Guyana Times Daily

saturdaY, october 18, 2014 | guYanatimesgY.com

WAD Coordinator impressed with US experience

Chargé d’Affaires

Bryan Hunt on Friday met with Clonel Samuels-Boston upon her return from the US after participating in the prominent Embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange.

Sam uels-Boston, Coordinator of Women Across Differences (WAD), participated in an IVLP exchange on “Education and Activism for Young Women” from September 13-October 4. The programme offered participants the opportunity to explore the benefits and challenges of developing women’s leadership skills in American civil society and allow participants to share perspectives on how this is done in their home countries.

that is currently being implemented by WAD, and plans to use some of the lessons learnt to build on the current programme.

The WAD Coordinator underscored the value of her experience and discussed how she intends to apply the knowledge gained to the benefit of her organisation and other civil society organisations. She also pledged to implement a leadership and development training for the “Young Mothers for Change” group.

Advancing the full participation of women and girls in the political, economic, and social realms of their countries is a key goal of US foreign policy.

These visits provided wide-ranging perspectives and emphasised the importance of girls’ and wom-

During the programme, Samuels-Boston along with 18 other candidates from around the world visited several cities, including Washington, DC; New York; Reno, Nevada; Denver, Colorado; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

en’s leadership, civic participation and volunteerism as components of civic life in the US and around the world.

Participants had an opportunity to examine ways

to cultivate leadership in young women and encourage them to take action to improve communities through developing skills such as critical thinking, self-awareness, communica-

tion, and capacity and teambuilding.

United by their professional pursuits, the IVLP participants also explored creative partnerships between non-governmental organisations, community groups, public and private schools and Government agencies in addressing issues of concern to girls and women.

One of the highlights of the IVLP experience for Samuels-Boston was the visit to the “Big Brothers, Big Sisters” Project in Reno, Nevada.

This mentoring model provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring professional support to build their self-esteem and improve the success of girls’ education and life decisions.

This, she noted, is similar to the “Comprehensive Empowerment Programme”

When women and girls are empowered, educated, and equipped to contribute to their societies, their families and countries are more likely to prosper, and be more stable and secure.

Chargé d’Affaires Hunt reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to work with and strengthen the role of civil society organisations which supports the development of women and girls.

He commended Women Across Differences for their contribution to enable women to empower themselves through access to social and economic resources.

The IVLP is the Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme. The programme brings together emerging leaders in their respective professions to learn how US experts in their professions operate, and to share best practices with the other programme fellows who hail from across the globe.

Man stabbed to death during drunken brawl

Afather of three was on Thursday morning stabbed to death after an argument broke out during a drinking spree at his home at Nappi Village, Central Rupununi, Region Nine.

His body was discovered about 10:00h.

Dead is Wilson James, 35, a farmer of Nappi Village located about 35 miles from Lethem. According to information received, James and a close friend Martin Fransis were imbibing when an argument started.

The argument reportedly led to a scuffle during which James was stabbed several times with a sharp object that was collected from the man’s yard. At the time of the incident, the two men were at home alone.

After sometime, the now dead man’s wife returned home only to find her hus-

band’s motionless body. She immediately raised an alarm and informed the Captain of the village who contacted the Police. He was taken to the Lethem Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The man’s relatives who reside in Annai were subsequently alerted about the incident. Most of them reportedly flocked the Lethem Mortuary on Thursday evening to get a glimpse of the body.

A source told Guyana Times that the suspect who was under the influence of alcohol was later arrested and taken to the Lethem Police Station where he was being interrogated. James’ body, the sources stated had about seven stab wounds.

The suspect is expected to be charged with the capital offence of murder in the new week.

Participants of the US Embassy-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) exchange

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Weather: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning and early afternoon, with cloudy conditions in the late afternoon. Clear skies can be expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between zero and eight metres per second.

High Tide: 00:01h and 12:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.10 metres and 2.15 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:07h and 18:41h reaching minimum heights of 1.06 metres and 1.08 metre respectively.

WEATHER TODAY LOTTERY NUMBERS

No-confidence motion: Granger to AFC: Setting date for Parliament not our business

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader

David Granger said the issue regarding the setting of a date for the resumption of the next sitting of Parliament is out of the hands of the Opposition and is fully dependent on Government.

Granger was at the time responding to questions on whether his party has responded to calls by the Alliance For Change (AFC) for its support in requesting Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, move ahead with the setting of a date for Parliament. Granger said that he did receive the letter from the AFC and had responded accordingly.

The AFC had earlier this week made a public call to Speaker Trotman, Government and APNU, for some mechanism to be worked out so that Parliament, whose recess had expired on October 10, could be resumed. Granger, in response, said that while his party is looking forward to a date being announced, the Opposition lacks any power in this regard.

“The matter was not one that could be resolved, or one that would be subject to lobbying by the Opposition.

It is something that is motivated by Government’s agenda … Yes, we are looking forward, but it is not in our hands,” Granger told reporters at his Hadfield Street Office on Friday. Trotman may also not be able to honour the call by the AFC, since, according to Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, the onus is on Government to confirm a date for the resumption of Parliament.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Wednesday, Isaacs explained that according to Standing Order 8 (2) “if during an adjournment of the Assembly, it is represented to the Speaker by the Government, or the Speaker

is of the opinion that the public interest requires that the Assembly should meet a day earlier than to which it stands adjourned, the Speaker may give notice accordingly and the Assembly shall meet at the time stated in such notice”.

He further said that if a date had already been fixed for the next sitting and Government wanted an earlier sitting, representation would have to be made to the Speaker to do just that. He stressed that the Speaker could not on his own fix a date for the reconvening of Parliament.

Much to do

But while the AFC has been clamouring for the announcement of a date to be made, Government has said that its interest in setting a date for the next sitting is dependent on a number of factors and not just the NoConfidence Motion.

But Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon said there are financial papers to be debated, in addition to outstanding bills that are still at the level of Parliamentary Special Select Committees and reports to be tabled and considered by the National Assembly after being submitted by existing parliamentary bodies.

Giving the importance of the motion, the junior political Opposition party is pressing for a sitting on October 22 or 24 which is permissible under the parliamentary standing orders. Even after a high-level meeting with parliamentary representatives on Wednesday, members of the Parliamentary Management Committee, which included Speaker of the House, Government and Opposition Chief Whips Gail Teixeira and Amna Ally, could not decide on a date for the reconvening of the 10th Parliament. This new development has placed the highly-anticipated No-Confidence Motion debate on the line. It also adds to the concerns raised by the AFC that there has been no effort placed into reconvening the next sitting of the Parliament.

The AFC had said that it believes the delay in setting a date is as a result of the tabling of the motion, which was submitted to the Clerk early in August. The party said that its Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo who had tabled the motion, had also requested that it be placed on the order paper as a matter of priority, to take precedence over all other matters pending debate.

Woman, 50, convicted of trafficking cocaine to Spain

Fifty-year-old Sandra Daniels was on Friday found guilty of attempting to smuggle cocaine to Spain through the post office and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $738,800.

The court was told that Daniels went to the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) on May 8, to post a box to Plaza de Octubre, Valencia, Spain. According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), the box contained salon products, such as fake nails, files, nail decoration and 42 buffers. An examination revealed that cocaine was hidden in a plastic-covered package in the middle of each buffer.

At her first appearance before Magistrate Judy

Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on May 9, Daniels pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that she had in her possession 274 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Daniels admitted that she had been sentenced to seven

years in the United Kingdom for drug trafficking; however, she only served 33 months and was deported. The defendant also claimed that she was employed at Banks DIH as a receptionist and was the mother of five children. She was represented by Attorney-at-Law Onassis Granville.

Before handing down judgment, Magistrate Latchman stated that she considered the defendant’s age, the seriousness of the offence, the value of the narcotics and the need for a sentence that would make persons think about the price they will pay if they commit such an offence.

APNU Leader David Granger

Sandra Daniels

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

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Editorial

The Ebola crisis

The Ebola outbreak is sending fear throughout the world with governments and international organisations taking all the necessary steps in ensuring that the disease is contained. Recently, a top US health official, Dr Thomas Frieden was quoted in the media as saying that Ebola is the biggest world health crisis since HIV/AIDS.

Frieden, who leads the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, predicted the fight to wipe out the disease will be a long one because the virus keeps changing. He said the only outbreak he has seen resembling the current one is AIDS.

The death rate continues to climb at a rapid rate. The United Nation’s most recent estimate is that over 4400 persons have lost their lives as a result of contracting the deadly virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded a warning, stating that if the response to the Ebola crisis isn’t stepped up, many more persons will die.

WHO and partner organisations earlier this week agreed on a range of core actions to support countries unaffected by the disease in strengthening their preparedness in the event of an outbreak. Building on national and international existing preparedness efforts, a set of tools is being developed to help any country to intensify and accelerate their readiness.

One of these tools is a comprehensive checklist of core principles, standards, capacities and practices, which all countries should have or meet. The checklist can be used by countries to assess their level of preparedness, guide their efforts to strengthen themselves and to request assistance. Items on the checklist include infection prevention control, contact tracing, case management, surveillance, laboratory capacity, safe burial, public awareness and community engagement and national legislation and regulation to support country readiness.

The initial focus of support by WHO and partners will be on “highest priority countries – Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal – followed by “high priority countries” –Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Togo. Criteria used to prioritise countries include geographical proximity to affected countries, trade and migration patterns and strength of health systems.

Health officials in the Region are taking no chances, many of them have already put systems in place to deal with any eventuality of an outbreak. Guyana has announced a series of measures to deal with the disease, for example, some 1600 medical professionals are soon to commence training on dealing with the virus, and the necessary approach towards administering care to persons who have become infected. Emphasis will be placed on safety and precautionary measures for health care providers, who may come into contact with an infected person or environment, as the Ebola is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids.

It was announced that the Health Ministry is soon to set up its first ever isolation unit and tent at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in an effort to prevent the disease from entering the country. Based on information provided, doctors have been positioned at Guyana’s main Port of Entry to conduct surveillance activities on passengers coming into the country.

There were some criticisms levelled against the authorities here by Nigerian students returning to Guyana after the summer break. They claimed that even though they were returning here from Nigeria (an affected country), they were not subjected to the level of scrutiny they experienced in other countries, while in transit, when they were being processed at the CJIA. They believe that much more should be done by the authorities at the Ports of Entry to ensure that persons who may have the disease, or show signs of having the symptoms, do not slip though the system without being detected.

Now that the Health Ministry has announced a series of measures as part of its action plan to deal with the Ebola crisis gripping the world, it is hoped that such issues will be addressed forthwith.

Russian Federation stepping up efforts against Ebola crisis

Dear Editor,

The Russian Federation has been consistently stepping up its efforts to render practical and financial aid to affected countries since the very start of the Ebola crisis. As part of its contribution to the international efforts to combat the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Russia has allocated or is planning to allocate more than US$19 million.

Specifically, about US$5 million has been spent on direct humanitarian aid to the

West African countries affected by the epidemic. US$4 million has been transferred for research and development (R&D) on diagnostics, prevention and treatment.

The outbreak has prompted the allocation of another US$6 million to strengthen international emergency response mechanisms, including the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Health Regulations, and almost US$4 million has been used to enhance national prepar-

edness to prevent trans-border proliferation of the disease and to protect Russian citizens from Ebola.

These sums include both Russian ministerial spending and assistance to international organisations, including the WHO and the World Food Programme.

The Russian Federation will continue to focus on West Africa’s current public health crisis related to the spread of Ebola, and to provide targeted financial and technical aid, both on a bi-

lateral and multilateral basis, in order to end the crisis. Russia is ready to provide special aircraft as well as so-called capsules for the transporting infected individuals. Our experts are now looking into the possibility of joint work with the European partners, who have sought help if necessary in technical assistance.

Submitted by, Denis Kopyl Press Attaché Russian Embassy

Reparations Commission seeks to establish reconciliation between victims and beneficiaries

Dear Editor,

More than 45 per cent of Guyanese communities have African roots, and some of them are interested in the move by Caribbean Community (Caricom) to set up a regional Reparations Commission to work in collaboration with the United States, African Commissions and other movements on the planet.

Heading the Caribbean Regional Commission is Professor, Sir Hilary Beckles, who is also Principal of Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, is working in collaboration with Assistant Secretary General for Human Development, Douglas Slater, a Vincentian

who served as Health Minister in the Ralph Gonsalves Administration.

Dr Gonsalves was one of the persons who had advocated reparation and whipped up support in the Region.

Last week, a two day conference was held in Antigua where a decision was taken to organise a regional rally from the northern Caribbean through to the centre, to the South, all the way through to Brazil. Emphasis will be placed for the involvement of youths since they make up a quarter of the world’s population and they can play a key role in advancing the cause.

Two months ago there was a major ral-

ly of Caribbean peoples, of African peoples to the British Parliament, and Professor Beckles told newsmen that his Commission is in contact with the African communities on this matter.

Sir Hilary also stated that a month ago he addressed the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC, and they agreed that one of the initiatives going forward is to establish an American national commission on reparations and to do so, on the Caricom model with the hope of the formation of a worldwide movement.

Artists, musicians and youths will be engaged in the regional rally which is planned for early next year. As part of its mandate, the

reparations commission seeks to establish reconciliation between victims and beneficiaries.

It also seeks to achieve the Caribbean Reparatory Justice Programme 10 point Action Plan that tackles various social, educational and economic issues including debt cancelation, public health, illiteracy eradication and psychological rehabilitation.

Slater said that progress of the work of the Commission will be submitted to the Prime Minister Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations, headed by Barbados Prime Minister Freudal Stuart.

Submitted

by,

Oscar Ramjeet

Diwali was in the air on Friday evening, as the Camp Street Avenue between Church and Quamina Streets, Georgetown was illuminated to usher in the Festival of Lights, which will be celebrated in Guyana on October 23. In this picture, jubilant dancers perform an exciting piece during the light-up ceremony (Carl Croker photo)

Come up with a tenable defence for tax evasion PNC/APNU not qualified to speak about Local Government Elections

Dear Editor,

Much of what we read in the news today (well at least some newspapers in this country) would appear to be fabricated and sometimes so laughable that one is left to wonder what is factual and what is actually a joke placed in the newspaper for sensational purposes or to get persons to purchase newspapers.

I, on the other hand, would not jump to conclusions on any particular matter unless facts are provided since I am so happy that there are other newspapers of choice that one can pick up and read to get the real facts.

I refer to attacks on the GRA Head’s character, checking on his trips overseas and other petty things like comparing the accusation of tax evasion to the GRA Head’s children driving his duty-free vehicles and the ongoing foolishness bandied around every day and published in the newspaper as defence to il-

legality.

I had assumed that if someone is accused of something so serious as tax evasion, they would come up with a tenable defence. Also, for one to be the major exposer of corruption, one would ensure that one is not engaged in corruption as well.

Yet still, the investigators of this matter would ask the questions: why would a rich man and a person who seemingly has the ability to purchase two expensive vehicles for himself and wife would want to

borrow those of two elderly re-migrants? It’s a shameful thing and unheard of. Perhaps is it corruption?

The other question that needs to be asked is if it is a case of the individual resorting to such means and it turns out that he was the person who actually paid for these vehicles minus the taxes, where did he acquire such funds? All these matters must seriously be investigated and probed.

Yours faithfully, P

Subryan

A clean environment is everyone’s responsibility

Dear Editor,

On Thursday, a team from the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, including subject Minister Norman Whittaker and Permanent Secretary Collin Croal met with the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Local Authority bodies to discuss the plans and the proposals for the Regional CleanUp Programme within the localities on the East Bank and East Coast.

In addressing the Local Authority bodies, Minister Whittaker pointed out that a clean environment is the responsibility of all of us. It requires a collaborative effort among Community Development Councils (CDCs); Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), private citizens, and the business community.

Through the Central Government, Minister Whittaker said they want to help restore the value of our communities.

Minister Whittaker said that cost is a limiting factor since $1 billion is not enough. To maximise the use of the allocated sum, they intend to help build the capacity of the Local Government bodies and the communities.

At the meetings, the

Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) were informed of the Ministry’s plans to remove household bulk waste free of cost.

To implement this programme, a schedule will be published in the media where communities within NDCs will be targeted under specific schedules. On each scheduled day, a truck or tractor and trailer will pass through areas to collect the bulk waste.

Hence, residents are asked to place all unwanted bulky items on the parapets since the waste collectors will not go into yards to pick up the unwanted items.

Region Four will be the first region to experience the impact of such an initiative. This programme will commence on October

27 and it will be executed simultaneously on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara. Once waste is collected, it will be dumped at legalised dumpsites.

Representing the Local Authority bodies were Regional Chairpersons, Overseers, Environmental Protection Officers, Health Officers/Assistants and Works Committee members.

Meetings were held at Little Diamond NDC Community Centre, Better Hope NDC Complex, and at Unity/Vereeniging NDC Building.

Respectfully submitted, Clean-Up My Country Programme Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Dear Editor, In relation to Local Government Elections, President Donald Ramotar was quite in order not to have given his assent to a Local Government Bill. Why? The Bill, the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2013 was not passed unanimously in the House of Assembly, hence it was rightly deemed unconstitutional.

Every time my mind focuses on the parliamentary Opposition of our country for analysis, I remember Dr Walter Rodney’s usage of a word at his revolutionary meetings in Georgetown when he was alive.

Rodney used to say that anything the PNC (when it was illegally in Government) touches turned to “s*it”. Now while the PNC/APNU is in the parliamentary Opposition, the word is still relevant and applicable. It seems, therefore, that Dr Walter Rodney like Dr Cheddi Jagan was a prophet.

David Granger, Leader of PNC/APNU, says he is protesting for the holding of Local Government Elections. He was caught holding a placard that read “Yes Democracy, No Dictatorship”.

That placard quite appropriately referred to Granger himself, since that placard must have reminded him about his undemocratic actions in his treatment of his own PNC members at Linden and the dictatorship of the one seat-majority held by the parliamentary Opposition.

But Granger should now recognise that he is just wasting time protesting since as a political leader he should have known that in the new dispensation, all Bills before the House before they are given assent by the President must have the endorsement as well of the Executive.

If not, a Bill not supported by the Executive but passed in the House by the Opposition’s one-seat majority would be deemed unconstitutional by the President.

This is what Opposition elements in Guyana need to know and accept and stop being misled by the PNC/APNU and AFC leadership where the blind is leading the blind. This, of course, is flawed leadership which seeks to hinder Guyana’s national development and its peoples.

This is quite evident in their wicked budget-

ary cuts from 2012 to 2014 and their deliberate failure not to pass the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill.

Also not giving parliamentary support to national transformational projects such as the Amaila Falls Project, which can save Guyana from a fuel import bill of $500 million annually. Guyana’s parliamentary opposition (PNC/APNU & AFC) is, therefore, useless to the Guyanese people and clearly a waste of tax payers’ money.

But can Granger change from his present position of being an ugly dictator to a democrat? I think he can if he wants. All Granger has to do is manage his party well and stop being surrounded by asinine axegrinding elements who just have an agenda against the Government of Guyana for no just cause.

Failure on the part of Granger in this regard simply means that he and his PNC/APNU are absolutely unqualified to speak about Local Government Elections. The people of Guyana must know this.

Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud

Our teens ought to be taken seriously

Dear Editor, Young Alex Persaud could have been in love with the 18-year-old teacher of his school, that’s the way the youth of today see it; it is real to them. He is a prime example of one of our straight thinking, straight acting young men of today.

A young energetic teen with hormones jangling is a representation of the hormone testosterone. If not kept in check, it can spin out of control and cause many a young man to get into trouble.

An abnormal teen no, there is nothing abnormal about these feelings. However, he has to train himself to “keep his emotions under control.”

One might be tempted to say he was out of place, I would reluctantly admit to agreeing with because these types of relationships cannot be encour -

aged in a school setting. The youngster is there to do his schoolwork and the teacher is there to teach – neither to be distracted by the other.

That is why the Swami sent the boy home to cool off while engaging the attention of his parents. Why didn’t the parents visit the school? They are the ones most culpable in this whole affair.

A young man having love/sexual matters at school – those parents should have been there at a flash to get the matter resolved. Judging from today’s teenagers plight, matters of this nature should not be taken lightly. Love matters are real to them and they need that timely intervention to diffuse things.

And that shopkeeper – why would he sell a young, vulnerable teen gramoxone? Isn’t that

shopkeeper so daft to pick up the signs of a teen in crisis? Isn’t that shopkeeper the dumbest person in the world? Why sell a teenager a deadly weedicide when he is not the owner of a farm? The actions of that shopkeeper are most outrageous! I think the timely intervention of the parents, principal and a strong dose of counselling would have resolved this whole matter. Send him to another school where he can cool off. I strongly believe that young man would have been alive today if these simple age old steps were taken. Don’t be too laid back parents, watch out for your children. God has given you the sacred responsibility to guide and nurture them.

Sincerely,

Neil Adams

Community workers clearing a heavily vegetated drain

Page Foundation

Frequently asked questions on Ebola Virus Disease

What about health workers? How should they protect themselves while caring for patients?

Health workers treating patients with suspected or confirmed illness are at higher risk of infection than other groups. During an outbreak a number of important actions will reduce or stop the spread of the virus and protect health workers and others in the healthcare setting. These actions are called “standard and other additional precautions” and are evidence-based recommendations known to prevent the spread of infections. The following questions and answers describe the precautions in detail.

Should patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus be separated from other patients?

Isolating patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in single isolation rooms is recommended. Where isolation rooms are not available, it is important to assign designated areas, separate from other patients, for suspected and confirmed cases. In these designated areas, suspected and confirmed cases should also be separate. Access to these areas should be restricted, needed equipment should be dedicated strictly to suspected and confirmed EVD treatment areas, and clinical and

non-clinical personnel should be exclusively assigned to isolation rooms and dedicated areas.

Are visitors allowed in areas where patients suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease are admitted?

Stopping visitor access to patients infected with EVD is preferred. If this is not possible, access should be given only to those individuals who are necessary for the patient’s well-being and care, such as a child’s parent.

Is protective equipment required when caring for these patients?

In addition to standard healthcare precautions, health-care workers should strictly apply recommended infection control measures to avoid exposure to infected blood, fluids, or contaminated environments or objects –such as a patient’s soiled linen or used needles.

All visitors and healthcare workers should rigorously use what is known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE should include at least: gloves, an impermeable gown, boots/closed shoes with overshoes, a mask, and eye protection for splashes (goggles or face shields). Is hand hygiene important?

Hand hygiene is essential and should be performed:

* before donning gloves and wearing PPE on entry to the isolation room/area;

* before any clean or aseptic procedures is being performed on a patient;

* after any exposure risk or actual exposure with a patient’s blood or body fluids;

* after touching (even potentially) contaminated surfaces, items, or equipment in the patient’s surroundings; and

* after removal of PPE, upon leaving the isolation area.

* It is important to note that neglecting to perform hand hygiene after removing PPE will reduce or negate any benefits of the PPE.

Either an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and running water can be used for hand hygiene, applying the correct technique recommended by WHO. It is important to always perform hand hygiene with soap and running water when hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand rubs should be made available at every point of care (at the entrance and within the isolation rooms and areas); running water, soap, and single use towels should also be always available. What other precautions are necessary in the health-care setting?

Other key precautions are safe injection and phleboto-

my procedures, including safe management of sharps, regular and rigorous environmental cleaning, decontamination of surfaces and equipment, and management of soiled linen and of waste.

In addition, it is important to ensure safe processing of laboratory samples from suspected or confirmed patients with EVD and safe handling of dead bodies or human remains for post-mortem examination and burial preparation. Any health-care workers and other professionals undertaking these tasks in connection with suspected or confirmed patients with Ebola should wear appropriate PPE and follow precautions and procedures recommended by WHO. What about rumours that some foods can prevent or treat the infection?

WHO strongly recommends that people seek credible health advice about Ebola from their public health authority. While there is no specific drug against Ebola, the best treatment is intensive supportive treatment provided in the hospital by health workers using strict infection control procedures. The infection can be controlled through recommended protective measures. (who.int)

Help your child manage traumatic events

Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, most adults have accepted that we live in a new era of trying times. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, as well as explosions, and other traumatic events threaten our sense of safety and security, and they occur around the world on any given day. Adults of-

ber Aureen Wagner, PhD, Director of The Anxiety Wellness Centre in Cary, North Carolina, offers this recommendation for parents:

“Remain as calm as possible; watch and listen to your child to understand how upset he or she is. Explain a traumatic event as accurately as possible,

ten struggle with the effects of trauma, even though they understand them. But children react differently based on their personality, age, and circumstances.

Children rely on the support of parents and teachers to help them deal with their emotions during and after traumatic events. Parents should decide how much information their children can handle.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) mem-

but don’t give graphic details. It’s best not to give more information than your child asks for. Let your child know that it is normal to feel upset, scared or angry. If older children or teenagers want to watch television or read news online about a traumatic event, be available to them, especially to discuss what they are seeing and reading.”

These tips are important for children and adolescents of all ages:

* Reassure them that you’ll do everything you can to keep them and their loved ones safe.

* Encourage them to talk and ask questions

* Let them know that they can be open about their feelings.

* Answer questions honestly.

* Protect them from what they don’t need to know.

* Avoid discussing worstcase scenarios.

* Limit excessive watching and listening to graphic replays of the traumatic event

* Stick to your daily routine as much as possible. Most children and teenagers will recover from their fear. But you can watch for these signs of ongoing distress:

* Difficulty sleeping

* Change in eating habits

* Clinginess

* Re-experiencing the event through nightmares, recollections, or play

* Avoidance of anything reminiscent of the event

* Emotional numbing or lack of feeling about the event

* Jumpiness

* Persistent fears about another disaster (www.adaa.org)

Govt, Troy Resources ink mineral pact for Karouni Project

Troy Resources Guyana Inc (TRGI) and the Guyana Government on Friday signed a Minerals Agreement for the development of the Karouni Project.

The Minerals Agreement sets the operating parameters for the company and also defines the responsibilities of both parties. The Minerals Agreement also reduces uncertainty for all parties: it is transparent, confirms commitments and acknowledges the desire to work together with the Government in the task of providing for a better investment climate and to move the country towards a better tomorrow, the company said.

“The company is pleased

to have signed this agreement and looks forward to furthering its relationship with the Government of Guyana for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders. Troy remains committed to its investment in Guyana and is continuing to advance the Karouni Project, with an estimated start date of mid2015.”

US$43M invested

The Karouni Project currently employs approximately 200 people in various disciplines and a substantial increase is expected over the coming month in anticipation of the increase in construction activities. It is projected that the number of employees at the project

will settle to around 500, including contractors and service personnel. The Karouni Project marks the first entry into Guyana by Troy Resources Limited through its wholly owned subsidiary, TRGI. Troy’s other projects are located in Para State in Brazil and San Juan State in Argentina. All are focused on gold, with the exception of its silver interest in Argentina.

The total investment committed to date is approximately US$43 million with a further $27 million required to complete construction. Major purchases have been made and service contracts have been entered into with local service providers and manufacturers as well

as other Caribbean manufacturers. The economic impact in Guyana from TRGI’s project is significant and if one considers flow-on effects into the community through salaries, wages, taxes, local purchases of goods and services, it will be far-reaching even for a medium sized operation like Karouni. This spinoff effect is, however, always going to be directly proportionate to the number of transactions that can be successfully undertaken in country. While the company remains committed to sourcing goods and services locally, it can only do so if these are available and up to standard.

Significant

President Donald Ramotar said that the signing of the mineral agreement is very significant and shows continued confidence in the Guyanese economy. He welcomed Troy’s initiative to buy from Guyanese wherever possible and urged the company to accelerate construction and move forward its timeline for an earlier start of operation.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, who signed on behalf of the Government of Guyana, noted that “this

Ogle Airport to begin monitoring for Ebola

Days after this newspaper reported on the lack of surveillance activities to detect the entry of Ebola-infected persons through the Ogle International Airport, authorities there have now moved to increase monitoring.

The airport, in a release on Friday, said a health team led by Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, along with Director of Veterinary Public Health and International Health Regulations Focal Point Dr Colin James; Director for Communicable Diseases, Dr Morris Edwards, and World Health Organisation’s Dr Mariano Bonet, carried out an Ebola Preparedness and Prevention Awareness Training meeting with senior personnel of the Airport’s Management, airline operators, and handling agents on Thursday.

“The urgent implementation for the training and equipping of airline checkin staff, including security personnel, airport handling companies, Immigration and Customs officers, aircraft cleaning companies, and cleaners and airport taxi drivers was reviewed at the meeting,” the report said.

It said passengers on regular international flights

arriving from Barbados and Suriname and domestic flights from Lethem, on the Brazilian border, are being screened with regard to their original points of origin and are now being monitored for symptoms of the Ebola virus as well as other communicable diseases.

Portable thermo-scanning equipment

The procurement of portable thermo-scanning equipment for use at Ogle Airport, which already is in use at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), is in place.

The health team, along with Ogle Airport officials, also examined facilities for quarantining passengers who may demonstrate symptoms of infection and also identified a suitable area for isolating aircraft which may be carrying an infected passen-

ger.

The statement said too that prior to the implementation of the country’s emergency programme to address the international spread of the Ebola virus, the airport had in place standard operating procedures for the observation and evaluation, via the Port Health Authority, of international passengers who may be infected with communicable diseases.

The report by the airport came a day after Guyana Times reported that there was no monitoring at that port, which began receiving international flights last year.

Following this newspaper’s enquiry, a source at the airport had said that the Health Ministry has collaborated with the Works Ministry

and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to establish a committee which would be meeting to implement strategies to deal with any Ebola-stricken passengers.

According to the source, although there is a Port Health Office at the airport, there was no surveillance activity for the Ebola virus being carried out there.

The source confirmed that there are daily flights from Lethem, bringing travellers from Brazil to the airport. Flights also come in from neighbouring Suriname and LIAT operates about four flights per week from Barbados.

The source said that surveillance for Ebola is an “absolutely necessary requirement”, given the condition in which it has left countries around the globe.

is an agreement that all Guyanese will be proud of”. It is designed to bring maximum benefits to the country and the Government is confident, given Troy’s excellent track record, the company will be a good partner and deliver an investment that will make Guyanese proud,

level of local operators and furthering this important part of operations. It is expected this initiative will significantly increase the crop of trained mining personnel available in Guyana going forward. To date, the company has constructed a registered all-weather air-

he added.

The long-term benefit from the transfer of technology and skills is another area to which the company is committed. It has already formed a close association with the training arm of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Linden Technical School to assist in raising the skill

port at the project site and is currently continuing with road upgrades on the roadway from Linden to the project site. Troy is committed to following best practice in the industry and intends to work towards an ISO 14001 environmental accreditation similar to the Casposo Project in Argentina.

The Ogle International Airport

The recently-constructed airstrip at the company’s Karouni Project

Troy Resources site at the Karouni Project

Mahaica man sentenced to death for killing reputed wife

B y V ahnu M anikchand

AMahaica, East Coast Demerara man was on Friday sentenced to death after he was found guilty by a mixed jury for of killing his reputed wife three years ago at his niece’s residence.

Rupert Browne was indicted with the May 29, 2011 murder of 30-yearold Seema Singh at Helena Number One, Mahaica. The trial began last week before Justice Brassington Reynolds.

The prosecution, led by State Counsel Teshana James-Lake, called approximately five witnesses, including the niece of the accused who had witnessed the stabbing.

Carol Browne testified that on May 28, 2011, Singh had gone to her house and had spent the night and around 05:30h the following morning, she was awakened by her uncle’s voice and he asked to see his spouse. Carol said after

Singh agreed, she left her uncle in and he begged his spouse to return home, but she refused.

Carol recounted that she went into her room and shortly after she heard Singh screaming. The witness added that when she rushed out, she saw her uncle holding a knife over Singh and had her hair wrapped around his hand. She said that she told him not to do it but then she got scared and retreated into

the room. By this time, the man had let go of Singh and she escaped into the same room, Carol stated.

The witness recounted that Singh was unconscious on the bed; however, she was still breathing. She continued that there was blood on her clothes. Carol said she immediately rushed out to get help and saw her uncle on the road but she ignored him and took a taxi to the Mahaica Police Station, where she lodged a report.

She further stated that when she returned to the house with the Police, Singh was gone, but her uncle was still there; as such, he was apprehended by the Police. The prosecution closed its case and the accused was called upon to lead his defence which he elected to do in an unsworn statement.

The accused declared his innocence, saying that on the day in question he went to his niece’s house to see his wife and when he got there, he saw her lying in a pool of blood on the bed.

He claimed that he kept asking what happened to his wife numerous times until the Police came and arrested him.

Following this, both the prosecution and the defence, Hukumchand Parag, made closing arguments, after which Justice Reynolds summed up the evidence on Friday.

The jury panel subsequently retired to the jury room where they deliberated on a verdict; however, they were unable to come up with a unanimous decision, so they sought further direction from the Judge.

The panel upon returning from their second round of deliberations informed the court that they arrived at a unanimous verdict, finding Browne guilty of murder.

He was subsequently sentenced to death (a sentence which was reduced to life imprisonment given the moratorium on the death sentence) by the presiding judge.

Eyew tness

Baring of chests...

... (partially) by Kwayana

Eusi Kwayana is an old codger from back in the day. But it seems he still can raise the hackles of some in the country – and simultaneously, praise. Could be it’s because “back in the day”, he was quite a lightning rod – if not the chief cook and bottle washer – for the racial divisions we’re still fighting 50 years later. And suffering from.

In a letter published prominently in the Stabber a couple of weeks ago, he wrote about visiting the Doobay Dialysis Centre in Annandale, which adjoins the Sage’s native Buxton. He reminisced that back in July 1963, the visiting British Secretary of the Colony, Duncan Sandys had arranged for him to shake the hand of Doobay’s father – a rather famous Annandale Pandit – on the bridge between Buxton and Annandale.

As a seeming throwaway comment – but quite calculating, because it is designed to throw dust into the eyes of the present generation – Kwayana allowed that, “At the time, July 1963, I was in the bad books of both the PPP and the PNC and belonged to no organisation.” We’re supposed to conclude that the Sage of Buxton was “neutral”. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Firstly, Kwayana was not a member of the PPP, because he’d abruptly quit that party after Burnham did. And why was Kwayana not a member of the PNC, which he’d help found and was its first General Secretary?? In the lead-up to the 1961 elections –after which the British had promised the winner would “lead Guyana to Independence” – the then Sidney King called Burnham a “traitor” for agreeing he’d accept independence under Jagan – if the latter won.

Even Burnham couldn’t stomach such blatant race hate and kicked Kwayana out of the PNC. Kwayana promptly proposed – along with his hatchet man from the New Nation, Nicholson – aka “Vigilance” – to partition Guyana into three parts. And as for Kwayana “belonging to no organisation”, is Kwayana now denying forming and running the African Society for Racial Equality with Nicholson then??

Fact of the matter is that the British by 1963 were working with the US to get rid of Jagan and the PPP Government. Kwayana was more than happy to work along with them since he and the British had the same goal – GET JAGAN!!!

That’s what the old codger (dodger?) didn’t say. We wonder why?

...by man of the cloth

A “man of the cloth” – a Bishop Ivan John – also bared his chest in the letters’ pages. But his comments were quite a tad less self-serving than the Sage of Buxton’s. From his comments, the Bishop is a selfmade man, like Kwayana. But noting all the negativity that’s been bandied around in Guyana, he asked a simple question: Aren’t things in general better today than they were just a short while ago?? John was too kind to add... “under the PNC”.

And that’s a question that most of the enemies of the PPP don’t want to hear. Like Kwayana, their hatred of the PPP is so great that they’d rather cut a deal with the devil (again like Kwayana) to get rid of them. Doesn’t matter what the consequences will be for Guyana. Like with Kwayana, that’s just “collateral damage”.

And that’s why we picked up on Kwayana’s sanctimonious piece. Modern imitators like Ramjattan and Nagamootoo are totally consumed with power. And they’re willing to do whatever’s necessary to get back at their erstwhile comrades – who they blame for their impotence.

As for PNC/APNU? They’re simply following their Master’s script.

...and more

This newspaper carried an interview with the schoolgirls caught “in flagrante” in the viral sex video. What was most amazing was that there was no evident contrition – much less moral regret – for their act. Seems that their friends let THEM down and not the other way round.

Go figure!

Convicted murderer Rupert Browne

Ramotar urges national effort to keep out Ebola

Amid the increasing threat of Ebola, President Donald Ramotar on Friday said that Government has been acquiring modern equipment and additional medical supplies, including more protective gear in order to be prepared to tackle the disease. But he called on citizens to do all in their power to help keep the disease that has already killed close to 5000 people out of this country.

The Health Ministry has been criticised for its slow reaction in getting in place the necessary programmes and measures to prevent the disease from coming here. However, for the past week there have been moves to train staff, set up isolation centres at ports of entry, and also beef up surveillance activities at airports.

In an address to the nation Friday evening, President Ramotar said the deadly disease has been devastating countries of West Africa. “I wish on behalf of the Government and all Guyanese to extend our profound concern and solidarity with the Governments and people of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, in particular, in West Africa, who are battling this deadly disease. The international community is only now in the process of providing assistance to combat this disease and to stop its spread.”

He said Guyana, in its own small way, has joined those efforts to muster resources to assist these countries in halting its spread.

“However, despite this we have seen it crossing continents into Europe and the United States of America.

In the world that we live in today in which globalisation has spawned the most massive movement of people in history, no country is guaranteed that it would not be affected,” Ramotar said.

He told the nation Guyana also has to take preventative and curative measures to protect “our people. If, per chance, this disease reaches our shores, we must be prepared to limit its effect, to contain and bring it under control as fast as possible. We have already taken steps in that direction.”

He said in the first in-

Ambassador Birx to address PANCAP’s 13th AGM

stance, residents from a number of West African countries are not being issued with visas to come to Guyana during this epidemic.

We are also advising our citizens to avoid travelling to those destinations for the time being, but if they must, they must declare if they have visited any of those countries affected by Ebola, or, countries that are at risk in West Africa.

“We have stepped up surveillance at ports of entry. Passengers arriving in Guyana are being more thoroughly screened at these ports. In this regard, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Ogle Airport Authorities, the Ministries of Works and Health have been working closely to monitor the arriving passengers. Modern equipment is being used and more is being acquired to raise the effectiveness of this exercise.

The Government has been, and will be acquiring additional medical supplies, including more protective gear, gloves, etc in order to be better prepared. Retention centres are being identified and established for quarantine and monitoring of suspected cases. In the event of the discovery of suspected cases, the Public Health responses have been organised.”

The President said that suspected arriving passengers will be quarantined at holding centres at ports of entry. Elsewhere, suspected cases, if hospitalised, would be cared for under conditions of strict isolation.

Larger population of suspected cases would be mandatorily quarantined at identified facilities established in the country. “This situation, I am sure you will appreciate, is one that calls for the full cooperation of the whole population of our country.

I propose to seek maximum cooperation on this urgent matter. I shall be formally inviting the Leader of the Opposition and the leaders of all Parliamentary Political Parties and civil society to join forces with the Government in a national response to prepare and protect our people from the deadly Ebola disease.”

Under the theme, “Positioning the Partnership for Post-2015”, more than one hundred representatives of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) will meet for the 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the partnership on Number 3-4 in Guadeloupe.

World renowned expert on HIV and Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator of the United States Government activities to combat HIV and AIDS globally, Deborah Birx, will deliver the key-

note address at the official opening on November 3.

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan will also address the gathering via video.

This is the first time an AGM of PANCAP is being held in a French Caribbean territory and Guadeloupe is very excited to host.

Among the key contributors to the meeting are Interreg IV Caraibes, L’Europe S’engage and Centre Hospitalier Pointe-à-Pitre. This 13th AGM provides a great opportunity for Guadeloupe to showcase the French Caribbean’s role in the collective effort against HIV.

Dr Marie Therese Goerger-Sow, Chief Project Manager, INTERREG Caraibes Project will welcome PANCAP on behalf of Guadeloupe.

The PANCAP Executive Board recently endorsed the PANCAP Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018. This framework will guide the work of the partnership of governmental and nongovernmental organisations over the next four years.

An important discussion during the meeting is what this framework means for the partnership in the context of achieving its goals.

According to Professor Edward Greene, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, “… this AGM must seize the moment to align the outcomes of the Caribbean

Regional Strategic Framework with the region’s position on AIDS in the Post-2015 development goals”.

In addition to the agencies in Guadeloupe, the German Corporation, with its implementing bodies, GIZ and KfW, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are sponsors of the PANCAP 13th AGM.

PANCAP is a 62-member partnership which was established by Caricom Heads of Government in 2001 to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean.

QC girl tops Caribbean at CSEC

Guyana has gained four regional awards for outstanding performance in the May/June 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

According to a release, the students who will be awarded for their outstanding performance this year are Elisa Hamilton of Queen’s College (Overall Outstanding Achievement); Aliyyah Abdul Kadir, also of Queen’s College (Most Outstanding in Humanities); her colleague, Ryhan Chand (Most Outstanding in Business Studies); and Kishan Crichlow of New Amsterdam

Multilateral School (Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational).

In recognition of their achievements, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) will present the students with awards at a ceremony to be held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, Jamaica on December 4.

“The Ministry of Education wishes to congratulate the students on their exemplary performance and wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” the release said.

Last year Guyana won five of the eight awards offered. The winners from Guyana were Yogeeta Persaud of Anna Regina Secondary School (Overall Outstanding Achievement); Rafena Mustapha of Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Most Outstanding in Humanities); Cecil Cox of Queen’s College (Most Outstanding in Sciences); Sasha S Woodroffe of Queen’s College (Most Outstanding in Business Studies); and Zimeena Rasheed of Anna Regina Secondary School (Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational).

Guyana has gained four regional awards for outstanding performance in the May/June 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations

World renowned HIV expert, Dr Deborah Birx

President Donald Ramotar

UN Secretary General Special Envoy, Dr Edward Greene

GAWU rejects GuySuCo’s decision not to reinstate Skeldon Estate worker

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has expressed disquiet over the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) rejection of the recommendation of the Chief Labour Officer (CLO) to end to the suspension of worker Stephen Daniel.

GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rajendra Singh has told Guyana Times that along with the recommendation to have the worker reinstated, the Ministry had cited several cases to support its decision; however, among the authorities were articles published in another section of the media.

“This is not credible citation so we requested for them to share a copy of the statement with us so that we can check out the references but they refused,” Dr Singh pointed out.

He went onto say that after reviewing the facts of the matter involving the worker and a senior manager, the Corporation responded on Wednesday to the Labour Ministry, informing that it will not be accepting the recommendations made.

GAWU in a statement on Friday said the unusual position by the state-owned entity does not set a proper standard for private sector employers towards the Labour Ministry.

The union recalls that Daniel was dismissed verbally on the night of September 19 by Devendra Kumar, Estate Manager of Skeldon Estate, owing to an incident between himself and Daniel. On the next day, Daniel’s dismissal was confirmed in writing. The incident last September had triggered strikes and widespread protests.

“The union wishes to emphasise that the manager ought not to personally discipline Daniel since he was a party to the incident. The Industrial Relations Department of GuySuCo, after obtaining objective statements, ought to have made a determination on the incident.

“The Corporation failed for two full weeks to provide its response to the Ministry’s recommendation which was only provided after a report on the matter appeared in the media on October 14, 2014,” the union said.

It also noted that at the

Lalloo tink he is a big boy now

Since Lalloo getta lil lawyer wuk, he tink he is big boy.

Well, he is a old boy a long time now, but he tink he a big boy wheh de lawyer wuk concern. He never used to get any lawyer wuk and he had seh he woulda do all he lawyer wuk fuh free.

But even then he still never used to get any wuk. Well, now that he getta lil bit lawyer wuk wid some other old boys, he actually tink he can lime wid dem big lawyer boys who is real big lawyers.

In de fuss place, Lalloo used to tink that because he coulda tell a good lie, that woulda mek he into a good lawyer. He tek long to realise that all lawyers does be good liars, but that ain’t mean that all liars can be good lawyers. Indeed, when yuh talk bout lyin, Lalloo way up deh among de top liars. Lalloo does mek “King Liar” look like stupidness. People does tink Lalloo stupiddy, and most of de times dem right, but not wheh lyin concern. And that ain’t no lie.

Well, talk bout liars and lawyers, eight lawyers turn up to represent one man de other day. It could be a sign that is how much that one man friken jail. Somebody seh he like whah he gon get in jail, but he just don’t want it in jail.

And to tink that none of dem eight lawyers turn up fuh a lil boy who was beggin fuh a lawyer to fight another lawyer, who look like a liar, is a clear indication of de art of lyin as a lawyer. Lalloo ain’t reach that stage, but Ron done run past that stage.

As soon as de lil boy talk out he mind, Ron had start to run from de Bar. But when a real lawyer who name Peter Hugh tek up de matter, suddenly Ron run back and seh he coulda tek de wuk.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Talk bout another King Liar!

conciliation meeting chaired by the Chief Labour Officer on October 1, the GuySuCo team was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rajendra Singh, himself.

Had to be aware

He and his team had to be aware of the Ministry’s decision – given as a recommendation – that the worker’s suspension be ended and he be immediately reinstated, GAWU contended.

The union regrets that the Chief Labour Officer will find that the two parties are deadlocked and that arbitration is now necessary when he presides at what is expected to be the final conciliatory meeting on Monday.

Workers would be looking forward to the settlement of the Terms of Reference and the choice of Arbitrator at Monday’s meeting.

“GAWU wishes to reiterate that Daniel was not malingering during the night of September 19, 2014 but was actively engaged in his substantive assignment in transporting cane punts to the mill dock of the factory. Neither was Daniel in the company with a group of workers who allegedly were malingering. It was reported that there was no such gathering.

“The incident with Daniel occurred while Daniel was on his way to the Mill Dock Bridge at the call of his Supervisor. He was approached by the Estate’s

Manager who insinuated a lot of things to Daniel who kept responding in a calm way.

“The Estate’s Manager, at last decided to leave Daniel alone and drove away only to reverse his vehicle and alighted, according to our report, threateningly towards Daniel who used his hands as the Manager reached close to him to bar the expected strike.

“Is it strange that the Corporation which violated its own Disciplinary Code has publicly stated that it has also done so with respect to the dismissal of a cane harvester from Blairmont Estate in September 2014.”

GAWU also noted that when the Terms of Resumption were agreed to, GuySuCo, through its CEO, had insisted that no public statement would be issued separately by either party on the Kumar-Daniel incident or if issued it should have been a joint undertaking.

GuySuCo is in breach of its own CEO’s demand and condition and has issued a highly partisan release to the media, the union said.

“GAWU regrets GuySuCo’s continued callous contempt for its hard working workers and the adherence to established industrial relations norms. The union, as a responsible bargaining agent, will endeavour to keep its members in the field and factory at this crucial juncture of the sugar sector’s challenged existence.”

GuySuCo CEO, Dr Rajendra Singh

$12M in education cash grant disbursed at Mabaruma

The Government on Thursday disbursed some $12 million worth in the $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ Grant to parents of students in the public school system in Mabaruma, Region One.

President Donald Ramotar, whose team included Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, was greeted upon arrival by a massive crowd of school children and their parents.

Proving once again that he is a man of the people, President Ramotar walked with his team, shaking hands and thanking the people for their support.

Addressing a capacity crowd, President Ramotar reiterated his Government’s commitment to education.

“We’ve been doing this consistently over a long-period of time. In order to keep the pressure off the parents, we’ve introduced vouchers to help with uniforms for our children. We’ve introduced snacks and hot meals in schools... and we spend billions of dollars every year to buy books for our children to study from. Not like in the past when our schools didn’t even have chalk for teachers to write on the blackboard. We fundamentally believe that education is extremely important for many, many reasons: It helps us to develop a better quality people and a higher educated workforce that creates employment and attracts investors. Education has been proven to be the most important tool to end poverty, because you can gain employment or create your own.”

Recognising the temptation that young people face in the hinterland areas to make a “quick buck” in the gold fields, President Ramotar urged young people not to be “penny wise and pound foolish” for it is important for

children to remain in school and to get an education that would benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Turning to some of the social ills affecting communities throughout Guyana, President Ramotar warns of the dangers of using drugs and cigarettes, and alcohol abuse. He assured a captive audience that education not only helps to improve one’s quality of life, but it helps one to make the right decisions. He noted the harms of young women becoming pregnant at an early age. This, he said, “limits their own personal development”.

Equal opportunity

President Ramotar also spoke of his Government’s philosophy of equal opportunity for all.

“We are a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-cultural country, and this country belongs to all of us. And if all of us have shares in this country, we must have equal opportunities, and education is the best tool we can give you to ensure that you have equal opportunity.”

Amerindians, he said, were neglected in the past. The President cited the stiff Opposition the Government faced when they allowed students from the hinterland to attend Presidents College, being the only facility then with a dormitory.

He said during the debate in Parliament, one member of the Opposition accused the Government of wanting to bring down the standard of Presidents College, implying that students from the interior were inferior to those from the coast.

But just a few years ago, he said “the top students from Presidents College came precisely from the North West District... this very area. So we were prov-

Poor monitoring caused death of woman, unborn infant – CMO

In light of the recent death of Evita Singh and her unborn child at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud admitted that there was some negligence on the part of the hospital.

He said several recommendations were made for immediate action.

en right, and proven that once you give people an equal opportunity, they will do well.”

The “Because We Care” cash grant initiative continues through the weekend and next week throughout the rest of the administrative regions.

The initiative was officially launched on October 11, at the Bartica Community Centre in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). The cash grant initiative was announced by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during the presentation of budget 2014.

Today, all nursery schools in Georgetown will be served as well as many schools in Region Three. On Sunday, distribution continues at four locations in Berbice and at eight locations in Region Three.

Persaud in an interview with Guyana Times disclosed that a report was compiled by the hospital and was submitted to him.

The report, he noted was perused and sent to an Expert Committee comprising medical professionals from various disciplines. They have reviewed the report and made several recommendations.

One such is the need for a serious revision of the operations at the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital in terms of monitoring patients, especially when they are induced.

He added that health workers must be alert at all times.

The recommendations intimated to the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital called on the administration to put systems in place as there are areas of weakness with respect to monitoring of patients.

In addition, there were some lapses with regards to protocol.

Nevertheless, he explained that the patient was admitted for symptoms not directly related to labour and delivery, but during her stay at the hospital, health workers would have translated some information from her clinic card which proved that she was hypertensive.

Hence, they commenced treatment with a recommendation to induce labour.

“This method was prolonged and from the report, the patient was not adequately monitored and time did go by and by the time a decision was taken to perform a cesarean, another patient from the hinterland area who was critical was occupying the theatre.”

He went on to say that arrangements were made to transfer Singh to a second theatre in another building, and this took some time. During the surgery, it was discovered that her uterus was ruptured which led to severe internal bleeding.

“Anytime a pregnant mother bleeds from a ruptured uterus, she uses up a lot of clotting factors – a difficult condition referred to as DIC had developed even thought she had blood transfusion and so on… It became very difficult for them to recover from the catastrophic outcome that we know.”

Evita Singh, 34, of Lot 13 Lathan Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara died during childbirth on September 6.

According to reports, the mother of two was taken to the hospital after she was experiencing high fever. Upon her admittance to the medical facility, she was placed in the Maternity Ward where she was treated for the high temperature which was brought under control by Tuesday.

Days after, the nurses reportedly induced labour by inserting a tablet called ‘Cytotec’ into Singh. Guyana Times was told that the nurses reportedly inserted about six of the pills over a three-day period, since they claimed Singh was not responding to the tablets and there was no movement from the fetus.

The young mother reportedly started to bleed and the pain had become intense. Singh was taken to the labour room where the nurses attempted to deliver the child, but in the process, the bleeding became excessive. Eventually, a decision was taken to perform the C-Section, but, by the time it was done, the baby was already dead.

In the meantime, Singh lost a significant amount of blood and her heart rate started to decline. She never regained consciousness. The doctors reportedly told the family that Singh’s body was rejecting the blood transfusion she had been given. From the onset, Minister Ramsaran described the incident as unfortunate, as he ordered the probe. He also said the Georgetown Public Hospital needs to provide a higher standard of service to the public, referring to some of the things that currently occur as “unacceptable”.

President Donald Ramotar is being greeted by young villagers on Thursday

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Dead: Evita Singh

Trotman sodomy allegations…

Hughes given time to respond

– arguments to commence at next hearing

The court action filed by Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotmanm, who allegedlly sodomised Johnny Welshman, 22, was called up again on Wednesday at the High Court.

During the hearing, Trotman’s Attorney Nigel Hughes was granted time to file a response to the defendant’s affidavit in answer.

On September 21, Trotman had secured an injunction restraining Welshman, who has alleged that Trotman raped him when he was just 12, from making any statements or publishing any materials about the issue.

During the last court hearing, Welshman was given 10 days to respond in an affidavit to claims that he made libellous statements against Trotman, which was done by his recently retained Attorney Peter Hugh.

However, when the matter was called up in chambers on Wednesday before acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, Attorney Hughes requested and was given time to respond to the documents filed by the defendant.

The matter has been scheduled to be called up again on November 4, when arguments are expected to commence.

In the meanwhile, Welshman has disclosed that he is seeking international assistance in his plight to get justice. The young man believes that a lot of tactics are deliberately being undertaken to stall the process of him getting justice.

Welshman told this newspaper that all his social networks were hacked.

“A lot of things are done deliberately but I will not give up, I will fight this to the end until I get justice,” he reaffirmed. The young man has declared that he

was prepared to take the matter further if it fell through in Guyana.

Optimistic

The 22-year-old had said he is confident that the law will rule in his favour given the overwhelming evidence he has. He noted too that he was prepared to take his case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if Trotman is not held responsible for his alleged atrocities.

“I am ready big time; I am ready to go to the CCJ or the Privy Council; I am ready for the fight,” remarked Welshman in a previous interview.

He also dispelled rumours that his actions might have some political motivations, pointing out that if that were the case, he would have had a barrage of attorneys with him when he went to court.

He opined, however, that the notion that he was being used politically was being put out there simply to “shove the issue under the rug”.

Again, Welshman affirmed that he had met with several sections of the media and journalists who refused to hear his pleas, but he plans to expose them in due course.

A Yarrowkabra, Linden Highway man was taken into custody but was subsequently released. He was fingered as he was one of the persons implicated in the rape allegations made by Welshman.

A Division (Georgetown)

ECLAC

TCommander Clifton Hicken had told this newspaper that the suspect is being questioned by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He said that since the report was lodged, an investigation was launched, while disclosing that there was no eyewitness to support the young man’s claims.

As such, charges are not likely to be instituted at this

stage. There have been reports circulating that the Speaker of the National Assembly will be charged as well.

Guyana Times understands that Welshman, would have accompanied a detective from the CID to Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway where he pointed out the house and creek where he was molested.

Guyana signs anti-child labour declaration

Caribbean Labour Ministers gathered at the 18th American Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Lima, Peru have signed a declaration against child labour.

The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago endorsed the declaration Latin American and Caribbean Free of Child Labour.

The declaration was a follow up from the 2013 Brasilia Declaration against Child Labour, signed by 154 countries in Brazil.

Belize, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines have expressed interest in signing the declaration.

The “Regional Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour” was launched a year ago at the Third Global Conference on Child Labour, where several countries shared their concern about slow progress in this area.

Latin America and the Caribbean committed to eradicate the worst forms of child labour by 2016 and to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2020, which is unlikely to be achieved if progress continues at this pace.

In fact, the ILO noted, it would require at least 40 years to achieve the goal of eradication. Indeed, the region could become the first child labour-free developing region in the world.

In recent years, important achievements have been made in reducing child labour by 7.5 million.

According to the ILO, child labour is estimated at 12.5 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, of which the vast majority,

9.5 million, are in hazardous work.

“This initiative unites us all in Latin America and Caribbean,” said Peru Labour Minister Freddy Otárola, who is President of the 18th American Regional Meeting, and who was responsible for presenting the initiative to the American Regional Meeting.

During the presentation of the initiative at the plenary sitting of the Regional Meeting, the ILO Director General said “the initiative is part of a global effort to restore the rights of 168 million children and adolescents affected by the scourge of child labour.”

It calls for a broad commitment and mobilisation of all institutions, agencies and actors involved with the present state of children and adolescents and with the future of the region.

The initiative is also de-

signed to accelerate the prevention and eradication of child labour, and includes a number of interventions to strengthen the mechanisms of action and identification of the practice.

The declaration states that the persistence of child labour, especially its worst forms, is a factor that exacerbates social inequality, which deepens social and economic vulnerability.

The current signatories to the declaration are: Argentina, The Bahamas, The Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, The Dominican Republic, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

predicts decline in Caribbean unemployment rates

wo United Nations agencies say the unfavourable evolution of the economies in Latin America and the Caribbean during the second half of 2014 will not prevent regional urban unemployment from decreasing slightly this year.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in a joint report are predicting declines to six or 6.1 per cent from the 6.2 per cent recorded in 2013.

The report indicates that while a regional rebound in job creation is not foreseen in 2014, a lower rate of labour market participation – which is to say, the proportion of the working-age population inside the labour force, whether employed or unemployed – should enable unemployment to fall.

In the document, the United Nations organisations analyse the employment situation during the first half of the year and explain

the mechanisms that have helped reduce inequality in the Region’s earned incomes in the last decade. According to the report, even

though country data shows a high degree of heterogeneity, the employment rate at a regional level –meaning the number of employed

people versus the total working-age population – continued the decline it had initiated in 2013 during the first half of this year.

“Considering these circumstances, and as paradoxical as it may seem, the decline in the unemployment rate is not entirely positive news… The fall in labour force participation that is behind the decreasing unemployment has an impact on the economic autonomy of a growing proportion of the population, especially women,” said ECLAC’s Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena and ILO’s Regional Director Elizabeth Tinoco. Despite the current stagnation, the overall assessment of the region’s labour markets during recent years is positive, according to the report.

Between 2009 and 2013, the report states formal jobs grew 12.7 per cent – 53.4 per cent of total employment – while informal jobs grew just 2.6 per cent or 46.6 per cent of total employment.

A representative from Guyana signing the declaration

Speaker Raphael Trotman

Johnny Welshman

ECLAC and ILO say the unfavourable evolution of the economies in Latin America and the Caribbean during the second half of 2014 will not prevent urban unemployment from decreasing slightly this year

Markets for rice available, but prices unattractive– RPA

By Jomo Paul

As rice farmers continue to increase production, the question being asked is whether the Government, combined with the private sector will be able to provide markets for the excess amount of rice being produced.

Rice Producers Association (RPA) President Leekah Rambrich speaking to Guyana Times in an interview disclosed that there are “more than enough” markets available for Guyana to sell its produce.

He, however, cautioned that the prices being paid for rice on other markets are not as lucrative.

Rambrich explained that Venezuela pays well for Guyana’s high quality rice and paddy, but other countries are not doing the same.

“The millers are worried, the paddy was purchased at a high price from the farmers, prices have been declining for the past two crops on the global scale… they are going to be running at a loss if they sell at certain prices,” Rambrich explained.

One rice miller who spoke to Guyana Times in a recent interview opined that market for Guyana’s rice is available, but the private sector has to be more proactive in acquiring these markets.

Abdool Hakh, a miller from Mahaicony agreed that

sufficient market is available for the exportation of Guyana’s rice.

“The market is there, but the prices are low, the international price, the European prices for that matter, those are low… we can sell rice but we have to sell it at a low price,” Hakh said.

He added that this was due to large amounts of rice on the international market from other countries that have also had bumper crops.

According to Hakh, if millers were to accede to the pressures of the supply and demand principles of business, then they would be operating at a loss since they were asked to pay farmers a certain amount of money for the paddy when the spring season had begun earlier this year.

Nand Persaud Rice Mill General Manager Mohindra Persaud expressed similar sentiments, but noted that the millers must come to terms with the state of affairs and sell at lower prices.

“There are a lot of markets, but you got to sell at market price… Guyana sells rice at a special price, there is market, you just have to accept the price or don’t accept the price,” said Persaud.

Markets available

Another rice miller

Rayaadul Persaud said: “The markets are available, the markets are there but all of this negative news is going to have an effect on us as millers.”

Persaud said too that other countries are experiencing the same issues as Guyana.

It was reported that the European Union (EU) would have imported in excess of 10,000 tonnes of rice and paddy; Jamaica 4000 tonnes; Trinidad 3000 tonnes; Portugal 6400 tonnes; and Venezuela, which is one of Guyana’s most important rice markets, 18,000 tonnes of paddy and approximately 6000 tonnes of premium rice.

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had disclosed that the Governments of Panama and Guyana are

committed to the continued shipment of rice for the remainder of 2014.

The two Governments early August signed the agreement which will see Panama purchasing approximately 5000 tonnes of rice per month from Guyana for the rest of 2014, following a recent meeting between delegations from both countries.

Dr Ramsammy said the success of the new deal has opened the door for private millers to have direct access to the private sector in Panama. “The engage-

ment has opened the door for Guyanese private sector to compete with the Americans in Panama who will be supplying these to the Government. We have at least three private millers who have separate contracts with the private sector in Panama onboard,” he revealed.

The Agriculture Minister, along with RPA General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj and Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Jagnarine Singh visited Panama in

August during which time the agreement was concluded.

There will be further discussions for a contract renewal in 2015, but it is expected that the contract will continue throughout 2015, provided that the terms of the agreement are met to the satisfaction of the two countries, which will see 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of rice being exported to Panama annually.

In addition, since Panama imports about 150,000 tonnes of rice annually – although it produces rice, the

country is not able to meet demand – the remaining 100,000 tonnes required by Panama will be purchased through bidders, of whom Guyanese suppliers (the private sector) will have the opportunity to be part. The rice exportation agreement is one aspect of a larger agreement. Dr Ramsammy told media operatives recently that the Panamanians have engaged themselves in an agriculture and trade partnership with Guyana for which a Memorandum of Agreement was signed.

36 farmers trained in greenhouse technology

The Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED) in collaboration with the Local Government and Regional Development and several partners has trained 36 farmers in greenhouse technology.

According to a release, the programme facilitated through the Regional Democratic Council, Region Three and Canal Polders Interim Management Committee (IMC) successfully completed three training sessions with farmers of Canal Polders Number one and two on October 15-16.

This training workshop forms one aspect of the Canal Polders Green Initiative (CPGI) which seeks to provide sustainable economic opportunities and increase farmers’ productive capacity in Canal Polders through the demonstration, application and use of hydroponic technology.

The training workshop encouraged

the adoption of hydroponic technology among farmers in order to reduce the high production cost and improve the quality of local produce.

The training sessions were facilitated by Local Economic Development Officers Shivana Persaud and Satya Dayaram as well as Hydro-Green Products Consultant Colwayne Morris.

The training sessions were divided into theoretical and practical sessions that focused on hydroponic farming. The training sessions focused on the advantages of hydroponic farming compared to traditional farming, natural pesticides and disease control, sanitation and maintenance of greenhouse facilities.

The practical sessions gave participants the opportunity to observe and discuss greenhouse features and engage in a demo planting exercise.

Participants were very interested in the hydroponic drip systems, substrates, availability of greenhouse com-

ponents and access to fin CARILED National Country Coordinator Dhanraj Singh closed the workshop by noting that “the initiative is timely and will significantly boost the region’s capacity to deal with the challenges of climate change in the local agriculture sector”.

Singh further explained that the Canal Polders Project was meant to demonstrate partnerships between local Government authorities and the Canal Polders residents towards local economic development.

The Canal Polders Green Initiative adopts a Public-Private Partnership approach between local Government authorities and communities that seeks to develop and create jobs in local economies.

The project also targets single mothers who depend on subsistence agriculture and should assist in closing the gender gap within the region.

RPA President Leekah Rambrich

Some of the farmers who were trained in greenhouse technology

Brazil election poll gives Neves wide advantage over Rousseff

ly watched as Brazil’s larger polling firms Ibope and Datafolha, whose polls show Neves and Rousseff in a dead heat.

If the runoff were held Friday, Neves would win 56.4 per cent of the valid votes – which exclude undecided voters, spoiled and blank survey responses –against 43.6 per cent for Rousseff, Sensus said.

The previous Sensus poll last week had given Neves an even larger margin of victory of 17.6 percentage points.

Opposition candidate

Antigua, Suriname, Trinidad and Jamaica banning nationals from Ebola hit countries

Antigua and Barbuda and Suriname have become the latest Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries to issue a ban on travellers from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa.

“It concerns people who have spent 21 days or more in Ebola areas and who want to travel to Suriname. They will not be allowed in,” a spokesman for the Health Ministry Martelise Eersel said.

Meanwhile, The Governments of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday issued an immediate travel bans against certain persons traveling directly or indirectly from some countries in West Africa.

It was also announced that Jamaican citizens and residents, who have travelled to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone within 28 days of their arrival , will be quarantined in the interest of public health and national security upon their arrival in Jamaica.

Aecio Neves would defeat President Dilma Rousseff by almost 13 percentage points in the October 26 runoff to Brazil’s presidential election, according to a poll published on Friday.

The poll was conducted by Sensus, a research institute that is not as close-

Neves, the financial markets’ favourite, gained ground after his strongerthan-expected showing in the first-round vote on October 5, when he bested environmentalist Marina Silva to place second behind Rousseff. But the latest Datafolha and Ibope polls show his support has stopped growing. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hurricane Gonzalo pounds Bermuda with strong storms

Hurricane Gonzalo has barrelled down on the British territory of Bermuda with winds of about 185km/h (115mph).

The Category Three storm weakened slightly on its approach but the Government still warned residents to indoors.

“I wish everyone all the best for the next 24 hours. Good luck and look after each other,” Governor George Ferguson said in an emergency broadcast.

Bermuda, an island chain and affluent insurance hub in the Atlantic Ocean, frequently sees strong tropical storms.

The Miami-based US National Hurricane Centre said that although the storm had weakened from earlier wind speeds of 205km/h (125mph), it was still expected to be a dangerous hurricane as it passed over Bermuda.

A webcam at the Royal

Naval Dockyard at the port showed heavy rain, large waves and trees being shaken vigorously from the strong winds.

Hurricane-force winds are predicted to pound Bermuda for seven hours, and forecasters warned of likely flooding in the low-lying island chain.

One person died in the Dutch territory of St Maarten after Hurricane Gonzalo passed over the Caribbean.

The storm is being compared to the 2003 Hurricane Fabian which wreaked havoc on Bermuda, the most powerful storm to hit the territory in 50 years. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Facing debt default, Venezuela blames the US

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday blamed the United States for the recent slump in global oil prices that threatens to choke off the hard currency the country needs to pay its overseas debts and may precipitate a default on its foreign-currency bonds.

Washington is “flooding” the market with cheaper shale oil to bring down prices and ultimately impact Russia and other oil-producing nations, Maduro said at a televised Cabinet meeting.

“The US and its allies want to affect oil prices to harm Russia, which produces around ten million barrels per day, and that is the vital income of their economy,” said Maduro. Venezuela has enough resources in bolivars and foreign currency to meet all of its obligations, Maduro said on October 9. However, the next day, he called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which was rejected by a majority of OPEC mem-

bers.

Meanwhile, Harvard University economists Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff warned this week that Venezuela is almost certain to default on its foreign-currency bonds.

According to Bloomberg News, the cost of protecting Venezuela’s debt against non-payment with five-year credit-default swaps, already the highest in the world, soared 2.13 percentage points this week to a fiveyear high of 19.89 percentage points. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Director of Communications, Maurice Merchant told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the Gaston Browneled cabinet agreed to travel restrictions on passengers travelling from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The often deadly disease has been prevalent in West African nations.

As part of the restriction, St John’s will discontinue issuing to the three African states hardest hit by the Ebola virus. Passengers who are known to have visited those countries within the last three weeks will not be allowed entry to the country.

Suriname has also announced that it too had placed a ban on visitors from West Africa.

Norman

In Jamaica – the Ministry of National Security said the ban extends to Guinea, Libera and Sierra Leone.

The ban also extends to Commonwealth citizens who have travelled to or transited through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone within 28 days of their arrival to Jamaica.

Caricom nationals benefiting from the free movement regime are also subject to this landing restriction which is a temporary measure necessary for the protection of human and animal health.

This applies equally to any person having a right of entry pursuant to Jamaica’s obligations under international organisation head quarters agreements.

The Security Ministry noted that the Government of Jamaica reserves the right to screen all Jamaican nationals.

And Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Minister, Dr Fuad Khan announced during a post Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister that anyone coming from Sierra Leone, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Nigeria, will be denied entry. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Manley airport gets fever machines as Jamaican Govt preps ports for Ebola

Medical staff at the Norman Manley International Airport on Friday received two fever machines, with another 20 expected in the island within two weeks.

The machines were presented by Health Minister Fenton Ferguson as the Government ramps up Ebola preparation at the nation’s ports. Two other fever machines are expected to be delivered to another port of en-

try.

“We have now moved to the next step, which is to ensure we have [an] isolation area at the airport, to ensure that we will be able to respond to a possible threat of the Ebola virus,” Ferguson told reporters, following the handing over.

The minister expressed confidence that Jamaica is doing all that it can to protect the country from Ebola. He emphasised that he is

working to equip all the ports of entry with the fever temperature machines, especially a walk-through machine, as it is one sure way to detect any threat of the virus.

“We should have no less than 20 of these machines. There is good indication from one corporate entity that they would contribute one of those,” the minister said “and we are talking to other corporate entities.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Cuba claims to have developed dengue fever vaccine

Experts with the Havana-based Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Centre have claimed progress in a project to develop a vaccine to fight the four existing types of dengue fever.

Researcher Luis Javier Gonzalez told participants at a Forum on Microbiology Techniques in Havana that the project is currently in its first validation stage.

The forum is part of the eighth Cuban Congress on Microbiology and Parasitology, which concluded on Thursday and was sponsored by 16 entities, including the UN Development Program and the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute. (Caribbean News Now)

Brazil’s President and presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff of the Workers Party (PT) holds a star toy during a meeting with educators in Sao Paulo October 15

Health Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson (right), observes while Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse demonstrates to medical staff and officials at the Norman Manley International Airport, Friday, how a hand-held fever temperature machine works

Hurricane Gonzalo caused damage earlier this week in the Caribbean, killing an elderly sailor in St Maarten

Around the world

Nigeria says ceasefire agreed with Boko Haram

be no more attacks, no more bombs and no more attacks on Boko Haram. The Government will not attack any Boko Haram strongholds for the moment.” Mutasa said.

“We do know Boko Haram wanted certain conditions met, for example they wanted their senior commanders released from Government captivity.” Mutasa added.

Sources told Al Jazeera that substantial progress had been reached in negotiations about the abducted girls, but that no definite deal had been agreed.

Nigeria’s official news agency says the Government fighters from Boko Haram have agreed to an immediate ceasefire.

It quoted the Chief of Defence staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, as ordering his troops to immediately comply with the agreement on Friday.

Hong Kong activists regroup to force Police retreat in protest hotspot

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists recaptured parts of a core protest zone early on Saturday, defying riot Police who had tried to disperse them with pepper spray and baton charges.

breaking up the prolonged protests that pose one of the biggest political challenges for China since the crushing of pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing in 1989.

Demonstrators chanting “open the road” tried late on Friday to break through multiple Police lines, using umbrellas as a shield from pepper spray at a major traffic intersection.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from Lagos, said details of the deal have yet to emerge.

“Both sides have agreed there will

The news came as another official confirmed there had been direct negotiations this week in neighbouring Chad about the release of more than 200 schoolgirls abducted six months ago.

Russia and Ukraine reach tentative gas deal in tough Milan talks

Russia and Ukraine made progress on Friday towards resolving a dispute over gas supplies in time for winter, but European leaders said Moscow still had to do much more to prop up a fragile ceasefire and end fighting in eastern Ukraine.

The mooted deal could reopen Russian gas to Ukraine cut off since June, and ensure supply to European buyers further west before demand surges in the cold months and stocks run down. It came as something of a surprise after talks in

Milan that the Kremlin said were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements”.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin told reporters that a deal ensuring gas supplies “at least for the winter” had been reached after a final one-onone meeting with Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko, which followed talks attended by European leaders.

“We agreed on all the parameters of this deal,” Putin said, but he urged European countries to help Ukraine meet a debt for gas, which he said stood at US$4.5 billion. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Fighting rages for control of

Syria’s Kobane

The US has launched another round of air attacks on ISIL positions around the Syrian town of Kobane, as its Kurdish defenders said the air campaign had helped dislodge their enemies.

Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith, reporting from the Turkish side of the border near Kobane, said on Friday he could hear explosions and gunfire from inside the town as ISIL was shelling it.

He said ISIL fighters still held about a third of the city and were still present in the south and the east of Kobane.

“The longer Kurdish fighters have managed to hold Kobane, the more determined ISIL seems to be to take it,” our correspon-

dent said.

“Thousands of fighters have been sent as reinforcements. The US military says that has meant more targets for them to hit, partly explaining the increase in air strikes.

“The pendulum may have swung in favour of Kobane’s Kurds for now, but the battle is far from over.”

The US said it had killed hundreds of ISIL fighters trying to capture the town in 53 air strikes since Monday.

The US said it had carried out six air strikes around Kobane on Friday, hitting ISIL fighting positions and vehicles. It also targeted oil collection equipment in Shadadi, near Deir Ez Zor, to disrupt fuel supplies. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A senior adviser to Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan told Al Jazeera that the deal reached on Friday included the release of the girls, but that no date had been set and that the release was part of an “ongoing process”.

Doyin Okupe said the Government had agreed to “some concessions”, but did not give any details.

Boko Haram has been demanding the release of detained fighters in exchange for the girls. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

About a thousand protesters, some wearing protective goggles and helmets, helped to build fresh barricades from wooden fencing and other materials in the gritty, densely populated Mong Kok district. Some chanted “black Police” after the Police struck demonstrators’ umbrellas with their small metal batons.

The area has become a flashpoint for ugly street brawls between students and mobs, including triads, or local gangsters, intent on

In the melee, Police used batons and scuffled violently with activists, but were eventually forced into a partial retreat, less than 24 hours after re-opening most of the area to traffic.

“Occupy Mong Kok!” a jubilant sea of several thousand people chanted afterwards. “We want real universal suffrage!” (Excerpt from Reuters)

WHO faulted for Ebola response failures

The World Health Organisation bungled efforts to halt the spread of Ebola in West Africa, an internal report has revealed, as US President Barack Obama named a trusted political adviser to take control of America’s response to the epidemic.

The WHO draft report, which was obtained by The Associated Press news agency on Friday, pointed to serious errors by an agency designated as the international community’s leader in coordinating response to outbreaks of disease.

Nearly everyone involved in the outbreak response failed to see some fairly plain writing on the wall.

fairly plain writing on the wall,” WHO said in the report.

“A perfect storm was brewing, ready to burst open in full force.”

The agency’s own bureaucracy was part of the problem, the report found.

It pointed out that the heads of its country offices in Africa are “politically motivated appointments” made by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, who does not answer to the agency’s chief in Geneva, Dr Margaret Chan.

grasp that traditional infectious disease containment methods would not work in a region with porous borders and broken health systems, the report found.

Its own experts failed to

The document – a timeline of the outbreak – found that WHO, an arm of the United Nations, missed chances to prevent Ebola from spreading soon after it was first diagnosed in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea last spring, blaming factors including incompetent staff and a lack of information.

“Nearly everyone involved in the outbreak response failed to see some

Dr Peter Piot, the co-discoverer of the Ebola virus, agreed that WHO acted far too slowly.

“It’s the regional office in Africa that’s the front line,” said Piot, interviewed at his office in London.

“And they didn’t do anything. That office is really not competent.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India tests first domestic cruise missile

India has test-fired its first domestically built nuclear-capable cruise missile as it seeks to build its military capabilities.

The “Nirbhay’, or “fearless”, missile was fired from a mobile launcher in

Chandipur in the eastern state of Orissa on Friday, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

A man identified as a senior Government official by the agency said the launch was “totally successful”.

The NDTV news network said the missile had a range of about 1000km.

The missile’s first testlaunch, in March 2013, had to be aborted midway after it veered off course.

In 2012, India successfully launched its nuclearcapable Agni V ballistic missile, which has a range of more than 5000 kilometres. Many of its missile systems have been developed with foreign cooperation. (Al Jazeera)

Death toll rises in Nepal avalanche area

Rescuers have widened their search for trekkers missing since a series of blizzards and avalanches battered the Himalayas in northern Nepal earlier this week, leaving at least 29 people killed.

The Government also announced on Friday the for-

mation of a high-level committee that would monitor and coordinate rescue efforts following criticism that officials were not doing enough to help hikers who have been spotted, but remain stranded along a popular trekking circuit.

A group of about 40 of the stranded trekkers tried

to start leaving the area on Friday, not realising it was still blocked.

The incident prompted the army rescuers to abandon their operation to find survivors from under the snow on another mountain in order to airlift the trekkers.

Al Jazeera’s Subina

Shrestha, reporting from Muktinath, said that authorities were not providing information to stranded trekkers. Authorities have rescued 78 trekkers from Mustang and 157 from the neighbouring Manang district since Wednesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The group attracted international condemnation with the April abduction of nearly 300 girls from a boarding school in northeast Chibok town. Dozens escaped but 219 remain missing

The report said the WHO’s own experts failed to grasp that traditional containment methods would not work [AP]

GT&T lights up Camp St for Diwali

By Bhisham mohamed

The Camp Street Avenue between Church and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, was illuminated on Friday evening as Guyanese ushered in the Festival of Lights (Diwali) which will be celebrated in Guyana on October 23.

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) and the Tourism Ministry. Those in attendance, including Ministers of Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps and special invitees, were all treated to a rich cultural programme comprising devotional songs and several dance pieces by the Ishara Dance Troupe. Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony emphasised that all Guyanese should light a diya to vanquish darkness. He also reflected on the significance of the festival that leads to prosperity, good health and wealth. The Minister told the gathering that in Guyana, the celebration of Diwali has gone beyond the boundaries of Hinduism, reflecting our multicultural, diverse society. “We have been transplanted from many continents, uprooted from those continents, transported

and transplanted here in Guyana, and we brought with us our culture which was not allowed to die.” He went on to say that throughout life, it is our hope to vanquish darkness and evil which has kept people going.

Dr Anthony further stated that Diwali is, more or less, overcoming darkness on the personal, community and ultimately, national levels. With a lighted diya, he reiterated that the nation will have an enlightened approach. “If we want to see development and growth … we must light a light at the national level as well, so that we can move forward as one people”, Minister Anthony posited.

Shine a light for unity

Sharing similar sentiments was acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who explained that “we owe the celebration of Diwali to our ancestors and to all those who have stood the test of time and those who have kept the wonderful cultures and religious attributes of Guyana together”.

From a tourism point of view, Ali added that the cultures have greatly impacted society and how citizens treat each other. As Guyana celebrates Diwali, he highlighted that the lighted diyas will ignite love, unity and a new resolve to build

Man to sit in jail for three years for narcotics possession

A34-year-old man of B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Friday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment along with a $10,000 fine for possession of narcotics.

Telly Morgan appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in the courtroom of Magistrate Judy Latchman.

He was found guilty as charged for the offence, which stated that on June 14, he had in his possession 22 grams of marijuana. On the day in question around

22:15h, acting on information, ranks from the Police Narcotics Branch conducted a search of Morgan and a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis was found in one of his pants pockets.

The matter was prosecuted by Police Inspector Joel Ricknauth, who informed the court that Morgan was previously convicted for cultivating prohibited plants.

The father of two was represented by Attorney-atLaw Dexter Todd throughout his trial.

(CIOG) programmes as it relates to Ramadan, Eidul-Fitr and the Met-enMeerzorg Islamic Academy”.

He explained that Diwali is a sacred occasion on the religious calendar for Hindus where people give expression to their happiness by lighting diyas

or lamps as a way of giving thanks for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, prosperity and peace. The significance of Diwali, he continued, is the removal of darkness and ignorance from the mind and filling it with goodness. The lighted lamps, he posited, shine not only to emanate light outward, but also in human hearts , so that we conquer our own pockets of darkness and embark upon the internal journey necessary for us , individually and collectively, to be the light of peace , justice and healing for our world.

(bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

Demerara Bank posts $2.5B in profits

a nation that is strong, free from rhetoric, and free from developmental stalls.

He also thanked GT&T for its continuous support of the various celebrations on the national calendar. Also speaking at the symbolic event was the Chief Executive Officer of the telecommunications company, Radha Krishna Sharma, who emphasised that religion is a key component of culture and personal identity.

On this note, he said that his company was perhaps distinctive in its embracing of the cultural traditions of our multiethnic, multi-religious society and facilitating the expression of these traditions through the sponsorship of diverse cultural events that enrich our plural society.

“It is a tradition over the years that we directly host a Christmas Cultural Programme with the distribution of thousands of gifts to children. This year we will be partnering with several Christian and childrencentric groups to ensure our Christmas cheer has wider national reach. Last month, we partnered with and made a commitment to annually support the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana

Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) has recorded another year of attaining a high-profit margin by making a whopping $2.544 billion in profit before tax in its financial year ended September 2014.

According to a statement released by the Bank, this remarkable performance reflects a 30 per cent increase over the previous year’s. The figure also represented a 29 per cent increase in the net profit. “DBL being the only fully-owned Guyanese bank and the youngest bank among all the commercial banks in Guyana, to reach a landmark of $2.544 billion in profit is really an outstanding achievement for the Bank,” it stated.

The Bank credited its performance to its deposit base, which it notes is at its highest with $45.6 billion; this reflects a 10 per cent increase over 2013. Additionally, Loans and Advances have increased from $18.6 billion to $22.4 billion, representing a growth of 20.8 per cent over last year. The Bank has maintained a constant investment rate at $20.8 billion. In addition, DBL disclosed that

Bartica boat accident

its total assets at the end of the 2014 financial year have been recorded at $55.8 billion compared to $49.8 billion from the previous year. Some $3.3 billion in interest was earned from loans and advances, and investments.

On the other hand, Gross Non-Performing Loans which was $1097 million in September 2013 was significantly reduced to $375 million this year, representing a decrease of 65.8 per cent. Nevertheless, the Bank’s excellent overall performance has resulted in shareholders’ earnings per share increasing by 28.8 per cent to $3.71 per share. Additionally, the net worth of the Bank has increased from $6.5 billion to $7.9 billion, this reflects a growth of 21.3 per cent from 2013. Furthermore, DBL will be celebrating 20 years of existence in the banking industry on November 21. Currently, the Bank has five branches, along with its head office, however plans are in the pipeline to expand the Bank’s network to include a spacious corporate office by early 2015.

In 2013, Demerara Bank Limited had recorded $1.957 billion before tax profits, representing an increase of 34.5.1 per cent over the previous year. Net profits had risen by 24.1 per cent. Meanwhile, in its mid-year financial report for 2014, the Bank had reported profit after taxation of $760.6 million compared to profit of $577.6 million in 2013, an increase of 32 per cent. The deposit base of the bank was $40.4 billion compared to $38.3 billion as on March 31.

The Bank in a release said significant improvements are reflected in the areas of loans and advances which increased to $19.7 billion from $16 billion, registering a rise of 23 per cent when compared to 2013, while investment increased to $19.1 billion from $18.1 billion. Demerara Bank’s total net assets for the halfyear totalled $49.5 billion compared with $45.7 billion at the end of March 2013. Its interest earned on income for the period under review totalled $1.6 billion, representing interest earned on both loans and advances and investments. This shows a rise of 23 per cent over the previous half-year.

“The solid performance over the last financial year was also due to the commitment and dedication of the chairman, directors of the board, management and staff of the Bank. Our major assets are our human capital. We continue to provide training at all levels at the Bank which will take us to greater heights in the future with an expanded network of branches,” DBL said.

Woman died of fractured skull, surviving captain on station bail

The 24-year-old woman who was tragically killed last Tuesday night in a boat accident at Bartica, Region Seven, died of a fractured skull.

This is according to a postmortem examination conducted by State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, on Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.

Lovina Braithwaite, of Foulmouth, Essequibo River, was killed after the boat, powered by a 15- horsepower engine, she was operating collided with another vessel being piloted by her neighbour, Brian Pollard. The mother of one sustained se-

vere head injuries and immediately died around 18:30h just offshore the Bartica boat house.

The other boat, with a 200 horsepower engine, reportedly ended up on top of her boat, pinning her down. Following the accident, Pollard was taken into custody; however, he was released on $100,000 station bail on Friday.

The brother of the dead woman, Savrey, said that they were not aware of her death at the time. He said that just after 19:00h on Tuesday, he received a call from his neighbour who asked him to transport her over to Bartica, because her husband had got

into an accident.

“That was all she tell me, so I take her over with my boat and is when we reach the hospital then I see my sister dead body,” the man recalled.

Boat operators in the area had opined that the accident might have been as a result of poor lighting in the river.

“She didn’t had no light and he didn’t had any and then there was none in the river either so maybe they didn’t see each other and crash into one another,” one operator had suggested.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times was made to understand that the families have agreed to monetary settle the matter. A relative disclosed

Pollard’s brother had agreed to cover all funeral expenses; however; he was not doing so to the satisfaction of the Braithwaite family.

“He went and chose a coffin that we do like without even consulting us and then he give $10,000 to buy her clothes, what that gone do? We had to use our money and buy proper for the girl,” the relative pointed out.

Additionally, the two families had settled that the Pollards will assist in maintaining Lovina’s nine-yearold son with an agreed sum of $20,000 per month. A legal agreement was prepared to document this.

Demerara Bank Limited

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds shares a light moment with GT&T Chief Executive Officer Radha Krishna Sharma; Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

West Indies in India 2014-15...

The WICB has said it was left with no option but to "discontinue" the tour of India after the players had informed the board through the team management that they would be returning back to the Caribbean.

"The WICB clarifies that players in the West Indies Squad currently in India represented by Mr Dwayne Bravo indicated to the WICB through the West Indies Team Management that the players have taken a decision to withdraw their services for the remainder of the tour of India," the release said. "As a result of this action by the players, the WICB was left with no option but to advise the BCCI that it will no longer be able to provide a West Indies team for the remaining five matches (5th ODI, T20 International, three Test matches)."

The WICB directors have called for an emergency board meeting on October 21 in Barbados to decide all the "ramifications" arising of the players pullout and take any actions if necessary. The WICB did not rule out penalising players but such actions would be dis-

cussed at Tuesday's meeting.

After the players' decision had become public as soon as the fourth ODI in Dharamsala had start-

es between players and West Indies Players Association (WIPA) over the payment dispute lead to such a crisis.

Although it had issued a short release earlier in the

'We were left with no option' – WICB

in Caribbean and India.

Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies ODI Captain, and his players for the "premature" end to the tour.

The WICB said it did think of sending a replace-

ed, BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel issued a bluntly-worded media release, holding the WICB responsible for what he called as an "abrupt" termination of the tour. Patel pointed out that the WICB's inability to resolve the growing differenc-

day stating the WICB did not play any role in the tour being called off, the board issued a 10-point media release late Friday afternoon Caribbean time after an emergency teleconference of its directors. In it the WICB pointed the fingers back at

India v West Indies, 4th ODI, Dharamsala…

Ajinkya Rahane was timing the ball superbly at the other end, caressing full deliveries both sides of the wicket. West Indies tried bowling wide with a packed off-side field, but he disturbed those plans by stepping out and going leg side.

The stand had grown to 70 in the 12th over when Russell combined pace with bounce and Dhawan, not for the first time, top-edged an awkward hook to the deep.

West Indies had an opportunity to claw back further in Russell's next over, but Jerome Taylor spilled a simple chance at fine leg off another top-edged hook, reprieving Rahane on 38. Kohli, at Number 4, had made his first 50 across Tests and ODIs since February in the previous game. Back

at his usual Number 3 position today, he had his ODIautopilot mode on from ball one, to which he leaned forward solidly and pushed a single to cover. There was some turn and bounce for the spinners, and Kohli wasn't going to go after anything unless it was too wide or short. He and Rahane collected 72 at just under five an over without taking any risk, and it took an incorrect leg-before decision against Rahane, on 68, to break the partnership.

India were 142 for two when Rahane went in the 27th over. Kohli and Raina nearly doubled that with a 138-run stand that took 108 balls.

West Indies had gone overboard with the short ball; they weren't going to

hold back against Raina. But even he wasn't troubled with their half-hearted, predictable offerings as he swiped and pulled five sixes on way to 71 off 58.

Raina and Kohli collected 52 off the batting Powerplay, and India took 94 off the last ten overs as West Indies, who had been threatening to do so all the time, completely lost it in the field. The dropped chances, overthrows and misfields piled up.

Kohli reached his hundred on an overthrow off his 101st delivery, and he and MS Dhoni were both put down in the same over. Kohli ended with 127 off 114.

Samuels responded with 112 off 106 and was last man out as the rest crumbled around him, despite the considerable dew soaking the

ment West Indies team, but that was "not considered acceptable" to the BCCI. "The WICB is understanding of this position," the release said. The WICB took the opportunity to "unreservedly" apologise to the BCCI, the sponsors and the fans both

Kohli century sets up series win

outfield in the cool mountain weather. Samuels was peppered with bouncers, especially by Mohammed Shami, when he came in but he survived and hit back with the odd boundary before taking 47 off the 29 deliveries he faced from Ravindra Jadeja.

Jadeja went for two for 80 from nine overs, while the second left-arm spinner in the XI, Akshar Patel, returned two for 26 from ten. Akshar conceded just one boundary from his quota, and broke the 56-run third-wicket stand between Samuels and Darren Bravo, who fell for a steady 40.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had tied up the top order with prodigious swing under lights. Kieron Pollard, promoted to Number 3, could not put bat to ball, unable to figure out

But the BCCI was completely unapologetic as it bared its angst in a second media release, issued late Friday evening India time. The release was once again signed by Patel, where he listed a timeline of the events about the WICB President Dave Cameron's communications with BCCI. Cameron's various unfulfilled promises about providing an assurance that the dispute would have no repercussion on the India tour, Patel said, "makes it clear all along that the WICB was withdrawing its team if a resolution was not reached in the issue with the players."

But the WICB defended its position. "The WICB clarifies further that as a result of postulations by the players, the tour was under a cloud of uncertainty from the inception. The WICB, acting prudently, advised the host board – BCCI – of the developments and remained in constant contact to provide updates as to the threat of possible player action."

The WICB also revealed a delegation lead by its CEO Michael Muirhead along

with Julian Charles (the cricket committee chairman) and WIPA president and CEO Wavell Hinds was supposed to be in India on October 20 to negotiate with the players. "The WICB regrets that the delegation which was pre-scheduled to travel to India to meet with the players on a number of issues will no longer be able to conduct such meeting at which the intention was also to discuss the concerns of the players.

"This meeting was scheduled prior to any issues being raised with the new MOU/CBA and it was intended to acquaint all the parties of how it would roll out. This was necessary as the WICB did not have an opportunity to so do in the Caribbean due to the logistical challenges of assembling all the players prior to departure for the tour of India (some of the players were already in India participating in the Champions League). The WICB CEO, Mr Muirhead and WIPA President/CEO Mr Hinds had been in negotiations with regard to finding a mutually agreeable position to allow for the full tour to be completed."

which way it was swinging. When Bhuvneshwar ended Pollard's crawl on six off 31, West Indies were 27 for two in 11 overs. West Indies kept

losing wickets, and though Russell powered 46 off 23 at Number 8, they had already slipped too far behind on the asking-rate. (Cricinfo) saturday,

Marlon Samuels made his second century of the series

West Indies players stood united behind captain Dwayne Bravo ahead of the announcement that the tour of India was being abandoned © BCCI

from back page

Carib Beer 20/20 cricket in Berbice…

Young Warriors and Universal Solution Bermine advanced to playoffs

Young Warriors and Universal Solution

Bermine both won their final Zone B preliminary matches to end up as winners and runners-up respectively of that zone and in the process advanced to the last playoffs of the 2014 Carib Beer First Division T/20 Cricketer Competition in Berbice.

In Zone A, West Berbice made very light work of D’Edward to end up as winners of that Zone, while Bush Lot Rising Star beat Blairmont Community Center by three runs in the other preliminary round game.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played:

At Albion, Universal Solutions Bermine beat Police by six wickets. Police 130-6 in 20 overs. (Brentnol Woolford 49, Albert Sinclair 28, Jeremy Gordon 4-19). Universal Solutions Bermine 132-4 in 19.2 overs (Devon Clements 55 not out, Damien Vantull 31 not out, Wayne Richards 2-24, Kurt Griffith 2-27).

At Cumberland, Young Warriors beat Edinburgh

Devon Clements

by six wickets. Edinburgh 110-9 off 20 overs (Joseph Gidding 32, Shawn Baksh 29, Vishal Mohabir 3-18, Kevin Ramdeen 2-11, Linden Austin 2-15). Young Warriors 115-4 in 12.5 overs (Seon Hetmyer 39, Shimron Hetmyer 27, Vishal Mohabir 25 not out, Zaheer Hussain 3-26).

At D’Edward, West Berbice beat D’Edward by 99 runs. West Berbice 1737 in 20 overs (Keith Fraser 57, Arthley Bailey 42, Steffon Adams 32, Lakeraj Sookra 5-24, Christian

France 2-19). D”Edward 74 in 16 overs (Lakeraj Sookra 22, Krishendat Ramoo 3-6, Steffon Adams 3-12).

At Blairmont, Bush Lot Rising Star beat Blairmont Community Centre by three runs. Bush Lot Rising Star 87-8 in 20 overs (Keyron Fraser 21, Ravindra Somwaru 3-17, Adim Shoetahal 3-9, Shabbir Baksh 2-12). Blairmont 84 for 7 in 20 overs with Zamin Inshan 21, Akeem Miller 3-11, Ram Sankar 2-2).

Kalladeen elected President of EBDCA

Anand Kalladeen, the former Treasurer of the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA), was elected to serve as the new President of the association for the forthcoming year 2014/15 when that entity held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at the Providence Community Centre, East Bank Demerara. Kalladeen replaces Rohan Sarjoo, who has served out his five consecutive years at the helm. The constitution of the EBDCA restricts the President and the Treasurer from holding Office for more than five consecutive years.

"Fishy" wins Stage 3 of ‘Ride for Life’

– Greaves in pole position

Despite being down with Dengue Fever since last week, Guyana’s Marlon "Fishy" Williams took top honours in Stage Three of the ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage cycling meet, but compatriot Alanzo Greaves is the new overall race leader heading in to today’s penultimate stage.

Friday’s third leg was held from Wales to Parika with Williams winning in just under an hour, stopping the clock at 59 minutes, 32 seconds. Team Alanis’ Paul DeNobrega rode in second, followed by USA-based Guyanese Scott Savoury, Carlton Wheelers’ Robin Persaud, Continental’s Geron Williams and Roraima Bikers Club’s Alanzo Greaves in that order.

A total of 36 riders started the third stage, a significant drop from the 56 who lined up for the first stage at Corriverton on Thursday morning.

Team Coco’s withdrawal at the end of the second stage would have played a major role in the decrease, as they had entered a strong 13-member team. The Team pulled out of the event, citing ongoing injus-

tices by race officials, the most recent of which was the alleged deduction of 30 seconds after they were adjudged to have been in breach of race rules.

The team has announced that it will not be participating in future cycling events in Guyana.

Meanwhile, at the end of three stages, former champion Greaves is the overall leader with a time of five hours, 01 minute, 13 seconds (05h: 01m: 13s). The top 10 is an all Guyanese line-up, comprising riders who are living in Guyana and others who are based overseas.

Robin Persaud and Geron Williams share the same time (05h: 01m: 19s), followed by Marlon Williams (05h: 02m: 45s), Paul DeNobrega (05h: 03m: 59s), Scott Savoury (05h: 04m: 29s), Horace Burrowes (05h: 05m: 12s), Paul Choo Wee Nam (05h: 05m: 12s), Michael Anthony (05h: 05m: 12s) and Shaquille Agard (05h: 11m: 12s).

The penultimate stage will be held today from 07:30h from Supenaam and end at Suddie, while the final leg will take place from Linden to Homestretch Avenue, starting at 08:00h.

Sarjoo and Johnny Azeez have been elected to be Kalladeen’s Vice Presidents, while Mohamed Baksh is the Secretary, Sewnarine Kallicharran the Treasurer, Rakesh Gangaram the Assistant Secretary and Eric Sukrah the Assistant Treasurer.

Gangaram is the Chairman of the Competitions Committee, while the Marketing Manager is Raj Singh. The Committee Members are Alvin Rambaran, Ronald Jaisingh, K Barker, Jermaine Ramroop and Julian Mohabir, while John Ramsingh is the Public Relations Officer.

The new Executive

Committee had its first Statutory Executive meeting on October 2 at which the several SubCommittees were appointed.

Chairman Raj Singh heads Marketing and Fundraising, which includes Sarjoo, Kallicharran and Azeez, while Rambaran and Kalladeen make up the Disciplinary Committee. The persons in charge of Cricket Development are Sarjoo, Mohabir, Kalladeen and Rambaran, while the Selection representatives to the Demerara Cricket Board are Azeez and Sarjoo with Barker and Gangaram being the Alternates.

McDowell knocked out of World Match Play Championship

Defending champion Graeme McDowell failed to make the knock-out stages of the World Match Play Championship after a two-hole defeat by Joost Luiten.

Needing to finish in the top two of his four-man group, Northern Ireland's McDowell was three up after eight.

But Dutchman Luiten picked up three birdies in his final four holes to move into Saturday's quarter-finals.

Wales' Jamie Donaldson, who secured the winning Ryder Cup point, and Englishman Paul Casey also failed to progress.

The 16 competitors, divided into four groups of four, played three matches each on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The quarter-finals take place on Saturday, with the semi-finals and final to follow on Sunday.

After losing to Mikko Ilonen on Thursday, McDowell knew only a win over Luiten would definitely take him through.

Birdies on the sixth, seventh and eighth took him three clear but they were level again by the 12th and Luiten secured the win with an impressive finish.

Luiten now faces Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, while American Patrick Reed takes on South Africa's George Coetzee, Frenchman Victor Dubuisson meets Mikko Ilonen of Finland and Swedes Henrik Stenson and Jonas Blixt also

face each other in the last eight. Casey and Blixt halved their match, with both men shooting rounds of 62. Level on points from their three matches, they went to extra holes to decide on the head to head who would progress from the Mark McCormack group in second place behind Patrick Reed.

But on the first, Casey put his approach shot into the water and Blixt won through with a par five.

Reed had already earned his place in the quarter-finals with a 3 and 2 victory over Welshman Donaldson.

World number five Stenson, the highest ranked player left in the tournament, holed with his approach shot on the 17th to ensure his progress with a two-hole win over Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee. (BBCSport)

Jeremy Gordon

Anand Kalladeen (seated centre) is flanked by members of the EBDCA executive

Following the withdrawal of Team Coco’s, Ruben Companioni (right) has been displaced as race leader by Alanzo Greaves (left) following the completion of Stage Three on Friday

Graeme McDowell

Lehmann locked in until 2017

Darren Lehmann has been rewarded for his positive impact on Australia's performance with a one-year extension to his contract as head coach.

Lehmann was installed on the eve of last year's Ashes series in England when Cricket Australia made the dramatic last-minute decision to sack Mickey Arthur, and while an Ashes defeat was the immediate outcome, Australia have been on the rise since then.

A 5-0 clean-sweep at home returned the urn in the Australian summer, before Michael Clarke's men travelled to South Africa and won 2-1 earlier this year, putting them temporarily back on top of the ICC Test rankings. It has been a remarkable turnaround from early 2013, when Australia virtually imploded both off the field and on it in India, where they were crushed 4-0 and four players suffered the ignominy of being suspended during the homework saga.

Lehmann was originally contracted until June 2016 but Cricket Australia's confidence in him has now encouraged them to lock him in for another year, until the end of June 2017. The move came during a rare off season spent largely at home, during which Lehmann and Cricket Australia had the chance to look back on a largely successful period since the Ashes in England.

"After the [World] T20 in Bangladesh we had some time off, reflection time to see where we needed to improve more so than anything else," Lehmann said. "It was an upand-down 12 months. It was a great back end obviously but we certainly changed the way we went about things on and

off the ground. From our point of view we've made strides but we're also looking to improve."

So far, they have done that. The home Ashes triumph would alone have been enough to make Cricket Australia's CEO James Sutherland and team performance manager Pat Howard pleased with their decision, but the added bonus of victory in South Africa topped it off nicely.

Howard said Lehmann's success as coach had stemmed

Importantly it provides continuity for the team and certainty for Darren heading into a critical period for Australian cricket."

Lehmann's relaxed, inclusive style has been apparent from the outset. While preparing for a warm-up game against Somerset last year, shortly after being handed the job, he called the team together, asked for the stop-watch to be started, and declared that no team meeting during his

in part from his off-field approach.

"We have been extremely pleased with the results Darren has achieved with the team since he came on board," Howard said. "He has helped create an excellent team environment that has seen players thrive.

"We want that to continue so we used the winter period to work through an extension to his current contract.

tenure would ever go longer than 30 minutes. After that, it was off to the pub.

In the words of opener Chris Rogers, it was a moment in which the players realised that they could enjoy their cricket again, and that the weight was off their shoulders. Lehmann has also been known to deliver a serve for a loose shot or silly decision, but he himself said the major change he had noted in

the Australian setup since he came on board was in the atmosphere of the squad.

"I think the togetherness of the group as a whole, support staff and players, the way we all get on so well with the families and look after each other outside the game," Lehmann said. "They're all really talented cricketers and we've got some great people involved in the game. That's been the biggest stride."

On the field, he has engendered an attacking approach which comes naturally to many of the Australians, but might have been forgotten at times in the pre-Lehmann era. Not that his captains across all three formats need much encouraging.

"I was quite an aggressive player myself and I've got a captain [Michael Clarke] who is quite aggressive. George [Bailey] is aggressive, Finchy is aggressive, so with Clarke it makes it quite a bit easier to implement an aggressive plan. That's the pleasing thing is the captains have been on board and that's what you need."

The immediate goal for Lehmann and Clarke is to continue their improvement away from home, after winning in South Africa. The first Test in Dubai begins on Wednesday and Australia can return to the No.1 ranking if they win 2-0.

"We've certainly got to improve our skill level away from home," Lehmann said. "We did that well in South Africa. But it's only the start of the tour here away and we didn't have the result in Zimbabwe we would have liked. So we've got to keep improving away from home, first and foremost." (Cricinfo)

West Indies call off tour, Sri Lanka to play 5 ODIs

In an extraordinary turn of events, the West Indies cricket team on Friday pulled out of the remaining part of its India tour in the wake of an acrimonious ongoing pay dispute with their Board, prompting a livid BCCI to rope in Sri Lanka for a fivematch ODI series.

The aggrieved Caribbean players were persuaded to take the field for the fourth ODI but have conveyed their decision to call off the remaining part of tour to the BCCI, which is now contemplating legal action against the visitors.

“The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has informed the BCCI of its decision to cancel the rest of its ongoing tour to India because of a dispute with its players, and has advised the BCCI that its players will return home immediately,” BCCI Secretary Sanjay Patel said.

“The reason given by WICB is that there were internal issues among their boys. The BCCI will be going to ICC and planning to sue the WICB and claim for damages. We will not take this lying down as we have cooperated with them in every aspect,” Patel said.

“The BCCI is shocked and extremely disappointed at the decision taken by the WICB.

The WICB’s inability to resolve internal issues with its players and allowing the same to affect an ongoing bilateral series does not reflect well on any of those involved. The withdrawal gives little thought to the future of the game, the players and the long standing relations between the BCCI and the WICB,” a strongly-worded statement from the BCCI said.

Hours after the sudden development, the BCCI managed to persuade Sri Lanka to play a five-match ODI series, which is likely to be held from November 1 to 15.

A top BCCI official said that it was deiced to play only the ODIs, keeping in mind the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“Scheduling a Test series at such a short notice would have been difficult for us since the team has to leave for Australia shortly. So it was decided to have an ODI series, which will help the team for the World Cup,” the official said.

Venues which were deprived of the matches –Kolkata, Cuttack, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad – are likely to be alloted the One-dayers. The BCCI will announce the fixtures in the next few days.

The BCCI made it clear that the decision to pull out

was taken unilaterally by the West Indies Board and its players inspite of several appeals to them to honour the commitment.

“The BCCI wishes to inform all its stakeholders, especially ardent fans of the Indian cricket team, that this is a unilateral decision taken by the WICB and its players, in spite of several appeals to the WICB to honour its commitment and complete the series,” Patel said.

“The BCCI will pursue all options available to protect its rights, whilst seeking appropriate action from the ICC to ensure that its interests and those of the game at large will not suffer any damage due to such acts of indiscretion,” he said.

“It was only after my persuasion they agreed to play today’s match. They were hell bent on not to play and leave for home tomorrow,” BCCI Joint Secretary Anurag Thakur said.

The West Indies were scheduled to play one more ODI in Kolkata on Monday and a Twenty20 in Cuttack on October 22.

They were also scheduled to play three Test matches in Hyderabad (October 30-November 3), Bangalore (November 7-11) and

Gatlin not on shortlist for IAAF World Athlete of the Year

The 32-year-old, who has served two doping bans, was one of 10 contenders for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) award.

But high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie and Dennis Kimetto, the world marathon record holder, are the three finalists.

Lord Coe was among those to criticise Gatlin's inclusion on the 10-man list.

The British double Olympic champion, an IAAF vice-chairman, said he had "big problems" with the nomination.

Gatlin has this year run the fastest 100 metre and 200 metre by a man in his thirties.

The 2004 Olympic 100 metrechampion failed drugs tests in 2001 and 2006, the second of which initially brought him an eight-year ban that was halved on appeal.

His return in 2011 was greeted with widespread unease.

And recent research by the University of Oslo, which found athletes could still be benefiting from having taken banned substances long after their suspensions expire, brought fresh focus on Gatlin's performances.

Dai Greene, Britain's 2011 400 metre hurdles world champion, said: "Gatlin is over the hill as far as sprinting is concerned – he should never be running these times for the 100 metre and 200 metre.

Ahmedabad (November 1519). The repercussion of the

tance by the players of the unreasonable terms and conditions put forward to us by WICB. They had said it was not an acceptance of the purported new Memorandum of Understanding, Bravo had

Dwayne

© BCCI

Caribbean players’ move to abandon the tour could have long term implications as many of the them are popular players in India and play in the cash-rich IPL, owned by the BCCI.

The crisis broke out on the eve of the first ODI in Kochi when the players threatened to boycott the match in protest against the contract, handed out to them by the WICB.

Although the players competed in that match, they had made it clear that their decision should not in any way be construed as an accep-

it was

said in a letter to Players’ Association chief Wavell Hinds.

“The Players will not accept any agreement it has had no input in, did not give its consent to and which would infringe on its rights. We reserve all of our rights and intend to seek independent advice so as to establish the players best course of action,” the letter said.

The new contracts would see Caribbean players’ pay go down by approximately 75 per cent. The contracts were given to the players after they

Qatari Barshim, 23, took gold at the World Indoor Championships in March, while Frenchman Lavillenie, 28, broke the pole vault world record in February and won gold at the European Championships.

Kenyan Kimetto, 30, broke the world marathon record last month in Berlin.

The women's shortlist comprises New Zealand's Valerie Adams, 30, who won Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold in the shot put, Ethiopian 3000 metre runner Genzebe Dibaba, 23, and Dutch sprinter and heptathlete Dafne Schippers, 22. (BBCSport)

"But he's still doing it, and you have to look at his past and ask how it is still affecting him now, because the average person wouldn't be able to do that."

reached India.

The players are also disgruntled with the West Indies Players Association president and Chief Executive Wavell Hinds for agreeing to the terms without consulting them.

According to reports, the players claimed Hinds “hoodwinked” them and did not take their inputs while signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with West Indies Cricket Board last month, under which they would suffer a significant cut in their pay.

As per the new MoU, the players “understand” their Test, ODI and T20 fees “have been decreased by 75 per cent“; that they will receive “no compensation for the use of our rights. That has been decreased by 100 per cent“; and their ICC fees have been “decreased by close to 100 per cent“.

The players said they were being kept in the dark about the “purported agreement”. Bravo and his team-mates insisted that they want the old structure back as the new one is “significantly different from what we received in the past.”

This is not first time that the players are locked in a pay dispute with the WICB. The players have threatened to go on strike in those instances as well but have ultimately come around after hectic negotiations. (The Hindu)

Darren Lehmann helped revive Mitchell Johnson's career which has been key to Australia's rise

American sprinter Justin Gatlin has not made the three-man shortlist for the World Athlete of the Year

Bravo said at the toss that

"time to make a decision"

PAGES

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Jenson Button is considering a switch to the world endurance championship should he fail to land a competitive Formula 1 seat for next season.

Sources say the McLaren driver, 34, has had talks with Porsche, for whom former F1 racer Mark Webber drives.

McLaren are waiting for an answer from their main target, Fernando Alonso, before finalising their driver line-up.

Button is only interested in remaining in F1 if he can secure a competitive car, his manager Richard Goddard said.

F1 grid. So he either gets a competitive car in F1 or he goes to get one elsewhere."

from Red Bull to replace him.

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McLaren are the only big team still to finalise their line-up. They have not decided whether to retain Button or his team-mate Kevin Magnussen alongside Alonso if the Spaniard decides to join McLaren rather than take a year out of F1 in the hope of securing a Mercedes drive in 2016.

Goddard said: "McLaren aren't sure what they're doing and what their line-up will be. That's pretty obvious.

"Anyone who has a race seat available would like to have Jenson in it.

"Jenson is still focused on F1 but would only want to be in one of the top teams. So we're always open to talking to anyone."

Goddard described the world endurance championship as a "formidable series that is gaining strength".

He added: "It is a very credible race series to compete in.

"Jenson is an incredibly competitive racing driver who wants to race. He's too good to sit at the back of the

Button has scored nearly double Magnussen's points this year. The Dane's qualifying pace has impressed –he leads Button by nine to seven in his rookie season –but his weaker performance in races is a concern for the team.

It is conceivable that Button, the 2009 world champion, may end up taking the matter out of McLaren's hands.

Button could find himself in a position where he has a strong offer on the table from Porsche or another team and has to demand an answer from McLaren.

If McLaren are at that point unable to guarantee him a drive in F1, Button may decide that a switch to the world endurance championship is too good an opportunity to miss.

Alonso is leaving Ferrari two years before the end of his contract, having secured a release from the team at his request.

Ferrari have not yet officially confirmed the 33-yearold's departure, or their signing of Sebastian Vettel

But their former president, Luca Di Montezemolo confirmed on Italian television this week that Alonso was to leave the team. Vettel will partner Kimi Raikkonen, who still has at least a year on his Ferrari contract to run, while Red Bull have promoted Daniil Kvyat from junior team Toro Rosso.

Alonso's preferred option is to join Mercedes, but Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are both under contract to the new world champions in 2015.

Hamilton's contract is up for renewal at the end of next season, but Mercedes have made clear their desire to secure a new deal with him.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has said they will not sit down and talk about a new contract with Hamilton until after the end of the season, once the drivers' title battle is settled.

Alonso is hoping those talks hit trouble, but sources say the likelihood of him joining McLaren appears to have increased in recent days. (BBC Sport)

Murray progresses to last four at Vienna Open

Andy Murray moved a step closer to qualification for the World Tour Finals in London by defeating Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff at the Vienna Open.

The 27-year-old Briton continued his pursuit of ranking points with a 6-2 7-5 win to set up a semi-final with Serbian Viktor Troicki on Saturday.

Murray, 10th in the race to London, is competing in Austria alongside Spain's David Ferrer, who is ninth.

The top eight players qualify for the season-ending tournament.

Should Murray win the Vienna Open, he will move into eighth place with tournaments in Valencia and Paris to come.

After twice breaking serve on his way to comfortably claiming the first set, Murray found himself 3-1 down in the second before rallying to a 6-5 lead and sealing the win with an ace on his second serve.

"I had to play well to win and fight to get through," said Murray. "My game was more consistent than in the previous round. I was able to change up the rhythm."

Ferrer, 32, set up a semi-final against Philipp Kohlschreiber by defeating Croatian world number 29 Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

Germany's Kohlschreiber defeated countryman Benjamin Becker 6-4 7-6 (74), while world number 137 Troicki defeated Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 to earn his spot in the last four.

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and US Open champion Marin Cilic have already secured their places in the World Tour Finals, to be held from November 9-16 at the O2 Arena.

Bulgaria's Grigor Dmitrov and Czech Thomas Berdych, who both reached the Stockholm Open semi-finals on Friday, are also in contention for a place. Dmitrov defeated Jack Sock of the United States 5-7 6-4 6-3 and will next play Australian Bernard Tomic, while Berdych beat Romania's Marius Copil 6-2 6-2 and faces German Matthias Bachinger. Murray's chances of qualifying for the World Tour Finals were boosted by defeat for Wimbledon semi-finalist Milos Raonic of Canada in round two of the Kremlin Cup in Moscow on Thursday. (BBCSport)

SerVIceS

VacaNcIeS

Jenson Button

Andy Murray

Letter to the sport editor Courts Pee Wee action continues today

– defending champion St Puis still hunting first win

B

The annu -

al Courts/Petra Organisation’s Pee Wee football competition is slated to continue today with 12 exciting games at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park, with action kicking off at 10:00h. With two matches being played simultaneously, the day’s activities should finish at approximately 14:30h by which time the schools will know their standing heading into the fourth round next Saturday.

While the action has been riveting and new talents have been born, it has not been smooth sailing for defending champion St Pius, who, after two rounds, is still searching for that maiden victory in this year’s competition.

The 2013 champions have been held to two drawn encounters, 1-1 against JE Burnham on the opening day and nilall against St Angela’s last week. The players would no doubt be eager to turn a new page today and get their campaign on solid footing, as several

other schools have an unblemished record to date.

When action commences at 10:00h, former champion Marian Academy will take on North Georgetown, while Winfer Gardens will trade skills with Stella Maris. The two games at 10:45h will see FE Pollard playing St Pius and JE Burnham tackling St Angela’s. At 11:30h, St Margaret’s and South Ruimveldt will go headto-head, while St Ambrose will confront Smith’s Memorial, before Tucville

collide with St Stephen’s and St Gabriel’s square off with Thomas Moore at 12:15h.

Success Academy and East La Penitence will take the field at 13:00h, alongside Ketley and Enterprise, while the final pair of games will bring together West Ruimveldt and Comenius and Green Acres and Redeemer.

The tournament is a collaborative effort of Courts (Guyana) Inc, Banks DIH Limited, the Education Ministry and the Petra Organisation.

BBCI donates trophies Number 8 Primary School

The Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) has donated two trophies to the Number 8 Primary School for its Annual Inter-House Sports.

The trophies were handed over on October 7 by BBCI Administrative Supervisor, Amarnauth Singh.

The company in a release said it was privileged to have the opportunity to donate the trophies to the school and will continue to donate and sponsor other events that would benefit the institution and the students.

The BBCI said it not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor opening and under the high span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly, plays an integral part in the development of education and sport.

The company has also supported national events and made donations to charitable and non-charitable organisations in proximity of the bridge or in Region Five and Six. The company had also sponsored events in other regions, stretching as far as the hinterland.

WI cricket problems must be resolved issue as expeditiously as possible

Dear Editor,

It is only a few days ago I wrote that the West Indies cricket was in turmoil, but it seems as if from the move by the players before the commencement of the fourth ODI in Dharamsala not to continue to play until the financial issue is resolved forced the cancellation of the remainder games of the tour.

This move angered the Indian cricket authorities and blamed both the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as well as the players and their bargaining agent the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and hurriedly invited Sri Lanka to send a team to play a few ODI games both to regain some of the revenue and to satisfy the cricketing public in that sub continent.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is furious and has issued a statement saying that "the withdrawal gives little thought to the future of the game, the players and the longstanding relations between the BCCI and the WICB"

However, three hours later the WICB released its own statement via Facebook denying the BCCI's claim while the players are united in their stand contending that they were shabbily treated by the WICB and WIPA President Wavell Hinds, did not act in their interest and never consulted them before entering into the Memorandum of Understanding.

Former West Indies speedster Michael Holding, a world known commentator, said that "I have never seen anything like tis happen in the past and I do not understand". In 2009 the WIPA and WICB were involved in a similar dispute when 13 players went on strike and missed a two-Test series.

The move by ODI skipper Dwayne Bravo was even more daring because drastic action was taken in an overseas country in the midst of a series.The big question can the financial dispute be resolved in time for the South African tour.

Would there be animosity between the players and the WICB? Some critics feel that the players acted too rashly and placed emphasis on money rather than the sport. Some fans also feel that the cricketers should improve their performance before demanding more remuneration.

Meanwhile, the WICB should take full blame for not intervening in the dispute between the players and the President of WIPA.

Cricket which is the main medium for West Indies unity is now in shambles and every effort should be made by all concerned, even the Caribbean Community (CariCom), to resolve the issue as expeditiously as possible.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

GTTA names IGG team

The Guyana Table

Tennis Association (GTTA) has named a four member squad for the second leg of the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) set to start from October 23 in Suriname.

The squad will comprise of four active players along with two standby players; of the active players the team will be split evenly into male and female.

The male squad will feature; Kyle Edghill, Elishaba Johnson and the standby Kevon Corbin. The female team will comprise of Priscilla Greaves, Selenas Jackman and standby Anjelina Persaud. Meanwhile the GTTA is getting ready to host the Digicel school table tennis tournament scheduled for October 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The event is expected to highlight some of the nation’s top talent while unearthing new talent in the sport. The tournament will have five categories in the under11, 13, 15 and 18 categories, there will also be a novice category included. The tournament is expected to last until November 2.

The St Pius boys have not been as jubilant as they were in 2013

Priscilla Greaves

Amarnauth Singh, Administrative Supervisor, BBCI handing over two trophies to Number 8 Primary School towards the School’s Annual Inter-House Sports

18 players identified for ‘Pay for Play’

–

physical assessment and practice sessions commence on Monday

Cricket Guyana Inc has identified 18 players who will be eligible for selection under the “Pay for Play” criteria in the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League’s (PCL) Regional Four-Day and NAGICO Super50 Tournaments.

The players identified are: Zaheer Mohamed, Raun Johnson, Anthony Adams, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Amir Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Steven Jacobs, Kemo Paul, Kevon Boodie, Gudakesh Motie, Ricardo Adams, Jason Sinclair, Kemol Savory, Jonathan Foo, Royston Crandon, Raj Nanan, Kandasammy Surujnarine, and Rajiv Ivan.

The non-contacted players will be a part of the physical assessment and practice sessions commencing on Monday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

The non-contracted players are still eligible for selection to the Guyana Jaguars, since a contact does not guarantee that the player will play in all the games, since performances and fitness will be the key.

The Guyana Jaguars 15-man squad reads: Devendra Bishoo, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson, Veerasammy Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Trevon Griffith, Barbadian all-rounder Raymond Reifer, Rajendra Chandrika, Vishaul Singh Keon Joseph and Paul Wintz.

Meanwhile, a release from Cricket Guyana Inc indicated that preparation exercises for the 2014/2015 Regional Tournaments will commence on Monday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.

Training activities will first focus on the Physical Fitness assessment of players on October 20-21 from 08:00h to 12:00h.

Thereafter players will enjoy two days of rest before engaging in practice activities from October 2426, 09:00h to 13:30h prior to two 4-Day practice matches, October 27-30 and November 4-7, respectively.

Players are reminded that the selectors are authorised to choose players from outside of the selected Franchise 15 should the

7's league final set for pulsating finish

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will host the final of the Golden Brook/ Windjammer Seven’s Rugby league today at the National Park Rugby Field from 16:00h. The final will feature two top teams in the Yamaha Caribs and the University of Guyana (UG)

Wolves battling for supremacy.

The last time the two teams met, the UG wolves were able to out play the Caribs for a thrilling win to claim the Banks DIH sevens title.

However, the Caribs see the final of the seven’s league going in their favour as Captain Theodore Henry explained his team has analysed their mistakes of the Banks final and will be aiming to win the league while stamping their authority on new comers in UG Wolves.

UG believes contrary as their captain Ryan Dey highlighted that they have already defeated the Caribs and can surely do it again.

Meanwhile in third place action which will kick off the action before the final, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will take on the Pepsi Hornets that should whet the appetites of the fans in attendance.

need arise. As such, while as a general rule the selected Franchise 15 will be given selection priority, failure of a member or members of that select group to meet Players’ Appraisal acceptable standards, will render them invalid for selection.

As such, all players requested for participation in these activities are expected to attend training with a

view for selection during the 2014/2015 regional season. Those not in the selected 15 who gain selection during the said season, shall fall into the category of “Pay for Play.”

The measures of analysis for Players’ Appraisal which comprise higher levels of objectivity than subjective tools shall include but are not limited to atten-

dance, activity punctuality, uniformity, self-analysis (strengths and weaknesses), contribution to player analysis (team mates and opponents), individual and teamwork ethics, effective match applicable, compliance to WICB Code of Conduct for Players’ and Officials and the likes.

The training squad would be put through their

Hyles and a GDF trainer. It must be noted, that Raymond Reifer will go through his physical fitness assessment on November 1 and 2, when he joins the squad.

tests and training by Head Coach Esaun Crandon assisted by a technical team consisting of Albert Smith, Reyon Griffith, Michael

Zaheer Mohamed Raun Johnson

Anthony Adams Amir Khan

Chanderpaul Hemraj

Theodore Henry

Virat Kohli cracked his 20th ODI hundred, Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane made fifties as India comfortably downed a seemingly eager-to-leave West Indies in Dharamsala.

The news that West Indies' tour had been cut short due to the players' payment dispute with their board broke during India's innings, and the visitors backed that

GDF new champs of ISAAC

up with shoddy fielding and bowling performances.

Marlon Samuels overcame a struggle of a start to make his seventh ODI century, but barring Andre Russell's belated and brief blitz, the rest of the line-up sank after India had racked up 330. India took the five-match series 2-1, with the third ODI washed out by a cyclone and the fifth cancelled by West Indies' pullout.

There was more bounce in the Dharamsala track than on most Indian ODI pitches, but it was useful to the bowling side only when backed by serious pace. West Indies weren't really willing to bend their backs barring the odd occasion. They were eager to

bowl short, though, and continued to do so throughout the innings. And India kept hooking and pulling harmless stomach-high bouncers to the short boundaries.

As early as the first ball of the second over, Shikhar Dhawan showed there was nothing to worry about the bouncers short on intent as he pulled Jason Holder for four. West Indies refused to learn and Dhawan helped himself to easy boundaries.

(Cricinfo)

K Pollard c Dhawan b Kumar 6 M Samuels b Mohammed Shami 112 +D Ramdin c Patel b Jadeja 9 *DJ Bravo lbw b Jadeja 0 D Sammy c & b Patel 16 A

Russell 7-048-1 (w-1), Benn 8-0-30-1, Samuels 10-0-54-0, DJ Bravo 6-0-51-0 (w-2), Pollard 1-0-12-0 West Indies innings

D Smith c Mohammed Shami b Yadav 0 DM Bravo b Patel 40

Virat Kohli made his 20th ODI century