Guyana Times Daily

Caricom countries urged to begin talks on regional drug regulatory system P16

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2681

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

PRICE

WikiLeaks Cable

“Bring the evidence” – Dr Luncheon challenges US on return of spy equipment cable Page 3 As crime spirals out of control

Tota Mangar’s Wanted bulletin vehicle hijacked issued for Trevor on Camp Street Amsterdam Page 7

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GTU threatens to resume industrial P10 action

Guyanese busted with cocaine P8 at JFK

Bagotstown murder

Page 9

Public P9 Service CoI commences in Linden Toshao decries deplorable roads in P12 Tapakuma – calls for Govt assistance

City hotel cocaine bust

North Road clean-up! A Mayor and City Council worker trimming a palms as works continue on the Merriman Mall Children Play Park (Carl Croker photo)

Bartica reeling from blackout: power engine down Page 7

Charandass ‘haul off the stage’ comment

Parliament has no code of conduct for MPsPage – Clerk 17

E-Governance Unit rolls out Wi-Fi in schools Page 13

2 charged for conspiracy to traffic cocaine P8 Govt violates Trade Union Recognition Act – FITUG

P11

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wednesday, november 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, November 18 – 09:30h-11:00h and Thursday, November 19 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, November 18 – 09:30h-11:00h and Thursday, November 19 – 09:40h-11:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:03h and 21:27h reaching maximum heights of 2.31 metres and 2.34 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:28h and 14:56h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.95 metre respectively.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

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WikiLeaks Cable

“Bring the evidence” – Dr Luncheon challenges US on return of spy equipment cable laptop and a Cellular Protocol Analyser model CSM 7806 manufactured

by Smith-Meyers, as is listed in the cable.

Asked about what may have led to the then US Ambassador transmitting such a cable without hard evidence, Dr Luncheon said it is his belief that the US officials in Georgetown were being misled by some

By Edward Layne

F

ormer Head of the Presidential Secretariat under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration, Dr Roger Luncheon has challenged the United States of America (USA) to provide evidence that he had instructed local law enforcement to release Shaheed “Roger” Khan and return spy equipment found in his possession.

Cables released by WikiLeaks recently highlighting communication between then US Ambassador in Georgetown Roland Bullen and Washington in 2006, said that the Embassy was convinced that the then Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon had links to Khan, who is currently serving a sentence in the US for drug trafficking “[Roger] Luncheon (President Jagdeo’s deputy) is known to have intervened and ordered the authorities to release Khan and return his equipment as described in para four.

Also, eyewitnesses say they have seen Khan leaving the President’s office,” the cable said.

But, Dr Luncheon in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday said that the claims contained in the cable are baseless and challenged the US Embassy officials to produce the evidence to show his involvement.

“I can state unequivocally, whether he (Roger Khan) was released or not, I as the Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) in the Office of the President gave no such instructions to anyone. I would go further to state that my position can be

Dr Roger Luncheon

corroborated or not corroborated by the Embassy of the United States of America identifying the person or persons to whom I allegedly gave such instructions or even independently that person or persons identifying themselves as having been directed by me, Dr Luncheon from the Office of the President to release Mr Khan from the detention by the security forces,” Luncheon said.

With regards the instructions to return the spy equipment to Khan, Dr Luncheon said that such a claim is spurious since then Police Commissioner Henry Greene (deceased) in 2009 addressed this matter, by producing the equipment in question.

“The second allegation about directing the return of the equipment. That matter, far as I am concerned, was dealt with conclusively when the then Commissioner of Police in Eve Leary indicated to

the press and Guyanese at large that the spy equipment was in the possession of the Police, the security services and was in the Eve Leary compound. So that statement by the then Police Commission for me brought that matter to an end,” Luncheon noted.

Greene on August 5, 2009, during a news conference, unveiled the laptop and a transmitter which he said were seized from Khan and two other men, Haroon Yahya and Sean Belfield.

Greene explained that the equipment on display was those seized by the Guyana Defence Force on December 4, 2002, at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

“The electronic equipment was lodged with the Guyana Police Force by Superintendent Frederick Caesar. This is the equipment lodged with the Force,” Greene said.

The items that were displayed were a Panasonic

Former US Ambassador to Guyana Roland Bullen

with ulterior motives.

“I suspect there was some effort by individuals or forces still unknown to link the Office of the President with this entire saga of Roger Khan and his brushes with the law. The Office of the President and I am speaking from the HPS’s perspective, was not involved in this matter and the then President (Bharrat Jagdeo) also indicated his non-involvement.

But I suspect that the officials in the American Embassy in Guyana were listening to others, which form the basis for that cable to their head office,” he concluded.

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Views Editor(ag): Michael Younge 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

Still too many maternal deaths

I

n one of their latest reports on maternal mortality, two leading international bodies – the World Bank Group and the United Nations agencies – reported that maternal deaths have fallen by 44 per cent since 1990. This is quite encouraging news for Governments and international development partners who have been intimately involved in working towards reducing maternal deaths. However, the road ahead for many countries, including Guyana, is still a long one, as much more remains to be done in order to meet this specific Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target.

For example, despite global improvements, only nine countries achieved the MDG 5 target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by at least 75 per cent between 1990 and 2015.

These countries are Bhutan, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Maldives, Mongolia, Rwanda and Timor-Leste. Despite this important progress, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in some countries remains higher than the global average.

According to the report, maternal deaths around the world dropped from about 532, 000 in 1990 to an estimated 303,000 this year. This equates to an estimated global MMR of 216 maternal deaths per 100, 000 live births, down from 385 in 1990.

While this could be viewed as an important achievement, the figure is still high and more strenuous efforts need to be taken by all development partners in further reducing the death rate.

A new Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, launched by the United Nations Secretary General in September 2015, aims to help achieve the ambitious target of reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100, 000 live births globally, as included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The authors of the report warn that reaching that goal will require more than tripling the pace of progress – from the 2.3 per cent annual improvement in MMR that was recorded between 1990 and 2015 to 7.5 per cent per year beginning next year.

The Global Strategy highlights the need to reinforce country leadership by mobilising domestic and international resources for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. It will be important to strengthen health systems so they can provide good quality care in all settings, promote collaboration across sectors, and support individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their health and demand the quality care they need.

The 2015 maternal mortality estimates present the tremendous progress achieved towards the MDG 5 on maternal mortality reduction. They show a strong trend of reduction over the years. At the same time, stakeholders have reported more and better data coming from various countries, enhancing the accuracy of the absolute numbers reported.

According to the report, efforts to strengthen data and accountability especially over the past years have helped fuel this improvement. However, much more needs to be done to develop complete and accurate civil and vital registration systems that include births, deaths and causes of death. Maternal death audits and reviews also need to be implemented to understand why, where and when women die and what can be done to prevent similar deaths.

In Guyana, while there is no need for alarm, the statistics are very worrisome and should cause the authorities to rethink their approach in dealing with the issue. It is clear that this country needs to do much more to reduce the number of maternal deaths taking place. For example, in 2014, a UN report ranked Guyana as second on the list for highest maternal deaths in the Caribbean after Haiti, which recorded 380 deaths between 1990 and 2013, followed by Guyana with 250. Also, it was recently reported that Guyana is likely to exceed the MDG maximum limit of 11 maternal deaths this year.

Too many of our women are dying from various complications during childbirth, and while we hear of “thorough investigations” being carried out, more often than not, very little action, if any at all is being taken against those found to be negligent.

We believe that the current procedure employed by the Public Health Ministry as safeguards against the occurrences of maternal deaths has not been very effective and must be reviewed urgently. Our hope is that the Ministry will proceed with greater strictness on this matter to ensure pregnant women and the unborn are looked after in the most professional manner by being given the best medical treatment our systems allows for.

Daredevil highliner Reginaldo Gomes, 34, crosses the iconic Waterfall of Smoke in Brazil (Telegraph photo)

Get it right, Toshao McGarrell Dear Editor, I refer to a letter in the Kaieteur News (Tuesday, November 3, 2015) titled “The show time of this one man is over” by Toshao Edward McGarrell of Chenapou Village, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

I wish to extend my sincere apologies to Toshao Edward McGarrell and Chenapou Village residents for the hurt they felt where I publicly named him in my letter which was published in the Guyana Times (Thursday, October 15th, 2015) titled “Chenapou’s land demarcation problem is of its own making”. What happened was that I thought that Toshao Edward McGarrell is a re-elected village leader. But I was incorrect: he is newly elected.

Back to Chenapou’s land demarcation problem.

Can Toshao McGarrell now say if Chenapou Village agrees or disagrees with the five objections to demarcation which emanated mainly from the Chenapou and Paramakatoi Representatives at an Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Technical Meeting held at the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) on August 7, 2014? And two of the five objections were (1) “extensions should be addressed before demarcation so that the entire area requested could be demarcated at once” and (2) “all villages should merge to obtain ownership of the

entire region (8)” (2014 Amerindian Land Titling Project – update on project implementation status – date – 30.09.2014).

If the village agrees with the objections to demarcation raised at the ALT Technical Meeting by its representative then perhaps this may have been responsible for the village’s boundary problems with the Karisparu community since Government’s current policy is that demarcation comes before land extensions.

And this is where the Karisparu community like other communities agreed to demarcation. But if the Chenapou Village disagrees with the objections to demarcation raised by its representative at the ALT Technical Meeting, then I do believe that the ALT Project management arrangements can adequately solve Chenapou’s boundary problem with Karisparu within the confines of the law. And this includes, if any portion of Chenapou’s legally titled land was included in Karisparu’s demarcation process.

My letter in the Guyana Times (October 15, 2015) to which Toshao McGarrell responded was on my own behalf and not the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG). But in his letter of response, Toshao McGarrell raised uncomplimentary remarks about TAAMOG which cause its Executive Committee to

direct me to inform Toshao McGarrell “to be careful not to say things about TAAMOG which he cannot prove or substantiate”.

According to his letter, Toshao McGarrell said: “I am a proud student of the Amerindian Peoples Association. If it were not, so then I may have been fooled by the likes of Peter Persaud.” In other words, Toshao McGarrell is calling me a liar.

My humble advice to him is to get up statements from those that I have fooled and submit those statements to the nearest police station. Toshao McGarrell is claiming to have village boundary problems with Karisparu yet he is a proud student of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA). It is either he is doing badly at school or not being properly tutored.

In his letter, Toshao McGarrell said: “Mr Persaud needs to realise that his show time has ended and he is irrelevant in this time.”

It is unfortunate that Toshao McGarrell has not recognised that his uncomplimentary remarks about Mr Persaud are basically stimuli for his ongoing show time where the rights and interests of Guyana’s indigenous peoples are concerned. It is only the Great Spirit that can stop Mr Persaud’s show time.

So get it right, Toshao.

The rights and interests of Guyana’s indigenous peoples are not irrelevant

issues; hence, Mr Persaud can never be irrelevant in this time and at any other time. So get it right, Toshao.

In his letter, Toshao McGarrell said “he (Mr Persaud) should remove himself quietly and enjoy the new dispensation, a time when Amerindians are more knowledgeable of their rights and are able to voice these rights”. It seems as though Toshao McGarrell is enjoying the new dispensation. This is his right.

But how can he if he claims that his village is unhappy because of the demarcation problem with Karisparu? Isn’t this gross hypocrisy, Toshao? I am enjoying the new dispensation because it is fertile ground to further enrich the rights advocacy of Guyana’s indigenous peoples.

Toshao McGarrell needs to be informed that Amerindians are more knowledgeable about their rights and are able to voice those rights not because of any “new dispensation”, but because of the Indigenous peoples rights renaissance which started in 1993 when the United Nations declared 1993 as the year of the “World’s Indigenous People” and continues. And in that same year, TAAMOG was formed and its show time started which never ends up to today.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

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wednesday, november 18, 2015

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

Placing principle over A misogynist or an inferiority political expediency Dear Editor, With much consternation and anxiety I read Dr David Hinds’ latest piece on this blog www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com.As I read it, I was constrained and anxious because I seem to want to agree with the premise from which Dr Hinds wrote.

But my anxiety was soon relaxed and swayed when I paused briefly to reflect on the modus operandi of the current Administration. I realised that there were inside rationalisations for how the new Government operates that Dr Hinds seemed not to have access to; and I even less.

As the Granger Administration took up office there was a clarion cry for youths to be substantially represented in the Cabinet, if only because of the role they played in the APNU/AFC latest victory.

That was not to be. I stood in the audience at the Congress Place, Sophia on the evening of the birth anniversary of President Granger and I heard him kinda explain why he had not acquiesced

to the cries of those who wanted more young people in the Administration.

He said in essence that he was 67 when he came to Parliament and now he is President at 70 and that the young people need to understand that they must wait their turn. So what we are noticing is the positioning of those who have waited for 23 years. Some obviously longer.

There must be some highly intellectual and politically skilled persons who are advising the current leaders to take such a gamble of asking the youths of the country to wait their turn. I would love to hear the political ploy that will be implemented to recapture the energy of the young folks to so engage them at the next polls.

Then there is the pay increase issue. Again, neither Dr Hinds nor I seem to understand the inner workings of the Government officials. Some high-powered adviser/s, with political savvy and diplomatic knowhow must have concocted a

political parachute to cushion the landing of the new Administration when next it’s time to proceed to the polls.

It cannot be that the Administration would come so close to a major political blunder and not have some eureka sleight-of-hand, to pilot them out of this protracted quagmire.

Then we come to this leaked proposal of having members of the last Government be responsible for multimillion-dollar developmental projects. And again the ignorance of myself and the good doctor float to the surface. Do we really believe that the Government would refuse to place a significant amount of youths in strategic governmental positions, tell them they should wait their turn, raise their ministerial salaries, and give the Opposition members billions to handle, without any kind of in-depth, political guidance and rational logic? Is it that the new Administration would be so frivolous as to deliberately and wantonly alienate its

core supporters and those on the edges? I rather think not!

If I were to proffer a reason for such perceived political gaffes, I would want to think that the President is acting out of principle and not political expediency.

The truth is that the current Opposition would have done nothing while in power to so alienate their supporters, especially if it was to the benefit of the then Opposition.

Moreover, the Opposition is smarting over the latest developments. And the Government must know how the political winds are blowing. So whether you like it or not, whether you agree with them or no, you must admit that if a political party is prepared to lose the government over any issue, it must be because they are prepared to take the gamble of placing principle over political expediency. And for that, Dr Hinds, they must be commended.

Sincerely, Pastor WP Jeffrey

Caricom still divided on Commonwealth SG's position Dear Editor, It is only a week away before the election for the important office of Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Caricom countries are still divided as to a lone candidate for the position and as a result, The Bahamas has announced that it will review its position when there is a Caribbean consensus.

Leaders of the 53-nation Commonwealth countries will meet between November 27 and 29 in Malta, when a new Secretary General will be named. This time around,

the leaders are looking for someone in the Caribbean to be chosen. Unfortunately, up to the time of writing, Caricom is unable to come up with one single name since two persons from the Region have announced their candidacy. Guyanaborn Sir Ronald Sanders, a senior diplomat, has been nominated by Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominicaborn Baroness Patricia Scotland, former Attorney General of the United Kingdom is also in the race.

A third regional candidate, Bhoj Tiwari from Trinidad and Tobago, withdrew from

the race.

There is no doubt that Sir Ronald is the best candidate for the position because of his vast experience in international affairs. Dr Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, in his capacity as Chairman of OAS is calling on regional leaders to support Sanders. Reports state that only two countries in the Region, Barbados and Dominica are backing the Baroness and therefore these countries should lend their support to Sanders.

Since the Caribbean is divided in its selection, Australia is consid-

Independent, effective industrial relations oversight needed Dear Editor, The November 14, 2015 letter by our respected Trade Union Leader, Mr Lincoln Lewis, titled: “There must be a Ministry of Labour” appropriately calls attention to the need for respect for the provisions of our industrial relations laws and collective labour agreements. This obligation is equally placed on both the employers and the trade unions, with the Government as the neutral ‘watchdog’ through the Ministry or Department of Labour, irrespective of whatever name the

Government of the day attaches to the function.

While an appropriate name for the function is helpful, what is of more significance is the function per se.

A review of the plethora of strikes called by a major Union in Guyana would quickly reveal that the overwhelming majority of them were in direct contravention of the provisions of our laws, our collective labour agreements and the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

And while these irresponsible breaches proliferate to the detriment of our econo-

my and society, the relevant arms of the Government appear unwilling or incapable to apply available and appropriate sanctions to reverse the debilitating trend.

As a concerned Guyanese, I appeal to Mr Lewis and his colleagues to use their good offices and considerable influence to do whatever they can, and I do believe they can do quite a lot in this regard, to let good sense prevail for the progress and prosperity of our struggling nation.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

ering a compromise candidate while two African countries, Botswana and Tanzania may also enter the race. Guyanese Sir Shridat Ramphal served three terms as Commonwealth Secretary General from 1975 to 1990.

He is the only Caribbean national to hold such high office.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

complex sufferer Dear Editor, The two recent intolerable abusive outbursts

by Attorney-at-Law and APNU/AFC parliamentarian, Charandass Persaud bear testimony to the fact that this country is on the cusp of a dictatorship rule and soon that lawlessness will be condoned as the norm of leadership behaviour. These people are truly power drunk!

This custodian of the law and representative of the people threatened to throw a reputable Hindu Leader, Dr Vindhya Persaud and a learned and respected Pandit off the stage simply because they dared to differ from the imposition of the date for Diwali and they dared to stand up for their religious beliefs. They dared to show this Coalition Government that such interference will not be tolerated and the boycott by the Hindu masses clearly indicated that such dictatorial attitude by them will not be condoned!

To add insult to injury, he is now asking that his ‘ass be kissed’ before he apologises for his earlier statement. If such be the case, then we can expect to see this MP with his pants down in public! In his letter to the press, there is no ambiguity as to his intention of throwing these people off stage, so his attempt to say that he did not say so is utter rubbish! Does this man feel that he will be protected by this coali-

tion Government? Is this the type of ‘service’ he intends to give or receive? Is this the type of ‘social cohesion’ this Government is preaching? Is this the ‘love and unity’ they boasted about during the election campaign?

Charandass Persaud’s hypocrisy is further exposed in his letter when he concluded that Hindus have the right to choose whether they want to celebrate Diwali on the 10th or on the 11th. Therefore, where was the necessity to ‘throw them off stage’ (earlier in the same letter) when it is their right to choose? This man loves to contradict himself!

It is ‘human to err’, but it is a divine quality to apologise when we make such errors, but to demand that his ‘ass be kissed’ before such apology is made is ‘satanic’ and should never be condoned by the lawabiding citizens of this country.

A final question must be raised about this MP: Is he a misogynist or does he suffer from an inferiority complex when it comes to mature women who are more intelligent than himself?

It was my conclusion a long time ago that those in the AFC are just as corrupted as those in the PNC and it is simply ‘birds of the same feather’! The worst is still to come!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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BY ROBERT MYERS, PHD

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or most parents, the desire to love and provide for their child is as natural as breathing. But the truth is in this day and age where people are inundated with text messages, social media, non traditional work schedules, hundreds of channels on television and increased financial demands – more parents than ever are struggling to feel truly connected to their child. It is normal to become slightly removed in your involvement as your child becomes more independent, but children still need to know they have someone to turn to whenever life becomes challenging.

Here are five tactics to help you become a more connected parent.

Implement a screenfree dinner

More families than ever spend their dinner time sitting around a television set or playing with their cellphones. One way to become a more connected parent is by implementing a strict, no-screen policy for one hour during dinnertime. It may feel strange at first, but as you begin to make this policy a part of your regular routine, you and your family will natu-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation rally begin to open up more and experience a more connected environment.

Learn a new skill or hobby together

Whether it is building model airplanes or learning to golf as a family, shared life experiences create greater feelings of connectedness in families. Make sure the skill or

pastime you decide to pursue is something each member of your family is happy to learn or try. If you are having a hard time coming up with ideas on your own, invite your children to make suggestions until you each agree on your new hobby.

Spend one-on-one time with each child

Connecting as a fami-

ly can be relatively easy for some parents and children, however, more introverted individuals may need some additional time to truly connect. Having one-on-one time with each child in your family will allow you each to connect on a deeper and more meaningful way.

Make sure whatever activity you choose to do together includes fun and also time for private conversation.

Make family night a weekly occurrence

It is not uncommon for adults and children to occasionally feel mentally depleted. An easy way to respect everyone’s need to unwind and relax without the pressure of conversation and cooking is by doing a weekly family night, where you rent a movie, or-

der take-out food and just relax together as a family.

Take an interest in your child’s passions

Being interested in the things your child enjoys may seem intimidating at first, but it can be one of the most rewarding ways you ever connect with them. If your child is musical it may be a good idea to sign them up for lessons, if they like to build things a robotics club could help them fine tune their skills.

When you take notice in the things that are important to your child and give them opportunities to polish their skills, they will feel more connected than ever because your involvement teaches them that their contribution to your family matters.

If you are struggling to slow down and connect with your children there are countless little habits you can shift each day to show your child how valued they are. Of course, one of the best things you could do to foster a more connected relationship is to speak with your child and ask them how they would enjoy spending their time with you! (www.childdevelopmentinfo.com)

Y

ou may do things with your children and still not really feel connected to them…or maybe you are not sure how to interact with them. For some dads, sometimes a little help is needed to feel that connection. Here are some ideas.

Know your children

First of all, get to know your children. You may think you already know them, but do you? Do you know what they’re passionate about? Spend some time paying attention to what

your children are into. What shows do they watch? Do they like to stay home and get buried in a good book, or are they always running around with friends? What makes them tick? Here are some things to observe as you get to really know your children. * Unscheduled time – Watch what your children do during unscheduled time.

What’s their “default mode”?

When there isn’t anywhere to be, do they go watch TV, hang out on the computer, draw pictures, write creatively, work with clay? A lot can be gleaned about a person’s inner self by how he or she spends unscheduled time. * Language – Listen to how your children talk. What do they talk about? Friends, animals, celebrities? Listen for the subject matter they discuss the most, even if you are tempted to “tune it out” because you don’t relate to

it. Speaking of not tuning out…

Listen… really listen

Nearly all of us can benefit from learning to listen better. For parents, though, it’s especially important.

Try to avoid getting defensive or pointing out where your child is wrong. Instead, just listen – try to understand what he or she is saying without reacting to it.

Cultivate your relationship with your child’s mother

Research has shown that dads are more likely to be connected to their children if they have a good relationship with their child’s mother. A poor relationship with Mom can occur in married, divorced, or non-married couples, and the same is true for a good relationship.

Regardless of your marital status, experts agree that it’s most beneficial to think of your child’s mother as the co-parent, and learn to work together in raising your child.

Share

Okay, so “sharing” may not sound like a manly thing – but it is! An important way to connect with your family is to share some of yourself – your time, your concerns, your personality. Just as getting to know your children is important, getting your children to know you is, too. Try to open up about things you enjoy doing, concerns you have, and thoughts on life.

Your children may respect you a lot more when they understand some of the reasoning behind your actions. (www.childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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wednesday, november 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Tota Mangar’s vehicle hijacked on Camp Street

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enowned Guyanese Historian Tota Mangar, was left traumatised on Monday evening after two armed men held him up and drove off with his motor vehicle on Camp Street, Georgetown.

The incident occurred sometime around 20:35h.

According to reports, Mangar was attacked by two men – one armed with a knife and the other with a gun – moments after he entered his silver grey Suzuki Escudo, bearing registration number PMM 6392.

Mangar had attended the launching of two books written by overseas-based Guyanese, Roy Brummel, at the Moray House, located on the corner of Camp and Quamina Streets.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the Historian explained that the ordeal happened very quickly. He noted that he was leaving the event when the incident occurred. He recalled getting into his vehicle and putting his keys and cellphone down, when the two men entered the vehicle; one from the front passenger side and the other from the back.

Mangar said that the suspect in the back immediately placed a knife to his neck while the other pulled out a gun and pointed at it him. He added that the men then or-

Tota Mangar

dered him to hand over the vehicle’s keys.

“I had no choice but to comply because one had a knife at my neck and the other had a gun pointing to me,” he noted. After handling over the keys, the Historian stated that he got out of the vehicle and the suspect in the front slide over to the driver seat and drove off in the direction of Church Street.

Mangar recounted to

this newspaper that he ran back inside Moray House, where he alerted those inside as to what had just transpired. The man said that he sustained a cut on his chin from the knife.

According to the Historian, when he came out of Moray House, he did not notice anyone nearby but suspected that the men may have been lerking in the avenue. Mangar added that he could not see the suspect in the back but he managed to get a glimpse of the one in the front. He noted the men seemed to be in their late 20s to early 30s.

Mangar posited that despite contrary claims being made by the Guyana Police Force, crime in Guyana is getting out of control. “These people seemed to be experienced.

The precision in which they operated, they just catch you napping,” he stated.

The incident was reported to the Albertown Police Station and the ranks responded promptly to the report. Patrol ranks were also alerted of the incident and combed key areas in the city but came up empty-handed.

Bartica reeling from blackout; power engine down

Aerial view of Bartica

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he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc said it was working to replace the damaged components of its Number 11 Engine in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) which had to be taken off during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The power company on Tuesday reported that damaged cooling components on the Number 11 Engine resulted in it being taken offline, reducing available capacity to the area.

GPL said efforts were underway to replace the damaged components and return the Number

11 Engine to service by Sunday.

“Our company appeals for patience and understanding from the residents of Bartica, as every effort are being made to restore reliable power supply. Residents are advised to check TARZIE television station, GPL’s website or GPL’s Facebook page (GPL Inc) for updates,” the company said in a statement.

Currently, only the Number 10 Engine remains in service. As a consequence, GPL has instituted a daily load shedding guide from Tuesday to Sunday.

Time Areas 08:00h to 16:00h Byderabo, Agatash , First Avenue between Fifth and Ninth Streets, Fifth Street between Seventh and Fourth Avenues., First Street between Fourth and Seventh Avenues 16:00h to 00:00h (Midnight) 1 – 4 Miles Potaro, a section of Mongrippa Hill, West Indian Housing Scheme.

00:00h to 08:00h Old Housing Scheme Mongrippa Hill (Part 2), First Avenue between First and Fifth Streets. Third Avenue between First and Fifth Streets.

8 NEWS

wednesday, november 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness City hotel cocaine bust

2 charged for conspiring to traffic cocaine

T

wo men who were busted in a city hotel by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) while attempting to swallow a quantity of cocaine pellets were on Monday charged for conspiracy to traffic narcotics.

The men, Hubert Smith, of Lot 3464 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and Dwayne Adams, of Lot 38 William Street, Golden Grove, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Courts and were remanded to prison.

It is alleged that on November 13 at Alpha Hotel, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, 44-year-old Smith, a taxi driver and 38-year-old Adams, a carpenter, conspired to traffic 848 grams of cocaine. The men pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the Court that the two defendants had given investigators a caution statement in which Adams admitted that he swallowed 27 cocaine pellets.

Attorney-at-Law Peter Hugh, who is representing Smith, said his client had nothing to do with the illicit substance. He told the court that Adams had already admitted that the cocaine belonged to him.

Both men were nonetheless remanded to prison.

The case will continue on December 7.

On November 13, CANU Head James Singh confirmed that one of the men was a patient at a city hospital, where he excreted a number of pellets.

Singh told Guyana Times CANU had been monitoring the men. As the ranks swooped down, one of the men allegedly attempted to dispose of the illicit substance through a window but it was retrieved by agents.

Over the past year, CANU, along with other drug enforcement units, has made several busts which saw hundreds of kilograms of cocaine intercepted and several persons prosecuted.

Guyanese busted with cocaine at JFK Vendor

A

Guyanese hairdresser is in custody after she was busted with over 100 pellets of cocaine in her stomach at the John F Kennedy Airport.

Reports indicate that 26-year-old Shureen Giddings has been charged for unlawfully importing cocaine into the United States.

Guyana Times understands that Giddings was busted on November 9 after arriving on a flight from Guyana. According to court documents, as seen by this newspaper, Giddings was subjected to a Customs and Border Protection examination. The court documents

Shureen Giddings

revealed that during the examination, Giddings appeared nervous, prompting the officers to conduct a ‘pat-down’. However after extensive questioning, she

admitted swallowing the cocaine filled pellets and told the agents that she could no longer hold them, requesting to use the bathroom, the court documents revealed.

At the airport, she excreted 17 pellets. The documents revealed that law enforcement agents then escorted her to a medical facility at the airport for an x-ray examination and it was there that it was discovered that she had more pellets in her stomach. A total of 105 pellets were expelled from her body, carrying a total weight of just over three pounds. She was immediately arrested and charged.

remanded on narcotics charge

A

plantain chips vendor of Berbice was on Monday remanded to prison on a trafficking of ganja charge.

Michael Anthony Watson, who appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on November 12, at Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, he had in his possession 142 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Philip Sherriff, on the day in question, several Police ranks were on patrol and approached Watson, who at the time had a plastic bag in his hand. According to Sherriff, Watson threw a punch at Corporal Ian Beaton and then threw away the plastic bag. The Court was told that the bag was later picked up and found to contain the seeds, leaves and stems of cannabis.

However, Watson told the court a different story. He said the illegal substance was found on an empty plot of land and not in his possession.

According to the father of one, his wife is pregnant and he expected to get married in January.

Prosecutor Sherriff objected to bail, which Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus denied. The case will continue at the Reliance Magistrate’s Court on November 25.

Cherry picking…

E

…and missing the plot

ver since the Stabber News started publicising the latest batches of US diplomatic cables – courtesy of WikiLeaks – we’ve had one of the most rabid cases of cherry picking unleashed in our dear land. Media houses have been trolling the site hoping to pick up the dirt (no nuggets, please) on the “other side”.

The funny thing though – nothing’s been exposed that Guyanese didn’t already know. Burnham rigged elections?

Heck! Even the new fellas now running the PNC who asked “What rigging?” knew what was going down at Camp Ayanganna back in the day. After all, they were all in that lower and middle tier in the army that had to execute the dirty deed. Maybe now it’s out in the open once again, you think they’ll take the line of the fellas who operated the gas chambers at Auschwitz ? “We were just following orders, man.”

Is runnings in the Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs on visas, and such like, news? Helloooo! Is the Pope Catholic? The question we should be asking is “How could the country that’s supposed to be the beacon of light for truth, justice and the American way?” go along with such behaviour and activities? And not only “go along”, but actually ENCOURAGE! Maybe we should be rethinking exactly what IS “the American way”, no?

What the files show is that the Americans are behaving like any other big power in any part of the world, in any era. That is.... they’re always looking out for number one. Whether we like it or not, that’s the way the cookie crumbles and it’s no use pretending otherwise. So let’s look back at those days – as exposed by the files – and figure out what’s going on today.

Well, for now, they’re talking to every Tom, Harry – and even Dicks – culling information that could be honed into “intelligence” that’s fed back to Washington. Even though we may be the armpit in the armpit of South America, the theory is – you never know what you may find! Imagine there was someone so high up in the PPP, ratting on a colleague! And your Eyewitness isn’t talking about Ramjattan.

So let’s take a real live question: would the US close their eyes to any hanky panky with the elections, rigging wise? You can bet your bottom dollar they would. They’d do it so quick, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d been snoozing the whole time! Remember the cables on the 1973 rigging? The US wasn’t concerned Burnham had rigged. What put them off was he’d done it so crudely. The present lots were much more slick.

And gave their friends wriggle room.

…but getting the plot

This fella Charandass is something else, eh? Imagine this he went to law school but defended himself against the charge that he threatened to “haul” a woman off a stage with the retort that he’d threatened to “haul” off a man also – a Pandit!! So you’re not a “misogynist” if you also threaten “men of the cloth”?? His second line of defence was that the verb “to haul”isn’t threatening . Well, not if his party leader Ramjattan tells folks to “haul yuh ass!!” But in the context of being livid at what the good lady (and Pandit) said? “Haul them off the stage ain’t no term of endearment”. If Charandass thought otherwise, maybe he should’ve said “escort” them off”?

His third line of defence was that the said women who defended their sister didn’t bat for the male Pandit.

Give him all of that. But what about him saying the said women would have to kiss his a55 before he apologise?

…villages for largesse

With their backs against the wall of their salary increase, Harmon promised to donate his raise to some villages. Isn’t this a rather circumlocutious way to handle subventions?

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

news

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wednesday, november 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Public Service CoI commences in Linden

BY UTAMU BELLE

A

number of persons in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) have presented their testimonies to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the public service, as the public hearing moved to the community on Tuesday.

Commissioner Samuel Goolsarran and Chairman, Professor Harold Lutchman presided over the hearing held at the Watooka Complex, Mackenzie.

Commissioner Sandra Jones was noted to be “unavoidably absent” for the first day of the Linden leg of the Inquiry.

The first presentation was made by youth worker, Kevin Mackenzie, who presented a five-year economic action plan, while making calls for industries to be restored in Linden. He said that this will enhance development, noting that it is a well-known fact that the community is considered ‘economically declined’.

Mackenzie, who also serves as Major General of the Mackenzie National Service said the community has seen massive relocation of school leavers, who move to the capital city or interior locations to seek jobs which are unavailable in Linden. He said there is need for common understanding as well as the educating of people in the community before industrialisation can take place. Questioned by Lutchman, if those were his thoughts or if the presenta-

tion was made based on consultations with members of the community, Mackenzie said he has been working and consulting with various groups.

Meanwhile, in presenting her testimony, Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) of Region 10 Maylene Stephens made calls for training to be made available for senior managers and a re-introduction of staff appraisals apart from that of contract employees. She said senior officers rarely receive training in many instances, while emphasising that such may highlight employees’ strengths and weaknesses. She also made recommendations for the age of retirement for public service employees to remain at 55 years. Asked by Lutchman if her presentation was a reflection of her own experience Stephens said “not directly”, and went on to give her personal experience with training.

“It should be optional if persons want to work until (age) 55 or 65. Some people may feel overworked by 55 years”, she opined.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James, who also made a presentation, commenced by raising the issue of contractual employment in the public service.

“I think it is wrong to employ persons at the beginning of their work life as contract employees... it denies them from earning a pension”, he

Bagotstown murder

Wanted bulletin issued for Trevor Amsterdam

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he Police have issued a wanted bullet-in for a Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident in relation to investigations into the murder of 24-year-old Jermaine Simon.

Wanted is 32-year-old Trevor Anthony Amsterdam, who Police believes fatally shot Simon to his head on

Wanted: Trevor Anthony Amsterdam

November 10 at Bagotstown, EBD. According to reports, Simon of Lot 46 Norton Street, Bagotstown, was riding in the village sometime around 20:30h, when a lone gunman rushed out of a yard and shot him to his head before escaping.

The injured man was

rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early the following morning. Guyana Times was told that earlier on the day of the shooting, they two men were involved in an argument, reportedly over a drug-related matter.

Meanwhile, the day after the shooting, the Bagotstown house where Amsterdam was a tenant in the lower flat, was set on fire – an act which investigators believed was retaliation against Simon’s death.

Additionally, the 24-yearold deceased was wanted by the Police for the March 1 murder of Ryan Sooklall which occurred at Providence, EBD. The teenager was shot and killed while socialising with friends in the neighbourhood, a short distance from where he lived.

The Police is asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Trevor Anthony Amsterdam to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 227-2128, 226-1389, 2267065, 226-9941, 225-8196, 911 or the nearest Police station.

All information will be treated with strict confidence.

stated.

James added that working for 10-15 years and having contracts renewed is unreasonable and proposed that it should only be made in instances where someone is being employed on a shortterm project with a minimum

employees for many years and retired without earning a pension.

Asked by Lutchman if he believes working on contract should be made to become a matter of choice, James responded by saying that a clear “term” should be established

Deputy REO Maylene Stephens

of three years duration. He said he is aware of instances where public servants in Linden worked as contracted

in that regard.

“I don’t think it is right, especially for long periods, to work for so long and not re-

ceive a pension after it all.”

In presenting on the issue of appraisals, James said it is his view that the system should be made simple and without any form of generalisation. He recommended that appraisals be done quarterly as opposed to a month before an increase in pay. James noted too that appraisals should not only be done by immediate supervisors but at least 2 others should be allowed to determine workers score, adding that it should reflect performance of the employee throughout the year.

Additionally, he made recommendations for training of lower level workers which he established should be carried out with the involvement of senior managers.

Also testifying was Office Manager of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Linden branch, Mahendra Persaud who said he believes

that the age of retirement for the public service should be moved from 55 to 60 years since according to him, retiring at 55 puts employees at a disadvantage if they do not seek other forms of employment, as well as the inconvenience associated with waiting five years to receive pension.

He further recommended a review of the pensionable age.

In response, Goolsarran said Persaud’s point was a valuable one.

The Commission also heard the views of others during the course of the day including building contractor Hugh Primo, former social worker Venita Primo and others.

Over an eight-week period thus far, the Commission has heard testimonies from within Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo.

The two-day hearing in Linden will continue today.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, november 18, 2015

News

GTU threatens to resume industrial action

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he Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has threatened to resume industrial actions over its frustration with the Government on various outstanding issues, including debunching payments.

their support behind the Union to resume the industrial actions. “Our teachers are agitated,” he remarked.

The Union Head expressed his frustration over the fact that the GTU is being pushed around for the

this matter is revolving, going from (different) place to place. We would like our employer partner to know that teachers across Guyana are anxiously awaiting the disbursement of the debunching funds,” he stated.

GTU President Mark Lyte (third from left) along with other executive members of the Union

Six months ago, the Union had taken industrial action – in the form of the “Work to Rule” process – to retaliate against Government’s non-payment of debunching money. However, the action was suspended following the General and Regional Election the same month.

But the GTU has stated that it will resume the action countrywide if the situation continues. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, GTU President Mark Lyte said teachers are so frustrated over the delayed debunching payments that they have extended

monies promised to teachers in the public system.

He explained that they were recently told Cabinet would deal with the payment but on Monday, they received a correspondence which stated that the matter was referred back to the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry.

According to the GTU President, contact has since been made with the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry Delma Nedd and they agreed to meet on Thursday to hold further discussions on the payments.

“GTU is worried that

Lyte further pointed out that the calculation as to how teacher will benefit from the payment was completely a while ago and it is only for Government to approve the payments before the money can be disbursed.

“So at this point in time, a definite pronouncement cannot be made as to when our teachers, who served this nation diligently, will be granted the debunching money,” the GTU President.

Moreover, the GTU President outlined that the Union believes in dialogue and has pursed this route thus far but with no results to show.Hence, its

decision to resume the industrial actions, which was suspended to allow the new Administration time to settle in following the election.

“Debunching has been going on since 2006/2007, we are in 2015 and we can’t earn a dime from that agreement as yet. This is ridiculous and so the Union believes that sometimes talks do not bear the kind of fruit that we anticipate. We may want to go that route but then it’s not really materialising so the Guyana culture is that we have to take other forms of actions,” he noted, specifically mentioning the “Work to Rule” action.

This form of industrial action saw teachers within the public school system being asked to do the minimum in terms of work or return home each school day if the working environments were not conducive for the teaching/learning process.

The payment of debunching monies was promised to teachers as part of an agreement that was inked between the GTU and the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration.

The multi-year agreement covered the period 2011 to 2015.

Apart from debunching, several other outstanding issues were raised during the press briefing by Executive Members of the Union. These included duty-free concessions for teachers, the house revolving fund, house lot allocations and permanent certificates for teachers doing the Associate Degree in Education (ADE programme), among others.

WikidLeaks revelations

S

atiricus was all agog…and not with grog. Yes, he’d been ploughing through the last set of diplomatic cables and his EYES were groggy. But it was this never ending stream of revelations that kept him in a state of nervous expectation. He didn’t care what they said about Julian Asssange – the man was titillating a whole lot of people, including Satiricus.

He was reading up on his latest find: Date: 2015 APRIL 9, 19:05 (Friday) Canonical ID:2015GEORGE00357_b Original Classification: CONFIDENTIAL Current Classification: UNCLASSI (B) STATE 05361 This is to report on the progress of the plan to increase the democratic credentials of Guyana. I am so proud of our efforts and I have both my shoulders to the wheel. But I would want the secretary to know that I still see my posting to this benighted place as a banishment for screwing up on my last posting at ulanbator. I never thought I would be caught screwing.

But back to the plan. As you know we were very upset that burnt ham started rigging elections so crudely since 1973. I think we have finally gotten it right. Last year and into this year we issued 15,002 visas. Even though most Guyanese are now returning with all the progress made by the ppcee, at any time with our visa programme, there will be at least 5000 of their supporters out of the country.

This means that at the elections next month this should put the pee-an-see over the hump. No that was not a Freudian slip and the thought of humping anyone here in this godforsaken place has never crossed my mind. But I hope that when we have effectuated regime change by our surgical method and not the crude methods of burnt ham I will be sent back to ulanbator.

I must report one hitch with the programme. With us giving away visas freely, this has led to the bottom falling out of the backtracking business. Our number one snitch – codenamed “the mook” – who was also the number one backtracker, is very upset. He has not stopped snitching on his friends since this removes competition to his racketeering.

But he also sees the big picture and is helping in the efforts to remove the ppcee and put in the pee-an-cee.

He has formed a funding group named fucop and has channelled a billion dollar to our guys.

Over and out. And don’t forget ulanbator when the dust settles next month.

Confidential

Iwokrama commences Phase 2 of sustainable timber operation

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ell over a year since the I w o k r a m a International Centre (IIC) for Rain Forest Conservation and Development announced that it was partnering with Farfan and Mendes Limited (FML) to develop Phase Two of its model forestry operation, They recently commenced operations in the project.

Back in November 2013, Iwokrama had advertised for “Request for Proposals for Sawmilling Operations” and received proposals from some four companies. FML was selected as the Private Sector partner for the second phase of its model sustainable timber operation in

the Iwokrama Forest.

On Tuesday, Iwokrama said that the Centre and Farfan and Mendes Limited have finally started the operations, which is in keeping with the Centre’s mandate to develop sustainable businesses using multiple forest resources and international best practices.

The Centre noted that in accordance with Section Nine of the Iwokrama Act (1996), a complex and extensive exercise was conducted on the Iwokrama Forest resulting in the zoning of the Iwokrama Forest into a Wilderness Preserve (WP) and a Sustainable Utilisation Area (SUA).

The SUA was demarcated as the area where development work for the Centre’s experimental timber model

and all of its other business models, including tourism and training services are undertaken.

All of Iwokrama’s business models are designed to follow international economic, social and environmental best practices and employ innovative governance systems involving various stakeholders.

The Centre is expected to use the results of the research and experience it acquired in Phase One of its operations in areas such as forest dynamics, pre-harvest and post-harvest inventories, community engagement, certification, facilities layout and logistics to help refine and improve operations and forest management in Phase Two.

wednesday, november 18, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Government violates Trade Union Recognition Act – FITUG

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

T

he Trade Union Recognition Act (TURA) has now been violated by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government with respect to the appointment of the workers’ representatives to the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB).

This is according to the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), which during a media briefing on Tuesday, stated that this Board became functional with effect from November 1.

According to Treasurer of FITUG, Seepaul Narine, the TURCB consists of seven members, each appointed for a period of two years, but the appointment of a Chairman by the Minister should have been implemented after consultation with the ‘most representative organisations of workers’ and the most representative organisations of employers.

He maintained that consultation should have been held with FITUG for the above mentioned appointments, but this is yet

to be done.

Narine further explained that three members of the Board were to be appointed by the Minister on the nomination of the most representative organisations of workers and another three members were also to be appointed by the said Minister on the nomination of the most representative organisations of employers.

It was noted that the Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer via a letter on Wednesday last, requested FITUG to name one representative to sit on the Board.

Govt’s decision offensive, disturbing Secretary of FITUG, Michael Stephens, deemed this action of the APNU/ AFC Administration to be ‘most disturbing’ while commenting that the Federation will do all in its power to expose this ‘offensive decision.’

“The Federation alerts the workers of Guyana and urges its affiliates to guard against the return of the days when seats and positions of the trade unions were handed down based on the Union’s loyalty to the powers-that-be.”

The allocation of one seat to FITUG and two to

er matter of concern. That Committee, among others, comprises of six representatives of workers. The GTUC has been awarded five and FITUG has been requested to nominate one and this is another discriminatory act against the most representative organisation of workers,” He reminded that the last Tripartite Committee

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is a violation of the TURA, he said, adding that Government should not have engaged in such an act which is contrary to the easily understood law.

“We were promised respect for the rule of law but in reality the opposite is surfacing day after day,” he said.

Stephens emphasised that the workers and their ‘legitimate’ organisations must be conscious of the worrying situation and “speak out and stand up” in defence of their hard won rights before it is too late.

“The appointment of the Tripartite Committee by the Cabinet is anoth-

FITUG Treasurer Seepaul Narine

headed by former Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul, comprised representatives according to the membership of the FITUG and the GTUC, four and two members respectively.

Meanwhile, President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan stated that the Federation had written the Government within the past two weeks submitting

names for the positions mentioned above.

Sadly, the only response FITUG has received to date is a letter of acknowledgement from the Ministry of the Presidency.

Moving forward Duncan explained that the media briefing on Tuesday was just the first step that FITUG has taken with regards to sensitising its workers and the public at large of the actions of the government, which are obviously in violation of the TURA. “The first strategy is that we have this press conference after which very shortly the FITUG Executive will meet and make a determination as to where we will go from there. We thought it best to sensitise the nation on what is going on so that at least they will know that we are not satisfied. And hence they can expect anything coming,” he added.

First Vice President of FITUG Komal Chand, posited that this move is not to ‘displease’ the GTUC but simply to speak out against a breach of the law.

“The law is supreme, the law holds sway, the law requires that consultations should be made with

FITUG the most representative organisation of workers so it is not a question of displeasing the GTUC. You have the membership and it is clear, you have (1) the Chairman being selected without consultation and (2) you have the workers’ representative being selected without consultation. So you have violated the law so it is not a question of displeasing…It is strictly a violation of law,” Chand added.

According to FITUG, it represents over 32,000 workers throughout the country with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) having the largest membership with approximately 18,000 members.

The Guyana Labour Union (GLU) has a membership of 10,200 workers, the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) presently has 2000 members and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCW) has 2000 members registered.

Collectively, this totals an average of 32,200 members. Meanwhile, the GTUC is said to have approximately 15,000 members. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

12 news

wednesday, november 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Toshao decries deplorable roads in Tapakuma – calls for Govt’s assistance

By Indrawattie Natram

T

oshao of St Denys, Tapakuma, James Schaddes is calling on the Government to assist in the rehabilitation of the main access road leading to the community.

Schaddes made the call during the recommissioning of the community’s agro-processing facility on Monday.

During his address to the gathering, including Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, the Toshao called on the Minister to make the recommendations to Cabinet to have the road rehabilitated.

This, he said, will bring much relief to farmers,

schoolchildren and other residents in the area.

He said the village council had written several letters to the Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Administration through the Regional Executive Officer and to date nothing has materialised from those correspondence.

The Toshao added that he even pledged the community’s support to provide some of the materials for the project.

Additionally, he explained that the village council was incurring additional monthly expenses as the school bus requires much repairs since the road was in a deplorable condition.

Toshao James Schadde

Schaddes said that many persons would like to purchase the community’s products and produce, but ac-

cessibility was a major challenge. He also explained that the village felt neglected by the current Regional Administration.

Meanwhile, Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said the onus was on the Regional Executive Officer (REO) to release the machinery to assist the community. Ramdatt, however, mentioned he would continue to represent the interests of the community at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) level, pointing out that he would be meeting with the REO again to pursue the issue.

The community has in excess of 2000 residents.

Paris terrorist attacks

Local French Consulate opens Book of Condolences

T

he French Consulate in Guyana has announced that a Book of Condolences will be opened for the victims of the attacks in Paris.

The Book of Condolences

will be open to members of the public in the Honorary Consulate of France at 276 B Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, Georgetown from 09:00h to 12:00h and 13:00h to 17:00h.

The activity will conclude today.

ISIS, an Islamic militant group, has claimed responsibility for the attacks which took place on Friday. The attackers targeted six sites – a

concert hall, a stadium, restaurants and bars where they opened fire indiscriminately in Paris. In the nearly simultaneous attacks, the assailants left 129 persons dead and 352 others injured.

Keeping it real Comprehensive plan needed to address suicide

I

am no psychiatrist, or psychologist (my brother is).

But the three recent deaths in Guyana by suicide, coming days after each other, give one pause for consideration. Data produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showing that Guyana has the highest suicide rate when compared to the nearly 200 countries in the world is quite alarming.

Every 40 seconds, someone on some part of the earth’s surface commits a suicidal act or contemplates ending his/ her life. It is estimated that Dr Baytoram Ramharack more than 800,000 people kill themselves every year, mostly between the ages of 15 and 29, by ingesting poison, pesticide, hanging, using firearms or by jumping from a building. Guyana is the most suicide-prone country in the world.

Anand Boodram, a Guyanese teacher, now living in NY, knows a lot about suicide. He has led an active campaign to combat suicide in Guyana. His website, Caribbean Voice (CV), reported that “Guyana suffers 44.2 suicides per 100,000 persons per year….about 333 suicides per year in a population of about three quarters of a million persons”. When combined with the unreported figures, the picture tells a more alarming story. “… at least 25% of suicides go unreported. This would mean that there are at least 425 suicides per year in Guyana. However, empirical evidence reveals that unreported suicides are higher than 25%, thus actual suicides could well be higher than 425 annually. And, at a globally estimated 25 attempts per suicide, Guyana would have almost 11,000 attempted suicides a year.” With these rates, it is almost certain that every Guyanese may know or be acquainted with someone who died by suicide.

The CV goes on to explain that suicidal mindsets are prone to copycatting, a practice referred to as the Werther Effect, a term coined by American sociologist Dave Phillips in 1974. Recently, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan released alarming statistics at the launch of the Inter-Agency Suicide Hotline, spearheaded by the Guyana Police Force. He pointed out that in 2013, there were some 129 reports of suicide, with Berbice amassing the highest reported number at 42, with most of the victims being East Indians. Out of the 129 cases, 90 involved male victims. He reported a similar trend for 2014, with 97 suicides, most of which involved male victims, and 68 of those reported being persons of East Indian descent.

I recall two incidents dealing with suicide that have had a profound impact on me. Growing up in Berbice, there is a particular tamarind tree, quite visible from the main road because of its sprawling size and umbrella shape. It was a common occurrence for people in our village to end their lives by hanging. It was amazing that everyone knew about this place, but nothing could be done about it. What would cause a person to take his own life, I wondered, every time I visited the area to pay tribute to my older brother whose burial site is a few yards away? If it was not death by hanging, it was death by ingesting what villagers called “malatan” (it’s actually malathion), an insecticide that dismantles the nervous system, making it difficult to breathe.

The other incident is about a young man, about the same age as my son. We will call him TJ. TJ was a very shy person in school, but he became more mature as he grew closer to high school graduation.

He was awarded a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Columbia University. One day, while a graduate student at Columbia University, TJ packed a light suitcase, told his mother he was going on a trip, checked into a hotel room and deliberately ingested a chemical substance that led to his death. It was painful and devastating to watch hundreds of TJ’s young friends poured into the crowded funeral home to pay their last respects at his wake.

Rural poverty and easy access to deadly pesticides seem to top the list as apparent causes of suicide. Some reports point to a historical trend within the Indian community, primarily Hindus.

Suicide, however, does seem to be a more rural-based phenomenon.

The Guyana Foundation, headed by Supriya Singh-Bodden, has identified poverty, rape and domestic abuse (which also stems from alcoholism) as contributing factors.

It is not surprising that a number of myths have developed around suicide. For one, there is the mass cult suicide of more than 900 people at Jonestown that made international headlines in 1978. In reality, there is no evidence that this incident is in any way related to the increase in suicide rates among Guyanese. Two, in some quarters, people who commit suicide are seen as cowards who are unwilling to take on the challenges of daily life. Third, there is the propagation that people who commit suicide are morally and spiritually deficient. In other words, people who are religious and God-fearing would not contemplate committing suicide. We must debunk these myths. They only serve to mystify suicide, more than it already is.

Margaret Chan, a Director General of WHO noted that suicide must be addressed as a “public health problem” and it has “been shrouded in taboo for far too long”. There is evidence to suggest that in places like Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Europe where access to dangerous chemicals are restricted, there has been a drop in the number of people committing suicide. Guyana does not have a lot of suicides by selfinflicted gunshot wounds, but this can potentially increase in the future, given the proliferation of guns in the country.

There is an urgent need for greater education and awareness about how to recognise possible suicidal tendencies in people. Laws governing the availability of pesticides and poison should obviously be tightened as best as possible. Law enforcement, social workers, and educators need to be professionally trained to deal with potential cases of suicide.

There is one aspect of suicide that has so far received very little or no focus at all. That is, the effect of suicide upon living family and relatives. The Government should provide support to family and relatives, not just psychological counselling, but financial services, to surviving family members. It is the decent and moral thing that a caring nation can do.

(Send comments to BRamharack60@gmail.com)

news

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wednesday, november 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Baby with fractured shoulder, hand

Suddie Hospital to be sued

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

T

wenty-nine-year-old Parbatee Ramdat of Reliance Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is currently in the process of taking legal actions against the Suddie Public Hospital after her newborn baby suffered a fractured shoulder and a broken hand during delivery.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is also being sued by another distraught family whose baby also suffered injuries after a nurse allegedly dropped the newborn on the ground.

Guyana Times understands also that steps are being taken by another family to file a lawsuit against the Davis Memorial Hospital after a 33-year-old mother and her newborn child died at the hands of negligent nurses and hospital staff. (see story on page x) All proceedings are being spearheaded by Attorney Anil Nandlall.

The Public Health Ministry has launched an investigation into all three reports to determine exactly how the incidents occurred and who are to be blamed; but to date, no information has been forthcoming to any of the families involved.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had told this publication that investigations of this nature are usually lengthy given the circumstances of the incidents.

Meanwhile, baby Ameer Amarnauth, who is now three weeks old, is wrapped in a cast and his arm remains incapacitated. The troubled mother fears her child will become permanently disabled or that he will be denied the opportunity to grow up normally.

According to reports, the mother was scheduled to have a caesarean section (C-section) delivery since her baby was “too big” to be delivered naturally. However, on the date of delivery, the hos-

Baby Ameer Amarnauth

pital staff did not perform the caesarean section. Ramdat said she was forced to endure two long hours of agonizing pain as the nurses ripped the screaming baby from her womb, due to several complications which arose. The force in which the baby was removed from the womb resulted in the fractured arms.

Reports indicate that the baby has developed additional abnormalities including a soft spot on his head and a lump in his throat.

The woman noted that her baby desperately needs additional medical attention but she is too afraid to take her son back at the Suddie Hospital.

Moreover, when contacted for a comment on the matter, Nandlall said he already dispatched a letter to the Medical Superintendent of the Suddie Hospital, requesting the baby’s medical information.

Thereafter, Nandlall will prepare the writ to be filed in the courts.

Asked for an update on the lawsuit against the GPHC, Nandlall reported that the institution’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (ag) Alan Johnson is seemingly uncooperative since the medical reports of the baby who fell off the cot is yet to be provided. Nonetheless, Nandlall said he will be writing a follow-up letter and if the Hospital fails to present the requested documents, then he will move forward and file

the lawsuit with the information he has at his disposal.

Additionally, Nandlall said he will be lodging complaints to the Medical Council about the recent malpractices at the various hospitals which have resulted in serious injuries and deaths; and has also caused the public to lose much confidence in the country’s healthcare system. (devinas@guyanatimesgy. com)

E-Governance Unit rolls out Wi-Fi in schools

T

he E-Governance Unit has begun rolling out Wi-Fi networks in schools, while Hinterland and remote areas are expected to benefit from Internet access by the end of the first quarter of 2016.

This is according to E-Governance Advisor Floyd Levi, who said in a Ministry of the Presidency release that at present, the E- Governance Unit is focused on facilitating the implementation of the infrastructural networks – the transmission and the data networks and the setting up of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs across the country.

Levi disclosed that that the Government was focusing on having the ICT hubs and Internet access points operational by the end of 2016. The ICT hubs are especially critical for the Wi-Fi networks to become operational. These are expected to benefit all Guyanese but more so, the remote and un-

E-Governance Advisor Floyd Levi

derdeveloped communities.

The roll out of Wi-Fi in secondary schools has begun, with President’s College being the first school to benefit, following a visit by President Granger to the institution in October.

Levi said that this is the first project in this category and it will be treated as a pilot to determine the exact

needs and requirements for the other schools to benefit.

“What it does is that it gives them access to the E-Government network, not just for Internet access but for all Government applications that we will publish on the network. We are using this as the pilot project, to ensure that we are able to fulfil the demands and requirements and then we move on to the other schools.

We expect that this can be done within the first quarter of 2016.We have been mandated to provide internet access to all tertiary educational institutes, such as the Cyril Potter College of Education, the University of Guyana (UG), all of the Technical Institutes and Secondary schools,” he said.

Additionally, all Government Ministries, agencies and public buildings will be outfitted with Wi-Fi networks for visitors and consumers to access during their visits. turn to page 17

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, november 18, 2015

Regional

2-year-old T&T girl shot Dominican Republic Police find dead in bed while sleeping cocaine, heroin in mansion, yacht

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ragedy struck early Tuesday morning in Diego Martin, as a two-year-old girl was shot and killed by gunmen.

However, the fatal bullet was intended for her father.

Police identified the victim as Keira Singh.

According to reports, around 01:00h Kieron Paul, 25; his wife, their two-

Dead: Two-year-old Keira Singh

week-old baby, and Keira were all asleep in their Good Session Drive, Patna Village, Diego Martin home when gunmen forced their way into the house.

They fired shots at the family, intending to kill Paul, but it hit little Keira instead. She was shot to her stomach and reportedly died on the scene. (Trinidad

Guardian)

UN: Barbados on track to end AIDS epidemic as public health threat

B

arbados is on track to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030, according to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

The Caribbean country has already reached the testing pillar of the 90–90–90 target, with 92 per cent of people living with HIV being aware of their status. The Health Ministry has reported that for six years in the past decade no babies have been born with HIV, paving the way for the country to work towards being validated by the World

Health Organisation as having eliminated mother-tochild transmission of HIV. During a visit to Barbados earlier this month, Sidibé congratulated the country on the progress made in the national AIDS response.

Barbados Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steve Blackett reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fasttracking the AIDS and noted that in the new phase, the country Barbados is addressing the social determinants

that support HIV transmission, including intergenerational poverty and transactional sex.

Barbados has established a unique database of research and resources relating to HIV in the Caribbean. It is also using data to refine its approaches to prevention. With support from the Government of the United States of America, the country is constructing a new, amalgamated laboratory, improving the facilities that currently serve the entire eastern Caribbean. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Chinese to fund reconstruction of stormdamaged highway, resettle residents affected by Erika in Dominica

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he Chinese Government has committed to financing the reconstruction of a highway which suffered major damage during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in late August, and help resettle residents who were displaced by the storm.

The Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway, or West Coast Road, was significantly damaged during the storm that claimed dozens of lives and caused millions of dollars in damage.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the work would not only repair the damage but will include interventions to reduce the chances of future damage.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

“This is a major commitment of assistance and we are very grateful to the Government and people of China for this pledge.

This is good news for all

Dominicans so we should be thankful to the Chinese Government,” he said, adding that the Chinese government will also assist with the resettlement of those who were displaced by the storm.

“These are two critical areas where the Chinese Government will be assisting Dominica in its reconstruction and recovery. I would like to place on public record on behalf of the Government and people of Dominica, our sincerest gratitude to the Government and people of China for this generous offer. I must mention that this is a grant, not a loan, and it’s a gift to us in response to the storm,” Skerrit added.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Haiti’s ruling party wins big in municipal elections – results

H

aiti’s ruling party has emerged as the big winner of the impoverished Caribbean country’s municipal elections, election results showed Tuesday.

The PHTK party won more than 30 mayoral races, including Port-au-Prince, the biggest prize of the country’s 140 municipalities.

The October 25 elections were delayed for three years because of a political impasse between President Michel Martelly and the Opposition.

As Mayors reached the end of their terms during that peri-

od, they had been gradually replaced with interim agents named directly by the presidency.

Despite the PHTK’s strong showing, the results showed how fragmented politically the country has become, with mayors elected from about 30 different political parties.

Participation also was extremely low. Port-au-Prince, a city with more than 500,000 eligible voters, was won by the PHTK candidate with a little more than 10,000 votes.

The candidates and parties have 72 hours to chal-

lenge the results published by the provisional electoral council. Winning candidates will take office only after any challenges are ruled on by electoral tribunals.

After being mired for years in a political crisis that kept any elections from being held, Haiti has been on an electoral marathon this year, holding presidential, legislative and now finally these municipal elections.

Ruling party candidate Jovenel Moise and Jude Celestin face off December 27 in a runoff for the presidency.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

of Venezuela First Lady’s nephews

P

olice in The Dominican Republic found more than 280 pounds of cocaine and 22 pounds of heroin in a raid on a mansion and yacht owned by one of the two nephews of Venezuela’s First Lady Cilia Flores facing charges of trying to traffic narcotics into the US, Fox News Latino reported.

The mansion belongs to Francisco Flores, 30, who was arrested in Haiti last week along with Efraín Campos, 29, for allegedly conspiring to smuggle 800 kilograms of cocaine into the US. The men were immediately extradited to the

US to face charges and are currently being held in New York without bail.

An indictment unsealed on Thursday in New York charged the pair with one count of narcotics conspiracy. It alleges the men participated in meetings in Venezuela regarding a plot to smuggle cocaine into the United States via Honduras, but provided few other details. Conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Cilia Flores, who Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro frequently refers to as the “first combat-

ant”, is running for Congress in next month’s national parliamentary elections as one of the ruling United Socialist Party candidates, and also hosts a weekly TV show on Sundays.

Earlier this year, Dino Bouterse, the son of Suriname’s President, Desi Bouterse, was sentenced in federal court in New York City to 195 months in prison, also for narcotics trafficking, along with firearms offences and attempting to provide material support and resources to Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organisation. (Caribbean News Now)

St Kitts-Nevis Parliament to debate term limits legislation

T

uesday’s sitting of the National Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis will debate legislation introduced by the Government to impose a limit of two fiveyear terms for the office of the Prime Minister.

In its campaign that led up to its victory at the February 16 General Elections, the Team Unity coalition promised to introduce such term limits.

Vincent Byron, Attorney General and Minister responsible for justice and legal affairs, elections and communications, will seek leave to introduce and have read a first time the Tenure of Office of Prime Minister Bill, 2015.

Part of the Bill reads

Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris

“A person who is appointed Prime Minister under the Constitution shall, subject to subsection (2) of this section, hold office for a term

of five years” and “A person shall not be appointed to hold office as Prime Minister for more than two terms as prescribed by this section.”

(Caribbean News Now)

Colombia ELN: Rebels release 2 kidnapped soldiers

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olombia’s second largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has released two soldiers it kidnapped three weeks ago.

They were seized on October 26 during a rebel ambush in which 11 soldiers and one Policeman were killed. The rebels turned them over to a delegation of the Red Cross and the Catholic Church in Arauca province. The ELN and the Government have been holding “exploratory talks” with a view to entering into peace talks.

At the time of the attack the rebels said that the attack did “not contradict” its wish for peace. In a statement, the rebels said they were forced to respond to “intense counter-guerrilla operations”. After the release of the soldiers, the ELN published another statement on its Twitter account saying it had “kept its word and handed over the captured soldiers safe and sound”.

Antonio Rodriguez (left) and Andres Felipe Perez were visibly relieved to have been released

Following the attack on October, President Juan Manuel Santos ordered the security forces to step up their attacks on the ELN. The President has in the past said it wants the rebels to give up kidnapping people for good before it is willing to consider more formal peace talks.

Meanwhile. peace talks between Government ne-

gotiators and members of Colombia’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), are continuing apace in the Cuban capital Havana.

President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC have agreed on a deadline of March 23, 2016 to sign a final agreement. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

wednesday, november 18, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

France, Russia strike Islamic Russia confirms bomb State; Hollande, Putin to meet downed its plane over

F

rance and Russia bombed Islamic State targets in Syria on Tuesday, punishing the group for attacks in Paris and against a Russian airliner that together killed 353 people, and made the first tentative steps toward a possible military alliance.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a coordinated onslaught in Paris on Friday last and the downing of a Russian charter jet over Sinai on October 31, saying they were in retaliation for French and Russian air raids in Iraq and Syria.

Still reeling from the Paris carnage that killed 129 people, France formally requested European Union assistance in its battle and British Prime Minister David Cameron edged closer to extending military action against Islamic State in Syria.

Police investigating the worst atrocity in France since World War Two discovered two locations in Paris where they believe the militants launched their assault. Underlining the widening scope of the probe, po-

French President Francois Hollande, left, and US Secretary of State John Kerry, pose upon arrival at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, Tuesday, November 17

lice in Germany said they had arrested seven suspects, including two women.

In Moscow, the Kremlin acknowledged that a bomb had destroyed a Russian airliner last month, killing 224 people. President Vladimir Putin vowed to hunt down those responsible and intensify air strikes against Islamists in Syria.

Hunt for second fugitive

Meanwhile, French Police are hunting for a

second fugitive directly involved in the deadly Paris attacks, officials said Tuesday after France made an unprecedented demand that its European Union allies support its military action against the Islamic State group.

The disclosure of a second possible fugitive came on the same day that France launched new airstrikes on the militants’ stronghold in Syria; as Vladimir Putin ordered a Russian military

cruiser to cooperate with French on fighting IS in Syria and as US Secretary of State John Kerry hinted at a possible upcoming cease-fire in Syria that would let nations focus on fighting IS. French and Belgian Police were already looking for key suspect Salah Abdeslam, 26, whose suicide-bomber brother Brahim died in the attacks Friday night that killed at least 129 people and left over 350 wounded in Paris.

Islamic state militants have claimed responsibility for the carnage.

Seven attackers died that night – three around the national stadium, three inside the Bataclan concert hall, and one at a restaurant nearby. A team of gunmen also opened fire at nightspots in one of Paris’ trendiest neighborhoods.

However, three French officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday that an analysis of the attacks showed that one person directly involved in them was unaccounted for. (Excerpt from

Reuters and MSN)

Egypt, vows retribution

A

homemade explosive device brought down a Russian passenger plane over Egypt last month, the head of Russia’s FSB security service said Tuesday, telling President Vladimir Putin it’s now clear the crash that killed 224 people was a “terrorist” act.

The Islamic State group had already claimed responsibility for the attack, and Putin vowed to hunt down those who carried it out.

Russian war planes struck Raqqa, the self-declared IS capital in Syria, and other targets on Tuesday, the defense minister told Putin at a briefing later in the day.

It specified that the reward would be paid in dollars.

“According to our ex-

perts, a homemade explosive device equivalent to 1 kilogram of TNT went off onboard, which caused the plane to break up in the air, which explains why the fuselage was scattered over such a large territory. I can certainly say that this was a terrorist act,” FSB head Alexander Bortnikov said.

He said tests showed the explosives had been produced outside of Russia, but gave no further details.

All of the people on board, most of them Russian tourists, were killed when the Metrojet Airbus 321-200 crashed over the Sinai Peninsula on October 31, about 23 minutes after taking off from the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

(Excerpt from France24)

India's Ashok Singhal: VHP’s ‘guide and visionary’ passes away

US Navy ship, bearing message of goodwill, docks in China

T

he sister ship of an American guided missile destroyer that sailed last month in waters claimed by China is in Shanghai for a weeklong port visit, in a sign that although the United States strongly disagrees with actions by China in the South China Sea, their two navies still value good relations.

The commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott H Swift, had flown to Shanghai on

Monday to be on board the visiting ship, the Stethem, when it arrived.

He said he was invited to China a month ago – relatively short notice for such a high-level visit – by a Chinese vice admiral, Su Zhiqian. Their meeting on board the Stethem on Tuesday stretched from a scheduled 30 minutes to two hours, Admiral Swift said.

“We acknowledged the policy differences between our two countries, but we

have a responsibility as maritime commanders that friction points in policy don’t become friction points at sea,” the admiral said in an interview with reporters on the Stethem.

Admiral Swift assumed the command of the Pacific Fleet in May, and this is his first visit to China. China reprimanded the United States after a guided missile destroyer, the Lassen, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef in the Spratly ar-

chipelago in the South China Sea on October 26, in what the United States said was an operation to demonstrate the freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

The Lassen made the voyage on instructions from the White House to show that the United States did not recognize the territorial waters that China claimed around the reef, which is also claimed by several other Asian Governments. (Excerpt from The New York Times)

Plans announced for Australia’s first Muslim party

F

ollowing the rise of a number of anti-Islam parties in Australia, a Sydney businessman has announced plans to form the country’s first Muslim political party.

Diaa Mohamed, a self-employed 34-year-old with a background in marketing, said the Australian Muslim Party (AMP) would first target winning a seat in the Senate at next year’s federal election. From there, he said, it may consider running candidates in state elections.

But there are a number of obstacles to overcome before any of that can happen: the party has not yet gained the 500 signatures it needs to be registered, and it has not yet identified any candidates.

“People criticise Muslims for not assimilating in Australia, but what better way is there to assimilate than to join the political process?” A number of anti-Islam parties have announced plans to run candidates in next year’s election, including the controversial

Mohamed runs an organisation with a stated aim to highlight the shared values of Muslims and non-Muslims

Dutch politician Geert Wilder’s recent foray into Australian politics with the Australian Liberty Alliance.

Mohamed is also the founder of the Islam education organisation MyPeace, which has a stated mission to highlight the shared values of Muslims and nonMuslims in Australia.

He attracted plenty of questioning and some criticism in Australia on Tuesday, particularly regarding the timing of the announcement - days after attacks in Paris claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) left at least 129 people dead.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A metallurgy engineer, Ashok Singhal metamorphosed into a Hindutva activist

C

hief played an adequate foil in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement when the BJP led the political campaign in the late eighties and later.

The 89-year-old right-wing firebrand leader dedicated his life for the Hindutva cause adopting an aggressive style and played a key role in mobilising support for the Ram Janambhoomi as well as the Ram Setu movements.

It was under his stewardship that the international branding of VHP was conceptualised for which he recruited supporters and established offices abroad. The VHP got immense contribution from outside India for its campaign.

Born in Agra on October 2 in 1926, Singhal has a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology in 1950.

Having been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since 1942, he became a fulltime pracharak after his graduation.

In 1980, he was deputed to VHP and became its Joint General Secretary. In 1984, he became its General Secretary and later elevated to the post of its working President, a role in which he continued till December 2011.

Attached to the RSS he was inspired by its ideology throughout his life and was

a prominent member of the Sangh Parivar.

VHP leaders considered him their “guide and visionary” as he led many a movement during his lifetime. He was instrumental in playing a key role in launching an Andolan in Uttar Pradesh against the Emergency and also the ‘Gau-Raksha Andolan’ for the protection of cows.

Singhal continued to play an active role in VHP and remained its patron till the end.

Incidentally, a few days prior to being admitted to the hospital, Singhal undertook a 30day tour of various countries to oversee the VHP activities.

Singhal played the role of a key organiser of VHP’s first ‘Dharma Sansad’ in 1984 in Delhi that attracted hundreds of Sadhus and Hindu Saints to discuss the rejuvenating of Hinduism.

The VHP opened branches in 40 nations from east to to west, including in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany to Indonesia and Japan among other countries under Singhal’s leadership.

The VHP leader was also a trained vocalist in Hindustani music, who had his training from the legendary Pandit Omkarnath Thakur.

As RSS Pracharak, he remained a bachelor. (VHP - World Hindu Organisation)

16 news

wednesday, November 18, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Caricom countries urged to begin talks Ramsammy’s Ruminations Discrimination on regional drug regulatory system

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aribbean countries are being urged to start national consultations on the establishment of a unified monitoring process for medicines, in a move to improve access to and availability of medicines across the Region.

This proposed establishment of a Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) for medicine was presented to the 41st meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) at the Pegasus Hotel in Guyana.

Barbados’ Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister and this year’s COTED Chairperson, Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean explained that such a system would lead to improved access to medicines at reduced costs, facilitating manufacturers’ access

Barbados’ Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister and COTED Chairperson, Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean

to the market and product surveillance in the Region.

The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) has deemed the

Caribbean Public Health Agency as the competent regional body for the implementation of the CRS for medicine. According to McClean, following the presentation and discussion, COTED is urging all its member states to conduct national consultations on the proposal, ahead of the next regular meeting, for a decision to be made, as it relates to the CRS for medicine implementation.

The CRS for medicine, McClean said, was among health matters of importance considered at the 41st COTED meeting.

She explained that matters impacting on the Region’s health were given special prominence during the meeting, in recognition of the crosssectoral linkages and the need

for action to confront issues such as Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which are having a deleterious effect on the health of the Region’s workforce, and which also have the potential to affect the Region’s competitiveness.

According to McClean, focus was placed especially on child obesity, and COTED agreed to have further consultations on matters which fall within this purview, including mandatory nutrition, labelling on all packaged food, recommendations on measures to encourage the consumption of healthier foods, nutrition standards and guidelines, food marketing, portion sizes and the level of harmful ingredients in food products, trade, and physical measures.

Possible lawsuit for Davis Memorial Hospital – family calls for probe into death of mother, baby

By Devina Samaroo

A

t her wits’ end and with no hope in sight, a bereaved sister is likely to file a lawsuit against the Davis Memorial Hospital after her sister Liloutiee Ramlall died during childbirth at the private institution on October 20.

The newborn baby had to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention,

where he too succumbed one day later.

Parbattie Ramlall, the deceased’s sister, tearfully explained to Guyana Times that she remained confused as to how her sister died, since she was healthy just before delivery.

Ramlall is blaming the hospital’s staff for her sister’s and her nephew’s deaths. She is alleging that the doctors and nurses are guilty by their

acts and gross negligence, professional misconduct or malpractice.

These concerns were expressed to the Medical Council of Guyana via correspondence by Ramlall’s Attorney, Anil Nandlall.

The distressed woman is calling for a thorough investigation into both incidents.

In the letter dispatched to the Medical Council, Ramlall related that her sister was

under the care of an obstetrician and gynaecologist (name withheld), who was assisted by two others (names withheld).

According to Ramlall, one of the obstetricians first inserted a pill into the mother to induce labour and reportedly left the hospital premises for nearly four hours.

She alleged that the obstetrician only returned after nurses called to report that the patient was bleeding profusely. After a Caesarean section was performed and the baby was delivered, another obstetrician took the newborn to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment, Ramlall related.

Ramlall, who accompanied the newborn to the public institution, noted that the baby was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital about two hours after birth.

Upon her return to the Davis Memorial Hospital, her sister had already died, the devastated woman said.

Ramlall said she was told that her sister died from hypovolemic shock and a ruptured spleen. She said it remained unclear how the spleen got damaged during delivery.

Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition that results when one loses more than 20 per cent of the body’s blood or fluid supply, making it impossible for the heart to sufficiently pump blood around the body.

Moreover, because the baby was born from a ruptured placenta, which is when the placenta begins to peel away from the uterus too soon, as the baby still needed the placenta to supply oxygen and nutrients, he ended up dying as a result of neonatal respiratory distress.

Ramlall is asking that the Medical Council immediately launch an investigation into the two deaths.

Additionally, Ramlall is exploring her options as it relates to taking legal proceedings against the hospital. (devinas@guyanatimesgy. com)

promotes division, not social cohesion

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ocial cohesion, ethnic and religious harmony, and national unity never strive in a milieu of discrimination. But a milieu of disharmony continues to boil over in Guyana and rather than lecturing its opponents, APNU/AFC, and its Minister of Social Cohesion, must frontally confront discrimination whenever its ugly head arises.

People are feeling discriminated against and they believe that APNU/AFC is deliberately discriminating against Dr Leslie Ramsammy them.

Unfortunately, when Minister Amna Ally chastises the PPP for promoting racism in Guyana whenever the PPP raises discrimination concerns affecting communities and our country, she amplifies people's perception that APNU/ AFC seriously discriminates against people based on ethnicity and political affiliation.

The people of Bath Settlement claimed, and many of us have verified, that their street lights were disconnected. APNU/ AFC itself has stated publicly that people must pay for street lights. But according to people from Bath Settlement, this is retribution because they voted overwhelmingly for the PPP. The people from this sugar and rice farming community have asked why the Government continues to subsidise electricity to the extent that electricity is essentially free in Linden.

The truth is Linden pays electricity rates that are many times lower than what other people pay. Because of such low rates, the use of electricity in Linden is several times greater than in any other community. For example, the average monthly usage of electricity in Linden is about 150 kWh compared to about 50kWh on the coast because while people on the Coast pay about $64 per kWh, the people in Linden pay less than $10.

The people of Bath Settlement have raised this matter and the PPP has a responsibility to bring their concerns to public attention. The PPP is merely representing an aggrieved community, not unlike APNU/AFC supporting Linden to fight against a PPP effort to reduce the Linden subsidy in 2012. Then APNU/AFC led a violent protest; this time the PPP is assisting a community to peacefully elevate their concerns to national attention.

Meanwhile, tension has arisen also because GECOM has morphed into an ethnically imbalanced institution. The PPP would not be a worthy national political party if it ignores the obviously biased and non-transparent process that GECOM has and is using presently to employ people. GECOM is one of the critical institutions that are necessary for sustaining and strengthening democracy and has to reflect overall the ethnic makeup of Guyana.

It is my position, and the PPP has stated publicly that it is their position, that meritocracy is not negotiable. But the present ethnic imbalance in GECOM cannot be faulted on an altar of meritocracy. GECOM has been hijacked to muzzle the will of the people. I share the belief of many of my sisters and brothers that GECOM contributed to a level of rigging in the 2015 elections. Social cohesion is not possible if we ignore this genuine concern.

How can anyone seriously accept that a system that employs the best would result in greater than 90 per cent of the staff of GECOM being from one ethnic group, which is not even the largest ethnic group in Guyana? To insist GECOM does not discriminate in employment is suggesting that people of other ethnic groups, including East Indian, do not have the same educational background and meet any of the other requirements. This is insulting the intelligence of people and is blatant discrimination against affected ethnic groups.

Minister Ally's abusive outburst that the PPP is promoting racial disharmony by raising these legitimate concerns of people is divisive and diminishes the aspiration for social cohesion. The Minister must address matters that genuinely increase tension in our country, such as the Bath Settlement electricity issue, the ethnic imbalance at GECOM, the rice farmers’ predicament with low paddy prices, and the problems in the sugar industry.

The much publicised commissioning of new GDF recruits show an ethnic imbalance that bothers people. These and other matters like discriminating against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) reduce our chances of social cohesion and the Minister rather than imperially dismissing these concerns need to pay attention to them. They say a good offence is the best defence, but genuine policies and actions for social cohesion come from recognising the challenges, not through deflection, such as accusing the messengers of being racial.

[Please send any comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com]

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news

wednesday, November 18, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Charandass ‘haul off the stage’ comment

Parliament has no code of conduct for MPs – Clerk

By Kristen Macklingam

T

he National Assembly is yet to implement a code of conduct which would regulate and monitor the actions of each Member of Parliament (MP) both on the Government and Opposition benches of the House.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs,

told Guyana Times on Tuesday evening that at the moment there has not been a parliamentary code of conduct established.

“There is no parliamentary code of conduct as yet.

They are now working on one I am told. We don’t have in place a parliamentary code of conduct,” he said.

Quite recently, the

Alliance For Change (AFC) MP Charandass Persaud, who is also an Attorneyat-Law, expressed his desire to “haul” fellow MP Dr Vindhya Persaud “off the stage”.

It must be recalled that the AFC parliamentarian deemed it fit to write a Letter to the Editor attacking and threatening the

New Amsterdam robbery

2 caught in hotel, motorbike found

By Andrew Carmichael

P

olice in Berbice have arrested two men in a hotel as investigations into Sunday morning’s robbery in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) continues.

According to reports, about 01:20h on Sunday, a three-man gang entered the home of businessman, Pastor Nicolas Harrinandan. One of the men was armed with a shotgun and another with a cutlass.

During the invasion, Harrinandan grabbed a cutlass and attacked the bandits during which he was chopped about the body.

Despite his own injuries, he managed to inflict injuries upon one of the bandits while the other two perpetrators escaped. However, in their haste to do so, they abandoned the shotgun which has been recovered by the Police.

The injured bandit, Brian Dhanphat of Smythfield, New Amsterdam, was treated at the New Amsterdam Hospital, but was released into Police custody on Tuesday. He received 14 chop wounds to his head, and face. As the man was escorted to the Police vehicle, he blurted out that he was at the businessman’s house because of a drug-related incident.

This newspaper understands that while at the New Amsterdam Hospital, Dhanphat provided Police with the names of the two persons who he said were with him during the robbery

Self-confessed bandit Brian Dhanphat

attempt. Since then, Police have been on the hunt for the two and on Monday evening acting on information Police visited the Church View International Hotel in New Amsterdam where the two persons mentioned by Dhanphat were found.

Deputy Commander of B Division, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts told this publication that acting on intelligence provided, the Police visited the hotel and found three males and three females who were associated with the men.

He said the females ranged from to 15 years old and 21 years old.

According to the Senior Superintendent, two of the men are those they were in search of following Sunday morning’s robbery at Tucberg Park, New Amsterdam. “Of the three men, two of them are from New Amsterdam and one from Georgetown,” the Senior Superintendent who was part of the team which made the arrest explained.

He said the men are also wanted for a series of armed robberies, including one involving A Ally and Sons.

On July 14, two men, one armed with a firearm, took away a deposit bag containing $3.7 million and US$2300 from a clerk of the store as she was about to enter a commercial bank to make a deposit.

According to Watts, two of the men arrested on Monday evening are also suspects in a West Bank Berbice robbery and a matter Police are currently investigating – the discharging of a loaded firearm outside a New Amsterdam night club recently.

Watts believed that the Police made a major breakthrough Monday evening when they discovered a motorcycle parked at a non-functional gas station which is situated opposite the hotel the trio was found in. He said he believed that it was the same bike which was used during the A Ally’ robbery and also the recent robbery at the New Amsterdam Market.

On November 11, a lone gunman went into the stall of Rashied Hack and demanded a bag containing a quantity of money and also the cash from the sales drawer before running out of the market and jumping on a motorcycle which was being driven by an accomplice.

Police are expecting to have identification parades conducted to decide whether they would be able to proceed with charges.

E-Governance Unit rolls out...

from page 13

The Advisor to the E-Governance Unit assured that usage of the Wi-Fi service is monitored so as to ensure students’ safety and control.

Wi-Fi for hinterland and remote areas

Levi went on to disclose that the Unit was actively pursuing a similar project, this time to service students in the hinterland and remote areas, who have limited or no access to Internet.

To this end, he said that work has already commenced in the Paramakatoi, Region Eight (Potaro-

Siparuni) area.

“Some of the subjects that are taught at the CXC levels require that School Based Assessments (SBAs) are submitted online and the students who live here at are a disadvantage with that so we are trying to fix this. The ground work is currently being done and we are working towards getting all elements in place. We have a very ambitious plan for the hinterland and remote areas,” the advisor said.

According to him, plans are also underway to consolidate Internet access and email services for Ministries, by way of an agreement,

which would soon see email addresses for these agencies being moved to the gov.gy domain. Levi explained that the collaboration between the two organisations was crucial to the overall success of that Unit.

“What has happened since then is that we’ve gotten trial versions so that we can have a clear understanding of what is being offered. We will go for a central hosting of Government websites under Microsoft as well as Government emailing systems and we will be signing an agreement with them very soon on this,” he disclosed.

AFC MP Charandass Persaud

Hindu Leader for merely expressing her views regarding her religion.

“Dr Vindhya Persaud so disgusted me that I felt like hauling (her) off the stage,” penned the AFC member in a letter which purported to be calling for a reconciliation of Hindu-Guyanese who were in disagreement over the Diwali date.

His well-thought-out sentiments generated much upheaval among women’s rights activists and women leaders who demanded the AFC MP make a public apology to Dr Persaud and also to all Guyanese women.

Charandass’s statement prompted much disapprov-

al and condemnation from a number of women’s rights supporters and they called upon the AFC MP to issue an apology to the female Hindu leader.

However, instead of apologising, Charandass, when contacted by Guyana Times on Sunday evening, appeared unrepentant and this was further supported by his response.

“Who the hell is Vindhya Persaud? And if they kiss my ass, I will apologise to Vindhya Persaud. That is all they need to hear,” he emphatically stated.

He went on to say that the women’s rights group(s) did not read his letter claiming that this document which he had penned did not state that he would “haul” Dr Vindhya off the stage.

“Nobody read my letter and in my letter I never said that I will ‘haul’ her or I wanted to and if I said I wanted to haul the Prime Minister or the Queen of England off the platform what does that mean, I am assaulting her? Even if I said that, that I want to haul Dr Vindhya Persaud off the stage, mind you when they read the letter they

will know that is not what I said, so the gutter journalism needs to come to an end…And the women rights group, tell them for me, that if they want me to apologise, let them come and kiss my ass…,” the AFC MP said.

With the absence of a code of conduct for the MPs, this would mean that any of them can make derogatory remarks about others in the House and outside of Parliament without being sanctioned.

The Clerk, when asked about when the long-awaited code of conduct would be completed and presented to the National Assembly stated that he was unsure.

“I can’t say. The Office of the President is dealing with it, the Cabinet, they are dealing with it. I haven’t seen it, I have heard that it on the Internet, the website,” he added.

To date, the AFC and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have remained mum on the issue of the MP’s statements about his fellow MP and the insults towards her and the women’s rights groups. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, november 18, 2015

ARCHIE

Make plans with someone you love to spend time (March 21- with and enjoy discovering April 19) something new and exciting.

Romance will improve your personal life and lead to a closer bond.

ARIES

If you are too forgiving or TAURUS emotionally sensitive, some(April 20- one will see you as being May 20) weak. Regardless of how you feel, refuse to let anyone see your vulnerabilities.

dilbert

Your charm will attract GEMINI (May 21- interest in whatever you are June 20) trying to pursue, but before you persuade others to contribute to your plans, make sure that what you attempt is realistic.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Enjoy conversations with family, friends and people you encounter who have a unique or different approach to life, love and happiness. What you learn will help improve your future.

Keep your life in perspecLEO tive and refuse to be coerced (July 23into a debate with someone Aug. 22) who chooses to think or do things differently than you.

Choose peace over chaos.

Calvin and Hobbes

You will have good ideas, VIRGO but don’t force them on oth(Aug. 23ers.

If someone does show inSept. 22) terest, be skeptical regarding his or her motives. Remain secretive for the time being.

If you share your feelings, LIBRA (Sept. 23- you will be granted the freeOct. 23) dom to live your life as you please. A skill or talent you have deserves a chance to be developed.

SUDOKU

Think before you get inSCORPIO volved in someone else’s per(Oct. 24sonal affairs. Strive to be Nov. 22) understanding and show compassion, but don’t meddle.

Take an interest in something or someone unique.

You can impress others, SAGITTARIUS but make sure that whatever (Nov. 23you do or say, you don’t emDec. 21) bellish or make promises you cannot keep. You are best off working on your own issues or projects.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

CAPRICORN If you want something, (Dec. 22- you should ask for it, but be Jan. 19) sure to offer incentives. Your give-and-take attitude will be what leads to your success.

You can close one door and open another.

AQUARIUS Don’t say something you’ll regret or get into an argu(Jan. 20ment with someone who is Feb. 19) ready to fight back. Before engaging in a losing battle, look inward and fine-tune your appearance and skills.

Don’t underestimate a job PISCES (Feb. 20- you’ve been asked to do, or March 20) you will end up looking bad.

Keeping your plans simple and moderate will lead to a favorable response.

wednesday, November 18, 2015

NBA roundup…

Mavericks keep 76ers winless for their fifth straight victory.

Danny Green and Boris Diaw each had 12 points and Tony Parker and Tim Duncan both added 10.

Damian Lillard scored 27 points and AlFarouq Aminu added 17 points for Portland.

Leonard and Ginobili both missed the previous game with minor ailments and their returns were needed.

San Antonio and Portland both set season lows for points in the first half with the Trail Blazers’ 28 points falling just four points of matching a franchise low.

Bulls 96, Pacers 95

D

Dirk Nowitzki

irk Nowitzki scored 21 points, including seven during a pivotal stretch late in the fourth quarter, to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 92-86 victory over the winless Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

Jahlil Okafor had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who have lost all 11 games this season and 21 in a row dating back to last season. Philadelphia’s last win was March 25 at Denver, and the 76ers are within five defeats of matching the franchise’s all-time record for consecutive losses.

Chandler Parsons added 20 points for the Mavericks, who needed a late push to hold off Philadelphia.

The 76ers trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half but battled back to take an 82-81 lead with 4 minutes, 23 seconds remaining on a free throw by Nerlens Noel before Nowitzki took over.

Grizzlies 122, Thunder 114

Newcomer Mario Chalmers scored 16 of his season-high 29 points in the fourth quarter and the Grizzlies held on for a victory over the Thunder.

Chalmers, picked up in a trade with the Miami Heat last week, converted 6 of 13 shots, including 4 of 7 from outside the arc, as five Grizzlies reached double figures. Mike Conley had 22, Jeff Green scored 20, while Marc Gasol added 17. Zach Randolph finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 40 points, 12 in the fourth quarter trying to bring Oklahoma City back from an 11-point deficit in the frame. Serge Ibaka had 18 and Enes Kanter scored 16. Steven Adams and Dion Waiters finished with 14 apiece.

Oklahoma City shot 51 per cent, including 10 of 24 from outside the arc. But Memphis converted 12 of 17 3-pointers.

Spurs 93, Trail Blazers 80

Kawhi Leonard had 19 points and Manu Ginobili added 17 points and the Spurs overcame a listless start to beat the Trail Blazers

Jimmy Butler scored 17 points for Chicago and played tough defence on Paul George on Indiana’s final possession, helping the Bulls hold on for a victory over the Pacers.

Butler stayed right with George in the final seconds and contested his difficult fadeaway shot that was well short as time expired, giving the Bulls their third straight win and fourth in five games.

Derrick Rose had 23 points on 9-for-18 shooting for Chicago, but departed with about six minutes remaining after he sprained his left ankle. Doug McDermott scored 11 points.

George had 26 points for Indiana, and Monta Ellis finished with 20 points. C.J. Miles made five 3-pointers on his way to 19 points, and Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi each grabbed 12 rebounds.

Celtics 111, Rockets 95

Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points and the Celtics used a 32-point third quarter to pull away and cruise to a win over the slumping Rockets.

It is the third straight win for the Celtics and gives Houston a four-game losing streak for the first time since the team dropped seven straight in January 2013.

Boston led by 4 after a 3-pointer by James Harden with 3 1/3 minutes left in the third quarter. The Celtics closed out the quarter by scoring 15 straight points to take a 87-68 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Celtics rode the momentum from their strong third quarter into the early part of the fourth quarter and used a 13-4 run to open the period and extend the lead to 10072. Avery Bradley scored seven points with a dunk and a 3-pointer to lead the team in that stretch.

Coach Kevin McHale pulled most of Houston’s starters after that.

Suns120, Lakers 101

Brandon Knight had 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career tripledouble and the Suns ran past the Lakers.

Eric Bledsoe added 21 points and T.J. Warren had 19 for the Suns, who gradually pulled away after taking a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points to lead the weary Lakers, who were playing on consecutive days for the second time in a week.

The Lakers were without All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, who was kept back in Los Angeles to rest rather than having to play on back-to-back nights. (Herald Sports)

19

Johnson retires from international cricket

A

Mitchell Johnson is clapped off by team-mates even as the rain comes down. (Getty Images)

s he foreshadowed before the WACA Test against New Zealand, Mitchell Johnson has had enough.

In the lead-up to the match, Johnson said he was happy to keep playing “as long as I’m performing well and doing my job in the team then mentally I’m feeling pretty good”, but this week, Johnson has been conclusively tamed by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, returning the figures of 1 for 157, the most expensive by an Australian bowler in all Tests in Perth.

His manager Sam Halvorsen was in the Australian dressing rooms on the fourth evening, as Johnson reached the painful decision to end his Test playing days. He conceded afterwards that he was quite simply no longer enjoying the hard days in the field epitomised by this match, the fourth highest scoring Test ever to be played in Australia

“I’m really happy with my decision and I just lost that hunger in the end to play out on those tough days, that’s where my decision came,” Johnson said, watched by his wife Jessica, captain Steven Smith, and teammates Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. “That’s something I used to really enjoy about Test cricket, the challenge of those really difficult days out there and I just wasn’t enjoying it out there.

“The first innings bowling was my final decision.

Spoke to Jess my wife about it and my manager Sam and Smithy and Boof and spoke to the boys and let them know last night that I was finishing up in all forms. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a year now to be honest, on and off. The World Cup I thought that was a good time to go out in one day cricket but also with young guys in the team I also felt like I could help them through. But ultimately I felt

like I couldn’t compete at this level any more and lost that hunger.”

Johnson’s retirement rounds out a sequence of six exits from the national team around this year’s unsuccessful defence of the Ashes in England. Ryan Harris, Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin all left the stage before the home summer, and Johnson had admitted to thinking about joining them, only committing fully to playing a few weeks before the season began.

He admitted he had spoken at length with his mentor Dennis Lillee about his future during that period, and while his mentor felt it was possible to keep going for several more seasons at reduced pace while concentrating on consistency and movement, the 34-year-old pushed back with the view that he had been born to bowl fast, and would not enjoy the game if he could not. (Cricinfo)

Guyana crowned overall champions...

However, two of them stood out from the pack; Kristian Jeffrey with his dominance in the powerful Group Four Category and Elliot Vieira, whose skill and desire helped him win in the Motorcycle/600 cc Super Stock.

The young Jeffrey was totally unstoppable at the South Dakota Circuit on Sunday as he finished on 225 points. Jeffrey, who had already won the Group 4 honours before entering this final round, by no chance let his foot off the gas as he had the home fans thrilled with his superior driving ability.

In second place was Trinidad’s Kristian Boodoosingh on 152 points. It was rather unfortunate that Boodoosingh’s MITS EVO 2.2 AWD similar to Jeffrey’s, began to give him problems during the races as he was bumper to bumper with Jeffrey

in the early stages. Gerard Carrington, also of Trinidad and Tobago, finished third on 58 points.

In the Group Three category, Guyana-born Paul Vieira, who represented Trinidad and Tobago in his Mazda RX7, won the group with 169 points; Garry Barrett of the Cayman Islands was in second on 138 points, while Barbados’s Kurt Thompson was in third on 82 points.

Guyana’s Danny Persaud with his Mazda Miata came fourth with 82 points.

Group Two saw another Trinidadian representative in Marc Gill topping the group with 189 points; Kurt Thompson of Barbados was second on 118 points and Guyana’s Shiraz Roshandin who had a commendable outing was in third on 84 points.

The Motor Cycle/600 cc Super Stock saw complete dominance by the Guyanese

from page 20

contingent as they walked away with the top four spots.

Leading the pack was Elliot Vieira on 161 points. The young rider undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him as he rode with precision at the South Dakota Circuit and seems to be a tactical genius, smartly taking the lead coming off of the turns.

Stephen Vieira came in second place with 143 points and Matthew Vieira came third on 100 points. Matthew, who also rode in the Super Bike category and was completely dominant at the age of 17, is another bright prospect for Guyana.

This year’s Caribbean Motor Racing Championships was simply a spectacle for all to watch and there were several outstanding performances; one can only imagine the excitement and thrills that are in store for the 2016 season. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

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guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, November 18, 2015

GCB/Banks DIH/Digicel NSSCL

ECDCA/Banks Premium Beer T20 cricket

Dushraj, Anthony lead Lusignan A, Fairfield to clash in Sunday’s final Aurora Secondary to victory

Richard Chatura

L

Shemar Dushraj’s 85 not out helped Aurora Secondary to victory

S

hemar Dushraj’s 85 not out along with Sherlon Anthony’s 5-15 led Aurora Secondary to victory over New Opportunity Corps (NOC) in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Banks DIH Limited’s Coca Cola and Rainforest Water, along with Digicel.

Playing in the Essequibo zone at the NOC Ground, Aurora Secondary brushed aside NOC by 190 runs.

Batting first, Aurora Secondary amassed 234-4 in just 25 overs, as Dushraj led the way with an accomplished 85 not out, which contained 12 fours and two huge sixes.

He was well supported by Quinton Samson and Orlando Jailall with 38 and 27 respectively. Bowling for NOC, Denzil Cummings had 2-37.

Replying to Aurora Secondary’s mammoth score, the NOC lads were blown away for a paltry 42 in 13.1 overs, as Anthony bagged 5-15 and Roel Latchman took 4-5 off 3.1 overs Over at Walton Hall, Charity Secondary batted first and made 105 in 19 overs. Doing the damage for Eight of May Secondary was Renaldo Paul and Alistair Rodrigues, who took three wickets apiece.

In reply, Eight of May Secondary raced to 106-6 in just 14.3 overs, as Kamesh Suknarine finished on 23 not out, while Motley Boyan

made 22. Kemion James and Orindo Caesar had two wickets each, bowling for Charity Secondary.

Anna Regina Multilateral overcame Cotton Field Secondary by 55 runs at the Imam Bacchus Ground.

Batting first, Anna Regina Secondary made 145 all out in 26.4 overs, with Gamesh Ramdahin scoring 36 and Sevond Bess making 31.

Shivnarine Chattergoon had excellent figures of 4-17 in 5.1 overs, while Daniel Mangar and Devindra Ramdahin had figures of 3-23 and 3-38 respectively.

The boys from Cotton Field Secondary were then dismissed for 90 in 20.2 overs. The wickets were shared, as Dequan Clarke, Ramesh Persaud and Lance Roberts had two wickets each.

In another match played at NOC Ground, Johanna Cecelia Secondary sneaked past Abrams Zuil Secondary by two wickets in a match reduced to 20 overs. Johanna Cecelia Secondary won the toss and sent Abrams Zuil Secondary in to bat.

However, they were limited to 124-8 when their 20 overs were completed.

Temal Jaikaran led the way with a composed 45 not out.

Bowling for Johanna Cecelia Secondary, Azim Fredericks took 3-25 off four overs.

Johanna Cecelia Secondary’s successful run chase was led by Seekumar Singh, who scored 35 and Trevor Collins, who made 20 not out, as they got to 128-8 with one over to spare.

Shane Wonge had 3-20, while Joel Fortune took 2-25 bowling for Abrams Zuil Secondary.

Meanwhile, in the Georgetown zone, Lodge High School defeated South Ruimveldt Secondary by 113 runs. Taking first strike, Lodge High School rattled up 226-6 in 20 overs.

No batsman registered a half-century, but there were significant contributions from Omally Barker (41); Timothy Sealy (38); Akeem Williams (30) and Anthony Smith (34). Bowling for South Ruimveldt Secondary, Andrew Persaud had 2-32.

South Ruimveldt Secondary in reply fell for 113, as Anthony Smith returned with the ball to claim 3-17, while Shemar Smith and Taurston Gordon also had three-wicket hauls.

At Thirst Park, St Joseph High School got the better of Tutorial High School.

St Joseph won the toss and chose to bat, making 173-7 off 20 overs.

Arif Daniels led the way with an attractive 63, which included six fours and three sixes. He was well supported by Dhanesh Ally’s 31 and Kishan Tracy, who made 26. Reon Rodrigues and Ravi Coates had two wickets apiece.

Tutorial High School were then dismissed for 100 in 15.3 overs. Joel Spooner resisted with a solid 54 laced with six fours and three maximums. Kishan Tracy had 2-11 bowling for St Joseph High School.

usignan A and Fairfield will have the distinction of contesting the first-ever final of the East Coast Demerara Cricket Association (ECDCA)/Banks Premium Beer T20 cricket competition on Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre Ground.

The two teams earned the right to vie for championship honours after they sealed victories at the semifinals, played on Sunday last at the Enterprise Community Centre Ground.

Playing in semi-final one, Fairfield whipped Tiger’s XI by 40 runs, while Lusignan A prevailed over Enterprise A by 16 runs in semi-final two.

Sent in to bat first in the morning game, Fairfield piled up 190-7 against Tiger’s XI, with Richard Chatura missing out on a hundred, falling for 95.

National Under-17 player Ramnarine Chatura supported with 25, as former national youth allrounder Vishaul Arjune claimed 3-32 and Gurdat Sukhpersaud 2-30.

Despite a brilliant 82 from First-Class opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tiger’s XI could only reach 150-6, falling way short of the target. Vishnu Rukhram made 15, as Deonarine Chatura bagged 3-22.

In the afternoon matchup, Lusignan A opted to bat first upon winning the toss, and they managed 139-5 with Gavin Boodwah making 37 (4x4s); Leon Morgan, 24 (1x4, 1x6) and Steve Ramdass, 22 (1x4).

Former senior national all-rounder Zaheer Mohamed took 3-24 for Enterprise A, who responded with 123-8 when the overs finished.

Mohamed returned to top score with 35 (3x4s, 2x6s), while Parmanand Dindyal made 25 (2x4s). Bowling for Lusignan A, Kumar Bishundial and Ramdass picked up 3-22 and 2-25 respectively.

The previous day, Lusignan A had outplayed Enterprise Legends by 50 runs in the Eliminator to determine the final semi-final spot.

Electing to take first strike, Lusignan A posted 139-6, with Boodwah scoring 40 and Somnauth Bharat, 29, as Devanand Persaud and Bhaskar

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

Deodat took 2-22 and 2-25 respectively.

In reply, Enterprise Legends reached 90-7 when the overs expired, with Vishwanauth Gobin making 29 and Devanand Persaud, 22. Rajendra Naikbarran was the pick of the bowlers with 2-14.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s action will bowl off at 09:30h when Tiger’s XI face Enterprise A in the thirdplace game, before Fairfield and Lusignan A square off in the final, starting at 13:30h.

The champion team is guaranteed a trophy and $200,000; the runners-up a trophy and $100,000 and the losing semi-finalists a trophy and $50,000 each.

The Man-of-the-Final and the player who is deemed to have created the Playof-the-Day in the final will pocket $20,000 and $5000 respectively.

Guyana crowned overall champions of 2015 Caribbean Motor Racing Championships – Jeffrey and Elliot Vieira cop individual Championship honours

Elliot Vieira in action

By Akeem Greene

T

eam Guyana prevailed over a challenging Trinidad and Tobago team to become the 2015 Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Champions. Guyana who entered the final leg

Kristian Jeffrey

in third place trailing the Trinidadians by 147 points made serious head way on their home turf as the final results show Guyana on 934 points and Trinidad on 926 points.

The Barbadians finished in third place on 660; Jamaica in fourth on 369

while Cayman Islands, 154 and Suriname, 25 rounded off the points standing.

Guyana’s late surge in the competition was certainly owed to some terrific driving and riding by all their team members. turn to page 19

sports

YELLOW PAGES

RHT females record successive wins

wednesday, NOvember 18, 2015

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The RHT Metro Females gather for a photo after their win over DCC Under-15 Development XI

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Cricket Developmental Committee, as part of its programme to develop female cricket, has started to organise weekly matches against male players for Guyana’s only female hard ball team, the RHT Metro Females.

The team, led by West Indies all-rounder Shermaine Campbelle, easily defeated a Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Under-15 Development XI by seven wickets at the DCC Ground, and then got the better of the GuySuCo Training Centre Under-19 team by five wickets at the Area H Ground.

Playing at the DCC Ground, the visitors invited the home team to take first

strike and skittled them out for 113 in 23.5 of the allotted 25 overs.

B Mootoo (18) and J Jones (19) were the only players to reach double figures, as extras contributed a healthy 36. West Indies pacer Evra Giddings claimed 4-10 and Shaunda Vanderstoop, 2-7.

In response, Rose Hall Town Metro raced to 115-3 in 18 overs, with Campbelle striking an attractive unbeaten 58, inclusive of six boundaries. Her cousin Sherica Campbelle made 26 and Vanderstoop scored 22 not out, as Dereck Greaves claimed 2-26 for DCC. On Sunday last at the Area H Ground, the GuySuCo Training Centre lads were bowled out for 101 in 20 overs, as the Metro Female bowlers were backed

by brilliant fielding.

Altaf Mohamed (21); Fizal Ali (12) and A Brijkumar (17) were the top scorers for the visitors, as Giddings claimed 2-23, medium-pacer Sherica Campbelle 3-15, Melanie Henry 2-22 and Sheneta Grimmond 2-13.

RHT Metro reached 1045 in response, off 21.2 overs, with Shemaine Campbelle topscoring with 30.

Henry (16); Sherica Campbelle (20) and Vanderstoop (15) all chipped in during the run-chase, while N Charran took 2-12 for GuySuCo Training Centre.

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, disclosed that the Club would be investing

heavily in its female section in 2016.

The section presently has 14 players and efforts would be made to attract at least another six players.

He also expressed disappointment that no other club in Guyana has a female section, and this is forcing the RHTY&SC to organise matches against males for the RHT Metro team.

Present members of the RHTY&SC female team are Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry, Sheneta Grimmond, Marian Samaroo, Diana Prahalad, Shaunda Vanderstoop, Jackie Singh, Niketa Toney, Aleema Arokium, Diana Pertab, P Lynch, Sherica Campbelle and Alisha Hicks.

UDFA launches Under-17 tournament

T

he Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) on GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225Sunday launched its 7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100 Under-17 male football league tournament at the VEHICLES Mackenzie Sports Club FOR SALE (MSC) Ground in Linden.

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UDFA President Sharma JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY Solomon declared the league RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA officially open following a NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA march past by participatIST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES ing teams. He urged all to BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA unite in the spirit of togethAE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE erness, noting that this was MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER the Association’s fourth enVAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB deavour since its recent rePICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA constitution.

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Also gracing the event SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN was Leslyn Boyce, Deputy APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR Director of Youth within the ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg. Ministry of Education who (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER st. G/ urged team members to parTown. 231-7101

Team Vasco at the opening ceremony on Sunday

ticipate in the spirit of discipline, respect and team effort. She further urged adults to continue to work towards the upliftment of young people, emphasising that participation in sports may serve as an important avenue in keeping youths away from violence and other transgressions which they may be faced with in society.

A number of teams have formed part of the action, including Vasco Football Club, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Eagles United, High Stars, Milerock, Netrockers, Silver Shottas and Topp XX. A number of trophies are up for grabs including those for the first, second and third place teams, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Most

Valuable Goalkeeper, Most Goals and Best Defensive Player.

While the tournament was officially launched on Sunday, games are scheduled to kick start next Sunday at the aforementioned venue. Sunday’s first match-up will see Silver Shottas battling head to head with Eagles United.

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guyanatimesGY.com

wednesday, November 18, 2015

South Dakota Persaud leads Number Circuit could 69 Vikings to title see upgrades A 4R Bearings T20 cricket

Christopher Jones

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana’s premier racing track, the South Dakota Circuit could benefit from much needed upgrades as Director of Sport, Christopher Jones disclosed during an interview with Guyana Times Sport.

When asked about the possibility of upgrades to the track, Jones responded “essentially Government will be willing to partner with the Private Sector to invest to make sure our facilities are on par with those around the world”.

The Tourism Ministry is currently undertaking a sports tourism initiative and developing the race track can only augur well for the sport.

The Director of Sport further stated that the race meet would see a number of persons from around the world entering Guyana and sometimes representatives of foreign newspapers or magazines as well, which allows Guyana to be marketed through their photography or editorials.

Jones went on to say that persons also now can tell of their experiences in Guyana; as such, sports tourism is atop the agenda.

Plans to upgrade the circuit have long been on the agenda, and with the rise of Guyana’s first Formula Four (F4) driver Calvin Ming, the door has been opened for Guyana to move up a notch and entertain a F4 meet in Guyana. However, these cars usually drive under specific circuit conditions and the South Dakota track will need to meet these conditions.

At a recent press conference, Ming’s father, businessman and former racer Stanley Ming, disclosed that the Caribbean Region

has the talent to produce a team of Formula One drivers, the highest form of race car driving. For that to become a reality, both corporate and governmental support would need to come on board to offer assistance especially in developing the facilities.

The elder Ming added that during the November to March period, much of the season around the world is lost owing to winter; however, the Caribbean can host these drivers to conduct testing and creating a race season. This can only become a reality once there are the facilities in place and various other support mechanisms.

The thought of possibly having the likes of Lewis Hamilton or other top drivers in the Caribbean Region for racing can certainly aid in the push for sports tourism. One would hope that both Government and the Private Sector can fuse resources to begin some urgent upgrades of the South Dakota Circuit. (akeemg@ guyanatimesgy.com)

n unbeaten half century from righthanded middle-order batsman Totaram Persaud helped Number 69 Vikings to the 2015 4R Bearings 20/20 title on Sunday at the Crabwood Creek Sports Complex when the final of the competition was held.

Persaud hit an unbeaten 53 (3x4s, 3x6s) and received good support from Viendra Gooniah (21*) as Number 69 Vikings reached 135 for 5 off 18.5 overs to seal victory. Vishwanauth Lalbeharry also made 30 for the winners.

Earlier, Number 70 A opted to bat first and were all out off the last ball of their allotted 20 overs for 134. Wicketkeeper/batsman Alim Haniff led the way with 34 and was the only batsman to offer any significant resistance as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

After an opening stand of 20, Number 70 A found themselves at 35-3 and then 87-5 when Haniff departed.

Bowling for Number 69 Vikings, Deon Bramdit and L Roopchand each picked up two wickets. Set 135 to win, Number 69 Vikings found themselves needing 38 off the final three overs of the chase.

Persaud hit the first delivery bowled by Omesh Kumar for six and then followed up with a boundary in an over that leaked 17 runs, leaving Number 69 Vikings with 21 to get for victory off the last two overs.

Gooniah, who up to that point was content taking singles, started the penultimate over with a straight hit off of the bowling of Thameshwar Kumar for six and then followed it up with a boundary before Persaud cleared the fence and then got the winning runs with a cut shot to the point boundary, to seal victory with seven balls remaining.

Persaud was named Man of the Match for his fifty. At the presentation ceremony, Number 69 Vikings received the 4R Bearings 20/20 tro-

Vikings’ Captain Sachin Ramrattan receives the winner’s trophy from 4R Bearings Managing Director Ricky Deonarain in the presence of his teammates

phy and $100,000, while Number 70 A got the runners-up trophy and $25,000.

Vikings also collected $20,000 from Ramesh Tropical Auto Sales, while the company also presented $10,000 to Persaud and $5000 to Number 70 A. The final was witnessed by a capacity crowd which included Managing Director of 4R Bearings, Ricky Deonarin, who said he was pleased by the way the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) had run the competition.

In expressing his satisfaction at the standard of play throughout the tournament, Deonarine said he was looking forward to the day when the Upper Corentyne will produce a Test cricketer.

Deonarine also committed 4R Bearings to sponsoring the competition for a third year in 2016. The competition featured 20 teams from Yakusari to Crabwood Creek and was played in four zones on a round robin basis, with home and away matches.

The top two teams from each zone then advanced to

the knockout stages of the competition.

Individual prizes were also presented to the century makers and bowlers with five-wicket hauls in the tournament.

The century makers were Naeem Yacoob of Number 70 A (101 vs Number 72 All Stars); Samdat Singh of Number 64 Fighting Marines (109* vs Number 69 Red Rose and 105* vs Number 70 MYO) and Christopher Jaundoo of Skeldon (150* vs Number 72 All Stars).

The bowlers with five or more wickets in an innings were Mahindra Tajnarine of Number 69 Red Rose (6 -9 vs Skeldon Community Centre); Ramzan Subhan of Number 64 (6-18 vs Number MYO); Sunjay Deochan of Number 70 (5-13 vs Number 73); A Jeffery of Scottsburg (5-15 vs Young Royals); P Lensankar of Number 59 (518 vs Number 48); Jermaine Reid of Corriverton (5-13 vs Number 72 All Star); Naeem Yacoob of Number 70 A (517 vs Number 72 Cut and Load); Deoprakash Ramdat of Corriverton ( 5-15 vs Number 73); Totaram

Totaram Persaud leaves the field after his heroic performance

Persaud of Number 69 Vikings ( 5-10 vs Number 70 A); Zaheer Mahamed of Yakasari (5-20 vs Number 48); A Mahamed of Yakasari (5-20 vs Number 48); Niapaup Iyana of Yakasari (5-33 vs Number 52); Vadanand Singh Number 64 (5-16 vs Skeldon) and Jason Itwaru of Number 64 (5 -10 vs Number 69 Red Rose).

Crucial WADA meetings begin under veil of secrecy

T

he World Anti-Doping Agency’s crucial two-day meeting aimed at mapping out a future plan for the global war on drugs began on Tuesday under a veil of secrecy.

WADA’s hierarchy will spend much of the gathering at the posh Colorado resort assessing the findings of its independent report into allegations of widespread doping, corruption and collusion in Russian athletics.

Described by one official as a defining moment for the global antidoping agency, the meeting could mark the start of a dramatic restructuring of WADA and their role in the war against performance-enhancing drugs in sport.

But as anti-doping crusaders

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal. (Reuters photo)

gathered, media were denied access into the building while those already inside were asked to leave the property.

Media will be allowed to attend

the agency’s foundation board meeting on Wednesday and have access to members but TV crews and reporters were kept at arm’s length when the powerful executive com-

mittee met on Tuesday.

The executive committee will spend the day going through a packed agenda that includes the official decertification of the Moscow lab which processed blood and urine samples from Russian athletes on behalf of the athletics federation.

The independent commission report, led by former WADA chief Dick Pound, alleged that the lab destroyed samples despite being told

by WADA to preserve them, and that staff took bribes from athletes or their coaches in exchange for covering up positive tests.

The executive committee will take their recommendations to the foundation board on Wednesday for approval. (Reuters Sport)

wednesday, november 18, 2015

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Lady Jags to face Puerto Rico today G

uyana’s senior national Women’s football team, the Lady Jags, are eyeing a spot at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and that journey will continue today when they face Puerto Rico at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago in the final round of Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Olympic Qualifier.

Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, along with Puerto Rico, had qualified for the ‘fourteam playoff’ by coming out on top of their respective groups.

The Lady Jags arrived in the twin-island republic last Sunday and should Guyana be victorious against Puerto Rico, they will advance to the final on November 20.

In the final round, the four teams will play a single-elimination tournament.

The two finalists and the winner of the third-place match will qualify for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship as CFU representatives. If the Lady Jags finish

within the top three, they will face the likes of the United States of America, Canada, Mexico and two representatives from the Central American region.

By virtue of reaching the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Cancún, the Women’s national team is the country’s most successful.

The team’s head coach Mark Rodrigues believes that his side is “definitely the underdogs heading into the championships as a result of the other countries encamping their players several weeks ago, but it’s a position that we have found ourselves in before and somehow we always manage to find some deep resolve to get the job done. This time will be no different. Admittedly, we will have to dig very deep as the teams we will face are the best in the Caribbean and are now in the top 10 best within the 41 countries that make up CONCACAF.” Rodrigues listed the DeSouza sisters, Kayla and Briana, along with Justine and Ashley Rodrigues (Captain) Ashlee Savona; Mariam

Former NCAA standout goalkeeper Chante Sandiford will link up with the Lady Jags

Senior Powerlifting Championships

Hunter, Tarson among top performers

T

he Guyana Amateur P o w e r l i f t i n g Federation (GAPF) last weekend staged its Senior National Championships, sponsored by Fitness Express and Banks DIH Limited, with new champions being crowned in several categories.

On a day when most of the big names in the sport were either rested or injured, new faces were allowed to emerge from the shadows cast by those big names.

The day belonged to Chloe Hunter, competing in the 57kg female weight

class, and her male counterpart Hardat Tarson, competing in the 83kg weight class.

Sculpted like a bodybuilder, Hunter was so dominant that she only needed four of a possible nine lifts to amass a total of 392.5kg and a Wilks point of 474.454 to emphatically dispose of her opposition.

Tarson made light work of the lifters in his class, amassing 745kg and Wilks point of 510.623 to take the male best lifter overall prize.

There was a major tussle between Daniel Sooklall from Hardcore Gym of Rosignol with a total of 472.5kg (Wilks point

423.549) and Navindra Tamasar of Elite Fitness Gym of New Amsterdam with a total of 475 (421.515 Wilks point) for the crown of the 59kg class.

In the 105kg class, Colin “Mr Clean” Chesney totalled 840kg (Wilks 483), followed by Farouk Abdool of Hardcore Gym with 820kg (Wilks 473.96) and Frank Tucker with 495 kg (Wilks 309.375).

During his performance, Chesney set a new national bench press of 230kg, erasing the old mark of 227.5kg previously held by “Big” John Edwards.

El-Masri; Olivia Gonsalves and Alison Heydorn as key players in their journey to Brazil, given the fact that the aforementioned players have played integral roles in the team’s success and rise in world football.

Looking ahead to today’s game against Puerto Rico, Rodrigues was adamant that the ladies were fully aware of what the potential success would do for women’s football in Guyana “...and with that in mind, I am confident that they will leave it all on the field come November 18”.

The Lady Jags – Guyana’s most successful national team – after a five-year hiatus, were resuscitated under the Normalisation Committee and Rodrigues lauded the ‘NC’ for its “support and belief in the Lady Jags, and for giving Guyana football the opportunity to put us back in the world footballing spotlight.

Their belief in us, coupled with the very difficult and outstanding job they were charged with has placed football in Guyana on the

precipice of a very bright and exciting future for our youth to embrace”.

Meanwhile, the Guyanese ladies will have to take the field without England-based striker Otesha Charles, who sustained an injury and did not recover in time to suit up for the Lady Jags in Trinidad. However, the team will now have the service of former US National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standout goalkeeper Chante Sandiford.

The 25-year-old, who had a stellar career in the US collegiate system with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), is making her senior international debut, after having ‘call-ups’ by the USA for several youth tournaments.

With stints in several professional leagues around Europe, Sandiford now plays with UMF Selfoss in Iceland, and Rodrigues believes that her inclusion will certainly boost the team’s chances of reaching the CONCACAF round of the qualifiers.

Sterling Products supports Pee Wee girls

By Treiston Joseph

S

terling Products Ltd (SPL) under its Igloo brand has joined the fray of support for the Smalta/ Public Health Ministry under-11 Pee Wee girls’ football tournament that started last Saturday at the Education Ministry Ground.

At a simple handing-over ceremony on Tuesday, it was revealed that Sterling’s sponsorship – according to the Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, who organises the tournament – will be geared towards assisting

the teachers in their expenses to train their respective squads.

“We have been fighting for support of the teachers for the past five years and we are happy Sterling has decided to come on board to recognise the effort of these individuals that help develop these teams,” Mendonca stated.

National Association of Women’s Football (NAWF) President Charmaine Wade noted that a tournament of such nature could not have come at a better time.

“It is ironic that Petra chose to do this tournament at this time since we are in

the midst of reviving women’s football and this will fit directly in with our plans so we urge persons and sponsors to support this tournament,” Wade stated.

SPL Managing Director Ramsay Ali stressed the importance of support for such a tournament, “We wanted to put more money towards sport programmes and sports is always there to keep kids rounded and we will do our part in playing a role in sport,” Ali mentioned.

The tournament will continue this Saturday at the Education Ministry Ground from 09:30h.

National Schools’ Championships

YBG Age Group Tournament

Marian Academy dominate weekend action West Coast Berbice/District

T

he Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Age Group Tournament continued over the weekend with one game on Friday at the Marian Academy hard court and another four games on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Marian Academy were the most consistent school during the weekend’s action, winning all of their games.

In Under-15 action on Friday, Marian Academy topped Bishops’ High School 35-12 in a one-sided affair. Jahleel Young was the top player in the game with six points and 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, in girls’ action on Saturday, Marian Academy routed Tutorial High School 25-2. Jada Mohan dropped 12 points for Marian Academy.

In Under-17 action, Marian Academy were in the thick of things yet again as they toppled Plaisance Secondary 58-21.

A host of double-doubles led the way for Marian, with Jordan Alphonso being the most impressive with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Young had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Jonathan Mangra dropped 15 points in the win.

President’s College dominated Tutorial High School in Under-17 action with a comfortable 51-16 win.

5 gearing up for “Nationals”

W

Leon Harte scored a game-high 22 points along with four steals, while Anton Fileen chipped in with 13 points, six rebounds and an impressive eight steals.

The final Under-17 game on Saturday night was a thriller as St Rose’s scraped by Bishops’ High 57-56 in triple overtime. The win saw St Rose’s remaining undefeated in the tournament thus far despite a monster performance by Bishops’ Timothy Thompson with 26 points, 22 rebounds and two blocks.

St Rose’s points came from Shamar Huntley (18) along with Loncel Martin and Stephan Joseph both of whom had 11 points each.

est Coast Berbice/ District Five is confident that it can cause a few upsets when the National Schools’ Championships rolls around on November 23.

The District, which can be credited with winning the championships once under the guise of Western Berbice back in 1974, believes that while it might not win it all this year, it is confident in its athletes to do well.

“From past years we have had a few records broken, but we just have the smaller children right now, but the bigger athletes are not taking serious so we are really trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents.

“We will go out and do what we have to do I’m not saying we will shine but we have confidence in our athletes,” Sports Representative of the District, Michelle

Archibald stated.

Nevertheless, the athletes are preparing for the championships albeit not as consistently as Archibald would like.

“Well, we don’t have a ground here so some of the athletes would have to go to Belladrum to train and some would train in the mornings before school. We encourage the cyclists to use the roads to train, but for our swimmers it tough because we don’t have a pool.

“I wouldn’t say that they aren’t preparing, but things are not up to date...,” Archibald shared.

Meanwhile, from a managerial standpoint, all logistics are in place for the team to compete successfully, according to Archibald, as the entire squad is looking forward to the event.

The Swimming Championships will be

held on Monday, November 23 at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. In addition to the swimming competition, two field events, Long Jump and Shot Putt, along with the 10km road race, 40km and 25km cycle road races will also take place on November 23.

The Games Village will be established on Woolford Avenue.

Tutorial High, North Georgetown Primary and Secondary Schools and Richard Ishmael Secondary will house the 16 Districts from across Guyana that will compete at the Championships.

The Games Secretariat has been officially opened at GTU Headquarters, Woolford Avenue, with Districts submitting their entries. The Opening Ceremony for the Championships is scheduled for November 24 at 10:30h.

wednesday, November 18, 2015

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

Lady Jags to face Hunter, Puerto Rico today Tarson

Senior Powerlifting Championships

Pg 23

among top performers

Pg 23 The Lady Jags will hope to get closer to their Olympic dreams when they face Puerto Rico

Sterling Products supports Pee Wee girls Pg 23

SPL Managing Director Ramsay Ali (second right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to the Petra Organisation in the presence of NAWF President Charmaine Wade (extreme right)

Chloe Hunter receives her trophy for her performance on Sunday

Hardat Tarson collects his prize from national powerlifter Dawn Barker

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