The driver of this SUV, David Hinds was killed Sunday afternoon when the vehicle rammed into this culvert at Houston, East Bank Demerara (Bhisham Mohamed photo)
monday, february 23, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
President, Benn tell youths:
APNU-AFC sabotaged Guyana's growth
President Donald Ramotar last Thursday stated that he was convinced following the coalition of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) that the two parties were two sides of the same coin.
The President was at the time addressing a gathering of youths attached to the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s youth arm at Freedom House. “Back in 2011, we said the two parties are the same but they denied it. One leader even went on television and said if they were to form an alliance, he would leave. Well, now they have proven to be two sides of the same coin,” the President told the youths, who were gathered as part of the PYO’s Mash Camp activities.
Public Works Minister Robeson Benn also uttered similar sentiments, calling
the Opposition coalition a “last straw”, which he said was taken in a desperate attempt to get into government.
President Ramotar expressed disappointment in the cuts to the budget of projects which he said were critical development projects. He pointed to the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, the subsidy to the University of Guyana, road construction and other infrastructural work, as projects that suffered at the hands of the Opposition.
Minister Benn took the opportunity to warn youths against allowing the Opposition to enter into power. He explained that while the Opposition was not in power, it has managed to cause the destruction of a number of projects which were set for the development of Guyana. He then questioned why a party would be allowed into power if it has already shown its destruc-
tive side.
Ramotar said he could not fathom why the Opposition would vote against a critical bill such as the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT) Bill. “That is a bill that is supposed to protect our country and lead us on the path of development and they voted against it,” the President said. Benn
stated that had the roles been reversed, the PPP/C would have voted in favour of all the development projects the Opposition voted against.
He added that in the event the roles did change, the PPP/C would stand by its projects if the Opposition should embark on them. “It would be interesting to see what they would do if they get in power, would they continue along the development path? If so, we would stand by our projects and support them,” the Minister said.
Attempt to destroy PPP/C’s reputation
The President explained that in addition to voting against development projects, the Opposition also made various attempts to destroy the reputation of the PPP/C Government. He explained that the Opposition has accused the Government of overspending among other alleged corrupt activities.
But, Ramotar was sure of the ‘clean hands’ of the Party.
He further challenged former member of the PPP, Moses Nagamootoo to come forth and give evidence against the Party of which he was a part.
The President said: “They say they have all this evidence against us and yet nothing is being done, why they don’t come forth? Why doesn’t Nagamootoo come forth, he was with us, he would know.”
The Head of State called the Opposition “anti-young people” in referring to the cuts it made with regard to subsidies to the University of
Guyana which allowed students to acquire a loan from the University to finance their studies. Students were not required to repay this loan until they completed university and acquired a job.
The President added that it was because the funds to the University were replaced by the Government that the Opposition has taken the Government to court for illegal spending.
Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang recently ruled that the spending of some $4.5 billion of disapproved funds by the Government was indeed illegal.
Opposition will spurn PPP/C in “unity government” ...claims it is “tit for tat”
Despite polling the most votes as a single party since 1992, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) seems set to be excluded by the Opposition coalition in any future national unity government.
The Alliance For Change/A Partnership (AFC/APNU) alliance, which was formed two weeks ago, has committed to establishing a government of national unity should it be elected on May 11, but when asked directly last Friday whether the PPP/C would be invited AFC founding member Raphael Trotman told a news conference that earlier discussions on the topic proved disinterest from the ruling party.
“Mr Ramotar in that meeting responded that was not the mandate that his party went into the 2011 elections with and, therefore, could not accede to that request,” Trotman related, referring to a meeting involving himself, Khemraj Ramjattan, David Granger and President Donald Ramotar, days before he was sworn in following the November 2011 polls.
Commentators and political analysts have repeatedly said that no future government of national unity could ignore the PPP/C. The ruling PPP/C alliance has always maintained that shared governance could only be realised if there were serious thoughts and actions directed toward building trust. The Party said that any proposal for shared governance has to be based on the social, political and cultural realities in Guyana and not be used to score cheap political points.
Top leaders of the AFC have repeatedly said in recent times that they would not invite “corrupt” members of
the PPP/C into any future national unity government.
Broad national democratic front
Only late last year, the PPP/C in a statement said that it was moving to establish a broad national democratic front, ahead of General Elections. The outcome of the 2011 General and Regional Elections had left the ruling party with a slim one-seat minority for the first time. The PPP/C garnered 32 seats in the National Assembly while its opponents, APNU and the AFC collectively acquired 33 seats.
The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, back then had disclosed that the Party was on a path of establishing a broad national democratic front. He had said that the PPP/C was “heartened” by the overwhelming interest shown by “a large number” of civic and political stakeholders in the establishment of such an alliance. Noting that the Party had had several discussions with stakeholders and interest groups on the country’s political climate, Rohee had said those present were assured that Guyanese would benefit significantly from higher levels of transparency and accountability through shared governance. “The Party is satisfied that its ideology, political principles and track record have managed to attract so many stakeholders who are interested in this national democratic platform to build and further develop Guyana.”
Speaking with Guyana Times last week, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said one of the goals of the AFC-APNU coalition was to help solve the racial tension in society. “I don’t think it will end racial tensions, but it will lower it.”
President Donald Ramotar
february 23, 2015 |
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, February 23 – 05:30h-07:00h and Tuesday, February 24 – 08:30h-10:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Monday, February 23 – 07:10h-08:40h and Tuesday, February 24 – 07:55h-09:25h
Derision of Harper’s PM candidacy ...
EWEATHER TODAY FERRY SCHEDULE
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 06:00h, 11:00h and 17:00h
Weather: Rain showers, sometimes accompanied by thunder, can be expected throughout the day and evening with sunny and cloudy skies respectively in the interim. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-easterly between 4.91 metres and 5.81 metres per second.
High Tide: 07:36h and 20:02h reaching maximum heights of 2.72 metres and 2.60 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 01:10h and 13:34h reaching a minimum height of 0.52 metre respectively.
xecutive Director of the African Cultural Development Association, Dr Eric Phillips has flayed the Opposition for attacking newly-unveiled Prime Ministerial Candidate for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Elisabeth Harper.
He called on the Opposition to show some “class” and tell voters what it would do for them. Dr Phillips’ comments were made on his Facebook page.
“Don’t know why the combined Opposition would comment negatively on the selection of Ms Harper as PM candidate...have some class and tell us what you will do for us....steups... show us dignity,” Phillips posted. In another post, Dr Phillips a lecturer at the University of Guyana, said:
“The Opposition needs to focus on what they can do... Elizabeth can’t help the PPP, but to have an official statement just doesn’t make sense. Show leadership and class; young voters are the key target, they would see this as “politicians are all the same” .”
A number of pro-Opposition commentators have criticised Harper’s decision to run with the PPP/C.
The PPP/C on Saturday announced Harper, who is also Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry as its Prime Ministerial Candidate to contest the May 11 General and Regional Elections. The revelation was made by President Donald Ramotar and Party General Secretary Clement Rohee.
“The Central Committee of the PPP, the second highest decision-making body of our Party after Congress, has
just concluded a historic meeting. Having considered a report from the Executive Committee on the subject of a Prime Ministerial Candidate was presented with a single nomination for the candidate to be the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the PPP.
Sparkle
“The Central Committee unanimously endorsed the nomination presented by the Executive Committee and reaffirmed the tradition established since 1992 whereby the PM candidate would be a member from civil society,” Rohee told media operatives. He noted that while there were several other contenders in the race for the position, it was Harper who managed to receive the unanimous votes of the Committee due to her wealth of experience and qualifications.
“Mrs Elizabeth Ann Harper brings to the table, that sparkle; that burst of freshness that will energise and inspire membership, supporters and well wishers to work hard for the
Party’s victory at the polls. Mrs Harper has, for years, laboured in the ravines of international diplomacy in service of our people and nation. She is a proven servant of the people in service of our country and nation. She is a proven servant of the people of Guyana. The consummate public servant and totally committed to placing at the disposal of the PPP Government, her invaluable skills and experience she has accumulated over the years and which will contribute immensely to a strong, stable and secure Guyana,” the General Secretary shared. However, in swift reactions, General Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, stated that the appointment of Harper, as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the PPP/C is a “manifestation of a power struggle” within the Party. Harmon told Guyana Times shortly after the announcement that after analysing the move, it was clear that the PPP/C could not have found a consensus candi-
date within the Party so they had to look outside for someone with credibility. “They had to compromise on the candidate because of the struggle for leadership within the PPP party,” he stated.
The APNU General Secretary believes that with the appointment of Harper, the ruling party was hoping to get “legitimacy” but added that no one – no matter how legitimate or competent – can undo the damage within the PPP/C. “They’re hoping that she will bring legitimacy to an administration that is deep in a sea of corruption and incompetence… but one person can’t make the whole system legitimate,” Harmon said. He nevertheless acknowledged that Harper was a “decent” public servant who has displayed great competence in her role over the years at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Meanwhile, when contacted by Guyana Times on Saturday, the Alliance For Change’s Moses Nagamootoo briefly commented that Harper’s appointment is a little too late. “She is a fine, charming lady, but I don’t think it will change the outcome of the PPP/C’s fate come May 11,” expressed Nagamootoo. Opposition Leader, David Granger was also quoted in another section of the media saying that Ambassador Harper was well-respected, but the move by the PPP/C was a desperate and damaging move which was going to affect the public service and the public’s perception of public servants. He said too that the Director General should have said “no” to the invitation.
ACDA Executive Director, Dr Eric Phillips
PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Republic Day
Today is the 45th anniversary of our attainment Republican status - no more Monarchs or their representative holding supreme power over our state, whether symbolically or legally. It has been claimed, with a large degree of truth, that at that time we "inherited a state but not a nation". That is, we received all the paraphernalia of the modern state - flag, constitution, coat of arms, motto, etc, but when it came to being a "nation" there was still a far way to go.
Part of the problem is that there is widespread confusion of just what being a "nation" entails. One view was summarised in the National Motto: "One People, One Nation, One Destiny". Probably reacting against the "divide and rule" machinations of the departed British, the early political leaders can be forgiven for trying to swing the pendulum the other way. But in fact, the urge to dissolve boundaries between peoples in a country has been inculcated conterminously with the formation of the modern state system back in the seventeenth century. The religion and culture of the King was supposed to become those of the people.
But by the time our Republic-hood was attained, the countries we were imitating in "dissolving" our peoples' identities into a melange, were actually moving in the opposite direction. Recognising that different cultures could actually be strength of a country rather than a weakness, the ideal of "multiculturalism" was promulgated. The United States, which had accepted as its unofficial motto from its inception in 1776 the ideal of "E Pluribus UnumOut of many, one", led the way in this movement. In 1956 it adopted as its official motto, "In God we trust" and made as a central principle of all government actions and policies the commitment to increase "diversity".
While in our own country, there has been a growing recognition that "Unity of Diversity" might be a more appropriate motto and goal of our Republic, unlike in the US, this has not received official state imprimatur. Today, as we commemorate Republic Day, this state of affairs will be very obvious in the official celebrations of "Mashramani" or "Mash". Initiated in what is now Linden as "Carnival" in imitation of the Trinidadian festival at the beginning of Lent, it was renamed with the Amerindian word for "Celebrations after hard work".
But the movement to broaden the celebrations did not go far beyond that gesture. And there was obviously no thought of the appropriateness of commemorating the attainment of Republican status that started with the first mass slave rebellion in the Western Hemisphere with a Carnival that has totally different roots. So today as the bands "Mash" through the town they will be dominantly reflective of one cultural strain. And in other citizens desire to be part of those celebrations, they have to bend to the old pressures to jettison their own expressions of celebration and merge into the officially sanctioned one.
This year, the government has initiated moves to remind citizens of the great contribution that Cuffy made to our Republic becoming a reality today. There will be a number of public lectures on the event. But these will inevitably be confined to a cloistered audience: the efforts to connect Republic Day with the Berbice Rebellion of 1773 must be translated to the masses of ordinary citizens. And this will only be successful when those same people are facilitated to express their feelings of appreciation for that seminal event in their own forms and cultures.
Diversity is part and parcel of the nature of all creation. The challenge is not to deny it nor obliterate it but rather to deal with it so that it becomes a positive rather than a negative force for progress. As we go out to celebrate Republic Day via Mashramani let us resolve to allow a thousand flowers to bloom.
Happy Republic Day to all Guyanese.
Elisabeth Harper is an excellent Prime Ministerial Candidate
Dear Editor, I am excited that the PPP/C has chosen Elisabeth Harper as its Prime Ministerial Candidate. The PPP/C has selected an excellent candidate and Harper will find a very supportive environment in the PPP/C and among its supporters.
The PPP/C has never been afraid to bring out new candidates and every election we see new people on the PPP/C Candidate List.
She is only the first new person revealed for the 2015 List. Many more will be put forward as the campaign takes off. In selecting Harper, the PPP/C demonstrates the significant role women have played in the PPP/C and the continued determination of the PPP/C to create the space for women empowerment.
As a Minister in the PPP/C Government, I believe that this is another proud moment for the PPP/C. The PPP/C previously
was bold in electing a woman to be its Presidential Candidate and she became our President. President Janet Jagan served also as Prime Minister before her election as President.
Given my confidence that the PPP/C will win the 2015 elections, we can be assured that Harper will be Guyana’s next Prime Minister. The PPP/C would have ensured that once again a woman occupies this important role in Guyana.
Harper is a distinguished Guyanese. She has achieved much in her professional career. She is highly regarded as Guyana’s Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her eligibility as our Prime Minister is beyond question.
I noticed that Moses Nagamootoo has expressed criticism on the nomination of Harper as the PPP/C Prime Minister Candidate. It would have been more appropriate for Nagamootoo to con-
gratulate Harper as the Prime Ministerial Candidate.
Given our commitment as a country to ensure women play prominent roles in Guyana’s development and the global campaign for women to have equal chances to play leading roles in national development, the ascendency of Harper to the Prime Ministerial candidacy should be something all Guyana applaud.
This does not mean everyone will support Harper and the PPP/C. But at least we should celebrate the fact that such possibilities exist in our country.
The fact that Nagamootoo’s first inclination is to be critical is very compelling evidence of a politician who has no moral compass. He might hate the PPP/C; it is his prerogative, justified or not.
But as one who seeks such a high post and to be a leader in Guyana, he should have the decency to see that one of our sisters has attained such a high place in our society. He may not
like the PPP/C, but he should have the decency to acknowledge that she has achieved a distinction that few women in history around the world have attained.
When the WPA announced Sheila Holder as the PM candidate, I congratulated her, even though I made it clear that I could not support the WPA. But I expect little else from a bitter politician.
I know that Nagamootoo would find something to diminish the importance of this nomination. But the fact is that the PPP/C’s Presidential Candidate is superior in every way to Nagamootoo’s Presidential colleague David Granger. Harper is a much more dignified candidate with integrity than Nagamootoo, by far. Nagamootoo will find that this candidate would enjoy more support than he could ever imagine.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Guyanese need not to be misled by Opposition forces
Dear Editor,
Our dear land of Guyana is developing rapidly and we as Guyanese need to ensure that our children, children, and our future remain secured. At the same time we must do everything possible for Guyana’s development to continue for the benefit of all Guyanese.
The only way this can happen is for us as Guyanese not to be misled by Opposition forces which are there to make empty promises as was done in the past so as to destroy Guyana as was done by the PNC/APNU.
In 1964, the PNC joined forces with the United Force (UF), throw out PPP from office. In about 1967/1968 PNC got rid of the UF and later the PNC made Guyana among the poorest of countries in the world before the PPP/C took office in1992.
The same thing the PNC had done before is the same thing they are trying to do again, but this time with the AFC. APNU/PNC is just a name, we need to ask ourselves the question, how many seats the small parties that make up
APNU acquire in Parliament?
Any Guyanese of the age who lived in Guyana during the PNC rule of Guyana and wish to speak the truth can tell all, especially the youths, the punishment we Guyanese went through under the PNC rule in office.
Now election is in the making and Guyanese need to know who they have to support at the upcoming regional and national elections for sustained development for Guyana. My reason for saying this to the general public is that I am 60 years of age and have a wealth of experience/ knowledge of what took place in Guyana during and before the time the PNC ruled Guyana. I hereby share with you some of my experiences. I observed over the last couple of years there has been lots of political wrangling in Guyana, in and out of Parliament mainly by the Opposition forces. This reveals that the Opposition parties are power hungry and would do anything to get power.
This type of behaviour brings back memories of the past and I wish to let all know, especially the youths, how Guyana was de-
stroyed by the PNC Government when they ruled Guyana between prior to 1992. It must be mentioned that they have ruined Guyana by making it bankrupt and eventually became among the poorest of countries the world. They had Guyanese joining long lines for basic food items and on most occasions when Guyanese reached the counter for their supplies, all or most of the basic food items were finished.
Guyanese had to travel back to their respective homes with no or very little basic food that was inadequate to feed their family. There was a ban on flour, potato, split peas, cooking oil and sardine, just to mention a few.
Because of this situation Guyanese had to eat what they produced, and there was a saying those days, “Produce or perish”. I wish to let all know that many people produce, but still perish. Because of shortage of basic food items at the time, many Guyanese lacked the necessary mineral and vitamins the body needs. As a result many persons
suffered from a disease called ‘beri beri’ and they were forced to be taken to the hospitals. Those days the Public Hospital was overfilled with patients. My brother-in-law was in the hospital suffering from beri beri and I can recall that I had to fetch him on my back for three months in the hospital so as to ensure he used the toilet and bath. He could not move his hands or feet due to the sickness. Apart from that, infrastructure was ruined. The PNC now APNU did not have a firm policy in developing Guyana. It was purely dictatorship. Because of the situation, early in the 1970s, a United States Ambassador to Guyana was recalled to the United States. In late 1970s there had been a massacre of over 900 lives taken in Jonestown while the PNC was in office. It must be accepted that the PNC Government was fully aware of situation in Jonestown, because they give the land area to Jim Jones, the head of the organization/cult.
continue on page 5
The Melody Makers Band from Suriname complete with dancers strike a pose after an entertaining set at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday (Carl Croker photo)
Trotman is to PNC what Moses is to PPP/C
Dear Editor,
The present coalition between AFC and APNU did not materialise because of the No-Confidence Motion or the pro-rogation of Parliament, but it was a well-orchestrated move by Raphael Trotman and his APNU acolytes to get APNU into power.
In this process, Ramjattan and Nagamootoo became mere pawns in the power struggle, their lust for power and vengeance made them blind to the crafty manoeuvrings of Trotman. They were willing to go along once their petty desires can be fulfilled. They believed that they will all end up in a win-win situation.
Trotman never officially left the membership of the PNC and is a member of APNU. He co-founded the AFC with Ramjattan as a front to split the PPP/C votes and to usher in the PNC, but this failed because the PPP/C ended up with the majority in 2006. Trotman was the AFC’s Presidential Candidate then.
However, after the 2011 Elections, with Ramjattan as the AFC’s Presidential Candidate, the AFC managed to clinch the one extra seat needed to give the combined opposition the majority they needed to create havoc and mayhem in Parliament and to force the PPP/C to abort its term
and call fresh elections. APNU in 2011 had to seal this new dispensation in their favour, so they refused to install Nagamootoo as the Speaker of the House. Granger made it clear that Nagamootoo cannot be trusted. This was no accidental emotional outburst, they wanted Raphael Trotman because he was one of them, he can be trusted to stay on course to depose of the PPP/C from Government.
Trotman, as the Speaker should have been impartial, but he would have meetings with APNU and AFC executives and instruct and advise them as to what they should be doing in Parliament.
I have been reliably informed that the coalition was initiated by Trotman and he was the one who drafted the relevant documents relating to the coalition, and at the moment he is the campaign co-ordinator for the coalition. He is the chief architect of the coalition.
Trotman is to the PNC what Moses is to the PPP/C. Trotman always wanted to be in the leadership.
It must be recalled that Trotman fought Desmond Hoyte for the leadership of the PNC, and in 2008 at the AFC Conference held at Perry Hotel, he did not want to accede to the ro-
Guyanese need...
There had been major protests in Georgetown because of the undemocratic rule of the PNC. Some people were brutalized by members of the House of Israel and the Police. I can remember during one of those protests, Father Darke was stabbed to death.
Dr Walter Rodney had been fighting for democracy and he was assassinated. There had been no democracy. I can go on and on telling what took place in Guyana those days. Many or almost all the PNC old heads remain in the PNC/APNU.
In this respect you cannot trust these people. We cannot allow Guyana to return to those dark days. Recently the AFC prepared a No Confidence Motion against the PPP/C Government, using the Constitution of Guyana.
That was okay for the Government, AFC and APNU, but when President Donald Ramotar used the same Constitution to prorogue Parliament, they claimed that the President is a dictator.
On that evening of the prorogation I looked at the news and could clearly see the passion in the faces of the PNC Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge, AFC Leader
Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamottoo, when responding to the prorogation.
Khemra jRamjattan and Moses Nagamottoo were with the PPP/C and they are fully aware as to what happened to Guyana, its development and the people when the UF and PNC joined forces in 1964. Today they are trying to get power by using the same system. In my opinion, these people are not interested in the welfare of Guyana and the Guyanese people. They used their one-seat majority in Parliament to cut the yearly budgets which were in place to create jobs, reduce the electricity rates, and help the most vulnerable communities, etc.
Instead they have been doing everything to destroy Guyana’s development and to take power through any means.
If these political parties, AFC and APNU/PNC, were interested in making Guyana a better place for all.
In my humble opinion, I wish you to know, with that one-seat majority they had, they could have at least approve the budgets over the years and include other projects in order to have their manifesto honoured in the interest of their
tation principle with regard to the Presidential Candidate and leadership of the AFC.
He became so annoyed afterwards that he said that he will resign from politics in order to pursue a spiritual quest. He had to be cajoled into accepting the Prime Ministerial Ccandidacy.
It was at this Conference that Ramjattan received the support of exexecutive members who have now resigned from the AFC and was instrumental in Ramjattan being given the Presidential Candidacy.
Yet these members have been side-lined, thanks to the tenacity and hard-work of Raphael Trotman! He did not forget that these people supported Ramjattan against him. What a schemer!
Edwards, the former General Secretary of the AFC, made mention of cronyism, and I will elaborate on a few examples.
After the 2006 elections, Shantelle Smith, the female friend of Trotman was duly rewarded with the post of Member of Parliament and after this was revealed, Smith resigned and the vacancy was filled by Punalall.
Also David Patterson became a Member of Parliament simply because he is a relative of Trotman. Hardworking members such as Gerhard
supporters.
Instead they choose to divert from their own programme/ plans shown in their manifesto, thus betraying their supporters and achieving nothing.
With that one-seat majority they could have at least used it in the interest of Guyana’s development and its people and show/tell to their supporters what they have done for Guyana.
Instead they choose to deprive Guyana and Guyanese of its development and employment by cutting the annual budgets. It is very clear that these people have no interest in Guyana, its development and its people.
In this respect, the Opposition’s interest is to get power and to rule Guyana as was done in the past. It is very clear that Kaieteur News has been the mouth piece of the Opposition and the
and others did not stand a chance. Later on, in 2012 David Patterson was rewarded with the GS position since Edwards was too principled, preached accountability and was a stickler with regard to the provisions enshrined in the AFC’s Constitution.
Edwards will not fit in the scheme of things which will be implemented in the near future. He was an impediment and had to be removed in order make the deviation from the AFC founding principles easier and the transition be made with little or no resistance.
No wonder Trotman was in Berbice trying to sell the coalition to Berbicians. He lauded the PNC’s achievements under the Hoyte’s Administration and though he accepted that some bad things happened, the AFC now knows what went wrong and can correct them.
He gave the Berbicians a guarantee that the AFC will not be taken over by the PNC, but he failed to make mention what happened to the UF after the 1964 coalition. Peter D’Augiar had to resign and the remaining UF Ministers were bought by Burnham and that was the end of the UF.
He was so comical when he said that if the coalition does not go well, Ramjattan will move a No-Confidence
Opposition has been accusing the Government of corruption.
Allegations of corruption have been published continuously, but at no time I have ever seen any proof of corruption through any court action against corruption. In this respect, all I can say is lies and more lies are being peddled.
Publishing false information is not freedom of the press. I believe that freedom of press is what is published should be verified, but today freedom of press is based on opinion rather than known fact.
Corruption is a word used to accuse the Government without any proof. I wish to let you know that when any one speaks about corruption, they must reflect on the PNC/APNU rule of Guyana when they ruined the country, making it among the poorest in the world with degrading infrastructure and development.
Vote against the PNC and APNU! I cannot imagine the length that these people will go to fool our people in Berbice.
Then he assured the Berbicians that “we are not going to cheat you”. Every single day the AFC has been cheating its members and supporters and yet this man is again chanting the same mantra. The AFC has not only cheated its supporters, but it has deceived and sold them out to the PNC on a platter.
Then he stated that they will hold each other accountable when they are given power and that Ramjattan is a no-nonsense man. This is so laughable! I have spoken and written exhaustively about the corrupt practices of the “AFC Gang” and this has been confirmed and corroborated by both Edwards and Persaud.
Trotman exhorted Berbicians not to look into the rear view mirror in an effort to erase the past. He should know that for his own safety, that of his passengers and the general public, a driver must consult his rear view mirror at times!
Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne)
Brothers and sisters in order to safe guard our beautiful Guyana and its people from any form of destruction by the Opposition, please commit yourself and support the PPP/C, a party for the future of all Guyana.
There had been continuous rigging of Guyana’s elections and Guyanese were deprived of their democratic rights to select a Government of their choice until the involvement of the Carter Centre in 1992.
The PPP/C became victorious and took Guyana where it is today. Systems were put in place that every Guyanese can benefit personally if they really want to. Apart from that, there had been many road projects –
housing, schools, hospitals, etc. It must be accepted that many more things have to be done, but little by little under the PPP/C Government, Guyana will be a paradise for all.
I can remember the many unfair sufferings the PPP/C founder, leaders and members went through, all because of their fight for freedom and democracy which we all enjoy in Guyana today. Because of them and the very transparent way they run Guyana, we should be very honest and let the wheel s of development keep spinning.
Tasleem Drepaul
monday, february 23, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com
Govt recommits to free, just society
President Donald Ramotar said his Government’s policies were all aimed at promoting a just and free society where all citizens were allowed to practise their beliefs and cultures without fear. He made the remarks in a message to mark Guyana’s 45th Republican Anniversary.
Below is the full text of message
Inspired by a vision of a united, just, democratic, and prosperous society, Guyana threw off the yoke of British colonialism in 1966 and just four years later, in February 23, 1970, elevated our status to that of a Republic. Today, 45 years on, Guyanese of every walk of life, in every village in every region have come together to celebrate this historic milestone.
As we celebrate our Republic, we first of all recall and salute the heroism, the sacrifices and the selflessness of our people who made it possible for all of us to live in this strong and vibrant democracy. We remember and salute our brothers and sisters all across the country
and our friends across the world, whose solidarity made it possible for us to defeat colonialism and es tablish this Republic. All of them, through their determined strug gles, ensured that Guyanese to day, more than at any time before, enjoy the right of living in a just, united and prosperous country.
Accordingly, as a nation, we renew, on this historic day, our pledge to build a better life for all, working closely with all sec tors of our society. As we renew our pledge on this the 45th anni versary of our Republic, we also take pride in, and celebrate, the progress we have made since 1970 and more so since 1992 towards a better life for all and a more unit ed society. We renew our pledge knowing that today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will bring even more joy than today.
As we renew this pledge, our people are conscious of the fact that, as their community gets clean water, electricity, health centres and proper roads, as many move from informal to formal housing,
their turn will surely come as day follows night. This, they know, because they have seen the determined efforts of this democratically elected Government since 1992, to ensure a better life for all. Indeed, working together, we have helped to restore the dignity of all Guyanese through the broadening
access to basic services previously denied to them; in opening the doors to education; the economic opportunities that have been created and in the gathering pace of our country’s economic growth that creates the resources for further advances in improving the lives of all our communities.
Our policies and our programmes are all based on the quest for a just society in which individuals and communities are free to practise their beliefs, their traditions and their cultures without fear. As we rededicate ourselves to building a better life for all, we are conscious that some of the legacies of the past continue to disfigure our nation in the present; that we have not wholly removed the cancer of poverty from our society; that we have only moved slowly towards building a truly egalitarian society; that we still have challenges to overcome.
As we renew our pledge for a better life for all, we need to work together. I, therefore, call on all Guyanese, from all stations of life to rededicate ourselves and work
together on the big challenges facing our country so that as today is better than yesterday, tomorrow must be better than today for all the people of our country. Fellow Guyanese, we need to dedicate ourselves to the building of a socially cohesive nation, always working to create a common identity as Guyanese, united in diversity, bound together by the same vision of creating a harmonious society based on truly universal values. Mashramani is an important signpost in our national life. It symbolises the dawn of freedom and democracy. It represents a call to sustain the national effort that brought about freedom, which is critical in consolidating our democracy and promoting national unity. It calls on all Guyanese to unite and defeat poverty and underdevelopment. It calls on all of us to work together for a better future. Let us, therefore, renew our pledge to build a better life for all. Wherever you are, at home or abroad, I wish you a happy Mashramani.
President Donald Ramotar
Coomacka gets multimillion-dollar solar water system
Residents of the Coomacka community have now been brought a step closer to having access to potable water, with the completion of the Coomacka Solar Powered Water System, designed and constructed under the Coomacka Water Project.
At an opening ceremony held at the Coomacka recreation ground on Saturday, the multi-million well was declared officially opened to residents of the community. The project was funded by the Rotary Clubs of Georgetown, Wilmington, Wilmington Downtown, Coastal Pender, Wilmington East, Cape Fear and the Coomacka community.
In attendance at the ceremony held at the community’s recreation ground were residents of Coomacka, in addition to Rotary Club of Georgetown President Ronald Burch-Smith, Service Projects Director Ralph Persaud, Wilmington Rotary Club Director Michael P Beaudoin, Rotary District Governor (2014-2015) Elwin Atmodimedjo and Rotary District Governor Vanessa Ervin, among others.
In an address to those in attendance, Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman and Health Worker Dexter Harding noted that there was need for a sustainable water system in the
community, prior to the project. He added that following consultations with the Rotary Club of Georgetown, and sister clubs, the drilling of the well commenced in June 2014.
Low operational cost
According to an overview of the project, “the Coomacka Water Project was designed to construct the well, water distribution system, elevated storage tanks and a solar powered water pump to supply the community with a safe source of water ”, which have all
joys 10 hours of sunlight daily”, an overview of the project states. The construction of the distribution system commenced last November and was supported by five Rotarians and the community. Personnel from the Guyana Water Inc also assisted in the project.
Atmodimedjo, during an address to the gathering on Saturday noted that it was Rotary’s intention to give back to and work along with communities. He said that projects such as these give satisfaction to Rotary and applauded the efforts of others involved, re-
been constructed. The contract for the construction of the well, which was signed with Andre Webb, commenced July last year and was completed in September.
“The system has a very low operational cost, since Guyana en-
ferring to them as “champions in the community”. He told residents to ensure that everyone in the community benefited from the project and to utilise it as a source of income and revenue.
“We recognise that the project
is for the community, and must be sustainable. So while we have the ceremony today, it’s your project… your water well…in other words, take good care of your ‘baby’, it’s your thing. Let it mature…the whole community of Coomacka will benefit from this…we are not only giving you the ‘fish’ today, we are teaching you how to fish,” he told residents.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Linden Town Council Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman Orrin Gordon, who noted that he was happy the Rotary saw the need for such a project and congratulated the members on the initiative. He also encouraged residents to take good care of the facility, noting that many more developmental projects which may be of benefit to the community could come out of it.
The small village of Coomacka, which is situated in Region 10 (Upper-Demerara-Berbice) and is home to approximately 1000 persons, has seen the absence of potable water over the last 14 years, since its last water treatment facility became dilapidated. The community was then unable to maintain the system, more so since the mining operation which served as the main economic activity there closed its operations.
Two bus sheds were also opened and officially handed over to the community on Saturday. Rotarians have been involved in community service at Coomacka since last year, working along on the project, and 140 persons have benefited from fluoride dental treatment.
Residents of Coomacka are elated over the project
The multimillion-dollar solar system at Coomacka
monday, february 23, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Venezuelan deported for illegal entry
AVenezuelan national who entered Guyana illegally was on Friday ordered deported after appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Thirty-six-year-old Yenezolawe Del Cornercondo pleaded guilty when she was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan, who related that she entered Guyana on January 30, by sea at Charity, Essequibo, but did not report to an immigra-
tion officer when she disembarked.
The court was told by the defence that Del Cornercondo was overwhelmed with the beauty of the place when she disembarked and did not realise the procedures she needed to follow. The defence also said the defendant was very “sympathetic” and genuinely wished to experience Guyana, so she will be making an application to visit once she has been de-
ported.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that the defendant came to Guyana in a small boat and failed to go to the nearest immigration officer. Then on February 19, she tried to travel to Kamarang from Ogle Airport and was arrested by immigration officers, who found that she was illegally in Guyana. She was questioned and admitted to the offence.
Jones continued that the
defendant was then handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters where she was later charged.
Via an interpreter, the defendant begged the court for forgiveness for the crime she committed and was fined $20,000, with one week’s imprisonment in default. She was slated to be deported in three days after the hearing, according to her lawyer.
Sweetie vendor accused of $833,000 theft
A31-year-old man was granted $50,000 bail when he appeared in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts accused of robbing Nigel McKenzie of $833,000.
Confectionery vendor Sherwin Rius, of 60 Bel Air, Georgetown, was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday.
The Magistrate stated that on Saturday November 8, 2014
He allegedly broke into the home of the Virtual Complainant (VC) and stole a stereo system worth $10, 000, a television worth $110,000, an iPod valued at $50,000, a $30,000 generator, men’s clothing valued $160,000, silver jewellery valued $60,000, gold jewellery valued $200,000, electrical tools valued $98,000, a haversack worth $15,000 and a RCA headphone valued $10,000.
Magistrate McLennan said the defendant was not required to plead as the matter was indictable.
The defendant’s lawyer addressed the court, stating that his client had never had any problems with the law, and was a simple confectionery vendor.
The arresting officer, Constable Fowler, who was in court assisting the prosecution, stated that the defendant had given a differ-
ent address to the Police than he gave in court. The defendant explained this by saying that he lived both by his mother in 3450 Stevedore, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown and his girlfriend, who lives in Bel Air.
The defendant was granted bail, but on the condition that he reports to the East La Penitence Police Station every Friday until his trial begins on March 25.
Eyew tness Can't play it again...
...Sam
If there's anything that's gonna convince folks "the times are a changin'" it's the news that Sam Hinds isn't going to be our next Prime Minister. There's a whole generation out there who probably think to be Prime Minister of Guyana, your name has to be "Sam Hinds". His successor is going to be a newcomer to politics – Elisabeth Harper, a career diplomat.
Now the Opposition's already bleating about Harper's "inexperience" but isn't it the same charge they made back in 1992 when Dr Jagan picked Sam Hinds? And look how well that choice of a "dark horse" turned out!! But then the Opposition are terrified that the PPP/C stuck to Jagan's winning script and chose a real "Civic" candidate.
And that means choosing someone outside of the political circles that have such a negatively stereotypebecause of the Opposition gymnastics - and some imitators in the ruling party circles, of course. This was a masterstroke from Dr Jagan...and it's great that the PPP/C stuck to it.
If there's one adjective that everyone would agree fits Sam Hinds, it would be "decent". In the 23 years that Sam's been PM...there hasn't been a single whiff of impropriety emanating from his direction.
And it would appear that this is the quality the PPP/C wants to replicate with their new choice. When Sam was chosen, he was just a well meaning chemical engineer from the bauxite industry who'd become Chair of the Civil Society grouping-GUARD. They'd been agitating for "free and fair" elections, pulling huge crowds at their meetings. The attractiveness being due to the same quality the present Opposition are deriding - being outside of politics.
The Opposition's dirty tricks department went into overdrive to promote the idea that former President Bharat Jagdeo and PPP/C General Secretary were lining up for the PM position. Their not-so-subtle subtext, of course, being that these gentlemen would be looking over the shoulders of President Ramotar. The other top name touted by the Opposition was that of Carolyn Rodrigues - interestingly the line-Minister of Elisabeth Harper.
As was evident from their own cynical coalition negotiations, the Opposition sees Guyana's politics totally through racial lens. Just as Nagamootoo got their PM candidacy nod because he's supposed to bring in "Indian" votes, Rodrigues was supposed to do the same for Amerindian votes. In rejecting this crass pandering to racial sentiments, the PPP/C has done a yeoman task for this country's political culture.
In the meantime, there should be some special occasion organised to honour Sam Hinds who showed that with hard work, commitment and modesty, greatness can be achieved.
...APNU-AFC
While we're still a cash-based economy, most folks are familiar enough with banks to know that you can't cash the same cheque twice. But in politics, the Opposition still haven't learnt the equivalent lesson: how many times are they going to play the "race card"?? But we guess "race" is in their genes and they just can't help themselves. Nature will out, no?
But what's very troubling is not just their racial orientation - but their math. We know that our kids don't do very well at CXC math...but how the heck does 10 + 40 = 100???!!! But this is the Math the Opposition's been using to justify their unholy union. They say the can now form a "Government of National Unity". Now the last time we looked, "national" meant "all" or "most" of a country - 100 per cent. So once again this Eyewitness asks - how does (as Nagamootoo and Granger claimed) 10 per cent Indian Guyanese + 40 per cent African Guyanese = 100 per cent Guyanese ???
...on
PANTY!
How can folks who can't cooperate on finding a common name for their union, cooperate to improve Guyana?? Citizens want Granger to reconsider Ramjattan's proposal"Partnership Alliance for National Trust - Yes!". Or "PANTY!" for short.
The problem of a common symbol is thus also solved. PANTY!
Republic Day Message from US Secretary of State John Kerry
On behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana as you celebrate 45 years as a
Republic today. Your nation will hold national elections this year. I am confident that it will serve as an example of the peaceful exercise of the right to vote. Your actions
will strengthen the entire Region’s commitment to democratic institutions.
Guyana participates positively in the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative,
the Caribbean Community, and the Union of South American Nations.
The United States stands with you as a partner and friend in the InterAmerican System and in
continuing to strengthen and revitalise the Organisation of American States.
We will continue to work together to achieve energy and environmental
sustainability, as agreed upon during the recent Caribbean Energy Security Summit.
I wish you all a joyful Mashramani and Guyanese Republic Day.
Cocaine sub handed over to US – Rohee
The cocaine smuggling vessel, which was discovered in a creek off the Waini River in the NorthWest District in August, 2014, has been handed over to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
During an interview with Guyana Times, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee confirmed that the blue Self-Propelled SemiSubmersible (SPSS) vessel, which was also built in North-West District, has been sent to the US for further investigation.
Rohee explained that the Government of Guyana had sought the DEA’s assistance shortly after the discovery was made, noting that a decision was subsequently made to hand the vessel over to the US. He added that the decision was made based on the fact that the DEA has the requisite resources and skills needed to conduct a thorough investigation.
“We have cooperation with the Americans. They
have an ongoing programme where they carry out certain investigations in respect to semi-submersible vessels found in other countries of the world and they do comparative analysis with respect to the structure and how far it can go and things like that, so I think they are the best people to hand it over to”, Minister Rohee further explained.
Shortly after the vessel was discovered, President Donald Ramotar announced that the DEA would have helped local sleuths probe the discovery, which presents one of the biggest challenges to this country in its counter-narcotics efforts.
President Ramotar at that time had pledged that his Administration would have sought to enlist the help of the international community to ensure that the trade does not persevere in the country.
“You can understand and appreciate more the need for international coop-
Opposition will spurn...
He added that the AFCAPNU coalition planned to push vigorously for racial reconciliation during its campaign for the upcoming Regional and General Elections. Further, Roopnaraine said the coalition was presently in discussion to possibly form a committee to address and fight racial discrimination in Guyana in the event it wins at the upcoming polls. However, he believes it would be challenging to completely eradicate racial tension in Guyana as the coalition aimed to achieve its quest of a government of national unity. An analogous but ironic situation on “shared governance” occurred in 1977 when the PNC Government was under attack by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its socialist politics. At that time, the Working
People’s Alliance (WPA) had been making an impact in the struggle against the illegally rigged People’s National Congress (PNC) Government. The PPP/C proposed the formation of a National Front Government (NFG) that would include the PNC but the WPA objected strenuously. They declared that the PNC was the problem and could not be part of the solution and that they would not participate in the proposed NFG. Negotiations between the PPP and the PNC ensued, but did not come to fruition; however, it led to a large swathe of PPP leaders defecting to the PNC. In 1979, the WPA produced its proposal for a Government Of National Unity which excluded the PNC. The following year, the WPA leader Dr Walter Rodney was assassinated.
eration in this fight. I am sure this is not only a local operation but has links outside as well. We will contin-
ue to spend money to fight against crime and criminal elements of all sorts in our country. If the need be for us to put more money on crime-fighting, we will do that. This is one of the global problems that exist in the world and therefore we need to work with partners in this area and that is one of the ways we hope we can be able to control cost by working in cooperation with other forces, because all of us got interest and all of us got benefits by trying to eradicate this scourge in protecting our people and so forth,” the President had said.
Ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU)
and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on August 15, 2014 had seized the semisubmersible craft in a creek off the Waini River.
With the use of these craft on the rise, US officials have said that they fear that the trafficking networks are moving away from so-called fast boats, the high-powered fishing and leisure boats that can carry about a tonne of cocaine and are easier to spot, to semi-submersible and fully submersible vessels that can surreptitiously carry many more tonnes of drugs, which are unloaded in shallow waters or transported to shore by small boats.
The self-propelled semi-submersible vessel that was found at a creek in the Waini region
Driver killed as car rams into culvert at Houston
Ataxi driver attached to the Pretty Posse Taxi Service met his demise on Sunday morning after he lost control of his motorcar while negotiating a turn at Rahaman’s Park, Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The dead man has been identified as Daniel David Hinds, 26 of Lot 37 Nelson Street, Mocha Arcadia, EBD. The father of one died on the spot after his head reportedly came into contact with a concrete culvert in the area.
According to information received, Hinds was in the process of overtaking another vehicle in the vicinity of Rahaman’s Park when he recognised the Police on the roadway and attempted to slow down by hitting the brakes.
Due to the fast rate at
which he was travelling, he reportedly hit a pool of water causing him to lose control of the vehicle thus toppling at least once and then into the concrete culvert. The four wheels of the vehicle were in the air with part of his body hanging outside when the vehicle came to a halt. From all indication, he might have suffered a broken neck. At the time of the accident, Hinds was reportedly heading home.
Guyana Times arrived at the scene a few moments after the accident occurred and
a southerly direction when Hinds attempted to overtake him at a fast rate of speed. Goodridge said that he slowed down for Hinds to pass but as he negotiated the turn, he saw the Police and “had to mash he brakes hard”.
“All I see this vehicle start swaying on the road and then it flipped one time and ended up in the lil concrete drain… but before, like he hit he head on the culvert that he uproot”, Goodridge disclosed.
The man added that as he rushed towards the wrecked
recognised that the man was bleeding from his head. Public spirited citizens joined forces and pushed the vehicle back on its four wheels.
Tryone Goodridge, an eyewitness told this newspaper that he was travelling in
car, he saw blood pouring out from Hinds’ head and nostrils.
However, as the car was placed on its four wheels, one man found a radio set and contacted the taxi base where Hinds was employed. After a few minutes, a colleague ar-
rived on the scene and confirmed the now dead man’s identity. He has been working at the taxi service for the past two years.
Another man on scene who recognised Hinds told the Police that he knew the family thus left in a jiffy to transport them to the scene. As the mother and sister of the dead man arrived, they were inconsolable.
“Ow Daniel…you nah dead…get up…you strong… get up…this is not you…you is a fighter… get up”, the wailing mother said. She said that she last spoke to her son earlier in the day when he told her that he will come off from work and head straight home.
As she cried, she blamed his father whom she claimed was envious of his son and on many occasions would “wish him bad”. In a fit of rage, she said that she was going to his house and let him have the last part of her tongue.
Her daughter managed to calm her down. The sister said that her brother worked hard to accomplish the things he had and it is indeed a loss to the family. She said that he only got his first child a few weeks ago.
The taxi driver was pronounced dead by a medical personnel who turned up at the scene in an ambulance. His body was later transported to the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination.
De best Mash gon be when Green Jah mash Nagga
Today is Mash Day, which was always supposed to be all about Guyana as a Republic. But nowadays, every ting around this time is more about Mash than de Republic.
De Pee-and-See used to mek people mash so much that dem end up mashin up de whole of Guyana and de whole of de Republic.
Burnham fuh sure was a real mash man. Along de way, he mash up Rodney, then Teekah get mash up, and even poor Shirley get mash up. Nuff other people get mash up too. Green Ham know de whole mash up list, startin wid Shirley.
Green Ham he self might only look mash up now, but he had he days when he used to do a lotta mashin up, along side Burnham.
Even now Green Ham still got de mash up habit and he still addicted to mashin up. That is why he wanna mash up Sooba just like how he mash up GT, and he wanna mash up de S*ity Council de same way.
Word is out that he mash de other Green too and that he still mashin up to now. And both of de Greens wanna mash up Sooba, but Sooba know that she can’t handle two at one time. So she might have to call Hen Rico to help tek some mashin.
At one time Green Ham and Hoyte used to wanna mash up one another. De end result was that dem mash till de country get mash up, then Hoyte finally get mash up. Mash up is indeed de end result of people who like to mash up, no matter who is yuh father or who is yuh mother. Lucky ting Carter had to come and mash up Hoyte before he coulda mash up GT after Pappa Cheddi had mash up de elections in 1992. If it was leff to Hoyte alone, he woulda mash up dem ballot boxes just like in 1985.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But de best Mash gon be when Green Jah mash Nagga!
Dead taxi driver, Daniel David Hinds
The mother and sister as they arrived on the scene
The AFC’s deceit thickens
The aftermath of the coalition between the AFC and APNU has left the AFC trying to justify its decision to enter this unholy alliance. Ramjattan who had sworn that the AFC will never join with the PNC now claims that that assertion was merely a negotiation ploy.
Misleading your supporters could never be a negotiation ploy. The worst part of this deceitful betrayal of their supporters is now their position that they could walk away from the coalition if David Granger and the PNC fail to keep the agreement of the coalition.
This latest position to calm their supporters and to answer those supporters who do not trust David Granger and the PNC is such a blatant attempt to mislead and misinform their supporters that the AFC deserve the severest rebuke. Again they treat their supporters as pawns.
Should David Granger and the PNC fail to honor the agreement, there is nothing that the AFC could do. They have dishonestly now tried to convince their supporters that APNU cannot dishonour the agree-
ment.
After the election, Granger and the PNC can do anything they want and there is nothing that the AFC could do about it.
There is no way that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo can walk away as the AFC and deplete the ranks of the coalition.
Should they have a disagreement with their master, the PNC, they can walk away empty-handed; they cannot walk away with their parliamentary seats and they cannot deplete the PNC.
If they walk away, Granger will simply fill their places with another set of names from his list. Since the electoral candidate list for the Parliament will have 65 members and there will be at least two extra names on each Regional List of Candidates for the Parliament, Granger will always have more than enough people from the PNC.
This is a different arrangement than the coalition in Great Britain. If the Liberal Democratic Party leaves the coalition and walk away from the David Cameron Tory Government, the Government falls because the Liberal Democrats will walk away as
MPs and join the Opposition.
The AFC’s arrangement with the PNC is very different. While it may be true that Ramjattan could walk away as the AFC, Granger would not lose any seat in Parliament should this happen.
They will lose and sit in Parliament as the Opposition again, but if Ramjattan is unhappy with the coalition, can he convince Nagamottoo and other colleagues that they should abandon the PNC? His colleagues will have to give up their seats.
Can you imagine Nagamootoo, sitting next to Granger, will want to give up that prominence to go and walk in the wilderness? Ramjattan will find himself in a very lonely place.
If they have disagreements, Granger will be in a position to “buy out” the AFC candidates. This is not an unforeseen possibility since that is exactly what the PNC did to the UF in the 1960s.
Then the UF was in a position to walk away. But the party could not walk away as a party because Burnham and the PNC bought out some of the
UF MPs. The bribery and buying out is a part of the personality of the PNC.
This time it is even easier for Granger and the PNC to keep their seats. For those who want to walk away, Granger as the head of the list can recall any MP and replace that MP with another person from his list.
Ramjattan will find that some of his colleagues would not want to leave and he will be in no position to do anything about it. He is in an un-
holy alliance and he has no negotiating weapon. This is what Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have taken the AFC into and they have no place to run.
Just like they did before when they promised their supporters that they would never join with the PNC, they are again feeding their supporters with a lot of hogwash.
It is one thing to mislead people because you yourself are unaware of the truth. But it is repugnant and unforgiveable to
mislead your supporters. This is precisely what the AFC and its leaders have done again. But clearly they have not learnt their lessons – their supporters will have the last word. Just as senior members of the AFC have walked away from them, their rank and file supporters will desert them in droves.
Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@ gmail.com.
Let 2015 be the year of democratic renewal – PNCR FITUG salutes
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is pleased to extend greetings and good wishes to all of the people of Guyana as we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of our Republican status.
The anniversary of the Republic, apart from the national celebration of Mashramani, is an occasion for reflection and assessment of the state of our nation 45 years after Guyana was declared a Republic.
In that regard, it must be evident to all that we as Guyanese need to undertake a frank and honest evaluation of whether our nation is headed in the direction, that would bring us all, particularly our young people, progress and prosperity.
Our party has joined our partners in A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to declare and dedicate our energies to making 2015 the year of democratic renewal.
However, we are conscious that, as a nation, we are challenged to remove the threats posed by the scourge of criminality and violence; corruption; the continued lawlessness in high places; the intolerance of views, other than those expressed by the Administration; all of which contribute to infusing a sense of despair and the feeling of hopelessness that is currently afflicting the young people of this nation.
This is an election year and we urge all Guyanese, especially the youth of this nation to vote on Election Day May 11, 2015.
Accordingly, the PNCR wishes all of the Guyanese people a Happy Republic holiday, and a joyous celebration of Mashramani, as we pray that the spirit of peace, love and unity will dwell among us on the 45th anniversary of our Republic.
AFC urges unity in Republic Day message
As Guyana reflects on 45 years as a Republic, the Alliance For Change (AFC) joins with all Guyanese in the hope that a spirit of reconciliation and harmony will define our celebrations today.
This Mashramani we recognise that if we begin with a commitment to national unity and inclusivity based on the principles of equality, and work towards a realisation of these ideals, we will truly be able to transform this great nation. We who are blessed with so much beauty and bounty must halt our self-imposed blight.
This 45th Mashramani celebration takes place against the backdrop of pending General and Regional Elections. At this special time, we urge all Guyanese to reflect on our symbols of nationhood and to be thoughtful and introspective of that journey which has brought us here. We must learn
from the lessons each passing year has taught us.
The AFC regrets that our most supreme symbols of nationhood, our Republican Constitution and our Parliament, have been under severe threat recently. But we take strength in the fact that change is around the corner and will soon be here.
Towards that final drive, the AFC commits to a campaign that is free from racial intolerance and verbal abuse and the forging of a new Guyana where all will be respected for who they are and what they stand for, so that all of us will benefit from this beauty and bounty. Though we are a land of various peoples and cultures, our diversity is our greatest strength. May the values we as Guyanese hold dear unite us ?all to a lasting peace and happiness. Happy Mashramani Guyana!
February was chosen as the month to usher in Guyana’s Republican status, 45 years ago, for one major reason.
It was in February, 1763, on Plantation Magdalenenburg, Canje, Berbice, that the illtreated, long-suffering and angry African slaves began a momentous rebellion against their unconscionable Dutch tormentors. The Cuffy-led revolutions spread throughout Berbice in a structured militaristic manner before its successes were compromised, and defeated after nearly one year. Guyana’s spirit of rebellion against the evils of domination, racism, slavery, exploitation and colonialism was lit long before others in these parts. In a message to mark Guyana’s Republican anniversary, of of of 45th Republicanism. itself our fashioning
salutes the Spirit of 1763 GAWU urges serious introspection
chosen as usher in Republican one 1763, on Magdalenenburg, illand began a against Dutch
Cuffy-led throughstructured before its compromised, one rebeldomexcolonialism others in message to Republican
anniversary, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana – salutes the Spirit of 1763 as we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of our Republicanism. That status itself was meant to reinforce our four year Independence by fashioning our Government, our Constitution and Parliament in our own context and image, justifiably relinquishing the colonial oriented monarchy. FITUG wishes our nation a Happy and a peaceful, joyous Mashramani – the entertaining creative celebration after work and achievement. Forty-five years of a nation’s life is a reasonable period to use for assessment. What have we – our leaders and ourselves – done with Republic’s 45 years? Is the Republic where we – old and young – want it to be? Are FITUG’s thousands of workers enjoying a quality of life they deserve?
TThese questions at the Republic’s milestone posed within the most interesting context of preparations for elections in a few weeks’ time. What better time for reflection within which to make choices once again to install the best we have to manage our resources as they chart the nation’s future. We the people know what is now there. We know what else we wish and prefer. The choice will soon be ours once again. May the oneness of the Republic at Mashramani time carry through to Election Day in May. Let peace, democracy and development triumph.
he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union has urged serious introspection as this country celebrates its 45th Republic Anniversary.
In a message to mark the occasion GAWU said its message is being communicated within a multifaceted context. Primarily, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to extend its warmest congratulations to the State, Government and people of Guyana on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Republicanism.
GAWU said it is also acutely aware that the country is also in the vital preparatory mode for General and Regional Elections in
the Independence month of May – a little over two months away. That expression of our democracy, coming virtually two years before its constitutionally preferred, speaks to the 45-year-old Republic’s credentials as a democracy, preserved through all attendant sabotage, political and constitutional challenges and doses of economic hardship.
“So amidst the Republic’s Anniversary observances – including the artistic, cultural, entertaining Mashramani celebrations – Guyanese will consider political choices; will grapple with consistent, conflicting and aggressive messages and appeals by old and new politicians. As a people our will
must be expressed according to our ultimate choices.” GAWU reminded the nation, especially those youthful citizens under 40, that four years after the 1966 Independence, there was again political consensus among our major parties and groups that we should become a Republic within the Commonwealth in February, 1970. Our major political leaders agreed that our Independence should be solidified and given the patriotic, nationalistic status of a Republic. That ushered in a Presidency, added governmental responsibilities and later a new Constitution. The years 1970 to 2015 were not without setbacks but also tremendous progress from
the standpoint during the colonial era. Many will argue that 1992 onwards reintroduced a new era of democracy and development. GAWU will urge serious introspection and assessment at this time. “As a union, GAWU uses workers’ quality of life from bygone periods to the present as a yardstick of personal and collective measurement. GAWU members, workers and all Guyanese are hereby urged to celebrate the Republic’s 45th to your fullest or modest extent, all the whole considering your country’s choices for the continuing development of our country and a progressive future beyond May 11, 2015. The future then is in our hands.”
PPP/C pledges “unconditional” loyalty to Guyanese
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has extended greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the attainment of republican status.
In a message, the Party said: “As we all know, Guyana became a republic on February 23, 1970. The granting of republican status brings a formal end to British colonial rule following the attainment of political independence on May 26, 1966.”
The PPP/C said it was proud of the vanguard role it has played in the struggle for national independence and by extension republican status. Indeed, the PPP/C has always been instrumental in every major political and constitutional advance the country has seen since the Party was formed 65 years ago. “These included universal adult
suffrage, internal self-government, the struggle for national independence and for a return of democracy after it was taken away by the PNC [People’s National Congress] regime. The PPP has also been in the forefront of the reconstruction efforts, more particularly the physical and social infrastructure after 28 years of devastating and dictatorial PNC rule.”
According to the Party, Guyanese have every reason to celebrate this significant milestone even though it is public knowledge that independence for Guyana was deliberately withheld until the PPP was removed from office in 1964 through the intrigues and machinations of Western vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary forces. From one of the more prosperous countries in the Region, the country was reduced to the poorest country
in the Western hemisphere as a result of 28 years of PNC minority rule.
This anniversary celebration is taking place at a critical moment in our political life when Guyanese are once again preparing to go to the polls following a decision taken by His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar to prorogue Parliament and subsequently name a date for General and Regional Elections after all reasonable attempts to reach consensus on the way forward were rejected by the combined parliamentary Opposition – the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC).
“Our Party remains convinced that history and time is on our side despite being cheated and manipulated by dark and hostile forces in the past. Like a phoenix, the PPP has always emerged triumphant
thanks to the support of the Guyanese masses. The PPP has full confidence in the ability of the Guyanese people to make the right choices as they go to the polls on May 11 and overwhelmingly re-elect President Donald Ramotar and the PPP Administration to the seat of government. “
The PPP/C encourages all eligible Guyanese to exercise that right to vote and in so doing give true meaning and substance to our sense of nationhood and national sovereignty. The PPP/C takes this opportunity to pledge its unconditional loyalty to the cause and well-being of the Guyanese people as we seek collectively to create a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Guyana. May the dreams and aspirations of each and every Guyanese be realised as we continue to work as one people, one nation with a common destiny.
Guyana to tap World Bank US$600M Green Bond
The World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, IBRD, rated Aaa/AAA) launched a USD 600 million 10-year fixed rate global green bond, its largest USD green bond and also its longest-dated green benchmark in this currency.
World Bank Green Bonds support its lending to eligible development programs that are designed to address the challenges of climate change.
With the issue, the World Bank continues to attract new investors and expand the investor base for the green bond market, marking another important milestone. The World Bank has now issued nearly USD 8 billion equivalent through over 80 green bond transactions in 18 currencies since its inaugural green bond in 2008. Examples of the types of projects supported by World Bank Green Bonds include renewable energy installations, energy efficiency projects, new technologies in waste management and agriculture that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, forest and watershed management, and infrastructure to prevent climate-related flood damage.
The bonds were placed with 25 investors including AP2, AP4, Blackrock, Deutsche Bank Treasury, Mirova, Nikko Asset Management, Nippon Life Insurance Company, Praxis Intermediate Income Fund, United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund and Zuercher Kantonalbank. The distribution by investor type and geography was as follows: 43% of the bonds were placed with asset managers, 31% with bank treasuries and corporates, and 26% with pension and insurance companies; 39% of the bonds were placed with investors in the Americas, 28% in Europe, 17% in MENA, and 16% in Asia.
Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley and SEB are the jointlead managers for this transaction. Blackrock’s Ashley Schulten, Director, Portfolio Manager said, “IBRD’s effort in moving forward robust impact reporting on its’ green bond program is impressive. We view this as an important component of our green bond evaluation. Blackrock has been a strong supporter of World Bank Green Bonds in the past, and this pioneering work on reporting standards was a key factor behind our involvement in today’s 10-year bond.”
“Deutsche Bank is pleased to launch its Green Bond Portfolio with an investment in the first ten-year maturity USD green bond benchmark issued by the World Bank. Landmark green issuances from triple-A issuers such as the World Bank further enhance the appeal of the green bond market, promoting investment in sustainable projects that mitigate the effects of climate change at commercially appealing returns”, said Alex von zur Muehlen, Group Treasurer of Deutsche Bank.
“If established on firm footing, Mirova is convinced that the green and social bond
market can become an essential tool for financing solutions to the challenges of sustainable development. IBRD’s green bond is of particular interest considering its focus on climate change. We not only appreciate IBRD’s green bond for its ability to fight climate change, but also because it features good practices that remain rare in the market. An adequate level of transparency is notably essential for maintaining the value-added of sustainability bonds for investors, which resides in the measure of impact that they offer. IBRD provides a regularly updated report, which allow investors to maintain visibility on the list of financed projects.” says Marc Briand, Head of Fixed Income at Mirova.
“We are happy to continue to support World Bank Green Bond issuance, as this provides both a high-quality investment and has a positive environmental impact.” says Andrew Severino, Head of Fixed Income US & Europe at Nikko Asset Management.
“The World Bank continues their strong leadership position in the green bond market. We are happy to continue our work with them to show that bonds really can have a positive impact and make a difference in our world.”says Benjamin J. Bailey, Fixed Income Investment Manager, Praxis Intermediate Income Fund.“The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund is pleased to enhance its commitment to green bonds”, said Carol Boykin, Representative of the Secretary-General. “This follows our recent investment in two new low carbon ETFs, LOWC and CRBN, respectively. We believe in making investments which are economically sound and beneficial to the environment.”
“We are particularly happy with this new addition to our Green Bond program. It not only the longest dated Green Bond benchmark for us, but it is also our largest USD green bond. Both these milestones reflect the continued development in the market supporting climatefriendly financing and projects. We are grateful to the investors, banks, issuers and other participants who are working together to help expand this market and support an objective that benefits all of us,” said Doris Herrera-Pol, Director and Global Head of Capital Markets at the World Bank.
“The World Bank’s return to the Green Bond market with a new 10yr transaction was tailored for the emergence of new private investors with a specific investment strategy for climatechange focused projects. The combination of the long tenor and new green bond investors highlights the World Bank’s pioneering role in the growth and development of sustainable debt capital markets. We are honoured to contribute to this important transaction,” said Nigel Cree, Head of Sovereign / Supranational / Agency origination at Deutsche Bank.
President sees revival of sugar industry
Even as many remain pessimistic that the country’s sugar industry will once again flourish, President Donald Ramotar has assured that the sector will return to its glory days, provided that market prices remain constant.
He was at the time speaking on the programme “At Home with the President” on the National Communications Network (NCN). The Head of State said he strongly believed the sugar industry was on the road to revival, since there were many systems, put in place by his Administration and the management of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), to ensure that the road to recovery was travelled successfully.
He, however, noted that the rate of recovery would, and could only, be expedited if the current market prices improved over the coming months. “… in recent years, the prices of sugar fell, so while the industry is showing signs of recovering, the international prices at this time is very unfavourable. I hope by the second crop of this year, it will improve. That [market prices] will help the sugar industry to continue to play the major role it has played in our economy for years. That is the major challenge for us; it is a difficult period that we are coming out of due to the market prices. We are working very hard, the management; they are working very hard to continue moving forward. Many measures are
The sugar industry contributes around five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and provides direct employment for approximately 16,000
being undertaken to control costs, to reduce operational costs and to look at new revenue streams, like selling molasses, generating other types of sugars and so on. So we are generally looking at more streams to bring in revenue,” the President expressed.
According to Ramotar, had the situation not arisen where the European Union (EU) removed the preferential prices for the country’s sugar, the industry would have been booming and would have been at the height of success today.
Targets
“Sugar historically has been playing the most important role in the economy, but from 2010, we have had a big blow to the sugar industry when European Union cut our prices and removed the preferential price
that we had for our sugar and that has had a big impact on us. As a result, the need for restructure is there and this is very much costly,” he lamented.
He, however, noted that he was optimistic that the prices would once again increase and this situation would soon be overcome since the industry has been performing well over the past months and has been meeting its required targets.
The grinding operations at GuySuCo ended on December 24 with the Corporation announcing that it surpassed its 2014 sugar production target of 216,000 tonnes, raising hopes that the industry was beginning to turn the corner after a dismal 2013.
Meanwhile, using lessons learnt over the past few years, the Guyana Government announced
in January that it applied for a loan of US$7.5 million, which was given by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to enhance the capacity of GuySuCo to produce and harvest sugar cane on selected estates.
The loan, which was approved by CDB’s Board of Directors on December 11, 2014, seeks to reduce operational costs, improve mechanisation, improve maintenance of the extensive drainage system; secure irrigation and flood protection; and provide for the development of critically needed
non-sugar agricultural production such as rice.
The loan, which marks the CDB’s third intervention in the sugar industry in Guyana, will address several considerations that should result in improved productivity of sugar cane cultivation and sugar production.
The sugar industry, once the mainstay of the Guyanese economy, has generally been in decline but it still contributes around five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and in 2013, it provided direct employ-
ment for approximately 16,000. The industry supports more than 300 service providers, and is the third largest contributor of foreign exchange. It also plays a critical socio-economic and environmental role in the predominantly low-income coastal communities where cultivation and processing are concentrated.
In recent years, the Government has had cause to issue bailouts in the National Budget for the industry to ensure its continued survival.
monday, february 23, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Malaysian national fined $100,000 for immigration fraud
AMalaysian national was fined $100,000 on Friday for forging the date on his Guyana employee visa and uttering the document to an immigration officer.
Forty-one-year-old Kanching Anakbeci, who has been employed by Barama Company for one year as a Surveyor, was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court
Two of the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.
It is alleged that between December 20, 2014 and February 9, 2015, the defendant conspired with “person or persons unknown” to forge the date of a Guyana employee visa on page 17 of Malaysian Passport 20322524, and reported that it was issued by the Central Immigration Office knowing it to be false. Secondly, the defendant on February 19, 2015, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with intent to defraud, uttered to Constable Watson 21364 the passport with the forged date.
The defendant was not required to plead to the charges, as they were indictable.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones said that the Malaysian national came to Guyana on June 26, 2014 and was granted a threemonth stay. The defendant applied for a work permit
employee visa to be able to work at Barama Company which was granted with an end date of November 30, 2014.
It is the prosecution’s contention that the defendant changed the date to November 30, 2015, once the given date passed.
The defendant when apprehended at the Airport after Police noticed the forgery confessed and was subsequently charged. He pleaded guilty to all charges after his attorney successfully made a request for the case to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts instead of the High Court.
The defence counsel said his client has a wife and four children. He indicated that a clerk from Barama, who was present in Court, had been given the charge of renewing the visa for the defendant; however, she was unable to do so for unknown reasons. It was at this juncture that the defendant went to someone else as he wanted to keep his job, the lawyer explained.
The defendant’s attorney asked that the Court be lenient in sentencing, indicating that the frail state of Anakbeci, who has no antecedents, would make him a likely target in jail.
He was fined $50,000 for each charge; failure to pay the fines would result in jail time.
Being original
We have to understand that it’s a free world and although we may get upset about the fact that someone is trying to do the same thing as us, unless someone is trying to have the same physical look as us, we must calm down a bit.
If someone wants to be just like me, then I usually look at it as a great compliment. This to me means that I am a leader and I should be thrilled that people see me that way. Actually my advice is to use that good feeling to do even bigger things.
It’s hard to do sometimes, but it’s probably a good idea for us to bite our tongue, especially if we are not too concern about it. We have to remember as well that not all copy cats are bad people, the only problem is that they just have difficulties coming up with their own ideas.
I am almost certain that we all at some point in our life look up to someone. In other words, it’s not too much of a bad thing when someone copy our ideas, but I have to say it depends to what extend they do.
It is also not a bad idea to confront the person, because having a one on one conversation with the person can be all it takes for it to stop. If an opportunity comes up to meet one on one, try approaching it in a professional manner.
For example if there is a possibility to meet at a shopping mall and say something like, have you ever considered a different style in doing things?
For those who are brave enough we can take a different
approach and say to them that we are honoured that they admire us and the things we do, but I think it’s important for everyone to be their own self and find their own brand.
Though moving on to a different idea is hard to do, it may be the ideal thing to do. And I know that this in itself is a not an easy thing to do, especially when we know that we put in a lot of hard work in whatever that idea may be. However sometimes we just can’t allow these things to hold us back, we must move on into bigger and better things.
Narine Dat Sookram
When someone copies what we do, it can be an opportunity for us to come up with something new. And at the end of it all it can be a good thing, because we can then pride in ourselves in being original.
One very important thing to remember that we should try to keep some ideas to ourselves. Because there will be people out there who will basically do almost everything we do. Sometimes it can be simple things, but it sure feels great to have something that is our own.
For questions, comments or feedback, email them to mcnarine@rogers.com.
23, 2015 | guYAnAtimesgY.com
New textbooks for primary school launched
Head of State Donald Ramotar joined Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and other officials of the Ministry of Education for the launch of Guyana’s first ‘Atlantic Readers’ for primary schools.
The three books, which will be used by children from Grades One to Three, were launched during a ceremony, which was held at the Port Mourant Primary School on Thursday. President Ramotar congratulated the Ministry’s team for the initiative which he said should be seen as a beginning for much more to come, in the line of locally produced literature for schools. Noting the importance of this enterprise, the President said he was forced to raise the issue of affordable textbooks for schoolchildren at the United Nations (UN) level with the aim of addressing the issue of intellectual property rights.
“…While countries pay lip service to the importance of education; in many cases, we in the Third World are at a disadvantage because when we buy books we have to pay extraordinarily high prices because of the issue of intellectual property rights.”
During a recent UN forum, President Ramotar said he took the opportunity to point out that if the UN was
serious about ensuring that there was an educated world, the issue of intellectual property rights must be looked at forthwith, so that developing countries can have the books that were necessary to give students a good start in life.
“We have made a first step, and I’m extremely happy and proud, and we have much more work to do in bringing out more texts for our children so that we can serve more of our people.” The Head of State added that the world at large had long ago recognised the importance of education, not only for the personal benefits that it brought to an individual, but also to a country as a whole.
Reiterating the importance of education in nation building, President Ramotar said this went directly to the philosophy of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), which was that education was the most important factor for development. In reinforcing his point, the President made reference to countries which have booming economies, but have little or no natural resources, and cited Japan as an excellent example: a country of little resources which was the third largest economy in the world, because “ it has a highly-educated work force that attracts investment and people who
are innovative enough spend time to create their own investment, and, therefore, investing in education is very important for the whole economic and social development of our society.”
He added that it was
for this reason the current Administration has been focusing heavily on the social sector, more importantly the education sector that has benefited from numerous interventions. Already, he noted that these interventions were bearing fruit as a recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank “At Risk Youth – An urgent Challenge for the Caribbean”, has indicated that Guyana’s dropout rates have been declining. The report also shows that in the last 20 years, Guyana has reduced the proportion of children dropping out at the general secondary level by more than 75 per cent.
“It’s the combination of all the measures we have been
using that has allowed us to be the top country in South America and the Caribbean to keep our children in school,” the President stated.
He noted that another very positive development that augured well for the future is “we are the top country in the whole region in enrolment in nursery education, and that I expect will give our children an advantage as they go forward and into their own educational life and career paths.”
The Head of State further congratulated the Education Ministry’s officials for the excellent work they have been doing in the sector and encouraged them to continue in their efforts.
In brief remarks, Minister Manickchand expressed her pleasure at being able to launch the readers at the Port Mourant location, and noted that the Ministry has been working with the policy of moving away from centralising its activities. Manickchand spoke of how fortunate Guyanese were to have a leader who is recognised worldwide for championing the cause of education. She was referring to the fact that President Ramotar sits on a global forum called the Education First Initiative that was set up by the United Nations Secretary General, which champions the cause of education.
Anti-smuggling agencies sign pact to use floating base
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be intensifying its efforts to curb illegal activities at the Guyana/ Venezuela border, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), among law enforcement agencies, to formalise the use of the GPF’s patrol base.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) document was signed by the GPF, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) last week. The floating base will be located at the mouth of the Waini River, Region One (BarimaWaini), and will enable a quicker response to piracy, smuggling of fuel and contraband and other related illegal activities, emanating from
the Atlantic and the Waini and Barima areas.
During brief remarks at the signing, at the Courtney Benn Contracting Services facility, Thom and Cameron Wharf, Water Street, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee noted that the event was significant and important, in that it will solidify and bring into legal effect, the cooperation between the entities, to collaborate in the efficient management of the floating base.
The idea of such a vessel, Minister Rohee said, was first conceptualised by the GDF, whom he thanked for providing a model, under which the vessel was built. Minister Rohee reiterated that this vessel signifies the Home Affairs Ministry’s collaboration with other agencies, and was part and parcel
of joint capacity building. “… given the number one deposit of resources given to each agency and the need for each agency to use its resources effectively, in keeping with its mandate, it became necessary for us to collaborate, not only within the meaning of the task force, that came into existence some years ago, but to also engage in practical operation, that would advance the mandate of these various agencies,” Minister Rohee explained.
While stressing on the need for continuous capacity building, Minister Rohee noted that the agencies must take into consideration the pace at which Guyana is developing. Fighting piracy and smuggling remains a challenge for countries which have borders of the extensive nature as Guyana. According
to the Minister, the location of this vessel is very strategic, since Guyana has borders not only with Venezuela and Suriname, but the Atlantic. This floating base is the second of its kind and is an indication of the Government’s commitment, to providing the resources, to ensure that law enforcement agencies have access to the necessary resources, to effectively carryout their duties.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Balram Persaud, noted that the GPF sees this move, as a further capitalisation of its assets. Persaud added that because of the connecting of the Barima and Waini Rivers by the Mora Passage, the need for the floating base can be of paramount importance, in response to incidents in the Waini and the Atlantic.
President Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at the launch of the Atlantic Readers
monday, February 23, 2015
WIPA condemns “unacceptable” retweet from WICB President
The West Indies Players' Association has reacted angrily after the West Indies Cricket Board chairman retweeted criticism of Chris Gayle.
A controversial retweet from the President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has prompted an angry response from the region's players' association.
WICB Chief Dave Cameron received a message on the social media platform during West Indies' Cricket World Cup victory over Pakistan on
Saturday that was heavily critical of out-of-form opener Chris Gayle. Cameron duly retweeted the comment while the match continued, sparking outrage.
A statement from the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) expressed dismay at Cameron's conduct.
It read: "The West
Indies Players' Association [WIPA] is extremely disturbed by the unacceptable re-tweeting by Mr Dave Cameron, President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), of a negative "fan" tweet which was directed at our member Mr Christopher Gayle.
"That Mr Cameron's retweet came in the middle of the West Indies team's crit-
ical ICC CWC game against Pakistan renders it even more unacceptable.
"WIPA has written to the WICB requesting a full explanation."
Wavell Hinds, the President and CEO of the WIPA, added: "We denounce any such behaviour by any official of the WICB in any given circumstance."
(Digicel Sportsmax)
Dave Cameron Chris Gayle
Dhawan hundred sets up another big-day win
India showed just why no one was writing them off even after they had spent two-and-a-half months in Australia without a win. They might not be the strongest team in the field, but on big days in limited-overs cricket they stay calmer than most. In a match to potentially decide who finishes top of their group, India sat back and saw South Africa work themselves up into a frenzy, get too funky and wilt under the weight of their own mistakes. This was India's first win over South Africa in a World Cup match.
If at all, India like going old school on big days. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli began slowly, made sure India had a solid platform before they began to accelerate. Dhawan went on to score his first century in three months spent in Australia - his personal best and also the highest score against South Africa in a
SCOREBOARD
India innings (50 overs maximum)
RG Sharma run out
(de Villiers) 0
S Dhawan c Amla
b Parnell 137 V Kohli c du Plessis
b Imran Tahir 46
AM Rahane lbw b Steyn 79
SK Raina c sub (RR Rossouw)
b Morkel 6
MS Dhoni*† c †de Kock
b Morkel 18
RA Jadeja run out
(de Villiers) 2
R Ashwin not out 5
Mohammed Shami not out 4
Extras: (lb 2, w 6, nb 2) 10
Total: (7 wickets; 50 overs) 307
Did not bat: UT Yadav, MM Sharma
Fall of wickets 1-9, 2-136, 3-261, 4-269, 5-278, 6-284, 7-302.
South Africa Bowling: DW Steyn 10-1-55-1, VD Philander 4-1-19-0, JP Duminy 7-039-0, M Morkel 10-0-592, Imran Tahir 10-0-48-1, WD Parnell 9-0-85-1.
South Africa innings (target:
308 runs from 50 overs)
HM Amla c Mohammed Shami
b MM Sharma 22
Q de Kock† c Kohli
b Mohammed Shami 7 F du Plessis c Dhawan
b MM Sharma 55
AB de Villiers* run out (MM Sharma/†Dhoni) 30
DA Miller run out
(Yadav/†Dhoni) 22
JP Duminy c Raina b Ashwin 6
WD Parnell not out 17
VD Philander lbw b Ashwin 0
DW Steyn c Dhawan
b Mohammed Shami 1
M Morkel b Ashwin 2
Imran Tahir lbw b Jadeja 8
Extras: (lb 1, w 6) 7
Total (all out; 40.2 overs) 177
Fall of wickets 1-12, 2-40, 3-108, 4-133, 5-147, 6-153, 7-153, 8-158, 9-161), 10-177.
India Bowling: UT Yadav 6-034-0, Mohammed Shami 8-130-2, MM Sharma 7-0-31-2, RA Jadeja 8.2-0-37-1, R Ashwin 10-0-41-3, SK Raina 1-0-30.
World Cup match. Kohli fell for 46, but Ajinkya Rahane scored 79 off 60 to help Dhawan along. India kept the defence simple too: bowl as few bad balls as possible, and once again under pressure South Africa imploded.
The execution of both the plans from India was spot on, but that had a lot to do with how simple the plans and preparation were. South Africa called in Gary Kirsten and Michael Hussey for consultation, they picked an extra bowler in Wayne Parnell, they used spinners in unconventional parts of the innings, but the anxiety showed the most in the fielding. Hashim Amla dropped Dhawan on 53, but anxiety was never more apparent in their trigger-happiness with unnecessary throws at the stumps and fumbles on the ground. It's hard to remember when South Africa last fielded so badly.
It started much better, though. AB de Villiers sent
Rohit Sharma back for a duck with a direct hit from extra cover. India deserve all the credit for not panicking when Dale Steyn was bowling well along with Vernon Philander. It took them 14 overs to reach four an over for the first time, but South Africa looked the more anxious team. Philander had walked off with a hamstring injury, Morne Morkel had begun ordinarily, and Parnell - who would register the worst figures for a South African in a World Cup match - was going to be targeted.
Dhawan and Kohli attacked South Africa with proper attacking shots, and not scoops and reverses. They added 127 in 24.2
down. Nor did the fall of Kohli - against the run of play and to a long hop from Tahir - slow them down. Rahane and Dhawan flowed smoothly, building up to a crescendo towards the Powerplay, which brought them 44 runs with no loss of wicket. Rahane and Dhawan added 125 in 16.3 overs.
In the final few overs, though, despite some more ordinary fielding, South Africa managed to pull India back a little. Only 80 came off the last 10, but India had a testing total on the board. South Africa don't have much batting after No. 6 but their top six are as good as any. There is a reason, though, why they have now failed to chase 270
overs with Kohli taking the back seat to Dhawan's positive approach. It could have gone better for South Africa.
Dhawan had looked in good touch in reaching 53 off 73, Kohli had just about got over a slow start, but South Africa were offered an opportunity to halt the assault. Dhawan cut Parnell to the right of Amla at point, a regulation catch by modern standards, Amla got both hands to it, but dropped it.
Before the match Kohli had spoken about sustained momentum and not relying just on the final 10 overs. Dhawan and he then walked the talk, taking 53 off the next seven overs.
Parnell was their main target but even the return of Steyn didn't slow India
eight times out of nine since they beat India in Nagpur in 2011. There is credit in how they have conceded 270 only nine times, but under pressure their batting invariably falters.
Once again India made sure they didn't make mistakes. South Africa's arrived shortly. There was hardly a bad ball bowled in the first three overs, and Quinton de Kock went manufacturing something in the fourth, driving Mohammed Shami straight to mid-off with the ball nowhere near driving length.
Amla was handcuffed by the lack of easy boundaries before he top-edged a hook. The much-maligned bowling was doing the job for India once the batsmen had put runs on the board. (Cricinfo)
Shikhar Dhawan hits out on his way to 137
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monday, February 23, 2015
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George looking in CARIFTA gold medal form
Forde debuts with dominant win
By TreisTon Joseph
Triple
CARIFTA
gold medallist
Cassey George displayed why she was one of Guyana’s top junior athletes with sensational runs on Sunday at the Athletics Association of Guyana’s third development meet at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground, Camp
Ayanganna.
George clocked a speedy 4:45.6s in the girls’ Under-17 1500m race to look like an unstoppable force with her closest competitor being Under-20 athlete Andrea Foster with a time of 4:59.2. George returned later in the day to win the girls’ 800 metres in 2:19.9s to end a day of great middle distance running.
Distance King Cleveland
Forde made his 2015 debut with a classy performance clocking 15:41.0s to lap every competitor in the race except for Cleveland Thomas, who finished some 300 metres behind in a time of 16:26.6s.
Alika Morgan also performed creditably with a win in the women’s 3000 metres clocking 12:27.26s,
finishing ahead of up and coming Claudirce McKoy, who clocked 12:37.06s for second.
Former junior 200 metres sprint champion Elton
Kenisha Phillips has been the most impressive youth athlete thus far for the season, going without losing an event since the first development meet of
4:13.42s to finish closely behind.
Junior 100m champion Tevin Garraway made his debut on the track with a win in the 400 metres,
Bollers made his debut and clocked 21.2s to win the event ahead of GDF’s Patrick King who clocked 21.7s.
the Association for 2015. That run continued on Sunday with wins in both the 100 and 200 metres Under-17 events.
Ornesto Thomas won the male 1500 metres in 4:11.78s ahead of Kevin Bayley, who clocked
stopping the clock at 52.3s. Akeem Stewart finished in second with 53.3s. The next Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) event will be the CARIFTA Games from March 7 to 8 at the GDF Ground.
Action-packed YWCC Mash Cup anticipated today
With all systems in place, an action packed day is anticipated today when the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) hosts its third edition of the annual fundraiser, the Mash Cup.
The five-over-a-side tournament will involve 11 second-division teams from Number 19 to Gangaram Village, Berbice. Proceeds from this event will go towards replacing the covers stolen from the YWCC, donations to religious organisations in the area and the day-to-day running of the Club, along with further enhancement work on the venue.
YWCC President Anil Beharry told the Guyana
Times Sport on Sunday that all systems were in place for today’s event. In the first matches of the day, Hosts YWCC will take on Gangaram and Buski Eleven will play Kendall’s Union, both from 09:00h. Seawell will play Canefield; Rose Hall CC will tackle Betsy Ground and Number Seven will face off with Goed Bananen Land. Defending champions Young and Restless fittingly drew the bye.
Prizes totalling over $150,000 are up for grabs. Lots of gate prizes will also be available for the patrons during the knockout competition, while there will be games to entertain the young ones.
YWCC President Anil Beharry
Elton Bollers runs away with the male 200 metres
Cassey George runs away with the girls’ Under-17 1500 metres (Treiston Joseph photos)
monday, February 23, 2015
Windwards victory keeps them in striking distance of Guyana
Windward Islands Volcanoes easily trounced the luckless Leeward Islands Hurricanes by nine wickets here Sunday, to remain a serious contender for the WICB Professional Cricket League title.
Set an uncomplicated target of 83, the Windwards needed just 74 balls to complete victory at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, about 45 minutes after lunch on the penultimate day of their seventh round encounter.
Seasoned opener Devon Smith continued his rich vein of form, stroking an unbeaten 39 off 33 balls with four fours and a six. He added 42 off 26 balls for the first wicket with Johnson Charles whose 27 required 18 deliveries and included
three fours and a six.
Seamer Gavin Tonge removed Charles in the fourth over before lunch, as the Windwards went to the break on 58 for one.
The hosts wasted little time on resumption in speeding to their target, with Smith finishing the game in style by clearing the ropes with off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall.
Earlier, the Leewards were dismissed for 170 in their second innings, after resuming the day on 137 for six.
Orlando Peters failed to add to his overnight 27 and it was left up to Jeremiah Louis, with 25 off 71 balls in 81 minutes at the crease overall, to eke out precious runs at the end for the visitors.
Seamer Mervin Matthew
SCOREBOARD
LEEWARDS 1st Innings 161
WINDWARDS 1st Innings 249
LEEWARDS 2nd Innings
(overnight 137 for six)
A Richards c Bobb b Matthew 7
L Richardson c Emmanuel
b Matthew 16
S Peters b Johnson 42
*+D Thomas lbw b Peters 17
O Peters c Smith b Matthew 27
A Saunders c wkp Ambris
b Johnson 4
R Cornwall lbw b Bobb 8
J Louis c wkp Ambris
b Matthew 25
G Tonge lbw b Johnson 5
Y Leonard c Peters
b M Matthew 6
Q Boatswain not out 1
Extras (b1, lb11) 12
TOTAL (all out, 71.3 overs) 170 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-36, 3-81, 4-94, 5-102, 6-121, 7-150, 8-155, 9-166, 10-170. Bowling: Johnson 21-5-483, Matthew 14.3-3-32-5, Peters 13-2-39-1, Emmanuel 3-0-6-0, Bobb 10-5-13-1, Shillingford 10-3-20-0. WINDWARDS 2nd Innings (target: 83) J Charles c O Peters b G Tonge 27 D Smith not out 39 C Emmanuel not out 10 Extras: (b7, w1) 8 TOTAL (1 wkt, 12.2 overs) 84 Fall of wicket: 1-42. Bowling: Tonge 4-0-26-1, Boatswain 6-0-30-0, O Peters 1-0-13-0, Cornwall 1.2-0-8-0.
finished with five for 32 while left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson picked up three for 48.
With the victory, the Windwards moved to 80 points to stay in touch with leaders Guyana Jaguars and second placed Barbados Pride.
The Leewards remain rooted to the bottom of the standings on 17 points. (CMC)
Milo Under-20 School football tournament...
Dolphin Secondary display scoring prowess
Dolphin Secondary destroyed Houston Secondary School 6-0 when the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament continued on Sunday at the Ministry of Education Ground.
Dolphin wasted little time in attacking the defence of Houston, with Leon Richardson leading the way with a double in the 7th and 42nd minute of the game.
Houston’s defence continued to showcase major cracks as Dolphin continued to exploit its weakness.
Darrel Omalis, Shamar Charles, Ryan Dowding and Dakhawn Matthews scored goals in the 4th, 14th, 15th and 36th minute respectively.
Queen’s College and Mae’s Secondary played to a 1-1 draw in their encounter as Emmanuel Trotman
scored for Mae’s in the 31st minute while Kevin Wills equalised in the 41st minute. Meanwhile, both Bishops’ High School and East Ruimveldt Secondary gained walkover wins against Campbellville Secondary and Carmel Secondary respectively. The Tournament will continue next weekend at the said venue.
Devon Smith in full flow
“Caribbean Collision” boxing card… Atwell is CABOFE Junior Welterweight champ
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Entering the ring on the back of successive defeats, Dominicabased Guyanese Clive “The Punisher” Atwell turned in a clinical performance against Jamaican Sakima Mullings to lift the vacant CABOFE Junior Welterweight belt on Saturday night.
Atwell earned a Split Decision with two of the judges scoring the bout 118112, 116-112 in his favour, while Mullings was scored at 115-113 on the other judge’s card.
With the win, Atwell improves to 13 victories, to go with two losses and a draw, and this, he hopes, signals the start of a revival of his career, after back-to-back defeats at the hands of Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez and Australia’s Kye MacKenzie.
The loss was Mullings’ first to a Guyanese fighter, and his second overall to go along with 17 victories.
The feature contest on the “Caribbean Collision” boxing card, the first event by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC)
for 2015, was brought forward as the third contest on the five-fight card, owing to Mullings having to board a flight back home at midnight.
The change in timing certainly did not have an effect on the expected fireworks as the boxers gave the fairsized crowd a lot to shout about during the 12-round contest.
With a partisan crowd cheering him on, Atwell dominated the early exchanges by landing some powerful jabs that rocked the Jamaican and forced him on the defensive. Mullings
managed to land a few of his own, but nothing to shake Atwell, who was clearly the fitter fighter, as he skilfully created space when needed and swayed from a few power punches.
At the end of the fourth round, the judges had the card 38-38, 40-36, 3937 in Atwell’s favour, but Mullings started to attack in round five with the aim of notching up valuable points. However, his chances took a blow in round six when he suffered a nasty cut above the left eye, prompting Atwell to launch a vicious attack on his opponent.
With blood gushing from the wound, Mullings was peppered with some ferocious jabs and hooks by Atwell, but the Jamaican got into the action towards the end of round eight by unleashing a flurry of punches on the Guyanese. Atwell was ahead on the judges’ card at the end of round eight, with scores of 76-76, 80-74, 79-74.
The final four rounds were shared by the boxers, as Atwell used his punches to good effect in rounds nine and 10, before Mullings found a new leash of life in the final two rounds, going on the offensive from the moment the bell rang.
The ploy was quite understandable as the only means of a victory at that point for Mullings was a knockout, but he was up against a game Atwell, who withstood bravely everything that was thrown at him.
Atwell later said that his aim was to take the contest the distance in keeping with his style of boxing. He is hopeful that the victory will open up more avenues whereby he can advance to greater heights.
Pride gives Guyana huge target for victory
Barbados Pride, on the back of a historical batting display by captain Kraigg Brathwaite, set Guyana Jaguars 332 runs to win their 7th round WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day match at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Brathwaite hit 112 to become the first batsman to score centuries in both innings of a regional match at Kensington Oval.
The right-handed batsman, who scored 102 in the
first innings, completed the historical achievement with a boundary through cover. He reached the milestone in just under four-and-a-half hours, in the process, hitting 10 fours off 172 deliveries.
Kyle Corbin supported well with 52, which came off 88 deliveries and included four fours and a six in less than two hours at the crease.
Ashley Nurse was left unbeaten on 21.
Ronsford Beaton has so far taken two wickets for
Some
Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time)
37 runs and Christopher Barnwell 2 for 33. Jaguars went about their run-chase and closed the day on 41 without loss. Scores in the so far: Pride 312 and 241 for 6 declared, Jaguars 221 and 41 without loss. (Digicel
Mullings noted that while he was disappointed he lost, he was aware of having to play “catch-up” from early in the fight after Atwell took the initial exchanges. The Jamaican
thanked the GBBC for affording him the opportunity to showcase his skills in Guyana, and said he was willing to take on Atwell again, should the Guyanese agree to a
ICC Cricket World Cup, 14th Match, Pool A: England v Scotland...
England limp to 303 after Moeen ton
8-150, 9-173, 10-221.
Barbados Pride 1st Innings
Bowling: T Best 8-2-261, M Cummins 14-0-635, Carlos Brathwaite 12-242-0, A Nurse 13-2-46-3, J Warrican 12-1-41-1.
Barbados Pride 2nd Innings (Lead; 91) Kraigg Brathwaite*
b C Barnwell 112
K Corbin c Bishoo b Beaton 52
K Edwards c Bramble b Beaton 1
S Hope c (sub) b Reifer 28
R Chase b Permaul 19
Carlos Brathwaite c Permaul
b Barnwell 1
A Nurse not out 21
S Dowrich+ not out 1
Total: for 6 wkts Dec (68 Overs) 241
Extras: (5b 0lb 0w 1nb 0pen)
Fall of Wickets: 1-97, 2-110, 3-164, 4-211, 5-213, 6-224. Guyana Jaguars 2nd Innings Bowling: R Beaton 12-2-37-2, R Reifer 12-3-44-1,
Clive Atwell’s left hand jab to the head of Sakima Mullings was a constant feature of the fight (Photo: Richard Jagdeo)