Guyana Times Daily

The vessel in a clump of bushes on Wakenaam in the Essequibo River

Municipalities present 2015 budget estimates to Local Govt Minister

Five of six municipalities presented their 2015 budget estimates and revenue of expenditure to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, with the exception being the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), whose budget was not approved by the council.

The presentation was done today at the Ministry, Kingston under the theme, “Advancing Effective Municipal Financial Management and Control in 2015”, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

The Rose Hall Town Council presented a $42.8M budget expenditure, Anna Regina, $87,819,140 which saw an increase of over $9M; New Amsterdam,

$138, 907, 949 with an increase of over $8 M, while Corriverton presented $ 75, 675, 596 and Linden $128, 271, 444.

Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba said M&CC had some “political issues” during the preparation of their budget. She noted that the council is out of a finance chairman, however a meeting was organised in this regard, but the Deputy Mayor and others did not show up.

Minister Whittaker expressed his disappointment with the non-approval of the city council’s budget.

During the presentation, it was observed that not a single municipality received 50 percent of the revenues budgeted for.

“Bearing in mind that the prime source and revenue for you is your rates and taxes, you are talking about doing re-evaluation of property and increasing rates…If people are paying so much money and are not able to collect 50% of that what will change if you collect more?” Minister Whittaker noted.

He said that the councils are not actively engaging the ratepayers who are not paying, and if that is not done, better services cannot be provided to the ones who are paying.

He urged the councils

to implement firm policies and programmes which will help in the collection of revenues.

Close to $50M was spent on the rehabilitation and upgrade of all the markets (with the exception of Georgetown which was done under a different programme), with the aim of decreasing road-side vending.

He pointed out there wasn’t any increase in revenue inflow in those municipalities and one would expect an increase.

All the budgets included an increase in salaries for workers.

The Minister said that while the workers’ interest is very important, citizens’ concerns are paramount and the municipalities must seek ways in which they can improve the services that are delivered to the people.

Implementation of 2014 programmes, he said was also disappointing, as most of the councils have not expended 50% of what was budgeted for this year, and that needs to be dealt with.

He also told councils to move away from the traditional way of garnering revenues, and develop other legitimate sources of revenues to enhance the provision of services to the people.

Guyana bets on hydropower to boost economy

The Government plans the construction of a hydroelectric plant in Amaila Falls as part of a push to harness the country’s up to 7000 MW in hydropower potential, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said Monday to mark the start of the Caribbean Community’s annual Energy Week.

Hinds said in a statement that the Amaila Falls Project is in line with the

low-carbon development strategy pioneered in 2010 by then-President Bharrat Jagdeo.

That approach entails “promoting economic development by protecting the country’s tropical forest to aid in addressing global climate change,” the Prime Minister said.

“Guyana’s hydropower potential is estimated to be over 7000 megawatts, and in addition to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, development of other hydro power sites is being pursued,” Hinds said.

He also mentioned the Memorandum of Understanding Guyana signed with Brazil looking to explore “low impact options for the development of the Mazaruni River and the export of energy” to the Brazilian market.

Caricom Energy Week is intended to “increase awareness” about economic and sustainable development in the Caribbean region.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker, Permanent Secretary Collin Croal and Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore along with finance chairmen, town clerks, municipal treasurers and budget managers of municipalities during the presentation of the 2015 municipal budget estimates at the Minister’s boardroom, Kingston

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Heavy rain showers are expected during the day, with sunny conditions otherwise prevailing. Heavy rain showers are also expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly at 2.68 metres per second.

High Tide: 13:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.38 metres.

Low Tide: 07:10h and 19:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.90 and 0.82 metre.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Sending only Africans to APNU protest wrong – Dr David Hinds

... chides AFC for undermining ethnic solidarity

Dr David Hinds, an Executive Member of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), says the decision by the Alliance For Change (AFC) to send only African representatives to the protest organized by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is “unhelpful and ultra-conservative”.

Hinds in a letter to the press expressed his concern over a decision by the AFC to send its Chairman Nigel Hughes and General Secretary David Patterson to mount the APNU’s political platform on Friday at the protest.

The AFC had promised to give "critical support" to the protest organized by the APNU, but its

ing mixed signals about its relationship with the APNU, but earlier this month, clan-

top spokespersons and party Executives did not even turn up to mount the platform.

Party Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo and Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, who are both of East Indian descent, surprisingly were no-shows at the protest.

The party’s leader had hinted earlier in the week that, while the AFC supports the rally organised by the APNU, it played no part in the planning or organisation of the event.

The AFC also maintained that it believed that it was necessary to join the APNU’s platform which was organised to protest the President’s decision to prorogue the Parliament.

The AFC has been send

APNU.

Surprisingly, the two parties have admitted to forming an interim coalition to fight the President’s decision to prorogue the Parliament. They have also been strategising to cause the collapse of the Government through a series of parliamentary ac-

Guyanese community and the readiness of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to exploit this issue. He said “despite Nigel Hughes articulate presentation, the decision not to send one of its top flight Indian Guyanese leaders to speak at the rally at the Square

tion and extra-Parliament advocacy.

Some analysts say that the decision not to send the AFC’s East Indian politicians was deliberate as the minority party is still not certain how to deal with the message that such a move would send to its support bases in Indo-Guyanese con-

destine meetings started between the two groups.

But the AFC continued to argue that it would not be part of any coalition with

sistencies.

In fact, Hinds accused AFC of continuing to be unsure of how to deal with the sensitivities about alliance with PNC in the Indian

of the Revolution was ultra conservative and unhelpful.” Hinds, believes that Nagamootoo speaking to the Indians at the APNU rally would have been a bold step in the direction of ethnic unity and reconciliation. He is of the opinion that the movement towards democracy would be most effective if it is a multi-ethnic one.

“Sending an African Guyanese speaker to African Guyanese dominated event is wrongheaded,” Hinds said. The WPA Executive suggested that APNU and AFC work together, tackling the Indian Guyanese communities on the importance of preservation of democratic norms.

Following the prorogation of Parliament on November 10, a number of APNU supporters ventured out to protest in front of Parliament.

WPA Executive Member Dr David Hinds

AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes

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

The role of the Army

The Army's role as a key institution of the State, and indeed its sine qua non, predates the modern State system. In 1965, just before Guyana was to be granted independence, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was launched. It absorbed the colonial Volunteer Force and the newly formed and racially representative Special Services Unit (SSU) and included several young officers that had been trained in England.

One of those officers, David Granger, is the present Leader of the Opposition.

Following the Opposition defining the Administration as a "minority Government", they launched nationwide protests against the Government's prorogation of Parliament. With the heightened Opposition rhetoric there have been some disturbing calls for the Army to "take sides".

The GDF's role need to be reexamined. When it was launched, it was seen as a "modernising force" that would assist in transforming a tradition bound society. Then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, in fact, explicitly broadened the reach of the ethos of the Army by forming a plethora of state organisations modelled on the GDF.

The Guyana National Service (GNS) was the prime exemplar of this thrust and was led by officers generally seconded from the GDF or (less infrequently) the Guyana Police Force (GPF). It's ranks consisted of youths from across the country - including students from the University of Guyana, and they were to be trained almost identically to the army.

The aim was to instil discipline" for the transformation of the society. There was also a Guyana People's Militia (GPM) that acted as a reserve GDF force. To emphasise their function, the organisations were lumped together as the "Disciplined Forces". There were several civilian affiliates of the then ruling PNC that also received military "disciplining" training.

The role and function of the Disciplined Forces were subsumed within the larger vision of the creation of a "Cooperative Republic" that was fundamentally socialist. Starting in 1989, however, then People's National Congress (PNC) Leader Desmond Hoyte, signed an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that in effect conceded the co-operative experiment had failed.

The economy was reorganised along free enterprise lines as most of the previously nationalised "commanding heights of the economy" were privatised by the Hoyte regime and the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP-C) Government that succeeded it.

However, there was never an explicit deconstruction of the role of the Disciplined Forces and the reformulation of a new guiding vision. In 2003, a Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) was established to examine primarily the question of the ethnic composition of the forces, but it took a more comprehensive approach and its 164 recommendations was quite far reaching.

Unfortunately the report became lost in the parliamentary approval process and while it was subsequently approved, most of its recommendations, especially those of its composition remain unimplemented.

There were, however, several ad hoc initiatives, the most notable being the dissolution of the GNS and the GPM. In the years since, there were sporadic calls for the reintroduction of the GNS to deal with problems manifested in the youth population.

While the calls were couched in the language of "training" the youths and getting them off the streets, there is definitely an undercurrent of the old desire to "instil discipline" into them. There were also persistent demands for "reform" of the GPF because of a number of problems that became manifest. But while there were several studies conducted, until this year, there were no institutionalised program of change.

With the GDF, however, while the "cooperative socialist" innovations - such as officers swearing to the political leader of the country - have been jettisoned, the institution has been left to muddle along. This is unsettling for an organisation operating on "Standard Operating Procedures".

This leads to confusion, which needs to be clarified in light of the present provocative statements by the Opposition.

A lesson the Kaieteur News should inculcate

Dear Editor,

By now everyone should know of the impugned recording that was attributed to the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, which came about because the Kaieteur News unscrupulously, unethically and without the authorization of the Minster tapped, manipulated and distorted a private conversation between the Minister and a journalist attached to the newspaper.

The Attorney General has since the publication of that recording by the Kaieteur News made a public statement where he addressed aspects of the recording which have been attributed to him.

One of those aspects, which had caused quite a stir among the proponents of the combined opposition, Kaieteur News and indeed, some members of civil society, was Nandlall speaking about medical expenses being paid for, using Government financing, which he subsequently refunded.

In his statement to the public on the impugned recording the Minister said, “I wish to set the record straight on that issue. The reference relates to the re-

imbursement I received for monies I expended on medical treatment. This reimbursement was approved by Cabinet in a written Cabinet decision dated 20 June 2013. This is, and historically has been, an entitlement of every member of Cabinet long before my appointment.”

Even though the Minister vindicated himself from the impugned recording, the onslaught over his use of the public funds still continued, with the opposition aligned Kaieteur News blazing on the front burner as usual, misinformed, reckless and unsubstantiated information.

Those reckless assertions have now diminished. Maybe it had to do with the pronouncements made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon during his post Cabinet press briefing. Dr Luncheon cleared the air over the financing and vindicated what the Attorney General was saying all along.

Dr Luncheon was quoted as saying, “Most of the Cabinet members benefit from the provision of expenses; this is a provision where expenses are met, incurred by the cabinet

member and the members of their immediate family. They essentially present cabinet with documentation, based on which the authorisation is provided by the Cabinet for the Ministry of Health to cover those expenses.”

He said also that, “the rule of thumb is once it is a medical expense and the documentation is made available, the Cabinet office authorizes payment” and even went further to state that such a practice is not a strange one and that some Cabinet members utilize it while others choose not to.

To all of those persons, who hurried in haste to condemn the Minister, to be the Judge, Jury and Executioner without allowing natural justice to take place, I say to you, that an apology is in order for the Minister. We are often too quick to take sides and form conclusions prematurely; this I must say is something that Kaieteur News knows only too well.

Furthermore, to all those persons who have been calling for the resignation of the Attorney General such as the Guyana Bar Association, Guyana Association of

Women Lawyers and members of the combined Opposition, among others, who are supposed to be learned men and women, they should know better and conduct themselves more impartially.

None can discredit the indispensable amount of excellent work that this Attorney General has done for his country. We should not be so easily swayed to discredit, malign and cast aspersions, especially when our private conversations which most if not all of us discuss in an atmosphere of lightness and confidentiality can apparently now and at any point in time be tapped and published without our consent or authorization.

I don’t think anyone of those critics would acquiesce to the contents of their private conversations being randomly recorded, manipulated and published without their consent for all and sundry to consume.

If you wouldn’t like it for yourself, you shouldn’t like it for others. Maybe that is a lesson the Kaieteur News should inculcate.

Yours sincerely, Faruk Mohamed

Part of the entertainment at the Junior Chambers International (JCI) Fundraising Dinner on Saturday at the Grand Coastal Hotel, from which 50 per cent of the proceeds were donated to the Periwinkle Cancer Club (Carl Croker photo)

Dear Editor,

Kindly print these articles to allow the Guyanese public to be educated that the action of the President is constitutional and legal. These articles will also help to educate the Guyanese public about what the Canadians did when they realised that they were going to be defeated. This action was valid and constitutional in Commonwealth Canada.

Submitted by Sheik Ally

Canadian leader shuts Parliament

By IAN AUSTEN

Canada’s parliamentary Opposition reacted with outrage on Thursday after Prime Minister Stephen Harper shut down the legislature until January 26, seeking to forestall a NoConfidence Votethat he was sure to lose and, possibly, provoking a constitutional crisis.

Mr Harper acted after getting the approval of Governor General Michaëlle Jean, who represents Queen Elizabeth II as the nation’s Head of State. If his request had been rejected, he would have had to choose between stepping down or facing the No-Confidence Vote on Monday.

The Opposition fiercely criticized the decision to suspend Parliament, accusing Mr Harper of undermining the nation’s democracy. “We have to say to Canadians, ‘Is this the kind of Government you want?’ ” said Bob Rae, a member of the Opposition Liberal Party. “Do we want a party in place that is so undemocratic that it will not meet the House of Commons?”

That sentiment was echoed by constitutional scholars, who lamented that the Governor General might have created a mechanism that future Prime Ministers could use to bypass the legislature when it seemed convenient.

“This really has been a blow to parliamentary democracy in Canada,” said Nelson Wiseman, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto. “It has lowered the status of the elected Parliament and raised the status of the unelected Prime Minister.”

Thursday’s events had their origins in a hotly contested election, which Mr Harper’s Conservative Party won less than two months ago without achieving a majority, leaving it vulnerable to challenge. In light of that and the growing economic turmoil, Mr Harper promised to work closely with the Opposition in the Parliament.

But the proposed budget he presented last week had none of the stimulus programmes that the Opposition had sought to help Canada’s sagging economy. The final insult for the main Opposition parties, the New Democrats and the Liberals, was a provision that would eliminate

public financing for political parties. They considered it a deliberate slap because Mr Harper’s Conservative Party is currently far better financed than they are.

With that, they began scrambling to put together a coalition with the backing of the separatist Bloc Québécois to displace Mr Harper’s Government.

Mr Harper said he suspended Parliament to allow time to put together a budget that he would introduce in January, and he once again spoke in conciliatory terms, inviting the Opposition to participate in the drafting.

“Today’s decision will give us an opportunity – and I’m talking about all the parties – to focus on the economy and work together.”

But Stéphane Dion, who leads the Liberals and who would become the coalition’s Prime Minister, dismissed the idea of working with Mr Harper and said the Conservatives’ budget was unlikely to satisfy the Opposition’s economic demands.

“We do not want any more of his words, we don’t believe them,” Mr Dion told reporters before the closed doors of the House of Commons. “We want to see changes, monumental changes.”

Opposition leaders said they would continue to try to form a new coalition, and strongly criticized Mr Harper’s attempt to thwart them. “He’s put a lock on the door on the House of Commons,” Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democrats, told reporters. “He refuses to face the people of Canada through their elected representatives.”

The Opposition’s move to form a new coalition has, in turn, elicited sharp criticisms from some Conservative members. “That is as close to treason and sedition as I can imagine,” Bob Dechert, a Conservative member, said Wednesday, echoing a refrain heard widely in Alberta, the Prime Minister’s home province.

Technically, what Mr Harper did was to “prorogue” Parliament, a move that stops all actions on bills and the body’s other business, and thus goes well beyond an adjournment (which was not available to Mr Harper in any event, as it requires parliamentary approval).

It is not unprecedented –prorogation is used occasion-

Parliament formally prorogued, new session starts October 16

Governor General David Johnston formally prorogued Parliament on Friday, setting the stage for a new session to open with a speech from the throne on October 16.

The prorogation gives Prime Minister Stephen Harper a chance to re-boot and map out his approach to the scheduled October 2015 election.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, though, accused Harper of trying to duck opposition MPs.

ally to introduce a new legislative agenda – but this is the first time any Parliament members or constitutional scholars here could recall the maneuvre being used in the midst of a political crisis and over the objections of Parliament.

Mr Harper declared the parliamentary suspension after a two-and-a-half hour meeting in Ottawa with Ms Jean. While no Governor General has ever previously rejected a Prime Minister’s request to prorogue Parliament, several constitutional scholars said Mr Harper was the first one to have asked permission when he did not have the support of the legislature.

“That’s why they spent two and a half hours talking,” said C E S Franks, a Professor Emeritus of Political Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Ms Jean did not explain her decision, but Professor Franks speculated that Ms Jean thought it was the least disruptive option. “There’s every likelihood that saying no would have thrown the whole system into turmoil,” he said. “But maybe it needs that.”

None of the Opposition parties have suggested that they will mount a legal challenge. Adam Dodek, a Law Professor at the University of Ottawa who has studied the Governor General’s powers, said Canadian courts could offer only an opinion about the constitutionality of the decision. They lack the ability to issue orders to the Governor General.

“I think it highly unlikely that any court would want to deal with this,” Professor Dodek said. He added that an appeal to Queen Elizabeth was impossible.

In contrast to the relative public indifference to the elections two months ago, the current situation has provoked a passionate debate in the country and inflamed latent regional tensions.

In Western Canada, the Conservatives’ main base of support, political commentators are arguing that the coalition represents an attempt by more populous Ontario and Quebec to deny political influence to the West. But many Quebecers, particularly French speakers, have been offended by Conservative suggestions that they have no interest in remaining a part of Canada.

“He should stop hiding and recall Parliament now to face questions from the people’s representatives,” Mulcair said in a statement issued while Johnston’s prorogation signature was barely dry.

The throne speech the Governor General will read in the Senate Chamber next month will outline the Government’s policy plans in broad terms with details to come later.

Harper has said he plans to lay out the Government’s pre-election agenda. The core issues of jobs and the economy will mirror those the Conservatives stressed during the 2011 election. Deficit reduction and stewardship of natural resources are ex-

pected to be among the highlights.

The return of Parliament next month will also give Opposition parties a fresh opportunity to push the Senate expenses scandal back under the political spotlight.

For Mulcair, the new session gives him a chance to shore up support and steal some thunder from Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau has been making headlines in recent weeks with his controversial comments about marijuana and his staunch, and early, opposition to Quebec’s proposed charter of values.

Mulcair said Harper has repeatedly overused prorogations to avoid accountability.

“While many families continue to struggle, Stephen Harper is shutting down Parliament, afraid to answer questions about the economy or his involvement in the Senate expense scandal,” Mulcair said in a statement. “Canadians deserve better. New Democrats are primed and ready this fall to take on the Conservatives and get results for people.”

The NDP has ground to make up, with the latest poll numbers suggesting Trudeau is solidifying his support in some areas and

leads both the Conservatives and the NDP.

A Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll suggests the Liberals are at 33 per cent support, with the Conservatives at 29 and the NDP at 24. The Greens and the Bloc Quebecois both had six per cent. The numbers are a two-week average.

Pollster Allan Gregg said there is little political volatility to be found.

“We see a pretty stable pattern,” he said. “The Libs have regained their traditional base constituency and now have a solid lead over the Conservatives among the better educated, urbanites and women and have closed the historic gap among men.

“The Conservatives and the NDP have lost considerable support since the 2011 election, but seem to be able to cling to their core constituency.”

Gregg said Harper, in particular, has lost popularity but continues to enjoy extremely high favourability scores among Conservatives.

The poll was part of an omnibus telephone survey of 2,020 people conducted between Aug. 29 and Sept. 9. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

(PUBlIShEd dEcEmBEr 4, 2008, NEw york TImES.)

(PUBlIShEd SEPTEmBEr 13, 2013, ThE cANAdIAN PrESS)

Page Foundation

The ward had become the house of death

I also found out that a patient with Ebola cannot be re-infected and they cannot relapse back into the disease as there is some immunity conferred on survivors. My pastor and I would discuss these findings, interpret them as it related to my situation and pray together. I looked forward to his calls. They were times of encouragement and strengthening. I continued to meditate on the word of God. It was my daily bread.

Shortly after Justina Ejelonu came into the ward, the ward maid, Mrs Ukoh, passed on. The disease had gotten into her central nervous system. We stared at her lifeless body in shock. It was a whole 12 hours before officials of WHO came and took her body away. The ward had become the house of death. The whole area surrounding her bed was disinfected with bleach. Her mattress was taken and burned.

To contain the frequent diarrhoea, I had started wearing adult diapers as running to the toilet was no longer convenient for me. The indignity was quite overwhelming, but I did not have a choice. My faith was being severely tested. The situation was desperate enough to break anyone psychologically. Dr Ohiaeri, our chief medical consultant, also called us day and night, inquiring about our health and the progress we were making. He sent provisions, extra drugs, vitamins, Lucozade, towels, tissue paper;

everything we needed to be more comfortable in that dark hole we found ourselves.

Some of my male colleagues also had been admitted to the male ward two rooms away, but there was no interaction with them. We were saddened by the news that Jato, an official from Ecowas who worked with Patrick Sawyer, who had also tested positive, had passed on days after he was admitted.

Two more females joined us in the ward; a nurse from our hospital and a patient from another hospital. The mood in the ward was solemn. There were times we would be awakened by the sudden, loud cry from one of the women. It was either from fear, pain mixed with the distress, or just the sheer oppression of the isolation.

I kept encouraging myself. This could not be the end for me. Five days after I was admitted, the vomiting stopped. A day after that, the diarrhoea ceased. I was overwhelmed with joy. It happened at a time I thought I could no longer stand the ORS. Drinking that fluid had stretched my endurance greatly.

I knew countless numbers of people were praying for me. Prayer meetings were being held on my behalf. My family was praying day and night. Text messages of prayers flooded my phone from family members and friends. I was encouraged to press on. With the encouragement I was receiving, I began to encourage the others in the ward. We decided to speak life and focus on the positive.

I then graduated from drinking only the ORS fluid to eating only bananas, to drinking pap and then bland foods. Just when I thought I had the victory, I suddenly developed a severe fever. The initial fever had subsided four days after I was admit-

ted, and then suddenly it showed up again. I thought it was the Ebola. I inquired from Dr David, who said fever was sometimes the last thing to go. But he expressed surprise that it had stopped only to come back on again. I was perplexed.

I discussed it with my pastor, who said it could be a separate pathology and possibly a symptom of malaria. He promised he would research if indeed this was Ebola or something else.

That night as I stared at the dirty ceiling, I felt a strong impression that the new fever I had developed was not as a result of Ebola but malaria. I was relieved. The following morning, Dr Ohiaeri sent me an antimalarial medication, which I took for three days. Before the end of the treatment, the fever had disappeared.

I was not prepared to deal with a member of my family contracting it from me

I began to think about my mother. She was under surveillance along with my other family members. I was worried. She had touched my sweat. I couldn’t get the thought off my mind. I came across a tweet by WHO saying that the sweat of an Ebola patient cannot transmit the virus at the early stage of the infection. The sweat could only transmit it at the late stage.

That settled it for me. It calmed the storms that were raging with me concerning my parents. I knew right away it was divine guidance that caused me to see that tweet. I could cope with having Ebola, but I was not prepared to deal with a member of my family contracting it from me.

Soon, volunteer doctors started coming to help Dr David take care of us. They had learned how to protect themselves. Among the volunteer doctors was Dr Badmus, my consultant during my housemanship days. It was good to see a familiar face among the care-givers. I soon understood the important role these brave volunteers were playing.

As they increased in number, so

did the number of shifts increase and subsequently the number of times the patients could access a doctor in one day. That allowed for more frequent patient monitoring and treatment. It also reduced care-giver fatigue. It was clear that Lagos State was working hard to contain the crisis.

Sadly, Justina succumbed to the disease on August 12. It was a great blow and my faith was greatly shaken as a result. I commenced daily Bible study with the other two female patients and we would encourage one another to stay positive in our outlook, though in the natural it was grim and very depressing. My communion sessions with the other women were very special moments for us all.

On the 10th day in the ward, the doctors having noted that I had stopped vomiting and stooling and was no longer running a fever, decided it was time to take my blood sample to test if the virus had cleared from my system. They took the sample and told me that I shouldn’t be worried if it comes out positive as the virus takes a while before it is cleared completely. I prayed that I didn’t want any more samples collected from me. I wanted that to be the first and last sample to be tested for the absence of the virus in my system. I called my pastor. He encouraged me and we prayed again about the test.

On the evening of the day Justina passed on, we were moved to the new isolation centre. We felt like we were leaving hell and going to heaven. We were conveyed to the new place in an ambulance. It was just behind the old building. Time would not permit me to recount the drama involved with the dynamics of our relocation. It was like a script from a science fiction movie. The new building was cleaner and much better than the old building. Towels and nightwear were provided on each bed. The environment was serene.

The following night, my consultant Dr Ameyo Adadevoh was moved to our isolation ward from her private room where she had previously been receiving treatment. She had also tested positive for Ebola and was now in a coma. She was receiving IV fluids and oxygen support and was being monitored closely by the WHO doctors. We all hoped and prayed that she would come out of it. It was so difficult seeing her in that state. I could not bear it. She was my consultant and my mentor. She was the imperial lady of First Consultants, full of passion, energy and competence. I imagined she would wake up soon and see that she was surrounded by her First Consultants family, but sadly it was not to be.

PPP/C slams APNU’s attack on press freedom

The People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has now joined the long list of persons and organisations that have condemned A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Co-Chair Dr Rupert Roopnaraine for his attack on press freedom last weekend.

General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee on Monday sent a strong message of condemnation to the APNU reminding the coalition that under the Peoples National Congress (PNC) regime, freedom of the press was stifled and the PPP/C government was not going to allow any reccurrence of such.

Rohee at a press conference on Monday said that the PPP/C noted with utter distaste recent calls by Dr Roopnaraine for Guyana’s citizenry to boycott the Guyana Times – a private owned company –the Guyana Chronicle and National Communications Network.

Dr Roopnaraine is quoted as saying, “We understand the manipulation and the nastiness of their threats and we will act on it… do not buy the Chronicle or the Guyana Times and when you see Channel 11 comes on, change it.”

But Rohee contends that this view posited by Roopnaraine is indicative from an APNU standpoint that “the only information that is considered acceptable and newsworthy by the APNU is that which is anti-PPP/C and anti-government. This explains its obsession against sections of the media and its hysterical call for a boycott of those media outlets”

He urged that the citizenry “ignore such misdirected calls” noting that

According to reports, Dr Roopnaraine urged the hundreds of Guyanese assembled at the Square of the Revolution, for an APNU rally on Friday evening to squeeze those media entities financially through a boycott so they would be destroyed.

APNU Co-Chair Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

such calls should be more applicable to the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News.

Kaieteur News in particular is notoriously known for its extreme sensationalization of issues and has been accused of “manufacturing" stories.

Referring to the APNU, Rohee said it is “like a wounded creature, which now spits its venom against sections of the media over which they have no control".

APNU leaves Dr Roopnaraine, Nestor in the cold after boycott calls

APartnership for National Unity (APNU) on Monday refused to endorse comments made by its Vice Chairman Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and former People’s National Congress (PNC) Member of Parliament Lurlene Nestor which called for a boycott of businesses and sections of the free media here if they refused to endorse the opposition’s stance on the President’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

When contacted APNU’s General Secretary Joseph Harmon would only say that the shadow cabinet was expected to discuss the comments made by Dr Roopnaraine at a rally on Friday last.

Roopnaraine has been under significant pressure from several sections of the society after he called for Guyanese to boycott the Guyana Times and other media houses because they are not expressing views and opinions which he supports.

In fact, the Government and several civil society organisation have expressed worry over Dr Roopnaraine’s comments while issuing strong condemnations following his brutish attack on press freedom.

Leaving Dr Roopnaraine in the cold since Friday, Harmon said the discussion is set for Wednesday and declined to comment further on the matter. No other APNU parliamentarian or politician has come to his defense since he made the statements.

Dr Roopnarine also told the gathering of persons to desist from purchasing the Guyana Times and Chronicle and not to look at the National Communications Network (NCN) Channel 11.

This statement caused

Attorney General Anil Nandlall to ask the question of whether press freedom is permissible to only one set of media operatives.

Nandlall said Roopnarine’s statement is the most unfortunate statement for a seasoned and elder politician to make.

He went on to state that much a more responsible statement was expected from Dr Roopnarine.

“His remarks constitute nothing less than an assault on the constitutionally guaranteed right of freedom of the press and the right of the Guyanese citizens to receive information. I do not expect the Opposition to be supportive of these news agencies, but at a minimum they should respect their right to publish and the right of the Guyanese people to receive that which is published,” Nandlall said.

NCN has since said it views Dr Roopnarine’s attack as unwarranted and with utter disgust. It agency further stated that the comment exposes the hypocrisy of the combined opposition.

NCN said in the past years from 2012 to 2014, consecutively, the combined Opposition has cut the budgetary allocations of the agency after accusing them of not providing coverage. NCN further said that during the 2014 budget, the party attempted to forcefully remove one of its Member of Parliament from a live programme being aired on the Channel.

Distance

Meanwhile, in a rushed statement on Monday, the main Opposition party distanced itself and denied adopting a policy which called for a boycott of any business-

APNU boycotts AFC’s Region 5 picket

By Andrew CArmiChAel

APartnership For National Unity (APNU) on Monday boycotted a picketing exercise organized by the Alliance For Change (AFC) in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), following President Donald Ramotar’s decision to prorogue Parliament last week.

The picketing exercise took place outside of the Regional Administrative Complex at Fort Wellington. AFC supporters also picketed the Regional Chairman’s Office. Supporters chanted and held anti-Government slogans as the activity took on a humdrum momentum.

es in Guyana.

It also denied calling for a boycott of business in Guyana. “Any remarks made to that effect are inconsistent with the position of APNU,” the coalition said.

APNU seemd forced to release the statement after public outrage over comments made by former Nestor on social media.

Nestor said in a Facebook post that her party had begun an operation on Saturday under the slogan, “Operation Sus-Out and Boycott”.

“We will ask every business in Guyana to place a banner or a placard on their business which reads, "WE SAY NO TO PPP/C DICTATORSHIP", the post read.

She said APNU would be asking and not coercing, begging or forcing anybody to do so. She noted that failure to erect the slogan in a prominent place in their businesses would result in an immediate boycott which would be orchestrated by the APNU.

Ultimatum

“We give them by Monday to get this notice up, failure to have this visible notice will result in us not buying from them, we did it before and we can do it again... we talking to the big ones from Courts, Bounty, Banks, DDL, Fish Shop, all market stall holders and vendors, all businesses on Regent Street, Water Street. We talking to every business from the largest to the smallest,’’ she explained. The APNU member said failure on any part of these businesses to do as instructed will indicate that they are PPP/C supporters and ‘‘are in bed with the dictatorial PPP/C regime”.

The exercise forms part of a plan by the AFC to execute several activities across the region to express its dissatisfaction with the President’s decision.

From all indications, it was supposed to have benefited from the participation of the APNU, but which never showed up. There was also no presence from any senior AFC executive or parliamentarian.

Instead only a handful of party supporters turned up.

Despite this, one of the AFC’s Youth Leaders Mark Ross claimed at the party has support from the Guyana Bar Association, Civil Society, youth groups, and religious

bodies.

Ross told the Guyana Times that the APNU was invited to participate in the exercise.

Asked where the APNU supporters were, Ross said, “They didn't come”.

He said that his party was seeking out support from several stakeholders especially the APNU to remove the People's Progresive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) from office.

Many of those in AFC joined the party because they claimed they were fed up with the PPP/C and the Peoples National Congress (PNC), and they felt that the AFC offered an alternative.

Asked whether the AFC is contradicting itself by seeking the PNC/APNU’s support given that fact, Ross explained that the coalition and partnership between the two was solely for the purpose of causing an incumbency fatigue.

The youth activist said although it was only a handful of supporters who turned out, the party still intends to put pressure on the Government which will cause it to buckle. He said Region Five was chosen because it was one of the AFC’s strong holds. The APNU’s decision not to participate in the rally comes as a shock to many, following bold pronouncements by the leaders of both groups that they are in coalition talks, giving critical support to each other and working on an interim-partnership to force the President and his cabinet to resign.

The APNU’s non-support of the picketing exercise comes on the heels of a decision by the AFC to send on;y two of its party executives (Nigel Hughes and David Patterson) to address a protest organized by the APNU last Friday at the Square of the Revolution.

The AFC picket exercise in Region 5 on Monday

tuesDAY, november 18, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Victoria resident admitted to Bar

Zanna Ananza Frank, 32, of Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara was recently admitted to the bar following a petition by Attorney Lyndon Amsterdam before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.

“I would like to say thank you to all the teacher and lecturers of the various institutions I attended who helped me along my academic sojourn, especially the Registrar of the University of Guyana, Mr Vincent Alexander for his mentorship. I express gratitude to my family, friends and church members, who loved, guided, prayed and assisted me throughout my journey. Thanks to my parents Lloyd and Jewel Frank for my upbringing and the foundation they afforded

me. Special thanks to Mr Reginald Lowe for all his support, guidance and assistance given through my legal studies.”

Being a former student of the Victoria Primary

Electricity thief fined $50,000

Patricia Cornet was on Monday morning fined $50,000 after being found guilty of stealing electricity from the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).

Cornet appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge read that on November 10 at Barrack and Fort Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, she unlawfully and maliciously diverted electricity from the GPL utility pole into her home.

The court heard that on the day in question around 18:30h, the Police and GPL

workers went to the defendant’s home where it was observed that illegal wires were connected from the GPL power lines to the home. She was told of the offence and was arrested. Further investigations were carried out and Cornet was subsequently charged.

However, Cornet told the court that she was not the person that “put up the wires”, but was “just getting current”.

She was subsequently fined the sum of $50,000 which she has three weeks to pay, failing which she will spend eight weeks in prison.

School, she wrote the Secondary School Entrance Examinations (SSEE) and was awarded a place at Bladen Hall Multilateral Secondary School, but was later transferred to St

Rose's High. Frank was a teacher at the Cove and John Secondary School for seven years. In 2005, she attended the Critchlow Labour College to pursue a Certificate in Industrial and Social Studies and then the University of Guyana (UG) where she successfully read for a Diploma in Public Management.

She later pursued a Bachelor’s of Law Degree at UG. Upon completion of her law studies at UG, she enrolled at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, where she obtained her Legal Education Certificate.

“I am honoured to be a part of such a noble and distinguished profession,” Frank said.

Duo charged with conspiracy and robbery under arms remanded

Ronlee Rampersaud and Ceon Grant were remanded to prison on Monday morning on conspiracy and robbery under arms charges when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The first charge stated that on Monday, November 10 at Georgetown, they conspired with others to commit a felony – robbery under arms. The second, linked charge read that on the same date at Sheriff Street, Georgetown, be-

ing armed with a gun, they robbed Leoni Sammoogan of $20,000, which belonged to Wong Chan Ton. The facts were not read on this matter.

The men were not required to plead, since the offences were deemed indictable and the application of the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was not requested by the Police Prosecutor.

The two men will return to Court Three, before Magistrate Judy Latchman on November 28.

Eyew tness

Bon-fyaah...

...as APNU principle

David Granger was quick to "disassociate" himself from Lurlene Nestor's call for APNU's foot soldiers to "manners" those businesses that didn't condemn President Ramotar's prorogation of Parliament. Said "It wasn't me!!"

But Nestor's simply echoing what she and others in the then youth arm (army??) of APNU - the Youth Coalition for Transformation (YCT) – had called for back in December 2011. Only then they were even more explicit - with a list that identified mostly Indian-owned businesses ‘supporting the PPP/C'.

Nestor and Bond and the other "youthmen" never got even a slap on the wrist from Granger then, and they won't get one now. Because by the time the dust had settled, the Christmas season's been ruined for a whole lot of (Government-friendly) businesses. APNU knows that in the Christmas season a business typically generates almost one quarter of the entire year's revenues in that single month. Hence the calls for a "boycott" once again now that Christmas bells are ringing.

But Granger will sanctimoniously simper that he's not part and parcel of "that element". As an old army hand, trained in the game of "hit and run" across borders, he's fully au fait with the SOPs on "deniability". The test of Granger's real position will be whether he casts the "boycotters" out into the cold. Let's see if he treats them the way he did Solomon, Kissoon and Norton, after the Linden meltdown. But you know and I know that's never gonna happen, don't we??

But we hope the rest of Guyana notes that Granger hasn't even uttered a squeak on an even more ominous call for boycott by APNU. One tied to a call to create a "bon-fyaah" with their products. We're referring, of course, to his top lieutenant Rupert Roopnaraine's promise to have a "bon-fyaah" of newspapers for the Guyana Times and the Chronicle – presumably after he'd brought them to their knees with the boycott he's started!

Granger cannot cherry-pick on the question of "boycotts". You'd think he understand that the principle of freedom of the press is as least as important as the right to collect campaign funds for businesses, no?? But what we're seeing here is the old "good cop...bad cop" routine being played out in front of the voters - with Granger always getting the "good cop" role.

Roopnaraine's bad cop routine might've come off as "big and bad" at the Square of the Revolution, but this one's going to backfire on APNU. Big time.

The international community's seeing the carefully constructed velvet created by Granger still covers the sharper steel of the Burnhamite PNC. The mark of the beast is on Roopnaraine ...of loyalties

Nagamootoo's quoted as confessing: "Old people say that `it alright if neighbour dog bite you. Is when you own dog bite you that it hurt!’” He should know...he's "old people" all right!! And also has to be quite a dog to know so much about their thinking process. Imagine this man could actually say the PPP/C is "an ungrateful dog"!! Why, you ask??

Well, his reasoning went like this – “It’s like training your own dog to be a pet and it has turned back to bite you." So this wanker can shamelessly announce that he saw the PPP/C as a dog he was "training" to be loyal to him??!! We can now understand the bitterness that wells up in him from some unfathomable magma of hate. He never joined the PPP/C for the sake of the people, but for the expectation of getting "President wuk"!! No wonder Cheddi fed him with a long spoon!!

...of tokens

You'd think that after five decades of "racial tokenism" in Guyanese politics, folks would be leery of playing that card again. But what else can you say about Ramjattan and Nagamootoo sending Nigel Hughes at the "rally" around the torch of Cuffy?? Ow man Hughes!! Where's your pride??

Zanna Frank being sworn in as an Attorney-at-Law

Private sector, labour unions willing to mediate

– urge dialogue among all parliamentary parties

Its early days yet but Guyana’s Private Sector and several labour organizations have expressed a willingness to serve as mediators in the ongoing conflict and parliamentary dispute between the government and opposition that led to Parliament’s suspension on Monday last.

These organizations have also expressed support for dialogue as a means of settling the differences between the ruling People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), the Alliance For Change (AFC), and the main opposition parliamentary party A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

liamentary parties.

In fact, Chairman of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Clinton Williams expressed disgust at the current situation.

“We don’t like what is happening”, Williams said with regard to the current state of affairs.

He said his organization believes that compromising is to only way forward and is willing to mediate any future dialogue between the two rivalries.

APNU resorts to threats to remove President Ramotar

During the airing of the Walter Rodney Groundings, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary, Joseph Harmon threatened to have President Donald Ramotar removed from office in light of the prorogation of Parliament.

While being interviewed on Sunday, Harmon said “there is a provision that would allow us to sign a petition, saying that President Ramotar has continuously breached our Constitution”.

He said that the Commission to be willing to serve as mediators since it strongly believes that there is an urgent need to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between the three par-

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud said discussions concerning the mediation of possible dialogue between the opposition parties and Government were held during a recent stakeholders meeting with President Donald Ramotar.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) Kenneth Joseph also said his organization is willing to mediate.

He too believes that there is need for compromise between the political parties to move the country forward.

On November 10,

President Ramotar proclaimed a prorogation of Parliament to allow more time and space for dialogue between the Opposition parties and Government.

The Opposition parties in response are adamant that there will be no dialogue.

UK urges internal resolution to conflicts

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

British High Commissioner

Andrew Ayre said Guyana’s political affairs should be dealt with internally.

Ayre was responding to questions posed by reporters on whether the diplomatic community should serve as a mediator in the current problems facing the country with the prorogation of Parliament.

“This is a Guyanese problem, it needs a Guyanese solution. Time must be given for all stakeholders in Guyana to craft that solution themselves,” Commissioner Ayre said in his response.

However he stated that if international mediation is sought based on a collective agreement by all parties; then the United Kingdom (UK) would be happy to assist.

Alluding directly to the suspension of Parliament by President Donald Ramotar, Ayre said the “UK believes that the central pillar of democracy is Parliament and therefore Parliament should re-sit with the shortest possible delay”.

But he acknowledged that the Constitution gives the President the right to prorogue Parliament and simultaneously empowers Members of Parliament to dissolve Parliament.

During his last press conference, President Ramotar had given a similar response when asked about an international mediator coming to resolve the current political problems. The President had said that Guyanese politicians on both sides of the House should use this prorogation period to resolve outstanding problems.

Last week, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman sought the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat when he wrote the Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma. Trotman in his letter asked that a delegation be sent to Guyana to meet with the Government and the Opposition aimed at serving as mediator to resolve the current problems.

On November 10, all attempts to move a

No-Confidence Motion against the Donald Ramotar Administration were squashed when the President moved to prorogue the Parliament hours before the House reconvened.

Despite political hostility on the part of the Opposition, Ramotar said he will approach both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to engage them in talks, in a quest to move Guyana forward. Though the Opposition has made it clear that it will not engage in negotiations with the Government during the prorogation of Parliament, President Ramotar said he remains an optimist.

“I have been working on my negotiating team and in a matter of days I will be in-

viting the Opposition for us to begin the dialogue.

"I know they say they do not want to speak with us but I will take this as their first position. Hopefully when the emotions would have been removed, good sense would prevail,” he said.

Since Monday, President Ramotar has been engaging stakeholders and members of civil society. According to him, there is a general consensus that negotiations need to occur. However if the Opposition fails to heed to the President’s request or talks do occur, but hit rock bottom before the end of the prorogation, Parliament will be reconvened and elections called.

“I have said that I have absolutely no intention of extending the prorogation of Parliament to extend the life of the Government. I will not be doing that!”

He added, “The prorogation has a maximum period it could last, so I hope the problem could be resolved long before…hopefully we can find enough common ground to recall Parliament and deal with the urgent business of the people.”

Although dubbing it the best of three options, he opined that the suspension of Parliament could have been prevented, but the Opposition was bent in its ways.

But he could not say which section of the Constitution the President breached.

Harmon claimed that such a petition signed by more than 50 percent of the Parliamentary Opposition,

will allow the removal of President Ramotar and the reconvening of Parliament.

Harmon then contradicted himself by admitting that President Ramotar’s action to prorogue Parliament was constitutional, but said members of the Opposition do not believe it was lawful at this point in time.

Speaking to the Guyana Times via telephone, he explained his rationale by stating that article 180 of Guyana’s Constitution allows for removal of the President for its violation or gross misconduct. But again he could not say what the misconduct was.

President Ramotar has said that his decision to prorogue Parliament is derived strictly from his intentions to preserve the life of the 10th Parliament and give lee-way for discussions with the Opposition leaders.

However, the Opposition leaders, who are presently holders of a combined one seat majority in Parliament, have since refused to have talks with the President.

The Opposition has said that they will only facilitate talks with the President in the National Assembly.

During the panel discussion, Harmon along with Professor Clive Thomas reit-

erated their position against the Government.

Harmon reinforced the Opposition’s intent to continue countrywide protests until Parliament is convened. APNU held a rally at the Square of the Revolution on Friday evening which saw hundreds of Guyanese turning out.

At the rally, APNU Leader David Granger and Alliance For Chanfe (AFC) Chairman Nigel Hughes made it clear that the opposition intends to retable the No-Vonfidence Motion as soon as Parliament resumes. Parliament's prorogation may continue for up to a maximum of six months from November 10, when the No-Confidence Motion, put forth by AFC was set to be debated.

The Opposition has since accused the current Government Administration of avoiding the motion. But President Ramotar during his address following the prorogation said “some may ask why is it that my government has gone this Constitutional route and not go along with the debate. The answer lies in the practical choice between an atmosphere of confrontation, as the No-Confidence Motion debate would fuel, and that of possible accommodation, as a prorogued Parliament can facilitate, if there is a genuine intent on all sides”.

Members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and civil society, along several with organisations, have since called on the Opposition leaders to cooperate with Government and facilitate dialogue.

Kit Nascimento, Head of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), recently called for the Opposition to support the President’s call for dialogue. He also agreed with the President’s decision to prorogue Parliament and hopes that Guyana’s political situation is restored to normalcy soon.

Chairman of the Guyana Private Sector Commission Ramesh Persaud

British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre

GMSA Chairman Clinton Williams

President Donald Ramotar

APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon

AML/CFT Asset Recovery Training Programme... Sending criminals to prison and confiscating their wealth equally important – survey

The British High Commission, in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, is currently hosting an AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Asset Recovery Training Programme.

The two-week training programme was opened on Monday at the Bank of Guyana in the presence of British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre; Head of the

European Union Delegation, Ambassador Robert Kopecký; Attorney General Anil Nandlall; Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Paul Geer; and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Sydney James.

In delivering the feature address, the British High Commissioner said the training programme provides Guyana with another opportunity to address money laundering and the re-

covery of assets. As he underscored the importance of fighting crime, Ayre said asset recovery creates a dent in the criminal economy. “Criminals find their working capital disappearing, their fellow crooks lose confidence in them, and they have to dream up new ways of hiding loot from investigations,” he said.

It was noted that persons stay committed to criminal enterprises because of the confidence they have of not

being convicted and simultaneously the assurance that they have been given that their illegitimate assets will not be stripped.

“Asset recovery deters criminals. Criminals used to think of prison as an occupational hazard, when caught for the crime, do the time –but secure in the knowledge that when they emerged through the prison gates, they could carry on where they left off and return to their comfortable lifestyles. Our experience indicates asset confiscation is a greater deterrent,” the British High Commissioner explained.

Asset recovery

It was further explained that the recovery of assets links criminals and criminal enterprises. “Tracing stolen money often leads to people whose involvement in crime was previously unsuspected. Seizing cash at the border has led to the identification of individuals engage in crime.”

According to the High Commissioner, the recovery of assets also allows the public to see that criminals do not get to keep the fruits of their illicit activity. Pointing to a review done in the UK, he said one survey suggests that 80 per cent of people think that sending criminals to prison and confiscating their wealth are equally important goals of the criminal justice system.

The UK, through the Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP), has been conducting extensive work across the Caribbean with the intent to build capacity and capability through the monitoring of financial investigators, prosecutors and magistrates in their roles under the relevant Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering Legislation.

Attorney General and

Boycott is de new word

Boycott is suddenly de new buzz word in Guyana. These days any time any body open dem mouth, that word comin out, especially dem ones who playin politricks. De scholar Poopert usin it. Curlene usin it. Green Jah usin it. Rum Jhaat using it. De Nagga Man usin it. Rambo usin it. And even de Man Kisser usin it.

Nuff a dem wanna boycott de GTimes, dem wanna boycott businesses in de country, and dem wanna boycott de Guvament. And dem public servants always wanna boycott de wuk whah dem gettin pay to do.

Of course, Uncle Rafeel done boycott Lil Johnny. So Lil Johnny was gettin traumatise then by he own uncle and he gettin Trotmanise now by de same uncle.

Poopert seh he gon boycott GTimes and just like how he boycott Rodney and cut he throat when he join up wid de Pee-Hen-Cee. Some body seh Poopert only behavin so because he vex since Green Jah boycott he way ahead of de next elections. Now it ain’t got nobody leff to boycott poor Poopert.

No Gel Hugly was also vex when Rum Jhaat boycott he and tell de KFC to put Nagga Man as de Presidential Candicate. That was when Pattieson seh he also woulda run fuh de position if Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man didn’t boycott he.

Curlene seh she gon boycott all de businesses and right away Green Jah seh he gon boycott she. De other day both Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man boycott de APNU rally. And de Pee-Pee-Pee/Cee had boycott de two of dem after de party realise dem was no good.

As soon as Paper Man hear all that, he seh he wanna boycott all he court dates, even de one wheh he rob de Guvmanent over $100 million in taxes, plus de other one wheh he rob de S*ity Council another setta millions. And not too long ago he tell de remigrants to boycott de court. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But no matter whah he do, Camp Street ain’t gon boycott de Paper Man.

Legal Affairs Minister Nandlall, in delivering brief remarks, outlined the progress being made by Guyana, despite its inability to pass the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill. In light of the challenges facing Guyana, it has been placed under the supervision of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The country was identified as a jurisdiction with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies due to its constant failure to meet in full its international obligation to FATF/CFATF by passing the legislation.

As a result, Guyana, in collaboration with FATF, has established an action plan, which is divided into two broad categories: legislative and non-legislative requirements.

Minister Nandlall said in the absence of the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill, the Government was swiftly working to implement the non-legislative measures. Continuous training is being facilitated as part of the menu of measures, he pointed out, noting that the ongoing programme is the first in a series of programmes or workshops that would be executed with support from the international community.

Additionally, he reported

that a National Task Force, with key institutions such as the Guyana Police Force; Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU); the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); Bank of Guyana; SOCU; FIU; Finance Ministry; Home Affairs Ministry; and the Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP), has been established to “police” the AML regime in Guyana.

Additionally, preparations are well underway for the implementation of a National AML/CFT fiveyear plan. Preparations are also being made for the provision of periodic reports showing typologies and trends.

These mechanisms will be used to analyse the reports and guide the investigative process. It is anticipated that the nonlegislative measures will be successfully implemented early next year.

The Training Programme, which is gaining the attention of representatives from the National Task Force, forms part of the UK’s CCARP with funding provided by the US Embassy. During the two weeks of training, five trainers from the UK will provide practical advice and guidance in addition to “live case” monitoring.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall shaking hands with British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, in the presence of the EU Delegation Head Robert Kopecký, the UK facilitators and FIU Director Paul Geer

SOCU makes first bust

– seizes

US$45,630, €740 from Bulgarian national

The recently-established Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), in collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), made its first bust, seizing US$45,630 and €740 suspected to be the proceeds of criminal activity, from a Bulgarian national who they suspected was laundering the money.

FIU Director Paul Geer made the announcement on Monday during the opening ceremony of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Asset Recovery Training Programme at the Bank of Guyana, Georgetown. According to Geer, it was Guyana’s first cash seizure since the operationalisation of the SOCU, which was set up late last year to investigate and prosecute suspicious financial transactions suggestive of money laundering and financing of terrorism.

SOCU’s Head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James explained that the seizure was made at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Based on information received, James said, SOCU had “strong suspicion” that the Bulgarian national was involved in money-laundering activities. The individual had journeyed from Bulgaria to Spain to Brazil to Guyana and then to Jamaica before returning to Guyana. It was on his return trip that he was intercepted.

“He arrived in Guyana some time early that morning (October 29) and a

Essequibo ferry Sabanto runs aground at Wakenaam

search was carried out on his suitcase where US$45,630 and 740 euros were found in his possession,” James, a former Guyana Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel, explained.

ATM fraud?

It is believed that the Bulgarian might be involved in Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) fraud, but where the suspected crime happened has not yet been determined.

“We weren’t certain whether it was Guyana or Jamaica,” James said.

Nevertheless, the money was detained and an application was made through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for a detention order pending further investigation. The detention order was approved by the acting Chief Justice Ian Chang. “We have 90 days from October 29 to establish whether the money detained are proceeds of crime.”

As the matter engages the attention of the court, investigators are moving to gather their facts before the detention order expires. The Bulgarian national, who was represented by Charles Ramson Jr, left the jurisdiction one day after the money was seized. It was explained that he had the option of staying or leaving.

SOCU came into full operation this year in keeping with Guyana’s treaty obligation to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Unit was in the pipeline since November 2013 in response to the Opposition’s refusal to support the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill. SOCU collaborates with the FIU to compile information to build a case and then acts as an intermediary between the FIU and the DPP to prosecute.

FIU, another weapon in Guyana’s AML/CFT arsenal, was established under the AML/CFT Act of 2009 with the primary objective to monitor the financial sector, but with the operationalisation of SOCU, its task expanded from monitoring to investigating.

By IndrawattIe natram

What should have been a simple smooth journey for passengers utilising the Sabanto to travel from Parika to Supenaam turned out to be a chaotic experience.

According to reports, the Captain reportedly sped his way into a clump of bushes on Wakenaam.

The vessel reportedly left Parika about 23:45h on Sunday evening with approximately 120 passengers and 15 vehicles onboard.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the Captain left on time for the journey to Supenaam. Information revealed that the river was very calm and the ferry was moving at a fast pace.

About 20 minutes into the journey, passengers were greeted with the news that the boat lost track. Soon after, they reportedly screamed with fear as they shouted for help as the boat was heading into the direction of the trees.

Reports say that the boat reportedly experienced mechanical problems and the steer wheel became inoperable.

The vessel eventually ended up in some bushes where it remained for some time.

According to one passenger Joseph Curt, he was on the boat with his children heading home when the accident occurred.

He said luckily his children were asleep when the incident occurred.

Curt said passengers were stranded for seven hours “when our journey suppose to be one and half hour, our journey was extended, it was very tiresome, but its good thing, speed boat came to rescue us”.

A vendor, who usually sells at Charity Market on Monday, was also stranded. He had onboard perishable items which include cabbag-

es, carrots, pluck chicken and other vegetables. The vehicles on the boat contained chicken feed, logs and groceries.

On learning of the accident, boat operators at Supenaam grasped an early business and rush to the area to rescue passengers. The passengers had to pay an additional fare of $1000 to reach Supenaam.

Speed boats operators lined one after the other to rescue the passengers, some with perishable items.

A Transport and Harbours Department officer at the Good Hope Supenaam Ferry Stelling

said the boat did not suffered any extensive damage from the incident.

The officer said the boat will head to Supenaam as soon as the tide rises. He was unaware of the real cause of the incident; however, an investigation will be launched shortly.

Recently, there was a similar incident on another vessel where a truck toppled, causing million of dollars to be lost in chicken feed.

Meanwhile, the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) in a release said it is currently investigating the circumstanc-

es which resulted in the MV Sabanto running aground on Wakenaam Island during the wee hours of Monday.

The vessel, along with its sister ship the MV Kanawan, plies the Supenaam/Parika route.

The mishap reportedly occurred around 00:35h as the vessel was en route to Supenaam with passengers and crew. No injury was reported.

Passengers were rescued by water taxis which responded to the vessel’s distress call.

Assessments by mariners, marine surveyors and engineers are currently underway to initially determine damage to the vessel and the best method of safely taking it off.

In the meantime, efforts will be made to take off -by dumb barge – the three trucks and seven cars still onboard.

Favourable tides which will help a refloating operation by means of tugs are anticipated at the upcoming weekend.

Traffic movement will be maintained at normal levels by a doubling up of the runs of the MV Kanawan and MV Malali

“The T&HD sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to commuters,” the release concluded.

The Sabanto grounded on Wakenaam

SOCU’s Head Sydney James

tuesDAY, november 18, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Investors continue to show confidence in economy

– new supermarket opens at Church and Thomas Streets

City residents have a new supermarket at their disposal, the Real Value shopping centre, which opened on Saturday at Church and Thomas Streets.

Speaking at the grand opening, acting Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali urged the owner of the supermarket to sell local produce as it will be a stand out compared to the others.

Jason Wang and encouraged him to remain focused and continue to operate within the laws.

The Ambassador said he is proud of the relationship shared by the two countries and is pleased to celebrate the launching of a new business here.

Wang said he has no doubt of support from the Guyanese community, noting that they have already been showing their loyalty

According to the Minister, the new supermarket shows investors’ confidence in Guyana, regardless of the many challenges confronting them.

The Minister said the Government is investing more in tourism, not only to improve occupancy, but to improve increased consumption.

He also disclosed that very soon an international chicken franchise and bank will be bringing their services to these shores.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin congratulated the young business owner

and hope that it continues so that his business will be successful.

Also addressing the opening, Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud told the gathering that the opening of the new business signals that entrepreneurship is alive and that investors have confidence in the local economy.

He said while many may feel jealous of this accomplishment, he urged the young entrepreneur to remain focus and to always remember that the market will not wait on him to go af-

Opening of Marriott pushed back to February

Guyana’s first-ever Marriott Hotel is delayed.

The hotel, which had been planning a December 2014 opening, has pushed back its opening date to February 2015, according to the property’s Web site.

The Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown, located in the country’s capital, includes views of the Demerara River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Upon completion, it would be the first major branded hotel in the South American country.

The US$51 million project broke ground in November 2011. The world class hotel, the Marriott brand, is another model of Private-Public Partnership investment.

The flagship luxury edifice when completed will be the first internationally-branded hotel since 1967 when La Meridian Pegasus was introduced to these shores.

ter them, but he will have to find ways and means to go after the market.

On the other hand, Persaud highlighted that increased capital and innovative market intelligence are the two most challenging business models and competing factors.

He noted that they are other big businesses in Guyana and to gain the attention of customers, new strategies need to be implemented and he is sure that with the knowledge of the entrepreneur, the business will definitely grow.

He added that Guyana is open to investors, regardless of where they come from.

He said as long as the business is legitimate and is in compliance with the law; the Public Sector Commission will support it and make sure that it does not become a victim to any political process.

Undoubtedly, the US multimillion investment featuring all modern amenities is testimony of investors’ confidence in the economy, and fortifies Guyana’s thrust of becoming a premiere tourist destination.

The project under the management of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), a receiver company, when become operational, will add to the existing pool of top class local hotels and demonstrate that the PrivatePublic Partnership models of development can work in Guyana.

The principal investors in AHI (Marriott Hotel Guyana project and Entertainment Complex) are the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI)registered ACE Square Investments Limited.

ACE Square Investments

Limited has acquired 67 per cent of the equity of AHI.

Ace Square Management Limited’s beneficial shareholders are the same as ACE Square Investments Limited.

The beneficial owners of the shares in ACE Square Investments Limited, and the owners of the shares in ACE Square Investments Limited, through a BVIregistered holding company, Big Splendor Limited, are Hong Kong businessmen, Victor How Chung Chan and Xu Han.

The Government is the minority partner with 33 per cent (US$4 million) of the overall equity in the project.

Recruitment for the entertainment complex staff has already begun and overall, both the hotel and the entertainment complex are expected to employ between 400-500 Guyanese.

The project is expected to provide a 197-room Marriott Hotel, the largest conference/banqueting facilities in the country, bar/ restaurants of a modern hotel, a promenade connecting the existing sea wall to the pier, and an entertainment complex with a casino, night club, and a separate restaurant from the hotel.

Guyanese eagerly awaits

the completion of the flagship hotel, which will complement Georgetown’s historic architectural splendour.

Visitors will marvel the picturesque views of the Demerara River meeting the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a charming welcome to nearby Georgetown’s central district with its various attractions.

In fact, the local brand of the luxury hotel cannot wait to begin operations in Guyana, and has summed up the experience of what it has to offer.

“Witness a breathtaking sunset by the pool bar and grill or re-energise at our state-of-the-art fitness centre. Stay connected and entertained with Marriott’s plug-and-play system, 42inch flat panel TVs and highspeed Internet. Plan meetings effortlessly, with over 8,600 square feet of flexible meeting space. Whether hosting an intimate event for 10 or a large-scale affair for 700, our Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown can easily accommodate your needs. Book one of our 197 guest rooms or suites with views of the ocean or Georgetown’s city lights. Treat yourself to a spot; full of light, full of life and full of energy.”

Bandits rob Zeelugt Housing Scheme residents

Four men, one armed with a hand gun on Sunday held up a Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo resident and took away $500,000 in cash and a number of items.

According to a Police release, the incident reportedly occurred at 21:00h. Reports say that the robbers entered the home of one “Chandrawattie”, 44, ransacked it and took away a laptop computer, a quantity of gold jewellery and $500,000 before making good their escape.

The Police said that it is suspected that the same

“The perpetrators ransacked the home and took away another laptop computer, a quantity of gold jewellery and $50,000.00 and escaped.

“The Police responded promptly to the reports and later intercepted two men at the Uitvlugt Bus Shed, West Coast Demerara. An unlicensed .38 revolver with six matching rounds and one of the stolen computers were found in their possession.

“They have been arrested and are in Police custody assisting with the investigations,” the release concluded.

The Marriott Hotel which had been planning a December 2014 opening, has pushed back its opening date to February 2015

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Liming cutting the ribbons at the opening of the Real Value Supermarket on Saturday in the presence of acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ally

Inside the Real Value Supermarket, Church and Thomas Streets, Georgetown

men then went to the home of Patricia Jeffrey, 33, of Zeelugt North Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo and held her up, along with her daughter.

The unlicensed .38 revolver with six matching rounds found on the men at the Uitvlugt Bus Shed, West Coast Demerara

Guyana equipped, but cost to treat cancer too high

– Cancer Institute Guyana official

Guyana has all the modalities to treat and detect the different types of cancer, but the average Guyanese can hardly afford to utilise them.

This is according to Dr Raveendranath Raghuram, a representative of the Cancer Institute Guyana (CIG) in a recent interview with Guyana Times.

He noted that Guyana facilitates surgeries, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy at both private and public institutions, but the cost for these are very high.

“We have experienced surgeons at GPHC [Georgetown Public Hospital] and private sectors performing surgery, chemotherapy could be given at Cancer Institute or GPHC and at Cancer Institute; we are having the state-of-art radiation therapy linear accelerator (Linac) machine to treat the cancer with high dose x-ray beams. Hormone therapy is using medicines, patients buy them at drug stores and some hormone therapy medicines; for example Tamoxifen is available at GPHC and given free to breast cancer patients.”

The major expenses of a cancer patient includes costs for diagnosis and treatment in hospital, clinic visits, medicines, tests and procedures, home health services, and services of doctors and other professionals such as

counsellors. This can be burdensome on patients.

The average Guyanese cannot afford to spend that much. If the average Guyanese pours all their money into cancer treatment, then they may be neglecting other critical aspects of life such as food, clothing and shelter.

“Cancer treatment is expensive because these highend machines are huge investments and need high maintenance by highly qualified engineers specialised in this field and each one of them require periodic check up and quality assurance daily, monthly, quarterly and annually,” Dr Raghuram said.

Assistance

On the other hand, there are several organisations and initiatives in Guyana that financially assist persons living with cancer.

For example, there is the Health Ministry and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), which pay a share of the cost for treatment of patients.

There is also the Periwinkle Cancer Club, which recently received a generous donation from Junior Chambers International (JCI), to assist them with their creditable work.

The Periwinkle Cancer Club provides food hampers and other assistance to persons who are terminally-ill.

Club representative Andrea Joseph said the money they received from JCI will most likely go towards assisting two young cancer patients ages 10 and 13.

Dr Raghuram said Guyanese cancer patients get adequate help in this regard. He noted that surgery is done free of cost at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the costs of services such as CAT (Computerised Axial Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are subsidised for patients.

However, Dr Raghuram told Guyana Times that much more has to be done for patients living with cancer.

“Cancer patients in Guyana need support from the Government, NonGovernment Organisations (NGOs) and all other organisations to live their life to fullest extent.”

He highlighted that cancer patients need expensive treatment, not only at the initial stage, but for the rest of their lives, especially if they are to continue living life to the fullest.

“Also they need the support of family and friends during this difficult hour of their life, rehabilitation and proper support at workplace, psychological support to help them to fight this dreaded disease; more so a national comprehensive cancer policy.”

The Cancer Institute of Guyana offers pap smear for cervical cancer, mammogram, ultrasound and Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) for breast cancer, Clinical Direct Rectal Examination (DRE) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing for prostatic cancer, among others.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Dr Raghuram mentioned that the screening is quite affordable with prices starting from just $4000 for breast examinations.

He is urging everyone, especially men, to put pride aside and get tested for the sake of their lives.

Santa Fe Mega Farm investment a success story

– scope of operations to be further expanded

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Sunday witnessed the loading of harvested rice from the Santa Fe Mega Farm investment which was then transported to Brazil. The cargo rice was first processed at the Santa Fe Mill which was constructed by the investors.

This is the third time the Simpson family of Barbados is successfully harvesting rice which is being used to supply the local Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) market as well

as Brazil.

For 2014, more than 8000 tonnes of cargo rice was exported to Brazil.

Santa Fe Inc investor, Sir Kyffin Simpson is adamant that the investment at Santa Fe since its inception continues to be a favourable one and committed to ensuring additional growth in the Hinterland region.

The project modelled its cultivation on techniques used in Brazil as well as that in Guyana and utilises a Brazilian expert to guide the process.

Diamond man stabbed by brother-in-law

Afather of one is now a patient at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing at least 28 stab wounds inflicted on him by his brother-in-law.

Satrohan Goocool, 38, of 13th Street Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was stabbed on Saturday evening about 21:00h at his home.

The suspect has been arrested and is assisting Police in their investigations.

According to information received, the now injured man and his wife had a little domestic dispute which led to some “hard talk” after which, Goocool left the house and went for a stroll in the area.

After spending a few minutes, he returned home, but was ambushed by his bother-in-law who attacked him.

After falling to the ground, the suspects reportedly continued stabbing him about the body after which he went into the house and washed off the blood stained knife.

A Policewoman who resides next door reportedly contacted the Police who arrived on the scene. The injured man was taken to Diamond Diagnostic Centre but was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment.

The suspect, on the other hand has denied committing the heinous crime.

A relative of the injured man speaking under the condition of anonymity said during the attack, the now hospitalised man begged the suspect to stop, but he continued. He received injuries to the head, lungs and liver.

She added too that this was not the first time the man was injured by his

wife’s brother.

She recalled a few months ago, Goocool was attacked and chopped by the said man, but his family pleaded with him to drop the charges, claiming that it was a family issue and could be dealt with internally.

The woman related that she was at home when she received a call from a relative informing her about the dreaded incident.

By the time she arrived at the scene, she claimed that the injured man was already taken to the hospital.

At the hospital, the woman stated that Goocool was unconscious, but regained consciousness after a few hours.

Meanwhile, hospital officials confirmed that the injured man is in a stable but serious condition. Police are continuing their investigations.

“There continues to be progress every time I visit Santa Fe… such success is a model which shows what can be done in savannah lands,” the Agriculture Minister said.

The Agriculture Minister alluded to the fact that there continues to be tremendous potential for agriculture development in the hinterland which thus far has largely remained untapped.

Since its inception, the project has also welcome successful harvest of not only rice but cash crop and the production/rearing of piglets, cows and sheep as the investors begin a modern Cattle Industry.

Minister Ramsammy

praised the Santa Fe investors for buying into the idea that Savannah agriculture does not need to be limited to cattle.

The project first started with 120 acres of rice. However, the Simpson family who are also the owners of Sol Group realised this was not enough and has since significantly expanded their operations.

To date, the Santa Fe Project is not only equipped with a certified mill to process the paddy, but the necessary infrastructure such as drainage and irrigation canals and a pump system.

The project is also set to utilise the savannahs for soya beans and corn cultivation which will significantly aid the Caribbean in reducing its imports of the said commodities and allow for trade and expanded markets within the region.

The project is being managed and supervised by Guyanese Richard Vasconcellos. Of the 60 employees, 57 are Guyanese from Region Nine.

The Agriculture Minister was accompanied by Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary George Jervis; National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Oudho Homenauth; Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Chief Executive Officer, Dindyal Permaul; National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer, Lionel Wordsworth; Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Deputy General Manager Rickey Ramraj; and Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) Board, Deputy Registrar Suresh Singh.

The Santa Fe team included the owner Sir Kyffin Simpson, Chairman of Santa Fe Board of Directors, Ronald Hardford, President of Itikawa Arroz (rice), Nelson Itikawa and Guyanese Director Richard Vasconcellos.

Inside the rice factor at the Santa Fe Mega Farm, Region Nine

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy with others at the Santa Fe Mega Farm, Region Nine

Dr Raveendranath Raghuram speaking at the event on Saturday

Jamaica health authorities report progress in fight against Chikungunya

Chief Inspector at the Kingston and St Andrew Public Health Department, Everton Baker, says progress is being made with the vector control programme to tackle the outbreak of the Chikungunya virus.

He says the Health Department checked more than 41,000 homes between June 2014 and last month and seven thousand were found with breeding sites for the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes.

In recent weeks there has been a significant decline in new cases of Chikungunya in the eastern parishes of

St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew and the central parish of St Catherine. In December 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported local transmission of Chikungunya in Saint Martin. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with chikungunya and are spreading it to people. This is the first time that local transmission of Chikungunya has been reported in the Americas. Countries and territories in the Caribbean where Chikungunya cases have been reported: Anguilla, Antigua and

Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela. (Caribbean 360)

Citizenship can be revoked, warns Bahamas Minister

After a state representative from Florida called on tourists and businesses to boycott The Bahamas, Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell said on Friday that the Ministry is determining what measures to put in place to protect the “sovereign integrity” of The Bahamas. Mitchell was responding to Florida State Representative Daphne Campbell.

He said several complaints have been made to the ministry from Bahamian citizens about Campbell’s remarks, as well as those of “a purported citizen of The Bahamas who now lives in the US”.

Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister

citizens to act in a manner which does not prejudice the sovereignty of the state or jeopardises their citizenship,” he said.

“Any visitor to our country must comport themselves in accordance with the law.”

He said the Constitution gives the Governor General the power to “deprive a Bahamian of citizenship”.

“The point here is that citizenship of The Bahamas is precious and important and worthy. The new policies require all non-Bahamians to have passports of their nationalities and evidence that they have permission to live and work in the country.

Florida-US Coast Guard makes US$5.1M cocaine bust in Caribbean Sea

The United States Coast Guard says crew members aboard the Cutter Alligator offloaded cocaine valued at US$5.1 million in St Petersburg, Florida on Thursday.

The Coast Guard said the cocaine was seized in support of Operation Caribe Venture. During a routine

patrol last week, a Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine aircraft detected a 25-foot “go-fast” vessel in the Caribbean Sea.

Coast Guard officials report that an armed Coast Guard helicopter crew aboard observed suspicious packages on board the go-fast vessel.

“After the suspected vessel failed to heave to, the armed helicopter crew employed warning shots and then disabling fire to stop the vessel,” the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard said three suspected smugglers aboard the go-fast vessel were detained and later turned over to law enforcement officials. (Caribbean 360)

Trinidad residents get some relief after floods

A“The Ministry reminds the public that the Constitution requires all

“The Bahamas Nationality Act says… that the Minister for nationality may by order deprive someone who is a naturalized citizen of his or her citizenship if that person has shown himself by act or speech to be disloyal or disaffected towards The Bahamas,” he said.

It also states that the Department of Immigration will not accept first-time applications for residence or work permits from those who have no legal status in The Bahamas. (Caribbean News Now)

Antigua: Warning issued not to import chemicals without permission

Aformer chairman of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board said too many individuals trying to import chemicals into the country without requisite permission from the board, is a major problem.

Dr Malvern Spencer said often the Port Authority and the Control Board have difficulty disposing of chemicals after they have been confiscated.

“We have a very good working relationship with the port and before (a chemical) can enter the coun-

try, it must have a signature of approval from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, and also the stamp of approval, so it would not come in,” he said. He added, “When it’s confiscated, it becomes an obsolete chemical, it becomes somebody’s problem to dispose of it. This is presenting some serious issues.”

Dr Spencer said regulations allow the board to stipulate that importers of chemicals acquire licenses for these substances. He said without such

a document, an individual would not be able to import. Meantime, he is advising government, through the Ministry of Heath, to identify a regional testing lab to carry out toxicological analyses for the country.

He said while testing resources are important to the country, there are not enough cases where the resource is needed. The equipment is difficult to maintain and the training, too, is expensive. Therefore, a regional laboratory will be an asset to the country, Dr Spencer said. (Daily Observer)

medical team from the Eastern Regional Health Authority, led by CEO Ameena Ali, together with deputy chairman Sandeep Maharaj, toured the area and provided medical supplies to residents. Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, speaking by telephone, said a mobile clinic had been set up in Mayaro to treat with any medical situations in the area.

The painstaking clean-up exercise has begun for most flood-affected residents of Mafeking, Mayaro, as most

TT:

Aof the flood waters receded from the roadway yesterday. However, Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation chairman Hazarie Ramdeen said many residents were still marooned in their homes. Ramdeen, speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, said the corporation, with the assistance of Mayaro MP Winston “Gypsy” Peters, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and Coast Guard, had worked tirelessly to provide the much needed relief to the affected residents.

Yesterday, the Manzanilla road was cordoned off after a large portion collapsed under the pressure of flood waters. Maharaj said arrangements have been made to transport patients using the Biche to Sangre Grande road for medical emergencies. Ramdeen said the corporation’s cesspool trucks also started cleaning tanks in the Mayaro area and public health/insect vector control personnel will be spraying and sanitising the area. (TT Guardian)

Murder wasn’t part of the plan

17-year-old teenager who has confessed to being part of a plan to kidnap a Brasso Seco family and a family friend on the night of October 26, told Police on the weekend that murder was not part of the original plan.

The teen of By Pass Road, Arima also said he never took part in the murders of Irma Rampersad, 48, her granddaughter Shania Amoroso, one, and family friend Felix Martinez, 51.

In fact the teenager said he was unaware that the three had been killed but admitted to holding Rampersad’s daughters Felicia and Jenelle Gonzales, 17 and 19 respectively, in a wooden shack

inside the Lalaja forest.

The teenager, who escaped arrest on Friday afternoon after he and the country’s most wanted man Azmon Alexander ran after a shootout with police inside the Lalaja forest, turned up at his mother’s Goat Hill, By Pass Road Arima home early on Saturday.

At the time, he was wearing only a boxer shorts and was covered in mud.

The sobbing teen told relatives he was ready to surrender, because he did not want to die.

Late Saturday the teen was handed over to detectives of the Homicide Investigations Bureau where he confessed to all he knows about the abduc-

tion of the Brasso Seco family. Newsday understands that investigators have a clearer picture as to what triggered the abductions. The suspect is expected to be taken back to the Blanchisseuse area today to assist in identifying some areas where the kidnap victims were kept.

On Saturday night residents of Paria and Brasso Seco lit candles in the vicinity of the area where the bodies of Rampersad, baby Shania and Martinez were found all the way along the Paria Main Road in memory of the murdered three. Prayers were said. Also yesterday, police and soldiers continued the search for Alexander, despite the inclement weather. (Newsday)

Fred Mitchell

Curious bystanders look at the section of the Manzanilla Road and a nearby property which were badly damaged by flood waters caused by persistent rains on Saturday night. The roadway was yesterday closed off to the public

Around the world

London: Briton, Frenchman seen in Islamic State video of beheadings

ABritish medical student and a Frenchman who went to Syria last year are believed to have appeared in a video showing a squad of Islamic State jihadists beheading Syrian soldiers and displaying the severed head of American aid worker

Peter Kassig. Ahmed Muthana told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper his 20-year-old son, Nasser Muthana, appeared to be among the group of 16 jihadists seen in the vide.

France’s interior minister said

analysis by the DGSI security service suggested that one of the men shown herding prisoners to the execution site was Maxime Hauchard, a Frenchman from the northern Eure region who left for Syria in August 2013.

French Judges last year opened a preliminary investigation against Hauchard on suspicion that he was conspiring to commit terrorist acts, the charge commonly levied against citizens who have fought with Islamist militants. Britain’s security threat level was raised to its second-highest in August due to the risks posed by Islamic State fighters returning from Iraq and Syria. Islamic State, which is fighting in Iraq and Syria, includes thousands of foreign combatants and has become a magnet for jihadis from Europe and North America.

Sunday’s video showed most of the killers unmasked and the Daily Mail said the man who appeared to be Nasser Muthana was standing alongside Jihadi John. Muthana appeared in a video in June urging Muslims to join IS. (Reuters)

Globally, almost 36 million people live in modern slavery

Nearly 36 million people worldwide, or 0.5% of the world’s population, live as slaves, a survey by anti-slavery campaign group Walk Free says. The group’s Global Slavery Index says India has the most slaves overall and Mauritania has the highest percentage.

The report defines slaves as people subject to forced labour, debt bondage, trafficking, sexual exploitation for money and forced or servile marriage. It uses slavery in a modern sense of the term, rather than as a reference to the broadly outlawed traditional practice where people were held in bondage and treated as another person’s property. The Global Slavery Index’s estimate is higher than other attempts to quantify modern slavery. In 2012, the International Labour Organisation estimated that almost 21 million people were victims of forced labour. Walk Free says it found evidence of slavery in all 167 countries it surveyed.

live as slaves in India. Next in the index comes China, with more than 3 million slaves, followed by Pakistan, Uzbekistan. Russia is ranked fifth. The country’s economy is said to rely on enslaved migrant workers in the construction and agricultural sectors. (BBC world)

Doctor dies of Ebola at Nebraska hospital

Adoctor from Sierra Leone who was being treated for Ebola in the US, the Nebraska Medical Centre, where the patient was being treated, has said.

“We are extremely sorry to announce that the third patient we have cared for with the Ebola virus, Dr Martin Salia, has passed away as a result of the advanced symptoms of the disease,” said the hospital in a statement. The hospital said it had “tentatively” scheduled a news conference for 11am (17:00 GMT) to brief reporters.

The report says Africa and Asia face the biggest challenges in eradicating slavery, while the practice is least prevalent in Europe.

According to the report, more than 14 million people

Bird flu: EU in talks as Netherlands battles outbreak

The European Commission is discussing protective measures to contain a “highly contagious” strain of bird flu discovered at a poultry farm in the Netherlands. The measures will include killing all contaminated animals and the cleaning of their holding areas.

The Dutch government said the strain, H5N8, could potentially affect humans. EU officials say the outbreak may be linked to bird flu recently found in Germany and the UK. They say it could have been spread by migratory wild birds heading south for

winter, but that tests were continuing to confirm any links between the three cases. The Dutch authorities have already begun destroying 150,000 hens at the infected farm, in the village of Hekendorp.

“This highly pathogenic variant of avian influenza is very dangerous for bird life,” the Dutch government said in a statement (in Dutch). “The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans.”

The Dutch economics ministry says humans can only be infected through very close contact with infected birds. Earlier this

month, a farm in northeastern Germany detected cases of H5N8, which had previously not been reported in Europe. The strain has never been detected in humans, but an outbreak in South Korea meant millions of farm birds had to be slaughtered to contain it.

On Monday, Egyptian health officials said a woman had died from the deadliest strain of the virus, H5N1, after coming into contact with infected birds in the south of the country. The authorities have imposed a threeday nationwide ban on the transportation of poultry and eggs. (BBC News)

Salia, a native of Sierra Leone and a US resident, was infected with the deadly hemorrhagic fever while treating patients in his home country. He was flown to Nebraska for treatment on Saturday.

The hospital said late on Sunday that Salia was in “extremely critical” condition and that doctors were doing everything they could to save him. Salia was the 10th person with Ebola to be treated in the US, and the second to have died from the infection. In October, a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, died at a Texas hospital of the virus which has killed thousands of people in West Africa in history’s largest ever outbreak. The World Health Organisation said on Friday that 5,177 people are known to have died of Ebola across eight countries, out of a total 14,413 cases of infection emerged since December 2013. (Aljazeera English)

Extremist marching Syrian soldiers before the beheading

India has the highest number of people enslaved, according to the report

Martin Salia, who contracted the disease in Sierra Leone, had been flown to the US state for treatment on Saturday

2 dead, one hospitalised in King Street blaze

By Jomo Paul and Bhisham mohamed

Two young girls are now dead, their father hospitalised and business owners counting their losses after fire engulfed a Robb and King Streets, Georgetown building which housed several different businesses.

Dead are Theresa Rosario, 12, and Clarissa Rosario, 15, a St John’s College student while, Cyril Thomas, 68, is a patient at a city hospital nursing first degree burns.

This publication understands that after the man

became aware of the fire, he jumped through a window, but not before getting burned.

The fire which is suspected to be arson started approximately 02:00h on Monday morning and quickly engulfed the entire building while threatening nearby businesses.

According to reports, the building is currently the subject of a dispute between Thomas and another individual who has only been identified as “Buddy”.

Guyana Times understands that the occupants

of a motor car which was parked outside of the building hurled several explosives at the building and subsequently drove away.

The fire quickly engulfed the lower flat of the building, making its way to the top flat of the wooden structure.

By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, little could be done to save the top flat of the building.

The charred remains of the two young girls were later removed from the debris.

Guyana Times was made to understand that the girls could have been saved.

According to one man who was hesitant to give his name, the firemen seemed to be unaware that the two girls were in the building when they arrived at the scene.

It was only after extensive inquiries they were informed that two persons were trapped in the building.

Meanwhile, the mother of the now dead girls explained that she received a call informing her of the horrific incident sometime around 05:00h on Monday.

A grief-stricken Rosemary Horatio was seen in tears and bewilderment as firemen combed through the wreckage for clues.

She explained to Guyana Times that when her eldest son called to tell her of the incident, she immediately rushed to the scene.

However, she did not immediately know that her daughters were trapped in the building since she was informed that her reputed husband got out of the home.

The woman further explained that as far as she is aware, there is an ownership dispute between Thomas and some other individuals whom she identified.

She explained that several times in the past, Thomas

would have received threats from the very individuals who repeatedly told him they would burn his house to ashes if he did not accede to their call for him to relinquish the property.

“They have problem with people and the building and the person always threatening that they gon burn the building down.”

The woman explained that she was taken to the Brickdam Police Station where she was informed that someone was in custody assisting the Police with their investigations.

However, efforts made by Guyana Times to confirm this proved futile.

The Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The building was once occupied by former People’s National Congress (PNC) Home Affairs Minister Jeffrey Thomas, who is also reportedly involved in the dispute.

A few years ago a fire of similar nature gutted the building; however, over the years, the building was restored.

The building once housed the A-Z Scrap Metal and Crescent Cycle stores and up to the time it was flattened by the blaze; it had an ice-cream parlour and an electronics store.

The owners of those establishments were unavailable to comment on the disaster.

JCI hosts Cancer Fundraising Dinner

The Junior Chambers International (JCI) on Saturday hosted a Fundraising Dinner at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara, and donated 50 per cent of the proceeds to the Periwinkle Cancer Club.

Andrea Joseph, a representative of the Club, said the donation would most likely go towards assisting two young cancer patients, aged 10 and 13 years old.

At the dinner, JCI President Shefern February said: “The mission of every JCI organisation and every JCI member is to provide developmental opportunities that empower young people to create positive change… but believing in positive change is not enough, to make an impact we must not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.”

The dinner was followed by a detailed presentation on cancer by Dr Raveendranath Raghuram of the Cancer Institute

Guyana, who stressed the importance of early screening.

He noted that anyone can get cancer, and urged

to test for cervical cancer; mammogram, ultrasound and clinical breast examination (CBE) to check for breast cancer, and Clinical

all Guyanese to get screened as early detection can save lives.

The Cancer Institute of Guyana offers pap smears

and Prostate Specific

testing for prostatic cancer, among others.

Getting foster parents a challenge –

Foster Care Unit official

November is recognised in Guyana as Foster Care Month, where the spotlight is on children who are deprived of stable homes and how persons in society can change the life of such children and Guyana as a whole.

The theme for this month is “Love is a language, speak it in the life of a child; become a foster parent” will be promoting awareness about the Foster Care Unit and how society can help the children find temporary homes.

Colleen Khan, who heads the Foster Care Unit said there are a number of individuals who are quite willing to open their hearts and homes to neglected children, but sometimes foster parents get too attached, not wanting to let the children go back home because they want their company or they just feel good with them around.

She said it is great that persons show such high interest in the children, noting that they need to always be priority in everything that is

done or decided, particularly when it may be best for the children to return home.

Khan explained that a child is taken out of his/her home when the home is unstable, neglectful or unable to provide the necessary provisions children need.

This has caused some parents or family members to get upset, but Khan re-

marks that persons need to understand that such troubled homes can affect a child psychologically.

She said that it is quite necessary to be aware of the little nuances that can prove devastating to a child’s mental growth and how this can relate back to society’s own holistic progress, as children mean future and if the future become delinquents in society, then what can one expect from society in the future.

The Foster Care Unit does not simply take children away from troubled homes, but also facilitate the rehabilitation of the parents or guardians of that home to ensure the children still have the possibility of going back home.

But Khan emphasised that this is dependent upon how much the parents or guardians is ready to work on improving their home life.

It is a policy of the unit to return children to holistically safe homes and if no adjustments have been made by the parent or guardian to

do so, even after a year has passed, then the child remains in foster care and under consideration for adoption.

Khan told this newspaper that training is done every year for potential foster parents since the state of these children after being in unstable environments require special care, attention and patience.

She said the unit is still quite young and though they are accumulating quite a number of children in the programme, getting foster parents is proving a challenge.

She said this month, a number of activities have been planned that will give the agency a new avenue to reach out to these vulnerable children.

Khan disclosed that a concert will be held on November 30 to cheer up and spread the love to foster care children.

The Foster Care Unit currently has over 200 children and some 190 foster parents.

Direct Rectal Examination (DRE)

Antigen (PSA)

Andrea Joseph of Periwinkle Cancer Club receiving the donation from JCI President Shefern February

Persons gathered for an elegant evening while contributing to a worthy cause at the JCI Fundraising Dinner

Foster Care Unit Head Colleen Khan

The Robb and King Streets, Georgetown Ice-cream Parlour on fire

Rosemary Horatio

Serious crimes drop by 11 per cent – Police

The Guyana Police Force has reported an 11 per cent drop in serious crimes from January to October compared to the corresponding period last year.

According to a release, the serious crimes policed by the Force include murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

A total of 119 murders were recorded at the end of October 2014 in comparison to 111 murders for the same period in 2013, an increase of seven per cent.

The Force said at the end of October 2014, robbery under arms overall increased by eight per cent in comparison to the same period in 2013.

“The statistics indicate an increase of 13 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms; and a one per cent decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

“In relation to traffic, 113 road fatalities from 104 accidents have been recorded

at the end of October 2014 in comparison to 85 fatalities from 79 accidents for the same period in 2013; a 33 per cent increase in fatalities.

“The other categories of accidents – serious, minor and damage – have seen reductions unto the end of October this year, in comparison to same period last year,” the Force said.

Pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 50 such persons having lost their lives at the end of October 2014. In addition, 20 motorcyclists, 16 pedal cyclists, 11 drivers, 15 persons travelling in motor vehicles and one person being towed on a bicycle also lost their lives.

Major contributing factor

“Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 65 of the 104 fatal accidents recorded at the end of October 2014.

“Traffic enforcement by the Police has resulted in a total of 58,654 cases being made against errant motorists unto the end of October 2014; of this total, 16,126 cases were for speeding.

“To date, nine persons

have lost their lives from nine fatal accidents during this month November 2014.

“The Guyana Police Force continues to be extremely concerned at this loss of lives, serious injuries and economic and social impact resulting from road accidents for which the major contributory factors have been speeding, drunk driving and inconsiderate use of the roads,” the Force said.

It noted that cognisant of the volume of vehicular traffic using the roadways, the Police Force with significant support from other stakeholders inclusive of the Home Affairs and Public Works Ministries, the Guyana National Road Safety Council and Road Safety Associations in Police Divisions, in addition to enforcement, has been placing considerable emphasis on the education of road users to practice the safe use of the roads.

“It is however necessary for all civic-minded groups and individuals to lend their voices and support in the overall effort at curbing the situation. Road safety is everybody’s business and everyone needs to play their part in ensuring that the roads are used safely.

“A review of the statistics for the past five years indicates that from January 2010 to date, a total of 574 persons have lost their lives due to road fatalities. Of this number, 209 were pedestrians, 97 motorcyclists and 85 pedal cyclists. In total, this vulnerable group that has little or no protection in the event of an accident comprises some 68 per cent of the road fatalities for that period,” the Force pointed out.

While the Police Force is calling on all road users to use the roadways in a safe manner bearing in mind the five Cs – Care, Caution, Courtesy, Consideration and Common Sense -- it is making a special appeal to pedestrians, motorcyclists and pedal cyclists to do so.

“The Police Traffic Department will continue to work assiduously in regard to traffic enforcement and education. However, at the same time, the Police Force exhorts everyone to watch out for each other on the roadways and actively subscribe to being your ‘brother’s keeper’ in the relentless efforts to ensure better use of the roads,” the Force said.

GGMC workers protest for higher wages

By Royden James

Staff members of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Monday protested for an increase of salary which was promised to them since 2013.

GGMC’s Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Dennis English told Guyana Times that the protest actions stemmed from the continuous delays in processing and paying out the promised increase.

He said that they have already commenced negotiations for 2014 and it is only fair that the outstanding monies be paid to them.

He said the union negotiated and put forward a 15 percent across the board increase to the management since they were still negotiating but that also fell on deaf ears.

The Officer said that al-

though they had many talks with the management nothing was being done to address the situation hence, a three days ultimatum was issued which expired last Friday.

English said after the ultimatum was issued they received a correspondence from the management stating that they would have put the union proposals for paying out of the 15 percent to the board but the board did not did accept it.

He added since then no other positive word was forthcoming hence the resort to protest action as an interim remedy and to bring attention to the plight of the workers.

On the other hand, English explained that the purpose for the 15 percent across the board increase was to make sure that the workers receive some sort of payment after waiting for so

long and while they are still negotiating.

He said this call was made by seniors who believed that it was unfair for persons to suffer while negotiation was still being conducted.

English pointed out that management did not had the decency to reply to them until the ultimatum was issued, he said if the management had engaged them in serious talks then they would not have gone to this extent.

He stated that that it is pretty unfortunate that they cannot be given only 15 percent of what they are owed.

He also questioned what will happen when they are to receive all of their monies.

Industrial Relations Officer for the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Jermin Hermanstyne explained that they have been

tuesday, november 18, 2014

Rohee tells GECOM to brace for elections

– calls for activation of robust voter education programme

By Jomo PaUL

As the general anticipation of imminent elections continues to permeate Guyana, General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Monday warned the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that it should be prepared for “any eventuality”.

Rohee who was at the time speaking to journalists at a PPP/C press conference noted that it is within the ambit of the law and GECOM’s mandate that it be prepared for elections, hence the entity should get its house in order.

“In light of the possibility of early elections being held, the party urges GECOM to get its act together and be prepared for any eventuality” said the PPP/C General Secretary.

Further, Rohee called on GECOM to conduct another cycle of continuous registration and launch a country wide voter’s education programme.

The voter education is generally used to describe the dissemination of information, materials and programmes designed to inform voters about the specifics and mechanics of the voting process for any particular election.

It involves providing information on who is eligible to vote; where and how to register; how electors can check the voter lists to ensure they have been duly included; what type of elections are being held; where, when and how to vote; who the candidates are; and how to file complaints.

In every election, voter and civic education programmes are necessary to ensure that all constituents understand their rights, their political system, the contests they are being asked to decide.

trying to get the GGMC to deal with the concerns raised by its staff.

He said the GGMC was heading down a road to offer an unacceptable compensation package but the staff members will continue to withhold their labour and protest if nothing is being done.

Hermanstyne said it is now up to the management to decide whether it is going to pay the workers or whether it will sit and see the entity closed down as it did previously.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the GGMC Board Clinton Williams, in a telephone interview with Guyana Times, said while the workers have the right to protest, he does not believe that it was a good move, noting that the management is in its final stage to complete the process, but the workers are bent pushing the process.

For an election to be successful and democratic, voters must understand their rights and responsibilities, and must be sufficiently knowledgeable and well informed to cast ballots that are legally valid and to participate meaningfully in the voting process.

Voter and civic education are even more critical in post-conflict countries, where political situations may be volatile and where elections may have an unprecedented impact on the countries’ future.

Rohee noted however that at the last elections there were enough spoilt and rejected ballots to raise eyebrows hence it is important that GECOM embark on this aspect of the elections process as soon as possible.

Rohee said “rejected and spoilt ballots are a reflection that voters need continuous education especially in the rural, hinterland and rive-

rain communities”.

Over the last weeks the PPP/C has raised several concerns with respect to GECOM’s operations and has made several suggestions to the entity with the overall aim of ensuring that it is able to deliver free and fair elections when called upon to do so.

But Rohee noted that while these concerns have been repeatedly raised by the party, it has seemingly inspired a slew of harsh responses from the commission’s chairman.

“The PPP/C as of recent has been on the receiving end of the GECOM Chairman’s verbal attacks. These issues if resolved will pave the way for free and fair elections in Guyana,” said the General Secretary.

Rohee accused the Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally of refusing to address the real issues affecting the commission and rather focusing his attention on “rhetoric”

The General Secretary said it is important for GECOM to focus on the "concerns and loopholes" and for steps to be taken to ensure that “proper mechanisms are in place so that no eligible Guyanese is disenfranchised”.

Despite all the complaints and issues raise by PPP/C, Rohee contended that this in no way signals that the party does not have any confidence in GECOM to discharge its mandate.

Just last week, GECOM affirmed that it remains prepared for either Local Government or General and Regional Elections, but it needs the commencement order from the Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker or President Donald Ramotar, respectively.

This is according to Dr Surujbally, who told Guyana Times in a recent interview that while the Commission stands ready to commence elections preparations, no order has been issued to do so.

This is despite the prorogation of the Parliament and President Donald Ramotar announcing that Local Government Elections will be held by the second quarter of 2015, that is to say by the end of June.

But Dr Surujbally is insisting that the commencement order has to come from the Local Government Minister.

Surujbally said, “I am ready to take off, but it is contextual. The order has to come from the Local Government Minister. The Minister has to make that pronouncement.”

In the meantime, he explained that GECOM will be embarking on another cycle of continuous voter registration in an effort to “further sanitize” the voters list.

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) workers took to the streets to protest for a salary increase, which they claim was owed to them since 2013

SATURDAY'S WORD

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Don’t be pressured into making a snap decision. Leave yourself enough time to weigh the pros and cons before you make a commitment or sign any agreement.

You are in the mood to have some laughs. Gather a diverse group of your friends and see how well they get along. An enjoyable time is in store.

Be honest and don’t toy with someone else’s feelings. To avoid leading anyone astray, be open about your plans, ethics and beliefs, or you will end up feeling guilty.

Hone your professional skills. Do whatever it takes to stay in the loop regarding advancements in your field. Your qualifications must be updated regularly if you want to get ahead.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

You will never feel fulfilled if you keep trying to please everyone. Do what you love and don’t let what others do or say stand in your way.

Face the people and events that are causing you stress. You will add to your problems if you put on a happy face and pretend everything is all right.

Keep a positive attitude and let your imagination run free. Don’t let a negative remark halt your progress. The success of your project will be enough proof that you are right.

Love is in the stars. This is a great time to make updates to your home or to move entirely. Further your professional prospects by sending out your resume.

You need a change. A lowcost conservative investment or makeover will bring great benefits. The differences may not be readily visible, but your need for something new will be satisfied.

Maintain your point of view if you feel you are right. Take immediate action regarding a legal or financial decision. Dawdling will interfere with your progress.

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Keep an eye on your competition. You are heading down the fast track to success, and you don’t want to make the mistake of underestimating someone. Indecision will hold you back.

An important relationship is in need of attention. Someone feels left out and must be brought back into the loop. Set up a discussion to avoid a misunderstanding.

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

dilbert

arCHie

McIlroy wins European Tour’s Race to Dubai

Rory McIlroy has won the European Tour’s Race to Dubai for the second time in three years after Brooks Koepka triumphed at the Turkish Airlines Open.

McIlroy, 25, did not play but took the title because Sergio Garcia, Marcel Siem and Jamie Donaldson failed to win.

German Siem started the final round in Antalya one shot off the lead but a oneunder 71 dropped him to eighth.

England’s Ian Poulter missed a six-foot putt to force a play-off as Koepka shot a seven-under 65 to win on 17

NBA Roundup…

under.

Poulter, who let slip a sixshot lead in the third round,

Knicks end losing streak

Halting their sevengame losing streak, the New York Knicks knocked off the Denver Nuggets 109-93 Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Forward Carmelo Anthony and shooting guard

J.R. Smith poured in 28 points for the Knicks, who reached the century mark for the second straight game. Smith made his first start of the season.

Denver placed five players in double figures, led by shooting guard Arron Affalo’s 18 points. Point guard Ty Lawson added 17 points, power forward Kenneth Faried scored 16, small forward Wilson Chandler had 11 and forward Darrell Arthur had 10 points off the bench.

The Nuggets lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Warriors 136, Lakers 115

Despite allowing 44 points to Kobe Bryant, Golden State pounded Los Angeles.

Guard Stephen Curry scored 30 points and dished out 15 assists in three quarters as the Warriors captured their third in a row

time.

Point guard Brandon Knight, a hometown star who played at Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest School, hit three huge 3-pointers in the final three minutes to lead Milwaukee. He finished with a game-high 20 points. Each of Knight’s 3-pointers came after the Heat closed the deficit to four or fewer points.

In addition to Knight, the Bucks got good work from rookie forward Jabari Parker, who had 13 points, six rebounds and two steals.

and dealt the Lakers a fourth straight defeat. Curry connected on 10 of 19 shots, including five of nine 3-point attempts.

Golden State reserve center Marreese Speights finished with a seasonhigh 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Guard Klay Thompson had 18 points, center Andrew Bogut scored 15 and pulled down 10 rebounds, and forward Harrison Barnes added 14 points.

Bucks 91, Heat 84 Milwaukee won for the third time in four games, dominating the second half and defeating slumping Miami. The Bucks outscored the Heat 53-38 after half-

Rockets 69, Thunder 65

Guard James Harden scored 19 points, leading Houston to a victory over Oklahoma City.

The Rockets got the ball with 38 seconds left and leading by three. Harden attempted another long 3-pointer and missed. The Thunder corralled the rebound with 16 seconds to go.

Guard Jeremy Lamb inbounded the ball to guard Reggie Jackson at the top of the key. Jackson dribbled the ball a few times then took a contested 3-pointer that hit the back of the rim. Houston got the rebound and closed out the contest.

(ABC)

matched American Koepka with four birdies in his opening nine holes.

However, the Englishman was only able to pick up one more shot on the back nine, at the par-five 13th, which Koepka eagled to add to his birdie on the 10th.

Koepka parred his final five holes to win his first European Tour title, although Poulter gave himself a chance of getting into a play-off with an excellent

bunker shot on the last but he was unable to convert the putt.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson had nine birdies and a bogey as he scored the joint lowest round of the day, an eightunder 64, to finish third on 14 under and move up to second on the European Tour’s money list, 2.7m euros (£2.1m) behind McIlroy, although he had no chance of catching the Northern Irishman.

Siem, Garcia of Spain

and Welshman Donaldson all needed to win in Turkey and at next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai to deny Northern Ireland’s world number one McIlroy top spot.

Four-time major winner McIlroy, who won the Open and PGA Championship in 2014, will return to action in the final event of the season, which begins on Thursday.

Suspended BCCI boss found not guilty of fixing

−but ignored player’s code of conduct violation

By not reporting contact with the bookie he had violated BCCI/IPL anti-corruption code and, according to information available, he had also been placing bets.”

Interim BCCI president Shivlal Yadav said “action will be taken”. “In the case of Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, action will be taken against them,” he told Times Now. “If there is evidence against Mr Sundar Raman, [about speaking] to a bookie then action will be taken. The BCCI will not spare anybody.”

Along with presenting an interim report in May, the committee had handed over a sealed envelope containing allegations against 13 individuals which called for further investigations. The Mudgal committee was then greater investigative powers by the court to look into the allegations against the 13, and submitted its report after four months. The court was also handed over a detailed report of the investigation as an annexure, along with a “summary” of the findings over 25 pages, which was made available to the media. According to the Supreme Court’s order dated November 14, “Certain findings recorded by the Mudgal Committee apparently indict some of the individuals [on] whom the Committee was asked to conduct a probe.”

The index of the report, 25 pages long, refers to four individuals in which Gurunath is individual No. 1, Raj Kundra No. 11, Sundar Raman No. 12 and N Srinivasan No. 13.

The report says Individual 13, that is, Srinivasan, is “not involved with match fixing activity” and “not found to be involved in scuttling the investigations into match fixing”. It goes on to specify “the individual along with four other BCCI officials was aware of the violation of the Players Code of Conduct by Individual 3, but no action was taken against Individual 3 by any of the aforesaid officials who were aware of this infraction”. Individual 3 refers to a player whose name is contained in the Mudgal committee report on the role of players in the IPL 2013 corruption scandal, but whose name has been omitted in the report on the officials.

Individual 12, that is, Sundar Raman, the report says, “knew a contact of a bookie and had contacted him eight times in one season”. When questioned Raman “admitted” that “knew” a contact of the bookie, but claimed to be “unaware of his connection with betting activities”. The report says Raman “also accepted” that he had received information about “individual 1 and individual 11 [that is, Gurunath and Kundra] taking part in betting.” He said he was “informed” by the ICC-ACSU chief that this was not actionable information. Raman “accepted” that this information that he received about two team officials being reportedly involved in betting “was not conveyed to any other individual” by him. Incidentally, Raman is a member of the

ICC’s Integrity Working Party, which is reviewing cricket’s collective approach to the threat of corruption, the functioning of the ICC’s and member-boards’ domestic anti-corruption units, and their inter-relationships.

In referring to Individual No. 1, that is, Gurunath, the report said that a forensic voice sample confirmed that Gurunath was in conversation with an individual “acting as a go-between” with bookies. The investigators were also “unanimous about the betting activity of the individual”. It goes on to say that “no individual is available on record to show that this individual is involved in match fixing”. Due to the matching of voice samples and “testimony of security personnel recorded by the investigating team, the finding about the betting activities of Individual 1 and the finding that he was a team official stand confirmed”. The earlier Mudgal committee report, dated February 2014, said, “When Mr Raj Kundra appeared before us, he was questioned as to whether he had indulged in any betting activity in the IPL, to which he categorically answered in the negative.” Following more detailed investigations, it has been found that, Individual 11, that is, Kundra, “was in touch with the bookies” and that “the investigation against this individual was abruptly and without reason stopped by the Rajasthan Police upon receiving case papers from Delhi Police”. (Cricinfo)

Carmelo Anthony

Kobe Bryant

Rory McIlroy

Latham century leads NZ effort

For the second Test running, young Tom Latham provided the long, patient batting effort New Zealand wanted from the top order. Pakistan’s four-man attack, in the absence of the injured Mohammad Hafeez, persevered through the day but Latham was solid in combating the challenges of reverse swing and spin. At 22, he became the youngest nonAsian opener to make two Test hundreds in Asia, and also the third New Zealand opener to do so after Bert Sutcliffe and Glenn Turner.

Brendon McCullum was keen on batting first in Dubai, having seen Pakistan rack up 450-plus totals in the first innings in their three successive previous Test wins in the UAE. Misbah-ul-Haq finally lost the toss, and McCullum had what he wanted on a largely benign batting surface.

the eighth over, McCullum drove Adil on the up, and the ball fell just short of mid-on. Pakistan reviewed for legbefore two deliveries later against Latham, but the on-field umpire’s call stayed as the ball was shown to be just about brushing the top of middle stump.

Yasir beat the left-hand Latham with straighter ones outside off and tested McCullum with lots of flight and some turn. McCullum responded by skipping out to loft a straight four, and also stepped out to launch Babar for six.

Rahat was brought back in the 48th over and right away, he found Latham’s outside edge with one that kicked away, but neither the keeper nor Younis Khan at slip reacted as it flew between them. Latham almost played on in Rahat’s next over, and the fast bowler then beat Williamson off successive deliveries leaving the batsman. But it was Babar who was rewarded with Williamson’s wicket in the very next over.

New Zealand lost two of the three wickets to soft dismissals. McCullum pulled Ehsan Adil straight to deep midwicket close to lunch after a strong opening partnership, and Ross Taylor pushed Yasir Shah straight to silly point. At the stroke of tea, Kane Williamson pushed cautiously inside the line to a Zulfiqar Babar delivery that pitched middle and hit off. It was Latham who battled through the day till bad light ended play three overs short. He was certain of whether to go forward or back against the spinners, and sure of where his off stump was against the fast bowlers. He drove superbly down the ground and through the midwicket, and used the sweep liberally, especially against the left-arm spinner Babar.

with the new ball for the fast bowlers Rahat Ali and Adil, chosen ahead of Imran Khan, and the spinners Babar and Yasir were introduced within the first hour.

McCullum too reined himself in unless the ball was loose. Both fast bowlers did not give too many full deliveries, and when they did, the openers drove them straight. McCullum also walloped Rahat for a big six over deep midwicket.

Latham was at ease right from the start. There was next to no swing or seam

Adil bowled a tight line, targetting the stumps and bringing the odd one in. In

Croatia expecting fine from UEFA

Croatia coach Niko Kovac expects European governing body Uefa to punish his country following trouble during a Euro 2016 qualifier in Italy.

The match ended 1-1 but was marred by crowd unrest as fans threw fireworks and smoke bombs on to the pitch.

Referee Bjorn Kuipers was forced to twice stop the game and 16 Croatia supporters were arrested.

“Of course Croatia will face sanctions, but there is no reason for any point deductions,” said Kovac.

Croatia are currently top of Group H on 10 points and lead Italy, who have the same points, on goal difference.

The match at the San

Siro stadium saw the hosts take the lead through Antonio Candreva but Ivan Perisic equalised before trouble erupted.

One stoppage resulted in the players being taken off the pitch for 10 minutes and Kovac and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric criticised the conduct of their fans.

“I apologise to everyone, especially the Italians, for our supporters’ behaviour,” said Kovac.

“I was disappointed and helpless, there are no right words for this. If someone has a problem, he has to deal with it outside the stadium.

“This is not the real image of Croatia, Croatians are honest people that respect other nations, while

this kind of behaviour leads nowhere.”

Real Madrid midfielder Modric was forced off in the first half with an injury.

He said: “It’s always the same and I do not understand why they do it. It’s a shame to have fans like that.

“I do not know why they continue to behave like this. It’s madness.”

Italy coach Antonio Conte said he had feared the match would be abandoned.

“I was really scared that the game might be definitively stopped,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The referee was very clear, if they did not stop, he would have ended it.”

(BBC Sport)

Adil was brought back around 20 minutes before lunch, and McCullum pulled him for four off the last ball of that over. First ball of Adil’s next, McCullum pulled again, and picked out the lone man on the leg boundary to depart for 43 off 69.

Latham started sweeping often after lunch, picking up boundaries off Babar through midwicket. With the circumspect Williamson at the other end, scoring slowed down, although both batsmen were not troubled much. Williamson played safely, and it was only off his 58th delivery that he picked up what was to be his only boundary, that too when Adil strayed down the leg side.

Taylor struck a few pleasing cover drives off the spinners, but he never looked really comfortable. He edged the spinners often past the close-in fielders, and Azhar Ali could not hold on to a sharp chance at silly point off Babar.

Eventually, Taylor’s approach of reaching out with his hands to play the spin ended up in another push to silly point, and this time Shan Masood juggled a successful take.

This was a couple of overs before the second new ball was taken, and Latham was up for more endurance as he did not hit a boundary for his last 43 deliveries. The only real chance that Latham offered, on 103, had been put down by Azhar at gully off Adil, and Pakistan weren’t able to break the opener’s resistance on the day. (Cricinfo)

In the same over, Latham had stepped out to loft for a straight six, and swept for four more to move to 96. He reached his hundred with a push to midwicket in the next over.

SCOREBOARD

Chairman of English football demands full WC corruption report

ootball Association

Fchairman Greg Dyke has written to Fifa’s top executives demanding a report into alleged World Cup corruption is published in full.

A 42-page summary report was released last week but quickly criticised by Michael Garcia, who spent two years investigating the claims of wrongdoing.

The report cleared Russia and Qatar of corruption over their 2018 and 2022 bids but said England broke rules.

Dyke wants Garcia’s findings published, writing: “We cannot go on like this.”

Garcia is due to meet the report’s author, Fifa ethics judge, Hans-Joachim Eckert, on Thursday to discuss his criticisms.

He has said Eckert’s report “contains numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations”.

Garcia also previously said the report should be published in full, although Eckert rejected this, in part to protect those mentioned in it.

But Dyke, who last week called Eckert’s report “a joke”, believes it is an essential first step towards English football regaining some degree of trust in Fifa.

“As you probably know the reputation of Fifa was

already low in England and much of Europe before the events of last week,” said Dyke in his letter.

The “failure” to publish Garcia’s full findings, and Garcia’s own criticisms, had “resulted in a further decline in public confidence of Fifa”, Dyke continued.

“We cannot go on like this. Complete transparency is required if the actions of all those who bid, including England 2018, are to be judged fairly.”

Earlier on Monday, former FA chairman David Bernstein urged the FA to lobby Uefa for a European boycott of the next World Cup, unless Fifa implements reform.

But Dyke was never likely to take such drastic action, instead writing to Fifa’s senior executives: “Urgent action is needed if confidence in Fifa is to be rebuilt in England. The FA is of the view that this action should start with the full publication of Mr Garcia’s report.”

In his report, Eckert accused the FA of trying to “curry favour” with former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, who quit in 2011 amid bribery allegations.

The report said England’s bid team tried to win the support of Warner, who is from Trinidad and

Tobago, by:

* Trying to help “a person of interest to him” find a part-time job in the United Kingdom

* Letting the Trinidad and Tobago Under-20 squad hold a training camp in the UK in the summer of 2009

* Sponsoring a gala dinner for the Caribbean Football Union, at a cost of $55,000 (about £35,000) In the immediate aftermath of publication, Dyke said the FA had “nothing to hide”.

And Lord Triesman, chairman of the FA at the time voting for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups took place, has said he also wants to see the complete document after being criticised for failing to co-operate with the investigation.

“I’m never satisfied by seeing summaries by somebody else,” Triesman told BBC Sport. “In this day and age, people are entitled to see the original.”

Two members of Fifa’s executive committeeJeffrey Webb and Sunil Gulati - have already broken rank by insisting that Fifa releases the full report. Now Dyke will hope his letter can spark further rebellion in Zurich as FIFA tries to steers a path away from the crisis.

(BBC Sport)

To bat: JDS Neesham, BJ Watling†, MD Craig, TG Southee, IS Sodhi, TA Boult

Tom Latham drives powerfully during his innings

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Jacobs’ 7-wicket haul leads JA to win

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N impressive seven-wicket haul by leg-spinner Damion Jacobs piloted Jamaica Franchise Team to an intriguing 13-run victory over Windward Island Volcanoes on day three of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) FourDay Tournament at Sabina Park yesterday.

In a game that seemed all but over for the Jamaicans, Jacobs stepped up big to grab his second best career figures of seven for 72 from 29.2 overs, which included eight maidens to give the host their first victory of the 10-round long tournament.

The Jamaicans, resuming their second innings from an overnight score of 147 for nine, were eventually dismissed early for 162. The Windwards were very comfortable in their second innings heading into the

luncheon interval as Devon Smith (74) and Tyrone Theophille (40) took them to the break at 88 without loss, chasing a victory target of 261.

However, the Jamaicans got the breakthrough when Theophille was brilliantly caught at mid-off by David Bernard Jr to give Jacobs his first scalp. The game was levelled heading into the evening session as the Windwards lost their next five wickets for 101 runs and slumped to 178 for six.

A stubborn 65-run seventh-wicket stand between captain Liam Sebastian (24) and Alston Bobb (39) swung the game back in their favour and frustrated the Jamaican bowlers. But Jacobs came up big once more when he trapped Sebastian in front, and that turned out to be the game changer as the Jamaicans surged to victory by grabbing the last three

Windward wickets for just four runs.

Nikita Miller, two for 21, and Bernard Jr, one for 20, were the other wicket takers.

Bobb was named Man of the Match for his overall figures of 11 wickets for 93, followed up by a total of 75 runs in both innings with the bat.

Jamaica’s coach Junior Bennett gave credit to the team for an expert bowling performance, but expressed disappointment with the batting.

“It was a very good game of cricket, I did not bat well in both innings and that is the reason why it came down to this. But credit to the Windward Islands team, I thought they played a very good game of cricket, but overall our bowling unit stuck to the task and got the job done,” he said. Meanwhile, Liam Sebastian expressed disappointment with his team’s performance.

“Obviously (I am) disappointed to lose the game, looking back at it we [are] disappointed with ourselves (as) we should have won the game,” he lamented.

The Jamaica Franchise team will travel to Barbados tomorrow for their secondround contest against the Barbados Pride Franchise, which bowls off on Friday.

(Jamaica Observer)

Argentina’s coach picks Messi over Ronaldo for Ballon d’Or

Debates about who is world’s best player will rage when Lionel Messi faces Cristiano Ronaldo as Argentina play Portugal at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but for Argentina coach Gerardo Martino there is only ever one choice.

Barcelona’s Messi and Real Madrid’s Ronaldo continually go head-to-head to top the scoring charts in La Liga and the Champions League, and FIFA’s Player of the Year award has become a two-horse race between the pair in recent years.

Martino said Messi would get his vote every year for the award, officially known as the Ballon d’Or, over current holder Ronaldo. He did admit, though, he was more than a little biased.

“You can’t take out of the deciding process I am Argentinian, my heart lies with Messi,” Martino, who previously managed Barcelona, told a news conference on Monday.

“I am not the best person to judge, I cannot separate sentiment from my objective decision. Whatever season Messi has had

on footballing grounds, I would still vote for him.

“I would vote for him on footballing terms. You can’t separate what he is like as a human from what he is as a player.”

Messi and Ronaldo top the billing for the game but the performance of Manchester United and Argentina winger Angel Di Maria will provide an interesting subtext.

The 26-year-old, a British transfer record signing of 59.7 million pounds from Real Madrid in the close season, will play at Old Trafford hoping for an upturn in the fortunes he has enjoyed there in a club shirt.

Martino believes that the winger will overcome a dip in his recent form once he gets used to the Premier League.

“Angel is one of the top, top players in world football,” Martino said.

“His start (at United) was exceptional. But generally when players go to a new club and have to get used to a new league, a new team, a different style of football and different team-mates, I think the form that he is showing now is possibly more typical of that player. (Reuters)

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Damion Jacobs celebrates yet another wicket

Lionel Messi

School Nationals start today

Guyana’s longest running sport event, the National School Championships will kick off today at various venues across the country.

The event will start with the 10k road run from in front of GT&T on Carifesta Avenue which finishes in the National Park.

Some of Guyana’s top junior athletes such as Carl and Matthew Mackenzie

are expected to be a part of the event as well as Shontel Hinds.

Whether the Rupununi adds a surprise athlete or not will be something to witness when the event starts from 06:00h.

Swimming will also be featured on the first day with some of Guyana’s top junior swimmers participating.

The swimming com-

petition is expected to start from 09:00h at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The one other event for the day will be the cycling road race, which is expected to start at 10:00h in front of the Ocean View Hotel, heading up the East Coast before returning to the hotel for the finish.

The events will give a

taste of what is to come on the track from Wednesday and determine the front runner for the championships when the swimming championship is decided on the Tuesday.

Hoping to retain their title the swimming will be defending overall champions District 11 (North Zone).

A compelling start to the championships is indeed expected.

Sookhoo remains Berbice top teen at table tennis

Kristoff Sookhoo is the Berbice boys Under -18 table tennis champion, retaining the title at the third annual Berbice table tennis tournament on Saturday at the Berbice High School Auditorium.

Sookhoo won the final by defeating Steven Sankar 3-1 at 11-5, 11-9, 7-11 and 11-8.

The champion made easy progress to the final by outplaying Britton Murray to a 3-1 win at 14-12, 11-7,

9-11 and 11-7 while Sankar reached the final with a 9-11, 11-8, 12-10 and 11-8 win over Nicholas Lawrence. Murray and Lawrence were awarded joint third place.

Close to 50 players participated in the one-day tournament in several categories. In the Under-15 male category, Joshua Butts outserved Jadon Conway in the final to come out victorious, winning 11-9, 3-11 and 13-

11. Levi Nedd Junior was awarded third place.

John Andrews won the Under-11 title and then returned to defeat Rollin Mangra 11-4, 11-3 to take the Under-13 title.

No female turned up for the tournament which was held for players in the New Amsterdam/Canje area and organised by the Berbice Table Tennis Sub Association for schoolchildren and C class players.

FIFA investigators accused of violating confidentiality win WC bid

Aformer employee of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid has accused FIFA investigators of violating confidentiality promises made when she agreed to provide evidence of alleged corruption related to the bid.

On Sunday, former Qatar bid employee Phaedra Almajid sent Michael Garcia, a New York lawyer hired by FIFA to investigate corruption, a two-page complaint.

It alleged that football’s world governing body breached its own ethics code by making public information which unmasked Almajid as one of more than 70 witnesses who had cooperated with Garcia’s investigation.

In a report made public earlier this month, Hans Joachim Eckert, a German judge hired by FIFA to evaluate a still-secret investigative report prepared by Garcia about FIFA’s decisions to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar, examined “allegations of corruption” which a “whistleblower” had made to Garcia beginning in December 2012.

Eckert’s report said “serious concerns” about the informant’s credibility had been “apparent from the outset”.

It noted that the person at first made public allegations of corruption, then issued a sworn statement retracting them.

Eckert said Garcia’s report concluded that the evidence provided by the in-

formant “could not be relied upon to corroborate” their story and that Garcia also expressed concerns that the informant had “altered evidence”.

Eckert added that FIFA could therefore not rely on the evidence of alleged corruption by the Qatar bid that the informant had supplied.

Almajid said that while Eckert did not identify her by name, in practice his report pointed to her as the informant because it mentioned she was the person who made allegations in public in 2011 about corruption related to the Qatar 2022 bid.

“Within hours of publication of Herr Eckert’s summary, I had already been widely identified as one of the ‘whistleblowers’ in German and British media,” Almajid’s complaint said. She said this violated public “assurances of confidentiality” that a FIFA lawyer reiterated as recently as “two months ago.”

Almajid reportedly was the source for allegations that Qatar’s World Cup bid paid bribes to three FIFA executives from Africa to secure their support for Qatar’s bid.

FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said in a statement to Reuters that allegations of confidentiality breaches “should be examined” by its disciplinary committee and FIFA “cannot prejudice any decision that said Committee could take in this or any similar situation.” (Reuters)

Corentyne Cup Football Tournament…

GTU Teachers defeat Number 51 to take inaugural title

The Corentyne lads kept bringing the fight to the teachers as they enjoyed the advantage of advancing with the aid of the strong Atlantic breeze.

The GTU Teachers received the Swiss Springlands Trophy and medals, while Number 51 was presented with the Dr Chand trophy and medals.

Cash, trophies and medals were presented to the top three players in each category. Sponsor of the event, Souvenir Ramdyal, a former Berbice player, said he was pleased at the turnout, noting that he was happy to be able to give back to the county, “I am happy at the standard of play that I witnessed here today.” (Andrew Carmichael)

However, in the second half of the game when the table was turned, GTU Teachers pressed home with the wind advantage as the Number 51 players began to tire.

Decon James scored on the resumption of play and then Colin Bowery made it 2-1 ten minutes later with his 55th minute goal.

Ikey Henry sealed the deal two minutes later as a battered Number 51 team was forced to defend in order to prevent the game from turning into a one-sided affair.

Bowery with a total of five goals received the Corriverton Links trophy for scoring the most goals in the tournament, while C Crandon, also of GTU Teachers, was adjudged the best goalkeeper and received the Sukpaul trophy. The competition was a collaborative effort between Corriverton Links Football Club and the Scottsburg Community Centre, aimed at promoting the game at the senior level in the Upper Corentyne, while assisting with the development of the sport.

Flashback, last year’s swimming champions North Georgetown celebrate their win

All the players that participated during the tournament

Hinds pedals to Powerade 50-mile title

Orville Hinds took top honours on Sunday in the Banks DIH-sponsored fourth Annual Powerade 50-mile cycle road race on the West Demerara roadways.

Hinds crossed the finish line in one hour, 55 minutes, 55 seconds ahead of veteran rider Robin Persaud, Alonzo Ambrose, Hamzah Eastman, Mario King and Paul DeNobrega in that order.

After being sent on their way from outside the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara, the juniors journeyed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo before turning back to finish at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, while the ladies, veterans and mountain bikers turned back at Uitvlugt to finish at the same point.

Alonzo Ambrose won the junior category ahead of Michael Anthony and Stephano Husbands respectively, while Ralph Williams was the winner of the veteran category. Second was Talim Shaw while Husbands placed third.

Ozia McAully won the mountain bike category ahead of Seon Budhan and Wayne Marks respectively, while Guyana’s female representative at the recently-concluded Inter-Guiana Games in Suriname, Ronella Samuels won the female category.

Walter “Buck Man” Isaacs was the first Over-60 cyclist to cross the finish line.

Banks DIH Outdoor Manager Mortimer Stewart congratulated the cyclists and thanked them for their participation. He also pledged his company’s support to the event in the future.

National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed expressed gratitude to Banks DIH for its support.

Season ends “awkward’ for Djokovic

Novak Djokovic admitted his season had come to an “awkward end” after Roger Federer withdrew from Sunday’s ATP World Tour final in London.

Federer, 33, pulled out with a back problem after a lengthy semi-final against Stan Wawrinka on Saturday.

That left world number one Djokovic to collect the trophy before playing an exhibition set against Andy Murray.

“You cannot blame Roger. I’m sure he would play the World Tour finals if he could,” said Djokovic, 27.

“This is probably the first time in history that this happens. It’s a very awkward situation to talk about, to be honest.

“You never like to win, especially these big matches against big rivals, with the retirement, but that’s the way it is.”

Djokovic only learned that Federer was withdrawing during the preceding

doubles final, and the Serb paid tribute to Murray for stepping in as cover.

ATP executive chairman Chris Kermode said he called Murray at 14:00 GMT, and the Scot “instantly” agreed to travel to the O2 to play a set of singles, followed by doubles with John McEnroe, Tim Henman and Pat Cash.

The British number one, who suffered a crushing 6-0 6-1 defeat by Federer on Thursday, was back on the centre court in front of 17,000 spectators by 18:00 GMT.

“I want to thank him for coming out and making an effort,” said Djokovic.

“It really is an effort. I know how it feels when you finish the season, as he did on Thursday.

“Probably the last thing he’s thinking about is tennis now. He wants to rest after a long season. It’s very genuine from him.”

Djokovic ends the year as world number one for the third time in four years

GCA/Noble House Seafoods Second Division 2-Day Tournament….

DCC

By virtue of gaining first innings points, hosts Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) on Sunday were crowned champions in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Noble House Seafoods second-division two-day tournament against Everest Cricket Club.

Resuming on their overnight first innings score of 92-1, the hosts were bowled out for 372 in reply to Everest’s 267.

Ronaldo Renee and Tevin Imlach resumed on 55 and 22 respectively; the pair had carried the score to 126 before off-spinner Shaheed Mohamed removed Imlach for 26. Renee was positive, hitting 14 fours before he was dismissed for 80.

After a few more wickets went in quick succession, Andrew Gibson stood firm.

The right-hander played fluently on both sides of the pitch, taking his team to first innings honours in the process, but was left stranded on 99.

Gibson struck eight fours and one six and shared in a sixth-wicket stand of 82 with Dexter George who scored 35.

Mohamed bowled with good variation and control, and claimed a few more wickets before Antonell Atwell and Gibson added 65 for the ninth wicket. Atwell slammed eight fours before he went for 51. Mohamed finished with 5-100, while Javed Rasheed and Raphael Singh took two each.

DCC collected a trophy and $100,000 and Everest, a trophy and $60,000, while Gibson was given the man-of-the-match award. Khemraj Ramdeen

of Everest received the best batsman prize (382 runs); Joel Spooner of Transport SC collected the accolade for the best figure (8-30 vs St Stanislaus); Rasheed took home the prize for taking the most wickets (47); and Mohamed grabbed the trophy for scoring the highest individual score in the competition.

The most valuable players were Rasheed (Zone A) and Imlach (Zone B). Keon Morris of TSC pocketed the award for being the best fielder.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, President of the GCA, Roger Harper congratulated both teams for their efforts and thanked the sponsors, adding that the GCA looked forward to their continued support.

Berbice flex night thrills

Corentyne crowd

and won his seventh Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

But he lost to Rafael Nadal at the French Open once again.

“Right now I’m at the pinnacle in my career,” he said.

“I physically feel very fit. I’m very motivated to keep on playing at a very high level.

“So as long as it’s like that, I’m going to try to use these years in front of me to fight for number one in the world and to fight for the biggest titles in the sport.

“Roland Garros is, was and still will be one of the biggest goals that I have.”

Djokovic’s immediate priority is returning to wife Jelena and their son Stefan, who was born last month.

“I’m very hands on,” he said. “My wife told me what to expect. I’ve seen it before I came to Paris and London.

“I’m glad during the stay in London for these 10 days I got a lot of sleep, because that will not be the case from now.” (BBC Sport)

Teon Sancho from Melba Lagadoue’s Fitness Zone at New Amsterdam won the Mr Flex Night Berbice 2014 title when the competition was held on Saturday at the Skeldon High School Annex.

After a slight delay at the beginning, action heated up as bodybuilders in the 132lbs, 143lbs, 154lbs, 176lbs and over 176lbs traded pose for pose to catch the approval of the judges.

The huge Corriverton audience enjoyed every moment of the contest and were vocal in their appreciation.

Meanwhile, the Mr Corriverton title went to Anthony Baynes of Tej Mohall Gym as he showcased his chiselled body for the judges.

In the 143 lbs class, Raymond Rabindranauth from House of Pain Gym easily won his class in the Mr Flex Night Berbice.

Leon Benjamin was the lone competitor in the 154 lbs class, while Anthony Baynes defeated a game Alex Hamilton in the heavy, over 176 lbs class.

Most of the top bodybuilders from the Mr Corriverton and Mr Flex Night Berbice now have their eyes set upon the December 7 Flex Night event.

The event was principally organised by Lyndon Murray, Manager of Back Centre Gym and judged by David Gomes, Fiona Harris and Nadina Taharally of Flex Night Incorporated. Special guest poser was Caerus Cipriani of Fitness Paradise Gym.

Orville Hinds

Members of the victorious DCC team with representatives of the sponsors

Mr Flex Night Berbice 2014 Teon Sancho poses with his trophies

Novak Djokovic

Guinness, Petra team up for “Guinness in the Street”

By TreisTon Joseph

The seventh edition of the “Guinness in the Street” football tourney for Georgetown was launched on Monday at the boardroom of Banks DIH, Thirst Park.

The best street footballers will converge from today when the final preliminary games are played at Banks’ Demerara Park.

At the launching today, Guinness Branch Manager Lee Baptiste said the tournament this year will be bigger with the total prize money being in excess of $1 million.

The first-place team will win $400,000, while second, third and fourth will receive $200,000, $150,000 and $75,000 respectively.

Going with the theme

“Who will be made of more”, Baptiste was confident that the tournament will be another exciting edition.

“I think with persons realising the type of exposure you are getting from the Caribbean championships, it caused the more teams to participate, which is great and our satisfaction comes from watching these guys

achieve at the Caribbean level,” Baptiste stated.

Further, Baptiste, who dubbed last year’s edition the best for this particular type of football, revealed that there will be a fair play award worth $50,000 for the most disciplined team.

The individual skill competition will also be back for the second time in the tournament for persons in or out of the competition, with the first-place prize money being $20,000.

Troy Mendonca of the Petra Organisation, who deals with the football logistics of the tournament, stressed his pleasure in being part of the tournament again.

Mendonca noted that the tournament had 51 entrants as they had to play two preliminary rounds in order to arrive at their final 32 teams.

As per usual, the tournament will be a round-robin knockout with the top two teams going through to the knockout stages.

Mendonca also urged the Guinness brand to continue its good work, especially in rewarding the fans since he believes that the fans are

best in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Baptiste revealed that he was hoping to take the tournament for the

Suspended BCCI boss found not guilty of fixing

−but ignored player’s code of

conduct violation

The Mudgal report has found ICC chairman and sidelined BCCI president N Srinivasan not guilty of either betting or fixing, or of having tried to prevent the investigation into the IPL 2013 corruption scandal. However, the report does state that Srinivasan, along with four

other BCCI officials, knew about an IPL player violating the code of conduct, but took no action. The name of the player and the details of the IPL code of conduct violation are not yet specified.

The Mudgal committee report on the IPL 2013 corruption scandal, which was presented to the Supreme

Court of India earlier this month, lays out the misdemeanours of the “non-playing individuals” who were issued notices on Friday. The report says that IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman knew a contact of a bookie and had contacted him eight times in a season. Of the other two individuals served Supreme Court notices, it has been established that Gurunath Meiyappan, who is Srinivasan’s son-inlaw, was an official of the Chennai Super Kings franchise - and not just “an enthusiast”, as he was made out to be - and had indulged in illegal betting.

The report also says: “The fourth individual Raj Kundra, a co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals, has been accused and charged with being in touch with bookies about betting.

Corentyne Cup Football Tournament… GTU Teachers defeat Number 51 to take inaugural title

Narayanaswami Srinivasan

first time to Berbice and to the West Side in hopes of getting a wider national tournament.

Aqua Mist will be part of the tournament as Brand Manager Errol Nelson welcomed the opportunity to hy-

drate the players. Games will begin from 19:00h each night.

From left: Aqua Mist Brand Manager Errol Nelson, Petra Organisation’s Troy Mendonca, Guinness Branch Manager Lee Baptiste and PRO Troy Peters at the launching

By Andrew CArmiChAel

TU (Guyana Teachers Union) Teachers won the in-

augural Corentyne Cup with a 3-1 win over Number 51 Football Club in the final of the competition on Sunday at the Scottsburg Ground.

The teachers came from behind to remain unbeaten in the tournament after Keith LaRose put Number 51 ahead in the 13th minute.

The winning GTU Teachers team pose after the final