Guyana Times Daily - April 20, 2015

Teen girl killed by jealous boyfriend

Ateenager was stabbed at least 15 times about her body by her jealous boyfriend while attending at a dance in Sophia, Greater Georgetown in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Alissa McPherson, 18, of Cappies Place, ‘C’ Field Sophia, succumbed to her injuries at about 07:30h while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The suspect whose name was given as Shivnand (only name given) is on the run.

According to informa-

tion received, the teenager was seen at the event with a group of relatives but persons thought that she was cheating on her boyfriend.

A close friend reportedly telephoned the suspect, who was at his Grove, East Bank Demerara home at the time, and informed him of the developments.

He reportedly collected an ice pick and left the house in haste without telling his grandmother where he was heading. Based on reports, he showed up at the dance, called the teenager aside, and an argument ensued between them. He then held onto her hands and took her in a corner where he whipped out the ice pick and allegedly stabbed her about the body.

Upon seeing what was happening, her cousins ran to her rescue but the suspect had already made good his escape. McPherson fell to the ground but was picked up and whisked away to the hospital where she succumbed a few hours later.

Ankoma Powers, a grieving and angry father told Guyana Times that he was at home at about 05:30h when he received the shocking telephone call and immediately rushed to the

Georgetown Public Hospital where he saw his daughter lying on a bed with stab wounds about her body.

“This boy stabbed my daughter all over her body… in her eyes, back, abdomen all over like he was under the influence or something,” Powers stated. In a solemn voice, he said that his daughter died in front of him.

He recalled his daughter leaving his Soesdyke/Linden Highway home to visit her mother in ‘C’ Field Sophia as she normally does. However, he was not aware that she was attending a dance in the community, and was shocked when he received the news.

The father stated that he along with the Police visited the area where the teenager was stabbed after which they went to the Turkeyen Police Station where the ranks took statements from her mother and other relatives who were with her at the time of the incident.

After that, Powers disclosed that they travelled to the suspect’s home but was told that he left home in a hurry with a bag containing clothes. The grandmother reportedly told Police that the young man returned

home, packed a few pieces of clothes and left the house.

The Police have since alerted their colleagues about the situation.

Meanwhile, Powers reminisced on the fond memories of his daughter who

was jovial and full of life. The teenager’s body is at the Georgetown Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination. She is survived by her parents and five siblings. The Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.

New evidence surfaces, report by today – Health Minister

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran has promised to release the long awaited report on the death of four-year-old Jaden Mars by today after claiming that new evidence has surfaced.

In January, 2014, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Michael Khan had said that after several weeks of investigation, the hospital had concluded that the fouryear-boy did not die as a result of any misdemeanour on the part of his staff.

However, the child’s mother, Natalie Casey said after hearing of the findings, she immediately contacted the CEO. However, he denied ever making such a pronouncement and said he was, in fact, “misquoted by the media.”

However, Minister Ramsaran is now claiming that his medical team has indicated to him that new evidence has surfaced in relation to Mars’ death. He is adamant, however,

that those findings will not be discussed with the media until the process is completed. “From my preliminary briefings which I do not want to discuss in the media, they have identified certain weaknesses and certain transgressions and they are still to complete the process,” he said.

When questioned, however, on why the investigation has taken so long since the child would have died in 2013, Minister Ramsaran

said that he has no idea.

“There’s a list of names, a short list of names of the persons involved…and I am a bit baffled too why it is taking so long to get the complete review…,” he said.

The Minister further claimed that he would often have to remind his employees to put the child’s case on their agendas. “The last time we did was…I think there was a Millennium Development Acceleration Review, on how we are going to accelerate that process…and since they were all there, all of the medical managers, I raised it again for them to look into.”

Questioned on who he thinks should be held responsible for the death of the child, Minister Ramsaran, in response, said he did not wish to apportion blame at this time until the matter is fully investigated and a conclusion could has been drawn, noting that he would like natural justice to take its course. “I do not want to appropriate blame because we have a process…I

Miner feared drowned in Cuyuni River boat mishap

Aminer is feared dead following a boat accident a short distance from the Arawak Creek, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Potaro-Siparuni) on Saturday. The incident reportedly occurred at about 17:30h.

The missing man has been identified as Ivor Haynes, 45, of 2nd Avenue Bartica. Guyana Times understands that the captain of the boat, Peter Pollard is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Based on reports received, the boat left Arawak Creek and was heading to Bartica when the outboard engine encountered mechanical problems and suddenly cut off. Due to the current of the water, the boat reportedly came into contact with a rock causing it to capsize.

The occupants of the boat at the time were the captain, his nephew and the businessman. The boat was transporting several jars of fuel, groceries and other items including a metal detector that was purchased by the now missing man.

Following the mishap, the captain and the young man reported plunged into the water and held onto a rock where they stayed for about three hours before swimming to an island where they sought assistance.

Haynes, on the other hand, was reportedly more

am giving natural justice its course,” he said.

Meanwhile, Casey has made it clear that she does not expect anyone to lie or cover anything up, but is expecting those who are responsible for her son’s death to step forward.

The grieving mother said she will not rest until justice is served, noting that her son would have died due to negligence and malpractice.

Mars while playing at home in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown in December, 2013 accidentally fell and injured his tongue. He was taken to the East La Penitence Health Centre for medical attention. However, the profuse blood flow caused staff there to refer him to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

It was there that the child was reportedly administered two 25-milligram shots of anaesthetic to sedate him, so that he could have his tongue sutured. He was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after experiencing complications. He died one week later.

concerned about the detector. Pollard told Police that Haynes was trying to save the gold detector and it was during that time he was seen going under the water. Both he and the instrument were not seen since.

After reaching land, Pollard stated that he along with another miner went back to the area where the accident occurred but there was no sign of the man. He then made his way to Bartica where he reported the matter to the Police who immediately launched an investigation.

Relatives of the missing man travelled to the area and have launched a search party with the hope of finding his body. Guyana Times was told that this was not the first accident that the captain has been involved in.

A source told this newspaper that several months ago, one of the man’s boat met in an accident resulting in the death of a school child. He was not driving at the time. Then a few years back, he was involved in another accident where several Brazilian miners were injured after the boat capsized just off the Mazaruni River.

The source also stated that Pollard is not a licensed boat captain but owns several boats which ply mostly the Cuyuni-Mazaruni area. The Police are continuing their investigations.

Businessman injured in Bagotstown shooting

Abusinessman is now nursing a gunshot injury to his right hand following a shooting incident at Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday evening. The incident reportedly occurred at about 20:50h.

The injured man has been identified as Uwesa Benjamin, 35, of Lot 43 Norton Street, Bagotstown, EBD. He was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and sent away. According to information received, the injured man was in the company of his friends in front of his home when an acquaintance joined them. The men were reportedly consuming alcohol, and an argument ensued during which the suspect pulled out a firearm and discharged several rounds hitting Benjamin in

the process. In a matter of seconds, Benjamin saw blood oozing from his hand and it was then he realised that he was shot. He boarded a car and drove to the hospital where he was treated and sent away since the wound was not life threatening.

A source told Guyana Times that the area is often prone to trouble and it not the first time, persons would have discharged gunshots indiscriminately. The area where the incident occurred is a “hot spot” where various illegal items are sold.

Nevertheless, the Police were called in and forced to break up the gathering. The suspect has not been arrested and persons in the area remained tightlipped about the incident. Investigations into the shooting incident are in progress.

Suspect: Shivnand (only name given)

Dead: Alissa McPherson

Jaden Mars’ death…

Jaden Mars

monday, april 20, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, April 20, 2015 – 05:00h-06:00h and Tuesday, April 21, 2015 – 05:00h-06:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, April 20, 2015 – 04:55h-06:25h and Tuesday, April 21, 2015 – 05:35h-07:05h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Monday, April 20 –06:00h and 16:00h

Tuesday, April 21 – 05:00h, 09:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected to prevail throughout the day with light rain showers in the early afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.02 metres per second and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 05:23h and 17:49h reaching maximum heights of 2.91 metres and 2.78 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:22h and 23:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.30 metre and 0.49 metre respectively.

PSC Presidential debate

PPP/C insists Granger debates Ramotar

...will not subject Harper to Nagamootoo’s vile innuendoes

While confirming that President Donald Ramotar is willing to debate the People's National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition leader, David Granger as originally agreed, the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has announced that it will not agree to the subsequent condition insisted on by the Opposition camp that there also be a Prime Ministerial Candidate debate.

Initially, the coalition had agreed for its Presidential Candidate to debate the President on a national platform, but about a week ago it demanded a prime ministerial debate. The debate was being coordinated by the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

In a statement on Sunday, the PPP/C announced its intention to reject the Opposition’s demand for a prime ministerial debate on the additional grounds that APNU/AFC’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo has consistently been utterly “disrespectful and vile” towards the PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper.

“The women of the PPP/C, while not intimidated, will not allow themselves to be disrespected by the Opposition and their surrogates...The women of

the PPP/C demand respect and equal treatment from those who present themselves as an alternative,” the release read.

The statement referred to the coalition’s Whim Rally where Nagamootoo made the most “repugnant utterances” against Harper, pointing out that the Party will not open the door for its Prime Ministerial Candidate to endure another series of slander from Nagamootoo.

“It is for this reason that we view a public debate with Moses Nagamootoo as inappropriate...Under these circumstances, we wish to state emphatically that the APNU/AFC Coalition’s demands for us to open Ms Harper further to the bitter, rude and un-

bridled venom of disrespect from Moses Nagamootoo in a prime ministerial debate is reprehensible,” the PPP/C said, noting that its Party will not attempt to dignify the contempt with which Nagamootoo has sought to ridicule Harper.

Despite not succumbing to the Opposition’s demand for a prime ministerial debate, the incumbent Administration declared that the option for a Presidential Debate still stands if the coalition is brave enough to accept.

“Our Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar stands ready to our commitment for a presidential debate without any new conditions,” the release maintained.

But the APNU/AFC had made it clear that it would no longer agree to presidential debates unless a debate was organised for the candidates’ running mates.

The Opposition has a track record for boycotting debates with the PPP/C administration, arguably an indication of fear. Earlier this month, the coalition had pulled out from a series of debates organised by the National Communications Network (NCN).

The state-owned media entity noted that the Opposition has been in the habit of doing so, often times with incoherent or no explanations given. Ramotar had initially made it known from the inception that he was willing to debate his Party’s policies against those of the Opposition at a public forum.

Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, a member of the PPP/C organising team, had said earlier that “Granger is scared of debating President Ramotar”. He said it had always been the position that the PSC was organising a “presidential debate”. Granger cannot

now unilaterally and arbitrarily seek to change the rules of the engagement. “As an old army man, if the rules of engagement by the Geneva Convention forbid use of poison gas, would he suddenly demand that his men unilaterally conduct chemical warfare?”

Co-Campaign Manager of the coalition, Raphael Trotman had said that they were requesting the additional debate in an effort to have a “complete package”. The APNU/AFC CoCampaign Manager said that the coalition wanted a complete package of the top leaders debating each other so that the Guyanese public can see and know who they will be voting for come May 11. Minister Ali re-

torted, “Well, will Granger soon demand that the numbers three, four, etc in line for the presidency should also debate or he won’t participate? This is ridiculous. If there are to be other debates, why does he have to tie them on to his debate?? Is he looking to save the face of the APNU/AFC coalition when he loses the debate with President Ramotar?”

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper

APNU/AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger

APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

ICT4D in Guyana

ICT4D – Information and Communication Technology for Development: even the name sounds post-modern. The concept certainly is. Since the dawn of civilisation man had advanced by producing goods and artefacts that one could touch and feel.

To do so, however, he had to refine the information and communication skills that made him uniquely human. Now finally, mankind has reached a point where information and communication itself has become a product because of the enormous leap in technology over the past two decades.

And the PPP/C Government has brought all of this to Guyana: ICT4D. Way back in 2012, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh pointed out:

"The emergence of ICT has spawned limitless opportunities for people in countries such as ours, and our Government is firmly committed to ensuring that the Guyanese people are fully equipped to take advantage of these opportunities…our vision is to ensure that every single Guyanese person, irrespective of where they live or how old they are, have access to the advantages brought by ICT.”

Minister Singh explained that Guyana’s ICT strategy will facilitate dramatic increases in social and economic welfare at all levels; catalyse major transformative change in the way in which people are educated, the manner in which business is conducted and Government services are delivered, and in the types of jobs created.

“To this end, our strategy prioritises legislative change to promote a competitive and efficient environment, investment in infrastructure to increase connectivity and reduce cost, and that promotes ICT education in our schools, and improves access to ICT for all our people.”

Minister Singh highlighted the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme launched in 2011 when the first 27,000 of the eventual 90,000 internet ready laptop would be distributed to qualified Guyanese families.

With the actual delivery of the laptops in the OLPF program over the last three years, Guyana is now poised to leapfrog over many of the stages that had been stipulated as necessary for us to catch up with the developed world.

Immediately, there are three ways in which the ICT4D actions will address our needs at this stage. There is inclusivity: the eventual 90,000 laptops to be distributed will certainly guarantee opportunities and services for all citizens – especially the poor.

Then there will be the enabling function: the Government has already announced supporting the policies or context that will improve the lives of the poor – for example single parents.

As soon as he assumed the presidency in 2011, Donald Ramotar undertook the establishment of online degree programmes at the University of Guyana, complete with an e-library which can particularly benefit single parents who are willing to study at nights.

Finally there is the element of focus: specifically targeting the rights, interests and needs of the poor. The jobs for the Internet and computer savvy youths are arriving in droves. Call centres by the end of this year will provide more than twelve thousand jobs if the projections of the massive, new entrants pan out.

Wireless has become the delivery mode of choice to provide connectivity into remote communities and this is the direction the new call centre for Essequibo will take. The residents there can at last receive reliable telephones a spin off.

The e-governance Initiative will allow the modernisation. Of all services, including crime fighting capabilities. People will be able to apply for birth certificates, drivers’ licences, passports and other important documents from their own homes.

Addressing poverty, health, education and gender equality it is obvious that the ICT4D approach will prepare Guyana for the post-MDGs era.

This is where we have now arrived. We now have the option to enter the hi-tech growth curve that catapulted backward nations such as India and China right up there with the most developed economies. An option is not an option unless it is an exercisable option.

The PPP/C provided ICT tools to exercise our developmental options.

76-meter-high

APNU must expect its own record to be examined

Dear Editor,

It is very difficult to take Mr Jerome Khan seriously since he reads plain English like this and sees in it a tantrum, a fit, and a deepening vortex that swallows.

I hope everyone is amused as I am by his rather wonderful purple prose. Humour at this time is most refreshing.

It really does not matter that he still fails to grasp the contents of my original letter since the important issue is that our young voters, who are no doubt bright and capable, must be aware that no one can simply put aside the past as the coalition is asking them to do, and are also aware of the responsibility that the voting process requires of them.

Elections are a fundamental cornerstone of de-

mocracy and the process should not be subverted by anyone asking any voter to evade, forget, or put aside any issue, event, or parts of the past when making their choice.

Our political history did not start in 1992 with the PPP/C coming to office and as much as the coalition is taking the PPP/C to task on its record of corruption and cronyism, the PNC, now APNU, must expect its own record to be similarly examined.

It is a record that includes party paramountcy, institutionalized racism, organized thuggery, and electoral rigging.

While the PPP/C’s wrongdoings have been committed in the glare of a free press, the PNC’s past is murkier since the regime only allowed the operations

of a state run media.

A few brave souls like those at the “Catholic Standard” stood up courageously for press freedom and for this Father Darke was mistakenly and brutally assassinated.

There is no comprehensive or objective account of our political history so young voters will have to make their way through a thicket of partisan accounts, edited memories and anecdotal reports to some semblance of the truth.

Perhaps, the exercise might be useful and get some sociologist or historian among them to take up the task of writing a full and proper account.

The intent of my original letter was to ask why the coalition wants voters to put aside the past. The

request appeared ominous. Hopefully, the discussion that has followed might be of use to some voters in helping them decide.

As to pickney being on the PPP/C list, our electoral process is different, but is every bit as democratic as the US’s and since the PNC/APNU participated in deciding the process and its rules, what then is their vexation?

They made the rules together with the PPP/C and agreed that buddy and pickney and granny and everybody can be on the list and gain political office.

The rising rant and clamour of the campaign are to be expected. Let us hope that sober heads will prevail and see the process peacefully concluded.

Ryhaan Shah

Why people should be grateful

Dear Editor,

Should the ruling party secure less votes than the combined Opposition, it will clearly show the ingratitude nature of us as a people. Why should people be grateful? The people should all be grateful for where they are presently in terms of the type of freedom we all enjoy. We must look at the things we have and not at the things lack and be thankful.

People's nature is always one of dissatisfaction. You give me $5 and I want

$10, give me $10 and I want

$20. There are some among us who are forever griping at everything that the Government does, who only see the negative aspect of projects that are geared to benefit everyone.

Deep in their hearts they know that these projects are good, but these people are afraid that the Government will look good which they do not want.

Some of the Opposition members are really making themselves to be public clowns along with some

social activists. Taxpayers’ money gave them a right to go there to protest! Freedom of expression also gives them the right to breech police barricades!

(One wonders at the effectiveness of our Police to control and prevent some feeble protesters from breeching its cordon. Our Police need to demonstrate more firmness in maintaining order.)

As a nation we must be guided by our past, not everything about our past must be condemned as bad.

But then again we have to use the past as the measuring rod for the present and the future.

Those in the Opposition are driven by anger and hate, and because they are not the ones who do things and make decisions, the find it much easier to judge the former.

Guyana needs to move ahead and we the electorate must make this happen.

Name withheld by request

A

(249-feet) bronze-forged white Buddhist Avalokitesvara or Guan Yin statue, part of the Tsz Shan Monastery, stands behind luxurious houses at Taipo district in Hong Kong. The monastery, officially opened to the public by reservation on April 15, 2015, received contribution of HK$1.7 billion ($219 million) from Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing's personal foundation to cover the construction and daily operating costs, according to the monastery (REUTERS/Bobby Yip)

Freddie Kissoon is not capable of analyzing intellectually

Dear Editor,

We are reminded so often of the inept and uncouth nature of some people that it no longer surprises you when they continue to spew filth.

In a letter to a media house, Wesley Hicken launched a scathing attack on Kaieteur news columnist, Freddie Kissoon, highlighting the crass and insensitive manner in which the latter attacked Prime Ministerial candidate for the PPP/C Elizabeth Harper.

Hicken noted that Kissoon has "steadfastly devalued the political discourse in Guyana to the proverbial pit". Hicken is not the first person to make this analysis of this scandalous writer.

He (Hicken) further notes:"If Elizabeth Harper is stupidest person in the world (referring to Kissoon's description of Ms Harper), then so am I and Freddie Kissoon as well." It is a known fact that Kissoon is

not much of an intellectual, and as a result he resorts to character assasination of people.

He is not capable of analyzing and discussing issues on an intellectual basis. His "cussing out" is his response to analytical discussion. Hicken testifies to this trait of Kissoon: "It would be so uplifting to read Kissoon's articles if they were born out of deep analysis and critical examination of political and social issues in Guyana."

Mr Hicken, you are not the only one disappointed with this great limitation of Kissoon. Hicken further notes that “his (Kissoon’s) daily anti-PPP/C rant marks his identiy as an ideologue rather than bona-fide academic. A true academic is not so reckless in the delivery of opinions and criticisms. He or she would be cautious, highly respectful of the facts. Kissoon is none of these things."

Yes, Kissoon has an agenda-destroy everyone

and everything that represent the PPP/C Kissoon does not know any other way of doing things. In a column on April 17, Kissoon was at it again. This man will never change or learn from intelligent people like Hicken.

My question to Kissoon is this: What if all those people who employed you asked you whether the fact that you stole books will impact on your performance on the job, what would you say?

If you told them that stealing books has nothing with how you will perform on your job, will you agree if they say that your answer is comical? Kissoon, you have nothing of substance to offer to the daily intellectual discourse in all the media.

The more you write, the more you are exposing yourself for what you are - a bitter, intellectually shallow, malicious and scandalous character!

Rakesh Singh

AFC+APNU responsible for destroying PPP/C campaign material

Dear Editor,

The AFC+APNU coalition can no longer deny that they are solely responsible for inciting the current spate of vandalism that is directed at the PPP/C election paraphernalia.

So far this has been restricted to poster and billboards, but on April 16, the coalition’s National Candidate and AFC’s Executive Member, Mark Ross made an extremely bold declaration of incitement when he called upon AFC+APNU supporters to collect the PPP/C t-shirts and burn them.

This clearly shows the desperation of these people and the length that they will go to get votes. This boldfaced inciter should know that what he has said is a criminal offence and he should immediately resign as a national candidate for the AFC.

He is a national disgrace and an even bigger disgrace to his party and his family and himself. But what this neophyte politician needs to understand that t-Shirts do not vote! Posters do not vote! Billboards do not vote! People vote!

Only a few weeks back this man had made a death wish for the President and his entire entourage who were visiting Lethem. He said that he wished that it was them who had died in a tragic accident.

Mark Ross then made a public apology and blamed it on his mental state of mind at the time. Now again he

has done the unthinkable. I do think that this man needs a psychiatric evaluation to ascertain his state of mind and his qualification to hold any public office.

The same should be done for his counterpart Ramayya, as well.

But this just exposed the type of people who wants to run this country, their low level of mentality and their lack of respect of their fellow Guyanese who have a different view from their own.

This exhortation my Mark Ross will only serve to emphasize the fact that the AFC+APNU coalition has already been consumed by the Burnham “touch”. Everything they touch will be transformed into excrement.

But even Burnham had some shame. He never commanded his followers to destroy the paraphernalia of the PPP/C. He did it secretly. But this new generation of the PNC appears to be worse! So voters beware!

I have the DVD with this incitement to vandalism by Mark Ross and I need for GECOM to investigate this matter, since this type of behaviour is in clear violation of the code of conduct set out by that body.

Moreover, Ramayya continues to incite racial hatred between Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese yet until now nothing has been done to stop this racialist and his racial incitement. This has been going on since Valentine’s Day this year. This same type of ra-

NY cultural promoter passes on

Dear Editor, Former New Yorkbased businessman and cultural promoter Mohan Jaikaran has passed away in Trinidad. Mohan, as we called him, pioneered cultural programs in NY for the benefit of the Caribbean diaspora including Guyanese of both major races.

He was a community builder and a promoter of local talent (NY and Caribbean) and culture. He also organized entertainment in Guyana during the 1990s and his TV station in Trinidad hosted Guyanese entertainers and politicians. His untimely passing is a significant loss to the media fraternity and entertainment in Trinidad and Caribbean diaspora in North America.

I remember him fondly for his willingness to make his NY entertainment club available for our political activities, especially during the difficult years when we struggled for the restoration of democratic rule when few were willing to be associated with our struggle against the PNC ethnic dictatorship.

Mohan, as we called him, played a significant role in helping to build the Indo-Caribbean community in Queens by promoting Indian culture that served as bond to bind immigrants together. He also hosted Afro entertainers

from Guyana and Trinidad at concerts.

His many concerts around the city and in Toronto and Orlando featured both Indian and Afro artistes, though his patrons were mostly Indians.

Mohan made an important contribution to the politics of Trinidad and Guyana by making his cultural club

in Queens available for public meetings and fundraisers for the democratic struggle back home.

Basdeo Panday, Cheddi Jagan, Bharath Jagdeo all appeared at his club for public meetings. His club also served as a political gathering for meetings by Winston Dookeran, Ramesh Maharaj, and several other politicians. Meetings were packed to capacity when Bas and Jagan spoke.

Mohan would be remembered most for being an engaging cultural promoter, club owner, and radio broadcaster in NY and a TV and radio broadcaster in Trinidad. He worked long hours at his club and at his stations in Trinidad until recently when health began to take its toll on him reducing his working hours.

In Trinidad, he supported Kamla Persad Bissessar in her leadership challenge of Basdeo Panday in January 2010. After she won the general elections in May 2010, Mohan was rewarded with the Vice Chair of Caribbean Airlines, an area in which he wanted to serve.

Voting race is not always wrong

cial incitement was used by a Corporal of Police on residents of Chesney Village and I do believe that this type of incitement will soon develop into serious racial confrontations.

The AFC knows that they will never be able to deliver on the 11 per cent Indian votes so they are desperately attacking the Indians, hoping that they will facilitate the delivery of the 11 per cent votes to the PNC.

The Indians have already spoken and their paucity at the AFC meetings has strongly indicated this. The “dead meat” prognostication by Ramjattan is being fulfilled!

Haseef Yusuf

Dear Editor, I have no apology to make by saying I voted for Barack Obama because of his race. Yes, I voted for a Black man for President of the United States.

My vote for Obama was a salute and a vote of thanks for all those civil rights activists many of whom were killed, jailed and did not get to even see the promise land, the “dream.”

Voting race is not always wrong but, if a particular leader is seeking one’s ethnic interest that will ultimately lead to the national good of the country as in the case of Obama in the USA, then what is wrong in voting race?

In the US coming elections in 2016 most Cubans will vote for Ted Cruz or Rubio and the same will play out with Black, White and Jewish voters. One's ethnic priority is important.

In Guyana and Trinidad

one's ethnic interest is just as important as in the USA. Ethnic interest does not mean voting for your ethnic leader. Sometimes your own ethnic Indian or Black leaders can do more harm than good.

In Guyana Indians voted for Nagamootoo and Ramjattan who promised ethnic impact which meant social and economic security for all Guyanese, instead the AFC Indian leaders sought only black interests.

In Trinidad it took an Indian leader/s to recognize the Afro Shouter Baptiste People, building schools for them and giving them a national holiday.

Unfortunately, in Guyana what is offered to the Indian population are more reasons for Indians to vote race. The person who is the leader of the PNC party Mr Granger, Indians cannot vote for him.

Indian votes for Granger

along with some cockroach Indians politicians in APNU/ AFC will be a vote of thanks for killing Indians and the Guyana economy.

In Trinidad, Indian voters lead by Dr Winston Mahabir and Kamal Mohammad, both Indians, gave their vote and support for the Black-based party PNM and that mistake cost the Indian population 45 years of any political inputs. They were politically voiceless in their own country. In the Guyana election in May, Indians cannot play with their ethnic and economic security by voting for APN/AFC for these mistakes can cost the Indian population dearly, as they did in Trinidad, with no political input for another 45 years or more.

Political Mistakes can be very costly. Vote for the one who cares for you, not the one you care for.

Vassan I Ramracha

Mohan Jaikaran

The PNC and militarisation: Any cause for concern?

By M K Singh

The

Guyana Trades

Union Congress (GTUC) has accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of spreading fear over the PPP/C’s expression of concern on the apparent buildup of former military and Police Officer(s) within the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) party.

The PPP/C, which has always embraced Guyanese history, is worried about the prospects of Guyana becoming militarized again should the PNC/R win the May 11th elections. The GTUC must understand the difference between “fear,” “fact” and “history”. The GTUC must not become blind to history as their cohorts in the PNC/R party and the Alliance for Change (AFC) party.

The PPP/C’s concern is not baseless. Guyanese old enough would know how the PNC militarized (gave a military quality or character to) our country in the 1970s and early 1980s with disastrous consequences.

The GTUC not only remained silent but also supported the PNC Government. Many Guyanese consider the GTUC as an arm of the PNC. We agree that everyone has the right of association and to support any group.

But in a democracy, everyone also has the right to express how they feel especially when they are guided by history. Did the GTUC express any concern on how the Opposition is driving away investments from Guyana?

Why did the PNCR/ Aliance For Change (AFC) organize a picketing exercise outside the five-star Marriott Hotel on the occasion of its grand opening ceremony? Why didn’t the GTUC speak out against the Opposition’s disrupting and preventing a PPP/C meeting from happening at Sophia?

At the PPP/C rally at Bartica, Essequibo, Minister of Works Robeson Benn spoke on what appears to be a PNC/R’s focus on militarization. Benn cited men with army creden-

tials that have joined/supported the PNC/R party.

The recent announcement that retired Rear Admiral Gary Best has thrown his weight behind the PNC/R has not helped to ease this concern over militarization.

Just think on how the PNC/R leadership would be influenced by ideas and policies originating from former military officers who have largely been conditioned by an army culture and ethos, created and inherited from the PNC and which have been cultivated since the 1970s!

What kind of policies would an inner circle comprising Retired Major David Granger, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Harmon, Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, and Retired Police Commissioner Winston Felix, develop?

With relatively little experience in civilian affairs, it’s more likely that such policies will be heavily influenced by the military culture. We wonder how Nagamotoo and Ramjattan would fit into this framework.

We know that the PNC/R, the AFC, and probably GTUC have an aversion to Guyanese history. But most Guyanese understand the importance of history and especially the lessons to be drawn from it. It

would be recalled that the PNC enticed The United Force (UF) into a coalition Government in 1964.

After a number of months, the PNC got rid of the UF and took full control of Government. Being a minority Government, the PNC had to come up with a strategy to remain in power. Election rigging was not enough, as had been the experience of the 1968 elections.

In the 1970s the PNC began a process of militarization. Mass games, the Guyana National Service (GNS), the People’s Militia, and other institutions were created and used as instruments in the transformation.

For example, the Guyana People’s Militia was set up in 1976 with the expressed aim of “making every citizen a soldier”. The PNC realized that it was a minority Government and also recognized that voting preferences have largely been determined by race.

For it to remain in power, it had to create those institutions to be closely aligned with, but subservient to the PNC. A process of mass education and orientation to the central ideas of PNC was to ensure the integration of these institutions into the PNC party system, and thus making it easier for the PNC to prevail at subsequent polls.

In the militarization process, the PNC regime recognized that the Army top brass was not necessarily receptive to such “innovative” ideas and they therefore begun a purge of the army in 1971.

At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Granger served as the Education Officer (that was set up to politicize the army). Granger described the shakeup as follows: “These are far reaching structural changes which permitted greater flexibility and mobility” (Danns: 1975). Dr Cheddi Jagan, Leader of PPP, saw that differently, “those were sinister intentions of the government to establish a Police state”.

The Head of the Army, Police and Para-military forces also had to pledge allegiance to the Maximum Leader. The Army literally became an arm of the PNC.

This also helps to explain why the army had to “loan” over 150 AK47s to the PNC; most of which are still unaccounted for by the army. Why were the guns given to the PNC?

The militarization goal was also to develop a different, but all-pervading, new Guyanese culture and at the same time, to uproot the Indian culture.

The Mass Games, the GNS, the Militia were all conceived to “brain wash” Guyanese into accepting

this new culture. At the 1973 elections, the PNC got two/thirds of total votes cast when the army also took full control of ballot boxes.

One could remember how ballot boxes were taken to GDF headquarters and how in Berbice, three civilians were shot and many others injured in trying to protect ballot boxes.

Yet, the then army Chief of Staff denied any knowledge of ballot boxes being taken to GDF headquarters. Did the Army’s behavior suggest that it was ‘brain washed?” And the GTUC is saying that the PPP/C and decent law

David Granger

abiding people should not worry about such things?

The entire structure of governance during the militarization process was based on command and control. The PNC Ministry of National Mobilization was the supreme agency through which all policies and programs had to pass.

Officers of the army were also part of the Social, Political and Economic Council (SPEC) that functioned under the Minister of Information. Forbes Burnham, the maximum leader, ensured that he retained the title of Commander-in-Chief. He also appointed himself as the Minister of Defense and as Chairman of the Defense Board. Top officials had to swear loyalty to the PNC party as well as to the maximum leader. It is precisely this type of command and control arrangement that the PPP/C is worried about.

The PPP/C has history on its side. The PPP/C had fought hard for the restoration of democracy in Guyana, and do not want to return to those dark days of PNC dictatorship that witnessed, among other things, a bankrupt country, low morale and a flight of professionals and skilled manpower abroad.

How does the GTUC expect Guyanese, including politicians, to react against any perceived threat to their democracy?

President Donald Ramotar

PPP/C Albion rally

Berbicians assured of improved security

...Govt to fix NIS – Jagdeo

By Andrew CArmiChAel

In the face of criticism that Government was not doing enough to curb high crime rates here, former President Bharrat Jagdeo told a massive rally on Sunday in Albion that if re-elected the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would implement a comprehensive security plan that will see improved Police response to crime among other things.

He also blamed the combined Opposition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) for some of the challenges within the sector, saying their chopping of the budget and blocking key legislation has helped with the crime rate.

He made the comments as he addressed the mammoth rally at Albion, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

According to Jagdeo, the Opposition repeatedly cut money from the national budget, much of which was budgeted to improve the security system in Guyana.

Jagdeo said Government has plans in place for an improved security system despite the Opposition trying

to stop progress. He said there was still a lot more to be done for security in Guyana and mentioned plans which were outlined by President Donald Ramotar for the security sector. These plans will see improved security in Berbice, which continues to grapple with high incidence of piracy and gun robberies.

“The response time from when one picks up the phone to when a Police respond will improve. The

phones must work, persons must be responsible, and the response time must be at least half an hour from when the call is made, the Police will have to show up or give an account for it.”

Jagdeo said.

“Too many times people have picked up the phone and can’t get an answer or can’t get people to respond. We need to fix that too,” he stressed.

Further highlighting the Opposition’s cuts to successive budgets, Jagdeo

Guyanese have frequently complained about missing records at the NIS and discrepancies regarding their contributions to the Scheme.

Jagdeo said the NIS has been given a mandate from Government to properly account for contributors’ records. “They have to straighten the records of sugar workers, public servants and everyone, so that when they retire, they will not have to wait two to three years to get their benefits,” he assured.

The former President also took a swipe at the Opposition Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates, David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo.

not qualified to be Speaker of the National Assembly, is he qualified to be the Prime Minister of this country?” Jagdeo asked.

Jagdeo, who arrived on stage just after Dr Clive Jagan had made his presentation to a thunderous roar from the crowd, also spoke of the PPP/C’s plans for continued development after the elections have been contested.

Guyanese will be going to the polls for General and Regional Elections on May 11. Jagdeo said the PPP/C has a clear vision as to how to take Guyana forward. “From what we had promised in 2011, we should have had thousands of new jobs. We can generate

said over the past three years, the parliamentary Opposition cut in excess of $80 billion which was earmarked for further development in Guyana.

“Do you know what could have been done with that money to fix some of the problems which we still have?” he asked.

NIS

He also touched on the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), saying that it was about time that institution delivered a better quality of service to citizens.

Reflecting on Nagamootoo’s speech at Whim recently, Jagdeo highlighted that more than 50 per cent of his presentation was based on himself and not on plans for the future development of Guyana.

He also recalled that when the 10th Parliament began and Nagamootoo was nominated to be the Speaker of the National Assembly, the coalition’s now Presidential Candidate David Granger objected saying that he was not qualified for the job. “If he was

25,000 new jobs for young people so that they don’t have to travel out of the region. So we have a lot of work to do and the only party that has a clear vision to take Guyana forward is the People’s Progressive Party.”

The crowd on Sunday was estimated at 1820,000, much larger than the ones at the same venue in 2007 and 2011 when the PPP/C held its rally on the Corentyne, and also bigger than the rally held by APNU/AFC at Whim on March 29 last.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo delivering remarks at the rally

Supporters of the PPP/C were out in their numbers, waving flags and celebrating

Tassa drummers enliven the festive crowd

President Donald Ramotar and his running mate, Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee as he addressed the gathering

GMSA clears air on passing up Pegasus for Marriott

... says decision was influenced by members, business

The Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) Ltd said that its decision to move the presidential candidates’ forum from the Pegasus to the newly-commissioned Marriott Guyana Hotel was based on strong business considerations.

The GMSA’s statement comes in response to com-

the Private Sector bodies including the GMSA and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) are all politicised.

Badal reportedly said that the bodies were highly influenced by the Government.

In its statement, the business umbrella body said it agreed with Badal that business support organisations must of necessity remain politically neutral.

“Our activities and programmes are driven firstly by the needs of our member companies and secondly to optimise financial returns in order to keep the Association viable,” he said.

The GMSA said that its decision to utilise the spacious Marriott Hotel for the April 22 business luncheon at which Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar will be the guest speaker was made on the premises of estimated ticket sales, the value of discounts/rebates received, the value of sponsorship from the business community, the size of the Marriott’s conference room,

luncheon.

Proactive

The GMSA said it was a proactive business support organisation and one of its key objectives was to maintain political neutrality.

“It was this Association that introduced in 2011 the concept of political discourses between presidential candidates and the business community.

"In April and May of that year, we hosted three successful business luncheons with Khemraj Ramjattan (Alliance For Change); David Granger (A Partnership for National Unity); and Donald Ramotar (People's progressive Party/Civic).

"We are repeating the series of political parlays this year for the same purpose, ie to provide a platform for tzhe business community to engage the candidates of the main political parties on their blueprint for business development.

“Coalition Leader David Granger took the opportuni-

ments made by the Owner of Pegasus Hotel, Robert Badal on Sunday, charging that

and the availability of the Marriott’s room for the entire duration of the business

ty we offered to engage with the business community on March 17 last,” the GMSA

said.

The GMSA stated that for many years the Guyana Pegasus has been its venue of choice for conferences, training programmes, business luncheons and other activities.

“However, this is not the first time that the GMSA’s Board of Directors took a decision to hold an activity away from that venue.

"There were occasions when the Pegasus was unavailable on our chosen dates, or the seating accommodation was insufficient for the size of the audience or participants.

"We have made use of a number of alternative venues in and outside of the city including: Regency Suites and the Princess Hotel,” the release said.

According to the GMSA, it would be useful to point out that two of its last three major events were held at the Princess Hotel owing to the unavailability of

the Savannah Suite at the Pegasus.

“The GMSA sincerely hopes that this contretemps does not tarnish the good relationship we enjoy with the Guyana Pegasus, since we intend to continue to utilise this venue on conditions that are mutually beneficial,” the release added.

LCDS awareness session conducted in Region 9

Following the launch of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in 2009, awareness activities have been conducted by the Office of Climate Change (OCC), with the most recent being held on April 14, in St Ignatius, Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo).

The awareness session held at the St Ignatius Benab saw participants from many villages of Region Nine, including St Ignatius, Moco Moco, Yupukari, Potarinau, Nappi, Kaicumbay, Quarrie, Katoka, Hiowa, Meriwau, Baitoon and Fly Hill.

The participants were educated on the causes and effects of climate change, as well as actions taken by the Government of Guyana to

address this matter. The session was chaired by the Regional Chairman Lorentino Wilson, and presentations were made by Yvonne Pearson, Advisor to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Gitanjali Chandarpal, Head, Office of Climate Change (OCC), and Peter Persaud, Leader of the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) and a member of the Multi Stakeholder Steering Committee.

Persaud indicated that Guyana has earned an international profile for climate action through the work done under its LCDS.

He stated that Guyana is one of the leaders in climate action, and that forests reduce greenhouse gas from

the atmosphere which causes global warming and climate change.

He indicated that Guyana’s partnership with Norway is currently scheduled to conclude in 2015, but the two countries are engaged in discussions so that this agreement can continue beyond 2015.

Chandarpal provided an overview of the impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming both locally and internationally. She indicated that 2014 was the hottest year on record.

Scientific studies have shown that there has been a one Degree Celsius rise in temperature over the last century, which has resulted in changes in precipitation,

melting of ice caps, decrease in snow cover and a consequent rise in sea level.

Chandarpal indicated that Guyana has a high concentration of persons living in vulnerable areas, for example, the 2005 floods which occurred as a result of heavy rains in a short period of time, resulted in major losses to the country.

As such, Guyana must understand how climate change affects people and how they can address this problem locally and internationally.

She indicated that the two major factors in addressing climate change are adaptation and mitigation and elaborated on them.

Eyew tness

Recalcitrance...

...and repeating wrongs

David Granger has adamantly refused to even consider whether the PNC, which he leads, should apologise for the pains it inflicted on this country. He asks, "Apologise for what?"

Well we hope the imminent arrival of President Jimmy Carter will nudge his memory about one the most egregious PNC transgression - election rigging from 1968 to 1985. If he's still memory challenged maybe he can speak to Rupert Roopnarine.

Roopnarine was one of the leading lights in the then Opposition PCD grouping which petitioned every world leader and their uncle to bring back "free and fair" elections to Guyana.

But hold it!! Roopnarine just joined the ranks preaching enforced amnesia - he declared at Plaisance that Guyanese should "let Burnham rest in peace". Maybe he saw as to how Nagamootoo's self-inflicted PNC amnesia catapulted him to capture Granger's affection.

But "rigging" was only one of the PNC's atrocities. There was massive corruption in the Public Service when you had to bribe to get a licence to even sell sugar cake. Or bribe Police when you bought smuggled goods and was caught.

Most of the trade unions were corrupted to support the PNC...as were the Army, Police and the National Service. Do we really have to go on? Your Eyewitness stands in danger of puking if he does.

There's a universal school of thought that says unless a person admits mistakes made or wrongdoing done, there's no chance of changing behaviour. Think about it. If you admit you did something wrong maybe your conscience may brick you if you're tempted again?

But if you don't, then you'll just keep on keeping on. Granger's recalcitrance is sending a signal to his soldiers that once they get into power they can bring back the old days and old ways.

Did you, dear reader, see the missive from exLieutenant Oliver Hinckson - the fella who was on the treason and gun possession charge during the criminal attacks on the State? Hinckson dismissed concerns about the "militarisation" of Government with APNU being chock full of army types as "much ado about nothing"!! Quelle surprise!!

But what was revealing was he insisted that officers in the Government would being "discipline". The 67year old would remember this was the justification offered by Granger in the course he taught to the army back in the day when he was in charge of "ideological orientation".

It was Burnham's rationale for the militarisation of the entire society. If Granger is allowed into Government, history will repeat itself. As both a tragedy and a farce.

...on unbridled power

The PNC-led APNU/AFC keeps harping about the PPP/C wanting to hog all power. They're just projecting their own totalitarian tendencies. Rather than listen to their talk it's better to watch their walk on this question of power. What did you say?? That they never had power?

Well, you forgot that did have power in the last Parliament with their one-seat majority.

And what'd they do? Well stomped on the convention that the Speaker goes to the party with the most seats - the PPP/C. They rubbed salt in the wound of democracy by seizing both the Speaker and Deputy.

They then seized control of ALL committees while thing to grab Executive power by trying to craft the budget through chops. The courts slapped them down and saved our democracy.

They also tried to blackmail the Government on the AML/CTF Bill - and when the Government didn't give in, subjected us to sanctions. Trotman just claimed they'll introduce "checks and balances" in Government.

They mean AFC will write the "checks" and APNU cashes them from the "balances" in the Consolidated Funds! Greedy wankers!

...and power hunger

Lalloo Ram took what appeared to be an "equal opportunity" swipe at the PNC-led Opposition. The poor, pathetic old codger so wants a job. Will somebody please make him dog catcher or something?

GMSA President Clinton Williams

Owner of Pegasus Hotel Robert Badal

Marriot Guyana

Essequibo labourer pinned to death by silo steel door

The Hardial family of Hampton Court Village on the Essequibo Coast are mourning the death of their eldest child after he was tragically killed at Bush Lot, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Dead is 28-year-old Devindra Hardial, aka “Magic” of Hampton Court in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). Hardial lost his life on Saturday around 14:00h, after a steel door from a silo fell, pinning him. The door was said to be made of solid steel.

According to a relative, Serika Narine, Hardial was working with some men at Bush Lot to build a silo for

a private farmer to store paddy when the incident occurred. The relative further related that workers immediately rushed to assist, but

Hardial had already lost his life. No one else was injured.

He was immediately rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The now deceased was described as a very kind and honest individual. Hardial had left the Essequibo Coast on April 4 and had ventured to Berbice to work as a labourer. He had been living with his parents at Hampton Court.

He leaves to mourn his parents and sister. The parents are presently arranging for his funeral and for his body to be brought to Region Two.

Cuban specialists expected in Guyana by month end

– to provide training in rehabilitative medicine

Guyana is expected to deliver training to persons in the medical field from around the region in the area of rehabilitative medicine. During a technical meeting on Thursday at the Health Ministry, Minister Bheri Ramsaran stated that this would be done under the Cooperation and Technical Assistance Agreement among the Caricom Secretariat, the Republic of Cuba Education Ministry and Guyana’s Health Ministry, for the setting up of the Development Stimulating Centre for children, adolescents, and young people with special educational needs associated with disabilities.

As part of the project, Cuba would be required to send five special-

ists to work in the Centre to train Guyanese, and other Caribbean nationals to become better deliverers of rehabilitative medicine, with the option of moving on to a tertiary level course for this training programme.

The project has its genesis at a December 2009 Cuba/ Caricom meeting where Cuba decided to offer further technical assistance in the area of health. This was in the area of rehabilitative medicine, dealing with disabilities, and how Cuba can share this with Caricom countries.

The country has offered its skills, expertise and competence with Guyana being chosen to be the focal point. Guyana will provide physical infrastructure to allow Caribbean nationals to

Region 6 NDCs receive tractor-trailers from Govt

look on at the handing over ceremony

Eleven Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) received a total of 10 John Deere tractors and trailers from the Local Government Ministry last week.

The gifts also included 200 bins to be shared equally between the NDCs in the Region. In making the presentation to the NDC Chairmen on Wednesday, Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker said the equipment was acquired under the $1 billion “Clean Up My Country” Programme and had nothing to do with General and Regional Elections as some may want to believe.

“We determined since July of 2014 when we sat –Local Government, Public Works, Natural Resources [Ministries] and City Council to determine how we will spend the $1 billion, and we determined that a critical area would be sustaining the Clean Up. We determined further that one of the ways by which we will be able to do this is if we were positioned to provide support,” he told the NDC officials.

According to Minister

Whittaker, NDCs in all 10 administrative regions will receive similar gifts, noting that a total of 45 tractors will be distributed to the country’s 65 NDCs.

The tractors and trailers along with the bins distributed on Wednesday were procured at a cost of $5.5 million each. Out of the $1 billion, the Minister noted that $16 million was spent in the bulk cleanup. The NDCs which received the tractors and bins are Ordinance/Fortlands; Canefield/Enterprise (the two will share one tractor and trailer); Kintyre/ Borilam; Lancaster/Hogstye; Bush Lot/Adventure; Black Bush Polder; Macedonia/ Joppa; Good Hope/Number 51; Number 52-74; and Crabwood Creek/Moleson Creek.

Region Six consists of 16 NDCs and three Municipalities. Five NDCs were left out of Wednesday’s presentation. “You will find that some NDCs did not get a tractor and trailer. If we procure 45 tractors for 65 NDCs, some will share so all will benefit from the use of these tractors,” Minister Whitaker said.

He explained that the

five NDCs along with the three Municipalities of New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Town and Corriverton, were not in need of tractors and trailers. They will, however, be receiving bins. They are Enfield/Newdo Park, Kilcoy/ Hampshire, Johns/Port Mourant, Mayda/Tarlogy and Whim/Bloomfield.

Infrastructural support

Previously, brush cutters were given to each NDC as part of the “Clean Up My Country” Programme to provide infrastructural support in sanitation and environmental works to each Council. Whittaker stressed the need for each NDC to optimise the use of the resources, saying they must prepare a work plan. “If the NDC is to continue to get the support of the [Regional Democratic Council] RDC in delivering improved services to the communities, then you have to plan. Let us get a quarterly plan to say where we want to use the machine, when we want to use it and for what purpose.”

The Minister noted that the equipment was being handed over to the Councils, to be used by the Councils for the benefit of residents.

He said when the NDCs were not using the machines they could be used for private work which will net revenue for the NDCs.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also spoke at the handing-over ceremony and referred to the project as not being an elections gimmick.

“What we are seeing here today is something that is coming to an end that was initiated two years ago.” He urged each NDC to take care of the equipment which he noted was purchased with taxpayers’ money.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran, also speaking at the handing-over ceremony, said that the project will complement efforts being

made in Region Six to improve the environment. He called on the Private Sector to come on board and sponsor more bins. “The environment is important… climate change is on us,” he said, adding that the bins in communities could lead to fewer vectors around which would result in less need to fog.

“This means that there will be less chemicals being put into the communities.”

The bins are expected to be placed in public spaces which will be determined by each NDC. “If we do not have in place an arrangement to service those bins, they will spill over and defeat the purpose for which they were placed there,” he warned.

be trained in rehabilitative medicine before returning to home.

The West Demerara Regional Hospital has been selected as the point where the Cuba/Caricom Training Centre for Disabilities will be established. The existing structures there are to be rehabilitated to meet the requirements.

Cuba on the other hand will give full technical support, using the physical infrastructure that Guyana is providing. That country will also pay the emoluments to the specialists coming to Guyana.

The project, piloted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, with the Health Ministry as the lead agency for rehabilitative medicine, has had several interactions with Cuban teams, and those teams are guided by Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Julio Gonzalez Marchante.

The Cuban diplomat noted that work has been ongoing for about three years on the project. He pointed out that dealing with disability particularly in the community and establishing a centre will be important in the area of education.

Ambassador Marchante stated that whilst the programme is expected to begin in September there were several documents which were up for discussion at Thursday’s meeting. The first establishes the responsibilities of Caricom and Cuba, giving the abilities and support for technical assistance. Another document dealt with where the activities would be conducted, whilst yet another sees Guyana’s establishment of the Centre itself. (GINA)

RDC staff Shanna Bovelle cuts the ribbon as Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, Region Six Chairman David Armogan and other officials

Dead: Devindra Hardial

Public Works Ministry says never promised airport squatters homes

The Public Works Ministry has denounced assertions that it promised to provide homes to squatters occupying airport lands as stated in the Kaieteur newspaper’s April 17 publication.

The article headlined “Works Ministry threatens to arrest, charge Timehri squatters – residents ask for promised homes” suggests that such guarantees were made to squatters. In a statement, the Ministry said it believed that this false claim was a deliberate attempt to distract the general public from the squatters’ blatant disregard for the law.

It noted that for years, officials from the Ministry and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) have actively engaged squatters on the relocation plans either on a one-on-one basis and/or at community meetings. “In fact, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn; representatives from the Ministries of Housing, Human Services, Local Government, as well as, Lands and Surveys Commission came to the air-

port and met with Timehri North residents.”

During those meetings, relocation options were outlined which were limited to the following: the provision of a house lot in existing schemes of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA); transportation assistance for the relocation of existing transportable homes; and establishment of a community at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke Highway to include social services such as a playground, a nursery school, day-care centre, public open spaces, and reserved sites

for future community use.

A 2013 census revealed that out of the 138 squatters interviewed, 45 per cent was desirous of being relocated to Yarrowkabra, while others indicated interest in existing East Bank of Demerara (EBD) housing schemes namely: Covent Garden, Farm and Providence. No undertaking was ever given by the Public Works Ministry for the provision of houses. The Ministry remains committed to the development of the airport expansion and for the smooth transitional process in the relocation of squatters.

Guyana wraps up talks with EU on forest enforcement mechanism

As part of its Forest Policy implementation, the Government of Guyana wrapped up talks with the European Union for a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) last week. Guyana is committed to signing a VPA with the EU in the latter part of 2016 after formally entering into the negotiation process in December 2012.

The VPA is a key element of the EU’s Forest Law and Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, and a VPA would facilitate increased market access for Guyana’s timber into the lucrative EU market. The FLEGT VPA process also provides an opportunity for Guyana to further strengthen and mainstream its consultation and engagement process to enhance forest governance, improve legal compliance and build in-country capacity for community engagement in forest policy development and implementation. Further, the VPA will govern trade in timber between Guyana and the 28 Member States of the EU.

The legally binding trade agreement would ensure that timber and timber products exported to the EU come from legal sources. The agreement also helps timber-exporting countries stop

illegal logging by improving regulation and governance of the forest sector.

The EU and Guyana successfully concluded the third negotiation session on Thursday, April 16, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. Guyana was represented at this session by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) – a multistakeholder group comprising representatives of the Private Sector, indigenous bodies and Government agencies selected through a participatory process.

At this negotiation session, the parties committed to maintaining the momentum to reach an agreement that considers the views of all relevant stakeholders. The parties also com-

mitted to further promoting the identification of synergies amongst FLEGT; Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+); and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) processes. Additionally, the parties agreed to continue examining the framework under which these initiatives can be further integrated and be mutually supportive.

Both parties acknowledged the progress that has been made since the last negotiation session and during this session, including the revision of the joint roadmap. It was agreed that the next negotiation session would be held in Brussels in November 2015.

NAPS food bank receiving overwhelming support

The National Aids Programme

Secretariat (NAPS) continues to receive overwhelming support from the Private Sector with the most recent contributor being TCL Guyana Inc, a subsidiary of the TCL Group of Companies. The company recently donated a quantity of food items to NAPS’ food bank.

NAPS Programme Director, Dr Shanti Singh told Guyana Times that she is indeed grateful for all the support given to the secretariat, noting that this is the second time TCL Guyana has contributed to the food bank. Dr Singh used the opportunity to encourage other members of the business community to contribute to the drive which will continue to meet the needs of Guyanese all over Guyana.

In a press statement, NAPS Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Ganesh pointed out that Senior Social Worker and Nutritionist, Somdatt Ramessar has been working assiduously to increase the

support given by the private sector. It was explained that 41 per cent of the donations come from the private sector annually.

She added that over the last eight years since the establishment of the food bank, 29,000 food hampers have been distributed to eligible beneficiaries across the country.

She said that it is

through these collaborations that the food bank is able to address sustainability of the nutritional support to persons living and affected with HIV and those co-infected with tuberculosis.

Ganesh explained that the hampers aid in building and sustaining a healthy immune system which is critical for persons living with HIV.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn

The mechanism would ensure that timber and timber products exported to the EU come from legal sources

TCL Guyana hands over Food items to NAPS. From L-R, TCL Sales and Marketing Representative, Eric Whaul; TCL Plant Manager, Mark Bender; NAPS Prevention Coordinator, Jennifer Ganesh; and NAPS Senior Social Worker and Nutritionist, Somdatt Ramessar

Why can’t we be happy for Guyana?

The Marriott Hotel opened its doors for business last Thursday. This stunning new development is one that few people envisaged could ever happen in and to Guyana. It was an occasion that brought pride to every true Guyanese.

Many Guyanese were excited that Guyana had added another bright dot into our beautiful landscape. Many never believed that an international brand name company would ever choose Guyana. The opening of the Marriott truly was another transformative event for our nation and our people.

That Marriott Hotels agreed to host the spanking new hotel in Guyana is in itself a noteworthy achievement. Marriott Hotels will never agree to host a hotel unless the business arrange-

ments meet international standards.

Marriott Hotel Corporation owns and or operates more than 4100 hotels around the world. It is a special brand and respected globally. Guyana is fortunate that we can now boast of being a Marriott destination. Guyana now no longer carries the distinction of being the only major Caricom country without a five-star hotel.

Marriott Hotels will never agree to gives its distinguished and special branding to a structure that does not meet Marriott’s high global requirements. Many of us in Guyana have marveled at the superb quality of this impressive structure. There must be things and times when we can put Guyana first, above our quarrels and disagree-

ments. The Marriott Hotel is one of them. It should have been an occasion when we stopped the war to ensure that Guyana shines brightly to the rest of the world.

Putting Guyana first is not negotiable. Politicians who cannot recognize when to defer and put aside the political war, at least for a moment, to allow Guyana to shine as brightly as it can do not deserve to lead Guyana.

Instead of looking for the merits of the Marriott, the Opposition and sections of the media seized another successful achievement to carry out its vicious antiGovernment agenda.

One of them who happens to own the Pegasus Hotel, and is morbidly afraid of the competition, attacks Marriott for choosing to participate in this transformational project for

Cutest Baby Photo contest takes stage once again

The Guyana Entertainment Magazine (GEM) in collaboration with Ansa McAL Trading Ltd hosted its Cutest Baby Photo Contest, following a distribution of baby baskets on Friday at the Roraima Duke Lodge.

Simeon Corbin, Publisher of the GEM Magazine, told Guyana Times that this is the second year the contest it being held. He explained that persons were required to submit photos of their babies with basic information about them noting also that the babies had to be within the ages of zero and 18

months.

He added that there was a panel of judges who selected Guyana’s 10 cutest babies, after which their images were placed on the GEM facebook page so as to get an average of the highest votes. Corbin stated that within the final stage of the competition, the baby with the most likes along with the highest points from the judges will be declared the winner.

He or she will receive a gift basket from Pampers, compliments of Ansa McAL as well as a photo shoot for GEM’s cover page. Meanwhile, Public

Relations Officer of Ansa McAL Darshanie Yusuf highlighted that “all babies are pretty and gorgeous however some of them have something extra and that may be a little smile or laughter.”

She added that the event was amazingly done last year and this year it is even better. Zoe D’ Ornellas, Haley Marie De Nobrega, Meghnad Radha Krishnan, Liam DeVeaux , Krishmar Mark Ting-A-Kee, Sabrina, Nathan Gardner, Emily Cornelius , Isabella Khoslall and Katalia Garraway are the toddlers participating in the contest.

Guyana. Having failed in earlier attempts to stop the project, he tries to convince the Guyanese public that American authorities will soon sanction the project for corruption.

In so doing, he deliberately lied to the Guyanese public and insulted both our country and Marriott Hotels, a company that has earned respect and admiration globally.

The ambassadors from several countries in Guyana have praised the Marriott project, including the US. The Opposition ought to recognize that they stand alone, rejected by the nation and isolated by the international community.

Also, the competition between the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News for the champion anti-Government media house in Guyana is utterly obscene.

But the Opposition has given the best reason why people should reject the APNU+AFC in the upcoming elections. They

have promised to close the Marriott, another assault on the private sector and another vicious attack on foreign investors.

In Government, this Opposition previously nationalized private entities. Today, they threaten to take away the businesses of private investors. Remember that they previously threatened to nationalize the Berbice River Bridge.

The PNC/APNU predisposition to nationalize private companies has not died.

They threatened to close the hotel and use the building as a hospital. Yet these are the same people who voted against the Specialty Hospital, saying we do not need another hospital and that US$20M was far too much for a hospital. But they will merely close the hotel and use a US$52M building for a hospital.

The truth is they oppose anything that is good for Guyana. Check the list – the Amaila Falls Hydro Electricity Project, the

Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project, the Specialty Hospital, the Hope Northern Relief Channel, the Amerindian Development Fund, the One Laptop Per Family, the Solar Panel for Amerindian families, subsidies for sugar, and the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, etc.

While the Opposition sees nothing good in Guyana, our country has made steady progress. Our physical landscape continues to be dotted with new and exciting infrastructure, our services are better and there is improved standard of living.

The Marriott Hotel is another exciting transformative direction our country has taken. Our light shines brighter and the darkness of the past will not deter us from lights such as the Marriott becoming more frequent.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

The top ten winners of the baby contest

monday, april 20, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP/C Albion rally

Brighter days ahead for sugar – Ramotar ...

restates promise of $20B injection into industry

By Devina Samaroo

Restating his Party’s commitment to pump $20 billion into the sugar industry to turn its fortunes around, President Donald Ramotar told thousands at a rally in Albion, Berbice on Sunday that a brighter future beckons for sugar, but the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) must be re-elected on May 11.

The sugar industry is the bedrock of the economy in Berbice, employing thousands directly and indirectly.

Speaking to the multitude of energetic supporters, Ramotar outlined the vision his Party has for a modern Guyana – the vision for a country that will take its people through a journey of social and economical development.

He said the ultimate goal was to ensure that all citizens enjoy the wealth of this nation which will raise the bar on the standard of living and quality of life in the country. Starting with an issue of prime importance to the Berbice population, Ramotar spoke at length

about the PPP/C’s plans to take the sugar industry into its best days ever.

In acknowledging the resilience this sector has shown despite the struggles it has been facing, Ramotar declared that the sugar industry has a positive future ahead and that his Administration has no intentions of shutting it down. In fact, he disclosed to the thousands of intrigued Berbicians that the Ramotar Administration would see to it that the sugar industry lives on through the expansion and development in various avenues.

Ethanol production

The President announced to Berbicians that once re-elected, he will ensure the sugar industry becomes more flexible via an increase in ethanol production.

“Right here at Albion, we started to look at the production of ethanol…ethanol is very important and right in Guyana, we have a big market for this…but we want to even increase the production of ethanol so that, when the price of sugar is low as it is now on

the world market…we can produce ethanol for sale and when the price is high, we can switch back to producing more sugar,” Ramotar said as he promised to ensure the ethanol plant is expanded.

In predicting brighter days ahead for the sugar industry, Ramotar announced that the Government aimed to produce a minimum of 400,000 tonnes of sugar by 2020.

With the aim of meeting that target, Ramotar noted that millions would have to be invested into the industry as he pledged to plug in excess of $20 billion over the next five years into the sector to ensure sugar production increased.

This money, he noted, will be expended to modernise the industry by addressing the shortage of labour through automation, retraining workers to effectively utilise the new mechanisms and ensuring the fields are prepared to accommodate the use of new machines.

Sugar refinery

Ramotar said it was time Guyana worked towards the establishment of a sugar refinery.

“For years, for centuries, we have been producers of raw sugar…the industry must not always be the producer of sugar… we have to do refining… where the money really is… this generation of PPP/C leaders will work towards building a refinery right in this industry,” he declared.

He also disclosed plans to expand on the cogeneration of electricity from bagasse (currently being done in Essequibo) by bringing similar plants to the heart of Berbice.

But in the meantime, Ramotar said more focus ought to be placed on packaging and distribution of sugar so that the industry can compensate when experiencing hard times like it currently was.

Rice industry

The President also addressed another critical industry that immensely impacts the livelihoods of the Berbice people – the rice industry. Ramotar said the Government will continue to work to ensure new

the President declared. He acknowledged that the industry was performing well and vowed to continue to invest heavily in the industry to maintain the excellent level of productivity. The President noted that more value needed to be added to the industry; hence, the Government’s move to establish a rice cereal factory in Essequibo. On that note, Ramotar pledged, as the industry expands, Berbice will see the establishment of similar factories.

ICT call centres

The President also promised to bring more job creation opportunities to Berbice with the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Call Centres. He noted too that the sustainability and expansion of the sugar and rice industries would also secure the jobs of thousands of people across the county as well as open doors for new job opportunities. He also lauded the move by the Government to estab-

In addition, the deepwater port will see a total transformation of the Berbice economy as Guyana will be on its way to becoming a maritime hub for South America and the Caribbean.

Ramotar also told Berbicians that if his Government was victorious, after the elections, it would work towards construction of a cultural centre and indoor facilities in the region.

Nature of the beast

Meanwhile, Ramotar alerted Berbicians to be aware of the nature of the beast within the members of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

He explained that the Opposition Leaders were hypocritical and contradictory in their promises to the nation. Ramotar pointed out that the Opposition Parties once had an opportunity to aid in development of several projects they now claim to want, but when

markets are sought for the local farmers to export their produce for a decent price.

“Only last year, when I was in Colombia, I met the President of Panama…we had a talk about buying rice from Guyana and now Panama is now the second most important market for our rice industry,”

lish a deepwater harbour in the Berbice River.

The President noted that a feasibility study was under way to determine the achievability of such a port in that area. If construction is possible, the harbour will see the creation of thousands of jobs in various areas.

LCDS awareness session conducted...

At a global level, some key actions have been taken, one of the most important is the formation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to which Guyana is a signatory.

Chandarpal stated that approximately 87 per cent of Guyana is covered in forests and the country has one of the lowest deforestation rates worldwide.

By protecting its forests, Guyana is strengthening the capacity to cope with this issue of climate change.

She indicated that the LCDS is unique and many countries are moving towards low carbon development.

However addressing climate change is very costly. Fortunately, Guyana has a partnership with Norway where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2009 where Norway has committed to providing to US$ 250 million to Guyana depending on Guyana’s delivery of results as measured against indicators of enabling activities and of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+).

To date, Guyana has re-

ceived US$150 million. Payments earned under the MoU will support a number of key projects including renewable energy initiatives the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. This project, once developed, is expected to provide the country with renewable energy which is cheaper and will reduce GHG emissions.

Additional projects under the LCDS are the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), Amerindian Land Titling (ALT), Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSE), Climate Resilience Adaptation and Water Management, among others.

Chandarpal mentioned that in addressing adaptation several initiatives have been implemented such as the Cunha Canal project which seeks to improve drainage and irrigation (D&I) and flood management and the Climate Resilient Strategy and Action Plan (CRSAP), which is developed by OCC to build climate resilience in the country.

Additionally, under the LCDS there are investments in low carbon sectors such as eco-tourism, aquaculture, sustainable forestry and mining.

Chandarpal noted that that there are other initiatives

being undertaken such as the Opt-In Mechanism (OIM) to allow titled Amerindian villages to participate in the national REDD+ model.

Chandarpal said that the LCDS does not intend to stop activities such as mining; however, it seeks to promote

ever, the hinterland communities have been affected by climate change; hence it is important that the residents be informed of the issue, in terms of what is happening in Guyana and around the world.

In this regard, she said

they had the chance, they were persistent in their objections against them.

Some of those projects, as highlighted by the President, were the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project.

She reported that Amerindians have been among the first to benefit from the LCDS. In particular, she spoke about the ADF, which is funding Community Development Plans (CDPs) in Amerindian communities

sustainable operations in the mining and forestry sectors.

Pearson, in the feature presentation, informed participants that now more than

awareness sessions are important because Guyana must have an understanding of the impacts of climate change so that actions can be taken in communities.

across Guyana. Pearson indicated that the ADF is expected to benefit more than 180 hinterland communities.

In the first Phase of this project, 26 communities were selected and received disbursements to implement their CDPs. She indicated that Amerindians are also benefitting from the ALT Project.

Pearson emphasised that climate change is real and the people must be aware of actions Government is taking to address the issue. She urged participants to continue to use their lands in a sustainable way.

She said that Guyana is a model to the world on how to address climate change. Even with the current agreement with Norway, Guyana is still able to conduct mining and forestry activities in a sustainable manner.

Pearson noted that every year, independent audits are conducted to ensure that Guyana is meeting the conditions of the agreement and to ensure that payments are made.

This is the fourth LCDS awareness session for 2015, conducted by the OCC under the LCDS, the other three sessions were held in Regions Five (Demerara-Berbice) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

A section of those gathered at the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) stakeholder awareness session at the St Ignatius Benab, Region Nine

PPP/C Presidential Candidate President Donald Ramotar addressing the mammoth Albion rally

Over water and land! PPP/C supporters could not miss the grand rally at Albion

PNC-led APNU/AFC women's rally echoes promises of coalition

Several women leaders in the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) addressed a crowd of a few hundreds on Saturday at the Merriman's Mall, Georgetown, where they echoed promises that the men in the coalition have been making on the elections campaign trail.

But among the range of promises, there were hardly any specifics and the speakers did not address firm plans as to how the many promises would be delivered.

There were general promises of better childcare facilities and more jobs for those who are unemployed.

Even though these issues had been ventilated and addressed through legislative enactments, task forces, sensitisation of Police and society, among other things, these efforts were ignored by every speaker on the platform.

Failure to meet quota

The APNU/AFC coalition initially failed to meet the legal requirement for the number of women on its list of candidates for next month’s general and regional elections. The coalition had submitted a list of 75 candidates, of which only 14 were women on Nomination Day, April 7.

The coalition eventually had to submit the names of an additional 11 women, to meet the requirement of the Representation of the People Act that one-third of the candidates must be of that gender.

One of the main speakers was Lindener Vanessa Kissoon, who has been at odds with the APNU/AFC leadership.

She had said that she was not picked to be on the coalition’s List of Candidates, because she refused to apologise to party General Secretary Oscar Clarke.

Clarke had locked Kissoon out of the party’s Linden office. In effect, she was telling PNC Leader Granger that he was lying since he had stated that she was left off, because she had already served two terms in Parliament. She had also been part of the Linden contingent to the PNC Congress who claimed Granger had rigged the leadership elections.

Kissoon swore her undying support for the coalition as she joined the female representatives of the alliance at the rally.

On the issue of poli-

cies, Kissoon hailed the Opposition Leader as a man with a plan for the economic development of single mothers in society.

She claimed that through the coalition, Guyana will witness the rapid establishment of day-care and nightcare facilities, access to micro financing and skills training.

But she did not say where the financing for all these massive programmes would come from.

Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes spoke about issues affecting women, directing her focus on rape, sexual violence and human trafficking.

She said that the APNU/ AFC coalition has a plan to improve the system so that there can be a reduction in the number of cases where these atrocities occur.

She condemned any man who ever placed a desperate woman in a compromising position where she was forced to succumb to his wicked needs simply to get money to feed herself, or even her child.

“We will not allow the menfolk to rape, to take advantage of our daughters... to impregnate our children... so I am going to put the men on notice,” she said.

Sandra Granger, wife of APNU/AFC Leader David Granger, claimed that Guyana was in a serious crisis, noting that on her many visits across the country with her husband, she has been able to see the plight faced by women.

Granger indicated to the crowd that they have suffered from the wrath of an Administration which has become vengeful and threatening once certain questions were raised.

However, former PNC and APNU Member of Parliament Africo Selman had accused Mrs Granger’s husband of using the hardworking women within his party as a front to give the impression that the party respects women and has a plan for their overall development and upward mobility.

Subservient roles

But, she said, in reality, Granger wanted to relegate them to subservient roles.

Selman, who has thrown her support behind the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) after claiming she experienced the worst forms of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse with the Opposition camp, spoke at several political public meetings for the ruling party over the past few weeks.

She said that the coalition and some of its male members, including those at its helm were sidelining women and young ladies who had dissenting, independent views and wanted to be promoted to senior postings on the basis of meritocracy.

Selman condemned what she called the “sheer hypocrisy” and “window dressing” occurring with the PNCR and APNU as she called on Guyanese present at the PPP/C meetings to take a stance against the abuse, misuse and maltreatment of women in politics.

“They are saying one thing and doing another. They are using women as a front and they are ill-treating and sidelining them behind the scenes,” she said, as she shared her own experiences with the crowd.

“They want to just keep us ‘barefoot and pregnant’.”

But Granger claimed that now Guyana has entered an early election, the Government has begun to make promises of change, stating that it would investigate corruption and other issues that persons were affected by.

This was said with irony, since her husband and his allies were also making promises.

Granger continued that recently the Government gave $10,000 to citizens to assist in the education sector and were seeking to do improvements in other sectors.

“We are not fools; this Government underesti-

mates the intelligence of the average Guyanese citizens; we have eyes to see and ears to hear and we have seen and we have heard and we say no more because we remember forgiveness is not forgetfulness,” she said.

Sita Nagamootoo, wife of the coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo, highlighted that she would like to endorse her husband un-

der the APNU/AFC coalition.

She said that he has had a passion for a better Guyana and he has been trying all his life to ensure its development.

“I know he is a man of his people and I know he will work hard to realise your dreams.

Nagamootoo added that she was convinced that an APNU/AFC Government will lift the quality of education for the children and teachers of Guyana.

She did not mention that her husband had been a member of the PPP/C for 18 of those years she mentioned and that their children had been well-educated under the PPP/C Administration, including one attending law school with her father.

FAO, ACP member states share strong focus on nutrition and climate change

Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, José Graziano da Silva, last week told the Committee of Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries that the organisation is committed to addressing food security and nutrition and also stressed the need to tackle as a high priority the impacts of climate change.

“Hunger is only one face of malnutrition. At the other extreme we have obesity, which is becoming a concern as big as or even bigger than undernourishment, particularly in the Caribbean and the Pacific,” the FAO Director-General said, speaking before the Committee in Brussels.

Graziano da Silva also emphasized the threat posed by climate change, noting that its impacts are not evenly distributed, but that tropical regions, home of many ACP members, “are among the most affected regions”. He suggested some measures ACP countries can take to build resilience and adapt food systems while coping with changing climate patterns. “Sustainable land and water management, and approaches such as climate-smart agriculture and agro-ecology are tools that can help” to address this issue, Graziano da Silva said.

The FAO DirectorGeneral cited Cyclone Pam that hit Vanuatu and other small islands in the Pacific Region in March, as a “reminder of the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States to natural disas-

ters and to climate change”. He informed the ACP Ambassadors that FAO has just set up a Trust Fund to address this specific issue.

Graziano da Silva also urged ACP countries to engage in the COP21 climate negotiations that will be concluded next December in Paris. Referring to the outcome of COP 21, he said that “we look forward to a new, global, legally binding climate agreement,” but that the “agriculture sector can neither be asked to pay the price for all greenhouse gases emissions, nor to clean the emission from other sectors”. “This is the point that FAO wants to highlight in those negotiations,” Graziano da Silva emphasized, adding that the Organization is able to provide “tailored assistance” to ACP member states at the negotiations.

In his speech, ACP Secretary-General, Patrick I. Gomes, praised the transformational changes that have taken place at FAO since Graziano da Silva took office as Director-General in 2012.

“He (Graziano da Silva) has spearheaded reforms that

have entailed, among other things, refocusing FAO’s work, strengthening its institutional capacities and its partnerships with civil society, the private sector and academia, and boosting the FAO’s support for SouthSouth Cooperation,” GomesGuyana’s former Ambassador to Brussels said.

“Dr. da Silva has already achieved the transformation of the FAO into a knowledge organization, firmly grounded in reality, by strengthening its field presence and instilling a more decentralized approach,” the ACP Secretary-General added. In his intervention, the Ambassador of Barbados, Samuel Chandler, who chaired the Committee of Ambassadors meeting, said that ACP has long regarded FAO as “a valuable partner” in its efforts to attain the Group’s stated objectives. “We look forward to working closely with FAO to address the challenges to our development,” Chandler added. Today’s meeting was attended by around 60 Ambassadors and representatives of the ACP countries in Brussels.

APNU/AFC women leaders at the rally on Saturday

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva

2 Cuban dissidents stand in local municipal vote

For the first time in Cuba, at least two Government opponents are standing in municipal elections.

Hildebrando Chaviano is an independent journalist and lawyer, and Yuniel Lopez is a member of an outlawed political party, the Independent and Democratic Cuba Party.

The two men are standing for places on local councils in Havana.

Their election would be unprecedented in Cuba’s single-party system.

Both Chaviano and Lopez told foreign press agencies they thought the Government was caught off guard by the strength of

their support in the opening round.

Like half of the 27,000 candidates for municipal posts, the two were selected by a show of hands in a local neighbourhood meeting. The final round of the elections is by secret vote – there is no campaigning.

“We have to take advantage of the moment,” Chaviano said. “No-one from the Government was expecting us to be nominated and even less that we would become candidates.”

“Some people say that there is fear in Cuba, and I say that people have lost their fear,” said Lopez.

Both men are running for seats on municipal assemblies that oversee local

matters that include water supplies, street repairs and insect fumigation.

Municipal assemblies also nominate candidates for half the representatives on provincial assemblies.

The provincial assemblies then nominate candidates for half the members of the National Assembly, which elects Cuba’s ruling Council of State, which in turn elects the president.

The other half of the candidates at municipal and provincial level is selected by a government electoral commission.

President Raul Castro began introducing gradual but wide-ranging economic reforms in 2010. (Excerpt from BBC News)

TT Govt to shut down Carrera Prison

Three contracts totalling TT$87.7 million have been awarded for a security perimeter fence and infrastructural work at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca, as Government moves to shut down the island prison on Carrera and transfer those prisoners to the MSP.

The work being undertaken will facilitate the move in a few weeks’ time of 230 high-risk prisoners from the Carrera Convict Prison (CCP), situated on the tiny island in the Gulf of Paria between the Bocas and Five Islands, to an upgraded MSP.

Following the move, some prisoners may no longer be housed in concrete cells with wrought iron railings, but be placed in freight containers instead, Justice Minister Prakash Ramadhar says. Speaking for the first time since being given the new portfolio in February, Ramadhar said the decision to shut down the CCP was long overdue and construction of the high-security fence, installation of surveillance cameras, guard booths and infrastructural works enclosing an area of approximately 85 acres of land at the MSP were needed to facilitate the move.

The project, Ramadhar said, involved three packages which would be completed by mid-year. The three packages cost $87,742,244.43 overall, inclusive of construction and consultancy costs, Udecott project management fees and contingency fees.

“What has happened, we have already, and it is about complete, to put a high-security perimeter fence so you would have a more open sort of prison. As soon as the fence is finished the move will be made. We expect the wall (fence) to be completed within the month,” Ramadhar said. (Excerpt

Deaths amid violence as Mexican cartel chief captured

The arrest of a leader of

a prominent drugs cartel sparked gunfights and blockades of burning vehicles that left at least three people dead near Mexico’s border with the United States, authorities say.

The arrested leader was identified as Jose Tiburcio Hernandez Fuentes, who stepped into the Gulf Cartel’s leadership vacuum as the group lost influence with the deaths or arrests of key members.

Mexican authorities on Saturday confirmed the capture of Hernandez Fuentes, describing him as responsible for much of the violence in the border city of Reynosa in the north-eastern state of Tamaulipas.

National Security Commission head Monte Alejandro Rubido told news agency The Associated Press that Friday’s violence in Reynosa, across

the border from McAllen, Texas, followed the arrest of Hernandez Fuentes and three other suspected members of the group as their comrades tried to free them.

Rubido said on Saturday that Hernandez Fuentes had been difficult to capture because he has used more than eight false identities.

Hernandez Fuentes worked his way up into the Gulf Cartel’s hierarchy as its leaders were imprisoned or

killed. Reynosa has been one of the most violent cities in Mexico over the past year, racked by turf wars among the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas, two drug gangs fighting for control of border smuggling routes and crime rackets.

More than 100,000 people have died in gang-related violence in Mexico over the past eight years. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Haitian court releases man accused of running kidnapping ring

AHaitian court has freed a restaurateur a month after he and 13 others were indicted on various crimes including murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and running a kidnapping ring.

Haiti’s leading human rights group Lamarre Bélizaire confirmed that a judge had thrown out the indictment after a two-hour trial on Friday of Woodly

Ethéart and Renel Nelfort. Both men had been described in court documents as being the “intellectual authors” of Gang Galil, a notorious ring that kidnapped 17 people, including businessmen, for ransom between 2008 and 2014. According to the document, the gang collected nearly US$1.5 million in ransom that was used to buy arms and ammunition, buildings and vehicles.

Ethéart, who had been in jail since May last year, had maintained that he was innocent. He had been accused of kidnapping businessman Sami El Azzi.

Last month, Investigative Judge Sonel Jean-Francois said Ethéart should stand trial for El Azzi’s kidnapping and said along with Nelfort, were the mastermind behind the kidnapping ring. (CMC)

Gunmen kill 8 supporters of Brazilian soccer club

Three gunmen invaded the headquarters of a fan club for Brazilian soccer team Corinthians on Saturday night in Sao Paulo and shot dead eight people in what Police believed was a drug gang-related killing, according to local media reports.

Witness accounts collected by the Police said the gunmen entered the site of Pavilhao 9 fan club while some people were preparing banners for a game this Sunday and asked them to lie down facing the floor.

The gunmen then started to shoot the supporters in

the head. Seven people died on the spot. One person was shot while running away, and died at a hospital.

Corinthians face arch rivals Palmeiras in the semifinal of Sao Paulo state championship later on Sunday. The game is still scheduled to go on.

Although there have been several recent cases of violence involving supporters of the two clubs, Police said the killing did not appear to be related to the game.

Police Deputy Arlindo Jose Negrao Vaz, who is heading the investigation,

told Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper there were no indications that other soccer teams’ supporters were involved.

Police believed the shooting was linked to a turf dispute among drug dealers, said the news website G1. Pavilhao 9 posted a mourning message on its Facebook page, but did not comment further on the shooting.

No arrests were made so far.

Corinthians tweeted its sorrow over the shooting, but otherwise had no comment.

(Reuters)

France makes record 2.25-tonne cocaine bust in the Caribbean

French customs officers seized a record

2.25 tonnes of cocaine when they raided a yacht off the coast of the French Caribbean island of Martinique.

On Saturday, the French authorities reported that a vessel was inter -

cepted. The haul was made when officers aboard two coastguard launches intercepted the vessel 125 miles off the coast of Martinique and arrested three people – one a Venezuelan and the others are citizens of Spain.

The wholesale value of

the cocaine has been placed at US$108 million.

The haul, which followed a two-year operation conducted jointly with Britain and Spain, amounts to more than one-third of the total of 6.6 tonnes of cocaine seized by French customs last year. (CMC)

There is only one recognised party on the island – the ruling Communist Party of Cuba (PCC)

Jose Tiburcio Hernandez Fuentes has used more than eight false identities, authorities say [Reuters]

The new security perimeter being constructed at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca

Hundreds drown off Libya EU leaders forced to reconsider migrant crisis

As many as 700 migrants were feared dead on Sunday after their boat capsized in the Mediterranean, raising pressure on Europe to face down anti-immigrant bias and find money for support as turmoil in Libya and the Middle East worsens the crisis. If the death toll is confirmed, it will bring to 1500 the total number of people who died this year trying to reach Europe – a swelling exodus that prompted Europe to downsize its seek and rescue border protection programme in a bid to deter them. International aid groups strongly criticised the decision.

After news of Sunday’s disaster several Government leaders called for emergency talks and EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said Foreign Ministers would discuss the immigration crisis at a meeting in Luxembourg today.

European Council President Donald Tusk said he was considering calling a special meeting of EU leaders, a summit that Renzi had

capsized overnight, with up to 700 feared dead, in this still image taken from video April 19

called for earlier. Meanwhile, Italian and foreign ships and helicopters worked into the night to find possible survivors. So far 28 people have been rescued and 24 bodies recovered, Italian authorities said.

The 20 metre-long vessel sank 70 miles from the Libyan coast, south of the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, as a large merchant ship approached it.

A survivor told the United Nations’ refugee agency, the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that 700 people on board, hopeful the ship would save them, moved to one side, toppling the boat.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said details were still “nebulous” and that he couldn’t estimate the total death count. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South African anti-immigrant violence: Hundreds held

More than 300 people have been arrested in South Africa in connection with a wave of violence against immigrants from other parts of Africa, the Home Affairs Minister has said.

Malusi Gigaba issued a warning to those responsible, saying that they would be subject to “the full might of the law”.

At least six people have been killed in the past two weeks.

Armed groups have targeted shops run by African immigrants, accusing them of taking jobs from locals.

Thousands of foreigners have fled their homes to shelter in makeshift camps, and neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique have announced plans to evacuate citizens.

Speaking during a news conference, Gigaba said 307 people were arrested in connection with the violence.

“Everything is being done to restore peace and order,” he said. “The Government will enforce the laws of the country and will not hesitate to act speedily and decisively.”

“We also want to issue a

stern warning to those who lend themselves to acts of public violence: We will find you, and you will be dealt with to the full might of the law.”

In Durban on Saturday, President Jacob Zuma told a group of people displaced by the violence that the unrest went against South African values and that he would bring it to an end, but he was jeered by some in the crowd who accused him of acting too slowly.

Many South Africans accuse migrants of taking jobs in a country where the unemployment rate is 24 per cent.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Indian protesters decry anti-poor land bill

India’s Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi is leading a massive rally against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s legislation that critics say would facilitate the acquisition of land for richer companies and deprive poor farmers of sustainable livelihoods.

Tens of thousands of farmers took part in Sunday’s protest in capital New Delhi against the bill, which Modi said was needed to improve the efficiency of land purchases for factories, industrial corridors and other development projects.

The rally came on the eve of Parliament’s reo-

pening today when Modi’s Government is expected to push ahead with efforts to pass the bill in the Upper House of Parliament.

Opposition leaders have predicted that up to 100,000 farmers – most of whom travelled from rural areas across the country’s north – will turn out for the daylong demonstration in New Delhi.

Dressed all in white and waving Opposition Congress party flags, busloads of farmers have been gathering in the capital.

Just hours before the rally was set to start, Modi accused the Opposition of manipulating farmers and

Around the World

Millionaire businessman wins Finland election

Amillionaire former telecoms executive touted as a technocrat capable of rescuing Finland from economic slump won Sunday’s parliamentary election, vote predictions showed, but he may need support of a Euro-sceptical populist party to form a coalition.

Forecasts by state broadcaster YLE based on 60 per cent of votes showed Opposition Centre Party leader Juha Sipila, who has backing of the urban middle class and rural conservatives, beating pro-Europe and pro-NATO Prime

Minister Alexander Stubb. YLE forecast Sipila won 46 seats in the 200-member Parliament, with Stubb’s centre-right National Coalition with 37 seats and centre-left Social Democrats with 37 seats. The euro sceptic and anti-immigration Finns Party was fourth with 35 seats.

“Well, I think this gap will be enough,” Sipila told broadcaster MTV3 when asked if he saw himself a winner after vote forecasts were broadcast. “This result will enable several possible coalition combinations.”

A coalition that in-

cludes Finns Party, formerly known as the True Finns, could reinforce Finland’s hardline stance over bailouts in the eurozone just as the battle for Greece’s future in the bloc nears a climax. The YLE forecast has proved accurate in previous elections. The final results are due after 2000 GMT (16:00h EDT).

While the Finns Party did worse than expected –latest polls had them a close second – Sipila may still favour the populists over the centre-left Social Democrats in building a new coalition, analysts say. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pesticide the likely cause of Nigeria's mystery disease

Pesticide poisoning was the likely cause of the mysterious deaths of at least 18 people in a southwestern Nigerian town earlier this week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Sunday.

The “current hypothesis is cause of the event is herbicides”, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in a Tweet.

“Tests done so far are negative for viral and bacterial infection,” he added.

The victims began showing symptoms early last week in what Ondo state spokesman Kayode Akinmade called a “mysterious disease”, prompting fears of a new infectious disease outbreak in a region ravaged by Ebola.

The victims, whose symptoms included headache, weight loss, blurred vision and loss of consciousness, died within a day of falling ill in the town of OdeIrele, in south-western Ondo

state. The Ondo State Health Commissioner, Dayo Adeyanju, told AFP news agency on Saturday that 23 people had been affected. Akinmade said health officials and experts from the Government and aid agencies, as well as WHO epidemiologists, had arrived in Ode-Irele to investigate the deaths. The tests were carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the WHO said. (Al Jazeera)

Scores of South Koreans questioned over violent clashes

denied that his Government was “anti-poor”.

“This is a Government for the poor. We are dedicated to the poor,” he told a meeting of lawmakers from his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Instead, anything we say is ripped and twisted by the opposition. Can’t we speak? Is this a crime (that) we are doing?”

The legislation exempts projects related to defence, rural housing and power, along with industrial corridors, from the current requirement that 80 per cent of affected landowners must agree to a sale.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

South Korean Police said they were questioning scores of protesters over violence that broke out at a rally denouncing the Government’s handling of a ferry disaster that killed more than 300 people a year ago.

About 80 people were being questioned on Sunday over the demonstration, the official said. Twenty others, who were also detained, have been released.

Police clashed with thousands of protesters, blocking their way to the presidential palace, where they hoped to demand a more vigorous Government response to the ferry disas-

ter.

About 13,000 Police and 470 Police buses were deployed in the area around Seoul’s main ceremonial thoroughfare, an official of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said.

Saturday’s rally, organised by a group representing families of the victims, was the largest in recent weeks as the country marked the first anniversary of the April 16 disaster.

Police said they used buses to barricade marchers’ route to the presidential Blue House, and deployed water cannon and pepper spray. Several Police buses were dam-

aged. A fire department official said nine protesters and three Police were taken to hospital while three protesters received first aid at the site. The rally began at midday, with a crowd demanding the Government allow an independent inquiry into the disaster and make an immediate decision to raise the Sewol ferry. The ferry was on a routine journey from Incheon to the southern island of Jeju when it capsized making a sharp turn and sank. Among the 304 victims were 250 students on a class trip. (Excerpt from Reuters)

An Italian Coast Guard vessel is seen with a helicopter during the search and rescue operation underway after a boat carrying migrants

About 13,000 police and 470 police buses were deployed in the area around Seoul’s main ceremonial thoroughfare [AP]

Freddie Kissoon spews lies, anger and filth on daily basis

Dear Editor,

A satire is defined as sarcasm, witty language used to convey insults or scorn. And the Kaieteur News daily feature Dem Boys Seh has been very successful at using caustic remarks to irritate its intended victims.

However, when a cheap shot is taken to mitigate the significance of a nursery school and to lie about the amenities and size of classrooms to give the impression of corruption in the construction of the facility, I must question the motive to negatively influence the readers of Kaieteur News during a crucial election campaign.

I was at the opening of the Number 77 Nursery School, and the only person there from Kaieteur News was their Berbice reporter whose article was published about a week later. This was a fair and balanced report which should have stood on its own merit.

But apparently, someone felt that it made the

Ministry of Education and the PPP/C Government look too good, and a deliberate, malicious attempt was made to distort the facts to give the Opposition another talking point on the campaign trail.

But even if this was not intended, the Dem Boys Seh column of April 16 was a malicious distortion of facts, written by someone who has not seen this school. How else can one account for the ludicrous description of this facility?

In a very sarcastic way, the author is suggesting that the building did not cost $82 million as reported by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who described the building as a state of the art school.

The classrooms are all fairly big and well designed. The sanitary block has three toilets for the girls, three for the boys, and two much wider individual toilets with hand bars, specially designed for children with disability, a total of eight toi-

NY cultural promoter...

He visited Guyana several times in that capacity to improve CAL’s service meeting travel agents, customers, and government officials. He also advocated for CAL’s sponsorship of Guyanese cultural programs in Guyana and in NY.

Mohan made his money going back to the early 1980s- organizing concerts in NY, hosting popular artistes from India and the Caribbean. He brought Indian chatney, soca, calypso and Bollywood together.

He hosted numerous artistes from Trinidad and Guyana at his entertainment club in Queens as well as at performances in Toronto. He also promoted cultural shows in Guyana, Florida, Toronto and Trinidad.

Mohan lived a simple life. I penned several articles about his entertainment club and on his cultural activities. He was passionate about promoting local artistes and several of them from Trinidad and Guyana owed their career to him.

He was also committed and dedicated to people and promoted several activities without charge on his TV station.

In a tribute, former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday said: “He was a very dynamic man. He was a businessman that did not fear to venture into a new prospect. His television station has contributed a lot to the development of Trinidad and

lets, not the three stated in the Kaieteur News.

This beautifully designed school includes ramps for the handicapped, and a water trough with three receptacles, not one. Although it is true that while the school is built to accommodate 120 children and enrollment stands at only 60, it is not a waste of money as the article suggests.

In fact, the school is built to accommodate the children of a fast growing housing scheme at Number 77 Village, Corriverton, and Kaieteur News should have been the ones complimenting the government on its vision and proper planning to facilitate those families with young children that will soon take up residence in that housing scheme.

By any standard, this school is superbly built... the

best in the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and is certainly more modern and spacious than most nursery schools in Guyana.

Why then would anyone pick on this school to deliberately lie about the construction and amenities offered? One must therefore examine the motive behind such a malicious newspaper column, and expose the prejudice nature of its author.

The PPP/C is in a struggle to regain votes lost to the AFC in Regions Five (Demerara-Berbice) and Six during the 2011 general election. The PNC-APNU-AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo had promised to deliver 11 per cent of the Indian-vote to the PNC-APNU as part of the AFC’s negotiation process leading up to his party’s marriage of convenience with the PNC-APNU.

Overwhelming numbers by PPP/C supporters attending public meetings and rallies in Regions Five and Six coupled with the failure of the PNC-APNUAFC to bring out the residence of Whim to their recently held “import a crowd” rally there, strongly suggest that Nagamootoo will find it almost impossible to deliver the 11 per cent Indian-vote on May 11.

Therefore, Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo need some help to sway support away from the PPP/C in those traditional PPP/C strongholds.

And since this nursery school is located some distance away from the main public road all the way in Corriverton, it is unlikely that the undecided voter will go there to verify the authenticity of this Dem Boys Seh column.

In fact, voters are more likely to believe this crap, chalking it up to yet another “corruption” allegation by Kaieteur News.

One can safely deduct that this Kaieteur News column is designed only to ridicule and embarrass members of the ruling PPP/C, and to undermine progress by constantly insinuating corruption exists in everything the PPP/C Government does.

How can Adam Harris, Editor of Kaieteur News, rein in the out-of-control Freddie Kissoon that spews lies, anger and filth on a daily basis, tarnishing the reputation of decent people, when he allows the very same vile thoughts to be published as Dem Boys Seh in a newspaper that prides itself to be independent?

Harry Gill

The witch doctors and voodooism

Dear Editor,

from page 5

Tobago by supplying information that the public needs.”

In a statement, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar lamented his passing saying he was a “dedicated patriot and pioneering businessman who had served the nation in many categories”.

She said she was deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of Mohan Jaikaran. “He was a humble man who had a passion for helping people while seeking no rewards for his kindness. He was a pioneering businessman in the media and entertainment sector, and a philanthropist with an eye for talent.”

The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) also expressed its “sorrow and heartfelt condolences” on Jaikaran’s death. “Mr Jaikaran’s influence and impact on the broadcast media landscape in T&T has been profound and inspiring.

Fellow cultural promoter Rafi Mohammed said: “Jaikaran’s vision for Caribbean talent reaching the international market is unmatched.

Many artistes owe their first taste of international exposure to this gentleman through many collaborations we did in the early days.”

Mohan Jaikaran will be sorely missed for his contribution to culture and broadcasting journalism.

Vishnu Bisram

To ask that the population, especially the youth, deceive themselves into believing that looking back to the past for guidance is racist and ill advise, is insulting.

It is this ability to look back to the past, to look at the present and to look to the future, that make us uniquely human. The intelligent voting public will explore all of our history and then cast their votes.

Moses, Ramjattan and Ramayah were partially successfully in deceiving some people to vote for them as AFC representatives. But the three voodoo practitioners believed that the people are now under their spell and will follow them zombie like to the PNC grave yard.

The spell has been broken by a boon called truth. The PPP/C has once again unleashed that universal-

ly acknowledged cure called truth.

What is hidden in that grave yard called the PNC will be exposed by opening the eyes of our people. And we will under no circumstance allow the twenty eight year dictatorship of the PNC/ APNU to be farcically placed behind that façade Moses call change.

Genuine change will come after we have examined all the facts about our past. A fully educated citizenry is a guard against the PNC/APNU-AFC.

The PNC/APNU brought our country down from a prosperous country to one that became a basket case that relied on hand out of worm infected cheese and weevil infected peas. The PNC/APNU voodoo economics brought Guyana to the brink of starvation.

But the PNC/APNU-AFC

is not satisfied with casting their spell on the people. They have embarked on a backup plan by requesting the help of ex military men, locally as well as those who reside in the diapora.

The majority of them are from the New York area. These ex-military men are in their early sixties and have a swagger about them. They have return with promise of loot to be had should the PNC gain power.

The PNC/APNU has already placed items on its agenda to reward the ex military personnel. The reward comes under the rubric of a Veterans Commission that will dole out tax payers funds for past service.

The promised rewards are not limited to veterans of the armed forces but promises are made to current members of the military as well. Where are the resources go-

ing to come from?

The radio chatter is that the forces are being starved for funds while the private sector is reaping a bonanza. This argument was made by Burnham’s PNC and the country was brought to its knees after a 500 per cent percent increase in military spending.

I implore the younger generation to look to the immediate West of our dear Guyana and see what misery a military dictator will bring to you. The simplest of food stuff is in need and leads to open riots and looting.

Those who are older only need to look back at the PNC dictatorship for guidance as to the misery such a government can cause. Say no to the PNC/APNU-AFC and yes to the PPP/C on May 11.

Latchman Mohabir

HSAI Divali protest

Dear Editor,

On April 10, around 200 Hindus gathered outside the gates of City Hall in New York City to demand that Hindu holidays be included in the school calendar as public holidays. They held up flyers that read, “We want Divali, Dusshera and Janamashtmi,” three festivals to be included as public holidays. They were rallied together by voices of several participating organizations of which a major voice came from the Hindu Students Association International (HSAI).

This is a brand new American-based organization founded first on the campus of a college in Manhattan, New York City by mainly West Indian Hindu women from Guyana and Trinidad and began demanding that Hindus also be given a prayer space

and activity room on the campus where they can do puja and celebrate other festivals.

Today, the Mother organization HSAI includes members from branches all across the United States, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bali and with many western converts already at the head of some of the other HSAI niches in Montana, New Jersey and Texas.

These are a new generation of Hindus who are not intent on letting others do the speaking for Hindus and Hinduism but, are on the fast track to giving Hinduism the proper public relations it needs.

They no longer sit at home and hope someone would speak about the Hindu story, they go out there and do it themselves.

They are very active in

the community handing out flyers even at subways and doing whatever they can, no matter how small, to educate others on Hinduism, the truth about its history, misconceptions about Hinduism and molding young minds into elevating their Hindu identity.

One of their first public protests has been to include Divali and the other two festivals as public holidays. Hindus make up over a million people in the population of New York City. It is the world’s third largest religion and yet is always completely left out of all media coverage and its voice remains silent.

West Indian Hindus have been contributing to the community of NYC for so long and they were completely left out when the Mayor announced two public holidays

for Muslims along with the many Jewish and Christian festivals already there. HSAI is committed to the Hindu cause, made up of educated, dynamic young people willing to change the face and destiny of Hinduism. They have already written a guide to understanding Hinduism covering a range of topics from history to Hindu philosophy and will begin free distribution of the pdf any interested parties are urged to contact HSAI. The stage has been set and West Indies is leading the way once again with Trinidad and Guyana at the helm. HSAI can be found on Facebook and at www.hsainternational. org and are currently looking for interested members for a Guyana branch.

Nisha Ramracha

Essequibo teen needs life-changing surgery

...family pleads for help

The Ramnarine’s family from Huist’ Dieren Village on the Essequibo Coast is seeking financial assistance from the general public to assist in sending 13-year-old Keshava Singh to India in an effort to conduct a surgical procedure which involves the transfusion of bone marrow.

According to the grandfather of the child, Budhnarine Ramnarine, Keshava was diagnosed with an uncommon genetic blood disorder known as “Beta Thalassemia.” The disorder is said to reduce the production of haemoglobin –the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that supplies the rest of the body’s cells with oxygen.

The grandfather explained that the disorder can lead to anaemia or other serious complications with an increased risk of developing abnormal blood clots. Treatment for the disorder

Keshava Singh

includes chronic transfusion therapy whereby the patient regularly receives healthy blood from a donour. In Keshava’s case, the teenager routinely receives his transfusion of B-positive blood every four to six weeks at the Suddie Public Hospital. To date, he has received over 150 units of blood. The disorder has left the teenager without a spleen which was removed, and an enlarged heart.

The grandfather, who approached Guyana Times, said that when his grandson does not receive blood he would often feel tired, weak and dizzy. Additionally, he suffers from extreme pains about his body.

While Keshava is a well adjusted teenager, soon to be 14 years old, he still has the appearance of someone younger. “The disorder has significantly reduced his growth.”

Keshava is a Form 2B student at the Aurora Secondary School, and unlike other teenagers, he cannot enjoy a game of sports. Thus far, a charitable organisation has arranged with a hospital in India to perform a surgical procedure which involves a bone marrow transfusion. Keshava’s brother will be the donor, since both of them share the same blood group –B-positive.

The cost of the operation and to stay in the hospital is approximately US$32,000. According to the grandfather, this does not include airfares and other testing fees after the operation. The teenager will have to spend at least three months in India, according to the grandfather, and it is almost impossible for the family to raise the sum required for the operation.

The family is therefore appealing to the public for financial help. Those desirous of helping can make their donations at Republic Bank into Account Number 174442-4 and GBTI Account: 005375733018.

The teenager was described as a very determined and brave child. The money for the operation has to be paid to the hospital in India by the end of May. Keshava, his mother and brother are booked to leave in June 2015.

16 women die daily in Caribbean from pregnancy complications

On average, approximately 16 women die every day in Latin America and the Caribbean from complications of pregnancy or childbirth, while 250 babies die each day before having reached 28 days of age.

To gather information on the causes of these deaths and contribute to policies for their prevention, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has launched the new CLAP Network of Latin American and Caribbean Centers for Maternal Surveillance and Research on Women’s and Neonatal Health.

“Maternal mortality has been reduced considerably in the last 20 years, but it continues to be unacceptably high, and the majority of its causes can be prevented or treated,” said Suzanne Serruya, Director of the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/ WRH) of PAHO/WHO, during the launch of the new network in Brasilia.

The new CLAP Network will play an important role in helping to further reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the region by collecting data on the causes of maternal and neonatal death as well as on the

causes of complications that leave women seriously affected following childbirth.

Baby health checkup

Maternal and newborn health are closely intertwined. Approximately two out of three neonatal deaths occur during the first week of life, and the main causes include prematurity, congenital anomalies, asphyxia, sepsis and other infections. Pablo Duran, regional advisor on perinatal health at CLAP/WHR, noted that since 1990 the number of newborns who die in the first month of life has declined 55% in the region. “But we should make more efforts to prevent these deaths and conditions such as prematurity, retinopathy and asphyxia that can impact negatively on health and quality of life.”

“The CLAP Network will help assess the use and impact of cost-effective interventions and will monitor conditions that help reduce preventable deaths and that affect the quality of life of newborns,” said Duran.

The CLAP Network builds on a collaborative effort in which 22 institutions in 12 Latin American countries began in 2012 to use a new component of the Perinatal Clinical History (HCP), which contains data

on pregnant women and their children from the first prenatal visit until after delivery. The new component, introduced into the Perinatal Information System (IAPA), makes it possible to monitor severe maternal health events. The CLAP Network will now try to expand that collaboration to more institutions and countries. More than 50 hospitals, health institutes, universities and WHO Collaborating Centers in over 25 countries of the

WTO,

The World Trade Organisation and the Food and Agricultural Organisation will bolster their collaboration on matters related to trade and food security, offering mutual assistance on critical themes such as the functioning of international grain markets.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, met with José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), announced their agreement in Geneva on Friday 17 April.

“Food security is closely linked to trade and therefore it is an important element of our

Everyone wants to be free and it is certainly possible, especially if we express our true selves to feel the freedom. Over the years I have learned not to take anything personally whatever people are saying to me, because everyone’s opinion is only the product of their own life.

The thing is, for sure it’s much easier to get offended rather ignore what they say and just let go of it. This is also similar when people give us advice sometimes. For example, if we share our biggest dream with someone their respond can be totally different than what we are expecting.

This is usually the case when they cannot see the same thing as we do. But the way I see it is that it is not necessarily that they don’t believe in us, but more so that they don’t believe in their own selves.

Sometimes it ’s much easier to think that the world is against us, especially when things are going wrong in our lives. I am sure we all have had days where everything seems to be going in the opposite direction.

It does happen from time to time. In situations like this we have to remember that we just cannot control certain things in life, that’s just the way things are. Having said that though, we can certainly control how we react to these bad things.

The key is to accept everything that happens to us as an opportunity to grow, doesn’t matter how challenging it may be seen at the moment.

Feeling free can also come through the practice of forgiveness. And as I mention many times before, it ’s not about saying that whatever people did to us is okay, but if we don’t let go, we are basically holding ourselves back from moving forward to maximize our capabilities.

So forgiving is releasing the power that a certain event has on us. And by not forgiving, we are keeping our mind in the past, thinking and wishing that things could have been different.

However, these kinds of thinking trap us and makes us feel powerless. So when we learn to forgive, it allows us to think of the present, because that way we don’t get stuck focusing on what cannot be changed.

Americas have been invited to become part of the new network.

The Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WRH) is a center and technical unit of PAHO/WHO that provides technical assistance to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean on sexual and reproductive health. Since its creation in 1970, it was worked to improve perinatal health in the region.

work at the WTO,” Azevêdo said. “I am delighted that we will now be able to enhance our work on this crucial issue, which affects so many people,

In order to feel that sense of freedom, we must be kind, and compassionate with ourselves. I say this because if we surround ourselves with negative people, then the outcome wouldn’t be pleasant.

So in the same way if we constantly think negatively about ourselves then we will be doing the same kind of harm. One of the best tips I can give is to find a way to think of something more loving and kind about ourselves.

The trick is to replace a negative thought with a positive one anytime we think of something negative about ourselves.

The reason why I say this is because once we focus on the good things, we will eventually start to belie them. And that’s all it takes to have freedom. It’s not hard to do but it takes time.

For questions, comments or feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

through an even closer partnership with the FAO.”

The WTO will be taking part in the preparatory work on FAO’s flagship publication, the State of Agricultural Commodity Markets, which this year will focus on trade and food security. The FAO and WTO chiefs discussed how the report could provide evidence and greater clarity on a range of issues related to the governance of trade flows and the pursuit of broader food security. The FAO will also hold a symposium on food security at the WTO on 5 June. Considering the important role of open and strengthened food markets in supporting food security

objectives, the two directorsgeneral discussed how both enhancing opportunities for trade and the multilateral trading system could help in creating a more favourable global environment for both food security and sustainable agriculture.

“I am deeply engaged in continuing to develop our joint work with WTO as food security and trade can together play a very important role to help fulfill FAO’s mandate,” said Graziano da Silva. They also discussed the current state of play in the Doha Round of trade negotiations, and the renewed efforts that the governments are making towards a successful outcome.

Narine Dat Sookram

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

There is so much going on around you that you may have trouble keeping up. You will come out ahead if you keep your priorities straight and don’t take on unnecessary tasks.

Delays, stress and frustration will ensue if you need to deal with governmental or bureaucratic agencies. Keep your important documents in order if you want to save yourself time and frustration.

Groups that you feel strongly about will benefit from your input. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to assume a leadership role. Your investment of time and effort will raise your profile.

You will waste time if you get caught up in a verbal battle. Be an observer, not a participant. Choose an outlet that will keep you out of the line of fire.

Share your innovative and valuable ideas. You will gain ground over your competitors if you are assertive. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way in order to triumph.

Change is in the air. With your intuition and dedication, you will be in an ideal position to take advantage of an opportunity that lies ahead. You have a heart of gold, but you mustn’t donate to every cause or organisation that approaches you. The best investment you can make is in yourself.

You will be oversensitive regarding personal matters. Don’t let this get you down. Patience will help you ride out the storm and then some.

There is money to be made. Going the extra mile at work will be worth the effort. You will be recognised for your discipline and determination, and handsomely compensated.

Spread your wings. If there is something you have been wondering about or deliberating, take the plunge. You will probably wish you had done so sooner.

Personal problems will upset you. Be careful not to judge others or take sides. Remain neutral until all the facts are in and you feel certain that you can make the right choice.

Reconnect with old friends or distant family members. A telephone call or email will help to strengthen the bonds between you. A minor windfall or debt repayment is forthcoming.

GEMINI

PeanutS

Calvin and HobbeS

dilbert

arCHie

Warriors, Wizards, Rockets open playoffs with win NBA roundup…

Stephen Curry scored 34 points, and the Golden State Warriors held off the visiting New Orleans Pelicans, 106-99, after building a big lead on Saturday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Klay Thompson added 21 points, and Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut dominated down low as the Warriors looked every bit like the N.B.A.’s top-seeded team — at least for three quarters.

The Warriors’ defense, the league’s best, smothered Anthony Davis and the Pelicans, thrilling a goldshirt-wearing crowd that rocked and roared all afternoon.

The Warriors led by 15 after the first quarter, by 18 at halftime and by 25 late in the third quarter.

The Pelicans closed the gap to 4 points in the final

debut. Quincy Pondexter scored 20 points, and Eric Gordon added 16 for the Pelicans, who shot 42.2 percent.

Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans left in the first half with a bruised left knee and did not return.

Wizards 93, Raptors 86 Paul Pierce scored 5 of his

minute behind Davis, who scored 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, making the contest seem closer than it was.

Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night in Oakland, where the Warriors have won 19 straight games.

Davis shot 13 of 23 from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds in his playoff

20 points in overtime, and Nene had 12 points and 13 rebounds as Washington beat host Toronto in the opener of their first-round playoff series.

Pierce hit a 3-pointer, his fourth of the game, to begin the extra session, further tormenting a Raptors team he helped eliminate in last year’s playoffs while playing for the Nets.

Bradley Beal scored 16 points, and John Wall and Kevin Seraphin each had 10 for the Wizards.

Amir Johnson scored 18 points, and DeMar DeRozan had 15 for the Raptors, who have yet to win the opening game of a first-round series in seven postseason appearances. The Raptors’ only Game 1 win came against Philadelphia in the second round of the 2001 playoffs.

“It takes the pressure off us and puts it on them now,” Pierce said of winning on the road to start the series.

Toronto is scheduled to host Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Washington held a double-digit lead in the second half, but Greivis Vasquez, who took over after the AllStar Kyle Lowry fouled out, tied the score at 82-82 by hitting a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left.

Neither team scored again until Pierce made a 3-pointer 36 seconds into overtime, the first basket in a 7-0 Wizards run. Toronto missed seven straight shots before a DeRozan dunk with 29 seconds left.

Rockets 118, Mavericks 108 James Harden had 24 points, and Corey Brewer scored 13 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead host Houston past Dallas in Game 1 of their Western Conference series.

Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points for the Mavericks, who are in the playoffs for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons. (The New York Times)

Hamilton cruises to Bahrain GP win, Raikkonen 2nd

Lewis Hamilton took a controlled win in the Bahrain Grand Prix as team-mate Nico Rosberg was beaten to second by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.

Hamilton led from the start and was always in control as he took his third victory in four races this season.

Rosberg battled the Ferraris throughout and lost second to Raikkonen with a braking problem with two laps to go.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel wrecked his podium chances by going off track and damaging his car while

Mercedes had to respond with Rosberg, but still failed to prevent Vettel getting back into second. Rosberg, though, passed Vettel to take second again at the start of the next lap.

The two laps between Vettel’s first stop and Hamilton’s meant that the world champion rejoined the track with Rosberg and Vettel right behind him, prompting Hamilton to ask: “What happened to my lead?”

The answer was that fresh rubber had allowed Rosberg and Vettel to make up timeknown as the ‘undercut’.

onds ahead of the German when he made his final stop on lap 40. He rejoined with a 15-second deficit to Rosberg and 17 laps to go on the faster ‘soft’ tyre.

He was just over a second behind Rosberg as they entered the penultimate lap when the German suffered a partial brake failure entering Turn One. Rosberg ran wide, allowing Raikkonen to pass him on the exit of the first corner.

Team boss Toto Wolff said the problem was caused by overheating, which caused a failure of the

racing Rosberg.

Raikkonen, who nipped past Rosberg at the start of the penultimate lap when the German ran too deep into Turn One, put in an impressive drive on an alternative tyre strategy to move up from fourth place on the grid.

But Hamilton was out of reach at the front under the lights at the Sakhir track on a windy desert night.

Mercedes had expected a challenge from Ferrari during the race but Hamilton, after converting pole position into a lead at the first corner, was always in control as he set about building a lead while also protecting his tyres.

Rosberg, meanwhile, dropped to fourth at the start from third place on the grid but set about quickly dispatching the Ferraris, passing Raikkonen on lap four and Vettel four laps later.

Hamilton was nearly six seconds clear of Rosberg and a further two ahead of Vettel when the lead Ferrari made its first pit stop on lap 13.

After that, Hamilton again steadily built his lead until the second pit stops, Mercedes this time stopping him first to ensure there was no threat from behind.

Ferrari again ‘undercut’ Rosberg with Vettel, stopping two laps earlier, putting the four-time champion back into second.

But Rosberg rejoined right behind Vettel and, under pressure, the Ferrari driver ran wide at the last corner, making Rosberg’s pass easy.

The incident damaged Vettel’s front wing and he had to stop on the next lap for a new one, putting him into fifth place behind Williams’s Valtteri Bottas.

Rosberg’s attention now switched to Raikkonen, who in the middle stint had run the ‘medium’ tyre that Mercedes saved for the end of the race, preferring to do their first two stints on the ‘soft’.

Raikkonen drove a strong middle stint on the slower tyre, holding the gap to Hamilton and was five sec-

brake-by-wire system, and that Rosberg was helpless. The same problem affected Hamilton at the same time, Wolff said.

Behind the top three, Bottas managed to hold off Vettel for fourth despite heavy pressure in the closing laps.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo took sixth despite his engine exploding as he headed for the finish line, ahead of the Lotus of Romain Grosjean and Force India’s Sergio Perez.

The final two points places were taken by Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat, who drove well to rise up from 17th on the grid, and the Williams of Felipe Massa, whose car lacked downforce as a result of damage sustained in a collision with Lotus’s Pastor Maldonado on the first lap and slipped slowly backwards in the closing laps.

Fernando Alonso just missed out on McLarenHonda’s first points with 11th place, fending off Felipe Nasr’s Sauber in the closing laps. (BBC Sport)

Stephen Curry

Paul Pierce

Lewis Hamilton extended his championship lead by another 10 points to team-mate Nico Rosberg

Mumbai snap losing streak in run-fest

Faced with the prospect of their fifth successive defeat in IPL 2015, Mumbai Indians’ top order pulled together to help set up an 18-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Half-centuries from Lendl Simmons and Unmukt Chand, and 42 off 15 from captain Rohit Sharma lifted the visitors to 209 for 7.

That did eventually prove to be a match-winning one but Mumbai Indians’ defence underlined yet again how heavily dependent they are on Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga. The offspinner choked Royal Challengers’ start with tight overs and the wickets of Chris Gayle, Manvinder Bisla and Rilee Rossouw. When a sensational cameo from AB de Villiers and David Wiese’s clean hitting threatened to take the game away, Malinga turned up with his accurate yorkers to ensure Mumbai Indians snapped their losing streak.

The adage of well be-

gun half done seemed to bear some truth for Mumbai Indians. After they were asked to bat, Simmons and Parthiv Patel finally stitched together the start the side had missed in its previous four defeats. The West Indies batsman took the lead, particularly against Varun Aaron, whom he struck for three fours in

SCOREBOARD

Mumbai Indians innings

(20 overs maximum)

LMP Simmons c Aaron

b Chahal 59

PA Patel† b Wiese 12

UBT Chand c Kohli b Chahal 58

RG Sharma* c & b Wiese 42

KA Pollard c Chahal b Wiese 5 AT Rayudu c Chahal b Wiese 0 Harbhajan Singh run out

(Bisla/Ahmed) 0

HH Pandya not out 16

Extras: (lb 4, w 13) 17

Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 209

Did not bat: JJ Bumrah, MJ McClenaghan, SL Malinga Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-119, 3-182, 4-188, 5-188, 6-192, 7-209.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Bowling: Iqbal Abdulla 4-035-0, VR Aaron 4-0-50-0, AN Ahmed 4-0-59-0, D Wiese 4-033-4, YS Chahal 4-0-28-2.

Royal Challengers Bangalore innings (target: 210 runs from 20 overs)

CH Gayle b Harbhajan Singh 10

MS Bisla b Harbhajan

Singh 20

V Kohli* c Rayudu b McClenaghan 18 KD Karthik† c Chand b Malinga 18

AB de Villiers c Pollard b Bumrah 41 RR Rossouw b Harbhajan Singh 0 D Wiese not out 47

Iqbal Abdulla run out (Sharma/Pollard) 20 AN Ahmed not out 1

Extras: (lb 1, w 13, nb 2) 16

Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 191

Did not bat: VR Aaron, YS Chahal

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-48, 3-62, 4-97, 5-119, 6-125, 7-183. Mumbai Indians Bowling: MJ McClenaghan 4-0-43-1, SL Malinga 4-1-35-1, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-27-3, JJ Bumrah 4-0-39-1, HH Pandya 3-0-370, KA Pollard 1-0-9-0.

his second over.

Royal Challengers opted to open their innings with Iqbal Abdulla’s left-arm spin and that was one of only three overs in which they did not concede a boundary. Simmons’ aggression allowed Unmukt Chand to play his shots and the pair were almost equal contributors in their rapid 77-run stand. And then came Rohit Sharma’s parry - 15 deliveries, 42 runs, three fours and four sixes. One of those sixes was a stunning demonstration of his timing- a flick played with the batsman on one knee had enough on it to sail over deep midwicket. Rohit and Chand accumulated 63 runs in only 25 deliveries and despite a flurry of wickets at the end - Wiese took three in the 19th over - Mumbai Indians were helped across the 200run mark by two sixes from debutant Baroda allrounder Hardik Pandya.

Royal Challengers have chased down a 200-plus target three times at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in the past. Add the short boundaries, Mumbai Indians’ struggling attack and their own line-up of powerful hitters and that target could be considered a par one. (Cricinfo)

Watson, Rahane hand c sK a

Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane made light work of Chennai Super Kings’ 156 for 4, each hitting sparkling seventies in a breezy 144-run stand. The eight-wicket victory also embedded Rajasthan Royals at the top of the table. They have five wins out of five this season, and have now comfortably beaten the only other team that had been undefeated until today.

This despite Watson having lost the toss on a sweltering Ahmedabad afternoon. Having assumed the captaincy in his first match this season, his bowlers delivered him four wickets and an excellent economy rate in the first 10 overs. Dwayne Bravo slammed a 36-ball 62 to help the visitors recover, but even though he and MS Dhoni could not be parted, Dhoni’s stuttering 37-ball 31 weighed down the partnership. Their eventual score seemed at least 15 runs too short.

Watson was brutish and bullying at the top of Royals’

thrashing

to over-hit a ball. The languid six over midwicket off Mohit Sharma was a particular highlight. He was rarely troubled by the Super Kings bowling all evening,

SCOREBOARD

Chennai Super Kings innings (20 overs maximum)

DR Smith b Faulkner 40

BB McCullum c Faulkner

b Tambe 12

SK Raina c †Samson b Morris 4

F du Plessis c Morris

b Ankit Sharma 1

DJ Bravo not out 62

MS Dhoni*† not out 31

Extras: (lb 2, w 4) 6

Total:(4 wickets; 20 overs) 156

Did not bat: RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, MM Sharma, IC Pandey, A Nehra

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-38, 3-39, 4-65.

Rajasthan Royals Bowling: Ankit Sharma 3-0-26-1, CH Morris 4-0-19-1, PV Tambe 4-036-1, DJ Hooda 2-0-22-0, JP

chase, and Rahane light and flowing. Rahane’s first boundaries were gorgeous drives down the ground, and right through his unbeaten 76 off 55, he never seemed

Faulkner 4-0-26-1, STR Binny 1-0-5-0, SR Watson 2-0-20-0. Rajasthan Royals innings (target: 157 runs from 20 overs)

AM Rahane not out 76

SR Watson* b Jadeja 73

SPD Smith c & b Bravo 6 KK Nair not out 1

Extras: (w 1) 1

Total: (2 wickets; 18.2 overs) 157

Did not bat: SV Samson†, STR Binny, DJ Hooda, JP Faulkner, CH Morris, PV Tambe, Ankit Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-144, 2-156 Chennai Super Kings Bowling: IC Pandey 2-0-12-0, A Nehra 4-0-32-0, MM Sharma 4-0-330, RA Jadeja 4-0-29-1, R Ashwin 2-0-21-0, DJ Bravo 2.2-0-30-1.

and found singles and twos into the outfield with ease.

His opening partner was less pretty, but no less effective. Watson repeatedly backed away towards leg to

blast balls through the offside, and when the spinners came on, used that powerful slog sweep with abandon. He reached fifty off 34 balls by clobbering Bravo over long on, then hit two more fours. He was bowled with 13 runs to get, but effectively, the match was already won. In his first five overs as captain in this IPL season, Watson was like a man clicking through his revolver in search of the loaded chambers. He opened the bowling with the left-arm spin of Ankit Sharma, switched to the seam of Chris Morris next, brought in Pravin Tambe the following over, then went to Deepak Hooda and James Faulkner for the fourth and fifth overs respectively. Only the wicket of Brendon McCullum fell in those five varied overs, but in them, Royals had set the tone.

Morris had Suresh Raina caught behind with an angled delivery that bounced higher than the batsman expected in the sixth over, and by the end of the Powerplay, Super Kings had been kept to 39 for 2. (Cricinfo)

man city move 7 points clear of 5th place

Manchester City firmed up their grip on a top-four place as they beat West Ham to secure their first win in three Premier League games.

James Collins looped an attempted clearance from a Jesus Navas cross into his own net to give City the lead.

Navas set up Sergio Aguero to slot in a second after a slick counter-attack.

With the game won, City playmaker David Silva was carried off on a stretcher after being caught in the face by Cheikhou Kouyate’s right elbow. Silva appeared to be given oxygen as he received eight minutes of treatment prior to his departure in the

75th minute. Before the game, City boss Manuel Pellegrini conceded he could be sacked if his team do not finish in the top four to claim a Champions League place for

next season.

But while speculation about his future continues given their tame title defence, the chances of missing out on a place in Europe’s elite club competition reced-

ed with this victory. With five matches remaining, Pellegrini’s side are seven points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and a point behind derby rivals

Manchester United.

City looked a vastly improved team to the one that had lost four of their past six league games, and more like the side that beat West Ham on the final day of last season to claim the Premier League title.

The Hammers, meanwhile, have won just once in their past 12 games, with their last away league win coming on 2 December.

From the outset, it seemed a question of how long West Ham could hold their dominant hosts at bay, and the answer was 18 minutes.

Navas swung in a low cross and, in attempting to clear the ball, West Ham centre-back Collins instead

looped an effort over Adrian and into his own net.

It was 2-0 when Stewart Downing gave the ball away in the City half, the home side broke in lightning fashion and Aguero and Navas exchanged passes before the former slotted in.

The goal meant the Argentine was the first player to reach 20 Premier League goals this season. Aguero had several chances to add to his tally, with one effort saved by the sprawling Adrian following an incisive move from Pellegrini’s side.

West Ham had a late Kevin Nolan shot saved by Joe Hart, but they rarely threatened a comeback.

Sport)

Sergio Aguero scores 20th league goal of campaign

Lendl Simmons hits out on his way to a 44-ball 59

Ajinkya Rahane and Shane Watson put on a 144-run opening stand

SHALOM ENTERPRISE 2 CROAL STREET, STABROEK. INQUIRE ABOUT OUR DISCOUNTED DRIVING PACKAGE & INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S PERMIT (JOIN US ON FACEBOOK. 2273869/622-8162/644-7052

Shalom Driving School, lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. Enjoy 20% discount. Phone: 227-3869, 622-8162, 6447052, 227-3835

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, brid

al boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (op

posite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

ONE STAINLESS STEEL CHOWMEIN DOUGH MIXER AND ONE GRAIN GRINDER. TEL: 684-7171 AUDI-A4 EXCELLENT CONDITION PSS SERIES. FOR

Clean Garden earth. Also excavating,

and leveling done. Call 627-

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer and HP scanner - $25,000. Call 2252676 or 601-5285.

& Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 6213249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better.

Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L

Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, MetenMeer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

Planning an event? We have the full works from Tents, executive chairs, international portable stage etc. at unbeatable prices. Call Double Day Tents for your special package 6381627, 260-2209

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 6031134

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,337-4510,3374259,337-4583,337-3070,337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking. Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089

Tamim Iqbal hammered his second consecutive century as Bangladesh clinched their first-ever series win over Pakistan with a commanding performance in the second ODI. Tamim and Mushfiqur Rahim - who both scored centuries in the first ODI - once again tormented Pakistan’s below-par bowling attack, but the biggest factor in Bangladesh’s win were their bowlers. Even though Pakistan recovered from 77 for 5 thanks to halfcenturies from Saad Nasim and Wahab Riaz, a target of 240 didn’t prove anywhere near testing. Bangladesh reached their target with nearly 12 overs to spare.

SAle

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

Tamim’s first scoring shot was a blast from the past: a saunter down the pitch to Junaid Khan and a flat-batted wallop through the covers. In the sixth over, he had already cracked Rahat Ali for two fours when he got a full ball angling into his pads; deep square leg didn’t have to run too far to his right to cut off Tamim’s flick, but the timing was so good he didn’t get anywhere near it even after putting in a desperate slide. By the end of that over Bangladesh had already shaved 51 off their target. Tamim then took three fours off the last three balls of the ninth over, bowled by Saeed Ajmal, and did the same thing in the tenth over, bowled by Wahab Riaz, to bring up his half-century off 31 balls. The second four he hit off Wahab, a horizontal-bat swat past the bowler from halfway down the pitch, showed the kind of mood he was in.

Tamim Iqbal raced to his half-century off 31 balls, and eased into a less

runs from his first 15 balls, but he was only biding his time, waiting for a ball in his favourite slot: Ajmal delivered it, and he sank to his knees and slog-swept it for six. Two overs later, he hit Rahat for three successive fours, pulling him mercilessly when he dropped short, and he was batting on 25 off 25. Bangladesh now needed less than 100.

Ahmed over. Sarfraz Ahmed looked edgy right through his 11ball stay, and played away from his body to nick Rubel Hossain’s first ball of the match to first slip. The spinners took over from that point.

The odd ball gripped and

turned sharply, and Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Azhar with one of these, causing him to connect poorly with a reverse-sweep and fall prey to a brilliant bit of anticipation from Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps. Another viciously spinning Shakib delivery, tossed up enticingly, beat Mohammad Rizwan’s front-foot prod, caused him to overbalance, and led to prolonged deliberation from the third umpire over a stumping appeal. He gave it not out, but the batsmen were always aware of the threat of turnthis made the straighter one doubly dangerous, and the spinners made excellent use of it.

Arafat Sunny struck in the ninth over, skidding one through from his left-arm around angle to bowl Mohammad Hafeez as looked to force him off the back foot through the off side. In a mirror image of that dismissal, Nasir Hossain went around the wicket and slid one through Fawad Alam’s attempted cut. Then Rizwan, with the near-stumping fresh in his mind, was lbw pressing forward and across to Shakib’s slider. (Cricinfo)

Tamim ton leads Bangladesh to series win SCOREBOARD

Pakistan’s only respite came when a floodlight tower failed in the 30th over, causing a 15-minute break in play. It’s unlikely they would have welcomed it, though. By that point, they must have been hoping for a quick finish and an early ice bath.

By that point, Bangladesh’s asking rate was under four an over, and Tamim eased into a less frenetic mood. Ajmal picked up his first wicket since his international return, bowling Mahmudullah in the 15th over to have Bangladesh two down, but that only brought Mushfiqur to the crease. Ajmal and Wahab kept him quiet initially, keeping him to only three

Pakistan batted first, hoping for conditions similar to the first ODI, but the ball didn’t come on to the bat nearly as well, and the openers struggled against up-and-down bounce while putting on 36 in 7.1 overs. Azhar Ali, coming off a halfcentury in the first ODI, played and missed on a couple of occasions, but also played some sparkling shots through the off side including two fours in one Taskin

Pakistan innings (50 overs maximum)

Azhar Ali* c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 36

Sarfraz Ahmed† c Soumya Sarkar b Rubel Hossain 7 Mohammad Hafeez b Arafat Sunny 0 Haris Sohail c & b Mashrafe Mortaza 44

Fawad Alam b Nasir Hossain 0 Mohammad Rizwan

lbw b Shakib Al Hasan 13

Saad Nasim not out 77 Wahab Riaz not out 51

Extras: (b 2, lb 2, w 5, nb 2) 11

Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 239

Did not bat: Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Rahat Ali Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-37, 3-58, 4-59, 5-77, 6-154

Bangladesh Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 8-0-52-1, Taskin Ahmed 8-1-41-0, Arafat Sunny 10-0-41-1, Rubel Hossain 7-2-

27-1, Nasir Hossain 5-0-171, Shakib Al Hasan 10-0-51-2, Mahmudullah 2-0-6-0. Bangladesh innings (target: 240 runs from 50 overs) Tamim Iqbal not out 116 Soumya Sarkar c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Junaid Khan 17

Mahmudullah b Saeed Ajmal 17 Mushfiqur Rahim† c Fawad Alam b Rahat Ali 65 Shakib Al Hasan not out 7

Extras: (lb 2, w 15, nb 1) 18

Total: (3 wickets; 38.1 overs) 240

Did not bat: Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Arafat Sunny, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-100, 3-218.

Pakistan Bowling: Junaid Khan 9-0-61-1, Rahat Ali 7-0-57-1, Wahab Riaz 8-0-36-0, Saeed Ajmal 9.1-1-49-1, Azhar Ali 3-020-0, Saad Nasim 2-0-15-0.

Djokovic beats Berdych to win Monte Carlo title

Novak Djokovic beat Tomas Berdych to win his second Monte Carlo title and become the first man to win the opening three Masters events of the season.

The world number one came through 7-5 4-6 6-3 on the clay to extend his winning run in 2015 to 17 matches.

Djokovic, 27, adds Monte Carlo to the Masters titles he won in Indian Wells and Miami last month.

The Serb hopes to complete the career Grand Slam with a first title at the French Open, which starts next month.

He had laid down a marker with victory over nine-time Roland Garros

champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals and completed the job in Sunday’s raininterrupted final.

Sixth seed Berdych provided a real test for Djokovic, despite a 2-18 record against

the top seed, but two breaks of serve were still not enough for the Czech in the opening set. In overcast conditions, and with both men complaining about the slippery

court, Djokovic secured the set at the second attempt.

The Serb was still not at his best and did well to recover from 0-40 at 2-2 in the second before the rain came and forced the players off court for an hour.

Another chance for Djokovic to break slipped by on the resumption, and it was Berdych who found something closer to top form as he grabbed his chance to level at one set all.

Djokovic looked on course for his 11th love set of the year when he raced 4-0 clear in the decider but Berdych pegged him back again, and the 2013 champion required two hours and 43 minutes to wrap up a hard-fought win. (BBC Sport)

Novak Djokovic celebrates his win

frenetic thereafter to finish unbeaten on 116

Busta Soft Shoe tournament... Day 4 produces only game to go scoreless

– patron wins shopping voucher from Nigel’s Supermarket

By TreisTon Joseph

hile the

WSoft Shoe Tournament has been a tournament of exciting action and goals, Day Four on Saturday produced the only scoreless game to date at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground.

In game three of the evening, Festival City and Tucville played to a nil-all draw.

Meanwhile, the highest scoring game of the evening came when West Front Road defeated Cross Street Werk-en-rust 4-3. Michael Oie and Randolph Wagner led the way with doubles to ensure their team walked away with the win.

Cross Street, who played a fast-paced game, had three different scorers in Sheldon Profit, Dellon David and Samuel Hunte who scored in the 10th, 27th and 30th minute respectively.

Broad Street and Durban Street also featured in the night’s action, with Broad Street prevailing 2-0. Jamal Cozier scored both goals in the 11th and 14th minutes.

Tournament organiser Petra Organisation’s representative, Angeline McCarty hands over the voucher to the lucky winner

In game two of the night, Globe Yard easily defeated Back Circle 4-1, as Ryan Morrison led the way with a double in the ninth and 29th minute respectively. Leon Roberts and Kevin Lewis were the other scorers for Globe Yard with goals in the 13th and 22nd minute respectively. Back Circle’s lone goal came from Dexter Griffith in the 27th minute.

Albouystown topped North East La Penitence 4-1 in game four, with Roy Casson leading the way with a hat-trick in the 11th, 18th and 24th minute re-

spectively. The fourth goal was an own goal in the 29th minute. Calvin Moore was the lone scorer for North East in the 21st minute.

The final game of the night saw Bent Street defeating Hope Street Tiger Bay 3-1 with Anthony Abrams scoring all three of the gaols for Bent Street in the third, sixth and 14th minute respectively. Ron Adams scored the lone goal for Hope Street in the 22nd minute.

Meanwhile, a lucky spectator won a $5000 gift voucher to shop at Nigel’s Supermarket.

Aston Villa advance to FA Cup final

Aston Villa will meet Arsenal in the FA Cup final after a thoroughly deserved win over a desperately disappointing Liverpool at Wembley.

Villa's win was a triumph for manager Tim Sherwood as his side produced a performance of style, composure and grit to come from behind and reach their first FA Cup final since their loss to Chelsea in 2000.

As a consequence there will be no dream finale to his Liverpool career for Steven Gerrard. The Reds skipper, who will join Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in the summer, was hoping to make a final appearance for the club in an FA Cup final scheduled to take place on 30 May, his 35th birthday.

Philippe Coutinho clipped Liverpool into the lead but

the dangerous Christian Benteke levelled before halftime and Villa scored the winner their display fully merited through Fabian Delph's cool finish nine minutes after the break.

Lethargic Liverpool mounted a rally of sorts late on when Kieran Richardson cleared off the line from Liverpool captain Gerrard and half-time substitute Mario Balotelli was dubiously ruled offside when he had the ball in the net.

Villa, however, were not to be denied and the final whistle sparked scenes of joy among players and supporters alike.

The normally animated Sherwood had been calm on the touchline throughout but all his emotions poured out as he celebrated another trip to Wembley on 30 May, on

GCB plans to invest $600M for cricket academy at LBI Community Ground

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is not happy with the time being taken by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to provide documents of ownership for the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara.

GCB President Drubahadur made public the intentions of the Board regarding its proposal to upgrade the LBI Community Centre to house the National Academy for cricket in Guyana.

According to a press release, the GCB has been engaging both the Government and GuySuCo for several years now on this initiative and has already obtained approval, but was still awaiting the formal legal documentation to facilitate this development.

The release went on to state that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was presented to GuySuCo, but with little to no reaction from the Corporation.

Drubahadur, speaking to the media on Sunday at one of GCB’s development programme sessions at the LBI facility conducted by former West Indies great Alvin Kallicharran, stated that the Board has already developed and presented an impressive proposal to GuySuCo to lease the land from it.

He said the Board will invest approximately $600 million in the next few years to put in practice wickets, fencing, lights; raise the ground; and carry out other general

upgrading to the facility to benefit the cricketing community.

Drubahadur said the Board cannot invest that kind of money without proper documentation to show that it has legal permission to do so.

Kallicharran said it was sad to see the current state of the LBI facility and it going to waste, noting that the vision the GCB has for the facility would tremendously benefit everyone involved. He urged GuySuCo to facilitate the proposal of the GCB.

Meanwhile, the GCB development programme conducted by Kallicharran continued on Sunday at the hostel with the four Under-19 teams in the GCB/ Raj Singh Insurance Brokers Inter-County competitions.

Kallicharran thanked the GCB for inviting him to work with all the youths, noting that it was the first time in his entire career that he had been invited home

Alvin

to be part of the cricket development process and he was very pleased that the GCB has taken this initiative and promised to make a difference with the skills and expertise that he has gained over the years playing around the world. He told the players that the GCB has created the opportunity for them to play this great game and they should not let it go in vain.

“Ask yourselves what is your next challenge: do you want to play for Guyana and the West Indies? One half-century wouldn’t get you selected, you have to make centuries and do so consistently.

“Do the simple things correctly over and over and you will be successful. Don’t cry out that you have problems. Your problem is not that huge that it cannot be solved. Continue to bowl, bat and field for long hours and there wouldn’t be a problem,” advised Kallicharran.

yB g set to tip off Regional conferences today

Ttop of moving Villa towards Premier League safety. The ex-Spurs manager, who replaced sacked Paul Lambert in February, has overseen a superb rejuvenation at Villa Park.

Villa had giants all over the pitch, particularly in the shape of Benteke and the gifted 19-year-old Jack Grealish, who played with a calm that belied his years in this hothouse atmosphere.

Liverpool, in contrast, were dismal and once again failed to deliver when the big occasion demanded - which will be a matter of great concern to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Villa were bristling and business-like whereas Liverpool were timid with little seen of Raheem Sterling, who let the occasion pass him by. (BBC Sport)

he Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) will tip off its Regional Conferences today at the Smithfield hard court in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

A number of other conferences are expected to tip off by the coming weekend, with games being played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Saturdays from 16:00h.

The Regional Conference Tournaments are being used as the qualifiers for the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), which is scheduled for July 3-12. The Tournaments, which are sponsored by Digicel, Beharry Group of Companies, and Banks DIH will conclude on June 28 with all five regional championship games at the CASH.

Alpha United fall to Central FC 3-1

Alpha United were unable to stop Central FC’s dominance in a 3-1 loss to the Trinidadian side on Sunday in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championships at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Central FC controlled the game from start to finish as the hosts simply could not find any momentum in the game to work with.

Ataulla Guerra scored the opening goal for Central

FC in the 15th minute as Alpha seemed clueless on defence.

Guerra’s goal obviously caused the Guyanese side to dip in spirit as one minute later Shawn DaSilva made the game two-nil to put the Trinidadians in total control of the match.

However, Alpha ended the half in positive spirits with a Konata Manning strike in the 44th minute, just before the break.

On resumption, Central

FC controlled the possession of the ball and missed a number of chances that could have easily put the game away for the visitors. Nevertheless, despite the missed opportunities, Guerra ensured the win for Central FC with a late strike in the 85th minute given Alpha’s lacklustre play.

The win means that Central FC finished on top of the group while Alpha finished second. (Treiston Joseph)

Busta

Some of the action during the tournament thus far

Drubahadur

Kallicharran

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Berbice leg... NA, East Bank and Manchester in semi-final

After wins on the opening night at New Amsterdam Stelling Road, New Amsterdam Kings continued their dominance and inflicted a 6-1 defeat on Courtland Stars on Saturday.

Adrian Adams for a second night running was the star of the team with four goals to add to his two on Friday.

Leonardo Adams and Samuel Johnson netted one each with Michael Cummings scoring the consolation goal for Courtland Stars.

New Amsterdam Kings in their second game of the evening came up against Spartans and put them away as well – 4-0.

It was Adams again who led the way with a hat-trick,

while his brother Leonardo scored the other goal.

New Amsterdam Kings will meet Unruly Gang, which is another team from New Amsterdam in the semi-final,.

In making their way to the semi-finals, Unruly Gang had to go to the penalty line to decide the winner when they played Corriverton.

The game ended 1-1 and was awarded to the New Amsterdam team after a 2-1 penalty shootout. In their second encounter Unruly Gang beat Canje 4-1, with Kelvin Joseph netting twice and one goal apiece from Delroy Ferdinand and Devon James.

Meanwhile, East Bank Gunners inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Canje in the opening

game of the evening with Jermaine John and Andrew Cameron being the goal scorers.

East Bank Gunners later on in the evening needled Corriverton, thanks to Ronaldo August who scored the game’s only goal.

East Bank Gunners will meet Manchester in the first semi-final. Manchester after a goalless game against Spartans won the penalty shootout 1-0 and returned in the final game of the night against arch-rivals Corriverton to win 6-0 and book their semi-final berth.

Carlos Mongo was almost unstoppable on his way to scoring a hat-trick while Treod DeGoy scored a double and Keon Gravesande accounted for the other goal.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Benn dropped from West Indies squad ahead of 2nd Test

BBenn has been dropped from the 14-man West Indies squad that will take on England in the second Test at the Grenada

Tuesday.

Benn, who had a miserable first Test, has been replaced by Trinidad & Tobago fast bowler Shannon

Gabriel.

It was no surprise that the selectors opted to leave out the Bajan spinner who sent down 26 wicket-less overs for 85 runs in England’s first innings.

Despite picking up two wickets in the second innings, Benn conceded 115 runs in another 26 overs and the selectors felt his slow left arm will not have an im-

Bolt wins 100m in Rio but unhappy with performance

Usain Bolt cruised to victory in a sprint challenge on Sunday but the Jamaican world record holder declared himself unhappy with his performance in his first 100 metres of the season.

Bolt pulled away from Ryan Bailey over the last 30 metres to finish in 10.12 seconds, 0.12 seconds clear of the American Olympian.

Brazilian Jose Carlos Moreira was third in 10.51 and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands was fourth in 10.53.

“I think it was poor execution overall,” Bolt said. “I am sure my coach isn’t going to be too happy. The good thing is that I won.”

The race, at Rio de Janeiro’s horse-racing track in specially assembled lanes, was literally a walk in the park for the six-time Olympic gold medal winner.

With the iconic statute of Christ the Redeemer behind him, Bolt clowned around on the starting line but was more serious in his post-race assessment.

“Overall I didn’t feel myself, but I think it is just lack of races, he said. “It will take time for me to get back to my best so I just need to run more and I’ll be OK.”

“This is always my first race of the season so it is not going to be as fast as every-

one wants it to be.”

The race was his third ‘Mano a Mano’ challenge in Rio, the city that will host the 2016 Olympics.

Bolt, who won gold in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay in both Beijing and London, hopes to complete another Olympic triple gold in Brazil and he has come to the city four times to acclimatise.

He is next scheduled to race in the World Relays in the Bahamas on May 2-3.

In the women’s challenge, Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown won her first 100m race of the season in 11.04.

The two-time Olympic sprint champion easily beat

“I’m pleased,” CampbellBrown said. “Athletes always want to go faster but I understand that it is my first 100m race of the season and it is not a bad way to start.”

Richard Browne won the paraolympic challenge that was marred by the withdrawal of local hero Alan Fonteles.

Fonteles, who rose to fame by beating Oscar Pistorius to the 200m gold in London, pulled out because of problems with his prosthetic leg. (Reuters)

pact in the Grenada Test.

Benn’s omission could mean that right arm leg spinner Davendra Bishoo could get into the final 11, however, the selectors could include Gabriel, who picked up thirteen wickets in six matches in the recently concluded WICB Professional Cricket League.

In the meantime, head coach Phil Simmons had high praises for the team following their fightback against England to draw the first Test.

“We saw a really good display on the final day, which earned us a draw. It was a tough situation, but Jason Holder played really well to get his first Test century and we also saw a courageous effort from the captain (Denesh Ramdin) and Kemar Roach at the end. We had some good moments in the first match and as a team we will look to improve when we play the second Test. We believe we can win, and we will play to win. We know the areas where we need to improve and what is required to win.”

(Digicel SportsMax)

“Greatest of the Streets” action during the Berbice quarter-finals on Saturday

U.S. Olympian Carmelita Jeter (11.19), Jamaican Kerron Stewart (11.30) and Brazil’s Antonia Rosa (11.59).

arbadian left-arm spinner Sulieman

National stadium starting on

Sulieman Benn

Usain Bolt wins the “Mano a Mano” challenge

GOA rewards major contributors to sport for 2014

By TreisTon Joseph

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) held its annual award ceremony to honour the persons who have contribut-

Sport and Art 2014.

Meanwhile, IOC Committee Member, Sir Austin Sealy delivered the feature address, during which he addressed the history behind the Carifta

ed significantly throughout the year to Olympic Sports.

In the classy setting on Saturday evening at the Georgetown Club, Ian McDonald was given the most prestigious award of the evening in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Trophy of

Games, noting that the IOC dubbed the event the best junior Caribbean event.

Sealy also pointed out that the lateness with which Guyana has gotten its first synthetic track should not make the nation “ashamed”.

He commended Guyana

for the camaraderie shown by the various stakeholders in sports and urged the sponsors and athletes to continue on in good vein.

In his remarks, GOA President KA Juman Yassin, who noted his sadness at the passing of GOA official Shanomae Blackmore, stressed that he would not be critical of the Government.

However, Yassin urged the parties running for election to make known their plans to develop sports in

Guyana.

“I wish to hear from the PPP/C and the Opposition parties about their sport policy and what they will do for our sportsmen and women and our coaches as well,” Yassin stated.

In addition, Yassin revealed that the GOA planned to bring some new initiatives to the fore while pledging that athletes will be receiving scholarships.

Further, Yassin urged the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) to start

utilising the newly-commissioned synthetic track at Leonora less it becomes a white elephant.

GOA Secretary General Hector Edwards presented the annual report of the Association, highlighting some of the high points and challenges. He noted that Blackmore’s passing has left a hole in the GOA.

The award for contribution to sport went to a number of persons: Gokarn Ramdhani (Badminton); Gordon McDavid (Squash);

Stephaney Fraser (Swimming); Howard Bovell (weightlifting); and Michael Baptiste (Table Tennis).

Stabroek News’ Emmerson Campbell was awarded the Sports Journalist of the Year award while Deon Nurse was the GOA Council Member of the Year. Yassin also handed out a few floral arrangements to supportive members of the GOA to end the evening’s proceedings.

Alpha United fall to Central FC 3-1

Sir Austin Sealy delivers the feature address

The awardees pose with GOA officials after the ceremony (Carl Crocker photos)