Guyana Times Daily - August 12, 2015

wednesday, august 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Better gold production forecasted in 2016

– despite GGDMA's concern about falling prices

Even though the gold industry has hit a detrimental spate, Government remains optimistic that the sector will quickly rebound.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, as he presented Budget 2015 to the National Assembly on Monday, related that gold production is poised to improve significantly in 2015/2016, in spite of the relatively low world-market prices.

He noted that the Canadian-based Guyana Goldfields Inc Mining Company is already performing considerably well, despite the current state of the world market, having produced its first quantity of gold from its Aurora Gold Mine earlier this month.

The Company expects to produce between 30,000 ounces and 50,000 ounces of gold in 2015. For the year 2016, it expects to produce between 120,000 ounces and 140,000 ounces of gold.

Jordan highlighted that another major mining compa-

ny, Troy Resources Limited is also expected to commence its operations soon and this will contribute significantly to the overall gold production of the country in the year 2015/2016.

Small miners affected

But the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) was particularly worried about the impact of the falling prices on the smalland medium-scale miners in Guyana and the devastating effect it will have on the economy.

With this in mind, the organisation had approached the Government, seeking the necessary assistance to ensure the industry survives during these troubling times.

Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman, who has direct responsibility for the natural resources sector of the country, had announced that Government will only be granting concessions on some of the items recommended by

Gold production is poised to improve significantly in 2015/2016, in spite of the relatively low world-market prices

the GGDMA.

In Parliament, Minister Jordan announced that only “eligible” miners will be exempted from the payment of custom duties on fuel, matting, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), jack hammer drills, flex hoses, expanding metals, pumps, pump housing, impellers, shaft and engines.

He did not specify on the criteria which needs to be met for one to become “eligible” for these concessions. “Pursuant

to the Customs Duties (Amendment) (No 1) Order 2004, the Government will enter into a new agreement with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association to give effect to the grant of these tax exemptions,” Jordan stated.

Jordan explained that the waiver of the custom duties will aid in the reduction of the production cost for small- and

medium-scale miners which will result in their sustainability which will in turn contribute overall gold production projection for 2015/2016.

Employment created

Meanwhile, Jordan recognised that Guyana Goldfields Inc has generated permanent employment for a range of skills, including heavy-duty machine operators, cooks and suppliers of food items to the complex, noting that by 2017, when the company is in full operation, some 500 persons will become permanently employed with another 500 having temporary jobs during the construction stages of an ex-

panded mill in 2016.

This, he said, will contribute significantly towards the growth of the economy.

“The provision of accommodation and related services by this company to their employees has also generated service related jobs within the sector. Collections of royalties, taxes on income and insurance payments are expected to enhance revenue collections within the public Sector, while increased production will augment the national current account. Environmentally, the company will employ modern technologies to reduce environmental externalities,” the Minister stated.

Govt, City Hall in talks about $300M restoration project

Asum of $300 million has been awarded to the restoration programme for the capital city, Georgetown, in this year’s National Budget.

Mayor Hamilton Green, in a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday stated that discussions are presently ongoing at the Mayor and City Council as to the disbursement of the funds and about the projects that are to be undertaken as soon as the monies become available to the Council.

In recent years, the public has criticising the Council for the state in which the city of Georgetown has been in, citing various complaints about health and safety hazards in a number of locations. Garbage dumping was the most pressing issue, with citizens regularly voicing their concerns about the issue.

Only a few weeks ago, families and friends who had laid to rest their loved ones at the Le Repentir Cemetery complained about the lack of upkeep of the cemetery, as grass, shrubs and bushes had blocked access to tombs there.

A number of tombs were already being overtaken and towered over by large shrubs and bushes, with others being partially and completely obscured by overgrown vegetation. Garbage was also seen at various sections of the burial ground.

A group of men who recently erected fences around a certain section of the burial ground told Guyana Times that they were employed privately to do this job.

One of these men explained that while the Mayor and City Council is responsible for the cemetery, their “lack of concern” is evident, and this has forced citizens to take steps of

their own.

Previously, the poor conditions and maintenance of the cemetery had citizens in an uproar, especially when persons had difficulties in locating the tombs of their relatives for re-painting or paying their respects.

Residents living nearby were also upset when the area was used as a dumping site for garbage, citing health hazards and the stench eminating therein before the introduction of the Haags/ Bosch landfill site in Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Almost one year ago, the city of Georgetown underwent a massive clean-up campaign which was spearheaded by the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government as part of its initiative to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.

The Le Repentir Cemetery, which was in dire need of restoration, was allocated $100 million and works on Blocks One, Three, Four and Five of the cemetery commenced under the PPP/C Government’s $1 billion “Clean-up My Country” programme.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in his budget presentation on Monday told the National Assembly that the money set aside for the restoration programme for Georgetown will enhance the aesthetics of the capital, befitting the unique architecture of colonial buildings, tree lined avenues and canals that are attractive to all.

“To assist in the resuscitation of our capital city, we have allocated $300 million for the Georgetown Restoration Programme, encompassing an intense clean-up campaign, while enforcing laws on littering,” Minister Jordan noted.

A clogged waterway in the city

wednesday, august 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 12 – 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, August 13 – 14:30h-16:00h

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

Wednesday, August 12 – 15:20h-16:50h and Thursday, August 13 – 16:05h-17:35h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy rain showers prevailing in the afternoon. Clear skies with chances of thunderstorms can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:43h and 15:14h reaching maximum heights of 2.40 metres and 2.36 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:45h and 21:02h reaching minimum heights of 0.79 metre and 0.84 metre respectively.

Budget 2015… APNU/AFC Govt “duped” Guyana – Jagdeo –

says only half of salary

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

mid his claim that the 2015 National Budget is a copycat of the initiatives of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), former President Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday said that the new Government has deceived the Guyanese populace.

A day after the National Budget was presented in the National Assembly, the former President and soon to be Opposition Leader told a media conference that the new Administration’s plans as projected in the $221 billion budget has not really addressed the real issues affecting Guyanese.

He spoke particularly of the proposed increase in salaries for public servants, which he said is nothing spectacular, and is less in comparison to what his Party, while in power, had been offering.

Jagdeo said what bothers him significantly is the timeline for payment given by Government. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that effective July 1, 2015, all other public servants will receive a five per cent salary increase plus an additional $5000 monthly. This, according to Jordon, will allow for a greater increase in the lower income brackets.

For example, a worker currently earning $50,000 will have a monthly increase of $7500, or 15 per cent; a person currently receiving a salary of $100,000 would get a 10 per cent increase. Jordan said since the bulk of the public servants earns $100,000 and below, these are substantial increases, more than was promised to these categories of workers. These increases are payable to workers who were employed on or before January 1, 2015.

But Jagdeo maintained that Guyanese were “duped.”

“It’s only effective for six months in the year… So if you look at the 15 per cent ostensibly, people who were making $50,000 are effectively getting 7.5 per cent for the year and if you look at those at $100,000, they are getting five per cent for the year. If you look at the $500,000, they are getting three per cent. These are even lower than what the

increases

payable

PPP/C gave in the past. So Jordan has played a three card trick on the people”.

The Former President spoke also to the rationale behind the removal of the $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ cash grant and the decision to bump up the school Uniform Voucher by a mere $500. He said if that $10,000 was multiplied by the 167,000 school children, it woud have cost Government some $1.67 billion.

“So what they have done is that they have given $337 million by increasing the uniform allowance and have taken back $1.3 billion from the students”

Jagdeo said, while he applaud the increase in pension to the over 47,000 senior citizens.

The former Head of State said he was still unclear on whether Government was going to continue the utility subsidy for pensioners. He said if Government goes the route of taking back the initiative which started under his Administration, he however could not see how that $4000 increase in their monthly pension would be able to assist them in the payment of their water and electricity bills. According to him, the move will put the 62 per cent who benefit from water in a very “worst off position” .

Added to that, he questioned the Government’s rationale behind the tax exemptions which he said were being done in lieu of the reduction in rates of the Value Added Tax which were promised. Most of the items selected to be zero rated, Jagdeo said, were already

not attracting tax. He said too that while he supported the move to offer duty-free concessions to the security sector, that does not provide a stimulant package, neither does it offer any solution to the existing issues, like the cost of living.

Jagdeo said that Jordan’s announcement that Government has some $97 billion to spend for the four remaining months of the year would mean that it would have to spend at least $800 million per day. He said “we will be watching for their procurement practice. Because one thing he did not say, when we left office that there was no procurement

law”.

Further, he said the Party will be fiercely debating every issue raised in the budget presentation including the elections, corruption and the budget itself, which he said will give his Party latitude. He said that while the debate is generally based in economics, anything the Minister says during his presentation is up for debate.

Minister Jordan on Monday presented a whopping $221 billion budget for 2015 as the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Chance Government seeks to fulfil its 20/20 vision for the development of Guyana and its people.

This sum is in comparison to the $220 billion budget for the entire year of 2014.

During the coalition’s inaugural budget presentation before the National Assembly, Minister Jordan stated that the 2015 Budget will see a citizenry that is better educated, healthier, financially and physically secure, socially cohesive, and environmentally responsible.

The Finance Minister added that the vision will be realised against a backdrop of inclusionary democracy, enhanced accountability and performance improvement and macroeconomic stability.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor (Ag): Michael Younge

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The “Good Life” budget

On Monday, the new A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change coalition Government presented its first budget to the National Assembly under the theme “A Fresh Approach to the Good Life in a Green Economy”.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan used most of his presentation to attack the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government while articulating his Government’s plan to develop the country over the next five years under a new brand of governance that will hopefully agar well for all Guyanese. While boasting about how the new Government responded to three crisis-like situations, Minister Jordan announced Government’s intention to increase public servants pay by five per cent while adjusting the minimum wage to $50,000.

Among the things announced by Jordan were the transfers of billions of dollars to the rice and sugar industries as bailouts to meet the operating costs and debt incurred by those industries, the relaxation of taxes for some mining equipment and commodities, promises to reduce passing through unnecessary bureaucratic procedures when doing business with the State, and hikes in Old Age Pensions, public assistance along with the return of subventions to trade union bodies.

The Minister also confirmed that the new Government has no intention of continuing to subsidise the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and was certainly not proceeding any further with the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project as designed by the PPP/C. He also hinted to the Administration’s desire to make “hard” decisions after the completion of the Guy Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Commission of Inquiry, the scrapping of the NIS Board, reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll and more monies to go into health, education and public works.

Strangely, Minister Jordan’s presentation was premised on ensuring that the country’s wealth is distributed equally so that all can enjoy his Government’s notion of a “good life”. He spoke at lengths about inclusivity, inquests into this and that, the need to ensure that the country reaches its full developmental potential and the fundamentals governing micro and macroeconomic stability.

Why was the budget so big if the new Administration spent three months axing corruption and pursuing the siphoning off of contracts? Why did the Minister fail to mention his Government’s decision to heavily subside the National Communications Network and the Government Information Agency? Why wasn’t time spent exposing the parallel economy which the new Government claimed existed under the PPP/C?

Minister Jordan said little or nothing about his Government’s plan to improve the lives of Amerindians as this country’s first peoples. They were completely ignored and treated as non-existent apart from a few by-the-way references. Where will the thousands of fired Amerindians find jobs?

The budget was poor on job creation for young people and even poorer when it came to explaining how the new Government plans to boost the potential of youths as far as enabling them to have the socioeconomic power to afford the “good life”. Is not okay to spend $1.7 billion on furnishing teachers with laptops and say absolutely nothing about how the Government plans to use youth as the drivers of its modern Information Communication Technology platform.

The Minister failed to tell the country that the public works proposals that he piloted as his Government’s were conceptualised, designed or about to be implemented by the PPP. For example the road link and expansion projects, deep water harbour, dredging of the Demerara River, building farm to market roads at Parika and elsewhere are all PPP/C initiatives.

Budget 2015 was weak on social reforms for the people. Women and girls again were significantly neglected in the Minister’s presentation. No announcements of short-term empowerment initiatives and benefits for single mothers or abused women were announced. Surely, women must matter and people should not have to investigate budget documents to see what will be done.

The new Government with all of the security experts at its disposal must understand that providing people with imposed and in some instances paltry salary wages and negotiations because it was a manifesto promise cannot result in them enjoying in a permanent way a good life.

Why wasn’t Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union’s Training College given a subvention too when the Government decided to return the same to Critchlow Labour College which was badly mismanaged and infiltrated by greedy Guyana Trades Union Congress officials?

Citizens cannot enjoy a good life unless the new Government can end their continued and now monotonous rhetoric about fighting crime and literally do so. Scores of innocent people are dying, being robbed and beaten by criminals because the Government’s incompetence in this area.

The Private Sector deserves more than platitude and commitments to do this and that, there should have been a clearer and precise plan as to how the Government proposes to create avenues for its growth, expansion and domestic investment in the country.

Also, for the first time there was no legislative agenda outlined by the Finance Minister in the 2015 Budget. What is clear is that all of these things may be drafted along as the Government matures in office.

Government has to think through some of the fanciful proposals, and the short and long-term socio-economic underpinnings that will follow suit. The budget must make total and complete economic sense and must fall within a local, regional and international framework that is based on Government’s modern philosophy of how to create wealth in the modern economic era.

It seems as though the new Government while in pursuit of the good life, which is from all indications so far a temporary phenomenon, has failed to pursue a competent socio-economic and political philosophy.

Is the Government afraid of Comrade Jagdeo?

Dear Editor, The decision of the Government of Guyana to appeal Chief Justice Chang’s ruling in term limits case is an oppressive move to deny the people of Guyana their democratic right to vote for their leader of choice.

There is no great principle involved in this case; this is about preventing former President Bharrat Jagdeo from running for the high-

est office in the land. Mr Trotman would be better advised to listen to the Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who has publicly declared that his Government has no fear of Comrade Jagdeo. If this is indeed the case, why waste taxpayers’ money to fight citizens to deny them a choice they may well reject at the election?

This appeal sends a clear signal of the fear of the

Government for Comrade Jagdeo and lays bare the empty rhetoric spouted by the Ministry of the Presidency.

The APNU/AFC Government should concentrate on keeping the ship of state off the rocks and not worry about the people’s choice of captain in 2020. Should the Government steer a successful course it would have nothing to fear

from Comrade Jagdeo. As such, it should stop attempting to hide behind the skirts of Lady Justice and face the electorate.

I believe we the people have the right to make that choice as I believe we the people will make the right choice in the next General and Regional Election.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

The Granger Administration must get on with the business of nation building

Dear Editor,

Many allegations of corruption levied in the press against the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration by the Government. Guyanese are being led to believe that the economy is in critical shape because of massive corruption by the former Administration.

Anyone who knowingly and wilfully conspires to defraud the Government of Guyana and rob the treasury of taxpayers’ money, should be placed before the court.

In a recent statement, the PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, also made it quite clear that where there is a determination of wrongdoing against former PPP/C Members of Parliament, the law must run its course.

To date, only former Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford was brought before the court for wrongs she allegedly committed under her previous mandate at the Public Service Ministry. She has adamantly denied any wrongdoing. The facts presented in court will determine the outcome of this case. The vehicles mentioned have all been returned to the State within the limited amnesty period offered for the return

of State Assets by Head of the Presidential Secretariat Joseph Harmon, so there is now no legal justification to have her prosecuted for this.

But if corruption during the 23 years of PPP/C rule was so widespread and massive, where are all the billions of dollars we’re led to believe were stolen from the treasury?

Finance Minister Winston Jordan once worked under former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh at the Finance Ministry and was privy to all the financial transactions which occurred under the former Administration. He was well positioned to see any disparity in the accounting system to cover up these fraudulent transactions if in fact they did occur? If there was fraud, then why didn’t Jordan inform relevant authorities?

Alternatively, if he felt uncomfortable working for a ‘corrupted’ Administration, he should’ve resigned in protest and exposed the corruption. Instead, he remained there in silence. Did he do so to protect his job and the estimated $1 million plus salary he was getting every month? Or is it more likely that the corruption he’s now talking about never existed.

The Finance Minister

can’t have it both ways. If he remained quiet in the face of alleged corruption, he might become weak and buckle under pressure in the future. On the other hand, if he has no evidence of fraudulent financial transactions that took place, then he should make this fact known publicly and not bend to pressure to spearhead a costly political witch hunt that is unlikely to yield more than it would cost to pay the two partisan “State Auditors” employed to find the loot.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) can no longer use the cover of PPP corruption to hide their incompetence and inability to govern the nation but needs to show evidence of this alleged massive corruption and put those responsible behind bars.

The 100-day limit to implement promises made by the coalition is coming to an end but hardly any commitments were respected. The economy is rapidly spiralling downwards and violent crimes are out of control. Consumer confidence is on the decline and Private Sector investment is at a standstill.

The APNU/AFC caused

a thriving economy to fail, and hastily fired most of the people with the skills required to run the national institutions. It is clear that the Administration lacks the competency to run the country. More time should’ve been spent finding solutions rather than travelling around the world.

Contrary to promises made during the election campaign, VAT is still at 16 per cent, the 20 per cent wage increase is not yet applied and the Berbice Bridge toll, if lowered will be at the expense of taxpayers in every region, including Georgetown, Essequibo and Linden. When the PPP/C takes up its seat in Parliament, I hope that civility and productive dialogue from the Government will set the tone needed to advance the people’s business. The Government will then have to justify the inclusion of an MP who was arrested and charged for stealing electricity from GPL, and a few other APNU/AFC Parliamentarians that have been engaged in unsavoury behaviour over the years.

Respectfully, Harry Gill, JP

A Rupununi cowboy showing off his bull riding skills in Lethem, Rupununi, Region Nine

Forensic audit smacks of corruption under the

Dear Editor,

APNU/AFC Government

I wish to thank legal expert, Mohabir Anil Nandlall for his letter published in the Guyana Times newspaper on August 9, captioned “The forensic audits – a fishing expedition in search of corruption”. The former Attorney General is quite correct to have exposed to the public readership the hypocrisy and lawlessness of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

The former Legal Affairs Minister in his letter said that “the appointment of these forensic auditors and the forensic themselves are unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional. I surmise that the audit fees are expected to be over 50 million dollars. These are monies which will be paid to auditors who were unlawfully hired to engage in an unconstitutional exercise. This may very well be the scandal of the decade.

Let me say that it is a scandal of the decade…

The auditors were appointed in violation of Article 223 of the Constitution and the Procurement Act. This is blatant corruption by the APNU/AFC Government.

So Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran are currently engaged in what are most likely unlawful activities where their forensic auditing is concerned. Ironically, these were the people who spoke out against alleged corruption under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government. Both Ram and Goolsarran should be ashamed of themselves, especially if they will receive millions of dollars of tax payers’ money for their services.

But where is Gino Persaud of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) and Mike McCormach of the Guyana Human Rights Association

(GHRA)? Are they not condemning the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional forensic audits by the Granger Government? Or have the TIGI and GHRA switched from being transparent to opaque as a result of their political affiliations?

It seems that where corruption under the APNU/AFC is concerned, both the TIGI and GHRA have pledged to remain silent.

In a letter to the media on August 9, a certain Sase Singh said “what poopycock! These persons need to stop pretending they are the new Messiahs on a crusade against corruption”. This statement quite relevantly reflects the APNU/ AFC Government which is slowly taking Guyana into an economic crisis after some 23 years.

Sincerely,

Dan Persaud

Dear Editor,

At the Ahmadiyaya’s Muslim annual Jalsa Salana celebrations at the National Culture Centre last Sunday, Mayor Hamilton Green made a pitch to the remigrant community. He promised that those returning for the Jalsa Salana celebrations next year will see a beautiful, clean city and one that is safe from crime.

The Mayor’s overture comes on the heels of the much hyped and well attended event that Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes recently had in Canada, where Guyanese of the Canadian Diaspora were introduced to the plans and objectives of the new Administration.

I cringe upon hearing the high sounding overtures that the Guyanese politicians make to the folks in the Diaspora because I feel like a victim and a pawn to such lofty rhetoric.

Many Guyanese, including

Bosai workers underrepresented by Union

Dear Editor,

Our founding fathers of the trade union movement in Guyana would be aghast to see how the union which represent the Bosai bauxite workers has sold them out by entering into an agreement with the Chinese company for 12 hours a day working hours, when the labour laws have stipulated eight hours a day and 40 hours per week. As a former Trade Unionist and time keeper at Guyana Rice Board branch at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, I’m aware that the working hours were eight per day and that beyond 44 hours, it’s “time and a half” and the other “4 hours are considered “double time with a meal and night premium”. That’s how I prepared the time sheet as instructed by the General Workers’ Union (GWU).

Effective as of July 2013, a new 40-hour per week was introduced by the former Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul for all categories of workers. This, as well as a national minimum wage, which was assented by Parliament, has benefited the workers. The union and management of Bosai bauxite company have made a mockery of the new labour laws by introducing their own work hours. How can the Labour

Ministry have approved such an agreement when it’s fully aware that it’s a violation of the laws and workers’ rights?

The workers had a right to take up industrial action after they were threatened with retrenchment. For any union to properly represent workers, it should be fully aware of the labour laws and have a thorough knowledge of their working conditions.

The new labour law of 40 hours per week has a reduction in pay, a minimum wage requirement for all working people, portal to portal in industries, such as sugar and bauxite, two weeks annual vacation with allowance, “time and a half” for overtime and double time for Sundays and holidays. Equal pay for equal work and improvement of working conditions, with regards to health standards. How can the union and the Labour Ministry enter into a flawed union/management agreement with the company of Bosai? Then they have the gall to retrench the workers claiming that the company is not making a profit and the price for bauxite fell on the international market.

On May 1, 1886, in Chicago, USA, hundreds of thousands of ordinary workers took to the streets to reg-

ister their call for the reduction of their working hours and more humane living conditions. Several peaceful protestors were slaughtered in the protest. They succeeded in reducing a 12 hour day to eight hours and from then on, workers the world over keep pressing for continued reduction of working hours and social improvements. Dr Cheddi Jagan and Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow have struggled relentlessly for all categories of workers to have reduced hours of work and better working conditions without ever betraying the workers. They both believed that worker’s representatives had to get into the legislature in order to advance the interest of the workers.

In this new environment,

the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) seems to have not made any important advances. Also, the Labour Ministry and unions haven’t been moving to resolve disputes related to union recognition and retrenchment issues.No polls and surveys have been conducted for decades to settle issues of disputes which were festering and which allowed some unscrupulous employers to benefit from exploitation of workers. As such, we welcome the readiness of the Social Protection Ministry to intervene and assist in resolving the retrenchment of these Bosai workers.

Yours faithfully, Mohammed Khan

myself, have heeded calls to return home only to be disappointed. The truth is that many of us came home only to realise that while millions are spent on the trips and events to lure us into returning home, nothing is done to facilitate our return. So we return only to be faced with the same requests for bribes, criminal onslaught, red-tape and entrenched mediocrity that permeates the Guyana Public And Private Sectors.

One of the realities that face the returning Guyanese is the fact that except you publicly and openly admit your loyalty to the governing party, your inclusion into the solution to Guyana’s problems and your upward mobility is protractedly stymied.

So the call to “return home” isn’t an all-inclusive call; but rather, it’s a call made really to those who are willing to subscribe to the ideologies of the ruling party. There is a saying that the Guyanese Government makes politicians out of professionals. This must not be said of the new Administration.

Citizens of the Diaspora need to know that their acquiescence to return and develop Guyana will in no way be tied to any political pettiness and ideological backwardness. This new Administration needs to assure the Diaspora that they are beyond any behaviour that is patriotically and developmentally inimical. Under this new Administration, the calls for Guyanese to return home need to be void of any party entrapments or victimisation.

Additionally, there needs to be a clearly defined and articulated process on how best Guyanese can return home. Folks wanted to know why I returned home. Some treated me as if they suspected I wanted their jobs or positions. It was as if one is only expected to return to Guyana after being deported. Even after all the calls

for Guyanese to return home and help, I found that I was never welcomed and that my knowledge and expertise were spurned.

What will also be very appealing to those opened to returning home is a clearly constructed approach to dealing with the crime situation. This new Administration needs to bombard the Diaspora with plans on how the Government will tackle crime. While in Canada, Minister Harmon stated that “the Government, even though it is only a few months old, was already putting systems in place to ensure transparency and accountability in every sector.” This is very commendable in the eyes of the Diaspora. However, plans to deal with the menace of the blue-collar crimes need to be as clearly addressed and articulated. Will there be zero tolerance on crimes committed on tourists and those from the Diaspora? Will there be priority given to criminal acts perpetuated on returnees? Is there a clearly defined anti-crime initiative?

Guyanese in the Diaspora are to return home to live and invest, the new Administration will have to go beyond the mere expensive rhetoric and put systems and policies in place to satisfy even the most cautious immigrant Guyanese.

While the new Administration continues to woo those currently in the Diaspora, there are some here already, who heeded the call from the last Administration to return home and who would like to know if there is room for them at the table. Or do we need to leave Guyana, again, and await another formal invitation from this new Government?

Respectfully, Pastor Wendell Jeffrey

Dear Editor, Further to my letter of August 11 captioned “Government should not pay RUDISA”, I wish to apologise to you and your readers, for I quoted the wrong reference with respect to the CCJ hearings. The correct location for the recording of the substantive arguments is referenced as:

wednesday, august 12, 2015

Jagdeo turns down Opposition Leader’s salary

– will run Office of Opposition Leader gratis

Soon to be Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Tuesday said he will not be accepting his $500,000 salary in that capacity, but will instead remain comfortable with the pension he is currently receiving as a former President.

Jagdeo made the statement in passing while speaking to Journalists on Tuesday, and when pressed further, disclosed that he was comfortable enough with his current financial staus quo.

As Opposition Leader, Jagdeo would have received a salary above $500,000. Additionally, the Office of Opposition Leader includes access to a fully staffed office, a vehicle and personal bodyguard. In this year’s budget, Government has allocated some $15 million towards to Opposition Leader’s Office. Asked about this, whether he was satisfied with the amount, Jagdeo said he will most certainly have to make do.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For

Change Government recently slashed the benefits enjoyed by former Presidents.

The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2015 provides a capped allowance of $75,000 for water, electricity and telephone expenses each month altogether, and limits personal household staff of former Presidents to three and clerical and technical staff to three.

Former Presidents and their children will also be subject to a financial limit of $200,000 per annum in free medical attention and treatment or reimbursement of

medical expenses incurred by a former President himself and his children below the age of 18 years. In addition, the former President will not be allowed more than two motor vehicles owned and maintained by the State.

In addition, their security detail cannot exceed two persons, including the services of the Presidential Guard Service at the residence. The former Guyanese leaders will now only receive an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first-class return tickets provided on the same

conditions applicable to the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature. The benefits will not be subjected to any tax exemptions, concessions or privileges. Prior to the new Bill, former Heads of State were allowed to use basic services at the expense of the State. These included water, electricity and telephone services. Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman had indicated last week that the Bill was not retroactive and that Government was not interested in what was already spent.

MoU signed for hassle free transiting in TT

Guyana and its Caribbean counterpart, Trinidad and Tobago, has sought to strengthen bilateral relations between the two Caribbean Community countries with the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate hassle free travel for passengers from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) who are transiting in the twin island republic.

als from countries within the Caribbean, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname, Curacao, and Haiti; and the North and South American region, such as the United States. Also in attendance were representatives of key stakeholders such as Liat, Caribbean Airlines Ltd, JetBlue, and Piarco International Airport.

The MoU took effect from August 5. According a release from the Public Infrastructure Ministry, arrangements captured in the MoU is commonly referred to as the “One-Stop” security arrangement for screening of transit and transfer passengers. It is one of the mechanisms that are being encouraged by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The document was signed by Junior Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry

Annette Ferguson, who explained that the general intent is to significantly improve the efficiency of air travel and place less burden on security screening checkpoints.

“The One-Stop Security Screening will allow for transfer and transit passengers to deplane at Piarco International (or

CJIA) be directed to the departure lounge and await boarding of their connecting flights without being subjected to further security screening at the main security check-points. It will also eliminate or avoid the inconvenience of re-

maining on board an aircraft for a lengthy period before its departure,” she stated.

Ferguson indicated that this is one of many initiatives that will seek to strengthen the relationship between Guyana and Trinidad; a national she deemed has made significant strides in aviation. The Government of Guyana will also seek to engage similar arrangements with other regional counterparts such as Barbados and Suriname, she noted. However, in order to ensure the sustainability of this initiative, Minister Ferguson emphasised that the security systems and standards at both airports must function at the highest level.

US-TSA/CASSOS Seminar

Meanwhile in late July, Minister Ferguson headed a small delegation to Trinidad for a two-day “Insider Threat” seminar hosted by the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) and the US-Transportation Security Administration (US-TSA).

The seminar saw the attendance of several high-level officials which included Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Director Generals, and aviation profession-

Participants of the seminar were introduced and sensitised to new and emerging threats which can adversely affect civil international aviation operations within the Region. Of particular interest were insider threats which can evolve from among persons or employees within the various organisations operating within the aviation sector, particularly within the environments of the international airports; and which can challenge current aviation security systems.

Furthermore, participants have committed to developing and implementing appropriate measures and policies that will seek to maintain and safeguard civil aviation operations from such threats. This will entail making improvements to the screening and verification process for existing employees, applicants, and new recruits that are employed in the aviation sector.

Minister Ferguson echoed similar views in which she has given her commitment to ensuring that Guyana implements the appropriate measures that will ensure ICAO’s compliance and prevent or mitigate against new and emerging threats to civil aviation operations in Guyana.

CASSOS and the USTSA are planning to have follow-up workshops and discussions with the various national authorities so that this growing area of concern can be diligently addressed.

Former President and soon to be Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson (fifth from right in front row) and other participants following the aviation security seminar in Trinidad and Tobago

Govt to invest $33B in education sector this year

– $1.7B allocated to purchase laptops for teachers

By AhreefA BAcchus

Finance Minister

Winston Jordan, during his Budget 2015 “A fresh start to the good life in a green economy” speech on Monday, announced that of the $33 billion being invested into the education sector this year, Government would be investing $1.7 billion for the procurement of laptop computers for teachers as well as students.

“We must ensure that our children benefit from affordable access to the best learning resources that are available, that our teachers are equipped to teach and inspire them,” Jordan told the National Assembly, “ ...Consequently, $1.7 billion has been budgeted for the procurement of 9609 laptops which are to be distributed to educators, students, institutions of learning and community-based organisations.”

This revelation comes after Governance and Patrimony Minister Raphael Trotman announced that the Cabinet had been considering a proposal to rename the One Laptop Per Family Project (OLPF) One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT), a decision which was taken so that teachers could undergo training to improve their methodology and deliver their curriculum in a faster electronic manner.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Clement Rohee had bashed these plans, stating that it was only a ploy to distribute the laptop computers to the Government’s friends and cronies at the expense of taxpayers.

He had further informed media operatives that laptops were ordered by the then PPP/Civic Administration at a cost of US$8 million. He further highlighted the fact that State Minister Joseph Harmon had dubbed the PPP/C’s OLPF Project a ‘massive fraud’ saying that “this initiative was not highlighted for a forensic audit.

Further, Harmon walked into a storeroom full of laptops suddenly and determined that 10,000 were no good. Harmon is proba-

bly the best stand-up auditor to determine which laptops were good and which were bad”.

“These unsubstantiated declarations and unilateral moves by the Granger Administration are deeply suspicious and convey the impression that excuses are being made to secretly hand over laptops to friends and cronies of the [A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change] APNU/AFC Coalition,” Rohee stated.

He also raised several questions, calling for the Government to reveal the methodology it intended to use for distribution of the laptops and the criteria to be used for selecting communities that will benefit from the Programme. The OLPF Project was launched in January 2011 by the PPP/C under the leadership of then President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Government at the time had planned a distribution of about 90,000 computers to poor families across the country over a three-year period with the aim of enhancing research and learning approaches in academia and general social studies ,and thus far 55,000 laptops have been distributed by the former Government to children throughout the country.

Jordan also announced that the new Government intended to improve the education system in the country as it sees it as “both a

means to, and an end, of our sustainable development”. He also stated that plans are in place to strengthen collaboration between the education, health and social protection agencies, which is vital for ensuring a holistic approach to early childhood development. It was also stated that in order to ensure that youths gain meaningful employment after completing their studies, Government will seek to strengthen the linkages among education delivery, labour administration and the Private Sector. The Finance Minister stated that “this Administration will focus on evidencebased interventions that aim to support families in meeting the monetary and non-monetary challenges of sending their children to school. As a start, the school uniform programme will be enhanced and the school feeding programme will be expanded with an emphasis on the hinterland locations”.

This statement comes after Government recently decided to terminate the $10,000 per child cash grant which was implemented by the previous Administration for public school students. In its place, Government has decided to increase the uniform voucher from $1500 to $2000. Approximately 14.9 per cent of the National Budget is being invested into the education sector this year.

Linden to get TV frequency by year-end

The long awaited television station for Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice), is expected to come on stream before next year, as moves are currently afoot to assign a frequency to the Region 10 Broadcasting Incorporated.

Company representative Sharma Solomon, who is also the former Region 10 Regional Chairman, said

plained that the NFMU already assessed the equipment to determine the “specifications” and is now in the process of providing a report for the allocation of a frequency to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, whose portfolio covers public information.

Subsequently, a stakeholders meeting will be held in Linden where the Prime Minister will inform stake-

most of the works are already completed and the administration is waiting on the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) to assign a frequency to the station so it can commence its operations.

The necessary equipment to man the station was already purchased since 2012.

Director of Public Information Imran Khan ex-

holders on the situation. Khan noted that arrangements are already being made to host this meeting.

“This is high on the Prime Minister’s priority list and the Prime Minister is committed to ensuring the people of Linden get the television station in the shortest time possible,” Khan indicated.

When asked how soon

the NFMU will assign a frequency, Khan explained that it would be difficult to make that determination at the moment, particularly considering that officials want to ensure the best frequency is provided so as to deliver high quality broadcasts. Nonetheless, he assured that Lindeners will get it before the new year.

Meanwhile, Solomon explained that as soon as the NFMU announces a frequency, the company will then begin the make the necessary arrangements to commence the operations at the station.

As it is now, discussions are continuously ongoing between the NFMU and the representatives of the Region 10 Broadcasting Inc.

The structure which will house the television station is situated at Richmond Hill, in Linden.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Director of Public Information Imran Khan

The television station situated at Richmond Hill, Linden

wednesday, august 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Shopkeeper remanded on drugs, firearms and ammo charges

Ayoung woman on Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where she was charged for the unlawful possession of a narcotic substance, as well as a firearm and matching rounds of ammunition.

Lisoleth LaCruz, age 25, of 8 Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on Thursday, August 6 at Tucville Squatting Area, she was found to be in possession of two grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

The woman also pleaded not guilty to charges which

read that on the same occasion, she was found in possession of a .25 pistol and 6.25 live rounds of match-

ing ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, the woman’s spouse is an officer of the Guyana Defence Force. He stated that on the day in question, the firearm and ammunition were found in the defendant and her spouse’s presence and during her caution statement she admitted knowledge of the items.

Her defence Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat informed the court that the woman resides at Tucville, however, she operates a shop which causes her to be absent from the premises frequently and for long periods of time. He

further stated that it is a case of multiple occupancy; as over eight individuals live in the house and have access to the area where the items were discovered.

He stated that his client has all intentions of cooperating and returning for her trial. On this account he made an application for reasonable bail.

After reviewing the facts of the charge, the Magistrate placed the defendant on $20,000 bail on the narcotics charge and remanded her to prison on the firearm and ammunition charges. She is expected to return to court on September 14 where she will appear before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in Court Five.

Man gets 9 months in jail for breaking into Malteenoes Sports Bar

Aresident of East La Penitence, Georgetown, was on Tuesday sentenced to serve nine months in prison after he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with break and enter and larceny.

John Hercules, 48, pleaded guilty to the charges which read that on Saturday, August 8 at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, county of Demerara, he broke and entered Malteenoes Sports Bar and

stole $18,000 cash, one bottle of XM rum valued $2000, one bottle of Black Label valued $10,000 and two packs of cigarette valued at $1200; all to a total value of $31,200 and the property of the said Malteenoes Sports Bar.

According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, on the day in question, Police ranks on patrol received information which they acted on and went to the said Sports Bar at approximately 23:30h. They then intercepted the defendant while he was leaving the premises with a bag in

his hands. They cautioned him and conducted a search on his person. The items were subsequently discovered and the owner of the establishment identified them as his. Further investigations were conducted and the charges were laid again the defendant.

Prosecutor Jones also revealed that the defendant had served 18 months in prison for a similar offence. After considering the facts of the charge, Magistrate McLennan sentenced the defendant to serve nine months in prison.

John Hercules will serve nine months in prison for breaking into Malteenoes Sports Bar

Man found with shotgun arrested at Mahdia

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Monday arrested a man in Madhia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) after he was found with an illegal firearm.

According to Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the incident occurred sometime around 12:00h at North Park, Mahdia. Reports revealed that ranks were on

patrol duties along a trail in the North Park area, when they stopped and conducted a search on the man’s person. During the search, the Police unearthed an unlicensed 12-gauge shotgun

along with one matching cartridge. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody, where he is assisting Police with investigations. Charges are expected to be instituted soon.

The Budget Mountain laboured...

...and produced a mouse

You'd think an Opposition that secured a Parliamentary majority back in 2011 - but for a Constitutional quirk could've captured the Executive - would've been prepared for office after the last elections, wouldn't you? Well we don't have to hark back at all the missteps they've taken up to nowjust one look at the Budget presented on Monday and you'll realise this is a Government that's in some serious trouble, ideas wise.

Even the context they created to present the Budget didn't make any sense. With almost half of the populace having rejected them at the polls, you'd think they'd ease up on the witch hunting. But not this lot. The day before Budget Day, Granger himself went on a riff about going after those - and it was clear as to who he was pointing fingers at - who killed all those choir boys who were just minding their business between 2000 and 2008. Nary a word about all the innocent citizens they gunned down for no reason but that they "looked like PPP supporters".

So with that bucket of gasoline poured onto a flaming criminal escalation that looks like a remake of "Mash Day Five", the Finance Minister came out with such an anodyne Budget that his colleagues could be forgiven for falling asleep as he droned on and on. Jordan seemed to be following the maxim that if you can't please everyone, then you might as well please yourself. But what if you can't please anyone because you've been given basket to fetch water. He couldn't even please himself.

This is what the fella had to confess: "This budget, Mr. Speaker, may have been long in coming and would be unavoidably short in implementation"!!!! That's right! They only have 4 months to go and the downward plunge of the economy is like a freight train out of control. So The only thing left for the Minister was to stretch the truth and then some. He claimed that even though the economy grew by a mere 0.9 % during the PPPC's 4 months, and with them twiddling their thumbs and witch hunting in their 1st 4 months...the economy will still GROW by 3.4%!!!

Jordan's NOSE will grow...that's what! The biggest disappointment of all to APNU's supporters would be the VAT. Ow man, not even 1 % reduction after all that fat talk for so long? Then there was the so called "double digit" salary increases for Public Servants at the low end of the spectrum. What they didn't mention so prominently was that the increases kick in from July 1… so must be divided by 1/2 to get the real annual increase. Less than 5%!

APNU supporters now know how Nagamootoo felt when he got "Larwah"!

...and just pricked BBCI tolls

Poor Ramayah is all cut up that all Ramjattan could offer him was $180,000 and no car or driver, while Trotman became Minister of Governance and Patrimony with $579,000 (to be increased to $800,000 plus $400,000 allowance. Hey! All Ramaya did, if you go by what Nagamootoo himself said of his Whim Villager, was deliver the 11% to give the coalition victory.

But Ramaya wasn't just thinking about himself...he was thinking about the rest of his Berbice compatriots who got stiffed out of any Ministerial job "in town". It's good he spoke before the Budget came out. After salivating at the thought of massive reductions in the Berbice Bridge tolls - the #1 promise of the CoalitionJordan's $300 announcement had to've been a sucker punch to Berbicians!

$300?? You can't even buy a slice of salara with that!

...and crushed Amerindians

Before the Budget, the government fired some 2000 Amerindians from their Community Support Officers jobs. Were the duty free vehicles in the Budget for "selected "Tauchaus" to make up?

But we just know who'll be selected, don't we?

Lisoleth LaCruz

Govt still

“fine-tuning”

public security plan

– Minister Jordan admits crime situation is “pressing, depressing”

BY VAHNU MANICKCHAND

As the country con-

tinues to grapple with the increasing number of criminal activities, Government is still in the process of “fine-tuning” a comprehensive plan for the security sector to boost crime prevention initiatives.

Delivering his maiden budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Monday pointed out that the crime situation is the most “pressing and most depressing” problem that Guyana is facing, highlighting the need to address it.

“The Government is

telligence system and the Criminal Investigation Department; improving recruitment standards and training by revitalising the Cadetship Scheme; counteracting human, drugs and arms trafficking; and acquiring vehicles and equipment for modern policing to fight banditry, piracy, terrorism and other violent crimes,” the Minister remarked.

Serious crimes on the rise

His comments were made in light of cries by Guyanese in the past few months, over the apparent raise in criminal activities in the country, with more murders and

fine-tuning a comprehensive public security plan, in which emphasis is to be placed on combating crime; regaining trust of the Police Force; improving Police investigative capabilities, by rebuilding an efficient and effective criminal in-

armed robberies occurring daily. After a 12 per cent and four per cent decline in serious crime in January and February respectively, Guyana has since experienced a spike in the number of serious crimes over the past few months, according

to statistics released by the Police Force.

In March, the Police reported a six per cent hike in serious crimes while in April a seven per cent increase was also recorded. At the end of May, serious crime in the country had gone up to 10 per cent; however in the following month, it had dropped to nine per cent. Records relating to the month of July are yet to be released.

$21B to strengthen security

On this note, Jordan disclosed that Government has allocated a whopping $21 billion to strengthen and improve the country’s various national security services. The Finance Minister noted some $11.9 billion will be plugged into supporting the operations of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Fire Service, and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit. Meanwhile, he added that the remaining $9.1 billion will be directed towards the operations of the Guyana Defence Force.

According to Jordan, these allocations will be injected into improving the physical infrastructure, upgrade of the security fleet, and acquisition of tools and equipment within these security services. Additionally, the money will also be used to upgrade the security features of the machine readable passports, while another $9.7 million was budgeted for the acquisition of specialised equipment for the production of machine readable passports.

Moreover, Jordan disclosed that his Administration intends to

implement all of the recommendations that were made by the Disciplined Forces Commission. He added that they will also be approaching friendly nations and international crime-fighting agencies.

The Finance Minister underscored the need to have a radical action that will reform the country’s criminal justice system. He further noted that the Police Force needs to be more accountable to the general public and be better able to deal with crime as well as antisocial behaviour.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister went on to revealed that Government will roll out the implementation of several activities to support the security sector under the Citizens Security Programme. He noted that a key aspect of this Programme is the implementation of evidence-based interventions associated

with interpersonal violence, such as parenting, gender values and norms and conflict resolution.

According to the Minister, “Training of selected community members to support economic inclusion, through vocational and remedial training; literacy programmes; job readiness; job seeking and job placement actions; entrepreneurship; mentoring; counselling and psychological skills training will aid communities in identifying community problems and developing bottom-up solutions to crime and violence”.

Jordan added that such support will also target the strengthening of the Guyana Police Force’s Crime Prevention and Investigative capabilities, through forensic and criminal investigative techniques and training as well as through the application of information technology

methodologies in crime detection and inter-agency coordination.

Command centre to be established

In addition, the Minister pointed out that his Government will establish a command centre to enhance crime response capabilities. He added that other intervention adopted by this Administration includes resuscitation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) feeds within the Georgetown to Timehri environs and the improvement in 911 services countrywide.

On the other hand, during his presentation, the Finance Minister criticised the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for its failure to effectively arrest banditry, piracy and criminal violence and other crimes that plague the Guyanese society.

However, the PPP/C during its tenure in office had invested billions in the security sector and implemented several programmes and initiatives to curb the surging crime rates. While a break down in figures was not presented by Minister Jordan, the PPP/C during its 2014 Budget Presentation channelled $1.1 billion each to the operations of Joint Services and equipping the forces.

In addition, sum of $382.6 million was allocated to train the Joint Services, while $413 million was budgeted to train and equip Community Policing Groups countrywide in an effort to restore safe neighbourhoods to citizens.

Investigators at a crime scene in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Jagdeo urges Govt to rework crime-fighting strategies

The David Grangerled A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition Government has been called upon to rework its crime-fighting strategies, which have done little to lessen the rising incidence of crime over the past two weeks.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who said he had left a slew of crimefighting strategies when he demitted office some four years ago, said the new Administration, which is replete with security personnel, has not been able to effectively tackle the spiralling crime situation.

According to him, the Administration has failed to honour the promise it made while on the campaign trail to address the crime situation in a more favourable manner than was previously done by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

“To my surprise, when the crime rate escalated, I saw the President convening a meeting to tackle crime. But I thought they had that. They duped the electorate.

They do not have strategy,” Jagdeo argued. What came out of the meeting, he said, was the organisers determining that they needed to get horses and dogs to fight crime.

“Our approach has been very different. We recognised it was a tough issue and not at all times we had performed well. But we set about to systematically change things in the Police Force, so we needed a new generation to fight crime,” Jagdeo informed.

He said as President, he had directed the Army Chief-of-Staff at that time to train some 50 young Cadet Officers from the Police for a year, so that they could return to the Force at middle-level management, since the older leadership was exiting. And while there were officers who had moved up the ladder over time, many of them had limitations with the new intelligenceled methods of crime-fighting. Following that, he explained, came the creation of mechanisms including the setting up of a centre for the gathering and analysing of information about crime.

Added to that was the slew of legislation which was passed under his leadership to aid in the strengthening of the tools available to the Police Force to ensure greater prosecution.

Strengthen available mechanisms

“Those mechanisms are available and need to be strengthened. There are some things that the criminals should not know about the capability of Government. What they have available should be strengthened. They need to roll out the intelligent aspect of the Police and link that with fighting crime,” Jagdeo told Guyana Times

He said his Party was willing to support a 20 per cent increase for Police Officers, but the current Government also needed to hold people responsible for their actions. “The Police Force needs to know too that once they act within the confines of the law, the executive will support them fully. That needs to be sent to the Police clearly.”

Early last month, President David Granger

met with his top security officials where special focus was placed on five areas of strategy that would be pursued to tackle crime. By that time, less than two months into office, the crime wave had reached a high point, with persons losing their lives at the hands of criminals almost weekly.

Among the measures implemented, Government had moved to beef up security at borders across the country. Coupled with that move was the resuscitation of the Police’s marine wing to provide Police Officers with flexibility and greater access to inland waterways along with the use of animals, including horses and dogs, to go after criminals.

Focus was also to be placed on the Police administration itself and the requirement to identify criminal activities across all 10 regions of Guyana, to determine where the activities were being committed and to decide on the strategy to deal with them on a national basis.

“The deployment of the Police Force itself, the response time by Police to complaints by citizens, the operation of the 911 facility… all of these are part of the strategy and will be subject to serious review over the next couple of weeks,” Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had told journalists.

Another element of the strategy was expected to cover Police assets and equipment, Harmon said, noting that Government had given a clear undertaking to the Guyana Police Force that it would provide the assets to go after crime wherever it existed.

Bud Get

Satiricus’ favourite subject in school was sport. Any sport... especially sneaking away with the fellas to play "ball". And when he was able to read newspapers his favourite section was "Sport". Anyhow, even though he started to read the paper from the back - and his friends thought he was Muslim - he'd sometimes eventually reach the front pages.

And every year, he'd glance at the headlines that went on and on for weeks about "Bud Get". Satiricus used to think this fella Bud had to be very important to be getting all this attention in the newspapers about how much money the Government would give him. "What did Bud do to get all this dough?" the young Satiricus used to wonder. But now that he was a grown man and had learnt a thing or two about "Budgets" he still thought he hadn't been too far off in his youthful mistake.

Budgets were still about what ordinary fellas - who could be called "Bud" - would "get". And as he listened to the latest Budget by the new financial whiz, Jor Dan, his heart was filled with joy and wonder at how generous the Government was to all the "Buds" out there. Jor Dan explained as to how he couldn't reduce VAT as they'd vowed - but he sure as heck would take off VAT from Mayonnaise. Satiricus eyes were filled with tears. Didn't Jor Dan say the Budget was to let ordinary folks live "the good life"? And how could you live "the good life" without mayonnaise? A fella could survive a week or two without rice...but a day without Mayonnaise? The thought was too much for Satiricus to bear. The PPCEE had been so cruel and heartless.

They'd taken off VAT from hundreds of food stuffs since 2005...but kept it on Mayonnaise!! Imagine being forced to eat a ham and Swiss sandwich without Mayo. Satiricus heard that the wife of a big one from the PPCEE had said, "Let them eat sandwiches with mustard!" What? Did they want to convert Guyanese to Judaism? Only Jews put mustard on sandwiches. This was a violation of the Constitutional right of the people to eat whatever they wanted to eat.

"What next?" thought Satiricus. "The PPCEE would have told us to eat rice flour."

So Satiricus gave praise to Jor Dan to let Bud Get back his constitutional right to mayonnaise.

Let the good times roll!!!

Parents need help to find missing man

The mother of a West Coast Berbice (WCB) labourer is seeking information on the whereabouts of her 24-year-old son who disappeared close to one month ago.

Zafir Francis, also known as “Andrew” of Washington Village, WCB, left home in July and has not returned home since. He was last employed at the Port Mourant Turf Club where he worked in the stables, but reportedly left the job there.

He has not been seen or heard from and his parents; Brenda Hope Holder who resides in Trinidad and his father Andrew Francis who resides in Canada are seeking the public’s assistance in locating their son.

According to his mother,

Zafir Francis, also known as “Andrew”

Zafir would normally telephone her and after she did not receive his regular telephone calls, she returned to

Guyana to find out what was amiss. It was after some investigation that the family filed a missing persons report at the Fort Wellington Police Station. Meanwhile, a cousin of the missing man who is employed in Georgetown is claiming that Francis met with her at her place of employment two weeks ago. He told her that he was happy. The cousin is also claiming that she was unaware at the time of his visit that her cousin was ‘missing’ from WCB.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Zafir Francis is kindly being asked to contact nearest Police station or call his mother Brenda on telephone numbers 6861330, 337-4364 or 660-9048.

Govt announces audit of Pension Fund

–

Replaces

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

Acting on its strongly held belief that there is something amiss with the Old Age Pension Program, the new David Granger led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (AFC) government has announced its plans to carry out a fully fledged investigation into the operation of the program.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan made the announcement during his presentation of this year’s National budget which stands at a whooping $221 billion and which also indicated a 30 percent increase in the monthly pension distribution. The 42,397 beneficiaries will from September 1 this year, receive some $17,000, a significant increase from the $13,175 previously received.

Addressing a full house of Members of the Opposition and Private Sector on Monday, Jordan said Government was of the view that everyone deserves dignity and respect in their old age, and that they should be provided with the support they need. It was not made clear as to how a person could live in “dignity” on $17,000 when the minimum wage was now $50,000.

But the quantum of the payment was not the basis of government’s decision to undertake this massive Inquiry. During the ninth Parliament, former Alliance for Change (AFC) Executive Member the late Sheila Holder said something was amiss with the soaring number of senior citizens who were receiving old age pensions. She had accused the then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government of diverting the Pension Fund toward public spending, noting that there had at that time been a sharp increase in the number of old age pensioners and a consequent increase in government expenditure in that area. She recorded that there were some 17,640 of what she described as “phantom pensioners”, and said that the monthly hemorrhage from the Old Age Pension fund was over $116M or $1.3B annually.

Then Social Service Minister Priya Manickchand had refuted the claim by Holder, pointing out that there were reasonable causes for the increase in the number of old age pensioners in recent years.

Jordan told the house that Government has now undertaken a forensic au-

NIS

board,

removes subsidy as entity struggles to remain viable

dit of the old age pension system, with a view of determining the accuracy of the register of pensioners.

“There is an on-going project to improve the processing, recording and monitoring of pension payments, with the objective of streamlining its operations”, Jordon told the packed National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Jordon also related government’s intention of examining the pensions of public servants who retired in the 1970s and 1980s, and whose pensions are substantially less than those paid to recent retirees of similar pay grades or positions

Government will also be examining “the plight” of Members of Parliament (MP’s) and Ministers, who held office before 1992, and, currently, receive pensions that are a fraction of those of the present occupants.

“It will be recalled that a Special Select Committee was established to address this matter but due to pressure of time, the matter was not completed”, Jordon said.

NIS

Meanwhile, examining the situation of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) the Finance Minister Jordan spoke to the situation of the company and its increased financial plight particularly with its multibillion investments into the collapsed Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) According to him that represents more than 20 percent of its assets but it is not earning any income. He said the scheme is in trouble “and something has to be done urgently to address the problem”.

“As this Honourable House is aware, Resolution No. 82 of 2009 was passed by the National Assembly “calling upon the Government to take all possible actions to se-

cure the investments made in CLICO Guyana by the NIS on behalf of contributors and beneficiaries of the Scheme to prevent any consequential loss in benefits to them, Jordan related. He said it was unfortunate that the PPP/C Government did nothing on that Resolution, resulting in a persistent deterioration in the Scheme’s financial position. According to him, a new Board of Directors has been appointed and he will be meeting with that Board and charging them with the responsibility, after consultation with the Actuary, to come up with solutions to address the underlying problems of the Scheme.

NIS Building, Brickdam, Georgetown

Iron boulder found in sugar punt at Enmore Sugar Factory

– almost halts operations

The discovery of a piece of iron inside a sugar punt weighing almost one tonne at the Enmore Sugar Estate Factory, East Coast Demerara, on Monday left workers and management in utter surprise.

Reports are that during operation hours on Monday, the iron was discovered in the sugar cane punt covered with sugar cane. The content of the punt was just about to be dumped into the factory’s grinding machine.

According to a senior official at the estate, it was not unusual to find bricks and small pieces of hard materials in the punts; however, this discovery was definitely unusual.

“It is normal to find little objects in these punts when offloading them into the grinder, even spotting what we call tramp iron, which is small bits and pieces of iron. But to find something like this that weighs almost a tonne is not a norm. This is mysterious and surprising,” the official stated.

He explained that it was the workers who were emptying the sugar cane into the punts who made the discovery.

“It was the sound of the iron hitting against the metal that captured the attention of the workers on the floor. The cane would

be falling like sticks so the cane won’t have made that amount of noise to draw attention. This piece of metal did and this caused the men there to stop the cars immediately and check,” the factory staffer added. Guyana Times was also told that should the work-

ers have missed the discovery of the iron, it would have caused serious damage to the grinding equipment at the factory. This would have resulted in operations being delayed and unnecessary costs for repairs and maintenance to the equipment in question.

Keeping it real

Bharrat Jagdeo for better or for worse

For better or worse, Bharrat Jagdeo has left an indelible mark on Guyanese politics.

As the 6th Executive President of the Republic of Guyana, whose tenure ran from 1999 to 2011, Jagdeo’s concern for the global environment defines his presidential legacy. His Facebook page reminds readers that he holds a number of global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable environmental development, green growth and global climate change. Prior to his presidency in 1999, he was Finance Minister. Jagdeo became President following Janet Jagan’s resignation, due to health reasons. He was the first President of Guyana to relinquish office in accordance with term limits which he signed into law.

Jagdeo is no stranger to controversy. Based on the May 2015 election results, 49 percent of the Guyanese population still placed their faith in the PPP, after an election campaign which saw Opposition elements more intensely focused on Jagdeo, rather than President Ramotar. Despite the excesses his party is accused of committing while in office, Jagdeo is probably the only person currently in the Opposition, who possesses a wealth of accrued knowledge of the intimate and inner workings of Government, and, presumably, he is well aware of what needs to be done to put his party back on the winning track.

of Opposition parliamentarians. Jagdeo will have to reconstruct the party, as well as his own personal image to overcome the public perception of him as a vindictive and arrogant leader - quite a tall order. If the coalition continues to demonize him it is likely that Jagdeo’s loyal supporters may rally around him as a political martyr. Guyanese politicians, given the penchant for ‘machismo’ politics, are reluctant to apologise for political mistakes or flaws in their character. A recognition or acknowledgement by Jagdeo of excesses committed by the PPP in the past will probably go a long way towards political redemption. There is the possibility too that the coalition may fumble, given the multitude of pressing social, economic and political issues on its plate. Jagdeo is well read on the Guyanese economy, and given his long gubernatorial experience, can exact political capital from the coalition’s shortcomings.

Dr Baytoram Ramharack

Whether Jagdeo is capable of overcoming the hurdles he faces as Opposition Leader will depend upon a number of key factors, both personal and political. Politically, party supporters will expect Jagdeo to consolidate the largely Indian base of the PPP. Given the current dispensation, politics in Guyana will never be the same. Neither of the main political parties is capable of winning a large majority of the electorate nor create a multiracial majority Government on their own electoral strength. This means that, given our ethnic divide, coalition politics will become a defining characteristic of future politics. In addition, our national politics are more susceptible to the influence of transnational and extraterritorial factors, including international organisations, the United States, and the large Guyanese diaspora. Political parties have to be cognizant of the reality of being a small dependent State. Also, in the area of ethno-politics, while race and ethnicity remains the dominant factors defining our politics, evidence suggest that alliances based on ethnicity, while still strong, are becoming more pronounced among the younger generation.

Public perception of Jagdeo is of a person who amassed tremendous personal and political power while in and out of office. He was able to “Putinize” the lackluster short-lived Ramotar presidency. Jagdeo’s influence within the party is reflected by the fact that Ramotar is not even in the mix

Jagdeo’s immediate task should be to help reconstruct the PPP and groom others in its ranks to become future party, as well as national leaders. The PPP is in dire need of professional, careeroriented leaders who can transform the party into a more professional and democratic organisation. Ideally, Guyana can develop into an institutionalized democracy if and when a winning political party or coalition does not hold office for too long and with the expectation that regime change will not be accompanied by ethnic violence.

More importantly, Jagdeo should reconsider the party’s ideology and determine if the PPP is going to be a “working class party” or a “party of Indians”. If the party continues to define itself as a working class party, it will have to genuinely accommodate all ethnic groups in its leadership ranks and avoid “token” personalities, as was the case with its recent Prime Ministerial candidate. The PNC was able to shed its negative image as an “African” party, as a “minority” party, and, as a “party of violence” by forming a coalition with other parties, while reigning in street protests when Granger led the opposition. If Jagdeo defines the PPP as a party of Indians, then the PPP is accepting a willingness to pursue coalition politics with other ethnic groups (Africans, Amerindians). Such a move will be a quantum leap from the current political reality.

Jagdeo will most likely be given a honeymoon, as the government was, to recalibrate the PPP. Indians, the majority of whom voted for the PPP, will then ask themselves if Jagdeo is the right person to represent them, especially in the short term. Or alternatively they have to look towards establishing a new political party that caters to their interests.

Dr Ramharack is an Associate Professor of Political Science (adj) at Nassau Community College. Send comments to BRamharack60@ gmail.com.

The object found in the punt at the Enmore Sugar Factory

20% of public contracts for micro-enterprises

Not as easy as it seems – Gaskin

– Govt to encourage small businesses to bid on contracts

The task of getting 20 per cent of all public contracts awarded to micro enterprises is not as easy as it seems but government is exploring all avenues towards realising this objective without having to make any changes to the public procurement process.

Business and Investment Minister Dominic Gaskin recently announced that Government will be focusing on opening more opportunities for smaller businesses to invest by promoting a section of the Small Business Act which stipulates that 20 per cent of all public contracts awarded must go to small businesses.

The Act reads, “Government shall use its best endeavours to ensure that at least 20 per cent of

identify areas where small businesses can bid competitively.

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. We can’t just say we are going to pick one in every five contract will go to small businesses,” he said, noting that a more practical approach was needed.

The Small Business Bureau (SBB), in collaboration with the Ministry, will work towards identifying the types of contracts which will be best suited

the procurement of goods and services required annually by the Government is obtained from small businesses…”

In explaining how Government will actually achieve this, Gaskin said the first step would be to

Govt announces...

Jordon said the insurance sector was adequately capitalized, in keeping with the requirements of the Insurance Act 1998, for the period ending March 31, 2015. Assets for both the long-term and general insurance sectors exceeded liabilities by 32.5 percent and 132.2 percent respectively.

That he said was complemented by the sectors’ ability to meet their expenses from growth in net premiums. As a result of the industry’s performance, as at March 31, 2015, positive growth in assets, net premiums and capital i also projected for the remainder of the year.

The industry has rebounded somewhat since the catastrophic collapse of CLICO in 2008. He said that event had a significantly negative impact on the industry’s financial strength in that year. The recovery notwithstanding, net premiums reported by the long-term insurance sector were only 42.3 percent of the amount prior to the CLICO debacle.

“This is an indication that many policyholders might have lost confidence in the long-term insurance sector. The systemic failures by CLICO have reinforced the need for enhanced regulation in the insurance sector.

In this respect, the drafting of the new Insurance Act and attendant Regulations was finalised and they are being examined with a view of bringing them to this House for passage”.

In the meanwhile, efforts will be made to build supervisory capacity in the insurance sector while

a risk-based supervisory framework will be developed to supervise and regulate the sector, Jordan said.

Just last week Bank of Guyana (BoG) Governor Dr Gobind Ganga told Guyana Times that given the current financial status of the collapsed Colonial Life Insurance Company Limited (CLICO), there is a possibility that Guyanese policyholders may not get back their life savings which were transferred to the company’s Bahamian office.

Before the major collapse of CLICO in 2009, CLICO Guyana had invested close to US$40 million in CLICO Bahamas.

According to Guyana’s Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga, in terms of beneficiaries, Guyana is “way down the ladder” nestled at category “D”. This being the case, according to Dr Ganga, it does not seem like Guyana would anytime soon be able to recover the monies invested since, like many other countries, it is still awaiting its day in court.

CLICO Guyana had transferred some US$36 million to CLICO Bahamas. And while the investments were said to be “liquid on paper”, investigations carried out revealed that the sum had been tied up in several investments, including real estate which CLICO Bahamas had in Florida through subsidiaries.

When CLICO Bahamas was ordered liquidated on February 24, 2009, the local company was subsequently placed under judicial management.

for small businesses and thereafter will assist in building capacities of for these businesses to bid for the contracts.

“Small business will not be best suited for certain contracts. A small business cannot be contracted to build a road or a bridge. So we will identify potential contracts best suited for small businesses and then encourage them to bid for those contracts,” Gaskin explained.

Examples of such con -

tracts suited for small businesses include provision of meal supplies, office supplies or computer repairs.

Gaskin highlighted that a significant portion of micro enterprises in Guyana are not aware that they can bid for Government contracts nor are they familiar with the process. As such, in an effort to ensure at least 20 per cent of all public contracts go to small businesses, Government will work towards ensur -

ing small entrepreneurs know of available procurement contracts which they can bid upon. However, the invitations for bid will not be limited to microenterprises. When asked about the chances of macro enterprises dominating the field and winning bids for contracts that are better suited for smaller businesses, Gaskin said, “I don’t see that being a problem.”

Business and Investment Minister Dominic Gaskin

CTO seeks regional and international help to tackle “stinky” seaweed problem

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) is engaging regional and international institutions to find a solution to the influx of sargassum seaweed on regional beaches that is threatening the Region’s tourism product.

While stressing that the Caribbean has more than just beaches to attract tourists – including its culture, cuisine, and music – the CTO acknowledged that the beach is an integral part of a tourist’s experience and the sargassum seaweed was therefore “an unwelcome visitor”.

“We are aware that the influx of sargassum can impact this aspect of our product and we will be at the centre of efforts to find a regional solution,” it assured.

“The CTO and our Caribbean partners are treating this matter seriously and with urgency . . . A number of theories have

been advanced as to the cause of the latest influx, and myriad suggestions put forward for tackling the issue,” the Organisation further noted, adding that a symposium led by the University of the West Indies would be held next Monday “to crystallise these myriad ideas and theories into workable solutions that can be imple-

mented immediately to address our situation”.

The CTO said it was optimistic that meaningful solutions will emerge from that symposium.

From Barbados to Mexico, beach clean-ups have been taking place to at least reduce the amount of the seaweed on the usually pristine beaches. (Caribbean360)

US Coast Guard boasts largest drug off-load in history after regional operation

After four months at sea, a United States Coast Guard mission has returned to shore carrying US$1 billion in confiscated cocaine and heroin, hailed by officials as the largest drug off-load in history.

The mission arrived to the naval base in San Diego, California, with 32 metric tonnes of cocaine and two tonnes of heroin – a weight equivalent to 17 averagesized cars. The entire cargo took more than four hours to unload.

“There is still work to be done,” Admiral Paul

Zukunft, commandant of the coastguard, said in a statement.

“We must increase already hard-earned momentum to curb the rising tide of crime, violence and instability in our hemisphere.”

Composed of three vessels skirting around the coasts of Mexico, Central, and South America, the mission seized contraband through 30 separate interdictions of smuggling vessels. The operation lasted from April to July and was led by the coastguard cutter Stratton.

The drugs were all des-

tined for the US, where the cocaine alone would have amounted to 33 million “lines” for snorting, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Wholesale value of the entire cargo exceeded US$1 billion.

“I’m not in the market of selling this, but trust me, on the street it would sell for much more,” Zukunft added.

Stratton encountered drug-carrying vessels ranging from submarines to slimmer, outboard-powered fishing boats called pangas, which can stretch to up to 15 metres long. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Police Officer, port worker in Trinidad face child sex charges

A24-year-old Police Officer and a worker at the Port of Point Lisas have been charged with having sex with two minors.

Constable Adrian Mohammed and 22-yearold port worker Anthony La Foucade appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’

Courts Monday. It is alleged that the Policeman picked up a 16-year-old girl and another girl under the age of 16 on August 6, and he and La Foucade, a stevedore, had sex with them.

In addition to the charges of having sex with a mi-

nor and sexual molestation, which he faces jointly with La Foucade, the Policeman faces two additional charges – that being an officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, he failed to act when sexual offences were being committed against the two children. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

TT Police confirm report of death threat on Opposition Leader’s life

Less than 24 hours after saying he knew nothing about a death threat against Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, National Security Minister Brigadier Carl Alfonso has confirmed that P21olice are investigating such a threat.

Local media reports Tuesday quoted Alfonso as saying that Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenn Hackett Monday morning officially informed him that lawmen had received a report that Rowley’s life was in danger, and security for the People’s

National Movement (PNM) leader had been beefed up as a result.

“I don’t know the source of the report, or who reported it to him, but he is dealing with it . . . So clearly, I must be concerned,” Alfonso said, declining to say anything more because of the ongoing investigation.

Speaking at a political meeting on Sunday, Rowley said Government had hired people to kill him. Senior PNM member Faris AlRawi further alleged that a TT$15 million (US$2.3 million) hit had been put on Rowley. Alfonso told the Trinidad Express on Sunday that he had not been informed of any threat on Rowley’s life.

“Maybe the Police Commissioner may have received that information and probably he has dealt with it, but it has not come any further. It has not come to any member of Government, certainly not to my good self. If the Police Commissioner thinks it’s serious enough to inform me, he will,” the Minister told the newspaper at the time. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

OAS says Haiti elections marked a forward step,

Despite incidents of violence at some polling stations, the first round of legislative elections in Haiti has been described as “a step forward for Haitian democracy” by the Organisation of American States (OAS).

In a statement issued Monday, the OAS election observer mission in Haiti said most polling stations were able to conclude operations as planned, and it congratulated the Caribbean nation on holding elections that involved the vast majority of political forces in the country.

But the mission also recommended a civic education campaign to increase participation from the country’s 5.8 million registered voters.

Of the 1508 voting centres open on Election Day, about 54 were closed because of violence.

But head of the elections

despite violence

council, Pierre-Louis Opont, indicated that was not significant enough to invalidate the vote.

Results are expected on August 19.

In a preliminary report, the chief of the OAS observer mission, Enrique Castillo, welcomed the determination of the Provisional Electoral Council to continue with the next steps in the electoral process. “[Sunday’s] elec-

tion was a step forward in strengthening Haitian democracy,” said Castillo, a former Foreign Minister in Costa Rica. He said the OAS would maintain its presence in the country until the conclusion of the vote count, and would also deploy another mission for the first round of voting in the presidential elections scheduled for October 25.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Two Shining Path fighters captured in Peru

The Peruvian Government has announced the capture of two leaders of the Maoist guerrilla group, Shining Path. They were brought to the capital Lima by air from an isolated valley in the Amazon region.

The Army said their column had stashed explosives and weapons near a pipeline connecting a gas field to the capital.

Last month the Army

freed 39 captives, mostly women and children who had been kept as slave labour by the group after being kidnapped.

Some of the captives said they had been seized some 30 years ago.

The Defence Ministry said 26 of them were children, some of whom had been born in captivity.

The victims said they were forced to work in fields.

The two fighters’ column had been operating in

the Shining Path heartland –- a corner of the Peruvian Amazon crossed by three important rivers known as VRAEM (the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers). It is Peru’s largest cocaine-producing region. Shining Path was largely dismantled after the capture of its leader, Abimael Guzman, in 1992. Yet in the closed jungle of the Amazon the group has proved hard to destroy totally.

This beach at Bathsheba, St Joseph in Barbados was completely covered with the sargassum seaweed (Rommel Hall/Barbados Today)

Alexander Alarcon Soto, known as “Comrade Renan” (second right), and Dionisio Ramos, known as “Comrade Yuri” (second left), were presented to the media at the international airport in Lima

The OAS would maintain its presence in the country until the conclusion of the vote count

China devalues yuan to 3-year low

China devalued its currency on Tuesday after a run of poor economic data, a move it billed as a free-market reform, but which some suspect could be the beginning of a longer-term slide in the exchange rate.

The central bank set its official guidance rate down nearly two per cent to 6.2298 yuan per dollar – its lowest point in almost three years – in what it said was a change in methodology to make it more responsive to market forces.

It was the biggest oneday fall since a massive devaluation in 1994 when China aligned its official and market rates.

“Since China’s trade in goods continues to post relatively large surpluses, the yuan’s real effective exchange rate is still relatively strong versus various global currencies, and is deviating from market expectations,” the central bank said.

“Therefore, it is neces-

sary to further improve the yuan’s midpoint pricing to meet the needs of the market.”

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) called it a “one-off depreciation”, but economists disagreed over the significance of a move that reversed a previous strong-yuan policy that aimed to boost domestic consumption and outward investment.

“For a long time, I gave the PBOC credit for holding the line on the renminbi

(yuan) and recognising that while it might be tempting to try to shore up the oldgrowth model by devaluing the currency, that really was a dead end,” said fund manager Patrick Chovanec of US-based Silvercrest Asset Management.

He said a strong yuan was needed to force China toward consumption and away from low-end manufacturing. “What the world needs from China is not more supply; what it needs is demand.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Public anger grows as Beirut’s trash crisis persists

Awinding road to the mountainous region that rises over Beirut offers an unobstructed view of the capital, surrounded by the sea. Today, the road itself is littered with garbage; huge piles have accumulated on the side of the road, along with burned scraps of trash.

Lebanon’s garbage crisis, unprecedented in the country’s recent history, continues to persist nearly a month since the mid-July closure of Naameh, the city’s main landfill, due to overcapacity. Mountains of

garbage were left to pile up in the country’s capital and the surrounding mountains, while a lack of suitable alternative dumping grounds has spurred protests over the Government’s failure to find a solution.

As politicians continue to bicker over how to handle the situation, activists, Non-Governmental Organisations and local municipalities have taken matters into their own hands, pushing for local recycling and waste treatment initiatives. Others have been

burning the piles of trash that have accumulated around Beirut on site, even collecting it and dumping it in quarries, under bridges, in rivers and in abandoned parking lots, further exacerbating the already desperate situation.

At a protest organised by civil society activists on Saturday, about 1500 people showed up to chant anti-government slogans and demand the resignation of Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India joy over new Google boss

Google’s surprise announcement that it has created its own parent company, Alphabet, may be the news of the hour across the tech world, but in India, the headlines are all about Sundar Pichai.

The elevation of the 43-year-old Indian origin American to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Google is making waves across Indian media and social media outlets, with many seeing his rise as nothing less than a triumph for the country.

Pichai was born and schooled in Chennai (formerly Madras), in south India.

Among the latest to congratulate Pichai was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who tweeted at him from his personal account.

“Congratulations @sundarpichai. My best wishes for the new role at @google.”

The tag #Alphabet was

one of the top trends in the Indian twittersphere following Google’s announcement, but most of the tweets centred on Pichai. Even the usually staid state broadcast channel Doordarshan could barely contain its excitement.

Other media channels followed suit, quickly pushing out profiles and factoids

Around the World

Turkey PM: Syria no-fly zone needed

The Turkish Prime Minister has told the BBC that Turkey will push again for a no-fly zone over northern Syria to protect civilians fleeing both Islamic State and Syrian Government forces.

Ahmet Davutoglu said he would work with the United States to establish a “safe area” for people displaced by Syria’s conflict.

Davutoglu did not rule out sending Turkish troops in to protect the area.

Turkey is home to more Syrian refugees than any other country – more than 1.8 million according to re-

cent United Nations figures.

In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen, Davutoglu called on the international community to do more to resolve the four-year conflict in Syria and denied that Turkey had helped so-called Islamic State and other extremist groups.

He criticised the five permanent members of the UN Security Council for failing to make a “strong decision” to stop the atrocities in Syria.

Asked whether Turkey was doing enough to prevent the large numbers of

migrants reaching Europe though his country, he said it was the responsibility of the international community to stem the flow of migrants by bringing the fouryear conflict in Syria to an end.

Despite not ruling out the use of Turkish ground troops, Davutoglu said he preferred to strengthen Syria’s moderate Opposition.

“If there is enough power of moderate forces in Syria, there will not be any necessity for other countries including Turkey to send any ground troops,” he said.

BBC News)

Scores killed in Nigerian cattle market blast

Ablast in north-eastern

Nigeria’s Borno State has killed at least 47 people and injured another 52, a military source and a civilian joint task force member said.

The explosion, in a region where hundreds of people have been killed in attacks by suspected members of Boko Haram in the last few weeks, struck the town of Sabon Gari around 13:30h local time on Tuesday, the sources said.

Al Jazeera’s Ahmed Idris, reporting from the city of Kano, said the attack happened close to a cattle market.

“According to sources in the area, this attack was carried out by a female suicide bomber who detonated her device,” he said.

He added that security was very high in the area at the moment as an operation by the Multi-National Task Force, a coalition of African

countries fighting Boko Haram, is ongoing.

“We have received at least 47 dead bodies and at least 50 with injuries from the Sabon Gari market, where there was a blast this afternoon,” a nurse at Biu General Hospital, around 50 kilometres away, told AFP news agency.

He said the injuries from the blast are mostly “severe” and that the death toll was expected to rise.

“The explosion happened inside the market at the mobile phone section, near the livestock section of the market,” said Yuram Bura, a member of a local vigilante group fighting Boko Haram alongside the army.

“It was concealed in a knapsack used for spraying herbicides. It was smuggled into the market and apparently abandoned. This is no doubt the handiwork of Boko Haram.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

MH17: ‘Russian missile parts’ at Ukraine crash site

Fragments of a suspected Russian missile system have been found at the Flight MH17 crash site in Ukraine, investigators in the Netherlands say.

They say the parts, possibly from a Buk surface-to-air system, are “of particular interest” and could help show who was behind the crash.

But they say they have not proved their “causal connection” with the crash.

MH17 crashed on land held by Russian-backed rebels in July 2014, killing all 298 on board.

about the new Google CEO for the consumption of an excited public. And India’s Twitter has been awash with tweets like these:

“Not very long ago Modi requested Indians to develop Google like company, Now Google appointed an Indian as CEO ;) :p #SundarPichain”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

There were 283 passengers, including 80 children, and 15 crew members on the Malaysian Airlines airliner.

About two-thirds of those who died were Dutch nationals, with dozens of Malaysians and Australians among the rest.

Ukraine and many Western countries have accused pro-Russian rebels of shooting down the plane, saying they could have used a Buk missile system supplied by Russia.

Russia and the rebels deny any responsibility and say the

Ukrainian military was to blame.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) said in a joint statement with the Dutch Safety Board that the parts had been “secured during a previous recovery mission in eastern Ukraine”.

“The parts are of particular interest to the criminal investigation as they can possibly provide more information about who was involved in the crash of MH17. For that reason the JIT further investigates the origin of these parts,” the statement said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The yuan decision comes in the wake of weak economic data

Hundreds of people have been killed in attacks by suspected members of Boko Haram in the last few weeks [Getty Images]

Sundar Pichai’s appointment is being seen as an Indian triumph on social media

wednesday, august 12, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Amerindian Heritage Month launched

Amerindian Heritage Month was launched on Tuesday in the compound of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry under the theme “Preserving our Customs and Traditions” with promises being made to make the event bigger and better.

The month-long celebrations will include an Indigenous Food and Craft Exhibition, a cultural extravaganza, the Miss Amerindian Heritage Pageant, Indigenous Fashion show, and the annual heritage fundraising dinner, among many others. The month of events will commence on August 31 and last until September 30,

with the first event being an interfaith service, to be held at the Amerindian Heritage Village in Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe, told reporters at a press conference that over 600 persons are expected to attend the Heritage ceremonial launch of the event. She noted that the heritage village located in Sophia is currently undergoing renovations in anticipation of the month-long celebrations. Additionally, the Ministry is building three additional benabs.

The Minister stated that many persons are com-

pletely dedicated to these Heritage celebrations and urged all Guyanese to come out and join in the celebrations of Guyana’s first peoples.

Every year, a Heritage

Brazilian national stabbed to death in Mahdia

Investigators are probing the circumstances surrounding the death of a Brazilian national, whose body was discovered on Monday in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The dead man has been identified as 40-yearold Domingo Rodgrigues Santos of Quamina Street, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. According to Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the body was found sometime around 04:00h on Monday at Blackwater

Landing, Mahdia.

While reports surrounding the incident are sketchy, it was revealed that man had sustained a stab wound to his chest.

Over the past few months, there has been an increase in the number of Brazilian nationals – mostly miners – who are being violently attacked and robbed. In most cases, these incidents resulted in fatalities.

Last month, another Brazilian national, 57-yearold Antonio Rodriguez Da Silva of Turkeyen, Greater

Georgetown, was chopped to death during an argument with another man. The incident occurred at Chinese Creek, Puruni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

According to information, Da Silva and the suspect, who escaped after committing the act, had an argument during which he was chopped about his body and fell to the ground. Owing to the extent of the injuries inflicted, Da Silva lost a lot of blood and subsequently died.

Village is selected, which becomes the focus of festivities, and celebration of that village is one of the very much anticipated events of the month. The village selected to be celebrated this year is Santa Aratak in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and activities will commence in that village on September 15.

The village’s Toshao Aubrey Samuels told reporters that there is a lot that persons can look forward to during the celebrations to be held in his village. He noted that this is the second time around that Santa Aratak was selected as the host heritage village, as they had been selected in 2008.

According to Samuels, Santa Aratak is the only ti-

tled Amerindian village in Region Three. The community members are of Arawak descent and the village currently boasts a population of 285 persons. It is the closet Amerindian village to the capital city. Samuels shared that the day of celebration for the village will include the harvesting of the tokunbo worm and the launching for the first time in Guyana, an international “Trail Marathon”, with more than 70 participants from every region in Guyana, the Caribbean, Canada, USA, Brazil, and Suriname, with hopes that two participants from Kenya will join. The Toshoa added that the persons who have already signed up for this event

range from ages 17 to 70. Also on the calendar of events is the celebration of the life of Stephen Campbell and other notable Amerindians at the Amerindian Heritage village on September 10. Campbell was the first Amerindian to enter Parliament as a parliamentarian on September 10, 1957 – he spent nine years in Parliament and represented the interests of his people well. Traditional Amerindian food and beverages are being catered for every event during the month of September. Amerindian Heritage Month is an annual observance that is held every September in Guyana in honour of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples.

Police release suspect, seeking another

Police investigators have released the suspect in the murder of 77-year-old caretaker Carmen Ganesh, who was murdered in her home earlier this month at Montrose, East Coast Demerara, and are now pursuing another person of interest.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Tuesday confirmed to Guyana Times that they have released the man who was arrested last week in a house in Georgetown. He had previously told reporters that the suspect had provided an alibi and asked on Tuesday about this, the Crime Chief disclosed that investigators were able to confirm this “to some extent”.

Additionally, Blanhum stated that they are now pursuing another suspect, whom they have received information may be involved in the woman’s murder. The Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had previously stated that the businessman with whom the elderly woman had a dispute over a piece of land, was released on bail but is still assisting with investigations.

The body of Carmen Ganesh of Lot 121 Montrose,

East Coast Demerara, was found in a pool of blood on Saturday, August 1, with a gash to her head and a cloth tied around her neck.

A knife was found close to the woman’s body.

Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that the woman’s daughters did not see her for the entire Saturday morning, which was unusual; hence they went to the house and called out to the woman. However, their calls went unanswered and the gates were locked, as such they could not gain entry into the yard.

Becoming suspicious, a grandson of the now dead

woman was summoned and decided to scale the fence.

As he entered the yard, he saw his grandmother lying in a pool of blood in the kitchen and immediately raised an alarm. The Police was summoned and have launched an investigation into the gruesome murder. The devastated young man had related to this publication that he could not tell where on the woman’s body she was bleeding from. He explained that his grandmother worked with the owners of the house for quite some time and after they left the country, they entrusted the house to her.

He added that the perpetrators probably thought that there was money on the property since the yard housed several vehicles, a speed boat and an outboard engine.

Meanwhile, the CCTV footage that was obtained from the premises shows the perpetrator spending almost an hour in the house after attacking the elderly woman upon his entry into the house. Last week, the Police released the image of the suspect who was caught on camera in the home of the elderly woman.

Montrose granny’s murder...

Dead caretaker: Carmen Ganesh

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrida Lowe (sixth from right) and event coordinators

Berbice taxi, bus drivers refuse to reduce fares

– despite Govt’s move to axe Berbice Bridge tolls by $300

Government’s plan to see Berbicians benefiting from “significant” toll reductions at the Berbice River Bridge appeared to have backfired as taxi drivers and minibus operators refuse to lower their fares, contending that a $300 decrease in toll fares is quite insignificant.

With effect from September 1, the Berbice River Bridge toll for passenger cars and minibuses will be reduced from $2200 to $1900, while the toll for all other types of vehicles will be reduced by 10 per cent.

The David Grangerled Administration had preached about the heavy burden of the tolls on the people of Berbice, signalling its intention to lower the tolls so parents can save on monies spent to send their children to school.

However, the majority of the children needing to cross the Berbice Bridge to get to school do so by public transportation (minibuses), there-

fore, with the drivers refusing the lower the fares, a majority of the Berbice populace will not benefit from the toll reductions as the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition had hoped.

Berbicians disappointed Chairman of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce Rajnauth Ramroop, who was quite excited about Government’s intention to lower the fares, noted that he was disappointed when he saw the degree of the reduction.

“I figure Guyanese expected it to be a bigger reduction… I am sure they were looking forward to a more feasible reduction,” Ramroop stated, noting that $300 will not make a dent in anyone’s pocket.

Even the minibus drivers and taxi drivers, who welcomed this move, related that the impact will not be as momentous as many had hoped.

Marlon Prince who has been a Taxi Driver for more than four years, registered his satisfaction with the reduction but affirmed that it will not make much of a difference.

He added too that his passengers will not be able to benefit because it would still be impossible for him to lower his fare with a mere $300 toll reduction.

This was the stance taken by a majority of the taxi drivers stationed at the Berbice Car Park, on Avenue of the Republic, in Georgetown.

The minibus drivers also shared similar views, noting that they have to endure many other expenses and if they were to reduce the passengers’ fare, then they will continue to operate under pressure.

Nonetheless, the move is very much welcomed, however, stakeholders urge Government to continue to implement measures to continue to reduce the tolls until everyone can benefit.

The reduction in the Berbice River Bridge toll was made possible through a Government subsidy provided to the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) to offset the losses endured from the reduction.

But during his budget presentation, Finance Minister Winston Jordan did not announce the net sum of taxpayers’ monies which will go towards subsidising the Company.

Sugar challenges will not go away tomorrow – Ramsammy – welcomes assistance to ailing

industry

Former Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy applauded the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration for its considerable investment into the sugar industry, while advising them that challenges in the sector are inevitable and Government will have to continue to provide the necessary assistance to ensure its survival.

“I’m happy that APNU/ AFC now see that [Guyana Sugar Corporation] GuySuCo has to be supported if it will be able to recover,” the former Minister told Guyana Times in an invited comment, noting that with the right amount of support, the Corporation will make progress in no time.

Nonetheless, even though the current difficulties confronting the industry will be resolved in the future, Ramsammy indicat-

ed that challenges will always arise and Government will always have an obligation to the sector.

On Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced that the beleaguered company is set to receive an $8.2 billion bailout package to ensure its sustainability for the remainder of the year.

UG social work students seek to empower Sophia women

Final year social work students from the University of Guyana are currently facilitating a six-week programme with the PattensonTurkeyen Women’s Entrepreneurship Group. As a part of a course titled “Community Practice”, the students are required to choose a particular community and work with it to address two of the main issues the residents face. As a result of this, the group is currently working with women from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, and neighbouring communities. Throughout the past few weeks, the participants of the six-week programme were exposed to vocational training in the areas of knitting and floral arrangement designing.

Guyana Times spoke with a few of the beneficiaries and they were all grateful for the opportunity granted to them by

the UG students. Ylanda Roberts who is one of the participants, said that “this experience has been great thus far and one of the great things is that you get to meet a lot of new persons and you get to interact with them”. She believes that the programme is a great avenue to create partner -

ships with persons in the community and her comments were echoed by her colleagues Alexis Welcome and Keenya Roberts.

Speaking to this publication, one of the group members who facilitated the programme, Natasha Corrica, outlined the impact that they expect to

have at the end of the programme.

The other members of the University of Guyana group are Ganesh Singh, Keziah Williams, Zoeann Peters and Simone Haynes.

The group thanked the participants for their time and efforts which helped to make the pro -

gramme a resounding success. They also acknowledged the entire Sophia community and the few businesses that contributed to the project.

Corrica also urged businessmen to give their support to the women in the community whenever the situation arises.

But when in Opposition, both APNU and AFC stubbornly and persistently opposed measures by the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to provide assistance to the ailing industry during its difficult times.

Back in March 2014, APNU MP and now Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge had accused the PPP of pouring money down a “dark hole”. He maintained that his party would not be supporting further bailouts for the sugar industry and insisted that the then Government find a short-term and long-term solution to the woes faced by GuySuCo. Contrary to that statement, the APNU/ AFC Administration poured money down a “dark hole”, having already invested some $12 billion into the industry since occupying office.

Ramsammy, though he did peruse the budget, expressed his delight that the new Government recognised the importance of this industry and injected the amount in which it did. He added that he hopes the Administration continues to do so until GuySuCo recovers.

However, the Finance Minister indicated that the Government has no intention of continuing to pour money into GuySuCo, noting that this “stop-gap” measure is not a sustainable approach.

But Ramsammy contended that Government’s subvention into the sugar industry should not be perceived as a “charitable” cause due to the fact that this sector is a major contributor to the growth of the country’s economy and it provides thousands of Guyanese with a source of income.

“This is not charity. GuySuCo supported the economy in the 70’s and 80’s and large amounts of capital was extracted from the company by the then People’s National Congress (PNC) Government. It is only right that at a time when present national and global conditions make it difficult for GuySuCo to meet its cash flow problems that as a Government and a country, we give back to GuySuCo what we took from it,” he reasoned.

But Jordan told the National Assembly that the future of the sugar industry is currently in limbo as Government awaits the final report from the Commission of Inquiry launched into the operation of GuySuCo before it determines its next course of action as it relates to the sugar sector.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Taxi Driver Marlon Prince

Sugar will continue to need Government’s support

Some of the Sophia women during a knitting class a few days ago

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Tie up loose ends. Don’t be hasty when it comes to making a personal decision. Take a step back and reflect on the pros and cons before you commit to a change.

Don’t hold back. Take the plunge and use your imagination to its fullest. Stop worrying about what others think or do and tackle your own plans for the future.

Financial issues will prey on your mind. Check out a home-based or part-time job to subsidize your income. Cut out inessential expenditures until your bank account improves.

You will receive helpful suggestions from an unlikely source. Your ability to see clearly will help you change your direction. Self-discipline and originality will help you succeed.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

If you don’t make it clear where you want to be and what you want to do, you will end up in the wrong place doing the wrong thing. Speak up and set the ground rules.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t take what others do or say too seriously. You will be inclined to overreact to minor issues, causing you to miss something major that needs to be addressed. Think before you speak.

Problems with relatives require diplomacy and tact. Accusations or pointing fingers will cause a rift in your relationship. Follow your heart when it comes to a personal decision.

Focus on money matters. Financial plans can be successful if you examine all of the details carefully. You will make more headway on your own than you will in a joint venture.

The daily grind will cause you to forget a promise. A short getaway will help clear your mind and confirm what you want to do next.

You are a catalyst who can make things happen. Take charge of your life and future. Subtle improvements to your living space will make things easier.

Put your heart and soul into everything you do. Your intuition will lead you in the right direction. You will meet someone who motivates you and challenges you intellectually. Your generosity will go a long way. Not only will you feel a sense of contentment, you will be recognized and rewarded for your efforts.

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

Jordan: No question I would beat LeBron 1-on-1

Chicago Bulls legend

Michael Jordan believes an all-time selection from the six-time NBA champions would beat their LA Lakers counterparts.

With a wry smile, basketball icon Michael Jordan claims there is little doubt he would beat current NBA superstar LeBron James in a one-on-one match.

Six-time NBA champion Jordan was speaking at a Q+A event at one of his basketball camps, and commented on a wide range of topics including his illustrious career, the NBA and baseball.

It was a short and sweet answer to a question about a much-fabled meeting between MJ and LJ that had the audience on tenterhooks though.

Jordan began: “If I was in my prime, could I beat LeBron in a one-on-one

game?”

After a buzz of anticipation rippled around the auditorium, ‘His Airness’ eventually declared: “No question!” Jordan also commented on Shaquille O’Neal’s claims that an all-time selection from the Los Angeles Lakers would beat a legendary Bulls line-up.

A certain starter in that Bulls team, Jordan commented: “I just felt like he [O’Neal] was just talking.

“It’s a debate. The thing is that we would never know. I think we would have killed them. He thinks they would have killed us. You guys decide. It’s just a debate.”

Jordan also claimed he would want his legendary college coach Dean Smith to lead him out if he had one more game over his NBA-winning trainer Phil Jackson, revealed he would have been a meteorologist if not a professional sportsman and backed Kobe Bryant to come back strong from shoulder surgery. (Digicel Sportsmax)

IAAF suspends 28 athletes after ‘adverse findings’ in doping retests

Twenty-eight athletes who competed at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships have returned “adverse findings” from retested samples, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has said.

According to the world governing body, a large majority of the athletes are retired with “very few” still active.

“The IAAF is provisionally suspending them,” it said in a statement.

There are no British athletes among those with adverse doping samples.

The IAAF, which has been criticised after leaked blood test data was obtained by the Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD/WDR, added that none of the athletes concerned would be competing at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, which get under way on 22 August.

None of the 28 can be named yet “due to the legal process”.

The 2005 World Championships took place in Helsinki, Finland, with Japanese city Osaka hosting the event two years later. If violations are confirmed the IAAF will correct the record books and re-allocate medals as necessary.

Earlier this month, The Sunday Times said the results of 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes between 2001 and 2012 showed an “extraordinary extent of cheating” by athletes at the world’s biggest events.

However, the IAAF responded by describing allegations of widespread doping in athletics as “sensationalist and confusing”.

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s independent commission is investigating the claims.

Last week, Russian Liliya Shobukhova, who won the London Marathon in 2010 and was runner-up in 2011, had her results since 2009 annulled for doping, following the conclusion of a longrunning legal case.

The Sunday Times then made further allegations that the London Marathon was won seven times in 12 years by athletes who have recorded suspicious blood scores.

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel subsequently criticised the IAAF, blaming it for a “failure to take effective action”.

How does retesting work?

Samples taken at the 2005 Helsinki World Championships have been stored at a Swiss laboratory for the past 10 years. In 2012, the IAAF conducted its first

round of re-analysis of urine samples. To date, nine athletes have been sanctioned following retests from various world championships.

Advances in technology and the new 10-year World AntiDoping Code provision meant that, from April this year, they could be re-examined for a second time.

The IAAF said this process was already underway before the Sunday Times allegations.

UK Anti-Doping is ‘best in world’

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch told BBC Sport that she is confident the British athletics scene is “clean”.

Speaking to Test Match Special during the Women’s Ashes Test between England and Australia, Crouch said: “I’m confident that British athletes undergo such rigorous testing that hopefully, despite some of the allegations, none of our athletes will be caught up in it.

“The UK anti-doping agency is one of the best, if not the best, in the world.”

Crouch added that current sanctions were tough enough for Britain not to have to criminalise doping, as other countries such as Australia.

(BBC Sport)

Andy Murray to play against brother Jamie at Rogers

ritish number one

BAndy Murray will play brother Jamie for the first time in a Tourlevel match when they meet in men’s doubles at the Rogers Cup.

Andy Murray and Leander Paes beat Jeremy Chardy and Kevin Anderson 6-3 6-1 to set up a second-round tie with Jamie and John Peers in Montreal.

“We’ve not played each other for a long time so it’ll be nice in some ways,

but also it’s not easy,” said Andy Murray. In-form seventh seeds Murray and Peers recently won the German Open. The pair, who are on course to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, also reached the Wimbledon final this year.

In the men’s singles, second seed Murray has received a first-round bye so will meet Tommy Robredo in the second round. (BBC Sport)

Gatlin to lead the US at World Championships

Justin Gatlin will lead a 130-strong US team at the World Championships in Beijing, with world silver medallist Nick Symmonds the notable absentee.

Gatlin is the fastest man in the world this year over 100m and 200m and his showdowns with defending champion Usain Bolt are eagerly anticipated.

Symmonds has been left out after refusing to sign a mandatory contract.

Galen Rupp, the 10,000m Olympic silver medallist, will compete in the 5,000m and 10,000m in the Bird’s Nest.

The 29-year-old has recently faced doping allegations, along with his coach Alberto Salazar. Both Rupp and Salazar, 56, deny any wrongdoing.

Other prominent American ath-

letes competing in the championships, which begin on 22 August, are Olympic 200m champion Allyson Felix (200m, 400m and relay) and reigning world decathlon champion Ashton Eaton.

Olympic champion Christian Taylor will attempt to regain the triple jump title he won in 2011, while LaShawn Merritt will defend his 400m crown.

Symmonds will be absent after the 31-year-old, a silver medallist in the 800m in 2013, refused to sign a mandatory USA Track and Field (USATF) contract that instructs athletes to wear Nike clothing.

After USATF issued a response saying it “respected Nick’s decision”, he tweeted that he was “offended” by the statement. (BBC Sport)

Michael Jordan and LeBron James share a moment during the playoffs

Justin Gatlin

Andy Murray (right) will play his brother Jamie

Cup

Champions Bayern set sights on record fourth straight title

Bayern Munich have set their sights on a record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title when the league gets under way this week, with VfL Wolfsburg ready to resume last season’s hunt.

Few doubt the Bavarians, already considered by most Bundesliga coaches as the overwhelming title favour-

jury. The Frenchman will miss the start of the season, including the opener against Hamburg SV on Friday, but Guardiola has his replacement ready.

Newcomer Douglas Costa has so far been impressive down the left wing, where Ribery has ruled for years, with the Brazilian’s

Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne as offers pour in.

The attacking midfielder, their key player in last season’s second place finish and German Cup victory, is being courted by Manchester City with sports director Klaus Allofs saying his “head is being turned” by the offers.

ites, can do it.

Coach Pep Guardiola, in his third season in charge, will be looking to set more records after two dominant Bundesliga campaigns.

“No team has ever won the Bundesliga four times in a row,” he said. “It is going to be tough but that is our goal.”

The Spaniard may still be missing the Champions League title with Bayern but he is the undisputed king of the Bundesliga, having led his team to the title virtually unopposed in the two previous seasons.

He will be fielding a somewhat changed team with fans missing their talismanic midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who joined Manchester United and winger Franck Ribery still nursing a months-long in-

pace, skills and speed opening up defences.

Costa, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk, Chile international Arturo Vidal and talented 20-year-old midfielder Joshua Kimmich are Guardiola’s big transfers but with a squad already brimming with talent and experience, he hopes it is even stronger than last season.

“Normally Bayern will this season be again the measure of all things,” said VfL Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking. “They are just too far ahead with their potential.”

Wolfsburg, second last season, are seen as the strongest rivals to the title, especially after signing forward Max Kruse from Borussia Moenchengladbach but they must hold on to

Thomas Tuchel has the unenviable task of succeeding title-winning coach Juergen Klopp on the Borussia Dortmund bench and must rebuild a competitive team after last season’s implosion.

The 2011 and 2012 German champions look to be on track after a 6-0 aggregate win over Austria’s Wolfsberger AC in the Europa League and a comfortable German Cup first round win last week.

Borussia Moenchengladbach, third last season, are also in fine form in the pre-season and with a string of transfers, including Swiss striker Josip Drmic, boosting the squad, they also eye their maiden Champions League season with confidence. (Reuters)

Neymar to miss Uefa Super Cup

Barcelona are without forward Neymar for the Uefa Super Cup against La Liga rivals Sevilla because of mumps.

The game between the Champions League and Europa League winners is being held in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi, a summer signing from Stoke, will miss the match because of gastroenteritis.

Defenders Timothee Kolodziejczak and Adil Rami, a recent recruit from AC Milan, are also doubts for Tuesday’s game because of the stomach condition.

Barcelona’s two summer signings, Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, who has joined from Tuesday’s opponents, have travelled to Georgia but cannot play for their club until January because of a transfer ban.

Left-back Jordi Alba is

ruled out through injury.

Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic - who joined the club last summer from Sevilla - said: “This is not any old game for me. There is a lot of Sevilla in me, but not for this game. As I have always done, I’ll be giving everything I have to Barca.” It is Barcelona’s first competitive game since captain and midfielder Xavi left after 17 years at the club. Croatia midfielder Rakitic said that his role will not change because Xavi has left Nou

Fifa appoints Francois

Carrard

head of reform taskforce

Former International Olympic Committee director-general Francois Carrard has been appointed head of the Fifa reform taskforce.

The Swiss lawyer will lead a 12-person panel in a review of football’s scandalhit world governing body.

Carrard was head of the IOC from 1989 to 2003.

“It is vital for the future of global football to restore the integrity and reputation of its governing body,” said the 77-year-old.

“As the independent chairman, I am committed

to delivering the necessary package of credible reforms, working with representatives from within football and wider society.”

Fifa president Sepp Blatter announced he would stand down in June - just four days after being reelected president.

His resignation followed the arrest of seven Fifa officials as part of a United States investigation that led to 14 people being indicted on corruption charges.

A second criminal case was launched by Swiss prosecutors into the bids for the

2018 and 2022 World Cups, to be held in Russia and Qatar respectively.

Blatter welcomed the appointment of Carrard, saying: “We are confident that he can help Fifa to strengthen its governance structures in a credible and meaningful way.”

Carrard leads a team of officials picked by Fifa’s six continental confederations, with Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino one of two representatives from European football’s governing body.

“All of the confederations have picked their representatives based on their knowledge of football and governance matters, and we will now all work together for the greater good of the game,” Uefa president Michel Platini said. Recommendations from the panel are set to be presented at the next meeting of Fifa’s executive committee in Zurich on 24 and 25 September. (BBC Sport)

Qatar to decide on World cup stadiums by year-end – official

Qatar hope to decide how many stadiums it will use in hosting the 2022 World Cup by the end of this year, a spokesman for the organising committee said on Tuesday.

Corruption allegations at soccer’s governing body FIFA have put renewed media focus on Qatar, although Qatari officials remain confi-

The country is set to spend more than $200 billion on infrastructure as part of a 2030 development plan, a timeframe that includes hosting the World Cup in November-December 2022.

The Supreme Committee declined to estimate the total cost of stadium construction and renovation.

least one semi-final.

The organizers have yet to reveal plans for the stadium that will stage the tournament final.

To date, main contractors have been appointed for two venues.

A joint venture between local firm Midmac Contracting and Dubai’s Six Construct won the contract

dent the tournament will go ahead as planned and development of the country’s stadium infrastructure continues.

Camp.

Lionel Messi is expected to start on Tuesday, having reached the Copa America final with Argentina this summer.

Sevilla lost last year’s final to Real Madrid in Cardiff.

Their coach Unai Emery said: “Barcelona are favourites but we will go there with the dream we can spring a surprise. If we beat them, it will boost our confidence and our profile, and give us muchneeded impetus for the campaign ahead.” (BBC Sport)

Qatar has announced details for five stadiums. Its bid included plans for 12 stadiums, but those proposals were not binding and it is obliged to use at least eight.

“The final number of stadiums is still to be confirmed, but it is expected a decision will be reached towards the end of 2015,” said a spokesman for the Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which is responsible for the delivery of all tournament-related infrastructure.

“Due to the stadiums currently going through the tender process, we are not in a position to release any further budgetary figures at this stage,” the spokesman added.

The five stadiums announced are a mixture of new builds and rebuilds of existing grounds.

Four -- Al Rayyan, Khalifa International, Qatar Foundation and Al Wakrah stadiums -- will have tournament capacities of 40,000 and will be used for matches up to and including the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.

The fifth, Al Bayt Stadium, will hold 60,000 spectators and will host at

for Khalifa International.

Another joint venture comprising Qatar’s Galfar Al Misnad and Italian duo Salini Impregilo and Cimolai was given responsibility for Al Bayt Stadium. At about 11,600 square kilometres, Qatar will be the smallest country to host the World Cup. Most of its surface area is uninhabited desert, with the sprawling capital Doha home to much of its population.

Consequently, fans from the 32 competing nations will be staying within a relatively small area, which may give tournament organisers security and logistical headaches. (Reuters)

Bayern Munich’s Thomas Mueller (C) warms up during a training session in Munich, Germany. (Reurters photo)

Neymar Jr

Qatar presents a model of its Al-Wakrah stadium as it bids to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup during the FIFA Inspection Tour for the country’s bid. (Reuters photo)

Francois Carrard

YELLOW PAGES

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The Kashif and Shanghai Kings, the Half Mile Bulls and the Amelia’s Ward Jets all registered opening wins when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s (LABA) Under-23 championship tipped off on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court, Linden.

The Kings defeated Bankers Trust Falcons 4441, Half Mile Bulls stopped Victory Valley Royals 62-45 and Amelia’s Ward Jets flew

past Retrieve Raiders 47-42.

The Kings led from the top-off to the end of the game with Quincy Easton scoring a game high 18 points while Akeel Primo contributed 10 points to the win.

Half Mile Bulls controlled Victory Valley Royals with their perimeter play as Terron Welch dropped a game high 21 points while Jamal Bethune got 16 and Dennis Niles 10.

Meanwhile the Jets who had a tough time with the

Retrieve Raiders eventually overcame the team in the final quarter to win. The lone player to hit double figures in the game was Amaniki Archibald with 18 points to lead the Jets. The championship will continue tonight when the Falcons take on the Raiders in the first game at 18:30h while the Royals and Block 22 Flames meet at 20:30h. The semifinals are set for Friday and the final on Saturday.

Territories need to support the WICB – Cameron

The West Indies Cricket Board wants to have a more efficiently run regional programme so as to maximise cricket development.

In order to do that, WICB president Dave Cameron, has said the associations need to become more professional.

According to Cameron, there were territories who bordered on missing a yearly fuel injection of US45, 000 from the WICB Professional Cricket League to pay salaries.

Missing out on that, Cameron explained, comes because the territories do not have programmes ready,

though the 2015-16 began on August 1. Cameron was speaking at the latest WICB Town Hall meeting at the Kingston Cricket Club inside of Sabina Park.

The WICB has not lost money recently, but that has been attributed to improved relations with the West Indies Players Association. Cameron wants to add to that windfall by ensuring the entity is profitable.

“We are saying that the PCL is a new business, and franchises need to run a quality professional set up. Some of them haven’t done that, and the board has taken a decision that if franchises do not comply with the standard etc., then there could be penalties. And the only penalty that we could exact is the withholding of funds,” Cameron said.

Australia defend allowing families on England tour

The Australian Cricketers’ Association has defended its tour planning following the Ashes defeat by England.

Former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy was among those to suggest that allowing wives, girlfriends and children on the tour had hampered preparation.

But ACA chief Alistair Nicholson said: “Having families on tour is an important part of the support network.

“Overseas campaigns can be brutal and the short periods they spend with their families has a positive impact.”

Skipper Michael Clarke, who made his Test debut in 2004 and was named captain in 2011, will retire after the final Test at The Oval following a fourth series loss in England.

England regained the Ashes at Trent Bridge last weekend, moving 3-1 up with one match remaining to prompt widespread criticism of Australia, who were bowled out for 60 in the first innings.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan said the spirit of the iconic ‘baggy green’ cap suffered during Clarke’s reign as captain.

Buchanan, coach from 1999 to 2007, said: “Players like Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting

and others really tried to make the ‘baggy green’ culture special.

“But under Michael’s captaincy I can sense it has disappeared a bit.”

Buchanan, 62, recalled Clarke as a young player in the team and said: “If he finished games early, Michael would often leave early.

“I can remember guys like Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer sitting him down in a corner and trying to get him to understand what we were trying to achieve.

“There were times when I felt Michael did not understand or did not want to understand.”

In recent days former team-mates of Clarke, who fought back from persistent hamstring injuries to lead Australia’s World Cup triumph earlier this year, have also questioned his attitude.

Hayden claims Clarke once threatened to hand back his cap after being asked to field close to the bat at short-leg, while Andrew Symonds said the captain was “not a natural leader”.

The criticisms of Clarke follow his own forthright defence of his conduct and the spirit within the squad.

Reports suggested the captain had used a private car instead of the team bus and refused to social-

ise with other players, that a feud between the wives of two senior players had destabilised the squad and that the dropping of senior wicketkeeper Brad Haddin had caused ructions.

“I can guarantee you, the feeling in this group is exceptional,” Clarke told Australia’s Triple M radio.

“There is no disharmony is this group whatsoever. The players are as tight as any team I’ve been a part of.”

The 34-year-old was particularly dismissive of the claim the presence of players’ wives and girlfriends had been a distraction.

“That’s absolute garbage,” he said. “I’ll give back 10 of my Test hundreds if it wasn’t for my beautiful wife. I’d be half the player I was without her.”

Meanwhile, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson used Twitter to call a Sydney Daily Telegraph columnist “disrespectful” for accusing the team of arrogance and being distracted by the presence of families on tour.

“I’ve never had a conversation with this Rebecca Wilson so to be called ‘arrogant’ is arrogant on her behalf and disrespectful!” he wrote.

“I wanted to say my piece for the team and the families. Just had to speak up.” (BBC Sport)

Sportsmax)

Dave Cameron

Three giants call it a day

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Jeffrey Dujon, Malcolm Marshall and Vivian Richards were among a plethora of players who donned the maroon West Indies cap when the region dominated world cricket, firmly etching their names in the golden era of Caribbean cricket.

The trio featured in many famous victories, and established outstanding personal records along the way. They came from different territories, but they had many things in common, none more pronounced than winning at all costs.

They also ended their Test careers on the same day, 24 years ago. To be precise, the humble servants of West Indies cricket bowed out of international career on August 12, 1991, at The Oval.

For all the success they enjoyed in their careers, their final day in Test cricket was an anti-climax: England won the match to ensure

the series ended in a draw. On the anniversary of their farewell to international cricket, let’s take a brief look at the contribution of these three famous gentlemen.

In a nutshell, Dujon finished with 272 dismissals, the record for a West Indies wicketkeeper, Malcolm Marshall bagged 376 wickets at only 20.94 each, and Viv Richards hit 60 in his final Test to keep his batting average over 50.

Dujon- the gymnastic hub

Peter Jeffrey Leroy Dujon was born on May 28, 1956, in Kingston, Jamaica. He started out as an allrounder- a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pacerbefore developing into a brilliant wicketkeeper/batsman.

Described by ESPNCricinfo as a “gymnastic hub”, Dujon collected 267 catches and five stumpings in Test cricket and 183 catches and 21 stumpings in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

For good measure, the Jamaican, who has now evolved into a very forthright cricket commentator, accumulated 3,322 runs from 81 Tests, including five hundreds at an average of 31.94. That average was more than handy in an era where the general standard was wicketkeepers who could offer a bit down the order.

In 169 ODIs, Dujon tallied 1,945 runs at an average of 23.15 with six fifties and a highest score of 82 not out. A total of 21 FirstClass hundreds and 469 dismissals says it all.

ESPNCricinfo, in its profile, mentions, “Jeff Dujon was the gymnastic hub of those all-conquering Windies sides, a man who never participated in a losing series. If his keeping was never adequately tested against spin bowling (just five of his 270 victims were stumped) then there was scant opportunity. No one could

have been more riveting to watch standing back. He could bat too, elegantly, sufficiently well to make five Test centuries. The largest of them, 139, came in the opening match against Australia at Perth in 1984-85, and helped rescue his side from 186-6.”

Miserly Marshall

Malcolm Denzil Marshall was

born in Bridgetown, Barbados, on April 18, 1958. He died of cancer on November 4, 1999. In his prime, he was a destructive force, despite his obvious diminutive stature as a fast bowler.

“Only in inches was he lacking - but he even turned that to his advantage with a bouncer as malicious as they come, skidding on to the batsman. Later in his career, he developed a devastating leg-cutter which he used on dusty pitches. Allied to a massive cricket intelligence, stamina and courage, Marshall had all the toys and he knew how and when to play with them. His strike rate of 46.22 was phenomenal, his average of 20.94 equally so. He may well have been the finest fast bowl

er of them all,” Marshall’s profile on ESPNCricinfo reads.

In 81 Tests, Marshall devastated batsmen the world over, raking in 376 wickets with a careerbest of 7-22 against England at Old Trafford. He captured 22 fivewicket hauls and four 10-wicket match-hauls, while in ODIs; the little Bajan took 157 wickets from 136 matches with a best of 4-18.

Marshall was no rabbit with the bat either, as 10 Test and two ODI fifties would confirm. He was destructive with both bat and ball on the First-Class circuit, collecting 1,651 wickets from 408 games, and scoring seven hundreds.

Marshall was also a courageous character, regularly defying to odds to prove his undoubted skills.

ESPNCricinfo writes, “In 1984, he broke his left thumb while fielding early in the match, but first of all batted one-handed, hitting a boundary and allowing Larry Gomes to complete a century, and then, with his left hand encased in plaster, he shrugged off the pain to take 7-53.

Vicious Viv

Born on March 7, 1952, in St John’s, Antigua, Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards is undoubtedly one of the most menacing cricketers to ever wield a cricket bat.

Over 15,000 runs across Tests and ODIs, with a total of 35 international hundreds, Richards, who was knighted post-retirement, certainly has a place among the greatest batsmen to have played the game.

His 121 Tests yielded 8,540 runs at an average of 50.23 with 24 hundreds, while his 187-match ODI career produced 6,721 runs at an average of 47 with 11 centuries.

Richards’ First-Class career spanned 507 games, in which he piled up 36,212 runs at an average of 49 with 114 hundreds. He is one

of a select bunch of West Indians to have scored a triple hundred in First-Class cricket.

Richards also holds the jointrecord with Pakistan’s Misbahul-Haq for the fastest hundred in Test cricket- 56 balls.

“You knew when he was coming. The outgoing batsman would already have disappeared into the pavillion, and the expectation of what was to follow filled the air. Viv kept you waiting... time to ponder. Then he appeared, sauntering, swaggering, arms windmilling slowly. He would take guard, and then, head tilted back slightly and cudding gum, he would walk a few paces down the pitch to tap it while looking the bowler in the eye. It was calculated menace and magnificent theatre from arguably the most devastating batsman of all time,” ESPNCricinfo could not have said it better.

Scotiabank supports DCC cricket academy

As part of its corporate responsibility, Scotiabank continues to support the development of sport, as was evident on Tuesday when the entity presented a cheque for an undisclosed sum to the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) for the hosting of its annual cricket academy, which is ongoing at the DCC ground in Queenstown.

Speaking at the simple ceremony, Branch Manager Brian Hackett said they are pleased to be associated with the programme and pledged to continue working with the club to promote the game. He added this is a continuation of bank’s partnership with the club and hoped the programme will be successful.

President of DCC, Alfred Mentore, thanked the entity for ITS continued backing. He informed that the bank will also provide personnel to enlighten the youths about savings at an early age later this week.

“Our aim is to ensure that the participants learn the basics of the game at an early age and instill discipline. We also stress about the importance of Education to help the stu-

dents become well-rounded individuals. Over the years we have contributed significantly to the growth of Guyana’s cricket in that we have produced a number of players who have represented the country at various levels,” he said.

The club’s wicket-keeper batsman Tevin Imlcah gained selection to the West Indies Under-19 team after a decent performance

in the Regional Under-19 tournament, which Guyana successfully defended in Jamaica.

All-rounder Ashmead Nedd led Guyana to a successful defence of the Regional Under-15 tournament here, while national players Sachin Singh, Qumar Torrington and Sagar Hathiramani are all products of the academy.

Jeffrey Dujon

Vivian Richards

Malcolm Marshall

Scotiabank Business Banking Manager, Richard Damond, presents the cheque to young Romeo Deonarain in the presence of (from left) Alfred Mentore, Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Scotiabank Relationship Officer Karen Harris and Brain Hackett

Meusa wins James Bond chess invitational

member and attorney-at-law James Bond (standing centre) with the outstanding players of last weekend’s tournament

Guyana’s only FIDE (World Chess Federation) Instructor, Wendell Meusa, emerged winner of the inaugural James Bond Invitational chess tournament, which was hosted last weekend at Congress Place, Sophia.

Meusa accumulated six points, suffering his only defeat at the hands of Roy Sharma. Sharma lost his only match to his junior counterpart Davion Mars and also accumulated six points, but due to the Swiss tie-breaking system Meusa emerged victorious.

Third place was captured by Cleveland Hutson, who garnered five points, los-

ing to Wendell and Roy in the fifth and sixth rounds respectively. Fourth place went to Mars, who copped four points.

The lone female player, Maria Thomas, ended fifth, followed by Owen Mickle, Errol Tiwari, James Bond, Winston Williams, Shaun Griffith and Kibwe Copeland in that order.

According to the organisers, “This competitive competition consisted of eleven players and consisted of seven rounds. The competitors exhibited different classes, strength and playing style. This intense contest was mentally satisfying to each individual player because of its strategic time con-

Police looking for...

Boasting top athletes, such as Olympian Winston George, Tevin Garraway, Tiffany Carto and Jevina Sampson, Wilson revealed that his team has prepared extensively for the event.

“From March we have been preparing using various AAG meets as well as the Police Championships to sharpen our skills, it’s been tough to pick the team and we even had to hold time trails to come up with the team which tells you that everybody is looking good so I believe everybody is about 95-100 percent ready,” Wilson noted.

Wilson also described his athletes as mentally ready for the challenge of facing an improved GDF squad who are their biggest threat to retain the title.

“We are aware of what the GDF athletes have been doing to win, remember they have never won this competition so we know they are well prepared and will come hungry for it.

“I think mentally my athletes are in the right frame of mind and they are eager to win, the females were a little concerned with the international competition but I had to remind them that it will be a transition for them on our turf but our guys are ready,” Wilson mentioned.

Wilson also touched on Guyana’s Olympian, Winston George going against some of the international competition.

“Well it’s going to be good and we will get to see firsthand the new skills George has acquired and it will be

good competition,” Wilson noted.

The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic for the first time will bring four Jamaican athletes to the shores of Guyana.

The four Jamaicans are DeAndrea Whithorne (100m); Seidatha Palmer (100, 200m); Nicholas Maitland (400m) and Keno Burell (400m)

In addition to Jamaica, the meet will have athletes coming from Trinidad, Grenada, Suriname and St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad will feature Mark London and Tonya Nero, while the athlete from Grenada will be Kenisha Pascal.

Coming from St Vincent and the Grenadines will be George Hamilton, while the one Surinamese athlete will be Daniella Clarke.

The first-place prize will be $600,000, as some clubs have indicated that they will be merging while the secondplace prize will be $400,000; third, $250,000 and fourth, $100,000.

The international events for men will be the 200m, 800m and the long jump, while for the females it will be the 200m, 1500m and the triple jump.

The champion athletes for males and females will receive $50,000 while two outstanding performances will be rewarded with a gold chain each.

Gate prizes are worth up to $30,000 in cash and gold chains will also be up for grabs when the event gets underway on the final day.

Payless table tennis camp concludes at Goed Fortuin

Ttrol, which varied from five minutes per player, as each round passed whereby the time increased for example five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and one hour.”

The tournament was made possible through sponsorship from APNU/AFC members and attorney-atlaw James Bond, who recently started playing chess.

able Tennis players on the West Demerara area were on Sunday given a taste of competitive action when Payless Variety Store hosted its annual camp at the Goed Fortuin Community Centre.

The day’s activities, which were coordinated by the experienced table tennis coach Muniram Persaud, saw rivalry in three categories. In the 10 years and under Open, Kristian Sahadeo

emerged as the top player with Alexandre DeAbreau second and Dravid Manohar third.

Navindra Persaud was the top 15 years and under Open player, while Nickolas Jordan and Darren Manohar took second and third positions respectively.

The 18 years and under Open category saw Keron Patterson copping the top podium spot, followed by Joshua Browne in second and Navindra Persaud

thanked the players for participating in the event, and he also expressed gratitude to the management of Payless Variety Store for investing in the sport. Persaud also congratulated the top players on their performance during the activity.

APNU/AFC

third. Kristian Sahadeo took the Most Valuable Player prize, while Ken Sahadeo was adjudged the most disciplined player. Coordinator Persaud

Table tennis coach Muniram Persaud (right) with participants of the camp

Trinidad jockey Nobel Abrego to lead overseas riders for Guyana Cup

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Turfites who will be attending at the Guyana Cup horserace meet slated for Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club will have the opportunity to see a number of foreign jockeys in action. According to the Guyana Horse Racing facebook page, top Trinidad and Tobago Jockey Nobel Abrego is set to lead a bevy of foreign jockeys who will be descending in Guyana for the lucrative horserace meet.

When most persons are focused on the horses, little attention is placed on the jockeys. However, if not entirely, to a great extent, the jockey has a lot to do with how the horse performs. With that said, most of the top stables are taking no chances as a number of jockeys will be on board for the race meet.

The experienced Abrego has a wealth of experience and has ridden hundreds of winning horses in various parts of the world in his so far illustrious career.

With over 400 wins, and 300 plus second place finishes to his credit, Abrego is set to take control of Guyana’s top A class animal, Score’s Even, of the DeRoop Racing Stable, as he set to rewrite the odds against the Steel Grey, come Sunday.

Apart from Abrego, other top foreign jockeys including Ronald Ali, Prayyen Badree, Kiran Razack, Joshua Stevens, Nela Mohammed, Brian Boodramsingh and Lil Paul are also expected to be on board.

Ali, who sits fourth on TT 2015 jockey wins with 21, is whispered to be the mount for another one of our favourites, Kari Azaria from the Bacchus Racing Stables.

Jumbo Jet Racing Stables will forego any change in their line-up, and stick with GC Fever 2015 Champion Jockey Badree, and their other young talent, Razack.

The Big Cat, Diplomatic Cat from the Bacchus Stables will get out the gates with Stevens aboard, while

Jones clarifies Budget issues

AMohammed is claimed to be headed to Kris Jagdeo Racing Stables.

Not to be outdone, Shariff Racing Stables has secured the services of Boodramsingh. All in all in seems to be a good day for the overseas talent.

However, some owners and trainers stated they will

wait before broaching the overseas talent pool, since they are looking for bargains in the scale room.

This is why Paul would be the most sought after talent right about now. He can make weight and surely knows how to win, and win in tough races too.

Meanwhile, information emanating from the organisers stated that registration has seen close to 80 of the country’s top horses entered for the day’s event.

Further, according to organizers, turfites will be treated with the arrival of seven new horses including Giants Time and Street Prince from the Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Plum Plum from the Sheriff Racing Stable, Three D from the Dookie Racing Stable, Kari Azaria from the Bacchus Racing Stable, Bigman Bas from the Kris Jagdeo Racing Stable and Western Charm.

Boyce/Jefford Track and Field Classic…

Eleven races are carded for the day, where over $25 million will be at stake in cash and prizes. The feature race is for animals classified A1 and Lower. A total of $7.5 million will be up for grabs in that race.

The race will be contested over a distance of 1800 metres. Other races listed on the programme are the Threeyear-old race for West Indies bred horses; Two-year-old race for West Indies horses, E1 and Lower, Four-year-old for West Indies bred animals, F3 and Lower, G3 and Lower, Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses, I1 and Lower, J1 and Lower, as well as a race for unclassified horses.Jumbo Jet Racing Stables will forego any change in their lineup, and stick with GC Fever 2015 Champion Jockey Prayven Badree, and their other young talent, Kiran Razack.

of

fter the National Budget was released on Tuesday, a number of sport enthusiasts were question the allocation of sport. However, in a telephone interview with Guyana Times

clarified the issue by noting that this current budget will last for the remainder of the year while the money allocated to sport from the previous Government Administration will be used to finish off the year.

Jones also assured that the 2016 budget will feature a more detailed budget for sport when it is released expectedly in March 2016.

In addition, Jones also pointed out that he will share more information of the budget with Guyana Times Sport in a subsequent edition.

Police looking for back-to-back titles

By tReiston joseph

Three-time and defending champions of the Police Sports Club will be aiming to win back-to-back titles for the first time at the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic scheduled for August 15-16 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground, Linden.

Guyana Times Sport caught up with coach of

the Police Cub who is also an Olympic Coach, Lyndon Wilson who noted that his side is hoping to successfully defend their title.

“Well we seem to be missing out on the even numbers (year two and four of the event) so we want to win this one and make it two in a row, everybody is positive so we are ready,” Wilson stated.

Lyndon Wilson turn to page 23

Sport, Director

Sports Christopher Jones

Christopher Jones