Guyana Times Daily

Child molesters must be condemned – Granger

Panamanian officials to examine factories before rice shipment sails

The deal inked earlier this year that will see Guyana supplying 5000 tonnes of rice to Panama on a monthly basis is expected to become a reality at the end of September. Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Monday reported that two of the technical persons from Panama are travelling to Guyana to examine the rice factories.

This, he explained, was due to the fact that Guyana has to satisfy the sanitary standards of Panama. The factories will be examined and testing of the rice done before Panama approves the shipment. The Minister noted that the Panamanians’ visas had to be processed, and they will arrive before weekend.

Minister Ramsammy stated that the deal is proceeding as planned, with four shipments organised for September, October, November and December. “... Guyana is providing the packaged rice and Panama is providing the ships. So the shipping responsibility is Panama’s,” Minister Ramsammy explained.

Pointing out that Guyana has been working with Panama to ensure timely shipments, he noted that obtaining the packaged rice is

not a problem. The Minister stated that, “we have the rice available and packaging arrangements in place”.

Guyana has been advised that the ship should be available in the last week of September for the September shipment, “so it appears the shipping arrangements being made from Panama will target the end-of-month shipping. That means end of September, October, and

November and so on, so that always leaves flexibility to the other man, so it could run into early October.”

“We are ready for Panama,” Minister Ramsammy declared. He added that the mills being used are the Techno Mill in Eccles and Ansag Rice Mill for the packaging, for this first shipment. However, he explained that this will not be the case for all shipments, as in the future all the rice mills that can meet the requirements will be engaged.

In August, the deal was announced by the Minster and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The deal was signed by Panama’s Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Estebana Giron Dias, and the GRDB General Manager, Jagnarine Singh.

The agreement was signed at the Office of the Minister of Agriculture in Panama City and followed a meeting in Colombia between the Presidents of Guyana and Panama. With this new export deal, Guyana is expected to export between 475,000 and 500,000 tonnes this year and to reach about 550,000 tonnes in 2015. The actual export target for 2014 was 460,000 tonnes. Exports in 2013 totalled 394,000 tonnes.

Scotiabank re-launches Mastercard Gold

Scotiabank on Wednesday announced that it has introduced the new gold standard – the Scotiabank Gold Mastercard with new reward features that cardholders will love.

The card came into effect from September 1, 2014, allowing new and existing Scotiabank Gold Mastercard customers to enjoy higher cash back on purchases made locally and abroad. In a statement the Bank said the reward is three percent for transactions at gas stations and grocery stores; two percent for purchases made at pharmacies and drug stores; and one per cent everywhere else.

There are annual caps on what cardholders can earn on the three per cent and two per cent cash back, but no limit on the amount earned on the 1 per cent cash back. Customers will earn three per cent on the first US$20,000.00 (or local currency equivalent) at qualifying gas stations and grocery stores up to a maximum cash back of US$600 (or local currency equivalent). They will earn two per cent on the first US$20,000 (or local currency equivalent) at qualifying drug stores and pharma-

cies up to a maximum cash back of US$400.00 (or local currency equivalent). After they reach the maximum amount, they will earn 1 per cent on the remaining purchases.

Cardholders will be able to track their cash back earnings monthly via their credit card statements and will receive their cash back rewards annually in November. The accrued cash back amount shown on their statement will be credited to their Scotiabank Gold MasterCard account on their November statements.

Single persons who earn over $160,000 a month, or couples whose combined monthly income is $240,000 or more, are eligible to apply for a Scotiabank Gold Mastercard. The minimum credit limit one can apply for is $300,000. Scotiabank Standard Mastercard customers who qualify under the minimum income requirement are free to apply for an upgrade to the Gold Mastercard which currently offers the best value to customers in this market. The credit cards offered by Scotiabank can be used to shop at local and overseas merchants in store or online.

5-day Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop underway

Technical officers from various public sector agencies are currently participating in a five-day introductory workshop on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal.

The Ministry of Finance has been spearheading the implementation of this International Programme for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) initiative since 2010.

It is being conducted by an internationally renowned facilitator, Dr Ray Rist who was contracted by the Government of Guyana, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Dr Rist is also creator and co-director of the

IPDET. He worked with a number of international organisations including the World Bank, InterAmerican Development Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation

and Development (OECD) among others.

In brief comments, Dr Rist explained that if effective and accurate measuring is not being done in ministries and other public sector

agencies, then more than likely these entities are being run on the basis of conjecture and intuition.

He maintained that agencies must have the relevant data and decisions

must be evidence-based in the 21st century public sector.

Director of Budget in the Ministry of Finance, Sonya Roopnauth said this workshop is certified and accredited to ensure that participants take a more results-based focus to their work upon their return to their respective offices.

Delivering the feature address, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill said that this initiative forms part of the Government’s effort to fulfill its 2011 manifesto promise made to Guyanese to institutionalise monitoring and evaluation in the public sector in an effort to ensure value for money and that services are delivered to tax-

payers in a timely, efficient and well-organised manner.

He said that this workshop will add yet another tool to their arsenal as public service officers. Over 500 Guyanese public servants have already been trained and equipped with this tool.

The participants selected to be part of the workshop are the technical persons in the various agencies who are engaged in the everyday decision-making process.

At present, many of them are engaged with the Finance Ministry in discussions on the 2015 national budget.

“You will be able to bring to us, not just ideas or hearsay, but what is based on empirical evidence… don’t see this as just another workshop… our interest is to improve you as a person at the desk where you are sitting and in that area of responsibility that you are serving,” Minister Edghill said.

He also explained that monitoring and evaluation not only helps agencies and individuals to find out and consolidate on what they are doing well, but also to identify the root causes of issues so that they can be able to take appropriate corrective measures.

The Minister made reference to the Specialty Hospital contract, which the Government was forced to terminate.

“Having discovered fraud in the case of the Specialty Hospital, we took the necessary action because the ultimate aim of the Government is to protect public interest and not our political image… and if we are to do that then we cannot fund failure,” he said.

Participants at the Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop at the Guyana International Conference Center

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

TravelSpan to suspend operations … following fallout with Vision Airlines

By Bhisham mohamed

After a fallout with Vision Airlines, TravelSpan has announced that it would be suspending its service out of Guyana from Saturday, but with the hope of returning to business once it secures another company from which to rent an aircraft.

TravelSpan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nohar Singh confirmed to Guyana Times on Wednesday that the company was in the process of finalising new arrangements with another airline, while noting its dis-

satisfaction with the services of Vision Airlines.

Singh explained that while the TravelSpan staff, including Flight Attendants, and Management have worked diligently to offer a much-needed solution for an alternative airline within the market, its rented planes have been plagued by mechanical issues which resulted in unsatisfactory service on the flights.

Pullout

The CEO added that due to the lack of consistent service proven by the significant amount of cancelled and delayed flights that caused major inconvenience to TravelSpan’s clients and the continued losses to TravelSpan and to Vision Airlines, effective September 27, the company will be discontinuing its General Sales Agent (GSA) status.

As such, he noted that all passengers booked to trav-

el after September 27 will be protected with full refunds and offered the services of another carrier and in the interim, TravelSpan will be finalising arrangements with the new carrier.

Nevertheless, TravelSpan is committed to refund monies for tickets purchased after September 27. Singh, in a release, explained that for tickets paid in the United States, TravelSpan has been protecting passenger’s monies in escrow.

This precaution, the release added, was taken so that customers would not be left stranded as was the case of previous carriers after they discontinued operations.

For tickets paid for in Guyana, TravelSpan’s office will rebook passengers or offer a full refund.

The Escrow Bank will take approximately 14 days for the refund to be processed and the cheques to be prepared for customers.

The airline is, however, cognisant that while monies are protected, customers who have to wait for their refunds to be processed will be inconvenienced.

The airline says it remains committed and is looking forward to collaborating with a carrier that would keep the standard of excellence that it demands for its customers.

TravelSpan re-entered the Guyana Market last December with fully booked flights to the United States out of Guyana, but stumbled in July of this year, with several cancellations which resulted in a dispute between Vision Airlines and TravelSpan.

Rising prices

The airline had sought reimbursements from the charter company for the delays and cancellations, but those talks were unsuccessful; hence, a decision to drop the charter company.

A senior member of the airline said that the decision to discontinue the services of Vision Airlines has been in the making for the weeks.

In light of the delays and cancellations, the senior staff told the Guyana Times, the public had lost confidence in the services of TravelSpan and booked with other carriers.

“It will take some time for

the airline to get back on its feet and with the Christmas season fast approaching, they are hoping to be up and running,” she added.

Moreover, with the absence of TravelSpan and Dynamic Airlines, other carriers have already upped their ticket fares to the US.

Presently, Caribbean Airlines, which is operating in the red, is charging close to US$900 while Copa Airlines is quoted as close to US$1000 and Fly Jamaica is the cheapest at US$664.

Only recently, TravelSpan had applied to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for permission to operate a scheduled service, moving away from the charter service it is licensed to provide.

Officials at the airline had told Guyana Times that the move to acquire such a licence basically indicates that TravelSpan is here for the long haul.

“A charter service is basically to operate seasonal, but with this Scheduled Licence we have applied for is indicating that we are here for the long haul,” the airline official said. (bhisham@guyanatimesgy.com)

TravelSpan CEO Nohar Singh

TravelSpan has announced that it would be suspending its service out of Guyana from Saturday

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

Compromising behaviour

The customary outrage that comes after any incident of Police excesses has not been seen since the shooting to death of Adrian Bishop – a known character to the Police, who, interestingly, was carrying on a very public relationship with a female member of the Force.

The silence by citizens and the scores of human rights organisations here today is perhaps an indication of how sick our society has become of these types of atrocities and double standards from our lawmen. Still to resolve the countless cases involving out-of-control Policemen, the Guyana Police Force could have done well without what transpired in Albouystown Saturday night.

Also coming at a time when the Seelall Persaud-initiated Impact Programme in Alboustown has begun to take root, this shooting is an unnecessary distraction. The fact that it has already happened meant that the Force would have to count the cost of its impact in undermining whatever Policecommunity relations that had started to develop through the Impact Programme.

From all reports, Bishop and the Policewoman in question had a longstanding relationship, which meant that she was actively involved with the young man throughout his recent run-ins with law enforcement. This type of Police behaviour is symptomatic of a Force that is badly in need of reform and though the authorities often boast of all the measures that are being taken to improve policing and the conduct of ranks, Eve Leary remains in shambles. The general lack of respect for citizens, particularly those of a certain social class, and the often high-handed display of force are too frequent the complaints of a wary citizenry. Bishop’s experience also shows how officers can often abuse their power. That the Policewoman would summon her colleagues to arrest her partner, because he was reportedly seen in company she did not approve of speaks volumes of the level to which the Force has sunk.

But “compromised Police Officers” are not a new phenomenon here: for years we have had cases where officers at the very top of the Guyana Police Force were seen in public cavorting with persons of questionable background. This then brings into question the kind of training our men in uniform receive on entering the law enforcement agencies. Our lawmen must be educated that they live and work in a constantly changing and dynamic social context in which they are exposed to a myriad of ethical conflicts. When either unprepared or unaware, officers are more likely to “go with the flow” than they would be if they were adequately prepared to face potentially ethical risks.

It is said that everyday officers practice mental preparation as it relates to tactical situations. Those who are mentally prepared to face a lethal encounter are more likely to be successful than others who are tactically proficient but mentally unprepared. Thus, just like lethal encounters, ethical dilemmas occur at the most inopportune times, frequently without warning and with little time to stop and think about situations. When inadequately prepared, even the most honest, above-reproach officers can make inappropriate splitsecond ethical decisions – decisions that can result in lifechanging consequences. It is against this background that the alleged compromising behaviour of the Policewoman has to be seen as something that can potentially affect all law enforcement officers.

A similar type of behaviour was displayed earlier in the year when ranks shot a youth in his mouth. In that particular incident, the shooter was a relative of someone who had been allegedly robbed and in a show of force he dragged a 15-year-old from his mother’s house, put a gun in his mouth, and pulled the trigger. Ethics training and a commitment to the highest level of professional and personal integrity apply to all members of the Force and have to be consistently demonstrated throughout. Therefore, if the Police Force is to enjoy, maintain and regain the status of a respected profession in our society, it has to change the way it approaches integrity and ethical issues.

On high

Indo-Guyanese excited about Modi's US visit

Dear Editor,

Indo-Guyanese Americans are very excited about the visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. Some have acquired tickets to attend a public reception for the PM at Madison Square Garden on Sunday when over 20,000 will grace the event and thousands more showing up at Times Square to watch his speech live on giant billboards.

The PM’s speech will be carried live on several networks including on TV Asia. Several other events have been organized for the PM including meeting community leaders of the Indian diaspora.

Indo-Guyanese Americans and Indian Americans look to Modi to herald a new era in bilateral cooperation between India and the US because they feel they will benefit from it. Relations between the two countries had steadily improved since the days of the cold war when relations were frosty as Indian leaned towards Moscow.

Indo-Guyanese feel that once the relations between the two largest democracies improve and India becomes wealthy, the countries where Indians are settled will benefit enormously with increased assis-

tance.

Relations between India and the US became cool earlier this year when an Indian diplomat was arrested; it has been on a mend after the diplomat was released. And with Modi’s invitation to the White House by President Obama, relations are expected to only get better.

There is great confidence among the Indo-Guyanese that there will be significant improvement in US-India relations during Modi’s tenure as the PM. A stronger healthier relationship under Modi will benefit both nations and the global community. The Indo-Guyanese diaspora feel such a relationship will inevitably result in a stronger and more prosperous India and make them more proud of their ethnic origin.

The Guyanese feel they will be beneficiaries of increased Indian assistance as India becomes richer. When the BJP was in office between 1998 and 2004, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee met with Indo-Caribbeans and he committed a lot of financial assistance to Caribbean countries.

During the Congress reign between

2004 and 2014, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also met with Indo-Caribbeans though not as many times as Atal-ji and he also increased assistance to Guyana thanks to our lobbying from the US. Effort is underway for a meeting between community leaders and the PM as took place between Atal-ji and the IndoCaribbeans and also with Manmohan. Indo-Caribbean Americas, like Indian Americans, desire improved relations between India and the US seeing benefits accruing from it for their newly adopted country, the US, as well as for the global community particularly for countries where Indians are settled like Guyana. India can speak on behalf of the weaker countries in its dealings with America for benefits for these poor nations.

The Indo-Guyanese Americans also feel they can hold their heads high and speak glowingly of their ancestral homeland as Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, Greek Americans and people of other diasporas in the US do about their ancestral homelands.

Do not deflect from the sex assault allegations

Dear Editor,

I have noted that in an affidavit to secure injunctive relief against allegations of sexual abuse made by Johnny Welshman, Raphael Trotman, Speaker of the National Assembly, Politician and Attorney-at-Law, has sworn to certain matters claiming that the allegations made against him are politically inspired. I also notice that he has made public statements about events related to the said allegations claiming much the same thing.

I also note that the Stabroek News has written their story cleverly in a way that supports the claims being made by Trotman, to wit, that I am involved in some mysterious political plot to drag Trotman down. Their story highlights that I am the sister of Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and that I was a former PPP GECOM commissioner, all facts, but positioned in such a way to lend credence to the claims made that this is a political plot.

I cannot fail to notice either, that the propagandists of the AFC have gone to work on social media carrying and peddling the story of my being in some way involved in a political plot and all sorts of their usual nastiness.

I have seen Trotman being very generous with offering comments on all and

sundry but he has failed to correct any of these propagandists so one can only fairly assume they are acting on his behalf and according to his instruction. I am open to being proven wrong by Raphael publicly correcting his compatriots on all of their misinformation.

In fact, I plead with him to so do, so that this sense of crushing disappointment in him that I have could be lifted and I could actually see him as the leader he holds himself out to be.

Editor, please allow me to state clearly for the benefit of the persons who have been contacting me and who are interested in the facts of this matter as far as my involvement is concerned.

I was never retainedby Johnny Welshman in the ongoing matter with allegations against Raphael Trotman. I am not retained by him and I do not (present tense) represent Mr Welshman.

Welshman tried making contact with me on September 19 in the afternoon by visiting my Chambers. I was out of Chambers at the time he visited. I subsequently returned a telephone call to Welshman, where he disclosed certain information to me.

At the time, Welshman spoke with me on September 19 he told me he had made

a report at the CID. I never confirmed whether he made a report but I believed it to be true then. And I believed then, that given that a report was made, it would probably become a public matter soon.

I told Johnny Welshman that the proper Attorney-at-Law to address complaints of a criminal nature is the DPP and he should seek Counsel with the Chambers of the DPP.

Based on certain information offered by Mr. Welshman, I offered to speak with Raphael Trotman to mediate between the parties about if a likely "settlement" could have been met. I was still not retained by Welshman.

However, if having spoken to Raphael Trotman, I felt a settlement could be reached, then I would have considered facilitating that settlement. I thought it best to have Raphael deal with this matter privately because he has young daughters and I know allegations like the ones being made, can be hurtful to anyone, and particularly young, innocent girls.

Further, given what Welshman told me and the manner in which he told me same, I felt he too would best be served by the route he (Welshman) was proposing, that being a settlement.

continued on page 5

An extreme athlete is seen during the International Highline Meeting in Monte Piana, near Misurina, in the northern Italian Alps (BBC News)

Auto sales company must face full brunt of law for selling defective vehicle

Dear Editor,

It is with utter frustration and disgust that I must inform the public about the unscrupulous and dishonest practices of the owner (name provided) of an auto sales company (name provided).

In April 2013, my husband and I bought a 2001 Model Rav4 cash from the company. We received the said vehicle with its registration stating that the vehicle was reconditioned. By the time we collected the vehicle and drove it to our home in the heart of Georgetown, the vehicle was leaking copious amounts of oil and bucking/jerking like a rodeo bull while driving.

We took this vehicle back the following day to be repaired and were given a beat up hardly working old AT 192 to use until the vehicle was fixed. We received the “fixed” vehicle a few days later but the problem persisted resulting in us taking the vehicle back to the dealer on four subsequent occasions over a three-week period.

Eventually we sought the service of an independent specialist who carried out scans on the vehicle which revealed that the computer box was defective and the oil was leaking out of the engine of this newly bought vehicle. This specialist recommended that the computer box be replaced with a new computer box, failing which it could potentially damage other components of the engine.

This information was relayed to the owner of the auto sales who again collected the vehicle to “repair” for a fifth time during which he claimed to have “fixed” the defective computer box but again the problem persisted.

About three weeks later we decided to bring the matter to the attention of the Consumer

Affairs Commission located at the Sophia Exhibition Complex. This independent body carried out their investigation and a hearing with the commissioners to present evidence that the auto sales was found guilty of knowingly selling a used, defective vehicle under the pretext that it was a reconditioned vehicle.

Following this, the said dealer was given the option to repair the vehicle, replace the defective part, or refund. After an exhaustive period of several months, where the owner and operator of the fraudulent entity was given several opportunities to exhaust the first option and refusing to replace it, a hearing was again held and the ruling handed down was that a full refund should be given.

The auto sales informed the commission of his refusal to refund the vehicle unless he can keep 10 percent of the money paid for the vehicle for “restocking” in addition to having the commission engaging GRA to have the vehicle deregistered so he can sell it to some other unsuspecting customer under the pretext that it is “new”.

Sadly the commission is engaged in consultations to seek to meet the said demands of this man who can be labelled nothing short of a bully and white collar crook.

It has been 18 months since this vehicle has been registered and it has been defective from the beginning with the Commission going back and forth with this dishonest owner and operator of the auto sales for all this time.

It seems however that this man is above the law and is succeeding in manipulating the commission to his will. It leaves you to ask who is representing the interests of the unsuspecting victims who invest-

Indo-Guyanese excited...

They have no doubt that closer relations between India and the US, with Indian Americans playing a leading role in the relationship, will redound to enormous benefits to India in terms of trade, investment, technology transfer and national security.

India willingly shares her resources with poor countries and Guyana has been a major beneficiary of India’s kindness in terms of scholarships, loans, infrastructure and construction.

Modi-ji and the diaspora share common goals regarding the well-being of India as well as the general welfare of the diaspora including in Guyana. There is talk of a mobilization of the resources of the diaspora to help build a strong, modern India with high rise cities that will rival those in other Asian countries and the West.

Much of the funding for those projects can be sourced in the US from the large wealthy diaspora and American business partners all of whom are cheering for Modi. Modi is looking forward for overseas Indian entrepreneurs to invest in all over India so as to build a better India than they had

heretofore known about or experienced.

India’s long-term interests lie with closer relations with the US – accruing much benefits to India politically, strategically in terms of security (crack down on terror) and economically (technological transfer, investments, etc). This will inevitably lead to a stronger and wealthier India that will make Indian Americans proud of their ancestral homeland.

Indian Americans recognize the importance of the US to India in trade relations as well as a source of funding for developmental projects and the diaspora wants to help expand this relationship. And most of the diaspora believes Modi will build a strong India of which they will be proud.

Deepening the engagement with the US through Indian Americans with backing from Indo-Caribbeans would yield positive dividends for India. Indo-Caribbeans in America as well as Indian Americans are willing to help strengthen relations that will reinforce and upgrade the strategic evolution of India's relationship with the US that began two

ed millions only to be ripped off and saddled with a death trap of a vehicle.

For all the millions spent on this vehicle we have not been able enjoy a single day of smooth driving, the vehicle either consistently bucks/jerks added to which it jumps forward while driving or refuses to move when accelerated while leaking oil all the time and continues to be an eyesore.

This vehicle is nothing short of a death trap posing a danger to life and limb of its occupants due to its numerous defects. We are beyond frustrated and all contact with the Commission yields declarations that they are in the process of consulting GRA to discuss the demands of the dealer.

It is long overdue for the legal mind at the disposal of the Commission and its commissioners be engaged to resolve this issue speedily so that we can be refunded our money. The custodians of the law set to protect the interests of consumers from predators like this auto sales need to act to ensure that no one else falls prey to their unscrupulous practices and rob consumers of their money.

We are tired of being treated as if the owner of this autos sales is the victim in this sordid affair. We have endured enough with this vehicle and are tired of being treated as if we are at fault while the perpetrator sits pretty on our millions while we suffer with this derelict death trap of a vehicle.

Justice must be served and white collar con-artists like this man must face the full brunt of the law. All documentation can be provided to verify the information in this letter.

Respectfully, Name withheld by request

From page 4

decades ago.

Such expansion of the relationship will yield significant benefits to India and to the US and to poor nations like Guyana.

Submitted by Vishnu

Bisram

Do not deflect from...

I sent Raphael SMS messages regarding Johnny Welshman and he subsequently called me later that night. Raphael and I had one telephone conversation regarding this entire matter. Based on that telephone conversation, I formed the opinion that there was no way I could have assisted further and recused my-self from the entire matter.

This information was communicated to Johnny Welshman via telephone. I have not met Johnny Welshman in person to date, save and except when he consulted with me at the Children's legal aid clinic a few years ago. In fact, I can only assume that Welshman sought me out because the Children’s Legal Aid Clinic had represented him.

If the media or anyone says that I gave Raphael a heads up regarding this matter, that would be accurate. That heads up was in pursuit of what Welshman said he wanted and it may also have allowed Trotman to disclose this information to his family, to prepare them for the serious allegations which were about to hit the media, given that Welshman claimed reports had already been made at other agencies including the Police.

I have chosen not to disclose the content of conversations I had with Johnny Welshman or with Raphael Trotman. Raphael is a colleague of mine and I will still extend him that courtesy, whilst Welshman’s conversation, I believe, is privileged. I would have no problems, however, with Raphael disclosing in full, the conversation we had, which to date he has failed to do, even in his affidavit for injunctive relief.

Editor, please let me state clearly. The words, "I am not RETAINED," which is what I said to the reporters, means that there is no contract between me and Johnny Welshman for me to provide legal services to him.

“I do not represent Johnny Welshman,” which is what I said to the reporters as far as my record indicates, is present tense. At the time I spoke with Gordon Mosley and a Stabroek News Reporter (the only two reporters I gave statements to) which was approximately 11:30h on September 21, I had completely recused myself from the matter because, as stated earlier, I would have

only gone forward and possibly become the Attorney-at-Law for Welshman if a settlement was being considered by both parties. As I could not provide further assistance in the matter, which I determined during and after the telephone conversation with Trotman, I had already recused myself from the matter when I spoke to the reporters and so there was nothing incorrect in that statement.

Further, let me state clearly, I never denied speaking to or contacting Raphael as is the impression created by the SN. I just gave as a response "no further comment" to the question posed by the Stabroek News reporter as to whether I had made contact with Raphael Trotman. It baffles me that “no further comment” could be considered as a denial. Is that media-speak with which I am unfamiliar or is this just the Stabroek News, in their haste to defend Raphael being creative.

Now, whatever may have been Trotman's motive for disclosing my text to him, that disclosure only supports what I have said in relation to my involvement in this matter. It clearly shows:

1. that I made contact with him;

2. that I indicated that I could only be useful to Johnny Welshman regarding his allegation if a settlement could be reached and, if not, that I would not be in the matter further; and

3. that I had, and still do have, a deep and abiding concern for the impact of the revelations on his family, particularly his young daughters.

As for my opinion on the matter: I do not know whether Raphael Trotman sexually assaulted or buggered Johnny Welshman. If the allegation is false, then Welshman is one sick person and deserves urgent medical attention.

But, if Welshman is telling

the truth or even parts of the truth, doesn't he deserve the opportunity to be heard fairly without Trotman's interference and might and the interference of his friends? Give the justice system an opportunity to work. If it does, Trotman would have his chance to defend himself fully with all the might and considerable resources he enjoys. Stop trying to influence the system by trying to frighten lawyers who may listen to, hear and be willing to mediate for a complainant.

Stop trying to deflect from the allegation of sexual assault/buggery by making up that my involvement was political. Stop trying to take the spotlight off of you by trying to throw me under the bus and making me the issue. Do not deflect from the sex assault allegations. Defend them. Surely there is more in your defence than hanging onto and misusing my surname.

Frankly, for myself, now that I have seen Trotman’s affidavit and the deliberate attempts by his social media and other buddies to sully me, I am left with all sorts of questions in my head.

I would be happy to take a lie detector test as to whether my involvement in this matter was in any way sinister and/or meant to distract from the AFC’s no confidence motion and/or to bring down the Speaker of the House or the AFC and/or in any way politically motivated, inspired, directed or driven if Raphael is also going to take a lie detector test to clear, what he insists is, his good name. As I do not believe I can add any more to this that would help anyone interested in the truth as far as my involvement is concerned, this will be my last statement on the matter.

Sincerely,

Jaya Manickchand Attorney-at-Law

Page Foundation

By Megan Devine

Maybe you started out the school year on the right foot. All those late summer discussions about your children getting organised, laying their clothes out the night before, getting out of bed on time, fixing their own breakfast, getting through the morning without arguments—you really thought you got through to them.

And maybe things went relatively smoothly – for the first few days. But here we are, near the end of the first month back to school, and all those old behaviours are back. Your child might have even added some new annoying behaviours to the mix!

The key to a successful morning routine is to know exactly what needs to be done and in what order. Specific tasks and clear systems help everyone stay on track with minimal discussion.

Look, the morning routine is tough on a lot of families. If you’re struggling with this, you are not alone. At Empowering Parents, we hear this every day from parents just like you. Morning wrestling matches – arguments, battles of will, power struggles – happen for every family. The good news is you can turn your mornings around. And although your children probably won’t thank you for it, everyone will benefit.

Here are some practical tips to help mornings go a little more smoothly for everyone. Discuss your morning routine (but don’t do it in the morning)

Even if you’re a morning person, it’s still not the best time to discuss what’s not working. Set some time aside to discuss your rules and expectations, clearly laying out for your child what’s not working, and what needs to change. When your morning gets stressful, refer your child back to the conversation you’ve already had, rather than get into another argument. In The Total Transformation Program, James Lehman suggests redirecting your child by saying: “We’ve discussed this already. You know what you need to do, now go do it.”

whelmed when you come at them with a long list of things they’re doing wrong. Think of it this way: if your

ing morning behaviours, and come up with a specific action plan to address those issues. Talk with your child

Choose one or two behaviours at a time. I bet there are a million things you want your child to do better and not just during the morning routine. The thing is, children get over-

boss comes to your desk and rattles off 16 things you need to improve, you’re not only going to be overwhelmed but also a little annoyed. Don’t you do anything right?

Give your child a chance to gain skills and confidence by focusing on one or two behaviours that need to change Choose the top two annoy-

specific. It’s not enough to tell your child, “You need to remember your homework”. Your child needs to know exactly what she can do differently in order to remember her homework. To help her build organisational skills, think specific action steps rather than vague directions. Talk through some ideas together. If there are things she can do the night before to prepare for the morning, make sure those are clear. The key to a successful morning routine is to know exactly what needs to be done and in what order. Specific tasks and clear systems help everyone stay on track with minimal discussion.

Coach your child,

Signs your morning routine isn’t working:

dren do: waking your child up five times every morning, reminding them every 10 minutes that they need to make their lunch or pack up their gym bag. The good news is, you can stop working so hard. It isn’t working anyway. If you’ve had a clear discussion about your rules and expectations for the morning routine, all you need to do in the morning is remind your child of the rules. In the beginning, you may need to do some coaching, but resist that urge to jump in and do the work for him.

You’re starting to resent how much time it takes to pry your child out of bed every day.

It’s not even 7 am, and you’ve already had six arguments.

You end up late for work several days a week because your child “intentionally-by accident” missed the bus – again.

about the things they can do to improve those one or two things, and help them come up with ways they can meet your expectations.

You find yourself scrambling to help your child with a math problem they “forgot” to do last night, even though you asked several times about their homework. (Last night, they didn’t have any homework.)

Let the school enforce consequences. Your child’s school has rules and expectations for their students. Most likely, there are consequences in place for students who don’t meet those expectations. This is a great opportunity for you to step out of the drama and allow someone else to enforce the rules. If your child habitually shows up late, don’t protect them from detention or other consequences. If your child brings up a last-minute homework assignment, don’t fix it. Let him deal with the consequences from his teacher.

There’s so much eye-rolling, heaving, sighing, and dragging of feet in your morning routine, you’d think it was a sitcom not your actual life.

To see real changes, be

then step out of the picture. So many parents work way harder than their chil-

Remember, your child is the one who needs to work harder at getting to school on time or finishing their assignments on time. As James says, you’ve been through all this in your own childhood – you don’t need to do it all again. How does this work in practice? If your child springs last-minute homework on you in the morning, you might let her know: “Homework gets done after school, not before school. You’ll need to tell your teacher that you haven’t finished it.” Keep your child responsible for their own actions and the results of those actions. James calls this a “culture of accountability,” and it’s a key part of a healthy family system. No matter what happens, step away from the arguments. Instead of getting into daily morning arguments, remind your child of the rules, give them a little bit of coaching, and step out of the way. Arguments only delay things that are already taking far too long. If your morning struggles go beyond average annoying behaviours, be sure to reach out for more help. So remember to stay clear and consistent, coaching your child rather than engaging in battles of will. With time and practice, your family’s mornings can be a lot less stressful. (Empoweringparents.com)

China invested US$180M in Guyana last year – Hinds

By Jomo Paul

Acting President Samuel Hinds on Tuesday evening revealed that Chinese investment in Guyana’s economy for the fiscal year 2013 has tipped the scales at US$180 million (GY$369,000,000,00).

Hinds was at the time speaking at a reception held at the Chinese Embassy on Mandela Avenue, to mark the observance of the 65th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. He pointed out that this comes as China has managed to maintain a “steady growth momentum” and is now considered to be a “haven of economic stabil-

Guyana, Zhang Limin noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Guyana and China in 1972, the friendly cooperation has seen significant development. “We have become sincere friends and reliable partners. There were frequent high-level exchanges between our two countries,” Zhang said.

He pointed out that bilateral trade and investment volume has increased year by year, covering areas of natural resources and construction among other things. The Ambassador noted “these projects have played an important role in economic and social development and environment protection of Guyana. “Chinese

ity”.

The acting President noted that China has been a “good friend” of Guyana and over the years, the two countries have enjoyed growing mutually beneficial relations. He said that “Guyana’s infrastructural development continues apace with solid support” from China and Chinese investors.

“Chinese companies have invested in Guyana’s infrastructure and in its forestry and mining sector among other areas, thereby contributing significantly to Guyana’s development and the economic prosperity of our people,” Hinds noted.

China’s Ambassador to

entrepreneurs travelled distances to invest in Guyana, and they have the full support from Guyanese Government and local communities.”

He pointed out too that China is the largest developing country in the world, and this has come about through more than 30 years of rapid development since its reform and opening up policy.

“China has become the largest economy in the world and people’s livelihood has improved greatly; however, we have to keep a sombre mind, that with a big population of 1.3 billion, the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) only ranks around 80 in the world,”

Zhang said.

The Government of Guyana has been spending huge sums of money to create a country with a much improved infrastructure base, to propel rapid economic growth and enable better lives for citizens. At the same time, it has been putting in other services to attract both foreign and direct investment which aid in economic development and wealth creation and job opportunities.

But while the country has been experiencing year after year of economic growth, there seems to be a pattern emerging – a coordinated attack on investments in the country.

President Donald Ramotar, in a recent interview with the National Communications Network, said: “That pattern has been shown from the beginning of last year; it’s not a one-off act. How do you explain the non-support of the Amalia Falls, the Specialty Hospital, the expansion of the CJIA (Cheddi Jagan International Airport)?”

Citing the many attempts to vilify any investment plan involving the Chinese as another “clear pattern of attack”, President Ramotar said: “This is extremely worrying, because China has proven to be a very reliable developmental partner, not only to us in Guyana, but to the Caribbean.”

In some instances, he said, Opposition politicians initially supported some of the projects, only to with-

GDF Cessna crash lands at New River Triangle

… no injuries

AGuyana Defence Force Cessna 206 on Wednesday crashed upon landing at Camp Jaguar at New River at 13:50h. None of the persons on board was injured, the GDF said in a release.

A Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the incident has been mandated, and the BOI team is travelling to the location today.

On Tuesday this newspaper reported that approximately 16 persons escaped unhurt after the aircraft they were in missed the beginning of the runaway at the Kaieteur National Park, Region Eight on Sunday. The

incident occurred on Sunday around 16:05.

Guyana Times understands that the lone pilot and 15 passengers had departed the Ogle International Airport on Sunday a little after noon heading for the Kaieteur National Park; however, the pilot touched down short of the runway, causing minimal damage to the wing of the 18-seater BN-2A Mk III Trislander.

The aircraft is owned by the Golden Arrow Airways and was being flown by Captain Learie Barclay. As a result of the incident, the skin of the aircraft’s belly was damaged, between the engine and

the fuselage. Additionally, other parts of the aircraft were “wrinkled” including the top of the wing.

Speaking to the Guyana Times, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s Acting Director General, Ankar Doobay, disclosed that a team was dispatched to the location on Monday to conduct investigations.

The team was headed by Director of the Aviation Safety Regulations, Paula McAdam. According to Doobay, the aircraft has since been ferried to Georgetown and is currently at the Ogle International Airport where it will undergo an inspection.

Teen killed in Wallers Delight accident

Ateenager was killed on Wednesday morning after being struck by a motor vehicle as he attempted to cross the Wallers Delight Public Road, West Coast Demerara. The accident occurred about 08:30h in the vicinity of the Guyoil Service Station.

draw their support along with the requisite funding.

“Is it intended to put us in an awkward position to lose a lot of money? Because your voting for these things in the past has allowed us to have contractual arrangements in many areas; and now voting against them.”

As the President was at pains to explain, whenever queries arise about any investment, the Government and investors are, and remain, prepared to provide answers to those enquires. And the fact that comprehensive measures were taken by Government to provide details, some of which were highly confidential, to Opposition politicians, who still decided to oppose the investments, raises questions about the true purpose of their actions.

Dead is Shivnarine Simon Bachu, 17, of Lot 29 Wallers Delight, and formerly of Laluni, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. According to information received, the teenager, who was employed at the Guyoil Service Station, had left home for work and it was while he was crossing the road, he was struck by the 4Runner. Due to the impact, he was tossed about 20 feet and landed on the roadway. He sustained severe injuries about his body.

The pedestrian was subsequently picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but died on his way to the medical facility. At the scene, Khemraj Singh, owner of the Service Station, told the Guyana Times that he was sitting at the window when he saw the young man leaving his house which is directly opposite the Service Station.

He said from all indications, the young man might have misjudged the distance between himself and the vehicle and decided to run over the road. It was while doing so, he was stuck and flung into the air. Singh said that he hurried to the scene and saw the young man panting for breath.

“When I pick him up, it felt like he bones dem de break up… the vehicle wasn’t coming at a fast [pace] … his head catch below the right side head lamp of the vehicle… Is the knock he get on he head make he dead,” Singh added. In tears, he explained that two of the young man’s brothers are also working with him. The boys, he noted, came from a poor background and he had bought a house for them to stay and in turn, they worked for him. The two brothers were too devastated to speak. Police, in a release, stated that they are investigating the fatal accident. The initial investigation revealed that Bachu allegedly ran over the road and was struck down by a motor vehicle in the process. He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The Police also stated that the driver is in custody assisting with the investigations. The teenager leaves to mourn his 12 siblings.

Acting President Samuel Hinds followed by Mrs Hinds, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin and Mrs Zhang Limin

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin

PPP/C says APNU’s countrywide protest was poor

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) said that contrary to the boastful outbursts by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), its planned countrywide protest actions on Tuesday were poorly attended.

“Reports indicate that the turnout by Party Leaders, activists and supporters was very poor. In Georgetown, there were no more than 50 persons in a picketing exercise. While in the outlying municipalities, participation ranged from 20 to eight persons.”

According to the PPP/C, sections of the media, particularly Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, ‘sexed’ up the protests to help create the impression that the protest actions were impressive and had an impact.

The PPP/C said too that Opposition Leader David Granger’s threats must be ignored by all Guyanese, especially the good people who everyday do a hard and honest day’s work to provide for themselves and their families and to build a strong economic foundation for their future.

“Granger and his colleagues in the PNC have become desper-

ate and will resort to all means to disturb the peace and good order in our country. History is replete with experiences regarding the type of protests and civil unrests organised by the PNC. Those who have short memories will recall the physical and emotional hurt many suffered during the Agricola protests two years ago. That event was preceded by the protest at Linden a few months earlier.”

The PPP/C recalled the PNC protest in 2001, when it unleashed the “Mo fyah” campaign. “Before that, we had six months (December 1997 to June 1998) of protests, marches and civil disobedience which were followed in 1999 by the 90 days GPSU strike and protest. Incidentally, and as a form of calculated support for Granger’s recent call, Patrick Yarde has threatened that the GPSU will embark on “nationwide industrial action”. And not to be outdone, Hamilton Green joined the protest call with his “Bury Sooba” protest.”

Negative impact

The ruling party said there was no denying that political protest action hurts and harms the common working man and woman in particular and the country in general.

“Not only can we expect physical injuries to people and an escalation of crime, we also expect capital flight and economic stagnation. It is to be recalled that as a result of protests in the mid and late nineties, Guyana experienced economic stagnation and a slowing of the growth rate.

"The Private Sector Commission has already alerted the nation to the negative impact of protests

on business and investment.”

As regards Granger’s claim to fame in respect of public safety and security, Granger should be the last to talk about such matters since while talking about peaceful protests, he continues to stoke the furnace with a view to heating up

the political atmosphere, the PPP/C charged. “Mr Granger prides himself as the nation’s guru on security matters. However, when his “guru-ship” on security is matched against his delinquency to secure the safety of his own comrades at Congress Place, how can he guarantee the nation’s security?”

Track record

The Party has further noted Dr David Hinds’ query about “drum beating” when Afro-Guyanese protest and wishes to point out that the issue is not African Guyanese protesting per say, it is the PNC/ APNU/AFC organised political street protests, and the track record of such political protests and as a consequence, the anxiety and fear which such street protests

generate in the context of a multi-racial society and the constitutional rights of other Guyanese whose personal, private and economic interests must not be affected but respected, the PPP/C contended.

“Hinds writes as though the APNU, AFC and the WPA have a monopoly on all African Guyanese, but Hinds should know better especially in light of his personal involvement in the heady days of the Rodney era not to mention the revelations that the nation is now reading about vis-àvis the Rodney Commission of Inquiry. It is apposite to note that despite the APNU/ AFC Budget cuts, our country continues to see positive economic growth and citizens continue to benefit from the PPP/C Government’s spending on the social and physical infrastructures in our country,” the Party said.

“Protest and civil unrest can reverse all these gains as it has done in the past. It is also apposite to note that Granger’s protest announcement have nothing to do with Local Government Elections, rather it coincides with implementation of two important 2014 budget measures.

"The payout of education grants of $10,000 for every schoolchild and the positive impact from the $1 billion clean-up campaign as this exercise gets into full gear. The protest is clearly aimed at distracting attention from these two much welcomed Government initiatives.

The PPP/C calls on all good people who are in the overwhelming majority to reject the protest calls by Granger and the APNU. Let’s continue to unite for a better Guyana.”

50-year-old remanded on illegal firearm, ammunition charge

Fifty-year-old Oswald Europe was on Wednesday afternoon remanded on a charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Europe appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on September 22 at Mowasi Backdam, he had a revolver in his possession without being the holder of a firearm licence. It is also alleged that on the same day, he had in his possession several rounds of ammunition.

On the day in question, Europe was riding a motor-

duty. A search was conducted and the firearm was found in his pants crotch and the ammunition in his pants pocket. He was told of the offence, arrested, and subsequently charged.

Attorney Gordon Gilhuys represented Europe and made an application for bail. He told the court that having found the items, his client was riding out of the backdam to the nearest Police station to give the Police the items.

The defence counsel’s special reasons for bail were that his client had no prior brushes with the law and was not a flight risk as

he will be attending court. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Jomo Nichols objected to the counsel’s submission, stating that nothing in the prosecutor’s facts indicated that Europe ‘found’ the firearm and ammunition and was heading to the nearest Police station to turn in the items.

With that, Nichols objected to bail based on the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. Magistrate Azore ruled in favour of the Prosecutor, remanding Europe until October 20 when his matter will be recalled at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court.

Eyew tness

Boat gone a watah...

...PNC cyaan turn back

This Eyewitness is very much aware that in Guyana, folks are very sensitive about being called names.

So he’s going to quote the most eminent and respectable US President Barack Obama who, referring to Sarah Palin – his Republican opponent, said, “You can put lipstick on a pig – but it’s still a pig”. The point the President was trying to make – the same as this Eyewitness – is that making superficial changes to something doesn’t change its real nature.

Your Eyewitness has the PNC in mind. It went into the last elections as APNU – but the “lipstick” of a few “paper” coalition partners didn’t fool anyone. Quick now?? What’s the name of the outfit Keith Scott heads??

Where’s JFAP? GAP? The WPA?? Well, we know where the WPA’s four members are. Rupert Roopnaraine has announced he won’t be returning. David Hinds has announced he’s building “Black Consciousness” and is very critical of APNU in general and David Granger in particular. Bulkan...hey!! Was he ever WPA?? Kwayana is over in mellow California.

So let’s quit this nonsense of talking about “APNU”, when you know and this Eyewitness knows that we’re really talking about the PNC. And we can now discuss this “hurricane of protests” – a phrase beloved by Granger –the PNC’s launched across the country. We’ve already expatiated at length that launching protests is not just an itch with the PNC. It’s in their political DNA.

Well, day one of the PNC’s protest is over. If the truth be told, this Eyewitness was looking out for an event in Linden. This would’ve shown whether there’s any spunk left in a party that’s been defeated at elections the last five times in 20 years. And is so ashamed of its past, it had to deny its own name!! And give seats to “parties” that can’t even muster a hundred votes between them!

Lindeners aren’t afraid to call a spade a spade. Even in his heyday – a year after the town was named after him – Lindeners went on strike against the PNC Government of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. Today, all we’ve heard from Linden was that there was a “walkout” from a “campaign” meeting – which most likely was a “mobilisation” meeting for the “hurricane of protest”.

It was, therefore, not surprising to this Eyewitness that the “protests” elsewhere – including Georgetown – were more of a weak fart than any “hurricane”. And that’s what you get when you put an old fart at the head of your party. But that also can be dangerous. The weak leader might just feel compelled to do some very foolish things to prove he’s not an invertebrate. Like riots and arson.

...on

Muckraker’s obsession

This Eyewitness has commented before on the unhealthy obsession Mook Lall, over at the MuckrakerKN has with former President Jagdeo. It doesn’t matter what or where the occurrence or negative event – with the Mook, there’s only one answer – Jagdeo did it!! The wanker probably sees Jagdeo in every shadow at night. Maybe that’s why he has to drink himself to sleep – every night. Look at the last ants’ nest he’s poking concerning the GRA Boss and the Attorney General. Claims he had “incontrovertible evidence of a plot to destroy the Kaieteur News”. And who’s behind the plot??? Did you have to ask?? Jagdeo, of course!

So on Monday, the Kaieteur News printed the “proof” which purported to be an e-mail from the GRA Boss to Jagdeo. It had the redacted tax details of the Stabroek, the Guyana Times, the Chronicle and THE KAIETEUR NEWS –“deleted”.

Yesterday, however, without even an apology to the people of Guyana, much less Jagdeo, the Muckraker explicitly admitted the details on Kaieteur News were never sent to Jagdeo!!

So the question is, was Jagdeo getting the details to “destroy” the other papers??

Ahhhh. What a tangled web the Mook weaves when he tries to deceive...!!!

cycle at Mowasi Backdam when he was stopped by Police who were on patrol

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

APNU Chairman and Opposition Leader David Granger

Oswald Europe

Over 100 to benefit from eye surgeries by Chinese doctors

By the end of the next two days, over 100 Guyanese would have benefited from eye examinations and surgeries conducted by the Chinese medical team at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Head Nurse of the Eye Clinic, Kunte Bacchus, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Wednesday that 40 patients are booked for today, 20 for Thursday, and another 30-40 for Friday.

Most of the surgeries being conducted are for the removal of cataract, which takes a minimum of 10 minutes to be completed. However, two retina surgeries are slated for Thursday. These entail a more complicated procedure than the cataract sur-

geries. Pre-operative procedures and secondary screenings for surgery patients by the Chinese team began last week. At the hospital earlier on Wednesday, staff of the eye clinic were busy prepping a number of patients for the operating theatre.

Bacchus explained that, “we try to allay their fears so that they do not get too anxious; we start dilating the eyes, check their blood pressure, and check their body weight to make sure that they are in order and ready for surgery.” Additionally, the families of the patients were educated on how to administer the best post-surgery home care for patients after they are discharged.

Mexican Embassy launches Casasola Archives exhibition

As the Mexican Embassy continues to roll out activities in observance of Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16), a grand exhibition of legendary photos from one of the country’s most acclaimed museums is being held at the Embassy.

The exhibition titled “From the kitchen to the eyes” features classic photos of archaic dining rooms and kitchens from Mexico’s pre-modernisation era that is 1900-1961 and will run until Friday at the Embassy’s Brickdam location.

Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana, Francis Olguin noted that the exhibition was merely a “small sample” of what the Casasola Archives has to offer. Olguin explained that the Casasola Archive is a vast collection of over half a million photographs taken by several generations of the Casasola family and over 400 other photographers.

Collectively, the images, now housed in the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia Historia’s Fototeca in Pachuca, Hidalgo, form one of the most important photographic archives in Mexico

and offer a cross-section of urban society over the first half of the 20th century.

A large segment of the archives is identified as Judiciales, which includes photographs of crime scenes, reconstructions of

crimes, documentation of evidence and of Police procedures, and criminal trials.

The archives were founded by the famous photojournalist Agustín Víctor Casasola and his younger

brother, also a photojournalist, Miguel Casasola. When foreign journalists began flooding Mexico to report on the civil conflict that erupted in 1911, the brothers formed an agency with several colleagues to better contend with this new, more competitive environment.

The Agencia Fotográfica Nacional, founded in 1912, grew into a wide-ranging archive of over half a million negatives, as the brothers began to acquire existing collections, beginning with the photo archives of their former employer, El Imparcial.

The Casasola collection thus includes not only photographs taken by the two brothers, their children Agustín Jr and Gustavo, and other family members.

While the Casasolas continued to photograph after the Revolution, producing images like those of the drug users for newspapers including El Universal, Excelsior, and El Demócrata, their busi-

ness increasingly involved the marketing of their archive and the publication of visual histories that drew on their extensive holdings.

Today, students of the Burrowes School of Art’s Photography class will be touring the exhibition.

Patients being prepped for surgery under the supervision of Head Nurse Kunte Bacchus at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Eye Clinic

This man peruses the caption beneath a photo at the exhibition on Wednesday

Sugar strike ends

… worker’s dismissal amended to “suspension”

y V ahnu M anikchand

B

Following several days of strike action at the Skeldon Estate and several discussions over the dismissal of a field worker, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Wednesday agreed to call off the strike and amend the dismissal of the worker at the centre of the dispute to a suspension.

cluded that the strike action by field and factory workers at the Skeldon Estate be called off immediately and that there be a full resumption of work by today. Additionally, the Terms of Resumption called for no victimisation of any party and the days when the workers were on strike will be recorded as not available as opposed to absent.

this nation that the worker is guilty and the manager is innocent and that has not yet been proven,” he vented.

Mill Dock Operator Stephen Daniels was dismissed for allegedly assaulting the General Manager of Skeldon Estate, but this has been amended to a suspension following the conclusion of talks at the conciliation level. Wednesday’s agreement followed two days of conciliatory discussions between the two parties hosted by the Labour Ministry, which resulted in the Corporation and the Union agreeing to a six-item Terms of Resumption.

The next step is for both the Corporation and the Union to present reports to the Labour Ministry which will then conduct an on-field investigation into the matter. Guyana Times was told that the investigation will be conducted by the Ministry’s Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, after which he will make a recommendation as to whether Daniels’ dismissal was substantiated and should be executed or he was indeed provoked to react the way he did and have to be reinstated.

Pleased

After holding firm to its decision of dismissing the Mill Dock Operator, GuySuCo eventually concurred to put him on suspension without pay pending the conclusion of “either conciliation or arbitration” between the Corporation and the Union. The conciliation talks are also part of the Terms of Resumption, which cater for discussions to commence on the grievance which caused the strike. These talks are expected to commence on Friday, following the resumption of work.

The terms further in-

Speaking to this newspaper, GAWU President Komal Chand stated that he was pleased that the Union was able to get GuySuCo to comply with its main demand, that is, to reinstate Daniels. “At last, we get them to buckle to remove him from dismissal to suspension and to have conciliatory proceedings immediately,” he said.

On Monday, GAWU and GuySuCo’s Industrial Relations Department Director, Jairam Pitam, met to find a solution regarding the industrial action; however, GuySuCo refused to meet the conditions put forward by the Union; hence, stalling any chances of resolution. This forced the Ministry to intervene on Tuesday, but the two parties could not come to an agreement; hence, the discussions had to continue the following day.

In a statement on Wednesday, GuySuCo said that finalisation of the Terms of Resumption was postponed on the first day, because GAWU had requested some time to “consult with the striking workers at Albion before the Union determines the Terms of Resumption (TOR) in the current strike”.

After the Corporation’s

refusal to accept the proposal by GAWU, strike action intensified along the Corentyne and saw workers at the Albion and Rose Hall Estates joining in solidarity. Both field and factory workers at the Albion Estate downed their tools and joined the strike on Tuesday. Some 750 workers walked off the job, bringing grinding operations to a halt; however, the workers were back out to work on Wednesday. Then the solidarity support continued that day with workers from the Rose Hall Estate joining the strike for the day. All the field workers were on strike along with some of the factory staff.

Solution

Additionally, workers of Blairmont Estate had expressed their intention to join the industrial action today if the parties were unable to arrive at a solution. The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had also indicated its intention to get its members to join in the strike action.

FITUG President Carvil Duncan expressed his disappointment at the way in which the Sugar Corporation handled the matter, since it allowed the manager involved to execute disciplinary action. “If there are two persons involved in a matter, interdict both persons from work and have an independent set of persons try the matter and make the determination, of which the parties would be bound to accept. So you cannot justify dismissing a worker while the manager is still on the job; what, in fact, you are doing, you are saying to

On Sunday, both factory and field workers from the Skeldon Estate took full strike action after the dismissal of Daniels, who reportedly verbally and physically abused a senior estate manager on Friday evening. However, workers at the factory claimed that the manager was intoxicated and had provoked the Mill Dock Operator who retaliated by hitting him. Daniels was subsequently issued with a dismissal letter the following day causing the strike action to commence.

GuySuCo had refuted the claims made by the worker and stood by the manager’s decision to dismiss Daniels. While the Skeldon factory was still operating during the strike by those workers who are not unionised, it could have lost in excess of $255 million if field workers had stayed off the job for the next two days. Currently, 1130 punts of cane are waiting to be transported to the factory to be ground. At 12.45 ton per cane/ton per sugar (TCTS), it would produce in excess of 83,000 tonnes of sugar at $5000 per tonne. (vahnum@guyanatimesgy.com)

It wasn’t me...

Two man gotta major problem right now. One name Trot Man and de other name Welsh Man. Welsh Man ain’t from Wales like any other Welshman. He from right hey in Guyana. But right now he ain’t wanna be in Guyana.

In fact, right now Welsh Man wish he coulda get away from Guyana. But to do that he gon have to getta lawyer to do a petition fuh he. And Welsh Man seh he hate all dem lawyers to de bone.

Every one of de bones. And every one of de lawyers. So unless he change he mind and start liking dem lawyers, he ain’t gon get a chance to get away anytime soon. And that is whah dem lawyers like. Just ask Trot Man.

Welsh Man seh he own mattie Guyanese do he bad tings. Welsh Man even claim that one of dem was Trot Man. Plus Welsh Man claim that even he own mattie family do he bad tings. Now even when he try to talk bout whah happen, he get a gag from Trot Man.

So it look like is gag all over again 10 years down de line. But Trot Man talk to de media de other day and seh, “It wasn’t me”, although people who seh dem know he seh de opposite.

Two other man who gotta gag problem is de paper man and de tax man. Paper man lookin to gag de tax man, but de tax man seh he ain’t goin in fuh dem tings. So paper man turn round and tryin to gag another paper. Every time paper man get some ting bout some body, he does call that exposure. When tax man get some ting bout paper man, paper man seh he is a target. But is so people does behave when dem have tings to hide.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Now Rum Jhaat and Green Jah gotta whole different kinda problem. Rum Jhaat want general poll and Green Jah want local poll. Between de two of dem, both of dem want poll.

Man on bail after allegedly threatening sister

Alodger at the East La Penitence Night Shelter was on Wednesday morning placed on $45,000 bail after denying a charge of threatening language that was laid against him.

Howard Bobb appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on September 22 at Bourda Market, Georgetown, he made use of threatening language to the Virtual Complainant (VC), Charlene Bobb.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant told the Court that the defendant and the VC are siblings, and objected to bail,

citing that Howard Bobb’s address is not a permanent one and the frequency with which he threatens the VC – which, according to her, was very often.

“He does deh tellin people how I does deh wukin obeah,” the annoyed woman added.

The Chief Magistrate then informed her that she can apply for a restriction order against her brother.

She responded that she knew of this, but all she wanted was for her brother not “to have nothing to tell her” nor visit her stall.

The defendant was ordered to stay 500 feet away from his sister’s home at Lot 960 Caneville Housing Scheme and her stall. His next court

is

appearance

on October 20 before Magistrate Geeta EdmondChandan.

Howard Bobb

GAWU President Komal Chand

Mill Dock Operator Stephen Daniels

A.I.D.S. holds “conflict workshop” for men

Executive Director of Artiste In Direct Support (A.I.D.S.), Desiree Edghill on Monday hosted a “conflict workshop” for young men under the theme “Be you, be original, be free”.

Edghill said men are at greater risk of causing conflict in society. The workshop addressed depression, anger management, conflict within family, self-worth, peer pressure and a number of other social issues that young people are faced with.

The four-session workshop, which concluded on Tuesday, saw a number of young people from across Georgetown taking part in several activities. The workshop was funded by CVC/COIN a programme that works with young men in Guyana’s society who face day-to-day challenges. The project started in September 2013 and deals mainly with conflict resolution among men.

Work was also done under this project to train young men in life skills and risk reduction, hair and makeup, public speaking among many others.

The programme will continue in 2015 and go beyond where peer education will be done using the sex positive manual; computer training will also be offered and a continuation of work on conflict and human rights which seem to be the ground on which the workshop was birthed.

The main aim of the programme is not just solving the problems young men face but also to let them know that they should not limit themselves but explore all that life has to offer.

Among the participants were the 2014 Mr Guyana International contestants who gained knowledge on their different platforms. Every person was given an opportunity to speak out on

issues which might be affecting them.

Meanwhile, Franchise holder of the pageant Paul Burnette said that he is extremely grateful for the teachings of Edghill. He noted that since the workshop began there has been a significant change in the lives of the men and the way their day-to-day activities are carried out.

Some of the participants noted how beneficial the workshop was to them, given that they have insecurities and find it difficult to be themselves. One young man said being a victim of peer pressure lately the workshop has helped him to believe in himself. The four-session event came to a close with skits and dramatic pieces where persons showcased what they learnt.

Chinese Health Minister for 2-day visit

Li Bin, Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, will be visiting Guyana from September 27-29, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

This will be her first visit to the country. During her visit, Li and her Delegation of four Chinese Government officials will be meeting with Prime Minister Sam Hinds, visiting the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Linden Hospital Complex, and meeting with the 14 members of the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade (CMB).

She will also visit patients who benefited from activities of the 11th CMB. These include patients fully recovered from complex ophthalmic and laparoscopic surgical operations at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Linden Hospital Complex.

15000+

Minister Li is expected to symbolically remove the dressings from several patients successfully recovering from recent eye surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Linden Hospital Complex. Li will inaugurate the Centre for Laparoscopic Surgery at the Linden Hospital Complex,

which the Chinese Medical Brigade has donated costly Laparoscopic instruments and equipment.

Minister Li and Minister Bheri Ramsaran will hold talks on strengthening the cooperation between the Health Ministry and the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China. They will at the end of the talks be expected to sign a Memorandum Understanding which will formalise the outcome of their discussion. Minster Li has a PhD in Economics and was Governor of Anhui Province in February of 2012.

In March 2013, she became the Minister and Party Secretary of the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China. The Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of Guyana welcomes Dr Li and wishes a memorable and productive visit.

charged for speeding so far this year – Police

The Guyana Police Force

Traffic Department

said it has made out over 15,000 cases of speeding for this year so far – over 900 of which were made out this month.

In a statement, the Department said in its continuing efforts to make the roads safer through law enforcement, it made a total of 3965 cases for breach of the law between September 8 to 22, 2014.

For September so far, speeding cases totalled 981; driving under the influence of alcohol – 55; dangerous

driving – 36; careless driving – 21; overloaded minibus – 266 and failure to confirm to sign – 346.

Further, the Department said for the year to date their enforcement efforts have resulted in 19,842 cases.

These include: 1254 for use of cell phones; 506, driving under the influence of alcohol; 365 for failure to adhere to siren; 938 for tinted vehicles; 1219, traffic light signals; 477, private hire and 15,083 for speeding.

According to the Police, since the re-opening of schools, the Department

has resumed its Road Safety Education through road safety talks to schools inclusive of Bishops' High School, Rama Krishna Primary School, JE Burnham Primary School and Diamond Primary among others.

In addition, there is a Traffic Advisory Body in Georgetown whose primary objective is to assist the Police in identifying traffic issues and finding solutions to deal with those issues. This body has recently donated “Stop children crossing” signs and reflectors to

the Traffic Department. There are also two road safety bodies in Berbice and one in Linden, while the other bodies in the divisions are now being resuscitated.

“The Guyana Police Force takes this opportunity to remind the general public that road safety is everybody’s business, and to remember the 5 Cs: care, courtesy, caution, consideration and common sense when using the road. We all have a duty to make our roads safer and with that sense of responsibility, together we can.”

A.I.D.S. Executive Director, Desiree Edghill lecturing to a group of young men at the St Joseph High School

China’s Minister of National Health and Family Planning, Li Bin

thursDAY, september 25, 2014 | guYAnAtimesgY.com

Guyana, Norway reaffirm commitment to tackling climate change

President Donald Ramotar and new Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, on Wednesday in New York.

The two leaders discussed the Guyana/Norway forest deal and reaffirmed their commitment to tackling climate change and to working to ensure other countries emulate the deal, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

In an interview after the meeting, President Ramotar said, “We both expressed satisfaction with the relationship that Guyana and Norway has had. We both think it is a very useful partnership and a good example of links between developed and developing countries in the common fight against climate change and for saving the international environment.”

In terms of getting more countries on board the climate change fight, the Guyanese leader said, “We think we are

ready to share our experiences with other countries so that we can have more countries coming in… other developing countries, more developed countries, so we can make a tangible and real contribution in fighting against climate change.”

On November 9, 2009, the Governments of Guyana and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and simultaneously published a Joint Concept Note, which set out how the two countries will “work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model for how REDD+ can align the development objectives of forest countries with the world’s need to combat climate change”.

Norway committed to providing financial support of up to US$250 million until 2015 for results achieved by Guyana in limiting emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, which will support the implementation of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). As part of

the agreement, the two countries agreed to establish the Guyana Redd + Investment Fund (GRIF) as the financial intermediary mechanism for the performance-based payments from contributors to Guyana. Guyana has received about US$115 million from Norway to date under that agreement and the money has gone towards several projects. These include: the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) which is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP); Amerindian Land titling; the small and medium sized enterprises which are in process of being implemented; climate resilient strategy and action plans; an institutional strengthening project to reinforce the institutions involved in environmental management; Project Management Office of the Office of the President; and the Amaila Falls hydropower project, the flagship project of the LCDS.

Caribbean Export awards over US$200,000 to agroprocessing companies

The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has announced the awarding of over US$255,000 in financial assistance to CARIFORUM agro- processing firms as part of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

“It is of paramount importance that food producers are able to compete on a global scale. This can only be achieved through meeting the stringent regulatory or certification needs for international food safety. The allocation of these funds will help these businesses in the first instance to get them export ready or be able to increase their exports to new markets. This is the boost

that the sector in the Region needs,” Caribbean Export Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said.

The agro-processing sector within the Caribbean is relatively fragmented and underdeveloped, comprising mainly small and medium sized enterprises involved in the processing of traditional agricultural products for domestic use and export. There are a number of competitive constraints that currently hinder the expansion of the agro-processing sector, one of which is food safety requirements.

On May 28, the Agency released a Special Call for Proposals – Food Safety for CARIFORUM agro- processing firms, specifically to address the issue of exporters and producers not meeting certain food safety requirements for the EU market.

Child molesters must be condemned – Granger

While Guyana observes Child Protection Week 2014 under the theme, “Partnering with Communities, To Prevent Child Abuse” Leader of the Opposition and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, says that all child molesters should be condemned.

Speaking to the Guyana Times in an interview on Wednesday, the Opposition Leader noted that the APNU has held one position on child abuse over the years and that has not changed. Granger said that the party “condemns” all forms of abuse against children, including paedophilia, incest, child abuse and child neglect, while noting that the same applies to the abuse of women.

He noted, however, that there was need for greater enforcement of laws on the part of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and the Guyana Police Force, to curb and possibly end child abuse in our society. Guyana Times sought comments from Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament, Trevor Williams as well as several Government officials, but was unsuccessful.

Only Monday, Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene contended that paedophilia and child sexual molestation have no barriers. “It has no respect for creed, status, race; it cuts across all divides. You can’t put it down to say that only these people

will do child abuse,” Greene said.

She also indicated that while there has been an increase in reports of child sexual abuse, “child abuse is still very much hidden; the reports are just the tip of the iceberg”. It was noted that child sexual abuse is the second most frequent form of child abuse reported.

Executive Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Pastor Patricia Sherratan-Bisnauth said that paedophilia, a longstanding crisis in society, has been crushing communities, destroying homes and people. Sherratan-Bisnauth said that while paedophilia is “running rampant” in our society, there is little that can be done un-

less reports are made and investigations are adequately carried out. On this note, she remarked that because of preexisting situations and the small number of reports being gathered, “we are barely scratching the surface”. She explained: “People, and children in this case, keep silent because of their vulnerability, and it’s worse for children, because, in some cases, they depend on their assaulters for support.”

Earlier this year, Attorney General Anil Nandlall had reported that there were no convictions for sexual offences since 2011 – a situation which he described as “alarming” and blamed the archaic jury system, as well as reluctant witnesses for the problem. For the years 2012 and 2013, some 22 sexual offences cases were taken before the court, but there has been no conviction. Instead, there have been a number of hung juries, witnesses failing to attend court, and some victims deciding not to pursue the matter.

For the year 2013, during the period of January to July, there were 179 cases of reported rapes. A number of social groups have lamented the manner in which rape is generally handled by the Police; hence, some time ago, the Guyana Human Rights Association in a study titled “Without Conviction: Sexual Violence Cases in The Guyana Justice Process” had revealed an average conviction rate of 1.4 per cent of all rape cases reported to the Police.

GAWU clinches 4% pay hike for sugar workers

By Vahnu Manikchand

Sugar workers who are unionised under the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) are expected to receive a four per cent increase in their wages this year.

Internationally, exporters are obligated to comply with the food safety requirements of the desired export markets. Applications were received from 55 companies, 22 of which have been awarded a grant to a maximum value of €10,000. The successful applicants were from Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is anticipated that the beneficiaries of these grants that wish to export to the EU will utilise the funds to develop in a manner that ensures food production under standard quality control conditions that meet the sanitary and regulatory requirements of the EU marketplace such as HACCP, GAPs, GlobalGAP, ISO 14000, BRC, QF 1000, and Primus GFS.

Guyana Times was informed by reliable sources that following several bilateral discussions at a conciliatory level between the Union and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the two have agreed on the increase. The increase is said to be across-the-board and retroactive from January 1 this year. It was further reported to this newspaper that the draft agreement will be reviewed by the parties today before the top officials of both bodies meet to “seal the deal”. The agreement will be signed on Friday at GuySuCo’s Office in La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara. Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle is expected to be present and will countersign the agreement.

Last year, GAWU had negotiated another four per cent hike in wages for workers under its umbrella. The agreement was signed in November and the increases were also retroactive from January 1 that year. The agreement catered for improvements in

allowances and additional yearly issuance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers. The negotiating team, in approving the agreement, took into account the interim audited statement of the Corporation for 2012 and the management accounts as at August 31, which had indicated that the Corporation was in dire financial straits.

That wage hike was done at a time when cane harvesters attached to the Rose Hall Estate, Providence, East Bank Berbice downed their tools in protest over an initial proposal of a one per cent wage increase. Workers had expressed their dissatisfaction with the hike, pointing out that while the Corporation was cash-strapped, it was still able to pay huge salaries to its managerial staff. Some of the workers had demanded an eight per cent wage increase.

Adjustments

Meanwhile back in 2012, GAWU workers were given a five per cent across-the-board wage increase. This increase had seen piece-rated workers receiving a five per cent increase, while time-rated workers received one per cent. The latter set of workers were already benefiting from an adjustment in their rates of pay effective November 4 that year, arising from a joint job

evaluation exercise done by GAWU and GuySuCo. These increases were also retroactive to January 1, 2012. Despite the investment of billions into the sugar industry, GuySuCo continues to operate at a loss. Last year, the Corporation had set a target of 240,000 tonnes of sugar, but this figure was subsequently revised to 190,000 tonnes. With this significant reduction, the industry still fell short in achieving the target. The Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo had promised that 2014 will be the turnaround year for the industry. He foresaw that the Corporation would break the tradition of reducing its initial targets, noting that this year the revised target will move from 216,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. The first crop this year had surpassed the target set for the first crop by 5000 tonnes. During this period, the industry produced 79,995 tonnes of sugar with 139,049 tonnes expected to be produced by the end of the second crop, taking the total tonnage to 219,045. It was indicated that the production target for 2014 has been revised, but the other strategic goals laid out in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan have remained intact. Similar charges were expected to be made for 2015 and 2016.

President Donald Ramotar, new Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

APNU and Opposition Leader David Granger

Welshman files complaint against Trotman with DPP

Young Johnny Welshman who shocked the nation this week by alleging that he was sexually assaulted by Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman when he was 12 has lodged a formal complaint at the Chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Chamber, however, denied that it had offered protection to the youth. Welshman told Guyana Times on Sunday during an interview that he had received a call from the DPP enquiring whether he needed witness protection, but he turned down the offer.

He said too that several lawyers are lining up to represent him, including attorneys from the United Kingdom. However, Guyana Times has confirmed that he was advised by Attorneyat-Law Jaya Manickchand to file a complaint with the DPP.

The DPP Communication Officer Liz Rahaman on

Wednesday refuted the claims made. After seeking verification from the Director Shalimar Ali Hack, Rahaman made it clear that the DPP had never spoken to Welshman much less given him the assurance that protection would be provided. “We don’t offer protection to anyone; that’s not our responsibility,” Rahaman said. However, Rahaman said Welshman, for the first time,

visited the Chamber on Wednesday around 12:50h to file a formal complaint. “I dealt with him myself,” Rahaman said as she explained that he was provided with a formal complaint form, like any other citizen of Guyana who would visit the Chamber to file complaints over grievances they may have.

The complaint was directly linked to the allegations levied against Trotman, Welshman’s father Johnny Terry Welshman and Colin (only name given) from Yarrowkabra.

Rahaman clarified that the function of the DPP is to give legal advice to the Guyana Police Force on criminal matters engaging their attention. However, on a daily basis, the DPP Communications Officer explained, regular citizens file complaints over grievances they may have.

Welshman has alleged that he was first sexually assaulted by a relative at

the age of eight, before he was allegedly molested by Trotman at the age of 12, even as he was a student of the St Agnes Primary School. Though he had left Guyana for Trinidad and Tobago, Welshman alleged he was often plunged into a state of depression, resulting in him seeking treatment and counselling.

According to him, it was during these counselling sessions, his counsellor advised him that true healing would only come if he confronts his abusers. According to him, it was based on this recommendation that he journeyed to Guyana on July 23, 2014.

His intentions, he said, were pure, positing that he simply wanted true healing. It is being alleged that Welshman subsequently demanded $20 million from the Speaker to settle the matter, but when this was rejected, he turned to social media and the press with his story.

“I suffered trials and tribulations” – Trotman tells children

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman told a gathering of children last week that his life was not without significant trials and tribulations and urged them to stay focused and capitalise on opportunities available to them.

According to a release from the Ministry of Education, the Rights of the Child Commission on September 19 held a special empowerment workshop with students of the Sophia Training Centre. More than 60 of the children and youths from the Sophia Training Centre, who were selected for work-study assignments attended the session.

According to the release, Trotman, in his address to the gathering, highlighted that his achievements came with hard work and commitment. He told the participants of his own life, which, as he emphasised, was not without significant trials and tribulations and urged them to capitalise fully on the opportunities available to them. He said that in this thrust, the key values of determina-

tion, responsibility and competence would serve them in good stead.

The empowerment workshop also addressed the fostering of leadership capacity among the participants. In this session, the group of young people explored a number of leadership qualities such as, consistency, accountability, reliability, flexibility, self-confidence, and patience. The final session focused on apprising the participants of professional job interview ex-

Trotman paedophile allegations...

Jaya Manickchand:

“I was not retained by Welshman”

Attorney Jaya Manickchand

Attorney-at-Law Jaya Manickchand said she had long recused herself from the matter involving Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman before it exploded in the press, and stands by her earlier statements that she was never retained by Johnny Welshman Junior to represent him in the matter involving Trotman.

pectations and strategies. A number of mock interviews were conducted based on the principles of interview strategy discussed.

The Ministry said the workshop is the third engagement of the Sophia Training Centre by the Rights of the Child Commission for 2014. The first was a workshop conducted with the staff on the Needs of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The second was a similar empowerment session with the students focusing on building trust and the cultivation of values.

Not yet known

At the time when Trotman made the remarks to the children, the child molestation accusations against him were not yet known publicly.

The Sophia Training Centre falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and is a vocational learning institution for children and youth who would not have particularly excelled within the regular school system but are seek-

ing a second opportunity to be equipped with a career skill. The Centre’s curriculum covers Information Technology, Catering, Refrigeration Repairs, Plumbing, Welding and Masonry. It is compulsory for all students of the Centre to take remedial Maths and English.

Negotiations are ongoing between the RCC and the Centre’s administration on possible further engagements particularly in the area of improving the capacity of instructors to deal with children and youth with learning challenges. The RCC’s engagement with the Centre is a product of a fruitful relationship the Commission has cultivated with the Ministry. Similar workshops were also held at the New Opportunity Corps and the Kuru Kuru Training Centre.

The RCC’s partnership with the Ministry is premised on the realisation that the employment of the UNCRC articles will only be possible with corresponding empowerment and capacity building among our children and youth.

Former Culture Minister

Elvin McDavid passes on

Former Information and Culture Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Forbes Burnham Administration, Elvin McDavid has passed away. The PNC Reform (PNCR) announced the death of McDavid in a release. McDavid, the party, said was born in Georgetown on the June 10, 1944 and was educated at St Mary’s RC School, St Stanislaus College, University of Birmingham and the University of the West Indies. He died in Jamaica where he was receiving

medical attention. McDavid was a former Political Assistant to the Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham; Minister of Information and Culture (1971-72); and Ambassador to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. He is credited with much of

the pioneering work for the hosting of the first Caribbean Festival of the Arts (Carifesta) and the establishment of the Guyana National Service (GNS). The PNCR extends its deepest condolences to McDavid’s children, brother and relatives.

The 22-year-old is accusing Trotman of sexually assaulting him as a child, but the Speaker has since denied the allegations. Nevertheless, in a quest to prove her case, Manickchand explained that on September 19, Welshman visited her chamber in an effort to solicit her assistance, but she was not available at the time. But upon learning of his visit, the Attorney returned a call to the young man, during which “certain information” was disclosed.

But upon learning that a report was lodged at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), she advised Welshman to seek counsel with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) Chambers. However, based on the information disclosed, Manickchand said she offered to speak with Trotman not as Welshman’s Attorney but as a mediator, with intentions of settling the matter.

“If a likely settlement could have been met then I would have considered facilitating that settlement. I thought it best to have Raphael deal with this matter privately because he has young daughters and I know allegations like the ones being made can be hurtful to anyone, much less young girls,” Manickchand explained.

She confirmed sending Trotman SMS messages regarding the matter involving Welshman and the fact that he had returned a call later that night. “Based on that telephone conversation I formed the opinion that there was no way I could have assisted,” she added. It was at this point, Manickchand said she recused herself from the “en-

tire matter”. Due to the fact that she and Trotman are colleagues, Manickchand said, she will not disclose the content of the conversation nor will she disclose the privileged information provided by Welshman. “Now, for whatever motive it is of Trotman to disclose my text to him, it only supports what I have said in relation to my involvement in this matter. How I wish persons can extend themselves to be objective and really read and understand,” she opined. Manickchand made it clear that she has not met Welshman in person since he made contact with her, pointing out that she first met him at the Children’s Legal Aid Clinic several years ago. “I do not know whether Raphael Trotman sexually assaulted ... Johnny Welshman. If the allegation is false, then Johnny is one sick person and deserves urgent medical attention because this is seriously damaging to Raphael’s reputation, amongst other things. But, if Welshman is telling the truth, doesn’t he deserve the opportunity to be heard fairly without Trotman’s political interference and that of his friends? Give the justice system an opportunity to work,” Manickchand asserted.

Distraction

The Attorney is contending that Trotman, backed by the Alliance for Change (AFC) which he co-founded, is doing all in his power to distract persons from the real issue. The once outspoken Welshman who has implicated his father, Johnny Terry Welshman, Trotman and another friend in sexually assaulting him, has now been silenced by an injunction filed by the Speaker. A part of the injunction filed on Monday, is a $50 million lawsuit for libel in articles published in the Stabroek News and the Guyana Times on Monday. In the court documents filed, Trotman, through his attorney, Nigel Hughes, opined that Welshman might be mentally unstable, schizophrenic and delusional. However, it was this same individual that Trotman recommended to Pegasus Hotel for a job. On August 13, Trotman in his recommendation said, “This letter serves to introduce Mr Johnny Welshman of 223 David Street, Kitty, Georgetown whose family has been known to me for more than 10 years. Mr Welshman displays many good character traits such as commitment, and a willingness to work hard. I therefore have no hesitation in recommending him for whatever he endeavours to pursue.”

Johnny Welshman

Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman

Caribbean Chikungunya cases top 738,000

The tally of Chikungunya cases in the Caribbean, pushed by 19,000 new cases in the Dominican Republic, has surpassed 738,000, according to public health agencies.

In an update on September 22, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) said the count as of September 19 for the Caribbean and neighbour-

ing regions reached 729,178 suspected and 9537 confirmed cases, for a total of 738,715.

That amounts to an increase of 22,185 in suspected cases and 886 confirmed cases since September 12, the report shows.

The Dominican Republic’s tally of suspected cases has reached 486,306, up by 19,240 from a week earlier.

Confirmed cases in the country stayed the same at 84. In neighbouring Haiti, the case count stayed at 64,695, about the same as it was in late July.

Other places that reported rising cases were Curacao, with 665, compared with just 37 a week earlier, and Jamaica, with 122 cases, up from 17 a week ago. (Excerpt from Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy)

Brazil refuses to join pledge to end deforestation

Brazil has refused to sign up to a pact setting a deadline for ending deforestation entirely by 2030.

The United States, Canada and European Union nations were among 30 states that agreed to halve forest loss by 2020 and work towards a 2030 goal.

But Brazil, which owns the largest continuous rainforest on the planet, refused to sign because it could contravene national law.

UN officials said they hoped the pact would be adopted in 2015. The

Brazilian Environment Minister Isabella Teixeira told Associated Press, “unfortunately, we were not consulted”.

“But I think that it’s impossible to think that you can have a global forest initiative without Brazil on board. It doesn’t make sense.” The Minister said her Government was concerned the new resolution could clash with Brazil’s national laws, which allow for managed felling.

She said Brazil had set its own goal of slowing the pace of deforestation to 3900

Kidnapped Mexican Congressman Gabriel Gomez killed

The Mexican authorities say one of two burned bodies found in a car in the central state of Zacatecas is that of a federal Congressman abducted on Monday.

Gabriel Gomez Michel, a member of the Chamber of Deputies for the governing PRI party, had been kidnapped south of the city of Guadalajara. Prosecutors said the second body was that of Gomez’s driver, Heriberto Nunez Ramos.

PRI politicians said they suspected a criminal gang was behind the murder.

Local politicians are often targeted by Mexican drug cartels, but the murder of politicians at a federal level is rarer. Gomez, 49, was a paedi-

atrician who served as the mayor of the town of El Grullo in Jalisco state from 2010 to 2012.

He went on to be elected as representative for the 18th district in Jalisco state for the ruling PRI party. In 2011, another federal Congressman, Moises Villanueva, was killed in Zacatecas. Police said that killing was ordered by a political rival rather than organised crime.

Jalisco is the stronghold of a criminal gang calling itself the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion and the state has seen a spate of killings blamed on the group.

Last month, the mayor of the town of Ayutla was shot dead by unidentified gunmen. (BBC News)

Brazil releases ‘good’ mosquitoes to fight Dengue Fever

Brazilian researchers in Rio de Janeiro have released thousands of mosquitoes infected with a bacterium that suppresses Dengue Fever.

The hope is they will multiply, breed and become the majority of mosquitoes, thus reducing cases of the disease.

The initiative is part of a programme also taking place in Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The intercellular bacterium, Wolbachia, being introduced cannot be transmitted to humans.

The programme started in 2012 says Luciano Moreira of the Brazilian re-

search institute Fiocruz, who is leading the project in Brazil.

“Our teams performed weekly visits to the four neighbourhoods in Rio being targeted. Mosquitoes were analysed after collection in special traps.

“Transparency and proper information for the households is priority.”

Ten thousand mosquitoes will be released each month for four months with the first release in Tubiacanga, in the north of Rio.

The bacterium Wolbachia is found in 60 per cent of insects. It acts like a vaccine for the mosquito which carries Dengue, Aedes aegypti,

stopping the Dengue virus multiplying in its body.

Wolbachia also has an effect on reproduction. If a contaminated male fertilises the eggs of a female without the bacteria, these eggs do not turn into larvae.

If the male and female are contaminated or if only a female has the bacteria, all future generations of mosquito will carry Wolbachia. As a result, Aedes mosquitoes with Wolbachia become predominant without researchers having to constantly release more contaminated insects.

In Australia, this happened within 10 weeks on average. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Killers of Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear jailed

Acourt in Venezuela has sentenced three men to lengthy jail sentences for the killing of Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear in January.

The three had pleaded guilty.

square kilometres (1500 square miles) annually by 2020. That would be down from about 5843 sq km (2256 square miles) in the period August 2012-July 2013, when Brazil made its last satellite survey.

Teixeira made it clear that Brazil was committed to protecting the Amazon rainforest – considered a key natural defence against climate change because of its capacity of absorbing huge amounts of carbon dioxide. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Spear, 29, and her British partner, Thomas Berry, were shot dead in January in front of their five-year-old daughter during a roadside robbery.

UN figures suggest that Venezuela has the secondhighest peacetime murder rate in the world, but the brutality of the crime shocked the country.

Prosecutors said the three men were part of a larger gang which targeted motorists along a highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.

The court said seven oth-

Monica Spear represented Venezuela in the 2005 Miss Universe pageant

er people were still on trial for the crime, but had denied the charges. The sentences for the three men ranged between 24 and 26 years in jail.

The family, who lived in the US, was on a visit to Spear’s home country when they were targeted.

They were travelling at night from the city of Merida to the capital, Caracas, when their car hit a sharp object, puncturing two tyres.

While they waited for breakdown assistance, they were ambushed by the armed gang. When the couple and their daughter hid inside the car, they were shot at by the robbers. Spear and Berry died instantly. Their daughter, Maya, was shot in the leg.

The murder of the popular beauty queen, who was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, prompted demonstrations against the country’s high crime rate. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Kareem Billings: Youngest radio personality in Jamaica

At only seven years old Kareem Billings is the youngest host of a radio show in Jamaica. Kareem, who resides in Portmore, St Catherine, is the presenter for the Read and Win programme on SunCity 104.9FM on Saturdays.

“I love reading and I had to choose a programme that encourages reading and the use of the English Language,” shared the Grade Three student.

Kareem who attends the Ardenne Preparatory School also enjoys karate and often times video games. He looks up to both his father and mother as role models.

His mother, Kereen Williams more popularly known as Sunflower, one of the managers of SunCity 104.9FM shared “we do play a great role in persuading Kareem to pursue radio journalism, we see his full potential and we are always very supportive of him”.

His father and Chairman for SunCity 104.9FM Steve Billings said: “When he approached me about the programme I was amazed, so we decided to make it educational and interac-

tive”. He added “When children participate in Kareem’s programme they can win great prizes such as Bibles, diction-

A map showing the geographical spread of Chikungunya

‘Sunjock’ Simple and Kareem Billings showing off one of the prizes given out on the Read and Win show, which he hosts (see right)

India triumphs with first mission to Mars

An Indian spacecraft has reached Mars and entered the planet’s orbit, in a historic feat crowning India as the first country to execute such a mission in its maiden attempt.

Scientists in the command centre in Bangalore broke into wild cheers on Wednesday as the orbiter’s engines completed 24 minutes of burn time and manoeuvred into its designated orbit.

Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, hailed the feat of Indian engineering:

“Congratulations to all, to the entire country ... histo-

ry has been created today. We have gone beyond the boundaries of human enterprise and innovation.”

The success of the Mars orbiter mission, lauded for its low US$74 million cost, has placed India in an elite club of Martian explorers with the US, the European Space Agency and the former Soviet Union.

“The amount our scientists have spent on this mission is even less than what they spend in making Hollywood movies,” Modi said in a televised address to the mission scientists.

India has said the spacecraft, called Mangalyaan in

Hindi, was chiefly meant to showcase the country’s ability to design, plan, manage and operate a deep-space mission.

India has already conducted dozens of successful satellite launches, including sending up the Chandrayaan-1 lunar orbiter, which discovered key evidence of water on the Moon in 2008.

The Mars probe is expected to circle the planet for six months, about 500 kilometres above its surface. Its scientific instruments will collect data and send it back to Earth. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Around the world

China’s anti-graft drive puts the squeeze on Macau junkets

Macau’s casino junket operators are feeling the squeeze as China’s anti-corruption drive has blown a hole in the world’s biggest gambling hub. Some are shifting players elsewhere, like the Philippines and Vietnam; others are quitting the business.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s near two-year crackdown on corrupt officials and tycoons has hit revenues at Macau’s highrolling VIP lounges, and analysts predict this year could be the worst on record, with,

at best, low single-digit growth, though ‘mass market’ gamblers are taking up some of the slack. The so-called ‘big whale’ gamblers, who do not blink at dropping HK$1 million (US$129,000) on a single bet, are thinner on the ground as China’s economy loses steam and eats away at their asset wealth. The junkets – on commission from the casinos to bring in the high-rollers, lend them money and settle their debts – are less willing to extend generous credit terms as it is tougher these days to

chase those debts.

And local authorities and those with ties to Beijing are leaning on the junket operators – often informally over a quiet drink or hot pot dinner – to gather information on Chinese officials suspected of corruption who may be laundering money through Macau. “I can’t sleep at night. There are just too many problems,” said one 54-yearold junket operator who didn’t want to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. “I’m not optimistic for the future of the VIP junket industry here.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Snowden awarded Swedish “alternative Nobel”

Edward Snowden has been declared one of the winners of a Swedish human rights award for his disclosures of top secret government surveillance programmes.

The former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor on Wednesday split the honorary portion of the 2014 Right Livelihood Award, also referred to as the “alternative Nobel” with Alan Rusbridger, editor of British newspaper The Guardian, which has published a series of articles based on documents leaked by Snowden.

The 1.5 million kronor (US$210,000) cash award

UN backs strong laws against foreign extremist fighters

The United Nations Security Council demanded on Wednesday that all states make it a serious criminal offence for their citizens to travel abroad to fight with militant groups, or to recruit and fund others to do so, in a move sparked by the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

At a meeting chaired by US President Barack Obama, the 15-member council unanimously adopted a USdrafted resolution that compels countries to “prevent and suppress” the recruitment and travel of militant fighters to foreign conflicts.

The UN action was prompted by the rise of ISIL and al Qaeda’s Syrian wing, Nusra Front. Some 12,000 fighters from more than 70 nations have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight with extremist groups, experts say.

The resolution is under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which makes it legally binding for the 193 UN member states and gives the Security Council authority to enforce decisions with economic sanctions or force.

It generally targets fighters travelling to conflicts anywhere in the world. It does not mandate military force to tackle the foreign fighter issue.

Obama is building a global coalition to combat ISIL, which has captured

The Security Council demanded that all states make it a serious criminal offence for their citizens to travel abroad to fight with militant groups

swaths of Syria and Iraq and urged followers to attack citizens of various countries. The US has led airstrikes against the group in Iraq and Syria.

Obama told the UN General Assembly earlier on Wednesday in a speech vowing to tackle ISIL and other global threats, that the Security Council resolution would underscore the responsibility of states to counter violent extremism.

“But resolutions must be followed by tangible commitments, so we’re accountable when we fall short,” he said.

“Next year, we should all be prepared to announce the concrete steps that we have taken to counter extremist ideologies in our own countries.”

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the US military confirmed it launched a fresh round of air strikes in Syria, targeting fighters of Islamic State, in a second day of attacks on the armed group, even as fighters linked to the group posted video purporting to show the beheading of a French abductee in Algeria. (Excerpt from Reuters and Al Jazeera)

was also shared by Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir, Basil Fernando of the Asian Human Rights Commission, and US environmentalist Bill McKibben.

Created in 1980, the annual Right Livelihood Award honours efforts that prize founder Jacob von Uexkull felt were being ignored by the Nobel Prizes.

Foundation director Ole von Uexkull – the award creator’s nephew – said all winners have been invited to the December 1 award ceremony in Stockholm, though he added it is unclear whether Snowden can attend.

“We will start discussions with the Swedish

Government and his lawyers in due course to discuss the potential arrangements for his participation,” von Uexkull told the AP news agency.

Snowden, who has reportedly also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, remains exiled in Russia since leaking top secret NSA documents to journalists last year.

He has been charged under the US Espionage Act and could face up to 30 years in prison.

The announcement had been set for Thursday, but it was communicated early after a leak to Swedish broadcaster SVT. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ebola-hit nations may face collapse

The Ebola outbreak threatens to become a political crisis that could unravel years of effort to stabilise West Africa, a think tank has warned.

“The worst-hit countries now face widespread chaos and, potentially, collapse,” the International Crisis Group (ICG) said.

The world’s largest outbreak of Ebola has caused 2811 deaths so far, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, a team of health workers in Guinea has been attacked. The International Federation of the Red Cross said they were collecting bodies believed to be infected with Ebola in western Guinea.

One Red Cross worker is recovering after being wounded in the neck, it said.

Last week, an eightmember team trying to raise awareness about Ebola was killed in the south-east of the country by villagers suspicious of official attempts to combat the disease.

Twenty-seven suspects

have been arrested over their murders, Guinea’s Justice Minister Cheick Sacko said, AFP news agency reports.

On Tuesday, the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that Ebola infections could treble to 20,000 by November if efforts to tackle the outbreak were not stepped up.

However, Francis Dove Edwin, a member of Sierra Leone’s presidential task force dealing with Ebola, said much progress had been made in curbing the outbreak.

Patients were now being isolated and quarantined and from “quarantine you have eradication”, Dove told BBC Focus on Africa.

Both Liberia and Sierra Leone are recovering from brutal civil wars and Guinea has faced coups and ethnic unrest.

“Adding social breakdown to the epidemic would create disaster perhaps impossible to manage,” the ICG statement said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

NBS makes huge donation to Arya Samaj home at Babu John

The New Building Society Limited has made a substantial donation to the New Jersey Arya Samaj Inc/Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission to assist with painting the building.

The building, which will be used to train school dropouts and single parents, is located at Babu

John Street, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice and will cater for persons of all races and religions.

At a simple ceremony held recently at the NBS’ Rose Hall Branch, the cheque was handed over to Shafeeza Nandlal, Secretary of the organisation by Rana Persaud, Branch Manager, NBS, Rose Hall.

Nandlal was very grateful and praised the Society for its kind and timely gesture, the NBS said. In response, Persaud said that the Society is ever conscious of its civic role and as a good corporate citizen, it is only fitting that it contributes to such an important project that will make a positive impact in the lives of many.

Key Caribbean agencies map strategies to tackle HIV

Key decision makers of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) met this week for a series of strategic meetings vital to the Region’s continued response to HIV.

Notable achievements of the meetings were the endorsement of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF), 2014-2018 and the endorsement of the next steps in the process of applying for a valuable Global Fund Grant under the New Funding Model.

The Priority Areas Coordinating Committee (PACC), the Executive Board of PANCAP and the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM) collaborate to guide the work across the Caribbean by the Ministries of Health, faith-based organisations, community groups and others committed to reducing the spread and impact of HIV.

In a release by the Caricom Secretariat, it said the CRSF serves as the primary guiding document to this work. The latest version of the CRSF, 2014-2018 was endorsed by the Executive Board of PANCAP. The CRSF 20142018 was drafted through a series of discussions with

member states and organisations, and is based on the data and research gathered from across the Region, taking into account global developments. It includes six priority areas, as well as a clear plan and defined activities. There is a focus on reducing stigma and discrimination as a way of halting the spread of HIV by providing access to health services to all people regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, race, citizenship, ethnicity or any other factor. The Global Fund continues to be a key supporter of the work of PANCAP. During the meeting, the status of the current PANCAP Global Fund Round Nine Grant – Phase Two was shared. PANCAP is now applying for a threeyear grant to focus on human rights issues. Earlier this year, an expression of interest was submitted to the Global Fund and following a review, PANCAP was invited to submit a concept note. The meetings this week provided an opportunity for the leadership of PANCAP to contribute to the regional dialogue process, a key requirement of the New Funding Model. The regional dialogue with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including key populations, will con -

OPR completes report on Albouystown killing

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has completed its investigation into the shooting to death of an alleged bandit in Albouystown last Saturday night.

The report will next be sent to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority for another round of investigation.

Twenty-eight-year-old Adrian Bishop was shot dead Saturday night while being arrested by Police.

Bishop was shot to his neck whilst he allegedly attempted to relieve a Police rank of his shotgun.

He was arrested on Saturday evening for a robbery under arms offence.

According to reports, the Police rank who allegedly pulled the trigger is currently behind a desk assisting with administrative work.

After the shooting incident, Police in a release stated that about 20:00h on Saturday, ranks of a mobile Police patrol responded to a report received from a policewoman that a suspect who was wanted for robbery under arms had assaulted her in Albouystown, Georgetown.

The Police, accompanied by a reporter, went to Hill Street, Albouystown, where

Bishop was pointed out to them.

Bishop was informed of the allegation against him and was arrested and placed into the Police vehicle.

Struggle

The Police added that while being transported to the police station he held on to a Policeman and attempted to relieve him of his shotgun resulting in a struggle, during which he was shot to his neck.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

But, Adrine Mc Almont, mother of the dead man, is holding out that her son was killed in cold blood. She said

that based on reports she received, the young man was shot once to his neck while he was sitting in a silver grey “Pitbull” 4X4 used by the Police.

She is contending that the entire shooting incident stemmed from jealousy involving a policewoman with whom her son shared a relationship.

Argument

It was reported that after the policewoman saw the young man at a party with another woman, she started an argument and it was during this time, she called for Police backup claiming that Bishop was wanted in connection with a robbery.

Mc Almont also said that the Police have implicated her son in several criminal activities of which he is innocent.

She recalled that her son was placed on $100,000 bail for an offence of carjacking. He was released on September 5 after he would have posted bail. On September 7, he was reportedly riding to his mother’s house on Garnett Street when Police intercepted him and took him into custody again as he did not have a licence to ride the motorcycle.

Green industries offer opportunity for small businesses – new report

tinue over the next two months,

The Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV (CRN+) provided an update on its achievements and priorities. The establishment of a policy and strategy working group (PSWG) on stigma and discrimination tasked with guiding PANCAP’s efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination across the Region was endorsed, and was schedule to meet for the first time on Wednesday. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Caribbean programme provided an update on the recent PEPFAR developments in the Caribbean. PEPFAR will be shifting its focus to countries with high HIV prevalence and high disease burden and to activities with key populations in the Caribbean.

Attendees of the meetings include representatives from member states, the Caricom Secretariat, key populations, Pan Caribbean Business Coalition, youth, people living with HIV and other organisations working in the Region. The full list of attendees and the outcomes of the meetings will be available on the PANCAP website www.pancap.org.

Anew World Bank Group report quantifies significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries to generate profits and create jobs by providing solutions to local climate challenges.

Much of the emphasis on climate change has been on urging countries to act to avoid environmental catastrophe. This new report, “Building Competitive Green Industries: the Climate and Clean Technology Opportunity for Developing Countries”, frames responding to climate change as an extraordinary economic opportunity, particularly in developing countries. The report, published by infoDev, a global innovation and entrepreneurship programme in the Bank Group’s Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, recommends actions by the public and private sectors to foster the growing market for SMEs in the clean technology sector.

“Fostering home-grown clean-tech industries in developing countries can create a sustainable and wealthproducing sector of the economy,” said Anabel Gonzalez, Senior Director for the World Bank’s Global Practice on Trade and Competitiveness, “while simultaneously addressing such urgent development priorities as access to clean and affordable energy, clean water and climateresilient agriculture.”

In just the last decade,

clean technology has emerged as a major global market. Over the next 10 years, an estimated US$6.4 trillion will be invested in developing countries. Of the total market in developing countries, some US$1.6 trillion will be accessible to SMEs, according to the report. China, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa are the top three markets in the developing world for SMEs in clean technology, with expected markets of US$415 billion, US$349 billion and US$235 billion, respectively for sectors such as wastewater treatment, onshore wind, solar panels, electric vehicles, bioenergy, and small hydro.

To unlock this environmental and economic potential, more can be done to support green entrepreneurship. Clean technology SMEs face daunting challenges, particularly in accessing early and growth stage financing. Countries can help by creating targeted policy incentives to encourage their own clean technology sectors. The report provides policymakers with a range of practical instruments that help support SMEs in clean technology sectors such as innovative finance, entrepreneurship and business acceleration, market development, technology development, and the legal and regulatory framework. These policy considerations are illustrated through case studies of national programmes in South Korea, India, Thailand, and

Ethiopia. The report highlights clean technology market opportunities can have great social impact. In Kenya, for instance, the roughly 80 per cent of the population not served by the electricity grid represents a vast market for new climate solutions. Local entrepreneurs and SMEs are deriving innovative solutions in solar and biogas technologies. This not only creates jobs and improves the environment but also provides new offerings for sustainable, off-grid electricity to the poorest 40 per cent of the population.

Clean technology jobs compare favourably to jobs in other sectors, requiring more skill and delivering better pay and on-the-job safety. The move towards a lower carbon and more resourceefficient economy is expected to yield a double-dividend in terms of employment and environmental improvement. infoDev’s Climate Technology Programme supports local climate and clean technology SMEs and startups through its targeted Climate Innovation Centres (CICs). To date, the Kenya CIC has helped 83 small firms whose services have provided over 8200 people with access to safer water, have given almost 49,000 people access to low carbon energy sources, and 59,675 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of the exhaust of almost 13,000 cars annually – have been mitigated.

Rana Persaud, Branch Manager, NBS Rose Hall, hands over the donation cheque to Mrs Shafeeza Nandlal, Secretary of the Humanitarian Mission in the presence of representatives of both organisations

Dead, Adrian Bishop

GUYEXPO participation was tremendous

Dear Editor,

I would like to express my support for GuyExpo. My family and I are proud to live in a country where magnificent manifestations of our culture, products, arts, talents and ingenuity are dedicatedly on display, every year.

The fact that the relevant organizing body has given prominence to showcasing Guyana and our local products and services, through GuyExpo, is indeed commendable.

We own a business and two years ago, participated at GuyExpo to test the waters and to see what would be the impact on our business. I am delighted to report that the response was tremendous. Out product was new to the market and we were able to reach thousands of potential customers over the four days of the Expo.

For a minimal fee, I would say this was a steal of a deal. We took advantage of this chance that we had and the rest is history. Our business has grown and unfortunately, our schedule does not allow us to participate this year.

Although this is bittersweet, is a tangible result of our participation at GuyExpo. I wonder what would be the result if we were to participate frequently.

We need to grow and transform such events, as GuyExpo, today, so that tomorrow we can be proud to say that we contributed to the continued existence of a valuable marketing and promotion platform for future generations. What a notable accomplishment that would be!

Yours sincerely, Joseph Marques

Navraatri

–

Dear Editor,

The auspicious period of Maha Navraatri begins on September 25 and concludes on October 4 in which Vijay Dashmi is observed.

Navraatri (Nav – Nine and Raatri – Nights) is an auspicious time set aside to worship the supreme Mother Durga and to perform Navraatri Poojas. Hindus celebrate Maha Navraatri at the beginning and the ending of every year a period of nine days. It is the time to remember the Supreme God as the Mother of the Universe.

The nine manifestations of mother durga are worshipped every day of Navraatri, these are Shailputri, Brahmachaarini, Chandraghantaa, Kushmaandaa, Skandmaataa, Kaatyaayani, Kaalaraatri, Mahagauri, Siddhidaatri.

Mother Shailputri (The Daughter of Mountain) ¬–Mother Shailputri is known as such, because she has incarnated from Himalaya the Emperor of mountains. Mounting a bullock the mother has a lance in her right hand and the lotus flower in the left. She is the first one among the nine aspects of Durga.

Mother Brahmchaarini – The second manifestation of ‘Nine Durgas’ is Mother Brahmchaarini. She is clad in white and carries the rosary in one hand and the kamandalu in the other.

The worship of Mother Brahmchaarini is conducive to penance, renunciation, virtue and no-

Nava-raatri: Identifying oneself with the supreme spirit

Dear Editor,

Observed twice annually, Navaraatri, a period of nine nights is regarded very sacred by Hindus. While is it outwardly featured with hosts richly symbolic rituals and ceremonies, it is more of a highly spiritual charged period wherein every effort ought to be made in identifying oneself with the Supreme Spirit.

It is a period of sincere prayers, symbolic worship, cool introspection and genuine scriptural recommitment. Religious observances, traditional worship have, at times, more than one significance.

Apart from them being the adoration of the Divine, they are commemorative of thrilling bygone events, allegoric when interpreted from the occult standpoint, and are significant pointers guiding man on the path of God-Realization. Nava-raatri is one such observance. It is dedicated to worship of God as Mother—the feminine aspect in three prominent names, viz, Durgaa, Lakshmee and Saraswatee.

However, underlying all outward engagements during the observance, there must be a more sublime and profound inward transformation of life, that every spiritual aspirant seeks to undergo.

This deeper purpose of Nava-raatri is captured in its division of three

sets of three nights each, to which the spiritual aspirant in his life of spiritual pursuits adore the different aspects of the Supreme Goddess. This has got a very sublime, yet thoroughly practical, truth to reveal. In its cosmic aspect, it epitomizes the stages of the evolution of man into God, from manhood to Godhood. In its individual import, it shows the course that spiritual pursuits should take.

The central purpose of existence is to recognize the eternal identity with the Supreme Spirit. It is to grow into the image of the Divine. The Supreme One embodies the highest perfection. It is spotless purity, “Niranjana”. To identity with That, to attain union with That, is verily to grow into the very likeness of the Divine.

The spiritual seeker has, therefore, as the initial step, to get rid of the countless impurities and the undivine elements that have come to cling to him in his embodied state. This transformation is to be had during the first three nights (first segment of Nava-raatri), where the Supreme is worshipped as Mother Durgaa. Then the acquisition of lofty virtues and auspicious divine qualities are then sought for.

This happens in the second three nights of the season, wherein the Goddess as Lakshmee in adored. Thus rendered full of purity and

goodness, Knowledge flashes upon the seeker like the brilliant rays of the sun upon the crystal waters of a perfectly calm lake. This is to be had in the final section of Nava-raatri in which Saraswatee is worshipped. This arrangement has also a special significance in the aspirant’s spiritual evolution. It marks the stages of evolution which are indispensable for every seeker of spirituality, through which everyone should pass. One naturally leads to the other, and to short-circuit this would inevitably result in a miserable failure. Nowadays, many ignorant spiritual seekers aim straight at the appropriation of Knowledge without the preliminaries of purification and acquisition of divine qualities, and complain that they are not progressing in the path. How can they? Knowledge will not descend till the impurities are washed out and purity is developed. The pure and good plant can grow on no impure soil.

Therefore, Nava-raatri once observed as pointed out above brings man to realize his higher self and to feel the Supreme Spirit within – all of which helps in the journey of realizing the Ultimate Goal – to merge with the Supreme.

Yours sincerely,

Pandit Charranlall Nandalall

Mother Durga in her nine manifestations

bility. Her devotees are endowed with peace and prosperity. On the second of the Navaraatri, Mother Brahmchaarini is adored and worshipped.

Mother Chandraghanta – On the third day of the Navaraatri, the Third Power (Shakti) that emerged out of the person of Goddess Durga is worshipped. Her forehead is bedecked with the crescent moon resembling the shape of a ghantaa. That is why she is called Mother ‘Chandraghantaa’ by devotees.

Mother Chandraghantaa should be adores and worshipped with great purity in mind and heart observing all the rites properly. Having acquired her grace, we get rid of all worldly turmoil and enjoy Supreme bliss. Devotees should always have her gentle form in their minds while meditating on her.

Mother Kushmaandaa – The fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga is called Mother Kushmaandaa. She is adored and worshipped on the fourth day of the Navaraatri. She dwells in the abode of the Sun God. That is why her hue and spendour is as brilliant as the sun itself. It is her spendour that pervades in every creature of this universe. All the ten quarters are illuminated by her divine refulgence.

As she possesses eight arms, she is called the eight-armed Mother. She wields the kamandalu, the bow, the arrow, the lotus, the pot of nectar, the disc, the mace and the rosary

bestowing all Perfections and Treasures in her holy hands. Her vehicle is the lion. Mother Kushmaandaa confers all achievements, powers, pelf and salvation on her devotees. Her true devotion is instrumental in destroying all ailments, troubles and hurdles of devotees.

Mother of Skandamaataa – Skandamaataa is the fifth manifestion of Goddess Durga. She is worshipped on the fifth day of the Navaraatri.

She possesses four arms out of which two hold the lotus flowers. One of her hands is always in the boonconferring gesture and with the other she holds her son Skanda in her lap. Her complexion is white and she is seated on the lotus. So, she is also called the Goddess with a lotus-seat. The Lion also is her vehicle.

Skandamaataa who possesses the brilliance of the sun fulfills all the desires of her devotees. He who is selflessly devoted to her attains all the achievements and treasures of life.The worship of Skandamaataa purify the heart of a devotee.

Mother Kaatyaayani –Mother Kaatyaayani is worshipped as the sixth manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is adored on the sixth day of the Navaraatri.

The four-armed Mother Kaatyaayani rides the Lion. She is easily propitiated by devotion and destroys all sins of her devotees. Her worship is conducive to Dharma, wealth, pleasures and salvation.

Mother Kaalaraatri – The seventh manifestation of Goddess Durga is Kaalaraatri (Night of Death). She is worshipped on the seventh day of the Navaraatri. Her person like the dense darkness is absolutely black. She possesses three eyes in her forehead which are as round as the universe itself.

The hair on her head is very dense but disheveled. She is bedecked with a glorious garland round her neck which emits great refulgence. She breathes out horrible and terrible flames of fire. Although her person is absolutely black yet refulgent rays keep on emanating from it.

Her vehicle is the Donkey. She is the fourarmed Goddess. She wields the sword and a pointed weapon in her two hands while her other two hands can be seen in the boon-conferring gesture and the gesture of fearlessness.

Although the outward form of Mother Kaalaraatri is extremely frightening yet she always bestows boons on her devotees. So, she is also called Shubhankari as she always brings about the welfare of her devotees. All sins are washed off by her adoration and worship. Devotees deserve all kinds of merits by having her vision. Those who adore and worship her selflessly are relieved of all distresses and turmoil. They enjoy prosperity and pleasures.

Mother Mahagauri –Mother Mahagauri is worshipped on the eighth day of the Navaraatri. She is

the four-armed Goddess. Her vehicle is the Bullock. This manifestation of hers is very placid and serene. All the sins of the devotees are burnt to ashes by her adoration and worship. She possesses invincible powers and bestows merits on her devotees. She destroys all the distresses of her devotees and blesses them with all kinds of merits and virtues.

Mother Mahagauri’s medidation, her adoration, her worship, and her devotion are conducive to the welfare of devotees. He who concentrates his mind on her enjoys her blessings. He who enjoys her grace achieves perfection in every walk of life. Mother Mahagauri fulfils all the desires of her devotees. She enables them to enjoy prosperity and pleasures here in this world and salvation hereafter.

Mother Siddhidaatri (Bestower of Perfection) –

On the ninth and final day of the Navaraatri Mother Siddhidaatri (the perfection-giving Mother) is worshipped. She is the mistress of all achievements and perfections.

Mother Siddhidaatri possesses four arms. She carries the mace, the lotus, the conch-shell and the disc in her four hands. He who acquires her grace attains salvation after enjoying the pleasures of life. She fulfils all the mundane and divine aspirations of her devotees. Her worship destroys all distresses.

The first three days of Maha Navraatri is dedicated to Mother DURGA a representation of protec-

tion asking the supreme mother to remove all problems, disappointment, sickness, asking Maa for health and strength. The second three days is dedicated to Mother Latchmie, the goddess of wealth, abundance and plenty. The last three days she is worshiped as Saraswattie the goddess of intelligence, education and scholarship.

On the tenth day, Vijayadashami is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana and also triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura.

It marks the end of the Maha Navratri or the nine days of Durga Puja. The day is basically the celebration of the victory of the Mother Goddess over evil demons named Shumbh and Nishumbh. So it is a celebration of righteousness over evil and according to legends the day is marked by several other such victories of good and other factors.

Hindus celebrate this festival worldwide by observing social gatherings and offering sweets and gifts to relatives, friends and neighbours. The festivity also marks the beginning of the harvest season and prayers are said and rituals are observed to invoke blessings from Mother Earth for a good harvest, peace and prosperity to all. Happy Navaraatri to all. Jai Durga Maa!

Yours sincerely, Pt Surendranauth Persaud

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

If you feel something needs to be said, speak up. Your frankness may catch a colleague off-guard, but most people will admire your honesty.

Be optimistic, and leave the past behind. Focus on the positive people and activities in your life, and reject negative thoughts and people who bring you down.

Take a pleasure trip. Unfamiliar surroundings will spark your creative imagination and influence your way of thinking. A novel direction appears to be possible. Embrace new beginnings.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t rush into a delicate situation. Remain in control and try to find an arrangement that will be agreeable and fair to everyone concerned. Your candour will be appreciated.

You’ll be distressed about business deals, financial issues or health matters. Don’t confide in a close friend, when going to an experienced source for advice is what’s required.

If you investigate an interesting career possibility, you could find a way to instigate some forward motion. It’s up to you to make things happen.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You have the ability to influence others to do things your way. Once you have determined what you need, initiate a discussion with people in a position to help you out.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You will waste time if you are bouncing back and forth between different tasks. Formulate a concrete plan and cross off each step as you move along. Organisation will lead to success.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

An unusual pathway will reveal itself via a new acquaintance. You will reap the benefits from something you’ve been working on for a long time. Minor health issues will cause a setback.

There will be tension in your personal relationships. Rather than try to influence those around you, let them do their own thing. Occupy yourself with a personal project instead.

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

A partnership with someone you admire will produce lucrative results. Be ready to act when the opportunity arises. Engage in projects that you can do with someone you love. Romance looks promising.

Practical matters will keep you busy. Save yourself some anguish by clearing up health or legal issues as soon as they crop up. A renovation venture will bring favourable results.

Peanuts

dilbert

AQUARIUS

CANCER

GEMINI

calvin and hobbes

Senior Inter-County 4-Day Tournament

Demerara ensure advantage on Day 1

– Berbice in commanding position against Essequibo

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Adefiant half-century by opener

Trevon Griffith left Demerara in a commanding position on Day One of their second round senior Inter-County fourday game against the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Developmental X1 at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The Demerara players finished an entertaining day’s play on 134-3 when bad light stopped play with two overs remaining in the

pace spearheaded Paul Wintz (1-38), who accounted for Shimron Hetmyer.

The 17-year-old, Hetmyer started the day on a positive note. He and fellow left-hander Tagenarine Chanderpaul seemed to be laying the foundation for a respectable total, when they put on 47 for the first wicket.

However, after hitting eight amiable boundaries in his 27-ball 41, Hetmyer was dismissed, leg before wicket.

The Developmental X1 struggle thereafter, losing

back when he should have been forward, and was bowled for seven.

Kemol Savory (0) was then run out by Amir Khan’s dramatic direct hit from wide long-off.

Yatesh Dhanpaul (11) was undone by Khan before David Latchaya (34) played down the wrong line to one that pitched and straightened and was adjudged leg before wicket to left-arm spinner Raj Nanan (1-3).

Kellon Carmichael (4) was also undone by spin to be dismissed by Khan. However, Carmichael’s exit

day’s play, replying to the GCB Developmental X1 first innings total of 154.

Vishal Singh (6) and Amir Khan (14) will resume today with Demerara trailing the GCB Developmental X1 first innings by 20 runs.

Earlier, the Developmental X1 which fielded an unchanged team were hurt by spellsfrom seamer Christopher Barnwell and leg-spinner Amir Khan, and collapsed in 48.1 overs.

Barnwell, the persistent right-armer, was brilliant with 4-48, while the leg-spinner found traction from the flat surface to finish with 3-46.

The Developmental X1 have laboured to 89-4 at lunch after deciding to make first use of the track.

Medium pacer Barnwell’s triple blow and

both Chanderpaul Hemraj (10) and the out-of-touch Steven Jacobs (0) in consecutive balls from Barnwell. A tricky session for the Developmental X1 then got worst in the final half hour of play as Chanderpaul fell victim to Barnwell having made eight, batting for 80 minutes.

David Latchaya (16 not out) and Paul Wintz (6 not out) battled on out in the middle before lunch was taken, a session where ten minutes were lost due to the late arrival of balls.

The start of the second session was also delayed by 40 minutes, this time due to the late arrival of lunch, but Barnwell started the rut in the first over in the post tea session when he produced a delivery which had Kemo Paul found himself trapped on his crease,

left the GCB Developmental X1 127-9 and, surprisingly Steven Sankar and Nial Smith added 27 for the last wicket with Sankar hitting three fours and a six.

Khan fittingly ended the innings, removing Smith (4) leg before wicket, with Sankar left unbeaten on 24.

Demerara made an explosive start with Robin Bacchus and Trevon Griffith added 45 runs off just seven overs for the opening wicket, but the Developmental X1 struck back with the wicket of free-scoring Bacchus for 20.

Skipper Steven Jacobs accounted for Bacchus’s wicket and was unlucky not to scalp the wicket of Rajendra Chandrika the very next delivery. The right-hander after smashing a double hundred in the first round was missed

stump by wicker keeper Kemol Savory.

However, the pair wrested back the ascendency with a solid stand of 65 with Griffith continued to look steady at one end.

He passed 50, while Chandrika knuckled down to offer the opener valuable support. However, the lack of concentration cost both batsmen their demised. Griffith was leg before wicket to Jacobs for 53, while Chandrika went in similar fashion to leg-spinner Steven Sankar for 26.

Captain Vishal Singh rode his luck, after Jacobs brought about an edge, but it was put down by Chanderpaul Hemraj at first slip.

Singh and night watchman Amir Khan survived some testing moments to saw Demerara to the close.

Demerara made one change to the eleven which draw the opening round against Berbice. Leftarm medium pacer Gavin Moriah, replaced the indiscipline and out-of-form Shemroy Barrington.

Meanwhile, in the other second round game played at the Demerara Cricket Club ground. Berbice closed the opening day on 130-3, trailing Essequibo first innings total by 42 runs.

Narsingh Deonarine is unbeaten on 43 while Jonathan Foo is 14 not out. The batsmen dismissed were Kandasammy Surujnarine (5), Seon Hetmyer (37) and Devon

Clements (21).

Anthony Adams, Mark Tryll and Royan Fredricks are the successful bowlers so far for Essequibo.

Spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Devon Clements shared seven wickets as Berbice restricted Essequibo to173 all out in 46.1 overs. Left-arm spinner Permaul grabbed 5-54 and off-spinner Clements 2-25 as Berbice took control after electing to field.

Essequibo failed to get a big partnership going with Ricardo Adams scored 62 off 60 deliveries. Ricardo Peters 38 and Royan Fredricks 30 were the other principal contributors. Raun Johnson and Gudakesh Motie also chipped in with a wicket apiece. Both matches start at 09:30 hrs and admission is free.

Rockers to take on Warriors in

Smythfield Rockers will clash with New Amsterdam Warriors in the final of the Legend Classic Basketball Tournament for teams in Berbice. The Warriors booked their place in the final with a 42-29 thrashing of Fyrish Black Sharks on Sunday at the Area ‘H’ Court in Rose Hall Town. Led by a game high of 12 points Jason Fraser the Rockers dominated the sec-

ond half of the game after the first quarter ended with both teams on 11 points. The Rockers took a one point lead in the second session to take a half time break leading 18-17.

Fraser together with M. Brown (11 points) then dominated the rest of the game, firstly to put the Rockers ahead 30-24 at the end of the third session before closing them off in the final period of play.

For the Black Sharks Linden Joseph scored 10 and Desi Douglas 8. The final of the competition will be contested on Sunday at the New Amsterdam Basketball Court from 15:30hrs. The tournament is being organized by Vibert Garrett and is sponsored by Ponai’s Pharmacy, MPG Packaging, A. Ally and Sons and Nand Persaud Rice Mills and Digicel.

Christopher Barnwell gave Steven Sankar a verbal ‘send-off’ before the players exited the field at the end of the GCB Developmental X1 innings

Trevon Griffith plays a paddle sweep during his knock

Knight Riders v Scorchers, CLT20, Group A, Hyderabad…

Suryakumar cameo pushes KKR to semi-finals

Kolkata Knight Riders have developed a knack of pulling off the clinical and the haphazard on the same night. Led by Sunil Narine, their spinners were un-hittable. Perth Scorchers realised that after much huffing and puffing that amounted to only 151 for 7. The Knight Riders batsmen though were lackadaisical and Scorchers' seamers rode on that, until they met Suryakumar Yadav. His twin sixes in the 19th over killed the contest and sealed Knight Riders' progress into the Champions League T20 semi-finals.

Kuldeep Yadav, the 19year old left-arm chinaman, and Narine would have been in the dugout wondering if the clincher would be their batting and not them snaring all seven of the opposition's wickets to fall, at 6.88 to the over. Scorchers' captain Adam Voges had highlighted the need to collect singles against mystery bowlers, but only he managed to stick to the plan. While the rest of the lineup swished and swashed across the line, he accumulated an unbeaten 71 off 52 balls that looked surprisingly close to match-winning until the final few minutes of the game.

Two sixes in the 15th over sparked Suryakumar's innings off and two similar blows crowned a 19-ball 43. So Knight Riders pushed their winning streak to 12 matches despite losing regular wickets and finding themselves at 87 for 5. Gautam Gambhir, their captain, too found an explanation hard to come by for their victorious run. "I don't know, the only thing I can think of was the hunger in the dressing room."

While that hunger forced their batsmen to search for too much too quicklyGambhir sliced to point, Robin Uthappa top-edged a pull off a bouncer that had him cramped up, Kallis flicked a poor ball off his pads into the hands of short fine leg and Manish Pandey sought to dab a yorker to third man to terrible effect - the Knight Riders bowlers found excellent use for it.

Scorchers were struggling to pick Kuldeep's googlies and Narine's carom balls. The overs were piling up and instinct forced them to slog across the line. Mitchell Marsh was comfortably stumped, Sam Whiteman was caught in the deep after a flurry, Nathan Coulter-Nile wound up off his first ball to present a topedge to Kuldeep and Ashton

Agar played all around a straighter ball from Narine. Ashton Turner provided a repeat of that dismissal. Scorchers fumbled from a promising 120 for 2 to 132 for 6 in two overs.

But Voges fought on using the depth of the crease quite well. From that perch he was able to get better mileage on pulls. When he left the crease he was conscious of hitting straight.

But he was the only batsman who looked in any kind of control. Gambhir could sense that tension and flooded the innings with spin. Narine took over in the death and for a second

match in succession was on a hat-trick. It was one-way traffic, as Narine collected a ninth four-wicket haul in T20s, the most by any bowler.

A similar narrative worked for Scorchers, but it was the seamers that posed their threat. They claimed early wickets, allowed no partnership to reach the 40s and were resilient in the field. Even in the dying stages of the match Yasir Arafat produced a beautiful slower ball to wreck Andre Russell's stumps, but five runs to defend in the final over was too tall a task. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Perth Scorchers innings (20 overs maximum)

AC Voges* not out 71

CJ Simmons st †Uthappa

b Kuldeep Yadav 39

MR Marsh st †Uthappa

b Kuldeep Yadav 4

SM Whiteman† c Yadav

b Narine 21

NM Coulter-Nile c &

b Kuldeep Yadav 0

AC Agar b Narine 4

AJ Turner b Narine 0

Yasir Arafat c Gambhir

b Narine 10

JP Behrendorff not out 0

Extras: (w-2) 2

Total: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 151

Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Simmons, 8.6 ov), 2-81 (Marsh, 11.5 ov), 3-120 (Whiteman, 15.6 ov), 4-120 (Coulter-Nile, 16.1 ov), 5-132 (Agar, 17.5 ov), 6-132 (Turner, 17.6 ov), 7-150 (Yasir Arafat, 19.5 ov)

Bowling: YK Pathan 4-022-0, JH Kallis 4-0-39-0 (1w), Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-243, SP Narine 4-0-31-4, PP Chawla 4-0-35-0 (1-w)

Fourth MYO/RAF’s Inter-Jamaat 10/10 final…

Leonora crush Fairfield to lift title

First-timers Leonora Masjid crushed Fairfield in emphatic style to lift the fourth annual Raf’s Variety Store’s 10/10 memorial softball cricket competition title on Sunday last at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground, Woolford Avenue.

Man-of-the-Match Riaz Karim blasted 39 (6x6s), including five maximums off the first five deliveries of their reply, to guide Leonora Masjid to a massive ninewicket win in the MYOorganised competition.

Batting first, Fairfield posted what turned out to be a woefully inadequate 75-4 with Shaz Grovesnor hitting 31 not out (1x4, 2x6s) and Fazeer Khan scoring 18 (1x4, 1x6). Faheer Hussein and Asif Sophie took one wicket each for Leonora, whose batters then laced into the bowling.

Karim, who also won trophies and two bats for scoring the most runs in the competition as well as the highest individual score (85), ripped apart the Fairfield bowling from the first over, slamming five sixes from the first five deliveries, all landing in the nearby Lamaha Canal.

It took Leonora a mere 3.3 overs to hit off the required runs, ending on 76-1 with Ameer Nizamudeen 20 (3x6s) and Azad Azeez 12 (1x4, 1x6) sealing the win.

Kolkata Knight Riders

innings (target: 152 runs from 20 overs)

RV Uthappa† c †Whiteman

b Coulter-Nile 23

G Gambhir* c Turner b Paris 2

JH Kallis c Simmons

b Behrendorff 6

MK Pandey b Coulter-Nile 24

RN ten Doeschate c Agar

b Yasir Arafat 15

YK Pathan c Behrendorff

b Yasir Arafat 21

SA Yadav not out 43

AD Russell b Yasir Arafat 4

PP Chawla not out 5

Extras: (lb-3, w-6, nb-1) 10

Total: (7 wickets; 19.4 overs) 153

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Gambhir, 1.1 ov), 2-13 (Kallis, 2.5 ov), 3-37 (Uthappa, 5.4 ov), 4-67 (Pandey, 10.4 ov), 5-87 (ten Doeschate, 14.1 ov), 6-125 (Pathan, 17.3 ov), 7-147 (Russell, 19.1 ov)

Bowling: JP Behrendorff 4-028-1 (1-w), JS Paris 3-0-19-1 (1-w), NM Coulter-Nile 4-041-2 (1-nb), AC Agar 1-0-40, Yasir Arafat 3.4-0-39-3 (3w), GB Hogg 4-0-19-0 (1-w)

Earlier in the day, MYO won the third place game against Cotton Tree, responding with 77-5 after holding Cotton Tree to 76-6.

Leonora, in their semi-final, indicated that they were in a no-nonsense mood when

they defeated last year’s champions, MYO. MYO labored to 131-8 in reply to Leonora’s 147-2, batting first.

Zamal Khan blasted 78

top two also received medals apart from trophies.

In remarks at the presentation ceremony, sponsor Brother Fazal Rafeek of Raf’s Variety Store thanked

(5x4s, 8x6s) and Azad Azeez 45 (2x4s, 5x6s) for Leonora. MYO fell short of the target in their response with Shaeed Gittens making 25 (2x4s, 1x6), Wazir Hussein 24 (1x4, 3x6s) and Shafraz Esau 22 (3x6s). Asif Saphie had a hat-trick in his 3-22 in the fourth over of the innings, backed up by Abass Zaman’s two wickets.

At the presentation ceremony which followed the final, Leonora’s Asif Saphie won trophies for taking the most wickets in the competition (nine), as well as copping the best bowling figures (45). The top four teams were all rewarded with cash prizes for the teams and their respective Masjids, while the

appointed...

However, there has been a swell of support for him over the past two days, and many within the administration have viewed him as the logical choice.

Atapattu's appointment could be perceived as SLC overcoming an apparent aversion to appointing homegrown coaches, because of long-held concerns that they are more susceptible to the tug-and-pull of board politics than foreign coaches. Sri Lanka's last local head coach, aside from brief interim appointments, had been Roy Dias, in 1999.

At present, the appointment is open-ended, and Atapattu is expected to bring

all the players and officials involved in the competition that attracted 36 Masjids for their collective inputs. He complimented the new champions for their clinical performance and encouraged the other teams to up their game next year in order to win overall. Coordinator Brother Imran Ally also expressed gratitude to Brother Rafeek and the respective Masjids for making the fourth edition of the tournament another success.

The competition was organised in memory of the Late Hajjin Zeleena Rafeek, who was an ardent cricket fan and supporter of sports.

from page 21

some stability to the role, as he becomes the fifth fulltime head coach Sri Lanka have had in four years. Part of the rationale of appointing Atapattu had been that he was less likely to be lured away after a short term, as Sri Lanka's last coach Paul Farbrace was. Farbrace's predecessor Graham Ford had also only completed two years in the role before taking a job in England, with Surrey.

The appointment had not been without its drama. The board had made slow progress in selecting a coach in the previous six weeks, before on Tuesday morning, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya stepped down from the coach-

selection committee, citing dissatisfaction with the process. Perhaps with a view to having the new coach confirmed on Wednesday's executive meeting, the coachselection committee quickly whittled an eight-man shortlist down to two candidates in Jayasuriya's absence, and they had arrived at their recommendation for the position by Wednesday morning. Atapattu's first assignment will be the seven-match ODI series against England, which begins on November 26. Sri Lanka will then have a full tour of New Zealand, which features two Tests and seven ODIs. (Cricinfo)

Kuldeep Yadav took 3-24 as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Perth Scorchers by three wickets, their 12th successive T20 win

Members of the successful Leonora team pose with representatives of the sponsor and officials of MYO after the final on Sunday

Riaz Karim on the attack during his destructive innings for Leonora

Atapattu

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Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares Softball Tournament… Khan slams 101 in Farm’s victory

The Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares nationwide softball cricket competition continued at the weekend with several outstanding performances. The highlight of the latest round of matches was a brilliant century from Patrick, whose 101 led Farm to a mammoth 127-run win over Brickery Superstars.

Below are the summarised results of last weekend’s games.

At the DCC ground: Farm defeated Brickery Superstars by 127 runs. Farm 275-4 in 20 overs (Patrick Khan 101, Avanish Sookdeo 66, Sheldon Roach 47*, V. Persaud 2-60) Brickery Superstars 148 all out in 19 overs (Deonarine Singh 26, Ameer Khan 3-15, K. Rambarran 3-18).

Enterprise Legends defeated Wellman by two wickets. Wellman 182-8 in 20 overs (Luther Wright 35, Steve Massiah 30, Naraine Roopdeo 2-14) Enterprise 186-9 in 19.3 overs (N. Rooplall 45, Nandalall Seebarran 34, Lloyd Rooplall 3-36, Greg DeFranco 2-29).

Uprisers defeated Warriors XI by eight runs. Uprisers 171 all out in 16.1 overs (Yoodhanlall Subilall 36, Oslyn Batson 24, Fidel Singh 20, M. Arjune 4-33)

Warriors XI 163-9 in 20 overs (R. Persaud 38, V Badri 33, Fidel Singh 4-18, Y. Subilall 2-18).

Trophy Stall Angels defeated Wellwoman by 14 runs. Trophy Stall Angels 87-4 in 10 overs (Roxanne Demonick 24, Haseena Mohamed 2-16) Wellwoman 73-7 in 10 overs (Haseena Mohamed 37).

Blue Divas defeated 4R Lioness by six runs. Blue Divas 92-5 in 10 overs (Lisa Gilkes 33) 4R Lioness 86-2 in 10 overs (Ruth George 23).

At the Parika ground: Industry Super Kings defeated Frontliners by five wickets. Frontliners 67-9 in 16 overs (Jagdesh Persaud 29) Industry Super Kings 68-6 in 15.2 overs (N. Chand 17).

Countryside defeated Princess Hotel by four wickets. Princess Hotel 145-8 in 20 overs (Mahendra Lilldar 31) Countryside 146-6 in 17.2 overs (Sakichan Jagdeo 53, Navin Persaud 28).

Regal Masters defeated Slingers by five wickets. Slingers 176-3 in 20 (Mohammed Rafeek 72*, Rudy Rodriques 73, M. Hardyal 2-34) Regal Masters 177-6 in 19.2 overs (Eric Thomas 47, Jaga

in 14.2 overs.

The competition will continue on Sunday with matches at the DCC and GNIC grounds in Georgetown and the Parika ground.

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At the GNIC ground, Woolford Avenue: 09:30 hours- Challengers versus Trophy Stall; and at 12:30 hours- Brickery Superstar versus Princess Hotel.

At the Parika ground: 09:30 hours- Speedboat versus Wolf Warriors; and at 12:30 hours- Enterprise Legends versus Parika Defenders.

Atapattu appointed SL head coach

Marvan Atapattu's appointment as Sri Lanka's first fulltime local coach in 15 years has been confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket, following a six-week vetting process, and his three-month tenure as interim coach. SLC's coach-selection committee interviewed Atapattu and one other remaining candidate on Tuesday, and then recommended Atapattu as their preferred candidate to the executive committee.

The executive committee then "unanimously approved and appointed Mr. Marvan Attapattu to the position of National Head Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect," an SLC release said.

Atapattu was always a strong contender for the position, thanks largely to his intimate knowledge of the Sri Lanka set-up and its players, as well as his success as interim head coach. In three tours in charge,

Atapattu oversaw a major Test series win over England in June, as well as triumphs in the ODIs and Twenty20. Disappointments against South Africa at home followed, in both series, but Sri Lanka rebounded under him to defeat Pakistan in the ODIs and win the Test series 2-0.

There had been strident concerns within SLC and the coach-selection committee about his suitability for the role, as some of his former team-mates are still playing in the side, and because he is a relatively inexperienced coach, having joined the top team in 2011.

Marvan Atapattu's immediate goal will be to maintain the standards Sri Lanka have set in their cricket in 2014

Bhoj 33, Linden Lyght 27, Mohammed Rafeek 2-41). Parika Defenders defeated Bel Air Rubis by four wickets. Bel Air Rubis 151-3 in 15 overs (Suresh Ramdin 66*) Parika Defenders 154-7

Patrick Khan made a century for Farm

Fidel Singh

Alpha United bow out with heavy loss to Portland Timbers

Alpha United suffered their fourth straight loss when they were routed 6-0 by Portland Timbers in their final game of the CONCACAF Champions League at Providence Park on Tuesday night.

Heading into the contest without a win, Alpha’s hopes were further shattered as Norberto Paparatto netted two second half goals and Jack Jewsbury

Gaston Fernandez, Michael Nanchoff and Fanendo Adi added strikes to condemn the Caribbean side to another defeat.

Alpha finished bottom of Group 5, conceding a whopping 17 goals and scoring just one, and were eliminated from the competition. In contrast, Portland took control of the group with nine points, ahead of Olimpia who are on six points.

Jewsbury put the hosts

ahead as early as the 11th minute, running on to Michael Harrington’s deft left-side pass, beating three defenders before slotting past Alpha goalkeeper Ronson Williams to his right.

Eight minutes before half-time Portland doubled their lead thanks to Fernandez who scored from close range.

Up 2-0 at half-time, Portland took the game to

Hand-in-Hand Second Division 40-Over Cricket… Sedoc (59),

Hopetown United has advanced to the semi-finals of the 2014 Hand-in-Hand Second Division 40-over knockout cricket competition in West Berbice after defeating Achievers by a margin of 79 runs in their second round match.

In that match, which was played at Hopetown, the home team won the toss and chose to bat first. They were soon 27-2 before Kenje Sedoc and Derrick Cadogan (19) added 30 for the third wicket. Mediumpacer Randy Wade then removed Cadogan and Trevon Jhingree for two to reduce them to 57-4.

Sedoc then took control, putting on 37 for the fifth wicket with Kelvin Bennett (5) and then after two wickets fell with the score on 92, he and Akeem Mc Pherson (14) put on a valuable 27 runs for the seventh wicket before Sedoc fell for 59,

which included two fours and five sixes at 119-7.

Hopetown United eventually made 134 all out in 26.3 overs. Bowling for Achievers, Berbice Under-15 pacer Titus Webster took 4-9, Berbice Under-19 pacer Randy Wade 2-17 and Joseph Nicholson 2-35. When Achievers replied, Hopetown opening pacer Cadogan picked up the first four wickets to have

them reeling at 22-4. His fellow opener, Emerson Benjamin, struck shortly after in consecutive balls to make it 28-6. It soon became 44-7 when off-spinner Kelvin Bennett struck.

From there, Cadogan came back and cleaned up the last three wickets to see Achievers being bowled out for 55 in 14.2 overs. Cadogan ended with 7-9 from 5.2 overs and Benjamin 2-13 from six

Alpha in the second half. Nanchoff worked a give-andgo with Ben Zemanski before beating Williams with a powerful volley in the 51st and Paparatto got the first of his double when he nodded in Nanchoff’s corner kick in the 61st minute.

Adi put Portland up 5-0 in the 72nd minute before Paparatto scored his second, another header, a minute from full time.

Letter to the Sport Editor

Is the Mayor’s Cup tournament a sacred cow?

Dear Editor

Firstly, can the President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias publicly state at what juncture did the remnant of his executive deliberate to grant approval for the coordinating of the Mayor’s Cup?

overs.

Blairmont Community Centre also made it through to the semi-finals after they beat Rainbow Generation by two wickets.

Rainbow Generation, choosing to bat first, made 75 in 21 overs with Darren Downer 24 and Odel Burnett 20. Bowling for Blairmont, Berbice Under-15 off-spinner Seon Glasgow Jnr took 4-17, Berbice Under-15 left-arm spinner Javid Karim 3-9 and off-spinner Shabeer Baksh 2-7.

Blairmont Community Centre replied with 78-8 in 20.4 overs and bowling for Rainbow Generation, offspinners Dillon Hamilton and former Guyana Under-17 cricketer Keino Gravesande took 2-17 and 2-15 respectively.

Cotton Tree Die Hard and D’Edward are the other teams that had earlier moved on to the semi-finals.

Secondly, exactly which body submitted the application? Was it the Mayor’s Cup Organizing Committee or the East Bank Football Association? By the way who are the additional members of the Organizing Committee? Since over the years, and to the best of my knowledge, only one person exists (me, myself and I) Executive Coordinator Lennox Arthur.

Thirdly, have all the requirements been met? That is, lodging of prize monies, or a letter of commitment from reputable sponsor to honour payments to the top four finishers, approval from the respective associations for their affiliates participation, and utilization of officiating personnel from the Referees Council, along with medical personnel, stretcher bearers and adequate ball boys.

Security presence with visible uniformity is also another prerequisite. Of equal importance is the payment of the levy fees, which is normally done before the contract is signed and a proposed budget of income and expenditure is submitted.

But with the tourna-

ment’s known history of threatening language and verbal abuse to office staff of the GFF, could it be that the President is afraid and is lenient? While other organizers incur the wrath of the GFF, namely, the K &S Organization and Slingerz FC, the latter that was given a royal run around last year.

By the way how come a total of 32 teams are participating? Why must it take a total of 6 weeks to complete? Are these normally acceptable, in view of the fact that Fridays and Sundays are normally set aside for Associations’ domestic schedule?

With a bonding friendship existing between Arthur and Matthias over the years, is this why the goalposts are being shifted? It must be noted that never before did the Mayor’s Cup KO had 32 participants, since this was against the norm in granting approval. When was this ruling changed? With Hamilton Green as the Mayor of Georgetown, how come matches are being played in Berbice, East Coast and West Demerara?

And His Worship over the years doing absolutely nothing to upgrade Parade Ground? So in actuality, what benefit the sport derives from his office? I rest my case.

Yours truly, Richard Danrade

Trophy Stall golf tourney tees off Saturday

Managing Director of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich, has expressed pleasure at sponsoring this Saturday’s golf tournament at the country’s lone golf course at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. The businessman confirmed his entity’s support for the one day event by presenting a number of trophies to Public Relations

Officer of the Lusignan Golf Club, Guy Griffith. Sunich, who is currently the Vice-president of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), and who has been involved in sponsorship of almost all of the disciplines in Guyana, said he was once again enthused to be part of golfing activities in the country.

“I have never played golf, but I intend to be a member of the golf club and play the game. About 15 years now I have been in association with the Lusignan Golf Club, providing trophies for many tournaments, and in fact I have been sponsoring tournaments for some five years or so,” Sunich said. He added, “I intend

to be part of that game. Incidentally, even though the GFCSA Cup 4 involving many local teams and eight teams from the USA and Canada is billed for November 2, same day as the LGC Guyana Open tournament also involving players from the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, South America and Europe, I will find the time to come over to the golf course and observe part of the game. I am pleased to continue sponsorship of this great game in Guyana.” Saturday’s game is ex-

pected to attract a large number of players. Up for grabs are trophies for first to third position in the three male Flights; the top two in the Female Flight; Overall Best Net golfer and Nearest-to-the Pin. Tee-off is set for noon.

Kenje Sedoc

Derrick Cadogan

Proprietor of the Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunch (right) presents one of the trophies to LGC’s PRO Guy Griffith

PPP/C congratulates Shiv Chanderpaul

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has extend congratulations to a "son of this soil, national hero and a true Ambassador of Guyana", batting legend Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul for achieving yet another feat in world cricket, surpassing Sir Donald Bradman’s 29th test centuries.

“Tiger” as he is wellknown around the world as, during the final test against Bangladesh at St Lucia last week carved out a patient 101 not out to surpass Sir Donald’s record.

During the same series, Chanderpaul became only the second batsman to remain undefeated throughout a Test series with three of more innings and scored 200plus runs.

Jacques Kallis was the first to do so, against Zimbabwe in 2001.

"Additionally, we wish to congratulate “Tiger” on returning to the number three position in the ICC Reliance Mobile World Test Batting Rankings and remain confident he will continue to climb his way back to the top of the rankings, having held the number one test batsman position on several occasions in the past," the PPP/C said in a statement.

"The PPP/C takes this opportunity to urge the West Indies Cricket Board and its Selection Panel to ensure that the Guyanese batting machine is selected for the upcoming tours of India and South Africa, since he required a mere 228 runs to surpass Brian Lara’s record of 11912, the most runs by any West Indian batsman.

"It is important to note that Shiv currently is the 6th

overall leading runs scorer in test cricket with 11684 from 156 tests," the statement said

The party noted that records are nothing new to Chanderpaul as he also holds the record of the most not outs by any test batsman, have left unbeaten 49 times in test cricket. He scored the fourth fastest test century in the world, having clobbered a 69 ball 100 against Australia back in 2002-2003 at Bourda.

"The PPP/C wishes to also urge all Guyanese to join in a lobby for this great Guyanese

and West Indian batting ace to be included in the West Indies team for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

"The PPP/C also calls for the Guyanese batsman to be conferred with the Order of Roraima, bearing his outstanding record as a cricketer and his commitment to the game, having represented the West Indies for more than 20 years and continuing.

"Bat on “Tiger” you are truly a symbol of Guyana and the talent of our peoples," said the PPP/C.

Wales CDC destroy Zeelugt by 102 runs

Ramesh Thakur recorded his second century in the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) 40Over Cricket Competition as Wales CDC destroyed Zeelugt by 102 runs in their match up at the Zeelugt Community Centre ground. Last Weekend Thakur also registered a century (114) when his team defeated New Windsor by 272 runs.

Batting first in a match that was reduced to 28 overs per side due to a wet outfield from overnight showers, Wales CDC posted 233/9 in their allotted overs. Thakur led the way with a blistering

110 and got support from Mahesh Persaud who made 46. Persaud was also a centurion (100) in Wales CDC previous match.

Bowling for Zeelugt, Omar Shakoor was the pick of the bowlers with 5/0/31/3 while David Doodnauth chipped in with 6/0/33/2.

Chasing 234 for victory, Zeelugt only managed 131 before being bowled out in 25 overs. Terry Dass (27) and Dennis Maniram (22) were the significant scorers. Chandrika Persaud was too good with the ball, accounting for five wickets from five overs and only conceded three runs in the process.

Malta Supreme supports GCA U-13 cricket

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Eight teams will compete in the Banks Malta Supreme Under-13 cricket competition organised by the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and sponsored by Banks DIH Limited.

The competition will start this Saturday, providing the availability of grounds.

Georgetown Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Everest Cricket Club, Transport Sports Club, Gandhi Youth Organisation and Malteenoes Sports Club, Diplomats and Be Air Rubis battling for top honors.

The tournament was launched on Wednesday last at Banks DIH Sports Club with president of the GCA Roger Harper highlighted the importance of the tournament.

He said the tournament was timely and he thanked Banks DIH Limited for its sponsorship.

“He had a fantastic tournament last year and we want to thank Banks for their support, and we look forward to building a long and fruitful relationship.

“With Banks support, the kids have been give the opportunity to showcase their talents as well as they have meaningful recreation so that they can go out there, expanse some energy learn different things including teamwork, discipline and of course getting in the all important exercise so that they can develop a healthy lifestyles,” Harper concluded.

Malta Supreme Brand Manager, Clayton McKenzie, said that his company was delighted to

be sponsoring the tournament for a second time. He said that the event is critical to the development of cricket in Georgetown and by extension Guyana.

“We have already seen the benefits in view of the fact that several players have gone on to represent the national under-15 team. We see this tournament as a developmental one and we would like to applaud the GCA for this initiative,” he declared.

McKenzie also urged the players to make full use of the exposure and indicated that they have the full support of Banks DIH Limited.

GCA Competitions Chairman, Shawn Massiah, said the tournament will run for one month. Massiah said that the tournament format is 25 overs per side and two matches will be competed daily.

Hutson positive of FAT system despite failed use attempt on Sunday

Beyond the fact that the 2014 senior championships was extremely mediocre for more than one reasons, Guyana Times Sport sought the reason for the dysfunction of the fully automatic time system and photo finish equipment that was expected to be used at the champio9nship on Sunday.

Also among the wickets was Brian Pooran with figures of 6/3/11/2.

Over at Joe Viera Park, the match between Independence B and Windsor Forest was abandoned when heavy downpour hit the venue. This was after Independence B batted and scored 174 all out in 37.3 overs.

In other matches, Cultural and Sister’s Village match was also abandoned after 4.5 overs in Cultural innings. Meter-Meer-Zorg defeated Cornelia Ida and Zeeburg defeated McGill.

The competition continues this weekend.

With both the Police sports Club Athletes and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athletes opting not to participate at the event that seemed more like a development meet, one of the glaring mishaps was the nonuse of the Fully Automatic Time (FAT) system.

While the equipment was set up and used to start

all of the events on the day, times were not recorded and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) had to revert to hand times.

However, speaking with President of the AAG

Green positive of...

Meanwhile, Green sees scope for more development as the GFRU has plans to decentralize the sport, “We won’t stop here, we’re trying to improve on this (current level of rugby) where we have five Georgetown clubs… we are going to look at hinterland rugby and school rugby as well,” Green related.

Green also shared what he believed stunted the growth of rugby in Guyana, “to develop rugby each club

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must have a good infrastructure, a good EXCO (Executive Committee), you cannot have the union suffocating clubs by demanding their players or tournament or implementing programmes that are detrimental to club development.

“The strong and vibrant programme that we use to have years ago for some reason or the other is no longer in place, so what you have in actuality is that you have

Aubrey Hutson related the issues with the system, “The computerized section of it took a long time to load to the computer but it started to pick up towards the end of the meet.

“We also did not realise that we had to disconnect our wireless connection so that the system could load better,” Hutson highlighted. Further, Hutson gave the timeline the system should take to load, “We will use it again and an hour before race time and we should be good to go,” Hutson said.

The attempted use of the FAT system on Sunday was the first attempt to use the recently acquired equipment by the Guyana Olympic Association.

more people playing and you don’t have development, that is the cost… so source clubs like Caribs and Hornets will have to recruit younger players,” Green quipped.

However, Green is positive that the game will move to different heights especially with the emergence of UG and Police and believes that the ruggers stand a good chance at the upcoming NACRA championship set for Mexico later this year.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

President of the GCA Roger Harper (third right) collects the sponsorship cheque from Malta Supreme Brand Manager, Clayton McKenzie while GCA Shawn Massiah and Mark Harper along with

Banks DIH Troy Peters Mortimer Stewart share the moment

Aubrey Hutson

Demerara ensure advantage on Day 1

– Berbice in commanding position against Essequibo

Samuels, Taylor back in oneday squad

A dejectedTagenarine Chanderpaul walks back to the pavilion after scoring just eight runs

congratulates Shiv Chanderpaul

Green positive of Rugby’s current direction

By Treiston Joseph

After University of Guyana’s thrilling 26-24 win over the Yamaha Caribs to claim the Banks DIH Sevens tournament as well as their gutsy performance against the Pepsi Hornets in recent 10’s Rugby tournament, President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GFRU) Peter Green believes the game will only go

from strength to strength.

“After watching the game I will tell you something, the standard of play that I’ve seen compared writing overseas… the local players are on par, actually

"I have seen a lot of Diamond in the rough in the making, we have good players and we are going to do well,” Green stated about the prospect of Guyana performing on the world scene. Such was Green’s enthu-

siasm for the current crop of players; the president gave a time frame for when the players will be at their peak.

“I have a lot of hope and encouragement that by October month end, the players will be better than an international level… the players that we have our eyes on, there is a lot of promise in all of the clubs,” Green highlighted.

West Indies have recalled a trio of experienced players – batsmen Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Smith, and fast bowler Jerome Taylor – for the one-dayers in India next month. Guyana batsman Leon Johnson, who made his Test debut earlier this month against Bangladesh, has also been called up. Chris Gayle will miss the series as he is still rehabilitating from injury. Others missing out are batsman Kirk Edwards and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller.

Samuels and Smith return after having missed out on the limited-overs legs of the home series against New Zealand and Bangladesh this year. Taylor is back after a more lengthy absence, having last played an ODI in 2010. A series of injuries had taken years out of his international career before he made a comeback in the home Tests this year.

Johnson has been out of the one-day squad even longer - having briefly made an appearance on the international circuit back in 2008 for a one-day tournament also featuring hosts Canada and Bermuda. He arrives as a reinforcement for the top order after Edwards failed in the

Bangladesh ODIs, scoring 10 in two innings. Miller didn't get a game during the Bangladesh ODIs but has been left out for India, leaving Sunil Narine as the only specialist spinner in the squad.

The first of five ODIs against India is on October 8 in Kochi. The squad is: 1 Dwayne Bravo (capt), 2 Darren Bravo, 3 Jason Holder, 4 Leon Johnson, 5 Sunil Narine, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Ravi Rampaul, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Andre Russell, 11 Darren Sammy, 12 Marlon Samuels, 13 Lendl Simmons, 14 Dwayne Smith, 15 Jerome Taylor (Cricinfo)

Marlon Samuels returns after missing the ODIs in the home series against New Zealand and Bangladesh

Jerome Taylor

Green