Guyana Times Daily - November 30, 2015

Guyana gambles with Climate Change leadership

King’s Jewellery World hosted its 15th Annual Duck Curry Competition on Sunday at the National Stadium, Providence. In composite photo, contestants from Hibiscus Restaurant and 'D' Lashin' Lagoon Duck Crew

monday, november 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

15-year-old delivers twins at Suddie Hospital

– another teen hospitalised after botched abortion

A15-year-old girl from Wakapao Village, Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) has given birth to twins at the Suddie Public Hospital.

According to information, the teenager was rushed by relatives Friday morning to the medical institution.

This newspaper understands that the teenager is in a common-law relationship with a 17-year-old.

Earlier this year, a 13-year-old student from the same community also gave birth to twins.

The pregnancy of the young girl was brought to light after she reported to her class teacher that she

felt something in her belly while at school.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, a 14-year-old from the Pomeroon River was hospitalised after she tried to abort the baby and injured herself.

According to information reaching this newspaper, the teenager, who was two months pregnant, reportedly attempted to abort the foetus at home. She was unsuccessful in her efforts and developed complications in the process, causing profuse bleeding.

She was immediately rushed to the Suddie Hospital where she underwent surgery.

Only recently, Region Two Councillor Beatrice

Mittelholzer called for the issue of teenage pregnancy to be addressed by the Government in the Region.

The Councillor, who is also a social worker, had said that it was imperative that the Region

Two Department of Education step up its campaigns, especially in Amerindian communities, in both Lower and Upper Pomeroon River. Mittelholzer expressed these concerns during the Regional Democratic Council meeting for October.

She explained that there was presently an increase in teenage pregnancy in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River areas. Mittelholzer stat-

ed that she was aware of two cases where two girls, aged 13 and 14, were pregnant within the Pomeroon area.

The Councillor stated that the situation was very heartrending as the girls were now robbed of an opportunity to have an education as well as an independent future.

She revealed that if one should traverse the Pomeroon River, one would see children loitering and involving in illicit activities. The Councillor opined that there should be stricter truancy campaigns on a regular basis within the Region to ensure that children attend school regularly.

GPHC

dispatcher’s murder

Suspect for court today

The man who reportedly confessed to fatally stabbing his former reputed wife Melissa Skeete, 33, last week, is expected to make his first court appearance today.

Allan Sim, 53, of Paradise, East Coast Demerara, has been charged with the murder of the ambulance dispatcher of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The man turned himself in two days after the incident, and during interrogation he confessed to killing the woman, with whom he shared a child.

Reports have revealed that Skeete, of Lot 94 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, was seen falling out of a moving car on Carmichael Street, Georgetown, and was rushed by public spirited persons to the GHPC.

The mother of four sustained several stab wounds about her body and died while receiving treatment. The post mortem by Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on Wednesday revealed she had died of stab wounds to her chest.

Guyana Times understands the couple were together since 2007 but Skeete reportedly ended the relationship recently because of alleged abuse she faced at his hands. On Monday, she left work sometime after 15:00h and was seen entering the suspect’s vehicle. About 20 minutes later, a bloody Skeete was rushed back to the medical institution.

However, Sim told investigators Skeete had attacked him and so he killed her in self-defence. The man claimed that about two weeks ago, he went to the woman’s house but she ran inside and lock the doors upon seeing him.

He added that he was able to peer through the window and saw anoth-

er male in house. The suspect went on to say that on Monday, he picked her up from work and informed her that he was ending the relationship.

However, Sim further claimed the woman got angry and attacked him with a surgical blade which she drew from her bag but he managed to overpower her, injuring her in the process. He noted that the injured woman then open the door and jumped out of the moving car. The man further told investigators he panicked and drove to the seawall, where he dumped the blade and clothes he was wearing.

After his arrest, investigators were seen combing the city and outlying areas for his car which they found abandoned at Vigilance, ECD, on Saturday night. This newspaper was told vehicle will be tested today for traces of blood.

Nevertheless, investigators have already received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for charges to be laid against the suspect and for him to be taken to court.

Meanwhile, this newspaper was told that before the woman left work on Monday, she informed one of her co-workers that she was going to meet her ex and even left the registration number of the man’s vehicle. Skeete had also asked for someone to call and check up on her after some time.

“They had a rocky relationship and she wanted out so she ended it but he didn’t want to let go, and he keep running behind her all the time. He even went to her house in Plaisance and broke the window. She had to move from there to get away from him, so I don’t know why she went with him in the first place,” the worker said.

According to Skeete’s colleague, they had advised Skeete to report the matter to the police but she was scared that nothing would be done.

Dead: Melissa Skeete

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, November 30 – 08:30h-10:00h and Tuesday, December 1 – 09:00h-10:30h.

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

Monday, November 30 – 07:25h-08:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, with light rain in the early afternoon hours. Clear conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 26 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East south-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High

Guyana gambles with Climate Change leadership

uyana is at high risk of losing its distinguished global leadership role in the worldwide efforts to decarbonise all economies and push for a greener planet through the crafting of a historic climate change agreement.

This is according to former President and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who pointed out that the current Administration’s “nonchalant” attitude towards climate change policies will eventually result in the country losing its world renowned status in pushing for a greener economy.

These sentiments were expressed Saturday as Government was preparing to attend the international climate change conference in Paris, starting today, during which world leaders will assemble to discuss and accelerate preparations towards reaching the climate change agreement.

“This is a government with no climate change strategy, no plans for advocacy at the global level,” Jagdeo told media operatives during a recent press conference at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) headquarters on Robb Street.

Representing Guyana at the climate change conference is Governance Minister Raphael Trotman.

Jagdeo contends that the Minister has a vague understanding of climate change concepts and, therefore, will

not significantly contribute to the negotiations during the conference.

“We run the risk of missing out on great opportunities … All we heard is that he will meet the Norwegians … it’s not a joyride to Paris: you have to go there with serious positions … and we have sent Minister Trotman to Paris and he has not made or given us any indication as to what this Government’s climate policy is … I believe he might be wandering around the halls in Paris with very little to say,” Jagdeo passionately stated, as he expressed his fears of Guyana losing the role it played at the glob-

conference. He noted that Minister Trotman would get the opportunity to speak later in the negotiations, but the President’s remarks were critical as it set the entire tone of the negotiations.

Jagdeo lambasted the current Government for ‘loose’ talk about pushing for a “green economy” when the fact of the matter was that the Administration has no clear climate change strategy.

“When they say green economy, what do they mean? A green economy is a serious concept. It is about using the opportunities presented … to create wealth for the country at a scale

al level regarding climate change issues.

‘Go to Paris, President Granger’ Against that backdrop, the former President is urging President David Granger to go to Paris to represent Guyana.

“My worry is that we are not at the table,” Jagdeo expressed. According to him, the Head of State has a special role to play if Guyana is truly determined to pursue a green economy.

“We need to lead from the front … and his absence in Paris will not send that signal that he is leading from the front,” Jagdeo stated.

He further explained if President Granger did not attend the conference, Guyana would not get a voice during the Heads of Government meet at the

that can move the country forward from a middle-income country to an upperincome country,” Jagdeo posited.

He highlighted that there was not a single mention of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by the Government, even as it headed into the climate change forum.

“It is only mentioned in passing … We’ve not heard of the Government position,” he said.

Further, Jagdeo stated that Government continued to implement the LCDS and some of its projects, but there were no status update reports on the Guyana

REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) website. The website was created for Guyana to report the status of implementation of all the GRIF projects funded through Norway. According to Jagdeo, the only posting on the website is related to the Cunha Canal Rehabilitation project.

He questioned the status of and Government’s position on the other 16 LCDS projects. The LCDS projects identified and prepared for implementation are the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project; low carbon transportation; micro and small enterprises; eco-tourism development; Amerindian Development Fund; land titling activity; Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hinterland access programme; hinterland distance learning through ICT; biodiversity research centre at the University of Guyana; institutional strengthening, curriculum development, the Cunha canal rehabilitation, hinterland adaptation measures, coastal infrastructure, comprehensive adaptation under the climate resilience programme and strengthening hydrometeorological services. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

“My worry is that we are not at the table” –former President Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

NIHL: Noise Violence and Assault

In Guyana, the law on “noise nuisance” to individuals is contained in: Sub-section 1 of Section 174A of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act as amended by Act No. 1 of 1989: “No person shall, in any road, street, public place or land or in building or premises, by operating or causing or suffering to be operated any stereo set, juke box, radio, wireless loudspeaker, gramophone, amplifier, automatic piano or similar instrument of music, or by any other means whatsoever, make or cause or suffer to be made any noise which shall be so loud and so continuous or repetitive as to cause a nuisance to occupants of any premises in the neighbourhood.”

A “nuisance” is basically something that causes some level of inconvenience or annoyance to a person. Guyanese today would agree that the law, having been enacted over one quarter of a century ago, does not cater for the wonders of electronic creation, projection and amplification of noise that today bombards the unsuspecting citizen. Over the last decade, the complaints to the press by citizens from all across the country have become more frequent, and more pertinently, increasingly desperate.

It is clear that the law has not served as a deterrent to the offence much less to its eradication and there have been calls all the way up to a Committee in the last Parliament, for amendments to encompass the present circumstance.

Subsection (2) of Section 174A of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, as amended by Act No.10 of 1998, deals with penalties and states: “Any person who contravenes the provision of Subsection (1) shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than $7,500 nor more than $15,000 and to imprisonment for six months and, on a second or any subsequent conviction, to a fine of not less than $20,000 and to imprisonment for 12 months”.

Even when the law is applied by the police against offenders in front of the magistry, which is more done in the breach, a slap on the wrist nominal fine might be pronounced but never the 12 month incarceration. And this for an offence, while described as a “nuisance” can actually cause severe pain to victims and what is described as “noiseinduced hearing loss” (NIHL) which can be temporary or even permanent.

The “loudness” of sounds, which actually describes the vibrational energy it transmits via air to the human ear is described in “decibels”, abbreviated “db”. But the ear is sensitive to such a large range of vibrations that if a soft whisper is considered “0” it would take 3000 miles on a linear scale to place the latter. Decibels are a logarithmic scale to that ordinary conversations at 60 are acceptable but sustained sounds above 90 decibels – like revving motorcycles - can cause NIHL. A car or home stereo can deliver 120 decibels – most of it in the bass range – which can vibrate the walls of the home and certainly lead not just to loss of sleep to fretful neighbours, but NIHL if it is sustained for hours. The damage to some sensitive hairs in the inner ear is incremental.

The aborted efforts to amend the laws on “noise nuisance” must recommence forthwith and must begin with a renaming of the offence to signal its new dangers posed by the new and ubiquitous arsenal of mass noiseinduced hearing loss (NIHL). “Noise Violence and Assault” is respectful?y submitted since it is no different from other physical assaults excepting that sound is not visible while fists are. Fines must range from $100,000 -$200,000 and non-discretionary sentencing imposed with the second conviction.

The Music and Dancing Licensing Act, Chapter 23:03 must also be coordinated with the proposed “Noise Violence and Assault Act” to move beyond the 2am curfew and encompass stricter guidelines to cater for residential peace. NIHL can also be precipitated from sudden, intense noise surges.

NY Guyanese Hindus observe Karthik (Teerath)

Dear Editor,

Hundreds of New York based Guyanese Hindus took to the waterways to observe Karthik (popularly known as Teerath in Guyana) on Wednesday 25 November. As a child growing up in Guyana, I and other children (of varied racial background) look forward for the festival as it was time to receive a lot of delectable Indian sweets including lapsey and puri although the PNC made celebration of the religious festival difficult with the banning of flour and other food items (as well as spices) used by Indians. The practice continues in NY among the Guyanese Hindu immigrants.

Rockaway beach in New York is a popular destination for Indo-Caribbean people in NY performing puja at the waterways, a practice very common in Guyana throughout the coast or waterways (where jandis can be seen fluttering). New York City allows the performance of rituals (pujas) at the Rockaways at a designated area although it lacks the kind of facilities found at Trinidad waterways for pujas (changing clothes, toilets, etc). But the celebration of the festival in NY is similar to that in Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname or other places where Hindus reside. NY Guyanese journeyed to the waterway to

pray and make offerings to Ganga Maa, the mother of the oceans or waterways for peace and harmony with nature and with each other. People prayed with the holy Ganges in mind, the focus of the puja.

New York-based Guyanese and Trini Hindus have been performing pujas at the Rockaway waterways since the Diwali celebration ended two weeks ago. Some also performed Gangaayajna at home. In Trinidad, many Hindus hosted Ramayana yagyas (discourses) over several nights that ended on Wednesday evening. People pray for cleansing of their souls and to gain spiritual liberation. In India, the holy Ganges and other connecting rivers are said to be all linked to one another and other bodies of water.

Teerath or Karthik (also called Karthik Snaan or Karthik Nahan) occurs each year on the full moon after the celebration of Diwali. It culminates the major spiritual observances (festivals) of Hindus for the year, of months of intense and sustained prayer and devotion for the Hindu. It began with the observances of Krishen Janma (the birth of Lord Krishna), Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Utsav (the 12-day festival of Lord Ganesh) in August, followed by Pitra Paksh (ancestral worship) and

Nau Raatri (nine days of devotion to the female aspect of God) in September and then Ramleela (the play of Ram) in October, and Deepawali (the festival of lights) in November. Karthik is celebrated on the last day of the month of Karthik, which is also a full moon which occurred on Wednesday night. According to Hindu tradition, the month of Karthik (usually OctoberNovember) is the holiest month dedicated to the worship of several Hindu deities. These include the Hindu trinity of Lord Brahma (the Creator), Lord Shiva (the Destroyer) and Lord Vishnu (the Sustainer). Karthik also coincides with the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak’s birthday, a holiday in India. Thousands of Sikhs live neighbourly with the tens of thousands of IndoGuyanese and Trinis in the greater Richmond Hill area and they are known to host street festivals celebrating Guru Nanak’s birthday at which Guyanese and Trinis participate.

Several messages accompany the Karthik festivity. Satyanarayana (incarnation of Vishnu) stories are read on this day, along with excerpts from the Shiv and Bhagwat Purana. The main message behind the festival is to respect and cleanse the wa-

terways and to take measures to prevent floods or to conserve fresh water in the case of drought.

Pandits explain that the ritualistic bath being taken by devotees on the waterways or at home and praying is to cleanse the inner body from impurities (ill thoughts) and to respect Mother Nature that has the power to destroy human (through flooding or drought or some other calamity).

At the waterways, offerings included flowers, rice, milk, sugar, coins, honey, mango leaves, chawal or uncooked rice, and cooked food are placed into the water or the beach next to a murthi. Religious songs and mantras were chanted, praising God. After offerings (including cloth, food) and the performance of various rituals (and oblations), including aartee, devotees distributed prasad and bhojan including to observers as is the Indian custom in Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname. The retention of teerath celebration in NY shows that leaving Guyana or the Caribbean does not end the cultural practices of Hindus or immigrant groups in general as all of them retain the cultural practices of their nationalities or ethnicities.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Employees of King’s Jewellery World stirke a pose at its 15th Annual Duck Curry Competition on Sunday at the National Stadium, Providence

Mark McWatt draws parallels of the imagination to Guyana’s landscape

Dear Editor, Guyanese literary enthusiasts were Friday treated to a lecture by Professor Mark McWatt entitled “Landscape and the Language of the Imagination: Reading Guyanese Literature”. This lecture is an addition to the Edgar Mittelholzer Memorial Lecture Series. It was held at the National Library’s auditorium.

This lecture was unlike any other as it made the writer think about the impact of the landscape, both interior/hinterland and coastland, on our lives and more directly on our imagination. At the start of his presentation, Professor McWatt highlighted that the literature of Guyana shares many common features with that of the islands of the English-speaking Caribbean.

“These have to do especially with having the same history of slavery and colonisation and a common educational and literary heritage. Nevertheless, readers often perceive and remark on a certain ‘difference’ or ‘strangeness’ in much of Guyanese writing,” he said. That perception is evident in the work of Edgar Mittelholzer and Wilson Harris, and many others. He explained that those who attempt to identify this strangeness usually point to Guyana’s physical landscape.

In this regard, McWatt expounded on the influ -

ence of the hinterland and coastland myths that influence daily life. The use of the term/word myth does not mean falsehood, “but rather the large shaping and containing conceptions in which we package our understanding of the world. In many cases, these are myths of anxiety, as the world – the landscape – can appear frightening and be associated, with the horrors of the past and the dangers of the present,” he articulated.

One of the most popular myths is that of El Dorado as published in Walter Raleigh’s book which was first published in 1596. While scant attention was on the mangrove forests and coastland in Raleigh’s book, there are many prominent features of the coastal landscape and the Guyanese imagination.

Aside from the natural dangers coastlanders face, “the coastal landscape imposes a strong sense of foreboding or dread which causes the imagination to project onto it the supernatural dangers one encounters in the literature, such as Mittelholzer’s jumbies, spirits and the restless ghosts of Dutch planters,” he explained.

Further, the legend of Kaieteur, and El Dorado among others, play an integral role in the imagination of many. “The language of the imagination inspired by the Guyana landscape still tends towards the wish-fulfilment

of the dream of Eldorado, but the dream itself can be altered and transformed, so that it no longer reflects the anxieties of an age that tend to linger in the lore and literature associated with this part of the world, but can be expressed as a dream of transcendence and human regeneration,” Professor McWatt posited at the end of his presentation.

It is no doubt that this lecture was exceptional as the listeners were keen on pointing out other Guyanese writers whose work has been influenced by the landscape in one way or another.

Sincerely

Tekia Hanover

FITUG calls for unity, peace

Dear Editor, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has learnt that in the elections held a few days ago in the Republic of Argentina, a new President, Mauricio Macri was elected. The elections once again in Latin America, reaffirm the democratic thrust in our continent which replaced the dictatorships of decades ago.

We are hopeful that the newly-elected President, the wealthy Mauricio Macri will uphold the democratic standards embraced by the previous Kirchner administration. Particularly important would be the continuing efforts at Latin American and Caribbean unity, especially in the face of outside interferences.

We note that the new-

ly elected President Macri is reported to have said that he will resort to the Democratic Clause of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to seek the ousting of a member state of that organisation, Venezuela. Such a move will certainly not benefit the unity in our continent in which great efforts have been expended to promote in recent years.

South America and Caribbean countries, it is widely acknowledged, have made worthy strides towards democracy, unity, peace and stability.

Organisations such as the Union of South American States (UNASUR), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CECLAC), and the Bolivarian Alliance for the

Peoples of Our America (ALBA) have emerged in recent times and serve as vehicles for integration, paying attention to the values of consensus in decision-making and solving problems. We hold the view that our regional unity should be safeguarded and promoted and we all also reiterate the need to respect the sovereignty and abide by the principle of non-intervention in countries’ internal affairs.

We are hopeful that Argentina under the new administration will continue along the road of Unity and will be a respected voice for peace and the all-round development of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sincerely, FITUG

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Page Foundation

(Continued from Saturday)

BY JAMES LEHMAN

Realise that a compromise has to be made when your spouse says, for example, “I don’t think we should have a bed time,” and you say, “Our son should go to bed at eight o’clock.” You have to be open to your spouse’s statement. Here’s another example: you’ll often have two parents disagreeing over sibling fighting. One parent will say, “Nathan is picking on his younger sister. He’s being hurtful and needs to be given consequences.” And the other parent is responding with, “Yeah, but Emily teases him a lot. She brings it on herself.” These two parents have to sit down and figure out what they’re going to do about the situation together – and out of earshot of the child. And both parents have to be open to the other person’s ideas and perceptions. The parent who’s trying to give consequences to the older child has to be able to be heard by the parent who thinks the younger child is setting the situation up purposefully. Compromise in this situation would have to do with holding both children responsible so that there’s a consequence for antagonising, just like there’s a consequence for hurtful behaviour.

What would you say to parents who write in and say, “I hate being the bad guy! My spouse makes me do all the dirty work.”

JL: When one parent is stuck in the role of

disciplinarian and the other is the nice guy, we call that “good cop/bad cop parenting”. If you’re tired of playing the role of the “bad cop”, you need to talk to your spouse. Ask them to pick one thing that they’ll take the lead on – maybe it’s

Also, remember that it’s not unusual for one person to be a stronger limit-setter than the other, because everyone’s personality is different. It’s common for one of the adults in the marriage to be stronger in that regard than the other. As

doing homework or bedtime. After they’ve taken that duty on for awhile, you can sit down again and talk about some other areas of limit-setting they could take the lead on.

long as both adults agree and are supportive of one another, there shouldn’t be a problem. I go back to the idea that my son didn’t need two of me – he needed one of me and one of

my wife. We worked together to agree on everything and we both articulated our position when dealing with our son and his behaviour.

What about parents who are working on getting on the same page, but then find they are gradually slipping back into those same old roles?

JL: Parents need to consciously work at making an effort to stay on the same page with their kids. It doesn’t come naturally. If one day you’re in agreement and then you start to feel that changing and slipping away, you and your spouse need to talk about it immediately. And by the way, disagreements you have over other things in your marriage will also affect the way you parent together. I’ll give you an example: let’s say there’s a disagreement about who’s doing more than their fair share of housework. You’re annoyed because you start to feel like you’re doing everything around the house. That often unconsciously affects how you’re both dealing with the page of your marriage entitled, “How we manage our children.”

If you feel like things have been slipping, you can start the conversation by saying, “Look, I feel like we’re out of sync lately. Let’s get back to being on the same page with Tommy.” If you’re not able to do that, then unfortunately you decrease the likelihood of your joint parenting being effective. Never forget, we’re talking about effective versus

Here’s where it breaks down in a family: if you disrespect your spouse in front of your kids or talk about them behind their back, you’re setting up a very serious situation. Make no mistake, eventually your kids are going to feel like they don’t have to respond to your spouse. They manipulate that by saying, “Mommy doesn’t make me do it that way,” or “Daddy said I could.” You’ll hear kids say that all the time; it’s an attempt to manipulate and divide the two of you. I think when you show kids that you’re in opposition to your spouse’s approach – when you show that you feel it’s stupid or irrelevant or impractical – what you’re doing is inviting your child to be disrespectful to your spouse. He will use that information to split the two of you and manipulate you against the other. And if you don’t get on the same page, that’s going to create real problems in your family.

ineffective parenting, not good versus bad parenting. The bottom line is that if you’re not on the same page, you’re not going to be as effective.

James, in your new programme, Two Parents, One Plan you mention that kids sometimes use our lack of agreement to manipulate and take advantage. What do you mean by that?

JL: Kids are natural manipulators, just like puppies are – it’s a survival skill. The higher your cognitive abilities, the more natural it is to try to manipulate your environment. That’s why chimpanzees bang nuts with a stone until they open but cows don’t. It’s the same with children, who will naturally try everything they can to manipulate their environment – and that includes manipulating their parents. Adults do the same thing – have you ever tried to manipulate your boss when you wanted something? And do you remember trying to manipulate your own parents when you were a teenager?

But here’s where it breaks down in a family: if you disrespect your spouse in front of your kids or talk about them behind their back, you’re setting up a very serious situation. Make no mistake, eventually your kids are going to feel like they don’t have to respond to your spouse. They manipulate that by saying, “Mommy doesn’t make me do it that way,” or “Daddy said I could.” You’ll hear kids say that all the time; it’s an attempt to manipulate and divide the two of you. I think when you show kids that you’re in opposition to your spouse’s approach – when you show that you feel it’s stupid or irrelevant

or impractical – what you’re doing is inviting your child to be disrespectful to your spouse. He will use that information to split the two of you and manipulate you against the other. And if you don’t get on the same page, that’s going to create real problems in your family.

What happens when you get entrenched in opposing roles as parents?

JL To go back to our original analogy, when one parent is entrenched in opposition to the other parent on any one page of the marriage, it affects all the pages in the book. So if one parent doesn’t think the other parent is trying hard enough to take on more duties around the house, it affects the family globally. I’ve found that most parents aren’t able to simply be frustrated with their partner in one area and remain on common ground in other areas unless they consciously work on it. In the same way, once you start working on things together – once you choose that “one thing” that you will start doing the same way – it brings you together as a couple, and presents a united front to your children.

Let’s face it, compromising and coming together aren’t always easy; in fact, it’s very hard to do. If it wasn’t hard, I wouldn’t have had a career helping parents for the last 30 years. And why is compromising so difficult? It’s difficult because emotions and belief systems get involved. Personally, I think it’s of utmost importance to get together and make a commitment to working your parenting rules out for your children—no matter what else is going on in your marriage.

(empoweringparents.com)

Govt siphoning off monies for LGE – Jagdeo

By Edward LaynE

The spotlight is once again on the lack of transparency and accountability, as well as the secrecy in which the A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government continues to operate.

This time, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo has declared that the city clean-up is being used as a slush fund by the Government, pointing to the fact that there were high levels of secrecy surrounding the works being executed in the city.

He said while he was supportive of efforts to beautify the city, the level of corruption is appalling.

“The monies spent in the city is a slush fund – total slush fund. I am happy with the work being done, but if you go behind the dynamics of how the monies being spent, have you seen public ads? Hundreds of millions of dollars being spent in the city without any public advertisement for contracts. There is absolutely no transparency. It’s a slush fund and I think it is being siphoned off for Local Government Elections in many ways. Absolutely no accountability,” Jagdeo told a news conference on Saturday at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown, adding “I hope that the Auditor General pays attention to this.”

The APNU/AFC has long been avoiding questions about the manner in which contracts were being

awarded for the clean-up activities in the city.

Only recently, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has alleged that there has been massive corruption in the award of contracts for the clean-up exercise, and has questioned the deafening silence of the Government on the financing and other issues surrounding the city clean-up.

Former Finance Minister Juan Edghill had said that there was evidence showing that “family members” of top officials of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown were the ones responsible for the citywide clean-up activities.

“What we are hearing is that family members of high officials on the Mayor and City Council are the ones who are responsible for execut-

ing these contracts. This is an allegation of gross corruption, which we are hearing and we expect that there will be a response as it relates to this,” Edghill had said.

The APNU/AFC while in Opposition had chastised the then PPP/Civic Administration on claims that it was not operating in an accountable and transparent manner and vowed that should it gain political power , things would be done differently.

However, many believe that the Government is now involved in worse than what it accused the PPP/C of doing, as there is a lack of disclosure on many contracts and programmes involving billions of dollars.

Among the examples of unaccountability and lack of transparency cited by some critics is the Government’s glaring silence on the source and amount of monies used to finance the multimillion-dollar inauguration of President David Granger and his Cabinet on May 16, 2015.

Critics also pointed to Government’s failure to follow any public tendering process for the hiring of forensic auditors for the ongoing forensic audits, rather than the hand-picking of Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran, two staunch supporters of the coalition, as well as the coalition’s refusal to disclose the source of its funding for the extravagant 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign.

National Museum staff benefit from training programme

The Tourism Ministry and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have facilitated numerous training programmes by providing opportunities for the development of skills.

The Guyana National Museum was the most recent entity to benefit from a training session on ‘Effective Customer Service’, held during their staff development workshop at the National Museum.

During the half-day session, facilitated by Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh, the participants were reminded that positive interaction is the key to delivering effective customer service.

He emphasised too, according to a statement from GTA, that all members of staff play an integral role in improving the visitor experience.

“Every support member can master the skills of excellent customer service; this will drastically improve your interactions with customers, visitors and tourists,” Haralsingh explained.

The session addressed several key topics including the importance of customers, basics of customer service, effective communication, including greeting customers and ground rules in providing quality customer service.

During the session participants were also provided with an opportunity to share their views and experiences of good and bad customer service.

According to GTA director, the continuation of the training programmes is aimed at ensuring the authority imparts valuable information to service providers to improve

the quality and standards of their products and services, in keeping with the GTA’s mandate.

The interactive session yielded positive review from staff of the Museum and the Administrator, Tamika Bostwain, who assured that participants will make the best use of the knowledge imparted.

The training session also comes at the cusp of the arrival of two cruise ships to Guyana in the coming days; many of the tour groups will visit the National Museum as part of their city tour itinerary.

This year, the Guyana Tourism Authority has trained a total of 270 persons across the country, in the areas of Customer Service, Customer Service for Frontline Staff, First Aid/CPR, Dutch Language, House Keeping, and Waiter and Waitress Training.

Training continues in the South and North Rupununi in the areas of Portuguese language for the staff at the Takutu Crossing in Lethem and First Aid/CPR for Lodges and Resorts, Hotels, and Tour Guides.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh

monday, november 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Husband’s condition critical at Suddie Hospital

– described as an ‘abuser’

By IndrawattIe natram

Twenty-seven-year-old

Vishnu Narine, of Jib Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), continues to be in a critical condition at the Suddie Public Hospital after he slit his throat following his brutal hacking to death of his wife.

Narine, who attempted to take his life by slitting his throat after killing his wife, Malini on Saturday evening, is under Police guard at the medical institution.

According to information

reaching Guyana Times, Narine had a heated argument with his 25-yearold wife during which he equipped himself with a cutlass and a knife and dealt several chops and stabs to his spouse about her body. The young woman sustained multiple injuries to her abdomen and hands.

This publication was informed that Narine was under the influence of alcohol at the time. He was earlier seen drinking in the village.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the parents of the deceased woman, Sattie and Robin Toolsie, said that Narine was very abusive to their daughter and despite them advising her to leave him, she remained in the relationship.

The grieving mother described her son-in-law as “cruel, heartless and jealous”.

“He always threaten to take her life. He never want her socialise or have company; he used to punish her and she couldn’t speak out,” the mother said.

Robin Toolsie, in whose

home the couple lived, said he would usually take care of their four-year-old son.

Toolsie said on a daily basis the couple would have arguments, but by the evening they would resolve their issues. “They always tell me not to get involve in man and wife story. Vishnu like drink and he would assault her after, but she never say nothing,” the father reflected.

The bereaved Robin went on to say that Narine had once threatened his daugh-

ter that he would take her to Onderneeming Sand Pit to kill her. The man noted that it was because of this that he made the couple stay in the bottom flat of his house. When asked why Police reports were never made against the husband for the constant threats, Robin stated that he was unsure, but opined that such actions would have added to the conflict between the couple.

The parents have concluded that jealousy was the main reasons the 27-yearold gruesomely attacked his wife and then tried to take his own life.

The incident has shocked the entire region and persons are questioning why family members and/or even neighbours did not report Narine’s abusive tendencies before.

The Police are continuing their investigations. The murder weapons were recovered and taken into evidence. The deceased woman’s body is presently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting an autopsy.

Body at Kingston seawall Man still to be identified

Almost three days since the body of a male was discovered at the Kingston seawall, behind the Marriott Hotel, the body is yet to be identified.

Around 14:00h on Friday, staff at the hotel noticed the body and alerted the police.

The male is of African descent and believed to be in his late 20s to early 30s. He had facial hair and was clad in a blue check shirt and underwear.

The body was picked up and transported to the Lyken Funeral Parlour, awaiting identification.

Guyana Times was told

someone went to the funeral home on Saturday claiming to be a relative.

However, they were informed that they need to bring the police before they can see the body. The person left and never returned, this

newspaper was told.

Reports surrounding the incident remain sketchy but investigators believed the body was still fresh when it was retrieved as a blood-like substance was seen oozing form the mouth. It was believed the

man had died recently so foul play was not ruled out.

Various reports were saying that a life jacket was seen some distance from the body while others commented the man may have been a vagrant.

Eyew tness Mortgaging …

… Guyana to ExxonMobil

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman just made an amazing announcement: the Govt has asked ExxonMobil to pay US$2B upfront for oil that wouldn’t START flowing - at best – more than four years from now. Remember Lisa sits in “ultradeep” waters. So the government’s willing to hock future expected revenue streams to pay for its populist programmes today.

Why? Well first of all it’s a concession by the administration that they don’t see any recovery – strong or otherwise - of the economy under their watch to fund their airy-fairy “development programme” they boasted about in their Manifesto. The Emperor was caught wearing no clothes with their “First 100 Days Promises” – where they fulfilled not one of the 21. But, hey, they did keep their secret promise to themselves to become millionaires from the public purse. 50% and counting!

Secondly, citizens doesn’t even need 20/20 vision to see they’re scared shi*less they’ll be voted out before the oil starts flowing in 2020. So they’ll love to splurge in the present to curry-favour with the electorate and leave any new administration holding the bag – if not wood. Now here it is, we don’t even have any idea what kind of prices Exxon will be extracting at. We don’t have any idea where world oil prices will be at – so we have no idea what our portion of the profits will amount to – and of course no idea how long it will take to pay off Exxon the US$2B. But we’re willing to deliver our firstborn (well our oil was formed 200 million years ago!!) for their mess of pottage.

But hold it – the pottage isn’t going to be that thick either. We can be sure Exxon isn’t going to shell out US$2B without calculating the risks of getting back the value in oil – and with PPP promising to revisit any agreement made … those risks just shot through the roof. (Payback’s a bitch, ain’t it? Sithe walked away from Amaila Hydro when APNU promised to “relook” at that contract!) Then Exxon will, of course, also factor in inflation to get back the net present value of what it lent in 2016. So in effect we’re putting a steep discount on our share of oil revenues right off the bat.

Back in the day, we sold our souls to the (Canadian and US Bauxite) company store. They threw us some crumbs and took the bauxite to their country while all we were left with are some huge craters in the ground.

After APNU/AFC squanders the US$2B on their jet set aspirations – we won’t even get the crumbs!

…the Speciality Hospital

Ramkarran is going to give lawyers more of a bad name than they already have. And that takes some doing! His bitterness towards his bête noir Jagdeo is so intense that he gives a free-pass on Ramjattan (the lawyer) representing the Indian Company Fedders Lloyd as a client – and simultaneously using his Parliamentary MP and AFC leader positions to push their business interests.

Ramkarran first argues that since the PPP played fast and loose to award Surendra the contract … this gives APNU/AFC the right to do the same with the award to Fedders Lloyd! Ah… for such flexible standards in the law!! Then Ramkarran argues that there’s no need for any new bidding. By liberally prefacing mentions of Fedders Lloyd with the adjective “reputable” Ramkarran vows for their ethical rectitude to accurately inspect and discount from their contract price, works done by their predecessor. Was Ramkarran ever in business? Or are his ethical standards so elastic?

But the best is Ramjattan’s serving God (well, that’s how he marketed Fedders Lloyd!) and Mammon (that fee he said he’ll only collect AFTER Fedders gets the contract) while in Parliament.

Ramjattan was really serving his “constituents’ interest” according to Ramkarran!!! That’s right – we the people!

This Eyewitness wonders how much of the contingency fees he and the rest of the “constituents” will be getting.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

Dead: Malini Narine

Suspect Vishnu Narine

Investigators at the scene just before retrieving the body

ExxonMobil’s advance payments

Guyana would be under oil giant’s control – Opposition Leader

Disastrous the outcome would be if government proceeds to take an advance payment from ExxonMobil as it could result in the oil giant pulling the strings in any future transactions with the country. This is according to former President and now Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who explained that such an arrangement could result in ExxonMobil having the upper hand in future negotiations.

According to reports, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman revealed government’s intention to ask ExxonMobil for an advanced payment on the future receivables from oil proceeds.

However, Jagdeo strongly believes this move will not only plunge Guyana into unnecessary debt but it will also result in a lack of transparency regarding the undertaking of future projects.

First of all, Jagdeo explained that there is no guar-

antee Guyana will in fact be receiving proceeds from ExxonMobil in future.

“We haven’t even gotten oil proceeds yet to save and he now wants to spend it today, money we don’t have… ExxonMobil still has to drill more wells before they get into the development… we don’t know what they will find… we don’t know the cost of production, if it will be above world market price so they won’t proceed or if they will shelf the project… He wants to borrow against future income and that income we are not even sure will materialise,” he stated.

Secondly, Jagdeo asserted that this move will result in ExxonMobil becoming the puppet master to the current administration.

The politician also pointed out that this move resembles the old “People’s National Congress philosophy - spend money you don’t have, borrow, and leave the country in

a huge debt.”

“They left us with a $2 billion debt when we had an economy under $3 million. So assuming we borrow $2 billion and that project does not materialise what happens then?” Jagdeo exasperated.

Further, as he questioned why government is seeking to borrow money from ExxonMobil rather than seek funding from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), Jagdeo related he believes the objective is to pave way for corrupt transactions.

“The objective is, do not ask for money from IDB because when you do, you have to do feasibility study and get IDB approval for the use of the money… the money from ExxonMonil will go into the treasury and therefore they won’t have to go through any of the transparency requirements for using the money,” Jagdeo explained. Therefore, he contends that with government bypassing the transparency process of the IDB (which would not have allowed funding if the process was not transparent), they can now “handpick contractors and do whatever they want”.

“I suspect that is why they are so anxious to get their hands on money of that nature,” Jagdeo stated.

He added: “and let me tell you now, if this materialises, that the PPP/C, when it resumes office in 4 years’ time or whenever they have elections, will be forced to consider whether this is a transparent deal and to recognise it.”

Dutch team presents recommendations on local drainage –

final report slated for year-end

Guyana’s drainage system could become more efficient, as the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) team presented its findings to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson after days of analysing the country’s drainage system.

The presentation was held at the Agriculture Ministry’s boardroom in the presence of Minister Patterson and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.

The recommendations by team leader Rob Steijn included the need for an upgrade of Guyana’s drainage at the technical and managerial levels.

“If you don’t manage it properly, the system will fail and if your water system fails, your country will fail,” Steijn stressed.

He further emphasised that Guyana’s water system needed to be crucially addressed, while opining that the Government’s predict-

ability on water issues must be improved. Additionally, he noted that short-term improvements, such as smallscale dredging, were possible. Steijn concluded by presenting his team’s preliminary recommendations.

The seven recommendations were to upgrade modelling capability, increase flood resilience of people and businesses, upgrade dredging capabilities and improve flow efficiency, develop longterm plans, develop and test a pilot project, develop and apply a lifecycle approach for the drainage assets, and data management through digitisation.

Steijn was not totally despondent about Guyana’s drainage situation as he mentioned that there were good aspects of it, but it needed improving. He added that the four days the team spent in Guyana were not enough to fully study the drainage system, but the findings

could help aid in development. His team will return to the Netherlands where they will further analyse the findings to make a final presentation year-end.

During remarks following the presentation by the DRR Team, Minister Patterson said the observations made were “very informative”. He also said he was impressed that in just a few days, the team had managed to make spot-on assessments of Guyana’s situation.

“We don’t see it as a critique; it’s all a learning process,” he said. Minister Patterson stressed the importance of the report being more than just another report.

The three-member DRR team arrived in Guyana on Sunday last and conducted analyses throughout the country. It comprised Steijn (the leader); Social Scientist Judith Klostermann and Civil Engineer Fokke Westebring.

The Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) team, along with Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson; Major General (retired) Joe Singh, head of the task force Government has established to address the flood situation in Guyana and other officials

ExxonMobil's Deepwater Champion

Reg 1 Chairman decries condition of health facilities –

cites lack of drugs, other necessities

Region One Chairman Brentol Ashley is grappling with mounting concerns from residents over the deplorable state of the health facilities across the region.

“Our hospitals across the region are like rundown cake shops,” Ashley frankly stated during a recent interview with Guyana Times.

Ashley complained bitterly about the lack of drugs and other necessitous items for patient care at most public health institutions in all the subdistricts: Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Moruca.

“There is a lack of necessitous things that are used on a daily basis such as rubbing alcohol… shortage of cotton,” Ashley revealed.

According to the regional head, millions of dollars were allotted for several upgrades at the various facilities but works are yet to begin.

In Moruca, Ashley explained that monies were allotted for the procurement of a boat to transport patients to and from the Charity Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) but this is yet to be done

Region One Regional Chairman Brentol Ashley

since the monies are yet to be released.

The regional chairman said the current boat is leaking from the bow and this severely hampers the efficiency of healthcare service.

He highlighted too that some $4 million was allotted for the renovation of the public hospital there but, again, this is yet to occur since the monies are yet to be released.

Guyana Times had reported on concerns over the similarly deplorable

state of Charity Hospital. Information indicates that Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital lacks essential conveniences to facilitate health services. There is a lack of adequate space for patients, a shortage of HIV kits, poor water resources, and air conditioning units.

Currently, nurses and doctors are forced to go beyond their line of duty to execute work effectively.

Doctors have to fetch water whenever there is delivery and mothers are forced to deliver their babies in a room which has no air conditioning unit.

Across in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the situation is no different. Regional Chairman David Armogan told this newspaper that hundreds of patients, who are in need of specialised eye care, namely surgeries for cataract, from the National Ophthalmology Hospital, are on a long-waiting list as the institution has no medication and supplies to perform surgeries.

He explained that this in turn contributes to the backlog of eyecare cases.

GTT awaiting Govt’s approval for increased spectrum

Years of waiting seem to be finally winding down as the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GTT) is closer to being awarded a spectrum upgrade that will see its customers getting faster mobile data speed.

Over the years, the company has applied for an upgrade in its allocation for spectrum and is awaiting permission from Government. However, Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd is optimistic it would not be long before this dream is realised.

Speaking with the media on Saturday, the CEO explained that he cannot say how soon this will happen since it is not in GTT’s control; nevertheless the company is doing its best to push for increased spectrum: “We are preparing for spectrum,” he stated.

Nedd outlined that the telephone company has already embarked on preparations and is currently talking to vendors about prices of the equipment as well as looking at the procurement process to see how fast the equipment

can be installed and tested so that customers can get 3G and 4G services as soon as possible.

According to Nedd, the company intends to keep its promises to GTT customers, that is, making the company easy to do business with, and moving with alacrity to get things done. On this note, he pointed out that next year would be an exciting one for the phone company and its customers.

“I would assume that once the government gives us spectrum next year, or even this year, we will be able to roll out next-generation services, 3G, 4G services, which would really enable the customers to do more,” he stated.

Moreover, the phone company head expressed confidence that government and the NFMU will grant permission for GTT to have increased spectrum.

“I know the government is very keen on liberalising the sector and granting spectrum so that we can free the customers from slow 2G experience

because all we need to get next generation services is spectrum,” he noted.

Last month, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had disclosed that the Telecommunications Bill, which is aimed at liberalising the sector to make it more competitive, is expected to be tabled in Parliament before yearend. At the time, the Bill was before Cabinet for review.

However, when asked whether the telephone company has had a look at the latest draft in the legislation, the CEO opted not to comment, saying GTT has been in negotiations with government on liberalising the sector.

The Telecommunications Bill seeks to create a competitive regime in the telecommunications sector. It provides for an open, liberalised and competitive sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current participants.

By creating this competitive environment for telecommunications, the Bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers. The Bill also specifically addresses the expansion of telecommunication networks and services into unserved and under-served areas, through the institution of a new universal access/universal service programme, in an effort to further national, regional, social and economic development.

Granger downplays Paris COP21

President David Granger says it would be difficult for him to spend more days out of the country to represent Guyana at the crucial climate change conference in Paris. The President expressed his desire to stay home and attend to matters of “national interest”.

These sentiments are in light of concerns raised by former President Bharrat Jagdeo over President Granger’s non-attendance at the important forum where world leaders meet to develop the international agreement which will set out to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and slow the effect of climate change.

President Granger, in a media statement on Sunday explained he would have liked to go to Paris but it is “difficult to spend that amount of time out of the country right now. There are things at home that need my attention. I had to make a decision. It was a difficult decision but I do believe that it is in the national in-

terest.” He then indicated that Guyana would be well represented at the meeting through its Governance Minister Raphael Trotman. He therefore rapped the comments made by the Opposition Leader regarding the suitability of the Governance Minister to represent Guyana. President Granger said the former President’s comments were

Kaieteur Falls suicide...

misplaced, unfair and unhelpful.

“Even before Mr Trotman goes to Paris, to make that type of allegation, it is very unhelpful. Guyana has several challenges and I think the attitude or the perception by other countries that Guyana has a united front… would better serve our national interests,” the Head of State said.

Responding to questions about Jagdeo’s criticisms of the new administration’s position on climate change, the President offered to meet with the Opposition Leader and discuss the matter.

“We are an inclusive government and we are prepared to sit down and benefit from his experience. But to stay afar off and start to attack a representative of the present government is not the behaviour we expect of a former Head of State… We are not at war with the PPP… We were the ones who held out a hand of friendship and I would welcome Mr Jagdeo sitting down and giving us the sort

of brief that I feel the new government is entitled to,” he stated.

He noted too that the administration is focused on a holistic approach to managing and mitigating the harmful effects of climate change.

Expanding on the divergence of the government’s position from that of what he called a deficient approach to climate change under the previous administration, the Head of State said the modified policy focuses on the development of a green economy, which covers areas beyond just the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Touting a vision of overall ecological and environmental management the President said climate change is not a money-making venture: “It is not a device to get money from one country and simply transfer it. It is a means of transforming the economy. It is not a transfer of funds. It is a whole conceptual difference we are talking about.”

Body yet to be retrieved – family undergoing counselling

Preparations are still underway to retrieve the body of Roshinee Pagwah, who had jumped off the Kaieteur Falls on November 21.

Her body was recently spotted on the edge at the base of the falls by the search team.

The Tourism Ministry and the National Parks Commission had explained that due to the complex logistics and the dangerous terrain, the recovery is expected to take a number of days.

With no hope in sight and countless questions

still unanswered, the grief-stricken family of the 21-year-old woman, who took a deadly plunge off Kaieteur Falls are currently undergoing counselling to help cope with the unforeseen loss of their loved one.

Roshinee Pagwah jumped off the Kaieteur Falls after reportedly encountering complications in her romantic life.

During an interview with Guyana Times the mother of the deceased Indra Pagwah had said she is still devastated and cannot believe her baby girl

is gone. Pagwah last saw her daughter on Saturday (21) morning when she left with a friend to head to Georgetown under the pretext of clearing a barrel. Later in the day, she received a text message stating: “I coming home before midnight”.

The elder Pagwah only learnt of her daughter’s death via social media and was immediately thrown into a state of shock and disbelief.

Pagwah told this newspaper that government has provided the family with two counsellors to

help through the grieving process, however she noted that no amount of talking will help take away the pain of losing her only child.

Guyana Times understands the counsellors, one from Georgetown and the other from Berbice, visited the family on Tuesday and tried to get the mother to interact with them.

GECOM intensifies voter, potential candidates consultations for LGE

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that it was intensifying its stakeholder engagements targeting voters and potential candidates for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), as a major component of its Civic and Voter education strategy.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, GECOM said that it is currently arranging stakeholder meetings within all of the 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the nine municipalities in Guyana.

Some of the pertinent issues that will be discussed at the meetings include the Electoral System for Local Government Elections, voting at Local Government Elections, the rights and responsibilities of voters, criteria to contest the Local

Roshinee Pagwah

Government Elections, qualifications to be elected as Councillors, the definition of Local Government and what it means to citizens and their communities.

GECOM noted that the primary objective of these meetings was to provide voters and candidates (political parties/voluntary groups/individual candidates) with comprehensive knowledge about Local Government Elections to aid efficient conduct of elections with maximum participation in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

“Notwithstanding the ‘roll out’ of this activity, GECOM hereby is prepared to meet with any Civil Society Organisation that may wish to discuss the above issues with the Commission,” the release further stated.

Pagwah had ended her relationship with her boyfriend some five years and the devastated young man subsequently took his life. Reports suggested the young lady still suffered the emotional trauma of that experience and this is perhaps what compelled her to end her life.

According to reports, the younger Pagwah had exhibited signs of depression before she took her plunge of death.

Based on information,

Though the mother was still too overwhelmed to truly express her anguish, this publication was told that sufficient progress was made and that the counsellors promised to keep in touch with the family.

Time and again, numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have spoken about warning signs of a suicidal person and would constantly urge family and peers not to treat the matter lightly. Contacted for a comment on the matter, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) noted that the young lady had indeed exhibited signs of depression. The organisation lamented that no one intervened in time.

President David Granger

monday, november 30, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Walter Rodney CoI

Group petitions for extension

The Justice for Walter Rodney Group is petitioning the government for an extension of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, which ended abruptly by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government shortly after assumption to office.

Just a few days before the final report is set to be handed over, a petition for the CoI to continue for two more weeks was handed over to Governance Minister Raphael Trotman.

The petition is said to have more than 1000 signatures from allies, students and admirers of Walter Rodney in more than 50 countries, who are imploring the government to allow two more weeks for the CoI to sit to properly complete its work.

The CoI, which began in April 2014, was established to determine as far as possible; based on keen examination of the facts and circumstances before, during and after the death of Walter Rodney; who or what was responsible for the explosion which resulted in his demise.

However, President David Granger in May 2015, signalled his intention to put an end to the CoI, con-

tending that it is a waste of taxpayers’ monies and that it failed to gather valuable evidence about the death of Walter Rodney.

Dr Rodney was bombed to death in 1980 while sitting in a car outside of the Camp Street jail.

When the CoI came to an abrupt end, questions were raised about the Working People’s Alliance’s (WPA) real position on this move, particularly because it has for years been calling for an independent probe into the cause of death of its leader.

WPA Leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine had told Guyana Times that he was a signatory to the precipitous decision to scrap the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, but he is still prepared to offer his statement to the commissioners who are yet to present their findings.

“It was a Cabinet decision. We don’t break ranks at Cabinet on issues like that. We took a point of view and the consensus from Cabinet is inclined to take a particular position; that is it,” he said.

Roopnarine continued:

“My own feeling was that the Cabinet felt that the time had come for it to come to an end and that enough had been invested in the Commission and that it has

had sufficient time to come to its conclusion.”

Former President Donald Ramotar who established the Inquiry, has already condemned the actions of the Government explaining that, “it simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testi-

mony”.

Ramotar said he was aware that persons whose names have been called by witnesses in significant ways were to be invited by the Commission to make a contribution.

“These persons would have included former leader of the PNCR, Mr Robert Corbin. Evidence from the Guyana Defence Force

has been tendered before the Commission to the effect that Mr Corbin obtained from the Force over 150 machine guns. At that time, he was at the Ministry of National Mobilisation. Those guns have reached the hands of bandits. The PNCR itself may have been invited and offered an opportunity to defend itself against some very damaging allegations.”

“With the Commission now to be abruptly aborted, none of this will take place. I am therefore forced to wonder whether the decision to bring the life of the Commission to an abrupt end is one that is intended to avoid these witnesses from giving evidence and face cross-examination,” he said in a letter to the press.

Investors express interest in Reg 10 – Chairman

BY UTAMU BELLE

Anumber of investors have expressed interest in Region 10, Regional Chairman Renis Morian announced, noting that the environment is ripe and welcoming for such attention.

During a recent press conference at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Linden, Morian outlined several initiatives which are expected to come on stream and urged residents to continue to create a stable environment, which may be inviting for investors and their investments. Already he noted, investors from London have visited the Region expressing interest in wood processing, among other industries. Morian said a system has been put in place allowing for investors to speak directly to region officials, adding that this system has so far proven to be beneficial.

Speaking with Guyana Times the chairman noted that with respect to wood processing, investors are looking directly at the value-added products.

“They’re looking to go into the wood business... to add value to wood in Region 10. The fact is, the raw material, the wood is here, we have unemployed, trained people and work force, plus electricity cost is lower than Georgetown. In other words, we have the competitive advan-

tage here. We have land, a trained viable workforce and a dynamic, young and upcoming youth force that is educated and trained. Investors are not only looking to invest in wood but other type of investment in Region 10”, Morian explained.

Another area of interest, he noted, is a clay brick factory. According to Morian an investor from London has shown interest in creating a clay brick factory with emphasis on developing a newer form of clay brick. He said based on talks, this initiative is “a good one,” as he expressed optimism in the value of the type of clay brick that the investor is willing to develop in the region.

Another investor, he added, has sought to acquire 5000 acres of land in the region, to plant a special type of grass.

“Once all goes well, this will see the employment of several persons from areas within the region,” he further noted.

“A company want to use it and there’s a partnership with this company to attain 5000 acres and we want to start with 150 acres. They will be hiring workers in the Ituni/ Kwakwani area”, Morian stated.

The list does not stop there, as Morian related that an investor from Canada has also expressed interest in setting up an oil refinery and has already proceeded with the legalities of such. Already also, the team has held discussion with Regional Councillor Sandra Adams on setting up the refinery in Linden and is expected to consult with the RDC team shortly. This initiative, the Regional head said, would be a great boost for Region 10, as it will create an environment for lowering the cost of kerosene and other fuels.

“What we need to do is continue to have a stable community that investors would want to come and invest in... let’s stay together, work together... I am optimistic, I am hoping and praying that investors come on board. Next year, I would like to pronounce, would be a better year for Region 10 and a better year for the young people”, Morian said.

Dr Walter Rodney

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

Red Thread to Govt: Save our women from abuse

The Human Rights

group Red Thread is urging government to pay keen attention to the issue of Domestic Violence throughout the country.

At a media conference Thursday, Red Thread voiced concerns over the manner in which domestic violence is being handled especially by the police force. The group stated that the only way violence will be eliminated is if Guyanese are able to cultivate a culture of zero tolerance for violence of every kind.

They noted that after years of intervention by various groups, violence, especially domestic violence, is still very rampant across the country: “Our policing and protective systems in many areas are clearly inadequate and dysfunctional. We deserve and demand better.”

Reporters were told victims are still hassled and given the run around when they go to police stations to provide statements, and they are even given false information by some police.

“In one instance we know of, a woman was butted down the stairs of a police station by her abuser in front of the police who defended the man instead of her” head of the organisation Karen De Souza shared.

De Souza stated it is clear the systems that are

supposed to be in place to support victims of domestic violence are broken and not functioning as they should be: “There are no half-way houses for abused women and their families, and just one domestic violence shelter. There are not enough quality counsellors to help victims as well as perpetrators, and too many Guyanese still condone violence, beating their children and looking away when they witness other people abusing their loved ones.”

She mentioned that economic violence also needs to be addressed as it is a significant reason why many women remain in abusive relationships. The activist also added that the national budget needs to provide assistance to domestic violence victims so they can become financially self-suf-

50th Independence celebrations Region 10 proposes activities

The Region 10 administration has submitted its proposed calendar of activities to the Central Planning Committee, in preparation for Mashramani 2016 and Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations next year. The programme entails a list of events and commemoration sites. Over 20 proposed activities would have already been compiled on the calendar, while more are expected to be added from franchise holder of the Linden Town Week (LTW) of activities Vybz Entertainment and the Education Ministry in the near future.

Under the calendar, Mash Bash still forms part of the activities for Linden in February 2016, however minus the customary costume parade. There are a few additional changes which have been noted too, for example the Region’s annual Flag Raising ceremony being shifted from the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building at Mackenzie, Linden. The customary hoisting of the flag is scheduled to now take place outside of the RDC building

ficient.

She also noted that the laws on domestic violence need to be revised to penalise abusers with longer sentences, to send a strong message of deterrence to other would-be abusers.

“The only way that violence will be eliminated is if we cultivate a culture of no-tolerance for violence of all kinds - not only physical, but also verbal, emotional/ psychological and financial” De Souza pointed out. This is the task of every individual Guyanese, she added.

Red Thread is calling on the state and government institutions and entities to do the work they’re mandated to do - take the issue of violence against women and children seriously, provide quality service, protection, and care to all citizens of Guyana, to deal adequately with perpetrators and work with community partners to implement preventive strategies in all spheres of life.

The Red Thread head also mentioned that too many women for this year have been victims of domestic violence, and is hoping government can provide assistance in dealing with this scourge that has plagued this country for too long.

Earlier this month, an Annandale woman was stabbed repeatedly to her neck and wrists by her reputed husband with whom she had ended the relationship earlier in the year. Also, earlier in the year, a teenager was battling for her life after she was stabbed at least 52 times by a man with whom she shared a common-law relationship for the past six years.

on February 23. An additional Flag Raising ceremony is to be held on the same date in the Region, at Independence Square, Kwakwani. Since next year’s Independence observances will officially start on January 1, the Committee, consisting of Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Maylene Stephens and Councillor Franklin Carew also plans to host several medical outreaches starting in February. An Inter Faith Church service in Linden on January 3 is intended to kick start the activities.

Region 10 also plans to send a team to Georgetown to be part of the National Costume and Float parade observances on May 27. Other activities including a Miss Independence pageant, karaoke competition, Futsal, Oldies night affair, boat cruise and Independence Sports day, among others, are expected to form part of the activities.

The Regional Commemoration Committee is tasked with the responsibility of coordinating all activities in relation to next year’s 50th Independence observances in the Region.

Georgetown Ferry Stelling falling apart

Hundreds of residents of Region Three, who use the Georgetown/ Vreed-en-Hoop water taxis were significantly inconvenienced during the morning rush-hour last week as a section of the stairway at Georgetown Stelling collapsed.

This newspaper was told persons barely escaped serious injuries as they made their way up the stairway of the stelling, which collapsed.

Eyewitness account stated that as one commuter was struggling to mount the stairway, she slipped, almost falling into the river.

Commuters are peeved about the deplorable conditions of the stelling and are calling on Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson to renovate the facilities before any major mishap.

Guyana Times visited the Stelling to get a firsthand look at conditions. It was observed that the stair-

way from boat to stelling was in a deteriorating condition and there are no rails on either side of the stairway.

Speaking with Guyana Times a commuter said: “I’m scared, you never know what could happen based on how out there look,” referring to the stairway, adding that, “you know how many people fall already, that thing could fall apart any day and I don’t want to be there when that happens”.

Yet another commuter, who identified himself as ‘Ravi’ complained about the stairway, stating that it needs to be repaired: “Look at how many boards missing here (pointing to the upperparts of the stairway) and look at the condition of the ones still here, the minister who is responsible for looking after this stelling needs to get this stairway fixed, these boards must be replaced”.

Last March repairs were made to the rails of the stell-

ing; these repairs were made in light of an incident where a section of the structure collapsed in September of 2014. No major repairs have been made since then.

According to the operators, on a daily basis they pay a landing fee to Transport and Harbours Department, which is supposed to be used to develop the facility but no development has been made, thus the facility continues to deteriorate.

The operators also spoke of mishaps they have personally witnessed where many passengers barely escaped serious injuries as they continue to fall every so often.

They are, again, like the many times in the past, appealing to the Transport and Harbours Department, and the Minister to act quickly to rehabilitate the facilities.

This newspaper made several efforts to contact Minister Patterson but those efforts when unanswered.

Karen De Souza

Brazil links Zika Fever to birth defects

The Brazilian Health Ministry has confirmed a link between a mosquito-borne virus from Africa, Zika Fever, and a high incidence of birth defects.

The fever, it said, is behind a spike in cases of micro-encephalitis – an inflammation of the brain contracted in the first months of pregnancy.

It has recorded two adult deaths and 739 cases of the disease, which can stunt the growth of the foetus’s head.

A World Health Organisation team arrives in Brazil this week.

The Ministry said doctors had found Zika virus in the blood and tissue of a baby with micro-encephalitis in the north-eastern state of Ceara.

It said it was also the first time in the world that adult deaths from Zika virus had been registered.

Most cases have been in the north-east of Brazil, but

cases also rapidly appeared in the south-east, in Rio and São Paulo.

The first confirmed case of death was of a man in the city of Belem, in Para state, who was being treated for Lupus, a disease of the immune system.

The second case, also in Para, was of a 16-year-old girl who was admitted with suspected Dengue Fever but who was found to have died of Zika.

The virus was first detected in Brazil in April and has spread rapidly to 18 states.

It appears relatively harmless at first, causing a rash and a fever for a few days.

But Ministry officials have issued warnings to women to think carefully about getting pregnant at the moment in areas where there are Zika Fever cases. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Britain sends £5M foreign aid to C’bean to improve fishing, tourism

ritish Prime Minister

BDavid Cameron has announced a £5.6 million cash injection to help improve fishing, tourism and shipping in the Caribbean and other countries.

The 25 “small island” Commonwealth recipients include Bermuda, Jamaica, the Maldives, the Seychelles, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Cameron, who is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta, said he wants the countries to be able to make the most of their natu-

ral maritime resources.

He made the announcement while unveiling a £26 million aid package to help tackle global warming ahead of a meeting of world leaders in Paris today.

The cash will be used to manage fisheries, protect coastlines and tackle pollution, as well as extending disaster risk.

“We have a real opportunity to get the small island states that are so vulnerable to climate change on board for an ambitious global climate change deal in Paris,” Cameron said: “Britain is

firmly committed to helping these countries deal with the effects of climate change”.

“That’s why we’re announcing new support today to help protect them from the risks of climate change and to make the most of their natural maritime advantages, which are so vital to their economies,” Cameron added.

Britain will be spending £16.3 billion on its foreign aid programme by 2020, more than the amount spent on border controls, immigration, Police and prisons. (CMC)

Warner files judicial review to block extradition on corruption charges

Corruption accused Jack Warner has filed an application for judicial review, challenging his extradition to the United States.

Warner, through his Attorneys Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein, Rishi Dass, Nyree Alfonso, Sasha Bridgemohansingh and Anil Maraj, is asking the High Court to stay the proceedings and declare the extradition order and the Authority to Proceed (ATP) issued by

Attorney General Faris AlRawi null and void.

Warner, 72, is accused of 29 counts of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery during his time in football’s world governing body, FIFA.

The former FIFA Vice President has denied all allegations, but extradition proceedings have begun before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar.

However, those proceedings will be stayed pending

the outcome of the judicial review application.

The judicial review notes breaches of natural justice in the issuance of the ATP – the document required to begin the extradition process; the failure to provide Warner with a fair hearing; as well as the issue of bias as the Attorney General was advised by lawyers representing the interests of the US in the proceedings in the courts.

(Caribbean360.com)

Robert De Niro’s plan for Caribbean mega-resort

opposed by island residents

Plans by movie star

Robert De Niro and Australian billionaire James Packer to build a 391acre mega-resort at Princess Diana’s favourite Caribbean hideaway are stirring controversy in Barbuda, where opponents accuse the island’s Government of trampling citizens’ rights in a rush to push the project through.

The passage last week of

UK wants direct access to Cayman Islands company information

The United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories (OT) Minister has told the Cayman Islands Premier that the British government wanted direct access to companies registered in the territory for all of its law enforcement agencies, but the Cayman leader has so far refused.

As the dispute between the UK and its territories continues, the return of James Duddridge to the OT desk at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has seen a renewal of demands by Britain, dashing hopes raised by the acting minister, Grant Shapps, that access to beneficial ownership records could be fulfilled via other means.

In a statement to the Legislative Assembly on

Thursday ahead of his departure to London on Friday evening for the annual Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting, Premier Alden McLaughlin said beneficial ownership was not on this year’s agenda but there

would be discussions with Duddridge in separate talks.

The Premier said Duddridge had told him by phone that the UK was now seeking direct access by its law enforcement agencies to beneficial ownership information in the Cayman

Islands and other overseas territories.

“I have advised him that this is not something to which the Cayman Islands can agree,” McLaughlin said.

“The information concerned does not belong to the Cayman Islands Government. It is property of the owners of the respective legal entities,” he added. “As far as we are aware, there is no country in the world that allows unrestricted access to beneficial ownership information by the law enforcement agencies of another country.”

McLaughlin pointed to the established mechanisms to allow requests for information to be made to the relevant authorities in Cayman. (Excerpt from CNS)

the so-called Paradise Found Bill during a lively session of the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament cleared a major hurdle to the US$250 million development on the site of the run-down and abandoned K Club, which closed in 2004.

The new law gives the celebrity business partners incentives including a 25year tax holiday in return for building the exclusive beachfront resort, which features an eco-lodge and yacht marina, and a new airport on Barbuda.

But critics say the law – named for the De NiroPacker partnership’s resort brand and passed within hours of its first reading – will “wipe out” sections of existing legislation.

Among the provisions stripped by the new law, they say, are the right of the elected Barbuda Council to “consider and approve” large-scale property deals on the island, and the population’s shared ownership of its land. Plans for the resort, which include more than 40 upmarket cottages each with a private pool, call for the grant of a government lease for 140 acres in addition to the 251-acre footprint of the old K Club site. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Cuba and US to hold talks on migration and drug trafficking

The United States and Cuba will hold talks in Washington DC today to discuss issues related to migration and the fight against drug trafficking.

According to officials from Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, the Cuban delegation will be headed by the Director General of the United States Office of the Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal; and that of the United States by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US for South America and Cuba, Alex Lee.

On Tuesday, officials of the Cuban Government and of several US agencies – the State Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Coast Guard – will hold a meeting on drug trafficking.

The meeting will focus on “discussing ways to stop

the illegal flow of narcotics to and from Cuba and the United States, and exploring ways in which the two countries can cooperate in this matter”, the State Department said.

The island’s Foreign Ministry says Cuba will reiterate its opposition to the Cuban Adjustment Act and related regulations, like the dry feet-wet feet policy and the Parole Programme for Cuban medical professionals, which encourages illegal emigration to the United States. The foundation of the migration dialogue between the two countries lies in the agreements of 1994 and 1995, by way of which the US and Cuba committed themselves to maintain “safe, legal and orderly” immigration and meet every six months to review the implementation of these agreements.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are carriers of the Yellow Fever, Dengue, Chikungunya viruses as well as Zika

Robert De Niro with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne in June (ddp USA/Rex Shutterstock)

Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin (left) and British Overseas Territories Minister James Duddridge

Around the world

Global rallies demand climate action

Hundreds of thousands of people are marching worldwide to demand action to stop climate change, but one protest in Paris was marred by violence.

More than 2000 events are happening globally on the eve of a United Nations summit in the French capital.

In Paris, Police fired tear gas at a large group of demonstrators gathered in the Place de la Republique.

They were apparently protesting against France’s state of emergency, and have been disowned by the main organisers.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said 208 people were arrested, of whom 174 are still in custody.

The order, banning public gatherings, was put into place after the November 13 attacks in the city, in which 130 people died.

Many of those involved in the clashes wore masks or covered their faces.

Protesters and Police walked over candles and tributes left for the attack victims at a makeshift memorial.

Burkina Faso votes after year of political turmoil

Burkina Faso holds elections on Sunday, the first since a popular uprising toppled the West African nation’s longtime leader and launched a turbulent period of transition.

Hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets in October 2014, furious over then-President Blaise Compaore’s bid to scrap constitutional term limits and stay in office.

“We have a real chance for democracy here,” said Tahirou Barry, one of 14 presidential candidates. “For the first time, the incumbent President is not a candidate. This leaves the voters free of pressure, and there is fair play in the process.”

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Adow reporting from the capital, Ouagadougou, said there were long queues in most polling stations.

“A lot is at stake in this election, the road to this day has been a bumpy one,” Adow said.

President Francois Hollande said it was “scandalous” that the clashes happened “where flowers and candles have been left in memory of those who were killed by the terrorists’ bullets”.

He added that the clashes had “nothing to do with those who protect the environment”.

Nicholas Haeringer, of the campaign group 350.org, said protests should still be allowed to continue, adding that campaigners would “stand against any attempts by the French authorities to use the incidents this afternoon to unnecessarily clamp down on civil liberties”.

Compaore resigned and fled the country, ending his 27-year rule of one of the poorest countries in the world. But the transitional Government soon found itself at odds with his elite presidential guard.

Earlier, in Paris, a human chain was formed by hundreds linking arms along the three kilometres (1.9 miles) route of a march that was called off after the November 13 attacks. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Declaring a new start, EU and Turkey set to sign migration deal

Leaders of the European Union and Turkey were set to sign an agreement on Sunday offering Ankara cash and closer ties in return for help in stemming the flow of migrants to Europe, draft conclusions of their summit showed.

Aware of a sense of desperation in Europe for a solution to a crisis that has called into question the future of its passport-free travel zone, Ankara has been driving a hard bargain.

Diplomats said the 28 EU Governments had struggled through Saturday to agree a final offer.

The draft deal seen by Reuters made clear the nature of the trade-off, involving Turkish help in handling the flow of migrants to the EU, expected to reach 1.5 million people this year alone, and the EU offering cash and restarting talks on EU accession.

“Both sides will ... with immediate effect, step up their active cooperation on mi-

grants..., preventing travel to Turkey and the EU, ensuring ... readmission provisions and swiftly returning migrants who are not in need of international protection to their countries of origin,” the draft said.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, meeting the 28 EU national leaders for three hours from 1500 GMT,

said on arrival for the talks in Brussels that it was a “new beginning” for Turkey’s efforts to become an EU member, stalled for 10 years.

“Today is a historic day in our accession process to the EU,” Davutoglu told reporters. “I am grateful to all European leaders for this new beginning,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chinese authorities boost smog alert level in Beijing

The authorities in the Chinese capital, Beijing, have issued their highest smog warning so far this year.

The “orange level” alert declared on Sunday is the second highest possible, requiring factories to cut production.

On Sunday, some pollution readings in parts of the city reached about 17 times the level considered safe by the World Health Organisation.

Air pollution is a chronic health risk for those living and working in the capital and other major Chinese cities.

With no incumbent on the ballot and the presidential guard now dissolved, candidates and analysts say the vote will be the most open and democratic in Burkina Faso’s history.

“What the people want is for Government officials to bring to an end the turmoil that has engulfed their country for the past year,” he added.

Adow noted there is currently a 60 per cent unemployment rate in Burkino Faso. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Deadly Russian airstrike hits market in Syria’s Idlib

At least 44 people were killed and scores wounded on Sunday in a suspected Russian air strike on a crowded marketplace in Idlib Province, activists have told Al Jazeera.

The strikes hit the town of Ariha, which is controlled by the Army of Conquest, a rebel alliance which includes the Nusra Front, the UKbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

In addition to the market, several other areas of the town were hit, the group said.

Local news channel Ariha al-Youm reported cluster bombs were used in the raid

by a Russian fighter jet. The pro-opposition Orient TV reported an initial death toll of 40.

However, Rami Abdulrahman, Director of the observatory, put the death toll much higher, saying at least 60 people were killed and wounded in the attack.

Officials at the Russian Defence Ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Army of Conquest alliance seized Ariha in May after heavy fighting with forces loyal to the Syrian Army, in an offensive that resulted in the entire province falling into

rebel hands.

The Russian Air Force has conducted air strikes in support of President Bashar alAssad since September 30.

Moscow says it targets the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other “terrorists”, but critics accuse it of targeting other rebel groups more than ISIL. Russian air strikes have previously hit several Army of Conquest positions in Idlib Province.

The Province is not a stronghold of ISIL, which controls wide areas of eastern Syria. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Australian Govt gives nod for supply of uranium to India

After eight years of intense negotiations, bureaucratic hurdles and a shifting nuclear policy, the Australian Government has finally given the green signal to the export of uranium to India “which can begin immediately”.

Building sites are not allowed to transport materials or waste and heavy-duty trucks are banned from the city’s roads.

Some reports suggest that visibility has fallen to a few hundred metres in some places.

At noon on Sunday, the air pollution monitor operated by the US Embassy in Beijing reported that the intensity of the poisonous, tiny particles of PM 2.5 reached more than 400 micrograms per cubic metre in some of the worst-affected ar-

China’s State media says the declaration of this orange level alert requires industrial plants to reduce or shut down production.

eas. The World Health Organisation considers 25 micrograms per cubic metre to be a safe level.

Coal-powered industries and heating systems, as well as dust from construction sites, all contribute to the smog which has been exacerbated by humidity and a lack of wind.

A cold front, expected to arrive on Wednesday, should bring some relief.

Air pollution is a perennial problem in China’s northeast which is home to many heavy industries including coal mining. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The Australia-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement permits Australian companies to commence commercial uranium exports to India, an important milestone in Australia’s relationship with India, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a media release.

While previous Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott was quite gung-ho about the supply of uranium to India, current incumbent Malcolm Turnbull would get the credit for sealing the deal to export uranium to the power-hungry south Asian country.

“The supply of Australian uranium will help India meet its rapidly growing electricity demand and improve the wel-

The export of

fare of its people,” said Bishop in the media release. “The administrative arrangements have been signed and uranium exports can begin immediately.”

Many observers of the bilateral ties would agree with the Foreign Minister’s assertion that the export of uranium to India is a milestone in the bilateral relations.

It was Liberal Prime Minister John Howard who

first agreed to sell uranium to India in 2007 in spite of the refusal by New Delhi to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which has been a pre-requisite to receive Australian uranium. It is believed that the Australian PM was persuaded by the United States to sell uranium to India soon after finalisation of the US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement in July that year.

(Excerpt from Times of India)

France’s President Francois Hollande criticised the fact clashes took place at the memorial

Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and German Chancellor Angela Merkel talk to French President Francois Hollande during an EUTurkey summit in Brussels, Belgium on November 29

uranium to India is a milestone in the nations’ bilateral relations

monday, november 30, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Scenes from King's 15th Annual Duck Curry Competition

Courts lights

Residents of New Amsterdam got a treat on Friday when the Courts annual road-show and Christmas Treelight-up hit the town.

The Courts Santa Claus not only brought gifts but also performed on stage with Mrs Claus along with several Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Mini Mouse, Princess, Spiderman and Dora. The annual stage show which preceded the lighting of the Courts Charismas tree saw the Courts Christmas RoadShow song competition winner Ruel Giles delivering a sensational rendition of ‘This Christmas’.

Marketing Director of Courts Corneal Cummings in wishing New Amsterdam a great holiday noted the road-show was not only the stage show but also includes bargains at the

up NA as customers win purchases

store. He explained to this publication that through that promotion persons were able to receive their purchases absolutely free when they made purchases at $49,999 and over and got an opportunity to ‘spin the wheel’. More than ten persons won their purchase free at the event.

Earlier in the day, the road-show team visited the Alpha Children’s Home at Gay Park, Berbice and took gifts for the children of that orphanage.

In a brief message Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan said Courts has been a good corporate citi-

zen. He noted that the furniture giant is the pioneer of hire purchase arrangements in Guyana: “And that kind of arrangement has helped poor and ordinary working class people to own furniture and home furnishing when they do not have the money to but them outright.”

“This is the time of the year of peace, of joy, of happiness, of shearing, of giving and of loving. We all look forward to this time of the year to socialize with our relativities and friends. People have been saving for many months just to ensure that at Christmas time they have money to buy gifts and new clothes for their children and o decorate their homes. This has been the tradition of Christmas in Guyana and that is not going to change. We are a proud Guyanese people!”

COP21: Poor countries

fear being ‘left behind’ in rush for deal

Acritical UN conference aimed at agreeing a new global approach to climate change is set to open in Paris.

The meeting, known as COP21, will see negotiators from 195 countries attempt to finalise a new treaty over the next two weeks.

Political leaders from 147 countries will address the conference Starting today.

But the poorest countries say they fear being “left behind” in the push to agree a deal.

The French government will officially take over the running of the talks during the opening ceremony today.

Police have locked down

the conference centre in Le Bourget, closing roads in the area amid strict security for the leaders’ visit.

Presidents and prime ministers will address the gathering amid a growing sense of optimism that an agreement can be secured.

“It will be the turning point, which is what the world requires,” said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at a news conference over the weekend. Fabius will chair the conference until it reaches a conclusion.

The leaders, who will only stay at the meeting for one day, are likely to make a number of significant announcements during the day to boost the fight against rising temperatures. (BBC)

The Courts road show performers at New Amsterdam

monday, november 30, 2015 |

Haags Bosch landfill controversy CJ reverses BK’s contract termination

Chief Justice Ian Chang on Thursday quashed a decision by the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, relieving BK International from continuing works on the Haags Bosch landfill site, deeming it irrational and unfair.

Represented by Attorney Devindra Kissoon, BK presented its case where it maintained the then Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker and its then Permanent Secretary Collin Croal acted “unjustifiably” and “in egregious bad faith as part and parcel of practice and pattern of conduct victimizing the company.

It said the Minister and/ or the Permanent Secretary abused their power, and in so doing reached a decision that no reasonable authority could have adopted, if it had taken account of all relevant considerations and had left out of account all irrelevant collateral matters.

In presenting its case to the court that construction company director Brian Tiwari, stated that the

Ministry had constantly delayed and changed design instructions due to shoddy design work, expecting his company to immediately adapt to the Ministry’s “ever evolving needs, while at the same time pressuring BK to accept and process an increase of almost double the amount of waste originally contemplated at an incredibly high standard, all against the backdrop of maliciously withholding payment for operational or construction costs from BK for years at end”.

Back in 2009 and the Government of Guyana entered into a contractual agreement to design, execute, complete, operate and maintain the Haags Bosch Landfill at a cost of some US$7,729,822.50.

However, because the project was being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the international funding Agency had some requirements that needed to be filled, but was not seeing this in the work executed by the company. After some back and forth government later relieved the company from continuing the project. That has since been on hold. Justice Chang in his decision said: “Government and Local Development, and each of them by themselves, their respective servants, agents or otherwise, or anyone acting on their respective, whomsoever and howsoever, preventing them from terminating the Contractor doing an act in furtherance of the Decision and Termination Notice on the grounds that the Decision and Termination

Notice (l) were made and issued arbitrarily, unreasonably, irrationally, unlawfully, illegally, erroneously, in bad faith and in breach of the rules of natural justice”.

Information presented in the case state that despite the fact that BK had not only complied with the Ministry’s demands and constructed and operated the Landfill Site without any failure whatsoever, and invested more than five years and millions of dollars of its own money into the project, with the reasonable and legitimate expectation that it would reap the benefit of its hard work until the end of the contract in 2019 at agreed revised contractual rates, and that the Ministry would act in good faith, the evidence showed that the Ministry has conjured up a scheme to terminate the parties’ contract and victimise BK on frivolous and baseless grounds, all with the improper motive of operating the Landfill Site itself or by another third party.

The Ministry responded by stating that the remedy of judicial review was inappropriate, and instead BK

Marriott hosts Ruimveldt Children’s Home

The Guyana Marriott Hotel on Saturday treated the children from the Ruimveldt Children’s Home to an afternoon of fun and laughter when it hosted them at its first ever “Christmas Tree Light Up.”

The children were also entertained at the poolside and given gifts before the switch was pulled to illuminate the Christmas tree.

The initiative was one to welcome the Christmas season as well as to give to the less fortunate. The Hotel’s

should have sued for breach of contract.

Chief Justice Chang dismissed the Ministry’s arguments, found that the remedy of judicial review was appropriate, given the fact the State entered its contract with BK “in the exercise of the State’s common law power to contract”, that “the general public had a direct interest in the project” given “the level of public expenditure... the importance of the project to public health and welfare.”

Chief Justice Chang went on to find, “that the failure of the respondents to take into consideration such relevant factors rendered its decision to terminate as irrational in public law sense since, in the circumstances, no public authority could reasonably fail to consider its own breaches of the provisions of the contract in making a decision whether to terminate its contract with BK.”

2 injured in Coverden accident

The damaged car being towed away from the scene

Three days after two persons lost their lives following an accident at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, two more were injured on Sunday in another accident at Coverden when their vehicle literally flew off the road.

The accident occurred just after 13:30h at a bushy area. The car was extensively damaged.

While the identities of the two young men remain unknown, Guyana Times understands one of the injured men is an Indian doctor, working in Guyana.

According to reports reaching this newspaper, the young men were heading south along the East Bank

and as they went around the first turn after Coverden sign, they lost control of the vehicle.

The car swerved off the road, over a narrow drain, hit down a young tree then coming to a halt some 15 metres away. The men were pinned in the vehicle. However, passersby stopped and assisted them. They were taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

One of the young men, in his mid-20s, was having trouble breathing at the hospital.

Meanwhile the other occupant who appears to be in his early 30s sustained minor injuries about his body.

Foundation Seven hosts Festival of Music

General Manager Roberto Grisi explained that the Hotel used the opportunity to show the children a good time. He related that it hopes to make the event an annual one, and making it bigger in future.

“This is something special… this activity is something we will be doing every year and it’s going to be a tradition in Guyana just displaying the lights and breaking Christmas to Guyana at the Marriott,” Grisi stated.

“This is the time of the year where basically we share a love, we share peace and I want to wish everybody a merry Christmas. We want everybody to share what we are trying to do, this is what we’re adopting as Marriott,” he added.

He disclosed the hotel would be undertaking many more ventures of that sort, saying: “We’re going to be a part of many activities.”

He revealed that every employee at the hotel played a major part in making the event possible.

Past and present members of Foundation Seven during a performance

Foundation Seven School of Music in collaboration with the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Digicel, hosted the annual Festival of Music at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

Foundation Seven is a music school where children

and adults display their acquired abilities with various instruments. The students are taught the basics of voice as well as musical instruments, including the guitar and keyboard, and are given the opportunity to develop talent, enhance education and discover new skills.

The main purpose of the school is to provide, at a rea-

sonable cost, musical instruction that can be used in schools, churches, music clubs and others. The school caters to the needs of all ages, but normally technical training begins from age six, when younger children are generally able to grasp difficult concepts.

Friday night’s presentation highlighted the diverse opportunities in music available in Guyana, by individuals of all ethnicities from ages 6 to 93.

The evening featured steel pan renditions, songs, dances and many more by students of Foundation Seven. It was also a special treat to those in attendance when the deaf association of Guyana performed a dance and a drum rendition.

Several persons were awarded certificates and special prizes by the organisation, including 93-year-old Samuel Cordis, a guitarist and the most senior person at the musical institute; Sabine McIntosh, President of the Deaf Association of Guyana and Shawna Estwick, Vice President of the Deaf Association.

at the NCC on Friday

The children of the Ruimveldt Children’s Home at the Marriott Hotel

Former Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker

Brian Tiwari

Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

You will attract positive attention if you take an enthusiastic approach to whatever you do. Offer assistance to those in need in order to build a strong support system. Love conquers all.

Someone will try to meddle in your personal affairs. Don’t share your problems with peers or anyone who could put you in a vulnerable position by blabbing your secrets.

Stop and think before you take a risk that could lead to an unstable emotional or professional situation. Overdoing it in any way will lead to loss.

Making home improvements or hosting a function at your place will bring you great satisfaction and joy. The results of your hospitality will lead to advancement. Romance is on the rise.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Travel and communication are favoured. Keeping busy will help you get ahead and avoid a spat with someone near and dear to you. A decision regarding a loved one will help you move forward.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t make unrealistic promises or expect too much from others. Take care of details on your own in order to avoid disappointment. Arguing is a waste of time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Stop waffling and start doing things. Waiting for someone else to take the lead will set you back. If you step up and make things happen, you’ll be proud of your accomplishments.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Pay homage to the people you love the most. Plan something unique that will bring everyone closer together and help set a new tradition in place.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t offer your time or cash to outsiders or you will be taken advantage of. Your personal responsibilities will keep you busy. Get your priorities straight.

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

In order to get something from others, you have to offer incentives. A personal business proposition can help you raise your income. Form an alliance with someone who has something interesting to contribute.

Gossip or personal secrets will undermine your reputation. Don’t express your thoughts openly or share confidences with colleagues. You will benefit most if you finish what you start before moving on.

Picking up new skills or experiences will boost your earning potential. Finishing what you start will be your ticket to success. Socialise with friends who inspire and challenge you.

AQUARIUS

CANCER

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert

arChie

NBA Roundup…

Warriors win 18th straight to start season

Stephen Curry scored 17 of his 19 points in the first quarter and Draymond Green had his second straight tripledouble as the Golden State Warriors extended their NBA record to 18 straight wins at the start of a season Saturday night with a 120-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Leading by 10 points at halftime, the defending champion Warriors opened the third quarter with a 27-8 run that included four 3-pointers by Brandon Rush to build the lead to 29 points. The Kings never got close the rest of the game.

Green had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, becoming the first Warriors player with backto-back triple-doubles since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964. A night earlier, he had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 135-116 win at Phoenix.

Rush had 16 points and Klay Thompson added 15 for the Warriors. Rudy Gay scored 20 points for Sacramento.

Cavaliers 90, Nets 88 CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James made a running hook shot with a second left and scored 26 points, giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

After Joe Johnson’s three foul shots tied it with 15.2 seconds left, the Cavaliers called timeout and took the ball at midcourt.

James took the inbounds pass, dribbled to

the top of the key before cutting to the right of the lane and hitting a hook shot over Brook Lopez, the Nets’ 7-foot center.

James scored 10 points and added a key steal late in the game to help Cleveland (13-4) remain unbeaten at home in nine games. Kevin Love also scored 26 points for Cleveland, which played a sluggish first half and didn’t take its first lead until midway through the third quarter.

Lopez led Brooklyn (412) with 22 points.

Raptors 84, Wizards 82 WASHINGTON (AP) — Cory Joseph made a

Spurs 108, Hawks 88

SAN ANTONIO (AP)

— Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points and San Antonio won its fifth straight, holding the Atlanta to several season lows offensively.

San Antonio matched a season high with nine 3-pointers in winning its 18th consecutive home game against Atlanta and 10th straight overall against the Hawks.

Atlanta had season lows for points in any quarter (12 in the second), first-half points (37) and matched a season low for total points. The Hawks’ starters finished with 38 points.

Mavericks 92, Nuggets 81

DALLAS (AP) — Deron Williams scored 22 points, Zaza Pachulia added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Dallas beat Denver to snap a three-game losing streak.

Dallas has won five straight at home after losing its first two games of the season at American Airlines Center. Darrell Arthur, who attended Dallas’ South Oak Cliff High, scored 16 points for Denver. The Nuggets began a five-game road trip with their sixth straight loss.

Jazz 101, Pelicans 87

3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Toronto past Washington.

Joseph took DeMar DeRozan’s pass in the corner and nailed the winning shot. He finished with 12 points as Toronto won its fourth straight despite tying a season high with 22 turnovers

Kyle Lowry scored 27 points for the Raptors. Bradley Beal scored 20 points for Washington.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)

— Alec Burks scored 21 points and Utah beat New Orleans.

Gordon Hayward added 17 points, Rodney Hood had 16, and Trevor Booker finished with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Pelicans center Anthony Davis scored 14 of the Pelicans’ 16 firstquarter points and finished with 36. Davis also had 11 rebounds and blocked three shots. (Oakland Press)

Narine suspended after action found illegal

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after his action has been found to be illegal.

An independent assessment revealed that all variations of his deliveries exceeded the 15-degree limit. Narine’s action was reported earlier this month during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

In accordance with Article 6.1 of the regulations, “Narine’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations within domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction, save that, with the consent of the West Indies Cricket Board, Narine may be able to play in domestic cricket events played under the auspices of the West Indies

NFL Roundup…

Cricket Board.”

The test was done on November 17 at ICC’s testing centre in Loughborough University. Narine can apply for re-assessment after modifying his action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

Narine was playing against Sri Lanka after a

gap of more than a year in international cricket, and finished with four wickets from three ODIs at an average of 18. He is currently the No. 1 ranked bowler in the ICC rankings for ODIs and T20Is.

Narine is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League for Comilla Victorians, and this suspension means he won’t be allowed to bowl in the BPL too. He will fly out of Dhaka on Sunday night itself.

“We were prepared for the announcement,” Comilla Victorians owner Nafeesa Kamal told ESPNcricinfo. “We were told that we can expect something on November 29 so we had planned accordingly. We will definitely miss him. He was an asset to the team. We are now looking for a player to replace him.” (Cricinfo)

Panthers stay perfect in dominant win over Cowboys

Cam Newton is still perfect this season. Tony Romo might be out for good with the same injury that sidelined him for seven games.

Newton got a big boost from a defence that returned two of Romo’s three interceptions for touchdowns, and the Panthers ran their NFLbest winning streak to 15 regular-season games with a 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

Romo injured the same left collarbone that sidelined him for all seven games of a losing streak that damaged the playoff hopes for the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (3-8).

Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted two straight passes by Romo, returning the first 32 yards for a touchdown.

Safety Kurt Coleman picked off Romo’s second pass of the game and took it back 36 yards for a score to help the Panthers become the 16th NFL team to start a season 11-0.

Bears 17, Packers 13 GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jay Cutler threw for 200

yards and a score and Chicago held off Green Bay on fourth-and-goal from the 8 with 22 seconds left.

Aaron Rodgers’ throw to the end zone deflected off receiver Davante Adams’ hands on the rain. James Jones couldn’t hang on to a potential touchdown catch on third down. Cornerback Tracy

Porter intercepted Rodgers’ pass with 3:19 left at the Bears 45 on the Packers’ previous drive.

The highlight of the night for Green Bay turned out to be the return of Brett Favre, whose name and No. 4 was

unveiled at halftime next to the team’s other retired numbers.

Chicago (5-6) has won three of its last four. The Packers (7-4) lost a second straight home game.

Jeremy Langford ran for a touchdown for Chicago.

Lions 45, Eagles 14 DETROIT — Matthew Stafford tied a career high with five touchdown passes, three to Calvin Johnson, and Detroit routed Philadelphia for its third straight victory.

Stafford threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover in the first half to help the Lions (4-7) take a 24-7 lead. He finished 27 of 38 for 337 yards.

The Eagles (4-7) have lost three straight. They have allowed at least 45 points in two straight games in one season for the first time in team history.

Mark Sanchez started for Philadelphia with Sam Bradford inactive because of a shoulder injury. Sanchez was 19 of 27 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. (Herald Sports)

Stephen Curry

Draymond Green

Cam Newton

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine

Australia sneak home in tense finish

It lasted only three days, but Test cricket’s first match with a pink ball provided an electric finish. At 8.47pm on a Sunday, under floodlights, in front of 33,923 spectators, Australia squeezed out a victory over New Zealand that was far tenser than the one-sided World Cup final between the same countries, eight months ago to the day. Chasing 187, Australia eked out their last two runs through Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc, who could barely jog given the stress fracture in his foot.

The three-wicket win was confirmed as Siddle punched one past point off Tim Southee, Starc hobbling through to give Australia a 2-0 win in the series. By the end, New Zealand had six slips; it was all or nothing for Brendon McCullum’s men, a five-wicket haul from Trent Boult having given them a chance. For a while Australia were doing it easier, but a couple of late wickets brought the Test back to life.

Shaun Marsh steered Australia to within 11 of their goal but when he edged to slip for 49 off Boult, New Zealand had a sniff. In Boult’s next over he claimed Peter Nevill, whose inside edge was snapped up sharply by BJ Watling. Australia still needed two, and surprisingly Starc limped to the crease ahead of Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. A Siddle straight drive off Southee crashed into the stumps at the bowler’s end, adding to the tension, before the winning runs came. It was a breathless end to an experimental match, and there will certainly be more day-night Tests in future.

The match crowd of 123,736 was an all-time Adelaide Oval record for a non-Ashes Test, despite the fact that the game lasted only three days. The low scores were more the result of batsmen failing to knuckle down than of the pink ball doing anything untoward; in all

New Zealand confidently appealed for an lbw from Marsh’s first ball but he had managed an inside edge on to his pad off Boult. His start might have been nervy but he survived. Marsh began to find a few runs here and there, helped along by a short one from Mark Craig

four innings the ball held its colour well, and there was appropriate swing and seam movement. The longest individual innings of the Test was the 117-ball effort of Shaun Marsh in Australia’s chase. He walked to the crease hoping the result of this match was in his hands, and certain that his own Test future was. At 32, on his sixth chance at Test cricket, and having been run out for 2 in the first innings, this was it. Australia’s captain and vice-captain had just departed. New Zealand had the momentum. At 3 for 66, Australia needed 121 more runs.

that was cut to the boundary. His confidence grew, as did his calm. A 49-run stand

New

with Adam Voges steadied Australia, until Boult induced an edge to slip from Voges on 28.

The Marsh brothers then found themselves batting together for Australia for the first time in any format. What a time for it to happen. Mitchell Marsh survived some shaky moments and the brothers put on 46, pushing Australia to within sight of the win. For a while it looked as if they were going to be together to score the winning runs in a Test; Steve and Mark Waugh batted together 73 times in Test cricket but managed that achievement only once.

However, Mitchell became overconfident after lifting Mitchell Santner for a six, and next ball holed out to mid-on for 28 trying another lusty blow. It looked like Shaun would have to get Australia home on his own, but his edge off Boult sent palpitations through both camps. In the end, New Zealand just hadn’t set Australia quite enough, despite the low-scoring nature of the match. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

SE Marsh c Taylor b Boult 49 MR Marsh c Williamson b Santner 28 PM Nevill† c †Watling b Boult 10

Extras (lb 2, w 1)

Total (7 wickets; 51 overs; 234 mins) 187

Did not bat: JR Hazlewood, NM Lyon Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-62, 3-66, 4-115, 5-161, 6-176, 7-185 Bowling: TG Southee 16-158-0, TA Boult 16-3-60-5, DAJ Bracewell 11-2-37-1, MD Craig 6-0-22-0, MJ Santner 2-0-81.

Real’s Bale and Ronaldo score in defeat of Eibar

AGareth Bale header and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave Real Madrid a much-needed 2-0 victory over Eibar in La Liga on Sunday, following their hammering by leaders Barcelona last weekend, and put them six points off the top of the standings.

The Welshman notched up his first goal since the end of August when he nodded in a Luka Modric cross two minutes before half time against the small Basque club who have surprised this season and went into the game with one defeat from eight matches.

Real were made to work hard against a battling Eibar but Ronaldo secured the win with a penalty after 82 minutes following a foul by Dani Garcia on Lucas Vazquez.

The win eases the pressure on coach Rafa Benitez following defeats in La Liga against Sevilla and in the ‘Clasico’ last Saturday where they lost 4-0.

Third-placed Real now have 27 points from 13 games, two behind Atletico Madrid, while Barca have 33 points.

“We have been through a difficult moment, it has been hard for all of us and we all have to improve,” Real keeper Keylor Navas told reporters.

“These three points are important to help us fight for what we want which is titles and now we need to keep improving.”

Real had a makeshift defence with Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo all out injured and so Pepe and Nacho Fernandez were in the centre with Danilo on the left.

It was a clash between clubs from different ends of the football spectrum with Real the richest in the world by income against Eibar who have a budg-

et this season of 32 million euros ($33.9 million), but on the pitch the difference was slim.

Eibar employed their typical pressing game, looking to prevent Real from settling and pouncing on the counter.

Ronaldo broke the offside trap but

Leonora was not the best venue for

Nationals - this year

While some in the track and field fraternity might not agree, I believe the National Schools' Championships which was held at the National Stadium, Providence was the right move by the organising committee of the event instead of taking it to the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

Treiston Joseph

While it would have been a momentous occasion to see Guyana's premier junior track and field event being held on a synthetic surface, one must highlight that such a move might have been too rash of one at this particular juncture.

We must understand that it is over 1500 athletes that participate at this event with over a 1000 of those athletes probably not familiar with such a surface which could have had an adverse effect on the performances of those athletes or worse causing injuries.

Taking this into consideration imagine most of those athletes performing barefooted especially those kids around eight years old and running sprints.

With the Ministry of Education's move to ensure that every athlete especially from the hinterland regions have footwear taking effect from this year, a move to the synthetic surface can be made easier a year down the line.

In addition, the seating capacity of the Leonora situated synthetic track, is glaringly inappropriate to sit 1500 athletes, officials and spectators.

This would cause massive confusing for the organisers when compared to the National Stadium at Providence.

keeper Asier Riesgo stood tall and blocked his shot after 15 minutes and then Mateo Kovacic blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

A near-post header from Bale put Real in front and he was close to adding to the lead when he pulled down a long ball but his strike when stretching was blocked by Riesgo.

Eibar went close with Sergi Enrich and Aleksandar Pantic both heading narrowly over the crossbar while Ronaldo had another excellent chance to score when he shot wide inside the area after 72 minutes.

He got his goal 10 minutes later by sending Asier the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Getafe’s Angel Lafita scored one goal and set up another in a 2-0 victory over misfiring Villarreal, who now have just one win in seven La Liga matches.

Villarreal have lost their way after a bright start to the season and lie sixth on 21 points, behind Deportivo La Coruna on goal difference, while Getafe are 13th and level with Rayo Vallecano on 14 points.

Getafe were more clinical with Lafita coming off the left wing and firing low into the corner after 21 minutes and he set up Alvaro Vazquez to score the second goal from close range six minutes into the second half.

Further, transportation for students and spectators to view the event could have been an issue when looking at peak hours in traffic as well as the schedule of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Meanwhile one of the bigger issues would have been the on track cycling events; while at the National Stadium cycling can be done, on the synthetic surface cycling would be prohibited.

With Nationals slated to hit Leonora in 2016 it will give the organising committee the opportunity to put systems in place in order for the cycling events to coincide with the track events with relative ease and smoothness.

A move to the synthetic track would mean sensitizing all athletes to the track in order to result in optimum out from all athletes; hence massive workshops would need to be done in all regions about various techniques that can be used on the surface.

Nevertheless with event scheduled to move to the synthetic surface in 2016, the relevant stakeholders will have the ability to add to the championships by possibly introducing new events such as the steeple chase, hurdles, hammer throw and maybe even pole vault.

A move to the synthetic surface should not just be for moving sake but also an attempt to up the quality of the meet whether it is by adding the events mentioned earlier or introducing automotive timing.

Maybe even showing the event live or streaming it live on the website should be counted as possibilities.

The championships has just completed 55 years and it is high time that it not only be contested on the right surface but contested on the right surface at the right time with the right systems in place to benefit the development of the sport and athletes.

The Australian players pose with the series trophy. (Getty Images)

Gareth Bale

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Day-night Tests ‘here to stay’ – McCullum

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has declared daynight Test cricket “here to stay” after the conclusion of the inaugural floodlit match at Adelaide Oval, a popular success despite its meagre three-day running time.

A crowd of 123,736 poured into the ground across those three days, and similarly strong television audiences made it a spectacle to delight broadcasters and administrators alike. But the verdict of the players was always going to be critical to the future of the concept, and in the glowing words of McCullum and his opposite number Steven Smith there was ample evidence that the game’s elite practitioners will be comfortable with doing this kind of thing more often.

The only reservation raised by both McCullum and Smith was the amount of grass left on the Adelaide Oval pitch, which they agreed was the major factor in the game’s short time span. But they were equally adamant that players would be able to adapt with greater experience, with the added incentive now of having played a Test match in front of such a celebratory and voluminous gathering.

“It’s a great concept,” McCullum said. “As pink ball cricket evolves as I am sure it will grow into a glob-

al game and I think we will see the pitches probably won’t have quite as much grass on it. The thing about day-night Test cricket is it is meant to allow Test match cricket to be played at night time, it is not meant to be to change how Test cricket should play.

and force results. Sitting in changing room after hard fought Test win that’s what’s most memorable as a cricketer. Sometimes fighting draws are great and I think we’ll find captains will try and push home some advantage to get Test victories.”

“There was a fraction too much grass on it, I think we saw under lights that the pink ball probably responded a little bit much, but I would say that because I am a batter. Overall it was a roaring success and 120,000 people over three days, people are voting with their feet and I think it’s here to stay, which is great.

“In general, spectators would want see results in games. And will want to see captains start to try

Smith was naturally relieved after seeing out a series victory over a fast-finishing New Zealand, and he had little hesitation in describing the contest as a “great” one. “The whole Test match was a great innovation, it was a great spectacle,” he said. “To get 120,000 people through the gates in three days is absolutely amazing. I thought it was a great spectacle and a great Test match.

“It was a game that was

dominated by the bowlers. New Zealand’s bowlers bowled just as well as ours. But it was one of those games - if you got yourself in you could still score runs, it just wasn’t to be this game for a lot of the batters, we got starts and couldn’t go on with it. I think the contest is there if you’re willing to have a game plan and bat some time you can certainly score runs.”

Like McCullum, Smith noted the thick grass coverage presented for the pink ball, but was happy enough to live with that after finishing the match as a narrow winner. “I think the wicket here compared to the two Shield games that have been played on it and particularly the pink ball shield game we played, it looked like the grass was a bit more lively,” he said. “I think it was the same height as the grass in the Shield game but it was probably just a tad greener.

“That created a little bit more movement for the bowlers and kept the ball together and swinging for a long period. But I think it was great to see something different, the first two Test matches were dominated by the bat, so it’s great to see something different and see the bowlers coming into their own.” (Cricinfo)

Kobe Bryant to retire after this season

Kobe Bryant, who helped the Lakers win five championships over a 20-year career spent entirely in Los Angeles, announced Sunday on the Players’ Tribune website that he will retire after this season, saying “this season is all I have left to give.”

In a piece titled “Dear Basketball,” the 37-year-old Bryant wrote that the sport of basketball “gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream and I’ll always love you for it.”

“But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer,” Bryant wrote. “This season is all I have left to give. My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

“And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go.”

Bryant’s decision was not totally unexpected, given that he has said many times in recent weeks that he was considering making this season his last. After two decades, two Olympic gold medals, five championship rings, 17 All-Star selections, an 81-point game that ranks as the second-best in NBA history and more than 32,000 points, Bryant’s career is officially winding down.

“With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game.

“I join Kobe’s millions of fans around the world in congratulating him on an

outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many thrilling memories.”

This season has been a struggle for Bryant, whose young and rebuilding Lakers are mired at the bottom of the Western Conference standings while he’s shooting a career-worst 31.5 percent. Injuries have dogged him in recent years as well, limiting him to 41 of a possible 164 games in the previous two seasons. Bryant is averaging more field goal attempts per game (a teamhigh 16.7) than points (15.7). His fieldgoal percentage and 3-point percentage both rank last in the NBA among qualified players.

But despite the rough start to the season, the Lakers have publicly supported Bryant. Lakers coach Byron Scott told ESPN on Friday that he would not bench the 17-time All-Star for his poor play.

The Lakers have 66 games remaining after Sunday, and it will likely turn into a adoration tour of sorts for

Bryant, who has already gotten long ovations from normally hostile fans on road trips this season, particularly in places like New York and Miami where crowds sensed that they might be seeing him as an opponent for the final time.

The Lakers’ next road game is, perhaps not coincidentally given the timing of Bryant’s announcement, on Tuesday in Philadelphia -- his hometown.

Bryant is in the final year of a twoyear deal that will pay him $25 million in 2015-16, making him the NBA’s highest-paid player this season.

The expiring contract and numerous injuries had led to widespread speculation that Bryant would retire after this season. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has publicly said on multiple occasions that the franchise expected the former league MVP to retire at the end of his current contract.

Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in 1996 but was traded to the Lakers. He helped Los Angeles win NBA titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010 and was named the league’s MVP in 2008. He currently is third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, behind only Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.

Bryant won the dunk contest at All-Star weekend as a rookie, played in the All-Star game for the first time the following year and a star was fast born. The 81 points he scored against Toronto on Jan. 22, 2006, are second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in NBA history, and he’s the only player to spend 20 consecutive seasons with the same team. (ESPN)

Brendon McCullum

Kobe Bryant

“It’s

time for me to step my game up,” says Steven Jacobs

By Akeem Greene

Guyana Jaguars allrounder Steven Jacobs has revealed to Guyana Times Sport that the time is ripe for him to raise the level of his cricketing.

Jacobs, in his first three games in this year’s edition of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL), has had a satisfactory outing, picking up 15 wickets and scoring 100 runs.

It may not be a stand-out performance, but if one sees Jacob’s mannerisms and eagerness to succeed on the field, one would be extremely impressed.

“I have been working extremely hard to get back in the team after missing last season. I’m really just happy to be back in the team. I have been playing for a number of years and it’s time to step my game up,” Jacobs said.

The right-hander, whose bowling has outdone his batting, is eager to get his first five-wicket haul. “I want to get my first five-wicket haul at this level: it would mean a lot to me.”

In the game against Windward Islands, he came closest to his goal, picking up four wickets in both innings. In the second innings, he and Raymon Reifer actually bowled Guyana to victory.

In his 23 games at the First-Class level, Jacobs has picked up 47 wickets at an average of 30.38. Jacobs has been a great boost to Guyana’s bowling with the absence of the usual spin twins Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo being absent for the first set of matches. Jacobs and young Gudakesh Motie have been nothing short of exceptional, as they helped bowled Guyana to a series of commanding victories.

The dreadlocked player, who hails from the Malteenoes Sports Club, has credited the experience gained in playing the shorter formats of the game for helping him become a better spinner. “Playing a lot in the shorter format has helped me a lot: the experience is valuable, and the wickets in the Region are good for spin,” the right arm off-spinner said.

Jacobs, who was Vice Captain of the West Indies Under-19 team in 2008 at

the World Cup, is looking to place more emphasis on his batting.

“I need to concentrate harder, and play each ball on its merit; the first level is a bit more difficult and it requires a lot of patience,” the right-handed batsman said.

He currently averages 17.94 with the bat and has a high score of 75. These figures unfortunately do not reflect the ability of the 27-year-

Johnson wins SHINE 10k, D’Andrade finishes 3rd

The inaugural Guardian Group’s SHINE Charity Walk/Run 5k and 10k was won by Trinidad-based Guyanese Kelvin Johnson on Saturday in Trinidad while Lionel D’Andrade finished third.

Johnson won the event in a time of 33:54s while Trinidadian Curtis Cox was second in 34:30s. D’Andrade finished in third with a time of 33:54s.

D’Andrade in a comment explained the reason

for such a slow time, “After suffering severe cramps in the Suriname Srefidensi Marathon last weekend (Nov 21) and being forced to drop out halfway into the 26.2- mile course, I still struggled in the 10K yesterday (Saturday) and felt my legs cramping up a bit. Kelvin and I were in the lead and after two miles… I started feeling the cramps and dropped my pace because I wanted to at least finish the 10k race. My time was slow,

but I needed to finish this one as the race calendar is closing off," Johnson noted. The event which is called SHINE as an acronym for "Securing Hope for those in Need" is geared towards raising funds to secure hope for those in need. All of the proceeds from the event will go towards different charities. The event had 3,500 participants all running and walking for a good cause for the festive season.

old, as many times bad shot selection which comes on the heels of him losing concentration at the crease, usually leads to his dismissal. Jacobs himself is adamant that he needs to spend more time at the crease to produce the necessary scores.

On the back of three successive victories at home, Guyana Jaguars will play their first away game at the Queen’s Park Oval against

the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force starting on December 4. Jacobs is of the view the team are ready for the encounter.

“It’s just about being professional; most of the guys are aware of the conditions at the (Queen’s Park) Oval and we just need to adapt quickly to what is presented to us on the day,” Jacobs said.

He went on to point out that the key to the team

Guinness Greatest of the Streets

continuing in their successful vein is making sure that they bat well in the first innings. “Over the past three games, we have posted some good first innings scores, which puts the opposition under pressure and allows the bowlers to be more confident in executing their duties,” the Guyana Jaguars player said.

Jacobs, who recently received an upgrade to a “C” contract with the Guyana Cricket Board, is in high praise of the system the PCL has implemented with the addition of foreign players to squads. “It is a great concept: it helps get players well-rounded and the interactions due to the different personalities helps create a professional unit which I think is the aim of the WICB”.

With the ability to quickly learn and take competent advice, a string of good scores with the bat and a handy amount of wickets at the end of the season will augur well for the young cricketer as he looks to press his case for a West Indies call-up in the near future. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy. com)

North East La Penitence hold off Albouystown for thrilling win

By TreisTon Joseph

In probably one of the best games so far in the tournament, North East La Penitence barely held on for a 4-3 win against Albouystown A on Saturday evening at Demerara Park, Greater Georgetown.

The game was filled with high paced action, but with North East scoring goals at

got complacent and Kemo Smith would strike in the 17th minute just before a double from Daren Benjamin in the 18th and 19th minutes to send the crowd into a frenzy and the scoreline to 4-3.

However, Albouystown were down by too much and were unable to find the equaliser despite some solid chances in the waning moments of the game.

Hubert Pedro scored the opening goal in the 14th minute, while Randolph Wagner was on target in the 20th minute. Old School Ballers needled Globe Yard 1-nil, with Junior Jordan scoring the game’s only goal in the 20th minute. Meanwhile, in other results, Channel-9 Warriors and Cross Street played to

will to take an early 4-nil advantage, the game seemed over with just about 10 minutes to play after Calvin Moore’s double in the third and 16th minutes along with solo efforts from Shaquille Brown and Webby Webster in the 12th and 15th minute respectively.

Nevertheless, North East

East Front Road topped Castello Housing Scheme 2-0, with Dillon Kelly scoring both goals in the 13th and 15th minutes.

West Front Road pulled off a 2-0 win against Alexander Village to grab some much-needed points before the knockout stage begins.

a nil-all draw; Laing Avenue and West Back Road also went goalless, while North Ruimveldt and Leopold Street played to a 0-0 draw as well. The other game in the night’s action finished 1-1 between Festival City Warriors and Albouystown B.

Jacobs vigorously appeals for a wicket

Kelvin Johnson (extreme right) and Lionel D’Andrade (middle), along with second-place finisher Trinidadian Curtis Cox, pose with their trophies after the race

Another game during the eight-game night of action

Guyana v Antigua 4-game basketball series

Guyana dominates Antigua to draw first blood

DMW International Indoor Hockey Festival

Pizza Hut GCC Ladies impress on penultimate night

The Pizza Hut GCC ladies completed the most dominant run on Saturday evening in the ladies competition since the inception of Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival.

With international basketball returning to the mining town of Linden after a period of 40 years, Guyana gave the Region 10 fans a lot to cheer about with a 76-42 win on Thursday at the McKenzie Sports Club hard court.

Brilliant shooting by Orin Rose from beyond the arc was the talk of the night as the veteran who made his debut as a national player was smoking from the three point line with 15 points to lead Guyana.

Shane Webster was solid in the post while Travis Burnett contributed 12 points in the big win.

Scoring from the losing side came from Kareem Meade with 16 points while Marlon Charles had 14.

The supporting game saw Christianburg/Wismar

Secondary School topping Mackenzie High School (MHS) 52–25.

Akinni Wilson led all scorers with 23 points and Tyrese Mitchell scored 10 for the winning team. Yonnick Tappin had 13 points in the loss.

The four game series continues tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall while the final game will be contested on Wednesday.

The supporting games are Bishop’s High School versus St Rose’s High School at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Monday while St Stanislaus College will compete against Marian Academy at the Sports Hall on Wednesday.

The supporting game commences from 19:00h and the feature game starts at 21:00h.

Round Robin Knockout

Milerock, Victoria Kings advance to final

Milerock and Victoria Kings advanced to the final of the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) Round Robin Knockout Tournament that continued with its semifinal on Friday evening at the Victoria Community Centre ground.

first goal to come in the second half with Clarence Huggins netting in the 67th minute.

Troy Lewis then scored the sealer in the 85th minute to give Winners Connections no chance of a comeback.

In the second game of the evening, Victoria Kings

Milerock topped Winners Connection 2-0 in the first semifinal of the evening to easily reach the final of the tournament.

While the game was a bit up and down between the two sides, Milerock were able to find openings in the defence of their opponents.

Milerock’s consistent attacks allowed the game’s

delivered in front of their home fans with a 1-nil win as Winston Pompey scored the sealer in the 55th minute of the match to send the crowd into an uproar.

The final of the tournament will be on the December 6 with the venue set for the Mckenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

The Pizza Hut brushed aside the Old Fort Shooting Stars 7-0 and the Hikers 5-1 to coast into the final as the heavy favourites for gold. The Pepsi Hikers men meanwhile easily brushed aside Malvern of Trinidad to complete their unbeaten run in the men’s pool A while Bounty GCC duplicated the feat with a win over Phoenix in pool B. The veteran division saw the same two clubs leading the table going into the final day of action.

The Pizza Hut GCC ladies controlled the game from the opening whistle against Old Fort as Ashley DeGroot only needed two minutes to get on the scoreboard through an overlapping move on the right side. DeGroot would add a second later in the match with

her double score matched by prolific strikers Sonia Jardine and Kerensa Fernandes while Captain Tiffany Solomon completed the GCC tally with a penalty corner goal.

The Hikers fared a similar fate when they met the GCC ladies later the same evening as Jardine chalked up three first half goals to put her team in cruise control by the midway point. The Hikers gambled on the bold move of replacing their goalkeeper with an extra field player and were rewarded with a Maria Munroe field goal four minutes into the second half. Their celebration was short-lived however as Kerensa Fernandes and Aliyah Gordon both scored shortly after to give the Pizza Hut ladies an easy 5-1 victory.

With the Pepsi Hikers men earning the top semifinal spot of Pool A with a 6-1 victory over Malvern and Bounty GCC doing the same in pool B with a 6-3 win over Phoenix, the fi-

nal match of the evening proved the most entertaining as Old Fort fought to keep their semifinal hopes alive against an experienced The 6ix side from Canada.

Canadian national Jeewan Bath struck first in the 11th minute of play by weaving his way from left to right across goal before deceiving Old Fort goalkeeper Audwin Graham with a nifty tap in. Old Fort’s Ascofu Simon however kept the local supporters in the game as he responded just one minute later with a swift counterattack to find a space in the far corner beyond advancing goalkeeper Pardeep Koonar. Aderemi Simon, the other half of the lethal Simon strike force then put Old Fort in the lead in a similar manner by the 18th minute but Bath silenced the crowd with a smashing penalty corner high into the Old Fort net to take the score to 2-2.

The second half saw more end to end action and fine goalkeeping by both

Graham and Koonar but a Dwight Sullivan penalty corner rebound slanted the match in Old Fort’s favour two minutes after the resumption. This would be the final reason to celebrate for the Old Fort fans however as Jonathan Roberts, Micah Texeira and Satnam Dosanjh chalked up three unanswered goals for the 5-3 win. The victory secured the second semifinal spot in Pool B for The 6ix.

Earlier in the evening, the national under-21s secured the second semi-final spot in Pool A with when they scored six unanswered goals against Malvern for the easy victory.

The veterans division saw no surprises as GCC continued their successful run with a 5-2 victory over Old Old Fort and a 3-0 win over YMCA. The Hickers also continued their fine form with a 3-2 win over Malvern and a 5-1 victory over Carib HC.

The three finals were contested on Sunday.

Legay enjoys another stint in Canada

By RavendRa Madholall in ToRonTo

Former Guyana under-15 leftarm spinner Dennis Legay has expressed total enjoyment following the completion of the cricket season several weeks ago in Canada.

Representing Islanders Cricket Club in the Toronto and District Cricket Association Elite limited-over tournament, the enthusiastic Legay churned out some impressive performances while he also made a fine impression for Calypso Kings Sports Club in the Brampton/Etobicoke 50over competition.

The 26-year-old plied his trade for the second successive year in North America and maximised on the opportunity to enhance his cricketing skills as he hopes to wear his country’s colours soon at the highest level.

The left-handed batsman, who featured in eight games for Islanders but only snapped up 13 wickets satisfactorily scored over 240 runs while he was more dominant in the other aforementioned League with considerably pleasing success.

He accumulated over 300 runs with a highest score of 91 while he grabbed 21 wickets from seven matches to help take his team to the knockout stage. His best bowling figure of 5-36 from his allotted 10-overs also underlined Legay’s bowling talent and one of his highlights here.

“Yes, I definitely enjoyed my cricket once more in Canada; the competition was great and playing in these two Leagues gave me a lot of confidence now to play for my country at

the senior level,” Legay disclosed. No doubt about Legay’s favourite cricketer would have been distinguished left-arm spinner, Daniel Vettori, a former New Zealand remarkable skipper. According to Legay, he really admires Vettori not because of his resounding accomplishment on the international scene but

his style and bowling characteristics.

In 2005 when Guyana participated at the West Indies Cricket Board regional youth tournament held in Trinidad and Tobago, Legay had the honour of leading the South American side to victory with an attractive figure of 4-21 off 8 overs, a game that he vividly recalls to be his best.

“I enjoyed my career for Guyana in that match against Jamaica and I really want to make it back at the highest level; I know is hard work and commitment but I am eager to do it soon; I am heading back home to

play first-division cricket and I would try to catch the selectors’ eyes,” Legay declared.

At a very young age, Legay began his club cricketing career with Malteenoes Sports Club, a club that is based in Guyana’s capital, Georgetown. He then left in 2010 to represent Guyana Defence Force in various divisions.

Since 2011, a buoyant Legay has been a regular club cricketer in Trinidad and Tobago. Earlier this year, Legay turned out for Monroe Cricket Club in the National two-day League competition and performed creditably. He stated his experience in the twin-islands republic has been very good so far and will continue to represent the club again in 2016.

The comparison with Canada is below and rated Trinidad’s cricket to be very competitive and professional and that is why he will use every possible opportunity to upgrade his game with the ultimate aim of playing for West Indies too.

Legay is very thankful to a large number of individuals who have played an important role so far. On a pinpointed note, he is very grateful to former Guyana all-rounder Neil Barry who is an active member of Malteenoes while another ex-Guyana player Roderick Lovell came in for praise as well among others.

In Canada, Legay also thanked his club mates while he echoed similar sentiments to Masters Cricket Club, a team that featured in the 2015 Ontario Softball Cricket league 20, 15 and 10-over tournaments.

Shane Webster

Orin Rose

Some of the action during the tournament

GTT

football tournament

Dennis Legay

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine

Jonathan Roberts scores for the 6ix against Old Fort