$50M mobile pump commissioned at Lima Presidential, Prime Ministerial posts still open – AFC General Secretary Bartica Police Station gets boat from business community Pomeroon miner killed during rum drinking
BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM
The Danns family of Anna Regina, Lower Pomeroon River, Essequibo, is mourning the death of their 21-year-old son who was murdered on Monday at Mariborough,
Lower Pomeroon.
Dead is Rafael Danns, who was stabbed to the left side of his chest. Police in a statement said that the crime occurred at about 22:00h at Grant Mariborough, Lower Pomeroon River. Investigations so far have revealed that Rafael Danns and another man were imbibing, during which an argument ensued and he was allegedly stabbed to his chest. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Charity Hospital. Up to press time, the main suspect had not yet been arrested.
Meanwhile, Guyana Times was told that four persons are presently in Police custody assisting with investigations. The weapon used in the murder – reportedly a stainless steel kitchen knife – was recovered. Police at Charity said they are tracking all leads that
may reveal the whereabouts and subsequent arrest of the suspect. Thus far, those in custody assisting with the
investigation are those who were drinking with the deceased, along with the main suspect’s father at the time
of the incident. According to the deceased’s mother Beverly Danns, she received the devastating news from a relative, who also informed her about the argument. She said at first she did not believe and thought it was a prank; however, her husband and daughter Rockel went out to check on Rafael.
“When we heard, we didn’t believe, we thought it was a joke, so my daughter went and check his pulse and nothing was beating... so we rushed him to the hos-
pital and doctors said he died”.
The mother revealed that her son’s death might have stemmed from an old grievance between himself and the suspect. Rafael only recently returned from Puruni Backdam, in the Mazaruni, where he worked as a miner. She said that they are aware of the person who allegedly committed the murder and called on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation. Danns’ murder is the second for 2014 within the Essequibo District.
Over 559 qualified residents from Anna Regina, Sparta and Lima Sands benefited from laptops, compliments of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project.
The distribution commenced on Saturday at the Essequibo Technical Institute Hub with Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud handing over the first eight computers.
Persaud speaking to recipients said that the delivery of the laptops is a fulfilment of a promise made by the PPP Government. He said the distribution process enables a wiser population, since they now have access to information technology. Persaud said that with the fibre optic cable, residents from Region Two will soon be benefiting from access to the Internet.
According to Supervisor for Region Two Distribution Indrawattie Natram, approximately 1029 residents already benefited from laptop distribution. Natram said that distribution was already conducted at Charity, Bounty Hall and Anna Regina.
On Sunday, distribution
will continue at the Aurora Secondary School and on Monday at the Abram Zuil Secondary, then at the Queenstown Development Association.
One recipient, Jaineemie Singh, said that the laptop will assist her children with their school work. She said that she had applied a long time ago and she is happy that she received the call. Singh who has relatives overseas said that she would be able to communicate with them.
Another recipient, Jameran, said that he has four children all of whom are attending school. Jameran said that he is thankful to the Government for the laptop. The OLPF Project is the brainchild of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. It is a key component of a broader Information and Communication Technology strategy (ICT for Development – ICT4D) drafted in 2006. Under the programme, some 90,000 eligible families will benefit. The laptops are equipped with a wide range of learning features, as well as Internet-ready portals.
ore than 140 cases of rape have been reported for the year so far, which represents one case every two days. This startling information was obtained from and confirmed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Police generally do not release statistics on rape in their periodic crime statistics update. For the year 2013, during the period of January to July, there were 179 cases of reported rapes.
A number of social groups have lamented the manner in which rape is generally handled by the Police, hence, some time back, the Guyana Human Rights Association in a study titled “Without Conviction: Sexual Violence Cases in The Guyana Justice Process” had revealed an average conviction rate of 1.4 per cent in rape cases compared to rape reports originally made to the Police.
Education
Only last week, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and the Police Force announced that they were working closely to ensure the full implementation of the Sexual Offences Act of 2010. Through a process of education, the intention is to reduce the number of cases thrown out of the court due to the lack of evidence.
The occasion was a Sexual Offences Training Programme which was conducted at the Felix
Austin Police College, Eve Leary, Georgetown. The training targeted “frontline” Policemen and women who are often called upon to investigate cases of rape, sexual assault, child molestation and other sexual offences. By understanding the law, the Ministry said Police officers would be able to effectively process cases, allowing for timely prosecutions at the level of the court. It is in this regard that ranks are being brought up to speed with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that would reduce the risk of sexual offences cases being dismissed because of the lack of evidence or breach in protocols.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Anil Nandlall had reported that there were no convictions for sexual offences since 2011 – a situation which he described as “alarming” and blamed
the archaic jury system, as well as reluctant witnesses for the problem.
For the years 2012 and 2013, some 22 sexual offences cases were taken before the court, but there has been no conviction. Instead, there have been a number of hung juries, witnesses failing to attend court and some victims deciding not to pursue the matter.
Cases Giving the statistics, Nandlall said in 2011, 16 sexual offences cases were completed. There were three guilty pleas and three cases were nolle prosequi (unwilling to pursue) because the Virtual Complainant (VC) gave a statement expressing a desire not to proceed with prosecution. There were seven not guilty verdicts by the jury. However, in 2012, 10 sexual offences cases were completed.
In two cases, there was a formal verdict of not guilty because the VC did not attend court to testify; eight cases went to trial and in all eight cases the jury returned a not guilty verdict. For 2013, 12 sexual offences cases were completed, eight
of which the VC went to court and indicated that they were not willing to proceed with the trials. Those cases had to be discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Additionally, in one case, the VC could not be located, while three cases went to trial. In one of the three cases, there was a unanimous not guilty verdict and in the remaining two cases, there were hung juries. “Therefore in 2012 and 2013 there was not a single conviction for sexual offences in a total of 22 cases,” Nandlall lamented.
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
More than 800,000 people die by suicide every year –around one person every 40 seconds, with 20 times that number attempting suicide, according to the World Health Organisation’s “Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative”, the first global report on suicide prevention.
And Guyana had the ignominious distinction of being the most suicide-prone country in the world, based on 2012 data. The high point or, more accurately, the low point of a years-long trend the country has suffered – thousands of lives snuffed out in a moment of despair and hopelessness.
Globally, suicides account for 50 per cent of all violent deaths in men and 71 per cent in women. Unfortunately, suicide has not been prioritised in many countries, including Guyana, as a major public health problem.
Locally, there seems to be no end in sight, as the year 2014 started off with three suicides within seven days and has seen 30 lives lost so far, although reams of paper have been devoted to the subject and well-meaning persons, both expert and nonexpert, have spoken at length about the scourge and possible remedies, and equally well-meaning programmes to tackle the problem have sputtered and sparked but never flared to life.
As the world celebrates World Suicide Prevention Day, today, September 10, the need for a systemic, effective national response in Guyana is even more urgent. And in keeping with the theme of this year’s celebration, “Suicide Prevention: One World Connected”, all of us, particularly policymakers, must recognise that connections are important at all levels if we are to reduce the number of suicides.
Implicit in the theme is the recognition that persons who attempt and commit suicide are hurting, in deep emotional turmoil, and to combat suicide, we must alleviate that pain, whether the source is mental problems; abuse; substance abuse problems; chronic physical pain; debilitating stress –financial, relational, etc; a family history of suicide, by building connections across communities and sectors.
Suicide is an emotional response – in a moment of hopelessness or despair, caught in the grasp of the feeling that it would be better if they were dead or no one cares if they were dead – someone acted. In a country where many Guyanese live deeply unhappy, unsecure lives filled with want, where the alcoholism problem is among the world’s worst and the rate of domestic abuse staggering, coupled with almost non-existent infrastructure to deal with mental health issues, a high rate of suicide seems almost inevitable.
The taboo and stigma surrounding suicide, the fact that people fail to seek help or are left alone, and the willy-nilly sale and storage of pesticides, a favoured method of suicide in Guyana, add fuel to the blazing fire.
So where do we go from here to building an effective national prevention strategy? As the report noted, “Key elements in developing a national suicide prevention strategy are to make prevention a multi-sectoral priority that involves not only the health sector but also education, employment, social welfare, the judiciary and others... in a comprehensive manner, bringing together the different sectors and stakeholders most relevant to each context.”
A first step should be taking stock of the suicide prevention activities we have in place and the gaps that need to be filled. The Health Ministry must provide leadership on the issue and bring together stakeholders in developing a comprehensive strategy. Its efforts to restrict access to pesticides, the most common means in Guyana, must be strengthened, while health-care services need to incorporate suicide prevention as a core component, and communities empowered to play a critical role in suicide prevention, providing social support and followup care to vulnerable individuals, and fighting stigma.
We must bear in mind the WHO report's advice: “The strategy should be tailored to each country’s cultural and social context, establishing best practices and evidence-based interventions in a comprehensive approach.
"Resources should be allocated for achieving both shortto-medium and long-term objectives, there should be effective planning, and the strategy should be regularly evaluated, with evaluation findings feeding into future planning...
“With timely and effective evidence-based interventions, treatment and support, both suicides and suicide attempts can be prevented.”
Like WHO Director Margaret Chan said: “Every single life lost to suicide is one too many. The way forward is to act together, and the time to act is now.”
looking down, they blend together, creating an optical illusion of a stone slide. They’re also slippery from the constant mist from the falls and even though there’s a metal railing to save you from any spills – don’t count on that too much – it too is drenched with water droplets
Dear Editor,
The Public Works Ministry wishes to correct an article published in the Kaieteur News, captioned “CJIA (Cheddi Jagan Internationaal Airport) US$150M expansion project unnecessary when compared to similar airports”.
In its September 7 publication, the length of CJIA’s current runway was juxtaposed to St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport in a deliberate attempt to undermine the airport expansion project.
Several factors determine the runway length required for takeoff. Among these are the aircraft weight, prevailing winds, air temperature, runway elevation and air density. For a fixed runway length, a combination of these factors determines the gross weight an aircraft can take off with.
This gross weight, which consists of the aircraft, passengers and fuel, correlates with how many passengers and their baggage can be taken aboard the flight and the distance they can be flown.
It is a notable fact that St Maarten is closer to Europe than CJIA, thus aircraft would generally require less fuel and less runway length.
Therefore, for one to compare the two airports and the types of aircraft they accommodate without taking into consideration the relevant technical factors mentioned above is a clear indication of not fully understanding or not wanting to understand the subject area – given the lack of consultation with CJIA or Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The information regarding in excess of 10,000 feet runway requirements of the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777
wide body aircraft is freely available from the manufacturer’s website at www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/ airports/747.page and www. boeing.com/boeing/commercial/airports/777.page
Therefore, extending CJIA’s existing runway from 7546 feet to 10,500 feet will ensure large aircraft such as Boeing 747-400 and 777 operate at their maximum take off weights thus increasing the operational efficiency of the airline. There will be no restrictions on payload or flight range.
At the moment, taking off on CJIA’s much shorter runway dictates that an aircraft takes fewer passengers or less fuel; this is uneconomical for the carrier.
CJIA, through the Public Works Ministry, has partnered with the United Kingdom renowned aviation firm ROUTES to court larger airlines to ply the
Georgetown route, and a compelling issue in negotiations is the runway’s length.
At least three top European airlines have indicated an interest in Guyana as a destination but the existing runway length, based on their fleet asset specifications, is an initial limitation to how they proceed.
The airport expansion project, which has being ridiculed in some sections of the media, when completed will put Guyana in its rightful place in the sphere of aviation competitiveness.
The CJIA Expansion Project would also ensure an increase in direct and indirect jobs in the sector and will assist in making an increased positive contribution to Guyana’s economy.
Sincerely, Aneka Edwards Public Relations Officer CJIA
GECOM must deliver fair, transparent, acceptable electoral list
Dear Editor,
The increasing of the electoral list by over 78,000 new electors over the present four-year cycle of registration is both incomprehensible and impossible.
Fair, free and acceptable elections, both Local and
Central Government, cannot take place with such a flawed and crooked list and those who are calling for such elections must also call for a fair, transparent and acceptable electoral list to be delivered by GECOM. With its computerised
systems, it is very simple for GECOM to publish the detailed breakdowns, especially in the three or four administrative regions where these massive increases are located. GECOM must immediately do this so that the elections should go ahead and the political parties and others should call upon GECOM to do this with immediacy.
Yours sincerely, Henry G Niles
Dear Editor, September 8 marked the International Day of Journalists’ Solidarity. On that day people gathered in Moscow, Russia to pay tribute to journalists who were killed over the years while performing their professional duties.
Russian Special Correspondent Igor Kornelyuk and Sound Engineer Anton Voloshin of “VGTRK”, a Reporter for the Ukrainian newspaper “Vesti” Vyacheslav Veremiya, Photojournalist Andrei Stenin of “Russia Today”, who were killed in Ukraine were commemorated.
Andrei Stenin died on the territory controlled by the Ukrainian Government military forc-
es and the National Guard. His vehicle was shot by a tank and later a hand grenade was tossed into his car. American Journalist James Foley who was abducted in North-western Syria and killed by the Islamic State and Italian Photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli who was killed in Ukraine were remembered as well.
The IV Congress of International Organisation of Journalists in 1958 designated September 8 as the day for the International Day of Journalists’ Solidarity to commemorate Julius Fucik, Check Journalist, Literary and Theatrical Critic, who was executed on this day in 1943 by Nazi. Even when imprisoned
by fascists, he continued his journalistic work and managed to write his book, The report with the loop on the neck
No doubt these journalists as well as the ones not mentioned here who gave their life performing their duties set a good example of devotion to their work. Objectiveness is what drove these journalists to the extreme and hazardous situations to bring the truth to the world.
Their work reminds of the need for journalists not to take sides and give the people unbiased account of events.
Submitted by Denis Kopyl Press Attaché Russian Embassy
dealt
… a response to Minister Webster on robberies at post offices
Dear Editor, Please permit me space to respond, highlight and at the same time, bring to the fore the status quo as it relates to the lax in security at the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) and the absurdity as expressed by Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster, as quoted by the Guyana Times on September 4.
While the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) acknowledges the right for one to have, and at the same time express their opinion, it is always best to be careful when making public allegations, especially without evidence.
GPTWU is very perturbed by the expressed public opinion attributed to Minister Webster about our members – dedicated, loyal and hardworking employees of the GPOC, who continue to work, despite the many challenges.
If Webster has any evidence of collusion, then she must without any delay, report same to the relevant authority. The reassessment by the GPOC of the security arrangements throughout the establishment is long overdue.
Over the years, GPTWU has been engaging management of the GPOC on
the issue of security for post offices throughout the country, to no avail.
The records will show that overtime, the Corporation has been robbed of millions of dollars and still, no serious effort has been made for any security enhancements, be it at the level of management or the level of the State.
The issue of security cannot and must not be dealt with in a ‘piece-meal’ fashion. Over the years, the usual cry is that because of limited financial resources, the Corporation would be hard-pressed to implement a comprehensive and effective security plan.
However, while we cannot outline in detail some suggestions that were implemented, the Union still believes that management needs to be much more proactive.
Temporary measures after a robbery would have been committed are effective. If the Corporation is serious about preventing the loss of our assets, then there has to be an investment in security.
Government also has a role to play, since the Agency Fees that are being paid to the Corporation for the paying Old Age Pensioners and Public Assistant Recipients, can-
not take care of the astronomical security and other related costs involved in making those monthly payments.
Speaking to the Police Commissioner for the Force to investigate is not a route that is difficult. The Police have their work to do and Minister Webster must allow them to so do, without her involvement.
Rather than making unsubstantiated allegations, Minister Webster should look at implementing measures that will reduce the need for excess cash at post offices.
GPOC provides essential services to the citizens of our country. Therefore, the Corporation must be given the necessary assistance from the State so as to enhance the security of its employees, customers and assets.
It must be best, it Webster can initiate some sort of meaningful confab at the Cabinet level in order to save the GPOC.
If Minister Webster has evidence of any form of collusion, she ought to give the information to the relevant agency; otherwise, her personal suggestion(s) might work against her.
Sincerely, Harold Shepherd President, GPTWU
Dear Editor, Reference is made to Freddie Kissoon’s recent comments about homosexuality in another publication and his continued (unjustified) attack on the great Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi, an icon of peace.
A response was not published in that media. I cannot understand why that publication allows Freddie to attack Gandhi without allowing a written defence of that great soul.
Readers I spoke with just can’t understand why Freddie keeps bringing up his sex life in so many articles.
Over the last several years, one out of every four articles Freddie wrote was about his sex life, in which he has been trying to convince readers he is not gay. Why does Freddie have this obsession that people feel he is a homosexual and that he must issue regular denials?
There must be a reason – old people used to say that “dem who denied first and the most usually do de very thing”. When will Freddie tell the truth on anything?
Saying one is married with a daughter does not mean one can’t be a homosexual. Many married people live double lives. It is reported in American media that many American Republican politicians (some Democrats too) vehemently denied they are gay only to be caught in toilets and bed with other males.
And there are several prominent Guyanese males (as well as individuals around the Caribbean Region), a prominent columnist included, married with children, are known to have male lovers.
Several of Freddie’s friends, as he himself said, are homosexuals. That is their business and they don’t go around telling people or discussing their sex lives. Only Freddie
talks of his sex life.
People’s homosexual lifestyle is their personal business; they should not be judged by it and I don’t judge Freddie by his sex life, only his hypocrisy.
Freddie wrote “readers must use epistemological tools and deconstruction methodology to get the deeper meaning of writings”. Would not such tools and methodology be invoked to understand Freddie’s continuous denial of engaging in homosexual acts?
Think about it – one out of every four articles penned in the last seven years by Freddie is how he is not “gay”. Why this persistent denial of sex rumours about his behaviour.
Freddie keeps alleging that Mahatma Gandhi was a homosexual with no relevance to the subject of his articles. Out of the blue, Freddie injects “Gandhi was a homosexual”. Why this obsession with homosexual behaviour? How should one deconstruct Freddie’s obsession of Gandhi’s sex life? Could it be a justification for one’s own lifestyle? Gandhi was no homosexual as authorities affirmed.
Freddie quoted author Joseph Lelyveld to prove his (Freddie’s) claim that Gandhi was a homosexual –Lelyveld vehemently denied that Gandhi was homosexual. Gandhi was married, like how Freddie claims he is married with a daughter, and had several children (grandchildren and great grands).
Freddie maligned Lelyveld for his denial, stating that Lelyveld should have lied to support the claim (a la Kissoonian writing style). Hundreds of other internationally acclaimed writers also penned that no evidence supports the claim that Gandhi was homosexual. Yet Freddie maligns Gandhi as a homosexual –
perhaps to justify his own lifestyle?
Freddie asserted that someone (name given) started the description of him as a homosexual. That is not factual. And Freddie did not state how and why people referred to him as a homosexual.
It was Freddie (in Kaieteur News), of his own volition, who admitted to having homosexual forays. No one attacked him. Others simply pointed out that a columnist, without mentioning any name, admitted to having committed homosexual acts.
Freddie constantly attacked people without supporting evidence. Freddie’s nasty, unsubstantiated innuendo about others required a tit for tat. It was Freddie who insinuated that someone in the media, some six years ago, was a homosexual without any justification or relevance to the topic in his column. Freddie is obsessed with homosexuality.
Evidence abounds to support innuendo about a columnist’s sex life; many bits of news were presented to me by people in Guyana during my frequent visits. Few men proposition other men to dates at clubs and to go dancing and waltzing. But a columnist does.
One businessman gave me names of male lovers of a columnist and informed me that a certain columnist has stopped attacking him because he threatened to divulge the names of male lovers. The columnist used to attack the businessman regularly in his columns; for the last four years, there have been no attacks on the businessman from the columnist. The columnist also stopped attacking businessmen who paid their protection fee (or free food) from being blackmailed.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Calm down strategies
Tried and tested strategies to smooth out turbulent parenting waters for every parent:
Offer a choice
Your child’s friend came over to play. You hear name-calling. “You’re stupid.” “You’re a geek.” “Well, you’re a nerd.” Instead of getting angry and yelling “Just stop that right now!” offer a choice: “I hear namecalling. You have a choice. Either the name-calling must stop, or your friend must go home.” If you hear name-calling again, send the friend home with an apology and the hope of a better playtime together the next time.
Express your feelings
You’re exhausted from a long day at work, you walk in the door to the annoying sounds of your children screaming “She ruined my game.” “I didn’t mean to; it’s just a stupid old game anyway.” “It’s my favourite game. I hate having a little sister.” Instead of blaming them by saying “You kids are making me so mad! I work hard all day and don’t need to come home to this fighting.” Instead, express your feelings: “I’m crabby. I’ve had a terrible day. When I hear fighting, it makes me crabbier. Get a snack. I’m taking a bath.”
Accept your child’s feelings
Your daughter is insulting her stepsister who is visiting for the weekend.
Instead of saying “You’re being rude and jealous” in an angry voice, accept your child’s feelings by saying “I understand it’s difficult to share your dad when your stepsister comes for the weekend, but I will not allow you to be rude.” If the rudeness continues, send her to her bedroom for some quiet time.
State a rule The children’s disagreement have come to blows. Rather than scream an angry threat like “That hitting must stop instant ly or we’re not go ing to the movie!” state a rule by say ing “Hitting is not allowed. Suzie, you empty the dishwash er and Michael, make your bed. We’ll discuss the movie when your chores are done and you’ve calmed down.”
Assert your values
Your child is attempt ing homework in front of the TV. Instead of nagging “Do your homework,” “Do your homework or you won’t get good grades,” “You’d better do your homework or you won’t get into college” assert your values: “Homework is more important than TV. The TV goes off until homework is done.”
hatred need to be acknowledged and allowed appropriate expression. By accepting children’s strong feelings, you can show them their feelings are part of normal human experience. It’s actually helpful for you
mad at me, this is how I’d like you to tell me: ‘What you said made me so angry.’ Then I can listen better to your feelings and be more willing to try and work things out.”
State angry feelings
me.” If you are very angry, it is more appropriate to say, “I’m very mad about this” or “This has made me very angry.”
Avoid yelling and shouting; instead express your anger in a firm voice.
cept able ways to express strong feelings. When their expressions are hurtful or demeaning, redirect them. Ask your child to rephrase anger in a more acceptable manner, but allow your child the right to feel angry.
Cope with your child’s feelings
Children’s feelings of anger, jealousy, and even
Often you must tell your child what a better or more appropriate way might be. You could say, “When you’re
pressed in nonjudgmental language. When you firmly state your anger, you emphasise the rules and let children know clearly and strongly how you feel.
Match words to feelings
Match your expressions of anger to the way you really feel. If you are only mildly annoyed say, “I’m a bit annoyed” or “This is irritating
Never expose children to hurtful an-
It is normal for parents to feel frustrated by children.
Unfortunately, though, when some parents feel this way they frequently vent their anger by saying to their children, “I could kill you for that!” or “I’ll wring your neck!”
For that parent, these are empty words, spoken without forethought. But expressions such as these are damaging to a child. Even though you don’t mean these statements and have absolutely no intention of carrying them out, your child, however, does not know this.
These expressions of hurtful anger should never be said by parents to children of any age. Find other ways to vent your anger. Give safe expression to your feelings. All parents do get intensely angry at their children at times.
How can you get relief?
First, make sure your child is safe and then give yourself a moment alone to allow these feelings silent expression. After thinking through the feelings or even saying them out loud to yourself or a friend privately, you will feel better. Take a deep breath and return to your child, ready to state your anger in a helpful way.
Never humiliate or degrade your child. Aim your disapproval at your child’s behaviour, not character. Instead of saying, “You’re a rotten kid,” you can say, “I don’t like what you’re doing right now.”
Timing is important. Sometimes we plunge in too quickly to handle a situation and end up saying or doing something we wish we hadn’t.
Take some time before rushing into a situation. Except in a true emergency, there are always a few seconds, even minutes, to spare. Leave the room if you need to, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “What do I really want to accomplish here?” After finding a positive response, go in and handle the situation.
Sometimes we don’t intervene soon enough. Don’t wait until your anger and the child’s behaviour are out of control. Go in and set the limit before the situation goes too far.
Never, ever hurt a child
Children are not to be used for hitting! Some parents say that there are times they are so angry with a child that hitting them is the only way to gain control. Anger is a powerful emotion and it should not be used to frighten or harm children.
When expressing anger with words is just not enough, relief comes in other ways. Jump rope, play basketball, jog or take a walk, shake out rugs, scrub a floor, bang on the piano or hammer in the workshop. This can provide great relief. These activities also offer children a healthy model for dealing with their own anger.
If you feel like you have to or are going to hit your child, hit a pillow. Hitting a pillow is a therapeutic technique for letting off intense, momentary anger. Hitting children is never appropriate. You do need to set necessary limits for children. True discipline is teaching and guiding children, relying on a variety of constructive, positive and helpful approaches. Stress the family rule: “People are not for hurting,” and everyone in the household will obey it. (loveourchildrenusa.org)
Against a background of trenchant criticisms from other Opposition elements that he has been too docile, Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Opposition David Granger has threatened to mobilise international and domestic action if Government does not announce the date of Local Government elections by September 15.
Local Government Elections (LGEs) have not been held in Guyana for over 20 years and in recent time, Government has come under pressure from the international community as well as political parties and civil society.
In a letter to President Donald Ramotar, Granger said: “We remind you that the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, at its second reading on 2014.02.10, was debated and passed ‘As amended,’ directing that elections be held on or before 1st August, 2014.”
Constitution
He told the President that, in accordance with the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy.”
“Local Government Elections, last held in 1994, are a constitutional obligation and a democratic entitlement of the Guyanese people. It is not an option of the Executive branch of Government,” Granger emphasised.
He reminded President Ramotar that he had promised in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Manifesto –Working Together for a Better Tomorrow –to ensure that: “within one year of the 2011 General Elections, Local Government Elections are held...”
“We now call on you to
respect the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; to respect the decision of the National Assembly with regard to the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2014; and to respect your manifesto – Working Together for a Better Tomorrow.
“We call on you, therefore, on or before Monday 2014.09.15, to announce the date for Local Government Elections to be held countrywide; to issue the ‘Commencement Order’ to operationalise the Local Government Commission and to initiate a process by which the Local Government (Amendment) Bill could be returned for
Elections Commission (GECOM) ended shortly after the December 1997 elections and this again prevented the holding of Local Government Elections.
Another commission was set up to run the 2001 elections, and this one too was eventually dissolved and another had to be established which took a significant amount of time.
For its part, the PPP/C has said that the go-slow on long overdue Local Government Elections may be linked to alleged major glitches being experienced by GECOM.
PPP/C’s General Secretary Clement Rohee told members of the media recently that there are
your assent,” Granger asserted.
“We wish to advise that, failing an announcement by you that Local Government Elections will be held and that these legitimate democratic conditions are met, we shall be obliged to take any lawful action to mobilise national and international support in defence of local democracy, the Constitution and the rights of the Guyanese people.”
On record
President Ramotar is on record as saying that it was the PPP/C Government that brought back Local Government Elections to Guyana....” and the fact that we did not have these elections has nothing to do with the lack of will on our part… I know that it is badly needed because many of the problems we face are due to the fact that we did not have Local Government Elections,” President Ramotar said.
Prior to 1994, Local Government Elections were last held in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be held simply because it coincided with the General And Regional Elections of 1997. The life of the Guyana
Amid spiralling street crime and deep concerns expressed by the private sector, Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Leslie James, has agreed to address the concerns of the business community at a forum billed for this afternoon.
He will address the current levels of crime in the country in a forum to be held in the Boardroom of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) commencing at 17:00h.
Based on Police statistics, as of July 2014, there were 80 murders, which represented a 10 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year. This means that a murder is committed every three days.
Since July to present, there have been several other murders which would have pushed the overall rate to close to 100.
For robbery under arms, there were 462 robberies committed at the end of July, representing two such crimes per day. Robbery with the use of other instruments totalled 216, representing one per day.
Only recently, President of the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Kit Nascimento said the constant attacks on fishing vessels by armed sea pirates were scaring away yachters from coming to Guyana. Nascimento made
the comments while addressing the Annual General Meeting of the private sector umbrella organisation last Monday.
Sea bandits have been on a rampage for some time now, beating and robbing their victims in vicious attacks. Only recently a number of fishermen were killed during attacks on the Corentyne Coast.
Nascimento said an ongoing and persistent concern for the industry is the security and safety of Guyana for our visitors. He told the meeting that if Guyana is perceived as a dangerous place to visit, no amount of promotional marketing will cause visitors to come.
“… the escalating reports of crime and banditry and offshore piracy, “of our fishing boats do nothing to make us comfortable and less to
improve our international image”.
Nascimento told the meeting that when reports appeared recently in the media of passengers travelling from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport being attacked by bandits in Police uniform, THAG sought a meeting with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.
“We met with Minister Rohee and senior Police officers on 6th August and I am pleased to report that the Minister afforded us the opportunity of a free and frank discussion on the matter and we were sufficiently satisfied that the Police have instituted measures to counter this threat.”
Disturbing
He added that the headlines in the media on piracy on the Coast are equally disturbing.
“Unfortunately, these reports are interpreted on international websites as being dangerous to yachts visiting Guyana.
"When I joined the GTA [Guyana Tourism Authority] team in Trinidad and Tobago on 15th August, to brief some 50 yachtsmen and women on the International Rally, to which I have already referred, and to encourage the massive yachting community in Trinidad to visit Guyana, I was at pains to explain that the piracy off our shores is not targeted to yachts.”
a number of problems that may be affecting the holding of Local Government Elections.
Rohee noted that thousands of persons are yet to be placed on the National Register of Registrants. This may have failed to happen because of individuals moving to new addresses without any notice.
“We are concerned that the huge housing schemes that have been established and the removal of people from their homes to these new places. The question of transfer is important.
Thousands of persons are yet to be brought into the National Register of Registrants (NRR) and this is something we intend to pick up aggressively with GECOM”, said Rohee.
He said his party maintains a policy whereby no person should be disenfranchised. Topping the list, Rohee pointed out, may be the issue of constituency boundaries.
GECOM, he said, is yet to settle on a number of technical details with respect to the boundaries of the constituencies that people will be situated in order for them to vote during the Local Government Election.
Police late Tuesday afternoon arrested a senior official of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Port Mourant Branch in a sting operation.
The official was arrested shortly before 16:00h as ranks attached to the Albion Police Station Criminal Investigation Department carried out the operation. Reports are that the official had collected a sum of money from a contractor in order to issue him with compliance documentation.
Guyana Times understands that the contractor had approached the Port Mourant office in an attempt to obtain the document,
which was a requirement to tender for a contract.
According to the contractor, he had until Monday to bid and had visited the Port Mourant Branch of NIS on several occasions and engaged the official in conversation.
According to him, on Monday, he spent several hours at the NIS office at Port Mourant as he was told that the person to prepare the document was not in the office. The contractor said that the NIS official made several phone calls under the pretext of contacting the NIS head office.
He said the official had earlier demanded $400,000
to provide the compliance document, which he should not have to pay for. However, the contractor told him that he could only afford to pay $350,000. Up to Monday afternoon, the contractor was not given the document and was, therefore, unable to bid for the contract.
However, on Tuesday, according to the contractor, he was approached by the NIS official who stated that he was in a position to issue the document, but needed the money before he handed it over. The Police were contacted and the sting operation was set up.
The contractor was asked to make arrangements for
the money to be paid at a location some distance away from the Port Mourant office.
The NIS official was nabbed with the money in his possession and taken into custody. He had, however, asked to be allowed to go back to his office to be able to secure his car and other personal belongings he had on him at the time.
The Police granted his request, but kept him handcuffed as he went back into the NIS compound. Staff members were later seen weeping, as the official was being taken away in handcuffs. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.
ALodge man accused of verbally and physically assaulting a female relative was released on $70,000 bail on Tuesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Joel Niles, of Lot 51
Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer charges of threatening language and assault.
The first charge alleged that on September 6 at
142 Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, he made use of threatening language to Yvonne Niles whereby a breach of peace was occasioned. It is also alleged that on the aforementioned day, he unlawfully
assaulted the said Virtual Complainant.
There were no objections to bail. The Chief Magistrate then granted the defendant bail in the sum of $35,000 per charge and ordered him to relocate from the home.
This Eyewitness does believe we have to keep it simple in this education business in general and literacy in particular. He wasn’t surprised by the Minister’s announcement that seven out of 10 children in our primary schools can’t read to grade level. Heck, he was surprised the children were reading at all. Your Eyewitness thinks it’s due to the folks in education going about their business absolutely half-assed backwards.
Simply put, you’d think if we have a problem, we’d to start at its genesis, no? So here we were – and are – pouring billions and billions of dollars every day into education but never asking what’s going on at the nursery and the early grades with literacy?? Isn’t that where it all begins? Finally we wake up this year and say the children have to be reading by Grade Four? How’s it gonna happen??
Let’s start with our nursery schools. If they send off children who’ve not connected books with stories –stories that they love – then they’ve failed. It’s the love of the stories that’ll make the child want to read. And to want to learn the alphabet. Stories are narratives, and humans are driven to narratives. To disjuncture our children from stories is to cut them off from literacy and life.
So what we have right now are teachers drilling little toddlers into “learning the alphabet”. And even before they get to primary school, they’re already turned off reading. That’s what we mean by “halfassed backwards”. Then they reach the early grades of primary school. By Grade Two, there is already an Assessment that includes “Reading” that’ll be added to the NGSA score at Grade Six to determine placement into Secondary School.
So for the children in nursery,” literacy” means learning the alphabet. Then at primary school, it means being taught to match letters to words and sound –and regurgitating it to some cantankerous examiner with absolutely no effort to connect the poor child to any involvement to the words and letters. We are not saying that there doesn’t have to be a certain amount of rote learning. But to focus on that to the exclusion of everything that the child can appreciate is asking for trouble.
We’d like to find out the percentage of funds that are going to the nursery and the early primary school grades. Whatever it is, we’ll wager that it ain’t nearly enough. Somehow we seem to think that at that early age, we can throw anything at them and it doesn’t really matter.
But it does. And that’s why 66 per cent of children can’t read at their grade level.
The leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan is busy railroading his party’s supporters to get behind his choice of Nagamootoo and Hughes as the AFC’s candidates. He’ll probably prevail – because as occurred with the “choice” of David Granger as the PNC’s top dog...those in control of the party’s machinery can pretty much do what they want.
So we come to the PPP/C – which has been quite sedate when compared to the other two parties as far as it comes to candidacy. The incumbent Donald Ramotar looks like he’s going to be a shoo-in for a return engagement. And this is what’s causing quite a few headaches in the Opposition camp. Whether they like it or not – Donald Ramotar has proven to be a very accessible and likeable President, who’s kept Guyana growing against all the odds.
The Opposition shot themselves in the foot by rejecting his “Tripartite Talks” offer early in the day and plunging into violent confrontation. The “no confidence” truncation of his term is the last straw. The PPP/C’s headed for an absolute majority.
...for lists
GECOM’s trying to pass the buck on the tainted PLE by blaming the GRO. The bottom line, however, is that on this matter the buck stops with GECOM.
Residents living within the Anna Regina and Lima areas can now breathe a sigh of relief as a $50 million mobile pump was commissioned recently at Lima foreshore, Essequibo Coast.
The hydraulic mobile pump will provide better drainage and irrigation for approximately 3500 acres of rice lands within the district area. The pump has the capacity to dispense 120 cubic feet of water per second. Speaking to residents and fisher folk in the area, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth said the mobile pump was placed at Lima to assist rice farmers and residents who face drainage and irrigation problems.
He explained that the pump is the second pump Region Two has received, noting that the first was placed at Three Friends and Second at Lima. Wordsworth explained that the pumps were deployed to the area to assist with the smooth flow of water and to help with the accretion.
He mentioned that the project of distributing mo-
bile pumps is part of the NDIA’s National Drainage Programme, aimed at improving the efficiency of drainage, particularly in the agricultural and residential areas.
He said the aim of the
tion, if the need arises for another area to be irrigated, then the pump will be mobilised to that area, noting that only recently, a contract was awarded for the construction of a pump station and for a pump to be permanently installed in the area. He posited that the mobile pump was placed in the Lima area at the behest of farmers. “This is an expensive piece of structure, therefore it needs protection, residents need to cooperate” Wordsworth noted.
Drainage in the region
Meanwhile, Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Alli Baksh said the pump will remain in Region Two. He said it is part of a $4 million line of credit through the Agriculture Ministry and the Government of India.
He said that to make a
ed Region Two with excavators, pontoons and pumps. Baksh noted that Region Two was given an additional of $81 million added to the
Drainage Programme is to distribute 39 mobile pumps across various regions in Guyana. He noted that the mobile pump placed at Lima will add to the fleet of mobile pumps countrywide. The CEO made it clear that while the pump was placed at Lima for the first loca-
drainage and irrigation system reliable, there must be an assurance for minor drains and canals leading to the sluices to be clear. He added that in an effort to boost drainage and irrigation within Region Two, the Agriculture Ministry provid-
NDIA budget, also for infrastructural drainage works. He called on residents to
help sustain the project and ensure that complaints are made whenever something is going wrong. Baksh called on fisherfolk who are also utilising the area to cooperate with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in caring for the pump. “New things will happen, every day is a new demand, with Climate Change there are new demands, we will have difficulties time and again, please work along with the NDC and the region” Baksh posited.
A rice farmer and resident of Lima, Heralall Mohan, speaking on behalf of residents said over the years, residents living from Walton Hall to Mainstay have suffered as a result of flooding. He said whenever there is high tide, there is a high flow of water from the Atlantic Ocean which floods into residents’ yards. Mohan added that the sluice at Lima was old and out of op-
eration and there was need for a new pump in the area. He said residents are happy and praised to the PPP Administration for the timely gesture.
Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud who was also present at the simple handing over ceremony said that he is happy that the region received the pump, noting that he made the request for the pump through the NDIA Board last February. He said the mobile pump will serve as a temporary solution releasing water for the entire Anna Regina Township in villages such as Three Friends, Lima and Devonshire Castle. Persaud said that his region will continue to monitor the situation and noted the mobile pumps will assist in drainage and irrigation problems. Attending the ceremony also was former Member of
The Headquarters of the Caribbean Community, the Caricom Secretariat on Monday commenced a week of activities to commemorate Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) 2014 and to sustain the ‘wellness revolution’ that began in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in September 2007. CWD will be observed on September 13.
In a release, the Secretariat said Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan, Deputy Secretary General of Caricom, addressing the opening said: “Caribbean people have honoured this day in many ways over the last seven years, from the promotion of fitness events to the use of nutrition demonstrations intended to promote healthy eating. No doubt, this year will have similar activities reflecting the zeal of the Caribbean people to remain healthy,” the Deputy Secretary General stated.
The 2007 Declaration of Port of Spain on NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs), which pro-
vides a roadmap for the Community to pursue a 25 per cent reduction of deaths from NCDs by 2025 – was a watershed moment in public health that started a Wellness Revolution –a term coined by Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, after he perused the 15-point objectives of the Declaration at the conclusion of the first Caricom Summit on Health.
Fight against NCDs
Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan noted that the historic summit, “catapulted the Caribbean into the forefront of global advocacy for the reduction of NCDs,” including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, obesity and cancer.
The Deputy Secretary General said the Community’s advocacy spawned the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration of the Control and Prevention of NCDS which has many similarities to the Port of Spain Declaration and has given birth to a global move-
ment aimed at reducing the impact of precursor factors on NCDs. Caribbean Wellness Day 2014 will be observed under a regional theme, “The heart of a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.” It comes at a time when emphasis is being placed on the reform of Caricom and generating a skill base that would guarantee the Region’s competi-
tive edge.
The Community fiveyear Strategic Plan made the linkage between health and wellness and economic growth by underscoring the critical importance of health in preventing further deterioration in the Region’s human development gains. It drew reference to the existence of several social issues including the continuing prevalence of HIV and NCDs that threaten to erode the gains achieved in human development.
Ambassador Soeknandan noted that though the Region has accomplished much on its public health agenda, there remains more to be done to address two other areas of primary concern for Caricom Heads of Government: alcohol and tobacco consumption. “Part of our duty as officials of this Community has to be finding creative ways to bring other Member States to the table of tobacco prevention, supported by the relevant legal frameworks,” she said.
Urging collective action, she stated, “We all have a duty to support the position of the heads of Government adopted since 2005 on the promotion for responsible alcohol use. This will not only reduce traffic fatalities and injuries but incidents of domestic violence and suicides.”
The Caricom Secretariat joins the wider Community in giving expression to the regional theme of CWD 2014 through a week of multifaceted activities including a health and wellness exhibition; healthy eating demonstrations; NCDs risks screening in collaboration with the Health Ministry, Guyana; and interactive discussions on health and wellness.
Sport activities at the Secretariat, which will culminate with a day of sports on Saturday, September 13, span the entire week.
They have inspired participation by the entire staff, which has been divided into four houses to participate in football, cricket, dance aerobics and athletics competitions. Space has also been created for more cognitive-type competitions including scrabble, dominoes, and jig-saw tournaments. Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, St Maarten, Montserrat, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago are among several countries in the Region which have planned activities to sustain the regional collective action to control and prevent NCDs.
Satiricus was titillated. He’d heard about the threat to expose the skeletons in the Naga Man’s closet. And now here in his hot little hands was the secret diary of the Naga Man, courtesy of his niece Leelawatee. She was maid to the Opposition. They’d voted themselves all kinds of perks since they got their one-seat majority. But they paid her on the cheap and Satiricus gave her a top-up for her temporary filching of diaries.
Dear Diary, I is real mad. Look how dat Rodee trying fuh embarrass me. Talking about “skeletons” in me closet. Is jealous he jealous. He always jealous me. When I join the party, I used to be a teacher boy...and he used to just lime at the Metropole. I learn fuh use big words like “bojewas-zee” before he.
But as soon as I learn the word, I know I got to be a “boje-waa-zee” one day – I like the fancy life too bad!! This must be one of the skeletons they talking about?? Ha!! I not scared ‘bout that!
Even in the old days when we used fuh drink beer, I use to pour me beer in a glass and put ice inside. That is real “boje-waa-zee”. But I never used to stir the beer with me finger like them low class. I used me thumb. Real “bojewaa-zee”. So let them talk. I doan care!
But deh jealous me more when me turn lawyer. I always wanted to be a bigger “boje-waa-zee”. Big like Ralphie.
Dear Diary, Ralphie was de biggest “boje-waa-zee” in the party – and he was me hero. Suit and tie every day, boy!! Now he and me together in de KFC “boje-waa-zee” party. So let dem talk. I is a “boje-waa-zee” and proud of it. “Boje-waa-zee” does drink liquor all the time suh if they think they gon embarrass me by telling people I was a drinkah – leh me tell dem something.
I is a drinkah! Me father was a drinkah! And me grandfather was a drinkah! I come from a long line of drinkahs. Me favourite song is “Rum till I die!” Dat is no skeleton to me. Suh what else dey gun seh?? Dat I thief?? Ha!!! Didn’t somebody say, “All property is theft??” All awee “boje-waa-zee” does thief.
So Dear Diary, I ain’t worried about skeletons in me closet. I is a drinkah, thief and traitor – and proud of it!! I is boje-waa-zee.
Twenty-five-year-old Ricky Singh, of West Coast Demerara, was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The charge read that on September 7 at the Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol without being a
licensed firearm holder.
The unrepresented defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. While noting that there are no prior antecedents for Singh, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail based on the nature, prevalence, and seriousness of the offence.
Bail was refused, and the defendant will return to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on September 22.
By Jomo Paul
General Secretary of the Alliance For Change (AFC) David Patterson said the process for the selection of nominees for the Presidential and Prime Ministerial posts for the next general elections is still ongoing, noting that there are usually meetings at the regional level to select the nominees.
But there will likely be no contest for the position of Presidential Candidate for the AFC, when the party holds its Congress next month. The contest, according to party insiders, was thrown through the window when the party’s current leader, Khemraj Ramjattan publicly endorsed Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo for the post. Ramjattan even went as far as to suggest Chairman Nigel Hughes as Nagamootoo’s running mate.
Patterson told Guyana Times in an interview on Tuesday that the move by Ramjattan to endorse Nagamootoo is not seen as
undermining internal party democracy, but rather as the leader expressing his own personal opinion. But, Patterson said that he was yet to receive any nominations for any of the offices in the party.
“I don’t think that was right for the leader to do. It’s gonna be real hard now for anyone to come along with a different view,” a party stalwart told Guyana Times on Monday.
However, Patterson said while it may be known that at the regional levels, a majority of the membership is in support of the Nagamootoo/Hughes election card, the nominations “still have to be formalised”.
In addition to its rotation of presidential candidates, the party had also committed to a rotation of the leadership based on ethnicity, persons familiar with the set-up of the AFC said. Raphael Trotman was selected for the party’s first shot at the presidency, and
then Ramjattan. It was expected that at the upcoming Congress, the party would have chosen someone based on the rotating ethnicity leadership concept.
Ramjattan is barred from running for the presidential candidacy because of the party’s internal constitution. The party’s internal constitution stipulates that the person running for the presidential candidacy of any impending elections cannot do so two consecutive times, which is unique to established party constitutions in Guyana.
Patterson explained to Guyana Times that the National Executive Committee is set for a meeting on October 4 where he will officially announce the nominations for posts within the party. “Between then and now, somebody else will come up as wanting to run for the presidential candidacy,” Patterson said, noting that “democracy is alive” within the party.
He noted too that party members are “free to endorse who” they want since there are no stipulations or any part of the party’s constitution that dictates otherwise.
Will accept
When asked whether he will be running for posts or hope to be nominated for another office within the party, Patterson said that while all the posts will be available, he will not be lobbying for any post. He noted that should he be nominated, then he will accept the nomination. Further, he said preparations for the Congress are “going quite well”, but a location has not been identified
This announcement from the party’s General Secretary came as AFC Member and Youth Representative Trevor Williams told Guyana Times that at a regional level, there was “unanimous support for a Nagamootoo/Hughes” candidacy.
He explained that preliminary discussions would have already been conducted to select the Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates and both Nagamootoo and Hughes had garnered the support of the party’s membership ahead of the party’s Congress.
Williams said: “I think the party is very unified with respect to Nagamootoo as President and Hughes as Prime Minister… it is very fortunate that we don’t have to go through any bruising battle.” He said too the endorsement of Nagamootoo as a Presidential Candidate should not be seen as undermining democracy.
RWhen asked whether he would be running for any posts within the party at the upcoming Congress, Williams responded in the negative. He said that the party remains confident in its elected officer bearers and chances are that those same persons would be reappointed. He opined too that the party needs more field work and that is where he will stay, pushing to amass support for the party from a grassroot level.
anks of the Bartica Police Station received a brand new V6 Yamaha 200 horsepower outboard engine from the business community to boost their security operations in the area.
The outboard engine cost some $1.2 million. The donation is a demonstration of the community’s continuous support and commitment towards the security sector in the area. It will further go towards enhancing Bartica Police’s maritime activities in and around the mining community.
The boat was handed over to the Officer in Charge of Bartica Police Station, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Rudolph Banwarie, on Monday. He expressed his appreciation at the initiative taken by the community, stating that it came in a timely manner.
The ASP assured members of the community that the vessel will be cared for as he highlighted that his station now has the capacity to strengthen its land and water policing exercises.
Banwarie noted that the relationship between the business community and the Bartica Police will contin-
ue to grow and strengthen, as they collectively work towards security maintenance in the mining community.
The donation of this vessel comes at a time when the Guyana Police Force is looking at strengthening its marine branch to increase the policing of the country’s waterways.
Only recently, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told a gathering that the Ministry is working to ensure that the Guyana Police Force is equipped with the capacity to patrol the country’s waterways. He
noted that the Police Force’s Strategic Plan, which is currently being implemented, calls for the marine section to be enhanced and for more training to take place. This, he said, will allow the ranks to make full use of the increased number of vessels that are being acquired by the Police Force. He alluded to the fact that most of the drug traffickers are now using the waterways to carry out their illicit trade, making reference to the semi-submersible vessel that was found at a creek in the Waini River, Region One.
Citing instances of alleged fraud and delays, the Donald Ramotar Administration on Tuesday announced that it was terminating the US$18 million contract of Indiabased company Surendra Engineering to build and design the controversial Specialty Hospital.
“The Government of Guyana has today (Tuesday) written Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL) about its deep concerns about its execution of the contract for the design and construction of the Specialty Hospital,” the Administration said in a statement released Tuesday evening. Government said since late June 2014, it had been engaging SECL on a number of issues regarding allegations of fraud and financial irregularities.
“Initially, the Government’s concerns related to delayed milestones and inadequate accountability by SECL for public funds the company had received on signing the contract with the Ministry of Health. Subsequently, the Government of Guyana discovered that SECL’s representative in Guyana had submitted a fraudulent document purporting to ema-
nate from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago.”
According to the Government, since the fraudulent act by SECL was confirmed by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, it wrote SECL informing the company of its intention to: terminate the contract; pursue legal action against the company for fraud and recover public funds from SECL for which it has failed to account fully.
Last week, local construction company BK International Incorporated announced that it was moving to the courts in India in an effort to recoup outstanding monies owed by Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited.
The move by BK International had come after the Commercial Court here lifted an Interim Injunction restraining Brijen Parikh, Managing Director of SECL, from leaving Guyana without settling the debt. Prior to the decision to take legal action in India, BK International sought the intervention of the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, but saw no progress.
In a statement, BK International had said
that as a sub-contractor, it is owed $180,100,242 for work done in the months of May, June, and July 2014. Three Invoices dated May 12, June 4, and July 1 were dispatched to Surendra Engineering’s Managing Director and certified by the engineer on site. However, Parikh indicated that BK International Inc cannot be paid, citing the project’s budget cut as the reason.
BK International and SECL entered into a written agreement for BK International to supply and drive 2000 pieces of 65-foot greenheart piles at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. The agreed sum for the execution of the contract by BK International is $673,978,328.
Interim Injunction
SECL agreed to pay BK International for work done and certified by the engineer on site. Payment was to be made within two weeks of submission of the invoices by BK International. This was not done.
On July 21, 2014, BK International filed for and received an Interim Injunction against SECL. The injunction, granted by Justice Rishi Persaud in the Commercial Court, followed
Amid staggering suicide statistics, Guyana will today join the rest of the world in observing World Suicide Prevention Day under the theme” Suicide Prevention: One World Connected”.
an Ex Parte Application by way of Affidavit by BK International Inc.
The Interim Injunction restrained the defendant, Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited, from leaving or attempting to leave the jurisdiction pending the hearing and determination of the action unless and until the defendant lodges with the Registrar of the Supreme Court the sum of $180,100,242 as security in the event that judgment is obtained against the defendant by the plaintiff. On July 23, 2014, Justice Persaud ruled that BK International is entitled to recover the sum of $180,100,242 together with costs in the sum of $450,000 after Surendra consented to judgement.
Justice Persaud also ordered that there be a stay of execution for a period of two months and discharged the Interim Injunction granted by the said court on July 22, 2014. After the order by Justice Singh, Parikh left the jurisdiction without paying BK International.
While the court action relates to Valuations numbered three, four, and five, BK International is exposed for over $400 million on the Specialty Hospital Project. BK International is being represented by Robert Ramcharran and SECL is being represented by Vidyanand Persaud.
Suicide is a major public health problem. The psychological pain that leads each of these individuals to take their lives is unimaginable. Their deaths leave families and friends bereft, and often have a major ripple effect on commu nities. A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report disclosed that every year, over 800,000 peo ple die from sui cide; this roughly corresponds to one death every 40 sec onds. The num ber of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to ho micide and war combined.
According to WHO, suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those aged 30-49 years in 2012 globally, and is the second leading cause of death in the 15-29 age group in 2012 globally. Overall, it is estimated that during 2012 for each adult who died of suicide, there were over 20 others who made suicide attempts.
In 2012, suicide accounted for 1.4 per cent of all deaths worldwide, making it the 15th leading cause of death. Mental disorders (particularly depression and alcohol use disorders) are a major risk factor
for suicide in Europe and North America; however, in Asian countries, impulsiveness plays an important role. Suicide is complex with psychological, social, biological, cultural and environmental factors involved. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the WHO are committed to preventing suicide. These organisations recognise World Suicide Prevention Day as an important day in the international calendar. World Suicide Prevention Day brings together individuals and organisations with an interest in suicide prevention, and mobilises efforts to save lives. Efforts to prevent suicide have been celebrated on World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10 – each year since 2003. In 2014, the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day is “Suicide Prevention: One World Connected.” The theme reflects the fact that connections are important at several levels if we are to combat suicide. Connectedness is crucial to individuals who may be vulnerable to suicide. Studies have shown that social isolation can increase the risk of suicide and, conversely, that having strong human bonds can be protective against it. Reaching out to those who have become disconnected from others and offering them support and friendship may be a life-saving act.
A25-year-old drug trafficking accused was remanded to prison on Tuesday afternoon after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Jermaine Beveny, of Lot 115 Ogle Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, was charged for allegedly having in his possession 457 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking on September 6, at Itaballi, Mazaruni River.
Beveny pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was represented by Attorney James Bond, who told the court that his client, the client’s brother and reputed wife were heading to the interior in a pickup when
they were stopped by Police. They were asked to disembark the vehicle, while a search was conducted that later unearthed the drugs.
Upon finding the narcotic, Police informed Beveny that the bag belongs to him and subsequently arrested him.
His reputed wife was also arrested, but was later released.
In his application for reasonable bail, the defence counsel noted that his client has been employed in the interior for three years and was not a flight risk.
According to Police Prosecutor Michael Grant, on the day in question at 14:20h, the defendant, in the company of others, was heading to the interior in pickup PKK 531, when they
were stopped by Policemen on duty. They were told to collect their individual bags and they were searched. When Beveny’s bag was searched, the narcotic was found. The defendant was taken to the Police Outpost where the item was weighed, he was told of the offence and then arrested.
Bail was refused on the grounds of the offence’s nature, gravity, and prevalence. The Prosecutor also cited Section 94:1 of the Narcotics Act, which stated that bail should not be granted unless there are special reasons. In this case, there were no special reasons. The case was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for September 18.
By Jomo Paul
After standing at the corner of High Street and Seawall Road for just over 42 years, the Umana Yana, a the iconic cone-shaped benab, was completely destroyed when a fire of unknown origin swept through it Tuesday afternoon. Onlookers looked on in shock as one of Georgetown’s most prestigious landmarks was reduced to mere ashes.
The Umana Yana, which was built in 1972, was a historical structure and one of Guyana’s most famous landmarks having appeared on the cover of several magazines and publications. The fire, which started at approximately 15:00h, quickly engulfed the building and by the time, the Guyana Fire Service arrived on the scene, all was lost. According to reports, no one was injured in the fire, but, a severe blow was dealt to the Amerindian populace. Investigators at the scene believe that the fire was electrical in origin.
Thorough investigation
When the Guyana Times arrived at the scene, firefighters were seen still battling to put out the flames. One fireman narrowly escaped injury after getting too close to the structure, part of which collapsed suddenly sending more smoke and embers into the atmosphere.
There were three fire tenders on the scene, two from the Central Fire Station and another from Campbellville Fire Station.
Compton Sparman, the officer in charge of operations at the scene, confirmed that while an electrical fire is initially suspected, there are still other avenues that will be thoroughly investigated. At the scene, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, said it was a devastating incident and even more devastating was the fact that it happened during Amerindian Heritage Month given its
significance to Guyana’s indigenous people.
The Culture Ministry is responsible for the dayto-day management of the Umana Yana. Dr Anthony noted that he was notified of the fire around 15:30h and immediately rushed to the scene. Fellow Government Ministers Jennifer Westford and Robeson Benn were also on the scene.
He noted, however, that allocations will be made in Budget 2015 for the structure to be rebuilt, since it was too important not to be reconstructed.
Shock
One young lady, who identified herself as Aneisa, said it was a shock that the building was destroyed.
“This is definitely a loss to us, especially in Heritage Month too, it is a loss.”
A man who works nearby said he first noticed the smoke billowing from the building and went closer to investigate only to confirm his worst fears – the Umana Yana was on fire. “When I meet here and I confirm this, boy, like I didn’t know and I know the Fire Service couldn’t meet here on time to save this, don’t matter what. This was made from leaves; I say, is gone, it gone,” the man recalled.
One woman explained that she was driving home when she too saw the smoke billowing into the air and subsequently saw the crowd.
“I just look and I don’t know I am still in shock, still in shock,” said the woman who gave her name as Coleen.
A throng of persons from nearby office buildings in the nearby commercial district gathered outside the compound, watching as the firemen tended to the flames. Most of them stood with confused looks on their faces and some asked when the structure would be rebuilt.
The Umana Yana was erected for the NonAligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Georgetown. Thereafter, it served as a VIP Lounge and recreation
centre. It was a permanent and much admired part of Georgetown’s scenery, and
in constant use as an exhibition and conference centre. Fashioned like the Wai Wai benabs or shelters which are found deep in Guyana’s interior, it occupies an area
of 460 square metres. This makes the benab the largest structure of its kind in Guyana. It stood about 55 feet (16.78 metres) high and was made from thatched al-
Dr Carl Williams, who now holds the post of Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of the crime portfolio, has been appointed Jamaica’s 28th Police chief. His appointment follows the sudden retirement of Owen Ellington who had been serving in the post since 2010.
National Security Minister Peter Bunting, who made the announcement on Monday after being advised of the selection of the new Commissioner by the Police Service Commission, said
Haiti’s Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who gave up the lavish motorcade he inherited from his predecessor, reiterated over the weekend his warning to the Caribbean country’s cabinet members against buying luxurious cars, arguing his Government, which is promoting a “preferential option for the poor”, should lead by example.
Lamothe reiterated his call for all cabinet members to fully comply with the Government’s philosophy, which is to prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable and to work toward establishing a reign of social justice, in a country where the social and economic rights of the poor majority have always been denied.
“I don’t think a Minister
or myself, as Prime Minister, needs a pricey, luxurious car to come to work, while our responsibility is to use our meagre resources to fight poverty,” Lamothe told the Haitian-Caribbean News Network (HCNN), during the weekend.
“I set the example by giving up my own motorcade for a more modest one and I feel good about it,” said Lamothe. “So, I want members of the government to avoid buying or driving those luxurious vehicles which do not match the philosophy and social guidelines of the Government,” he added.
Most Government Ministers and other highranking officials have already complied with the measure, but a few others still have to follow suit. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Williams will take up his appointment next Monday, September 15.
“Commissionerdesignate Carl Williams comes to the post with a track record of innovation and performance in a wide variety of command roles in the Jamaica Constabulary Force. He is highly qualified academically, with a PhD in criminal justice. A proven strategic thinker, Williams is the founding director of MOCA (Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency) and the innova-
tor responsible for conceptualising and developing the Anti-Lottery Scam Task Force. He led Jamaica’s anti-narcotics campaign from 2000 to 2004 with the successful prosecution and/or extradition of a number of major narcotics traffickers,” Bunting said in a press release.
Bunting, meanwhile, said Williams will be mandated to continue the process of the professionalisation of the constabulary, with special emphasis on respecting human rights. (Excerpt
The TT$500 monthly baby grant is not meant to encourage “baby making”, but will be responsibly targeted to the needy, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar assured reporters outside the Parliament chamber, Tower D, International Waterfront Centre in Port of Spain.
She was flanked by Communications Minister Vasant Bharath and Finance Minister Larry Howai, whose Budget 2015 promised this grant for one year for any child born to underprivileged parents within the next fiscal year.
The PM gave details of the grant, to be run by the People and Social Development Ministry, based on criteria to be fully established. “They will be given to low-income families, low-income mothers. The ceiling will be a household income of $3000,”said Persad-Bissessar.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar
“The parents would be required to attend the Parental Outreach Programmes that will be tied to the Baby Care Programme”. She emphasised that the grant won’t go to every single baby and refuted notions that it is a payment to encourage people to have babies. (Excerpt from
Trinidad Newsday)
Chile’s Government said it would tighten security to avoid an escalation in violence and use the “full weight of the law” against those responsible for a bomb attack that wounded 14 on Monday.
The blast, which the Government has called an attack by “terrorists”, occurred near a metro station in the affluent residential and shopping neighbourhood of Las Condes on Monday at lunchtime.
No group has claimed responsibility and authorities have yet to identify those responsible. “We won’t allow a small group of terrorists and cowards to affect the lives of the vast majority of men and women that want a safe, prosperous, and peaceful country,” President Michelle Bachelet said, following a high-level security cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“We’re going to use the full weight of the law against those responsible,” she said. The attack was the worst that Chile, one of Latin America’s most sta-
ble countries, has suffered since it returned to democracy in 1990 after a seventeen-year dictatorship.
This week Chile commemorates the 41st anniversary of the 1973 military coup that removed socialist President
Richard Kildare, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica’s first medical marijuana company, will lead off debate on the notion or reality of marijuana tourism during the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) later this month.
The September 17-19 conference will be held in the United States Virgin Islands and apart from Kildare, presentations will also come from Dr James Hospedales, the Executive Director of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and Josef Woodman, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Patients Beyond Borders.
Rory Johnston, a PhD student at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University in Canada, will
present on the ethical and legal implications, as well as the risks associated with medical tourism.
“This presentation will provide an overview of the key challenges that medical tourism poses to the operation of equitable health systems – those that are accessible to local populations and responsive to their needs.
“Examples will be drawn from both established medical tourism destinations and projects being pursued in the Caribbean to explore how negative health equity impacts can emerge and ways in which they might be anticipated and minimised,” Johnston said.
The CTO said that the debate surrounding marijuana tourism has taken a sharper focus in recent months following its legalisation for recreational use by two US states, including Colorado. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
The Gaston Browne-led Administration has revealed the details of its US$100 million offer made to the United States for a settlement in the longstanding gaming dispute.
“We have reduced the amount of the claim. In fact, we are now asking for US$100 million, negotiable, of course,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne, said.
The Prime Minister said he is seeking a combination of cash and in- kind support. The former United Progressive Party (UPP) administration never fully disclosed the demands it placed on the US during negotiations, but admitted to being ignored by the US.
“They (the US) refused to speak to them (UPP), they thought that the proposal was outlandish, it was outrageous and there was no way that the UPP would have gotten a settlement,” Browne said, without indicating what the UPP had asked for.
Browne also revealed that the gaming companies backing the fight against the US are set to benefit more than the Government from any potential settlement.
The Prime Minister said the former Administration entered into a deal in which the gaming industry fronts the legal fees and gets those back from any settlement, plus 75 per cent of whatever is remaining. (Excerpt from Antigua
Four Peruvian tribal leaders have been killed on their way to a meeting to discuss ways to stop illegal logging. The men from the Ashaninka community were attempting to travel to Brazil when they were murdered.
Campaigners say the men had received several death threats from illegal loggers, who are suspected of being behind the killings. Correspondents say indigenous people have been under increasing threats from deforestation in recent years.
The men included the outspoken anti-logging activist Edwin Chota. Chota and three others were killed near Saweto on the border with Brazil, Peruvian officials said.
Officials said that they are believed to have been killed over a week ago as they at-
tempted to travel to a meeting in Brazil. A 2012 World Bank report estimates that 80 per cent of Peruvian timber export stems from illegal logging. Professor David Salisbury from the University of Richmond knew Chota for several years, and said that he was targeted because he “threatened to upset the status quo”.
“The illegal loggers are on record for wanting Edwin dead,” he told the Associated Press. Chota had campaigned against illegal logging for at least six years and written hundreds of letters to officials on the topic. The BBC’s Wyre Davies says indigenous peoples such as the Ashaninka have seen their numbers dwindle and their lands come under threat from development. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 broke apart over Ukraine due to impact from a large number of fragments, the Dutch Safety Board said on Tuesday, in a report that Malaysia’s Prime Minister and several experts said suggested it was shot down from the ground.
The crash over pro-Russian rebelheld territory in eastern Ukraine on July 17 killed 298 people, two thirds of them from the Netherlands.
Ukraine and Western countries accuse the rebels of shooting it down with an advanced, Russian-made missile. The main rebel leader repeated earlier assertions that his forces did not possess such weapons.
The report said MH17 crashed due to a “large number of high-energy objects” penetrating the fuselage. “There are no indications that the MH17 crash was caused by a technical fault or by actions of the crew,” it said.
Although the report did not mention a missile, impact with a large number of fragments would be consistent with a “proximity” warhead, designed to explode in the air and hurl shrapnel at its target, said Tim
One of two British explorer ships that vanished in the Arctic more than 160 years ago has been found, Canada’s Prime Minister says. Stephen Harper said it was unclear which ship had been found, but photo evidence confirmed it was one of them.
Sir John Franklin led the two ships and 129 men in 1845 to chart the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic. The expedition’s disappearance shortly after became one of the great mysteries of the age of Victorian exploration.
The Canadian Government began searching for Franklin’s ships in 2008 as part of a strategy to assert Canada’s sovereignty over the Northwest Passage, which has recently become accessible to shipping because of melting Arctic ice.
Sonar images clearly show one of Franklin’s ship on the sea floor in northern Canada
“I am delighted to announce that this year’s Victoria Strait expedition has solved one of Canada’s greatest mysteries, with the discovery of one of the two ships belonging to the Franklin Expedition,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement.
“Finding the first vessel will no doubt provide the momentum – or wind in our sails – necessary to locate its sister ship and find out even more about what happened to the Franklin Expedition’s crew.” (Excerpt from BBC News)
Aman was killed Tuesday in an apparent shark attack at the popular tourist destination of Byron Bay on Australia’s east coast despite a beachgoer’s rescue attempt, police said.
The beachgoer swam 1520 metres (50-65 feet) from the shore of Clarkes Beach to retrieve the man, who had sustained severe wounds to his right leg, Police Inspector Bobbie Cullen said.
The victim, a local man in his 50s, received medical treatment on the beach but did not survive, Cullen said. “A gentleman who
was on the beach went out and located the gentleman and pulled him in,” Cullen told reporters. “Absolutely it is (an extraordinary act of bravery) and we can only thank him for his efforts.”
The victim’s leg wounds were being examined to verify that he was attacked by a shark and to identify the size and species. Witnesses said the shark was still in the area as the victim was dragged in, Sky News reported.
Cullen said the crew of a rescue helicopter spotted what appeared to be a great white shark in the area after the suspected attack, but
had lost sight of it. She said all Byron Bay beaches would be closed for 24 hours due to the potential danger.
Byron Bay is a renowned surfing location near Cape Byron, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) north of Sydney.
The death is the first blamed on a shark in Australia since April 3, when a 63-year-old woman was taken by a three to four metre (10-to-13-foot) shark near the village of Tathra, 340 kilometers (210 miles) South of Sydney. (Excerpt from MSN)
The death toll from flooding in India and Pakistan is now more than 400, officials say, as both countries warn of more damage in the week ahead.
The floods in Northwestern India and Northeastern Pakistan have affected almost a million people in both countries, killing at least 203 in Pakistan and 200 in India.
At least 12 people were killed in Lahore on Tuesday when the roof of a mosque collapsed during afternoon prayer. The collapse was blamed on the effects of the downpours.
In India, rescue efforts have focused on southern Kashmir and the main city of Srinagar, with about 400,000 of the 1.2 million population still stranded, the PTI news agency reported. Residents spoken to by Al Jazeera said that a lack of boats had hit efforts to rescue those stranded in Srinagar M Nusrat, a resident, said there were only five boats in use in the Rajbagh area of the city, one of the worst hit.
“People stranded on top floors are asking for drinking water and food. Not many have been rescued. Some people are using plastic water tanks to float and reach the rescue points,” he said. Rescue efforts in Pakistan, meanwhile, have focused on Punjab, where the flood peak continues to pass through barrages and rivers, officials at the Punjab meteorological department told Al Jazeera. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Indian woman ‘held captive for three years over dowry’ rescued
Police in India have rescued a woman whose husband’s family allegedly held her captive for three years because her parents failed to pay enough dowry.
Gunja Devi, 25, was dressed in tattered clothes and looked very scared, the officer who rescued her told BBC Hindi. She was also denied contact with her daughter who is now three.
Dowries have been illegal in India since 1961 but the practice is still widespread. Thousands of women a year are killed in dowry-related disputes.
Paying and accepting dowry is a centuries-old South Asian tradition where the bride’s parents gift cash, clothes and jewellery to the groom’s family.
Campaigners say the practice leaves women vulnerable to domestic violence and death.
Gunja Devi was allegedly detained by her in-laws in Darbhanga district in the eastern state of Bihar,
Police said. She was rescued after her father Shyam Sundar Singh complained to the Police that he had not been allowed to meet his daughter for the past three years. She has now been handed over to her father, Police said.
Gunja Devi was married in 2010 and her family has alleged that her torture escalated when she gave birth to a girl, in a culture where
boys are valued. Her plight emerged in India’s national media only on Monday with reports that she had been confined in a dark and dingy bathroom and was given very little to eat. Police official Seema Kumari, who carried out the rescue operation, did not confirm whether Gunja Devi had been locked in a bathroom. (Excerpt from BBC News)
British Prime Minister David Cameron implored Scots on Tuesday not to vote for independence in next week’s referendum after an opinion poll showed a surge in support for a break from the United Kingdom.
Cameron pledged to do all he could to keep the United Kingdom together and said he would head north to Scotland on Wednesday to join the fray.
“In the end, it is for the Scottish people to decide, but I want them to know that the rest of the United Kingdom – and I speak as Prime Minister – want them to stay.”
Cameron’s move made clear that the break-up of the United Kingdom – previously thought to be a pipedream – was now a distinct possibility. His spokesman said Scotland’s blue and white flag would be flown
over Cameron’s London residence in Downing Street until the vote next week.
Britain’s main political parties meanwhile scrambled to shore up the 307year union by pledging more autonomy to Scotland. Nationalist leader Alex Salmond said in Edinburgh that the TNS opinion poll showed the campaign opposing independence had “fallen apart at the seams”. (Excerpt from Reuters)
wednesdAY, september 10, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com
The Alliance For Change (AFC) should desist from making unsubstantiated and reckless allegations against the Government, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said on Tuesday.
Minister Nandlall was responding to an article published in the Kaieteur News under the caption “Illegally spent $4.5B… Govt interfering in Police’s investigation of Ashni Singh.” In the article, which was published on Monday, September 8, AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan said based on unofficial reports from senior ranks within the Guyana Police Force, the complaint filed has merit, but Government is interfering with the investigation.
“Mr Ramjattan has, once again, characteristically, failed to provide a scintilla of evidence to support his wild allegation that
Government has interfered or is interfering with a report filed with the Guyana Police Force,” the Attorney General said in response.
According to him, Ramjattan’s allegation would have gained weight had he named the Government functionary who is guilty of this alleged interference. The Legal Affairs Minister also debunked AFC’s contention that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh acted outside of the law when he move to spend the $4.5 billion from the nation’s coffers.
In absolute compliance
“I maintain most resolutely that the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, acted in absolute compliance with the relevant constitutional provisions as interpreted by the Honourable Chief Justice in a written ruling issued on January 29, 2014 and that at all times he
acted upon the directions of the Cabinet, chaired by His Excellency, the President.”
It was pointed out that the Finance Minister had taken similar actions in 2012 and 2013, when they were supported by Ramjattan in the National Assembly.
Minister Nandlall further pointed out that the restorations of the budget cuts were executed by Dr Singh while
the case was being argued before the Chief Justice Ian Chang.
“Not once during those arguments or even in the press did Mr Ramjattan or any member of the Opposition, for that matter, made any contention that the criminal law was violated. Is it that they have now awakened from some inexplicable slumber?”
Minister Nandlall said it was a shame that the AFC Leader was calling upon the Police to launch an investigation into the alleged ‘crime’ in which he played an integral role in approximately two years ago.
Nandlall said Ramjattan should consider the real possibility that the Police may not be able to investigate that which does not exist.
“To my mind, the modus operandi of the Opposition is plain. So long a process does not yield the result which is consistent with their expectations and political agenda, they denigrate the process and they subject those engaged in the process to vile and vulgar verbal assaults,” he opined.
Reference was made to the Linden Commission of Inquiry which was held after the shooting to death of three Lindeners during a month-long un-
rest in Linden, Region 10. According to Nandlall, after the Inquiry did not meet their expectations and political agenda, the two Opposition political parties moved to condemn the Commission and its Commissioners.
He said too when the “Chief Justice did not rule in their favour, they attacked the independence of the Judiciary and cuss out the judges”.
The Minister noted that the ongoing Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry is causing discomfort in the Opposition camps, especially the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which comprises the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and several small parties. He said the discomfort is resulting in the political parties once again belittling the Inquiry and another batch of Commissioners.
Rohee challenges Police to fix broken “Marine wing”
By Vahnu Manikchand
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Tuesday challenged the Guyana Police Force to be more proactive in restoring its Marine Branch in order to protect the country’s waterways.
He was at the time delivering the feature address at the closing ceremony of this year’s Junior Officers’ Course Number 25, which saw some 25 ranks from the various security agencies participating. The Minister urged the Police Force to take the necessary steps in
the hinterland regions. “The country’s fishermen, over the recent past, have been suffering at the hands of pirates who have attacked, robbed and killed many of them. Yet, the Guyana Police lacks the institutional capacity to respond to the reports of piracy and successfully investigate them,” he stressed.
Crime too high
On the other hand, the Home Affairs Minister explained that the crime rate in the country continues to climb while the number of solutions remains stagnant.
rehabilitating its “ailing” Marine Branch, as he pledges his Ministry’s commitment to lead the way forward to develop the marine capacity of the Force.
Rohee pointed to the recent discovery of the selfpropelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel at a creek in the Waini River, Region One. He said that this discovery within the country’s territory is a direct indication of the need to intensify river patrols, particularly in
He noted that the number of murders recorded this year is “too high”, while the solution rate is “too low”. He also expressed his concerns about the number of robberies being committed against persons. “The number of robberies continues to soar in spite of the increase of allocation of vehicles to the Force by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The amount of gun-related crimes that are being committed in the country is a source of great
concern to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Steps must be taken by the Guyana Police Force to take the guns off of the streets. Criminals seem to have unfettered access to illegal firearms,” the Minister stated.
Rohee further said that the Ministry is not oblivious to the need for the Force’s capacity to be strengthened. He continued that it was for this purpose that he had gone to Cabinet and received its approval to increase the Force’s capacity.
The Minister emphasised the importance of ranks using technological tools developed by the Ministry in order to aid in preventing and detecting crimes such as the Crime Information System (ICIS) and the crime mapping mechanism , which is at an advanced stage of development.
Further, Rohee noted that he is expecting that the exposure will assist participants to function in a more effective way in carrying out their duties. He reminded that they were selected with this intention only.
“It is not unusual for your Supervisors to expect that on your return to your substantive positions or on your reassignment within your organisations, you would show signs of improvement of performance within a reasonable time,” he stated.
Maximising collaborations
Meanwhile, Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud told the participants that he is looking forward to an improved performance, both at the individual and collective level. He noted that organised and transnational crime have
significantly increased over the years while warning that unless the Force keeps upgrading its training and skills, it will not be able to efficiently address issues of crime and law and order.
The Acting Police Commissioner recalled that the Junior Officers Course was established years ago to prepare ranks for leadership posts within the organisation. He pointed out that participants would have benefited from the course, since there were instructors from the University of Guyana and the research that has to be done as part of the course covers a vast area.
Persaud went on to say that with the various agencies coming together for the training, it would allow them to get into each other’s organisation and learn
about their respective operations which will be beneficial for future collaborations.
“Therefore, in the type of collaborations that we have had in contemporary times, this augurs well for convenience… because you would have a contact in your sister organisation that you use in pursuit of your functions of your office,” he stated.
The course was held under the theme, “Training with the focus of maximising visions, skills and art for enhancing leadership for a modern Guyana Police Force.” The training saw participants from the various enforcement agencies taking part. These include: the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service, the Guyana Fire Service, and the City Constabulary. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)
As government continues in its quest to make available affording housing for citizens, the first batch of homes under the Perseverance 1000 turn-key homes has been allocated.
According to Denise King-Tudor, Director of Operation, Central Housing, and Planning Authority (CH&PA), construction has begun on another 50 homes which all measure 600 sq ft, feature two bedrooms, kitchen, toilet and bath.
Known as the Buttercup Cottages, Ms Tudor said the initiative was tested in several other housing schemes and was accepted with demands flooding the Ministry.
Hence, the 1000 turnkey homes initiative was launched in June 2013 and construction soon com-
menced in May.
The project Ms Tudor said has also provided employment opportunity for close to 400 citizens.
“The beauty about this is that we are able to provide water and electricity for the persons who will be occupying. They apply to us for this; we would prequalify them and then forward them to NBS for them to be prequalified. They return to us and we continue the process.”
Tudor further explained that based on the prequalification by the New Building Society (NBS), the applicants are then advised on their down payments, for the $4.5 million structures.
“This is an opportunity for all Guyanese to own their own homes. Our policy is to provide housing for all; this is one of the aspects
that we have been looking at where everyone in the society can all benefit.”
Ms. Tudor also took the opportunity to encourage persons who have not yet applied to visit the ministry and take advantage of the initiative.
In addition, she explained that it is not necessary for persons to wait until the homes are completed to apply.
Tudor said houses are allocated to persons even in their construction phases and they are allowed to visit the site and monitor works.
Only recently, some of the beneficiaries of the first set of homes were given a tour of the scheme and the works ongoing, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Asecond batch of young and energetic Guyanese was on Tuesday inducted into the Ministry of Health’s Wellness Warriors, as the Ministry continues its drive to combat Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which are responsible for just under 80 per cent of the country’s mortality.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Guyana, like many other countries, is faced with a silent epidemic of NCDs. These diseases have already taken the lives of more men and women and even some children compared with other diseases, and the
“Wellness Warriors” initiative is just one of many embarked on to fight this epidemic. These youths will be trained in specific areas, including blood pressure and sugar testing, among others, and ensuring that persons live healthy lifestyles. During the launch of a twoday training exercise for the Wellness Warriors at the Foreign Services Institute, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran noted that the aim is to have an army of young people who will help to wage war against NCDs.
Minister Ramsaran said that NCDs are the main burden of illnesses on humanity.
With millions of dollars owed by some graduates of the University of Guyana, Private Sector Commission Chairman Ramesh Persaud said the Student Loan Agency should be managed by the Private Sector.
The University of Guyana’s student loan programme annually assists thousands of Guyanese who are seeking a tertiary education and is managed by Government through the Finance Ministry.
However, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Monday, Persaud said the Student Loan Agency should be managed by the local commercial banks. According to him, much of the current problems would be addressed if this is the case.
“I believe that the commercial banks would have better systems in place to monitor and track loans as compared
to the Student Loan Agency currently,” he told Guyana Times Persaud said recent revelations have proven that the current monitoring system is inadequate. “I believe that if that is given to the commercial banks, and with better systems in place, we would have a greater control and a greater collectability of some of those loans.”
Based on information emanating from the Finance Ministry, he said a high percentage of the graduates who have benefited from the service have breached their contracts. It was further explained that they are yet to repay the Government.
Stringent measures
Just recently, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh told Guyana Times that Government is giving UG loan defaulters a little more time to voluntarily make their repayments, before stringent measures are taken to recover the outstanding funds.
While he did not disclose to this publication what specific measures will be taken against loan defaulters, Dr Singh reiterated that students who had accessed Government’s financing to acquire their tertiary education should do the right thing and repay what is owned to the Government.
Dr Singh had disclosed that the repayment by students who had graduated from the country’s premier tertiary
institution and who are now comfortably working in various sectors, has been moving at a slow pace. According to him, just handfuls have made repayments. He said the default by past students is something that Government had recognised, pointing out that corrective action would have to be taken to achieve higher levels of compliance with a higher level of repayment.
The Finance Ministry is solely responsible for the disbursement of funds to the Student Loan Agency of the University of Guyana. However, things took a drastic change when earlier this year, the $450 million allocated to the University was cut from the National Budget by members of the Opposition.
That move had seen a dark cloud looming over the institution, as its Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi indicated to this publication that the University cannot survive without assistance from the Government.
In 2013, approximately 40 per cent of the student population acquired loans; however, with the increase in tuition fees, this figure is expected to skyrocket. It was explained, however, that the loans granted to finance the tuition fees will not include the new Facilities Fee which totals $50,000 per year.
The Facilities Fee replaces the Miscellaneous Fee, which was historically paid by students outside of the student loan arrangement.
Recognising this, he said, on September 12, the Ministry will be launching a National Commission on NCDs and several agencies will be involved. The “Wellness Warriors” are also part of this process.
“You have the intellectual capacity to be trained into the health sector… we are hoping to train the senior students and out-of-school youths to do some basic things… we are hoping to create a body of young people who will be trained to carry this message, to bring their energies to this drive in living healthy and fighting these deadly diseases,” Minister Ramsaran further noted.
Representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) met with Sports Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, and discussed the National School Cricket League.
Apart from Dr Anthony, present at the discussion were WICB Senior Project Officer of School Cricket, KJ Singh, GCB Secretary, Anand Sanasie, and GCB Territorial Developmental Officer, Colin Stuart.
The League is proposed to be a joint WICB/GCB/ GOG venture. Singh explained that the League came about to fill the gap existing in school cricket. According to him, a research by the WICB found that almost 75 per cent of member territories had significant gaps in their development pathway between age groups, which encourage later development of cricketing skill sets. Instead of the youth players grasping the fundamentals of the game at ages 7-13, it is now done until ages 14-17, especially as it relates to hard ball cricket exposure at the school level.
Only the Under-15 age group is sustainable and functioning annually. So right now, the most important group is the Under-7 to Under-11 age groups. The WICB/GCB is hoping to have full tournaments in these different age groups in another two years time.
Minister Anthony welcomed the initiative and discussed the proposed
structures with the representatives while adding some ideas of his own. The Minister was of the opinion that when all the schools are staffed with a Physical Education Specialist, all the National Sporting disciplines can benefit. He also briefed the panel on the current plans by his Government to develop Community Grounds country wide.
Sanasie noted that covering all schools in Guyana is a challenge because of its wide geography and many schools. Focus on cricket is primarily done on the
coastland and some parts in the Essequibo but the GCB is working on bringing in Lethem and North West soon. He stated that the National School Cricket League is a priority for him, the GCB and WICB as this will create a reliable feeder system for Guyana’s Club Cricket.
Sanasie emphasised that a body is needed to run school cricket which the National Schools Cricket League can do. The concept of the League is to facilitate and streamline the planning, management and execution of all primary
and secondary school programmes and tournaments, with the overall mandate to develop and sustain a complete school cricket development pathway from under-9 to under-19 on an annual basis.
It will manage all annual cricket programme and tournaments in the Primary and Secondary School across its territory; and develop and execute an annual schedule of community based cricket matches for Primary and Secondary school (for both boys and girls), which leads into National Schools
The National School Cricket League in conjunction with the GCB, Sport Ministry, and the Education Ministry would develop all playing conditions and regulation for all age group tournaments, secure sponsorship for all age group based tournaments and programme, promote migration of primary and secondary school cricketers to localised Club System, perform scouting exercises to identify talented player (both Boys and Girls) for further development at the Club and National Cricket Systems, work with the Local Territorial Cricket Board and national stakeholder to ensure that sufficient qualified human resources (school coaches, etc) and cricket gear are available to build cricket capacity at all age groups in schools, develop proposal and seek sponsorship for the implementation of annual cricket infrastructure development initiatives at primary and secondary schools/community grounds, and monitor and manage all infrastructure development programme.
Sanasie stated, coming out of the League should be one point person from the GCB (coach), one from the Sport Ministry, and one from the Education Ministry in each district. He added that the GCB will create an office with one person overlooking primary school, one secondary, and
one the club structure.
Singh posited that one of the aims is have a games master in every school. Guyana has 19 qualified cricket coaches (level 1 and 2) who are disbursed across the country. Singh further informed that by 2017, at least one person in each school would be specialised at the foundation coaching level; they can be Physical Education teachers or anyone who is interested in cricket.
The Senior Project Officer of School Cricket in the West Indies stressed that cricket is an expensive sport; hence, it’s a challenge for everyone to acquire the equipment. Dr. Anthony suggested that his Ministry and the WICB/GCB work out an arrangement to buy equipment in bulk, as such, equipment can be made available at a cheaper and realistic cost for Guyanese cricketers. Singh agreed that it is a sensible move and promised to look into it.
The Minister said the ideas and visions are exciting and interesting. He advised the WICB and GCB to make a practical structure for the programme.
The panel also met with Sport Director Neil Kumar and Desrie Ogle, Administrator Allied Arts Department of the Education Ministry and other officials to discuss matters pertaining to the rolling out of the programme and other related issues.
In a huge blow to Pakistan, offspinner
Saeed Ajmal has been banned from bowling in international cricket by the ICC after his action was deemed to be illegal for all deliveries. Ajmal, who has been Pakistan’s lead spinner in all formats in recent years, was reported after the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month.
The decision to ban him was taken after an ICC accredited team of bio-mechanics experts tested his action at the National Cricket Centre
in Brisbane. Ajmal can apply to the ICC for a re-assessment at any time after modifying his action.
“An independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan’s offspinner Saeed Ajmal to be illegal and, as such, the player has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect,” the ICC said. “The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.”
Ajmal, however, was
hopeful that a medical condition – the natural bend in his arm because of an accident – would work in
his favour when the appeal is made to the ICC’s bowling review group.
“I am positive about this and not worried because I believe I can make the World Cup,” Ajmal told reporters in Faisalabad. “They are yet to consider my medical reports and once they do it I am sure there shouldn’t be any problem. If one has a medical problem then what can he do? So I am 100 per cent positive and hoping for the best.”
Ajmal is the number one ranked bowler in the
ICC ODI rankings and is among the top 10 in Tests and Twenty20 internationals. He his the highest wicket-taker across formats in the last three years.
This was the second instance of Ajmal being reported for a suspect action.
In April 2009, the bowler had been reported while bowling the doosra, and was cleared the following month.
The issue of suspect bowling actions had come up during the ICC cricket committee meeting in
June, where there was a general consensus among members that the current methods used to detect illegal actions were imperfect. It had recommended changes to help match officials get more support from biomechanists in order to identify illegal actions with “more confidence”. In the last few months, Sri Lanka offspinner Sachithra Senanayake and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson were reported and subsequently banned from bowling due to illegal bowling actions. (Cricinfo)
Abdool Razack and National U-17 captain, Travis Persaud, slammed centuries as McGill Super Stars mauled Western Tigers by 228 runs in the West Demerara Cricket Association 40-Over Cricket Competition, played last Sunday at the Okoo Cricket ground in Canal No.1.
The match was reduced to 30 overs per side as the outfield was wet due to overnight showers. Super Stars won the toss and elected to bat and amassed 315/3 in their allotted overs. Razack powered 10 boundaries and nine sixes in his 117 while Persaud hammered
13 boundaries and three sixes in his 103. Together they added 256 unbeaten for the third wicket.
Western United wicket takers were Devanand Jailall with 2/50 off four overs and Shivdat Motie with 1/60 off six overs.
In their reply, Western United was bundled out for a meager 87. Devanand Jailall top scored with 24 which included two sixes. Rohan Maygoo contributed 20 (2x4, 1x6) and Devon Cummings 16 (3x4).
Bowling for Super Stars, Captain Sudesh Persaud grabbed 3/11, Rajiv Tiwary 3/12, Daniel Basdeo 2/18 and Balram Aron 2-17.
At the Wales
Community centre ground, Jasper United registered a 10 run victory over Wales CDC. This match was reduced to 20 overs per side as the ground was also wet after overnight rain.
Batting first Jasper United made 139/4 with Lennox Andrews scoring 50 and Ryan Hemraj 41. Bowling for Wales CDC, Vishnu Sue captured 3/24 off four overs.
In response, Wales CDC only managed 129/9 in their 20 overs. There were no significant scores. Jasper United’s Michael Realie and Garcia Henry captured three and two wickets respectively.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
After a poor showing during the preliminary rounds of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior InterCounty one-day tournament, the GCB is currently looking at the combination of the squad, and possible changes ahead of the four-day tournament which commences on September 18.
In round one, Berbice whipped the National Under-19 team by 105 runs. Essequibo then trashed the youngsters by 229 runs in round two before they suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Demerara in the third and final round on Monday.
The youngsters’ performances were way below par compared it from the regional tournaments where they won both the one-day and three-day titles, the first time in the
In the regional tournaments the batting was led by openers Shimron Hetmyer and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who both scored hundreds in both formats, as well as the supremely talented Kemo Paul, who followed his two 50s in the three-day tournament with four halfcenturies in six innings in the 50-over version.
The bowling was centred on spinners Sharaz Ramcharran, Balchand Baldeo, Steven Sankar and Daimon Waldron, who consistently combined to bowl out the opposition.
However, during the senior Inter-County tournament, the batting and bowling were poor, with wicket-keeper Kemol Savory being the only player with a half century, hitting 59 against Demerara.
To this end, a senior official of the GCB told this publication, that having looked at the performances during the one-day version; the board is looking at other alternatives where a stronger squad will be put together for the four-day edition.
“While we would like to continue the developmental aspect of the youngsters, we are at the same time concerned about their performances during the one-day version.
“We are definitely looking at the reserves players, who have not make their respective County teams to be a part of the team so the tournament will be more competitive,” the source outlined.
The first round is billed for September 1821, round two is scheduled for September 2427 and the final round is slated for September 30 to October 3.
Marin Cilic, 25, beat Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-3 to become Croatia's first major champion since Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001.
"He can win more Grand Slams," Ivanisevic, who began working with Cilic last year, told BBC Sport.
"It's unbelievable, it's amazing. I'm so proud of him, that he was able to play the final like this."
World number 16 Cilic completed a superb run at Flushing Meadows that saw him win his last 10 sets, including straight-sets victories over sixth seed Tomas Berdych, five-time champion Roger Federer and 10th seed Nishikori.
BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
"This time last year Marin Cilic was holed up in Croatia, serving the last few months of his doping ban and adding a few more revs to his serve. The burning sense of injustice he still feels has driven him to an achievement which had appeared beyond him; he played so calmly and consis-
tently for most of the match - as if the trophy was his destiny.
"Coach Goran Ivanisevic has also played a major part, adding more shots to his repertoire and inflating his self-belief. The faster courts at the US Open played to his strengths, and he will enjoy Australia too... when the Grand Slam year restarts."
He is the lowest-ranked player to win a Grand Slam since Argentina's Gaston Gaudio won the 2004 French Open as the world number 44.
Arguably most impressive was the way Cilic kept his nerve and maintained his form against another Grand Slam final debutant in Nishikori, with such a huge prize on offer.
"I said whoever was able to overcome the nerves is going to win the tournament and that's what happened," said Ivanisevic.
"After the first couple of games there was only one player on the court and that was Marin. Nishikori could not cope with him in any as-
pect of tennis.
"The last 10 sets were the 10 best sets of his life. After this, he doesn't need to play any more sets!"
Cilic did not play at last year's US Open because he was serving a ban, reduced on appeal to four months, for taking a banned stimulant.
The player claimed he did so inadvertently, but during his absence from the game he teamed up Ivanisevic and began working to improve his serve and his forehand in particular.
"This is his second chance," said Ivanisevic. "He took it, he deserves it and now anything can happen. This guy, when he plays like this - this is real tennis.
"It was not an easy year and it came in the perfect, perfect moment. From this he can only go up and up. His life is never going to be the same again.
"He's the nicest guy and deserves it. And as a coach - now I can resign! I won a Grand Slam as a coach."
Cilic will climb from 16th to ninth in the world rankings and has all but guaranteed his place at the ATP World Tour Finals in November.
On Ivanisevic, he said: "Goran is a great guy. You get to know him and he has a huge heart. Anyone who asks him for help, he's going to help in one way or the other. That's the way he is."
Asked about Ivanisevic's famous claim after he won Wimbledon that there were "three Gorans", Cilic replied: "With personalities, I think he has only one, and that's with a very big heart."
West Indies 484/7d & 13/0 (2.4 ov)
Bangladesh 182 & 314 (f/o)
West Indies won by 10 wickets
WEST INDIES 2nd innings
(target: 13 runs)
CH Gayle not out 9
KC Brathwaite not out 4
Extras 0
Total (0 wickets; 2.4 overs; 9 mins) 13 (4.87 runs per over) Did not batKA Edwards, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, J Blackwood, D Ramdin*†, KAJ Roach, JE Taylor, SJ Benn, ST Gabriel Bowling (OMRW) Al-Amin Hossain (1.4-0-9-0) Taijul Islam (1-0-4-0)
Gareth Bale's late free-kick saved Wales from embarrassment in Andorra as his two goals made it a winning start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Andorra had stunned Chris Coleman's side by taking a sixth-minute lead through Ildefons Lima's penalty, Andorra's first competitive goal since 2010.
Bale headed Wales level 16 minutes later, though that did not spare Coleman the jeers of the furious travelling Welsh fans as the score remained 1-1 at half-time.
Wales searched desperately for a winner, and their reprieve eventually came after 81 minutes when Bale curled in a beautiful free-kick to deny Andorra a first competitive point for nine years.
Although a victory of any sort was welcome, the Welsh performance was distinctly unconvincing as they aim to qualify for the finals stage of a major tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.
Optimism
There had been optimism leading up to this campaign, with Euro 2016 expanded from 16 to 24 teams for the first time and Wales drawn alongside Bosnia, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus and Andorra in their qualifying group.
Wales could hardly have asked for a kinder opening fixture - a trip to an Andorran side who are ranked 199th in the world, 158 places below them in the standings, and have lost their last 44 competitive games.
But to Wales' horror, the prospect of a first competitive win for Andorra
since 2004 seemed soberingly real as the hosts took an unexpected lead.
With Wales unable to clear from a long Andorran throw, Neil Taylor was adjudged to have pulled the shirt of Ivan Lorenzo.
Prompted by Mitja Zganec - the additional assistant referee behind the goal - Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic pointed to the spot and Andorra captain Lima calmly converted by sending Wayne Hennessey the wrong way.
The winners from eight groups of six and one group of five, runners-up and the best third-placed team will reach the finals
The eight remaining third-placed teams will contest two-legged playoffs to determine the last four qualifiers
While Wales' travelling contingent of around 1,500 were momentarily silenced, the other half of the 3,300-capacity Estadio Nacional roared in disbelieving rapture.
The lead lasted only 16 minutes, as Bale headed into the bottom corner from a tantalising cross from left-back Ben Davies.
Bale had inevita-
bly been the focus of prematch attention, with the £85m Real Madrid winger expected to start as centre-forward.
Coleman instead picked the world's most expensive footballer on his favoured right flank, but he showed the goalscoring instinct of a natural striker to nod Wales level.
The visitors enjoyed near total domination of possession, albeit a little unsteadily at times as players familiarised themselves with the erratic bounce of Andorra's controversial 3G pitch.
With the artificial surface's rubber pellets flying up every time the ball hit the ground, Wales made hard work of creating genuine scoring opportunities.
Bale to the rescue
Gareth Bale has scored 14 goals in 45 appearances for his country.
Having been booed off the field at half time, Coleman sought to take the initiative by switching to a 3-5-2 formation at the beginning of the second half.
There was more ur-
gency to the Welsh performance after the restart, and Bale was the catalyst for the change in pace. He had a free-kick from distance saved by Ferran Pol and a longrange effort which fizzed just wide, while his cross was headed wide by Andy King.
There were times when Wales' desperation to take the lead led to a loss of shape and rhythm, as players struggled to adapt to tactical changes.
Coleman continued to tinker - replacing his only striker Simon Church with midfielder Joe Ledley to leave Bale as the most advanced player in a makeshift attack.
And when the breakthrough eventually came, it was no surprise that Bale was once again the saviour.
After substitute George Williams was fouled 25 yards from goal, Bale whipped the ball brilliantly beyond Pol to spare Coleman and his side a major embarrassment.
In the only other match in Group B on Tuesday, Bosnia lost 2-1 at home to Cyprus.
Former England striker Michael Owen says he believes the country has lost faith in the national team.
Speaking at the Soccerex Conference in Manchester, the ex-Liverpool forward said consistent failures at major tournaments were to blame.
“Everyone in this room, the fans, us, we have all lost belief in the national team,” the 34-year-old said.
“I don’t think we will get that back until we do something significant at a major tournament.”
Owen said that while the victory over Switzerland in Monday’s Euro 2016 qualifier was encouraging, one result was not enough to turn the tide after this summer’s early World Cup exit.
“It has been pretty poor
for a while now,” he added. “One good result doesn’t just change that.
“But there were chinks of light there against Switzerland and the encouraging thing was [there were] players that will be around for many years to come.”
Owen picked out Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Everton’s Ross Barkley as youngsters who could have a major long-term impact.
“Sterling could be absolutely exceptional and Ross Barkley could go right to the very top of the game,” he said.
“I can see those two taking us quite far and being pivotal points in our team for years to come.”
Owen, who scored 40 goals in 89 international appearances, does not be-
lieve English players need to go abroad to improve their technique, but did say the huge spending in the Premier League made it almost impossible for young players to break through into top-flight first teams.
“The only way you can make it is to go on loan, un-
less you are a freak of nature,” Owen said.
“We want for nothing in this country. We have top coaches or we bring them in, we have fantastic facilities, we are financially the wealthiest football nation in the world, but if you are at a big club it is virtually
impossible to go from youth team to first team, even if you are one of the greatest prospects in the world.
“If you are a young player at Man City, how are you going to replace Yaya Toure or Vincent Kompany in the first team?
“They have got no
chance. There are no prospects for young players unless you are at a smaller club.”
Owen believes the English football youth setup works well until players reach their late teens.
“The England Under17s just won the European Championship. The academies are great until you get to 17 or 18 and then what? There is no stepping stone,” he added.
“I like the fact that FA chairman Greg Dyke is getting off his backside and trying to do something to get more English players in the Premier League.
“A lot of people won’t like the B team idea but Real Madrid have got a B team. It is good that the FA are recognising there is a problem.”
(BBC Sport)
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Top-seeded Sabine Lisicki of Germany advanced to the second round of the Hong Kong Open by beating Monica Niculescu of Romania 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 Tuesday.
Lisicki, who doublefaulted 10 times, will next face qualifier Grace Min of the United States.
Also, Francesca Schiavone of Italy beat fourth-seeded Christina McHale of the United States 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 and will next face Kimiko Date-Krumm. The Japanese veteran defeated Johanna Larsson of Sweden 6-3, 6-3.
Third-seeded Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic, fifth-seeded Zheng Jie of China, sixth-seeded Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium and seventh-seeded Jana Cepelova of Slovakia also advanced to the second round.
“must get even”
United States Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson says the American team must “get even” at Gleneagles later this month.
The US have lost five of the last six contests, including the most recent match at Medinah in 2012 after Europe’s thrilling final-day comeback. “The American team has to get back on track,” Watson said. “The loss at Medinah should stick in their craw.”
Ex-Europe captain Bernard Gallacher has called the appointment of
eight-time major winner Watson a “masterstroke”.
Watson has captained the US once before, winning at the Belfry in 1993, and the 65-year-old told BBC Sport he was desperate to be given a second chance. “I wanted to be captain, in the worst way,” Watson said.
“When I got the call a couple of years ago, I said to myself, ‘I’ve been waiting for this call for almost 20 years.’”
And Gallacher, who lost as captain to Watson’s American team in 1993,
believes it was an inspired decision by the PGA of America to approach Watson again.
“I thought it was absolutely a masterstroke,” said Gallacher, whose nephew Stephen will compete for Europe at Gleneagles. If anybody can keep the interest going on the American side, [it’s Watson].
“It’s not just about the players, because the players obviously want to play in the Ryder Cup, but you’re really thinking about the American public - keeping them.” (BBCSport)
a ndy m urray loses place in world’s top 10 after U s Open
British number one Andy Murray has slipped out of the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2008, following Marin Cilic’s victory at the US Open.
His ranking of 11 means he faces a battle to secure one of the
eight slots available for the end-of-season World Tour Finals in London in November.
Murray has a significant number of points to make up on Tomas Berdych, who occupies the final qualifying position.
The 27-year-old lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals in New York.
The Scot is due to play three more events before the London tournament and he may need to reach the final of either the Shanghai or Paris Masters to have a decent chance of qualifying.
Murray has fallen from three to 11 in the rankings since having back surgery in September 2013, two months after winning Wimbledon.
Since his operation, he had not beaten a top 10 player until overcoming Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in round four at Flushing Meadows.
At the other three majors in 2014, Murray reached the last eight at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while he was beaten at the semi-final stage of the French Open.
(BBCSport)
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Berbice senior cricket coach Hubern
Evans paid tribute to his bowling attack after his team had romped to a six-wicket victory over Essequibo in the third and final round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior Inter-County tournament on Monday at the Everest Cricket Club ground.
The victory meant that Berbice will face Demerara in the final on Saturday at Albion.
However, Evans realised that his bowlers deserved much of the praise, having bowled Essequibo out for just 163.
The Berbice bowlers tied up the Essequibo batsmen and didn’t let anyone score freely or get away with the scoring rate.
Pacers Romario Shepherd (3-27) and Keon Joseph (3-39) along with skipper Narsingh Deonarine (3-36) and Veerasammy Permaul (1-
13), combined to restrict Essequibo.
“I think the bowlers did the job for us,” he said. “It looked a good wicket, so it was important to take wickets with the new ball. All of them bowled well and, once the seamers went off, the spinners were really good.
“We batted well too - it was a really good performance by the whole team. We are gelling well as a unit. I think we’ll take a lot of confidence from this
Ogle Community Centre will come alive on Sunday when the powerful Lusignan Sports Club and talented Ogle Cricket Club clash in the Elizabeth Styles/East Coast Cricket Board first division 40 overs final.
The game is expected to be a thriller with both teams fielding quality players and as usual Ogle Community Centre is known for its large crowd.
The game was previously schedule to play on August 17, but due to heavy rains it had to be postponed.
Lusignan Sports Club squad is Kumar Bisoondial, Vishnu Ramjeet, Somdatt Bharat, Brian Sattaur, Steven Ramdass, Gajanand Sukdeo, Steve Alick, Narvan Singh, Emran Khan, Rajindra Naikbaran, Leon Morgan, Shazam Ali, Ferron Kadir, Chetram Gangadeen, Mahendra Jeenarine. Manager is Jewan Persaud and coach is Jeenarine
The Ogle Cricket Club squad is Anand Persaud,
Irfan Ali, Andre Gomes, Khemraj Jaikaran, Chris Pattadin, Khemchand Dindyal, Soopaul Sanichar, Sahadeo Ramkellawan, Davindra Ramtahal, Vishal Moorchan, Sunindra Ramsingh, Ayodha Joseph, Daniel Chunilall, Michael Deonarine, Tulsieram Balkaran with David Harper being the coach and Mohamed Khan being Manager.
Play is expected to start at 10.00 hours and the umpires are Gavin Daguiar and Eva Baker with the match referee being Judister Rampersaud.
game and we’re looking forward to the final,” Evans said at the conclusion of the game.
Wary
Demerara have so far played unbeaten in the tournament and have trashed Berbice by 144-runs during the preliminary game last Saturday at the Wales Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara, and Evans is mindful of that result, given Demerara’s con-
siderable strengths in all departments of the game.
“We need to play very good cricket, work with the game plan and be more aggressive, once those are achieved we will definitely come out victorious.
“Yes they have beaten us in the preliminary game but this is a final,” Evans concluded.
Meanwhile, following Saturday’s final, the FourDay format will get going on September 18.
Teams for Saturday’s final reads:
Demerara: Christopher Barnwell (Captain), Paul Wintz (V/Captain), Trevon Griffith, Robin Bacchus, Andrew Light, Shemroy Barrington, Rajendra Chandrika, Raj Nanan, Zaheer Mohamed, Amir Khan, Yatesh Dhanpaul, Steven Jacobs, Chanderpaul Hemraj, , Seon Daniels, Garvin Nedd (Coach), Clive Grimond (Manager/
Assistant Coach). Berbice: Narsingh Deonarine (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (V/ Captain), Kandasammy Surujnarine, Seon Hetmyer, Devon Clements, Jonathan Foo, Rajiv Ivan, Anthony Bramble, Jason Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Krishendat Ramoo, Keon Joseph, Raun Johnson, Albert Smith, (Manager), Hubern Evans (Coach).
Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) President Billy Heaven believes the planned introduction of a franchise system for the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) four-day tournament is the way to go.
According to Heaven, who is in his first year as president of the JCA, the time has come for the full professionalisation of the tournament.
“Sports on the global landscape has evolved, and cricket has to get in line,” said Heaven.
“No longer can we sit and hope for first-class cricket in the region to improve. We have to do something about it, and with the new franchise system, this is a step in that direction.
“What we have now are countries on a year-in, yearout basis turning out substandard teams, due to a lack of quality players, and this is affecting the overall quality of play, and the performance of players.
“This has to change, and
by having a franchise tournament structure, which facilitates having the best players playing against each other on a regular and consistent basis, we anticipate that there will be improvements in performances.”
Greater Opportunities
Heaven, who is also a director of the WICB, added that a franchise system will provided greater opportunities for private-sector sponsorship and investment.
“Cricket across the region is struggling in terms of funding, and one of the main reasons behind this is the lack of sponsorship,” said Heaven.
“By having franchises, as was evident in the Caribbean Premier League set-up, it provides a much
greater opportunity for business people who want to invest,” he added.
The WICB four-day tournament, which is set to get under way in two months, is set to feature six franchise teams instead of the usual six territorial teams. The franchises, to be owned and operated by the six traditional cricketing territories, will in Year One see 15 players being contracted, with 10 being nationals of the country in which the team is located, and the other five to be selected from a draft of regional players.
Year Two will see a relinquishing of the player quotas, thus allowing the franchises to select their preferred 15 players. (windiescricket)
Italy's Edoardo Zardini timed his late break to perfection to win a summit finish at the end of the 179.9km third stage of the Tour of Britain in Wales.
Zardini pulled clear as the peloton tackled the ascent of The Tumble on the outskirts of Abergavenny to win by nine seconds from Michal Kwiatkowski.
The Bardiani-CSF rider's victory takes him top of the general classification, 13 seconds clear of Kwiatkowski.
Defending champion Bradley Wiggins came
home in fifth place, 14 seconds down.
Crickhowell
The third stage took the peloton through the town of Crickhowell in Wales
The Team Sky rider is 24 seconds adrift of Zardini in the overall standings with five stages remaining.
Ireland's Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished third on the stage out of Newtown and is also third in the GC, four seconds behind Polish Omega Pharma - QuickStep rider Kwiatkowski. Roche briefly moved ahead of Zardini as the pair
battled at the front on the final climb but the Irishman had no response when the 24-year-old Italian kicked again to win in a time of 4 hours 35 minutes 2 seconds.
What will happen on stage four?
Tour of Britain stage four map
"It is another tough start and there will be some tired legs in the peloton after Tuesday's stage in Wales. I'm expecting another strong breakaway to form. There is a tricky-looking ramp close to the finish in Bristol which could be
a great launch pad for any rider chasing the overall race victory, who is looking to make up any time they have lost on the previous stages."
Read Ben Swift's guide to all nine stages
"It's a fantastic day for me and the team," Zardini told Eurosport. "I attacked at the bottom of the climb and finished strong at the end.
"The Tour of Britain has started in the best way. This is the most important result of my career. I am really happy."
The selection panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced on Tuesday, a 13-member West Indies Women’s squad for their opening series in the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) against New Zealand Women on home soil.
The squad includes two Guyanese all-rounder Shemaine Campbelle and fast bowler Tremayne Smartt- and Hayley Matthews, the lone newcomer. The 16-year-old Matthews bats righthanded and bowls off-spin.
All-rounder Britney Cooper makes a return to the squad. Her previous ODI was against India Women three years ago at the same venue for the upcoming matches.
Talismanic batter Deandra Dottin also makes a return, after missing the previous ODI series against the White Ferns last February in New Zealand.
The inaugural edition of the
IWC will see the top eight sides in the women’s game lock horns in a multi-year, bilateral qualifying competition that will lead into the pinnacle event in women’s cricket,
the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Developed in order to create a more extensive and meaningful bilateral playing programme for women’s cricket, the IWC will see
the eight sides play each other in three One-Day Internationals, either at home or away, between 2014 and 2016.
Points will be awarded for each game, with the top four sides at the conclusion of the ICC Women’s Championship gaining automatic qualification to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, to be hosted by the England & Wales Cricket Board.
The bottom four sides will have a second chance to qualify for the marquee event through the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017, details of which will be announced in due course.
The bottom four will join six regional qualifiers and face off for the final four positions at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
In this forthcoming series, West Indies Women and New Zealand Women will play four One-day Internationals – the results of the first three matches
counting towards their IWC tally – all at Warner Park in St. Kitts.
This will be followed by three Twenty20 Internationals – all at the Arnos Vale Multiplex in St. Vincent.
The squad is with jersey numbers: 11. Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), 7. Stafanie Taylor (Vice Captain), 30. Shemaine Campbelle, 31. Britney Cooper, 35. Shanel Daley, 5. Deandra Dottin, 42. Kycia Knight, 50. Hayley Matthews, 44. Natasha McLean, 14. Anisa Mohammed, 43. Shaquana Quintyne, 33. Tremayne Smartt and 4. Shakera Selman.
The team management unit comprises Sherwin Campbell (Head Coach), Ann BrowneJohn (Manager), Ezra Moseley (Assistant Coach), Jacqui King (Physiotherapist), Shannon Lashley (Fitness Trainer) and Trent Sargeant (Video Analyst).
Nine members of Kick Source Allegiance ( KSA) of Orlando,Florida were promoted after being successful in their graduation examinations
KSA is a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Federation (TTKF) and WUKO-USA. The championship school is run by a husband and wife team – Kert and Sita Christopher. They are both WUKO certified in Shotokan karate, CPR/First aid cerified and pursuing the American Sport Education Program ( ASEP) Coaching Principles certification.
Kert is a ISKA 'AAA' Official and head of WUKOUSA General Karate rules division.
Finally, he is founder of the K-Long Martial Arts System which he has been working on for more than twenty years.
Sita is the Director of WUKO-USA General Karate group.
Former F1 champion Michael Schumacher has left a Swiss hospital to continue his recovery at home, his manager says.
Sabine Kehm said in a statement that he had made “progress”, but there was “a long and difficult road ahead”.
Schumacher suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in France in December last year and was transferred to the Swiss hospital in June.
Schumacher’s family said in June that he had come out of a medically in-
duced coma to reduce swelling in his brain.
Schumacher spent six months at a hospital in France after his accident, before being transferred to the hospital in Lausanne. His family home is in Gland, which is on the shores of Lake Geneva, some 40km (25 miles) from Lausanne.
“Henceforth, Michael’s rehabilitation will take place at his home. Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months,” Ms Kehm said in a statement on Tuesday. The statement did not
give any indication of whether there had been a change in the state of Schumacher’s health.
“We ask that the privacy of Michael’s family continue to be respected, and that speculations about his state of health are avoided,” it added.
His family and manager also thanked the team at CHUV Lausanne hospital “for their thorough and competent work”.
Schumacher underwent two operations to remove blood clots from his brain before he was put into a medically induced coma to try to
reduce swelling.
Investigators probing the accident at the French ski resort of Meribel said Schumacher had been going at the speed of “a very good skier” at the time of his crash.
He had been skiing offpiste when he fell and hit a rock, they said.
Last month, a man arrested on suspicion of leaking Michael Schumacher’s medical files was found hanged in his cell.
The man, who has not been named, was a manager at Swiss air rescue firm Rega, which was involved in
the transfer of Schumacher from Grenoble, France, to Lausanne.
Schumacher’s medical records were allegedly
and offered
West Indies took less than two hours to end Bangladesh’s promise of a prolonged fifth day by bowling them out for 314 before their openers knocked off the required 13 runs in 2.4 overs. There was enough time for Mushfiqur Rahim to reach his third Test century but support was non-existent at the other end, as Bangladesh lost five wickets for the addition of 58 runs.
Kemar Roach was the morning’s most effective bowler, picking up two wickets to finish with a four-wicket haul. Shannon Gabriel was rewarded for his strong work on the fourth day with two cheap wickets while Sulieman Benn, who didn’t have to bowl an over on the fifth morning, finished the match on seven wickets.
Mushfiqur reached his century with a straight six off Roach with his side seven wickets down.
He was dropped twice during the 90 minutes of play - on 71 by Chris Gayle at slip and by Jerome Taylor on 115. Gayle had dropped Mushfiqur on 10 yesterday, as had Darren Bravo when he was 25. But of the four drops, Taylor’s was the simplest chance, the ball looping straight to him at mid-on.
The day began well for the visitors. Taylor’s juicy full-toss was put away by Nasir Hossain and the batsman found the boundary again three overs later with a controlled pull off Roach. It looked as if he too was finding some form, just as the out-of-form Mahmudullah had with his 66.
In Roach’s next over, however, Nasir stopped short of pulling the ball and his half-hearted shot popped a simple chance to Gabriel, who ran in from midon to complete the catch near the non-striker’s end. It ended the 42run sixth-wicket stand between
Mushfiqur and Nasir, which had taken Bangladesh through a difficult period late on the fourth day. But when it ended, so did Bangladesh’s hope for a fight.
Mushfiqur continued to bat positively, hitting Taylor for three boundaries in an over. He cut one past point, drove one on the up through the covers and then played a leg-glance to enter the nineties.
But the other end wasn’t giving him any support. Shuvagata Hom was late on a Roach in-dipper and given out lbw. He reviewed the decision but it was always going to hit the stumps. Taijul Islam and Rubel Hossain were swiftly removed with decent pace aimed at the stumps, and the spate of wickets threatened to inflict an innings defeat on Bangladesh, before Taylor’s drop averted that result. (Cricinfo)
