The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, April 26, 2015 – 11:00h-12:30h and Monday, April 27, 2015 – 12:30h-14:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, April 26, 2015 – 09:50h-11:20h and Monday, April 27, 2015 – 11:15h-12:45h
BY DEVINA SAMAROO
In the presence of Executive Members of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), members of the diplomatic corps, businessmen and other prominent stakeholders, the ruling Administration launched its long-awaited manifesto in grand style at the Marriott Hotel on Saturday.
PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar unleashed his excitement as he spoke about the policies within the Party’s manifesto which he assured will propel Guyana into a modernised economy with promises of economic development, wealth generation and more progress within the nation.
“This manifesto represents what we stand for and what we commit to doing and achieving for you, the Guyanese people… this manifesto is based on moving Guyana towards a vision that we have developed in concord to the Guyanese people… ours is a vision of Guyana as a growing economy creating jobs, income and wealth for our people, it is a Guyana endowed with world-class infrastructure that supports our industries and businesses and from which revenues are derived to guarantee our people world-class education, superior health care, reliable and affordable electricity, water, housing and other social services,” Ramotar guaranteed.
The Head of State assured that the PPP/C’s manifesto outlines the policies, the rationality behind the plans, the vision and the step-by-step process of how the Administration intends to achieve those plans within the next few years.
In painting the picture of the broader strategic focus of the document, Ramotar said the plans aim to promote job creation, income and wealth generation through economic policies geared upon boosting the manufacturing and tourism sectors, assurance of better security, good governance, and the provision and convenient access of facilities and social services to all Guyanese.
Ramotar explained that those promises can only be realised through the pursuit of a number of transformative projects which the PPP/C Administration intends to embark upon as soon as it regains the authority to take Guyana forward.
Those projects include the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project, the Road to Brazil, the Bridge across the Corentyne River connecting Guyana to Suriname, the Deep Water Harbour in Berbice and the new bridge over the Demerara River.
Also, within the next five years, Vision 2.0 sets out to ensure every child has a secondary education, that the University of Guyana is transformed into a world-class institution, and that the narrow gaps that currently exist in the education sector become nonexistent.
Directing his focus to the health sector, Ramotar pledged to complete the Specialty Hospital, establish a 100-bed ward at the Regional Hospital on the East Bank of Demerara, construct a new hospital in Port Kaituma and complete the expansion of the maternity wing at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
As it relates to housing, the PPP/C leader disclosed plans to develop a new urban community on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and create 5000 additional turnkey homes for lowand middle-income earners.
Ramotar also pledged to ensure increased emphasis is placed on fighting crime and reducing lawlessness in the country. He said in order to achieve this, the PPP/C Government intends to invest heavily in the sector by providing greater resources where needed, strengthening laws for better enforcement, improving the judiciary system and employing technology into the system to enhance the quality of the work.
Meanwhile, Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper, during the
pomp and ceremony, also disclosed excerpts of policies under the various sections within the manifesto.
Foremost, she underscored the progress the PPP/C Administration has made within the past years of governance and reassured all that the executive body will work diligently to ensure it continues to build on that growth by improving existing policies and introducing new programmes that will enhance the lives of all Guyanese, particularly the vulnerable groups like women, children, single parents, the elderly and indigenous people.
On the topic of education, Harper said the PPP/C will ensure universal secondary and nursery education is achieved, more trained teachers are deployed, the early childhood education programme is realised, children with special educational needs
promised to provide better opportunities in technical and vocational studies.
She also noted plans to establish centres of excellence throughout Guyana in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Arts and modern languages.
Harper expanded more on the vision for the education sector by telling the audience of plans to enhance the school guidance and counsellor programmes in school, the implementation of Health and Family Life Education programme in secondary schools to educate young individuals against teenage pregnancy, implement special programmes to cater for school dropouts and develop second-chance programmes for teenage mothers.
She added that the PPP/C intends to implement a programme to promote responsible fatherhood among young males.
As it relates to children, Harper said the PPP/C Administration will ensure special accommodation is provided for them and better childcare facilitates and services are available.
She also noted that there will be better coordination between childcare agencies and the Police Force and Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure child-abuse related cases are treated with priority.
Plans to enact the juvenile justice bill and have the Family Court operational are also laid down in the manifesto.
In addition, she assured better foster care and adoption services will be provided.
are addressed, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities are available in all classrooms and the quality of teaching at the University of Guyana is improved.
With the belief that education is the key pillar of a successful nation, Harper said the PPP/C will seek to provide University-level education on the Essequibo Coast through the provision of extra bureau classes with the vision of establishing a University Campus there.
Additionally, she revealed that the Party aimed to expand on the University's online services so that persons in farreaching areas can also attain a university education.
For those who are not academically capable, Harper
Harper also said the PPP/C will roll out plans for the protection and preservation of the Amerindian languages and art forms within the various indigenous groups in the country.
And lastly, in reiterating her role in championing the cause for all women in Guyana, Harper pledged to ensure that her Party upholds the rights of women, strengthen the legislation to ensure better justice is provided for women, and expand the micro financing programmes that will benefit all women who seek to become independent entrepreneurs.
She also promised to work with the community and collaborate with various organisations to educate against domestic violence with the aim of putting an end to this scourge in society, once and for all.
Sunday Editor: Michael Younge
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Over the course of the last three years, the Guyanese populace has had the opportunity to actually witness in action the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition's position on infrastructural development in general and in its financing through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in particular.
Now that they may do a volte face while on the hustings or in their Manifesto, their statements should be evaluated from an informed perspective.
When APNU/AFC criticises the infrastructural thrust of the PPP/C's development programme, they insist that this will lead to a top-heavy debt portfolio. What they first have to accept is that at this stage of our development we are right where the sub-Saharan economies are - woefully lacking in infrastructure as compared to the Asian economies that are forging ahead.
In its report, "Rethinking Reforms: How Latin America and the Caribbean Can Escape Suppressed World Growth”, of March 2013, the Inter American Bank (IDB), which distributed loans and grants worth US$11.4-billion to 26 Latin American countries in 2012, also offered some policy advice.
It said that the key to moving beyond the four-five per cent growth rate where we have been stuck for a while, we need to focus on "infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure". The World Bank has also made the same point.
Hopefully, we can now move to the question as to how the infrastructure can be financed - outside the traditional route of acquiring debt. The PNC-led Opposition is understandably traumatised by the latter facility, having plunged Guyana into bankruptcy in the 1980s via that route.
In light of the reduced concessional funding available from the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), which had traditionally filled that need, both institutions emphasised the attractiveness of the PPP/C model for infrastructural development.
Hoping that concerned Guyanese would consider the World Bank a neutral, but knowledgeable institution in the financing large infrastructural projects, we submit some highlights from their report: "Attracting investors to African public-private partnerships: a project preparation guide."
In addition to offering policy makers an opportunity to improve the delivery of services and the management of facilities through securing private funding without increasing public debt, Governments are also turning to PPPs as a means to improve the procurement of public services.
"The PPP process usually requires information about the true long-term cost of service delivery which generates a more realistic debate on project selection. By improving the identification of a project’s long-term risks and the allocation of those risks between the public and private sectors, the PPP process enables a more efficient use of resources."
While there are several types of PPP structures, they all concentrate on the "bankability" of the project: "The majority of third-party funding for PPP projects normally consists of longterm debt finance, which typically varies from 70 percent to as much as 90 percent of the total funding requirement, depending on the perceived risks of the project."
In the case of Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP), which was condemned and scuttled by the Opposition - and which utilised the PPP financing model - there were raised eyebrows at the hight debt-to-equity ratios, but we can now see that this is normal.
The Report explains: "Debt is a cheaper source of funding than equity, as it carries relatively less risk. Lending to PPP projects looks to the cash flow of the project as the principal source of security.
“This is quite different from corporate financing, where lenders rely on the value of the company’s assets. Infrastructure assets are effectively worthless without the underlying contractual structure, which is why the detailed terms and conditions, and legal effectiveness, of the PPP contract are so important.”
We hope all Guyanese will take the time to be educated on PPP financing for our infrastructural development - as for example the projected new, permanent, fixed Bridge across the Demerara River.
We cannot fall victim of the Luddite PNC-led APNU/AFC.
Dear Editor,
Before I treat with the thrust of my contribution, I must compliment Fire Chief Gentle and his brave team for averting major disaster at McDoom a few days ago. Kudos must also go to Commander Hicken and his personnel for taking control of the affected corridor.
Now, my take on our nation's youths.
Thousands of youths throughout Guyana have been exposed to numerous workshops and other training programmes organised by a host of agencies: the Government, political parties, diplomatic missions, sporting bodies; the list is long.
The expected outcome of all these initiatives is that our youths will be more
analytic and pragmatic in how and what they say and do; in their perspectives of who they will be in another few years and the contributions they will make to developing Guyana.
After all, aren't they the leaders of tomorrow?
Our youths of voting age account for about 45 per cent of our electorate and I will wager that at least 85 per cent of them have a secondary school education. By any standard that is flattering. We have a pretty educated youth population.
But what is not flattering is the utterance by many youths of voting age that they have no interest in voting at the upcoming May 11 elections. How can we on one hand lay claim to being educated, analyt-
ical, pragmatic, while on the other hand express disinterest in the direction and goings-on of our country?
As a cricket coach of sorts and (part-time) trainer in leadership, I interact with youths and I find that they can be pretty incisive. But there is also a strong tendency on their part to be swayed towards perception rather than hard, substantiated facts.
It is as if they are reluctant (not unable) to "sus" out the reality from the perception. And this is my observation as I visit communities of all ethnicities.
To be leaders and parents of tomorrow requires the willingness to accept the obligations and challenges of leaders and parents. Decisions on wheth-
er to purchase a house or a vehicle or making a baby or voting at elections must be premised on measurables, not suppositions or perceptions.
My call to that 40-plus per cent of youths who are qualified to vote is that you exercise your franchise in recognition of your ability to analyse and to make your own decision.
Do not let leaders with narrow interests influence you on how to vote. Rather, vote on the basis of issues about which you know rather than on perceptions drummed into you by others.
Use your own judgement! You have been educated to do that!
Taajnauth Jadunauth
Dear Editor, The matter involving the Minister of Health is one of much provocation by that female who calls herself a rights activist. What rights is she defending or promoting? I guess the rights to provoke and to be disrespectful to all and sundry.
This is the example she is portraying to other women – that you have a mouth, so you can open it and say anything, anywhere, anytime and anyhow. There are those among us who have no respect for time and place, talking about rights which they misuse. Some of their favourite
terms include: freedom of speech, so they talk out of place and no one dareS touch them. This is a public road, so the law cannot remove them.
What connection did she have with the court matter in question? Has she a right to be there and not anyone else? What was
that right? Who was she to question the Minister on his presence there?
She claimed to be a tax payer whose money pays the Minister, and because of that he ought not to be there!
Name withheld by request
The policy defined in the declaration of Sophia rested on three main pillars:
1. The allocation of state funds by way of a new body consisting of an amalgamation of the Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and a newly formed Ministry of National Development.
2. The expansion of military and paramilitary forces and
3. A policy of controlling the economy especially employment through the state sector
In 1975 the party and the state were fused in a creation known ‘Office of the General Secretary of the PNC and Ministry of National Development’. This new body was effectively the administrative arm of the paramountcy doctrine. Public funds were officially channeled into the hands of the ruling party.
The Ministry’s main work involved the mobilization of public servants and school children to ensure their presence at rallies addressed by Forbes Burnham. The Ministry also organized ‘developers course’ for senior public servants at which cooperative socialism and the paramountcy doctrine are the principal subjects for analysis. These live-in courses which have been described as party indoctrination were compulsory.
“A further expression of paramountcy was the shifting of institutional loyalties of the armed forces and the police to party leaders and away from the titular Head of State. Symbolic of the fact that the aims of the ruling party were the first consideration in the dispensing of justice, the party flag was flown over the Court of Appeal. Public directives were given to judges which were later followed by the passage of the Administration of Justice Act.
The second pillar on which the PNC built its paramountcy doctrine was the extension of the armed forces. From 1974 there was a considerable expansion of the armed forces with the creation of the Guyana National Service (GNS) followed in 1976 by the formation of People’s Militia. Defense allocation from the public treasury rose from $8.76M in 1973 to $48.72M in 1976. A six fold increase.
As was detailed in “Snippets from the Past” that dealt with National Service, the GNS had a coercive element which was provided by linking all post-secondary education and the granting of scholarship to a one year period of National Service.
“Other armed units now include the People’s Militia, the Women’s Revolutionary Socialist Movement (WRSM) and the Young Socialist Movement (YSM). The intake into all of the disciplined services is 90% Blacks reflecting
the widespread violation of entrant’s requirements exercised by leaders of the ruling party”
The third pillar illustrates the direct political control of state sector workers. This has proved to be the most effective method of keeping the labour forced submissive. Publicity surrounding dismissal of workers for political reasons served to produce an atmosphere of caution and fear which was reinforced by the statement of Burnham “If I fire you, you remain fired”. This referenced to the limited job opportunities outside the public sector. In addition to the direct control of labour in the public sector the state has considerable influence over private sector firms, especially in the matter of import license and access to spare parts.
Ken Danns: “Domination and Power in Guyana” writes “Politicization of public bureaucracy is accomplished by widespread and intensive party penetration. Senior appointments in these bureaucracies are sanctioned by the PNC party and the possession of a party card is an important criterion for appointments and promotion. He further writes in the “Decolonization and Militarization in the Caribbean, The Guyana Example “that the Government is the largest single employer of labour and that the allocation of jobs are not entirely unaffiliated to one’s ethnic origin.
State ownership place the resources of the private sector under the control of the regime, this gives rise to general racial patronage and offer state employees almost unlimited opportunities for improving their socio-economic position through the filling of highly paid prestigious jobs. Expanded state administrative bureaucracy brought in its wake expansion of the job providing capabilities.
It provided the PNC regime with enormously expanded control over the distribution of economic resources which could be used in pursuit of its own power interest as part of its overall program towards owning and controlling the country’s national resources. The government in 1971 nationalised the Bauxite sector and the following years witnessed a series of take over and nationalization, including the nationalization of Booker Mc Connel Ltd.
Within a period of five years the state of public sector expanded from 20% to 80%. This resulted in an increase from 8 public sector Corporation in 1970 to more than 30 public enterprises in 1977.
Thus, one of the pillars on which state control was consolidated was the control of jobs. Over 80% of the country’s major economic assets and activities were incorporated in the public sector. To
manage these operation and resources, Burnham created several parastatal bodies and staffed them liberally with Afro-Guyanese bureaucracy and technicians. The East Indian majority were marginalized and discriminated against and began to play a diminishing part in the state since 1964.
A further step in collective indoctrination was encouraged by the government abolishing private schools in 1975. Ideological control was completed by the PNC government’s acquisition of all the national media. Access to information became a serious problem after 1978 given the restrictions placed on the independent press and the fact that the party control of the state owned media reduced them to party propaganda instruments.
Writing on the concept of Party Paramountcy, the US Country Report on Human Rights practices 1982 comments “ … the concept of paramountcy of the ruling party (PNC) has been detrimental to general public participation in the political system. Under the doctrine of party paramountcy the Government has become an appendage of the party and the party employs the apparatus and power of the state to advance its aims.
The party had assumed the right to assert its influence and control over many activities of the society. The near eradication of the distinction between government and party has led to an exclusive system of patronage in the public sector with the party rewarding its supporters with jobs”.
This segment of ‘Snippets from the Past’ highlights the racist unpinning of the Doctrine of PNC Party Paramountcy that created the mechanism for the exclusion of an East Indian majority population from full participation in the political process and economic involvement in the state apparatus.
This exclusionary nature was an effective weapon in the marginalization of a majority population. The instrumentalities of total control were further heightened by the 90 per cent Black military and civil service bureaucracy. Restrictive tertiary educational opportunities and discriminatory access to state housing developments and finance through the public sector banks further compounded the exclusionary nature of the doctrine of Party Paramountcy by the PNC.
It is very instructive to note that Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan had conveniently ignored this institutionalized racism of the PNC and have to live with the PNC now parading as APNU refusal to apologise for their repressive and discriminatory reign during the period 1964 to 1992.
ficer himself, Ramsaroop believes that Granger will not give up his authority as it is the belief of the military that there is only “one boss”.
“For Nagamootoo to believe that even though the Constitution does not allow him to run the Cabinet as outlined in the Cummingsburg Accord, that Granger would allow him to direct the Government, he is day dreaming. We are taught in the military to delegate responsibilities but never authority,” Ramsaroop explained.
By Devina Samaroo
Former Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive and current candidate for the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Peter Ramsaroop says that Moses Nagamootoo, who is vying to be Guyana’s next Prime Minister on an APNU/AFC ticket will be left out in the cold when the coalition loses.
Dr Ramsaroop reasoned that the coalition’s Presidential Candidate, Retired Brigadier David Granger will never abandon his “chain of command” for the sake of his running mate Moses Nagamootoo.
Ramsaroop was at the time speaking during a recent televised broadcast in Berbice.
He said Granger is known to surround himself with military comrades and will not allow anyone to breach that “close knitted” circle regardless of what is laid out in the Cummingsburg Accord.
As per the Cummingsburg Accord, the agreement signed between the two political forces, Nagamootoo was guaranteed the powers of the President of Guyana to direct and control the Government and Cabinet.
Being a former military of-
In fact, Ramsaroop predicts that the Courts and the Constitution will not recognise the Cummingsburg Accord over the Law and therefore, there will be “no room” for Nagamootoo” if the coalition wins.
Recently, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and the PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee had also warned the general populace of what they described as the “hypocritical” nature of the members of the Opposition.
Rohee said Nagamootoo was not satisfied with just a prime ministerial post, and he will do whatever it takes to be crowned President of Guyana. “He didn’t succeed in the PPP/C for the President… but now he gone with the PNC, he gone with the APNU and he still harbouring illusions to be the President…,” Rohee stated, noting that Granger and Nagamootoo will be at constant war over power distribution within the “united” party.
“If at any time, Granger is to become the President of this country, he better don’t leave Guyana, because anytime Granger leave Guyana, it mean Nagamootoo will take over and then we will see more trouble in the camp,” Rohee predicted.
In reiterating this message across the country, the Finance Minister told thousands of Berbice supporters the People's National Congress (PNC)-led alliance cannot be trusted, as the sole purpose of the coalition is to merely get the PNC back into power.
He went on to convince the crowd that Granger has plans to knock Nagamootoo out of the spotlight at the very first chance he gets.
“As a matter of fact, they have not even come to election as yet; two weeks ago they were putting up green and yellow flag, guess what they putting up now? They drop the yellow, the yellow done get drop and the flag marked APNU. They ain’t even contest election yet and the AFC done get knock out,” Singh declared.
He noted that the party, which dubbed itself as a coalition of unity, has already made up its mind to ditch the AFC.
“I don’t think Granger will turn President and then come and say come Nagamootoo and take over the presidential position and take all the power cause we nah want them...do you believe that Mr Granger will hand over all these powers to Mr Nagamootoo?”
ven though over here in Trinidad I’m grappling with finals (and wondering, “Why do we have so many muscles, bones and joints? And why do I need to learn everything about all of them??”), news of our elections keeps wafting over.
Exams or not, I still aimlessly scroll through my Facebook newsfeed (some might call that procrastination, I call it ‘taking time to keep up with the rest of the world’) and I’ve been noticing an ever-increasing number of posts regarding our upcoming elections. And from what I can gather, things are really heating up.
Fingers crossed, this year might be the first election I get to have my finger stained. I’m done with exams on May 7, and hopefully I get done with packing and all those things by May 11. From my now-going-ontwo-years sojourn in Carnival Land, I’ve felt a little better that we’re not the only country where one’s ethnicity/race has such a dominant effect in
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” –Pericles, Greek statesman and General (495-529 BC).
politics.
You read about these matters and patterns in books – look what’s happening in Iraq – but it really hits home when you experience it “in the flesh”, so to speak. Trinidad has pretty much the same ethnic breakdown as we do – “Indians” and “Africans/ Mixed” almost balanced - and with the notable exception of the “French Creole” substituting for our Amerindian 10 per cent.
As a Guyanese, and as a stranger in a strange land, with the chance allusions to politics in “ole talk” and the even more occasional perusal of the local papers, you begin to get a feel for the lay of the land.
The fact that Trinidad will also have elections this year has quickened the discourse. But what have I learnt from my Trini experience? Firstly that by and large they also vote along ethnic lines. By and large.
Unlike us, however, they do seem to have a larger set of folks who may vote along issues outside their ethnic camps – and this adds some fluidity to their voting. They’ve changed
Governments several times since the 1980s.
It would appear that unlike what has happened over in Guyana, while there is a recognition that the claims of both big ethnic blocs are to be taken with a grain of salt (or more!), the preferences on who to vote for still appear to be sorting themselves along the old ethnic lines.
While I studied West Indian history, my writing piece was the introduction of new labour into the West Indies – especially Guyana and Trinidad – after the abolition of slavery. The freed Africans and the Portuguese, Indians and Chinese, were moved by the British like chess pieces on a board that they always controlled for their benefit.
And because it was the bargaining power of the Africans that were being undermined by the newcomers, it is not surprising that there was scant interest that the latter were “objects” in all of this, not “subjects”. The British “divide and rule” tactic worked to a “T” - for them.
But today we are masters of our own fate and captains of our destiny, as they say,
and we should be moving on beyond the old divisions. But from the little I know divisions and identities are very heavily influenced by pressures and oppression as much as internal belief systems.
The cliché, if I remember correctly, was that “we are constituted as much as we are constitutive”. (Whew!!) At a minimum, I think, our Governments ought to focus on removing social, cultural and economic disparities among our peoples that can be explained and resented by: “it’s because of my race”. I’ll be looking at the parties’ manifestoes from this perspective.
Very sadly though, I don’t think this kind of closeted thinking will disappear overnight. Some folks say that increased standards of living will solve matters. But Trinidad is so much richer than us and yet is so heavily influenced by ethnicity in voting.
But their big block of “swing votes” does suggest that progress is possible. Let’s work on it as we go into the final lap of the elections.
Can we discuss the issues, please?
The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) will be hosting its Annual Fund Raising Dinner in Canada, on May 2.
The event is being organised by the CIOG’s Canadian Support Group and will be held at the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT), 1630 Neilson Road, Scarborough, Canada, commencing at 16:00h.
At the fundraising dinner, the keynote speaker will be Shaikh Abdool Hamid, while the fundraising event will be led by Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick. The event will be chaired by the Imam of The Taric Mosque, Shaikh Imran Ali.
CIOG is using this forum to inform the Guyanese diaspora, as well as others, in the North American country of the various actions undertaken by the religious organisation to help the poor and needy, and to seek contributions so that it can continue serving the less fortunate people of Guyana.
“Your contributions can continue to make a significant difference in the lives of others via a number of existing programmes. For example, to ensure that the knowledge of Islam is circulated, our teachers working in several regions must be paid to travel and conduct Madrasah classes. To provide for the vulnerable, our Orphan Sponsorship Programme meets the nutritional, educational and medical needs of children for just (CAN)$30 a month per child,” CIOG stated in a release.
The Organisation further detailed that in order
to strengthen bonds in the community; its social services also include assisting poor Muslim families with the burials of their loved ones. Additionally, in an effort to bring happiness to the children of Guyana, the CIOG treats some 375 orphans currently registered in its programmes to a delicious meal, games, rides and presents every year at an Annual Fun Day.
CIOG advises that Zakaat can also be donated at the Fund Raising Dinner and will be used only for the purpose of which Zakaat can be used. Moreover, all donors will receive a tax deductible receipt from the International Development Relief Foundation (IDRF) for their donations made. For further information on the Fund Raising Dinner, dinner tickets or the donation process, kindly contact Br. Liaquat or Sister Janet at 416-400-1786.
“This is an event that should not be missed, as it is a time when we in Canada can lend a helping hand to the executives of the CIOG in Guyana; to show them how much we appreciate the great effort they are making to help the people of Guyana. May Allah reward you greatly for giving your love, time and support to those in need,” the CIOG said.
Tickets for the event costs CAN$15 and are available at the door as well as at Centres/Masjids in the GTA. Persons are asked to come and enjoy a sumptuous meal while reuniting with family and friends for a worthy cause.
The Glenn Lall-owned Kaieteur Newspaper is again in hot water after three senior journalists attached to news outfit tendered their resignation with immediate effect on Saturday morning citing a host of concerns including poor working condition, maltreatment and verbal harassment in the work place.
The Guyana Times understands that two other junior reporters were expected to do the same soon after they vented their dissatisfaction with the sordid state of affairs at the tabloid newspaper company.
The three reporters have been identified as Romilla Budram; Zeena Henry and Rabindra Rooplall.
While the core details about decision to resign from the media outfit remains sketchy, this newspaper was told that the main reason is linked to the poor working conditions there.
Among the other reasons sighted were the manner in which publisher, Glenn Lall speaks to his staff; the internet connection that was cut off from the reporters’ computers and the harassment in the office.
A well placed source told the Guyana Times that that they have raised concerns about the disconnection of the internet but Lall and other top officials in the news outfit including, Leonard Gildhari seem not to care.
The source also claimed that reporters in the newsroom engage in unprofessional conduct. This, the source stated is prevalent and is followed by cold treatments by the publisher and
editors.
Guyana Times was also told that Lall would frequently “cuss out” staff members who do not provide him with information in a timely manner.
Budram was primarily writing crime stories while Rooplall covered CARICOM and Regional Bodies as well as entertainment and Henry covered the aviation sector.
Earlier this year, an email was circulated to top media officials, about the manner in which the newspaper’s publisher treats staff under his employ and the abuse they are made to endure whenever they do not follow his political and administrative instructions.
Just last week, Leon Jameson Suseran, a reporter attached to the News media outlet, was sacked by the company after he voiced his concern over the newspaper’s distorted version of an article he had written about the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Albion Rally on Sunday.
Taking to social media to express his outrage over the situation, the reporter explained that the Kaieteur News’ headline article in its Monday, April 20 edition was titled “Jagdeo spreads fear at Albion to win back Berbice” and the story took a completely different angle from what he had originally written.
Suseran furiously related in his Facebook post that his entire story was altered to inject what he termed as “feelings of discord, hate and anger” against former President Bharrat Jagdeo into the reading populace.
Upset about the twist
in the article on Monday, Suseran explained that he called the editor on duty the night of the rally, Michael Jordan and related his concerns over the matter.
Subsequently, the reporter received a call from the Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris who told then allegedly informed him of his suspension/dismissal. “… the Editor-in-Chief of the Kaieteur News telephoned me to verify certain pieces of information in the article and said that I should not fear anyone since what the article mentioned was nothing but the truth.
He then went on to say that nevertheless, as the paper had agreed, they will “ease you (me) off” and “will talk to you (me)” again after the elections.
That, to me, sounded like another suspension/dismissal. I was suspended twice before by the paper, for other unrelated matters,” the disturbed reporter mentioned in the post, indicating that the newspaper is in the habit of practising victimisation and discrimination if one does not have mutual perceptions of a situation.
“…this presents the bigger picture of my victimisation and discrimination especially if your views are not in sync with a certain group,” Suseran noted. Following these episodes, the reporter took to social media to expose the controversial media outlet for its wrongdoings and clarify the chain of events leading up to the publication of the distorted article, which Suseran indicated, brought much embarrassment and damage to his reputation.
Father arrested after trying to cut 4-year-old’s throat
Afather of three from Richmond Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast is presently in custody for attempting to cut his four year old son’s neck.
Junior Adolphus was arrested by Police on Saturday morning and is presently in custody at the Anna Regina police station assisting with investigations. According to information, the incident occurred on Wednesday and since then the man fled the scene.
Information revealed that the father usually suffers from psychiatric problems.
Guyana Times also understands that he took a sharp object and sliced part of the child’s neck. The child was saved by his mother who later transported him to the Suddie Public Hospital.
The nursery pupil was then treated and sent home, he was never hospitalized nor did he receive any stitches. He however has a bandage around his neck.
Representatives of the Occupational Health and Safety on Friday were presented with badges as a form of identification for their work at the Georgetown Public Hospital as OHS workers.
Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital, Michael Khan, told the Guyana Times that the entity has recognized the importance of having a functional Occupational Safety and Health committee, thus the members of the management and non- management communities were awarded with tokens of appreciation.
Khan highlighted that the hospital administration has several critical roles to fulfill in the protection of their workers.
He added that the Occupational Safety and Health Act mandates the employer to ensure that the machinery, equipment, agents, premises and work processes are safe and without risk to the health of all workers.
As it relates to training facilities, he reiterated that the members of staff were given the opportunity on Thursday to participate in a training course fa-
cilitated by the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry.
He explained that he implored the OHS representatives to actively participate in the implementation of preventative and control measures that will allow the workers to work in a safe environment.
Meanwhile, Chief Labour Occupational Health and Safety Officer at the Ministry of Labour, Francis Carryl, noted that even though there have been a number of changes by the International Labour Organization as it relates to Occupational Health and Safety there are still a number of gaps that practices the most important parts of its discipline.
He said that he called it a discipline because it is to guide our lives.
“Many companies failed to recognize the importance of having occupational health and safety on their agenda whether it is at home, in a classroom or in a boardroom,” he said.
Immense focus is placed on the boardroom because this he says, must occupy a strategic part of every management function and per-
sons should not plan their budget without having OHS as part of it.
Guyana Public Service Union, Captain Kempton Alexander, noted that in the world of work there are several conditions governing welfare and wellbeing.
The trade unions, he said, have a role to play in ensuring that the organisation is safe to work in and to this extent this task should not be left on one stakeholder in fact different sections of the organization should collaborate in ensuring that a safe environment exists to conduct its daily operations.
He noted that it is the duty of management to keep a focus on health and safety regulations as it relates to work practices and as such, much emphasis should place on a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach
Occupational Health and Safety day will be observed on April 28, as members of the Georgetown Public Hospital and the International Labour Organisation will be working together to ensure that the awareness of health and safety is brought out to every organisation.
The man apparently did not take his usually prescribed medicine and may have “tripped out” according to police sources in the region.
The father, when arrested, apologised for the incident and admitted “that his nerves affected him”.
Neighbours reported that they heard the child screaming. The father is expected to appear before magistrate Sunil Scarce when the police conclude their investigations.
Rescue efforts in Nepal are intensifying after more than 1800 people were killed in the country's worst earthquake in more than 80 years.
Many countries and international charities have offered aid to Nepal to deal with the disaster.
Thousands of people braved freezing temperatures to sleep on pavements,
parks or fields on Saturday night.
Officials fear that the death toll could rise as the desperate search for survivors continued into Sunday.
The 7.8 magnitude quake struck an area of central Nepal between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara on Saturday morning.
The latest Home Ministry
figures say 1805 people were killed and 4718 people were injured.
There were also victims in India, Bangladesh, in the Chinese region of Tibet and on Mount Everest, where
rise yet further.
It is the worst earthquake to strike Nepal since one in 1934 which killed some 8500 people.
"We have launched a massive rescue and re-
avalanches were triggered.
Little information has emerged from the epicentre, where extensive damage has been reported, and there are fears the death toll could
habilitation action plan and lots needs to be done," Information and Broadcasting Minister Minendra Rijal told Indian television. (Excerpt from BBC News)
...on sugar
The confusion reigning in the newly cobbled coalition-for-convenience - the PNC-led APNU/ AFC - is exemplified by their policy of sugar in their Manifesto. Even before the Manifesto, we saw their leaders speaking in many tongues.
Granger was all for privatisation...he felt sugar workers were earning too much...etc, etc. Nagamootoo, sweating that his promised 11 per cent was evaporating like high wine from an open bottle (you have to use similes the fella can appreciate...and he sho’ does appreciate his high wine!) was all for trying to “save” the industry.
So in the Manifesto, we now have Granger (presumably) going along with not throwing sugar under the bus. But like the fella who’s forced to marry a gal he thought was a dog (what was that about the AFC’s nominee for Speaker??), you could see Granger’s heart isn’t really in it.
Conceding the need for mechanisation in the industry, the Manifesto claims that rather than change the canebeds to accommodate this (as the PPP/C’s been doing) we should change the type of crops planted that are best suited to the old (Dutch) beds.
And this is SAVING the sugar industry? This is like a paraphrase of the old slapstick comedy: “Don’t raise the bridge - lower the river!!” So isn’t this like ABANDONING the sugar industry for the old PNC “diversification” strategy??
Remember black eye peas (not the band!), red beans and tilapia?? OK Granger. You were there when that strategy was launched...quick now...why did it fail?? And you won’t dispute that it did FAIL, would you? And will fail again.
But the kicker is their solution in the “short term”: produce ethanol rather than sugar! Makes you understand how far these wankers have their heads up their nether orifice! The elementary question would be “from where would you get the ethanol?” Sugar cane, no??
BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FACTORIES DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SUGAR CANE!!! How the arse will you gain by “producing” ethanol rather than sugar if you don’t have the input material - cane?
And secondly, what do you gain “in the near term”, when the cane still has to be chopped, and pressed for the juice? The only step saved in the separation of the sugar crystals? And where and with what are we going to be producing the ethanol? We’ll need huge investments in distilleries? Who’s gonna supply the capital?
Looks like what all his old comrades in the PPP/C’s been saying about him is true; Nagamootoo doesn’t know his ass from his elbow. And doesn’t mind Granger telling him to push one into the other!
The Manifesto promises that the goal of its members will be “to acknowledge, embrace and celebrate our ethnic diversity”. Well that sho’ does sound good, doesn’t it? So can we now expect Moses Nagamootoo - Prime Ministerial Candidate of the PNC-led APNU/ AFC to “acknowledge, embrace and celebrate his ethnic identity”?
After all, you can’t have “diversity” celebrated if you have folks denying their heritage, can you? Especially top leaders!
Fact of the matter is the problem with the policy is precisely what has happened to fellas like Nagamootoo. When he was growing up whimsically in Whim, he was just like any little “Indian” boy.
But when he came to “town”, folks like Granger - who set the standards of what was “couth” and “uncouth”convinced him he had to deny his ethnic heritage. That was uncouth! You better not say “watah”...make sure it’s “watuh”!!
This Eyewitness doesn’t expect Nagamootoo to shed the skin he’s grown...it’s not just old dogs and new tricks and all that. The fella’s now just full of self-hate!
...and false bravado
The PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition promised in their manifesto that “within 100 days” they’ll “liberalism the telecommunications and ICT sector”.
Did they tell this to GT&T?
The ongoing tracking opinion poll being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) shows the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) leading the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led Opposition alliance and the minor parties in its projected outcome of the distribution of geographical seats in the lead-up to the May 11 General Elections.
Of the 25 seats up for grabs in the 10 regions, the PPP/C is on course to win a slight majority of them. The Party could capture up to 15 seats if it can win several marginal regions. Because of close contests between the PPP/C and the Opposition alliance in some of the regions, it cannot be determined precisely how many seats each party would win.
The NACTA poll, conducted by Dr Vishnu Bisram, interviewed some 2000 voters since February to represent the demographic composition of the population: Indians – 42 per cent; Africans – 31 per cent; Mixed – 17 per cent; Amerindians – nine per cent; and others – one per cent.
Based on the findings
of the poll, the PPP/C is certain to win 12 of the 25 geographical seats up for grabs and is leading in one more that could give it a total of 13 seats and is in close contest in two others.
The Opposition PNC-led alliance is certain to win 10 seats and is leading in one more that could give it 11 geographical seats. The two parties are in a dead heat for one seat that could go either way with the alliance having the edge.
No other party has a chance of winning any geographical seat though they are polling votes that would impact on how many top up seats each party would win and how many regional councillor seats each party wins.
The poll’s findings are projecting a 13-12 or a 1411 outcome in favour of the PPP/C. There is also a slim possibility of the PPP/C winning 15 seats, though such an outcome is highly improbable.
Because of the racial polarisation of the voting, except for Indians splitting their votes, and the ethnic demographic distribution of the population, the chance of the Opposition winning 13 geographical seats is remote with 12 be -
ing a more realistic outcome.
However, with the Indians splitting their votes, the alliance has a chance of picking up a seat in Essequibo (Region Two – Pomeroon/Supenaam), in what would be a historic feat. That outcome, however, is not assured as PPP/C has a huge lead in the region.
Analogously, Africans are not splitting their votes. And as such the PPP/C has no chance of winning a seat in the PNC stronghold of Linden (Region 10 – Upper Demerara/Berbice).
Winning a majority of the geographical seats does not guarantee a plurality (presidency) or a majority of the overall 65 seats. The election is turning out to be a battleground between the two dominant parties (alliances) with the minor parties making little headway into the historical traditional pattern of voting.
The election is very close with the PPP/C slightly ahead in popular support.
The poll’s projections relating to popular support and overall total seats will be released in a subsequent report. NACTA will continue its tracking poll to determine final projections.
“Cripple”
Aman was sentenced to 18 months in prison signalling the end to his four-month-long trial by Magistrate Alex Moore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday.
Earl Williams, 47, commonly known as "Cripple" of William Street, Kitty pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that between September 2, 2014 and January 15, 2015 he stole in excess of $1.8 million worth of inventory property of Footsteps Store.
According to Police Prosecutor Kerry Boswick, the Manager of the establishment had noticed that a number of items from the store were disappearing and made a report to the Police after which an investigation was launched.
Police Constable C Seeram also testified that there was evidence of forced entry into the estab-
lishment.
The Police, acting on information received, visited the home of the defendant on January 21 where a number of the articles were recovered. The defendant was then arrested and taken into custody.
The court also heard the testimony of the defendant’s neighbour whom was identified as Brumell (only name given) who stated that on the evening of January 16 while at his window which gave him a panoramic view of the surrounding area, he witnessed the defendant jumping over three fences and entering the establishment.
He said that soon after he saw the said individual exiting the premises with a number of the articles. The man related that upon checking through a pile of boxes which he assumed to be garbage in the de-
fendant’s backyard, he retrieved a canister containing a number of pay slips and exclusive cards property of the said establishment.
After reviewing all the facts, evidence and witness testimonies of the trial, the Magistrate said that his findings showed that there was no challenge to the witness statements as they were very conclusive and the evidence provided showed that the defendant while undoubtedly not acting alone played a vital role in the offence. He then found the defendant guilty of the charge and explained that due to the nature of the offence the defendant could face up to five years’ imprisonment; however, taking into consideration the man’s age and the fact that it is his first offence he sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
By Devina Samaroo
Amid controversy surrounding the struggle for power within the People's National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition between its two major components, its Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo expressed his intention to fight for a further decrease in presidential powers, once the recently-formed alliance is elected as the next Government of Guyana.
This declaration was made during the coalition’s campaign rally at Vreed-enHoop, West Bank Demerara on Friday evening, just three weeks away from the General and Regional Elections. In 2000, all the parties in Parliament – the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C); PNC Reform; Working People's Alliance (WPA), and The United Force (TUF) had unanimously made alterations to the Constitution that included a massive reduction in the powers of the President.
Nagamootoo told the crowd of several hundred supporters that the President held too much power.
“We need to have a constitutional change; part of the problem in Guyana is
that too much power is concentrated on one person’s hand…!” he exclaimed. As part of the Cummingsburg Accord between the APNU and the AFC, Granger had already agreed to allocate some of his powers should he be elected President to Nagamootoo who would be his Prime Minister.
Nagamootoo has been constantly accused by many of being a “power drunk” individual who would do whatever it took to reign supreme.
These accusations, mostly made by officials from the ruling PPP/C, were justified by Nagamootoo’s track record of jumping ship when the road to the presidency was denied or became bumpy and long.
Nagamootoo had quit the PPP/C after he was not chosen as the Presidential Candidate of the Party. He then joined with the AFC and now he has joined the APNU but could not secure the Presidential candidacy and settled for the PM spot.
As per the Cummingsburg Accord between the two parties, the Prime Minister will be bestowed with the power to chair the Cabinet and matters supporting the domestic affairs of the nation.
Currently, the Constitution states that only the President must chair the Cabinet; however, Granger insists that, once elected, he will ensure the law is changed so that Nagamootoo can have the powers to do so.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will be tasked to make recommendations for the ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structure of the ministries for the approval of the President. It appears that Nagamootoo might be hedging his options in case Granger does not follow through with his promises as is widely seen by many supporters of the AFC.
Meanwhile, at the ral-
ly, Nagamootoo appeared to be losing attention as the crowd waited impatiently for Granger to come to the forefront.
Nonetheless, the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate persisted in the face of murmurs and went on to speak
erything,” Nagamootoo announced, signalling his intention to make all the APNU/ AFC’s shadow government officials “clean as whistle”.
Nagamootoo also spoke about the establishment of a code of conduct where Ministers will be sanctioned
about ending corruption in Guyana.
“We are the corruption capital of the world…We have to stop the corruption,” he declared.
He said the APNU/AFC plans to end corruption include the establishment of an Integrity Commission where all Government Ministers and officials will be required to declare their assets at prescribed intervals. This requirement is presently in place, but the Opposition MPs have not been complying with the law.
Nagamootoo envisions such a commission to be a separate entity where committee members will be responsible for monitoring most of the public officials’ private lives.
“It is time…We must know how much they have when they come in and we must know how much they got when they go out… we have to monitor them and we need an independent body to do so. We need to see how many cars they have, how many houses they have…they must declare ev-
for certain behaviours.
Granger enters Meanwhile, implored by the impatient crowd, Opposition Leader David Granger, during his brief time at the podium, begged
alition into power.
“In 2011, allyuh give PPP/C 66 per cent of the votes and yuh give APNU and AFC 33 per cent of the votes…don’t do it again,” Granger urged.
The Presidential Candidate did not touch bases on policies during his speech.
But, just as he was about to take his leave, Granger quickly tried to convince his supporters that the PPP/C Government did nothing for the region in all its 22 years in power.
Granger failed to acknowledge the development of roads, housing schemes, the provision of electricity and water supply, the rehabilitation of schools, among other initiatives that bettered the lives of residents during the PPP/C rule.
Instead, he attempted to convince the residents by telling them that the PPP Administration does not care about their well-being.
On that note, Granger quickly added that his administration, if elected as the
The speakers, including Marvin Williams, Delicia Wright, Mandy Sukhdeo and Cheryl Sampson and spoke of the deficiencies and weaknesses that exist in Guyana’s society, but they did not present a detailed plan on how the coalition intends to address them.
With expansive promises to redeem the nation; to bring about a prosperous and free Guyana; to put an end to poverty; an end to tears, senseless killings and all crimes, the other coalition speak-
the crowd of supporters to vote for the APNU/AFC coalition.
“I beg you Region Three, do not give the PPP back 66 per cent,” he pleaded. He urged them to mobilise and organise forces within their communities and come out on May 11 to vote the co-
next Government of Guyana, will bring “good roads, good schools and a morgue” to the West Bank of Demerara.
The other speakers appeared almost desperate in their bid to gain great support from the region as they attempted to utter assurances of a better life for all.
ers did not mention one single plan they have to ensure those promises are realised. Some in the audience were bemused and commented that some of those goals are unrealistic as in no society will there ever be zero crime, poverty, or killings.
Over 153 persons living within the confines of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are now proud recipients of house lots, courtesy of the Ministry of Housing and Water through the Government of Guyana.
The Housing Ministry allocated 153 house lots at Onderneeming on Wednesday as part of its second phase of the hallmark housing initiative under the theme “Live the Guyanese dream - home ownership made easier”.
This was the eighth distribution and One-stopshop initiative hosted in Region Two.
Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Ministry, Myrna Pitt, said that home ownership is one of the most important decisions one can make in their lifetime.
Pitt alluded that the Ministry is advocating for persons to have ownership for their own house lots by
providing an easier process.
“The Housing Sector continues to grow and more than 3500 lots are already allocated within nine areas in Region Two,” Pitt noted. She further states that the Ministry of Housing is considering applications for the 2014-2015 periods
Speaking to the gathering of recipients, Junior Minister Alli Baksh said that he is here on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali. During his address, Baksh said that many persons on the Essequibo Coast are living a better life under the rule of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).
“House lots in Region Two are no problem. The Housing Ministry has a vision, and that vision is to ensure that persons own their own lots as well as live a better life,” Baksh said.
Access loans
Baksh encouraged beneficiaries to make full use of their transport in an ef -
fort to reduce income loans from commercial banks.
“This is not the end; this is a continuous process of development. You can elevate yourself. Now that the banks have come on board, the process is much easier” Baksh noted.
Meanwhile, Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaid, attested that the Government is making valuable contribution in improving the life of Guyanese. Persaud said that it is the intention of the Government to improve housing in Essequibo by giving more people house lots as well as further developing the 13 odd housing schemes.
“The intention of the Government is to expand in the Housing Sector and give people more lots to construct their own homes. This is the process my fellow Essequibians,” Persaud noted.
Persaud stated that, at no time, did the Government sell house lots to anyone and dismiss the Opposition’s claims. He asserted that individuals are getting lots at a subsided cost because the Government has to spend large sums of money to develop the housing areas in terms of drainage, roads, portable water, electricity and survey. He used the opportunity to commend the Housing Ministry for holding the One-stop-shop.
One of the recipients, Baby Singh, said she is excited and thanks the Ministry of Housing for their contribution. She stated that she was previously paying rental of $30,000 and is now getting closer to owning her own home.
B y I ndrawatt I e n atram
Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP\C) Elisabeth Harper has outlined that should the PPP\C Government be elected with a majority come May 11, then a poly clinic with x-ray labortory complimented with a dental and eye care services will be established in Supenaam in Region Two.
Harper was at the time speaking at PPP\C Anna Regina Damon Square on April 18. During her address to a gigantic crowd, she singled out that there will be a significant health care delivery in the area pointing out that the services will be strengthened.
During her address, the Prime Ministerial Candidate said that residents living in far- fetch areas will enjoy the benefit of
home base care. She added that doctors will be visiting patients, especially in the remote areas along the
possible.
During her time on the Essequibo Coast she also took the opportunity to visit the Suddie Public Hospital where she met with medical professionals, and also spoke to a few patients. Harper also met with doctors from Cuba who are based at the private facility.
Harper, who recently resigned as Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said in an effort to continue progress, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is committed to ensuring that there is job creation, economic intervention, enhanced agricultur -
coast. Harper said that a healthier nation means that persons will have a longer life expectancy and pledge the Government support in making that
al processing, enhanced Tourism and Hospitality, fight against Domestic Violence and better life for elders and differently able as well as Broader protection.
The Litter Unit of the Environment and Protection Agency (EPA) continues its enforcement exercise in Central Georgetown, focusing on the various bus parks.
This was done in keeping with Regulation Five of the Litter Regulations 2013. During the activity, the Unit conducted an awareness and enforcement exercise focusing on mini bus operators on the 41, 42, 44, 45 and 48 bus parks.
A total of 258 mini bus operators were sensitized on the requirement of owners of public transportation to provide receptacles for litter disposal in their vehicles. They were given two days to comply.
The Litter Unit has warned that bus owners who are found not complying with the law will be made to pay a fine of $15,000. To date, the Unit recorded 79 non-compliant buses, and is in the process of identifying the respective errant bus owners.
Those in compliance with Regulation Five were the UG/Industry and Vryheid’s Lust bus parks. During the first two weeks in April, several citations and notices
were issued. Notices to attend Court were issued to Pamela Daniels of Sophia for littering a public place and Richard Anthony Marks for illegal dumping of domestic waste. These persons face a possible fine of $50, 000 each. Additionally, fixed penalties of $15,000 were imposed on Chavez Allicock of Albouystown, Georgetown, and Kim Mason of
Charlestown, Georgetown, for illegal dumping of domestic waste. Meanwhile, Orin Clarke of Madewini, Linden Highway, was also fined for unsanitary, unsightly and unhealthy private premises. Persons are asked to report cases of illegal dumping by contacting the Litter Enforcement Unit on 6000620, 219 2630, 225-0506, or email greenguyana@gmail. com.
The People's National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition has accepted that it lied in one of its many press releases to the media last week about a maintaining an endorsement in a meeting it had with a local Muslim group here.
The coalition in a statement to the media on Thursday last had said, “In endorsing the APNU+AFC the Muslim leaders noted that Guyana needed a fresh start and that people were placing great expectation in the APNU+AFC”.
Soon after several Muslim leaders contacted to the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) voiced their concern over the statement from the coalition and questioned the move by the Muslim body only to be told that there was no endorsement.
Given the controversy caused by APNU’s deceit, a decision was made to issue a full and frank statement by the Muslim leaders condemning the coalition’s press statement and setting the facts straight.
The Complex had said in the release that “it is unfortunate to note that a meeting with APNU+AFC and Leaders of ACIC and the wider Muslim community, has been interpreted and a release circulated locally and internationally, as the ACIC’s endorsement for APNU+AFC”.
The Muslim group argued that it has always enjoyed the blessings and support of the Government, and indeed, also that of the Opposition, and all other religious, civic and non-governmental groups of the nation” before stating clearly that had APNU+AFC’s release stated that ACIC and other Muslim leaders had discussions and published photos, it would have been absolutely proper.
“But the fact that it stated our endorsement of the party, is what we feel is most unfortunate, and causing the Complex to lose its impartiality. Our local and international partners, many of whom fund our projects are dismayed at the supposition of an endorsement of a political party,”the Complex said.
But the coalition in a statement on Saturday acknowledged that a meeting took place with members of the Muslim Community, and that this was just another warm and cordial meeting that the Coalition has had individually and collectively with the ACIC and its affiliates.
It recalled too that the ACIC expressed its concern on issues affecting the Muslim Community generally and their organisations in particular.
But the statement also said the coalition acknowledged “that at no time in these discussions did the ACIC or the other participants in the meeting ‘en-
dorse’ the Coalition”.
“The APNU+AFC, therefore, expresses its regret that our press release suggested that the ACIC endorsed the APNU+AFC. Instead there were expressions of warm sentiments and best wishes,” the statement continued.
The PNC-led coalition moved to express its thanks to ACIC for its outstanding attempt to voice the concerns for issues affecting the Muslim Community and its expression of hope that their matters would engage the urgent attention of an APNU+AFC government if elected.
“APNU+AFC also regret any adverse implications of our interpretation of sentiments expressed at our meeting constituted an ‘endorsement’. We regret also, any adverse effect that it may have had with ACIC’s relationship with the wider Muslim Community, donor Agencies and partners in its programmes,” the statement said.
Despite all of these admissions, the coalition ended its release by rejecting any attempt by anyone to suggest that APNU+AFC concocted the notion of an ‘endorsement’ by the ACIC for political purposes. “APNU+AFC is acutely aware that any ‘endorsement’ of our coalition has to be free and voluntary in the democratic environment within which we operate.”
Scores of rice farmers from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) who sold their harvest on March 7, 2015 received their payments from Golden Fleece Rice Investment owned by Nazeemul Hakh.
The mill commenced payment early Thursday morning and scores of rice farmers were seen in lines in front of the mill.
While some farmers were happy, others were turned back.
One farmer who travelled from New Road had to return
home. She was told that the mill was only paying farmers who sold their paddy on March 7. The female farmer had sold her paddy in April to the miller.
Meanwhile, rice farmers are presently preparing their fields. Farmers are busy ploughing their lands in preparation for the autumn crop.
Currently, some 38,000 acres are under rice cultivation.
According to information reaching this newspaper, the Drainage and Irrigation Department of the Region
will release water based on a schedule.
The rice industry has progressed under the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government with more varieties becoming available as well as the Venezuelan market being opened.
Production has increased to more than 1.5 million bags per crop. The autumn crop is expected to be harvested August/September.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a farmers meeting in Region Two recently, said that the rice industry has progressed under the PPP/C and the Government is doing everything to find new markets. Jagdeo said due to the increase in production, more markets are being sought. He also noted that the Government of Guyana in the past assisted millers with advances in an effort to make timely payments. Fertilisers were also brought in at a cheaper cost to farmers so as to cut their production cost.
Former General Manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Fazil Azeez is now a patient at the Woodlands Hospital nursing a gunshot injury after he was shot by a lone gunman at the Eccles, East Bank Demerara. According to information received, Azeez, who was a former Magistrate was at his work site in Eccles, when he was shot to his abdomen by a man who entered the premises under the pretext of
searching for work.
The gunman reportedly walked into the yard and enquired about the contractor, but was told that he was not around. Without hesitation, he pulled out a gun from his waist and discharged one round at Azeez who was standing some distance away. After pulling the trigger, the man fled the scene. The motive for the shooting is yet to be established, but robbery was ruled out since the lawyer by profession
travelled to the work site to pay his employees. The bag with the money was left at the scene. Azeez, of Lot 70 Dowding Street, Georgetown, was picked up and rushed to the hospital where he was admitted. Attempts to contact his family proved futile. Police, however, have been given a description of the shooter who escaped on foot. An investigation has been launched into the shooting incident.
Quotes from PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper:
“Our economy is not thriving by itself. It needs to be nurtured through hard work, and as a small, open economy, we have to stay vigilant in the face of changing global economic realities. This Manifesto sets out how we will win the battle to ensure that our traditional industries – including sugar, rice, forestry and mining – be viable, prosperous and generate decent work in the face of very difficult global challenges.”
“This Manifesto sets out our detailed plans for these and many other important priorities. It is not a populist appeal built from an unachievable wish-list. Neither is it an aspirational dream of the future or a list of false promises that could never be realised. Instead, it is a realistic, affordable set of plans to harness the talents and energy of the Guyanese people because ultimately, it is our collective effort that will build the next version of Guyana.”
“On May 11, 2015, the people of Guyana face that important choice. With a deep sense of responsibility and humility, we ask you to give us your trust, confidence and support so that the PPP/C can once again have a strong mandate to govern Guyana for the benefit of all Guyanese. This Manifesto sets out our goals and our plans. If you entrust us to deliver them, we give you our word that we will not let you down. We will do everything within our power to ensure that your dreams and hope for a better life is realised.”
Improving living standards
To support growth and new employment generating sectors, the following Infrastructural Developments will be pursued:
* Amaila Falls Hydro Project
* Deep Water Harbour
* New Demerara River Bridge
* Airport Modernization and Expansion
* Corentyne River Bridge to Suriname
* Lethem/Brazil Road Corridor
* East Bank Road Corridor
* East Coast Road Corridor
* Sustainable Urban Transport
* Simplifying the tax system and improve access to financing.
Expand Manufacturing, Rural Enterprise Development, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises
* Incentivizing the establishment of Bank micro-credit facilities for small and medium size business and development projects.
* Creating a special development fund for Regions 2, 5, 6 and 10, patterned after the Amerindian Community Development Plan to encourage jobs and wealth creation activities.
* Constructing Call Centres in Enmore, East
Coast Demerara, Tushen, West Coast Demerara, Corentyne, Linden and Essequibo Coast. These call centres will create more than 5000 direct jobs.
* Constructing Chip Factories – Chips factories will be constructed in Wakenaam and Leguan. These factories will create more than 40 direct jobs for women and youths.
* Constructing a Cereal Plant in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast. This plant is expected to generate a high degree of economic activity in Essequibo and it will create 80 direct jobs.
* Establishing Business Development Centres within every Regional Democratic Council (RDCs), equipped with a Resource Library Centre and provide Business Advisory and Incubatory Service.
Food security and agribusiness
* Fully implementing the National Agriculture Strategy.
* Improving farm-to-market transportation, including boats to assist farmers to transport produce to markets.
* Establishing packaging/canning factories in various geographical locations to preserve and add value to agricultural produce.
* Transforming the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) to purchase produce from farmers and to re-sell to large users, like hospitals, manufacturers and for exports.
* Putting in place social safety nets to help farmers above 60 years, small and marginal farmers and farm labourers.
* Encouraging large scale soya and corn production and new crops such as quinoa, rubber and palm oil
* Promoting an agri-energy industry, producing bio-ethanol through sugar cane, palm oil, cassava and corn.
* Beginning the process of opening up at least 300,000 acres of new land, including
* Increasing drainage pumping capacity
* Increasing outfall de-silting pontoon excavator capacity and start the construction of groynes.
* Commissioning a State-of-the-Art National Soil Laboratory
* Transforming Ebini, Kairuni and Hosororo Nurseries to Centers of Excellence, with dormitory facilities for the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) students to complete attachments and for researchers from Guyana and abroad to conduct studies
* Expanding the GSA Agro-processing facility to produce more products for the international markets
* Completing soil mapping for at least six (6) regions by 2020.
Rice, sugar, livestock and fisheries
* Establishing a National Paddy Price Support System that would allow for the safeguarding of farmers from erratic market behaviour for rice. This new mechanism will assist the farmers to receive payments within the legally required time frame and assurance for the viability of the industry and wellbeing of our rice farmers.
* Maintaining production above 600,000 tonnes and export above 500,000 tonnesannually and increasing export destinations from 32 to at least 40 countries and diversify rice markets to non-traditional destinations in Central and South America and to Africa
* Continuing to improve paddy yields to an average above 40 bags per acre by 2020
* Promoting the use of precision farming methods, focusing on agronomic practices, including soil testing, balanced nutrition with mixed fertilizers and laser-leveling of fields
President Donald Ramotar must act swiftly to avoid further embarrassment to his Government and Cabinet following some very unfortunate and distasteful comments made by Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran to a female activist which has caused outrage across the country.
He must now demonstrate his commitment to the cause that the PPP/C has been championing since its establishment back in the early 1950s regardless of the circumstances surrounding, which led to the first set of disrespectful comments being made by the Minister to the activist.
Ramotar, who himself is a champion for women’s rights and equality, knows fully-well that the Minister is out of line and ought to have demonstrated more political maturity and decorum, even if he believes that he was being provoked by the controversial female activist Sherlina Nageer.
The President must understand that the first and second set of statements of the Minister could cause him a second term in office, if it is not addressed forthrightly, as it has done significant damage to the PPP/C’s re-elections campaign just weeks before Guyanese head to the polls.
Ramotar can ill afford to do nothing while the opposition is exploiting every single opportunity to attack his Government and the PPP/C following the surfacing of these two recordings which depict the Minister’s lack of respect for women.
Additionally, the party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee must weigh the value of having Ramsaran continue as a candidate for the PPP/C and integrally engaged in the party’s campaign machinery as opposed to in the background.
Both Ramotar and Rohee must be advised that Guyanese are not likely to forget the Minister’s assertion that he would “slap” the woman “just for the fun of it” and “strip her down”.
Minister Ramsaran has sealed his own fate by failing to apologise unequivocalły when the incident occurred and turn a new leaf. Before the dust could settle on his halfhearted apology, he struck again as what many believe to be a personal style that depicts “Bheri the best”.
The ruling party is doing too well in campaigning on its track record and reminding Guyanese that it is party that stands solidly behind its women folk and promotes them on the basis of meritocracy and their hard work in the PPP/C.
Ramsarran’s statements have also offended many grassroots women who are opposed to all forms of threatened domestic violence and sexist thinking.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Education Minister Priya Manickchand must be commended for the quick rebuke they issued independently to the Minister Ramsaran.
PPP/C Elisabeth Harper has also surprised thousands of Guyanese when she took a stern stance against the utterances of Minister Ramsarran. Harper demonstrated that Guyanese can trust her to stand by very high morals and a lack of tolerance of all forms of disrespect against women if she were to become the country’s Prime Minister.
Nobody will question the Health Minister’s credentials or his ability to deliver leadership in the sector that he has been appointed but no body and no woman in particular, is willing to work with or respect a man who has repeatedly disrespected women folk.
This single incident will no doubt go down into the country’s history book as already some in Guyana’s society believe that the Government condones all forms of skullduggery committed by senior and key cabinet Ministers and state officials.
President Ramotar who still enjoys the confidence of a majority of the Guyanese people and supporters of the PPP/C must do something as many believe that doing nothing could cost the party a sound majority at the polls or even its reelection bid altogether.
Rohee too must advise the President properly as he can ill-afford to misread the Guyanese public.
No woman deserves to be disrespected in such a way or called a “miscreant” whether she sits as a Government critic, housewife or a supporter of the PPP/C Administration. Even if anger steps in and an apology is given, a repeat of the same sort of behaviour soon after is indicative that that apology was a farce.
If nothing is done by the PPP/C then it will be adjudged just as guilty as the David Granger and Oscar Clarke ledPNCR that abused and dissed Vanessa Kissoon and the AFC which cussed out and betrayed Gomattie Singh.
Rice, sugar, livestock and fisheries
* Increasing packaged rice sales in the local and international markets for Guyana’s rice brands.
* Encouraging value-added rice products, including flour, cereal and rice snacks.
* Expanding drying and storage facilities in all regions.
* Promoting the use of agro-energy technology to produce power for the rice industry, reducing cost of production
* Upgrading the Research Center at Burma to facilitate research by local and international scientists and for farmers to be attached for improving their farming skills
* The PPP/C will continue to support the sugar sector with a minimum investmentof G$20 billion for the viability of the industry. This investment will be made for improving the productivity of the fields, modernization of all existing factories, accelerating the mechanisation of the industry, investing in refinery and distillery capacities, increasing production of packaging and specialty products, and retraining of workers.
* Increasing production to about 400,000 tonnes.
* Achieving at least 60% of mechanisation in harvesting and 85% in mechanised cane loading.
* Increasing production of packaged sugar to at least 50,000 tonnes.
* Expanding the production of bottled molasses as a commercial product for the local and international markets.
* Expanding Albion Ethanol Plant to produce more ethanol and to be able to use other substrates, including cassava.
* Improving the management of the sugar industry and providing better remuneration for the workers.
* Enhancing support for the fisheries co-op societies
* Intensify anti-piracy efforts
petroleum operations to ensure legislative compliance.
* Completing the construction of the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project.
* Building additional hydro-electric capacity and export of energy to neighbouring countries.
* Continuing the expansion of the HinterHinterland Electrification Progarm, including the installation of electricity systems in a number of Amerindian communities.
* The completion of the network expansion at Port Kaituma.
* The inspection of the solar system installations in all Regions.
* The continuation of on-thejob training for linemen employed by hinterland communities, and the commencement of similar training for diesel generator operators and mechanics.
* The installation of a PV-Diesel generation hybrid electricity system for the Kato Secondary School.
* The extension of Electricity Systems at Orealla, Siparuta, Moraikobai and St.
Cuthbert’s Mission.
* Continuing to engage Suriname on concerns of fisher folk
* Expanding sustainable inland fishing and promote fishing tourism
* Expanding sustainable aquaculture
* Developing and implementing Shark, Prawns and Red Snapper Management Plans
Tourism
* Promoting Destination Guyana as the number one Eco, Nature and Adventure Destination in the Caribbean.
* Developing tourist zones that are affordable and built around themes that are reflective of each administrative region, creating infrastructure and employment and helping to boost revenue generation for every Region.
* Improving the safety and security of tourists.
Oil and gas
* Implementing the National Upstream Oil and Gas Policy which is premised on the broad objective of attracting and securing investment in upstream exploration activities, and effectively regulating an upstream oil and gas sector that will contribute to the sustainable economic development of the country.
* Facilitating the exploration for and production of petroleum for associated industry development;
* Regulating and monitoring
* The procurement and installation of additional generators for Matthews Ridge, Moraikobai and Siparuta to improve the reliability of their electricity supply.
* Aggressively pushing for value-added in the sector with a tariff system used progressively to reduce the exportation of logs.
* Aggressively promoting the production and utilization of Lesser Used Species.
* Promoting the Forest Products and Marketing and Development Council to offer support to producers.
* Expanding the Forestry Training Centre range of courses and services and to include on-site training.
* Review of the current Incentives Portfolio for the mining sector will be undertaken with emphasis on small and medium scale mining for gold and diamond mining.
* Ensuring Universal Access across levels:
* Increasing the number of Trained teachers:
* Implementing an enhanced Early Childhood Education Program
* Providing more for our children with Special Education Needs(SEN)
* Enacting modern Education Legislation.
* Reorganising and re-tooling the
National Accreditation Council.
* Incorporating and integrating ICT in the classroom
* Establishing world class standards at the University of Guyana.
* Providing more opportunities for Training and Scholarships.
* Enhance opportunities in Technical Vocational Education
* Establishing Centres of Excellence
* Continue to support families through facilities such as transportation grants, etc.
* Improve on the Language Programmes in schools, particularly for Portuguese and Spanish
* Expand the School Guidance and Counsellors Programme.
* Establish a National Advisory Council on Education. The new Council will have the purpose of advising on matters relating to education. This council will be broadbased in its representation.
Health sector
Completing the Specialty Hospital for advanced health care services for Guyanese and International patients.
* Expanding services such as Neurosurgery, Renal Health (including dialysis and kidney transplant), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ETC), and Diabetic Retinopathy Services.
* Constructing a new 100-bed ward at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital and a new Port Kaituma Hospital.
* Expanding doctor-provided homebased care across Guyana.
* Expanding the health fund to support persons who need to pay for health care.
* Introducing Patient and Family Counselling, particularly grief counselling, in all hospitals.
* Constructing new polyclinics with x-ray, laboratories, and dental and eye services in different regions.
* Establishing an Ambulance Authority, with trained Paramedics.
* Upgrading Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem Hospitals into Regional Hospitals.
* Creating a special Women’s Health Programme and a Care of the Elderly Programme.
* Establishing Skeldon, Lethem and Mabaruma Hospitals as Border Hospitals with border countries.
* Providing support for pregnant women and their children.
* Expanding substance abuse rehabilitation programmes across Guyana.
* Completing the building of the new $250M Maternity Building at the GPHC by 2016
* Ensuring every hospital is equipped with x-rays, ECG and ultrasound machines.
* Maintaining 100% coverage for immunization, with HPV vaccine for all young girls and boys.
* Improving laboratories for all hospitals.
* Expanding physiotherapy and rehabilitation departments in all hospitals
* Building computerised health (patient) information throughout the hospital system
* Ensuring adequate provision of medicine and medical supplies
* Expanding and improving biomedical waste facilities in all hospitals.
* Establishing a mobile blood bank to make blood donation easier.
* Establishing a Burns Clinic at the Linden and New Amsterdam Hospitals
Replacing the West Demerara and the National Psychiatric Hospital with new
hospitals.
Housing
* Implementing a National Housing Policy that promotes Sustainable Housing Development;
* Creating new settlement areas while accelerating the granting of Certificates of Title to Land to address excess demand for housing;
* Outfitting new and existing schemes outside of the urban centres with modern social infrastructure to hasten the achievement of the national priorities in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
* Implementing community development plans in existing communities that would contribute to environmental sustainability;
* Facilitating the construction of Turn Key (1000 homes) for persons of low affordability and persons with special needs to improve accessing housing;
equipped and resourced community and school facilities.
* Developing three (3) New Regional Multi-Purpose Facilities in Berbice, Essequibo and Linden.
Security
* Completing and implementing the Security Sector Strategic Plan of the Guyana Police Force.
* Improving partnerships in the security system to ensure the criminal justice system works effectively and efficiently through collaboration with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Chambers and the Judiciary.
* Providing resources and support for a professional Army while expanding its Reserves.
* Adopting a more targeted approach to eliminate thetrafficking/ sale/consumption of illegal drugs and to strengthen our security network to prevent trans-shipments.
* Expanding the Young Professional Schemes to encourage skilled Guyanese to remain and invest at home.
* Accelerating the development of the Re-migrant scheme to attract the ‘Brain Bank’ in the Diaspora.
* Upgrading roads, water distribution and drainage and electricity networks in all existing housing areas.
* Completing the regularisation of squatter settlements and the upgrade of infrastructure in those settlements.
* Expanding partnerships with the private, financial and commercial subsectors to stabilise the housing market.
* Improving the efficiency of the housing delivery process through institutional strengthening.
* Establishing a ‘revolving fund’ to allow low-income groups to access concessional funds more readily
* Expanding housing in the hinterland.
* Continuing to provide equitable sporting opportunities across Guyana.
* Ensuring quality physical education and sport experiences be available to every school child in Guyana.
* Improving on sports in schools through targeted programmes, infrastructure development and management of facilities.
* Guaranteeing Guyanese citizens have an enhanced quality of life through their life-long engagement in quality sport opportunities.
* Working with decision makers and community leaders to promote sports for the positive contribution it makes to the life and health in the community and country.
* Implementing over the next five years,a Long-term Athlete Development Principles by sport organisations, clubs and community groups, as part of their strategic sport development plans.
* Assuring that the economic benefits of sport to Guyana are optimised by promoting Sport Tourism through more International Tournaments.
* Maintaining and increasing the number of qualified and dedicated base of coaches, officials and sport volunteers that can nurture and grow the Guyana sport system by establishing inter alia a Coaches’ Accreditation Council.
* Increasing the number of professional coaches working in Guyana, by establishing the Guyana Sports Institute.
* Ensuring that all citizens have affordable access to well-maintained,
* Recruiting and retaining competent personnel to address issues that relate to child/sexual abuse, domestic violence, rape and the use of illicit substances through the establishment of a Special Crimes Unit.
* Strengthening monitoring and legislative reforms to tackle robberies, burglaries, piracy, hijacking, trafficking of persons and abduction.
* Enhancing the monitoring of our roadways and ensuring more aggressive traffic education and road safetyawareness;
* Expanding the use of technology for intelligence gathering, investigations and data/case management.
* Maximising the use of the modern forensic laboratory to improve forensic and scientific approach to investigations and partnering with similar institutions in other countries in a common approach to reduce crime and protect the Caribbean region.
* Establishing a National Emergency Centre (911 System) that can be accessed 24-hours daily.
* Reducing the average police response times to 15-30 Minutes.
* Establishing a “neighbourhood watch” programme. The goal of this programme is to increase surveillance by residents and community members of their own neighbourhoods.
Ensuring accountability
* Continuing the fight against corruption at all levels of Government and society by instituting mechanisms for greater transparency and accountability.
* Publishing a Cabinet Code of Conduct
* Establishing a Special Investigation of Corruption body with powers to investigate corruption and prosecute crimes of corruption
* Appointing the Public Procurement Commission with the requisite Parliamentary support whilst retaining Cabinet’s “no objection”.
* Establishing confidential complaints mechanisms to encourage people to report incidences of corruption
Local Government
* Ensuring that Local Government Elections are held by June 2016, once the required conditions stipulated by GECOM are met and approved by the National Assembly.
* Finalising the Local Government Amendment Act (Chapter 28:02).
* Establishing the Local Government Commission
...supporters will "go to hell"
B y A ndrew C A rmi C h A el
The United Republican Party (URP) on Friday afternoon hosted its first public meeting in New Amsterdam, Berbice telling the three people who showed up that all the leaders in the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the People's National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change coalition are all “evil” and “atheists”.
The URP is the first small party to hold a public meeting in Berbice ahead of the May 11, 2015 elections and as the meeting went on at Main and Pitt Streets, many passersby were surprised that the Party’s leaders were delivering passionate presentation but were being completely ignored by scores as they blithely continued their daily business activities.
URP Leader and Presidential Candidate Vishnu Bandhu and Prime Ministerial Candidate Brandon Jones both spoke of the Party’s plans if it is to win the upcoming poll.
Bandhu was very critical of the two major political groups campaigning for the elections, saying that they did not have God with them.
“Their leaders are evil. The URP is a reformed party, all of our leaders believe strongly in God. Every election the electorate goes and vote for a set of godless people who do not believe in God. This Government is an atheist, the APNU Government, all of them
are atheists, they don’t believe in God. The URP has been reborn under spiritually. We strongly believe in God and say that He is the primary source of all true knowledge,” the Presidential Candidate said.
He argued that Guyana needed a change but not an exchange saying that Guyana had 28 years of the PNC and 23 years of the PPP/C.
Bandhu told the three persons present that the AFC lied when its leaders had claimed that they will never coalesce with another party.
“Birds of a feather flock together. This is the first time in the history of Guyana that one party is carrying the fight against all the other parties.”
He noted that both religion and politics go hand in hand and called on voters not to cast a ballot for either of the two major political parties.
“If you call yourself godly and you vote for these
two major political parties, you are cheating yourself because they all have the same mentality; they came from the same school. If you vote for these political parties, you are going straight to hell.”
Speaking of the Party’s plans for Guyana should it win on May 11, Bandhu said investors will want to come back to Guyana. He said the vision of the URP is for a modern and safe Guyana. This process, he added, includes changing the mentality of Guyanese.
“We will be able to attract investors to come here, open industries, manufacturing companies and all your children will be able to have a proper job. All our students coming
on the URP to be installed as the next Government.
Speaking of the Party, which has the head of a cow as its symbol, the Party Leader said the URP is making no promises.
“We are not promising you anything. We are telling you we do not know everything, but with you and us we will be able to know everything. We are not telling you that we are going to give you this and give you that, we are telling you that together we will work together so you could achieve whatever you want in life.”
While criticising the $3 million Presidential Pension, Bandhu said if he becomes President he will not want a salary because
out of the university will be able to have a proper job according to their qualifications because our investors will bring the right personnel and train our people to hand over the industries that they will be building in this country.”
He said there are many foreign investors waiting
The recently developed National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which outlines Government’s vision for continuous conservation of national biodiversity and Guyana’s Fifth National Report to the United National Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) has been approved by Cabinet.
The NBSAP, which covers the period 2012-2020, has nine strategic objectives which are in line with those of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment.
Several priority areas for action during the outlined period include the expansion of protected areas; rehabilitation and restoration of mangrove belts and degraded mined out areas, development of the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) timber legality assurance system; restructuring and reorienting the zoological park’s representatives of ecosystems with a view of increasing and expanding awareness of biodiversity; and review the existing legislation and outcomes of Environmental Impact Assessments and their roles in protecting biodiversity.
The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud, via a statement, noted that Guyana has made significant strides towards managing its biological wealth for conservation and sustainable use.
state and its citizens to protect, conserve, use sustainably and share equitably the benefits arising from biodiversity.
The document intends to provide the guidance and support actions for biodiversity, and sets out the national priorities and the strategic objectives to be achieved. It also allows for partners at all levels to better identify how they can contribute and support Guyana in meeting its national biodiversity vision whilst at the same time, meeting its obligations to the UNCBD.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Fifth National Report to the UNCBD covers the period 2011-2014 and describes actions taken by Guyana to conserve and sustainably manage its diversity.
he has enough money.
He, however, stated that the Party did not have money to transport persons to the meetings like some other parties.
The Party Leader invited persons to read his manifesto and soon after the meetings, copies were given to passersby.
He pointed out that the NBSAP and the report to the UNCBD is another signal of the Government’s commitment to continue in its bid to conserve the country’s national biodiversity.
The NBSAP clearly outlines the vision, roles, duties and obligations of the
It also outlines how these actions are contributing to the achievement of the UNCBD strategic goals and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets of the updated Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Consequently, it also covers developments which have occurred since the submission of the last national report (Fourth National Report) to the UNCBD. Both documents benefited from extensive stakeholders’ consultations and feedback.
Over 250 of art pieces from around the Caribbean region will be on display as Guyana will once again host the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Visual Arts Exhibition after 11 years.
The exhibition will showcase the best visual arts works from secondary schools across the region. Also among the 250 pieces to be on display during the weeklong event are the regional top award pieces.
There will also be pieces from all options in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Visual Arts programme: Drawing, Leather Craft, Graphic and Communication Design, Painting and Mixed-Media, Sculpture and Ceramics,
Fibre and Decorative Arts, Textile Design, and Manipulation and Print Making.
Additionally, the Visual Arts Exhibition will also feature art pieces of students from schools in Guyana.
Through this event, the CXC administration is highlighting and publicizing the creative works of Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Visual Arts students from around the region. This is to expose students in the host country to what CXC examiners consider to be ‘Art’ of a high standard and to promote the visual arts as a feasible career choice while at the same time promoting CSEC Visual Arts as a subject.
The exhibition will commence on April 27, at the
Castellani House and will run until May 2. It will be open from 09:00h to 17:00h daily.
The CXC Visual Art Exhibition has become an annual feature on the calendar of CXC. Participating countries look forward to hosting the exhibition as it gives their students and the public the opportunity to view the very best art produced by former students,” explained Mr Glenroy Cumberbatch, Registrar of CXC.
“The creative industries continue to receive significant attention from regional Governments and CXC wants to make its contribution to this area, and the art exhibition is a great start to expose the works of budding artists.”
Ascrap metal dealer is expected to spend seven years in jail after he was found guilty of robbing two persons.
Thirty-two-year-old Junior Nurse was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday from the Camp Street Prison for a continuation of his trial in relation to the two robbery charges.
These charges detailed that he stole over $1.7 million in cash and jewellery from Ramanand Jagdeo.
Nurse had been with two of his associates, 28-year-old mechanic Adrian Bishop and 27-year-old goldsmith Devon Forde, when he robbed the Virtual Complainant (VC).
The VC was relieved of one gold chain, three gold finger rings, one vacuum cleaner, one blue cellular phone, a quantity of goods and $317,000 cash.
Also with his colleagues, Nurse stole one Toyota Spacio motor car bearing the number plate PPP 4395
valued $3.7 million belonging to Linda Bonita. This incident happened on August 31, 2014.
In his first appearance before Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on September 5, 2014, he told the court that he was not guilty of the offense.
He had told the magistrate he was a labourer during that appearance.
However, in a surprising twist on Wednesday Nurse told Court Five that he wished to change his plea to that of guilty, informing the court that the trial is taking long and his time in jail continues to expand.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Fabayo Azore took into consideration his wish to save the court’s time in continuing to try the matter and gave him a threeyear sentence.
This sentence will run in conjunction with another sentence that was given to him on Tuesday by Magistrate Faith McGusty
in Court Eight and Nine.
He had been found guilty by that magistrate after a two month of trial for forcibly taking a $60,000 cellular phone from Champattie Singh and also assaulting her in the process.
Nurse had first appeared before the magistrate on February 29 to answer to the charge of stealing the Samsung Galaxy S4 cellular phone from Singh on February 26 while on a roadway in Georgetown. The VC, in this case had been walking when Nurse came along on a bicycle, attacked her and took the phone away. However, charges of assault were levied against him as well as he had cuffed her all about her body before running away.
Nurse had pleaded not guilty to these charges as well. In his address to the magistrate he stated that he was a Scrap Metal Dealer.
Magistrate Mc Gusty stated that the prosecution, lead by Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Nurse did indeed attack the VC and stole her cell phone. She thus sentenced him to 48 months imprisonment.
Two siblings appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday to face cross charges which stemmed from an altercation over food.
Sheneeza Northon of 80 West Ruimveldt Squatting Area pleaded not guilty to a charge which stated that on April 16 she made use of abusive language against Nico Layne.
Nico Layne , 20, of the said area also pleaded not guilty to charges which stated that on April 16 he made use of abusive language, threatening language and threatening behaviour against Northon.
According to the pros -
ecutor the two siblings reside together at 80 West Ruimveldt Squatting Area. It was said that on the day in question an argument ensued between the siblings after Northon instructed Layne not to eat the food that she had prepared but he went against her wishes and ate all of the said food.
During the altercation it was explained that Layne threatened to ‘chop’ the woman and her children to death. The matter was reported to the Police and the man was arrested and taken into custody.
Speaking in his defense the man said that the reason he became angry and uttered the threats is because the woman threat -
ened to have her partner, whom Layne claims is a member of the Guyana Defense Force and holder of a firearm, shoot him.
The man claims that he responded with “If yuh man shoot me and I ain’t dead…ah gon chop you, yuh man and yuh children up”
According to Northon, her brother is in the habit of getting angry and behaving in a violent manner and informed the court that he was recently released from prison where he spent about three months for an assault charge.
She said that on the day before the altercation the man had become annoyed at her and threw her
television remote against the wall damaging it in the process. She said that on the day of the incident the man became annoyed after she had reprimanded him for consuming all her food and threw her fan into the wall and caused minor damages to it. The woman offered to remove from the premises but requested a week to do so.
The prosecution made no objection to bail and the magistrate released the man on his own recognizance. Layne was made to sign a bond to keep the peace and instructed to remove from the premises until his sister has vacated the house.
The matter was then transferred to Court 10.
AGuyanese woman is warning other businesspeople to be very careful when accepting foreign currency from customers as a group of women were allegedly going around south-Georgetown with counterfeit US currency.
This warning was issued after the group of well know fraudsters on Wednesday executed another one of their well planned stunts on the owner of Zico Bar and Food Court located in Ruimveldt, Georgetown by purchasing food with counterfeit United States (US) currency.
himself said PNC history “refined, revived” his party
…and
By Rakesh RampeRtaB
In this election, PNC history and not history per se, became an issue when the AFC suggested that PNC history be ignored. The call was made to target Indian voters, because these are the voters that the AFC wants to attract or retain, fearful that Indians are angry with it for aligning with a PNC led by Mr David Granger, a man who has written despicable things about Indians and Indian interest.
One newspaper recently ran an Editorial on the subject of history, but missed some critical points. It talked about history and who is distorting it, and who is writing it, and all sorts of things that have nothing to do with this elections campaign.
But the one aspect of the Editorial titled, “History campaign”, that needs to be addressed is this: it ne ither stated nor queried what is the PNC’s position on the issue of PNC history. Be that as it may, the Editorial instead stated that the APNU/ AFC coalition “has no need to go back to a pre-1992 era” and that “it has the recent past to focus on”.
On this point, the Editorial is dead wrong. It was wrong because this sentiment contradicts what has been stated by the PNC itself in a critical PNC document. But before one gets to the document, it must be noted that the PNC has remained sile nt despite all this talks of PNC history.
Let us now turn to something which has thus far been hidden from the public, from the election campaigns, from your Editorial. Said another way, let us turn to the “Declaration of Vreed-en-Hoop,” written in 2012 by the Presidential Candidate David Granger.
In the “De claration of Vreed-en-Hoop,” Granger, as a new PNC leader, sets down the critical role of PNC history in official PNC business and policy. Nothing to be compared with Forbes B urnham’s m ajestic “Declaration of Sophia,” it is Granger’s initial attempt to chart a new road for the PNC; and in it, PNC history looms large.
Captured subtly in a handful of words, hidden in a large quote, Gr anger proclaimed of PNC history: “The experiences of our history...have r efined and revived our party’s ideology.”
Indeed, Granger made it a point to remind PNC members of the “many accomplishments of the PNC in Government” (not e, not PNC in Opposition or the recent pos t-1992 PNC). Further, he ins tructed PN C members t o feel “proud and not allow the prejudicial views of others make them ashamed to speak out”.
So when civilians speak about PNC history in the campaign, it coincides with PNC edict or what Granger embraces. It is the PNC that stated it embraced its past to do future party business, not people writing to the press or the AFC or WPA.
The owner of the Bar told the Guyana Times that it was her first sale of the day and did not have that amount of money but instead she asked one of her sisters to loan her the equivalent in Guyanese Currency.
She reportedly gave them GUY$18,800 and collected the US$100 and the customers left. The cost for the food and beverages was $1200. Soon after, the woman said that her son returned home and the money was
Two well dressed women purporting to be overseas guest along with a male reportedly entered the Bar and ordered food and beverages. As they collected the food, they opened the boxes and started to eat, then informed the owner of the bar that they did not have Guyanese currency but US$100 dollars.
given to him to change so that she can return it to her sister. While at a cambio in the area, he was told the money was counterfeit.
The woman stated that she contacted a friend in the La Penitence Market who related a similar incident had happened to her by presumably the same group of people.
“She tell me that during Christmas last year, the girls went to the market and buy up grapes and other goodies and when they checked the money paid afterwards, they realised it was counterfeit”.
The distraught woman added that upon enquiring, she was made to understand that the same group of women had fraud several Chinese stores in a similar manner.
Her son, she noted explained the situation to a CID rank at Ruimveldt but was told that without a registration number for car being used by the fraudsters, nothing can be done.
“It is hard to lose that amount of money… Is just I open and they come so I didn’t want to lose the customers so I sell… I lose close to $19,000 all due to negligence… Meh son had to ask me that with all them thing wah going on now, if I still collecting foreign money from people.”
In light of this experience, she is warning others who might easily fall prey to the fraudsters.
The Police have launched an investigation into the matter.
Further, PNC history has much more to do with simply replacing a ruling party in office. Indeed, few aspects of Guyanese life have had such a c atastrophic influence as PNC history, and good sense requires that any party or person running for office with an ideology steeped in the era of Burnham, be vetted or questioned thoroughly.
And, interestingly, the fact that other coalition leaders themselves have struggled in their public dealings with PNC history, making statements (Dr Roopnarine refers to “dark days”) tha t are very different from what Granger has said, underscores the nee d for voters to take guard against what some try to dismiss as irrelevant because supposedly it happened a long time ago.
Whil e Mr Granger celebrates PN C history, Ramjattan w ants voters to move beyond it, a statement that infers that he did not r ead the “Declar ation of Vreed-en-Hoop”. If Dr Roopnarine wants to “let Burnham rest in peace”, as he said at a recent rally, G ranger wants to resurrect him.
These are all coalition politicians who speak of uniting Guyanese, but they ar e yet to displa y unity amongst themselves on one simple issue raised during this campaign.
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has stated that the incident involving Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsarran and Sherlina Nageer has been “blown out of proportion” by the opposition media.
On Monday last, Health Minister Bheri Ramsaran verbally abused rights activist Sherlina Nageer during a heated confrontation outside of the Whim Magistrate’s Court, Corentyne, Berbice. Nageer had interrupted the Minister during an interview he was having with media operatives.
In a release, the ruling Party stated that the issue has gained tremendous media attention, mostly by the opposition media, particularly during this election period when opposition elements are milking issues to attack the PPP/C in order to gain political advantage.
“Given our present political context it is quite obvious that the political opposition will take advantage of that unfortunate situation to score cheap political points. Indeed, the strident position taken by the opposition media is already noticeable, in particular the Kaieteur News and the Stabroek News both of which have gone overboard in their attacks against the PPP,” the Party stated.
Furthermore the statement outlined that the incumbent administration
has the greatest respect for Guyanese women and has always championed the cause of women in the country since the formation of the Party some 65 years ago.
The PPP pointed out that it was former President Janet Jagan, the only woman to serve in that capacity, who was instrumental in forming the country’s first women’s organisation – the Womens Progressive and Economic Organisation (WPEO) –and who continued to represent and defend the cause of women rights up to her dying moments.
According to the Party, many of the benefits now enjoyed by Guyanese women can be credited to Jagan when she served as Minister of Labour, Health and Housing.
“It is a lasting shame that Mrs Jagan, despite her sterling contribution to the cause of women was verbally abused and humiliated by
the PNC and other opposition elements during and after the swearing-in ceremony as the first elected woman Head of State in the 1997 elections. What was even more unfortunate was the deafening silence by the Opposition media and other so-called human rights activists, despite the fact that a woman in Guyana had created history by becoming the first woman President in Guyana in certified free and fair elections,” the PPP remarked.
The ruling Party highlighted that it is cognisant of the double standards by those who claim to represent the concerns of women. It further mentioned that the response by Ramsaran, which he claims was a provocation, was unwarranted and cannot be condoned. “He said things that ought not to be said by anyone, particularly that of a senior official of Government,” the Party stated.
However it went onto say that the Minister has recognised his indiscretion and has offered an apology.
“The PPP cannot and will not condone any form of attack or disrespect towards women. The Party has nothing but the highest regard for our women. This respect and concern is manifested in manifold ways including the several measures put in place by the PPP/C administration to empower women by way
of access to academic, technical and vocational education, access to micro-credit, assistance to single parent mothers, protection and homes for battered women and legislative action to protect women against domestic violence,” the statement continued.
It further detailed that the PPP is the only party that has fielded a full and complete list of women, as required by the Constitution, for the upcoming elections as opposed to the APNU/AFC coalition whose list had to be re-submitted after it was found to be deficient by GECOM in terms of women representation.
The incumbent administration concluded, “The PPP has a proud record when it comes to promoting and defending the rights of women and no amount of opposition attacks can negate this fact. In this regard, the PPP places high premium on the contribution of women to national development and pledges to continue to treat women’s issues as a top national priority.”
Following the incident, Ramsaran has come in for a bashing from all sections of society including his fellow party members such as Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar, Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper and Education Minister Priya Manickchand.
The Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS), a non-profit, humanitarian organisation, has launched a programme dubbed the "Meals on Wheels" programme which aims at raising $2 million in spare change donations through a coin drive.
In a press release the Red Cross stated that the programme commenced on April 20 and will end on May 8. All proceeds from the activity will go towards providing a hot, nutritious lunch to the less fortunate persons who are unable to prepare such a meal for themselves. The programme was launched in cooperation with the Central Bank authorities, who had earlier indicated that they have released a large amount of coins into circulation, yet, incidentally, at various points in time, they are unavailable in the banking system. The Central Bank is urging the public to bring in coins or donate them to charities through collection boxes as to put them back into circulation. In order to facilitate the re-circulation of coins, the GRCS is one of the organisations that the bank has chosen as a mean to help recollect the coins for this purpose.
The Red Cross is urging public facilities and buildings such as supermarkets, offices, banks and schools, to place Coin Collection Containers at various access points in their buildings to facilitate persons who wish
to make these donations to do so easily. “The Meals on Wheels programme allows people to maintain a healthy lifestyle while remaining independent and in their homes as long as possible,” the Red Cross stated. The Meals on Wheels effort itself is a worldwide initiative that has been in existence for over 50 years.
Dorothy Fraser, Secretary-General of the GRCS, explained that the charity has to raise its own funds to facilitate their initiatives and programmes as such they are asking public spirited individuals to donate as their support can make a big difference in the lives of the needy.
“This is becoming increasingly harder while at the same time experiencing a greater need by persons and communities seeking assistance,” she explained. Donations can be made at the various public donation points such as supermarkets and banks.
Fred McCurdy, 58, of West Demerara was injured in a three-vehicle collision at the junction of Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown which occurred around midmorning on Saturday.
The junction of Camp and Quamina Streets is known for an abundance of road accidents with reports stating that there are at least two accidents per week in the area.
Notably so, only on Thursday last, there was two recorded accidents within hours of each other.
McCurdy, an employee of the Pegasus Hotel, was travelling South along Camp Street on his motorbike bearing registration number CG 3227 when he was struck by a motor car PRR 284 which was travelling East on Quamina Street, causing the motorbike to slam into another vehicle, PRR 7723 that was travelling West on Quamina Street.
McCurdy received injuries to his head and right arm.
Eyewitnesses said the motor vehicle PRR 284 was at fault as the driver failed to stop at the intersection to allow the traffic on Camp Street to pass.
All three vehicles sustained some minor damages.
In light of the frequency of road accidents in this area, commuters have incessantly been calling for traffic control wardens to be dispatched to ensure these mishaps are avoided.
While the road accidents that usually occur are not fatal and cause only minor injury and damage to property, passengers, drivers and pedestrians all have
complained of the interferences it causes.
In addition, the accidents usually incur a lot of expense.
Meanwhile, only on Thursday, a Route 44 minibus proceeding South along Camp Street was involved in an accident with a motor vehicle which was proceeding West along Quamina Street.
No one was injured in this accident but the traffic was stalled for almost an hour as those involved in the accident awaited the arrival of the Traffic Police, for the areas to be marked off.
It was not 15 minutes after that a four-vehicle collision occurred, resulting in severe damage to at least two of the vehicles.
A Toyota Rav4, bearing registration number PPP 772 was proceeding East along Quamina Street when it crashed into a Route 44 Minibus PRR 2012, which was proceeding South along Camp Street, which then slammed into another Toyota Rav4 PPP 941, which was proceeding West along Quamina Street.
The Toyota Rav4 then ran into a Carina 212 which was parked in front of the Guyana Times building.
On March 21, 2015, an accident occurred at the junction when a Suzuki motor vehicle which was making its way East along Quamina Street was damaged after a Route 44 minibus that was driving South on Camp Street crashed into it, causing it to slam into the parapet of the building, also causing damage to the Guyana Times/ Television Guyana/ Radio Guyana’s property.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has contacted the Guyana Police Force to assist in investigating a matter in which a quantity of ‘Carbon Power’ was found in a bag of rice delivered to the Force on Friday at Base Camp Stephenson.
According to information received, a sealed bag of rice was opened on Saturday morning by ration store personnel to
be distributed to various kitchens at Base Camp Stephenson when the substance was unearthed.
A release issued by the GDF stated that while dipping the rice out, two ranks observed a brown paper bag which they inadvertently tore as they dipped the rice. Inside the paper bag, was a substance suspected to be powered carbon.
“This finding was reported to the Police who are cur-
The biography of Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj of the Cove and John Ashram is scheduled to be launched today at the Ashram East Coast Demerara, at 11:00h.
The biography, entitled “Journey of the Guru”, was written by Richard B Mahase.
Swamiji’s childhood experiences and his early spiritual revelations that led him to choose a spiritual path are all detailed in the one-of-a-kind book.
The biography went on to describe Swami’s struggles in his effort to spread the teachings of Swami Pranavandaji Maharaj throughout Guyana, the Caribbean and North America.
Almost 60 years after his initial encounter with the Ashram, today Swamiji continues to serve the Hindu community in Guyana and in the USA.
The public is hereby invited to attend the spiritual ceremony to join in the launch.
With just a few weeks to go before one of the most anticipated General and Regional Elections in Guyana’s history, the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be staging a massive campaign rally today in Stewartville, West Demerara beginning from 16:00h.
The momentum accompanying this grand rally is owed to the PPP/C’s hosting of the event in this particular village right before a victorious win at
the elections.
During the 2006 General Elections the PPP/C held a “Grand Victory Rally” at Stewartville before the elections were held.
The PPP/C held another massive rally at Stewartville in November 2011 again before the General Elections. The public is hereby invited to join the PPP/C again for General Election 2015 for another rally right before another potential triumphant outcome for the incumbent Administration.
rently conducting investigations into the matter. At the moment, this appears to be an isolated incident as there has been no other indication that there are any other rice bag or food items which are contaminated,” the release added.
The GDF stated that it will continue to exercise diligence and seek to ensure that it mitigates against any possibility of harm coming to its troops.
However, a Police source told the Guyana Times that they were called in to investigate while confirming that the rice was shipped from Essequibo. The rice was reportedly packaged by the Ramlakhan and Sons Rice Milling Complex. Attempts to contact the owners of the business proved futile. The Police are continuing their investigations.
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umber one seed
NAnthony Downes continued his impressive run in the Assuria Open Classic by defeating Sandeep Chand 6-0, 6-2 in their quarter-final match-up at the Nash Tennis Court.
Downes had earlier reached the last eight with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Oswin Coggins, while Chand got by talented junior Keenan Persaud 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
The match started off with Downes holding serve and then immediately going ahead by securing two service breaks to take a 5-0 lead. The match was much closer after then, as both players engaged in some lengthy rallies and serve and volley tactics.
Downes upped his intensity further in the second set by serving a few aces and hitting an increased number of forehand winners.
After being tied 2-2, Downes pushed ahead and closed off the set by winning the critical points to advance for a semi-final matchup with junior player Mark McDonald, who is making his first semi-final appearance after his opponent Phillip
Squires withdrew from the tournament.
In the other half of the draw, Daniel Lopes is scheduled to take on second seed Leyland Leacock. Both players are regulars in semi-finals and a keen contest is expected after they secured comprehensive wins to advance.
Over at Le Resouvenir Tennis Court, veteran Carlos Adams secured a 6-0, 6-1 win over Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, who made a successful return to competitive tennis by reaching the semi-finals.
The match was anything but what the final scoreline suggested as several games went to multiple deuces which saw the crafty Adams pulling off the critical points.
Adams is scheduled to face arch-rival Godfrey Lowden in the final of the Over-35 category as the tournament winds down.
Adams will also be competing against Lowden in the Men’s Over-45 final after blasting away Datadin 6-0, 6-2 in the semis. Lowden received a walkover from Anthony Ameerally in the other half of the semis.
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
With its new “Next Generation Project” set to kick into motion soon, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is embarking on a vigorous campaign to renew interest in female football in Guyana, as according to Technical Director Claude Bolton, the GFF has a clear vision for the development of the game on the distaff side.
Speaking at a press conference last week at the GFF headquarters in Campbellville where a condensed version of the “Next Generation Project” was unveiled to the media, Bolton said attempts to re-create interest among females desirous of playing the game have started with the hosting of two awareness programmes sponsored by Fernleaf.
Fifty-four (54) females turned out to the sessions, which were deemed a success, since there was little or no activity among female footballers prior to that event. That initiative is being viewed as the start of a long-term plan to move the sport forward.
“Just because we’ve brought in women, we’re not saying these are the women that are the best in the country. We’re trying to create an awareness
that, hey women’s football is significant and it will run,” Bolton explained.
“We will divide up the age groups and approach it. We’re not going to put together a national team right now and throw them into major competitions. We will assess where the age groups are and then we will go back out and try to come up with competitions, whether it is friendly or such. Our emphasis is youth.”
As part of further increasing awareness among the female population, the GFF will look to participate in the Women’s Football Day being coordinated by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on May 23 across the globe. This activity is geared to heighten interest in the
Women’s World Cup, billed for Canada in June.
“We will participate [in Women’s Football Day]. We’re going to have an event that CONCACAF is going over with us now and we will probably make it larger and include many groups. We could have run a grassroot festival, but we thought no, we want to include more age groups. That being said, when groups like Fernleaf steps
in and say we will help you finance some of these things with women’s football, we’ve decided we will run another one [awareness programme] before May 23 and try to increase that again,” Bolton divulged.
Bolton added that the aim of the GFF is to have 80-100 females on the field during this awareness phase, noting that under the “Next Generation
Project”, girls will be afforded the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
“One of the advantages we have in Guyana [is] our girls can play with the boys. They are willing to do so. There are a lot of studies that show the pros and cons of doing it. We’re happy with our grassroot programme, so we will afford the women these opportunities and programmes,”
Bolton emphasised. Women’s football peaked in 2010 when the senior national team- The Lady Jags, made history by qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Mexico. Part of the decline of women’s football over the ensuing years was the lack of competitions to carry forward the momentum, as well as keep potential national footballers active.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Akshaya Persaud hit a polished 116-ball 90 under pressure as Demerara easily defended their Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 Inter-County One-Day title with a thumping fivewicket win over the Select Under-17 squad in the final on Saturday at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.
Chasing a modest 223run target, Persaud, who was later adjudged Man-ofthe-Match, struck five fours and four sixes and Tavin Imlack (69) stitch a 150-run stand for the third wicket to lay the foundation for the victory.
Demerara eventually reached 224-5 in 47.4 overs on a batting-friendly pitch.
When victory was achieved, Sherfane Rutherford was unbeaten on 43 off 39 balls with three fours and similar amount of sixes and Travis Persaud on four.
Earlier, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed smashed an unbeaten 69 runs of just 32 balls at the far end of the Under-17 innings, hitting eight fours and two sixes, to help his side score a challenging 223-9 after decided to bat. Mohamed added 74 for the ninth wicket with Richie Looknauth, who contributed only six to the partnership.
The final five overs yielded an astounding 63 runs with Mohamed tearing apart the Demerara bowling attack. He began the onslaught, carting a six and three fours off Travis Persaud in the 46th over.
Raymond Perez and
Joshua Persaud got off to a slow start but they batted to a plan, rotating the strike to good effect to add 36 for the first wicket when the latter was removed caught and bowl off Carlton Jacques (141) for 18, with the first 10 overs yielded only 45 runs.
At that point Demerara tight bowling and their good fielding started paying dividends.
Perez (23) looked in good touch, but he couldn't go on, and edged behind the stumps off left-arm medium pacer Daniel Basdoe (3-18).
Basdeo returned for his next over and got rid of Adrian Sukwah in similar fashion without scoring.
Timothy McCalmont (2), who had come in to bat at number five, was the next to depart as he attempted a big
“I think they can be helpful to each other bowling together at the higher lever, I think growing up in the same area, playing for the same club has help them understand each other, so I don’t belief there is anything wrong to bowl two spinners in the West Indies because the wickets are dull and slow and they can play an important part,” Kallicharran opined.
The left-handed batsman, who also represented the regional side in 31 One Day Internationals is of the opinion that there is lot professionalism in the selectors, who understand the game and knows the best.
“I am not too sure what balance they want to pick the team on, but I belief in the West Indies now the wickets are slow and spinners should be playing a bigger part in the game,” he concluded.
Only recently, veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has singled out spin twins, Permaul and Bishoo, as the catalyst for Guyana Jaguars’ success in the recently concluded West
Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Four-day competition.
The Albion spinners finished as the two leading bowlers in the tournament, combining for a whopping 128 wickets. Permaul, the leftarm orthodox spinner, was the leading wicket-taker with 67 victims, while leg-spinner Bishoo claimed 61 scalps to finish second.
Permaul made his test debut for the West Indies against Bangladesh in 2012 and has played in four tests and six ODIs.
His omission raised several eyebrows especially after his enormous success of recent.
shot off Malcome Hubbard (1-18) only to find his off stump uprooted.
Bhaskar Yadram added 43 for the fifth wicket with
Kevin Sinclair but he never looked settled at the crease. He was out just before the batting powerplay was due, in the 35th over, playing a
horrendous stroke and was caught at mid-wicket off Travis Persaud (2-47) for 27.
Sinclair and Ramnarine Chatura exercised timely caution in the Batting Powerplay which yielded just 13 runs.
However, Sinclair made a fighting 35 with five boundaries, while Chatura (15) and Ashmead Nedd (0) were the other batsmen to be dismissed in quick succession.
Mohamed then came out and batted with intent. Rutherford (1-47) and Akshaya Persaud (1-14) were the successful bowlers.
Two quick strikes from Looknauth and Mohamed have left Demerara with a mountain to climb in their chase.
Vivian Albert (1) was the first batsman to fall, leg before wicket to Looknauth, while Ronaldo Renee (2) was Mohamed’s victim, miscuing a pull shot off a welldirected short delivery.
Tavin Imlack and Akshaya Persaud then alleviated the pressure and reduced the threat of a defeat. The pair got together and played sensibly, mixing caution with aggression.
Both the batsmen were content to see off the new ball. The duo kept rotating the strike with ones and twos and punished loose deliveries that came their way.
But once they managed to set in their eyes, both played freely until lack of concentration cost their downfall. Sagar Hatheramani removed Imlack, while and Sinclair accounted for Persaud.
A mixed up between Rutherford and Hubbard saw the latter run out for seven.
Rutherford and Travis Persaud then took Demerara home to safety without further damage, with Rutherford hitting back-to-back sixes off Sinclair to seal the win.
England produced a remarkable victory in the second Test after a seemingly moribund contest was brought to life by the brilliance of James Anderson and the seemingly ineradicable flaws in West Indies’ game. Anderson was the inspiration during a helter-skelter morning session in which England ripped out six wickets and Alastair Cook was there at the end to complete a run chase that was as sedate as it would have seemed unlikely 24 hours earlier.
West Indies lost 8 for 83 in 30.4 overs either side of lunch, surrendering a position of relative security with indecent haste and undoing four days of hard work. England, who seemed to have been blunted on the fourth evening as Kraigg Brathwaite compiled a determined century, seized the moment with alacrity after Anderson took three quick wickets with the new ball.
Victory, one reminiscent of their one-session mugging of Sri Lanka at Cardiff in 2011, put England 1-0 up in the series. The prospect had seemed a distant one at the start of the day, with West Indies having erased
“Form”
their 165-run first-innings deficit only two down. There was little in the pitch to help
England’s bowlers and it was appropriate that Anderson was the catalyst, as he was during their last overseas Test victory, at Kolkata in 2012.
West Indies did remove Jonathan Trott for another single-figure score, bowled off his inside edge, but they twice put down Gary Ballance, the second time with 17 required. They also lost Jason Holder to injury, a nasty-looking roll of the ankle that could affect his participation in the third Test.
There was little else in the way of drama as Cook and Ballance put on an unbroken stand, both making half-centuries. Ballance also scored his 1000 Test run, in his 17th innings, putting him joint-ninth on the list. Cook’s fifty, meanwhile, was his fifth in eight Test inningsgiven how unexpectedly well his day had gone, he might have wished for a few more runs to chase and the possibility of that elusive hundred.
The emotions of both sides underwent a complete turnaround in little more than three hours as a Test
says
– believes Bishoo and Permaul can play important part in WI cricket
By Rajiv Bisnauth
West Indies legend, Alvin Kallicharran beliefs form should play an important role in the regional side’s selection process.
Kallicharran was at the time responding to a question from this publication during an exclusive interview recently, regarding the omission of left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Prmaul from the West Indie line-up for the current Test series against England.
“In terms of results, Permaul has taken a number of wickets and I belief form should play an important part in our selection and what form is, getting wickets, and to get that amount of wickets
you have to be a good bowler.”
“Permaul has taken a number of wickets in the just concluded First-class season so leaving Permaul out - I think he should be a part of the eleven, so there is a question mark why his omission,”
the former West Indies batman, who played 66 Tests said.
The 66-year-old, who scored 4,399 Tests runs at an average of 44.43 and 12 centuries also believe that both Bishoo and Permaul can play
important roles playing together in the regional side.
“Bishoo and Permaul is a good combination and if they can bowl in tandem for Guyana I don’t belief the equation can change at the higher level.
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that had moved sluggishly through four days suddenly went into fast-forward. Anderson was involved in all six wickets to fall in the morning, taking three with the new ball to go with a couple of catches and a brilliant run-out, as West Indies toppled from the relatively security of 224 for 2 to a perilous 286 for 8.
The dismissal of Kemar Roach, chipping Moeen Ali to mid-on five minutes before the lunch break, was a sign of the fallibility gene that has become such a problem for the health of West Indies’ cricket. When they were eventually all out for
307 around 40 minutes into the afternoon session, Moeen taking the last two wickets in three balls, it left England with almost 60 overs in which to chase 143. What a difference half a day makes. With the memory of Antigua still fresh and, in light of the poise shown by Brathwaite here, England took the field looking a little weary. Even the long-life batteries of Root must have been tested and, as he opened the bowling and aimed his offbreaks into the rough outside leg stump, it was easy to conclude that the lights had gone out on the contest. (Cricinfo)
GCB U-19 Inter-County 1-Day tournament...
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Akshaya Persaud hit a polished 116-ball 90 under pressure as Demerara easily defended their Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19
Inter-County One-Day title with a thumping fivewicket win over the Select Under-17 squad in the final on Saturday at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.