Alexander appointed special adviser to Education Minister Govt mulls scrapping school boards
saturday, july 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has launched an investigation into the discovery of a quantity of cocaine hidden in two shoe soles in the toilet of the departure lounge on Friday just after lunch.
CANU Head James Singh told Guyana Times that ranks of the Unit found the two shoe soles in the toilet tanks during a routine search. The weight of the cocaine was not immediately known.
Guyana Times understands that the area where the drug was unearthed is only accessible to departing passengers, flight crew and security personnel which means the drug was placed there by someone who had access to the restricted area. In addition, the drug was found mere hours before the departure of a Caribbean Airlines flight.
A source told this publication that the cocaine was neatly packed in the shoe
soles and from all indications was placed there for an outgoing passenger to collect, but the plan apparently changed. Presently, drug enforcement officers are reviewing surveillance footage with the aim of making an arrest.
Several staff members attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and others from private security firms are being questioned.
This seizure came hours after Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Bryan Hunt expressed optimism that with the help of the US Government, the drug network connected to this country would be dismantled and disrupted in the not-so distant future.
Hunt said the two Governments would be able to achieve such a goal with the revitalised security and counternarcotics relationship already beginning to yield results.
“Guyana’s law enforce-
ment agencies have already made significant seizures in the last year, not the least of which was finding the selfpropelled semi-submersible in the interior and putting that shipyard out of business,” Hunt said.
He noted that the cocaine seizures at the CJIA and other ports have continued to increase as information sharing and law enforcement collaboration between the two Governments have grown.
“I am confident that despite criticisms of sceptics, expanded cooperation between the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Guyanese Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and Serious Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) will disrupt and ultimately dismantle the drug flow through Guyana,” the Chargé d’Affaires said.
Over the past weeks, there have been several successful operations at the CJIA which saw persons being prosecuted.
… review underway to determine effectiveness – Dr Roopnaraine
Newly installed Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has disclosed that all school boards will be extensively reviewed and a decision will be taken on whether to keep them or let them go.
The review comes against the backdrop of complaints from parents and students over the years against schools that demand money from students for a range of school-based activities, and in some cases, debar them from participation if they do not pay the required funds.
Some of the schools, which are governed by Boards, most of the time cannot account for the large sums of monies which are solicited and collected from the students.
However, Roopnaraine has pledged his commitment to ensuring that this matter is addressed in an effective way.
“I want to tell you that I am reviewing the whole concept of a school board. I am
not very happy when it seems to me that some boards are colliding with educational policies. I would like to bring far more harmony to the system and I would expect that school boards… all of these people will be on the same page in terms of education delivery so I am reviewing everything, including school boards,” he told Guyana Times on Thursday evening.
He asserted that it is a right, that children be given every opportunity to participate in all school-based activities, national assessments and regional examinations, without being discriminated against due to their inability to fund the school’s agenda.
In the meantime, Dr Roopnaraine said the audits and the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which he has instructed to commence at all schools across the country, will be in an effort to strengthen the system so that every child in Guyana can excel, irrespective of the school they attend.
“What I want the CoI to do is to hold hearings throughout the country. I want to hear from teachers, students, parents across the country on what they believe the Ministry ought to be doing. Are their schools working, are they happy with the results they are getting, do the children have enough facilities in the school, all these things I need to hear…,” he disclosed.
He noted that while the members of the Commission have not yet been identified, the Commission of Inquiry would be required to wrap up work by the end of June and compile a report for his examination.
“Based on the CoI report, combined with its report on the University of Guyana, I will be in a position to make
policies for the Ministry,” Minister Roopnaraine said. Complaints
It was only last year that former Education Minister Priya Manickchand had said the Ministry had received numerous complaints from parents regarding the amount of money requested by teachers and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) for various school-based activities and for various supplies. Specifically, the cost of graduation exercises, which are currently ongoing in the month of July, has been excessive for many students. She had added that parents are being requested from time to time, to supply schools with toilet paper, soap, hand towels, paper for printing test sheets, among other things. The Ministry said it has since issued circulars to all schools via the regional departments of education with specific guidelines. Among these are the guidelines in relation to requesting funds for graduation. At that time, Manickchand had asserted that the amount of the parental contribution for any graduation exercise should not exceed $3000. Students should be encouraged to wear their respective uniforms to graduation; no student should be required to rent or purchase caps and gowns for graduation — such costs, where necessary, should be borne by the school.
In addition, students should not be prevented from school-based graduation activities because of non-payment of fees. In relation to the acquisition of non-budgetary funds and donations, the Ministry said no Head Teacher, member of the staff or the PTA, is authorised to charge parents specific sums for tests or end-of-term examination papers.
Further, the Ministry said that no Head Teacher or member of staff is authorised to request parents to supply schools with toilet paper, soap and paper for printing. The Ministry had warned that if Head Teachers are indulging in acts that contravene these guidelines, they will be made to stand before the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Service Commission. Similarly, if education officers condone such illegal behaviour, they too will stand before the Teaching Service Commission.
saturday, july 4, 2015 |
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 4 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, July 5 – 05:30h-07:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 4 – 05:45h-07:15h and Sunday, July 5 – 06:30h-08:00h
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.
Winds: East North-easterly between 3.12
and 4.47
High
Low
...
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesar has committed her country’s support for Guyana against its standoff with Venezuela which resulted from a recent decree claiming parts of Guyana.
Persad-Bissesar made the commitment following a meeting with President David Granger on the sidelines of the Caricom Summit taking place in Barbados. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Persad-Bissesar said she agreed with President David Granger that the move as instituted by Venezuela could hurt Eastern Caribbean countries, of which the twin Island Republic is part. She said Trinidad will not sit “idly by” and see Guyana lose its territory. “Trinidad and Tobago fully supports Guyana with respect to the border dispute, we have gone a step further, we have always had discussions with Guyana and we offered to assist in any way that we can by having dialogue at the bilateral or multilateral level”, Persad-Bissessar told the Guyanese Head of State.
She said the decree is illegal since it contravenes the “international Law of the Sea” and promised that her country will support President David Granger’s call to have the decree withdrawn. “It may have reached a stage beyond dialogue but I always
believe there is room for dialogue”, The Prime Minister stated.
And while the Prime Minister reminded that her country has a good relationship with Venezuela, she said its support still has to fall in Guyana’s favour. “Our assessment of it together with our expert in our Foreign Affairs Ministry on treaties is that this decree is in violation of the international Law of the Sea and therefore in that regard if we are looking at that and the legality of it, we do not support the issuing of
such a decree”.
Venezuela continues to lay claims of ownership of Guyana’s waters, although an official decision was handed down from international arbitration in 1899. Guyana’s plea to the country to desist from its threats have been falling on deaf ears.
President Granger on Thursday used most of his speech at the opening ceremony of the Caricom Heads of Government meeting to solicit support from his regional counterparts.
While not mentioning in direct terms, the issue between Guyana and Venezuela, Prime Minister of The Bahamas Perry Christie during his speech at the Summit, encouraged regional leaders “to preserve the momentum gained on various developmental targets”, noting that “I stand in solidarity with you against any actions that hinder these achievements or negatively impact the territorial sovereignty and integrity of our jurisdictions,”.
His comment came before Granger mounted the same platform urging his colleagues to also fight for their territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, President Granger also on Friday was able to put forward Guyana’s position on the controversy to the Secretary General of the
United Nations Ban Ki-moon. The two met for a brief engagement at the Hilton Hotel in Barbados where the 36th Regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community is being held. President Granger led the local delegation which included, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Audrey Waddell.
President Granger informed the Secretary General of Venezuela’s latest aggression towards Guyana which has now gone beyond Guyana and Venezuela as it has contaminated relations with the entire Eastern Caribbean.
While acknowledging that the Good Officer Process and the Geneva Convention still stand, the President said he humbly informed the UN Official that those have been exhausted. However, the UN Secretary General has given a commitment that a mission will be appointed and sent to Guyana with the aim of addressing the matter from a more in depth and informed platform. “We expect the UN Secretary General to play an important role in reducing the level of tension and to support Guyana in having the decree withdrawn.”
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalise samesex marriage will increase the pressures for legalising LGBT rights and marijuana usage - both of which have been opposed by some parties across the civil and religious divides in Guyana. These same decisions that must be made quickly and clearly. “Quickly” because laws always have to keep up with changing social mores or else they will only be obeyed in the breach and make citizens cynical. And “clearly” so that laws regarding these issues can be enforced and prosecuted successfully.
However, it is also clear that for us in Guyana, decisions on these issues cannot be rushed because they require national consultation and consensus. This process would secure the legitimacy to generate the political will necessary to withstand the backlash from groups that may feel betrayed by the actions of their leaders. But such consultations must not be used as excuses to defer decisions because these are other groups with different yet highly complex social, cultural and even spiritual issues that demand attention in no short measure since they are just as authentic as others.
In Jamaica, laws were recently passed that to some extent decriminalised possession and use of small amounts of marijuana, a substance that is a cultural and for some spiritual item but not until now legal aspect of Jamaican life. Jamaica is also implementing a programme through which they will be producing marijuana for medical use. On the other hand, both Jamaica and Guyana have retained old, colonial legislation that impose very draconian punishment for consensual sex between members of the same sex.
A government cannot “mull” these decisions indefinitely, neither can a government do nothing; the quality of life and choice of lifestyle of two minority groups cannot remain uncertain for long. The lives of gays remain in limbo while the spirituality of Rastafarians remains unanswered. When the rights of one group are violated there is the ever present possibility for the violations all groups.
While the issue of legalising marijuana has been mentioned during the recent elections campaign by the-then opposition APNU/AFC coalition, perhaps because of the overt entry of the Rastafarian community into the political hustings, consensus was not achieved on the issue on the way forward. The law was amended in 1999 by the previous administration allowing for lighter sentences to be imposed by the judicial system on small marijuana users. However because of the airing of the political debate it would appear that Guyana is making progressing on decriminalising marijuana.
Unfortunately, no party touched on the central issue of full positive rights for the LGBT communities but rather took the politically correct position that there must be no discrimination of persons because of their sexual orientation. Perhaps the lesson from the last elections with the progress on the marijuana debate suggests that LGBT groups may have to become more politically active to struggle for their rights.
Undoubtedly, public discourse on these two issues will be contentious and not without polarised influences, in particular with regard to the issue of gay rights. Already we find the playing field uneven. One of the first statements from the new president of Guyana upon winning the general elections was a religious quotation. Perhaps he will adhere to the mandatory separation of church and state put in place so many decades ago. Perhaps not.
To date, most of the opposition to gay rights have come from groups and individuals in society who are supported by powerful religious organisations. And while these viewpoints must be given due respect they cannot be automatically be privileged over those of other Guyanese citizens who also are fully endowed by all rights guaranteed under the constitution. The Guyana government cannot leave these issues in limbo. Events in other countries demonstrate beyond doubt that social issues cannot be quarantined in perpetuity.
Dear Editor, NGO – Non Governmental Organization: an association of citizens united in a common goal, to promote a common cause or interest through voluntary participation; to raise these interests and causes to the attention of policy makers and governments, so that positive impact is exerted nationally and internationally for the purpose of the goals pursued in the sole interest of beneficiaries.
The Guyanese civil society is well represented by actors defending a diversity of causes and beliefs. Some are more actif than others, but many are vociferous in defending their political agendas. For example, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) is the main organization defending indigenous rights (particularly to land). However, one wonders whether the organization is defending a (not well) hidden agenda or Amerindian rights.
In more than 23 years of existence, it chose to remain in flagrant anti-government activism in the name of indigenous rights. Seldom did the APA agree to engage in discussions with the previous Government. In fact, it even refused to participate in the LCDS consultations, an Agreement from which
stemmed the very Amerindian Land Titling Project currently ongoing. For a NonGovernmental Organization claiming to be apolitical, many of the members and collaborators of the APA are now working under the newly elected Government. Regardless of one’s human right to his or her own political opinion and affiliation, it is questionable that some of the leaders of the APA were part of the APNU/AFC 2015 list of candidates, or are now serving the current Government administration. Better evidence of the political bias of the APA cannot be found. While some NGOs stop to reflect on the positive changes they have influenced in their countries and to a greater extent, the world, the APA has always depicted a drastically negative image of indigenous peoples in Guyana. It failed to recognize that even if Guyana is still an emerging economy, it remains one step ahead of its neighbours in promoting indigenous rights, especially land rights.
The Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) also seems to have betrayed its purpose, to respect the organization’s mission statement which reads:
“From villages in rural
India to the corridors of power in Brussels, Transparency International gives voice to the victims and witnesses of corruption. We work together with governments, businesses and citizens to stop the abuse of power, bribery and secret deals.”
Adhering to this philosophy requires political impartiality, avoiding that the political opinion of staff doesn’t take precedence over their professional obligation to monitor corruption. Yet, the heads of TIGI, while they were staunch opponents to the previous PPP/C government, were known to be overtly affiliated with the APNU/AFC coalition. Now that the coalition is in Office, how can Guyanese be sure that TIGI is credibly carrying out its mandate which is to act against the corruption of national institutions led by a government to which its staff is friendly?
The call by the PPP/C and its supporters, for a recount of the May 11th national elections ballots, for the credibility of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to be examined and for Mr. Surujbally to resign from its chairmanship was met with a counter protest from the director of TIGI on June 1st, 2015 in front of the GECOM
headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown.
If Transparency International claims to have globally contributed to “national elections won and lost on tackling corruption” then shouldn’t the director of TIGI be inquiring into the plausibility of alleged fraud rather than counter protesting citizens who were at that moment acting within the scope of their right to protest? And if the heads of TIGI did not find sufficient evidence to encourage an investigation into the allegations, or deemed these allegations unreasonable, then shouldn’t they abstain from publicly displaying their resentment towards the PPP/C and its supporters for the sake of preserving their credibility?
Choosing to maintain an organization’s credibility by upholding the legitimacy of actions and organizational values comes back to the question of the willingness of its leaders to abnegate from the use of personal bias. As long as leaders of civil society are blinded by their personal ambitions and motivations, the purpose of NGOs in Guyana will serve all but the people.
Yours sincerely, De Sá
Do we have racist supremacists among us?
Dear Editor, On June 17th, twenty one year old Dylann Roof entered Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States and killed nine people.
American commenta-
tors described the shooter as a white supremacist. They made this determination based on a manifesto he authored and posted to the internet. In our own Guyana I have noticed that Kaieteur News columnist Freddie Kissoon has identified a few Indo- Guyanese who according to him are racial supremacists. In the interest of fairness and full disclosure, should he now not feel obligated to tell us who are the racial supremacists among our Afro-Guyanese population?
I do not think I am the only Guyanese that that would like this stalwart columnist to share this information with the rest of Guyana.
Wesley Hicken
Dear Editor,
I have read Charles Sohan’s letter on the Guysuco Commission of Inquiry (CoI) published in the Kaieteur and Stabroek News.
As one who worked in the Sugar Industry, I endorse the caption of the article, “This CoI should propose methods to wind down the Sugar Industry with as little pain as possible.”
His statement that Vibert Parvatan had an unblemished record of honesty and integrity, and has been involved in promoting many social programmes to help the needy, is factual.
Mr. Parvatan’s experience encompasses more than forty years in Senior Managerial roles in Agriculture, Trade and Administration both in public and Private Sectors. He was my Supervisor for several years when I worked with Sugar.
His work record in the Sugar Industry includes selecting, evaluating and recommending new cane varieties while working at the Sugar Experimental Station, Sophia. He also worked in the Agriculture Research
Department of Bookers Sugar Estates Ltd. at the Central Laboratory. That involved developing programmes for the Sugar Estates for maximum yields and timely application of basic and supplementary dressings. That still is still a necessary task today.
Mr. Parvatan also worked as Agriculture Superintendent and later as an assistant field Manager at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate before becoming the Senior Assistant Field Manager of the Skeldon and Albion estates. He pursued his career in several senior positions before becoming responsible for the importation, stocking and distribution of Agricultural machines (harvesters, tractors - implements and AgroChemicals) for the country’s demands, except Sugar.
He worked with International Agencies including the IDB and CIDA in the procurement of goods and ensured the equitable distribution of much needed Agriculture inputs.
While holding that position of Executive Director, he was asked to serve as Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture
with expanded and defined functions. When President Hoyte demitted Office he left the Ministry of Agriculture. Shortly after, he was offered the position of Executive Director with the Laparkan Group of Companies.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that Mr. Parvatan has a wealth of knowledge and experience. He was also the Chairman and member of several committees and trade teams which include the Special Environmental Enhancement Committee, IDB (agricultural sector) and the special Committee of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (issue of Pavement Vendors)
Unlike Mr. Charles Sohan who left Guyana to live and work abroad, Mr. Parvatan, a true Guyanese patriot, stayed in Guyana and worked here through the good and bad times.
The members of the CoI need encouragement and support for their difficult task not personal attacks.
Yours sincerely, Robin Persaud
Let the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) commence work
Dear Editor,
I read an article in the Guyana Times published on Thursday, June 25th, 2015, under “BROOMES’ ban on PSC unconstitutional-Chief Justice”.
Minister Broomes probably thought she was in the back dam giving directives to miners. Fortunately we have an independent judiciary in Guyana where the Chief Justice ruled Broomes’ directives to the Public Sector Commission (PSC) as unconstitutional, since they violated articles 38(G), 201 and 226 of Guyana’s national Constitution. I only hope
that the other Ministers of the Granger Government have taken serious note of the Chief Justice’s ruling, especially Minister Amna Ally, the Minister responsible for Social Cohesion.
Minister Ally wants to autocratically take over the functions of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), a constitutional body with the mandate to promote ethnic harmony and security in Guyana. But is this the reason why President Granger does not want the duly elected persons to serve on the ERC to be sworn in? Is he afraid of article 226 of
our Constitution where he cannot direct the work of the ERC?
President Granger must understand and acknowledge that the 10th parliament unanimously stamped their approval of the ten elected persons to serve on the ERC. So why is he finding it so difficult to swear these people in?
Come on President Granger, please let the ERC commence its work and prove that you are a President for all Guyanese.
Yours sincerely, Paul Thomas
Why one has to pay for prayers?
Dear Editor, Having read that interesting piece of ‘eye catching article’ as a Reverend my concerns about this American Prophetess are many and the first one is why Pastors and church leaders have to pay $10,000 to see this woman for a conference? The entire nation who went to see her had to pay another $2000 for a Prayer Movement at the National Park to pray with this ProphetessAmbassador Bynum.
I am a bit taken back by many of these so called Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists and so called servants of God who are just using the name of Christ to deceive many people just for their money. One has to pay over US $100 for prayer appointments and additional fees are charged for healing and prosperity.
It’s no wonder Jesus himself mentioned about ‘’false prophets’’ rising to deceive many. I do believe there are genuine men and woman of God like Billy Graham who never exploited anyone for money nor called himself prophet. Many, however hide under the Bible live in mansions, and own private jets and businesses worth
billions of dollars by the sweat of their gullible followers, yet none of these so called American Prophets and Prophetesses stand up against the LGBT law recently passed in the USA, that’s diametrically opposed to the Holy Bible recently passed.
I wonder how many from the Guyanese Christian community know about Juanita Bynum.
To begin with, she is divorced twice which in my Christian opinion means that she has failed morally and spiritually (1 Timothy 3:1-10) and unfit to be a Prophetess or Pastor. In this verse of the Bible one can note ‘’married only once’’ and not “divorce and remarry”. I wonder in my mind why these churches are bringing her here. I believe these Pastors are fully aware of her family life that disqualifies her from leadership in our Christian faith yet they brought her here. Why?I believe to make money?
Neither she nor the many others coming here to deceive people are Prophets and Prophetesses. Our Pastors and religious leaders should not be gullible but must investigate these peoples’ backgrounds before bringing them here
to deceive themselves and our people. I wish to remind all my Christian religious leaders on the following spoken by Jesus: ‘’ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.’’ (Matthew 24:11) The true servant of God must not be greedy for money nor use God’s work for money to build rich empires. The words of Jesus stated “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). This is what Jesus Himself commands the church to do ‘’as God freely give us his gifts to heal the sick’’ we must freely give back to the world God’s gifts of healing freely like the twelve Apostles of Jesus. We must never sell the name of Jesus for money and popularity. I admonish all religious leaders to abstain from all forms of hypocrisy and selling God’s Name like this Prophetess for $10,000. They have fallen from Grace like Lucifer and it’s time we rise and live the Word of God that we preach or don’t preach it at all.
Yours truly, Rev Gideon Cecil
Dear Editor,
The European Union welcomes Suriname›s recent ratification of a new penal code which includes abolition of the death penalty. By taking this positive step Suriname has joined the ever-increasing number of abolitionist countries in the world. The EU, and increasingly most of the world, considers capital punishment to be a cruel and inhuman punishment. Any miscarriage of justice - which is inevitable in any legal system - could
lead to innocent persons being killed and is irreversible.
Following its first Universal Periodic Review on 11 May 2010, Guyana established a Special Select Parliamentary Committee to consider the abolition of the death penalty. However, since then it has not issued any conclusions and Guyana›s second Universal Periodic Review on 28 January 2015 again recommended that Guyana abolish the death penalty and accede to the Second Optional
Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at abolishing the death penalty. I encourage Guyana to follow these recommendations and abolish the death penalty; an action which will contribute to the inherent dignity of all human beings and the inviolability of the human person.
Yours faithfully, Robert Kopecký Ambassador of the European Union
By EllEn Booth ChurCh
Children are natural problem solvers, and early childhood settings – where children interact with one another and participate in decision making – offer countless opportunities for children to grow in their problem-solving abilities. These important experiences help children learn to value different kinds of thinking, think logically and creatively, and take an active role in their world.
Looking around your room
Children use problemsolving skills on a constant basis – when they experiment and investigate, when they select materials, and when they try to work together: “How far will that water squirt?” “Where is that sound coming from?”
“What do you think will happen if we add one more block?” We often divide children’s learning into emotional, social, creative, cognitive, and physical. But watching children as they go about their day reveals that problem solving encompasses all of these areas of development.
Total thinking
Creative-thinking and critical-thinking skills are essential components of problem solving.
Creative thinking is the ability to look at a problem in many different ways. This might involve seeing a different way to do something, generating new ideas, or using materials in unique
ways. Basic to being a creative thinker is a willingness to take risks, to experiment, and even to make mistakes.
What you can do: Part of encouraging creative thinking is helping children become both fluent and flexible thinkers. Fluent thinkers have the ability to come up with ideas; flexible thinkers are able to see many possibilities or view objects or situ-
everything that lights up in the night, all the people who work at night, all the things they’d like to do if they stayed up all night.
Reflect. Help children to be flexible thinkers by asking them to comment on specific objects or situations in your room. (Remember, this activity, too, works best in the context of what is going on.) For instance, Carla needs a hat in the dramat-
ations in new ways. Just as problem solving takes place all day long, so can the activities you do to encourage children to be creative thinkers. Here are a few suggestions: Brainstorm. Invite children to be fluent thinkers by asking them to respond to questions that have many right answers. Incorporate these questions into the interests children are involved with and the situations they are in. For instance, if children are having a discussion about nighttime, you might ask them to think of
ic-play corner and can’t find one. What are some other things she could use as a hat? Are there any ways to make a hat? Or, during group time, you’re reading a book and the boy on the cover looks sad. What are some reasons he might look this way?
Critical thinking is the ability to mentally break down a problem or an idea into parts and analyse them. Sorting, classifying, and comparing similarities and differences are all a part of this important skill. Critical
thinking can also be called logical thinking.
What you can do: When you break larger problems into smaller parts, they become easier to understand and to solve.
Challenge. Encourage children to practice critical and logical thinking by asking them open-ended questions, such as “How many ways can you sort these blocks?” “How many different ways can you make a building using these blocks?” “How would the building be different if you used blocks that were all the same size?”
Listen. Asking questions about things that don’t make sense is another way children express critical thinking. When a child wonders, “Why do I have a shadow on the playground but not inside?” or “Why can’t I see the wind?” you don’t need to respond with one right answer. Instead, encourage children to express their ideas.
Your role
You help foster problem solving not so much by providing special materials or specific activities but by having a responsive, accepting attitude. Here are other key ways to facilitate children’s growth: Provide plenty of time every day for children to choose activities based on their interests and developmental levels. Free-play situations create endless opportunities for children to identify and solve problems. (scholastic.com) TO BE CONTINUED
(CONTINUED frOm frIDay)
Adolescence is a time of big social and emotional development for your child. It helps to know what to expect and how to support your child through the changes.
Supporting social and emotional development
* Focus on the nonphysical. Teenagers are often self-conscious and anxious about their bodies and appearance. So reinforce the positive aspects of your child’s social and emotional development. For example, you could praise your child for being a good friend, or for having a wide variety of interests, or for trying hard at school and so on.
It is easy to get caught up in your children’s needs. There’s also the day-to-day business of getting children to the sporting and social activities that are important for their development. Even with all this going on, looking after yourself and making time for the things you enjoy can keep you feeling positive about parenting your teenage child.
Mental health and wellbeing
Research shows that teenagers are at increased risk of poor mental health,
antisocial behaviour and risk-taking behaviour such as substance misuse. This might be because of stronger emotional responses in adolescence, changes in motivation, or difficulties balancing emotions and behaviour. These activities and behaviour can affect your child’s health later in life and can have long-term effects.
If you feel that your child’s behaviour is more than just ‘teenage moodiness’, speak to your child about your concerns. Also consider talking to a health professional.
Children with special needs It’s normal for parents to worry that their child with disability won’t make friends easily or be accepted into a peer group. It helps to remember that the rate of social and emotional development varies widely, both for typically developing children and children with disability.
Children who miss a lot of school because of illness, or who have a visible physical disability, might find it harder to make and keep friendships. This doesn’t mean that friendships won’t happen. There might be other ways for your child to form friendships, such as joining community groups and online networks. Give your child lots of love and support at home. Boost confidence and self-esteem by focusing on your child’s strengths and interests.
Children with physical disability might become more self-conscious in the teenage years. It might be a good idea to speak with a professional about how to help.
Teenagers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might have difficulties monitoring and expressing emotions, or difficulties with peer and social relationships. This can impact on child-parent as well as peer relationships. You can learn more about supporting your child in our article on managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Some teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might have difficulties making and keeping friends, or have difficulties with social skills and emotions. You can find out more in our articles on social skills for teenagers with ASD and mood changes in teenagers with ASD. (raisingchildren.net.au)
“Reducing
By Devina Samaroo
Public Security Minister
Khemraj Ramjattan has acknowledged that reducing spiralling crime is not an easy task and that it requires herculean efforts. This is a complete turnaround from his position when in Opposition when he stated that former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee was the major cause of crime not being wiped out. At that time, both Ramjattan’s party, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) had passed a No-Confidence Motion against Rohee and refused to be in Parliament when he spoke.
Ramjattan however claimed that he was trying, as much as possible, to deal with the pressing matter. He was at the time speaking to reporters after he made a donation of 11 brand new vehicles to the Guyana Police Force. Over the past months, the crime situation has been worsening, with reports of
tically reduce the crime rate. “It requires a herculean effort but we are going to try as much as possible,” he pleaded.
Some of the measures in place to tackle this worrying problem are an increase in patrols, the acquisition of adequate resources to properly equip Policemen, provide necessary training, and bettering community-Police relationships. Billions of dollars had been spent by the previous administration to correct these deficiencies.
greedy like certain people who attempted to steal eight vehicles the other day. There is also cleansing the Police Force of rogue cops as I mentioned. It’s a massive multidimensional task.
“It requires lots more resources but it also requires a community that is going to have confidence in the Police Force to ensure that the Police Force is given the information because the crimes are committed by the members of society and the members of society are well
addressed.
Meanwhile, Ramjattan disclosed that there are some 16 more vehicles which need to be donated to the Force to enhance its efficiency.
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud noted that the vehicles will significantly benefit the Police Force and ultimately improve the services provided to the public. “These vehicles will go a long way. Transportation is a necessity for a Police Force because we do two things; we respond to calls of crime and reports made, we have a patrol system that deals with prevention and detection and also responses to crime which would have occurred and we are handicap without transportation. We can go after pickup evidence and charge people but in terms of preventing, we can’t do anything much,” Persaud explained.
As such, with the installment of these new vehicles, Persaud predicts a gradual decrease in crime. Addressing the spike in the crime rate, Persaud ex-
two to three murders, robberies and road accidents on a daily basis.
Only recently, an elderly woman made the local headlines after she was forced to scale her fence in a desperate attempt to escape from armed bandits who terrorised her home. In addressing the situation, Ramjattan told media operatives that it is not an easy task to dras-
Ramjattan claimed that the crime rate cannot be reduced immediately, but in fact, a long-term plan is needed to curb the scourge. “What are the root causes as I mentioned in Parliament, there is a lot of desperation because of youth and unemployment especially and we have to address that; and of course, the greed of some other people because although some people have good jobs, they are
known,” Ramjattan opined. He did not explain whether these factors were absent when Rohee was at the head of the Home Affairs Ministry.
Decrease in crime
In addition, he highlighted that there is the matter of the prosecutorial system which desperately needs strengthening if the crime situation is to be thoroughly
pressed some concern about the situation. Nonetheless, he disclosed that last week’s statistics show that there was a slight decrease in crime. “The last week statistics that we looked at showed that it’s going down back and with the deployment of these vehicles, I hope it will go down back… I think overall it was two per cent decrease in one week,” he said.
saturday, july 4, 2015 |
Anarcotics trafficker was sent to jail on Friday after pleading guilty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to the charge of drug possession with the intent to traffic.
Kevin Moore asked Magistrate Ann McLennan to be lenient with him on Friday after he admitted to trafficking 420 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana).
Moore, along with an accomplice, was in a minibus bearing registration number BPP 6585 when Policemen on patrol pulled them over. The men were recorded as behaving suspiciously, thus leading the officers to conduct a search. The vehicle was searched and the 420 grams of cannabis was found in the glove compartment.
The men were taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station where further investigations were carried out. They were subsequently charged for the offence.
Neither of the men was represented by an Attorney. Moore
told the court that he was quite sorry for what he did and asked the court to be lenient with him. However, his accomplice – who was the bus driver – said he knew nothing of it.
For the accomplice, however, Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones objected to bail. He stated that the penalty for the offence and the seriousness makes the accused a flight risk. Nevertheless, Magistrate McLennan granted bail in the amount of $175,000. The bus driver will return to court on July 20.
Bail reduced for man on break and enter charge
Asuspected thief went home on Friday after he was granted a bail reduction from $50,000 to $25,000 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Rico Persaud who is charged with attempt to commit a felony told the Magistrate that he was unable to pay the bail amount of $50,000 thus it was graciously reduced for him.
The charge against him stated that on Thursday, he attempted to break and enter into the office of Gregory Comachu at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). He was not required to plead to the offence since it is indictable.
Nevertheless, the Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones made an application for the matter to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’
Courts instead of the High Court, which was granted. Persaud said he did not try to break into the YMCA. He stated that he lived in 171 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and is part of a skills development programme at the moment.
Thus, the accused was told to return to the court on July 20 where the case against him shall commence.
Acharge of discharging a loaded firearm is expected to be dismissed after travel documents produced in Court Two at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts indicate that the defendant was abroad when the incident occurred.
Dwayne Lawrence, 22, of Ozama Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown made his first court appearance on Friday morning where he was officially read the charge against him.
Guyana Times has learnt that Lawrence allegedly discharged a loaded firearm at Kevon Aaron with the intention of injuring him on April 10, while in Georgetown.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told
the court that Lawrence and Aaron are known to each other. However, the relationship became hostile over money that was borrowed. According to the Police report, the Prosecutor related that the incident occurred at about 12:05h, but did present any further details. He added that a warhead was removed from the victim while he was in hospital.
Attorney Mark Waldron represented Lawrence. He stated that it is a “factual impossibility” that his client was the shooter as he was not in the country at the time of the incident. He elaborated that Lawrence is a football player who plays for the Slingerz Football Club and was in Suriname playing at the time of the
shooting.
He said the accused was arrested and charged for the offence on June 26 after he had arrived home from another game overseas. Waldron wondered why only now his client was apprehended when the shooting occurred in April. He argued that there was no form of proper evidence placing his client at the scene of the crime, stating that Lawrence was not even subjected to an identification parade.
Presiding in Court Two, Magistrate Ann McLennan perused several documents that were presented as evidence by Attorney Waldron. Prosecutor Jones asked that the proper authorities be available to
verify the documents, indicating that anyone could have prepared the paperwork presented to the Magistrate.
In response to Attorney Waldron’s statements on proper identification, the Prosecutor told the court that the accused was identified by the Virtual Complainant (VC) at the Police station when he was arrested, though he admitted there was no confrontation between them.
Magistrate McLennan listened to the arguments of both parties and ruled in favour of the defence in relation to the bail application. She granted Lawrence bail in the amount of $300,000 and ordered him to return to court on July 24.
Aself proclaimed thief was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on Friday by Magistrate Judy Latchman after admitting to stealing $1 million in articles from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL).
Simon Primo, age 20, of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was sentenced at the Georgetown
Magistrates’ Courts on Friday after he threw himself at the mercy of the court, changing his plea from not guilty to guilty. It was last year on December 30; that the defendant was brought to court for the first time to answer to the charge of break and enter and larceny. At that time, Primo had
denied that he broke and entered the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Room (SCADA) of GPL on December 29, where he allegedly removed a desktop computer valued $800,000 and a printer valued $200,000.
Primo was arrested on illegal gun possession. However, it was later determined that he was re-
President Granger has also stated that his Administration will stand ready to receive the UN mission when the time arises to deal with the issue.
Meanwhile, President Nicholás Maduro who was expected in Barbados today, has decided against his visit, but instead has sent his Vice President Jorge Arreza. President Granger in an invited comment said he was still willing to meet with the Vice President as he maintained his position that his ultimate goal out of that meeting would be to have the decree withdrawn. “My concern is the withdrawal of
the decree, we feel that this is damaging to regional security. Yes, I’m prepared to meet if this can contribute to resolving the present stage of the conflict,” the Guyanese Leader said.
Granger on Thursday told the opening of the summit that that years of “naval superiority” should not be allowed to suppress the law, noting that the actions, as demonstrated by Venezuela must be condemned.
“Guyana assures the representatives of the international community here today of its adherence of international law. We assure the Secretary General
of the UN, we assure the Secretary General of the Commonwealth and the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), that Guyana today and for all times will pursue the principles of mutual respect for each other’s territorial sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-appearance in each other’s internal affairs and mutual cooperation for peaceful co-existence between neighbours”, Granger told his 14 colleagues who listened with rapt attention.
Granger told the Caricom
sponsible for the break in at GPL.
The young man’s trial, which started on March 13 and was expected to continue on Friday, saw the defendant telling the court that he did indeed steal the items from the power company.
Primo is expected to be released from prison in July 2016.
from page 3
heads that his country faces a huge threat, recalling that the “decree number 1787”, promulgated by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was timed to coincide with the country’s independence anniversary on May 26 this year and his inauguration. “The decree sticks in my throat like a bone. It lays claim to much of the coastline and most of the Exclusive Economic Zones of Guyana. This decree has dire implications for the entire region but most particularly, the eastern states including Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago”
Back in the day when he was still with the Wailers, Brother Bob testified that only “he who feels it, knows it”. Well, from what he’s been saying even before 2011 when he quit the PPP and joined Ramjattan in the AFC, President (ag) Nagamootoo felt some real “exclusion”. There was that time in 1998 when he insisted he should’ve been the Presidential candidate and was rebuffed. He confessed he almost quit. The again in 2006. As he left an Ex-Co meeting in 2006during which he’d disagreed with his comrades on how important he was to the party - all he said was, “I done wid y’all”.
The next day he received a letter from the General Secretary thanking him for his services and being sorry that he’d felt it necessary to quit!! Now that was kinda cold, wasn’t it? Who wouldn’t feel “excluded and unwanted”? So finally when he lost out to Ramotar in the 2011 race to be the PPP’s Presidential candidate - he walked.
As he said tearfully, he’d given 50 years to the partyand they never appreciated his qualities. Such rejection! This isn’t the time and place to elaborate on exactly what were those “qualities” ...all we need to know is that Nagamootoo “felt” unwanted, unappreciated and rejected And therefore he “knows” rejection in the way, Brother Bob meant.
He knows rejection from where it burns inside and he has the legitimacy to speak authoritatively. So when the same rejection is happening to someone else, you’d think Nagamootoo would be offering some advice or suggestions to help, no?
The point of all this rumination on “rejection” in politics was prompted by Nagamootoo’s deafening silence on the present exclusion of Sharma Solomon down in Region 10, by Nagamootoo’s partner in the coalition, APNU. If Nagamootoo is to be believed (and which Doubting Thomas would believe Nagamootoo would ever, EVER, play fast and loose with the truth?) Solomon is going through the exact rejection process that he’d been suffering since 1998.
More than anyone he “knows” rejection because he “felt” rejection. So this Eyewitness was waiting with bated breath for this old, warrior for “truth, justice and the Guyanese way” to stand by Solomon and say, “Only over my dead body, shall I allow Solomon to face such rejection.” To be honest, your humble Eyewitness is getting a little blue in the face at this time. Surely Nagamootoo hasn’t sold out his street cred for a newly paved street and air conditioning?
A correspondent with the alliterative non de plume of “Ramos De Santos” took a poke at our former Attorney General. Fella claims that if the PNC were “the slaughterers of democracy’ as he (Nandalall) and his colleagues constantly claimed, when they were in government” Mr Burnham could’ve directly fired any member of the judiciary if he wanted to.
Both gentlemen were interpreting the undisputed fact that Burnham did in fact create the unique (for CariCom) position of “Chancellor of the Judiciary”, to vault Kenneth Stoby over Chief Joseph Luckhoo. In 2007, the latter’s son wrote in SN agreeing with Nandall’s version: Burnham wanted to get rid of Luckhoo but couldn’t “show cause”. In this act, the younger Luckhoo said, “No ethics or moral compass was demonstrated by Burnham.”
But de Santos is arguing that if Burnham was a dictator, why this subterfuge? De Santos should know better. Burnham always boasted that there are “many ways to skin a cat” - but the “form of the law must be adhered to”! So Burnham didn’t just have the army seize the government for him: he rigged elections. He didn’t fire Luckhoo...he catapulted Stoby over him. But the “form” of the law is not the same as its “spirit” is it?
...knows when it’s real soup
Clinton Urling says voters aren’t concerned about the “exactness” of adherence to the Cummingsburg Accord. It’s like saying his customers aren’t concerned about there being no cow heel in “cow heel soup”.
Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has appointed former Registrar of the University of Guyana (UG) Vincent Alexander as his special adviser on all education matters.
Dr Roopnaraine, speaking to Guyana Times on Thursday evening, related that Alexander’s appointment was made upon his ascension to the office in an effort to focus on policy matters and measures which can improve the delivery of education and ultimately the education sector.
“He is the Minister’s special adviser on everything in the education sector – culture, sports, arts, University of Guyana – everything. He is the Minister’s adviser on everything that is on the Minister’s portfolio,” Roopnaraine said.
He noted that Alexander’s role would now be to provide advice on steps which should be taken, but stressed that he was only part of the entire advisory team.
“What I am doing is that I am finding people in the Ministry and I’m trying to connect them to some of my own appointees so that we can create a very large, I hope not too large, manageable advisory team to which I can have reports as they provide. I intend to chair that group,” the Education Minister disclosed.
Alexander will also be looking at the University of Guyana’s ongoing crises and report to the Minister so that a way forward can be plotted.
Alexander was appointed Registrar of UG in 2009. He had joined the academic staff of the University of Guyana in 1988 as a Research Fellow/Lecturer in the Institute of Development Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences. He then served as Dean of the faculty from 1993 to 1994. In 1994, Alexander was appointed the first Deputy Registrar of UG.
Alexander’s appointment has been hailed by many, who noted that he brought to the post a wealth of experience and knowledge especially on the operations of the University of Guyana,
having worked at both the junior and senior administrative level and also at the academic level of the institution.
He is the recipient of numerous awards, among them the TwentyYear Long Service Award in 2008 and the 40th Anniversary Award for Meritorious Service to the University of Guyana in 2003. Alexander’s ability and application in the field of education has been recognised and lauded both locally and abroad.
Audits
Meanwhile, Dr Roopnaraine said the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and the audits which he has instructed to commence at all schools across the country are intended to strengthen the system so that every child in Guyana can excel, irrespective of the school they attend.
“What I want the CoI to do is to hold hearings through the country. I want to hear from teachers, students, parents across the country on what they believe the Ministry ought to be doing. Are their schools working? Are they happy with the results they are getting? Do the children have enough facilities in the school? All these things I need to hear…,” he disclosed.
He noted that while the members of the Commission have not yet been identified, the CoI would be required to wrap up work by the end of June and compile a report for his examination.
“Based on the CoI report, combined with its report on the University of Guyana I will be in a position to make policies for the Ministry,” the Minister said.
The escalating crime rate in Guyana continues to affect all Guyanese and for the West Berbice Chamber of Commerce, the situation is greatly interfering with the development of the business sector, particularly in Berbice.
At the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 1, incoming President Imram Sacoor highlighted that crime continues to be a hindrance to businesses in the community.
“This scourge must be addressed if we are to enhance our community and to make our businesses safer,” he pleaded.
Over the past months, the crime rate in Guyana has been on the horizon, with various sections of society coming forth to register their concerns, as they desperately called on the relevant authorities to intervene immediately.
Recently, Public Security Minister Khemraj
Ramjattan visited the Berbice area to meet with Police to develop strategies to address the crime concerns in the area.
Ramjattan had promised to take every step available to reduce the crime rate as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Chamber, which is mandated to oversee the business operations in the county of Berbice, recognised the vast potential of the business sector in Berbice.
Chamber President Sacoor highlighted that the region is agriculturally driven and therefore, farmers need to adopt better technology and farming methods to remain competitive as the cost of input continues to rise.
These include hydroponics and green house farming. He also noted that farmers need access to packaging plants wherein they can have options to market their produce.
The issue of cheaper and more accessible financing was also a topic of discussion at the meeting and Sacoor vowed to work towards removing the obstacles that stand in the way of affordable and hassle free financing.
Moreover, the Chamber recognised that the region’s traditional industries such as rice and sugar continues to undergo various challenges and as such, is now promoting the diversification of business.
In fact, over the next two years, the Chamber will take up a number of initiatives all geared to promoting commerce in the county.
“Through collaborative efforts, the Chamber will engage and work with the Regional Authorities to implement programmes that can be beneficial to our younger generation and to create employment,” it noted.
In addition, it plans to
launch the Region Five Expo and Trade Fair for April 2016; develop a beaching destination at Paradise, West Coast Berbice for August 2015; a business magazine and a recreational park with Wifi facilities.
Another item on its agenda is to continue its advocacy for D’Edward/ Rosignol to gain its township status. Moreover, the Chamber noted that it is prepared to work closely with all stakeholders in the best interest of development of the region.
Meanwhile, the West Berbice Chamber of Commerce held its AGM on July 1 where its new membership was elected. Sacoor was elected the new President, Alvin Chowarmootoo the Vice President , Khemraj Malchand the Secretary, Ewort Sangster the Treasurer, Niron Singh the Assistant Secretary and Pradeep Bachan as the Public Relation Officer.
The Caribbean Voice (TCV), a local NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) that made its debut in Guyana September last, is urging the media to be more responsible in reporting about suicide and related issues as a simple misconception can only compound this worrying situation.
In a press release, the NGO referred to an article recently published in one of the local newspapers entitled “Regional Health Conference hears .... Suicide appears to be a ‘Culture’ among East Indians - in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago” and registered its greatest dissatisfaction with the misleading contents within the report.
“The article in a section of the local media on the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 60th Health Research Conference at the St George’s University Campus, Grenada was riddled with outdated information, misinformation and myths relating to suicide,” the release pointed out.
60 per cent of Guyanese who commit suicide were of East Indian descent, TCV emphasised that suicide was not an ethnic problem, but rather, a national one.
“To attribute suicide to ‘escaping their woes’ is to detract from the complexity of factors that drive suicide,” it asserted.
In proving its point, TCV highlighted that there were soaring suicide rates among the hinterland communities, but most of it was unreported due to the lack of national systems in the country to deal with the problem.
Persaud disclosed that the National Suicide Prevention Plan was almost completed.
However, Dr Persaud noted that the reestablishment of suicide hotlines may be difficult given the unavailability of persons to work beyond normal hours.
The setting up of a network of counsellors, as was suggested by the TCV, also proved to be too difficult.
The aim of this network is to provide an alternative to the suicide hotline, so persons with suicidal thoughts can access the registry and
the complexities involved.
Poison Control Centres Dr Persaud had also floated the idea of establishing Poison Control Centres across Guyana to help tackle the problem of suicide.
A Poison Control Centre is a medical facility that is able to provide immediate, free and expert treatment, advice and assistance over the telephone in case of exposure to poisonous or hazardous substances.
Given Guyana’s high rate of suicide, the CMO had
As such, the NGO is urging the media to be more responsible in its reporting on issues such as suicide, especially considering that Guyana is ranked as the country in the world with the highest suicide rate and also considering that those in authority have failed to roll out a comprehensive suicide plan to tackle the national problem.
Combating myths
“In fact, we would go further and say that the media has a crucial role to play in suicide prevention and while we applaud the work
TCV added that promotion of myths and misinformation regarding any particular issue can easily compound the problem and contribute to existing misperceptions.
done by the media over the last year or so, we must express disappointment and frustration that information dissemination and advocacy via the media is still inadequate … Also the media can certainly play significant roles in combating myths and misinformation while making coping information widely and easily accessible,” the NGO noted.
According to the article published by the local newspaper, suicide “appears to be a culture among East Indians to escape their woes”, however, TCV strongly disagrees with that theory.
While noting that some
Interventions
Again, the NGO sought to dismiss information within the article which stated that Guyana has undertaken the highest number of interventions to tackle suicide.
“There is no national intervention programme and the few entities engaged in substantive ongoing suicide prevention, more or less, operate in Georgetown. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy exists only on paper. There is not a single suicide hotline. And there are no concerted measures to restrict access to agro-chemicals,” the NGO argued.
It further highlighted that its members had met with a number of stakeholders to develop and implement profound strategies to tackle the issue, but to no avail.
Earlier this year, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo
contact a professional for counselling.
“A national register can only be compiled if they are legally employed and designated and licensed, so we are unable to publish a list just in the open because you have to be careful with counselling. If the person just commits, then it will always be a question of who contributed or not, so we have to set some standards,” Dr Persaud said in explaining
explained that the operations of such centres across the country can help curb the issue, or at least, reduce the number of successful suicides by providing immediate life-saving information for suicide attempts.
In fact, earlier this year, Dr Persaud revealed that discussions have already commenced about setting up at least one Centre in Georgetown, one in Berbice and one in Essequibo.
To mark the grand opening of the Giftland OfficeMax Mall, InselAir raffled off tickets to two of its pristine Caribbean destinations, Curaçao and Aruba.
The lucky winners are Nizam Ali and Candaciea Exeter who were provided with a free ticket to Aruba and Curaçao respectively.
The winners were only provided with the free ticket to the respective Caribbean destination and they can decide the duration of their stay.
InselAir said it boasted the best prices in Guyana, most convenient schedules, online check-ins, and chances to win tickets back onboard the flight.
With InselAir, airfare to Aruba cost US$230, to Curaçao US$234, to Bonaire US$465, to Barquisimeto US$547, to Valencia US$619, to Sint Maarten US$403, to Manaus US$366, to Caracas US$644, to Santo Domingo US$590, to Miami US$358, to Kingston US$645 and to Maracaibo US$600.
Afather and son are for the third time facing a Judge and jury for the July 27, 2011, Hogstye Backdam murder of Shawn Fraser.
On trial at the Berbice Assizes are Krishna (only name), also known as “John”; and his son, Romel Krishna, who have been indicted jointly for the murder of rice and cattle farmer Shawn Fraser. The duo had two trials aborted at the Berbice assizes last year. In May 2014, a trial was aborted after the jury failed to arrive at a verdict and a retrial was ordered. Then in November 2014, it was brought to the attention of the court that a family member of the deceased had contacted a member of the jury and the then trial Judge, James Bovell-Drakes upheld an application by defence Attorney Mursaline Bacchus for the court to abort the trial.
This trial is being heard by an all male jury. If for any reason this trial is aborted, the two accused will walk free. Krishna, age 51, of Alness and Letter Kenny, Corentyne, is being represented by Attorney Mursaline Bacchus while his
son Romel Krishna, age 25, of Alness, Corentyne, is being representing by Attorneys Kim Kyte-John and Tonya Clement.
The State opened its case on Thursday. The State’s case which is being presented by Prosecutor Natasha Backer, stated that on July 27, Shawn Fraser and his brother Audwyn Bindah, called “Audwyn Fraser” of 11 Adventure Farm, Corentyne who are cattle and rice farmers, left their home to attend to their rice field at the Hogstye Backdam.
On their way to the backdam, they saw three men –Krishna, called “John”; his son Romel Krishna; and an-
other called “Bobo” ploughing with a tractor on a cross dam. After the brothers had completed their work and were on their way out, they were attacked and shot by the three men.
Audwyn was rushed to the Port Mourant and then the New Amsterdam Hospital. Fraser’s body was picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination was later conducted on the body of Shawn Fraser at the New Amsterdam Hospital by State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as perforated lung due to penetrating wounds to
Quite alarmed by the recent upsurge of criminal activities across Guyana, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is calling for an increase in intense policing activities to address this worrying issue.
Only recently, the Private Sector in Guyana registered its concern over the frequency in which crime was occurring in Guyana, calling on the relevant authorities to address the matter with urgency. FITUG, the workers’ organisation representing a significant number of the population in Guyana, has now joined the calls for greater attention and efforts from the authorities to contain, reduce and stamp out this scourge.
“FITUG is aware that as a social phenomenon, crime has a global presence and everywhere is posing challenges to all societies. Acknowledgement of that fact should not lull us into a state of acceptance in our lives. Indeed, the maximum knowledge of this menace ought to require the appropriate security bodies primarily to fashion effective and enduring responses,” the organisation said in a press release.
While acknowledging the work of the law enforcement bodies in Guyana, FITUG is of the view that much more can be done to fight crime, including the implementation of an effective and efficient community patrol service, consistent work to nurture policing groups and a more prompt response to the prev-
alence of the disturbing criminal activities.
FITUG also recognised that more activities would require more resources and training and as such, called on the Public Security Ministry to understand the importance of this demand and make the necessary resources available.
FITUG also suggests that the Ministry implement additional initiatives beyond the law to tackle the upsurge in crime. However, the organisation noted that these efforts must be sustained and not employed in “fits and starts”.
The trade union umbrella body noted that its concern over the crime situation in Guyana stemmed from the anxieties expressed by its membership and their families.
“Such concerns can only aggravate the oppressive climate in which many must live,” it stated.
Also, FITUG noted that no society can promote na-
chest and compound fracture of the skull.
On Thursday, Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police Gary McAlister in giving evidence in the trial stated that on the day in question, after receiving certain information, he led a party of Policemen about one and a half miles into the backdam where they found the body of Shawn Fraser with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. He said that between July 27 and July 29, they made checks at Hogstye Backdam for the third suspect known as “Bobo”.
Under cross examination by Attorney Kim KyteJohn, McAlister said “Bobo” was never contacted in relation to the matter. He noted that “Bobo” was found dead at his aunt’s premises about two weeks after the killing of Shawn Fraser with what appeared to be gunshot injuries. This is the first time over the course of three trials that the mysterious death of “Bobo” was mentioned. McAlister said he could not remember if the youngest son of Krishna was arrested in relation to the killing of Sean Fraser. Meanwhile, the prose-
cution called its chief witness Audwyn Bindah, called “Audwyn Fraser” to tell the jury what happen in the Backdam when his brother Shawn Fraser was killed. Bindah told the court that he knew Krishna, also called “John” for more that 20 years and also knew his son for a long time. He said that on July 27, 2011, he and his now deceased brother went to their farm at of Adventure Village, Corentyne, to pump water and to spray their rice field. He said it was about 16:00h when they were leaving that he noticed three men – Krishna, his son Romel Krishna, and “Bobo” ploughing with a tractor on a cross dam. He said they had to make a stop opposite to where the men were ploughing to attend to some work.
According to Bindah, when he returned to the dam on his way out of the area, he saw the three men on the dam each with a gun in their hands. At that time, Fraser was a short distance in front of him. “When he reach about 16 feet from “Bobo”, he put the gun to he left side an ah feel ah burning then ah hear a explosion,” the witness told
the court as he explained how he received his injuries. “Me tell me brodda me get shoot. Me dead, an me go down to de ground,” he said. The court also heard that the now dead man asked the shooter why he had shot his brother. “Romel den point he gun to Shawn’s stomach an ah hear a loud explosion.”
In a very animated way, the witness described how his brother stumbled after being shot the first time. “Krishna then point he gun to Shawn’s head an ah hear another explosion an Shawn fell on he face.” Audwyn said the men left and he got up and tried to run away. “Ah start to run an me left hand swaying so ah take me right hand and hold it an ah get good balance.” The jury paid keen attention as he explained how he tried to get the attention of another brother who was also farming in the backdam. “Ah hear two more explosion what sound like gunshots when ah almost reach me brodda,” Bindah testified. The trial continues when the witness is expected to be cross examined.
tional development to its zenith if the population was oppressed and constantly felt insecure. On that note, FITUG predicted that the current crime wave will decrease investors’ confidence in the local market, which can ultimately reflect negatively on the economy which can eventually impact the lives of all Guyanese.
Moreover, the organisation said it stood ready to offer its assistance in crime preventing and crime-fighting. Recently, Captain Gerry Gouveia admitted that the sudden upsurge in crime definitely took the business community by surprise. Head of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), retired Major General Norman Mc Lean also recognised the suddenness of the upsurge as he registered his concerns over the spate of criminal activities.
While he placed his faith in the Police Force to tackle the situation, Mc Lean noted that citizens have a role to play by taking precautionary measures in their activities. Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had given his word that he will do everything in his power to address the situation. The most recent crime statistics indicated that there was a 10 per cent increase in serious crime at the end of May when compared to the same period in 2014. Also, a total of 66 murders were recorded at the end of May, in comparison to 59 murders at the end of May 2014 – a 12 per cent increase.
saturday, july 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Despite heavy criticism from numerous sections of society, the Government is unrelenting in its efforts to impose the 2:000am (02:00h) curfew on bars and nightclubs, which is expected to take full effect this weekend.
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had first touted this proposal last month when he was addressing media operatives on the crime situation in Guyana.
In light of the alarming upsurge in crime, Ramjattan believes that the late opening of bars and nightclubs is significantly contributing to the crimes and acts of violence being perpetuated.
Speaking to media operatives on Friday, the Minister disclosed that the curfew was already being implemented and indicated his expectation of seeing the curfew in full swing by this weekend.
“Right now they are doing their exercises; a lot of the people are asking to close up at 2:00am…,” he admitted.
Nonetheless, Ramjattan admitted that numerous businesses were still pleading with him to reconsider the curfew.
“I am getting a number of the bar and liquor restaurants already lobbying me, but I will not, in any way, try to retract on that … I want
all of them, every night, they should be closed…,” he maintained.
This move by the Ministry has caused a ruckus within the local entertainment industry with local promoters, nightclub proprietors and other key stakeholders in complete uproar over the situation.
According to media reports, stakeholders are arguing that the imposition of the curfew will not help solve the crime situation.
However, Ramjattan is insisting that the Government must go ahead with this measure.
“We must go ahead with that because drinking has
a direct relationship to violence, domestic violence and most of the women’s organisations that I have spoken to have indicated that ‘yes, Mr Ramjattan’, go ahead with that’,” he explained, noting that late drinking can also lead to unwise spending of money, traffic offences and severely impact one’s work ethic.
Suspend or revoke
“If you drink too late, you can’t get up early to go to work and when you do get up, you are not working as efficiently as you ought to,” the Minister reasoned.
Despite the public outcry over this imposition, Ramjattan remained grounded in his belief that crime would be reduced significantly once the curfew is adhered to.
Should liquor stores, bars and nightclubs dare to breach the stipulated curfew, Ramjattan indicated that he would not hesitate to let the law take its course.
Special provisions
“It is a legal requirement under the licensing arrangement that they bring a halt to their activities at 2:00 am …There are sanctions in the law and there will also be the ultimate sanction where we will close, suspend or revoke the licence,” he asserted.
Of course, the Minister explained that he was not being unfair.
Asked what will be the outcome of international and regional shows that come to Guyana, Ramjattan said they would have special provisions and time periods.
“If there is a special show that can go on till 4, then we can deal with that,” he said.
Working quite well
Meanwhile, a manager of a popular nightclub disclosed that clubs in North America, particularly Canada, have a 2:00 am shut-off time which was working quite well.
In fact, he indicated that a 2:00 am curfew has become standard in the First World countries.
“In any case, the spending population either get drunk by 3:00h or they start leaving, so I don’t not see any significant problem when it come to profit making”, he added.
Further, he suggested that Guyanese promoters and club owners need to formulate a marketing strategy to make sure their supporters come out early to party. He recalled his recent visit to Canada and while in a nightclub, the DJs put on the bright lights at 00:45h as an indication that the Club was about to be closed.
Former acting Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council Carol Sooba, has vowed to challenge the decision which has been taken by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan to revoke her services.
In a letter addressed to Sooba, the Minister said “Please be informed that your appointment as Town Clerk (ag) of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown is hereby revoked.”
“Therefore, by virtue of the power invested in me at Section 116 (1) of the Municipal and District Council’s Act, Chapter 28:01, taken in conjunction with Section 326 (4) of the said Act, your appointment as Town Clerk(ag) is revoked effective of July 7, 2015,” the letter further added.
No reason for the revocation was listed in the letter.
inquiry into the illegalities and some confusion. I subsequently emailed him. I saw a letter in the Stabroek News on the 23rd of June where Mayor Greene was saying that Constabulary was not finished with their probe into the illegalities, whatever those illegalities are; he Hamilton Greene would send me on vacation leave if the probe was not finished before the end of my leave,” Sooba explained.
She said that her leave was supposed to end on Monday, July 5 and her duties were to be resumed on July 7. However, when she tried contacting the Mayor, she received no response.
Bulkan made the proposal during a parliamentary sitting last week, but said that he still needed to make contact with the elections body, since GECOM still
uyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield said the Commission was still to hear from Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan who had recently declared that Guyana was going to have Local Government Elections (LGE) by November of this year.
had to give the go-ahead. Guyana Times sought to find out after the announcement by the Minister, if the Commission was in a position to hold the elections. But Lowenfield said such a decision will have to be made by the Commission. According
to him, the Commission could only decide on such if it was briefed by the Minister. So far, this is yet to be done. The CEO posited that “while we were in committee dealing with those bills, again every year Local Government Elections have to have been lawfully postponed by an amendment to the law, and again if you check the record over the years up to 2013, you will see an amendment being moved to postpone the election by the Government which was supported by [A Partnership for National Unity] APNU.”
Local Government Elections have not been held since 1994 and an impasse in the 10th Parliament was said to have been causing continued delay.
Speaking to Guyana Times on Friday afternoon after a copy of the letter was published on social media, the former Town Clerk said that she could not understand how the Minister would make such a decision despite the fact that the matter of her appointment was still being pursued in the High Court.
I didn’t expect this because this matter of my appointment is in the Court of Appeal. There is an order by the Honorable Chief Justice where they couldn’t remove me as Town Clerk. This will be based on the outcome of the case in the Court of Appeal… so when I received this, then my lawyers will have to deal with it in this technical nature,” she related.
Sooba said that when the Council sent her packing on May 25, she had made an appointment with the Minister of Communities to discuss the matter with him.
“He told me that they don’t want me there and so I asked him to give me instructions as to what I should do. He said I am not to go back there but he agreed to discuss the issue with the Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams… the issue of my benefits because next year December would have been my retirement. Then about a week and a half ago, I received a copy of the letter which he had sent to the Mayor stating that I was on 42 days leave and I think they said pending an
“I called his office because he didn’t respond to two emails I sent; one to query the letter that was in the Stabroek News and I said to him that he had usurp the powers of the Minister based on what he said there and he didn’t respond. I asked for direction on the way forward, he didn’t respond. I sent him another letter advising him on certain things which had happened and for guidance to know what to do when my leave was finished…,” Sooba said.
She noted that she was then told by Greene that she should not speak to the media nor must she contact her lawyer, “but I said that I had to engage the media to let them know what was happening and I had to speak to my lawyer because it was beginning to become a legal issue. He told me no. He said that he will see that I receive all of my benefits. Lo and behold, this letter came.”
Sooba alluded that she was of the view that her revocation was as a result of a personal matter in which the Minister was involved.
“Before Mr Bulkan became Minister, he had some issue with the Council and the Council’s land and that matter ended up in the Court so when I met with him on the 27th of May, he did not even seek to find out or to see that the way in which they kicked me out was unlawful. I went through the humiliation. He insulted me in his office and I cried and you know that he went and told Hamilton Green that too?” the woman cried.
“My lawyers will be in touch; this letter does not say anything,” she vowed.
Republic Bank Guyana Limited has once again shown its dedication to local steel pan music by donating $1.3 million for the Pan Minors Music Literacy Camp this holiday.
The new Managing Director, Richard Sammy, presented the cheque to Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry on Thursday at the Ministry’s department of Culture, Youth and Sport office.
The revival of traditional steel pan music is attributed to Republic Bank since
its collaboration with the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, which began in 2006, to bring more awareness of the sweet sounds. This was done through the Mash Panorama Competition where Steel Pan Orchestras, School Orchestras and others showcase their skills on the instruments.
According to a release from the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport on Thursday, an estimated 155 students will benefit from the steel pan camp this month. The camp’s main ob-
Faced with a barrage of criticism from Caribbean leaders, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Friday pulled out from the Caricom Summit, currently being held in Barbados.
He was expected to arrive Friday, but it has been revealed that Vice President Jorge Arreaza will be coming instead. Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez also is attending the meeting. No reason has been given for the change.
In his first address to Caricom on Thursday at Hilton Barbados, President David Granger begged his fellow leaders to strongly condemn the bullying tactics of Venezuela, which he said was parading its military might over one of the least populated and poorer countries in the Region. “We yearn for the security of the United Nations and a sense of international law to bring a peaceful end to Venezuela’s rejection of the validity of the boundary which has been defined as a full and final settlement and which all parties at that time vowed to accept,” Granger told attendees at the Summit on Thursday.
He said years of “superiority” should not be allowed to suppress the law, noting that the actions as demonstrated by Venezuela must be condemned. “Guyana assures the representatives of the international community here today of its adherence of international law. We assure the Secretary General of the UN, we assure the Secretary General of the Commonwealth and the Secretary General of the Organisation of
jective has been to provide students with the basic rudiments of music and the basic skills to play the pan.
The unique programme promotes and develops the
steel pan art-form, while “providing youths with an opportunity to develop selfdiscipline and the spirit of teamwork” It also “enhances the playing technique and
introduce the basic principles involved in arranging for steel bands”.
However, the focus for this year’s camp shall be to develop the technical com-
petency of students and the capabilities of students who show potential in arranging.
The elements to be taught include scales and drills training; music theory (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Grade 1 Level); reading and playing and an introduction to arranging for the steel band. Upon completion of the camp, all participants with more than 95 per cent attendance will receive a certificate. The release stated that potential participants must be able to play simple pieces of music on their instrument of choice, have a general understanding of the basic elements of music and place chords to simple one-line melodies.
Camps will be conducted in Regions Three, Four, Six, and Georgetown. Some of the venues include Berbice High School, North Ruimveldt Secondary, Tipperary Hall in Buxton, Bishops’ High School, West Demerara Secondary, and the National School of Music.
American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), that Guyana today and for all times will pursue the principles of mutual respect for each other’s territorial sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-appearance in each other’s internal affairs and mutual cooperation for peaceful co-existence between neighbours,” he continued Granger told the Caricom heads that Guyana faced a huge threat, stating that the “decree number 1787”, promulgated by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, was timed to coincide with the country’s independence anniversary on May 26 this year, the day of his inauguration. “The decree sticks in my throat like a bone. It lays claim to much of the coastline and most of the economic zones of Guyana. Thus the decree has dire implications for the entire Region, but, most particularly, the eastern states including Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.”
He said these countries consider the decree by Venezuela an act of aggression against Guyana’s sovereignty, and an assault on its right to assess and develop its maritime resources. “We ask this conference to affirm its solidarity with Guyana and to repudiate this obnoxious decree”, he pleaded, continuing that Guyana has always been at the forefront of regional integration and has stayed steadfast for 50 years, “from CARIFTA to CARICOM”.
He said without the cooperation of “our Caricom Member States, we risked being militarised and marginalised”.
Thousands of Government workers across Barbados will take part in a mass protest on Monday, as the island’s biggest Public Sector union puts pressure on the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) to either reinstate or pay 10 workers it sent on retirement last month.
The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) announced Thursday that it will follow through on its threat of a national shutdown, with President Akanni McDowall saying that “war” has been declared on the country’s labour force.
The decision followed the breakdown of talks between the BIDC and the NUPW, chaired by Minister
of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development Donville Inniss, ended in a stalemate on Wednesday.
Public servants are ex-
pected to hit the streets from 08:30h.
NUPW President Akanni McDowall announces plans for a mass protest on Monday.
The BIDC sent home 13
people – 10 of whom it retired –, as it invoked its right under the Statutory Boards (Pensions) Act to retire officers reaching the age of 60. Two of the other three had indicated, prior to the BIDC’s decision, that they wanted to retire by August, while the other was not appointed in a post.
The NUPW has insisted the move was illegal and has demanded an apology from the Government agency for not consulting with it before sending home the workers, and either the withdrawal of the retirement letter or a commitment from the BIDC to pay the workers until they reach 67, the age at which retirement will be compulsory from January 2018. (Excerpt from Caribbean360.com)
Caribbean leaders appear to be giving serious consideration to making a proposal requesting the gradual write-off of billions of dollars in external debt.
The issue was raised by Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena at a high-level meeting Friday morning that followed Thursday’s official opening of the 36th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom.
She pointed out that 40 per cent of the Caribbean’s US$46 billion debt is to multinational agencies, with 14 per cent being bilateral.
Of that amount, she said, US$30 billion was accu-
mulated between 1990 and 2014 as a result of natural disasters.
She described the situation facing regional states
The 28-year-old son of a well-known People’s National Movement (PNM) activist was gunned down Wednesday night as he was entering a mosque for prayers.
Daniel Bostic died in hospital after being shot multiple times.
His mother, Marva Bostic who served as a PNM education officer under the Patrick Manning Administration, has dismissed any suggestion that the murder of her son – who converted to Islam two years ago – was politically motivated.
“I refuse to believe that someone will kill my son in the mosque in the month of Ramadan to set religious or political strife,” she told the
Trinidad Guardian newspaper.
“I don’t know why this happened. I don’t know that he has any enemies. I don’t want to judge. Let the Police do their investigations.”
Police reports indicate that Bostic, a father of two, was entering the Jama Masjid in San Fernando to pray when a man dressed in dark clothing walked up behind him and shot him at the back of his head.
“The call to prayer had just been made and he was on his way to worship when this guy just walked up behind and shot him. As he fell to the ground, the man stood over him and shot him a few more times,” one witness told Newsday. (Excerpt from Caribbean360.com)
are serious, explaining that five Caribbean countries are among the most indebted in the world.
Bárcena said the prob-
lems are compounded by the vulnerabilities of Caribbean economies that are already facing a decline in foreign direct investment.
“Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis are the top five in the Caribbean,” she said. “Nobody talks about them. We all hear about Belize. Of course, it represents one per cent of the global debt so we are not a systematic problem.”
The ECLAC official said “the time is ripe” for Caricom states, along with the Caribbean Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to hammer out an agreement on a proposal for debt relief. (Excerpt from Caribbean360.com)
warned that inaction on climate change could cost them big
Without appropriate and effective action, the adverse effects of climate change could cost Caribbean countries up to three quarters of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2100.
That warning came Thursday from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr Warren Smith during the Caribbean High-Level Symposium on Sustainable Development at the 36th Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
“Climate change can have devastating long-term
impact on growth and development of the Caribbean. The projected cost of inaction is estimated to be at least 75 per cent of GDP by the year 2100 in Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, and Turks and Caicos Islands, with smaller, but still relatively high levels for a number of the other countries,” he said.
He also pointed out that in addition to addressing climate change, ensuring economic sustainability for Caribbean countries requires improving economic resilience by several measures, especially by decreasing dependence on fossil fuel. (Excerpt from Caribbean360.com)
The area used for the coca cultivation in Colombia increased by 44 per cent last year, a United Nations report says.
Most of the rise in the cultivation of coca leaves –the raw ingredient for cocaine – comes from southern areas controlled by left-wing FARC rebels.
Farmers have probably boosted production to cover potential losses in the event of a peace deal between the FARC and the Government, says the UN.
They fear an agreement will include programmes to eradicate coca.
The FARC and the Colombian Government have been engaged in peace talks since November 2012.
The rebels have already agreed to encourage local farmers to join voluntary programmes to replace coca with other crops.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime report says the potential
production of cocaine went by more than 50 per cent in 2014.
“The change is an important warning signal,” said Leonardo Correa, one of the authors of the annual report.
The assessment is based mostly on satellite photographs.
Reports on Bolivia and Peru are due in the next few weeks.
The three countries are the world’s largest producers of coca leaves and cocaine.
In May, Colombia announced it was stopping using a controversial herbicide to destroy illegal plantations of coca.
The decision followed a warning by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic”.
The product has been used in US-sponsored cropspraying anti-narcotics programmes in South America.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Antigua and Barbuda has injected a further US$400,000 in regional carrier LIAT even as the Prime Minister vowed that the airline headquarters will not be moved from St John’s.
PM Gaston Browne confirmed to Caribbean360 that the cash injection was made last week as part of EC$10 million that his country has promised to deliver to the airline by yearend.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 36th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom which began Thursday, Browne insisted that all plans to relocate the LIAT headquarters from Antigua and Barbuda had been scrapped.
The major shareholder governments – Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica – had announced a plan to shift LIAT’s fleet base to Barbados
to focus on the more lucrative southern Caribbean and to reduce its staff by 180 to help restore the airline to financial stability.
However, Browne said all claims of relocation were merely “idle talk”.
He stressed that the twoisland state has not swayed in its commitment to the airline that has been consistently losing money.
“That idle chatter has ceased, if not for the time being, then permanently. At the end of the day, Antigua and Barbuda struggled with LIAT for about five decades and we did not differentiate on the viability of routes. We made sure that all of the countries in the Caribbean, especially in the [Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States] OECS were serviced to ensure there was connectivity so people could move throughout the Region,” the Prime Minister said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360.com)
Boko Haram fighters have waged new attacks on a series of towns and villages, killing at least 160 people.
Early on Friday morning, at least 11 men were dragged from their homes in the village of Miringa by Boko Haram and shot for escaping forced conscription by their group, residents said. In another set of attacks earlier on Thursday, two girls wrapped with explosives blew themselves up at a crowded market and a military checkpoint in Malari, outside Maiduguri, killing at least 13 people.
The violence on Thursday and Friday morning came just hours after Boko Haram fighters murdered around 145 worshippers in the town of Kukawa, just as they were preparing to open their fast.
Reacting to the series of attacks in the north-eastern states, President Buhari said the violence highlighted the need “to form a more
effective international coalition against insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria and neighbouring countries”.
Residents described how the fighters entered the homes and executed the men in Miringa.
Baballe Mohammed, a resident in the village, said the gunmen came to the village around 01:30h local time on Friday. They “picked
13 men from selected homes and took them to the Eid prayer ground outside the village where they opened fire on them,” he said, adding two managed to escape.
“The victims were well targeted, because they were all residents of Gwargware village ... who fled to Miringa some months ago to escape forced conscription by Boko Haram.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
The French Government has rejected an asylum request from WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, saying he did not face “immediate danger”.
In a letter to the French President, Assange described himself as a “journalist pursued and threatened with death by the United States’ authorities as a result of my professional activities”.
He asked in the letter,
published on Friday in Le Monde newspaper, to be granted asylum by France.
Hours later, the office of President Francois Hollande responded in a statement that read: “France cannot act on his request”.
“The situation of Mr Assange does not present an immediate danger. Furthermore, he is subject to a European arrest warrant,” Hollande’s office said. Assange, who turned 44 on Friday, has spent
over three years holed up in Ecuador’s embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces allegations by two women, one of rape and one of sexual assault, which he denies.
The former computer hacker fears extradition to Sweden could lead to him being transferred to the US to face trial over WikiLeaks’ publication of classified US military and diplomatic documents. (Al Jazeera)
Greece’s top administrative court has ruled that a referendum asking voters whether or not they support bailout demands of creditors can go ahead, rejecting a challenge by two individuals.
The petitioners, one of them a former Judge on the Council of State, the court that decided on the case, had argued the plebiscite for Sunday violated the Constitution by asking citizens to decide a “public finances” question.
Their challenge had also
insisted the question was couched in technical language which could confuse voters.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is advocating a “No” vote, saying a “No” vote will put it in a better bargaining position and help Greece win a new deal with the eurozone’s rescue mechanism that would include terms to make the country’s US$355 billion national debt sustainable.
European officials say a “No” vote could lead to the country’s exit from the eurozone.
Meanwhile, the eurozone’s rescue fund, Greece’s largest creditor, officially declared that Greece was in default, saying it reserved the right to call in 130.9 billion euros in debt ahead of schedule after Athens failed to pay an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. The European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) statement added that it had decided to not immediately demand repayment of its loans, a step that might have triggered Greece’s sudden exit from the eurozone. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
punish unapproved staff pregnancies”
The
firm was apparently worried that too many babies may be born to its staff at the same time
AChinese firm reportedly plans to ask its staff to seek approval before they get pregnant, provoking scorn in the staterun press and on social media.
Workers at a finance firm in Henan province were said to have been told they must apply for a “place on the birth-planning schedule” –and only if they had been employed for over a year.
For the first time, India on Friday abstained in a resolution backed by Palestine in United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) condemning Israel for its Gaza offensive. India, however, claimed that there was no shift in its position on Palestine, and that its abstention was only due to reference to International Criminal Court in the text.
Forty-one countries voted in favour, with only United States’ name highlighted in red on the display board as it voted against the resolution in UNHRC in Geneva on Friday.
India’s abstention was immediately noticed by Israeli commentators – who noted that it would certainly have caused Tel Aviv to see the bright side of today’s harshly-worded resolution. Besides India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Macedonia also abstained.
This vote also means that India has
bolted out of the BRICS stable on this issue – since all the others, Russia, China, South Africa and Brazil voted in favour of the resolution.
Last year, India had voted in favour of the UNHRC resolution, which was also drafted by Palestine, which had launched an international probe against Israel for Operation Protective Edge. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had cited India’s vote in 2014 as an example of the Government’s continuing to support Palestinian state.
The 2014 vote had taken certain quarters by surprise, as it was expected that the Israel-friendly Government would take a different position.
As he announced New Delhi’s position, Indian permanent representative to UN in Geneva, Ajit Kumar said that abstention was only in reference to ICC in the text of the resolution. (Excerpt
Those who became pregnant without approval may be penalised.
The plan has been heavily criticised on social networks and in the media.
A commentator in the state-run China Youth Daily said the company regarded its workers as “tools on the production line” rather than human beings, the AFP news agency reports.
Employees are also un-
happy, with one complaining that it was impossible to guarantee that a pregnancy would follow the schedule set by the company.
The firm, in Jiaozuo, in the central province of Henan, has recently hired a lot of young women and is said to have been concerned that they would all go on maternity leave at the same time.
A representative of the firm admitted that it had circulated the plan to staff, according to news portal The Paper, quoted by the AFP news agency.
However, the representative reportedly said the plan was only a draft that was intended to invite comment from employees.
The plan distributed by the firm suggested that only married female workers who had been with the company for more than a year would be allowed to conceive – and only within a specific period.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
The Dutch Government is lobbying its political allies for the establishment of a United Nations tribunal to prosecute suspects in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines plane over territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine a year ago, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday.
Rutte said a UN tribunal would give “the best guarantee of cooperation from all countries” in seeking justice for the families of the 298 victims, most of whom were Dutch passengers aboard flight MH17.
Malaysia, one of five countries on a Dutch-led Joint Investigation Team probing the crash, told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday it plans to push for a UN-backed tribunal, even as Russia de-
scribed the move as premature, diplomats said.
“No route is 100 per cent perfect, but this is the route that is by far the most preferred,” Rutte said after a weekly meeting with his centre-right Cabinet.
“We also have plan Bs if this approach doesn’t work, both national and international, but this is the route that would be the best. And that’s why we are exploring that possibility first of all.” Rutte’s comments confirmed a report by Reuters last month that the Netherlands was seeking to establish such a tribunal.
He declined to comment on where the court might be located or how it important it would be for Russia, which has a veto on the UN Security Council, to cooperate.
saturday, july 4, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com
its and Jams
HEntertainment was up to late Friday evening adding the final touches to the Water World aback Princess Hotel, East Bank Demerara, for the much anticipated three-day event titled ‘Sun, Water and Sand’ but more so, installing the kitchens in preparation for the Caribbean Food Festival set for today.
The chefs have arrived and are making sure that the ingredients are in place so they can produce the tastiest foods for those who will attend the event. The competition will be among four international chefs from Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
At a press conference at HJ’s Water World on Friday, Brian Lumley of Jamaica, who operates his own restaurant, expressed his anxiety
Sat participating in the event. He intends to whip up several pasta dishes that will tease the taste buds of patrons. John Hazzard out of Barbados intends to prepare his national dish, Fufu with Flying Fish. He also noted that he has been in Guyana on three separate occasions and it was always a pleasure to return. On the other hand, the Guyanese chef, Kenroy Myres will focus on Guyana’s cultural diversity as he prepares his tasty delicacies. He intends to prepare pepper pot, cook up and met-tem-gee. Admission to the event will cost $2000 which will be redeemable in chits. Food lovers are encouraged to grace the event. While the venue will be opened to the public, the rides and pools will not be accessible.
However on Sunday, all plans are in place for the
Hair and Fashion Show after which there will be the hosting of the Guyana Leg of the Jamzone Pageant. On this day, all the water rides along with the pools will be accessible to patrons. Those who wish to use the pool and beach area will not be allowed to do so while dressed in jeans, jerseys, shorts, vests, T-shirts but rather only swimwear.
Glass and plastic bottles are also prohibited from the pool area. On Monday, the three-day event will culminate with the “Soka Beach Party” featuring some of the best in the soca industry. On this day, no coolers will be allowed into the venue.
Rawle Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hits and Jams told media operatives that there will be professional life guards at the venue at any given point in time while noting that the pool and
beach areas will be off limits from 18:00h but the venue will be opened until midnight.
He also stated that there will be secured parking in an open space opposite the facility but additional parking spaces will be available at the parking lot between Princess Hotel and the
National Stadium. As is customary with any Hits and Jams event, Ferguson noted that there will be strict security.
Meanwhile, The CEO noted that plans are moving apace for the hosting of Jamzone 2015 slated for August 15-23. Discussions are presently being held with
various stakeholders and artistes for the event and promise to update the public on plans for the massive event, which will also be held at the HJ Water World.
The facility however, will not be opened to the public in full until the latter part of July.
Ateenager was released on Friday when he threw himself at the mercy of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, admitting to narcotics possession.
Eighteen-year-old Mark Flavius from Fourth Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, admitted in Court Two that he had 2.2 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) on his person when he was caught by officers on Thursday.
According to the Police report read by Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the Police was on patrol duty in Agricola when they received a tip and went to Flavius’ home and conducted a search where they found the two plants they suspected to be marijua-
na planted in the yard. They arrested the accused, took him to the station and the suspicious plant was tested where it was proven to be the illicit substance, marijuana.
Flavius’ Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that his client is quite remorseful about the crime he committed, stating that he is a relatively good person and has learnt from his mistake. He added that the lad plans to obey the laws of the land as he just finished school and is currently attending the Government Technical Institute (GTI).
trong crop yields, higher productivity and slower growth in global demand should contribute to a gradual decline in real prices for agricultural products over the coming decade, but nonetheless, prices will likely remain at levels above those in the early-2000s, according to the latest Agricultural Outlook report produced by the OECD and FAO.
Lower oil prices will contribute to lower food prices, by pushing energy and fertilizer costs down, and removing incentives for the production of first-generation biofuels made from food crops.
The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2015-2024 projects that agricultural trade will increase more slowly than in the previous decade, while its share of global production and consumption will be stable. The Outlook points to further concentration of agricultural commodity exports among a few exporting countries, coupled with a dispersion of imports over an ever-larger number of countries - trends that make it imperative to ensure the smooth functioning of international markets.
The growing role of a relatively small group of countries in supplying global markets with key commodities could increase market risks, including those associated with natural disasters or the use of disruptive trade measures. Major changes in demand are expected in developing countries, where population growth, rising per capita incomes and urbanization will increase demand for food, according to the report. Rising incomes will prompt consumers to continue diversifying their diets, notably by increasing their consumption of animal protein relative to starches. As a result, the prices of
meat and dairy products are expected to be high relative to crop prices. Among crops, the prices of coarse grains and oilseeds, used for animal feed, should rise relative to the prices of food staples.
Presenting the joint report in Paris, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said: “The outlook for global agriculture is calmer than it has been in recent years, but there is no room for complacency, as we cannot rule out the risk of new price spikes in the coming years”.
“Governments should take advantage of the current conditions to concentrate on developing policies that raise productivity, boost innovation, better manage risk and ensure that
ly to continue to improve the caloric intake of their populations “good news,” FAO Director-General José Graziano Silva also noted that leastdeveloped countries “remain significantly behind advanced economies; this is cause for concern, as it means hunger in these countries could persist.” “And malnutrition is an issue: developing countries now have to face problems of overweight, obesity and other diet-related non-communicable diseases,” he added.
Commodity Highlights
The build-up of high cereal stocks over the past two years, combined with low oil prices, should lead to a further weakening of cereal prices
robust agriculture systems benefit consumers and farmers alike,” Mr Gurría said.
Calling the Outlook’s projection that developing countries are like-
in the short term. Slowly rising production costs and sustained demand should strengthen prices again over the medium term. Strong demand for protein meal will drive further
expansion of oilseed production, according to the report. This should result in meal being very important in the overall profitability of oilseeds, and would favour further expansion of soybean production, especially in Brazil.
Higher sugar demand in developing countries should help prices recover from low levels, leading to further investment in the sector.
The market outcome will depend on the profitability of sugar versus ethanol in Brazil, the globe’s leading producer, and could remain volatile as a result of the sugar production cycle in some key Asian sugar-producing countries.
Meat output is expected to respond to an improvement in margins, with lower feed grain prices set to restore profitability to a sector that has been operating in an environment of particularly high and volatile feed costs for most of the past decade. Worldwide fisheries production is projected to expand by almost 20 percent by 2024.
Aquaculture is expected to surpass total capture fisheries in 2023.
Exports of dairy products are projected to further concentrate among four prime sources: New Zealand, the European Union, the United States and Australia, where opportunities for domestic demand growth are limited.
Cotton prices should be suppressed in the short term by the drawdown of large stocks in China, but they are projected to recover and stay relatively stable for the remainder of the outlook period. By 2024, both real and nominal prices are expected to remain below the levels reached in 2012-14. Ethanol and biodiesel use is expected to grow at a slower pace over the next decade.
The level of production is projected to be dependent on policies in major producing countries. At lower oil prices, trade in biofuels should remain small as a share of global production.
This year’s Outlook contains a special focus on Brazil, which is poised to capture most of the trade expansion to be generated by import demand growth, particularly from Asia. Brazilian agricultural growth is projected to be driven by continued improvements in productivity, with higher crop yields, some conversion of pasture to cropland and more intensive livestock production. Structural reforms and a reorientation of support towards productivity enhancing investments, for example in infrastructure, could foster these opportunities, as could trade agreements that improve access to foreign markets.
Brazil has made outstanding progress in eliminating hunger and reducing poverty. Prospects for further reductions in poverty through agricultural development are growing, for producers of some food crops as well as producers of higher-value products such as coffee, horticulture and tropical fruits. The Outlook says that Brazil’s projected agricultural growth can be achieved sustainably. While additional supply will continue to come more from productivity gains than area increases, pressure on natural resources can be alleviated by environmental and conservation initiatives, including support for sustainable cultivation practices, the conversion of
and degraded
to pasture and the integration of crop and livestock systems.
Princess Fun City, the family-oriented entertainment complex in the Princess International Hotel, celebrated its twoyear anniversary on Friday by giving five schools throughout Guyana desktop computers.
The management of Princess Fun City Entertainment Centre, located on the second floor of the Hotel, also concluded its three-month free school tours programme. The tours, which commenced in February and ended in May, was facilitated by the Education Ministry.
The tour caters for a full day of packed entertainment with unlimited access to the Entertainment Centre and Movie Theatres. The schools were selected based on how much their performance improved during the last school
year, and included schools from Georgetown and Regions Three, Five, Six and 10. The lucky schools were Meten-Meer-Zorg Nursery, Cottage Nursery, JE Burnham Primary School, Rose Hall Estate Primary and Wisburg Secondary.
Princess Fun City Marketing Manager Ali Williams stated that the school-tour programme was designed to offer children who are less fortunate the privilege of gaining access to the facility. She stated that it was an activity that management prided itself on doing and it was about the children, children who may never be able to go and sit in a theatre and watch a movie. She added that this was something Fun City has been doing for a while and will continue to do so as the programme has
been very successful and it has been receiving an overwhelming response from over 190 schools across the country, coming from several regions.
She explained that the intent was to accommodate three schools per day which would have access to the more than 80 games ranging from dancing, streetfighting, bowling and racing among other stimulating activities including 7D cinema.
She stated that management felt very privileged to have hosted more than 9000 students ranging from ages three to 17 and 2000 parents and teachers. She added that the students, teachers and parents who visited, indulged in movies and games free of cost. “Our management team was delighted to meet with the youngsters of
this nation, who are also the future of this country,” stated Williams. She said it was the management’s hope to create an experience where the parents, children, teachers shared memorable moments in an experience that would last a lifetime.
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam congratulated Fun City on its anniversary and the initiative to give back. Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes also expressed her congratulations and told members of the Princess International Hotel that she was looking forward to its rebranding which was scheduled to take place in two month’s time.
In addition, Princess is also working with the Education Ministry to donate equipment to the science laboratories.
McLennan rumoured to be new Chief Magistrate – JSC says no appointments made
Following the appointment and recent swearing-in of former Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry as a Judge, Magistrate Ann McLennan has been rumoured to be her successor. Guyana Times was made to understand that preparations were in place to have McLennan take over the Chief Magistrate’s Chambers and Court One at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. However, when contacted, a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the body responsible for ap-
pointing Magistrates, stated that they have not made any appointment to fill the Chief Magistrate’s post.
McLennan is one of the most senior sitting magistrates.
Sewnarine-Beharry, along with former Deputy Public Prosecutions Director Jo-Ann Barlow, was finally sworn in as a Puisne Judge in the High Court by President David Granger on Monday.
Both women had received their confirmation letters last year, but were told that because of limited space in the courts, they were yet to be assigned to relevant areas. While it was rumoured that SewnarineBeharry will preside over the Family Court, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh previously told this newspaper that this may not be the case.
He explained that with the addition of these two new Judges at the High Court, it was likely that two presiding judges will be placed at the Family Court, which is expected to be operational soon.
At the moment, both Justices Sewnarine-Beharry
and Barlow are yet to be assigned Chambers and courtrooms. Guyana Times was reliably informed that the former Chief Magistrate, with some 10 years experience under her belt, will be presiding over civil cases. It is unclear where Justice Barlow will be assigned.
The High Court in Demerara only has eight courtrooms, a few of which are shared by Judges, while the Berbice High Court has two courtrooms that are served by a civil and a criminal Judge respectively . However, in Essequibo, there is only one judge who presides over both criminal
Following the recent discovery by United States officials of cocaine-laced shrimp in a container from Guyana, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is even more determined to boost its anti-narco strategies in order to curb the trade of illicit drugs.
In a statement on Friday, the tax regulatory body noted that this recent discovery has once again brought to light the ingenuity of drug smugglers to utilise concealment methods that at times would require sophisticated detection techniques.
“In light of the notably high frequency in the attempts to traffic narcotics in and out of Guyana over many years, the GRA is determined to ensure that its present and future operations effectively tackle the trade and pursue more enforcement activities that help to build confidence, while at the same time expose the wrongdoings of those found in breach of the law,” the revenue authority declared.
The GRA further outlined the pervasiveness of the narcotics trade and the need for law enforcement officials, particularly of its Customs and Trade Administration, to fortify its efforts in monitoring incoming and outbound cargo at the wharves, transit sheds and other ports of entry.
“In the interest of revenue protection and the prevention of trade in prohibited and restricted items, the GRA utilises profiling criteria to determine if cargo is considered high risk and requires random inspections. Examination of cargo is also premised on the method of concealment that is being detected,” the statement detailed.
Increased cocaine busts
and civil cases.
In February 2014, President Donald Ramotar had increased the number of Puisne Judges from 12 to 20.
This change to the more than 50-year-old High Court Act was done following consultations with the judiciary sector. He signed the order under Section Three of the High Court Act, Chapter 3:02 and it was published in the Official Gazette last February. It was felt that the previous complement of Puisne Judges was inadequate to deal with the increasing number of cases engaging the justice system.
While there needs to be several more appointments to bring the complement of Puisne Judges to full strength, space at the High Court is a major constraint. As such, plans are in place for the construction of a new building in the compound of the High Court in Georgetown, which will house additional courtrooms and chambers for judges. This publication was informed that a contract has already been awarded for the construction of this building, but works are yet to begin.
ing through its active Port Control Unit (PCU) under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) programme.
The tax regulatory body went on to disclose that so far in 2015, there were some major busts recorded such as the March 30 discovery of cocaine in a shipment of charcoal at Silver Hill, Linden Highway, and the January 6 drug bust on a Cypriot vessel the MV DeltaDiep, that was destined for Belgium with a shipment of bauxite from Guyana.
The GRA remarked that these achievements are testimony to Guyana’s bilateral relations with other countries as well as its commitment to its obligations under international maritime regulations, which mandate that exports, particularly container cargo, be subject to image scanning.
The Revenue Authority added that at present investigations are ongoing into the recent discovery of cocaine in shrimp in the US and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
As of recent, there has been a recorded increase in the number of cocaine busts at Guyana’s two major ports. While local authorities were praised for their diligent work in detecting the illegal substance before it was smuggled out of the country, they were simultaneously criticised for not having adequate security measures in place to detect those that have bypassed the systems here but were intercepted overseas.
According to the tax body, in keeping with maritime and other requirements, all consignments destined for the United Kingdom, Canada and United States are scanned utilising the stationary and mobile scanners that are available. These methods, GRA said, have greatly assisted Customs officials in their inspection duties particularly on items that would require more than what can be done manually. Thus, consignments of shrimp will be subject to the image scanning technology, the statement mentioned.
In the same vein, the GRA pointed out that its Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) has successfully spearheaded several major drug busts, includ-
Only on Thursday, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Bryan Hunt, expressed optimism that with the help of the US Government, the drug network connected to this country would be dismantled and disrupted in the not-so-distant future.
Hunt said that the two Governments would be able to achieve such a goal, with the revitalised security and counternarcotics relationship already beginning to yield results.
“I am confident that despite criticisms of sceptics, expanded cooperation between the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Guyanese Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and Serious Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) will disrupt and ultimately dismantle the drug flow through Guyana.,” the Chargé d’Affaires said.
Local Government Elections are required to be held once every three years. Back in 1997, when the next elections were supposed to have been held, the country was constitutionally due to have a General Election, which was done, postponing local Government polls. Since then, and following a constitutional reform, there has not been another election. Every year since elections had to be postponed by an amendment to the law.
Bulkan’s promise for LGE comes even as the Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/
Civic has already indicated that it would not be participating in any such elections overseen by the current management of GECOM. Following its calls for the removal of GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, the Party made a call for a complete overhaul of the Commission before the body moved ahead with the holding of the long overdue Local Government Elections.
President David Granger had recently announced that Guyanese would once again go to the polls sometime later this year to elect leaders of their respective communities. from page 12
By Bhisham mohamed
In light of the recent ruling on gay marriage in the United States, US Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt on Thursday evening during a reception to mark his country’s 239th Independence Anniversary urged Guyana and other allies of the US to join them in their fight for equality. The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) here said the new David Granger-led Administration should take heed.
Hunt stated that the United States remains committed to the fight for human rights for all including those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities, while noting that the strongest nations are those which value and celebrate diversity and the contributions of all its citizens. As such, he strongly encouraged all Guyanese to work together to meet the challenges of today and work to prepare a brighter future for this generation and generations to come.
On June 26 last, the United States took a crucial step to equality when the Supreme Court issued a decision confirming that all couples, whether opposite or same-sex are entitled to marry. “While there are those who continue to fight against the extension of basic human rights, much as they did with the extension of similar rights to interracial couples in 1960’s… I am proud that once again America has shown itself to be on the right side of history”, Hunt noted.
He further stated that following the landmark decision, the US is ready to take another journey down the path towards equality for all and emphasised that many of its allies, such as South Africa, Brazil, Canada and Ireland are well ahead in this journey. “It is my fervent hope that in the coming years, other allies such as Guyana will decide to join us in the fight for human rights for all”, Hunt stated.
A Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) that was established to hold consultations on the recommendations to decriminalise adult same sex relations here was divided when it
was convened last year. This was according to former Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who in February 2014, had noted that the recommendations came from Guyana’s first United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2010.
Rodrigues-Birkett had said that Guyana was unable to implement the recommendations since the PSSC was unable to wrap up its consultations. “We reported to the Working Group that the Parliamentary Special Select Committee was established to address those issues but at the time of our reporting, that Committee had not yet concluded its work. We informed the States too that it is our intention to take back these matters to Parliament following General Elections,” she had said.
APNU/AFC campaign promise Joel Simpson, Managing Director of SASOD, in an invited comment told Guyana Times that the A Partnership For National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government campaigned on platforms of national unity, social cohesion, equal rights and gender equality. He also noted that their manifesto states “We commit to putting in place measures which will ensure that all vulnerable groups in our society, including women, children, persons with disabilities, rural and Indigenous women, youth, the elderly and the sick and pregnant, and those marginalised because of sexual orientation are protected and not discriminated against.” On that note, Simpson stated that they expect the new Government to bring action to their rhetoric and take legal and policy measures to prohibit discrimination by including sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited categories in the Prevention of Discrimination Act 1997 and the Guyana
Constitution, repeal laws criminalising same-sex intimacy and cross-dressing and end the discriminatory policy against gays and lesbians donating blood at the National Blood Transfusion Service.
He added that as far as the organisation is concerned, same-sex marriage is not part of its advocacy agenda. He noted that the pressing needs of LGBT people in Guyana relate to very basic rights. “We would like discriminatory laws and policies repealed and legislation enacted which protects us from discrimination. We would like systems in place to address homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools so that LGBT children do not drop out, but stay the course and reach their full potential”, Simpson stated. In addition, he noted that they would like to see comprehensive sexuality education programmes in schools to teach all children in ageappropriate ways about sexual and gender diversity. This, he noted, will help to curb bullying and reduce the likelihood that the next generation will grow up to be homophobic adults.
“We would also like to see more job-skills training, job placement and entrepreneurial programmes for marginalised youth, including LGBT youth, so that our communities have the means to earn and do not have to rely, disproportionately, on sex work for survival”.
PetroCaribe agreement
The oil supplies from Venezuela sourced under the oil-forrice barter system, which is part of two agreements under the PetroCaribe Energy Cooperation Agreement with Guyana, were valued in excess of US$120 million last year, financial papers tabled in the National Assembly have revealed.
The US$124,463,500 debt cancellation was done in exchange for the supply of rice and paddy to Venezuela by Guyana. This was disclosed in the Order Paper for the July 9th sitting of the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament. The parliamentary document, which was distributed to the media, stated that the two agreements are to be circulated to the National Assembly.
The PetroCaribe initiative was established by the Venezuelan Government in 2005 with the aim of partnering with Caribbean countries in order to enhance economic and political cooperation. With this agreement, Venezuela is supplying oil to the individual countries and the payment for the produce will be made at a fixed percentage of the total value of oil supplied and the balance will be repaid over a specified period of time at no interest. The funds retained by the individual countries can now then be used by the Government for projects that can enhance the physical infrastructure or the social wellbeing of the country.
The initial agreement had absolutely nothing to do with rice; however, in 2009, a delegation of rice farmers representatives met with then President Bharrat Jagdeo to raise concerns about several issues affecting the sector. Jagdeo then had a discussion with the then Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and it was only then rice became an addendum to the PetroCaribe arrangement for Guyana. Under the current trade agreement, Guyana is expected to supply approximately 210,000 tonnes of paddy and polished rice annually to Venezuela.
Meanwhile, according to the first agreement, it detailed the “Compensation Agreement
under the Framework of the PETROCARIBE Energy Cooperation Agreement dated March 13, 2014, between PDVSA Petróleo, SA (PDVSA) and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana for the cancellation of the oil debt in compensation for the white rice and paddy shipments under the Guyana/Venezuela Rice Trade Agreements in the amount of US$55,453,000”.
Meanwhile, the other Compensation Agreement under the Framework of the Cooperation Agreement, which is dated September 12, 2014, between PDVSA and Guyana is for the cancellation of the oil debt in compensation for the white rice and paddy shipments under the Guyana-Venezuela Rice Trade Agreements, amounting to US$69,010,500.
Under the PetroCaribe arrangement, Venezuela has been supplying fuel to countries that subscribe to the PetroCaribe pact on the condition of preferential payments. These payments are adjusted according to oil prices. As part of the payment arrangement with Venezuela, several of the countries including Guyana are supplying the Spanishspeaking South American country with rice and coffee among other products to writeoff their debts.
The Finance Ministry has disclosed that currently Guyana’s total debt to the neighbouring country as at March 31, 2015, stood at approximately US$194 million. According to the Ministry, this debt would be further reduced by US$45 million after the Debt Compensation Agreement is signed with Venezuela.
“This Debt Compensation Agreement relates to rice and paddy shipped by Guyana to Venezuela under a Rice Trade Agreement done within the framework of the PetroCaribe arrangement,” the Finance Ministry stated. The Ministry was responding to an article published in the Kaieteur News on Friday that claims Guyana’s “long term oil debt” to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe agreement is at US$580 million”, citing a re-
port in the July 2 edition of Venezuela’s El Nacional.
The Ministry pointed out that the statement was “incorrect and grossly overstated”. The Ministry further disclosed that thus far, Guyana has repaid more than US$550 million of the debt owed to Venezuela through the rice trade arrangement. When the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government was elected into office almost three months ago, it discovered that the PetroCaribe Fund was empty. This was disclosed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who had blamed the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government for casually and callously mismanaging the Fund.
“We actually will have to find somewhere in the vicinity of US$15 million to basically pay our farmers when they ship the next set of rice to Venezuela,” Harmon had stated.
However, the PPP/C in response had defended the current state of the Fund, positing that whatever money was in the Fund can be accurately accounted for. The now Opposition party explained that no money was missing from the PetroCaribe Fund and even if there was a limited balance in it, that does not mean any money is missing. The PPP/C pointed out that there were records available that indicated every single inflow and outflow to and from the Fund. “Put simply, monies are deposited into the Fund when Guyana imports oil from Venezuela under the PetroCaribe arrangement. Those monies are managed by the Bank of Guyana.
The monies are utilised for only two purposes. Firstly, to fund projects that are included in the national budget and submitted to Parliament for approval. Over the years, these projects have included the new GPL power plants at Kingston and Vreed-enHoop and the Hope Canal. Secondly, and more substantially, the funds are utilised to purchase rice and paddy for export to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe arrangement,” the former ruling party noted.
After nearly two months of trial, murder accused Ralph Tyndall and Anthony De Paul Hope were both found guilty late Friday evening of the 2007 murder of Colleen Forrester, whose body was discovered in a septic tank at a Campbellville, Georgetown residence, of which she was the caretaker.
Tyndall, also known as “Nick”, and Hope, also known as “Papa”, along with Kevin O’Neil, were indicted with the murder of Forrester, Hope’s aunt, who they allegedly killed some time between December 27, 2007, and January 6, 2008, at Lot 55 William Street,
Campbellville. The trial began in May and the case was prosecuted by State Counsels Diana Kaulesar and Stacy Gooding. They called approximately 15 witnesses before closing the case just over a week ago.
Last week after the prosecution closed its case, O’Neil was set free after presiding judge, Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire upheld a no-case submission made by Attorney George Thomas and directed the 12-member mixed jury panel to return a formal verdict of not guilty against the third named accused. He was subsequently
freed on his own recognisance after the Prosecutors indicated their intention to file an appeal.
O’Neil’s co-accused were not so lucky since the trial judge overruled no-case submissions presented by their Attorneys, Madan Kissoon and Melville Duke. The duo was called upon to lead their defences.
Tyndall opted to give an unsworn statement from the dock that he was sleeping in the William Street house when he was awakened by Hope, who told him to hide since Forrester was there. After some time, Tyndall said
he came out of hiding and saw Hope standing over the woman with a short stick in his hand. He said he got scared and immediately went downstairs, where he informed O’Neil of what transpired. In a caution statement obtained from O’Neil, he had denied killing the woman, but admitted to assisting his two friends with dumping her body in the septic tank.
On the other hand, Hope elected to give a sworn statement from the witness box and told the court that he had been staying at the Campbellville house ever since he returned from over-
seas and shared a good relationship with his aunt.
Earlier this week, after both accused closed their defence, the prosecution and the defence attorneys presented closing arguments to the court. On Friday, Justice George-Wiltshire summed up all the evidence to the 12-member jury panel before they retired to the jury room late in the afternoon to deliberate on a verdict. The panel retired around 17:30h and returned almost four hours later, with a unanimous verdict of guilty for both accused. However, sentencing was deferred until next Tuesday.
With less than two months until the World Championships in Beijing, two-time Olympic 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt is injured and off his game.
BBC World Service looks at what the immediate future holds for the 28-yearold Jamaican, one of the biggest names in sport.
Just how badly is he running?
He hasn’t run much at all in 2015. Five times, in fact, if you include his outing in the World Relays in May.
He has competed only once over 100m, clocking a pedestrian 10.12 seconds in April. Over 200m, his best time is a sluggish 20.13secs.
Don’t forget, this is a man who has set world record times of 9.58 and 19.19 respectively, albeit six years ago.
Contrast Bolt’s form with that of Justin Gatlin, who has clocked 9.74 for the 100m and 19.57 for the 200m in 2015.
Is Bolt’s form a surprise?
After an injury-plagued 2014, during which he had
foot surgery, you could excuse Bolt being a little rusty.
But he described his most recent 200m outing in New York as “really bad” and admitted he was puzzled by his poor performances.
Now it appears another injury was to blame, a pelvic problem that is restricting his movement.
He has flown to Germany to see Dr Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt, who has treated several sport stars.
Can Dr MullerWohlfahrt fix him?
The German is a controversial figure, having used goat’s blood and a substance extracted from the crest of cockerels to treat his patients.
But Bolt has used him before, as have former England midfielder Steven Gerrard, marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe and golfer Jose Maria Olazabal. Even U2 frontman Bono has sought his advice.
Former England cricketer Alex Tudor is another to have turned to Bayern Munich’s former club doc-
gives Bravo the all-clear
Dwayne Bravo is off the hook as far as allegations of corruption stemming from a letter former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi wrote two years ago.
According to the International Cricket Council’s Anti-corruption and Security unit, there was no corroborating evidence against any of the cricketers Modi alleged had improper relations an Indian businessman.
“The follow-up is there is nothing in that,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said at a press conference. “If they had found something, they would have reported it back to us. If there is noth-
ing from the ICC on it, it has to be a clean chit.”
According to Modi, his information is that Bravo, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja had received houses and cash from a real estate baron who is also known to be a bookie.
The ICC, in response to the revelation of the letter on Sunday, had said the organisation followed protocol by investigating it as well as passing it on to the various associations like the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The three played for the Chennai Super Kings for whom Bravo took most wickets in last season’s IPL.
Usain Bolt
tor in a bid to prolong his career.
Tudor described Dr Muller Wohlfahrt as a “great man” and is confident will have Bolt “running very soon and breaking more records”.
Can Bolt be ready for the World Championships?
They start in a little over seven weeks on 22 August, so he has time - and he doesn’t have to qualify as
defending 100m and 200m champion.
But his coach, Glen Mills, has told the World Service he is “concerned”.
It’s worth noting that Bolt struggled at the start of 2012 but bounced back to claim another Olympic double in London that year.
“I want to give him the benefit of the doubt given he’s always been ready when it matters most,” said Jamaican athletics journal-
ist Kayon Raynor. Should he bypass Beijing?
Yes, says Ato Boldon, the 1997 200m world champion and 100m silver medallist at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
He says Bolt should focus on running well at Rio 2016 and cementing his Olympic legacy.
“I would only show up to Beijing if I knew that I was capable of performing at the level that everybody is used to seeing me,” said Boldon.
“If he shows up and loses, psychologically that will sort of change things come Rio next year.”
Can Bolt really stop Gatlin?
Gatlin, the 33-year-old American and 2004 Olympic 100m champion, is getting quicker and quicker.
He has set the two fastest 100m times (0.10secs quicker than anyone else) and four fastest 200m times (0.36secs quicker than anyone else) this year.
But he is not the only one running well. US compatri-
ots Tyson Gay and 19-yearold Trayvon Bromell have clocked 9.87 and 9.84 respectively.
Another Jamaican, former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, is also in top form. He has twice run 9.84 this season, most recently last week. So when will Bolt run next?
It is difficult to tell and it all depends on how his recovery goes, but he is still targeting the Worlds in Beijing, which run from 2230 August. Bolt has no firm commitments after pulling out of the Diamond League meetings in Paris on Saturday and Lausanne next week. But there will be no shortage of takers should one of the biggest draws in sport suddenly approach any track meets with a late request.
However, the only Diamond League meetings left before the Worlds are in Monaco (17 July), London (24-25 July) and Stockholm (30 July). (BBC Sport)
Four female umpires eyeing possible selection to the international panel for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 in England and Wales are part of a two-day workshop that started today in Trinidad.
The four females umpires – Kenalyn Baker from Guyana, Barbadian Valerie Mahon, Leona Thomas of Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica’s Jacqueline Williams – join two-dozen of their West Indies Cricket Board second tier, male colleagues benefitting from the workshop taking place at the National Cricket Centre in the south Trinidad com-
munity of Couva.
“The four females umpires have all been involved at the domestic level in their territories, but the ICC are looking to have a number of female umpires to be placed on the panel for the Women’s World Cup,” said Project Officer – Cricket Operations of the WICB, Rawl Lewis.
“A number of criteria for the appointment of female umpires for that tournament were also forwarded and so we will work with Kenalyn, Valerie, Leona and Jacqueline over the next two years to develop their skills and give them more exposure in the hope that they meet the qualifying
standards of the ICC for the Women’s World Cup.”
Lewis noted the workshop was very important for the continued development of the region’s umpires.
“We have conducted a number of workshops for our senior panel in recent times, but we felt it was important to expand the training to our emerging panel because we are seeking to improve the overall standard of the game in the Caribbean – and the umpires are a very integral part of this.
“Recently, the Directors of the WICB approved an improved fee structure for the panel and this workshop is another small step that
the WICB has taken to encourage them with an eye to the overall development of the game in the region.”
The workshop is being facilitated by ICC umpires’ coach David Levens with the assistance of Zahid Bassarath, Verdayne Smith and Leslie Reifer Jr, three members of the senior West Indies Cricket Board panel.
The training will cover such topics as Managing Expectations, Teamwork & Communication, Code of Conduct and Attitude & the Mental Side of Umpiring, along with technical application of the rules of the game. (WICB Release)
Windies fast-bowling legend Sir Curtly Ambrose has hit out against sledging in the game of cricket, a popular practice bound to come to the fore in coming days as England host Australia for the Ashes.
“If you’re good enough, you don’t need to say anything to win,” Ambrose said. “If it’s sledging, just talking all the time for results,
I don’t know if you’re that good,” he added.
Ambrose, who took 405 wickets in 98 Tests for West Indies, was better known for letting the ball do the talking during his time on the pitch. The Antiguan also believes more can be done by the umpires to keep the practice in check.
“I’ve seen a lot of talking, too much talking. To me that’s not necessary and
there is nothing much being done about it. The umpires should be the ones to step in. Come on, guys. You’re professionals and you have to get on with the game,” he added.
Ambrose’s most notable altercation possibly took place in a 1995 series against Australia where he had to be held back by then captain, Richie Richardson, after an altercation with Aussie batsman Steve Waugh.
“There is nothing wrong with a little chatter here or there, because it is a competition — batsman vs bowler. But sledging, no. Definitely out of the question. I had one or two altercations in my time but when you look at my whole career, I never really said anything to the batsman. I always believed I would get those 5.5 ounces of leather to do the talking for me,” Ambrose said. (Digicel Sportsmax)
Sri Lanka succumbed to legspin yet again in the series, losing six wickets to the variety, and four of them to their tormentor Yasir Shah to crumble from a strong 106 for 1. Dimuth Karunaratne saw out the new ball on an unevenly grassy pitch in the morning, and dug in to make his second Test century, but fell to part-timer Azhar Ali just before the second one came. Rahat Ali, who had made the initial breakthrough as well, capped off a superb fightback from Pakistan by claiming Dinesh Chandimal leg-before on review in the penultimate over of the day.
Karunaratne and Upul Tharanga - playing his first Test in a year in place of the absent Kumar Sangakkara - had batted positively after the early loss of Kaushal Silva. As the zip began to ebb from the pitch, Sri Lanka were comfortably placed on 85 for 1 in 26 overs at lunch.
That comfort fell apart after the break. Pakistan tightened up considerably, the seamer Imran Khan bowling accurate lines and Yasir varying his lengths and angles. There was little in the day one pitch for Yasir, but the Sri Lanka middle order was tied down by his combination of flight,
accuracy and control. The runs dried up, only 21 coming in the first nine overs after lunch.
Tharanga, on 46, attempted to counter with an expansive drive without moving his feet, and the ball popped up off the keeper to be taken by a diving slip. Lahiru Thirimanne and Angelo Mathews tried hitting out, and only went as far as mid-off and mid-on, to depart in successive Yasir overs. Sri Lanka went to tea 3 for 68 off 27 overs in the second session.
for
Argentina’s Lionel Messi says his starstudded team are “desperate” to mark their status by winning the Copa America final against hosts Chile.
The 2014 beaten World Cup finalists have not won a major trophy in 22 years.
“This generation is desperate to win a title with the national team,” said 28-year-old Barcelona forward Messi.
“As a team, we deserve to win something and it would mean so much after the World Cup where we came so close.”
Argentina’s squad includes Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.
“If this generation of players don’t win anything we’re going to regret it for the rest of our lives,” said
Aguero of Manchester City.
La Albiceleste will join Uruguay as the most successful side in the tournament’s history if they win a 14th Copa America title.
In contrast, Chile, whose line-up includes Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, are aiming to win the tournament for the first time having finished as runnersup four times.
The hosts have also never beaten Argentina at the Copa America in 24 attempts, but some tickets are being sold for nearly £15,000 for the game at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.
“For a lot of people, it would be enough to have reached the final,” said Chile’s Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo. “What could be better than winning the Copa America playing at home?” (BBC Sport)
Karunaratne and Jehan Mubarak, playing his first Test since 2007, managed somewhat of a recovery around the tea interval. Yasir understandably flagged during a 22over spell on the trot. The pitch eased up further. Karunaratne calmly kept collecting runs, using his feet to spin and punching the seamers through the off side.
Yasir was reintroduced as soon as Karunaratne reached his century, off 188 balls, and Mubarak, who
had been timing the ball alright, suddenly jumped out and was stumped. The trend was to continue against Azhar too. Even as the second new ball approached and another stand developed between Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal, it was the former’s turn to charge and be found short of his ground on 130.
Sri Lanka had undid all the good work they had started in the first session. Pakistan’s new-ball pair of Rahat and Ehsan Adil did
Defending champion Novak Djokovic powered into the fourth round at Wimbledon and is yet to drop a set in this year’s championship.
The top seed beat Australian Bernard Tomic 6-3 6-3 6-3 to set up a meeting with South African Kevin Anderson.
French Open champion Stan Wawrinka also went through but last year’s semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov is out.
Canada’s seventh seed Milos Raonic lost in four sets to 20-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios beat Raonic, another 2014 semi-finalist, 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 and will play Richard Gasquet for a place in the quarter-final, after the Frenchman beat Bulgarian Dimitrov 6-3 6-4 6-4. Wawrinka, the Swiss fourth seed, beat Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 6-4 6-3
not make the batsmen play enough at the start, and Rahat was on the shorter side often, especially to the left-handers. When Pakistan did pitch it up on tighter lines, they caused discomfort with zip and movement, and drew edges, none of which carried to their misfortune.
The way Tharanga bats, he was bound to be beaten pushing half-forward outside the off stump. The way Tharanga bats, he was also going to get runs as long as he was in the middle. A couple of boundaries off his preferred back foot forced Rahat out of the attack.
Karunaratne was more cautious early in his innings, choosing to play out deliveries from the crease. When he edged, he did so
Sri Lanka 1st
6-4 and faces Belgian 16th seed David Goffin next.
Signing an artificial leg Djokovic has reached the second week of Wimbledon for the seventh year running by winning all nine sets he has contested.
As he left the court he was inundated with requests for autographs - including one more unusual one.
“This gentleman gave me his artificial leg and I hope my signature will make him feel good,” he said.
“It has been great so far. I was hoping I could play better and better as the tournament progresses and that is what is happening. As we are moving on, I feel more confident.
“My serve was very good today, I won a lot of free points and that takes away a lot of pressure. Maybe it looks like I haven’t been tested but I have. I have played a couple of good players. It will get harder.” (BBC Sport)
with soft hands. When he drove, he went straight and firm down the ground. There was a review against him for leg-before off Imran when he was on 12, but the third umpire upheld the on-field not-out call without checking the ball tracker, suggesting he had detected an inside edge. When Yasir was brought on in the 17th over, Karunaratne stepped out first ball to clip it to the deep midwicket boundary, and continued to do that against spin through his innings. With the pitch easing out towards lunch, Pakistan tried the bouncer, but Tharanga and Karunaratne were not bothered. It was Yasir, helped by another legspinner, who were to cause all the trouble again. (Cricinfo)
Veteran Bahamian quarter miler and former national record holder Chris Brown has taken his non-selection for an individual spot on the men’s 400-metre team as a slap in the face.
Brown’s name was included on the list of athletes for next month’s Beijing World Championships, but in the 200m event and a part of the 4x400 relay team.
The sprinter did not take part in the individual event at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ (BAAA) National Open Track and Field Championships where, he not only saw his national record eclipsed by 19-year-old Steven Gardiner, but three other athletes finish within the World Championship qualification standard of 45.50.
Brown, however, is adamant that as a more seasoned performer with consistently good times this season, he should have been given the nod ahead of one of the newcomers Michael Mathieu or LaToy Williams.
“I’ve been a peak performer in the men’s 400m and men’s 4x400m for quite a while now. So, now you’re telling me that I’m good enough for the 4x400 because you want to win gold, but I’m not good enough for the 400, where I am the second fastest Bahamian this year,” Brown protested.
“It’s very disappointing. When you have someone who has qualified easily three times in a particular event, you don’t just don’t cut their legs out from under them and disregard what that person has done. Only one other person on the (men’s 400m qualifiers) has done that this year. Last year I didn’t compete at the Nationals but was still named to the team for the Commonwealth Games. This year I competed in the 200m, and now I’m hearing that I’m not named to the team for the 400m? That in itself is mind boggling to me. It just doesn’t make sense. It just doesn’t add up.”
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The world’s fastest human from June 2005 to May 2008 when Usain Bolt usurped and then completely overshadowed him, Asafa Powell, still sees himself as a very speedy and dangerous underdog heading toward the world championships in August.
And that suits him just fine.
“Being under the radar, it’s always good, you know? The underdog. No one knows what to expect. You can just strike at any time,” Powell said before racing in Saturday’s Diamond League meeting in Paris shorn of Bolt, his Jamaica teammate out injured.
Truth be told, Powell is probably selling himself a bit short.
First, in May, and then again last week in winning
the Jamaica trials, he twice ran a very respectable 9.84 seconds. That is faster than the 2015 best of Tyson Gay, back from a one-year doping suspension and heading to the worlds as U.S. cham-
pion. It also is as quick as the 2015 and personal best of Trayvon Bromell, the 19-yearold who snapped at Gay’s heels at the U.S. championships last week. And, perhaps most importantly, it is far quicker than Bolt this year, who ran a lame 10.12 in April, way off his world-record 9.58 in 2009.
In fact, only Justin Gatlin has run faster than Powell this year, with 9.74 in May and 9.75 in June. If those times make Gatlin the favourite at the worlds in Beijing, then Powell cannot be far behind.
“For now, the older guys are still on top, and we’re running very fast,” Powell said. The younger generation of sprinters, “they’ll just have to wait their turn.” (Digicel Sportsmax)
Top riders will converge at the National Park today
Now that the respective national champions of the various categories have been crowned following the hosting of the National Championship last weekend, local riders will return to the inner circuit of the National Park today to compete in the fifth annual Malta Supreme 11-race programme.
Sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, the event will pedal off at 09:00h and will cater for all categories of riders.
The day’s activities will
roll off with BMX races, which will cater for the 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open riders, while there will also be races for Juvenile, Mountain Bike and Veteran Over-45 and Under-45 cyclists.
The main race, as has been the norm over the years, will be the gruelling 35-lap School Boys and Invitational, which is set to attract the cream of the country’s riders, who are in prime form coming off the National Championship.
Akeem Wilkinson is the
defending champion of the feature race, having won last year’s event in a time of one hour, 17 minutes, 24.94 seconds (01: 17m: 24.94s). The other winners last year were Michael Anthony (Junior); Shameer Baksh (Veteran); Jaleel Jackson (12-14 Boys and Girl) and Keon Thomas (Mountain Bike). Representatives of Banks DIH Limited are expected to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion. (Avenash Ramzan)
Shelly-Ann FraserPryce will only face the starter’s gun in the 100 metres at next month’s World Championships in Beijing, China.
Speaking to media ahead of the Areva Diamond League in Paris, France, the defending World Champion over 200 metres said she would be focusing on winning the 100.
“No, for sure, only the
100m,” Fraser-Pryce said.
“It was a decision that was taken by my coach from last year that we’ll opt to do just the 100m this year and just focus on getting back to where I used to be in 2008.”
“He believed I strayed a bit from the 100m in terms of my explosive starts. So we’ve been going back to the 100m, bearing in mind that next year is the Olympic
Games,” she added. Fraser-Pryce has had a stellar career, especially over the shorter of the sprint events. She won gold in the 100 metre at the London 2012 Olympics, while finishing second in the 200.
The ‘Pocket Rocket’ then came into her own over 200 metres, winning the double at the Moscow World Championships. (Digicel Sportsmax)
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
He has 32 international hundreds across all formats, is an Ashes winner and was Man of the Tournament in the ICC World T20 competition.
Kevin Pietersen is one of the most decorated English players, and also one of the most controversial, but there is no denying his phenomenal record which qualifies him as a modern day great.
Like his close friend and self-proclaimed “World Boss” Chris Gayle, KP is also one of the most sought-after players in T20 Leagues across the globe.
Stints with four Indian Premier League franchises underline his popularity in the shortest form of the game, a format which has become a natural fit for his flamboyant strokeplay and colourful personality.
With his days in England colours seemingly over, Pietersen, with a not-so-busy schedule, has been snapped up by the St Lucia Zouks for the ongoing Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
His availability for the entire season of the “Biggest Party in Sport” is a plus not just for the Zouks franchise, but the organisers, as well as cricket-crazy fans, who have flocked the various stadiums for every match in the third edition.
However, apart from a little humorous jiggle in St Lucia after one of the Zouks’ games to usher in his 35th birthday, Pietersen had prov-
en to be a damp squib in the Hero CPL up until Friday evening when he belted the Barbados Tridents bowlers for 39-ball 73.
The South Africa-born Englishman started with a brisk 42 against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, but had managed just 50 runs from the next four outings, before racking up his first CPL fifty against the defend-
ing champions.
Finding form at this juncture is something that must please the dashing righthander, especially since he is slated to arrive in Guyana –not so much of a good hunting ground – for one of the Zouks’ away games on July 17.
The Guyana National Stadium at Providence is one of a few grounds across the globe where KP has not en-
joyed much success. In two ODI innings against the West Indies, way back in March 2009, he had scores of 17 and 12, while a year later in the World T20, Pietersen scored 24 against West Indies and nine against Ireland.
The Hero CPL offers the England legend a chance at redemption and an opportunity to delight the eyes of Guyanese fans with his daring strokeplay, including the signature reverse sweep which usually results in the ball landing in the stands.
A brilliant player of spin, Pietersen will face the world-class off-spinner Sunil Narine, the nagging leftarmer Veerasammy Permaul and the tantalising leg-spin of Devendra Bishoo in what is expected to be one of the highly-anticipated battles when the Zouks and Amazon Warriors clash at Providence.
Permaul nailed him with a beauty when the two teams met at the Beausejour Stadium a week ago, and while Amazon Warriors supporters are looking for nothing less than a win from the home franchise in two weeks’ time, a magical innings from KP would certainly not hurt the fans.
Tickets for the match are currently on sale at the CPL OPCO Office on Middle Street, National Stadium Box Office, Courts outlets countrywide and Ramdhan Distribution in New Amsterdam, Berbice. With tickets going at a rapid pace, it is advisable patrons get hold of theirs early and avoid the last-minute rush.
Mahaicony Technical Institute (MTI) dethroned Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) defending champions Bush Lot Secondary on penalty kicks after the two schools played to a 1-1 draw at the Mahaicony Ground on Thursday. MTI won new team uniforms and $100,000 while Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre (UCITC) became the first school through to the third round in Zone Six.
UCITC booked their third-round ticket with a 3-1 win over Manchester Secondary on Thursday at the Skeldon Community Centre Ground. Midfield player Jamal
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will host a one-day rapid chess tournament on Sunday at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, with the country’s leading players set to match skills.
The tournament will be played according to the Swiss System and will consist of seven rounds, with a time
control 15 minutes per player. Registration will begin at 09:00h with the first pawn being pushed at 10:00h. A registration fee of $500 will be charged per player. Registration and more information can be had from Irshad Mohamad on 6641650 or Ronuel Greenidge on 657-7543 or by visiting the Facebook page of the Guyana Chess Federation.
Byass opened the scoring and sent UCITC into the lead in the eighth minute of play when he got away from the Manchester defence and found the back of the net.
However, it was not long before Manchester showed why they were in the second round as Sidique George scored his second goal of the competition when he pushed a ball wide of a falling James Allen between the uprights in the 13th minute.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Anthony Pratt made his efforts count when defender Marlon Simon attempted to stop the ball and missed, giving Pratt free access to take on the keeper once again.
His shot was fast and low and could not be saved by the goalkeeper to break the deadlock.
In the dying stages of the game when referee Colin Bowrey had started to look at his watch, Manchester decided to go on an all-out attack that allowed Thearon McDonald the opportunity to give UCITC their third goal to win 3-1. (Andrew Carmichael)
and
Approximately two dozen teams have already signed up for this Sunday’s highly-anticipated inaugural Caricom Relay, which is being coordinated by the Education Ministry’s Department of Sports in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and a plethora of sponsors.
The National Park is the venue for the event, which is slated to commence at 16:00h.
The organisers, in giving an update on Friday, revealed that teams from Berbice, Linden, West Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Georgetown have confirmed their participation.
on Sunday
Registration is still open, and interested teams can turn up on the day of the event and register to compete for several trophies and medals, as well as special prizes.
The categories to be contested are male and female junior and male and female Over-50. The day’s activities will take the form of team races, with each team allowed five persons.
There will be rewards for the top three teams, while there will also be individual and special prizes up for grabs. There is no entrance fee for athletes desirous of participating.
More information on the event can be had from organisers Leslie Black on 6738829 and Rajan Tiwari on 652-9570. The event is being powered by Banks DIH Limited, Payless Variety Store, Mohabeer Cambio, Star Party Rentals, Real Value Supermarket and Fullworks’ Seasoning and Blue Spring Water.
By TreisTon Joseph
National senior 800 metres champion
Devon Barrington had his first taste of regional competition for 2015 with a respectable performance at the Trinidad National Senior Championships last Sunday.
Barrington finished fifth in Trinidad, but clocked a respectable time of 1:52.18s in the 800 metres – a personal best. He feels proud of the time that is now his personal record.
“It was stiff competition; it was really hard and different from the level in Guyana. I ran 1:52 and I fin-
ished fifth, so that speaks for itself, but it was a great learning experience.
“I thought I could have run faster, but I was boxed in early, so one of the things I know I got to do is start better,” Barrington told Guyana Times Sport
In addition, the lanky middle-distance athlete shared some of the things he learnt from his run in Trinidad, “I really learnt how to strategise; I also learnt about race grouping, pace judgment and to build my sprint for the 800, but I’m really looking forward to great things in time to come,” Barrington noted.
Barrington has already earmarked his areas that he will be working on, “I definitely got to work on strength and speed; those guys are much more stronger than I am … they were able to kick from 250 and I had to settle for the 150 mark to not tire myself,” he highlighted.
Barrington thanked his sponsors John Fernandes Ltd and Office Machines Electronic Laboratory and pledged to improve before the year ends.
Arain stoppage only delayed what turned out to be a straightforward win for Afruica Gentle and Carol Humphrey in the Ladies Doubles final of the GBTI Open Tennis competition.
Gentle and Humphrey displayed great teamwork to clinch the title in two games. They started shaky against Areta Dey and Nicola Ramdyhan, but held the fort to win the right points when they mattered.
Although Gentle struggled a little at the beginning with her volleys, she found better shots in the second set as Humphrey anchored the team with strategy and back-up at the net points. Dey and Ramdyhan played an exceptional game to come back in the second set, but were unable to force a tie-breaker. The elation was visible as Gentle and Humphrey closed the game at 6-4, 7-5.
Meanwhile, Keenan Persaud and Jordon Beaton are the latest juniors to cause an upset in the tournament. They took out Harry Panday and Joseph De Jonge 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 in the Men’s Open Doubles. It was a marathon of a match as the older players rallied deep into the night, but were unable to secure the third set.
The win gives Persaud
and Beaton a match against the number one seeds, Jason Andrews and Anthony Downes, in the semi-final. It will be a tough match since the Andrews and Downes partnership has been solid this season. Andrews and Downes have not dropped a game to date.
In their latest game, they outplayed Bishan Dalip and Kester Abrams 6-0, 6-0.
In the Men’s Singles, Oswin Coggins started strong, but struggled to end
As part of its commitment to honouring its corporate and social responsibilities, Payless Variety Store continues to give back to the society in which it operates, with Order and Discipline Football Club (OrDis FC) being the latest beneficiary of the company’s benevolence.
Located on Wellington Street, between Robb Street and North Road, the company has always advocated for giving back to the public, especially as it relates to sports.
On Friday, executives of OrDis FC journeyed to the company’s main location in the city to receive a quantity of footballs and tracksuits to
aid their development going forward.
Payless Variety Store representative Rajan Tiwari said the donation to the Club was a timely one, as it coincided with the entity’s anniversary month.
“We are very pleased to offer support to you, and we hope that you will find success as you utilise what we are giving you today. We at Payless are very conscious about our responsibility and this is a tangible demonstration of that,” Tiwari said.
Tiwari also extended an invitation to the Club, which is based in the National Park, to field a team at this Sunday’s Caricom Relay, which is part-sponsored by
Payless Variety Store. That event will start at 16:00h at the National Park. Secretary of the Club, Nicola Lambert, expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Payless Variety Store for the kind gesture, noting that the balls and outfits would be used for their intended purpose. She also called on members of the public to support the business establishment so that it could continue to make similar donations to other disciplines. Other club members who were on hand at Friday’s function were Coach Mark DeBarros and Captain Ken Wilson.
the match in the second set as Joseph De Jonge found his serve and rhythm to force a tie-breaker, which he easily won.
Fatigue and resilient aggressive play by Coggins, however, cost DeJonge the match. Coggins secured a spot in the next round with a 6-1, 6-7 (7-1), 7-5 win.
In other results, Leyland Leacock defeated Stephen Bailey 6-1, 7-5 to book a quarter-final clash against old rival, Benjettan Osborne.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors have finally come good, beating the St Kitts and Nevis by seven wickets at Warner Park.
Electing to bat on their home pitch, the Patriots posted a sub-par 149 for nine, which the Warriors chased with consummate ease.
Lendl Simmons gave the visitors a good start, striking 41 from 33 deliveries before he was caught by Sheldon Cottrell off the bowling of Tabraiz Shamsi.
Before that Tillakaratne Dilshan fell for 12 to the bowling of Sohail Tanvir, the Patriots best with the ball.
Tanvir bowled three
overs and took one for 17.
Cottrell was expensive for the Patriots, his one wicket coming from two overs that went at 10 and a half.
Shahid Afridi also came in for some stick, with bowling figures of four overs, no maidens, none for 51.
The poor figures for the Patriots could be account -
ed for, in part, to the innings of Denesh Ramdin, who joined Simmons after the fall of Dilshan.
The skipper pushed himself up the order after saying he was concerned about the Warriors’ batting and played a blinder to lead the way.
Ramdin’s 54 not out came off 35 deliveries and earned for him the man-ofthe-match prize.
Brad Hodge’s 18 off 15 deliveries toward the end also made things easy for Ramdin who was striking the ball cleanly.
Earlier, Martin Guptill (34) and Evin Lewis scored identical scores to give the Patriots a good start.
However, when both went in the space of three overs, Guptill going bowled by Sunil Narine and Lewis ended by a Brad Hodge catch off the bowling of Ronsford Beaton, there was a calamitous collapse.
Marlon Samuels made 17 from 14 deliveries but then watched as Orlando Peters and Afridi went cheaply. After Samuels
lost his wicket at 93 for five in the 14th over, Sohail Tanvir and Carlos Brathwaite would soon follow to leave the team at 136 for seven.
In truth, Brathwaite’s innings was helpful, as he slammed 23 off 11 deliveries. Beaton was the main destroyer for the Warriors, grabbing three for 39 off his four overs. There were two wickets apiece for Narine and Devendra
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots innings (20 overs maximum)
MJ Guptill b Narine 34
E Lewis c Hodge b Beaton 34
MN Samuels* st †Ramdin b Bishoo 17
O Peters lbw b Narine 0
Shahid Afridi c Dilshan b Bishoo 3
Sohail Tanvir c Barnwell b de Lange 9
TA Willett c Umar Akmal b Dilshan 9
CR Brathwaite c de Lange
b Beaton 23
DC Thomas† c Umar Akmal
b Beaton 3
SS Cottrell not out 9
T Shamsi not out 0
Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8
Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 149
Fall of wickets: 1-66, 2-83, 3-83, 4-93, 5-93, 6-103, 7-136, 8-139, 9-141
Bowling: V Permaul 4-0-350, M de Lange 4-0-24-1, SP Narine 4-1-27-2, RR Beaton
The St Lucia Zouks produced a stunning batting display to gain revenge on the Barbados Tridents after their defeat at the hands of the 2014 champions two days ago.
The Zouks batted first and smashed only the second score of 200+ in CPL history, with Kevin Pietersen hammering a brilliant 73 off 39 balls and Andre Fletcher 77 off just 50, with the duo clubbing 10 fours and 9 sixes between them and putting on 138 for the 2nd wicket.
Fletcher even smoked the biggest six of the 2015 Hero CPL so far, a gigantic 109-meter blow off Robin Peterson, with Ross Taylor guiding the Zouks past two hundred with a composed 23 not out at the end of the innings.
The pressure was on the defending champions the Tridents and once again Dwayne
4-0-39-3, TM Dilshan 2-09-1, D Bishoo 2-0-13-2.
Guyana Amazon Warriors innings (target: 150 runs from 20 overs) LMP Simmons c Cottrell b Shamsi 41
TM Dilshan c Willett b Sohail Tanvir 12 D Ramdin*† not out 54
BJ Hodge c Willett b Cottrell 18 Umar Akmal not out 2
Extras (b 8, w 15) 23
Total (3 wickets; 16 overs) 150 Did not bat: CD Barnwell, SP Narine, V Permaul, D Bishoo, M de Lange, RR Beaton Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-84, 3-143
Bowling: CR Brathwaite 3-028-0, Sohail Tanvir 3-0-17-1, SS Cottrell 2-0-21-1, Shahid Afridi 4-0-51-0, T Shamsi 4-0-25-1.
Malik, Kieron Pollard and Jason Holder all
made 31, but in the end the defending champions were well beaten. (CPL.com)