Guyana Times Daily - December 20, 2014

saturDaY, DeceMBer 20, 2014 | guYanatiMesgY.coM

Man kills Guyanese wife, rival

The stabbing to death of a man whose naked body was found outside a Brooklyn apartment building came after his lover’s husband allegedly found them having sexual intercourse in a car on Wednesday last.

Jerome Barrett, 35, of East New York and Jonelle Barker, 36, of Brooklyn, New York were stabbed several times to their chests by the spurned husband, Steve Whittingham, 48, who was later arrested. Barrett, who also was married, was mortally wounded but managed

to flee, clutching his clothing and wallet, the sources said. He made his way to the entrance of an apartment building on Louisiana Avenue near Seaview Avenue in Spring Creek Towers shortly after 01:00h on Wednesday.

He was ringing the buzzer at the main entrance, trying to summon help, when he was overpowered by the suspect. According to reports, his clothes and wallet were found a few feet from his body, just outside the building’s entrance. In addition, one day later, about 03:30h, Barrett’s car, a Kia, was found parked on New Lots Avenue in Brownsville.

Stunned Inside the trunk was Jonelle Barker’s body. She, too, was naked, reports stated. Investigators believe Barrett and Barker, who were baggage handlers at JFK Airport, were having an affair and that Whittingham killed them in a rage after learning about the infidelity and catching them red hand-

ed.

Jerome Barrett’s brother, Benjamin Barrett Jr, who lives in Virginia, was stunned when he heard his sibling had been slain. “No! … You’re kidding, man!” he said, adding that their father had died of cancer just a week ago. “He

was just coming back down here this weekend for the funeral.” Whittingham and Barker shared a home in Flatlands, Police reports stated. Outside their Avenue K home on Thursday night, an

elderly woman wept as neighbours tried to console her. Neighbours said the woman was Whittingham’s mother but she declined to comment on the tragic incident.

A cousin said the entire family was stunned. “This is a shock to all of us,” the cousin said. “He loved her so much.”

Neighbours had only good things to say about the dreadlocked Whittingham. They said he works in a garage, is a family man and was just seen buying doughnuts for his children. Barker on Tuesday twice updated her Facebook cover photo, first with a picture lauding God as the best listener who hears our prayers, then with a picture of Betty Boop.

Barrett lived four miles from the Spring Creek Towers building where his body was found. Whittingham drove Barrett’s Kia from the scene after Barrett fled, the Police added. They did not reveal where the car had initially been parked, but they said investigators have recovered surveillance video of the killings.

Barrett’s sister-in-law said neither she nor her husband knew Barrett was having an affair. “He always seemed to be family-oriented,” Michelle Wilson-Barrett said. “He had a heart made

of gold.

“It’s shocking to me,” she added. “I didn’t know that side of him.” She also raged at Whittingham. “He could have hit him in the head with a bat or just beat him up,” she said.

“I’m a firm believer of you reap what you sow. I think he should pay for this.”

The murder suspect was charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree murder, which could get him life without parole if convicted.

Illegal firearm and ammo land man in jail

A24-year-old man of Lot 15 Middle Street, McDoom, Greater Georgetown, was refused bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition on Friday.

Desmond Richards was accused of having in his possession at McDoom, Georgetown, eight 9mm rounds of ammunitions and one 9mm pistol, without being the holder of a firearm licence on December 16.

The unrepresented man told the court that he works at a tyre shop on the East Bank of Demerara. He was remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to January 12, 2015 for report and fixtures.

Two killed as truck topples on Mabura Road

Two persons were killed on Friday when the lumber truck they were travelling in encountered a blowout, approximately four miles out of Linden (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

According to information received, the truck was travelling from Mabura, Region 10 with passengers when it reportedly overturned, killing two persons who are yet to be identified.

Those who sustained

injuries include 17-yearold Jermaine La Cross of Parika, West Bank, Demerara; 25-year-old Andy Ramsaywack of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, who was the driver at the time; and owner of the truck Sohan Biptor, who resides in Nandy Park, Georgetown.

The injured were up to Friday in stable condition and remained hospitalised at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

Labourer to spend

9 months in jail for attempted robbery

A47-year-old labourer of Charlestown, Georgetown, was sentenced to nine months imprisonment after pleading guilty to an attempted robbery under arms charge. Standing before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was Leon Bascom who accepted the charge which read that on December 17 at High Street, Georgetown, being armed with a knife, he attempted to rob Natalie LaCruiz of one cellular phone valued $4500.

The court heard that on the day in question,

around 22:30h LaCruiz was walking North along High Street, when the defendant approached her and placed a knife to her chest and demanded her valuables.

According to Police Prosecutor Denero Jones, LaCruiz screamed and the Police patrol that was passing by gave chase to Bascom.

The unrepresented man was caught and the knife was found in his possession. He was arrested and charged for the offence.

The first time offender said nothing in his defence and was sentenced to nine months jail time.

Jonelle Barker

Steve Whittingham

Jerome Barrett

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, December 19 from 14:30h-18:00h and on Saturday, December 20 from 14:30h-16:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, December 19 from 14:25h-15:55h and on Saturday, December 20 from 14:30h-16:00h

FERRY SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014

Parika Departure - 01:00h and 14:00h

Supenaam Departure - 01:00h and 14:00h

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Parika Departure - 03:00h and 15:00h

Supenaam Departure - 03:00h and 15:00h

WEATHER TODAY

to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.02 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:31h and 22:19h reaching maximum heights of 2.96 metres and 2.76 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:58h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre respectively.

More drug addicts in society – Salvation Army

The Salvation Army on Friday said that there has been a rapid increase in the number of drug addicts in the country even as it works to strengthen its rehabilitation programme for male abusers.

Speaking to the Guyana Times, Chairman of the organisation, Eddie Boyer, said that they have been playing their part in helping to reform addicts. However, he noted that more persons have been coming into the centre for care, which is an indication that there has been an increase in the abuse of all forms of drugs.

Boyer told the Guyana Times on the sidelines of a ceremony to commission the organisation’s new building on Water Street. The occasion also saw the Government of Guyana donating $5 million to the work of the organisation’s drug rehabilitation programme.

Speaking at the event, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh opined that the Salvation Army has proven to be a proactive and dynamic partner in confronting some of the most serious social challenges facing society, particularly drug/substance abuse. The Minister noted that the reality is that today’s world is beset with serious social challenges and institutions like the Salvation Army that have a vast reach play an important role in crossing the bridge from religious ministry to tackling and overcoming social challenges.

Dr Singh highlighted that the Drug Rehabilitation Programme was an area in which the Salvation Army is specialised, and for which it won the Medal of Service National Award back in 2011. The Minister lauded the success of the programme, stating that he was able to bear firsthand witness to the transformation made in the

Major Thibaud noted that the eight months’ project catered for new and improved facilities and expanded space. He added that the most important feature is the fencing of the property which provides a more secure facility for clients.

lives of substance abusers. He stressed that persons make mistakes and should not be chastised or condemned without being given a second chance to start over.

Collective responsibility

“Society as a whole has a collective responsibility to ensure that we create the conditions and establish the institutions that can facilitate the saving of lives, that can facilitate the granting of this second chance and this programme does just that. It catches those who, for whatever reason, might have been visited with the misfortune or error of substance abuse and gives them a second chance,” he remarked. The Finance Minister outlined that substance abuse is not something to be taken casually, as it does not only affect a particular section or group in society. Instead, he added, that it is a global scourge that some may say we import through television, music and other means, but, nonetheless, it is a reality that we must deal with.

Successes

Dr Singh noted that the Salvation Army’s Drug Rehabilitation Programme has seen many successful clients, including well-known public figures in Guyana.

“The stories of transformations of individual lives that have been told in this compound every year are truly awe-inspiring and highly motivating stories of lives being transformed,” he said.

The Finance Minister concluded that it was for these reasons that Government has committed to continue supporting the work of Salvation Army to help transform the lives of its thousand of clients. As such, Government has donated $5 million, in additional to another $5 million donated earlier this year, to support the Drug Rehabilitation programme.

Government has also plugged some $16.5 million into the rehabilitation project of the Army’s Social Centre located at Water Street, Kingston. The facility will also serve as the residential facility and a halfway house.

In the meantime, Administrator of the organisation, Major Urick Thibaud, disclosed that when he arrived in Guyana back in 2011 and saw the condition of the facility, he committed to building a new facility so that clients can have a better living environment to recuperate. The Major pointed out that this vision was made possible with assistance of the Government.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board pointed out that the project was not an easy task, since they had difficulty finding a contractor to do the job. “Every time we looked at the estimate, the cost of the work goes up and it became kind of a nightmare because you can’t find the funding and the project cost keeps going up,” he highlighted.

Boyer disclosed that based upon an agreement made with former President Bharrat Jagdeo, a proposal was made in 2012; however, the project has to be reconstructed for it to get the financing. The project was funded with the contributions made by Government, and donations given to the institution.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh handing over Government’s annual contribution to the Drug Rehabilitation Programme to the Salvation Army’s Divisional Commander Major Emmerson Cumberbatch as Chairman Edward Boyer and Major Urick Thibaud look on

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 Barbaric actions

The world, including many of us here in Guyana, was deeply shocked and in disbelief when it was learnt via the international news networks about the recent school killings in Pakistan. When events such as these happen, there are more questions than answers, as no one can justify such barbaric, senseless and brutal acts committed against their fellow human beings, more so innocent boys and girls.

It is indeed horrifying that children are slaughtered for the simple reason that they want a decent education so that that they can lead better and more productive lives when they get older. In this part of the world, targeting students because they chose the path of education is simply unheard of.

By the end of the hours-long siege at the Army Public School and Degree College in Peshawar, Pakistan, at least 141 people – 132 children plus nine staff – were dead. More than 100 were injured, many suffering gunshot wounds. CNN described the scene as “horrifying”. The network reported that gunmen barged through the school, mercilessly shooting children.

On a typical day, the school is home to about 1,100 students and staff, most of them sons and daughters of army personnel from around Peshawar. The students were in the middle of their school day when a car exploded behind the school. Of course, this was used to distract the attention of security personnel.

Many would ask what would the terrorists hope to achieve by killing innocent children. From reports gathered, the identity of the group behind the massacre is well known. CNN reported that the Pakistan Taliban – who has long conducted an insurgency against the Pakistani Government as they seek to overthrow the authorities and bring in Sharia law – was quick to take responsibility. They said it was revenge for the killing of hundreds of innocent tribesmen and their children during a recent offensive by the Pakistani military.

Pakistan has seen plenty of violence in the recent past, much of it involving militants. International Security Director for the Asia Pacific Foundation think tank Sajjan Gohel was reported as saying that the Pakistan Taliban want to stop the authorities from interfering in the tribal areas, but also have an extremist ideological agenda. The Pakistan Taliban is against Western-style education for children and the employment of women.

Last year, choir members and children attending Sunday school were among 81 people killed in a suicide bombing at the Protestant All Saints Church of Pakistan. A splinter group of the Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for the church attack, blaming the US programme of drone strikes in tribal areas of the country. And in 2012, militants shot schoolgirl education activist Malala Yousafzai in the head as she traveled on a school bus. She survived to receive a Nobel Peace Prize a few days ago.

Earlier this year, the Government held tentative peace talks with the Pakistan Taliban – formally known as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (or TTP) – but it suspended them after two brazen attacks around Pakistan's largest airport in Karachi in June. Since then, Pakistan's military has been conducting a ground offensive aimed at clearing out TTP and other militants in the loosely governed tribal areas of northwestern Pakistan.

Certainly, dealing with this level of terrorism is not an easy task. But the terrorists must be defeated at all cost. The Pakistani Government and the international community must utilize all necessary resources and do everything possible to win this battle. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already announced that Pakistan will have a national plan within a few days to combat militancy. This must be acted upon immediately.

This is indeed a dark moment in the history of the world. For us every child has the right to education and every effort should be made to help children avail themselves of educational opportunities. This constitutional right to education should never be interfered with, least of all through violence and intimidation.

Motorcyclists and pillion riders flout the law

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Police Force would like to take this opportunity to appeal to motor cyclists, who are considered to be in another “vulnerable” category of road users, to use the roadways with greater care and caution.

So far for this year a total of 26 motor cyclists have lost their lives due to fatal accidents, compared to 16 for the same period last year. In some instances the victims were not wearing safety helmets which may have saved their lives.

The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations Section 3 (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Cap. 51:02 states that:

“The driver of, and every person carried on, a motor cycle on a road shall wear

a safety helmet capable of affording protection to the head of the wearer from injury in the event of an accident.”

In keeping with the Regulations, the legal requirement for the driver, and any other person carried on the motor cycle, to wear a safety helmet does not apply in cases where the engine of the motor cycle is not more that 50 cubic centimetres (50cc).

While there are specific types of safety helmets prescribed to be used while driving a motor cycle, motor cyclists can be observed using safety helmets that are for use by cyclists, which is against the law.

Motor cyclists and pillion riders flout the law and do not wear the safety helmets which are intended

for their own protection and safety. Some can be seen with the helmets on the handles of the motor cycles.

In enforcing the laws in this regard, the Police have for this year so far charged a total of 380 motor cyclists for failing to wear safety helmets and these efforts will be intensified.

The Guyana Police Force also wishes to express its concern about the practice of motor cyclists with children as pillion riders, without safety helmets and their feet dangling dangerously close to the spokes of the rear wheel of the motor cycle.

While being cognisant of difficulty with transportation at times, the Police are also expressing concern over the towing of too many persons on a motor cycle by motor cyclists. Under such cir-

cumstances control of the vehicle will be difficult and can result in accidents and even death.

During enforcement operations aimed at road safety over the period December 7 to 13, the Police Traffic Department made a number of cases against motorists and other persons for breaching the traffic laws.

These include speeding (296), driving under the influence (42), breach of condition of Road Service Licence (73), careless driving (21), dangerous driving (38), failure to wear safety helmet (8), failure to wear seat belt (50), and prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phones (27).

Ivelaw Whittaker Public Relations and Press Officer

Lethem will soon attain status of township

Dear Editor, I read Carl Parker’s letter under the headline, “Not impressed with Lethem’s development”. The letter is in response to Hydar Ally’s letter under the headline, “Impressed with Lethem’s development”.

Carl Parker, a PNC/ APNU activist and Regional Councilor for the Rupununi region simply does not understand the different between “development” and “developments”, hence his ignorance in the proper interpretation of Hydar Ally’s letter.

But I am in agreement with Ally’s letter that with

on-going developments currently taking place, Lethem will soon attain the status of being a township. This is absolutely indisputable.

Carl Parker is often times absent from the Rupununi since it is alleged that he drives a hire car in Georgetown. So his ignorance about Lethem’s development process is not surprising and being an incompetent Regional Councilor.

He is not involved Rupununi’s development at the level of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). But it is known that an empty barrel makes the most noise. Residents at Lethem

know this well.

Bearing in mind that Lethem continues to be in the development process, did Carl Parker do an objective study on why young people are employed as counter clerks and why original business owners have rented out their businesses to the Brazilians and Chinese as he claims?

Having done this and if he is honest he would find the correct answers to these questions and desist from making unqualified claims. But is Parker capable to undertake such studies?

The fact that Parker is a PNC/APNU lackey makes

him myopic to developments taking place at Lethem where the purpose of his existence is only to criticize, which qualifies him for entry into “Lethem’s big washing machine” to cleanse him from the PNC/APNU dirt which is currently responsible for his nomadic and imbecilic status.

Hydar Ally is an education expert and his observations in relation to Lethem’s developments are based on his expertise. In this regard who is Carl Parker to question the observations of an expert?

Peter Persaud

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry’s Protected Areas Commission first-ever Christmas Family Festival and the National Park’s second Christmas Tree Lighting were held on Friday. Present were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, staffers, stakeholders and members of the public. Here is a scene from the event

NACTA exists, does Freddie?

Dear Editor,

Reference is made to a letter by discredited columnist Freddie Kissoon who expressed the opinion that readers should know the personal background of letter writers. People have a right to free press without the need of divulging their personal lifestyle to the public.

Kissoon claims M Maxwell and Sultan Mohammed don’t exist. How does he know that? Did he check with the register for births and deceased for confirmation? Some time ago, he also claimed that Dr Vishnu Bisram did not exist and was not a teacher.

He has also been claiming that NACTA does not exist. Now, he states Dr Bisram is a real person. Is Kissoon the all powerful person who determines who exists and who doesn’t, similar to how he had arrogated unto himself some time ago whether a Turkeyn Polling and Research Institute (TRPI) or NACTA poll was conducted or not? Does this guy really exist? Does he have a brain?

It is simply unbelievable that Kissoon, a man who claims he did graduate studies in Toronto, can make assertions without supporting

evidence – a basic tenet of academia. Should we be surprised?

No! There isn’t anything that should surprise us coming from the pen of Kissoon who makes outlandish claims and has a history of misinterpreting basic social theories.

Contrary to what Kissoon pens, NACTA does exist.

Dr Philip Thomas, who is organizing a conference on non-profit organization this week, stated there are 4,000 organizations in Guyana, but less than 20 per cent are active. The fact that they are not active does not mean they are not non-existent.

For the record NACTA was founded during the early 1990s by myself, Dr Latchman Narain, Dr Vishnu Bisram, Dr Baytoram Ramharack, Trevor Jagroo, Rennie Ramracha, Radica Singh, and a number of other educators.

Most of the members of NACTA were actively involved in the struggle for free and fair elections in Guyana. The idea of its launching was Dr Narain’s and mine that resulted from a meeting of leading thinkers and educator activists in the community.

The organization was very active during the early years of its formation. We sent countless shipments of educational materials and supplies to Guyana and Trinidad and other societies.

We donated money to organizations in Guyana and to individuals. We sponsored essay contests in Guyana. We organized symposiums and seminars at various American colleges and religious institutions (mandirs and churches) and conducted polls in several Caribbean societies.

We organized rallies and marches in New York and partook in various festivals, including the Phagwah parades and AIA parades in Manhattan. NACTA continued polling activities after the discontinuance of TRPI polls that were published in SN during the 1990s.

Myself and Ravi Dev, Ramharack, Bisram, Rennie Ramracha and others were involved in TRPI polling. We self-funded the polls with some assistance from supporters and enthusiasts who liked our activism and community work.

TRPI is credited with introducing polling in Guyana that was opposed by Kissoon in his writings and public ut-

terances. The same Kissoon who claims we don’t exist came in front of UG’s library and mocked us when we recruited interviewers to help with the polling.

Rennie Ramracha and myself accompanied Dr Bisram to conduct polls in Tobago, Guyana, and Trinidad. The findings of the polls were released under NACTA because they were so authorized.

Currently, NACTA is not as active as it was during the early years of its formation. That does not make it “nonexistent” or that Dr Bisram should not publish findings under NACTA as being demanded by Kissoon. Freddie is free to conduct polls under his name or under whatever organization.

Organizations come in various sizes and activism. For the record, CGID is viewed as a “one-man” (small) organization but it exists. Should it be called by the name of its principal owner?

CACCI has a handful of members (no Indians), but it exists. Should it be called by the names of the few members? The WPA is a five-man organization. Should it be called by the name of the organization?

And there are numerous other small or one-person organizations, but Kissoon dare not challenge their existence. In fact, many (polling) organizations were founded by one or a few individuals and Kissoon admires them.

Johnson Polling (Jamaica) is a one-man organization. Peter Wickham, Kissoon’s second most favored pollster after Dick Morris, founded Cadres, runs a one-man organization whose poll showed AFC would win the election of 2011, findings that were lauded by Kissoon. Further, Kissoon had no problem with it being called Cadres instead of Wickham Poll.

SARA Poll in Trinidad was founded by Prof Selyn Ryan and it still exists as a one-man poll even though it does not conduct polls as in earlier years. Solution by Simulation was founded by Nigel Henry and it exists as one-man poll.

Dick Morris Polling was founded by himself (a oneman poll) and conducted polls including the polls of 2006 showing the AFC winning the election, the findings of which were cheered by Kissoon as credible.

Gallup Polling was

The US and Cuba relationship

Dear Editor,

While Alan Gross is celebrating his return back home with his wife, children and close friends, the United States, Cuba and several countries in the world are debating whether or not US President Barak Obama has made the correct move in releasing three convicted spies in exchange for his release, as well as other compromises he made with his Cuban counterpart, Raoul Castro.

It seems to me that most persons agree with the historic move by President Obama, but a large number of Americans, both Republicans, and Democrats, as well as Cubans who live in Miami and the communist island feel that Obama gave too much and received very little.

The critics include a few Cuban born US lawmakers, including two, who are possible Republican candidates for the US Presidency.

Most of the dissatisfied Cubans are the older ones –there is a generation split on the move, arguing that Castro and the old brigade are still in power and who will continue to

rule without holding free and fair elections, and will continue to imprison persons who spoke out against the regime without a fair trial.

However, on the brighter side both the Cubans and Americans will set up embassies in Washington and Havana.

However, critics feel that now that the Republicans control the House and the Senate, it would be difficult for a US Ambassador to get the nod of the lawmakers who might also block funds for the Embassy in Havana.

Americans will now be able to travel to neighbouring Cuba, but with little restriction since they have to go through agencies who have licences to do so.

This situation will improve after the embassies are established and banking and commercial relationships are established.

Both Presidents Obama and Castro made the announcement at noon last Wednesday and reports from Havana state that church bells were ringing during and after Castro's speech, and there were tears of joys from thousands.

It was the first time in more

than five decades that a Cuban President has offered good words for a US President when Castro praised Obama for his action. Both Presidents Obama and Castro also praised Pope Francis for his kind intervention.

Critics feel that the Cuban President did not have a choice to forge a good relationship with the United States because his country was facing serious economic problems, since most of their financial assistance was coming from Russia and Venezuela and both countries are now facing serious economic problems and will soon cut off all assistance. Meanwhile, leaders in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are extremely happy about the move.

Chairman of Caricom Gaston Browne, who is also the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, has lauded both Obama and Castro, while St Vincent Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, on hearing the news while in Parliament debating his country's Budget, adjourned Parliament for the day describ-

ing the event as one "of earth proportions".

In fact, at a meeting of Cuba/ Caricom leaders in Havana earlier this month, the parties involved in the discussion were optimistic about a Cuba/US trade relationship, but there is still a long way to go before the embargo placed by the United States on January 21, 1962 will be completely removed.

The Organization of American States (OAS) set aside the trade barriers at its 39th General Assembly on June 8, 2009. I was present at that CONFAB which was held at San Pedro, Sula when the then Secretary of State Hilary Clinton walked out of the Assembly when she was questioned about US embargo.

She stated that the ban will not cease until there is free and fair elections in Cuba. There is still no freedom of speech, but US prisoners were released on Wednesday. I am optimistic that in the very near future there would be cordial relationship between the two countries.

Oscar Ramjeet

founded by George Gallup and it exists even after his death. Roper Polling was founded by Elmo Roper and it still exists even after his passing. So why can’t NACTA exist even if it is not very active and why can’t its name be used by one of its founders to so label its polls?

Should the folks at Roper and Gallup Institutes stop using those names because of the death of the founders? What idiocy is that? Does Kissoon prefer a large organization that does nothing meaningful to society or a small organization like NACTA that engages in important social analysis like polling and in helping the poor?

When will Freddie conduct his poll or give a donation to the poor? The work of organizations continues way after their founders leave the scene or even when they become less active. And the fact that Kissoon never met someone does not mean the person does not exist.

I applaud the media for publishing the findings of NACTA polls that keep us informed about the nation’s views on various issues.

Vassan Ramracha Co-founder, NACTA

Great move to have Naim on panel

Dear Editor,

I note that Naim Chan is resuming commentaries and I am asking myself how come he was not there for all the time. He made a few sporadic appearances and I was left to believe that he was taken up elsewhere.

Naim is the country’s premier cricket commentator and this was so noticeable. His very quality voice, simplicity (yet not lacking profundity) of presentation, very strong language use and deep discussions left those alongside him way behindthe man is not a prattler and he does not have to just fill the silence. He talks a good game.

It is sad that we have people, who are struggling with the basics of English, on the commentary panel. I hope that Naim will be more utilised and that he will be given the opportunity to groom some youngsters.

K Etwaroo

Page Foundation

“Confronting Ebola for the first time generates strong emotions”

Dr Martin Deahl is a consultant psychiatrist from Newport in Shropshire. He recently completed his first shift in a 100-bed Ebola treatment centre built by the UK Government and run by the aid agency Goal in Port Loko, Sierra Leone.

“After all the training, waiting and anticipation, I have just returned from my first shift in the “red zone” at the Goal Ebola treatment centre. It was an anticlimax, in the sense that everything ran smoothly, there were no dramas and, importantly, no nerves or additional anxiety. So prepared and well-drilled were we that personal protection equipment, our safety, and all the supplementary precautions necessary were carried out automatically, with the patients the total focus of attention.

“I hadn’t been in the centre at night before. There was a surreal atmosphere, with tents glowing in the dark, and the noise of insect life coming from every nook and cranny.

“Four patients were admitted that day. A 68-yearold man, already ill for a couple of weeks, had red eyes and bleeding gums; he was aware of what was going on, but barely able to support himself. A 50-yearold woman was in a similar state, and there were also two children, aged eight and nine.

The children were weak, frail and vulnerable. Unable

to lift a bottle of water to their lips or sit up without help, they were clearly very dehydrated. They had sunken eyes, their breathing was rapid and shallow, and their pulses were weak; they were very sick. One had just lost her mother. It meant that both parents and every member of her close family had been taken by Ebola.

– it tastes vile, like sugary salt water – so water, or anything the patient fancies, is a good second best. The adults want tea and coffee; bringing this into the red zone is a logistical nightmare, but with a bit of imagination and ingenuity we managed it. The children liked fizzy drinks and sodas, which was an easier wish to grant.

Emotional impact

“I had thought non-verbal communication would be impossible in personal protection equipment, but was surprised and heartened to find that a hug was a hug and even two layers of gloves didn’t diminish the emotional impact of squeezing a hand.

“There is little place for modern medicine here. Life or death is a matter of rehydration, rehydration, rehydration. Encouraging patients to drink oral rehydration solution can be hard

“Drinking has to be encouraged and supervised: sips, not glugs. Glug and you vomit, rendering the whole exercise counter-productive. Prompting and supervising drinking becomes problematic when you only have 45 minutes in the zone, although concentrating on the patient takes the mind off the heat, sweat and physical discomfort. Ninety minutes (my personal record) flew by, and I was only aware of my own physical state after I’d doffed my personal protection equipment. As one

team leaves, another enters; it’s reminiscent of a relay or tag team.

“Confronting Ebola for the first time generates strong emotions. Sadness at seeing such suffering and fear. Anger – what have these people done to deserve this? A sense of guilt that the international community didn’t respond more quickly. Love, especially for the children, innocent young lives so undeserving of anything like this; why them, not me? And, of course, fear of the ever-present invisible enemy. I have seen a lot of suffering in a career of more than 30 years, but rarely have I felt so emotional about my patients.

“Home at 1.30am and off to bed, on call for the rest of the night. Found myself awake at 4am, in tears. Took a mental step back to try to work out what was upsetting, realising I had been bargaining with God in my half-sleep and in a maelstrom of conflicting emotion. If you stop the little girl vomiting, I’ll be good, do better, try harder, X, Y or Z … anything for the price of a life.

“Extraordinary. I’m not religious and have certainly never had such thoughts before. But, such is the intensity and surreal nature of this situation, we are all experiencing an emotional journey of self-discovery that will change us – hopefully for the better – forever.” (The Guardian)

Christmas activities to keep children entertained over the holidays

The last of the local schools broke up for Christmas Friday, which means all parents will soon have some excited children bouncing around the house as they eagerly await Santa’s arrival.

Keeping children entertained during the holidays is always a challenge for busy moms and dads, so we’ve come up with a few fun, festive ideas to amuse them until they unwrap some new toys to play with on Christmas Day.

Bake some festive treats

Chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time in the kitchen in the run-up to Christmas if you’re having guests over, so why not rope in the children to help?

a folded paper circle then unfurling it into a beautiful snowflake?

It might make a bit of a mess but you won’t hear a peep out of your young ones for a while as they busy themselves turning your home into a winter wonderland.

Or why not set them to work making name place cards for your Christmas dinner table.

Put on a show

Most children love an opportunity to be in the spotlight, so let them invite their friends round to devise and rehearse a Christmas talent show or festive play for you and their pals’ parents.

Perfecting their routines

Mince pies are fun and easy to make, with plenty for little ones to get involved in, from stamping out pastry shapes to dolloping in the mincemeat.

Deck the halls

Who doesn’t remember that childhood Christmas magic of snipping away at

will keep them busy for a few hours before the big performance.

Sit down to a Christmas film

If you can’t handle watching “Frozen” for the 39th time, why not introduce your children to some Christmas classics from your own childhood?

From “Home Alone” and “Scrooged” to “Miracle on 34th Street” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, there are plenty to choose from to keep them entertained.

There are also plenty of family films on TV over the holidays, including all-time classic “The Snowman”.

Track Santa

Santa’s on his way – but how far has he got to fly in his sleigh before he gets to your chimney? You can track his journey from the North Pole on Google while learning a little about some of his stops along the way.

Make reindeer food

Santa gets plenty of mince pies and sherry left out for him but the most his poor reindeer normally get is a measly carrot or two. So why not help the children mix up a special treat for them this year?

All you need is a handful of oats and some coloured sugar crystals or sprinkles to stir in (don’t use glitter, it can be harmful to reindeer and other wildlife).

(Manchestereveningnews)

saturDaY, December 20, 2014 |

Baby with exposed brain…

Surgery may take months

By Devina Samaroo

hile Emannie

WMelvin is one step closer to having surgery performed to address the rare defect of his brain protruding from his skull, it may take months before the surgical procedure can actually be done.

According to Jankie Dolaram of The Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF), it usually takes “a while” to get a response from the Sick Kids Hospital.

“In most cases, it is between two to three months and in some cases longer.”

Dolaram noted that the

medical team at the hospital will review the documents and subsequently advise the mother of the child accordingly.

She further noted that if the child is accepted by Sick Kids for treatment, they will provide a letter for the mother and child to obtain a VISA to travel to Canada.

“If a decision is made to perform surgery on the child then Sick Kids will notify the mother and prepare a letter to the Embassy… After the mother received the letter from Sick Kids, then she can apply for the VISA.”

Additionally, a Canadian host family must be availa-

ble to provide all non-medical support for Emannie and his mother during their stay in Toronto, which will also

InselAir launches flight to Curaçao

Within the short period of six months, InselAir has exemplified investors’ tremendous confidence in Guyana’s developing aviation sector as it has launched service on another Guyana-Caribbean route.

The inaugural InselAir flight from Curaçao arrived in Guyana just after midnight on Thursday evening at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with over 70 passengers and departed Friday morning with close to 50. The flight touched down with eager passengers consisting of various officials and regional press who could not wait to foster the ties between the two nations.

Onboard the first flight from Curaçao was St Martin’s Minister of Tourism and Transport, Ted Richardson who arrived in Guyana for the first time.

At a simple ceremony shortly after his arrival, Minister Richardson noted that this new route would make a big contribution to St Martin’s economy.

Initially, InselAir had two flights per week from Georgetown to Aruba where passengers via the Aruba hub had easy access to Curaçao from which many other InselAir destinations are available.

Now with the addition of this direct CuraçaoGeorgetown route, InselAir has four weekly flights into

Guyana.

Commendable

CJIA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ghir was ecstatic to introduce yet another air service carrier to Guyana, noting that Guyana’s aviation sector is rapidly unfolding.

He also acknowledged and praised the Government’s confidence in the major development of the sector. He cited among other projects “the investment in the control tower, the expansion of the CJIA which is ongoing, the supported infrastructure for the transport sector, the fourlane highway road, the development of the other supporting airports…”

Also commending the Government of Guyana on its efforts to promote the country as a tourism hub, which in turn would develop the aviation sector, was the Director of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia.

“I believe that this effort by the Minister and his team to market Guyana through aviation is actually very strategic.”

He further acknowledged that “Guyana is a country on the move and nothing is going to stop it … we’re creating economic development, we’re creating employment … with partners like InselAir. I’m very optimistic about the future.”

Roraima Airways has

been authorised as the ground handling services and general sales agent for the airline.

Public Works and Transport Minister Robeson Benn was impressed that InselAir chose to launch yet another route in such a short period.

“I am excited. I’m happy that InselAir is moving up their operations … I’m excited that again, we are having another vote of confidence in our country’s air transport operations.”

Moreover, on the topic of development, Minister Benn disclosed that he wanted to see more assertive young people with the confidence and positive outlook to develop the country.

Furthermore, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of InselAir, Albert Cliver hinted at plans for a fruitful new year.

“We want to have more opportunities for direct

flights out of Guyana,” Cliver noted.

InselAir’s 2015 plans include connections to Colombia and Brazil.

Additionally, Cliver expressed hopes of having direct flights out of Guyana and more Caribbean destination opportunities.

take some time.

A registered Canadian charity, TCCF, since it started in 2000, has helped a large number of Caribbean children get the care they need.

Moreover, the Sick Kids Hospital is one of Canada’s most research-intensive hospitals. The hospital is affiliated with the University of Toronto and is the largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health in that country.

One day after Guyana Times carried a story of the lad in need of urgent lifesaving surgery, TCCF has stepped forward to render their assistance.

Emannie Melvin was born on October 8 with a rare brain defect; part of his brain protrudes his skull. Since his birth, his mother Felica Melvin, 22, has been desperately trying all means to secure her baby’s survival.

The overwhelmed mother has expressed sincere gratitude to the TCCF for reaching out to her. She also thanked everyone who assisted her through what ap-

pears as a “never-ending” journey.

“I’m just hoping we can get surgery done fast and just get it over with so my son can be okay,” Melvin said. Melvin, who is jobless and lives with her mother, has the assistance of her sister in caring for the child as the child’s father has abandoned her after the baby was born. “He said he ain’t able with stress, and I have to keep me stress with me by meself,” Melvin related.

Moreover, she explained how her baby would normally play with the exposed brain which often gives her the fright of her life.

“Eventually, I does have to put socks on his hands so when he trouble it, it won’t burst.” She also noted that the baby often sleeps facedown, which she believes “irritates” the brain.

Nevertheless, the mother is quite confident that her baby boy will live as a healthy and normal child, contrary to the hearsay from others, as soon as surgery is done. “The earlier it done for he, the better it gon be,” she said.

Baby Emannie Melvin

Transport Minister Robeson Benn does the honours of cutting the ribbon to commission the Curacao-Georgetown route

saturDaY, December 20, 2014 | guYanatimesgY.com

Guyana’s Opposition wants US to lift embargo on Cuba

Members of the Opposition in Guyana are calling on Republican lawmakers in the United States to support President Barack Obama in lifting the long standing embargo on Cuba.

“They need to come to the 21 century,” Dr Rupert Roopnaraine of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said when asked of his views on the anticipated lack of partnership between the Republicans and Democrats to lift the 54-year-old embargo.

Following the recent restoration of ties between the United States and Cuba, President Obama said he would ask Congress to lift the embargo. But there are much anticipated disagreements between the Republicans and Democrats in providing support for such a move.

Lifting the embargo could have been much easier for Obama had the Democratic representation been stronger in the Legislative body. After a midterm election, the Republicans gained overwhelming support and this allowed them to control both Houses of Congress in 2015.

Nevertheless, Roopnaraine still hopes that following the restoration of ties, the way will be paved for the remov-

al of the embargo. He added that the embargo has gone on for far too long, and that the restoration would be beneficial to Latin, South American and Caribbean states. The embargo’s removal is needed as it will play a significant role in the improvement of trade.

While the shift in policy resulting from the restoration will create a relaxation in some aspects of commerce and transportation between the US and Cuba, because the embargo still stands, there will still be certain discrepancies in the system.

One such example lies in the recent release by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The organisation revealed that the much needed help of doctors in the Ebola plagued West African States (Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia) was being undermined by the organisation’s ability to pay doctors from Cuba.

While there are hundreds of Cuban doctors volunteering in the formerly termed red zone areas, the US$250 to be paid to them for living expenses, boarding and lodging could not be paid through the WHO because it would have been breaking embargo rules.

As a result, the Cuban Government was forced to intervene and pay doctors.

Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Doctors from Cuba have made up the largest group of volunteers in Africa during the Ebola outbreak and Cuba’s work in African has been long standing for over 50 years.

Over the years, Cuban doctors have even travelled to Guyana to trained local doctors and perform medical outreaches among others.

There is widespread disapproval of the US’ embargo on Cuba and various organisations, including the United Nations (UN) and Heads of Government of Caricom States have continually called on the US to raise the embargo.

The embargo, which was imposed in 1960, was strengthened in 1962 and renewed earlier this month by President Obama who had promised during the presidential election in

2008, to end the embargo. Actually, Obama cannot lift the embargo with one of his infamous “Executive Orders” because of the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act which requires US Congressional approval to lift the embargo. Such approval is subject to human rights improvements and the democratic election of a new Havana Government, preferably without a Castro family member at the helm.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) also congratulated the US and Cuba in reaching this land mark. Cathy Hughes of the AFC congratulated Obama on the restoration, stating that he was able to accomplish what escaped ten US Presidents.

The coalition hoped that the improvement of human rights practices would thaw the hostility of extreme elements against Cuba.

The flexible postures of President Raul Castro and Obama to facilitate rapprochement, which began with a casual ceremonial handshake in South Africa between the two leaders, also came in high praises. Hughes said Guyana has a lot to learn from the demolition of walls which separate out and make political dialogue and engagement probable goals.

Eyew tness Assumptions...

..on SWAT

Now, even though Agriculture’s still one of our mainstays, when we bring up the subject of SWAT, we’re not talking about “Soil and Water Assessment Tools!! Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) squads have been on the minds of our citizens for more than a decade. You can’t blame them.

With the increased firepower available to criminals and their willingness to use them without any qualms, they’ve been a fixture in Police Forces in developed countries since the late 60s.

But with bodies dropping like fleas from even armed gangs of criminals since 1998 - and intensifying into wholesale massacres by 2008 - somehow we couldn’t scrounge up one. Well, there was that “attempt” under the watch of then Commissioner of Police (COP) Winston Felix around 2005. We even had British experts in short pants training some of the identified local squaddiescode named “Fountain Squad?” - who sported all kinds of fancy weaponry.

After the secret 2006 tape recordings of Felix and Basil Williams of the PNC about “heading off” the Government from the gunmen committing the Agricola massacre, we don’t have to be geniuses to figure out why that SWAT incarnation had to die stillborn! Right Bannuh??

So here we are, eight years later - and at least three Commissioners down the road - and we’ve finally got a real live SWAT unit here!! Twenty seven men trained to take on anything the criminals might throw at us - or them. We should be relieved, no??

Well...ummmm... not so quick! According to the latest COP there hasn’t been a “serious or high profile situation” that would justify fielding these fellas yet!! And that’s just fine by him.

In fact, if they’re never deployed that’ll prove conclusively Guyana has reverted to the garden variety crimes that the ordinary cop on the beat can handle. Now, some might say if this is the new metric for measuring “serious armed crimes”, then all the Police have to do is keep the SWAT in bed . And voila!!!...NO SERIOUS CRIMES!!!

But seriously folks - this Eyewitness really thinks the COP should get real. This paper posed the case of the Sterling invasion in which a bunch of highly armed gunmen invaded one of the largest businesses in the country. This was just a stone’s throw from the Providence Police Station. They killed a guard and then escaped without even a shot fired at them - and are still out there un-apprehended. And the SWAT wasn’t necessary??

So do we wait until, say, several local cops who aren’t trained to handle this situation get killed either by the criminals or their own cross fire, and then we say, “SWAT go swot them”??!!!

....once you’re Opposition

Dr Clive Thomas was one of the few Guyanese to have an international reputation in economics - apart from Dr Walter Rodney - who, incidentally, was a historian. But we guess the latter’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” can be seen as a historically inclined take on political economy. But Thomas’ career since 1992 proves how the politics of a divided society can warp the thinking of even a fella who had serious credentials. At the game changing elections of that year, Dr Jagan offered him the position of being his Prime Minister. He didn’t refuse - but his erstwhile comrades in the WPA did. And as they say, the rest is history. What might’ve been, eh?? But remaining in the Opposition, Thomas broke ranks with Marxists like Rodney and adopted a racial lens for his critiques. He had to march with the rest of the Opposition.

Right now he’s regurgitating his paranoid “criminalised state” claims for the elections “silly season”!

....by the US carpetbagger

Dr Dr Dr Philip Mozart Thomas had a rude awakening this Wednesday. We’d have thought after ROH Corbin showed him some moves back in 2002, he’d have been a bit more cautious. As Burnham once drawled, “We’s be black, but we’s not stupid!!”

Coalition negotiations… Granger to AFC: What exactly are you proposing?

As plans intensify for coalition talks between A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For Change, and members of civil society, the Leader of APNU, David Granger, is once again questioning what exactly the AFC plans to bring to the table during their engagement.

Granger, at a press conference on Friday, said that while APNU remained open to dialogue between the two parties and civil society, it would like to know what exactly would be on the agenda when the parties do congregate for dialogue.

According to the Opposition Leader, APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon has already taken steps to engage his AFC counterpart, David Patterson on the issue but is yet to receive a response from the party.

“At this point in time, we do not know what the proposal involves, we have asked the AFC to give us a proposal so that there is something to talk about. I would like to know what the AFC is actually calling for that has not been provided by the APNU over the last three and a half years” said Granger during Friday’s press briefing.

Granger was adamant that as it stands what is being proposed by the AFC is something that would have

already been part of APNU’s charter. This charter was published since 2011 when the APNU coalition was formed with five political parties. The APNU Leader said: “There is something on the table already and we would like to know what else is the AFC coming up with…what we have asked the AFC for is what they want to speak about.”

Awaiting proposal

Granger posited that as the leader of the APNU partnership, he has a fundamental responsibility to inform the leaders of the other members of the coalition of any impending change that would affect the party. At present, the members of the APNU included the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); Working People’s Alliance (WPA); the National Front Alliance (NFA); and the Guyana Action Party (GAP).

“I have an obligation as leader of the APNU to discuss with my other partners – WPA, NFA ,GAP any major proposal that will affect the character and integrity of APNU so we are waiting now, on hearing from the AFC about their proposal,” remarked the Opposition Leader.

Granger also said that the possibility of a grand coalition

with the AFC was welcomed by the APNU partnership. He said he was especially pleased that the AFC came to the realisation that coalescing with APNU would not make the party political “dead meat”. “We have advocated for the start of partnerships for national unity … if we want to get rid of the ‘dictatorship’ that has prorogued our Parliament there should be unity,” maintained Granger.

When contacted on Friday, with respect to the proposal, the General Secretary of the AFC plainly said: “No comment”. Patterson on Thursday confirmed that invitations have been dispatched and talks between his party and APNU will commence soon.

At an AFC press conference, the General Secretary noted that among the invitees are members of civil society and trade unions. Patterson related too that six weeks have been set aside for talks on the pro-democracy alliance. Thereafter, a decision should be announced as to whether there will be such an alliance and of equal importance, the members of that alliance. Asked about possible outcomes, Patterson said: “I don’t want to speculate. There are ongoing discussions so we don’t want to speculate on the outcome.”

Police “name and shame” four drunk drivers

The Guyana Police Force is continuing its name and shame campaign and has published the identity of four more driving under the influence (DUI).

Three of these men were charged and placed before the courts, where they pleaded not guilty to the offence while the other did not turn up to court.

Neil Hussain of Lot 16 CC, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on December 06, while driving motor vehicle BRR 4489 on the Providence Public Road, EBD.

He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption. He was charged and appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court six days later where he pleaded “not guilty” to the offence. The case is set for continuation on December 31.

Meanwhile, Lakeram Namdeo of Lot 51 Section ‘A’, Block ‘Y’, Golden Grove, EBD, was also stopped and tested

on December 6, while driving motor vehicle PRR 8567 at the Providence Public Road.

He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol and was charged. The man appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on December 12, where he pleaded “not guilty” to the offence. The case will continue on December 31.

Marlon Leacock of Lot 352 Timehri Hill Top, EBD, was stopped and tested on December 6, while driving motor vehicle PFF 9232 on the Providence Public Road. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption. The man was charged and appeared at the Providence Magistrate Court on December 12, where he pleaded “not guilty” to the DUI offence and was asked to return to court on December 31.

Finally, Mohan Isaac of Lot 132 Line Path ‘D’, Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, was

stopped on December 6, while riding motorcycle CE 1734 on Scottsburg Public Road, Corentyne. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and

given a court date for the Springlands Magistrate’ Court on December 11, but failed to appear, as such, an arrest warrant was issued for him.

Only Wednesday, acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud remarked that this new initiative adopted by the Force to publish DUI offenders would be effective since the public would know them and cause pressure to build on offenders; hence, they would not repeat the illegal act.

“We need to get into the culture (of publishing offenders). We need to put pressure on our society, on ourselves (because) not only are you reckless with yourself, but with the lives of other road users,” Persaud stated.

Neil Hussain

Lakeram Namdeo

Mohan Isaac

Another mother dies during child birth at GPHC

Ayoung Alberttown, Georgetown mother lost her life at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Wednesday shortly after giving birth at the institution.

According to a release from the hospital, Kiana Richmond was admitted on December 7, but died 10 days later after some complications.

“Upon discerning a severe condition, doctors immediately performed a lower segment caesarean section and bilateral tubal ligation,” the release said.

It was noted too that she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on December 8. The release said that a Post-Mortem is to be performed to ascertain the cause of death. The baby is in good health and has been discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes, at a press conference, belaboured the fact that 2014 has recorded a number of maternal deaths at local health institutions.

“We have been disappointed with the performance of the health sector, specifically with the high instance of maternal death,” said Hughes in response to a question. Hughes noted that better systems should be put in place to ensure that quality health services are delivered at hospitals and other health institutions across Guyana.

However, as Guyana continues to grapple with the rising incidence of maternal mortality, Government, through the Health Ministry and the agencies attached to the

United Nations here, is valiantly working towards totally eradicating the bane, which is said to have the ability to crumble any economy. The improvement of maternal health is identified as Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Number Five, a declaration adopted by Guyana’s Government along with 188 other countries some 14 years ago.

The Health and Finance Ministries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representatives recently launched the MDG Framework and Campaign on Maternal Health.

In evaluating its progress toward the MDGs, Guyana’s Government has identified MDG Five – the improvement of maternal health as a goal that needs prioritisation if its targets

are to be achieved by 2015.

Head of the Maternal and Child Health Department (MCH) of the Health Ministry, Dr Janice Woolford said that the action plan undertaken has benefited from the input of stakeholders here in Guyana.

According to Dr Woolford, the MCH Department has also been actively involved in ascertaining the challenges and providing support where necessary to ensure effective service.

Woolford said her department has also been working with midwives to strengthen their capacities and has been providing information and education in this area. “That is why we are launching this campaign with all these materials,” she said.

AFC urges full disclosure of census findings

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling on the Government to release forthwith the long-awaited results of the 2012 population census which the party says will shine light on several issues in society.

AFC Youth Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Trevor Williams, at a press conference on Thursday, said it was inexplicable how the Government continued to expend funds from the treasury without critical information about the population. This information, according to Williams, includes data on unemployment levels in Guyana and

should give a clear idea of where more funds need to be channelled for effective development in several areas, including infrastructural and human resource development.

The MP questioned whether the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was wilfully delaying the release of the information since it would show exactly how much was accomplished under the PPP/C tenure.

Wilful withholding?

“We note that we are days away from the end of 2014 and as yet the final report on the 2012 census

has not been made public. As we move into 2014, it would be without the critical data to guide our development. The AFC is tired of excuses as we are sure all Guyanese are,” said Williams during the press conference.

He went on to question: “How can the Government continue to plan and put forward and plan national budgets without the census data or is it that they are wilfully withholding the 2012 census report? What is in it that they don’t want the public to know?”

When questioned whether the party was seeking to throw light on the need for the census report to be published, since it may be helpful for election campaigning, the AFC said this was not the case “per se”.

“How can you address a matter that you have no detail on, we have spent huge sums on the census and up to now we cannot receive the information…it’s a developmental issue and it’s an accountability issue,” said Williams.

He, however, was quick to add that if political parties choose to use that “in preparation for election, it’s up to them”.

The party’s General Secretary, David Patterson, in response to the same question, posited that the census information was supposed to be a very comprehensive report, encapsulating several areas of topical interest. “The census report was supposed to tell us about unemployment… housing, we would like to know how many per-

Two leadah wanna be on top of crap

Old people does describe some people as havin a hard mouth. Some people ears hard and some people mouth hard. Well, Joe de Hard Mouth does look like he gotta hard mouth and he does talk like he gotta hard mouth.

Once Joe de Hard Mouth open he mouth, de headitor does have to put pen to paper and finger to keyboard. That is when he boss man does have to do wid out de finger fuh a while.

Some times de headitor does get into action even before Joe de Hard Mouth open he mouth. Was only de other day a reporter ketch Joe de Hard Mouth because he didn’t know whah de headitor seh.

So Joe de Hard Mouth end up sayin that he never seh whah de headitor seh that he seh. He had fuhget that he was supposed to seh every ting whah de headitor seh that he seh.

Well now, suddenly Joe de Hard Mouth wanna scrap every ting whah de Guvament doin. Every ting whah can’t “salvage” is whah he gon “scrap”, is whah he seh de other day.

Problem is, this is a man who is already scrap material and now he wanna scrap tings whah de Guvament doin. That’s a lotta crap from a man who accustom to crap all he life. Is no wonder de does talk so mucha crap in de crappy paper.

Right now Green Jah musbe studyin whah to do wid this Joe de Hard Mouth crap and all de crap bout KFC/ Pee-an-See/APANU/W-Pee-Hay gettin together. When combine, Rum Jhaat crap, Green Jah crap and Poop Narine crap is a big loada crap.

GT gotta a lotta crap, and de Mayor-Fuh-Life accustom to a lotta crap, but not even he gon be able to handle that amounta crap.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! That gon be a lotta crap at one time in one big pile if ever all that crap come together. And both Rum Jhaat and Green Jah wanna be on top of all that crap!

sons have received house lots,” Patterson said.

The General Secretary also posited that the report was being wilfully withheld by the Government in an attempt to veil its alleged failures.

“The reason we don’t have a census – let’s be honest … is because of the damning reflections of their stewardships ... that is why we haven’t gotten it. It’s a damning reflection of some of the failed policies they are implementing,” posited Patterson.

In June, it was revealed that Guyana’s population has dipped by 3339, as the Guyana Bureau of Statistics unveiled the preliminary findings of the 2012 Population and Housing Census.

The findings, unveiled by Deputy Census Officer Vanessa Profitt, indicate that Guyana had a population of 747,884 persons on Census Day, September 15, 2012 compared to 751,223 persons when the previous census was taken in 2002. This represents an annual negative growth rate of -0.04 per cent.

However, Guyana would have to wait until the second quarter of 2015 for the final report when disclosures will be made on the ethnic makeup of the country and data on the employment and unemployment rates within the country. In her presentation at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Profitt disclosed that the coastal regions accounted for 89.1 per cent of the population while the hinterland regions such as Regions One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu) accounted for 10.9 per cent of the population. Though Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) constitutes just one per cent of the land mass of Guyana, it accounts for 41.9 per cent of the population, the Deputy Census Officer said, noting that it was followed by Regions Six and Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), which account for 14.6 per cent and 14.4 per cent of the population respectively.

AFC Youth Leader and MP Trevor Williams

saturDaY, December 20, 2014 | guYanatimesgY.com

2181 child abuse cases reported for year

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry has reported that it has received some 2181 reports of child abuse thus far in the year.

Out of that amount, the Ministry is working through the Child Care Protection Agency to prevent the separation of some 1448 children from their parents.

It has also been working with 3153 vulnerable families.

The statistics were provided by Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster, as she provided an overview of her Ministry’s performance for 2014 on Thursday.

Although hard-pressed by the lack of adequate fund-

ing due to the a major cut in the national budget by the Parliamentary Opposition, Webster said her Ministry has been able to pull through and provide the best it could for Guyana’s vulnerable.

“We have partnered with several organisations including Child Link which has been working with the Ministry and families, visiting homes and interacting with children and their parents. And that is one of the ways being used to promote family life,” Webster said. This, she related is best suited in the Ministry’s fight to help “reduce some of the social issue seen happening in homes”.

The Minister spoke of the Ministry’s work towards to-

tally revamping the institutionalisation of children who are homeless. According to her, the Ministry has been able to provide for its more than 206 children in the foster care.

“We want to see more children placed into foster care rather than institution care,” the Minister said.

The first half way home; a place where children who have “aged out”, or have passed the legal age to be within the foster system, has also been built in Sophia, Webster reported.

According to her, this has been successful.

“Some of them have successfully completed their CSEC [Caribbean Secondary

Education Certificate] and have done well; some have gone on to the University of Guyana. While we have children in State care, our primary focus is to have those children be given all the opportunities that will help to realise their potential despite what they have been through during their early years.”

Social sector

Webster said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government continues to place great emphasis on spending within the social sector.

She said it is not different because every year, budgets are increasing and it is simply because Government sees “human development as an investment to the country’s continued development”.

She said while “a lot” has been said within the political arena about the amount of money spent within the sector, it is vital to note that “all monies spent on a woman, man child or young person is well spent”.

The Minster reported that in terms of service delivery, the Ministry has been able to completed almost 95 per cent of its work programme for 2014, despite the challenges.

“We were unable to honour the Disability Act on large scale because of the budget cut.

“In our sector, there is value for money and money is well spent,” Webster exclaimed.

She related that Government is also committed to ensuring the growth of Old Age Pension as has been happening over the years.

“In 2009, our pension was a mere $6300. Today, it is $13,125. We now have more than 45,000 pensioners, some are also receiving the $30,000 GPL subsidies,” she relayed. Asked about her Ministry’s plans for 2015, Webster informs of the National Action plan for the Sexual Offences Act.

“We have just completed the National Action Plan on the Sexual Offences Act of 2010 with funding from the UNFPA. We will be rolling out that plan.” That five-year action plan from 2015 to 2020 includes a number of things ranging from training and awareness, working with the magistracy and the Judiciary and social service officers in the investigating process, among others.

“Although we have had our challenges because of budget cut, some of our programmes funded through the poverty programmes were affected. These cuts affected the amount of eye-care we provide to senior citizens and children. This year, with the minimum sum, only about 25 single parent women benefitted from the $753,000 to help them to start up their own businesses.

Magistrate Moore’s suspension… Inquiry into allegations yet to commence

Almost two weeks after the suspension of Magistrate Alex Moore following allegations of misconduct brought against him, an inquiry into the matter is yet to commence.

Moore was suspended by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) two Fridays ago after it was reported that he allegedly made some inappropriate statements to an East Coast Demerara businesswoman in court.

A date has to be set by the Chairman of JSC and acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Carl Singh after which the Magistrate will be called before the five-member Commission.

During the inquiry proceedings, Magistrate Moore will be given an opportunity to defend himself. In the interim, Moore continues to be on suspension while another Magistrate has been temporarily placed at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts.

A 47-year-old businesswoman, Seerojanie Singh, appeared before Moore at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on a cross charge of abusive language on November 12, when the incident took occurred.

The woman claimed that she was tormented by the Magistrate, who was “disrespectful” in the manner in which he handled the case and spoke to her in front of a packed court room.

Singh was quoted in an-

other newspaper alleging that the Magistrate questioned her and the other party in the matter about using expletives towards each other and further threatened to “prosecute” her because she refused to dismiss the matter.

Following the incident, the woman brought the matter to the attention of Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall and also wrote the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary as well as the Ombudsman. The matter was then handed over to the Judicial Service Commission, which met on Friday when the decision was taken to indefinitely suspend Magistrate Moore with immediate effect.

Several weeks ago, Magistrate Moore had come under fire from both civil society and the legal fraternity after he handed down an unprecedented ruling of a five suspended sentence to confessed drug trafficker Leonard Bacchus.

Bacchus had pleaded guilty to trafficking 76 kg of cocaine in kunds worth some $300 million back in 2011 after a raid was conducted at his Enmore, East Coast Demerara home.

Additionally, the 47-yearold businessman was also given a suspended sentence of two years for being in unlawful possession of 125, 12-guage cartridges and 115, .32 rounds of ammunition. The man was further fined $2.5 million and was given until June next to pay.

Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster

325 graduate from CPCE

BY ROYDEN JAMES

Some 325 teachers on Thursday graduated when the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) hosted their 80th graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

Addressing the graduands, former Chief Education Officer Ed Ceaser quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela said: “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.”

He also urged the graduates to build the education

sector, noting that the capacity to do so is right here in Guyana.

Caesar pointed out that in order to positively affect change in the education sector in Guyana, careful attention must be paid to improving the quality of teacher in the school system.

“Any approach to transforming education to move the agenda forward must begin with and give prominence to the quality of our teaching courses,” he said.

He went on to say that as the college undergoes deep sustainable changes, some which have already commenced, teacher educators will benefit from ongoing pro-

Government of India to assist with May 5th Monument

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry will be working closely with the Government of India to make the May 5th Monument a reality.

The monument, which will mark the first batch of the Indian Indentured Immigrants’ arrival in British Guiana, will be located in Palmyra, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) even though the immigrants arrived on Plantation Highbury.

According to Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, Palmyra is a more suitably site because of the prominence of inhabitants.

“When people come off the Berbice Bridge, you’ll actually be able to see the monument.”

Additionally, Berbice was the ideal location since the Indians first settled in that district.

The 12-foot monument, which will be built on a pedestal, will elegantly display six figures depicting the indentured immigrants disembarking the ship.

Dr Anthony noted that the bronze sculptures will be manufactured in India and then donated as a gift to Guyana.

He stated that as soon as the sculptures return from India, they will be installed at the site, estimating that the monument will be erected sometime next year.

Moreover, the Minister expressed delight at the feedback received regarding the site of the 1823 Monument at the sea wall.

The Ministry has been working vigorously in preserving the nation’s heritage and making sure Guyana’s history is not forgotten.

The monument serves as a reminder of Guyanese culture, and Dr Anthony called for it to be safeguarded.

Minister Anthony highlighted that many people continuously dump garbage around these historic sites, creating an unpleasant atmosphere and scenery.

Additionally, he stated that persons continue to vandalise national monuments despite efforts to educate the public about the importance of preserving them.

Furthermore, he noted that even a 24-hour guard service at the 1763 Monument at the Square of the Revolution could not prevent persons from breaking the rules.

“Even with that service, we still find that people would go and throw their garbage into the pond.”

Moreover, Dr Anthony stated that it would not be feasible to allocate guards at every site, noting that citizens need to be their own guards.

“People must have national pride and if they see someone vandalising the site, they must report it or try to stop them.”

The soon to be constructed Indian monument was designed by Winslow Craig and Philbert Gajadhar, who won a recent art competition that was launched by the Ministry for that purpose.

fessional development, raising the level of their academic qualifications.

The newly-trained teachers were asked to honour the noble profession and conduct themselves in a manner befitting of what is expected of them.

“You are highly intelligent, skilled graduates of the premier teacher training institution in this country, and as a result, you must conduct yourself as such. You are special. In addition, you are the first recipients of the extensive induction experience specially designed to enable you to further develop your skill in a guided nurturing environment,” Ceaser said.

Deuvina Badray from the secondary education programme copped the Prime Minister’s Award for Best Graduating Student while Henry Recardo Brown won the prize for Best Early Childhood, Distant Education Student.

CPCE Principal Viola Rowe in an overview of the operations of the college over the past two years, said though there were many challenges, the students were able to successfully complete their studies. Also at the graduation ceremony were Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Deputy Chief Education Officer Doodmattie Singh.

Top student Duviva Badray receiving the Prime Minister’s Award from Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Tuschen triple murder

Survivor critically in need of blood, attacker still at large

The Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday issued an urgent call for two units of ‘O’ Positive blood to facilitate a blood transfusion for Geeta Boodhoo whose armed was severed by her reputed husband on Thursday morning during a killing spree at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

The hospital stated that as a result of the chop wounds Boodhoo sustained, she lost a significant amount of blood and is in dire need

of at least two units of the blood type. A hospital official stated that Boodhoo remains in a critical state and is slipping in and out of consciousness.

Guyana Times understands that as soon as the woman regained consciousness, she starts to scream “Help me! Help me! Weh meh children”. At this point in time, while she may be aware that persons died in the attack, it is not known for sure if she knows that her eldest daughter was also

hacked to death.

The woman, an official stated, will definitely need post trauma counselling to deal with reality and the loss of her child. Her five other children are in the care of one of her sisters who resides in the same area.

However, the main suspect in the chopping spree, Joshua Franklyn remains in hiding but the Police are continuing their manhunt. A senior rank of D Division told Guyana Times that the now injured woman shared

an abusive relationship with the suspect for more than seven years.

The time had come for the abuse to stop and Boodhoo made several reports at the Leonora Police Station, which saw him being charged in October for assault. He was remanded to prison on the first occasion but at his second court appearance, the now injured woman reportedly refused to give further evidence against him.

This did not stop the

abusive man from tormenting the woman who was later forced to take out a restraining order against him. It was while working at a popular drinking bar in the village; she met now dead, Floyd Drakes and the relationship progressed. Drakes was Boodhoo began a relationship while he was living with another woman.

The dead are identified as Bibi Zalima Khan, 55, mother of Boodhoo; Ashley Boodhoo, 9 , and her lover, Floyd Drakes, 30, all of Phase Two, Tuschen New Housing Scheme.

According to information gathered, the suspect Joshua Franklyn, also of Tuschen, broke several louver window panes to gain access to the home and started to chop the occupants indiscriminately. The now hospitalised Boodhoo, Khan and

Drakes were reportedly having drinks when the incident occurred.

Nine-year-old Ashley was in the bedroom with her five siblings when she heard the commotion and went to the aid of her mother but not before instructing her brothers and sisters to hide under a bed. As she went into the living room area, she was chopped several times by the suspect.

In a bid to escape, she ran towards the kitchen area where she collapsed and later died. Two of the six children are the suspect’s. Khan, her grandmother, reportedly died in the living room while Drakes was found next to a toilet in the yard. Geeta Boodhoo managed to escaped and hid at a neighbour’s home. She is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Civil society meeting...

Major firms keep distance from Thomas

Although relaying that there had been positive responses from businesses on the summit for public policy, most members of the business community have confirmed that they were either too busy or not interested in the work plan of the Guyana National Council for Public Policy (GNCPP).

Apart from seeking a transition into a new dispensation of peace within society, the organisation under the chairmanship of Dr Phillip Thomas was hoping to establish the Guyana National Civil Society Council (GNCSC), drawing a wide cross-section of individuals and organisations together. Thomas had told Guyana Times at the opening session on Wednesday that the GNCPP had met with over 400 civil society groups who had proposed names of individuals and organisations they would like to see become part of the new council.

“As a coordinating process, you have to be respectful of this process....,” Thomas said. Those on the GNCSC’‘s nomination list include GuyEnterprise; the Organisation for American States (OAS); the Caribbean Community Secretariat; Grace Kennedy; Caribbean Airlines; Fly Jamaica; Banks DIH Limited; and Republic Bank.

Busy

But when contacted on Thursday, most of the companies said that they had either not received any notifications of a nomination, or they had received notification but could not attend because of the rigidity of the current holiday season. Others confirmed that they have not endorsed the or-

ganisation.

Thomas on Thursday was in an excellent mood, declaring that the opening of the summit was fully supported by these organisations who had demonstrated an interest to participate in the reshaping and rebuilding of a broken down society.

“They all showed up; the majority of them showed up at the summit and they spoke of the excitement to serve!” Thomas exclaimed. This is despite the organisations denying such.

Asked about the legitimacy of the nominations, Thomas reiterated that these were the clear-cut decisions of the 400 civil society representatives. He said too that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the step taken by these individuals since “...They are required to come and accept or reject the nomination because the next step is to publish the names of person who have accepted to the nomination to the wider public”.

Thomas added that the GNCPP has not received any adverse statement from anyone. The opening session of the first summit of the GNCSC was marred by the absence of notable individuals slated to appear. Businessman Yesu Persaud and novelist Ian McDonald were both to appear at the summit, but did not show up. Thomas explained: “... There are some folks who are part of the process who had asked Dr Persaud to say a few words … The feedback that I got confirmed that his presence based on what we hope to achieve would not have been a good idea. He himself felt so because of his views.”

Woman found dead with wound to neck

By Nafeeza yahya

A28-year-old woman was discovered dead in a pool of blood in the Crabwood Creek, Berbice home she shared with her reputed husband Davendra Hansraj on Thursday.

Mohanranie Udaray, called “Sherry”, a mother of one, was discovered around 19:30h after her landlord returned home and noticed blood leaking from the upper flat. Zalmaludeen Khan, 55, who dwells in the lower flat of the building, recalled that when he came home he turned on his lights and saw a red liquid that appears to be blood leaking from the upper flat. He said he raised and alarm and alerted neighbours who informed the Police. The couple occupied the upper flat at the Grant 1780 Crabwood Creek address.

When the Police arrived on the scene, they found the woman lying face down in a pool of blood by the door. She had what appeared to be a stab wound to her neck. From all indications, she was trying to get out of the house to get help. She reportedly dragged herself out from the bedroom where the stabbing allegedly took place to the door leaving a trail of blood from the bedroom to the doorway where her body was found.

According to neighbours who asked to remain anonymous, the pair has been living together for the past two years at the location, and was known to have frequent quarrels. They told Guyana Times that on Thursday, Udaray went to Georgetown to take her seven-year-old daughter, who was fathered by another man, to the US Embassy, unbeknownst to Hansraj, who according to neighbours is very jealous. Upon her returned at around 17:00h, the couple began arguing. Neighbours

reportedly heard a scuffle but did not pay any heed as the couple would usually have fights.

Hansraj, called “Dog man”, 43, who operates a boat between Guyana and Suriname through the “back-track” route, is believed to have committed the act and is on the run. He was described as a very friendly person and usually shares a good relationship with his reputed wife when they are not quarrelling. The couple did not have any children together but Udaray’s seven-year-old daughter lives with them. On the night of the murder, the child did not spend the night at home with her mom, but rather spent it with her father at Number 79 Village, Corentyne, Berbice instead.

According to Hansraj’s aunt, she is puzzled as to what would have prompted her nephew to do such a cruel thing, if it is indeed he who committed the act. She recalled visit-

ing the couple a few months ago and found them to be very loving to each other and was getting along well.

He is said to be very jealous and dislikes whenever Udaray speaks with neighbours or entertains friends or relatives. This has been the source of constant quarrels in the past. When Guyana Times visited the scene, blood was seen all over the upper flat with a blood soaked towel covering the pool of blood at the doorway. Relatives were about to start the clean-up process. This incident has sent the quiet community into state of shock and mourning.

A post-mortem examination performed on Udaray on Friday at the Skeldon Hospital revealed that she died of asphyxia as a result of a stab wound which penetrated her neck from one side to the other. The Police are currently investigating and are looking for Hansraj who is said to be the prime suspect at this time.

33-year-old remanded for several indictable offences

Thirty-three-year-old Sherwin Barrow of Lot 15 East La Penitence, Georgetown, was refused bail on discharging a loaded firearm, robbery under arms, and intent to commit murder when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The first charge alleged that on June 13, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, with intent to maim, disfigure or cause harm, he unlawfully and maliciously discharged a loaded firearm on Kellon Hinds also called “Baige”.

It is also alleged that on June 12, at East Ruimveldt, being armed with a gun, he robbed Hinds of one 300 pennyweight gold chain and one 150 pennyweight gold band, together valued $3.6 million.

The third charge said on December 3, at Agricola, Greater Georgetown, being armed with a gun, he robbed Ganesh Estick of one BLU cellular phone, one gold band, one gold chain and $10,000 cash together value

$460,000.

According to the unrepresented man, he was placed in over 15 identification parades and was never identified as the suspect.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones objected to the pretrial liberty being granted to Borrow, based on the nature, gravity and penalty attached to the offences.

Jones further opposed bail on the grounds that personal violence was used in the commissioning of the offence and the fact that Hinds was still hospitalised. Borrow intervened telling the court that Hinds is not hospitalised since he saw him on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Jones later mentioned during his objection that Hinds is at home recovering from his injuries. He added that there is a statement from Hinds that identifies Borrow as the suspect.

The Prosecutor’s objection was upheld and the case was transferred before Magistrate Judy Latchman on January 5, 2015.

Mohanranie Udaray, called “Sherry”

Fire destroys 2 Middle Road homes

In just a matter of days

Christmas will be celebrated, but it will not be a festive one for two families whose houses were destroyed by a fire of unknown origin at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

The fire which started about 14:00h completely gutted a two-bedroom home leaving at least five persons homeless while causing major damage to a nearby house at Lot 183 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

According to reports received, the fire started in one of the apartments of the flat wooden and concrete structure. No one was at home at the time. From reports gathered, fire officials have confirmed that the fire might have started from a kerosene stove that was left lit.

Neither the owner of the house nor the occupants were at the scene when the Guyana Times arrived. Paul Wilberg, the occupant of the nearby house, which was damaged, explained that he was conducting some business when he received a telephone call from one of the neighbours informing him of the fire.

As he wiped the walls of what was left of his home, he said that by the time he reached home, his neighbour’s house was engulfed in flames and there was nothing he could have done at that time. Some of his household items were salvaged by residents who broke into the home to assist, but at the same time, some of them helped themselves.

It was evident that the

persons who went to assist broke a zinc gate and several louver windows to gain access to the house. Shattered glass was evident and the gate hung drunkenly on its support posts. The house was filled with mud and drenched with water. Some of the household items were also water soaked.

Wilberg added that shortly after he arrived at the scene, the fire tenders arrived and managed to save his house which had already

any charred remains since it was rumoured that children might have been trapped inside the burning building.

The Guyana Times later learnt that the owner’s 17-year-old daughter might have been cooking before she left the house in a haste, leaving the stove alit. The children, residents confirmed, were with their grandmother who was contacted by relatives at the scene.

Residents at the scene said the completely gutted

caught fire from behind. He related that the firefighters tried their best to put out the blaze.

He said he cannot estimate his losses at this time. However, he said that he was relieved when he heard the firefighters did not find

house was occupied by the owner, her daughter, and grandchildren. Fire officials were busy tumbling the debris as they continued their investigations. The Police were also summoned and have launched an investigation.

Guyana receives US$1.7M for Early Childhood Education

The Education Ministry has announced that at the last meeting of the Board of Directors on which Education Minister Priya Manickchand sits as a Director, representing Latin America and the Caribbean, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) approved a US$1.7 million education grant for Guyana.

According to a release, the Ministry will apply the US$1.7 million education grant to improve its Early Childhood Education Programme with particular attention being paid to the Hinterland and Riverin communities.

Minister Manickchand in expressing great pleasure at Guyana being a recipient of the grant said she expects the grant to allow for building on the many gains already made and expects to see vastly improved learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy at the early levels.

“This is critical funding at a time when 58 million children of primary school age are still not in school,” said Julia Gillard, Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education.

“All children should have access to a school with effective teachers and be able to learn so they can contribute to the development of their community and nation,” she said.

Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education said “If we want to reach the Education for All goals, we need to ensure that adequate funding is available from both domestic and external sources,” said.

“While donor funding to education has dropped by 10 per cent since 2010, the Global Partnership has con-

sistently increased its education funding, particularly for children living in the poorest and often fragile and conflictaffected countries.”

The six new grants build on prior achievements and will help implement the national education plans of Central African Republic, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Lao PDR and Nigeria.

Guyana joined the Global Partnership for Education in

Prisoner caught with cocaine in prison

Darren Shultz was refused bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan on a narcotics charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on Wednesday, December 17 at Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, he had in his possession two grams of cocaine.

According to his Attorney Konyo Sandiford Thompson, her client borrowed a pair of pants from Junior Wills in Linden to wear to court since he was clad in a pair of three quarter pants and could not appear in court dressed that

way. However, after his court appearance he was taken to Camp Street prison and a search was carried out and the prohibited substance was found in the said pants pocket.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones successfully opposed bail on the nature, gravity and penalty of the charge. He further objected since the prosecution’s facts differ from that of the defence.

Jones also informed the court that Wills did not confirm ownership of the pants. Schultz will make his next court on January 7 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

GDF officers get onthe-spot promotion

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips promoted two officers on the spot as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) honours 443 staffers with incentives.

2002.

This new financing reflects the Global Partnership’s top priorities: increasing access to basic education in fragile countries, improving the quality of education, improving teachers’ effectiveness, generating measurable results and championing girls’ education.

The last meeting of the Board of Directors, Global Partnership for Education was held in Washington DC, United States from December 15-17.

The Global Partnership for Education is made up of nearly 60 developing country Governments, as well as donor Governments, civil society/non-governmental organisations, teacher organisations, international organisations, and the private sector and foundations, whose joint mission is to galvanise and coordinate a global effort to provide a good quality education to children, prioritising the poorest and most vulnerable.

The Global Partnership for Education has allocated US$3.9 billion over the past decade to support education reforms in some of the world’s poorest countries. Almost half of its funding in 2014 went to fragile and conflict-affected countries.

Former Staff Sergeant Kirk Trotman and Corporal Dwain Moses now hold the ranks of Warrant Officer Class 2 and Sergeant respectively, after being promoted on the spot.

Trotman and Moses gained elevation in rank at the GDF’s 2014 Incentives Award Ceremony on December 12. Trotman of the 4Engr Bn and Moses Sports Corps were acknowledged for their sterling service to their respective units.

Meanwhile, some 443 GDF members including several civilian employees received monetary incentives after being honoured as Best Soldiers/Workers.

The First Infantry Battalion had the largest block of awardees totalling 183. The Coast Guard came in second with 105 while there were 99 members of the Sports Corps, primarily the GDF’s ISAAC team. The ISAAC team won the 2014 edition of the championship in convincing style.

Thirty-three soldiers from the Second Infantry Battalion, 19 from the Artillery Company and four landscapers complete the list of awardees. The provision of the incentives was in recognition of the hard work, dedication and excellent performances of these members of

the Force.

In congratulating the awardees, the Chief-of-Staff encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

Remarking that the Force believes in rewarding excellence, he challenged all others to emulate the high standards of their peers. He indicated that the focus was on recognising the performances and dedication of other ranks. “Work hard and you will go places,” he said.

Warrant Officer Class Two Kirk Trotman; Sergeant Dwain Moses, the triumphant ISAAC team Athletics Coach Robert Chishlom; and Rugby Star Patrick King and FIFA Referee Sergeant Maurees Skeete were singled out for high praises.

“This year we had the best performance by the GDF at the Joint Services Championship. We went back to the drawing board and our strategy delivered the desired results! You are to keep training and keep having a positive attitude. In 2015, we must win again,” said the Chief-of-Staff.

Noting that the Christmas season had already commenced, Brigadier Phillips entreated all the troops to be prudent with their finances. More importantly, he indicated that all ranks were to remember that a heightened security posture will be evident during the upcoming festive season and emphasised that they were to remember that the hallmark of their service was professionalism.

Paul Wilberg, owner of the damaged house, speaking with Guyana Times/TVG/Radio Guyana

Newly promoted Warrant Officer Class 2 Kirk Trotman

Newly promoted Sergeant Dwain Moses

Education Minister Priya Manickchand with Global Partnership for Education Board Chair Julia Gillard

Firefighters searching the debris as they continued their investigations

Ramotar hails restoration of diplomatic ties between US, Cuba Man remanded for three separate offences

President Donald Ramotar said he believes the restoration of diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba is an accomplishment former President Cheddi Jagan would have been proud of.

He said throughout his political career he has known of the struggle of the late President to aid in calls for the removal of the embargo.

“I was a part of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and always knew of the struggle to get the situation between Cuba and the US normalised,”

Guyana had voted in the United Nations General Assembly to end the embargo since 1993 and was one of the first countries to recognise Cuba after the revolution, with Dr Cheddi Jagan appointing an Ambassador to Cuba in 1962. Long before the Caribbean leaders came together in 1972 to establish diplomatic ties with Cuba, Dr Jagan had already charted that journey.

President Ramotar went on to state that the restora-

tion is a very historic event. “It is a major event in our hemisphere in quite a long time. It is a great beginning to normalising ties.”

The President added that Cuba will now be able to make strides at taking up its legitimate place and this will in turn improve trade in the Latin America, South American and Caribbean states.

He added that history has shown that it was wrong for the US to keep the embargo and as such, he urged the Republican lawmakers to support President Barack

Boxer arrested for allegedly owing $276,000 in child support

Former world title boxing contender Howard Eastman was arrested and taken to court on Friday for owing $276,000 in affiliation fees (Child Support).

The money is owed to Yuless Grosvenor for the maintenance of a child the couple has together. Eastman appeared before Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus after being arrested for not paying the weekly sum of $3000, which was ordered by the court.

In court, Eastman told the Magistrate that he had no money to pay. However, Grosvenor, who was also present in court, said she had $50,000 to pay for him. She later disclosed that the two had since reconciled and had a second son.

Magistrate IsaacsMarcus told the former boxing champion that he had to honour the court order which was made on August 15, 2012. Eastman had not paid the affiliation fees for 92 weeks. She asked Eastman to return to court on January 14 at the Reliance Magistrate’s Court.

Obama in removing the embargo. Ramotar was relieved that economic development between Cuba and other countries can receive greater focus. “The restoration will lessen tension and improve cooperation among countries.”

It was stated that both the US and Cuba have lost a significant amount of income over the years of not being able to transaction business with each other. The US has had its embargo on Cuba for 54 years; it was imposed in 1960, strengthened in 1962 and earlier this month renewed by President Obama who had promised during the Presidential Elections in 2008 that he would end the Embargo. However, during the restoration, Obama said he would speak with Congress to lift the embargo. But, both houses in Congress as of next year will be controlled by Republicans who are not in favour of lifting the embargo.

Fizal Mohamad, 48, of Lot 236 Albert Street, Georgetown, was remanded to prison after being arraigned on three counts of incurring debt and refusing to pay, robbery under arms and robbery.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday.

The first allegation read that on November 26 at Church Street, Georgetown, he robbed Talaak Singh of one cellular phone valued $5000 and $25,000 cash, totalling $30,000.

The second charge alleged that on December 15 at Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown, being armed with a dangerous weapon, that is to say a gun, he robbed Ragesh Javan of $100,000 cash and a Samsung cellphone valued $70000, a total value of $170,000.

The third allegation read that on November 26 at North Road, Georgetown

he incurred a debt to Abram Raymond by travelling in his motorcar and refusing to pay the bill of $14,700.

The fourth charge read that on November 25 at Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he incurred a debt to Michael Mohabir by travelling in his motorcar and refusing to pay the bill of $15,000.

The final charge alleged that on December 16 at New Market Street, Georgetown he committed the same offence on Mootoo Veeren by travelling in his motorcar and refusing to pay the bill of $6000.

Mohamad pleaded not guilty to all of the charged laid against him. Facts were only read for the first offence. According to the Police Prosecutor Denero Jones on the day in question, Singh was operating his taxi on Croal Street when the defendant came and asked for a drop to Church Street to which Singh accepted.

Upon the arrival of his destination, Mohamad took out his fare and paid Singh. However while Singh was giving Mohamad his change, he placed a “hard object” at Singh’s waist and demanded the items mentioned.

Fearful for his life, Singh handed over his cellphone and $25,000, before the defendant made good his escape. A report was made to the Police station.

Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the gravity and nature of the offence, the penalty of the charge, the fact that the defendant had the items mentioned in the charge, that he presented conflicting addresses to the Police and the court, and that he may be a possible flight risk.

Mohamad was remanded until January 12, 2015 and will make his next appearance before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Howard Eastman

President Donald Ramotar

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER

Social media will have a positive impact on your plans. Highlight your talents and reach out to people who can utilize and promote what you have to offer.

You may be asking too much of someone if you depend on them to make you happy. Get out with old friends, who will help you see your personal situation with greater clarity.

You are in for a nasty surprise if you take others for granted. Make sure that there is give-and-take in both your personal and professional relationships.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t get anxious about what’s happening around you. Adaptability is the key to making change work for you. Trust your instincts and take full advantage of the new circumstances.

Past mistakes or heartaches will leave you depressed. Live in the present and make your future bright. Focus on things and people you enjoy, and you won’t have time to look back.

Someone you live with will be demanding. If your patience is wearing thin, find an outlet that will keep you busy. Take care of your personal paperwork.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

An interesting proposal is coming your way. Don’t sit idly by, waiting for your situation to change. Get out and help others, and you’ll take your mind off of your worries.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Minor accidents are likely if you are distracted or reckless. Don’t hesitate to brag. Unless people realize your capabilities and what you have to offer, nothing will develop.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Don’t take on too much; stick to what you do best. Stay on track by keeping up on the latest trends in your field. Your dedicated efforts will lead to success.

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

Be careful with whom you associate. Keep your financial and legal paperwork up to date so that you do not become overwhelmed at year’s end. Avoid dealing with authority figures

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Make the right choice by relying on the lessons you have learned from the past. You will capture everyone’s attention if you follow your heart and your instincts.

Curb your spending now, or you may have regrets next year. If you embellish the truth, it will cost you. Be honest about your feelings, and trust your judgment.

THURSDAY'S WORD

PeanuTs

Calvin and Hobbes

dilberT

arCHie

TT top Guyana in final game of development tour

The Guyana junior na-

tional men’s team was given a reminder of who the top hockey playing nation in the Caribbean is when they went down to Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 in the final game of their developmental tour.

The Trinidadians started the game at a much faster tempo than they did in the first match and were rewarded with an early goal when star striker Tariq Marcano latched onto a loose ball at the top of the D and unleashed a powerful reverse shot to the bottom left of the goal.

Guyana weathered the early storm well and counter attacked, creating several goal scoring opportunities that went begging.

Host, Den Amstel fresh off humiliating Wales in a 15-1 drubbing will hope to duplicate that performance when they face Uitvlugt Warriors in the feature game of semifinal action in the Vitamalt / Aqua Mist sponsored West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Knockout Cup which continues today, at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

The mighty Slingerz FC will battle Pouderoyen in what is expected to provide

The first quarter ended at 1-0 and Guyana continued to penetrate the Trinidadian scoring area in the second quarter but was not converting their chances.

Trinidad made them pay for their lack of finishing by scoring off of two penalty corners 21st and 26th minutes, through Jordon Reynos and Marcano respectively to go into half time up 3-0.

Guyana came out strong in the second half and was rewarded for their efforts with several penalty corners, which again were not converted and the third quarter ended without any further goals being scored.

Facing their first defeat of the tour, the Guyanese upped the pace even more in the fourth quarter and were

awarded a penalty stroke when their star striker Aroydy Branford was fouled by the Trinidadian goalkeeper in the scoring area.

Branford stepped up and calmly dispatched the ball into the goal and the hunt was now on. Attack after attack was turned back by a strong T&T defense, Branford was unfortunate not to score his second when one of his shots rebounded off of the crossbar.

With Guyana now pressing high up field Trinidad was able to counter attack off of every turnover and were awarded a penalty corner on the stroke of full time, which was covered by Marcano to complete his hat trick.

Although the defeat was a disappointment to the

players who had won their previous three matches on the tour, the coaching staff was please with their overall performance and the fact that they were able to match skills with one of the best hockey playing nations in the Caribbean.

Their performance was even more impressive considering the fact that Guyana does not possess an artificial turf on which to train and play.

This developmental tour was just the first step in a two year preparation programme designed to expose the team to a series of high level competitions as they prepare for the junior Pan American cup in Toronto, Canada scheduled for June of 2016.

Phelps sentenced to 18 months of probation

American swimmer

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, pleaded guilty on Friday to driving under the influence of alcohol and received 18 months of supervised probation and a one-year suspended jail sentence.

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist was arrested for drunken driving early on Sept. 30 after speeding and then crossing the double yellow lines inside a Baltimore tunnel, police said.

“The last three months of my life have been some of the hardest times I’ve ever gone through, some of the biggest learning experiences I’ve ever had,” Phelps, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, told reporters.

“I’m happy to be moving forward. I’ll continue to grow from this.”

Phelps, 29, was clocked by radar at around 1:40 a.m. traveling 84 miles per hour (135 kph) in a 45-mph (72-kph) zone, police said, adding that he blew a .14 on a Breathalyzer, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in Maryland.

He faced up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

“I hope we don’t have this conversation again and I’m optimistic that we won’t have this conversation again,” Judge Nathan Braverman told Phelps during his sentencing.

Among the observers in the courtroom were Phelps’ mother, Debbie, his two sisters, and close friend

Ray Lewis, the retired 13time Pro Bowl

for the Baltimore

Police said an officer followed Phelps’ 2014 Land Rover onto northbound Interstate 95, through the Fort McHenry Tunnel, and pulled him over just beyond the tunnel’s toll plaza.

The drunken-driving arrest was the second for Phelps, who has spent most his life working feverishly in the pool but admits he likes to have a good time when not competing.

Following his arrest, Phelps, who is eyeing a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Olympics, was suspended for six months by USA Swimming and barred from representing the United States at the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships in Russia.

Phelps said he completed a 45-day rehab program at an Arizona treatment center following his arrest, continues aftercare in Baltimore, and will participate in Alcoholics Anonymous.

“What I did was wrong, and I made a bad mistake,” Phelps told Braverman. “I’m looking forward to having a much brighter future than I had in the past.”

Phelps was charged in Salisbury, Maryland, in 2004 for drunken driving. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while impaired in exchange for 18 months’ probation. (Reuters)

some fireworks even though the former should start as overwhelming favourites.

However, the feature clash might pose a challenge for the home side since Uitvlugt is far more talented bunch than Wales.

Den Amstel will be pinning their hopes for victory on the likes of the in-form Delon Lanferman, whose performance against Wales must send shivers up the spines of opposing defenders, while Morris Charles, Marvin Henry and Ryan

Hunter, all possess the ability to turn a match on its head.

Uitvlugt on the other hand will no doubt be depending on the services of Seon Bobb, Jermaine Accra and Robert Christiani to lead their charge for a win and they should be oozing confidence after registering an impressive win over Eagles in their quarter-final matchup.

The Slingerz versus Pouderoyen encounter should bring out the best in

both teams since this is an important game for either side.

Slingerz despite their 5-0 triumph over Beavers did not look as solid as fans are accustomed to seeing them, but with a player the class of former national striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams in their line-up, playing even at 70% is adequate enough to defeat most teams on the West Side.

Aside from Abrams, Colin Nelson, Tichard Joseph Joshua Browne, Les Charles

Critchlow and Vurlon Mills are more than a handful for any backline locally so they must be favoured to win.

Pouderoyen, however, is a hard working team that exhibits admirable discipline defensively and prying open their backline has proven to be an arduous task for many opponents.

Adrian Giddings, Tenie Lopes, Clement Browne, Marvin Frank, Delon Garraway and Travis Bess will be the spearhead of their quest for a place in

the final and Slingerz best advice is not to take them lightly.

But, before the feature games commence a match between veterans from the West Bank and West Coast will be played, starting from 17:00 hrs.

Up for grabs for the winner in the competition is $1million and the championship trophy while second place finisher takes home $500,000, third place $300,000 and fourth place $200,000.

National Junior Men’s Team pose with coaches Dwayne Alleyne and Robert Fernandes and the end of their match against Trinidad

linebacker

Ravens.

Henry five-for gives NZ series win

New Zealand capped a hard-fought tour of the UAE with a commanding win in the final match to take the ODI series against Pakistan 3-2. The Tests and T20 internationals had been tied 1-1 each.

New Zealand had trailed in both those contests, as they did twice in the one-dayers before resiliently rebounding with victories.

Kane Williamson led with the bat again, along with Ross Taylor, as New Zealand posted a stiff total on a slow pitch and the fast bowler Matt Henry blew away the Pakistan top order on his way to a maiden international five-wicket haul. Pakistan had come within a couple of hits of chasing down 300 in the fourth ODI but they fell well short of the target of 276 as their poor record in series-deciders over the past decade continued.

Pakistan’s top order had failed to fire throughout the series barring the third match. The trend continued as the express duo of Henry and Adam Milne troubled the batsmen again. Nasir Jamshed failed to review a poor leg-before decision fifth ball of the chase.

Younis Khan was caught behind down the leg side trying to work a short ball fine.

Williamson held back his key fast bowlers and introduced himself and Anton Devcich to share the fifth bowler’s quota. Forget putting pressure on the parttimers, Pakistan managed 1 for 40 from the 11 overs they bowled. The first boundary of the innings came in the 11th over, and the second

arrived only in the 25th.

After Asad Shafiq went leg-before to Devcich, Shehzad found a stable partner in Haris Sohail and two forged a steady 69-run partnership. Shehzad had been reprieved twice, once on 17 when New Zealand did not review a plumb lbw and then on 43 when the keeper Luke Ronchi dropped him, Devcich the bowler to suffer both times. Shehzad gradually found his touch and was timing the ball well as he moved past his fifty, only

to gift his wicket away with 169 needed from 22 overs. Henry returned and bowled it short. Shehzad mis-hit it straight to midwicket.

Umar Akmal too found midwicket soon off Nathan McCullum and though Sohail carried on and made 65, the asking-rate demanded too much of him. Henry settled it with the wickets of Sarfraz Ahmed and Shahid Afridi as Pakistan were dismissed in the 44th over.

Williamson bowled five of those for only 18 runs after winning the toss and making his eighth fifty-plus score in ten ODI innings to finish with 346 runs for the series, the most on either side. Ross Taylor accelerated to hit an unbeaten 88 as New Zealand posted 275. The total was 24 short of what New Zealand had barely defended in the fourth ODI but the pitch also played slower than it had two days ago.

Afridi capped a strong all-round series for a return of 1 for 33 but Pakistan conceded 85 in the last ten overs. New Zealand followed the same policy they had on Wednesday with Williamson leading the build-up through the middle overs. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum)

MJ Guptill c Asad Shafiq b Mohammad Irfan 8

DG Brownlie lbw b Zulfiqar Babar 34

KS Williamson* c †Sarfraz

Ahmed b Shahid Afridi 97

LRPL Taylor not out 88

L Ronchi† c Shahid Afridi b Mohammad Irfan 16

TWM Latham not out 22

Extras (lb 5, w 5) 10

Total (4 wickets; 50 overs; 203 mins) 275

(5.50 runs per over)

Did not bat: AP Devcich, NL McCullum, AF Milne, MJ Henry, MJ McClenaghan

Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Guptill, 2.4 ov), 2-86 (Brownlie, 19.1 ov), 3-202 (Williamson, 42.1 ov), 4-241 (Ronchi, 46.2 ov)

Bowling: Mohammad Irfan (100-62-2); Zulfiqar Babar (10-061-1); (Shahid Afridi 10-0-33-1);

Anwar Ali (10-0-62-0); Haris Sohail (8-0-38-0); Ahmed Shehzad (2-0-14-0); Pakistan innings (target: 276 runs from 50 overs)

Nasir Jamshed lbw b Henry 0

Ahmed Shehzad c Williamson b Henry 54

Younis Khan c †Ronchi b

Henry 12

Asad Shafiq lbw b Devcich 7

Haris Sohail b McClenaghan 65

Umar Akmal c Guptill b McCullum 6

Sarfraz Ahmed† c †Ronchi b

Henry 26

Shahid Afridi* c Taylor b Henry 13

Anwar Ali st †Ronchi b McCullum 18

Zulfiqar Babar b Milne 2

Mohammad Irfan not out 0

Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 1) 4

Total (all out; 43.3 overs; 182 mins) 207 (4.75 runs per over)

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Nasir Jamshed, 0.5 ov), 2-22 (Younis Khan, 8.5 ov), 3-38 (Asad Shafiq, 12.5 ov), 4-107 (Ahmed Shehzad, 28.1 ov), 5-117 (Umar Akmal, 30.3 ov), 6-172 (Haris Sohail, 38.4 ov), 7-174 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 39.1 ov), 8-194 (Anwar Ali, 41.6 ov), 9-205 (Shahid Afridi, 42.5 ov), 10207 (Zulfiqar Babar, 43.3 ov)

Bowling: MJ Henry (9-1-30-5); AF Milne (6.3-0-30-1); MJ McClenaghan (8-0-45-1); AP Devcich (6-0-22-1); KS Williamson (5-0-18-0); NL McCullum (9-0-59-2)

Cook sacked as England’s ODI Captain

Alastair Cook has been removed as England’s one-day captain, according to widespread but as yet unconfirmed reports, with Eoin Morgan appointed to lead England at the World Cup that starts in February.

England’s World Cup captaincy was thrashed out during hours of deliberations at Trent Bridge on Friday as the selectors wrestled with a decision they had done everything to avoid. The ECB is expected to confirm Morgan as the new captain on Saturday less than two months before the start of the tournament although the man himself is currently in Australia preparing for his Big Bash League stint.

Cook, 29, has struggled for a long time in one-day cricket, scoring only one half-century in his last 22 innings in ODIs. England have also lost five of their last six multi-match series and the 5-2 series defeat has seen the selectors take action.

Pressure has been building for much of the past year for England’s selectors to jettison Cook, as he became a symbol for England’s conservative approach to oneday cricket both as a batsman and captain, but they repeatedly tried to bolster his position in the forlorn hope that he would rediscover his form.

That desire was based not only on the wish for continuity, but upon an underlying sense of loyalty to Cook after he had unprotestingly accepted the decision to call time on Kevin Pietersen’s England career after an Ashes whitewash nearly a year ago.

Now England’s selectors have affirmed their right to choose in the face of strong expressions of loyalty towards Cook by the managing director of England cricket, Paul Downton. As recently as Tuesday, Downton, reaffirmed his belief that Cook was England’s “natural leader” and said he would be very surprised if he was not captain at the World Cup.

Downton’s view that the selectors would take “more risks” if they replaced Cook might well have been accepted by those official charged with making the decision, even as they opted for change, but they have concluded that the risk is

worth taking and preferable to the sense of inertia that has settled over the England one-day side.

Peter Moores, England’s coach, also expressed personal support for Cook right up to the end, but a majority feeling emerged among the selectorial quartet - the chairman James Whitaker, former England bowler and Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser, and Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell - that, however inconveniently, the case for change had become impossible to ignore.

Cook was appointed in May 2011 when his place in the one-day side had not been automatic and from the outset the decision was questioned; Tony Greig called it “deadly dangerous” and an error of judgment by England’s team director Andy Flower.

England won 36 and lost 30 of their 69 matches; that record, too, was worsening with only 15 victories in the last 37. The recent slump in form from both Cook and the team had threatened to make England’s World Cup challenge a non-event.

Morgan’s form has been equally alarming with only one half-century in his last 19 innings, but that halfcentury came when he stood in for Cook, who was suspended for a match because he presided over England’s slow over rate, during the seven-match Sri Lanka series. Morgan averages 71 in his eight matches as captain and England ware now clinging to the hope that such an inspirational record will be reborn.

Cook’s sense of duty and strong will meant that

he was not about to stand down no matter how consuming his problems in one-day cricket began. His wish to lead England in the World Cup never wavered. But when he philosophically remarked at the end of the Sri Lanka series that it was down to the selectors to decide his future there was an underlying sense that he had invited them to act should they so wish.

“If the decision goes that way I can’t do much about it. I haven’t scored the number of runs I would like and we haven’t won the number of games I would like,” he said.

England are now left with three captains in three different formats, with Stuart Broad the incumbent in T20 cricket. There is no expectation at present that Cook will lose his Test captaincy and, as Morgan is a long way from the Test side, it is difficult to see how such a bandwagon could gain momentum.

Instead of the constant negativity that has surrounded Cook’s tenure in recent months - with influential former England figures seemingly united in the view that there was a need for change - England’s selectors are now relying on a burst of fresh dressing room optimism and energy to carry them through.

With England involved in a non-stop schedule of international cricket for the next year or more, Cook now has a chance to to restore his energy, regain certainty in his game, and lead England in Test series against New Zealand and Australia next summer (Cricinfo)

Matt Henry played a crucial role in Kiwis win

Alastair Cook

21 SPORTS YELLOW PAGES

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n the usual round of pre-series predictions, many expected Steven Smith to be a dominant batting force against India, and some were bold enough to reckon he would be captain before the four Tests were through. But none had prophesied that it would take Mitchell Johnson until the series’ eighth day to make a significant impact on events, nor that he would be doing so with the bat.

Smith’s 133 was emblematic of his growth as both a batsman and leader: not since Greg Chappell against West Indies on this ground in 1975 had a firsttime Australian Test captain marked the occasion with a hundred in his first innings. Johnson’s boldest of counterattacks showed how dangerous he can be as a batsman, but also that it may have been wiser for India not to antagonise him when he walked to the wicket with Australia in some trouble at 6 for 247.

Their partnership of 148 in a mere 26 overs changed the course of the match, also clearing a path for Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood to prolong Australia’s first innings until after tea. The final four wickets contributed more runs than the first six, opening up a lead of 97. India were bereft of ideas for stemming the flow, and when they finally batted Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara survived some searching spells in the evening session to go to stumps at 1 for 71.

A century in his first Test as captain underlined Smith’s quality as a leader, his sixth hundred in 13 matches since notching No. 1 against England at The Oval in August 2013 sustaining Australia’s innings. But Smith had needed help: the Australians were teetering when Johnson

joined his captain. Indian attempts to get into the fast bowler’s head with short balls and verbals appeared only to spur Johnson into a starburst of strokes, and he looked bound for a second century until snicking Ishant Sharma behind.

Ishant and Varun Aaron had bowled morning spells that were respectively precise and hostile. Ishant deceived Mitchell Marsh with a break-back after the hamstrung allrounder shouldered arms, and Aaron pinned Brad Haddin with a bouncer that delivered a catch to short leg.

Aaron’s success with the short ball prompted him to step up the assault against Johnson, and he earned a warning from the umpire Ian Gould for excessive use of the bouncer. Virat Kohli also stepped in to antagonise, and these exchanges appeared the catalyst for a spiky Australian response.

56.6 ov), 6-247 (Haddin, 61.1 ov), 7-395 (Johnson, 87.1 ov), 8-398 (Smith, 87.6 ov), 9-454 (Lyon, 96.2 ov), 10-505 (Starc, 109.4 ov)

Bowling: I Sharma 23-2-117-3,

VR Aaron 26-1-145-2, UT Yadav 25-4-101-3, R Ashwin 33.4-4128-2, RG Sharma 2-0-10-0

India 2nd innings

M Vijay b Starc 27

S Dhawan not out 41

CA Pujara c Lyon b Hazlewood 43

V Kohli b Johnson 1

AM Rahane c Lyon b Johnson 10

RG Sharma c †Haddin b Johnson 0 MS Dhoni*† lbw b Hazlewood 0 R Ashwin c †Haddin b Starc 19 UT Yadav not out 7

Extras: (lb 2, w 5, nb 2) 9

Total: (7 wickets; 47 overs) 157

To bat: VR Aaron, I Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-41 (Vijay, 10.3 ov), 2-76 (Kohli, 26.1 ov), 3-86 (Rahane, 28.3 ov), 4-86 (RG Sharma, 28.5 ov), 5-87 (Dhoni, 29.2 ov), 6-117 (Ashwin, 36.4 ov), 7-143 (Pujara, 44.4 ov) Bowling: MG Johnson 14-454-3, JR Hazlewood 11-0-51-2, MA Starc 8-1-27-2, SR Watson 10-4-12-1, NM

Johnson prospered first with the pull shot before expanding his repertoire grandly, upper cutting over the slips then driving sweetly down the ground. Smith made slightly more sedate progress towards his hundred, but reached the mark with a nifty cut behind point. At lunch the partnership was worth 104 in 83 brazen balls and the deficit a mere 57.

The rate of scoring slowed somewhat in the afternoon as Dhoni applied a little more pressure, but it was a surprise when Johnson was dismissed by an Ishant delivery slanted across him - the sort of line and length India should have committed to when he first arrived. Smith departed soon after, dragging another well-pitched Ishant delivery onto the stumps, but Starc, Lyon and Hazlewood were eager for more.

Nos. 9 and 10 added 56 at better than a run a ball, and after Lyon was pouched at mid-on, Hazlewood notched his first Test runs with a sturdy enough drive down the ground. Starc exhibited few of his bowling insecurities with the bat. By the time a late tea was taken he had a half-century, and had gone a long way to compensating for some indifferent spells in the first innings.

Those runs also appeared to rouse Starc into a better frame of mind for bowling. He found a far more consistent line and was rewarded when an indeterminate M Vijay dragged onto the stumps when trying to leave a welldirected ball of decent pace and bounce. Shane Watson swung the ball and might easily have had a wicket in a fine late spell. Smith, oddly, did not call on Lyon’s offbreaks before the close.

Steven Smith became the tenth Australian to score a Test hundred on captaincy debut

Kevin Dinanauth wins Macorp caddy tournament

Kevin Dinanauth was adjudged champion with a Best Gross of 83 when the Macorp Caddy tournament was held last Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Scores to determine other winners in the senior category were based on the Best Net count, in which Ivor Laudin netted 79, Kevin Dinanauth 80 and Robin Tiwari 81 to occupy the top three positions.

Nearest to The Pin was won by Harrycharan Danai.

In the junior category – played only over nine holes - Jamal Mohamad with a gross of 51 and and Vicky Baldeo with gross 53 occupied the first two positions.

Caddy Manager Roy Cummings expressed appreciation on behalf of the Lusignan Golf Club for the continued annual support of Macorp in sponsorship of both the members’ tournament and the caddies’ tournament.

Philander, Morkel...

Superficially, there was no evidence to overturn Bowden’s decision but Paul Reiffel, the TV umpire, did just that. Two sound spikes did give some credence to his conclusion that the ball had touched both bat and hip on the way through to the stand-in wicketkeeper AB de Villiers. The ICC, too, has advised that sound spikes can potentially appear in the next frame, just after contact has been made.

But, all in all, there were too many presumptions for an on-field decision to be overturned without discontent: DRS is not about educated guesses but clear proof that provides the basis for widespread agreement. Reiffel’s decision possessed logic, but Smith would count himself unfortunate.

Brathwaite then followed in Philander’s next over. Earlier, he had edged him just short of second slip. This time a thinner edge flew to Hashim Amla at first. Leon Johnson and

Marlon Samuels stabilised West Indies until lunch in a session extended to twoand-a-half hours because of the rain that washed out the final session on the second day.

South Africa were depleted in the field, although unlike West Indies the mishaps had not affected their bowling attack. Quinton de Kock, the wicketkeeper, twisted an ankle and Faf du Plessis’ virus had been bad enough for him to visit hospital. There were niggles later for both Dale Steyn and Philander. But the pace attack was initially in rude health and the Test possessed an intensity sorely lacking on the previous day.

The opening pair was almost split by what would have been an unfortunate run-out. After Smith pushed Morne Morkel to midwicket for a quick single, Brathwaite lost his footing approaching the crease, dropped his bat and was still short of his ground

SCOREBOARD

South Africa 1st innings

552 for 5 decl

West Indies 1st innings

KC Brathwaite c Amla b Philander 34

DS Smith c de Villiers b Philander 35

LR Johnson c sub (RJ Peterson) b Abbott 31

MN Samuels b Morkel 33

S Chanderpaul c Petersen b Philander 21

J Blackwood c Petersen b Philander 12

D Ramdin*† c van Zyl b Elgar 14

JE Taylor c & b Morkel 4

SJ Benn not out 6

SS Cottrell b Morkel 2

KAJ Roach absent hurt -

Extras: (lb 6, w 3) 9

Total: (all out; 60.2 overs) 201

Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Smith, 21.4 ov), 2-73 (Brathwaite, 23.5 ov), 3-117 (Johnson, 34.1 ov), 4-162 (Samuels, 47.6 ov), 5-169 (Chanderpaul, 51.4 ov), 6-184 (Blackwood, 55.2 ov), 7-193 (Ramdin, 57.6

ov), 8-193 (Taylor, 58.1 ov), 9-201 (Cottrell, 60.2 ov)

Bowling: DW Steyn 14-3-530, VD Philander 15-6-29-4, KJ Abbott, 14-3-50-1, M Morkel, 15.2-4-55-3, D Elgar 2-0-8-1 West Indies 2nd innings (following on) KC Brathwaite c Petersen b Morkel 20 DS Smithc sub (T Bavuma) b Philander 5 LR Johnson not out 33 MN Samuels not out 13 Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5 Total (2 wickets; 27 overs) 76 (2.81 runs per over) To bat: S Chanderpaul, J Blackwood, D Ramdin*†, JE Taylor, KAJ Roach, SS Cottrell, SJ Benn Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Smith, 3.2 ov), 2-52 (Brathwaite, 19.3 ov) Bowling: DW Steyn 0.5-03-0, M Morkel 7.1-1-261, VD Philander 3-3-0-1, KJ Abbott 3-0-11-0, S van Zyl 10-2-22-0, D Elgar 3-0-12-0

when Dale Steyn’s underarm throw narrowly missed the stumps.

Leon Johnson was the one top-order West Indies batsman to depart wastefully, driving Kyle Abbott loosely to cover in the third over after lunch. When Philander rapped Samuels on the pads before he had scored, the bowler’s excitement at a perfectly-executed plan was apparent. Samuels’ weakness for being trapped on the crease early in an innings had been exposed, but replays revealed he was struck just outside the line.

Instead, it was Morkel who removed Samuels, causing him to chop on as he brought one back sharply from around the wicket.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s crooked resistance entertained for a while - one swing around from his open stance to work Abbott through point off an open face defied geometrical rules - but he was plucked by Alviro Petersen at slip off Philander. When Jermaine Blackwood fell on the stroke of tea, an excellent low catch by Petersen at second slip, legitimised only after numerous TV replays, it was undeniably South Africa’s session.

West Indies capitulation after tea was swift. Denesh Ramdin succumbed to a solitary over of left-arm spin from Dean Elgar, Jerome Taylor pushed a return catch to Morkel next ball and with Kemar Roach unable to bat, it was all over when Morkel flattened Cottrell’s stumps.

Imposing the follow-on put South Africa’s fast-bowling quartet under strain but the pattern was set. Smith was caught at slip while Philander roared initially for lbw - Smith failing with a review - and Petersen’s snaffling of Brathwaite at second slip - first the parry then the catch as he lay on his back - ensured a contented end to South Africa’s day. (Cricinfo)

UG students assist Fyrish Black Sharks with Constitution

– calls for female team

By Andrew CArmiChAel

Agroup of university students from the Tain Berbice Campus came together in order to assist Fyrish Black Sharks Basketball Club with several projects including the formulation of their Constitution.

The group of final year Social Work students embarked on the project that also included the construction of a better bridge to access the basketball Court at Fyrish.

They also developed a motto and banner for the team as part of their course work assignment.

On Sunday, the club was presented with its new banner, constitution, and an information bulletin board, stationary while the new

bridge was commissioned.

One of the students Anma Moore in making the presentation noted the need for the club to hold funding events and suggested playing games under lights which will attract larger crowds.

“You also need to establish a female team.” She noted while congratulating the club for being able to keep some youth off the street and out of trouble.

The students spent four hours weekly in the community for eight weeks to complete the project and were engaged with members of the community in a series of consultations.

It was found that Blacks Sharks Basketball Club lacked the necessity to be an established entity.

“They had no construc-

tive mode of operation such as a motto, constitution, no code of conduct and nothing to guild the group.” Moore said while adding that there was need for a bridge to access the ground. The students were able to raise the funds and find the necessary expertise to provide help.

Meanwhile the student’s lecturer Roxanne La Rose who was intrigued at the assistance the students had given to the development of sport called on club members to make good use of the assistance they received. She called on them to further develop the facilities at the court. “Do not leave the new bridge like this. The infrastructure is already there you need to make it into a concrete bridge now.” She said.

From left: Robin Tiwari, Roy Cummings, Ivor Laudin, Kevin Dinanauth, Vicky Baldeo (junior in red jersey) then Harrycharan Danai, Jamal Mohamed and Macorp’s representative

The Black Sharks pose with their new banner

Torginol Paints on board with Kennard Boxing Day race

The Kennard Memorial Turf Club on Friday received sponsorship from Torginol Paints Incorporated for its Boxing Day (December 26) horse race meet at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Corentyne.

The sponsorship, the sum of $300,000 and trophy, will go towards the winner in the J3 race.

The handing over was done at company’s head office, and according to the Corporate Secretary, Percival Boyce Jr, the company, which has been with the KMTC over the past 25 years, is pleased to be associated with the horse race meet.

“This company has supported the development of sports in Guyana and is very pleased to be associated with the KMTC once again. We have been supporting events organised by the turf club for a number of years and we are happy to do so once again.”

Kennard, who is also the honorary president of KMTC and head of the Police

Complaints Authority, lauded the sponsors for their continued contribution to horse racing.

“On behalf of the executives of the KMTC, I would like to extend my gratitude to the management of Torginol Paint for coming on board with us. Torginol Paint has been with us (KMTC) for almost 26 years. Most sporting activities cannot go ahead without sponsorship and I am extremely happy to know that Torginol Paint has agreed to continue their partnership with us.”

Meanwhile, the organisers have added a race for K Class animals. Further, several changes were made from the original programme.

The organisers have changed the feature A3 and Lower race to A1 and Lower. Also the G1 race has now been replaced by a F1 race.

The feature event on the day’s card will run for six furlongs for a top prize of $1 million, while the second place finisher will receive $500,000. Horses that place

Banks DIH Classic Basketball…

NA Warriors top Ithaca Hardliners 56-37 to stay in contention

New Amsterdam Warriors took advantage of low ranked Ithaca Hardliners in a56-37 routing to stay in contention for a semifinal place in the Banks DIH Classic Basketball tournament in Berbice.

Playing at the Ithaca Court in West Berbice on Wednesday, NA Warriors chalked up their first game when L Edwards continued his good showing in the tournament scoring a game high 20 points for the Warriors.

D Carter (16) and Shemroy McKenzie (14) were the other scorers for the team.

A win for the Rockers will put them in the semifinal and allow the Warriors to move on the knockout stage of the competition.

third and fourth will receive $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.

Other events billed for the day are the D3 with a winning purse of $500,000; the G3 for a $300,000 winner’s purse over five furlongs; and the J3 for $150,000 winner’s take over five furlongs.

The owner of the winning horse for the I1 and F1 races will collect $250,000 and $320,000 respectively. Registration closes on December 20, and no late entries will be accepted.

Kennard indicated that most systems are already in place for the race meet. He also pointed out that a massive renovation to the tune of $1.2M is currently being undertaken at the venue.

Horses can be entered through Roopnarine Matadial on 325-3192; Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316; Cecil Kennard on 623-7609, 2254818 or 226-1399; Dennis DeRoop on 325-3301 or 6099143; and Fazil Habibula on 657-7010. (Rajiv Bisnauth)

S Arthur was the only one to make any meaningful contribution to the score card with 18 points for the losers. Despite their poor showing the Hardliners are not out of contention of a semifinal spot and will have to up their game and beat Smythfield Rockers by at least twenty points when the two teams clash on Saturday at the Vryman’s Ervin Court in New Amsterdam.

Meanwhile the competition continued yesterday with Canje Knights and Rose Hall Jammers met at the Area ‘H’ Court in Rose Hall Town Corentyne in the final group ‘A’ game.

Semifinal action is set for Sunday and Wednesday while the final will be played on Boxing Day. The tournament organized by Vibert Garrett and at has at stake the Banks DIH Classic Basketball trophy and cash incentives.

Torginol Paints Inc Corporate Secretary Percival Boyce, Jr, hands over the sponsorship cheque and trophy to honorary President of KMTC Cecil Kennard

Philander, Morkel leave WI on rocks

Test cricket against the leading nations has long become a trial for West Indies. Faced by a daunting South Africa total, they initially stiffened sinews as best they could but by the end of the third day of the first Test in Centurion that resolve had been replaced by a familiar expectation of impending defeat.

They followed on 351 runs behind shortly after tea and, although South Africa’s attack understandably lessened in intensity secondtime around, they still lost Devon Smith and Kraigg Braithwaite in reducing the deficit to 275.

South Africa’s protagonist was Vernon Philander, who bowled with great intelligence throughout, the only rider being that those qualities did not extend to his appetite for the review system. Twice his emphatic signals requested a review; twice his desire went unrewarded. Nevertheless, he finished

with five wickets in the day, his first-innings 4 for 29 in 15 overs being the reward for some insistent, pitchedup seam bowling. A first-innings opening stand of 72 proved to be West Indies’ high point. The first four batsmen all fell in the 30s and a chance to put right a lacklustre and depleted display in the field was slowly relinquished on a Centurion pitch that treated batsmen more kindly than that prepared for Australia’s visit in February. Smith’s exit, for 35, will provide more fodder for DRS sceptics, but the decision was not as off-beam as some immediately suggested. The umpire Billy Bowden had rejected Philander’s appeal after the ball passed between Smith’s bat and hip as he sought to work it through square leg. Snicko, unhelpfully, showed a spike when the ball was between bat and trouser pocket.

Sri Lankan greats to grace CPL 2015

Three stars of Sri Lankan cricket, Mahela Jayawardene, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga, have been added to the pool of international players to feature in the Caribbean Premier League Draft which is set to take place in early 2015.

The trio will join a host of top class T20 stars from the West Indies and International players including South African all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, for the third staging of the “Biggest Party in Sport”.

Since its inception in 2013, the Caribbean Premier League has reignited cricket in the Caribbean, packing stadiums across the region and attracting global TV audiences in excess of 65 million people. CPL has also brought major economic benefit to the cricket loving Caribbean nations with a recent eco-

nomic impact study revealing that it injected a massive US$166 million into the region’s economy during the 2014 tournament.

Malinga, who lit up the first CPL tournament in 2013 when he joined the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the knock out stages, said; “I really enjoyed my time in the CPL in 2013 and I’m thrilled to be involved again for the 2015 edition. Caribbean fans are fantastic and it’s a pleasure to play cricket in that kind of atmosphere.”

Dilshan said; “CPL seems to be attracting some of the top names in the game so I am really looking forward to being involved again in 2015 and hope to

make my mark on the tournament.” Jayawardene said; “I’ve loved playing cricket in the West Indies through-

out my career so I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to take part in the CPL in 2015.”

CPL International Cricket Director, Tom Moody, said; “Now that the CPL is well established among the cricket community, we’ve had huge interest from the top international players which bodes well for the future of the tournament. The quality of cricket in 2014 was outstanding and we hope for more of that drama and action next year so being able to announce players like Malinga, Jaywardene and Dilshan is a great boost and a fantastic endorsement for CPL.”

The third staging of CPL will bowl off in June 2015 with full fixture details to be announced early in the New Year. (CPL Release)

GFF approximately $90M in debt – says Urling

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has a dark hole to climb out of after the revelation was made by the Chairman of the Normalisation Committee

Clinton Urling that the federation is in considerable debt.

“Well we look at it from a four to five year stand point…its somewhere around $400,000 to $450,000 USD. So you are not looking at a federation stacked with cash,” Urling stated.

However, Urling was positive about the situation, noting that the Committee is hoping to move forward as quickly as possible.

“There is no secret that the GFF is in debt, everybody knows the figures that are out there and part of the process moving forward is to ensure that we have strong financial structure.

“We prefer to look forward rather than backward…all we need to do is

to verify the folks or persons that we owe and try to honour those debts once we can verify those debts,” Urling pointed out. Meanwhile upon the former President of the GFF Christopher Matthias take over, it was rumored that the GFF was $30M in the red. It seems as though that number has risen considerably.

South Africa celebrate yet another Windies wicket

Mahela Jayawardene

Lasith Malinga

Tilakaratne Dilshan

Clinton Urling