21st june 2013

Guyana to P3 get IDB help to improve crime data Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, June 21, 2013

Issue No. 1806

Jagdeo to lead Commonwealth group on climate finance

PRICE

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Beharry P2 group to sign major deal with Canadian company

See story on page 3

Former President Bharrat Jadgeo

EU pumps over $6B into sugar sector See story on page 8

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh hands over a copy of the signed financing agreement for the sugar industry to EU Ambassador to Guyana, Robert Kopecky (Carl Croker photo)

Three killed Fire destroys two in Bosai Durban Street accident restaurants See story on page 7

$60 vat included

See story on page 13

Digicel P2 group posts US$2.78B in revenues for 2012 Road safety council P10 concerned about interior fatal crashes Appraisal of Boodhoo P11 not mandatory – GECOM official 2010 census reveals P12 declining Caribbean population – Caricom

2 News

friday, june 21, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Beharry group to sign major deal with Canadian company – after oil and gas conference

T

he Beharry Group of Companies will soon sign a multimillion-dollar partnership with a top company out of Newfoundland, Canada, a deal which the local business conglomerate was able to broker during a four-day Newfoundland Offshore Industries conference (NOIA) – Atlantic Canada’s largest offshore oil and gas conference.

NOIA brings together more than 1200 delegates featuring leading global experts, top companies, and speakers to discuss opportunities for sharing best practices and exploring collaborative opportunities and the global future of oil and gas development. The Beharry group was part of a delegation, led by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana and Suriname, David Devine, which included representatives from Suriname.

As part of the NOIA visit, the delegates attended networking events and high-level meetings with key business and government interlocutors such as Newfoundland and Labrador’s Premier Cathy Dunderdale, Natural Resources Minister Tom Marshall and St. John’s

At the NOIA Conference from left to right: CGX’s Tarachandra Khellawan, Suriname Port Authority head Andreas Talea, Beharry Group’s Suresh Beharry, Surinamese Natural Resources Minister Jim Hok, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana and Suriname David Devine, Suriname state oil company’s August Nelson, Adviser to Surinamese Natural Resources Minister Jay Bachoe, Neal and Massy’s Deo Persaud, Suriname state oil company’s Marny Daal Vogelland and Beharry Group CEO Anand Beharry

Mayor Denis O’Keefe.

In a statement from the Canadian embassy here, Beharry Group Chairman Anand Beharry noted that the Beharry consortium was delighted to once again attend the oil and gas conference. He highlighted that the group’s attendance at the conference was important and would help to prepare Guyana to equitably exploit its oil and gas potential for the benefit of all Guyanese.

Beharry pointed out that his company was impressed by the structure of the benefits and fiscal packages

that the Newfoundland government had put in place.

He also announced that the Beharry group was in negotiations to sign the partnership with the Newfoundland company. The group noted that a formal announcement would be made in the coming weeks.

High Commissioner Devine coordinated the mission which included Suriname’s Natural Resources Minister Jim Hok, representatives from the state oil company STAATSOLIE, international conglomerates like

Neal and Massy Group of Companies, the Beharry Group of Companies, the Suriname Port Authority, CGX Energy Inc, and the Purple Consulting Group.

Oil and gas sector growth

As part of the visit, the delegation also attended technical presentations and toured world-class facilities such as the Marine Institute Safety and Survival Centre that specialises in training for the offshore oil and gas sector and the marine terminal offshore facility, which services all of Newfoundland’s multibillion-dollar offshore companies. The delegation received first-hand information that would aid both Suriname and Guyana in preparation to staff the development of their respective oil and gas

offshore sectors.

Other top facilities visited by the delegation included the St John’s port facilities, the College of the North Atlantic, and the petroleum show which featured various businesses that evolved from local industries to service the growing needs of the Newfoundland oil and gas sector.

Through this visit, members of the delegation were able to familiarise themselves with the support facilities that would be needed to support the oil and gas sector in Suriname and Guyana.

Understanding these needs is paramount for any country looking to equitably develop their offshore oil and gas sectors.

Valuable insight

Business leaders such as the Beharry Group and Neal and Massy also met with local entrepreneurs to gain valuable insight into how they grew their businesses to meet the supply demands of the oil and gas sector. Meetings with industry leaders also allowed the delegation a window into how the government and industry work together to effectively manage, promote, and regulate the oil and gas industry.

NOIA 2013 marks the first ever visit for the Surinamese group to the toprated oil and gas conference.

The Surinamese delegates noted that there was much

that Suriname can learn from the experience of the Newfoundland and Labrador.

Of interest was the understanding of how best to align the country’s educational priorities to ensure that Surinamese were able to benefit from the spin-off employment that will be created by the industry.

Industry needs

Minister Hok noted that Suriname is motivated to learn from the Newfoundland experience. He said the time had come to start a dialogue in his country to address how best to align the educational and training capacities to develop skills to meet the industry needs.

Minister Hok on behalf of his delegation expressed thanks to the Canadian High Commission for organising the visit, which allowed the Surinamese delegation the opportunity to learn from the positives and negatives that were faced by the Newfoundlanders in their quest for offshore resources.

High Commissioner Devine commented that he was pleased that the delegates took the time out to pursue the knowledge sharing that was gained from attending the conference. He stated that the best gift that countries could give to their citizens is the gift of equitable resources development whereby all citizens can share the wealth.

Digicel group posts US$2.78B in revenues for 2012

I

rish-based telecommunications giant Digicel Group has reported a strong financial performance for the fiscal year ended March 13, 2013, recording revenues of US$2.78 billion which represents an eight per cent year-on year-increase.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) was up 11 per cent year-on-year at US$1.2 billion for the full year, with the most recent quarter contributing US$318 million.

With its subscriber base up by one per cent to 12.9 million across the Digicel Group’s 30 markets worldwide, performance has been strong, with revenue growth driven in particular by Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. As Digicel continues to roll out 4G networks based on HSPA+ technology and to expand the range of smartphones it offers, data and value-added services revenues stood at 23 per cent of service revenues – an increase from 20 per cent.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Group Chief Executive Officer Colm Delves said: “We are very pleased with the con-

tinued growth we are seeing across our markets and with the customer response to the rollout of our 4G networks. We will continue to focus on growing our ICT/ Business Solutions portfolio and on driving data usage across our customer base. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our dedicated staff and loyal customers and to assure them of our continued commitment to best value, service, and network and to growing our communities.”

Key achievements

Key achievements in the period include: the launch of 4G services based on HSPA+ in the British Virgin Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago – and LTE in Antigua and Barbuda; completion of the integration of the Voila business and network in Haiti; ICT/Business Solutions revenues increased by 94 per cent for the year and now represent three per cent of services revenues; and the issuance of a total of US$1.3 billion of Digicel Group Limited senior notes due 2021 at six per cent, with the proceeds being used to refinance existing notes and general corporate functions.

Digicel said that after 12 years of operation, it has more than 12.9 million customers across its 30 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering the best value, best service, and best network.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. It sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. The company is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and Vanuatu.

Digicel also has coverage in St Martin and St Barts in the Caribbean.

News

3

friday, june 21, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

bridge openings

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, June 21, from 14:30h to 16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, June 21, from 14:35h to 16:05h.

Weather

Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East north-easterly at 4.47 to 4.02 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:20h and 14:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.56 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:26h and 20:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.65 metre respectively.

Jagdeo to lead Commonwealth group on climate finance

C

ommonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma has announced that former President Bharrat Jagdeo will lead a high-level team of experts to identify solutions for unlocking resources to enable small, poor, and climate-vulnerable Commonwealth countries to combat climate change.

Sharma said Jagdeo will be joined by eight others to press the international community to help identify practical solutions for those countries most vulnerable to climate change. “I am pleased to announce that His Excellency, former President Bharrat Jagdeo has accepted to chair a new Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance,” Sharma said, according to a Commonwealth Secretariat release.

“Together with eight others, the group will tackle how

Former President Bharrat Jadgeo

best to access resources to support low-emission and climate-resilient development in small and climate-vulnerable states,” he added. The secretary general said that the Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance,

convened under his good offices for the environment remit, will present its report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November 2013.

Speaking from Georgetown, Jagdeo said he was delighted to accept the invitation. The former president said: “Some of the most climate-vulnerable people in the world are in our Commonwealth. Millions of people are in danger – the magnitude of the challenges they face is overwhelming and they cannot face those challenges solely from their own resources.

“Over the years, many pledges of assistance have been made – but we have not seen enough action. I hope that the Expert Group can identify ways, both to identify financing at a scale that matches the

problem, and also to enable Commonwealth heads of government to take specific actions to enable financing to be deployed in a way that rapidly gets to the people who need it.”

Sharma said that the Commonwealth Secretariat is facilitating the gathering of evidence on good practices in climate finance through its online workspace for professional communities of practice, Commonwealth Connects: www.thecommonwealth.org/climatefinancecfe.

To provide further opportunity for dialogue with the Commonwealth Expert Group on Climate Finance, there will be an official launch of the Commonwealth Network on Environment and Climate Change at Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, in London from June 25 to 26.

Guyana to get IDB help to improve crime data

G Wednesday, June 19, 2013

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

05 06 12 15 18 27 13

FREE TICKET

B

Thursday, June 20, 2013 Daily Millions

03

15 18 20 22

LUCKY 3

9

1

0

Draw De Line

01 04

06 08 14

17 20

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

uyana is among six Caribbean countries that will conduct victimisation surveys in an effort to improve the scope and depth of their crime statistics, with the aim of securing better information to implement evidence-based policies that combat violence.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced on Thursday it will provide a US$1.1 million donation to bolster the capacity of Barbados, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname to gather and process data on crime.

The programme will also determine where the data gaps are and, if needed, conduct additional surveys to fill these gaps. The

announcement came as top officials from the ministries of security and health gathered for a two-day seminar in Washington to discuss using data to design, implement, and evaluate public policies on crime prevention.

Violence Violence has become a key obstacle to human and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean region, and is cited by citizens in surveys as a top concern for their wellbeing, surpassing the jobs, healthcare and other issues.

The IDB has provided over US$90 million to support citizen security programmes in the Caribbean region in recent years, but countries lacked the data to design programmes whose

effectiveness can be measured and corrective steps taken if necessary.

Victimisation surveys “The availability of survey data, and of data that is harmonised among countries, is limited and difficult to obtain,” said Nathalie Alvarado, who coordinates the IDB’s citizen security programmes. “Victimisation surveys and data from hospitals, for instance, can complement traditional datasets from the police. This will give us a much better picture of the causes of violence and its impacts, including intra-familial violence.”

The initiative will provide data that allows policymakers to take into account gender and age issues in their programmes to pre-

vent violence.

“While crime in general is a major challenge for the Caribbean region, women and youths have been disproportionately impacted and will be a central focus of this project,” said Gerard Johnson, the manager of the Caribbean Department of the IDB. Johnson said many women and youths are reluctant to denounce abusers, making it difficult for policymakers to enact effective programmes based on hard data.

In addition, the programme will provide funding so that two Caribbean countries can join the IDB’s Regional System of Standardised Citizen Security Indicators, which aims to harmonise data among 18 countries and cities in Latin America.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 21, 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

Dodgy money D

odgy money is in the air – especially about how governments should get involved to intercept it before it is “laundered” or stashed away. From one side of the equation, our government has just had to plead with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) for some more time to get its legislation in place to ensure that such money; or any money for that matter; does not also end up in the hands of terrorists.

This is an initiative of G20 that has now taken the force of a United Nations (UN) mandate with sanctions for non-compliance. The government is now hoping that the opposition will not continue to play politics over the issue and have Guyana at the mercy of those sanctions.

On another front, we have the local British High Commission hosting a special workshop organised by the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), in collaboration with British legal specialist Alex Ferguson, on how confiscation of assets of criminals might also be another armament in the hands of the law in their never ending battle against the forces of evil. Ferguson is part of the Barbados-based Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP).

Then on a third front we have the news that, at the G8 meeting just concluded in Northern Ireland, Britain has convinced the other members of the club to go along with some “tougher” measures in countering the flow of money across borders in which they become untraceable. They stressed that such flows result from tax dodging but conceded that they may also be due to laundering criminal funds.

London had long been the centre of the tax dodging industry that saw untold billions – some say trillions – flowing through its banks and laundered so that its owners could continue to enjoy the good life in whatever jurisdiction they might be in. The favourite dodge through which the money – criminally obtained or not – was laundered was by passing it through shell companies registered in London and in several of its overseas territories, including the island of Jersey in the English Channel.

There had never been any requirement that the “beneficial owners” of these companies be registered and made available to all and sundry. Not surprisingly we heard more about the transgressions of the “havens” located in the Caribbean.

Ahead of the G8 meeting, British Prime Minister David Cameron summoned the heads of these dependencies and strong-armed them to agree to fuller disclosure – especially regarding “beneficial ownership”. They balked until they were assured that the rest of G8 would also observe the new dispensation.

They had learnt the hard way, through the years, that the developed countries usually practised the principle of “do as we say, not as we do”. But with the G8 Lough Erne 10 point Declaration, even though the rhetoric was rousing, in the end not much will change, especially as far as the developing world is concerned.

While G8 has agreed about registration of the “beneficial owners” of the shell companies, the sticker is that the information will only be available on the discretion of the host G 8 government.

This is especially disappointing to anti-poverty campaigners from the developing world that has seen much of its funds siphoned off and laundered through the banks of the developed world. The declaration says only that developing countries “should have the information and capacity to collect the taxes owed them”, rather than guaranteeing them automatic access to the information.

The United States said it would leave the decision to individual states, while Chancellor George Osborne said the UK was “open” to the idea of public registers. This can be contrasted to the requirements of the Financial Action ask Force (FATF) which are enforced in such a way that non-compliance puts a country on a “blacklist” that makes its financial transactions grind to a halt.

But we cannot stop progress, can we?

A submerged statue of the Hindu Lord Shiva stands amid the flooded waters of River Ganges at Rishikesh in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, India. Thousands of Indian soldiers battled on Thursday to reach villages and towns cut off by flash floods and landslides in the country’s north as officials warned at least 1000 people may have been killed. Houses, buildings and vehicles have collapsed or been swept away by flooding rivers and landslides, while bridges and narrow roads have also been destroyed, leaving some 65,000 people stranded mainly at remote pilgrimage sites, officials said (The Age)

Caring for the homeless Dear Editor, I cannot recall seeing so many vagrants at any given time in our country for a number of years. Across, the world, even in a toprated country like Canada, homelessness remains a problem.

Here, the homeless shel-

ter at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice is complete, but the commissioning is contingent upon remaining works to the facility’s environs.

Left on the street, the homeless create all kinds of problems. So, being in a secured dwelling place will

allow for at least some of the street problems to be reduced. Getting the homeless a place of permanent residency is the honourable thing to do.

Even as we await the Onverwagt shelter, I think that it will be a good idea for more patrols to be out at

night so that the homeless will not be left to do any kind of damage to themselves or to people’s property. Such vigil will put the public at ease.

Yours faithfully, Walter Cummberbatch

Noise nuisance in First Avenue, Bartica Dear Editor, Time and again persons have brought to the attention of all concerned the situation of noise nuisance through your column. This is a situation which affects humans and animals alike.

I would like to highlight a regular night time activity (most nights), inclusive of the holidays in First Avenue, Bartica. From late afternoon to early the next morning about 03:00h, which is approximately 11 hours of non-stop noise coming from the different places of entertainment.

In addition to the noise emanating from the nightspots, there is an additional dimension – the cars with the alarms on. These vehicle owners parked their vehicles on the parapet or shoulder of the road.

According to the police, persons have the right to

put on the alarms for security purpose on their vehicles.

However, the vibration from the ‘boom-boom’ boxes causes the alarms to go off repeatedly, and persons living around the area have to remain in their homes and contend with the noise for there is apparently no redress.

The Bartica Police Station is within the proximity of the noise makers.

The situation is of such that if anyone calls the police, they claim that they cannot hear unless someone is next to the phone.

It does not stop there.

The police are claiming that they do not issue the permission for the music to be played. They say a magistrate does that.

I would like for the authorities concerned to focus on the following: * Why is permission being given to the same person

weekly and for most nights to play music loudly? * What role does the police play in this travesty? I have never heard of a case where the police have taken a perpetrator of noise nuisance to court. Is this outside of the police’s mandate? * Why are persons allowed to drink alcohol and drive? All the police have to do is stand up by the parked vehicles and take action as the revellers arrive for their vehicles. * What happened to the breathalysers that the police must use on drink and drive offenders? * There is a saying that the children are our future.

Will deafness be a part of their future? * There are private vehicles/taxis with boom-boom boxes in their vehicles playing loud music while driving on the road, or those who

park on the roadside drink and play their music loudly. * Why are persons not charged or brought before the courts? * Noise nuisance is becoming a public health issue since half of our population are either deaf, or will become so soon. * Taking the perpetrators to court privately is not the ideal thing to do since it takes forever for these matters to be brought up in court, much less to have a conviction. * We the members of Guyanese Women in Development (GUYWID) condemn this continuous noise pollution which is damaging to our citizens and animals.

Yours, B H Khan GUYWID Member

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 21, 2013

5

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

GPL must do better UG on course for delivery of

Dear Editor, In April of this year, two blackouts, one each, hit Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. They caused a lot of stir. In fact, all kinds of accountability factors were brought to the fore.

In the Jamaica case, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) had to submit a report on an ordered investigation into the power outage. This was how serious the incident was considered to be. It was the same scenario in Trinidad and Tobago – the matter was investigated.

The point I am making is that a blackout should be

a serious matter. Here in Guyana, there is a kind of flippancy about it, and this gets to people.

I am a Better Hope resident, and the voltage fluctuation is shocking. When this happens, I have to take off my equipment, as I am not sure that Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will take any kind of responsibility for things like microwaves, fridges, and washing machines in the event they should be damaged. I cannot have any confidence in GPL. Any survey in Guyana will bring this out.

Recently, GPL’s office on the Essequibo Coast had

to restore a stable electricity supply in Region Two after almost 48 hours of repeated power outages. The explanation is that the constant power outages have been caused by the malfunctioning of the automatic volt control at the power station.

When there are repeated problems, someone must be held accountable.

All we are getting is what went wrong. We want to know why things are going wrong, and who are directly responsible.

Yours faithfully, Quincy Morris

The Kitty acid burning case and its implications Dear Editor, This Kitty acid burning case must be pushed to the limits. The acting police commissioner assured that they are conducting investigations into the June 1 acid attack on a citizen even as the woman said that she was getting no help or assurances from the police. The woman is frustrated, as she believes she knows who is behind the attack, and also who carried it out. She actually went so far as to say that since she gave her statement at the Kitty Police Station, she is yet to receive a visit or a call from any of the ranks.

This woman is claiming that the attack was sparked by her repeated complaints about the noise emanating from a bar located near her Station Street, Kitty home.

She had made complaints to the Kitty Police Station, the police commissioner, the home affairs minister, the office of the president,

the prime minister’s office and the Police Complaints Authority, all to no avail.

My take here is that, if this is so, and indeed she can have this verified, it is time then for some disciplinary measures. A matter of noise nuisance should not reach this far. It took me a few days for a similar offence to be dealt with. At the time of seeming negligence, I told the village police station that I will go public. Very quickly, the offending people were visited and they complied.

If it is indeed true that this complainant and her family were continuously unable to sleep at nights and would usually wake up many mornings to the smell of urine and broken bottles in front of their gate, then this could have been documented. At least the broken bottle could have been filmed. I do not think that citizens need to be that pro-active, but in her case, since she is inti-

mating that a high-ranking member is involved, then it would have been a good.

I was coming out of a village along the East Coast, and I saw a newspaper crew, and they were talking pictures of the roads. When I stopped to find out, the crew explained that the villagers are now claiming that when they complained repeatedly, they were being neglected, or their descriptions of the roads were doubted. Well a picture is worth a 1000 words.

Like I intimated, the police must be proactive, but if and when they are not being this way, it is time for citizens to expose them. I cannot envisage a non-response from the minister of home affairs nor Guyana’s president, when and if anyone functions well below par and brings utter embarrassment to the Guyana Police Force.

Yours truly, Karen Somerset

better quality education Dear Editor, A few months of hard work and two days of deliberations between the University of Guyana (UG) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) ended with great dividends – the signing of a very important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

There is every possibility that UG’s academic staff members will be able to acquire second and third degrees from UCLAN, and therefore, will be in a better position to provide a better quality of education to students.

Out of necessity, UG has been forced to utilise lecturers who possess only a first degree. They try hard and

come up with goods, but no one can deny that going for second and third degrees is the way forward. UCLAN has master’s and doctoral programmes in at least 26 major areas, meaning that UG staff members will be well accommodated.

This translates into staff development and an improvement in the quality of education provided at UG. Ultimately it can lead to UG coming up with its own graduate programme.

It is not going to be overnight, but I am sure that, if we are thinking futuristically, then this is the way forward.

Then there is this idea of student and staff exchanges. The MoU seeks to facilitate this movement of peo-

ple and this will allow for an immersion of the local fraternity into a completely different culture, thus enriching their lives and providing a wider horizon in terms of research topics.

We need to face reality.

Many lecturers just cannot land scholarships, nor can they afford to study in foreign countries that easily.

If UG and UCLAN can facilitate going abroad, then it spells hope regarding taking education where it ought to be in Guyana – at the very apex. This will eventually consume all other academic institutions in the country – the schools, colleges and technical institutions.

Yours truly, Sandra Bailey

Home ownership in Guyana Dear Editor, Guyana is indeed outdoing plenty of countries where home ownership is concerned. Having one’s own home as a Guyanese may be much more meaningful than say the average North American. But first I congratulate the housing sector for its hard work.

This was evident yet again as the 1000 home turnkey initiative was launched at Perseverance on

the East Bank of Demerara.

We should really celebrate Guyana’s success in this area.

Currently many sister Caribbean Community countries (Caricom) have a real problem where housing is concerned. They may be able to boast better economies and superior infrastructures, yet they are still trying to come to grips with the daunting challenge of housing its people.

Guyana, however, is quite on top of the situation and ahead of the game. I have noticed that a lot of people have squandered their opportunities – they got the start from the government, but they did not push to complete little things like sprucing up the yard, building a fence, and completing their homes.

Yours truly, Janice Hinds

6

Friday, june 21, 2013

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Competition and cheating

The competing views on competition

By Matt Richtel

J

ust before bedtime on a recent night, two toddlers marched reluctantly to the bathroom to brush their teeth. And on the way, my four-yearold son told his little sister: “I’m going to win. I’m going to win!”

At toothbrushing.

I have one of those, a child with an apparent competitive streak. When Milo and I play baseball, he tells me, “I’ll be the Yankees and you can be a team that they beat.”

A recent article detailed President Obama’s own deep-seated desire to win.

At a farewell gathering with a group of interns, the competitor-in-chief gave them some life advice: “When you all have kids, it’s important to let them win,” he said. Then he added, with a smile, “Until they’re a year old” — at which point you can start winning again.

Is he right, even in jest?

Is it better to teach children tough life lessons, like the thrill of victory is sweeter if you have known the agony of defeat? Or is it better simply to let a child win, and allow victory to be part of the fun? Is there a strategy that promotes happiness and performance, even if you’re only playing Candyland?

“The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that competition is destructive, particularly, but not exclusively, for children,” said

Alfie Kohn, an author and speaker whose views on the negative aspects of competition are widely followed in the field of parenting. “It’s a toxic way to raise children.”

He added, “The absence of competition seems to be a prerequisite for excellence in most endeavours, contrary to received wisdom.”

Kohn is, not surprisingly, a lightning rod. It’s hard to reconcile his views with

prove performance and happiness. People are better off when they are trying to win (rather than trying not to lose), and when they are confident. It also helps if the stakes are very low and the motivation is not just to win, but to achieve mastery.

But I was surprised by the extent to which many researchers agree with aspects of Kohn’s view that rough-and-tumble compe-

the realities of modern life, from presidential races to Olympic ones, where there are only three medal winners, and some stand taller than others. It would seem to be a parent’s job to prepare children for the reality of scarce resources and rewards.

Many scholars agree that competition is necessary, ingrained and essential. Studies have shown that under certain conditions, competition can im-

tition, which I have always taken for granted as a fact of modern life, can promote anxiety, damage self-esteem and performance, and lead to disengagement.

An analysis to be published in an upcoming issue of the Psychological Bulletin, a journal of the American Psychological Association, looks at hundreds of research papers on the subject of competition and performance and finds no clear

M

connection between the two. Sometimes, it seems, competition enhances performance, but equally often it does not.

So how to resolve these competing views on competition? I set out for an answer, with the added motivation of finding some advice on how to handle my I-will-crush-you-attoothbrushing son.

The good news is that there is a real chance for parents to start with a blank slate when it comes to defining competition for children, said David Shields, an assistant professor of educational psychology at St Louis Community College and the founder of TrueCompetition. org, which focuses on “reclaiming competition for excellence, ethics and enjoyment”.

“Children have a shallow understanding of competition,” Dr Shields said.

“They know the word ‘win’ is used out there.”

In other words, my son apparently is not thinking deeply about what he is saying when he tells me he wants to beat me. So Dr Shields’s first piece of advice for me was: “Let me him work through his fantasy. There’s no problem with that.”

What’s the parenting lesson? Try to change the nature of the games you

play with your children, Dr Shields and others said, to emphasise cooperation. I gave it a shot.

Milo and I were standing in the living room when I proposed my plan: Let’s play catch and try to count how many times we can toss the ball back and forth.

“Yeah,” Milo said, excitedly. He paused. “I’ll catch more than you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

I’m not worried he’s going to become one of those jerks, the guys who throw elbows during pickup basketball games and suck the air out of every conversation because they approach everything as a power struggle.

I also hear plenty of Milo’s friends, especially the firstborns, talk about winning, with the sense that it’s good but without any real understanding of what it means or why.

I’ve already done my part to promote the value of competition, almost completely unconsciously. I’ll talk about whether the San Francisco Giants just won their game. He knows that someone is going to be elected president and someone else is not. He hears me talk about my tennis matches, and not just whether I’ve played well. (The New York Times)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

y son tends to cheat when he plays games.

What should we do?

Cheating is the result of competition. In our culture, with few exceptions, competitiveness is commonplace and in fact is rewarded. Children learn that losing is bad, and especially in the early school years, their wish to do well is very strong.

As children play games with one another, cheating will frequently occur. In the early years there is a lot of breaking of rules and conflicts in these peer struggles.

Watch how children play board games or card games, and you will recognise the competitiveness, striving and social learning taking place and sometimes digressing into cheating. As children become older and approach adolescence, however, this behaviour is much less tolerated by peers, and thus some children become labelled as cheaters. A sense of fairness has a higher value in these older peer relationships.

If your child cheats

If you are confronted with a situation where your child has cheated, you need to consider many factors, including the degree of pressure that he is under to win or do well, and his own background regarding competition. Children tend to cheat, or set their own rules, when they are engaged in games or schoolwork that is too complex for them to handle. If you or others in his life expect him always to perform exceedingly well, then cheating can become almost a selfdefence mechanism under the strain of this tremendous pressure. He may feel he has no other outlet than to cheat as a means of achieving success. Thus, the end becomes much more important than the process.

Also, consider the example that your family environment is providing for your child. If you or your spouse cheat from time to time – perhaps declining to return too much change given to you at the supermarket, or maybe even talking about fudging on your income taxes – those are the moral values you are teaching. Be sensitive to the examples you set; you can be an important role model for the prevention of cheating. To a large degree, your child’s willingness to cheat is related to the values with which he is being raised.

How to help your child

For a child in the middle years, parents need to identify and deal with any cheating episodes in order to teach him right from wrong.

For example, if he is caught cheating at school – a common phenomenon – sit down with him and discuss the seriousness of this infraction. (healthychildren.org)

news

7

friday, june 21, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Three killed in City restoration plan moving apace – Whittaker says ToRs for two committees Bosai accident approved M T

By Utamu Belle

hree workers attached to Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) have been crushed to death, while two others are in critical condition at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) following a smash-up on the Coomacka Mines access road on Thursday.

Dead are: 61-year-old Trenton Garner, 43-yearold Michael Williams, and 20-year-old Kester Grant, while Marlon Pollydore, a national basketballer, and Fabian Anthony are the injured.

Reports indicate that the vehicles, a 100-tonne 769 B Caterpillar dump truck and a Nissan pick-up truck, driven by employees of the bauxite company were travelling along the Coomacka main access road (‘haul road’) when they collided around 11:30h. The men were returning to the bauxite company at Linden after conducting work within the mines area.

It is alleged that the driver of the Nissan truck lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake the dump truck which was driven by Robert Gonsalves.

According to reliable sources, the pick-up truck skidded along the roadway and subsequently crashed underneath the dump truck.

The bodies of the dead men who were travelling in the pick-up truck were flung several yards away from the site of the accident. The two injured workers were also in the vehicle.

It is uncertain how many employees were inside the dump truck as BMGGI officials were tight-lipped.

Reports further indicated that none of the occupants of the dump truck were injured. Traffic came to an abrupt halt as the accident created a roadblock. The two injured men were rushed to the hospital.

Emotional scene

It was an emotional scene at the LHC as family members of both the deceased and the injured men flocked the facility, consoling each other. Williams’ wife was admitted to LHC shortly after receiving the shocking news. She reportedly suffers from hypertension. A cousin of the dead man, Noreen Edmondson said she last spoke to him on Tuesday.

“I was there taking therapy and as soon as I reached down the road (Mackenzie) and me and my cousin was standing up, and a friend asked she ‘you know a boy name Michael Williams?’ So, I said yes and the boy said ‘well, he just dead’. I said ‘Boy, look, move from here’, I couldn’t believe. That was around 12:00.”

Several calls were made to family members and em-

Dead: Kester Grant

Dead: Trenton Garner

ployees of the company before Edmondson accepted the devastating news was true. Williams, a resident of Coomacka Mines, is survived by his wife and five children.

At Garner’s home in industrial area, his wife, Audrey, wept uncontrollably as she was comforted by family members. Garner leaves to mourn his wife and two children.

a working ambulance.

Currently, the ambulance stationed at the health facility is out of order.

Investigation

Attempts to contact the family members of Grant, of Block 22, Wismar, proved futile. The Natural Resources Ministry, upon learning of the accident, immediately dispatched a team to the scene to investigate. The ministry has also instructed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Labour Ministry, and other agencies to conduct thorough investigations to as certain whether occupational health and safety regulations were adhered to.

Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud; and the chairman, directors, management and staff of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have also expressed sincere condolences to the families of the three workers who died in the line of duty.

Meanwhile, Region 10 Health Committee Chairman Maurice Butters made an appeal for the Health Ministry to supply the main hospital with

Ambulance services

“There were two accidents within Region 10 over the period of two days which justifies my call for an ambulance to be stationed in Linden. I’ve been making repeated requests to the Ministry of Health, the permanent secretary, parliamentary secretary and deputy permanent secretary, but we have not seen an ambulance in Linden. It is my hope that they treat this as a matter of urgency following these two accidents within Region 10. It is my hope that with these two incidents, an ambulance would be made available,” he said.

A Partnership for National Unity said, in a statement, that it was deeply saddened at the loss of life of the three employees.

“APNU extends its deepest sympathy to the relatives, friends and loved ones…”

The coalition also joined with the residents of the Upper Demerara-Berbice region in mourning this tragic loss of life. It called on the relevant authorities to mount an investigation to determine if any occupational health and safety standards were breached and on the GGMC to look into this incident, so as to ensure that best practices for operational safety are being employed

by Bosai.

inister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whittaker said two of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the restoration of the city have been approved, with two pending.

He told Guyana Times that the public awareness and resource mobilisation committees met recently and approved their ToRs following recommendations from Parliament and Cabinet. Forming a critical part of the ToRs for the resource mobilisation committee led by Whittaker, is the provision on sourcing adequate funds to guarantee the successful completion of the project. Under the term of reference, the committee will also be mandated to monitor and evaluate works executed, guaranteeing that taxpayers get value for their money.

Public awareness

Meanwhile, the public awareness committee has pledged to supply the National Assembly and the public with adequate information on the progress of the projects when implemented.

However, the technical committee headed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence and the solid waste committee led by the coalition’s MP Joseph Harmon are reviewing the recommendations put forward by the Local Government Ministry, Cabinet, and Parliament.

Whittaker said the adjustment of the ToRs for the two committees is critical to the success of the restoration project. It is anticipated that the two remaining ToRs will be finalised within the next two weeks.

Currently, the work of the committees is slowly progressing due to a series of challenges the minister said. According to him,

during the initial formalisation of the four committees, members were eager to be a part of the initiative to restore the city to its former glory, but the members’ attitude has changed.

Minister Whittaker posited that he will be pushing to accelerate the work of the various committees, noting that the report has to be submitted to the National Assembly before the conclusion of this session on August 10.

“We can’t afford any more delays, we made a commitment to Parliament, so it’s critical that we work faster and commence the plan of action.”

On March 14, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration backed the Alliance For Change (AFC) and APNU in passing the motion for the restoration of Georgetown to its former glory. Lawrence argued that with the help of the National Assembly, the Private Sector and citizens of Guyana, the restoration can prevent serious health outbreaks, continuous flooding, and waterborne diseases.

After hours of debate, all parties assented to the motion. The passing of the motion resulted in the formulation of the technical, public awareness, resource mobilisation and solid waste committees.

Moral fabric

Whittaker said the government and opposition are supporting efforts to tackle the age-old issue of the city’s deterioration.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) expressed optimism that the work of the sub-committees will accelerate following the consideration of the 2013 Budget.

The M&CC said even as the National Assembly, City Hall, and the private sector are doing their part, citizens of Guyana need to take up

Minister within the Local Government Ministry Norman Whittaker

the mantle.

National leaders are calling on persons operating in the city to desist from the indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

“Restoration of Georgetown goes beyond the physical things, garbage, the drains, the roads, the play grounds; it goes as far as I am concerned to restoring the moral fabric of our society. To get people to accept their social responsibility as citizens, young and old, and that is a monumental task,” the M&CC said.

8 news

friday, june 21, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

EU pumps over $6B into sugar sector

By Leana Bradshaw

F

inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on Thursday signed a financing agreement to the tune of €23.355 million (over G$6 billion) with the European Union as part of the Guyana Annual Action Programme 2012 on Accompanying Measures on Sugar.

The signing of the penultimate funding agreement of the multinational programme took place at the Finance Ministry’s boardroom. Dr Singh affixed his signature on the financial agreement that was previously signed in Brussels by Director for Latin American and The Caribbean DirectorateGeneral for Development and Cooperation – Europe Aid, Jolita Butkeviciene.

It was then handed over to European Union Ambassador to Guyana Robert Kopecky following the signing.

Guyana, which is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries that supply sugar to the EU under the Sugar Protocol Arrangements, has implemented the Guyana National Action Plan (GNAP), which Dr Singh said identifies interventions to modernise and transform the industry.

He noted that this latest

instalment of funding follows changes made in the European market, which saw the dissolution of the sugar protocol and the reduction in the price of sugar by 36 per cent over a fouryear period, beginning in 2006.

Sugar industry

Dr Singh stated that “of all the industries in Guyana, the sugar industry has an incomparable repository of expertise”. He also noted that government will continue to be committed to the achievement of competitiveness and viability within the sugar industry.

This is evident through government’s injection of more than $40 billion to fund investments in major capital projects. “Investments that have included projects such as the Skeldon Sugar Factory, which, of course, is very well known, the Enmore Packaging Plant and also other initiatives that perhaps are less visible but that are equally needed in sugar,” the minister outlined.

Among these initiatives are advancing sugar mechanisation projects, field conversion, and the acquisition of equipment to advance mechanisation, which are all critical elements in the transformation of the sugar sector.

Despite these, the fi-

nance minister admitted that much work is still required by the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s leadership before it can see a turnaround, and reiterated a call to the management of GuySuCo to improve its efficiency and productivity to revive the sugar sector in Guyana.

He added that the industry continues to be subjected to scrutiny as part of efforts to encourage a turnaround plan.

Boosting profitability

European Ambassador to Guyana Robert Kopecky said the newly-signed agreement will seek to bring the sugar industry back to a position of sustainability, competitiveness, and profitability.

He highlighted that the Guyana Annual Action Programme commenced in 2006, and has so far provided some €91.5 million to Guyana as sector policy budget support. The monies have not been completely dedicated to the sugar sector; however, as some was invested in the education and social sectors, among other things.

To qualify for the disbursements, the government and GuySuCo must deliver on agreed indicators each year.

“If we are successful in meeting the indicators, if the money is fully consumed this year, then we have a similar story to repeat next year and that can still make a difference,” Kopecky said.

Some indicators to be met have been identified as acreage under cultivation, field conversion, investments into assets in the industry, and support to private farmers. In addition, the Finance Ministry must meet general stability oriented macro-economic conditions and implementation of reforms to further improve public financial management.

Development cooperation

The European ambassador added: “A few years ago, the EU changed its approach to development cooperation with Guyana from project support to sector budget support. Only countries with mature and democratic systems can qualify for this type of assistance, since it places much of the onus on a government to manage development budgets efficiently, as the funding is disbursed directly into the National Treasury.”

“Sector budget support is also based on a partnership and collaboration between donor and recipient country which is built on confidence and trust as well as agreed objectives and targets,” he continued.

Kopecky also lauded President Donald Ramotar’s Enmore Martyrs’ Day message, in which he indicated his willingness to engage stakeholders on new ideas that can help the sugar industry. (leannab@guyanatimesgy.com)

Wakenaam labourer granted bail for smoking cannabis

T

wenty- three-year-old Banwanie Maniram from Marias Pleasure, Wakenaam, was granted bail for smoking cannabis when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Wednesday at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Maniram, a labourer of the farming community of Wakenaam, pleaded not guilty to the charge of smoking cannabis. According to a police report, Maniram

was found smoking a cannabis joint on June 13 during a police patrol. He was locked up and subsequently brought to the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court for the commencement of the case.

The labourer was not represented by any attorney.

He was granted bail in the sum of $50,000, and is expected to return to court on July 31 for trial at the Wakenaam Magistrate’s Court.

Eyew tness Faux toughness...

E

...in politics

x-People’s National Congress (PNC), ex-People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), ex-minister (education and trade), and ex-University of Guyana (UG) Lecturer Dr Henry Jeffrey is the latest one to call for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to become more militant. He says “APNU is disappointing many”. The man got his degree in one of the social sciences. We’re sure before he can make such a categorical statement he must have conducted some sort of survey, no?

After all, he’s one of those who’ve taken Vishnu Bisram to task for his asseverations about what people in Guyana think about one political matter or another. So we’d hoped Dr Jeffrey would’ve announced his poll, his methodology, his sample size, his margin of error and all the things that go into making a credible basis before making his pronouncement.

Or else we might be forced to conclude Dr Jeffrey’s talking through his hat. Or simply filling the space the Stabber News affords him for a pittance. If he hadn’t taken a poll all, Dr Jeffrey should’ve said is that APNU’s disappointing him personally. But then we knew that quite a while back, didn’t we? Even since he and the PPP/C parted company and he needed another sinecure.

But more specifically this time, Dr Jeffrey claims APNU is disappointing him because it’s not acting more like the Alliance for Change (AFC). And exactly what did the AFC do become the political exemplar for Dr Jeffrey? Well, it’s willing to play “hardball” politics – never mind that the result might just push the country over the abyss. As nearly happened at Linden.

The AFC pleased Dr Jeffrey greatly by refusing to even consider the Anti-Money Laundering Bill – regardless of its merits or demerits. Dr Jeffrey finds the AFC’s demand for the pro quid quo on the Public Procurement Commission eminently appropriate. We find this sort of thinking reprehensible in the context of our situation in Guyana.

It’s reminiscent of former PNC once-and-never-tobe PNC leader, Vincent Alexander, when he was trying to oust Robert Corbin. In an effort to appear “tough”, he said some Indians had to die during the banditry by the prison escapees. He called it “collateral damage”. It’s the language and pose of those who’ve never been in the frontline of struggle and known what real suffering is.

If the AFC’s unwillingness to place the interests of Guyana ahead of its own hunger for power becomes the political norm in Guyana – as Dr Jeffrey proposes – then, will the last person to leave please take off the light?

...on Amaila

The AFC, as part of the “toughness” so admired by Dr Jeffrey, also refused to have anything to do with the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project. “A con job”, Moses Nagamootoo dubbed it sometime ago. When President Donald Ramotar invited the opposition to a briefing of details they’d demanded, the AFC refused to show up. We guess they (along with Dr Jeffrey) sniffed haughtily when APNU appeared and were briefed.

So it was something of a surprise when these players and practitioners of “hardball” politics in the AFC suddenly caved in. What was it that caused this transformation?

Was it a voice from on high calling, “Ramjattan, Ramjattan, why persecutest thou me??” Did Khemraj Ramjattan see a burning bush somewhere behind Parliament? Sadly it was something much more prosaic. And banal. But then Hannah Arendt did speak of “the banality of evil”, didn’t she?

The AFC reversed itself from its “hardball” position because it heard that APNU was getting a free flight to the interior to look at how the road to Amaila was coming along.

They’re now aboard the free flight.

And imagine they gave Judas a bad name because he accepted 30 pieces of silver.

...on missing funds

$4 million disappeared from Region10’s bank account since December 29, 2011. Sharma Solomon and his councillors in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) jumped into action right away. Almost two years later, they’ve already set up a committee to look into the matter.

Makes the Guyana Police Force look like Scotland Yard.

news

9

friday, june 21, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Chancellor wants more training for magistrates Richard Ishmael’s

A

cting chancellor of the judiciary, Justice Carl Singh said both magistrates and prosecutors must equip themselves with the requisite skills that will make them more effective in executing their daily duties.

The acting chancellor said this is essential to ensure better legal services at the magisterial level, while calling for more training to be provided to these legal professionals.

Singh made these statements on Wednesday during the launch of a legal workshop sponsored by the British High Commission.

He said, “I have repeatedly emphasised that both magistrates and prosecutors must equip themselves.”

Singh added that he has promoted educational training programmes in various areas of the law, particularly with respect to firearms and narcotic offences. Magistrates and prosecutors, he said, should be constantly trained in this and other technical areas, to make more effective decisions as it pertains to the law.

stated that while computers in the judicial system provide for more productivity, it is equally important that a good work ethic be cultivated and maintained.

Training programmes

Acting Chancellor Carl Singh

“So, the training and equipping of prosecutors in complex or technical areas of the law is a matter of great importance,” he posited. He recalled that some years ago, the late Chancellor Kenneth George identified possible reasons why there was such a high rate of prosecution failure in the courts and attributed it to magistrates and prosecutors being-ill equipped and ill trained.

It was also noted that some junior police prosecutors in the magistrates’ courts were pitted against experienced and crafty senior lawyers. Singh further

ACIC launches third edition of popular Muslim book

T

he Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) has announced that the third edition of the popular Muslim publication “Islami Taleem/Zikre Mustapha”, is now available to the Muslim community and other interested persons.

The book, which has been hailed in many parts of the world as the best Guyanese Muslim literature in the last decade, was published in September 2006, the ACIC said in a release. It was first reprinted in 2011. The book was printed in memory of the late Zaleel Gafoor

of Guyana by his family, and was edited by the late Pakistani Muslim scholar, Hafiz Maulana Noorul Hadi Haleem.

The third edition of the book contains important parts of the Holy Quran; how to perform Muslim prayers, Muslim marriages, Janaza prayers, preparation of a deceased person, Duas; and basic Islamic topics, as well as Zikr and Qaseedas.

The book complies with the requirements of the Ahle Sunnatwal Jamaat, in accordance with the Hanifi Mazhab. The book is provided free of cost.

“These training programmes are good, but we must develop a sense of efficiency in our courts. What is the use of equipping our prosecutors and magistrates if our courts are not producing at their optimum?” the acting chancellor queried. He added that efficiency is not only a matter for the magistrates, but for all involved in the legal system.

The acting chancellor recently met with a delegation from the Home Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Police Force, along with several magistrates, to iron out some issues in the system with the aim of making it work more effectively. Singh also pitched an idea to the British High Commission, for it to help provide training sometime in the future for the full

complement of the local magistracy.

Several magistrates, court clerks, and other court service providers were also trained in domestic violence recently, with the assistance of the United Nations.

The workshop looked at developing a standard practice among court personnel countrywide on the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act. It also looked at ensuring more systemic support for victims who come to court.

The facilitators for that workshop were Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Magistrate Allan Wilson, Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene and Red Thread National Coordinator Karen De Souza. Wednesday’s workshop looked at training on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation for magistrates, prosecutors and staffers of the director of public prosecutions (DPP).

old students gearing up for reunion

T

he Old Students Association of Richard Ishmael Secondary School, formerly known as the Indian Education Trust College, will be hosting its annual reunion from July 5 to July 7 at its Woolford Avenue headquarters.

The association, which was registered in 2012, is the brainchild of Carl Greene, a Guyanese from the class of 1979 who now resides in French Guiana. He hopes that this year’s reunion will attract over 100 persons.

Members of the planning committee include Fayne Ramsaran-Bhudu, the interim secretary for the association; Salima Ali, the assistant secretary; Nandrani Persaud, the treasurer; and Sharon Dainty . They hope to bring old friends together and have an event where they accumulate ample funding to assist with the improvement of the school, along with aid from the administration and the Education Ministry.

The association has since

refurbished the library and plans to donate more books to the school on July 5.

It has also started a monthly health drive at the school, which commenced on April 1, since committee members saw a need to take health issues to both students and teachers; they are hoping to set up a permanent health bay. All proceeds from the raffle and barbecue tickets which cost $1000 will be forwarded to this the cause.

Speaking with this publication, Bhudu indicated that on July 5, the association will be having an interfaith service, the handing over the books, and a tour of school followed by brunch.

On July 6, the annual general meeting (AGM) and later in the day a Back to School Dance will be hosted. On the final day of the reunion, a family fun day to which all are invited is planned.

Persons wishing to contact the association can do so via Fayne Ramsaran-Bhudu at (592) 611-4609.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 21, 2013

News

Road safety council concerned about interior fatal crashes

T

he Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) has expressed alarm and concern over the number of road fatalities, which have already occurred for the year. The body also called for clearly marked roads in the hinterland with appropriate signs to warn drivers.

In a statement, the GNRSC said to date Guyana has recorded 49 fatal accidents, which have resulted in 52 persons being killed, inclusive of five children.

For the corresponding period last year, there were 36 fatal accidents that resulted in 37 deaths, inclusive of the deaths of two children.

“We are extremely concerned about the many lives that are being lost on our interior roads; we are recommending that the responsible agencies implement features that will make these roads safer for use, such as the installations signs that indicate dangerous turns, steep hills, or narrow bridge ahead,” the body said.

Unacceptable statistics “We need to remind ourselves that we, as a nation, continue to lose precious lives on our roadways. It is time we took this continuous loss of lives seriously, and make a determined effort to further

Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 35 of the 43 fatal accidents recorded at the end of May

reduce the number of accidents on the road. Let us remind ourselves also, that in the past year there were 110 deaths on our roads; this included pedestrians and children. We must try to put a human face on the far from acceptable statistics on the frequency of road accidents. “ According to GNRSC, too many families are left without a father or a mother; mothers are robbed of those they have brought into the world, and fathers of their sons and daughters.

“In the final analysis, significant numbers of accidents rob this nation of valuable resources, a situation which is harmful to its development,” the GNRSC said.

It commended the police and the concerned authorities

for making a valiant attempt, through laws and education, to bring some measure of order on our roads in order to reduce accidents and deaths.

“We commend them for this.

But much more needs to be done. We know from the statistics that many deaths are caused by indiscipline, speeding, not adhering to the traffic laws and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol.”

Stricter enforcement of laws The body said that from all this that there must a stricter application of traffic regulations and greater deterrence to the breaking of traffic laws. The GNRSC is convinced that this can be done, and is prepared to work with all Guyanese who wish to make our roadways safe.

“In this regard, we believe the five Cs – Care, Caution, Courtesy, Consideration, and Common Sense can help to reduce accidents.”

In a recent statement, police said that there has been an increase of 10 road fatalities at the end of May in comparison to the same period in 2012, with 46 fatalities from 43 accidents in 2013, compared to 36 fatalities from 35 accidents during 2012.

The period January 1 to May 31 saw reductions in the other categories of traffic accidents – serious, minor, and damage. So far, pedestrians have been the main road users affected, with 11 losing their lives at the end of May 2013. Nine motorcyclists, nine pedal cyclists, seven drivers of motor vehicles, one pillion rider, and nine passengers of motor vehicles have also lost their lives.

Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 35 of the 43 fatal accidents recorded at the end of May. Traffic enforcement by the police during the period January to May resulted in a total of 35,843 cases being made against errant motorists, of this total, 9196 cases were for speeding. Two road fatalities have been recorded so far in June, from two accidents.

De mayor fuh life and donkey years

D

e mayor fuh life Green Ham and de whole of de **ity council got to be outta dey mind, startin from top to bottom. Imagine de mayor fuh life got de guts to announce that de council gon be consultin wid residents of GT – de garbage town – to find out ways to improve de **ity.

Now de mayor fuh life been in dis job fuh donkey years. De **ity get worse during all those donkey years.

De mayor fuh life had another job before that – and that was fuh donkey years too – which he had also believe he woulda be in fuh life. But de whole country get worse during all those donkey years.

So de mayor fuh life got plenty experience by now.

From all dem donkey years as a slime minister and from all dem donkey years as a mayor, he bound to know what to do fuh mek de **ity look better and smell better. Wid so much garbage all over fuh every body to see, no body in GT understand why de mayor want to ask dem what to do.

It look like de mayor fuh life not qualified fuh de job after all, even after all dem donkey years. Since de mayor askin de actin town clerk Carol Sober to show she qualifications, de mayor might as well show he qualifications at de same time.

After all, it look like any ting Green Ham get involve wid, three tings in common – donkey, plenty years, and tings getting worse. Whether or not de mayor fuh life is a donkey, who can only mek tings worse, and fuh a lotta years too, is another question...let de GT people decide fuh dem selves in de consultations!

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

So look out fuh de next press release, since de mayor fuh life doin more talkin than wukkin!

11 News

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, June 21, 2013

Appraisal of Boodhoo not mandatory – GECOM official P

Bandits nabbed after Bath Settlement robbery

A

n appraisal of the performance of Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo is subject to waiver by commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

This is according to a source within GECOM, who told Guyana Times on Thursday that a performance appraisal is not mandatory and the commission has the power to waive any such appraisal of employees.

However, Boodhoo’s lawyer, Mursalene Bacchus, has since written the commission staying any decision relating to the request to have his contract of service extended. Bacchus claims that no decision should be made to have Boodhoo’s contract terminated unless a performance appraisal is conducted.

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally is expect-

Chief Elections Officer Gocool Boodhoo

ed to approach a legal team for advice on the way forward. Surujbally postponed a meeting with the commissioners last Tuesday on the grounds that he had not yet received legal advice.

A GECOM official said the decision has not yet been put to a vote and is now pending. Guyana Times understands that opposition commissioners are not in favour of the proposed extension to

Boodhoo’s contract which expired at the end of April.

Boodhoo’s fate would ultimately be decided by a majority vote of the complete quorum of commissioners. The commissioners are legally mandated, based on a unanimous decision, to deal with all issues relating to employment of senior functionaries of the commission.

According to the constitution, all appointments and renewal of contracts for senior-level administration staff must engage the attention of the entire quorum of commissioners for their consideration and must be guided by recommendations from a head of department.

Boodhoo has been with the commission in excess of 10 years. Dr Surujbally was asked to provide an appraisal of Boodhoo’s tenure and information on his performance so as to allow the

commissioners to make an informed and fair consideration of Boodhoo’s request for extension of service.

The commissioners had earlier requested correspondences and appraisals that Boodhoo may have received during his years in office to allow for an assessment.

GECOM is the entity responsible for the administration and conduct of elections in Guyana.

It is headed by a chairman and six commissioners and is supported by core staff at its secretariat.

The work of the commission is supplemented in its elections preparation and administration by thousands of temporary staff.

The current commissioners are: Vincent Alexander, Dr Keshav Mangal, Charles Corbin, Jaya Manickchand, Sandra Jones, and Mohamood Shaw.

UG Rotaract’s Victoria literacy project lauded

T

he Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana has won an international award for one of its community service projects.

The Victoria Literacy Project is one of seven projects worldwide singled out

by Rotary International for honours during World Rotaract Week which was observed from March 11 to 17.

This project, initiated by the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, started in September 2012 and concluded recently. The literacy project was held at the Victoria Primary School.

The club’s community services director, Kwesi Elliot said the project looked at increasing the reading, writing and com-

A group of children that benefited from the literacy project

prehension skills of 30 per cent of the students in Grades Three through Six and increasing the pass rate of the students at the National Grade Six Assessment, with a focus on English and mathematics.

Elliot said it took a lot of hard work and dedication for the club to achieve the milestone.

He said it was a team effort, which helped to change the lives of many children in the community. He said

other social service clubs should be inspired to do similar projects in communities that are in need of such assistance.

The project was judged based on the: impact and sustainability, alignment with Rotary’s six areas of focus, innovation, and the involvement of Rotaract club members.

The award will be presented formally to a representative of Rotary District 7030 on behalf of the Rotary Club of UG at Rotaract International Convention June 21-22, in Lisbon, Portugal.

The project received financial sponsorship from Courts Guyana Inc and ScotiaBank and the curriculum for the literacy project was developed with the assistance of National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

olice on Wednesday nabbed two bandits at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara following the robbery of a West Coast Berbice couple.

In a release, police said that about 11:20h on Wednesday, Rosaline Ayube, 41, and her husband, Sultan Ayube, 43, both of Plantation Hope, Bath Settlement were attacked and robbed. They were relieved of $253,000; a quantity of gold jewellery valued $300,000; cellphone cards valued $690,000; and a BlackBerry cellphone valued $50,000 by three men, one of whom was armed with

a handgun.

Investigations revealed that the victims were in their home when the men entered through an open door, held up them up, relieved them of the articles and then escaped in motor car PRR 2880.

Police patrols were alerted and their quick response led to the motor vehicle used by the perpetrators being intercepted at a roadblock at Good Hope. Two men were arrested and a black haversack containing $38,000 (GC), a number of phone cards and a toy gun were recovered. Investigations are in progress.

Digicel launches “Get Bowled Over” promotion ─ phones as low as $5500

D

igicel Guyana on Thursday announced the launch of the company’s Caribbean Premier League “Get Bowled Over” promotion, which begins on Friday.

Customers can get phones for as low as $5500, the phone company said in a release.

The BlackBerry Z10 is available for ($110,000, the BlackBerry 9320 is on sale for $38,000, and the Nokia N100 is now being sold for $5500.

Moreover, customers who purchase any of these three handsets from any Digicel store will enter the draw to win an all-inclusive trip for two to the CPL T20 finals in Trinidad and Tobago. Digicel Marketing head Jacqueline James hinted that the “Get

Bowled Over” deal is only the beginning of an extraordinary summer at Digicel.

“Summer 2013 is going to be a huge celebration with the CPL T20 coming to Guyana and Digicel is going to add to this excitement with a number of great deals and incredible promotions,” James added.

Digicel’s phone deals begin on June 21 and ends on July 31. The winner of the all-inclusive trip for two to the CPL T20 finals will be announced on August 2.

“While the promotion ends on July 31, persons are encouraged to cash in on these great deals early, since there is no guarantee that stocks will remain until this date,” James concluded.

Battling duo placed on bond to keep peace

A

duo appeared before Magistrate Fabian Azore on a joint charge of assault at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday.

Dinito Austin and Kurt Austin, of Lot 108, West Ruimveldt, pleaded not guilty to the assault charges when it was read against them.

It is alleged that on

June 18 at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, the duo assaulted each other.

Attorney-at-law Paul Fung-A-Fat, who represented Kurt, stated that neither party wished to offer any evidence against the other. As such, the magistrate placed the duo on a bond to keep the peace for six months and dismissed the case.

12 news

friday, june 21, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Josel Educational Institute, VSP Kitty teen missing donate food items to elderly home since Tuesday

R

Rushann McPherson

Students interacting with the elderly at the Millicent Greaves Senior Citizens’ Residence during the outreach

T

he Josel Educational Institute, in collaboration with the Volunteerism Support Platform (VSP) of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, donated a quantity of food and other items to the Millicent Greaves Senior Citizens’ Residence, located at Durban Backlands, Georgetown on Thursday.

Students of the private school also held a brief worship service with the residents. According to the administrator of the home, Nefatiti Frank, the senior citizens’ residence will be two years old on July 1.

She noted that the funding and establishment of the institution was the initiative of a Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists group from overseas and the community; however, it is open to the community and non-Adventists.

“A challenge we face is

that we are not well-known around the community….

We are aiming for collaborative efforts with the government and especially with the Ministry of Health for the second-year anniversary health fair…,” Frank said.

She noted that so far the home is occupied by two male and eight female residents but can accommodate 13 residents.

Network

“We network with other homes and church groups … the funding comes from the families of the residents of the home and other goodhearted citizens … we have staff, which are paid employees, and they cater for the overall well being of the residents,” Frank continued.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s volunteerism and youth development specialist, Lesley Abraham stated that this venture was one

of many to build the capacity of the voluntary sector in Guyana. According to her, the VSP has been assiduously working at various schools in Georgetown to promote efforts to participate in voluntary activities and to create voluntary school clubs.

It is currently engaging Josel Educational Institute, Monar Secondary, and the Adult Education Association.

The residents were treated to musical items, poetry and even a brief message of encouragement presented

by Kayron Humphrey, one of the students. He urged the seniors to remain “upbeat” because God will continue to take care of them.

The residents expressed delight at having the students come to visit them and expressed gratitude for the gifts and other expressions of kindness. They participated enthusiastically in a brief sing-along session and later

interacted informally with students.

“This feels really good,” remarked another student Rahsaan Abel, grinning from ear to ear. “We’ve made so many new ‘golden’ friends and it feels great to see them all so happy and to know it’s because of us.”

The VSP aims to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of volunteerism within Guyana through partnership with government, private sector, and civil society. It particularly focuses on the involvement of youths and ensuring a greater contribution from volunteers towards meeting international and national development goals.

The body is sponsored by three key partners: Voluntary Services Overseas (now CUSO International), the United Nations Volunteer Programme and the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry.

Lindeners to decide whether to accept compensation

M

ore than 15 victims of the July 18, 2012 Linden unrest will meet with Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon to determine once and for all whether they will accept the compensation offered by the government.

From Tuesday, June 25, persons who were maimed or had their properties damaged during the month-long protest will be granted an opportunity to the compensation based on the recommendations of the Linden Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

The money will be distributed at the Office of the President (OP) from 09:00h to 15:00h. But the Region 10 chairman said within days he will be meeting with the families of 18-yearold Ron Somerset, 24-yearold Shemroy Boyea, and 46-year-old Allan Lewis, who were killed during the uprising, along with several persons who were injured, to determine their next move.

In April, Solomon,

with support from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), tagged the $8 million allocated to the families of the three dead men as “woefully inadequate”.

He had contended that the criteria used by the CoI to assess compensation for Boyea, Lewis, and Somerset were clearly flawed. The region had even threatened to take legal action, but to date that step is to yet to be taken.

Compensations

It was recommended that the families of Lewis and Boyea receive compensation to the tune of $3 million each, while $2 million was allotted to Somerset’s family. When contacted by Guyana Times the families of the dead Lindeners said they have not yet decided whether they will accept the compensation, as the money was inadequate.

Under the category of injuries, the commission made

representation for some 13 Lindeners to benefit from various sums, including Hugh Stephens who lost an eye to a metal pellet and Michael who lost four teeth as a result of being shot in his mouth. They were both allotted $1.5 million. Others who have been identified by the commission to be compensated for injuries and inability to work are Sheila Austin ($50,000); Vladmir Glasgow ($20,000); Aliesha Barker ($280,000); Ruben Bowen ($390,000); Jemeke Brummell ($100,000); Janice Burgan ($150,000); Ulric Cameron ($400,000); Mortimer Cornel ($200,000); Yolanda Hinds ($50,000); Dexter Scotland ($350,000); Hector Scotland ($350,000); and Hector Solomon ($120,000).

Recommendations were made for Mariabo Investments Incorporated to be paid a sum of $200,000 for logs, which were removed by the protesters from a trailer in order to

block the bridge. Similarly, Carlton Mohan, whose lorry and trailer were transporting the logs of Mariabo Investment Inc and were completely destroyed as a result of being set on fire by the protesters, was awarded $2 million as the vehicles should have been insured and they were not new.

Others compensated under this category were the PPP Secretariat ($400,000); Ramchand Jewan Mangra ($200,000); David Shemroy Vigilance ($40,000); Vishnu Singh ($2.5 million); and Clyde Adams ($50,000).

Speaking with Guyana Times, Presidential Adviser Gail Teixeira said the administration is making good on its promise by making the funds available to those persons whose applications were approved by the commission for compensation. Teixeira was unable to disclose whether a timeframe has been given for the collection of the monies.

ushann McPherson, 16, of Pike Street, Kitty has been reported missing.

According to her brotherin-law, Frank Williams, she was last seen with a female friend on Tuesday evening at the Stabroek Market bus park area.

He said she left for classes at Global Technology on

Tuesday and was expected to return home no later than 19:00h. Williams said when her mother called her cellphone, she answered but sounded worried and the call then was disconnected.

When she called back a male answered and disconnected the call.

They have reported the matter to the Kitty Police Station, but officers there have not been handling the issue with urgency.

McPherson is of mixed ethnicity, brown in complexion, about 5 feet 2 inches tall, has long black hair and was last seen wearing a white top and chequered pants. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest police station or the teen’s mother, Roxann McPherson, on telephone number 223-3404.

2010 census reveals declining Caribbean population – Caricom

T

he Regional Statistics Programme of the Caricom Secretariat has released worrying figures which indicate a steadily decreasing population within certain Caribbean territories.

Senior Project Officer Hortense Fraser presented the key findings from the 2010 round of censuses in the Caribbean as part of the observances of International Year of Statistics 2013. She stated that any decreasing population size will amplify the effects of an ageing population consequentially affecting the dependency ratio.

Fraser noted that a decline in population numbers also translates to a diminished workforce and an abandonment of infrastructure as demand decreases.

According to the project officer, this also means an increase in taxation as well as possible social, demographic and economic problems.

She disclosed that the social policy problems may be related to addressing the underlying causes, particularly emigration, as well as low and declining fertility rates. Fraser noted that the findings highlight the need for further in-depth studies into the causes of the population decline.

Preliminary results

The findings are largely based on preliminary results and there was no data available for Haiti, Barbados, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in 2010.

Fraser detailed that the population sizes increased over each successive census in all countries except Montserrat, Dominica, and St Vincent whose populations all declined in the 10year period 1990-2000. St Kitts was the only country to experience a population decrease in the year 2000-2010.

Jamaica recorded a significant population increase of almost 200,000 people between 1990 and 2000 and another increase of just under 100,000 people between 2000 and 2010. The Bahamas and St Lucia also recorded significant population increases, as well as Bermuda and Anguilla.

Gender

The population of girls and woman was greater in most countries in 1990 and the same pattern obtained with respect to the year 2000. This trend continued into the year 2010, with the female population outnumbering the male. Belize was the only country recording a greater number of males than females.

Fraser revealed that Jamaica and Trinidad continued to have the largest populations in the Caricom, while Montserrat, Anguilla, and the Turks and Caicos continued to record the smallest populations.

The total population increased in each successive census in all countries except Dominica, Montserrat, St Vincent, and St Kitts, which was the only country with a negative net growth in 2010.

News

13

friday, june 21, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Harvesting begins Fire destroys two Durban Street restaurants at Santa Fe

– scope of operations to be expanded

An Agriculture Ministry team inspects the Santa Fe fields

A

visiting team of officials from the Agriculture Ministry was impressed by progress at the Santa Fe mega farm which has begun harvesting paddy.

National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Director Dr Oudho Homenauth and General Manager (GM) of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh and other officials visited the farm on Tuesday.

The first bumper crop of dry land rice will be processed at the nearby mill, which was set up for this purpose. The aim of this most recent visit by the ministry was to allow the agriculture experts to learn about the techniques being employed to ensure the farm is successful. Although the farm’s upland rice cultivation is a first-time venture on such a scale in Guyana, neighbouring Brazil, on similar soil, has been able to enjoy 25 years of success with this type of cultivation.

The Santa Fe group modelled its cultivation on Brazil’s experience, and is in fact utilising a Brazilian expert to guide the process. For the Santa Fe project, which has been taken on by the Simpson family of Barbados, the first crop now being harvested is the AR Irja 424 variety which was tried and tested in Brazil.

Given the soil type, planting this variety calls for greater fertiliser application which means using three times the fertiliser regimen that is used on the coastland. The crop also utilises a greater use of pesticide. But prior to application of chemicals, mapping of the area was conducted along with steady soil testing, to guide planting as well as the application of fertilisers and pesticides.

The hilly slope of the planting area made it crucial to map the topography to create terraced fields which would allow for easier irrigation. This method allows the collected water to flow from the highest step to the lowest level of the cul-

Supreme Food Court and the Chinese restaurant at Camp and Durban streets were destroyed by fire

F

The rice mill at Santa Fe, Region Nine

tivation. A water lifting irrigation system is used to convey water directly from the Ireng River to the fields with levees built around and through the fields to contain the water at the best depth for the crop.

Upland rice strains

Upland rice strains have shorter growth cycles, as they grow in just over 105 days but produce 20-30 per cent less yield than what is achieved on the coast. Of the 100 acres harvested thus far at Santa Fe, the farm has achieved nine tonnes of wet paddy per acre. This translates to about seven tonnes of dry paddy per acre, similar to what is being achieved on the coast.

Given the short growing season associated in upland rice cultivation, the rice can be planned around the rainy season in the region. There is also scope for the cultivation of other crops in the intermediate. The farm is also exploring cultivation of some fruits and vegetables, as the aim is to create a large-scale multi-farm. At present, all crops including rice, are being done on a very small scale, but the expectation is to increase production over time, even as plans are in place to introduce new cultivation to the farm.

Endless possibilities

The next rice crop is expected to see about 1000 acres of rice cultivated, 980 acres more than what was planted in this first crop.

During the next rainy sea-

son, the farm will venture into soya bean cultivation.

Also on the agenda is the rearing of beef and dairy animals on 30 acres of the farmland.

There is optimism that this venture will be successful, as the possibilities are endless. Region Nine will now be in the position to produce rice and vegetables in quantities to feed itself and to export to markets in neighbouring Brazil.

Brazil’s rice production has decreased, as its oil industry lures workers away from the fields.

Should the profits from this venture outweigh the costs, it would open up opportunities for the utilisation of the vast acreage of virgin farmlands in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region in Guyana for dry land rice cultivation.

It is hoped that the success of the Santa Fe venture will serve as an incentive not only for government, but also the largescale private rice producers to tap into this venture.

Given the promise this enterprise holds for Guyana, government through the Agriculture Ministry has not only been loud in its support of the Santa Fe project, but closely monitors its progress. In March, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy led a team to the farm, where they met the workers and saw 120 acres of upland rice already cultivated.

Construction of a mill was also underway. (GINA)

ire of unknown origin destroyed two restaurants on Durban Street in the wee hours of Thursday.

Guyana Fire Service Chief Marlon Gentle said investigators are still to come up with a reason behind the early morning blaze.

The fire completely destroyed the Supreme Food Court and a Chinese restaurant at Camp and Durban streets, Georgetown.

Part owner of one of the buildings, Johnny Singh said his brother had rented part of the family property to a Chinese businessman and it was believed that the fire may have started in his restaurant. “… a taxi driver called me and said that my building on fire and I asked him two questions, first I said: ‘How far gone is it?’ and he said ‘about 90 per cent burnt’ and then I asked who was on the scene and he said the fire service was there attending to the fire; at that time I didn’t bother to come to the scene,” he related.

The inside of the burnt Chinese resturant

Singh could not say where the Chinese family was, but maintained that the answer lies with them.

He estimated there have been millions of dollars in losses. “I suggest that we get hold of the man that occupied this part where the fire is said to have started and ask him what really transpired, he operated his business here last night up to 10 or 11 and the fire started just after one,” Singh said.

He added that plans

were in the pipeline to reopen his nut shop, a business that had been around for more than 50 years.

When Guyana Times contacted Gentle via phone, he said firemen were still on the ground and the investigation was in progress. The Fire Service might have an idea of what caused the fire, but he could not disclose this until it was confirmed, he said. Gentle related that a full report will be available to the media tomorrow on the cause of the fire.

CIOG condemns attorney’s request for woman to remove hijab

T

he Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has condemned the request by prominent attorney Hukumchand Parag, for a Muslim woman to remove her hijab (a veil worn

by Muslim women which covers their face that show only the eyes) during crossexamination in court.

In a statement, CIOG explained that the hijab is a customary garment worn by Muslim women as a means of protection and modesty, which is an act of obedience to God. The organisation reflected on the Constitution of Guyana, which states that every Guyanese has a right

to practise a religion of their choice, noting that the attorney’s call is a clear violation of that fundamental right and is also an insult to the Muslim community.

“We call on all rightthinking human beings to support this sister on her stance to be cross-examined with her garment on,” said CIOG. The woman in question is Khairoon Ali, whose husband was brutally attacked by two ferocious pitbull dogs in February last year on his way to the masjid.

Sixty-four-year-old Mobarak Ali’s left hand was mauled when the dogs attacked him; however, his cries for help brought out

his neighbours who prevented the animals from severing his hand.

The owner of the dogs, Alexei Prashad, 37, of Lot 49 Railway Line, Kitty, was subsequently charged for allowing his pit bulls to be at large.

The trial is currently being heard before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who had confirmed after seeing the woman’s face in her chambers ,along with another female, that she is the same person pictured in her ID and passport.

The matter will be called again on Monday, when the magistrate is expected to deliver a decision as to how to proceed with the matter.

14

friday, june 21, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

News

APNU salutes TIP hero Broomes – renews calls for inquiry into the crime

GWMO President Simona Broomes receives her TIP Hero award from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

A

Partnership for National Unity has congratulated Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes on being recognised internationally as a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) hero.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry recognised Broomes as one of the 2013 TIP Report Heroes at a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State to unveil the 2013 TIP Report on Wednesday.

In its statement, APNU said it was cognisant of the courageous stand and the commitment that Broomes and her organisation have demonstrated in the fight against trafficking in persons.

Leadership

“APNU salutes Ms Broomes on her leadership and heroism (sometimes at great personal risk to life and limb) in the fight against modern-day slavery.”

The coalition said it noted with great concern that trafficking in persons, especially that of underage girls, is a grave human right violation that continues to fester especially in hinterland mining communities.

“APNU takes this opportunity to renew its call made in the National Assembly by Brigadier David Granger, leader of the opposition for a commission of inquiry into the scourge of trafficking in persons,” the release added.

The group said it continues to advocate for the Human Services Ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Police Force, and all other relevant government agencies to urgently develop a coordinated plan and implementation programme, well supported with the needed resources, to rescue and protect the victims of people trafficking, especially minors who are subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse.

As required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), the TIP report assesses govern-

ments around the world on their efforts to combat modern slavery.

Kerry paid special tribute to the 2013 TIP Report Heroes, men and women whose personal efforts have made an extraordinary difference in the global fight against modern slavery.

Each year, the U.S. State Department honours individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking.

These individuals are non-governmental workers, lawmakers, police officers, and concerned citizens committed to ending modern slavery.

They are recognised for their tireless efforts – despite resistance, opposition, and threats to their lives – to protect victims, punish offenders, and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their countries and abroad.

In 2013, nine people were chosen as TIP Report Heroes in the fight against modernday slavery.

Bravery

The U.S. said Broomes has demonstrated extraordinary bravery and leadership in raising the awareness of human trafficking in Guyana. After 25 years as a miner, she established the GWMO in 2012 to empower women miners and address unique challenges women face operating in remote areas. Broomes has rescued several trafficking victims, and her organisation provides temporary housing for victims to ensure their safety.

Under Broomes’ dynamic leadership, the GWMO and its 440 members take direct action to protect victims and have become consistently powerful advocates against human trafficking.

From a small group of women banding together to solve common challenges, the GWMO has become a recognised force in combating trafficking in persons and promoting equality and eco-

nomic opportunities for women in Guyana.

Broomes is a consistently powerful, vocal advocate against TIP and continues to take direct action – often at great personal risk – to protect and assist victims of trafficking.

In addition to the TIP award activities in Washington DC, Broomes will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange from June 17 to June 26, entitled “2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes.” The IVLP is the premier professional exchange programme managed by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for the purpose of fostering mutual understanding between the United States and other countries, through programme events and visits that reflect the professional backgrounds of the participants.

Opportunity

Sponsored by State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP), the IVLP exchange programme will provide an opportunity for Broomes to travel to U.S. cities outside of Washington for meetings with American counterparts engaged in combating trafficking in persons.

The project will offer her local perspectives on this global problem, cultural experiences, as well as the opportunity for informal dialogue with fellow TIP Heroes. “ It is our hope that the experience will be valuable for Ms Broomes as she continues to engage the government of Guyana, law enforcement authorities, the international community, local communities and the media to bring public attention to human trafficking, while advocating for improved monitoring, education, counselling, and law enforcement interventions.

Georgetown Cricket Association congratulates NEW GPC/ Limacol on historic CPL deal

T

he Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) congratulated the NEW GPC/Limacol on being the first to own a franchise (Guyana Amazon Warriors) in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In a release on Thursday, the association notes with interest the comments of the owner of NEW GPC/ Limacol, Dr Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop, after signing the final agreement with CPL Limited that the tournament and his companies’ investment will help to

develop cricket talent and also stimulate economies across the region.

The GCA, while wishing the NEW GPC/Limacol and its franchise all the best in the tournament, said it would like other members of the private sector in Guyana to recognise that there is always a major role for them to play in the development of cricket in the country.

Guyana’s franchise players are West Indies player Sunil Narine and Pakistan player Mohammed Hafeez. They are joined by

Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, James Franklin, Chris Barnwell, Martin Guptill, Krishmar Santokie, William Perkins, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith, Narsingh Deonarine, and Veerasammy Permaul.

The tournament will start on July 30 in Barbados and concludes on August 24 in Trinidad. The four matches in Guyana will be played on July 31 and August 2 and 4 at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Food security workshop focuses on governance of lands, fisheries and forests

T

he Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Wednesday facilitated a workshop that seeks to raise awareness on the voluntary guidelines for the responsible governance of the tenure of land, fisheries, and forests for food security.

The three-day workshop got underway at the Princess International Hotel, Providence with an opening ceremony. The FAO engaged the agriculture, and natural resources and environment ministries, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and participants from the region and further afield, to discuss and analyse the implementation of the voluntary guidelines.

At the opening ceremony of the workshop, FAO representative to Guyana Dr Lystra Fletcher-Paul said improved governance of tenure is essential for food security, poverty eradication, and contributing to responsible investment and environmental sustainability.

She noted that millions of people depend on farmland, fishing waters,

and forests for their livelihoods.

As such, the FAO believes it is crucial to establish and maintain governance mechanisms that cater for the interest of citizens and ensure rights relating to land, fisheries, and forests.

“The voluntary guidelines on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries, and forests in the context of national food security can guide states in developing their context-specific rules, laws and regulations and providing benchmarks for acceptable practices for a range of actors,” she explained.

Lands and Surveys Commission Land Division Manager Enrique Monize said: “I have no doubts that by the end of these sessions, there will be greater awareness on the importance of these guidelines and a better understanding of what they represent so that opportunities for their usage can be initiated.”

He added that the government of Guyana has recognised the importance

of the provision of security of tenure and in 2005, the commission completed a land tenure regularisation project which saw the birth of the commission, the development of new policies on land, tenure security for over 12,000 persons, and the conversion of many leasehold properties into freehold tenure.

“Many of our farmers are now supplying produce for local and export without fear of being evicted and with the knowledge that their titles can be passed on to future generations,” he outlined.

The FAO, along with governments, civil society, private sectors, and academia from more than 10 countries in the Caribbean, initiated the preparation of an unprecedented international agreement on the governance of tenure.

Fletcher-Paul said: “The guidelines were officially endorsed by the Committee on World Food Security in May 2012 and implementation has been encouraged by the G20, Rio+ 20, United Nations General Assembly and Francophone parliamentarians.”

Region One woman dies after delivering premature twins

A

29-year-old woman died on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after delivering premature twins at her Region One home.

According to a press release from the hospital, the Amerindian woman was airlifted to the city from the Mabaruma hospital sometime around 16:20h and arrived at the Georgetown medical institution about two hours later. She was unresponsive and succumbed 10 minutes later, at 18:44h, the release stated.

Guyana Times under-

stand that the woman, who lived in a village along the Aruka River about 25 miles from Mabaruma, had delivered the twin babies at her home; however, they died.

Information received revealed that the infants were not fully developed when they were delivered.

The woman then suffered a severe post-partum haemorrhage and was taken to the Mabaruma Hospital.

Further information reaching this newspaper revealed that none of the woman’s relatives came with her to Georgetown; however, a doctor from Mabaruma

Hospital travelled with her.

Sources at the Georgetown Public Hospital confirmed that the woman’s husband knew she was being transferred to the city and he was informed via cellphone that his wife had passed away.

In the release, the city hospital expressed its sadness at the death of the woman and extended sincere condolences to her relatives.

The woman’s body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination, which is expected to be done on Friday.

15 News

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, June 21, 2013

Albouystown teen critical TT: Mass march on July 5 after being shot by police “T A

n Albouystown teenager is now in critical condition after he was reportedly shot several times about his body by a group of policemen on Thursday evening.

The injured teen was identified as 17-year-old Quinn Neblett of Sussex and Howes streets, Albouystown, Georgetown. The shooting occurred about 21:10h at Hill Street, Albouystown.

Guyana Times understands that Neblett was with a group of others who ran away when the police arrive during which time he was shot. However, according to witnesses, the problem began earlier in the afternoon.

When this newspaper arrived at the hospital shortly around 21:30h, the teen was in the theatre undergoing operation. His brother and friends were also at the hospital trying to come to grips with what happened.

According to a female friend, around 17:00h a group of them were liming outside an unfinished house in Hill Street, when an offduty officer from the area passed. She noted that the

Quinn Neblett

officer had a problem with one of the group’s members called “Bammah” and after he went home, he returned and choked “Bammah” from behind.

“De boy de carrying a blade and pull it out and jook the officer pon he leg and they start fighting till they end up in de unfinish house, then this young man here (Neblett) pick up a piece of wood to go help he friend, but after he see the officer bleeding, he drop de wood and go away because he say he ain’t getting involve in that,” recalled the woman.

The female said the officer’s family came and his sister took him out of the house, but his other relatives remained and began beating “Bammah”. She added that to save himself “Bammah” told them that it was Quinn who stabbed the officer and not him.

“After Bammah tell the family is Quinn, it thrown them off track and he (Bammah) get away, so now the police boy family think is Quinn ‘cause they see when he run from de house, but he didn’t do nothing,” the woman stated.

Another young lady related that around 21:00, she was with the young men liming when a vehicle pulled up with group of policemen, including the officer who was stabbed. “When the van de coming, some boys pon de corner signal and tell we fah run. I was de only person who ain’t move, all them rest ah boys run to de back,” she recalled.

Search

The young woman said that there were about six “blackclothes” officers and they began searching the

house and surroundings for the young men. She recalled that one officer went to the back and returned, asking for a flashlight.

The female said that she came out of the house and was standing in front when she heard a series of gunshots firing.

“Them boys went ova de other yard and they calling me fah come, but I say I ain’t moving cause me na able tek no shot fah nobody, then all we hear is ‘baddam’ ‘baddam’ so we stand up waiting fah see and whilst I walking off, now there is one of them holding up Quinn bring he out,” she stated.

She explained that Neblett was holding the left side of his abdomen, his intestines were protruding, and he was walking as if he was “half dead”.

However, this newspaper was told a different version of the events from an officer.

He said that Neblett and another friend had robbed a police officer and went they when to “pick them up”, the 17-year-old attacked them, cutting one of the officers’ hand.

Regional credit rating agency downgrades St Lucia

P

ersistent and severe deterioration in government’s fiscal position and a resultant steady increase in debt stock are among reasons which the Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) has cited for its decision to downgrade St Lucia’s credit ratings.

CariCRIS is a regional credit rating agency, with

a market-driven initiative aimed at fostering and supporting the development of regional debt markets. In a statement, the agency said it had downgraded its ratings on the government’s debt issues by one notch on its regional scale, taking it from B+ to B or CariBBB. While noting that government has an adequate level of creditworthiness, based on current

ratings, CariCRIS said there were shortcomings in the country’s financial position.

The agency pointed to a steady fall in the fiscal current account balance, save for the 2011/12 financial year. It said St Lucia had moved from a surplus of 4.9 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) in 2008/09, to a deficit of 1.2 per cent in 2012/13 – its first year of

cations next Sunday ahead of the hearing of an application challenging the constitutionality of the law by the Supreme Court on June 25. The claim was filed by United States-based advocacy group AIDS-Free World on behalf of Jamaican Javed Jaghai. The group is asking the court to determine if the anti-sodomy law breaches rights guaranteed under

the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms which was passed into law in 2011.

“We have seen in the media that the churches are planning an anti-gay march this coming Sunday in relation to the buggery law. It’s very disgusting to see that the churches are involved in discrimination, condemnation of people and support of homosexuals to be impris-

deficit in the last decade.

That shortfall, according to CariCris, was brought on by a reduction in current revenue. “Also contributing to the deteriorating current account balance was the upsurge in current expenditure to 22.7 per cent of GDP in financial year 2012/13 from 20.3 per cent in financial year 2008/09. (Excerpt from

Antigua Observer)

he time for action is now,” Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) President General Ancel Roget declared, as he called on the working class to march to the office of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar next fortnight to demand implementation of the Workers Agenda. Roget was addressing hundreds of workers at Labour Day celebrations in Fyzabad Thursday. Saying exploitation, political victimisation, nepotism, incompetence and corruption were the hallmark of the government, Roget said on July 5, workers will be going straight to Persad-Bissessar with their demands. “In our thousands we will show that the power of the people is greater than the people in

power! It’s time for us to hit the streets,” Roget said. “We know how they like to control the police, so we are giving them advance notice. If you are serious about the issues of the people, acting Commissioner (Stephen Williams), you will grant us permission. We will be going straight to the head of the government.”

Saying he is no friend of Patrick Manning, Roget said the People’s Partnership (PP) did not have the support of the labour movement, except for a “few sellout trade unionists.” He also expressed disgust that PNM people were being victimised by the PP. He also accused his predecessor, Labour Minister Errol McLeod, of not caring about the plight of the working class. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Venezuelan missing plane found five years after crash

A

Venezuelan plane which went missing in 2008 with 14 people on board has been found underwater off a Venezuelan island resort, officials say. Wreckage of the small aircraft was located 9km (5.6 miles) south of Los Roques archipelago at a depth of 900m (3000ft).

The pilot had reported engine problems shortly before losing contact with air traffic control on 4 January 2008. Five Venezuelans, eight Italians and a Swiss citizen were on board.

Venezuelan officials said the wreckage had been located by a U.S. search vessel which had been looking for the plane under an agreement between Venezuela and Italy. The twin-engine Transaven Airlines passenger plane was fly-

ing from Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas to Los Roques airport when its pilot reported that one of the engines had failed.

The co-pilot’s body was found in the sea off Los Roques days later, but neither the wreckage nor the remaining crew and passengers could be located.

The disappearance of the Transaven plane, and that of a small aircraft carrying Vittorio Missoni, director of Italian fashion house Missoni, has given Los Roques a reputation for mysterious vanishings.

More than a dozen aircraft have either crashed, disappeared or declared emergencies while flying through the area, prompting some locals to call it the “new Bermuda triangle”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica: Gays promise “hell and powder house” Sunday IDB’s Trini director

A

n apparent homosexual group has indicated its intention to stage a counter-protest next Sunday in response to a plan by a church group to stage a public prayer meeting against a legal challenge to the sodomy law.

The leadership of Prayer 2000 – a Partnership Prayer Ministry – says its members will gather at two lo-

oned. This shows how biased the churches are and how hypocritical they are about their role in society,” the statement sent by email on Tuesday said. “We, the gays, in Jamaica are planning our response peacefully to their protest this coming Sunday also. It will be hell and powder house and we are not afraid,” the statement ended. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

St Kitts-Nevis PM says he will call elections when “time is right”

P

rime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas has made it clear that he will call elections in St Kitts and Nevis when he thinks the time is right.

“The government’s agenda and mandate is continuing, government has no reason whatsoever to resign.

Government will not resign,” he said on Tuesday, responding to a caller on his Ask The PM radio programme. “The government will call elections according to the constitutional dictates, that is when the prime minister sees that it is fit and proper and a good time for an election to

be called, the prime minister will do what the constitution says, call upon the governor general to dissolve the house and so the election date will be then declared and let me make it clear to Terry, that this time around I am not going for no 6-2, I going for all eight again. I want to

make it absolutely clear!

And so when the conditions are right the declaration will be made.” The prime minister said that he did not feel pressured by the pending motion of no confidence that was filed by the opposition last December. (Excerpt from Caribbean

News Now)

comes under fire

T

he Inter-American Development Bank’s executive director in the Caribbean, Trinidadian Kurt Kisto, has been accused by Director of Finance and Economic Affairs in Barbados, Grantly Smith, of “mismanagement of the Caribbean’s constituency office.” The criticism is contained in a strongly-worded two-page letter in which Smith complained about the deteriorating quality of the office’s services to Barbados and the rest of the region. IDB is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Caribbean constituency office represents the interests of the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, TT, and Jamaica.

According to a report in the Daily Nation newspaper,

Barbados was specifically concerned that the office failed to live up to standards established when the recent IDB board of directors met in Panama. Smith claimed there had been a reduction in the quality of administrative services to the constituency. He was quoted as saying: “The service in the office was adversely affected because there was too much work for one officer.” Smith said members of Barbadian and Jamaican delegations were forced to assist with the copying and other preparations of the documents when it was recognised that an administrative assistant, only identified as Ms Maxwell, had too much on her plate and would have had a hard time meeting deadlines. Maxwell reports to Kisto. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

16

friday, june 21, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean

Govt gets Jamaican ultimatum on CAL Shell faces pressure over Niger Delta oil spills

T

he TT government has been given a onemonth ultimatum by Jamaica to give a clear outline on the way forward for the Air Jamaica brand. This is according to Jamaica’s Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Omar Davies, who met with TT’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments Vasant Bharath and officials of CAL in Kingston on Tuesday. The Air Jamaica brand is now under the con-

trol of TT-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL). A report on RJR News yesterday said Jamaicans had expressed concern about how their airline was being managed following a decision by CAL in April to reduce daily flights to Jamaica.

According to the report, the discussions centred on CAL’s Jamaican operations, the airline’s arrears to local entities, including the Customs Department and the Airports Authority

of Jamaica, and other matters. “We discussed the reduction in the number of flights between North America and Jamaica and the way forward,” Davies said. Davies said the discussions related to the continuing use of the Air Jamaica brand name. “We agreed for the new (CAL) board to be given a month to come back to us with a specific development in terms of the way forward,” Davies said. (Trinidad

Guardian)

North America

Facebook rolls out video for Instagram

F

acebook Inc introduced video for its popular photo sharing application Instagram in an attempt to go to head-tohead with rival Twitter. The world’s number one social network said on Thursday its more than 130 million Instagram users can now record and post 15 second videos on the platform.

The move takes aim at Twitter’s Vine video platform that allows users to record and share six-second videos. “There’s definitely a one-

upmanship going on,” said Brian Blau, research director, at Gartner. Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom were on hand to unveil the offering at Facebook’s Menlo Park, California headquarters.

Among the features of Instagram video, which works with Apple’s iOS and Google Android operating system, are a video stabilisation technology and spate of custom design filters.

Facebook bought Instagram

for $1 billion in April 2012 as a way to keep its users hooked on new features weeks before the social media network became a publicly traded company.

Instagram is part of Facebook’s mobile strategy as it seeks to get more advertising revenue. More than 60 million people in the United States regularly watched video on their phones last year, according to research firm eMarketer. Almost 75 million are expected to do so this year. (Reuters)

Europe

Russia: We can survive if Fed winds down stimulus

R

ussia’s finance minister has played down the impact of a dialling-back of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s stimulus programme, saying the country will weather it better than other developing economies.

Anton Siluanov, speaking to CNN at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, said Russia’s lack of speculative capital flows would protect

it from a slump.

“Russia, as opposed to other developing countries, will be less impacted by that occurrence,” he said.

His comments come after a massive global sell-off triggered by Fed chairman Ben Bernanke’s suggestions that the Fed could begin to scale back the programme later this year and end it completely in 2014. Stock markets around the world

Market statistics

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana GBP

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

Buying

Selling

U.S.

$310.58

$344.58

Cambio

$1366.75 $260,585

$202.83

CAN

$161.50

$181.42

Gross

USD

$198.42

$205.58

Net

$242,344

Selling

$268,875

Indicators as on June 20, 2013 Live Spot Gold

Indicators

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1277.80

$1278.80

Low/High

$1275.60

$1308.60

Change

-73.50

-5.44

June 20 USD GBP EUR June 19 USD GBP EUR

London Gold Fix AM 1303.25 842.38 986.34 AM 1366.00 874.91 1019.86

dependent investigation into how the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s guidelines are enforced found discrepancies between Shell’s story and other accounts of the size and cause of spills.

Holland’s National Contact Point for the OECD told the oil giant to exercise prudence when publishing spill investigation data and also called on Shell to publish figures from before January 2011, when the

company began putting information about leaks on its website.

It also repeated the United Nation’s concerns that investigators are at the mercy of the oil companies when assessing the size and severity of spills. The report follows a complaint

by Friends of the Earth and Amnesty International, which submitted evidence of spill investigations it said were heavily influenced by the company. (allAfrica)

Asia

China facing cash squeeze as rising rates crimp lending

C

hina’s financial system is in the throes of a cash squeeze, with interbank lending rates spiking on Thursday and bank-to-bank borrowing nearly stalled, as the government tries to restructure the economy and punish speculators. With China’s interbank and money market rates soaring over the last two weeks, banks and other financial institutions are afraid of lending to one another. Those in need of short-term cash, or liquidi-

ty, must pay dearly; failure to do so raises the possibility of defaults.

China’s central bank has refused to step in and provide additional liquidity to the credit market. Analysts say the government is holding off for a reason: the government is trying to restructure the economy and punish speculators.

A huge shadow banking operation has emerged in China in recent years, with smaller banks and trust companies borrowing from

bigger state-run banks and then turning around and relending that money at high interest rates to private companies and property developers, usually those that have trouble borrowing.

It is a risky strategy for the Chinese government, which is also grappling with a slowing economy. Many of those companies may have a harder time paying back their loans and many analysts fear the losses could ripple through the banking system. (The New York Times)

Middle East Abu Dhabi firm wins US$766M offshore oil deal

S

tate-owned Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co (Adma-Opco) has awarded a AED2.8 billion (US$766 million) contract to a local firm to develop an offshore field as its expands production of crude oil.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to develop the Umm Lulu field has

been awarded to Abu Dhabibased National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), Adma-Opco said in a statement on Thursday.

The Umm Lulu field development is part of AdmaOpco’s plans to add around 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil output from three fields to lift production to about one million bpd of

oil by 2020.

Currently, Adma-Opco’s production is 600,000 bpd of oil. “Offshore developments are playing a key role in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to increase its crude production capacity,” the statement said. AdmaOpco, a producer of offshore oil and gas, is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. (Arabianbusiness)

Investors' guide

Cambio Rates

Cur

sank, including by nearly four per cent in Russia. The country’s economy is already under pressure from investment outflows, lower commodity prices and a sinking ruble.

It is one of the weaker BRIC nations, with growth tagged at just 2.4 per cent for 2013, according to the International Monetary Fund, and its currency is at an 11-month low. (CNN)

A

mnesty International and Holland’s National Contact Point for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, have faulted Royal Dutch Shell’s claims on incidences of oil spills in Nigeria, urging it to be prudent when publishing spill investigation data. Shell has blamed most spills in the Niger Delta on thieves hacking into pipelines, a crime known as ‘bunkering’. However, an in-

Crude Oil Price Silver Platinum

US$ per barrel

Change %

$106.12

+0.12

USD per Ounce

Change %

$19.60

-1.75 -54.00

$1357.00

PM 1292.50 836.25 981.40 PM 1372.75 877.10 1024.90

The basics of finance and how it determines success

O

wning a business can be one of the most rewarding and satisfying ways of meeting financial goals and ensuring that a person’s future is secure and fulfilling. Today’s economy yields many opportunities to people with different skills and strengths. One of the most basic aspects of running a business that is often left by the wayside is that of financial management. Usually only an afterthought, it is the financial management of a company that determines success.

The perfect product or service doesn’t mean anything if the money generated goes

into the business only to be misused or unaccounted for.

Spending the money earned wisely and knowing when to save or invest in growth should be of paramount concern for a business.

Everyone is aware of the fact that most businesses fail within their first year of operation. Often a major contributing factor that leads to failure is poor financial management. A review of the financial information for many failed businesses shows that the business would have actually been quite successful if the owners had just made sound financial decisions in

all aspects of the business.

It is always recommended to employ the help of a professional like a banking institution, financial planner or accountant. However, a business owner should understand, at the very least, the basic principles regardless of whether a professional is hired or not. This protects the business and the business owner from fraudulent activities. Keeping up to date with the finances and being aware of the principles involved will also beneficially affect other aspects of running a business. (Business

Dictionary)

Business concept – Intrinsic value

Last:14758.32

Changes: -353.87

% Change: -2.34

Open: 15103.20

High: 15103.20

Low: 14732.03

% YTD: +12.62

52Wk Hi: 15398.48

52 Wk Lo: 12035.09

General: Underlying, essential, inherent value.

Ecology: Value that the environment and life forms have in their own right, and which is not derived from the human use they can or cannot be put to.

Economics: No intrinsic value exists for any good or service except its price (see use value) which is reflection of its demand and supply position and not of any inherent quality.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 21, 2013

17

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Guard against inclinations to make unreasonable demands on your loved ones. If they’re unable to comply with your expectations, it’ll be your fault if feelings are hurt.

dilbert

Before assuming someone else’s responsibilities, make sure your own house is in order. Chances are you won’t be able to meet the demands of both situations.

LEO

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(July 23Aug. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) If you feel you have to protect your interests at the expense of another, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Don’t be afraid to change course.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

(June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

Playing favourites with your friends is likely to create all kinds of complications. It could even jeopardise an important relationship if you’re not careful.

Calvin and Hobbes

CANCER

In hopes of making a good deal even better, you might do something that dilutes your position instead of strengthening it.

It’s imperative that you know when to stop.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Do your part to keep outsiders out of confidential family matters.

Anyone who does not share your roof should not be permitted to share the household’s secrets.

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Be careful in whom you place your trust. Face-toface, associates might appear to agree with your ideas. But they could express an adverse opinion behind your back.

Just because someone isn’t in complete accord with your opinions doesn’t mean that he or she should be considered to be an adversary. Try to learn from the dispute.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Commercial conditions are a bit unsettled, so be careful when conducting business. If you make a wrong move, it might go unnoticed until it’s too late to fix things.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Be careful in situations where you feel unduly pressured to reveal something or make a concession. If you’re foolishly open with the wrong person, you could feel like a patsy.

Thursday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) The only way you’re going to settle an important situation is through a compromise. Be open-minded, because the advantage you thought you had is a willo’-the-wisp.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Partial success is likely to be the best you can hope for if you attempt to do too many things. Do what you can to reduce your workload so that you can be more effective.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 21, 2013

Entertainment

O R Kelly has definitely been delivering the best of R&B music to the world and we are fortunate to witness this journey!

R

&B Legend R Kelly will be performing live at the Guyana National Stadium on August 24 when Hits and Jams Entertainment hosts its annual Jamzone Summer Break international concert!

Robert Sylvester Kelly, better known by his stage name ‘R Kelly’, will headline this show and promises to make it an unforgettable evening for fans of great soulful music as he is often referred to as the ‘King of R&B’.

This artist is an American singer/ songwriter and record producer who has been on the entertainment scene for more than two decades. A few of R Kelly’s biggest hits are “Bump n’ Grind”, “Your Body’s Callin’”, “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Gotham City”, “Ignition (Remix)”, “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time”, “The World’s Greatest”, “I’m a Flirt”, and “Trapped in the Closet”. He won three Grammy Awards for “I Believe I Can Fly” in 1998.

R Kelly has worked with many great artists in his industry including the late Aaliyah for whom he produced her

C

lub Monaco, Guyana’s most modern nightclub, will be hosting the ultimate all black attire event this Saturday, June 22 dubbed “Total Black Out”.

This highly anticipated event will feature all the exciting elements of a great club party: hot hit music, cold drinks, a lively atmosphere and Guyana’s best DJs. Tickets to Total Black Out cost $1500 and those who want to enjoy the elevated VIP area experience can purchase tickets for $3000.

However, ladies in all black outfits can enter the party free before 23:00h. Guyana’s best Deejays, Green Duns of Pier One and Selector Diamond and Gully Ras of 94.1 Boom FM will

1994 d e but album ‘Age ain’t nothing but a number’ and in 1996, he was nominated for writing ‘You are not alone’ made popular by the late Micheal Jackson. R Kelly is also known for collaborations with Rapper Jay-Z and Hip Hop artists like Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, Fat Joe and Nas. This superstar has been recognised by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as one of the bestselling music artists in the United States with 38.5 million albums sold as well as only the fifth black artist to reach the top 50 of the same list.

More recently in March 2011, R Kelly was named the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years by Billboard. He has released 10 studio albums in total, sold 38.5 million albums in the U.S. and over 54 million albums worldwide making him the most successful R&B male artist of 1990s!

juggle hit songs all night.

Total Black Out is sponsored by Tennessee Motor Spares, Underground Men’s Store, White Castle Fish Shop, JamZone 2k13, 94.1 and Inews Guyana.

Club Monaco has been hosting a number of exciting concept parties much to the enjoyment of party fans. The next hit party “Live Out Loud” is set for Saturday, June 29 at Club Monaco.

n a continued quest to ensure that Guyanese music is recognised worldwide, Kross Kolor Records is set to spearhead and launch a network that it believes will set the way forward for Guyana and Guyanese musicians.

The company owned and Adrian managed by long time veteran Burchmore Simon has over the years played a major role in the entertainment arena in Guyana, contributing to the high standard quality of music being produced in the country to date.

The Guyana Music Network, a Kross Kolor Records initiative, is the first step designed to change the way we look at The music industry in Guyana and to reorganise and consolidate for its growth and commercialisation.

Among the countries of the Caribbean Guyana cuts a lonely figure in the music industry. Over the years many attempts Jumo have been made to form and stabilise an organisation that would secure the affairs of musicians in the country all to no avail.

Even as studios have improved their equipment and engineers their skills, songwriters their writing and performers have upped their game, the music industry is almost non-existent.

There are no associations, no unions, no copyright society, absolutely nothing indicating that this industry is ready to rival any of our sister countries in the Caribbean much less farther afield. This state of affairs has resulted in frustration, poverty, and stagnation of an industry that has the potential to out sell rice, sugar and bauxite.

In other words, after decades of the likes of Jonny Braff, Mark Holder, The

P

Yoruba Singers, Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo, Big Red, Fiona, The mighty Intruder, Celia Samaroo, Mighty Canary, Mighty Rebel, Charmaine Blackman, Dave Martins, Terry Gajraj, Joyce Harris, Bonny Alves, Keith Waithe and other stalwarts; and being ahead of the other Caribbean nations in the 50’s-60’s where music was concerned, we have been relegated to last position and struggling to survive.

One can agree that over the years our Guyanese artistes have faced many hardships; being disrespected Big red by promoters who have constantly given them little or no preference when promoting events or not advertising them even if they are booked, or who want to pay little or nothing for their services; shunned by some djs who will play only foreign recordings 24/7 without playing a song from a Guyanese artiste, preferring to feed our children trash and feel good about it than aid in the positive development of their own.

The concept of the network is extremely simple, “han wash han, mek han clean”.

The task is not impossible but it will call for hard work and dedication by all. We the stakeholders will have to start loving ourselves and what we produce. We also have to encourage others to love what we produce and supporting each other in all areas of the industry we can turn it around.

The introduction of the Guyana Music network will be done on Thursday 27th June, 2013 at the Umana Yana at 1730 hours. Come out and let’s stop blaming everyone else, let’s stop waiting for manna to fall from the sky, Self-sufficiency beats dependency any day.

ast students of West Demerara Secondary School are in for a treat as the first school reunion is set to sizzle on June 29 with an old school party at the Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Coast Demerara.

The organising committee is calling on all past and present students and teachers to be a part of the fun and excitement; one that will last a lifetime.

This is the first of its kind since numerous calls were made from past students of the school to host such an event which will have them remembering their school days.

The committee encourages person to get their tickets early. They cost $1000 and are available at Westsiderz Entertainment at Vreed-enHoop junction. These tickets are limited.

Tickets are also available at Aracari Resort; West Demerara Secondary School; and Avon DVD Club at Uitvlugt. For more call Ravi Ganace on 690-3210. Music will be provided by 71 Sound System.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, june 21, 2013

19

Entertainment

"Pleasin Mrs Jones" “Love and Madness” for NCC on June 22 and 23

at Theatre Guild this Saturday

Kijana Lewis

“

I

t will be theatrical productions at its best as Michael James’ “Pleasin Mrs Jones” is set to invade the National Cultural Centre on June 22 and 23.

On March 2 of this year, “Pleasing Mrs Jones”, was staged at the Linden Concert Hall. The hilarity of the comedy brought the proverbial house down.

It is satire at its very best. The saga of the bible thumping self-righteous, the television churches, the economic acrobatics women go through to make ends meet, is on ridiculous display, and makes “Pleasin Mrs Jones”, a must see.

The story of the main character, Mrs Jones, a

A scene from the play, "Pleasin Mrs Jones"

self-centred and insensitive woman, uncaringly ignores the feelings and wishes of all around her, pandering to the material, while expounding the Christian virtues.

It purports to be an out and out gut busting comedy. However, its lessons are inescapable. The seemingly endless stories of the male Guyanese population, savage abuse of its females, is such that even the hardest hearts, condemn men without a second thought. No cases are looked at in specificity anymore, and with good reason.

The writer also wrote plays such as “To Forgive and Forget”; “Dutty Bundle”; “Family Matters”;

“Tit for Tat”; “Sugar Water People”; “All Skin Teeth Na Laff”; and “Tantimerl and She Junky”.

Like many writers, when asked what makes him write, James will say that he is inspired by the common man in his normal day-to-day struggles. He is currently working on a new a feature film, “The Bread Winner’.”

The very affordable tickets are available at the National Cultural Centre, Giftland OfficeMax, Nigel’s Supermarket, LEAP Building Linden and Ashmins Trading. Tickets are available at the cost of $1500 and $1000. The show is set to start at 20:00h.

L

Mark Kazim

ove and Madness” is a wickedly sexy show that explores love, sex and relationships in a fearless and unpredictable way.

The show is slated for Saturday, June 22, at The Theatre Guild Playhouse commencing at 20:00h.

The theatrical production includes dramatic, skits, monologues and dance.

Patrons will be entertained by a well experienced cast including Sonia Yarde, Leslyn Fraser, Lloyda Nicholas, Kijana Lewis, Mark Luke Edwards, Nirmala Narine, Randolph, Mark Kazim, Sean Thompson and Jamal La Rose.

The provocative name for the company, “Drama Queens”, was born when four friends recognised that their own lives were filled with personal crises that they were rising above.

They started referring to themselves as drama queens. Since three of those friends are performers in Guyana, it was no surprise when they saw the potential for branding in the name and decided to launch the production company.

The members of the Company are; Leslyn Fraser, dancer, actor and television personality, Tashandra Inniss, actor, stage manager and playwright and Lloyda Nicholas,

Sean Thompson

Sonia Yarde

actor, spoken word artist and writer.

These three members are pooling their collective talent and experience to bring you “Love and Madness”.

“Love and Madness” is a comedic drama ensemble production of skits, monologues, music and dance all in the theme of the show.

The skits have been written by the members of the company and explore the variety of crazy circumstances that occur all in the name of love.

It is a show that anyone who has been in love can relate to. It explores themes related to love, sex and relationships. The show is set outside of the box and is unlike any other current stage production in Guyana as it fearlessly tackles those themes that we can all relate to.

The intent is that the audience will leave the theatre laughing at themselves, having seen their own lives on stage but also asking themselves, what really is love? Dance choreography and the selection of music will also be designed to fit the theme and link the skits, telling the story of the madness that we call love.

The show is sponsored by GT&T’s Mobile Money. Tickets cost $2000 and $1000 and are available at The West Indian Sports Complex on Robb Street, next door to CNS Channel 6.

The Guyana Fashion Week 2013 gets Tennicia De Freitas launches rolling this weekend new video tonight on HJTV

M

any may remember Tennicia De Freitas; the little lady from performing calypso over the years and being very successful in that field as she is a former three-time children’s calypso and two-time junior calypso monarch.

That little lady is all grown up and is anticipating the release of her fourth single (video) under the Kross Kolor Records label for her latest single ‘Brown Crush’. The song was produced by Burchmore Simon and the Style-City Music Company based in the U.S. The song was written by De Freitas and according to the songstress, it was inspired by a true story of her life, speaking about a secret crush she had at that time.

With the lyrics “Dark skin, brown eyes oh how you look so fine,” the video also features the 3rd runner-up of the GT&T Feel The Beat dance competi-

tion Jemal Ellis who plays the role of her secret crush.

For her, this new video sets the way forward as she’s now venturing out of her years as a young calypsonian and will be focusing on releasing other songs, more of the R&B and Reggae/Dancehall genres.

She has also been performing with the Heatwave Band over the past few months and has gained quite a bit of recognition for her improvement as a young performer.

The video will premiere tonight on HJTV 21/72 at 20:00h after which it will be aired later o n various telev i -

sion stations and programmes across the country.

Be sure to tune in to HJTV today also for some behind the scenes footage from the video. Tennicia and the Kross Kolor family extend gratitude to the production crew and Courts Guyana Inc for helping to make the video a success.

Tennicia De Freitas

T

he Guyana Fashion Week 2013 kicks off come this Sunday at the Water Chris Hotel for the auditions for both designers and models.

In its sixth instalment, CEO of the biennial event, Sonia Noel, promises a week packed with activities and events surrounding the birth and growth of our nation’s fashion industry, mixed with all the elements of the creative arts.

GFW six, is set to be launched on August 4, in grand style, giving a glimpse of what to expect.

The proceedings this year will take a very different shape from previous years. Guyana Fashion Week is set for October 20-27.

This year promises an event like no other, bringing together six races to pronounce one people, six days of fashion activity to celebrate one fashion week, six senses, including the mind, to chart one vision, six types of arts to claim one creative industry, six nationalities would be present, to identify our collective brand, and this our sixth event would continue to forge our unique destiny.

GFW pays tribute to water’s sustainable properties, in declaring that water is essential to our very existence. There is no life without water so GFW 2013

hopes to bring life to fashion and as a result bring fashion to life.

The five-year history made an indelible impression on the promotion of the Caribbean aesthetic as a viable global style alternative. Five years marked the end of phase one of the plan to develop a Guyanese fashion industry.

It goes without saying that part and parcel of this movement is identity branding which includes

mobilising all aspects of the arts to corral the components of a true creative industry. This is the stuff of which sustainable development is made – the reliance on economic diversification strategies to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. All of which ensure youth empowerment and nationbuilding action.

“There is so much raw and untapped talent in the creative industries in Guyana. It is our intention to harness, expose and develop this talent, as well as to promote consistently regional networking opportunities,” Sonia Noel said. All interested designers are asked to come down to the Water Chris Hotel this Saturday, June 22, between 14:00h and 15:00h with at least five sketches to audition. And models, all shapes and sizes, male and female, between 15:00h and 17:00h.

Male models are asked to walk with a pair of shoes, and fitted jeans or pants, and female models are asked to walk with a pair of heeled shoes, no less than four inches high, leggings and mid-riff tops.

For more info call 2263099/ guyanafw@gmail.com or visit our website and FB page.

20

Entertainment

YELLOW PAGES

FRIday, june 21, 2013

ACCOMMODATION

Furnished rooms and apartments; 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments- long & short term rental.

Affordable rates Call: 227-2199, 227-2186, 227-2189

car rental Journey Inn Apartments & car rental. Rooms & car to rent from $3000 Premio, Vitz. Phone: 689-6668, 6394452.

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

EDUCATION It’s here again!!” Music summer camp 2013” register now !! keyboard, guitar ,drums recorder &voice training starts –july 8-19 from 10-12pm phone :225-1151, 611-8416, 652-8176, 644-1736 or 617-4200, WHERE CAN YOU GET A BOOK FOR $40? THE MASSIVE BOOKSALE, NOW ON AT BOOKLAND, ABOVE MATTS RECORD BAR (226-2874).

BOOKLAND, ON A SAL MISSION “ TO GET BOOKS IN EVERY HOUSHOLD”.

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

FOR SALE Clean garden earth & builders waste. Also bobcat rental, excavating, clearing and leveling. Phone: 616-0617 or 663-3285.

Husehold furniture. Phone: 6875653

health Healthworld Holistic Centre: Psychotherapy available for all types of abnormal behaviors – addictions, emotional, suicidal, anger, relationship and sexual problems.

Treatment of stress disorders, depression, fear, low self-esteem, insomnia, trauma, psychosomatic sicknesses, and children's disorders. We also conduct IQ evaluations and behavioral assessments.

By appointments only. Clinic hours: 11:00 – 17:00h. Tel: 592-621-0552.

Email:healthworldhc@gmail.com

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK, Immigration and Visa matters. Self Sponsorships, Holiday/Visitor’s Visas, Work Permits, Students Visas, Family, Class, Immigration Forms, Embassy Enquiries, Appeals for Refused Cases, U.S Green Card Lottery, Business Class Waivers, Pardons etc. Get your Visa approved. High Success Rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts.) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105.

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks.

Get your extra key today.

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 2750322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

property for sale 2-stoery concrete house, 32’x55’, 3 bedrooms, Block 8, Mon Repos, ECD. $36M. Phone: 642-2116

spirituality Learn transcendental meditation and gain deep relaxation, eliminate stress, increase creativity and intelligence, promote health, attain inner happiness and fulfillment and contribute to peace for the world. Contact certified teacher Ashoka: 233-6921, email kashokejp_68@yahoo.com Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer, the most powerful spiritualist in the world, are you suffering from the following problems - (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection.

Private and confidential. Phone: 601-5947.

Dutch Spiritual work. Unite lovers, get rid of evil, enhance prosperity, good luck baths and charm bowu guards, etc. Phone: 220-0708, 612-6417, 687-5653

TO let

Office space 349 East Street , North Cummingsburg. No agents please.

Phone: 226-6551, 225-0391

W

ith African Heritage Month fast approaching, nine muscular and energetic young men will be competing for the title of Mr African Root slated for July.

The nine young men are presently in training in various rigorous routines to showcase their talent and stamina.

The nine young men include Corwin Austin, Dallon Anthony Amsterdam, Dickcy Wilson, Leon Robertson, Lloyd Thomas, Mikhail McKennon, Rashlie Joseph, Raulex Clarke and Roydon James.

On pageant night these young men will compete in swimwear, evening wear creative attire, talent, presentation on successful African Guyanese and most importantly, the intelligence segment.

They have already been judged in a number of preliminary events such as a cookout, a day of sports, and designing their own African and evening outfits.

They were also part of a ‘soul search’ at Pandama Retreat and a nature walk.

The Mr African Roots 2013 pageant

Contestant number one: Lloyd Thomas, 22, of Georgetown.

He is representing Zimbabwe.

is set for the Theatre Guild. Each contestant is representing an African country and has to depict its people via their dress and their presentation.

This competition has been carefully structured and programmed to bring back our dying African culture by embracing and understanding our heritage by using nine dominant male characters from various parts of Guyana with unique personalities through the form of a competition.

The aim is to create and develop well-rounded males by teaching them how to present themselves, and enhance their self-esteem thereby projecting their ability of becoming better individuals. Also, to make Mr African Roots an annual production.

Meanwhile, the delegates are seeking assistance with sponsorship.

For additional information about sponsorship and the contestants, Director of Unique Arts Kelton Jennings can be contacted via telephone number 661-0573/667-0693 or via email address uniquearts20@yahoo.com.

Contestant number two: Roydon James, 21, of Berbice and represents Botswana.

Contestant number three: Dallon Anthony Amsterdam, 19, of Buxton, East Coast Demerara. He is representing Nigeria.

Contestant number five: Rashlie Joseph is 29 years old and is from East Ruimveldt. He is representing Ethiopia

Contestant number six: Leon Robertson, 23, of Berbice. He is representing Kenya.

Divinations and cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds.

Powerful Ifá and Khemetian spiritual guards, pendants, crystals, and rune stones to help you overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money and many more. Call 10:00-16:00h on: +592-690-1824.

Email: anew-life@live.com

VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota harrier, PJJ excellent condition, fully loaded $3.6m. Phone: 227-7365, 626 5413 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA PREMIO; TOYOTA SPACIO; TOYOTA RUNX; TOYOTA VITZ (NEW SHAPE); TOYOTA NOAH; SUZUKI SWIFT; MERCEDES BENZ C200 COMPRESSOR; BMW 318I; CALDINA WAGON; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED; 4WD EXTRACAB PICKUP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRACAB PICKUP 3RZ & 5L; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS; 3; 3.5; TONS OPEN TRAY; 3 TONS WITH TAILGATE HOIST; 2 TONS 4WD; 3 TONS DUMP TRUCK. PREORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICE AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762 , 220-5177. A NAME AND A SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST. Land Cruiser for Quick Sale. Very good condition Inside and Outside - $3.5M Contact 623-1392

Contestant number four: Corwin Austin, 19, of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. He is representing Rwanda.

Contestant number seven: Dickcy Willson, 19, of Linden. He is representing Tanzania.

Contestant number eight: Mikhail McKennon, 18, of Beterverwagting and is representing Melawi.

Contestant number nine: Raulex Clarke, 21, of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. He is representing Namibia.

friday, june 21, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

India thrash Sri Lanka to reach CT final T

21

Darts’ association biennial meeting on today

he Guyana Darts Association will now hold their biennial general meeting today at 18:00h at the CCWU Sports Club on Quamina Street.

The general meeting which was postponed on June 16 due to a quorum not being met will go ahead irrespective of the amount of persons that make themselves available.

I

ndia thrashed Sri Lanka by eight wickets ON Thursday to set up a Champions Trophy final with England on Sunday.

Chasing only 182 to win, India cantered home in 35 overs, with Shikhar Dhawan hitting 68 and Virat Kohli a sparkling unbeaten 58.

Earlier, Mahendra Dhoni’s side took advantage of the damp conditions in Cardiff to reduce Sri Lanka to 41-3, effectively 41-4 after Tillakaratne Dilshan retired with a calf injury.

Angelo Mathews made 51 and Mahela Jayawardene 38 as Sri Lanka fought back, but India’s spinners found turn to restrict Mathews’ men to 181-8.

Any comfort that Sri Lanka could have taken from the difficult batting conditions was dismissed by Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who shared 77 for the first wicket.

Then, when Rohit was needlessly bowled swiping at Mathews, Kohli arrived to take India to a date with the hosts at Edgbaston on Sunday.

England made the most of the help given to their pace bowlers in a similarly one-sided semi-final victory over South Africa on Wednesday, but if they were hoping for more of the same in Birmingham, India proved that they can adapt to traditional English conditions.

The most impressive side in the tournament to date, India had built their three previous victories on the prolific opening pair of Dhawan and Rohit, the spin of Ravi Jadeja and some lively field-

Important items on the agenda for the general meeting will include the president’s report, the treasurer’s report and the election of officers.

Meanwhile, after the general meeting there will be a male and female singles match along with a luck-ofthe-draw game with cash incentives up for grabs in the short tournament.

Armstrong questions Cookson on UCI plans

T

Shikhar Dhawan

ing.

Here, their seam attack came to the fore, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma all found movement from the pitch to virtually eradicate run-scoring from the early part of Sri Lanka’s innings.

Recognising the assistance on offer, skipper Dhoni removed his wicketkeeping gloves and pads to become India’s fourth seamer and even had Jayawardene given out lbw in his first over, only for an inside edge to be detected on review.

By that time, India had already ripped through the Sri Lanka top order, albeit if they were given the boost of the injury to Dilshan, who limped off with an injury sustained when playing Yadav through the on side.

In among Dilshan’s exit, three left-handers – Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara – all edged to the sharp

Suresh Raina at second slip as Sri Lanka managed only 47 runs in the first 20 overs.

The slow rebuilding job was done by Jayawardene and Mathews, whose fourthwicket stand of 78 was based on patient accumulation, bar Mathews’ dance to smash Ishant over long on

for six.

They were parted by Jadeja, the left-arm spinner skidding one through Jayawardene’s pull shot, leaving Mathews to complete an 85-ball half-century scored almost exclusively on the leg side. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD South Africa innings C Ingram c DM Bravo b Pollard 73 H Amla c Gayle b Samuels 23 AB de Villiers*† c DM Bravo b Rampaul 37 JP Duminy c †Charles b DJ Bravo 2 F du Plessis run out (DJ Bravo) 35 D Miller c Sammy b DJ Bravo 38 R McLaren not out 7 R Peterson not out 0 Extras: (b2, lb4, w9) 15 Total: (6 wkts, 31 overs) 230 Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-124, 3-128, 4-153, 5-221, 6-229 Bowling: R Rampaul 6-0-371, T Best 5-0-35-0, S Narine 7-0-47-0, D Sammy 2-0-18-0, DJ Bravo 5-0-43-2, M Samuels 2-0-14-1, K Pollard 4-0-30-1

West Indies innings C Gayle c du Plessis b Morris 36 J Charles† c †de Villiers b Steyn 16 D Smith lbw b Peterson 30 M Samuels b Steyn 48 DM Bravo run out (Amla/McLaren) 12 K Pollard c Steyn b McLaren 28 DJ Bravo* not out 8 D Sammy not out 0 Extras: (lb5, w7) 12 Total: (6 wkts, 26.1 overs) 190 Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-75, 3-87, 4-104, 5-162, 6-190 Bowling: JP Duminy 3-029-0, L Tsotsobe 6-0-37-0, D Steyn 6-0-33-2, C Morris 4-0-30-1, R Peterson 4-0-221, R McLaren 3.1-0-34-1

he president of British Cycling has told disgraced rider Lance Armstrong he is in favour of a “truth and reconciliation” approach to dealing with the sport’s doping problems.

During a question and answer session on Twitter, Armstrong asked Brian Cookson if he had any plans to convene a commission to “fully understand the mistakes of previous generations”.

Cookson, 61, replied that he “would support a full truth and rec process if legal and practical hurdles can be overcome”.

The man challenging Pat McQuaid for the presidency of the International Cycling Union also referenced an earlier answer that he had given on the subject of cycling’s drug-tainted past, by saying he would “prioritise the allegations which implicate the UCI in cover-ups – must be investigated independently and quickly”.

Armstrong, who has nearly four million followers on the social media site, was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from competitive sport by the United States AntiDoping Agency last year for

his central involvement in a sophisticated doping conspiracy.

The fallen idol finally admitted his years of cheating in a TV interview in January with American broadcaster Oprah Winfrey. Since then there have been rumours of Armstrong wanting to tell the authorities everything he knows about his doping activities, but they have so far come to nought.

Cycling’s leaders have been talking about a “year zero” commission for dealing with the sport’s blood-doping era ever since the full scale of Armstrong’s wrongdoing emerged – the idea being that amnesties would be offered to coaches, doctors, riders and so on in return for full disclosure of any cheating they had engaged in.

The process has failed to get started, however, because of legal concerns about how it would work in practice, and more fundamental worries about who would pay for it.

Some have estimated that a meaningful truth and reconciliation commission would take two years and cost £10 million, which is considerably more than the UCI can afford. (BBC Sport)

Ponting to retire from all forms Second-string Spain hit 10 of cricket in October past Tahiti

R

icky Ponting, the second highest Test run scorer of all time, will retire from all forms of cricket in October.

The former Australia captain, playing for Surrey until the end of July, quit international cricket in November 2012.

Ponting, 38, will end his career after appearing for Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians in the Champions League, which ends on 6 October.

“While I’m enjoying my cricket as much as ever, it just feels like the right time to finish playing,” said Ponting.

“My body and mind are in great shape and I know I’m going to really enjoy these last few months before the next stage of life begins.”

Ponting made his firstclass debut for his native Tasmania in 1992/93, and broke into Australia’s oneday side against South Africa in February 1995.

He scored 96 against Sri Lanka in Perth the following November in the first of his 168 Tests, an Australian record he holds jointly with Steve Waugh.

A total of 13,378 runs at an average of 52.21 saw Ponting retire as the second-highest run scorer in Test history behind Sachin Tendulkar.

The Tasmanian also played 375 one-day internationals, leading Australia to victory at the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, and 17 Twenty20 matches.

Ponting led Australia to 48 wins out of his 77 Tests as captain, but he also became the first captain to lose three Ashes series.

England’s 2-1 series win in 2005 was followed by Australia’s 5-0 whitewash in 2006-07, but two more Ashes defeats followed in 2009 and 2010-11, and Ponting gave up the Australian captaincy after a World Cup quarter-final defeat to India in March 2011.

Australia batsman Chris Rogers, recalled to the Test squad for this summer’s Ashes, paid tribute to Ponting, captain when Rogers won his one Test cap in 2008.

“He was one of the best, if not the best,” declared Rogers.

“He set standards that the rest of us have to follow so to play against him this year, and watch him dominate, showed what a fabulous player he is. I have nothing but huge respect for him.”

Following his international retirement, Ponting was part of the Tasmania side that won the state’s third Sheffield Shield in March before joining up with Surrey for the English season.

Ponting made 192 on his Surrey debut in June, and after his contract ends in late July he will play for the Antigua Hawksbills in the first Caribbean Premier League.

F

ernando Torres scored four goals and David Villa grabbed three as Spain completed a resounding Confederations Cup win over Tahiti on Thursday.

Chelsea’s Torres beat Tahiti goalkeeper Mikael Roche and waltzed past Roche again after David Silva’s finish.

Villa then scored either side of half-time before the Spanish forwards sealed their hat-tricks from crosses. Juan Mata made it 8-0 and Torres ran in a fourth after missing a penalty before Silva pinched a second late on.

Spain are not assured of their place in the semi-final just yet but they look oddson to reach the last four after this record win in the competition.

And although the scoreline marked the gulf in class between the two sides, Tahiti once again won new fans with their willingness

to get on the scoresheet rather than defend in numbers.

The defeat matched a record loss for the South Pacific islanders, who lost by the same scoreline against New Zealand in 2004, but their endeavour and undoubted class made this occasion far more than a straightforward thumping.

Torres’s goal after five minutes, where he beat Roche at his near post after a one-two with Villa, looked like it might signify a goal rush but Tahiti’s amateurs played with some distinction for the first half hour against the reigning world and European champions.

Coming after their historic goal in the 6-1 defeat

by Nigeria in their Group B opener, Tahiti again employed a high defensive line.

It allowed plenty of gaps in behind coach Eddy Etaeta’s defence, but an energetic midfield and poor

composure from Spain kept the scoreline more than respectable given the 137 places in Fifa’s world ranking between the two sides.

Indeed, energetic bursts into Spain’s half from Steevy Chong Hue and Jonathan Tehau gave Tahiti confidence and roused the home crowd.

While not exactly struggling, Spain were not at their fluent best to begin with. Given the standard of their opposition, perhaps it was understandable that La Roja could not lift themselves to their usual heights.

With 10 changes to the team that beat Uruguay, Spain finally ended Tahiti’s resistance with three goals in eight minutes before half-time. Villa, who was the only Barcelona player in the starting side, cut in from the left and played in Manchester City’s Silva, who slotted past Roche. (BBC

Sport)

22

friday, june 21, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Ansa McAL completes STAG “Crown Your Community” initiative – hands over equipment to MSC

A

NSA McAL on Tuesday completed its “Crown Your Community” promotion when it handed over the final piece of equipment, a $600,000 John Deere grasscutter, to the Mackenzie Sports Club’s (MSC) management as part of a $3 million ground makeover.

Public Relations Officer at ANSA McAL, Darshanie Yussuf, told the media that the company wants the facility to benefit the people and the community. She said the STAG initiative shows ANSA McAL’s seriousness about the holistic development of sports.

“We resurfaced the ground as MSC requested and as part of maintenance, we are handed over an equipment that we’re certain will give the ground a neat finish,” Yussuf said, adding that the cost to resurface the ground amounted to $2.4 million exclusive of the equipment.

The grass-cutter and resurfacing cost accounted for the $3 million ground makeover under the STAG Beer

ANSA McAL PRO Darshanie Yussuf (right) hands over the keys for the John Deere grass-cutter to MSC Treasurer Phillip Gibbons as part of the final phase of the STAG “Crown Your Community” initiative

brand. Receiving the equipment, Treasurer at the MSC, Phillip Gibbons, thanked ANSA McAL for the gesture, adding that it will enhance their care of the facility.

“We are not too happy that you had to come at a time when the ground is

not fully completed but we are grateful for this gesture; it will ensure that we have a beautiful surface so that sports could come back to the MSC at a high standard,” Gibbons said.

ANSA McAL has had a hands-on approach to the

management of the MSC ground project. However, while the ground is levelled and fully grassed there is still a final phase of rolling to be done, which the inclement weather has prevented.

The MSC was chosen as the venue for the makeover after the popular liming spot, Chicken’s Bar in Linden had won the STAG Beer ‘Crown Your Community’ promotion.

Yussuf had described the promotion as “revolutionary”. It was based on the community that had collected the most STAG Beer crowns (corks), and highest weight, being adjudged the winner at the end with a field renovation prize worth $3 million.

In addition to the field renovation, ANSA McAL Trading had also done dressing rooms aback of the MSC basketball court. The dressing room was named after one of Linden’s and one of Guyana’s most prolific basketball players, James Brusche.

Berbice Softball Alliance to stage 10/10 competition

T

he newly constituted Berbice Softball Alliance (BSA) will stage a 20-team 10/10 softball competition on Sunday and June 30.

Teams from the ancient county have been in-

vited to participate in the competition, which will be hosted at the Port Mourant Community Centre ground.

Among the teams set to do battle on the two days are Universal DVD Store Berbice Titans, Karibee

Boyz, Capo’s XI, D’Edward Rangers, Edinburg, Computer Doctor XI, Vinesh Super Team, Port Mourant, Blairmont Warriors, Kris Jagdeo’s XI, Taliban, Trophy Stall Angels, Karibee Girls, Universal Solutions Tigress

and 4R Lionesses. They will vie for cash and trophies.

The BSA, which was registered April last, aims to foster and promote softball games in a disciplined and structured environment among youths in Berbice.

FIVB instructor to conduct beach volleyball course here

Lennie Shuffler

Beach volleyball is quickly gaining popularity around the globe

he Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) in partnership with the world governing body for the game, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), will stage a beach volleyball grassroots course next week at the Sport Ministry’s Sand Court on Carifesta Avenue.

The course will commence at 09:00h on Monday and end next Saturday.

The facilitator of the course, FIVB’s Instructor Mauro Hernandez of Venezuela, will be arriving in Guyana on Sunday. He will be accompanied by compatriots, Johan Gutierres and Leonardo Ojeda.

According to president of the GVF, Lennie Shuffler, the course is in keeping with the direction suggested by the FIVB, for Levels One and Two federations

T

to develop beach volleyball, school volleyball and community volleyball.

Beach volleyball is fast gaining popularity worldwide and is an Olympic sport since 1996. Shuffler said the GVF is committed to developing this form of the game since being a twoplayer team game it is cost effective and permits the GVF to send teams to compete outside of Guyana.

Shuffler added that a great number of participants, both male and female, have signed up for the course and the GVF is grateful for the support being given by the Sport Ministery in granting permission to use the Sand Court and facilities at Carifesta Avenue and the dormitory at the National Gymnasium for accommodating the out of town participants.

GTM U-19 InterCounty cricket tournament resumes today

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Akshaya Persaud

T

Shawn Perreira

Kamesh Yadram

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Company-sponsored (GTM) Inter-19 Inter-County threeday day cricket competition resumes today from 10:00h with two matches. The tournament, which commenced on April 23, was put on hold due to the persistent rains.

Two matches will be played simultaneously in each round and today’s first round is set for the Police ground where Essequibo will face Demerara while at the Everest Cricket Club ground the President’s XI will oppose Berbice.

The second round of the competition will be played from June 25-27 with Berbice playing Essequibo at the Demerara Cricket Club ground and Demerara taking on the President’s XI at the Everest Cricket Club ground. The final round of the competition, scheduled for June 29-July 1, will see Demerara playing Berbice at the DCC ground while the President’s XI will oppose Essequibo at the Wales Community Centre ground.

The competition is a yardstick for the junior selectors to pick the Guyana team for the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Regional Under-19 competition, scheduled for later this year. The competition, which began in 1976, has produced all but two of Guyana’s Test players, Clyde Butts and Neil McGarrell.

The competition, which will be contested on a round robin basis, is expected to be keenly contested.

President’s XI squad reads: Akshaya Persaud (Captain), Ryan Shun, Rajiv Balgobin, Asif Alehi, Danesh Mangal, Anthony Boohdeo, Martin PestanoBell, Yenkini Favourite, Arif Chand, Hakeem Hinds, Nial

Ricardo Adams

Smith, Devon George, and Akesh Jagroo. The coach is Adrian Amsterdam and the manager is David Black.

Demerara squad reads: Kamesh Yadram (Captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Brian Sattaur, Chandrika Persaud, Deonarine Seegobin, Andrew Gibson, Kemol Savory, Steven Sankar, Devon Lord, Stephon Brown, Dexter George, Bernard Bailey, Kevin Paul and Shivram Persaud. The coach is Quason Nedd and the manager is Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis.

GT&T Berbice squad reads: Shawn Perreira (Captain), Nick Ramsaroop, Devin Baldeo, Parmanand Narine, Sharaz Ramcharran, Ashkay Homraj (wkp), Kevon Jawahir, Derek Narine, David Latchaya, Shailendra Shameer, Gudakesh MotieKanhai, Suresh Dhanai, and Romario ShepherdDeJonge.

Essequibo squad reads: Ricardo Adams (Captain), Ricardo Peters, Mark Gonsalves, Herry Greene, Mohamed Hassan, Rajiv Balgobin, Mahendra Balbadar, Avinash Persaud, Andy Dass, Kesho Rooplall, Dexter Williams, Placid Edwards, Raj Parbattie and Shivindra Hemraj.

Forbes Daniels will execute the duties of coach, with the manager being Nazeer Mohamed.

friday, june 21, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Amateur line-up finalised for ProAm card T

he Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), through the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), has announced the names of the eight amateur boxers who will appear on the June 29 ProAm boxing card at the Uitvlught Community Centre ground.

In the 50-54lbs class, Jamie Kellman of Young Achievers will take on Quancy Wright of Essequibo Boxing Gym, while Squalie Wright of Essequibo Boxing

Quincy Boyce

Nedd satisfied with team’s preparation – team focused on job ahead, says Persaud

By Rajiv Bisnauth

T

he national under-17 cricket team ended their encampment period on Thursday after a stint at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara.

They are preparing for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional tournament slated for Trinidad and Tobago from June 29 to July 8.

Coach Garvin Nedd informed that emphasis was placed on physical conditioning and technique. He also disclosed that he was satisfied with the team’s fitness level and preparation generally.

Nedd, who played 14 First Class matches for Guyana, revealed that the players went through the fundamentals of batting, bowling and fielding in addition to the basic fitness routines during the camp.

“The batsmen worked on their shot selection while the bowlers when through their delivery stride and length.

The players have also done some improvised fielding drills, so overall I am happy with the preparations,” Nedd said.

Nedd continued “We have a group of talented players, a group that I am confident will make Guyana proud and I know once they stick to their game plan and play to their abilities, Guyana can win the tournament easily.”

Focused

Meanwhile, captain Travis Persaud in an invited comment said that the team is focused on the job at hand, adding that the team was in high spirits and was confident of winning this year’s tournament.

Speaking about the players in the squad, the captain said: “We have a talented squad with capable batsmen and wicket-taking bowlers.”

He stated that he expects a lot from vice captain Shimron Hetmyer and fast bowling all-rounder Kemo Paul.

“These are two senior guys in the team, I know

Travis Persaud

what they are capable of and I am looking forward to their support in every department,” added Persaud.

The captain affirmed the team’s allround ability, stating “the batsmen have the ability to build an innings and occupy the crease so I am confident we will be able to get scores of 250 or close to three hundred.”

He added, “The bowlers are good enough to restrict oppositions, we have a variety to choose from.”

The 14-man squad, along with Nedd and team manager, Nazeer Mohamed will wing out for the twin island republic on June 26.

Jamaica are the defending champions after winning the inaugural tournament last year and will be looking to defend their title against the five other regional teams: Barbados, Guyana, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands.

Guyana: Travis Persaud (Captain), Shimron Hetmeyer (Vice Captain), Grisean Grant, Travis Drakes, Ronaldo Renee, Brandon Persaud, Parmesh Parsotam, Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Daniel Lewis, Keanu Harry, Navendra Persaud, Permanand Ramdhan and Ryan Adams. Nazeer Mohamed will perform the duties of team manager.

The six reserve players are: Kasim Khan, Shamar Grayham, Leon Andrews, Nathan Persaud, Clitus Johnson and Balchand Baldeo.

Gym will trade skills with Shamar Bumbury of Forgotton Youth Foundation in the 75-79lbs division.

Shaka Moore of Essequibo Boxing Gym and Stefan Green of Harpy Eagles will face off a 105105lbs bout, with Quincy Boyce of the Guyana Defence Force gym up against Travis Hubbard of Harpy Eagles Gym at 118-125lbs.

The card, which is held monthly, will be staged outside of Georgetown for the

first time and will also feature several exciting professional bouts.

Regular venue, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, is currently undergoing rehabilitative work, and that forced the GBBC to seek an alternative venue.

In the main event, Guyanese Revlon Lake, who is based in Barbados, and Dexter Gonsalves, who lives in Trinidad and Tobago, but is Guyanese by birth, will square off for the vacant

Junior Lightweight title of Guyana.

While Lake has fought in Guyana before, this will be Gonsalves’ maiden fight on home soil.

Prior to the main bout, local boys Kelsie George and Troy Lewis will go head-tohead in a four-round middleweight contest, while debutant Laured Stewart will start life as a professional against Anson Green in a four-round welterweight fight.

The world renowned Leon “Hurry Up” Moore will also appear on the card, in a six-round featherweight clash with Errol Trotman.

Another newcomer, Romio Norville, will open his campaign against Eversley Brown in a four-round middleweight contest that will kick off the professional segment of the card.

Admission to the venue is $1500, with action set to get underway at 20:00 hours.

St Therese’s Primary win Inter-School U-13 football competition

S

t Therese’s Primary School of New Amsterdam won the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club/Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) New Amsterdam Branch InterPrimary school U-13 female football competition.

The one-day tournament was played on Tuesday at the All Saints ground in New

Amsterdam. The tournament which was played on a round robin basis saw four schools participating. A game lasted 15 minutes.

St Therese’s got pass Overwinning Primary 2-0, drew with All Saints Primary 0-0 and lost to NA Primary 0-1. All Saints copped the second place after losing a penalty shootout to deter-

mine the winner. Both teams finished on four points.

Overwinning ended in the third place.

At the end of the competition, trophies and medals were presented to the top three teams.

The individual category saw Destiny Lewis of NA Primary being adjudged the Most Valuable Player

with schoolmate Melinda Williams copping the best goalkeeper award. Trishel Joseph of St Therese’s received the prize for scoring the most goals while Asha Surajnauth of Overwinning was the most promising player. The boys segment of the competition started yesterday at the same venue.

(Andrew Carmichael)

CA

friday, june 21, 2013

TOP SCORES

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

India 182-2 (Dhawan 68, Kohli 58*) beat Sri Lanka 181-8 (Mathews 51, Ishant 3-33, Ashwin 3-48) by 8 wickets

KING JAMES REPEAT

Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to be re-opened next week

Neil Kumar

A

Miami outlasted San Antonio in Game Seven, 95-88, to cap an epic series and give South Beach consecutive titles

Basketballer in critical condition after Bosai crash

L

inden’s Victory Valley Royals (VVR) point guard Marlon Pollydore is listed as critical at the Linden Hospital Complex, Mackenzie after an accident that occurred in the BOSAI mines on Thursday morning.

The former New Silvercity Secondary and Linden Technical Institute (LTI) point guard was in a Nissan pickup truck in the BOSAI mines around 11:30h when tragedy struck. It was reported that a heavy duty Caterpillar 777 truck collided with pickup truck, killing three occupants and leaving Pollydore and Fabian Anthony in critical condition.

It was revealed that Pollydore suffered serious head injuries and other bodily injuries and had to be rushed to the operating theatre at the hospital for immediate surgery around 14:30h.

Speaking with president of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) Haslyn Graham, he said that Pollydore’s condition

fter three months of construction work on its flooring, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall – Guyana’s premier indoor sports facility – will be reopened next week.

This is according to Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, who on Thursday updated Guyana Times on the status of work on the Homestretch Avenue facility.

Renovations to the floor began on March 14, and according to Kumar, the deci-

Workers applying the finishing touches to the floor of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Thursday (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

sion was taken to have the floor totally refurbished, rather than effecting minor repairs intermittently. As such, the old surface, which existed for decades, was removed and replaced with greenheart beams and floor boards.

The director of sport said he is satisfied with the level of work being put out by the contractors, despite the fact that they are behind schedule.

Kumar said he has instructed those who are work-

ing on the facility that the National Sports Commission and the Sports Ministry are desirous of having the venue re-opened in the new week, and from all indications, that plan will materialise.

He noted that the workers have been putting in a lot of effort to ensure the floor is of a high standard, since some disciplines have complained in the past about the CASH surface being uneven.

When Guyana Times visited the venue on Thursday morning, several workers

were observed painting the outline of the basketball court, among other things.

The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is Guyana’s leading indoor facility. It is home to such disciplines as table-tennis, boxing, volleyball, basketball, hockey and futsal.

Some of the local associations also utilise the venue for workshops, while the Mashramani children’s school competition is also hosted there.

(Avenash Ramzan)

Nedd satisfied with team’s preparation – team focused on job ahead, says Persaud

Marlon Pollydore

was still being monitored and no word had been given on his condition from the operating room.

“Well he is being monitored, we are keeping a close eye on the situation… I was at the hospital around two o’ clock and he was in the theatre and there has been no word on his condition but he is being monitored,” Graham told Guyana Times Sport via telephone.

The victims of the crash were listed as Michael Williams, Kester Grant and Trenton Gardener.

Garvin Nedd has a final talk with members of the national U-17 squad before the encampment concluded on Thursday (Rajiv Bisnauth photo)

See story on page

23

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, Tel: 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230, 223-7231, Editor - 225-5128 Fax: 227-0685 SALES AND MARKETING: - sales@guyanatimesgy. com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.