Guyana Times Daily

Hostile reception for Granger in Linden

Amid threats to Sattaur, cops mum on Glenn Lall’s gun

Bandits escape with $50M after Alexander Village heist Guyana gets US$96M from IDB for water, electricity sectors

Murders, road deaths spike – Police

PPP/C rescued Guyana from PNC quagmire – Rohee

Vendors defiant against ban to peddle near traffic lights

Amid threats to Sattaur, cops mum on Glenn Lall’s gun

Officials from the Guyana Police Force are yet to respond and provide reasons why Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall’s firearm was not seized after a threat report was made out against him.

Another section of the media quoted Crime Chief Leslie James as saying that the "threatening" matter was under investigation. But he stopped short of commenting on the firearm issue.

Guyana Times was told by a senior Police Officer that it was customary for the firearm of the accused in such “threatening” matters to be lodged with the Police station where the report is made, which in this case is Brickdam Police Station.

However, the officer said he was not aware that Lall’s firearm was in fact lodged at the station, or whether Lall was instructed by the Police to do so.

“This would be tantamount to the Police showing double standards,” he said.

“Glenn Lall is not above the law, and if he is supposed to lodge his firearm, then the Police must ensure that this happens.”

Over the past few days up to Friday, attempts were made to contact officials from the Police Force, but

calls to their cellular phones went unanswered.

The Police are supposed to be investigating the threats allegedly made by Lall by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur.

Sattaur had told this newspaper that Lall had issued grave threats to him on the phone following the publication of a story in which Lall was pinpointed in a scam robbing Government of import duty on two luxury SUVs.

Summons

Only recently, Lall was served with a summons to appear at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer to several charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The summons was delivered by officials of the GRA on Wednesday to Lall at his Saffon Street, Charlestown office. On the same day, Lall had lied and said he had not received the summons, as reported in the Kaieteur News.

The GRA had pressed around six charges against Lall; his wife, Bhena; and remigrants Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan of Number 61 Village, Corentyne, for falsifying documents to defraud the State of hundreds of millions of dollars for importing two luxury vehicles into this country.

A top GRA official confirmed to Guyana Times that the summons was served on Lall and his wife. Lall himself, according to the GRA official, signed and received his summons. The remigrants who hail from Berbice are said to have returned to the US.

The tax regulatory body is claiming that the Brijnanans had imported two Lexus LX 570 motor vehicles under the Remigrant Scheme into Guyana; however, the two vehicles were not kept or used by the rem-

igrants.

This is in breach of the

Customs Act and the conditions of the grant of the duty-free concession. GRA said investigations have revealed that the vehicles were being driven by Lall and his wife.

The Authority has since seized the vehicles and filed the six criminal charges against the four persons. The charges are to be read and heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on October 13, when the two couples are expected to make an appearance.

The charges alleged that between June 18, 2013 and September 20, 2013, at Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, Demerara, a place in the Georgetown

Magisterial District, they made and subscribed to false declarations on one Lexus LX 570 motor vehicle with engine capacity 5700 cc, Chassis number JTJHY7AX6 D4096745 to be worth US$44,158 and one Lexus LX 570 motor vehicle with engine capacity 5700 cc, Chassis number JTJHY7AX6 D4094851 to be worth US$44,158, contrary to Section 217(1a) of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01.

Meanwhile, ever since the charges were filed, Lall has reportedly threatened to blackmail Cabinet members if Government does not drop the cases currently pending in court against him.

CGX enters Cdn$7.5M loan agreement with Pacific Rubiales

CGX Energy Inc announced it has entered into a bridge loan agreement with Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp in the aggregate principal amount of Cdn$7.5 million.

Chief Executive Officer Dewi Jones commented: “The bridge loan allows CGX Energy to continue discussions with potential joint venture partners and also commence purchasing long lead items required to drill our next exploration well on the company’s 100 per cent owned Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana.”

The loan has a term of 12 months and annual interest payable of five per cent. The net proceeds of the loan will be used to cover certain expenses generated in Guyana in connection with its work commitments in Guyana.

The loan is considered

a “related party transaction” under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 –Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), but is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction is less than 25 per cent of the company’s market capitalisation.

The company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the closing of the loan as required by MI 61-101 as the details of the loan were settled only recently.

Demerara Block

As previously announced, the company has entered into a seismic contract with Prospector PTE Limited to conduct a 3116.74 km2 3D seis-

mic survey on the company’s 100 per cent owned Demerara Block, offshore Guyana.

The seismic survey commenced on and is expected to be completed in approximately 60 days. After the completion of the survey, Prospector will have been issued common shares in the capital of the company, representing approximately 16.6 per cent of the company.

The CGX continues to work with the technical team at Pacific Rubiales to secure a joint venture partner on the company’s 100 per cent owned Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana.

The company expects to spud the exploration well on the Corentyne Block by October 2015.

“We have been working closely with the technical team at Pacific Rubiales to delineate a prospect on the Corentyne Block and expect to announce the further details on our next exploration well by yearend,” Jones said.

On September 29, the Arbitral Tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration granted CGX Energy a procedural order amending its claim against Repsol Exploracion, SA to include a claim for amounts owing by Repsol to CGX Energy in the amount of US$889,663 in connection with the drilling of the “Jaguar” exploration well on the Georgetown Block, offshore Guyana.

The new claim will be taken up after the January 2015 hearing during the damages phase of the proceedings, if any.

CGX Energy Inc announced it has entered into a bridge loan agreement with Pacific Rubiales

Kaieteur News

Publisher Glenn Lall

GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur

Rights groups angry over ‘let off’ of paedophiles

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

Several human rights organisations are peeved over the number of alleged sex offenders being set free from the justice system instead of being punished for the heinous crime.

The issue of paedophilia has long been an issue here, but has taken on greater prominence ever since the shocking revelations by Johnny Welshman that he was sexually molested by Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman when he was 12 years old. Trotman has denied the allegations.

Last week, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers issued a report on the assizes review for the June session, which revealed that 43 cases for sexual offences were disposed of, varying from rape to sexual activity with a family member.

According to the report, some 23 cases engaged the

tors being set at large.

Guyana Times spoke to some of the human rights organisations about their reactions to the alarming situation. Norma Adrian, a volunteer from Red Thread pointed out that it is unfortunate that all these sex offenders are being allowed back into society, a problem

court’s attention and another 20 were nolle prosequi (not prosecute) by the DPP as a result of the Virtual Complaints (VC) or victims not wanting to proceed with the matter.

Of those 23 cases, only three were sentenced – one from each county – while eight cases ended with the accused being set free for various reasons.

It was noted that the trend in these cases are the fact that victims of sexual offences often refuse to pursue the matters in the courts, mostly out of embarrassment or because they do not want to go through the trauma of having to relive the ordeal during the testimony. This results in the perpetra-

she attributed to a number of factors.

The volunteer noted that the lengthy time it takes for the completion of a case is too much of a drag when within that time, victims would have moved on as they attempt to put the ordeal behind them.

“They feel that it is probably better to not go through with it but then there are some who are threatened and are fearful, hence, they opted not to continue with the case,” Adrian stated.

She went on to blame the lackadaisical work of the Guyana Police Force in investigating these matters, saying that poor investigative work many times lead to the acquittal of cases in

the courts.

Despite this, Adrian is urging victims to ensure that they get justice by seeing that the matters are tried in the courts. She noted that by doing this, they will be preventing others from being hurt while at the same time setting an example for other victims to take the same actions.

Meanwhile, Help and Shelter Executive Member Margarett Kertzious highlighted that there are too many weaknesses within the judicial system.

She is of the belief that victims are either frustrated with the process or threatened; hence, they decide not to pursue the matter.

Lengthy time

The Help and Shelter volunteer noted that the courts usually take a lengthy time before the matters are called up and during this time, most victims would have already moved on.

“When things like this happen; its messes up people’s lives and the victims are ashamed and would find the easiest way to bury it and leave it behind as they try to move on with their lives,” she mentioned.

Additionally, Kertzious remarked that if these offenders are going to be released back into society, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry should ensure that they put these persons on record as sex offenders.

She further called for them to show cause why they should be released before being set free and undergo counselling. During last June session at the High Court in Demerara, 36

sexual offences cases were dealt with, of which 19 was before a judge and jury and 17 were nolle prosequi by the chambers.

Meanwhile, in the Essequibo District, there were only three sexual offence cases in the May Assizes; however, a trial was only held in one for the offence of buggery, which resulted in the accused being found guilty and sentenced to nine years. The other two cases saw the accused being freed after the victims did not want to proceed with the matters. Then in Berbice, four sexual offences cases were listed but two were nolle prosequi for the same reason by the Chambers.

There was a 25-year conviction for a carnal knowledge case involving a girl under 15 after the accused was found guilty by the jury. In another case, the accused was freed after the VC said she does not want to pursue the matter. (vahnu@guyanatimesgy.com)

Help and Shelter Executive Member Margarett Kertzious

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

Gandhi and peace

On October 2, countries around the world, including Guyana, observed International Day of Non-Violence.

The day which marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of India’s independence movement, was established by the United Nations General Assembly as an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”.

Gandhi who opposed British imperial rule in India during the 20th century took the religious principle of ahimsa (doing no harm) – common to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism – and turned it into a non-violent tool for mass action. He used this religious principle to fight, not only colonial rule, but social evils such as racial discrimination and other issues affecting his countrymen as well. He called it “Satyagraha” which means “truth force”.

The theory behind his actions, which included encouraging massive civil disobedience to British law as with the historic Salt March of 1930, was that “just means lead to just ends”; that is, it is irrational to try to use violence to achieve a peaceful society.

What Gandhi saw as challenges in his days and fought relentlessly to overcome, remains with our generation today and perhaps with greater intensity. The world is still faced with conflicts that rage as a result of ethnic tensions and divisions. Religious intolerance and hatred are rampant in many parts of the world. There is a long list of ongoing conflicts which result in thousands of civilian deaths daily, displacement, disintegration of families, broken lives, etc.

Many of us have been expressing shock and disbelief to see images via major TV networks of the barbaric and inhumane actions committed against ordinary civilians, journalists, volunteers and other workers by members of the Islamic State (IS). The powers that be seem very far from finding a solution to these conflicts.

As stated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his message to mark the day, at this time of increased sectarian violence and the wanton destruction of cultural sites and heritage, it is timely to recall Gandhi’s call for peace and reconciliation, and his warning that, “An eye for an eye ends up making the whole world blind.”

While there is no major conflict in Guyana as we are witnessing in different parts of the world, it would be accurate to say that there is an upsurge of violence in our society today. There seems to be a driving force that urges people to engage in violent acts – whether it is gender-based violence, youth violence, violence against children, political violence, etc; the fact remains there is a high level of violence in our society and something must be done about it.

Violence in all its dimensions affects individuals, families, communities, and countries as a whole in a severe way. Youth violence in particular poses a serious threat to society. It is a contributory factor to high levels of youth unemployment, poor or inadequate educational opportunities and social exclusion. Violence also has tremendous lasting impacts on the lives of children. For example, violence affects children’s physical and mental health in many ways, both in the short term and in the long term.

We must foster a culture of peace, built on dialogue and understanding, for living together in harmony while respecting and celebrating humanity’s rich diversity. We stress the need for more education and awareness on the issue of violence, its various forms and how individuals could work together to resolve their differences peacefully.

As pointed out by Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, there is no greater tool than education to enhance human dignity, promote a culture of non-violence, and build lasting peace. Through education, we can craft new ways of living with each other and the planet. It is therefore our hope that citizens everywhere will be inspired by the life and teachings of people like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr in our quest to build a society that is peaceful, just and prosperous.

Kaieteur News’ insinuation disturbing

Dear Editor, Further to my letter to the Kaieteur News and its published response which appeared in Friday’s edition, while the Foreign Affairs Ministry wishes not to become embroiled in any exchanges with that

newspaper, I am constrained to write only for the purpose to clarify for the reading public, that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has not been provided with any “facts” as mentioned by the newspaper. The insinuation that the Ministry is tolerating wrongdoing is, therefore, disturbing.

Yours sincerely, Elisabeth Harper Director General Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ram wrong again

Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate the Permanent Secretary of the Legal Affairs Ministry, Indira Anandjit for her erudite work on defending her Ministry against the sometimes very harsh and unrelenting critique of social activist Christopher Ram.

That being said, she was within her right to defend her Ministry against Mr Ram’s accusations which were in their entirety, baseless and unfounded based on the exchanges that I read between the two parties.

Mr Ram began his shifty arguments in a letter dated October 8, under the headline, “Deficiencies in two legal areas”, by saying that the Judicial Review Act is not being brought into force and that the Attorney General Anil Nandlall is frustrating the decision of Parliament by not bringing the Act into “operation”.

Apparently at the time he wrote that letter he didn’t know that there was no procedure in the Act to make what he is calling for effective, the procedure to do so was contained in the High Court Rules.

The Attorney General’s Chambers and the Legal Affairs Ministry had to draw that to his attention. Ms Anandjit highlighted Section 3(1) of the said Act which stated: “An application to the Court for relief against an administrative Act or omission shall be made by way of an application for Judicial Review in accordance with this Act and with Rules of Court.”

Rather than being grateful for the learning he received, he launched a ill-advised attack on the Legal Affairs Ministry in another letter dated October 9, under the headline, “Mr Nandlall has taken the administration of justice to its nadir”, contending that the

Ministry was wrong and that the Rules of Court have been in force since 2010 and then demanded that the Attorney General extract, from the Rules of Court, the part dealing with the Judicial Review Act.

Again the Legal Affairs Ministry had to correct him by responding in another letter dated October 10, headline, “Comprehension could have avoided this entire exchange”, where it was articulated that the Rules were not in force and are to be brought in force, not, by the Attorney General, but by the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh.

This was substantiated in the letter, where Ms Anandjit highlighted from the commencement of Rules, the part which read: “Rules shall come into operation subject to the transitional provisions in Part 73, on a date to be fixed by the Chancellor, acting on the

decision of the Rules of the Committee.”

In any event, the Rules of Court are always dealt with by the Judiciary and not the Executive, as enshrined in Constitutional Doctrine of Separation of Powers.

Mr Ram, although he received legal training late in life, is still a lawyer. Against that backdrop it is shocking, that a lawyer does not know what appears to be matters of an alphabetical nature.

I was advised that Mr Ram lectures law at the University of Guyana. If that is the case then I am truly sorry for the crop of law students that he lectures to. The institution would have to, in the future, make sure that they get capable persons to teach the prestigious law course or risk diluting its standards.

Yours sincerely, Faruk Mohamed

David Fernandes offered a fascinating glimpse of remote hinterland scenes and panoramas, through his presentation at Moray House on Tuesday evening, entitled, “The Guyana that I treasure”. Although he has travelled extensively in the interior since childhood, Fernandes did not start to take photographs on his trips until the 1990s

Dear Editor,

The state has acted wisely in deciding to end its appeal of the dismissal of a charge against Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

Mr Panday was charged in 2002 by his nemesis, Prime Minister Patrick Manning Administration, for failing to declare the assets of a foreign bank account, amounting to approximately TT$1.6 million, held at the National Westminster Bank at Wimbledon Hill Road, London, for the years ending 1997, 1998 and 1999.

He was Prime Minister at the time. The case took a long time to come to trial. Panday was found guilty and sentenced in March 2006 by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to two years in prison and a fine of the equivalent of the amount he held in the foreign account.

His former Attorney General, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, with whom Panday had a fallout over Maharaj’s anti-corruption drive, appealed the conviction on behalf of Panday right after the guilty verdict. By this time, Panday and Maharaj had made up politically. The conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal and a retrial ordered. The state appealed the ruling to quash the conviction, but the Privy Council upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision.

A retrial was held in 2012, but the Magistrate threw out the case saying proper procedures were not followed in the investigation and indictment of Panday. The Magistrate in June 2012 ruled that “it would be unconscionable to permit the case against Panday to continue”, because she was not satisfied the issue was fully and fairly investigated by the Integrity Commission and DPP, before charges were laid.

The state decided to appeal the Magistrate’s ruling but failed the appeal beyond the three months window that allows for appeals. A judicial review was sought. The review was finally to be heard on October 7. But the DPP Roger Gaspard indicated that his office has withdrawn the application for review

Respect Dr Jagan’s name

Dear Editor,

The frequency with which Guyanese are caught at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with cocaine for the purpose of trafficking is appalling! Sometimes once or twice weekly (not to exaggerate). This occurrence probably jars the spirit of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Contrastingly, there are many airports in the Caribbean named after their deceased Heads of State, yet these airports are rarely, or not even, mentioned in connection with narcotics trafficking.

Guyanese should desist from using this facility as a conduit for narcotics trafficking, in order to maintain that high respect for Dr Jagan’s name.

Yours respectfully, George Carrington

of the 2012 decision that acquitted Panday.

The DPP will be unable to reopen the integrity trial. In his ruling, Justice Aboud said Panday’s rights “would have been prejudiced and he would continue to face such prejudice and hardship if the DPP was to continue that prosecution of him”.

The case against Panday is over. During several NACTA surveys between 2002 and 2012, large majorities of voters said the charge against Panday was politically motivated. The DPP decided to withdraw the review and has ended his appeals. But Panday still faces other unrelated charges filed during the Manning Administration.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The $10,000 cash grant for schoolchildren Panday’s acquittal in Trinidad

Dear Editor,

As reported in the media, it appears that the sharing of the Government of Guyana’s “Because We Care $10,000 Cash Grant” is restricted to “parents of children on the registers of public schools”.

This begs the question as to why the parents of children who attend private schools are not entitled to the said grant.

When he announced the cash grant initiative during the 2014 national budget presentation, the Finance Minister explained that the programme was meant to increase the disposable income of parents with school age children.

As far as can be recalled, it was not intended to discriminate against parents with children who attend private schools. In any event, one must wonder why there is any differentiation.

Don’t the parents of children who attend private schools need to increase their disposable income?

There might be a perception that these parents are richer, but I have no doubt that we are all familiar with very rich parents whose children attend public schools and conversely, relatively poor parents who ‘tighten their belts’ to send their children to pri-

vate schools, because it is believed that the latter produce better students, at least based on the examination results.

One can go on and on to describe the fallacies of unfounded perceptions and the attendant unjustified discrimination, but, for now, it is sufficient to call attention to what appears to be an unfortunately unnecessary discrimination against parents who strive hard for the best possible education for their children and who are as responsible taxpayers as anyone else.

Sincerely,

Nowrang Persaud

Blatant disrespect shown to law enforcement officers by truckers on Berbice Bridge

Dear Editor, I am disgusted by the blatant disrespect shown to law enforcement officers by truckers traversing the Berbice Bridge.

Almost daily, truck drivers can be heard arguing and cursing ferociously at Police Officers stationed at the Berbice Bridge toll plaza, who are merely trying to maintain order.

Every day, trucks crossing the Bridge are required to be weighed to ensure the safety of the bridge and to determine the amount that the driver is required to pay to cross.

In the US, bridge and highway tolls for trucks are determined by the number of axles a truck has. In Guyana, the gross weight of a vehicle is critical to the integrity of the structure. It is, therefore, imperative that the gross weight of trucks crossing the bridge be regulated to guard against overweight.

As such, all trucks crossing the bridge are required to first drive on a

scale to be weighed. The weight is also used to determine the toll for that vehicle.

But although a system seems to be in place to allow trucks to stop and wait their turn before proceeding onto the scale, all too often an impatient, arrogant truck driver gets onto the scale without being called up, only to find another one approaches from the opposite direction. Because both drivers believe they were first in turn, two trucks often end up on the scale at the same time, each determined to be weighed before the other.

When the bridge security tries to adjudicate, all hell breaks loose. Truck drivers and their helpers are often heard cursing and arrogantly defying a direct order to back off the scale from Police Officers at the bridge. This lawlessness and bold aggression shown to law enforcement at the Berbice Bridge must not be tolerated. These Police

Officers, mostly women, must be protected by strengthening the laws of Guyana, to allow Police Officers to arrest and prosecute anyone who defies a direct order from law enforcement.

This disrespect for Police Officers in the line of duty is not tolerated in other countries, it must not be practised here despite one’s personal opinion of the Guyana Police Force.

At the end of the day, Police Officers too have families to go safely home to.

They protect us from the scum of society and remain vigilant when most of us are sleeping soundly at night. And although there are those unscrupulous ones who tarnish the image of the Police Force, most take pride in the pledge they take to protect and to serve. They deserve our respect!

Sincerely, Harry Gill

The Berbice River Bridge

Dr Cheddi Jagan

Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday

Page Foundation

Ebola virus disease

EKey facts

bola Virus Disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from infected wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.

The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50 per cent. Case fatality rates have varied from 25 per cent to 90 per cent in past outbreaks.

The first EVD outbreaks occurred in remote villages in Central Africa, near tropical rainforests, but the most recent outbreak in West Africa has involved major urban as well as rural areas.

Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials and social mobilisation.

Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival. There is as yet no licensed treatment proven to neutralise the virus but a range of blood, immunological and drug therapies are under development.

There are currently no licensed Ebola vaccines but two potential candidates are undergoing evaluation.

Background

The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is of-

ten fatal if untreated. Ebola first appeared in 1976 in two simultaneous outbreaks, one in Nzara, Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.

The current outbreak in West Africa, (first cases notified in March 2014), is the largest and

countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have very weak health systems, lacking human and infrastructural resources, having only recently emerged from long periods of conflict and instability. On August 8, the WHO Director General declared this outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

A separate, unrelated Ebola out-

most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It has also spread between countries starting in Guinea then spreading across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia, by air (one traveller only) to Nigeria, and by land (one traveller) to Senegal.

The most severely affected

break began in Boende, Equateur, an isolated part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus family Filoviridae includes three genera: Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus, and Ebolavirus. There are five species that have been identified: Zaire, Bundibugyo, Sudan, Reston and Taï Forest. The first three, Bundibugyo ebolavirus, Zaire ebolavirus, and Sudan ebolavirus have been associated with large

outbreaks in Africa. The virus causing the 2014 West African outbreak belongs to the Zaire species.

Transmission

It is thought that fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are natural Ebola virus hosts. Ebola is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.

Ebola then spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (eg bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.

Health-care workers have frequently been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has occurred through close contact with patients when infection control precautions are not strictly practiced.

Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola.

People remain infectious as long as their blood and body fluids, including semen and breast milk, contain the virus. Men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to seven weeks after recovery from illness. (www.who.int)

Helping a toddler ease into independence (Part two)

BY DR WILLIAM SEARS

Substituting voice contact If your young toddler is playing in another room out of your sight and starts to fuss, instead of immediately dropping what you are doing and rushing to their aid, try calling to them instead, “Mama’s coming!” Maintaining a dialogue with a toddler outside the shower door has prevented many a separation protest.

Shifting gears if separation isn’t working Sometimes even a baby who was easy to leave suddenly becomes a toddler who is separation-sensitive. If your toddler isn’t taking well to your absences, you might try more creative ways of staying happy yourself that don’t involve leaving your child. What you may perceive as a need to escape may actually be a need for you to give yourself more nurturing.

Providing “long-distance” help Exploring toddlers get stuck in precarious places. The protector instinct in all parents makes us want to rush and rescue the stuck child. Sometimes it’s good to encourage from the sidelines and let the young adventurer get themselves out of the mess. While writing this section, I observed two-yearold Lauren trying to negotiate her doll buggy down a short flight of steps. Halfway down, the buggy got stuck and Lauren began to protest. Instead of immediately rushing to help her, I offered an encouraging, “Lauren, do it.” That was all she needed to navigate her buggy down the rest of the steps. Encouraging toddlers to work themselves out of their own dilemmas helps them develop a sense of self-reliance.

Watch for signs of separation stress

There are times when toddlers still need to cling, some more than others. On days when your usually fearless explorer won’t leave your side, honour his wishes but try to figure out why he is staying so close. Does he feel ill? Have you been distracted or too busy to attend to him? Has he had more separation than he can handle lately? Refuel his connectedness “tank” with some time together, and he’ll be off on his own again soon. (askdrsears.com)

Jagdeo bemoans region’s efforts on climate change

Former President

Bharrat Jagdeo said the Caribbean has to be more aggressive in the fight against climate change if it was going to help minimise the impacts of the global scourge on the region.

Jagdeo was at the time addressing the business community as the keynote speaker at a business dinner hosted by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) on Friday at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara. He said that the Caribbean has made “feeble and visionless attempts” to address one of the most dangerous threats particularly as small countries in the region.

Jagdeo noted that his

with the hope that somehow there will be some divine movement and the new wealth created for the new generation of people in this region will come from those sectors and it’s not going to happen,” he stated. Jagdeo, who received the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champion of the Earth Prize a few years ago, pointed out that because the region has not fully explored new sources of wealth, it continues to diminish any possibility of having a viable medium-term strategy.

Weather-related events

He stated that the frequency of weather-related events (disasters) would

the life out of their economies. He referred to the time when Guyana’s debt service about 94 per cent of the country’s revenue, which is seven and a half times the size of the economy.

“Today because we have addressed that variable, the size of the debt is about 40 per cent of the GDP, one of the lowest in this region and we use four per cent of revenue to service that debt… This variable (in the region) is getting worst every single day and so even without addressing climate-related challenges, those countries have seen a significant loss in welfare and future prospects,” the former President highlighted.

He told the business forum that unless action was taken now to align climate change as a key variable in the development equations, the region will suffer the loss of welfare and economic wellbeing. Additionally, he cautioned that if there can be a prediction of what changes will take place globally, then the region will lose with regard to those countries that have the foresight not only to adapt to climate change, but to use it as an opportunity to implement new technologies and innovations.

The former President went on to say that with the exception of Guyana, who has had increased awareness of climate change, most of the policymakers in the region do not ful -

consistent criticism of the region is in hope of a rude awakening of the Heads of Governments so that they can start paying attention to climate change and its impacts on the region rather than focusing on the traditional sectors that are increasing being phased out.“The region has now run out of steam, it has continued to cling hopelessly to sectors that have plateaued and are sunset industries

increase and the region was doing nothing to avoid them. He further highlighted how a single natural disaster can literally “wipe out” more than half of a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which took more than a decade to accumulate. Jagdeo explained that countries cannot have a feasible economic strategy when the external debt service, which is approximately 50 per cent of GDP, sucks

ly comprehend the threats that climate change brings. He disclosed that the world currently produces approximately 34 billion tonnes of carbon annually; however ,this amount needs to be reduced to 15 billion tonnes by the year 2050 in order to have a 50 per cent chance of maintaining a two-degree Celsius temperature rise.

He continued that to increase the chances to two

thirds, the amount of carbon released needs to be cut to at least 11 billion tonnes.

“On a per capita basis today, everyone of us is about five tonnes we emit. We have to get down to 1.6 tonnes per capita by 2050 so that is the task before the world,” he suggested. Jagdeo opined that the globe is not on track to achieving this. He noted that at the recent forum held in Copenhagen, it was expected that measures would have been undertaken, particularly by the developed countries, since the bulk of the carbon is emitted

from them, to set the world on a path towards achieving the two degrees Celsius temperature rise or at least to maintain it below that level.

The Champion of the Earth revealed that China has committed to cut its carbon intensity by 30 to 40 per cent. However, Jagdeo noted that in spite of promises made, a recent study by the World Bank puts the globe as faced for a fourdegree rise in temperature which will result in parts of the world being inundated as the threats of cli-

mate change occur. This, he pointed out, will severely affect Guyana as the country will experience a high rise in sea levels, the destruction of large swathes of forests and adverse changes in the weather patterns. “So in spite of all the wonderful talk you hear and the great speeches that are made, when it comes to making the pledges that will put us onto a sustainable pathway towards achieving two degrees rise, those pledges are yet to be made,” he stated.

(vahnum@guyanatimesgy. com)

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo poses with GMSA President Clinton Williams (second from left); Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul (second from right) and Mexico's Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin along with other dignitaries at the business dinner

A section of the attendees at the GMSA Business Dinner on Friday evening at the Princess Hotel, Providence

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Digicel CEO Gregory Dean deep in conversation

Vendor remanded on attempted murder charge

A35-year-old vendor identified as Leon Forde was on Friday afternoon remanded to prison. Forde, of Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Fabayo Azore. He was not required to plead to the charge, since

his matter was an indictable offence. It is alleged that on Wednesday, October 8 at Robb Street, with intent to commit murder, he wounded Joseph Adams. The court heard that the accused and the Virtual Complainant (VC) are known to each other and on the day in question, they were consuming alcohol and

had a misunderstanding.

As a result, the accused allegedly attacked the VC with a knife, wounding him in the face and stomach and on the hands.

Police Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick objected to bail on the grounds that the victim is still hospitalised and his prognosis is unknown. The Prosecutor also objected to

bail based on the seriousness of the offence and the possibility that the accused may tamper with the victim. Representing the accused is Attorney-at-Law Mark Conway who informed the Court that Forde has no priors or pending matter. Forde was remanded until October 13.

Suspects in $4.4M theft remanded

Two men who are accused of stealing over $4.4 million in articles from a construction company were on Friday afternoon remanded to prison.

Rawle Hinds, a 31-yearold mason of North Sophia, and Collin Kendall, a 26-year-old labourer of Pike Street Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Fabayo Azore. They pleaded not guilty to the charge of break and enter and larceny which stated that on October 3 and October 4 at Georgetown, they broke into the bond of Jiangxi Thermal Power

Construction Corporation and stole one level lock, one Universal instrument, three freezers, one jack hammer, three hammers, a welding machine, and other articles valued a total of $4,427,000.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne opposed bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. She also highlighted that Hinds was recently released from similar charges and that some of the articles were recovered. She, however, noted that the file is still incomplete as the investigation

is still ongoing. The matter will be recalled on October 31.

Burnham Trust awards 34 students with bursaries

Thirty-four secondary school students from the 10 administrative regions were awarded bursaries when the Burnham Educational Scholarship Trust (BEST) held its annual bursary awards ceremony on Friday at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia.

The bursaries, valued at $920,000, were awarded to 22 continuing students and 12 new students for the 2012, 2013, and 2014 academic years. BEST awards are made on the basis of the students’ results at the annual National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) exams, which are certified by the Education Ministry, the PNCR said in a release.

Regional education committees of the PNCR in all 10 administra-

tive regions nominated candidates for final selection by the Board of Trustees of BEST. The Board comprises veteran educators Alan Munroe, Yvonne Harewood-Benn, Cheryl Sampson, E Lance Carberry and Carol Corbin. BEST is a registered, non-governmental, non-profit sharing trust.

PNCR Leader, Brigadier (retired) David Granger gave the feature address. He congratulated the awardees and told them that “education is the key”. He said that BEST was rewarding excellence, and encouraged the awardees to seek excellence in education and excellence in opportunities, in order to enhance their opportunities later in life.

The PNCR Leader told the students, “if you are to succeed, you have to be ed-

ucated. The PNCR wants you all to have a good life … we, as a party, are not only about winning elections, but we are committed to ensuring a good life for all Guyanese”. He said that the PNCR and BEST would continue to invest in education, which he described as the “mother of employment, empowerment, enterprise and equality” and the gateway to a “good life”. Brigadier Granger said the bursaries were investments that would pay dividends in the form of the future development of Guyana’s resources.

BEST Chairman Allan Munroe gave a historical overview of the Trust and said that it was the vision of Forbes Burnham, who was this country’s first elected Education Minister 61 years ago, to have a nation where free education

from nursery to university was an entitlement. BEST was founded to perpetuate that vision.

Recipients of the BEST Bursary Awards 2014 are: Mareisa Nascimento (Region One); Azeema Smith (Region Two); Samuela Bruce (Region Three); Arielle Lewis (Region Four – East Coast Demerara); Colisha Hazelwood (Region Four – Georgetown); Shania DeGroot (Region Four –East Bank Demerara); Mark Blair (Region Five); Athena Beharry (Region Six); Sussana Augustin (Region Seven); Anna Matheson (Region Eight); Azem Flatts (Region Nine); and Roy Rogers (Region 10). The awards ceremony was attended by recipients, parents and guardians, party officials and BEST Trustees.

Eyew tness

Bitchslapped...

A...Ramjattan makes excuses

fter even fellow travellers in the Opposition bitchslapped him for something silly for not achieving much – if anything – during the last two years, Ramjattan’s still stuck at the excuses stage. Granger also denied his ineffectualness but this man – who the PPP/C gave a fat salary with staff and office with a budget as “Office of the Opposition Leader” – yet had the temerity to say he “lacked resources”!!

But we’ll let Granger rest for now – he’s still trying to extricate the knife from his back, stuck there by his erstwhile buddy, Laloo “Suspenders” Ram. But what’s Ramjattan’s excuse for not admitting he’s been an unmitigated disaster as a Parliamentarian?

Asked the question once again as to what he did to earn his Parliamentary salary and duty-free vehicles – two per parliamentary term – it was more excuses. (And after Glenn Lall’s revelations, we’re talking a cool $100 million in duties – which will be siphoned into Ramjattan’s pockets when he sells these vehicles. You don’t think he has all 40 vehicles he got duty-free since he was in Parliament from 1992, do you??)

Ramjattan’s excuse was a classic circumlocution of those who’re lying through their teeth: He “is constrained and deliberately made ineffective by the non-grant of facility of researchers and experts to help its members in the analysis of major areas of policy and finance among others”!!! What a load of crock!

Truth of the matter is that for over a decade there’s been four Sectoral Committees that can hire all the researchers on any area of governance!!! You’re talking about Natural Resources, Economic Services, Social Services and Foreign Relations committees. What other resource does Ramjattan want?? Rum?? Isn’t Ramjattan and his band of merry men and women on each of these Committees???

To add insult to injury, the four Committees are now dominated by the Opposition with their one seat majority in Parliament. Plus they have two of the Chairs at any given time.

But the sad truth is that Ramjattan and none of his other Opposition colleagues are interested in having access to research on governance or policy. All they want is to take cheap pot shots at the Government to score cheaper political points.

Then again, in Parliament, where the Sectoral Committees’ meetings are held, Ramjattan can’t scream his favourite expression: “Haul yuh ass!!”

...Nagamootoo lost at sea

Nagamootoo’s never really recovered from his departure from the PPP/C. He thought after he’d told the Ex-Co, “I done with you all!”, his old colleagues would’ve pleaded with him to remain. He thought wrong. They promptly wrote him to say they accepted his resignation!!! Ouch!!! Fact is, they’d been sick and tired of his constant bitching about how he ought to be leader. Bitch-slapping number one!!

It was okay to be ambitious...but to lie on the old man and say he’d anointed him, Nagamootoo, as his heir?? Jeez!! The old man didn’t operate like that. He was the firmest believer and practitioner of democracy.

His second bitch-slapping was when Granger out rightly told him he didn’t trust him to be Speaker. Trotman got his nod.

So here it was, when asked as to what he’ll “bring to the table” now that he’s been handpicked by Ramjattan as AFC’s leader, all the man from Whim could mutter was, “I dunno!!” But we guess the reporter should be grateful Nagamootoo didn’t let loose with HIS favourite expression: “Shut yuh so-and-so mouth!,”

...Suspenders man

Since he didn’t get anywhere with hounding the Auditor General – whose presence reminded him daily that it wasn’t just paper qualifications that got you ahead in accounting, the just graduated lawyer Laloo “Suspenders” Ram decided to hound his betters in the legal profession. For which he was firmly bitchslapped. He didn’t know it’s the Chancellor, not the AG, who introduces Rules of Court for Judicial Review. Ouch!!!

Rawle Hinds Collin Kendall

The bursary awardees pose for a photograph

Guyana gets US$96M from IDB for water, electricity sectors

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Friday signed two project agreements with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU), mobilising a total of US$96 million of development financing to benefit the electricity and water sectors of Guyana.

Signing the agreements alongside Minister Singh was IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno in the presence of EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, the Finance Ministry stated in a release. The signing took place in Washington.

The signing is historic as the two projects are the first to be financed as part of the IDB’s new Grant Leverage Mechanism (GLM), under which IDB loan funds are provided to co-finance a project with grants provided by another development partner.

In this case, the partner providing the grant is the EU. In addition, these projects are also the first to benefit from the EU’s new Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF).

“Guyana considers itself privileged to have been chosen by these two development partners to pioneer

these two new financing facilities,” Minister Singh stated, referring to the IDB’s GLM and the EU’s CIF. “We appreciate the vote of confidence reposed in us by this pioneering collaborative effort, and we trust that our experience shapes the efficient and effective functioning of these mechanisms going forward, to the benefit of all other beneficiary countries across the Region,” the Minister added. Minister Singh saluted the multi-donor involvement in the two projects and expressed the hope that it becomes a model that recommends itself for replication.

Power supply

Under the first agreement, US$64.6 million will be provided to finance a Power Utility Upgrade Programme, under which the efficiency and reliability of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) will be enhanced through electricity loss reduction measures, improvements in the operational capabilities, and strengthening the management and corporate performance of the utility company.

The programme consists of three components, which will be implemented over a five-year period. The

three main components of the agreement are expected to produce the following results: (1) a sustained trend in overall loss reduction; (2) an improved and accountable management performance against consistent Key Performance Indicators and within minimum international standards; and more modern, efficient, and reliable operational systems in GPL.

This new programme will rehabilitate approximately 830 kilometres of GPL’s distribution network by implementing an integral approach to tackle over-

Caribbean agricultural health, food safety agency becomes operational

The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) is now operational. A Chief Executive Officer, Lindley Collins, was appointed recently, Deputy Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Ambassador, Dr Manorma Soeknandan announced on Wednesday.

“We trust that we will soon be able to make more progress with the appointment of additional core staff,” Ambassador Soeknandan said at the formal opening ceremony of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2014 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

CAHFSA, which is based in Suriname, was launched in March 2010. The agency was approved in Roseau, Dominica, at the 21st Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

CAHFSA’s operations are vital to fulfilling the provisions of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which call for the establishment of effective Sanitary and Phyto-

Sanitary (SPS) regime and for the harmonisation of laws, administrative practices and procedures in respect of agriculture.

The regional transformation programme for agriculture, usually referred to as the Jagdeo Initiative, has identified the current agricultural health and food safety system as a key binding constraint to the further development of the region’s agricultural sector.

Among CAHFSA’s tasks are developing technical measures and protocols required to achieve SPS certification for agricultural trade.

CAHFSA will also devise arrangements to reduce the use of SPS measures as nontariff barriers, including undue administrative delays in the clearance of perishable agricultural goods as restrictions to agricultural trade.

all losses while strengthening GPL’s management and technical capabilities. This project is funded by loans totalling US$37.6 million provided by the IDB and grants totalling US$26.9 million provided by the EU.

Water and sanitation

Under the second agreement, a total of US$31.7 million will be provided to finance a Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme. The programme is expected to increase the percentage of households with 24-hour access to water and water pressure that is in line with national standards, reduce the percentage of water that goes unaccounted for, and increase the number of homes with improved access to drinking water and proper sanitation arrangements. This programme will also improve efficiency, quality and sustainability of potable water services in Regions Three, Four and Six; strengthen the operational capacity and management of Guyana Water Inc (GWI)

and improve the delivery of sanitation in programme areas. The programme specifically aims to improve water service pressure, quality and continuity of water service, as well as reduce the level of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in programme areas.

Civil works will include the construction of three new Water Treatment Plants at Uitvlugt in Region Three, Diamond in Region Four, and Sheet Anchor in Region Six.

It will also involve the expansion of two existing water treatment plants in Georgetown located at Sophia and Central Ruimveldt, as well as the rehabilitation of the ShelterBelt Water Treatment facility in Georgetown.

Other works will include the upgrade of nearly 20,000 service connections, as well as the replacement and installation of 70km of transmission and distribution mains in programme areas. (Verify accuracy that this is actually what the project will be doing).

This project is funded by

loans totalling US$16.8 million provided by the IDB and grants totalling US$14.8 million provided by the CIF of the EU.

After the signing ceremony, Minister Singh stated that the two projects aim to continue the work being done by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to deliver demonstrable improvements to the quality of life enjoyed by all Guyanese.

In the case of the water and sanitation project, the Minister pointed out that access to potable water and acceptable sanitation facilities are among the Millennium Development Goals to which Guyana is firmly committed to achieving and to which much progress has already been made.

In relation to the power supply improvement project, Minister Singh pointed out that improving efficiency at GPL is critical not only to ensure that consumers on the grid enjoy a more reliable supply of electricity in the near term, but also to ensure that GPL is prepared to be an efficient off-taker of the power to be supplied by Amaila Falls Hydro Project, once it comes on stream. He further explained that the project served not only as a measure to bring early relief to consumers but also as part of necessary preparedness for the Amaila Hydro Project.

Dr Singh thanked the IDB and the EU for their support to the Government’s development efforts. He noted that both donor agencies have delivered demonstrable development impacts across Guyana through tangible improvements in the quality of life enjoyed by Guyanese citizens.

Caricom Deputy Secretary General, Dr Manorma Soeknandan

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno signing the historic agreements

$32M Petting Zoo expected in time for Christmas

The $32 million Petting Zoo, which is overseen by The Protected Areas Commission, is expected to be completed before Christmas, Protected Areas Officer Annalise Bayney said.

The buildings have already been erected and fenced off awaiting finishing touches. This new addition will accommodate a duck pond, and areas for ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits.

Additionally, there will also be a shop where visitors can purchase appropriate foods to feed the animals.

“A lot of persons want to feed animals when they come, and now they can, but only with approved food because if you feed the animals corn curls or anything, they can get sick,” Bayney told Guyana Times

Additionally, Bayney mentioned that not much has been done to improve the conditions of the zoo since in the 1960s.

Furthermore, she stated that there are numerous projects which need to be executed before the zoo can raise its standards.

However, she was eager to showcase all the work that has been done so far to enhance the environment. Bayney pointed to pathways leading through a few of the enclosures with docile animals which would provide

the public with a different experience.

However, patrons would not be able to use those walkways without the guidance of tour guides. Another addition to the zoological park will be the zoo volunteers who will be acting as tour guides to assist visitors and share interesting details about the animals.

Amid these new addi-

tions, the zoological park is definitely demonstrating major improvements which can indeed make the environment more visitor-friendly.

Bayney stated that the Petting Zoo will be used as an “educational medium”, especially for the children. With this facility, she expects children to develop appreciation for animals and be taught to treat them with compassion.

Empathy for animals

“It will help us teach children empathy for animals, how not to be cruel to animals.... We need to treat them with love,” she

De blind leadin de blind

Guyana is de land of plenty water and right now Peter’s Hall and Providence gotta lotta flood water. Is water, water every where in de whole area, but it ain’t got much to drink right now because even G-W-High water not high enough. So right now G-W-High water under water.

If that had been a koker in Region Two, Region Three, or Region Five, or Region Six, yuh woulda hear a lotta people mouth that de Guvament ain’t doing nutten. Yuh woulda hear some ting every day from every Tom, Dick and Harry, which is de equivalent of Harmon, Rum Jhaat and Greenidge.

De only problem deh is that Rum Jhaat and Dick don’t go together. Not because he ain’t got any, but simply because, according to one of dem lil gyal by de court, it don’t wuk. That is quite unlike Uncle Rafeel, who is a gag man. If yuh doubt that, just ask Bencock, who is a hush man

But Harmon, Rum Jhaat and Greenidge does got to seh some ting bout every ting. And don’t fuhget Lalloo, Nagga Man, and de one who last name first four letters rhyme wid fool. Gool cut and run from dem Transparency people because he not transparent, but somehow he mouth still runnin. Mouth worries does come to mind when yuh hear dem talk.

But just because this time is Region Four, all of them shut dem traps and stay quiet. Old people seh talk is cheap and yuh must never go after yuh own. Well FLOPNU and KFC followin this old people rule to the very last letter.

That is why people does seh Rum Jhaat and Green Jah is two-face politicians. Two-face people does see whah dem want to see and turn blind when dem want to be blind, although some body seh Rum Jhaat blind all de time, except when is time to see dem flattie.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And wid Nagga Man not knowin whah de hell he can bring to he party, is de blind leadin de blind!

declared.

She said another aim is to get people to know animals that can be used as pets and those which cannot.

In addition, many patrons were excited about this new addition and expressed anticipation for the opening.

“I think this will be good for the kids, it can be educational, and the kids will get to bond with the animals,” a tourist from Suriname told Guyana

A local resident remarked: “I am so happy that they are improving the zoo, it really needed some upgrading. The petting zoo will be a great attraction for the kids, I’m sure they will love it.”

She said most of the animals are traded in or donated to the zoo, and will undergo rehabilitation.

“The donkeys at the zoo are all rescued animals. They were mistreated by previous owners and res-

cued by a citizen passionate about the mistreatment of animals. Both the adult donkeys were subjected to cruel conditions, coming into the zoo with open wounds and assorted cuts about their bodies... Upon successful treatment by our amazing zoo staff, both animals recovered and are healthy and happy now.” Meanwhile, the World Wildlife Fund is working on setting up a turtle monument to raise awareness about the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS). The Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry and The Protected Areas Commission had signed a contract on January 28 for the construction of the Petting Zoo. According to Bayney, the zoo is totally funded by the Government of Guyana. Many modern zoological parks contained petting zoos, which are designed to allow persons to safely feed and physically interact with the animals, providing a contrast to the ordinary zoo experience.

Finishing touches being done on one of the buildings Times

Buildings at the Petting Zoo in good shape

Hostile reception for Granger in Linden

... after shutting out party members from meeting

By UtamU Belle

Members of the Linden arm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Friday evening staged a protest outside the main building of the Mackenzie High School in Linden, which served as a venue for a consultation by Party Leader David Granger.

This newspaper understands that the party leader had travelled to the town to conduct a public consultation at the venue; however, about 50 members of the Linden arm of the party became agitated after arriving there, only to discover that the gates to the venue were locked, which they said signalled that they were uninvited.

This clearly caused the party members to become disgruntled as they stood outside the gates with placards and hurled remarks at the PNCR Leader and Party Coordinator Sandra Adams who were said to be conducting a private meeting inside.

“Granger disrespectful to people. They come till here to lock we gate!” an angry party member shouted. “We are members of this party and right now are being disenfranchised; we were disenfranchised at the 18th Biennial Congress.

And now we are being disenfranchised again. We get lock out in Congress, and now we get lock out in Linden,” another stated.

Holding placards bearing slogans such as “We are not accepting an imposed coordinator, no way!” and “Burnham and Hoyte must be turning in their graves, Comrade Leader”, the party members stood outside the gates and refused to be removed.

When this newspaper arrived at the venue, the gates to the venue were

padlocked and no one was being allowed to enter the compound as guards stood watch in the compound and outside the gates.

Angry PNCR party member Maurice Butters, who was inside the compound, related after being let out, that he had been locked inside the compound, since he had arrived early at the venue for the consultation, which was expected to commence at 18:00h.

He explained that he had arrived to meet with

Bandits escape with $50M after Alexander Village heist

Four bandits including a female on Thursday escaped with an estimated $50 million in cash, gold and diamonds from an Alexander Village goldsmith.

They also took away several licensed firearms belonging to the businessman who is presently out of the country.

Based on information received, the woman who was properly attired and wearing a straw hat, entered the premises under the pretext of ordering a piece of gold jewellery.

The men entered shortly after, held the proprietress at gunpoint and demanded the money kept in the safe.

The woman was then escorted to the upper flat of the house where they ordered her to open the safe, but she reportedly told them that her husband had the keys.

In turn, the men broke opened the safe, took out the money and a quantity of gold and diamonds, along with the guns.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the men then wrapped the

money in a bed sheet, but not before assaulting the woman who subsequently fainted.

The men and their female accomplice, who were all armed with handguns, then made good their escape in a waiting motorcar.

Guyana Times understands that from the way the men operated, it was more or less an inside job since they knew the owner of the business is overseas and the exact location of the safe. One worker and another man who visited the business place prior to the robbery were arrested.

This newspaper was also told that the businessman always buys a lot of gold and diamonds for refining. He has been in the business for a number of years. The entire robbery was captured on surveillance cameras that were erected around the business place.

The woman was taken to a private medical institution where she was treated and sent away. Police are investigating the matter.

Granger; however, he was made to understand that he could not do so.

“We can’t be hypocritical in whatever we do. I mean we are talking about participatory democracy, consultations, but then only certain persons were invited. At least, I was not invited, even though I am a Councillor, I was not invited,” he said.

Asked whether members of the public were invited to the consultation, Butters stated that it did not appear so.

“What the leadership of this party don’t want to understand and appreciate is that Linden has issues and we’ve been calling on him (Granger) to meet and to let us sit down and discuss it, so people chose to do what they are doing now to attract his attention,” he said.

Vanessa Kissoon issue

Butters also noted that the unresolved issue involving disciplinary action against party member Vanessa Kissoon was also up for discussion by the PNCR Linden arm.

He explained too that party activities had not been recognised and accepted by Councillors since the rift in the party began. He said the leadership has not embraced the PNCR Councillors who are willing to work for the betterment of the party.

The August 18, 2012 agreement signed by the Government and the Region 10 Democratic Council, Butters noted, was also an issue, as well as the issue of Local Government Elections. He explained that the party leadership appears unwilling to consult on party campaign activities.

“We remain diehard PNC members, whichever elections come first, we are there for it,” he said, how-

ever.

Party member Leslie Gonsalves, who was present at the protest, also stated that the Linden party arm was dissatisfied with some of the actions of the PNCR Leader.

“Several things we are dissatisfied with: the imposition of a coordinator on us and other issues we are willing to discuss. We would have invited him into Linden several times; he never turned up.

"So after we learnt he was going to be in Linden today, we turned up to let him understand. Why come to Linden to have a meeting and you can’t deal with issues which are outstanding? And when we turned up here, the gates are locked,” he said.

He also noted that members of the Linden arm of the party were uninvited to the consultation and were turned back at the gate. Gonsalves said the protesters were not present to cause any ruckus but simply to make their voices heard.

“Irrespective of what it might be or what it was or what it might be, we are members of the PNCR and it is not a one-man show, we are members just as Granger and the others are and we are entitled to better treatment,” he said.

Lions Club of Stabroek providing free spectacles to students

The Lions Club Association of Guyana, GeorgetownStabroek Branch provided three special students with free spectacles in observance of World Sight Day which was observed on October 9.

‘Lions’ from all around the world will mark World Sight Day with a variety of activities during the entire month of October. The students were carefully selected based on an assessment carried out by the organisation.

Jeliani Armstrong, age six, from St Stephen’s Primary School; Danela Belgrave, 11, from David Rose School for the Handicapped; and Delon Brown, 12, also from David Rose School for the Handicapped were the privileged students who were selected for the project.

On Friday, the students were taken to Lens Craft Optical and had their eyes tested. However, Danela Belgrave’s situation differs from her other colleagues, making her task more costly than the others.

“Her case is special in the sense

that her eyes did not develop properly. She was born with a twisted eye nerve,” Club President Odessay DeBarros stated.

According to DeBarros, the project’s estimated cost is well over $200,000.

“Because of Danela’s condition, she has to get special glasses which is about $150,000 and she needs drops which costs about $25,000.”

Additionally, she mentioned that Lens Craft Optical provided the eye tests for free and offered discounted prices for the spectacles. The students will be receiving their glasses today.

A PNCR Linden party member holds up a placard

Students along with Lions Club Association of Guyana, Georgetown-Stabroek Branch President Odessay DeBarros, Secretary Miranda Marcus and Director Jennel Bishop

Murders, road deaths spike – Police

Despite an 11 per cent decrease in serious crimes when compared to the previous year at the end of September, more persons have died from murder.

Initially, there was a 13 per cent increase at the end of June this year, but by the end of September, it was down by six per cent.

The Guyana Police Force in a release stated that a total of 107 murders were recorded at the end of September 2014 in comparison to 100 for the same period in 2013.

“The causes of domestic and disorderly murders, which together total 51 of the 107 murders recorded (48 per cent), are mainly social in nature and are difficult for the Police alone to deal with. However, the Police Force is working with other stakeholders to address the situation,” the statement said.

In addition, at the end of June this year, a seven per cent decrease in total serious crimes was recorded; this has subsequently dropped to 11 per cent at the end of September.

Robbery under arms which showed a 22 per cent increase at the end of June was down to 11 per cent at the end of September.

Also, there was a 33 per cent increase in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms at the end of June this year, while at the end of September; it was 15 per cent. At the same time, the Police have recovered a total of 60 illegal firearms at the end of September.

At the end of June 2014, there was an increase of four per cent in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators; it was two per cent at the end of September.

In addition, at the end of September 2014, robbery under arms overall has increased by 11 per cent. The statistics indicate an increase of 15 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms and a two per cent increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

The Police noted that among the serious crimes are robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.

The above statistics indicated that the strategies employed by the Police Force

in dealing with crime, inclusive of social intervention programmes with a focus on youths alongside intelligenceled enforcement operations, have impacted positively during the third quarter of the year when compared to the second quarter.

In relation to traffic, 100 road fatalities from 92 accidents have been recorded at the end of September in comparison to 75 fatalities from 72 accidents for the same period in 2013.

Pedestrians have been the main road users affected with 42 such persons having lost their lives at the end of September 2014. In addition, 19 motorcyclists, 15 pedal cyclists, nine drivers, 14 persons travelling in motor vehicles and one person being towed on a bicycle also lost their lives.

As usual, speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents, and was the cause of 57 of the 92 fatal accidents recorded at the end of September.

Traffic enforcement by the Police has resulted in a total of 55,591 cases being made against errant motorists at the end of September.

Of this total, 15,350 cases were for speeding. To date, a child has died this month as a result of a fatal accident.

Rotary Demerara donates three computers to Prison Service

The Rotary Club of Demerara recently donated three computers to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) to boost the prison’s literacy programme initiated by Rotary Past President Dale Erskine.

This initiative is consistent with one of Rotary International's main areas of focus – basic education and literacy.

According to a release, over the years, the Rotary Club of Demerara has continued to support the GPS Literacy Programme by providing resource mate-

PPP/C rescued Guyana from PNC quagmire – Rohee

People’s Progress Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Clement Rohee said while Guyana is not a perfect country, it is countless times better than when the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government was in office.

Rohee was at the time speaking at a PPP/C event to mark 22 years in office on Thursday at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Kingston, Georgetown, to reflect on the life of the late founder and President, Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Rohee, who is also Home Affairs Minister, noted that the party has struggled a lot to get Guyana where it is today, and will continue to

make sure that Guyana remains an independent nation.

Addressing claims that the party is dead, Rohee said this is far from the truth, assuring that the party will remain in power when the next elections are called.

Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) President Indra Chandarpal said October 9 is a day for national remembrance, pointing out two significant occasions.

The first was in 1953 when the PPP/C Government won 18 out of 23 seats after the first election was held under Universal Adult Suffrage. The party was removed from office 133 days

after. The second event, she said was in 1992 when the PPP returned to office and democracy was restored. Rice Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj, reflecting on the life of Dr Jagan, said ever since the founding leader took office, Guyana became a major rice exporting country. He said it is because of Dr Jagan; Guyana is now a free country, as he fought relentlessly to ensure the freedom of all Guyanese.

The event held under the theme “Celebrating the restoration of democracy” was attended by hundreds of the party’s supporters.

QC to celebrate creativity of alumni

rials and persons to teach prisoners.

The Rotary Club of Demerara was able to support the GPS with the ongoing support of corporate sponsors Digicel (Guyana) and Dapper Technology.

“We continue with this collaboration with the donation of three computers. The Rotary Club of Demerara thanks Digicel (Guyana) and Dapper Technology for their continued support,” the release said.

The Theatre Guild will be the venue for Gratemur Scholae, an evening celebrating the creativity of Queen’s College (QC) alumni, especially the music they composed over the past 170 years.

The event on October 31 will feature performances by current students, alumni, and friends of the school.

The show is produced by QC alumni Basil Bradshaw, Dr Paloma Mohamed and Ron Robinson, along with QC faculty members, Radiante

Frank, Gem Rohlehr and Leon McDonald.

Attendees will receive the souvenir programme Laude, which can also be purchased separately. Laude contains a brief history of the school and includes reminiscences of notable alumni.

The proceeds from the sale of Laude and tickets to Gratemur Scholae will go towards creating a Centre of Excellence for the performing arts at Queen’s College.

The centre, which is slated for completion in 2019 on

QC’s 175th anniversary, will support students preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in the performing arts. It will also be a hub for the creative arts in the community. Further information can be obtained from Eden Gajraj, ICQC Fundraising Coordinator at gagee28@ gmail.com or Alfred Granger, ICQC Executive Secretary (qchorse@gmail. com)

WPO President Indra Chandarpal (left) and PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee at the remembrance event on Thursday

Queen’s College, Georgetown

Inmates at their work station in the prison

Rotary Club of Demerara President Gillian Mohabir makes the donation to Officer-in-Charge Gladwin Samuels

Vendors defiant against ban to peddle near traffic lights

BY JOMO PAUL

Beverage vendors who sell on the streets of Georgetown are fuming over a recent decision by the Public Works Ministry to stop them from plying their trade at major intersections.

However, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said a mountain is being made out of a molehill. When Minister Benn spoke to Guyana Times on Friday afternoon, he pointed out that vendors selling at major intersections such as the one at Vlissengen Road and Lamaha Street pose a grave danger to human life.

He went on to indicate that it also poses a hindrance to the free-flow of traffic.

“It is creating a traffic issue, a very serious one, imagine if you’re driving and the person in front of you suddenly stops you to buy something, to buy a chicken foot,” asked Benn.

The Minister related that over the past few months, the vendors have been repeatedly warned about their activities at the major intersections, but apparently the warnings fell on deaf ears.

“They were warned, they were warned several times but instead of stopping or minimising their activities, they expanded business. They moved from selling water, to selling drinks, and now they’re selling plantain chips, we can’t allow that,” he emphasised.

Benn went on to say that it would be remiss of the Government to spend “millions and billions” on infrastructural projects and then see the infrastructure being misused and not look to rectify it.

Unfair

However, despite this explanation, the vendors in Georgetown still expressed disappointment at the steps taken by the Ministry and say they are weary and prepared for the worst.

According to “Ian”, a vendor who spoke to Guyana Times, it is unfair for the

18-month-old needs help for crucial eye surgery

Residents of Betsy Ground East Canje are supporting a mother in an appeal for assistance to save her son’s life.

Eighteen-month-old Alex Shamsundar has been diagnosed with cancer in the right eye and needs urgent surgery to remove it.

“The doctors said they have to remove the eye before the cancer spreads to the left eye,” his mother Latchmidavi Shamsundar told Guyana Times on Friday.

The surgery is expected to cost close to $500,000, money which Shamsundar does not have.

She is appealing to the public for assistance. Alex, who was born in Suriname, arrived in Guyana early in 2013 and seemed normal, but as he grew, a red spot developed in his right eye.

Government to take such steps. He said that effectively what is being done is that the Government is “stripping” them of making an honest living.

“Today, tomorrow, the Minister decides that I am a traffic hazard here on Regent Street, they are going to ban me too. And I won’t take it, I have to live. I have a wife and three children to look after,” the vendor said.

Another vendor on Regent Street highlighted that she sells every day of the week and she would have to contemplate looking for another job if such a step materialises.

The woman pointed out that she is a single mother with two children and some other avenue should be looked at before the Government goes to such extremes.

Along the line, other vendors expressed similar concerns. They all contended that if the Minister stops them from selling on the street sides, they would have nowhere else to go.

“This here, this cooler we get this free, all we got to do is buy water and the lil drinks to sell, why they taking this from us,” said one man.

“When we pushing on the pave, the Constable says no, you gotta push on the road, so it’s not we fault that we gotta push on the road, we making we honest dollar here, what we gon do,” said a woman by the name of Lovern.

Meanwhile, at the junction of Camp and Church Streets, a busy city intersection, two sets of vendors continued to ply their trade without any concern.

One of them who spoke to Guyana Times pointed out that she is a single mother and has nothing else to do to sustain her five children.

Faye George said even if she is told to stop selling on the road, she will not stop.

“No, I won’t stop, I will protest, they can’t take away my work, I will protest. How we gon stay off the road, we have to live,” said George.

On September 2 when most of the village’s children started the new school term, residents persuaded Shamsundar to take Alex to the New Amsterdam Hospital. They accompanied her.

There they were ad-

vised to take him to the Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital for a CT scan. That was done the very day with neighbours assisting to cover the cost of transportation. Shamsundar is currently separated from her husband who forced her to return to Guyana with

their two children. She has not seen or heard from him since she left Suriname.

Currently, she is living with her parents and is unemployed.

According to one neighbour Khowsella Kenneth, they were told at the Dr

Balwant Singh’s Hospital that Alex had a tumor in the right eye which caused cancer to develop in the eye. She said they were advised to have the eye removed before his left eye becomes infected. Currently, Alex does not see from his right eye. According to Shamsundar, she was advised to have the surgical procedure done as early as possible.

Meanwhile, a medical report of the CT scan from the Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital issued by Consultant Radiologist, Dr Minal Panchand said there is an irregular heterogeneous enhancing hypodense mass seen in the posterior chamber of the right eye. The report noted that multiple small calcifications are also seen in the mass. Shamsundar, along with a few concerned neighbours are seeking the public’s assistance to raise the sum of $490,000.

Interested persons can make contact with Shamsundar on telephone numbers 326-0397/326-0719 or 601-1840.

Alex Shamsundar and his mother Latchmidavi Shamsundar

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn says that the move to remove is aimed at sellers like these who have expanded to include things other than water

Regional

Brazil says it has a suspected Ebola case

Brazil says it has identified a suspected Ebola case who arrived in the country on Thursday. The patient, Souleymane Bah from Guinea, presented himself after coming down with a fever at a public health centre in the town of Cascavel in the southern state of Parana. He has been flown to Rio de Janeiro to the National Institute of Infectology.

Doctors say he no longer has a fever and blood test results are expected on Saturday. Health Minister Arthur Chioro said the situation was under control and “all health protocols and procedures were applied efficiently and with great success”.

Guinea is one of the three West African countries most affected by Ebola. Bah’s symptoms appeared on the 20th day af -

UN, World Bank chiefs rally support ‘to build a healthy Haiti’

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon joined global partners, including the head of the World Bank, at a high-level conference in Washington, DC, to combat water borne diseases like cholera in Haiti and, raise commitments to provide clean water, improved sanitation and health services in cholera endemic areas over the next three years.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim pledged US$50 million ahead of the high-level conference on “Haiti: Clean Water, Improved Sanitation, Better Health”, co-hosted with the UN Secretary General, to substantially improve water and sanitation coverage in Haiti, and strengthen health services.

“We have made signif-

Doctor

icant progress in controlling the cholera epidemic in Haiti, but too many people are still getting sick, mainly because they don’t have access to clean water and lack sanitation systems. Cholera remains endemic and water borne diseases are one of the leading causes of infant mortality in Haiti,” said Kim.

“Expanding coverage of safe water and sanitation is possible. We cannot ignore this opportunity to prevent thousands more Haitian children from dying from waterborne diseases,” he added.

The high-level conference is being chaired by Kim and Ban, who invited leading partners to join in an effort to substantially improve water and sanitation coverage in Haiti, and strengthen health services. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

ter he left Guinea – within the 21-day incubation period.

But since his arrival he has not shown any symptoms and his fever has not returned. Bah arrived in Brazil as a refugee and was granted leave to remain until 2015 by immigration Police.

Sixty-four people who came into contact with Bah, mostly in the health centre in Parana, are also being monitored for symptoms of Ebola, although the Health Ministry says they are considered low risk.

Concerns have been expressed about what route Bah took to get to Brazil.

The authorities in Argentina are concerned he may have come to South America through one of the country’s airports or ports.

The Brazilian Health Ministry says it has contacted the World Health Organisation about these concerns. (BBC News)

Venezuela blocks Argentine website showing politician’s corpse

An outraged Venezuelan Government sought on Friday to block an Argentine website that published photos of the corpse of a young Socialist Party legislator stabbed to death last week in a mystery that has convulsed the nation.

In a gruesome and murky case, Robert Serra, 27, a rising star in the ruling party, and his companion Maria Herrera, died of multiple knife wounds late at night in his Caracas home.

President Nicolas Maduro has accused radical opponents of being behind the murder and promised to reveal details soon, though various other theories have been doing the rounds among Venezuelans appalled by the killing.

Photos of Serra’s naked and mutilated body in a morgue appeared on social media on Friday and were reproduced by the Argentine news site

Jamaican Govt pumps more money into Chikungunya

The Jamaican Government has pumped another J$350 million into its response to the Chikungunya outbreak and again appealed to Jamaicans to do what they can to prevent the virus from spreading.

At the same time, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller assured the country that the authorities have stepped up planning for prevention and effective management of the deadly Ebola virus if the need arises.

Addressing journalists at this week’s Jamaica House press briefing, Simpson Miller said that, following on her allocation last week of J$150 million to combat the spread of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus, a total of J$500 million is now available for the current national health emergency response, including

fight

clean-up activities and other urgent needs of the Health Ministry.

“The increased expenditure is a step in the right direction, but this is not a problem that will be solved by only money,” the Prime Minister said. “Ridding the country of mosquitoes which spread the CHIKV is also not a fight which the Government can undertake by itself. And, while the Government is committed to doing everything it can to contain the spread of the virus and protect the population, our citizens also have a responsibility and a role to play,” Simpson Miller added.

“I call on every single Jamaican to get involved by keeping their surroundings free of debris and materials which serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes,” she appealed.

treating Trinidad environmentalist on hunger strike withdraws support with immediate effect

The doctor attending to environmental activist, Dr Wayne Kublalsingh, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, has withdrawn her services with immediate effect.

In a letter on Thursday, Dr Asante VanWestCharles-Le Blanc said there’s no doubt Kublalsingh is dying and as a medical practitioner who has an imperative to preserve life, she’s torn between that imperative and respect for the autonomy of her patient.

“I have advised Dr

Dr

Kublalsingh day after day to accept medical intervention and to cease from the hun-

ger strike because there has been a steady decline in organ function, to my mind it is no longer stable but it is critical. There is no stability about it. We know that there is organ damage…” she said.

According to VanWestCharles-Le Blanc, she will still be available if an emergency occurs. “I will be happy to attend to him in any institution of his choice if he decided to stop this hunger strike. While 23 days with no food or water is demonstrative of tremendous mental and physical fortitude,

it is also a very unsettling experience for all those involved. I am not threatening or coercing him, but rather being honest with him and myself,” she added.

Kublalsingh, who staged a 21-day hunger strike in 2012, is fasting again in an attempt to sway Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to go ahead to construct a the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the seven billion dollar (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents)Point Fortin highway in south Trinidad. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Infobae. Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately ordered an investigation and Information Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the website was being blocked.

“For staining the honour of our young parliamentarian Robert Serra and for disrespecting the integrity of his family, the Infobae Web

portal has been blocked,” she said on Twitter.

Infobae said Venezuela was over-reacting. “We reject the Maduro Government’s censure of Infobae,” its director Valeria Cavallo told Reuters in Buenos Aires. “We’re not going to accept that any government tells us what photos we can publish.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Colombia says FARC rebel chief travelled twice to Cuba for peace talks

Colombian FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono has travelled to Cuba twice to meet with his negotiating team as part of peace talks to end to five decades of war, the Government said on Friday.

Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo said in a statement the trips were made to guarantee agreements made so far at the negotiations and to push the talks between the rebels and the Government forward.

Londono did not meet with Government representatives or take a place at the negotiating table, Cristo said. Until now, it was assumed that Londono, whose nom de guerre is “Timochenko,” was tak-

ing a more secondary role in the peace talks through messages and consultations with rebel negotiators rather than direct leadership.

“At the request of the Government, guarantor and observer nations facilitated conditions for the healthy development of the process that seeks to end the armed conflict, including internal consultations by the FARC,” Cristo said. Venezuela, Cuba, Norway and Chile are acting as guarantor and observer nations in the negotiations. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos authorised the visits, he told a business conference in Cartagena on Friday, adding that it was “normal” and “part of the process.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

New mass graves found at Mexico student massacre site

Mexican authorities have found four more clandestine graves containing charred human remains at a site in the restive South-west of the country, where officials fear missing students were massacred by gang members and Police.

Attorney General Jesus Murillo said on Thursday the motive behind the apparent massacre of dozens of student teachers, who went missing after clashing with Police in Iguala in the volatile, gang-ridden state of Guerrero on September 26, was not yet clear.

The new find brings the number of graves dis-

covered on the outskirts of Iguala to 10. Murillo said DNA samples were being taken from their relatives to check against the remains found. Thousands marched through the Mexican capital on Wednesday to demand the Government find out what happened to 43 missing students. Murillo said a search for the fugitive mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis Abarca, as well as his wife and the local head of security was now formally under way. President Enrique Pena Nieto vowed on Monday to identify those behind the massacre and make sure they face justice.

(Excerpt from France24)

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

The Brazilian authorities sent an Air Force plane to pick Bah up from Cascavel to fly him to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Rio de Janeiro

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (C), his wide Cilia Flores and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello stand next to the coffin of slain lawmaker Robert Serra during a wake ceremony at the National Assembly in Caracas, October 2

Wayne Kublalsingh

Around the World

Global Ebola outbreak deaths exceed 4000 – WHO

The number of deaths attributed to the Ebola outbreak has risen above 4000, the World Health Organisation says. The latest figures show there have been 4024 confirmed or suspected deaths in the worst-affected West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Eight deaths are linked to the haemorrhagic fever in Senegal and one in the US.

In total, there have been 8399 confirmed or suspected cases, mostly in West Africa.

The news comes as Liberian lawmakers refused to grant the President additional powers to deal with the Ebola crisis. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has already declared a state of emergency that allows her to impose quarantines.

One parliamentarian, Bhofal Chambers, warned that creeping extra powers could turn Liberia into a “Police state”. The UN says

more than 233 health workers working in West Africa have now died in the outbreak, the world’s deadliest to date.

A nurse in Spain is being treated for the virus

Poor nations ‘pushed into new debt crisis’

Asharp rise in lending to the world’s poorest countries will leave them with crippling debt payments over the next decade, a few years after many had loans written off, a report has warned.

The Jubilee Debt Campaign said as many as two-thirds of the 43 developing countries it analysed could suffer large increases in the share of government income spent on debt payments over the next decade.

Coinciding with the

World Bank’s annual meeting in Washington, the antipoverty campaigners accuse the international lender and other public bodies of “leading the lending boom” to poor countries without checking how repaying debts will divert resources from cutting poverty.

The report highlights that for 43 poor countries, half of lending is from multilateral institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and African Development Bank.

Total lending to the group of poor countries has increased by 60 per cent from US$11.4 billion (£7.1 billion) a year in 2009 to US$18.5 billion in 2013.

“There is a real risk that today’s lending boom is sowing the seeds of a new debt crisis in the developing world, threatening to reverse recent gains in the fight against poverty and inequality,” said SarahJayne Clifton, director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Woman exonerated in murder case after 17 years

Awoman who spent 17 years in prison after being convicted of murder in the death of a homeless man was exonerated Friday by a Los Angeles County judge who said she should not spend another minute behind bars.

The courtroom burst into applause after Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold overturned the conviction of Susan Mellen, who was to be processed for release from the suburban Torrance courthouse.

Mellen had entered the courtroom in tears, and her children also wept. The judge said Mellen had inadequate representation by her attorney at trial.

“I believe that not only is Ms Mellen not guilty, based on what I have read I believe she is innocent,” he said. “For that reason I believe in this case the justice system failed.”

Mellen’s case was investigated by Deidre O’Connor, head of a project known as Innocence Matters that seeks to free people who are wrongly convicted. O’Connor said in an earlier interview that she found that Mellen was convicted of the 1997 killing based solely on the testimony of a notorious liar.

Mellen, a mother of three, was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. (Excerpt from MSN)

Yemen: Suicide blasts kill dozens in Sanaa and Hadramawt

At least 47 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on supporters of a Shia rebel group in the centre of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, reports say. The blast struck as hundreds of people were arriving in Tahrir Square for a demonstration called by the Houthis.

Later, a suicide bomb attack on an army checkpoint in the eastern province of

Hadramawt left 20 soldiers dead. The attacks come amid a deepening political crisis triggered by the rebels’ takeover of Sanaa last month.

The Houthis have rejected the President’s candidate to lead the new Government which is meant to be formed as part of a deal that brought an end to the deadly fighting between the Houthis and government forces.

The bombing in Sanaa

appeared to have been timed to cause a big loss of life and was the deadliest in the capital since May 2012.

A Policeman who had been guarding a bank near Tahrir Square said he saw a man wearing an explosive belt approach a Houthi checkpoint. “He then exploded amidst the [Houthi] security and ordinary people nearby,” he told the Reuters news agency. (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN says thousands likely to be massacred if jihadists take Kobani

Thousands of people most likely will be massacred if Kobani falls to Islamic State fighters, a UN envoy said on Friday, as militants fought deeper into the besieged Syrian Kurdish town in full view of Turkish tanks that have done nothing to intervene.

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said Kobani could suffer the same fate as the Bosnian town of Srebrenica, where 8000 Muslims were murdered by Serbs in 1995, Europe’s worst atrocity since World War Two, while UN peacekeepers failed to protect them.

after becoming infected from an Ebola patient who had been repatriated from Liberia – the country most badly hit by the disease with 2316 confirmed or suspected deaths. (Excerpt from BBC News)

“If this falls, the 700, plus perhaps the 12,000 people, apart from the fighters, will be most likely massacred,” de Mistura said. The United Nations believes 700 mainly

elderly civilians are trapped in the town itself and 12,000 have left the center but not made it across the border into Turkey.

“Do you remember Srebrenica? We do. We never forgot and probably we never forgave ourselves,” said de Mistura, the UN peace envoy for Syria. “When there is an imminent threat to civilians, we cannot, we should not, be silent.”

The plight of mainly Kurdish Kobani has unleashed the worst street violence in years in Turkey, which has 15 million Kurds of its own. Turkish Kurds have risen up since Tuesday against President Tayyip Erdogan’s government, which they accuse of allowing their kin to be slaughtered.

from Reuters)

Malala and Satyarthi awarded Nobel Prize

Pakistani schoolgirl and education activist, Malala Yousufzai, and Indian children’s rights activist, Kailash Satyarthi, have been jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited the two “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.’’

Awarding the prize, the committee said that peaceful global development could only come about if children and the young are respected.

Malala, 17, is the youngest person to be awarded the prestigious honour. She was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 after campaigning for more access to education for girls and has since become recognisable worldwide.

Speaking to reporters following the announcement, Yousafzai said she was “honoured to be awarded the prize.” “This is not the end of my campaign, but the beginning,” she said.

Satyarthi, 60, has maintained the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and headed various forms of peaceful protests, “focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain,” the Nobel committee said. He has led the rescue of tens of thousands of child slaves and developed a successful model for their education and rehabilitation. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Hong Kong protest: Thousands on streets for fresh rally

Thousands of people are demonstrating in Hong Kong’s financial district after protest leaders called for a show of strength. It comes after the territory’s deputy leader called off talks with student leaders scheduled for Friday. Carrie Lam said the students’ refusal to end their protest had made “construc-

tive dialogue” impossible. The protesters, demanding full democratic elections in 2017, paralysed parts of Hong Kong in recent weeks.

Throughout the week only a few hundred protesters, mostly students, remained on the streets around the financial and Government district of Admiralty and in Mong Kok north of the harbour.

But after the talks were cancelled, leaders of the student movement called on supporters to return to the streets. “Come to occupy the road outside the public headquarters, come bring your tents to show our persistence on long term occupy action,” said Joshua Wong, the 17-year-old founder of the Scholarism movement.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam said that the basis for constructive dialogue had been “undermined”. The BBC’s Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says the activists are hoping a new show of strength will be enough to sustain the movement.

“We are now planning on further action for escalating [the campaign] if the government keeps denying the meeting,” said Alex Chow, secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS). (Excerpt from BBC News)

A group of volunteers in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is on a mission to end the Ebola outbreak – Tulip Mazumdar reports

Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai and India’s Kailash Satyarthi

Protester Harold Li said campaigners were not surprised talks had collapsed

Susan Mellen, left, sits with her Attorney Deirdre O’Connor, as she is exonerated of murder by Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold in Torrance, California, Friday, October 10

saturDaY, october 11, 2014 | guYanatimesgY.com

“Wake up and act now on climate change” – GMSA Head

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA)

President Clinton Williams said it was time Governments wake up and act to save the planet from the destruction of climate change.

Williams was at the time addressing a business dinner hosted by the organisation at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The dinner was addressed by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Williams, in opening remarks, told the audience that the main objective behind hosting such events was to provide a forum where Guyanese entrepreneurs can be exposed and guided towards new sustainable developments in the international marketplace.

According to Williams, it is for this purpose that the GMSA has invited the former President of Guyana and Champion of the Environment to address the local business community on climate change and the opportunities available for the development of a viable industrial sector that would be up to date with the rest of the world.

“A whole industry spread across the

globe is emerging from climate change. First, there were awareness seminars and a slew of outreach programmes on every single continent, from the Arctic regions to the Tropics. It may be safe to say that some of the most strident doubters, the naysayers who really believed that climate change, which is due to increased carbon emissions ... , is a myth, have seen the changes begin to happen,” Williams remarked.

He mentioned all the signs that show evidence of the effects climate change is beginning to have on the planet, particularly the threat against food supply. He urged persons that it was time they woke up and acted. Williams further quoted US President Barack Obama, who, during his address at the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations last month, spoke about implementing initiatives that would see the reduction of carbon emissions and increased investments in clean energies.

President Obama had said too that in order to tackle climate change effectively at the global level, there needs to be a joint effort by all the major powers. “We cannot rely on a rule-book written for a different century. If we lift our eyes beyond our borders, if we think globally and act cooperatively, we can shape the course of this century,” the US President had stated.

Against this background, the GMSA President pointed out that Guyana is not going to procrastinate, and now Jagdeo, who has spoken repeatedly about developing countries identifying solutions that will avert the extreme effects of climate change, will share his ideas on the development of industries geared towards achieving this goal. In addition, Williams acknowledged the UNESCOfunded initiative that was embraced by the Education Ministry and will soon be implemented into the public school curriculum. He also urged the management of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme to follow suit in its post-secondary school curriculum, particularly the entrepreneurial Tech Voc Training Agenda.

Veteran broadcaster Rafiq Khan passes on

Veteran Guyanese

Broadcaster Rafiq

Khan passed away on Friday in Kingston, Jamaica, aged 82. It is unclear what the exact cause of his death is, but reports are that he was infected with the Chikungunya virus.

A former Programme Director of Radio Demerara, Khan worked as a Management Consultant to the Rediffusion Group of Broadcasting Systems in the Caribbean. After resigning from the Company in 1978, he served regional communication organisations in various positions. In 1979, he began a period of 13 years with UNESCO, 10 of them as Regional Communication Adviser for the Caribbean. It was subsequent to this that he had his most recent formal connection with Guyana. Khan was involved in the broadcasting scene at a unique historical moment in the Caribbean. British broadcasting policymakers were grudgingly coming to recognise that the paramountcy of British cultural and political interests in the colonies had to make way for local interests. Managing and influencing change in this area was a difficult role that Khan played well. Starting out as a radio announcer in 1949, when he was just 16 years old, he came up through the ranks. In 1956, he became Programme Director of Radio Demerara, British Guiana’s sole radio station in those days. In 1958, he set up and nurtured the British Guiana Broadcasting Service (BGBS), which later became the Guyana Broadcasting

Service (GBS), as a companion station to Radio Demerara. With both stations operating under the umbrella of the Guyana Broadcasting Company (GBC), he was appointed General Manager in 1970.

Broadcaster par excellence

By then, British Guiana had gone through tumultuous changes, and had, in 1966, become an independent Guyana.

In the year 1970, Guyana went on to become the Co- operative Republic of Guyana.

Throughout the changing scenes, Khan coupled management skills with continued demonstration of his abilities as broadcaster par excellence and master of the spoken word. Notably, he led or participated in radio broadcast coverage of major national events in Guyana.

He also nurtured local

broadcast talents and in some way touched the lives of virtually all professional Guyanese broadcasters of that period. He encouraged the production of local radio drama, comedy, and music, always insisting on the highest standards possible.

As head of a major media organisation, he could not escape the rough currents of political and social change. To his credit, he survived them rather well. Armed with the experiences of a unique historical moment, with no textbook to go by, he himself became a textbook in managing and influencing change and development in broadcast communication in the Caribbean.

Even while Khan served the GBC, he became Management Consultant to the Rediffusion Group of Broadcasting Systems in the Caribbean. Khan continued promoting excellence in radio and television as he advised Governments as well as non-government institutions on the development and use of communications nationally and regionally, as he lectured at University of the West Indies and University of Guyana, and as he served as Communications Consultant.

After retirement from UNESCO in 1992, he went into private practice as an International Media Consultant. Khan has received awards for his contributions to broadcast communications from governments and regional organisations throughout the Caribbean, including induction into the Caribbean Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 1996.

Mash 2015 launched with pizzazz

As Guyana gears up to celebrate 45 years as a Republic next year, Mashramani 2015 was on Friday launched in front of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Main Street, Georgetown under the theme “One People, One Nation, One Celebration”.

It was indeed a celebration as scores flocked the well cordonedoff area to get a taste of the well decked-out revellers in several de-

signer costumes and more so, the sweet soca vibes with a touch of chutney and a fusion of drumming.

Addressing the gathering, Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony assured them that 2015 will be epic, noting that he was optimistic 45 bands would be on the road come Mash 2015.

He said the performances on Friday evening were a taste of what would be showcased as the Ministry was working assiduously towards making the 2015 Mash

Celebration one of the most spectacular.

He said that apart from all the revelling and gyrating, there will be several competitions showcasing Guyanese talent on steel pan, in calypso, chutney, masquerade and many other areas.

The Minister pointed out that over the years, there has been an increase in steel pan participation due to the generous intervention of Republic Bank. He noted too that the Calypso competition, which has been sponsored by Banks DIH, has been on the rise, which has brought to the fore much talent.

On this note, he called on corporate Guyana to become more involved in the festivities as it was a marketing strategy to promote their businesses, highlighting that over recent years, Mashramani has received international coverage. He explained that the celebration will be more successful if the large companies come on board.

The Minister highlighted that he was impressed with the level of commitment by the local artistes who have brought out their best during the celebrations. Imagine for a month more than 120 new

songs are being recorded and are played at various events… “if this can be done on a monthly basis, it will be fantastic”, he said.

Dr Anthony reminded the gathering that Mashramani showcases Guyana’s cultural diversity as people come together to celebrate as a nation regardless of race, colour, creed or religion.

Intriguing

At the launching ceremony, there were several intrigu-

ing costumes that were designed by the best in the business. Maxi Williams launched his costumes titled “Basadee” and Nelsion Nurse presented “Jubilation”. Seven-time designer of the year, Olympia Small-Sonoram also gave Guyanese a glimpse of her pieces. There were also musical performances by Guyana’s Chutney King, Pooran Seeraj; Carib Soca Monarch Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson; and Calvin Burnette.

Veteran Guyanese Broadcaster Rafiq Khan

GMSA President Clinton Williams

By Bhisham mohamed

Culture Minister, Dr Frank Anthony pose with models sporting designs by Olympia Small-Sonoram, Nelsion Nurse and Maxi Williams

Xarielle Gittens, winner of the Mash Theme competition and the Culture Minister as they unveiled the theme for Mashramani 2015

Opposition has stalled progress with “one seat” – Ramotar

The gaining of the one seat majority by the Parliamentary Opposition was seen as a milestone in local politics, however, gaining of numerical superiority, in the National Assembly, has not been put to effective use by the combined opposition, according to President Donald Ramotar.

Speaking during an interview with the National Communications Network on Friday the president said that with their new found position in the National Assembly, the opposition should have seized the opportunity to further Guyana’s developmental agenda by working with government to ensure that key transformational projects were undertaken. “They have never used their one seat majority to say, PPP/C, you are not building enough houses, you are not building enough roads, they’re cutting our budget, and the emphasis from them is obstruction, not to use their one seat majority to try to push us to do more,” he stated.

Listing projects such as the Specialty Hospital to give people services that they cannot afford now, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion, Amalia Falls Hydro project, Amerindian Development

Programmes, and other infrastructural projects, the president said that the opposition is not trying to push government, as far as development is concerned.

“What we have,” he explained, “is an opposition that is trying to hold back the progress of the country that is the sad reality of the one seat majority”. He also cited the failure of the opposition to support the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill, a piece of legislation that most recently saw the Caribbean Bankers Association describing as necessary, in addition to many other international financial bodies. This legislation is so necessary to Guyana’s wellbeing, yet the opposition refuses to support it.

The Head of State recalled that when the PPP /C was in opposition, they always had the nation’s interest at heart. “We were pointing out mistakes; we were making proposals to show where you could do better.

We don’t have that kind of opposition at all. We have an opposition that seems to be seeking to do as much harm and see how they can hold back the development of our country,” he stated.

“The fact that you have this conscious position over the

Regional, int’l organisations in family farmers’ corner

Key regional and international organisations have pledged their commitment to improving the lot of family farmers across the Caribbean region through collaboration with each other.

In their remarks at the formal opening ceremony of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) in Paramaribo, Suriname on Wednesday 8 October, representatives of regional and international organisations lamented that family farmers were unheralded, even though they were playing a critical role in the agriculture sector. “Transforming Caribbean Agriculture through Family Farming is the theme of this year’s CWA.”

last three years of the opposition … going forward we know our country needs new infrastructure to go into the future, to take us to higher levels instead of encouraging us and be very happy that we would be able to provide cheap energy for our people, that the country will be able to save a huge amount of money on importation of fuel, that we will be able to save on the subsidy we are spending on electricity, that there is much more we can do with this money… here we have them cutting, holding back, doing their best to stop these development projects from taking place.”

The President said that despite the efforts of the opposition, Guyana’s economy has continued to grow, and this “speaks to the importance and strength of the democratic system that we have established in Guyana, and with all the negative comments in the press and media about this, tells us that our democracy has taken root in our society and it has facilitated our development in very difficult circumstances and our country continues to move forward.”

Last year, the combined Opposition cut the Budget by $31B and in 2012 by $21B. This year, $37.4B was cut from the budget.

Mash 2015 launched...

The 2014 Junior Calypso Monarch Chantelle Gittens also performed her winning song “Chinese”, while Jovinski Thorne performed a solo in honour of the women living with breast cancer.

Also spicing up the programme was the Rajesh Dubraj Tassa and the Otiskha Drumming groups. Kibwe Copeland, a poet, also performed a masterpiece called ‘Mashramani”, while the National Dance Company showed off their dance moves to the delight of the audience. Finally, Xarielle Gittens, the winner of the theme competition who hails from Linden, was

from page 16

Members of the National Dance Company performing a dance at the launch

awarded with her monetary prize for coming up with next year’s theme,

“One People, One Nation, One Celebration”. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

Family farmers include indigenous peoples, traditional communities, fisher folk, pastoralists, and collectors. Family farming is understood to include crop, livestock, forestry, fishery and aquaculture producers. These producers are largely smallholders and medium-scale farmers and peasants. They play a vital role in helping to reduce the high food import bill as well as in aiding the revitalization of agriculture in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

About 80 per cent of the food supply in developing and developed countries is produced by an estimated 500 million family farms Dr Deep Ford Regional Coordinator, Caribbean Region, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said in his remarks to the opening ceremony.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, family farming accounts for more than 80 per cent of agricultural production and generates more than 50 per cent of agricultural employment. In Haiti alone, there are one million family farmers who produce about 50 per cent of the food that is consumed there.

“In addition to being a major supplier of traditional food which contributes to healthy, balanced diets, family farming provides employment opportunities, preserves and enhances the culture, skills and traditions of local communities and contributes to the conservation of plant and animal species,” he said.

Although strides have been made, in family farming in CARICOM, much more needs to be done to improve the lot of those farmers. For starters, there was need for the development of a Caribbean definition of family farmers in consideration of the diverse range of circumstances under which family farms in the Region operated.

“This is necessary so that we can develop targeted policies, directed at specific family farms. This includes technologies to enhance the productivity of family farmers tailored to their specific

circumstances, taking into account the people and the environment. We must also promote, enhance and expand their current sustainable practices and ensure that they not only feed their families but feed the rest of country and Region, so that we rely less on imported foods. Also, we must ensure that these families realize improved livelihoods. Family farmers are among the poorest households in our countries,” Dr Ford pointed out.

The FAO regional coordinator said the FAO was committed to supporting regional and national efforts in a number of areas. Among them: developing the detailed analysis to inform the identification and evaluation of policy options, trade policy assessments, vulnerability and resilience analysis, and developing measures to improve agricultural

ways they could relate to, utilizing new technologies that were far removed from the old image of agriculture, he said.

The CTA has spearheaded two competitions this year aimed at youth and the innovative contributions they could make to agriculture and rural development in the Caribbean. For many years, the populace of the Region has depended on family farming to keep it satisfied, said Dr Arlington Chesney, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

“It is the income from family farms that has facilitated the education of most of our doctors, engineers, lawyers and perhaps politicians. But the family farmers have generally been unheralded and sometimes despised. It is my sincere

productivity and sustainability, including the design of effective social protection systems.

In recognition that such an undertaking could not be done alone, he said that FAO will continue to collaborate with developmental partners such as CARDI, IICA, CTA, CaFaN, CABA, CCCCCs; CARICOM, governments, civil society, private sector and academia to support family farmers in the Region. The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), a key partner in the hosting of the CWA, also weighed in on the importance of family farmers. CTA Director, Mr Michael Hailu, said his organization wanted to explore how to make conditions better for smallholder farmers who he described as the backbone of food production in the Caribbean. “

There is also another important dimension to family farming. I’m talking about young people and the role that they should and can play in supporting agricultural development, in light of an ageing farmer community in the Caribbean and across the ACP,” he told the audience at the opening ceremony.

That was the reason CTA was making a special effort to encourage young people to engage in agriculture in

hope that following CWA and 2014, the family farm and the family farmers will be given the respect and place of honour that they are so deserving of,” he said.

The reality of family farming in the region includes thousands of small farms as well as some successful large farms, all applying indigenous knowledge and technology and acting as innovators in their own right, Dr Victor Villalobos, Director of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) said.

He pointed out that some of the large and very successful commercial family-managed farms in the Caribbean included the Mennonite farmers in Belize who were responsible for much of the corn, beans and dairy production; rice farmers in Guyana, cassava farmers in Suriname, and sheep and goat farmers in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

“…IICA therefore wishes to take this opportunity to re-affirm its commitment to Family Agriculture in the Caribbean, and to the application of technology in helping to promote a new kind of agriculture in the Caribbean that will make the sector more competitive and increase its contribution to food security,” Dr Villalobos said.

FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean, Dr Deep Ford

President Donald Ramotar said that despite the efforts of the opposition, Guyana’s economy has continued to grow

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

You can accomplish plenty if you put in overtime at work. Not only will you clear your schedule, you can gain recognition from your superiors and bring in extra cash.

Quick decisions will be your downfall. Avoid buying things on impulse, and don’t fly off the handle if your partner offers friendly advice. Think things through before you act.

Keep your personal and professional lives separate. An emotional attachment to a coworker is likely to cause mistrust and dissatisfaction among your other colleagues. Keep your mind on the job, not on who’s watching you.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Plan to do something that allows you to be introspective. Reading, writing or listening to music will help calm your nerves. Discussions will be less than satisfactory.

If you feel restless, check out local educational opportunities. For inspiration, consider learning a new language, doing some painting or taking part in a discussion group that offers cultural information.

Curtail your spending habits. Putting some money into a long-term investment will lessen your temptation to overspend. You should also set up a reasonable budget and stick to it.

Someone around you will not give a true assessment of a situation you face. Discreet inquiries will enable you to find out the truth. Don’t be too free with your personal information.

You will gain more respect and help if you treat your partners as equals. Whether at home or at work, people appreciate fairness as well as praise.

Stay on top of your game. Opportunities come and go quickly. Keep up to date with industry trends and get in touch with potential partners. Children will have a positive effect on your day. New relationships are possible if you participate in family-oriented events or activities. Get out and enjoy what your community has to offer.

Clear the air. If there is discord among the people you live with, you need to conduct a serious dialogue in order to remedy the situation. Don’t ignore the obvious.

Don’t pass on a chance to travel. Keep your passport and personal papers up to date so that you will be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

PeanuTs archie

dilberT

AQUARIUS

CANCER

GEMINI

calvin and hobbes

‘Ride

for Life’ 5-Stage cycling…

Dr Anthony underscores importance of foreign competitors

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

There is no doubt the participation of foreign riders in the annual ‘Ride for Life’ FiveStage cycling meet has served a major fillip for the growth and development of the country’s premier cycling event, the eighth edition of which will take place next week.

This fact was highlighted on Friday morning at a press conference by Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, who was part of a team of representatives tasked with ensuring the planning and execution of the mega four-day event.

The other delegates present were chief organiser of the race, Hassan Mohamed, Director of Sport, Neil Kumar; Guyana Cycling Federation President Cheryl Thompson; and Nazim Hussein of the Health Ministry.

Dr Anthony said the event has been a tremendous success over the years, especially since it has attracted a large influx of overseas riders ever since it was open to cyclists beyond

the shores of Guyana. That apart, Dr Anthony believes the standard of the race has been constantly lifted, making specific reference to the lowering of the respective stage and overall timings over the years.

The Sport Minister is enthused by the news that at least 15 foreign riders have already confirmed their involvement, noting that it augurs well for the competitiveness of the race, set for October 16-19.

Dr Anthony also threw out a challenge to the organisers to work towards making the Five-Stage an international event on the International Cycling Union (UCI) calendar of activities.

The minister also highlighted that while the Health Ministry initially funded the ‘Ride for Life’, it is now solely financed by the Sport Ministry. He however, pointed out that the partnership between the two ministries is still a strong one, and this year they would be working to share information on the Chikungunya virus, along with highlighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Kumar, in brief remarks, said all security, accommodation and medical arrangements are in place, as discussions were held with the Regional Chairmen of the various areas the race would touch. Mohamed and Thompson said they expect a very competitive race, noting that some of the foreign riders have already arrived in Guyana.

Race route

After cyclists and officials travel to the Ancient County on October 15, the opening stage will be held the following day from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46.6 miles) from 07:30 hours; while Stage Two will be on the same day from Rosignol to Georgetown (60.4 miles) from 14:00 hours.

Stage Three will take place on October 17 from Wales to Parika (35 miles) from 09:00 hours, while the penultimate stage will be contested from 07:30 hours the following day from Supenaam to Suddie, covering a distance of 62 miles. The fifth and final stage will commence in Linden at 08:30 hours and finish

in Georgetown on October 19, covering a distance of 62 miles.

As was the case in previous years, the event will be held with the objectives of increasing awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among participants and the general public, and increasing HIV/AIDS activism and volunteerism among the participants and inspiring them to become ambassadors in the fight against HIV/AIDS

The deadline for registration is October 13 and those riders interested in participating are advised to contact Mohamed at his office, located in the Help and Shelter building, during regular working hours.

Team Coco’s Raynauth Jeffrey is the defending champion of the Open category, having won last year’s event in a time of 10 hours, 05 minutes, 33 seconds. Hamzah Eastman was the leading Junior rider with a time of 10 hours, 09 minutes, 56 seconds, while Raymond Newton was the top Veteran in a time of 10 hours, 09 minutes, 57 seconds.

Bravo proud of team's performance

West Indies captain

Dwayne Bravo said he was extremely proud of the team’s performance in the first One-Day International against India. The skipper called for a similar display in the second match when the two teams meet today.

The Windies drew first blood with a comprehensive 124-run win at Nehru Stadium in Kochi and the second encounter will be played at the historic Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.

Bravo spoke to reporters on Friday before the training session and said there werepositive energy and self belief in the team. The 31-year-old is two wickets away from becoming the third West Indian to take 200 wickets in ODIs. If he achieves the landmark he will become the first West Indian to score over 2,000 runs and take 200 wickets in this format.

FULL SQUAD (with shirt numbers)

47. Dwayne Bravo (Captain)

62. Sulieman Benn

46. Darren Bravo

98. Jason Holder

59. Leon Johnson

55. Kieron Pollard

88. Denesh Ramdin

14. Ravi Rampaul

24. Kemar Roach

12. Andre Russell

88. Darren Sammy

7. Marlon Samuels

54. Lendl Simmons

50. Dwayne Smith

75. Jerome Taylor

SCHEDULE OF

Gatlin deserves chance after drug bans – Usada CEO

Sprinter Justin Gatlin

has a right to earn “redemption”, says the man who led the Lance Armstrong investigation.

Travis Tygart, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United States AntiDoping Agency (Usada), believes athletes who are banned for doping offences deserve another chance.

Gatlin, who has served two drug bans, is the world’s fastest man in 2014.

“If somebody commits a violation, serves a ban and comes back to the sport, part of the rule is this idea of redemption,” Tygart told BBC Sport.

Gatlin has been a controversial figure since returning from his second ban in 2011, but his stunning times this year have provoked fury from many fans and rivals.

He ran the fastest 100m and 200m by a man in his thirties this summer.

This anger has only increased since research from Oslo University suggested athletes could benefit from steroids for years after they stopped taking them.

“There is some recent science on the effect of steroids on mice, but there is no proof yet it translates to humans,” said Tygart, who in 2012 declared the “conclusive and undeniable proof” that American cyclist Armstrong was a drug cheat who was at the heart of a team-run doping conspiracy.

“We’ve looked at it and you have to be cautious about changing the goalposts in the middle of the game based on a few soundbites in the press from one paper on mice.

“That’s not fair. What’s fair, and what athletes and the public rely on, is a set of rules that are enforced evenly.”

For an athlete who commits a doping offence, Tygart acknowledges that “there is always a cloud that follows that person, but that’s not a question for the rules, that’s people’s opinions”.

Earlier this week, Lord Coe, the man likely to be the next president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), said he had a “big problem” with Gatlin, and told reporters he believed dopers enjoyed the benefits of their cheating long after their bans were over.

But Tygart told the BBC

the Oslo study was not the first to show a long-term effect from steroids in mice, and that nobody had been able to demonstrate that the same applied for humans.

A revised version of the World Anti-Doping Code will nevertheless come into force from January 1, 2015, extending the ban for serious first-time offenders from two years to four, long enough to guarantee an athlete found guilty of cheating will miss an Olympics.

And Tygart, who was in London for the Leaders sports business summit, did not rule out further extensions.

“Fairness dictates that we stick to the rules, but if the science says we have to change the rules then, absolutely, let’s do that.”

Gatlin is not the only American sprinter to run

MATCHES

October

Fri 3: vs India A won by 9 wickets at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai Sun 5: vs India A won by 16 runs at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Wed 8: West Indies won by 124 runs – 1st ODI at Nehru Stadium, Kochi Sat 11: 2nd ODI at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Tue 14: 3rd ODI at Reddy Stadium, Visakhapatnam Fri 17: 4th ODI at HPCA Stadium, Dharmasala Mon 20:5th ODI at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Wed 22: T20 International at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack Sat 25-Mon 27: vs BCCI President’s XI at Green Park, Kanpur Thu 30-November Mon 3: 1st Test at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad Fri 7-Tue 11: 2nd Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore Sat 15-Wed 19: 3rd Test at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

into doping trouble in recent years. Tyson Gay, a threetime world champion, tested positive for a banned substance in 2013 but was given a reduced one-year ban by Usada – and stripped of his silver medal from London 2012 – because he cooperated with its investigation.

This plea-bargain approach brought criticism of Tygart, however, with some suggesting he was letting cheats off lightly. It is criticism he rejects.

“It is because we understand the bigger picture,” he explained.

“To give young, clean athletes a chance, we have to get those dirty team owners, doctors and coaches out of the sport, because as long as they’re still there, it’s not going to get any cleaner.” (BBC Sport)

Justin Gatlin

Dwayne Bravo

Pakistan v Australia, 2nd ODI, Dubai…

Bowlers, Maxwell set up series win

Australia wrapped up another away ODI series against Pakistan, rebounding strongly after Ahmed Shehzad and Sarfraz Ahmed’s century opening partnership. Pakistan were 126 for 0 at the halfway mark after choosing to bat on a dry, slow pitch, but lost 10 for 89 after that as Australia’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Johnson, choked the runs for the rest of the innings.

Pakistan have not won the most ODIs after posting 220 or less for nothing, and their attack wasn’t going to make it easy for Australia, but there were too few runs to defend in the end. Glenn Maxwell fired for long enough to ensure the chase remained straightforward for Australia even though Pakistan kept taking wickets. Maxwell made 76 off 81, and Australia hauled in the target inside 44 overs.

Pakistan fell apart after the openers departed in successive overs in their sixties. Misbah-ul-Haq was run out just before the batting Powerplay, off which Pakistan managed 21 for 2. Fawad Alam pottered through to the end with a bizarre, unbeaten 20 off 39, as only 29 came off the last 10 overs.

Throughout, it was the batsmen getting themselves out rather than the deliveries doing so. Shehzad began the slide as he smote a flat Xavier Doherty delivery to short midwicket. Sarfraz half-heartedly chipped a full and wide Johnson delivery to point, the first of two times the fast bowler struck with the first ball of a new spell.

Misbah, as he often does, took his time at the start of his innings. With Asad Shafiq also seeking to bat himself in, the partnership consumed 7.3 overs, mostly of spin, for 29 runs. And then, with eight balls to go for the batting Powerplay, they attempted a tight single off a Glenn Maxwell misfield, and Misbah was found short despite diving in. His 15 came off 29 deliveries.

Umar Akmal then swung Johnson to mid-off in the bat-

ting Powerplay. Asad Shafid did the same off Nathan Lyon two overs later after having found his touch during his 29.

The meltdown allowed George Bailey to attack with slips even at the death, resulting in an edged slog bringing Shahid Afridi’s early fall, Johnson the bowler again. Alam kept finding the infield thereafter, unable to muster either power or placement. It was an incredible fizzling out of an innings that had began so strongly.

The last time a Pakistan opening pair had put on 100plus was in January 2013 when Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed added 141 against India in Kolkata. Since then, Pakistan’s opening partnership had averaged under 27 in 43 innings.

Shehzad and Sarfraz were the ninth pair at the top during that period, and the wicketkeeper justified his promotion with his maiden ODI fifty, to go with a breezy 34 in the first ODI. Although Shehzad began the innings with a glanced four off Johnson, he and Sarfraz seemed determined to be patient.

Both were prepared to wait for width and score square of the wicket on the slow pitch. They appeared in danger only with their running as the Australians fielded sharply in the inner circle, but often missed with their throws. Both used their feet well to spin. They stepped out frequently, and also walked across to nudge for runs behind square on leg side. Shehzad went hard through the off side when he had the chance, while Sarfraz employed his sweeps and slogsweeps, and also chipped over midwicket. Pakistan were looking set for at least 250 after such a start, only to crumble.

The bowlers now needed to strike early as well as keep Australia from getting too far in front too soon. They did the former, removing Aaron Finch and Steven Smith cheaply, but David Warner’s 29 off 27 meant that by the time he fell in the 14th over, Australia

had knocked off a third of the runs.

That allowed space for Bailey’s extended struggle; the Australia captain took 68 balls for his 28. It also allowed Maxwell to get a measure of the somewhat difficult pitch and the attack. The partnership was worth 85 at close to five an over, of which Bailey’s contribution was 21.

Bailey and Maxwell were both on 28 after 26 overs. Maxwell pulled away spectacularly after that, and Bailey stalled completely. When Bailey was run out in the 31st over, Maxwell had zoomed to 60 as he launched a series of pulls, slogs, sweeps and reverse-sweeps against the spinners. That blitz from Maxwell ended what remained on the contest.

Pakistan had put down Warner on 5 and Maxwell on 2, both rather difficult chances, but their own batsmen had already inflicted decisive damage upon their side. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan innings (50 overs maximum)

Ahmed Shehzad c Smith b Doherty 61

Sarfraz Ahmed† c Maxwell b Johnson 65

Asad Shafiq c Johnson Lyon 29

Misbah-ul-Haq* run out

(Maxwell/†Haddin) 15

Umar Akmal c Smith b Johnson 5

Fawad Alam not out 20

Shahid Afridi c Smith b

Johnson 2

Wahab Riaz b Richardson 2

Raza Hasan run out (Smith/†Haddin) 0

Zulfiqar Babar c Maxwell b Faulkner 6

Mohammad Irfan run out (†Haddin/Richardson) 0

Extras (lb-2, w-8) 10

Total (all out; 49.3 overs) 215

Fall of wickets: 1-126 (Ahmed Shehzad, 25.1 ov), 2-130 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 26.1 ov), 3-159 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 33.4 ov), 4-168 (Umar Akmal, 36.1 ov), 5-185 (Asad Shafiq, 38.6 ov), 6-199 (Shahid Afridi, 43.4 ov), 7-203 (Wahab Riaz, 45.3 ov), 8-204 (Raza Hasan, 45.5 ov), 9-213 (Zulfiqar Babar, 48.4 ov), 10215 (Mohammad Irfan, 49.3 ov)

Richards lauds ‘perfect

Former West Indies captain Viv Richards is relieved that the threat of a players strike ahead of the first ODI against India did not materialise. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo from Hambantota where he is serving as technical director for the West Indies A team, Richards said the highlight of the entire situation for him was that in the end, “good sense did prevail”.

“The first thought that came to mind was well here we go again,” he said. “I am proud of them (the team). When I say good sense, if for some reason things didn’t work out the way they would have liked with WIPA’s President Wavell Hinds, they have gone about it in the best way possible. With all

Emrit: Sarwan could be missing link

Trinidad and Tobago all-rounder Rayad Emrit welcomed the addition of Guyanese batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan to the Red Force side saying the accomplished batsman could give the T&T side the experience and balance it needs to help them end their trophy drought.

Bowling: MG Johnson 10-040-3 (3-w), KW Richardson 9.3-0-43-1 (4-w), XJ Doherty 10-0-44-1, JP Faulkner 7-0-271, NM Lyon 10-0-40-1 (1-w), GJ Maxwell 3-0-19-0

Australia innings (target: 216 runs from 50 overs)

DA Warner c Mohammad Irfan

b Raza Hasan 29

AJ Finch c †Sarfraz Ahmed

b Mohammad Irfan 14

SPD Smith c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Zulfiqar Babar 12 GJ Bailey* run out (Ahmed Shehzad) 28

GJ Maxwell c Asad Shafiq b Zulfiqar Babar 76 JP Faulkner not out 26

BJ Haddin†not out 17

Extras (lb-3, w-12) 15

Total (5 wickets; 43.2 overs) 217 Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Finch, 3.6 ov), 2-39 (Smith, 6.5 ov), 3-72 (Warner, 13.1 ov), 4-157 (Bailey, 30.5 ov), 5-178 (Maxwell, 36.3 ov)

Bowling: Raza Hasan 10-0-68-1 (2-w), Mohammad Irfan 9.2-042-1, Zulfiqar Babar 10-1-52-2 (3-w), Shahid Afridi 10-0-36-0 (2-w), Wahab Riaz 2.2-0-7-0 (1w), Ahmed Shehzad 1.4-0-9-0

reply’

this stuff going on, I think it was just a marvelous performance. That was the perfect way to reply, beating the defending champions on their home soil in such a convincing manner.”

Matters came to head be-

tween the West Indies team and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) led by former opening batsman Wavell Hinds, in the leadup to the opening game at Kochi. The captain Dwayne Bravo shot off an angry letter

Emrit joined the T&T training camp on Monday after returning from India where he led the Barbados Tridents in the Champions League T20 when they crashed out at the group stage having lost three matches before winning their final group game.

The T&T all-rounder is expected to captain the national team in the absence of regular skipper Denesh Ramdin and he is happy with the composition of the squad and their preparations so far.

“Obviously we have Sars (Sarwan) who has been included in the team and with the tremendous experience he has, it is good to that he will be part of our squad,” said Emrit.

The 34-year-old Sarwan has played 87 Tests for the West Indies, the last of which was in 2012.

He has scored 5,842 Test runs with 15 centuries and 31 half centuries and Emrit says the Guyanese righthander will be more than just another player batsman in the T&T camp.

from West Indies

to Hinds, claiming he “hoodwinked” the players and did not take their inputs while signing a new memorandum of understanding with the WICB last month, under which the players would suffer a significant pay cut. Bravo went on to threaten that the players will not hesitate to take “appropriate action”; something that was widely feared would include a boycott of the series opener. Richards reckons the situation came to pass because “someone dropped the ball somewhere”.

“You would expect the players association to be looking after the interests of the players and also for the development of young cricketers in the region. I think there was some argument in the play-

ers’ association about how things should be panned out in the future. I also believe it shouldn’t have gone this far, especially with the guys coming on tour knowing that at some point you had to sign a contract to do so. To play out the way it did wasn’t in the best interests of the West Indies moving forward.”

In his second letter to Hinds after deciding to play the game, Bravo made it clear that the players had lost confidence in Hinds and informed the WICB not to correspond with WIPA until an “interim measure” acceptable to all was put in place. Richards agreed that in the current circumstances, Hinds’ position as the head of WIPA was “untenable”. (Cricinfo)

“It was amazing to see a player like that in the draft, but one man’s loss is another man’s gain, so hopefully he can bring that wealth of experience to the team,” Emrit said.

“We have a lot of young guys in the team who can learn from Sarwan’s experience. He is in because our batting has struggled throughout the years and he can come in with the middle order and give us the experience and balance that we need,” added Emrit.

He noted that T&T narrowly missed clinching the trophy in the previous season and said while they are aiming to go a step further this season; it will not be an easy task.

Each team will play 10 matches in the new WICB Pro League season – five home and five away starting next month and – finishing next March. Emrit believes that schedule will be testing.

“We have been playing good cricket in T&T so we will try to get as much points as possible at home. It is going to be a tough long season and the guys will need to be a lot fitter.

I have joined the team in training now and I can see they have been putting in a lot of work and I find myself a little behind the work they have put in. Everything looks good so far and hopefully we can get better as the weeks go long.

“I think there is always room for improvement ...and hopefully with this new structure of franchise cricket, we can get it right this year,” Emrit added.

Speaking about the CLT20, Emrit said he relished the opportunity to lead Tridents in the tournament.

“It was a huge challenge but it was a tremendous experience and I enjoyed it a lot,” he said.

“Although we lost three games on the trot, we had chances to win those games. It was disappointing that we made some simple mistakes which really cost us,” he said.

Now Emrit will be aiming to get back into the four-day frame of mind when the Red Force plays a two-day practice match at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain

starting today. (WICB Media Release)

Couva

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Ryad Emrit

Glenn Maxwell scored 76 to help Australia clinch the ODI series with a five-wicket win against Pakistan in Dubai

Viv Richards

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President of the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), Wavell Hinds, says he will not tender his resignation in the wake of a fall-out with the members who are currently on tour in India.

The players, led by skipper Dwayne Bravo, have demanded Hinds’ resignation along with other officials of WIPA because of conflict of interest.

In a letter to Hinds, Bravo said the players have lost confidence in the president because of the Collective Bargaining Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding he signed with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on their behalf.

“I must take this opportunity to remind you that there is a process embedded in WIPA’s Memorandum & Articles of Association regarding the election and removal of officers, and that your call for some members of the current executive and Board to resign is not supported by that process,” said Hinds in his letter to Bravo.

“We were placed here by the rules of our Association, and will leave only according to the will of the majority of our membership as

provided for in those rules”.

Hinds, also WIPA’s chief executive, serves as Jamaica’s chairman of selectors and is a Board member of the Jamaica Cricket Association.

“There will be no resignation by any member of the current executive,” declared Hinds.

“They (negotiating team) acted and fulfilled their duties properly in all the circumstances, including the subsequent ratification of the signing of the new agreement by the Directors present at our Board meeting held in Jamaica on October 2nd, 2014.”

The players protested the new terms of WIPA’s CBA/MOU deal with the WICB by threatening strike action on the eve of the first One-Day International against India on Wednesday.

They argue that the new agreement has reduced their income and that their Test, ODI and Twenty20 fees had been decreased by 75 per cent.

They also claim that their International Cricket Council fees have been decreased by “close to 100 per cent” and that they would

“The assertion is wrong on 2 counts: WIPA does not receive 3 per cent of all players’ earnings. In fact there are many of our members who contribute nothing to the Association by way of dues – including a number of them who are currently on tour in India,” said Hinds.

“May I also remind you that it was this current WIPA executive which (at the request of some “senior players”) reduced the percentage of players’ earnings to be paid over as dues from the previous 5 per cent to the current 3 per cent”.

Hinds, a former West Indies cricketer, has also refuted claims that the players have not been consulted and sought to clarify concerns raised by Bravo about a “special relationship” between WIPA and WICB.

“It is a departure from the adversarial nature which characterised it under WIPA’s previous leadership,” Hinds told Bravo in his letter.

“My Executive has made a designed effort to operate in an environment of mutual respect and professionalism, with the common goal of providing an opportunity to earn a livable wage for more of your fellow cricketers.”

Upbeat West Indies hunt...

A pin-point yorker uprooted Kieron Pollard’s leg stump, but another attempt at it offered Denesh Ramdin a very high full toss that was dispatched over point for six. India would hope he cultivates better consistency before the World Cup.

Sulieman Benn is the only specialist spinner West Indies have on this tour. His height has made him awkward to deal and he marries that with good accuracy. Subcontinent conditions will give him turn as well. He was needed for only five overs in Kochi and conceded only 16. He might expect to

bowl a few more in Delhi.

Team news

With Mohit Sharma’s injury, India’s bowling will need a makeover. Ishant Sharma has been roped in as replacement and might get to play straightaway.

Dhoni was happy with his bowlers in Kochi, but there might be a temptation to swap out Amit Mishra, who conceded 72 in 10 overs, for chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. India (likely): 1 Ajinkya Rahane; 2 Shikhar Dhawan; 3 Virat Kohli;4 Ambati Rayudu; 5 Suresh Raina; 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk); 7 Ravindra

Jadeja; 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar; 9 Amit Mishra/ Kuldeep Yadav; 10 Ishant Sharma/Umesh Yadav; 11 Mohammed Shami.

West Indies made do with a make-shift opening combination in the first ODI, with Lendl Simmons recovering from a back injury. Unless he has regained fitness, they might keep to the same XI.

West Indies (likely): 1 Dwayne Smith; 2 Dwayne Bravo (capt); 3 Darren Bravo; 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 D Ramdin (wk); 6 Kieron Pollard 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Andre Russell, 9 Sulieman Benn; 10 Ravi Rampaul; 11 Jerome Taylor. (Cricinfo)

SerVIceS

VacaNcIeS

Wavell Hinds

Hand-in-Hand 11-race cycling on today

In a clear demonstration of its commitment to sport, Handin-Hand Insurance will today stage its annual 11race cycling programme, hosted for the 10th year in succession at the inner circuit of the National Park.

With last year’s winner Alanzo Greaves representing Guyana at the Elite Championship in Puerto Rico, a new champion would be crowned in the

feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race.

And with the likes of Raynauth Jeffrey and Marlon Williams also on national duty, it would provide the fringe riders with an opportunity to get on the podium and build their confidence ahead of the eighth annual ‘Ride for Life’ Five-Stage billed for October 16-19.

Greaves’ winning time last year was one hour, 21 minutes, 27.58 seconds

(01h: 21m: 27.58s).

Michael Anthony won the Juveniles event in 2013, while Junior Niles (Veterans Under-50), Richard Charles (Mountain Bikes) and Alfie Soonaram (12-14 Boys and Girls) were the other category winners.

Other events carded for the day are the BMX 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open, as well as the Veterans Over50 and Over-60. National coach and organiser of the

day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, said he is looking forward to a large turnout of riders, primarily because it is the final ‘Park’ race before the highly anticipated FiveStage.

He also divulged that senior executives of Handin-Hand Insurance would be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion. (Avenash Ramzan)

Carib Beer T/20 continues this weekend in Berbice

Play in the Carib Beer first division T20 cricket competition continues this weekend in Berbice with Zone A and B second-round matches on Sunday, rescheduled Zone C matches will be contested tomorrow and Sunday.

The fixtures are as follows:

On Saturday Albion Community Centre vs Port Mourant at Albion at 09:00h. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets vs Guytrac Upper Corentyne at Rose Hall Town Albion Community Centre vs Skeldon Community Centre at Albion at 13:30h.

Sunday – Zone A Blairmont Community Centre vs Bush Lot Rising Star at Blairmont at 13:30 hrs.

D’Edward vs West Berbice at D’Edward Zone B Young Warriors vs Edinburgh at Cumberland at 13:30h.

Universal Solutions

Bermine vs Police at Albion Zone C Guytrac Upper Corentyne vs Albion Community Centre at No. 69 at 09:00h.

Skeldon Community Centre vs Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets at Skeldon Guytrac Upper Corentyne vs Port Mourant at No. 69 at 13:30 hrs.

Shanghai Masters: Djokovic to face Federer in semis

Novak Djokovic said both he and Roger Federer will need to produce their ‘A’ game when they face each other in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters.

The Serbian world number one eased to a 6-4 6-2 win over David Ferrer in his lasteight match, while 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer overcame Frenchman Julien Benneteau 7-6 (7-4) 6-0.

“It’s really a big challenge for both of us,” said the two-time champion.

“We need to bring our ‘A’ game in order to win.”

The pair will be playing each other for the 36th time, with 33-year-old Federer edging the head-to-head 1817

“We’ll see how much he can actually do, how much he can neutralise me, and how much I can do with him,” said the Swiss, who will replace Rafael Nadal as world number two when the rankings are updated next week.

“But he’s playing a great

season again. I’ll give it the best shot I have. I have a good game at the moment.”

Both go into the match following two imperious displays. Defending champion Djokovic hit 26 winners against Spaniard Ferrer’s 11, to stretch his winning streak in China to 29 matches.

Federer served 11 aces, won 91 per cent of his first serve points and smashed 34

feature Gilles Simon and Feliciano Lopez.

Spaniard Lopez, 33, who knocked out an unfit Nadal in the second round, defeated Mikhail Youzhny 5-7 6-4 6-4 in his quarter-final match.

Simon, 29, beat a second top 10 player in a week, with a 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 6-0 win over sixth-seed Tomas Berdych.

The Frenchman knocked

winners – double the tally Benneteau could manage.

The other semi-final will

LaFleur satisfied with stint in Canada

Former Guyana

Under-19 Captain Eugene LaFleur said he is pleased with another outing for Victoria Park Cricket Club in this year’s Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Premier Division tournament.

Adding to his gratifying and excellent performances, Victoria Park defeated Mississauga Ramblers Sports Club last Sunday to win the championship with LaFleur producing a fine allround display.

He hit a responsible 70 in his team’s respectable 234-8 off the allotted 50 overs and then returned with his leftarm spin to claim five wickets for 27 runs from nine overs as Victoria Park won by a comprehensive 71-run margin at King City venue.

Victoria Park was tottering at 50-5 in the 20th over when LaFleur arrived at the crease and then participated in a marvellous 131-run seventh-wicket stand with former Guyana fast bowler Trevon Garraway, who scored 54 valuable runs.

Playing in his second consecutive year, the Berbician is delighted to end on a winning note after his side also featured in the final last year, but lost to Brampton Masters Tranzac Sports Club at the same venue.

“I [am] totally satisfied with my performances again this year and also I enjoyed the season with my club; is my second year and I really like the competitive cricket in North America and also to be in the champion side,” LaFleur declared.

His appreciation went out to several individuals, team members and executives of Victoria Park for their various contributions to making his stint a success in Canada.

out fourth-seed Stan Wawrinka in the second round. (BBC Sports)

“I just want to thank my fellow players for the support on the field and making me comfortable here in Canada; the executives of

the club were also supportive while I want to thank Carl Moore in Guyana for his steady encouragement,” LaFleur, who captained Guyana at the 2008 regional youth tournament in Barbados, mentioned.

His total aggregate of 443 runs from 18 innings and 20 wickets with a highest score of 82 not out give LaFleur greater motivation to continue plying his trade in Canada next year as he sets his goals on representing his native country at the highest level in two years as well.

He strongly believes in discipline and determination to succeed and once he can maintain his focus, getting into the Golden Arrowhead colours is very realistic in the near future.

“I think it is about hard work and determination; I still want to represent my country, but I know I have got to make runs and take wickets consistently whether I am playing in Canada, T&T or Guyana,” the 24-year-old crickete related.

Meanwhile, President of the club, Richard Ramlall, was very willing to share some comments on the tidy and positive cricketer, LaFleur, for his professional approach to the game.

“I think he is a very disciplined and determined cricketer; this year, he was excellent with the bat, excellent with the ball and he is undoubtedly a great talent and I am very confident he will make us proud in the future,” Ramlall expressed.

Team’s manager Shiv Persaud also took the opportunity to laud the talented LaFleur on his accomplishment this year and admired the youngster’s ability and his execution on the field.

“After seeing LaFleur for the past two years, I am impressed with his cricketing skills; he is just a superb cricketer and I wish him well as he aspires to play for his country now at the senior level and I know he will do it soon,” Persaud stated.

Today’s race in the National Park is the final one before next week’s Five-Stage

By RavendRa Madholall in ToRonTo

Eugene LaFleur

Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer

BBCI, Trophy Stall sponsor PPP/C horse race meet

again support horse race.

He added, “The sport creates great attractions not only to Berbicians, but those fans who come from as far as Linden and at times the West Coast of Demerara and even Suriname and other foreign countries to witness the events.”

Meanwhile, has joined forces as well by donating the Champion

ciated with the horse race meet.

Coordinator Dennis DeRoop thanked Sunich for his timely donation once again, adding that Sunday’s meet will be an exciting one since over 80 horses have been entered to compete.

The feature race will be for horses classified A and Lower and they will run a mile for $1.5 million and the President’s Cup.

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has thrown its support behind Sunday’s People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) horse race meet.

The meet is slated for the club’s Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, race track with 10 mouthwatering contests carded for the day.

President of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), Cecil Kennard, received a cheque for $300,000, which will go towards the prizes for the K and L Class event.

The winner in that race will receive $140,000, while the second, third and fourth-placed finishers will pocket $70,000, $35,000 and $17,500 respectively.

The presentation took place on Friday in the company’s head of-

fice at Main Street, Georgetown.

The sponsorship was well received by Kennard, who stated that the race meet will feature some of Guyana’s finest-bred horses.

“It’s important that we express our gratitude to Berbice Bridge Company for coming on board, because as we all know, no sporting activity can be successfully promoted without sponsors,” he declared.

“I wish to thank Berbice Bridge Company once again and we are looking forward to their continued support in the future,” Kennard added.

He disclosed that the weather on the Corentyne is “excellent” and said the race meet is expected to be an entertaining event.

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc, Omadat Samaroo, said that the company is pleased to once

Jockey, Stable and Trainer trophies.

Prior to handing over the trophies, Managing Director of Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich said he was delighted to be asso-

Windies player Campbelle receives gear from 4R Lioness

Versatile West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle recently became the recipient of a Stone Hill bat and batting gloves from her local softball team 4R Lioness. Campbelle is preparing to leave for Australia on Monday with the West Indies team to compete in a series between the two

sides. As such, Campbelle will not be able to represent 4R Lioness in the upcoming Guyana Softball Cup Four. Nevertheless, her Manager at 4R Lioness Jagrattee Ramjattan, team mentor Calvin Lyght and teammates have wished her well during the series ‘Down Under’, noting that she will also be missed dur-

ing the Guyana Softball Cup from October 31 to November 2. Campbelle, 21, is an experienced campaigner on the international stage, having represented the West Indies in 54 One Day Internationals and 64 T20 Internationals. She is the only female Guyanese to score an ODI hundred.

Other events billed for the day are the D3 non-winners in 2014 and the E and Lower for $600,000, over a distance of 1400 metres; the F3 and Lower race also carry a price tag of $600,000 and will run also 1400 metres. Other 1400 metres races are for animals G3 non-winners in 2014 and the H and Lower and I1 and Lower. The winning tag for those two races is set at $300,000 and $220,000 respectively.

There are four 1000 metres races and there are for animals classified J3 and Lower, Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses, J1 and Lower and Two-year-old race for West Indies bred horses. The winning tags for those races are $180,000 and $200,000, $200,000 and $300,000 respectively. Race time is 12:30h.

Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares softball competition… Four teams record wins in latest round

Four teams recorded wins last weekend when action in the Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares softball competition continued at various venues. Wellwoman defeated Sleeping Warriors by 37 runs; Trophy Stall Angels prevailed by five wickets over 4R Lioness; Industry Super Kings outplayed Bel Air Rubis by nine wickets and Wellman got the better of Floodlight by four wickets.

Below are the summarised scores from the games.

Wellwoman defeated Sleeping Warriors by 37 runs. Wellwoman 94-1 in 10 overs (Zola Telford 42, Latoya Smith 40*) Sleeping Warriors 57-9 in 10 overs (Mickelly 24, Z Telford 4-9, Amanda Bobsemple 3-9).

Trophy Stall Angels defeated 4R Lioness by five wickets. 4R Lioness 92-5 in 10 overs (Akaze Thompson 25*, Ruth George 21, KavitaYadram 2-14, Roxanne DeMonick 2-15) Trophy Stall Angels 93-4 (Roxanne DeMonick 28, Monica Seales 26*).

Industry Super Kings defeated Bel Air

Rubis by 9 wickets. Bel Air Rubis 120-8 off 15 overs (Fizal Ali 37, Vijay Baljit 31*, David Harper 2-12) Industry 121-2 off 11.2 overs (Jagdesh Persaud 51*, N Chand 26). Wellman defeated Floodlight by four wickets. Floodlight 108-5 off 15 overs (Ricky Deonarain 40, Vivanand Samlall 2-19) Wellman 111-7 in 13.3 overs (Shawn Massiah 42, Wayne Jones 4-8).

The competition will continue on Sunday with Farm playing Young Guns at 09:30h at the GNIC ground, followed by Regal against Challengers at 12:30 hours.

At the Parika ground, Savage Masters will confront Frontliners at 09:30h, before taking on Parika Defenders at 12:30h.

The Cyril Potter College of Education ground will also host matches. On Pitch One at 09:30h, Herstelling will take on Trophy Stall; and at 12:30h, Speedboat will tackle Herstelling. On Pitch Two at 09:30h, Speedboat will play Country Side; and at 12:30h, Princess Hotel will collide with Warriors XI.

Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice River Bridge Company Inc, Omadat Samaroo, presents the sponsorship cheque to Cecil Kennard

Quaicy Henry (left) receives the champion jockey trophy from trophy stall’s Christopher Ramlagan, coordinator Dennis DeRoop (second right) and Seechandlall Chandilall share the moment

Ricky Deonarain

Wayne Jones

West Indies all-rounder Shemaine Campbelle (second right) receives the bat and gloves from 4R Lioness teammate Marlin Goodluck. Sharing the moment are Campbelle’s managr Jagrattee Ramjattana and team mentor Calvin Lyght

‘Ride for Life’ 5-Stage cycling…

Dr Anthony underscores importance of foreign competitors

Upbeat West Indies hunt for consistency

West Indies are an erratic One-Day team. They can be prone to self-destruction. West Indies are an endearing One-Day team. Their batting line-up boasts the kind of power that excites most followers of cricket, and they have a number of interesting characters in there. Addressing this splitpersonality issue would be high on the visitors’ agenda with the World Cup on the horizon, and they took a step towards that in Kochi despite being without a few first-choice players. They bucked a perception of their batsmen being allergic to singles – there were 92 of them in a total of 321 – and their bowlers harnessed the advantage of a huge total well. Sustaining a performance like that has been a problem though as

a record of 18 wins against 20 losses over the past two years suggests. India would want to orchestrate a recurrence of those problems. Their go-to method for that at home is to strangle the opposition by spin. But R Ashwin, who has bowled 85 overs with an economy rate of 5.34 in the last 12 months at home, has been rested for this series. They do, however, have Ravindra Jadeja, who has gone for 5.23 an over in that period. That is why MS Dhoni said he was more concerned with zeroing in on his seam bowlers for the World Cup. Yet, as Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin showed, if India’s spinners are attacked they can be coaxed into bowling flatter and quicker, and in essence limiting their chances of turning the ball.

Another strengthturned-concern for India is the form of their top order. Virat Kohli’s weakness outside off stump has followed him home from England. Ambati Rayudu contributed to his own dismissal when he ran down and swiped to mid-on. Shikhar Dhawan was not as fluent as he normally is but mustered the only notable contribution with 68. India would hope Kochi was just a blip on the radar.

Watch out for Mohammed Shami is one of India’s bowlers who have been tasked with handling the death overs. He can dig those yorkers in at the batsmen’s boots, but when they go awry, they really go awry.

From left: Director of Sport Neil Kumar; Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; GCF President Cheryl Thompson; National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed; and Health Ministry representative Nazim Hussein