saturday, june 13, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
saturday, june 13, 2015 |
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, June 12 – 14:00h-15:30h and Saturday, June 13 – 14:30h-16:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, June 12 – 13:05h-14:35h and Saturday, June 13 – 14:05h-15:35h
Ferries will be departing Parika and Supenaam stelling at 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.
Thunderstorms can be expected to prevail throughout the day and into the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres per second.
High Tide: 00:39h and 13:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 06:42h and 19:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.76 metre and 0.78 metre respectively.
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has lashed back at the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s statements that the PetroCaribe Fund was left bankrupt, calling it a clear misrepresentation of the truth.
According to the former administration, contrary to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon’s misrepresentation, no money whatsoever is missing from the PetroCaribe Fund. Even if it was, the fund has limited balances in it, and that does not mean in any way that any money is missing from it.
“As his colleague in the Finance Ministry can no doubt tell him, detailed records exist and can be made public on every single inflow into the Fund and every single outflow from the Fund. These details will account fully for the operations of the fund and can withstand any degree of scrutiny. Put simply, monies are deposited into the fund when Guyana imports oil from Venezuela under the PetroCaribe Arrangement. Those monies are managed by the Bank of Guyana. The monies are utilised for only two purposes; firstly, to fund projects that are included in the National Budget and submitted to Parliament for approval,” the Party said.
It noted that over the years these projects have included the new Guyana Power and Light power plants at Kingston in Georgetown and Vreed-enHoop on the West Coast of Demerara, and the Hope Canal on the East Coast of Demerara, while the funds were utilised to purchase rice and paddy for export to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe Arrangement.
“At any time, the balance available in the fund is the total of all inflows deposited from oil imports, minus sums disbursed on projects and sums disbursed to GRDB (Guyana
Rice Development Board) for rice and paddy purchases. In addition, periodically, Guyana and Venezuela conclude a debt reduction agreement under which Venezuela cancels an amount of PetroCaribe debt previously owed by Guyana and equivalent to the value of rice and paddy shipped in the immediately preceding period,” the previous administration explained.
The Party posited that
while this is indeed clear for all Guyanese to see, Minister of State Joseph Harmon has “deliberately set about to create a misleading impression that somehow, something untoward may have occurred in the management of the fund.”
The PPP/C posited that the plain and simple truth is that “for years the inflows and outflows of the fund were managed optimally and transparently by the PPP/C Government, and within one month the APNU/AFC Government has displayed its incompetence in being unable to manage the fund’s operations properly, resulting in hardship to the rice farmers and millers.”
The statement comes on the backdrop of Minister Harmon stating that the PetroCaribe Fund, which was in place for rice farmers, is bankrupt and the Government will now have to source some US$15 million to pay off rice farmers. According to Harmon, while the current Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, had indicated that the states’ funds were vastly misused, it was an understatement.
To this end, he had noted that the fund was used for projects such as the Hope Canal and others which it should not have been. The Minister noted that the fund was for rice and rice farmers but yet monies,
which were not even there, were used leading to the current state of bankruptcy of that fund.
PetroCaribe is an agreement which is intended to promote trade among member countries, and Guyana has been supplying rice to Venezuela under the initiative. Under the current trade agreement, Guyana is expected to supply 210,000 tons of paddy and polished rice annually to Venezuela. The value of this supply amounts to US$130 million.
“The fact of the matter is based on the very casual and, in some cases, very callous manner in which the previous administration dealt with the proceeds from that arrangement that the fund was almost bankrupt. There is nothing in it. You had been told by the honourable Minister of Finance that there are sums of money that were utilised for the construction of the Hope Canal, among other things. So as it stands right now, the situation with the exports of rice to Venezuela is that we are actually going to have to find approximately US$15 million to basically pay our farmers when they ship the next set of rice to Venezuela,” he disclosed.
In the meantime, Harmon disclosed that the Cabinet has decided to commission a subcommittee which will be tasked at looking at and sourcing markets to accommodate the level of production which is being recorded.
“The money has to be found because we don’t believe that there is no fault on our farmers, but it has to do with the way the previous administration managed that fund. Additionally, the Cabinet approved of the setting up of the subcommittee to examine and to aggressively look at markets for our rice. Based on the current production by October/ November, we will have a great production of rice that the markets available will
not be able to sustain it,” Harmon disclosed. This, he said, will be done by the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Ministries to ensure new markets are found so that the rice can be sold. He further shared that the level of bankruptcy in the fund can also see the payback period significantly decreased.
“The monies that came in, we spent more that came in. It is even grimmer than Mr Jordan had said. It is a very serious situation which we face. The Minister has said that we had a long payback period, but what we have done is reduce the payback period. So if we had 20 or 40 years we may have to pay back in 2015 or 2020,” the Minister of State told media operatives. This was even as he noted that the governance systems in the rice sector are on the agenda to be examined to ensure transparency in appointment of boards and entities in that sector.
In the meantime, Harmon told reporters that with the ongoing investigations into the state agencies, it is definite that persons will be held culpable if found to have acted criminally with the country’s money.
Former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh declined to comment on the matter.
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
There is justification for the high level of criticisms the new Government has been receiving from both political groups and civil society over the past few weeks with respect to the manner in which it is proceeding with managing the affairs of the nation.
Perhaps the most glaring example of the Government acting in a partisan and unilateral manner since it took office in one of the most controversial elections since 1992, is the firing of senior public service officials without any reasonable explanation or justification
Dozens of workers in the Public Sector are being victimised, harassed and dismissed without observing natural justice and due process, and they are being replaced by party loyalists.
These are the same kind of criticisms that were being leveled against the PPP/C Administration by the APNU+AFC while the latter were in Opposition. This is quite unfortunate and sends the wrong signal, as throughout the campaign there were promises that an APNU+AFC Government will seek to govern in the interest of everyone.
What we are seeing at present is the complete opposite of the ‘change’ the APNU+AFC had promised.
President David Granger himself had said that there would be no “witch hunting” of public service employees. Of course there were cases when officers openly supported and campaigned for a particular political party and it is only fair that they tender their resignation.
Our concerns really are about those persons who are being victimized, not because of their inability to function in their field, but mainly because of their perceived political affiliation.
A number of persons whose appointment and or termination are supposed to be through boards have had their appointments terminated through ministers.
Persons are being terminated, not only without notice and without adherence to statutory requirements, but are sent home without their benefits. These persons must take up their cases with the relevant authorities, even if it means going to the courts.
We have also seen cases of Police officers being terminated without the involvement of the Police Service Commission.
Just a few days ago we reported that the Public Service Commission, an independent authority created by the Constitution, just like the Police Service Commission, had been ordered to suspend its work. It was told in writing that it must cease all operations to fill public service vacancies, an important part of its functions.
The Public Service Commission and the Police Service Commission; two important independent constitutional entities, are now openly and publicly being given political directions in terms of “who to hire and who to fire”.
We wish to remind the administration that authorities like the Police Service Commission, the Public Service Commission and Boards were established to ensure distributive power and transparency and to promote accountability. There was a reason for the drafters of the Constitution leaving the politicians out of the process of hiring and firing at such a senior level in the public service.
The manner in which top level positions in the public service is being filled is in stark contrast of the coalition’s promises of inclusivity. While it is the government’s sole prerogative to appoint persons of its choice, we believe that balance cannot be ignored.
The government must show that it is really serious about having all the various groups being adequately represented at the various levels of governance. In essence, everyone must feel that they have a fair chance of benefitting from the opportunities our country offers.
That said, our hope is that the major players in the society which have been largely silent so far will hold the present government accountable for their actions as they have done with the past PPP/C Administration.
Organizations such as the Guyana Trades Union Congress, the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Women Lawyers Association, the Guyana Human Rights Association and others who masquerade as champions of human rights must no longer be conveniently silent.
Dear Editor
Mr David Granger, President of the ruling de-facto administration at the flag raising ceremony held on May 26 at the Independence Arch on Brickdam, declared that the event was organised» to pay homage to the 176 persons killed during that awful year (1964) during the struggle for independence».
Granger went on to add that «it was Theopholous Lee, the first President of the British Guiana Trades Union Council who moved a motion that led to the setting up of the Waddington Commission which in turn resulted in Universal Adult Franchise».
This is gross embellishment of history and its palpable incorrect to bestow on Lee such a glowing but misplaced tribute at an independence anniversary celebration.
Only Granger can say why he chose to situate Lee in that specific historical context, suffice it to say that it is quite obvious to many that some convenient political rationalisation was introduced by Granger to grant historical legitimacy to his statement.
Moreover, one can only assume that since Mr Granger wanted to distance himself from the Burnham/Jagan era, that is why he chose Lee a rather obscure character who at the time could be considered a member of the privileged urban upper middle class who held himself aloof from the rumble and tumble of the independence struggle and preferred to nestle himself in the comforts of the colonial Legislative Council (Legco).
Lee served as a member of the Legco from 1935 to 1953. He joined the PPP in the 1950s and was elected a member of the General Council in 1953 at the Party›s first Congress. So he was a member of the Party and the Legco at the same time.
Soon after the shooting to death of four sugar work-
ers at Enmore in 1948 and the protests that followed, the Waddington Commission visited British Guiana in 1950 and took evidence up to mid1951.
The PPP delegation to the Commission led by its Chairman Forbes Burnham argued for «A unicameral legislature freely elected under Universal Adult Sufferage without any property or literacy qualifications».
Theopholous Lee resigned from the PPP just prior to the 1953 elections «owing to his failure to carry out a Party decision as a member of the Legco”. Moreover, he was among several others who were of the view that the PPP would not win the 1953 elections.
So much for Lee and his contribution, according to Granger, to the setting up of the Waddington Commission and the attainment of Universal Adult Sufferage in the then British Guiana.
As President of the TUC in 1953, Lee did take a stand against the banning by the Colonial powers of Cheddi and Janet Jagan as prohibited immigrants to the British West Indian colonies, but that was while he was a member of the PPP.
One year later, the TUC was disbanded and re-placed by a so-called “free» TUC which had come under the influence and control of reactionary elements.
If Lee did move such a motion as described by Granger it must have been inspired by the fact that he was at the time member of the PPP and considering the confluence of political developments at the time.
According to newspaper reports, Mr Granger at the said Independence Arch activity offered his interpretation of events in the 1962 to 1964 period in our country›s history.
He is reported to have said that that period «saw the gov-
ernment of the day (PPP) employing every devious device including arson and murder to delay elections under the Proportional Representation system.”
Since Mr Granger chose to look backwards both he and the public should be reminded of:
1. The secret PNC terrorist Plan X13. A Police raid on Congress Place, the headquarters of the PNC, brought to light a great deal of arms, other offensive weapons and ammunition, a number of documents, including assassination plots and plans for extensive military training, acids and chemicals for bomb machinery.
2. The two confidential police security reports (August and September 1963) which named the PNC top brass and recommended that charges should be brought against 25 persons for bombings, arson and murders.
3. The statement made on August 17, 1964 by the then Commissioner of Police Peter Owen, which in part read as follows:
The Police are conducting enquires into over 100 murders. These include 22 committed in Georgetown and in which women were bombed in shops and a cinema and children burned in their beds.
“Enquiries so far have revealed that there exists organised thuggery which is centrally directed. A great effort is being made to bring those responsible for the deaths to justice but it in the public interest that law abiding citizens should know what they and the Police are faced with in this country today.”
The Commissioner of Police then swore to an affidavit in which he spoke of: «The subversive and criminal activities of a criminal gang attached to a political party known as the People›s National Congress.»
4. The distribution of handbills inciting violence
against the PPP government such as: Let us not be afraid to STRIKE; Let us not be afraid to be STRUCK; Let us not be afraid to SHOOT; Let us not be afraid to be SHOT; Let us not be afraid of ANYTHING; BECAUSE VICTORY is at hand!
Mr Granger must be reminded how the PNC collaborated with the Central Intelligence Agency to remove the Jagan-led administration from office.
In this regard, an Insight Team of the UK-based Sunday Times on April 16, 1967 in a research article, «How the CIA got rid of Jagan” wrote:
“As coups go, it was not expensive: over five years the CIA paid something over 250,000 pounds for the colony, British Guianan, the result was about 170 dead (note the closeness to Granger›s figure of 176) untold hundreds wounded, roughly ten million pounds worth of damage to the economy and a legacy of racial bitterness.
Mr Granger when speaking of «arson and murder» should have told his audience about the detonators which were found buried in the backyard of Ptolemy Reid, a former Prime Minister of the PNC dictatorship.
The PPP was invited by the APNU to the wreath-laying ceremony, but it declined the invitation.
Now that we know that the plan was to inveigle and entrap the PPP to participate in an event to «pay homage to the 176 persons killed during that awful year (1964)» and to listen to Granger›s crude interpretation of our people›s struggle for Independence as well as the role played by the PPP.
It turned out that it was a correct decision not to participate in the event.
Clement J Rohee General Secretary PPP/C
Dear Editor,
There were lofty and exciting promises made by the APNU/AFC coalition when in opposition, promises that would cause anyone to want to vote for them.
They promised the electorate the sun the moon and the stars, nice, giddying promises to keep anyone in an all time high. As a result we would have reached the state of nirvana where there is only perfect peace and happiness.
They spoke of a Utopian society where the young would get jobs almost overnight - that is within the first 100 days of taking office. The old would receive pensions that are so comfortable that they can take overseas trips and bask in retired splendour.
The Berbice Bridge toll would be lowered, in fact all taxes would be lowered. The value added tax would have been lowered to nothingness and prices kept at a minimum. And last but by no means least, wages and salaries would rise significantly placing us on par with the best of the Caribbean.
But that was all said when they were in the opposition and things suited their aspirations to office. Now that they are in office when the truth hits home, they have realized that these goals are unrealistic to say the least and unattainable at best.
They have backpedaled, gone back on those words of a Utopian lifestyle to statements to the effect that “we would have to review our position”.
We are also burdened with excuses such “millions are missing” as well as “the treasury is empty”. But like I said before these things had no real significance when on the campaign trail, it has now.
You would understand that all of the above factors they lavishly promised represent monies flowing out of the public coffers which would result in a drastic rise in inflation. This the opposition, now turn government, did not envisage.
On the other hand commonsense dictates that more emphasis should be placed on income generating programmes whereby there would be less dependence on the national treasury.
A wise government would increase production in sectors such as forestry, fishing, mining and agriculture, consolidating traditional ones, while broadening the scope of others on the international market. Have value added to our already burgeoning agricultural export products. Seeing rice is doing tremendously well we can have rice cereals among other products.
Diversify some of the traditional agro-based industries and bring in newer projects such as the cut flower industry - this is a huge income earner on the European market. It has the potential to generate lots of income. We have the land we have the agricultural expertise the only thing left is the political will to launch out.
Then there is tourism still in its infancy and has huge potential on the economic success stage. All the Caribbean Islands depend on it, without it they will not survive.
With the country opening up to investors construction industry will boom, we will see builders and construction workers getting jobs as well as the new commercial entities opening up even more avenues for employment.
These are some of the plans and projections already started by the PPP/C which should have seen a continued trend in the developmental goals of the new administration. But these are not the objectives of the new government.
All of those plans policies and what have you came to a screeching halt with APNU’s accession to office. At present we see a party stuck with the difficult task of rewarding party cronies for the dirty work they did in bringing them to power. There is not an inkling of development wise, income gathering programmes.
Hence, I will sum up the whole affair by repeating what I’ve said earlier, that none of the promises made during the election campaign would come to fruition.
Finally, the road we have embarked on would certainly bring this country to ruin, we are in for some bitter days.
Neil Adams
A mischievous claim about internal affairs at the GRA
Dear Editor,
The right of every Guyanese to freedom of expression should always be respected in a democratic society, but to the extent that those views are misleading or victimizing then they should be met with the strongest of condemnations.
As of recent it has been noted that everyone seems to have an opinion on what decisions should be made in relation to the GRA. Even more suprising are the spurious allegations surfacing about what has been going on within the tax agency.
On June 8, a letter which appeared in the Kaieteur News, headlined, “It’s not about witch-hunting”, caught the attention of the GRA because of a rather unfounded allegation made by the writer, J Ward.
According to Ward, “a female staff stationed in the Tax Exemption and Verification Unit of the Guyana Revenue Authority was transferred forthwith because she rightly inquired about a signature on a CG Letter, since that signature differed from the usual signature and no circular was issued to inform staff of such a change”.
The GRA wishes to categorically state that it is unaware of such a scenario and as such unless Mr Ward provides the evidence, then in the GRA’s view his claim which he argues to be a trend of high-handedness, bureaucracy and autocracy, is unsubstantiated.
For the benefit of Mr Ward and the general public, transfers at the GRA are common, but in some
Dear Editor,
In the interest of historical accuracy, and as someone who is acquainted with the subject matter, I would like to comment on Ralph Ramkarran’s feature article on Balram Singh Rai on June 6 and the response penned by Frederick Kissoon on June 9.
First, both writers are expressing their opinions as to whether Rai should or should not receive a national award in recognition for his political contributions to Guyana’s historical development.
I suspect that Mr Rai would care less for such an award. When he departed Guyana in November 1970, in self-imposed exile, a few years after a bitter struggle with Cheddi and Janet Jagan, he noted that “my record is in the public domain for all to see”.
Rai has not commented on Guyanese politics since then. He has resisted attempts to contribute to a biography on his life because he wanted to “avoid even a mere suggestion of historical revisionism and embellishment of his political role”.
Malcolm Harripaul has addressed the inaccuracies in Kissoon’s response. Kissoon’s persistent preoccupation with branding others as “supremacists” will be addressed when time permits.
Two, Ralph Ramkarran provided an unbiased account of Rai’s relationship with the Jagans, except for the statement suggesting that Rai “made an effort at reconciliation with Cheddi Jagan in 1992 but received no response”.
I am unclear as to what Ramkarran meant by “reconciliation” but any correspondence Rai had with
President Jagan would have been regarding his parliamentary pension. The conflict between Rai and the Jagans is well documented and is now part of Guyanese historiography.
Three, Ramkarran raised the issue of the denial of Rai’s parliamentary pension. For the record, the Parliamentary Pensions (President, Parliamentary and Special Offices) Act, Chapter 27:03, enacted in January 1970 by the government, provided for pensions to legislators who were sitting members of the National Assembly on or after May 26, 1966.
The Act also provided for pensions to legislators who had served in 1953 or after and had returned to serve in the Assembly on or after May 26, 1966 (Guyana’s independence), thus providing for former legislative service to be counted for the purposes of computing pensions to qualified legislators.
Balram Singh Rai served as a legislator from 1957 to 1964. He was not a member of the Assembly on May 26, 1966, when the country gained its independence, nor was he a holder of any of the special offices designated in the Act.
Rai therefore, did not qualify for a pension under the Act, as it was written. He is the only legislator in this predicament. The laws can be changed to make this accommodation for a citizen who served his country.
Rai was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1957 when his main challenger was his Buxtonian friend Sydney King, now elder statesman, Eusi Kwayana, to represent the Central Demerara electoral constituency.
Between 1959 and 1961,
Rai was the Minister of Community Development and Education, and between 1961 and 1962, he was Guyana’s first Minister of Home Affairs.
Born on February 8, 1921 in the East Coast Demerara village of Beterverwagting, at the ripe age of 94, Rai is currently in ailing health, walks with a cane and lives in Ealing, London.
Rai had written to every President since his departure from Guyana regarding his pension. One would have thought that Cheddi Jagan, whose administration he served, would have been more responsive.
However, despite writing to Cheddi Jagan several times after 1992, the first letter being sent on January 4, 1993, no response was forthcoming from President Jagan, who insisted that Rai withdrew his allegations of fraud in the April 1962 PPP General Council Election. Finally, since Ralph has revived the issue of Rai’s parliamentary pension, I would issue a personal challenge to him.
As a former Speaker of the National Assembly and as a Senior Council widely accepted as one blessed with the finest legal minds in the country, he is in a unique position to lobby his influence his parliamentary colleagues to pursue legislative action that would make it possible for Rai to receive his long overdue parliamentary pension.
By doing so, Ralph would be making a tremendous contribution towards natural and social justice on behalf of an “iconic political figure” in Guyana’s political history.
Baytoram Ramharack
departments such as Tax Exemption Verification and Processing interventions are made that will seek to prevent the likelihood of collusion between the GRA and the taxpaying public.
Moreover, the GRA has in place an official Grievance Policy for staff seeking any kind of redress and implores its employees to utilize it rather than leak out confidential information or slandering the Agency.
In accordance with its Standard Operational Procedures, employees of the GRA are fully aware of the chain of command they must follow when disputing any disciplinary action or intervention to which they are subjected.
Guyana Revenue Authority
Life is man’s most valuable possession, and next in order of value is health. Without health, life is deprived not only of much, if not all, of its usefulness, but also of its joys and pleasures.
In order for this to maintain; he or she needs to practice at least some out of the many different types of ‘YOGA ASANAS’.
Submitted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)
mind. In asanas, the body is subjected to different stretches, bends, twist, inversions, and strains. In asanas various muscles are strengthened and functioning and efficiency of the internal organs is improved.
rightfully states that “True yoga is not about the shape of your BODY, but the shape of your LIFE. Yoga is not to be PERFORMED; yoga is to be LIVED. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have BEEN; yoga cares about the person you are BECOMING.
Yoga asanas simply meaning yoga postures are more than stretching as they open energy channels, purifies, and strengthens the body.
Asanas also helps to keep a focus, and a clear
During the practicing of yoga asanas, one needs a lot of skills in trying to relax the muscles and different parts under stress during the practice. This is the strengthening of body – mind relationship. Without these three essentials: asanas, awareness of body and awareness of breathing, you will not be performing yoga, but only a mare stretch. In Yoga asanas, you try and connect the mind to the body. As Aadil Palkhivala
Yoga is designed for a vast and profound PURPOSE, and for it to be truly called yoga, its ESSENCE must be embodied”.
As for the past few weeks, yoga sensation for the nation has been providing you with some of the different types of asanas. Today we would like to introduce to you a NEW, yoga asana.
Steps
Utthita parsvakonasana (extented side angle pose)
This asana is usually in two parts, facing the left and then the right.
1. Begin standing tall and straight. Step feet apart, having a three feet distance between them.
2. Turn the right foot to the right, and the left foot slightly in.
3. Bend right knee at 90 degree angle so the right thigh is parallel to the floor.
4. Inhale and turn your body towards right, so your right hand can touch the floor by placing the hand to the next to the right foot and simultaneously, raise your left hand towards the ceiling in such a way that the left leg, left hip, and left arm are in one line.
5. Breathe and hold the position for 3 – 6 breaths.
6. Exhale and repeat the same with the other leg.
Benefits Opens the side of the body from feet to fingers.
1. Energizes the body and strengthens abdominals, legs, knees and ankles.
2. Stretches hips, groins, and hamstrings.
Hope this week yoga sensation for the nation benefits you in every possible way.
Keep reading for more new, and exciting yoga asanas, benefits, and more information about yoga.
Education Minister
Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has committed the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change Government towards working closely with the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School to upgrade the accreditation of its Ab-Initio Programme to an associate degree level.
Dr Roopnaraine met with the Chief Executive Officer of the School, Captain Malcolm Chan-a-Sue, and its Executive Manager, Nalini Chanderban, on Wednesday to discuss the accreditation status of the
school’s Ab-Initio program.
He indicated his willingness to assist in the facilitation of the institution’s accreditation process and as such, has committed to having the National Accreditation Council of Guyana work with the aeronautical engineering school to have its completion certificate made equivalent to an associate degree.
This school, under the leadership of Captain Chan-a-Sue and management of Nalini Chanderban is certified and approved by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, the
Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Suriname, and the Caricom arm of Aviation, Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Systems. It is also certificated under the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards.
The Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School will continue to work with the University of Guyana and the National Accreditation Council to have its programme used as a prerequisite for a degree in Aviation Maintenance.
After about two weeks of frequent heavy rainfall, the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) has risen to threatening levels which may necessitate the release of water to additional outlets.
At present, the levels are 58.25 Georgetown Datum (GD) at Flagstaff, 57.70 GD at Lama and 54.85 GD at Land of Canaan which is above the full supply level of 57.50 GD. The height of the Conservancy Dam is 59 GD.
As a last resort, the Commission of the EDWC will take a decision to have controlled release of water through the Mahaica Creek, via the Lama and Maduni outlets, so as to ensure the integrity of the EDWC Dams. However, excess water continues to be evacuated from the EDWC intro the Demerara River via the five-door Sluice at Land of Canaan and outlets at Kofi and Cunha Sluices. Releases from these outlets remain the first choice. To date,
there have been no breaches and overtopping of the dams. However, The Agriculture Ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is considering other options before doing so.
In this regard, the NDIA is currently putting measures in place to commence operational testing of the EDWC Northern Relief Channel at Hope/Dochfour by conducting initial control releases
through the channel. This will commence at 06:00h today. This will serve as one option to discharge water which will aid in bringing the EDWC water level down and creating safer free board levels. The NDIA will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the integrity of the EDWC Dams is kept intact and to ensure the livelihood of farmers in the Mahaica-Mahaicony areas.
GWI partners with Vlissengen Road businesses for “Clean-Up” activity
Guyana Water Inc (GWI) says it will be hosting a “Clean-Up” activity along Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, between Church and Lamaha Streets, today June 13. This exercise is meant to be part of the nationwide campaign to promote maintaining a healthy environment.
GWI said all businesses along Vlissengen Road have been invited to partner with the entity and join with the nation in promoting environmental awareness and improving public health. GWI has scheduled this activity for this Saturday from 07:00h at GWI’s Corporate
Complex, Vlissengen Road, Bel Air Park. We are seeking your assistance in highlighting this event. For more information contact GWI’s Public Relations Department on 691-0718 or via e-mail address pro@gwi.gy, a release from GWI stated.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan confirmed that the Office of the Auditor General, who is the official financial watchdog of Government finances, will not be having a role in the forensic audits being commissioned by the Government into 30-plus state agencies.
An accredited accountant, who asked not to be named, told the Guyana Times that it was standard practice for the Office of the Auditor General to subcontract local firms to carry out periodic audits of various state entities on their behalf. This practice, in itself, renders any firm which has previously been engaged as auditor for a particular agency as ineligible to undertake a forensic audit on the same agency.
Jordan, on the other hand, explained that he had discussions with Auditor General Deodat Sharma and they both agreed that the Audit Office should not conduct the State Forensic Audits.
“We had discussions with the Auditor General and he said no problem. He will conduct his regular audits. One
of the issues we raised is not to overburden the Office of the Auditor General,” the Minister justified.
Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma, who is the coordinator of these audits, also noted that the Government did not want to unnecessarily add to the workload of the Audit Office.
“Right now the Auditor General is in receipt of Appropriation Accounts and he will be doing his work… we, on the other hand, have to do our work. Our work is going to be that, as a new Government, we need to know what is happening internally within the Ministries… we have looked at the Auditor General’s reports and his last audit was not made public yet and it is still with the Speaker… so if you are going to burden the Audit Office with this forensic audit, he will fail to reach his deadline… so it would be unfair to the Audit Office to give them additional work. This work is for internal purpose,” he said. Efforts to contact the Auditor General proved futile.
Private independent firms such as Ram and McRae, Hinds and Associates, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, among others, have been contracted by the government to begin the audits into the operations and transactions of 30 plus agencies, including the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Guyana Gold Board (GCB); and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
Both Christopher Ram and Goolsarran were staunch critics of the previous Administration and had publicly commented on the financial status of a number
of the agencies being audited.
Many have argued that this presents a clear conflict of interest and bias and could destroy the credibility of the work contracted to do.
But Minister Sharma sought to assure that the findings cannot be tampered with or distorted on the grounds that the auditors are “professionals and will not let their personal interests ... get in the way of their work”.
He maintained that the accountants selected were certified individuals who have a code of ethics to follow and will not risk losing their licences for the sake of satisfying their personal biases.
International community
Meanwhile, Sharma had disclosed that one of the reasons why the Government is commissioning audits into several state agencies was to satisfy the demands of the donor agencies and the international community.
He explained that before the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition got into Government,
the international community indicated several expectations it had of the new Government. “The demands for this new Administration are a lot. We have to fulfil these demands, in areas of accountability and transparency… We aren’t doing this because we want to spend money or we want to witchhunt anybody … it’s a demand and request from these agencies that transparency and accountability must be available,” he noted.
He added that if the Government did not perform the financial audits, it would not have the financial support of the international bodies.
This statement was received with expressions of great incredulity by members of the local business and financial community when it was published one day ago by the newspaper. One claimed that it appeared that Guyana was now being “re-colonised” after just celebrating its independence with great fanfare.
Jordan’s somersault Finance Minister Jordan, however, attempted to backtrack from his Junior Minister’s statement and explained that the international community did not actually demand the forensic audits, but they did throw their support behind the initiative.
He said the APNU+AFC coalition had discussions with members of the international community, including the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – to name a few, and they all spoke of the need for accountability and transparency.
Apocryphal or not, the story is told that after making himself Executive President of our Republic, Forbes Burnham approached the Board of Queens College – his alma mater – and asked them to rename the school “President’s College”. After all, he told them, Guyana doesn’t have the Queen as her top Executive – but a President. That he, Burnham, was the President when the request was being made, was purely coincidental. It was the principle of the thing.
For some obscure reason, the Queens Board, we’re told, didn’t accept the suggestion from its rather illustrious alumni. And as was his wont since his days in the same school, Burnham decided to get even. Just like how he made his uppity coloured middle class tormentors at Queens – now in the Civil Service – do manual labour at Hope Estate, he’d bring down Queens a peg or two. Burnham understood that revenge is best served cold.
And so it came to pass that, uniquely, President’s College was formed by a special statute. It was going to be THE school of excellence. And how would he do that? Well...like the British Grammar schools on which Queens was modelled, President’s was going to be residential. Closer to the ideal than Queens!!
Then there was going to be money for all sorts of programmes, like music and art – not to forget agriculture – to impart the ethos of the British landed gentry to the student body – the very top performers at the Common Entrance. Problem was, most of these top students still bypassed President’s for Queens. But the top heavy budget was kept in place so that by 1992, President’s College was receiving a larger subvention that all the other Secondary Schools combined!
But sadly its achievements never did ever match those of Queens. Since 1992, there’s no question that Presidents continued its deterioration. Facing the reality that most top coastland Grade Six students just didn’t want to attend President’s...or maybe any boarding school for that matter – the Government decided to have the top hinterland students utilise that facility.
But the newly minted Minister of Education (himself an alumni of Queens and, like Burnham, a Guyana Scholar) just announced that his Government will be returning President’s to its long hoped-for-glory. However, a couple of years ago, the previous Administration had outlined a more egalitarian policy in which ALL the high schools were going to be brought up to the level of Queens and the other “premier” schools in Georgetown.
In launching an upgrade of President’s, is the new government starting the equalisation of the high schools, or returning to the old elitism?
Reviewing the results of the just released NGSA results, your Eyewitness’ struck by the success of the private schools. But ironically, the private schools with the best results are run by individuals who only recently were in Government schools – and producing the same excellent results.
Clearly then it’s not just that private schools have more resources but that they have teachers who’ve found a way to “beat the system”. After all, exams like the NGSA and its predecessor, the Common Entrance, are tailor made for rote-learning and teaching-to-the-test methodologies.
If the Ministry and the Minister were to conduct even the most cursory examination of the more “successful” schools they’d find pupils being drilled with handouts, past papers, cram sheets etc – and very little “teaching” of the curriculum.
So your Eyewitness suggests that the old idea to bring up all secondary schools to snuff be pursued forthwith. And there won’t be the present, stultifying rat race to get kids into the “top” schools.
OK. We know those excitable Venezuelans are rattling sabres on our western front. But isn’t appointing former heads of the Army, Police and navy to advise our President – who’s also a former head of the Army – a bit of overkill?
BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND
Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister
Sdyney Allicock has denied that he will not be able to amply represent the views and positions of Guyana’s Amerindian population after he was stripped of his voting rights and appointed a Technocrat Minister by President David Granger in the legislature.
Even though Allicock will become a Member of the Eleventh Parliament, he will not be able to vote on legislation or Bills when they are brought to the House, as he was appointed a non-elected member even though he represents Guyana’s first people and a very important constituency in the demographics here.
The former ruling party, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), has already challenged the Government’s decision to appoint Allicock, and two others, as Technocrat Ministers deeming the move by Clerk of the National Assembly to administer the oath of office to them as illegal.
However, the Minister told the Guyana Times that despite him not having any voting rights, he will be able to effectively and adequately represent the country’s indigenous people as he has a team as well as the support of his Government to development the lives of Amerindians across the country. “We would be working together with the people themselves, Ministers within the Government and the President too, who has a very good vision for the country,” he stated.
The Minister added too that having the ability to vote in the National Assembly does not in any
way enhance or take away from his vision and commitment to the enhance the livelihood of his people. “I will still do whatever I have to ensure that Amerindians have all the support of this Government,” he declared.
In addition, Allicock said now that he is settled in to his post as Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, he intends to kick-start his work. According to the Minister, some of his immediate priorities include the hosting of Village Elections and the National Toschao’s Council conference. “When that is settled, we will look at the communities – their plans and work with them to development their immediate needs. Of course we have the budget to work on and then will be move onto the land issues and other matters that the Amerindians face,” he mentioned.
The Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister further stated that skills training and education enhancement are two areas that he will be focusing on which will serve as an “academic, economic and social upliftment” for Amerindians across the country.
Meanwhile, Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, when asked the rationale behind Government’s decision to appoint the
Indigenous People’s Minister as a Technocrat Member of Parliament, defended the move. She noted that there is nothing wrong with him being a Technocrat Minister. Ally further pointed out that Allicock is also a Vice President stating that his role is recognised largely and widely.
The Minister of Social Cohesion believes that without any voting rights, Allicock will nevertheless be able to adequately represent Amerindians. “He is going to be participating in all activities and making representations for people. The only thing is that he is not a voting member,” she posited.
On the other hand, Health Minister Dr George Norton also shared the same views as his Cabinet colleagues. He outlined that having the power to vote would have definitely added to him being in a better position to represent Amerindians. However, Norton highlighted that Allicock has always been an Indigenous People’s Rights advocate and has done so exceedingly well in the past without being a Member of Parliament. “Now, not only is he a Minister but a Vice President, and that should certainly enhance that position that he is in.
Furthermore, Dr Norton explained that for a very long time the Amerindian Minister was the only Amerindian in Parliament. On this note, he commended the previous PPP/C administration for appointing former Minister Desiree Fox, an Amerindian, as Education Minister. “I remembered when she came to Parliament, I commended them because I thought gone are the days when the only Amerindian in Parliament is the Minister of Amerindian Affairs,” he remarked.
The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) is reporting that three months after the launch of its enhanced Internet service, over 60 per cent of its customers are now experiencing the fastest and most affordable Internet in Guyana.
In a release to the media on Friday, GT&T said its Internet customers were automatically upgraded to speeds as much as five times that which they previously used for the exact same price.
“Customer feedback has
been extremely positive, with customers indicating that they are indeed experiencing the speeds that were promised and are excited about all the things they can now do more efficiently on the high speed Internet network”, the release said.
It noted that service to current GT&T Internet customers was and continues to be automatically upgraded.
“The services are being offered to both residential and business customers and are being sold in packages of Bronze, Silver and Gold within the speed range
– Nagamootoo sworn in as Acting President
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was, on Friday morning, sworn in as Acting President by the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh.
President David Granger has departed for the United States, and Prime Minister Nagamootoo will be performing the duties that fall under the purview of the President until His Excellency returns to Guyana. (GINA excerpt)
of 1.5 Mbps to 10Mbps. Free telephone filters are also provided for our customers with the aim of aiding in the experience of maximum speeds”, the release stated.
GT&T said too that for a small amount of customers that do not qualify for higher speeds because of where their homes are located, they have been receiving 50 per cent price reductions on their current plans.
The roll out continues ahead of schedule with plans of completion by the end of June 2015.
Paul Bhim and Errol Hanoman, the two directors who were retained by the Government to sit on the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Interim Board after Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raj Singh was asked by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to tender his resignation, will continue to head the sugar corporation.
The disclosure was made on Thursday morning by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and was later substantiated by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on Thursday evening.
According to Harmon, the Cabinet was briefed by Minister Holder on the situation at GuySuCo and it was satisfied, that the arrangements involving the recently set up Interim Management Committee was having a positive impact on the industry. “Cabinet was briefed that the workers had been consulted; that the workers’ representatives, that is to say the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) and the NAACIE (National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees); that the unions had been consulted and that the intention is to ensure that the way forward is crafted with the representatives of the workers as well as management being involved in that process. Cabinet was also giv-
en the assurance that there are sufficient funds in the Corporation to meet the wages bill for at least another two weeks,” he said.
In the meantime, the Agriculture Minister said that the only two members thus far on the Board, managing the operations of GuySuCo, were Hanoman and Bhim. He noted that this was expected to continue since the men were so far, doing a good job.
The David Grangerled administration on last Wednesday terminated the CEO of GuySuCo, Dr Raj Singh, with immediate effect and instructed the members of the Board to tender their resignations. A statement from the Government had read that GuySuCo has been suffering increased losses over the years, noting that in 2014, the sugar corporation received a $6 bil-
lion bailout. For this year, the corporation has requested a $16 billion bailout package.
The Board was chaired by former Government Minister Shaik Baksh and included Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Linden Enterprise Network; Dr Dindyal Permaul, CEO, Guyana Livestock Development Authority; Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman, Board of Directors, Guyana Office for Investment; Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil Company; Geeta SinghKnight, and Dr Raj Singh who sat on the Board as an ex-officio member.
Way forward
According to the Government, over the years GuySuCo has been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at
the financial and production levels”. It said to ensure that the corporation continues to survive, the Government will be putting in place an Interim Management Committee which will oversee the corporation for at least six months.
Two weeks ago, GuySuCo
reportedly told workers’ unions - GAWU and NAACIE - that it was unable to pay sugar workers for the month of May. The news got worse when reports surfaced that the already cash-strapped entity had failed to account for some $154 million of employees’ credit union savings owed to GAWU.
GuySuCo had then received the sum of $400 million from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica. As part of that loan arrangement, the bank holds GuySuCo’s receivables from the sale of sugar.
While President David Granger has persistently pledged his support for the sugar industry, he has been critical of the management of the corporation. During a recent interview with this publication, he said his
Government will soon be making critical decisions that will put the industry on “a sound footing”. Granger had in the past called for the privatisation of the industry, but of recent he has floated the commissioning of an intense investigation into the operations of the industry, particularly since there have been numerous reports of workers not turning up for work, among other things.
“We’ve been calling for a turnaround plan. We were asked from time to time for subventions, but we had asked them (the former Government) in turn what was the plan to make the industry viable…that is the stage where we are at now… to ensure that the industry doesn’t collapse and the means of financing are identified,” the President continued.
Business and Investment Minister
Dominic Gaskin says he intends to re-examine, fine-tune and ultimately reshape Guyana’s largest Trade and Investment Exposition, GuyExpo.
During an interview with the Guyana Times, Gaskin said he is in the process of having discussions with various stakeholders about the
operations and continuity of the GuyExpo. He believes that much work needs to be done to ensure GuyExpo serves its purpose in the content of the Ministry under which it falls.
“If you were to tell me for instance that once a year we should have a big party in front of Sophia, then I will say to you, we are achieving that objective. But if you say to me then look, this is supposed to be a serious trade fair where we bring international business persons to Guyana in order to showcase what we have to offer, then I would want to see actual results and evidence that this is actually happening,” Gaskin explained.
The Minister indicated that there is not much infor-
these things and we need to know what the Ministry can do to make GuyExpo more impactful. We need to decide
fair is actually impactful to the local business community. Gaskin noted that if it is concluded that GuyExpo does not attract more clients or increase the sales of businesses, then the event may have to come to an end or transferred to another Ministry. “If the purpose it is serving is entertainment, then it should be handled by another Ministry. My focus, my Ministry’s focus, is on business and not entertainment…,” he explained.
Last year, some ten countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, India, the United States of America, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, French Guiana and Suriname, all participated in the trade fair. The event also attracted some
mation to measure the success of GuyExpo and to determine if the trade fair is actually executing its mandate. He said the Ministry needs to have reliable data available to assess whether or not businesses are benefitting from GuyExpo, or if the event is now just solely an entertainment event. “We need reliable data on
what the focus of GuyExpo is. Every event should serve its purpose and we have to determine what the purpose of GuyExpo should be,” he said.
The Minister noted that, while he currently has no intentions of brining a halt to the national event, he has to make a decision on whether or not the trade
100,000 persons from across the country and neighbouring countries.
Gaskin indicated that there is no doubt GuyExpo is a success but his concerns lie on whether these participating entities benefit from the initiative and to what extent the trade fair improves their businesses.
By Michael younge
Press and Publicity
Officer attached to the Office of the President now Ministry of the Presidency, Kwame McCoy has been dismissed by Government even though the officer is still on medical leave after receiving serious injuries from an attack which occurred on Election Day, May 11 this year.
This followed McCoy having to be rescued by then Opposition Leader, now President David Granger and Minister of State Joseph Harmon from a belligerent mob at a polling station at St Sidwell’s Primary School in Georgetown while he was performing his duties on behalf of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Election Day.
After the two A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) officials left the scene and Mc Coy was being driven away, missiles were thrown by supporters of APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition at McCoy which connected with his mouth and other parts of his face. He suffered lacerations and serious injuries to those body parts, and is now wearing a metal bracer in his mouth. He was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital and his injuries were clear in a photo published in this newspaper.
The letter, written and signed by Harmon, who is
also Head of the Presidential Secretariat, was dated June 8, 2015.
It stated that McCoy was being dismissed for not reporting for duty since May 12, 2015.
“Your dismissal will take effect from 31 May 2015. As a result of your dismissal, all of your emoluments are forfeited,” the correspondence said.
“Vexatious” McCoy in response to Harmon’s letter acknowledged its receipt, but reminded the Minister that he was injured and hospitalised since May 11, 2015.
“…and a message about my hospitalisation was communicated to the Office of the President and subsequently two weeks’ sick leave certificates were delivered to the Personnel Department covering an initial seven days and a subse-
Gizmos and Gadgets says it is changing the way retail customers are treated by introducing its no Hassle Return Policy.
In a release to the media, the company said customers can purchase any product from the Gizmos and Gadgets Super Store and they will be automatically entered into our VIC (Very Important Customer) Club Programme.
“With this you will have 14 days to return any product for a refund, in a process that would take no more than 10 minutes. Another great feature of this game changing no hassle return policy is that you don’t need your receipt to make the return,” the release said.
Meanwhile, the company’s CEO, Ravi Mangar, stated that the aim behind the change in policy is aimed at boosting the customer
service experience and lifting the standards in Guyana as far as the business of retailing is concerned.
“We at Gizmos have taken this step because we believe in the high quality of our products. We also know that customers’ minds can change for various reasons after they have purchased products and a customer shouldn’t be hassled for changing their mind,” he was quoted as saying.
He also said that the company decided to roll out this promotion now so in the event that fathers wanted to return their gifts for someone else or for cash back, they would be able to do so hassle free.
Gizmos and Gadgets will be working closely with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards during the implementation of this programme.
quent 28 days,” McCoy said.
He also advised Harmon that his sick leave ends on June 16, 2015.
“I, therefore, ask that you review your position as my circumstances do make me eligible for benefits,” McCoy appealed in his response.
He also advised Harmon that he was sending a copy of his response to the Head of the PPP/C Transition Group.
When contacted by Guyana Times on Friday, McCoy said that he felt that he was being targeted and victimised.
“Mr Harmon and the Administration at the Office of the President are fully aware of my situation. This dismissal letter is un-
fair, null and void and vexatious,” he argued.
He said that he was concerned that all of his benefits were ripped away despite him upholding the tenets of his contract.
Efforts to contact Minister Harmon for a comment proved futile.
So far, several Government functionaries, officials and Permanent Secretaries have been dismissed after the new Administration came into power.
This is despite the fact that President Granger said that there would be no witch-hunting and his Government was not interested in settling political scores.
The Guyana Police Force revealed that 45 road fatalities from 36 accidents were recorded at the end of May 2015. Pedestrians have been the main category of road users affected so far in road fatalities, with 16 such persons having lost their lives at the end of May 2015.
In addition four pedal cyclists, 13 persons in motor vehicles, four motor cyclists and eight drivers also lost their lives. Speeding has been the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of the 16 deaths that occurred by the end of May2015.
In addition, the Police stated that a total of 21,170 cases were being made against errant motorists at the end of May 2015. Of this amount, 8214 cases were for speeding, 607 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 276 for using cell phone while driving, and 602 were for failing to wear seat belt.
To date, there has been one road fatality for June 2015, compared to the seven for the same period last year.
The present rainy season, the Police stated, has resulted in puddles on the roadways where motorists have driven into them, splashing water on pedestrians and other road users, then driving away without any consideration for the persons affected. Motorists are urged to show some courtesy and consideration for other road users in this regard, while at the same time they are advised that such actions constitute a breach of the law under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02. The Act states that “if any person drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road, he shall be guilty of an offence.”
saturday, june 13, 2015
The Guyana Police Force on Friday disclosed that it has recorded a 10 per cent increase in serious crimes at the end of May when compared to the same period in 2014.
Among the serious crimes monitored by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.
However, the Police in
the recent statistics revealed that a total of 66 murders were recorded at the end of May, in comparison to 59 murders at the end of May 2014 which saw a 12 per cent increase.
Unto the eleventh day of June, eight murders have been recorded compared to six for the same period in June 2014. Also, the Police stated that at the end of May 2015, robbery under arms overall has decreased by eight per cent, in comparison to the same period in 2014.
The statistics released by the Police also indicated a decrease of nine per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a six per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
Unto the end of May this year, a total of 50 illegal firearms have been recovered by the Police comprising 31 pistols, 10 revolvers, three shotguns, five rifles and one pen-gun.
The Police are however urging members of the
public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious person(s) who they may observe lurking in their neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, the Police also highlighted that they are continuing investigations in a number of murders that occurred during a period of time.
So far, there has been no arrest into the murder of Alicia McPherson, 17, who was fatally stabbed at B Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on April 19 during a confrontation with her boyfriend. The suspect has since been on the run and the Police have issued a wanted bulletin for his arrest.
Also, there has been no arrest for the murder of Shawn Anys of Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, who was shot and killed during an armed robbery at his home on May 1. Police had questioned several persons but they were subsequently released.
In addition, the Police are continuing their investigation into the murder of Sherwin Barrow, 19, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was shot and killed during an argument with two men at Warlock, East Ruimveldt on May 6. A man was arrested but later released after questioning.
Further, the Force added that investigations are ongoing with respect to the murder of Indian national Amendria Singh which occurred at his home at D’Aguiar Park, East Bank Demerara, on May 26. The suspect in this matter is hospitalised and under Police guard.
Finally, the Police stated that five men have been arrested and questioned for the murdered of Chandroutie Persaud of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara whose body was found in her home on May 23 with her mouth gagged and hands tied.
Residents of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) and Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) are demanding an explanation from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc regarding the constant blackouts they have been receiving for the past few weeks, which have resulted in them losing thousands of dollars worth of goods and appliances.
In Region Seven, particularly in Bartica, residents explained that they are at their wits’ end with the spate of blackouts over the past few weeks.
One resident, Sanjay Rampersaud noted that the entire community experienced power outages for three consecutive days and then, when the electricity did return on the fourth day, it lasted for only a few hours.
the situation.
“We need to know when this gonna end. If I stock up on the meat to sell, it won’t make sense cause it gonna spoil. If I don’t stock up, then I losing sales. So how I gonna make me living? Plus in my home, my wife got to throw out nuff food, the clothes can’t iron to take my children to school. How they want we live,” he vented.
Over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), residents are enduring similar problems as they battle everyday with the constant power outages. Their situation is compounded by occurrences of low voltage which resulted in many residents suffering damages to their appliances and the destruction of fluorescent lamps.
“This is nonsense, we are in the 21st century and we are experiencing this. Not only is it a nuisance but it’s costing us a lot of money, now who is going to compensate us? No one will and then at the end of it all, we have to pay all this money to GPL, for what?” he expressed.
In his household, Rampersaud said his family had to throw out a significant amount of spoilt food and in addition, several appliances were damaged.
Another resident who appeared to be boiling in anger told this publication that his computer equipment was damaged, as he complained of the high cost involved in repairing them.
Businesses in Bartica have also expressed grave concern over the situation as they wonder why the authorities are yet to give them an explanation for
Local entrepreneurs are also left to count their losses in terms of meat and dairy products. A Golden Fleece resident vented her frustration over the incident, as she too seeks answers regarding the situation.
“We have blackout all day: it cuts off from 06:00 in the morning and usually comes on around 06:00 in the evening, when this happens the lights refuse to come on and when it does, it blinks like fairy lights,” she noted.
Residents there argued that they are paying their bills and as such reliable service should be given.
Residents of Regions Seven and Two are now left to wonder when the power outages will end and how much more money will they be losing along the way.
Efforts to contact GPL for a comment on the situation proved futile.
Daniel Agularia, Toshao of Marawnow, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) was reportedly arrested in connection with the death of 60-year-old Nash John, whose body was found in close proximity of his residence on Wednesday morning. According to information received, the Toshao was reported under the influence of alcohol while driving the village council’s vehicle and might have run over the elderly man who was lying
on the roadway, also in a drunken state.
A source in the area told Guyana Times that on the morning of the incident, Agularia was dropping home someone when he ran over John who was in front of his residence. At that point in time, he did not render assistance and the man was left to die.
The source explained that after the man’s body was found, someone in the area came forward and reported the matter to the
Police. The Toshao was summoned to the Police station where he was questioned and arrested. He is presently at the Aishalton Police Station assisting with the investigations.
The vehicle was also impounded. John’s body was discovered at about 08:00h on Wednesday morning by passersby who contacted the Police. His body was taken to the Lethem Hospital Mortuary where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Recently appointed Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine is expected to outline plans to reform President’s College; a historic school that his Government, while in Opposition, claimed was neglected.
At a press conference on Thursday, where the Ministry announced Solomon Cherai of Success Elementary was the country’s top performer with 530 marks from 535, Dr Roopnaraine disclosed that he will be providing a summary report of how his Ministry will be dealing with President’s College going forward.
While he did not provide any additionally details, the Minister had previously commented that reforms are imminent to revive the secondary school, which he said he wants to see again as a top academic institution in the country.
President’s College was founded by former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham in 1985 with the intention of being one of Guyana’s top schools. Two per cent of the NGSA top pupils, known then as the Secondary School Entrance Examination (SSEE), were supposed to be awarded placement there.
However, over the years, the school’s standard has decreased and is now being used by the Education Ministry as a placement school for students from hinterland regions who have performed exceeding well. They are given residence
placements while students from along the East Coast of Demerara and Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) are awarded non-residence spots at the institution.
During Thursday’s press conference, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, disclosed that as is customary, this year students were awarded both residence and no-residence placements.
“Placements at Presidents College will be awarded to students from Regions One, Two, Five, Six Seven, Eight, Nine and 10, who earned above the cutoff scores to have residency at that institution and that cut-off score this year is 493 marks. (Placements) has also been awarded to students in Region Four and parts of Region Five, who were awarded non-residence at that institution. That has been the practice adopted by the Ministry for the last five years,” the Chief Education Officer noted.
The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had come under a lot of criticisms by the then Opposition for neglecting the school. The People’s National Congress Reform had laid the blame for the condition of the institution at the feet of the PPP/C.
The party had said some two years ago, “It is disgraceful, and a reflection of the approach to education by the PPP/C that the Minister of Education allows this premier school of excellence to show such signs of neglect and abandonment, just as Guyana prepares to observe
Grana and Montero and Sedgman Joint Venture (GSJV) on Friday made several donations to entities that share its goal for a safe, healthy and environmentally sound society.
The joint venture, which prides itself on designing, constructing and operating process plants in a safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable manner and applauding others that do the same, said it recognised that environmental education was an important and core subject for future mining and construction industry employees. It continued that it was only fitting that a contribution be made to entities who share the company’s views on the long-term care and harmonious use of
Education Month 2013”.
However, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand last year had said that even though President’s College was created to be a top school, it no longer functions in that capacity and a new system has been adopted for the placement of students there. She added too that the institution remains one of the top schools on the East Coast of Demerara.
“It is actually serving more persons and more needy students now,” Manickchand had outlined. The former Minister had explained that while the school was on par with Queen’ College, students who got PC or QC had the option of choosing to go to either school and most often, QC was a popular choice. She referenced her own situation whereby she was awarded a spot at PC but opted to go QC instead.
Manickchand noted that this resulted in PC being heavily under populated and expensive to operate, since it was a residential school. Simultaneously, she pointed out that, students in other regions particularly, in the hinterland areas had to suffer because they did not have access to a good school.
As such, she underscored that now that culture is changing as students prefer to stay at schools closer to their homes. The former Minister posited this is so because those schools closer to them are also delivering the same level of education as the top schools.
the environment.
As such, GSJV donated several books to the School of Earth and Environmental Studies (SEES) at the University of Guyana. The joint venture said it was very proud to donate the quantity of books to the SEES.
This branch of the University of Guyana seeks to promote greater environment awareness through its curriculum. It endeavours to reduce damaging environmental impacts from its institutional and/or community practices. The University community promotes conduct that enhances the health and environmental safety of its inhabitants and surroundings. Dr Allyson Stoll, Coordinator of the post-graduate programmes
and SEES, expressed gratitude to GSJV and urged other companies to do the same for the betterment of the University of Guyana and its students.
GSJV also made a few other donations around Georgetown, namely, to the Vector Control Services and the East Bank Cricket Board at the National Stadium. Sedgman is a globally recognised company and is a leading provider of mineral processing and associated infrastructure solutions to the global resources industry. Grana and Montero is a group of 26 engineering and infrastructure service companies, operating in eight countries in Latin America, with more than 46,000 collaborations.
By AhreefA BAcchus
Former Head of the National Toshaos Council, Yvonne Pearson, has been dismissed from her post as the advisor to the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister. Pearson, who has served in the position for over 22 years, was on Friday relieved of duty.
Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, when asked about the rationale behind the decision to dismiss Pearson, stated that the decision to dismiss her was made after a considerable review of the woman’s performance was done. “We have been reviewing the structure of operations and we have come to the agreement that we need to undertake some changes,” Allicock told the Guyana Times during a telephone interview. “We have not seen the expected output during the course of her time in operation, nor have we seen the end result for the funds used,” the Minister explained.
Pearson, who also served as the Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council and has been a vocal representative of the indige-
nous people, slammed the Minister’s reasoning behind the decision to dismiss her from her office. She stated that she is just another victim of witch-hunting by the new Government.
Pearson stated that the Minister’s explanation of the reason for her dismissal was preposterous. “How could he say that I did not perform? What yard stick did he use to measure my performance? He did not give me an opportunity to perform,” Pearson said.
She stated that it is her firm belief that her dismissal is as a result of her openly supporting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the May 11 elections. “It is a total disrespect and disregard to the rights of people as we have the right to support whichever political party we choose. I heard President Granger said that elections are over and that there would not be any witchhunting. I was prepared to work with them for the benefit of the people, but they gave me no choice,” the disappointed Pearson related.
She also lashed out at the way she was made aware of her dismissal stating that she felt as if she was a criminal. She related that on Friday she was summoned and given her dismissal, which stated that it was with immediate effect. “They just handed me the letter as if I am a criminal of some sort because I supported the PPP/C.” Pearson added, “I have no choice; I had to pack my few belongings and leave. I am totally disappointed and hurt because I have been working with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and I have been actively involved in bringing the concerns of the indigenous people to the forefront.”
In response to this devel-
opment, former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai lashed out at this decision stating that it is a blatant disregard to the rights of indigenous people. “Yvonne Pearson is a very long serving and dedicated leader to the Amerindian people and she is well respected for her leadership,” Sukhai stated.
“Any Government that would be dismissive about such expertise is making a big mistake. She was my adviser and I have benefitted from her. She served for 18 years as Head of the National Toshaos Council and was elected for that position by 19 male Toshaos, which speaks of how much she is respected among them.”
Sukhai furthermore expressed her disappointment in the way in which the decision was made in, saying, “She is respected by me as well as across the hinterland. It is a sad day for me that we discard such a leader.” She argued that it was a callous approach where the indigenous people were concerned as it completely disregarded their rights as indigenous people and will discourage other Amerindians from having their freedom of political affiliations.
Acouple was sentenced to three years each in prison after being found guilty of narcotics trafficking by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The duo is 27-year-old Marcie Andrews of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank demerara and 27-year-old Richard Fresco from East La Penitence Georgetown.
They were charged for being in possession of 12.5 grams of cocaine on March 11 while at Cross Street, Georgetown, for the purpose of trafficking.
On their first court appearance on March 13, they were read the charge by Magistrate Fabayo Azore. On that occasion, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne told the court that the Police were on patrol in the area when they observed Fresco throwing a bag in a yard. The Police went in search of the bag and retrieved it. When they inspected the contents of the bag, they became suspicious that it may be a narcotic due to the white substance they found. When tested, this was confirmed.
With this, both of the accused were arrested and charged for the offence and were remanded since bail was refused. On Friday, before Magistrate Azore ruled, she detailed the high points of the trial against the duo. She stated that their arresting officer, Corporal Eastman had testified to seeing Fresco running from the scene with a black bag which was discovered later to contain money.
Another witness had also
testified to seeing the couple through a hole in the wall of the house where they were found on Cross Street. The man stated that Fresco was counting a rock like substance while Andrews watched him do this. That
was the time the police came and shouted “lock up” and the accused picked up the bag and ran.
Magistrate Azore stated that this was the prosecution’s case. However, the defence, lead by Fresco and Andrews stated that the former did not try to run from the Police and the latter was in the toilet at that time, ignorant of what was happening.
However, the Magistrate said that she found that their case was filled with lies as Fresco at one time told the court that he did not know of the place where the Police Officer had testified to seeing him running from, however he was able to give detailed descriptions of the place while in court.
Andrews, on the other hand, had initially told the
Police she was in the toilet then adjusted her statements, saying they went at the location on Cross Street to have sex then changed again to that of them watching television. The Magistrate said this was revealed during her cross examination with the Prosecutor.
Magistrate Azore said they were both discredited as witnesses and she then lead to the prosecution’s case to explain what exactly happened on March 20. She stated that it is the court’s belief that the accused has proven beyond a doubt that the duo is guilty of trafficking the 12.5 grams of cocaine.
To make an application for a reasonable sentence, the accused stated their facts to the Magistrate. Andrews told the court that she is a vendor and was once charged for damage to property about five years ago and had been sentenced for it, spending one month at the New Amsterdam Prison.
Like Andrews, Fresco said he is a vendor as well. However, he too was charged for break and enter about seven years ago, with an offensive weapon. He also said he has two children; however they are raised by their mother.
Regarding the sentence, Magistrate Azore told the court that she sentenced the accused based on the small amount of the illicit drug that was found on them and the fact that they had not been accused of an offence for the last five years or so. They were both fined $10,000 along with the three years sentence.
Acriminal network accused of evading foreign exchange tariffs and laundering more than R$800 million has been broken up, Brazilian Police say.
Eleven people were detained in raids in three states.
Among those held is Allan Simoes Toledo, a former Vice President of the stateowned Bank of Brazil.
Correspondents say that Brazil is struggling to combat financial crime especially the smuggling of drugs, weapons, DVDs and computer software. A recent US (United States) State Department report said that it was difficult to get comprehensive numbers on money laundering patterns because Brazil does not keep records on convictions or arrests.
Police say that in the latest case, a criminal the network used various tactics to launder cash. These included the illegal withdrawal of hard currency from Venezuela through bogus imports from Brazilian companies. The only objective was the movement of money.
Correspondents say that the value of the goods was
inflated by up to 5000 per cent so that hard currency transfers from Venezuela, which has strict currency controls, could be by-passed. The “criminal organisation specialised in evading currency regulations and laundered money in various countries”, operating for at least three years, the Police said in a statement. The investigation started in 2014 at the request of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Police said. They said that the criminal network arranged loans or fake import orders to send the money to Hong Kong, from where it was distributed internationally.
Last month former Petrobras executive Nestor Cervero was sentenced in Brazil to five years in prison for money laundering and former Petrobras Director of Refining and Supply was sentenced to seven and a half years in April. (Excerpt from BBC News)
As Georgetown continues to battle the incessant heavy downpours during the May/June rainy season, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister David Patterson said his Ministry is working assiduously to develop a master plan to tackle widespread incidents of flooding in the capital city.
In fact, Patterson is confident that the plan will succeed in eliminating the occurrences of flooding in the Georgetown and then work towards addressing the issue in other areas across Guyana.
Patterson told Guyana Times that he intends to increase the drainage capacity to 2.5 inches of water daily, a step-up from the current 1.5 inches that is being drained in a day.
In order to achieve this, Patterson said a task force
and having better landscaping practices.
Currently, the Ministry is involved in widespread desilting of canals and constant upgrading of the drainage and irrigation sys-
is being established to find ways in achieving this target. The Minister said initiatives could include the implementation of more pumps, constant maintenance of existing systems
tems in place, which is costing some $75 million.
Patterson said the Government intends to have major maintenance exercises conducted two times per
annum which he anticipates would cost some $150 million a year.
Patterson believes the occurrences of flooding in Georgetown can be eliminated and that his Government will be the Administration to achieve this.
“But of course, this is under normal rainfall. If you have a monsoon then it is going to be flooded,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that despite the heavy downpours of recent, Georgetown is not as flooded as it normally would be. He attributed this success to the works being done by the Ministry to clean up the city.
Patterson also spoke about the countrywide cleanup campaigns, voluntarily being done by civil society and how this effort contributed to reducing the magnitude of flooding that usually occurs in Georgetown.
He noted that while the Government can do its part in the fight against flooding, he hopes these citizens can continue in the same vain to keep up the good work so as to make Guyana a better place for everyone.
“I hope they continue to do it. It will be a tremendous help to the Government,” Patterson said. Earlier this month, Georgetown, and other areas across Guyana, was swamped following constant rainfalls the prior evening.
The situation was compounded by four of the city’s six drainage pumps not functioning. The pumps were out of order for more than a year under the watch of Mayor Hamilton Green.
However, all six pumps are now operational.
Pakistani authorities have sealed off the offices of the international aid group Save the Children, saying the charity was “working against the country”, Police and Government officials say.
Government officials accompanied by Police arrived at the charity’s office in the heart of the capital on Thursday after working hours and placed a lock on the compound gate. “We have sealed the office of Save the Children on the Government’s instructions,” Kamran Cheema, a Senior Government Official stated.
“We don’t know the reasons behind this order. We
were sent a three-line notification by the Interior Ministry saying that this office should be sealed and all the expatriate staff be sent back to their countries within 15 days.”
The Government did not make any formal announcement but an official from the Interior Ministry said that the agency was involved in “anti-Pakistan activities”. “Their activities were being monitored for a long time. They were doing something which was against Pakistan’s interest,” said the official without giving his name because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
A spokesperson for Save
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged fellow African leaders to stop receiving foreign aid, saying it is not an acceptable basis for prosperity.
“Dependency on giving that only appears to be charitable must end,” he said in a tweet ahead of this weekend’s African Union summit in South Africa. The BBC’s Robert Kiptoo in Kenya says it is not a policy of the Government, but a rallying cry for African leaders.
Aid is believed to account for five to six per cent of Kenya’s total income. Kenyatta said that foreign aid “often carries terms and conditions that preclude progress”. “It is time to give it up,” he wrote.
Our correspondent notes that while Kenya does receive a lot of aid, it did survive for four years without foreign assistance after
western countries suspended their aid in 1991, to express their anger with then President Daniel arab Moi. The United States, European Union and the United KIngdom are the biggest donors to Kenya.
Since Mr Kenyatta came to power in 2013, he has had an uneasy relationship with the west.
He was accused by the International Criminal
Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity for allegedly inciting post-election violence in 2008, in which more than 1200 Kenyans were killed. But the case was dropped last year after the prosecutor’s office said it did have enough evidence to prove his criminal responsibility. He and other leaders from the continent accused the ICC of bias against Africa. (BBC News)
Afemale prison worker smuggled tools to two New York inmates before they escaped, according to prosecutors. Joyce Mitchell, 51, “provided some form of equipment or tools” to convicted killers David Sweat and Richard Matt, prosecutor Andrew Wylie said.
Prosecutor Wylie would not say what kind of items Mitchell is accused of providing to the men, but did say they were not power tools. “We continue to obtain information from her to try to get the understanding from her of why she helped
these two individuals”. She also planned to be the pair’s getaway driver, but changed her mind at the last minute, investigators say. Friday began the seventh day of the search for Matt, 48, and Sweat, 34, who broke out of 170-yearold prison with power tools. The convicted murderers cut through brick and steel to crawl through an underground pipe on the night of June 5, and emerge from a manhole outside of the prison’s 40-foot walls.
New York’s Governor has said any prison workers found to have helped two
killers escape a week ago will find themselves being convicted.
Mitchell’s son Tobey told NBC that his mother checked herself into a hospital with chest pains on Saturday and would not have helped the inmates escape. Wylie said that within the past 12 months the prison worker have been investigated for a suspected relationship with prisoner David Sweat.
Over 500 Police Officers are searching swampland nearby where the prisoners are thought to have spent a night.
the Children confirmed in a statement that its office had been sealed off without warning. “Save the Children was not served any notice to this effect. We strongly object to this action and are raising our serious concerns at the highest levels,” the spokesperson said.
Our correspondent said the crackdown on the charity have come amid the Government’s efforts to introduce stricter controls on nongovernmental organisations and charities through the legislature. “There has been deep suspicion with the Government that these groups have colluded with foreign powers,” he said.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
King Felipe VI of Spain has removed the title “Duchess of Palma” from his sister, Princess Cristina, who is to go on trial charged with tax evasion.
She was granted the title in 1997 when she married Inaki Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball player who is also accused of tax evasion.
Princess Cristina had asked the King to remove
her title, her lawyer said. However, the Royal Palace said the King made the decision before seeing her request. She denies the tax fraud charges.
Prosecutors in Palma de Mallorca, Spain have long been investigating the business dealings of Inaki Urdangarin. He stands accused with 15 others of embezzling US$6 million of public money from the Noos Institute,
a charitable sports foundation he ran with a business partner. The Princess is accused of involvement in the alleged scam.
It is the first time in modern Spain’s history that a member of the royal family has faced court cross-examination in a major corruption scandal. Cristina is the youngest daughter of former King Juan Carlos, who abdicated last year. (BBC News)
saturday, june 13, 2015|
Thirty entrepreneurs completed a three-week workshop on Modern Techniques for mould design and manufacturing for ceramic and pottery producers, hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in collaboration with the Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
“The CDB has a Caribbean Technological Consulting Services Network programme that puts expertise in fields together with businesses that require those expertises. GCCI has become the focal point for the Network in Guyana… the Arts and Craft Association approached the CDB about the possibility of doing this… they contacted the GCCI… we are sort of the executing body. We handle the logistics, acquisition of material, make arrangements for training and we provide these services on behalf of the CDB to businesses in Guyana,” GCCI Chairman Lance Hinds told media operatives.
He noted that the programme will be beneficial to the local artists as it will allow them to utilise their resources in a more efficient and cost effective manner, which may result in the generation of more profits. Hinds stated that this is
just another venture to help Guyanese start their own businesses from the ground up. Hinds also stated that he was proud of the members of the GCCI that saw this venture through and is looking forward to showing the CDB what they have collabora-
tively accomplished. He stated that he, along with other members of GCCI are very happy at the outcome of this venture, as it shows that the GCCI are capable of executing projects as such, as the CDB is ready and willing to do a lot more ventures like these around Guyana.
The GCCI Chairman also mentioned that this event will also be thoroughly evaluated as to familiar-
ise themselves to handle bigger and better events in the near future, flawlessly. Hinds noted that the participants’ response has been satisfactory. And though the three weeks may have been intense, he was very proud to see how enthusiastic and well focused the participants were as their progress all showed in the end result. He stated that though Guyana is behind other countries as being versed in these activities, but with one successful venture completed, he is sure that there is more to come. Especially once the CDB is satisfied, they are really excited as to what else is there to come.
For the past three weeks, Jamaican national Robert Campbell, has been training select participants in various techniques in moulding. According to Hinds, the idea is to help the ones familiar with the art form to move faster and better their efforts, and for the beginners to create a business and ultimately a quality source of income for themselves.
Participants of the event expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude to the coordinators of this venture and are looking forward to what else the GCCI and CDB will think up together.
Aman, who stated he is a Mason by profession, was given until July 1 by Magistrate Annette Singh on Friday to seek successful counselling at Help and Shelter after he was brought into court for assaulting the mother of his child.
The accused, 19-yearold Leon Anthony from 5252 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was brought before Magistrate Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for unlawfully assaulting his child’s mother, Tomeka Pollard, on June 9
at his residence. He pleaded not guilty to this charge. However, this proved irrelevant as the Virtual Complainant (VC) told the court that she no longer wished to proceed with the matter against him. Pollard told the court that Anthony is the father of her child and she does not want him to go to jail.
Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss stated that she had no objections to this. However, she urged the court to ensure that proper counselling can be given to the couple to avoid future court matters.
Nevertheless, Magistrate Singh did not simply dismiss the matter against the accused. She ordered the accused and his girlfriend to seek counselling at Help and Shelter. She stated that once they have had sessions, Help and Shelter will be able to submit reports on how it is going and this will determine whether or not the case will be dismissed against the accused.
The date set for the reports is July 1, and Anthony was thus released on self bail.
The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, on Friday paid a courtesy call to the country’s Public Infrastructure Ministers at their Wights Lane, Kingston, Georgetown office.
The visit was to congratulate David Patterson and Annette Ferguson, Ministers within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, on their appointments and discuss issues of bilateral interest in the infrastructure sector.
Mahalingam also updated the Ministers on
Exim Bank’s Government of India Line of Credit offer of US$50 million for the East Bank/East Coast road linkages. The Indian High Commissioner said India was ready to partner with the Ministry to develop works which will stimulate growth in the economy.
The accused that is alleged to have caused the death of a basketball player in the 2014 Homestretch Avenue accident was called to lead a defence by Magistrate Annette Singh on Friday afternoon after a prima facie case was found against him.
Wendell Sooklall from 353 Cummings Street, Georgetown was requested to prove his innocence before the court in Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after the Magistrate found a prima facie case in favour of the prosecution.
Sooklall first made an appearance before the court on February, 2014 for the charge of causing the death of 20-year-old Quacy-Quinn Leigh. The charge was that, on February 18, 2014, he drove motor car PPP 6592 in a manner dangerous to the public on Homestretch Avenue and caused Leigh’s death. On this occasion, Sooklall pleaded not guilty and later submitted a bail application through his lawyer. His case is being prosecuted by Inspector Michael Grant in 2014.
The facts of the case state that about 22:00 hours that evening, the 20-year-old was riding his bicycle with his cousin. They were heading home from basketball practice at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall when he was hit from behind by the taxi driver. Leigh, who resided
at Lot 324 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was reportedly rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in an unconscious state and later succumbed to his injuries.
On Friday, the prosecution, lead by Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, told the court that “according to practice direction, the two main reasons for a no case submission to be upheld is that the prosecutor does not prove the elements of the offence or the witness was discredited during the cross examination for the court”.
He said that these elements have been proven by him.
The prosecutor elaborated that his witnesses were not discredited by the court.
The prosecution pointed out the caution statement made by the accused, which was deemed freely and voluntarily given by the court.
The caution statement stated that he had admitted to being the fault of the accident. He continued, pointing out to the court that the speed limit for the roadways in Georgetown is 50 kilometres and the accused had admitted to driving way above this limit. The prosecutor said this statement alone proved one essential element of guilt, which is that the accused was driving in a manner dangerous to the public.
Mangru reminded the court that witnesses were brought forward who testi-
fied about the dark state of the road at night. Thus to drive home his point, the prosecutor said that “any prudent driver” would have driven their vehicle below the speed limit rather than above it.
The evidence of a witness, Carlos Edwards, was highlighted by the prosecutor, stated that the man had given testimony about the closeness of the basketball player to Sooklall’s vehicle on the day in question and whether it could have been the fault for the accident.
Prosecutor Mangru ended his submission by stating that the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused did indeed cause the death of Leigh.
However, Sooklall’s attorney, Jed Vasconcelos, disagreed. He told the court that his client was not to blame for the accident, but it was the fault of the deceased, due to his riding at such close proximity to the vehicle. He stated that the prosecution had no case against his client and asked the court to have the matter dismissed.
Nevertheless, Magistrate Singh said she heard both parties and has concluded that it is a prima facie case against Sooklall. She thus called on the defence to lead. This will be done on July 1 at 13:00h at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
CARIFORUM/Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and European Commission Vice President and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini signing the cooperation agreement
The European Union and the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) on Thursday signed a cooperation agreement worth some 346 million euros, on the sidelines of the Second European UnionCommunity of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC) Summit in Brussels.
The Heads of State and Government of CARIFORUM and the President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy had met for their own summit on Thursday. CARIFORUM/Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and European Commission Vice President and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini initialled the cooperation agreement.
The cooperation programme is a significant contribution to Caribbean development efforts, focusing on regional integration, climate change, sustainable energy and environment, and crime and security, and including allocations to the Caribbean Investment Facility, aimed at stimulat-
The Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) has elected a new Board of Directors for the year 2015-2016. At its Annual General Meeting on June 8, 2015, the body elected: Calvin Bernard (President); Ayana McCalman (First Vice President); Aruna Budhram (Second Vice President); Dhanmattie Sohai (Secretary) and Directors Sara Bharrat, Christopher Ram, Harri Persaud Beharry, Troy Thomas and Compton Meerabux. They will lead TIGI in its mission during
ing further investment in the Region, and multicountry initiatives. According to Caricom, this amount represents more than a doubling of the funds that were available in previous years (165 million euros).
The overall amount of one billion euros allocated to the Region for the 20142020 period illustrates the continued high level of EU commitment to the Region.
The European Development Fund (EDF) is the main instrument for EU aid for development cooperation with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries (ACP) and is funded with contributions from the EU Member States.
The EU and CARIFORUM will continue to work towards effective implementation of projects financed by the EDF. They have embarked on a five-year review of their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with a view to improving its performance.
While recognising the challenges in its implementation, the leaders agreed that the EPA can offer important opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
the following year. Ramesh Seebarran, who is not a director, will also serve as treasurer to the institution. This is a diverse group of individuals who have all excelled in their respective fields and who share a mutual interest in eradicating corruption.
TIGI also wishes to express its sincerest gratitude to past Directors Gino Persaud, Esther McIntosh, Arif Bulkan and George Fraser for their continuous efforts and commitment to the organisation’s mission.
TIGI promotes transparency, accountability
The meeting also provided an opportunity to welcome and exchange views on the implementation of the Joint CaribbeanEU Partnership Strategy, adopted in November 2012, which offers a facilitating framework for the further strengthening of the bi-regional partnership. The leaders committed themselves to include relevant issues in the upcoming reviews of the Partnership Strategy, including at the next Political Dialogue which should take place as soon as possible during the current year.
The delegates decided to step up efforts to implement the Joint Strategy and agreed to pursue concrete operational actions towards cooperation in other priority areas. They recognised the efforts made in the Caribbean Region to integrate the EU Caribbean Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) into the developmental processes in the wider Caribbean, and committed to building on new opportunities and initiatives such as the EU territorial cooperation pro-
and integrity at all levels of society by increasing citizens’ awareness of ethical standards and practices in doing business and the real cost of corruption.
The organisation’s vision is a country in which the activities of Government, businesses, Non-Governmental Organisations and citizens are conducted in an open, fair and just manner. TIGI continues to work on building a Guyana that is relatively free of corruption, so that all citizens can derive the full benefits of the country’s resources.
grammes for 2014-2020, and other joint initiatives related to regional security, sustainable livelihoods and climate change as referenced in the 2015 Martinique Call for Action.
The leaders also noted that CARIFORUM States are Small Island and Low Lying Coastal Developing States and, like the Caribbean ORs and OCTs, are characterised by special needs and vulnerabilities, including the reality of the high level of indebtedness and the difficulty in accessing concessionary sources of financing for some Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In this regard, leaders also underscored the importance of supporting resilience-building efforts of the SIDS of the Caribbean and committed to pursuing dialogue and initiatives on the challenges of development for SIDS.
The challenges and opportunities for further integration and more inclusive development in the Region were also discussed: reconstruction and development in Haiti; the fight against poverty; environment protection, disaster risk reduction and the fight against climate change, including the enhanced use of clean energies; improving governance; crime and security; and cooperation in bi-regional and multilateral fora and on global issues.
Ravindra Ramdat
The main suspect in the murder of taxi driver Dennis Narine of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was on Friday charged at the Wales Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Clive Nurse. Narine was gunned down through a window of his home during an alleged attempted robbery on May 31.
Ravindra Ramdat also called “Rickey”, a 22-year-old fisherman of ‘F’ Grove Village, East Bank Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on Sunday May 31 at Onderneeming, WBD he murdered Dennis Narine.
The Magistrate informed the defendant that the charge is not a bailable one
and, as such, he was remanded to prison until July 31.
According to information reaching this publication, the Police, while acting on information received, went to the home of the deceased where it was reported that a suspicious car was seen driving around in circles in close proximity of the dead man’s home. They apprehended and arrested the driver of the car who was positively identified by Narine’s wife, who had a previous confrontation with the defendant. He was informed of the allegations and charged with the offence.
It was reported that at about 23:00h, the deceased was at home with his wife and children when he heard someone removing a louver pane from the window. He raised an alarm and the perpetrator ran away, thus Narine went back to sleep without contacting the Police. About 01:30h the next morning, the man was again awakened by the sound of crashing louver panes, hence he reportedly collected a cutlass and rushed towards the window. It was then that the suspected bandit pushed the gun through the window and discharged two rounds, hitting Narine to the left side of his chest. The bullet exited his back. The father of three was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
Another suspect in the robbery at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday charged with possession of narcotics, the unlawful possession of ammunition, armed robbery and attempted murder.
Derwayne Peters, 21 of Lot 8 Bagotstown, EBD, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that, on Saturday June 6 at Grove, he discharged a loaded firearm at the Virtual Complainant (VC), Neezam Khan, with the intent to murder him. The young man denied a charge which read that on the said occasion, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Khan of a gold chain valued at $200,000 and a ring valued at $500,000. The young man also pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, on Wednesday June 10 at Bagotstown, he was found to be in possession of seven grams of cannabis sativa and 7.3 live rounds of ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder.
According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on Saturday about 14:30h, Khan, a businessman of Lot 72 Grove who is a licensed firearm holder, was standing with other individuals in front of a Halaal snackette in the village, when the defendant and others rode up on two CG motorbikes and stopped. The defendant then pointed a gun at the VC and relieved him of a chain and the ring he was wearing. After the bandits attempted to escape from the crime scene, the VC pulled out his gun and fired several shots at them during which one of the perpetrators were shot to his arm and another fatally shot.
It was revealed that, acting on information received, ranks of the Guyana Police Force intercepted a motorcycle CG 6045, which was being driven by the defendant. During the search, the ammunition was found in the defendant’s right side pants pocket and the narcotics were found in his pants crotch.
When questioned by Police, the defendant reportedly told ranks that he found
the ammunition in a playing field and admitted that he “buy the lil weed at Leopold Street”. The defendant was then arrested and taken into custody.
Mangru informed the court that during an identification parade, the VC positively identified the defendant. According to information gained from Police sources, the ammunition found in the man’s possession matched those used in the robbery.
Prosecutor Mangru objected to bail based on the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the penalty that the offence attracts, stating that if granted bail the defendant was not likely to return to court. The Magistrate refused bail and the defendant was remanded to prison until June 30 when the matter is scheduled to return to court.
On Thursday Curtis Vasconcellos, a suspected accomplice in the offence was also tried at the Magistrates’ Courts for the offences and was remanded to prison. The two are expected to appear together to face the charges on June 30.
saturday, june 13, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
The brother of the teacher who accused presidential guards attached to former President Donald Ramotar of slapping him, was reportedly released on $100,000 bail after he was found selling marijuana to the students of the Aishalton Secondary School in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Orlando Joseph was reportedly arrested on Wednesday after he was seen with a black plastic bag in close proximity to the school’s compound. According to reports, upon spotting Joseph, the Police were summoned and Joseph was taken into custody. As the Police conducted a search on his person, the marijuana was discovered.
A source told the Guyana Times that several teachers and students were questioned, who admitted that the man would normally sell the illegal substance to them. He was then detained by the Police, but due to the 72-hour detention period he was released on bail.
His brother, John Adams, came into the limelight when he accused a presidential guard attached to Ramotar of slapping him. A recording was also released by Adams purported to be that of the former President claiming that “if was Bharrat, he would have slapped him”.
Adams was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and behaved in an appropriate manner while the President was having a meeting in Aishalton. The matter drew the attention to human rights activists. More so, the Opposition at the time, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change coalition, who criticized the President for the unwanted behaviour.
Amid concerns being expressed from several sections of society concerning the secretive Caribbean Festival of Arts XI (CARIFESTA) Committee, Education Minister with additional responsibility for culture, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has said that the committee has not yet been finalised.
Speaking to Guyana Times on Thursday evening, Minister Roopnaraine noted that the junior Education Minister Nicolette Henry has been given the responsibility for the department of culture and as is stood, consultations were being held to determine who would sit on the committee.
Roopnaraine however, did not specify who were the persons involved in the consultations or who were some of the persons being considered for the positions on the committee.
He however explained that after the consultations would have come to an end and a committee is proposed, he would first have to have input before it becomes final.
Dr Roopnaraine said that while time is of the essence, the Ministry was taking some time to organise the committee, since they wanted it to boast of maximum transparency and consultations.
When contacted for a comment on the persons being considered to be on the committee, Minister Nicolette Henry had indicated that she could not provide the information at that
given time.
She had subsequently requested that contact be made with her Secretary, whom she will instruct to provide some information. However, when contact was made to the Secretary, the woman pleaded ignorance of the issue, noting that she could not comment on that.
Further efforts to contact the junior Minister proved futile.
It was only last week that political commentator and activist Ruel Johnson wrote a letter to the press expressing his views on the committee, stating that it would seem that the committee was a secret one, known to no one.
Last Sunday, an advertisement appeared in local news-
papers inviting “expressions of interest”, which will be accepted only until June 18, in participating in Carifesta XII, scheduled for Haiti from August 21-30, 2015. There was no announcement of a committee being selected to deliberate the matter of fielding a delegation.
The most known is that it came from the ‘Special Projects Unit’ of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, now within the Education Ministry.
According to Johnson, who has in the past been a staunch critic of the People’s Progressive party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, it would seem that while there is a new Government , an existence of the same corrupt systems seem to be in place, or rather have in fact worsened already.
“At least previously we had the theatre, the farce of consultation, with a press conference featuring the Minister and his senior staff putting on a show for the cameras, whereas now the responsibility for selecting a national contingent for the leading regional festival of culture and the arts seems to have fallen to an Orwellian Special Projects Unit,” he had stated.
“Within two months, we are expected that, without consultation, the unit of nameless and faceless people will select competent participants on the basis of merit, and plan an accountably budgeted trip to a country that the delegation will most likely need to access via the US or perhaps some
French overseas department, which means the procurement of at least in-transit visas. Just as there was no excuse for failing to consult and include for the Inauguration/Independence Day celebrations, which turned out to be disastrous, there is no excuse to not be open and accountable in selecting the best persons to represent their country to the best of their ability at the upcoming festival,” Johnson has further expressed.
The activist had noted that the excuse of expediency has been perennially used to hide nepotism, corruption and discrimination. To this end, he issued a call on the newly appointed Ministers responsible for culture to publicly introduce the members of this nebulous Carifesta Selection Committee and have them explain to the public what their plan is for ensuring that there is transparency and accountability in the selection of Guyana’s delegation for once.
“Also, equally important is that Ministers themselves should explain the process of selection of that committee in the first place, considering the complicity of former committees in perpetuating the discrimination and nepotism that flourished under the PPP. The new Government campaigned on a platform of transparency, accountability and merit-based inclusiveness – here is a situation in which the absence of all three is glaring,” Johnson posited.
Dear Editor, The Award of Excellence was conferred upon a community-based philanthropist and cultural worker, Marcus Brian Bisram (no relationship with this writer) last Saturday after a three-session Unity Ramayan Yajna at the Shri Sundar Gopal Mandir of Ozone Park, Queens.
The citation reads:
“The Holi Sammelan and Festival Committee, Inc (HSFC) confers its Award of Excellence on Marcus Brian Bisram for his exceptional contribution to charitable causes as well as to cultural and community work of a consistently high standard.”
To some extent, Marcus’ work finds expression in the Bhagavad Gita.
“One who is engaged in
auspicious activities never meets with destruction, here or hereafter” (Chapter VI, V 40).
“Remember, the work you do will bind you unless it’s performed as a sacrifice and for the glory of God” (Chapter III, V 8). The citation was signed by Dr Tara Singh (HSFC President), Dr Satish Prakash (HSFC Director), and Pt Prahbu
Ramrattan, MA, MBA (HSFC Executive Member and Advisor).
In an invited comment, Hindu Missionary Dr Satish Prakash stated: “When we observe Marcus’ style of operation, a trait of Shri Krishna strikes us as being present in this young man. I have seen him at three places - Bhuvaneshwar Mandir, Maharshi Dayananda Gurukula and Sundar Gopal Mandir.
“Even though God has blessed him with high status in society, we see him serving people with utmost humility. The congregation at Maharshi Dayananda Gurukula has very great respect for him.
“Also, the congregation at the recently concluded Ramayan Yajna showers him with abundant praise for being the project manager for the Yajna. The quality and quantity of Daan [charity] that Marcus shares with Hindu and other organizations will be mentioned with respect for a long time to come.
“We all know that many people become socially elevated and they consequently have no time for those ‘down there’. Marcus is far removed from that construct.”
A brief history of Marcus› exceptional contribution to charitable and other community causes was related by the President of the Holi Sammelan and Festival Committee›s ((HSFC), Dr Tara Singh.
He pointed out that Marcus› benevolence “is remarkable”. He said: “Marcus matches that with equally inspiring cultural and community work. We are making this presentation to you primarily because of your passion for your dharma and for your commitment to cultural and community
work».
He expressed the hope that “the award will serve as an inspiration to others to come forward and become engaged in similar work”. He said: “The opportunity for performing selfless service is endless. As a young man, Marcus is showing the way how young people can spend some of their time productively.”
The plaque was presented to Marcus by Vyakaranacharya Dr Satish Prakash.
Vishnu Bisram
It’s ok to feel sad
But don’t let despair dominate your thoughts
It’s ok to cry
But don’t let the tears wash away your faith
It’s ok to be lonely
But know you are never alone
It’s ok to feel the world is against you
But believe you can still make it
It’s ok to think God has let you down
But know God only lifts you up
It’s ok to get disillusioned with love
Yet keep your heart open to its possibilities
Too often we are told we should only be happy, but every emotion is a unique spectrum in the kaleidoscope of life and denying one’s emotions is to deny the right to life itself
Devika Samaroo
By TreisTon Joseph
The national ruggers will take the field today in hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics when the North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Seven’s Championships and Olympic qualifiers commence in North Carolina.`
The NACRA Seven’s Championships ,which is also doubling as an Olympic qualifier, will see Guyana aiming to defend their men’s seven’s title and claim one of the Olympics spots that go to the top two finishers.
The female ruggers , on the other hand, will be aim-
ing for their first title since 2010 while also looking for an Olympic spot at the 2016 games set for Brazil.
Both the male and female squads went through some warm-up games in New York on Thursday as they prepared for the Championships that are scheduled to begin today.
Both squads are confident of doing well in the tournament and have arrived safely in North Carolina for the Championships.
The Guyanese men, placed in Pool B, will play three of their four group matches today – the first being against The Bahamas, the second against the Cayman Islands and the
third against Canada. Their only group match on Sunday will be against Trinidad and Tobago.
Once the men finish in the top two of the group stage, they will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament that will be played on Sunday as well.
Meanwhile, the women will play all three of their group matches on Saturday, with their first game being against Trinidad and Tobago, their second, Mexico and their final group game against The Bahamas.
Once they finish in the top two in Group B, they will qualify for the semifinal stage.
“40 is just a number”
Hooper believes the Hero CPL will provide the perfect platform for Chanderpaul to make a statement, adding that “40 is just a number” as he made reference to the batsman’s age, which had come into question at the time of his sacking.
“Shiv is good to go. I think he’s looking forward to it. I think a lot of people have written him off – probably ‘40 is too old’, I don’t know. I think 40 is just a number, depends on how you feel,” the Australia-based Hooper said on Thursday.
He added, “I know he’s been going through a bad strut, but I still have got a lot of faith in Shiv. Hopefully, he can prove a lot of the naysayers wrong. I think it’s an ideal opportunity to just go and show them that you can still play.”
Chanderpaul has been playing international crick-
et since 1994, and no doubt Hooper will be looking to tap into his reservoir of knowledge during the Guyana Amazon Warriors training camp, which started Thursday last at the Guyana National Stadium,
Providence.
The other franchises set to compete in the highly-anticipated showpiece are reigning champions Barbados Tridents, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia Zouks, St Kitts Patriots and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Tridents are down to play the opening match at the Kensington Oval in Barbados at 18:00h.
Guyana Amazon Warriors squad reads: Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Brad Hodge, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Umar Akmal, Trevon Griffith and Paul Wintz.
Shambolic batting once again derailed West Indies and left them with a mountain to climb, as Australia stamped their authority on the second Test with an emphatic display on Friday.
Chasing Australia’s carefully constructed 399, West Indies were dreadful in reply and slumped to 143 for eight – still 256 runs adrift at the end of the second day of the lopsided contest at Sabina Park.
Jermaine Blackwood stroked a typically bold top score of 51 and Shai Hope got 26 but no other batsman made it past 14, in yet another lifeless first innings display which has severely compromised their hopes of leveling the series.
They were undermined by seamer Josh Hazlewood (315) and off-spinner Nathan Lyon (3-35) both of whom grabbed three wickets apiece to cripple the innings.
The tone for the innings was set when West Indies lost debutant opener Rajindra Chandrika without scoring in the third over and wickets then fell steadily, with Blackwood and captain Denesh Ramdin resisting briefly in a 42-run, sixth wicket stand – the best of the innings so far.
Blackwood was carrying West Indies’ fight admirably, having struck seven fours and a six off 80 balls in almost two hours at the crease, when he squandered his wicket in the day’s penultimate over.
That was the break the Aussies needed and they promptly had Veerasammy Permaul caught behind on review in the day’s final over, to end the day on a high.
The Windies ineptitude overshadowed the brilliance of fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who claimed career-best figures of six for 47 as Australia were dismissed 45 minutes after lunch.
Stroke-maker Steve Smith fell agonizing short of his first career double hundred when he became Taylor’s sixth victim, lbw for 199.
The right-hander faced 361 deliveries, in just over 8-1/2 hours at the crease, and struck 21 fours and two sixes.
Resuming the day on 135 with the Aussies on 258 for four, he lost overnight partner Shane Watson who add-
ed just five to his overnight 20 before offering no stroke to Taylor and having his offstump clipped in the third over of the morning.
Six overs later, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin missed a drive and was bowled by Taylor for 22 off 23 balls with three fours and a six.
Mitchell Johnson hung around 18 minutes before nicking seamer Kemar Roach to Darren Bravo at slip for five and Mitchell Starc was last to fall before lunch, bowled by seamer Jason Holder (2-64) for six, as Australia reached the interval at 350 for eight.
Smith and Hazlewood, who made 24, added a precious 63 for the ninth before Smith failed to negotiate a fast, full-length delivery and was plumb.
Hazlewood holed out to long-on five balls later in the next over to end the innings.
The Windies carnage started early when Chandrika drove at a wide ball from left-armer Starc and edged a simple catch to wicketkeeper Haddin.
In the eighth over, Kraigg Brathwaite (4) pushed down the wrong line at Lyon in the bowler’s second over and was bowled and Darren Bravo was looking comfortable in making 14 from 23 balls before playing back to Lyon and finding himself palpably lbw.
Once again, Shane
AUSTRALIA 1st innings (overnight 258 for four)
D Warner c Hope b Taylor 0
S Marsh lbw b Taylor 11
S Smith lbw b Taylor 199
*M Clarke c wkp Ramdin b Holder 47
A Voges c wkp Ramdin b Taylor 37
S Watson b Taylor 25 +B Haddin b Taylor 22
M Johnson c Bravo b Roach 5
M Starc b Holder 6
J Hazlewood c Blackwood b Permaul 24
N Lyon not out 5
Extras (b5, lb7, nb6) 18
TOTAL (all out; 126.5 overs) 399
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Warner), 2-16 (Marsh), 3-134 (Clarke), 4-210 (Voges), 5-264 (Watson), 6-296 (Haddin), 7-306 (Johnson), 8-330 (Starc), 9-393 (Smith), 10-399 (Hazlewood) Bowling: Taylor 25-10-47-6 (nb2), Roach 25-2-113-1 (nb4), Holder 22-3-64-2, Permaul 34.5-7-124-1, Brathwaite 192-39-0, Blackwood 1-1-0-0.
Dowrich shaped up well and had counted two fours in 13 in an hour at the crease when he wafted at a wide one from Hazlewood and edged behind at 44 for three.
Blackwood and Hope attempted a repair job in a fifth wicket stand of 33. Both batsmen played positively with Hope, dropped by Watson at first slip off Starc on seven, twice taking boundaries on either side of the wicket off Hazlewood in the next over. He was eventually out tamely, edging a forward defensive prod at Lyon into Haddin’s lap, after hitting four fours off 63 balls in 79 minutes.
Blackwood, dropped on 22 by captain Michael Clarke at first slip off Lyon, played his natural game. He came down and lifted Lyon over long-on for six and in the same over, deposited the bowler over mid-off for four.
He lost Ramdin to an uncontestable lbw decision at the hands of Hazlewood but safely made his way to his first Test half-century on home soil. He twice collected off-side boundaries in the same over from Starc to move to 48 and then waited 13 balls before collecting two to mid-wicket to reach his landmark.
Disappointingly, he was out four balls later, picking out David Warner at midoff with a loose drive off Hazlewood. (CMC)
WEST
An alien from Mars has just landed and Chris Gayle is the man tasked with explaining what the CPL is all about.
“I’d say ‘Just come to Jamaica, observe and you’ll see it all - the biggest tournament ever.”
Gayle, the Jamaica Tallawahs captain and talisman, says the island is bursting with excitement as champagne corks prepare to pop for the biggest party in sport.
The man who has claimed the title of ‘World Boss’ is living up to his name in England at present.
“The fans in Jamaica are fantastic. We love it, we are passionate about our game there” - Chris Gayle
Gayle is in sparkling form for Somerset in the #T20Blast, smashing 328 runs in three innings to date, including a blistering 151 not out.
But he says he is excited at the prospect of heading back to the Caribbean and sampling the legendary atmosphere generated by the fans in his home country.
“The fans in Jamaica are fantastic. We love it, we are passionate about our game there,” Gayle explained.
“They are looking forward to the party, the music, the sexy ladies coming out to watch the game, the cheerleaders.
“There’s a great atmosphere, everyone is looking forward to it. You have a beer or you have some rum - you can choose which one you want.
“Everyone will be drinking something for sure and then after the game it’s a big party.
“Hopefully we can lift the trophy for them again and I’m sure they will get behind us when the games are played at Sabina Parkit should be a fantastic crowd. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.”
“We play competitive, entertaining cricket - that’s the real objective” - Chris Gayle
Gayle, the first man to hit a century in the CPL, is desperate to help the Tallawahs land a second CPL title, after they clinched the inaugural tournament in 2013.
“We want to lift the trophy once more because we know what it’s like to celebrate a championship,” he said.
“We want to be the last team standing. It’s going to be challenging because all the teams are
well balanced - that will make the tournament even more fantastic to have such qualities in each team.”
Balance is a characteristic that Gayle insists his side also possess.
The Tallawahs have extensive experience to call on, adding Sri Lanka veteran Mahela Jayawardene to a squad that already contains Kiwi spinner Daniel Vettori.
With recent IPL MVP Andre Russell also in their ranks, as well as explosive Australian Chris Lynn, Gayle thinks his unit have all bases covered.
“We all know Mahela and his
capabilities - he is a class player and has done well in all formats of the game he has played,” Gayle added.
“It’s great to have such an experienced guy in your team - I’m looking forward to playing with him. It’s going to be fantastic.
“Those guys are accustomed to the condition, playing in Sri Lanka, the wickets are a bit slower.
“He’s a great player of spin and we’re going to get a lot of spin in the CPL so it’s good to have a player like Mahela.
“We have a new recruit, Chris Lynn, he can smash it a long wayhe’s tiny but he’s dangerous.
“Then more experience with Daniel Vettori - you know what sort of guy he is - very cool, one of, if not the best left arm spinner Test cricket has ever seen. It’s a great balance of guys in our team.”
With so much West Indian talent on show Gayle is constantly coming up against current and former team-mates.
So is there anyone he is out to get?!
“No, I don’t do that, I don’t try and prove on my own guys,” he
said. “When we do play against each other we play hard, off the field you can have a laugh about it.
“We play competitive, entertaining cricket - that’s the real objective. On Twitter, yes, we have a little banter now and again - we’re relaxed on and off the field and it’s good to do those sort of things.”
A slice of recent banter involved Darren Sammy, when highlights of Gayle’s magnificent 63ball century against the St Lucia Zouks in 2014 was posted on the CPL’s Twitter account.
A decent chunk of Gayle’s 10 sixes in that explosive innings came against his West Indies team-mate.
“That’s when I tweeted Darren Sammy and said ‘You don’t want to watch this, Darren!’ It was fantastic - a great innings,” Gayle added.
“As an opening batsman you get a chance to bat 20 overs so you try and make the best use of it and use your experience as well - when to go and when to pull it back a bit.
“It was fantastic to get the first CPL hundred and after that hundred after hundred kept popping from other players.” (CPL.com)
Rain continued to frustrate India as only 47.3 overs were bowled in a stop-start day, slowing down India’s push for a declaration. A whole day’s play and 36 overs had already been lost by the time Shikhar Dhawan and M Vijay came out to resume their giant partnership on day three. That India got into one-day mode gave Bangladesh chances for wickets, and Shakib Al Hasan took four of them. Not before M Vijay had brought up his third Test 150, and Ajinkya Rahane had struck a punishing 98 off just 103 balls.
The wickets fell in two clusters: Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first, and Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha and Rahane in the second. Except for Saha, every batsman fell playing an attacking shot, and between the two clusters Vijay and Rahane added 114 for the fourth wicket in 22.4 overs.
The Bangladesh bowlers were more at home with batsmen looking for quick runs, as if in limited-overs cricket, in the process giving them opportunities. On day one, Dhawan and Vijay played more orthodox Test
Get out of my way: M Vijay crashes it through the offside
cricket, asking the bowlers to get them out, which Bangladesh failed miserably at. On the third day, too, it took another delayed introduction of Shakib for Bangladesh to be effective. Opening exchanges had been friendly, and you couldn’t rule out broken openingpartnership records. Shakib immediately brought about mis-hits from Dhawan.
One fell short of deep midwicket, another in the gap around the same area, but the third one - a leading edge from way outside leg, an indication of India’s
desperation for quick runs - settled with Shakib. Rohit might draw some criticism for his dismissal soon after, but he was trying to do right by the team, looking for quick runs through a drive through cover, and missing its line to be bowled. Kohli looked for big drives similarly until he didn’t watch a Jubair Hossain wrong’un and had a thick inside edge trickle onto the stumps.
Bangladesh would have hoped to see India rebuild a little, but the spinners provided Rahane with loose deliveries. The way Rahane got
off the mark reiterated what was wrong with Bangladesh. Jubair first beat him with a wrong’un, which produced a close but unsuccessful lbw appeal. The one immediately after was a legbreak that beat Rahane, who was still driving hard, betraying the team instructions. When the fielding side would have loved to capitalise on those accumulating errors, the next ball was a long hop, and Rahane was away.
Vijay at the other end batted as serenely as he usually does, inconspicuously bringing up his sixth
Test hundred and then refusing to play a complacent stroke. Not that that meant a drop in his strikerate. He was 89 off 178 at the resumption of play, and by lunch he had reached 144 off 264. That was when rain first arrived, and India came out with more intent after the forced break. Soon after reaching 150 and having waited through another rain break, Vijay went for an uncharacteristic big sweep, missed the ball and was given out lbw even though he was struck outside the line.
Then came the only wicket where the batsman was well and truly outdone. Jubair, the legspinner, is quite an inaccurate bowler, but has a highly deceptive googly in his armoury. The same ball that got Kohli in a circuitous manner. This one, though, was more emphatic, dipping, pitching just outside off, and beating Saha’s inside edge by quite a distance to hit the stumps.
India 1st innings M Vijay lbw b Shakib Al Hasan 150 S Dhawan c & b Shakib Al Hasan 173 View dismissal RG Sharma b Shakib Al Hasan 6 V Kohli* b Jubair
3-0-11-0, Shuvagata Hom 14-0-52-0, Shakib Al Hasan 24.3-1-105-4, Taijul Islam 200-85-0, Jubair Hossain 19-1113-2, Imrul Kayes 1-0-3-0.
At the other end, the freeflowing Rahane summed up the selfless attitude of India’s batsmen. With the clouds gathering, and his score on 90, Rahane began to hit every delivery. A slog sweep and a sweep off the first two balls of the 102nd over took him to 98, yet there was no circumspection or anxiety to reach 100 visible. The next ball was only just short of a length, and Rahane went for the pull, and was bowled. Another shower arrived soon to force an early tea break and eventually an end to the day’s play. (Cricinfo)
West Indies Cricket Board president, Dave Cameron, has praised Sir Wes Hall as a stalwart of “cricket and Caribbean life”, after the legendary former fast bowler was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Sir Wes, also a former WICB president, chairman of selectors and West Indies team manager, became the 18th West Indies player to be honoured with a Hall of
Fame place, during a ceremony at the lunch interval on the opening of the second Test at Sabina Park.
“On behalf of the WICB and all supporters of West Indies cricket I want to offer congratulations to the great Sir Wes Hall on being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame today,” Cameron said.
“This is a superb honour bestowed on one of the greatest fast bowlers the world has ever seen and
one of the finest gentlemen in the game of cricket and Caribbean life.” He added: “He played the game with mind, body, heart and soul. After his playing days were over he gave back even more to the game and was hands-on at all levels in West Indies cricket.
“We say a great ‘thank you’ to this great man for what he achieved on the field as well as what he did
for West Indies cricket and West Indian people.”
Sir Wes grabbed 192 wickets in 48 Tests between 1958 and 1969, and is perhaps best remembered for bowling the dramatic last over in the historic Tied Test in Brisbane in 1960.
Following his retirement from the game, Sir Wes also went on to become a government minister and a Minister of Religion. (CMC)
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ENeil Danns, Matthew Briggs, Marcel Barrington and Sam Cox were all granted citizenship and is now eligible to represent Guyana in Sunday’s return leg of their 2018 World Cup Qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The two CONCACAF Nations will collide at the Guyana National Stadium and with the quartet now receiving their documents, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz will put forward the best ‘Golden Jaguars’ line up.
Failing to be granted citizenship prevented the players from representing Guyana in Wednesday’s 2 –2 draw in Kingstown at the
Arnos Vale Sports Complex. “We’re happy that we can now focus on getting the job done on Sunday and not have to worry if we’ll be able to play or not” said Danns, Bolton Wanderers’ midfield maestro.
Briggs, the youngest player to ever feature in an English Premier League game (16 years and 65 days old with Fulham), stated that “I’m glad that we finally got our documents. I was worried because we signed on to the programme to help build and push Guyana’s football to the highest level and to not play in the first game was a major disappointment. It’s nice to finally put my mind on Sunday’s game and get the result we need to advance to the next
round of the World Cup Qualifiers”
The now 24 year-old Briggs also pointed out that he’s happy players like Cox and 19 year-old English Premier League side Leicester’s forward Barrington would be able to get their first International Cap. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Marketing and Communication Director Rawle Toney said that the Federation is “happy that the Government of Guyana was able to issue the players their documents in a timely manner and the GFF is grateful for their support in helping the Golden Jaguars in their quest to Russia 2018”. (GFF Press release)
Guyana have been there both times in the final. It’s important to try and win the close games, get some momentum going, and if you do that you’ll be in the knockout stages. Once you get to the final, it’s pretty much 50-50. History says we’ll be competitive and there is flair in the team with the likes of Dilshan, so we’ve got a good chance.
And what about Chris Gayle? How do you stop him?!
It’s always good fun when you come up against a Chris Gayle and watch him try and blast the ball everywhere. If I was a bowler I’d try and bowl to him early and hope he was in the mood of blocking, bowl your three overs and get out of there with your figures intact. I don’t really know! It’s pot luck. He’s one of those guys where the grounds just aren’t big enough. I remember watching him play for West Indies against New Zealand in the World Cup and his mis-hits were sailing over the rope. The boundary
was only about 58 metres, and for a guy that hits it 110 metres, his genuine mis-hits were easily going for six. He hit Vettori for three sixes and none of them were anywhere near the middle of the bat. It’s great fun to watch, and secretly, when you’re playing against him to want him to have a half-decent day! It puts you under pressure, the bowlers don’t know what to do, and it’s good fun to see how people respond. The plans go quickly out of the window because everyone forgets, it’s absolute chaos and it’s all good fun. And there’s a player with even more experience than you close to home...
I’m not the oldest in the Guyana squad?! Haha. Who is it? I’m trying to think! Who could it possibly be?! Shiv? Shiv’s older than me?! That’s really good to know, that! I reckon we’ll be pretty good at running between the wickets together! I’ve not played with him, but I’ve played against him and watched him. He just doesn’t get out. He just bats and
bats and bats, he’s an unbelievably good player. How big can the CPL become?
The organisers have got a chance of making the CPL a very big deal, yeah. From what I saw and from what everyone tells me, it was a great tournament last year and very well received. T20 is good for everyone - the attention span of human beings is getting shorter and shorter and cricket is modelling itself that way, so it’s a good thing. West indies cricket had been pretty disappointing by and large over the last decade-and-a-half. Everyone was crying out for some competition after the likes of Ambrose, Walsh, Lara etc... I think the players are there, the quality is there, but like every modern player, they are being asked how important T20s are compared to playing for your country. At the moment they’ve had some problems, but a tournament like this gets everyone back together, show everyone our skills and have some fun.
ANSA McAL, under its Smalta brand, will sponsor the 2015 edition of the National Youth and Junior Athletics Championships scheduled for June 20 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
At a press conference on Friday, ANSA McAL Public Relations Officer Darshanie Yussuf noted that the sponsorship was geared towards the development of the athletes.
“I honestly hope that the athletes make the
best of this tournament and that this is a stepping stone to greater things and that this can be the development of the athletes to be better, regionally and internationally,” Yussuf stated.
Athletes Association of Guyana (AAG) President Aubrey Hutson was grateful for the sponsorship by the beverage giant.
“These athletes are highly ranked at the senior level and I must thank ANSA McAL for their support that will help us to have a good champion-
ships and we all know what Smalta can do for athletes,” Hutson pointed out.
Meanwhile, Coach of the Guyana Defence Force, Robert Chisholm assured that all the coaches will do their best to ensure that the athletes always perform to their optimum.
“We as coaches vow to ensure that we get the athletes performing at their best for competitions internationally and locally,” Chisholm mentioned.
The Championships will be hosted on June 20 from 10:00h. (Treiston Joseph)
BCB’s
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) upcoming fundraising event, the Caricom Championship, has received its first bit of corporate sponsorship from Ishmail Poultry Establishment of Fyrish Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.
At a simple presentation ceremony recently, Managing Director of the company, Sandeep Ramdass, popularly known as “Pampy”, said his company was once again pleased to be part of an activity organised by the BCB.
He said that he was always impressed by the work of the Board, and the professional and transparent way in which it has conducted its business over the years. Ramdass added that he was happy to help develop the young people of the county and will always help in this regard.
Collecting the cash and trophy for the Man-of-theMatch award in the final was Mahendra Ramdihall, who thanked Ramdass for
his kindness and assured that he will get good mileage for his sponsorship. He called on others to help the BCB fulfil its mandate and to make sure that ThreeDay First-Division cricket returns to Berbice.
According to the BCB, proceeds from the Caricom Championship, which will be held on July 5 at the historic Albion Sports Complex, will be used mainly to organise a very important Three-day cricket competition.
Eight top T20 FirstDivision teams in Berbice will compete in a 10-over knockout competition with the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80,000 and a trophy. The runner-up will receive $40,000 and a trophy, with the losing semi-finalists copping $15,000 each. The Man-of-the-Match in every game will be rewarded. Action will commence at 10:00h sharp.
The participating teams are Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon, Port Mourant,
Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Albion, Young Warriors/Rose Hall Centre, Police/Bermine, Blairmont/ West Berbice and Bush Lot/ D’Edward.
The Board said that the teams were selected in such a manner that all the top players in Berbice will be on show. The draw will be done one week before the tournament and the clubs are advised to submit the teams early for the press.
The BCB is appealing to all cricket lovers in Guyana and in the Diaspora to come on board to further enhance the game in the Ancient County. The Board is also calling on former Berbice players for assistance. Contact can be made on telephone numbers 3332375, 655-4140 or 6236875.
Many gate prizes will be up for grabs for fans, with a well-stocked bar and musical entertainment also on hand. To promote the game, 15 passes each will be given to eight schools in the Lower Corentyne area.
The Guyanese women basketball squad had a disappointing tournament at the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships that concluded on Friday in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
The team were unable to grab a win out of their five games played at the tournament, with their closest game being against hosts BVI (64-61).
Their largest margin of defeat was 27 points, against Jamaica in a game that ended 70-43.
However, the bright spot was the performance of overseas-based player Miriam McKenzie who was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, scoring an average of 24.4 points while grabbing an average of 11.6 rebounds.
McKenzie’s highest points total came against
Antigua as she dropped 35 points while grabbing a tournament-low three rebounds.
McKenzie’s lowest points total came in her first game against the BVI with 16 points, but she grabbed her tournament-high of 17 rebounds.
The only other player for Guyana to average double figures was Merisa Lewis
with an average of 11.4 points. Lewis’s best game came against BVI in Guyana’s first game of the tournament as she scored a teamhigh 23 points while her lowest points total came against Jamaica as she tallied just three points in a poor showing. The squad is expected to return over the weekend.
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Despite a drawn result against St Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday afternoon, Golden Jaguars skipper Christopher Nurse said there was much “optimism and confidence” in the camp ahead of Sunday’s return clash at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The game, which is set for a 19:00h kick-off, forms part of the qualification phase for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Nurse, speaking to media operatives upon the team’s return from St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, said while the ideal result would have been a victory for the Golden Jaguars, a draw in an ‘away’ fixture is something they would gladly accept.
“I think we have a lot of optimism and confidence heading into Sunday’s game. I think beforehand if you had told us we would have tied 2-2 anybody would have taken the result. Obviously, we’re a bit disappointed because we took the lead twice in the game and
then gave it up, so it almost felt like a loss,” Nurse commented.
He continued, “But looking back and reflecting on the game, 2-2 is a very good result; it puts us in the upper hand right now and we’re coming back in front of our home fans on our home pitch in our home country, we’ve got some important players to add to the squad.”
Nurse, Guyana’s most successful football captain, is also determined to protect the country’s enviable record at home. “We have not lost here to a Caribbean nation since 2007, so Guyana is a very difficult place for Caribbean teams to come here and play and get a result, and we’re very confident against playing against Caribbean opposition here, so Sunday’s game is going to be very exciting.”
The 31-year-old England-born central midfielder posited that while the players will be playing with heart and determination on the field, support in the stands is also crucial in giving them momentum and that “extra push”.
“Sunday is probably the biggest game this past seven years for Guyana. We need this win to not only to carry our team forward to the next round of World Cup qualification, but it’s a big win for Guyana’s football development holistically, so we need all the fans to come out and be the 12th man on Sunday and really give us the extra push and get behind the team. We’re going to go out there and give our best, and regardless of the result, you’re going to be proud of the performance and the players on Sunday,” Nurse explained.
During the game at the Arnos Vale Playing Field
T&T
Along-lost relationship will be rekindled next month when the Ogle Community Centre (OCC) hosts a cricket team from Longdenville, central Trinidad and Tobago, for a goodwill series of matches.
The twin-islanders, who had a home and away arrangement with the OCC in the 70s and 80s, will be here from July 31 to August 9, according to Public Relations Officer of the OCC, Sheik Yassen.
Yassen said that to ensure all areas are covered for the impending visit, the OCC will stage a fundraising barbecue at the Community Centre this evening from 19:00h. The event will feature musical enter-
on Wednesday, the Golden Jaguars twice relinquished the lead to the host nation, as the game ended in a stalemate.
Beresford handed the Golden Jaguars the lead in the 28th minute, before Cornelius Stewart equalised six minutes later. The advantage came back with the
Jaguars in the 77th minute when Ricky Shakes found the back of the nets, but that lead was neutralised three minutes later by another substitute, Tevin Slater.
tainment by the Daks New Generation Band and reigning calypso monarch King Perai.
The purchase of a serving of barbecue, which costs $1000, will guarantee patrons entry to the stage show, Yassen said. Meanwhile, from 14:00h today, there will be a threeway domino competition, which will feature top players from Ogle, Industry Scheme and Industry Front.
Yassen is urging Guyanese to support the fundraiser and make a contribution to the OCC’s plans to ensure the visit by the men from the island of steel pan music is a memorable and successful one.
One of the highest run scorers in the modern era of Australia’s domestic game, 40-year-old Brad Hodge is back for this year’s Caribbean Premier League - after a cruel injury robbed the Aussie of his chance to join last year’s party just before the start of the tournament.
Acknowledged as a fine batsman without the appearances at international level in recent years that his talent merited, we grabbed a word with Hodge to talk about the charms of the T20 cricket in the Caribbean...
How does it feel to be back in the CPL?
I only faced one ball in a practice match last year, broke my arm in a warm-up game and didn’t get a chance to play, so it’ll be great to go back this year and finish off what I started last year. T20 tournaments around the world are always good fun. There’s a good build-up and
everyone’s excited, and the tournaments only last five or six weeks, so it’s exciting and good to be involved in. Was it an easy decision to return?
It’s not a hard sell for cricketers to play in the Caribbean for a few weeks!
The Caribbean has plenty of nice places - and some
not so nice places like a lot of areas - but there’s plenty of chances for relaxation, beach life, and lots of fun people around. It’s one of those tournaments it’s hard to say no to - like playing in Australia or South Africa or England, fun places to play.
How big an appeal is the party atmosphere?
it with their Test cricket and One Day cricket, so it’s a really good ploy to try and get people back involved in cricket.
I thought I’d retire at about 33, but T20s have changed everything - Brad Hodge
How important has T20 cricket been for you as a professional?
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
It’s all good fun. I guess the fun, the atmosphere, a bit of it has been lost in West Indies cricket in the past few years and they’re trying to get it back. I played in the Caribbean in 2007 and it was a lot of fun, with drums beating in the background and the dancing... They seem to have lost some of that spir-
T20 allows you to carry on for as long as you want. As long as you’re fit and strong, and your eyes are good, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to continue. As long as you’re contributing, why not? It’s really interesting to see that in T20 you can play longer. I thought I’d retire at about 33, but T20s have changed everything, brought a different aspect to the whole game.
What’s the standard you’re expecting in the CPL?
The squads are pretty good. There are some good
players involved, and it’ll pretty much come down to the local players. The internationals will have their day but they might cancel each other out, but it’ll come down to which team’s local players perform the best when the big stars don’t perform. It’s about standing up under pressure, and that’s why although everyone thinks T20 is a young man’s game it’s actually the opposite, it’s the wiser, smarter guy who can make the wise decision at the crucial time. They are the ones who get people over the line.
What are teams to look out for?
Of the islands, Barbados and Jamaica are maybe the big boys and it would be good to take them down. I’ve played with Kevon Cooper and Samuel Badree, who are both at Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel - it’ll be good fun playing against those guys.
At a time when the Region’s ace Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is facing one of the most difficult periods of his illustrious career, new Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Carl Hooper has placed faith in the veteran lefthander coming good in the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Chanderpaul, the dogged middle-order stalwart, is a first-timer to the Region’s premier T20 tournament, which is set to bowl off on June 20 and run until July 26.
The former West Indies Captain was snapped up by the Guyana Amazon Warriors
franchise at the Player Draft in February in Jamaica, and is one of eight local-based players bought by the two-time runners-up.
Chanderpaul, who is the Region’s second highest Test run-scorer, has made headlines over the past month after the West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Panel, led by Clive Lloyd, announced that he was dropped for the ongoing Test series against Australia.
Many have condemned the decision, noting that the batsman should have been given the two-Test series as a final hurrah, especially since he was just 86 runs away from eclipsing Brian Lara’s West Indies Test record aggregate of 11,953.
