Guyana Times Daily - March 25, 2015

Brassington to Ram: You are the liar!

feared dead after plane crash in French Alps

The five-star Marriott in Kingston,

Vanessa Kissoon reportedly arrested

wednesday, March 25, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, March 25 – 08:30h-10:00h and Thursday, March 26 – 09:00h-10:30h

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

Wednesday, March 25 – 07:25h-08:55h and Thursday, March 26 – 08:05h-09:35h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Wednesday, March 25 –

05:00h, 10:00h and 17:00h

Thursday, March 26 – 05:00h, 10:00h and 17:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with heavy rain showers in the afternoon. Thundery showers will return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.91 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:48h and 20:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.39 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:22h and 13:50h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

Marriott feasibility study:

Brassington to Ram: You are the liar!

...says studies were done before contract signing

Executive Director of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington, has rubbished claims by local accountant and commentator Christopher Ram that the contract for the Marriott Hotel was signed even before the feasibility study was done on the project.

During the Current Issues and Analysis Programme aired on Television Guyana Channel 28 on Tuesday night, Brassington declared that Ram’s comments on his online blog site, which were extracted and published in the Kaieteur News, were incorrect and misleading the public. “Unfortunately or intentionally, he seems to be misinformed and trying to misled,” he stated.

According to the NICIL head, at the time of the sod turning ceremony back in December 2011, there were two separate feasibility studies that were already completed and these were done before the contract was signed with Shanghai Construction Group (SCG). He noted that one study was done by the Marriott Group and the other by a Miamibased firm. Ram alleges that the feasibility study was done by the US firm in 2012. Ram had also raised concerns about the contents of the feasibility study report, which was presented by Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), of which Brassington was also the Chairman. “No halfdecent consultant would submit a report without a contents page and with unnumbered pages. The pages of the document are not only un-numbered, but several chapters including the key

Chapter 3 Market Analysis are excluded,” Ram was quoted as saying on his blog.

Addressing this, the NICIL boss pointed out that the information released was all that could have been made public. He explained that in any feasibility study, there will be commercially sensitive information that cannot be made public.

“The market analyst deals directly with the issues of competition and the Pegasus (Hotel) specifically and would analyse such issues as room rates, occupancies and so on. So naturally that sort of information is sensitive and that wouldn’t be released. But what is needed to make an analysis, all of the material information is there,” he outlined.

Brassington believes that the local commentator tried to deliberately twist the matter to mislead the nation. “We have a globally recognised evaluation firm who has carried out its feasibility study. The information contained there shows that

the project is financially feasible; whether all of the supporting details is made public or not is irrelevant. The market section is known to the investors and the people who will be looking at that; it’s known to Republic Bank and so on. It’s not a public document, so this is not the first time Mr Ram has made misleading comments on the project,” the AHI Chairman stated.

When questioned about comments that NICIL and AHI violated laws after they went ahead with investing some US$36 million into the construction of the hotel despite a motion passed in National Assembly back in 2012 barring the State agency from spending taxpayers money on the project, Brassington underscored that motions in Parliament were not legally binding on the Government.

The NICIL Executive Director continued that the motion, along with a series of other actions including court actions, has been targeted to prevent money from being injected into the project. “The project had started, we had no choice but to continue,” he clarified.

Brassington said that those who have been criticising the project, including Ram and Dr Anand Goolsarran, were of the view that NICIL should deposit its monies into the Consolidated Fund. However, he said that NICIL was a company like the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil); Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the National Communications Network (NCN), which are all Stateowned companies.

“It is no different from companies that we have privatised like Guyana

Stores, like Linmine and so on. So when these companies sell their products or services, they are saying these companies should put all their monies into the Consolidated Fund.

“Companies are allowed to keep their money separate. We produce the accounts, we lay it in Parliament (and) we pay the treasury; though Mr Ram and Mr Goolsarran are intentionally misleading the public. Mr Goolsarran himself has signed off on audits on companies that I have mentioned in which everything is done in accordance with the Company Act and nothing is wrong. So NICIL is no different from any of these companies. Our business is to manage investments and our returns, our revenues is the sale of investments, is the returns from investments and we have the right to invest that and that is what we do,” he argued.

At a press conference earlier this month, Brassington revealed that the Marriott Hotel will be opening on April 16. It was constructed despite the objections of the Opposition, who was vocal against the use of taxpayers money to build the hotel.

During the televised programme, Brassington disclosed that over 200 persons were employed by the hotel and have undergone training. He noted too that the construction works were almost complete and internal testing was being conducted. According to the NICIL head, from all indications the project will be successful since persons who visited the building have remarked that they are “positively impressed beyond their expectations”.

NICIL Executive Director and AHI Chairman Winston Brassington

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

In the name of Cheddi

Over the last two weeks, much has been said about former President Dr Cheddi Jagan, his legacy, and the principles he stood for.

There has also been an emergence of a group of former PPP/Cc Executives, supporters and self proclaimed close friends of the late President who appear to be running to defend his name and legacy whenever they conveniently feel that it is being besmirched, misused or trampled upon.

This group includes Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran, along with the usual Opposition media provocateurs who are capitalizing on the controversy surrounding Dr Jagan’s legacy to suit their political agendas.

Nagamootoo and Ramkarran have argued ad nauseam that Jagan’s party is drifting away from his principles and that its current leadership is corrupt and incapable of further realizing Jagan’s vision of a more developed, unified and modernized Guyana.

But one can’t help but question whether Nagamootoo and Ramkarran, as well as the other born-again Jaganites, are being genuine in their expression of concern over both the path that the party is pursuing, and the manner in which it is abiding by its founding principles.

Neither man has done anything of consequence over the last four and half years to further Dr Jagan’s vision at the level of the working class or the masses. None of them can argue that they have played a positive role in strengthening Dr Jagan’s vision or his party.

Instead what these two men have done is to undermine Jagan’s party by engaging in a never ending war against the principals of the PPP/C who were their former comrades. Both men appear disgruntled, bitter and driven by hatred for Jagdeo and the others within their former home.

History is replete with examples of the half-truths and lies told by Ramkarran and Nagamootoo because they were interested in personal aggrandizement.

This led them to adopt anti-PPP/C postures in their public statements, writings and positions adopted with Nagamootoo eventually joining the AFC and PNCR-led APNU coalition.

Why did those faithful Jaganites who are sounding their voices now fail to object to the Opposition’s decision to axe more than $89 billion dollars from the budget? Where were their voices when the Opposition bullied and misused the 10th Parliament to cause a collapse of the Government through a slew of spurious motions, bills and other acts of parliamentary terrorism?

Where were their voices when the Opposition sponsored several acts of aggression, violence and criminal acts that saw Guyana bleeding in the early 2000s, all with the aim of unseating the PPP/C which was democratically elected?

Why do they fail to condemn the media and the Opposition spinsters who have no doubt twisted and taken out of context every statement made by Jagdeo in relation to his lifestyle, the PPP/C and Dr Jagan?

Surely, had Dr Jagan been alive he would have taken them to task for their public disclosures about his personal life and the manner in which it is being used to undermine the PPP/C.

Dr Jagan would have never allowed his Ministers to live in poverty to prove that they were not corrupt nor would he have allowed Nagamootoo or Ramkarran to embark on a crusade in his name of any sort.

He would have never left the PPP/C, but would have stayed and toiled within it to create the change that was necessary to strengthen it so that it could provide the quality of leadership that Guyana deserves in 2015.

Guyanese must be aware of this sinful campaign that is being executed by these two men and Opposition politicians in the recently formed coalition in the name of Dr Jagan against the PPP/C.

It appears they are hoping that they can weaken the PPP/C’s support base if they paint the picture that Dr Jagan’s legacy is being trampled upon. If they have any respect for Cheddi and the party he built, they must stop their ‘foxish’ campaign.

"I am not an Indian" – Nagamootoo

Dear Editor,

I attended the APNU/ AFC community meeting in South Ozone Park, Queens on March 22.

Being away from Guyana, and feeling excited about the election tempo, I wanted to hear what David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo had to say about their newfound coalition and to learn about the national programme that they had in store for Guyana should their coalition become victorious at the May 11 election.

I walked past the line of angry protesters outside the Naresa Palace who said they were uneasy about Moses' alliance with the APNU and they were very suspicious about Granger's questionable past.

Inside, there was a mixed crowd of the usual political suspects from the Queens area, the hearth of the IndoGuyanese community. I reminisced a bit with some old friends, including Paul Tennassee of the former DLM who was once arrested and jailed by Burnham.

After being led through the American and Guyana national anthems, followed by a round of cultural performances, including a treat from a tassa group, the meeting finally got under way.

Moses spoke first, followed by a shorter presentation by Granger. Granger

kept the focus on the need to restore ownership of the resources of Guyana rather than allowing foreigners like the Russians and Chinese to take away what rightfully belonged to Guyanese.

He said the voters' list was "dirty", claiming that the list has suddenly gone up from "100, 000 to 567,000" and he urged voters to "be vigilant".

However, it was Moses who stole the show. In a presentation running for about 30 minutes, mixing metaphors and humor – Guyanese style about growing up in Guyana, Moses castigated the current PPP/C regime and his former comrades in the party.

He spoke about his childbirth delivery by an AfroGuyanese village mid-wife and of being schooled by Afro-Guyanese teachers and growing up with the APNU's Leader in his village of Whim in the ancient county.

He shared some information, some of which he said will not appear in the press, about being charged as an "ambassador" by the late Dr Cheddi Jagan to conduct discussions of shared governance with Burnham during the 1980s.

Moses justified the AFC's alliance with APNU by arguing that it was the "right time", given the reality on the ground. He reiterated

his pledge to deliver the "11 per cent Indians" to give the coalition its marginal victory over the PPP/C. I left the meeting pondering about two things Moses said.

Not much was discussed directly about the coalition partner and David Granger that would justify the alliance, given the AFC's initial adopted position as an independent political entity, nor did Moses frontally address Granger's questionable association with the Burnhamite era or issues like election rigging and the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney – the questions raised by the protesters.

I thought a more direct approach would have sufficed, instead of defending the coalition on the argument that the PPP/C had no "moral ground" to criticize the PNC about "alleged rigged elections" because the PPP/C has "not held local elections for 17 years".

Perhaps the comments that struck me as being a little odd was Moses' rendition of a story about a trip he made to India under the auspices of the Global Organization of the People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) where he was presented with a community award, generally given to Indians recognized for their work among the diaspora.

He made it a point that

while receiving the award in India, the land of his ancestors, he told his audience that he was not an "Indian" but a "Guyanese". This comment brought back memories of another Indian, Dr Winston Mahabir, a founding member and a Minister of Trinidad's People's National Movement, which was led by Dr Eric Williams.

During a meeting with India's Jawaharlal Nehru in 1957, Dr Mahabir was asked by Nehru, "You're Indian aren't you?" A puzzled Dr Mahabir responded by saying, "No, Sir, I am West Indian!"

Perhaps we can forgive Dr Mahabir for confusing his nationality and geographical location of his birth with that of his ethnicity. Perhaps, too, Moses is a man of a different era.

But it was difficult, however, to envision other Guyanese like Dr David Hinds, Dr Rodney, Eusi Kwayana, and of course, Granger, all of whom can clearly identify with a cultural and conscious historical connection with the Caribbean and African diaspora making such a faux pas.

But then again, maybe Moses is on a greater historical mission. Was he playing politics or was he playing to his audience? Time will tell.

Baytoram Ramharack

Guyanese should welcome the Marriott

Dear Editor, All Guyanese should welcome the opening of the Marriott Hotel. No matter what Government is there, or if we are alive over the next 10 or 15 years, the Marriott would be there.

Guyanese abroad and locally now feel proud that Guyana has entered the world league of Five-Star Hotels and those of us in the diaspora now feel equal to others in this regard.

er hotels so no hotel should fear that Marriott would have all the business.

The Marriott would cater for and attract a different clientele than the oth-

Actually, Gerry Gouveia, an experienced hotelier, has been saying so from day one.

May I single out the

Pegasus. The Pegasus has been doing a good job of renewal and any time I visit there, the place is always lively with a growing occupancy.

M Bhushan

A man relaxes in a newly carved seat made from the trunk of a fallen tree in the Botanical Gardens (Carl Croker photo)

Granger cannot be believed

Dear Editor,

I note that in APNU's 2011 Manifesto, APNU undertook to support the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

Recently when the APNUAFC coalition presented its “10-Point Programme for Democracy, Development and National Unity”, one of those points was the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission tied to the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Amendment Act .

But not so long ago, back in November of 2013 Granger publicly declared that “while the establishment of the PPC is important, it is not a concern that his party shares at this time, more so with respect to tying it with the passing of the AML legislation.

APNU does not see the need for the PPC to be established before the passing of the AML legislation, since the party believes that there is no connection between the

two (KN, November 4, 2013).

This of course was not the view of the AFC who insisted that the AML Legislation would not be supported without the establishment of the PPC.

So two years later, Granger has changed his dance moves as he sways to the tunes of Ramjattan. How can we believe Granger that he is now serious about the establishment of the PPC, when he in the last three years he created an obstacle to the establishment of the PPC, by demanding political party unanimity of the five nominees outside the ambit of the law, and then later dismissing its (PPC) relevance.

Article 212 X of the Guyana Constitution says that the PPC shall have five members with expertise in matters of procurement, law, finance and administration. The members must be nominated by the Public Accounts Committee and supported by two-thirds of the members of the National

Assembly.

But Granger insisted that all the nominees to the PPC must be approved by all the political parties even though the Constitution only required a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly.

It seems that APNUAFC plans on winning 75 per cent of the National Assembly. So I guess the next question is in the event the APNU-AFC coalition receives a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, will Granger abandon his previous insistence on unanimity of the parties on nominations?

Will he consult or seek the PPP/C’s approval on the five nominees? If he says yes (for the purpose of elections that he will), then why not tell us now who the five nominees will be, Mr Granger? Furthermore, why should we believe you, Mr. Granger?

Mahadeo Persaud

Never try to sabotage our country

Dear Editor,

I note the tensions, fears, annoyances, hate, bitterness and yes, even excitement as we draw closer to May 11, the time of national elections in Guyana.

Some are preaching gloom and doom. Others want gloom and doom; it will appear. Yet others fear and withhold their investments due to fear of gloom and doom, which can cause economic pain and even loss.

My people, fellow Guyanese, this “Land of many Waters” is our country, we must never try to sabotage it, or bring it. It is not a pageant where an individual alone could be hurt when some people try to bring her down, hurt and damage her; it is an entire nation, a whole country of people with children, and futures, with ambition.

The day after elections, regardless of who wins, we all have to cook our foods, go to the market, and get to work, even shower, put on our clothes, make our beds, and exist as always, just as we did all our lives. People should have control on their emotions, not get excited politically, even to the point of violence or intolerance. Violence can be even the use harsh words.

We are a great people, I heard my father often say; we are a nation of many peoples who have coexisted for many centuries, why it is at elections we tend to create annoyances amongst ourselves.

This is a beautiful country with people from great civilizations brought under difficult but similar circumstances and ordeals, so we must be like one big family, sharing each other pains, successes. With the exception of the Amerindians, we all came in ships, so we must care this sacred land Guyana, which we call home.

We should never be intolerant to any group, as in this small, yet large and diverse nation, we have learned to live together, work with each other, serve and pray with each other. We cry and laugh together.

Let us think of our similarities and not differences, and for a thing like elections, never be uncaring for another. We have breathed the air together, we ate food from the land, grown by various persons; we give blood without asking which party its owner voted for, or what race was he or she.

Similarly we all buy from each other and sell to each other; one never asks for a pound of eddoes, and a pound of plantains, but I need to know which party you voted for, or what race planted it, what race, grew it, or what race transported it.

I ask the political parties, to be mature, not to use blaring and vulgar music or cursing down mode thinking that will attract voters. Sorry, this chases them away. The people of

The PNC (APNU+AFC) does not want to remember the past

Dear Editor,

The Guyanese people would like to know what alternative the Opposition APNU+AFC is really talking about, piggy backing on PPP/C success and trying to fool people by promising that they have the alternative for a better Guyana.

I think by now the Opposition should have known that judging from their characters and track records, the Guyanese people have a very good assessment of each one of them, they should have known too that under the PPP/C Administration Guyanese received a much higher and sounder education than under the PNC, which is now APNU+AFC.

As such their ability to think and make proper choices for themselves and that of their family has

increased tremendously. What APNU+AFC is offering is more of the same that Guyanese received under the PNC dictatorship.

APNU+AFC should know that Guyanese would not trade the healthy living standard they are receiving under the present PPP/C Administration and go back to the old days of PNC rule when bullyism, starvation, and wanton elections rigging was the name of the day.

APNU+AFC’s vision for a better Guyana is blurred by their track record and lust for power. They are totally blind to today’s truth and cannot see to tomorrow’s future.

Guyana and Guyanese want people with clear vision that can lead them into greater progress, people that can see much further than

their nose unlike the pack of power hungry jokers that made up the APNU+AFC coalition.

Guyanese needs to understand that the only difference between the old PNC and that of today’s camouflage version is that they added some new disgruntled people like Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan to their pack. The coalition APNU+AFC which is the new PNC, does not want to remember their past, but May 11 will be remembrance day for them when they will be rejected at the polls. Except for those in APNU+AFC all other Guyanese knows that those who tend to forget their mistakes in the past are bound to repeat it.

Suresh Silas

We will ensure a strong sugar industry

this country are not interested in foreign entertainers and big parties, where alcohol will always enter.

Remember, the bigger you are, the harder the fall. The people of this country want excellent articulation, refined speeches, wisdom at its peak, and love to overflow the land.

I have heard the people of this country are not interest in such things. They say they wish progress, peace, and goodwill. So give them that. They say they have too many parties and vulgarities already.

This message is to all political entities and personalities involved in the election machinery, and seeking offices of power, and also aimed for voters who tend to get emotional for issues such as party love or race love.

Everyone has a basic inherent right to vote for the party of their choice. All political entities have the right to influence our vote, but none has the right to influence us to violence, or depression, to annoyance or interfere with our human emotions and personal dignity or to cause national disturbance.

In the end, the reality, the truth is Guyana is our dear and beloved country, place of our births or our naturalization; most of us have nowhere else to go. So as a people, we must care our land, our waters and our fellow citizens.

Katherina Roshana

Dear Editor Stanley Ming’s call to close the sugar industry is another wild, vile and wicked attack on the sugar industry and those who work in the industry. But this call is also an anti-Guyana call.

The only persons who will support the call for closure of the sugar industry are those who have no idea on the importance of sugar in the fabric of the development story of our country. Ming is unequivocally out of his league when he attempted to talk about sugar.

I am deeply disturbed because the Opposition uses people like Ming to sound out their position on political matters. Today, I am demanding that APNU+AFC state their position on sugar. They must not speak with forked tongues – they must be clear to the Guyanese people and to the sugar workers.

When APNU+AFC refused to provide vital support to GUYSUCO, they showed disdain to the sugar workers and they betrayed Guyana. Today, it is another chance for them to be clear – will you close the sugar industry? Are you willing to say Tony Vieira previously and now, Ming does not represent the position of APNU+AFC?

No “ands, ifs or buts”. We want a clear answer. The PPP/C will do whatever is necessary to ensure that sugar sustains its importance in Guyana and we will expand sugar for it to continue to play a crucial role in Guyana’s economy and social welfare development.

We will invest whatever we need to ensure a strong sugar industry. The PPP/C has no “ands, if, and buts” when it comes to the sugar industry.

The PPP/C continues to treat sugar as an indispens-

able part of the economy and social welfare of our people. We see sugar as “too big to fail” is the position taken by the PPP/C.

Throughout my tenure as Minister of Agriculture, during one of the very difficult periods for the sugar industry, as it tries to position itself against global circumstances unfavourable for sugar, I have maintained a position consistent with the PPP/C’s position – we must take all initiatives and facilitate the sustainability and expansion of sugar in Guyana.

APNU in March 2014 held a press conference hosted by Joe Harmon and Vieira. Vieira insisted that the only sensible thing to do is close the sugar industry. Today, almost exactly one year later, Ming, another activist of APNU, a former PNC MP, again reiterate the call to close the industry.

Granger and APNU never disassociated themselves from the call to close sugar that was made at its press conference on March 8, 2014. Khemraj Ramjattan, on March 9 or so, in 2014 also gave full support to the call made at the APNU press conference then.

At the 2014 budget debate I raised the issue and called on APNU and AFC to give a definitive position on the call to close the sugar industry. Neither party heeded my call and ignored my request for them to tell us during the budget debate if they wanted to close the industry.

But APNU voted against a PPP/C budget provision to support the sugar industry. AFC abstained from that vote, playing politics, but the AFC never disassociated itself from Ramjattan’s support of the call made at the APNU press conference to close sugar. They buckled

under pressure that they will have to explain to the sugar workers and in the end they abstained from voting against the budgetary provision for sugar. At the luncheon meeting the Private Sector hosted for Granger to present APNU+AFC vision for Guyana about two weeks ago, Granger stated that “sugar was too big to fail”. This is what the PPP/C has stated since 1992. We have supported and facilitated the sugar industry as the industry first had to recover from the destruction caused by the PNC and throughout this period the PPP/C had to facilitate the industry’s response to global changes, including the European’s betrayal of the sugar protocol and the falling sugar prices that saw sometimes prices falling by 50 per cent.

We are encouraged that Granger now says that he agrees with our position. But he was leader of the PNC and APNU when a call was made to close the industry at one of its weekly press conference.

During the budget debate 2014, he led the Opposition’s response in Parliament. He never once disassociated himself from those statements. Now that mining has raised the possibility again, what is APNU’s position?

When APNU came with its wild assault on our country, on sugar workers and on the sugar industry by demanding that we end sugar and grow tilapia in the sugar cane fields, none of the APNU MPs stated that that was not their position and Ramjattan stated he agreed with the call. There is documented evidence to support what I am stating

Wedding Expo 2015 hits the road

The magnificent beginning of the Wedding Expo 2015, organised by the Roraima Duke Lodge, was taken to the roads on March 21.

It all began with the “Find Em All” promotion along the lawns of Robb Street, King Street, Camp Street and Orange walk, Bourda. At these locations, teams were engaged with the bouquet game and sharing flyers. In an interview with the wedding planner of the event, Ms Archer Glenis, she stated that one type of flyer will be given at each stop and if you collect all four of the wedding expo 2015 flyers you will be eligible to enter the grand prize draw.

The Wedding Expo 2015, launched on February 4, at the Roraima Duke Lodge, promises to build on the rich heritage established by the Expo over the years. Officials from the Roraima Duke Lodge stated that they are overwhelmed by the

commitment of loyal exhibitors who have returned to lend their support, as well as the pledges and expressions of interest to exhibit in this year’s exposition by new exhibitors and sponsors, both local and international.

The Roraima Duke Lodge Wedding Expo is an event that provides couples preparing to be wed as well as those assisting them with an excellent opportunity to see and interact with local businesses that offer the services necessary for planning and executing a seamless wedding experience. Moreover, it hosts, in a central location, varying institutions relevant to persons beginning a new life together; such as insurance companies, commercial banks, contracting/housing services, furniture retailers, etc.

Since its inception in 2009, Wedding Expo has championed the promotion of small businesses operating in this niche market and

has witnessed significant growth among businesses that choose to exhibit their services and products at the Expo.

According to Debra Dey of Executive Office Services, “We have been on board with the Wedding Expo from the inception. I have noticed a significant jump in sales soon after taking part in the event. I do appreciate the ambience at Duke Lodge. I feel it’s very good exposure for businesses because of the large numbers that visit. The crowd is from a wide cross-section of people. These large numbers of guests and exhibitors may lead the organisers to have to expand in the future and I’d look forward to that.”

As such, the Wedding Expo Committee is confident that Wedding Expo 2015 will be a success. They are inviting the public to join them for this remarkable journey that culminates on the final weekend of the month – March 27-29.

ABE calls on Guyanese to capitalise on its services

Present in more than 80 countries across the world, the Association of Business Executives (ABE) is here in Guyana, inviting more Guyanese to utilise its services.

Based in the United Kingdom, the ABE is a highly regulated awarding international body which provides international qualifications.

In an interview with Guyana Times, ABE Director of Quality and Compliance, Sue Graham said students utilising the services of the association are provided with the opportunity to move onto higher levels of learning including the completion of university degrees.

The programmes offered include Business Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Hospitality and Management Information Systems.

“Our aim is to work with

corporate businesses. We are currently working with Esso and Shell at the moment because they are interested in doing management qualification in the oil and gas exploration sector, and they are interested in the management aspect. So we work with them and design the qualification to fit their needs,” she explained.

Currently, the programmes range from level three through seven, with level seven equivalent to a master’s degree. Graham said the institution is opened to offering the doctorate programmes, but will only do so through invitation.

Kereesa CarringtonNunez, who is responsible for ABE’s operation in the Caribbean, said Guyana remains the largest growing market in the Caribbean, with Nations University being the largest provider of the programme.

“The thing with Nations University is that we collab-

orate. We design the curriculum and qualification, so that a student gets an internationally recognised professional qualification in an academic setting right at home,” she said

Training with the staff has been an ongoing process, Carrington-Nunez noted, adding that they are taught how to market, promote, receive and manage students.

She said the cost of the qualification is much cheaper than if a student enrolls in a “full blown degree programme at the university.”

“ABE does not award the degree. But it is at the same level of the degree, it is recognised as a degree, awarding powers are reserved only to universities. The awarding bodies give you the equivalent of the programme for a fraction of the cost.”

According to the Caribbean coordinator, a student can take a level six qualification and go directly into a master’s programme or “a top up degree programme.”

“But it’s not just the cost, they are getting a UK internationally recognised qualification,” she interjected.

“ABE at the last count had some 50,000 students from 80 countries around the world and that number is growing,” Nunez affirmed. She said with their qualification, students can choose to stay in Guyana and work, or go anywhere in the world and know that they have something they can take with them like a passport.

Melissa Daniels, ABE’s Programme Coordinator at Nations University said the university has seen some 260 enrollment for this semester. According to her, exams are written twice a year and the semesters are set to suit the exams.

She said too that persons with family and work commitments are offered special packages including the option of completing their programmes within longer time frames.

Also persons who come on board with managerial experience are given exemption from many of the units.

Some of the couples who participated in last year’s Wedding Expo

From left: ABE Director of Quality and Compliance, Sue Graham; ABE Country Manager, Kereesa Carrington-Nunez; and ABE Programme Coordinator at Nations University, Melissa Daniels

campaign 2015

President stands by sugar industry

...warns of Opposition’s hostility to its survival

By Michael younge

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar has promised to expend $20 billion in the country’s sugar industry to ensure that it survives the spate of challenges that are delivering several blows to its viability and profitability.

Ramotar, addressing a mammoth crowd at Bush Lot, Berbice, Region Five (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Sunday said that if reelected to the presidency on May 11, his Government would continue to subsidise the industry with a view of strengthening existing plans and policies to bring back the sweetness to the industry.

“I promise you today that if re-elected, I would put $20 billion into the sugar industry because the industry must survive. The industry has a future,” he said to thunderous applause from the crowd. Ramotar argued that his Government despite the ongoing criticisms would never close the industry or neglect it because things were bad there. He said that the $20 billion would go to critical areas such as diversification of the resources of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), boosting its mechanisation plan and creating new revenue streams for the Corporation.

He said passionately that the monies would also go towards boosting the industrial value of the sugar

being sold by Guyana, while special attention would be focused on seeking more alternative markets.

Ramotar took a swipe at former People’s National Congress Reform stalwart – and one time Prime Ministerial Candidate –Stanley Ming, for the comments he made which sought to promote the idea that Guyana should abandon sugar cane cultivation and try new agricultural products. The President recalled that the hardships faced by the industry were caused in part by the European Union’s decision to unilaterally inflict a 36 per cent price cut on the commodity and abandon the “Sugar Protocol” which was supposed to last “in perpetuity”.

But he said that Ming, like the PNC and now A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change

(APNU/AFC) Opposition coalition seemed not to understand the importance of the industry and its link to Guyana’s future development. He warned Berbicians that they could not trust the PNC-led APNU with their votes as they have always being hostile towards the industry. Recently, leader of the PNCR and of the recently formed coalition with the AFC, David Granger said that he would consider privatising the sugar industry if he became President and would revamp the composition of the GuySuCo board. If the industry is privatised, Government would not be able to save it if it meets in crisis again which in turn could mean thousands of sugar workers being displaced and facing all forms of hardship. But Ramotar reiterated the PPP/C’s position that sugar

Manslaughter convict gets 3 years for marijuana possession

Aresident at the Camp Street Prison was sentenced to three years imprisonment on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for drug possession.

Convicted felon Rudolph London, appears to enjoy life at the Camp Street Jail as he was sentenced to an additional three years on Tuesday after being found guilty of having eight grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession.

London was approached at the Camp Street jail by a Prison Officer as he was deemed to be acting in a suspicious manner. The officer searched him and found the marijuana on his person. London was found

guilty of the charge on Tuesday after a short trial in Court Five. The Prisoner has already spent three years of his life at the Prison after being remanded there

in 2011 for allegedly murdering his reputed wife. However, this was given credence two weeks ago when the accused admitted at the High Court to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Currently, he awaits a probation report before a sentence is given for this offence. This was asked for by his defence Attorney Adrian Thompson on his behalf. This case is expected to continue today and London may be getting a huge sentence to add to the three years he received on Tuesday.

Additionally, London is also the defendant in a rape trial at the High Court where Justice Franklyn Holder presides.

is too important to fail as it was “the first industry and is the great grandfather of industry in our country”. “All of the other industries got their managers and engineers from the sugar industry,” he said before outlining some of the other challenges being faced.

“But sugar is still standing. The best days of sugar are still ahead. We will not give up on the sugar industry. We will not do as the PNC did,” the President said to an obviously emotionally charged audience. That aside, Ramotar asked Berbicians to support his Party, explaining that it was really the only choice when one looked at the players involved in the electoral race. He told them that Berbicians have now started to accept that they made a mistake when they supported the AFC at the 2011 elections, but encouraged them to correct that mistake by voting for the PPP/C so that progress can continue. “Do not take what you have for granted…it could be reversed…think about your own future…we can stop them this time… we must learn from our past…we must learn from our history…all of you must come out and vote…our country cannot afford to be held back,” he said, again

to a sustained round of applause.

Ramotar told the Bush Lot gathering that Guyana must wage a war against the Opposition whom he described as the most “politically dishonest” set of leaders in the country’s history, saying they were desperate and hungry for more legislative and Executive power. “It’s not only your policies that matter but character matters in politics….For them, development in our country does not matter, it’s incidental…they want power…,” he said. Arguing that “clearly we are seeing the nature of the beast… They can’t put their record next to us…so what they do?..They lie…slander and exaggerate….They have not changed; they have not apologised for their past,” the PPP/C Presidential Candidate told the crowd.

Manickchand rocks

Ramotar supported by his Education Minister and fellow PPP/C Executive Priya Manickchand told the gathering that a vote for the APNU/AFC ticket was a vote for the PNC, asking them whether they were willing to be governed by the PNC again. The crowd responded lustily with “never”, “no” and “not again”. Manickchand, who has deep

roots in the community, told the residents that they were betrayed by Moses Nagamootoo and the AFC, but now they must settle the score by coming out and voting in their numbers for the Party that has single-handedly returned progress to their lives in every sector.

“You are living the development. You are living the progress. You are living the change brought about by the PPP/C and we are asking you to give us another chance to bring more change and progress to this country,” she exhorted.

“They took your votes and handed it to the PNC… you made a mistake but come May 11, you have a chance to correct that mistake. We want your support,” the female politician said before asking the crowd to close their eyes.

“If we don’t get out early to vote …you can wake up with a PNC Government and you wake up hearing that David Granger is your President,” she said, provoking immediate responses from the crowd which shouted “never” and “no way”. “Open your eyes and say with that come May 12, you are going to wake up to a Donald Ramotar President,” she said in fine electioneering style.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar

Rudolph London

Scotland rubbishes Wagner’s testimony in defence of Donald Rodney

The sister of murder accused William Gregory Smith was on Tuesday grilled on the version of accounts she penned with her brother at the ongoing investigation into the death of Dr Walter Rodney.

Ann Wagner, who has been living in the United States of America (USA) for some 45 years, stood firm in defense of her brother, who had been accused of handing a bomb, in the form of a walkie-talkie, to Dr Rodney, resulting in his death some 34 years ago when it exploded.

The older sibling, who said she has not been a frequent traveller to her home country since her de-

the statement based on what was told to her by her brother, since she had never before met Donald Rodney.

never sought after Smith to go to trial although he had publicly availed himself for such to be done. Rebutting, Scotland presented to the

parture in 1970, sought to pin the blame on Donald Rodney.

But his lawyer, Keith Scotland, challenged every thread of evidence Wagner presented.

Using the book she coauthored with her brother, “Assassination cry of a failed revolution; the truth about Dr Rodney’s death,” Scotland examined an excerpt where Wagner declared that the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and Donald Rodney “never showed an ounce of character.” Scotland challenged the statement, stating that Wagner had to have made

It was at that point, that Donald was called to the front, and was told to face Wagner. Wagner admitted she had never before met the man she had laid the accusation on, and admitted that she indeed did not have the right to pass such a judgment.

Further driving home his stance, Scotland highlighted that his client had remained in Guyana to face the magistrate and answer to a crime he did not commit, while Smith fled the jurisdiction. But, Wagner in defense exhorted that the Government of Guyana

witness a copy of an arrest warrant issued for Smith back on June 13, 1996. The sibling, who said she had been in contact with her brother every day since the incident, said the family had come to know of the warrant through the news.

Asked why her brother had not done a lie detector test, she said Smith had openly availed himself to participate but was never allowed the opportunity. She said he had expressed on a BBC news feature that he was willing to do the test, all with the aim of clearing his name, but that

was not afforded.

Wagner, during her testimony had claimed that Smith was accompanied to the Berbice community of Kwakwani on June 14, 1980 with his girlfriend and children. Wagner, recalling what was told to her by Smith, revealed that following the explosion, and being accosted by WPA members, he was drugged with two pills that were given to him. According to her, Smith revealed that he was later awakened to find himself in the home of his father and foster mother in Kwakwani. There he spent some three days before he was taken to Trinidad by a ship.

Smith had told his sister too that he was taken in a Volkswagen car to the plane while he was lying at the back seat. The WPA members were also with him, along with the woman and children.

But evidence before the commission, signed by an Avril Bourne , states that Smith, on the morning after the explosion, was seen disembarking a Guyana Defense Force (GDF) plane along with a woman and children at Kwakwani. The statement by Bourne further detailed that, because she knew his family, she had ventured to the house sometime later, where she found Smith “drinking” with his father and other family members. Smith and his father Cecil Smith later left the house. Scotland challenged Wagner’s account, which he said moves a considerable way from the evidence before the commission. He questioned the possibility of Smith lying in the car with WPA members along with the woman and children. This he said could not be possible since the car could not hold that amount of persons.

Eyew tness

Setting the stage

...for trouble

David Granger's on his "American Tour". No...it's not a musical tour...you're thinking of "David Bowie"!! But David's much more androgynous!!

Anyhow Granger took special care to dub the Chinese and Brazilians in Guyana as threats to Guyanese investing and prospering. With fellas like Granger who've been taught "strategy" at one of the better military institutions in Britain (MONS), this isn't by chance.

Granger's trying to solidify his base - and it's trite mobilisational doctrine that creating a "them against us" psychology is one of the quickest ways to do this. But not so incidentally, it's also the most dangerousespecially in a country that's been wrecked by ethnic hostilities over the years because of accusations of "ethnic favouritism". And it didn't just start yesterday.

As a historian, Granger knows all about the riots against the Portuguese as far back as the 1850s and 1880s because the fears aroused in "local Guyanese" against the Portuguese "interlopers" by demagogues like Granger. "The Portuguese are taking over all the businesses and robbing the locals!" So of course to "rectify" matters their shops had to be burnt down. You fast forward to the 1960s and it's the turn of the "Indian-Guyanese" shopkeepers to be turned into scapegoats.

But this kind of tactic to pit one set of Guyanese against other Guyanese will only bring Guyana down. Guyana's a nation of immigrants - even our first peoples trekked her thousands of years ago from Asia. But in a modern state, once you've become a citizen of a country, while you're subject to all the duties such as earning a living, etc, you have a right to whatever patrimony the nation offers. Chinese have been here since the 1850s...as the work of the just deceased Mrs Kirkpatrick reminds us.

Whether the "new" Chinese or Brazilians just received their nationality papers or not, they have a right to be treated just like anyone else. Guyana's the same size as Britain - and they have more than 60 million people. Why do we have to discriminate against these new immigrants - who may help us to make this into a developed country like Britain??

This Eyewitness is "calling out" Granger on this reprehensible tactic - just to get into power. Imagine if he can risk setting off a race war now...what about if he loses the elections??

Is he going to do a Buju and cry, "Bun dem!!"??

...and justifying trouble

Mike Archer's literally one of the foot soldiers in the "war of manoeuvre" David Granger's fighting to seize power in Guyana. He served as a captain under Granger in the GDF and has been his PRO guy since 2011. Now while Granger's busy sowing the seeds of discord between different groups of Guyanese, Archer's playing the same game from another angle.

In a letter to the Muckraker (the Editor of GTimes says the Opposition apologists don't send their letters to his paper...why not fellas?? C'mon!!) Archer announces amazingly that "the APNU/AFC coalition must negotiate the transfer of power with the PPP/C government"!! Can you believe that?? Archer's blithely proceeding as if the APNU/AFC has already won the elections! And so, all that's necessary is to work out how the PPP/C should vacate their office!

This is the line that every PNC leader since Desmond Hoyte has taken (Burnham didn't need to!) since 1992. What it does is to arouse in the supporters (already bound together by the anti-Chinese/Brazilian rhetoric) a CERTITUDE of winning.

And if this doesn't happen on May 11...then of course, they "wuz robbed". And all hell will break loose.

...for the future

Unlike Granger and APNU, President Ramotar isn't just looking backwards. He's shown that there's no stone he's going to leave unturned to develop Guyana. Imagine he said that Guyana must "look beyond sugar and rice"!!

Walter Rodney CoI:

Attorney-at-Law Keith Scotland as he defended Donald Rodney at the ongoing Walter Rodney COI.

Donald Rodney faces Ann Wagner

Minor parties in APNU still awaiting avowal on benefits – Roopnaraine

Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has disclosed that the minor political parties within A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are yet to know what benefits they will receive from the coalition.

The political parties within APNU are the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNC/R), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the Justice For All Party (JFAP), the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the National Front Alliance Party (NFAP) and recently, the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Guyana Times is unaware of the demands or requests of the all the parties from the coalition, but with AFC securing many positions and power from the coalition, very few remain for the major partner PNCR and the other parties.

While the other parties remain ‘in the dark’ about what they will gain from the coalition, the AFC is already secured its benefits. The “Cummingsburg Accord” which allowed for the merging of APNU and AFC allotted 12 seats in the National Assembly to the AFC, whether they win or lose.

Further, should the coalition form the next government, it was noted that APNU will make the greater contributions in cabinet opposed to the AFC, with a distribution ratio of 60:40.

However, with the AFC gaining 40 per cent of the positions in cabinet, the allocation

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

of positions to the other parties within the coalition remains uncertain.

In the construct of a new government, the AFC was guaranteed two vice presidents while the APNU was guaranteed one.

AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo, who is the Prime Ministerial Candidate, was also allotted the powers of the chairmanship of the Cabinet and the handling of matters supporting the Domestic National Affairs.

The Cummingsburg Accord also stated that the Prime Minister will make recommendations for the ministerial appointments and provide the organisational structure of the ministries for the approval of the President.

But Roopnaraine noted that the other party representatives are still discussing the matter and the decisions should be finalised within a week. He explained that there

are a number of possibilities that need to be explored and the process leading up to the final decisions are critical and should take time.

However, the Justice For All Party (JFAP), headed by Jaipaul Sharma, had previously stated that they have no demands or expectations of the partnership outside of unseating the incumbent administration, the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

“I have no request of the APNU to place me anywhere, our main objective is to remove this dictatorial regime but there is no pressure,” Sharma noted.

It is unclear what the other parties are expecting to receive from the coalition, but analysts indicated that it is highly unlikely they will be as humble as the JFAP.

Concerns were raised about APNU disregarding and undermining the WPA in the light of a new partnership with the AFC, but those speculations were dismissed on February 14 at the launch of the new APNU+AFC coalition.

Media operatives at the launch were told that the WPA had full participation in the process and they are satisfied with the fact that they made the necessary sacrifices in the interest of the country.

Meanwhile, APNU Leader David Granger had previously assured that all partners in the coalition would have a voice, and be fully represented within the government.

Declare gold production as prices improve – Gold Board

After recording a significant drop in gold prices on the world market for the past year, the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) has advised that the gold market is currently at an all-time high since the beginning of February 2015.

While 2015 began with the price of gold quoted by the London Fix at US$1184.25, the market prices initially fluctuated within a US$1,140 to US$1190 band before showing increased volatility and pushing upwards.

According to the GGB, gold prices ended the US day session modestly higher and hit a twoweek high on Monday.

“Solid losses in the US dollar index on this day worked in favour of the precious metals bulls. The gold and silver market bulls have gained some upside technical momentum to suggest near-term lows are in place. The key “outside markets” on Monday found the US dollar index sharply lower and crude oil prices near steady. The US dollar index posted a bearish weekly low close last Friday and saw higher volatility at higher price levels last week – both early technical clues of a topping process in the index. The weaker greenback is a bullish underlying factor for most of the raw commodity sector,” the board said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the GCB is urging all producers and other holders of gold to sell and declare the gold in their possession.

The agency noted that in

order for the declaration to be encouraged, the Government of Guyana has approved duty free waivers for the importation of various required vehicles for gold producers.

“The GGB wishes to remind producers and traders of their legal obligation to declare their production and transactions in accordance with the Guyana Gold Board Act...that waiver is depended on the declaration of gold by producers. The Guyana Gold Board as part of the Natural Resources and Environment Sector is aware of ongoing efforts to engage the mining community in looking at support as well as addressing any challenges ahead,” it said.

It was only last week that President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding expressed optimism that the gold prices would once again increase noting that there were many who were still seeing the industry as a viable one despite the many challenges.

Total gold declaration at December 20, 2014 decreased by 22.61 per cent when compared to 2013, while gold purchased by the Guyana Gold Board had decreased by 41.24 per cent for the same period. In 2013, the gold industry declared a total of 481,087 ounces of gold which represented a 9.7 per cent increase over the previous year’s figure. Meanwhile, according to Harding, while 2014 generally saw a low declaration; when the first two months of 2014 were compared to January and February of

2015, declarations were lower this year.

During a recent meeting with Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud and stakeholders, the measures needed to ensure the sector’s viability in 2015 and beyond were discussed and announcements made.

At that meeting, a 10 per cent reduction in tax for diesel fuel imported for the sector which was requested by the miners was approved with the necessary measures were put in place with relevant agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The cost of fuel had often been cited as the largest expenditure for miners, often around 40 per cent of production cost.

A licence was also granted to GGDMA to import fuel for use within the sector. There was also a proposal to examine the granting of duty-free concessions to miners whose operations exceeded a certain level of production, and this too has been approved.

With these concessions now being made available to the miners, it is anticipated that volatile gold and diamond prices would improve as this year’s production efforts begin. Gold exports for the 2013 fiscal year amounted to US$648.5 million, a 9.5 per cent decline compared to 2012. The sharp decline was linked to the average price of US$1344 per ounce compared to US$1575 in 2012, negating the six per cent increase in export volume, which amounted to 482,527 ounces.

Customs officers receiving training to combat illegal wildlife trade

Several Guyanese

Customs and other border control officers are currently undergoing a three-day capacity building workshop that will better enable them to combat international environmental crime.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has partnered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to train its management and supervisory staff, with the aim of raising awareness about international agreements to control the trade in environmentally sensitive commodities.

The workshop opened on Tuesday at the GRA main office, Camp Street, Georgetown with commendations flowing from Caricom, recognising Guyana as one of the few countries in the Region that have ratified all their Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to be addressed at the workshop.

The workshop is being delivered as part of a

wider project for capacity building related to MEAs in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries, and is funded by the European Union and coordinated globally by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

“Indeed, Guyana has set an example for the Region by being the only Caricom country so far to ratify two relatively new environmental agreements... Guyana is leading the field, demonstrating a strong recognition for the importance of MEAs,” Caricom representative Safiya Ali said.

She said international environmental crime was no longer an emerging issue nor a minor enterprise. “Illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods such as wildlife and hazardous chemicals often involves organised criminal networks operating across borders,” Ali added, noting that environmental infractions have significant impact on the environments and economies.

In this regard, she recognised that well-monitored borders can make a major contribution to controlling international environmental crime. Ali ex-

pressed confidence that the workshop will give participants the understanding, information and guidance necessary to effectively play their important part in combating violations of national and international environmental laws.

Serious consequences

Meanwhile, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Compliance and Enforcement Director Kemraj Parsram identified the importance of such as initiative. “Illegal international trade in environmentally sensitive commodities such as toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes and endangered species is an international problem with serious consequences” – threatening human health and resulting in loss of species and state revenue.

He recognised too that most environmental problems that occur in the world today are transboundary, have a global impact and can only be addressed through the kind of international cooperation and shared responsibility made possible through the MEAs.

He said monitoring and detection, followed by subsequent seizure of illegal shipments by Customs agencies was very important along with the prosecution of criminals and appropriate sentencing by the judiciary.

According to him, the training is a welcome initiative and he advocated for it to be trickled down to lower level staff and taught during the core stages of training to new officers.

“Building the capacity of enforcement officers, like Customs, who are at the forefront of Guyana’s efforts to combat illegal trade is vital,” he admitted. “Training is a key component of capacity building which starts with raising awareness of Customs officers on their role in implementing environmental protection.”

Parsram noted that notwithstanding the important role Customs officers must play, cooperation with other related Government agencies was also necessary.

Guyana is party to several key MEAs such as the Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna and the Cartegena Convention and associated protocols.

Death of 4-month-old...

Mother says no information forthcoming on infant’s death

Dead: Kevon Critchlow

The Health Ministry has launched an investigation into the death of 4-month-old Kevon Eastman-Critchlow who succumbed on March 18 after receiving vaccinations at the Plaisance Health Centre.

The investigation has been launched after the dead infant’s family staged a protest outside of the facility alleging that a nurse (name given) is responsible for the child’s death after she reportedly administered the wrong vaccine to the infant.

According to Suemede

Eastman-Critchlow, the mother of the deceased child, she took her son to the Health Centre where he received the vaccinations and returned home. She related that upon checking on her child sometime in the evening, she discovered him bleeding through his nose and frothing through his mouth. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem conducted on the infant revealed that his death was attributed to brain haemorrhaging.

The distraught mother related that while she has been informed that an investigation has been launched into the matter, she has received no other feedback from the Police or the Health Ministry. She said according to information received, the nurse whom the family has held responsible for the child’s death is still practicing at the Health Centre. Eastman-Critchlow informed Guyana Times that she will be visiting the Police today to request an update on the progress of the investigation.

More drivers charged for speeding, drunk driving

As the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force continues with its enforcement activities, more drivers have been charged for speeding and drunk driving.

The Police stated that during the period March 1521, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws. These include 606 cases for speeding, 34 cases for driving under the influence, 17 cases for careless driving and another 20 cases for dangerous driving.

Additionally, there were 93 cases filed against drivers for breach of condition of road service licence, 10 cases for failure to wear safety helmet, 61 cases for failing to wear seatbelt and another 12 cases for the prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phones while driving. The Police further disclosed that some 12 persons were also charged for the solicitation of passengers (touting).

Meanwhile, as of Monday, March 23, the Police stated that there has

been a total of 22 road fatalities compared to 27 for the same period last year. According to the Force’s monthly statistics report issued earlier this month, most accidents are found to be as a result of speeding and inattentiveness while driving. Speeding was said to be the major contributory factor to fatal accidents, having been the cause of seven of the 12 fatal accidents unto February 2015. Law enforcers also found that passengers in motor vehicles have been the main category of road users affected so far in road fatalities, with nine such persons losing their lives at the end of February. Up to that period, one pedal cyclist, six pedestrians and three drivers also lost their lives. Traffic enforcement by the Police at the end of February has resulted in a total of 10,301 cases being made against errant motorists at the end of February 2015; of this, 3449 cases were for speeding, 253 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 273 for failing to wear seatbelts.

Towa-Towa songbirds are among the species of local wildlife smuggled

Ex-Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond challenges dismissal

Justice Diane Insanally has instructed the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to show cause why their decision to terminate the services of Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond should not be quashed.

Geeta ChandanEdmond, a Magistrate of 10 years’ service who was sacked by the (JSC) on February 16, through her Attorney, Nigel Hughes, took the Commission to the High Court after she expressed the view that she was being victimised.

Her Attorney explained that before the matter was taken to the High Court, he

wrote to the Commission and found out that there were several procedural breaches in the sacking of his client.

“There was only one person who was levelling the allegations against Ms Chandan- Edmond and that person was a part of the body that was ultimately going to sit and decide the fate of her. We did point this out to them and at one stage, when Ms ChandanEdmond was actually consulted, with her Attorney, it was indicated to her that ‘we don’t want to hear from your attorney, we want to hear from you’,” Hughes related.

The Commission claims that the Magistrate had been cited for several infractions including her alleged failure to complete cases in a timely manner.

The JSC had also accused the Magistrate of leaving the jurisdiction without informing the legal body, but, according to Hughes, the JSC is clearly at fault. He alleged that at that time there was no allegation of misconduct levelled against ChandanEdmond nor was there any hearing or any invitation to a hearing on the allegations for the entire year of 2014.

“We asked them what set of rules they were following

because neither the Judicial Service Commission rules nor the public service rules required permission to be sought from the Chancellor before you depart the jurisdiction, so one of the allegations that was laid before was the fact that she had left without permission and we specifically pointed that out to them and said ‘look, there is no rule in either of these that says that we got to get permission before we leave Guyana from the Chancellor’ and they said that it was a matter of standards to which the Magistrates adhered to,” Hughes explained. The Commission has un-

150 feared dead after plane crash in French Alps

AGermanwings plane carrying 150 people has crashed in the French Alps on its way from Barcelona to Duesseldorf.

The Airbus A320 –Flight 4U 9525 – went down between Digne and Barcelonnette. There are no survivors, officials say.

The "black box" flight recorder has been found, the French Interior Minister says. The cause of the crash is not known and the plane did not send a distress signal.

The dead are believed to include 16 German schoolchildren.

French and German leaders have expressed shock.

"This is the hour in which we all feel deep sorrow," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters, adding that she was planning to travel to the crash site.

At least one rescue helicopter has reached the site, in a remote mountain area.

Gilbert Sauvan, a local council official, told Les

Echos newspaper that the plane had "disintegrated".

"The largest debris is the size of a car," he said.

The passengers included a German school class on its way back from an exchange trip.

Sandrine Boisse, a tourism official from the ski resort of Pra Loup, told the BBC that she had heard a strange noise in the mountains at around 11:00 (10:00 GMT).

"At first we thought it was on the ski slopes, an

Minister Benn’s Linden house destroyed by fire

– investigation underway

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has mounted investigations into the origins of a fire which totally razed the former home of Public Works Minister Robeson Benn Wednesday afternoon.

According to Minister Benn, he received a call informing him that the house at Lot 84 Richmond Hill, Linden was ablaze and GFS ranks were responding.

The house, which was unused since early 2006 after Minister Benn and his family moved to Georgetown, was previously hit by a spate of thefts, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported the Minister as saying. Thieves made off with appliances, furniture and eventually half of the roof, despite arrangements being put in place to secure

and check on the property.

Minister Benn said that initial investigations show that the fire, which resulted in millions of dollars in losses, was as a result of a “bush fire”. The issue at hand, however, the Minister said was whether the fire was accidental or intentional, and he hoped that the investigation will pronounce on that with certainty.

avalanche, but it wasn't the same noise," she said. "I think it was the noise of when a plane goes very quickly down."

The plane began descending one minute after it reached its cruising height and continued to lose altitude for eight minutes, Germanwings managing director Thomas Winkelmann told reporters.

He said the aircraft lost contact with French air traffic controllers at 10:53 at an altitude of about 6000 feet. (Excerpt from BBC News)

til March 30, 2015 to come up with its report when the matter will be heard in the High Court. Hughes remained optimistic that justice would be served for his client, noting that they were prepared to go as far as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) should justice not be served in Guyana.

“I don’t think that it will be unnecessarily protracted; all we want is for it to be ventilated because the only body over which the Judicial Service Commission does not exercise any impact or interest over the promotion of prospects, is the Caribbean Court of Justice and that is why we believe ultimately that we will get a decision that will probably result in greater confi-

dence,” he said.

Magistrate ChandanEdmond presided over Court 10 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

According to information received, the Magistrate was summoned and dismissed by the Commission headed by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh for matters relating to misdemeanours.

Hughes claims that the Magistrate is being punished for trying the case of the Prime Minister’s son, who was scheduled to be sentenced in the same week she was fired.

According to Hughes, on January 16, 2014, ChandanEdmond was written to by the Commission in relation to the following allegations: absence from a Magistrate’s Association meeting to discuss the Sexual Offences Act; medical leave for two days between the June 5 and 7, 2013; absence on sick leave, failure to report absence of work to the Chancellor; inability to deliver 19 decisions; failure to respond to queries from the Chief Magistrate and departure from Guyana on the 20th day of January 2013 without approval.

The Magistrate has, over the years, been implicated in a number of controversies, including slapping her babysitter, who was allegedly abusing her child.

Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond

Rescue workers and gendarmes have gathered near the crash site

wednesday, march 25, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

APNU+AFC tells Vigilance residents:

“Ensure your names are on the list”

As election fever heats up, the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition on Monday evening took their campaign to Vigilance, East Coast Demerara urging residents to ensure their names were on the Voters’ list and they were duly informed of their respective polling stations. At the public meeting, the speakers included: Kidacki Amsterdam of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); APNU’s Ernest Elliot and Asif Balmakoon; and AFC’s Dr Simpson DaSilva. Amsterdam pointed out to the residents that if they did not vote for the coalition, they would continue to live in misery under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Incidentally, he highlighted that if they did not vote, they also had no reason to complain about the situation after the elections. Amsterdam told residents if they wanted change, they should vote for the APNU+AFC coalition.

Similarly, Balmakoon urged the residents to make sure all the necessary preparations were in place to vote on Election Day. “Make sure you go early, make sure you know where you have to go, don’t wait on the day before, or the morning itself thinking you know where you have to go, go now and check that your name is on the list,” he cried.

Meanwhile, Elliot highlighted the everyday troubles being faced by the residents of the community as he continuously promised that the coali-

tion would bring about muchneeded change if voted into Government.

Speaking with the Guyana Times shortly before his presentation, Elliot said many residents have difficulties receiving their Old Age Pension and their National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits. “This should not be,” he noted.

He assured all that the APNU+AFC coalition would address that issue to ensure no Guyanese was denied their benefits.

Collectively, the speakers promised that the APNU+AFC would improve the economic status of the country, and urged residents to vote the coalition into power so they could reap the success the alliance of national unity will bring.

NICIL vs GSL

Reaz Khan-Tony Yassin deal went sour – court hears

The court battle between the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and Royal Investments Inc (RII) continued on Monday with Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) Chief Executive Tony Yassin continuing his testimony on the stand.

When the matter resumed before Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire at the High Court, new evidence was led into the defence’s case. Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo, representing RII, was granted leave to lead further evidencein-chief on Reaz Khan’s resignation from the GSL board.

Khan, who is the brother of owner and publisher of Kaeiteur News Glenn Lall, had formed RII along with three other investors including Yassin to buy GSL from the State. However, the negotiation went sour after Khan pulled out.

Yassin subsequently bought over RII shares after which he went ahead with negotiations on the purchase of GSL. In court on Monday, the Senior Counsel continued his re-examination of his client, questioning him about Khan’s resignation from RII Board of Directors; evidence which came out during Luckhoo’s cross-examination of NICIL’s Executive Director Winston Brassington.

However, NICIL’s Attorney, Rafiq Turhan Khan,

objected to the line of questioning, pointing out that the Senior Counsel should complete his re-examination and then seek leave from the court to lead evidence from Brassington’s cross-examination. The trial’s judge agreed that this was proper procedure and as such Luckhoo closed his re-examination of the witness.

Nevertheless, Yassin disclosed that Reaz Khan was involved in the business of RII until the share sales agreement was signed, giving him (Yassin) ownership of the company. The GSL Boss also mentioned that after he became the owner of RII, Reaz Khan resigned as a Director on the Board.

Under cross-examination, Attorney Khan asked Yassin, if Reaz Khan has recently filed a legal action as a shareholder of GSL. The GSL CEO responded in the affirmative, stating that his former co-investor owns 94, 000 shares in the department store. Further asked whether Reaz Khan raised or contested the issue of shareholding in RII in the court document, Yassin stated that he does not know.

Earlier in the re-examination by Senior Counsel Luckhoo, Yassin stated that when he took over ownership of GSL, he tried to renew contracts with several franchise but was unable to do so. He noted that in relation to

Perkins, he had travelled to Miami, USA, to meet with the executives but was told that the franchise was already given to another company. Last month during crossexamination by Attorney Khan, Yassin had stated that manufactures had pulled out from doing business with GSL as they were no longer interested in supplying the store with products. The trial into the outstanding money owed to NICIL by GSL will continue on April 10. RII bought GSL from the State for US$6 million but only paid US$4 million. Under the terms of the privatisation agreement, the balance owed by RII, which acquired 70 per cent of GSL’s shares in the sale, was due by September 2002. However, the company failed to make this payment. In a subsequent agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant on October 5, 2000, the parties decided that the latter would pay interest on the said sum at the US prime rate prevailing at the time of payment, commencing one year after September 30, 2000. In June 2004, the Government holding company initiated legal action against RII for the recovery of the US$2 million plus interest. The ongoing court battle, begun in late 2010 and had almost a year’s break in court.

American doctor seeking glucose-testing devices for women in Guyana

Dr Dan Lattanzi, a South Hills obstetrician-gynecologist, is working to obtain glucose testing devices for women in Guyana.

Dr Lattanzi’s name is associated with improving public health care in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

He is also the co-director of the Ob-Gyn Global Health Programme at Magee-

Women’s Hospital of UPMC in Guyana.

“Donations would be great,” Dr Lattanzi said in a recent interview. “In Guyana, we can use as many as we can get.” With no way of monitoring blood glucose levels outside a hospital, diabetics are unable to adjust medication accordingly.

“It’s so much more important to keep these (levels) closely controlled when

you’re pregnant,” Dr Lattanzi added. The doctor, in stating the importance of monitoring glucose levels during pregnancy, said stillbirth increases in pregnant diabetics who are poorly controlled and mothers can die from diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes when the body produces high levels of blood acids known as ketones that develop when the body is unable to produce

enough insulin. When asked as to why he chose Guyana, the doctor replied, “Our (medical) resi-

dents in Guyana are very capable of training people and monitoring people, and so we’re actually able to operate

in a more sophisticated level in Guyana.” Guyana’s population, according to the United Nations, is about 795,000, and it has a high maternal mortality rate of 280 deaths for every 100,000 live births. Complications from pregnancy in Guyana include not only gestational diabetes but severe high blood pressure resulting in strokes and seizures; sickle-cell crisis, severe malaria and maternal hemorrhage. Women can also die in childbirth because of severe bleeding, infections, obstructed labour and blood clots or embolisms, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A section of the gathering at the APNU+AFC coalition meeting in Vigilance

Dr Dan Lattanzi

Vanessa Kissoon reportedly arrested for disrupting PPP/C meeting in Linden

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon was on Tuesday evening reportedly arrested in Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, for disrupting the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) public meeting there.

According to information received by this publication, the meeting was being held at the location when Kissoon charged into the meeting place with several other supporters, chanting and making noise.

The source related that

she was warned by the Police who were present there, but she and her supporters persisted in their disruption of the meeting.

It was then the Police arrested the Member of Parliament.

However, when contacted for a comment on the matter, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice)

Chairman Sharma Solomon told the Guyana Times that he was unaware of any such incident in the town. But several other persons who attended the meeting confirmed the arrest.

Only three weeks ago,

Kissoon had to be restrained by ranks of the Guyana Police Force after reportedly attempting to physically assault the Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill at a flag-raising ceremony.

According to Edghill, the MP and her four female supporters, who were equipped with placards, were “shouting and yelling”.

But, as if that was not enough, Edghill said in the middle of his speech, Kissoon “advanced” towards the stage and had to be restrained by officers.

Despite being warned by the Police, at the conclusion of the event,

Kissoon and her supporters launched a similar attack on the Minister as he was about to enter his vehicle, having greeted and mingled with the crowd.

Edghill said Kissoon’s distasteful behaviour is now “the expected”, noting that “no Lindener should be surprised by her actions”.

Her relationship with the leaders of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) deteriorated following an altercation with General Secretary Oscar Clarke at the party’s Sophia Headquarters last year. It was alleged that

Kissoon verbally and physically assaulted the General Secretary. Subsequent to PNCR’s Biennial Congress in July, Kissoon was instructed to apologise for misconduct; however, this recommendation, which was made by the party’s Disciplinary Committee, has been blatantly ignored. In September 2014, another letter was dispatched to Kissoon by the Opposition Leader regarding her membership in the party, but she did not issue an immediate response. Today, it is unclear whether Kissoon would have apologised to Clarke.

Forest degradation a major concern to FAO

As Guyana joined the world in observing International Day of Forest and Tree, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Dr Reuben Robertson, pointed out that while critical steps have been taken to reduce deforestation, forest

sound environmental balance by ensuring effective, transparent and responsible collaborations for sustainable management of forest resources.

Dr Robertson noted that the FAO Director General, Dr José Graziano da Silva, has committed resources to address the issue of climate

degradation remains an area of concern.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry on Monday, Dr Robertson pointed out that forest degradation, which is a reduction in the bio-mass density by human actions and other natural phenomenon, has increased from 0.4 to a gigatonne of carbon over the period 1990 to 2015, noting that this is very alarming.

“Management of the forest is very critical in the reduction of carbon emission from both deforestation and degradation. These activities are prime contributors to upsetting the earth’s carbon balance and increase the concentration of Green House gases in the atmosphere, thereby fueling Climate Change,” Dr Robertson explained.

He said global stakeholders should try to maintain

change, an area that he considers to be of great priority in the global framework. He explained that the FAO global framework encompasses five strategic objectives of which the last one focuses on building resilience, disaster risk management, preparedness and emergency response.

According to the FAO representative, this is in response to the global impact of climate change on sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry eco-systems which threaten the livelihood, food and nutrition security of millions of farm families and indigenous people. He added that the FAO Director General is advocating for vigilance and improved management of the forest since it has been shown that better management of the forest will slow down the rate of deforestation and contribute to emission reduction.

Statistics have shown pos-

itive results of 25 per cent man-reduction in carbon emission over the period 2001

to 2015. While acknowledging the achievements made thus far, Dr Graziano da

reduction.

Silva strongly believes that this global trend must continue in order to ensure continu-

ation along a positive path of carbon

FAO Representative Dr Reuben Robertson

APNU Member Vanessa Kissoon

Walter Rodney CoI

Explosion was an accident – Gregory Smith’s sister

...Donald Rodney’s integrity questioned

The integrity of Donald Rodney, brother of slain political activist Dr Walter Rodney has once again come under question, this time by sister of murder accused William Gregory Smith, who insisted that the man is very much aware of the true circumstances which led to his brother’s demise.

Seventy one year old Ann Wagner, Smith’s older sibling, took to the stand at the ongoing investigation into the death of Walter Rodney, fiercely defending the name of her brother, whom she said was innocent of the “dehumanization”, peddled in Guyana and the World over. Wagner is also the first witness to stand in defence of the man who has been accused of silencing the voice of the articulate Walter Rodney.

Led into evidence by her Attorney, Edward George, and under cross examination by Donald Rodney’s Attorney Keith Scotland, Wagner called for the known lone witness to take a lie detector test to determine the truth behind Rodney’s death.

Rodney’s death, which Wagner described as an “accident”, sent shockwaves throughout Guyana and the world at large, when, on the evening of June 13, 1980, a massive explosion a short distance away from the Camp Street Jail, left thousands of Guyanese speechless. Rodney, who was reportedly severely disfigured from the waist down, died instantly while his younger brother sat next to him in the driver’s seat of the car.

But Warner said the man, who has all these years been accused of carrying out the treacherous act, has been innocent all along and has called for Donald Rodney to take a lie detector test.

Referring to a book she coauthored with her brother before his death Assassination cry of a failed revolution: the truth about Dr Rodney’s death Donald’s role in the whole fiasco is clearly documented. She told the three member panel that Donald’s testimony that he had operated on a “need to know” basis is false as he has always been an active participant in the events.

Donald had told the commission that he simply followed the instructions of his older brother, and had come to know Smith through Walter. He said he had met the accused on several occasions, and those were just to uplift communication devices; something his brother had a growing interest in.

Wagner said the events of June 13, 1980 was simply a move that went wrong, because the duo had failed to heed the instructions laid out by her brother.

According to Wagner, Dr Rodney had approached her brother for him to build hand held bombs, but the now dead army sergeant refused to do so, as he indicated he was not

Ann Wagner, sister of accused Gregory Smith, with her lawyer Edward George at the CoI on Tuesday going to be involved in such actions. She said Smith informed the WPA leader that he would only participate in building the trigger devices, while Rodney would have to add the explosives. These explosives were reportedly provided to Rodney by “Bro Jomo”.

She said on the fatal evening, Smith informed Walter of what needed to be done. In fact, she said based on what was explained to her by Smith, Walter was informed that the device he had given to Smith for him to install the trigger device was of a poor quality. She said however that the box was taken by Donald to Smith’s house for him to install the trigger device. The placement of the explosives had to be done by Rodney himself.

Smith not PNC member

Smith, an expert in electronics joined the Guyana Defence Force in 1976 because he was unable to find job elsewhere. Wagner said her brother was a highflyer and had begun showing an inclination to electronics from a tender age.

After joining the GDF, Smith was sent overseas to study and returned the following year 1977. Upon his return he was challenged by his commanding officer to build a mobile communication device. According to Wagner, Smith was promised a promotion on the completion of the project. However, when he had successfully built the device, the commanding officer was showered with praise while he, Smith was left on the backburner – the promise of a promotion never materialized. Wagner said her brother was utterly frustrated over the issue and subsequently left the military unit.

Wagner categorically denied that Smith was either

a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC) or the House of Israel. The two bodies were said to have been up in arms against ‘opposers’ of the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham Regime during the period Dr Rodney met his death.

Meanwhile, the New York based Wagner told the Commission that the Working People’s Alliance had provided documents for her brother to be taken out of Guyana after the June 1980 incident.

Based on the information of her brother, Wagner said Smith, on the said evening was leaving a cinema in the city, where he was accosted by three persons he said were WPA members. She said her brother wanted to go to the police to tell all that he knew but was prevented from doing so. According to her, Smith was “shaken” at the thought that his “friend” Dr Rodney had died so tragically. She said that Smith and Rodney had become close friends after they were introduced through a Dr Robert Yarden, who was also a friend of Smith’s girlfriend.

The two, she said met frequently and spoke about the situation in the country. According to her, Smith had seen Rodney as an “exemplary man”.

Wagner also spoke of her brother’s life after the 1980 incident. According to her “not only did Walter Rodney die in 1980, my brother died too”. She said his life was very uncomfortable as he was living in constant fear. His name was changed by the WPA to Cyril Johnson before he was taken to neighbouring Suriname.

She related that a year before his death, her brother asked her to change reversed and to ‘clear’ his name.

William Gregory Smith died on November 21, 2002 from lung cancer.

Crum-Ewing murder investigation

...Police release suspect in custody

After several days in custody assisting with the investigations, the suspect from Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, was released by the Police.

A senior Police Officer told Guyana Times that the suspect was released on Monday. The man was taken into custody last Thursday in relation to the execution of former solider Courtney Crum-Ewing, who was killed in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

During interrogations, the suspect had reportedly denied having any connection to the murder of Crum-Ewing. His silver Toyota Primo motor car was also impounded and was tested for fingerprints as well as blood stain residue.

“Based on what was seen on the surveillance footage, the man was shot at close range and at some point in time, the blood from the man’s body spilled on certain parts of the car… it doesn’t matter how much you wash the car, there will be blood residue and it can be picked up…,” a Police source had told this newspaper.

He further disclosed that the car matches the description of the vehicle caught on surveillance footage taken from residents in the area. The recording shows that type

of car being used but due to the darkness, the occupants in the vehicle could not be identified. During investigations, the Police received information about the suspect they now have in custody.

The senior Police Officer said that based on investigations, the car was traced and impounded. Initially, two young men from Diamond, EBD, were taken into Police custody but were later released after the 72-hour detention period would have expired.

Forty-year-old Courtney Crum-Ewing, a father of three, was gunned down execution style on March 10, while urging residents of the Diamond Housing Scheme to go out and cast their ballots on May 11.

An autopsy report proved that Crum-Ewing was shot five times – three bullets went to the head, while one struck the back of the neck and the fifth bullet entered under one of his arms. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited his shoulder.

It was also reported that the bullet wound to the back of the man’s neck was at pointblank range and gun powder residue was also found on the

collar of the back of the shirt that he was wearing. This newspaper was told that two .38 war heads were removed from the dead man’s head.

Crum-Ewing rose to popularity after he protested for the removal of Attorney General Anil Nandlall, following the revelation of an illegal telephone conversation recorded by Kaieteur New’s owner, Glenn Lall between the Attorney General and one of his reporters Leonard Gildarie.

Over the past week, Crum-Ewing has not only been made into a martyr, but a “political” martyr by the entire Opposition, their allies in the media and several civil society groups.

UNAG urges greater efforts to end racial discrimination

The United Nations Association of Guyana (UNAG) is sharing the view that Guyana has been fighting an uphill battle on the issue of the elimination of racial discrimination.

This is coming at a time when the world is observing the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which was observed on March 21 as the country is approaching General and Regional Elections slated for May 11.

On March 21, 1960, the white minority Government of South Africa massacred and slaughtered hundreds of Africans following peaceful protests against its oppressive apartheid policies. By December 21, 1965, the United Nations General Assembly had adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

This Convention ratifies that the principles and dignity of all must be respect-

Justice Donald Trotman

ed. However, Justice Donald Trotman, President of the United Nations Association of Guyana (UNAG), noted that the country is yet to learn and has not yet fully embarked on the elimination of racial discrimination.

According to Justice Trotman, if the country is to move forward to a place where race and the colour of a person’s skin no longer mattered, then it must take history lessons and then put them into use. “We must learn the his-

torical tragedies and atrocities.

We must learn from those who toiled and fought racism and racial discrimination,” the man said. He stated that while much has been done, there is still more progress to be made in Guyana in the fight against racism and racial discrimination. “Racism and racial discrimination is still rearing their ugly heads in many member states in the Caribbean and the United Nations. It is still there,” he expressed. With elections just weeks away, scheduled to be held on May 11, Justice Trotman is of the view that racism and racial thoughts should not be a guide for electorates on how to vote or in choosing their representatives.

“We must not think race. What we must think is the need for change in some tangible form, ruling out any matter of race in our thinking.”

Continued on page 15

Gold miner released on technicality for narcotics possession

Agold miner was released of charges of narcotic possession at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on the technicality of not having knowledge of the offence. Lewis Fletchman, of 76 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was placed before Magistrate Judy Latchman on charges of drug possession. The charges read that a quantity 1.89 grammes of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (ecstasy) was found in the defendant’s home to which he pleaded not guilty.

Defence Attorney Paul-Fung-A-Fat, had earlier argued that while the ecstasy was found at the house in which the defendant was residing, it could have belonged to anyone as he wasn’t the only individual residing there. This argument was refuted by the

Prosecutor who stated that upon entering the premises, Police Officers discovered Fletcher at a sink in control of the substance which he claimed was pain killers. Upon further examination, it was discovered that the substance was in fact ecstasy and the man was detained.

The defence further argued that to the defendant’s knowledge ecstasy is not on the list of prohibited substances thus he was not aware that he was committing an offence. The court Prosecutor then explained that while ecsta-

sy is not listed as an illegal substance it contains amphetamine which is on the list of illegal substances. The Magistrate then concluded that due to his lack of knowledge on the drug, Fletcher had no knowledge of the offence and the matter was dismissed.

Slain: Ex-soldier Courtney Crum-Ewing

PSC Presidential debate

Ramotar confirms participation, Granger yet to respond

Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud disclosed that People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar has indicated his interest in participating in a national presidential debate organised by the PSC.

During an interview with the Guyana Times on Tuesday, Persaud said the Private Sector was in the process of organising a presidential debate between Ramotar and the A

Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Presidential Candidate David Granger.

He said invitations were sent out to the two individuals to determine if they were interested in participating in the debate.

According to Persaud, Ramotar had replied indicating his interest, and

now the PSC is awaiting Granger’s response.

During the presidential elections period, typically in the United States, it has become customary for the main candidates to engage in a debate. The topics discussed in the debate are often the most controversial of the time, and arguably elections have been nearly decided by these debates.

When prompted for more information on the debate

being organised, Persaud said they were still in the process of finalising the details. “We don’t want to preempt any details at this time…”

He explained that as soon as Granger replied, the PSC would go forth with the planning for the event, which is expected to be televised.

Persaud said he was confident that Granger would not deny the opportunity to debate his policies with his political rival.

Meanwhile, the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) is also in the process of organising a presidential debate.

According to UGSS President Joshua Griffith, the organising committee intends to send out invitations to all the contesting political parties.

Griffith said they were planning to have presidential debates, prime ministe-

rial candidate debates, and political youth activist debates.

The UGSS President said he was hopeful all the political parties would provide a positive reply.

He indicated that an exercise like this, especially on a student-body level, will provide for the better conveyance of knowledge of Guyanese politics by exposing the younger population to a political environment.

Additionally, the debate would create a forum for discussion and interaction between students and representatives of political parties.

However, observers suggest that Ramotar will not likely participate in that debate. In 2011, the UGSS had organised and executed a presidential debate but experts had said the event was poorly managed. During that debate, Ramotar was placed in an unfair environment as the audience at the event consisted mainly of Opposition supporters who did not give him a chance

British citizen Christopher Ram

...disqualified from being

“List Representative”

By Devina Samaroo

Chartered Accountant and ubiquitous Opposition spokesman, Christopher Ram has denied reports that he was being courted to head the “party list” – that is, be the official “Representative of the List” for the fledgling opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) saying he is disqualified because he is a British citizen and the holder of a British Passport and in any case he was not approached.

Ram, who currently represents the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) at the Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, has been one of several persons being touted to head the coalition’s list for the May 11 General and Regional Elections. By Section 12 of the Representation of the People Act (Cap. 1:03) the Representative of the list has to be a candidate of the party and either be so designated or be the person whose name appears first on the list of candidates.

As per the Cummingsburg Accord hammered out between the two parties, the arrangement is that a member of civil society will head the list. Ram; former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran; and retired Businessman Yesu Persaud are among some of the persons this newspaper was told are being considered. Another section of the media recently reported that around seven persons are being considered. In addition to other duties spelled out in the regulations, the coalition agreed that the Representative of the list will be entrusted with other

to speak. His voice was drowned out by the heckling of the supporters, marring the entire event. Since then, Ramotar has repeatedly said that he was up to the challenge of debating his policies on a public platform; however he would not take part in the debate unless it was properly organised.

Trigger happy man on bail

Atrigger happy young man was released on $100,000 bail on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after the court was informed that the defendant had dislodged shots at the Botanical Gardens.

The defendant, Maurice Prince is accused of dislodging his firearm at the Botanical Gardens on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, with the in-

tention to maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm on November 15, 2013. He is also accused of assaulting Eon and Collin Primus on the same day at the gardens.

Police Prosecutor, Bharat Mangru told the court that the defendant was arrested and charged for his offence but he was placed on station bail for release. Fortunately the Virtual

Complainant (VC) was not hurt.

However, the defendant denied both charges.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry who presided over the matter placed him on bail and transferred the case to Court Five where the VC asked for the charges of assault to be reneged. This was granted by the court.

Opposition

important tasks such as ensuring the Cummingsburg Accord agreement between APNU and AFC as it relates to the National Assembly and other matters are kept.

When questioned on Tuesday about his chances of being the Representative of the list, Ram noted that it is impossible. He pointed out that he was never asked to be

the Representative and even if he was approached, he was not in a position to accept the offer. According to Ram, he has a British passport and, therefore, being a citizen of another country renders him ineligible for the position as the Representative of the list.

While Ram has been commenting on politics in the press for years and had a business column in another section of the press, it was not known that he was a British Citizen. Meanwhile, the list has not yet been closed and, therefore, more names can be added for the consideration of the position. Once the list is closed, it will be submitted to the party leaders to select the person for the critical position. The entire process needs to be completed in time for Nomination Day on April

7 because the Representative of the list is also tasked with the critical responsibility of presenting their party’s List of Candidates on Nomination Day.

Additionally, the Representative must ensure that the list is submitted in the prescribed form, ascertain that the list is accompanied by a Statutory Declaration for each candidate and for the President named in that National Top-List. The Representative must also make sure the necessary corrections are made and submitted to the Chief Elections Officer no later than the 29th day before Election Day if the List of Candidate is in any way defective. The APNU and AFC on February 14 announced that they will be contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections as one entity, with APNU Leader David Granger as the Presidential Candidate and AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo as the Prime Ministerial Candidate. The “Cummingsburg Accord”, which was signed between the two parties, outlines the operations of the entities within the coalition. The agreement stated that the responsibilities and cabinet power will be represented by a 60:40 ratio between APNU and AFC respectively. The Accord also outlined the distribution of certain powers between the President and Prime Minister, although this is fixed by the Constitution. The Representative of the list will be delegated with the responsibility of ensuring the conduct of both the APNU and AFC is in accordance with that agreement.

UNAG urges greater efforts...

It was also underscored that politicians and leaders too should be careful in the type of language and messages they use since they are the leaders of the people and have the power to incite racial tension if they are not careful in the manner in which they tread at their campaign meetings and rallies. He posited that there is an immediate need for national programmes and policies to be implemented in the country which is geared at the elimination of racial discrimination and the fostering of national cohesion.

According to Justice Trotman, these can start at the basic nursery school level where children can be used as the vehicles of change since they are more inclined to look beyond race or the colour of a person’s skin.

“Children need to be taught that racial discrimination is a bad thing, that racial prejudice is a bad thing so that they will grow up with that and they can

even take it with them wherever they go, at home, wherever to those who may not be so inclined saying that you know that racial discrimination is bad. So when you begin there, you are now changing the future generation,” he explained. As the campaign trails for elections heat up, there has been what many have dubbed ‘racial’ speeches delivered at many of the public and bottom house meetings held by the various parties.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has also been on record over the past weeks, urging an end to race baiting but more so, an end to race baiting politics which can only further serve to divide the country. Only last week, the Guyana Police Force had cause to warn the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive, Dr David Hinds to desist from making statements that can incite racial violence here in the wake of a letter he had penned about Courtney Crum-Ewing’s death, in which he invoked such sentiments.

Meanwhile, President

Donald Ramotar has promised that his new Government would be seeking out every possible measure that would prevent media operatives from spewing racism and hate messages to the public. The Head of State, in an interview on Thursday, blasted sections of the media, whom, he said, were bent on dividing the country through racial incitement. He said should his Administration get back into office after the May 11 Regional and General Elections, it would be strengthening laws and considering every legal framework within the system to address the ongoing excessive abuse.

“I think we will need to look at what measures need to be put in place from a legal and moral point of view to try to prevent persons from distortion and lies and deal with the abuses that have been taking place and the incitement of racism,” Ramotar told a group of journalists at the Office of the President.

APNU+AFC Leader David Granger

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

President Donald Ramotar

UGSS President Joshua Griffith

Christopher Ram

Massy launches New Holland construction machines in Guyana

Investors in the fields of mining, construction and even agriculture were treated to a spectacle of contemporary machine technology on Friday as Massy Industries launched the entire line of New Holland Machines in Guyana.

Massy impressed its clients at its Ruimveldt Branch when it hosted a ‘Yellow Night Cocktail’ to inaugurate the entire line of New Holland Machines. There were loud rounds of applause from several clients as they witnessed the flexibility of the machines.

During an interview with Guyana Times , the

He said trainers came all the way from New Holland’s factory to work with Massy’s technicians so that they can effectively execute repairs and maintenance to the machines when necessary. He said this will further improve the after sales services offered by the company. These include technical support and the provision of New Holland parts.

Bouyea said that the machines have been in operation on the international stage for quite some time, however, this is the first time they will be available in Guyana and exclusively through Massy.

mean continued development for Guyana.”

“Guyana cannot reside on potential…the time for Guyana is now,” he added. He believes that Massy can help with this development as its machines build and develop, making reality of men’s innovations. These sentiments were also echoed by Massy Director, Rohit Coonjan. He told Guyana Times that the New Holland line is renowned for its part in the rebuilding of Europe.

He said these machines will assist in the development of Guyana, whether they are providing the relevant infrastructure

Equipment Sales Manager, Roger Bouyea said New Holland forms part of the holding company CNH Global in the United States of America (USA). He said that it is a long line of construction and agricultural equipment that sets a new pace for such machines.

He explained that this new line includes improved features which allow the machines to operate faster. Additionally, the changes have resulted in improved technology and fuel efficiency. Due to the relatively improved services and their updated designs, Bouyea said that Massy’s technicians were required to undergo intensive training.

Massy Chairman Deo Persaud, in his feature address, underscored Massy’s ability to grow despite various stumbling blocks. After commencing operations in 1968, the company now offers seven services including Massy Construction, Massy Industries and Massy Security. He said it took remarkable diligence and foresight to have moved the company forward to such lengths. The chairman added that Massy currently has holdings in the Caribbean and South America, and plans on extending them to territories in Latin America.

Persaud said that the New Holland line “can

Hindus observe Navratri

maa Katyayani

In this form, Durga is four-armed, she carries a sword, a shield and a lotus flower and she rides a lion.

Mother Katyayani is worshipped as the sixth manifestation of Goddess Durga and is adored on the sixth day of Navratri. The narrative regarding her birth is as follows:

The world-renowned sage Katyayana was born in the dynasty of sage Katya. He was an excellent devotee of Goddess Durga and performed an austere penance for many years to propitiate her. Being delighted by his devotion, Goddess Durga appeared before him and asked him for his desired boon. Thereupon the great Sage Katyayana demanded that she should be born as a daughter to him and so, his wish was granted by the Goddess.

When the atrocities committed by Mashisha, the wicked demon, became intolerable on Earth, Goddess Durga’s sixth manifestation appeared as ‘Katyayani’. As soon as Maa Katyayani was born, she assumed a huge and massive form. Seeing her Universal Form, sage Katyayana bowed to her with great reverence and adored and worshipped her for three days. Having accepted the adoration and

worship of the sage, Maa

demon Mashisha. Maa Katyayani can give everything to her devotees. The gopis of Braja too worshipped her on the banks of the Yamuna in order to beget Lord Krishna as their husband. She is easily propitiated by devotion and destroys all sins. Her worship is conducive to Dharma, wealth, pleasures and salvation.

GWI, Creditinfo tie up deal for information sharing

Creditinfo Guyana and the Guyana Water Inc recently tied up a deal to mark the implementation of a historic partnership, driven by their shared concerns and mutual support for the financial development of Guyanese and the economy of Guyana.

Guyanese need or the relevant resources.

This newspaper also spoke with a few clients of Massy who own or plan on owning a New Holland machine or equipment. The first buyer of such a brand in Guyana, Judy Simon who operates in the mining sector, bought an excavator late last year when the company was first making plans to ship the New Holland line here. Simon told this publication that she has had no complaints from the machine thus far. At the launch, Massy offered their clients or potential clients $1 million discount on any of the New Holland Machines.

Through the partnership, GWI has collaborated with the credit bureau to help consumers when they approach banks, microfinance institutions and other lenders for loans and other forms of credit. Information on the payment patterns of individuals from the utility was not available to third parties until the Creditinfo Partnership.

This information can be a very useful tool to help determine the character and credibility of a potential borrower. The information is included in the various credit reports that are now used by banks throughout the sector as an indicator of eligibility for funds. Further, lower rates of interest on loans and faster approvals are also now possible, making the whole application process with lenders faster and easier approvals more likely.

Creditinfo Guyana is both pleased and proud to publicly acknowledge Guyana Water Inc’s outstanding leadership, corporate responsibility and outstanding efforts on behalf of its customers as demonstrated by its unstinting support for the credit bureau programme. Throughout the world, studies have shown that the presence of a credit bureau in the market is always followed by a vastly improved climate for lending and credit access for consumers. It is exciting news that this is now available in Guyana, for Guyanese.

Creditinfo Guyana Inc is the second regional subsidiary of the Creditinfo group of companies, a well-respected Icelandic conglomerate with credit bureaus and subsidiaries in over 16 countries worldwide.

Creditinfo Guyana currently serves every commercial bank and lender licensed under the Financial Institutions Act in the country, as well as a wide cross section of other stakeholders in various sectors. The company is actively engaged in bringing together lenders and providers

of credit from all sectors to add transparency, efficiency and effectiveness to the business of credit across the board.

Internationally, Creditinfo is regarded as a leading service provider for credit information and risk management solutions worldwide, and has developed numerous products and services from official and customer information sources to facilitate best practice decision-making in credit risk management. The company brings to bear more than 20 years of solid experience and considerable expertise in the industry to the drive for improved access to credit in Guyana.

Creditinfo’s comprehensive line of credit reports will be in widespread use throughout the credit and lending sectors of Guyana, and are expected to significantly increase access to credit, reduce interest rates, help to lower the overall costs of borrowing and significantly reduce processing times for loans to the Small and Medium Enterprise Sector as well as to all Guyanese.

Katyayani assassinated

Officials of Creditinfo Bureau and the GWI following the signing of their agreement

New Holland displays its superiority in construction machines at Massy’s Yellow Cocktail Night

Massy Chairman Deo Persaud (second left) with employees, clients and New Holland partners at the New Holland brand’s launching in Guyana

Young artist stages “Camara Two” exhibition says

every child is an artist

Princess Hotel and Casino, in collaboration with the Gazebo Gardens and the Lions Club of Diamond/Grove on March 21, hosted Artist Kodyo Wilkinson for the first time in Guyana, exhibiting his

phenomenal”, he said.

Wilkinson said the display went on until approximately 02:00h when the fireworks finally stopped and everyone was out, thick clouds descended and limiting visibility if one was to

paintings to the general public.

Wilkinson stated that the exhibition is called “Camara Two” , with the theme being ‘a walk with me’. This, he says, signifies his progression in his semiabstract work and featured pieces done from his first exhibition in Suriname last year, until present date.

The artist portrayed trees mostly at this exhibition; telling Guyana Times that he was trained in realistic and portraiture art. He said everyone used to tell him he was wasting his time painting trees; however, he stated that those words didn’t stop him from fulfilling his desires. He went on by saying that if you do not enjoy doing what you want in life, then it serves no purpose.

He noted that one should not let external forces impact on the objectives that they have set out to achieve. He is infatuated with trees, telling this publication that they represent “where we are today, right in the middle of the things we were not a part of before our existence and the future speculated.” He never copies a tree but paints from his imagination. Trees and people are his inspiration.

One of his very magnificent paintings that caught the eyes of many was the image of the commemoration of a fireworks celebration in Suriname. He said he knew of Suriname’s Old Years Night celebration, but the 2014 celebrations blew him away. “They had some very huge squibs that made a lot of noise, they started from 10:30 pm and it just kept getting louder as the time went by, however, it wasn’t much of a noise for me, it was pleasant and more of music, it was indeed

look down the streets.

The young artist further explained that the top right hand corner of the portrait signifies the clouds while the bottom gives a clear image of the fireworks. The roots were made from the red paper from the multitude of squibs that littered the streets after the night’s celebrations. He said that he thinks this is indeed one of the biggest celebrations in the western hemisphere and persons should at least once in their lives make it their priority to go and experience the sensation.

His pieces, he explained, are not too abstract but speak for themselves. On one side, his art portrays colour, while the other is in black and white, representing the negatives and positives in life. Wilkinson is a Surinamese national who considers himself Guyanese at heart since most of his time has been spent here. He said that he was a very quiet and reserved child, he always loved drawing characters, reading comic books and had quite a passion for cartoons.

He graduated from the Burrowes School of Art in 2004. During his last year at Burrowes, he taught at Queen’s College to help fund the materials he needed for his work and graduation. He majored in painting with a minor in graphics.

Not long after, he proceeded to teach at Marian Academy. He stated that he did not do a lot painting around that time, just probably a few for pleasure. He saw himself as a good teacher but he was beginning to find it hard to balance teaching and work, and further, felt a deep responsibility towards the people who stood by him throughout his

endeavours.

He remained at the teaching institute for eight years, resigning in 2013 to follow his dream of becoming a professional artist.

He said that while he was at the Caribbean Festival of Arts – Carifesta XI – in Suriname, he met several different artists who inspired him. He became motivated and immediately after started on a few of his pieces.

Wilkinson said art in Suriname was different, adding that art there was taken to the next level.

At his first exhibition, 25 pieces were on display. He also participated in the Annual Art Fair where eight of his pieces were featured and he was awarded “The Best Upcoming Artist for 2014”. He said that he was very elated to know that he can finally be taken serious onwards. He is urging all upcoming artists to be self-assured. “Do what pleases you no matter what, don’t try to be carbon copies of others, be original.” Wilkinson expressed sincere thanks to all his sponsors, family, friends and well-wishers.

He stated that this event would not have been possible without them and he is hoping to be back in Guyana sometime soon for another exhibition. During an interview with Ms Indira Anandjit, Charter President of the Lions Club of Diamond/Grove, she stated that their club promotes and seeks to recognise the talent and skills of young people.

She said that Wilkinson’s mother is a member of their club and when it was brought to her attention that he wanted to stage an exhibition, they immediately came on board to assist in facilitating the event. Anandjit also stated that she recently became aware of Wilkinson’s work, but on the night of the event, was inspired by his creativity.

Easter’s in the air with Ermsville Hat Show

The Ermsville Nursery and Primary School held a hat show on Monday at their location on Lamaha Street, Georgetown. This saw a host of tiny beauties showcasing their creations of Easter on several hats.

Ermsville, a private school, held their first ever hat show to herald in the Easter holidays and the sunny skies and the concept of growth and renewal that comes with it.

Director of Ermsville, Cindy Bovell told Guyana Times that the school decided to hold this activity for its students so they will have an opportunity to showcase their creativity. She said the teachers and the students have been working round the clock on their various pieces and have been having much fun with it.

The Director particularly applauded the parents of her students. She said that the parents showed much enthusiasm for the hat show as they came on board to help with designs and practice sessions to ensure it was a success. Bovell said that parents are usually much more involved during this stage in their children’s lives.

Guyana Times was able to see this first hand when a proud father walked with his daughter down the run-

Forest degradation a...

“It is in this regard, that we consider Guyana playing a very useful and positive role on the global stage in helping to shape the policies for improved forest management globally…Guyana has demonstrated to the rest of the world that it is one of the leaders in this regard and our director has put on the table experiences shared by a number of other countries similar to Guyana of which we can engage in south south programmes to help other less fortunate countries,” the FAO representative stated. Additionally, the

International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Regional Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, Professor Floriano Pastore, spoke extensively on the link between forest and man. He charged the many secondary school students, who were present at the event, to use social media to highlight the importance of preserving the world’s forest.

“Children go ahead and construct the future for us; the environment is yours,” he said.

Furthermore, the ITTO representative encouraged the use of indigenous

way, manoeuvring her to do the relevant turns and make the relevant stops that the teachers have been training

people to understand and learn more about the forest. Professor Pastore went onto highlight that more projects need to be implemented to focus on forest management.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control in Suriname, Pearl Jules, also remarked briefly that like Guyana, the Government of Suriname has made significant contributions in the preservation of its forest. He went onto outline the importance of forest to the livelihoods and exist-

the students to do as they modelled down the runway.

Bovell expressed her surprise at the confidence and the boldness of the students as they sashayed up and down the runway proudly displaying their colourfully designed hats.

The hat show had no particular theme, the participants simply created their various versions of what Easter looks to them on a hat. Students participating were selected from Grades One all the way to Grades Six and the emotions of the students were quite mixed. The little ones smiled widely as the attention of those in attendance was fixed on them – some with baskets of fruits that spilled to the floor and others that bounced way too much to keep their hats on.

The older students showcased a mixture of attitudes as they competed for the title of upcoming runway model.

The hat show was judged by Marina Causeway, the Manager of Theatre Guild; Debra Success Hall, the National VCT Coordinator, Health Ministry; National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS); Gillian Orderson, Head of Happy Hearts Nursery School and Cheryl De Santos, a retired teacher of Bygeval Secondary.

from page 13

ence of the world’s population, noting that roughly 1.6 billion people around the world depend on forest for their livelihood.

Jules commended the Guyana Government for the role and contributions made in effectively managing its forest. He added that the Government of Suriname will continue to promote Sustainable Forest Management and will simultaneously work to strengthen collaborations with the Guyana Forestry Commission and other partners in order to achieve common goals.

One of the pieces on display at the exhibition

Ermsville students with their various hat creations

This hat gained the most pictures as teachers and parents both expressed their awe of it

Brazilians, Chinese have contributed significantly to Guyana’s economy

Dear Editor, I write to applaud Guyana Times for exposing the ethnic prejudice and unjustified attack at Opposition meetings directed against Chinese and Brazilian Guyanese. Politicians should not attack people based on ethnicity.

Brazilians and Chinese have contributed significantly to our economy helping in its growth and transformation with their investment and hard work. Since they came to our shores as indentured laborers, the Chinese and Portuguese, like the Indians, have been viciously attacked just because of their ethnicity.

They were the victims of ethnic violence and cultural persecution throughout history until democracy was institutionalized in Guyana post 1992.

Like other ethnic groups, the Chinese and Portuguese were denied the right to vote post-1966 and relieved of their businesses by the oppressive Government (during the 1970s and 80s), forcing them to migrate and establish business enterprises in other countries enriching them.

Guyana was deprived of their thrift, industrial activities, business skills, and their investment to create additional wealth during the period of the ethnic dictatorship.

Since the restoration of democracy, many Chinese

as well as Portuguese Brazilians have been attracted to Guyana’s shores to engage in various enterprising activities creating jobs for Guyanese and adding to the tax coffers.

Now, they are being attacked by politicians for exploiting Guyanese and stealing their wealth. Really?

That was the same complaint when the Portuguese, Chinese and Indians came after slavery to meet labour shortages. Clearly, social views have not changed much since that time (175 years ago).

It is wrong to attack any ethnic group and blame them for any problem in our country. Yesterday was the Chinese, today is the Portuguese, tomorrow the Russians, next day is who? Indians?

Ethnic prejudicial view does not belong in our nation and in our politics. How can anyone speak of unity and at the same time heap venom on Chinese and other ethnicities?

Businessmen and community leaders need to speak out against ethnic prejudice and attacks on people. The Chinese throughout the country have been victims of vicious robberies (some fatal) at their business premises and homes.

Their delivery agents have been victims of robberies or they were robbed of their deliveries of food by

individuals who placed orders over the phone. They were ethnically targeted because they are viewed as soft victims and because of their “foreign status”. This is wrong, but people are not speaking out against such ethnic crime.

In New York, Chinese (restaurant delivery agents) were also targeted for robberies and people spoke out against the trend. In Astoria, for example, where I once lived, Guyanese youths (briefly during the mid 1980s) would place orders for food and then don’t pay for the deliveries cheating or robbing the restaurant and the industrious Chinese.

It was fun for the youths but morally wrong. I and other Guyanese adults reprimanded the youngsters and they stopped, recognizing the criminality of their act. Youths and adults from other communities in NY continue to target Chinese restaurant deliverymen on their bicycles and scooters, cheating them of money from their hard labour.

The Chinese are working hard in Guyana and now some people from the Opposition don’t want them around. That is wrong. Stop picking on the Chinese and Brazilians! Let them help develop and build Guyana!

Vishnu Bisram

From page 5

We will ensure a strong...

As the PPP/C Minister of Agriculture, let me state that we will continue to build the sugar industry to be a lead industry in our country and we will work with the sugar workers to ensure that their industry continues to provide employment and economic and social gains for our people and our country.

Let me be unequivocally clear – Ming’s call to close the sugar industry is dead wrong. It was dead wrong when APNU called for the closure last March and it is dead wrong now. APNU’s plan to close the sugar industry is wicked and it is a plan of a party that has no moral right to even ask the people for the right to be the Government one day.

At the press conference March 2014, APNU talked about an exchange – replace sugar with tilapia. Ming in 2015 has not stated that sugar should be replaced with tilapia, but also wants Guyana to replace sugar with other economic activities.

Such other economic activities are already being pursued by the PPP/C, but not to replace sugar. The position of the PPP/C is that sugar must be sustained and expanded and other activities are additive.

When APNU, though Harmon, a front bencher MP for APNU, and Vieira, a former front bench PNC MP, at

its official APNU media conference, called for the closure of GuySuCo in March 2014, it exposed itself of wanting to destroy an important industry in Guyana.

Unfortunately, it was not the first time that APNU had called for the closure of the sugar industry. In 2013, Vieira first described the plan to replace sugar with tilapia.

Now the call is reiterated by Ming and it is incumbent on APNU+AFC to declare their position, notwithstanding Granger’s statement recently that “sugar is too big to fail”.

Sugar workers realized that Granger was playing to the gallery when he declared ‘sugar is too big to fail’. He knows that he needs to fool the sugar workers. APNU and its main partner, the PNC, have a history of being against the sugar industry and the sugar workers since they view the sugar industry as a stronghold of the PPP/C and they have always been anti-sugar workers. They play politics with the sugar industry, instead of protecting the interests of our country and our people. They speak from both sides of their mouth. The truth is that there is a long history of the PNC and now APNU pursuing policies and practices that have been and are anti-sugar workers. I am certain that they will close the industry if they have a chance.

Vieira and Ming are mere-

A proud record of making house lots available to all eligible Guyanese

Dear Editor,

As we inch closer to elections day, Guyanese will be inundated with promises by the APNU-AFC on what they will do for the Guyanese people should they be elected to office.

But promises are not enough especially when seen against the country's economic standing and the resources available to the country to deliver on such promises.

During the run-up to the 1964 elections, the PNC and the UF made all manner of promises in order to woo the electorate to vote for the then PNC-UF coalition Government

The PNC promised “free cassava and milk" and not to be outdone, its junior coalition partner, the UF promised the nation “a highway to happiness”. Under the PPP , milk production and agricultural produce was booming; hence the Opposition party's offer of free milk and cassava should they win political office.

The reality however

606

ly sound bites of the real PNC and AFC. I reject this notion and I reject this plan. I vehemently reject the position of APNU. The present assault on the sugar industry is reminiscent of the assault on the industry by the PNC Government in the late 1980s when they began the preparation to privatize the sugar industry.

It’s an ugly truth that Harmon, Vieira, Carl Greenidge and others in APNU and AFC want the nation to ignore and forget, but Vieira and Ming are reminding Guyanese of the people who have always wanted to close sugar.

In order to complete the privatization of the industry, the PNC Government in 1989 gave Bookers-Tate an expensive management contract to manage the industry and prepare it for divestment under a World Bank/IMF Economic Reconstruction Programme (ERP).

This preposterous plan in the late 1980s by the PNC is now surpassed by the idiocy of their present plan to replace sugar with tilapia or with something else, as presented by Vieira and Ming.

The truth is each time the PPP/C try to financially support GuySuCo, they have tried to stop our efforts. Yet they have the audacity to say the PPP/C Government has starved the industry.

turned out to be quite different. After having booted out the UF from the coalition Government in 1967, the PNC went on to rig all elections from 1968 to 1985.

The PNC continued to feed the nation a diet of lies and empty promises. In the early 1970s, there was the promise to "feed, house and clothe the nation".

An ambitious five-year development plan was crafted which was supposed to see the construction of 65,000 housing units and a strong and resilient economy that would have resulted in the country being self-sufficient in food. The small man was supposed to have been “the real man”.

Needless to state, the opposite actually happened. A mere 13,000 housing units were built during the entire period, which were doled out to party supporters and friends under the doctrine of party paramountcy.

The vast majority of Guyanese were forced to fend on their own with a signifi-

cant number being forced to squat on state lands or endure life under slum conditions.

Housing was never a priority of the PNC regime. There was no housing policy following the failed 1972-1976 Development Plan and housing was eventually dropped as a line item in the Budget Estimates in the 1980s. It took the return of the PPP/C Government in October 1992 before housing was once again put on the front burner. All squatter settlements were regularized and new housing schemes opened up in all parts of the country.

The PPP/C Administration has a proud record of making house lots available to all eligible Guyanese and putting in place the requisite fiscal incentives to make it possible for ordinary Guyanese to own homes which under the PNC was a distant dream.

Hydar Ally

drivers charged for speeding

Dear Editor, As the Police Force continues with its traffic enforcement, unto March 23, there has been a total of 22 road fatalities compared to 27 for the corresponding period last year.

During the period March 15-21, a number of cases has been made against mo-

Indeed, the PPP/C Government has provided more financial support to the industry than the EU has provided in budgetary support on the Supporting Action for Sugar. Incidentally, APNU is on record of calling on the EU to withhold the sugar funds.

The PNC inherited a sugar industry which in the 1960s, routinely produced greater than 300,000 tonnes of sugar. But this production efficiency began to deteriorate and production fell to a low of 131,999 tonnes by 1991.

The PNC cannot deny or hide the truth: they took the resources of the sugar industry and squandered it on failed ventures and mismanagement. The PNC’s sugar levy raped the industry and left it as a failed industry by 1991.

The PPP/C Government ended all efforts to privatize the industry. We ended any thought of closing the Demerara Sugar Estates, one of the goals of the privatization efforts. Under the PPP/C Government, production increased from the 131,000 tonnes in 1991 to surpass 300,000 tonnes by 2002.

Under the PPP/C Government, we have restored production and have surpassed 250,000 tonnes 13 times in the last 20 years, and three times surpassed 300,000 tonnes. But we knew production above 300,000 tonnes could not be sustained unless

torists for breaching the traffic laws.

These include speeding (606), driving under the influence (34), breach of condition of Road Service Licence (93), careless driving (17), dangerous driving (20), failure to wear safety helmet (10), fail to wear seat belt (61), and prohibi-

critical reconfiguration of the sugar industry is undertaken.

We have been doing such reconfiguration and this still requires more time. But the reconfiguration will prepare GUYSUCO to again routinely produce more than 300,000 tonnes and to reach 400,000 tonnes by 2020.

New circumstances, such as reduced sugar price, climate change, dwindling labour pools, more expensive equipment and supplies, etc., that the sugar industry faced in the 1990s and up to now have killed many sugar industries around the world. In Caricom, St Kitts, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago have all ended sugar. Jamaica, Cuba and other countries have down-sized sugar.

In Guyana, we face the same enormous challenges. But instead of lamenting the changing circumstances and being overwhelmed, we have boldly embraced the challenges and seize opportunities.

The experience has been painful and the set-backs frustrating. But we have also not been devoured by confronting the challenges.

The truth is there is a silver lining and we will succeed in reaching our goal and sustaining production at over 400,000 tonnes per year. The success of sugar in the future has nothing to do with the gloom and doom of the enemies of the industry, but depend on our

tion of the use of hand held mobile phone (12).

Twelve persons were charged for the soliciting of passengers (touting).

Ivelaw Whittaker Police Public Relations and Press Officer

most valuable asset – those persons who toil day by day in the sugar industry, the employees of GuySuCo. In these difficult times, when challenges seem more than opportunities some may feel the need to savagely attack our efforts. But the workers and managers have been sticking to the task at hand –reconfiguration of the industry for another century of leading the economic growth of Guyana.

I am, therefore, offended by the call by Ming to close the sugar industry and I call on all Guyanese, particularly those in the sugar estates, to reject this call. But this is an opportune time for APNU+AFC to join us and give our country a chance to sustain a crucial industry. Let us declare together in solidarity that we will never close the sugar industry of Guyana.

I salute the workers of Guyana and I salute the young Guyanese who with deficits in experience, but with a strong sense of commitment, have been managing the industry in these difficult times. Make no mistake though that our best days are ahead of us and sugar, like it did before, will secure a beautiful and sweet future for Guyana and Guyanese.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy Agriculture Minister

Milo Under-20 School Football

tournament...

Intriguing semi-finals set for Thursday

The curtains are winding down on the 2015 edition of the Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament with only three games left to be played.

Thursday will mark the

semi-final round of the tournament where two enticing games are set to take place at the Ministry of Education Ground.

The first game will pit the defending champions Lodge

Secondary against Dolphin Secondary in a game that might turn out to be very physical.

Both teams defend well, but also can attack on the offensive end which should

provide some sparks during the game.

Lodge play a more patient game as they look for the open opportunities whether it be from the wing or the middle of the field while Dolphin is more of a counter-attacking team, always looking to push the pace of the game especially from the wing.

However, the team that make the best plays in the midfield, hence creating quality chances will come out the victors in an encounter expected to go down to the wire.

Meanwhile, the final game will see Morgan Learning Centre (MLC) taking on Chase Academy in a game that might see brilliant offensive fireworks.

Both teams like to push the tempo and are often in attack mode; the winner of this game will be the better defensive side.

The first semi-final is slated for a 14:00h start while the second is set to kick off at 16:00h.

4 uncapped players named in Windies 20-man training squad

Four uncapped players have been included in a 20 man West Indies squad chosen to start a training camp in Antigua ahead of the International Home Test Series against England, starting next month. The uncapped quartet is Carlos Brathwaite,

fellow fast bowler Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich and fellow wicketkeeper/ batsman Shai Hope. They along with the spin bowling pair of Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, who earned a recall, were the only members of the squad not selected in the previous Test series against South Africa which ended in January.

Left-handed batsman Darren Bravo has recovered from the injury that ended his participation at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 early. The training camp will begin on April 5 and culminate with preparation for the first Test, starting on Monday, April 13, at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Squad: Sulieman Benn, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo,

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Leon

Pride bat out day to force tame draw

Barbados Pride opted to bat out the final day, forcing a tame draw against Jamaica Franchise in their tenth round WICB PCL contest at Sabina Park in Jamaica on Monday.

Resuming the day on 168 for two and already a lead of 250 runs, the visitors opted not to open up the game with a declaration, and finished on 303 for nine in their second innings.

Both teams agreed to call of play an hour before the scheduled close.

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite converted his overnight unbeaten 78 into a top score of 90 while Roston Chase and Kevin Stoute both chipped with scores of 43.

Shamarh Brooks, unbeaten overnight on 21,

made 38. Fast bowler Jason Dawes claimed three for 44 while off-spinner and captain Tamar Lambert picked up three for 61. Brathwaite and Brooks stretched their third wicket stand to 65 before parting ways, when Brooks was bowled attempting a sweep at Lambert.

The right-handed Brathwaite was sizing up his 13th first class century when he edged a pull through to wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton off Lambert.

Overall, he faced 324 balls in nearly 7-1/2 hours at the crease and hit seven fours.

On 203 for four at lunch, the only highlight of the afternoon was a 70-run stand between Chase and Stoute, as the game drifted. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

Kraigg Brathwaite top score with 90

Action during the earlier rounds

Johnson, Veerasammy Permaul, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor. (CMC)

Veerasammy Permaul

Devendra Bishoo

New Zealand hold nerve to leave SA heartbroken

Incredible, just incredible. Amid scenes of rare passion, of the like New Zealand has never seen for a cricket match, Grant Elliott played the innings of his life to carry his adopted country into the World Cup final against the land of his birth. With five needed off two balls, but effectively four because a tie would have been enough for New Zealand due to them finishing higher in their group, Elliott pulled an injured Dale Steyn high over mid-on to ensure New Zealand’s adventure would stretch all the way to Melbourne.

It was a breathtaking match throughout, but the finish was something spectacular. The quarter-finals had been bemoaned for not providing a close contest. This, though, was an epic. It was also going to be historic in any case with neither side previously reaching a World Cup final, but while everything pointed to an even game it was not guaranteed.

How it delivered as New Zealand, riding on a ferocious assault by Brendon McCullum, were pushed into a position of authority by a stand of 103 between Elliott and Corey Anderson who played another composed innings. Anderson, though, should have been run out on 33 when Rilee Rossouw pinged a poor throw towards the stumps with him miles out of his ground, instead of giving AB de Villiers time to run in.

It came down to 46 needed off 31 balls when

Anderson top edged to catch high into the night sky. Luke Ronchi then picked out deep square-leg to leave 29 needed off 17 balls with Daniel Vettori joining Elliott. Then it became 12 off the last over after Elliott was given a life on the last ball of the penultimate over when he top-edged towards deep square leg where Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy collided. A bye was scampered to the keeper off the first ball of the last, but then Elliott lost the strike again. Wait, though. Steyn was limping with what appeared a calf injury. He had treatment and charged in. Vettori squeezed a boundary behind square on off. Then another bye as New Zealand showed great awareness, before Elliott’s final, crowning, moment to put an indelible seal on an extraordinary home campaign for the cohosts.

South Africa’s players slumped to their knees, emotions on full display. Some did not move from their outfield positions for a few moments. Elliott offered a consoling hand to Steyn, much as Andrew Flintoff had done to Brett Lee at Edgbaston in 2005. New Zealand’s players charged onto the outfield, led by the inspirational captain who had sparked the demanding chase of 298 with a blistering display.

Only one higher total had been successfully chased on this ground in ODIs, but six overs of McCullum, after the match had been trimmed to 43 overs by rain, complete-

It brought the required rate down from nearly seven-an-over to a run-a-ball.

South Africa were rattled, but managed to halt McCullum in the nick of time when he pulled Morne Morkel to mid-on. He departed to an ovation that will linger long, yet unlike his previous barrages this was not enough to make the result certain. When Kane Williamson dragged on against Morkel, South Africa were back in the ascendency.

Amid McCullum’s display it was easy to forget the man at the other end had just scored 237. Martin Guptill had only faced 11 balls when McCullum fell, but he and Ross Taylor steadily rebuilt the innings until one of Taylor’s bad habits surfaced at the worst time. He played the ball square, there was hesi-

Kevin Pietersen released from IPL contract for county deal

Kevin Pietersen can return to county cricket after reaching an agreement with his Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He has been freed to join a county - with Surrey thought to be the frontrunners for his signatureas he steps up his quest for an England recall.

Sunrisers confirmed the move in a joint statement with the player on Tuesday.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to earn a recall to the international set-up,” Pietersen, 34, said.

The four-time Ashes winner, who was told he was no longer part of England’s plans in February 2014, added: “My focus is now very much on the upcoming season in England and I’m absolutely determined to score as many runs as possible.

“I’ve never made any secret of my overwhelming desire to once again represent England.”

Pietersen last week told BBC Sport he would “do anything” to get back in.

Kevin Pietersen

But national selector James Whitaker said he is “not part” of his plans.

The South African-born batsman is England’s highest international run-scorer, with 13,797 runs across Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s.

He parted company with Surrey last September, when it appeared Pietersen would only be available for three-and-a-half weeks in 2015, because of his IPL

tation, from both batsmen, over the single and Guptill just kept running to the dressing room. Taylor flung

There was no reprieveled a catch down the leg side off Duminy and at 149 foring to look New Zealand’senth time. However, Elliott and Anderson did not panic. eries, regularly making use

Anderson’s let-off came, but it was still far from a comfortable ask even if the mood was changing. The first two overs of the batting Powerplay brought just 11, then Morkel went for 12, including a six over deep square by Elliott, and the same tally came off Imran Tahir who had bowled superbly to help quell the early charge. De Villiers felt he had to bowl himself and it would not have been beyond him to win the match. With each wicket, New Zealand responded. It was the counter punching of two outstanding cricket teams with their eye on the ultimate prize.

The question will be asked if South Africa came out on the wrong side of the Duckworth-Lewis calculations after their innings was interrupted with de Villiers in full flow and

Faf du Plessis set for a hundred in the 38th over. On resumption they plundered 65 in five overs, mainly due to David Miller’s 18-ball 49 as de Villiers lost the strike, but the adjusted 298 in 43 did feel less daunting than the 360 in 50 that could have been on the cards. All speculation, though.

That South Africa could not cut loose until the 30th over was credit to New Zealand’s bowlers, led by the outstanding Trent Boult who took two early scalps to make himself New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker at a World Cup with 21 victims ahead of Geoff Allott’s 20 in 1999. However, for the

first time in the tournament fielding let them down as four chances, albeit two tough ones, were missed. Key to the reconnaissance was du Plessis. Worked over early on by Boult and the brisk Matt Henry, who was called-up at the last minute to replace Adam Milne, du Plessis soaked up the pressure rather than succumb to it. He had been desperate for another knockout contest against New Zealand after the heated quarter-final four years ago which ended with South Africa on the losing side. By a fluke of results he got his wish but in the end there was no redemption. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa innings (43 overs maximum) HM Amla b Boult 10

de Kock† c Southee b Boult 14 F du Plessis c †Ronchi b Anderson 82 RR Rossouw c Guptill b Anderson 39

de Villiers* not out

Miller c †Ronchi b Anderson 49

Duminy not out 8 Extras (b 1, w 13) 14 Total (5 wickets; 43 overs; 196 mins) 281 Did not bat: VD Philander, DW Steyn, M Morkel, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-31, 3-114, 4-217, 5-272. New Zealand Bowling: TG Southee 9-1-55-0, TA Boult 9-053-2, MJ Henry 8-2-40-0, DL Vettori 9-0-46-0, KS Williamson 1-0-5-0, GD Elliott 1-0-9-0, CJ Anderson 6-0-72-3. New Zealand innings (target:

South African pain flows onto Auckland outfield

Dand Caribbean Premier League commitments.

The IPL starts on 8 April and Pietersen’s agreement with Sunrisers means he will miss the side’s league fixtures. However, he will be recalled should the team reach the knockout stages of the competition, which start on 19 May and finish with the final on 24 May.

Pietersen’s commitment to county cricket follows an interview by incoming England & Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves, in which he appeared to open the door to an England recall - providing Pietersen played county cricket.

However, Whitaker last week told the BBC: “We haven’t had discussions at all about Kevin and he’s not part of our plans.”

Since his central contract was cancelled after the disastrous 201314 Ashes tour, Pietersen has had stints in the IPL, Australian Big Bash and Caribbean Premier League, but has not played first-class domestic cricket since June 2013. (BBC Sport)

ale Steyn went down on the Eden Park pitch. AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Morne Morkel all went down on the outfield around him. When de Villiers got up, the other three stayed down. Even when their teammates and then members of the South African support staff came to lift them to their feet, they would not move. Only when staying down became too painful too, they stood up.

Then, with Morkel in Wayne Parnell’s arms, du Plessis in Amla’s, they wept. Together, separately, on camera, off camera, with 40,000 people chanting or in the complete silence inside themselves, they wept. They wept because that was all they had left to do.

“We left it out on the field tonight,” de Villiers said. All of it. Every last drop of themselves. “That’s all I can ask of the guys. It’s obviously painful. It’s hurting quite a bit. We’re gutted.”

South Africa did not hide the pain behind any bravado. They let their tears flow. Even the usually cool Amla allowed the ice to break. There was no shame in this defeat. There was tension, there was fight, there was honour but none of that means anything to South Africa now.

“It doesn’t make me feel better at all, not at all, no,” de Villiers said when asked if he

could take consolation in the epic competition of what has been this tournament’s best game. “We play this game to win games of cricket, to take glory home and make a difference to the nation, and we didn’t do that. We didn’t achieve that.”

Was this the worst he had ever felt on a cricket field?

“Yes,” he said. “But I don’t have any regrets about this campaign.”

The actual analysis of what went right and what went wrong will be left for another day, or maybe even not at all given that many of the members of this squad will not play another fifty-over World Cup, but in the end, it came down to small moments. “You need a little luck. You need things to go for you. You need to take your opportunities. There is such a small margin between winning and losing,” Domingo said. That is what Domingo will have to remind his team more than anyone else.

This time they were not knocked out because they conjured up a defeat from the cauldrons of certain victory but they fell into that tiniest of gulfs where the difference between winning and losing lies. Already Domingo has provided a steadying hand through a tournament of ups and downs, in which South Africa have surfed the full swell. They’ve been through the expectation,

the success, the failure, the success and now the end. “The sun will come up again tomorrow like our coach said numerous times in this tournament,” de Villiers said.

Domingo tried to say it again, by putting the emphasis on de Villiers and highlighting the character of the side. “I’m extremely proud of the way the captain has led the side. He’s done an outstanding job throughout this campaign. He’s backed up his talk with outstanding leadership and outstanding performances,” Domingo said. “And I’m so very proud of the effort they put in and the emotions that they left on the field. It’s testament to how much it means playing and how much trying to win a World Cup means for them. So if there’s any question on commitment, I think that can all be thrown out the window, because that is 15 men committed to cricket there.”

But Domingo had to admit that those 15 men “are broken, there’s no doubt about it,” and that it was a “really, really tough loss for us”. De Villiers even took on the heartache of a nation, saying the team felt the pain of the people back home. “We so badly wanted to take that trophy back home, but I guess life moves on.” But right now he does not know where the road to recovery even starts. (Cricinfo)

Agony and ecstasy: Dale Steyn falls in disappointment as Kiwis celebrate

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Mayweather v Pacquiao will be most expensive pay-per-view fight in UK

The fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will be the most expensive boxing match in UK pay-per-view history.

Sky Sports Box Office has been awarded the rights to show live coverage of the fight from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, 2 May.

The channel will charge customers up to £24.95 to watch the bout depending on how it is booked.

Customers were charged £14.95 to watch Ricky Hatton fight Mayweather in 2007.

That fight holds the UK

pay-per-view audience record with 1.2m viewers.

Sky say the bout is the highest priced boxing fight they have ever put on.

In America, cable networks Showtime and HBO are preparing to charge a record $99.95 (£65) to show the fight on pay-per-view.

The MayweatherPacquiao fight, staged after six years of negotiations, is expected to generate as much as £162m ($250m).

American Mayweather, 38, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, are considered to be the best two fighters of their generation.

Mayweather’s WBC and

WBA welterweight titles and Pacquiao’s WBO belt will be on the line at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather is unbeaten in 47 professional fights; Pacquiao has 57 wins and five losses from 64 contests. To date, the most lucrative fight is thought to have been Mayweather’s bout against Saul Alvarez in 2013, which made an estimated £97m.

Mayweather-Pacquiao will almost certainly beat that record, as well as the mark for worldwide pay-per-view purchases, which is currently 2.5m for Mayweather-Oscar De la Hoya in 2007. (BBC Sport)

lawsuit against Simmons to be hear d in September

West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons is facing a legal battle with advertising executive Therese Ho over intimate pictures of her he is accused of releasing on social media.

/ 624-7111

A lawsuit filed by Ho will be heard on September 28, a date set by Justice Frank Seepersad who presided over the case by way of video conference on Monday.

Seepersad was one of thousands affected by Monday’s “total policing” exercise which led to major traffic gridlock in Port-OfSpain.

Ho claims that she had a brief sexual relationship with Simmons which ended when she learned he was engaged to be married.

She is accusing him of releasing intimate photos of her, without her permission, through via social media and instant messaging networks and claims he was seeking revenge after she threatened to go public with their romantic affair.

The Port-of-Spain advertising account executive is seeking substantial damages from Simmons for breaching the common law

Lendl Simmons

principle of confidence.

Simmons is with the West Indies team expected back in the Caribbean soon, after they were knocked out of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

However, his attorney

Ken Wright as well as Ho and her attorney Christian Chandler were at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain. The 30-year-old cricketer has denied ever being involved with Ho, but admitted they had a brief singular sexual encounter. (CMC)

Floyd Mayweather Jr (left) and Manny Pacquiao

RHTY&SC Busta Champion of Champions tournament... Albion, Rose Hall Town Gizmos reach final

Archrivals Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets will clash in the final of the 11th edition of the RHTY&SC Busta Champion of Champions tournament.

Both teams recorded victories in their respective semi-final matches, with Rose Hall Town brushing aside West Berbice by 77 runs at the Area H Ground, while hosts Albion breezed past Tucber Park (formerly

Bermine) by 62 runs.

Playing in front of a sizeable home crowd, Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets won the toss and elected to take first strike. They chalked up 170 all out off their allotted 40 overs, with Khemraj Mahadeo (25); Brandon Prasad ( 20); Delbert Hicks (24); skipper

Shawn Perriera (45); and Collis Butts (21), being the principal scorers. Butts and Perriera added 43 crucial runs for the

eight wicket after Rose Hall found themselves in a spot of trouble at 120 for 7 in the

30th over. Perriera struck four boundaries in his innings, while Butts on his debut for his new club struck two boundaries and a massive six. Bowling for West Berbice, off-spinner Cort Griffith bowled well to take 5-38, including three in the last over of the innings.

In response, West Berbice were bundled out for 93 off 25 overs, as only Keyron Fraser (22); Titus Webster (13) and national pacer Reon Johnson (11), reaching double figures.

Butts with 4-7 off three overs was the main destroyer. Sherain Murray (2-12); Troy Mathieson (2-9); and Perriera (2- 4) were the other successful bowlers.

Over at the Albion Community Centre Ground, the home team won the toss and elected to bat first. They made 205 for 6 off 40 overs.

Jonathan Foo topscored with an impressive 86, which included six attractive boundaries, while David Latchya supported with 59. The pair added 130 runs in 27 overs for the fourth wicket.

Tucber were then bowled out for 153 off 39.3 overs. Sharaz Ramcharran ended with 3-44, and West Indies Under-19 player Gudakesh Motie claimed 2-27.

Damon Vantull hit 60 in the losing cause, while Anthony D’ Andrade made 23 and Hackeem Hinds, 22.

The final is scheduled for late April under lights at the Albion Community Centre and will broadcast live on NCN Radio.

The winner will take home $100,000 and the Busta Cup, while the runner-up will receive half of the winning amount.

BCB invites 22 players for training

After a two-day trial match over the weekend, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) junior selection panel named a 22-man squad for immediate preparation for the upcoming inter-county tournament.

The players are: Shimron Hetmyer, Balchand Baldeo, Adrian Sukwah, Clifton Lindie, Ritesh Omrao,

Leon Andrews, Samuel Kisnasammy, Brandon Persaud, Kevin Sinclair, Joel Seetaram, Kassim Khan, Amir Khan, Daniel Lewis, Zachary Persaud, Omar Weatherspoon, Grisean Grant, Parmanand Ramdhan, Joshua Harrichand, Kevindra Persaud, Jason Anderson, Randy Wade and Asif Ally.

Players are asked to report to the Cumberland Ground for training sessions from 14:30h today and Thursday, Meanwhile, Kassim Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Balchand Baldeo, Zachary Persaud, Clifton Lindie, Greisan Grant and Joel Seetaram were the outstanding performers from the trial game.

Shimron Hetmyer’s XI took first innings points

Support for Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) continues to pour in as it celebrates its Silver Jubilee Anniversary, with five major companies coming onboard. Recently, Hand-in-Hand Insurance; Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Companies (GTM); Apex Insurance; National Milling Company (Namilco); and DeSinco Trading made their re-

spective contributions to the Club’s Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster.

The Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies donated two trophies and a financial contribution, the GTM Group of Companies donated several trophies, while Namilco contributed hampers and a financial contribution.

De Sinco Trading of Sheriff Street, Georgetown, donated hampers and Ronald Williams of Apex Insurance donated trophies and several prizes.

Among others making major contributions were the Gift Centre; Royal Jewel House; Ming’s Products and Services; F & H Printery of John Street, Campbellville; Paul Persaud of NCP Future ADV; and Alstair Parris of

Len’s Craft. Foster stated that the Silver Jubilee Committee has been working beyond

He also disclosed that most of the financial contributions have been directed towards the Club’s Cricket

the call of duty to make the anniversary a memorable one for all club members and the general public.

Development Programme, while the hampers would be used to honour outstanding members of the

from Balchand Baldeo’s XI. Batting first, Hetmyer’s XI made 233 all out with Khan topscoring with a mature 65. Hetmyer scored a rapid 37, and Seetaram supported with 32. Lewis (29) and Brandon Persaud (20) were the other main contributors. Baldeo’s XI skipper himself took 3-14. He was supported by pacer Ricky Ballack with 2-12.

In reply, Baldeo’s XI struggled to 176 all out, with all-rounder Zachary Persaud topscoring with 42. He was supported by Lindie with 31, and Ritesh Omrao and Joshua Harrichand with 21 a piece.

Bowling for Hetmyer’s XI, Grant took 3-24, while Khan and Lewis Seetaram both took two wickets. In his team’s second time at the crease, Hetmyer blasted 54 before he retired. He was supported by Kevin Sinclair with 29 as they declared at 112-3. Omar Weatherspoon, Leon Andrews and Amir Khan took one wicket each.

In their second innings, Baldeo’s XI closed at 703, chasing 166 for victory. Lindie topscored with 29. Kevindra Persaud took all three wickets for 42 runs off six overs.

RHTY&SC over the last 25 years. The Cricket Development Programme, Foster stated, is very important to the continued success of the Club on the cricket field as several of its senior players have migrated and are accepting professional cricket contracts in Trinidad and Tobago and Canada for a great period of the cricket calendar year. The objective is to identify a pool of 30 to 40 youths between the ages of 10 and 14 years to undergo special coaching and also for them to understand their role as sports ambassadors and role models.

Coach Delbert Hicks and a panel of experienced Club administrators are in charge of the Cricket Development Programme.

Shawn Perriera

Collis Butts

Jonathan Foo

Balchand Baldeo

Shimron Hetmyer

Sharaz Ramcharran

Gudakesh Motie

DeSinco Marketing Manager Sarah Savoury hands over hampers to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

Hand-in-Hand Marketing Coordinator Andrea Khan hands over trophies and a cheque to Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in the presence of Assistant Business Development Officer Savita Singh

Golden Jaguars’ Briggs, Danns ready to roar

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

England-based Guyanese footballers

Matthew Briggs and Neil Danns have signalled their readiness to roar with the Golden Jaguars when they make their first appearance on Sunday against Grenada in an international friendly at the

have been able to achieve in their individual careers so far is excellent for them, and for them to bring that to the Guyana national programme is good for the Guyana team, is good for the Guyana players and it’s good for Guyana’s football going forward.”

Their combined experience, Nurse acknowledged,

Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The two players were formally introduced to local media on Tuesday at the Guyana Football Federation office, making their first public appearance in a Golden Jaguars jersey and underlining their commitment to represent a country they have now seen for the first time.

Skipper Christopher Nurse said the presence of the players in Guyana is a massive boost to the morale of the Golden Jaguars, and can only serve to inspire the local based players to continue to thrive for excellence.

“Today is a very special day for Guyana’s football because we have two players joining the team, who are superstars worldwide,” Nurse, a central midfielder, said. “To achieve what they

will be a great tool for the local players to exploit. “For the Guyanese players themselves to be able to sit down and have conversations, be around them and see how they live their lives, the things they do from day to day, it’s going to be an experience for the players even before they kick a ball,” Nurse opined.

Elation

Moments after being introduced by Golden Jaguars team official Faizal Khan, the two players expressed their elation at being given the opportunity to represent Guyana at the international level.

Danns said, “I’m honoured and delighted to be here in Guyana. I’ve been here two days now and it seems like a peaceful country and I’m really looking

forward to getting involved in the football and hopefully bring something to the team on and off the field.”

Briggs stated, “I just want to say that it is an honour for me to be here, it’s a proud moment for me. I did actually get a call-up a few years ago, but at that time I was in and around England, but thinking about it now growing up around my Guyanese family, I wanted to represent this country and it’s good to come and see my roots. First time in this country and I’ve already seen some amazing places… love the weather; it’s good to get away from the cold over in England. This is a great opportunity for me to play football at the senior level.”

The duo also shared the reasons why they jumped at the opportunity to represent the land of their ancestors, noting that it was more than just an avenue to display their skills at the international level.

Danns explained, “For me personally, it’s basically to come home and get to know my roots, and obviously this is my first time to Guyana and when the opportunity arose to come and play for the national team that was the start of it for me, and ever since Faizal contacted me I’ve been excited, not just for the football side, but also to come and educate myself on the roots of my grandfather and my family heritage.”

Briggs said, “For me, I just want to play international football, and growing up around my Guyanese family, they knew I’ve never been here, and when the chance arose for me to come here, I snatched at it. I’ve been here two days and already I can see my grandmother – I lost her eight years ago – but when I hear the women speak in this country, I can hear her voice and that brings back memories and I’m very thankful to be here.”

Profiles Briggs, 24, signed with English side Fulham at the age of eight, and eight years later became the youngest

Windies youth to begin training for ICC Youth World Cup

16-member West

AIndies Under 19 squad has been selected to begin early preparations for the ICC Youth World Cup scheduled to take place in Bangladesh next year.

All but five of the players selected -Kofi James, Kirstan Kallicharran, Ryan John, Dominic Drakes and Gidron Pope -were part of the squad that took part in the NAGICO Super50 Tournament in January in Trinidad & Tobago.

The two week training

camp at the West Indies High Performance Centre, located on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, will be run from March 29 to April 11.

The camp forms part of the West Indies Under-19s’ preparations for the 2016 ICC Youth World Cup scheduled to take place next year in Bangladesh.

A WICB statement says the squad is not the final one for the ICC YWC.

Players still have a chance to impress dur-

ing the Regional Under-19 Tournament scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 16 in Jamaica.

Squad: Kacey Carty, Jaeel Clarke, wicketkeeper/ batsman Dominic Drakes, Michael Frew, Shimron Hetmyer, Kofi James, Amir Jangoo, Ryan John, Allrounder, Alzarri Joseph, Fast bowler, Kirstan Kallicharran, Nicholas Kirton, Keemo Paul, Gidron Pope, Akil Seetal, Odean Smith, Shamar Springer.

(CMC)

player to ever appear in the Premier League, a record he still holds. He was 16 years, 65 days old at the time.

Briggs is primarily a leftback, but can also play as a centre-back or as a leftwinger. In May 2007, he made his first team debut for Fulham in the 3-1 win over Middlesbrough, coming on as a 77th minute substitute for Moritz Volz.

The 6’2” athlete, born in Wandsworth, has represented England at the Under-16,

Under-17, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.

Danns, 32, has played for several top English clubs, including Crystal Palace, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.

The 5’9” Liverpool-born midfielder began his football career at the FA’s School of Excellence and signed as a trainee for Blackburn Rovers at age 16. After productive loan spells with Blackpool,

Hartlepool United and Colchester United, he joined the latter on a permanent basis in December 2004.

It was after moving south to Colchester that he started to make a name for himself. While at Layer Road, Danns contributed greatly to the club’s promotion to the Championship in 2006 and earned himself a move to Birmingham City.

Additions to squad

Meanwhile, Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz, confirmed that several other local players based overseas have joined the squad, making the battle for spots on the starting list highly competitive.

Defender Walter Moore has arrived in Guyana and will join the squad today in training, while Trayon Bobb, Pernell Schultz and goalkeeper Anthony Whyte have already linked up with the unit.

Sunday’s game will kick off at 20:30h, and admission to the venue is $1000 for general seating and $4000 for VIP. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

The Golden Jaguars will look to continue with the momentum, following their 2-0 win over St Lucia last Sunday at the same venue.

Walter Moore will suit up for the Golden Jaguars this weekend

Matthew Briggs (right) and Neil Danns are ready to roar with the Golden Jaguars on Sunday

Golden Jaguars’ Briggs, Danns ready to roar

– Walter Moore to join squad today

WICB boss praises GCB for Jaguars’ success

President of the West Indies Cricket Board

(WICB) Dave Cameron has praised the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for the success of the Jaguars in the Professional Cricket League (PCL) which ended on Monday.

The Jaguars formalised their position at the top of the table with an innings and 10 runs victory over Windward Islands Volcanoes, on, the final morning of the final round of matches at Windsor Park in Dominica.

Cameron said the achievements of the Jaguars underscore the work which the Guyana Cricket Board has done to overcome a number of challenges in recent times.

The WICB President referenced the successes of the Guyana Under-15 and Under-19 teams, and commended GCB president Drubhadur and his team for bringing another championship to their country.

“The news of this latest achievement has come as a great delight to all of us at the WICB, and on behalf of the directors, management and staff, we express congratulations and best wishes for continued success to the Jaguars,” said WICB president, Dave Cameron.

“This championship is a remarkable achievement and everyone involved must be com-

WICB President Dave Cameron

mended for their hard work. They proved to themselves and everyone else what can be attained with the right level of determination and commitment.”

Cameron said that the R4Day again highlighted the tremendous talent in the region and he was satisfied that the inaugural season of the PCL had achieved some of its objectives.

“This season, the R4Day was played under a franchise format and there were some teething issues as you can expect with any new system,” he said.

“We have learnt from those experiences and will put things in place to make the next season much more fulfilling, but we are happy with some of the results and the talent exposure that we have seen this year.” (CMC)

Ruggers participate in training session with Russia

The Guyana national rugby team had their first scrimmage on Tuesday in Hong Kong ahead of their first official game on Friday.

Butting heads with a team as highly ranked as Russia, Coach/Player of the Guyana team, Theodore Henry noted that the session was more about set plays and combinations than it was about scoring tries.

“It was more of a practice match, we both worked on our scrums, line out and set moves, so that was it basically,” Henry stated.

Henry viewed the ses-

sion as successful. Guyana will continue to prepare for their first game on Friday against Zimbabwe.

The Hong Kong trip, which serves as a warmup to their Olympic qualifiers in June, is part of a busy schedule for the national ruggers.

They are set to campaign in the NACRA tournaments later in the year, when they will be defending both the sevens and 15s titles won last year.

The ruggers are also slotted to participate in the Pan American Games towards the end of 2015.

Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time) Today: 2nd Semifinal, Australia v India, 23:30h

The Guyanese ruggers (in green) go hard against the Russians during their practice game

Skipper Christopher Nurse (left) and Golden Jaguars team official Faizal Khan (second right) pose with Matthew Briggs and Neil Danns