar Seeraj), Wireless Connections (Maxwell Thom), Hits and

Rocliffe Christie

Dharam Kumar Seeraj

Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop

broadcasting space”.

Shaddick announced that broadcast operators were required to pay fees for all frequencies they own and operate, inclusive of primary and secondary channels, feeders and links.

Asked about the deadlines, Shaddick, who is also a member of parliament, said that this is another area of concern for the board, but “no decision has been arrived at yet”.

She was adamant that the issue had to be considered from two perspectives with one dealing with those who got letters and do not pay but

keep broadcasting, and those who have applied but have not submitted all of the relevant documentation in the case of existing operators.

Meanwhile, the governing board has refused to deal with new applications that were submitted after the authority and new law were enacted.

“We are trying to regularise those that exist before trying to add a new population

into the broadcast area,” she maintained.

Asked by Guyana Times for a quantitative response in terms of the actual numbers of new applications received, Shaddick said the overall number was still in the “single-digit” realm.

Questioned further about the status of entities which would have applied before the enactment of the legisla-

The move came after a Court of Appeal Order was issued to the government’s Legal Affairs Ministry, following the company’s success at advancing arguments at the levels of the High Court and the Appeal Court.

The cheque was paid in the month of March, originally to TVG, which had purchased all of the properties and assets of VCT. However, a decision was taken by TVG’s owner Dr Ramroop to pay the monies over to former People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) parliamentarian and businessman Anthony Vieira, as the company’s final obligations and commitment to him following the sale of VCT and all related properties.

Vieira has since received the cheque via registered mail and has already cashed it. As successor to all rights of VCT, TVG received the radio licence consequent to the judgement. With the judgement also breaking the radio monopoly, other radio licences were issued.

In addition, on November 7, 1997, Enrico Woolford received a letter from the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) granting a UHF television channel for broadcast in Georgetown. However, he is yet to begin operations after some 16 years since the granting of the permission.

22 broadcast licences approved

T

wenty-two radio, television and cable broadcast operators have been given the green-light from the Guyana National Broadcast Authority Board to continue their operations in the sector under the newly revised Broadcast Authority Act. The board’s chairman, former government minister Bibi Shaddick said the board was happy to have successfully determined and approved those existing applications which were submitted to the entity. She disclosed that letters of approval were already dispatched to those applicants who received the requisite approvals to continue providing commercial services in the broadcast sector under the new act.

“Of the people we wrote to, we were able to send letters of approval for broadcast licences to be issued for

the year 2013 to eight television broadcasters and there are two who the letters haven’t yet been sent to, but will be sent shortly,” she told a packed media conference at her South Road law office in Georgetown on Wednesday morning.

Additionally, eight radio and six cable operators who were already providing services have received permission to continue their respective broadcasts this year after providing the necessary documentation to the board.

Shaddick said that the board had a list of current broadcasters who failed to receive approval, because they are yet to provide critical documents and other information that would guide the decision that would be made with respect to the approval or non-approval or even revocation of their licences.

The list includes nine TV

operators, three radio operators and two cable operators.

Additionally, Shaddick reported that the board will also be organising a meeting with some stakeholders and broadcasters to iron out issues of concern so that other fundamental decisions could be made with respect to the regularisation of entities within the sector.

“You have to understand that in a way our broadcast sector was like akin to squatters. People just start up and using stuff, so these things have to be regularised so it takes time,” Shaddick said, as she explained the work that is still to be undertaken in the sector.

The GNBA head also shared with the media the board’s concern about some possible breaches under the new broadcast act that need to be addressed urgently.

She reported that there

is one TV outfit that has not yet submitted any documentation, which has two distinct stations and therefore, would need two licences. She was apparently referring to the licences that Rex McKay who owns WRHM has. Shaddick said she has already spoken publicly about this particular matter which still remains unresolved.

“Omar Farouk is in violation who had a Channel 16 and 20-something...who moved from La Penitence and they are broadcasting two different sets of things... they only have approval for 16...”, she noted at the press conference.

“Things like that our board is very serious about.

We are looking to see there is a Little Rock one that has a Channel 10 and 16 and a link, but we are looking for evidence that they are doing two different sets of things.”

11 Environment

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, June 20, 2013

Endangered species in Guyana

E

arth abounds with a variety of life – its biological diversity or biodiversity for short. Many are aware that biodiversity refers to the different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that exist.

But not so many are aware that biodiversity also includes all the genes found within and among species. What is perhaps least well known is that all the different ecosystems on the planet, for example, deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of biodiversity.

The richer the plant diversity in an ecosystem, the greater the variety of crops it would yield. High species diversity ensures natural sustaina-

Biodiversity

boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, has an important role to play.

Some endangered species in Guyana

Leatherback Turtle – Dermochelys coriacea

Red Siskin – Carduelis cucullata

Giant Armadillo – Pridontes maximus

Giant Otter – Pteronura brasilensis

bility for all life forms and ecosystems enabling them to better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

Guyana with its lush rainforest and low population density has a rich biological wealth. However, there are some species, particularly animals which are listed as endangered. This should be of concern to us, since many of these species are endemic to Guyana (found only here) while some are also keystone species in their respective ecosystems. Most of Guyana’s endangered species live in forested areas, savannah and mountainous regions.

What causes species to become endangered?

An endangered species is a species present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction.

They are listed on the IUCN Red list.

A keystone species is one that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of the ecosystem.

* Habitat loss/destruction/degradation – Habitat loss is one of the most widespread causes of species endangerment.

Habitat loss is usually due to some form of human activity, eg, deforestation, mining, agricultural activities, etc. Agricultural practices such as spraying of pesticides, herbicides, etc, also have an impact on biodiversity as they result in the removal of both habitat and food supply for many species. * Pollution – This is a major disrupter and destroyer of ecosystems. When contaminants are introduced into an ecosystem, conditions change and species will be affected. * Climate change – This can alter the delicate balance of an ecosystem. In addition, relatively minor changes in temperature can allow some species to thrive, while

Remember

others perish. * Invasion of non-native species is an important and oftenoverlooked cause of extinctions.

The foreign species sometimes outcompete the native ones, destroying them in the process. * Over-hunting has been a significant cause of the extinction of hundreds of species and the endangerment of many more.

Sources: www.conservation.org.gy, www.iucnredlist.org

You can share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: “The Earth Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division. Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

, when a species is destroyed we are in essence, changing the dynamics of the earth. Therefore, if we are unable to co-exist with other forms of biodiversity; we are slowly but surely destroying ourselves. Educate yourself and know what you can do to help save these species from extinction.

12 NEWS Grandmother rescues Edward Beharry toddler from burning house and Habitat A in housing THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

grandmother was described as heroic on Wednesday morning after she saved her fiveyear-old granddaughter from a burning house at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The fire which started about 09:30h in the lower flat of the Lot 93 Block F, North Sophia home was quickly put out by residents, preventing it from engulfing the building.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, the fire was already extinguished and the occupants of the house were busy clearing the debris.

The mother of the fiveyear-old child explained that at the time of the fire, her mother-in-law and daughter were home. Her daughter was reportedly in the living room while the elderly woman was attending to some chores. She added that as soon as the fire started in the lower flat of the building, her mother-in-law

The Sophia house where the five-year-old was rescued by her grandmother after it caught fire (Carl Croker photo)

did not hesitate, but grabbed her daughter and ran to safety, leaving everything behind.

She was reluctant to speak further, but confirmed that no one was hurt during the fire. She thanked God and disclosed that only part of

the flat was destroyed in the blaze. She could not say what started the fire.

The woman added that she was contacted a few minutes after the fire started, but by the time she reached home, the fire was already extin-

guished.

Neighbours told this newspaper that at about 10:00h, they heard screams coming from the building and upon a closer look, they saw smoke emanating from it. They immediately rushed to the house to give assistance, and saw the elderly woman running out with her granddaughter.

They formed a bucket brigade and put out the fire.

The fire engine responded quickly and averted any further destruction.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle explained that after the report came in about 09:30h, two tenders from the Campbellville Fire Station and one from the Central Fire Station responded, along with a tanker. He said the building only suffered internal damages, but has not been briefed as yet on the cause of the fire. He said investigations are ongoing.

Stabroek Rotary installs new executives

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The new executives of the Rotary Club of Stabroek

he Rotary Club of Stabroek, Georgetown inaugurated its new president and board of directors for 2013-2014 at a ceremony hosted last Monday at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel.

In a release, the club said Sharon Sue-Hang-Baksh was elected president and the board comprises Immediate Past President Luana Falconer, President-elect

Coby Frimpong, Secretary Grace McCalman, Treasurer Patricia Plummer, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Ron Amos and directors Delroy Carrington, Gavin Todd, Lennox Shuffler, George Vaughn and Anand Harrilall.

In her last address as president, Falconer said the club was able to change lives and make a difference to those who needed it the most. She credited the success of the

club in meeting the objectives of its annual work plan to relationships and partnerships forged with private and public sector institutions. Incoming President Sharon Sue-HangBaksh charged the Stabroek Rotarians to give selflessly and reap the reward of the joys of changing lives for the good of the community and society. She reminded Rotarians of Rotary International President 2013-2014 Ron

Burton’s theme, “Engage Rotary, change lives”, and in so doing, try new things in Rotary, be open minded as these will help to build stronger clubs for tomorrow.

Incoming District 7030 (Caribbean) Assistant District Governor for Guyana Marcel Gaskin congratulated the club on its achievements over the past year and challenged the club to surpass previous accomplishments.

Port activity in Caribbean was sluggish in 2012 – ECLAC

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he container throughput in Latin American and Caribbean ports remained sluggish in 2012, and this confirmed the slowdown in the region’s foreign trade over the past year, due to recession in Europe and slower growth in the United States and China.

According to the ranking of container port throughput in Latin America and the Caribbean, published in Spanish by ECLAC in its Maritime Profile in 2010, the container port throughput in maritime terminals grew by 15.9 per cent, which fell to 13.9 per cent in 2011 and 4.3 per cent in 2012.

The ranking, which ECLAC complied directly in conjunction with port author-

ities, shows the breakdown of 2012 throughput in the region’s 80 main ports. Latin America and the Caribbean’s main container ports posted growth of 7.4 per cent in the first half of 2012, but experienced a dramatic slowdown in the second half of the year (with growth of just 0.4 per cent).

The fall in port activity in 2012 was concentrated in five countries: Argentina and Jamaica, with annual reductions of -10.5 per cent and -35.1 per cent, respectively, and Chile, Panama and Brazil, which recorded low annual growth of 1.2 per cent, 3.4 per cent and 3.6 per cent (with a reduction in the second half of the year of -2.2 per cent, -2.6 per cent and

-1.2 per cent in each case).

In contrast, other countries in the region appear immune to the port slowdown and maintained high growth rates despite the global recession. This applied to Peru (9.9 per cent), Colombia (18.2 per cent), Mexico (13.9 per cent), Costa Rica (15 per cent), Venezuela (17.6 per cent) and The Dominican Republic (18.4 per cent).

According to ECLAC, these countries’ most buoyant ports in 2012 were Callao in Peru, Cartagena and Buenaventura in Colombia, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz and Manzanillo in Mexico, Limón Moin in Costa Rica, Cabello in Venezuela and Caucedo in The Dominican Republic.

According to this United Nations Commission, there are many causes of this uneven performance among countries, their ports and container/multipurpose terminals. For instance, the Chilean ports San Vicente and San Antonio show double-digit growth, thanks to successful projects and business management. However, this industry only posted annual growth of 1.2 per cent in the country.

In the Caribbean, the ports of Caucedo in The Dominican Republic and Freeport in The Bahamas are the only ones to maintain positive results in their category (transhipments), which makes a contribution to the sub-region’s growth.

partnership E dward B Beharry Limited (EBB) and Habitat for Humanity Guyana Inc have partnered to raise funds for the construction of homes for low income families.

According to a release from Habitat, the Beharry Build Project will be launched on Friday, June 21, at the Edward B Beharry and Company Limited training facility at 191, Charlotte Street, Georgetown, from 10:30h.

This 12-month partnership will see Habitat Guyana receiving a portion of funds raised from the sale of Edward B Beharry products such as Chico, Champion, and Indi.

The monies raised will contribute to Habitat’s efforts to alleviate poverty housing through its community development initiatives, inclusive of youth empowerment programmes, disaster response and recovery training, and the like.

The release said the EBB/Habitat relationship will be one characterised by corporate responsibility in an atmosphere of collaboration to further the prospect of Guyanese families realising the joy of home ownership.

Edward B Beharry and Company Limited has been in operation since 1937. Starting from hum-

ble beginnings, the company is now one of the largest food manufacturing and distribution companies in the Caribbean. The organisation has an extensive range of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certified products, including spices, noodles, confectionery, baking products, and pasta. Its distribution area includes Suriname, Trinidad and most of the Caribbean, and extends to North America.

Habitat for Humanity Guyana Inc began its work since 1994 following an invitation from then President Dr Cheddi Jagan and was officially registered here in 1995.

Since then, the organisation has supported over 3000 families within the country’s 10 administrative regions, through partnership with affiliates, home partners, volunteers, and sponsors to build simple, decent and affordable housing for low income earners.

Also, the organisation has undertaken home repairs, rehabilitation works, and assisted in accessing secure tenure.

With a new programme direction, added focus will be placed on community development, disaster risk reduction, and social action and awareness.

City Hall to engage residents on ways to improve capital

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he Mayor and City Council said it will begin a series of community meetings in different sections of Georgetown from Friday.

The purpose is to encourage citizens to participate in finding solutions to problems affecting the development of the city.

Officials of the council will be on hand to answer questions, offer clarification and take suggestions from residents, a release from the council said.

The first meeting will be held with the residents of Kitty, in that community. All residents of local communities are asked to attend these meetings and participate in discussions.

A schedule of meetings will be published in the local media shortly.

Meanwhile, City Hall said it continues to encourage property-owners

to pay their rates to the city since this is vital to the council providing services to citizens. So far, the council has collected 42 per cent of the total amount of rates (1.4 billion) budgeted for 2013.

The council’s debt collection team is in the process of distributing demand notice in different sections, including North and South Cummingsburg and Alberttown. According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, Section 213 (One), “The rates due in respect of a general rate shall be payable in four equal instalments which shall become due on the first day of February or on the day of service of the demand note, whichever day is later, the first day of April, the first day of July and the first day of October.”

News

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thursday, june 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

National Drama Govt to re-engage opposition Third Festival launched – Dr Anthony calls for growth on GPL subsidy in cultural entrepreneurship

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overnment will be re-engaging the parliamentary opposition as it seeks to restore the $5.2 billion subsidy that was slashed from its 2013 national budget for the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).

This is according to Cabinet Secretary and head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon, who noted that the parliamentary opposition has been identified as the main reason which has forced GPL to propose a 26.7 per cent increase of its tariff rates.

He noted that following the instruction to GPL by President Donald Ramotar to hold off on implementing the proposed tariff increase, government will seek to go back into talks with the opposition to restore the funds, which should ultimately be done through parliamentary

GPL CEO Bharat Dindyal

intervention.

“Ingenious arguments have been made about there being some other cause for this situation, I am more inclined to be conventional and see the ultimate solution having a clear linkage with the fundamental cause.

I believe that is the principle behind cause and effect, so we have to undo this effect. We have to go back to the cause.”

He added: “The president’s instruction to GPL betrays a strong indication by the administration that something may be yet done.

And obviously, it would have to be done at the level of Parliament and I might take the liberty of identifying that engagements have been made with the parliamentary opposition and would have to continue.”

This, he stressed is “because we all have identified what is the ultimate cause of this situation and have to go back to sort of this matter, and this is fundamental”.

Last Friday, President Ramotar announced that he had asked GPL to hold its hands on pursuing the implementation of the increased tariff rates. He pointed out that the cut to the subsidy of GPL has been a serious blow to not just the power company, but also the business community and ordi-

nary consumers. As such, the head of state noted that government is willing and ready to take the matter back to Parliament, if it can be guaranteed of the support by the entire House to restore the monies for GPL, in a bid to minimise any increase of tariff rates, GPL might be forced to implement.

The power company said the cut to the subsidy has affected work on its 26-megawatt plant at Vreed-enHoop, and would have advanced the process of frequency conversion, which was successfully undertaken at the Wartsila Kingston plant and was planned for about eight other locations.

GPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharat Dindyal also pointed to a number of locations across the country where the construction of sub-stations is evident, but has reached a standstill.

Region 10 RDC establishes committee to probe missing $4M

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he Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) has set up a committee to investigate what has happened to approximately $4 million which was deposited into a social account, approximately two years ago by its former administration.

The monies were reportedly derived from a percentage of the sale of scrap iron by residents of Ituni and fundraising activities conducted by the RDC with the aim of securing funding to carry out other developmental projects within the region.

According to councillors and Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, the RDC currently has no access to the account, and therefore the funds, of which a significant portion belongs to the Ituni community, cannot be withdrawn since the bank in which the money was deposited is requesting that the signatories to the account be changed before the RDC can access the funds.

Lengthy battle

In an interview with this newspaper, Region 10 Councillor Maurice Butters said the issue of not knowing what happened to funds and not being able to access it has been raised during meetings of the council since last year, and members have been engaged in a lengthy battle to get to the bottom of the situation.

He noted, however, that an investigation has been launched since it was brought to the attention of the present council that monies were being withdrawn from the account, but no one can say what

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

has been done with it. This matter, he noted was being pursued since January last year.

“There was a statement which indicated that the amount of money which was supposed to have been in that account is not there, but in order for us to do a proper investigation, the minister of local government must write the bank to release the information to us to have the signatories changed.

“A committee was established to inquire into the account pertaining as to how much money is there, who are the signatories to the account and how we can have that account changed, to have the signatories changed to facilitate the present council. The committee then approached the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Yolanda Hilliman and that’s where the matter rested.”

Missing money

Butters explained that the account was set up to raise funds through ventures conducted by the RDC to be used in cases of emer-

gency and disasters. He further noted that it was being kept also to help communities that are in need of any form of assistance. He said, however, when the residents of Ituni requested the money which was placed into the account for their benefit from the sale, checks with Hilliman revealed that the amount of money which was expected to be there was not.

Butters noted that financial statements from the bank to know who has been withdrawing money and for what purpose was not provided to the RDC.

Agreement

“As a matter of fact, a dragline which was stationed at Ituni was being sold for scrap iron and there was an agreement reached with the community of Ituni, an arrangement was made that a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the dragline would go towards the development of the people of Ituni. This activity took place sometime in 2011, before this present council.”

He noted that the present council had requested that the REO consult with the bank to have the former signatories to the account changed. “We are not too sure who the signatories were, but when we found out, we were told by the REO that the bank is asking that a letter be sent by the minister of local government, but to date, we have received no information, or there has not been a response by the minister to inform the bank of the change to the account.”

He noted too that during the investigation, a request was made for the bank statement to be provided. “The REO said that when she ap-

proached the bank, she was told that the minister of local government has to write a letter saying that they (the bank) can release the information to the region.”

Signatories

Butters said this is very strange since it was the RDC which had opened the account, contending that the signatories to the account should have been changed at the same time that the administration was changed.

Butters said the RDC is currently awaiting the intervention of the local government minister so that the signatories of the account can be changed and the RDC can have access to it. The last report coming out of the REO office, he said is that a response from the local government minister is still forthcoming. In the meantime, he said the residents of Ituni are awaiting the funds.

“They have established a project which they wanted to get involved in to help the community and they made a request to the regional chairman, but to access the money, the minister of local government has to be involved.”

In an invited comment, Solomon confirmed that the account contained monies to be presented to the residents of Ituni in order to develop the community. “What we do know is that a withdrawal was made on the last working day of 2011, which is December 28. We need the money because the people of Ituni have been requesting it so that they can conduct activities in the community and we are trying to access it so that such can be done,” he noted.

Some of the awardees from the stagecraft course doing a dramatic piece at the launch of the third drama festival

By Umadevi Bux

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he Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry on Wednesday launched its Third National Drama Festival, catering for writers and groups of dramatists across the country.

The festival will run from June 19 to November 17. The launching activity took place at the National Cultural Centre, spiced with poetry and dance. According to Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony, the creative industry is a substantial part of a country’s economy, and there should be a growth in cultural entrepreneurship because creativity is unlimited and will become a booming industry.

“Today, the creative industry is a substantial part of a country’s economy and the investments in schools to train people to become professional will boost the economy… we have established ourselves and we want to see professional companies being established and registered as businesses…” said Anthony. He noted that Guyana has made her name in cultural diversity with drama, music, dance and poetry and the time has come for the country to export its cultural product to other countries.

“As it grows … we want to make it a Caribbean festival and see plays to be produced in different indigenous languages of Guyana…

If we don’t do it, who else would…” emphasised the minister. He also noted that drama offers a medium to expand the horizon of one’s potential. Minister Anthony envisaged that other countries will be interested in Guyana even more and their citizens will want to visit this country, as part of the spin-offs from an annual National Drama Festival.

The launch also included graduates from a stage craft course offered by the University of Guyana, receiving awards and certification for their performances in the area of drama.

Developing talent

According to University of Guyana, Faculty of Education and Humanities Dean Al Creighton, the course in drama carries a three credit attachment, and it is meant to

train and develop the potential of individuals while bringing a level of competence to increase the capacity of skills in theatre arts. The programme has seen 23 individuals with varying backgrounds in theatre receiving distinctions.

Meanwhile, National Drama Festival Chief Coordinator Godfrey Naughton noted that the festival serves to make the public aware of “the movement of young, fresh talent in Guyana” as it relates to drama and acting. He emphasised that this is an opportunity to go out to various communities and reach out to various schools, while getting more persons to participate in the festival and to also offer them an opportunity to be trained as professionals.

Positive impact

“We try to inspire so that we can have good quality of plays and arts being displayed… the posting of plays and authors’ biographies on the Ministry of Culture website will serve as a guide for students and others who are interested in the area…”

Naughton, alluding to the positive impact the festival could have on cultural tourism said, “The new rules to the festival will enable Guyanese who live abroad to add 50 per cent of foreign actors to their cast… it allows for constructive critiques and better plays.” This year, there will be an increase in the monetary prizes in the various categories.

Digicel (Guyana), which is the major sponsor for this activity was represented by its Marketing Manager Jacqueline James, who stated that her company is “thrilled to be a part of this venture” since Digicel aims to develop young people and drama is an excellent choice and way of doing so.

The National Drama Festival is presently in its third year. The festival is an ambitious cultural programme which has brought dramatic entertainment to a wide public audience and some amount of developmental benefit to the performers and producers. The festival is managed and produced by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Department of Culture with assistance from the private sector.

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thursday, june 20, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

TT: Dr Rowley accused of Tropical Storm Barry diabolical plot to bring forms off Mexican coast down government

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rime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar believes unknown people have hatched a “nefarious and diabolical plot” to “damage and scandalise” her name and to bring the Office of the Prime Minister and the People’s Partnership government into “odium, hatred and disrepute”. PersadBissessar wrote this in a three-page statement to the police on June 10. The statement was requested by Deputy Police Commissioner Mervyn Richardson.

The TT Guardian obtained a copy of the statement, which PersadBissessar initialled on the first two pages and signed on the last page. Saying she has been a lawyer for the past 26 years, Persad-

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Bissessar said during this time her character has been “impeccable” and she had al-

ways maintained a strong commitment to “honesty, fair play and justice for all”. Persad-Bissessar said from the inception of the People’s Partnership government, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley wanted the government’s demise.

“I wish to place on record that from the very inception of my government, the leader of the opposition Dr Keith Rowley had been predicting the downfall of the duly elected government. Several unfounded criticisms have been levelled in the parliament against the government and in particular the prime minister and the attorney general in various ‘no-confidence’ motions,” Persad-Bissessar said. (Excerpt

from Trinidad Guardian)

This NOAA satellite image taken Wednesday, June 19 at 10:45h EDT shows tropical wave over the Lesser Antilles with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms. Fair weather across the remainder of the Caribbean with a chance of isolated afternoon thundershowers

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ropical Storm Barry formed off Mexico’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday, prompting Mexican authorities to ready hundreds of shelters.

The U.S. National Hurricane Centre in Miami said the Atlantic hurricane season’s second tropical storm

was drenching areas in its path with up to 10 inches of rain in some places, raising the threat of flash floods.

In early evening, Barry was about 55 miles (85 kilometres) east of Veracruz, Mexico, and was expected to make landfall near that port city Thursday morning.

The centre predicted Barry would strengthen slightly before making landfall but said it would weaken soon after. Veracruz state Civil Protection Secretary Noemi Guzman said 2000 shelters had been readied in the state with mattresses, blankets, water and canned food. She said the shelters at schools and recreation centres could house up to 306,000 people. The port of Veracruz was closed to small vessels because of the strong winds, Guzman said.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph). It formed as a depression off the coast of Belize on Monday and began moving north. A tropical storm warning was in effect on the Mexican coast from Punta El Lagarto to Tuxpan, in Veracruz state. (Yahoo! News)

Overseas territories TT Integrity Commission chairman leaders agree to accused of being a hypocrite increased tax G transparency

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eaders of Britain’s overseas territories on Saturday agreed to back British Prime Minister David Cameron’s G8 initiative on tax, trade and transparency.

At a meeting with overseas territories leaders, the prime minister outlined his plans and requested their support for his new policy for a global system of transparency on tax matters.

In a joint statement released through the British Virgin Islands London Office, the leaders of Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, and Turks and Caicos said they had “had a very clear agreement and constructive exchange of views on

the practical steps needed to tackle the global problem of tax evasion and how the UK and the overseas territories will continue to apply our high standards of regulation to address this.”

The leaders reiterated and confirmed their agreement to play an active part in the new pilot initiative of multilateral automatic tax information exchange launched by the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain; prepare national action plans on beneficial ownership to meet the FATF standards; and commit to joining the multilateral convention on mutual administrative assistance on tax matters. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Jamaica: Gangster’s father killed, four others injured

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ess than 48 hours after his son was killed in downtown Kingston, Milton Cunningham also fell victim to gunmen’s bullets.

Cunningham otherwise called “Bonnie”, was attacked and killed at his home at Fisher’s Lane in Rae Town early Wednesday morning.

Police report that Cunningham and a female companion were at his home when gunmen pounced and shot him several times. The woman was also injured.

Cunningham’s son

Kwame was shot and killed near the intersection of East and Sutton streets on Monday, metres away from the Kingston Central Police Station. He was shot four times in the head.

Meanwhile, in another incident in the nearby community of McIntyre Villa, known as “Dunkirk”, three people were injured in an early morning attack. Police report that gunmen invaded premises at 28 Bryden Street and opened fire wildly. Two females were shot in the arm and a man shot in the back. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

ladys Gafoor, 75, the former deputy chairman of the Integrity Commission who was in a bitter row with the Chairman Ken Gordon, has described the private meeting between Gordon and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley as “improper” and called the chairman “hypocritical” given his past treatment of her.

Gordon and Gafoor rowed after former PNM Attorney General John Jeremie wrote directly to Gordon asking for Gafoor to be removed from a complaint against Jeremie which was reportedly related to the Satnarine Sharma

affair. Jeremie said Gafoor would be biased against him since her son, Anthony, had in the past rowed with Jeremie.

Gafoor was requested to recuse herself by Gordon and she refused, saying the issue of recusal was one for the individual officer to make, arguing that she could not relinquish her duties as a duly-appointed member of the Integrity Commission. Furthermore, there was no basis for recusal on the grounds reportedly cited by Jeremie.

The commissioners — including Gordon — took a vote to force Gafoor out.

Ken Gordon

“Jeremie wanted me to recuse myself,” Gafoor told Newsday. “Mr Gordon re-

quested that I do so. I told him I was one of five and he insisted that he did not want me to sit on the basis of this spurious claim of apparent bias against Jeremie”.

Meanwhile, President Anthony Carmona and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar are scheduled to meet today to hold discussions which are expected to address the issues surrounding the Integrity Commission, including the disclosure of a private meeting between Gordon and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley at Gordon’s home.

(Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Today)

PM calls on diaspora to invest in Jamaica

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rime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has called on members of the Jamaican diaspora to secure their share of foreign direct investments (FDIs), noting that international partners have shown their confidence in the local economy by investing in mega projects.

“Along with our diaspora, we need our international partners, and we will continue to invite foreign investments. Belgianregistered companies have

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

invested in our transport sector; the French, in our road network infrastructure; the Spanish, in expanding our tourism industry, and the Chinese, in sugar cane manufacturing, bridges and other infrastructural developments. All these are welcome,” the prime minister told delegates attending the fifth biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference at the opening ceremony on June 16 in Montego Bay. “There is room and space for everyone to participate,

and this conference is a clarion call to all Jamaicans, at home and abroad, to engage in Jamaica’s drive for growth. I hope you will grasp the opportunities, which will be presented at this conference for investments in business and social projects,” she urged.

The prime minister emphasised that the government is determined to put the diaspora at the heart of the growth and development agenda. (Excerpt from Caribbean News

Now)

Chile to extradite Argentina's “Dirty War” judge Otilio Romano

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he Chilean Supreme Court has approved the extradition of a former Argentine judge accused of human rights abuses during the 1976-1983 military rule.

Otilio Romano has been accused in Argentina of complicity in forced disap-

pearances, torture and illegal raids while serving as a state prosecutor in the city of Mendoza.

He fled to Chile when the allegations emerged two years ago. Romano says he will appeal against his extradition. Human rights groups estimate that at least 30,000

people were killed during the military government era in Argentina.

The period became known as the “Dirty War”.

The military government said they needed to combat “left-wing terrorism”.

Otilio Romano was suspended from the post of

judge in August 2011.

The day before the decision was announced he fled to Chile to avoid trial and asked for political asylum there, the Buenos Aires Herald reports.

Chile rejected the request and placed him under house arrest. (Excerpt from BBC News)

15 Around the World

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, June 20, 2013

Obama calls for reducing U.S., Russian nukes

President Barack Obama speaks against nuclear weapons

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resident Barack Obama followed in the footsteps of past U.S. leaders with a speech on Wednesday at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, where he said he would ask Russia to join the U.S. in slashing its supply of strategic nuclear warheads.

“We may no longer live in fear of global annihilation, but so long as nuclear weapons exist, we are not truly safe,” Obama said in the city that symbolised the EastWest divide in the decades after World War II. “After a comprehensive review, I’ve determined that

we can ensure the security of America and our allies –and maintain a strong and credible strategic deterrent – while reducing our deployed strategic nuclear weapons by up to one-third,” he said. “And I intend to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond Cold War nuclear postures.”

Obama’s speech made repeated references to Berlin’s post-war history and the resiliency of its people. He called on them to manifest the same spirit that helped bring down the Berlin Wall to now take on broader challenges facing the modern world.“Complacency is not the character of great nations,” said the president, who perspired openly despite removing his suit jacket when he started speaking to a sun-drenched crowd. (Excerpt

from CNN)

Dolce and Gabbana sentenced to jail for tax evasion

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n Italian court Wednesday sentenced fashion house duo Dolce and Gabbana to one year and eight months in prison for tax evasion of around one billion euros (US$1.33 billion), according to media reports.

Lawyers for Dolce and Gabbana, whose celebrity clients include Beyonce and Madonna, immediately said they will be appealing, and under Italian law the sentence will be suspended in the meantime.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were accused of having transferred control of their brands to a shell company in Luxembourg in 2004 and 2005 to avoid paying Italian taxes.

Prosecutors had argued that setting up the Luxembourg company Gado – an acronym of the sur-

An Italian court sentenced Milan designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana on Wednesday to one year and eight months in prison for failing to declare around one billion euros in income to the authorities

names of the two designers – while the company was operating out of Italy was a bid to defraud the state.

In her closing speech, Prosecutor Laura Pedio said there was “rock-solid proof” that the duo had committed

“sophisticated tax fraud”.

She said Gado was “a sort of cloud with the consistency of gas”, while fellow prosecutor Gaetano Ruta said it was “an artificial construction, the aim of which was to get a tax advantage”.

(Excerpt from France24)

Afghan President UN compound in Somali capital Karzai to boycott targeted in attack talks with Taliban

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he Afghan government will not take part in peace talks with the Taliban unless the process is “Afghan-led”, President Hamid Karzai has said.

His statement came a day after the U.S. agreed to talk to the Taliban in Qatar, where the militants have a new office.

Karzai said the opening of the office contradicted earlier U.S. security guarantees to his government.

In protest, he also said he would suspend talks on the U.S. presence in Afghanistan after NATO leaves in 2014.

Earlier, four U.S. soldiers died in a Taliban attack at an Afghan airbase,

further undermining prospects for the proposed talks.

A spokesman for the Taliban said the militants had launched two rockets at Bagram airbase, the largest military base for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

A statement from Karzai’s office said Afghan negotiators would stay away from the Qatar talks until “foreign powers” allowed the process to be run by Afghans.

“Unless the peace process is ‘Afghanised’, the High Peace Council is not attending the Taliban Qatar talks,” the statement said.

The High Peace Council (HPC) is the government body set up to lead peace efforts with the Taliban. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Islamist militants attacked a United Nations compound in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Wednesday, blasting their way into the site before opening fire on security guards

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slamist militants carried out their first major assault for years on a UN compound in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, dealing a blow to fragile security gains that have allowed a slow return of foreign aid workers and diplomats.

A car bomb exploded outside

the gate of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) base and attackers then ran inside and opened fire on security guards, UN sources said. The al Qaeda-linked Islamist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility.

The African Union peacekeep-

Singapore chokes on haze as Sumatran forest fires rage

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ingapore was shrouded in haze on Wednesday as smoke from forest fires in nearby Sumatra drifted across the Malacca Strait in the city’s worst pollution crisis in more than a decade.

Buildings in the city of 5.3 million people have been enveloped in a smoky haze since the beginning of the week as illegal burn

off in nearby Indonesia and prevailing winds were causing a smoke crisis not seen since 1997.

Singapore’s pollution index reached 173 on Wednesday, the worst level since 1997 when it reached 226, according to the Straits Times. The city’s National Environment Agency said air quality becomes very unhealthy when the index

passes 200.

The agency said that thick haze would continue for the next few days as forest fires were still raging in Sumatra.

Singapore’s Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said he would urge commercial pressure against firms causing the haze. Critics have accused Singapore

and Malaysian palm oil companies of investing in Indonesian companies that are clearing land for palm plantations.

Dr Balakrishnan said on his Facebook site that he had approached his Indonesian counterpart, Balthasar Kambuaya, to express his “deep distress” at the situation. (Excerpt from

CNN)

FBI uses drones for surveillance over U.S. soil

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he FBI has used drones for surveillance in limited cases over U.S. soil, FBI Director Robert Mueller has told a U.S. Senate Committee.

Mueller said the agency had “very few” drones and had used them in “a very min-

imal way” and “very seldom”.

But the director said the FBI was in the “initial stages” of developing drone policies.

In May, U.S. President Barack Obama said he would curtail the use of armed drones in operations outside the U.S.

Under the new policy described by the White House, the U.S. will only allow drones to be used in areas that are not overt war zones when there was a “continuing, imminent threat” to the U.S. and capture was not feasible.

Wednesday’s acknowledgment that the U.S. federal investigative service has also used drones comes as the nation debates electronic surveillance following the recent disclosure of massive Internet and telephone data snooping programmes. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ing force, which sent soldiers and armoured vehicles to the site, said the compound was under control of friendly troops after a gunbattle that witnesses said lasted more than 90 minutes.

It was not immediately clear whether any UN officials were caught up in the battle or whether anyone was killed or wounded. Militants have launched grenade strikes and similar low-level attacks on UN bases in the past, but no assault of this scale.

It was the first notable attack on UN premises by al Shabaab since they were driven out of Mogadishu in fighting with AU and Somali govenrment forces about two years ago.

One UN official said some Western nations that have been keen to support the Western-leaning government elected last year had played down dangers posed by al Shabaab and its ability to infiltrate the security forces and attack the capital. (Excerpt from France24)

North Korea condemns Hitler report

N

orth Korea has condemned a report that its leader, Kim Jongun, gave out copies of Adolf Hitler’s memoir Mein Kampf to officials on his birthday.

The report, from a news website run by North Korean defectors, said that senior officials were given the book as a gift in January.

North Korea has denounced the defectors as “human scum” and threatened to kill them.

Nazi leader Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in 1924 while in prison.

The book, which translates in English as My Struggle, outlines his early life and racist views.

News portal New Focus International wrote the original report, citing an unnamed North Korean official

in China.

“Mentioning that Hitler managed to rebuild Germany in a short time following its defeat in WWI, Kim Jong-un issued an order for the Third Reich to be studied in depth and asked that practical applications be drawn from it,” the source reportedly said.

North Korea’s Ministry of People’s Security, which is responsible for policing, issued an angry response which was carried by the country’s official news agency, KCNA. It dismissed the report as a “smear campaign” written by “a handful of human scum... moving desperately to deter [North Korea’s] progress”.

The defectors were being used by South Korea and the U.S., it went on to say. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

16

thursday, june 20, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean

Protection against ‘‘undue Kenya Airways plans to set up fuel firm risk’’ in insurance sector enya Airways is con- possibility of starting our Sh40.7 billion in the previ-

T

he TT government has moved to protect citizens from undue risks and ensure the development of a robust insurance sector that will avoid crises such as experienced with Clico in 2009, said Finance and the Economy Minister Larry Howai on Tuesday.

Howai was speaking as he started debate on the Insurance Bill 2013 in the Senate. Describing the move as a decisive in-

K

tervention by the government, the minister recommended that the bill be referred to a Joint Select Committee for further consideration “as an additional measure of caution and completeness.”

As he laid the bill, Minister Howai said: “Over the past few decades, there has been rapid development in the financial services sector in Trinidad and Tobago, to the extent that the bank-

ing and insurance sectors now have assets of close to TT$169 billion or about 110 per cent of GDP.” “In fact, as of the middle of 2012, the insurance sector alone amounted to 19.4 per cent of GDP, therefore in seeking to strengthen the regulatory framework for the Insurance sector, we are not only safeguarding our citizens, we are safeguarding one of the pillars of our economy.” (Trinidad Guardian)

sidering setting up a fuel procurement company as part of its new cost cutting measures.

The airline which cut its staff numbers by 476 in the last financial year, announced a Sh10.8 billion pre-tax loss for the year ended March 2013 due to lower passenger traffic on the European route, high operational costs among them fuel and a strong shilling.

“We are looking at the

goal. In a statement after a two day meeting, the Fed’s policy-setting panel offered a more upbeat assessment of the risks facing the economy than they had after they last met in May. “The committee sees the downside risks to the outlook for the economy and the labour market as having diminished since the fall,” the Fed said. U.S. stocks slipped, the dollar rose to session highs against both the yen and the euro, and U.S. rate futures fell as traders saw

the statement as a small step toward an eventual reduction in the central bank’s pace of bond buying.

“The statement contained a notable pat on the back, saying the downside risks to the outlook for the economy and the labour market have diminished since the fall, which is a necessary precursor if they are going to get to the point where they do start to taper,” said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com in New York.

alian Wanda Group, a Chinese property developer, has said that it will spend £1 billion (US$1.6 billion) to buy a British yacht maker and property in London.

Wanda will pay £320 million for almost 92 per cent of Sunseeker International, famous for providing yachts for James Bond movies.

It will also invest £700 million to develop a five-star hotel in London.

own fuel procurement company,” KQ Chief Executive Titus Naikuni said at an investor in Nairobi.

Naikuni added that discussions have started on proposals for such a set up to cut the cost of fuel which is the single largest expense for the airline accounting for an average 40 per cent of its direct costs each year.

The airline spent Sh41.3 billion on fuel in period 2012/2013 compared to

ous year. In the last financial year, the company’s fuel cost as a percentage of total expenses rose slightly from 38.2 in the year 2011/2012 to 38.5 per cent in 2012/2013.

In the last financial year under review, KQ which takes up fuel hedging contracts to guard itself against price increases of the commodity made a loss of Sh1.2 billion compared to the previous year’s Sh1.1 billion. (allAfrica)

Asia North America Fed keeps buying bonds, but China’s Dalian Wanda to buy sees economic risks easing UK yacht maker and hotel

T

he Federal Reserve on Wednesday said risks to the outlook for the U.S. economy and job market had eased since last fall, but it said it would keep buying US$85 billion in bonds per month given the still-high level of unemployment.

Describing the economy as expanding moderately, Fed officials cited further improvement in the labour market and the housing sector, even as they noted that inflation was running below their two per cent long-term

D

The luxury hotel in London will be the first such development to be operated by a Chinese firm overseas. The move was welcomed by the mayor of London.

Boris Johnson said that the deal was “yet another sign of the soaring global confidence in London as a world-beating place to live, work and do business”.

Wang Jianlian, chief executive and founder of

Wanda added that “the London property market has excellent investment opportunities and we have confidence that Wanda’s strength and expertise will help make The Wanda London’s premier hotel, and will further promote development in the area”.

The new hotel will be built by the river in Vauxhall, South London as part of the Nine Elms regeneration. (BBC News)

Middle East Europe Dubai chosen for global IMF: Spain making strong progress, launch of new BlackBerry Q5 tailers in the UAE and lackBerry maker but jobs boost needed

S

pain has made strong progress towards fixing its economy, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, the IMF warns that the outlook for the country remains tough and has urged more action by the government and European Union to boost job creation.

It expects Spain’s economy to start to grow later

this year. Spain has one of Europe’s highest unemployment rates, currently standing at 27 per cent. The IMF also says that further moves are needed towards banking reform.

“Strong reform progress is helping stabilise the economy and external and fiscal imbalances are correcting rapidly.

But unemployment remains unacceptably high and the

Market statistics Cambio Rates

(Reuters)

outlook is difficult,” the IMF said in its report.

“This calls for urgent action to generate growth and jobs, by both Spain and Europe.” The IMF said that the top priority of the Spanish government should be to reform labour laws further, making it easier for companies to change working conditions rather than dismissing employees. (BBC News)

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana

Fixed as at June 18, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Buying

Selling

U.S.

GBP

$310.58

$344.58

Cambio

CAN

$161.50

$181.42

Gross

$260,585

USD

$198.42

$205.58

Net

$242,344

Selling

$268,875

Cur

$1366.75 $202.83

Indicators as on June 18, 2013 Live Spot Gold

Indicators

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1368.30

$1369.30

Low/High

$1360.10

$1378.50

Change

-16.40

-1.18

June 18 USD GBP EUR June 17 USD GBP EUR

London Gold Fix AM 1378.50 880.32 1030.35 AM 1386.00 881.79 1038.59

Crude Oil Price Silver Platinum

US$ per barrel

Change %

$105.47

+0.12

USD per Ounce

Change %

$21.68

-0.16 +8.00

$1441.00

PM 1366.75 876.07 1020.80 PM 1384.75 879.77 1037.97

B

Research in Motion on Wednesday said its new Q5 smartphone model will be launched in Dubai ahead of going on sale globally.

The launch of the Q5 will take place at the opening of the first BlackBerry Retail Concept Store, which will open on today at 17:00h local time and is part of Canadabased RIM’s plans to offset falling U.S. sales.

A limited number of the Q5 smartphones will be ex-

clusively available for early sale at the store, RIM said in a statement.

“Customers will also have the opportunity to preorder the smartphone at the store, which will be widely available next month from authorised carriers and re-

across the Middle East,” it said.

The new BlackBerry Q5 smartphone features a QWERTY keyboard, a 3.1 inch touch screen and is available in red, white and black.

The BlackBerry Q5 comes with the BlackBerry 10.1 software, it added.

The new BlackBerry store will feature the first one-hour repair or replace service in the Middle East.

(Arabianbusiness)

Investors' guide Projecting start-up costs for a business (conclusion)

Advertising

Now that you’ve gotten your business set up, you will need to get the word out there about your business.

Advertising can range from free, such as viral marketing initatives on Facebook and Twitter – to mid-range ones, such as online ads – to high-range ones, such as television ads. Find out which style of advertising is best suited for your business’ target demographic and is the most affordable.

Protect yourself from early losses

Many businesses fail to make it past their first year.

Business owners should expect to spend several years in debt before finally making a profit. Make sure you don’t invest 100 per cent of your available capital into the business. While this may seem like a good idea to avoid interest payments and debt, this will leave you with so little available cash that you may struggle to make

ends meet, or close the business prematurely. Teaming up with venture capitalists, angel investors, or even friends and family for investment money can shield you from early losses.

On a monthly basis, make sure your company’s cash flow is positive through adjustments to inventory and payroll, and you will be on the right path towards profitability and surviving the early losses that sink many fledgling companies.

(Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Policy

Last:15318.23

Changes: +138.38

% Change: +0.91

Open: 15186.30

High: 15340.09

Low: 15186.30

% YTD: +16.90

52Wk Hi: 15398.48

52 Wk Lo: 12035.09

Politics: (a) The basic principles by which a government is guided. (b) The declared objectives that a government or party seeks to achieve and preserve in the interest of national community.

Insurance: The formal contract issued by an insurer that contains terms and conditions of the insurance cover and serves as its legal evidence.

news

17

thursday, june 20, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

U.S. report cites TIP victims’ Feasibility study for new Demerara River bridge completed unwillingness to testify

G

uyana was once again ranked on the Tier Two Watch List with respect to Trafficking in Persons as the United States State Department issued its 2013 TIP report on Wednesday.

The report is often highly disputed by governments worldwide who argue that their countries are fully compliant with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) minimum standards, thus their respective countries should be in the Tier One group.

In 2011, Guyana had moved from the Tier Two Watch List to Tier Two; however, it went back to the watch list in 2012 and 2013 consecutively.

The Tier Two Watch List encompasses countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance. According to the report, Guyana’s government made no visible progress in holding human trafficking offenders in the country accountable during the reporting period, although the Combating Trafficking of Persons Act of 2005 prohibits all forms of trafficking and prescribes sufficiently stringent penalties, ranging from three years to life imprisonment.

The report said while there have been some efforts to protect victims, the lack of punishment for trafficking offenders creates an en-

abling environment for continued human trafficking.

A great majority of prosecutions initiated during the reporting period were dismissed when the prosecutors were unable to proceed since usually witnesses declined to testify, the report from the U.S. State Department added.

Close to the end of the reporting period, law enforcement and prosecutors were said to be in the progress of gathering information to issue warrants for the arrest of suspected perpetrators and to initiate prosecution.

According to the report, “The government reported no convictions of sex or labour trafficking offenders.

The government did not report any investigations or prosecutions of government employees for complicity in trafficking-related offences during the reporting period.”

Government protecting victims

However, the report highlighted that the government made efforts to protect victims of trafficking during the reporting period by identifying and assisting them, but these efforts were hindered by the lack of accountability for perpetrators of human trafficking.

During the reporting period, the government reported two new labour trafficking investigations, 16 new sex trafficking investigations and the initiation of seven sex trafficking court

cases. The administration also identified 19 girls, two boys, three women, and two adult men as suspected human trafficking victims during the reporting period, an almost 50 per cent increase over the 13 victims identified the previous year.

The report suggested that the government enhance its efforts to hold trafficking offenders accountable by vigorously and suitably investigating and prosecuting them.

It further proposed the government forge close partnerships with non-governmental organisations and develop standard operating procedures to guide and encourage frontline officials, including police, health, immigration, labour, mining, and forestry personnel in the identification and protection of victims of forced labour and forced prostitution.

This is with the aim of making certain that victims are not punished for crimes committed as a result of being subjected to human trafficking. The report recommended that protection and assistance for victims near mining communities be offered while investigations are carried out, and perpetrators be held accountable for forced labour on Guyanese-flagged vessels.

The government fostering a climate of open dialogue on trafficking and encouraging people to come forward to authorities on potential cases was also advised.

Contracts for water, tech voc and energy approved C

abinet at its June 18 statutory meeting gave its no-objection for contracts in the water, energy, and education sectors. The details are as follows:

T

he feasibility study for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), although completed, has not yet been submitted to Cabinet for consideration, hence the locations for the new crossing has not been finalised. This was revealed to the press during Wednesday’s post Cabinet media briefing by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon.

“Our expectation is that the study will soon be before Cabinet, and on that basis decisions would soon be made about proposed locations and the complexities of the structures,” Dr Luncheon stated. He added that expenditure remains a major consideration and when the feasibility study is considered by Cabinet the cost analysis would be among all the various aspects examined.

The options for a new

Demerara River bridge were revealed during the March 25 presentation of the 2013 National Budget. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh highlighted then that the government had commenced the technical examination of the options for constructing a new bridge.

He said that it is envisaged that during 2013 government will invite expressions of interest for a public- private partnership for this project.

Within recent years, an increased number of vehicles have been crossing the Demerara Harbour Bridge on a daily basis, necessitating a new structure.

The proposed replacement bridge will made of reinforced concrete, with four lanes for vehicular traffic (20 metres wide), a walkway for pedestrians inclusive of cycle lane, navigational clearance (100m wide), naviga-

tional aids, air draft (50m), adequate marine collision protection at navigational channel, and an estimated length of 2250m among other features.

The design and possible locations of the new bridge were proposed at the third Engineering Conference by Demerara Harbour Bridge General Manager Rawlston Adams. The conference was hosted by the Public Works Ministry and focused on the maintenance and traffic management challenges of the current bridge and discussed the new bridge and its optional locations and cost.

From Versailles on the West Bank of Demerara to Houston on the East Bank of Demerara, and from Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara to Good Hope on the East Bank of Demerara have been put forward as possible locations.

Homeless Shelter to be commissioned soon

The Hugo Chávez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice

T

he homeless shelter at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice is complete, but its commissioning hinges on remaining works to the facility’s environs.

The shelter, which was named in Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s honour, was scheduled for commissioning on May 3 this year during the visit of Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Elías Jaua Milano.

The late Venezuelan president was instrumental in providing funding for the facility.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger

Luncheon told reporters at his post-Cabinet media briefing that much of the attention is now on the preparation of the roadway, farms and other elements.

“It (the shelter and its environs) is quite a considerable enclave, acres on acres, and the intention was to really make it a showpiece during the commissioning exercise,” Dr Luncheon explained.

Constructed on 7.30 acres of land, the US$2 million Hugo Chávez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration has as its main objective providing

refuge for the destitute in Guyana.

Built to accommodate males and females in separate dormitories, a resident doctor and nurse, the facility contains blocs for a medical facility, a mess hall and kitchen, training room/conference hall and a recreation centre.

Transportation, medical assistance and treatment, toiletries, clothing, and meals will all be provided for the occupants at the centre including training programmes that set out to reintegrate them into family life and society.

Rohee at international crimefighting conference

H

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee is currently representing Guyana at a Conference on “Filling the Gaps: Using Data to Design, Implement and Evaluate Public Policies on Crime and Violence”, at the invitation of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

The conference is being held from June 19 to 20 at the IDB’s headquarters in Washington DC, United States of America.

The invitation to the conference was extend-

ed to all countries comprising the Caribbean Country Department of the IDB (The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago) that address citizen security and/or the prevention of violence within the home.

The objective of the conference is to share transformative experiences in and outside the Caribbean region, in using data for policy design and evaluation.

The conference also provides an opportunity to explore possibilities for collab-

oration with the IDB in this important area of citizen security.

IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno addressed the conference.

Accompanying the Honourable Minister to the Conference are Home Affairs Ministry Systems Development Officer Nkasi Nedd, who is responsible for developing computer models to combat crime and violence, and Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry Social Services Director Wentworth Tanner.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ARCHIE

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) You should take advantage of every opportunity to meet new people.

There’s a strong possibility that you’ll be introduced to someone you’ll have an instant affinity with.

DILBERT

(June 21July 22) Co-workers aren’t likely to resent you taking charge, provided your ideas and methods are better than theirs. In which case, they’ll copy you.

AQUARIUS

LEO

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(July 23Aug. 22)

This could be an especially good day to launch a new endeavour, particularly if it’s something creative. It could turn out to have greater appeal than you expected.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

CANCER

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) If something negative has to be said to someone, you’re the one who will have the ability to do so in a frank but kind manner.

You won’t go over the line.

One way to substantially enhance your endeavours is to look out for the interests of your colleagues and not just your own. Let everybody win when you do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) It’s an excellent day to realise one of your dreams.

Don’t allow any negative thinking on behalf of your co-workers to dampen your spirits.

PEANUTS

SUDOKU

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Lady Luck doesn’t always stick around for long periods of time, so take full advantage of her while she is on your side. Remember, good things don’t last forever.

Both your work and your financial prospects look to be very encouraging. The chances of achieving desirable results appear to be especially good at present.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) When making an important decision, you need to take careful stock of your alternatives. Several will be appealing, but only one or two will really work in the long run.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) If you hope to be someone who gets, you must first be someone who gives. The luckiest developments occur when you prime the pump with generosity.

Wednesday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) Do your best, whether you’re working for someone else or for yourself. In fact, if you really put your nose to the grindstone, you’re likely to yield higher dividends than you ever thought possible.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) A favourable shift in circumstances is likely regarding something that you’ve been dreading.

After the dust has settled, what’s left standing should brighten your spirits.

news 19

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H

er adoring compatriots believe democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi is destined to become Myanmar’s next president. But don’t bet on it.

A year ago, the Nobel Peace Prize winner was feted at home and abroad and flush from her National League for Democracy (NLD) party’s landslide wins in April 2012 by-elections, which swept her into the parliament.

Even a military-drafted constitution designed to exclude her from the highest office seemed a surmountable hurdle.

Now the journey from political prisoner to president appears much less certain, even as her ambition is clearer than ever.

“I want to be president and I’m quite frank about it,” she told journalists at the World Economic Forum in the capital Naypyitaw on June 6.

Political survivor

But to emerge as president after a 2015 general election, Suu Kyi, 68, must overcome challenges that would daunt a less formidable political survivor.

She must convince a military-dominated parliament to amend the constitution.

Even if she can do that, and the constitution can be amended in time, she could then face a voter backlash over her position on a violent and widening rift between her nation’s Buddhists and minority Muslims.

Her rare public expressions of support for Muslims, who have borne the brunt of waves of sectarian violence, put her in a politically fraught position in the Buddhist-majority country.

Some people wonder if the violence is being exploited by conservative opponents to chip away at her support.

To win power, she would also have to fend off two former generals who covet the top spot. The first is Shwe Mann, the influential speaker of Myanmar’s lower house.

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Myanmar presidential hopeful Aung San Suu Kyi waves to her adoring fans

The other is the popular incumbent Thein Sein, whose quasi-civilian government took power in March 2011 after nearly half a century of military rule and launched a series of political and economic reforms.

Thein Sein might seek a second term despite health concerns.

No easy task

Suu Kyi’s most immediate problem is the constitution.

It bars anyone married to a foreigner or who has children who are foreign citizens.

Suu Kyi and her husband, the late British academic Michael Aris, had two children who are British.

“By all accounts, it was drawn up with her in mind,” Andrew McLeod, a professor at Sydney Law School and deputy director of the Myanmar Constitutional Reform Project, said of the constitution, drawn up under the former military junta.

Any constitutional amendment would require 75 per cent support in parliament - no easy task when the constitution also reserves a quarter of seats for the military.

Most of the rest of the members of parliament are members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), created by the old junta and largely made up of retired military officers.

If passed by the parlia-

ment, an amendment must win more than half the vote in a referendum. Some analysts say there just isn’t enough time to do all that before the 2015 election.

But even if she can pull off the amendments, the reality of partisan politics could threaten Suu Kyi’s presidential hopes.

Suu Kyi, the daughter of the hero of the campaign for independence from Britain, faces pressure internationally to defend the persecuted, including Muslims. But when she does, her onceunassailable popularity is threatened.

At least 237 people have been killed in violence between Myanmar’s Buddhists and Muslims over the past year and about 150,000 people have been left homeless.

Most of the victims have been stateless Rohingya Muslims in the western state of Rakhine.

Groups such as the New York-based Human Rights Watch have condemned Suu Kyi for not using her moral authority to speak in defense of the Rohingya for fear of upsetting the Buddhist majority ahead of the election.

A 1982 law bars most Rohingya from citizenship and the government - and many ordinary Buddhists – consider them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh even though many can trace ancestry in Rakhine state for generations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Iran says appeals for ‘jihad’ in Syria fuel radicalism

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alls by Sunni Muslim clerics for a holy war against the Syrian government and its Shiite allies are fuelling radicalism in the region, a senior Iranian official said on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, prominent cleric Sheikh Youssef al-Qaradawi called for jihad in Syria after fighters from Shiite Lebanese group Hezbollah intervened to help President Bashar al-Assad, in a move which stoked sectarian tensions.

Shi’ite Iran, a close ally of Assad and backer of Hezbollah, has accused Arab and Western states of fomenting terrorism in Syria by arming rebels caught up

in the two-year-old revolt.

“There were steps and fatwas from clerics like Mr Qaradawi, these fatwas escalate and encourage apostasy and radicalism in the region,” Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iranian Deputy Minister for Arab and Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Kuwait.

The Syrian conflict is widening a divide in the Middle East between the two main denominations of Islam. Kuwait, which lies across the Gulf from Iran, has voiced concern that the Syrian crisis is heightening sectarian tension and becoming a battlefield for regional powers.

Abdollahian said radicals in Syria have been attacking all sects and creating rifts between communities. He called for a political solution to the crisis which has killed more than 90,000 people.

Abdollahian, who was in the Gulf Arab state to meet with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah alKhaled al-Sabah, denied that Iran was giving military aid to the Syrian army.

“We give economic, political and media support to Syria,” he said. Hezbollah was involved only to protect the Lebanese-Syrian border and to shield Lebanese living in Syria from violence, he said. (Reuters)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

England beat South Africa to reach CT final E

ngland powered into the final of the Champions Trophy with a seven-wicket victory over a South Africa side who once again underperformed in a major semi-final on Wednesday.

James Anderson (2-14) and James Tredwell (3-19) starred with the ball as the Proteas collapsed to 80-8 before a 95-run stand between David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt hauled them to 175.

Jonathan Trott scored a typically measured unbeaten 82 as England passed their modest target in 37.3 overs to reach their first global 50-over final since 2004.

The hosts will play the winners of today’s second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in Sunday’s final at Edgbaston.

It is some achievement for Alastair Cook’s side, who have calmly shrugged off criticism of their cautious batting tactics, allegations of ball-tampering and injuries to Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann to reach the showpiece.

The question now is whether they can go one better than the 2004 Champions Trophy final, when they were improbably beaten by West Indies at The Oval.

For South Africa, this defeat will no doubt be added to their long list of so-called “chokes” in 50-over tournaments.

The Proteas, who won the inaugural Champions Trophy (then known as the ICC Knock Out) in 1998, infamously threw away a winning position against Australia in the following year’s World Cup semi-final and went out of the 2003 World Cup on home soil in the group stage after misinterpreting the DuckworthLewis rain rule.

They also suffered batting collapses in losing to Australia and New Zealand at the semi-final and quarter-final stages at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.

After being put in to bat on a humid, overcast morning, South Africa were blown off course by a superb opening burst from Anderson and almost entirely derailed

by Tredwell, who took three wickets in his first five overs.

Colin Ingram was trapped lbw by Anderson with the fifth ball of the innings and Steven Finn followed up with the prize wicket of Hashim Amla in the next over.

Amla, who scored an unbeaten 311 against England in last year’s Oval Test, made a late decision to leave a ball outside off stump and gave Jos Buttler the first of six catches.

Robin Peterson and Faf du Plessis’s brief rebuilding act was curtailed as Anderson vindicated Cook’s

Blake ruled out of World Championships 200m

Y

ohan Blake will not run the 200 metre at the World Championships after the Olympic silver medallist pulled out of this weekend’s Jamaican national championships with hamstring problems.

Blake, 23, suffered the injury in April and has not sufficiently recovered.

As defending champion, he does not need to qualify for the 100 metre in Moscow.

Compatriot Usain Bolt qualifies for the 200 metre as champion but must win his place in the 100m after he false-started in Daegu in 2011, handing gold to Blake.

“Yohan’s coach is not satisfied with the progress of

Yohan Blake

his injury and hence his level of fitness will not allow him to compete at [the nationals] this time,” said Blake’s manager Cubie Seegobin.

“We will continue to assess the situation and re-

evaluate as we approach the World Championships.”

Blake won silver in both the 100 metre and 200 metre at London 2012 behind training partner and world record holder Bolt. (BBC Sport)

Serena Williams apologises for Steubenville rape quotes

W Jonathan Trott works the ball on the off side (ICC/Getty)

decision to extend his spell into a seventh over by removing Peterson lbw with a full, straight ball.

South Africa’s next five wickets added just 35 runs, with the Englandsupporting contingent of the crowd revelling in the mayhem on the hottest day of the year.

Captain AB de Villiers, whose one-day average exceeds 50, had a reckless swipe at Stuart Broad and was caught behind before JP Duminy played on to Tredwell.

Du Plessis edged Tredwell behind and Ryan McLaren was expertly run out by Trott from slip after a sharply turning ball had deflected off the batsman’s pad.

Miller announced his intentions by crashing Finn over long-off for six as he led a spirited counter attack with Kleinveldt, who replaced the injured Dale Steyn.

They struck 12 boundaries in an entertaining part-

nership as they dragged South Africa towards respectability.

But Broad wrapped up the innings in the space of two balls by having Kleinveldt, for 43, and Lonwabo Tsotsobe pouched by the excellent Buttler, leaving Miller unbeaten on 56.

England had openers Cook and Ian Bell caught behind inside the first 11 overs to give South Africa a sniff at 41-2.

But Trott exuded calm authority as he put away anything overpitched to keep England in the ascendancy.

Joe Root struck seven fours and had moved to within two runs of 50 when he was bowled round his legs attempting a paddle sweep off Duminy.

By that point, however, with only 30 needed for victory, the match was a foregone conclusion. Fittingly, it was Trott who struck the winning runs through the covers to see England into the final. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD South Africa innings C Ingram lbw b Anderson 0 H Amla c †Buttler b Finn 1 R Peterson lbw b Anderson 30 F du Plessis c †Buttler b Tredwell 26 AB de Villiers*† c †Buttler b Broad 0 JP Duminy b Tredwell 3 D Miller not out 56 R McLaren run out (Trott) 1 C Morris c †Buttler b Tredwell 3 R Kleinveldt c †Buttler b Broad 43 L Tsotsobe c †Buttler b Broad 0 Extras: (lb6, w6) 12 Total: (all out, 38.4 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-4, 3-45, 4-50, 5-63, 6-70, 7-76, 8-80, 9-175, 10-175

Bowling: J Anderson 8-1-14-2, S Finn 8-1-45-1, S Broad 8.4-050-3, J Tredwell 7-1-19-3, J Root 3-0-22-0, R Bopara 4-0-19-0 England innings A Cook* c †de Villiers b Morris 6 I Bell c †de Villiers b Kleinveldt 20 J Trott not out 82 J Root b Duminy 48 E Morgan not out 15 Extras: (lb4, w4) 8 Total: (3 wkts, 37.3 overs) 179 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-41, 3-146 Bowling: C Morris 8-1-381, R Peterson 9.3-1-49-, JP Duminy 5-0-27-1, L Tsotsobe 5-0-26-0, R Kleinveldt 4-010-1, R McLaren 6-0-25-0

orld tennis number one Serena Williams has apologised after reportedly appearing to criticise the victim in a high-profile U.S. rape case.

Rolling Stone magazine quoted her as saying the teenager in the Steubenville, Ohio, case “shouldn’t have put herself in that position”.

Williams has now released a statement on her website saying she was “deeply sorry for what was written”. In March, two high school footballers were convicted of the Ohio rape.

The case, involving a 16-year-old girl, fiercely divided the small town, attracting nationwide media attention.

In an interview posted on Rolling Stone’s website on Tuesday, Williams was quoted as saying: “I’m not blaming the girl, but

if you’re a 16-year-old and you’re drunk like that, your parents should teach you – don’t take drinks from other people.

“She’s 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn’t remember? It could have been much worse.

She’s lucky.”

According to Rolling Stone, Williams added that the girl “shouldn’t have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that’s different”.

While not denying she made the statements, Williams appeared on Wednesday to cast doubt on their accuracy.

She said in a statement on her website: “What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened. For someone to be raped, and at only 16, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families in-

volved – that of the rape victim and of the accused.

“I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article.

What was written – what I supposedly said – is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.

“I have fought all of my career for women’s equality, women’s equal rights, respect in their fields – anything I could do to support women I have done. My prayers and support always goes out to the rape victim.

In this case, most especially, to an innocent 16-year-old child.”

Williams, a 16-time Grand Slam champion, is preparing to defend her title at Wimbledon next week.

(BBC Sport)

Italy edge Japan in thriller to reach semis

I

n a quite incredible evening in Recife, Italy came out on top and secured their place in the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals with a 4-3 victory over Japan on Wednesday.

The Italians came from two goals down to lead 3-2 before Japan drew level. Substitute Sebastian Giovinco had the last word though, as he tapped home a Claudio Marchisio cross to secure the win.

Alberto Zaccheroni’s men started brightly and created some good chances early on, and they got their reward for that positive approach. A slack back-pass from Mattia De Sciglio saw Shinji Okazaki nip the ball away from Buffon, who took Japan’s Number nine down.

Keisuke Honda sent his side to the FIFA World Cup™ with a decisive spot-kick last week and made no mistake

this time either, slamming the ball low into the net past Buffon’s outstretched left hand.

The instrumental Kagawa then doubled Japan’s lead. The ball bounced awkwardly on the edge of the Italy box, and the Manchester United man swivelled and struck a sweet left-foot strike past the diving Buffon.

Cesare Prandelli’s men then dragged themselves back into the game.

Daniele De Rossi rose highest to head home an Andrea Pirlo corner after a short period of Italian pressure.

Gli Azzurri then seemed in the ascendancy and the Japanese were thankful for the half-time whistle.

Italy started the second half as they ended the first. Giaccherini did well to keep the ball in on the byline, to the left, and fired

the ball across goal towards Balotelli. It did not reach the AC Milan forward as Atsuto Uchida inadvertently slid the ball into his own net.

Alberto Zaccheroni’s men completed a remarkable turnaround just moments later after Japanese captain Makoto Hasebe handled an Italian shot. Mario Balotelli stepped up and made no mistake, passing the ball into the bottom left-hand side of the goal after sending Kawashima the wrong way.

The game then changed direction once again as Japan drew level. An Endo free-kick from the right was headed home by Okazaki, despite the best efforts of Buffon. After a period of concerted Japanese pressure, Okazaki struck the post. The ball rebounded out to Kagawa, whose header hit the bar and went over in an extraordinary passage of play. (FIFA)

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

21

UP! Neymar stars as Brazil TIED Heat rally from brink to set up Game Seven decider against sink Mexico Spurs tonight

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eymar produced a commanding performance as Brazil moved to within touching distance of Confederations Cup semi-finals with victory at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on Wednesday.

This was not the dominant performance that some had expected but it was Brazil’s first competitive victory over Mexico in nine years and a third successive win under head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Neymar once again stole the show, scoring his second of the tournament after nine minutes with a fizzing volley and laying on a second for Jo to tap home in injury time, to keep Brazil top of Group A and firmly on course for the last four.

Mexico, having been outplayed in the opening 15 minutes, fought hard and did create chances as the match wore on but never really tested Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar and must now rely on others if they are to avoid going out at the group stage.

In this part of the world they talk of the jogo bonito – the beautiful game – and although there was evidence of it here, Brazil were far from convincing.

History had been against Mexico coming into the game, both in terms of their

Neymar (right) celebrates after scoring his goal

opponents and the venue.

No team had beaten Brazil on more occasions than Mexico since the turn of the century, with El Tri coming out on top in six of the past seven competitive meetings between the sides.

Fortaleza too, held memories Brazil might rather forget. Their last home defeat had come here in 2002 against Paraguay. They did not want a repeat.

But Brazil were fluent and fearless in the early exchanges, exchanging passes with a confidence that has not always been evident of

late. Every time Neymar touched the ball in the early moments the stadium erupted, greeting his every contribution with a deep, rumbling roar.

Some of their attacking play was elegant, but their only chances of note in the first half, the goal aside, were a delicate chip

by Dani Alves, a tame shot

by Marcelo and a fizzing half-volley from Neymar.

Mexico’s central defenders had continually looked stretched in a fast-paced opening 15 minutes as Brazil turned on the style.

When the goal came, it did not disappoint. It began with Alves surging down the right and crossing.

Mexico defender Francisco Rodriguez could only head it into the path of Neymar and the young Brazilian was on to it in a flash, volleying the ball unerringly beyond Jose Corona with his left foot.

The Estadio Castelao erupted as the ball rippled into the net, taking the already impassioned atmosphere to a new level. The protests that dominated the build-up looked to have been forgotten in an instant as Neymar sank to his knees and pointed to the skies. It was a moment of magic from the man of the moment.

He has now scored five goals in his last seven appearances for Brazil.

It felt as if the floodgates were about to open, but Mexico’s response was surprising. Gerardo Torrado and Hiram Mier went close as Brazil began to get careless and sloppy, inviting pressure when the game appeared to be there for the taking.

Scolari had been at pains to suggest that “something was missing” from his team during his pre-match news conference and this was the evidence – a stuttering performance with flaws and flashes of genius. (BBC Sport)

Narine holds on to number one spot

L

ONDON – West Indies off spinner Sunil Narine has maintained his number one position in the ODI bowling rankings following the first round of the ICC Champions Trophy in England.

After taking five wickets in three games (Ave: 26.0, Econ: 4.81), Narine remained on 764 points.

But distance was created between himself and the man whose number one position he had earlier dislodged, Pakistani Saeed Ajmal, who dropped 27 points to 729 to join England’s Steven Finn tied for second.

Narine is also the top T20 bowler on the ICC player rankings. The next highest rated West Indian is Kemar Roach, who skipped three spots to 18th, followed

by Ravi Rampaul (30th), Darren Sammy (37th) and Dwayne Bravo (55th).

Among the batsmen, Kieron Pollard stayed in 32nd while Chris Gayle moved up two spots to 34th.

Further down the list are Darren Bravo (44th), the discarded pair of Andre Russell (54th) and Lendl Simmons (60th), Ramnaresh Sarwan (62nd), Marlon Samuels (66th), Johnson Charles

Sunil Narine

(71st) and Darren Sammy (73rd).

South Africans AB

DeVilliers and Hashim Amla continued to occupy the top two spots. (CMC/WICB)

M

IAMI – The Miami Heat forced an already absorbing NBA Finals to a deciding Game Seven after a thrilling 103-100 overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday tied the series at 3-3.

Miami trailed by 13 points in the third quarter but LeBron James, ditching his trademark headband, turned on the afterburners to spark a Heat fightback.

San Antonio were not about to roll over under the weight of the onslaught, however, rallying to eke out a five-point lead with 28.2 seconds remaining as the championship ribbons were being prepared for them courtside.

James cut the deficit with a vital three-pointer and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard could only sink one of his two free throws to give Miami a glimmer of hope as they trailed by just three points in the closing seconds.

Ray Allen then took center stage, finding the basket with his first successful threepoint attempt of the night with five seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

“It’s going to be a shot that I remember for a long time.

This will go high up in the ranks because of that situation,” Allen told reporters.

Then, with the Heat trailing 100-97 in overtime, Allen and James were again decisive, sinking jump shots before San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili turned the ball over while driving towards the basket.

Former Boston Celtics Allen guard then completed a memorable performance by keeping his cool to drain two free throws to give Miami a three-point lead they would not relinquish.

“It was by far the best game I’ve ever been a part of,” said four-time MVP James.

“I’m blessed to be a part of this.”

Crowd-silencing run

The contest had been nipand-tuck throughout the first two quarters with 37-year-

old Tim Duncan showing the consistency and accuracy that has helped carry the Spurs to four titles since 1999 as he shot 11-of-13 from the floor to tally 25 points by halftime.

The Spurs ended the half with a crowd-silencing run to lead by six at the interval with Duncan outscoring the entire Miami Big Three of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who had combined for just 21 first-half points.

The game started to drift away from Miami in the third and the Spurs ended the quarter with a 10-point lead as they closed in on a potential fifth NBA title.

With their season and some might say legacy on the line, Miami battled back in the fourth, with a brilliant block from James on Duncan, which the MVP immediately followed up with a basket to bring the game level at 82-82.

But James was so nearly the villain with two costly turnovers in the final stages of the fourth quarter, allowing the Spurs to get back in front as some fans began to leave the arena, convinced Miami’s season was over.

Those fans were soon rushing back to their seats though, as James and Allen forced overtime and Miami kept alive their hope of winning back-to-back titles.

“It was a hell of a game... a hell of game,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said.

“It was an overtime game.

It’s a game of mistakes and they ended up on the winning side.”

Game Seven will be played in Miami tonight and a drained Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was clearly thrilled at the prospect of a title showdown.

“If you said when we started our (pre-season) trip to China if we could decide this season with a Game Seven in our building, every single one of us take it.

“They are the best two words in team sports – Game Seven.”(Reuters)

WICB/WIPA announce joint venture

S

t Johns, ANTIGUA – The West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association on Wednesday formally announced a historic partnership to stage an awards ceremony honouring the best performances by West Indian players, in both regional and international cricket, for the 2012 calendar year.

The leadership of both the WICB and WIPA have been in discussions regarding several joint initiatives, and they have agreed to collaborate on the staging this year’s ceremony.

“The WICB had been planning a ceremony to honour the winning team from the ICC T20 World Cup,” said WICB CEO, Michael Muirhead. “It makes good sense from any angle for WIPA and us to stage the 10th anniversary of this event jointly. As part of the overall plan to re-position cricket, we think the collaborative approach is more attractive to the corporate sector and cricket fans. The awards present a fantastic opportunity for the partnership to grow even more.”

This year’s event will be

known as the WICB/WIPA Annual Player Awards Ceremony, and will see fourteen categories of awards presented on the evening, along with a special presentation to the winning West Indies World Twenty20 team members. Two new awards will also be included among the 14 – the WICB Lifetime Achievement Award and the WIPA Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event will be held during the Trinidad and Tobago leg of the Celkon Mobile Cup, on July 4, in the Grand Ballroom of the

Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain. It is expected to be broadcast live on regional television stations. Both WICB and WIPA are currently in discussions with potential commercial partners, and expect to make an announcement regarding these discussions in the next few days. Both WICB and WIPA have agreed to use a part of the net proceeds from the event to fund an initiative which will be for the benefit of past players, and these details will be announced in the near future.

The sale of tickets, both

corporate and individual, has already begun, and WIPA CEO Michael Hall is encouraging the support of corporate Trinidad and Tobago in this regard.

“There has always been tremendous support for the event through the purchase of tables by the private sector, and with the World T20 champions being the honoured guests this year, we are certainly expecting that support to broaden and expand,” Hall commented.

For the past nine years WIPA had staged the awards ceremony on its own

through sponsorship support from First Citizens Bank in Trinidad and Tobago.

Regrettably First Citizens recently advised WIPA of their inability to continue this arrangement. “We are extremely grateful to First Citizens Bank for their previous commitment,” said WIPA CEO Hall.

“Through their support, the annual ceremony honouring the achievements of our players has grown in stature with each passing year and we are now able to expand and grow this event on an even larger scale.” (WICB Media)

22

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CWSS’ participation in GCA to host captains’ workshop on Saturday Garfield Sobers U-19 cricket tourney in limbo T …appeal for sponsors

By Rajiv Bisnauth

C

hristianburg Wismar Secondary School’s participation in the Sir Garfield Sobers Under-19 schools’ cricket tournament is in limbo due mainly to the lack of sponsorship, according to team manager Sherwin Graham.

The 27th edition of the annual tournament is scheduled to be held in Barbados from July 8-26, and Graham told this publication on Wednesday, that to date the team has been unsuccessful in securing the necessary sponsorship from corporate Guyana.

“The school will be taking a contingent of 19 persons including 16 cricketers and three officials to the tournament. The cost per person inclusive of airfare, accommodation and meals is approximately GY $110,000, but due to lack of sponsorship the team might not be able to take part in this tournament, letters were sent to almost all of the major companies in Guyana and still no word from them” Graham said.

The team is set to depart Guyana on July 5, and Graham is appealing to corporate Guyana for support in a bid to make this an historic event for the country and the young cricketers of Linden.

Should the team acquire

Sherwin Graham

the necessary funding, it will be the first time a school from Linden will participate in the tournament. The New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) is the other school confirmed for this year’s tournament from Guyana.

This will be NAMS third year in the tournament.

Last year they finished seventh out of 20 teams and in 2011 was the highest placed Guyanese team, ending in fifth out of 25 teams.

Meanwhile, Graham said that despite the lack of sponsorship the team continues to train on a daily basis.

“The team continues to train everyday with the hope that the necessary funding will be acquired, the boys are eager to go and compete in Barbados due to the lack of cricket in Linden,” said Graham.

he recent incessant rainfall has forced the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) to put a hold on all of its competitions, but the association is not letting the inclement weather hamper its developmental drive.

In fact, the GCA will resort to an indoor setting starting this weekend, as it hosts a captains’ workshop at the Muslim Youth Organisation pavillion on Woolford Avenue.

The session will be conducted by GCA president and former Test player, Roger Harper, and former First-Class cricketer and GCA executive, Neil Barry.

The GCA has invited over 40 cricketers to attend session which will commence at 09:00 hours.

Those are: Govinda Muniram, Trevor Hossein, Johsua Ram, Keon Morris, Collin Barlow, Sunil Singh, Melroy Stephenson, Mohan Ramdeen, Chris Persaud, Troy Gonsalves, Darshan Persaud, Nicose Barker, Shaquille Williams, Denzil Allen, Vishal Narayan, Kevon Williams, Deryck Koulen, Wazim Mohamed, Kamesh Yadram, Leon

Named after the world renowned Barbadian cricketer and national hero Sir Garfield Sobers, the annual tournament attracts under-19 school teams to compete with the local, regional and international counterparts.

Since 1986, the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools’ Cricket Tournament has given schoolboys the rare opportunity of playing in an international tournament.

To date this tournament has groomed the likes of retired West Indies captain, Brian Lara, Darren Ganga, Roland Holder and other notable players such as West Indies’ Sherwin Campbell and Philo Wallace, Dale Benkenstein of South Africa, and Chris Adams and Alastair Cook of England.

Schools from the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and Barbados will participate in this tournament.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary School squad: Stephan Browne (Captain), Julian Fortune, Ray Peters, Lawrence Browne, Phillip Benjamin, Cleylon Benjamin, Shyon Vigilance, Deron Wilson, Dave Charles Jr., Delon Williams, Tryon Rowland, Mark Hermanstine, Stephan he administrative opChapman and Jamal Lynch. eration of the Berbice The team will be coached by Cricket Board (BCB) Dellon Peters and Andrew has been dealt a massive Richmond. blow with the resignation of Public Relations Officer, Hilbert Foster.

Foster, who recently became ill, said his resignation is with immediate effect, and he will also be scaling down on his duties as secretary and chief executive officer of the Rose Hall Town on the National Park tarmac Youth and Sports Club while a display of karate will (RHTY&SC). be held on the National Park He made the announcestage at 14:00h. ment on Wednesday during To crown Saturday’s a press briefing to announce schedule there will be a the launch of the RHTY&SC Special Olympic Bocce ex- 16th annual cricket acadhibition. Bocce is a game of emy at TCL Guyana Inc. eight balls with two teams headquarters on Lombard having four each and a Street. smaller ball called a jack.

“Three weeks ago I colThe team that wins the coin lapsed at work and for a toss then throws out the jack period of time my health and begins to bowl first. The was at a crossroad. Years team coming closest to the of working beyond the call jack gains points. of duty, most times being a Meanwhile, the Olympic one-man army, had finally Day celebration will cap taken a toll on my health,” off on Sunday, the offi- Foster related. cial day for World Olympic “A series of medical tests Day with a 10k team run indicated that my health and jog/walk event that is is not of the best, but with opened to all members of the support of true friends the public. and colleagues I am confiWhile the team aspect dent I will make up for lost will be competitive, the grounds. I have already folwalk/run will not be and lowed by doctor’s advice to will be used as an event be- dramatically cut down on ing done in the spirit of the my heavy workload by reOlympics. signing from the Berbice

Roger Harper

Neil Barry

Johnson, Devon Lord, Renaldo Mohamed, Samuel McKenzie, Chien Gittens, Joshi Pooran, Lawrence Smith, Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Michael Shalim, Cleon McEwan, Reaz Ali, Collis Butts, Jason George, Ryan Shun, Bashkar Yadram, Garrett Allen, Leon Gittens, Fitzroy Culley, Norwayne Fredericks, Marcus Watkins, Paul Castello, Hassed Hamid and Reaz Amil.

The participants have been drawn from Third Class Cricket Club, Transport Sports Club, University of Guyana,

Everest Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club, Gandhi Youth Organisation, Georgetown Cricket Club, Muslim Youth Organisation, Demerara Cricket Club, Guyana National Industrial Corporation, Sophia Cricket Club, Police Sports Club, Guyana Defence Force and Queens College.

Meanwhile, the GCA will stage a Junior scorers’ workshop on June 29 at a venue to be announced.

Under-13 and under-15 cricketers from affiliated clubs of the GCA will be invited to participate in this workshop.

Foster resigns from Berbice Cricket Board – cites poor health

T

Weekend of activities to celebrate World Olympic Day

T

he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) plans to host a weekend of Olympic sporting disciplines to commemorate the celebration of World Olympic Day starting on June 22 at various locations across Guyana.

A team sprint triathlon will start off Saturday’s events from 08:00h.

According to a GOA official, there are expected to have 20 teams of three persons with each team having a swimmer, a cyclist and an athlete. The course will see the swimmer, swimming 750 metres while the cyclist will ride from the National Aquatic Centre to the National Park where the cyclist will do eight laps before handing over to the athlete who will finish with a 5k run.

It was also revealed that the 20 teams will be arrived from a grand draw just be-

fore the event begins on Saturday.

Speaking with Vice President (Technical) of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Dr Karen Pilgrim, she said the pool will have ten lanes with two competitors in one lane in order to accommodate the 20 swimmers; they will use the full 50 metres of the pool.

The next event will be a BMX cycling event which will have different age categories namely: girls six to 12 years, boys six to nine years, none to 12 years, 12 to 14 years and open.

Following the cycling will be a volleyball festival at 12:00h at the National Park courts where all teams and associations are eligible to take part.

Badminton will take place at 13:00h inside the Queen’s College auditorium.

Weightlifting will be held

Hilbert Foster: Grateful for a second chance in life

Cricket Board, while my duties as the RHTY&SC would be scaled down.”

Foster said being involved in cricket and being able to assist youths and the less fortunate “have been the passion of my entire life, but taking care of myself and family would now be my number one priority.”

He added, “I wish the Berbice Cricket Board the best in the future, but I’m happy to walk away as I’m totally fed up with the politics and personal agendas of almost everyone in cricket administration. My contribution to Berbice cricket would be best judged by others, but over the six years I have completed over 500

programmes/activities, single-handedly raised millions for the BCB and I’m confident I have left Berbice cricket richer than when I joined.”

Foster said he is grateful for a second chance at life and would continue to make a difference in the lives of others, albeit on a smaller scale.

He also used the opportunity to express appreciation to those who supported him during his illness.

“Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Anamayah Memorial and Balwant Singh Hospitals, to my family, especially my wife and daughter, my mother and two brothers, the countless persons who called, especially Avenash Ramzan, who called daily with words of comfort, and my colleagues at the RTHY&SC, especially Renwick Batson, Mark Papannah, Moonish Singh and Eon Hooper. Special thanks to Angela Haniff, the hardworking secretary of the BCB and to all our sponsors and friends, who made my recovery possible. A big thank you to everyone and with God’s grace and blessings, I intend to be around for a while more to make my contribution to making his world a better place for all of us to live,” Foster concluded.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Former WI opener Ryan Ramdass slams double-century in Canada

By Ravendra Madholall

F

ormer West Indies and Guyana opening batsman Ryan Ramdass slammed a magnificent unbeaten double century (200*) for Classics Cricket Club (CCC) in a Brampton limited-over tournament last Sunday.

He also scored a half-century for Islanders Cricket Club on Saturday at King City when action resumed in the Toronto District Cricket Association 50-over Elite competition.

The elegant right-hander cracked 10 fours and four effortless sixes as his team whipped Britannia Cricket Club by 65 runs. His side piled up a 298-7 off the 50-overs while the opposition only scored 233 all out off 48 overs.

In the Elite competition, Ramdass, who only featured in a solitary Test and ODI for West Indies, produced another fine batting display

to lead Islanders Cricket Club to a thrilling four-run win. He made an even 50 to see Islanders post a challenging 206-6 from the allocation of 50 overs.

Vincentian Rodriques Thomas hit an impressive 82. Jamaican and Canada national player Austin Codrington stroked a boundary-studded 82 to put up a fight for Caribbean Limers but his side fell agonisingly close for 202 in the penultimate over.

Guyanese leg-spinner Raakesh Goberdhan bowled with great accuracy on a docile pitch to pick up 3 for 23 from seven tidy overs.

In the Premier League division, Victoria Park continued with their winning ways after humbling nemesis, Vikings Cricket Club also at the King City ground on Saturday. Victoria Park batted first and scored 145 with former Guyana under-19 batsman Anthony D’Andrade weighing in with

Ryan Ramdass

Travis Blyden

23.

Area, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, Ramdass told this publication after the game on Sunday that he was ecstatic to be back in Canada to start both Toronto and Brampton competitions on a high note.

“I [am] definitely delighted to return to Canada and started off things in a great manner; I just came up from Trinidad and Tobago where

In reply, there was no resistance from the batsmen as former Guyana under-19 captain Eugene LaFleur bagged 2 for eight from an economical spell of eight overs.

On Sunday several games were rained out but the action is scheduled to resume this Saturday and Sunday at various venues across the Greater Toronto

I scored a lot of runs and my aim now is to make runs on a consistent basis to regain my place on the Caribbean side soon,” Ramdass related.

According to Ramdass, he scored over 660 runs with three centuries and believes these performances will certainly impress the regional selectors.

“I am mentally and physically fit as you can see that I am playing regularly and competitively over the past year since coming back from my injuries; cricket in Canada is fantastic especially playing with a number of the guys who have represented Guyana at various levels, so I am keen of making another good impact in North America,” Ramdass revealed.

Meanwhile, Guyana Defence Force first-division all-rounder Travis Blyden continued from where he left off in Trinidad and Tobago, representing Civics Cricket Club for the third successive

year.

He stated that he scored over 800 runs and took approximately 35 wickets before moving over to North America to ply his trade.

His ambitious is to represent Guyana at the senior level, and by extension the Caribbean side but he is fully cognisant of the fact that hard work and commitment is the key.

“I am once again happy and proud to be back in Canada; over the past two years I think I learnt a lot and as an aspiring Guyana senior player, you have got to be consistent with the runs and taking wickets too,” emphasised Blyden.

Blyden also mentioned that it is a great pleasure to play among some senior players for Guyana and West Indies, including Keith Simple, Zaheer Haniff, Royston Crandon, Ramdass and Kenneth Wong, among others.

Canje Knights record RHTY&SC, TCL strengthen alliance as cricket academy starts next month first win in Mackeson

By Avenash Ramzan

O

ver 100 youths in East and West Berbice will be benefit from the hosting of the 16th annual cricket academy at the Area H ground next month.

The event is a collaborative effort of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and TCL Guyana Inc. Although the academy has spanned the last decade and a half, this is the second time that TCL Guyana Inc will be part of the event, which is expected to attract a large number of young, aspiring male and female cricketers.

According to Secretary/ CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, the academy has served the club, Berbice, Guyana and by extension West Indies cricket well since its inception sev-

eral years ago.

He made the comments on Wednesday during a press conference to announce TCL’s involvement in the academy at the entity’s location in the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) compound on Lombard Street.

“The last 15 cricket academies have been very successful in moulding the cricketing talent of many youths, including Test player Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Delbert Hicks, Shemaine Campbell, Erva Giddings, Clinton Pestano, Dominic Rikhi and Shawn Perriera,” Foster indicated.

“Apart from the Malteenoes Sports Club, we were the first club in Guyana to host such a longterm developmental cricket programme and this year the tradition will continue.”

According to the longserving cricket administra-

tor, the RHTY&SC is aiming to attract as many as 120 youngsters drawn from clubs in the ancient county.

Foster noted that each club is afforded a maximum of three players, as the RHTY&SC is also keen on aiding the development of other clubs in the county.

“The academy would be conducted by coaches such as Winston Smith, Michael Hyles-Franco and Renwick Batson, while daily sessions would be from 09:00 hours to 14:00 hours. Special emphasis would be placed on batting, bowling, fielding and physical fitness, while classroom lectures would be held on a series of important topics, including HIV/Aids, drug abuse, history of cricket, importance of education and personal hygiene,” Foster explained.

Plant manager at TCL, Mark Bender, said his company, when approached by

Foster, did not hesitate to continue the alliance formed last year. The company has invested $200,000 into the activity and the sum would be used for the purchase of cricket balls, paying coaches, refreshments and stationery.

Bender said TCL Guyana Inc embraces the idea of using cricket as a medium to tackle social ills, noting that by doing such, the RHY&SC is playing an active role in shaping a better society.

The plant manager added that by encouraging youngsters to participate in the academy, the club is subtly driving them away from a life of crime and unwholesome activities.

Wednesday’s press briefing was also attended by marketing representative of TCL Guyana Inc, Eric Whaul, and other executives of the RHTY&SC.

basketball competition

C

anje Knights won their first game of the Mackeson Top Six Basketball tournament when they brushed aside Fyrish Black Sharks 61-42 in game four of the competition at the Vryman’s Ervin court, New Amsterdam.

The game had a slow start, which saw both teams on seven points when the whistle sounded to close the first quarter.

However, Kevin Emanuel found his range and helped the Knights to take a 1716 lead at half-time. Carlos Crandon who shot two three pointers in the dying stages of the game had a game high of 13 points and got support from the Emanuel brothers with Kevin scoring 12 points.

For the Sharks Linden

Joseph scored 11 in a losing effort while his team-mate Rayel Franklyn scored 10.

The Sharks have now suffered their second loss and must win their next game if they are to keep their hopes alive in the competition.

Smithfield Rockers are leading the points table with four points from two games followed by New Amsterdam Warriors and the Sharks with two points each from two games. The Knights are still to register a point after two games.

The competition continues on Friday with the Knights coming up against Rose Hall Jammers who will be playing their first game of the competition. (Andrew Carmichael)

Brazil sends national force to control protest trouble

B

razil’s government says it will deploy a national security force to five major cities after a wave of protests which has seen almost a quarter of a million people demand better public services.

The national force will be sent to Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Fortaleza and the capital, Brasilia.

All of the cities are hosting games in FIFA’s Confederations Cup. The announcement comes after riot police and protesters clashed in fresh protests on Tuesday in Sao Paulo.

Brazil’s justice ministry

said that Recife was the only Confederations Cup host city not to request the support of the National Public Security Force (FNSP).

A source in the ministry said it would be up to local governments to decide how long the FNSP would stay.

Shops and banks in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, were vandalised on Tuesday by groups of masked activists, who fought other demonstrators trying to stop the violence.

The protest was the latest in a wave of demonstrations engulfing at least a dozen cities.

Brazilian President Dilma

Rousseff said she was proud that so many people were fighting for a better country.

Vice President Michel Temer cut short a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories on Wednesday to return to Brazil.

“This morning, after being in contact with his staff and with Brazil, the vice president decided to cancel his entire programme and return tonight,” his spokesperson told Efe news agency.

The protests were sparked by anger at a rise in public transport fare prices in Sao Paulo on 2 June but have since mushroomed into much broader discon-

tent with high levels of corruption, the poor state of the health and education services and the high cost of living.

They are the largest since 1992, when people took to the streets to demand the impeachment of then-President Fernando Collor de Mello.

Discontent

Scuffles broke out between police and protesters outside the office of Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad on Tuesday after a march attended by more than 50,000 people had wound its way through the city centre.

Police officers sought refuge inside the building as

protesters threw stones, and students tried to break down the door to Haddad’s office.

Brazilian TV showed images of a small group of people involved in looting at nearby offices and shops.

Haddad has indicated he is open to the idea of reversing the price increase in transport costs if that is possible, says the BBC’s Gary Duffy in Sao Paulo.

The mayors of Cuiaba, Recife, Joao Pessoa and other cities have already announced a reduction in bus fares in response to Monday’s protests, which saw more than 200,000 people take to the streets in more than a dozen cities.

The dilemma for the country’s political leadership is how to answer so many different concerns among a vast group of people with momentum and social media on their side, our correspondent reports.

Demonstrations also took place in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.

The protests come as Brazil is hosting the Confederations Cup, a curtain-raiser event for next year’s football World Cup. Many of the demonstrators have complained of the huge sums spent on construction for the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, which will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro. (BBC Sport)

thurSday, june 20, 2013

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Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Chris Andersen #11 of the Miami Heat in the first half during Game Six (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Miami Heat shooting guard Ray Allen (34) shoots a three-point basket in the end of regulation during the second half of Game Six (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

RHTY&SC, TCL Simmons, Nurse lead strengthen Sri Lanka rout alliance K as cricket academy starts next month See story on page

22

Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster (left), receives the sponsorship cheque from TCL Guyana Inc Plant Manager, Mark Bender. Sharing the moment is TCL Guyana Inc, Marketing Representative, Eric Whaul (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

INGSTOWN, St Vincent – Opener Lendl Simmons hit an unbeaten 51 to steer West Indies A to a convincing five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka A in their second T20 cricket match at the Arnos Vale complex on Wednesday.

The Trinidadian smashed a boundary-studded half century as West Indies A responded with 83 for five, off 11.4 overs, chasing 82 posted by the Sri Lankans after they were dismissed in 18.1 overs.

Simmons hurried West Indies to victory and also posted his half century with successive sixes, off Niroshan Dickwella, as West Indies reached what turned out to be an easy target with eight overs to spare. Simmons knock came off 42 balls and included five sixes and three fours.

Captain Dwayne Smith, who opened with Simmons, contributed 14 while the other West Indies batsmen dismissed were Chris Barnwell, Nkrumah Bonner

Lendl Simmons

and Andre Russell.

West Indies were in command throughout the contest after they won the toss

and sent in the opposition.

Sri Lanka’s opening batsmen Dickwella and Udara Jayasundara were

kept in early check by West Indies opening bowlers, spinner Samuel Badree and pacer Shannon Gabriel, and never recovered after losing the first wicket with three runs on the board.

Wickets fell regularly as the visitors struggled against the West Indies bowlers and after nine overs, Sri Lanka were 31 for five. The innings folded as Smith had Madura Lakmal (11 runs) trapped LBW with the first ball of the 19th over and after some eventful early overs , West Indies romped to victory on the aggressive strokeplay of Simmons.

Offspinner Ashley Nurse (3 for 15) and seamer Kevon Cooper (2 for 17) were the leading bowlers for West Indies. Yesterday’s match was the second of two T20 matches in the series. The first was rained out on Tuesday after just three balls were bowled.

Sri Lanka A and West Indies A will next meet in the first of three 50-over matches in Grenada, starting on Sunday. (CMC/WICB)

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