29th Sept 2013

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INSIDE Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1906 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

September 29, 2013

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Political stalemate in National Assembly scaring away investors – GCCI president See stories on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana P8 represented on World Scout Bureau

Holy Trinity Anglican Church P9 at Anna Regina celebrates 127th anniversary

Berbician wins trip P12 to Beyonce Concert The eight Miss Guyana Universe 2013 contestants who were sashed at the Pegasus pool side on Saturday night. At second left is Miss Limacol Katherina Roshana, sponsored by NEW GPC INC (Carl Croker photo)

Stop blocking Workers being development, trained to put Guyana first improve level of See story on page 7

– finance minister urges opposition

See story on page 16

tourism service

Body of P14 decomposed pensioner found in house

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NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, September 29 from 13:30h to 15:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday, September 29 from 12:50h to 14:20h.

WEATHER TODAY

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 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to east north-easterly at 4.02 to 3.57 metres per second.

High Tide: 12:19h reaching a maximum height of 2.07 metres.

Low Tide: 05:39h and 18:15h reaching minimum heights of 1.11 metres and 1.16 metres respectively.

saturday, september 28, 2013

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

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Political stalemate in National Assembly scaring away investors – GCCI president

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eorgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Clinton Urling said the ongoing political impasse in the National Assembly is significantly affecting the national economy as it is “scaring away investors”.

This, he noted could pose a threat to the local business community. Urling raised these concerns on Friday evening as the GCCI launched its 2013/2014 Business Directory Magazine at the Pegasus Hotel.

He said the uncompromising stance that prevails between government and the combined parliamentary opposition does not bode well for international transactions and can hurt the country’s international ratings.

“I recently met with an ambassador who is not based in Guyana but has responsibility for Guyana, who said to me that his investors… they’re now reconsidering and would be worried whether to invest in Guyana because of the political uncertainty that exists.”

As such, he charged politicians to explore ways in which they can meet a political consensus and called on civil society to support the chamber in its call for agreement by politicians for projects of national interest.

“I want to urge all the parliamentarians to review leg-

keting appeal and targets local and international markets.

A section of the gathering at the launch of the 2013/2014 Business Directory Magazine at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday

islation that was presented in Parliament, review those legislation on merit and worthiness and also ensure that it meets the threshold with transparency and accountability,” he said.

He added: “Let’s get on with the business of local government elections… establishing the Integrity Commission… establishing the Ombudsman Office… establishing the Procurement Commission… [and] passing and legislating the antimoney laundering and terrorism bills.”

Move swiftly He also urged President Donald Ramotar to move swiftly in assenting to the four local government bills which have been passed in the National Assembly.

Urling also voiced concerns regarding what seems

to be an upsurge in widespread criminal activity here.

Urling said while many are calling for the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, he does not believe such a move will turn around the crime situation.

“I don’t believe that getting rid of Rohee you will see the criminals shaking in their shoes… saying ‘Hey, Rohee’s gone, we need to get our act together and not commit any crimes’, I don’t see that happening,” he reasoned.

The Guyana Police Force, he pointed out, should be held responsible, since it is responsible to protect the country’s people.

Meanwhile, delving into the specifics of the magazine, the GCCI president said the publication helps businesses listed to gain enhanced mar-

Evolving face Referring to the cover of the magazine, Urling said it symbolises the evolving face and architecture of Georgetown.

“The cover is the perfect crystallisation of the past and cultural with the contemporary and commercial. We have the historic Georgetown Cathedral juxtaposed with the new and ultra New Building Society building,” Urling explained.

The cover of the 2013/2014 Business Directory Magazine was unveiled by acting President Samuel Hinds and Urling in front of GCCI members and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile, addressing stakeholders at the event, second secretary and head of the Trade Section of the European Union Delegation to Guyana Joachaim Vedsted Jakobsen, said Guyana needs to climb the value chain, noting that current exports are dominated by commodities with low value added status.

“We always hear Guyana as the land of opportunities with vast land and natural resources and the location linking the Caribbean with South America. This is true but Guyana cannot continue to be a land of potential, it has to be a land where opportunities are taken and realised,” he noted.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Views Sunday Times Editor: Tajeram Mohabir 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

Corruption by another name

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.S. Ambassador D Brendt Hart just weighed in on the issue of corruption in governments in an interview in another section of the press. He admitted that corruption is a universal phenomenon and proposed that our judicial system will have to go after corrupt officials very vigorously here in Guyana. He cited his country for being very proactive in this regard and held it up as a model for Guyana to emulate. We wonder.

Part of the problem with “corruption” is its protean nature. While for the rest of the world (and the World Bank, for instance) it might be seen as “money being passed under the table” to officials in government, in America, the same end result is achieved by “legal” means and does not trigger any flags, much less censure as “corruption”. This can be illustrated by the 2013 report from Transparency International, which shows that while an average of 27 per cent of citizens across the globe exported paying a bribe, only seven per cent of Americans reported doing so.

Less corruption? Americans themselves do not think so. In every survey taken, Americans overwhelmingly believe that their country is awash with corruption: a Gallup poll in 2012 showed that 87 per cent of Americans felt that corruption is the second most important problem facing America (just behind the unemployment issue).

In a new book, Shadow Elite: How the World’s New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy, Government, and the Free Market, its author Professor Janine Wedel explains the discrepancy. Rather than passing bribes to officials, this shadow elite simply bends the rules and can do so because of their access to the movers and shakers in the U.S. A good example was the case of how the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the U.S. obtained all those full body scanners after 9/11. In 2005, Michael Chertoff, as head of Homeland Security, purchased five Rapiscan body scanners.

When he left government he formed the Chertoff Group, and Rapiscan became a client. After a Nigerian man with explosives in his underwear attempted an airplane bombing on Christmas Day 2009, Chertoff appeared on CNN and elsewhere, advocating strongly for more scanners. The TSA put in an order for 300.

In Wedel’s analysis, Chertoff used his former role as a government official to enable his work as corporate champion, without always being upfront about his interests during his television appearances. But the double dealing never hit any radar as “corruption”.

Ironically, Rapiscan’s lock on U.S. scanner contracts was broken by L-3 Communications, maker of a competing body scanner, whose lobbyists included former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official Linda Daschle. She was the wife of Daschle Tom Daschle, a former senator who helped convince President Barack Obama to set aside stimulus dollars for digitising medical records – then advised private clients who were poised to profit from that money. And what he and his wife did was not “corruption”.

But this kind of collusion (but not “corruption”) is only the tip of the iceberg. In 1994, Lawrence Summers, Under Secretary for the Treasury, outsourced a key U.S. policy initiative, the management of economic reform in Russia, to the Harvard Institute for International Development.

In 2000, the academics, Andrei Shleifer, Jonathan Hay, Harvard University and others were sued by the Department of Justice for US$120 million. Allegations included defrauding the government, using U.S. aid to create a regulatory infrastructure, and profiting from investing in the securities market.

The case ended, in 2005, with Shleifer, Hay and the university paying a combined total of about US$30 million.

As Ambassador Hardt boasted, in the U.S. there are some prosecutions, but what happens afterwards? The academics associated with Harvard’s post-Soviet misadventure kept their professorships, won important prizes, got the ear of Congress and the president, and just this summer, Summers was considered to head the Federal Reserve.

Is this the model we should emulate?

We do not have to speak about the revolving door between Goldman Sachs and the treasury.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand poses with a child during a recent visit to the Graham’s Hall Primary School

Letter to President Ramotar on brain drain

Dear Mr President, Each year I watch about 70 per cent of our young graduates leaving our shores. It is fast becoming a reality that, when businesses are in need for such brain-power, they are forced to look outside of Guyana. The resulting effect of this brain drain is very damaging to our country.

When we are forced to bring in someone to do a job that could have been done by someone right here, we are not only increasing cost to our projects, but most notably, we are exporting our money.

Reasons for people to leave The reasons are many.

Our young professionals want to feel safe, want to have a rewarding and challenging job, and most of all be able to have some level of comfort and security. Our institutions are doing a fair job to equip students with the right knowl-

edge and expertise. However, the problem arises when these students begin their job hunt. For the lucky few who have found jobs, they end up with positions that are a misfit to their level of qualifications and the remuneration is average to below par.

What can be done to curb this problem I believe that if incentives are given to our graduates it will encourage them to stay long enough – or even indefinitely – for them to give back something to Guyana.

The following are some of the incentives I believe will help to curtail the issue of brain drain: • Duty-free concession on the first vehicle purchase.

• Income-tax reductions to those working in the public sector.

• Implementation of

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qualification-specific minimum salary.

Access to funding for housing.

Access to funding for research and development.

Setting up of a think tank with young professionals allowing their services to the political arena but strictly in a technical manner.

Increasing patriotism among young professionals perhaps through reinventing the national service or even having a sort of peace corps initiative.

Stimulating initiatives that will create scope for young professionals by funding workshops that will empower graduates to become job creators

and service providers.

Greater level of security. One easy way to do this is by bridging the social gap between the security services and the citizens.

For graduates to remain in Guyana is the highest display of patriotism. I have very high respect for the people who have stayed and are working hard (and honest) to make a life for themselves.

Sometimes it takes little changes to see big results.

The task is in the hands of our leaders and policymakers.

Mr President, we are counting on you.

Regards, Girendra Persaud Lecturer Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Guyana •

A teacher’s touch is still necessary for better class performance Dear Editor, All schools are very interested in the concept of how to teach most effectively, but many have found that training in this area is either overloaded with theory or too full of buzzwords and jargon. It is like no one can really find that perfect strategy, and indeed there is no such key.

Recently, the Region Two education officer urged educators in the region to improve the performance of students in every subject area.

Quite rightfully, she opined that each teacher has the responsibility for providing the kind of learning environment necessary for children to feel

comfortable within. She also explained that teachers must think creatively and make full use of the limited resources available in ensuring that knowledge be passed on in the most simplified way.

This means, and it was pointed out too, that the classrooms must be conducive to teaching and learning. I have been hearing a lot about how Guyana is backward and that how we do not have all the gadgets to make learning a reality. If I use slides on the computer, present a video, or even email my notes, I want to know if it is not the same subject matter that has to be mastered in the end.

Conduciveness then is not about amenities, but about teacher-student relationships, and this must be encouraged.

I support technology, but not at the expense of anything good.

At the primary and secondary levels, we need to refocus: homework, attendance, punctuality, paying attention and showing respect.

These rules cannot be flexed.

Conduciveness to learning is not about making the classroom a place like a playfield. Learning sometimes has to be under duress and if students are not going to play by the rules of learning, then we cannot blame teachers.

What I think that teachers must do is never to compromise, yet never come over as people to be feared. Clear this avenue quickly! The slower learners must get more loving attention. I see the reverse too many times.

Most teachers commit the sin of liking the bright and the rich. This has got to stop. It is most defeatist to think that as teachers we are getting results, when only the brighter ones are coming through. We need a rethink, and what better time to do it than in this Education Month.

Yours truly, Rohan Doobay

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

We need to be sensitive as regards Ganga sets a good unstable persons standard for cricketers Dear Editor, Travelling extensively as a national sportsman, Darren Ganga still managed to educate himself academically, a feat that is certainly overlooked or bypassed by several top international athletes due to their chaotic sporting schedules.

In this day, technology has brought the world of education right where we are, even if we are travelling from country to country.

Distance education is now almost obsolete and many are going for online programmes. If the normal citizen can work and study electronically, then I feel that sportsmen can do so as well.

The average professional cricketer has more than enough money to pay for this kind of programme, whether it be from North America or the UK. Money is not his problem. Discipline is his challenge. In this regard, all that he has to do is to choose

what social events he wants to be a part of.

Many of our cricketers are without a high school education, and they need to fill this gap quickly. But most cannot face the media, because they feel totally intimidated, especially in the area of language. Maybe someone should tell them more often about Ganga. He has set a standard. Also, there is life after playing days.

Those who have studied via distance or electronically did so with just a couple of hours per day input. Their success was based on consistency. So the watchword is all about being disciplined.

This is not easy, but it is possible.

Like Ganga, I do salute all sportsmen who are attempting to work hard and educate themselves at their own pace. This is the great thing about home study programmes. The disciplined approach does not have to

be over-pushed. The pace is very much in the hands of the students.

On the flip side, being too slow can turn out to be the road to quitting. Many schools allow for a degree programme to run for as long as seven years. I think that this is very achievable for those cricketers who really desire an education and who see the value of it.

The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and the West Indies Cricket Board are working on a pilot project to bring cricket to a higher standard. Guyana will be in this pilot project, and the talk is that education will be a big part of the programme.

If high school education is settled before a cricketing career is started, it will be much easier if and when anyone wants to go after tertiary learning.

Yours sincerely, Russell Cumberbatch

We can reduce maternal deaths

Dear Editor, I believe that Guyana has the wherewithal, personnel and facility to reduce maternal problems.

Also, we need some work in dealing with bereaving people. We cannot side-step issues with them.

When it comes to an issue of incompetence, an em-

ployee should be warned, either orally or in writing.

However, if a supervisor feels that an employee is incompetent because of a lack of skills, then this might be best dealt with by implementing a formal job improvement plan.

Why am I saying this?

Simply because Guyana

has been putting a lot of time and money into the competence of its medical staff.

It is time that they deliver. If they do not, then seriously disciplinary measures must be meted out.

Yours truly, Yonnette Sanders

Dear Editor, The plight of this Annandale father can be felt. Despite plenty of searching, he has not been able to find his missing son, and the anxiety is getting more acute – the boy has been missing for over two weeks.

This father is having a rough time. Twice he went and visited dead bodies, to check for his son, and this is not an enviable task However, he wants to bring

closure to the issue, and quite understandably so.

The child is mentally unstable, and from all accounts, he is very non-violent. This makes him a relatively safe lad to be around.

However, feeding, housing and clothing an unstable person will not suffice.

We need to have specialist intervention and suitable facilities. It is sad that when a psychiatric patient is admitted to any kind of institution here, we tend to

stigmatise that person.

Guyanese need to be more informed, so that they will be more compassionate.

I call on all of us to help look out for the mentally unstable who are calm enough to live and be among us.

We do not have to be over them 24-7, but that extra little attention will go a long way, towards saving the society a lot of problems.

Yours faithfully, Zakira Ramdan

Receiving and selling stolen property is common Dear Editor, If there is no market for stolen property, then thievery will get a death blow. This is idealistic because we all know that stolen property is sold very cheap. However, since we need to do our part in crime fighting, we must not tolerate the buying of any stolen items.

It is vital that the seller should realise that he can only sell what he owns, which in the case of stolen property would be nothing. He cannot really legally sell. So the property would go back to the original owner in the case of

a bust. The duped buyer only has recourse against the illegal seller, if this seller can be found and has the money to pay back. Otherwise, he is doomed.

So why buy stolen property? Stolen property is cheap.

There are some guys on the road, who can get anything for some people. That is how it goes. This is why innocent and hard-working folk get angry at people for not only stealing, but also for buying stolen items.

Go after people who receive stolen items, and work back-

wards to who did the stealing.

In fact, how about playing possum – just ask a few guys to get a computer or television, and take it from there. We need to get these thieves in a world of uncertainty. They must never know that there are people out there, who are posing as buyers of stolen items.

Receiving and selling stolen property is common. It is time that this scourge be dealt with.

Yours respectfully, Janice Collymore

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Foundation

Improvising

Helping your child settle arguments and disputes

“In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively, have prevailed” - Charles Darwin

Anu Dev

W

e can try to be prepared for every eventuality.

We can do our best to try to figure out what’s ahead, but the truth is we’re not in charge of our external environment. We can certainly try to predict how the people around us will act or behave, but we can never be 100 per cent sure. We have to learn to improvise, or at least be open to the concept of having to make the best of what circumstances we’re in.

We have to try to be a bit more flexible, to be willing to accept things for being what they are, instead of how we want them to be. And once we don’t spend time panicking about things not being exactly as we wanted them to be, and instead think up a new plan of action, we might be surprised that the end result might be better than expected.

Unexpected things will always come up and maybe in our preparations, we should start preparing our-

selves to have to think on the spot or make quick decisions, instead of just preparing for a single event. It’s not the end of the world if you’re missing some ingredients from whatever you planned on cooking, just alter the dish and create something new.

We could go into a classroom to teach a group of kids math, expecting them to be excited and enthusiastic about the subject already, when in reality, they’re all falling asleep at their desks, drooling as they’re anticipating dinner.

So what should that teacher do? Improvise! Try to MAKE the subject interesting, use videos, visual aids, and relate the subject matter to real life situations.

One of the biggest complaints students in math classes are often times heard repeating is, “When will I ever use this in real life?” As a teacher, you should help them realise the possible ways in which they might actually use trigonometry outside of school. Some kids are more maths oriented,

and naturally have a liking for math, but what about the others? You have to come up with ways to teach the subject so that they’ll actually want to learn it.

And every day we’re thrust into new and unexpected situations. We could show up at a meeting, expecting other people to take charge, but for whatever reason, they just can’t. We could be the ones who step up to the plate. We can adapt to the new role of leader and sometimes we’ll find that it’s a position we thrive in.

And of course there are the little improvisations we make every day.

Singing a song and can’t remember all of the lyrics?

Most of us just make up new ones. Do the new lyrics always make perfect sense?

No, but they allowed us to finish the song while keeping in tune.

We need to be more willing to accept circumstances for being what they are and adapting to do the best we can. As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”

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hildren fight and argue. Some more than others, and some more subtly than others, but most children will at one time or another attempt to exert their influence over another. It is possible that their target will resist, resulting in an argument. Disagreements are a normal part of behaviour and can show that your child is an independent thinker and a self-motivated person – both qualities you want your child to have! However, when these disagreements escalate into fighting, the result can be troubling for everyone involved.

One of the goals of parenting is to teach your child

appropriate conflict resolution skills. These skills will be very helpful to them as they negotiate life in the context of a social world.

Therefore, every argument your child has can be seen as an opportunity for him or her to practice conflict resolution. Here are some tips to help your child settle arguments and disputes in a constructive manner and minimise arguments and fighting. * Model appropriate conflict resolution skills yourself. Like it or not, our children learn how to handle social situations by observing how we do so. If a child sees his father yelling and becoming aggressive, then the child will learn that yelling and aggressiveness are the normal ways to handle frustration. If on the other hand, his father models appropriate skills, the child will learn that, also. One area where parents have a difficult time emotionally is when their children are fighting. It doesn’t make sense to scream at your child when you are trying to teach her how to remain calm!

Take a deep breath and remember, this is a learning opportunity. * Communicate your expectations clearly. Let him know from the beginning that you will not tolerate fighting. “Joshua, fighting is unacceptable.” * Teach your child relaxation skills to assist her in calming down when she feels herself getting angry.

When one reacts emotionally rather than responds thoughtfully, regretful behaviours are often the re-

sult. By learning to take some deep breaths BEFORE the explosion, there is a greater chance that she will respond appropriately, rather than react negatively. * Discuss and practice ways of resolving disputes productively. For example, if a child will not share a toy, discuss taking turns.

Role play various options for solutions to conflict such as compromising or asking for help. * Avoid being the judge/ arbiter/referee.

If you have children who fight with each other, you will drive yourself crazy trying to determine who started it, who is at fault, etc.

Instead of taking sides, it is more helpful to give both consequences (it takes two to fight) and then have them work on appropriate negotiation skills. * Give positive feedback when you see your child attempting to use his or her new skill. Let your child know that you are watching and appreciate the effort he is making in trying to avoid arguments and fights. * Provide natural, logical consequences when your child gets into a fight. Make sure your child knows that fighting will automatically produce certain consequences. For example, if your children are fighting over the video game, the game gets turned off.

By helping your child learn how to resolve conflicts appropriately, you will be training them to be peacemakers. It does not happen overnight, but the peaceful results are worth the effort.

(Parenting.org)

news

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SUNday, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Stop blocking development, put Guyana first – finance minister urges opposition

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he A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are on a consorted campaign to derail progress and development in Guyana, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said in a recent interview.

“The APNU and the AFC have repeatedly demonstrated their ruthless attempt to stymie any developmental project that this government has attempted to undertake for cheap political mileage,” said the minister.

Minister Singh was at the time making reference to a recent article in the Kaieteur News in which leader of the main opposition David Granger called “all major projects flawed”.

Objection of programmes by the opposition have included the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project and the Marriott Hotel Project.

Real issues

“The AFC and the APNU are not interested in seeing this country move forward, or to bringing real issues of concern to the table, they are simply using these projects for cheap political gain while taking the lives of hardworking Guyanese for granted,” he noted.

“The livelihood of the farmer who wants to start a smallscale pasteurising plant is now jeopardised because the opposition killed the Amaila hydropower project,” Minister Singh said. “That farmer has now been denied his right to improve his, and his family’s economic livelihood, by the opposition.”

The minister stressed developed and developing coun-

ised in the early 2000 by that government for 2300 acres of beach front property that now includes 4500 hotel rooms, 500 residential units, nightclubs, golf courses, a marina and other entertainment facilities.

These developmental projects, Minister Singh argues resulted in encouraging private investment, created sustainable jobs, and created tax revenue to the benefit of the respective countries.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

tries around the world have undertaken projects that are aimed at bolstering investor confidence in the market place and to kick-start projects that will have positive residual effects on the country.

“APNU and AFC’s aversion to developmental projects have been wildly inconsistent, yet a look at other developing and developed countries from around the world indicates that the government of Guyana is not unique in investing in hotels, power stations or agricultural infrastructure,” explained the minister.

Countries in the region that have been cited for taking risk ininvesting monies into large scale projects with the intent to have a financial turn over in the long run includesTrinidad, Jamaica and Barbados.

In Trinidad, the government invested in the Hyatt Hotel, a 428-room hotel that opened its doors in 2008.

The Jamaican government invested in the Sandals Whitehouse All Inclusive Resort, of which it owns 67 per cent of the assets. It also invested in a project called Harmony Cove Development.

That project was conceptual-

Private/public partnerships Extra regionally, other developing countries such as, China, Malaysia and the Philippians have supported public/ private partnerships having seen the long term benefits it has on the development of their respective countries.

“Public/private partnerships enables government to share costs, risks and the responsibility of large scale projects with private investors,” explained Minister Singh.

“These partnerships help us to meet the high demand for financing as a developing nation with limited financial resources.”

“If the opposition was so concerned about the configuration of these projects, they would have engaged us at any of the multiple forums facilitated by government to correct these so called ‘flawed’ projects,” Minister Singh concluded. “We have made numerous attempts to involve the joint opposition as we strive to be transparent and all inclusive. What more can we do that has not been done within the parameters of the law?”

Government has in the past released information stating the dates when closed door consultations were held with the opposition in their ef-

fort to involve all parties, but expressed concern that the joint opposition did not participate in any of them. This is in relation to the Amaila Hydro Power Project and the development of the Marriott Hotel Project.

“In addition to having an open discussion with the joint opposition, we presented time and again information -- confidential information – to the joint opposition and then we read in some sections of the media that there is something sinister and clandestine at play,” Minister Singh said.

“We have even seen sensitive, confidential information we provided to the opposition in the media!”

Cheap political points

The minister chided the joint opposition for not being a responsible parliamentary opposition. “The APNU and the AFC should not stymie development and modernisation for cheap political points and tactics,” he said.

Minister Singh, however, alluded to the multiple benefits large scale projects such as the Amaila Hydro Power Project, the Marriott and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project have, both long and short term benefits, including short term construction jobs and long term professional jobs.

“The best strategy for us as a developing country is to

make long-term consistent investments over time, as we have been attempting to do,” noted Minister Singh. “If the opposition has a better strategy, why have they not presented these to the public?”

The minister concluded that the government has extended several invitations to the joint opposition to be in-

cluded at the parliamentary level in developmental projects.

Those invitations have not been well received. He further expressed his concern that if the joint opposition continues to obstruct and derail developmental projects, the Guyanese people will feel the blunt of such decisions.

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SUNday, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Guyana represented on World Scout Bureau

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cout Association of Guyana (SAG) Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin was last Friday elected as a member of the Interamerican Scout Committee (ISC) of the World Scout Bureau, Interamerican region.

Joaquin was Guyana’s first female chief commissioner and now the first SAG member to be elected to the World Scout Bureau.

The Interamerican Scout Region is composed of all the national scout associations that are recognised by the world organisation of the scout movement located in North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The ISC is the body that manages and administers the Interamerican Scout Organisation on the basis of objectives, policies and action lines established by the conference. Its purpose is to approve the regional plan; act as an advisory body of

SAG Chief Commissioner Zaida Joaquin

the World Scout Committee in matters relating to the Interamerican region; encourage, promote and support the global, regional and sub-regional events carried out in the region; and act on behalf of the Inter-American Scout Conference, among its sessions.

The committee is composed of 10 elected members in a way that no more than

one member of the same national scout organisation is allowed. These members exercise their function on a voluntary manner, for six years, renewing five of them at the conference when it meets every three years.

Joaquin joined the SAG in 1994 as an assistant cub scout leader. She has served as the group scout leader for St Margaret’s Scout Group.

She also served the SAG as national treasurer, district commissioner, international commissioner, and national training commissioner.

Currently, she holds the position of chief commissioner and is also president of the Caribbean Steering Committee. She has participated in various Interamerican and World Scout conferences and in the World Scout Jamboree 2007.

She has participated in eight Caribbean scout conferences, Caribbean cuborees and jamborees, representing Guyana and the region honourably.

Eyew tness Building bridges...

...with Cuba esse Jackson’s the latest in a long line of Americans who’ve made the trek to Cuba since the 1960s – hoping to have their government end their economic embargo on that island. And we’re not talking about just “progressives” – the list includes American business associations that see opportunities for trade going to allies in Europe and Japan. There’s something really irrational going on with the U.S. stance on Cuba.

When John F Kennedy imposed the embargo in 1960, the U.S. was in the throes of its Cold War with the USSR. The Geist of the U.S. was epitomised by his speech at the Berlin Wall – erected by the USSR’s staunchest ally, East Germany. This was a couple of years later when he declared: “We are all Berliners”. (Trying to connect with his audience, he actually said, “Ich bin ein Berliner”, which means “I am a jelly doughnut”!! It might be a deep Freudian slip, because his whole anti-Communist rigidity was intended to throw off his “soft” image.)

Anyhow we’d have thought that was all water under the bridge by now. After all, the Berlin Wall did literally fall by 1989 and the U.S. became the last, lone superpower left standing. The USSR fissioned into more than a dozen states – no one could keep count – and the U.S. actually spent billions helping the successor state, Russia, adopt the capitalist economic model. The U.S. should be proud that there’s as many Russian billionaires in Moscow as in New York, no?

But back to Cuba. What could the Castro brothers possibly do to harm the mighty U.S.? Apart from the sad fact that they’re both in their 80s now, there’s no country that wants to set up missiles pointed to the U.S. there any longer. Can’t be the U.S. sugar barons whose lands were confiscated 50 years ago. They all made out like bandits: in fact they were bandits.

And surely the U.S. can’t be afraid that the doctors the Cubans churn out will subvert their high priced medical system, if they all get the chance to emigrate when sanctions are lifted? Heck, they might actually help to make Obamacare become a reality! And on the economic front, while the Cubans insist they’re still “communists”, they’ve made more than 300 marketoriented innovations since 2008, when Fidel Castro stepped aside.

And let’s not forget that the U.S. financed the economic miracle in China, so that Walmart could bring cheap goods to U.S. citizens. Not to mention iPhones and some such. Maybe if sanctions are lifted, Cuba might do the same. After all, the supply lines are a bit shorter.

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...for development?

David Granger, leader of the opposition, has discovered the word “purposeful”. He claimed he’s all for “purposeful” investments. In his lexicon, he intoned that “purposeful investments” are those that’ll bring development to Guyana. A new Demerara Harbour Bridge would be a “purposeful development” and so would the Lethem-Linden Highway.

He studiously took care not to mention the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which he and the rest of the opposition did everything to torpedo. So wouldn’t this bring development to Guyana? Every study’s shown that the major constraint to opening up new businesses – especially manufacturing ones – in Guyana is the astronomical cost of electricity that prevails presently. And here we have an opportunity to bring down electricity cost significantly – and it’s flattened by Granger and company.

What darkens the investment climate in Guyana, even more ironically, is that it’s mainly the result of the political instability brought on by the opposition. They stir up trouble, our “political risk” shoots up, and lending rates inevitably head in the same direction.

And we know it’s all “purposeful” by the opposition. ...to New York We’re pleased that Fly Jamaica will be giving some relief to hard pressed New York bound passengers. It’ll also make it easier to get some real jerk chicken.

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SUNday, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Attorney general urges speedy passage Holy Trinity Anglican of anti-money laundering amendments Church at Anna – as Credit Info Guyana Inc comes on stream Regina celebrates 127th anniversary

From left to right: Credit Info International Chairman Reynir Gretarsson, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Legal Affairs Minister Nandlall, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Nicole Giles and Bank of Guyana, Deputy Governor Dr Gobind Ganga

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egal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall has emphasised the need for legal guidelines to be observed, as he addressed stakeholders and staff of the Credit Info Guyana Incorporated, ahead of their commencement of operations here.

Nandlall was at the time addressing the official launching ceremony of the company, at the Georgetown Club, on Friday.

He said the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing Of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation will be featured prominently in the business operations of the credit bureau.

He, therefore, urged those involved in the business of the company to acquaint themselves with the specifics of the bill, so as to be educated on its effects on international financial transactions.

He reminded that “Guyana is likely to be de-

clared a non-compliant jurisdiction, and as a result of that, countries and international organisations will be invited to transact business with Guyana with circumspection to say in the least.”

Erroneous information He added that “Trinidad and Tobago recently and erroneously through their central bank, issued a statement declaring Guyana to be a non-compliant country because we were so declared by the Financial Action Taskforce.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who officially declared the company, boasted of Guyana’s liberalised market economy, and commitment to endeavour to comply with all international best practices as far as possible.

He said that credit bureaus are critical to the expansion of credit in any economy, as they overcome some of the information symmetries that prevent lenders

from assessing risk profiles.

Deputy Bank of Guyana Governor Dr Gobind Ganga said the growing importance of credit reporting and its sensitivity requires correct governance and data protection.

“The central bank has ensured that Credit Info has those requirements in place. The Bank of Guyana will continue to give support to the credit bureau and will soon embark on a public awareness programme which will envisage to sensitise the public on the benefits of having a good credit report,” he said.

S h a l i n i Sankaranarayanan of the International Finance Corporation said bureaus play a vital role in enhancing the emerging financial infrastructure of an economy and even greater importance in the development of the small and medium enterprise sectors.

Credit Info International

Chairman Reynir Gretarsson expressed gratitude to the Bank of Guyana and other local stakeholders for working with Credit Info throughout its journey of establishing business here, adding that all of their initial work was worth it in the end.

“The process was rigorous, we had to prepare a lot of documents, we had to come and deliver our proposal, we also had a visit from World Bank representatives and representatives from Bank of Guyana,” he said.

The Bank of Guyana on August 30 officially presented Credit Info with its licence to operate here.

The new company from Iceland will now allow Guyanese easier access to financing.

The granting of the licence followed a lengthy selection process that reviewed four other requests from international operators. According to Central Bank Governor Lawrence Williams, the need for a credit bureau in Guyana stemmed from the Financial Sector Assessment Programme of 2005/2006 and the Economic Summit of 2007.

The aim of the credit bureau is to enable more reliable, competitive and responsible lending while protecting borrowers’ rights.

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Anna Regina, Region Two

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he Holy Trinity Anglican Church at Anna Regina, Region Two, is celebrating its 127th anniversary with a series of activities to mark the occasion.

The occasion is being observed under the theme “Fostering church growth and development”.

According to a release, the church’s week-long celebrations started on Monday with a panel discussion and video show in the Church Hall, while on Tuesday, a health clinic, along with games were held on the lawns of the church.

On Wednesday, the church held a family quiz while on

Thursday, a shut-in visitation was held.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a camp fire was held on the lawns of the church, and on Sunday, a procession will be held along the public road from La Belle Alliance, where the church started 127 years ago, to Anna Regina.

The procession will start at 16:00h and will conclude the week-long activities. According to reports, the church is the second oldest place of worship on the Essequibo Coast. The church attracts many persons from various ethnic groups at Sunday services.

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SUNday, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

21 cases disposed of in Demerara June Assizes

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wenty-one of 217 cases were disposed of during the June Demerara Criminal Assizes, which will conclude on Monday with the goal delivery.

Justices Navindra Singh, Brassington Reynolds and James Bovell-Drakes presided over the assizes, which began on June 4, for that month. Justices Dawn Gregory-Barnes, Franklyn Holder and James Bovell-Drakes presided over proceedings during the months of July to September; however, Justices Holder and Gregory were on leave for most of that period.

dire (a trial within a trial) and statements attributed to the state counsel that were not true.

During this session, six murder cases were presented before Justice Bovell-Drakes. The first case resulted in a hung jury and a retrial was ordered, while another one resulted in the accused being sentenced to 19 years after the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

Two other trials ended with unanimous verdicts of not guilty.

Currently, two cases are still ongoing before Justice Bovell-Drakes.

Murder cases Justice Singh completed 11 murder cases, two of which resulted in hung juries and consequently, will be retried. In another case, the accused was sentenced to 78 years’ imprisonment.

There were also five not guilty verdicts for murder, of which four were unanimous, including that for the Lusignan Massacre, causing the state to file an appeal.

In the other case, the state’s main witness died, so the judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The remaining three cases saw all three accused sentenced; two of them pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and were jailed for 20, 27 and 30 years respectively.

Justice GregoryBarnes completed two murder cases before proceeding on leave. One of the case resulted in a guilty verdict and the other, a not-guilty verdict.

Justice Reynolds disposed of two murder cases. In one trial, a no-case submission was upheld, while the other trial was aborted after a reporter from the Kaieteur News reported the details of a voir

Essequibo Criminal Assizes During the said period, Justice Holder first sat at the Essequibo Criminal Assizes, which commenced on May 21, but Justice William Ramlall took over in July.

There were 20 cases listed for this session and four were completed.

Three of those matters were for the offence of murder, while the other one was for the offence of attempt to commit murder.

One of the murder cases resulted in the accused being found guilty and sentenced to death; the accused in this case were members of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard who had robbed and killed a gold dealer. They were sentenced to be hung.

In the remaining two murder cases, one accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, while the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty in the other matter.

For the offence of attempt to commit murder, the victim informed the judge that he did not want to proceed with the case and was compensated by the accused, so the jury was directed to return a

formal verdict of not guilty.

Berbice Assizes Justice Gregory-Barnes was sitting at the Berbice Assizes; however, Justice Singh continued sitting when the June Assizes commenced on June 18. Of the 33 cases that were listed for this session, five were disposed of.

One of the cases was for the offences of rape, indecent assault and abduction; however, the judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty after the mother of the virtual complainant informed the court that the virtual complainant (VC) has since migrated and does not wish to proceed with the matter.

There were also two carnal knowledge cases and another for the offence of murder. In one of the carnal knowledge cases, the accused was also indicted for buggery and he was acquitted after the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on both counts.

The other case was nolle prosequi (dropped) by the director of public prosecutions because the VC indicated in a written statement that she no longer wished to proceed with the matter.

Justice Singh also completed two murder cases. In the first trial, the jury did not agree on a unanimous verdict and a retrial was ordered by the trial judge. In the other case, there was a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

The next criminal session in Demerara will commence on October 1, with some 228 cases listed to be heard.

The Berbice June Assizes will continue until October 15, when the October Assizes will commence. The Essequibo May Assizes will continue until the commencement of the October Assizes on October 22.

Sambo in Guyana?

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atiricus was furious. He was just looking at the back page of the StabberNews as the fella from across the doctor’s office read the opposition rag. There, in a big, bold headline was the racial slur: “Sambo comes to Guyana”.

He couldn’t believe his eyes. He knew the people at the Stabber believed themselves to be high and mighty and better than everyone else. Basra and all that. But still! To use a demeaning, racist slur like “Sambo” was an insult to the entire Guyanese people.

Satiricus knew that the term was absolutely verboten in the USA – where it had been most used. But hey!! We in Guyana have been exposed enough to Americanisms to know better. It was just like using the “N” word. It was just not done in public.

Whatever could’ve come over the incestuous tribe over at the Stabber?

Satiricus remembered that in the early days of the civil rights struggle in the U.S., the brothers and sisters had fought strenuously to remove the book, The Story of Little Black Sambo, which had been illustrated in such a racist fashion.

Interestingly, the book was originally written by a British writer about a really black-skinned Tamil boy from South India.

Not surprisingly, the book was a great hit with the British. It became a bestseller that crossed the Atlantic – and found a home in the just as racist American South.

From the way it was illustrated, it was obvious that the British habit of labelling all those who weren’t “White” as “Black” resonated in America. “Little Black Sambo” became a derogatory term for an African American whom they saw as weak, or physically inferior, yet also of Black heritage.

For those who didn’t read, the racist meaning of “Sambo” was emphasised in a Looneytoons cartoon that featured a small weak looking African child. So why the heck would anyone bring “Sambo” to Guyana? Didn’t we have enough trouble with our local politicians stirring up trouble when they played the “race card”? And imagine, the local African groups had just held their private conversation. Gosh!! Satiricus just knew they’d be so outraged. Pickets anyone? Maybe even some street protests?

Satiricus looked up to the guy with the StabberNews and asked to borrow it. He just had to find out what the heck was going on. He turned quickly to the page indicated. Turns out that “Sambo” was some kind of Russian Judo.

“Oh!” thought Satiricus.

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12 news UN climate panel endorses ceiling on global emissions T sunDAY, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

he world’s top climate scientists on Friday formally embraced an upper limit on greenhouse gases for the first time, establishing a target level at which humanity must stop spewing them into the atmosphere or face irreversible climatic changes. They warned that the target is likely to be exceeded in a matter of decades unless steps are taken soon to reduce emissions.

Unveiling the latest United Nations assessment of climate science, the experts cited a litany of changes that were already under way, warned that they were likely to accelerate and expressed virtual certainty that human activity is the main cause.

“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time,” said Thomas F Stocker, co-chairman of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations-sponsored group of scientists that produced the report. “In short, it threatens our planet, our only home.”

The panel, in issuing its

most definitive assessment yet of the risks of humancaused warming, hoped to give impetus to international negotiations toward a new climate treaty, which have languished in recent years in a swamp of technical and political disputes. The group made clear that time was not on the planet’s side if emissions continued unchecked.

“Human influence has been detected in warming of the atmosphere and the ocean, in changes in the global water cycle, in reductions in snow and ice, in global mean sea level rise, and in changes in some climate extremes,” the report said. “It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.”

Report The new report is a 36page summary for world leaders of a 900-page report that is to be released next week on the physical science of climate change. That will be followed by additional re-

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressing the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Friday

ports in 2014 on the most likely impacts and on possible steps to limit the damage. A draft of the summary leaked last month, and the final version did not change greatly, though it was edited for clarity.

Going well beyond its four previous analyses of the emissions problem, the panel endorsed a “carbon budget” for humanity — a limit on the amount of the primary greenhouse gas, carbon diox-

ide, that can be produced by industrial activities and the clearing of forests. No more than one trillion metric tons of carbon could be burned and the resulting gases released into the atmosphere, the panel found, if planetary warming is to be kept below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (two degrees Celsius) above the level of preindustrial times.

That temperature is a target above which scientists believe the most dangerous ef-

fects of climate change would begin to occur.

Just over a half-trillion tonnes have already been burned since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and at the rate energy consumption is growing, the trillionth tonne will be burned sometime around 2040, according to calculations by Myles R Allen, a scientist at the University of Oxford and one of the authors of the new report. More than three trillion tonnes of carbon are still left in the ground as fossil fuels.

Underground storage Once the trillion-tonne budget is exhausted, companies that wanted to keep burning fossil fuels would have to come up with ways to capture carbon dioxide and store it underground. In the United States, the Obama administration is moving forward with rules that would essentially require such technology, which is likely to be costly, for any future coalburning power plants; the president’s Republican op-

ponents have accused him of waging a “war on coal”.

The Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change is a worldwide committee of hundreds of scientists, that issues major reports every five or six years, advising governments on the latest knowledge on climate change.

The group has now issued five major reports since 1990, each of them finding greater certainty that the world is warming and greater likelihood that human activity is the chief cause. The new report finds a 95 to 100 per cent chance that most of the warming of recent decades is human-caused, up from the 90 to 100 per cent chance cited in the last report, in 2007.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to delegates at the meeting on Friday by video link, declaring his intention to call a meeting of heads of state in 2014 to push such a treaty forward. The last such meeting, in Copenhagen in 2009, ended in disarray. (Excerpt from New York Times)

Berbician wins trip to Beyonce Concert

Bryan Persaud displays his winning draw

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ryan Persaud, 21, of Lot 16 B Hampshire, Corentyne, Berbice, is the proud winner of an all expenses VIP trip for two to see international singing sensation Beyonce in New York City later this year.

The young man, who sent almost 450 text messages during the six-week promotion, was in the company of his girlfriend and other relatives during the final drawing at the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Mandela Avenue office on Saturday.

It is most obvious that the young man will take his girlfriend on the trip, providing that they both have U.S. visas. The young man told Guyana Times that as soon as the promotion commenced, he began sending his entries via telephone number 677 5000.

He added that from the initial stage, he was optimistic of winning the competition but declared that he is not a fan of Beyonce. He also confirmed that he is not the holder of a U.S. visa and intends to apply as soon as next week.

Persaud also thanked DDL for affording him the opportunity to win the trip

and said he hopes to make the best out of it. He encouraged persons to continue drinking Pepsi and realise their dreams.

DDL Executive Sales Manager Larry Wills expressed satisfaction with the participation in the competition.

They received 15,000 entries, after which 15 persons were shortlisted to be a part of the final draw. Out of the 15 persons, eight were from Berbice, one from Essequibo and six from Georgetown and Demerara.

He explained that persons were selected based on the amount of entries they would have submitted during the promotion. He said over the duration of the competition, more than 200 persons would have received various prizes, ranging from Sony earphones to smart watches, among other fabulous giveaways.

Wills said the promotion does not cover for U.S. visas as this will have to be secured by the winners. He said if by any chance the U.S. embassy refuses to offer a visa to the winner, the offer will go to the next person in line in the final three. Again, he explained if that person cannot secure a visa, it goes to the other contestant. It will be this way until someone becomes eligible.

At the draw on Saturday, the 15 finalists anxiously participated in the game which saw three persons advancing to the next round.

They were given the opportunity to switch numbers, but refused. As they popped the balloon to see their prizes, there was some sense of nervousness.

The first balloon was the one with the grand prize while the second and third each had a Sony tablet.

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SUNday, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy – the Norway MoU

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n the previous article, we discussed Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the major projects that are being implemented. This week we will examine one of the main partnerships that Guyana has entered into to support the implementation of the LCDS – the Guyana and Norway partnership.

The governments of Guyana and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 9, 2009 regarding cooperation on issues related to the fight against climate change, in particular those concerning Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+).

We learnt from previous articles that worldwide, deforestation is a leading cause of climate change and that Guyana has placed great emphasis on maintaining a low deforestation rate.

Under the Norway agreement, Guyana is being paid for its performance through an incentive structure that rewards the country for keeping deforestation below an agreed reference level, as well as avoiding increased forest degradation. Norway has committed to providing Guyana up to US$250 million to 2015, depending on the country’s delivery of results as measured against two sets of indicators: those of Enabling Activities, and REDD+ Performance Indicators.

To help facilitate such an agreement, the governments have decided to pilot an incentive structure and once guidance becomes available at the international level, especially through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the GuyanaNorway partnership will be adjusted accordingly. Until then, payments are calculated based on Guyana’s performance as measured, and independently verified,

GGDMA concerned about non-passage of antimoney laundering bill – unavailability of foreign currency payment facility for miners

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Under the Norway agreement, Guyana is being paid for its performance through an incentive structure that rewards the country for keeping deforestation below an agreed reference level, as well as avoiding increased forest degradation

against the two sets of indicators.

A Joint Concept Note (JCN) complements the MoU and outlines the basis of the work to be undertaken between Guyana and Norway. It specifies the key activities that the government of Guyana needs to achieve in order for payments to be made.

The Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) was established as the multi-partner financial mechanism to channel the funds received from the government of Norway to Guyana. Payments to the GRIF are being made by the government of Norway until Guyana establishes additional partners.

To date, considerable progress has been made in the Guyana-Norway cooperation and in other related efforts.

Guyana has met all the requirements specified within the agreement and has since earned three sets of payments total-

ling US$115 million. Guyana is currently working towards meeting the requirements to receive a fourth payment from Norway.

In general, the payments from Norway are being used to implement projects that will create opportunities, economic diversification, building resilience to climate change and maintaining and securing Guyana’s forest.

Next week we will continue to discuss key topics related to climate change and Guyana’s LCDS. Prepared by the Office of Climate Change For additional information, please contact: Office of Climate Change, Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown Tel. + 592 223 5205, Email: info@lcds. gov.gy , Website: www.lcds.gov.gy

he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) said while it is concerned by the stalemate, and subsequent consequences over the non-passage of the anti-money laundering bill, the unavailability of a foreign currency payment facility for miners is a cause for concern.

According to a release, the association noted with deep concern the rise of the cost of the U.S. dollar to approximately G$212 for one U.S. dollar and called on the Guyana Gold Board to make partial payments in foreign currency available to miners.

GGDMA President Patrick Harding said several members have expressed concern over the consequences of Guyana defaulting on the anti-money laundering bill and the apparent sloth of the government to consider their request for foreign currency payments.

Many miners depend heavily on foreign currency to import parts, machinery and raw materials used in the extraction of mineral resources and are worried that an apparent drought of currency will stall development of their mining operations.

The association, in a recent meeting with President

GGDMA President Patrick Harding

Donald Ramotar, repeated its call for the availability of foreign currency among several other issues. The GGDMA once again takes this opportunity to call for an urgent decision on the outstanding issues.

“While we are committed to reaching a national target of over 460,000 ounces, we cannot do this without the resources, and these include essential machinery and spares that are bought overseas with foreign currency,” Harding said.

He also noted that despite the drop in the price of gold on the world market, miners have remained steadfast in their production and commitment to achieving the record declaration of gold this year.

Body of decomposed pensioner found in house

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he decomposed body of a Berbice pensioner was on Friday afternoon discovered at his home by his wife who went to visit him.

The remains of Pollderan Singh also called “Ballhead”, 73, of Lot 133 B, Number 48 Village, Corentyne, Berbice was last seen on Wednesday morning at a shop in the neighbourhood, consuming alcohol.

According to information received, the pensioner’s wife Ramrafeie Singh told investigators that her husband was an alcoholic, and

on Sunday last she visited him at his home and gave him meals after which she returned to her daughter’s residence at Springlands.

On Friday, about 13:00h, the woman again went to the house and was greeted by a heavy stench emanating from the upper flat of the two-storey wooden building. The woman stated that she did not see her husband and thought that he had gone out to drink.

The woman reportedly left the food on the kitchen table and went upstairs to check on the foul smell. As

she entered one of the bedrooms, the woman discovered her husband lying on the bed. His upper body was partially off the mattress.

She raised an alarm and neighbours summoned the police. As part of their investigation, the man’s body was examined and there was no mark of violence.

It was recognised, however, that his upper body was partly decomposed.

The remains of the man were taken to the Skeldon Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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16 NEWS

SUNday, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Workers being trained Family farming plays key role in food security in Caribbean to improve level of I tourism service

Participants at the three-day workshop pay keen attention at the training session on Saturday

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ome 170 persons are being trained as the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) intensifies efforts to improve the level of service in the tourism sector.

The participants of the three-day workshop were drawn from hotels, resorts and civil society.

They are being trained in the areas of front desk management, food and beverage, housekeeping, kitchen procedures and customer service.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Tower Hotel, Main Street, Georgetown, GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh noted that a skilled, knowledgeable, educated and well-trained workforce is essential for a rounded tourism sector.

“Your employees are our

most important assets; I want to encourage employers to continue to invest in training for the results and objectives you have established.”

Haralsingh said the GTA believes in training which is relevant, noting that the initiative is timely, given the rapidly expanding tourism sector. He said a needs assessment conducted this year by the GTA revealed that training is most needed in areas of front desk management, housing keeping, customer service, food and beverage and in kitchen procedures, and these are the areas singled out for special focus.

Haralsingh said the facilitators of the workshop are well qualified and the trainees can be assured that the exercise will be worthwhile. The GTA is covering

the cost for hiring the trainers and is collecting a fee of $500 from each participant for snacks.

Some of the participants of the workshop are from the Hotel Tower, El Dorado Inn, Regent Guest House, Sleep-in International, Cara Lodge and Roraima Inn. The GTA will be partnering with more organisations to widen the training programme.

Training of workers in the tourism sector is vital at this point since the industry is rapidly growing with more visitors coming to these shores. The country will see additional tourists, especially with Fly Jamaica now operating here.

Despite the exit of Redjet, EZjet and Delta Airlines in less than a year, the country’s tourism sector continues to thrive.

n the face of restrictions on using new land for agriculture, Latin America and the Caribbean can produce more food by increasing the sector’s productivity – and family farming can play a key role in this aim, according to a report presented at the recent 2013 Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas in Buenos Aires.

The document, “The Outlook for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Americas 2014: A Perspective on Latin America and the Caribbean”, was jointly produced by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The publication includes a special chapter on the situation and expectations of family farming in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as analysis of the macroeconomic context, crop, livestock, forestry and fishery sectors; rural wellbeing; and agricultural institutions.

According to ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena, despite the region’s agricultural slowdown in 2013, 2014 is expected to see economic conditions conducive to economic growth and regional agricultural growth. She said these trends should be under-

ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena

pinned by policies aimed not only at increasing yields in commercial farming, but also boosting the successful inclusion of family farming in value chains.

IICA Director General Víctor M Villalobos said family farming is the economic activity with the greatest potential for increasing food supply in the region, reducing unemployment and saving the most vulnerable rural population from poverty and malnutrition.

FAO regional representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Raúl Benítez, agreed and said this requires promoting innovation and technology generation, as well as the inclusion of family farming in value chains and retaining young people in the countryside.

Stable growth

From 2014, the region’s agricultural production and exports are expected to be boosted by the recovery in

world demand. This in turn will be the result of growth in developing countries and the expansion of their middle classes – provided there are no adverse effects due to extreme weather conditions or a weaker dollar.

The three agencies estimate that the next decade will see agricultural prices fall in real terms.

Measures must therefore be implemented to increase investment, productivity and efficiency, so that the agricultural sector is in a better position to handle climatic and economic risks (as these take a longer toll on prices).

ECLAC, FAO and IICA recommend three types of policy to guarantee growth expectations for regional agriculture: adaptation of production to world demand and climate; food health and safety; and market functioning and trade.

In the first case, agencies suggest that Latin American and Caribbean countries attempt to make use of the opportunities offered by growing world food demand, as well as supporting policies to mitigate the impact of climate change and variability on rural populations and production.

As part of the second group of policies, the suggestion is to strengthen the training of human resources and modernise national systems for food health and safety. In the third case, the agencies emphasised the need to promote coverage of and access to agricultural insurance as a risk-management tool.

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sundAy, september 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

CJIA expansion attracts int’l Mahaicony man killed in alleged hitinterest – Minister Benn

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn with Nigeria’s Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze-Oduah at the 38th ICAO General Assembly in Montreal, Canada

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everal countries have shown interest in Guyana’s push to develop a new international airport, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn disclosed.

The minister recently led a small delegation to the 38th International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) General Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

Representatives from Nigeria, Indonesia and other African countries quizzed Minister Benn on the opportunities that could be derived from the project. In-depth discussions were also held with Princess Stella AdaezeOduah, Nigeria’s aviation minister.

According to Minister Benn, he along with Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) Director Zulfikar Mohamed and Guyana’s Ambassador to Canada Harrinarine Nawbatt networked with countries currently spending millions of dollars to either upgrade or build new airports. “…. countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, just to name a few,” he divulged.

The summit, which began on September 24, saw the convergence of over 1400 delegates brainstorming and discussing a range of critical global issues, including how countries and op-

erators will cooperatively manage the projected doubling of air transport traffic expected by 2030.

“Importantly, the delegates endorsed the revision of global safety and air navigation, affordability and sustainability,” Minister Benn added.

Meanwhile, the unilateral taxes on airfares that were enforced by the U.S. and the United Kingdom created some unease among delegates, with St Vincent leading the charge. The taxes imposed, aviation pundits opined, can be attributed to the significant airfare into the region and are a deterrent to the tourism industry.

On the environmental front, international aviation is coming under more scrutiny from ICAO and sister agencies on its impact on the environment.

“ICAO has stressed repeatedly that aviation contributes just two per cent of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions each year and that approximately two thirds of this amount, or 1.3 per cent, are due to international flights,” the public works minister explained.

The ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. Its headquarters are located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

GPHC probes death of mother giving birth

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Saturday said it has launched an investigation into the death of Sharon Bowman, 40, of Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which occurred 10 days ago at the institution.

The mother of eight, who was scheduled to give birth via caesarean section (C-section), died seven days after giving birth to one of the twin babies she was carrying. Bowman, of Lot 372 Bachelor’s Adventure, died in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on September 17.

The hospital’s Public Relations Department said an investigation is being conducted and the findings will

Dead: Sharon Bowman

be made known to the public shortly. Nevertheless, the management of the institution extends sincere condolences to the family of the late Bowman.

An official stated that the death of a mother during pregnancy needs to be inves-

tigated thoroughly, noting that there might have been other complications.

It was reported that Bowman was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital on September 9, but on the following day, she was rushed to the ICU after her blood pressure skyrocketed, resulting in her encountering seizures and labour pain.

Although Bowman had prior issues with hypertension, this condition did not surface during her pregnancy. Relatives believed that the C-section had been scheduled due to the difficulties encountered. She successfully delivered one of the twins who went home with her husband Colin Bowman, on Friday.

Essequibo Nite set for October 18

T

Local pottery on display at Essequibo Nite 2012

he annual Essequibo Nite, Exhibition and Fair is slated for October 18-19 at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

According to a release from the Region Two administration, plans are in

the pipelines to host the event expected to attract thousands of Essequibians.

The exhibition, which started several years ago by the late Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh, will be held under the theme “Made in Guyana,

Grown in Guyana” with focus on creating a huge networking avenue for both consumers and suppliers.

The event over the years has gained recognition, attracting businesses both from within and outside the region.

Over the years, the exhibition has attracted over 15,000 persons and also serves as a forum for bringing Essequibians together.

Applications for booths are open to all local manufacturers and farmers, and interested persons are asked to register soon.

The activity is organised by the Region Two administration with supported from the Agriculture Ministry, the Guyana Marketing Corporation and the private sector.

and-run accident

A

night out with friends turned tragic for a Mahaicony resident after he was killed in an alleged hit-and-run accident on his way home at La Raissonoble Public Road, East Coast Demerara in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Curtis Mc Garrel, 43, of Cottage Village, Mahaicony, was discovered by a motorist as he was travelling along the said road about 02:40h.

Upon his discovery, a wound was observed on his forehead and other marks that are consistent with a vehicular accident. He was taken to the Mahaicony Hospital where he was certified dead by doctors on duty. His body was subsequently transported to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Vincent Mc Garrel, an uncle of the dead man, stated that he was at home when he received the sad news from a relative about 04:30h on Saturday.

He explained that his now dead nephew reportedly went to a Guinness bar in Central Mahaicony, to take a few

drinks, but after a while he left.

The uncle stated that around 04:00h, it is quite impossible to get transportation, thus his nephew might have taken the decision to walk home.

He said upon his nephew’s discovery, he had $120 in his hands, which indicated that he was attempting to flag down a bus, but did not get through.

“Why I say this, is because to travel to Central Mahaicony to where he lived is $120 so it had to be he didn’t get bus so he walk,” the uncle stated.

Mc Garrel said his nephew was discovered by a motorist who saw him lying on the corner of the road and contacted the police. The police in turn contacted the relatives of the dead man who positively identified him.

There was no sign of broken vehicle parts on the scene, nor any tire impressions. Mc Garrel said his nephew was a mechanic and also does odd jobs in the community.

He was not married and did not have any children. He leaves to mourn his five siblings and other relatives.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

sunday, september 29, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

By Bernice Bede Osol

archie

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Take charge and be the leader you know you can be. Seek the limelight and indulge in partnerships that have something to offer you. Equality will result in happiness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Tread carefully if you’re on shaky ground.

Listen to what’s being said and take protective measures against pushy protesters. Fight for your rights and make the changes necessary for happiness.

PISCES (Feb.20March 20)

dilbert

Put your plans into motion. Spell out exactly what you want to see happen and make a promise to someone who is willing to work by your side. If you inspire loyalty, you’ll come out ahead.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Calvin and Hobbes

Peanuts

CANCER (June 21July 22) Don’t be tempted to buy into a promise without getting all the fine details.

Trust in your instincts and have the confidence to be a leader, not a follower.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Set the standards at home and within your personal relationships. Face controversy head-on, and you will solve the problems that bedevil you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Enjoy greater involvement in your community or within your circle of friends. Take precautions to protect yourself from mishaps that could limit your freedom.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

How you relate to others will make a difference.

Stick to those who share your opinions and values.

Avoid anyone wanting to interfere with your plans or control what you want to pursue. Believe in you.

Collect your thoughts and consider what you have done in the past and how best to utilise your expertise to fit today’s growing economic demands.

Reinvent your talents for a profitable tomorrow.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

SCORPIO

Size up a certain relationship situation.

Whether it’s a friendship, family connection, business associate or loved one, you have to reach an agreement if you are to continue together.

You will see matters clearly, and you must act upon your gut feelings.

Protect your home, family and future from anyone trying to damage your reputation or interfere in your life.

GEMINI (May 21June 20) A touchy situation at work will require careful planning. Pick up skills or knowledge if it will help you reach your goals.

Ferret out what’s required and pursue your hopes and aspirations.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) Look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Investments that are simple and prudent can bring a surprising return. Stick to facts and figures.

YELLOW PAGES sunday, september 29, 2013

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Education Ministry denounces reckless school protests

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19

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he Education Ministry has strongly denounced the recent actions by some small pockets of persons to disrupt the functioning of schools by illegally protesting and behaving in other unhealthy and unwholesome ways.

The ministry in a release said it is referring specifically to two new features that were introduced into complaints over the past two weeks; one the locking of school gates and compounds as a form of protest and two, the usage of children during school hours as protesters.

“The ministry embraces and encourages the principle that children must be seen and heard. Further, the ministry recognises the right of every citizen, young or old, not to be hindered in the enjoyment in his or her freedom of assembly, association and freedom to demonstrate peacefully, that is to say, his or her right to assemble freely, to demonstrate peacefully and to associate with other persons.

“The ministry, however, wishes to remind all persons, including political activists and their bosses that in exercising the above rights, they must not interfere with public order and/or hinder the rights and freedoms of other persons,” the ministry said.

The ministry said it may seem trite to indicate that the best and right thing for persons who wish to complain about, or are concerned with any issue is to first seek to resolve same in an organised manner.

“If one were truly interested in a solution (as distinct from being seen and/or being politically antagonistic) before one takes to placards, it would be wise to first seek an intervention or solution from the appropriate authority. Best practice dictates that protest be used as a last resort rather than as the first way to bring attention to a problem, whether real or perceived.”

The ministry said it was astonished and deeply concerned when it was told by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the Parika/Salem Primary School, (a school where a small group of parents and an APNU Member of Parliament locked the school gates and used children to hold placards), that it never even attempted to meet regional, ministry officials or anyone else about any of the issues that they thought affected their children prior to mounting the protest.

“There are numerous established ways and means existing to allow for healthy engagements in order to address issues that touch and concern our schools and schoolchildren.

The first place to begin would be the school’s administration, that is to say the headteacher, deputy headteacher etc, the local education departments, the Ministry of Education, the chief education officer, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and the minister of education,” the ministry reminded.

20

september 29, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Hussey stars as Super Kings Enmore beat King’s XI in O-40 softball clash cruise into semi-finals

C

hennai Super Kings sauntered through to the Champions League semi-finals with an effortless eight-wicket win in Ranchi, while scuttling Brisbane Heat’s tournament hopes on Saturday.

A stuttering Heat top order laid a mediocre foundation, before the men in the middle ran aground on Super Kings’ spin.

R Ashwin was almost indecipherable in the middle overs, but Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina contributed fine spells as well; the trio shared four wickets and conceded just 37 runs in 11 overs collectively. Michael Hussey then stroked an unhurried, unbeaten half century, to help run down the target of 138 in 15.5 overs.

Dom Michael had had quite a road to the Champions League in 2013, but could not manage to make a run in his first Twenty20 match, departing in the first over to Mohit Sharma. James Hopes then

promised much during his 14-ball 20, but mis-hit Albie Morkel to mid-off to leave his side at 29 for 2 in the fourth over.

It wasn’t until spin arrived after the Powerplay, however, that Heat’s evening truly took a nosedive. Ravindra Jadeja had had a poor tour-

nament with the ball until tonight, and perhaps Heat had planned to dominate him early, but Dan Christian’s attempt to hit Jadeja’s first ball for a straight six, ended with him being caught at long-off for three. Four balls later, Joe Burns edged Jadeja to slip to collect a golden duck. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Brisbane Heat innings J Hopes* c Holder b Morkel 20 D Michael c Badrinath b Sharma 0 C Lynn c Jadeja b Ashwin 29 D Christian c Hussey b Jadeja 3 J Burns c Raina b Jadeja 0 C Hartley† c Holder b Sharma 35 C Sabburg b Raina 2 B Cutting not out 42 Extras: (lb 4, w 2) 6 Total: (7 wkts, 20 overs) 137 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-29, 3-54, 4-55, 5-61, 6-66, 7-137 Bowling: M Sharma 3-0-35-

2, J Morkel 2-0-15-1, J Holder 2-0-26-0, R Ashwin 4-1-101, R Jadeja 4-0-18-2, S Raina 3-0-9-1, DJ Bravo 2-0-20-0 Chennai Super Kings innings M Hussey not out 57 M Vijay c Burns b Cutting 42 S Raina lbw b Christian 23 MS Dhoni*† not out 13 Extras: (lb 2, w 3) 5 Total: (2 wkts, 15.5 overs) 140 Fall of wickets: 1-75, 2-116 Bowling: J Hopes 1-0-7-0, M Gale 2-0-22-0, C Gannon 3-0-19-0, D Christian 3-016-1, N Hauritz 3-0-360, B Cutting 3.5-0-38-1

Members of the Enmore team pose with the winner’s trophy after their triumph on Friday night.

Standing second from right is Man-of-the-Match Bheemraj Ramkellawan

E

nmore fired on all cylinders to defeat King’s Jewellery World XI (KJW) by 37 runs in a feature Over-40 softball match on Friday night at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

Batting first in the 20over contest, Enmore posted a challenging 227-9, a total built on several solid contributions from the top and lower order. In reply, KJW XI made 190 all out.

Enmore got a rousing start from openers Bheemraj Ramkellawan and Sheik Mohamed, who posted 109 in eight overs. The right-handed Ramkellawan was the aggressor, hitting six sixes and two fours in a topscore of 57, while Mohamed, the former

national wicketkeeper/batsman, hit four sixes and a four in a fluent 38.

However, once they were dismissed in quick succession, Enmore suffered a mini-collapse, slipping to 123-5.

It took a workmanlike partnership of 60 from Asif Khan (25 runs, 1x6, 3x4s) and Hemraj Pillay (33 runs, 3x6s, 1x4) to revive the innings, before Randy Pooran provided the late flourish with a robust 33 not out (3x6s, 1x4).

Habib picked up 4-40 for KJW XI, whose batters found the going tough early on against some tight bowling from Enmore. Only Rickey got going, riding his luck to score 97, which in-

cluded nine sixes and five four.

Bowling for Enmore, Mark Malone picked up 4-23, Satrohan Panday, 2-22, and Iqbal Dawud, 1-8.

Ramkellawan was later adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his half-century and four dismissals behind the stumps, while Enmore collected the winner’s trophy.

Trophies for the games were provided by KJW, while Tiger Sports of Old Road, Enmore, provided the uniforms for the Enmore team.

Meanwhile, the Enmore Over-40 team will be in action again on Friday against hosts Banks DIH in a feature tapeball match from 19:00 hours.

Goal-fest highlights opening day of the Courts Pee Wee football c/ships

I

t was goals galore on the opening day of the Courts Pee Wee football championships that kicked off on Saturday at the Thirst Park ground, Ruimveldt.

St Margaret’s was the school to deliver a clinical performance, beating Green Acres 5-0. Josiah King recorded a hat-trick, finding the back of the net in the 12th, 20th and 30th minutes while a goal each came from Andrew Harrison in the 10th and Diego Briton in the 25th.

South Ruimveldt Primary continued in the same vein thrashing West Field Primary 7-0 with Christopher Bovell being a one-man wrecking crew when he sank five goals in the 12th, 20th, 25th, 27th and 29th minutes. Therese James and Alex Charles supported with a goal

each in the 16th and 26th minutes respectively.

Enterprise Primary also had an easy victory, routing St Ambrose 5-0; Jeffrey Blair scored in the 25th and 28th minutes. Ryan Fraser (6th), Antonio Canterbury (21st), Garfield Dover (26th) completed the rout.

Tucville Primary got the better of Winfer Gardens 4-0 with DeAndre Linton, in the 7th and 13th minutes, and Royheam Marques, in the 2nd and 18th minutes, being the goal scorers.

Akil Plass (12th), Rayon Jones (14th) and Leandre Gilbert (20th) helped West Ruimveldt edge Stella Maris 3-2. Darron Niles (34th and 35th) was Stella Maris’ lone striker.

Ketley Primary scored a brace to dispose of St Angela’s

Primary 2-1. Ryan Frederick and Ezekiel Benjamin found the back of the net 24th and 27th minutes respectively while Ashanti Browne scored the consolation goal in the 2nd minute for St Angela’s Primary.

F.E. Pollard Primary beat Success Primary 2-0; Cordell Charles scored a brace in the 11th and 25th minutes.

East La Penitence defeated Marian Academy 2-1.

East La Penitence got on the scoresheet after a double off the boot of Leon Yaw in the 17th and 27th minutes; Dominic Roberts pulled a goal back for the Carifesta Avenue-based school in the 20th minute.

St Stephens eased past St Gabriel 1-0 with Wesley Thompson recording in the 27th minute.

september 29, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

21

Miller five-for Sammy’s Six take top honours completes big S WI A win Living Clean Grocery and Variety Store Domino Tournament…

W

Nikita Miller (West Indies Cricket)

est Indies A’s spinners, led by Nikita Miller, dominated proceedings for the second successive day to set up the side’s 162-run victory over India A in Mysore on Saturday.

Miller finished with 5 for 40 - showing astonishing accuracy over 36.4 overs - and took his match haul to 9 for 101 off 71.4 overs.

West Indies declared on their overnight score of 130 for 3 and set India a target of 315 for victory. India had a slow start and Miller struck early, dismissing opener KL Rahul in the 11th over for 9 off 42 balls.

Playing defensively, India were stifled by the West Indies bowlers and lost wickets at regular intervals. Jiwanjot Singh and Cheteshwar Pujara got starts and added 28 runs -

the highest stand of the innings - in 12.5 overs for the second wicket but the batsmen fell to Veerasammy Permaul and Miller, respectively.

Manpreet Juneja struck a stoic 70 off 193 balls, doing his best to string together partnerships with the lower order to save the game for India, but with just four overs left in the day’s play, Juneja was out leg before to Miller. Juneja was the last man dismissed, and knock was the lone bright spot for India. It followed up his lone hand in the first innings, and his first-class average after 13 matches is 79.44.

The win gives West Indies A a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second four-day game between the two sides begins on Wednesday. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD India A 2nd innings K Rahul c L Johnson b Miller 9 Jiwanjot Singh c Edwards b Permaul 24 C Pujara* lbw b Miller 17 M Juneja lbw b Miller 70 R Motwani† lbw b Deonarine 11 H Khadiwale c & b Deonarine 2 R Paliwal c Brathwaite b Miller 2 Parvez Rasool b Permaul 11 Mohammed Shami c Edwards b Miller 4

I Pandey c Brathwaite b Permaul 0 AB Dinda not out 2 Total: (all out, 85.4 overs) 152 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-46, 3-62, 4-84, 5-90, 6-115, 7-140, 8-145, 9-150, 10-152 Bowling: N Miller 36.416-40-5, M Cummins 7-015-0, D Johnson 2-0-120, V Permaul 29-6-56-3, N Deonarine 11-0-29-2

ECCCC/GT&T cricket competition bowls off today

T

he Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC), in partnership with Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T), bowls off its 35-over knockout cricket competition today with one game at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

Hosts ECCCC will take on Mahaica in the opening match with action set to bowl off at noon.

Six other teams are part of the competition, with

the four winners from the first round advancing to the semi-finals. The other games of the first round are Fairfield versus Duch Four, Cane Grove versus Helena and Perseverance versus Strathavon.

The competition, organised by the ECCCC, is aimed at giving clubs from Enmore to Mahaica the much needed competitive exposure. The teams will be vying for trophies and cash incentives.

ammy’s Six emerged winners of the Living Clean Grocery and Variety Store domino tournament last Wednesday night at Everest Cricket Club pavilion.

Led by 15 games each from Navin “Sixes” Samaroo, Soomdat “Rico” Jeet and Chibar “Tractor” Seopaul, Sammy’s Six recorded 75 games to defeat Shew’s Six on 75 and Gary’s Six, who ended in the cellar with 68.

For Shew’s Six, the top players were Ron “Stiff Card” Callender with 15 games and Ramroop “Spoon” Sukhai had 13.

Dino “Slam Down” Bissessar and Tony “Rebel” Ali made 15 and 14 games respectively for Gary’s Six. Each team had one player going down lover’s lane: Claude “The Bigger”

Proprietor of Living Clean Grocery and Variety Store Ramao Paul (left) hands over the winning trophy to skipper Edmond Sammy of Sammy’s Six in the presence of other team members. Paul’s wife Charmayne looks on

Stewart of Sammy’s Six, Kedar “Switcher” Seopaul of Shew’s Six and skipper

Gary “Mels” Deonarine of Gary’s Six went down.

The winning team col-

lected a trophy while the top player in each side received a jersey.

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september 29, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

Persaud destroys rivals to cop Laparkan cycling title D

Albouystown/Charlestown take 1-0 lead in Inter-Ward final

By Treiston Joseph

By Rajiv Bisnauth

N

ational cyclist Robin Persaud on Saturday underlined his dominance over his rivals with another scintillating performance in the feature 35-lap race of the ninth annual Laparkan 11race cycling programme at the inner circuit of the National Park.

Persaud destroyed his rivals to win the race in one hour, 18 minutes, 16 seconds (01:18:16), beating his last year time of one hour, 20 minutes, 55 seconds (01:20:55). He crossed the line ahead of Alanzo Greaves; Godfrey Pollydore was third, followed by Junior Niles, Paul Choo Wee Nam and Raymond Newtown, to close out the top six.

Pollydore claimed three of the eight sprint prime prizes with Newtown picking up two and one each for Greaves, Choo Wee Nam and Persaud.

The race started with 28 riders that saw Newton and Niles breaking away from the pack by the end of the eight laps. Greaves,

Robin Persaud collets the winning trophy from Sahadeo Ramkirath, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Laparkan Trading

Pollydore, Persaud and Choo Wee Nam decided to ease out of the pack and reconnected with Newton and Niles in the 10th lap.

However, Albert Philander, Jamal Eastman, Raynauth Jeffrey and Paul DeNobrega were the third set that came out the pack blazing and were able to establish themselves as the race progressed in the sweltering heat.

With eight laps to go, Greaves launched an attack to put some distance

between him and the rest of the field.

However, Persaud dug deeper into the fuel tank to pull away from his colleagues and in the process established a sizable lead to finish the contest on top.

Junior Niles took the winner’s trophy in the Veterans’ Under-50 race after he outpedaled Kennard Lovell and Thuran Harris, who placed third; Linden Blackman finished first in the Veterans’ Over-50 category in front of Kenneth Meiji and Courtney

Hackett, who placed second and third respectively.

The Veterans’ Over60 category was won by Maurice Fagundes.

In the BMX Boys Open, Jamal John won ahead of Adrian Sharma (second) and Daniel Fraser (third).

Stephan Wilkinson won the BMX Boys 9-12 years category from Ammo Gomes and Tariq Khan in second and third respectively, while Romello Crawford rode to victory in the Boys 12-14 race which saw Alfie Sonoram finishing second, ahead of Jamal John.

Sherwin Sampson took the BMX 6-9 race from Ryan Nunes and Alexander Leung.

Richard Charles crossed the finish line in the Mountain Bike category ahead of Kester Croal while Jamal Eastman won the Juveniles’ category.

At the presentation ceremony which followed, national coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, congratulated the winners and thanked Laparkan for sponsoring the meet for the ninth year.

Top performers pose with representatives of Laparkan and race organisers following the presentation on Saturday at the National Park (Photos: Rajiv Bisnauth)

efending champions Albouystown/ Charlestown routed Wortmanville/Werk-enRust 80-56 on Friday evening in the best-of-three series of the Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters Inter-Ward basketball championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Wortmanville/Werk-enRust had a shooting slump in the opening period but managed to stay in the game with numerous second chance opportunities. Two jumpers from Michael Turner and Jermaine Taylor in the final minutes of the first period ended the quarter 18-17 for Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust.

Albouystown/Charlestown guard Sheldon Thomas came out firing in the second quarter, hitting a three to put his team up by seven points before Tuner, Neilon Loncke and Joslyn Crawford combined for 12 points to tie the game on 34 heading into the half.

The third period Thomas took over the game as he ignited a 27-8 run for the defending champions that supplemented with solid allround defence and three-point shooting to end the quarter ahead on 61-42.

Added defensive pressure in the fourth that forced a number of turnovers which ensured Albouystown/ Charlestown win the first encounter.

Thomas ended with a game high 42 points to lead the defending champions to the blowout win and a 1-0 series lead.

Neilon Loncke had a teamhigh 17 points while Joslyn Crawford contributed a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds for Wortmanville/ Werk-en-Rust.

Meanwhile, with Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust having a week to regroup for the second game on October 4, they have some time to readjust their game if they intend to force a game three.

Retrieve Raiders edge Falcons 64-61

R

etrieve Raiders edged Bankers Trust Falcons 64-61 when the Trophy Stall Open Basketball Championships continued on Wednesday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court, Linden.

Always a close game from the start, Retrieve Raiders rode the hot hand of their captain Neil Marks who dropped 25 points to lead from the front.

Yannick Primo added 10 points to the win.

Falcon’s captain Lawrence DaCosta dropped 23 points while Leonard Khalid had 20 points during the loss as their teammates were cold from the field.

Meanwhile, in the second game Amelia’s Ward Jets dominated the paint to defeat the Half Mile Bulls 71-64. National

Shane Webster

player Shane Webster pounded his way inside for a tournament high 29 points with support coming from Kevin Joseph, who dropped 15 points.

Travin Dryden had 20 points for the Bulls while Keon Cameron chipped in with 17 points.

23

september 27, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

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

september 29, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com TOP SCORES

West Indies A 429 & 130-3 dec beat India A 245 & 152 by 162 runs; Chennai Super Kings 140-2 beat Brisbane Heat 137-7 by eight wickets

Albouystown/Charlestown take 1-0 lead in Inter-Ward final See story on page

22

Dave Causway rises for a two-handed jam during the game (Treiston Joseph photos)

Sheldon Thomas lays one in over the defense during the win for the defending champs

INSIDE TODAY’S SPORT

Pepsi Inter-County 50-Over Tournament….

Miller five-for completes P21 Exciting finale expected between big WI A win Demerara and Berbice today at Albion

By Rajiv Bisnauth

D

emerara will be cognizant not to stumble at the final block of their Pepsi Inter-County 50-over campaign, which has been clinical and unblemished, when they clash with perennial arch-rivals Berbice at the Albion Community Centre ground from 09:00h today.

Demerara defeated Essequibo and Berbice in the preliminary rounds and therefore will be going into contest with the psychological advantage.

However, Berbice will hope to avenge their defeat to Demerara last Tuesday especially after they steamrolled Essequibo by 10 wickets on Thursday. Therefore, today’s matchup will definitely be an interesting one.

In an invited comment on Saturday Demerara coach Orin Bailey said that while his unit is well oiled, the players cannot afford to be com-

Sewnarine Chattergoon

Christopher Barnwell

placent.

“We are well prepared and are up for the challenge, but we cannot afford to be complacent. I was pleased with the general team performance in the preliminary round and in tomorrow’s (today’s) final I expect an even better performance from the team,” Bailey related to this publication on Saturday.

Meanwhile, on paper

the Demerara batting is strong. Skipper Christopher Barnwell, who scored a belligerent century against Essequbio, is a genuine match-winner and should he get going at the top of the order and receives support from Rajendra Chandrika, Shemroy Barrington, Trevon Griffith, Steven Jacobs, Robin Bacchus, Derwin Christian and Andrew Lyght Jr, Berbice

could be put under some pressure and hard-pressed to win in their own backyard.

While the batting has depth, Demerara’s bowling looked ordinary. Pacers Kellon Carmichael, Paul Wintz and Andre Stoll have not lived up their expectations in the tournament. Therefore, a lot of responsibility will fall into the hands of spinners Zaheer Mohamed, Amir Khan, Jacobs, and Shaquille Williams.

On the other hand, Berbice, without the services of Test players Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin and Veersammy Permaul, who are unavailable due to West Indies A team duties in India, has one of the weaker teams to represent the county in recent times.

However, coach Hubern Evans remains optimistic that his team will deliver in every department.

“Tomorrow’s (today’s) final will be different in terms of

venue, pitch and atmosphere but we are confident of defending our title. We are playing on home turf and with the crowd behind us I fully expect the boys to do well,” Evans disclosed.

The Berbice batting will depend heavily on skipper Sewnarine Chattergoon, along with wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, Jonathan Foo, Anthony D’Anrade, Devon Clements, Eon Hooper, Rajiv Ivan, Devendra Bishoo and Joemal La Fleur.

Furthermore, Berbice’s strength lies in their bowling department. And while Keon Joseph is genuinely quick, leg-spinner Bishoo can cause major difficulties for the Demerara batsmen.

The vastly improving Hooper, Clements and Ivan are the main spinners in the Berbice line-up and are expected to lend valuable support.

Admission to the venue is $500.

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, Tel: 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230, 223-7231, Editor - 225-5128 Fax: 227-0685 - CONSULTING EDITORS: Dr I Rampersaud, Dr Kim Johnson - SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.