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P2 Guyana ratifies UN Convention on disabilities

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Issue No. 2255

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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Rohee orders probe into Mazaruni P3 Prison killing

Govt offers $5M to Karrau to develop community P16 project Killer of Albouystown bandit unidentified – Police P16 Fisherman P16 ends life over problems with girlfriend

... for East Coast, West Dem residents Page 9

Commuters of the West Demerara walk towards one of the buses that will be providing free transportation courtesy of the Government of Guyana

Caricom ups Roopnaraine efforts to fight says there will be a sign Chikungunya

PAHO Director says NCDs P17 greater threat than Chikungunya

APNU "action threat"

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DNA results on Turkeyen skeletal P17 remains due next week – Crime Chief

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tuesDAY, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Caricom ups efforts to fight Chikungunya T

he Caribbean Community (Caricom) is formalising recommendations to deal with any possible incidence of the Ebola virus and is ramping up efforts to respond to the Chikungunya epidemic, the Georgetown-based Secretariat of the 15-nation

als that were fleshed out at the meeting was the achievement of the core competencies cited in the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Health Regulations.

Discussions additionally focused on the need to urge a calm but prudent response when apply-

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

bloc said on Monday.

According to Caricom, on Friday, Chief Medical Officers and other technical health experts from Caricom Member States met via video conference to rationalise the Region’s response to the two diseases. This meeting was convened by the Caricom Secretariat in collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Among draft propos-

ing the WHO’s recommendation with regard to the Ebola virus – no restrictions on travel and trade in areas where Ebola transmission has occurred. The urgent need to put in place isolation facilities and resources to permit barrier management of suspected or affected cases of Ebola was also ventilated at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Director of the Pan American Health

Organisation (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne on Thursday assured that there was a very low death rate from Chikungunya, despite the significant illness and disability it causes.

Dr Etienne visited the Caricom Secretariat for a courtesy call on Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, and met with officials of the Directorate of Human and Social Development to discuss the Region’s response to the current disease alerts.

Dr Etienne said that Chikungunya has had a significant effect on productivity and the social and economic life of affected communities, and it was, therefore, critical to concentrate response efforts on vector reduction.

“It is a household mosquito (A aegypti) and all householders must become active in reducing the breeding sites inside and outside of their homes… garbage disposal, drainage of water, emptying of containers… We also have to ask people to sleep under bed nets so that you don’t get bitten, particularly an infected person…The treatment is mini-supportive, we give Tylenol, Paracetamol, Acetaminophen, and ensure fluid intake,” Dr Etienne stated.

She said multisectoral action was needed to ensure access to water and to

avoid storage which encourages mosquito breeding.

Adequate garbage disposal and activating communities to take better care of themselves at the community and individual levels were other critical responses, the PAHO Director proposed.

With regard to Ebola, Dr Etienne noted that PAHO has observed outbreaks in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and three other African countries – Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, which have reported cases, but have contained the disease.

“At this stage, the current Ebola outbreak has been upgraded to a United Nations

Humanitarian Crisis which activates all of the UN to react to the crisis. It is being viewed not only as a health problem, it is generating food security and human security issues,” Dr Etienne informed.

She said PAHO convenes regular meetings with its focal points that deal with international health regulations and disease control, and has collaborated with the WHO in providing guidelines to all countries.

“We are working assiduously in those countries that are affected… At this stage, the objective in the Americas is to set up high surveillance to detect the first case ear-

ly. We suspect that the first case will come either by airport or sea port…, so setting up the possibilities there to identify and isolate the first case was important,” Dr Etienne said.

She added that part of the response is to follow up on suspected cases up to 21 days, as the incubation period for Ebola is 2-21 days.

“Having done that, we need to develop isolation areas where they can be treated.

We have to train individuals to deliver the treatment without putting themselves at risk. We also need to stockpile personal protective equipment and gear,” Dr Etienne informed.

Guyana ratifies UN Convention on disabilities G uyana became the latest country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is widely regarded as the first international human rights treaty of the 21st century and one of the fastest to be ratified.

“The 150th ratification is evidence of the commitment by the international community to promote and protect the human rights of persons with disabilities,” said Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes on behalf of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which monitors how states implement the Convention.

Barriers

In a statement, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said “disability rights worldwide have reached a major milestone” with the ratification. About 15 per cent of the world’s population lives with some form of disability, and those persons face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that prevent them from effectively participating in society, according to UN figures.

Persons with disabilities are also disproportionately represented among the world’s poorest, and lack equal access to basic resources such as education, employ-

ment, healthcare, and legal support systems.

“This Convention, in force for just six years, has been ratified across all regions and cultures, and is on the way to becoming universally recognised. We call on those states still to ratify to do so,” said Cisternas, who chairs the CRPD.

Equal rights

The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006 in an effort to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same human rights as everyone else. The treaty sets out the obligations of state parties to promote, protect and ensure the rights of all people with disabilities and promotes equal rights in all areas of life.

“A key message from persons with disabilities is that there should be ‘nothing about us without us,’” Cisternas said. “We in the Committee aim to foster this view in our dealings with state parties, civil society, national human rights institutions and regional monitoring bodies, as well as with other UN agencies.”

Earlier this year, Theresia Degener of CRPD had said that people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone to make decisions about their lives, including the right to take risks

Guyana on Monday became the latest country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

and make mistakes, a UN Committee has stressed in new guidelines. “Respect for the freedom to make choices should be accorded to all persons with disabilities, no matter how much support they need,” said Degener. “People with disabilities, including those with psychosocial or cognitive impairments, must be supported in making decisions, and not have decisions made for them, even when it is thought to be in their ‘best interests’,” she had stated.

The Committee noted that while Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities enshrines equal recognition before the law, many such persons are denied legal capacity, often on the basis of

mental capacity assessments, and are deprived of fundamental rights such as the right to vote and the right to marry and found a family.

There is a general misunderstanding of states’ obligations under the Convention and a failure to recognise the importance of “supported decision-making”, said the Committee. Instead, “substituted decision-making,” where others make choices on the person’s behalf, remains common – for example under guardianship regimes or through the use of mental health laws that permit forced treatment. The Committee has issued a detailed reading of Article 12 to clarify states’ obligations, in which it underscores the po-

sition that states are obliged to provide persons with disabilities with the broad range of support they may need to make decisions that have legal effect.

“Support in the exercise of legal capacity must respect the rights, will and preferences of persons with disabilities,” stated the 18-member body. The panel recognises that it is not always possible to determine exactly what an individual wants, but, in these cases, decisions should be made on the “best interpretation of their will and preference”, rather than based on choices on what they regard as the “best interests” of the person.

The Committee also noted that “supported decision-

making” is closely tied to accessibility of services, information and communication, set out under Article Nine of the Convention.

In this regard, the Committee details the importance of accessibility in allowing persons with disabilities to enjoy and realise their human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others. Persons with disabilities face many barriers, and so “it is important that accessibility is addressed in all its complexity, encompassing the physical environment, transportation, information and communication, and services,” it noted.

Disabilities

Goods, products and services provided to the public, the Committee stressed, must be accessible to all, regardless of whether they are owned and/or provided by a public authority or by a private enterprise. All new goods, products, facilities, infrastructure, technology and services should be designed to be fully accessible by persons with disabilities.

States should also set definite timeframes for and allocate adequate resources towards removing existing barriers. Austerity measures are no excuse for failing to ensure gradual accessibility for persons with disabilities, the Committee added.

NEWS

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tuesday, september 16 , 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, September 16 from 11:00h-12:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, September 16 from 10:10h-11:40h

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery showers are expected for the most part of the day, with heavy rain showers expected in the later afternoon.

Clear skies are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East north-easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.12 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:37h and 21:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.14 metres and 2.16 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:03h and 15:27h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 1.92 metres respectively

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Rohee orders probe into Mazaruni Prison killing … says Prison reform ongoing

H

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Monday promised that a full investigation will be launched into the stabbing to death of Theon Smith allegedly by a fellow inmate, Akeem Edwards, over a stolen mobile phone on Sunday at Mazaruni Prison.

Rohee admitted that “prisoners are prisoners”, especially the convicted ones who have been sentenced for serious crimes, and the possibility will always exist that there will be plotting and planning and more so, the inmates will have grudges against each other but that does not give “the right to take a life”.

Such incidents, he noted, are most unfortunate when they take place and reiterated that an investigation will be launched to get to the bottom of what transpired. In addition, he added that usually when investigations are completed, a whole host of issues are brought to the fore. He said in light of the recent reports of incidents at various correctional institutions, the Government has adopted a strategic plan for the Guyana Prison Service, which was divided into two parts. “One is in respect to the custodial aspects of prisons and the other is with respect to prison reform and corrections.”

Making progress The Minister explained that they have taken a bill to Parliament to amend the Prison Act so that the Prison Service could be renamed, but, unfortunately, it was thrown out by the Opposition. He recalled that during his presentation of the bill, he had stated that notwithstanding the fact that the bill was thrown out, and they were not able to implement the provisions, they are managing, administratively to carry out these reforms.

They were making progress in that respect, he added.

“These (reforms) do not

Service, which can now be compared with those for Police.

He noted that many of the recommendations that were made by the board of inquiry are in consonance with what is in the standing orders hence as soon as the standing orders are released, the Ministry will be in a good position to publicly reveal such.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

happen overnight; we have to work hard to and make sure that the prison officers, who are to make sure that peace and good order prevail within the prison walls, perform their jobs professionally and the best way they can,” the Minister added.

The 24-year-old Smith, also known as Theon Branche, was at the time serving a 15-year sentence for robbery under arms, possession of an illegal firearm as well as break and entry. His attacker was serving a similar sentence for the same offences. It was reported that Edwards, armed with a knife, followed Smith and repeatedly stabbed him during an altercation.

Smith was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital.

Over the past few months, there have been several incidents whereby inmates were either seriously injured or killed following brawls at the various correctional institutions. With respect to the latest incident at New Amsterdam Prison which had left at least four persons hospitalised, Minister Rohee stated that the report has been completed and the recommenda-

tions are being looked at, but there are several legal stumbling blocks. He explained that the Ministry has not released any information to the public with respect to the inquiry and is expected to do so as soon as possible, noting that the recommendations were deliberated upon by a high-level team comprising members of the Board of Inquiry, Director of Prison and the Permanent Secretary among others.

“We went through each of the recommendations and determined a course of action that is to be taken,” he stated, adding that the Ministry has recently completed the standing orders of the Guyana Prison

Orders As of now, he said, the orders are with Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and there were a few legal matters that have to be sorted out before disclosure is made. On June 14 last year, 27-year-old Tameshwar Khemraj, called “Rambo”, who is presently serving a fouryear sentence for robbery under arms, was stabbed about his body in the New Amsterdam Prison.

Khemraj was reportedly attacked by two brothers, and their uncle. The brothers are on remand for a murder/robbery which occurred at Hampshire in 2013 during which a businessman was shot dead, while their uncle is serving a sentence for rape.

The attack followed an altercation Khemraj had with one of the brothers the previous day. After the attack, a search was subsequently conducted at the New Amsterdam Prison, uncovering several cellular phones, cutlasses, ice-picks and several other sharp weapons were found.

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tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Democracy

M

onday was designated World International Day of Democracy – a United Nations observance celebrated on September 15 every year since 2007. The day came about following a Resolution by the UN General Assembly aimed at promoting and upholding the principles of democracy.

Interestingly, the preamble of the resolution affirmed that: “while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and democracy does not belong to any country or region... democracy is a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.” It is instructive that amid the celebration of democracy on Monday, global powers were, at best, trying to import their own brand of democracy into many countries. This undoubtedly has given rise to groups like ISIS, who believe that they must protect their “democracy” from Western influence. The result is endless bloodletting and destabilisation. There could be no explanation for the mass killings and beheadings that groups like ISIS have carried out; the atrocities in Ukraine and the long war in countries like Afghanistan where scores of people are often killed in one blast.

As observed by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, this year’s commemoration comes at a time when the world seems more turbulent than ever. In many regions and in many ways, the values of the UN, including some of the most fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in its Charter, are being tested and challenged.

“Recent outbreaks of violence reinforce a truth we have seen time and again: that where societies are not inclusive, and where Governments are not responsive and accountable, peace, equality and shared prosperity cannot take hold. We need to do more to empower individuals, focusing on the billions of people who are underprivileged, marginalised, jobless, hopeless and understandably frustrated. We need to ensure they are heard and can take an active part in their future,” the UN SG said.

Remember, in our own country for many years, the rights of citizens were trampled on; elections were rigged; the security forces conducted widespread surveillance on ordinary Guyanese and the same hopelessness that Mr Ban spoke of was very much in evidence in this country.

Through the blood of persons like Dr Walter Rodney and the resilience of Dr Cheddi Jagan that dark period ended in 1992 and today, Guyana is a democratic society. It is within this context that the occasion of International Day of Democracy must be celebrated in Guyana. That, today amid the turmoil in other regions, through a system of good democratic practices, the Nation State remains stable and this must be zealously guarded against those who may still harbour thoughts of yesteryear.

International Day of Democracy also underscores the importance of conducting elections that enjoy the trust and confidence of citizens across the country. This, for many Guyanese, is the heartbeat of democracy. For they know too well how elections were stolen and how many paid with their lives for trying to guard that sacred right to elect a government of their choice. It is no coincidence that the “Rebirth of Democracy” here began with the conduct of peaceful and credible elections in 1992.

The litmus test for genuine democracy is the extent to which the electoral process is able to engender fair and inclusive electoral participation by the people.

Credible elections must be people- based. The recent brouhaha concerning the integrity of the Guyana Elections Commission’s Preliminary List of Electors is a clear indication of how touchy this subject is. It, therefore, behoves all stakeholders to place critical importance on strengthening election management because of the central role it plays in ensuring the rights of citizens to elect their leaders through peaceful and credible processes with integrity.

Guests, including Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, pose for our photographer at a function to mark the 204th anniversary of Mexico’s Independence at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street, on Monday (Carl Croker photo)

Apology may influence Indians to vote for native Fijian Dear Editor, Fiji is set to hold its first General Election on September 17 since a military coup in December 2006.

Fiji is a multi-ethnic society similar to Guyana plagued with ethnic based parties.

Indians went to Fiji some 150 years ago for the same reason they came to Guyana – to rescue Fiji from economic calamity brought on by the collapse of sugar production. The natives exhibit little tolerance for people of Indian origin.

Two elected Indian dominated governments were violently toppled from office in 1987 and again in 2000 and Indians were brutalized, similarly to what happened in Guyana during the dictatorship and after elections between 1997 and 2002.

For the first time in Fiji’s history, based on my polling, a majority of Indians will be voting for a party not headed by an Indian or dominated

by Indians. Indians are voting for interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, an ethnic Fijian, because they are satisfied with his performance since 2007, when he toppled a racist Government and granted Indians full citizenship.

In addition, Bainimarama has expressed regrets for violence perpetrated on Indians in 1987 and 2000 during coups against democratically elected governments dominated

by Indians; an act Guyanese African leaders have been

criticised for not undertaking (for violence against Indians and Amerindians during the 28 years of the dictatorship) and as such not getting Indian votes.

Indo-Fijians did not ask for an apology of their persecutors unlike some in Guyana and a few in Richmond Hill who grovelled before the PNC leader, begging for an apology for the crimes committed against Indo-Guyanese.

The Fiji leader condemned the attacks on Indians of his own volition.

He recognised the violence against Indians was wrong and he did the right thing to apologise for it, even though he had nothing to do with the attacks. It is somewhat similar to Rafael Trotman’s apology to Indians for what the PNC did to them when Trotman was a MP for the PNC. In 1987, the Indian-based parties, in coalition with a small Fijian party, defeated a party of the extremists ethnic Fijians that governed Fiji uninterrupted since selfrule during the 1950s.

The military overthrew the Government one month later. The coup plotters made it known that Fiji would not tolerate Indians in the Government. The racists who were defeated in the democratic election were re-installed to run the Government.

The military subsequently removed the racists and

governed the country itself excluding Indians from participation. Indians were banned from holding major positions in the bureaucracy or in the Government.

As a result of its racist policy, bordering on apartheid rule, Fiji was expelled from the British Commonwealth for lengthy periods of time between 1987 and 1999 when the Indiandominated Labour Party swept the elections and its leader Mahendra Chaudhry became the Prime Minister.

He was toppled from office in 2000.

Following the restoration of elections in 2001, a racist Fijian Government came to power and refused to heed court rulings to include Indians in the cabinet as mandated in the Constitution that was agreed upon by all the parties.

The racist Government was re-elected in 2006, but it was toppled in December 2006 by the military headed by Commodore Frank Bainimarama who rejected its racist moorings and planned attacks on Indians.

Earlier this year, Bainmarama announced elections and formed a party, Fiji First. He resigned as head of the military. He has been advocating racial equality for all unlike the party of the ethnic Fijians (SODELPA) that has not hide its opposition to making Indians the equal of Fijians.

Australia, New Zealand and India, all of which imposed sanctions against Fiji following the coup, welcomed the elections. Two years back, Bainmarama was welcomed in India for advocating racial equality.

Australia and New Zealand restored relations with Fiji .

When I was in Fiji, the general feeling among large numbers of people I interacted with was that Bainimarama would handily win the elections.

Everywhere I polled, he received a favourable rating with more than two-thirds of the Indian votes and almost 40 per cent of the black Fijian votes. A poll conducted last week showed him with 49 per cent national support.

There are several political parties in the fray but only four parties have any real chance of getting seats under the PR system of voting. Two Indian-based parties – FLP led by Chaudhry and NFP led by Professor Biman Prasad are fighting to be the representative of the Indians; neither one was doing well in my informal polling, and both are struggling to get the minimum five per cent threshold to qualify for seats.

Chaudhry has been banned from contesting a seat and it is having a deleterious effect on support for his party.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

AFC was never a democratic party Dear Editor, The Alliance For Change (AFC) was never a democratic political party and it will continue to preach but never practice such a principle.

At the 2012 AFC Conference, Mr Kemraj Ramjattan was simply selected as the Leader – there was no nomination and voting. It was his ‘divine right’ as one of the founders of the AFC. But then Mr Nigel Hughes was selected as the Chairman of the AFC – no nomination and again no voting!

Many of the members present questioned this selection. Is this the democracy the AFC practices? Is this process enshrined in the AFC’s Constitution? When Mrs Latchmin Punalall contested against Mr Moses Nagamootoo for the Vice Chairmanship, it was already ‘messaged’ to the delegates for whom they should cast their votes.

The same happened in the contest for the General Secretary position between Mr Sixtus Edwards and Mr David Patterson.

I wish at this point to shed some light as to the reason why Mr Edwards, the former General Secretary, became unpopular with the Executive and why the Executive touted and lobbied for his removal.

It was because of his continuous call for accountability of party funds, namely, donations that sounded his ‘death knell’. Even at the said Conference, Mr Edwards again reiterated his call for accountability, which did not go well with the AFC ‘fat cats’.

Mr Edwards has served the AFC since 2005 and did an excellent job. It was also Mr Edwards who found that MP Verasammy Ramayya should be disciplined for his alleged acts of cronyism and corruption.

These findings were pushed under the rug and

the AFC leader gave a press release to the effect that it was all a ‘misunderstanding’! Mr Edwards was utterly shocked by this since even he was not told about that ‘press release’!

Furthermore, I was removed as the Regional Management Committee Chairman for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Councillor Donna Mathoo as the Secretary, without us being informed that a new election was to be held.

This is high class rigging. This was done by MP Ramayya simply because we refused to raise funds to ‘repay’ him $4.5 million, which he was not legally entitled to claim, since he was not authorised to do so and he had no bills to substantiate his claim.

What a coincidence that the AFC is claiming that the Finance Minister ‘illegally’ spent $4.5 billion when such sums were expended for the development of this country and were properly accounted for.

Furthermore, the Constitution of Guyana authorised him to do so! Why didn’t Mr Nagamootoo call a vote of ‘no confidence’ against MP Ramayya at the last Conference? This is AFC’s democracy in action!

Now again, ahead of the 2014 AFC Conference, Mr Nagamootoo is being selected as the Presidential candidate and Mr Hughes, as the Prime Ministerial candidate. This endorsement was already done by AFC’s Leader Mr Ramjattan and his Executive.

The delegates of the 2014 Conference will never go against the dictates of their masters simply because they have no choice! The candidates have also already endorsed each other publicly!

Is this the way things ought to be done in the AFC? The AFC had claimed to be different from the other political parties, but now

Apology may influence...

Although there are several black Fijian parties, only one (SODELPA) garnered significant support in my polling to win seats and it could end up with close to quarter of the votes.

SODELPA and others have been accused of running a racist campaign.

There has been a decline in support from black Fijians for FF. But Bainimarama’s Indian base is growing, in spite of threats against them if FF wins, similar to threats made against Indians in 2011 were PPP/C to win the election.

Analysts are predicting

violence against Indians if Fiji First wins saying that the black Fijians will not accept a Government voted in

by Indians. Racist leaders of Fijian parties have been using language that suggests they will resort to violence if they don’t win. But Bainimarama has warned violence against Indians will not be tolerated.

The interim Prime Minister said he was “shocked by some of the threats that have been made against Indians”. He said the forces behind the threats must be stopped. He has pledged to “create a better Fiji for future

I know that this ‘difference’ means worse! The AFC ‘fat cats’ have not even tried to make the electoral process seen as democratic!

The democratic right to elect those candidates have been usurped from those delegates and once again the AFC leadership have moved from the founding tenets of the AFC. The ‘Johnnies come lately’ have taken over the AFC and the old members are being quietly kicked out of the party. Can they deny this?

Lastly, I was expelled from the AFC without a hearing although the AFC Constitution provides for that and I read about my expulsion in the newspapers before I officially received the expulsion letter from the General Secretary.

The PPP/C treated Mr Ramjattan with more dignity when he was expelled from that Party – he was afforded a hearing and he was duly notified!

To those few AFC sympathisers I say, take a good hard look what is happening within the AFC do not take them on face value. Many AFC members and supporters have already made their exit from this party.

Whatever the AFC leaders are preaching in the Stabroek News, the Kaieteur News and on DTV 8 in Berbice is not what is happening within the partycronyism and corruption is already cancerous and their personal vendetta against the PPP/C is destroying the social and economic gains made so far.

Their vengeance will be complete when they would have facilitated the PNC to get into power! Their aim is to get rid of their nemesis, the PPP/C, at all and any cost!

Respectfully, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor Region Six

From page 4

generations” giving equality to all regardless of race.

In my conversations with Indians, they said they would vote for Bainimarama because he has treated them fairly, and they have not been violently attacked under his watch. It shows that if Indians are treated fairly and if they get an apology for wrongs perpetrated on them, they would consider voting for a person of another ethnic group as their leader.

That has been missing in Guyana.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

5

Anand Goolsarran refuses to condemn Glenn Lall in GRA scandal Dear Editor, I would like to thank Mr Anand Goolsarran for acknowledging my letter dated September 6 in yesterday’s Accountability Watch column titled, “The Remigrant Scheme and its shortcomings”.

However, I am rather disappointed that, while he acknowledged my letter, he failed to respond to it.

In typical fashion, Mr Goolsarran avoided answering the issues noted in my letter, and instead, provided a history and overview of the Remigrant Scheme.

Mr Goolsarran, long before you were the head of the Transparency International Guyana Institute (TIGI), you claimed to be an advocate of transparency and accountability, as you still claim to be.

This is further evident as

your Accountability Watch column remains a fixture of the Monday editions of Stabroek News, even after you have demitted the TIGI presidency.

Therefore, rather than appear to respond to my comments, why don’t you respond directly to the issue: Condemn the actions of Mr Glenn Lall and his wife for their alleged corrupt behaviour.

The remigrant’s son whose parents’ vehicles are the subject to the scandal, is a known close associate of Mr Lall.

This lad was once fired from the GRA and even though it appears he was given a second chance to redeem himself, he has once again failed to prove himself incapable of redemption.

Similarly, Mr Goolsarran, you have an opportunity to demonstrate to the Guyanese public that you are impartial

where corruption is involved.

It appears cowardly and hypocritical to remain silent on this issue while you condemn Government, as you often do without proof or fact.

Mr Lall not only exploited a system intended to develop Guyana, but his gross disrespect for the people of Guyana is equally repulsive. It is no secret to those of us who live or frequent the Georgetown area that Mr and Mrs Lall have been driving the vehicles in question in full view of the public and with clear disregard for the laws they have broken.

Though Mr Lall maybe your friend, you have a moral and ethical duty to be fair in your condemnation of corruption.

Sincerely, Richard Paul

The Police must stop and search these suspects Dear Editor, Armed robbery is an everyday occurrence in Guyana today. One has to just tune into the various media forum and you get the morbid report of another fatal armed robbery.

It never ends because the bandits are always one step ahead of the Police. One sure tactic used in these successful attacks is their mode of transport, that is, the use of the CG motorcycles as well as these expensive motor cars.

The criminals’ main targets are businessmen and business places, where to date, many successful heists have been made. Law enforcement is often caught flat footed, always turning up at the scene minutes later when the bandits have already made good their getaway.

When these things happen, criminals get even more brazen in their nefarious activities as more and more businesses are targeted. We cannot allow this to happen, we cannot allow the bandit to believe that he is getting the better of us with his banditry.

Successful bandits hurt honest, hard working achievers in business while stifling investment. No one would want to invest in a society where bandits roam free and their hard earned money and their lives are at stake. This is the worst case scenario confronting us.

The point I am making, had those very Policemen stopped the CG motorcyclists or stopped and searched the suspicious vehicle then it would have been a stitch in

time. A very serious robbery would have been foiled and the suspects placed before the courts and given the punishment they rightly deserve.

My call to law enforcement is to be more on the alert for these “vehicles”, be more vigilant, stop and search suspicious elements in the aforementioned mode of transport. Stop and search them at different times, late at nights or early morning, during rush hour, the Police must always be on top of their game.

Don’t let the criminal off the hook. When criminals realise that a dragnet is out there for them then certainly the crime rate would see a downward spiral.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

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BY ANNA STEWART, FAMILY ADVOCATE

Life skill #3: Learning how to problem solve

When you know how to think for yourself and to take responsibility for your actions, then you are well on your way to learning how to problem solve.

My daughter has a significant learning disability that often shows up as rigid thinking. She gets a picture in her head of how something is going to happen and gets stuck when things change. When she is stuck and crying, yelling, and slamming doors, she can’t see a solution to her problem.

My approach to guiding her to being more flexible (and considering other options) is to talk to her before the problem actually arises. Whenever possible, we discuss her choices. I also set up little scenarios so she can practice. After she’d learned to place her own order at a food court counter, for example, I increased the demand and asked her to get me something, too. This meant she would have multiple items to get from the counter to our table. After she paid, she realised her dilemma; she just stood there for a moment and I could see her thinking. Normally she would get her drink filled first and then come to the table. That wasn’t going to work this time. She made a decision, put the two empty cups inside each other and cradled the hot dogs as she proudly walked to our table. I practically had to bite my tongue to allow her to finish (she still needed to get the drinks and get the toppings on her hot dog). When we were happily munching, I praised each step she took to effectively solve her problem.

It was not the only solution, but it was hers. Whenever I anticipate a problem, I remind her of the skills she practised – and now, she often can find her own solution.

Foundation

Learning how to effectively problem solve includes: * Learning how to pause, get centred and relax so that you can look at options * Considering more than one solution before taking action * Nurturing creative thinking by playing games where there is no correct answer If children are not given lowrisk opportunities to solve their own problems, then they will miss an important skill that every adult needs, especially when the risks get much higher. Practice problem solving for scenarios big and small.

Every middle school student needs to have options ready to go for when their best friend invites them over to drink beer when their parents are gone. And children who struggle with getting homework done can learn how to find a solution that works for them, such as dancing for one song every 20 minutes, or emailing their book report to their teacher so they don’t have to remember to turn it in the next day.

situation and be honest about my own feelings. Many adults have not learnt this skill (for proof, watch any reality show) and do not know how to accurately name our feelings, much less allow them to just be part of our experience.

Learning to negotiate conflict requires: * Developing the capacity to stay calm and become aware of our emotions when in conflict * Learning to recognise, accept and appropriately process our emotions * Practise our problem solving skills to apply in these emotionally charged situations.

Life skill #4. Learning how to negotiate conflict

My son, like many of your children, would get angry to avoid conflict. It worked pretty well, as then we would focus on the angry behaviour instead of the issue he was avoiding. He wasn’t learning how to work through conflict; he was learning how to deflect it onto others.

I reacted with anger when he started yelling, which didn’t help. So at a certain point, I knew I had to be the first to stop, take some deep breaths, consider the

If children do not learn how to handle conflict in a safe, clear and honest way, they are at risk for creating dangerous and/or unhealthy situations. It may not seem as important when your 10-yearold son gets into a fight with his friend on

the soccer field, but what about when he is 17 and wants his girlfriend to do more than kiss and she doesn’t want to? If they can both negotiate that conflict, they are likely to make the right decisions for themselves (they may not be decisions we like, but remember, we want them to think for themselves).

Life skill #5. Learning how to make a contribution

Think of the happiest people you know. I’ll bet that a key to that happiness is that they have a way to make a contribution. A young child can give part of their allowance to protect the oceans.

A tween might volunteer at the local Humane Society or food bank. A teenager might work for the summer with at-risk youth. And that child or teen might become a veterinarian or therapist because they experienced the joy of making a meaningful contribution.

Learning to make a contribution includes: * Cultivating compassion and empathy. * Developing a willingness to take action and step in to help, support, guide and protect others. * Understanding your own strengths, styles and skills so you can follow your passion out into the world.

If children do not learn to make a contribution, they are at great risk for a life of loneliness and isolation. Every person, no matter what their struggles are, deserves and needs to share their gifts, talents, skills, spirit and heart with the world. No matter how hard it is to parent a child with behaviour issues, give them a chance to contribute. It can change the world. (Empoweringparents.com)

S

aving: Spend less than you earn. It’s such a simple maxim, and yet very few young adults understand it or know how to follow it. Teach your child from a young age to put part of money he receives or earns in the bank.

Teach him how to set a savings goal, and save for it, and then purchase whatever it is he was saving for.

Budgeting. Many of us dread this task as adults, and suffer because of it, because we lack the understanding and skills necessary to make budgeting a breeze. Teach them simple budgeting skills, and what’s involved, and they won’t have problems as an adult.

You could wait until teenage years to do something like this – but it’s a good thing because this shows them why basic math is necessary.

Paying bills. Give them bills to pay and have them pay them on time, online or in the real world. Learn how to write a check, paper and online, and how to make sure that you’re never late with bills again – either pay them immediately or automatically.

Investing. What is investing and why is it necessary? How do you do it and what are different ways of doing it? How do you research an investment? How does it compound over time?

This is a good conversation to have with your teen.

Frugality. This is something to teach them from an early age. How to shop around to get a good deal, to compare products of different prices and quality, to make things last and not waste, to cook at home instead of eating out too much, to control impulse buying. When we go out and do a shopping spree, including before Christmas, we are teaching them just the opposite. (zenhabits)

NEWS

7

tuesDAY, September 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Police to charge Corentyne protesters … gathering footage of those who torched car, blocked road

Rena Devi Singh

P

olice in Berbice said they are determined to charge those persons who staged an unlawful protest in Letter Kenny, Corentyne on Sunday evening and also torched the car of a man who had fatally struck down a teenager in the area.

A senior Police source said that while they empathise with residents

over the loss of the young woman, 18-year-old Rena Devi Singh called “Asha”, they had to uphold the law. “What they did on Sunday was illegal. You cannot take matters into your own hands; you cannot burn someone’s car all in the name of justice,” the officer said. He revealed that Police were presently gathering footage to iden-

tify those who torched the car and others who blocked the roadway. The source explained that once found, charges will be laid against them.

Angry demonstrators pulled the car from the trench into which it had landed to the roadside where some vandalised it using sledgehammers and pieces of wood. Still not satisfied, the residents pulled the car to the Letter Kenny Market Street where they doused it with gasoline and set it ablaze.

The protest action commenced after a number of suspicious items were found in the car, these include a toy gun, provisional driver licences, allegedly fake ID cards, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates, clothing and a toque. Law enforcement officials have since launched an investigation into the circumstances of these findings.

The protest continued as residents stormed the Whim Police Station demanding to see the driver

of the vehicle. In addition, residents also protested the increase in fatal accidents on the roadways, and the fact that many drivers walk free from reckless driving among other irresponsible road use behaviour. The residents said of

NJASHI President, Pandit Suresh Sugrim

I

n light of the accident on the Letter Kenny Public Road that left 18-year-old Rena Devi Singh dead, President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Inc (NJASHI), Pandit Suresh Sugrim is calling on the Government of Guyana , the Guyana Police and the relevant agencies to enforce stricter penalties on drivers who are involved in accidents on the roadways.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Suresh highlighted that ‘enough is enough’, too many lives are lost at the hands of errant drivers. “Over the past months, there have been too many deaths on the roadways,

Lawlessness Sugrim expressed outrage and anger at the level of lawlessness by the drivers and the fact that they get off or are sometimes given a slap on the wrist while the family of those who have died has to deal with the grief for the rest of their lives.

He said he was moved to tears after reading the article in the Guyana Times about the death of the teenager at Letter Kenny, who was just returning from visiting her relatives. He shared it with some of his overseasbased colleagues who also expressed outrage and dis-

belief at what was happening on the roadways.

They are of the view that Sunday night’s protest underscored the pent-up frustration residents have harboured for too long and they just let go, and believe that the protest was justified, as, sometimes, drastic measures are needed in order to be heard.

Sugrim also urged everyone to play a part and be their “brothers’ keeper” by looking out for each other, “as parents we have to instil into our children from an early age the dos and don’ts of driving, more importantly we have to lead from the front as that is what they will see and emulate. We need to stand up and demand that drivers slow down if they are speeding, refuse to travel with the driver if they consumed alcohol and more importantly come out and give evidence in the courts, so that those guilty are put away for a long time.”

For 2014 thus far, 20 lives were lost as a result of 18 accidents in Berbice as opposed to the same period in 2013, when 12 deaths were recorded as a results of 12 accidents, a whopping increase of 67 per cent. The Police Force has come under heavy

taining evidence so as to institute charges against the driver.

The relatives of the dead teen are calling on the Guyana Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation in order for the perpetrator to face the full

The car involved in the fatal accident that sparked the protest

Tougher penalties needed to curb road accidents – NJASHI President the relevant authorities need to enforce stricter penalties for drunken drivers and reckless drivers across the country. This has been happening for far too long; many young lives are snuffed out too early.”

According to Sugrim, this is an issue that affects everyone and those who are entrusted with the law need to be fair and uphold it at all times. The law should not be clouded based on the financial status of the driver or their relatives, because if the tables were turned, they would be seeking justice.

recent, too many lives have been lost due to errant drivers on the roadways.

A Police source related that the protest action came as a surprise, but the Force nevertheless put measure in place to deal with the residents; howev-

criticism for the manner in which they deal with the accident cases: many times the case jackets are missing or the matter is dragged out over a long period that frustrates the victims and eyewitnesses who show up to court to give evidence only to be told the matter had been postponed due to some flimsy reasons.

er, the crowd was too angry and refused to listen.

However, after the intervention of a senior official, the residents were calmed.

After the night of protest action, the village has returned to normalcy, but residents have promised to take further action if justice is not served.

The 20-year-old driver of the Toyota Wagon PPP 3080 is still in Police Custody assisting with investigations. According to a Police source, the Force is currently conducting their investigation into the death of the young woman and is in the process of ob-

force of the law. They told this publication that they will not rest until they know that justice is served.

This publication sought a comment from the owner of the motor car, but she refused to comment.

The Divisional Commander (acting) Marlon Chapman; B Division Traffic Officer Boodnarine Persaud, Regional Chairman David Armogan and Vice Chairman Bhupaul Jagroop visited the family of Singh on Monday to offer their support and condolences. They pledged to ensure justice was served.

8 NEWS

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Massive improvements at Le Repentir Cemetery – as “Clean up My Country” campaign progresses

W

ith blocks one and seven of the Georgetown burial ground, Le Repentir nearly completed as part of Government’s initiative to promote and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, massive improvements are now visible.

A visit to the cemetery today showed massive debushing operations done in Block One by Jeffery Jones Construction, which was contracted to de-bush Blocks Three, Four and Five.

Further, Block Seven, which is being cleared by persons attached to the Georgetown Prison Service, is expected to be completed shortly.

Cleaning of Le Repentir is part of the “Clean-up my Country” initiative, brought forth by the Government of Guyana, for which $1 billion

A

Tombs now clearly visible at Le Repentir

was allocated in the 2014 national budget. Of this sum, $500 million is being spent on the cleaning up of Georgetown, which includes the cleaning and de-silting of the seven main drainage

canals, which is currently in progress.

It also includes the rehabilitation of the Mayor and City Council’s machinery to ensure the maintenance of a clean city after the ex-

ercise is completed, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The sum of $500M is earmarked for other areas across the country, where clean-up is also underway.

2, allegedly fraudulently and maliciously diverted electricity to his own house which was provided by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

The unrepresented pensioner pleaded not guilty to

the charge. As he stood in the docks of Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry’s court at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, he said that he had been in trouble with the law before for a child support matter.

There were no objections to bail by the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant. Campbell’s case is to be recalled on September 29 in Magistrate Faith McGusty’s courtroom.

Plum Park resident charged with threatening language

M

ark Stephen, of Lot 58 Plum Park, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was placed on his own recognisance and a bond to keep the peace for a charge of threatening language on Monday afternoon.

Stephen is accused of using threatening language to the mother of his child, Shewalea Thomas. Stephen, who was unrepresented, told the court that he and Thomas live together at the said address, and plead-

Alleged thieves blame each other for stolen cellphone

T

wo men who were allegedly caught on camera stealing a cellphone were placed on $40,000 bail each when they appeared before Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus on Monday in a New Amsterdam court.

Keno Thomas, 23, of Angoy’s Avenue and Joel Gittings, also 23, are accused of stealing one BlackBerry Torch cellular phone on September 8 at Evil Eyes Audio and Video Store of New Amsterdam.

The court was told that the $65,000 phone, which belongs to Tonya Semple, was left on the store counter by the sales clerk.

On the day in question, the two accused walked into the store and upon realising that the phone was left on the counter, one of them engaged the sales clerk in conversation while the other picked up the phone. They were seen on camera at the time. Both accused blamed each other for the theft.

Gittings, a construction worker, told the court he

Building castles in the air... ...in politics

Pensioner granted self-bail on electricity theft charge

pensioner was on Monday granted selfbail after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of diversion of electricity.

Allan Campbell, of Lot 23 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on September

Eyew tness

was picked up on Sunday by a certain police officer and taken to the Reliance Police Station. “He put me in front ah Keno an because me ent say nothing… he hit me wid a baton,” the defendant alleged. The accused said he fell to the floor and refused to get up. The officer then kicked him in his privates, he further claimed. “An when Ah ask he why he doing it, he say ‘Is police force he using because I refuse fo tek de charge’.”

The accused also claimed that he was assaulted at the station in New Amsterdam, where he was also interrogated prior to that. “They had me at Central Police Station boring me with a ‘jukka’ fo Ah talk pon Keno.”

Thomas, who told the court that he was a construction worker too, said he was detained for more than 72 hours and was also beaten by the Police.

The two defendants will return to court on October 14 when the Police are expected to produce statements.

ed not guilty to the charge.

When asked his occupation, Stephen told the court that he does construction work for Magistrate Judy Latchman every Sunday.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant had no objec-

tions to bail, but requested that the defendant move to another address.

The defendant is expected to make his second court appearance on October 14 before Magistrate Geeta Chandan- Edmond.

Taxi driver remanded for robbery under arms

T

wenty-nine-year-old Jesse Knight was on Monday morning remanded to prison after his bail application was refused

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for a robbery under arms charge.

The defendant is accused of stealing $10,000 from the Virtual Complainant (VC) Desiree Fredericks on September 12 at Robb Street, Georgetown.

Knight’s defence counsel, Attorney Kayreen Stephenson told the Court that her client has a permanent residence at Lot 311 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown and is a taxi driver employed at Gem’s Taxi Service. He has no previous convictions and is not a flight risk, she said in the bail application, and requested reasonable bail.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant, however, objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence, nature and gravity of the offence, and the fact that a firearm was used.

According to the facts of the case, Fredericks was in her apartment around 02:00h when the defendant, in the company of another person, entered through an open door and demanded cash and jewellery from her. She pleaded with them, saying that she only had $10,000, so the defendant and his accomplice collected the money and escaped.

The VC then called the Alberttown Police Station.

When the Police arrived, they caught the defendant in a taxi and took him to the station. Fredericks identified the defendant since she saw his face and knew him as a taxi driver.

The defendant’s lawyer took issue with the method of identification, claiming that there was no Identification (ID) Parade, but was told by the Chief Magistrate that the Court determines the ID process. Knight is to report to Magistrate Judy Latchman on September 30, his next court date.

One of the staples of Guyanese politics since the PPP/C came into office, has been an explosion in the number of individuals who’ve made a profession of “building castles in the air.” You know? Wool gathering... having their heads in the clouds... just wasting their time making speculations on things they know for sure, will never happen. At least in this lifetime!

Much of this castle-building takes place in the letter pages of the newspapers – which has flourished along with the “free press” because the PPP/C’s Government absolute refusal to follow the PNC’s victimisation of critics during their dictatorial rule. Take this fella David Hinds. Like most political wool-gatherers, he has the solution to whatever ails Guyana. And he’s not bashful about letting us know – in the aforementioned letters’ pages, of course.

Take his latest bag of wool. The no-confidence motion that the AFC and the APNU say they’re committed to, he asserts, can be used to compel the PPP/C to commit Hara-Kiri. Fall on its sword. Or in the word that’s in the air, commit suicide - political suicide.

Meaning that if they go ahead with their threat to move and pass the no-confidence motion – precipitating elections in three months – the PPP/C would cave in and agree to the Interim Government (IG) he proposes. This IG would include the APNU/PNC and the AFC. This is the CASTLE! And this, of course, would solve Guyana’s problems.

Well, not ALL of them, since, Hinds opines for that happy circumstance to come into existence, the PPP/C Government has to be removed from office totally. And with an Interim Government, the dastardly PPP/C would unfortunately be there. Albeit in a diminished capacity.

But Dr Hinds probably feels half a loaf is better than none. Or maybe a diminished PPP/C is obviously and literally, the lesser of two evils? So why is all of this just building castles in air??? Well, a castle on the ground would have to rest on a foundation, no? And so too Hinds’ Interim Government Castle. But Hinds builds on a premise that is completely erroneous or non-existent.

He claims the PPP/C would buckle under because it doesn’t want snap elections!!!

Can you believe this?? The President had literally begged the Opposition to “make his day” by precipitating snap elections. How much clearer can he get?? Hinds is reading too much into PPP/C’s calls for a clean list.

He’s been hanging out too much with PNC types – who abused the list for avoiding elections. Remember Hoyte in 1990??

...on PNC’s “action”

From the above you, Dear Readers, would’ve gathered that David Hinds – part of that diminishing species , a member of the WPA – wasn’t enamoured of Granger’s ultimatum to President Ramotar. You remember that, don’t you??? The one where if the President didn’t announce a date for Local Government Elections, he, Granger would huff and puff till he blew the entire Office of the President away!!

Well the President immediately pointed out that Granger ought to make up his mind. Vacillating on such an important question wasn’t good for his image – which wasn’t exactly in the ascendancy after he so blatantly and flagrantly rigged his party elections. First he’s demanded fresh General Elections that was to come out of the no-confidence motion that he kept insisting he supported.

If he weren’t lying through his teeth on that one, when the heck would the Local Government Elections he’s now demanding, take place.

The questions, one guesses, is first, “How many elections can be held in the next three months?” And second, is Granger ready for either?

...in Ukraine

If the British would go to war at the other end of the earth because of their ties to the people of Falklands, why would they expect any less nationalism from Russia for Russians in the Ukraine??

news

9

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Free transportation service for East Coast, West Dem residents I

n an effort to alleviate financial exploitation of East Coast and West Demerara commuters using public transportation, Government, through the Public Works and Communication Ministry, on Monday introduced a fleet of 10 44-seater buses to transport residents free of cost.

While the move is not intended to stifle the livelihood of minibus operators plying the East and West Coast and West Bank of Demerara, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said Government had become weary of the complaints levelled against these operators by commuters. “We at the Ministry of Public Works have become increasingly concerned with the state of public transportation resulting out of threats of the withdrawal of services. They (operators) are forcing people to pay higher fares and sometimes double the fares, and

Demerara Bus Parks to see the vehicles.

Benn said the service began Saturday last, and commuters are being allowed to travel free until some issues are ironed out.

“We’ve had this situation before where we responded by bringing in buses provided free to try to alleviate the situation and try to help the minibus operators to come to a position where they will consult with the Ministry of Public Works and Trade with respect to any desires or concerns they may have with respect to increasing fares,” the Minister said.

He noted that Government is seeking to prevent a situation where commuters are forced to suffer as a result of one-sided actions by the minibus operators.

Minister Benn said Government had taken a decision that it would not support an increase in fares if

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn speaking to media operatives at the Stabroek bus park on Monday

encourage it. We are prepared to sit down and have discussions with operators with respect to this problem,

consultations on the matter, but cannot countenance unilateral actions without consultations. He said the prob-

market forces. As far as I am concerned, if a person is travelling to the East or West Coast and he pays his $500

lic transportation network has to be regulated by the Government, either by using the new system or by way of consultation.

Asked how long the service will continue, Benn said he could not say but is hoping that it goes on for as long as possible.

Salim Wahir, proprietor of Knight Riders Transportation, one of the bus services contracted by the Ministry, said that his company is offering a free service to the Ministry.

According to him, it is simply responding to a situation to ease the level of financial distress on commuters. “At the moment what we’re doing is we are trying out. There’s no financial arrangement in place. We are assisting the Ministry. There is no payment terms; it is free for now, because they are compensating for the tolls and fuels and pay the drivers.”

Minister Benn added

Buses waiting to be filled with passengers for East and West Coast, and East Bank trips

also forcing people to pay a full fare when they are coming off short,” Benn told media operatives who turned up at the Stabroek Market area in the vicinity of the West Coast and West Bank

the price of diesel or gasoline did not exceed $1000. “I do not believe that situation has arisen. Some people have taken it upon themselves and are forcing people to pay higher fares, but we will not

but we will not have unilateral position for the public in respect to this situation,” Benn stressed.

He said Government has always been open to having

lem is affecting commuters “out there and we have a responsibility to the commuters”.

“We do not believe that this is simply a problem of

for them to take out $100 and they take out $200….

It is not an issue of market force … we have to respond,” he continued. The Minister pointed out that the pub-

that he has already begun a sensitisation and consultation initiative around the area, and has solicited the input of persons. He hopes to have at least 20 buses in operation.

GuyExpo 2014 to field 400 exhibitors G

uyana’s 19th Trade and Investment E x p o s i t i o n (GuyExpo), which began in 1995, will take place from October 2 to 5, under the theme, “Transformation: Partnering for a better Guyana’, the event will showcase locally produced goods and services.

The venue for the exhibition will be the Sophia Exhibition Site and will host an estimated 110,000 visitors, and 400 exhibitors, among them participants from eight countries.

What began as an activity that attracted close to 200 exhibitors is today Guyana’s biggest expo with over 460 businesses, both local and international participating annually, all given the occa-

sion to present their locally produced goods and services.

GuyExpo became an annual event in 2004, under the Chairmanship of Keith Burrowes, and is now the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean.

In 2004, the organisers took cognisance of the growth and interdependence of international trade and opened the exhibition to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and other regional exhibitors, reported the Government Information Agency (GINA).

With its genesis as a biennial activity, GuyExpo has now morphed into a national event which offers business associates the opportunity to meet, network,

Produce displayed at GuyExpo

and negotiate with international companies and establishments, as well as showcase their skills, talents and creative work, on an annual basis.

From its inception to now, the focus has remained on the development of small

and medium sized enterprises, thereby ensuring that local businesses enjoy the level of growth and expansion that is needed for them to remain competitive at the regional and international levels.

Several businesses which

have grown along with the expo from its genesis include A H and L Kissoon, Toolsie Persaud Limited, Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Limited, Geddes Grant and Gafoors.

Since its humble beginnings GuyExpo has come a long way and takes a permanent place on the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Annual Calendar of Events.

This premier exposition and trade fair offers business associates the opportunity to meet, network and negotiate with international companies and establishments, as well as showcase their skills, talents and creative works.

This annual event provides a platform for both lo-

cal and foreign businesses: importers, exporters, retailers, wholesalers. It fuses together a wide cross section of producers of handicraft, furniture, garments, jewellery, and horticulture, pharmaceuticals, tourism, information technology and most of all culture. \ This ideal setting provides the opportunity for businesses to increase their competitiveness and efficiency and foster growth.

GuyExpo is undertaken as a partnership among the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, GO-Invest and the private sector; while exhibitors, franchise holders, game operators and entertainers play a major role in the overall success of the event.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, september 16, 2014

News APNU "action threat"

Roopnaraine says there will be a sign

By Jomo Paul and Vahnu Manikchand

A

t midnight on Monday, the ultimatum issued to President Donald Ramotar

by Leader of the Opposition David Granger to set a date for the hosting of Local

of a September 15 ultimatum had promised that A Partnership For National Unity would take national and international action. Incidentally, Granger’s deadline for a date for Local government polls fell on International Democracy Day. Co-Chair of the APNU

Leader of the Opposition David Granger

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon

Government Elections (LGE) expired, with the ruling administration refusing to adhere to the ultimatum.

Granger in the issuance

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine spoke to Guyana Time in a brief interview on Monday and disclosed that as far as he is aware his party is set

to take actions as promised if Government fails to take to polls. He said “there will be some manifestation, some manifestation of some kind” In response to the ultimatum, General Secretary of the PPP/C, Clement Rohee, said that President Donald Ramotar is the only person who the Constitution allows to call for any elections.

Rohee was at the time responding to questions posed about the party’s reaction to the ultimatum and why has

the party not call the elections as yet.

The General Secretary said that the party will be in full support of the president and whatever decision he makes. He noted that Government is ready for the hosting of any elections however the combined oppositions seems to be divided on which elections they want to be held.

“On the one hand the APNU is pressing for Local Government Elections while the AFC pressing for General and Regional Elections so that is another issue they have to sort

Co-Chair of the APNU Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

out among themselves,” he stated. Rohee went onto say that Government had until midnight to make a decision while noting that such deadlines are often political. In the mean while, the General Secretary added that Government will remain vigilant for any untoward events.

“I think everybody is waiting to see the manifestations of how this deadline will play out both locally and internationally.

The most I could say is that from the party’s point of view, we are on the alert for any untoward expectations and we as a strong supporter of the Government will be given whatever support Government needs in order to ensure that no efforts of intimidation or otherwise succeed in this country,” the General Secretary pointed out.

When contacted on Tuesday, Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, told this newspaper all that it is left now for them to await the events that will be unfolding. He refused further comment on the ultimatum and the AFC’s intentions should the APNU “mobilise” actions as stated in the letter.

On Tuesday last, Granger wrote a letter to President Ramotar giving him an ultimatum to set a date for LGE before September 15.

In the letter, the opposition leader threatened to organ-

Guyana ain’t only de land of many waters

J

oe Hardmouth open he hard mouth de other day and start ramblin bout some body cuttin wood in some forest in Guyana. Like he had never realise that this is not only de land of many waters, but also de land of plenty wood.

That was of course after de paper man had tek de same man wood and put it in front of he paper fuh a whole month. Now only yesterday de Bell Crier point out that a lotta people does leap before dem look and talk before dem tink.

Well, it look like it gotta another category, and Hardmouth fall right in de centre. That is, people who does talk and never tink. Most of de times it does be because dem just can’t tink, and people who just can’t tink does end up so because dem just ain’t got brains.

So Hardmouth open he mouth and grumble like a old man, which he is, bout de Forestry Commission. Then he run he mouth bout de Forestry Commissioner. As if that ain’t enuff, he mek he mouth even more hard bout de Minister, all de time babblin like if he is a forest expert.

Well, the tip of de iceberg (not de wood) was when Hardmouth decide to tell some body (he was friken to do it heself) to tell de Minister to tell de Forestry Commissioner that he accept de challenge to a public debate.

But before de debate, Hardmouth seh he want a set of documents to read. Well, some ting got to be wrong right hey. This is a man who done open he hard mouth and talk like a wood expert.

By de time Hardmouth done talk, any body woulda tink he is a expert on Guyana wood from when dem small to when dem get big. Not so. It turn out that Hardmouth want to debate which involve talkin and not demonstrate which involve showin.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So is now people know that Hardmouth is more of a mouth man than a wood man!

ised both local and international action, if Government does not announce the date of LGE by end of September 15.

“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,” Granger said in his letter.

On the other hand, President Ramotar in his response, asked the opposition leader for clarification stating that the position taken by Granger in his letter and that which are being expressed by the APNU are both “ambiguous and contradictory”.

“In the circumstances, before I can properly respond to your letter, I wish for you to clarify what precisely is your Party’s po-

sition,” the President had said. Ramotar added that he needs no reminder about upholding the constitution since that is something his party has always been committed to.

He said “Please be assured that there is no need to remind me about upholding the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana and about the importance of democracy as the track record of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration is one that has always defended, advocated and promoted constitutionality, the rule of law and democracy at every level in our country”.

Meanwhile, at the post Cabinet briefing last week, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon opined that the letter may just be a political ploy. “What is he really getting at with this proposal – this you want to call it? … what does the Leader of the Opposition really want?” questioned the Cabinet Secretary.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, september 16, 2014

11

News

World Bank Report:

Digital payments vital to economic growth I

ntegrating digital payments into the economies of emerging and developing nations addresses crucial issues of broad economic growth and individual financial empowerment, according to a new report by the World Bank Development Research Group.

The report examines, for the first time, growing evidence from around the world about how digital payments offer immediate benefits for both senders and receivers in developing economies, as well as the ability of such payments to increase citizen access to affordable financial tools.

The report also highlights how digital payments help increase the financial independence of women by moving them from the limitations of a cash-only economy and connecting them with the financial mainstream.

Furthermore, the report concludes that the establishment of digital payments for remittances instead of cash is of enormous benefit to poor people in emerging markets and also contributes to financial development. This could also help address concerns about the transparency and traceability of remittances.

“The benefits of digital payments go well beyond the convenience many people in developed economies associate with the technology,” said Dr Leora Klapper, lead Economist at the World Bank Development Research Group.

“Digital financial services lower the cost and increase the security of sending, paying and receiving

Integrating digital payments into the economies of emerging and developing nations addresses crucial issues of broad economic growth and individual financial empowerment, a World Bank study finds

money. The resulting increase in financial inclusion is also vital to women’s empowerment.”

The Better than Cash Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation— which funded the study in support of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion—emphasised the clear link between digital payments and the goals of G20 Governments means that action should be swift and purposeful.

The two organisations are urging Governments, when they meet in November 2014 at the G20 Brisbane Summit, to discuss how they can embrace a broad-based

digital financial system as a path to growth, greater participation of women in the economy, and greater access to payments, including remittances.

“Governments have to take the lead and drive digital financial development forward,” said Geoffrey Lamb, Chief Economic and Policy Advisor to the CoChairs and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“The evidence shows that private sector firms will innovate and citizens will quickly learn to use and appreciate digital payments.

But we need Governments to establish the vision, the

digital platforms and the regulatory assurance to pull the hundreds of millions of currently excluded people into full participation in the modern economy.

“Governments have the authority to be prime movers on so much of what is needed to advance digital financial development. With the private sector as a valuable partner, Governments must lead to encourage progress in areas such as regulatory reform, driving electronic payroll payments and digitising social benefit disbursements.”

The report presents an action plan for Governments to adopt to realise the ben-

efits of digital payments.

Specific calls to action include: Digitise Government payments and receipts, including social transfers.

This creates a foundation upon which the private sector can build, including for person-to-person payments, such as international and domestic remittances and engage actively on the regulatory agenda. G overnments need to encourage regulators to enable digital financial services by fostering competition, ensuring consumer education and fostering business model innovation.

Convene public and private sectors to create a ba-

sic technical payment platform infrastructure, across which providers can compete on product development. Public and private sectors can converge around a payments platform, and enable innovation and competition in additional financial services and create an enabling environment that fosters private-sector innovation. Governments need to offer a clear vision and tangible incentives in order to ensure that the private sector is an effective, competitive, transparent, and efficient partner and recognise the role of remittance providers in offering a digital entry point to formal financial services for senders and receivers.

Instead of remittances being cashed out, remittances sent to a bank account, ewallet, or smart card, for example, can go into accounts that support safe saving and also increase transparency and traceability.

“We recognise that while the opportunities of digital payments abound, getting there takes work,” said Dr Ruth Goodwin-Groen, Managing Director of the Better Than Cash Alliance.

“Yet digitising payments is achievable when a Government articulates a clear vision, leads by example and provides the right incentives for the private sector to do what they do best: innovate, develop infrastructure and create products designed to succeed in the marketplace.”

The report and its implications will be discussed at the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion forum on September 1 in Perth, Australia.

OAS Permanent Council sends draft resolution on drugs to General Assembly T

he Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) on Monday agreed to send to the 46th OAS Special General Assembly, to be held Friday September 19 in Guatemala City, a draft resolution titled, “Reflections and guidelines to formulate and follow-up on comprehensive policies to address the world drug problem in the Americas.”

Upon presenting the draft resolution, the Chair of the Working Group and Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the OAS, José María Argueta, said the document contains proposals “for the reduction of demand, for the reduc-

tion of supply, and cooperation from a hemispheric perspective.” In addition, said Ambassador Argueta, the draft resolution “puts the individual, his or her dignity, and his or her social inclusion at the center of public policies, so that those policies help to strengthen the social net, justice, human rights, health, local and national development and citizen security.”

The resolution, said the Permanent Representative of Guatemala, “calls on member states to review their policies on drugs to address their national challenges, and also looks to establish an equilibrium between the actions of citizen

Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza

security, public health, human rights and the reconstruction of the social fabric, as well as the establishment

of measures, programmes and actions that address the needs of the victims of violence and crime, among others.”

The Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza, congratulated the Council on the approval of the draft resolution, which he called “an important show of the maturity of the Hemisphere in the way we have moved forward on this issue.” “What we wanted to achieve was to remove this war on drugs, that was a never-ending war, that led nowhere, that produced nothing, and that affected greatly our countries. We are achieving this, and I am very glad,” said Secretary

General Insulza, who concluded by highlighting that “the OAS is today a leader on the issue of drugs at a global level, and that is a great thing that we must recognise and also assume as a responsibility.”

On another point of the agenda, the members of the Council elected Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Paraguay as new members of the Leo Rowe Fund Committee, replacing Chile and Antigua and Barbuda.

Since its establishment in 1948, the Leo Rowe Fund has helped students from Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as OAS officials, to carry out graduate studies in the United

States.

The Chair of the Council and Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia to the OAS, Sonia Johnny, congratulated Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Chile on their independence days this month, an initiative followed by several member state representatives. During the meeting, the representatives of Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Bolivia, Paraguay, Belize, Chile, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru all took the floor.

12 news

TUESDAY, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Hinds lauds MesoAmerican Project … as Mexico celebrates 204th Independence Anniversary

P

rime Minister Samuel Hinds on Monday evening lauded Mexico for piloting the MesoAmerican project which he said was important to infrastructural development here.

Hinds who was at the time speaking at a function to mark Mexico’s Independence Day at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street said that the move

by Mexico to include the Caribbean under the umbrella of the project was particularly welcomed the Guyana Government.

The Mesoamerica Project is a multi-billion dollar development plan formally initiated in 2001 and aimed at promoting regional integration and development of the nine southern states of Mexico with all of Central America, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Only recently a decision was taken to include the rest of the Caribbean.

The project is intended to remedy a lack of investment and stimulate trade in the region by building or improving large infrastructure projects such as highways, air and sea ports, and electric and telecommunications grids.

Hinds noted that the project was imperative to the realisation of infrastructural projects in Guyana such as the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion Project and the new bridge that is being considered across the Demerara River.

“Guyana welcomes the decision by the Mexican Government to extend the Mesoamerican project to include the Caribbean. For our part the Government of Guyana has included several infrastructural projects on its national development agenda, especially those which we believe will contribute to the integration of our National economy into

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Ambassador Francisco Olguín and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett share a toast

Many dignitaries and notables were among the throng celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day

the global economy.”

He noted that Guyana like Mexico adheres strongly to the values of democracy, peace, respect for human rights, and sanctity for

international treaty.

“For us as small developing country, the only way we can survive in this era of globalisation is by increasing integration in the

world economy, greater integration can play a major role, both in terms of seizing opportunities presented by globalisation and safeguarding against your

tenant vulnerabilities and challenges” Meanwhile, Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguín noted that when he arrived in Guyana

Canal Polder man shot, injured by uncle A

n ongoing family feud turned tragic Monday after a West Demerara farmer was shot by his uncle.

The injured man has been identified as 31-yearold Vickram Ramdanny of Lot 96 Alliance Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara. According to information reaching the Guyana Times, the incident occurred sometime around 17:30h in the Canal Backdam called “New Line”.

Ramdanny was shot once to his forehead with several pellets and has been hospitalised at the

three years ago, he had a vision of stronger ties between Guyana and Mexico, and by extension Caricom.

He said that the foundations for his vision to become a reality were laid in April of this year when Caricom signed on to the MesoAmerican project noting that it was only the first step and still requires “considerable effort.”

He said “to maximise results we should exercise our judgment, choose the projects with the highest impact, use our resources wisely, watch debt levels and very importantly coordinate efforts with other Caribbean countries to advance together, keeping the same pace if possible.”

He opined that the governments of the Caribbean should work fast since infrastructural building does not readily translate into results pointing out that the widening of the Panama Canal will increase com-

Komal Ramdanny recalling how his brother shot and injured his son on Monday

West Demerara Regional

Hospital, where he was undergoing tests and x-rays to determine the extent of his injuries. He was conscious and his condition was listed as stable.

The injured man’s father, Komal Ramdanny, related to this newspaper that he and his son along with two other men were at the backdam all day building a trail.

However around late noon, they were on a break when they were confronted by his brother.

“This guy come from nowhere straight to where we deh. He had a gun and point it to me, the guy say

he come for me so I run.

Then I hear a gunshot and when I turn around I see meh son drop on the ground so I run to get my gun but he get away,” the distraught father said.

According to Komal, the problem with his brother began about five years ago after his father died and left a house to the three brothers.

Komal said that he gave two brothers their share but the third claimed that they were robbed.

Following this, there has been an ongoing dispute between the two brothers.

Komal disclosed that his

brother had even “set him up” two times and threatened him on numerous occasions with two weeks ago being the recent episode.

“He say he gone manners me and today he come to kill me cause this guy don’t go backdam but sudden so he go backdam,” the frustrated father said.

When Guyana Times visited the West Dem Hospital, family and close friends had gathered.

Police have since launched an investigation into the matter and are in search of the shooter who resides at Wales, WBD.

petition in the Caribbean from Asian markets.

Olguín said “but it will also open markets for our goods and services if we have prepared ourselves” adding “ the fact that Mexican authorities have accepted to extend the Mesoamerican project to the Caribbean is an indication that we firmly believe that together we can make it happen.”

According to a study by the US-based nonprofit InterAction, US$7.7 billion in funding for the Mesoamerica Project had been designated as of March 2005; the amount is eventually expected to rise as high as $50 billion.

35% comes from national governments in the region, 24% from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), 15% from the private sector, 7.5% from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE), 5% from the World Bank, 6.3% from other unknown sources.

news

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tuesDAY, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Government looking GPHC hosts mini-health fair at measures to manage solid waste T

he Government of Guyana has developed several measures to strengthen the capacity of the seven municipalities across Guyana with the aim of each being more proactive in managing the regional solid waste programme.

A press release from the “Clean-up my Country” programme under the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry stated that while the Georgetown clean-up focuses on community enhancement, improving drainage network and minimising the health risks due to untidy environment, the regional aspect will focus more on procurement of machinery which will help the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in maintaining a clean environment.

The release said under the programme, all Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) will be in possession of machinery to collect and transport garbage to their local landfill sites. Tractors and trailers are being procured and will be handed over to the NDCs which will help support the

councils with transporting of garbage from public spaces and mini excavators will be distributed to some of the RDCs where intensive drainage work needs to be undertaken.

“To improve the level of efficiency during transporting of solid waste, access roads to landfill sites will be repaired and constructed where necessary.

For commercialised waste, 130 metal bins will be procured and placed in highly commercialised areas and markets within Georgetown and at the most at risk locations within the NDCs,” the press release said.

Further, domestic solid waste will be stored in 45-gallon metal bins in Georgetown and across the regions. These will be distributed to residents within communities where households are in need of bins to retain the garbage.

A pick-up is being scheduled by the Ministry to allow residents to get rid of bulky waste, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Meanwhile, to address the issue of the spread of vector-borne diseases in light

of the chikungunya virus, each Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office will receive a fogging machine for control of the mosquito population. Last week, the Region Three administration received its machine.

While the Government of Guyana is providing the necessary support mechanism of instruments to the local authorities, it is expected that this support infrastructure will be utilised for the sustenance of the end product.

Further, last week, the Ministry was given approval to repair the City council’s machinery.

This programme is divided into two aspects: the Georgetown cleanup and the regional cleanup. In Georgetown, $500M was allocated for the improvement of the aesthetics and the health of the environment of the capital city while $500M is allocated to strengthening the capacity of the seven municipalities.

Cleanup my country is a $1B programme which has been approved by the Government of Guyana to improve the aesthetics and sanitation of the country.

Police getting help to curb road deaths – Rohee

H

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that his ministry has adopted a focused posture to the many road fatalities in Guyana and is working with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in this regard.

Speaking at the People’s Progressive Party’s weekly Press conference on Monday, the Home Affairs Minister, who is also the party’s General Secretary, said that while road fatalities occur across the country, his ministry will continue to work with the GPF, to assist in alleviating this.

Rohee was at the time responding to questions relating to the recent road fatality on the Corentyne Coast, where an 18-year-old female was struck down by a speeding car. Hundreds of residents of Letter Kenny Village retaliated by taking to the streets Sunday afternoon to protest the accident which left Rena Devi Singh dead.

The protest was sparked after residents claimed the driver of the car was a policeman and was up to no good since a number of suspicious items were found in the vehicle. Anger boiled over as protesters called for justice and more serious actions by police to curb the

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

hike in road accidents on the Corentyne Coast.

Singh was killed by the speeding car while waiting to cross the road at Letter Kenny Village Corentyne.

She had just returned from visiting her aunt at No. 52 Village and was standing on the southern side of the Letter Kenny Public Road when a blue Toyota G-Touring Wagon bearing license plate PMM 3080 coming from the westerly direction hit her and flung her several feet in the air.

Rohee said the situation is not a problem only on the Corentyne Coast, but across

the “length and breadth of Guyana”. He said too that he was pleased that a road safety Commission was launched in the ancient county, while pointing out that he hopes much could be achieved from that initiative. Rohee said that his ministry is committed to these road safety commissions.

Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity expressed it “sincere condolences to the relatives of Singh”. The Partnership reiterated its call for stricter methods of enforcement and safer road. “Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor in road fatalities.

APNU calls on the Guyana Police Force to put the necessary resources in place to ensure that our highways are adequately policed. Far too many Guyanese have lost their lives on the inadequately patrolled Corentyne Highway and the SoesdykeLinden Highway.”

APNU also iterated the National Assembly’s resolution Number 18 of 2012 passed on July 30th 2012 expressing no confidence in Minister Rohee and called on President Donald to revoke the appointment of the minister and appoint someone who is capable of ensuring human safety.

A nurse demonstrates how to bathe a baby to a group of pregnant women at a mini-health fair in recognition of National Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Breastfeeding; a winning goal for life”

A

gainst the background of a recent maternal death, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday opened a minihealth fair in recognition of National Breastfeeding Week, under the theme “Breastfeeding; a winning goal for life”.

The fair, which was held in the Maternity Ward of the hospital, is an annual activity that the GPHC does to maintain awareness on the importance of breastfeeding.

As the theme indicates, the importance of breastfeeding is being recognised and also applied as most mothers practise this, whether they work or not.

Sister Marjorie Arjune Prittipaul, Breastfeeding Coordinator of GPHC, told Guyana Times that the theme ties in with the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due for 2015.

She reminded that they all relate to mothers and safe delivery. She elaborated that breastfeeding nourishes; enables development (whether physical or mental); empowers women; safeguards the health of mothers and their infants and thus indirectly contribute to global development.

The MDGs are eight international development goals that were agreed upon by the international community in 2000 at the Millennium Summit after the United Nations Development Millennium Declaration was made that same year. These goals have their relevant targets that countries and international organisations have collaborated on to reach by 2015.

Sister Prittipaul continued that the right foods contribute enormously to the safety of mothers and infants during delivery.

Mothers, she remarked, need to have five meals per day to upkeep herself and her baby, not eating enough can contribute to anaemia.

This is an illness where the body has a lack of iron or red blood cells (RBCs) and is not

able to provide the normal everyday functions. She posits that one should not gain more than three pounds weekly, however. A mother gains around 12 kilograms or 26 pounds during her pregnancy.

Importance of breastfeeding

Junior Departmental Supervisor, Sister Garnett, assured the public that fathers, of course, are not to be left out from this as they too should be made aware of proper child care and the importance of breastfeeding to children. She remarked that

what she needs to stay away from and pay attention to in terms of food.

Sharise Gaskin, mother of a four-month-old, stated that she attended the Campbellville Health Centre which had hosted quite a lot of sessions with mothers and potential mothers about handling certain situations concerning pregnancies.

She remarked that she agrees that breastfeeding is quite important to the children, but it is hard work.

She said the need to eat the right foods continues even

Nutrition and portion control are important during pregnancy.

Sister Marjorie Arjune Prittipaul said the right foods contribute enormously to the safety of mothers and infants during delivery

mothers are known to work, so they express the breast milk and store it in the refrigerator. It can be stored there for a maximum of five days, she said. However, she states that the milk should not be put back into the fridge, so they usually advise potential mothers to store small amounts or what is needed at that time.

Mothers at the health fair say that breastfeeding has been great for their children’s overall development. One mother of seven, Juanita Sargeant, stated that the nurses have taught her quite a lot about

after delivery as the baby gains nourishment from the mother, “if you don’t eat the right food… if you eat only oil, (etc)”, then your child may develop thrush, running belly and other ailments.

Activities continue during the week to raise awareness and celebrate National Breastfeeding Week. The next activity is slated to be at the Industry Health Centre on Wednesday. It will be an educational talk with mothers on breastfeeding and proper child care.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

Regional

Suicidal children, Brazil builds giant Amazon a worrying reality observation tower C in Jamaica

A

pproximately 20 per cent of high school students are at risk of committing suicide, a new research has shown. Following a cluster of youth suicide in 2011, the Jamaican Health Ministry conducted a research which said that Jamaica’s mid-adolescents stand at the highest risk of committing suicide.

The 2012 study, which was funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund, collected data from 3471 grade eight, 10, 11, and 12 students across 38 randomly selected secondary schools.

The findings were shared on World Suicide Prevention Day, last week, at the Hope Fellowship Church in St Andrew. “Mid-adolescence seems to be the most tumultuous years, and those [in this category] are the ones we need to target.

Thirty-five per cent (1075 students) admitted to suicidal ideation in their lifetime, 69.9 per cent experienced the thoughts, 25

The information collected by means of a data extraction sheet showed that, of 228 cases of attempted suicide captured in the seven hospitals, 137 were in the youth age group, which stops at age 24. Leiba Thomas said more females than males attempted suicide and pointed out that, of the 228 cases at hospital, 10 were wards of the state

per cent think about it often,” explained Dr Judith Leiba Thomas, Director of child and adolescent mental health in the Health Ministry. She added that students in grade 10 were most at risk, while those in grade 12 had the lowest risk.

Moreover, she said that the association, in terms of gender, showed that more females expressed lifestyle

suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, but more males actually complete suicide. The study revealed that, while repeating grades and learning problems were associated with suicide risk, there was no relationship between suicide and a child’s relationship with his parents or attitude towards school and school performance. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Suriname secures rice export deal with Venezuela

S

uriname and Venezuela are one step closer to signing a long-term rice export deal that ultimately could result in a boost for Suriname’s struggling rice industry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Paramaribo confirmed.

The breakthrough came last Thursday in Caracas during talks between Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse and Foreign Minister Winston Lackin with a Venezuelan delegation led by President Nicolas Maduro.

The agreement to export rice was a deal secured by late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and Bouterse in November 2010 in Paramaribo, and the new Government has pledged to continue the programmes of cooperation Chávez initiated with Suriname.

Both countries say they are committed to strengthen and enhance economic and trade cooperation including rice production and export.

“The completion of a multi-annual contract is

now in advanced stage at the Ministry of Food Affairs of Venezuela. Very soon, it is expected, we will sign a final long-term supply contract,” said the Surinamese Foreign Affairs Ministry.

For 2015, Suriname has offered to supply Venezuela 32,000 metric tonnes of seed paddy and an additional 80,000 metric tonnes of white rice. According to the Surinamese authorities, Venezuela in principal has agreed with the prices Paramaribo has put forward.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

onstruction has begun on a giant observation tower in the heart of the Amazon basin to monitor climate change.

The Amazon Tall Tower Observatory is expected to rise 325 metres from the ground.

Its instruments will gather data on greenhouse gases, aerosol particles and the weather in one of the largest continuous rain forests on the planet.

Brazilian and German scientists hope to use the data to better understand sources of greenhouse gases and answer questions on climate change.

The tower is being constructed out of steel that

H

Power lines and debris are knocked over on a street after Hurricane Odile hit La Paz, in Baja California September 15

ing and mudslides on the North-western coast in the next day or two.

Odile, which was blowing sustained winds of 90 mph (145 km/h), knocked out San Jose del Cabo’s in-

ternational airport, but flights might restart later Monday, authorities said.

“The whole place is devastated, San José del Cabo, windows are trashed, trees and electricity poles

Chemistry in Mainz website.

The Amazon jungle is one of the world’s most sensitive ecosystems, with a powerful influence on the intake and release of carbon into the atmosphere.

“The tower will help us answer innumerable questions related to global climate change,” said Paulo Artaxo, from the University of Sao Paulo and project coordinator for the Brazilians.

The tower will be integrated into an existing structure of smaller measuring towers in the region.

When finished, it will complement a similar observatory built in 2006 that already stands in Central Siberia.

(BBC News)

CARPHA denies reports it has stopped testing for Chikungunya

T

he Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says it has not stopped conducting tests for the Chikungunya virus but has instead “scaled up its capability” to meet increased demands.

A CARPHA statement said that contrary to media reports, the agency has in fact stepped up its activities in light of the evolving epidemic. CARPHA Executive Director, Dr C James Hospedales, said that the agency scaled up its capability to meet the increased demand for testing in the Caribbean.

Last week, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) urged Caribbean countries to eradicate the breeding sites of mosquitoes that transmit dengue and the Chikungunya virus even as it warned of a possible increase in patients suffering from these diseases.

Hurricane Odile batters Mexico’s Baja resorts, sparks looting

urricane Odile whipped through the beach resorts of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Monday, causing chaos as it uprooted trees, downed power lines and smashed shop windows, sparking looting.

Fierce winds buffeted homes, hotels and businesses as one of the worst storms ever to hit the luxury retreats of Los Cabos battered Mexico’s North-West coast with heavy rains.

Odile has weakened from a category four to category one hurricane since Sunday, but the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said it would likely cause life-threatening flood-

was brought thousands of kilometres from the south of Brazil to the site, about 160km (100 miles) from the Amazonian city of Manaus.

Because of its height, the tower will make it possible to investigate the alteration and movement of air masses through the forest over a distance of several hundred kilometres.

“The measurement point is widely without direct human influence, and therefore ideal to investigate the meaning of the forest region for the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere,” said Jurgen Kesselmeier, the project coordinator for the German side, quoted on the Max Planck Institute for

are down,” said Mauricio Balderrama, Manager of the Cabo Surf Hotel and Spa. All of the hotel’s guests were unharmed, he added.

There were no initial reports of fatalities from Odile, which tore down water tanks, air conditioning units and smashed shop fronts across Cabo San Lucas, which sparked looting.

Pharmacies, electronics shops and convenience stores were among businesses hit by looters before Police restored order on streets strewn with shattered glass from broken windows, said local shop worker Cristina Osuna, 31.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

CARPHA Executive Director, Dr C James Hospedales, said that the agency scaled up its capability to meet the increased demand for testing in the Caribbean

Since the start of the year, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have reported nearly 850,000 cases of dengue and 470 deaths from severe dengue.

PAHO said that between December 2013 and September 5, this year, 650,000 cases of Chikungunya, including 37 deaths, have been reported.

Dr Hospedales said that CARPHA adheres to public health surveillance principles, and that once several people with Chikungunya have had their diagnoses confirmed through laboratory testing in an area within a country, then testing is only carried out for certain groups of people based on clinical symptoms. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Brazil corruption: Rio Police arrested over ‘extortion racket’

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olice in Rio de Janeiro have arrested 22 of their own officers for alleged involvement in a bribery and extortion racket.

Among those arrested was the third-in-command of the city’s military Police, Colonel Alexandre Fontenelle Ribeiro.

Colonel Ribeiro is the chief of special operations and leads the city’s shock troops. Search warrants have been issued for a number of other officers and a large amount of cash has been seized.

City public prosecutors said in a statement that senior Police officers at the 14th Battalion in Bangu, in

the West of Rio, had demanded payments from shopkeepers, motorbike taxis, private van and bus companies.

The payments were between $12 (£7) and $1000 and were collected either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The payments protected their victims from being charged for legal infractions.

Prosecutors said: “The 14th Battalion had virtually been transformed into a limited company where the ‘profits’ were deposited with ‘the administration’ or handed over to the senior officers who abused their power over their subordinates and over Battalion strategy and activity.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

15

Around the world

many as 700 migrants World leaders pledge As feared drowned in to help Iraq fight ISIL Mediterranean M T

hirty countries have pledged to help Iraq in the fight the al-Qaeda breakaway group ISIL “by any means necessary”, as leaders gathered to discuss their strategy.

French President Francois Hollande called for a global response to counter ISIL on Monday, as he opened a conference on Iraq, bringing together members of a US-led coalition. “[The threat] is global so the response must be global,” the French leader said, at a Paris conference aimed at coordinating a strategy against the group, which controls parts of northern Iraq and Syria.

Foreign ministers from the main European states, the five permanent mem-

French President François Hollande greets Iraq’s President Fuad Masum ahead of a conference bringing together about 30 countries to discuss how to co-operate in the fight against militants of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)

bers of the UN Security Council, Iraq’s neighbours

and Gulf Arab states Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and

the UAE, are in Paris to discuss broad political, security and humanitarian aspects of tackling ISIL. In holding this conference, the countries meeting today are showing their solidarity and the will to protect themselves against terrorism,” Hollande added in a joint news conference with Iraqi president Fouad Massoum.

Massoum said ISIL fighters were responsible for some of the worst atrocities committed in Iraq’s history.

“We should spend more efforts, and therefore we ask to continue the air strikes against the terrorist positions. We will not give them any safe haven,” Massoum added. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ore than 700 people fleeing Africa and the Middle East may have drowned in shipwrecks in the Mediterranean over the last week, bringing the death toll this year to almost 3000, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Monday.

In the worst incident, as many as 500 migrants are believed to have died after traffickers rammed their ship off Malta’s coast last week, an event that only came to light this weekend in testimony from two of nine survivors.

The survivors said the traffickers ordered the migrants to change vessels in the middle of the Mediterranean. The migrants refused, leading to a confrontation that ended

when traffickers rammed the ship carrying the migrants, causing it to sink, IOM spokeswoman Christiane Berthiaume told Reuters in Geneva.

“Some 500 people were on board – Syrians, Palestinians, Egyptians and Sudanese. They were trying to reach Europe,” Berthiaume said. “That means that 700 people perished at sea these last days in the Mediterranean, the deadliest incidents in the space of a few days,” she said.

The vessel had set off on Saturday, Sept 6 from Damiette, Egypt, and sank off Malta’s coast on Sept 10th, she said, adding that some of the survivors were only rescued on Friday. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Proposal to reduce Bangladesh British tourists murdered in Thailand marriageable age T

T

he Bangladeshi cabinet has proposed measures to lower the marriageable age for young men and women, while significantly toughening the penalty for violating the limits.

The proposals are in a bill likely to be approved by Parliament. It is suggested that the marriageable age for men be reduced from 21 to 18 and for women from 18 to 16.

The maximum penalty for breaking the law will be increased from two months in jail to two years.

The fine, currently US$130 (£80) will go up five-fold.

Observers say the measures are aimed at combating child marriage, which is widespread in rural Bangladesh.

“Those who marry [underage], conduct such marriages, and the parents will be liable for punishment,” Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan was quoted by local media as saying.

“But women will not be sentenced to a prison term.” Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of child

marriage in the world, with 20 per cent of girls becoming wives before their 15th birthday, the BBC’s Angus Crawford reported in 2012.

Aid agencies have described the practice as a “new kind of slavery”, made worse by the fact that some in the country see girls as a burden who do not earn an income.

Our correspondent reported that this attitude means they are totally dependent on their families to support, protect them and pay their dowries. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

wo young British tourists who met while backpacking have been murdered after partying on a beach at a popular island resort in southern Thailand, local Police said on Monday.

David Miller, 24, from Jersey, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, were found stripped half-naked with several deep wounds to their bodies near a beachside bungalow on the island of Koh Tao, Thai Police said.

A nationwide manhunt was reportedly under way for a third British backpacker whom police suspect of carrying out the attack before fleeing the island. A local Police official told report-

David Miller and Hannah Witheridge, whose bodies were found near a beachside bungalow on Koh Tai

ers that the pair had been murdered with a garden hoe found nearby on the island, which is popular for its serene beaches and diving sites.

Locals were reported to have blockaded Koh Tao’s

only pier to prevent the killer escaping. According to the Daily Telegraph, however, the local Police Chief, Colonel Songsak, said a British man who may have known Miller had left the island. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

the prisoner, who was convicted in the 1980s. The ruling is the first involving a prisoner since the assisted dying law was introduced in Belgium 12 years ago.

Van Den Bleeken will soon be transferred to a hospital where the medical procedure will take place, his lawyers told reporters.

“But I cannot say when or

where that will happen,” Jos Vander Velpen added.

Van Den Bleeken first requested euthanasia in 2011, citing “unbearable psychological anguish”, but Belgium’s Federal Euthanasia Commission wanted to consider every possible treatment option, before consenting to such a measure. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ebola outbreak: Malaysia sends W Africa medical gloves Belgian murderer Van Den Bleeken wins ‘right to die’

M

alaysia plans to donate more than 20 million protective rubber gloves to five African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, the Government says.

They will be distributed among medical workers in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A shortage of protective equipment has been one factor in the virus spreading.

It has killed more than 2400 people, including many health workers, this year, in the world’s worst outbreak.

Health workers in Liberia recently went on strike, saying they need more protective equipment.

Malaysia is a leading rubber glove manufacturer, producing 60 per cent of the world’s supply. “Malaysia can make a unique and vital contribution to the fight

A

Belgian man serving a life sentence for rape and murder will be allowed to have doctors end his life, after a landmark ruling. Unable to control his violent sexual urges, Frank Van Den Bleeken, who is 50, argued he would never be freed.

The decision follows a three-year legal battle by

Medical gloves play an important role in preventing the spread of Ebola

against Ebola because we are one of the biggest manufacturers of rubber gloves,” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a statement.

“We hope this contribution will prevent the spread of Ebola and save lives,” he added.

Among the companies supplying the shipment are

Sime Darby, Kuala Lumpur Kepong, IOI Corporation Berhad and Top Glove, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Malaysia will send 11 containers overall, each holding 1.9 million gloves, the statement from Kuala Lumpur said.

The Malaysian Government did not say who would pay for the shipment.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

French Councillors go on trial over deadly 2010 storm

F

our years after a lethal storm caused 29 deaths in one town on the French Atlantic coast, a manslaughter trial opens Monday against town councillors and developers who are accused of allowing homes to be built in a high flood risk area.

Cyclone Xynthia struck the French coast in late February 2010. It was most devastating at La Faute-surMer, where a storm surge

swept over a sea wall and flooded hundreds of homes, some with nearly three metres of water.

Most of the victims were pensioners who had moved to the coast to see out their retirement. Prosecutors say that the homes had been built in a “red zone” where all construction should have been banned because of the risk of flooding.

René Marratier, town

mayor from 1989 to 2014, is accused of ignoring warnings from the regional authorities by allowing construction in the low-lying area.

Town Councillor Françoise Babin, responsible for development, her estate agent son Philippe, and Patrick Maslin, who owned the building company that made the homes, also face manslaughter charges. (Excerpt from France24)

16 NEWS

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt offers $5M to Karrau to Fisherman ends develop community project life over problems with girlfriend P

resident Donald Ramotar said $5 million will be allocated to the Amerindian Village of Karrau for a development project of its choice.

The announcement was made on Saturday at the Karrau Community ground at the height of celebrations held in observance of Amerindian Heritage Day 2014. President Ramotar’s declaration was quite unexpected and was met with loud applause from villagers. He assured the villagers that the money will be accessible to the Karrau community to do a project of its choice. However, an official application would have to be made to the Government before the money is released. The President urged that the Karrau Toshao apply for this as soon as possible and identify how exactly the funds will be used.

It was noted that the Toshao of Karrau, James Cornelius, has a year within which to apply for the funds. The President said that he was born and raised in an area quite similar to Karrau, in Caria Caria so he understands the challenges of the community. He stated that raising the standard of living in the interior is a challenge that he embraced, as he believes in “equal opportunities” and wants to see persons develop to their full capacities with no prejudices.

He stated that there is a lot of potential in the interior, as only some years

A

The Karrau Village

back an Amerindian girl had topped President’s College. He reminded the Karrau residents and visitors that this month is also Education Month, quite a “happy coincidence”. He said education was very important to him and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), as many of their projects are education oriented, particularly in the interior. Such being the case, Amerindian students have the option to go to school in other areas, as schools cannot be built in every village.

Health care too is also receiving much attention, posited the President. “As we have made wide advances in eliminating

malaria from most of the hinterlands.

Nevertheless, we do acknowledge that there are “still problems and we have to deal with them.”

Karrau’s Toshao informed this newspaper that he was considering using the promised funds for a generator for the community to receive electricity. He stated that this will go a long way in enhancing the area and the residents will be able to contribute to the maintenance of the generator. The Karrau community does not have electricity other than a few residents who are able to afford their own personal generators.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2014

T

he United Nations International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated around the world, on September 16, each year. This year’s theme is “Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On.” Almost a generation ago (1987), the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty, was signed by many countries to protect the Ozone Layer and eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances. The commemoration around the world offers an opportunity to focus attention and action at the global, regional and national levels on the protection of the ozone layer.

The Ozone Layer

The Ozone Layer is a thin protective layer of naturally occurring gas – ozone, comprising three atoms of oxygen found about 10-50 kilometres above the Earth's surface that protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiation or UV-B rays of sun. Scientists in the 1970s discovered that the ozone layer was thinning as a result of the release of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), consequently, the Ozone Hole developed. In 1985, nations around the world convened at Vienna, Austria, in an attempt to develop a framework for cooperative activities to protect the Ozone Layer. This signed agreement became known as the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

be detrimental to our world's climate.

Though the global cooperative efforts of countries, industries, communities and individuals are contributing to the “mending” of the ozone hole, as this year theme says “The Mission Goes On”.

Why care about the Ozone Layer?

• The Ozone Layer acts as an atmospheric shield. All life on Earth depends on its protection from the lethal levels of ultraviolet radiation produced by the sun.

• It can result in increased incidence of skin cancer, eye and immune system damage.

• Declines in crop yields of up to 50 per

depletion While the vast majority of ozonedepleting substances is either industrial or commercial, individuals can help in the following ways: • Buy air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that do not use HCFCs as refrigerant.

• Buy aerosol products that do not use HCFCs or CFCs as propellants.

• Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances to prevent and minimise refrigerant leakage.

• When motor vehicle air-conditioners need servicing, make sure that the refrigerants

Ozone Layer Protection - A success story

Earth's Ozone Layer may be on the path to recovery. Scientists have found that the concentrated, international action against ozone depleting substances has put our ozone back on track to regeneration.

Satellites observed the largest ozone hole over Antarctica in 2006. Purple and blue represent areas of low ozone concentrations in the atmosphere; yellow and red are areas of higher concentrations.

The stratospheric Ozone Layer is a fragile shield of gas that protects our planet from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Without action during the Montreal Protocol, atmospheric levels of ozonedepleting substances could have increased tenfold by 2050, which would have led to about two million cases of skin cancer annually by 2030.

Now, it seems as if this won't be in our Earth's future. The phase-out of ozone depleting substances has had an effect. Yet, there are still challenges ahead: it turns out that some replacement substances are potent greenhouse gases (GHGs), which can

cent in some countries have been linked to increased amounts of incoming UV radiation.

A thinner Ozone Layer is also a factor in the declining concentrations of phytoplankton that support aquatic food webs.

• Products emitting ozone-depleting substances are still produced and consumed throughout the world.

• Many ozone-depleting substances remain active in the atmosphere for 50 to 100 years.

• Most ozone-depleting substances are also greenhouse gases eg: CFCs

What can we do?

On this special day, primary and secondary school educators throughout the world are encouraged to organise classroom activities that focus on topics related to the Ozone Layer, climate change and ozone

are properly recovered and recycled instead of being vented to the atmosphere.

Human activities have significant effects on the environment, one of which is the depleting of the Ozone Layer. It’s time for us to reduce this contribution.

“The environment is everybody’s business” Sources: http://resources4rethinking.ca http://www.go-green.ae http://ozone.unep.org http://www.scienceworldreport.com You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com

22-year-old fisherman from Jibb Village on the Essequibo Coast died on Sunday after he consumed a poisonous substance on Friday last.

According to reports, the now dead man, Fabian Bell, was said to be confused and distraught about problems with his gilfriend.

A close family relative said that he and the girl were very close and whatever money he earned from his fishing business, he would give to her.

Out of frustration over the situation on Friday, he reportedly told his mother that he did not want to live

anymore and he would end his life.

According to reports, his mother tried to console him and reminded him that there are many other women in the world.

His mother then left to go to the market, and it was during her absence from home that Bell reportedly consumed a quantity of a poisonous substance.

He was assisted to the Suddie Public Hospital by neighbours. After battling for his life for two days, he succumbed on Sunday. He was the eldest of three children for his parents.

Killer of Albouystown bandit unknown – Police

C

rime Chief Leslie James on Monday told the Guyana Times that the Police are working on several leads with the intention of identifying the person who pulled the trigger and gunned down 22-year-old Orlando Fredericks.

The former Bank of Guyana security guard was shot once while attempting to escape following a robbery in Albouystown on Saturday evening. The Lot 84 Adelaide Street, Charlestown resident and three others reportedly carried out a brazen robbery on an occupant of a shop at James and Nonpareil Streets.

The Crime Chief stated that the Police are also combing the area to find Fredericks’ accomplices who they believe might be living in the same area where the now dead bandit resided.

Guyana Times was told the Police have already established that the gunshot came from within the shop which meant that a gun had to have been fired by one of the occupants.

Police are now to determine whether or not the gun used to kill the father of one was a licensed firearm.

A source close to the investigation stated that a postmortem was performed on Fredericks’s body on Monday

by Dr Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as gunshot injury to the abdomen. He explained that the single gunshot entered the man’s body via his abdomen and existed through his left buttock.

The Crime Chief added that Police have questioned several persons who were in the shop at the time of the robbery, but none of them came forward with information that can lead to the shooter.

The senior rank told the Guyana Times that Fredericks was no stranger to the Guyana Police Force, noting that he was implicated in several armed robber-

Orlando Fredericks also called “Bullay”

ies. This publication could not confirm if Fredericks was ever convicted of any robbery charge.

The mother of the dead man did not refute the claims about her son. She told the Guyana Times on Monday that while her son was named in several robberies, including the one on Saturday evening, he was still a loving child.

She recalled that she was at work when she received the news that “Bullay” was shot dead. She said that she immediately left work and went to the hospital, but instead of going in to identify him, she sent her husband.

The grieving mother later learnt that her son and three others allegedly committed a robbery and it was while he was attempting to escape that he was shot. She also noted that her son was severely beaten by several persons in the neighbourhood.

She described her now dead son as a loving person who took care of his siblings and daughter. “He had his ways yes; but he was good to us,” she related. Fredericks’ body was handed over to the family to make funeral arrangements. He leaves to mourn his three-yearold daughter, three siblings, mother and stepfather.

news

17

tuesday, september 16, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

PAHO Director says NCDs Karrau Village delivers splendid Heritage Day event greater threat than Chikungunya

PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne

Participants of the Amerindian Heritage Day celebrations pose with President Donald Ramotar (seventh from right), First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar (third from left), Karrau Village Toshao James Cornelius (third from right) and other Government officials

U

nder the theme “Traditional Embodiment for Amerindian Development”, Amerindian Heritage Day was hosted in Karrau, Region Seven and was well celebrated and attended by Amerindians and Guyanese from all walks of life.

Karrau villagers did not hesitate in their quest to show the rest of Guyana what they had to offer with traditional Amerindian dances, dress displays and impersonations.

Villagers displayed what makes them unique, through their creativity and glowing enthusiasm for Amerindian folklore.

They seemingly revelled in the thought of progress but progress with their culture.

The celebrations for the Amerindian Heritage Day and the pride of Karrau being selected for such an event started with the arrival of President Donald Ramotar at the Karrau Community Centre ground.

The Head of State arrived with First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar; Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Public Works Minister Robeson Benn; Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker; Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster; Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford; and Vice Chairman of the National Toshao Council Joel Fredericks. They were welcomed and escorted

by Karrau Village Toshao James Cornelius, relative to the village’s pioneer, Eugene Cornelius.

The event was chaired

by Morano Isaacs. Karrau Creek Primary School was the first to perform an acrostic that spelt ‘Amerindian’, showcasing their sense of community and belonging through their inimitable spirit. This was followed by numerous performances by the Karrau cultural group.

Two particular dances that made the crowd brave the sun to get a closer look were performances headed

by Mickel Andrews, a resident born and raised in the Karrau community.

The dances depicted Amerindians daily life of washing clothes at creeks or rivers, planting, gathering food for the community and hunting. Girls and some women from Karrau indicated that they have not forgotten their history as they displayed the dress of their fore-parents, circling the stage in different styles that were worn by the different Amerindian tribes of Guyana.

There was one bold miss that sashayed her way across the stage, earning the

lage, housed booths which were beautifully arranged with traditional Amerindian craft and wares, as well as purses and wallets for men with more contemporary designs.

Delicacies were also on display, with the Amerindian dishes; however the Karrau residents spiced things up a bit by making their pepper-pot with wild hog, deer and even labba (or Urana as the Makushi people call it), quite a treat for outsiders.

The drinks too were quite refreshing as there was the obvious piwari drink that Guyanese around the globe

Amerindian craft on sale at the Amerindian Heritage Day in Karrau Village, Region Seven

smiles and amusement of the President and his entourage as they applauded her.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai encouraged the youths and the Amerindian community at large to “be proud of (themselves)… be proud Guyanese”, ensuring to take advantage of all opportunities that are afforded to them.

She remarked that Amerindians across Guyana “have found their feet” and will continue to do so if they seek to develop themselves, preserve their culture, and thus themselves along the way. She encouraged the residents of Karrau particularly, not to loose sight of their development, adding that “the village council have been and continue in the (way) of development.”

The Karrau Community Centre ground, which is located at the centre of the vil-

enjoy but also potato wine, or fly as it is called locally.

Kenneth Benjamin, a mechanic who is relatively new resident of the village, and who has visited the area on numerous occasions over the last 38 years, said it was “an honour for Karrau to be selected” as it “brings joy and hope culturally and economically” to the residents and the Amerindian people in the village.

A resident of the community, Phillip Henry, also indicated his appreciation for the celebrations at Karrau.

Toshao Cornelius remarked that Karrau is special and is set apart from other villages as it has all or most of the resources Guyana is known to offer, adding that the village is not well known as other Amerindian communities, “but everything the community needs or may need is right here, it just needs to be developed.”

D

irector of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr Carissa Etienne said she is not as concerned about the rise in Chikungunya in the Caribbean, as she is about the many Non Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) that are silently killing millions of people around the world.

Speaking with Guyana Times moments after the end of a workshop to commemorate Caribbean Wellness Day at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal on Friday, Etienne noted that while there is a growing concern over the “acute non fatal disease”, there is a “killer in our midst that we should be more concerned about”.

The PAHO Director said she has an innate desire to see the total eradication of behaviours responsible for the increase in non communicable diseases. These include the lack of exercise and inactivity and unhealthy eating habits which contribute to diseas-

es such as hypertension, diabetes and glaucoma.

“You heard that chronic diseases are a major public health problem, even if you are young, you are at risk.

We are seeing younger people coming down with these diseases. 60 per cent of people who die, die from these diseases”, Dr Etienne said.

She noted that the conditions are “not just a health problem, they are a developmental problem”, continuing that all sectors within society should work concertedly to assist in the alleviation of poor lifestyles. “We have a legitimate problem, not only in the Caribbean but around the world which contribute to a lot of these diseases. Our population is not as enthusiastic about this issue, so we are calling on governments to reduce the harmful use of tobacco, alcohol and physical inactivity”. These also contribute to the widespread non communicable diseases.

“You heard that you need to stop the use of tobacco, increase physical activity, and eat healthy di-

ets”, Etienne said at the close of the Caribbean Wellness Day workshop on Friday, as she challenged nurses and other medical practitioners present to begin advocating with parliamentary representatives and civil society to aid in total eradication. “We need to seek action; we need to have all other sectors to play an important role.”

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs kill more than 36 million people each year. Nearly 80 per cent of NCD deaths – 29 million – occur in low- and middleincome countries.

Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.3 million people annually, followed by cancers (7.6 million), respiratory diseases (4.2 million), and diabetes (1.3 million). These four groups of diseases account for around 80 per cent of all NCD deaths. They share four risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets.

NCDs are often associated with older age groups, but evidence shows that more than nine million of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur before the age of 60. Of these “premature” deaths, 90 per cent occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Children, adults and the elderly are all vulnerable to the risk factors that contribute to NCDs, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the effects of the harmful use of alcohol, WHO has reported.

DNA results on Turkeyen skeletal remains due next week – Crime Chief

T

he relatives of missing school teacher Nyozi Goodman will have to wait for at least another week to find out if the skeletal remains found at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, are those of the woman.

She went missing two months ago. DNA samples taken from the remains and the parents of the missing school teacher were sent to Trinidad for further analysis.

Crime Chief Leslie James told Guyana Times that the results were initially supposed to return to Guyana after a month, and that time will expire in the new week.

He added that once the results are back, the public will be updated.

As of now, they are in constant contact with their counterparts to make sure the results are returned in a timely manner. This is the first time that the Guyana Police Force has used a lab-

Missing school teacher, Nyozi Goodman

oratory in Trinidad to perform the DNA testing, which is essential in the case.

The 36-year-old Goodman was last seen on July 6, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where she had accompanied her school’s basketball team to the National Schools Basketball Championships. Goodman, of William Street, Kitty, was

last seen sending off the basketball team with another teacher.

On July 24, a female body suspected to be that of the missing teacher was found in an advanced stage of decomposition. Owing to the state of the remains, relatives could not have positively identified the body as Goodman’s, hence DNA samples were taken. One of Goodman’s brothers had told reporters that there was no flesh on the body and the only way the woman could be identified is by a bad tooth in her mouth.

Due to the state of the woman’s corpse, local pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh had to be taken to the scene to perform the post-mortem examination, but after more than 30 minutes of examining the remains, he declared the cause of death as inconclusive. However, he reportedly found signs that the woman might have been stabbed.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Your self-esteem may be low if you have been beating yourself up over past disappointments.

Give yourself a break.

You have the energy and the know-how to outmanoeuvre your opponents.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Consider the steps necessary to realise the bright future you are seeking. You have the ability, so make a serious effort to move one step closer to your goals.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Your judgment may be clouded today. If you are feeling upset over a recent dispute, you should slow down and take a deep breath. Rushing through the events of the day will cause unnecessary setbacks.

Peanuts

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

SUDOKU

Emotional complications will preoccupy you today. Make an effort to face head-on the issues that arise. Overindulgence or overspending will not fix the problem; it will only make matters worse.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You will feel satisfaction if you catch up on your chores. Reorganise or rethink what will really make you feel happy and content. A garage sale will help you simplify your life.

Monday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) You will gravitate to the fast lane today. Social activities and group events will fill your schedule and bring pleasing results. Trust in your skill, knowledge and ability to communicate.

CANCER (June 21July 22) Stay out of the limelight today. Listen and learn while keeping a low profile. You may discover some enlightening facts that have eluded you in the past.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) You have knowledge and insight into what others desire. Your willingness to make a positive difference in the lives of people experiencing difficulties will boost your self-esteem and reputation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Don’t be hard on yourself. You may have made some questionable choices, but you shouldn’t second-guess your next move.

Trust your intuition and refuse to let uncertainty be your downfall.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) Exciting romantic encounters lie ahead.

Donate your time to community events, causes or activities. New acquaintances and old friends will influence the changes that take place in your personal life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Consider a different venue for something you’re planning. Property deals could prove lucrative, but overspending could obviate any gain, so be practical and remain well-informed regarding investments.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) A positive outlook and strong work ethic will put you in a position to make favourable changes. Put forth the effort to share your ideas and let your personality shine through.

tuesday, september 16, 2014

19

BBCI First Division 50-over cricket…

McPherson, Shepherd among individual highlights

Romario Shepherd Kwesi Mickle

T

he 2014 Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) First Division 50-over knockout cricket competition in the Ancient County got off to a bright start on Sunday with former Guyana Under-15 batsman Quacy McPherson hitting the first century of this year’s tournament.

He slammed 105 for West Berbice in their match against D’Edward.

His knock, which included 11 fours and six sixes, to-

gether with 58 (2x4s, 3x6s) from Andrew Dutchin saw West Berbice to 267 in 45.2 overs. West Berbice then proceeded to bowl out D’Edward for a paltry 60 in their response with Guyana pacer Raun Johnson, Berbice off-spinner Krishnadat Ramoo and medium-pacer Keith Fraser picking up three wickets each.

Berbice pacer Romario Shepherd took 4-36 from nine overs, which together with 3-30 from former Guyana off-spinner Steve Latcha, helped Universal

Sherwin McPherson

Solution Bermine restrict Young Warriors to 164 all out in 46.2 overs. In Bermine’s response, after former Guyana batsman Shemroy Barrington fell for a chancy 36 leaving them precariously placed at 70-4, Shepherd came in and took charge, slamming 56 not out (5x4s ,3x6s) to guide Bermine to victory with four wickets to spare.

Former Berbice legspinner Shawn Pereira took 4-48 from nine overs to help Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets bowl

Steffon Adams

out Skeldon Community Centre for 154 in 31.2 overs. Rose Hall Town in reply lost Guyana allrounder Royston Crandon for eight at 25-1, but former Guyana wicketkeeper/batsman Delbert Hicks slammed 85 not out (10x4s, 2x6s) and former Berbice wicketkeeper/ batsman Jason Sinclair 50 not out (4x4s) to feature in an unbroken second wicket stand of 130 runs made in 16 overs to see Rose Hall Town to a nine-wicket win.

Former Guyana

BBCI donates blender towards RHTY&SC Corn House event A

s part of their cooperate responsibility, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) on Friday last donated a blender towards the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Corn House event.

The company in a release said it was privileged to have the opportunity to donate the blender towards the event.

The BBCI said it not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the retractor opening and under the high span, but also discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly, plays an integral part in the development of education and sport.

The company has also supported national events and made donations to charitable and non-charitable organisations in proximity of the bridge or in Region Five and Six. The company had also sponsored events in other regions, stretching as far Amir Khan, Shift Supervisor at BBCI handing over the blender to a representative from the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club as the hinterland.

Waqar Hassan

Under-19 all-rounder Loyydel Lewis scored 62 (3x4s, 1x6) to see Port Mourant Universal DVD to 161 in 41.1 overs against Blairmont Community Centre, whose former Berbice Under-19 left-arm spinner Waqar Hassan picked up 5-21 from 8.1 overs for the best bowling figures in their round.

Port Mourant Universal DVD then bowled out Blairmont for 107 in their response with off-spinner Devendra Thakurdeen Universal Solutions Bermine 167-6 in 41.2 overs (Romario Shepherd 56*, Shemroy Barrington 36, Linden Austin 2-13, Vishal Mohabir 2-53).

At Skeldon: Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets beat Skeldon Community Centre by nine wickets. Skeldon Community Centre 154 in 31.2 overs (Charles France 32, Sherwin Murray 22, Parmanand Narine 21, Shawn Pereira 4-48, Royston Crandon 2-37) Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets 155-1 in 23 overs (Delbert Hicks 85*, Jason Sinclair 50*).

At Blairmont: Port Mourant beat Blairmont Community Centre by 54 runs. Port Mourant 161 all out in 41.1 overs (Loyydel Lewis 62, Devendra Thakurdeen 33, Waqar Hassan 5-21, Kevon Jawahir 2-46) Blairmont Community Centre 107

taking 4-14 from nine overs and Guyana legspinner Amir Khan 3-10 from nine overs.

Off-spinner Quacy Mickle’s 5-37 from nine overs was largely responsible for Police’s three-wicket win over Edinburgh.

Below are the summarised scores from the matches played: At D’Edward: West Berbice beat D’Edward by 207 runs. West Berbice 267 all out in 45.2 overs (Quacy Mc Pherson 105, Andrew Dutchin 58, Kenje Sedoc 24, Christian France 3-47, Navin Rampersaud 3-38, Devendra Lalsa 2-43) D’Edward 60 in 13.1 overs (Romain Budhram 27, Krishnadat Ramoo 3-11, Raun Johnson 3-25, Keith Fraser 3-16).

At Cumberland: Universal Solutions Bermine beat Young Warriors by four wickets.

Young Warriors 164 in 46.2 overs (Seon Hetmyer 33, Ishwar Singh 31, Wahied Edwards 23, Romario Shepherd 4-36, Steve Latcha 3-30) in 31.3 overs (Deveshwari Prashad 42, Avishkar Sewkarran 22, Devendra Thakurdeen 4-14, Amir Khan 3-10, Dimitri Cameron 2-30).

At Edinburgh: Police beat Edinburgh by three wickets. Edinburgh 123 in 28.2 overs (Joseph Giddings 33, Jerome Andrews 31, Quacy Mickle 5-37, Rocky Hutson 3-28, Carl Campbell 2-10) Police 126-7 in 20 overs (Kurt Griffith 28*, Elon Schultz 23, Michael Campbell 22, Jerome Andrews 2-20, Shafeek Khan 2-22, Michael Sampson 2-30).

Meanwhile, the last set of first round match between Guytrack Upper Corentyne and Bush Lot Rising Star is scheduled for Saturday at the Number 69 round.

The second round of the competition is fixed for Sunday.

20

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

guyanatimesGY.com

Champions League CpLT20...

Liverpool's Gerrard 'jealous' during Dhoni glad to have Bravo back Champions League absence

A

fter Chennai Super Kings were knocked out of the IPL earlier this year, MS Dhoni had highlighted the injury to West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo as one of the main reasons for the campaign ending early.

Bravo had been the leading wicket-taker in the 2013 IPL but could play only one game in the 2014 season before being sidelined by a shoulder problem. One of the five players retained by Super Kings ahead of this year's player auction, Bravo is back with squad for the Champions League.

"We missed Dwayne Bravo during the IPL. He got injured," MS Dhoni said. "That really affected the strength, combination and stability of the side. It is good to have him (Bravo) back."

Two days ahead of the start of Super Kings' CLT20 campaign in Hyderabad, Dhoni talked about how little time there was for the squad to prepare for this tournament. "We don't get 10 days before the start of the tournament. It is usually pretty fast. Especially the fact, most of the Indian cricketers, they are part of the ODI squad and they are coming from England, which means [they] will be arriving here late.

Steven Gerrard has been "craving" Champions League football after watching rivals in the competition during Liverpool's five-year absence

C MS Dhoni: "We missed Dwayne Bravo during the IPL."

"In my case, I just came here (Hyderabad) today.

So, you don't get the same amount of time with the team. As I said, it has its own challenge. Still it is good. We get enough time to get together. The two months of IPL, the time, we spend that really helps us.

It becomes like a refresher course, where you get together and start getting your acts together."

While the IPL has been a blockbuster hit over the years, attendanc-

es and the following of the CLT20 have lagged well behind, but Dhoni defended the tournament. "The idea of Champions League T20 is brilliant. But also, it becomes difficult to indulge the Indian crowds at the same level if you compare to IPL. Because, if two teams from abroad are playing, you won't get the same kind of crowd, may be when two Indian teams are playing, the interest of crowd grows. This is a challenge." (ESPNCRICINFO)

aptain Steven Gerrard says he has been jealous watching Manchester United and Chelsea compete in the Champions League during Liverpool's five-year absence.

The Reds return to the competition for the first time since 2009 on Tuesday at home to Bulgaria's Ludogorets Razgrad.

"There has almost been a jealousy and an envy that we weren't involved," said Gerrard, who won the competition with the Reds in 2005.

"I've been craving it.

Everyone is looking forward to hearing that music."

Chelsea have won the Champions League and

Manchester United have finished runners-up since Liverpool last appeared in Europe's elite club competition five years ago.

"Watching the likes of Chelsea and Man United in it when we were finishing outside the top four was tough," added Gerrard, who captained his side to second place in the Premier League last season.

"I'm just glad it's finally here. It's reward for all the hard work last season.

"We need to enjoy it but we're not in it to make the numbers up. We want to do as well as we can."

Five-time European champions Liverpool are in the same group as Real

Madrid and FC Basel.

Manager Brendan Rodgers says the Reds will treat Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad with the same respect as they would 10-time European champions Real Madrid.

It will be Rodgers's first match in charge for any Champions League tie.

"Five years is a long time, probably too long," he said when asked about Liverpool's absence from the competition.

"When I came here my main priority was to get the club back to this level.

"We want to be at the elite level and the Champions League is that." (BBCSport)

West Indies v New Zealand, 2nd women's ODI, St Kitts...

Dottin, Mohammed set up 2-0 lead for WI

Deandra Dottin scored her second successive ODI fifty

D

eandra Dottin's second successive fifty and a four-wicket haul from offspinner Anisa Mohammed helped West Indies Women secure a 65-run win in the second ODI against New Zealand Women and, with it, a 2-0 lead in the four-game series.

The first three ODIs

of the series are also a part of the ICC Women's Championship and West Indies' 2-0 lead has helped them establish the third position on the points table behind Australia Women and England Women.

West Indies won the toss and opted to bat and their batsmen put in another strong performance, led by

an opening stand of 63 between Natasha McLean and Kycia Knight. The scoring rate dipped after McLean fell in the 12th over, as Knight and Shemaine Campbelle added just 16 runs in 8.3 overs, but gradually picked up after Dottin came in to bat in the 20th over.

When Campbelle de-

parted for 27, with the score at 120 for 3 in the 33rd over, West Indies needed a push to get moving towards a big score and that momentum came from 97-run, fourthwicket partnership between Dottin and Stafanie Taylor that came in a little more than 14 overs. Taylor contributed a 41-ball 50 to the stand, striking three fours and two sixes. Dottin, at the other end, steadily built her innings and, once Taylor was out, provided quick runs to steer West Indies to 246 for 5. Her unbeaten 82 came off 99 balls with seven fours and a six.

New Zealand's chase had been effectively nullified by the 15th over, as Shakera Salman, Taylor and Mohammed reduced the side to 56 for 5. Sophie Devine anchored the innings with a steady halfcentury but she found little support from the lower order as New Zealand crumbled to 181 in the 46th over.

Mohammed's fifth four-for in ODIs was well supported by Taylor, who took 2 for 21, and Shanel Daley, who finished with 2 for 25.

(ESPNCRICINFO)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women innings (50 overs maximum) Kycia A Knight c Perkins b Curtis 48 NY McLean b Nielsen 15 SA Campbelle c Perkins b Guy 27 DJS Dottin not out 82 SR Taylor c Satterthwaite b Bates 50 SF Daley c Curtis b Bates 4 MR Aguilleira*†not out 2 Extras (b 2, lb 7, w 5, nb 4) 18 Total (5 wickets; 50 overs; 192 mins) 246 (4.92 runs per over) Did not bat SL Quintyne, A Mohammed, SC Selman, TD Smartt Fall of wickets: 1-63 (McLean, 11.3 ov), 2-79 (Kycia A Knight, 19.6 ov), 3-120 (Campbelle, 32.3 ov), 4-217 (Taylor, 46.4 ov), 5-231 (Daley, 48.1 ov) Bowling O M R W HR Huddleston 10 1 58 0 HNK Jensen 5 1 21 0 SW Bates 6 0 40 2 SFM Devine 3 0 30 0 MJG Nielsen 9 1 35 1 GA Guy 10 2 27 1 SRH Curtis 7 0 26 1 New Zealand Women innings (target: 247 runs from 50 overs)

SW Bates* c Quintyne b Mohammed 38 SRH Curtis lbw b Selman 5 b Taylor 1 SJ McGlashan AE Satterthwaite c Quintyne b Mohammed 5 SFM Devine c Kycia A Knight b Mohammed 89 KT Perkins lbw b Taylor 0 RH Priest†c Smartt b Daley 4 HNK Jensen c Kycia A Knight b Mohammed 7 MJG Nielsen lbw b Smartt 17 HR Huddleston not out 7 GA Guy b Daley 0 8 Extras (lb 1, w 4, nb 3) Total (all out; 45.3 overs; 174 mins) 181 (3.97 runs per over) Fall of wickets 1-30 (Curtis, 7.1 ov), 2-35 (McGlashan, 8.1 ov), 3-49 (Satterthwaite, 11.5 ov), 4-55 (Bates, 13.2 ov), 5-56 (Perkins, 14.3 ov), 6-80 (Priest, 22.5 ov), 7-104 (Jensen, 31.1 ov), 8-138 (Nielsen, 38.6 ov), 9-179 (Devine, 43.2 ov), 10-181 (Guy, 45.3 ov) Bowling O M R W TD Smartt 7 0 40 1 SF Daley 7.3 0 25 2 SR Taylor 9 1 21 2 SC Selman 6 0 25 1 A Mohammed 10 3 32 4 6 0 37 0 SL Quintyne

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21

40-over action heats up with two games T

he West Demerara 40 over cricket competition continued on Sunday with two lopsided games at various grounds throughout West Demerara.

The first game at Joe Vieira Park saw Independence ‘A’ topping Sports Club by 116 runs to win the game.

Independence ‘A’ took first strike and batted their way to 204 runs off 34.3 overs with Deon Samuels playing a crucial role with the bat to top score with 56 runs.

Devon Mohabir and Dion Allert all got good starts with 30 runs each but failed to make the most of their opportunity with the bat.

Narish Persaud was the pick of the bowlers for Sports Club bowing six overs for 24 runs while picking up two wickets.

In the run chase, Sports Club was only able to accu-

mulate a measly score of 88 all out off 30.3 overs as Paul Persaram top scored with 28 runs.

Ray Benjamin was in top form with the ball for Independence ‘A’ picking up a five-for while only giving away 24 runs off 7.3 overs.

Mahesh Dhanpaul also bowled well with figures of 16 runs for four wickets off six overs.

Meanwhile at the Wales Community Centre Ground, Wales CDC ‘A’ took advantage of their club counterparts Wales CDC ‘B’ to win by 272 runs.

Wales CDC ‘A’ took to the crease first and amassed a high score of 407 for seven off their allotted amount of overs.

Ramish Thaikur ton of 114 along with Chandrika Persaud’s score of 100 led the way for Wales CDC ‘A’ with the bat. Randy Yankhana also had 66 runs

to add to the massive score.

Azad Ally was the only bowler that was successful against the onslaught of the batsmen as he picked up four wickets for 62 runs off eight overs.

Wales CDC ‘B’ in reply was only able to manage a paltry 135 all out off 27.2 overs as their batsmen was clearly lacking experience against the ‘A’ side attack.

Vishnu Sue gave little away with his bowling, picking up four wickets for 28 runs off seven overs while bowling two maiden overs.

Persaud after scoring a stroke filled century, was effective with the ball, notching three wickets for 19 runs off seven overs while bowling one maiden to end the game.

Games in the tournament are expected to continue every weekend at carious grounds across the West Demerara region.

Maidana believes he beat Mayweather

M

Floyd Mayweather evades yet another punch during the contest

arcos Maidana (35-5, 31 KOs) believes he was robbed last night in his 12 round unanimous decision loss to WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr (47-0, 26 KOs) in their rematch.

Maidana says he outworked Mayweather by throwing many more punches than him, and he forced the fight with his aggression. The only thing that Maidana feels Mayweather did well was run from him for 12 rounds. Maidana gives Mayweather full credit for his running, but that’s it.

Maidana also denies biting Mayweather on the hand in the 8th round. He says that didn’t happen.

“Nobody did what I could do and I hit Floyd Mayweather with many punches,” Maidana said at the post-fight press conference last night. “I felt I did

enough to win. But what can I say? If the judges like a fighter who runs like Floyd, there’s nothing I can do about it. I think he’s beatable. And when you attack him more and more, he [Mayweather] really doesn’t know what to do.”

Maidana is kind of alone on an island in thinking he won the fight last night.

Even his trainer Robert Garcia wasn’t willing to make that claim in front of the media. Maidana was much less effective in this fight compared to last May in his first fight against Mayweather in which Maidana landed 221 punches.

Last night, Maidana landed 128 of 572 shots for a connect percentage of just 22%. With that kind of connect percentage, it was impossible for Maidana to have chance of winning against Mayweather.

Maidana should feel for-

tunate that the judges scored it as close as they did in scoring it 116-111, 116-112 and 116-111, because Maidana fought well enough to win 2 rounds at the most.

Contrary to what Maidana is saying about Mayweather not knowing what to do when he was attacked last night, Mayweather looked very decisive in how he reacted to Maidana’s bull-like attacks. Mayweather was frequently moving from one side of the ring to another, jabbing, pot shotting and tying Maidana up. Mayweather didn’t look lost or flustered.

“I was able to counter him and hit him,” Maidana said. “He’s very fast on his feet, I’ll tell you that. I didn’t bite him. That didn’t happen. I know he poked me in the eye when he had his glove in my face, but I didn’t bite him.”

22

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

guyanatimesGY.com

GCB Four-Day Inter-County bowls off on Thursday

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) FourDay Senior InterCounty competition is set to bowl off with the first round on Thursday at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

In the first round, the 50-over champions Berbice will clash with Demerara at GCC, while Essequibo will meet the GCB Development Squad at DCC. The second round will begin on September 24 when Essequibo take on Berbice at DCC, and the GCB Development Squad go up against Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The third round will get underway on

Christopher Barnwell

Anthony Adams

September 30 as the GCB Development Squad will do battle with Berbice at the Wales Community Centre ground, and Demerara and Essequibo will meet at GCC. The squads are as follow: Demerara: Trevon Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika, Shemroy Barrington, Christopher

Barnwell (Vice-captain), Raj Nanan, Zaheer Mohamed, Ameer Khan, Rodolph Knights, Paul Wintz, Seon Daniels, Vishal Singh (Captain), Gavin Moriah, Joseph Perry, and Robin Bacchus. The Coach is Garvin Nedd and the Manager is Clive Grimmond.

Berbice: Kandasammy

Narsingh Deonarine

Steven Jacobs

Surujnarine, Seon Hetmyer, Narsingh Deonarine (Captain), Devon Clements, Royston Crandon, Jonathan Foo, Anthony Bramble, Jason Sinclair, Veerasammy Permaul (Vice-captain), Steve Latcha, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Raun Johnson, and Keon Joseph. The Coach is Hubern

Evans and the Manager is Albert Smith.

Essequibo: Anthony Adams (Captain), Ricardo Adams (Vice-captain), Royan Fredricks, Kevon Boodie, Royston Alkins Heimchand Persaud, Parmesh Parsotam, Tulsieram Premnauth, Shivindra Heimraj, Keon

Davis, Brian Herbert, Mark Gonsalves, Mark Tryll, and Recardo Peters. The Coach is Vibert Johnson and the Manager is Leroy Hall.

GCB Development Squad: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Kemo Paul, Sheraz Ramcharran, Akshay Homraj, David Latchaya, Damion Waldron, Steven Sankar, Daniel Basdeo, Nial Smith, Keon Morris, Steven Jacobs (Captain), Kemol Savory, Yatesh Dhanpaul, Brian Sattuar, Balchand Baldeo, Renaldo Ali Mohamed. The Coach is Adrian Amsterdam, Assistant Coaches are Julian Moore and Michael Hyles, and the Manager is David Black.

USA dominate final to FIBA World Cup

W

ith golden confetti raining on their heads and “Party in the U.S.A.” ringing in their ears, it must have been hard for the U.S. basketball players to hear anything.

Doesn’t matter. They had stopped listening long ago.

All the questions about their talent, the doubts about their ability, were put down as easily as their opponents.

“It kind of was, again, a smack to our face, saying the U.S. was sending the B-team to go play in the World Cup,” forward Kenneth Faried said. “Just because LeBron [James]’s not here, Kobe [Bryant]’s not here, [Kevin] Durant’s not here, doesn’t mean anything. We can step up and win the gold, too.

That’s what we did tonight.”

And just like every other game, the Americans did it easily.

Tournament MVP Kyrie

Irving made all six of his 3-point attempts and scored 26 points, and the U.S. repeated as world champion for the first time by crushing Serbia 129-92 on Sunday in the Basketball World Cup. James Harden added 23 points for the Americans, who made 11 of 16 3-pointers in a sensational-shooting first half, adding one final romp to a tournament full of them.

This depleted team that was supposedly weak enough to lose was too good to be touched.

“Obviously we didn’t have a very close game all tournament, but for that to happen we had to play hard for 40 minutes and not relax and not give any inch while we were out there,” guard Stephen Curry said.

The Americans came in winning by 32.5 points per game and their closest victory in the tournament was

Kyrie Irving dominates to win MVP award of the final.

USA celebrate their win

by 21 points over Turkey.

They thought they would get a tough game Sunday, but were simply too good to let that happen.

They finished at 58 percent from the field. They made 15 of 30 3-point attempts and had eight of their 12 players score in double figures.

“I think the results were dominant, but we had spurts of dominance in a lot of games,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “And we had tough games and then all of a sudden we’d have a spurt and it looked like we dominated. Tonight we had like about a 35-minute spurt.”

The Americans were supposed to have All-Star forwards Durant, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin, who all informed USA Basketball not long before the tournament that they would be unavailable.

But Irving and Harden

stuck around, and despite sending the youngest U.S. team since NBA players debuted in 1992, the Americans remained as dominant as ever.

They have won 63 straight games -- 45 in official FIBA events and 18 in exhibition play -- and are automatically qualified for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

James, Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul might want to return for that competition. But the Americans will have to leave room for some players from this team, which has loads of young talent that figures to get even better from the time it spent together.

It was the fifth world title for the Americans, tying Yugoslavia for the most all-time. And the second for Derrick Rose, who used this tournament as his return after missing most of the last two seasons follow-

ing a pair of knee surgeries, along with Curry and Rudy Gay. It was the first medal for Serbia, which had been a part of Yugoslavia when it won five. The Yugoslavians had been the last repeat champions, winning in 1998 and 2002.

The Serbians were only 2-3 in the group stage but then routed previously unbeaten Greece and Brazil before building a big lead and holding on for a 9085 semifinal victory over France, which had beat them in the group stage and knocked out tournament cofavorite Spain in the quarters.

Serbia carried that momentum into the early moments of this one. Using a fluid offense that produced layups and dunks, Serbia opened the biggest lead any team had against the U.S. in this tournament when Miroslav Raduljica’s three-

point play made it 15-7.

That was wiped out in a minute, and Serbia’s hopes of winning didn’t last much longer.

“I don’t think anything worked what we planned, but nevertheless I’m still happy with the effort that we put on the floor,” Serbia coach Sasha Djordjevic said.

Harden had a threepoint play and a 3-pointer, DeMarcus Cousins tied it with a pair of free throws, and then Irving had a jumper, 3-pointer and layup to cap a 15-0 burst that made it 22-15.

Irving hit a couple more 3s in an 11-0 run later in the quarter that provided a 35-19 cushion, and the Americans poured it on midway through the second in making it 56-30 after back-to-back 3s by Irving and Harden.

France beat Lithuania 95-93 on Saturday for the bronze.

tuesDAY, september 16, 2014

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Stag Beer/EBFA Division One League – Round two…

Timehri, Diamond record contrasting wins T

imehri Panthers blanked Herstelling 4-0, while Diamond United gained full points without breaking a sweat after their opponent, Mocha Champs, failed to show when play in the Stag Beer sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Division One League second round continued on Sunday at the Grove Playfield, East Bank Demerara.

experienced

opponents.

Herstelling showed some signs of toughness early in the showdown, but once Timehri got their scoring form in place, it was just a matter of how much the margin of defeat would have been as the experienced Timehri boys made light work of their less

The half time whistle sounded with the score unchanged. Timehri continued their control of proceedings in the second stanza, netting two more goals while keeping their opponents goalless.

It did take some time for the opening goal to hit the back of the nets. Orin Steele obliged in the 23rd minute after the Herstelling goalkeeper QuazimYussuf failed to stop the effort. Goal number two was converted in the 34th minute when Royston Burgess’ shot got past Yusuf who failed to get down enough to stop the ball.

Troy Johnson in the 48th minute and Leon Denny

Part of the action between Timehri Panthers (red and blue uniform) and Herstelling

in the 60th sealed the win for Timehri and full points

which took them ahead of Agricola to third placein the

standings, while Herstelling dropped below Diamond

United to seventh place in the standings.

Belvedere Sports GVF hosting youth programme Club officially opens

By Treiston Joseph

– residents urged to take full advantage of facility

By Rajiv Bisnauth

W

ith the aim of strengthening community cohesion between residents of De Hoop, Mahaica, its environs and Region Five at large, the Belvedere Sports Club was officially commissioned on Saturday last.

Dubbed a general sport club where both indoor and outdoor activities will be played, residents were urged to take full advantage of the facility.

Region Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth during the feature remarks applauded the people of De Hoop for their commitment and dedication towards the development of their community.

The regional chairman stated that sport is important because it contributes significantly to the development of society.

“Sport teaches life skills because of its rules and it also promotes discipline,” he added.

According to the regional chairman, there are a number of benefits of joining the sport club including the obvious point of keeping fit and healthy.

“Sport makes an important contribution to development of human capital; it keeps individuals fit and helps with their education because it creates a healthier mind,” Bisnauth said.

Finally, Bisnauth promised the elected executives the RDC full support.

Meanwhile, President of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Bissoondyal Singh said the facility will not only aid in the development of cricket, but will con-

tribute to almost every faculty of life as it relates to sports.

“While our Government must be applauded for their interest in seeing the working class receive the best by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in sports facilities across Guyana, you the people must play your part. I want to urge you to continue the excellent work and we at the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) will also be working with you until success is achieved,” Singh said.

He added “In this regard, the ECCB will be supporting the club as it relates to creating a club register, the drafting of a constitution, a cricket development plan and the registration of the entity.

“We will be engaging the club executive from time to time as we see it necessary so as to ensure that our goals are achieved,” the ECCB President concluded.

Vice-president of the Belvedere Sports Club Gowkarran Dindiall thanked the RDC and ECCB for their support in making the initiative a reality.

The elected executives are: Dennis Pompey (Chairman), Gowkarran Dindiall (Vice-chairman), Annad Persaud (Secretary), Vishal Rantydeo (Treasurer), Michelle Singh ( Assistance Secretary/Treasurer). The Committee Members – are Ewart Bourne, Kalamodeen Hossain, Raymond Veeren and Ramkumar Jairam.

After the official opening, oversees based Guyanese Michael Gerald Singh presented the club with cricket gears.

T

he Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) tipped off their Volleyball Cooperation Programme on Monday at the National Gymnasium which is featuring Federation International of Volleyball (FIVB) accredited coach Ramiro Hart.

The programme will feature a number of young volleyball players attending schools as the federation saw it fit to focus on young talent this year.

Further, Hart who is in Guyana for the third time, explained that Guyana has potential and hopes that the game will blossom when his programme comes to an end on September 19.

Ramiro Hart

“For me it’s a pleasure and honor to be here, it’s the third time that I’m here and hopefully we can get volleyball blooming Guyana, they say the third time is the best time,” Hart stated.

The International coach with loads of experience also highlighted some of the things he saw in the athletes present at the programme.

“The kids here are very spontaneous and I’m pleased to see that, not all of them are at the same level but in my experience I have thought myself to work with different levels in one group.

“This is the first impression I got today and the impression very good,” Hart told Guyana Times Sport at the launch.

Hart also related the main goals that he wishes the programme to accomplish especially since this programme which is dubbed “Smart Volleyball”

Ramiro Hart instructs some of the players during some drills at the National Gymnasium

will be the second of its kind the coach has done.

“This group is the second that I’m working with in what we are calling smart volleyball and smart means, specific, measurable, achievable, reachable and timely and work on all those need for the kids,” Hart related.

Meanwhile President of the GVF, John Flores was happy to have Hart do the programme as he explained that Volleyball will oly grow if the youths are interested since it is not a main sport of Guyana such as cricket.

Further, Flores noted that next year they will look to host a similar programme that will be more for coaches.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

tuesday, september 16, 2014

TOP SCORES

West Indies v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, St Lucia, 3rd day...

Chanderpaul fifty drives lead to 427

Shivnarine Chanderpaul made his second fifty of the Test

Belvedere Sports Club officially opens – residents urged to take full advantage of facility

B

arring the 92 minutes they took in the morning session to bowl Bangladesh out for 161, West Indies batted out the rest of the third day and fortified their hold of the second Test in St Lucia. Their lead sits at a daunting 427 runs after they reached 208 for 4 at stumps.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted sturdily to complete his 66th half-century. Jermaine Blackwood, at the other end, looked quite assured as well during a 108-run unbroken stand.

The pair came together when West Indies had lost their third and fourth wickets in the space of two overs. Darren Bravo dragged the ball from his bat to his pads and onto his stumps and Kraigg Brathwaite fell for 45, as Mahmudullah lured the outside edge to slip.

However, West Indies had already been well placed courtesy a rapid 76-run opening stand. Even the dogged Brathwaite wasn't shy of lofting the ball across the line on few occasions, slogging Taijul Islam for a six and a four over midwicket.

Leon Johnson did more to force the run-rate with a lively 41 off 59 balls, including eight fours. He cut Al-Amin Hossain to the boundary off the first ball after lunch and used the pull, sweep and some fine dabs to ensure West Indies were not bogged down. He could have reached a fifty quite easily but yorked himself against Taijul Islam in the 20th over.

Taijul could have dented West Indies further in the same over, but Kirk Edwards won a review after umpire Steve Davis adjudged him leg-before. Replays showed the batsman had inside-edged the ball onto his front pad. But Edwards, for a second time in the game, couldn't take advantage his reprieve and guided a Shafiul Islam delivery to gully in the 23rd over. In the first innings, he survived a dropped catch on 5 but got out for 16. Here he could only move from 0 to 2.

A 10-minute rain break in the afternoon posed as a reminder of the poor weather over the next two days and Bangladesh's tail did their best to bring that into contention.

The last three wickets added 72, a marked improvement from their wretched batting on the second day.

Mahmudullah played sensibly to score his second successive Test fifty, his eighth overall. He struck two fours - cut through point and hammered down to long-on - and a six over midwicket during his 100-ball stay.

But two balls after reaching his fifty, Sulieman Benn got one to bounce slightly more than Mahmudullah anticipated and could only outside edge his cut to the keeper. It marked the third time Denesh Ramdin has taken five catches in an innings.

Mahmudullah had added 45 runs for the eighth wicket with Shafiul who made only 10 runs, but survived for 85 minutes to save his team from further embarrassment, considering he had walked in at 89 for 7.

But 104 for 7 wasn't a great place to start on the third morning, and it means that with two days remaining in the game, Bangladesh remain at the mercy of their hosts.

SCOREBOARD Page 23

Members of Belvedere Sports Club pose for a photo with Region Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth (seated second right), ECCB President Bissoondyal Singh (seated left), Deputy Regional Executive Officer Govin Singh (standing right) and Woodlands-Farm NDC Chairman Dayanand Maraj (standing second right)

West Indies 380 & 208/4 (67.0 ov) Bangladesh 161 West Indies lead by 427 runs with 6 wickets remaining West Indies 2nd innings KC Brathwaite c Shamsur Rahman b Mahmudullah 45 LR Johnson b Taijul Islam 41 KA Edwards c Shamsur Rahman b Shafiul Islam 2 DM Bravo b Mahmudullah 7 S Chanderpaul not out 63 J Blackwood not out 43 Extras (lb 5, w 2) 7

Total (4 wickets; 67 overs) 208 (3.10 runs per over) To batD Ramdin*†, JE Taylor, KAJ Roach, SJ Benn, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets 1-76 (Johnson, 19.3 ov), 2-81 (Edwards, 22.5 ov), 3-97 (Bravo, 34.2 ov), 4-100 (Brathwaite, 36.2 ov) Bowling O M R W Taijul Islam 27 5 76 1 Al-Amin Hossain 4 0 18 0 Robiul Islam 11 3 34 0 Shafiul Islam 10 1 21 1 Mahmudullah 11 2 37 2 Mominul Haque 4 0 17 0

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