Guyana Times Daily - April 23, 2015

Coalition says manifesto leaked

Dharmic Sabha urges maturity, respect during election

Guyana eyes Category 1 aviation status – President

Former AFC Executive slams party for attacking Harper

Robbers were after bag in car

Coalition promises Bartica township status

friday, april 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

friday, april 24, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, April 24, 2015 – 09:00h-10:30h and Saturday, April 25, 2015 – 09:30h-11:00h

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

Friday, April 24, 2015 – 07:35h-09:05h and Saturday, April 25, 2015 – 08:30h-10:00h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Friday, April 24 – 06:00h, 11:00h and 17:00h

Saturday, April 25– 06:00h, 09:00h and 14:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Coastal and near inland regions can expect cloudy to overcast skies with frequent moderate to heavy showers and light intermittent rain; other regions can expect cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate showers. Rainfall values are likely to range between 10.0mm and 30.0mm over Regions One to Six; other regions can expect values between 5.0mm and 15.0mm.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres per second and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:05h and 20:43h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.23 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 14:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.84 metre.

Fight them with your ballots

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

ormer President and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive, Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday evening urged over 3000 Guyanese present at the Party’s meeting at Success, East Coast Demerara to fight the Opposition coalition with their ballots as he warned them against complacency ahead of the May 11 General and Regional Elections this year.

Jagdeo, in his 45-minute presentation, told Guyanese, who were paying rapt attention, that they have to join the struggle and fight to protect their freedom and the notions of democracy and development, if they wanted a more secure and prosperous future.

He reminded them of the struggles of their foreparents and the elders in their community for freedom from the dark rule of the People’s National Congress and the injustices of the State then, telling Guyanese that it was the PPP/C that brought change and caused the complete democratization of the state to take place following the 1992 elections.

“One generation paid the price for freedom in the past. Are you willing to pay the price to maintain that freedom?” he asked an emotionally charged crowd which responded with a resounding “yes”.

He warned that the same persons who were successful for many years in rigging elections, terrorising innocent Guyanese and implementing bad socio-economic policies were thirsty to rule Guyana again.

But he urged that “this generation of young and old men, particularly the young men, must rise to the challenge to maintain freedom” by playing their role and ensuring that they take a stance against all forms of intimidation that could see a low turnout of PPP/C supporters at the May 11 polls.

Jagdeo urged the residents of Success to turn out in their numbers early to cast their ballots, explaining that they must ensure that they motivate their peers to also do the same and to observe the process.

“All of you have to help… we have to put people on our backs…if you have a vehicle you have to help…you have to go to your neighbour’s house and go to the neighbouring communities…,” he said, as he underscored the importance of securing a landslide victory.

He also cautioned his Party supporters against celebrat-

ing a victory ahead of the election as there was still over two weeks left for more work to be done to encourage others to vote solidly for the PPP/C on Election Day.

Jagdeo also encouraged Success residents to make checks on other communities to ensure that there was no tampering with votes as he expressed the view that the level of desperation was increasing in the Opposition coalition’s camp.

“In the last elections, in some of the places where we did not have polling agents, they stuffed the boxes so when the average vote was 74 per cent they had changed it to 94 per cent,” he alleged, as he told supporters to also show up to monitor the process in Opposition strongholds.

Intimidation, violence

The former President also informed the crowd of the worrying patterns of behaviour which have been exhibited by supporters of the People’s National Congress Reformled A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change coalition in the lead-up to elections.

He said that the coalition was guilty of harassing business people for funding for its elections campaign and threatening them with boycott if they did not erect signs and flags which depict full support for a Granger presidency and Nagamootoo prime ministership.

He reminded those present about the boycott calls made by APNU and PNC Executive Lurlene Nestor in 2011; the wanton destruction of the PPP/C campaign billboards, signs and posters; and the stoning of party members at Sophia and Linden.

“This PNC has not changed. They believe in intimidation. They believe in bullyism…” he warned as he again put supporters on notice that the Opposition planned to cre-

ate hysteria in the country, while using the Voters’ List and Official List of Electors.

“It is an ominous sign, a dangerous sign about the future because if they ever get their hands on power again, we will never have a return to democratic rule again,” Jagdeo said the public meeting.

Taking a jab at Granger, Jagdeo asked Guyanese to again examine his record and to look past the vast public relations and imaging campaign that is being done by the Opposition to paint him as clean and new, reminding them about the Opposition Leader’s stint in the Army and the missing guns, his belief in the PNC and militarisation of the Opposition.

“If the victory is narrow, they will use that narrow victory to create violence because this is what they know,” he said, stating that “the victory must be so overwhelming that they will have to shut up and take it”.

PPP/C is the change

The former President criticised those Guyanese who were being fooled into believing that Granger, Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan represent change and will deliver all things under the sun and imaginable to them after the May 11 polls should the coalition win.

He pointed to the comprehensive work done by successive PPP/C Administrations to move Guyana from a position of bankruptcy to a buoyant economy with massive development and positive change taking place in the education, health, security, public works, human services and Information Communication Technology (ICT) sectors.

“We have been the change in Guyana and….yet they don’t see progress,” Jagdeo said, as he also paid rapt attention in his speech to personal development of Guyanese under the governance of the PPP/C.

The PPP/C Executive said that “intellectually”, the PPP/ C’s policies and programmes can compete with those presented by the Opposition coali-

tion but reasoned that it would appear that the coalition’s present-day disposition is worrying.

Jagdeo said that the coalition was not interested in building this but in “eating up” all of the resources and savings in the State coffers.

He confessed his belief that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo were “naïve”, because they were being “outmanoeuvred in every way” by the PNC and Granger.

He asked the crowd how was it that Granger who once believed that Nagamootoo was not suitable to be the Speaker of the National Assembly, suddenly believes that the same politician was suitable to be Guyana’s next Prime Minister.

Jagdeo said slowly both AFC politicians will learn as there were already signs that the APNU, particularly after Nomination Day, was chartering its own course.

Whipping Nagamootoo for his double standards and promise to deliver 11 per cent Indian votes to the PNC, Jagdeo called him “ a pathological liar” arguing that he “lies all the time and talks 65 per cent of the time about himself” as opposed to policies to move Guyana forward.

“How can you trust a man who said elections were not rigged?” Jagdeo asked passionately as he criticised Nagamootoo for again putting his self-interest and selfdevelopment above the futures of thousands of innocent Guyanese citizens.

The politician, who was in his early 50s, told the crowd that the PPP/C drew its inspiration and strength from the Guyanese people and it was dedicated to public service and the delivery of a better Guyana, but would not sell its soul to pursue high office and power.

“But we draw our strength from you, if they try to generate fear and you become fearful, they will succeed. You have to stand up for your rights…You have to have courage to deal with anything that comes,” he said amid loud cheers and chants.

Jagdeo tells PPP/C’s Success rally:

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

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

A proud achievement

After many stumbling blocks placed in the way from its inception, mainly by the PNC-led APNU/AFC, Guyana’s only five-star hotel was officially declared open for business.

The Marriott is a name known around the world as one of the most prestigious and quality hotel brands. The hotel chain is present in 72 countries, comprising more than 3600 hotels, and a staff complement of 129,000.

The fact that the owners of the Marriott brand have placed this much confidence in this country to have one of their chains here speaks volumes in relation to the high level of confidence that is placed in the economy and the country as a whole.

This shows that Guyana is moving ahead. No longer are we known for being a backward, poor and unstable country, we can now boast of having one of the world’s best brands of hotels. This is a major achievement by any standard that every Guyanese should be proud of.

While many in the society, including the diplomatic community, have lauded the efforts of the Government and other stakeholders that were involved in this massive venture, there are a few among us who always seem to see everything from a negative perspective. Their most recent actions in relation to the Marriott project did not escape our attention.

We have taken note of the many unjustified attacks and criticisms that were targeted at officials involved in the project, as we have seen in the case of every other major development project undertaken by the Government.

From the time the sod was turned to commence construction of the hotel to this day, the attacks have not ceased. This is inspite of the fact that the authorities have made every attempt to provide all the necessary clarifications etc. to the public.

When one considers the enormous benefits of such an international brand to the economy and the country as a whole, one is forced to question the sincerity of the persons behind these attacks.

Why is it that some Opposition members and some persons who claim to be independent commentators cannot for once put aside their partisan interest and support something that is good for the nation?

The ongoing assault by two dailies has not gone unnoticed. It seems as if their intention is to discredit every development initiative undertaken by the authorities here aimed at creating opportunities for citizens to develop themselves and their communities.

But it is not for us to defend those who are libeled and attacked almost daily, they are quite capable of representing themselves and we hope they do.

The pessimists are belabouring the point that the Marriott investment was a bad one. They have expressed the view that it is not practical for the Hotel to bring in the kind of returns expected as the tourism industry here does not attract a large number of tourists. This is far from the truth.

According to NICIL, an estimated 12.2 per cent of GDP came from travel and tourism in 2011, up from 11.5 per cent in 2010. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that this sector will grow from $35.1 billion to $42.3 billion by 2021, nearly doubling from 2011 to 2021, making this hotel a worthwhile investment.

It is not only its location at the mouth of Demerara River, on the Atlantic sea coast of Guyana, but it is the most likely impact on the entertainment, hospitality, travel and tourism sectors of the economy of Guyana that will forever be noteworthy. The hotel has already begun to set new standards of professional service to which its competitors will need to aspire.

The Marriott is what this country needs as it will help to raise its profile in the international market place. It is very unfortunate that for once the pessimists among us cannot put aside their own partisan views and be happy for Guyana.

Stabroek News diminished

Dear Editor,

So while the Stabroek News by editorial bombast on April 20 titled, “The election campaign", is beating up on the PPP/C Government to exemplify political restraint, it is hardly, most regrettably, without any compliant restraint itself with its bulldozing grind to crush the PPP/C into election defeat.

What gives SN any mandate to huff and puff to blow anybody's house down is press freedom and democracy. But most decent Guyanese require no holier than thou "wave thy hand and calm the seas" drama to pluck disapproval of any political effigy hung during this highly charged political season.

It was most inappropriate, uncalled for and crude.

The Stabroek News is diminished when it could hardly hide its leaking salivation by its public lip smacking street corner spectacle of castigating disapproval.

How quickly paragons of virtue materialize to judge and condemn, but can also go missing at will.

The PPP/C by their General Secretary's press conference, which initially publicized and condemned the

vandalism of their PPP/C election material, obviously by Opposition thugs, fell on deaf ears.

PPP/C election speakers were heckled, pelted with bottles and stones so reminiscent of the past PNC history of public hooliganism. Can this be any desirable alternative PNC-led Government without any visible change at all?

The Opposition APNUAFC has not made any counter accusations of election hooliganism against the PPP/C and their supporters.

None occurred. What admirable Stabroek News kind of ethics in journalism, in all fairness in a democracy and treasured press freedom, can credibly empower itself to weigh and dispense justice by such SN standards of equating one deplorable effigy incident with so many acts of callous vandalism?

From on high, the SN editorial croons that "instead of sanctimoniously and separately decrying acts of destruction of their campaign paraphernalia, the PPP/C and APNU+AFC must immediately hold a joint forum to condemn acts such as the slinging up of the effigies and to call upon supporters to desist from such

activities"!

Isn't SN also to be held accountable to justify why it did not speak up and commend the lack of retaliation, instead only restraint from PPP/C supporters as the opposition APNU+AFC provocations against PPP/C electioneering escalated?

No SN castigation of Opposition vandalism was made. The SN was either asleep or out of touch by its silence, but why? The private media only stirs when former President Bharat Jagdeo steps up in courageous defence against any wanton travesty, hypocrisy and double standards which may raise its ugliness. The facts are very clearly in his favour.

But he is not the solitary fountainhead of fairness and justice to effectively liberate the PNC's rich Olympic gold treasury used in destroying their Opponents equipment, stoning PPP/C leaders, ripping down election billboards and all their party posters.

Neither should the SN assume biased mandate to equalize, excuse, and ennoble itself by visiting demonising retaliation on the PPP/C's base supporters, including also muddying

their leaders who are defenceless.

Noteworthy was Mr Nigel Hughes exoneration, allowing him to walk away in all bedecked crystal clean immaculate innocence after Agricola erupted in 2012 in street violence. Just after his ultimatum issued to the PPP/C Government was summarily ignored, terrorism rained down on Guyanese children, men and women.

The SN which can be an excellent ally in times of need was most disappointing in empathy with the victims. Law and order were under attack.

Would it be unfair to suggest or assume the SN is selectively colour blind, tone deaf and becomes muted in hibernation when inconvenienced? Reassurances would be most welcome by any positive gestures that there is indeed no indifference to everyone’s goodwill.

The SN caution that "in societies governed by law and order the risk of penalties is a deterrent that helps to limit such excesses" is most excellent. So we come to the same old story… who will bell the cat?

Sultan Mohamed

Road accidents claimed 8 lives in March

Dear Editor,

Speeding remains the major cause of road accidents on the country’s roadways, according to a recent report from the Road Safety and Traffic Department within the Ministry of Public Works.

For March 2015, six fatal traffic accidents were recorded with eight fatalities

compared to seven fatal accidents and thirteen deaths in February 2015.

The age groups of persons killed on the roads for March were between 19 and 67 years old. All eight fatalities were male. Three were passengers, three pedestrians, one motorist and one driver.

Driving under the influence (DUI) and overload of vehicles were other factors that contributed to the accidents.

During the observance of National Road Safety Month last November, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn had stated that most of the fatalities involved young men between ages 18-35. He stressed that Guyanese need to adapt the culture of safety on the roadways because “the country needs its young population for continued development”.

Aneka Edwards Public Relations Officer Ministry of Public Works

The big island of Hawaii in an image taken by European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti from the International Space Station. Hawaii, an isolated volcanic archipelago in the central Pacific, is known for its near perfect weather and its rugged landscapes of cliffs, waterfalls, tropical foliage and beaches with gold, red, black and even green sands. However, a new report from the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant programme states that islands in the Pacific might be unrecognisable in the coming years as climate change makes them hotter, arid, stormy and even disease-ridden (Reuters/NASA/ESA/Samantha Cristoforetti)

Rearview mirrors

Dear Editor,

I wish to thank Mr Tarron Kemraj for pointing out that I am no advocate for the PPP/C and its Government in his last column, “History matters, but ….”

I have been writing letters to the press for the past 17 years and I believe most readers are aware of this.

However, it is campaign season and in the heightened rhetoric one is pushed to one side or the other as will no doubt continue as I further question the coalition on its campaign strategy of forgetting history.

Its new advertisement in the press with President Obama’s quote stating that he would not be imprisoned by the past and referring to the Cold War era as being over must be the coalition’s attempt to respond to the criticisms of its ominous campaign mes-

sage.

Scholars, historians and politicians on both sides of the Cold War have scrutinized, examined and analysed that war, and numerous books, essays, reports and documentaries have been done on just about every aspect of it.

It can be safely said that it is exhausted as a topic and everyone can be detached and even philosophical about it. Hence, President Obama’s statement.

None of this is even remotely analogous to Guyana where the coalition leaders, even as they place their smiling faces next to President Obama’s, are actually telling us to put aside the past when considering our choice at the polls.

They do not want it even remembered much less examined and analysed.

Every single one of us

would like to be in the position of America and every other nation that has dealt with its horrors – Germany, Japan and Ireland come to mind – and has then been able to move on.

Instead, our past festers and with the coalition campaigning on forgetting history, there is little hope that if they form the next government that our past will ever be exhumed, reconciled and healed.

Only in Guyana could a political campaign get away with forwarding an idea that forgetting the past is a good thing for our future.

In conclusion, rearview mirrors are essential to safe driving. That’s why they are there. If you do not keep a close watch on the rearview mirror as you drive forward you will surely crash and die.

Ryhaan Shah

Noise nuisance and the music carts

Dear Editor,

I am requesting the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force to take urgent steps to curb the noise menace that is now being posed by the music push carts commonly seen around Georgetown and the country as a whole.

Daily citizens are bombarded both at work and at home by the loud playing of what passes now for music from these music carts. The operators have no regard for the peace and tranquility of neighbourhoods and its residents as at all hours of the night lewd music can now be heard blaring from these carts.

Your peace is disrupted in your home; babies are rudely awakened from their peaceful slumber and become irritable; children cannot study; and people suffer tremendous discomfort and sleep deprivation when these carts pass.

Often these carts would remain in a fixed location for lengthy periods. Given the ungodly hours that these music carts are on the road, one wonders if it is really music CDs that are really being sold or it is just a cover for illegal activities.

Not so long ago a senior citizen was murdered in Robb Street, Georgetown and none of the neighbours were able to hear the gunshots because at around 07:00h a music cart was in the area blasting music at the highest

level.

Was this a cover for the murder or just a coincidence, one wonders. And to compound it all, the lyrics of most the so-called songs are so vile, hateful, filled with so much filthy sexual innuendos that are so downright degrading to women, it is no wonder the society is filled with so much violence against women.

It is time for the authorities to address this situation before it becomes uncontrollable. No music cart should be allowed on the streets after a certain hour and should be

restricted to only certain parts of the city.

The type of music being played should also be controlled. For those people without a taste for music who wants the world to know their level of intelligence and what filth happens in their bedrooms, such music should be played for their enjoyment in the privacy of their homes.

I have no such need for my young daughters to listen to such filth. The rights of everyone should be respected.

Richie Samsair

Guyana’s evolving democracy cannot be placed in the wrong hands

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C is the only political party that has exercised political power in free and fair elections since Guyana attained political independence in 1966. It will be recalled that two years after the country became independent, elections were held which were massively rigged to perpetuate the life of the PNC in office.

The PNC was catapulted to political office in the 1964 elections with the support of the UF which was unceremoniously kicked out of the coalition Government a mere three years into the life of the coalition, but not before the PNC took full control of the elections machinery.

The 'elections' of 1968, a mere two years after the granting of political independence could be considered a watershed year in the political and electoral history of Guyana. It is a day that will be remembered with shame as the day when the will of the Guyanese electorate was subverted by a power hun-

gry regime headed by Forbes Burnham.

Guyana experienced its first rigged elections, a first also in the entire Anglophone Caribbean. Whatever else can be said of the British Government, it never rigged elections by the seizure of ballot boxes and tampering with the vote in the colonies it had jurisdiction over.

This is not to suggest that they did not have a preference for one political party over the other. This was done through the restriction of the franchise and there were several instances of boundary manipulation or what is referred to as gerrymandering. And it must not be forgotten that the Constitution was suspended in 1953 following a landslide PPP victory.

Forbes Burnham during the 1960s was favoured over Cheddi Jagan by the US mainly out of ideological consideration.

Burnham, though, regarded by President Kennedy as a political opportunist remained the preferred choice.

The PPP was engineered out of office in 1964, a move which the United States was to later regret and which culminated in the rupture of diplomatic relations with Guyana a decade or so later.

It is ironic that the United States which was responsible for the removal of the PPP from office in 1964 was largely instrumental in the restoration of democratic rule to the country some 28 years later. President Carter played a key role in that regard.

The story of Guyana's post independence history is a story of struggle for democracy led by the PPP/C. All of Guyana won when the PPP/C won power on October 5, 1992. This democracy is still evolving and therefore cannot be tampered with or put in the wrong hands.

May 11 gives us all that opportunity to preserve our democracy and democratic governance. Let us vote wisely with the good of the country in mind.

Hydar Ally

OPR probing matter involving Delroy Rockcliffe

Dear Editor, Cognisant of an article published in the Kaieteur News on April 23, 2015, under the headline, “Police allegedly arrest, brutalise Linden man”, the Guyana Police Force wishes to advise that the matter in-

volving Delroy Rockcliffe of Silvertown, Linden is being investigated by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the results of which will be made public.

The investigation was launched following a complaint made by a relative of Delroy Rockcliffe at the Office of the Police Divisional Commander at Mackenzie, Linden.

Ivelaw Whittaker Police Public Relations and Press Officer

friday, april 24, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo proud of PPP/C’s legacy

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo declared that he was proud of what his party, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), has accomplished throughout the years and also hailed the developments within the country during his tenure as Head of State.

Responding to an obscure full-page advertisement in the Kaieteur News dubbed “The Jagdeo Legacy”, the former President asserted that the Jagdeo Legacy was in fact the PPP/C Legacy. “I see them running an ad about the ‘Jagdeo Legacy’; the Jagdeo Legacy is a PPP legacy… It can’t be separated from the PPP because this is the legacy of my party … When we speak about Ramotar and his period in office; it is our legacy too,” Jagdeo underlined during a press conference at Freedom House on Wednesday.

Jagdeo expressed great-

est satisfaction in his accomplishments as President and his ability to move the country from a dire state to that of a rapidly developing nation. “We took a country that was bankrupt and today made it one of the most dynamic countries in the Caribbean!” the former President exclaimed.

He challenged those who dare doubt this fact to refer to reports from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Jagdeo boasted of the industrious efforts by the Administration to lift Guyana from the pits of a struggling economy and make it into a striving nation. He explained that the country was using 94 per cent of its revenue to service its debt, but now today, that figure is down to four per cent of revenue. He recalled the interest rates were 35 per cent and

Quamina, Camp Sts junction:

now today, people can borrow at 4.5 per cent for lowincome earners and around 12-16 per cent for an average earner. Jagdeo added that the country’s fiscal deficit has decreased from 25 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to less than five per cent of the GDP. Additionally, the former President noted that it

was under his rule that people’s wealth in the banking system increased and the Private Sector credit grew enormously.

He stated too that Guyana now had some $800 million in reserves in the Central Bank, a significant amount when compared to what was there in the past. However, Jagdeo noted that those developments are only on the economic side of the accomplishments. He further highlighted that it was under his tenure as President that Guyana witnessed a rapid expansion in the housing sector.

“We’ve had the largest expansion in housing in my tenure alone, forget the whole PPP period, but in my tenure alone,” he exclaimed. Jagdeo was also keen on mentioning the strides the Government has made in ensuring schools and other educational facilities were available in almost every village in Guyana; and

that everyone was exposed to the opportunity of gaining a solid education. “In the entire history of Guyana since independence, we’ve had in my tenure alone, more people going on scholarships in the entire period from 1966 to when we took over. That is what I like to think is my legacy,” Jagdeo declared.

He also acknowledged the development of hospitals, the housing schemes, the Berbice Bridge, the Berbice Campus, the National Stadium, the synthetic track, all of which he declared were the PPP/C’s legacy.

In fact, Jagdeo noted that the owner of the Pegasus Hotel, Robert Badal, who endorsed the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, reached his paramount of success under the PPP/C rule. “Ask him if he will go away if the PPP wins, you

wanna bet he will say no because he makes all of the money just here in Guyana and most of it under the PPP…”

On that note, he said the country has changed considerably and more people were expressing confidence in the economy by investing heavily in the establishment of businesses all throughout the nation. Jagdeo was keen on pointing out that the PNC during its tenure created a legacy that did nothing but drag the country and its people down to nothing. “Their legacy was to give us a 40-years monopoly with GT&T, which was privatised with no public tender…one of the biggest companies in the country was privatised with no public tender, with a 40-years monopoly given to the company … we (PPP/C) managed to find a loophole and give Digicel a licence, it was our legacy too … ,” he contended.

Commuters urge stricter traffic control

Drivers and pedestrians utilising the Camp and Quamina Streets’ junction, Georgetown are calling for a stricter approach towards traffic regulations in that area after a series of accidents.

The junction of Camp and Quamina Streets is known for an abundance of road accidents with reports stating that there are at least two accidents per week in the area, with two recorded on Thursday alone. Immediately after the accidents, commuters could have been heard lamenting the poor system which is presently in place at the

intersection of Camp and Quamina Streets. According to them, the current system creates an environment conducive for accidents, and as such, requires immediate intervention from the relevant authorities. One of the affected drivers, who spoke to Guyana Times, said while he would have been involved in only one accident in that area, there were many times when he would have narrowly escaped others.

He expressed the need for better systems, such as a possible, traffic light to be put in place so that the traffic in the area can be monitored and controlled.

“Watch what is going on here man. You got traffic coming from Camp Street [South], from over there [Quamina Street- West], traffic coming from this side [Quamina Street- East] and

then you got over that side of Camp Street [ North] so when all the drivers meet up here what will happen? Is sheer nonsense. They need to put better systems in place man, maybe a traffic

light or something. This is absolute nonsense,” the man lamented.

Meanwhile, another concerned commuter noted that the area is not only unsafe for drivers but also for pedestrians since many times, the impact of the collisions would send the vehicles rolling, hitting those who may be in close proximity.

“Things could be done man, it very dangerous here. They could make here a one way or something but they gota do something about this thing,” he said.

At around 12: 30h on Thursday, a Route 44 minibus proceeding South on the Eastern carriageway was involved in an accident with a motor vehicle which was proceeding West along Quamina Street. No one was injured in this accident but the traffic was stalled for almost an hour as those involved in the incident awaited the arrival of the Traffic Police, and for the areas to be marked off.

It was not 15 minutes after that a four vehicle collision occurred, resulting in severe damages to at least

two of the vehicles. A Toyota Rav4, bearing registration number PPP 772 was proceeding East along Quamina Street when it crashed into a Route 44 Minibus PRR 2012, which was proceeding South along Camp Street, which then slammed into another Toyota Rav4 PPP 941, which was proceeding West along Quamina Street. The Toyota Rav4 then ran into a Carina 212 which was parked in front of the Guyana Times building.

On March 21, 2015 an accident occurred at the junction when a Suzuki motor vehicle which was making its way East along Quamina Street was damaged when a Route 44 minibus that was driving South on Camp Street crashed into it, causing it to slam into the parapet of the building, also causing serious damage to the Guyana Times/ Television Guyana/ Radio Guyana’s property.

While most of the accidents at this junction are luckily not fatal, they usually incur a lot of expense.

The four-vehicle collision which occurred on Thursday at the Camp and Quamina Streets intersection

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Bank of Guyana concerned over sloth in recouping funds from Bahamas

Guyana’s

Guyanese policyholders of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) are still waiting on the Bahamas Government, to take Guyana’s case before the courts there, even as their counterparts in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago are one step closer to reducing the effects of the company’s collapse in that country.

Speaking to the Guyana Times on Wednesday, Guyana’s Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga again expressed disappointment that the Bahamas authorities have still not identified a date for Guyana’s case to be heard, particularly in light of the billions of dollars which were repaid to Government and policy-

holders in Trinidad and Tobago. Late last month, Trinidad and Tobago’s Central Bank Governor, Jwala Rambarran had announced the repayment of some $7 billion to that country’s Government by CLICO, along with a $950 million pay-out to policyholders there.

He had said that the move by CLICO was a turning point for the thousands of policyholders, who had endured “unimaginable hurt and pain as a result of the CLICO crisis”. But the situation in Guyana remains the same, and while over 4000 policy holders were earlier repaid from the money earned from the sale of assets back then, there are still others to receive repayment.

CLICO Guyana had transferred some US$36 million to CLICO Bahamas. And while the investments were said to be “liquid on paper”, investigations carried out revealed that the sum had been tied up in several investments, including real estate which CLICO Bahamas had in Florida through subsidiaries. When CLICO Bahamas was ordered liquidated on February 24, the local company was subsequently placed under judicial management.

Claim rejected

Guyana was then forced to retain lawyers to help recover its money, some

53 per cent of the assets of CLICO Guyana. That matter was filed in the Bahamas courts after the CLICO Bahamas’ liquidator “rejected” Guyana’s claims. According to Ganga, it was obvious that Guyana’s case had been “put for last”, on the list of cases filed by other Caribbean countries against the group. Suriname is one such country and is claiming US$15.5 million from CLICO Bahamas.

CL Financial, CLICO’s parent company, collapsed in January 2009, following the global financial crisis in 2008. The global recession exposed the company’s inability to meet its commitments to pay maturing investments at CLICO and CLICO Investment Bank (CIB). In 2010, the CLICO Bahamas liquidator, Craig A “Tony” Gomez had related that his “preliminary view of the documentation suggests that policies were never issued by CLICO Bahamas. In addition, the premiums received from Guyana and Suriname were never paid to CLICO Bahamas.

In his third report to the Bahamian Supreme Court on the life and health insurer’s liquidation, Gomez, of the Baker, Tilly, Gomez Chartered Accountants firm, said the US$34 million and US$15.5 million claims submitted by CLICO Guyana and

Dharmic Sabha urges maturity, respect during election

In the politically charged atmosphere which currently exists in the country, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is calling on all political parties to exercise maturity and respect ahead of the General and Regional Elections.

The Sabha has noted with dismay and concern a number of despicable acts which have been recently reported, notably the throwing of missiles and harmful substances on women and children on their way home from a rally causing injury; the erection of effigies representing political leaders; and the abusive and disrespectful language being used on political platforms.

“We call on leaders of all political parties to insist that their members and supporters refrain from any act

which can intentionally or unintentionally cause hurt, harm or injury to anyone, refrain from using language that can be construed as offensive, disrespectful or inflammatory, refrain from unseemly and disruptive behaviour at political meetings and from removing or destroying political paraphernalia.”

The Sabha also condemned the offensive comments made by Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran in relation to a female activist. The rights of women are sacred and the preservation of such rights remains the focus of all right thinking persons, globally and locally, the organisation said.

“In Guyana, we have made significant strides in setting up institutions

to safeguard these rights which should not be allowed to be eroded by persons who behave in an irresponsible manner. We are alarmed that a sitting Minister of Government should allow himself to be provoked into making such reprehensible comments.”

The Sabha is urging all religious bodies to join in the call for an environment of peace, stability, responsibility, maturity and freedom from hostility and hatred before and after elections.

“Elections are an opportunity for persons to exercise their democratic right. Let us all work together so that this can be achieved in a peaceful manner. The welfare and wellbeing of the people of Guyana should be foremost as we move forward to May 11, 2015.”

CLICO Suriname had not been approved. Guyana had appealed

the matter which is still pending; to date, Guyana is yet to receive any of the money invested by CLICO Guyana.

CLICO Guyana collapse

Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

Jagdeo to shed some int’l work to invest time in Guyana

…says NEC will not replace Finance Ministry

By Devina Samaroo

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has announced his intentions to disengage from several of his international work commitments to direct more focus at home during his stewardship of the National Economic Committee.

President Donald Ramotar had a few months ago announced his plans to establish a National Economic Council in order “to bring greater support to my government in enhancing and accelerating our transformational and modernisation agenda”. He added that Jagdeo, given his wealth of experience in the field of economics on both the local and international stage, and his role as the pivot in the modernisation of Guyana’s economy, was the ideal individual for the position.

But Jagdeo, at a press conference on Wednesday, said he did not want to be working for the Government of Guyana but was prepared to invest some of his time to head the committee.

Acknowledging that he is involved in numerous projects on the international scene, Jagdeo disclosed that he will be giving up his responsibilities with a few of them to focus on helping the people of Guyana. “I have a lot of en-

gagements abroad, some are quite lucrative… I am disengaging on a lot of the international work that I’m doing, so I can have more time just here in Guyana, because I want to visit communities,” he revealed.

However, the former President did not disclose which of the international projects he intended to give up. Jagdeo is actively involved in the global movement to address climate change. In his final term as President, Jagdeo became a global advocate for international action to avert the worst extremes of climate change, and was described by the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra K Pachauri, as “one of perhaps half a dozen Heads of Government who truly understands the issue”.

In addition, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had announced that Jagdeo would become its High Level Envoy for Sustainable Development in Forest Countries and an IUCN Patron of Nature. Jagdeo is also the President of the Assembly of the Koreabased Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), which is one of the world’s newest international organisations with 20 member states on

board. These are just some of the global leadership positions he holds.

Pro-bono basis

Jagdeo explained that his decision to separate himself from some of the international work is owed to the fact that a large portion of the Guyanese population is being misled about basic policies affecting them. “I went to the Essequibo Coast and I spoke with the rice farmers there and they were misled about the PetroCaribe… they (the Opposition) went to the Essequibo Coast and told the people that the Government is taking your money to subsidise the Government,” he related.

As a result of the misinformation being peddled through the various communities, Jagdeo noted his intention was to spend more time visiting the villages to speak with the residents about these issues and clarify the false information they had been receiving.

Meanwhile, addressing concerns on his role as the potential Chairman of the National Economic Council, Jagdeo said he wanted as minimum as possible involvement with the Cabinet. “I don’t want to sit in Cabinet or anything of that sort just to see that the economy keeps moving and to make sure our resources are

moving in the right direction,” the former President asserted.

He explained that to his knowledge, the committee will have about five other members along with a few staff members. He then related that the body will report once every two weeks to the President and once every two months they will have discussions with Cabinet. Jagdeo made it clear that the Committee will not replace the Finance Ministry, which is tasked with the responsibility of managing the economy. The Council will act as a monitoring body to ensure the country’s resources are programmed expeditiously. It will also assist in conceptualising and crafting economic strategies and initiatives of various projects and strategic interventions.

“If we are to build let’s say a road from Bartica to Parika, the old Delconte Road, we will programme the resources, we look for financing for those to make sure we can move it expeditiously … I am not going to be tendering or tracking or running down after a project,” he noted. President Ramotar had previously made known that Jagdeo will be offering his services to the Commission on a probono basis.

Commuters urge stricter...

Safe haven for criminals

Quamina Street also appears to be a safe haven for criminals with many of them lurking around, awaiting their next target. Last month, two male employees of Guyana Times were held up and robbed while late last year, a former Guyana Times female employee was viciously robbed by a lone bandit as she exited the building around 19:00h one evening. The armed perpetrator brutally attacked the

young woman, causing serious injuries to her eyes, just before robbing her of an undisclosed amount of cash.

In 2013, Mark Mollyveavex was robbed of $200,000 by two men as he was walking along Camp Street, in the vicinity of Quamina. The bandits had grabbed Mollyveavex by his shirt before relieving him of his cash and a cell phone. They subsequently made good their escape down Quamina Street.

In 2012, Michael Cox had also suffered at the hands of bandits while in the vicinity of Camp Street. Cox was attacked and robbed by two men at the junction of the two streets around 20:00h, as he was waiting on public transportation after just leaving work. The abundance of crime in the area has caused grave concern for persons who often traverse the area, especially after nightfall.

The attacks and robberies throughout the years have in-

tensified calls for the Guyana Police Force to heighten night patrols in the area that appears to be a hot bed for criminals, but despite the prevalence of those activities, there is seemingly still a shortage of Police patrols.

Commuters have continuously reported to the Guyana Times their unfortunate experiences along this route and the presence of suspicious characters who are often seen loitering in the area.

Eyew tness Activist...

...women

Minister Bheri Ramsaran came up against a buzzsaw and not surprisingly, emerged rather bruised and bloody. Here was Ramsaran all the way up at Whim to protest Lalloo Ram’s use of his little bit of learning (VERY little bit) to silence former President Jagdeo from identifying the Opposition’s racial incitement.

In what can only be described as a surreal turn of events - Lalloo’s alleging Jagdeo actually was the one racially inciting!

Ramsaran’s the Health Minister and it seems that a full time activist, Sherlina Nageer, thinks that stripped him of his right to protest. So she demanded (while he was expatriating to reporters as to what had brought him to that neck of the woods), why wasn’t he attending to pressing health matters.

She was quite persistent...not to mention strident. Ramsaran lost his cool...which quality he’d never demonstrated that he possessed in abundance. Even he realised his ejaculation was out of place - because he apologised for the remarks. But the damage had been done. You can’t go around telling folks that you’ll slap them and have them stripped - especially women.

God knows that violence against women has been more than amply exposed as one of the blights of our society - and every other society. And that’s especially true for a politician running for elected office.

And Nageer knew this and it’s clear that she also knows Ramsaran. When they sneeze up north, it’s said that we get a cold down here in the boons.

Up there, women’s/feminist/LGBT activism has literally been refined into an art form that’s aligned to several other protest movements. And Nageer has chosen to take not just a leaf, but their entire playbook to push her causes in Guyana.

She first came to this Eyewitness’ attention when back in 2012, Stella (you DO remember Stella, don’t you) awarded her a “woman of the year award”. Seems that she was behind the “Occupy GT” after the Linden protest killings. We don’t have to tell you it was a riff on the “Occupy Wall Street Movement”. Nageer described herself thusly: “One half cracked girl who daringly confronts hypocritical politicians, Police, and pimps.”

Since then Nageer has ratcheted up her in-your-face approach to protests - even though she hasn’t reached the “bare-it-all” stage now common abroad, much less the actual performances of Russia’s Pussy Riot. We’re sure it’s in the works. But Nageer knew what she was doing... Ramsaran just fell for it.

Politicians will have to get used to this form of “free speech”. In the meantime, this Eyewitness advises (gratuitously) Ramsaran to step aside.

There’s a time and a place for everything.

...silenced

Your Eyewitness just read that PNC’s Linden “fireball” Vanessa Kissoon, who’s been repeatedly doused by David Granger, also gave some gratuitous advice while she was at Merriman’s Mall grounding with the “sisters”.

She advised PPP/C’s PM candidate Elizabeth Harper to “speak out” - especially against abuse against women. She implied Harper was being gagged.

Well, Harper proved her wrong almost immediately. She strenuously censured Bheri Ramsaran for the remarks described above. No beating around the bushes here! And so it’s only fair that Kissoon holds herself up to the same standard she sets for “the sister” Harper.

Did Kissoon say or didn’t say that Granger was lying in his teeth when he claimed he left off her from the APNU’s list because she was a “two-timer”?? Amna Alli’s a twotimer and she’s still there, ain’t she?

C’mon Kissoon. You said you had Sandra Granger’s back (from any abuse by Granger). Who has your back?

...hatchet man

OK...so Republic Bank “adopted” the Promenade Gardens when they opened their headquarters opposite it back in 2008. And has been pumping money into its upkeep. So what’s with the award to Hamilton Green??

Is that for making Georgetown into Garbage City even though Central Government’s pumping billions into its upkeep??

friday, april 24, 2015|

Coalition says manifesto leaked

Aleaked manifesto of the PNC-led APNU/ AFC coalition revealed promises to form a government of national unity and also implement a programme for healing and reconciliation if it wins the upcoming polls. The parties also promised to implement two separate policies for the development of Regions 6 and 10- two key constituencies for both the PPP/C and the alliance.

The coalition’s manifesto comes two days before the PPP/C unveils theirs at a gala dinner billed for Saturday evening at the Marriot Hotel. While the PPP/C have periodically over the past month has released snippets of its manifesto, it is the first time the coalition has indicated what their policies would be. Political commentators have already criticised the two parties for not unveiling their vision for the country much earlier, but rather was focused on sharing out positions. In a statement late Thursday night the APNU/AFC said it is “concerned about the dissemination of an incomplete and unofficial document purporting to be the coalitions’ official manifesto. While substantial parts of the document contain policy initiatives that are currently being discussed, it can by no mean be considered an approved statement of policy of both the APNU and the AFC. Further dissemination or reliance on this document is therefore not recommended, as it does not represent the official manifesto of APNU+AFC,” the coalition said.

Stability

Meanwhile, in the online version of the manifesto, which was released on Thursday evening, titled “Our vision for unity, stability and development – It is time”, the coalition seeks to solidify some of the promises which were made at its public meetings and rallies across the country. The document noted that the coalition would make a public commitment to the formation of a Government of National Unity to implement measures during its term in office to address several priority areas. These will include but are not limited to the introduction of a meaningful Constitutional Reform Programme geared towards improved governance and fair representation; the

sustained improvement of crime prevention and the security environment; local Government reforms and the holding of Local Government Elections, creation of a long- term Economic Development Programme based on consultation and consensus; the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission and the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill; a comprehensive review of the taxation policies and the reorganisation of the education, health and sports sectors for better service and outcome.

Reconciliation

The coalition in its manifesto also said that it would implement a programme for healing and reconciliation; would review

and restructure the media and telecommunications sector and would seek to introduce a youth programme to enhance development.

The APNU/AFC further stated in the document that in its first 100 days in office, it planned to “establish the Constitutional Reform Committee, which will be given the mandate of completing consultations, drafting amendments and presenting the same to the National Assembly for approval within nine months; will liberalise the ICT and Telecommunications sectors; will announce a date for Local Government Elections; develop and implement a sustained national crime prevention plan as well as the adoption of a long-term development plan to realise the vast potential of the country.”

Governance

The coalition said that it would ensure that it allowed cultural and religious leaders to advise Cabinet on policy matters, will depoliticise and strengthen the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Women and Gender Equality Commission and the Rights of the Child Commission, while ensuring that complaints against state officials were heard and addressed by enhancing the importance of the Office of the Ombudsman.

Education, culture

The APNU/AFC has also promised to include subjects in the schools’ curricula that can lead to a better understanding

and appreciation of religions and which can and will encourage civic responsibility. It said it would also establish research programmes at the University of Guyana to study the causes of ethnic and racial tension in Guyanese society and make recommendations on how they could be addressed.

Social, economic disparities

In addressing the social and economic ills of Guyanese society, the Opposition alliance related in its manifesto that it would institute community peace and reconciliation programmes for settling disputes and differences; would reform land and house distribution systems to remove bias, discrimination and fraud; would address issues of ‘ancestral lands’ and land rights of the indigenous people; would ensure that all Guyanese have equal access to education, housing, health care and justice, while reaffirming its previous position that it would ensure as far as possible that when Government contracts were awarded, a minimum of 50 per cent of contractors and workers live in the administrative region where the works would take place to ensure development in that region.

Security

The alliance said that it would first begin a revamping of the security sector by increasing the salaries of the disciplined forces by 20 per cent in the first year of taking power, would grant full permission to the

Drug Enforcement Agency to establish operations here as well as appoint an Anti-Crime Unit compromising personnel from the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force while establishing a Police Air Unit at the Ogle Airport.

Women

The APNU/AFC, in addressing women’s issues, noted that it would improve micro-credit opportunities and access to small and business loans, would establish job centres in all of the administrative regions; would implement a Child Tax Credit programme; establish Special Victims Unit in all police stations; implement a 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline service as well as the establishment of “safe houses” for victims of abuse and domestic violence.

Additionally, according to the manifesto, young women and men will be engaged on all state boards in decision making by appointing a youth representative to all; will facilitate internships for those 16 years and older in all ministries and public agencies; while children in school will be provided with free lunches every day and will be given free transportation from primary school to health clinics and the doctor among many others. The coalition has also committed to ensuring that special assistance was given to senior citizens in the form of higher and inflation adjusted pensions, and improved social security benefits, while it would review the age of retirement for those in the public sector.

Snippets from the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition manifesto

APNU/AFC manifesto unimaginative, opaque – Jagdeo

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo has dubbed the manifesto of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition as an unimaginative and contradictory document which contains several programmes being pursued by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic.

In a swift reaction to the release of the APNU/AFC manifesto, Jagdeo, who has helped crafted the PPP/C’s blueprint, which will be unveiled on Saturday, said the

Opposition’s document was “unimaginative, perfunctory, has no strategic clarity and it is sometimes contradictory in its policy prescriptions”.

He said in his estimation, 75 per cent of the manifesto was arbitrary ad hoc extraction of policies that the PPP/C was already pursuing, but without the strategic framework that Government has outlined in several public documents including the National Development Strategy (NDS); Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP); National Competitiveness

Strategy (NCS); Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its five-year education plan. “Because of the absence of this framework, the APNU-AFC manifesto lacks focus. Also, some of their promises are outright preposterous and an insult to the intelligence of the Guyanese people.”

Jagdeo pointed out that on page 12 it states: “Ministers and senior Government officials will be required to declare their assets”. This, he said, was already in the Integrity Commission Act and was being complied with by mem-

bers of the PPP/C Cabinet. “The only people refusing to submit their statements of income and assets are some Opposition leaders and some of their Members of Parliament.”

Jagdeo said what was particularly revealing was the coalition’s proposal to develop a long-term economic plan within the first 100 days if it won the elections.

“How can they say they have a plan to develop the country and at the same time promise to write one if they win the elections? This is just one of the many in-

stances of deceit and contradiction in the manifesto.”

The former President said the manifesto was also a confirmation of what has been said over the past weeks: “the Opposition is notorious for being against things – Amaila Hydropower, airport expansion, the Marriott Hotel, the Specialty Hospital, Amerindian Development Fund and UG students’ loans, among others. They are notorious for opposing things, but are visionless and weak in outlining policies needed to improve the lives of our people.”

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Guyana eyes Category 1 aviation status – President

With the help of a consultant from the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration is hoping that the local aviation sector can achieve the Category One status.

President Donald Ramotar made this disclo-

sure shortly after delivering the feature address at the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) Business Luncheon on Wednesday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

At the time, he was responding to a question posed by former President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana

(THAG) Kit Nascimento who was enquiring about the steps being taken to move Guyana to Category One.

In response, President Ramotar said based on reports received from the Transport Minister Robeson Benn, an expert consultant is being sought from Trinidad to advise the Ministry and by extension the Government on the required measures needed for Guyana to achieve the Category One status.

According to the President, while such an initiative has already been undertaken by the Government, it had to be put on hold after the consultant migrated.

However, in November, 2014 Guyana moved from being Category Two to becoming unrated on the international aviation chart.

At present, only Category One Airlines are allowed to fly to the United States. While there are certain factors that have to be considered before moving to the Category One status, the most important, however, is

for Guyana to have air traffic regulations that are internationally recognised. Additionally, there must be adequate human resources in the Civil Aviation Department. A Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) official when contacted explained that airports are managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations.

He explained that for an airport to gain Category One status, it must develop the local aviation section with the necessary security, documentation and human resources in place.

Human resources, he noted include persons to perform flight and other critical inspections. Currently, Guyana does not have these in place.

Other important factors which have contributed to the unrated status include the fact that illegal drugs continue to be shipped out of Guyana on a regular basis. Additionally, he said the current infrastructure might have also contributed to Guyana’s unrated status. However, the Airport Expansion Project, once completed will see Guyana heading for Category One status.

Despite the Category Two status and subsequently that of unrated, over the years, a number of new airlines commenced serving the Guyana route, primarily in 2014. COPA Airlines began flying to Guyana on July 11, 2014 offering services to this destination twice weekly.

Also, Curacao registered Insel Air began operations from Miami to Guyana in June, 2014. This airline also flies to Curacao and Aruba, and offers twice weekly flights.

The Venezuelan State owned carrier, Conviasa which began flying to Guyana in the latter part of 2013, expanded flights to Guyana in 2014 to twice weekly, serving the Puerto Ordaz-Georgetown-Puerto Ordaz routes.

Dynamic airways, which began operations in June of

2014, encountered difficulties and only resumed operations in November. The airline has since been plagued by technical problems, resulting in flight delays, but has promised to provide a better service.

In terms of domestic carriers, Jags Aviation, a subsidiary group under BK International, opened its doors in August, 2014 with a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX. This aircraft has a passenger seating capacity of 13 and is being used as a local transportation vehicle for remote hinterland and outlying tourism attractions. On December 23, the company added an M28 Sky Truck aircraft to its fleet.

Meanwhile, the Golden Arrow Airways has been conducting tours to Kaieteur Falls/Orinduik, after officially being launched in May.

Late in 2014, the Guyana Oil Company Limited (GUYOIL) commissioned an Aviation Services Fuel Handling facility at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. This US$3.5 million project is phase one of an overall venture, which comprises the construction of the terminal at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Overall, there has been significant growth in the national fleet. Currently, there are 54 planes on the register and another 11 are being considered by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Cuban elections during historic times

Some 88.3 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots during the first round of mid-term elections, on April 19, to select delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power.

This April 19, Cubans participated in another historic event reflective of the times.

More than 7.5 million voters, 88.3 per cent of eligible voters, exercised their right to vote to reaffirm their commitment to the future of the Revolution, on a day when the country also celebrated the 54th anniversary of Cuba’s victory over the US backed invasion at Playa Girón, on the Bay of Pigs.

Alina Balseiro, President of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), presented preliminary results to the press, assessing the vote as satisfactory, with 90 per cent of the ballots ruled valid, 4.54 per cent submitted blank and 4.9 per cent considered invalid.

She reported that 11,425 delegates were elected during this first round, having won over 50 per cent of the

vote as required, while 1164 constituencies will return to the polls April 26 for a second round vote, since no candidate reached the necessary percentage.

Balseiro noted that the number of female delegates rose to 34.87 per cent of the total and that 14.95 per cent were youths, while 54.87 per cent of current delegates were reelected.

She emphasised that only 59.24 per cent of those elected to the Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power are members of the Communist Party of Cuba, while 6.75 per cent are members of the Young Communist League, saying, “This demonstrates that political affiliation is not required to be a delegate.”

More than 24,600 polling stations were established for the elections, with 20,000 young people serving as observers, of special relevance during the public count of the vote, also witnessed by members of the community, as any interested party has this right.

President Donald Ramotar addressing the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) Business Luncheon on developments within the aviation sector

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport

GCCI urges peaceful elections

…nudges parties yet to unveil manifestos

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Thursday opened its 125th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Duke Lodge, Georgetown, urging a peaceful conduct of next month’s polls, and also expressing disappointment that the political parties vying for office are yet to unveil their manifestos.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) manifesto launch is scheduled for Saturday. There has been no positive word on when the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition will launch its blueprint.

Branding itself the oldest private sector representative organisation in Guyana, GCCI opened its 125th AGM in the boardroom of Duke Lodge.

The opening session proceeded the business session where officers for the 2015/2016 council were elected.

Delivering his report to a small gathering, GCCI’s President Lance Hinds said the organisation’s operations over the last year were carried out with the 125th anniversary in mind.

“As a chamber we knew where we came from, we

knew where we were currently. Our question therefore was where we want it to go and how did we think we were going to get there,” he said.

GCCI is a non-profit organisation of business persons, committed to improving the economic climate and quality of life in Guyana. Hinds said it was clear to the chamber that its growth and development was dependent on its close ties to the private sector and the economy in general.

“On the face of it, when we talk about our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being three billion US dollars, and this sounds quite impressive. We are, how-

ever, fifth in the English speaking Caribbean, behind Barbados, Suriname, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and our ability to provide optimum standard of living for the majority of our citizens is still a work in progress.”

The chamber, he said, has adopted the position where the private sector must continue to expand significantly, in order for the economy to deliver the revenue, wealth and job creation critical to the nation’s future. To facilitate that growth, Hinds related, it became critical that an enabling environment be created to reflect the functioning of businesses in the 21st century.

To that end, the organisation developed a blue print economic framework which it believed would be instrumental in the overall effort. Focused on such pillars as entrepreneurship, innovation, Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) growth and expansion, investment, funding, Information Communication Technology (ICT) development and overall growth and wealth creation, Hinds said the chamber began conducting its activities for the year.

“We believed that it was critical that the culture of

entrepreneur innovation be developed and nurtured,” Hinds related, continuing that the chamber had worked tirelessly to develop a collaboration of initiatives to contribute to entrepreneurial driven environment, working either on its own or with local and regional stakeholders.

Speaking to one of its major collaborations this year, Hinds noted the coming together of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturing

businesses. He said the chamber is hoping that the initiative continues and spread to other regional chambers of commerce.

As part of its societal and community inputs, some $355,000 was donated to the University of Guyana to assist in its 50th anniversary celebration. The chambers also donated $1.5 million worth of breathalyzers to the Guyana Police Force to assist in the fight against drunk driving.

ical to the growth of businesses.

“Elections and their related challenges are imminent. The chamber understands and respects that the political processes are robust and aggressive. It is however critical that all stakeholders work together to ensure that this process is peaceful and in comfort for all the electorate that it had been conducted fairly. It is now the latter part of April, and we are still waiting to

Association, on a Trade Mission, where it coordinated the business to business sessions between Guyanese and Trinidad and Tobago

He said the chamber was concerned last year with the suspension of Parliament, since it prevented the passage of the legislation crit-

hear the concrete proposals about where the political aspirations plans to take this nation if they assume office on May 12,” Hinds said.

President of GCCI Lance Hinds addressing the gathering

Invitees seated at the meeting

Former AFC Executive slams party for attacking Harper

Former Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive Member Francis Darchiville has lashed out at the political party for its recent attack on People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper, warning the party not to “throw stones knowing that it has a glass window”.

The warning has come on

the heels of public criticism of the prime ministerial hopeful by A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Co-Campaign Manager Raphael Trotman. Trotman in the Tuesday, April 21 edition of the Kaieteur News had lambasted the prime ministerial hopeful, for her decision not to participate in a debate against APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo.

Darchiville, in an interview with the Guyana Times on Wednesday, stressed that the former Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry was not as seasoned as other politicians and it was unfair for her to be “picked on” by everyone. “Harper represented Guyana on the international stage for years, she has now decided to come on board with the PPP/C. Everybody seem to be attacking the woman for no apparent reason; this is the first time she is getting involved in politics and for him to be making statements like that, it is not fair to her,” Darchiville said in the telephone interview.

Disturbing

The former Regional Councillor of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) said what was more disturbing was the fact, that these attacks were being made by the same persons who threw out

Passenger mulls court action against TravelSpan

…after denied return flight from US to Guyana

Afurious Guyanese passenger is contemplating taking legal action against Travel Span after he was reportedly “bumped” off of a Dynamic Airways flight in New York, earlier this month.

Troy Peters, of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, explained to the Guyana Times that he bought a round-trip ticket from Somwaru Travel Service for a total of $100, 500 to travel from Guyana on November 22, 2014, and return from New York on April 4, 2015. However, he noted that when he arrived at the John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport on April 4, he was told that his name was not on the list of passengers scheduled to fly. He said after driving five hours to get to the airport and standing in a long queue, when he finally got to the Dynamic Airways counter, he was told to check at the TravelSpan terminal since his name was not on the list. But, upon arrival at the TravelSpan counter, he was told the same thing without being given any explanation.

“I tried to ask the agents why I wasn’t on the flight because when I called the Wednesday (three days before), they told me everything was fine with the flight. Now when I go to the airport, they had me on the royal run-around,” he vented.

Frustrated, Peters opted to purchase a ticket from Caribbean Airlines amounting

to US$556 and travelled back to Guyana. Upon arriving, he went to the local agent for TravelSpan, requesting a reimbursement for the money he spent on the ticket to get back home.

The man believes that this is a deliberate act on by both TravelSpan and Dynamic Airways, who have teamed up since the former company ceased operations in Guyana, but still operates a travel agency service. “I know they bumped me off the flight, but what I have a problem with is that they didn’t even offer an explanation or say well we will accommodate you on another flight even though I showed them my ticket. They normally do this; people would purchase their tickets early for a cheap price and then when the time reaches and other persons want a flight right away, they will bump the first person off the flight to let the second person go because their ticket is more expensive,” Peters stated.

He went on to say that TravelSpan has been giving him the “royal round-around” since his arrival on April 4, and only reimbursed him US$277 for the return flight he did not get with the airline. However, Peters is claiming that he has to be reimbursed for the US$556 he spent on the Caribbean Airlines ticket to get home.

“They claiming that I took it upon myself to purchase a ticket, but what will I do at the terminal all day when nobody was telling me anything – no ticket, don’t know when I’m gonna come home, so why should I just stay there?” he queried.

Peters have since sought legal advice and sent the company a lawyer’s letter, asking it to fully reimburse him. According to Peters, the company still refused to reimburse him and as such, he will be taking legal action. Efforts to elicit a comment from the airline and the travel agency proved futile.

a “hardworking” female campaigner from the AFC, back in 2006. “I don’t think that he (Trotman), of all people, should be making statements like that,” Darchiville, who described himself as a close friend of the AFC executives, said. He said in the 2006 elections when the AFC was formed, one of the original members was Attorney-atLaw Gommatie Singh. Singh, he said, was a very hard worker, who was on the campaign trail for the party. He said she was promised a seat in the National Assembly. However, the two leaders at that time, Khemraj Ramjattan and Trotman, sidelined her and gave the seat to another member, Chantelle Smith, who, in his view, did nothing to assist the party in acquiring its five seats in Parliament.

in the game. The late Sheila Holder and Debra Backer were also powerhouses, but Harper, he said, was a “Johnny come lately”, on the political scene. “I don’t think it is fair to her to be attacked,” he repeated in defence of Harper.

The exclusive news article saw Trotman, who also served as the Speaker of the National Assembly during the 10th Parliament, saying should Harper be elected to office, her position will “hold the future of hundreds of thousands of citizens in her hands. It was added that “that person must accept and embrace the fact that mettle is no longer just an asset, it is a necessity.”

Critics are claiming that Harper was not as “outspoken” and ‘upfront’ as other female politicians. Female leaders like Cathy Hughes, he said, have been around a long time

“They need to justify the reasons for throwing her out back in 2006. Don’t throw stones if you have glass windows,” Darchiville said.

The PPP/C had issued a statement that it would not allow its PM Candidate to be involved in a political debate against the APNU/AFC PM Candidate. The Party said Nagamootoo has been too disrespectful to Harper.

APNU/AFC Co-Campaign Manager Raphael Trotman

Former AFC Executive Member Francis Darchiville

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper

A dejected Troy Peters

friday, april 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Coalition promises Bartica township status

The youth candidates of the PNCled A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition have promised the community of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) township status, if the coalition wins the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Speaking at the coalition’s most recent youth rally which was held in Bartica on Tuesday evening, Malika Ramsey, a candidate of the APNU, told the sizable gathering that the community has been a major hub for commercial activities in recent years. Ramsey said that Bartica continues to contribute significantly to the growth of the country’s economy with it being the ‘gate way to the interior’ where mining opportunities and operations are present. It was on this note that she told the residents that the time has come for the community to be awarded the township status.

AFC youth leader Mark Ross also reiterated the coalition’s commitment to ensuring that the community is awarded its hard earned township status.

He further pointed out that the coalition once elected into office would ensure that the long overdue Local Government Elections are

held within 100 days of entering office so that the needs of communities across the country, including Bartica are adequately addressed.

On behalf of the coalition, Ross also promised the

residents of Bartica, the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission (PSC) as part of its plan to ensure that transparency and accountability become hallmarks of that Government, noting that the restoration of democracy will too become a reality.

Former APNU Member of Parliament Christopher Jones on the other hand, said greater opportunities particularly in the areas of job creation, personal development and family life will be offered to the youths of Guyana once the coalition takes office.

According to Jones, there is a lack of opportunities for

young people under the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

“As a young man, you’re told that you have to head the home and provide for your family but under this current Government, you are unable to fulfill this role… gone are the days when you would go home and ask for a girl’s hand in marriage because there are no jobs, no opportunities for the young people. So what do you have? You have a society where there is an increase in crime and criminal activities, domestic violence and broken families, which was as a re-

Canal Polder carjacking: Robbers were after bag in car

...¤6000 found

Information remains sketchy about the carjacking of a BMW belonging to 26-year-old Abdul Quadir Nazir of Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD), but investigators have retrieved some €6000 that was left in the car, a source claimed.

The businessman’s luxury vehicle was stolen away from him by two gunmen as he was about to leave his mechanic about 20:20h Wednesday. The men, who apparently turned up at the mechanic’s home in another vehicle, reportedly opened fire on the vehicle hitting Nazir in the left side.

After being shot, Nazir was pulled from the driver’s seat by one of the men and they drove off with the vehicle not realising that the mechanic, Mark Crandon, was in it. Crandon escaped by jumping out of the speeding car. He sustained minor bruises about his body.

The businessman remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital and is said to be in stable condition. Hospital sources told the Guyana Times that the bullet which was lodged in the man’s side was removed.

When the Guyana Times called the man’s mobile phone, a man purporting to be the businessman’s brother told this publication that he could not say what occurred. During the phone conversation, the man sounded as if he was experiencing pains, but held out that he was not Abdul Nazir.

sult of frustration stemming from the lack of jobs, suitable jobs and other developmental opportunities,” Jones said. He said that under an APNU/AFC Government, special educational, developmental and housing opportunities will be created to address these social problems. Among this will be the adoption of a housing policy which will see newly webs being given a house lot free of cost by the Government.

Meanwhile, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) Chairman Sharma Solomon reminded the youths present that they are the future of the country, and if they wish to see the change that they want, then they must not stay home on Elections Day but come out and vote for the coalition.

“It is the young people in this world, in this country who will help to change this world. It is against the backdrop of our future, that we must vote on Election Day on May 11…the best choice for change is what we have now…deliver a resounding victory for the coalition,” Solomon told the youths. He noted that in voting, they should be mindful and vigilant of the struggles that have been fought over the years, the ills that exist under the current Government, and the sacrifices which have been made by the people of this land. The decision we make now, decades from now it will affect us, affect our children and grandchildren… come out and vote… vote early and vote wisely…,” he encouraged them.

The car was subsequently recovered intact at Nismes, WBD. A Police source close to the investigation told the Guyana Times that the perpetrators were interested in a bag the businessman was carrying at the time of the incident.

From all indications, Nazir might have been tailed from the time he left Georgetown. The senior Police rank stated that after the car was discovered, the money was found, but the businessman said a bag was missing from the car. He did not disclose the contents of the bag to the Police.

The mechanic was questioned and released. He reportedly told Police ranks that he was not sure of the motive for the carjacking, but was thankful that he made it out alive. He too believes that the perpetrators knew exactly what they wanted from the car.

The man claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol and was not sure what occurred. When asked about the missing bag and the money that was found in the car, he sounded quite surprised, hesitated and then said that he knew nothing. When asked about the contents of the bag and more so, the reason for the perpetrators leaving the money behind, he remained silent, but later stated he did not know the motive behind the incident.

Police, in a release, stated that Nazir was in his motor car in the company of his mechanic when a motor car drove up and a man exited.

The man, who was armed with a firearm, discharged rounds at Nazir, hitting him to his left side and he was taken out of the vehicle.

The armed man, the Police stated, was then joined by another man and they drove away in the victim’s vehicle, during which time Crandon managed to jump out of the vehicle. The stolen motor car was subsequently recovered intact.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Wrong photo

The Guyana Times would like to sincerely apologise to Mr Akash Bajnauth who we incorrectly identified in a photograph as a Kareem Lovell under the caption: “Kitty resident convicted on an armed robbery charge” in our Sunday, April 19, 2015 edition.

Mr Bajnauth was actually charged with a traffic offence and was never convicted or charged for armed robbery. The Guyana Times once again apologises to Mr Bajnauth and his family for any inconvenience this error may have caused.

A section of the gathering at the youth rally on Tuesday at Bartica

Malika Ramsey

Akash Bajnauth

GECOM receives $10.25M from Indian High Commission

The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana on Wednesday donated the sum of $10.25 million to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Indian High Commissioner V Mahalingam presented the cheque to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

In a release, the Elections Commission said the donation was made “in recognition of the indefatigable work being done by the Guyana Elections

Commission (GECOM) in preparation for the professional, free, fair and transparent conduct of the May 11 General and Regional Elections”.

The money will be utilised in aspects of GECOM’s Civic and Voter Education Programme. Moreover, it will be used to ensure that adequate provisions are in place during the elections to facilitate persons living with disabilities, and for activities associated with Polling Day itself.

On receiving the contribution, the CEO conveyed

the heartfelt thanks of the Commission and the staff of the GECOM Secretariat, and promised to judiciously use the funds provided by the High Commission of India to further serve the Guyanese people through the competent, proficient and professional delivery of GECOM’s Civic and Voter Education Programme.

The High Commissioner was accompanied by his Second Secretary (Political, Culture, Information, Consular and Head of Chancery), SM Joshi.

NA woman, 61, arraigned on drug charges

ANew Amsterdam, Berbice woman was Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry after she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face a charge of narcotics possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Sixty-one-year-old Donna Charles, an importer of foreign products, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which read that on Wednesday, April 22 at Wapping Lane, New Amsterdam, she was found to be in possession of 585 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The charge also read that 1.2

grams of cocaine were found in her possession. According to the prosecutor, on the day in question, about 10:30h ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) went to Charles’ residence where they conducted a search during which the aforementioned substances were discovered wrapped up in a sheet of cloth. It was revealed that further searches resulted in the discovery of a ziploc bag in the microwave which contained seeds, leaves and stems. The prosecution added that when the defendant was cautioned by the Police, she told them that “someone called her and told her to

collect the stuff”.

Defence counsel, Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat said on the day of the incident two men were being chased by the Police and ran into the woman’s premises. He explained that they dropped a bag containing the substance in a barrel in the yard and when questioned by Police, the men admitted it belonged to them.

An application for bail was made which the prosecutor objected to. Bail was denied and the defendant was remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court for next Friday.

Taxi driver who “thumped” spouse to spend one month in jail

A25-year-old taxi driver was on Thursday sentenced to one month in prison by Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for assaulting his reputed wife.

Delon Logan pleaded not guilty to the charge, which read that on Tuesday, April 21 at Sunflower Taxi Service located in South Ruimveldt,

Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Omadai Narine. According to the prosecution, the two individuals share a three-year relationship. It was stated that on the day of the incident an argument ensued between the couple after Logan accused his spouse of infidelity. Logan subsequently dealt the woman two slaps and tried to throw her off a veranda, asking her if she wanted

UG students stage 33rd Model of OAS in St Kitts

Members of the University of Guyana International Affairs Association staged its 33rd Model of the Organisation of American States (MOAS) in St Kitts. Students from the Department of International Relations were given the opportunity to represent different countries as future diplomats and ambassadors.

UGIAA President Tristana Gouveia told Guyana Times that it was an honour to be a part of the MOAS. She explained that her involvement in the MOAS, for the second time, has further contributed to her development, both personally and professionally.

Not only was she able to network with like-minded University students and professionals in gaining better insight and brainstorming practicable approaches for issues affecting Latin

America and by extension the world at large, but she now has a greater understanding of the international laws in addressing challenges.

Apart from being involved in her prescribed duties, Gouveia said she was given the opportunity to tour places of interest such as the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park which she says is a world heritage site, and has great historical meaning to the locals.

She said in doing this she was able to identify and appreciate common historical ties between Guyana and St Kitts and Nevis such as slavery and colonisation.

Meanwhile, Hayma Singh, another representative that took part in MOAS, told this publication that MOAS as allowed her to actualise her dreams.

Singh, who has been a long standing member of

UGIAA, said the organisation continues to expose its members to a wide range of activities. She said that it helps members to expand their knowledge base, act within professional positions and also have the opportunity to interact with students from different countries. Migration, land conflicts, cannabis policies and climate change were among areas covered during the MOAS meeting, Singh recalled.

She said in addition to being part of the MOAS, UGIAA also seeks to enhance persons’ participation in different countries at least thrice a year.

UGIAA is a student based organisation committed to the creation of an environment on campus that fosters the opportunity for students to become well rounded individuals who are aware of international issues which affect them.

Wismar resident on $300,000 bail for discharging firearm charge

Aresident of Wismar, Linden who allegedly tried to shoot a fellow resident was granted $300,000 bail on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Bail was granted to Sheldon Joseph, of 71 Sunflower Street, Wismar, after his Attorney, Denise Hodge, convinced the Magistrate that he was not a flight risk.

Joseph had been brought to the courts on Thursday afternoon after the Virtual Complainant (VC), Quincy David had reported to the Wismar Police Station he shot at him with a gun. The charge detailed that between November 1 and

to die.

Speaking in his own defence, the man said that he did not attempt to throw his reputed wife off the veranda, but was simply holding her hands and attempting to lead her down the staircase. He said the woman resisted, so he “thumped her” twice.

The Magistrate sentenced him to one month in prison and ordered him to attend counselling.

November, 30, 2014, he discharged the loaded firearm at David with intent to cause bodily harm.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that bail should not be granted to the defendant as the offence he was charged with was quite serious in nature and very prevalent.

However, when asked by the Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry why the defendant was not brought to court sooner, no justifiable reason was given. Prosecutor Magru stated that the officers were not able to do so until he came to report a matter to the Police Station.

Joseph’s Attorney, on the

other hand, stated that her client has been going to the Wismar Police Station multiple times to report several private issues he had been having with his family. She said that the Police could have arrested him at any of those times.

Also, the Attorney informed the court that the supposed VC was allegedly of unsound mind. The Chief Magistrate listened to both parties and granted bail to the defendant. However, she stated that this was conditional on the accused reporting to the Wismar Police Station every Friday, to the Constable in Charge.

Farmer says needs marijuana for medicinal purposes

A43-year-old farmer on Thursday pleaded guilty to possession of five grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana), saying he would use the substance for medicinal purposes.

Samuel DeSouza did not elaborate upon what medical condition he was using the illicit drug for. His Attorney, Mark Conway,

told the court that his client was a resident of 950 Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden and held a steady job as a farmer.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who presided over the matter which was heard in Court

One of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, sentenced DeSouza to commu-

nity service after he made his plea. She said for six months, he would have to report to the Wismar Police Station, where he would perform his community service.

His sentence will start on May 1 and will include five hours of labour every Friday, from 09:00h to 14:00h.

Indian High Commissioner V Mahalingam presenting the cheque to Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield in the presence of GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and another official

Members of the University of Guyana International Affairs Association that participated in the Model of Organisation American States in St Kitts

ACIC leaders hold talks with APNU/AFC

People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Presidential Candidate David Granger and Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo and other coalition leaders, on Thursday met with prominent representatives of the Islamic Community in Guyana.

The meeting took place at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Hadfield Street, Georgetown. The group, which included members of the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), and other religious leaders,

outlined a list of concerns facing the Muslim community in Guyana. Some of the issues raised included rampant crime, corruption, governance and the moral decay of the society.

Addressing the group, Brigadier (ret’d) Granger said one of the primary missions of the APNU/AFC coalition was the achievement of national unity. Granger said, “Many of our problems will be solved if we can achieve national unity.”

Granger assured the gathering that their concerns would be addressed by an APNU/AFC government and promised that his would-be administration would main-

tain contact with the religious community.

The APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, in his remarks, said that much had gone wrong in Guyana. Nagamootoo said; “Guyana is a plural society and all are entitled to co-exist.” He said that the Islamic community must be a partner if the country was to recover from the current moral decay; “the Islamic community must help, if we are to recover lost values.”

The Islamic leaders stated that it was time to put an end to the moral decay of society and for the development of Guyana to have a human face.

OAS concerned about provocative campaign language

The Organisation of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission here has called on political parties to sign and implement the Political Parties’ Code of Conduct.

In endorsing the APNU/ AFC, the Muslim leaders noted that Guyana needed a fresh start, and that people were placing great expectations in the APNU/ AFC. Some of the prominent Islamic leaders who attended were Raheema Rahaman, Hakeem Khan, Reyaz Husein, Fazil Azeez, Hakim Khan and Fazal Ali.

The APNU/AFC team also included Amna Ally, Ronald Bulkan and Fredrick Mc Wilfred.

The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (EOM/ OAS) in Guyana expressed its concern at the escalation of provocative language being used in the runup to the May 11 General and Regional Elections and called on all stakeholders to engage in a respectful exchange of ideas during the political campaign.

After meeting with a wide range of political party representatives in the country during the Preliminary Mission, the EOM witnessed a general consensus among all stakeholder parties regarding the importance of a calm and civil environment during the electoral process. The Mission urges all political parties to re-

view, sign and implement as soon as possible, the Code of Conduct prepared and circulated for approval by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with the intention of preventing divisive and inflammatory language during the electoral campaign.

The OAS is the second organisation to urge all political parties in Guyana to sign on to this Code of Conduct within this week. The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday called on political parties to demonstrate the good faith and respect for the citizenry, which is the least that can be expected of those who seek to govern us, by signing on to the Code. The Commission, in a release, said it believed that the voluntary adoption by political parties of a clearly defined Code of Conduct will demonstrate the commitment of all political parties to ensuring the well-being of the nation itself is their primary goal.

Fisherman shot during robbery at Meadow Bank wharf

An East Bank Demerara (EBD) fisherman was on Thursday morning shot and relieved of close to $240,000 by two armed men while selling at the Meadow Bank wharf at about 03:30h.

Thirty-seven-year-old Ganesh Vishwanauth also called ‘Awo’ of Lot 539 Caneville, Grove, EBD is now nursing a single gunshot wound to his buttocks. He was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and sent away.

Guyana Times understands that the bullet is still lodged in the man’s body as such, he was asked to return to the medical facility next Thursday. According to information received, the man arrived at the wharf and immediately started to “hustle.”

He was at the time selling his load of fish and that of a friend, who

was looking after his boat at the back of the wharf.

About an hour later, the two armed men confronted Vishwanauth, who put up a fight. It was then that one of the men discharged a round hitting him in the buttocks. He was subsequently relieved of the money he had in his hands.

The wife of the injured man, who requested anonymity, stated that she was at home at about 03:30h when she heard the phone ringing. As she answered, she realised that it was her husband, and from the tone of his voice, she knew something was wrong. “He tell me that I must come to the wharf to sell the load that he get shoot,” the woman recalled.

The woman stated that she rushed to the wharf but her husband was already taken to the hospi-

2 arrested

tal. Without hesitation, she hurried to the hospital where she saw him being attended to by the doctors. “I went and buy something for he to eat and after they finish look he after, they give he a card and tell him to come back to clinic next Thursday.”

While she did not get much out her husband, he reportedly told her that he recognised the two men on the wharf walking around prior to the robbery. The two men, he told his wife, walked up to him at his stall, pulled out the gun and asked him to hand over the money. He reportedly told Police that he can identify one of the men if he gets the opportunity. At the time Guyana Times spoke with the man’s wife, he was reportedly resting. The Police have launched an investigation into the robbery.

with high powered rifle at Lethem

Two men were arrested on Thursday following the discovery of a high powered rifle and a shotgun at a house in Nappi, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo).

According to information received, at about 11:00h, Police ranks conducted a search on the house during which an unlicensed .22 rifle and a shotgun were found. In addition, five cartridges were found.

The two men, who were in the house at the time of the raid, were cautioned, questioned and taken into custody. They are expected to be charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

Members of the APNU-AFC and Muslim delegation pose for a photograph

GCB U-19

Inter-County 1-Day

tournament… Demerara top Essequibo by 47 runs in shortened game

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Defending champions Demerara on Thursday defeated Essequibo by 47 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in their final round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 One-Day Tournament played at the Enmore Community Centre Ground.

With a revised target of 153 to win off 20 overs, Essequibo were bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.

Demerara made 1118 after rain for most of the day reduced the game to a 20-overs-a-side affair.

Essequibo found themselves in a must-win situation if they were to have a chance of making Saturday’s final against Demerara.

However, the revised target proved beyond their reach, with only Kemo Paul, who was dropped on 19 and 26 along with Jonathan Fernandes offering resistance, with 43 and 29 respectively.

Man-of-the-Match

Sherfane Rutherford, who held on to four catches, claimed 2-18, while there were two wickets also for spinners Tariq Dharamlall (2-23); Malcolm Hubbard (2-31); and Travis Persaud (2-0). Medium-fast bowler Carlton Jacques had 1-30.

Earlier, Demerara were 35-0 after 10 overs when play was stopped due to rain.

When play resumed, Tevin Imlack (22); Vivian Albert (15); Rutherford (14); Mark Hamilton (12) and Travis Persaud (11), took Demerara to their eventual total. Keanu Harry (4-33) and Akinie Adams (4-25) shared the eight wickets of the Demerara batsmen.

Demerara with three consecutive victories will play the Under-17s in Saturday’s final, set for the Everest Cricket Club Ground.

Meanwhile, rain played spoilsport in the other finalround game against Berbice and the National Under-17 team at the Police Ground. Play was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Guyana to head to Suriname for friendly basketball clash

Guyana will head to Suriname to take on their Dutch counterparts in three friendly basketball games as part of their ongoing preparations for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships set for July in the British Virgin Islands.

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) finalised the plans for the friendly matches with Suriname recently and will face the Dutch side at the Anthony Nesty Indoor Stadium from May 1 to 3 each night.

The 17-man team is expected to depart the shores of Guyana by bus on May 1 for the clash.

Play in the New Building Society (NBS) SecondDivision Cricket Competition in Berbice continued recently, with Christopher Jaundoo smashing his way to 150 to become the highest individual scorer so far in the tournament.

Below are the summarised scores from the matches played: At Skeldon, Skeldon Community Centre beat No 72 All Stars by 48 runs. Skeldon CC made 249-3 in 40 overs, with Christopher Jaundoo blasting 150 not out and Duane Edwards 35 not out. No 72 All Stars reached 201-9 in 40 overs, with Kumar Chatterpaul scoring 36 and Trishan Heera, 28. Alex Burnett took 3-19 and Parmanand Narine, 3-32. At Scottsburg, Scottsburg United beat No 70 A by 21 runs. Scottsburg United were bowled out for 159 in 34.2 overs, with Trishan Ramsaran striking 47. Naem Yacoob took 3-26; Omesh Khemraj, 2-24; Devendra Jaggernauth, 2-25 and Mohamed Deochan, 2-26. No 70 A in reply were bowled out for 138 in 24.4 overs. Rayon Yacoob made 35. Oddel Kyte took 5-15 and Trishan Ramsaran 3-19.

At No 73, Springlands beat No 73 Young Warriors by six wickets. No 73 Young Warriors were bowled out for 90 in 19.4 overs, with Gajendranaut Ramnarine claiming 5-30 and Victor Pedro, 2-17. Springlands in reply reached 91-4 in 13.5 overs, with Trishan Ramsaran scoring 56 not out. Lakeram Latchman took all four wickets for 26 runs.

Moore accumulating 51 and Amzan Applesamy making 27 not out.

At Albion Primary School Ground, Toopoo Rising Stars beat Rose Hall Town Bakewell B by 84 runs. Toopoo Rising Stars made 179 in 25.2 overs, with Vinod Narine scoring 42; Majid Mohamed, 31; Yoganand Permaul, 28; and Surindra Ramdeo, 25. Kumarjeet Joseph took 5-42; Sunil Morimootoo, 3-12 and Keith Simpson 2-19. Rose Hall Town Bakewell B in reply were bowled out for 93 in 19.2 overs, with Lakeraj Sanichar taking 3-8; Aftab Afroo, 2-9 and Surindra Ramdeo, 2-10.

At No 63, No 64 Fighting Marines beat No 43 Scorpion by six wickets. No 43 Scorpion batting first were bowled out for 80 in 16 overs. Vadenand Sugrim claimed 4-12 and Kumar Chand, 2-7, while Davendra Budhoo and Jason Itwaru had 2-15 each. No 64 Fighting Marines reached 84-4 in 16 overs, with Ramesh Joseph scoring 26 and Kumar Chand, 25 not out.

The meeting is also

Twelve players will be selected on April 25 from the current squad in training at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) under Coach Darcel Harris. The other five members of the touring party will include coaches, managers and a referee. With Guyana slotted in the same group as Suriname for the upcoming CBC Championships, the tournament will provide the Guyanese with much-needed experience ahead of the Championships.

the second of its kind for the Guyanese squad, having faced Bermuda earlier in the year and won all three encounters. Bermuda is also a member of their group in the upcoming CBC Championships. Meanwhile, the GABF is hoping to attain funding from the Government;

the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA); and the Corporate Community to assist the Guyana Men and Women National Basketball Teams with costs related to Guyana’s participation in the 2015 CBC Championships which is the pinnacle basketball event for Caricom territories.

At No 72, Corriverton beat No 72 Cut and Load by seven wickets. No 72 Cut and Load were bowled out for 104 in 28.2 overs, with Akeshwar Jagroop hitting 33. Clavern Beresford (4-13); Faoud Bacchus (215); Errol Byass (2-26); and Eric Phillips (2-31) were the successive bowlers. Corriverton reached 105-3 in 18.3 overs, with Jeremy

At Rose Hall in Canje, Rose Hall Community Centre beat Betsy Ground Triple Stars by 31 runs. Rose Hall CC made 115 in 31.4 overs, with Ameer Rahaman scoring 29 not out. Davanand Gopaul took 4-22 and Lawrence Basant 2-4. Betsy Ground Triple Stars in reply were bowled out for 84 in 28.3 overs. Ameer Rahaman took 3-8; Keon Isaacs, 3-8 and Mahendra Parasram, 2-5.

Trishan Ramsaran

Flashback: The Guyana National Squad during a timeout against Bermuda at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

Man-of-the-Match Sherfane Rutherford collects his trophy from match referee Colin Stuart

Root hundred puts England in charge against Windies

Asixth Test hundred from Joe Root helped England to a position of increasing dominance in Grenada, as they wore down West Indies during an extended day in the field. Almost 50 overs were lost from the match over the first two days but with cloud cover and swinging conditions replaced by unbroken sunshine and a flat, if slow, surface, England were approaching a position from where they could bat once and then push for victory.

England’s old guard had set the tone at the start of the day, then left it to two of the youth corps to press home their advantage.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies 1st innings 299 England 1st innings

AN Cook* b Gabriel 76

IJL Trott c Blackwood b Bishoo 59

GS Ballance b Samuels 77

IR Bell b Gabriel 1

JE Root not out 118

MM Ali run out (Blackwood/ †Ramdin) 0

BA Stokes c Blackwood b Bishoo 8

JC Buttler† not out 4

Extras: (b 9, lb 2, w 1, nb 18) 30

Total: (6 wickets; 124 overs) 373

To bat: CJ Jordan, SCJ Broad,

JM Anderson

Fall of wickets: 1-125, 2-159, 3-164, 4-329, 5-335, 6-364. West Indies Bowling: KAJ Roach 24-4-77-0, ST Gabriel

19-3-60-2, JO Holder 18-649-0, D Bishoo, 41-10-1242, MN Samuels 21-4-381, J Blackwood 1-0-14-0.

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott both recorded fifties during a century opening stand - England’s first since 2013 - and although Cook fell short of reaching three figures himself, another strong showing from Root and Gary Ballance in the middle order helped England to a 74-run lead at the close.

Going back to last summer, Root has now made six consecutive 50-plus scores, equalling England’s Test record. Cook is one of four other batsmen to have achieved the same feat, along with Patsy Hendren, Ken Barrington and Ted Dexterno one has more than seven in a row.

Increasingly, Root is the bundle of energy, the dog chasing a piece of silver paper, who sets the tempo for England in the middle order.

In partnership with his Yorkshire team-mate Ballance, he helped add 165 for the fourth wicket in little over 40 overs, taking the game away from West Indies with every impish stolen single, not to mention the odd blow for six. Since being dropped for the final Ashes Test in Sydney, he has scored more than 1000 runs at an average of 103.70.

Devendra Bishoo wheeled away, bowling 22 overs in succession and doing a much better job of keeping things tight than Sulieman Benn in Antigua, but when he returned in the evening session, his first

over was taken for 16 by Root and Ballance. Bishoo did claim his first Test wicket since in 2012, removing Trott with a hard-spun legbreak, and then picked up Ben Stokes, caught on the boundary late in the day, but figures of 2 for 124 spoke of West Indies’ toil. Ian Bell was the only member of the top five not to pass 50, although West Indies did hit back to take 3 for 35 late in the day. Moeen Ali made his first Test duck

after running himself out after a calling Root for a single that wasn’t there, while Stokes also fell for a singlefigure score - and got a salute from Marlon Samuels to send him on his way.

This match may be taking place on the Spice Island but there was something reassuringly bland about England’s approach in the first session. With play starting 15 minutes early, 34 overs were possible and 69 runs were scored. (Cricinfo)

MayweatherPacquiao fight tickets sell out in minutes

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao's fight sold out within minutes and tickets immediately appeared on websites for as much as £47,000 ($70,790).

Only 1,000 tickets were made available to the public for the fight on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The remaining 15,500 seats will go to fighters, sponsors and promoters.

The cheapest ticket for the bout cost £1,000 ($1,500), rising to about £5,000 ($7,500).

The contest between the two has been set since February, but a ticket contract was only finalised this week.

Tickets officially went on sale on Thursday at 20:00 BST on the MGM Grand's website and Ticketmaster. But within minutes they appeared on sites such as StubHub - an online marketplace owned by eBaywith the cheapest priced at £3,511 ($5,270).

American Mayweather, 38, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, are considered two of the best fighters of their generation and the bout, which has been in the pipeline for five years, is set to generate £162 million ($250 million).

Mayweather has won all 47 of his fights, 26 by knockout, while Pacquiao has a record of 57 wins, five losses and two draws. (BBC Sport)

Iyer, Duminy help Daredevils end Kotla drought

Fifties from Shreyas Iyer and JP Duminy, and their 154-run partnership - the highest in the IPL this season - propelled Delhi Daredevils to

a 37-run win over Mumbai Indians, breaking their streak of nine successive losses at the Feroz Shah Kotla Mumbai captain Rohit

SCOREBOARD

Delhi Daredevils innings (20 overs maximum)

MA Agarwal c Rayudu

b McClenaghan 1

SS Iyer b Malinga 83

JP Duminy* not out 78

AD Mathews c †Patel

b McClenaghan 17

Yuvraj Singh c Pollard b Bumrah 2

KM Jadhav† not out 1

Extras: (lb 1, w 6, nb 1) 8

Total:(4 wickets; 20 overs) 190

Did not bat: NM Coulter-Nile, A Mishra, S Nadeem, Imran Tahir, DJ Muthuswami

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-156, 3-174, 4-187.

Mumbai Indians Bowling: MJ McClenaghan 4-0-38-2, SL Malinga 4-0-23-1, JJ Bumrah

4-0-55-1, Harbhajan Singh

4-0-34-0, HH Pandya 2-0-140, KA Pollard 2-0-25-0

Mumbai Indians innings (target: 191 runs from 20 overs)

LMP Simmons c Duminy

b Muthuswami 15

PA Patel† c Imran Tahir

b Mathews 28

UBT Chand st †Jadhav

b Mishra 14

RG Sharma* c Nadeem

b Coulter-Nile 30

KA Pollard c Nadeem b Mishra 10

AT Rayudu c Coulter-Nile

b Imran Tahir 30

HH Pandya c Coulter-Nile

b Imran Tahir 0

Harbhajan Singh c sub (J Yadav)

b Mathews 9

MJ McClenaghan c †Jadhav

b Imran Tahir 0

SL Malinga not out 6 JJ Bumrah not out 0

Extras: (lb 2, w 9) 11

Total: (9 wickets; 20 overs) 153

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-48, 3-68, 4-82, 5-131, 6-131, 7-135, 8-135, 9-153. Delhi Daredevils Bowling: NM Coulter-Nile 4-0-361, DJ Muthuswami 2-0-71, JP Duminy 1-0-14-0, AD Mathews 2-0-15-2, A Mishra 4-0-32-2, S Nadeem 3-0-25-0, Imran Tahir 4-0-22-3.

Sharma had opted to bowl after winning the toss, to have the comfort of knowing what to chase. His bowlers, however, were systematically taken apart by Duminy and Iyer and the pressure of a 191 chase, combined with electric fielding by Daredevils, left them well short of the target.

Rohit’s decision to bowl first found immediate vindication when Mitchell McClenaghan dismissed opener Mayank Agarwal for 1. Their joy was shortlived, however, as Iyer opened up to take a four and a six either side of the wicket, off successive balls in McClenaghan’s next over. Jasprit Bumrah was greeted at the crease with successive sixes by JP Duminy over backward square leg and it was only the introduction of Harbhajan Singh within the Powerplay that managed to stem the glut of boundaries.

Harbhajan and Malinga managed to keep the pair quiet for a couple of overs but once they were pulled out of the attack, the proceedings turned fairly onesided. At the halfway mark, Daredevils were 65 for 1.

By the time the 15th over ended, they had sped to 137 for 1. Bumrah, Pollard, McClenaghan were all taken for runs and even Harbhajan’s tidy figures were wiped out by an 18run over in which Iyer hit the offspinner for two sixes. Iyer fed off poor lines from the Mumbai bowlers but his edges also carried to the boundary.

By the time Bumrah came back into the attack, Iyer was so well set, he he squeezed a yorker for a boundary to bring up his fifty. It had taken him only 37 deliveries to reach his second T20 fifty, with six fours and two sixes and he would hit another three sixes before walking across his stumps to a Malinga yorker. Duminy’s fifty took one ball less but the batsman had two different gears. After the initial burst, he turned the strike over to Iyer before getting stuck into Kieron Pollard in the 12th over. Their partnership had stretched to 154 - the second highest for Daredevils for any wicket in the IPL - before Iyer fell but Duminy carried on, ensuring Daredevils promising at-

tack had enough to bowl at.

Duminy led by example in the field, too - a sliding save left him wincing in pain but he came on to bowl in the fourth over and a few overs later, held on to a skier to end an opening partnership between Lendl Simmons and Parthiv Patel that appeared to settling at the crease.

Mumbai had opted for an unchanged XI, the batting order was the same that had racked up 209 against Royal

Challengers Bangalore. Against Daredevils’ consistent bowling, and their sharp fielding - Shahbaz Nadeem and Imran Tahir held on to difficult chances - the chase stalled. When Tahir took three wickets in his third over - the 17th of the match - Mumbai looked on track to being bowled out for the first time in this IPL, but Harbhajan Singh and Lasith Malinga managed to thwart that particular outcome.

Floyd Mayweather Jr (left) and Manny Pacquiao during their only press conference to hype the fight

Shreyas Iyer and JP Duminy added 154 for the second wicket

Joe Root reached his sixth Test hundred, and first away from home

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4 squads confirmed for 12-team tournament

Preparations for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC)-ANSA McAL May Day five-over cricket tournament are progressing smoothly, with four teams declaring their squads for the 12-team tournament.

Tamarind Root of Hampshire, Courtland, Chesney and Young Warriors of Canje have submitted squads that include some of the top SecondDivision players in the Ancient County.

Young Warriors will be spearheaded by veterans Anil Beharry and Ishwar Singh and they will be supported by the promising Alex Algu, Mortimer Fraser, Wahid Edwards and Balram Samaroo.

Chesney will feature former Guyana T20 player Imran Khan and former Berbice wicketkeeper/batsman Shastri Persaud. A powerful Courtland team will be led by hard-hitting all-rounder John Percival and includes former national Under-19 player Leroy Bristol and First-Division players Troy Mathieson and Keon Sinclair.

Tamarind Root will depend heavily on Adrian Singh, Mahendra Ramdihal, Dilip Ramsammy and guest player Linden Austin.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster, who is spearheading the Silver Jubilee events, said that barring the weather, all plans were in place for a highly successful one-day tournament.

The 12 teams – Rose Hall Town Bakewell A, Rose Hall Town Bakewell B, Young Warriors, Courtland, Fyrish, Chesney, Albion, Tamarind Root, Tain Block 4, Whim, Yakusari and Susannah – are asked to report to the Area H Ground at 08:00h on game day for a prompt 09:00h start.

The winning team will receive $70,000 and a tro-

phy, while the runner-up is guaranteed $30,000 and a trophy as well. The losing semi-finalists are assured of $20,000, while the Man of the Match in the final will receive $10,000.

Funds raised from the day’s event will be used for the RHTY&SC’s Cricket Development Programme and “Say No to Drugs and Yes to Education” campaign. Below are the four squads confirmed to participate in the tournament.

Tamarind Root Cricket Club: Adrian Singh (Captain); Kunal Mangal; Michael “Mahendra” Ramdihal (Vice Captain); Altaf “Mohamed” Abrahim; Dilip Rangasammy; Deonarine Rangasammy; Ajay Ramsammy; Dave Looknauth; Rajendra Deonarine; Balram Samaroo; Linden Austin; Parmanand Sahadeo; Vijay Sukra; Kevin Madramuthoo; and Ravi Ramdass.

Courtland All Stars: John Percival, Dwayne Crandon, Delon Crandon, Oliver Giddings, Eon Gibson, Keon Sinclair, Troy Mathieson, Leroy Bristol, Wesley Crandon, Jamal Cort, Michael Cummings, Timothy McDonald, Trellon Cort, Kellon Sinclair, and Levi Thomas.

Chesney Cricket Team:

Imran Khan, Shastri Persaud, N Deonarine, A Deonarine, Ricky Amoi, R Ramcharran, Y Burdyal, Z Khan, S Bacchus, M Budhoo, R Khan, D Harrilall, F Bacchus, R Singh, R Samaroo, and S Latchana.

Young Warriors Cricket Club: Anil Beharry (Captain); Ishwar Singh (Vice Captain); Mortimer Fraser; Wahid Edwards; Alex Algu; Zaheer Moakhan; Rudolph Baker; Charran Singh; Jermin Henry; Gevon Schultz; Ameer Khan; Kawal Mangal; Ricky Ballack; Royden Phil; and Junior Williams.

Busta Soft Shoe tournament postponed to tonight

– 4 knockout games set to thrill fans

The inclement weather has played its hand once again in the Busta Soft Shoe Tournament that has been exciting to date with a number of goals.

The Inclement weather has caused the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground to be very soggy and unfriendly for the players.

Hence, the organisers have decided to postpone the first set of the roundof-16 games to tonight and the final games of that round from Saturday to Sunday.

The inaugural community tournament has been thrilling the fans with a

After a scoreless first half, GCC seemed to shift gears in the second and created a few scoring chances and penalty corners. Under-21 striker Aroydy Branford, however, kept his side alive with some effective counterattacking moves, but failed to connect

Soft shoe action during the round-robin stage of the tournament

plethora of goals each evening, causing a spike in the following of the different format of football.

Action is slated to start tonight from 20:45h with

with his teammates on the final pass.

With the match seemingly heading to a nil-all stalemate, former national Captain Alan Fernandes fought through a densely packed defence on the right side before slipping an accu-

Cross Street Werk-en-Rust facing Alexander Village. Ballerz and Queen Street Tiger Bay will face off in the second match of the evening, while West Front Road

rate pass to brother Philip on the far side of the goal.

The Hockey Board President then delivered the ball into the roof of the net to break the deadlock with just six minutes remaining on the clock. Time would expire with little more opportu-

will battle North East La Penitence.

The final game of the evening is scheduled for a 23:00h start with Festival City taking on Albouystown.

nity, leaving GCC the victors of the day and of the competition as 2014 National Men’s Hockey champions.

The match was followed by a brief presentation of the trophy by Farfan and Mendes Limited Marketing Officer Delyon Josiah.

Anil Beharry Imran Khan

A Ally and Sons Secondary School cricket... Rosignol Secondary School chalk up 2nd consecutive win

The 2015 A Ally and Sons Inter-Secondary School Under-17 Cricket Competition for schools in Berbice continued recently when Rosignol Secondary School registered their second consecutive outright win.

Below are the summarised scores from the matches played:

At Blairmont, Rosignol Secondary School beat Woodley Park Secondary by an innings and 146 runs. Rosignol Secondary made 213-9 declared, with Alvin Chowramootoo hitting an unbeaten 50 and Seeraj Bissoondial, 29. Hanskumar Jodhan took 4-80 and Nandanie Arnold 4-65. Woodley Park Secondary were then bowled out for 45 in their first innings. Geetesh Roopnarine took 5-1 and Suraj Bissoondial, 3-16.

Batting a second time, Woodley Park were blown

away for just 22, with Hemchan Singh (6-8) and Geetesh Roopnarine (2-14) doing the damage. At Cumberland, Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) took first innings points from Canje Secondary School in their drawn match. Canje batting first were bowled out for 63, with Ravendra Ramnauth taking 4-13 and Avash Seepersaud, 2-11.

BEI replied with 95, with Sasenarine Sukhu hitting a top score of 61. Abdul Ramsammy took 4-11 and Zeynil Ramsammy, 3-21. Batting a second time, Canje reached 113-9, with Jamal Frank scoring 22 and Isiah Reid, 21. Ravindra Ramnauth took 5-29 and Tagenarine Shiwmangal, 2-3.

At Area H, Lower Corentyne Secondary School (LCSS) took first innings points from Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School in their drawn encounter.

The LCSS made 197 batting first, with Veramootoo Senwasie hitting 40; Kevlon Anderson, 30; and Junior Sinclair, 25. Alex Williams took 3-30; Haifa Walters, 2-29; and Surendra Budhoo, 2-15. Corentyne Comprehensive were then bowled out for 81. Karan Rajpaul claimed 5-8 and Keith Simpson, 3-12.

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” ... action kicks off in Linden leg

Action kicked off in the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Linden leg on Wednesday evening with six exciting games.

Coomacka looked like the early team to beat in the tournament with a 4-nil drubbing of Exodus as Rondell Edmonson put on a one-man show to score all of the four goals of the game in the 4th, 8th, 13th and 17th minutes respectively.

Half Mile/One Mile, led by a double from star player Rawle Gittens in the fifth and eight minutes,

topped Goal Getters 4-1. Steve Brewley scored in the 14th minute, while Shawn Gittens scored in the 18th to be the other goal scorers for Half Mile/One Mile. The lone goal for Goal Getters came from Quincy Black.

Retrieve Unknowns needled Ripping Bullets 1-0, with Stephon Tappin scoring the game’s lone goal.

Russians topped South Stars 1-nil as well, with Tavis Waterton providing the game’s only goal.

Silver Bullets in game five easily topped High Star

4-1 as Colwyn Drakes provided the crowd with four entertaining goals in the 6th, 9th, 14th and 17th minutes. High Star’s consolation goal came from Jermain Adams in the 18th minute.

Meanwhile, the only game to draw in regulation time came about when Attackers met Eagles in a 1-1 encounter. However, Attackers got the win via a 2-0 penalty kicks shootout.

The tournament is expected to continue tonight with another six games.

GABA’s “King of the Hard Court” basketball league... Pacesetters fire warning shot with dominant win

National Club champs Trinity Grid Holdings Pacesetters opened their account with a win in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) “King of the Hard Court” league tournament on Wednesday at the Burnham Hard Court in Georgetown.

The Pacesetters got their campaign off to a dominant start, defeating the Melanie Patriots 103-70 to showcase their supremacy.

Pacesetters controlled the pace of the game with their inside-out attack, often times getting to the rim at will while nailing dag-

gers from beyond the arc.

Travis Burnett and Stephan Gillis led the way for the Pacesetters with 21 points each, while Jermain Hamilton had 14 points. Keith Tute and Michael Turner also chipped in with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Sherlon Legall was the game’s leading scorer with 30 points, while his other team members suffered a horrible shooting night, unable to reach double digits in scoring.

The only Under-23 game scheduled for the evening saw Colts getting a walkover win over the Knights to record three easy points.

Alvin Chowramootoo

The tournament is expected to continue today at the Burnham Court, with three games slated to start from 18:00h. (Treiston Joseph)

Travis Burnett

Lens Craft Optical/EBFA U-13 league... Herstelling, Grove and Diamond win on Day 2

Herstelling Raiders made it two out of two when they knocked off Craig 3-0 as play in the Lens Craft Optical sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-13 League continued on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield.

Grove rebounded from their first-day loss to Herstelling with a 1-0 win over Agricola Red Triangle, who lost for the first time, while Diamond United also reversed their loss on Day One by claiming full points, compliments of a 2-1 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors.

Herstelling were led to victory and the top of the points table by Royston

Kennedy who scored two goals, hitting the back of the net in the 48th and 56th minutes. Shoran James, who hit in the lone and winning goal against Grove on Day One, was again on the score sheets with the third goal in the 58th minute.

Craig did well to keep Herstelling at bay for the entire first half of 30 minutes, but could not hold back their opponents in the second half.

Meanwhile, Grove HiTech’s lone goal came off the boot of Akeem Williams in the 29th minute.

Despite falling behind in the 16th minute when Kuru Kururu Warriors opened

Raffik and Sons 2nd Division T20

cricket...

Wins for Port Mourant, Kennard’s Memorial, Courtland All Stars

Port Mourant, Kennard’s Memorial and Courtland All Stars were the victorious teams when play in the 2015 Raffik and Sons Second-Division T20 Cricket Competition, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the Lower/ Central Corentyne, continued recently.

Summarised scores from the matches played are as follow:

At Port Mourant, the hosts beat Sand Reef by 54 runs. Port Mourant made 154-4 off 20 overs, with Parmanand Narine hitting 87; Besham Deolall, 23 not out; and Devindra Thakurdeen, 22. Sand Reef in reply reached 1009 in 20 overs, with Mohan Jagmohan scoring 27; and Zaheer Azeez, 21. Avinash Wajib took 3-14; Devindra Thakurdeen, 2-10; and Haifa Walters, 2-19. At Bush Lot Farm, Kennard’s Memorial beat Chesney by 23 runs. Kennard’s Memorial reached 127-9 in 15 overs, with Mankarran Singh making 28 and Kamedevin Permaloo, 20. Narine Deonarine took 3-34 and Fazir Bacchus,

Parmanand Narine

2-19. Chesney in reply were bowled out for 104 in 14.3 overs, with Youardan Gurdayal scoring 33. Devendra Sydney took 3-11; Somesh Mangroo, 2-9; and Mankarran, Singh 2-21.

At Tain, Courtland All Stars beat Tain Block Four by eight wickets. Tain Block Four were bowled out for 83 in 14.2 overs. Leland Edwards took 3-7; Michael Cummings, 2-2; John Percival, 2-4; and Keon Sinclair, 2-17. Courtland All Stars in reply reached 88-2 in 12 overs, with Dwayne Crandon scoring 24, and Keon Sinclair and Jamal Cort making 22 not out apiece.

suriname’s yelyco defeat...

Before the friendly match, the GVF held a Third-Division competition that attracted eight male teams from across the country and two female teams.

the scoring through a Kevon Scott goal, Diamond United clawed their way back to take full points.

Teon Forde scored the equaliser in the 19th minute, with the winning goal coming from Sean Pickering in the 46th minute.

Action will continue on Saturday with three more matches at the same venue.

After a round-robin playoff in the preliminary stage, Rollers of New Amsterdam defeated Port Mourant Community Centre (PMTC) 2 to win the male category and St Cuthbert’s Mission defeated PMTC to win the female category.

At the presentation ceremony held in semi-darkness, GVF President John Flores thanked all for their participation, especially Yelyco and the teams that journeyed from the different parts of Guyana.

He said the matches were very exciting and new players from different areas were identified. He praised the female team that hails from an Amerindian village located some 50 miles up the left bank of the Mahaica River for their standard of play and also thanked the officials and all others who assisted to make the event a success.

Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) President Gregory Rambarran also complimented the St Cuthbert’s female team and the Surinamese for their outstanding performances and presented Mikasa MVA 330 balls to the winners of the Third-Division competition on

behalf of the BVA. Yelyco received the firstplace trophy for defeating the GVF President’s XI, and the President’s XI also received a trophy. Trophies were also presented to the first- and second-place winners in both categories of the Third-Division competition.

The presentations were made by the GVF President, Verdy Getrouw of Suriname and other officials of the GVF. Trophies for individual performances were presented to Kevin Sporkslede of Yelyco (Best Spiker and Most Valuable Player); Dion Brunnings of Yelyco (Best Setter); and Juan Calzado of GVF (Best Receiver).

Yelyco Captain Wholoe Ongafat receiving the trophy from GVF President John Flores in the presence of his teammates

Action in the Diamond United versus Kuru Kururu Warriors game on Saturday last

Venue agreement signed for CPL games in Guyana

The organisers of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have scheduled four matches for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, in this year’s CPL, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the CPL organisers today signed an agreement for the use of the venue.

The document highlights two important additions to the long-term development of the stadium and those are the installation of permanent replay screens and Internet access, which will be available throughout the venue via Wi-Fi.

Aside from those, works and inspections have already commenced for the matches, which are scheduled for July 15-21. There are just a few minor tasks to be completed to make the stadium ready for the games.

Guyanese can expect to see intense T20 matches between the Guyana Amazon

Red Steel on July 21.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony emphasised that these matches were important for Guyana as they would be broadcast by ESPN and would be viewed by an estimated 60 million people in 65 countries. This allows for tremendous exposure of Guyana’s potential, hospitality, assets and economic possibilities.

Minister Anthony recalled the large turnout by Guyanese at last year’s matches and in this regard he added that a similar turnout was anticipated this year.

He also emphasised that the Ministry would be partnering with the CPL organisers to host another captains’ seminar for young cricketers.

The seminar that was held in 2014 was well received by the cricketers who attended as they were able to interact with a few members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors

team. This year, cricketers, including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brad Hodge, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Christopher Barnwell, and Denesh Ramdin will be engaged in the seminar.

The agreement document was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Sport Ministry, Alfred King and Team Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, in the presence of Stadium Manager Anthony Xavier and Dr Anthony. Khan noted that the CPL organisers were pleased that Guyana would be hosting the four scheduled matches. He also recalled the support from Guyanese which saw the National Stadium being filled to capacity on each match date.

The 2015 CPL will officially start on June 20 in Barbados where the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be challenging the Barbados Tridents in the opening match.

Suriname’s Yelyco defeat GVF President’s XI in friendly match Unbeaten GCC crowned Farfan and Mendes hockey champs

History was created last Sunday when a sizeable crowd of volleyball enthusiasts witnessed international volleyball in Berbice for the first time since 1988, when the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) hosted Suriname’s senior male volleyball club champions, Yelyco.

The last time international volleyball was played in the Ancient County was 27 years ago when Berbice

played Barbados Bombers.

Yelyco clashed with a GVF President’s XI in a friendly match at the recently-commissioned Modular Tile all-weather volleyball court at the Port Mourant Community Centre on the Corentyne.

The crowd was treated to a scintillating display of top-class volleyball by the Surinamese, who usually play volleyball indoors, but quickly adapted to the outdoor conditions and used

the strong wind to their advantage to defeat the GVF President’s XI in three straight sets 25-21, 25-21, 25-19.

The friendly match was organised by the GVF to afford the Surinamese an opportunity to play on the new surface, which was made available by the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) through the South American Volleyball Confederation (CSV) as a gift to the GVF.

The curtains came down on a successful Farfan and Mendes Men’s First Division League for 2014 with champions Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) strolling away with the title after playing unbeaten throughout the competition.

On a smooth Bourda ground on Wednesday evening, GCC took on the na-

tional Under-21 select squad in the final match of competition. The Bourda boys by this time had secured the trophy on points having beaten all comers in every match of the two-round competition, except for a firstround draw with the national Under-21s.

The match proved to be a worthwhile battle for the experienced GCC side, which

boasted several former national players as the national Under-21s executed good midfield build-up plays in the opening minutes of the match.

GCC had the edge on possession, but lost it too easily in their attacking third to deft defending by Andrew Stewart and Daniel Hooper in the full back positions for the Under-21s.

Warriors and Jamaica Tallawahs on July 15; Guyana Amazon Warriors

and St Lucia Zouks on July 17; Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados

Tridents on July 18 and Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinidad and Tobago

Sealed! Team Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Omar Khan (left) and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony display the document in the presence of Permanent Secretary Alfred King

Part of the action between Yelyco and the GVF President’s XI

Delyon Josiah of Farfan and Mendes (white shirt) presents the trophy to GCC Captain Devin Hooper, who is surrounded by his teammates