Guyana Times Daily - August 26, 2015

Local Govt polls still in limbo...

New Govt budgets $2B for elections

The new Government has budgeted a whopping $2 billion for the hosting of the long-awaited Local Government Elections although these elections remain in limbo as no official date has been set.

The monies were also budgeted as part of inflows for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), even though the new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government has failed to honour its campaign promise of naming the date for the elections within its first 100 days in office.

Despite advice from experts, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan is holding out that the Administration is awaiting advice from the elections body on how soon the elections can be held.

“We want to hold it as soon as possible. We are waiting on GECOM to tell us how soon we can hold it. Once we get that

word, we are prepared to name a date… the ball is in GECOM’s court,” he insisted.

On the other hand, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally had told this newspaper that no “decisions” were made in relation to the hold -

ing of the LGE and while he saw reports attributed to the Communities Minister, he was not aware that the issue of setting the date or time frame for the elections was one that was scheduled to be discussed in a formal way by GECOM at its planned statutory

meeting.

Dr Surujbally advised that the Commission did discuss the legal lacunae that stand in the way of successful holding of the elections, but these issues were known to all the stakeholders who had interest in the holding of local polls.

He explained further that the Commission continued to do what it could at this time to prepare for the elections whenever they would be held.

Local polls have not been held in Guyana since 1994.

The $2 billion set aside includes $1.483 billion and $371 million for current expenditures and $55 million for capital expenses, according to the budgetary allocation seen by the Guyana Times on Monday.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon was on Monday providing answers to questions posed by the PPP/C Opposition during the consideration of the budget estimates at Parliament Building.

PPP/C Members of Parliament (MPs) were drilling the Government on its preparedness for the LGE and the allocations of monies for the various aspects of the elections.

Of that figure, Harmon disclosed that some $250 million would be utilised for the purpose of purchasing billboards, among other materials, to use for voter education.

Also, some $632 million is set aside for secretarial services.

In regards to training, Harmon explained that the total figure amounted to some $53 million and this included some $27 million which was budgeted for that purpose for 2015 along with a bal -

ance of $25 million from 2014. Harmon also disclosed that of that sum of money, some $10.4 million was already spent on training and retraining of several of GECOM staff.

Asked about the process of hiring persons to work during the LGE, Harmon explained that GECOM has a reservoir of 12,000 persons who were already trained for the General and Regional Elections on May 11 and it was from there the Elections Body would extract persons for the LGE.

In response, former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud stated, “It is unfortunate the explanation given. Whether we have a reservoir or not, this nation needs to be informed. I cannot remember reading any public statement made by GECOM that they have identified potential staff and have trained those staff for LGE and that’s a little bit disturbing.”

The probe into this area comes in light of the May 11 General and Regional Elections where problems arose surrounding the transparency of hiring GECOM staff, including polling day agents and the credibility of these employees.

Bicycle bandits rob duo at Mandela Avenue

Two men who hail from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Tuesday morning experienced a traumatic and life-threatening ordeal after being robbed by three bicycle bandits in Georgetown.

Reports are that around 01:30h on the said day, Vijay Pitamber of Enmore and Ajay Sewdat of Foulis, ECD were repairing a motor vehicle in the vicinity of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown when the event occurred.

Three men on bicycles,

one of whom was armed with a handgun, held up the two men, robbing them of $28,000 and two cellular phones. The trio then made good their escape on the bicycles.

According to a Police press release on Tuesday, ranks had responded to the report when the incident took place and managed to apprehend one of the suspects along Mandela Avenue.

The suspect was in Police custody up to press time assisting with investigations into the matter.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

Former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY FERRY SCHEDULE

Contrary to what he preached when he was in Opposition, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is ensuring that for the next five years he will be enjoying quite a sybaritic lifestyle. A $22 million customised luxury Land Cruiser being added to his existing fleet of 22 vehicles will be just the tip of an iceberg of extravagant expenditures in his personal life.

Millions of taxpayers’ dollars have been pumped into improving the lifestyle of the Honourable Prime Minister who has been in Executive Office for only some four months.

Thus far, Nagamootoo has cashed in on hefty amounts for the repairs to the bridge and road to his private residence, repairs to the official Prime Minister’s residence and the Office of the Prime Minister.

And now in the 2015 Budget, more millions have been allocated for the Prime Minister, who is on record criticising the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government over its alleged mismanagement of public funds and waste in office.

Nagamootoo, like other Government officials, is also in the line-up to receive a whopping salary increase in the near future. His current salary is already going to cost taxpayers millions of dollars a year.

Meanwhile, the ostentatious purchase of the $22 million luxury vehicle definitely took the nation by utter surprise. But what is even more shocking is the excuse given by the Prime Minister following earlier denials that Land Cruisers were being purchased for Government Ministers. In seeking to justify this purchase, Nagamootoo simply stated that the luxury vehicle will help him “reach out to those who voted for the Prime Minister”.

The Toyota website revealed that the 2015 Land Cruiser which is being purportedly purchased is a four-zone automatic with front and rear climate con-

trol with air filter, dust and pollen filtration mode, push-button controls, separate second-row control panel, individual temperature settings for driver, front passenger and rearseat passengers, and second- and third-row vents; and leather-trimmed seats.

Other features include premium HDD navigation; eight-inch high-resolution touch-screen with splitscreen capability and integrated backup camera; AM/ FM CD player with MP3/ WMA playback capability; 14 speakers including subwoofers; HD Radio with iTunes11; USB port with iPod connectivity and control, vehicle information; hands-free phone capability, phone book access, advanced voice recognition14; music streaming via Bluetooth and wireless technology.

Moreover, in the Budget Estimates 2015, an additional $10 million is set aside for the rehabilitation of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister’s Official Residence. Some of this money will go towards constructing several secondary buildings at the Prime Minister’s residence, while the remaining will be distributed for the refurbishing of cubicles, security barracks, storage houses, waiting area and the roof.

An additional $10 million is set aside for the purchase of furniture and equipment, while another $4 million is allocated for the refurbishing of

wednesday, august 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

furniture and equipment, Nagamootoo stated, contending that the buildings he inherited were in a deplorable state.

Also, some $10 million was budgeted under the Office of the Prime Minister for “minor works”, which Nagamootoo said will be distributed to assist in various projects undertaken by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Salvation Army and the Diocese of Guyana, among others.

Additionally, a whopping $15.7 million is set aside for “other expenses”.

Meanwhile, it was Nagamootoo who best demonstrated the then Opposition’s condemnation for corruption and those desirous of leading a

“Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey-cart economy” with the use of public funds.

So great was his scorn for “squandermania” and concern for the poor and ordinary citizens that back in 2012 while supporting a motion to axe portions of the National Budget, Nagamootoo introduced the term “fat cats” in the National Assembly which he used to describe those public employees, contract workers and political appointees benefiting from super salaries that were “bleeding” the treasury.

In light of this all, it was Nagamootoo who proposed an increase in salary for all A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government Ministers.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Editor (Ag): Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Beyond the Promises

The newly-elected A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government’s deadline for the implementation of its laudable 100-day plan expired at the break of dawn today.

Many of the promises contained within that plan, which was used to muster up political support ahead of the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, remain unfulfilled.

Regardless of the “A” Grade that the new Government has given itself, it has failed miserably in the eyes of the populace as far as honouring these simple yet complex election goodies promises to the masses.

On Friday last, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo attempted desperately with the support of several Government Members of Parliament to mislead the National Assembly by alleging that his Government has fulfilled the mandate and spirit of the 100day plan.

Surely, the Prime Minister knows that a promise is not completed until it is actually done and fully implemented within the agreed upon or promised timeframe. Any fulfilment of promises outside of this agreed-upon timeframe means that the original promise was modified with the consent of those who should have benefited and the agreement was remodelled. This is not the case.

At the moment of the expiration of the 100 days, the Value Added Tax nor Berbice River Bridge tolls have not been reduced. The new Government while in Opposition campaigned heavily on these issues and they should have been effected within the first 100 days without any excuses.

There were no “significant” increases for public servants on the traditional payroll. What workers got, in fact, was a five per cent increase, while those below the minimum wage which account for less than 15 per cent of the entire public sector benefited from “moderate increases” as a result of the hike in the minimum wage. While Government gave Old Age Pensioners a meagre $4000 more, it removed their ability to benefit from millions of dollars in subsidies for water and electricity.

Linden still does not have its television station and there is no establishment of “passport and birth certificate licensing offices in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden”. A makeshift facility was put in place so persons could receive their documents but not process them.

No date for Local Government Elections has been set and the new Government seems confused as to when these elections could be practically held. This is the most criminal breach of the plan given the positions adopted by the Government when it was in Opposition. There is no procurement Commission nor was constitutional reform delivered. No conference for women was held in reality nor was there a national youth council meeting. There has been no liberalisation of the Telecommunications and Information Communication Technology Sectors. There is no long-term economic development plan put forward by the new Government for the full realisation of the country’s vast potential.

The Government has failed the people and must be held accountable for the non-implementation of this plan and the Cummingsburg Accord regardless of the recent publicity stunt pulled and led by Messrs Harmon and Nagamootoo.

While the Government has not managed to completely accomplish its 100-day plan, it has managed to fire thousands of workers from the public service and within Government’s employ. Many of them coincidentally or not have been East Indians and Amerindians who supported the PPP/C.

The Government over the first 100 days managed to pull out a birthday bash and inauguration for the new President which amounted to millions of dollars as well. Over this same period, it managed to purchase a $22 million vehicle for the new Prime Minister and pay for partially or entirely the trips of several of its Ministers abroad for political and other forms of business.

It has also failed to address the crime and security needs of the masses, as scores were murdered, robbed or died as a result of road accidents during its first 100 days. Ironically, the President’s, PM’s, and Vice Presidents’ security details were enhanced and extensive repairs were made to their roads and residence within that time frame.

Perhaps even more criminal was the Government’s hypocrisy in delivering a PPP-derived budget to the populace which featured butchered, cut and pasted policies within a questionable legislative and economic framework to the Parliament.

The next 100 days await the public and given the trend, no one should hold their breath hoping for a fresh approach or paradigm shift.

Georgetown Lighthouse

Suicide prevention is everyone's business

Dear Editor, Kudos to Mr Annnan Boodram, Ms. Bibi Ahamad, Mrs Norkah Carter, Mr Nazim Hussain, Yog Mahadeo and the young Divina Singh, Carol Lovell for a tremendous weekend Conference and Awards Program focused on the topic of suicide. Congratulations to the new Government in the form of Ministers Lawrence and Ramjattan for attending the Conference and for placing emphasis on one of the most critical developmental and human issues facing Guyana.

A special thank you to the Caribbean Voice whose vision and persistence resulted in this effort. Thanks also to Cara Lodge, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Ms. Ameena Gafoor, and all the other donors who graciously contributed their time and

resources. Many others contributed but don’t want their names mentioned because all agree in the Caribbean Voice’s motto “Suicide is everyone’s business”.

In the early 2000s the HIV & AIDS epidemic was suffocating Guyana. Over 60 NGOs and Faith based organisations sprang into action, some because funding was available, others because the crisis was very real in their daily lives. PREPFAR and other funding agencies helped to stem the tide.

Today we have an even more difficult crisis.

Whereas groups like the Caribbean Voice, the Guyana Foundation and many Faith based and Community organisations are engaged in this battle, more foot soldiers are needed. More funding is needed. More media is needed. More acknowledgement of the crisis is needed.

Indeed, “suicide” should be a national conversation and our school system needs to be an essential area of response and awareness. Too many of our young people are perishing. For all of us to contribute, we need to be on guard for those suffering depression around us. The signs are many and include individuals who are:

Persistently sad, anxious or “empty” feelings

Have feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism

Have feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness

Are irritable and restless

Have a loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

Are fatigued and have a decreased energy

Have difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions

Suffer from insomnia,

early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping Are overeating or have appetite loss

Have thoughts of suicide and make suicide attempts

Have persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment I look forward to the day when each school will have a social sorker and each community becomes a “sanctuary of hope” for all our citizens.

Nation-building is everyone’s business and so is suicide prevention.

May organisations such as the Caribbean Voice continue their visionary quest and may all our people, young and old, be saved from this tragedy.

Yours truly, Eric Phillips

GPOC responds to E B John’s Letter

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) wishes to acknowledge the concerns expressed in Mr E.B. John’s letter published in another newspaper on August 22, and captioned, “Lack of timeliness in pension delivery evidence of chronic inefficiency with GPOC.”

Management wishes to thank Mr. John for the interest he has shown in the Post Office and sincerely apologises for any inconvenience experienced. GPOC remains committed towards ensuring that the public receives an efficient service with the least interruption.

Consequent to the well-

publicised break-and-entries/robberies, GPOC has restructured its security system which resulted in delays at some locations. Notwithstanding its challenges, Management is working assiduously to address same.

Customers are encouraged to raise all quires

with our Customer Services Department on telephone number 226-3127 or email us at pro@guypost.gy.

Yours faithfully, Telesha Whyte Public Relations Officer

Guyana Post Office Corporation

Investigation into alleged Police bribery launched

Dear Editor, Cognisant of an article published in the Guyana Times of Monday August 24, under the

caption “Police at Mahaicony accused of taking bribe”, the Commissioner of Police, Mr.Seelall Persaud, DSM, has directed the

Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to conduct investigations into the allegations stated.

Ivelaw

Whittaker Public Relations and Press Officer

The Georgetown Lighthouse towers above most of the surrounding buildings. The National Monument with its distinctive red and white stripes is a famous landmark that was first built by the Dutch in 1817 and rebuilt in 1830 to help guide ships into the Demerara River from the Atlantic Ocean. The 31-metre (103 foot) octagonal structure is located on Water Street (Tourism Ministry photo)

Attitude of US embassy in face of visa applicants deplorable

Dear Editor,

I am happy to see that others have come on board sounding their voices and lending weight with regards to the behaviour of the U.S.A Embassy in relation to visa applications. I have twice criticised their modus operandi. As one man correctly asserted it appears to be a money making set-up period which have been and probably still is exploited by their staff.

Let us not forget that Thomas Carroll who was accused and had to be recalled by the US State Department.

Now I have never really done any kind of business with the USG embassy in Guyana.

But I have heard too many stories about the mean way in which Guyanese citizens are treated as second class by the USA embassy personnel on our own land.

The USA seemed to suffer from a heavy overdose of paranoia, thus anyone desirous of going to that country is required to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that he/she

is more innocuous than a dead mouse before being considered favourable. For why else would you turn down a seven year old with pent-up anxiety and grand expectations of spending the August holidays with his family in the USA? More so, why make a request for those seeking visas to “come in” and still turn them down. Many spend $32000 into taking a blind chance, knowing very well that they could be turned down for no apparent reason.

I have seen before questionnaires by the US embassy which one is required to satisfy, you are drilled to the point of being drained; it is as if the survival of your entire ancestry rest on the acquirement of that visa.

It seems as though they start from the premise that everyone is desperate, hence a rogue and dishonest; that once given a chance will run and “duck”. But this is far from being accurate, since as one irate gentleman informed us lately: he is a professional, a

technocrat, highly qualified, substantially employed and financially sound. He said he gave to them all relevant particulars, all at their disposal to double check and still he was denied access. If this gentleman wasn’t suspected of something sinister then why was he refused? The attitude of the staff is deplorable, some are individuals with petty vendetta, perked-up attitudes and arrogance, flexing their authority.

However, having to spend $32000 before being denied access to a visa is no different that being robbed. Unfortunately, there is no way to seek redress. What that one individual says is it –end of story. The US doesn’t give applicants the opportunity to speak, thus the other course is through the printed media as I have opted to do, though this matters little to them. How is this democratic?

Yours faithfully, Frank Fyffe

Expanding membership to the Caribbean Court of Justice

Dear Editor, There is hope that by the end of next year at least three more countries will join the appellate division of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Before the end of this year, St. Lucia will go on board because the mechanism is already in place to do so. The United Kingdom Parliament has been requested to remove St. Lucia from the Privy Council and after this is done, the Kenny Anthony administration will take the necessary steps for St Lucia to accept the CCJ as the final court.

St Lucia will be the fifth Caricom country to do so - it will join Guyana, Barbados, Belize and Dominica.

At long last both the governing party and the Opposition movement in Antigua and Barbuda have agreed to have bipartisan consultations on certain areas of Constitutional reform for accession to the CCJ and to this end at the request of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Opposition leader Baldwin Spencer, President of the CCJ Sir Denis Byron and a team from the CCJ journeyed to the twin island State to sensitise the electorate on the operation of the Court. This move is to pave the way for

a referendum for the electorates to decide whether or not they want to abolish appeals to the Privy Council.

Reports from St. Georges state that Grenada is also contemplating abolishing appeals to the Privy Council. Trinidad and Tobago will hold its general election on September 7 and the new Government will decide shortly after if it join the appellate division of the CCJ. Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday was in the forefront for the establishment of the regional court and because of his strong view Port of Spain was identified as the headquarters of the court. The current Opposition leader, Keith Rowley is in favour of the CCJ and the incumbent Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar also want to abolish civil appeals to the Privy Council.

Over in Jamaica the Portio Simpson Government is for the court, and there is ongoing debate among Opposition members of the JLP whether or not to join. It is hoped that good sense will prevail and the Opposition lawmakers will agree since their vote is required for the mandate. I should state that Edward Seaga former leader of the JLP when he was

Prime Minister in 1988 was in the forefront for the regional court. The electorates in St. Vincent and the Grenadines rejected a referendum more than five years ago, but the referendum was loaded with other constitutional changes including removing the Queen as Head of State and it isn’t certain whether the voters are in favour of abolishing appeals to the Privy Council.

The CCJ has been doing a fantastic job since its inauguration in April 2005, not only in hearing appeals, but also decided numerous cases in its original jurisdiction, including the landmark decision in the Shanique Myrie (a Jamaican woman) case who obtained judgment against the Barbados Government after she was harassed and denied entry. The regional Court has been supporting regional jurisdictions through a US$20 million grant from the Government of Canada under the JURIST project. JURIST is a five year programme that seeks to work with each nation to improve court administration, accelerate the resolution of cases and modernise the courts.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

Page Foundation

Do it now! Tips to get ready for

By Cynthia EwEr

School entry may require documentation from immunisation records to report cards from the previous school year. Athletes need proof of medical examination. A little preparation can prevent frantic last-minute searches for a birth certificate or registration confirmation.

Call your child’s school or check the school’s or Ministry’s website beforehand to find out what paperwork will be required – then find it! You won’t be sorry come registration day.

Take aim on morning madness

How are school mornings in your home? Crazed and chaotic, or calm and cheer ful? Plan ahead to send your schoolchildren – and your self! – out the door in a hap py frame of mind.

Each evening, think ahead to the following morning; where can you lighten the load? Set the breakfast table as you clear the dinner dish es, and make sure break fast foods are easy to reach. Lay out children’s clothing the night before. Scan back packs or launch pad spaces for missing homework, proj ects or library books. Make sure musical instruments or sports bags are packed and ready to go.

Continued

Pad concept! By creating a dedicated space for every family member, a Launch Pad gets the family out the door in record time – and organised.

Make a practice run

How will children get to school? The first day of school is no time to find out it takes ten minutes – not five – to walk to the nearest bus stop!

Before school begins, make a practice run to get children to the school on time.

If they’ll walk, help them learn the route they’ll take and note the needed time.

and volun - teer commitments tap parental time and put new mileage on the mini-van. Get organised! Spiff up your household systems to meet the faster pace: Clean house ... fast! Take a stab at speed cleaning and whip through household chores in record time.

Cut time in the kitchen: create a menu plan and never again wonder “What’s for dinner?”

Streamline dinner preparations. Try a session of

tipsforchildrenandparents

As August vacation comes to an end, it can be hard to get back into a regular schedule – for both children and adults. Whether you’re a parent that’s dreading the start of school rush or a babysitter or tutor struggling to help children rediscover homework success, we’ve got some tips for you.

The trick is to plan ahead. Identify strategies and approaches to stay organised, to help ease your child seamlessly back into school and to manage your own stress.

Do “bathroom wars” break out daily among the small fry? Multi-child households may need a bathroom schedule so that everyone gets equal time before the mirror.

What do you do about books and papers, lunch money and permission slips? Practice the Launch

Bus rid-

ers will need to be familiar with the location of the bus stop; print and post the bus schedule to prevent a missed bus.

Spiff up household systems

A new school year quickens the tempo of family life. Sports activities, music lessons, church programmes

sports night.

Conquer the paper pileup. Set up a basic home filing system to track school paperwork, volunteer activities and household planning

Happy New School Year! Time to swing into a new school year – from an organised home. (organisedhome.com)

Here

Dr Fran Walfish, a child and family psychotherapist and author of

“The Self-Aware Parent,” and Christina Nichols, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist from a leading independent school in New York City and the Hallowell Centre, offer 101 things to help children stay on track –while keeping you sane.

A week or two before the school year begins, children should start going to bed and waking up as they would on school days –- it can take a while for their bodies to adjust to non-summer hours.

Get children on a regular exercise program or into an active hobby to create good habits and burn off extra energy.

Take children to cultural attractions like museums or historical sites the week before school starts. Get them thinking about subjects they’ll be tackling in the year ahead.

Hire an after-school sitter to pick for your children up from school, bring them to activities and care for them while you’re at work.

Encourage children to read a book in the week or two before school begins. Ease them into quiet time, while giving them a jumpstart on refreshing their reading skills.

Get children accustomed to a calendar schedule, like what they’ll use to manage their classes and extracurricular activities.

Use a homework app such as iHomework or MyHomeWork to help children organise assignments.

Let children choose a planner or scheduling tool that they’re excited to use, whether it’s written or technology-based.

Set up regular weekly meetings with your child to review their schedules, assignments and activities for the week ahead.

Create a family calendar – whether a Google Calendar or a colourful Wall Calendar – that highlights family activities and everyone’s major commitments. This helps make planning easier, while

pinpointing conflicts. Set or refresh the rules about technology and screen time during the school year. What’s allowed and when?

Choose a time to focus on family conversations and connections, such as during dinner or before bedtime. End the holiday on a positive note, allowing children a specific day with activities they choose (eg swimming or a visit to a theme park) to start their transition to fall.

Ask children to estimate how long homework assignments will take, and then compare it against how long each actually assignment takes. It will help them practice better time management.

Use an egg timer to help children focus for specific periods of time. Make it a game.

Encourage your children to prioritise their assignments, and make a to-do list that lists deadlines.

Allow children a short break after each assignment they finish, such as a snack or a short walk.

Avoid becoming the Homework Cop by setting an alarm each day that signals the start of homework time.

Discuss what to expect on the first day with your children, such as gathering for assembly and reciting the Pledge. This can help them feel more prepared.

Visit the school with your child before school starts. If possible, allow her to see her new classroom and play in the schoolyard. Familiarity breeds comfort.

Arrange play dates with two or three of your child’s classmates to rebuild social ties that cooled over the summer.

Ask the principal or teacher for a class roster with contact numbers to arrange playdates. If your child can make one or two friends before school starts, she or he will be so much happier to go to school.

Include your child in shopping for school supplies. Encourage him to choose his own backpack and lunch box.

Make a plan for organising those supplies – and keeping them organised. Create a dedicated space where your child stores all of his or her school supplies and technology when they’re not being used.

Decide what area will be used as homework space, whether it’s the dining room table or a family office. Remove distractions such as TVs and video game consoles from homework areas. (Excerpt from Care.com)

Constitutional Reform Steering Committee $5M members were handpicked by Govt – Nagamootoo confesses

The process undertaken to select the members of the constitutional reform steering committee was done without proper consultations, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo admitted.

Nagamootoo explained that several Cabinet Members, including Governance and Patrimony Minister Raphael Trotman, Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, were the ones who selected the persons to serve on the Committee responsible for making recommendations for changes in the Constitution of Guyana.

Nagamootoo only made these disclosures after being drilled by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall during the consideration of the Budget Estimates in Parliament on Monday evening.

“The Prime Minister consulted with his Cabinet colleagues. He did not consult with the Guyana Bar Association; he did not consult with the Guyana Women Lawyers Association (GWLA); he did not consult with the Berbice Bar Association; he did not con-

sult with any other civil society member,” Nandlall declared, exposing the Government for its lack of transparency in this process.

In an effort to save face, Nagamootoo sprouted from his seat and stated that the Steering Committee will consult with these bodies when the time comes to establish the Constitutional Reform Committee.

He added that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition would also be consulted.

Meanwhile, the Steering Committee comprises former Director of Transparency International and Attorneyat-Law Gino Persaud, Professor Harold Lutchman, former Magistrate Geeta

Chandan, former Chief Economist at the Central Bank Haslyn Parris, and will be chaired by Attorneyat-Law and Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Nigel Hughes. Most if not all of these individuals are in some way or the other related to or connected to the new Government.

The Chairman of the Reform Committee is also the husband of Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, while Lutchman was the head of the APNU/AFC list submitted at the elections.

The former Magistrate Chandan was a candidate on the new Government’s list and campaigned heavily for that grouping at the last elections.

The entire undertaking will cost the Government some $5 million and each member will be receiving a monthly stipend of $100,000.

Other expenses include payment to administration staff, retention of a vehicle and driver, employment of a researcher and the location of an office – all of which will be covered under the $5M.

The Steering Committee is mandated to draft a work programme and make recommendations for constitutional reforms.

The Committee has until December to compile and submit its preliminary report to the Prime Minister for review.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Affairs Subcommittee, will then report to that committee which will then report to Cabinet.

Thereafter, a constitutional reform commission will come on-stream and it is this commission that will effect the changes to the Constitution.

In a previous interview, Nagamootoo had emphasised that the Steering Committee would not be responsible for implementing the reforms but would only be making recommendations to the relevant authorities who would then move to implement the respective reforms.

“The scope of the Steering Committee is to be able to tell us how broad the work will be, what are the priority areas to be reformed and how the reform process will do its work…this is not the committee that will actually bring in any of the reform,” the Prime Minister explained.

Quartet charged for robbing mining camp

Four men who are accused of robbing the occupants of a mining camp were arrested and placed before the courts on Monday.

According to reports, on August 17, a group of armed men confronted occupants of a mining camp at Oko Backdam, Cuyuni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and relieved the occupants of a number of items, including a licensed .32 pistol along with matching ammunition, a quantity of raw gold and several cell phones. The men subsequently made good their escape from the camp.

Following diligent investigations by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), four of the men suspected to be part of the group were arrested five days later. Two of them were caught at Oko Backdam, while the other two were held at Olive Creek, Cuyuni. Additionally, the Police managed to recover the stolen firearm.

The suspects are: 27-year-old Dunston Fraser of Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD); 34-year-old Deon

Giddings of Victoria, ECD; and 27-year-old Franklyn Adolph and 25-year-old Fabian Mars of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. They were all charged with robbery under arms.

In addition, Fraser was also charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition as well as a trafficking in narcotics offence.

The four men were taken to court on Monday, during which Adolph and Mars pleaded not guilty to the charge read against them and were remanded to prison until September 2. Meanwhile, Giddings pleaded guilty to the armed robbery offence and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Fraser pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. He also pleaded guilty to the trafficking in narcotics and was sentenced to one year imprisonment. Fraser, who also pleaded not guilty to the robbery under arms charge, will return to court on September 2 as well.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

wednesday, august 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Bonus” remanded for killing Montrose Granny

The family of the late Danrasie Ganesh, also known as “Carmen”, who was killed three Saturdays ago, says justice has been done after Colin Allin, also known as “Bonus” was arraigned for her murder on Tuesday.

Allin, a 23-yearold Welder from Lot 7 Cemetery Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, is accused of murdering the 77-year-old grandmother.

Ganesh was murdered on August 1 while she was at Lot 121 Montrose, East Coast Demerara; a house she was the caretaker for over the last 40 years. Her body was found in a pool of blood with a gash to her head and a cloth tied around her neck. A knife was also found close to the elderly woman’s body.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that Ganesh’s daughters did not see her for the entire Saturday morning and became concerned. Hence, they went to the house and called out to her. However, their calls went unanswered and the gates were

locked, so they could not get into the yard. One of Ganesh’s grandsons was the first to find the dead woman lying on the kitchen flood covered in blood.

Police launched a fullfledged investigation, even staking out the house where the elderly woman was murdered. Soon after, Allin was apprehended by the Police and questioned about the murder.

The young man confessed to the killing when questioned by Police. However, he said that he

was contracted to kill the elderly woman by a close relative. Police are still investigating these statements but Guyana Times learnt that Allin has named one of the deceased’s sons as the one who gave him the contract to end her life.

The family, however, denied this.

This publication spoke to Ganesh’s sons and daughters on Tuesday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court after Allin was arraigned before Magistrate Zameena Ali. Ganesh’s

children stated that the accused is not known to the family and the named brother further explained that he only saw Allin one time; the day after the murder when he came back to the house.

Nevertheless, the family expressed relief that their mother’s murderer has been caught and hopes justice will be served in the long run. Even so, the family expressed that they were fearful that Allin’s colleagues may try to harm them as he has been quite abusive in his statements whenever he sees the family.

Mason remanded on burglary charge

A23-year-old Mason pleaded not guilty to burglary on Tuesday when he was read the charge at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Jamal Barrow of 25 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, faced Magistrate Zameena Ali as the burglary charge was read to him. He is accused of breaking into the Virtual Complainant (VC) Cindy Harris’ home last Friday and removing an Apple Ipad, 40 bottles of mini rum and TT$2500.

Prosecutor Hattie Anthony vehemently objected to bail. She said that the accused had broken into Harris’ home in the wee hours of the morning and removed the items. She stated that the VC awoke to the screams of her daughter who apparently saw the accused in the house. The Prosecutor said that Barrow made a run for it but not before the Virtual Complainant (VC) saw him running from the house.

Barrow was not represented

Magistrate Ali refused bail and ordered that he return to court on September 11.

To be or not to be...

...President (for a day)

President David Granger seems to like the itinerant life. Ever since he acceded to the Presidency he’s been flying here, there and seemingly everywhere. He also doesn’t like folks knowing where he’s jetting off to. So even when you THINK you know where’s he’s headedlike the Scarlet Pimpernel - he shows up somewhere else. Remember when thousands of the faithful showed up in Brooklyn for CELEBRATION TIME and up to today it still hasn’t been revealed where he flew to?

But Moses Nagamootoo doesn’t mind. For a man who’s been salivating for the presidency for decades, being a heartbeat away is progress, OK? And talking about “heartbeat”, there’s been some speculation that the seventyyear old President may have some health challenges driving his nomadic lifestyle. But whatever it is, with Nagamootoo being sworn in every other Sunday, he just might qualify for that Presidential Pension and Benefits he lambasted former President Jagdeo about.

But then maybe not. With his pouting insistence that he earns more than the Legal Affairs Minister, his salary and benefits are right up there with the President. But a couple of nights ago a funny thing happened to Nagamootoo on the way to Parliament. It could be been amnesia. Earlier in the day, he’d been sworn in as President because President Granger was on one of his secret jet-jaunts. (To Trinidad, where some say it was to give tips to the embattled PNM boss Keith Rowley. Ain’t Caribbean solidarity something else?!!)

But the now President (ag) Nagamootoo then proceeded to tell the driver of one of his five vehicles to ferry him urgently over to the National Assembly. He had to defend the purchase of a $22 million Land Cruiser in Parliament. He evidently found rats in the four SUV’s that Sam Hinds bequeathed him. If the purchase of the luxury vehicle by Nagamootoo in his capacity as PM wasn’t defended he could lose it. Nagamootoo wasn’t about to have that happen. How would he be able to visit his constituents, he argued. He couldn’t just show up at Whim in a ratty, used Land Cruiser, could he?

Anyhow, since Nagamootoo is a lawyer (as he’s never tired of reminding all and sundry since he qualified in his sixties) you’d think he’d know that the President can’t participate in the regular operations of Parliament, wouldn’t you?

So that’s why your humble Eyewitness thinks it’s either amnesia or incipient senility settling in on the man who would be President.

It couldn’t be that he just didn’t want to lose that $22 million Land Cruiser, could it? Naaaah!!

...playing the fool

Because he was blanked by the media in his maiden speech in the Assembly, Charranrass, picked by Nagamootoo to earn over $180,000 plus a car as an MP wrote an oleaginous and ingratiating letter to the Stabber. Wanted to defend his sponsor Nagamootoo against Jagdeo - who, he whined, shouldn’t have walked out before the former’s speech.

Why? Well in an amateurish display of sophistry and disingenuousness, Charranrass claims Jagdeo wanted to avoid Nagamootoo’s “stern rebuttal”!! Say what? Didn’t Charanrass notice that only once in Nagamootoo’s 100 min speech he called Jagdeo’s name? Even though the entire speech was about Jagdeo. Doesn’t Charanrass know Nagamootoo did that because he learnt in Sunday School he shouldn’t utter the name of a fella who’s bitch slapped him senseless umpteenth times? Wouldn’t look nice to have it done again.

After all, as Nagamootoo reminded Jagdeo, he IS Prime Minister, now, ain’t he?

To bad he really took over Kwame’s spot!

To be or not to be...

Charanrass also simpered that Jagdeo deigned to notice him. Jagdeo simply pointed out that Charanrass’ contention that “VAT” had been reduced was ridiculous, when only some items were made exempt. Charanrass should re-read APNU’s Manifesto.

The promise was: “a phased reduction of VAT AND the removal of VAT from food and other essential items.” Does Charanrass understand the significance of the conjunction “and”?

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

Colin Allin has been charged for the murder of Danrasie “Carmen” Ganesh

Bulkan goes blank during hardline Opposition questioning

Communities

Minister Ronald Bulkan “went blank” in the Parliament Chambers on Tuesday when he was pressured by the Opposition to disclose the names of the coun try’s 10 Regional Executive Officers (REOs).

At the time, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was scrutinis ing the $164.887 million which was budgeted for the Communities Ministry under Programme 421Sustainable Communities Management.

It was PPP/C’s Juan Edghill who sought clarification on the placement of REOs within the 10 Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) across Guyana. In response to a series of questions posed,

(APNU/AFC) Government came into power.

But, from all indications, it was clear that Bishop Edghill was not satisfied with the response provided as he pressed for the names to be disclosed.

the responding Minister explained that only two REOs were replaced since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change

“I would like to have the names of the 10 REOs and their dates of engagement.”

In response Minister Bulkan requested that the

information be made available at a later time. But that request was shot down by the Opposition. “Mr Chairman, I would be happy if I could have that information on the floor of the House now. REOs are public officers...that are not engaged in secret. REOs are the administrative heads of regions and the people of Guyana need to know who are these persons,” Edghill stated.

Running to the rescue of the Government, the Chairman of the Committee of Supply, Dr Barton Scotland, who has been described by the Opposition as “biased”, cautioned the PPP/C Member of Parliament that the information would be provided at a later date.

But former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall questioned why the sitting Minister of Communities did not know the names of the REOs over whom he has authority. In support of her colleagues, the Opposition’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira asked that the matter be deferred until the REOs arrive in the Chamber during the consideration of the budget estimates for the 10 administrative regions.

But this did not sit well with the former Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman who now sits on the Government side. According to Trotman, no Minister should be “bullied” into answering a question. However, the names of the REOs were subsequently provided, later in the day.

GAWU honours members’ children who excelled at NGSA

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Tuesday honoured 14 students who performed well at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations during its annual Bursary Award Presentation.

The ceremony was held at the Union’s headquarters on High Street and Wights Lane, Kingston, Georgetown and continued the long tradition of GAWU awarding bursaries to members’ children who did well at the NGSA. The bursaries were valued $10,000 each, and presented to children whose parents make up the Union membership in various branch areas.

The students who benefited are Safraz Mohamed, Venita Rajah, Reaz P ersaud, Lalita Ramoersaud, Babita Nankishore, Bovena Singh, Joanna Jawala, Dhankumarie

Singh, Lashae Parris, Horace Hing, Jerry Kishun, Elisheba Wilson, Roclay Rodrigues and Cornelius Crawford.

Speaking to the awardees, GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine congratulated them as well as their parents who were in attendance, and encouraged them to continue to excel in their future endeavours.

“This activity to provide each student here with a bursary is to encourage greater commitment to study and to be successful at future exams … Your parents must have played a significant role in your success so far. Our Union wishes to encourage them to continue to mould you to continue in your studies and learning,” Narine stated.

He advised that with the advancement of technology in today’s age, students should undergo the necessary training to en-

able them to face today’s challenges. He explained that GAWU was an organisation that supported the fostering of educational work, and was constantly looking for ways to aid in the improvement of their members’ education.

“Our Union notes that there is no age limit to learning. At the level of our Union Members, we are also fostering educational works,” he stated.

Narine also revealed that apart from the 14 students awarded at GAWU’s headquarters, 10 students from Berbice would also receive bursary awards. In addition to that, three more top students whose parents are members of GAWU’s Credit Union will be receiving an additional cash award of $8000. The parents of the awardees expressed their gratitude for the awards as they would go a far way in helping their children prepare for secondary school.

Awardees and their parents pose with GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine and Treasurer Rooplall Persaud after the ceremony

PPP/C Member Bishop Juan Edghill pressing Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on the REOs issue

Govt fails to implement Fiscal Transfers Act

– Minister wants to use discretion until full implementation

By: Svetlana MarShall

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) bashed the Government of Guyana on Tuesday over its failure to implement the Fiscal Transfer Act which was unanimously passed in the National Assembly and subsequently assented to in 2013 by then President Donald Ramotar.

The Fiscal Transfer Act was thrown into the spotlight during the consideration of the 2015 Budget Estimates when it was revealed that the formula provided for under the Act was not applied to the provision of capital subvention for municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

In the 2015 Budget, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government budgeted some $359 million for the provision of subventions to the six municipalities and 65 NDCs under the newly formed Communities

Ministry.

It was explained by the subject Minister Ronald Bulkan that each NDC will receive $4 million, a total of $260 million, while the six Municipalities will receive

for the councils at Rose Hall and Corriverton, and $15 million for the Anna Regina Municipality.

In justifying his failure to utilise the formula provided for under the Fiscal Transfer

a total of $99 million, with $24 million budgeted for the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, $16 million each for the New Amsterdam and Linden Mayor and Town Councils, $14 million each

Act, Minister Bulkan explained that the subventions were “identical” to the subventions provided last year to the local Government organs. “The Fiscal Transfer Act has not been institution-

alised in its entirety as yet. That will be part of the reform and rebuilding of the local Government system.”

“The system with local Government right now in this country is broken, the capacities of the councils have degraded; these councils have been damaged,” Minister Bulkan added as he laid the blame at the feet of the Opposition over its failure to hold Local Government Elections during its terms in Office. Local Government Elections have not been held since 1994. “The building of the capacities of these councils will commence once the democratic renewal has taken place, once we have Local Government Elections. Right now the capacities of these councils have been severely damaged.”

But the Opposition’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira rubbished Bulkan’s explanation, stating that the laws of this country should not be implemented at the discretion of a Minister.

“The Fiscal Transfer Act was passed and assented in accordance with the law over a year and a half ago. Why is that the formula that was agreed to unanimously on both sides of the House not applied in this Budget... It has nothing to do with reform, Sir, it has to do with compliance with the legislative statute that this House unanimously agreed.”

Institutionalise law

As she demanded that the law be institutionalised, the Opposition’s Chief Whip said the Communities Minister cannot be “capricious” with the law. In support of the Chief Whip, PPP/C Member of Parliament Collin Croal pointed out that the Fiscal Transfer Act was first implemented in 2014.

“There is an existing formula that they can apply and use, and the functionality of the NDCs and municipalities have no correlation. It takes into consideration the rate of collection that has not changed, it takes into consideration the geographical size,” he further explained.

Up to 2013, $195 million was equally divided among NDCs across Guyana as a subvention grand, while the

Double role

Satiricus was amused at all the commotion made because Naga Man showed up in Parliament in the night as the "Prime Minister" when in the day, he had been sworn in as "President". It was clear that all these stuffy types in Parliament didn't know about that staple of Bollywood called the "double role". Some say it was because Bollywood operated on the cheap - so they'd hire one fellas to play two roles. Mostly of two fellas who were supposed to be related.

Now Naga Man, even though he didn't like people to call him "Indian", used to haunt the Roopmahal Cinema at Albion Front when he was a boy. His childhood friend from Whimsey, GrainJa used to go with him so he also knew about "double role". Naga Man was really taken by two fellas, one invariably the "bad guy" named Praan and the other "good guy" who could look so similar. It took him a long while to figure out they were really one fella playing two roles.

And once Naga Man caught on, he started to play "double role" in real life. Like when he used be with Hagan, he would condemn all those to drank alcohol. But with his buddies, Naga Man drank like a fish. Or like when Rum Jhaat was carrying news to the Embassy, he used to cuss the fella out something fierce to the X-CO. But when they went to Sita's bar at night, he would make sure the Jhaat told the Embassy people he, Naga Man, was in with the scheme.

So when Naga Man went to Parliament while he was the "President", he was really the Prime Minister, who was the President who was playing a double role as the Prime Minister. Get it? Why couldn't people understand that? If his favourite Bollywood movie star Praan, who he resembles to the "T" could play "double role" why couldn't he?

Trouble is, Naga Man sighed, these young people were too culturally ignorant to appreciate that at the moment he was the Prime Minister even though he was the President, everyone was supposed to go along. No one had ever pointed out to Praan that he was really another (good) guy.

Jeez, sighed Naga Man, he'll have to get GrainJa play the Prime Minister double role sometimes. He doesn't appreciated how mush strain a double role can beespecially when you look like Praan. And that's why GrainJa was always on his case about taking relief in his new house, and new car and new road in his new clothes. It's not easy looking like Praan.

six municipalities received a total of $465 million, with Anna Regina receiving $9 million, New Amsterdam $10 million, Rose Hall $8 million, Corriverton $8 million, Linden $10 million and Georgetown $20 million.

In April 2014, the then Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker explained that with the assenting of the Fiscal Transfer Bill now Act, the formula provides for the total sum to be distributed differently on an annual basis, with 50 per

cent of the total being equally divided among the local authorities, the population and the per cent collection of rates for the preceding year. The Act paves the way for the local authorities to become as autonomous as possible, thereby allowing them the opportunity to sustain themselves, the formulation and implementation of objective criteria for the purpose of allocation of resources to and the governing of resources by local democratic organs.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan justifying his failure to completely utilise the Fiscal Transfer Act during the Committee of Supply on Tuesday

Stranded former CSO rebuffed by Govt

– told to “go to PPP” after seeking help for snakebitten daughter

By Jillicia Pinder

Former

Community Support Officer

(CSO) Ray Edmond, of South Rupununi is now left at a loss about his next move after he became stranded in Georgetown following a sudden departure from his community when his two-year-old got bitten by a snake.

Edmond told Guyana Times that on Friday his daughter was bitten by a “bush master” snake in his community. He shared that he was tending to his farm when he heard his daughter cry out. After seeing the cause of her distress, he quickly rushed to her aid.

Edmond added that luckily, a “tour helicopter” was in the village nearby. He pleaded with the persons on board for assistance, and they granted him a ride to Georgetown with his daughter and assisted them to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

The man stated that he had left his community with only the clothes on his back and was now at a loss about his next move. Feeling dejected, he

shared that he went to the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry to see if he could receive payments as he was a member of the CSO programme, only to learn that the programme was terminated.

Edmonds added that for the six months he has been in the programme, he had only received $20,000. When explaining his plight to the Indigenous Affairs Ministry personnel, he was told to “go to the PPP fuh that money”, or to the Labour Ministry , before he was removed from the premises. Edmonds said that he has no idea where

18 months in jail for man accused of attempting to steal cellphone

An accused, who was remanded for the last two months during his trial for attempting to steal a Samsung Galaxy cellular phone, has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Sean Maynard, a Labourer of 154 Hunter Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, had initially pleaded not guilty when he was placed before Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on May 31 to answer the charge of attempting to commit a felony.

Magistrate Judy Latchman found him guilty of trying to steal the $60,000 cellular phone from Yugini Cameron on May 25 while at Hadfield Street, Georgetown. It was revealed that Cameron was on her phone when Maynard approached her

on a bicycle. When he was closer he pulled out a knife and demanded the phone.

However, Cameron raised an alarm, prompting him to ride away to prevent arrest. This was foiled when public spirited citizens, hearing Cameron’s cries, grabbed unto him and handed him over to the Police.

Magistrate Latchman told the court that the defence’s case had a number of inconsistencies that had forced her to revert back to the case made by the prosecution. She said that she believed the prosecution’s witnesses who saw Maynard approach the VC and pull out the knife on her.

She then sentenced him to the 18 months imprisonment. He was not represented by an Attorney.

17-year-old slapped with multiple charges of armed robbery

Athe Labour Ministry was or what he should do to return to his community.

He added that he had even visited the Amerindian Hostel in Princes Street, Georgetown, but they turned him away as he could not afford the $500 per night fee.

He said he has three other older children at home who were not even aware that he was leaving the community. He stated that he has not eaten a meal since he landed in Georgetown and is pleading for assistance from any avenue to return home.

17-year-old labourer found himself before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to multiple charges of armed robbery. The juvenile, of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on August 21 at West Ruimveldt, while in the company of another and armed with a handgun, he robbed Jenelle Josiah of a cellphone and hand bag valued $22,000. The lad also pleaded not guilty to a charge which read that on the same occasion, he robbed Demetrius Howard of personal documents and $2000. The defendant also denied the charge which read that on the same

day and at the same occasion, he robbed Kimberly Moore of a purse, National Identification card, Scotia Bank card and her wedding ring; to a total value of $106,000. He also relieved Moore of a BLU smartphone valued $40,000 property of Jermaine Curt. Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones explained that on the day in question the victims were all travelling in a motorcar when a tyre received a puncture causing them to be stranded for some time. The defendant and another male approached them and robbed them at gunpoint. After relieving the victims of the articles, they made good their escape. A report was made to the Police and the defendant was arrested.

It was also revealed that the BLU smartphone as well as Josiah’s handbag was recovered on the defendant’s person. The defendant, however, denied all these allegations, saying that he does not know the victims and it was during the court proceedings that he first saw them. He claimed that the alleged articles recovered were not found on his person but that only his cellphone along with $8000 was found in his possession of the day of his arrest. He also claimed that the Police beat him while he was in custody. After reviewing the facts presented, Magistrate McLennan remanded the to prison and transferred the matter to Court 10 for September 3.

Ray Edmond

Govt to announce new Ambassador to Venezuela soon E

The A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change Government (APNU/AFC) is still to announce the name of its Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, some three months after indicating that it would be removing former head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Geoffery Da Silva from the post.

Da Silva, who was appointed as Guyana’s envoy to the Spanish-speaking nation back in 2011, was relieved of his duties following the new Government’s ascension to office. He had succeeded Dr Odeen Ishmael.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said Government has not yet heard from its Venezuelan counterpart on the way forward regarding its Ambassador here.

Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz early last month, had travelled to her home country to hold consultations with President Nicolás Maduro.

While sources at the Embassy here could not say when and if the Ambassador, who had been in Guyana for just a few years, would be returning, they confirmed that her departure was to meet with the President to have discussions over the territorial controversy brewing between the two countries.

Minister Greenidge confirmed that the move by Venezuela is not an anomaly; it was however important

that the embassy remain up and running with the responsible resources at its helm. In the absence of the Venezuela Ambassador, the embassy is reportedly being overlooked by Minister Consular Alonso Herrera.

When contacted on Tuesday, Embassy staff said they were unaware of the next move of the President regarding the presence of an Ambassador here. Early last month, President Maduro said he was calling in his country’s Ambassador for consultations amid an escalating squabble over oil exploration in Guyana’s waters.

Venezuela in June demanded that Guyana halt exploration activities being carried out by United Statesbased ExxonMobil off the coast of Essequibo, weeks after the company said it had discovered oil.

Guyana has pointed out that Venezuela had agreed to accept as a final declaration on the border the ruling of an international tribunal, which in 1899 unanimously decided the border as it currently stands.

Venezuela says the 1899 ruling was unfair and insists the territory belongs to Venezuela, going as far as including it on its maps as the “reclamation zone”. The Essequibo functions as part of Guyana and shows no discernible trace of Venezuelan influence.

At a meeting in Geneva on February 17, 1966, the Governments of British Guiana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed the “Agreement to resolve the controversy over the frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana”. The agreement established the regulatory framework to be followed by the parties in order to resolve the spurious Venezuelan contention.

According to the treaty, a Mixed Commission was installed with the purpose of seeking satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the border controversy, but the parties never agreed to implement a solution within this Commission due to different interpretations of the treaty.

Guyana argued that prior to starting the negotiations over the border issue, Venezuela should prove that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was null and void. Guyana did not accept that the 1899 decision was invalid, and held that its participation on the Commission was only to resolve Venezuela’s assertions.

However, Venezuela argued that the Commission did not have a judicial nature or purpose, but a dealmaking one, so it should go ahead to find “a practical and satisfactory solution”. Venezuela also claimed that the nullity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 was implicit, or otherwise the existence of the treaty would be meaningless.

The fifth article of the Treaty of Geneva established the status of the territories. The provisions state that no acts or activities taking place on the territory in question while the Agreement is in force “shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty”. The Treaty also has a provision prohibiting both nations from pursuing the issue except through official inter-Government channels.

Venezuela has over the last few weeks been seeking out the support of individual Caribbean nations, for solidarity on its claims over Guyana’s waters, although a unanimous decision was made by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) recently that it stands behind the decision taken by Guyana.

No help for homeless in Budget 2015

ven with a functioning homeless shelter on the West Coast of Berbice (WCB), the streets of Georgetown are still strewn with homeless persons, and questions have been asked whether Government has any plans to remove them anytime soon.

Government’s $221 billion budget, as presented by Finance Minister Winston Jordan last week, shines no light on the poor and homeless, and more particularly the vulnerable groups in society, something which had always been present in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Budget Estimates.

Civil society has been very outspoken over the state of affairs and has even chided the new Administration that even after its hyped massive inaugural cleanup campaign across Region Four, it was still unable to keep the growing number of homeless persons at bay. Many vagrants are found in the environs of Parliament Building.

Efforts to contact Social Protection Minister Volda

Lawrence to ascertain Government’s position on the way forward in this regard have been futile. Minister Lawrence is seeking to find out the status of the Hugo Chávez Homeless Shelter in Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, which commenced operations back in December 2014.

Former Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster had told Guyana Times at that time that some 30 homeless persons had already begun occupying the $494 million home, with another 30 to take up residence at a later date.

Construction of the multimillion-dollar homeless shelter began in 2010, a gift from late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. The objective at the time was to assist in the social and physical welfare of persons who may have found themselves out of a home.

The then Ministry was able to appoint an Administrator and was able to work along with the Health Ministry to evaluate the persons identified to occupy the facility. Webster

had explained too that each resident has a personal file.

The centre, which has separate dorms for males and females; a kitchen; recreational, medical, training and dining facilities and conference rooms, has the capacity to hold 200 males and 100 females and sits on 7.30 acres of land. Some of the land has been set aside for residents to engage in agriculture.

In August 2013, then President Donald Ramotar and Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz toured the facility after unveiling a plaque bearing the image of President Chávez.

The services offered by the Centre include counselling.

Persons will be provided with transportation, skills training, medical attention, clothing and meals at the expense of the Government.

“The Centre will endeavour to transform the lives of its occupants so as to enable them to become disciplined and productive members of our society,” Webster had remarked at the opening ceremony.

Man to pay uncle $50,000 compensation for assaulting him with pipe

A24-year-old man found himself before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his uncle. Quacy Trotman of 77 South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, pleaded guilty with explanation to the charge which read that on August 20 at Sophia, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm to the Virtual Complainant (VC) Gary Hope.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones explained that the two individuals are known to each other as the defendant is the VC’s nephew who resides next door to him. He explained that on the day in question at around 16:30h, the VC was returning home from a nearby shop and passed the defendant sitting on the culvert. The defendant reportedly got up and blew smoke from the cigarette he was smoking into the VC’s face. An argument ensued and the defendant picked up a pipe and dealt the VC sever-

lass, telling him that he is disrespectful and he would “fix him”. He said he picked up the pipe and approached his uncle who he said was “bluffing him” with the cutlass. “After he start bluff me, I fire two shot [with the pipe] and run away,” he claimed. He said he also hurled several bricks at the VC. He claimed that his uncle is very abusive towards him; however, he was very sorry for committing the act.

al lashes about his body. The matter was reported and the VC subsequently sought medical attention. An investigation was carried out and the defendant was arrested and charged.

The defendant denied these allegations and said the incident occurred in his yard. He claimed that on the day of the incident, his uncle rushed into his yard armed with a cut-

The VC also claimed that after the incident, he armed himself with a cutlass as the defendant was preventing him from entering his yard so that he could make preparations to go to the Police station. After reviewing the facts presented, Magistrate McLennan informed the defendant that the indictable charge could see him facing up to five years in prison and paying a fine of $100,000. However, she ordered the defendant to pay the VC $50,000 in compensation or face three months in prison. She also placed a bond to keep the peace on the two and ordered them to undergo counselling.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Guyana’s last Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Geoffery Da Silva

Twenty-four year old Quacy Trotman was ordered to compensate his uncle $50,000 for attacking him with a pipe

No funds budgeted for works at Haags Bosch Landfill site

With the Government of Guyana and BK International Inc currently before the courts over the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill (HBSL) Project, no financial provision has been made available in the 2015 Budget for this initiative, which was once funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

This revelation was made by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan when he was being grilled by the former Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill over $267.9 million budgeted for the Solid Waste Disposal Programme under the said Ministry.

Non-compliance

Minister Bulkan explained that “disbursement under the programme has ceased earlier this year as a result of noncompliance by the contractor. And there has been no payments made in relation to that facility since the middle of last year.”

The contractor has reportedly submitted invoices for the payment and the increase per tonnage but the Administration is refuting those payments due to the issue of non-compliance. The subject Minister further explained that the area in question is now being operated as a dumpsite and not a landfill site due to the ongoing problem.

“Are we declaring to this House, that as of today’s date the operations of Haags Bosch is not financed, the operator is not paid, and we are uncertain as it relates to what is taking place with Haags Bosch because there is no financing for this project even in this budget,” Edghill asked as he expressed his disappointment.

“Are we to expect a catastrophe at anytime, if the operator pulls out of Haags Bosch and there is no operator in place and there is not finance to facilitate a new operator... can we expect Haags Bosch to just blow and it becomes a national disaster,” he further asked, as he pressed for answers. In response, Minister Bulkan explained that contingency arrangements are being contemplated.

Earlier in the year, the Communities Ministry in a release emphasised the Government’s steadfast position that a contract was never signed with BK International, but between Government and a joint venture with BK International and Puran Bros Disposal Services.

“In November 2009, GoG [Government of Guyana] signed a contract

for the construction and management of the Haags Bosch Landfill Site with a joint venture between BK International/Puran Bros Disposal Services (BKI/ PBDS).”

It also identified the fact that work commenced in January 2010, and to date a significant portion was yet to be completed. Further, the contractors did not comply with several requirements. “In April 2012, after it became clear that several contractual requirements were not being complied with… the contract signed between Government and BKI/ PBDS joint venture mandated a minimum compacted waste density of 700kg/ m3. The Bomag K351 compactor provided by BKI/ PBDS was incapable of compacting the waste to the mandated density… In an MoU [Memorandum of Understanding] between the Ministry and the joint venture… it was agreed that the Ministry would acquire a new landfill compactor. However, for the MoU to be effective, the joint venture needed to provide a new bulldozer and a tracked loader… but from all indications, the contractor did not provide a new bulldozer and a tracked loader…”

Further, this resulted in a challenge to the partnership, because, although the contractor did not adhere to the terms of the MoU, it was expected the Government would pay at an increased rate as stipulated in the MoU. “As such, the Ministry is challenging BKI/PBDS joint venture to indicate to the public the location of the equipment that was agreed to in the MoU.”

Negligence

Negligence was also a major part of the contractor’s violation of the contract. The release claimed, “The facts are that a slip failure occurred in the slope of the leachate treatment pond… The failure was owing to the contractor’s negligence, since the excavation was left open for an extended period. This led to the slope be-

coming supersaturated and the subsequent development of negative pore water pressure resulted in slope failure.”

As it relates to payments, the press release stated that, “The project has a history of late payments due to (in) action of the joint venture. In fact, BKI/PBDS, by letter dated June 6, 2012, had suspend-

ed the contract due to nonpayment. The Ministry had withheld operations payments for January to May 2012, due to non-compliance issues.” It added that “BKI/PBDS letter of April 18, 2012, requested permission to suspend construction on Cell 1. Cell 1 was initially scheduled for completion of construction on January

31, 2011. On August 16, 2012, BKI/PBDS indicated its termination of the contract with immediate effect. However, the termination letter was withdrawn… GoG by letter of August 27, 2012 indicated that BKI/PBDS had failed to provide a performance bond for the operations for 18 months.”

The Government had is-

sued a letter to BKI/PBDS in 2012, identifying parameters and data to be presented by the contractor. These included: measurements of waste volumes and waste volumes recycled, surface and ground water and air quality among others. According to the statement, “there is no evidence to indicate that these issues have been adequately addressed to date.”

Several aspects of the project were also left incomplete: “Addendum of June 28, 2012, signed by BKI/PBDS mandated completion dates for several items, including the leachate treatment system and sedimentation ponds, all of which remain incomplete… The contract mandates submission of monthly and quarterly monitoring data for the landfill. This has been honoured mostly in the breach by BKI/PBDS.”

Haags Bosch Landfill Site

Creeping Party Paramountcy

Nagamootoo berates reporter for criticising Govt

...says Chronicle is “Government’s

The “very disappointed” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo heavily criticised a reporter attached to the Guyana Chronicle Newspaper over an article published in the newspaper’s August 25 edition under the headline “Gov’t blunders on Budget Estimates … violates laws assented to by President Granger”, citing that the caption was non-objective.

In the process, Nagamootoo took a drastic turn from his initial position where he would excessively declare that the Guyana Chronicle should reflect nonpartisan views so as to objectively inform the public to make “wise deci-

sions”. The Prime Minister, who is charged with responsibility for the Information Sector, declared on Tuesday in Parliament that “the Chronicle is a Government paper”, giving the impression that all the reports must be subjective to the Government.

Nagamootoo was at the time being interviewed by members of the media who had observed that he confronted the reporter who had written the article.

However, Nagamootoo denied attempting to interfere with the work of the media house, but he stated that he was “very disappointed” over the headline. “I was disappointed, very

paper not State’s”

disappointed. I didn’t think it was an objective headline on the sum total of what transpired in Parliament,” he stated.

In a statement issued shortly after his confrontation by the media, Nagamootoo admitted that he was displeased with the article’s headline, noting that he “expected better from a Government-owned newspaper”.

“I had expected that greater care ought to have been exercised by the Guyana Chronicle before coming to the erroneous conclusion that the Government had blundered on either the presentation or compilation of the estimates of expendi-

PPP protests arbitrary timelimits for asking questions

As the consideration of the Budget Estimates continued on Tuesday, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition feels it is once again being muzzled, this time alleging that their queries on the estimates have been limited.

On day two of the allotted three days, General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee, disclosed that he has observed that the Opposition was being restricted to at least three questions on each programme. “I submit that this is not in the interest of the country, I know that we have decisions to make but I believe in the interest of good governance, the Opposition should be allowed to ask as many questions as they would like to,” he declared.

However, while on his feet registering his concerns, the heckling on the Government’s side of the House became out of control causing the Speaker Dr Barton Scotland to intervene calling for order. The behaviour of the majority Member of Parliaments clearly angered Rohee. He retaliated by shouting across the room, “Nonsense… Y’all sheltering incompetency, that’s what you doing”.

Immediately following this, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams took the floor, pointing out that the Opposition front bencher’s behaviour is “in contempt of Parliament”. He cited Standing Order 40(A) to support his position, while adding that the Opposition member in his comment sought to attack the integrity of the Speaker.

However, Dr Scotland outlined that he is not concerned about any attack on his in-

tegrity, noting “he does not believe he has to give proof of that, so the question does not arise – at least (not) given the facts”. Furthermore, in responding to concerns raised by Rohee, the Speaker stated that he has been “extremely lenient”.

Dr Scotland explained that it is almost impossible to accommodate every question that every member of Opposition has. He disclosed that one Opposition member asked eight questions, which he allowed but noted this cannot be done every time, given the fact that they only have three days to complete examining the estimates.

“Let us be reasonable, let us not get carried away because we may not have our questions heard. I’m not asking for comment on what I’m saying, I’m simply stating (that) I will always stick to the facts. Let us do that,” he encouraged.

According to the Speaker, who was at the time acting as Chairman of the Committee of Supply that is considering the estimates, Dr Scotland referred to the number of times

he has yielded to the request of the Opposition. He highlighted too that there are times when the Opposition members started talking even before seeking his permission and he has let that slide.

In contributing to the conversation, former Speaker of the 10th Parliament and Government’s Member of Parliament, Raphael Trotman, made a point that both parties had agreed in the Business SubCommittee to have the estimates considered and completed in three days, however PPP/C Parliamentarian Dharamkumar Seeraj contradicted Trotman’s statement, saying it was never agreed upon. In fact, he explained that the Government used its majority in the Sub-Committee to vote on the three days when the Opposition had reduced its initial proposal of seven days to a mere four days.

Furthermore, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira maintained that more time would be needed to complete the examination of the estimates. She noted that considering the 10 administrative regions alone would take at least two days; as such, it is impossible to complete all the budgetary estimates in three days.

Teixeira indicated that the consideration of the estimates has always been the domain of the Opposition. “Their domain is to be able to scrutinse the Budget… We have questions to ask about what’s going to happen… we have to have some dialogue across the floor in order to get the answers that the public needs, it’s not just for us,” she declared.

tures,” Nagamootoo posited, noting that the headline did not “do justice”.

There is a perception that Nagamootoo’s position over the headline is already sending signals that there is a creeping party paramountcy.

The Chronicle reporter, Derwayne Wills, told reporters that the story is a true representation of what took place on the day in question, noting that the Government did blunder and as such, it was reported.

However, when prompted by Wills, Nagamootoo said his headline would have been along the lines of “Government, Opposition compromise on Estimates”.

2-year-old TT girl escapes death in shooting

Two-year-old Kayla Edwards miraculously escaped injuries when gunmen shot and injured her mother Keisha, who was holding her, and ended the life of her father, Don, on Sunday night.

The gunmen, who came calling at the Edwards’ Rivulet Road, Couva, home, also shot Edwards’ niece, Conchita Rowe, in the knee and badly beat her nephew Emmanuel Rowe, 17.

The injured were treated at hospital and discharged. Ornin Rowe, Edwards’ nephew, gave an account on Monday of the terror to which the gunmen subjected his family.

“Conchita started to bawl and tell them to leave him alone. They hit her two gun butts. Keisha was holding her baby, Kyla, two, and the man pointed a firearm at her and shot her.”

Ornin said the bullet grazed Keisha on the head and she fell to the ground. He said the gunmen thought she was seriously injured and moved on to rob the family of some $1700 in cash as well as video equipment which was connected to surveillance cameras around the house. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

He said his uncle, a scrap iron dealer, was shot at the back of his head and neck by gunmen who called him out of his home on Sunday night. One of the gunmen fired four times. My sister (Conchita) got shot in her knee. Another gunman hold on to Emmanuel and was beating him,” Rowe said.

Police find gun, ammo at Whim

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force in B Division (Berbice) discovered a firearm and several matching rounds of ammunition during a search conducted on a motor vehicle on Tuesday.

This is according to Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ivelaw Whittaker in a statement. He revealed that the incident occurred around 01:00h on Tuesday at Whim, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to the release, the ranks stopped the vehicle and conducted a search during which they unearthed an unlicensed .357 Magnum revolver along with five matching rounds of ammunition.

As a result of the discovery, the ranks have arrested three men and one woman. The suspects are in custody assisting with the investigation.

Whim has been home to President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and former Alliance For Change (AFC) Member Dr Veerasammy Ramayya and saw the launch of the coalition’s election campaign in Berbice.

The Ancient County and the wider country have been suffering a surge in criminal activities over recent months. The escalating crime rate is greatly interfering with the development of the business sector, particularly in Berbice, according to the West Berbice Chamber of Commerce.

Various sections of society have registered their concerns, as they called on the relevant authorities to intervene immediately. Back in July, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan visited the Berbice area to meet with Police to devel-

op strategies to address the crime concerns in the area. Ramjattan had promised to take every step available to reduce the crime rate as soon as possible and in midAugust had sent a unit of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) into the area. However, these efforts have had little discernable impact on the crime rate that continues to spiral in Berbice and across the country. As public fear grows, the Government and particularly Ramjattan have been under pressure to effectively tackle the situation, with calls increasing for his resignation.

Colombia condemns Venezuela expulsions after border closure

Colombia has condemned deportations of its citizens after Venezuela closed its border with its western neighbour last week. The crossings were shut after an attack by smugglers left three soldiers and a civilian injured. Since then around

1000 Colombians living in Venezuela have been expelled as part of a crackdown on smugglers and criminal gangs in the region. The two countries are due to hold talks on the issue today.

After travelling to the North-eastern city of Cucuta

to review the situation, Colombia’s Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo said Venezuela had created a “humanitarian tragedy”, the AFP agency reported. Those deported had been living illegally in Venezuela, reports said. (BBC News)

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) rally in Whim had been a key one for the coalition

Record number of refugees enter Hungary from Serbia

Arecord number of refugees streamed into European Union member Hungary from Serbia, Police said, just days before Hungary completes a border fence.

A total of 2093 potential asylum seekers, the highest ever daily total, crossed the border near the Hungarian town of Roszke, a Police statement said on Monday.

They were part of a wave of around 8000 refugees whose journey to the EU had been blocked last

week when Macedonia declared a state of emergency and closed its borders after being overwhelmed by the huge influx of people, amid Europe’s worst refugee crisis since World War II.

Many refugees said they had passed through Serbia after travelling through Macedonia’s border with Greece.

“We were stopped in Macedonia for two days, the riots were terrible, Police used guns and tear gas, I saw an old woman beaten,

her money and papers taken,” a 29-year-old IT engineer from Mosul in Iraq told the AFP news agency.

Al Jazeera’s Djordge Kostic, reporting from the border with Hungary, said an estimated 1500 refugees are currently staying at 28 shelters set up by the UN and Russian-Serbian aid organisation in the city of Kanjiza.

He said the refugee situation at Kanjiza is “better organised” than in other parts of Serbia. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China cuts interest rates in latest bid to spur economy

China has cut interest rates for a fifth time in nine months in a new bid to shore up slowing economic growth, amid a further sharp drop of its stock market.

The Central Bank announced on Tuesday that the benchmark rate for a one-year loan will be cut by 0.25 percentage point to 4.6 per cent, and the one-year rate for deposits will fall by a similar margin to 1.75 per cent.

It also increased the amount of money avail -

able for lending by reducing the minimum reserves banks are required to hold by 0.5 percentage point.

The move came as China’s main stock market, Shanghai Composite index, saw another bruising day of trading, closing Tuesday’s session down 7.6 per cent at 2964.97 points.

The cut in interest rates had been anticipated by financial analysts after exports, manufacturing and other economic indicators weakened by

larger margins than expected.

Beijing reported economic growth held steady at seven per cent in the latest quarter, but that was due to a stock market boom that pushed up the contribution from financial industries while other sectors weakened.

In a statement, the Central Bank cited “downward pressure” on the country’s economic growth rate and said it wanted to lower financing costs for Chinese companies. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Around the World

South Africa officers guilty of Mozambican man’s murder

Eight South African Police Officers have been found guilty of murdering a Mozambican man who died after being dragged behind a moving Police van two years ago.

Mido Macia, a 27-yearold taxi driver, died in Police custody in February, 2013 after being arrested for parking his car on the wrong side of the road.

Bystanders filmed Macia being manhandled, handcuffed to the back of a Police van and dragged hundreds of metres in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg. Just over two hours later

he was found dead in his cell in a pool of blood. In Pretoria’s high court on Tuesday, Judge Bert Bam convicted all eight officers captured on the video of murder, dismissing their defence that Macia violently resisted arrest and had assaulted a Police Officer.

The driver of the Police van had also claimed he drove away to escape an angry crowd that had gathered, and did not know Macia was being dragged behind.

But, describing the defence as “fraught with discrepancies and improbabilities,” the Judge agreed with

the state’s case that the Police were “trying to teach the deceased a lesson” for swearing at the arresting officer.

Macia was being “unlawfully arrested and detained” for a minor traffic violation, said Bam, and was therefore “entitled” to resist arrest. He was then further assaulted in the Police cells, said the judge, citing a postmortem report that found extensive head injuries, lacerations and bruising.

“The soft tissue injuries were extensive; the blunt force injuries were severe,” the Judge said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Cowabunga: Catching a wave out of poverty in India

Dharani Kumar, a 23-year-old fisherman with sunbleached blond hair, sports a smile as wide as the white sand beaches of Tamil Nadu state in southern India.

The sea is his life, he says.

In 2006, Kumar, floating with friends on sheets of polystyrene foam in waters near his village of Kovalam, chanced upon an Australian man and his three children.

The curious teenagers watched as the Aussie father taught his kids how to surf the waves of the Bay of Bengal.

Nine years later, Kumar is a champion surfer, having won numerous awards at India’s largest surfing competitions held along the country’s vast coastline.

“I wanted to be a software engineer,” said Kumar, laughing as he played with the golden beach sand.

“But surfing has given me things that I never dreamt I could have. It has helped me meet people from all over the world, taught

Ferguson unrest: Judge withdraws pre-2015 arrest warrants

Anew judge in Ferguson, Missouri, has halted court practices that were seen as a major factor in unrest over the shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown a year ago.

Judge Donald McCullin cancelled arrest warrants issued before this year, mainly to African Americans.

Defendants of minor offences will also be offered alternatives to prison.

It follows a US Justice Department report that found the police in the city unfairly targeted black people.

The report, released in March this year, said court officials and the local Police were exploiting people to raise revenue.

It highlighted that arrest warrants were being issued if fines for minor offences – such as parking and driving violations –were not paid, instead of arrests

on the basis of public safety.

Part of the sweeping changes to court practices announced by municipal Judge McCullin on Monday include offering defendants options to dispose of their cases, such as payment plans and community services.

“These changes should continue the process of restoring confidence in the court... and giving many residents a fresh

start,” the judge said.

His predecessor, Ronald Brockmeyer, resigned after he was criticised in the US Justice Department report.

The department launched an investigation into Ferguson’s police department and municipal court after Michael Brown, 18, was shot dead by white Police Officer Darren Wilson in August 2014.

me how to speak English, taught me about different cultures, and helped me make friends. Now, all along the coast, people know who Dharani Kumar is,” he said proudly.

“No other job could have ever given me all this.”

Kumar and a number of other villagers owe their new lives to Moorthy Meghavan, a 36-year-old fisherman and surfer from

Kovalam, about 40km from the city of Chennai. In 2012, Meghavan founded the Covelong Point Social Surf School – Kovalam was called “Covelong” during British colonial rule –which trains amateur surfers on how to ride the waves. Meghavan’s only condition for young surfers to be on his team is that they must not drink, smoke, or use drugs. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

North, South Korea reach agreement to ease tensions

North and South Korea agreed early on Tuesday to end a military standoff that sparked an exchange of artillery fire and had ratcheted up tension on one of the world’s most heavily-fortified borders.

Under an accord reached in the early hours, following more than two days of talks, North Korea expressed regret over the recent wounding of South Korean soldiers in landmine blasts and Seoul agreed to halt anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts.

North Korea also agreed to end the “semi” state of war it had declared. The two sides will hold follow-up talks to discuss a range of issues on improving ties, the joint statement said.

Both sides began rolling back heightened military postures at noon (0300 GMT), Seoul’s defense ministry said.

“It is very meaningful that from this meeting North Korea apologised for the landmine provocation and promised to work to prevent the recurrence of such events and ease tensions,” said Kim Kwan-jin, national security adviser to South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who headed Seoul’s delegation. Pyongyang had denied laying the landmines, and in the statement did not explicitly take responsibility for them. However, any expression of regret by the North, better known for its bellicose rhetoric, is rare.

The marathon talks at the Panmunjom truce village inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas began on Saturday, shortly after Pyongyang’s deadline for the South to halt its propaganda broadcasts or face military action. (Excerpt from Reuters)

They were part of a wave of around 8000 refugees whose journey to the EU had been blocked last week when Macedonia declared a state of emergency and closed its borders

From humble beginnings, the ‘Covelong Boys’ have become a respected band of surfers along India’s coastline [Sandhya Ravishankar/ Al Jazeera]

Hundreds were arrested in the protests that followed Michael Brown’s killing and the acquittal of Police Officer Darren Wilson

wednesday, august 26, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Out of control crime spirals...

Another Ramjattan neighbour is victim

– mother beaten, robbed, threatened and taped as daughter sleeps

Another family residing only a short distance away from the home of the Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was on Sunday evening viciously attacked, threatened to be shot and robbed by armed bandits.

Single parent Geetanjalie Ramotar and her nine-yearold daughter, of 11 Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, were well snuggled in their beds when the two bandits broke into their home, demanding cash and jewellery.

After a disappointing find of only $55,000, the perpetrators bound the woman’s arms and legs with scotch tape before fleeing the yard.

During the entire ordeal, Ramotar’s daughter was still asleep in the bedroom.

“Earlier in the day, I took her to the doctor because she was not feeling good. So anyways, in the night we were sleeping and I heard a noise, so when I come out of the bedroom to check, I saw that the back door was wide

open. When I came out, one of the guys came with a gun and put it to my head and start saying ‘where is the money, give me the jewellery’,” Ramotar explained to Guyana Times

“These guys don’t even look like they are in their 20’s, they look like teens and they were very skinny,” the woman described. But despite their youthfulness, the woman was terrified for her life and that of her daughters because the men were armed.

“My daughter was asleep and I don’t think they knew she was in there so I told them ‘look my purse, it got money’ and they took it. They gone with my ID card and everything. Then they started to ask for more but I told them I don’t have any more. The man with the gun led me upstairs and they tumbled the other rooms but they didn’t find anything,” Ramotar explained.

was quite a challenge.

Subsequently, Ramotar began to throw down items to make noises with the hopes her daughter would wake up. After several failed attempts, the child woke up but she was in complete shock at the sight before her.

“I dragged myself into the room and used my foot to start knocking at the bed and eventually she woke up but like she was shocked and she keep asking ‘mommy who do this’… she didn’t know what to do so I used my foot and I dial, dial until I get to call my neighbour and she come over and they help we out,” the woman explained.

Ramjattan intervenes

and he called up the Police and the CID (Criminal Investigation Department). I swear, this house was packed with Police, I wouldn’t lie. He stayed for a while and he helped. The Police took the information and said they will investigate the matter,” Ramotar stated.

Only last month, another couple who live only a few houses away from Ramjattan was attacked and robbed by two bandits.

She related that the bandits then began to get frustrated and began to argue among themselves. “One of them was arguing “shoot she, shoot she” and the other one with the gun was saying ‘no’… they looked to me like they didn’t know what they were doing,” she explained.

make their escape but before doing so, they bound her hands, legs and mouth with tape.

According to Ramotar, the bandits then decided to

“I waited for some 15 minutes, thinking they would have left and then I dragged myself downstairs,” she explained, noting that it

After alerting her nearby neighbours, the Minister’s security guards were alerted and they came to render assistance. According to Ramotar, Ramjattan also intervened and assisted by ensuring Police ranks arrived at the scene.

“Ramjattan came over

Fifty-year-old Nandkishore Lulla, who is the owner of the Price Rite Store on Regent Street, and his wife, had just arrived in front of their Lot 14 Delph Street, Campbellville when two bandits approached and opened fire on them. No one was harmed but the perpetrators succeeded in escaping with some $100,000.

In that instance, however, when the couple approached the Minister’s security guard for assistance, he advised them to make a report at the Kitty Police Station.

Babu Jaan turned into a dumpsite

– compliments of Corentyne business persons

Business persons on the Corentyne have turned the Babu Jaan Crematorium Site into a garbage disposal site.

The Crematorium – the cremation site and memorial of former Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan – is a historic site. It now reeks of a strong stench coming from the decaying bodies of dead animals.

From kitchen waste to industrial waste, all types of refuse are being dumped at the site: old vehicles, tree trimmings, poultry waste, dead animals and discarded beverage bottles litter the Crematorium site, which is also frequented by couples in enclosed vehicles. On many occasions, underage girls comprise the female part of the couple.

The Babu Jaan Crematorium Site is referred to as a shrine and falls under the National Trust.

Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Chairman David Armogan says the Johns/Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has responsibility for keeping the area clear since that body has geographic control over the area.

The Chairman said that cameras could be set up and used to prosecute persons who dump solid waste at the historic site.

“The NDC is quite capable of taking care of the situation. The NDC as well as the Regional Democratic Council is an extension of Government, so it is our responsibility to do something about it. Every time we have an event, we have to do a massive amount of cleaning before we can get it in shape for the function,” Armogan added.

At one time personnel attached to the Johns/ Port Mourant NDC regularly cleaned the site under the Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) project. That project, however, ended and morphed into the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), which fell under the former Housing Ministry. Hence, the Babu Jaan Crematorium Site could no longer be accommodated under the programme.

Although it is the responsibility of the Government to deal with the collection and disposal of solid waste, the Regional Chairman is of the view that residents have an obligation to take on social and community responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Johns/Port Mourant NDC Zamin Ally said the matter of illegal dumping was raised at the council’s last statutory meeting and noted that many business persons from Rose

Hall Town, Port Mourant and Albion take their solid waste to the Babu Jaan Crematorium Site and dispose of it. This, he says, is illegal.

On Tuesday, among the garbage disposed at Babu Jaan were GT&T phone bills for telephone number 337-1105, GWI water bills sent to Ishmail Ameer of 24-24 Johns Foreshore and Guyana Revenue Authority vehicle licence notice for Ramesh of 24 Johns Port Mourant.

In the past, signs had been placed along the entrance to the Crematorium Site, advising persons not to dump refuse there. However, the signs were removed and also dumped at the Crematorium Site.

Some persons are of the opinion that the area is a dumpsite. Several years ago, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), in conjunction with the Johns/Port Mourant NDC, had some land filling to do and utilised a section of land situated behind the Crematorium Site, for garbage disposal. That has, however, ended but some are still of the view that the area is an official dumpsite.

According to the NDC Chairman, the Regional Administration has been approached to assist with security personnel for the area, especially at nights.

This is to prevent unauthorised persons from gaining entry to the site. “Our NDC is not in a position right now to facilitate the paying of guards for Babu Jaan or we would have done that a few years back, that is why we have asked the region to help us there.”

The NDC Chairman notes that the Council at one time received information that a hospital was dumpling its waste at Babu Jaan and wrote to that institution asking that it desists from the practice. “We served the

necessary notice and they stopped.”

There are reports that two of the more popular businesses in Rose Hall frequently dump their waste at Babu Jaan along with several poultry outlets in the town. There are also reports that a group of brothers who are in business are also using the area as a dumpsite. Reports indicate that dead pigs, donkeys and horses are disposed of by dumping their remains at the site.

The NDC Chairman says persons have been prose-

cuted for the illegal act in the past, but this can only be done after notices would have been served. “We first need to understand that there is a process and we need to adhere to that process.”

According to Armogan, who was contacted on the issue, there will be padlocks placed on the gates before the end of the week to prevent persons from taking their vehicles to dump their garbage at Babu Jaan.

Bottles and old vehicles make up some of the garbage

Geetanjalie Ramotar bounded by scotch tape

Thousands of Muslims gather in Hampshire for Jalsa Salana

– Ahmadiyya Muslim Community head makes faith inspiring addresses

The 49th annual convention or Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom commenced on Friday, August 21, at the vast Hampshire farm known as ‘Hadeeqatul Mahdi’. It is anticipated that more than 30,000 delegates from over 90 countries have travelled to attend the Jalsa.

On Friday, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza

United Kingdom, raised the Union Jack.

In his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that where the Jalsa is a spiritual gathering to increase faith in God, it is also a means of increasing humanity and a sense of brotherhood.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “According to the teachings of the Holy Quran, the love that a Muslim must adopt for humanity should be such that he or she should become restless upon seeing

tiful and peaceful teachings of Islam.

When people are presented with the true teachings of Islam by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, they are left shocked or surprised. Many have said to me personally that if what you present are the true teachings of Islam, then the world will gladly once again turn towards religion and towards Islam.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further added that “Muslims are commanded only to live peaceful-

Masroor Ahmad delivered the Friday sermon and later delivered the inaugural address of this year’s Jalsa Salana during which he said that the purpose of the Jalsa Salana was to promote the true and peaceful teachings of Islam.

His Holiness also raised the flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, while Rafiq Hayat, the national President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the

any other person in discomfort. A true Muslim must always be watchful of the sentiments of others and must sacrifice his own comfort for the sake of the comfort of his fellow beings.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also said “In this day and age it is of great regret that some Muslims have misconstrued the true teachings of Islam to such an extent that the world has become fearful of the beau-

ly with one another. The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘A Muslim is the one from whose hands and tongue every peaceful human being is safe.’”

His Holiness stated that Ahmadi Muslims must always seek spiritually and morally to enhance themselves. The Jalsa Salana is being broadcast live and streamed online by MTA International to millions of viewers across the world.

Six fined for drunk driving

As the Guyana Police Force continues its traffic enforcement activities, six drivers were charged and taken to the courts for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The men all pleaded guilty to the offence and were subsequently sentenced to pay a fine of $7500 each.

Roopnarine Persaud of Lot 316 Number 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on June 13,

while driving motor vehicle BMM 1879 on the Springlands Public Road, Corentyne. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol and as such was charged and placed before the Springlands Magistrate’s Court two days later.

On June 13 also, Randolph Taylor of Lot 24 John Street, Newburg, Georgetown, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser while driving motor vehicle PTT 2269 on the Vlissengen Road,

Georgetown. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol; hence, he was charged and taken to court on June 19.

Meanwhile, Keon Rodney of Lot 152 Triumph, East Coast Demerara, was found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption while driving motor vehicle PPP 9821 on the Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, on the said June 13. He too was subsequently charged and placed

before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts some six days later.

After being found to be above the legal limit of alcohol consumption, Ameer Hussain of Lot 37 Number 4 Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, was charged and placed before the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on June 29. According to reports, the day before, he was driving motor vehicle PSS 8854 on the Cotton Tree Public Road, West Coast Berbice, when he was stopped and tested. The breathalyser test proved

that he was above the legal limit in terms of consumption of alcohol.

On the same day, June 28, Likaram Sulbeer of Lot 87 Number 60 Village, Corentyne, was also stopped and tested with a breathalyser while driving motor vehicle PRR 874 on the Number 62 Public Road, Corentyne. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol; hence, the charge was instituted against him and he appeared in court the

following day.

Going further up the Corentyne a few days earlier, Rabindranauth Bisnauth, of Lot 133 D Line Path Corriverton, was also found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. Reports revealed that on June 22, he was stopped and tested with a breathalyser while driving motorcycle CE 9629 on the Line Path Public Road. After the test, the charge was laid against him and he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court the next day.

Govt pushes more NCN employees onto breadlines

Even amid heavy criticisms, Government is continuing to engage in mass firings and this time around, its target is the State-owned National Communications Network (NCN) where some 160 employees could lose their jobs and be put on the breadline – sharing the current fate of hundreds of Guyanese who were already dismissed by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration since it occupied office, only some four months ago. In Parliament on

Monday, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced that NCN would soon be “rationalising” its operations to ensure it performs “optimally” and by doing so, he indicated that several employees would be sent home. Nagamootoo justified this decision by claiming that all those who would be dismissed are those allegedly hired by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration to do “propaganda work”.

This has been the justification for many of the mass firings already executed by the coalition

Government, including the firing of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) staff; the Community Support Officers (CSOs); Permanent Secretaries and advisers, among other public servants.

But even in doing so –“ridding the public service of PPP/C political appointees” – the APNU/AFC is filling these vacancies with individuals who are members of the coalition.

This is evident with the non-transparent selection of Beverly Alert (an Alliance For Change (AFC) member and a candidate on the APNU/AFC

List of Candidates for the May 11 polls) as the new Director of the Government Information Agency (GINA).

In a weak attempt, Nagamootoo, amid protests by PPP/C Members of Parliament (MPs), sought to justify this appointment by claiming “it doesn’t make the member of the AFC a politician…she is a professional person…she has the qualifications…she is competent.”

But PPP/C parliamentarian Juan Edghill reminded Nagamootoo that it was he who vigorously spoke out against politi -

cal appointees as heads of Government agencies and State Boards.

Edghill asserted that “the former Director of GINA, (Neaz Subhan), was also a professional when the Budget was cut to $1 and the Prime Minister (Nagamootoo) made a commitment that it must be depoliticised. And now he is telling the Honourable House that the head of GINA, a candidate at the last elections, is not a political appointee.” Meanwhile, NCN will be receiving some $69 million from the Office of the President and an addition-

al $27 million under the remit of the Office of the Prime Minister.

From January to July, NCN has received a subvention of $6.8 million from the Government.

This is even as the APNU and AFC, while in Opposition, chastised the then PPP/C Government for providing subventions of the same amount to the media entity.

In relation to GINA, the agency will be receiving $80 million under the Office of the President and $63 million under the Office of the Prime Minister.

Roopnarine Persaud Randolph Taylor Keon Rodney

Ameer Hussain Likaram Sulbeer Rabindranauth Bisnauth

Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community making his address

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Balance is key. Focusing too much on one thing will lead to problems. Strive for equality between your business and personal life. Avoid workplace gossip.

Love is in the air. Make the most of your romantic mood and do something special for a loved one. Reaffirm your feelings and share your plans for the future.

Don’t be frivolous. An unexpected bill will make a serious dent in your savings. You are best off showing your generosity by offering your time or talents.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Get involved in joint efforts. Refuse to let shyness hold you back. If you take the initiative, a successful partnership will develop. A romantic liaison looks inviting.

If you enthusiastically embrace change, you will gain recognition for your efforts. Your future looks bright if you pace your every move and stick to carefully laid plans.

Your forceful, self-confident approach may not sit well with everyone, but you are still best off forging ahead by doing things your way. Your achievements will be remembered.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

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SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Begin your day in an upbeat and constructive manner in order to project an attitude that will be necessary for success. A sunny yet take-charge manner will do wonders for you.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

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(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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Cheer up an ailing or troubled friend. Your compassion will be returned in an unexpected way. A short jaunt or change of scenery will do you good. Embrace the unfamiliar and unknown.

GEMINI

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Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

Gatlin ‘not the problem’ – Michael Johnson

Criticism of Justin Gatlin is making it more difficult to challenge the culture of doping in athletics, says four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson.

The American’s agent says the sprinter will refuse to talk to British media as he was “vilified” after losing out on 100m gold at the World Championships.

Gatlin finished behind Usain Bolt, with the pair likely to meet in the 200m.

“Gatlin is not the problem. Half of the 100m finalists had tested positive. That is the problem,” Johnson said.

“The previous leadership in athletics probably would have said that because Bolt had won, all is right with the world. That Bolt has saved our sport.

“That’s what we’re used to do, but that’s not true. Gatlin will go away one day but that doesn’t mean people aren’t going to cheat.

“We have to educate the public that this is not just

about Gatlin and that this could happen again.

“There is a public perception of ‘I don’t want to watch athletics anymore because I don’t believe what I see’. We have to deal with that.”

Gatlin’s main grievance is with being referred to as a two-time drugs cheat.

His first drugs ban in 2001 was reduced from two years to one after he proved the amphetamines he was taking were for an attention deficit disorder.

After winning the 100m and 200m double at the 2005 Worlds in Helsinki, the 33-year-old then tested posi-

Miller leads five-pronged

Caribbean fight in 400 women’s final

Four Jamaicans will be in Thursday’s 400-metres final at the IAAF World Championships, but have mammoth tasks to make their way onto the podium.

National champion Christine Day made her way into the final after finishing behind the Caribbean athlete who looks the most likely to challenge for a gold medal, the Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller.

Miller walked to a time of 50.12, leaving Day, who looked comfortable as well, in her wake at 50.82.

Stephenie-Ann McPherson, fourth at the World Championships in Moscow last year, was also second in her semi-final, clocking a season’s best 50.32, but finishing behind a strong showing by Great Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu (50.16).

Ohuruogu has not had a stellar season but has the ability to perform well at championships and if she is rounding into form, then

there may be no way to keep her off the podium. McPherson though, has been consistently on the improve, and the semi-final marked her second season’s best of the Championships.

Shericka Jackson has been fastest of the qualifiers after she was pulled by Allyson Felix (49.89).

Felix looks in irresistible form, and kept in control of

the race, throughout, with Jackson doing a creditable job of staying with her to post a fast 50.03.

Novlene Williams-Mills, the veteran of the Jamaican quartet was relegated to third in the semi involving Felix and and her compatriot Jackson, but her time of 50.47 (a season’s best) was quick enough to put her in the final. (Digicel Sportsmax)

tive for testosterone in 2006. He served a four-year ban that had been twice reduced from a lifetime and eight years.

Jamaican Bolt, 29, and Gatlin have both qualified for Wednesday’s 200m semifinal, with the final in Beijing to be held on Thursday. (BBC Sport)

Gibson lands 400m hurdles bronze in record breaking fashion

The Bahamas won its first medal of the 15th IAAF World Championships when Jeffery Gibson took bronze in the 400 metres hurdles on Tuesday.

It was the only medal for the Caribbean on a shortened day of competition which included domination by Kenyan runners.

Gibson set a new Bahamas record of 48.17 seconds to claim the bronze medal behind surprised winner Nicholas Bett of Kenya and Russian Denis Kudryavtsev. Bett’s winning time of 47.79 is a world lead while Kudryavtsev also set a new Russian record.

It has been a spectacular season for Gibson who has now lowered the national record four times within six weeks.

He has recorded times of 48.77 in Luzern, Switzerland

T&T’s Cedenio not intimidated by star studded field

The youngest competitor in the finals of the 400 metres of the World Championships, Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Cedenio, says he would not be intimidated when he takes on a high quality field on Wednesday morning.

Cedenio, 19, will face Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada who advanced with the second fastest time and world leader and African record holder Isaac Makwala of Botswana who progressed to the finals with the fastest time of 44.11.

The Trinidadian quarter miler will also be competing against reigning world champion Lashawn Merritt and Wayde Van Niekerk, the only man to beat James this season.

“I am just going into the final to have fun, so I am taking it step by step,” said Cedenio.

“I thank God for bringing me through the rounds and you know it is a good step with Olympic next year. I just thank God that I am a world finalist right now”.

Cedenio finished third in his semifinal on Monday to progress as one of two fastest losers from the three semifinals.

The 400 metres final is due to start at 9.25 AM Eastern Caribbean time on Wednesday.

“The extra day’s rest will help in the recovery of my muscles and mentally prepare me for the finals,” he said.

“Depending on the lane I get, we will see. Right now I am just grateful to be in the final. No matter what lane as we will all run 400 metres.” (CMC)

Jeffery Gibson on July 14, 48.51 to win the gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada on July 23 and twice at the World Championships in Beijing including 48.37 in the semi-finals on Sunday.

“The medal is great achievement but I take it as the next stepping stone towards the future,” he said.

“I know I can perform much better, there were a couple of things I have to work on and I am looking forward to more races and more training for the Olympic season.”

Shericka Jackson led a quartet of Jamaicans advancing to the women’s 400m final on Thursday.

Jackson had the second fastest qualifying time and personal best of 50.03, behind American Allyson Felix (49.89).

The former world junior and youth champion Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas also qualifies with 50.12.

Stephenie Ann McPherson (50.32), Novlene Williams-Mills (50.47) and Christine Day (50.82) are the other Jamaicans who will line up in the final which will also include Great Britain’s reigning world champion Christine Ohuruogu (50.16) and American Phyllis Francis (50.50).

“This is my first World Championships so I am very grateful I made it to the final,” said Jackson. (CMC)

Justin Gatlin (left) and Usain Bolt at the medal presentation ceremony for the men’s 100m final

Shaunae Miller

Machel Cedenio

Fruta Conquerors gearing up for Elite League

– Club President hails concept to professionalise local football

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) inaugural Stag Beer Elite League is set for a September kick-off, and one of the eight clubs that have qualified to compete in the eight-month League is eagerly looking forward to what beckons for Guyana’s football.

Fruta Conquerors, one of the country’s most successful clubs, both on and off the field, is among the top local clubs that have been guaranteed a place in the firstever League, which is set to transform Guyana’s football landscape.

The other clubs are Alpha United, Guyana

thing”.

In terms of his team’s prospects in the League, Forde said his boys have the potential to “spring a few surprises” although

May 12, 2015. A total of 11 applications were received.

According to the GFF, as per CONCACAF guidelines, a First Instance Decision Making Body was established to review and pronounce on these applications. It was agreed that no Normalisation Committee Members of the GFF would sit on this body.

Following the review process, all 11 applications were approved for Elite Club Licence. The Competitions Committee of the GFF then met with the view of choosing eight of the 11 clubs to participate in the soon-to-be launched Elite League.

The selection process was guided by four criteria that

Defence Force, Slingerz FC, Pele, Georgetown Football Club, Buxton United and Monedderlust FC.

Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC)

President Wayne Forde, in an exclusive interview with this publication on Tuesday, hailed the move by the GFF’s Normalisation Committee to focus its attention on professionalising the game here.

Forde described the League as “a very timely item on Guyana’s football programme”, noting that for too long the country has been aligned with football at an amateur level.

“It [the League] is what Guyana’s football needed,” Forde declared. The FCFC head added “if we’re serious about moving forward, we have to embrace initiatives like these. It is a good

they didn’t get some of the desired players during the transfer window.

He said the Tucvillebased club will focus on exposing some of its younger players, the majority of whom are currently in training under the watchful eyes of FCFC Head Coach Calvin Allen.

“The Club has remained active even in this period of dormancy. We’ve been playing a few friendlies so we’re getting ready for the League,” Forde said.

League’s genesis

In keeping with the new mandate issued by CONCACAF, the GFF earlier this year invited applications for Elite Club Licences from all member associations to be submitted by

were established long before applications were received. These criteria were (1) Elite League Licence (which all 11 clubs satisfied); (2) Budget and Financial standing; (3) Competitive results over a three-5fiveyear period; and (4) Geographic proximity of the club.

Following a thorough review based on the criteria outlined, the following eight clubs were invited to participate in the inaugural GFF Elite League: Alpha United, GDF, Slingerz FC, Pele, Fruta Conquerors, GFC, Buxton United and Monedderlust FC.

For the first time in Guyana’s club football structure, players and staff will be contracted to play football during the League. The Stag Beer Elite League will be officially launched on Monday.

Heart of Oak “Teach Them Young” Football Camp ends

After a successful five weeks of learning the fundamentals of both football and life skills, over 100 youths graduated from the Heart of Oak Masters “Teach Them Young” football camp, which came to an end on Friday.

A total of 13 youngsters from the New Amsterdam area attended the annual programme, which catered for persons aged four to 17. At the end, all of the participants received certificates of participation.

In giving an overview of the 15th annual Heart of Oak football camp, facilitator Kenrick Bowery said the camp, which commenced on July 20 with 48 participants, closed with a registration of 104 participations.

He explained that during the five-week period, campers were divided into age groupings: ages 4- 8, 9-12 and 12 plus. There was also a special section comprising female inmates of the New

Amsterdam Prison. Bowery noted that the coaching staff was headed by organiser Neil Humphrey and included Colin Bowery, Heathcliff Peters, Michael Erskine, Stayman Adams, Simone Bowlers, Lindsey Dougherty and Jenepher Wade.

The camp was broken down into basic skills and technique, defence plays, attacking plays, set plays and other tactics and strategies. Those, Bowery noted, “ were complemented with laws of the game, physical fitness, warm up games and techniques”.

He said the camp was privileged to have lectures on personal hygiene; road safety; emancipation; fire prevention; prevention of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs); discipline, and morals. “We were also blessed to have the opportunity of participating in one of our ancestral customs which is storytelling,” Bowery add-

ed.

He also took the opportunity to thank the Alphonso family for donating several pairs of boots for the Under-12 section and thanked all supporters and well wishers of the camp.

Apart from the All Saints Primary School which was used to conduct indoor sections, the All Saints Church was used for its outdoor facility and the New Amsterdam which made available its club hall for other indoor sessions.

Bowery thanked Metro Office Supplies and the Department of Culture among others. This was the second year that the Heart of Oak Masters “Teach Them Young” football camp went on for more than four weeks. The camp was the largest in terms of participation in the 23 years of the Heart of Oak Masters “Teach Them Young” football camp.

Bravo lauds country's Olympic medal programme

Dwayne Bravo, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel captain, is happy with the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) for establishing an Elite Athlete Welfare Fund.

The fund was set up in January to complement the Elite Athlete Fund in a bid to win 10 or more Olympic medals by 2024.

“I think it’s good. I am an athlete and I believe athletes could only do so much. They need support. If the

aim is for this medal count by the 2024 Olympics, then that means they have a target in mind, they have a goal set and I think it’s important that whatever assistance they can get from government, from companies, then we are working for 2024. I think they can be successful and achieve the ten gold medals.

Bravo was speaking to the Trinidad Guardian about his belief in athletes from the twin-island re-

Lady Jags advance to final four of CFU Olympic Qualifier

Guyana’s national women’s football team have advanced to the final four of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Olympic Qualifiers.

With the Lady Jags, as they are more commonly called, needing Cuba to either lose or defeat St Kitts and Nevis by less than eight goals to advance to the final four of the tournament, Cuba only managed to defeat St Kitts and Nevis by a 6–0 score line on Tuesday.

The Lady Jags in their first game routed St Kitts and Nevis 8–0 and drew their game with Cuba 1–1. Guyana will now be involved in a

single elimination final four tournament which is scheduled for October 2-4. The two finalists and the winner of the third-place match will qualify for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship as CFU representatives.

Once the Lady Jags finish in the top three, they will face the likes of USA, Canada, Mexico and two representative countries from the Central America region.

Head Coach Mark Rodrigues noted the achievement by the team could possibly drive the enhanced

development of football in Guyana.

“With the launch of the women’s league just around the corner, the advancement of the Lady Jags to the Caribbean Championships can be viewed as a huge catalyst to motivate female players in Guyana to start or continue playing.

“With the limited preparation time afforded the team, it’s a very pleasant surprise to already experience success. The next round will be even more challenging and the coaching staff will have to find a way to have another minicamp prior to competition,” Rodrigues stated. Reflecting on the tournament,

the Florida-based Head Coach pointed out that his team’s biggest shortfall in the Dominican Republic was simply fitness. Meanwhile, according to the Florida-based Head Coach, who shared his joy over the achievement, a couple of other high-level players could be added to the squad for the next round. “Happy to see my country achieve success on the international stage once again, and I hope that we (the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)) use and cultivate that success even more for the amazing kids of our country and keep it sustained in the future.”

public and what they can achieve if given the right support.

According to Bravo, corporate Trinidad and Tobago and the government were not doing enough to ensure athletes had the right facilities for training and that the environment for creating world-class athletes was being created.

Despite that, Bravo felt T&T athletes, like the team to the just-concluded Netball World Cup, and the contingent to the Pan American Games, have done well and show what can be achieved with a little more support.

(Digicel Sportsmax)

Some of the campers at the closing session of the five-week programme

In years to come, those aspiring footballers of the Fruta Conquerors annual academy could potentially benefit from the Elite League

Fruta Conquerors president Wayne Forde

Dwayne bravo

YELLOW PAGES

Wednesday, august 26, 2015

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Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin into 200m semis

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin remain on course for their 200m final rematch as both qualified with minimal fuss from their heats.

Bolt, who has admitted to feeling weary in the aftermath of his extraordinary 100m victory here in the Bird’s Nest, won the third heat in 20.28 seconds, easing off with 40m to go and jogging across the line.

Gatlin - comfortably the fastest man in the world this year over 200m, as he was over 100m - ran a smooth 20.19 as he seeks revenge for his shock defeat on Sunday night.

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Britain’s talented 20-year-old Zharnel Hughes, who trains with Bolt in Jamaica, won his heat in 20.13secs while team-mate Danny Talbot is also into Wednesday’s semi-finals after a 20.35secs for third in his heat.

Gatlin has run 19.57secs this year while Bolt only raced over the distance once in his injury-hit summer before arriving in Beijing, an unimpressive 20.13secs in New York two months ago.

Under normal circumstances that would make Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, clear favourite to win back the title he first took in Helsinki 10 years ago.

But Bolt does not do normal circumstances, and in the same stadium where he smashed the world record in

“The 200m means a lot more to me but I’m a little worried about my fitness because I’ve not done many this year,” Bolt told BBC Sport.

“I think I am a better technical runner in this event. I am tired and a little sore but I’m going to take another ice bath and I’ll be OK.”

Hughes, born in the British overseas territory of Anguilla, formally gained British citizenship in June this year and won the national trials in some style.

And he may yet be in contention for a bronze medal in an event that is relatively open outside of the big two.

“I think I came off too lazy on to the curve. Other than that it was a great race,” Hughes told BBC Sport.

“I came off well from the curve. It was difficult on the tight lane because I’m tall. To be here I feel blessed.”

Ohuruogu comes good once again Reigning world champion Christine Ohuruogu appears to be peaking at the perfect time once again after she ran a season’s best of 50.16 seconds to reach the 400m final. Ohuruogu makes a habit of this - in every major championships she has run at, going all the way back to the European Juniors of 2003, she has produced a season’s best. (BBC Sport)

Rutherford wins World Championships long jump gold

Britain’s Greg Rutherford once again proved his peerless championship credentials as he added world gold to his Olympic, European and Commonwealth titles.

Only four other Britons - Daley Thompson, Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell and Jonathan Edwards - have ever held all four titles at the same time, but Rutherford deserves that illustrious company after another display of superb jumping under pressure.

The 28-year-old celebrated first with a wild roar and later with tears as his fourthround leap of 8.41m saw him finish well clear of Australian Fabrice Lapierre’s 8.24m and the 8.18m of China’s Jianan Wang.

No Briton had ever won any long jump medal at a World Championships, but despite feeling so ill earlier in the day that he wondered if he could even compete Rutherford produced the second longest jump of his life as his rivals cracked under the final pressure.

“I’m a bit lost for words. What an incredible night. It’s been unreal,” Rutherford told BBC Sport.

“It’s unbelievable. This was my best ever performance. The stresses this year, I can’t even express to you. I can’t wait to get home and see my family.”

American Jeff Henderson came into the night as favourite but went out after the first three jumps while defending champion Aleksandr Menkov could manage only 8.02 for sixth.

On a warm night in the Bird’s Nest the fast runway again caused problems for the athletes, no-jumps littering the competition and the USA’s Mike Hartfield failing to register a single mark.

Rutherford himself fouled in the first round but as his rivals struggled to adjust he throttled back to take the lead with a second-round 8.29m.

It would never be bettered, Henderson and Hartfield ending the night in a tearful embrace and China’s Wang, Xinglong Gao and Jinzhe Li unable to control their efforts amid intense and noisy local support.

Seven years ago Rutherford finished an unnoticed 10th at the Beijing

Olympics, emotionally shattered after the death of his grandfather and rushed to hospital the following day with kidney and lung infections.

This was some redemption indeed. His Olympic win was derided by some critics on social media as a “fluke” while others have denigrated the distances he has produced for his four wins.

But championship jumping is about delivering when it matters, and Rutherford has proved himself the master once again. It also comes days after Rutherford criticised UK Athletics for what he claims is a “class system” within the governing body.

“I think 8.41m is a stadium record. It wasn’t as long as the last jump which won the World Championships but I couldn’t care less to be honest,” he said. “I could have jumped further.” (BBC Sport)

Usain Bolt comes off the turn during his 200m heat at the World Championships

Rutherford celebrates his gold medal win

Players adapting well to training, says Crandon – heartened

By Rajiv Bisnauth

by work ethic

Head Coach Esaun Crandon has expressed satisfaction

tive from players. The squad is preparing for the second edition of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Regional Four-day franchise tournament which starts in November.

“I think we are heading in the right direction,” Crandon said. “The work ethic is definitely there, the guys are putting in the hard work, gelling together as a group, the energy is there throughout the fitness sessions and the intensity is always there. I think it is just a matter of the guys continuing in that vein, giving the effort, showing enthusiasm and hopefully, we can move forward from here,” said Crandon.

Further, the 33-yearold Crandon, who took 98

As intense training continues for the Guyana Jaguars,

at the attitude of the players.

In fact, Crandon said the attitude has been posi-

wickets from his 38 FirstClass matches, says he is impressed with his squad’s fitness level and is pleased

with the general condition of the players.

He further stated that some players “still have a little way to go, but some of them are at a level where they just need to maintain it.”

Confirmation

Meanwhile, Crandon confirmed that opening batsman Kandasammy Surujnarine has replaced Barbadian Ryan Hinds.

The 34-year-old Hinds withdrew from the squad owing to previous commitments elsewhere.

Hinds and fellow Barbadian Javon Searles were snapped up by the Jaguars on behalf of Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) during the players’ draft in June, in keeping with the WICB’s regulation, which stipulated that regional territories acquire a maximum of two foreign players.

The new franchise system allows each of the six franchises to have 15 contracted players.

However, apart from those contracted players, other players who have been awarded an Academy Contract from Cricket Guy Inc for the year 2015-2016 are also eligible for selection under the ‘Pay for Play’ criteria.

The Guyana Jaguars contracted players for the 2015-2016 season are: Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Raymon Reifer, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetymer, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph, Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Vishual Singh, Javon Searles and

Kandasammy Surujnarine.

Further, it must be noted that batsmen Leon Johnson and Shivnarine

Chanderpaul are part of the Jaguars’ set-up, but were not considered for contracts since both batsmen have WICB retainer contracts.

The players on Academy Contracts are: Gudakesh

The

Score’s Even will not return for Sunday’s President’s Cup, says DeRoop

– entries close today

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Owner of racehorse

Score’s Even, Dennis DeRoop confirmed on Tuesday that Guyana’s only A Class animal will not feature in Sunday’s President’s Cup horse race meet slated for Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

Score’s Even had pulled out from the Guyana Cup horse race meet earlier this month as a result of an injured hip.

However, DeRoop, who is also the Regional Vice Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), pointed out that the animal would not be in action until the annual Boxing Day meet.

Flashback! Score’s Even whipped a top field of animals the last time she ran at the Rising Sun Turf Club

Dennis DeRoop

“We want the injury to take its natural course, we will not rush into competitive races right away and will not participate in Sunday’s President’s Cup,” DeRoop said. Meanwhile, with entries topping the 60 mark, the principals of the President’s Cup have already put all systems in place.

that turfites could expect a truly entertaining day, since the majority of the country’s race horses have been confirmed to participate.

Chief Coordinator Fazal Habibulla told Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday

Over $7.5 million is up for grabs at the nine-race programme. The feature race of the day is for ani-

mals classified A and Lower over a distance of one mile for $1.2 million and the President’s Cup.

The other races listed for the day are the 1400-metre race for Three-year-old West Indian bred animals for a top prize of $500,000. The one-mile race for

Four-year-old West Indian bred animals and D3 nonewinners for 2015 and those classified E and Lower will also compete for a first prize of $500,000. There is an event for horses classified F and Lower over 1400 metres for a top prize of $350,000. The organisers have also disclosed that there will be no distinction in the Twoyear-old event as both the

West Indian and Guyana bred horses are slated to do battle over 1100 metres for $350,000 and a trophy. The winner of the G3 and lower 1400-metre event will get $300,000 and a trophy, while a competitive field is expected to take to the track in the race for animals classified I and Lower for the $260,000 top prize. That race will be run over a distance of 1100 metres. Horses running in the J and Lower 1100-metre event will battle for a first prize of $240,000 and a trophy, while the K and Lower event will see the winner taking home $200,000 and a trophy. Entries will be closed today, and according to Habibulla no late entries will be accepted. Interested horse owners can contact Habibulla on 232-0232 or 657-7010. Races will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Race time is 12:00h.

Motie, Anthony Adams, Raun Johnson, Keemo Paul, Raj Nannan, Steven Sankar, Robin Bacchus, Kemol

Savory, Kevon Boodie, Dexter Solomon, Steven Jacobs, Tevin Imlach and Akshaya Persaud.

Guyana Jaguars are defending champions of the PCL Four-day competition.

Tagnarine Chanderpaul during his stay in the nets (Rajiv Bisnauth photos)

Raun Johnson going through catching practice

Shemron Hetymer in nets on Tuesday

Christopher Barnwell and Javon Searles relaxed after their workout

GT Beer Futsal Tournament...

Goals continue to flow

By TreisTon Joseph

The group stage of the GT Beer Futsal Tournament was rife with excitement, as goals continued to flow in abundance when the tournament continued on Monday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Night Three of the action was filled with another four high-scoring fixtures, as Festival City scored the most goals of the evening by any team with eight to top Agricola who managed four goals of their own.

Solomon Austin scored a hat-trick in the 1st, 14th and 22nd minute, while Eon Alleyne scored a double in the 25th and 30th minute to lead Festival City to the win.

Daniel Favourite (6th minute); Dwayne Lawrence (16th minute) and Keith Fletcher (17th minute)

were the other goalscorers for Festival City. Scoring for Agricola was

Gordon Grant with a double in the 18th and 23rd minute, while Kacy John in the

10th and Anthony Rollins in the 24th scored the remaining two goals for the East Bank of Demerara side.

Sparta Boss routed Globe Yard 7-1 to win their second game of the Tournament to be unblemished this far.

Dennis Edwards was the main threat for Sparta Boss scoring a hat-trick in the 9th, 16th and 20th minute, while Eusi Phillips (7th); Deon Alfred (13th), Travis Grant (14th) and Roberto Osbourne (30th) scored a goal each. Keith Caines was the only scorer for Globe Yard with a goal in the 12th minute.

In the second game of the night, West Back Road overcame Bent Street 5-4.

Jamal Haynes scored a double to lead West Back Road in the win, while Odel

chandrika, mohamed lead eB

Test opener Rajendra Chandrika and exFirst-Class allrounder Zaheer Mohamed led Enterprise Busta Sports Club (EBSC) to a comfortable 35-run victory over Strathavon in a friendly cricket match at the Enterprise Ground on Saturday last.

Cheered on by a vocal crowd, which included members of the GEML Cosmos team of Trinidad and Tobago, EBSC posted

153-5 from the allotted 20 overs with Chandrika, who made his Test debut against Australia earlier this year, hitting 55.

The experienced Rohan Mangal continued to build on the foundation laid by Chandrika by hitting a solid 44 not out. K Alphonso claimed 2-37 for Strathavon, who replied with 118-7 at the end of the 20 overs.

Mohamed was splendid with the ball, bag -

Baveghems cops 1st place at NAFMA World Championship

Professor Quacy Baveghems led the Best of the Best Martial Arts School’s efforts on Sunday at the NAFMA World Martial Arts Championship at the Hyatt Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago.

Contesting the annual championship for the first time, the club’s four-member team captured a first-place finish and three third-place medals.

Baveghems, competing in the Masters Division (30-40 years), emerged the top athlete in the category of Weapons. For his performance, he was rewarded with a specially crafted gold ring and a medal.

Baveghems placed third in Freestyle. Baveghems, who heads the Houston, Greater Georgetown-based club, also took three of his athletes on the trip, two of whom were able to medal.

Miguel Hunte, in the 7-8 category, copped third in Freestyle, while Antwone Allen also claimed third in Sparring. The other member of the team, Haroon Safiallah Best, who competed in the 9-12 category, failed to capture a medal.

According to Baveghems, close to 200 participants from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America competed in the one-day event.

Baveghems said he was pleased with the efforts of the club’s members in Trinidad, noting that the support received by various persons and organisations would have inspired the club’s members to perform to their full potential.

The club’s participation was made possible through backing from the National

ging 4-17 off three overs, while there was a wicket apiece for Vivian Albert and Chatterpaul Singh. Alphonso topscored with 22, while G Sugrim made 17.

Earlier in the day, GEML Cosmos wrapped up an easy eight-wicket win over Cultural Sports Club of Canal Number Two.

Nicholas Sanasie was at his best, snaring 5-22, and Jadon Samkarran took 2-22, as Cultural

Young, Eron Hayde and Teon Caesar scored a goal each as well.

Okeene Fraser scored a double for Bent Street in the second and fifth minutes, while Frank Crandon notched his lone goal in the 29th minute. West Back Road scored an own goal in the 20th minute to help contribute to Bent Street’s score.

The opening fixture of the night saw Kitty Weavers pulling out a close 5-4 win against Queen Street Tigerbay.

Nigel Denny and Sherwin Vincent scored doubles, while Travis Martin scored one goal to help the team top the Tigerbay men. The event will continue on Thursday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

sc to victory

Sports Club managed 111 all out off 19.4 overs. A Jailall and C Ramcharran made 37 and 20 respectively.

Samkarran then returned to hit 52 and DeAngelo Sanasie scored 38 as GEML Cosmos overhauled the target in 13.4 overs with just two wickets down.

The GEML Cosmos team is currently being hosted by the EBSC. The tour will wrap up this weekend.

Odel Young scored a goal to help West Back Road top Bent Street in the second game of the evening (Treiston Joseph photo)

Zaheer Mohamed

Rajendra Chandrika

Professor Quacy Baveghems proudly displays his medals and ring upon return from Trinidad and Tobago

Sports Commission, Shamdas Kirplani, Toucan Industries and Chief Constable of the City Constabulary, Andrew Foo. Currently, the club is preparing to send a team to an international competition on October 10 in New Jersey, USA.

George shares World Championship experience

– says AAG needs to do better

By TreisTon Joseph

Olympian Winston

George, currently still in Beijing, China at the 15th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships has shared his views on his performance as well as the circumstances surrounding his national record run at the Bird’s Nest.

George, who lowered Guyana’s national record for the second time this year at the event to 45.25s, but was still unable to move on to the semi-finals, believed that he could have gone faster.

“To be here is great and it was a great run for me, but I think I could have done way better than I did,” George told Guyana Times Sport ex-

clusively.

In addition, George shared his reason for not doing better and also highlighted that the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) needed to do better if it wanted podium finishes.

“I came out here three days before my actual competition and I was sick for two of those days… Guyana wants medals, they want good performances yet they are sending you to compete at a major competition, such as the World Championships couple days before.

“Your competitors are here weeks ahead of you and their bodies adjust to the climate and more so the atmosphere… You simply can’t send athletes on a 22-plushour flight to compete three

days after, athletes are not robots… It’s a different time zone to ours, 12 hours apart and adjustment takes time,” George noted.

Further, George, who has Guyana’s top three fastest 400 metres times, pointed out the big picture in the scheme of things for Guyana’s athletics.

“The athletic federation needs to do better and if they don’t, Guyana will not go anywhere when it comes to seeing local athletes moving from one stage to the other,” George pinpointed.

Nevertheless, George was pleased with his national record run, “Well, my aim this year was to leave Guyana to train in the US and make the time for Worlds and the Olympics, I

did that and I knew the record was going to be broken, I accomplished my goals and my training was going well and I knew I had what it takes to lower my time,” George stated.

However, George was a bit disappointed that he only ran one round. “It’s always great to be at these games, the experience is surreal, but we just need to get out here early in order for good things to happen, but, to be honest, it is no fun coming and running one round and watch people after… it’s better to be a part of the action,” George highlighted.

So what will the talented athlete, who is aiming to have his name called among the Guyanese greats

of sport, work on next?

“My Coach, Joe Ryan told me that I have low 44s in me before Rio (2016 Olympics) so we will be working on that come next season,” George revealed. Definitely seems like it is back to work on becoming one of Guyana’s greatest.

Winston George (left) during his fifth place national record run in the opening round of the men’s 400m at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China

Devendra Bishoo in action during Tuesday’s net session

The ‘Lady Jags’ will hope to move further in the Olympic Qualifiers

to October