Guyana Times Daily

Cummings Lodge residents hail clean-up exercise P 15

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2642 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

October 11, 2015

PRICE

Asset recovery widened….

Ogle Airport P3 under scrutiny Page 3

– private monopoly over Govt asset must be reversed Outrage grows over Salary increase...

Page 12

TIGI boss and Gaskin denounce “excessive”, “premature” raises

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Grenades, P7 AK 47 ammunition found in Lamaha Canal Almost a year after incident….

Still no P7 justice for gang-raped teenager

Guyana observes World Dharmic Sabha women’s conference… Page 10 Hundreds of Hindu women Mental Health Day Page 6

urged to be champions

St Denys/ Tapakuma residents P8 want access road fixed

Guyana on Saturday joined the rest of the world in marking World Mental Health Day with focus on raising awareness and creating reforms

Plummeting business sinks all sectors

...from malls to markets

Page 17

Hundreds of women turned out to a Hindu women’s conference held by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha to promote empowerment and unity among females

Guyana’s Jubilee Page 12 Independence an opportunity to reflect and celebrate – Minister Henry

Mother of three seeks justice, claims P11 husband wrongfully arrested

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SunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

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SunDAY, October 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, October 11 – 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, October 12 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, October 11 – 15:40h-17:10h and Monday, October 12 – 16:10h-17:40h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning, while heavy to light rain showers can be expected in the afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures can range between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 03:23h and 15:38h reaching maximum heights of 2.52 metres and 2.59 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:14h and 21:32h reaching a minimum height of 0.68 metre and 0.60 metres respectively.

Asset recovery widened…

Ogle Airport P3 under scrutiny – private monopoly over Govt asset must be reversed

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gainst the background of the Government seeming impotence to have any influence over the Public Private Partnership (P3) financed Berbice River Bridge, as sources within the State Asset Recovery Unit continues its move to go after property/resources, which it claims to have been “given away” by the previous Administration, they have raised questions about whether the Ogle Airport ownership arrangement should not be reviewed by this unit.

Ogle International Airport is owned by the Government of Guyana but is run by a private

President David Granger

corporation, Ogle Airport Inc, then put up a proposal to operate over the airport following safety concerns which was raised by

cent thereafter. This was tantamount to the airport bent financed only with principal, since amortisation begins almost immediately.

In 2007, the facility – with support now from the European Union (EU) – received €1.85 million which originated from the European Development Fund (EDF), the Caribbean Regional Programme that covered 10 different activities around the Caribbean with funding in excess of €40 million.

The agreement was signed between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the EU at

Professor Clive Thomas

ment of the terminal and opportunities for regional expansion of how it operates. Government would finally have a say in the

Saturday, October 10, 2015

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company, Ogle Airport Inc, which exerts total monopoly control over the facility greater than that of the private partner in a Public Private Partnership.

Guyana Times was told that the

Draw De Line

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

Former Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn

facility is a public utility which is managed and controlled by the Private Sector.

The operational arrangement was negotiated after the initial five investors, who formed a

the International Aviation Organisation (IAO).

In 1999, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) approved a $30 million soft loan to Guyana to support a comprehensive air transport sector improvement programme that includes regulatory and institutional reforms, investments in infrastructure, and institutional modernisation.

The loan which is still outstanding was guaranteed by the Government of Guyana.

This loan facilitated works at both the Cheddi Jagan Airport and Ogle Airport. However, as a condition to the loan, Ogle Airport management had to have been privatised.

As such, the Ogle Airport arrangement was negotiated with IDB negotiators and facilitated by the then Administration.

That $30 million IDB loan is for a 40-year term, with a 10-year grace period, at one per cent annual interest during the grace period and two per

the start of 2007, after Caricom had successfully approached the EU’s EPA. In October 2012 , the Government announced that it would establish a

Michael Correia

long overdue oversight body, with itself as prime partner, for the operations of Ogle International Airport (OIA), at East Coast Demerara.

That agency, also comprising all stakeholders, would look at the best strategies for the develop-

Airport’s running.

The plan was disclosed by then Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn during the commissioning of the Bell 206 helicopter acquired

by Air Services Limited (ASL).

He said that an outstanding issue in the domestic airline industry is with respect to Government’s facilitation of how Ogle Airport operates.

“There is an arrangement in respect of the OIA, which requires that there be an oversight body and there have been some changes along the way with respect to how it should be put together but we intend, over the next month, to put in place such a body which will bring together proper oversight from all of the partners,” Benn assured.

This body was never constituted and the private operators continue utilising the asset as if it were theirs. turn to page 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, october 11, 2015

Views

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

Editorial

Not so freetrade pact

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ver two centuries ago Britain ushered in the “free trade” age that was supposed to facilitate trade and investments and improved economic conditions for one and all. If the hype is to be believed, the world is on the cusp of another quantum jump in “free trade”. This would be after eleven nations - Japan, Australia, Peru, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Canada, Mexico, and Brunei - announced that they have reached agreement on the long awaited and even longer negotiated, “TransPacific Partnership” (TPP) Agreement. These countries have a combined population of 800 million and control 40% of world trade. The Agreement, however, still faces the hurdle of some local legislative bodies (such as the US Congress) ratifying it primarily because of two aspects that have raised eyebrows.

The one that jumps out even from the name itself is the absence of China in an agreement that boasts of being “Trans-Pacific”. China’s Pacific coast is comparable to the combined span of the US and Canada, and more to the point its economy is poised to overtake the US in the next century. This has led to not unreasonable suspicions that the purpose of the TPP is to isolate China economically.

The other point is the secrecy that has surrounded the negotiations and even at this point the text of the Agreement has not been released. Analysts have had to rely on leaks and selective releases for information.

The most salient substantive aspect of the TPP is the “Investor-State Dispute Settlement” (ISDS) mechanism.

This has been a controversial introduction by the US into public international law with its incorporation in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of the US, Canada and Mexico. It’s novelty is that it grants an investor the right to use dispute settlement proceedings against a foreign government: a private company can take a country to court and have the case decided not in accordance to the country’s laws but the codicil of the Trade Agreement.

One theory of the thinking behind the TPP is that the US firms are looking to abandon the model of investment they used in China. This is the contract manufacturing model, where the Chinese or other country own the assets and provide goods on contract. While this might have been less risky in terms of exposure of investment, ultimately the local Chinese firms ended up with the technology and can subvert US intellectual property rights - as occurred – for instance in computers and phones. Through ISDS, the US Corporations can be assured that if they own the manufacturing facility, not only can’t they control the entire manufacturing process completely - including labour - but is protected from expropriation. But more importantly they can maintain control of their intellectual property rights and the larger profits that flow from them.

The predicted “revolutionary” role the ISDS mechanism will be - ironically not to further “free trade” but — to actually be reactionary in placing burdens on international trade. This can be discerned on ISDS’ treatment of Pharmaceuticals. There is already the case of the Pharma giant Eli Lilly suing Canada under NAFTA ISDS rules for US$500M because Canada refused to accept Eli Lilly’s “greening” of its patents of some pharmaceuticals. Canada is claiming that the tweaking of the molecular structure of some compounds (“greening”) does not actually produce a compound with different or other uses. Eli Lilly, however, is proceeding with its case, which it could not do with a nonISDS compliant country like India, that has made the same objections.

In our own country, the NEW GPC INC might have to consider how its manufacturing operations might be affected by ISDS, if Guyana were to be drawn into the new “free trade” regime. It would not, for instance, have been able to manufacture the anti-retrovirals for AIDS as it did some years ago.

Last meal before bedtime! This flock of birds descended on the shoreline at the Kitty seawall gobbling up what the tide left behind. Bon appétit! (Shantanand Anude photo)

Open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron Dear Prime Minister Cameron, We who belong to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and cherish the value of the Westminster tradition should seek continually to foster rather than diminish it.

Given the honour which you were afforded to address the Joint Sitting of Jamaica's Parliament on Tuesday, September 30, 2015, the traditional Parliamentary right of debate and reply could not be exercised by any of our Members who were in attendance. As I watched your presentation, knowing them on both sides of the aisle as I do, their good behaviour which you commended ought not to be interpreted as acquiescence in everything you said.

The gifts you presented in Gordon House were both welcome and timely. Only the shrewdest observers of parliamentary custom would have noticed that the package you offered there discreetly omitted any mention of a £25 million contribution for the building of a prison.

That was understandable, as what exists constitutes no more than a nonbinding Memorandum of Understanding. You rightfully appreciated that its inclusion would have been premature as the framework Agreement has to be followed by further intensive negotiations and then the requisite legislation.

You wisely chose instead to add there the announcement of £30 million to make our hospitals more resilient to natura disasters. Given our vulnerability and the danger of climate change, this donation was highly appreciated.

Despite your recognition of not being "the only show in town", the words of strengthening the bonds of friendship and the down-payment you brought would have been well received throughout the entire Caribbean.

Prime Minister, he most noble intentions were jarred by those portions of your

address which asserted that slavery was a long time ago, in the historical past and "as friends we can move on together to build for the future."

Your host, the most Honourable Portia SimpsonMiller, in her gracious welcome referred to the difficult issue of reparation which should be discussed in "a spirit of mutual respect, openness and understanding as we seek to actively engage the UK on the matter."

You chose instead to throw down the gauntlet.

Mere acknowledgment of its horror will not suffice. It was and still is a most heinous crime against humanity – a stain which cannot be removed merely by the passage of time.

Those who perished in the Middle Passage and the fatal victims on the sugar plantations were the victims of genocide. This is a crime in accordance with International Law. The attempt to trivialise and diminish the significance of 300 years of British enslavement of Africans and the trade in their bodies reflect the continued ethnic targeting of our ancestors and their progeny for discriminatory treatment in both the annals of history and in the present.

The 180 years of slavery in Jamaica remain fresh in living memory. There are people alive in Jamaica today whose great grandparents were a part of the slavery system and the memory of slavery still lingers in these households and communities.

Those 180 years were followed by another 100 years of imposed racial apartheid in which these families were racially oppressed by British Armies and colonial machinery. The scars of this oppression are still alive in the minds and hearts of million Jamaicans.

To speak of slavery as something from the Middle Ages is insufficient. For our communities, its legacies are still present in their memory and emotions. To reject this living experience is to re-

pudiate the very meaning and existence of these people's lives.

How can we simply forget it and move on to the future? If there is no explicit admission of guilt now, when will be the proper time?

You argue that Britain abolished the slave system and the credit for this resonates in the British Parliament today and shows British compassion and diplomacy.

Where is the prior confession that Britain fashioned, legalised, perpetuated and prospered from the slave trade?

Indeed, the facts speak to a different explanation.

In Jamaica the enslaved led by Sam Sharpe tried to abolish slavery themselves three years before your Parliament acted. The British Army destroyed these freedom fighters and executed their leaders.

This attempt to destroy the seed of freedom and justice in Jamaica continued for another hundred years. In 1865, the peasants sought to occupy Crown lands in order to survive widespread hunger. The British Government sent in the Army and massacred those people, executing Paul Bogle, Zeorge William Gordon and other leaders.

Furthermore, the British Act of Emancipation reflected that the enslaved people of Jamaica were not human but property. The 800,000 Africans in the Caribbean and elsewhere were valued at £47 million. The Government agreed to compensate the slave owners £20 million, and passed an Emancipation Act in which the enslaved had to work free for another four to six years in order to work off the £27 million promised slave owners. It was they who paid for their eventual freedom.

The enslaved paid more than 50 per cent of the cost of their market value in compensation to slave owners. This is what your Emancipation Act did. The enslaved got nothing by way of compensation. The Act of Emancipation was self serving and was de-

signed to support British national commercial interests alone.

You have refused to apologise. Yet your Government has apologised to everyone else for horrid crimes. Are we not worthy of an apology or less deserving?

Mere acknowledgment of the crime is insufficient.

The international communiand international ty law call for formal apologies when crimes against humanity are committed. The UN has deemed slave trading and slavery as crimes against humanity.

The refusal to apologise is a refusal to take responsibility for the crime.

In a law abiding world this is not acceptable.

Recently you urged your own nation to keep the memory of the Jewish experience alive in memorials and education curricula. We urge you to do the same for the black experience which remains before us all. It is precisely because we all want to move on that the reparatory justice movement is alive and growing. We all want to move on, but with justice and equality.

Contrary to your view, the Caribbean people will never emerge completely from the "long, dark shadow" of slavery until there is a full confession of guilt by those who committed this evil atrocity.

"The resilience and spirit of its people" is no ground to impair the solemnity of a privileged Parliamentary occasion and allow the memory of our ancestors to be offended once again.

The Caribbean people have long been looking to the future. This is what we do in our development visions, but these legacies are like millstones around our necks.

We look to reparatory justice as the beginning of shaping a new future. We invite Britain to engage in removing this blot on human civilisation so that together we can create a new and secure future.

ONE LOVE. Yours sincerely, PJ Patterson Former Prime Minister, Jamaica (1992-2006)

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

Re: Unemployment and Economic Disequilibrium?

Dear Editor, First of all, let me commend this media house for being professional in the execution of its mandate. I must professionally bestow the merits of this media in not only balancing its newscast but on reporting the veracity of the impending issues that affects our daily lives.

I rarely enunciate on issues that bear so much political mileage, even though economical literature would have taught us that such should not pronounce on the wellbeing of citizens in terms of putting bread on their tables.

However, unavoidably observations have imposed a stupendous degree that this has placed political mandates and mileage bringing a subterfuge of the launched manifesto.

Guyanese politicians have failed miserably to comprehend and have from time to time eschewed the fact that it is not the political buddies or political party members that granted them the mandate to ascend to Governance but the simple persons who casted their votes favourably for them, even though these buddies might have impacted the campaign trajectory, the factual matter is that the vote is what is and should be counted.

However, at the spank

of ascending to office, these very politicians suddenly becomes oblivious of this reality and resort to making selective appointments through political mandates, hence depriving the electorates of their will and necessities and which now gives clear indication to the many unemployed individuals a perception as to who really matters, the people or the political cronies?

Something the politicians so need to think about.

This issue has captured a great magnitude of our diverse concepts of how the appointments in terms of employments are leisured at the whims and fancies of these politicians. Sometimes I would often see persons responding to others saying the previous Government did so hence there should be no issue of such being launched, I find this overwhelmingly humorous, if one is to accept change, then it must have an integral perspective and anyone who compares themselves or their political idols to failure is a bigger failure themself. Politicians have failed also to realise that the custom of providing employment for their political buddies not only deprives a qualified and competent individual of a job but two major occurrences can be emulated; the qualified in-

dividual emigrates hence giving their new place of abode, an opportunity to acquire a skill personnel thus an opportunity to further enhance development in that country (knowing the fundamental element of development is human capital), a loss for Guyana, secondly the appointments are a reflection of the Government of the day, if these appointments are not competent and can’t deliver it leads to a bewildered society and the delivery to the people can be impeded. This aspect is particularised on the recent appointments of Regional Executive Officers and is acumen as to how the near future can bring this disequilibrium and economic turmoil where the impact is already being felt and observed.

The economic advisors seem to have disintegrated from the international reports that stimulates and provides factual evidence of the socioeconomic reality of the day in Guyana, hence resorting to as I would say becoming artistic by painting pictures, this is not a healthy synopsis for the man on the street or the typical Guyanese, they can be misled into the firm belief that all is well and there is nothing to worry about. These advisors should examine the coefficient of GINI – an indi-

cator that provides the reality and links the veracity of the economic disparities and trials so that we can know the truth since we so much deserve it.

Consider the scenarios as they are conceptualise through these sources measured through the utilisation of variables and indicators, reports from the websites such as the UNDP, WHO, PAHO, World Bank, etc provide the reality of the situation: A fall in the rice and sugar industry, two major income earners for this small economy leads to several socio-economic depressions including unemployment A global drop in gold prices making natural resources even a shortfall in economic long- and short-term income hence unemployment (there is tangible evidence that local miners has commenced downscaling their staff capacities) An increment in unemployment rate may be seen as a major indicator in the impulsion of the crime wave since many of these persons are young and some with forth wittingly high expenditures, the rate of emigration being further pushed by lack of opportunities, the human nature is seeking self-amelioration and possibility of ascending to higher standard of

living.

Due to frustration of being unemployed sometimes people resort to accept whatever job offers comes their way, I know of an individual with a University degree working as a Sales Clerk (I can provide name, address and contact details of this person) the pellucid evidence of exploitation, shouldn’t these be the most vital and pivotal issues to be tabled? One member of the state recently address the issue of the Loan Agency that loans are not being repaid at the University, could it be that many of the persons or former students are unemployed right now? Or why wasn’t the question asked why some of our university students/graduates are or were involved in perilous criminal activities like the recent robbery involving some University of Guyana students. One can see that the high repercussions of unemployment are not being examined comprehensively, Did it not occurred why the young lady who recently committed suicide with a Master’s Degree was seeking employment with a popular appliance store? Was this the maximum or was it the only opportunity she had? Or why many of our young people have resorted to prostitution and human trafficking?

Are these facts not being examined? The fact of the matters portrays evidence with these tangible impasses that brings the conclusion are evidence of a national recession since all encompasses the theory of the circulation of money and economic elasticity, this can be rectified by enforcement of removing “the square pegs in round hole” theory. To confront such situations you need the pertinent personnel with the required academic background and experience, how can someone be the pilot of plane when they can’t even know what a plane is?

Our beloved country with less than a million persons can attain sustainable development and become a global model of a socioeconomic fountain of sustainable development, a politician will always be a politician but literature in the book, Under-development and Development authored by some great economists/political analysts stated that the Administration of any state must be de-politicised to maximise output since political objectives does not always coincide with developmental goals. Something the relevant authority should consider.

George Phillips Retired Public Servant

There should be fairness in seeking repossession of property Dear Editor, I read Vishnu Bisram’s letter in the Stabroek News (Oct 7, 2015) captioned “There should be fairness in seeking repossession of property” and let me say I am in agreement with its content.

But while Bisram did not mention the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) in his letter, I guess he was referring to SARU to demonstrate fairness and equity in the repossession of property.

Bisram is correct and in order.

In my opinion, SARU has no legal basis and is politically partisan in nature since it is headed by Dr Clive Thomas of the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) and the WPA is part of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance

For Change (APNU/AFC) Government which is still in its election campaign mode and is currently waging a political vendetta against the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) which is now the Opposition.

The APNU/AFC Government now wants to stop the operations of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, popularly known as “Red House” by taking back the building through legal action. But Bisram in his letter said that “since the State, under the APNU/AFC Government, is seeking repossession of property, there should be fairness and equity in acts in the direction”.

Bisram is not wrong, because if SARU is acting with directives from the APNU/AFC

Government, then the coalition Government should also seek the repossession of 5.5 acres of prime land ((state property), a grant given to the Forbes Burnham family by the then PPP/C Government under the Presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo. This prime land is located at back of the Botanic Gardens. The APNU/AFC Government indeed needs to be fair and equitable. And this must be noted by the SARU. The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre is certainly a national treasure dedicated to the life, work and memory of Dr Cheddi Jagan, an incorruptible freedom fighter and revolutionary who dedicated his life to the poor and powerless in our Guyanese society.

I am therefore appealing to the APNU/AFC Government for the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre to remain peacefully where it is so that all Guyanese can continue to be edified about Dr Jagan, this simple and great Guyanese revolutionary who rose to Statesmanship.

In quite a similar way and as a patriotic Guyanese I would have loved to visit a Forbes Burnham Research Centre, since both Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan played crucial and significant roles in Guyana’s political development. Let us all preserve the work and contributions of these two great Guyanese sons.

Yours faithfully Romel Simmons

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Foundation

"Every woman needs to know the facts. And the fact is, when it comes to breast cancer, every woman is at risk." – Debbie Wasserman Schultz

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Anu Dev

ctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month…and sadly, many women are not aware either of that…or of the facts about breast cancer. But as the above quote cautions – every woman is at risk from this devastating killer.

While men can also develop breast cancer, with the same fatal consequences, it is much rarer in men (in the US – one per 1000) than in women (one in eight). In the Caribbean, the World Health Organisation announced in 2013 that rates are rising because of our change in lifestyle in imitation of the developed countries.

That last statistic should be a wake up call for women if nothing else. Just look around at a group of women – any group – and out of every eight women, one of them is going to develop breast cancer. Scary, huh?

guyanatimesgy.com

In most countries, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of the disease. The most significant risk factor in breast cancer is being a woman – and being older. But therein lies some hope.

Since breast cancer typically develops when one gets older, if women are socialised from young adulthood to check themselves for early signs of breast cancer, then statistics have shown that in more than 90 per cent of these cases the woman can be saved.

This is an amazing statistic and is the rationale behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A monthly self examination results in the detection of almost 40 per cent of breast cancer and the steps are very easy to learn since they consist of varying methods of observing and checking for lumps or thickening of the tissue of the breast or underarm. Sometimes there are changes in the appearance of the breasts or nipple and even discharge – all these should receive professional scrutiny. The exami-

nation can be undertaken during several activities – in the shower, in front of a mirror or lying down. The goal is to detect any lumps that might have formed since the last examination.

N o t all lumps are cancerous and at a visit to the doctor, a clinical breast examination can be performed by a trained health worker.

Obviously this would increase the chances of early detection.

The most conclusive test is via a mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray that allows a qualified specialist to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas. The breast is exposed to a small dose of iodising radiation that produces an image of the breast tissue. Mammograms can be performed at a clinic or hospital and are the most extensive method of detecting breast cancer today. It is recommended that all wom-

en over 40 or those in a high risk category should have a mammogram every one to two years.

A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

That means your chances skyrocket to one in four because of the hereditary factor. However 85 per cent of women who get breast cancer do not have a family member diagnosed with it.

The cancer is due to random genetic mutation as the woman ages. And we return to the overall high risk factor for all women.

The trick, if it can be called that, in beating breast cancer is to have a plan for early detection. Self examination, clinical examination and mammogram.

Laboratory analysis of cells using biochemical markers to identify the expressions of known genetic chromosome damage is an area that is receiving much attention since it would provide an alternative to the expensive and painful mammogram.

I know that this week's article has been rather serious but breast cancer is a serious business – death if not detected early and life, if it is. Let's take responsibility for our lives.

Guyana observes World Mental Health Day

Acting Chief Medical officer, Dr Morris Edwards

General Psychiatric Advisor, Dr Bhiro Harry

ith much anticipation, Guyana on Saturday observed World Mental health Day 2015 with a seminar which was held at the National Library conference room to mark the importance of the day and the need for more progress to be made to deal with issues surrounding mental health.

The day was observed under the team ‘Dignity in Mental Health’ and saw discussions taking place and being led by the Acting Chief Medical Officer within the Public Health Ministry Dr Morris Edwards.

Dr Edwards said observances would span a month in order to facilitate widespread awareness about the issues surrounding mental health. d for one month.

He advised those present at the event that the journey had just began as he explained that the Ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation was were working in partnership with the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) so that training, awareness and expansion will be done to better boost mental health facilities in Guyana.

In terms of building and fostering better relationships, Dr Edwards

thanked the panel and other patrons for coming out so that they can work together as a group.

Meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation Representative Dr William Adu-Krow asked the participants to make an attempt to try to understand or identify with the experiences faced by mental health patients.

He called for an end to stigma and discrimination as he explained the impact that they have on discouraging Guyanese from seeking help to deal with their mental health issues.

The key words, he said, when dealing with the mental health are “dignity” and “human rights”.

Additionally, General Psychiatric Advisor, Dr Bhiro Harry admitted that a lot is being done in the area of mental health which has led to the health sector being able to access funding for better facilities.

He said that there is also clinical treatment and counseling services available for attempt suicide victims.

At the event, were boots set up educate person of all the mechanisms in place to combat the different illnesses that could lead to mental health.

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NEWS

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SunDAY, october 11 , 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Grenades, AK 47 Still no justice for gang-raped teenager ammunition found in box in Lamaha Canal T Almost a year after incident…

he 19-year-old Bellevue, West Bank Demerara teenager, who was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men on Old Year’s Night last, is yet to receive justice.

Ten months after the teenager was sexually molested and almost killed, his mother is of the belief that justice will never be served. Speaking to Guyana Times at her home with her son by her side, she lashed out at the investigators for their slothfulness in this particular case.

The woman iterated that a detailed report was submitted to the then Crime Chief, Leslie James but she has not received feedback with respect to the matter. The woman accused the Police of trying to protect the persons who allegedly committed the act.

“Every time I call the Police, they does tell me that they will call me next week… I fed up hearing about next week… I even went to the Police at Vreed-en-Hoop but nothing ain’t happening… all they telling me is that meh son is still traumatised”.

The woman stated that due to her son’s condition, he would faint periodically and sometimes jump out of his sleep. “As he jumped out he sleep, he ah call for ‘Romel’… the boy who tek he to the house”, the woman added.

In addition, she explained that the young man had to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital on a few occasions, resulting in several tests being conducted including an HIV/AID test. The results for the HIV/AID test she noted came back negative.

Until now, the woman stated that the doctors were unsuccessful in finding a reason for her son’s constant fainting. “Only on Friday we take him to the hospital and they run some tests again but the doctors can’t really say

Mother of the teen who was allegedly gang raped on New Year’s Day sits beside her son as he plies the road to recovery

what happen to he… all tests them run and is the same thing”, she stated.

She even thought that the church would cure her son but his condition remains the same.

As such, the devastated mother is urging the Police to urgently look into the matter since she was made to understand that two of the boys allegedly involved in the rape incident were heard discussing the matter in a minibus.

However, the young man when asked if he was alright, responded in the affirmative. He has been recuperating and was seen walking around but evidently with some pains.

Nevertheless, he vividly recalled what occurred on the night of the incident when he was questioned.

He recollected the men “doing” several things to him while he was in a drunken state. From all reports, the young man was drugged and sexually molested.

It was reported that on the night of the incident, he was lured into going to a party that was presumably organised by his boss but it turned out not to be the case. He was taken to one of his friend’s home where the young man claimed he was sodomised by at least 10 men including his best friend and his best friend’s uncle.

After the act was committed, Guyana Times had reported that an uncle of his best friend collected a gun, placed it in his mouth and threatened to kill him if he told anyone about the “little party”. He however managed to reach his sister’s home in a terrified stated.

Upon recognising that something was amiss, his sister contacted his mother but the young man failed to inform his relatives of what transpired until the next day.

He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was examined by doctors who confirmed her was sodomised; not by one but several persons. The case was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted for several days.

After some time, he was referred to the New Amsterdam Mental Institution where he remained for a few days during which he received treatment. Up to that time, the Police did not take a statement from the young man, claiming that he was too traumatised.

Eventually, three men were arrested but were subsequently released based on the inconsistencies in the reports given by the teenager. To date, the Police have not instituted charges against the alleged perpetrators although they are in receipt of a detailed statement from the young man about the horrific ordeal.

S

ixteen grenades, several AK-47 ammunition, 13 grenade fuses and seven .9mm ammunition along with a gun cleaning kit were on Saturday afternoon discovered partially submerged in the Lamaha Canal in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens.

The discovery was made by a Constable attached to the Mayor and City Council constabulary unit at about 14:40h. According to information received, the Constable reportedly was in the area and observed a green box partially submerged in the water at the edge of the canal and out curiosity, he pulled it from the water.

Due to the weight of the box, the Constable reportedly prized open the box and upon doing so, he found the green objects and various sizes of ammunitions.

He immediately contacted the Police and informed them of the find. Ballistics experts arrived at the scene and took possession of the box and its contents but not before examining them.

From all indication, while the grenades are in working condition, the pins/fuses were detached.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed the

discovery of the grenades and ammunitions and told Guyana Times that ballistics experts are currently dusting them for possible fingerprints. This discovery came in light of the Public Security’s Gun Amnesty Programme which will come to an end on October 14.

During the first period of the gun amnesty programme, the Guyana Police Force has collected a total of 142 firearms and over 1700 rounds of ammunition.

A Division (Georgetown/ East Bank Demerara) has topped the list with hundreds of ammunition and firearms handed in. The other Divisions that have seen favourable responses to the amnesty programme were C (East Coast Demerara), D (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), E (LindenKwakwani) and F (Interior locations).

Of the 142 firearms handed in, there were 121 shotguns, 10 pistols, seven air rifles, three revolvers and one AK-47 assault rifle. With respect to ammunition, the highest total handed in was 1192 7.62×39, along with several .22, .32 and .9mm magazines.

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news

SunDAY, octoBER 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

St Denys/Tapakuma residents want access road fixed

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Toshao, James Schadde

esidents of St Denys/ Tapakuma, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), are complaining about the deplorable state of the access road leading to their community.

The residents are complaining that the road, constructed several years ago, is now in a poor state and has become almost impassable. It is located some 20km from the Anna Regina Public Road.

Residents told Guyana Times Saturday that they have issued a call for Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson to immediately intervene with a view to remedy-

ing the situation.

The road that was carved years ago to access the community is currently in a deteriorated state and all the drivers using the pathway are finding it very difficult.

According to Toshao James Schadde, more and more drivers are refusing to enter the area because of the very poor state of the road, since it is damaging their vehicles.

He alleged that visitor arrivals to the community have decreased drastically because the entire journey is discomforting. There are also reports that during the community’s Heritage Celebrations, many of those brave souls who ventured to the community had to endure their vehicles becoming stuck at various points of the roadway.

“Everyone coming to my community complained about the state of the road. I went to Regional Officials over and over. I am often told that machine down. We from the community are willing to help with loam and sand. This situation is very frustrating. The road needs urgent repairs and it must be done fast. The journey takes longer daily due to

that,” the Toshao related.

The leader of the Village further stated the Village Council recently bought a minibus with the Presidential Grant to assist parents to transport children but due to the condition of the road the bus is constantly developing

were forwarded to the relevant Ministries.

Ramdatt also said he informed newly elected Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson about the situation. He promised that followup will be made.

The St Denys/Tapakuma

Eyew tness Doing it his way...

T

The deplorable state of the access road

mechanical problems. He said that instead of the bus earning revenue for the village, it is incurring additional expense due to the deplorable state of the road.

When contacted Region Two Chairman Davanand Ramdatt said he had noted the issue and several complaints

area is a lumbering community that can be accessed through the Mainstay\ Whyaka Road. The Dawa Pump station serves as the main supplier of water to most of the communities. The community also has a cassava factory and a population of over 2000 residents.

British, bridge and blood money

he British Ambassador passed on his country’s some £200 million in “aid” for eight of their former Caribbean colonies – including Guyana. When his Prime Minister David Cameron delivered the offer in person on his visit to Jamaica less than two weeks ago, he precipitated a firestorm of protest. Seems that when PM Portia reminded him that Britain owed the Caribbean both an apology and reparations for the largest crime against humanity in the history of the world – slavery – Cameron balked.

The firestorm seems to have dissipated because from newspaper reports no one wants – especially the Government – to bring up the question of reparations that has been placed officially on the agenda of Caricom. Way back in 2007, when Britain was getting into all sorts of contortions patting itself on the back for “ending the slave trade in 1807” then President Bharrat Jagdeo had “hopsed” the then British Ambassador. Jagdeo reminded them that the British needed to go beyond rhetoric such as then PM Blair anodyne “deep sorrow and regret” for Britain’s role in the slave trade.

“Now that some members of the international community have recognised their active role in this despicable system, they need to go one step further and support reparations.” Seven years later Caricom officially adopted Jagdeo’s position. All of this becomes relevant in face of the studied silence of the present Government on Cameron’s dismissive statement that he understands reparations is an issue “for some people” but not Britain and that those people should “move on” and focus on the “trade and investment and this significant infrastructure I am announcing”.

Statesmen like PJ Patterson immediately weighed in with a strong open letter to Cameron. He reminded them that the British had never even apologised for slavery. And as for the gratuitous advice to look towards the future, he reminded Cameron that the legacy of slavery “are like millstones around our necks”. Dr Hilary Beckles, the academic who’s been spearheading Caricom’s reparations demand, noted:”We ask not for handouts or any such acts of indecent submission. Just reparatory justice.

This Government cannot allow the British to ignore reparations and offer us thirty pieces of silver which is basically blood money. The infrastructure grant will mostly be returned to Britain since – contrary to what is claimed here but not in the British reports – British companies will be executing all contracts awarded. There are many ways to skin a cat as well as keeping contracts “in the family”.

Reparations is not something that can be wished away because as Beckles continued slavery, colonialism and native genocide “continue to derail, undermine and haunt our best efforts at sustainable development.”

How long will our government remain silent?

...on pardons

President Granger presents an interesting take on his constitutional role of being a constitutional President. As this Eyewitness, among others, had feared when he and all his Disciplined Forces colleagues became ensconced into civilian governmental office, their command and control reflexes imbibed over four decades have swamped and drowned whatever democratic impulses that might’ve survived.

Take his take on his “prerogative” to pardon. Unlike, say, Louis XIV who could just say “off with their head” or (presumably) “on with their head” our constitutional President is supposed (as the Bar Association pointed out) to consult with specified individuals and institutions. But the President would have none of it. But can you blame him? After four decades of barking “jump!!!” and having battalions cry, “How high, sir!!!” such stipulations are just “botheration” So Pressie will quote the biblical injunction “go forth and sin no more”. And he’ll continue freeing multitudes because he’s a general who brooks no second guessing.

...on Jaguars

The government just announced the logo for the Big Bash 2016 they’re throwing for our 50th Independence anniversary. It’s a Jaguar. Our Coat of Arms have two rampant Jaguars. How did Ramjattan miss all this? Addled by the 2:00 am curfew?

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

news

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SunDAY, octoBER 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

GDF takes 50th anniversary observances to Linden I n recognition of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) celebration of fifty years in existence, a number of activities were carried out in Linden on Saturday.

Patrons who came out to the Bayroc Community Ground and Sports Centre on the Wismar foreshore were treated to a Military Exposition which featured band and parachute displays as well as a medical outreach programme.

Coordinator of event Captain Orwain Sandy said the exercise is in keeping with the motto of the GDF which is to provide service to the nation.

He noted that parachuting has been conducted in areas across Guyana over the past few weeks, including Skeldon and Liverpool.

Today the excitement is at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara.

“We have several activities planned throughout the year. There are some other activities coming up for the

Members of the GDF steel pan orchestra perform a rendition during the 50th anniversary celebration in Linden

anniversary of the Guyana Defence Force including the GDF pageant, tattoo display which is coming up on November 21 and several other military exposé which are expected to be carried

Ogle Airport P3 under ... from page 3

In a letter to the press last month, now former Minister Benn reiterated the ownership structure was a Public Private Partnership. The letter was to rebut comments made at a ceremony at the airport for Trans Guyana Airways on the successful commissioning of its Raytheon Beechcraft 190D aircraft. President David Granger later said that he was planning to rename the airport to the “Eugene Correia International Airport”.

When the State Asset Recovery Unit was established, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has explained that the new Administration is in a better position to take public action. “The work which we are doing to recover these assets is not just collecting it, but strengthening the institutional arrangements,” Harmon had said.

The coalition Government is making moves to entrust legal powers to Guyana’s State Asset Recovery Unit. It is currently preparing a “robust piece of legislation” that promises more than moral suasion with respect to stamping out corruption and prosecuting those who dared to steal the assets of the state.

It has been suggested by members of the Asset Recovery body that they extend the legislation to cover assets such as Ogle Airport

Meanwhile, Head of the State Assets Recovery Unit, Dr Clive Thomas recently announced that draft legislation is currently with the Legal Affairs Ministry as a means of giving the unit legal powers to prosecute.

However, this has to be presented to the National Assembly for approval.

In 2003, Ogle Airport was a local hub shuttling some 50,000 passengers and 1800 tons of cargo annually. Construction began that year to expand the facility to an international airport with upgraded facilities for immigration, customs, air traffic control, health and fire service. The lengthened and expanded runway is now in service, and a ceremony to formally open the new airport terminal was held in March, 2007.

OGL received its port of entry certification in 2009. It has a Class 1A, 2000 foot (600 metre)-long runway made of concrete, and operates under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Over the years, Ogle Airport has developed into the main domestic hub providing commercial passenger and cargo air transport services, primarily between Georgetown and the hinterland of Guyana.

The Government owned airport now serves international, regional and domestic destinations with the Government completely locked out.

out elsewhere.

“The idea is to give members of other communities the same amount of benefits that persons in Georgetown would receive. That’s why we are going around the

country, because most of the time Georgetown and its immediate environs would benefit. Right now the persons in Berbice, Linden and the West side (Coast) are getting the opportunity to

benefit also”, Captain Sandy said.

As part of the medical outreach programme, attendees were treated to blood pressure and sugar testing, dental checkups

(filling, cleaning), HIV counselling and testing, among others.

Patrons at the event also enjoyed musical renditions of patriotic and folk songs done by the GDF band.

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SunDAY, octoBER 11, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Dharmic Sabha women’s conference…

Hundreds of Hindu women urged to be champions

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resident of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Dr Vindhya Persaud on Thursday urged hundreds of Hindu women to be their own champions and vocal advocates for notable causes in society as she reminded them that they are just as important in the family as any father\male figure.

Speaking to women from across Guyana gathered at the West Coast Demerara Praant, Mahila Mandalee (women’s section of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha) located at Hague Front Mandir, Persaud said women are all-important and cautioned them against being judgemental.

She underscored the need for women to influence other women positively as opposed to pulling each other down.

The conference was conceptualised as a means of connecting women of varying ages, backgrounds and geographic locations to engage in candid discussions aimed at inspiring and empowering the Hindu woman.

“The Hindu women come from a history of courageous and brave people tracing back to the Hindu scriptures (Seeta, Maa, Meera, etc)… women have value

The great alphamale hunter

S

A section of the audience at the women’s conference on Saturday

and worth… women have occupied the pinnacle position nationally… let your dreams become a reality, never be a person who stands in your own progress, speak out”.

The President of the Sabha urged women to rise to the pinnacle of womanhood and independence and not to allow anyone to stymie their character, alluding that in Hinduism, there are beautiful concepts in the scriptures that describe the history of strong women who withstood many challenges and came out victorious.

Persaud called for more investments to be made in girl children with the aim of making education a top pri-

ority.

“A successful woman is a woman who can find selfworth in herself and be a positive influence. A woman should always be herself even in a modern world” she noted.

Continuing, Persaud said women must understand they should be more than someone in the family or just the caretaker. She alluded to the significance of Navraatri festival that is specially designated for the workship of female goddesses.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Mahila Mandalee Sarojanie Rambarran said since the inception of the

Mahila Mandalee, it has striven to initiate programmes and activities to promote the development of Hindu women.

She explained that the conference was aimed at advancing and further grooming the Hindu woman.

According to Rambarran, the Mandalee celebrated its 45th anniversary in September. The Mandalee was formed as members saw it fit to address the range of issues facing Hindu women in society, as well as to provide leadership.

The conference was held under the theme ‘Today’s Hindu Woman in Perspective’.

atiricus was upset. Very upset. “I can’t believe Guyanese can be bad minded so!” he fumed. He was thinking about all the fuss the chatterati was making about Rum Jhaat and the Jaguar skin he’d nailed to his office wall. “Jeez! It’s clear only the Jhaat has any respect for our political traditions.”

After three decades of clawing his way out of being the waterboy of politics, Rum Jhaat was finally getting his chance to emulate his political hero. In this tradition, politics wasn’t for sissies – it was for alpha-males. Like Winston Churchill. As young man, just appointed to public office as Undersecretary of State for the Colonies, Churchill’s first act to prove that he was an alpha-male enough to rule over all those natives was to set out on a Safari into Darkest Africa. Actually it was Uganda, and this was long before Idi Amin – another alpha-male.

So in Africa, the chubby and incipiently rotund Churchill roughed his way through the jungles with only 25 local African helpers. He even had to make his own coffee on one occasion. And of course posed with his foot planted on the the requisite big game he’d killed – with the rifle in hand. And this was the path that Rum Jhaat would follow – but no one gave him credit for his modesty. He didn’t write a book about how he’d hunted the jaguar whose skin adorned his wall, like Churchill did.

No sir! He’d gone all by his lonesome into Region Seven, not even telling his native informant Garrulous Low. Wearing only his bukta and armed with his bow and arrow, he’d silently stalked the Jaguar and shot him through the heart. What was those bleeding hearts whining about? The Jaguar hadn’t punished. Skinning the Jaguar was a bit tricky, because to be honest, Rum Jhaat had only read books about the process.

Rum Jhaat knew (like the late Churchill), he was now responsible for the security of the entire nation. He was now leader of the pack.

He had to instil confidence in the people – and he knew that in the end, only an alpha-male could instil that confidence. The 2am curfew hadn’t worked; the gun amnesty had fizzled and the horses and dogs insisted on eating rather than catching criminals.

Man was a hunter...forget all that 6000 years of brainwashing.

Rum Jhaat however wasn’t totally upset about the bleeding heart conservationists who were now baying for his blood. If it wasn’t for their conservation efforts, he wouldn’t have been able to bag his Jaguar so quickly. But those mosquitoes in the jungle were a bitch when you only had a buckta on!

“But really folks shouldn’t complain,” concluded Satiricus, “They’re actually lucky Rum Jhaat’s hero isn’t Theodore Roosevelt.

On his safari to establish his alpha-male cred, the bespectacled future US President had sent back 23,000 species from Africa. To the Smithsonian.”

Take that...Katty!!

NEWS

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SunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Mother of three seeks justice, claims husband wrongfully arrested

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mother of three is calling for justice, claiming her husband has been wrongfully accused and charged with arson following a mysterious fire at Friendship, East Bank Demerara on September 27 last which partially destroyed a house.

Monica Murray of Lot

27 Friendship, East Bank Demerara, stated that on the night of the fire, her husband Andrew Elvis, 31, was arrested after the owner of the affected house accused him of setting the house ablaze.

Three days after she stated, her husband who is the main breadwinner of the home was charged for arson

and damage to property and was granted bail in the sum of $500,000. As a poor family man, Elvis was unable to get the money hence he was remanded to the Camp Street Prison.

She accuses the Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Police Force of not conducting thorough investigations,

claiming that if they had done so, they would have found out that her husband was at home when the fire started.

The frustrated woman recalled that on the night of the fire, she was awakened by loud screams and immediately woke her husband.

As they looked through the

window, they realised that the neighbour’s house was on fire.

She went on to say she telephoned the fire service while her husband had gone to render assistance. As he reached close to the burning home, there were sounds of gunshots emanating from the fire and as such, he re-

treated and so did others who had gone to assist.

As the Police arrived on the scene, Wendell Lovell, owner of the burning house informed them that he saw “someone” fitting the description of the father of three running from the fire just after the blaze erupted. turn to page 14

12 news Outrage grows over salary increase SunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

...TIGI boss and Gaskin denounce “excessive”, “premature” raises

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he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Administration continues to come under fire for its decision to increase its Ministers’ salaries by a whopping 50 per cent. Several independent commentators have added their assessment that the raise is way too “excessive” given the fact that public servants were given a miniscule five per cent increase.

During last week Minister of State Joseph Harmon confirmed and vigorously defended his Government’s decision to raise the salaries of Ministers, Junior Ministers, including three Vice Presidents.

Since

then, an increasing number of key stakeholders in society have indicated their disappointment and even outrage in the Coalition Administration.

TIGI

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, President of the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) Calvin Bernard has also condemned the move by Government, saying it is too soon for a raise and more so such a “very excessive” one.

According to Bernard, the issue goes back to early August when the salary increases was first published by this newspaper and Government’s reaction was to merely say they

President of TIGI Calvin Bernard

were just “considering it” and were looking at setting up some structure for salary scales. He noted that the impression given by the Administration was that it was not to be implemented

anytime soon.

He was referring to a statement by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman who signalled strongly that the projected salary increase would be rescinded.

The TIGI President noted that while in opposition, both the APNU and AFC were quick to point out that the salaries of the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration was too high.

“This increase, like the modification at the level of ministries, was not part of the party manifesto for the elections so it begs the question: how did it become such a priority? The way in which they were done suggest that there was hope that they would go unnoticed. One of the first things we learned from the new Government was that the treasury was near broke when they took office. If we are near broke how do we afford these increases? We should therefore be given a clear explanation on how they will be funded,” Bernard demanded.

Moreover, he went on to outline that meagre salaries paid to public servants are “shameful” and is likely to drives some towards corrupting the systems, not necessarily as greed but to earn a little extra in order to survive.

The TIGI President opined that the general public service has received no increases that are of real consequence in giving them a decent living and allowing them to stop corrupt activities.

“The corruption in the public service is felt direct-

ly by the ordinary man who must choose between: going before the court to waste time because the Officers never show up to give witness; and paying the officer a ‘small piece’ or buying them a ‘Chiney’ fried rice; or choose between enduring long lines to access basic services because those who give the persons at the desk/counter a ‘small piece’ have to be served before, and just simply paying the ‘small piece’ for faster service,” Bernard highlighted.

One of the justifications given by Minister Harmon for the increases was that it would prevent Ministers from “thiefing” like those under the PPP/C regime, however the TIGI President explained that Ministers never steal for need but for greed.

“No matter what you pay a greedy thief, they will still steal. Better to make sure you got no thieves in the system. Additionally, the theft at the high level is indirectly felt by the ordinary man. Minister Harmon says that the ministers deserve the increases, but how could they objectively determine this when they have not been evaluated,” Bernard added.

Gaskin

On the other hand, political commentator Ramon Gaskin is also of the view that the salary increase Government has given themselves is way too excessive when compared with the meagre five per cent hike given to Public Servants.

Gaskin pointed out that in addition to a salary, Ministers also get a host of other benefits that would

Ramon Gaskin

rack up to over a million dollars per month each. He mentioned duty free on vehicles, electricity subventions, insurance, free travel allowance, among others.

“When you add all of these benefits up, the cost for them is way too much along with their salaries,” he stated. Furthermore he stated, there are too many Ministers in this Government – 27 of them: “It is a lot of money and the country cannot afford to pay such a huge increase to so many Ministers.”

Gaskin further opined that it is too early in the game for anybody to get any increases. He noted that before an increase can be given, a certain amount of time needs to pass and an evaluation undertaken. This, he noted, should be done by an independent Committee and not by Cabinet.

“It’s like you are setting and giving yourself a salary… You need an independent committee of professional persons to determine this… Ministers should be paid properly but should not be allowed to set their salaries themselves,” Gaskin underlined.

Guyana's Jubilee Independence an opportunity to reflect and celebrate – Minister Henry

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n May 2016, Guyana will turn 50, and addressing the 50th Anniversary Logo launch on Friday at the National Cultural Centre, Minister within the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Nicolette Henry, said that in addition to being a truly inclusive and unforgettable 50th birthday for Guyana, 2016 will also be an opportunity for all Guyanese to reflect and celebrate.

“We will look back on how far we have come together as a nation,” Minister Henry said. She noted as well that turning 50 is as much about looking forward as it is about looking back.

To this end, she expressed the hope that, “just as the achievements of our pioneers and fellow Guyanese, in the last 50 years fill us with pride, I hope we all are looking towards the next 50 years with a sense of promise and possibility,” she added.

Junior Education, Youth and Sport Nicolette Henry

Culture, Minister

Minister Henry pointed out that the 50-year mark is a profound milestone for the nation, as it is in the life of any person, and any group of people. She said that for Guyana, 50 is an especially meaningful moment in the journey as a nation and as a people, as the challenges overcome along the way have at times been goliathlike. “Resource scarcity,

public health challenges, economic crises, the fracturing forces of globalisation,” Guyana has been able to withstand, the Minister highlighted.

Though there has been no shortage of challenges to test the country’s resolve, the Minister noted, that through the hard work, and under the stewardship of committed leaders, and with the cohesiveness of Guyanese, to strive and stand as one people, the country has made progress and continues to advance.

“We will build a jewel of a country, but more important than that, we will build a home where we celebrate our diversity, even as we stand united in our shared values and beliefs,” she said.

“I hope that Guyanese will celebrate not just all that makes us one people, but also celebrate and build on the shared aspirations and common future that will keep us as one people tomorrow,” she added.

news

13

SunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

week ago Devina Samaroo reported on a story for the Guyana Times about the horrible treatment meted out to a grieving grandfather whose grandson died during childbirth at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The unsympathetic treatment from staff at our public hospitals is, sadly, expected but what was unexpected was the bit of brightness the story offered amidst all that despair.

The report concerned an Amerindian family from St Ryhaan Shah Cuthbert’s Mission and Ms Samaroo had the presence of mind to report not only the distress of the grandfather Damon Corrie but to include the name of the baby which was a beautiful Arawak name, Wiwa Shimara, which means “shooting star”.

Wiwa Shimara was one of twins and his sister is alive. Her name is also beautifully Arawak. She is called Warakoma which means “morning star”.

On reading the story, I remembered the meetings of cultural groups at the turn of the century in which I participated as part of the Indian Guyanese group, GIHA. One of the exercises in promoting understanding was a presentation of culture, traditions and values from each ethnic group.

After GIHA’s presentation, an Amerindian Elder named Frank (I do not remember his surname) commended us for having retained our names, religions, music, dress, etc., and I suggested to him that giving their children names derived from their Indigenous languages was one way Amerindians can start to reclaim their cultural loss.

(I did also suggest that they take back the lovely word “mashramani” which is being abused and has become synonymous with crudeness and vulgarity. But that’s another story.)

Names are a part of every culture and are of enormous importance both to the people receiving the names and to the societies that give them. Many cultures have naming ceremonies and parents take great care in choosing names for their children because they, in many ways, define us.

They can tell about ethnicity, religion, and culture, and that Arawak babies are being given Arawak names supports the view that there is a growing consciousness among Guyana’s First Peoples about their culture and identity.

Their traditions and heritage are protected by various UN conventions and in a recent letter to the press, Medino Abraham made the case for an education programme designed for Indigenous students that would ensure the preservation of Indigenous languages, culture and heritage.

Guyana’s First Peoples are becoming more proactive about issues such as their identity, education, and their political future as a growing ethnic group. Becoming more educated and mainstream, however, must not come at the price of cultural loss and while eco-tourism ventures could bring much needed jobs and development to hinterland communities, Amerindians would need to ensure that they are treated with dignity and are not ever reduced to being exotica or spectator sport for tourists.

Whereas they are encouraged even by successive local governments to protect and preserve their culture, Indian Guyanese were pressured into assimilation and oneness by the colonial powers and still face the intolerance and indifference that emanates from the African status quo of Caribbean culture.

Caribbean Africans do, however, know the importance of a name and a few have taken African ones, forgoing the “slave” names their families were given by their English masters.

Among the better known in Guyana are Eusi Kwayana, Andaiye and Tacuma Ogunseye.

Being the largest minority here makes Indian Guyanese a political threat to the other large minority, Africans, and subject to every form of extinction including cultural extinction. Unlike Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, however, it’s not a case of our Indian names alone being the enemy.

It is not surprising that some Indian Guyanese succumb to the pressure of the assimilation message and have become Christians and taken Christian names in a country where Indian names can be a matter for ridicule at places such as public service offices with their predominantly African Guyanese staff.

News readers could not pronounce “Saraswati Vidya Niketan” when SVN topped the country at the CXC exams recently even though that, like every Indian, Amerindian and African name, is fully Guyanese.

While some parents choose their children’s names for their uniqueness, others, like those in immigrant communities who are anxious to fit in, opt for conformity. Warakoma’s parents have no need to ever conform.

Being among the world’s First Peoples, they set the standard. I hope that Warakoma will always shine as bright as the morning star and will grow up to be a proud Arawak in a homeland that will honour her uniqueness as defined by her name.

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

Tourism Ministry to probe increase in tourist-related crimes

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ourism Minister Catherine Hughes said Thursday her Ministry will be pushing for all tourist-related crimes to be treated as a crisis situation as it prepares to launch a probe into the events which lead to tourists being robbed upon entering the country via airports and other locations.

As part of efforts to strengthen national security, Hughes has plans to launch an investigation into

the matter starting at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport which is viewed as the origin of most of these crimes.

“An investigation needs to be done into the different departments within the airports where this information seems to be collected and shared to unscrupulous criminals”, said Hughes. Enforcing more policing mechanisms is also part of her plan in addressing the issue. Hughes

stated that she has raised this issue with Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix and the Head of Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

However, it will be addressed more in-depth at a later date. Hughes pointed out that tourists who give information to others, including family members, and persons travelling with huge amounts of money, sometimes millions of dol-

lars, are the two main reasons behind these crimes.

She has therefore advised that persons be more careful when sharing their private information.

She stated that while there is a lot more to be done, she is pleased to report that the situation has improved as previously there was no action taken on these matters but presently within the timeframe of a week to two persons are brought before the courts.

Coconut vendor charged for littering

– alleges verbal harassment

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inston Selman, a coconut vendor at the Stabroek Market has expressed frustration at being arrested for littering the area he occupies to sell coconuts.

Selman claims his working environment is

always clean as he makes it his duty to clean up during and after his workday.

However, a constable attached to the Stabroek Market approached and arrested him for littering.

Abuse was allegedly meted out to him in the way he was treated.

“They told me to take off my long boots then them talking about how me foot stink and when I take off me hat all of them pulling away saying if he foot stink suh then imagine he hair, cause look how it big pon he head”, Selman alleged.

A frustrated Selman is calling on the relevant authorities to explain why market vendors are being harassed in their efforts to earn a livelihood.

He was placed on bail of $10,000 and has to return to court on October 12, 2015.

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SunDAY, october 11, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Nash Narine’s “Burning Desire” to take fashion to new dimensions

A preview of the “Burning desire” line, modelled by Diana Persaud (Marceano Narine photos)

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esigner Nash Narine on Saturday made his debut in Guyana’s fashion industry after he launched his first clothing line, aptly dubbed “Burning desire”, giving Guyana Times an exclusive interview and look at the brand.

The 32-year-old fashion enthusiast revealed that his interest in fashion perked at the tender age of 12 as he grew up in a household where his mother, grandmother and aunt did their own tailoring. He revealed that

it was only eight years ago that he decided to use his knowledge and skill in designing and sewing to jumpstart his career.

He related that his career in designing began in The Bahamas.

Narine was born in Guyana, however, he moved to The Bahamas at the age of 16. He returned to Guyana eight years ago and subsequently opened his own clothing business. He conducts business at his store, the “Status Symbol Boutique”

at Merriman’s Mall, in Georgetown, where he does custom design and clothing fittings in all styles.

“After seeing all these other designers launch their lines, I decided that this needs something different… so I’m trying to take fashion to a new dimension,” he revealed. “My line is special because I am unique, I have a ‘walk into the room and own the room attitude’, so that influences my designs and makes it unique,” he stated, adding his line was given the name based on this quality.

“I named the line ‘Burning Desire’ because that is the reaction I want people to have when they see these pieces. They must have a burning desire to own the pieces and wear them,” he stated. The clothing line consists of eight pieces which range from semiformal to evening wear, and took the designer four days to design and complete them. He explained that his debut was in the making for some time now; however, it is only recently that he decided on Saturday’s launch.

When asked about his goals as it relates to the fashion industry, Narine revealed that he will not be limiting himself to the local platform but is aiming to launch his clothing lines on the international stage. “My next move is Paris Couture... I have everything planned out already so maybe early in March, I will launch another line,” he explained.

Narine revealed that he is planning fashion show to launch his line in the public domain. “I’m not sure when it’s going to happen, but it will happen soon,” Narine explained.

Mother of ...

from page 11

While investigating the matter, she claimed her husband was taken to the Grove Police Station. Subsequently, she visited the Police Station but was told they will charge her husband but she expressed surprise, stating that there was no evidence against her husband.

As a matter of fact, she stated, the Guyana Fire Service only returned to the scene on Friday last to launch the investigation.

To date Murray stated, she has solicited assistance of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Department to handle the matter and is sure if the bail is reduced, she would have the money.

In tears the woman stated that since her husband was incarcerated, people in the area are assisting her and her three children. “People would buy lil fish and so for me… they would bring food and so but I can’t help myself… I have three young children and can’t leave them with anyone to get a job”, she stated.

Murray claims her husband worked in the interior for a while but returned earlier in the year and had been working as a labourer in the community. She is of the belief her husband does not have any issue with people in the area and is not sure why the owner of the house would want to accuse him. “After the court day, the owner of the house tell me that he know is not my husband who set the house on fire, but he already tell the Police it is he so he can’t do anything,” she said. She is calling on the relevant authorities to look into the matter since she is sure her husband is not the arsonist.

Younge’s Take Super salaries: A "don't kay" governmental act

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he newly elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition Government is putting its foot in its mouth and is continuously disrespecting the intelligence of the Guyanese people as well as their contributions to the overall development of this dear land.

Two months ago, this newspaper published a breaking story which informed the nation that the Government was making a clandestine move to increase the salaries of the newly appointed Ministers at a time when public servants were being offered a pittance compared to their already attractive ministerial pay packages.

The Government Michael Younge was up in arms over this newspaper’s publication of the information before reluctantly admitting that there is some truth to it.

Soon after more revelations and follow up stories were done and public concern grew, President David Granger came to his Government’s rescue alleging that the pay increases were to “differentiate” pay grades and the posts held by Junior and Senior Ministers of Government.

He also attempted, like his self-proclaimed "anti-Cadillac lifestyle" Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, to pour cold water on the issue as other members of the new Government had their backs against the wall amidst mounting outrage and disbelief from all sections of society.

What was rather disquieting were the comments reportedly made by State Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon that Government had no apologies for the increase the pay of its new Ministers because they “deserved it”.

Minister Harmon also opined to the public that the salaries earned by Ministers under the Peoples Progressive Party Civic previous Government were not up to par and encouraged them to engage in corrupt acts.

This raiding of the public purse is one of the biggest blunders by this new Government which declared unctuously they were on a crusade against Executive lawlessness, extravagance in public office, misuse of tax payers funds and the enrichment of members of the Executive by the payment of Super salaries and perks.

Minister Harmon, if he wants to reduce the public opprobrium that will inevitably follow his risible excuses, must explain how can Ministers, appointed only for four months, be “deserving” of a salary increase which will bleed the treasury which new Government bemoaned was “bankrupt” because of the "siphoning off" of assets and other illegal acts by the PPP. Surely, Minister Harmon recognizes that the Government is wallowing in the very questionable actions it accused the PPP of committing. It is buying luXury SUVs for its members including Nagamootoo, refurbishing official offices and residences of its leaders, redoing roads and bridges leading to Ministers private homes, and enjoying countless trips abroad on the health of the treasury.

The public is not amused as the others Members of Parliament who were cited to receive increases were just decoys and distractions aimed at concealing the level of chicanery as well as betrayal of fiduciary responsibilities to the public owed bu its Government.

If the Government can increase the PM’s salary alone by over 2M dollars per annually, it can certainly find more money to pay better salaries to thousands of poor public servants and their families.

Do not the President's men believe that all categories of public servants, sugar workers and rice farmers deserve better pay for their work too after dedicating their lives and putting their backs to wheels of to keep the wheels of their various industries turning?

How can any working class Government feel comfortable increasing the pay of its members while the economy is at a standstill and socio-economic uncertainty is the new norm?

While some organizations like the Guyana Trades Unions Congress and the Peoples Progressive Party Civic will waste no time in condemning the move by this supposedly pro-working class Government, other “tokens” and once outspoken political commentators who are benefiting from audit monies and paper bag jobs will remain mute.

Had it been the PPP, the ABC Countries, the media and the Muckrakers of our world would have had a field day.

This move by the David Granger Government is a departure from every single principle it has preached and will in the future undermine every attempt it makes to create its own legacy which is supposed to be a far cry from what the criticised under the PPP. The more things change, apparently the more they remain the same: this is certainly no "lean or clean" administration.

As feared, Government has started the process of reintroducing “fat cats” and “super salary politicians”.

As they say in Guyanese Creole after one engages in a transgressive act: “you think they kay, they aint kay”.

news

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sunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt dissatisfied with Minibus driver shot during robbery at Eccles mining practices

A

... moves to regularise

G

overnment has expressed dissatisfaction with the way mining is done in Guyana, especially with damage to the environment, and is taking steps to correct this.

“Mining is a worthy occupation, endeavour… but I believe it is not being carried out in the best ways possible, so Government is not satisfied, especially the President. He has spoken about perception of corruption, he has spoken about the way the land is left in a devastated manner, after mining; he has spoken about the pollution, etc.”

This is according to Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, who addressed the matter during a recent interview with the Government information Agency (GINA). Minister Trotman has oversight of the mining sector.

Among steps to be taken to regulate the mining sector, is the review of concessions granted, especially those within Amerindian lands; granting of more powers to mining officers to ef-

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

fectively enforce the laws and regulations; and a complete review of legislation governing this sector.

The Minister, who is passionate about reducing and possibly eliminating social ills in the mining sector, is expected to collaborate with various stakeholders, as well as the Ministry of Social Protection in this regard.

“I have bemoaned the fact very often or too much, the perception of mining,

yes, it’s big money, but there is also a sense of wantonness where money buys you influence, it buys you power.

I speak about the attendant ills of mining that bother me immensely; the degradation to the land, people possessing guns, prostitution, drugs, etc,” Trotman stated.

“We have every intention of continuing mining, but we believe that it has to be regulated far better than it has been in the past.”

Cummings Lodge residents hail clean-up exercise

Sylvester Shim, Resident of GEC Scheme, Ugandi Park

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esidents of Old Road, Ugandi Park and GEC Scheme, Cummings Lodge, Georgetown, have welcomed the desilting of drainage channels in their area.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s National Taskforce for the effective functioning of Guyana’s drainage and irrigation system is in the area, clearing several internal drainage channels.

When the Government Information Agency (GINA) visited the area Saturday morning, excavators were desilting the Old Road canals. Residents who came out to witness the exercise were thankful to the rel-

evant authorities for embarking on the exercise, which will minimise flooding in the area during the rainy season.

“What is happening here today is long overdue, because as soon as it rains, we are under water,” a resident of the area, Sylvester Shim told GINA. Shim, who has been living in the area for 26 years, said the community is very thankful, and has already resolved to play its part by working to set up a committee to help with the maintenance of drainage.

Ronald Persaud who has been a resident there for 22 years, noted that the drain-

that we have a change of Government, I am hoping that things can change for the better for the people of this community,” he added.

Community Coordinator for the Drainage and Cleanup exercise of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Neilson McKenzie explained that desilting is being done initially at the request of residents. He said, however, bringing relief to the area ties into the overall work plan of improving drainage of Georgetown: “This is on the extreme boundary of Georgetown, and this is one of the key areas in

Community Coordinator for the Drainage and Clean-up exercise of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Neilson McKenzie

age channel had not been cleared for about 13 years.

“Since 2002, they dig here slightly. We had no drainage, no road in this area.

We were left abandoned for the past 13 years. Now

support of what the Mayor and City Council is doing, and the more overall plan for drainage and desilting in Georgetown to alleviate the issue of flooding,” he explained.

minibus driver is now being nursed for a gunshot wound to his left shoulder following a robbery in the vicinity of Flour Mill Road, Eccles, East Bank Demerara on Saturday at about 11:45h.

The injured man has been identified as Feroze Ghanie, 48, of Ruby, East Bank Essequibo. He was admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital and was listed as stable.

Based on information, Ghanie was shot after two men held up the minibus he was driving and robbed the conductor, Raphael Ghanie and a passenger, Dhanmattie Ramana.

Police investigations revealed that two men boarded the minibus at Parika and as the bus approached the Flour

Mill Road, they requested to disembark.

As the minibus stopped as requested, one of the men who was armed with a hand gun held up the conductor and the passenger and relived them of $21,000. Upon seeing this, the driver attempted to drive away but was shot to the shoulder.

The two men then escaped. The Police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

Only last month, Karim Shivrattan, 17, of Lot 14 Public Road, Agricola, was shot to his chest during an attempt to prevent a robbery being committed on passengers in a minibus at Agricola, Georgetown on Monday morning.

According to the Police, the young man went to the

assistance of two women who were being robbed at gunpoint by two men, one of whom was armed with a gun.

Based on reports, the two bandits had joined the minibus at Diamond, East Bank Demerara and upon reaching Agricola, requested to get off. As the vehicle stopped, the two men held up Natasha Rampersaud, 33, and Lalita Narine, 53, both of Diamond Housing Scheme.

They reportedly relieved the women of their jewellery.

Upon realising what was happening, young Shivrattan went to the assistance of the women but was shot. He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remains in a stable condition. The two perpetrators made good their escape.

16 news

SunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Global youth unemployment rate at 13% – ILO 2015 Report – unemployment crisis easing but far from over

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he International Labour Organization (ILO) has issued its Global Youth Employment Trends for 2015, revealing that while the unemployment rates among youths have been stabilised, millions of young people around the world still finds it an uphill task to find a decent job.

In the report released on Thursday, it was stated that following a period

of rapid increase between 2007 and 2010, the 2015 global employment trends for youths is at some 13 per cent, above the pre-crisis level of 11.7 per cent.

The ILO highlighted, in the report, a drop in the number of unemployed youth to 73.3 million in 2014. This is 3.3 million less than the crisis peak of 76.6 million in 2009. When compared to 2012, the youth unemploy-

ment rate has decreased by 1.4 percentage points in Developed Economies and the European Union and by half a percentage point or less in Central and SouthEastern Europe (non-EU) and CIS, Latin America and the Caribbean and SubSaharan Africa.

Meanwhile, the remaining regions – East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa – saw an

ILO’s Global Youth Employment Trends for 2015 put youth unemployment at 13 per cent

increase in the youth unemployment rate between 2012 and 2014, however there was no change in the case of South Asia.

According to the report, the presence of a shrinking youth labour force has resulted in the youth unemployment rate remaining stubbornly high despite a decline in the number of unemployed youth. In fact, the rate is expected to creep up to 13.1 per cent in 2015, according to the report’s projections.

“It is encouraging to

see an improvement in the youth employment trends compared to the GET for Youth 2013,” says Sara Elder, the report’s lead author.

She added: “But we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that recovery is not universal and that almost 43 per cent of the global youth labour force is still either unemployed or working but yet living in poverty. It’s still not easy to be young and starting out in today’s labour market.”

A difficult labour market transition

Global shares of youth in the total labour force, whether employed or unemployed, are decreasing over time. One reason being, the ILO stated, is that more young people, although still not enough, are participating in education.

However, millions of young people in low-income countries continue to leave school to take up jobs when they are too young.

According to the report, 31 per cent of youths in lowincome countries have no educational qualifications at all, compared to six per cent in lower middle-income countries and two per cent in upper middle-income countries.

The report also highlights a persistent gender gap with the rates of young women’s participation in the labour market being significantly lower than those of young men in most regions. They continue to be also more exposed to unemployment than their male counterpart.

More young people in developed economies are now finding work but the quality of jobs is below their expectations. And still too many remain stuck in longterm unemployment. In the European Union, more than one in three unemployed youth has been looking for work for more than one year.

Meanwhile, developing economies continue to be plagued by structural underemployment, informal employment and working poverty. While working poverty (living on less than US$2 per day) has decreased over the past 20 years, it still affects 169 million (one in three) young workers in the developing world. The number increases to 286 million if the near poor are included (that is, those living on less than US$4 a day).

The Global Employment Trends for Youth 2015 report includes data from 30 school-to-work transition surveys (SWTS) from the Work4Youth project, a global partnership between the ILO and The MasterCard Foundation.

news

“Informant” arrested for rice framer’s murder

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embers of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force have once again came in for high praise following the arrest of the ‘informant’ in murder of Hardat Kissoon who was gunned down in a route 44 minibus in the Vicinity of Rupert Craig Highway, Georgetown.

Paul James, 31 of Lot 56 Durban Street, Georgetown was arrested on Saturday afternoon and is being grilled by Police in connection with the murder. He is expected to be charged on Monday.

Reports reaching Guyana Times revealed that Police recently secured the surveillance footage from a city bank camera where Kissoon went to transact business on the day he was shot and killed.

As the businessman was leaving, the surveillance footage proved James followed him after which he made a telephone call.

Whilst the rice farmer was

Murder accused Sherwin Trotman

conducting business in the bank, the Police observed James in the bank who was clearly not there to transact business.

Based on those observations, the Police identified James as a known character who was previously charged for robbery under arms. He was subsequently tracked down and arrested.

Two of his accomplices, Kurt Clark, 32, of Charlestown, Georgetown

and Sherwin Trotman, 32, of 45 Section D, South Turkeyen, Georgetown were already charged for the murder.

After several weeks on the run, Trotman was arrested at the Princess Hotel Casino and subsequently slapped with the murder charge.

One other person is wanted in connection with the robbery/murder.

Kissoon, 42, of 94 Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, was shot once to his chest by a passenger in a Route 44 minibus on June 1 then relieved of a bag containing over $500,000.

It was reported that the now dead man boarded the minibus at East Coast Minibus Park about 14:45 h. While the minibus was in the vicinity of University of Guyana access road, a man sitting in the back seat requested a stop. On his way out, he grabbed the bag containing the money from Kissoon.

Kissoon, who was also sitting in the back seat, re-

portedly put up a fight, but the bandit whipped out a gun and shot him at close range. The shooter then took the bag and threw it through a window to an accomplice who was waiting on a CG motorcycle.

The shooter exited, jumped on the motorcycle and fled the scene. Kissoon was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital moments after the shooting.

Plummeting business sinks all sectors

... from malls to markets

S

everal months after the post election tension has presumably died, citizens as well as business owners are crying out as Guyana’s economy continues to be at a standstill, so much so that business in general has began to plummet, thereby affecting the growth of all sectors.

Local commentators have stated that the health of Guyana’s economy is deteriorating and are calling on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Administration to focus on introducing new and innovative measures to stimulate the country’s economy.

Political Commentator and Economist, Ramon Gaskin has been very vocal in this regard, saying that Guyana’s economy is at a “dead standstill... It is not moving,” he stated.

According to Gaskin, this economic downturn has had a negative impact on the production levels of the major industries, such as rice, sugar, gold, bauxite and mining.

“Rice is in problems, sugar is the same, gold price is low and bauxite production is down,” he pointed out.

Moreover, Gaskin highlighted that investments are also at a standstill in Guyana currently as the country is unable to attach any new investors of recent. “People are not investing as much as they used to,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Economist outlined that the small local communities can be the gateway for the upward movement of the country’s financial system.

Gaskin noted that if these are not sustained, then it will be a great disaster for Guyana.

Gaskin went on to point out that a lot of monies were approved in the 2015 Budget to be spent on projects and programmes that would see the development and boosting of the country’s economy. However, the Economist opined that one of the main reasons for this standstill is the fact that contracts are not being awarded to get projects going.

“Government is taking too long to award these contractors… We see them publishing invitations for ten-

Government to tend to the situation urgently as they grapple with a decrease in sales as well as the increase in the prices of goods.

Guyana Times recently spoke with some of the entrepreneurs along Regent Street who complained bitterly about the economic crisis they are facing. Dave Lall, a large scale fisherman who was shopping, expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the new Government is handling the situation as he stated that they are not put-

ders and people applying but then they do not award any of the contracts,” he stated. According to Gaskin if Government continues to stall the process then the country’s development will also be put on the standstill.

“In my view, if Government starts awarding contracts for projects like roads, defences, bridges and so on, then things will start to move a little,” he posited.

This seemingly stagnant pace of the economy has resulted in businesses in Georgetown facing the harsh realities of economic slowdown for the past few months. Business owners have since been calling on

ting enough effort into reviving the economy.

“For the past two years business in the entirety has been on a constant slope, as of mid May, 2015, that slope escalated into a downward spiral with no visible intentions of a parachute upwards.

One has to wonder why the sudden drop just as we welcomed a new Government after 23 years? Is it because the majority of people who spend money and keep the economy afloat are awaiting the decisions and actions of the new Government before they start spending again? Is it because people naturally don’t have money to spend?

Surely it cannot be because

THE

The persistent gap between the Hinterland and the Coast

G Dead rice farmer Hardat Kissoon

of a new Government.”

As of now, the new Government has not instituted any new policies or regulations that would cause such a drastic change towards the spending pattern of the Guyanese people.

Lance McPherson, a handicraft vendor explained that he is facing the negative impacts of the slowdown as it is throwing him on the breadline. “For the past three months business has being slow… money circulation was here when they were school shopping but not as normal, certain bills are challenging to meet,” the man related.

Furthermore, some persons have even expressed their views that the chances of the economy improving are low if the Government does not find ways of assuring and coercing investors’ confidence.

However, this issue is not limited to the Georgetown area alone as the Berbice and Essequibo economies have also been taking a thrashing, especially with the struggling rice and sugar industries.

At the Leonora, West Coast Demerara Saturday Market, there were large swathes of empty spaces where vendors would normally throng and jostle for space to sell their vegetables, groceries or clothes.

Upon enquiry, one vendor said about her missing colleagues: "business bad and den na gat enough money fuh buy more goods fuh sell".A quick survey of several Malls in the city and the suburbs showed that traffic was down significantly and several owners said that even those persons walking around but not buying.

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SunDAY, october 11, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

uyana’s hinterland regions possess a wealth of natural and human resources, with immense potential for the development of this country. But for too long, they have been looked upon as exotic, distant lands, almost disconnected from coastal Guyana, where their inhabitants, predominantly Amerindians, were often perceived and treated as the “other”. This Anna Correia perception first took root under the colonial Empire, where the description of “children of the forest” was attributed to Amerindians. However, the policies of the newly independent State of Guyana were not inclusive for all Guyanese, and Amerindians saw themselves particularly marginalised.

Not only was development through the implementation of social and economic policies for all segments of the population overlooked under the PNC regime, but also, there were no proper investments to support a durable and functional infrastructure enabling regions to link and promoting thus their simultaneous development in an effort of national advancement. In addition to the poor development policies the country endured during that period, was the stigma that Amerindian peoples suffered, as they continued to be perceived as the “other” while in an effort to forge one homogenous Guyanese culture, the PNC regime only minimally worked to preserve the cultures of Guyana’s first peoples. Subsequently, for over two decades, hinterland inhabitants were confined to the slow progress of development in their regions, while they, mainly Amerindians, watched helplessly as their cultures eroded.

When initiatives to propel hinterland development were finally implemented, the gap between these regions and the coast was so wide that it would take substantial amount of human and financial resources to homogenize development across the country. Among these new initiatives was cultural preservation. One could almost say that in recent years, Amerindians have developed a renewed pride comparable to the “Red Power” of Native Americans, and encouraged by the international framework which introduced and now encompasses indigenous rights.

However, though the perception of the hinterland and its inhabitants is gradually evolving in our society, due not only to favorable policies which seek to promote indigenous rights, but also the realization of their importance in the future development of this country, the gap between the hinterland and the coast still remains visible.

One of the reasons for this stems from the inaptitude of the media to inform and report to the public on matters affecting the hinterland. Social issues for instance, affect all age groups in the hinterland and can range from high rates of teenage pregnancy, incest committed on underage females, increase in trafficking in persons and prostitution, and the impact of mining within the proximity of Amerindian communities. Also, there is the insufficiency in providing administrative services in the hinterland, such as social welfare and banking. This forces Amerindians to travel long distances before they could gain access to services which are readily available to their fellow citizens on the coast, incurring exorbitant travel expenditures.

Hinterland communities are also very involved in sports activities, especially volley ball and football, and often compete with each other, perhaps much more actively than is done on the coast. However, hinterland sports are seldom covered by the media.

Once again, the availability of resources are vital to the coverage of hinterland news, but the Indigenous Affairs Ministry should serve as an intermediary between the hinterland and the rest of Guyana, providing the requisite information and access to information to media houses. Unfortunately, whatever information is released to the media is generally intended to polish the actions of the Government rather than to impartially inform the public. Substance published by the State owned media as well as most other media houses follow the same pattern. Some media houses which attempt to impartially address indigenous and hinterland issues often carry one-sided or inaccurate information as the issue of investigative journalism again becomes recurrent.

This causes Guyanese on the coast to continue with a generally myopic vision of hinterland inhabitants, and only provides them with bits and pieces of the puzzle to understanding the context of hinterland development.

Additionally, the poor policies of the current Government for enhancing infrastructure and accessibility between the Hinterland and the Coast would be of no help in bridging this socioeconomic divide, as they may not constitute a positive contribution to nationwide development.

(Please send question and comments to sundayarrow@gmail.com)

18

SunDAY, october 11, 2015

Sri Lanka Board President’s XI v West Indians, 2nd day, SSC, Colombo…

Enterprise Legends T20 Tournament…

Jayasundera, Bhanuka Bowlers set up easy drive SL President’s XI win for EBSC

Carlos Brathwaite struck a fifty

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ri Lanka Board President’s XI took control of the West Indians’ three-day warm-up encounter at the SSC, as two young batsmen struck centuries. Udara Jayasundera remained unbeaten on 124 at stumps, by which time the hosts had whittled out a 24-run lead, with seven firstinnings wickets in hand.

Jayasundera had shared a 214-run stand with 20-yearold wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka, who hit an attractive 101 from 160 balls.

The partnership was all the more impressive for the state of the scoreline at its beginning. They had come together third ball after Kemar Roach had dismissed two batsmen from the Test squad in successive deliveries; Kusal Mendis was caught at point, and Lahiru Thirimanne offered an edge to the wicketkeeper. As Sri Lanka have picked only eight batsmen in its Test squad, Thirimanne’s failure is unlikely to force him out of the Test XI, but it does put further pressure on the batsman, who has had a modest home Test season so far.

Jayasundera was largely the more secure of the two batsman, and Bhanuka was the strokemaker who occasionally rode his luck, with thick edges either passing between or over the slips.

Bhanuka was especially quick on the short ball, pulling and hooking the West Indians’ seamers, while Jayasundera relied more

on his drive. They were circumspect against Roach and Jason Holder, who were the most disciplined of the quicks, but scored freely off the wayward Shannon Gabriel. Jerome Taylor was rested on Saturday, and did not bowl.

The West Indian spinners were unable to make a breakthrough on a pitch that had slowed down considerably. Frontline spinners Devendra Bishoo and Jomel Warrican both traveled at more than 4.5 runs

an over. Holder removed Bhanuka late in the day, and the President’s XI went to stumps at 233 for 3.

Earlier in the day, Suraj Randiv had completed an impressive five-wicket haul when he removed Shai Hope and Holder on consecutive deliveries. Denesh Ramdin’s dismissal for 20 left West Indians at 166 for 9, but some big-hitting from Carlos Brathwaite, who struck four sixes and four fours in his 54, took the visitors to 202 all out. (Cricinfo)

Bhaskar Yadram collects the Man-of-the-Match trophy from Harry Sanicharan

SCOREBOARD West Indians 1st innings KC Brathwaite lbw b Fernando 46 R Chandrika c Pathirana b Lakmal 18 DM Bravo c †Bhanuka b Randiv 21 MN Samuels c †Bhanuka b Lakmal 0 J Blackwood c Lakmal b Randiv 3 SD Hope c Siriwardana b Randiv 26 SO Dowrich c Jayasinghe b Randiv 3 D Ramdin† c Mendis b Fernando 20 JO Holder* c Jayasinghe b Randiv 0 CR Brathwaite c Jayasundera b Lakmal 54 KAJ Roach not out 11 Extras (b-5, lb-1, nb-1) 7 Total (all out; 65.3 overs) 209

Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Chandrika, 15.5 ov), 2-78 (Bravo, 26.4 ov), 3-79 (Samuels, 27.5 ov), 4-94 (Blackwood, 34.1 ov), 5-96 (KC Brathwaite, 35.6 ov), 6-113 (Dowrich, 40.2 ov), 7-136 (Hope,

50.6 ov), 8-136 (Holder, 52.1 ov), 9-166 (Ramdin, 55.6 ov), 10209 (CR Brathwaite, 65.3 ov) Bowling: RAS Lakmal 14.3-5-26-3 (1-nb), MVT Fernando 14-6-39-2, KL Rukmal 6-1-24-0, SS Pathirana 2-0-18-0, S Randiv 23-5-735, TAM Siriwardana 6-1-23-0 Sri Lanka Board President's XI 1st innings K Mendis c Blackwood b Roach 0 MDUS Jayasundera not out 124 HDRL Thirimanne* c †Ramdin b Roach 0 M Bhanuka† c Hope b Holder 101 TAM Siriwardana not out 3 Extras (b-4, nb-1) 5 Total (3 wickets; 58.4 overs) 233 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Mendis, 0.1 ov), 2-0 (Thirimanne, 0.2 ov), 3-214 (Bhanuka, 53.1 ov) Bowling: KAJ Roach 9-2-252, ST Gabriel 9-0-59-0 (1-nb), MN Samuels 7-3-18-0, JO Holder 8-2-16-1, CR Brathwaite 9-2-32-0, J Warrican 9.4-045-0, D Bishoo 7-1-34-0

President of the Amar Shakti Sports Club of Suriname, Khanai Yadram, hands over the winner’s trophy to Amenda Persaud

By Rajiv Bisnauth

E

nterprise Busta Sport Club (EBSC) sent the visiting Amar Shakti Sports Club of Paramaribo, Suriname, crashing to a seven-wicket defeat with 8.3 overs to spare in the first game of the three-match T20 series, organised by the Enterprise Legends Sport Club.

Played on Saturday afternoon at the Enterprise Community Centre ground, a combination of good bowling and some injudicious shot making by the visiting batsmen saw them being routed for just 52 in 13 overs.

The tourists won the toss and batted on a flat drylooking pitch, but their decision backfired as they collapsed without showing a fight.

Bhaskar Yadram (4-13) was the pick of the bowlers, while Amenda Persaud (23); Amar Kissure (2-22) and a wicket apiece for Pradesh Balkishun and Bashkar Deodat all combined to decimate a clearly dispirited Surinamese side. Only Ryan Gobin offered any meaningful resistance in getting to 17.

In reply, the hosts lost three wickets, but Srichand Gangaram and Yadram, the former national Under-15

batsman, came together and took the their team home comfortable.

Gangaram was unbeaten on 23, while Yadram was on 11. Bowling for the visitors Imran Ramjohn (2-18) and Dilchand Barath (1-11) were the successful bowlers.

Game two was played last evening between the visitors and Floodlights at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

The two-day tournament concludes today with the Enterprise Legends playing the visitors from 12:00h at the Enterprise Community Centre ground. (rajivb@ guyanatimesgy.com)

sundAY, october 11, 2015

guyanatimesGY.com

India v South Africa, 1st ODI, Kanpur…

Hosts seek fresh start after T20 loss

19

“Enterprise Community Centre ground is for everybody” – Buxton/Foulis NDC Chairman says it is a multi-purpose venue

B

It has not been all smooth sailing for India so far this series

oth India and South Africa’s ODI teams have suffered the same fate in the recent past: a first-ever series defeat to Bangladesh. They recovered with victories over Zimbabwe and New Zealand respectively but their difficulties against one of cricket’s so-called smaller sides contained many similarities.

For India, Virat Kohli’s form was in the spotlight. His scores of 1, 23 and 25 extended his run without an ODI fifty to 10 innings. For South Africa, Hashim Amla struggled for runs with scores of 14, 22 and 15 in Bangladesh to record his longest streak without an international fifty - seven innings.

Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar managed to take just five wickets between them in Bangladesh at an average of 42.6. Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott fared even worse with just a single scalp at a cost of 126 runs. On that evidence, both India and South Africa were teams in trouble.

The difference is that while Kohli remains in a barren patch in ODIs, Amla scored a century in the immediate aftermath of that tour and while India’s seamers are still looking for incisiveness, South Africa found Kagiso Rabada who was

the leading wicket-taker in Bangladesh and has continued to impress on surfaces that are supposed to thwart him. On that evidence, South Africa seem to be getting out of trouble faster than India.

Not that it really matters right now.

Fifty-over cricket remains a low-priority on the global stage at this time though, with the next World Cup four years away. There are more pressing matters coming up - the World T20 and before that, a four-Test series between these two teams.

So these five matches can almost be played without pressure but only almost. India have something to prove after their defeat in the T20 series, South Africa need to build some continuity in the format and there’s no such thing as a game that does not matter to either side. Expect entertainment and intensity and maybe a bit of fun on the side.

In the spotlight

Although South Africa are making a point of playing down the spin factor Imran Tahir’s influence cannot be ignored. He is their leading bowler in ODI cricket this year with 30 wickets at 22.46 and has been both containing and attacking in the mid-

dle overs. But India’s batsmen are not expected to treat him with the same tentativeness as other teams have so it will make for an interesting challenge to see how he deals with them.

After scores of 11 and 3 in the T20s, Shikhar Dhawan will be under pressure to perform and lay a solid platform at the start of the innings. He has history on his side in his quest to assert authority. Dhawan averages 65.75 against South Africa in four innings and has scored two centuries in big matches against them - in the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2015 World Cup.

Team news

India (probable) 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 5 Ambati Rayudu, 6 Suresh Raina, 7 Axar Patel, 8 R Ashwin , 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Mohit Sharma, 11 Umesh Yadav South Africa (probable) 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 and 7 Two out of David Miller/ Farhaan Behardien/Chris Morris, 8 Dale Steyn, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran Tahir (Cricinfo)

Randolph Blair

Jitlall Jowahirlall

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Blair’s input was sought after scores of residents, cricketers and members of the Enterprise Busta Sport Club (EBSC) on Wednesday afternoon staged a peaceful protest against the hosting of a grass track event planned for today at the venue.

The protestors are of the opinion that the grass track event, organised by the Biker’s Boys Club, will set an extremely dangerous precedence for the club moving forward.

They are also of the view that an event of such nature will destroy the outer perimeter of the venue.

“Look the Enterprise Community Centre ground is for everybody, not just the cricketers, but having said that, the necessary paper

Chairman of the Buxton/ Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Randolph Blair, has said that the Enterprise Community Centre ground (ECCG) is a multi-purpose venue, and can be utilised by all interested persons and organisations.

The centre ground has been controlled by the Enterprise Centre Council (ECC) for the past 30 years, and for activities to be held there, interested persons/ organisations must get the necessary approval from the ECC. However, the NDC Chairman made it clear that the ECC is just the manager of the facility, and not the owner.

works and rental fees must be paid between those who want to rent the facility and the ECC before permission is granted in order to use the facility,” Blair clarified.

Last week, the ECC refused to give the necessary approval to the Biker’s Boys Club to host the grass track event, despite the Club receiving permission from the Buxton/Foulis NDC to use the ground.

Guyana Times Sport was informed by Secretary of the ECC, Jitlall Jowahirlall, that the NDC has no authority to control the affairs of the centre.

However, Jowahirlall mentioned that while the Council is strongly against the hosting of the event, the necessary paper works were not done in the first place in order to grant the approval.

According to Jowahirlall, the ECC requested a rental fee and also a contractual agreement between the ECC and the Bikers Boys Club, but the club failed to honour both.

Further, Jowahirlall indicted that the T20 game between the Enterprise Legend Sport Club and Amar Shakti Sport Club of Paramaribo, Suriname, planned for the venue from 12:00h today, will go ahead as scheduled.

“No grass track, cricket first,” he said. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

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sundAY, october 11, 2015

guyanatimesGY.com

Herath to take retirement call after 2016 World T20 R

angana Herath, who has spearheaded the Sri Lankan bowling attack for the past six years since the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan, says he won’t make any decision on how long to carry on playing until after the end of the 2016 World Twenty20 in India.

However, Herath, who will turn 38 during the World Twenty20 next March, says it could come “very soon” and admits he is struggling to stay fit with recurring knee problems hindering his effectiveness.

“With my age you cannot perform the way you did some 10-15 years ago.

From my fitness I am doing the maximum with the injury, I am struggling a little bit on it,” Herath said. “I cannot give a guarantee with my bowling or my fitness. I am trying to retain whatever energy I have and to prolong my

career I have reduced the number of one-day matches and play only Tests.

“If I put a target to end my career I will not be able to give my maximum to the team. Every time I play I look to give 100% to the team. But before long I will have to take a decision on my future. I will decide after the World T20 which is to be played in India next year.

We are the reigning champions and we have a good chance of defending it with the present team although they lack in a bit in experience.”

Challenge The upcoming twoTest series against West Indies represents another challenge for Herath.

In particular, his knees are a special area of concern after undergoing surgery on each leg four years ago. To reduce the pain, Herath went to Australia shortly before the 2014

of taking wickets.”

This was something that didn’t happen during Sri Lanka’s Test series against Pakistan where young off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal leaked runs from one end which affected Herath, who could manage only two wickets in the series and found himself dropped for the third Test.

Rangana Herath’s 5-3 against New Zealand in the 2014 World Twenty20 propelled Sri Lanka into the knockout stage and eventually the tournament title. He’s hoping to stay healthy long enough to help Sri Lanka defend their championship

World Twenty20 and got a C-reactive protein injection for each knee but it is a over a year since and the

pain has returned.

“I did an operation on both knees in 2011 for damaged cartilage,”

Herath said. “I had a clean-up and I had no problem playing after that.

But of late I have been getting pains. It is four years since the operation and the effect of it must have worn off over the years due to the wear and tear while playing.

“I sometimes get the pain on my knees when I start to run but not when I am bowling. I have been working with the physios, trainers and the medical staff how best to manage my injury and taking tablets and taping myself when I play in matches.”

Following the retirements of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Herath is one of the few experienced hands around for skipper Angelo Mathews to turn to for advice, making his presence all the more valuable.

“Even when Mahela and Sanga were around as a bowler I offered advice and assistance to Angelo.

In future, Angelo will require the support of all the team members. As a senior player I also have a responsibility to support him especially from the bowling side. If you take our bowling unit apart from Dhammika [Prasad] and me the rest have not played many matches. When you play with an inexperienced bowling unit, the captain will need to have a lot of patience because you will not get the breaks every time you need them.

“In the past five-six years it has been this bowling unit which has been shuffled around and played. We always look as a team to build partnerships with the bowling unit. If anyone is bowling well from one side, not consistently bowling maiden overs but lessening the number of loose balls and not allowing batsmen the freedom to score, the strike bowler has more chances

No blame game “I don’t blame anyone for my poor performances against Pakistan.

From my side I had room to improve myself which I managed to do during the Indian series,” said Herath. “PHT [Kaushal] is a newcomer to Test cricket. We cannot expect too much from him like building pressure and things like that. He needs the experience to do that.

With experience only you can improve their performance. From my side I could have bowled better than I did against Pakistan.

“Technically you cannot put your finger on anything that’s wrong. It is against Pakistan that I have performed very well taken about 90 Test wickets. What I found was that the Pakistan batsmen played me better than in the past and although I did not concede as many runs what stood out was that I could not get any wickets.”

Despite the early inconsistency, Kaushal does have two five-wicket hauls in his first six Tests and Herath believes that Kaushal is the best option Sri Lanka has to succeed as a frontline spinner after him.

“If you take our spinners it is Kaushal who has played a lot and has the wicket-taking ability,” Herath said. “Even Dilruwan Perera has it but Kaushal from the wickettaking angle is the most successful and promising, we should pursue with him for the future. He has a problem with his doosra, but I believe he can go a long way with his off-spin.

“PHT does not spin the ball as much as Murali.

Murali had a wrist from which he could impart sharp spin and turn.

Kaushal does not have that advantage, but he definitely has turn.”

In contrast to all other opposition, Herath’s record against West Indies is poor. He has only taken eight wickets in five Tests but he is confident that he can put the record straight in the upcoming series.

“I am confident that I can do what I have been doing in the past and have great belief if I bowl well we have a good chance of winning the series.”

(Cricinfo)

21

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Guyana’s Men’s Physique champion, Emmerson Campbell (second right), seals the deal with representatives of IPA

T

he International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), importer of the Universal Nutrition supplement line, has signed Guyana’s Men’s Physique champion, Emmerson Campbell, as a brand ambassador.

The terms and conditions of the deal, which were agreed upon last week, were not disclosed but the partnership runs until sometime next year.

Campbell placed second in his first show last December at the annual Flex Night International event.

Since then, he has dominated every local competition he has entered, including a coveted win at Senior National Championships in July.

The 5’ 8” chiseled athlete also placed fourth at the CAC Championships last month in the Bahamas.

IPA and Universal are proud to support Campbell

as he prepares to compete at Flex Night once again this December assisted by their portfolio of premium products.

Since opening its door 25 years ago, IPA has been the sole distributor of Universal products.

Universal Nutrition has been providing cutting edge and staple nutritional products to bodybuilders and hard training athletes the world over since 1977.

Courts Pee Wee football…

Huge wins for St Angela’s, St Agnes

By Avenash Ramzan

G

uyana’s most exciting Pee Wee football competition, sponsored by Courts (Guyana) Inc., continued on Saturday with several thrilling games at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

A total of 33 goals were scored on the second day of the competition, with the bulk of them coming from St Angela’s and St Agnes, who combined for 14 goals.

St Angela’s completely annihilated Sophia Primary 9-0, while the St Agnes boys were too good for Marian Academy, whom they disposed of 5-0.

Keyon Douglas was the star performer for St Angela’s, scoring five of his team’s goals. He netted in the fourth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 16 minutes, while Antoine Vincent supported with a double in the 29th and 34th minutes.

Completing the rout were Antonio McArthur

and Kenroy Cadogan in the 15th and 30th minutes respectively.

The St Agnes lads were in a domineering mood against Marian Academy, netting goals at will during their encounter, while protecting their goal at all cost.

Daniel Pollard (10th and 28th) and Ronald Abrams (16th and 40th) scored doubles, while Mwange Smith tucked in one in the 18th minute.

A Makhi Adams hattrick (20th, 21st and 26th) and a solitary strike from Josiah King (34th) accounted for St Margaret’s four unanswered goals against Comenius Primary.

Three schools recorded identical 3-0 victories over their opponents. First up was St Stephen’s, who got goals from Ronaldo Forde (10th and 34th) and Otis Straughn (31st) in their win over J.E. Burnham, followed by Enterprise Primary over defending champions Stella Maris.

The scorers for Enterprise were Seon Archibald (13th), Martin King (28th) and Garfield Caeser (32nd), while Rayheim Marques (18th and 30th) and Anthony Vandy (11th) were on target for Tucville against School of the Nation.

In other results, F.E. Pollard and Smith’s Memorial played to a 1-1 draw; Winfer Garden defeated St Gabriel’s 2-0; St Pius had a similar scoreline against North Georgetown; and South Ruimveldt needled West Ruimveldt 1-0.

St Sidwell and East La Penitence failed to show up, handing Rama Krishna and St Ambrose victory via the walkover route.

The competition, coordinated by the Petra Organisation, and sponsored by Courts (Guyana) Inc. in partnership with Banks DIH Limited, will continue on Saturday at the same venue with another 12 games. (aramzan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, october 11, 2015

Jeffrey makes sizzling return – laps field to win Hand-in-Hand main race

By Avenash Ramzan

D

ecked out in a new and bright lime green Team Coco’s uniform, Raynauth Jeffrey made a remarkable comeback to the local circuit, lapping the field to claim top honours in the main race of the 11th annual Hand-inHand Insurance 11-race cycling programme at the inner circuit of the National Park.

Jeffrey, who had journeyed to the United States of America to seek medical treatment for a broken collar sustained in an accident earlier this year, was in prime form, outgunning 23 other starters in the most compelling of performances in the midday heat on

Feature race winner Raynauth Jeffrey receives his trophy and sprint prizes from Hand-in-Hand Marketing Supervisor, Savita Singh, in the presence of national coach Hassan Mohamed and race official Joseph Britton

Saturday.

Jeffrey sprinted away from his competitors early in the race, and never

looked back, lapping the entire field by lap 17 to record an impressive victory ahead of today’s highly anticipated

Kadir memorial ‘Ounce of Gold’ road race.

Such was Jeffrey’s dominance, he claimed six of the eight prime prizes on offer.

When he crossed the finish line in the middle of a bunch of riders who still had a lap to complete, Jeffrey was clocked at one hour, 17 minutes, 01.99 seconds (01h: 17m: 01.99s).

Fellow Team Coco’s rider Hamzah Eastman rode in second, followed by Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal, Team Coco’s Junior Niles, Guyana Cycling Federation president Horace Burrowes and Team Coco’s Stephano Husbands.

Husbands and Jamal John claimed the other two prime prizes.

Earlier in the day, the BMX age group riders had their time in the sun, with John Niles continuing his impressive run in the National Park, winning the BMX Boys 6-9. Christopher Goring and Alexander Leung were second and third respectively.

Simon Chee won the BMX Boys 9-12, beating Goring and Shea Sue Hang, while Adelia Hodge, Jonathon Jagdeo and Thuran Garbarran were 1-2-3 in the BMX Boys 1214.

Ronaldo Narine won the 12-14 Boys and Girls, with Ronella Samuels coming in second, while Junior Niles took top honours in the Veterans Under-50, leaving Burrowes to settle for second and Shameer Baksh third.

The future! From left: Ajani Cutting, John Niles and Simon Chee pose with their brand new bicycles. Sharing the moment are national coach Hassan Mohamed and Hand-in-Hand Marketing Supervisor, Savita Singh

There were only two entrants for the Veterans Over50, with Linden Blackman winning ahead of Virgil Jones. In the Juveniles race, Jamal John emerged as the top rider, with Raphael Leung taking second and Christopher Griffith third.

Shane Bourne chalked up a maiden win at the National Park, copping the Mountain Bikes category, with Marcus Keiler and Seon Budhan finishing second and third respectively.

Apart from its exclusive sponsorship of the day’s activities, Hand-in-Hand

Insurance also continued its tradition of distributing BMX bicycles and helmets to three promising young riders.

The beneficiaries this year were Ajani Cutting, John Niles and Simon Chee.

Hand-in-Hand Insurance representatives Savita Singh, Chandranie Karran and Bonicka Gordon were on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes.

The event was coordinated by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

sundAY, october 11, 2015

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Survival Travel Agency onboard Stag Elite League…

Pele edge Conquerors to stay atop with Guyana Softball Cup – Three tickets to Barbados up for grabs

S

urvival Supermarket has been one of the major sponsors of Guyana Softball Cup, and during the fifth edition of the country’s premier softball tournament, the company, through its Travel Agency, will afford three lucky spectators a trip to the beautiful island of Barbados.

At a simple ceremony at its Vlissengen Road branch on Saturday morning, the Assistant Manager of Survival Travel Agency, Mark DeFreitas, presented the tickets to members of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), the organising body of the October 30 to November 1 competition.

DeFreitas said Survival is proud to once again be associated with the tournament, which has attracted teams from Guyana and North America competing in the Open and Masters categories.

Apart from providing the tickets, DeFreitas also revealed that the Survival chain of stores will also offer tickets for the final day of the competition to customers who do business at the entity, providing they satisfy the conditions set out by the company.

Receiving on behalf of the GFSCA was President Ramchand Ragbeer, who expressed gratitude to the entity for staying the course with the Guyana Softball Cup. Ragbeer said the in-

vestment by Survival is significant, noting that such strong support is vital to the success of the tournament.

He labelled Survival Travel Agency as “the best in the country”, as he called on individuals to support the business to ensure the sponsorship of the Guyana Softball Cup is maintained.

To qualify for a chance to win the trip to Barbados, spectators need to retain their half tickets on the day of the finals (November 1) and listen for their numbers to be called over the Public Address system.

Success story

The Guyana Softball Cup commenced in 2011 and instantly became a hit with players and fans alike, attracting massive crowds and also putting some hard earned cash in the pockets of those who entertain with bat and ball on the field.

This year promises to be even better, as the GFSCA is aiming to surpass the achievements of the previous four years in terms of spectators’ involvement and the handsome rewards at stake for the players.

The champion team in the Men’s Open is guaranteed a whopping $800,000 first prize and a huge trophy, while the losing finalist will have to settle for $200,000 and a trophy. In the Masters’ division, the winning team will pocket $600,000 with the runner-

Platini appeals against 90-day FIFA ban

U

efa chief Michel Platini is appealing after FIFA banned him for 90 days while corruption claims are investigated.

The 60-year-old Frenchman has been suspended along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and secretary general Jerome Valcke. They deny wrongdoing.

Platini, a FIFA vicepresident, is the Football Association’s preference to succeed Blatter at FIFA. The French FA wants the Court of Arbitration for Sport to intervene to ensure Platini can stand for election.

FIFA’s ethics committee began its investigation after the Swiss attorney general opened criminal proceedings against Blatter in September.

He is accused of signing a contract “unfavourable” to FIFA and making a “disloyal payment” to Platini.

The ethics committee also opened an inquiry into Platini over the 2m euros (£1.35m) payment, which was made nine years after the former France footballer carried out consulta-

tion work for Blatter.

FIFA will hold an emergency meeting on October 20 in Zurich to discuss February’s presidential election, at which a successor to Blatter will be chosen.

Platini, Uefa’s president since 2007, has been backed

by South America’s football confederation following his suspension.

Conmebol said he should be regarded as innocent until proven guilty.

The French Football Federation is expecting a decision from FIFA’s appeal committee within eight days.

“The FFF has adopted the principle of an appeal if the decision of the FIFA appeal committee does not go Michel Platini’s way,” said a FFF spokesman.

Blatter, 79, won a fifth consecutive presidential election in May but announced he would be stepping down just days later following the launch of two investigations into FIFA by United States and Swiss authorities.

Platini is one of the favourites to replace him and still plans to stand. He has the full backing of Uefa, which is holding an emergency meeting next week. (BBC Sport)

up assured of $150,000. The Man-of-the-Match in both finals will receive a trophy.

As has been the case in the past, the Most Valuable Player of each category will become the proud owner of a softball bracelet, made of gold and diamond studs, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.

On the day of the final, apart from the trip to Barbados, there will be lots of hampers and giveaways for spectators.

Wolf’s Warriors and Floodlights are the defending champions of the Open and Masters categories, while the previous champions were Trophy Stall (Open) and New York Better Hope (Masters) in 2013, NYSCL New York (Open) and Savage Masters in 2012 and Cotton Field Wild Oats (Open) and Regal Seniors (Masters) in 2011.

Kithson Bain

Gregory Richardson

Travis Grant

he Stag Elite League continued on Friday evening with Alpha United and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) playing to a draw, while table toppers Pele edged Fruta Conquerors to remain in the lead.

Playing at the Tucville ground, Alpha United and GDF netted a goal each to walk away with an equal share of the points, while Pele continued their brilliant run with a 2-1 success over hosts Fruta Conquerors.

In the opening game, Alpha United, one of Guyana’s top football clubs, went ahead nine minutes into the contest when Grenada’s Kithson Bain found the back of the net.

The army men later equalised when Seon Prince scored from the penalty spot.

Meanwhile, Pele FC moved to the top of the points table with 11 points following their victory over Fruta Conquerors. Travis “Zorro” Grant sent Pele FC in the lead in the 18th min-

ute and would close the half with a 1-0 advantage.

However, Fruta Conquerors equalised through Dennis Edwards in the 57th minute, but the Stag Elite League’s Courts Player-of-the-Month, Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, scored what turned out to be game winner ten minutes later.

It was Richardson’s fifth goal in as many matches and he extended his reign as the League’s leading goal scorer.

T

sundAY, october 11, 2015

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Jeffrey makes sizzling return – laps field to win Hand-in-Hand main race

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The top riders proudly display their trophies at the conclusion of Saturday’s programme (Avenash Ramzan photos)

Survival Travel Agency onboard Huge wins for St with Guyana Softball Cup – Three tickets to Barbados up for grabs Angela’s, St Agnes Courts Pee Wee football…

Page 23 Assistant Manager of Survival Travel Agency, Mark DeFreitas (left), presents a replica of the tickets to GFSCA President, Ramchand Ragbeer, in the presence of GSFCA member Surendra Nauth

The St Agnes players are ecstatic after their commanding win over Marian Academy (Avenash Ramzan photo)

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