Guyana Times Daily - March 26, 2015

Chile rejects Doerga's Alesie rice shipment

PNC-led coalition to unveil "List Representative" today

PPP/C plugs women's development in Guyana OAS, Commonwealth to send preelection observer teams

GECOM assures ABC of poll readiness

Robbery accused brutally chopped in Camp Street Prison

The Qualfon Contact Centre Campus at Providence, East Bank Demerara was constructed on 10 acres of land and the first phase of construction has cost the company some US$4 million

thursday, march 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Thursday, March 26 – 09:00h-10:30h and Friday, March 27 – 10:00h-11:30h

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

March, Thursday 26 – 08:05h-09:35h and Friday, March 27 – 09:10h-10:40h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

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

Friday, March 27 – 05:00h, 10:00h and 14:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with heavy rain showers in the afternoon. Sunny intervals can be expected in the late afternoon with partly cloudy conditions in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:34h and 21:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.22 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:07h and 14:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.89 metre and 0.85 metre respectively.

Nagamootoo, Ramjattan filled with “hate, venom” ...backstabbing other leaders – Francis Darchiville

Former National Executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and former RDC Councillor of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)

Francis Darchiville, expressed with greatest disappointment the new direction in which the AFC is headed, noting that prime members such as Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo now breathe

“hate” and “vindictiveness.”

“They have an obsession with power grabbing. The leadership, to my mind, especially Mr Nagamootoo and Mr Ramjattan, is filled with too much hate and too much venom in their veins to run anything as far as I’m concerned…everything that comes out of these people mouth is all hate and I don’t think I would support these people to run this country. They are so obsessed with power,” Darchiville exclaimed during a recent exclusive interview with Guyana Times

He noted that he joined the Party sometime in 2006 because he believed in the principles of national unity that the party had once preached. “Initially I joined because I liked what they were saying, it was two young attorneys and the late Sheila Holder from the Working People’s Alliance

(WPA), who were fed up of their respective parties and they got together to form this alliance and I decided to get on board with them because I thought it was a good thing for Guyana,” he explained.

But as time progressed, Darchiville said he noticed several shifts in the system and certain members began to ‘change’. Eventually, he said the party deviated from its original concept of a multiracial party whose purpose was to transform politics in Guyana and effect change in society.“I left because I didn’t like what I was hearing and what I was seeing and the direction the party was heading…they were headed in a totally different direction and I feel that it is a total betrayal to their supporters,” the former executive related.

Consequently, Darchiville resigned in 2012.

“Right now, what I’m hearing has sort of made me glad that I left when I did,” he firmly declared.

Further, Darchiville said he believes Holder would strongly condemn the marriage between the AFC and APNU if she was still alive.

Hypocrisy

Darchiville also spoke of the hypocrisy the AFC represented during his tenure with them. One classic example of this, he stated, would be the “love” displayed between Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman. “Mr Ramjattan and Mr Trotman would be embracing each other in front of the crowd and in front of people and calling each other brothers ...but believe me, there is no love between those two people. So don’t try to fool me and hug up and call yourself ‘brother’ and then as soon as they turn their backs, there is no love between them,” Darchiville disclosed. Additionally, he disclosed that Ramjattan told him during a telephone conver-

sation that he (Ramjattan) would not support the idea of Trotman becoming Speaker of the National Assembly after the 2011 elections.

“Ramjattan did not want him to be Speaker. Mr Ramjattan told me that he would try his “darnest” to make sure that Moses Nagamootoo would be speaker,” Darchiville related. Darchiville also disclosed that Trotman constantly ex-

pressed sentiments of jealousy against Ramjattan. “Trotman did not want to be second to Ramjattan. He said that he did not want to be a baggage boy for Ramjattan.”

Heartless Nature

Meanwhile, Darchiville reflected on a situation where Ramjattan blatantly revealed his ‘heartless nature’. “The man lacks compassion, common decency or gratitude. I was ill… Ramjattan stayed at my house and enjoyed my hospitality for 6 years plus. I was sick with heart trouble at the Suddie Hospital struggling for my life and a friend of mine was driving him to catch a boat and he said ‘let’s go in to see Mr Darchiville’ and Ramjattan said he doesn’t have time, he needs to catch a boat,” he sadly related, noting that he

does not want someone like that to rule his beloved country. He said leaders must show they care for ordinary people, much less those who may have helped them.

Meanwhile, recently resigned AFC member, Balwant Persaud had alleged that the Party’s financial records were vague, inaccurate and questionable in nature. Darchiville was questioned about this but said he has no knowledge about those operations in Georgetown. But he noted that his function was to control the operations in Essequibo, all of which he did with no financial help from the AFC. “I have contributed myself when I was

regional councilor. I took care of all the expenses required for the operations of the office in Essequibo. I never asked for a nickel to run the office. Everything I paid for and when I came to central, I would bring money. They cannot say they sent a nickel because everything I ran from my own resources, I got money from supporters and all that was accounted for,” he explained. He noted that, to date, the AFC never provided any financial support for the Essequibo operations – hosting national executive meetings and travelling expenses.

Former AFC Executive Member Francis Darchiville

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

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 I

Fighting domestic violence's root cause

n choosing Elisabeth Harper as his Prime Ministerial running mate, President Donald Ramotar revealed he selected the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry because he hoped that being a victim of domestic violence, she would motivate other women to speak out.

He was therefore placing the very highest priority "in tackling this scourge on our society". Mrs Harper had shown great courage in being willing to openly discuss this issue which is routinely shoved under the carpet by other women and society.

This issue cannot be made into political football and we hope that all the candidates will focus on the root cause of the "scourge". This has been stated very succinctly in the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women of December 1993: “Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women....”

We are not advocating abandoning the efforts in dealing with the symptoms: sensitising the Police in recognising domestic violence as a serious infraction of the law; establishing shelters; improving the legislative regime; establishing a family court; etc. But all of these measures skirt around the root of the problem: that many men generally view women (and children) as lesser beings and in the extreme case, as chattel. It is generally men who inflict violence against women.

The instances of the converse occurrences are relatively small. The facticity of violence against women as a universal problem signals there are deeper, underlying structural imperatives that determine this outcome rather than any peculiarity in our Guyanese makeup. Within countries, the violence cuts across boundaries of culture, class, education, income, ethnicity and age.

Studies estimate that, from country to country, between 20 and 50 per cent of women have experienced physical violence at the hands domestic partners. From anecdotal evidence gleaned from newspapers, Guyana appears to be at the high end of the spectrum. But just as revealing is the statistic that the rates of violence against women are not constant in countries across the world and in those countries sometimes by region.

All studies show a direct correlation between the lack of recognition of the rights and autonomy of women and the level of violence directed against them. This offers hope that measures to ensure that women have equal rights with men and that those rights are enforced stringently by all the institutions of the state and society are the only road to successfully extirpating the root cause of domestic violence against women.

One of the most significant indices of the equality or inequality of women in the society is their low relative presence – in numbers and in position – in the institution regarded as the ultimate repository of power: the political system. But in every country there is the tendency on the part of the political directorate to avoid making meaningful change in this area.

In Guyana, the number of female MPs has increased from 12 in 1992 to 21 at the present. This figure is commendable and in fact fulfils the goal of one third of our parliamentarians being female. But the question is, why not parity? One answer could be to acknowledge that we have to move gradually in a progressive direction. But our position is that we shall never have equality – or justice for women – if the ideal of equality is not always stated right up front.

The PPP/C in general, and President Ramotar in particular, has taken a bold step in rectifying the historical power imbalance skewed against women.

A few years ago, before she passed away, Dr Faith Harding of the PNC revealed how shabbily she was treated by men in her party’s selection process for their Presidential Candidate. And not even women protested. Women must salute the PPP/C.

Youths on Fire Ministry Vice President Talisa Gibbons receives school packs from Digicel More Manager Alexis Crawford-Langhorne while several members of the Linden-based volunteer group look on. The group of young people volunteer their time and efforts to help those in less fortunate circumstances, especially children. They have regular outreaches in communities, donating food items, clothing and school supplies to those in need. These items are donated by members of the public and organisations that have been approached by the group

Granger must appear before Rodney CoI

Dear Editor, The Presidential Candidate for the APNU+AFC Coalition

David Granger must appear before the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to say what he knows about the nationally and internationally known historian and politician. But why is it this Presidential hopeful does not want to testify before the CoI? As the local parlance says “do nothing, fear nothing”.

If Granger fails to appear before the CoI before the general and regional elections, he should withdraw himself from the Presidential race in the interest of integrity and

credibility, which are important requirements for the Presidency of any country. I think therefore that the APNU+AFC coalition should encourage Granger to go and testify before the Walter Rodney CoI.

I read a story under the headline, “A tale of greed, avarice and money laundering in the Caribbean”. It is definitely an ugly story and regardless of the upcoming elections and the high profile lawyers allegedly involved in the matter. A decision must be quickly arrived at. After all and quite rightly said, “Justice delayed is justice denied”. I have been visiting Hinterland

Amerindian communities and have so far discovered very good news for the PPP/C. The communities visited are all saying that they will be moving their own No-Confidence Motion against the APNU+AFC coalition on elections day for the continuation of their development programmes under the PPP/C Government.

The Amerindian communities further claim that they no longer want to bathe using the huruwasa bark (a tree bark that produces soap-like froth) for soap, as they did when the PNC ruled, if not misruled, Guyana prior to 1992. But so far, the APNU+AFC co-

alition on their campaign trails in the Hinterland communities have been receiving very poor receptions. And yet Granger boasts in the anti-Government sections of the media that his Hinterland campaigns in the Amerindian communities are being highly successful, which is absolutely a lie. In this connection the communities have long recognized that a vote for the APNU-AFC is a vote for the PNC and in this regard there will be a landslide victory for the PPP/C at the upcoming elections.

Peter Persaud

Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to your Editorial on Singapore founder leader Lee Kuan Yew (popularly known as LKY), a hero to most Singaporeans, known for transforming this unimportant, small, sleeping tropical country (a fraction of the size of Berbice) into an industrial and service giant, which many countries seek to emulate as a developmental model.

I have visited Singapore and partook in several seminars discussing its model of development at graduate school. Just last month I was in a discussion in Delhi with Singaporean scholars at the India International Center on LKY’s role in transforming this nation.

The country has a lot of similarities with Guyana and Trinidad, and I have advocated for decades that it

should have been considered as a model of development, leaving out the authoritarian aspects of governance.

LKY presided over an autocracy ruling with an iron grip for 30 years (1959-90). He changed Singaporean’ lives giving them a very high first world standard of living. He transformed the island nation into a wealthy bustling financial hub with almost zero crime and low corruption.

Criminal justice was/is swift and very severe. Dr Cheddi Jagan was unable to transform British Guiana into a model for development because the collusion of the Opposition with imperialist western forces retarded development.

LKY is revered in much the same way Dr Jagan is among Guyanese or Basdeo Panday and Eric Williams in Trinidad. A major difference

is LKY was a benevolent authoritarian ruler governing multiracial Singapore like a Police state; Cheddi was a democrat. LKY respected others outside of his ethnicity (him being Chinese) whereas Guyana’s Forbes Burnham developed a hatred for those not of his ethnicity.

Singapore is a multilinguistic nation (English, Chinese Mandarin, Tamil, Malay, and Whites, and a lot of immigrants from neighboring states providing critical labour). Unlike say in Guyana or many other multi-ethnic nations, there is much tolerance for each other and minimal publicly displayed prejudice and stereotyping.

Unlike in Guyana during the PNC dictatorship, the Chinese ruler did not seek to marginalize or persecute ethnic groups or engaged in

acts of genocide. People (and the Government) respect and celebrate each other’s culture (including cuisine) and don’t seek to victimize each other or hurl ethnic slurs as under the PNC ethnic dictatorship in Guyana. I saw Chinese and Malays “sanay” food on banana leaves at Indian restaurants and at the homes of Hindus after puja.

Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism are the major faiths. I saw Chinese Buddhists worshipping at Mandirs and Hindus praying at Chinese Temples as well as Hindus praying (puja like and making offerings) at Christian churches. It is a favorite location of mine for research, visit, and shopping. It is a fantastic hub for my journeys to India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other parts of Asia.

continued on page 5

The Amerindian Act: A modern piece of legislation, established through massive consultations

Dear Editor,

I read a letter by Patrick Fitzpatrick in another section of the media under the headline, “Amerindians should press for revision of the Amerindian Act”.

Mr Fitzpatrick is a former Toshao of the Kwebanna Amerindian village in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (Barima/Waini). Can he say why he was voted out of office by the Kwebanna village residents some years ago and therefore left for the Rupununi region to take up permanent residence? Fitzpatrick is currently a Lethem resident. Can he be honest enough to say why his land application was rejected by the St Ignatius Village Council and residents some years ago? Is this the reason why Fitzpatrick wants the revision of the Amerindian Act?

No wonder Fitzpatrick was voted out of office by the Kwebanna village residents.

After I read Fitzpatrick’s letter, immediately I called a few Toshaos to hear their views on the revision of the Amerindian Act. They simply said that

nothing is wrong with the Amerindian Act 2006 and that it is Fitzpatrick himself who needs to undergo a revision. Fitzpatrick simply does not understand the Amerindian Act and I do encourage him and other like-minded persons on the political Opposition side to studiously apply themselves to the Amerindian Act, instead of making wild and unfounded comments just to hopelessly gain political mileage for the PNC/APNU-AFC coalition, which is a farce.

The Amerindian Act 2006 is a modern piece of legislation which was established through massive consultations with the Amerindian communities throughout Guyana. It is a mandate that provides for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindian villages and communities, and the promotion of good governance within such village and communities. In March 2006, the Amerindian Act was passed by both sides of the House of Assembly legally empowering Guyana’s indigenous people to preserve their rights as it relates to the

possession of lands and their welfare.

The Amerindian Act 2006 therefore embodies the principle of self-determination and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and is consistent with Articles 3 and 4 of the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Fitzpatrick claimed that “the present Amerindian Act does not provide for redress against its misuse, nor ensures accountability in the case of conflicts between village councils and residents. Some councils view fellow Amerindians from the coast as outsiders”. Let me advise Fitzpatrick to carefully read Sections 10, 13, 14, 22, 34, 45, and 81 of the Amerindian Act 2006. This is just a start. The improper conduct of some Amerindians from the coast is responsible for some village councils and residents calling them “outsiders”. Can they be wrong? Has Fitzpatrick suffered a similar fate? It seems though that Fitzpatrick has lost or abandon his Amerindian identity, hence the pure balderdash

Lee Kuan Yew was ...

It is rated as a first world nation because of its extraordinary development, and besides Japan is the only other Asian nation whose nationals do not need a visa to come to the US.

Singapore was considered a backward underdeveloped country during the 1950s and 1960s, and in terms of standard of living, was below Guyana’s at the time. A visa was mandatory to visit the US for Singaporeans as it was for Guyanese. The two countries were at par at independence in GDP per capita, but a few years later, Singapore broke away and its standard of living steadily climbed while that of Guyana declined.

By 1990, Guyana’s standard of living was a fifth of what it was in 1966, while Singapore’s increased 10 times. At 1990, Guyana’s standard of living was some 20 times below that of Singapore. Today, Singapore’s GDP per capita is more than ten times that of Guyana although Guyana’s standard of living has improved significantly since the restoration of democracy in 1992.

Also, large number of Singaporeans (including LKY who studied at Cambridge) used to travel abroad to study until the 1980s (I studied with Singaporeans). Today, foreigners compete to study in Singapore that welcomes Indian and Chinese students in Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math offering grants and scholarships. Singapore’s progress is due to the extraordinary leadership ability of LKY who commanded immense respect and fear from Singaporeans as well as visitors in their public demeanor. He did not tolerate criticism and or vocal opposition to his policies or public allegations of corruption. He intimidated the free media as well as the Opposition Leader, frequently using the courts to silence them. But people flocked to the city-state attracting millions annually – very safe. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit. There was/is near zero tolerance for loose behavior as he enforced strict social order – no graffiti, chewing gum and spitting it out, public spitting or urinating, not flushing public toilets and pol-

luting the streets, etc.

People were caned for minor offenses including graffiti. LKY stepped down in 1990.

LKY’s son, Lee Hsien Loong, has been Prime Minister since 2004. Even after stepping down as Prime Minister, LKY remained a member of the Cabinet as Senior/Mentor Minister till 2011. He resigned his post after winning re-election in 2011; I was there during the campaign and the election; he was a tough campaigner. The party he founded, PAP, lost seats and he accepted responsibility. Speaking in Malay, Mandarin and English, the Prime Minister said his father built a nation and gave Singaporeans a proud national identity. "We won't see another man like him. To many Singaporeans, and indeed others too, Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore." He is right on that score. But as critics point out, while his role in “Singapore's economic development is lauded, it came at a cost for human rights, freedom of expression, and multi-party democracy".

Although he was a social democrat and belonged to so-

he wrote in his letter about the Amerindian Act, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, officials of the Ministry of the Amerindian Affairs and the Community Service Officers (CSOs).

I can attest to the diligence and efficiency of the Minister of Amerindian Affairs and all her officials of the Ministry in working towards the development of the over 170 Amerindian communities in Guyana. The evidences are there.

And these evidences are supported by the Amerindian communities of Guyana who will contribute significantly towards a landslide victory for the PPP/C at the upcoming elections.

Poor Fitzpatrick, he cannot see the continued developmental changes of our Amerindian communities because he has allowed his vision to become blurred with the venom of the PNC/APNU-AFC coalition, which is nothing but a constitutional farce. How sad!

Peter Persaud

cialist international organizations, he was a pragmatist and did not pursue socialist policies. He courted businesses to set up shop in Singapore, pursued a capitalist path to development, and he got tremendous financial assistance from the US and the West to turn Singapore into a bulwark against communism, a model for development.

Had DrJagan pursued a pragmatic LKY model, Guyana would have experienced rapid development. Had Burnham, the ethnic oppressor and food banner been open to other ethnic groups and not pursued communist policies, Guyana would have experienced rapid development. LKY’s body lies in state at Parliament Building till Sunday for the official state funeral in accordance with Chinese tradition. He has maintained his identity and traditions, never departing from his ethnic identity and never seeking to destroy other peoples’ culture and identity.

Vishnu Bisram

Will the real Moses stand up?

Dear Editor, I was in the audience on March 22 when Mr. Moses Nagamootoo announced that his party, the AFC formed an alliance with the APNU because he was interested in change. It was Mr Nagamootoo who in March 19, 2001 flew in a rage when Bharrat Jagdeo was selected by Janet Jagan and others to be the President of Guyana. This was a dramatic change from the party’s policy to promote those who “struggled” the most, to the top echelons of the PPP/C. Moses wants change, but he cannot handle change. He is in for a rude awakening should the APNU/AFC collation win the election. The PNC/APNU, on the other hand, takes decisive action when it comes to making changes – the jettison of the UF is a glaring example. Moses addressing an audience that was made up predominately of African supporters of the PNC/APNU, declared

that when he was invited to India to accept an award from the Indian Government as an accomplish Indian. He informed the Indians that he was a Guyanese not an Indian. Yet Mr Nagamootoo is asking Indians in Guyana to vote for him. Moses is a Guyanese when it suits him and an Indian when he wants Indian votes. Moses is what some people call a mud skipper/chameleon. Moses is confused as to what he wants. He was PPP/C, then he was retired from politics, then AFC and now he is PNC/APNU. Moses as a PPP/C member always accused anyone with the aforementioned mentioned quality to be a lumpenproletariat. Have you now become that which you once accused others of being? Will the real Moses stand up or are we in for another surprise?

Latchman Mohabir

Intellectual dishonesty...

Ram, Greenidge unmasked on Marriott statements

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) on Wednesday blasted local commentator Christopher Ram for comments he made to the Kaieteur News alleging that the body’s Executive Director, Winston Brassington, “signed contracts for the (Marriott) hotel since in October 2011 but only had the critical feasibility study done by a Miami-based consulting firm in September 2012”.

NICIL, in a press release, said that Ram’s statement published in the Kaieteur News on Tuesday was entirely false and the newspaper was completely irresponsible for publishing it.

“It has now become the habit of Mr Ram to publish inaccurate, tasteless and often defamatory statements on his blog site with regard to Mr Brassington and the Marriott Hotel without any reference to the facts or the truth. Mr Ram’s statements are then readily published in the Kaieteur News regardless of their factual inaccuracy or departure from the truth,” the Government holding company said.

“Had Ram been less intent on character assassination and less given to propaganda, instead of professional analysis and research, he would have discovered that the first market feasibility study

undertaken with regard to the building of the Marriott Hotel was conducted by the Marriott Hotel Group in 2010.Mr Ram would also have discovered that a further independent study by a highly reputed international Miami-based firm, HVS Consulting, was also conducted in 2010.”

The company said both of these feasibility studies were, therefore, presented well before Mr Brassington on behalf of the Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), for which he is the Chairman, signed the construction contracts with Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) in October 2011 for the building of the Marriott Hotel. The HVS study was subsequently updated and presented in October 2012.

Orchestrated attack

In fact, the Kaieteur News itself, on May 13, 2012, in an article headlined “Marriott Feasibility”, quotes Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, in reporting to Parliament, “There was market feasibility study conducted by the Marriott Hotel Group and one conducted in 2010 by an independent American firm which is being updated in 2012”.

The Kaieteur News article goes on to report Minister Singh as being “willing to have a closed door presentation” of the feasibility study “made

available under the condition of the utmost confidentiality and discussed with

seem to be working closely. Just a few days ago, Ram went to great lengths

key Opposition members.” The Opposition showed no interest in the offer.

In what appears to be an orchestrated attack, NICIL said, “we now see Shadow Minister of Finance in the AFC/APNU Alliance, Mr Carl Greenidge, rather than properly informing himself, is reported in the Kaieteur News, of Wednesday, 25th March, 2015, as stating “Signing of Marriott contract before Feasibility Study done—This outrageous act of disrespect must be dealt with condignly.”

“Ram and Greenidge

to compare the performance of Greenidge as Minister of Finance against that of Minister Singh, going to great lengths to avoid the economic depression that marked most of Greenidge’s tenure.”

In June 2010, Marriott publicly announced it would be embarking on a hotel in Guyana. In December 2011, there was a public sod-turning event. In February 2012, Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan asked a series of questions on the project [(Notice paper #12,

(Q9, Opp9) published in Parliament on February 15, 2012]. On March 15, 2012, the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh issued a full reply (the facts of which remain materially accurate to this day) and released a series of project-related documents including the construction contract, copies of the tax agreements covering all of the incentives for the project, and copies of the lease agreements for the land.

Misinformed and misguided

This is not the first occasion that Ram has seriously undermined his credibility by indulging himself in misinformed and misguided comments on his blog in reference to the Marriott Hotel and to Brassington, NICIL said.

On December 16 last year, Kaieteur News reported Ram wrongfully alleging on his blog that the Shanghai Construction company had benefited from a “cut price” contract compromising supervision over the quality of the construction of the hotel, when nothing could be further from the truth, the company said. “On that occasion, had Mr Ram bothered to consult the contract made public since March 2012 and inform himself on the bidding process for the contract, he would have known that the contract terms provided for completely independent su-

pervision of the construction by an international company, M A Angeliades based in New York, and that the contract obligates the contractor to deliver to the design and construction requirements of the Marriott Hotel Group.”

Guyana Marriott General Manager Roberto Grisi, who has been with the Marriott for over 25 years, following Ram’s illinformed comments, had reason to publicly state that the construction of the hotel, in many cases, exceeded the standards required by the Marriott. Grisi pointed out that “our brand is very important, we have over 4500 hotels with different brands in Marriot t… and the presence of Marriott in this country is very important to us.”

The press statement concluded that AHI was proud of the fact that in spite of the “typically irresponsible attempts” made by Ram and his colleagues in the Opposition, the Marriott Hotel is being completed in line with the budget, to the satisfaction of Marriott standards, and it will be open to the public on April 16, with some 230 Guyanese employees, and will be a success.

Bounty Hall fisherman granted bail for break and enter charge

Thirty-seven-yearold Maniram Singh, of Bounty Hall, Essequibo Coast, was granted bail after he was charged for break and entering. Singh made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which states that between February 16-17, at Westbury, Essequibo, he broke and entered the storage bond of Haimraj Singh and stole a Stihl motor valued $200,000, along with a bicycle valued 10,000. He was represented by Attorney Haimraj Rajkumar who told the court that his client had no antecedents and that his wife was recently jailed for narcotics trafficking. The Prosecutor did not object to bail and told the court that the items were recovered.

Bail was however granted in the sum of $80,000 and the matter was adjourned to April 13, for statements.

NICIL Executive Director and AHI Chairman Winston Brassington

PNC-led coalition to unveil

“List

Representative” today

– Ralph Ramkarran, Yesu Persaud in the running

With Nomination Day approaching, People’s National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition

Executive Member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said the party leaders were likely to select the official Representative of the List today.

Roopnaraine, during a brief telephone interview with the Guyana Times on Wednesday, said the coalition was in the final process of assessing the credibility of the persons who were in the running to be selected as the List Representative. However, he declined to reveal their identities. Information reaching this publication revealed that Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran; and retired businessman Yesu Persaud were among those persons being considered for the position.

However, Ram had dismissed those reports, saying that he has a British passport and, therefore, was disqualified to be a “list

Representative”. Observers were stunned by this revelation, since Ram had been very involved in Opposition politics against the PPPC government and he had never hinted that he suffered from this disability in qualification. Ralph Ramkarran, ex-Speaker and ex-PPP ExCo official has become increasingly critical of the PPP of recent and was at one time touted to be the “Consensus Presidential Candidate” for the APNU+AFC coalition. Yesu Persaud, the octogenarian, is the retired Chairman of DDL.

By Section 12 of the Representation of the People Act (Chap. 1:03) the “Representative of the List” has to be a candidate of the party and either be so designated or be the person whose name appears first on the list of candidates. As per the Cummingsburg Accord hammered out between APNU and the AFC, a member of civil society must head the list.

In addition to other duties spelled out in the regulations, the coalition agreed that the Representative of the List will be entrusted with other important tasks such as ensuring the Cummingsburg Accord agreement between APNU and AFC as it relates to the National Assembly and other matters are kept.

The Representative of the List is also tasked with the critical responsibility of presenting their party’s List of Candidates on Nomination Day. Additionally, the Representative must ensure that the list is submitted in the prescribed form, ascertain that the list is accompanied by a Statutory Declaration for each candidate and for the President named in that National TopList. The Representative

must also make sure the necessary corrections are made and submitted to the Chief Elections Officer no later than 29 days before Election Day if the List of Candidates is in any way defective.

The APNU and AFC on February 14 announced that they will be contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections as one entity, with APNU Leader David Granger as the Presidential Candidate and AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo as the Prime Ministerial Candidate. The Cummingsburg Accord, which was signed between the two parties, outlines the operations of the entities within the coalition.

The agreement stated that the responsibilities and Cabinet power will be split a 60:40 between APNU and the AFC. The Accord also outlined the distribution of certain powers between the President and Prime Minister, although this is already fixed by the Constitution. The Representative of the List will be delegated with the responsibility of ensuring the conduct of both APNU and the AFC is in accordance with that agreement.

HTNTP expects 4 seats from coalition

– APNU to make decision before Nomination Day

tion.

Political lightweight, the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP) said it expects to be granted a minimum of 4 seats in Parliament from the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), whether the coalition wins or loses.

APNU+AFC Executive Member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

During an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, party Chairman Alfred Park explained that while they are demanding 1 seat, they expect the leaders of the coalition to realise their worth and offer them at least 4 seats in the National Assembly, win or lose.

Park justified that his demands and expectations are reasonable because his party will bring many votes to the coalition and thus, increase their chances of winning the upcoming General Elections on May 11.

According to Park, the HTNTP has received positive feedback via his TV Show “Healing the Nation” on HBTV Channel 9, and several members of various communities in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) also showed their support for the party.

“We only covered some of Region Four and I’m sure by this weekend, we will get more people to support us because we have all the other regions to cover,” he explained.

HTNTP has a membership size of 10 persons, including Ras Leon Saul, who was originally the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate.

Park had previously stated that the party realised that it cannot run alone for General Election, and as such, approached the APNU+AFC coalition to get onboard.

The leader said while deliberations are still ongoing, he considers the prospect a “done deal”.

Executive Member of the APNU+AFC Dr Rupert Roopnaraine met with representatives of the HTNTP on Tuesday where they discussed the party’s policies and explored each party’s contribution to the coalition.

HTNTP was required to submit its manifesto, constitution and a letter of application. Roopnaraine said the party leaders will examine those documents and then decide if the HTNTP would be of any benefit to the coali-

According to both sides, the meeting was productive and a decision should be made before Nominations Day, April 7.

The HTNTP will be contesting as an individual entity for the Regional Elections, despite its interest in a coalition for national elections.

Meanwhile, Park said he wishes to address the needs of the Guyanese society in the areas of poverty eradication and the legalisation of marijuana.

Ralph Ramkarran

HTNTP Chairman Alfred Park

Yesu Persaud

thursday, march 26, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Granger’s Youth Leader promises

“good life for young and old” ...women guaranteed homes

By Gomatie GanGadin

Leader of the “Youths for David Granger”, Christopher Jones has promised the residents of South and North Ruimveldt that should the APNU- AFC be elected youths and the elderly will be better treated. Jones was the President of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), the PNC youth arm which had succeeded the Young Socialist Movement (YSM)

However, Jones quickly rushed to point out that this did not mean that the others will be rejected as he sought to assure them that everyone will be guaranteed a good life under that administration. Jones was speaking at the APNU- AFC public meetings which was organised at “Last Entrance- Sun Flower Square” South Ruimveldt on Tuesday evening.

The youth leader related to the gathering of about 60 persons that the elderly de-

it was bad that pensioners were being given a pittance and had to cope with it.

To this end, he pointed out that there were no opportunities for young people in Guyana since there were no jobs, proper recreational centres and programmes while citing the current state of the University of Guyana.

Eyew tness Under cover...

...for the Brits

served more than the pittance of a pension they were receiving under the current administration.

“This government has no regard for anyone in this place…they can only give $12,500 a month but other people getting millions per month even though they aren’t 60 years old,” Jones said.

Government has consistently raised Old Age Pension and Public Assistance over the years, which the monthly stipend from $600 back in 1992 when the PNC demited office after decades of rigged elections to $12,500 currently.

Jones further stated that

“They will sit on the national ‘tell lie vision’ and say the youths are the future but what is there for them? Many are leaving the University with degrees, several PhDs and no work. You see the young boys liming at the street corner and you tell them go find a job but how can they go find something which doesn’t exist?” he questioned.

Guyana does not offer any PhD programmes and Jones was obviously misinformed but no one in the audience seemed to be aware of his faux pas and he continued blithely.

Prison officer gets 4 years for smuggling marijuana into prison

A29-year-old Prison Officer was sentenced to four years imprisonment on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for being a drug mule for prisoners at the Camp Street Prison.

Stayon Paul was found guilty on Wednesday after he was found with 30 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession at the prison on January 12. The charge detailed that he was found in possession of the marijuana with the purposes of trafficking.

Presiding in Court Two where the case was tried, Magistrate Ann McLennan stated that the penalty attached to this offence is a fine of three times the market value of what the drug may be worth, along with three to five years imprisonment.

The Magistrate told the court that the prosecution, which was lead by Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, had the task of proving that the accused was indeed in possession of the narcotic to and he had control of the illegal substance. Also the burden of proof was also in the prosecution to prove the substance was illegal and that the accused had knowl-

edge that the substance was indeed illegal.

Magistrate McLennan said that after listening to both arguments put forward by the defence as well as the prosecution, she believes that the prosecution indeed proved these three things beyond reasonable doubt. She said that the testimonies of the prosecution’s two main witnesses have shown that the defendant did have control of the substance when it was found on his person on January 12.

She continued that the fact that the defendant’s position as a Prison Officer also makes him aware of the penalty attached to being in possession of such substances and the illegality of it. The Magistrate also said tests were conducted on the substance to prove that it was indeed marijuana – a drug illegal under the laws of Guyana.

Magistrate McLennan stated that Court Two was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant, Stayon Paul, is guilty of the offence.

She fined him $36,000 which is the market value for the drugs found on his person and four years in jail. She said that this sentence was given after considering his post at the Camp Street Prison, the seriousness of the offence and the prevalence.

Magistrate McLennan told the court that the sentence will run concurrently with Paul’s present sentence of six months for possession of cigarettes at the prison. This sentence was handed down to the defendant on January 15, after he had pleaded guilty to the offence, attain that it was a normal practice that is done by Prison Officers.

Well, well well!! Mouth open and story jump out!!

Just when you thought you knew a fella, eh?? Answering an innocuous question as to whether he was going to be the “List Representative” of the PNCled APNU/AFC coalition, Christopher “Lalloo” Ram revealed he’s a Britisher – and forbidden!! You could’ve knocked this Eyewitness down with the proverbial feather!!

The sly dog!! Imagine hectoring all and sundry in the PPP/C about their “betrayal” of our dear Republic, and Lalloo didn’t even have the decency to take out a Guyanese passport!! So when Lalloo travels abroad, he zips to the head of the line with his stiff upper lip!! Not like the rest of us slobs.

Well, a whole lotta things now make sense. Why did Ram change his name from “Lalbachan” to “Christopher”? Well, duh!!! (to quote Lalloo’s Donkey Cart economist pal!), no self-respecting Britisher can be called “Lallbachan”, wot?? Prunella Scales, or Mary Roundbottom maybe – but definitely not “Lallbachan”. That’s so...um...wog, no??

And the suspenders. This Eyewitness has been ragging Lalloo for so long about the suspenders. Not Guyanese: we just “baan” we belly when we have issues with our pants! Your Eyewitness now has to tender his apologies. Lalloo, poor fellow, had to do without his cravat and cummerbund at dinner – so why begrudge him his suspenders??

But most importantly the revelation explains why Lalloo Ram went to “work” for Maurice Bishop in communist Grenada just before Ronald Reagan invaded. This Eyewitness always wondered why a revolutionary communist state-inthe-making would need a British-trained Accountant?

Your Eyewitness doesn’t much about accountancy (nor biology or trigonometry, with apologies to Sam Cooke!), but he does know that communists keep different books than the British.

What’s now clear is that while the public was told Margaret Thatcher didn’t support her old buddy Reagan’s 1983 invasion of Grenada, in reality – SHE WAS BEHIND THE WHOLE SCHEME!! She’d sent her asset Lalloo and he would’ve sent all that info to the Iron Lady on the thousands of Cuban soldiers cleverly disguised as airport construction workers! And she’s passed it on to Ronnie!!

Imagine that!! The man is so modest that he’s never revealed that he was an asset for MI6 (or is it MI5?? Your Eyewitness is always confused.) Probably has his own number – 000002??

The question, of course, is “What’s been his mission for his British boss (“M” or “Q”??) since then?”

...structural factors

There are some folks out there who question why some other folks (like your Eyewitness?) bring up stuff from before 1992. Their point being that half the population weren’t around then and so – “what’s the point??”

It’s really sad that in a country where we should all appreciate that some of our present day problems (child fathers, anyone?) go all the way back to slavery – we have to listen to such trash.

Fact of the matter is that much of our behaviour is patterned by the behaviour of other persons and institutions – which was transmitted to them in the past. We’re not even aware of the behaviour that’s seen as “the way things are”. So let’s look at something from pre-1992 that we take for granted nowadays, but which – if we take notice – we’d change.

Take the rampant slackness of the Police. When the British were here you had little of that. Exception rather the rule. But the PNC had the police a lot of their dirty work... and pretty soon, it spread from the “political” to the social. And passed down.

We have to be reminded of the lessons of history....

...race question in Trinidad

Lots of Guyanese think that we have a race question because we’re poor: our groups are competing for the hustle. Trinidad has five times our income...and a recent report says their election’s gonna be just as polarised.

Politicians??

Stayon Paul

Leader of the “Youths for David Granger”, Christopher Jones addressing the gathering at a public meeting for the residents of South and North Ruimveldt

OAS, Commonwealth to send pre election observer teams

The Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth have expressed interests in sending teams ahead of the May 11 General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

This disclosure was made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon at the post cabinet press briefing on Wednesday.

According to him, the purpose of the teams being dispatched to Guyana before the holding of elections was to get a feel of what the situation and atmosphere was like before a final decision is taken on whether they will be observing the actual process.

However, Government is still awaiting official word from international observer groups to participate in this year’s Regional and General Elections. While there has been no official response, he said the Ramotar Administration is hoping to have the observers here from as early as Nomination Day on April 7, since according to the Cabinet Secretary, it is presumed that campaigns by political parties will be heightened.

Included in the list of invitees to participate in the elections are the Governments of India and South Africa, other bodies that are usually involved in elections here, includ-

ing the United Nation (UN), the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Organisation of American States (OAS), Commonwealth, The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Carter Centre and the United Kingdom branch of the Parliamentary Association. Dr Luncheon said so far, the results have been promising.

Luncheon had said that Government is seeking to have the bodies present in Guyana after the elections as well.

Election experts and longterm observers usually begin their work weeks before the actual Election Day, observing candidate registration, the legal framework, the media situation, the work of the election administration, and the campaign environment.

On Election Day, shortterm observers monitor the opening of polling stations, the vote cast, and the counting and tabulation of results.

After the elections, observers remain in the country for another few weeks to monitor how effective election-related shortcomings and complaints are dealt with by the election administration and the judiciary.

Subsequent to his announcement of elections, President Ramotar authorised the dispatch of letters

of notification to the international community, particularly those involved in election observation, notifying them of elections here. Later, after the proclamation of the dissolution of Parliament, the Head of State dispatched letters of invitation to the international community for them to participate in the election.

Asked if he was confident of the groups’ participation, Luncheon said there are indications that this may be so, and pointed to the recent needs assessment conducted by the UN, which he said is a proxy for their presence. “The recently concluded needs assessment by the UN team, the report is being awaited by Guyana’s Government. As

Culture change key in curbing road deaths – Minister Benn

The Public Works Ministry said Guyanese need to amend their culture of using roads in Guyana, in an effort to reduce the number of deaths linked to traffic collisions.

In a press statement on Wednesday, Minister Robeson Benn said the Government of Guyana has injected billions of dollars to improve the various road networks throughout the country with the aim of creating a safer environment for all Guyanese.

But instead of demon-

Minister Benn said as he called on Guyanese to act responsibly.

Benn stressed that if the roads are not properly used, the people who are to benefit from the improved infrastructure would not have the optimum benefit.

customary Caricom, the OAS and the commonwealth are expected to feed observer missions for the May 11 Election,” stated the cabinet secretary.

Meanwhile, responding to the likelihood of the Carter Centre participating, Luncheon said all knots were loosened and there are indications that the human rights organisation will be participating. According to information, sometime back, former US President Jimmy Carter had said he wanted nothing to do with Guyana.

But according to Luncheon,

“I hesitate to use that for any other purpose than to say their interest in participation in the observer has been the subject of an invitation that has been responded to. That gives some insight about the nature of the relationship between the Carter Centre and the Guyana Government.” He informed that the Centre had even had needs assessment mission recently concluded last Friday.

“The role they have played since 1990 in the return to democracy in 1992 has for all intents and purposes an abiding concern from them. I have

PPP/C campaign 2015, Albouystown:

not had any indication of any dissatisfaction by the Carter Centre along those lines”, Luncheon said. The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has already commended the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on what it termed a “pro-democratic” move in welcoming international observers, noting that this was a step in the right direction towards free and fair elections. Guyana, will on May 11 head to the polls one year shy of its constitutionally due date.

PPP/C plugs women's development in Guyana

Women in Guyana have made remarkable achievements under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, party member Gillian Burton said, as she addressed those present at a public meeting in Albouystown on Monday.

training in academics and vocational subjects.

According to Burton, PPP/C has worked tirelessly to enhance the lives of women in Guyana. In supporting her claims, Burton further alluded to the Women Of Worth (WOW) programme which was designed to meet the needs of women in the area of business through the disbursement of soft loans.

In her address, Burton took the audience through the journey of women empowerment while alluding to the opportunities created under the PPP/C Administration for women in all sections of society. “We have the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute, an institute that I attended, an institute that came on stream when the PPP/C came into power,” she pointed out. The PPP/C activist said the institute creates opportunities for women who were unable to complete their secondary education, thereby allowing them to receive

She added, with the acquisition of the loans and the requisite training, Guyanese women have been able to turn their dreams into a reality. She further pointed out that the 10th Parliament had more female Parliamentarians than any other Parliament in the country’s history. This, she said, has enabled women to have their voices heard in the National Assembly.

“They (the opposition) only give lip service when they speak about women develop-

ment and women in leadership. The PPP/C did not just speak, did not just write, we made it a reality,” she said, noting that the records would show that it was under the PPP/C Government, Guyana hadits first female Prime Minister and President. She urged men not to be afraid that their partners are being empowered.

“Let not thy heart be troubled when you hear about the PPP/C empowering women,” she said. According to Burton, “it takes two hands to clap, and having women empowered and working enriches the lives of everyone.” President Donald Ramotar had explicitly indicated that his female running mate and Prime Ministerial candidate Ms Elizabeth Harper was specifically chosen to directly boost the participation of women in the political process of Guyana at the highest level.

strating care and consideration when using these roadways, the Minister said many Guyanese are guilty of driving recklessly, endangering the lives of others.

“We need to see a change in the culture of use of the roads. We have to admit that our road culture is still poor; we have to admit that there are significant improvements we have to make in respect to this area. We have to admit that this situation cannot go on in the way that it is going at the moment,”

“When we put the infrastructure in place, we have the responsibility to ensure the intended use for the road is met. We have to ensure that the parameters in respect to travel time, in respect to road accidents and the associated fatalities and injuries would be met,” he added.

The Public Works Minister said although the Government is investing a lot into the infrastructure, traffic safety was the most critical component up for consideration. He highlighted the importance of public safety awareness campaigns with citizens across the country.

“If we do not change these behaviours, we will continue to have the tremendous risks that we face. We will continue to have the tremendous grief

that we face on our roads from time to time. As recently as we saw on the Burma Road where we have problems in respect to the proper use of the roads,” he warned.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn

Public-spirited citizens trying to save the lives of the teacher and six students who were trapped in a car that crashed into a trench along the Burma Road in February. Unfortunately they all died

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

President Ramotar, Caricom Heads to meet Obama

Guyana’s Head of State Donald Ramotar will join other Caribbean heads at a meeting with the President of the United States of America Barack Obama in

Jamaica on April 9.

This is according to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon who made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday. He noted that President Ramotar will be joined by other Heads of Government in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) before they depart for Panama for the Summit of the Americas which is slated to be held on April 10 and 11. Dr Luncheon stated that Guyana will be going to the meetings with an agenda of fostering discussions of trade and security. “President Ramotar would be joining his colleagues and other Heads of

Caricom countries on April 9th in a high level encounter with President Obama. The encounter between the two is intended to further the dialogue between both

sides, Caricom and the United States of America, with particular emphasis on trade and security and dealing with their perspective mutual interests. It is anticipated that the heads would collectively participate in the Summit of the Americans in Panama on April 10 and 11,” Dr Luncheon said.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the President will also be pushing to target investments and investors to rekindle the desire in them to come to Guyana and become a part of the business sector.

Earlier this month the White House had disclosed that President Obama will travel to Jamaica and Panama from April 8-11. In Jamaica, President Obama will meet with leaders from the Caricom, and with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia SimpsonMiller to discuss ongoing partnership with the Region, including through the Administration’s Caribbean Energy Security Initiative.

The US President will then travel to Panama where he will participate with 34 other leaders in the Seventh Summit of the Americas. While in Panama, President Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, and meet with leaders from the Central American Integration System (SICA).

A lush’s lament

Satiricus heaved a deep sigh. “Life wasn’t always fair, was it?” he asked himself. Here it was, Rum Jhaat had worked and plotted and schemed to get this far...and now it was all “gone for channa”. He was such a misunderstood soul.

Sure, the Jhaat wanted power. Didn’t Burnt Ham say any politician who said he didn’t want power was either a fool or a rascal?

It was what you wanted to do with the power that was important. And so...SURE the Jhaat wanted power to get his hands on money. “But”, thought Satiricus looking down on the Diary on his lap, “All the Jhaat wanted the money for a fancier bottle of rum.”

His niece, Leewattee, maid to the Opposition in their newly-acquired “package of benefits”, had purloined it temporarily.

Dear Diary: Dat Nagga Man a wan real scamp. Look all wha me do fuh he... and dis is how he gon treat me? He a wan real neemakharam! Out of all de people, he know how me like wan drink. And now he gone wid GraniJa to America and he na even tek me along fuh water boy!! And he know dat in America, de rum does flow like Essequibo River!

He know because is I did tell he. How me use to go to America fuh raise funds fuh KFC and all de fancy rum dat use to share! Chivas...Black Label...Grey Goose.... Dear Diary: When me drink dem rum me think me dead and gone ah heaven!! Dey don’t taste like de Berbice Bush Rum me and Nagga Man grow up pan. Is dat Bush Rum me and Nagga Man drink mek we face get so twist-up.

People who know we nowadays think is because of old age. But me face bin like dis since Standard Four when me start fuh drink Bush Rum. But tell me na, Dear Diary. Is me put Nagga Man fuh Primp Minister. He know is nothing more me like dan wan good half gallon of Chivas. When me look at de picture and me see all dem big bottle pon de table in Florida, me heart nearly buss! But me Dady always tell me “who laugh last, laugh best”. He na know why me gi’e he Primp Minister wuk. Is me who gon laff when GrainJa gi’e he Larwah!! Big Larwah!!

Good night, Dear Diary. Ah gon finish off me large Bush Rum.

Mother of 2 remanded after marijuana found in shop ceiling

Amother of two was remanded to prison on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for being found with 64 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in her shop.

The accused Melroy Hopkinson, from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court One to answer to the charge of drug possession.

The report alleged that the defendant was found at her shop on March 25 with the 64 grams of marijuana hidden in the ceiling of the shop.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that the defendant is the sole owner of the shop located at 489 East Ruimveldt. He said that the Police had been tipped off about the defendant and had visited the shopkeeper to con-

duct a search of the house and the shop. The Police Officers found the drugs in two black plastic bags, one in another, in the ceiling of the shop.

The Prosecutor said that the ceiling could not be accessed from anywhere else but inside the shop.

However, the defend-

ant and her relatively large group of supporters were heard mumbling that this was not true. It was stated that the defendant lives in a house a distance away from the shop, which can be accessed from anyone.

Along with her group of women friends and family supporters, the defendant was found crying as the charges were read. Her Attorney Nigel Hughes told the court that his client has never been in any trouble with the law before, adding that she is a mother of two boys.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry refused the defendant bail and transferred her case to Court Three where Magistrate Judy Latchman presides. She was ordered to return on April 14 for commencement. The prosecution and the defence were instructed to summon their witnesses.

President of the United States of America, Barack Obama

Guyana’s Head of State Donald Ramotar

Melroy Hopkinson

10th EDF capacity-building project in CARIFORUM launched

In the presence of diplomats from the Forum of the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) and relevant stakeholders, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Wednesday officially launched the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) capacity-building project.

This auspicious event took place at the Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown.

CARIFORUM Directorate Director of Development Cooperation, Eugene Petty pointed out

workshop will aid in the sustenance of economic development among the participating countries. He said it was a very timely project, which would help to build capacity in key areas of trade. He also underlined the importance of efficiency in the area targeted by the workshop – the trade and customs industry. Marie added that this training would not only benefit the CARIFORUM States, but also improve quality in other areas of services, such as the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). He

that the three-day regional sensitisation workshop, which commenced Wednesday, is designed to contribute to the effective overall implementation of the EU-CARIFORUM Cooperation, including the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with particular reference to obligations relating to Competition, Public Procurement and Customs and Trade Facilitation.

The objective of this project is to provide EPAsupport training programmes in the area of Competition, Public Procurement and Customs and Trade Facilitation. At the end of the workshop, participants will be expected to acquire skills in EPA support training programmes, in the above-named areas.

The workshop targets Private Sector stakeholders and staff of CARIFORUM regional institutions, and is being implemented by Equinoccio. The project is a sub-component of the institutional and implementation capacity component of the 10th CARIFORUM EDF, which saw €10,800,000 being invested in capacity building.

According to CARIFORUM Director General Percival Marie, this

further added that this was the first phase of the continuation of such training under the 11th EDF regional indicative programme, for which negotiations recently concluded in Barbados.

Trade policy

Meanwhile, Ambassador Robert Kopecký, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), pleaded for the EU’s continued support towards this programme.

Also, Minister RodriguesBirkett, who is the current Chair of CARIFORUM, urged the participants to fully engage in the sessions because “there can never be too much training”. She added that the sessions would allow the participants to share knowledge and experience, even as she expressed pleasure at being part of the ceremony, because it was her view that trade policy was now by far, more complicated, having evolved in many places of public policy, dealing with the movement of frontiers of goods and capital.

She pointed out that the EPA was signed by member states in October of 2008,

with the guarantee that the agreement will be subjected to periodic reviews and the first five-year review is currently ongoing. In addition, she noted that the actions taken thus far by the body have proved that the Region was serious about sustaining its efforts to form and improve its trade regime at the institutional and sector levels.

The EU-CARIFORUM agreement is an EPA concluded between the EU, and 15 Caribbean States –Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett sharing a light moment with her colleagues of CARIFORUM States at Duke Lodge

CARIFORUM Directorate Director of Development Cooperation, Eugene Petty delivering his remarks at the launch of the 10th EDF capacity building project

thursday, march 25, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM assures ABC of poll readiness

“We are encouragingly satisfied with the preparations being made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the free, fair, efficient and transparent conduct of Elections on May 11, 2015” was the collective sentiments expressed by the resident diplomats from the United States of America, Great Britain, and Canada, when they met with GECOM’s Chairman and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) last Friday.

The meeting provided GECOM with the opportunity to thoroughly update the diplomats about the heightened state of preparedness throughout the GECOM Secretariat, as the May 11 General and Regional Elections draw near. GECOM clearly indicated that the preparatory electoral processes have met all statutory requirements and timelines, and in some instances have been ahead of schedule – as is the case with the early posting of the Revised List of Electors.

In response to queries regarding adequate numbers of trained Election Day staff to be utilised by GECOM, the Commission’s CEO Keith Lowenfield emphasised that in an effort to avoid lastminute recruitment, training and selection of Election Day workers, GECOM initiated rigorous training, retraining, further training and refresher training exercises since September 2014 and now has a reserve pool of trained Election Day staff in excess of the required numbers, in every Electoral District. He also pointed out that Polling Day staff will be contracted from the beginning of April 2015, and will again undergo a number of

refresher training courses, on a continuous basis (three days per week – three hours each day), in the run-up to Election Day. During these refresher training exercises, there will be the inclusion of mock polls.

Additionally, GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally mentioned that the selection of Polling Day staff, including Returning Officers and Deputy Returning Officers, was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and following the criteria associated with due process and international best practice. The Secretariat, he said, submitted lists of potential Returning Officers and Deputy Returning Officers to the Commission for its consideration and comments. Senior appointments were subsequently made with the agreement of the GECOM Commissioners.

Dr Surujbally further indicated that the eventual contracting of Polling Day staff will be a merit-based exercise that will take into consideration the applicants’ profiles, maturity, ex-

perience, relevant skills and scores on evaluations conducted during their two-day training.

According to GECOM, the diplomats were also briefed on the new methodology to be adopted by the Commission as it relates to the investigation for applications for proxy voting. Previously, Returning Officers investigated the applications for proxy voting independently. However, as an improved measure of transparency, political party agents will now be actively involved in the process, accompanying Returning Officers during their home visits, to investigate applications for proxy voting.

GECOM indicated to the diplomats that it was currently exploring the use of social media, as part of its integrated communications strategy to inform stakeholders about the location of polling stations and other pertinent issues.

The GECOM Chairman revealed that the Commission has sought the assistance of political parties in the distribution of

National ID Cards. He indicated that political parties were given a list of names of persons who were yet to uplift their National ID cards. He also indicated that political parties can encourage their supporters to collect their ID cards. The uncollected ID cards would be centralised at the GECOM Secretariat three days before the elections.

Meanwhile, in response to a question about the timely release of election results, the GECOM Chairman categorically stated that the Commission would not compromise accuracy for expediency/speediness in the delivery of election results, but would be aiming towards a timely and accurate announcement. GECOM further indicated that it would be divulging partial results as the tabulation process was under way.

The diplomats who met with GECOM were American Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt; British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; and Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles.

Essequibo commuters blast

Parika-Supenaam Ferry Service

Commuters utilising the ParikaSupenaam Ferry Service are calling on the relevant authorities to address the poor service being offered.

According to one of the commuters, Francis Darchiville, who spoke to Guyana Times on Wednesday, passengers are becoming “fed up and tired” of the problematic ferries.

Darchiville is contending that the ferries have been experiencing “one problem to the next” for an extensive period.

He said the most recent incident occurred on Wednesday morning, explaining that the MV Kanawan, which was scheduled to depart Supenaam for Parika at 05:00h, developed technical problems resulting

in extensive delays.

Darchiville said at first, passengers who had boarded the vessel long in advance, were under the impression that it was just a minor delay but minutes of waiting soon turned into hours, as they were told that the vessel was experiencing technical difficulties.

After more than five hours of delay, the vessel eventually left the stelling shortly after 10:00h. The man said it was a great inconvenience since many of the commuters had business transactions and appointments.

He noted too that there were several pregnant women, elderly persons and children on board the vessel, who became uncomfortable due to the long hours they had to endure on board.

As if this was not enough, Darchiville said just when he was beginning to think that the problem was rectified; he was confronted with another delay, this time in the afternoon at around 17:00h when he boarded the vessel at Parika to travel to Supenaam.

He said although the MV Kanawan had no difficulty moving off from the Parika Stelling, it was a nightmare when they arrived at Supenaam.

The man related to Guyana Times that as they arrived at the Supenaam Stelling, the ramp of the vessel could not be lowered as there were some technical difficulties once again.

It was expressed that it took workers, with the aid of commuters more than one and a half hours to maunel-

6000 jobs on the cards as Qualfon launches new call centre today

Qualfon which prides itself as one of the leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) providers will today be opening the doors to one of the largest contact centre campuses in the world at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to the company, the centre which will be based at 146 Plantation Providence, EBD, will create approximately 6000 new jobs for Guyanese ranging from management positions to customer care representatives.

The Qualfon Contact Centre Campus at Providence was constructed on 10 acres of land and the first phase of construction has cost the entity approximately US$4 million. At the opening ceremony, Qualfon executives and other distinguished invitees will speak following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will signal the official opening of the campus.

Invitees will get the opportunity to interact with BPO industry analysts and get their perspectives on the Guyana market. At the ceremony, those in attend-

ance will get a first-hand look at the campus where the basic facilities being constructed are a contact centre, an administrative building and a second operations centre. The complex will boast solar power panels and ‘green’ building materials, an indoor/outdoor cafeteria, an inter-faith chapel, an on-site waste water treatment facility, back-up generators, a water pond and landscaping and parking facilities.

Qualfon’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Marrow had previously stated that the facility would provide career opportunities and educational development, noting that ultimately, there will be an accredited university which will offer classes, career guidance and a shared library among other necessary amenities.

According to Marrow, Guyana has ranked number one on Qualfon’s successor’s list, owing to the fact that the people of Guyana are hospitable and effective with the English language. He said Qualfon’s largest market is serving customers in the US and Guyanese understands Americans.

Fishermen want more aid to fight piracy, improve channels

Fishermen in the Montrose and Annandale communities have expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the channel, saying it has been in a deteriorating condition for a long time.

ly get the ramp to open so that passengers could disembark.

“You can’t have people enduring this all of the time. It is very inconvenient especially for the pregnant women, the children and the elderly people,” the man related.

He was, however, quick to point out that the Captain and the crew should not be blamed as they are trying their best to work with a vessel that deserves immediate attention and repairs.

Darchiville is now calling on the relevant authorities to look into the matter so that the discomfort and inconvenience experienced by passengers can be greatly reduced when travelling with the ferry from Parika to Supenaam and vice versa.

This, the issue of piracy and markets for produce have been identified as some of the immediate concerns of the fisher folk. “The channel is filled with mud and it’s the same with the Wharf and only when there is a high tide then the boats can leave,” related one fisherman, Javid Mohammed.

In instances of a low tide, he explained that they are forced to wait for about five to six days before their business operation can get back to its normal state.

Mohammed added that the alternative location, Ogle, is also affected when it rains as that area becomes impassable.

It was also pointed out by several others that this, their main income is affected in such circumstances and many of them are sole breadwinners for their families.

On the other hand, Salim Dalkarran, a fisherman at the Annandale Koker highlighted his concern on the

prevalence of piracy at that location. He indicated that piracy has been an ongoing issue. “It was just a few months back there was a piracy attack where the 248 engines were taken away from three boats,” he said. Dalkarran stated that during the piracy attack some of the fishermen were injured severely whilst others lost their lives in trying to secure their belongings. The fisherman indicated that these concerns were raised in the past and promises were made, but the situation remains unchanged. He also indicated that it costs approximately eight (8) million dollars to set up a boat for fishing ventures and another five hundred thousand dollars (500,000) to get it loaded.

In instances when their catch is just about 2000 to 3000 pounds of fish, they suffer tremendously because expenditure is higher than their profit, Dalkarran explained. He is suggesting that the Government intervene in the market and have a standard price being set. This, he believes will ensure that consumers are not exploited and at the same time they can benefit as well.

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and his Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield briefing Western diplomats: American Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt; British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; and Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles about elections preparations

Greenidge’s court action

Luncheon to Greenidge: “You’re a hypocrite”

The Government of Guyana has strongly objected to the court action filed by a member of the Opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which seeks to prevent the current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration from accessing external financing to pursue its developmental agenda.

Former Finance Minister in the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government and Shadow Finance Minister for APNU, Carl Greenidge had recently approached the High Court during which he filed litigation to prevent the Administration from accessing grants and loans from external agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank, among others.

Speaking to media operatives on Wednesday however, the Government’s chief spokesman, Dr Roger Luncheon, stated that Greenidge was “barking up the wrong tree”. The Cabinet

Secretary noted that Guyana as a developing country significantly depended on external financing from domestic and foreign agencies, including the IDB, World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, along with bilateral partners like India and China since they afforded Guyana low interests rate, a longer payback period and better terms than commercial lending agencies.

He noted that if the Government was to desist from seeking these loans, then the development and growth of the country will be stifled. As he rejected the litigation, Luncheon posited that Greenidge “may be in the Court a lot”, since the Government was not prepared to stop development from taking place in the country. The Cabinet Secretary said Greenidge’s rationale that no authority resided with the Administration to access such financing in the absence of a functioning Parliament was far from the reality.

He said this contention flew in the face of provisions in the Guyana Constitution and in the face of practices of past administrations, stating that it was hypocritical that Greenidge was condemning something he had done in the past. “One can go back into the PNC period and show that under similar circumstances, usually when there was no Parliament during those years when the two years’ extension was provided in 1980-1992. Mr Greenidge himself, in the latter, was involved with the donor community on the self-same purpose that today he is taking the PPP/Civic Administration to court for,” Luncheon told media oper-

Trio gets 6-month sentence for $8M theft

Three men were sentenced to six months in jail on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for stealing over $8 million worth of items.

Fifty-nine-year-old Ingram Williams, 38-year-old Steve Jordan and John Kelwin Heliger, 21, were found guilty on Wednesday of stealing a quantity of clothes from Yi Zhen Trading on January 26.

The report detailed that the defendants broke and entered the store, which is located on Alexander and Regent Streets, Georgetown and therein removed 800 male and female watches valued

$800,000; 700 male bands valued $1,400,000; 600 female bracelets valued $480,000; 500 female wristlets valued

$550,000; 20 female handbags worth $50,000; 10 boxes of female slippers $288,000; 100 female jeans worth $350,000; 1000 female clothes worth $2,000,000; 11,000 female skirts worth $1,260,000; a television valued $19,000; 400 torch lights valued $1,800,000 and 100 male slippers valued $800,000.

The total value of the items

atives at the Office of the President on Wednesday.

The APNU executive lodged a writ in the High Court seeking to prevent the Government from accessing a US$17 million loan from the IDB outside of the Consolidated Fund and the required Appropriation Act. Greenidge, a former Minister of Finance, is seeking declarations that the proceeds of the loan provided under the recently-signed agreement must be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Guyana and that there must be no withdrawal of these proceeds except by appropriation under Article 217 of the Constitution. In his affidavit in support of the summons, Greenidge listed a series of concerns including that the 10th Parliament

has been dissolved without an Appropriation Act being approved in relation to the IDB loan. He also cited Parliament’s disapproval last year of budget funds for the Low Carbon Development Programme, which is to benefit from the proceeds of the IDB loan in question.

Unfounded

According to Luncheon, there is nothing in the Constitution that expressly prevents Government from doing what it is now doing, as he signalled the Administration’s intention to ignore the court action and continue to engage the donor community to advance Government’s developmental agenda.

Additionally, Dr Luncheon added that the Shadow

Finance Minister’s contention that Government should not be given access to the loan in the absence of a sitting

Parliament to approve it was unfounded, since based on legal advice there is no provision in the Constitution that forbids the sitting Government from engaging and contracting services.

“There is nothing, nothing in the Constitution; Cabinet has been advised that there is nothing that prevents the Government from doing what it is doing. What the Constitution does provide for is for the Executive Government in the face of Parliament not sitting to have preserved its powers, including accessing to financing as well as those other functions that have been provided for in statues for the Executive Government …the feeling is, he is barking up the wrong tree,” the Cabinet Secretary expressed.

missing is $800,373,000.

However, the defendants told the court that they did not break into the store. The testified to taking a few of the items from the store, however, according to the three defendants, the store was already opened at the time. It is their assumption that someone had already broken into the store before and removed the majority of the items that was missing.

Magistrate Alexis Moore, who presided over the trial in Court 10, stated that the prosecution was unable to prove that the men did indeed break into the store and thus a prima facie could not be established. Hence, he stated that the defendants’ admission that they did not break into the store and only made away with a few of the missing items is factual. They were sentenced to six months each. However, Magistrate Moore considered that the defendants’ have been remanded for the last two months discounted this and placed them on four months imprisonment.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon

Former Finance Minister and APNU executive Carl Greenidge

Guyana can be maritime hub for the region – President

With talks ongoing for the development of a deep water harbour in Berbice, President Donald Ramotar said Guyana could become a maritime hub for the Caribbean and South America.

Ramotar, at the time, was addressing supporters in Bush Lot, Berbice, during one of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) campaign meetings. He told the gathering that the construction of the deep water port is not an option, but a necessity, if Guyana wants to remain on the international trade market.

“We have to build a deep water harbour. The Panama Canal is expanding. Soon the 5000 tons and 1000 tons ships will be a thing of the

past,” he explained.

The Panama Canal Expansion Project is intended to double the capacity of the Panama Canal by creating a new lane of traffic and allowing more and larger ships to transit.

Industry experts believe that the expansion of the Panama Canal will open a new phase for the transhipment in the Caribbean. In recent years, an active transhipment market has emerged in Panama and the Caribbean. This growth in Caribbean transhipment has

been related to economic development.

According to Ramotar, if Guyana succeeds in establishing a deep water harbour in Berbice, it can pave the way for massive econom-

ic development within the country.

He pointed out that, once the Linden-Lethem road project is completed, North Brazil can conduct all of its international trade from Guyana, not only boosting the economy, but enhancing tourist potential in Guyana.

A Chinese-owned firm, the Chinese State Construction Engineering Company (Latin American and Caribbean), was scheduled to arrive in Guyana on Monday to conduct a preliminary study on the possibilities of constructing a deepwater harbour near the Berbice River mouth. They have not yet arrived.

Speaking with Guyana

Times on Wednesday, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said he is unsure why the company representative has not arrived.

Nonetheless, he assured that they should be here within the next two weeks, suggesting they might have encountered air-travel difficulties.

The technical team will carry out a study on the various areas and if a deepwater port on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer basis (BOOT) was to appear feasible, the Government would then proceed by way of an open invitation for proposals.

The engineer endorsed the idea of Guyana becoming a maritime hub for the Caribbean and South America.

He noted that it is a “competitive world” and if Guyana develops a deepwater harbour, then it would be advantageous for the country, its business and tourism sectors, and ultimately, the entire population.

Additionally, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce (BCC) President Mark Roopnarine said the county was ready for the transformation that accompanies the operations of a deepwater harbour within the region.

Hinds explained that there are varying suggestions for the construction of deepwater ports in the Berbice River. He explained that several experts proposed ideas of a lagoon modelled deepwater port while others suggested it be built into the river bank itself.

Walter Rodney CoI: Smith was used as “scapegoat” in Rodney’s assassination – Wagner

The sister of murder accused William Gregory Smith, on Wednesday revealed that she had warned her younger brother against his connection with the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) but he insisted on continuing because of his respect for Dr Walter Rodney.

Ann Wagner also suggested that the political party, which had become a thorn

in the flesh of the then ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, might have been the real killer of Dr Rodney and later used her brother as a “scapegoat” for the heinous crime.

Wagner was at the time speaking under cross-examination at the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) at the Supreme Court Library building, Georgetown.

Attorney representing the interest of the historian’s wife and children, Andrew Pilgrim was at the time examining Wagner’s evidencein-chief, particularly because she had revealed that she had spent a considerable amount of time in conversation with her now dead brother immediately after the June 1980 bombing onto the time of his death on November 21, 2002.

Among the many things he revealed to her, Wagner recalled the plot by the WPA to harm Smith and the many attempts on his life. However, she could not say why the party, which has for years been calling for an investigation into its founding leader’s death, would want to injure her brother. She said she was only relating exactly what was told to her by Smith.

Being the eldest of five children, Wagner told the commission that she had formed a bond particularly with Smith and his younger brother Aubrey. Wagner said she was concerned about her brother’s safety, both

with his involvement with the WPA, and the building of trigger devices.

But asked if she had personally known the WPA or any of its members, Wagner responded in the negative, but maintained that she based her position on what was told to her by brother.

According to Wagner, during his years in neighbouring Suriname, Smith had confided that the many attempts on his life were all acts of the WPA, which had earlier provided false documents including his change of name, before sending him off to the Dutch speaking country.

She listed incidents of someone tampering with his motorcycle, causing him to run off the road, injuring himself, his house being shot at with his family inside, and the death of his brother-inlaw, which he claimed was a case of mistaken identity. At the time of the accident, his brother-in-law, who looked at lot like him, was careened off the road, breaking his neck in the process.

But WPA’s lawyer Christopher Ram, in defiance of Wagner’s evidence, suggested that she could not have known anything about the WPA and its operations since she had no personal connection with the party. In fact, Smith had also told Wagner, that although he had a party card, Dr Rodney was the only person he was in contact with from the party. She had described her brother as a very “reserved” indi-

vidual who never talked too much.

Asked if, during the penning of the book, she had ever stopped to verify the information given to her by Smith, Wagner responded in the affirmative, noting that she had interviewed a few individuals. Ram told Wagner, who admitted that she had no training in journalism, that the credibility of any book rests on putting names, dates and events in the relevant places. According to Ram, the book co-authored by the witness does not reach that objective, because of the falsification of much of the events in the book. Wagner was hard-pressed on her position that she was only repeating what her brother said.

According to Wagner, Smith had told her if he were to die an unnatural death then the WPA was to be blamed. Smith, however, died of lung cancer in November, 2002.

Wagner during her crossexamination related to the commission that Dr Rodney had told her brother that the building of detonators and triggering devices was opening windows of opportunities. She said she did not know what the windows of opportunities were. According to her, Dr Rodney had his plans and would have done anything to get them done. However, she again could not say what those plans were, since her brother did not tell her.

Ann Wagner stands in defense of her late brother William Gregory Smith alias Cyril Johnson, who had been accused of handing Dr Walter Rodney a bomb disguised in a walkie-talkie device, and which exploded, killing him instantly.

Wagner is also the only witness who has come forward since the commencement of the investigation to defend the former army sergeant and electronics expert. The ninth round of the investigation continues today with further cross-examination by the WPA attorney.

President Donald Ramotar

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

BCC President Mark Roopnarine

Ann Wagner under cross-examination at the ongoing Walter Rodney CoI

Nude body of woman found on UG foreshore

The battered, nude body of a woman identified as Sharda Alli was

ed the Police. According to reports, the woman’s face was bashed in with sever-

The body of the woman moments after the discovery on Wednesday

found on the seawall in the vicinity of the University of Guyana access road. She was believed to have been murdered.

The discovery was made around 08:00h by passersby as they jogged along the seawall who immediately alert-

al marks of violence about her body, including her back and legs. Upon arriving at the scene, investigators covered the woman’s body with a piece of cloth and waited on crime scene experts to arrive. Investigators believe the body was dumped in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Investigators took photos of the corpse and searched the area for any clues that the murderer(s) might have left behind.

A cologne bottle was found in close proximity. At the scene, curious onlookers gathered to get a glimpse of the body with the hope of positively identifying it. The woman suspected to be in her 30s was later identified by her mother.

On Sunday last, the body of Ramesh Nauth, 29, of Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was also found with bruises about his body along the Kitty seawall, but a post-mortem proved that he drowned. His relatives have since confirmed that he had threatened to commit suicide a few times.

Police question Diamond residents on Crum-Ewing’s execution

Investigators questioned several residents of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara on Wednesday as they intensified their investigations into the execution-style killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing.

A senior Police source told the Guyana Times that a group of investigators revisited the area and questioned several other persons who they believe might have witnessed the shooting incident but were fearful if they cooperated, they might be targeted.

He added that Police would continue their investigation, and was optimistic that they would solve the murder soon. The results of forensic tests done on one of the cars suspected to have been involved in the shooting are due soon. The car is still impounded, while the lone suspect remaining in custody has been released as the 72hour legal detention period had expired.

the collar of the shirt he was wearing.

Crum-Ewing rose to prominence after he protested for the removal of Attorney General Anil Nandlall, following the revelation of a phone conversation, illegally recorded by Kaieteur News Owner Glenn Lall, between the Attorney General and Kaieteur News reporter Leonard Gildarie.

Duo gets 75-year sentence for 2013 Mash Day stabbing

Murder accused, Devon Thomas and Randy Issac, were sentenced to 75 years imprisonment for the mob killing of an Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, businessman in 2013.

The duo was accused of murdering 25-year-old Kumar Mohabir called “Duksy” and “Fire Link” of Lot 7 Fernandes Street, Enterprise, in the wee hours of February 24, 2013 while on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

According to the State’s case, which was presented by Counsel Stacy Gooding in association with Diana Kaulesar, Mohabir operated a tent rental business and on the day in question had gone to collect a tent he rented to his nieghbours when he was attacked.

The businessman had gone to Vlissengen Road, where the tent was used on Mashramani Day and was confronted by a group of intoxicated men armed with broken bottles. Mohabir was beaten and stabbed several times. His brother, Navindra, was also attacked in an attempt to shield the now dead man. The 25-year-old was taken to the Woodlands Hospital where he was treated but subsequently died.

ther told the court that he “cuffed” one of the attackers to the face and shielded his younger brother. The man said that it was at this time, he was injured.

He further stated that while he was at the Woodlands Hospital seeking treatment with his brother, one of the accused, Thomas was also there with a cut on his face.

Navindra explained that he did not raise an alarm because he did not know his brother would have died and there was no one around at the time since the doctor attending to him spoke Hindi.

After the prosecution closed its case, defence Attorney Peter Hugh, who along with Latchmie Rahamat are representing the two accused, made an application for no-case submission, however, this was overruled by the trial judge,

ter which they both went to Woodlands for treatment. Thomas further stated that two days after he was arrested and later charged. The 22-year-old man told the court that he misses his family and wants to return home. On the other hand, 19-year-old Issac also gave an unsworn statement in his defence. He related that when he was arrested, he was placed on an identification parade with no one looking like him, stating that they were “bare destitute and junkies”.

The Police rank told the Guyana Times that they were working on all the leads at their disposal.

An autopsy report proved that the 41-year-old was shot five times – thrice to the head, once to the back of the neck and once to under an arm. All the bullets were fired from behind and at close range except the one that hit under his arm and exited his shoulder.

It was also reported that the bullet wound to the back of the man’s neck was at point-blank range and gunpowder residue was found on

The fingerprints taken from the bullhorn, which the father of three was using to urge residents of the Scheme to go out and cast their ballots on May 11 when he was gunned on March 10, have been sent to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) forensic lab for testing. These results also will be made available soon.

After the shooting incident, the Home Affairs Ministry had issued a release condemning the act and requested a full investigation into the matter. President Donald Ramotar also charged the Police Commissioner to find the killers and “Intellectual author” of CrumEwing’s execution. Over the past week, Crum-Ewing has not only been made into a martyr, but a “political” martyr by the entire Opposition, their allies in the media, and several civil society groups.

President Ramotar has since distanced his Administration from the man’s murder and declared that Crum-Ewing was no threat to the governing Party or the Government. He was also taken aback that the man’s coffin was draped with the Golden Arrowhead.

Soft drink vendor remanded for alleged narcotics trafficking

A39-year-old soft drink vendor was on Wednesday placed before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts facing charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Sheldon Brown of 68 Cross Street, Werk-EnRust, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charges which read that on March 24, he was found in posses-

sion of 54 grams of cannabis at his home. Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru stated that on Tuesday, March 24, acting on information received ranks of the Guyana Police Force visited the defendant’s home and conducted a search. Upon searching the premises, the ranks discovered the substance hidden in the defendant’s stairwell and Brown was detained and taken into custody for questioning.

The defence argued that while the drugs were found in the defendant’s stairwell, he has no nexus to the narcotics as the property in which the substance was discovered is also rented by six other individuals and requested bail. The Prosecutor refuted that claim stating that when Brown was questioned he admitted that the drugs belonged to him. Bail was denied and the man was remanded to prison until April 13.

State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, testified that he performed a post mortem, which found the cause of death to be as a result of multiple stab wounds, inflicted by a sharp object.

Meanwhile, the surviving brother testified that on the day, he along with his younger brother travelled to Georgetown to collect the tent in the company of his two sons and niece. The man recalled that his brother had left to go purchase drinks for the three children and a few minutes after, he was attacked by a group of persons including the two accused.

According to the prosecution’s main witness, he rushed and pulled off the persons who were hovering over his grounded brother. He fur-

Justice Navindra Singh.

Thomas gave an unsworn statement in his defence during which he said that on that Mash night, he went to Vlissengen Road and walked along the seawall heading up the ECD. He said that he then hitched a ride up to Industry and was walking to his home in Better Hope, when he was attacked by three masked men.

The accused told the court that the men robbed him and during the ordeal he sustained a cut to his face. He rushed home and informed his brother-in-law af-

Granger’s Youth ...

Jones questioned that if the government could not cater for the thousands of youths who are University graduates and those with CXC subjects, how could they possibly accommodate those who without requisite academic qualification. He told the residents government’s expression of progress is not grounded in reality. “There is perception and there is reality. We live in the reality but they live in perception.”

But rebutting Jones’ claims is the fact that the Guyana’s economy has consistently recorded growth for the past eight years. This growth had to have led to incomes and jobs increasing In 2013 the economy performed well, recording 5.2 per cent

growth, despite a year underlined by parliamentary difficulties surrounding cuts to the national budget, and a global economy that had begun to emerge from the doldrums of its worst economic crisis. In 2014 the economy grew by over 4%.

Meanwhile, Cheryl Sampson, Head of the Women’s arm of the PNC told the gathering that they deserved better housing, roads and quality of life, which will be guaranteed under the APNU- AFC coalition. “It is time for a change. It is a time for better lives. That is what we want, that is what we need, and we need a good life. Come May 11 there will be a better life for all,” she stated.

Sampson did not elaborate as to how any govern-

He admitted that he went out on that Mash Day but said that he was in the club dancing. Issac informed the court that he did not know his co-accused prior to them being charged. The teenager stated that he has been in prison for two years, away from his family because of improper investigations. He too asked to return home.

Following the summing up of the evidence on Wednesday by Justice Singh, the jury retired to deliberate on the verdicts. They unanimously found the two men guilty of murdering the businessman.

In handling down the sentence, Justice Singh began at a base of 60 years and added 10 for the injuries inflicted. Another five years were added for the cruelty of the men’s action. The judge also ordered that the two men not be placed on parole until after they serve 40 years imprisonment.

from page 8

ment could “guarantee” the promises she made. Sampson related that under the new government, there will be no discrimination and every citizen will be treated equally, with equal opportunities.

“The corruption and the discrimination must end. We have had too much to deal with already. You must do what you have to do. We have had enough.”

The woman also noted that more must be done with regards to the health care sector since too many people are losing their lives due to negligence and incompetence on the part of the officials, many of whom ‘get away scot free’. She did not, however, say that it was the government cause people to lose their lives.

Courtney Crum-Ewing

Devon Thomas

Randy Issac

thursday, march 26, 2015|

Chile rejects Doerga's Alesie rice shipment

...substandard quality jeopardises future of new market

AChilean Company is claiming it received a shipment of poor quality of rice from Turhane Doerga’s “Alesie” rice and warns that this could jeopardise future shipments from Guyana as a whole. Guyana Times understands that the compa-

of sale between the two Doerga’s firm was expected to send the commodity; “sound, loyal and merchantable. Free from live insects and bad smell.”

But this was not the case for this particular shipment, as inspections by a team in the South American state

ny, CABAGAN, Sociedad Distribuidora de Produtos opened 10 50-kg bags and found all to be contaminated. These included dead insects, stones and fungi.

On December 8, 2014 Rumzeight Rice Processors Inc shipped 71.50 Metric Tonnes (1430 bags) of ‘Guyana long grain white rice’ to Chile as per its agreement with a company there. According to the agreement

found. In a correspondence, officials noted that “we have never received a lot with such bad quality and so many problems at once.”

The customer attached several pictures featuring the ‘impediments’ they found in about 3 of the bags. The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is mandated to ensure the quality of exported rice meets a certain standard. But this publica-

tion understands that the checks are usually ‘random’, which do not guarantee 100 per cent accuracy.

“Please pass this immediately to the supplier, the best would be to have him here for an inspection,” related the correspondence. The expectation is that the shipment is returned, or that Doerga covers the cleaning cost. An official complaint was lodged at the GRDB in Georgetown and the certifying body is expected to urge Doerga to remove all potential for recurrence or it may be forced to impose a 100 per cent sample test before exportation.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said he is disappointed at this development, noting that it can have serious implications for Guyanese exports to Chile, which is a newly acquired market. “I am disappointed that a man who professes to be an expert in the rice industry and who professes to have the industry at heart and further who professes to care for the rice farmers would jeopardise one of our newer markets,” he indicated. “Government has worked hard to expand rice markets beyond traditional Europe and Caribbean and

Robbery accused brutally chopped in Camp Street Prison

An inmate in the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown was brutally chopped about his body during an argument with another prisoner.

The injured man has been identified as Tambico Mackenzie who was arraigned and remanded for armed robbery on February 10 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. According to reports received, Mackenzie was severely chopped about his body last Thursday by one man who had an accomplice. The chopping incident reportedly stemmed from an argument earlier in the day among a group of inmates.

Mackenzie was reportedly sleeping in his cell when he was attacked by the men, one of whom was armed with a cutlass. After the chopping incident, the attackers was placed in isolation while the injured man was kept at the correctional facility and treated instead of being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention.

The entire ordeal was taped by another inmate who had a mobile phone, which is also a prohibited item in the state penitentiary. Prison officials have since launched an investigation into the matter, especially to determine how the prohibited articles reached into the facility.

Outrage

The Guyana Times understands that the relatives of the injured man are outraged at the incident and the treatment Mackenzie received. They were furious and expressed their disappointment at the lack of security at the facility. They are trying to understand the method used to smuggle in the dangerous weapon into the prison and believe that the man’s life might be in danger.

Mackenzie was remanded to prison after he was accused of robbing a woman of a gold chain, one gold and diamond ring, three gold bands and an Apple iPhone, worth a total of $370,000. The robbery reportedly oc-

curred on February 6 at Caneview, South Ruimveldt Park.

Upon his arrest, the gold bands were found in his possession while the other items were recovered from his accomplice.

Recently, pandemonium broke out at the Camp Street Prison after prisoners set alight a few mattresses during a protest action. There have been concerns in the past about the lack of proper screening of per-

sons visiting prisoners since it is quite easy to smuggle prohibited items into the Prison.

The Police in collaboration with prison officials would normally conduct searches of the premises and in most cases, prohibited items are found, including ice picks, razors, and improvised smoking utensils.

When the Guyana Times contacted the Guyana Prison Service on Wednesday, it was told that the Director, Welton Trotz, was not available for a comment and all other senior ranks were in a meeting.

the best way to sustain and expand into even more territories is to ensure that we meet all standards for quality. The export of such poor quality is a travesty and threatens one of the newer markets.”

The minister expressed hope that Doerga puts systems in place to correct this situation. He indicated that every export must reflect the kind of standard that will ensure expansion within that market. Dr Ramsammy confirmed that the GRDB would now need to inspect all of Doerga’s shipments to ensure the highest quality or exports. “I would hope that he does not see this as penalising him unnecessarily because we have to protect our markets. Whenever we believe any exporter isn’t doing enough, we will demand 100 per cent inspection,” the subject minister pointed out.

Doerga, a fierce critic of the way in which the rice industry is managed has joined the Opposition affiliated Rice Producers Action Committee (RPAC) and Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association (EPFA) critics that recently complained of lack of export markets for the commodity. He indicated at a press conference that some 150,000 tonnes of pad-

dy remained were still to be exported and that with another 400,000 tonnes of paddy coming in, the situation is dire. At this same press conference he vowed to support the APNU-AFC coalition and take the message to rice farmers across the country. In the face of claims of failed markets, the Agriculture Minister had said no one could dispute the real possibility of one million tonnes of paddy, equivalent to about 650,000 tonnes of rice, in 2015. This will represent four years of successive record-breaking production in Guyana. In 2014, production was 635,238 rice or 974,000 tonnes of paddy.

“These truths tell of a very successful story. But they (opposition) try to distract

from this truth by saying that while the industry is successful in production, we cannot find markets. They accuse us of intervention into a private business, but on the other hand, they accuse us of not finding markets,” Dr Ramsammy observed.

According to him, Guyana in 2014 exported a record 501,208 tonnes of rice; adding new destinations and expanding existing ones. “We sell more to the Caribbean and Europe, the traditional markets. Within the European market, we have added new destinations. We continue to sustain the Venezuelan market which came into effect from 2009. In 2010, the Venezuelan market was 70% of local production. In 2014, the Venezuelan market, which maintained its volume, was only about 31% of production,” he outlined. Countries like Belize, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala have been added to the export destinations for Guyana’s rice, the minister disclosed added that “a larger market in North America, and new markets in Central America and Africa are being finalized, with a potential to exceed 600,000 tons in 2015.”

Guyana signs visa agreement with Georgia

Guyana has strengthened ties with the Republic of Georgia, as the two countries signed a visa agreement aimed specifically at improving trade and strengthening relations.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, March 24, by the Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett and Georgia’s Ambassador to Guyana, Otar Berdzenishvili.

Following the signature, the sides held a meeting during which they discussed the issues relating to future cooperation between the two countries. The Minister expressed her gratitude to the Government of Georgia for awarding additional scholarships to Guyanese students allowing them to study at the Tbilisi State Medical University, according to MFA Georgia.

Within the framework of his visit in Guyana, the Georgian Ambassador held meetings at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat. The Ambassador, who is resident in Brazil, also paid a visit to Suriname where he held a series of meetings at the Foreign Ministry. Discussions focused on prospects for the development and further strengthening of bilateral relations.

Ambassador Berdzenishvili explained

that Georgia has made some progress on education and was ready to increase achievements. “It is not only the education projects that we are proposing, but also we are ready to share our experiences in our e-governmental issues,” the Ambassador indicated.

It was pointed out that

tial abolition of visas for diplomats. “No country can be seen as being too far away for improving trade relations; we will have to address issues of visas and to begin with, it is good to have our diplomats exempted from having to obtain visas,” she stated.

“The Government and

in 2012 Guyana established diplomatic relations with Georgia and the relationship has been growing from strength to strength ever since. Three Guyanese students are studying medicine in Georgia, with two more slated to join them very soon.

Minister RodriguesBirkett observed that the visa agreement was for par-

people of Georgia have been very gracious to us, recognising that part of our programme is to develop the social capital and the skills of our people,” the minister explained.

Observing that Georgia was far away, she thanked the ambassador for becoming a good friend of Guyana, in such a short space of time.

Georgia’s Ambassador to Guyana, Otar Berdzenishvili and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett sign the visa agreement at the Ministry

Retired Chief Executive Officer of Alesie Group Turhane Doerga and Chairman of the Rice Producers’ Action Committee (RPAC) Jinnah Rahman at Thursday’s press conference

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Tambico Mackenzie when he was remanded to prison in February

Digicel launches appeal for donations to help Vanuatu

Digicel has officially launched an appeal for donations to collect much-needed funds to assist with the relief efforts in cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu. Partnering with Save the Children Australia, Digicel is collecting funds via SMS and online. The nation of Vanuatu was hit by a Category Five cyclone in the early hours of Saturday, March 14. With winds of up to 340 km per hour, the cyclone caused mass destruction and devastation across much of Vanuatu, especially in the outlying islands. Save the Children is working around the clock to provide food, water, shelter and other basic necessities to the most vulnerable communities – and all monies donated will go towards these efforts.

Promoted primarily on social media, the telecommunications provider is urging customers to stand #TogetherForVanuatu and to donate to Save the

Children’s Cyclone Pam appeal by either texting to donate or donating online. Digicel customers can instantly donate $1 by texting into the short code 9222 in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Nauru. Non-Digicel customers can also help by donating online at: https://donate. savethechildren.org.au/digicel.

Digicel Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Murphy said, “The scale of devastation is significant, there is a real need for assistance and funding now to help the people of Vanuatu get back on their feet as soon as possible. Save the Children has a large presence on the ground and has been working in Vanuatu for almost 30 years. Donations will go towards providing muchneeded clean water, food and shelter as well as rehabilitating schools in affected communities... Many houses were literally flattened and families have lost eve-

Hindus observe Navratri:

rything.” Save the Children Australia CEO, Paul Ronalds, said; “Cyclone Pam has devastated Vanuatu, affecting more than 150,000 people, including 75,000 children. Contributions to Save the Children’s Cyclone Pam appeal will help provide life-saving food and water for communities worst affected, as well as shelter, psychosocial support for children and the rehabilitation of schools to get them back up and running as soon as possible. Digicel’s support for this appeal is greatly appreciated.” The social media promotion calls for support by asking people take a picture or video of them bringing their hands together, cupped around their face to show that they are #TogetherForVanuatu and giving a helping hand. The images or videos should be posted to social media and the person posting then nominates two friends to do the same and donate to Save the Children.

maa Kalaratri

In this form, Durga is fourarmed and rides a donkey. She carries a sword and a trident. In this form she is dark and repulsive in appearance. She is cruel and excited. This is the violent and dark side of Durga. This form primarily depicts that life also has its dark sides. Maa Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri. Her appearance is like the dense darkness and is absolutely black. She possesses three eyes in her forehead which are as round as the universe itself. The hair on her head is very dense but disheveled. She is bedecked with a glorious garland round her neck which emits great refulgence. She breathes out horrible and terrible flames of fire. Although her appearance is absolutely black yet refulgent rays

keep on emanating from her. Although the outward form of Maa Kalaratri is extremely frightening, she always bestows boons on her devotees. All sins are washed off by her adoration and worship. Devotees deserve all kinds of merits by having her in mind. Those who adore and worship her selflessly are relieved of all distresses and turmoil. They will enjoy pros-

perity and pleasures.

Maa Kalaratri is the destroyer of demons, ghosts and evil-minded persons. All planetary hurdles are removed if a devotee chants her name with devotion. She confers the state of fearlessness on her devotees. A devotee should worship her with a purified mind and intellect in order to derive full merit of his devotion.

One should not jump to the conclusion that Maa Kalaratri represents only the destructive aspect of God’s power. What exists when time is transcended, the eternal night of limitless peace and joy, is also called Kali (Maharatri). And it is she who prods Lord Shiva into the next cycle of creation. In short, she is the power of God in all his aspects.

Republic Bank submits offer to HFC Bank

Republic Bank Limited (RBL) on Tuesday announced that it has received the approval of the Ghana Securities Exchange Commission, to its Offer Document.

In keeping with the offer processed, Republic Bank officially served its Offer Document on HFC Bank on Monday, making its long outstanding mandatory offer process to all shareholders of HFC Bank.

“The share price offered by Republic Bank is approximately USD$0.44 per share payable in cash. This represents a premium of 18 per cent above the average price of HFC Bank shares for the year to date and 20 per cent above the Friday March 20, 2015, closing price,”

Republic Bank explained in a press statement.

Republic Bank’s Auditors, Ernst and Young, have confirmed, that the bank has available resources to satisfy full acceptance of the offer.

It was further explained that the offer is subject at all times to the provisions of the Takeover Code and the Listing Rules of the Ghana Stock Exchange.

“Republic Bank continues to follow the process as specified by the Takeover Code which places responsibility on HFC Bank to execute a number of actions. These include a requirement that it circulates the Offer Document to all shareholders within 15 days, from the date of receipt of the Offer

ECLAC, UNAIDS ink pact to support regional response to HIV/AIDS

With the goal of promoting and facilitating cooperation on matters related to the regional response to HIV/AIDS, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Latin America signed a memorandum of understanding this month in Santiago, Chile.

The agreement, signed by ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena and the Regional Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), César Núñez, states that both

institutions share the commitment to promote universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support, reduce the spread of the disease, and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The collaboration between the organisations will focus on areas such as: analysis and awareness-raising concerning the inequalities faced by the most affected populations; efficiency and sustainability of regional responses to HIV; monitoring the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs and the Sustainable

Development Goals; and the positioning of HIV as a priority within the post-2015 agenda.

In addition to the development and publication of studies on these matters, the memorandum opens the opportunity to explore other areas of cooperation on issues of common interest. The publications will put special emphasis on the increase in data availability and the necessary information for governments to be able to plan and adopt the most effective responses to tend to the groups most vulnerable to HIV infection.

Four more nabbed for drunk driving

ADocument.”

RBL Director of African Operations for RBL, Robert Le Hunte, on the approval said, “I am extremely happy that we have arrived at this stage of the Mandatory Takeover process, whereby shareholders who are the owners of HFC Bank, will finally be able to make a decision on their shareholdings. This is indeed a momentous occasion for the Ghana capital market.”

He added, “Our key focus is to work with our partners, shareholders, management and staff of HFC Bank to add value to the operations of HFC and contribute to economic growth and development in Ghana. We remain committed to achieving our objective.”

s the Police continue to crack down on drunk driving, four more persons were caught in their “name and shame” dragnet in stop and test execises. They are as follows: Amit Mohabir, of Lot 1524 New Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was found to be above the legal limit in terms of consumption of alcohol when he was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on the Madewini Public Road, EBD on March 1. The driver of motor vehicle HC 1174 was charged and appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court four days later when he pleaded guilty and was fined $7500.

Kevin Reece, of Lot 68 Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on the same day while driving motor vehicle PPP 852 on the Madewini Public Road.

He was found to be above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. He was charged and was fined $7500 after admitting his guilt when he appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on March 5.

Sherif Viramootoo, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, was also fined $7500 at the Providence Magistrate’s Court after he

failed his breathalyser test on March 1 on the Madewini Public Road, EBD. He was stopped and tested while driving motor vehicle PNN 2907.

Gookaran Dially, of Lot 21 Canal Number, West Bank Demerara, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on February 28 while driving motor vehi-

cle PNN 3225 on the Grove Public Road, EBD. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was

charged and appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on March 5 when he pleaded guilty and was fined $7500.

Gookaran Dailly

Kevin Reece

Sherif Viromootoo

Amit Mohabir

César Núñez, Regional Director of UNAIDS for Latin America, and Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s Executive Secretary

Kaieteur News misrepresented the CJ’s decision

Dear Editor,

We wish to refer to a Kaieteur News article headlined, “Court orders arbitration again for sacked Skeldon Estate worker”, on March 18, which misrepresents the decision of the acting Chief Justice given on March 17, with regard to the matter of the dismissal of Daniel Stephens.

When the matter came before the Chief Justice, the injunctions sought by GAWU seeking that the task of the arbitrator in the matter was to enquire into the suspension, not the dismissal, of Mr Stephens, were not granted by the Court.

The Chief Justice, in the circumstances, therefore, recommended that GuySuCo and GAWU return to arbitration to determine the issue regarding the dismissal and not, as GAWU had argued, the suspension of Mr Stephens.

Both GuySuCo and GAWU voluntarily accepted the recommendation of the Chief Justice. On the matter of the selection of the arbitrator, the Court made no intervention.

Thenga Adams Communications OfficerPublications GuySuCo

Joint Op-Ed on Russia and Ukraine

The United States of America, Canada, and the United Kingdom are deeply concerned by President Putin’s recent revelation that he always had a plan in place to illegally annex Crimea. This is indisputable evidence of Russia’s prior intention to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We are clear that Russia must cease its aggressive acts against Ukraine and respect its sovereignty and internationally recognized borders.

In eastern Ukraine, Russia and its separatist allies have unleashed unspeakable violence. This is a manufactured conflict controlled by the Kremlin, fueled by Russian tanks and heavy weapons, and financed at Russian taxpayers' expense.

Our Governments have been clear and coordinated in our response. Sanctions have been a key element of this response, but our response to Russian aggres-

sion and our support to Ukraine have been much broader.

The United States is providing immediately some $75 million of additional nonlethal assistance in order to assist Ukraine.

Canada is also providing nonlethal equipment to Ukraine and has committed over $575 million in support of Ukraine’s efforts to ensure a democratic, stable and prosperous future for itself. The United Kingdom has urged Russia to pursue a different path and to find a political solution. In addition to economic support it too is gifting a package of non-lethal equipment to Ukraine. Our countries stand united in our commitment to ensuring that fundamental principles of international law, such as territorial integrity, apply globally. We will never accept Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea or of any part of Ukraine.

Borders cannot be re-

drawn at the barrel of a gun. We must continue to stand united against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

At the same time we remain committed to a peaceful solution to the crisis. We welcome recent diplomatic efforts towards securing a ceasefire and will give space to allow implementation of the Minsk agreements, in the hope that they will bring a lasting peace. But this cannot go on without end. What matters is action on the ground, not words on paper. We would rather avoid a path of confrontation. But the choice lies with the Kremlin and is a clear one. If the destabilisation of Ukraine continues, then Russia faces further sanctions and increasing isolation.

Canadian High Commission British High Commission US Embassy

Guyanese do not want to be led by a Burnhamindoctrinated leader

Dear Editor,

We all can agree that Forbes Burnham was a charismatic leader with the ability to manipulate and control minds of the people as a means to his own ends.

We also know that his followers and disciples believe in him whole heartedly, so for Granger to distance himself from his former master is just another wool he is pulling over the faces of Guyanese.

And we also know AFC drank the “cool aid” and sell out their followers. How can a man in such a high position of the past, who played a part to destroy this country, say that he is the future? Granger is already a product of, and was indoctrinated by Burnham.

Guyanese are no longer any body’s flocks to be led by a “Burnham indoctrinated” leader, who thinks they can take us into the future. The PPP/C has made a point to ensure we are a free people with the freedom to do what we will with our lives and become leaders of our own destiny.

We are a people living in the time of “moving forward” that is why the PPP/C is faced with so many challenges and criticisms from the opposition. If Dr Jagan was standing here today he would have been faced with challenges

as well.

He would also know we cannot take our eyes of the path of success for Guyana. Any Government that is leading a country through a transitional change for economic prosperity faces similar challenges on the way and it is no different today in Guyana.

Even the most “average Joe” knows that you never change the sails of a ship when the wind is blowing, so why would we change the course for Guyana at this critical moment?

The Burnham inspired Opposition wants change backwards to a depressive time that only made them rich.

Now they have a so called “patch work” of rejects they call a coalition whose sole intentions are personal interests.

All the right plans for our future are laid out on the table by the PPP/C that will provide the growth we need. For me, the one with the plan and better track record will provide a better future for us all and that is the PPP/C.

The Opposition has already demonstrated that they are still stuck in the past of destructive and counterproductive politics. Granger and Greenidge are colossal failures, where Granger is tainted with election rigging from both pre and post 1992.

And for Greenidge ; how could there possibly be a worse choice of candidate for the post of Finance Minister? Who in their right mind would pick a known failure and expect success?

If Granger is not a true reflection of Burnham and the PNC, why not support at least one major project that is beneficial for Guyana during the last three years? They did not because of the indoctrination of PNC political practices.

The past three years tells me that the Opposition is a regressive group of people without any idea of what progressive political thought is and as such, most of their criticisms they place at the foot of the PPP/C is a creation of themselves.

They say that Burham is dead, but I say it is only a fool would believe their lies and think that a legacy of a person is killed with them. If that were true, we would not know the great legacy of Dr Jagan. Burham is alive and well in the hearts and minds of the Opposition, which they have proven over the past three years and beyond. I am moving forward with the PPP/C.

Malcolm Watkins

Faith and culture are two different entities

Dear Editor,

I welcome the conversation roused by the letters Pt R Balbadar and and Shivanie Rampersaud in the Guyana Times.

Both letter writers were correct to state that I should have focused more on the Guyana scenario in addressing religious and cultural concerns, so I shall attempt to do so in this missive.

I’d like to raise some issues in those letters. Pt Balbadar stated: “Every Guyanese Hindu knows that Phagwah marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year” and “the Pandit mentions this name when reciting the samkalpa (resolution) before commencing every ritual”.

If one were to do a random sample of Hindus in Guyana, I doubt if five percent of them would know when the Hindu New Year begins, and the name of this New Year - even though the Pandit recites this samkalpa before commencing each ritual. It is rather whimsical and bizarre in noting the way Pt Balbadar defined religion and culture,

as it pertained to the topic being addressed. It appears as if the Pandit pulled these definitions out of internet sites without considering the germaneness of the issues at hand. The Pandit, for example, chose to garner the meaning of “culture” as it relates to Biology and Agriculture, rather than the Cultural Anthropology discipline. Instead, the Pandit Ji ought to have defined “religion” and “culture” as it pertains to the Phagwah discussion.

Simply put, “religion” refers to a set of beliefs as they relate to the worship of a God or a sacred entity; “culture”, on the other hand, refers to one’s social patterns - in terms of communication, festivals, music, the arts, customs, and a group’s unique cognitive constructs. Religion and culture are not one and the same; they are two different entities. One group may have a different set of religious beliefs from another, but both parties may share a similar custom or culture. In Guyana, for example, Christians and

Hindus often clasp their hands when they pray, whereas Muslims often pray with their hands open.

(In India, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists generally take off their shoes before entering their holy places of worship. Also, Hindus and Buddhists often clasp their hands and bow towards their temple as they pass by, whether they travel by foot or by vehicle.)

Pt Balbadar has assumed what is popularly believed - that Christians in Guyana - irrespective of race or cultural background, should embrace the culture of the West.

I am grateful that missionaries have shared the Good News about Prabhu Yesu Masih (the Lord Jesus Christ). Unfortunately, these missionaries brought with them their cultural baggage, and imposed them on those who responded to the Good News. So people in Guyana still think (like I did at one time) that to be a legitimate Christian, one has to worship Jesus Christ in

the English language, wear a shirt and tie, and sing along with a guitar, steel pan and ‘rock’ drums.

(One must commend the Canadian Presbyterians in the 1950s and 60s - who were sensitive to the culture of the Indians with whom they worked. Consequently, the many Indians in British Guiana were ministered to in the Hindi language, and singing of bhajans was encouraged). I am not an expert on Islam, but I believe that Muslims are required to pray to Allah in the Arabic language, towards the Eastern direction, and with certain types of attire. The Christian faith does not have that type of restriction. Though I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to a variety of music from the West, I feel most exhilarated worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ with a simple harmonium and dholak, or tabla.

I am ethnically and culturally Indian (I am not ashamed of it!), and I love to express my faith in God in a culture that I enjoy and am comfortable with. Some

Christians, unfortunately, despise virtually everything Indian, and perceive every aspect of Indian culture as depraved or reprehensible.

Others, however, recognize that they do not need to throw out the baby with the bath water, and therefore could appreciate aspects of the Indian culture, including the spring festival, Phagwah, or the Hindustani (“Indian”) tradition of Raksha Bhandan (the celebration of brother/sister day).

It would be helpful in this conversation if the afore-mentioned letter writers could take time to define who (or what) is a Hindu. Also, how does one define Hinduism – where does it start, and where does it finish – in the realm of sanatan dharma? What sanskars of sanatan dharma are relevant and necessary for today’s Hindus in the South American continent? What makes a good Hindu in Guyana? Does one need to “sing chautaals (praise of God), attend mandir (prayer) …visit homes and

partake of sweetmeats (expression of love), smearing each other with colours” and read a religious story, as alluded by Pt Balbadar? And what makes for a categorical or consummate Hindu? Does one need to one need to read, write and speak in Hindi and sing bhajans? It is necessary to read and chant shlokas in Sanskrit?

Is it significant to pray some of the age-old Hindu prayers (from the Upanishad), or worship God with Indian instruments such as the harmonium, dholak, manjeera (used for chautaals), tabla and the sitar? I’ve done all of the above, th-ough none of it is absolutely necessary to actualize my Christian faith. So… am I not a Hindu? Is it, then, viable to be a Hindustani (Indian) Christian, and express one’s faith in a Hindustani comportment?

I look forward to answers to these questions.

Devanand Bhagwan

Chanderpaul praises spin twins for Guyana’s success

eteran bats-

Vman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has singled out spin twins, Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo, as the catalyst for Guyana Jaguars’ success in the recently concluded West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Four-day competition.

The Albion spinners finished as the two leading bowlers in the tournament, combining for a whopping

er during the 10-round competition, heaped praises on the two bowlers for their remarkable effort in helping Guyana to claim a first regional Four-day title in 17 years.

“We must recognise two guys who played a major part in this tournament, Permaul and Bishoo. Without their performance we would not have won the tournament,” Chanderpaul reflected. “Yes, the batters did the job when the time came for them to do so, but it’s the bowlers who actually won this tournament for

128 wickets. Permaul, the left-arm orthodox spinner, was the leading wicket-taker with 67 victims, while leg-spinner Bishoo claimed 61 scalps to finish second.

Addressing local media operatives upon arrival at the Ogle International Airport on Wednesday, Chanderpaul, who was Guyana’s leading runscor-

us. Both of them broke the old record and credit has to go to them.”

Previously, no bowler had crossed the 60-wicket mark in a single regional season, making it more remarkable for two of them to do so in the same year.

Chanderpaul, who is currently the longest active First-Class player in the Caribbean, also

played his part in the success, making 539 runs in eight games, the most by a Guyanese during the competition. He chalked a century in the final round to complement four half-centuries, ending with an average of 44.91.

The veteran left-hander was one of three Guyanese to score over 500 runs; the others being opener Rajendra Chandrika with 525 and middle-order spearhead Narsingh Deonarine with 514.

Quizzed on what made this team so special from the others of the last decade and a half, Chanderpaul explained. “The last time we won was a long time back and we just had a few players who performed in that tournament, but this time around everybody chipped in.”

He added, “Every individual chipped in, and when the time called for it somebody did something special to help us win. That’s the difference between then and now and this is a good sign for us.”

“Tiger”, as he is affectionately known by teammates and fans, also spoke briefly on what lies ahead for Guyana’s cricket, noting that the future is bright.

“We have a lot of talent and a lot of young guys who we know are capable of fitting into the positions when we go off to West Indies duties and get the job done for us, which is really a good sign for Guyana’s cricket,” Chanderpaul posited.

The Guyana Jaguars, who won eight of the 10 matches, and lost and drew one each, accumulat-

ed a whopping 148 points, 31 more than second place Barbados Pride on 117.

The Windward Islands Volcanoes finished third on 109 points, followed by Jamaica (75), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (65) and Leeward Islands Hurricanes (54).

The Guyana Jaguars players, accompanied by Coach Esaun Crandon and Manager Rayon Griffith, proudly displayed the trophy and medals on Wednesday as they were welcomed by President of the Guyana Cricket Board Drubahadur and Secretary Anand Sanasie.

Sanasie, who had called on the team to finish with a victory prior to their departure to Dominica for the final round, lauded the players for fighting through the initial tough periods in the match to complete a thumping victory.

He went on to express his satisfaction about the team’s dominant and consistent performances throughout the tournament.

The Secretary also congratulated Permaul, Bishoo, Chanderpaul and skipper Leon Johnson for being called up in the West Indies 20-man camp for the England tour to the Caribbean. He further urged those who were not selected to continue training hard and their time will come as their on-field performances cannot be ignored forever.

Drubahadur congratu-

lated the team for bringing the title back to Guyana after a long time, noting that they have set the bar extremely high for competitions to come.

He noted that the GCB has excelled this year starting from the Under-15 right up to the senior teams. He thanked the Executives of the GCB for their commitment and the management of the Guyana Jaguars.

The team management and staff expressed their gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board and Cricket Guyana Inc. for the support given to the team and pledged to continue to work hard for future success regionally.

Family and friends of the players were also present at the Ogle International Airport to welcome the victorious team.

Demerara cricket officials to plan way forward

Pursuant to the Guyana Cricket Administration Act No. 14 of 2014, the majority members of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) is inviting all members to an important meeting to discuss and plan the way forward for the DCB, as there exists no lawful Executive Committee of the DCB.

In accordance with the provisions of the Guyana

Cricket Administration Act No. 14 of 2014, the members of the DCB and their delegate representation are: the Georgetown Cricket Association- seven (7) persons, the East Coast Cricket Boardseven (7) persons, the East Bank Cricket Association- seven (7) persons, the West Demerara Cricket Association- seven (7) persons and the

Upper Demerara Cricket Association- three (3) persons. The meeting will be held on Friday March 27, 2015, starting 17:00h at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation Sports Club, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. Members are asked to make a special effort to attend.

Coach Esaun Crandon proudly displays the winning medal

Double trouble! Spin twins Devendra Bishoo (left) and Veerasammy Permaul with the PCL four-day trophy (Photos: Avenash Ramzan)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is all smiles with the PCL four-day trophy

West Indies World Cup campaign revisited

The West Indies had both highs and lows in Cricket World Cup 2015, and the experience from both will help build a team for the future.

A young 23-year-old at the helm in Jason Holder, missing key players such as Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine for various reasons, losing Darren Bravo to injury just two games into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and their swashbuckling batsman, Chris Gayle, struggling with a back problem – it seemed the odds were against the West Indies.

And, when it lost its first game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to Ireland, things looked dire.

Yet, the men from the Caribbean weren’t dispirited. The West Indies, shaken up by that first loss, came back strongly to beat Pakistan and Zimbabwe with trademark flair, before a victory over the United Arab Emirates earned them a place in the knockout stage, ironically, at the expense of Ireland.

However, the team couldn’t get past New Zealand in the quarter-final.

In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the West Indies’ campaign was one of contrasts.

After the ominous start, when Ireland chased down a total in excess of 300, Darren Sammy, the former

West Indies captain, said:

“We've not been playing the brand of cricket that allows us to win matches. Our bowlers have been going for some sticks over the last few games and today was no different against an experienced Irish team where you know they had a game plan and they stuck to it.

“If we continue to play like that, we won't be here for long, for sure. So we still believe that the World Cup is just one game. You win four out of five matches or sometimes even four out of six, and then you can still get into the quarters."

That was what the team eventually did. Success arrived as early as in the sec-

ond game after it stunned Pakistan with a 150-run victory. Andrew Russell was the star that game, scoring a quick-fire 42 and picking up three wickets.

Russell, who was Player of the Match, said, “We just turned up today and wanted to show the world that we are not just a pushover. We are always a good team and we can fight. There is no easy team in the World Cup. It just goes to show on the day we have to turn up. It doesn't matter which team we play against, we're going to have to play our A game.”

And did the West Indies turn up and play its A game? True to Russell’s word,

the West Indies a 257-run loss – and India. After that four-wicket loss to India, it had to beat the UAE convincingly to make the knockout stage, and the side took up the challenge.

But little did it know what awaited on the other side. Martin Guptill. After being dropped on 4, Guptill went on to score a whopping unbeaten 237 off just 163 balls. Gayle struggled with his back injury, yet scored a 33-ball 61, while wickets tumbled at the other end.

The West Indies was ahead of the required run-rate, but it ran out of wickets to lose by 143 runs.

it did. It put up a stellar show against Zimbabwe in its third game, with Gayle brushing aside indifferent form to score his first double-century in a One-Day International. Having averaged just over 14 in 19 games, Gayle, struggling with injury, had a rough 18 months. But the double-century showed just how explosive he could be.

However, the West Indies then had a huge setback to its quarterfinal hopes with losses to South Africa – AB de Villiers was its nemesis again as he followed up the fastest hundred he had scored against the side a few months ago with the fastest 150 in ODI history to had

“Batsmen are scaling new heights and it is great for the game and for crowdattendances in the future,” said Vivian Richards after the quarterfinal clash. “They are breaking all sorts of records and enjoying their time in the middle. At the same time, the execution from bowlers has been poor. With the new rules coming in, I think I have only seen batsmen improvising and there are very few bowlers around today who have upped their game accordingly.”

It was also West Indies’ inconsistency that held it back, something that Holder didn’t shy away from. “We've just been obviously inconsistent from the tour of South Africa to this World Cup.

We've had some good games and we've had some bad games, but we've never been consistent going forward.”

For Holder, who was handed the reins of the ODI side just at the beginning of the year, it was baptism by fire, but he took back several lessons. “I think, personally I've taken a lot. I've been through a lot. There's been a lot of criticism left right and centre and all over the place. I'm proud of myself the way I stood up.

“Not wanting to shy away from responsibility or get in my head when things get tough. I expected a tough job when I accepted the captaincy, and no doubt it's been a tough time, but we've had some very good times. I've learned a lot about how to manage our players and just trying to get the best out of our players. It's been a challenge, yes. But one I truly enjoyed.”

Holder believed his team answered its critics with some of its performances, and the experience would help build a strong team.

In Viv Richards’s words: “[The experience] should act as a boost for them in future and they need to understand that a loss can be used for positives too. They should learn to build a team for the next ICC Cricket World Cup in four years’ time, and their aim should be to go a long way into the knockouts then.” (ICC)

Munro smashes First-Class sixes record

Colin Munro missed out on a place in New Zealand’s World Cup squad, but he celebrated their appearance in a World Cup final in suitable style by obliterating the record for the most sixes in a FirstClass innings.

Munro hit 23 sixes in his 281 from 167 balls for Auckland against Central Districts in Napier in the Plunket Shield, treating it more like a frenzied World Cup finale than a FirstClass competition.

The previous First-Class

record of 16 was held by four players: his fellow New Zealander, Jesse Ryder, Andrew Symonds, Graham Napier and Mukhtar Ali.

Munro propelled Auckland to 471 for 5 before bad light forced stumps on the first day. He reached his fifty off 30 balls and then went on to bring up a century off 68 balls - the fourthfastest in New Zealand’s First-Class history. He cut loose further and surged to a double-century off only 133 balls, before being dismissed on 281 by part-timer Tom

Bruce in the 79th over.

added 157 for the third wicket with Carl Cachopa at 5.41, and 214 for the fourth wicket with Robert O’Donnell at 8.33 - a record for Auckland against Central Districts. BM Tickner and Doug Bracewell bore the brunt of the damage, going for 229 runs in 37 overs. Worcestershire will also be delighted. Munro has been signed up for the NatWest Blast and his reputation in England has suddenly grown ten-fold. (Cricinfo)

Munro

Colin Munro struck a record 23 sixes and registered his career-best first-class score of 281

Jason Holder had to carry the burden of captaincy on his young shoulders

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he Beharry Group of Companies on Wednesday came onboard to support the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) “Say yes to Sports/Education and No to Drugs/Suicide” campaign, which targets over 25,000 school children across the Ancient County.

The company’s Marketing Director, Anjuli Beharry-Strand, handed over the sponsorship cheque to RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster at a simple ceremony at its main branch in Charlotte Street, Georgetown.

In order to promote the campaign, over 1,000 fullcoloured posters, 1,000 youth information booklets and 30 multi-coloured canvas banners will be made available to the various schools, Technical Institute, Training Centre and Sport Clubs.

The youth information booklets would consist of 40 pages and would include articles on a wide range of topics, including Drug

Abuse, Suicide, Personal Hygiene, Public Manners, Choosing Friends, Roles of an Ambassador and the Importance of Discipline, Education and Religion.

The booklet will also include vital information about Guyana and will be distributed in every Primary and Secondary school across Region Six.

Further, a total of 30 schools, including Upper Corentyne Training Centre, New Amsterdam Technical Institute and the GuySuCo Training Centre will receive a banner each, promoting the campaign.

Also, each Primary and Secondary school classroom, Technical Institutes and every Sports Club across Region Six will be the recipient of one multicoloured poster.

Meanwhile, at the simple, but significant ceremony, Beharry-Strand made mention of the importance of such campaign.

“It’s extremely important because without the support for these youths, we don’t have a future in Guyana, they will migrate,

and they will make life abroad. If we invest in our children here we will have a wonderful opportunity to create a long lasting bond to Guyana where they will stay and invest. So this programme will definitely allow them to have a different outlook to life,” she said.

In addition, BeharryStrand indicated that the sponsorship is part of the company’s generosity in giving back to the society.

“We firmly believe in giving back to the society because one of the things we value is that we invest in Guyanese…. so it’s a pleasure to sponsor this programme and it is something we will continue to do,” she concluded.

Foster expressed gratitude to the Beharry Group of Companies for coming onboard to support a worthy cause in order to help develop the next generation of Guyanese.

The campaign will be officially launched with a massive rally and day of sports at the Area ‘H’ ground soon.

Mayweather or Pacquiao bout on Brook’s radar

Kell Brook wants a world title unification bout with Floyd Mayweather, who he says will "convincingly" beat Manny Pacquiao.

IBF welterweight champion Brook, 28, faces Romanian Jo Jo Dan on Saturday.

Mayweather holds the WBA and WBC belts in the weight class, and Pacquiao is WBO champion ahead of their May 2 bout.

"On 3 May there will only be two men in the division with world title belts. I would love to do a unification with the winner," said Brook.

"I do belong at that level. I know at 100% I will beat any fighter," he added

in a BBC Radio 5 live interview.

"I see Mayweather winning the fight. He believes he will win with a passion. Pacquiao has lost before and can lose again.

"Mayweather can control the pace and is a brilliant defensive sharpshooter. For me he takes over the fight halfway through and wins convincingly."

If his hopes of a meeting with Mayweather or Pacquiao are to gather traction, Brook must ensure he comes through his first world title defence against mandatory challenger Dan in his home city of Sheffield.

It will be his first outing since being stabbed while on holiday in September,

three weeks after winning his title with victory in California over American Shawn Porter. Dan, 33, beat Canadian Kevin Bizier to earn the title shot and has a record of 34 wins from 36 fights, with 18 victories by stoppage.

"Mandatories come along and you have to deal with them," added Brook.

"He's earned his position like I did against Porter, so he gets his chance to take that title off me - but that's not happening.

"I am not looking past him, but I know that there are massive fights out there for me in the division and after I take care of business tonight, I am free to fight anyone." (BBC Sport)

Beharry Group of Companies Marketing Director, Anjuli Beharry-Strand, hands over the cheque to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

Kumar hails Guyana Jaguars’ success – disappointed by Deonarine’s snub

Director of Sport Neil Kumar has hailed the Guyana Jaguars players for their success at the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket Four-day tournament, noting that the country’s sportsmen exhibited “courage, stamina, dedication and determination.”

“I want to congratulate them for a job well done. I think every Guyanese should be proud of our cricketers, who certainly demonstrated courage, stamina, dedication and determination,” Kumar said on Wednesday moments after the team arrived on local shores.

He added, “I want to also commend out stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul on passing 25,000 FirstClass runs and I also want to wish him well as he seeks to go past Brian Lara as the leading West Indies runscorer in Test cricket. The two boys from Albion, Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, must also be recognised for their sterling effort in bowling Guyana to victory time and time again. I want to also acknowledge Chanderpaul, Bishoo and Permaul, along with the

captain Leon Johnson on their selection to the West Indies team for the upcoming England series.”

Kumar said his only disappointment is the omission of Narsingh Deonarine from the West Indies 20man squad to face the Englishmen, adding that the veteran left-hander, who was one of three Guyanese to score over 500 runs during the 10-round tournament, is one of the better batsmen around the region at the moment.

“He’s tried and tested, and I find it baffling that he’s not in the West Indies squad,” Kumar related.

The long-serving

Director of Sport also commended the administrators at the Guyana Cricket Board and officials of Cricket Guyana Inc. for their efforts in ensuring the team was fully equipped and prepared for the task at hand.

The Guyana Jaguars, who won eight of the 10 matches, and lost and drew one each, accumulated a whopping 148 points, 31 more than second place Barbados Pride on 117.

The Windward Islands Volcanoes finished third on 109 points, followed by Jamaica (75), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (65) and Leeward Islands Hurricanes (54). (Avenash Ramzan)

Score’s Even prepares to even score at Guyana Cup Fever

– feature race changed to A1 and Lower animals

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Score’s Even will run against some of Guyana’s best horses on April 5 in the Guyana

Persaud wins deCaires/ Sukhram golf tourney

Patanjalee “Pur”

Persaud continued his impressive form this season when he won the David deCaires/Basil Sukhram Memorial golf tournament on Saturday last at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

After five hours of gruelling competition, Persaud (25/70) came out victorious, beating into second position Patrick Prashad (9/71), while Captain “Chen” Deo placed third

with 17/71 in a close contest.

Nearest-to-the-Pin was won by Mike Mangal, while Best Gross was won by Imran Khan (7/79).

Acknowledging that the greens were a bit tough, Persaud was happy that he was able to deliver such a good day’s play.

Club President, David Mohamad indicated how important it was to remember the great contribution that some former golfers had made to the Lusignan

Golf Club, and expressed his appreciation for the continued good spirit exuded by the golfers.

The tournament, which was sponsored by the Lusignan Golf Club and golf enthusiast and former Guyana Open champion Alfred Mentore through his real estate company on North Road, was held in recognition of the sterling contribution by both deCaires and Sukhram to the sport.

DeCaires served as

President of the Club and as Club Captain for many years. He died on November 1, 2008 in Barbados.

Sukhram, the father of national ladies champion Christine Sukhram, who coached locally and played professional golf outside of Guyana died in 2009 at the age of 54 when he suffered a heart attack while playing a round at the Lusignan Golf Course.

He had just teed off at the fifth hole when he suffered the attack.

Cup Fever, after organisers made several changes to the programme.

The organisers have changed the feature race from D1 and Lower to A1 and Lower, which will now allow Guyana’s only A class animal, Score’s Even, to compete in the day’s event.

The race will run over 1800 metres for a whopping $1.2 million and trophy.

Chief organiser, Nazrudeen Mohammed Jnr., confirmed on Wednesday that the decision taken to include an A1 and Lower race is to give all horse owners a chance to be a part of the grand event.

Score’s Even was axed from previous Guyana Cup Fever, which had subsequently led to a legal challenge mounted by its owner Dennis DeRoop.

More so, the principal concerns that led to the decision to debar Score’s Even from participating in the Guyana Cup Fever last year was the fact that other horse owners had threatened to opt out of the race meet, citing unfair competition, because of the pedigree and experience of Score’s Even.

However, horse owners have settled all concerns and have decided that no one should be sidelined from participating in the sport.

Seven races are on the cards with over $10 million in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs.

The programme shows that the organisers are also moving in line to implement a number of new initiatives taken recently by those in the horse racing fraternity

with the rating and class of the animal being taken into consideration.

The D1 and Lower event will now be classified D3 and Lower over 1600 metres for a winning take of $800,000 and trophy.

The F1 and Lower 1200 metres event will also feature animals classified Three-year-old West Indies and Guyana bred, colts, fillies, mares and up for a total prize of $ 940,000 and trophy.

The G3 and Lower event and will also feature West Indies and Guyana bred colts, fillies Three-year-old and up. The distance is 1200 metres for a combined purse of $750,000 and trophy.

There is an event for West Indies and Guyana bred Three-year-old animals including colts and fillies also for a total prize of $940,000 and trophy over 1500 metres.

The event for Guyana Bred Three-year-old colts, mares and fillies has now been restructured to cater for those I and Lower horses for a total prize package of $560,000 and trophy over 1200 metres.

The ‘I’ class event has been dropped. The final race will be for animals classified J2 and Lower and Guyana bred colts, fillies and mares for a total purse of $375,000 over 1200 metres.

The events will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Race time is 12:30h.

Admission is $1500 for adults, while children will be admitted free.

Director of Sport Neil KumarNarsingh Deonarine

Score’s Even to participate in Guyana Cup Fever

From left: Mike Mangal, Imran Khan, Patanjalee “Pur” Persaud, Chen Deo and Patrick Prashad

GSSF gets support from Nabi and Nutra Farms

Arm Wrestling competition gaining momentum

Members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) are working to construct props and put things in place for what promises to be yet another exciting Practical Pistol Match they will be hosting ON Saturday at the Guyana Defence Force Range.

The Board of Directors of the GSSF wishes to acknowledge the generosity and thank the management of NABI Construction for its donation of a new roll of construction mesh and also the management of Nutra Farms for donating wood in their bid to offset expenses of the Federation. These items will be used for the construction of several screens and walls to be used by the GSSF’s Practical Shooting Section.

President of the Federation, Vidushi Persaud, explained in

the presence of Rafael Nabi, Director of Nabi Construction at the short handover held at the company’s Head Office on Brickdam, that the mesh is an integral item in the construction of walls, portable screens and divisions with ports and windows which are commonly used in the various stage designs.

She added that local shooters will be eager to skillfully navigate between these new props at future GSSF practical shooting events and went on to further thank members, friends and corporate Guyana who extended their support so far to the Federation and expressed hope that others will come on board.

Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer of the GSSF, Ryan McKinnon, indicated that the upcoming match features three stages and the will be open to all experi-

enced Practical Pistol shooters of Guyana. He noted that persons wanting to find out more about the GSSF can contact any Board member, or they can visit the GSSF website www.guyanasportshooting.com.

Practical shooting is regarded as any type of sport shooting that involves engaging targets while having to move with the firearm. The handgun element of sport simultaneously measures the ability of the competitor to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full power (9mm/higher calibre) handgun in a fun, fair, safe, competitive environment. Scoring takes into account three elements – speed, accuracy and power. Each match is made up of stages that seek to measure a shooter’s ability in all three elements and coordinated under strict safety guidelines.

Bolt confirms Adidas Grand Prix outing

Jamaican superstar sprinter Usain Bolt will make his first appearance in seven years at the Adidas Grand Prix in June, when he headlines the event at the Icahn Stadium.

The 28-year-old multiple Olympic and World sprint champion set his first World record in the 100 metres at the venue back in May 2008 when he clocked 9.72 seconds.

Since then, he has run just once in the US – at the Penn Relays – and has gone on to win six Olympic Gold medals, eight World titles and broken seven World records.

Recalling his memories of New York, Bolt said he was anxiously looking forward to the meet.

“No one could ever forget their first world record, and I will never forget the crowd in New York that night,” Bolt said.

“They had to wait for an

hour during a thunderstorm delay before our race, and I don’t think a single person left the stadium. They deserved a great performance, and I’m glad I was able to give it to them. I’m looking forward to running in New York again.”

Organisers did not specify what event Bolt would contest.

The Adidas Grand Prix is the third meet for which Bolt has been confirmed,

in the upcoming international season. He had earlier signed off on the Athletissima Golden League meeting in Lausanne and the Areva meeting in Paris, both in July.

New York represents the seventh meet of the Diamond League.

Last year, Bolt was forced to cancel most of his engagements on the international circuit because of injury.

Hundreds crammed into the 704 Sports Bar last year for what was the country’s first major Arm Wrestling competition and on March 28, it promises to be bigger.

With an estimated 60 participants expected to compete in the two categories namely, Over and Under-200 lbscontestants on Wednesday converged at Gizmos and

Gadgets, one of the sponsors of the event, for the weigh-in.

704 Sports Bar’s Project Manager, Dustani Borrow, said that the support so far is overwhelming, especially from the public.

In an effort to bring awareness to the sport, the organisers along with their sponsors, Gizmos and Gadgets, E-Networks and Carlsberg Beer, held sever-

al outdoor events and made them interactive as persons were allowed to challenge each other in a friendly competition while learning the rules and regulations in the process.

The competition will see both male and female participation with the winners pocketing $100,000, second place $75,000 and third place $50,000.

Competitor Ryan Joseph on the scale at Wednesday’s weighing in of competitors at Gizmos and Gadgets Wellington Street location

Rafael Nabi (left) hands over donation to GSSF’s President Vidushi Persaud in the presence of Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Ryan McKinnon

Usain Bolt

WICB PCL 4-day cricket…

Chanderpaul praises spin twins for Guyana’s success

Annual Conference a vote of confidence in WICB, says Bassarath Mayweather or Pacquiao bout on

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)

director Azim Bassarath believes the International Cricket Council’s decision to host their Annual Conference in the Caribbean is a sign the sport’s world governing body still retains confidence in the WICB.

Bassarath’s comments come in the wake of the controversial abandoned tour of India where the Indian Cricket Board placed full blame on the regional board for the upheaval.

“This decision to come to the Caribbean for the annual meeting was taken after the issues we had with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI),” the Trinidadian told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

“It represented to me that the ICC still had faith in us as a major cricketing nation and they wanted to show that by coming here.”

The ICC announced recently that the Annual

Conference would be staged in Barbados from June 2226 with over 50 delegates from cricket-playing nations expected to attend.

Bassarath said the successful move to have the Annual Conference staged in the Caribbean had come as a result of positive discussions initiated by WICB president Dave Cameron.

“These meetings shape the future of the game and we will be having it here for the first time which speaks volumes,” said Bassarath.

“Our president Dave Cameron went across to Dubai for the last meeting and was able to make a successful approach to have the meeting here, as well as the Under-19 World Cup which will also come to the Caribbean.”

GCB President Drubahadur and Secretary Anand Sanasie with members of the successful Guyana Jaguars team at the Ogle International Airport on Wednesday (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Kell Brook (centre) is keen on having a bout against Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao

Azim Bassarath