Guyana Times Daily - May 25, 2015

ridden woman

Ramjattan to meet Top Cop today on high-level transfers

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is expected to meet with Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud today to discuss the recent transfers that were announced by the Guyana Police Force on Monday last.

In a phone interview with the Guyana Times, the Minister stated that he would be meeting with Persaud not only to discuss transfers but other pressing issues. He was reluctant to comment on those issues and more so, if he agreed with the recent list of transfers.

Following the announcement of the transfers and massive reshuffling within the Guyana Police Force, President David Granger had asked Persaud to put on

hold the transfers until the appointment of the National Security Minister. “I have said to the Commissioner of Police that I do not want these high-level changes to take place unless the incoming Minister has an opportunity to be briefed on them as to the reasons for it,” the President stated in an invited comment on the issue.

However, Granger did confirm the appointment of Brian Joseph as Head of the Presidential Guard Service which automatically meant that his position as B Division (Berbice) Commander will have to be filled.

The reshuffling of senior Police ranks had raised eyebrows, especially with the replacement of incumbent

Police destroy 500 cannabis plants

As Police continue their eradication exercise throughout the country, another 500 cannabis plants were destroyed on Saturday at Onderneeming Backdam, Essequibo Coast.

According to information received, the plants were about three feet in height.

Upon the discovery, Police ranks reportedly cut down the plants. It is not clear if any camps were found or any dried marijuana was found, but the Police confirmed that no one was arrested.

The Police have been destroying ganja fields across the country with the most being destroyed along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and in the Canje area.

Several acres of the illicit plants were destroyed along with camps and marijuana

already packaged for sale. Several persons were also arrested and charged for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The police will continue this exercise with the intention of getting the illicit substance off the streets.

Crime Chief Leslie James with his deputy, Wendell Blanhum. The announcements were made last Monday following a meeting with Granger and Persaud. James was informed and would have already being assisting with the smooth transition.

James, Guyana Times, was told will be attached to the Office of the Commissioner of Police, but his duties were not immediately known. Apart from the removal of James

Best friend murder

as Crime Chief, some other transfers were announced in B Division as well as C, D and E Divisions. Presently, Christopher Griffith who commands C Division is expected to be sent to D Division which will also see Marlon Chapman being reassigned. Calvin Brutus who heads the E Division is expected to take up a position in B Division. In addition, there are expected to be some minor changes in the Traffic Department at Headquarters.

Suspect refuses to give statement to Police

As Police prepare to institute a murder charge against Angelique Williams for stabbing to death her best friend, she is yet to give an account of the stabbing incident to investigators.

Williams remains in custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station and will be charged with murder today.

A senior rank told the Guyana Times on Sunday that on the night of the stabbing incident, Williams refused to give a statement to the Police, claiming that she would not do so in the absence of her lawyer.

He explained that after the attorney met with the young woman, he advised her to remain quiet. The Police Officer stated that once a suspect refuses to give a statement, the Police cannot reprimand that person, noting that such would not stop them from instituting murder charges.

“Once the investigations are completed, the Police will charge the suspect for murder … Once the Police would have collected statements from eyewitnesses, that is all that matters,” he added.

Williams, of Sunflower Close, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, allegedly went berserk on Friday evening after she reportedly found out that Latoya Renita Thomas was pregnant with her second child. She claimed that although they had been best friends for the past five years, she was kept in the dark.

The now dead woman

was in the back seat of the vehicle with her daughter when an argument ensued between her and Williams, who grabbed a bottle, broke it and attacked Thomas, stabbing her at least 10 times to her head, chest and abdomen. The toddler had to be rescued by another friend who was in the front seat of the car.

The two women were coming from the Aracari Resort where they had gone on an outing with several other friends, but none of them were able to control the situation, since they were all under the influence of alcohol. After committing the act, Williams took the murder weapon and slashed her wrists.

Both of the injured women were taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where Thomas was pronounced dead on arrival and Williams was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for additional treatment. She was subsequently handed over to the Police. Close relatives of the dead woman are still in a state of shock and disbelief. They are anticipating answers to a number of unanswered questions lingering in their minds. Thomas’ mother is yet to break her silence on the matter.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the dead woman’s body today after which the body will be handed over to the family for funeral. The dead woman leaves to mourn her child, parents and siblings.

Renita Thomas (right) died at the hands of her best friend, Angelique Williams (left)

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

Top Cop Seelall Persaud

monday, may 25, 2015

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from Monday, May 25 – 10:00h-11:30h and Tuesday, May 26 – 11:00h-12:30h

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

Monday, May 25 – 08:55h-10:25h and Tuesday, May 26 – 10:05h-11:35h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Monday, May 25 – 06:00h, 09:00h and 17:00h

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers can be expected in the morning to interrupt sunny conditions prevailing through the day . Light cloud cover is expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

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

Low Tide: 15:39h reaching a minimum height of 0.99 metre.

5 killed in Lion Mountain accident

Ateam of investigators from the Bartica Police Station has travelled to Lion Mountain, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Sunday morning to investigate an accident that reportedly claimed the lives of five miners. The accident allegedly occurred on Thursday last.

The identities of the men reportedly killed in the accident have not yet been made available to the media.

The driver of the truck, which turned turtle, is refuting claims about the accident. He has been identified as Yasim Wilson, 26. He is presently a patient at the Suddie Hospital suffering from lacerations about his body and possible broken ribs.

Guyana Times understands that on the day of the accident, Wilson was driving a Bedford Model M truck loaded with fuel and workers. In the vicinity of the Lion Mountain, he allegedly lost control while descending a hill. The truck reportedly toppled several times before coming to halt. Twelve of the passengers managed to escape with minor injuries, while five were pinned under the vehicle.

There was no information available about the other men who were in the

tray of the truck when the accident occurred. Guyana Times was told that the men were working for an Essequibo businessman, but a relative of the businessman has confirmed that none of their vehicles was involved in an accident lately.

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford, in a phone interview, told this publication that he became aware of the accident via the media on Sunday morning soon after which he received a telephone call from the Officer in Charge of the Bartica Police Station informing him about the reports they received. A team of Police

ranks, he noted, was immediately deployed to the area to investigate the fatal accident. At that point in time, he noted that the area was about 70 miles from Bartica and was very mountainous. He was not furnished with any details about the accident, noting that they remain sketchy.

However, when the Guyana Times contacted the driver of the motor vehicle reportedly involved in the accident, he refuted the accusation. First,

he reportedly provided a wrong name to media operatives and then he stated that there was no accident. Despite being grilled by media operatives, he is holding out that there was no accident and no one died. He also claimed that it was due to an illness he was brought to the Suddie Regional Hospital to seek medical attention. The Guyana Times further learnt that he might have been an unlicensed driver and was asked not to reveal any information to the media.

He was being administered saline by nurses at the medial institution. The Police are monitoring his condition and he is expected to be taken into custody to be further grilled. Only last week, 10 miners were killed after the mining pit in which they were working caved-in at Mowasi Backdam, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). It was reported that 17 miners were working when the incident occurred. Seven of the men made it out of the pit alive, but the remaining 10 were found during a three-day search-and-rescue mission.

Driver of the truck, Yasim Wilson sitting outside the Suddie Hospital

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

Triumphalism must be nipped

Even since GECOM's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield announced the "final declaration" of the results of the May 11 General Electionsthat the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition had "won", there have been widespread reports of supporters of the coalition harassing and intimidating perceived supporters of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Most of these incidents have escaped the attention of the mass media, which is generally generally attuned to covering more organised and systematic social phenomena. The couple of incidents reaching the courts elicited sparse coverage and few commentaries. This stance ignores the importance and possible dangers for social harmony, and indeed social cohesion, by the phenomena

Social media became the major site for the behaviour, which can only be described as "triumphalism" by the supporters of APNU/AFC. They boasted "their side had won" and it was "their time". Because of the nature of political support in Guyana, which once again fell along ethnic lines, some of the taunting spilled over into "racial slurs" and it is here that the greatest danger lies.

Already on social media, the taunts elicited counter slurs couched in racial language with each repartee becoming increasingly strident.

One report in this newspaper offered a brief recount of an encounter by Swami Askarananda with a group of African Guyanese at the Vreed en Hopp Stelling. It illustrates where the triumphalist behaviour may lead.

A Swami is a revered figure in the Hindu Community, the largest religious denomination in the country. His saffron robe represents his renounciation of worldly goods and his total dedication to working on behalf of his community.

Over the last decade, the school he founded, SVN, has emerged as one of the top high schools in the country as far as performance at the CXC exams, even though the school in general draws from some of the lowest scoring students at the National Sixth Grade Assessment Examinations (NGSA).

In association with some other groups, his school also conducts the most successful annual blood drive in the country. He is also a member of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO).

We have elaborated on the Swami's societal credentials because when a person of his stature can be harassed as he was in a public space in such a scatological and obscene manner in the present climate it must give all of us pause and force us into some sort of introspection.

In the tail end of the elections campaign, the Swami, a member of no political party, essayed some letters to the press on what he considered to be a member of the Opposition's misinterpretation of a Hindu text. For this, he was denounced in the press by letter writers, columnists and bloggers in the most extreme language.

The point we wish to raise is that if the compulsion to be triumphal is so strong so as seek to humiliate a Hindu "man of the cloth", it merely confirms that Guyana might be sitting on a tinderbox.

On elections night in Sophia the nation witnessed another "man of the cloth", this time a Christian one who was directly affiliated to the PPP/C party. He received a more "condign" treatment from members of the "other side". This Christian Pastor has evidently "ministered" to the bodies and souls of the very people who burnt his house and car (along with those of ten others) in the community.

Such actions have to spring from some very deep wellsprings of anger and even hate and it is not too difficult to imagine that it could be inflamed to greater acts of violence in the months ahead.

For this reason, we call upon the political parties to act with firmness to denounce acts of triumphalism, and to plead with the recipients of the slurs to take the high road and not retaliate in kind.

History lesson: This little lady took the time out to read the encryption on the plaque at the

Georgetown as preparations are underway for its restoration and hosting of this year's Independence activities

Surujbally’s

disregard for PPP/C

... a case for his

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C’s calls for nation-wide protest against GECOM is justified on every sane ground. This body must all times do the right things and say the right things.

Recently, GECOM has displayed double standards and disrespect through its Chairman to the Guyanese populace. It is often felt that if a person stays in a position for too long, there is the tendency for them to become corrupt.

This is the case of Dr Steve Surujbally, the GECOM Chairman. Surujbally has compromised his integrity and impartiality and exhibited utter biasness in the execution of his duties. This must not be allowed to continue.

However, the PPP/C must also bare some blame for Surujbally’s relatively long stint as a Chairman. Surujbally presided over three elections. In 2011, the PPP/C should have supported the APNU’s call for Surujbally’s resignation.

This would have saved the occurrence of rigged elections in 2015. Such sensitive positions must be held for no more than two elections. Ironic, the same APNU will not support a call for Surujbally’s resignation this time around.

Guyana saw signs of Surujbally’s integrity becoming questionable, as some of his key decisions were clearly out of line. How can a Chairman discard the

views of a key stakeholder? It appears that for every concern of PPP/C, he had a rebuttal.

In response to the PPP/ C’s call for vetting Polling Day staff, Surujbally noted that this would not happen since it was not practical to the interest of the Commission’s operations to publish the names of elections day staff for public scrutiny.

Dr Surujbally further held that the Commission has guidelines in place to handle the recruitment process in a professional manner.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee had based his call for the public vetting on the “fact” that the PPP/C had seen in 2011 the “unprofessional and biased acts by a few Presiding and Assistant Presiding Officers towards PPP/C supporters, Polling Agents and Candidates, especially in Georgetown.”

Rohee described the refusal by GECOM to publish the names of polling day staff as a “very sinister and undemocratic act against the Guyanese people”.

He said that as a significant impact on the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, much emphasis must be placed on recruiting experienced, qualified and neutral persons to fill these positions through a transparent process.

The last elections saw a cancerous spread of nepotism and highly political

resignation

E-Day staff. There was biasness in terms of ethnicity. Election Day staff posed on Facebook with Presidential Candidates.

Some districts, as the media reported, had one family dominating employment, taking key positions. Again, this genuine concerns of the PPP/C were rejected by the Chairman.

All the nastiness and embarrassing situations could have been avoided if the staff were vetted. Many believe, there was collusion in the case of the fake Statements of Poll.

Manzoor Nadir had accused the Chairman of being driven by an opposition agenda in his preparations and that of GECOM for either local or general elections. Nadir questioned Surujbally’s impartiality and accused him of colluding with the opposition and ignoring what he said were legitimate concerns.

“I would like to see the voting record of the Chairman in terms of bringing consensus or siding with the Opposition,” said Nadir. He said too that Surujbally and the Opposition were preparing for a national election because they felt that the no-confidence motion would have succeeded.

The PPP/C had disclosed that it was made aware that GECOM may have come up short in some regions in its quest to hire Polling Day staff. While there was no official word from the elec-

tions body, the ruling Party maintained that significant shortages existed in Regions One and Six.

In this regard, Rohee urged GECOM to reopen the application process to allow for submission of applicants who are qualified and desirous of working on E-Day. Amid statements of concern expressed over the competence and complement of elections day staff, the electoral body categorically stated that its reservoir of staff had almost completed training ahead of the May 11 polls.

While GECOM denied there was a shortage, there were several subsequent advertisements for E-Day staff. Besides, permanent staff had to fill some of the vacancies. In some areas, training was done just one month prior to E-day.

The PPP/C objected to the appointment of the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GECOM earlier and provided evidence, dating back as much as four years, to cement its claim that Richard Francios was openly supportive of the political opposition. Surujbally in response said he had no doubts that the PR person would carry out the Commission’s objectives. But the evidence was otherwise. Francois was openly supportive of the opposition. Also, the Guyana Chronicle reported that the APNU Youth arm supported the appointment of Francois.

Guyana Independence Arch on Brickdam,

The Indo-Guyanese (Indo-Caribbean) experience in New York

Dear Editor,

The experience of people of Indo-Guyanese and of IndoCaribbean heritage, as distinct from Afro-Caribbeans, has been a very difficult one in America. Afro-Caribbeans have been in America long before Indians.

The Indian immigrants, like Afros, have not been very welcomed in America and have been ill-treated since they first started coming in the 1960s. Some came earlier as students.

Some Indians also came and as seasonal farm workers in the south (primarily in the sugar industry) but would return back to their home country after the harvesting or planting season was over. So Indo-Caribbeans did not establish a permanent presence as say Afro-caribbeans who came early and settled in Brooklyn and Harlem.

The US historically had discriminated against the entrance of non-White people and has for centuries been a country of European immigrants. So Indians and other non-Whites were largely kept out of the US.

But in October 1965, President Lynden Johnson signed legislation to correct what he termed “a cruel and enduring wrong in the conduct of the American nation”. This made it possible for people from the Caribbean, India and other parts of the globe to come to and settle in the US.

When Indians came beginning in the 1960s and thereafter, they adapted quickly to life in New York and became a model ethnic group – developing a strong work ethic, purchasing home and car, starting a business, and obtaining an education (today with the highest percentage of college grads and the highest income earner per capita or per family in the country).

But their quick success in less than a decade, resulting in high visibility along with their cultural variance, have made them a primary target for attacks by other ethnic groups, particularly minorities who came before them and find it difficult to progress.

The Indians have been resented by some minority groups and by some White ethnics. However, White politicians, of late, salute their economic progress and achievement.

Indo-Caribbeans emigrated to New York to escape the economic and political limi-

tations of their home societies in order to strive for selfimprovement which have not been easily available to them back home.

They ran away from Guyana to escape racial persecution during the period of the ethnic dictatorship. Most of them came penniless but are almost all success stories in that they are gainfully employed and have joined the ranks of the middle class.

Their presence in the US has brought them upward mobility and a higher standard of living than from where they came. This is not surprising because they came with a discipline for hard work, a good education (which is being advanced here), job training, and the advantage of communicating in English.

And by stint of hard work, sacrifice, and a determination and the will to succeed, they acquire a house and car and provide their children with higher college education. And they did all of these while still retaining their culture which is being praised by American politicians.

In addition, their brain power and labor have added wealth to the economies of various American states and to the national government not to mention the Caribbean societies as well through their remittances.

But their presence in America has not been entirely pleasant. They suffer double doses of discrimination for being non-Whites and foreigners. They are frequently subjected to name calling, ethnic slurs and ridicule and at times physically assaulted.

They are mistaken as nationals (or immigrants of India – can’t escape ethnic identity). And they are often told by American-born go back to their country and taunted by the oft-repeated comment: “Which boat did you get off from.”

In addition, they face discrimination comparable to those faced by American Blacks and Hispanics. They were initially steered away from cushy white collar jobs, housing in decent neighborhoods, and job promotions.

Many spoke of working in top firms doing the donkey work in accounting and scientific research only for their White bosses to get the credit. And they are often accused of taking away jobs from American born citizens, of reducing job competition by accepting lower wages, and

of burdening social services. But there is little evidence to substantiate these charges.

In fact, scholars contend that immigrants, Indian and Asian immigrants in particular, have made significant contributions to the development and prosperity of America and very few are recipients of government handouts.

A recent study shows that immigrants pay much more in taxes than the benefits they receive. And another study shows that immigrants and their children perform much better in school than American-born students.

Immigrants are proud to be Americans but they also take pride in their national identity such as in being Guyanese, Trinidadians, and as other nationalities.

Today, there is the consolidation of the Indo-Caribbeans as a community which maintains a full range of commercial, business and cultural services necessary to perpetuate its tradition, promote group identity and tackle the challenges facing the community.

Groceries, real estates, law firms, medical offices, insurance, churches, mosques, temples, and all forms of entertainment, theaters, video rentals, cultural events, outdoor recreations, banquet halls, and night clubs are readily available to meet the community’s needs – in New York, new jersey, Georgia, and Florida.

They share a community with South Asians. IndoCaribbeans and South Asians have established these communities because living among fellow Indians helps in their adjustment process and eases any strains and discomforts they may have in living in their newly adopted homeland.

This also offers them an ethnic solidarity and a sympathetic ear for their grievances and problems and provides them with some sense of collective identity. There is no doubt that Indo-Caribbeans have become a distinct community within the U.S, one with an unique culture.

Indo-Caribbeans constitute a large chunk of New York City’s population who are of Indian descent and they make significant contributions to the metropolitan region culturally and economically. But they are not given much attention by national, state or local politicians because they are not politically

Surujbally’s disregard...

The PPP/C was alarmed at GECOM’s decision to collaborate with a self-anointed Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) to implement a programme aimed at bringing out more youths to the polls.

Rohee premised the Party’s concern on two grounds: one, the fact that the organisation claiming to represent Guyana’s youth has no authority to do so; and, two, the decision to enter into a formal ar-

rangement with a “partisan” body of youths or anybody for that matter must be a decision of GECOM’s Commissioners.

But Surujbally said the Commission will never endorse any “external” youth organisation, but like all the political parties, it wants young people to come out and vote on May 11.

The majority of the members on the GNYC expressed anti-PPP Government sentiments. A visit to their

active.

They have not been elected to offices even though they are concentrated in particular areas. Their voting power is diluted through gerrymandering and the non-Indian politicians they support don’t bother with them after winning an election.

The Indo-Caribbeans, unlike South Asians, don’t attend or host political meetings or vote in strength. And the rich ones hardly understand the power of their money; they rather pay high taxes instead of donating to worthwhile cultural and political causes.

They don’t understand the importance of buying political influence on behalf of themselves if not the larger community. Hence, the community languishes in obscurity and continues to face ethnic discrimination and at times physical attacks from hate mongers.

Indo-Caribbeans also face all kinds of social problems such alcoholism, drug abuse, school drop out, domestic violence, victims of ethnic crimes (robberies, in particular), etc. and other problems relating to adaptation of life in a complex environment. They urgently need help but there is no readily available community institution to offer assistance.

There is an urgent need to address the many problems facing the community and to find ways to politically empower them. The leaders in the community need to get together and strategize on how to cooperate in seeking solutions to the problems facing the community.

They definitely need a cultural centre, a library (a section is located in Richmond Hill public library), a lobby group, and political representation as well as an agency that can assist new immigrants. Indo-Caribbeans are lacking in political organization.

It is hoped they will urgently become politically involved in the US to translate their numerical strength into political (clout) power and influence.

There is also a need for a data base (one is being worked on) on Indian immigration which can be located at an institute of Indo-Caribbean Studies (one is contemplated) that will research and publish on all aspects of IndoCaribbean life in the US.

Vishnu Bisram

from page 4

Facebook page will clearly show their support for the APNU/AFC coalition.

So it was obvious why this was a concern to the PPP/C. Instead, Surujbally saw nothing wrong about this move to collaborate. One will now wonder if they were doing voter education or subtle campaigning.

The above cases (and many others) highlighted why Surujbally must resign. His stance clearly shows disregard for the concerns of a major

What will become of the National Toshaos Conference?

Dear Editor, The assigned Head of the Presidential Secretariat Mr Joseph Harmon said that as part of the APNU+AFC government’s 100-day work plan, they will be de-politicising the National Toshaos Conference for genuine-decision making.

But can Harmon say if this is a pretext for the APNU+AFC government to scale-down the size of the National Toshaos Conference, disallowing Toshaos (Amerindian Village Chiefs) to speak for their respective communities in the presence of the President, his Ministers and Government officials about the abolishment of presidential grants to Amerindian communities, the abolishment of the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), the abolishment of the Community Service Officer (CSO) programme, and the reduction of budgetary allocations for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA)?

Can Harmon say as well what will become of the MOAA and who will be the assigned

Minister for Amerindian people’s affairs and development? What will become of Amerindian Heritage Month in September of each year? The May 2015 elections have come and gone. The Amerindian communities are waiting on the resumption of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) project and implementation of the Community Development Projects (CDPs). The Toshaos of Guyana are presently wondering what will become of their village elections which are scheduled for June 2015. Can Harmon quickly inform our Toshaos and Amerindian community leaders?

Further, the over 180 Amerindian communities in Guyana are extremely worried that their development programmes under the former PPP/C government will now be abolished under the APNU+AFC administration. Can Harmon provide explanations to the concerns of Guyana’s indigenous people?

Peter Persaud

Chancellor and Chief Justice

Dear Editor,

Chief Justice Carl Singh and Justice of the Appeal Judge Ian Chang have been acting as Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively for the past decade.

The reason why they were acting and not confirmed for such a long time is that under Article 127 (1) of the Constitution, the President and Opposition Leader must agree to their appointments.

The new Constitution removed the term “consultation” with “agreement”. Both Justices Singh and Chang were appointed to act under the PPP/C administration and discussions took place between the former President Bharat Jagdeo and the then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, but no agreement was reached.

There are a few qualified and suitable Guyanese in the region who can be appointed to head the Judiciary. One name that readily comes to mind is Kenneth Benjamin who is currently the Chief Justice of the Central American country of Belize. Justice Benjamin, before taking up the position of Chief Justice three years ago, served as a judge in the Eastern Caribbean for 17 years. He is a brilliant jurist who was a Guyana scholar and a Queen’s College graduate.

There are a few other Guyanese born outstanding lawyers in the region who could be worthwhile candidates. Moreover other suitable Caribbean nationals could be available for selection.

stakeholder. It showed also he had no concern and respect for PPP/C’s complaints - the party that was cheated out of office - when he was the Chairman. There seems to be developing hatred for genuine concerns from the PPP/C. In the best interest of this country, given the current context of events, Surujbally should make the honorable move.

Patriotic Citizen

After Corbin was replaced as opposition leader by Brigadier David Granger, talks renewed for the two top legal judges to be confirmed, but it is reported that the then Opposition Leader who is the new President said that the positions should be advertised in the region for suitable candidates to apply for the positions.

He said that there must be a transparent process before top positions in the judiciary are filled.

Now that all the ministers have been appointed and have started to prepare for the big task ahead, I think it is time for the Granger/ Nagamootoo administration to take steps to have a confirmed Chancellor and Chief Justice.

As I write this piece I recall that after the Court of Appeal was established, the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham was not too happy with the then Chief Justice Sir Joseph Luckhoo to head the Judiciary. He then invited Guyanese Sir Kenneth Stoby who was Chief Justice of Barbados to take the position and appointed him as Chancellor of the Judiciary. Thereafter, the Chief Justice’s position became the number two spot in the country’s judicial system. In fact, Guyana is the only country in the hemisphere and perhaps the Commonwealth which has a Chancellor as Head of the judiciary

Oscar Ramjeet

Page Foundation

How to keep children engaged in class

BY TRISTAN DE FRONDEVILLE

Rules of engagement continued

4. Use quickwrites when you want quiet time and student reflection

When interest is waning in your presentations, or you want to settle students down after a noisy teamwork activity, ask them to do a quickwrite, or short journal-writing assignment.

Here’s how, for primary grade students: Ask, “What was most interesting about [blank]?” “What was confusing about [blank]?” “What was the clearest thing you understood?” “What was boring about [blank]?” “What did [blank] make you think of in your life?”

Here’s how, for intermediate-grade students and above: Try prompts such as the following, or develop your own: “Summarise what you have heard.” “Predict an exam or quiz question I could ask based on this material.” “Defend one of the positions taken during the prior discussion.”

Teachers often avoid giving this type of assignment because assessing them regularly can be overwhelming. Manage this load by having students use a green (or other color) pen to circle one entry from the week you guarantee you will read.

Occasionally, have them write a few sentences next to their entry explaining why they want you to read that particular one. Let them

know that you will read the passages marked in green and that, time permitting, you might read the rest if you have time.

5. Run a tight ship when giving instructions

Preventing dead time is especially important when giving instructions. There are a lot of great ways to ask for your students’ attention, but many succeed or fail based on how demanding you are of the final outcome.

Whichever method you use, before you begin speaking, it is critical to require (1) total silence, (2) complete attention, and (3) all five eyeballs on you (two eyes on their face, two eyes on their knees, and the eyeball on their heart). I’ve done this approach with every class I’ve ever taught, and it makes a big dif ference. Knowledge Is Power Programme (KIPP) middle schools include detailed SSLANT expectations: Smile, Sit up, Listen, Ask, Nod when you understand, and Track the speaker.

ring a bell, and so on) and wait until they are perfectly ready for you to speak.

In the first two weeks after starting this routine, remind students often what’s expected. To hold everyone accountable for listening the entire time, make it clear that you will never repeat your instructions after

student’s name on a Popsicle stick and put the sticks in a cup. To keep students on their toes, pull a random stick to choose someone to speak or answer a question.

Important: When you begin using your fairness cup, prepare a range of questions, some of which all your students can successfully answer. This strategy allows the bottom

over them.

6. Use a fairness cup to keep students thinking

Here’s how: When you introduce this routine to students, do it five times in a row: Announce that in a moment, you will briefly let them talk among themselves, and then you’ll give them a signal (you can count out loud from one to three,

The more you can manage your classroom to be a supportive environment, where students are encouraged to take risks without fear of being put down or teased, the easier it will be to use your fairness cup regularly, without feeling that you are setting students up for failure.

Here’s how: Write each

third of your class to get involved and answer questions without being put on the spot.

7. Use signaling to allow everyone to answer your question

To help ensure that all students are actively thinking, regularly ask questions to which everyone must prepare at least one answer -letting them know you expect an answer. Then wait for all students to signal they are ready.

Here’s how: For example, in Maths, you could ask,

(Continued from tuesday)

“How many ways can you can figure out 54-17 in your head? (Subtract 10 and then 7, subtract 20 and then add 3, and so on.) Or, to review a presentation, ask, “How many key points of this presentation are you prepared to describe?”

By asking questions that allow for multiple answers or explanations, you are differentiating instruction; everyone is expected to come up with at least one answer, but some may come up with more.

To convey the number of answers, students can use sign language, such as holding a hand to the chest (so their hands aren’t visible to their neighbours) and displaying one or more fingers to represent how many answers they have. This technique precludes students from bragging about how many ideas they thought of or how quickly they are ready. You can then call on volunteers who want to share their answers with the rest of the class.

8. Use minimal-supervision tasks to squeeze dead time out of regular routines

Tasks that require minimal supervision add purposeful activity during moments that might normally revert to dead time. They come in handy when passing out papers, working with a small group of students, handling an unforeseen interruption, addressing students who didn’t do their homework, or provid-

ing work to those who have finished an assignment before others.

Here’s how: While you pass out papers, ask students to do a quickwrite (see number four) or to pair up and quiz each other on vocabulary words. Also, train students to fess up if they didn’t do their homework. That way, during class homework review, these students won’t automatically be in dead time. Instead, they’ll immediately move to these prearranged minimal supervision tasks.

For example, you can ask them to study a review sheet, summarise a reading passage, read the day’s assignment ahead of time, or create and study vocabulary words or other content. You might find students suddenly doing their homework more often rather than face this extra work.

9. Mix up your teaching styles

To keep students involved and on their toes, try to move from teacher-centred learning to student-centred active learning and vice versa.

Here’s how: Introduce a presentation by having students pair up, talk to each other about their prior knowledge of the presentation, and generate a list of four questions for which they’ll want to know the answers. Make quick rounds to remind all students to stay on task.

To encourage active listening, provide students with a list of important questions in advance. Interrupt the presentation with a quickwrite (see number four), and then have students “pair-share” by asking them to compare their entries with a neighbor. Pull sticks from your fairness cup (see number six) to choose pairs of students to present their thoughts to the class.

10. Create teamwork tactics that emphasise accountability

By insisting that students “ask three before me,” you make it clear that they are expected to seek assistance from all members of their team before they turn to you.

Here’s how: To reinforce this rule, when a student on a team wants to ask you a question, you, the teacher, always ask another person on the team whether she knows what the question is. If she doesn’t, politely walk away, and the team will quickly understand what you expect.

Another way to emphasise accountability might be to say, “When you think your team is done with the task, find me within 30 seconds and tell me.” This strategy shifts the accountability to the team for being on task.

(www.edutopia.org)

Discovery could put Guyana on oil, gas map – analysts

ExxonMobil’s “significant oil discovery”

offshore Guyana has been described as the most exciting thing happening in terms of Latin American exploration right now, analysts with Wood Mackenzie told Rigzone, an online news outfit covering the oil and gas sector.

Wood Mackenzie is a global leader in commercial intelligence for the energy, metals and mining industries and provides objective analysis and advice on assets, companies and markets, giving clients the insight they need to make better strategic decisions.

Rigzone reported that the discovery is the first oil discovery in Guyana, and indicates that ExxonMobil’s strategic focus on ultra-fron-

Wilson, research director of Global Exploration at Wood Mackenzie, told Rigzone in a statement.

Geological models

“In this basin, they are particularly relevant because of the stratigraphic complexity of the fan systems. It’s clear that there is a Cenomanian-Turonian source rock and petroleum system at play in the basin, and that there are potential reservoir rocks, but the key to making commercial discoveries is understanding where the oil migrated to and where it is trapped in sufficient quantities. Explorers here (as anywhere) will need to build good regional geological models, build a picture of what they think the prospects look like, and test

pected to be executed over 10 years, got underway early last month. Guyana has been receiving sustained international attention from huge companies, especially in the oil sector, after the US Geological Survey said in 2000 that the GuyanaSuriname Basin has the second largest unexplored oil potential in the world after Greenland.

Reacting to the discovery, President David Granger said it becomes even more important for his Administration to set up a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) A SWF is defined as pools of money derived from a country’s reserves, which are set aside for investment purposes that will benefit the country’s economy and citizens. The funding for a

tier acreage is starting to pay dividends after a period of exploration under-performance. However, it will take months to ascertain the size and commercial potential of this discovery, Wood Mackenzie said in a May 21 press statement.

“The fact that ExxonMobil is describing this as a significant find is certainly of interest,” said Matt Blomert, research manager for Wood Mackenzie, in an interview with Rigzone. Two disappointing wells were drilled on the shelf in 2012: CGX Energy’s Eagle-1 and Repsol’s Jaguar-1 wells. The Liza discovery marks the first material discovery in the Guianas since 2011, when Royal Dutch Shell plc encountered oil with its Zaedyus oil field in French Guiana. But subsequent appraisals of Shell’s discovery in 2012 and 2013 proved disappointing, Wood Mackenzie analysts told Rigzone.

“The Zaedyus appraisal demonstrates the risks around discovery volumes in the basin, specifically regarding seal integrity and hydrocarbon migration.”

Seal and migration are key petroleum system and reservoir parameters for any conventional explorer when looking at prospects and then how large the discovery might be, Julie

that by choosing good drilling locations,” Wilson said. Days after announcing its discovery of hydrocarbons, oil and gas giant ExxonMobil last week reported the discovery of oilbearing rock in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The United States-based oil company said the Liza-1 well has encountered more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well is the first on the 6.6-million acre Stabroek Block and has been drilled to 17,825 feet. It was drilled by ExxonMobil local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.

ExxonMobil’s President, Stephen Greenlee said he was encouraged by the results of the first well on the Stabroek Block. He assured that over the coming months, the company will work to determine the commercial viability of the discovered resource as well as evaluate other resource potential on the block.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd has a 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest. The multibillion-dollar oil exploration project, which is ex-

Soldier accused of raping bed-ridden woman

Police are on the hunt for a man in New Amsterdam who allegedly raped a 75-year-old woman. Reports are that the 30-year-old Guyana Defence Force (GDF) reserve soldier committed the offence on several occasions.

According to sources close to the Police, on

Sunday a relative of the pensioner made the report after the abused woman had confided in a close relative. The source said that the victim is suffering from a stroke and was sexually abused numerous times by the perpetrator.

The woman said that she was afraid to come forward and make a report, because she was threatened that if she did, she would be killed. Each time the offence was committed, the threats were allegedly made. Since the report, Police have made several visits to the alleged rapist’s home at Angoy’s Avenue. The investigation continues.

Public Infrastructure Ministers get briefing from managers

Managers/Directors of the newly-renamed Public Infrastructure Ministry were challenged by the incumbent Minister, David Patterson, during an interactive meeting at the Ministry’s boardroom on Friday to be proactive in how they manage their respective agencies/departments.

SWF comes from Central Bank reserves that accumulate as a result of budget and trade surpluses, and even from revenue generated from the exports of natural resources. The types of acceptable investments included in each SWF vary from country to country; countries with liquidity concerns limit investments to only very liquid public debt instruments. Some countries have created SWFs in diversifying their revenue streams. For example, the United Arab Emirates relies on oil exports for its wealth. Therefore, it devotes a portion of its reserves to an SWF that invests in other types of assets that can act as a shield against oil-related risk.

President Granger said he was elated and vowed that the disposal of any natural resource will go towards benefitting the people of Guyana. He reminded that before assuming the office, he had announced the creation of a SWF which would see that surpluses from exportation of all minerals being paid into that fund so that “children will not have to live in poverty; that no matter what happens to the resources of the country, there will always be wealth to look after their education”.

“This Ministry has a lot on its hands. Therefore, it is imperative that Managers continuously engage and connect with their staff and various stakeholders. Effective stakeholders’ engagement is a critical element in successful management,” Patterson charged. “We have to define and defend our mandate.”

Minister Patterson also

hinted that there will be a revised structure in terms of how the Ministry tackles road and sea defence maintenance. He, along with the Minister within the Ministry, Annette Ferguson, was briefed on the agencies/ departments’ roles, projects and financial performance among other things.

In her address to the Managers, Minister Ferguson said she was enthusiastic about working along with the Managers, describing them as the backbone of the Ministry and servants of the people.“We have the nation’s business to look after and we are here to get the job done,” she added.

The meeting involved 21 top officials including: Balraj Balram, the Ministry’s Permanent

Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA); Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of Works Services Group (WSG); Maitland Stewart, acting Chief Sea and River Defence Officer; Claudette Rogers, Director General of Maritime Administration Department (MARAD); Marcelene Merchant, General Manager of Transport and Harbours (T&HD); Zulficar Mohamed, Director General of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); Rawlston Adams, General Manager of Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB); Ron Rahaman, Chief Roads and Bridges Officer and Louise Williams, General Manager of Canawaima Ferry Service.

Secretary;

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Minister in the Ministry, Annette Ferguson being given a performance summary of a sector of the Ministry

President David Granger, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman and Minister of State within the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon with the crew of the ExxonMobil drill ship

Economic empowerment of Amerindians top priority for new Ministers

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock and his junior partner, Valerie GarridoLowe, have disclosed that one of their main focus areas would be the empowerment of indigenous women and youths even as they will be working on a plan to ensure that the villages are able to achieve economic growth and stability.

munities prospering without them depending solely on the Government.

Eyew tness Shadow boxing...

Speaking to the Guyana Times on Friday, immediately after they were both sworn in by President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency (Office of the President), Allicock and Garrido-Lowe both pledged their commitment to the development of the country’s first people, the Amerindians.

“I am hoping that with the help of the Toshaos and the advisers, we will be able to formulate a community-based economic plan, because the more we can see the communities for themselves, owning for themselves, rather than being in a position to depend and wait and wait on the handouts from the Government. It’s about allowing each family to own economic strength, own academic strength and ensure social cohesion,” Allicock told the Guyana Times

He expressed that another key area that he would like to see develop would be the level and quality of education which was available to students in the hinterland region.

The newly-appointed Minister expressed that the communities have the potential to develop, but this was significantly hindered by the lack of teachers and the quality of education which was available there.

“We can do so much more but we need better equipped schools, more teachers and a better education system in the hinterland to make our dreams become a reality,” Allicock said.

Engine of growth

According to Allicock, as he assumes the office of the Minister with responsibility for the Indigenous people, his priority lies in being able to formulate a plan for economic development which can see the Amerindian com-

Questioned on what would be another of his priority areas, Minister Allicock said he was hopeful that Toshaos’ (Amerindian Leaders) Elections would be held as soon as June, so that long outstanding issues would be dealt with thereafter. “Toshaos’ elections are definitely as pri-

ority because they would be the drivers, the legal people to forward our plans. The engine of growth and movement are our Toshaos … they can bring the communities together.”

Further, Minister Allicock said that other priority areas would be jobs, as he noted that with the rapid growth of the indigenous population and the shortage of teachers, youths are now moving on to neighbouring countries. He further pointed out too that tourism, agriculture, handicraft and community based farming would be addressed.

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister also said that the effect of mining on Indigenous communities would be another area in which his Ministry would be working assiduously. This, he pointed out, would ensure the consideration of previous arrangements, and would include dialogue and education.

The effects, he explained, include broken families and drug addiction among oth-

ers. He noted that a constructive programme for the people in the interior is needed.

Meanwhile, Minister Garrido- Lowe, who has been particularly active in the affairs of the Indigenous people, related to this publication that she was thankful to have received the opportunity to aid in the empowerment of the youths and women in Amerindian communities especially those who are in remote locations.

She said that many villagers are not given the opportunity to excel because they cannot afford to travel to the coastland to gain experience or develop skills, and it is her belief that skills can be taught to them in their own comfort zones, which are their communities.

The Minister also pointed out that in the past she started training programmes for women in some of these communities. These also provide a means for income generation as some of them have even gone into the food business.

“But I want to do so much more and I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to do so much more for the people. I want to ensure that they have earning power; that their land rights issues are looked after. I want to bring their standard of living up to par with those who are living on the coastland, but my priorities will be education, women and youth empowerment and definitely health – We need our health centres and hospitals in the hinterland to function,” Garrido-Lowe expressed.

...on Ministries

The new government's ticked off a whole lotta people - including fervent supportersfor springing all these new and rearranged Ministries on them. "Forget "consultation", they say, "couldn't they at least have mentioned these plans on the campaign trail?"

How about the Manifesto? Wasn't that supposed to be plan the populace was endorsing when they voted for them? They're worried that maybe they bought a pig in a poke.

With Ogunseye from the WPA publicly complaining that his party, as a card-carrying member of APNU, wasn't able to even have a discussion with the leader of the PNC (as the major partner of APNU) after the elections, makes it appear that even the partners to the omnibus coalition have been caught off guard.

But these changes of names of Ministries isn't just going to pose a problem for our primary school kids to learn in a hurry for their end of term tests (yes...this was an objection cited in the press!) there are also the implications for the functioning of government.

Form does influence function, doesn't it? Whether you want to break-dance to run an organisation. Take "Sports" which is now subsumed into "Education". We've all been made aware that "Sports!... it ain't just a game!". But surely it can't just be an appendage of "Education" - which is supposed to be the centrepiece of the transformation of Guyana.

Why should "sports" - which has so many tentacles - distract from such a game breaking endeavour? Doesn't each of them deserve their own place in the sun?

And so on and so forth for "Culture" and "Housing and Water" etc...etc...And then again, the complete reorganisation of governance structures couldn't just be a spur of the moment thing, right? Somebody or some bodies must have been in the know.

So exactly who decided this move? If, as is being touted, the government is for "all the people", shouldn't those same "people" know who's calling the shots. The PPP/C government was criticised for years about their "democratic centralism" structure of decision making.

So what's the new mechanism in the new government. If the people aren't told, they might just start believing the rumours that there's a cabinet within the Cabinet". A "kitchen cabinet" so so speakan unofficial band of close associates where the real decisions of governance are made.

The government must move with alacrity to answer these questions and dispel the rumours and doubts bubbling to the surface of the minds of John and Jane Public.

God forbid they start believing that there isn't even a "kitchen cabinet"...but a one-man show!!

...in governance

But there's been a more serious objection to the wholesale and arbitrary "break up to make up" of Ministries: according to the PPP/C, it's illegal!!!

Former President Jagdeo pointed out that in the absence of a Budget and an Appropriations Act, monies can only be allocated to existing Ministries and agencies. And then only 1/12 of what's been stipulated in the last Budget!

The new Finance Minister Winston Jordan, quickly agreed - as Budget Director back in the day, he knows. So it's clear that even he wasn't informed BEFORE the decision on reorganising the government was made. So now Guyana had a BIG problem - not just the APNU/AFC government. How's government supposed to function if the Ministries can't get any money?

For instance no roads can be fixed since monies can only be spent by the Ministry of Public Worksand not by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure!! Gaskin can't even sent out for pizza for the staff!! He and the rest of his cohorts can only shadow box.

...on cricket legacy

This Eyewitness knows that cricket's a team sport. And that individual stats come after the team stats. But even if Chandrapaul's chase of Lara's record appears quixotic, surely the WICB owed him one last hurrah!

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

Minister within the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe

Govt condemns murder of elderly Mahaica woman

... commits to tackle “wave of heinous crimes”

The Social Protection Ministry has condemned the murder of 68-year-old Chandroutie Basdeo Persaud who was found dead, bound and gagged at her home in Riverview Squatting Area, Mahaica on Saturday.

In a statement the ministry said in recent times there has been a “spate of mindless murders particularly of our women folk in spite of efforts made to address and eliminate this scourge”. “The Minister views this situation as deplorable and commits the efforts of the Ministry to combat this wave of heinous crimes and to protect the rights of this vulnera -

ble resource of our society.”

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

At the home of the dead woman, her spouse Suraj Persaud explained that he woke up about 05:20h and called out several times to his wife, but she never answered. As he opened the woman’s bedroom door, he saw the place in a mess, with boxes everywhere. He thought something was amiss hence he telephoned his daughter who lives a short distance away. Within five minutes,

Bypasses to Lethem culverts fixed ...but Govt eyes building bridges as part of long-term solution

The temporary bypasses to facilitate traffic flow at Miles 1 and 12 on the Lethem road – which is eroded – have been completed, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has said.

In a statement, the Ministry said its engineers and V Dalip Enterprise were able to complete the shortterm structure Saturday afternoon. Heavy-duty vehicles can now ply the route. Meanwhile, plans are afoot to build two bridges instead of culverts as part of the Ministry’s long-term solution.

Sections of the LindenLethem road were washed away due to the persistent rainfall throughout last week. The Guyana Times was told that the two major culverts along the trail broke, leaving travellers stranded. The first breakage was at the Annai Junction, which left a gap of about 10 to 15 feet in the middle of the roadway. However, quick action by regional officials saw a diversion put in place to allow the flow of small-vehicle traffic. Large wooden planks were also placed across the gap which allowed smaller vehicles to cross, but the larger vehicles such as trucks and log-trailers were left stranded. Then on Tuesday, another culvert, this time in the vicinity of Mora gave away. The gap at

this breakage measured 25 feet and continued to widen with more rainfall.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Claire Singh had told this newspaper that the North Rupununi section was mostly affected by the consistent rainfall over the past few days. She explained that the District Development Officer initially set up the planks as a temporary fix; however, after the situation worsened on Tuesday, the Public Infrastructure Ministry was contacted.

The Lethem to Linden trail falls under the supervision of the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

his daughter arrived at the house and opened her mother’s bedroom door and she saw her lying on the bed.

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

As they looked around, they saw the box containing the woman’s savings on the ground without the money inside. It was only then he learnt of the amount of savings his wife had from his daughter. The distressed husband and daughter then raised an alarm and the Police were summoned.

Concerns

In light of the upsurge in the killing of pensioners, former Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster had said there was a need for the presence of Life Alert systems in Guyana to protect the elderly.

“Abroad there are these electronic button systems for panic alert. Senior citizens would use those and in the event they feel threat -

ened, they just push a button and the Police and hospital emergency units are notified.I think that is an avenue we need to look at seriously here in Guyana,” Webster had told Guyana Times . She had admitted that at present, the work of the National Commission for the Elderly was stymied owing to low funds.

Back in February, two elderly women, 67-yearold Ramdai Mohabir and 73-year-old Suroogpattie Ramlakhan were killed by intruders in their homes.

Commentators have said that there is need for more senior citizen homes. The gruesome murders of elderly women have created widespread concern and disgust. The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), in a press release, back then had expressed shock and disgust at the murders.

The CIOG said, “We express shock and disgust at the gruesome murder of the late Suroogpattie Ramlakhan of Richmond Village Essequibo; such incidents are visited upon our citizenry with an uncomfortable regularity, and the time for positive and

productive action is now.”

The CIOG advised that Guyanese return to the original values that prevailed in Guyana, since it is of the view that values of respect for life, preservation and promotion of sanctity are being diluted. Ramlakhan’s lifeless body was discovered by residents on February 20. An autopsy later revealed that Ramlakhan died from strangulation and blunt trauma. Mohabir, of Topoo Village, Corentyne Berbice, was discovered by her son on February 9. Both women were reportedly raped before being murdered.

Singh further stated that on Wednesday, the Regional Engineer visited the area and commenced emergency work to construct a temporary fix so that small vehicles could cross. The Guyana Times was told by travellers that the planks that were temporarily installed to allow access were only safe if there was no rainfall. Furthermore, it was reported that the Region’s excavator has been down since Wednesday evening due to mechanical problems with the fan belt. There are other problems with the excavator that were caused by the strong water current in which the machine was operating.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

The murdered woman, Chandroutie Basdeo Persaud

The washed out culvert at the Annai junction

Minibuses were forced to take this risk to cross the washed away culvert

Cops nab thief after lively chase in Canje

Ranks attached to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Central Police Station Sunday afternoon nabbed an alleged bandit moments after he and others reportedly robbed a business place at Fort Ordnance, Canje, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Reports are that three men removed an undisclosed sum of money from a grocery shop at Fort Ordnance and escaped. However, Police who were responding to a report about the robbery spotted the men in their escape bid and gave chase.

The man who is now in custody led Police in the vicinity of the Canje Bridge in a high-speed chase on foot. He was

caught and taken into custody, and was helping with the investigation.

Reports are that shortly after 13:30h, a man went into the grocery store which is owned by Somattie Sayranja, who is also a teacher. At the time her mother, Mahadai Sayranja, was attending to the shop.

According to the elder Sayranja, one of the men entered the shop under the pretext of making a purchase. She said as she approached to enquire what he wanted, a second man walked into the store and opened the door to get to the private area. He held her by the throat while his accomplice entered the private area. According to the 57-year-old woman, she

was told if she screamed, she would be shot, but she continued to scream. She said that she did not see any fire arm and all three of the men were unmasked.

The elder Sayranja recalled that as she was being told not to make a sound, a third man entered the shop and went to a box which had all of the money in sales made for the day and took it.

Meanwhile, her 32-year-old daughter said she heard the screaming and came to investigate. According to her, as she arrived on the scene, she was taken captive and then beaten with a towel. The entire ordeal lasted about 30 minutes as the men made attempts to get other valuables.

Govt to develop Bartica Hospital into regional facility

The new A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government is immediately looking at making the Bartica Hospital into a regional facility. This was disclosed by Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton on Saturday during a visit to the hospital.

“We (are) not out here to criticise for the sake of criticism or to break down to build up, but we are here to build up what has been in existence,” Minister Norton explained, as he acknowledged what has already been accomplished at the hospital. “Kudos must be given for the appearance of the hospital in general. We can see that efforts were made in the line of hygiene and maintenance of equipment,” he said.

“Considering the large catchment area that Bartica really is involved in, I think, the job (health care delivery)

is well done here in this area … there is quite a lot that the Bartica community can be contented with,” he added.

Minister Norton noted, however, that the meetings with the staff did bring to the forefront some of their concerns. He said that the Public Health Ministry under his stewardship will see regular meetings with the staff. “Bearing in mind the different issues that were raised, I could see vast improvement in a short space of time.”

Going forward with the effort at upgrading the facility to a regional one, “we have got to concentrate on the surgical aspect of the hospital,” Minister Norton said. “There is an operating theatre, but that does not mean anything if we do not have a surgeon here or surgical cases being done on a regular basis, whether it is cold cases or emergency cas-

es,” he explained.

He said that a regional hospital like Bartica would definitely need four main specialist areas: paediatric, internal medicine, gynaecology and general surgery. “With that being available in here, and medical supply, and pharmaceuticals and the general administration, I think that it would put Bartica on a very favourable position in terms of health care,” he said.

Dr Norton also said that the mere fact that he was inaugurated just days ago, and he was already visiting health facilities illustrated what would be his approach – going on the ground to see what is going on, talking to the nurses and other personnel, finding out their issues and receiving suggestions and ideas and trying to solve those problems. While in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), the Minister also visited several health posts.

Roger Khan, Ed Ahmad might testify against US Senator

One was the drug trafficking leader of a South American death squad. The other is a former airline baggage handler now serving a life sentence for drug running.

Shaheed “Roger” Khan and Victor Bourne are just a few in a rogue gallery of possible witnesses whose stories or testimony will figure into the upcoming trial of Brooklyn State Senator John Sampson. Sampson, the former Democratic leader of the Senate, is accused of obstructing justice, witness and evidence tampering and lying to an FBI agent. His trial

is expected to begin June 22 in Brooklyn’s Federal Court.

Aside from the drug lords, others on the list of people who will testify or whose names might come up at trial are Congressman Gregory Meeks of Queens and Paul Rivera, a political operative with strong ties to the Clintons.

The names were listed in the questionnaire given to potential jurors in the case. Rivera, a former top aide to Sampson, worked

in the Clinton White House and formed the pro-Hillary Rodham Clinton American Leadership Project in the 2008 Democratic primary.

There are also several Sampson confidants, state workers and a businessman with whom Sampson was a secret partner in a Brooklyn liquor store. Another businessman, Edul Ahmad, was convicted in a mortgagefraud scheme and will figure prominently in the trial. He cooperated with prosecutors and wore a wire in the Sampson case. Ahmad, a Guyanese immigrant and real-estate broker, funnelled cash to Meeks and Sampson. He pleaded guilty in October 2012 to mortgage fraud, but has yet to be sentenced. Ahmad gave his longtime pal Sampson US$188,500 in 2006 to repay funds the Senator allegedly embezzled from escrow accounts he supervised as a lawyer in private practice.

Sampson was charged with embezzlement in 2013, but the charges were dismissed last year because the statute of limitations had expired. Sampson, 49, who has been in the Senate since

1997, is also accused of trying to lean on a mole in the US Attorney’s Office to learn the names of those cooperating in the Ahmad case and telling Ahmad he could arrange to “take them out”, legal papers say.

Sampson is of Guyanese heritage and travelled to Guyana frequently, sometimes meeting Ahmad. Khan is alleged to have headed a squad in Guyana that murdered hundreds of people, including government opponents. Khan pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court in 2009 in a cocaine-trafficking scheme. His lawyer, Robert

Simels, was convicted of witness tampering and other charges in the case. Less clear is any link the senator has to Bourne, a native of Barbados, who for years ran the “Bourne Organisation” to smuggle cocaine from the Caribbean to the United States by hiding it in planes or baggage. He was convicted in 2012. Sampson’s lawyer would not comment on the drug lords. A US Attorney’s Office spokeswoman also declined to comment. (New York Post)

University of Fiji appoints Prem Misir new Vice Chancellor

The University of Fiji announces the appointment of Professor Premnarine Misir of Georgetown, Guyana as the new Vice-Chancellor of the University.

In making the announcement the Pro-Chancellor of The University if Fiji, Anil Tikaram said Professor Misir holds a PhD in Social and Behavioral Science from University of Hull (England), Master of Public Health from University of Manchester (England), Master of Philosophy(Sociology) from University of Surrey (England) and a Bacheor of Social Science in Economics and Sociology from Queens University of Belfast (UK). Prof Misir also has a Postdoctoral in Public Health from Columbia University (NY).

Professor Misir has substantial experience in University administration as Pro-Chancellor of University of Guyana. He has also served as Professor of Public Health at University of Central Lancashire, England. He has intensive publications to his credit in interna-

tional Journals, books and book chapters. Prior to his appointment as the ViceChancellor of The University of Fiji Professor Misir was Executive Director of Health Sector Development Unit at the Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana. (THE JET NEWSPAPER).

The Bartica Hospital, Region Seven, set to be upgraded to a regional facility

John Sampson

Roger Khan

Ed Ahmad

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji Professor Premnarine Misir

Times Notebook

The new Cabinet – jobs for the boys and girls?

Guyana has a new government.

Questions abound as to the fairness of the elections, but the fact is there is a new government.

In 1997, the opposition questioned the statements of poll (SOPs). There was an extensive verification exercise, involving all stakeholders, even though the observers all concurred that the election was free and fair.

This was later followed by an extensive forensic re-count of all boxes, supervised by external commissioners. In the end, the results revealed that the PPP/C won even more votes since the only thing that changed was that some of the rejected ballots were counted for the PPP/C.

The 2015 elections have too many questions for Guyana to ignore. We are certain that the PPP/C will challenge the results and the fairness of the elections through an election petition in the courts. They must do this.

Since 1992, this election will stand out as the one that is at least the most un-

tidy elections Guyana has had. Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally and GECOM cannot feel too much pride in these elections and it would be only fair that we at least document in court the many deficits of the 2015 elections.

What will remain forever a stain on this government and on GECOM is that there is huge suspicion that GECOM, APNU and other possible stakeholders colluded to cheat at these elections.

When someone knows that they have nothing to hide it would be in their own interest to do whatever is necessary to clear their names. In this case, it seems like an unholy refusal to protect some unsavory truth.

The business of the country must go on. The new Government has now sworn in Ministers of Government. Our last count so far is 26 Ministers. This is in the face of an election manifesto promise of fewer ministers.

Since 1992, this is the largest Cabinet. It might well be the largest cabinet

in Guyana’s history. We have the unheard situation of three ministers in one ministry. We have small ministries in which there are two ministers.

We are forced to ask whether it is a case of “jobs for the boys and girls”. Note there is still no minister of Housing and Water or Labour. What happened to the commitment of only 15 ministries? But what is the point when the number of ministers has increased.

So the government

Sawmill worker chopped, left for dead

Aman is now a patient at a Berbice hospital after he was viciously chopped Saturday night and left for dead near the roadway at Strand, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Shamier Outar ,of Bath Settlement Village, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has since regained consciousness after being treated by doctors at the New Amsterdam Hospital for chops to several parts of the body.

About 21:00h on Saturday, Police responded to a report of a chopping incident at Ameerally Sawmills at Strand. When Police arrived, they found Outar lying in a pool of blood close to the road in front of the sawmill. Eyewitnesses said that the victim was chopped by a man who fled the scene after committing the act. According to Outar, he and a fellow worker, whose name he gave as Raymond, were involved in a heated argument. He said during the argument

Raymond left and went to the back of the sawmill and returned with a cutlass and started chopping him.

The 47-year-old Outar, however, did not say what the argument was about. Outar suffered chops to the legs, hands, chest, back, head and face. He received surgery at the hospital shortly after being admitted. Police are now on the hunt for a man who they believe can provide information which could assist with the investigation.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$27 million grant to help modernize and improve the management of Haiti’s roads and ports, key sectors that are fundamental for the country’s economic development and integration.

The grant is the second in a series of three programmatic Policy Based Grants (PBGs) that provide the Haitian government with budget support for policy, legal and institutional reforms of government agencies. This grant includes meas-

ures aimed at modernising and strengthening road sector management to improve planning, maintenance, road safety, construction and rehabilitation of roadways. It also covers modernisation of maritime sector management, including policy and legal reforms governing the country’s ports. These fast-disbursing grants complement other larger, transportation investment projects financed by the IDB and other donors in Haiti. The programme will benefit both the private and public sectors by providing

better transport and maritime port infrastructure, lower costs and decreased travel time. The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of longterm financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

starts out with a con job, trying to fool people that staffing and expenditure will be reduced.

Now faced with the exposure that far from reducing expenditure, the present arrangements will increase expenditure, the new government has come up with a novel explanation of the significant increase in ministers. According to them this will lead to a more effective and better use of space.

Make no mistake; sooner than later, there will be a demand for more space to accommodate all these ministers. But we would have thought that functional need would have dictated the need for ministers, not space alignment.

There are three Vice Presidents. Is this the way to curtail expenditure? But none of them will speak in Parliament for the President. He will be speaking through the HPS, who is also a Minister of State.

The President has made it clear to the pretenders to the throne already – you have titles, but the HPS is the real next-in-line for this Government and only he

can speak for the President. Why then we need three vice-presidents?

One reason why it needed at least two persons for each ministry is that the AFC ministers have their portfolio with a PNC person to look over them. That is unmistakable.

It is true that some of the ministries with PNC ministers also have two ministers, but in all cases with AFC ministers there are PNC members to look over what the AFC people are doing. There is no AFC person who is alone. In the case of the new Prime Minister, he merely has a small portfolio in information.

But the Prime Minister was told that constitutional matters will reside in him.

Yet now Mr Trotman has been appointed to also deal with constitutional matters. The poor Prime Minister cannot be left to do his work on the Constitution, Mr Trotman will take up some of that responsibility.

Mr Granger did not have a meeting of the Constitutional Commission for more than two years and only two meetings in

three and a half years, one of which was to elect him as Chairman of the Committee.

Now he has appointed two ministers to deal with this. Is one of them going to chair the Standing Committee in Parliament and what will they do without the PPP/C support?

This once again makes Guyana stands apart from the other Caricom countries. None of them have the Cabinet size as Guyana and none of them has three deputy Prime Ministers (deputy Head of State).

Can we argue that Guyana is larger than all the other Caricom countries and this justify the larger cabinet and the several Vice-Presidents?

This cannot be the explanation because Trinidad has almost twice the number of people as Guyana and Jamaica almost three times. But, of course, the new government had to ensure than it creates enough jobs for its people.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

Region 5 residents pleased with CIIP’s work

“The workers are doing a good job”, “The surroundings looking cleaner and the water in the drains flowing better now” were some of the comments coming from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) residents to describe the quality of work being done under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP).

Thousands of persons residing within Rosignol/Zeelust, Bath/ Woodley Park, Profit/Rising Sun, Hamlet/Chance, Blairmont/Gelderland, and Union/Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) are beneficiaries of services being provided by CIIP.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, since the project commenced in Region Five in August 2014, four public burial grounds including Trafalgar and Number Five were cleaned. Vegetation and other debris clogging internal drainage networks were removed while parapets were weeded in about 15 communities. Works are currently ongoing in several commu-

nities including Hope and Rosignol.

According to Paul Welcome, a resident of Rosignol, Community Enhancement Workers (CEWs) recently cleaned drains and parapets in Burnham Avenue and Murphy Dam. He noted that the workers are doing a good job, but are noticeably challenged by garbage that is dumped indiscriminately by some residents. This, he said, is overshadowing the clean-up efforts by the workers.

Another resident, Sherwin Phillips also related that the CEWs are doing a good job in the community. “It is something good the Government doing...my infront neighbour does clean the drains, since I don’t really be around so I happy the workers can step in and help out the situation,” he said.

Improved aesthetics

CIIP also assists to improve access to and the aesthetics of public facilities such as schools and health centres. Just recently, thick vegetation was removed from the fences of Rosignol Secondary and Liberty Hall

Nursery Schools. According to Hemwantee Nandlall, prior to the cleaning of the fence of Rosignol Secondary School, thick vines and bushes had taken over the structure, preventing a clear view inside the compound. She said that the school’s compound now looks cleaner and healthy.

“These workers really making a difference to the surroundings .. .there are lot of empty spots with bushes that nobody was cleaning and one morning I wake up and pull my curtain and I see no ugly looking big bush,” said Seeta (only name given), a remigrant. She returned home from Canada a few years ago and is living in Hope, Bath/Woodley Park NDC. Seeta believes that the project is a good initiative since it is helping to improve drainage and giving the community a facelift. She added that since the CEWs commenced work, the water in the drains is flowing better. Persons living in other communities expressed similar sentiments, but they are disgusted by the dumping of garbage in drains by litter bugs.

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally

Minister Norton tours health facilities in Bartica sub-district

Newly sworn-in Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton visited Region Seven (CuyuniMazuruni), and met with health personnel attached to the Bartica Hospital and the Four Mile, Riversview and Kartabo health posts, on the way forward for the health sector.

During a very interactive session on Saturday at the Bartica Hospital conference room, Minister Norton explained that the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration’s plan was not to “break down and build over or reinvent the wheel”, but rather, to improve on what was already established.

Dr Norton said that there were shortcomings in the health-care system, not only in Bartica but throughout the country; however, the

new Administration would be working to tackle most of them. In terms of the health sector, because it involves training, it can take some time before one can see the fruits of their labour; nevertheless, there are some key things that can happen immediately to ensure health care is delivered equitably to all, he said.”… We can only do so by coming and hearing from you. I, as the Minister, must be looked at by you as your representative … we have got to work together as Guyanese to better the situation that we have at the moment,” Dr Norton emphasised.

The Minister mentioned some key priority areas that the Administration would be focusing on, such as infant mortality and training of personnel such as radiologists, general surgeons, and internal medical specialists among other special-

ised areas, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Given that suicide was becoming more prevalent in Guyana, Minister Norton said that health institutions ought to play a greater role in helping to tackle this problem by offering counselling. He urged the staff to modify their work ethic and start being their brother’s keeper. “We cannot remain here in Bartica less we become vegetated, we have got to keep our interest in our profession.” he said. Another key area that the Administration will be looking at is job satisfaction, ensuring that nurses are paid handsomely based on their qualifications, he added.

Holistic perspective

“We have to look at other things other than being down your throats that

WHO gets green light to reform emergency response progamme

Delegates at the World Health Assembly made a series of decisions stemming from the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak. These give the WHO Secretariat the go-ahead to carry out structural reforms so it can prepare for and respond rapidly, flexibly and effectively to emergencies and disease outbreaks.

Delegates at the 68th World Health Assembly welcomed WHO’s commitment to deep reforms of its emergency work, in particular by setting out clear and effective command and control mechanisms across all three levels of the Organization – headquarters, regional and country offices. At the same time, WHO will establish an emergency programme, which will be guided by an all-hazards health emergency approach that emphasises adaptability, flexibility and accountability, humanitarian principles, predictability, timeliness and country ownership.

WHO will set up a US$100million contingency fund to provide financing for in-field operations for up to three months. The contingency fund will run initially as a two-year pilot and will then be evaluated. Delegates ap-

preciated the key coordination role played by WHO in its ongoing work to develop vaccines, diagnostics and drugs for Ebola virus disease. They noted the importance of being able to accelerate research and development activities to tackle health threats for which solutions do not currently exist. They also requested the Secretariat to continue and enhance WHO’s work in helping countries better prepare for emergencies by strengthening national health systems.

The Director General was asked to set up a review committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) to: assess the effectiveness of the International Health Regulations with regard to the prevention, preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak; assess the status of implementation of recommendations from the previous Review Committee in 2011 and its impact on the Ebola outbreak and recommend steps to improve functioning, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency of the International Health Regulations and improve preparedness and response for future health emergencies.

it. It is time nurses start getting benefits,” Minister Norton pointed out.

Some of the issues raised at the Bartica Hospital were the need for better quality and quantity of drugs, more attendants and better security, more training programmes, and improved communication. They are also asking for a river ambulance and the establishment of a blood bank in the sub-district. The river ambulance will be accounted for in the budget; however, adjustments need to be made to ensure that the boat is equipped to ensure patients are comfortable. The Minister noted that the issue of quality and quanti-

said that health-care providers should be the change they want to see. While there were challenges, he said that “when it comes to life, we should always do our best, under any circumstances to ensure that we preserve life”.

At Four Mile, Riversview and Kartabo, the Community Health Workers (CHWs) were commended for their efforts to ensure persons in their respective areas are receiving quality service. They were also lauded for their record-keeping and public education efforts. Dr Norton urged them to take advantage of the many training programmes offered by the Ministry and

you have to get to work at 08:00h, we have to look at it holistically, and we have got to take your social welfare into consideration, if not you will not be able to deliver that which we expect of you. This is how we intend to do

ty of drugs was a national one that the Ministry would work to address. The other issues will be addressed shortly.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford

to elevate themselves.

Meanwhile, on May 22, the Minister made visits to the Georgetown Public Hospital and several health centres in Region Four.

Focus more on TVET in schools – CDB study

Specific challenges of giving youth the right training and tools for the labour market were examined in a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) study presented at a seminar at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the CDB’s Board of Governors in St Kitts and Nevis, May 2021. The report, entitled “Youth are the Future, the Imperative of Youth Employment for Sustainable Development in the Caribbean”, notes that while Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was generally widespread in the Region and received attention at the level of Caricom, with the governing body being the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), it was seen at times as a last resort in terms of obtaining qualifications by those who were not ‘academically minded’.

The implementation of technical and vocational training and entrepreneurship that is currently provided after leaving

secondary school should be integrated within the curriculum, with links to private enterprises, and students guided to certain areas by career education. Such an approach would ensure that young people leaving secondary school would have an understanding of the needs and expectations of the labour market, as well as some marketable skills, the report said.

Disconnect

Additionally, there is a disconnect from ‘industry’, where the link between the education system and the needs of the labour market is the National Training Agency (NTA), rather than an integrated relationship between the two, as seen in countries that operate dual-track apprenticeship schemes with both academic and on-the-job training.

The study finds that despite the existence of several core components for addressing youth unemployment across the Region, the overall system is fragmented and

disjointed. While there is recognition of the linkages between youth and youth-at-risk issues and unemployment, youth have become the remit of Ministries concerned solely with social issues or those related to sports and culture, and sometimes education.

However, there are a few examples of holistic approaches to addressing youth unemployment in the Region. One example is seen in the Cayman Islands. There, the Government funded National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA), which was noted as being heavily utilised, provides a number of services. While the Agency’s remit is not specifically directed at youth unemployment, it was found to have a direct impact through its activities.

The study calls for transformative shifts in the education system especially in technical and vocational training within secondary schools and at post-secondary institutions, as well as an expansion in entrepreneurship training.

It proposes an 11-point action agenda with specific recommendations at the international, regional and national levels. In specifically addressing the issue of youth unemployment, and seeking to facilitate their entry into employment, four specific groups of unemployed youth were identified: school-leavers; the chronic unemployed; the transient unemployed; and those not in employment, education or training. The differential needs of these groups in attaining employment were also highlighted. To address these needs, a number of multi-stakeholder actions are recommended, including the involvement of trade unions, educational institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the church, community departments and practitioners, the Police, and the Private Sector, in addition to central Government, and regional and international institutions.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton interacting with the Riversview Community Health Worker (CHW) in the presence of regional officials

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton engaging staff at the Bartica Hospital

Essequibo flooding:

Queenstown residents battle rising water

...several sluices clogged, excavators not working

By IndrawattIe natram

Heavy rainfall experienced in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) over the past two weeks has left several villages on the Essequibo Coast battling rising water, with many farmers and residents counting their losses. To compound the woes of residents, many of the sluices are clogged and excavators immobilised owing to mechanical problems.

Government has since dispatched a team to the area to assess the situation and bring relief to especially rice farmers whose crop is under threat from the flooding.

Guyana Times was told that the village of Queenstown was the hardest hit, with residents disclosing that they have been under water for some two weeks. One resident, Cromwell Mentis told this publication that many villagers are being forced to stay indoors owing to the excessive flooding in the Queenstown area. Mentis, who spoke on behalf of his community, blamed the flooding on the non- functioning sluices.

“Every time it rains, we are faced with these problems over and over ; the sluice is clogged. Despite complaints, no one seems to care.” He went on to say that the heavy rainfall, compounded by the non- functioning sluices, has resulted in the water rising to about eight inches. “Most persons’ gardens are under water; small children are at

risk – they are playing in the water. The water no coming over the land; this morning (Sunday) many persons had to move their kitchen utensils, we need help.”

Another resident of Queenstown, Rhonda Ramdhan said although she was sick, she had to wake up early to bail water out of her premises. She was seen with her husband in their yard installing sand bags to stop the flow of water. Ramdhan said for over two weeks, her land has been under water and noted too, despite several reports to regional authorities, nothing has been done.

When this newspaper visited the Capoey sluice, it was clogged with slush mud. There were three machines parked on site but none was working. Communities neighbouring the clogged sluices such as Affiance and Taymouth Manor were also inundated with knee-high water.

“Pump will be mobilised”

Meanwhile, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Engineer Jafaun Permansingh, who was on site, said efforts were being made to have a pump dispatched to the area to assist residents. When asked when the pump will be dispatched to the region, Permansingh said the soonest will be Sunday evening. He further explained that the flooding has been caused primarily as a result of the clogged sluices.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday said that the Agriculture Ministry and NDIA were working assiduously to alleviate the flooding of rice lands on the Essequibo Coast. The statement read that the issue was reported to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday morning and he immediately alerted newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Noel Holder. Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister Holder dispatched NDIA head Lionel Wordsworth to the affected area and instructed that all efforts be made to bring relief to the affected rice farmers.

Over 1000 acres of rice lands between Queenstown and Devonshire Castle have been affected by the floodwaters. Water had accumulated in the backlands over the past several days and excessive rainfall overnight exacerbated the situation. Two pontoons fitted with two excavators each were Sunday morning deployed to Windsor Castle and Capoey where they are being operated to desilt the outfall channels there. Regrettably it has been confirmed that the previous Administration did not dredge or desilt the outfall channels in the area during the dry season. The excessive silt buildup along with various sluices not being operational or fully operational has compounded the problem.

Of the eight sluices in the affected area, only two located at Anna Regina and La Union are working satisfactorily. Six pumps are working on a 24-hour basis in an effort to reduce the water level. Arrangements were also being made for an 80 “cu sec” pump to be taken into the affected area by Sunday. This pump will be located at Taymouth Manor. Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister Holder both expressed deep concern for the welfare of the affected rice farmers and hope that the floodwaters would recede appreciably as a result of the measures being taken. They have committed that every effort will be made to continue the process of battling the floodwaters so that the problem does not spread to residential areas which are currently threatened.

Brazilian national dead after boat mishap

ABrazilian national is dead while another is injured after the boat in which they were travelling crashed into a bank of the Cuyuni River.

The dead man has been identified as 50-year-old Vincent Paulo Perriera, a well-known miner in the Cuyuni River. The name of the injured man was not immediately available.

According to information

received, the two miners were on their way to the Upper Cuyuni River when the boat reportedly came into contact with a rock causing the captain to lose control. It is not clear who was the captain of the boat at the time of the accident.

As a result, the boat ended up on the river bank. Perriera reportedly was tossed from the boat and landed hard on a rock, hitting his head in the

Independence clean-up in full swing

The clean-up of the capital, Georgetown for the 49th Independence Anniversary celebrations has kicked into high gear, with hundreds of Guyanese joining in the efforts to spruce up their neighbourhoods and communities.

The effort, which started off at the Independence Arch on Brickdam, has now spread to several wards across the city. On Sunday, residents of Mandela Avenue were out in their numbers cleaning clogged drains and the parapets.

When the Guyana Times team visited the scene, residents were hard at work. “We want to ensure that a clean environment exists as we commemorate Guyana’s freedom on May 26, 2015,”one of the residents told this newspaper.

Apart from the Independence Day activities, they also indicated that they would like to encourage those residing and passing through the avenue to assist in ensuring that the environment is kept clean at all times and also refrain from littering. Similar activities were also being conducted in the Hadfield/Lodge communities.

Meanwhile, across at the Independence Arch on Sunday while contractors were busy getting the area ready for Tuesday’s commemoration, several overseasbased Guyanese who are back home for the celebrations were touring the site.

“I remember this place when I was a boy and it is good we are seeing some improvements to the site,” a

Canada-based Guyanese man commented. He said that he was impressed with the enthusiasm being shown by citizens. “There seems to be a resurgence in pride…” the man stated.

This year’s Independence Anniversary celebrations will be different from the usual activities held over the years at the National Park.

Instead of the cultural show and midnight flag-raising ceremony at the National Park, there will be a small ceremony at the Independence Arch early Tuesday morning. The cultural show will tie in with President David Granger’s inauguration at the National Stadium Providence later the day.

David, a vendor who was at the time plying his trade around the Upper Brickdam area, told this publication that he was very happy about the initiative to clean up the city. He explained that it was time that youngsters know where they have come from and the struggles to free this country from the grip of colonialism.

In an effort to ensure that a clean environment exists for the hosting of the Independence Anniversary flag-raising ceremony, the Mayor and City Council, BK International and Ming’s Service Limited have engaged themselves in a cleanup campaign free of cost.

President Granger, in a recent press conference, stated that the national Independence Monument is one of the most important in Guyana. He said that he does not think in the Western Hemisphere any-

body would have allowed their Independence Monument to look the way it did, hence his call for efforts in the cleaning up of the surroundings.

On Sunday, May 22, 1966 at 23:45h, Prime Minister at that time, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, as part of a week of activities to celebrate the birth of Guyana, as an independent nation, unveiled the “Monument to Freedom”. The Independence Arch was handed over by the Managing Director of the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA), JG Campbell as a gift to the people of Guyana on the achievement of our Independence.

Campbell reiterated during that period that “it was justly fitting and proper that DEMBA should be responsible for the project as the company had been an increasingly significant economic factor in this country for the past 50 years”. He further remarked that the arch could be described as “truly Guyanese” as it was built of materials that would endure the test of time and the elements, namely aluminium derived from bauxite mined and processed in Mackenzie, and quartz stone from the Mazaruni River. The arch was designed by Canadian engineer Eric Flack. Its design was said to be “modern and unique; springing from a common rock three arches taper upwards, towards the cloud representing the three counties of Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara. The six granite posts at the base of each arch symbolise the six peoples of Guyana”.

NA Deputy Mayor passes away

New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Harold Dabydeen has passed away. The town’s representative took his last breath shortly before 20:00h on Friday evening at the New Amsterdam Hospital. It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

process.

Additional reports revealed that the men were rescued by another boat a few hours later.

They were taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital where Perriera was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Police have launched an investigation into the matter. The injured man has been questioned by the Police.

Dabydeen was reportedly very active during the morning of Friday and was at the Municipal Dump Site at Esplanade Road supervising the clearing of the entrance to the dump site. However shortly after 16:00h, the Deputy Mayor who lived alone called out to neighbours saying that he was feeling a pain in his chest. Reports are that he at the time attributed the pain to the large quantity of hot pepper he consumed at lunchtime.

He requested to be taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and was seen walking out of the vehicle holding his chest. At the hospital, he told medical staff that he was suffering from intestinal gas. His blood sugar content was

checked and was said to be very high.

The town’s Deputy Mayor was given a saline solution at the Intensive Care Unit at the medical facility. Shortly after doctors realised that the 65-year-old Dabydeen was having a heart attack.

Sources close to the hospital say that a team of doctors were successful in reviving him after the first massive heart attack, but then he had

a second one moments later and died shortly after.

Dabydeen became Deputy Mayor of New Amsterdam for the second time in June 2011. He also served in that position from 1994 to 1995 under then Mayor Errol Alphonso and served as councillor from 1996 until the date of his second appointment as secondin-charge of Guyana’s oldest town.

He was born at King Street, New Amsterdam and attended All Saints’ Anglican School and the Berbice Educational Institute. He then worked at an insurance firm after which he was elected as a People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate to serve on the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council.

During his last stint as Deputy Mayor, Dabydeen served as Acting Mayor on several occasions and had said that he had high prospects and a clear vision for the future of the town. Meanwhile, a post-mortem is expected to be performed on the body on Tuesday.

Cromwell Mentis in his yard at Queenstown

NA Deputy Mayor Harold Dabydeen

Scores of persons visiting the Independence Arch on Sunday

TT President meets Integrity Commission after resignations

Trinidad President Anthony Carmona has met with Integrity Commission Chairman Zainool Hosein over the controversy surrounding the commission’s closure of its Emailgate probe and the subsequent resignation of two commissioners.

The meeting was held even as calls for the dismissal of the remaining members of the Integrity Commission – Hosein, Pete London and Deonarine Jaggernauth –mounted.

On Saturday, information specialist at President’s House Theron Boodan confirmed that Carmona and Hosein met for nearly two hours at the Office of the President, Port-of-Spain.

He was, however, unable to divulge what the two men discussed.

It seems likely that Carmona and Hosein’s discussions centred around

President Anthony Carmona

the ongoing furore over the commission’s statement on Tuesday which indicated that there was “no or insufficient evidence” to continue the probe, thus closing the IC investigation into the allegations levelled by Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley.

The discussions would likely have included concerns over the subsequent resignations of Deputy

Chairman Sebastian Ventour and Dr ShelleyAnne Lalchan.

Lalchan was the first to resign, citing personal reasons for her departure.

Sunday Guardian understands that on Wednesday Carmona met with Lalchan after having received her resignation letter.

Following Ventour’s resignation and his public condemnation of the IC and its statement on Emailgate on Thursday, sources said Carmona met with London and Jaggernauth separately at his office on Friday.

Given the legislation governing the Commission, Carmona cannot ask nor can the commissioners say what was discussed in their meeting prior to the issuing of the release.

He also met with Ventour, sources said, after speaking with London and Jaggernauth. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

C&W to use drone technology to identify storm damage

Cable and Wireless Communications has announced that it has begun to test drone technology to help to speed up network and connectivity restoration in the aftermath of natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tropical storm.

In a release, the company reminded that the hurricane season begins June 1.

In making a case for the use of this advanced technology, C&W noted that oftentimes, the treacherous conditions that exist after a natural disaster not only make it difficult to assess

the physical damage to infrastructure, but can also endanger the field technicians sent to fix the issues.

Drones, the company said, enable quick, safe, and wide-area evaluation of the impact that the hurricane or other natural disaster has on communications infrastructure, therefore enabling C&W’s expert engineering staff to move quickly to re-establish connectivity.

Group Chief Technology and Information Officer Carlo Alloni said, “Hurricanes and tropical storms have been known

to cause severe damage to telecoms infrastructure in the Caribbean, including our mobile and fibre masts.

“Along with power and water, it is critical that we re-establish communications swiftly in the event that adverse weather conditions cause widespread service disruption. With communications as a linchpin for such relief efforts, we take our role in the recovery process very seriously. Adopting this technology will allow us to respond to our customers needs in a better, safer, and faster manner.” (Excerpt from Caribbean 360))

Colombia’s FARC rebels kill 1 in first attack since halting ceasefire

One Police Officer was killed and two more were wounded in a bombing by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels on Sunday in the first attack by the group since it called off a unilateral ceasefire during peace talks with the Government.

The incident took place outside the city of Tumaco in the south-western province of Narino when the FARC, detonated explosives beside a passing Police vehicle, Police told reporters.

The Marxist FARC suspended a unilateral ceasefire

on Friday after Government troops killed 26 of its fighters, a move that will likely ratchet up tension at peace talks to end five decades of war in the Andean country.

Thursday’s operation – in the country’s south-western Cauca region – was the deadliest since the resumption of air strikes against the rebels last month.

The rebels and the Government have been in peace talks for more than two years.

The group has said it will not pull out of the process, but it has accused the au-

thorities of “incoherence”.

President Juan Manuel Santos has said he expects the rebels to retaliate, but made an appeal to “speed up” negotiations.

“That is exactly what we need to put an end to: this spiral of violence, hatred, vengeance and retaliation, which has driven us to 50 years of war,” he said.

Meanwhile, Colombia’s security forces have killed at least five more fighters from the FARC rebel group in an air strike in the northwestern region of Antioquia.

Venezuela Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez on hunger strike

Prominent jailed Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez has announced he has gone on a hunger strike demanding “freedom for political prisoners”.

In a video leaked from prison, Lopez also called for an end to censorship, and for the Government to set a date for parliamentary elections.

He also urged Venezuelans to march next Saturday through the streets of Caracas against

Jamaica: Ambulance shortage delays hospital emergencies

Owing to the shortage of ambulances at public hospitals, emergency processes are being delayed, an issue the Jamaica Observer has uncovered.

Health care workers have told the Sunday Observer that, because of the shortage of units and some defective ones, emergency processes get shunted for four to five hours.

One worker at the Spanish Town General Hospital said a typical scenario is when crash victims come in -- something quite common due to the hospital’s location.

explained that, as a result, the intern on call at nights has to journey with the private ambulance, which further delays ward work.

The solution, according to the worker, would be to get the equipment needed to assess victims instead of transferring them for tests.

alleged rights violations.

Lopez is accused of inciting violence during protests last year.

More than 40 people, from both sides of the political divide, were killed in months of protests against the Government of Nicolas Maduro.

Lopez said fellow jailed Opposition politician Daniel Ceballos was also on hunger strike.

The video was recorded in Lopez’s cell, in the Ramo Verde prison, near Caracas. He has been held there since

February 2014.

Wearing a white shirt and a crucifix, Lopez says the Venezuelan economic crisis has deteriorated since his arrest.

“One year and three months after our call for change, the situation has got even worse. More queues, more inflation, more scarcity, more crime, more corruption,” Lopez says. The video was uploaded on YouTube and tweeted by his wife, Lilian Tintori, who has been leading an international campaign for his release.

Shortly before the video was released, Ceballos was transferred from Ramo Verde to a prison away from the Venezuelan capital. Ceballos is the former Mayor of San Cristobal, an Opposition stronghold.

“We have three clear demands: freedom for all political prisoners, the end of censorship and repression and that the date for the parliamentary elections is set,” Lopez adds. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Barbados ratifies global Arms Trade Treaty

Barbados has ratified the global Arms Trade Treaty aimed at preventing the illicit trade in conventional arms.

vent their diversion.

The Treaty entered into force on December 24, 2014, following its ratification by 50 states.

Barbados officially became a state party after Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations, Keith Marshall, deposited the country’s instrument of ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs.

“We see many crash victims because of the bypass and highway. There is only one ambulance, which can only accommodate one stretcher patient, therefore the other has to wait four to five hours for it to return before they can go anywhere. It is ridiculous,” the worker said.

private ambulances are contacted, issues of insurance coverage surface.

The worker said that, to make matters worse, when

“The nurses will not go into non-hospital ambulances as there is no insurance coverage,” he said.

The health care worker

“The Government would save so much more money just by having a CT scanner at Spanish Town Hospital, which sees more accident victims because of its location than any other hospital,” the worker said.

He further explained that the CT scan allows the doctors to see inside the body without cutting, in order to detect where the problem is and address it. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

The Arms Trade Treaty is the first global treaty which establishes legally binding standards to regulate the international trade in conventional arms. It also aims to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and pre-

“Given the devastating impacts of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in the Caribbean Region, Barbados joined fellow Caricom countries in negotiating for a robust treaty which would include regulation of the trade in small arms, light weapons, their ammunition, parts and components,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said in a statement.

Eleven of the 14 member states of Caricom are now party to the treaty.

(Caribbean360)

Leopoldo Lopez handed himself in during a mass protest in Caracas

Two out-of-service ambulances at the May Pen Hospital

US, Iraq trade blame over fall of Ramadi

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter has criticised Iraqi forces for showing no will to fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group during the fall of Ramadi, in comments dismissed as “baseless” by a senior Iraqi legislator.

Carter told CNN’s State of the Union programme on Sunday that the Iraqi army failed to take on ISIL despite having a numerical advantage.

“The Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight...they vastly outnumbered the opposing force and yet they withdrew from the site,” Carter said.

The comments were rejected by a senior Iraqi law-

maker, Hakim al-Zamili, who said the Pentagon chief’s comments were “unrealistic and baseless”.

Zamili, who heads the Iraqi parliamentary defence and security committee, said

the US should bear much of the blame for Ramadi’s fall for its failure to provide “good equipment, weapons and aerial support” to the soldiers.

He said the US military

was seeking to “throw the blame on somebody else”, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Carter said that the US was continuing to provide air strikes and supply Iraqi forces with training and equipment, but Washington was keeping a close watch on the situation.

“Air strikes are effective, but neither they nor anything we can do can substitute for the Iraqis’ will to fight,” Carter said.

“They’re the ones who have to beat ISIL and then keep them beat.

“If there comes a time when we need to change the kinds of support we’re giving to the Iraqi forces, we’ll make that recommendation.”

Bangladesh PM says illegal migrants taint national image

Migrants trying to leave Bangladesh illegally are tainting the country’s image, its Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said.

Hasina said their attempts to leave had made them “mentally sick”.

Describing them as fortune-seekers, she said they should be punished alongside middlemen who arrange their travel.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have seen an ex-

odus of people fleeing south by boat through the Bay of Bengal towards Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Thousands of people –economic migrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar – are thought to be stranded in boats.

Also on Sunday, several mass graves thought to contain bodies of migrants were found in Malaysia, authorities there said.

Hasina said: “Side by

side with the middlemen, punishment will have to be given to those who are moving from the country in an illegal way.

“They are tainting the image of the country in the international arena and putting their life into danger.”

She said: “There is sufficient work for them; still they are leaving the country in such disastrous ways.”

Hasina said measures were needed to prevent migrants handing money to

middlemen and “falling into a trap”.

The Prime Minister was addressing senior labour and employment officials.

She said those trying to leave think they will “earn a huge amount of money if they go abroad”, but this showed a “mentally sick” attitude.

In addition to migrants stranded at sea, thousands have landed in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Ethiopia votes with ruling party expected to win

Polls have opened in Ethiopia for the first general election since the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, whose successor Hailemariam Desalegn is certain to stay in office.

Nearly 37 million Ethiopians have registered to vote and they are casting their ballots at tens of thousands of polling stations across the country.

Western observers were not invited and the Opposition alleges the Government has used authoritarian tactics to ensure a poll victory.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Adow, reporting from the capital, Addis Ababa, said voting was going smooth-

ly on Sunday, but that the Opposition had complained of irregularities in the runup to the election.

Poland election: Komorowski concedes defeat to Duda

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski has conceded election defeat to conservative challenger Andrzej Duda following the release of exit polls.

They suggested Duda had taken the run-off vote by 53 per cent to 47 per cent.

Duda had edged Komorowski, who had been

the favourite, in the first round but did not gain the 50 per cent needed to win outright.

The President has limited powers, but is head of the armed forces and can veto new laws.

The exit polls had been delayed after a woman died at a polling station on Sunday.

Official results are ex-

pected on today.

“I respect your choice,” Komorowski told voters at a gathering of his supporters.

“I wish my challenger a successful presidency.”

The victory will be a wake-up call to Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz, an ally of Komorowski, ahead of parliamentary elections this autumn. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Spain’s ruling PP party takes battering in regional vote

Spain’s ruling People’s Party (PP) took a battering in regional elections on Sunday with Spaniards punishing Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for four years of severe spending cuts and a string of corruption scandals.

Although the PP got more votes than any other party, it suffered what could be its worst election result in more than 20 years, exit polls showed, as an economic rebound after a severe recession failed to conserve the absolute majority it held in most regions.

The new market-friendly Ciudadanos (‘Citizens’) and anti-austerity Podemos (‘We Can’) parties made strong headway, overturning a two-party system that has seen the PP and rival Socialists alternate in pow-

er since the end of dictatorship 40 years ago.

In a foretaste of national elections expected in November, the country’s main parties will now have to enter a period of coalition and compromise in the 13 of Spain’s 17 regions that voted on Sunday, alongside more than 8000 towns and cities.

The PP is set to lose its absolute majority in regional bastions Madrid and Valencia, where potential left-wing coalitions could send the party into the Opposition for the first time since the mid-1990s.

One exit poll also showed the PP losing the key stronghold of Madrid city for the first time since 1991 to a leftist platform backed by Podemos, although a second poll showed a tie between the two. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“Beautiful Mind” mathematician John Nash dies in crash

“The Opposition is fractured. They have been complaining of harassment and intimidation of their supporters, particularly in the rural areas.” Adow added.

Posters of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) dominate the capital Addis Ababa.

The EPRDF has been in power for over two decades and is confident of a win, but insists the result will be decided on its economic record alone.

Ethiopia is now one of Africa’s top performing economies and a magnet for foreign investment. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Nobel Prize winning mathematician John Nash has been killed in a car crash along with his wife in New Jersey, US Police officials said.

The couple were in a taxi whose driver lost control and crashed into a guard rail on Saturday afternoon while driving in the US state of New Jersey, said Sergeant Gregory Williams, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police.

The pair were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, Williams said.

Nash, who inspired the Academy Award winning movie “A Beautiful Mind”,

was known for his work on game theory and the mathematics of decision-making, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for economics in 1994.

Nash spent much of his career at Princeton University, where his work offered insight into the dynamics of human rivalry.

The film “A Beautiful Mind” starring Russell Crowe was loosely based on Nash’s longtime struggle with schizophrenia.

Crowe wrote on Twitter on Sunday that he was stunned by reports of the death of Nash and his wife, Alicia.

“An amazing partnership. Beautiful minds, beautiful hearts,” Crowe wrote on Twitter. (Al Jazeera)

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter: “We can give them training – we obviously can’t give them the will to fight”

John Nash and his wife at the Oscars in 2002

The EPRDF has been in power for over two decades and is confident of a win

The perennial plague of squatting

Dear Editor

One of the issues facing the incoming administration of David Granger is the problem of squatting. It has hit them like a ton of bricks.

A people’s hunger for land on which they would like to build and a place they would want to call home. Not an entirely new phenomenon, if I may add, but one can consider it new from the perspective of how this incoming government deals with the situation.

It is a litmus test of any government whether they really care for the people over which they govern.

David Granger, whom I know to be a historian, would recall that the PPP/C Administration of 1992 was faced with a similar situation wherein squatters inundated Georgetown and its suburban environs.

Squatters were everywhere it was as if they just mushroomed overnight as people took up every square inch of land they could find. The PPP/C Government addressed this issue admirably by regularizing some squatter settlements while relocating others into areas more suitable for habitation.

There are so many regularized squatter settlements that I have lost count. But just to name a few in East and West Ruimveldt, in East and West La Penitence and last but not least Sophia a squatter settlement that has long since being graduated into the vast sprawling township status that it now is.

Let us pause for a moment to discuss Sophia. This is a squatter settlement that was denied to the residents there by the former PNC Administration - they raced them off the land with dogs - a very “humane way” to treat people.

So when the PPP/C came into power they could have done the same thing because first and foremost the ethnicity of most of the people who were chased off the land were supporters of the perpetrators of the chase. So, PPP/C could have said “good for you” we will continue the trend.

However, a humane and caring party came to the rescue and delivered, they granted thousands of house lots to the land hungry people.

Even when they did, many abused the system by reselling the cheaply bought house-lots among other corrupt practices. Again the PPP/C rose to the occasion and blocked that avenue by enacting laws that stipulated no sale or transfer of title can be effected under 15 years of ownership or occupation.

Other stipulations ensured that single mothers and head of households were given priority over those who really did not need land.

Ironically, all of these things had to be done within a short space of time seeing the Hoyte Opposition were constantly on the backs of the Jagan Administration clamouring for them to install infrastructural works for the people (a people whom he denied access) to land.

Today Sophia remains a bastion of PNC/APNU support without a care for the people who gave them those privileges.

We can even go back in time to the 1950s and early 60s when the same PPP came to office. Squatting, slums and ghetto living was all around Georgetown. This depressing situation greeted the administration square on.

Mrs Jagan, then Home

Affairs Minister, did a fantastic job in providing proper and affordable housing for the dwellers there. Without favouritism or partiality she single handedly established East and West Ruimveldt Housing Schemes.

Further to our discussion, is the fact that it was the same Janet Jagan Government during her tenure in office in the late 1990’s had to deal with the problem all over again. She had to deal with the situation of the occupants having a backlog of rent in the hundreds of thousands.

Again, the mature act of a responsible government, Mrs Jagan sold off those houses for a measly sum, because it was pointless recovering back-rent if anything at all from those tenants. Examples of some of those places are Warlock and Hell’s Kitchen in East Ruimveldt which are strongholds of the PNC/APNU.

It was interesting to see Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar doing the very same thing for long time squatters in Trinidad. She would have learned a valuable lesson from the Guyana experience.

So when one speaks of a people’s government you have to look at the PPP/C’s Workbook and what they did for people. How they lifted them up and brought them to a position of respectability. Can they - APNU+AFC - do it? Yes they can if they adopt and adapt the approach the PPP/C took.

However, this is just vain imaginations because Granger is busy rewarding those who did all the dirty work for him to get into power. Some of those in Sophia and Warlock being beneficiaries of his largesse.

Neil Adams

Mr Gaskin's appointment

Dear Editor,

Firstly, had I been permitted to vote in these past elections I would have voted for the PPP/C, reason being my deep appreciation for the major progress that was made by the PPP/C in bringing the country out of the abyss it had tunneled into during a past era.

Setting this aside and just to ensure that I have no political axe to grind, I think it is quite unkind and unfair for any to target Mr Dominic Gaskin's appointment as a minister due to the perception of nepotism.

As someone who knew Mr Gaskin while he progressed through his Sacred Heart Primary School days, and his days at Queens College, finishing at St Roses, where he attained his

A'Levels, and based on my knowledge of him as a person, he is conscientious, very fair, firm but caring, simple but honest and trusting, basically a person of integrity – the substance that many present day politicians lack.

I am sure that anyone who really knows this gentleman would also agree that he is an asset to any political party with which he would have been affiliated. I know that Mr Gaskin was one of the initial prominent members during the birthing of the AFC, years ago.

From my knowledge, Mr. Gaskin has never been a member of the PNC wing of the APNU. Secondly Mr Gaskin from my knowledge was very well established and married before Mr Granger was the leader of

Brother Ogunseye amusing, pitiful in his complaints about PNC

Dear Editor, Brother Tackuma Ogunseye’s letter on May 23 titled, "Nowhere in the civilised world are parties engaged in alliances treated with such disdain", pardon me, was most amusing - and pitiful. Both, Bannuh. Both.

The WPA brother's public letter of complaint that "I find it hard to accept that the common courtesies and respect for (WPA) comrades (sic) which civil political relations dictate in this (PNC led coalition) cause, was not followed" announces in his own words that the coalition is now overbearing for the WPA.

Acknowledging the PNC coalition is marginalizing tribal brethren and sisteren and by race they want to get out. History is repeating itself, just like past PNC rigging was aided in 2015 by Dr Steve Surujbally and his compromised GECOM staff.

Whoa! The brothers must be fuming by the hair of the chinny chin chin! How more ghoulish can Guyana's politics become for the still unburied WPA to be disturbed, get up and walk away?

The brother's SOS was intended to bring homeland relief. Did anyone call the extraterrestrial (ET) morgue and Police since local help is unavailable? The WPA nomads plunged into affinity flawed race miasma absorption analysis, completely abandoning Dr Walter Rodney's brilliance.

Actively involved in his murder with the PNC riggers, the WPA has found out why their credibility forever lies shattered.

For the WPA to actively ratchet up alarm in a country on edge after the GECOM rigged 2015 elections is foolish. Ideologically, they were always closer to the PPP/C but they have burnt that bridge or have they?

the PNC/APNU. Mr Gaskin has earned his experience at his own expense.

I personally was very happy to know that a person of Mr Gaskin's stature, was selected to be a Minister in the Ministry of Business and Investment (formerly the Industry and Commerce portfolios), since I think Mr Gaskin can set an example for many present day politicians to follow both within and outside of this present government.

I am sure in all fairness that anyone from any political party who had had the chance to meet Mr Gaskin and really know what he stands for morally and ethically would not disagree with me.

Andrew Dookhan

The WPA residue must be euthanised for their own good with GECOM's Dr Steve Surujbally setting the

example of leadership. The CEO Mr Keith Lowenfield must also step aside after his mess up.

Guyanese history must be gifted with their public admittance that the WPA was completely wrong about their divisive race agenda. Time's up. Step aside please or be removed. Time for the end of WPA bipolar race politics. Embrace federalism and run your show the way you like.

The WPA's entire genesis was founded and operated on Buxton's Mr Eusi Kwayana's lifelong evil emphasis that Africans and other races cannot coexist peacefully. In a federated Guyana, we will remain a single country. Over time and with so much water and blood under the bridge, why are some still fighting last century's race battles into the 21st century? Is there an end in sight for this race problem?

Guyanese know the usual spiel only too well. The other side is always wrong. Brother Ogunseye bewails that "nowhere in the civilised (sic) world are parties, which are engaged in alliances with each other, treated with such disdain". Brother!

What makes Guyana more civilized when nearly 3000 of your fellow Indo Guyanese were attacked , raped, robbed and uprooted from Wismar in 1964? The WPA failed in 2015 to condemn the disgraceful and lewd behaviour paraded before Guyana's finest, Dr Roger Luncheon, and other PPP/C's brave African supporters at Warlock.

Does the WPA which was brutalized by PNC thugs and House of Israel goons find comfort in the brutality inflicted on an innocent Mr Kwame McCoy of the PPP/C who did nothing wrong?

There must be something wrong with a mindset which habitually excoriates Europeans for enslaving

them and then always rushing those hated people to repeatedly put them by regime change into government to destroy a country and its democracy by hook or crook! May 26 was that exact date when the Wismar holocaust of Indians occurred. How horrific is 9/11 to America is what that date means to Indians of Guyana. Yet the PNC selected that date for Guyana's independence and the British agreed with gusto. There was no method in that madness, Brother Ogunseye. Professional WPA rebels have no sympathetic refuge when "sharper and blood soaked experienced" steel eventually responds to them. Experience counts, Bannuh. And how many among the WPA are still alive to not know better?

The WPA brought nothing to the PNC led coalition except demands and problems. The coalition owes the WPA absolutely nothing in return.

This wimpy little Red Riding Hood complaints by letters about the "bretheren and sisteren" lying in our Grandma's bed not playing fair is most laughable. Even Lazarus rose from the dead, picked up his bed and walked out of his tomb. The AFC's time will come sooner and later. If the PNC coalition has however forced you to forge your wrathful street sword into a mighty pen, please give them credit that civilised anger for you is best expressed on paper by computer or by lasers that can reach the moon from your Kitty stall.

You still owe me, by the way to confirmation whether you found out, or not, that Dr Walter Rodney was intent on merging the WPA into the PPP. The interest is piling up, Brother!

Sultan Mohamed

Positive change for Region 10 will see job creation

Dear Editor,

On my own behalf and that of the people of Region 10 we congratulate the people of Guyana for first and foremost exercising their franchise in electing the APNU+AFC alliance to govern the affairs of our country.

Region 10 is convinced that the nation has vested their political capital wisely in electing His Excellency President David Granger and Honourable Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

In so doing the nation

has sent a strong message to those out from office that the people of Guyana in large measure desire unity.

Region 10 stands in firm solidarity with the new government in all endeavours to move this country forward. We look to the new government for change. Guyanese look forward to our new government moving aggressively to stamp out crime and corruption at all levels.

We of Region 10 expect to see government of transparency, accountability, inclusivity, cohesiveness and

respect for the will of all Guyanese.

Positive change for Region 10 will see job creation, poverty alleviation and the realisation of the August 21, 2012 Agreement between the Region and Central Government. Though there is a change of government the needs of the people remain constant. Congratulations to Guyana’s new Executive.

Sharma Solomon Regional Chairman

Region 10

Granger to address Chinese business forum

Chinese entrepreneurs resident or invested in Guyana are expected to meet on Thursday when the Guyana-China Business Council (GCBC) holds its first meeting for this year at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

President David Granger is scheduled to address the Chinese business owners and invitees. According to current Chairman of the GCBC, Clinton Williams, invitations have been sent to members, affiliates and non-members of the Council. He intimated that the primary purpose of this special meeting was to fa-

cilitate the exchange of ideas that will craft a way forward, as well as to discuss issues specific to the con-

duct of business in the various sectors of the economy in which Chinese investors and immigrants are involved.

Zhang Limin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, has also been invited to the special meeting. He is expected to speak about the bilateral trade relations and social contracts between Guyana and China which he recently said have been maintained on a sound and stable developmental footing since diplomatic ties were established over 160 years ago.

The Business Council has been operating under the umbrella of the Private Sector Commission for more than 10 years. It went

into abeyance for awhile and was revived in 2012 when Williams was elected to head the Business Support Organisation (BSO). The Council played a not-insignificant role in the GuyExpo 2013 Business Forum, which had been coordinated by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) as part of its 50th anniversary observances.

The GCBC expects that a wide cross-section of Chinese entrepreneurs will seize this opportunity to discuss the hot-button trade and social issues they face with the recently sworn-in Executive President and their country’s Ambassador to Guyana. The meeting will commence at 14:30h.

CDB projects slight growth for Caribbean in 2015

...but Guyana to double their rate

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says preliminary forecasts indicate that the economies of regional countries will expand by nearly two per cent in 2014, mirroring an anticipated moderate acceleration in the economies of its major trading partners.

The CBD, in its annual review of the Region’s economic fortunes, noted that further improvement is “currently being projected for all 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) with most set, once again, to grow by between one

port commodities should be supported by largescale investments in gold in Guyana and Suriname that should come on stream during the year.

“Marketing arrangements already established by regional producers of bauxite, alumina and key agricultural products are also expected to positively impact the economies of those countries. However, a more rapid hike in rates of between 3.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent is being projected for Guyana, Haiti and Suriname.”

The CDB said that similarly high rates of

forecasts for rising source market incomes and lower fuel costs. It said stay-over arrivals should also be supported by negotiated airlift increases to several regional destinations, along with additional room stock and enhanced marketing associated with current investments by major hotel brands.

“Given the higher value-added of the stay-over segment of the industry, this would more than compensate for the impact of the planned return of cruise ships to Mediterranean destinations in 2015. Additional,

and three per cent”.

The CDB said that Trinidad and Tobago is expected to be in that range, “albeit at the lower end, as unscheduled maintenance activities that have been disrupting petroleum production over the past few years are expected to come to an end”.

The Region’s premier financial institution said notwithstanding current projections of continued decline in key commodity prices, “growth in ex-

growth are also expected in Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis “as the recovery in regional tourism is expected to strengthen. By the same token, there are positive projections for Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines”.

The CDB said that the expectations of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) of continued recovery are mainly being influenced by

recovery in tourism should have further spin-off benefits for construction and other real sector activity,” the CDB said.

“Key downside” risks

But the Bank warned of “key downside” risks to the Region’s prospects, even as it noted that there are some opportunities as well. It said in tourism, destinations that are highly dependent on the United Kingdom market may see some fallout from expected

Accepting change

Acceptance is the key to experience happiness and to move from feeling happy to actually being happy.

I know this is very hard to do, but the truth is when we can accept change, it certainly prepares us to live in this changing world, where we just never know what is going to happen next.

Narine Dat Sookram

The best example I can come up with is that acceptance is like protecting ourselves with our own shield. In many instances, we tend to forget that there are many reasons for change. One of the ways to look at it is to remember that whenever there is a change, there is a reason.

Change can certainly be an emotional experience and I am sure most will agree with me on this. I wouldn’t be surprize that we were to look back and think about a recent change and try to figure out how it felt, I am sure we will have some similarities.

For example, some of us may be worried, sad, and angry. In some cases too we may be excited and motivated as well, because for some of us, we can have both a positive and negative experience.

fiscal tightening and that a similar risk exists in relation to the possibility of further euro area weakening. The CDB notes that European visitors account for approximately 14 per cent of stay-over visitors.

For regional commodity exports, the CDB is forecasting that a major concern is still the prospects of a further decline in prices “beyond the level anticipated by the market, as this would curtail mining and quarrying output, as in 2014”.

“At the same time, further reductions in oil prices could threaten the sustainability of the PetroCaribe arrangement, under which many BMCs finance petroleum imports on extremely concessional terms. This represents a tail-end risk to fiscal and debt stability,” the CDB added.

It said that in addition, in terms of growth and fiscal perspectives, the regional outlook is subject to the perennial risk of natural disasters and other weather-related challenges which, over the years, have randomly and devastatingly reversed the economic fortunes of the BMCs. But the Bank said, conversely, some of these risks also hold potential opportunities, noting for example, a reduction in commodity prices would contribute to lower fuel and energy costs, further tamping down inflationary pressures. “It would also allow regional governments to reduce expenditure on fuel subsidies, where applicable,” the CDB said.

I have seen how people get upset when things doesn’t go their way. The one thing we have to keep in mind is that nothing is permanent.

Even before when the time comes for us to accept any change, we much keep in mind that it is necessary to allow new things to come and let old things to go. Therefore we should also prioritize what is really important, because I have seen how some people get disappointed even over just small change.

Once we realize that some things are more important than others then I guess things wouldn’t be so bad.

I really don’t like to say it, but if we don’t accept the fact that everything changes, life becomes very challenging to find perfect composure.

But the fact is it is true and I know it is difficult for us to accept it, but the way I see it is that there is no other way around it. As human beings we are probably not wired to accept change, because it is something we do not want to accept easily.

I know many of us may not want to hear this, but the reality is whether we like it or not change will never change, meaning that things will always change around us and will always keep changing soon or later.

And the interesting thing is that in some cases we are aware of certain changes, but for some reason we do not want to accept all of them. A good example is that we expect our children to grow etc, but I guess it’s those unexpected ones we are having difficulties with.

With my experience, I think it is much easier to accept change when we are expecting something to happen. However the challenging part is when we least expect something to happen.

And change itself could be anything from a simple change in our daily routine or it could us having to accept the death of a love one. Whatever the case may be, it is important for us to take time to accept the change if we want to move on smoothly with our lives.

For questions, comments or feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

President David Granger

The CBD, in its annual review of the Region’s economic fortunes, noted that further improvement is “currently being projected for all 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) with most set, once again, to grow by between one and three per cent”

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER

Nothing will hold you back. Your affable nature and sense of fun will be infectious to friends and family alike. A younger acquaintance will see you as a role model.

A chance to travel or learn something new will inspire you to consider a new business venture. Get involved in your community. Helping others will bring you favourable recognition.

Someone else will try to benefit from your hard work. Offer advice, not assistance. Be agreeable, but keep your ideas a secret until you are ready to unveil them.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Moodiness will alienate the people you care about most. By pursuing a favorite hobby or catching up on your reading, you can rid yourself of the blues and avoid trouble.

Commitment and hard work will pay off. However, consider investing in selfimprovement as well. One of your creative ideas will draw interest and show prosperous potential.

Do a little soul-searching. Stop spinning your wheels and decide what it is you want to accomplish. Once you establish a clear path, everything else will fall into place.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t trust anyone to be honest. Do your own fact-finding if you want to discover the truth. Once you have all the details in place, you will be able to move forward quickly.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Share your ideas with a potential partner. You will receive helpful recommendations about how to start your own business or enhance a current one. Influential allies will back one of your projects.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

Time spent sprucing up your home will be worthwhile. Your eye for detail will put a personal stamp on any project you take on. A competitor will try to undermine your reputation.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

A joint venture will work in your favour. Your progressive thinking will impress your colleagues, and you will be able to form a strong support system.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

You need to apply discipline when it comes to budgeting. Set realistic guidelines for yourself. Impulse purchases and a free hand with the credit card will make it impossible to meet your financial obligations.

No one will be able to keep up with you. The energy and enthusiasm you exude will keep others guessing. Get your work done early so that you have time for fun.

PeanutS

Calvin and HobbeS

dilbert

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GFF names 31-member squad ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifier

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has named a 31-member squad ahead of their Round Two World Cup qualifying match against St Vincent and the Grenadines in June.

The squad will consist of four goalkeepers, nine defenders, 12 midfielders and six forwards. Jamaal Shabazz will be the Head Coach of the team for the time being.

The squad reads: Goalkeepers: Akel Clarke – Central FC; Derrick Carter – Western Tigers FC; Anthony Whyte –University; Matthew Allick – UK-based formerly of Dagenham & Redbridge –Trial with National team.

Defenders: Jamaal Smith – Alpha Utd; Matthew Briggs – Millwall FC; Joshua Brown – Slingerz FC; Kris Camacho – Alpha

Utd; King Solomon Austin –Slingerz FC; Colin Nelson –Slingerz FC; Adrien Butters – on trial from Toronto FC; Daniel Whyte – University and Walter Moore – FF Jaro.

Midfielders: Dwayne Jacobs – Slingerz FC; Neil Danns – Bolton Wanderers FC; Clive Nibriga – Slingerz FC; Daniel Wilson – Alpha Utd; Eon Alleyne – Fruta Conquerors FC; Konata Manning – Pele FC; Vurlon Mills – Slingerz FC; Brandon Beresford – Graceland University; Christopher Nurse – Carolina Rail Hawks FC; Ricky Shakes –Boreham Wood FC; Sam Cox – Boreham Wood FC and Trayon Bobb – Caledonia AIA.

Forwards: Emery Welshman – Real Salt Lake; Marcel Barrington –Leicester City FC; Purnell Schultz – Caledonia AIA FC; Kevin Beaton – University; Sheldon Holden – Alpha Utd and Kadell Daniel –Charlton Athletic.

Malik, Sami return to Pakistan ODI squad

Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Sami have been picked in the Pakistan ODI squad for the first time in nearly two years. However, Saeed Ajmal was not among the 16 members to meet Zimbabwe in the three-match series in Lahore.

Malik hadn’t played 50over cricket since June 2013, but has averaged 50.36 in List A cricket over 12 matches in the last two years, including a hundred and five fifties - made in successive innings.

Sami was last with the ODI team in June 2012. His last 12 months in domestic one-day cricket have fetched 19 wickets at an average of 23.63 and economy-rate of 5.10.

After a 0-3 defeat to Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board had hinted at making considerable changes. Ahmed Shehzad and has reclaimed his place as well. Imad Wasim, who made his Pakistan debut in the sec-

ond T20 against Zimbabwe, is also part of the squad.

Umar Gul, Rahat Ali and Zulfiqar Babar have lost their place, though. So the fast-bowling workload will be borne by Wahab Riaz, Anwar Ali, Junaid Khan and Sami. Yasir Shah is the lone specialist spinner in the squad.

Opener Sami Aslam and middle-order batsmen Saad Nasim and Fawad Alam have been dropped as well.

Umar Akmal, who was not picked for the Bangladesh tour, hasn’t been preferred for this series either.

Pakistan ODI squad Azhar Ali (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Junaid Kh (Cricinfo)

GABA’s “King of the Hard Court” tournament...

Ravens continue to roll, Pacesetters rout Nets

Dyna’s Ravens continued their momentum from their lopsided win against the Colts on Friday with an 87-54 drubbing of the Plaisance Guardians on Saturday evening at the Plaisance Hard Court. Ravens simply could not be stopped on the offensive side of the ball as they constantly got into the teeth of the defence, while controlling the boards which lim -

ited second-chance points for the Guardians as well as starting most of their fast break hoops.

Guard Ryan Stephney scored a game-high 19 points, while Jermaine Slater, Ryan Gullen and Marlon Rodrigues dropped 14, 14 and 12 points respectively.

Ron Campbell was the lead man for the Guardians with 14 points while Enoc Matthews, Mark Richards

and Nikkoloi Smith scored 11, 10 and 10 points respectively.

The second game of the night saw Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters topping the Republic Bank Nets 67-50. Stephon Gillis topscored for the Pacesetters with 14 points, while Randy Richardson and Joslyn Crawford had 11 and 10 points respectively in the win.

Fabian Johnson and Dorian Lewis were the chief scorers with 12 points each in the losing effort. In the opening Under-23 match, Colts edged Plaisance Guardians 53-48. Kevin Dey and Amoniki John led the winners with 13 and 12 points respectively, while Nduka Horatio topscored with 21 points in the losing effort. Kelvin Yorrick was the next best scorer with 10 points.

Lower Corentyne Secondary notch inaugural Fiyah Friday T20 title

A36-ball half century by national middle order batsman Rajiv Ivan helped Lower Corentyne Secondary School to the inaugural Fiyah Friday T20 title for old students on Friday at the Albion Sports Complex, Berbice.

Ivan, who was later named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and best bowler, hit 50 (2x4, 2x6) in the final which was played under lights, to help Lower Corentyne to 122 all out in 20 overs in the final against JC Chandisingh Secondary.

However, his efforts were almost undone by Delbert Hicks (38) playing for JC Chandisingh.

Needing 33 to win off 18 balls, Hicks started the over by hitting David Latchaya (2 for 28) for a six over long off, but was bowled the following ball.

JC Chandisingh did not give up hope needing eight

off the final two deliveries.

Attempting to hit Balchand Baldeo’s slower ball into the boundary, Mark Papannah was also bowled leaving JC Chandisingh to finish just short on 115 for 8.

Earlier, Lower Corentyne found themselves in a spot of bother being 28 for 3 in the seventh over when Ivan came to the wicket to orchestrate his match-winning innings.

Bowling for JC Chandisingh, Surujnarine Kandasammy (2 for 9); Azad Fudadin (2 for 18) and Josiah Dhanai (2 for 25) were the principal wicket takers.

For JC Chandisingh, apart from Hicks, only Fudadin with 22 made any meaningful contribution to the scorecard.

Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Ivan took 2 for 28 and Sherwin Murray with 2 for 22 gave good support to Latchaya.

The event was organised by the Port Mourant Secondary School and sponsored by Albion Estate (GuySuCo); Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Six; Banks DIH; KP Jagdeo and Sons Construction; D Arjune and Sons Poultry Depot; A Ramcharitar Constructions; Guyana Cricket Board; Berbice Cricket Board; Archway Snackette; Sunshine Supermarket; NTN TV Berbice; Shabba Car and Bus Rental; and Bob Supermarket. Port Mourant Head Teacher Mark Lyte, at the presentation ceremony, noted that he was honoured to be part of the historic occasion and thanked the students who returned to represent their former schools. “The tournament was success as it had international and national players giving back to their old schools.” (Andrew Carmichael)

Matthew Briggs

Vurlon Mills

Ryan Stephney

Ryan Gullen

Shoaib Malik has averaged 50.36 with the bat in his last 12 List

A games, spanning two years

Mumbai Indians saunter to 2nd Pepsi IPL title

Mumbai Indians completed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the eightyear history of the Indian Premier League by transforming a terrible start to the tournament - they were at the bottom of the table for the first two weeks - into a title win.

The final, a repeat of their 2013 success at the same ground against the same opposition, turned out to be one of the easier outings after an unbridled early onslaught by Rohit Sharma and Lendl Simmons, both of whom hit half-centuries, stunned Chennai Super Kings - veterans of IPL finals - into submission. Super Kings were not even given a sniff.

MS Dhoni’s choice of bowling first on a patchy

Eden Gardens pitch was interesting, not because he might have over-compensated for the presence of dew later on but because it was a departure from a strategy that had worked for Super Kings during in their two previous title wins - bat first, score big, then apply the squeeze.

The start was perfect; Faf du Plessis ran out Parthiv Patel brilliantly and Ashish Nehra ensured only one came off the first over. But that was it, because once Rohit tore into the second over, picking 16 off Mohit Sharma, Super Kings were always chasing the ball.

R Ashwin was introduced in the fourth over, overstepped once and paid the price with a 12-run over. Jadeja was also bowled inside the Powerplay but

Simmons smashed him for 14 runs to make it 61 runs off the first six. After seeing Rohit kick-start the innings with a flurry of boundaries in the first three overs, Simmons had played all but one ball in the next three and had overtaken Rohit.

The spreading of field was not going to have an effect on the tiny outfield.

Simmons continued hogging majority of strike and continued finding boundaries to reach his sixth half-century of the season in the 10th over.

The run-rate showed no signs of stemming but Dhoni continued to hold back Dwayne Bravo, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. As fate had it, it was Bravo who broke the dangerous stand in his first over - the 12th of the innings - by which time Rohit, too, had reached his half-century, of just 24 balls, and the runrate was hovering around 10.

An animated speech by Dhoni in the team huddle at Rohit’s dismissal had a brief

effect: Dwayne Smith sent Simmons back with his first ball of the tournament and 30 runs came off four overs. But on 150 after 16 overs with Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu warmed up, Mumbai Indians were waiting to explode.

Nehra bore the brunt - he was hit for three sixes and a four in the 17th by Pollard - and Mumbai Indians finished for only the second ever 200-plus total in an IPL final.

Super Kings’ chase needed early thrust but it never came. Smith, as had happened throughout the season, struggled to time the ball.

He did reach a half-century - his second this season - but Super Kings needed more from him than a strike rate of 118. Harbhajan Singh dismissed Smith an over after he had removed Raina, Malinga struck too and Mitchell McClenaghan collected three. Super Kings’ wait for their third title entered its fifth year. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Mumbai Indians innings (20 overs maximum)

LMP Simmons b Smith 68

PA Patel† run out (du Plessis) 0

RG Sharma* c Jadeja b Bravo 50

KA Pollard c Raina b Sharma 36

AT Rayudu not out 36

HH Pandya c Raina b Bravo 0 Harbhajan Singh not out 6

Extras (b 1, lb 4, nb 1) 6

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 202

Did not bat: J Suchith, MJ McClenaghan, R Vinay Kumar, SL Malinga

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-120, 3-120, 4-191, 5-191

Bowling: A Nehra 4-0-41-0, MM

Sharma 4-0-38-1, R Ashwin 2-021-0, RA Jadeja 2-0-26-0, P Negi

2-0-18-0, DJ Bravo 4-0-36-2, DR Smith 2-0-17-1.

Chennai Super Kings

innings (target: 203 runs from 20 overs)

DR Smith lbw b Harbhajan Singh 57

MEK Hussey c Suchith b McClenaghan 4

SK Raina st †Patel b Harbhajan Singh 28

MS Dhoni*† b Malinga 18

DJ Bravo c Simmons b McClenaghan 9 P Negi c Pandya b Malinga 3 F du Plessis c Sharma b Vinay Kumar 1

RA Jadeja not out 11

R Ashwin c Suchith b McClenaghan 2

MM Sharma not out 21

Extras (lb 2, w 3, nb 2) 7

Total (8 wickets; 20 overs) 161

Did not bat: A Nehra Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-88, 3-99, 4-108, 5-124, 6-125, 7-134, 8-137 Bowling: SL Malinga 4-0-252, MJ McClenaghan 4-0-25-3, R Vinay Kumar 4-0-39-1, HH Pandya 4-0-36-0, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-34-2.

NBA Western Conference finals… Warriors take 3-0 lead over Rockets

The Golden State Warriors are one victory away from the NBA Finals after routing the Houston Rockets 11580 in Game Three of the Western Conference finals on Saturday.

Guard Stephen Curry scored 40 points, including seven-of-nine from threepoint range, in the Warriors’

delighted his team committed only one turnover in the first half.

“We were up 25 points with a box score that doesn’t look that impressive from a shooting standpoint,” Kerr told reporters.

“The first half was probably the best lesson our team could learn. If we defend like crazy and take care of the

near-record road victory that gave them a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

It was the second largest victory margin by a visiting team in the conference finals.

Golden State, who have not been to the NBA finals since 1975, can close out the series in Game Four in Houston on Monday. No team has ever lost a best-ofseven playoff series from 3-0 up.

After giving the Warriors a close contest in the first two games, the Rockets were never in the hunt on Saturday as guard James Harden struggled against Golden State’s stifling defense. He shot only threefor-16 for 17 points.

As brilliantly as Curry played, the Warriors won the match with their strong defense and dominance on the boards, out-rebounding Houston 60-39.

Coach Steve Kerr was

ball we’re going to be in good shape.”

Curry, this season’s NBA Most Valuable Player, sounded unfazed by his latest performance.

“The ball movement tonight was the best it’s been all series so when you can get a few (shots) to go down early in the game it builds your confidence even more,” he said.

Houston coach Kevin McHale looked resigned to his fate as he spoke to the media.

“We got hammered on the boards and we didn’t beat them in the paint,” he said.

“They beat us up in those two areas and we had no answers to that. We seemed to get down because our offense wasn’t flowing.

“I thought we’d come out with a little more juice. They just drove us all night long.” (Reuters)

Lampard scores in final Man City game

Frank Lampard

scored the winner for Manchester City in his final Premier League appearance as Southampton missed out on a top-six finish.

Ronald Koeman’s men must now hope Arsenal can defeat Aston Villa in next weekend’s FA Cup final to help them earn a place in next season’s Europa League.

Lampard, who is set to play for New York City FC in the USA, side-footed home from 10 yards to give the hosts a first-half lead.

Sergio Aguero doubled that advantage with a closerange header into an empty net, having seen three earlier efforts saved by Kelvin Davis.

Victory for City saw them consolidate second place in

the table, ending the season eight points behind champions Chelsea.

For Southampton, 60 points still marks their highest total in the Premier League and they must now wait a week to find out whether seventh will be enough to seal European football.

Tottenham and Liverpool have already secured a Europa League place by finishing above Saints, but the qualifying spot handed to the FA Cup winners will go to Southampton, if Champions League-bound Arsenal lift the trophy at Wembley.

As well as Lampard’s final game for City, both goalkeepers Joe Hart and Davis were making their 300th appearances for their respective clubs.

other

a

It was Lampard’s 177th goal in the Premier League and the midfielder almost added to that total with a back-post header which Davis kept out. At the other end Long had a low strike from 18 yards comfortably saved by Hart.

Sadio Mane, who scored a three-minute hat-trick last weekend, had Southampton’s best chance of the second half but he mistimed his header and failed to trouble Hart. Lampard was replaced after 75 minutes and received a standing ovation from the home fans, who were on their feet again with five minutes left as Aguero headed home his 26th Premier League goal at the back post from two yards out to

Lendl Simmons goes for the pull in his match winning knock of 68

Stephen Curry

And

than Hart’s low save from Shane Long, Davis was kept the busiest with

point-blank save from

Aguero and two further stops to deny the Argentine in the first half. The goal came from good

work by James Milner on the right to tee up Lampard who arrived late in the box to fire home from 10 yards.

seal victory. (BBC Sport)

Frank Lampard celebrates his goal in Man City send-off

YELLOW PAGES

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Bad communication blamed for disappointing WICB Town Hall meeting

ATown Hall meeting held by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados was poorly attended.

The lack of bodies, according to Winston Stafford, a member of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) board, can be attributed to poor communication.

The meeting was the first in a series the WIB will be holding throughout the Caribbean. Despite the intiatives ‘newness’, the poor turnout has not gone unnoticed.

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Barbados along to meet with the members of the WICB,” said Stafford.

According to Stafford, the BCA only knew about yesterday’s meeting on Monday.

President of the WICB Dave Cameron was not combative about the situation and apologised to the BCA for any miscommunication that may been the fault of his organisation.

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“One has to ask the question, if the BCA has the responsibility for cricket in Barbados, should we not have been informed of the planning of sucha function so we couild get our members along and those who play cricket in

“My understanding was that all communications were being sent to Director Garner [Joel] and Director Smith [Deighton] as members of the Board of Directors and members of the BCA,” said Cameron.

“It was never the intention of the WICB to have any meeting in any territory without the knowledge of the local cricket boards,” Cameron insisted.

Gerrard endures nightmare send off in Liverpool loss

Liverpool captain

Steven Gerrard endured a nightmare send-off in his final game for the club as Stoke embarrassed the Reds with five first-half goals at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke scored three in eight minutes, Mame Biram Diouf netting a brace and Jonathan Walters also on target.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam made it 4-0 from 20 yards before Steven Nzonzi added the fifth from 25 yards.

Gerrard got one back before substitute Peter Crouch

headed Stoke’s sixth.

This was no way for a player of Gerrard’s stature to bow out.

The Los Angeles Galaxybound midfielder managed to mark his 710th and final appearance for the Reds with a 186th goal.

But the 34-year-old was badly let down by his teammates who were out-classed and out-witted from start to finish.

Liverpool finish the season sixth in the table, enough to secure a Europa League third qualifying round spot.

But boss Brendan

Rodgers, who dropped young forward Raheem Sterling to the bench after he turned down a new contract, clearly has his work cut out this summer to rebuild his team.

In contrast, Stoke end a productive campaign ninth in the table after a thumping win.

Mark Hughes’s rampant side showed no mercy as they easily swept aside Liverpool in an astonishing first-half display.

Diouf opened the floodgates in the 22nd minute after Simon Mignolet parried Adam’s powerful drive into the striker’s path.

It was 2-0 four minutes later, Diouf letting fly from the edge of the area after being afforded far too much time and space.

Liverpool looked shellshocked when Walters made it 3-0 on the half hour after poor defending by Emre Can allowed the Stoke striker to pounce from close range despite Mignolet’s best efforts. The Reds were a shambles, Adam making it 4-0 after pouncing on a mistake by Lucas Leiva to power home from 20 yards.

It was Steven Nzonzi’s who came up with the goal of the game, the French midfielder making it 5-0 from long distance on the stroke of half time.

Rodgers sent on Kolo Toure and Jordon Ibe in an effort to tighten up the defence at the start of the second half.

Gerrard did manage to mark his last game with a goal after a composed low finish.

But another Liverpool old boy restored Stoke’s five-goal cushion as Peter Crouch headed home just five minutes after coming on as a substitute.

At the end, Gerrard could not wait to get off the pitch after a miserable farewell appearance. (BBC Sport)

Lloyd wants West Indies players to think region first

Sir Clive Lloyd, chief West Indies selector, wants to see players in the region thinking of the region’s cricket before their pockets.

Lloyd, who was speaking at a Town Hall meeting at the University of the West Indies in Cave Hill, Barbados, said the lucrative Twenty20 leagues around the world were creating a problem.

“We have a problem where most of our players, our top

players, are leaving to go into the Twentt20 and ignoring domestic cricket,” he said.

According to Lloyd, he wants the reverse.

“I want our cricket to be the main course and the IPL to be the snack, but it’s the other way around,” said Lloyd.

According to Lloyd, the excitement that Twenty20 cricket brings is obvious, but taht Test cricket was still the Rolls Royce of the game. (Digicel

(Digicel SportsMax)

SportsMax)

Dave Cameron

Liverpool concede six in league for first time in 52 years

Sir Clive Lloyd

Tight win helps Pakistan take series 2-0

There was a pitched battle at Lord’s but at the Gaddafi Stadium, yearning hearts were won over once again in a thrilling contest. Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by two wickets with two balls to spare, in another last-over finish, to clinch the T20 series 2-0 and, like Friday, the occasion got bigger than the game.

The unheralded batting talent of Bilawal Bhatti came to the fore with Pakistan needing 12 off the final over. He first smote Brian Vitori for a straight six and, after picking up two, carved the bowler through the covers for the winning runs.

Zimbabwe will feel hard done by with the result as they fought tooth and nail with patches of excellent batting and fielding. However, the home side edged the game at the right moments - like the last two overs of the Zimbabwe innings or Shoaib Malik’s tight four overs which kept Zimbabwe’s score down to 175 for 3. Mukhtar Ahmed’s second successive fifty was also important, while the Lahore crowd kept Pakistan, in the game with their noise.

Chasing 176, Pakistan lost their first wicket in the fifth over when Ahmed Shehzad chopped the ball to mid-off for Vusi Sibanda’s first of three catches. Shehzad and Mukhtar Ahmed had added 44 runs, but it was nothing like their dominating 142-run stand in the previous game.

Mukhtar, however, continued to bat confidently, finding boundaries regularly even as debutant Nauman Anwar and Shoaib Malik fell to a catch at long-on and a run-out, respectively. Mukhtar hit boundaries through point, third-man and fine-leg in the second over before an onslaught against Graeme Cremer in the eighth over, in which the legspinner conceded 19 runs.

He reached 50 off 33 balls but in the 14th over, holed out to long-on off Sikandar Raza’s bowl -

ing, with Pakistan needing a further 59 runs off 39 balls.

Shahid Afridi entered with usual fanfare but lasted just three balls before skying Williams for a catch near mid-off. Raza fumbled for a moment but did not let go of the chance.

Zimbabwe kept picking up wickets, even as Pakistan batsmen kept themselves within touching distance of the required run-rate. Umar Akmal was leg-before to Chris Mpofu before Anwar Ali was yorked by Willams in the 17th and 18th overs respectively. Mohammad Rizwan, playing in place of Sarfraz Ahmed, holed out to a great running catch by Raza when Pakistan needed 15 off 11 balls. Earlier, Zimbabwe started off soundly once again. Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda added a second successive 50-plus opening partnership. This time Sibanda started off with a boundary before Masakadza joined in the third over. Masakadza smacked Bhatti for three fours in a row before slamming a straight six in the next over off Mohammad Sami. He took two more fours before falling to

Malik’s accuracy, having made 39 off 32 balls. This was Zimbabwe’s third- highest T20 opening stand, and second-highest in terms of number of balls faced.

Sean Williams, promoted to bat at No 3 for the first time in his T20 career, got into action in the tenth over, finding two boundaries over long-on and midwicket. He kept finding fours and, despite the loss of Sibanda, for 49 in the 17th over, the pace of the innings didn’t dither. Williams reached his maiden T20 50 off 26 balls, with a swept six over cow corner.

Zimbabwe got 50 in the last five overs and the only thrust came from captain Elton Chigumbura, who struck Sami for three sixes in the 18th over: over longoff, extra cover and longon. It looked like a bigger total than the first game was on the cards but Afridi gave four in the penultimate over and Sami took Chigumbura’s wicket at the start of the final over. Zimbabwe did score three runs more than the last game but a bit more connection between bat and ball in the last two overs would have given them a bigger total. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe innings (20 overs maximum)

V Sibanda c Anwar Ali b Shahid Afridi 49

H Masakadza c Anwar Ali b Shoaib Malik 39

SC Williams not out 58

E Chigumbura* c Ahmed

Shehzad b Mohammad Sami 21

CK Coventry† not out 2

Extras (lb 2, w 2, nb 2) 6

Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 175

Did not bat: Sikandar Raza, AG Cremer, CJ Chibhabha, CB Mpofu, BV Vitori, P Utseya

Fall of wickets: 1-68, 2-136, 3-168

Bowling: Anwar Ali 3-031-0, Mohammad Sami

4-0-38-1, Bilawal Bhatti

3-0-31-0, Imad Wasim 2-014-0, Shahid Afridi 4-0-36-1, Shoaib Malik 4-0-23-1

Pakistan innings (target: 176 runs from 20 overs)

Mukhtar Ahmed c Sibanda b

West Indies could be up there in 5 years – Holder

West Indies ODI Captain Jason Holder shares his views on his captaincy, the CPL, and why he backs the proposed changes to the ODI rules. Below is a transcript: You effectively embody the new direction of West Indies cricket, and are a very young ODI captain at 23. Do you feel the associated pressures?

The pressure is there, yes, but that’s quite normal. Coming into an environment you’ve longed to be in brings with it pressures. Nobody comes into international cricket not looking to perform and do well, but when you perform and are relatively successful individually, the pressures come with it.

Not just me, all the players have something they must bring to West Indies cricket. The onus is on all of us, not just one or two, to take West Indies cricket forward, with hard work.

You eventually succeeding Denesh Ramdin as Test captain seems more a probability now than a possibility.

I will just take it as it comes. If it comes to a situation where I can take over from Denesh when he is finished, then I’d have to think about it and decide. The ODI captaincy is a big challenge for the time being, and I’m really relishing it.

In his new autobiography, Curtly Ambrose says West Indies will take 15 years to become a world cricket powerhouse again. Do you agree with this timeline?

Fifteen years is an extremely long time. I think if we can work hard and put certain things in place in terms of our physical fitness and patterns of our cricket, we will be back among the best - across all formatswithin five years.

As individuals and as a team, we have to take the time to do this - and do it right. We will reap success by pushing ourselves hard and going the extra mile when it seems really difficult to go the extra mile. That’s what will get us to No. 1, in all formats.

Sikandar Raza 62

Ahmed Shehzad c Sibanda b Vitori 18

Nauman Anwar c Sibanda b Utseya 18

Shoaib Malik run out (Utseya) 7

Umar Akmal lbw b Mpofu 30

Shahid Afridi* c Sikandar Raza b Williams 7

Mohammad Rizwan† c Sikandar Raza b Mpofu 6

Anwar Ali b Williams 2

Imad Wasim not out 4

Bilawal Bhatti not out 13

Extras (b 2, lb 4, w 3) 9

Total (8 wickets; 19.4 overs) 176

Did not bat: Mohammad Sami

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-81, 3-95, 4-117, 5-130, 6-152, 7-155, 8-161

Bowling: CB Mpofu 4-0-252, BV Vitori 3.4-0-36-1, SC

Williams 4-0-32-2, P Utseya 4-0-31-1, AG Cremer 2-0-27-0, Sikandar Raza 2-0-19-1.

this month, but he has all the makings of a solid opening batsman for the future.

I’ve played a lot of cricket alongside and against Shai. He is ready for international cricket, after a prolific run at first-class and one-day level in recent years. He has scored a good few centuries too, which always bodes well for big runs on the biggest stage. If allowed the chance, he will go far.

The ICC is probably going to change some of ODI cricket’s rules again, potentially removing the batting Powerplay and introducing less restrictive field placements. Does this please you?

I’ve heard the talk but

but have the likes of Shoaib Malik, Dilshan Munaweera and Robin Peterson.

I’ve played alongside Shoaib since the onset of the CPL. He is a wonderful recruit, performs well and is a great team guy. He is instrumental with the rest of the squad, comes across as very professional and gets a good response from everyone in the team.

Dilshan is an exceptional player, I have a lot of respect for him. I know Robin, but I have not met Justin Ontong yet. They’ve got international experience, and they will bring that to the party. Will we see a marked difference in the Tridents

have not looked into the possible changes at an in-depth level yet. I do know the eradication of the batting Powerplay will bring the right balance in the battle between bat and ball again.

The batting Powerplay and the current field limitations mean it’s pretty much all about the batting side succeeding. But these new rules could offer more leverage for the bowlers and perhaps leave a bit more room for error.

You’ve played Test cricket against New Zealand, South Africa and England, but June’s series against Australia will arguably be the most challenging of the lot.

The Australians were ranked No. 1 for a long time, and held the post ahead of South Africa recently too. They are a quality team, this we know, especially in Test match cricket. It’s only going to be two Tests against them, but it’s going to be a great challenge in front of our home crowds.

Shai Hope had a disappointing Test debut earlier

The batting Powerplay and the current field limitations, with only so many fielders allowed outside the circle at certain periods, mean it’s pretty much all about the batting side succeeding. But these new rules could offer more leverage for the bowlers and perhaps leave a bit more room for error.

You’ve played for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League. How do the tournaments compare?

The IPL is always going to speak for itself, being the biggest domestic T20 tournament in the world. But I prefer the Caribbean Premier League. Playing in front of your home crowd, with familiar faces and at familiar grounds, makes for a great atmosphere. Nothing can compare to the CPL in terms of those aspects.

Barbados Tridents don’t boast big-name international signings such as Shahid Afridi or Jacques Kallis,

of 2015 compared to the Tridents of 2014?

We won the competition last year, so there is nothing I really can say as to where the odd aspect or two might have gone wrong. As for what went right, and what I hope will repeat itself, is the crowds that come in.

With games being played at night, people are afforded the chance to go to work and then come to the cricket, which works well for all concerned. With the big crowds coming in, we want to oblige them with excellent cricket, so I just hope we are able to do that again.

Your West Indies career started some four years after international tours to Pakistan were halted due to the threat of terrorism. The lengthy hiatus will end this month. Would you be willing to follow in the footsteps of Zimbabwe?

I know Zimbabwe are there now, and that’s their decision in the end. I wouldn’t tour Pakistan now. I’d have to be 100% certain all the right security measures are in place and that the security would always be 100%. I don’t know if that assurance can be given at the moment. (Windies

The Pakistan players celebrate after taking the series 2-0

Jason Holder

Cook hundred leads England revival

The last time Ben Stokes played a Test at Lord’s, less than a year ago against India, he had bagged a pair, England had lost and he was about to dropped. On the fourth day against New Zealand he hurtled to the fastest Test century at the ground, off 85 balls, alongside a magnificent unbeaten 153 from captain Alastair Cook, to give England a lead of 295 and leave a myriad of prospects for the final day.

Stokes’ hundred eclipsed the 87-ball effort by Mohammad Azharuddin in 1990 and also became the second fastest for England in Test history, behind Gilbert Jessop’s 76 balls against Australia in 1902 and a ball quicker than Ian Botham against Australia, at Old Trafford, in the storied summer of 1981. There will, inevitably, be the linking of the two allrounders’ names after such a display of match-turning power, not to mention Stokes’ first-innings 92 which lifted England from depths of 30 for 4.

The game was in the balance when Stokes arrived following a 158-run stand between Cook, who continued his form by making a second century in consecutive Tests, and the prolific Joe Root. But despite their alliance the lead was a precarious 98 with six wickets remaining and the second new ball 10 overs away. At the time, Cook was on 98when Stokes departed with 101 to his name, top edging a sweep to slip, Cook had provided 24 of the 132 runs for the fifth wicket.

Stokes had been quickly into his work before tea, crunching five boundaries before rain briefly took the players off. There was no disrupting Stokes’ flow and the new ball lit the blue touch paper. He launched into Tim Southee who decided to test out the middle of the pitch and ended up with a spell of 6-1-53-0,

during which the complexion of match change significantly.

It began, though, with three crisp drives in four balls which, perhaps, was the persuasion for Southee to change tactic. And it might have worked when, having pulled one six over deep square leg to reach 65, Stokes went for a repeat next delivery and the ball burst through Doug Bracewell’s hands on the boundary. Next ball, a top edge flew over the keeper. In all, Stokes’ second fifty took 28 balls in a display of sustained clean hitting not seen by an England player since Kevin Pietersen was in his prime.

In the space of a 26-over stand England’s main aim had shifted from primarily match-saving to potentially match-winning. There is only one successful chase higher than the current target on this ground - West Indies’ 344 for 1 in 1984but you would imagine that Brendon McCullum would tell his men to have a go. As England showed, despite the occasional sign of uneven bounce, there were few gremlins in the pitch although it was difficult to judge what impact spin could have as Mark Craig struggled for any consistency. No one will know the pitch better than Cook. There for the entire day, he brought up his 27th Test century - following his ton in Barbados - and fourth at Lord’s from 206 balls (be-

fore Stokes had got off the mark) with a punch down the ground as McCullum surrounded him with catchers on the off side. As he completed a third run there was a show of raw emotion as he celebrated towards the dressing room and received a prolonged ovation from the crowd, which was repeated later in the evening session when he passed 150. It was not the reception of an unpopular man.

The morning had been especially testing for England, who did well to only suffer the one loss. Southee had immediately found movement when he resumed from the Nursery End, getting his third delivery to tail away late at Bell to take the edge. The first hour brought 31 runs; the second 70 as Cook and Root eased into the task at hand.

Cook went to his fifty from 122 balls and when Craig was introduced half an hour before lunch he cut and pulled as the bowler dropped short. His judgement on what to play and what to leave was almost impeccable but he also latched on to scoring opportunities; the pull was in good working order and there was even a cover drive as the lead swelled over 250. By the end of the day, he was 41 runs away from overtaking his mentor, Graham Gooch, as England’s highest Test runscorer.

Root, again, also played a vital hand in reviving England. After the early loss of Bell, New Zealand sensed a chance to make major gains while the ball was moving. Root was far from fluent at the start of the innings and on 7 had a heart-mouth moment when he flicked Boult off his pads and Corey Anderson dived forward at square leg. No one was entirely sure if it had carried and third umpire ruled there was no conclusive evidence.

Craig’s introduction, as it would for most of the day, relieved some of the pressure as Root went to an 83ball fifty and the fluency of the first innings returned. However, in the afternoon he was sucked in by a shortball ploy and obligingly hooked Matt Henry to long leg. Another missed hundred for Root, but it set the stage for Stokes. And how he responded. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Hamilton robbed as Rosberg takes late Monaco win

Lewis Hamilton was robbed of victory in the Monaco Grand Prix because of a strategic error by his Mercedes team, handing Nico Rosberg the win.

Hamilton controlled the race until Mercedes pitted him after a late safety car following Max Verstappen’s crash.

Team-mate Nico Rosberg and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel did not stop and passed Hamilton before he rejoined.

“We’ve lost this, haven’t we?” Hamilton said to the team, correctly, before he was unable to regain the positions.

The result cuts Hamilton’s advantage in the championship over Rosberg to 10 points, with Vettel a further 18 points adrift.

After crossing the finish line, Hamilton slowed to a stop at the Portier corner - which faces out to the Mediterranean Sea - seemingly to gather his thoughts.

He then completed the lap and drew up to the podium, where he knocked over his ‘third place’ parking board with the front of his Mercedes.

“I’m sorry about that, Lewis,” his engineer Peter Bonnington said to him over the radio. “I’ll have to have a word with the pit wall.”

Rosberg said after the race: “Lewis drove brilliantly and deserved to win for sure, but that’s the way it is in racing.”

It was a bitter blow to

Hamilton, who had come to Monaco determined to take his first win here since 2008 and had dominated the weekend.

The race was restarted with eight laps to go, with Hamilton on fresh tyres, but Monaco lived up to its reputation as a track where overtaking is all but impossible.

The closing laps were reminiscent of those in 1992, when McLaren’s Ayrton Senna on old tyres managed to hold off the much faster Williams of

feeling to have that gap in the race. I didn’t even have to push that much, I could have had double that lead if I had pushed. You live to fight another day.

“I’m sure we will sit down afterwards and try to think of ways we can improve. I’ll come back to win the next one.”

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo did pull off a pass, taking fifth from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen on lap 72 with a controversial move

Nigel Mansell after a late pit stop for the Englishman.

Like Mansell, Hamilton had a huge pace advantage but, like Senna, Vettel positioned his car perfectly to hold him off.

“I can’t really express how I feel so I won’t even attempt to,” said Hamilton. “This is a race that has been very close to my heart for many years. It was a great

that involved contact from Ricciardo’s front wheel on Raikkonen’s rear, which effectively shoved the Ferrari out of the way.

Red Bull ordered the Australian’s team-mate Daniil Kvyat to let Ricciardo by into fourth place straight afterwards so he could challenge Hamilton for a place on the podium.

Alastair Cook pressed on to raise 150

Sport)

Lewis Hamilton

Chanderpaul dropped!

– was due to join squad on Sunday

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

There appeared to be massive confusion among the powers that be at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Sunday surrounding veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s inclusion in the West Indies squad for the two-Test series against Australia next month.

The Region’s premier Test batsman was reportedly booked to travel on a LIAT flight out of the Ogle International Airport at 14:50h on Sunday, destined for Barbados to join the rest of the squad in a preparatory camp on the island ahead of the first Test, starting June 3 in Dominica.

However, a source told Guyana Times Sport that WICB President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron phoned the left-hander a few hours before the flight, informing him that some of the WICB Directors who had previously backed the move to include him in the squad have now rescinded their decision.

Moments after, the WICB sent out a release confirming the 12man squad for the first Test, excluding Chanderpaul.

Efforts to contact Chanderpaul and Cameron for a comment on the saga proved futile.

Meanwhile, Convenor of Selectors, Clive Lloyd, said he has communicated to Chanderpaul both verbally and in writing the reason for his omission.

“This was a tough decision for the Selection Panel to make,” Lloyd said. “We recognise the significant contribution Chanderpaul has made to the West Indies teams over the last two decades, but we want to take this opportunity to introduce a number of young, promising players into the squad.”

Late last week it was reported in sections of the press that Chanderpaul had been sacked by the Lloyd-led Selection Panel ahead of the Australia series, and was thanked for his service to West Indies cricket.

Days after, information surfaced that a few WICB Directors were successful in reversing the decision made by the selectors, thereby paving the way for the former captain to head off to camp.

All set and ready to travel on Sunday, Chanderpaul had his plans abruptly derailed by news of the Directors recanting their decision.

This latest development is reminiscent of 2011 when the then coach Ottis Gibson axed a trio of senior players, blaming them for the team’s poor performance in the 50-over World Cup.

Chanderpaul was part of the group, and that signalled the end of his ODI career. His Test career now potentially faces a similar fate.

The Guyanese batsman is 86 runs shy of eclipsing Brian Lara’s Test aggregate of 11,953 runs,

over the past few months, amassing just 183 runs in 11 innings. Cameron last week proclaimed

which is the most by a West Indian. However, it has not been all smooth sailing for the left-hander

that Chanderpaul deserved a special send-off as his illustrious career draws to a close.

Cameron said he had not been pleased with how former players had been treated at the end of their careers.

“I have never really liked how we have ushered out our players, so as President I am always trying to figure out how to honour them,” he told the Jamaica Gleaner.

“We’re doing it now on a continuous basis, year by year, for their performances, but at the end of a long and illustrious career like Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s we want to ensure that whatever we do, it is well respected and that he knows and the Region knows how much we value his services to West Indies cricket.”

However, Cameron said Chanderpaul recently met with the West Indies hierarchy to discuss his future and more would be revealed in coming days.

“Unfortunately, I am not privy to the discussions, but obviously it is where he is at and what are the next steps,” Cameron said.

He added, “In another couple of days it will be made a lot clearer as to the end result of those discussions or how we go forward.”

The squad is: Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Veerasammy Permaul, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.

Mumbai Indians saunter to second Pepsi IPL title

P20

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron

Clive Lloyd

Mumbai Indians celebrate with the IPL 2015 trophy