Guyana Times Daily - May 26, 2015

tuesday, may 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teenager arraigned for murder of best friend

In a packed courtroom comprising friends and family of two best friends, 18 year-old Angelique Williams was on Monday charged for the murder of her best friend Latoya Renita Thomas.

Williams appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Christel Lambert who informed the defendant that

the matter was indictable and she was not required to plead after the charge was read.

Police stated that on May 22, at Versailles, Williams murdered Thomas. Williams was remanded to prison and the matter will return to court on July 1 after Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield requested six weeks to compile a report.

To date, the murder accused is yet to give an account of the stabbing incident. She was advised by her Attorney during the court proceeding to remain quiet. From reports received, the woman might have been too drunk to remember anything.

Williams went berserk on Friday evening last after she reportedly found out that the now dead woman was pregnant with her second child. She claimed that although they were best friends for the past five years, she was kept in the dark about the pregnancy.

Thomas was reportedly in the back seat of the vehicle with her daughter when an argument ensued between the two women. It was at this time that Williams collected a bottle, broke it and attacked Thomas stabbing her at least 10 times to her head, chest and abdomen.

The two women went

to the Aracari Resort on an outing with several other friends. After committing the act, Williams took the murder weapon and slashed her own risk.

Both of the injured women were taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where Thomas was pronounced dead on arrival and Williams was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for additional treatment.

President Granger says 'olive branch' to PPP/C still fresh

President David Granger has reiterated his promise that he will not renege on his offer to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of inclusive governance and democracy.

“I want the PPP/C to come onboard. We already are a six-party coalition and we will continue to keep the door open to having joint committees, for example, the budget, I see that there should be a tripartite committee looking at the budget and I need to work with them,” Granger said.

He noted that while he has only received 51 per cent of the votes of the Guyanese society, he intended and wanted to be a President for all the people and as such, would like Ramotar to come onboard so that the voices of the 49 per cent of the population which voted for the PPP/C is heard for the overall good of the country.

“I have said before and I repeat that it is not my poli-

cy to have 51 per cent of the votes and lock 49 of the population out. The PPP/C does have a constituency and I respect that people have the right to vote for whichever party and I respect that constituency and I wish that the PPP/C would give voice to the constituents by sharing the National Assembly with us and the Government with us,” President Granger expressed.

Though the offer has been made several times since Granger took office, and the PPP/C is yet to take up the offer, Granger said that the olive branch’ offered is still very much fresh and will not

die anytime soon. The President upon his swearing in at the Parliament Buildings on Saturday, May 16 had extended a hand to the PPP/C for inclusive governance. Speaking during an interview on Monday morning, Granger said that he was particularly disappointed that former President Ramotar had not yet shown any indication that he wished to take up the offer.

“There has been no indication of acceptance. I have seen an article in the papers which say that there will be no acceptance… I am disappointed, not surprised… this is a moment that Guyana has been waiting for. It is a moment that we should regard as the start of a process of building national unity; as a process of creating inclusionary democracy and rejecting the winner-takes-all governance,” the newly elected President said.

However, the PPP/C had taken to media stating that they had never received a formal invitation from the President and as such, could not take up the offer. Former President Donald Ramotar has said that said any attempt by the Guyanese leader to suggest that the PPP/C has scoffed at inclusionary governance would be disingenuous.

However, when the Head of State was questioned by media operatives on whether a formal invitation would have been extended to the former leader, he had said that he intended to formally write Ramotar to come onboard his national unity movement.

Murder suspect Angelique Williams being escorted to the courtroom on Monday

Murdered: Latoya Thomas

President David Granger

Former President Donald Ramotar

tuesday, may 26, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from Tuesday, May 26 – 11:00h-12:30h and Wednesday, May 27 – 12:30h-14:00h

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

Tuesday, May 26 – 10:05h-11:35h and Wednesday, May 27 – 11:20h-12:50h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Tuesday, May 26 – 07:00h, 10:00h and 17:00h

Wednesday, May 27 - 07:00h, 10:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning and early afternoon, with light rain showers expected in the late afternoon. Thundery showers can be expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:33h and 22:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.21 metres and 2.16 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 04:11h and 16:45h reaching minimum heights of 1.10 metres and 1.03 metres respectively.

Broke GuySuCo unable to pay staff ...threatens to cease operations

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has reportedly threatened to shut down operations across estates owing to the lack of funds, which has affected its ability to pay staff.

This announcement was made by the labour unions representing sugar workers – Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial

Employees (NAACIE). The two unions in a joint release said they were informed at a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Rajendra Singh on Monday that the Corporation was unable to pay senior and junior staff members this month’s salary. According to the release, Singh said the Corporation may have to cease its operations on all estates with effect from Sunday unless funding to the Corporation becomes available within a few days.

“Should the Corporation cease its operations, the CEO explained all employees – waged and salaried –except security personnel would not be provided with work from (Sunday), May 31, 2015,” the unions expressed in the release. The CEO also advised the unions that the Government has been apprised of the situation. GAWU and NAACIE believe that the ceasing of op-

erations by the Corporation would further jeopardise the state of the industry and impact negatively on some 16,000 workers of the industry. The two unions hope that the new Government ensures the continuation of the industry’s operation at this crucial time.

Meanwhile, speaking to the Guyana Times on Monday evening, GAWU President Komal Chand said the new Administration needed to at this time be clear on its intentions for the sugar industry in Guyana. He said while the CEO needed to provide answers on the financial dilemma being reported, as he sees it, millions of dollars are urgently needed in the industry or else there could be a major collapse.

He said the President David Granger-led Administration needed to come clean on its plans, particularly in light of threats made at its political campaign before the General and Regional Elections that there might be a major shutdown of the industry.

No contact – Agriculture Minister

The Corporation’s CEO, when contacted by this publication Monday evening, said he had nothing to say on the matter, since he nor GuySuCo did not issue the release. Efforts to contact new Agriculture Minister Noel Holder were also futile; however, he was quoted in another section of the media acknowledging receiving a document provided to him at a meeting on Monday by GuySuco’s CEO. He said the document forecasts that the Corporation would not generate “sufficient funds to pay its wages and small routine costs” for May 2015, and “financing is required from June onwards”. “There is no intention of having GuySuCo go under … The funding of GuySuCo would have to continue probably for the rest of this year,” Holder was quoted in the

media outlet as saying.

The Corporation on Friday said that it had missed its first-crop target by over 5000 tonnes of sugar and blamed it on bad weather. It said at the close of the first crop, the Corporation had achieved some 81,194 tonnes, some 5007 tonnes below target. The industry had set a first-crop sugar production target of 86,201 tonnes.

According to the Corporation, Skeldon Estate began grinding four weeks later than scheduled as a result of the late arrival of critical materials required for the completion of the modification works on its pump dumper which commenced during the last out-of-crop period.

Meanwhile, Holder in an earlier interview with the Guyana Times had said he intended to commission an inquiry into the operations of GuySuCo as one of his top priorities after assuming office. He noted that it was absolutely necessary that a Commission of Inquiry be conducted since the sugar industry was a vital part of the country’s economy.

He said it was not, and would never be, the Government’s intention to close the sugar industry, stating that it was important that the problems hindering the development of the industry be identified and worked upon so that it could once again bloom. This

comes against the backdrop of several calls being made by several members of society for an inquiry to be launched into the operations of the sugar company since it was failing to produce despite the substantial amounts of money invested. GAWU was the first to issue the call during the course of 2014. In the November/December 2014 edition of its newspaper “Combat”, GAWU urged that a Commission of Inquiry be set up to probe the operations of the sugar industry, while criticising GuySuCo over 2013’s “disappointing” performance, including the cost of producing sugar, the harvesting of young canes during the second crop and failing to negotiate a better sales deal with Tate and Lyle. GAWU further said a comprehensive inquiry is “long overdue” into the operations of the sugar industry and must not be delayed further if the industry “is to be saved from collapse”.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

GAWU President Komal Chand

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Independence

The decisive role of youths in the last elections has been much commented on in all fora - especially on social media where they have a dominant presence. With all of these youths - by definition - born after the independence era, it is not surprising from a perusal of their comments that they have a totally different response to "Independence" than those who actually might have been youths then.

In 1966, the country had just emerged from a virtual civil war arising out of the colonial power Britain's decision to go along with the US's actions to remove the PPP government because it "threatened " its strategic interests, vis a vis the USSR.

The "Cold War" between the USA and the USSR dominated all discourse and even the youths were inevitably drawn into the polarised axis of conflict.

It was ironic that neither the PPP nor the PNC disagreed on their fundamental analysis of Guyanese society and politics: their differences were tactical rather than strategic. And it is for this reason that at various conjunctures in the next two decades, there were several attempts at a closer working relationship between the two parties that bestrode Guyanese politics like Colossuses.

Barring the court approving the threatened PPP/C's election petition and removing the APNU/AFC government, the youths of Guyana are witnessing a rather rare event in Guyanese politics.

Their preceding independence-era cohort had to wait 28 years to experience regime change - by which time, many were quite long in the tooth. In the preceding years, the bold promise of "Independence" had all faded into a dystopian reality that forced the country into a new colonial relationship.

After his leader firmly rejected the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the 1970s, Desmond Hoyte by 1989 accepted its "conditionalities" in exchange for the privilege of repaying the accumulated $2.1 billion debt.

For all intents and purposes, the country was placed in a straight jacket woven out of the eponymously named "Washington Consensus", which placed the running of the economy into the hands of foreign bureaucrats from the Fund.

Within the next decade and a half, the PPP/C government had removed Guyana from the ministrations of the IMF and moved the country from being derided as a "Highly Indebted Poor Country" (HIPC) into a respectable "Lower Middle Income Country".

While Guyana benefitted from a worldwide movement for debt alleviation for a number of HIPC countries, few can actually challenge the PPP/C's assertion that at a minimum, it was their success in keeping the "macro-economic fundamentals" that proved to be the game changer.

By the middle of the last decade, Guyana and Guyanese could once again celebrate their "independence" as the county began to accumulate enough foreign reserves so that it did not have to live from "day to day" with a begging bowl in hand.

The band of youths from the 1992 era of "change" were thus able to experience real independence as they became middle aged. Whether in housing, water, jobs, clothing, transportation and roads etc, they could point to concrete accomplishments in the PPPC's 23 years at the helm.

But yet on May 11, barring a reversal, Guyanese voted the PPP/C government out of office. Whatever the ultimate outcome scenario, it meant that half of the population was not satisfied with its performance, positive as it may have been.

There have been any number of "explanations": the ethnic voting pattern, the incumbent fatigue effect, the youths not being aware from whence the PPP/C had brought the country, etc.

On this Independence Day, it is up to Guyanese to do some introspection on their exercise of their democratic franchise. While it is true that it is not healthy for any one government to govern for too long, citizens must be wary of encouraging "change for the sake of change". We must insist on not giving up our independence once again. Happy Independence Day.

If no recount, then Guyana is no more a democracy

Dear Editor,

While the PPP/C mounted a protest outside of the Headquarters of GECOM against the results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections, and is alleging collusion between GECOM and APNU+AFC, the US Envoy to Guyana has once again stated that the results of the elections are credible.

According the US Envoy,

the international observers on election day made sure from start to finish all the “Is” were dotted and all the “Ts” were crossed. If that was the case then all those international observers would have seen “bogus SOPs”. No?

Not one of them saw the fake SOPs, or maybe they in fact did see fake SOPs but allowed it into GECOM, with hopes that

GECOM officials might not see it.

Since it was an official of GECOM who spotted and reported the fake SOPs, from the time one fake SOP was found, then all proceedings should have ceased for a full and thorough investigation on how fake SOPs found its way into GECOM. How can fake SOPs end up in the hands of GECOM

officials and the election still be declared free, fair, transparent, credible and accurately reflect the will of the people?

The only way to reflect the will of the people is for all votes to be counted. It was not the PPP/C, but in fact GECOM, which admitted that it did indeed receive fake SOPs.

Ted King

Guyana has lost a real and true hero

Dear Editor, I would be grateful if you might publish the following which is written expressly so that we might better appreciate what Andrew “Sixhead Lewis” and his achievement meant to our Country and the sporting history of our Nation and its extraordinary significance at that particular moment in time.

On September 13, 1980 an extremely talented Guyanese featherweight fighter by the name Patrick Forde stepped into the ring at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, USA to face the WBC World Featherweight champion, Salvador Sanchez for his title.

After all of the great fighters that Guyana had produced, this was a genuine shot at the world title staring us in the face. You see, despite the fact that we had produced many great fighters, we had never as a nation, managed to actually win a world title.

Guyanese eagerly awaited this fight. In those days world title fights were a grueling 15 rounds and this one went exactly that distance. But at the end of the 15 rounds the scores were 139148, 145-145 and 141-145 in favour of Salvador Sanchez.

Patrick Forde, despite his tremendous talent and a brilliant effort, had lost by a majority decision. Guyanese hopes were dashed as Salvador Sanchez, a Mexican fighter, retained his world title.

On the February 14, 1981, a scant seven months later, Patrick Forde again made our hopes soar - this time taking on Eusebio Pedroza at Gymnasio Nuevo in Panama City in Panama for the WBA World Featherweight title and again Patrick Forde fought hard in a scheduled grueling 15-rounder.

Sadly though, this one did not quite go the distance - Patrick Forde was knocked out in round 13 by Pedroza and our Guyanese hopes were again completely snuffed out. Despite Patrick›s valiant efforts, it seemed that the elusive world title was simply not to be.

In 1981, on June 26, just four months later, our tremendously talented young super lightweight, Lennox Blackmoore lifted our hearts and our hopes once again as he took on undefeated Aaron Prior at the Hasciento Hotel, Las Vegas, USA for Prior’s WBA World Super Lightweight title.

Guyana’s anticipation was palpable and our excitement immeasurable. In just two rounds, Blackmoore, as brilliant as he was, suffered a technical knockout from the rampaging Aaron Prior. Again Guyanese hearts were once more utterly and decisively crushed and the elusive world title remained, just out of reach.

But again in 1993 on May 4, we would try again. This time, our rising young Middleweight star, Wayne Harris would take on American Reggie Johnson for his WBA World Middleweight Title at the McNicolls Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Scores of 109-120, 108120, 110-120, all in favour of the Johnson was all that Harris’s valiant effort earned. Again cold denial for Guyana as the unrealized dream remained just that.

In 1995 on May 27, Anthony “The Pearl” Andrews picked us up and took us on this journey once again. This time to the Broward county Convention Centre in Fort Lauderdale as he went after Jorge Fernando Castro for his WBA World Middleweight title.

At the start of round 12, the Pearl was ahead on all of the scorecards and needed

only to avoid a surging and desperate Castro to lift the title from him. Guyana was one round away, three minutes from its first world title. But Castro, the man who stood between us and the title, would have none of it. He caught the Pearl on the ropes and landed shots heavy enough to render the Pearl helpless, forcing the referee to stop the contest. He lost it at 2mins and 14 seconds of the 12th round in that decisive TKO. He had needed to survive for only 46 seconds more for Guyana to have won our long awaited World title. It was our most heart breaking loss yet. Now it seemed certain that Guyana would never win a world title although we had produced for decades, tremendously talented fighters.

On February 17, 2001 at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, “The Mighty Quinn” stepped into the ring to defend his WBA 147 lbs Welterweight World title. At 5’ 11” with a reach of 73” and just 30 years of age, he was James Page - a formidable and large welterweight, an orthodox Pittsburg California native – an American Champion defending his world title on American soil.

On the eve of Guyana's 49th Independence Day celebration, students of Cherished Lamb Nursery went on a tour to the Independence Arch, Brickdam. Here they pose with teachers to capture the moment (Carl Croker photo)

Ridiculous, senseless selection policies of the Clive Lloydled WICB selection panel

Dear Editor,

The President and Executive of the Guyana Cricket Board strongly denounces the ridiculous and senseless selection policies and decisions of the Clive Lloyd-led selection panel.

Our Board just cannot believe nor even fathom the thought process behind the wanton dropping of the most senior, reliable and dependable batsman of the West Indies for the past 21 years by the WI selectors.

It is absolutely unbelievable that Shivnarine Chanderpaul has not been selected even in the squad to face one of the sternest opposition that the WI will have to face in the near future.

Is this the way that the selectors intend to treat our esteemed cricketers after more than two decades of service to the people of West Indies cricket and to be done by no

other than Clive Lloyd who is the current Chairman of the WICB selectors?

We trust that our selectors can find it within themselves to revisit this crucial matter of gross disrespect now being meted out to one of the greatest cricketers to have graced the field of play with this most ungrateful display to Chanderpaul.

Shiv›s record speaks for itself and we are shocked at the manner that this panel is seeking to destroy him.

We are aware that the coach had a recent discussion with Chanderpaul about his future and an appropriate exit strategy would have been worked out by all the parties.

Surely it was imminent on the WICB through its esteemed selectors to have executed any such decision in a decent and fair manner with just and reasonable consideration for the wishes

of Chanderpaul. That is the least we would have expected.

The GCB is on record as having nominated Lloyd for the presidency of the WICB a few years ago even though Lloyd headed an IMC created by the previous Government aimed at replacing the GCB.

Further, the GCB Directors again boldly supported Lloyd last year for the Chairmanship of the WI selectors. The GCB is not asking for any repayment or quid pro Quo but for decency, fair play and professionalism be exhibited by the selection panel.

The Board would like to record its extreme disappointment also over the non-selection of Narsingh Deonarine and Assad Fudadin in the WI President XI squad just after being good enough to be selected to represent WI against South Africa in South Africa.

Guyana

Cricket Board

State media needs a lift

Dear Editor, I was listening to Sports News last Saturday morning and the ‘kid’ reader, as he really is, was having too many problems with basic words.

When I say he cannot read, I am being very mild. The IPL is on and he cannot get the name of RCB (Bangalore) correct. Outside of that, he gives new and clumsy pronunciations to many many words.

I do not know where NCN is going (at least Sports), but in recent times, the whole thing has fallen apart. Most of the announcers are just way below par.

They can and maybe should fit in with the other stations, as these are mere

entertaining spots for those who like to “shout and big up”, but when it comes to quality broadcasting, I hope the new administration will take standards into consideration.

There was a time when sports was so well attended to-wide and prompt coverage, and quality readers. It would not hurt to go back to those who were unfairly slighted.

On both Just Sport and Action Line, calls were made to Paul McAdams, Edwin Seeraj and John Ramsingh, to have Mr Henry Singh take over the Sports Department, and even though he is clearly very qualified and equipped, I think that such a role can go to either Mr Naim Chan or

mr Sean Devers (as they are more one-dimensional and sports biased).

Henry Singh is a gifted broadcaster, who is also an educator, and I personally would be pleased to have him and Mr Franklin Langhorne take leadership and training roles in the state media, under the likes of a Margarette Lawrence or Dr Rovin Deodat.

I firmly believe that broadcasting is not for everyone. Reading and writing and speaking in the state media must be elevated once again.

We need qualified professionals and we need them right away.

Roseann Bacchus.

20,000 chant “Hanuman Chalisa” in Trinidad

Dear Editor,

On Saturday, some 20,000 Hindus, including many Guyanese, came together at the Diwali Nagar site in Central Trinidad to chant the Hanuman Chalisa.

This writer visited to witness and report on the event while conducting an opinion poll in Trinidad on its forthcoming general elections. People were dressed in red attire. It was a sea of red.

It was one of the largest gatherings of Hindus in one location outside of India. It was non-stop (singing) chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa. The event, titled “Epic Hanuman Chanting”, involved singing some 40 verses, centred around Hanuman.

The Chalisa was brought to Trinidad, Guyana and the West during the indentured period beginning in Guyana in 1838. It has become institutionalized in these parts of the world.

The event coincides with the 170th anniversary of Indian arrival in T&T. It is also a part of the celebrations in this month’s Indian Heritage Month. A release from the organisers of the event, listing the benefits of chanting the Hanuman Chalisa said, among other things, “devotees take refuge in congregational chanting at times of imminent natural disaster”.

Pandit Avadhoota Datta Peetham, on the organising committee, said at a media conference yesterday, “It’s for protection of the earth. We can’t wait for a Nepal event to happen here.”

The inspiration behind the event, part of a global event, is Swami Ganapathi Sachchidnanda of Mysore, India, who regularly visits the Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Waterloo where an 85foot murti of Hanuman, the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, stands.

Guyana has lost a real...

He was known for a bone jarring left hook, one that had stopped many of his opponents in his 23 wins from 28 fights with 19 knockouts. It was a very huge affair. The famous Kenny Bayless was the referee and the supervisor of the fight was none other than Giberto Jesus Mendoza, the now President of the WBA.

The commentary team included the famous Emmanuel Steward. Across the ring draped in the hardly known green, yellow, red and black flag of Guyana in which he had entered was a diminutive Andrew “Sixheads” Lewis, standing at only 5’ 8” in comparison to his opponent’s 5’ 11”.

I remember that like all Guyanese watching, my heart was in my hands. The difference in size alone was enough to cause panic and then there was that awesome left hook that Page possessed. It looked very much as if we would be denied once again.

I had expected that a fairly intimidated “Sixhead” would emerge from his corner and look to avoid Page’s big shots. The exact opposite happened – “Sixhead” came out as if there were only two people in the world, Page and himself and he “Sixhead” was in his own mind, the far better fighter.

He attacked Page with ferocious aggression, driving the bigger man back with hard left handed power shots from a classic southpaw position. A startled Page could deliver very little of his own and found himself confronted with a far superior boxer.

By round two Page found himself on his pants on the canvas from a hard right uppercut. Sixhead’s focus was intense as he systematical-

ly dismantled Page with a brilliant display of ring generalship. Page’s poor defense proved porous against Six’s pinpoint accuracy and he could do little to stem Sixhead’s unrelenting aggression.

Emmanuel Steward›s open admiration for Sixhead’s destruction of Page was clearly evident in his commentary. Page endured a battering for six rounds.

At the end of the sixth, Sixhead landed with cruel force, a combination right hook followed by a brutal right uppercut. At this point, all of us who know boxing, knew that Page could not endure much more punishment.

At the 98th second mark of the seventh round a vicious right hook connected to the side of his head sending him to the canvas. Referee Kenny Bayless, intensely looking into his glazed eyes and mindful of the punishment he had already absorbed, stopped the contest. Pandemonium followed. It is just incredible how much emotion the human brain and body can process at one time.

The pride that I felt for our country at that moment caused all at once a constriction in my chest that literally threatened to stop my breathing and a large lump in my throat the size of a breadfruit which was certainly not reflected in all the hollering that I was doing.

Sixhead Lewis lifted me and every Guyanese that witnessed this fight to arguably the greatest moment of National pride that we will ever experience.

He came to a door that said “World Champions only - No Guyanese allowed». He simply kicked it down.

Believers say that the chanting gives off a chemistry of its own which will “spiritually immerse” the entire nation, from Laventille to Cedros, the organizers said. Pundit Peetham said there is a target of seven billion chants worldwide.

Pandit Raviji Maharaj, founder of the Hindu Prachar Kendra and the Jahajee Massacre Committee, and who visited Guyana several times, chaired the event which is being organised by a collaboration of Hindu organisations across TT.

Raviji said the chanting of Hanuman Chalisa began in homes, temples, vehicles and on the streets since February. “People are not crazy. They are chanting,” he said.

The site was trasnformed into a temporary temple for people to conduct pooja. Offerings were made.

Vishnu Bisram

In the few years that followed, six of his countrymen and women came in through that open doorway stepping over the flattened door that still lies on the ground, demolished by Andrew “Sixhead” Lewis. His singular achievement represented a culmination of all of the countless years of toil and effort of all who preceded him – our amateur ranks through which he had come, our loyal and dedicated trainers, cornermen, sparring partners, the Guyana Boxing Board itself and the many, many loyal supporters over the years. His spectacular seizing of the World title was at last, justification for all of the hard work over the years –a vindication as it were, that it had not all been in vain –that our great and unyielding belief that our fighters were among the very best in the world was finally proven and justified in spectacular fashion for all the world to see.

For the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, this man will forever be our “Eternal Hero”. Nothing will ever take him out of the pages of this Country›s history or indeed out of our Hearts.

Guyana has lost a real and true hero - one who took not a brush but a pair of gloves and beautifully painted one of the most glorious moments in our nation›s history.

The Guyana Boxing Board strongly advocates that a national monument in the form of a lifesized statue be erected in a prominent location in commemoration of this Guyanese hero as has been done in other countries in honour of their boxing legends.

Peter

Abdool from page 4

tuesday, may 26, 2015|

Racial incitement case

No efforts will be spared to get justice – Nandlall

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall who is representing former President Bharrat Jagdeo in the politically motivated case brought against him by political activist and social commentator Christopher Ram says no efforts will be spared to get justice.In the wake of the court demanding the presence of his client and its subsequent order for him not to leave the jurisdiction without permission, Nandlall, one of several lawyers presenting the former President, in a press statement said Monday’s date was specifically fixed for Ram’s lawyer to respond to the defence’s submissions.

On the last occasion, Attorneys-at-Law representing the former President made oral and written submissions that the private criminal charge was frivolous, vexatious and without any basis in law and they requested that the same be dismissed by the Magistrate at Whim Magistrate’s Court.

“The Attorney-at-Law representing Mr Ram requested an adjournment to respond to those submissions. Today (Monday) was specifically fixed only for that purpose.

“To date, no summons has been served upon the former President in person, or otherwise, to secure his attendance in person before the court as is required by law. As a result, the Former President was duly advised by his Attorneys-at-Law

that his presence before the court is unnecessary, at this point in time of the proceedings,” Nandlall said in the statement.

Nandlall continued that at 09:05h, the Attorney-atLaw representing Ram, laid over his promised submissions and served a copy on us.

“However, without treating with the submissions, the learned Magistrate enquired whether or not our client will be appearing today before her. It was explained to the learned Magistrate that:

“(1) the summons was never served; (2) that our client was advised that as a result, his presence was not necessary; (3) that today was specifically fixed for the

IAC calls on Carter Centre to support election audit

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), on Monday, met with the Representative of the Carter Centre at its headquarters in Quamina Street, Georgetown and conveyed its recognition of the work that former United States President Jimmy Carter has been doing for over the past three decades to spread the message of peace and harmony throughout the world.

The IAC informed the Carter Centre’s Jason Calder of the need for a sustained presence to support national stakeholders in addressing many of the underlying factors affecting social cohesion and breeding mistrust among the various ethnic groups in Guyana. The IAC advised the Carter Centre, while it is always prepared to work with the Government of the day, it fully supports an election petition to the courts by the People’s Progressive Party/

Attorney-at-Law of Ram to respond to our submission; (4) and there should be a ruling from the court before any further steps are taken in the proceedings.”

Nandlall said the Magistrate then announced, for the first time, that she was overruling the preliminary objections and submissions made and that the defendant, who had not appeared before her, must appear.

Jagdeo appeared before the Magistrate some two hours later and the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and upon an application made by Nandlall, he was sent on his own recognisance. The matter was adjourned to Monday, June 22, at 10:00h.

In conclusion, Nandlall maintained that the charge was completely without merit, malicious and concocted.

Civic (PPP/C) as it is an exercise of the constitutional rights of any group or individual to do so with the aim of furthering democracy in Guyana.

The IAC, with the aim of strengthening democracy in Guyana, has also called upon the Carter Centre, and now calls upon the entire diplomatic community residing in Guyana, to support a request by the IAC to encourage both main political groups to allow an immediate, impartial and independent International Forensic Audit of the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections in Guyana. This step can help reduce the intense suspicions and create an atmosphere within which citizens can work to address major issues of insecurity affecting our society. Further, the Carter Centre was urged to use its presence to ensure that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is con-

vened and fully functional.

The IAC is cognisant of the history of this country since the early 1960s, when political strife led the deaths of almost 200 citizens and resulted in massive destruction of property and displacement of persons.

The Arrival Committee is pleased that the Carter Centre has recognised that the IAC is the first cultural organisation to set up a hotline for persons, especially those of Indo-Guyanese origin, who have been victimised, verbally threatened, physically abused and have suffered damaged to their private property in the aftermath of the May 11 General and Regional Elections. The IAC has informed the Carter Centre that it will continue to perform its watchdog role, and promote and protect of the rights of Indo-Guyanese as it has been doing since 2003.

Man remanded on firearm charge

Aman was on Friday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Senarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with discharging a loaded firearm with the intention to cause harm to his former friend.

Peter Mackezie, a 22-year-old grass cutter of Meadow Brook Squatting Area, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on May 12, at Meadow Brook Squatting Area, he discharged a loaded firearm towards the Virtual Complainant (VC)

Desmond Mc Phearson with the intent to cause him harm. Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail, citing that the defendant has a pending matter before Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three for robbery under arms.

According to the defendant, he and the VC had a previous altercation and on the day in question, the VC drove up to where he was, discharged several rounds at him and then drove off.

The defendant claimed that the VC then went and made the false allegation against him at the Police Station, as he knows that the defendant has a pending matter before the court which involves the use of a firearm.

The defendant’s

Attorney made an application for bail stating that a firearm was never recovered nor did the Police swab the defendant’s hands to validate whether or not he actually discharged the alleged firearm. It was further revealed that the Police recovered six spent shells around the said area, and the defence alleged that the Police based their charge on those spent shells.

Furthermore, the defence accused the Police of bringing this matter before the court in an attempt to distort the investigation of the defendant’s robbery under arms charge in Court Three. The Magistrate, after considering all of the facts presented, remanded the defendant to prison and transferred the matter to Court Three for June 7.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Racial incitement case Jagdeo on temporary overseas travel ban

– cannot leave jurisdiction without court’s permission

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday made his first court appearance at the Whim Magistrate’s Court to answer to what is believed to be a politically motivated charge.

The private criminal charge, filed under Section 139 D 1A of the Representation of the People Act by political activist and social commentator Christopher Ram, stated that on March 8, 2015 at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Jagdeo said: “The Opposition consistently shout about racism of the PPP, but they practise racism.

The Opposition beat drums at six in the morning and say let us throw the coolie people out.”

The former President was at the time on the campaign trail for his party, the then ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic. Ram, an outspo-

ken critic of the Government, contended that the statements made can result in racial or ethnic hatred among the people.

The case, which was being heard for a second time, was first called at 09:00h; howev-

er ,the defendant was not present at the time. At that point, Magistrate Charlyn Artiga indicated that an arrest warrant would be issued for Jagdeo if he did not make an appearance. His lawyers then indicated to the Magistrate that

he was on his way and asked the court to give him some time to arrive.

When it was requested that the matter be stand down for a further few minutes, Ram’s lawyer, Trenton Lake argued if granted, it

PPP/C assails ban on Jagdeo's movement

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has denounced the temporary overseas travel ban imposed on former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who appeared in court on Monday on a charge of racial incitement.

The “ruling came during the hearing of an unprecedented private criminal charge filed against him by a known critic of the PPP, Lallbachan C Ram”, the Party said.

The PPP/C explained that “in a statement made at Babu John, Port Mourant in March 2015, Cde Jagdeo condemned racism. Yet, a private criminal charge was filed against him alleging that he made racist comments”. In the statement at Babu Jaan, the former President alleged that the Opposition reportedly during the 2011 election campaign made racial remarks in urging supporters to vote the

PPP/C out of office.

“We view this as an ominous sign. We view this as a violation of the constitutional right and freedom of Cde Jagdeo to travel, as well as a threat to the constitutional rights and freedoms of Guyanese everywhere.”

In its press release issued on Monday afternoon after the court hearing, the PPP/C continued: “We know that persons are charged every day by

would show that the court bent over backwards to accommodate the defendant.

After the adjournments, the former President arrived a few minutes after 11:00h and the charge was read to him by Magistrate Artiga.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. Jagdeo was represented by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minster Anil Nandlall and Attorneys-at-Law Adrian Anamayah and Perry Gossai.

Not a flight risk

fence leading to the law, so we want it quashed. We want it thrown out; that’s essentially what we are aiming for… you cannot charge someone if there is no offence.”

De Santos said after examining the allegation and the section of the law under which the charge has been laid, in his view, it was frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court in which it has been filed.

the Police with much more serious and grave offences, but they are not expressly prohibited by Magistrates from leaving the jurisdiction.

“These types of action are reminiscent of the notorious Burnham years, when Opposition politicians were prevented from leaving Guyana. In less than two weeks into this new Administration, these days are upon us already.”

The defence team told the court that the defendant has never been charged and has a fixed place of abode, adding that he was an Executive Member of the PPP/C, former Executive President of Guyana, an internationallyrecognised person who has been awarded as a Champion of the Earth by the United Nations and has several honorary doctorates, so he did not pose a flight risk and had no reason to not attend further hearings.

The magistrate ruled that Jagdeo be released on his own recognisance and ordered him not to leave the jurisdiction without the court’s permission.

During the first hearing, De Santos had argued that the charge filed show no evidence that an offence was committed.

“The charge before the court does not disclose any of-

Further, he pointed out that it was a gross misinterpretation and colossal misuse and abuse of Section 139D of the Representation of the People Act, Chap1:02. The Senior Counsel noted that while he would not speculate in relation to the motive which inspired the institution of the charge, he will, however, state that “it constitutes an abridgement of the constitutional right and freedom of my client to speak and express himself freely”.

De Santos further noted that the unprecedented use of a criminal charge to muzzle speakers at public political events was an assault on the democratic right of political leaders to speak freely on matters of national interest as well as a violation of the democratic right of the citizenry to receive such information.

He said that the case was nothing more than political sensationalisation and mischief.

The Preliminary Inquiry is set commence on June 22 at 10:00h.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo greets supporters outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court

Man found with drugs in minibus remanded to prison

Aman was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with possession of narcotics.

Jeffrey Thomas pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on May 22, at Wash Pond Road, Mackenzie, Linden, he was found to be in possession

of 65 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves, on the day in question at 12:15h, ranks of the Guyana Police Force on patrol stopped a route 72 minibus (GeorgetownLethem) which was occupied by 18 persons to conduct a search. The occupants of the vehicle were ordered to exit the bus with their belongings and

wait outside.

The defendant reportedly exited the bus with a haversack and Police conducted a search of his person. During the search, the illicit drugs were found concealed in the said haversack. The defendant was then taken into custody. An investigation was conducted and the charge was laid against him.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds

that no special reasons were put forward by the defendant for such to be granted.

The Magistrate refused bail and the defendant was remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for June 2. The Magistrate also ordered that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice on the matter.

Two arrested after robbing passenger

Two men were on Monday arrested moments after robbing a passenger of a minibus in the vicinity of Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The robbery occurred at about 13:30h.

According to information received, the two men had joined the minibus as passengers and along the journey, one of the men whipped out a handgun and ordered the driver to stop the vehicle. They then

proceeded to relieve the passengers of their personal belongings before making good their escape.

Moments after the incident, the Police were contacted and due to their quick response, the men

were arrested in Agricola, Greater Georgetown. Upon their arrest, a gold chain that was taken from one of the passengers was recovered on their person.

The men are to be charged shortly.

Eyew tness

Independent vibes...

...from APNU fan boys

You have to give Jack his jacket. Or in this case... Jacks their dashikis. Your Eyewitness has been quite scathing about some of the outpourings from Messrs Ogunseye, Hinds, Maxwell and Johnson, who threw their all into the effort to ensconce the APNU/AFC coalition into office.

Seems to yours truly, these fellas had gone a bit too overboard in their espousal of the virtues of the Opposition without acknowledging even a smidgen of that commodity in the PPP/C. Culled from your Eyewitness' long and hard-won experience, he'd long gone along with James Madison's assessment of politicians:

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself."

So when these goodly gentlemen waxed so eloquently and messianically about David Granger and his crew as if they weren't made from this cooked timber, he felt that they were either foolish or disingenuous.

And "foolish" he's also concluded, they weren't. So the rod of correction was applied on occasions rather condignly - leading to rather bruised egos and feelings if you were to go by their ripostes.

But your Eyewitness must say that their recent rapping of David Granger's knuckles for betraying various and sundry anti-democratic proclivities impressed him no end. They were reminding the new government of its "obligation to control itself".

Your Eyewitness himself had essayed forth in the same vein during the last week. But in Guyana, one generally preaches to the choir - with every man jack (and woman jill) holding the same hymn book, turned to the same page. So he'd figured he was spitting (or pissing) into the wind.

But with the intervention of these (dare he say it?) brothers, his faith's almost restored that there's some hope for dear old mudland. These fellas almost remind your Eyewitness of Jagan's critical support for Forbes back in the day.

Now mind you, they haven't gone into the really nettlesome issues, like for instance whether Naga's been neutered in the three-card monte the Cabinet Allocation turned out to be. But we all have to start somewhere, don't we?

So once again, a hat tip to aforementioned foursome and hope that their spirit of "critical support" spreads across the aisle.

And that they too will expand their vision to admit the PPP/C couldn't possibly have been all bad through and through.

...on Independence

The key to our independence was always there waiting for us to get to it. Your Eyewitness is talking about the Black Gold that's been discovered under the waters of our coast.

Ever since 2000, the US Geological Survey had confirmed that enough of the stuff was there to make the El Dorado of Walter Raleigh seem to be "fool's gold". The challenge was to get to it.

And it's finally done. This Eyewitness is not about to launch into some conspiracy theory as to why it took so long - and only now. He's already pretty convinced there was a second man on the grassy knoll!

What he's really impressed about is that both the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC coalition have promised to establish a "Sovereign Wealth Fund" once the revenues start rolling in.

That means no matter what happens with the coming election petition, we won't have our bonanza frittered away on wine, women and song as we live high off the hog like our fabled old pork knockers of yore.

....on Chanderpaul

Guyana's cricketing fraternity's been divided for donkey's years. But today they're united on giving Chanders one last shot at Lara's record. It's the "cricket" thing to do, isn't it?

Officials

say:

No fatal accident at Lion Mountain

... after first confirming mishap

Following reports of an accident at Lion Mountain that resulted in the death of five persons on Thursday last, F Division (interior locations) Commander, Courtney Ramsay has confirmed on Monday that the reports were false while urging persons to desist from spreading incorrect information.

In a phone interview with the Guyana Times, the senior Police rank stated that he would have received information about the accident on Sunday morning and immediately deployed a team of Police ranks to the area, but they came up empty-handed.

Ramsay also claimed that investigators went further into the area with the aim of finding the wreckage but none was seen. Upon questioning several people in the area about the accident, they all denied it happened, he added.

He encouraged the public to desist from spreading such false information, noting that travelling to the area to investigate an accident that never took place would have incurred unnecessary expenses for the Guyana Police Force.

In addition, the commander stated that the man at Suddie Hospital who is allegedly the driver of the vehicle that was involved in the accident will be questioned, but as of now, he stated that it is impossible for someone who was involved in an accident at Cuyuni to end up at Suddie.

“This would mean that he had to travel past Bartica Hospital, board

a boat, travel to Parika, take another boat and travel to Supenaam then board a car and travel to Suddie … this is not practical for someone who was injured,” he added.

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford on Monday morning also confirmed that the accident never happened and it was just a set of irresponsible people spreading rumours.

Initially, he told the Guyana Times that he learnt about the accident on Sunday morning and soon after he received a telephone call from the officer in charge informing him about their intentions to travel to the area to investigate.

Bradford stated that the ranks returned from the interior later Sunday evening, claiming that there was no sign of wreckage or bodies as was reported. Meanwhile, up to late Sunday evening, nurses at the Bartica Hospital were on standby to receive the bodies.

The Guyana Times was informed that the hospital officials were told about the accident early on Sunday morning and were told that the bodies were on their way out. After the entire day passed, they received information that suggested that the bodies were located some distance from Lion Mountain and were en route to Bartica.

It was based on this information that this publication ran with the article caption “5 Killed in Lion Mountain accident”. This publication apologises for the misleading headline.

Local artists to get training in production, marketing

Twithin the creative industry will undergo a three-week workshop aimed at improving their skills in the production and marketing aspects of their operations.

Throughout the training, the businessmen and businesswomen will be introduced to modern technologies that will enhance the level of productivity and boost the marketing of their goods, which will allow them to participate in the business sector in a more modern way. The participants will be trained in areas of pottery, mould making, sculpture making and basic ceramic techniques.

The event was made possible through the collaboration between the Caribbean

Development Bank (CDB) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

“The CDB has a Caribbean Technological Consulting Services Network programme that puts expertise in fields together with businesses that require those expertises. GCCI has become the focal point for the Network in Guyana… the Arts and Craft Association approached the CDB about the possibility of doing this… they contacted the GCCI… we are sort of the executing body. We handle the logistics, acquisition of material, make arrangements for training and we provide these services on behalf of the CDB to businesses in Guyana,” GCCI Chairman Lance Hinds explained.

He noted that the programme will be beneficial to the local artists as it will allow them to utilise their resources in a more efficient and cost effective manner, which may result in the generation of more profits.

Caribbean Arts

According to the workshop trainer, Robert Campbell, the perception that there is an unattractive market for art in Guyana is a “myth”. He stated that there is a huge market for Caribbean arts, including produce from Guyana, but the problem sometimes lies with the market access and the low level of production.

“Many times, Guyana has the

market but its local artists are not in a position to meet the demand,” said Campbell, who is an artist based in Jamaica.

“Most of the time it’s not the market access... Most artists can produce but they have a problem getting the product to the marketing quantities… a lot of time, orders come from outside the Caribbean that small people are unable to fulfil because of not being able to produce enough,” he highlighted.

Therefore, he explained that in his sessions with the workshop participants, they will be taught various techniques that will increase production. “Production output has always been beneficial to any individual or company to go forward, or to meet a market demand,” he said.

hirty Guyanese entrepreneurs

GCCI Chairman Lance Hinds

Robert Campbell

tuesday, may 26, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Hundreds show support for Jagdeo

Supporters of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Monday, gathered outside of the Whim Magistrate’s Court to show solidarity with him after he was slapped with what is believed to be politically motivated charges, filed by political activist and social commentator Christopher Ram.

Armed with placards bearing “Justice for Bharrat Jagdeo”, “The matter for the case against Bharrat Jagdeo should be dismissed”, among others, the supporters showed solidarity with the former Head of State. Speaking with this newspaper, the protestors said that they will continue to stand with the Former President and believe that he should have never been brought to court to face such a matter since he is an advocate for racial unity. They are of the view, that the Former President is a “just and respectable” man who would not incite ethnic fear into the people of the country. As Jagdeo, made his way into the court compound the protesters shouted that the matter be dismissed.

An elderly woman, who was part of the protest, said she left her Black Bush Polder home since 08:30h, as she wanted to be a part of the protest action to voice her concern for the matter to be dismissed. The woman, who was brought to tears as the former President arrived, said he should not be brought to court. “I went to Babu Jaan, he was the one who talked against racism,

how can they bring him to court for saying he causing racial tension ...this is not right, this man is the one who fight for the betterment of Guyanese,” she stated. Lucille Ayana of Albion said during the election period opposition parties were on television uttering many racist remarks. She questioned why they were not brought to court. The protesters were assured by the former President not to worry as he will fight this to the end and will not let up until justice is served.

One of Jagdeo lawyers, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, had previously said that Ram, a known Government critic and holder of a British passport, “seems to have an unnatural obsession with the former President”. De Santos noted that he has examined the allegation and the section of the law under which

the charge that has been laid. In his view, it is frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court in which it has been filed. He further went on to state that it is a gross misinterpretation, colossal misuse and abuse of Section 139D of the Representation of the People Act, Chap1:02.

The Senior Counsel noted that while he will not speculate in relation to the motive which inspired the institution of the charge, he will, however, state that “it constitutes an abridgement of the constitutional right and freedom of my client to speak and express himself freely”. De Santos further noted that the unprecedented use of a criminal charge to muzzle speakers at public political events was an assault on the democratic right of political leaders to speak freely on matters of national interest, as well

PYO says it stands in solidarity with Jagdeo

The Progressive Youth Organisation of Guyana (PYO) has expressed its full support for former President and Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo as he faces a “trumped-up and politically motivated charge following a passionate, frank and factual speech delivered at Babu Jaan back in March this year”.

al figure in our view is extreme and unwarranted. In our view, this can undermine the personal, political and international commitment of the former President. “It is public knowledge that the former President has many international responsibilities and commitments.”

as a violation of the democratic right of the citizenry to receive such information. He said that the case was nothing more than political sensationalisation and mischief. However, the Senior Counsel has expressed faith and confidence that the matter will be speedily reviewed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In its release, the PPP/C youth arm said: “We believe that the former President will be vindicated at the end of this matter, because the spurious charge brought against him by Christopher Ram lacks both substance and form, merit and legal soundness”.

The PYO holds the view that the charge is just another attempt to embarrass Jagdeo and is part of Ram’s revenge plan against the Guyanese leader.

The travel restrictions imposed on this internation-

“The PYO, therefore, urges Comrade Jagdeo to meet this challenge head on as it is a test of his personal and political fortitude and stamina. This test has been faced and passed with flying colours by many leaders in the PPP/C including its founders Cheddi and Janet Jagan”.

The body continued that “our youth leaders will be monitoring this matter in the days ahead and call on all members of the judiciary to act impartially and independently in the discharge of their duties in this case.

“If this is done, the scale of justice will no doubt favour Comrade Jagdeo”.

Elderly Mahaica woman was strangled – autopsy

An autopsy performed on the body of Chandrowti Basdeo Persaud who was found dead in her home on Saturday morning at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), proved that she was strangled.

The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Monday morning, who gave the cause of death as manual strangulation.

The motionless body of 68-year-old Persaud of Lot 47 River’s View Squatting Area, Lancaster Mahaica, ECD, was found at about 05:30h by her husband and daughter gagged and her hands bound behind her back. Her mouth was stuffed with a pillow case, while her neck was tied with a bed sheet. The woman’s hands were bound with one of her nightgowns. Based on infor-

mation received, the woman’s bedroom was ransacked and about $800,000 in cash was missing.

Police have confirmed that two men were taken into custody and are assisting with investigations. Investigators are presently looking at several pieces of evidence to determine whether or not to institute murder charges against the two men.

Nevertheless, Police can

only detain the two men for another day since the 72hour detention period will expire shortly. On the day of the discovery, the dead woman’s husband Suraj Persaud explained that he woke up at about 05:20h and called out several times to his wife but there were no answer.

As he opened the woman’s bedroom door, he saw the place in a mess, with boxes everywhere. He thought something was amiss hence he telephoned his daughter who lives a short distance away. Within five minutes his daughter arrived at the house and opened her mother’s bedroom door where she saw her mother lying on the bed.

As she called out to the woman, there were still no answer, thus she decided to shake the woman thinking that she was asleep. Upon doing so, she realised that her mother was dead.

Chandrowti Basdeo Persaud

Protesters in front of the Whim Magistrate’s Court demanding justice for former President Bharrat Jagdeo

M&CC votes to send Sooba on leave

...PPP/C slams action as undemocratic

By Vahnu Manikchand

It was high drama at City Hall on Monday afternoon after Councillors activated a no-confidence motion against embattled acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, sending her on annual leave, a decision deplored by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as undemocratic.

At the City Hall’s statutory meeting, the first to be held since the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition took office just over a week ago, the motion, which was tabled in April last year, was re-activated by Councillor Ranwell Jordon. Jordon in his submission moved to have the acting Town Clerk “instructed to proceed on leave”. He was

supported by a majority of the councillors. The “ayes” resounded throughout the conference room in favour of the motion, while there was no response for those who were against it.

Georgetown Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, then stated that since the motion was passed by the majority, Sooba should hand over her responsibilities to the Deputy Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe before she is escorted out of the building by the senior female officer of City Constabulary along with the Chief Constable.

Sooba went on to say that there was a court order that positioned her as acting Town Clerk. An injunction was filed, challenging her appointment as Town Clerk and acting Chief Justice Ian Chang

in April last year ruled that Sooba’s substantive appointment was legally defective, and as such, she could act in the position.

The legal proceedings were filed by City Hall Public Relations Officer Royston King, who asked that then Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud show cause why his decision to appoint Sooba as Town Clerk should not be reversed. Sooba’s appointment came as an upset to a lot of persons who pointed out that the proper procedure was not utilised.

A few councillors at Monday’s Statutory Meeting supported the acting Town Clerk on the legal order, noting that the Council cannot go against a court order and remove Sooba from her post. But it was explained that the acting town Clerk is not being removed but merely sent on administrative leave.

After about 15 minutes of back-and-forth bickering between the councillors on whether the City’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) must go, Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green placed the final nail on the coffin by upholding the motion. He outlined over the past months there have been several allegations of misappropriation of funds, and refusal to discharge decisions of the council among others including grant a waiver of millions to a city businessman. Based upon these grounds, he noted, Sooba is being asked to go on

leave.

Sooba was flocked by Constabulary officers who tried to get her to leave her seat, but she relentlessly remained seated, warning that if anyone touched her, it would be “assault”. However, a few minutes later, she finally gave in, saying she did not want to cause a scene. She was escorted from the meeting to her office by the ranks while the Deputy Town Clerk swiftly replaced her, continuing the meeting.

As she made her way out of the building, staff of the City Hall poured out to watch her make her grand exit. Without her personal security, Sooba stood in the City Hall’s compound and watched as her driver removed her belongings from the Council’s vehicle.

A visibly embarrassed Sooba stood in the compound as a crowd of onlookers built up at the Regent Street entrance. Persons were cheering and some chanting “it is about time” and “Sooba must go”.

A staff had to loan the CEO a vehicle so that she can leave the compound, which had become filled with hostility towards her. Since her appointment, Sooba has had frequent run-ins with executives of the City Hall, including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the City Hall’s PRO, who was even named Town Clerk by the Council.

Meanwhile hours later, the former ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), under whose regime Sooba was appointed, publicly condemned what it said was “bullyism, harassment, intimidation and humiliation” of the acting Town Clerk. In a statement, the Party said Sooba was illegally evicted from the Georgetown City Council.

According to the PPP/C, over the last two weeks there have been several incidents, where executives and activists of the ruling APNU+AFC Administration have been engaged in acts of provocation, taunting, harassing, in-

timidating and hurling racial slurs at PPP/C supporters.

“Mayor Hamilton Green and his Deputy Patricia Chase-Green have been the ring-leaders in the attacks against the acting Town Clerk since her appointment. Green had consistently launched a spate of attacks against female Town Clerks over the last few years, including Buellah Williams and Yonette Pluck; none of them were made to endure the level of humiliation, harassment, intimidation and abuse like Sooba,” the Party highlighted. In addition, the PPP/C claims that this desperate attempt to evict the acting Town Clerk stems from her effective management of the city finances and other resources, which prior to her appointment were being misused as personal property of members of Council. The Party is calling on the Local Government Union, Women’s Rights and other organisations to condemn this “illegal act against a professional woman”.

Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba refusing to budge as she is surrounded by Constabulary officers

Persons rejoicing outside the City Hall as acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba was escorted out of the compound after being sent on administrative leave

PPP/C salutes Guyanese on 49th Independence Anniversary

The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) salutes the people of Guyana on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the attainment of independence from Great Britain.

The PPP/C is proud of the role it has played in the struggle for a free and independent Guyana. Indeed, it was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic that led the struggle for a free and independent Guyana under the charismatic and dynamic leadership of Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Regrettably, the celebrations are taking place in an environment in which the democratic rights of the Guyanese people to elect a Government of their choice are once again trampled upon by the de facto Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/

Alliance For Change regime, which has been foisted on this nation by way of electoral fraud.

The PPP/C is also concerned over the attempts that are being made to divert the true meaning and significance of independence by meaningless fanfare and extravaganza, in order to lend legitimacy to the fraud which took place on May 11. This day will be remembered with shame down the corridors of time.

The PPP/C takes this opportunity to reiterate its unwavering determination to protect our hard won democracy, and the democratic and constitutional gains scored by the party over the decades. The right to vote, which we all take for granted today, was fought for and won by the PPP/C in the early 1950s. Its

remains a lasting scar on our national psyche that this right was stolen by the People’s National Congress for 28 years (from 1968 to 1992) and has once again rear its head in the recent elections, which coincidence with our Independence Day celebrations.

To add salt to the injury, David Granger is now using Independence Day to inaugurate himself as President with great pomp and fanfare at the expense of the taxpayer.

Be that as it may, the PPP/C extends best wishes to the Guyanese people on this important milestone. The People’s Progressive Party takes this opportunity to call on all Guyanese to intensify the struggle to protect our democracy which is under threat.

GAWU urges national unity

As Guyana nears half a century as an independent state, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to join with all Guyanese to celebrate this exciting and landmark anniversary in our history.

We need to recall that, at this time, there was near absolute consensus amongst our then leaders that we needed to shed the chains with which we were then wrapped in. Independence brought us together and we joyfully welcomed our

new status as citizens of Guyana, no longer colonial subjects tied to a “mother” country. It also brought heavy responsibilities for a free and prosperous future. The onus was now ours to chart our own course; it needed to be strengthened by economic independence and social justice. Those objectives had to be attained and sustained.

GAWU feels certain that the attainment of Independence, which we fought for, made us proud as a people. Since independence, we

have moved forward. There are successes in several fields nationally, and our country has earned recognition and respect at the international level. Our democratic culture, which resurfaced over 20 years ago, still faces new challenges and threats today. Notwithstanding the trials and setbacks the nation experienced and will face, there are very many significant achievements that lie ahead as we overcome the negative legacy of colonialism.

GTUC congratulates the nation on Independence and new leadership

As Guyana celebrates its 49th anniversary of independence from colonial rule, the spirit of freedom and cooperation that hallmarked our original struggles, feelings of joy and liberation, have once again been properly reignited. Independence for Guyana also speaks to several significant developments in our nation’s history apart from the symbolic date when it was granted. It speaks to a period of united struggles against a colonial master. It also speaks to a fractured period of our political history, when those who were united became divided by different ideological perspective for nation building that led to a separation and colonial preference of one over another.

The struggle for independence, while arduous, does not come anywhere close in comparison to the task that followed after independence was granted. This then became the prime responsibility of the Forbes Burnham-led People’s National Congress Government. They were the ones entrusted by the colonial masters with the stewardship of the newly independent British colony. Theirs was the task to mould a nation, to lay the building blocks, the foundation upon which our nation would grow and develop socially, economically, culturally and politically.

And it is with this recognition that our motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, becomes relevant. A young nation with six peoples of diverse heritage, values and culture influenced by experiences of slavery, indenture-ship, the entre-

preneurs of human cargo had to find common ground upon which they could unite, peacefully co-exist and work in harmony to build a nation; where all can enjoy fundamental liberties of freedom, justice and democracy.

While independence is a landmark, the gains of independence are best preserved in the advancement of our political maturation and democratic growth. The independence gained on May 26, 1966 is best protected by advancement of socioeconomic and political structures and cultures in our environment to safeguard and further develop our freedoms. Independence requires good governance - accountability, inclusion, cohesion, people being able to work together to advance national interest, preserve and create laws that would protect the people of this nation.

In retrospect the elections could not have occurred at a better time. The initial response of the people to this newly elected Government says it all. Freedom free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last. GTUC congratulates the nation on independence and the new Government that was elected on May 11. The GTUC looks forward to ushering a period of deepening our democracy and nation building and in this regard is prepared to offer strategic support and continue its impartial and critical review of the management of the nation’s affairs. May the spirit and freedom of this period transcend our growth and development as “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

President pardons 60 convicts

In observance of Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary, His Excellency David Granger disclosed that he will be issuing presidential pardons to 60 convicts serving short jail sentences.

According to President Granger, who was at the time speaking to media operatives at his office on Monday morning, the pardon will target particularly young people who have been imprisoned for non-violent and not so serious crimes.

“I have specified that persons who have been convicted for crimes of violence will not be eligible for consideration. I believe that young people should be in school, not in jail. I have asked that emphasis be placed on young persons and for petty non-violent offences and sentences of short duration.

The offences are really petty…Some men are in jail for stealing cell phones, go your way and sin no more…,” the President said.

He explained that those who have been granted presidential pardons are between the ages of 18-24 and includes both male and female. President Granger noted that his plan initially was to grant pardons only

to females, but there are not enough to meet his criteria. “I particularly asked for females, but apparently the females have been misbehaving at the same rate as the males...It turned out that there were a very small number of females who had actually committed minor offences,” he shared. The President also has high expectations of those persons and wants to see them undergo training so that they can be rehabilitated into society.

“Most of them are young. Most of them are minor

Motorcyclist’s body found in canal

– bike discovered hours before

The body of a West Berbice farmer was fished out of a canal on Monday, after it was discovered partly submerged in a canal at Bolam, East Coast Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Not far away, a motorbike had been found hours before.

Reports are that a fisherman discovered the abandoned motorbike bearing registration number CG 1250 at about 1:00h on Monday and contacted the Police. A search was made in a canal nearby buy nothing was found. At about 13:00h, another fisherman found the partly submerges body of a man.

Dead is 20-year-old Deonarine Ramcharran of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Ramcharran was last seen at about 22:00h on Sunday night by his brother-inlaw Parmanand Jumo, only a village away from where his body was discovered. According to Jumo, Ramcharran visited him at his Number 1 Village home at about 22:00h on Sunday night. He said at that time, Ramcharran appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Meanwhile, family members had contacted Police on Monday morning after the young cash crop farmer did not return home. It is

Dead: Deonarine Ramcharran

believed that after leaving his brother-in-law’s home, Ramcharran was on his way home but did not get very far.

Speculating on what might have occurred, sources at the scene reported that the former Bush Lot Secondary School student may have fallen from his motorbike when he approached the Bolam turn. They added that the now dead man might not have realised it was the turn and rode the motorbike to the edge of the road. The canal he was found in is frequently used by fishermen. A Post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the body on Wednesday. Police are investigating the incident.

misdemeanours or offences, which are non-violent and I do hope that we will be able to integrate them by ensuring that they get on training programmes and they can start living good lives; the longer they stay in prison the more difficult it would be to rehabilitate them. I hope they get back in school, get to work and get on with their lives. They don’t belong in jail; they belong in school, at home with their families and just be happy.”

According to the newly sworn in President, the pardons are expected to be a yearly feature. The President has the constitutional powers to issue pardons to convicted criminals under Article 188 of the Constitution.

Under Article 188 1 (A) the President has the power to grant any person concerned in or convicted of any offence under the Law

of Guyana a pardon either free or subject to lawful condition.

In 2007, former President Bharrat Jagdeo had used the constitutional powers to pardon political activist, Mark Benschop, who had been in prison while awaiting a second trial for treason after the first ended in a hung jury.

He had been imprisoned for five years. In 2008, he then issued a pardon to Phillip Bynoe, Mark Benschop’s accomplice for the same offence.

Late last week, former President Donald Ramotar, issued a pardon to Ravindra Deo, who was convicted for the murder of Vishnu Bhim, which was committed 21 years ago at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara. Deo, although sentenced to hang, previously had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment.

Traffic flow to be restricted to accommodate Granger’s

Inauguration

The Guyana Police Force has advised that due to the inauguration ceremony for President David Granger today at the Guyana National Stadium, the flow of road traffic would be restricted and delays are expected along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, and the East Bank Demerara Public Road between 12:00h and 20:00h.

In a release, the Force said that traffic flow along the western carriageway of the East Bank Demerara Public Road, between Houston and Providence, would be interrupted from 16:30h to 17:00h to allow for the movement of visiting Heads of State and other VIPs.

Motor lorries and container trucks are prohibited from parking along Mandela Avenue and the East Bank Public Road between Houston and Providence, during the same period. Meanwhile, members of the public attending the ceremony are advised to car pool, as parking is limited in the parking lot outside the Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

President David Granger

Independence gesture

Govt set for Independence celebrations … PPP/C rejects invitation to lay wreath

All plans are on course for the grand Independence celebrations slated for today as the newly-elected A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government will be officially inaugurated before an expected large gathering at the Guyana National Stadium.

Since being elected into Government just over a week ago, the ruling Administration has rolled out massive plans for the country’s Independence celebrations with several changes to the traditional activities that were held over the years.

The celebrations will kick off with a wreathlaying ceremony at the Independence Arch located on Brickdam, Georgetown, to honour those Guyanese who would have contributed to Guyana gaining its independence from British

rule 49 years ago. T his event will commence at 08:00h. The ceremony will be led by President David Granger followed by representatives of seven organisations.

In addition to the wreath-laying, there will be a cultural show which will coincide with the inauguration of Guyana’s eighth Executive President, David Granger, at the Guyana National Stadium. With thousands expected to be in attendance, including Ministers of the recently elected APNU+AFC Government and the military, several foreign leaders and members of the diplomatic corps will also be present to witness the ceremony.

Upon the arrival of President Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger, there will be a military fanfare, followed by the 21gun salute. The inspection of the Guard of Honour

will then take place before other aspects of the programme begin. During the programme, there will be singing by the Woodside and Joint Schools’ choirs along with a display by hundreds of students. The programme will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display and performances by the military as well as the National Steel Orchestra. In addition, President Granger will be delivering an address during which he is expected to make announcements on the National Awards.

PPP/C boycott

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has rejected an invitation by the ruling Administration to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony.

In a statement on Monday, the PPP/C disclosed that it received an invitation from the Office

of the President around 13:00h on the same day, inviting a representative from the Party to lay a wreath in commemoration of the 49th Independence Anniversary of Guyana.

The Party said it has opted not to participate in the event in light of a series of “unsavoury, undemocratic and unpopular developments” over the past week.

The alleged rigging of the May 11 General and Regional Elections and victimisation against PPP/C members and supporters, were some of the reasons

the PPP/C highlighted for not joining hands with the Government to honour local heroes.

According to the former ruling Party, on its assumption to office in 1992, it was the PPP/C that brought back the observance of Independence to the status of a national event and the celebration of a national holiday. “Since then the anniversary has been observed every year by the PPP/C Administration and the people of Guyana at all 10 administrative regions of the Republic.

It was the PNC regime

that downgraded the anniversary to a non-event relegating it to virtual obscurity throughout the land,” the Party said.

Furthermore, the PPP/C pointed out that the David Granger-led Administration’s wreath laying event is a mere re-branding of the event against the background of a number of undemocratic developments. The Party went on to say that it would be observing the country’s independence anniversary today at a grand public meeting to be held at Port Mourant, Corentyne.

19-year-old sentenced for theft

A19-year-old male was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Monday when a charge of theft was read to him on his second appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Kevin Christopher told Magistrate Annette Singh that he was guilty of breaking into the home of Kevin Clemonds between May 16 and 17, where he removed a pair of sneakers and a DVD player valued $16,000 and $30,000 respectively.

He had pleaded guilty to the offence last Friday when he first appeared in court to answer to the charge. He had explained to presiding Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the time that he went out for drinks after work with friends, and assumedly got drunk.

He said he remembers being carried inside a house by some men, then being beaten the next morning by another group of men. Christopher said he tried to explain the situation to them but they continued to beat him.

Magistrate Azore said this indicated that the accused may not be guilty of the offence as he had stated that he took neither the DVD player nor the sneakers. Thus, she recorded a not guilty plea.

Nevertheless, his matter was transferred to Court 11

Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry for another charge of theft after being accused of stealing $42,000 worth in clothes.

On that occasion too, Christopher did not deny the charge against him. He told the court that he was walking through Albouystown when six strong looking men approached him and asked if he was new to the area. He responded in the affirmative, claiming that the men proceeded to beat him and then threw him out of the area.

where Magistrate Singh presides, where the charge of theft was read to him once more. He once again said he was guilty of the offence, giving his explanation. With this, Magistrate Singh sentenced him to six months imprisonment, informing him that he got a light sentence since he decided to not waste the court’s time with a trial.

The teenager has made several appearances at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts within the last three months alone for thievery and assaulting his mother. He was sentenced to one month imprisonment for the latter.

On May 16, he had appeared before Chief

For some unclear reason, he had nothing to wear. With this, Christopher told Court One that he went into the Virtual Complainant’s yard and removed the clothes so he would have something to wear.

Presently he is expected back in Court One on June 5 to be sentenced. The Chief Magistrate had ordered a probation report before the young man is sentenced for this charge.

It was reported in the court that he had no previous convictions in his name, except for being sentenced in March for one month i for using abusive language against his mother.

Christopher was remanded to prison to await this probation report. The grounds for his release are unknown, enabling him to be held on another charge of theft.

The Independence Arch being prepared for today’s events

Second charge of thievery for Kevin Christopher in two months

Suriname electing new Government

Surinamese went to the polls on Monday to elect a new Government, with President Desi Bouterse’s National Democratic Party (NDP) confident of victory in the face of a challenge from the main coalition of Opposition parties led by former Justice Minister Chandrika Persad Santokhi. Residents of the Dutch-speaking Caricom nation began voting around 07:00h, with the 600 polling stations remaining open until 19:00h.

With seven political parties and four coalitions of Opposition parties vying for the 51 seats in the country’s National Assembly, the incumbent NDP will need at least 26 seats to win

the election. The National Assembly will vote on who will be President, with a two-thirds majority required for the victor.

Current President Desi Bouterse, who was in 1991 convicted in absentia of cocaine trafficking in The

Jamaican convicted of stealing phones used by Secret Service

Jamaican hotel work-

Aer, who stole 15 phones used by the United States (US) Secret Service when President Barack Obama was in the country last month, has been given a suspended sentence, according to the Jamaica Observer newspaper.

Christopher Green was given a nine-month jail term after pleading guilty to larceny but, for now, escapes any time behind bars since the sentence was suspended for two years. He could land in prison if he commits a crime within the next two years.

The Electrician at the Pegasus Hotel admitted to Police that on April 10, a day after the US President

left the island, he stole 15 Nokia 106 cellphones from a room on the 12th floor of the hotel. The devices had been purchased for the Secret Service agents to use while in Jamaica and were among other mobile phones left for workers from the US Embassy to collect the following day. The remaining phones were picked up as scheduled on April 11, but it was later discovered that 15 were missing.

Police subsequently arrested Green who told them that he found the phones at his workplace and had given away and sold some of them. They recovered three of the phones from Green’s mother and five from his co-workers.

(Caribbean360)

The Bahamas signs on to APIS

The Bahamas has agreed to facilitate the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) that will give regional border control authorities information about passengers flying or sailing from that country to other Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states. Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell signed the accession documents on the margins of the 18th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) which ended last Friday in St Lucia. Under APIS, advance passenger information is data provided to the Joint Regional Communications Centre, prior to the arrival

and departure of an aircraft or vessel at each port of entry in participating member states. That information includes a complete list of crew and passengers on board and their biographic data, and carrier information.

APIS came into effect in 2007 in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recently called on Caricom to give more teeth to APIS as part of a wider effort to increase the region’s security. (Caribbean360)

Netherlands but was not jailed because that country does not have an extradition treaty with Suriname, is confident of victory. A poll published in February indicated that his NDP was ahead in five of the six electoral districts surveyed.

Several observer missions are monitoring the elections in which 350,000 people are eligible to vote. Among them is a Caricom Electoral Observer Mission (CEOM) headed by the Deputy Chief Elections Officer in Barbados, Ian Browne.

“It is the intention of the mission to observe the activities of the poll in as many constituencies as possible and as many polling stations as time permits...The voting process will be monitored during the course of the day, the closing of the poll will be observed and, finally, the tallying of the ballots will be observed by the CEOM,” Browne said. (Caribbean360)

Deadly tornado strikes Mexico City

At least 10 people are reported to have been killed by a tornado that hit the northern Mexico border city of Ciudad Acuna in the Coahuila state.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed in the Coahuila city, which is just across the border from Del Rio, Texas. Images from the scene showed cars upended and leaning against buildings.

Dozens of people have been injured and officials warned that the death toll could rise. “Most of the dead are people who were outside, not people who were inside their homes,” City Mayor Evaristo Lenin Perez said.

Witnesses said a bus has also been flipped over by the tornado, and a sevenyear-old boy is also missing. “There are cars on top

of houses, there are dead people lying in the street; it is total chaos,” said local resident Maria del Rosario Ramirez, quoted by Mexican newspaper La Jornada. Victor Zamora, Coahuila’s Interior Secretary, said an area of about seven blocks had been “devastated” by the tornado. The Interior Department said state officials were coordinating a response.

The same severe weather also affected southern states in the United States including Texas. A dozen people are missing after flash floods struck the Blanco River in central Texas on Sunday.

The floods also damaged hundreds of homes, some of them swept off their foundations, and a tornado damaged a block of flats in Houston, Texas. (BBC News)

Suriname’s current President, Desi Bouterse

APNU/AFC backers rap Granger’s high-handedness

Loyal supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government have expressed no fear of intimidation when it comes to criticising the new administration and holding them accountable for each and every action they make.

“I shouldn’t be loved when I am critical of the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) and hated when I am equally critical of the APNU/AFC,” said the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Member Dr David Hinds.

Other PPP/C critics, such as Tacuma Ogunseye, Christopher Ram and Ruel Johnson, have also begun to criticise the new President, David Granger, and his administration for some of the decisions they have made thus far. Their common argument is that, if the peo-

ple fail to the hold the Government accountable for the simplest of mistakes and from its early stages, then the Government will grow to believe it is invincible.

Early stages

In his online blog, Dr Hinds explained that many citizens criticise him and others for being critical of the new Government at such an early stage. He indicated that this mindset can be dangerous. “I really do have a lot of sympathy for those who will say that I am being negative and that

the new Government should be given a chance, a honeymoon. In the euphoria of victory, a little bit of intolerance of criticism is to be accepted. After all this victory was like a God-send for half of the nation,” he said, indicating that it is the people who need to stand up to the administration to ensure

they fulfil their promises to Guyana.

Hinds, who has always been critical of the PPP/C when it was in power, pointed out that his critique of the PPP/C was aimed at “getting rid of them”, while his critique of the new administration is only meant to prevent them from going astray. Proudly expressing that he voted for the coalition, Hinds explained that “cheerleading for a Government” is not the only way to pledge support and loyalty. He urged all the other supporters of the new Government to not let their loyalty blind them to its shortcomings or mistakes.

“It’s a tragic flaw in our political culture that has, in the past, hurt our nation. What we often see as the Government overreaches is the end product, when it’s too late to reverse it. Often we wait until the

Government is on our backs to start holding them accountable. Not me. The way to prevent government overreach is to identify its early manifestations and nip them in the bud,” he noted.

Similarly, in a letter to a local newspaper on Monday, Johnson explained that it is in the early stages in which Guyanese need to start holding public officials accountable. “Governance has to be informed by continuous participation by citizens using their voices to express both agreement and

disagreement with their Government,” he noted.

“We need to end the idiocy of abdicating our rights and duties as citizens to some pseudo-monarchical sense of Government. I can be both one of the leading champions of the Granger administration and one of its

sharpest critics, just as I can love my son and discipline him when he errs – there is no conflict in that position,” Johnson concluded.

Illegal…unconstitutional

Meanwhile Ram, in his letter to the editor in another newspaper on May 25, explained that some of the actions taken thus far by the new administration are illegal. Referring to the establishment of the new Ministries, Ram agreed with PPP/C officials, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Anil Nandlall when they declared it illegal “since monies cannot be released to those entities, which are not represented in the Appropriation Act”.

In his own words, Ram said, “any expenditure on these new Ministries, including any payments to and for the Ministers and the supporting Ministers, would be

unconstitutional.” The new Government has opened the doors for harsh criticisms from sections of society in setting up, renaming and reshuffling Ministries without proper consultations and parliamentary approval.

Ministerial appointments

WPA Executive Member

Tacuma Ogunseye, who is known to be an APNU/AFC supporter, also criticised the administration for not holding an in-house meeting before decisions were made with respect to post elections responsibilities and Ministerial appointments. The Granger-led administration was also heavily criticised for failing to explain to the general public the rationale behind all these changes- which are deemed “unnecessary”.

During the campaign trail, Granger said he will work towards reducing the number of Ministries because there are too many individuals appointed as Ministers who utilise state resources. However, while Granger did reduce the number of Ministries, he increased the number of Ministers.

In addition, he subsumed critical Ministries and created several unexplainable ones. The vital Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been subsumed under the Education Ministry and the establishment of the Ministry of Social Cohesion still baffles most of Guyana.

David Hinds

Ruel Johnson

David Hinds

Tacuma Ogunseye

Christopher Ram

Massive heat wave in India kills 500

At least 500 people are reported to have died in a heat wave that is sweeping India, with temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit) in some areas. Most deaths have taken place in the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Heat wave conditions have been prevailing in the two worst affected southern Indian states since midApril, but most of the deaths have happened in the past week; the worst hit state has been Andhra Pradesh with 246 deaths. Authorities have urged people to stay indoors and drink plenty of fluids.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said the heat wave had killed 186 people in 10 districts in neighbouring Telangana state, with 58 people dying since Saturday. The state

of Rajasthan has also recorded several deaths due to the heat, including a woman who collapsed and died on a roadside in Bundi city. Reports said at least 10 people have also died of the heat in the eastern state of West Bengal. Non air-conditioned taxis will be taken off the road for five hours during the day in the main city in the state capital, Kolkata, after two drivers died from heat stroke.

The meteorological department said the sweltering conditions were likely to continue for a few more days. “No relief” is expected in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi and other northern states for the next four days, and the “heat wave will continue,” an official said. Meteorological officials said the heat wave was due to a lack of rain. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Deal to end Nigeria fuel crisis

Nigeria’s fuel wholesalers say they have reached a deal with the Government that should soon see the end of the crippling fuel crisis. The agreement was reached after talks with the Finance Minister Danladi Fasali from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association told the BBC.

The wholesalers stopped distributing fuel after alleging the Government owed them US$1 billion. The shortage has had an impact on the country’s aviation and banking sectors.

The party of Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari, who is due to take office on Friday, had accused the outgoing Government of “sabotage” for failing to deal with the crisis. At the heart of

the shortage was a row over the payment to wholesalers of the difference between the subsidised pump price and the international market price. The wholesalers said they were waiting for a US$1 billion payout from the Government before they released more fuel.

But now the marketers association has told its members to start transporting fuel from the depots in the commercial capital, Lagos, and fuel stations have been instructed to reopen, Fasali told the BBC Hausa Service. A committee will now be set up to verify the US$1 billion figure and then pay the outstanding money. The Government has not yet confirmed the details. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taiwan’s President to propose peace plan for South China Sea

Taiwan’s President is scheduled to propose a peace initiative today to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea that have put Beijing at odds with its neighbours and the United States (US), the official Central News Agency reported.

It said President Ma Ying-jeou’s plan will be along the lines of his 2012 proposal for the East China Sea, which called on claimants to temporarily shelve their disagreements to enable negotiations on resource sharing.

Taiwan has so far played a marginal role in tackling the series of disputes between China and its neighbours in the South China Sea, through which US$5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.

Under this plan, to be presented in a speech to a law forum, it will “actively

Malaysia finds 139 graves in trafficking camps

Malaysia has found 139 graves, and signs of torture, in more than two dozen squalid human trafficking camps suspected to have been used by gangs smuggling migrants across the border with Thailand, the country’s Police Chief said on Monday.

The dense jungles of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia have been a major stop off point for smugglers bringing people to Southeast Asia by boat from Myanmar and Bangladesh.

“It’s a very sad scene. To us, even one is serious and we have found 139 (graves),” Malaysia’s Inspector General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, told reporters in the northern state of Perlis. “We are working closely with our counterparts in Thailand. We will find the people who did this.”

The grisly find follows the discovery of similar shallow graves on the Thai side of the border earlier this month, which helped trigger a regional crisis. After a

crackdown on the camps by Thai authorities, traffickers abandoned thousands of migrants in rickety boats in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

“We were shocked by the cruelty,” said Khalid, describing conditions at the 28 abandoned camps. Pictures of the camps showed basic wooden huts built in forest clearings. Khalid said bullet casings were found in the vicinity and added there were signs that torture had been used. Metal chains were found near some graves.

The first decomposed body was brought down to a Police camp set up at the foot of the mountains where the camps were found on Monday evening. “The body was only bones and little bit of clothing on it,” said an Officer of Padang Besar Police Department, adding that the cause of death was not immediately apparent.

participate in the relevant mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation to actively safeguard regional peace and development,” the news agency said.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei all have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. China said on Monday it had lodged a complaint with the United States over a US spy plane that flew over parts of the sea.

The rival claims by Taiwan and China go back to before they split in a civil war in 1949 after the defeated Nationalists fled to the island from the Communists. Ma is scheduled to give the keynote address at a forum sponsored by the International Law Association and the American Society of International Law at around 01:20GMT. (Reuters)

Police and volunteers uncovering the 139 graves

tuesday, may 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lindener remanded on narcotics charge

ALindener was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with possession of narcotics for trafficking.

Winston Scotland, of 27 Oronoque Drive, Retrieve, Linden, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read

that on May 22 at Wash Pond Road, Mackenzie, he was found to be in possession of 134 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question at 12:15h, ranks of the Guyana Police Force on patrol stopped a Route 72 minibus, occupied by 18 persons, to conduct a

search. The occupants of the vehicle were ordered to exit the bus with their belongings and wait outside.

The defendant reportedly exited the bus with a haversack, and Police conducted a search of his person. During the search, the illicit drug was found concealed in the said haversack.

The defendant was then taken into custody, an in-

vestigation was conducted, and the charges were put against him.

The Prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that no special reason was put forward by the defendant. The Magistrate refused bail and the defendant was remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrates’ Court for June 2.

PI to commence on attempted murder charge

The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder attempt of a resident of Graham’s Hall will begin in July at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. The attempted murder charge is laid against 25-year-old Shawn Embelton, who is alleged to have tried to kill his friend of several years Compton Charles, in November 2013.

The Police report against the defendant, who is out on bail, stated that the Virtual Complainant (VC) and the accused have

been friends for four years. On November 1, 2013 they had an argument about 14:30h when the defendant chose to drive his car into the VC. The report continued that this caused the VC to fall to the ground. The defendant then got out of the car and proceeded to beat the VC on his head and body with a piece of wood. It was stated that the “lashes” from the wood caused Charles to receive several injuries about his person. Charles was unconscious when he

was picked up and taken to the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was hospitalised for two weeks. When the matter was first heard at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, the Police Prosecutor stated that Embelton had orally admitted to officers to hitting Charles with the car, when he was first told of the offence. Nevertheless, the call for the PI was granted by Magistrate Zamina Allie. She said that it will

commence on July 24. This shall determine the case’s strength to stand a trial by jury at the High Court. Embelton was also indirectly involved in a series of crimes that erupted in the city of Georgetown when a miner, Woodette Roberts, was abducted and murdered along the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway. The defendant was travelling with the deceased when the kidnapping took place. He, along with another miner, Roopchand Gopaul managed to escape.

Narcotic trafficking cases transferred to Sparendaam Court

The females suspected of trying to traffic over two kilograms of cocaine out of Guyana, via the Ogle International Airport, were transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court to be tried.

The defendants, 22-yearold Zainab Mohammed and 29-year-old Surinamese national Damaris Chaslie, made their second court appearance on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

They were read the charges once more, where

they pleaded not guilty to attempting to smuggle the cocaine out of the country. Mohammed is charged with trying to smuggle 1.462 kilograms of the illegal drug to Barbados last Thursday, while Chaslie almost got away with 556 grams that was found in a condom in her genitalia and in capsules in her stomach.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru explained

to the court that Police Officers at the airport had reported that the defendants were acting suspiciously which had lead to searches being conducted on their persons and the cocaine being found. Chaslie then admitted to ingesting several capsules and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where this was proven true. The foreign particles were later excreted and tested to be cocaine.

Not much is known on Chaslie as she is from Suriname and has no known family in Guyana. Mohammed is Guyanese and resides at 199 Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. She is a mother of four children. She was represented by Attorneys Adrian Thompson and Dexter Todd who appealed for reasonable bail but was refused as no special reason was given.

Burglary accused escapes justice through absence of VC

Adefendant in a 12-month-old case of burglary was freed of the charge brought against him on Monday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court when the Virtual Complainant (VC) again failed to make an appearance in court.

Now a free man, 33-yearold Hamblin Roger told Magistrate Zamina Allie thank you before walking out of the court for the last time. He was charged in May 2014 for allegedly breaking into the house of Sursattie Ramanand, in Second Street, Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara, between 20:30h on May 1 and 04:00h on May 2 morning.

According to the

Police’s reports, the defendant supposedly stole the Virtual Complainant’s black handbag which contained US$810. He also allegedly stole G$15,000, her National Identification Card and other documents, totalling $177,000, all property of Ramanand.

The Magistrate said that she has not seen the VC at several sessions, where she was required to give evidence against the defendant.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector John Singh, enlightened the Magistrate that the VC had travelled overseas and would not be back until December.

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Allie dismissed the burglary charge against the defendant.

Damaris Chaslie was allegedly found with cocaine in her genitalia

Zainad Mohammed, mother of four remanded on drug charge

Independence Day Nation urged to forge ahead as a united people

By Alexis Rodney

As Guyana braces for one of its most revered celebrations today, citizens have been warned to turn a deaf ear to the “sweet voices” of outsiders, and listen instead to the voices within and march ahead as a united front. This was the sentiment expressed by former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian and political activist, Philomena Sahoye-Shury.

Sahoye-Shury, a social activist at will, has also called on every Guyanese to be “honest, true and sincere”, since the country could only move forward when these are by all means intact. Since Guyana obtained its independence from British rule some 49 years ago, Sahoye-Shury said it has been stuck in some level of wantonness. She said she has lived through the periods before and after “freedom” was granted to the country, and could not be wrong about her judgement.

Guyana, officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, became a crown colony in 1928, and was granted home rule in 1953. In 1950, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, created the colony’s first political party, the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), which was dedicated to gaining the colony’s independence. In the 1953 elections, Cheddi Jagan was elected Chief Minister.

The British, suspended the Constitution and Government within months, and installed an interim Government. In 1961, Britain granted the colony autonomy and Jagan became Prime Minister (1961–1964). Strikes and rioting weakened Jagan’s rule, much of it believed to be the result of covert CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) operations. In 1964, Burnham succeeded Jagan as Prime Minister, a position he retained after the country gained full independence on May 26, 1966. With independence, the country returned to its traditional name, Guyana.

Sahoye-Shury recalled that the Britain was reluctant to give Guyana its freedom, and it was not until citizens and leaders protested and “surmounted” that it was handed over. She described the strug-

Man remanded on unlawful possession charges

A35-year-old miner was on Monday remanded to prison on the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Aklan Lewis of 119 Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice pleaded not guilty to the charges which were read to him by Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in Court Two.

The first charge read that on May 23 at the East Coast bus park, he was found to be in the possession of 7.32 live rounds of ammunition without having a licence for such.

The second charge read that on the same date at the said location, he was found to be in possession of a 1.32 Taurus pistol without being a licensed firearm holder.

According to Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, while acting on information received on the day

gle as “pathetic”, and said that all Guyanese should be proud of the successes so far and the efforts of those who fought to acquire that freedom. “If we cannot come together, then we are doomed as a nation.”

In the same vein, former Foreign Affairs Minister Rashleigh Jackson told Guyana Times that Guyana gaining its independence back in 1966, had opened avenues for national and individual development. According to him, the idealistic and materialistic components were also derived from the move by Britain to allow this country its freedom. It also provided opportunities for self fulfilment.

Jackson said for a person who was there at the time Guyana gained its Independence, it was a time of great exuberance and celebration. He stated that Guyana needs to return to those days, particularly as it relates to the effortless

show of patriotism. Jackson highlighted that, over the years, there has been some “slippage”, as persons now are not as “patriotic” as they were back then. He mulled the idea of self help; a social pride which he said has deteriorated over the years.

Reviewing the song

“Song of Guyana’s children”, Jackson said apart from it losing its fervour in the schools, it is also losing its true meaning to many Guyanese as they are leaving their beloved home to live abroad.

Newly sworn in Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said Guyana needs to rebuild the spirit of 1953 which was responsible for the country gaining its independence in the first place. The Minister, who is also leader of the Working People’s Alliance, said independence came to Guyana soon after the turmoil of the 1960s, some years after the split in 1955.

Roopnaraine said the divisions of the 1960s had led to a tragedy. And while the country has, to some extent, overcome the effects of that misfortune, more still needs to be done to foster radical integration. “That erupted into terrible violence in

the 1960s, and independence came and found us not as knitted as an independent nation…I think all the energies have to be put into bringing the nation into one. I think if we could rebuild the spirit of 1953, this is really what we need...We need to build on that and try to rekindle the spirit,” he stated.

Meanwhile, as Guyana moves ahead with plans for the massive Independent Day celebrations today, preparations are well underway at the Independence Arch, Brickdam. The site will be the hub of the celebrations. The program begins this morning with the arrival of the Head of State, members of the diplomatic corps and other special invitees. The President will lay the first wreath followed by eight other organisations representing all those who have been in the struggle for a free Guyana.

in question, ranks of the Guyana Police Force went to the East Coast bus park and contacted the defendant. When they found him, a search was conducted on his person, and the said firearm and ammunition were found in his pants waist.

When asked by the ranks if he is a licensed firearm holder, he said no and claimed that he had received the weapons from a “Cadet Officer Denny”. The ranks then got into contact with the said Cadet to confirm the allegations, when the officer denied knowing the defendant or having knowledge of the firearm and ammunition.

The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The Magistrate refused bail and the defendant was remanded to prison. The matter will return to Court Two on June 12.

PPP/C activist Philomena Sahoye-Shury

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Rashleigh Jackson

Bring back Shiv!

By AAron KumAr

hivnarine

SChanderpaul has been omitted from the West Indies squad ahead of the forthcoming Test Series against Australia and so it seems the WICB have decided to effectively end the career of its most consistent player for the past two decades.

Chanderpaul, who made his debut for the West Indies in 1994, was long seen as a supporting act to Brian Lara. Indeed when Lara retired from international cricket in 2007, Chanderpaul had made 14 100’s at an average of 44.60, while these stats were perfectly respectable, they were not those of a true great and it begged the question, just who exactly would step up and fill the giant void that was going to be left by the legend that is Lara?

The answer proved to be Shiv himself, since Lara has retired he has scored a further 16 100’s in the space of 8 years at a startling average of 64.13, he has transformed himself from being a very good and dependable batsman to one of the best players of his generation. It is a remarkable turnaround for the man from Unity.

In 2007 when the West Indies toured England in what was their first Test Series following Lara’s retirement, Chanderpaul compiled scores of 50, 116*, 136* and 70 and at one stage he went 16 hours without being dismissed. The fact that he did this in a losing course against an England team that was full of confidence only further enhanced his reputation as one of the mentally strongest cricketers of the last 20 years.

Chanderpaul also scored 104 and put on a historic partnership with his fellow Guyanese Ramnaresh Sarwan in 2003 against Australia in Antigua, as the West Indies chased down 417 to win the fourth Test in what remains the highest successful run chase in Test History. Many people acknowledge Chanderpaul’s steely determination and his immense powers of concentration; however where he is perhaps not given enough credit is in his ability to adapt to a situation. For example, in 2003 against Australia in a Test Match in Guyana, the West Indies were in some serious trouble when Lara was dismissed making the score 53-5; however, Chanderpaul scored what was then the third fastest Test Century of all time off just 69 balls to get the West Indies back into the contest in an emphatic way.

Who can forget the famous ODI against Sri Lanka when the West Indies were 9 down, but needed 10 from the last two balls, Chanderpaul hit Chaminda

Vaas, one of the great ODI death bowlers, for a four down the ground which left the West Indies needing an improbable six off the last ball. Cometh the hour cometh the man as Shiv duly launched Vaas over midwicket for a huge six as the West Indies sealed a famous victory.

That last-ditch win in many ways encapsulated the career of Chanderpaul, so often he has been underestimated or unfancied but time and time again, he has gotten his team off the canvas and he has literally been the last man standing for the West Indies on so many occasions that it is no exaggeration to say that if Lara was the greatest West Indian batsman of the last 20 years then Shiv was without doubt the most tenacious.

Shiv did not have his best series recently against England yet at the age of 40, he is still ranked 12 as a Test Batsman (16 places higher than Darren Bravo the next highest ranked West Indian). The WICB have decided to drop him. I am not asking for the selectors to pick Shiv for sentimental reasons, but he is still our best Test Player, he has won games for the West Indies by himself until very recently and he is only 86 runs short of surpassing Brian Lara and becoming the most successful West Indies Test Batsman of all time.

The WICB may think that this will go away, but the fans want their best players to be in the starting 11. Let us use the hashtag #bringbackshiv on Twitter to show support to the legend and to make the WICB reinstate Shiv for the series versus Australia

Lara’s record not good enough reason to keep Shiv, says Lloyd

Chief selector Clive Lloyd says allowing Shiv Chanderpaul to continue playing in order to surpass Brian Lara as the highest run-getter in West Indies cricket, was not a good enough reason to retain the veteran lefthander.

Chanderpaul was on Sunday axed from the West Indies squad for next month’s two-Test series against Australia, a decision that is likely to end the player’s illustrious 21year, 164-Test career with him 87 runs shy of overtaking Lara’s 11 953.

He has scored 11 867 runs at an average of 51, with 30 Test centuries.

“We’ve taken that into consideration but that should never be the sole thing why you want to choose somebody,” said the legendary former West Indies captain.

“As you may notice, he has been given quite a lot of games to probably try and get close to that and he hasn’t looked the part that’s why we’ve decided that now is the time to change.”

In explaining Chanderpaul’s axing, Lloyd said the player had experienced a “rapid decline”, averaging just 16 from his last 11 innings. And with the Guyanese already in the twilight of his career at age 40, Lloyd said the panel had also

taken a decision to infuse the team with younger players.

Even if Chanderpaul extended his first class career, Lloyd said the focus would remain on developing younger players.

“If he decides to continue, people have done that before. They’ve not been selected but they’ve continued to play first class cricket,” Lloyd explained during Sunday’s hastily arranged media conference.

“Our aim as selectors is to continue to play our young players and give them that exposure and I think you can’t get better exposure than playing against one of the best teams in the world, probably the second best team in the world [in Australia].

“They will be tested

and that’s what it’s all about. Going forward, we want to play our youngsters and a lot of them are doing well and we feel now is the time to give them that exposure.”

Lloyd said they were several young hopefuls knocking on the door like Shai Hope, wicketkeeper/ batsman Shane Dowrich and Tyrone Theophile. The 21-year-old Hope made his debut in the third Test against England, scoring five and nine, as West Indies pulled off a series levelling five-wicket victory.

Dowrich, who averages 35 in first class cricket, and Theophile, who averages 27, are both in the President’s XI squad to face Australia in a threeday game which bowls off Wednesday in Antigua. (CMC)

PC hold off GTI in thriller

President’s College pulled off a 39-38 nail biter against the Government Technical Institute (GTI) when the National School Basketball Festival Georgetown Regional Conference continued on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

It was one of those games that either team could have won if a play or two went their way; however, it was PC who made the crucial defensive stops towards the end of the game to pull off the one-point win.

Jaleel Duke and Shakeel Garnett scored 15 points each in the win, while Sebastian Luke had a game-high 16 points for the losing side.

In the first Under-16 game of the night, Tutorial High School were able to defeat North Georgetown Secondary, 30-23.

Tarig Nelson had a stellar performance for Tutorial with a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds. Nelson also displayed great defensive awareness with five steals.

Javroll Shepherd was the game’s highest scorer with 19 of his team’s 23 points in a complete solo performance for North Georgetown.

The second Under-16 game saw Bishop’s High School defeating Plaisance Secondary 40-36, with Timothy Thompson leading the way with 21 points and 19 rebounds in a brilliant all-round performance. Andrew Johnson and Nigel Bowen scored 14 and 12 points respectively in the loss for Plaisance.

In the Under-14 game of the evening, Marian Academy topped Bishop’s High School 20-14 for an easy win.

Marian Academy completely dominated the boards in the game, with Josiah Daniels

grabbing 14 rebounds while scoring four points and Corey Graham pulling down eight rebounds with four points as well.

Timothy Richmond had a game-high seven points to go along with six rebounds as three steals in the loss.

Meanwhile, the final game of the evening ended in a bit of horror when Loncel Martin of St Roses came down awkwardly after collecting a rebound that resulted in him sustaining a severe injury to his left ankle. Reports received indicate that the youngster is recovering after receiving medical attention.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Clive Lloyd

Jaleel Duke

YBG Georgetown Conference

YELLOW PAGES

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GABA’s “King of the Hard Court” Tournament

Colts hold off Guardians in win

The Colts held off a charging Plaisance Guardians side to pick up a much-needed 76-69 win on Sunday in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) “King of the Hard Court” League held at the Plaisance Hard Court.

After a hammering from the Ravens on Saturday evening, the Colts showed character in the fourth quarter

by holding onto the lead, although they gave up the huge advantage of 15 points they enjoyed heading into the quarter.

The Colts were hot to begin the game, ending the first quarter with a 23-16 lead that ballooned into a 62-47 score by the end of the third stanza.

While the Guardians answered in the fourth period

with a few runs that chopped the lead to single digits, the Colts managed to score enough points to hold onto the lead.

Forward Shane Webster and shooting guard Rayon Cummings topscored for the Colts with 16 points apiece. National guard Shelroy Thomas had 13 points and Dave Causway, 12 points to help close out the win.

On the losing side, Nikkoloi Smith scored a game-high 20 points while Mark Richard had 14 points. In the second fixture of the section, Melanie Patriots defeated Georgetown unit Pepsi Sonics via the walkover route. Action in the tournament is programmed to continue on Wednesday at the Burnham Court on Middle and Carmichael Streets.

GCB blasts “ridiculous and...

Chanderpaul was subsequently due to travel to Barbados on Sunday to join the rest of the squad, but was informed by WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron moments before the flight that the original decision stands, as the selectors have stuck with their initial agreement.

in our meetings in Barbados. Now, having erred in that I think the least, you could have done was grant him the Australia tour to gracefully retire. Given the strong feelings of the selectors, I do not know what to believe, because I could think myself that there is more to this than natural performance.”

“It’s extremely shocking for us here at the Board and for Guyanese at large for a man who has given that kind of service to the West Indies over the years. This is a man who has given you 21 years, sticking it out with you and the new coach is now saying he is willing to speak to guys who created embarrassment for the West Indies Cricket Board to play back cricket for the West Indies. Further to that, the West Indies Cricket Board under Lloyd sent a team to see Sachin Tendulkar off in India, and we can’t do the same thing for our icon in this part of the world?” Drubahadur intimated.

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“Well, when we brought the matter to the Board initially, myself and the Vice President [Emmanuel] Nanthan had discussions with the President [Cameron], who had further discussions with many Directors of the Board, and the secretariat at the Board instructed that Mr Chanderpaul travel. His flight was booked, instructions were sent and Mr Chanderpaul was expected to go in yesterday [Sunday],” Sanasie divulged.

He continued, “Subsequent to that, a further meeting of the Board was summoned and at that meeting the selectors expressed their views, and a further decision was taken not to change their decision to drop Mr Chanderpaul. Some Directors pleaded for a review and this was not granted. Mr Lloyd thought when you look at performance, Chanderpaul needs to move on, and that is what came out of the meeting.”

Since the decision to sack the left-hander became public, many Guyanese have shared the view that it was not based purely on cricketing reasons, but rather a concerted effort to force Chanderpaul into retirement.

Sanasie added, “I would support such opinions for the mere fact that if someone would have played for 21 years and you want him to go off and you know he would have played five Test matches in the Caribbean, at the start of the England tour, I would assume that you should have told him that listen ‘you’ve served us for a long time; at the end of this tour we’re considering not selecting you any further.’ This was not done, and it was admitted by the Selection Panel and the coach

Has not retired

Despite Chanderpaul’s snub, Sanasie gave the assurance that the veteran lefthander will not be subjected to the same level of neglect by the GCB.

“Well, the fact is Chanderpaul has not retired from playing cricket.

He would be selected as normal in our [Guyana] squad for the regional tournaments and once he is performing, he’ll be selected. I don’t know what will be the West Indies Cricket Board’s position or the selectors’ position if he performs well in the regional tournaments. If the policies are followed, then he should be selected if he performs well in the regional tournaments, which is the medium for being selected in the West Indies team,” Sanasie disclosed.

GCB President Drubahadur also shared his views on the matter, and he did not hold back from chastising the Selection Panel for their decision.

The move is reminiscent of 2011 when the then coach Ottis Gibson sacked a trio of senior players, including Chanderpaul, blaming them for the side’s poor performance in the 50-over World Cup. Chanderpaul has not appeared in an ODI since, and his Test career now faces a similar fate.

The Selection Panel, headed by Lloyd, includes Courtney Walsh, Courtney Browne, and Eldine Baptiste.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul Clive Lloyd

Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron

Cricket officials incensed by Shiv’s sacking

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Several cricket officials across Guyana on Monday expressed grave disappointment over the sacking of veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the upcoming two-Test match series against the visiting Australians.

The champion left-hander, with 11, 867 runs from a record 164 Test matches, was unceremoniously discarded for the series, with the Selection Panel, led by Clive Lloyd, pointing out that a recent lack of form was the reason for the decision.

Chanderpaul, the Region’s most consistent and dependable batsman over the past two decades, has endured a lean patch of recent, scoring just 183 runs in 11 innings against South Africa and England.

However, the decision to drop the former West Indies captain for the upcoming series still came as a shocker to many, as it was widely speculated that the three-time number one ranked Test batsman, who has given yeoman service to the game, would be allowed to retire on his own terms.

Chanderpaul, who is 86 runs adrift of Brian Lara’s West Indian Test aggregate of 11 953, had made himself available for the Australia series, which he said he would have used to thank his fans for their support over the years and call time on his illustrious career.

Berbice Cricket Board President Anil Beharry said he was disappointed in the manner that the former Captain was treated.

“I think to be fair to both he and the Board, the Board

should have said to him that this series can possibly be his last depending on his performance and performance only. This would have also given Chanderpaul the opportunity to go after whatever goal he set himself. And we all know Chanderpaul’s record against Australia: it is outstanding,” Beharry noted.

He added, “Even though the performance of the Test team was encouraging against England, we should not get carried away and think we have arrived. Let us don’t give ourselves that false sense of secu-

rity. The WICB is answerable to the people and they need to operate in a more professional and transparent manner. Best luck in the future to Shiv.”

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Hilbert Foster, also believes Chanderpaul should have been allowed the luxury of retiring on his own terms.

“I personally feel he should have been given a chance to retire on his own terms. He should have been picked for the two Tests against Australia. Gordon Greenidge,

Viv Richards and Brian Lara didn’t leave on proper terms; this is a trend. What is the Board saying to young players when you ask them to be faithful to the Board and they in turn are not faithful to the players?” Foster commented.

East Coast Cricket Board President Bissoondyal Singh said the reason put forward by the Selection Panel is “flimsy”.

“I’m really disappointed. Other players have done worse, they have worse averages and they are still playing. I remember Lloyd himself played in his forties, as well as [Geoff] Boycott of England, so I don’t understand the reasoning. The reason is flimsy,” Singh reckoned. He continued, “The WICB should be held accountable at the end of the day. All players from time to time endured a bad patch – Lloyd himself had that – so it’s really disappointing the way they have gone about doing this.”

Essequibo Cricket Board President Fizul Bacchus said the Board is concerned with the manner in which the matter was dealt with, noting that the WICB should have acted with more professionalism.

“We are concerned with the way they went about doing it, telling him at the last moment that he was not going to play.

Taylor, Dottin

Earlier, Taylor set the stage for her fine all-round performance by taking two for 20 with her probing offspin as Sri Lanka Women, opting to bat first, finished on 124 for five off their allotted overs.

Wicketkeeper Dilani Surangika top-scored with 30, captain and opener Chamari Jayangani got 27 while Shashikala Siriwardene chipped in with 26 and Nipuni Hansika, 21.

At least they could have given him a final series, whether it was against England or Australia, but they didn’t do that. It’s really sad how they deal with the matter,” Bacchus pointed out.

Everest Cricket Club President Rajesh Singh was also disenchanted by the move to overlook the left-hander to face the Aussies. Chanderpaul plays for the Everest Cricket Club at the domestic level.

“We’re really, really disappointed here at the Club. Chanderpaul has been fetching West Indies batting on his shoulders for the past four to five years. I would at least have expected them to give him the two Tests against Australia. A lot of players have failed before and they were still being picked. Devon Smith had several opportunities, so why not Shiv? Darren Bravo has not been that as consistent as well, yet to continue to pick him. The youth policy that Lloyd is taking about is no excuse either, because they took a younger Leon Johnson to open batting in South Africa then they dropped him and recall Smith, who is much older,” Singh explained.

Chanderpaul is maintaining that he has not retired, and is available for selection.

The hosts lost Yasoda Mendis for two in the second over to be 13 for one but Surangika and Jayangani stitched up the innings in a 47-run second wicket stand.

Surangika faced 34 balls and counted three fours while Jayangani smashed five fours off 19 balls.

When they both fell in the space of 16 balls, Siriwardene and Hansika put on a further 36 for the fourth wicket to bolster the innings. (CMC)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Women

C Jayangani* c Henry b Mohammed 27

Y Mendis st Aguilleira b Taylor 2

D Surangika+ run out (Dottin) 30

S Siriwardene b Taylor 26

N Hansika c King b Matthews 21

E Kaushalya not out 13

H Perera not out 0

Total: 124/5 (20 Overs)

Extras: (lb 2, w 1, nb 2) 5

Did not Bat: S Weerakkody, M Samuddika, U Prabodhani, S Kumari.

Fall of Wickets: 1-13 (Mendis, 1.3 ov), 2-60 (Jayangani, 7.2 ov), 3-71 (Surangika, 9.6 ov), 4-107 (Hansika, 16.6 ov), 5-124 (Siriwardene, 19.5 ov).

West Indies Women Bowling: S Munroe 1-0-10-0, S Taylor 4-0-20-2, T Smartt 2-0-180, A Mohammed 4-0-28-1, A

Fletcher 2-0-14-0, H Matthews 4-0-20-1, S King 3-0-12-0.

West Indies Women (Target; 125)

H Matthews b Prabodhani 7 S Taylor not out 59 D Dottin c Siriwardene b Samuddika 51

B Cooper not out 6

Total: 125/2 (18.5 Overs)

Extras: (b 1, w 1) 2

Did not Bat: M Aguilleira*+,

Anil Beharry Hilbert Foster Rajesh Singh Bissoondyal Singh Fizul Bacchus

Selectors claim decline in form led to Chanderpaul’s exclusion

eteran left-hander

VShiv Chanderpaul’s illustrious 21-year career appeared all but over after he was dumped from the West Indies Test squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia starting next month.

At a hastily arranged media conference here Sunday evening, the West Indies chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, told journalists that the 40-year-old Chanderpaul had suffered a “rapid” decline in form and as a result, they had decided to look to the future.

This decision, Lloyd said had been communicated to Chanderpaul in a letter.

“Over a period of time, we have noticed a decline in his form and for the last 11 innings he has been averaging 16 and we thought the time had come to look towards the younger players, and that’s why he has been omitted. His decline in form has been quite rapid,” Lloyd explained, while flanked by newly-installed head coach Phil Simmons.

“I just don’t think it is the last couple of games [that he has failed], this is going way back. I watched the games against India, South Africa and he hasn’t done as well as we expected.”

Lloyd continued: “I don’t think there was any bitterness [over the decision]. I think he’d realised the time is come. At 40 years old, it’s obvious you’re not going to be in the same shape as you were in 20 years ago. And if you’ve seen him play, you’d notice there was a decline, there’s no doubt about that.

“People find it very difficult at time to retire … so we thought here it is, we must now make a decision, we’ve made a decision and we’re looking towards the younger people that we have. We have a lot of good young cricketers and we think it is time that we now inject the youth into our cricket.”

The announcement put to rest several days of wild speculation over Chanderpaul’s future, with media reports indicating that the player had been dropped and then re-instated following pressure from the West Indies Cricket Board.

And while WICB senior communications officer, Adriel Richard, on Sunday refuted suggestions the selection panel had come under pressure from the Board to reverse their decision, Lloyd admitted they had been “discussions” with the board over Chanderpaul’s exclusion.

However, he said the selection panel had been already convinced the decision do away with Chanderpaul was the best

one in the overall interest of the squad, and this had been explained to the Board.

“There were discussions [with the board] but the point is we’d already made up our minds about what we wanted to do and they were probably thinking that players were not given this pomp and ceremony as they should but we thought that we’ve chosen the team, this is it, and it is up to them now to do that bit they’re supposed to,” the legendary former player and captain pointed out.

“The point is that we have a job to do, we have to look after West Indies cricket, that comes first, and the point is that Chanderpaul whenever he retires will be given the accolades that he should receive, and I think it is only fitting that we should do so.

“The guy has been a great servant to our cricket and when that time comes, I think he should be given that sort of a send-off that is expected of a player of his calibre.”

Chanderpaul has played 164 Tests – the most by a West Indies player – and has amassed 11 867 at an average of 51. He is 86 runs short of overtaking Brian Lara (11 953) as the alltime run-getter in West Indies cricket.

A heavy scorer throughout a sterling career, Chanderpaul has struggled in the last two series, managing 91 in three Tests against South Africa and 92 in a similar series against England.

Last September, however, he plundered 270 runs – including his 30th Test hundred – in two Tests against Bangladesh without being dismissed and averaged 48 last June when New Zealand visited the Caribbean for three Tests.

When West Indies were hammered 2-0 on the tour of New Zealand in late 2013, Chanderpaul was one of the few bright spots with an average of 64.

Meanwhile, there are no surprises in the 12man squad announced for the training squad which bowls off Monday at the Franklyn Stephenson Academy.

West Indies face Australia in the first Test starting June 3 at Windsor Park in Dominica before clash in the second Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica, beginning June 11.

SQUAD – Denesh Ramdin, Devendra Bishoom, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Veerasammy Permaul, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor. (Windies Cricket)

Chief Selector Clive Lloyd (left) and Head Coach Phil Simmons at the press conference to address Chanderpaul’s sacking

GCB blasts “ridiculous and senseless selection policies”

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Monday lashed out at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Selection Panel for omitting veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the squad for the first Test against Australia next month.

The GCB, in a release to the media, said it strongly denounces the “ridiculous and senseless selection policies and decisions of the Clive Lloyd-led selection panel”.

“Our Board just cannot believe nor even fathom the thought process behind the wanton dropping of the most senior, reliable and dependable batsman of the West Indies for the past 21 years by the West Indies selectors. It is absolutely unbelievable that Shivnarine Chanderpaul has not been selected even in the squad to face one of the sternest opposition that the West Indies will have to face in the near future,” the release stated.

The GCB questioned the way in which such a dedicated servant of West Indies

cricket is being treated, noting that it is a “matter of gross disrespect”.

Chanderpaul is a veteran of 164 Test matches, the most by a West Indian, and he has accumulated 11, 867 runs at an average of 51 with 30 hundreds and 66 fifties. He is 86 runs shy of eclips-

Hope resigns from AAG

Gavin Hope

Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG)

First Vice President Gavin Hope has resigned from the Association.

In the resignation letter, Hope cited no reason for his resignation, but thanked the members of the AAG, “I would like

to thank all the members of the central executive and all other persons with whom I have worked closely to achieve the success of the last two years. My small contributions could not have been meaningful without their support and similar commitment,” Hope noted via the release.

Hope, a former national sprinter, won the Vice Presidency in 2013 when AAG President Aubrey Hutson took over from then President Colin Boyce.

Guyana, under the new team, finished in its highest ever position at the Carifta Games in 2014 when the squad fourth overall.

Calls to Hutson for a comment on the sudden resignation of Hope especially with Guyana now having its first synthetic track proved futile.

ing Brian Lara’s West Indian Test aggregate of 11,953 runs.

The release continued, “Is this the way that the selectors intend to treat our esteemed cricketers after more than two decades of service to the people of West Indies cricket, and to be done by

no other than Clive Lloyd, who is the current Chairman of the WICB selectors? We trust that our selectors can find it within themselves to revisit this crucial matter of gross disrespect now being meted out to one of the greatest cricketers to have graced the field of play with this

most ungrateful display to Chanderpaul. Shiv’s record speaks for itself and we are shocked at the manner that this panel is seeking to destroy him.”

The GCB noted that it was aware that Chanderpaul had a recent discussion with newly-appointed Head Coach Phil Simmons about his future in the game, and an appropriate exit strategy would have been worked out by all parties.

“Surely it was imminent on the WICB through its esteemed selectors to have executed any such decision in a decent and fair manner with just and reasonable consideration for the wishes of Chanderpaul. That is the least we would have expected,” the release highlighted.

Subsequent to the press release, the GCB hosted a media briefing on Monday afternoon where Secretary Anand Sanasie, who is also a WICB Director, revealed the events leading up to the final decision, while President Drubahadur expressed his disappoint-

ment with the move by the Selection Panel.

Request denied

According to Sanasie, as a matter of policy of the WICB, the selectors are duty bound to select the teams, and the Directors do not have the power to make changes.

“A request was made that in this case Mr Chanderpaul, having not being told that his career would have come to an abrupt end at the end of the England tour, a request was made to the selectors that they at least grant his last request, which was to play in the Australia series, at the end of which he would have retired. This was refused on the grounds that the selectors and the Chairman, Mr Lloyd thought that because of his form and not producing runs in his last six Test matches, he should be dropped,” Sanasie explained.

It was initially reported last week that Chanderpaul was dropped for the upcoming twoTest series against the Aussies, only for that decision to be reversed with the intervention of some WICB Directors.

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Taylor, Dottin level series for West Indies Women

Fluent half-centuries from the marquee pair of Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin powered West Indies Women to a crucial eightwicket victory over Sri Lanka Women in the second Twenty20 International here Monday, leaving both teams with all to play for in the third and decisive encounter on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 125 for victory at the R Premadasa Stadium, West Indies Women reached their target with seven deliveries left in the contest, to level the series 1-1, following their defeat in Saturday’s first game at the same venue.

The win was orchestrated by the team’s two most experienced batsmen. Taylor, opening the batting, stroked an unbeaten 59 from 49 balls while Dottin, punching at three, hammered 51 off 45 deliveries.

When West Indies Women lost teenager Hayley Matthews for seven at ten for one in the second over, Taylor and Dottin combined to add 101 for the second wicket and steer the Caribbean side over the line.

The right-handed Taylor stroked eight fours in completing her 16th T20I half-century while Dottin gathered seven boundaries en route to her eighth half-century.

When she eventually fell in the 17th over, victory was just 11 runs away and West Indies Women easily cantered home, with Taylor ended the game with a four off left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani.

GCB Secretary and WICB Director Anand Sanasie (centre), makes a point at Monday’s press briefing in the presence of GCB President Drubahadur and GCB staff Melinda Bishundial (Avenash Ramzan photo)

Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin during one of their many partnerships