Guyana Times sunday

Govt working on alleviating flooding at Essequibo rice lands

Elections were manipulated – 3 GECOM Commissioners

Elderly

Giftland Mall opening postponed to June 25

Housing, water sectors too important to be subsumed — Ali

Swami Aksharananda verbally attacked en route to Georgetown

APNU/AFC's Ministerial appointments... Youths feel slighted by President Granger More emphasis to be placed on indigenous women, youth empowerment – new Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministers

These beauties strike a pose after auditioning for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Cheerleaders at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday

Elections were manipulated – 3 GECOM Commissioners

Three of the six Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) say they strongly believe, based on factual evidence, that the General and Regional Elections 2015 were rigged.

In a press statement, the three Commissioners: Mohamood Shaw, Athmaram Mangar and Sase Gunraj; all of whom were nominated by the ruling Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) stated they have enough reasons to accurately declared that the Elections were far from free and fair.

The statement explained in details, the series of irregularly activities within

GECOM that led them to believe that Elections were indeed rigged.

Starting with a Commissioners meeting on May 13, prior to the announcement of the preliminary results, the Commissioners related that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield acknowledged that there were significant disturbances with the electoral process.

“The Chief Elections Officer…disclosed that it goes against his conscience to disclose the results in his possession,” the statement noted.

Some reasons why it is assumed that Lowenfield went against his con-

science is because he mentioned the fact that there were “variances in the data contained in the Statements of Poll within his and those in the possession of the Returning Officers of the respective Electoral Districts; and the number of votes cast as recorded on some of the Statements of Poll in his possession far exceeded the number of electors on the official list of electors for the corresponding division.

Fake Statement of Polls

Also, the statement noted that the layout of some of the Statements of Poll that were received by the CEO differed from those officially issued by GECOM which led to the realisation that fake Statement of Polls were involved.

“This view was shared by several members of the Commission who recalled observing several different Statements of Poll before they reached the Chief Elections Officer. This led to the belief by the Commission that there were fraudulent Statements of Poll which were inserted into the GECOM machinery, and were eventually used in the tabulation of the final results,” it read.

Following that revelation, the Commissioners said it was unanimously agreed during the said meeting that the Statements of

Poll deemed to be irregular by the Lowenfield would not be used in the release of the preliminary results by him.

Preliminary Results

Moving along to the Press Conference at 9pm, Lowenfield, against his conscience, announced that results of 1809 polling stations (excluding results from 490 polling stations).

“This led us to the belief that there were at least 490 Statements of Poll affected by the irregularities disclosed by the Chief Elections Officer,” the Commissioners concluded.

Then on May 14, Lowendfield made another public announcement of the irregularities discovered on the previous day.

“Notwithstanding the public disclosures by the Chief Elections Officer, he proceeded to announce the preliminary results of all 2299 polling stations across the country,” the statement noted.

22 ballot boxes

On May 15, a delegation from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) met with the Commission to discuss

the said irregularities and provided a sample of 22 Statements of Poll and requested that the corre-

sponding ballot boxes be opened to verify the said results.

The statement said the Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, gave an undertaking to open the said 22 ballot boxes be opened to verify the said results. This position was later recanted at a meeting of the Commission that continued immediately after the departure of the delegation aforesaid.

GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

GECOM Commissioner Mohamood Shaw

GECOM Commissioner Athmaram Mangar

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

Sunday Editor: Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Prelude to Independence

Independence Day is two days away. Since the inaugural blessed event of May 26, 1966, it evolved into a national event that was centred on the raising of the Golden Arrowhead at the stroke of midnight at the National Park.

This practice originated from that fateful night when with Forbes Burnham as Prime Minister, and Dr Cheddi Jagan as Opposition Leader in attendance with thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life, lowered the Union Jack for the last time and the Golden Arrowhead, representing our sovereignty, was raised.

Even though they had been locked in almost mortal political combat just two years before, the two leaders hugged each other at that moment. Whatever political differences existed, and there were too many to be swept under any rug, they were put aside for the moment when Guyana became free after more than 300 years of colonial rule.

So Independence Day was commemorated with politicians from every side of the political divide in attendance to salute the Golden Arrowhead in unity, even if only for that moment.

It was therefore with great surprise that most Guyanese received the news, almost “by the way”, that the new APNU/ AFC government had made an Executive decision to abandon the National Park midnight commemoration. It would be replaced by one held during the day at the Independence Arch on Brickdam, a stone’s throw from the Square of the Revolution.

From the reaction in the press and social media, the decision was evidently not discussed with the government’s supporters much less the PPP/C, now in Opposition.

Not surprisingly the latter did not react positively to the announcement. In a press release, it pointed out testily:

“The PPP/C as the Party that played the lead role in the independence struggle under the then leadership of Dr Cheddi Jagan calls on the Granger-led administration to reconsider that decision and hold the Flag Raising celebrations at the National Park in keeping with time honoured custom and practice as it relates to the celebration.”

The PPP/C was obviously referring to the formation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on January 1, 1950, in which he was the leading player and which set the Independence of Guyana as its primary aim.

He persuaded Ashton Chase to move aside for Forbes Burnham, the former Guyana Scholar, in the leadership of the Party as the individual who African Guyanese might most support. Both leaders were staunch nationalists, but differed in their approach to confront Britain, the colonial power, and the new superpower the USA.

With the collapse of the British West Indian Federation, Britain decided to grant independence to its constituent members, depending on its assessment of their “political readiness”.

Guyana was adjudged to be “precocious” and was scheduled to independence in the first wave. After the 1960 Independence Conference in London, it was decided that the winner of the 1961 elections would lead the country to independence.

As a matter of fact it was when Burnham announced he would support Jagan if the PPP won, that caused Eusi Kwayana to be ejected from the PNC because of his vehement objection.

However, even though Jagan and the PPP did win the 1961 elections, unlike Jamaica and Trinidad which were granted independence in 1962, he was blocked in his quest to lead an independent Guyana by the US.

The latter feared that Jagan would take Guyana into the USSR’s camp and induced the British to allow the CIA to oust Jagan and install the PNC and Burnham into office in 1964. The rest, as they say, is history.

Against this history which served to lay the groundwork for the divisions that still rent our society, it is rather insensitive for the new APNU/AFC government to exclude the PPP/C, which received at least 49.2 per cent of the votes, from the planning of the commemoration of Independence Day.

No genuine Hindu, Muslim or Christian Ministers in coalition cabinet

Dear Editor,

“A Native American elder once described his personal inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, ‘The one I feed the most’.” (George Bernard Shaw.)

Both Guyana’s two top dogs - PPP/C and the APNUAFC - each command “half and half” confidence of our country’s electorate. But that’s not all. President David Granger rejoices, and many more like him do too that the PNC-led APNUAFC coalition has achieved national unity by their 60-40 share of the spoils after the 2015 elections.

By conjoint collaboration, GECOM’s surgical military precision, delivered victory by completely reversing the previous 2011 election results by hook by crook, by fake statements of polls (SOPS) and possible by fake ballots.

The rigging took place at GECOM’s headquarters with active collusion of the handpicked field staff after the close of voting. President Jimmy Carter would not go along with the plot so he left.

Observers

After savouring GECOM’s “cookup” fare, has the PPP/C been put in its place by election observers? The Commonwealth observers of Guyana’s 1964 election raised a number of concerns.

The observers sharply castigated the British colonial Governor Sir Richard Luyt for disclosing just before the 1964 elections that he would not necessarily call on the leader of the party

with the highest votes.

The observers felt that stating “such an intention just before the poll was intended to influence voters against casting their votes for a party of their choice”.

One member, Bakar Ali Mirza of India, in a separate memorandum, expressed concern over the state of fear that existed at the time of the elections. He wrote that most of the parties, except the PNC, complained to the observer mission about threats of violence in which the PPP said the Police force was involved.

Mirza stated that it was hinted that the PNC did not complain about threats because of the large proportion of Africans, generally PNC supporters, in the police force. (Guyana.org)

Billahway

So what’s changed, what’s new, what’s next?

The 21st century PPP/C which inherited a bankrupt Guyana from the PNC in 1992 has departed the Government in 2015, leaving US$800 hundred million in international reserves for those two to “billahway” (squander away) with alacrity.

But the PPP/C has done no wrong - they will insist. Just look at all their excellent economic record of revival, regrowth and socialist infrastructural development.

Buxton

Because the PNC felt it could not win elections due to race affinities, the Indo Guyanese population which was about 51 percent in 1980, was gradually whittled down to 40 percent in 2015 by criminal and political violence.

Runaway Indian ambition has however now giv-

en the PNC a 21st century power rise. Why the PPP/C is without any equal defensive responses is no mystery. African militants are routinely described by Stabroek News and Kaieteur News as “Taliban freedom fighters” by Tacuma Ogunseye’s media privileges and the emerging Indian pushbacks are labelled as “supremacists” by Frederick Kissoon.

Right and wrong, is media defining by color and race, and one is either enlightened and saved, making all others pagans to be converted and civilized?

Rodney

If you actually believe the KN and SN, Buxton born Dr David Hinds is neither, a Taliban terrorist, African supremacist but a proud WPA rooster who proclaims that the coalition’s victory was due primarily to solidified Afro Guyanese racial, not class unity as per Dr Walter Rodney’s analyses and advocacy.

That Guyanese legend means nothing to them anymore. Just wait. We will see what becomes of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI). For Dr Hinds to then glide over any multi-ethnic support which the coalition received is because that’s not what matters at all.

It is well known Indians have no matching champions, but only righteous down low believers content to be pious and observant in their way of life. In its rejoicing that the PNC leadership was able to split the Indian electorate and win the targeted 11 percent Indian crossover votes, they feel empowered and thrilled by the agreed 6040 split of the spoils.

All future PNC led coalition government policies will become embellishments

of that enviable game plan for similar national unity and power sharing agendas. “Thank God we are free at last” is why the PNC is so ecstatic. Would Moses yet become Montezuma or is their ritual sacrifice at the seasoning stage?

60-40 split

The 60-40 loud and clear power sharing bounty has given hope that the PNC is on the way to heaven. For them race equality has been finally achieved. By mutual concessions which the AFC leadership has found acceptable, nothing else is impossible anymore. Street singing and dancing with the usual looting, and burning is now open for all seasons and all are in military order. But God does work in mysterious ways, doesn’t she?

Ethnic insecurity

Hopefully election observers are not without human conscience or comprehension to recognize Guyana’s frightening new political insecurities. What was tranquil in Guyana has become overturned by GECOM’s blatant rigging.

It’s worse than before. Given that election observers did not create the political mess, they may still proactively endorse Federalism’s adjustment as relief resolution. Permanent violence and ethnic/racial terrorism cannot and must not be condoned to sanctify living political sacrifices in perpetuity.

Permanent power sharing cannot be dependent on the other’s whimsies either. Each Federalist Governor will be responsible for their own security, hiring and firing as their budgets allow.

Pilgrims push a carriage as they cross Quema river on their way to the shrine of El Rocio in Aznalcazar, southern Spain on May 21. Every spring hundreds of thousands of devotees converge at a shrine to pay homage to the Virgin del Rocio during an annual pilgrimage which combines religious fervour and festive colour (Reuters)

You

Ancestral lands and land rights of indigenous people

Dear Editor,

The APNU+AFC coalition in one of its political advertisements for the May 11 General and Regional elections said that once elected to government office it would be addressing the issues of “ancestral lands and land rights of our indigenous people”.

Also they promised that there will be the establishment of indigenous people’s rights and a resource conference in its first 100-day work plan.

There is now an APNU+AFC government in office with new President David Granger. But I wish to advise the new government not to be misled or misguided on the matter of indigenous people’s land rights in Guyana.

Let me be very brief. The “ancestral lands” of Guyana’s indigenous people are simply the whole of Guyana, which is a multiethnic or multi-racial society.

But in this regard, the rights of all or others must be recognized and respected consistent

with International Human Rights Obligation (Article 46[2] of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) so as to meet the compelling requirements of a democratic society.

Article 26 (1) of UNDRIP states that “indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired”.

Article 26 (2) states that “indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that the possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use as well as those which they have otherwise acquired”.

Simply put, the word “territories” does not apply to Guyana since Guyana is a “single territory” by itself. This is why the UNDRIP in Articles 10, 29, 30 and 32 mentions “lands or territories and resources” seven times.

In relation to “land”,

there are over 100 titled indigenous communities in Guyana and more are to be given their land titles as soon as the Amerindian Land-Titling (ALT) project is resumed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In relation to “resource”, indigenous people have ownership of their resources found on their titled lands with the exception of gold and other precious metals, which the state has ownership of.

However, Section 48 of the Amerindian Act 2006 provides Amerindian Village Councils the right to manage mineral resources found on their titled lands.

“Territorial Land Rights” is not consistent with Guyana’s land laws. But if the Granger Administration wants to push it, it will have to bear the consequences, which will not be in accordance with national unity, and moreso a democratic society.

Peter Persaud

No genuine Hindu, Muslim or...

The provincial state would run their own affairs, subject to the federalist center within the same country. So who stands to lose?

PNC triumphalism

With PNC style national unity and power sharing on full showoff display should half of the country sit back and acknowledge the other triumphalist half will effectively guarantee their security, welfare, ethnic and racial survival to infinity?

Fire and PNC coalition supporters completely terrified and damaged Pastor Narine Khublall’s Sophia home after it was looted on election night May 11. Five nearby vehicles were also similarly destroyed.

Terrified horses and their PPP/C citizen caretakers crawled and ducked their way to safety, in the night, around gardens and through neighbours fences during the nighttime inferno.

No violence

PNC violence has no known solutions. It will not end. PNC election commissioner Haslyn Parris on conceding that the PPP/C had won the 1997elections got a sound mob thrashing outside the PNC’s Congress Place HQ. Yet absolutely no violence has visited any APNU or AFC supporter or candidate anywhere despite their public support for the PNC led coalition.

How long before those targeted and defeated dwindling PPP/C Indian supporters, now flat on their half back sides (it’s a 50/50

vote split remember?) get up to limp around, repair and recover from their racial, cultural and ethnic insecurities to prevent their ethnic cleansing finality?

Socialism? That same militarized PNC political machinery with its changing flag of desperation is now in total command of the state’s military forces. It will reinstitute intimidating foot soldiers marching around PPP/C strongholds to keep them socialists in check in due time.

It knows no other way. Just by waving the anti communist flag the entire western world would give instant support to the PNC.

Win back ABC

However, injustice will not forever endure the ABC countries own stringent democratic values. But by the time they recover all may be lost for Indian survival in the New World. That which is to be avoided must be done a priori and rapidly to win back the ABC countries sympathy and support.

Trinidad’s Dr Eric Williams’ parody of one from 10 leaves zero criticising the failed West Indian federation loudly mocks those Guyanese who believe their alloyed half is the sure route to heaven and riches.

Pastor Khublall now knows better, than most, that even his Christian religion is no shield of protective defence. His race identity above all else is what makes him a target of conquest.

Public servants duped

Dear Editor,

The new Finance Minister already has already put caution in the air on all the promises made by APNU/AFC during the campaign.

Another newspaper reported that “the new government is looking to increase public servants’ salaries by 10 per cent in keeping with the APNU+AFC promise in its elections manifesto, according to newly-appointed Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who says the administration also has to work on tempering expectations”.

This is a startling revelation from Mr Jordan with

only less than a week since being confirmed to the position.

Remember, it was his Party on the campaign trail that promised “significant salary increases for government workers” within the first 100 days in government while the PPP/C rationed and responsible five per cent to eight per cent annual increases to public servants were ridiculed.

The PPP/C had already enforced their increase retroactive to January 2014. Will this simply be the normal 2015 increase?

This all now seems to have just been a ploy to dupe public servants to get-

ting them into office and once that mission was accomplished, resort to the cry of “tempering expectations”.

I hope the PSU is paying attention and will speak on this matter. After all, this was the group that took to the streets protesting for a 30 per cent minimum increase in 2014.

Of a most important note also by the Finance Minister is his “review” of VAT as opposed to the “immediate reduction” as promised in the first 100 days.

Dr Peter R Ramsaroop

Professional service to the public or double standards?

Dear Editor,

With the change in Government, I learnt that Carl Parker will soon be appointed to the position of Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Nine.

from page 4

Muslims

Trinidad’s most loyal PNM Indian PNM leaders Kamaluddin Mohamed and Errol Mahabir were pointedly told “Trinidad was not ready for an Indian Prime Minister” by the Governor General to be named Dr Williams successor.

The prominent Muslim and the Christian learned that it is by their race how they are judged not their religion.

Their outraged supporters later rejected the PNM at the next elections and continue to do so.

Pastor Khublall

How traumatizing that one week after his life savings and horses were savaged by Warlock like APNU-AFC supporters, Pastor Khublall’s home was again robbed a second time. So far the Christian fellowship community has not come to his aid or defence.

Which noble newspaper will soon start a fundraising drive to help a devoted Christian family rebuild until government helps is forthcoming.

Public acknowledgement that Indians contributed to Africans becoming “free at last” can be a double edged sword.

Warlock Obviously Indian validation cannot continue indefinitely as the prerequisite for Africans to be “free at last”. They themselves are neither “free at last” to be subjected to constant race violence.

If this is so, in the 1990s Carl Parker in his position as District Development Officer (DDO) and Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) was suspected by the Amerindian communities and regional officials of Region Nine as demonstrating “unethical behavior unbecoming of a senior officer when placed in a position of trust” (letter to Carl Parker from M

Miller, REO, January 27, 1994).

But if Carl Parker is indeed being appointed as the REO for Region Nine, why was a check into his personal file at the Local Government Ministry not made prior to his appointment? If this was done by the relevant Minister, a can of worms would have been opened. Anyway, if Parker has indeed been earmarked as REO for Region Nine, I would certainly have to publicly list the wrongs he committed while being a regional official for Region Nine and to warn my fellow Amerindians of this unacceptable develop -

ment.

And if President Granger is saying that Permanent Secretaries must resign because they were candidates and campaigned for the PPP/C at the 2015 elections, why is Parker, who was a candidate and campaigned for the APNU+AFC at the elections, being appointed to the position of REO for Region Nine?

I thought that President Granger was asking for professional service to the public. This is nothing but political revenge and a President with double standards.

Ann Charlie

can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Page Foundation

Independence Day 2015

Anu Dev

On Tuesday we’ll be celebrating our country’s “Independence Day”. What does “Independence” mean to me? For one thing it reminds me that at one time we were not “independent”. We were ‘owned’ and controlled by another country –in our case Britain – which made every decision for us.

For my generation, born long after the actual day of Independence, it’s important that we know the history of our country so that we may better appreciate and deal with, some of the lingering effects of our colonial past.

The quote from the US Declaration of Independence reminds us that at one time every nation in the Americas – even the great USA, was once not also independent.

The US was the first coun-

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” – US Declaration of Independence

try among them to first declare their independence –from Britain also – and in their case to actually fight that country, which refused to recognise the argument the Declaration made. Haiti with Toussaint was next.

We should be independent because we were all created equal by God: no one is by nature higher or lower than another. And one country cannot by right own another country – they can only do so by ‘might’.

We did not have to ‘fight’ a ‘war of independence’ against Britain like the US, but unlike the US, our people fought many battles to remind Britain that we were “endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights”.

We fought as slaves, as the 1763 Monument, carved by the great Philip Moore, reminds us. We fought as indentured servants in the more than a dozen instances when we were shot down like dogs for merely insisting that the sugar planters must treat us like humans.

As humans, we have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. And as a young Guyanese dedicated to remaining in my country to serve her, we have to en-

sure that these three rights are not just words. We have to work to make them real – if we are to really be “independent”.

To have the “right to life” is not just to be alive. The slaves and indentured servants and their immediate descendants were alive. The “right to life” must mean that the quality of that life must be such that we have the opportunity to achieve the potential that our Creator gave to every one of us.

We have to work in our county to improve the conditions within our country that we do not have to depend on the kindness of other countries. Our national poet Martin Carter reminds us that “the mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it”.

A muzzled mouth is, by definition, not independent because of the outstretched hand.

Liberty. We should be free. I have said that independence means that we are free from others imposing their will on us. But that is only one side of the coin of independence - negative freedom: the other side says that we must be free to do the things we want. This is the “positive freedom” to pursue hap-

piness.

At long last even the economists have realised that while material things are necessary for our happiness; they are insufficient to deliver it. If we as a nation, and a people, are to ever be truly happy we have to ensure that the conditions as there so that each and every Guyanese can find happiness.

We cannot define one narrow path and declare that only this path leads to happiness- this would only be the path to a new slavery and indentiture.

Our country has just emerged from a very hard fought election, which reminded us that our peoples are still polarised along ethnic lines. But as I am learning in medicine, we must distinguish cause from effects.

In my estimation, cleavages remain meaningful in politics when they coincide with groups that aren’t treated equally. Politicised cleavages are effects of inequality.

Our politicians have to work together to ensure that we receive “equality of opportunity”; we must work individually to ensure we end up with “equality of results”.

Happy Independence Day!

Intermediate savannahs a priority for new Agriculture Minister

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has indicated that his special interest and priority would be plans for the intermediate savannahs; plans which have been in abeyance for 20 years.

During a brief interview after his swearing in on Friday by President David

Granger at the Office of the President (soon to be renamed the Ministry of the Presidency), Minister Holder noted that first he would have to familiarise himself with the staff of the Ministry and the various sub-agencies attached to the Ministry, along with the agricultural situation in Guyana; he pointed specifically to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, and the Guyana Rice Development Board. Minister Holder also noted the interface with international agencies such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Organisation of American States (OAS), among others which also need to be looked at.

Regarding the intermediate savannahs, Minister Holder indicated that this was his special interest with respect to agricultural development. He also observed that with the advent of climate change, not enough has been done on the coastland and focus would be placed on this area.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA) Noel Holder has been an agriculturist for 36 years and the Chief Executive Officer for iNet Communications Incorporated.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder takes his Oath of Office

Elderly Mahaica woman robbed, murdered

By Bisham mohamed

Two men are in po-

lice custody following the discovery of the body of a 68-year-old woman on Saturday morning, at her Mahaica East Coast Demerara home.

The motionless body of Chandrowti Basdeo Persaud, of Lot 47 River’s View Squatting Area, Lancaster Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was found at about 05:30h by her husband and daughter with her hands bounded behind her back and gagged. Her mouth was stuffed with a pillow case and neck was tied with a bed sheet. Based on information received, the woman’s bedroom was ransacked and about $800,000 in cash was missing.

At the home of the dead woman, Suraj Persaud explained that he woke up at about 05:20h and called out several times to his wife but they all went unanswered. As he opened the woman’s bedroom door, he saw the place in a mess, with boxes everywhere. He thought something was amiss hence he telephoned his daughter who lives a short distance away. Within five minutes, his daughter arrived at the house and opened her mother’s bedroom door where she saw her lying on the bed.

As she called out to the woman, there were still no answers thus she decided to shake the woman thinking that she was asleep.

Upon doing so, she realised that her mother was dead. As they looked around, the box containing the woman’s savings was scattered on the ground without the money inside. It was only then he learnt of the amount of savings his wife had from his daughter. The distressed husband and daughter then raised an alarm and the Police were summoned.

Suraj Persaud went on to say that the woman was ill; hence they slept in separate rooms. However, she would leave her door ajar so that

he can access her in case of an emergency.

He stated that, from all indication, the perpetrator might have gained entry into the yard by loosing off a section of chain linked fence on the gate. Once they would have gained entry, it was simple to get in the woman’s room.

Although, he was in another room, he claimed that he did not hear any unusu-

The house in which the woman’s body was found

al sounds during the night, while noting that it started to rain since about 22:00h on Friday evening. He stated that the Police have dusted the room for finger prints and also arrested two persons suspected to be the perpetrators.

The distraught widower told the Guyana Times that about five years ago, bandits invaded their home and stabbed his wife several times about her body. Due to the seriousness of the injuries, she was reportedly hospitalised for some time. The man stated that a suspect was arrested and charged but because of his wife’s illness, she could not attend court to pursue the matter. The suspect is still living in the same area.

However, Yogetta Persaud, daughter of the dead woman, stated that she received a telephone call from her father informing her that something was

Ogunseye upset with Granger’s post-election decisions

Executive member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Tacuma Ogunseye has registered his disappointment with the post-election decisions being made by President David Granger.

The WPA, which forms part of the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, registered these concerns through a letter which was released to media outlets.

Ogunseye said that as a member of the WPA’s leadership, he is obliged to pen his dissatisfaction on the fact that the recently elected President David Granger, as the leader of the APNU, failed to call a meeting with the executives of the 10-yearold coalition to discuss and decide on the post-election responsibilities.

“This failure to act on Mr Granger’s part has taken place in spite of efforts by the WPA to have the APNU executive meet on these matters. Further, the failure to initiate meetings of the APNU executive has to be seen in the context of the WPA’s protracted efforts to have this critical decision-making organ of the APNU function as

it was intended to do, thereby facilitating the making of important decisions of the alliance,” Ogunseye outlined. Though conscious that this letter would likely upset his fellow comrades within the APNU coalition and its supporters by large, the WPA Executive went onto say that in politics it is often said that the timing of political interventions is essential to achieving much sought after political objectives. However, Ogunseye pointed out that there are times when such considerations can be counter-productive to the people’s interests. He expressed very strong-

ly that the issue on the postelectoral responsibilities must be addressed publicly at this time, adding that if not done, then it will set a dangerous precedent that can have negative effects on their collective political aspirations.

“I find it hard to accept that the common courtesies and respect for comrades which civil political relations dictate, in this case was not followed. Nowhere in the civilised world are parties, which are engaged in alliances with each other, treated with such disdain,” the WPA Executive further outlined.

On the other hand, Ogunseye explained that his letter is limited to the issue of the failure of the executive to meet at this historical juncture in the life of the APNU and the country when important matters of the organisation, the Government and the State have to be decided on.

Despite his concerns, Ogunseye, nevertheless, penned his congratulations to President Granger and the APNC+AFC coalition on their historic performance at the recently concluded polls that led to their success at the polls.

Elections were...

Following this, the three Commissioners said they made requests of the CEO, pursuant to the disclosures aforesaid, for the information on several concerns, including: the steps taken to ascertain the authenticity of and the information contained in all the Statements of Poll within his possession; the total number of Statements of Poll affected by the irregularities; steps taken to correct the discrepancies as aforesaid; and the extent to which the discrepancies affected the overall results of the said elections.

wrong with her mother. She said that upon receiving the call, she hurried to her mother’s house where she found her “stiff”.

“She de cover with de sheet, so when I tek off it after I feel she body stiff…I see she hand went behind she back and something stuff in she mouth…when I look good is she night dress they use to tie she hand, the bed sheet they use to tie round she neck and the pillow case they stuff in she mouth.”

The daughter, who was being consoled by relatives, stated that her mother suffered a “stroke” and also suffers from high blood pressure, and was not sure who would want to harm such a person. She told this publication that her mother operated a grocery shop.

“Them gone with the lil savings and also goods for the shop,” the woman posited. She is calling on the Police to find the real culprits who cold-bloodedly killed her mother and let them face the full force of the law.

Persaud’s body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home where it is awaiting a post mortem examination. She leaves to mourn her husband, children and grandchildren. The Police are continuing their investigations.

On May 16, the statement noted that the CEO “refused and/or neglected to provide to the Commission, the requested information.”

It added, “At that meeting, we were presented with the official declarations of the Returning Officers of each of the 10 Electoral Districts of Guyana, as well as, 2 spreadsheets, both under the hand of Mr. Keith Lowenfield, Chief Elections Officer, containing the results of the Regional and General Elections. The results were not presented in a manual form, as is also required by law.

"Upon our request, a copy of the report of the Information Technology Department, which was tasked with encoding and tabulating data contained in Statements of Poll from all of the Electoral Divisions across Guyana, was provided. The report from the Information Technology Department differed significantly from the spreadsheets presented by the Chief Elections Officer, and the Chairman withdrew the said report.

"In light of the glaring inconsistencies and in the absence of satisfactory explanations of same, we were left no option but to vote against the declaration and publi-

from page 3

cation of the said results by the Commission. The other 3 (three) members of the Commission, along with the Chairman, then voted in favour of the said declaration and publication of the said results.”

Then on May 20, one of the Commissioners- Sase R. Gunraj wrote, in his capacity as a Commissioner, to Lowenfield, in his capacity as CEO, requesting the information on results from each Electoral District, disaggregated by Polling Division, as compiled by the Chief Elections Officer; results from each Electoral District, disaggregated by Polling Division, as compiled by the Returning Officer of each Electoral District; report from the Information Technology Department, disaggregated by Polling Station; photocopies and/or electronic copies of Statements of Poll of each Polling Station, as submitted to the Chief Elections Officer; and photocopies and/or electronic copies of Statements of Poll of each Polling Station, as submitted to the Returning Officer of each Electoral District.

On May 21, the Commissioner received a response from Lowenfield who said “that he requires the consent of the Commission to release the requested information.”

However, the statement explained that “information similar to which was requested was provided to the Commission, as a matter of course, after every past election.”

In conclusion, the three concerned Commissioners said they find it amiss that the Chairman did not convene a meeting since, especially in light of the many outstanding issues regarding the conduct and outcome of the General and Regional Elections 2015.

The murdered woman, Chandrowti Basdeo Persaud

WPA Executive Tacuma Ogunseye

Former Police Officer accused of assault

Aformer Police Officer was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday after he allegedly assaulted Lillieth Clemens, causing her to be hospitalised.

Ryan Allene, a 35-yearsold discharged officer, is alleged to have unlawfully and maliciously assaulted the Virtual Complainant (VC) on Princess Street Georgetown with intentions of causing her bodily harm on May 20.

His lawyer made an application in Court 11 for bail,

stating that he “appreciates the seriousness of the offence against him but if granted reasonable bail he will return for trial”.

The VC was not present in court, however, relatives of hers were present and shared that she was in the hospital. This was not elaborated upon in court.

Magistrate Annette Singh, who presided over the matter, granted him $20,000 bail and ordered him to return to court on June 15 for trial.

Sophia man charged with stealing from PGS

Aresident of Sophia was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday after he was arrested and charged for stealing from the Professional Guard Service (PGS).

The accused is 39-yearold Wilbert Bonds, who resides at 1109 ‘C’ Field Sophia, East Coast Demerara. He was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry to answer to the charge that the Police had lain against him. He was officially charged in Court One for stealing a Kenwood radio valued at $120,000 last Monday, property of the PGS.

However Bonds’s attor-

ney, Paul Fung-A-Fat, told the court that his client did not steal the radio. He stated that the defendant was hired to repair the device and

had delivered it, on the day in question, to four security guards who were in front of the PGS property at Land of Canaan. He stated that there was a camera there that can attest to this. To corroborate this, the lawyer told the court that the radio was found the next day while the four security guards have suddenly gone missing.

Fung-A-Fat asked for reasonable bail for Bonds.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves had no objection to this, thus Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry granted him $30,000 in bail. She transferred the matter to Court 11, where it will be tried by Magistrate Annette Singh on June 8

Linden resident on

$10,000 bail for theft

Aresident of Linden was brought before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday to answer to the charge of theft.

The Lindener is a 24-years-old labourer Clifton George. He was read the charge against him in Court 5, which stated that last Monday he robbed Shawn Phill of a blackberry valued at $60,000 and $8,000 in cash. He is also accused of using personal violence against the Phill before and after the robbery. However, George denied the charges.

No objection to bail was made by Police Prosecutor Denise Gittens, thus Magistrate Azore granted the defendant bail in the amount of $10,000. He was ordered to be in court on May 25.

Fight lands two brothers in court

On Friday, one brother brought another to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on assault charges after a fight occurred between the two men.

The accused, 45-yearold Lennox Barclay from 2559 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was brought before Magistrate Annette Singh Friday afternoon to answer to the charge of unlawful assault. It is alleged that he assaulted Jerry Barclay at 2559 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown on May 20. He told the court that he works as a card vendor and lives at the same address with his brother, one upstairs and another downstairs.

Magistrate Singh released him on his own recognisance but not before she placed both men on a bond to keep the peace. The matter was adjourned June 8 for trial.

Eyew tness

Lean and mean...

...government?

In opposition, the new government promised “lean and mean” government. Or was it “lean and clean”?”

Your Eyewitness’ head is still reeling from all the campaign rhetoric. He doesn’t know about “the mean or clean” part of the promise, but within a week of the changing of the guard, we can already see that “lean” has had to be jettisoned. David Granger’s discovering the trials and tribulations of coalition government.

And in the case of the APNU/AFC coalition we actually have a coalition to the fourth degree. In the beginning was the PNC which then begat the PNCReform (PNC-R), of which George Norton and Supriya Singh are from the latter appendage.

Then PNC-R begat PNC-R One Guyana (PNC-R1G) - which contested the 2006 elections with some rebranded “reform” fella and this begat the APNU - with PNC-R1G joint up right the WPA, NFA, GAP and JFAP.

Finally APNU begat the APNU/AFC coalition by hooking up with AFC. You got all of that, dear reader? There will be a quiz at the end.

With the elections won - the promises have to be kept, because in politics, if Granger forgot, it all has to do with who gets what, when and where. And this early in the day, even if he may want to throw some of his erstwhile overboard because the ship’s getting top heavy (triage style!) it wouldn’t look too kosher.

So “lean government” is taking a licking as Brigadier (ret’d) President Granger (is this the correct protocol?) shares out the pie.

But even though he cut the slices quite a bit differently from his predecessor’s administration, he’s already up to 26 Ministers and counting. But when you have 11 parties expecting their piece of the pie (or action) you’d expect some creativity, no?

But some of his appointments need some explaining. Take the newly baptised “Ministry of Social Protection”. (Why not “Social Services”?? Heck!! We’re dealing with an army man here...”protection” is the mission, OK?)

Well, we have Volda Lawrence as the subject Minister. But then we have Simona Broomes as a Junior Minister with the Minster. “Simona who?” you ask? This is the lady who went into our Wild South and rescued all those young ladies who were being trafficked.

Earned a commendation from the US State Dept, didn’t she? So even though there were so many coalition mouths to feed, Simona gets a Minister wuk. And not so incidentally, one less black mark from the US.

Smart, eh? Well, what do you think President Granger’s was doing when he attended all those staff courses?

...cohesion

Your Eyewitness confesses he’s been thrown for a loop on this other newly formed “Ministry of Social Cohesion”. He’s reminded of those Ministries from back of the glorious days of our bold push into “cooperative socialism”.

Remember the “Ministry of National Mobilisation” that exhorted us to participate in mass games and group activities that were supposed to bring us oh so close cohesive so as to “cooperate”?

“But this time nah lang time” and the days of the cooperative experiment are over, aren’t they? So your Eyewitness is wondering exactly how this “social cohesion” is to be brought about. Are we going to be made into “one people” as the Resident UN Representative Ms Musa “believes” - by downplaying our ethnic identities and insisting on us being “Guyanese”? Problem is...who gets to decide what’s “Guyanese”.

Your Eyewitness on the other hand, holds that these matters like “social cohesion” are best left to the people - with as least governmental input as possible. In social relations, as in economics, the invisible hand mightn’t mean “no hand” - but it certainly doesn’t mean the heavy hand of government.

...Code of Conduct?

The government’s introducing a “Code of Conduct” for Ministers and Parliamentarians. Does this mean our favourite parliamentarians can’t say, “Haul yuh ass!” any longer?

Former Police Officer Ryan Allene

To be tried for theft, Wilbert Bonds

Accused of theft, Clifton George

Giftland Mall opening postponed to June 25 Mosquito borne virus threatens Caribbean region

The opening of the multimillion-dollar Giftland OfficeMax Mega Mall has been pushed back to June 25.

The mall which was slated for a grand opening on Independence Day, however, due to unforeseen delays; the date has once again been pushed back.

Giftland Mall Director Ian Ramdeo, during an interview with Guyana Times , explained that there has been another delay with the delivery of fuel tanks for the mall’s selfcontained power plant.

This is the third delay owed to the delivery of the fuel tanks. While many may view the delay as a great disappointment and inconvenience, Ramdeo noted that the postponement is actually advantageous for some.

“It is very inconvenient but it gives the tenants time to be a little better prepared,” he stated.

Ramdeo emphasised that the mall cannot be opened without the installment of the fuel tanks because the facility’s operations will be heavily dependent upon the power plant.

The power plant, which

costs in excess of US$4 million, will have a team of full-time electrical and mechanical engineers and power plant technicians who will man the system on a 24-hour basis.

The power plant engineering team will include engineers from PDV Consultants and from Guyana.

The facility will generate 3.8 megawatts of electricity on a daily basis and can serve the over 6000 households in the mall’s environs.

The mall will also have its own sewerage treatment plant and water well.

The Giftland Mall project has been in the making for over six years. The company had acquired the land in 2007 and construction began in 2009. However, the project was in the pipeline long before construction commenced.

Being the first of its kind in Guyana, the mall will be introducing a number of exciting amenities such as free drinking fountains; valet parking; a playground featuring zip lines, rock climbing and bungee jumping; and a 90-station sheltered bus terminal.

The mall will also be featuring a 560 feet “strip”

comprising four fine dining restaurants, sports bars, Brazilian grills, and pubs for evening entertainment. The area will also be used to showcase Guyanese culture and exhibitions, talent and other shows.

The company also bought the rights to be the distributor of Levi’s and Dockers brand in Guyana. According to company officials, the move to include retail stores featuring internationally known brands in their operations underscores their commitment to providing better quality and more options to Guyana.

Other companies which will be housed in the mall include the Camex Group consisting of Church’s Chicken, Mario’s, Quiznos and Dairy Queen; Caribbean Cinemas; Popeyes; multibrand sport stores and Topaz jewellers.

There will also be four 20-foot aquariums with live tropical fish and salt water fish, which will serve as a great attraction for children.

With an estimated 20,000 persons visiting a day, the mall is equipped with a 500-car parking lot, along with additional parking for staff and delivery personnel.

Caribbean Islands are urged to take necessary precautions in relation to a newly mosquito borne Zika virus in Brazil.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, highlighted that in keeping with international health regulations, the standing committee will be hosting a meeting next week in relation to reviewing the health systems in place to secure the point of entry in Guyana.

He noted that from his research he was able to find out that the new disease is in the Southern part of Brazil and therefore, those residing in Guyana do not have to be that fearful since we are located in the Northern Hemisphere however, the public is still advised to be on the alert.

Persaud added that the meeting will be on discussions with regards to the new disease and putting further systems in place in the event that it hits Guyana.

At a recent meeting held at the Ministry of Health in Jamaica, Permanent Secretary, Dr Kevin Harvey has indicated that they have been stressing on the impact of this mosquito virus which can eventually spread to various islands and cause serious illness.

Due to the alarming state in Brazil, it was noted that the warnings have come after meetings at the World Health Assembly (WHA) and which have subsequently lead to further conferences in places such as Geneva, Switzerland and a followed warning by the Pan American Health Organisation.

Reports highlighted that Dr Harvey is currently attending the WHA along with Health Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson; Acting Director, Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr Melody Ennis; and Senior Medical Officer at the May Pen Hospital, Dr Bradley Edwards.

The Zika virus is similar to dengue with symptoms which include fever, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, headache, weakness, rash, and swelling of the lower limbs.

It is indicated that after the bite of an infected mosquito, symptoms usually appear following the incubation period of three to 12 days. The symptoms last approximately four to seven days. However, there were no reports of deaths due to the Zika virus which has been recorded worldwide to date.

Dr Harvey explained that the mosquito

which spreads the Zika virus, is generally found in and around places where people inhabit. Persons are urged to search for and destroy mosquito breeding sites by getting rid of old tyres and containers in which water can settle, punching holes in tins before disposing, and covering large drums, barrels and tanks holding water.

The Zika virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito – the same mosquito that transmits Chikungunya and Dengue. Brazil confirmed its first cases of the Zika virus in May this year.

“The Ministry of Health is taking this potential threat very seriously. I urge Jamaicans to do their part to prevent mosquito breeding and so help to reduce any possibility of the introduction of the Zika virus into the island.

There is no specific vaccine or treatment for the virus and so personal responsibility is key,” Dr Harvey said.

The Zika virus was first isolated in 1947 in a Rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest in Uganda. It was first isolated in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. Outbreaks have been seen since then in countries including the island of Yap (2007), French Polynesia (2013) and Brazil (2015).

Rice farmers granted bail for unlawful assault

Imran Ali Khan, 53, and Narine Parmaul of Fairfield Village on the Essequibo Coast were both charged for unlawful assault on Friday after they appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate Court. Both pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on May 18, Imran Ali Khan unlawfully and maliciously wounded Narine Parmaul of Fairfield Village. The Police also alleged that, on the same day, Narine Parmaul unlawful and maliciously wounded, Imran Ali Khan on the Fairfield Public Road. Neither of the rice farmers was represented by an attorney, however medical reports were presented in court for both cases. Both Khan and Parmaul were granted $20,000 bail. They are expected to return to court on June 15.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Giftland’s wing escalator view

Rescheduling of CSEC,

CAPE exams… New Cabinet to decide on payment plan

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine said the new Cabinet will have to decide on the payment plan for the rescheduling of the Caribbean Secondary Education Council (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) examinations, which has an estimate cost of some $80 million.

The rescheduling of the examinations was done after it was realised that the dates clashed with that for the General and Regional Elections on May 11. The examinations that were initially set for May 11 and 12 were rescheduled for June 15 and 16 respectively. During an interview with the Guyana Times, Dr Roopnarine explained that the cost will first have to be approved by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) governed Cabinet before any payment can be made to the Caribbean Examinations

Council (CXC).

Reports indicate that since the decision was make to shift the dates, the then APNU/AFC Opposition objected to the initiative, suggesting that the then President Donald Ramotar has placed the future of Guyana’s youth at second place. They had also accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of strategically putting the General and Regional on the date for the examinations because they had anticipated that the election date would have to be changed, thus allowing for an extended time in office.

Meanwhile, Dr Roopnarine noted that, since he was sworn in as Education Minister, he has not yet met with Caribbean Examinations Council; therefore, he is not very au fait with the arrangements between the Ministry and the Council in this regard. In that light, he explained that he cannot pronounce on his assessment of the estimated cost. Some observers argue that the $80 million is too expensive while others contend otherwise. When asked whether the net sum will be paid in full, Roopnarine said that the decision will have to be made by the Cabinet.

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand was hesitant about disclosing this estimated cost to the public. She had told this publication that the Education Ministry is in the possession of the provi-

sional cost but persistently declined to disclose the amount. Manickchand had explained that there were no other possible dates for hosting of the elections that would not have conflicted with the CXC examinations.

She noted that the Guyana Elections Commission had submitted a list of possible dates for the hosting of the elections, all of which were within the CXC period. “It was inevitable that we would have faced this slight hurdle…,” she said. As a result, the only option available was to reschedule the CSEC and CAPE in Guyana. Officials noted that the decision made was in keeping with the best interest of the students.

Currently, students across Guyana are in the midst of writing these critical examinations. Many who endured writing these examinations during an intense political atmosphere, claimed served as a minor distraction in their studies.

A time for reflection

By Ryhaan Shah

On January 24, 1993, President Dr Cheddi Jagan said: “In this multi-racial society, tolerance, justice and fair play, affirmative action, respect for each other are the values that will allow us to address this issue competently.”

The late president was speaking to the Chinese community on the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the Chinese to Guyana.

Speeches are always uplifting. They inspire us to do better and be better. But how far along have we come and what exactly is the PPP/C’s relationship with the Indian population in Guyana, vis a vis, this being a multi-racial society?

It is a particular irony of the relationship between Indians and the PPP/C, that none of its support base subscribes to its Marxist ideology. There is a disconnect here that is both fascinating and dysfunctional.

For the ordinary party member, their support is based on race, the same as obtains for the African support for the PNC/APNU.

This does lead to the perception, however, that PPP/C is Indian and Indians, PPP/C, even though there is no organization in Guyana that wishes Indians would put away their Indianness more than the PPP/C.

Since the split in the party in 1953 when Africans went off with Burnham, the PPP has been trying to regain that support. It sees that earliest history as the ideal, as its halcyon days. It would do anything to win back Africans and to gain Amerindian support.

To this end it used the ploy of appeasement towards these groups, especially to the larger minority of Africans.

As part of its appeasement, it ignored its Indian supporters,

and its strategy towards Indian critics – ROAR and GIHA in more recent years – was to demonise them. The party felt there should be no criticism from this quarter, hence, the vitriol of its attacks.

This played well, of course, to the African opposition and to the raceless middle class that supports the deethnicised Indians.

It did not take much for all of them to jump aboard the bandwagon created by the PPP/C and to add their own vitriol to the attacks.

Indian critics of the PPP/C government were, in the end, seen less as critics and more as Indians and gained no support for any Indian cause from any quarter.

The PPP/C’s loss at the general elections must give it pause. It has to reevaluate how its strategies and tactics might have alienated sections of its own support base. This is the time for serious reflection, reform and rebuilding.

If there was skullduggery afoot and if those claims prove true, these will be made public through legal challenges. However, that the party allowed itself while a government to be so compromised must lead to some serious questions as to its own inefficiencies and inabilities.

The party can take some comfort from the fact that its Indian supporters did vote for them despite the charges of corruption, cronyism and conceit that have dogged the government for years. But Indians voted, yet again, to keeping the PNC out rather than as a show of support for the PPP/C.

The PPP/C must look at this issue seriously and aim to become a political movement that is people powered, people centred and truly representative of what their supporters want.

Now, more than

ever, Indians will need representation at every level; not only at a parliamentary and political level but also at a social and cultural level. It is now, too, that Indians must speak up and help to reshape the party into one that works for them. They must be the party and not the party them.

The PNC/APNU has never been shy of being a party for Africans and of safeguarding African interests. It is time that the PPP/C accepts that in the race-based politics of Guyana – unfortunate, perhaps, but there it is – it must stand up for the interests of its supporters. This would not be contrary to the values of that multiracial society that President Jagan spoke about since each group within a plurality must have leadership.

If the party can rebuild, and regain its moral authority starting with its own support base there is no reason why it could not also regain the inclusivity that was its hallmark in its earliest years and become a truly national party for Guyana.

Even as the party retools to become part of the fastmoving world of social media and internet communications, it has to stand firm for decency, fairness and good old-fashioned values that continue to be the bedrock of every good society.

Lion’s Club of Georgetown-Stabroek extends support to the needy

The Lions Club Association of Guyana, GeorgetownStabroek Branch has once again reached out to the less fortunate persons of Guyana, this time making the contribution of approximately $150,000 worth of clothing and books to the Amerindian Hostel on Princes Street, Georgetown.

In an interview with the President of GeorgetownStabroek Lions Club, Odessa Debarros, she stated that in celebration of service week by Lion’s Club International, the various subsidiary club organisations have embarked upon service projects where they sought to reach out to persons in need.

Those who were beneficiaries of this project numbered over 45 persons, both male and female, and ranging between the ages of six to 70. The administrator of the Amerindian Hostel was pleased to note that the donation was very obliging, especially the books, which would assist the children in understanding the

Hostel’s ongoing literacy programme.

Debarros stated that the other members of the Association – Roxanne Luckie, Matilla Rajaram, Michelle Fausitte and Jada Trim – have extended tre-

mendous support in making the event possible.

The Lion’s Club of Georgetown-Stabroek usually partakes in a number of activities per annum covering areas such as improving eye health, promoting litera-

cy, assisting needy children, distributing gifts during the Christmas celebrations, and bursary awards, among others. Prior to this week of providing service to the less fortunate, members of the club

distributed breakfast meals to over 60 persons in the Bourda Market area. Many of these individuals are destitute; as they do not have a family, are unemployed and do not have a place to call their own. Hence, they

have made the streets their homes.

The GeorgetownStabroek Lions Club has been in operation for over 12 years, targeting specifically the destitute in Guyana’s society.

As part of the Club’s anniversary celebrations, they would usually provide a wide range of health services which are extended in their activities around November when the Club liaises with the Health Ministry in observing Diabetes Month by providing the general public with free testing in various areas.

Organisations such as Gafoors, Republic Bank, the Miners Association among others are private entities that continue to extend support to the Lion’s Club. Debarros indicated that with the help of these organisations, they are able to continue providing humanitarian aid in its most effective and efficient form.

The club also executes fundraising activities which are normally held at various times throughout the year.

Ryhaan Shah

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine

President of the Lion’s Club Georgetown-Stabroek, Odessa Debarros hands over clothing and text books to the Amerindian Hostel

Housing, water sectors too important to be subsumed – Ali

By Michael younge

The David Granger administration has announced its intention to subsume the Housing and Water Sectors under the responsibility of the Ministry of Communities.

There was no explanation forthcoming as why the decision was made, despite repeated attempts by media operatives to get clarity on the rationale behind the move and its necessity given the importance of the sectors.

In an invited comment, the former Housing and Water Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration, Irfaan Ali, said that those two sectors are far too important to be included under another Ministry, which will have several other priority areas to handle.

Ali stated that he was disappointed that the current “de facto Government” would make such a move without properly consulting the stakeholders in the sector and the other public servants, who understand fully the socioeconomic impact that policy driven work in the Housing and Water sectors can have on the wider economy and the domestic growth and development of the country. “Such a move will no doubt have a negative impact on the country’s development. You should not change things without consultations and without first understanding the dynamics that govern the Housing and Water Sector,” he said.

The former Minister said that since the PPP/C came into power in 1992, there

has been a focus on delivering affordable housing to Guyanese, who before could have only dreamed of becoming homeowners. “The PPP/C Governments, over the past 23 years, have made a deliberate attempt to give the Housing sector the treatment and attention it deserves. We have transformed the lives of Guyanese piloted reforms in the sector that has led to the decrease in interest and mortgage rates at commercial banks,” he related.

Ali, who is an economist by profession, argued that it was important for the new caretaker Government to understand the impact that the Water Sector has had in creating sustainable communities across the country through the delivery of portable water. “Over the next two years, if adequate attention is not paid to the now subsumed Housing

PPP/C puts country on notice…

and Water Sectors by the Ministry of Communities, you will see the trickledown effect of this move”, he warned. He has that the Housing and Water Sectors together have contributed greatly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product over the years and has used up much of the liquidity that exists in the economy because of positive spurs in the Gold and Diamond Mining Sectors.

He reiterated that the PPP/C administration was more focused now than ever before on the distribution of thousands of new house lots to Guyanese, who he stated were more than deserving of them. He explained that “housing is a priority” for the PPP/C administration and the former President’s vision, which is aimed at empowering Guyanese while changing their current social and economic positions. “We have managed to reverse the trends which occurred post 1992 that saw Guyanese struggling to acquire property and land. We are closer now to improving the lives of all Guyanese and the demand is great. The question is do we have enough time and resources to deliver. My answer is ‘yes’ we do,” the calm yet passionate former Housing Minister charged.

Ali is convinced that the future of Guyana is dependent on a buoyant and constantly developing housing, building and construction sector. He argued that his government has managed to re-stimulate the growth of what was a dying sector through continued invest-

Granger’s Cabinet deemed a monstrosity,

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), in multiple statements on Saturday, expressed its concern over the decision of President David Granger to appoint 26 Cabinet Ministers to govern the affairs of the country.

The previous ruling party highlighted that given the number of Ministers appointed to serve the current administration, millions of dollars of taxpayers monies would be spent on their salaries, benefits and other entitlements.

“This governmental monstrosity will impose immeasurable financial burdens on the people of Guyana”, the Party stated in its release to the media.

The PPP/C further stated that “each of the 26 Ministers appointed thus far, is entitled to vehicles, free gas/diesel, free tele-

financial burden

phone, free electricity and free internet service….” In addition, the Ministers will also be entitled to free housing or housing allowance, water, domestic staff and additional office staff, among other benefits and privileges.

“This amounts to millions of taxpayers’ dollars”, the PPP/C argued while stating that “this extravagance is being spearheaded by a grouping who promised the people of this country to cut excess spending of public funds, and a lean and clean Government.”

The PPP/C, now in opposition since the May 11 polls, argued that the worse is yet to come. The Party said it has noted that whenever a Minister who is an Alliance For Change (AFC) candidate has been appointed, another candidate from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has

been appointed a Minister within that Ministry.

“The intention is clear; it is obviously to spy on the AFC Minister. We would not ordinarily concern ourselves with the internal contradiction and conflict with the coalition; our concern, however, is with this political mechanism being a financial burden to the people of this country”, the PPP/C stated.

The current Opposition, in another release, also viewed the creation of a “Ministry of Citizenship” as strange. “The nation is unaware what this ministerial portfolio entails. What we know, however, Winston Felix was placed there to achieve two objectives:

To keep a close eye on Khemraj Ramjattan and to alter the demographics of the Country,” its statement explained.

ment and the right policies.

A testimony to the trend of change within the economy is the Housing Ministry’s annual International Building Expo, which has already attracted more than 105 exhibitors for the event that focuses on creating linkages and doing business in a systematic manner. Following the successful staging of the event last year, there was marked improvement in the total numbers of buildings, businesses and repairs to existing structures countrywide. The Banking Sector has reported increases in its mortgage and other related loans processed on the heels of participating in the Expo.

Statistics from the Ministry of Housing and Water shows that more 90, 000 house lots were distributed since 1992 up until the second quarter of 2010. Over the past two years alone, more than 17, 000 house lots have been distributed. House lots have been distributed at Non Pariel Section 77, Paradise, Fort Ordinance, Tuschen, Eccles, Parfait Harmonie, Dazzel Housing Scheme, Diamond and several other areas countrywide.

Under the Ministry’s new East Bank Development Project more than a 1000 house lots have already been distributed for phaseone of the Eccles component of the project. Residents at Herstelling have been allotted hundreds of lots in a matter of weeks. Over 2000 acres of land stretching from Eccles to Herstelling along the East Bank of Demerara were available for occupancy.

Swami Aksharananda verbally attacked en route to Georgetown

Swami Aksharananda

was verbally attacked by a gang of men on Friday 23 as he was making his way to Georgetown.

During an interview with the Guyana Times on Saturday, the Swami related that he had just parked his vehicle at the Transport and Harbours Parking Lot in Vreed-en-Hoop and he was heading towards the landing when the abuse started.

marks in his direction.

“As I was going down into the boat, they kept shouting and yelling at me,” he said.

Swami Aksharananda expressed his antipathy to this type of behaviour as he questioned the audacity of persons to conduct themselves in such a undignified manner.

Swami Aksharananda is a Guyanese Hindu scholar and is known as a lead-

“I was about to enter the boat, I was accompanied by a black guy and he began asking me some uncomfortable questions about myself and I refuse to answer…he was very disrespectful and very loud and he was demanding I answer the question and I said I am not going to answer it,” he noted.

Swami Aksharananda related that several other men of African-descent joined in and began blurting out racially inciting re-

ing peace advocate in the country.

For several years now, Swami Aksharananda organizes and leads an annual blood collection drive, the largest such endeavor in the history of Guyana, so that all Guyanese, irrespective of race or religion, can be a beneficiary.

Several other Guyanese have over the past few days expressed concerns over the occurrences of similar types of behaviours.

Govt working on alleviating flooding

at Essequibo rice lands

The Agriculture Ministry and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) are working assiduously to alleviate the flooding of rice lands on the Essequibo Coast.

The issue was reported to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Saturday morning and he immediately alerted newly appointed Agriculture Minister Noel Holder. Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister Holder dispatched NDIA’s head Lionel Wordsworth to the affected area and instructed that all efforts be made to bring relief to the affected rice farmers.

Over 1000 acres of rice lands between Queenstown and Devonshire Castle have been affected by the flood waters. Water had accumulated in the backlands over the past several days and excessive rainfall overnight exacerbated the situation.

Two pontoons fitted with two excavators each were

this morning deployed to Windsor Castle and Capoey where they are being operated to desilt the outfall channels there. Regrettably, it has been confirmed that the previous administration did not dredge or desilt the outfall channels in the area during the dry season. The ex-

cessive build up of silt along with various sluices not operational or fully operational compounded the problem. Of the eight sluices in the affected area, only two located at Anna Regina and La Union are working satisfactorily. Six pumps are working on a 24- hour basis in an effort to reduce the water level. Arrangements are also being made for an 80 Cusec pump to be taken into the affected area today. This pump will be located at Taymouth Manor.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister Holder both expressed deep concern for the welfare of the affected rice farmers and hope that the flood waters will recede appreciably as a result of the measures being taken. They have committed that every effort will be made to continue the process of battling the flood waters so that the problem does not spread to residential areas which are currently threatened.

Former Housing and Water Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, Irfaan Ali

Swami Aksharananda

NDIA’s head Lionel Wordsworth

Younge’s Take David Granger – the powerful

While campaigning, David Granger promised to be a President for all the people and to deliver sweeping changes that would remove nepotism, corruption, abuse of power and other impediments to good governance.

He promised to deliver a Government of national unity and to practice inclusionary democracy after teaming up with the Alliance for Change to contest the May 11 polls.

Granger, an ex-military officer, also promised Guyanese a host of reforms and changes outlined in the manifesto of the APNU/AFC coalition as well as countless ‘electoral sweets’ contained in his first 100day plan.

He also committed himself to giving life to agreements contained in the Cummingsburg Accord including a promise to give the AFC 40 per cent of the cabinet postings and enhanced powers to the Prime Minister.

It’s now seven days since David Granger was sworn in as Guyana’s Eight Executive President amidst post electoral violence and widespread allegations of electoral rigging from the PPP/C.

President Granger appears to have done a number on both his colleagues in the coalition and the Guyanese people that will go down in history. Over the last seven days, he has made several unilateral decisions without consulting the top brass of his party or coalition properly. Ask Tacuma Ogunseye.

He appears to have renamed the Convention Centre too under the guise of honouring former Guyanese Presidents in the spirit of independence without properly consulting the Guyanese people or seeking suggestions from them.

Granger has changed both the name and the structure of the Office of the President again without proper consultation even within his own circle. Interestingly, President Granger has again rewarded his former ‘squaddie’ Joe Harmon with another posting. This time, Harmon was made head of the Office of the President which was renamed Ministry of the Presidency.

Harmon’s ministerial powers were also enhanced as he has direct responsibility for speaking on behalf of the President in parliament and handling lots of the key agencies, ministries that Granger unilaterally subsumed personally and under that Ministry.

The President has opted over the last seven to change the names of most if not all of the Ministries and their composition confusing the populace and causing great bureaucratic uneasiness within the public service.

He has announced a bloated cabinet with several ministers within ministries and a slew of persons who are no doubt inexperienced to serve in the sectors that have been appointed.

At this point, it is safe to say that Granger has rewarded all of his loyalists within appointment here and there. Some the persons were appointed as Ministers have a laughable parliament record and have not earned their keep.

In the process again, the President has failed to explain both the rationale behind the newly created and renamed Ministries and the criteria used to select those who will lead them.

Surely, he is obliged to say why the new Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was dissed and not allowed the right to make recommendations for all those postings after full and frank consultations with the APNU and AFC as well as other coalition partners. This is outlined in the Cummingsburg Accord.

Granger has not lived up to his promise to give the AFC 40 per cent of the cabinet positing. His administration has already failed to deliver the “substantial salary increases” promised to public sector employs which was touted on the campaign trail as a 20 or 30 per cent pay hike.

Even the move to do this should be condemned because there was no consultation with the respective unions who have been blaming the previous administration for imposing wages and salaries on workers and disregarding the collective barraging agreements and processes.

Instructions have been given to the GRA to axe the VAT and reduce several taxes on vehicle import but no firm economic proposal has been drafted or even explained to the populace.

The President has expressed his desire to do this and do that without even seeking the views of the people who elected him to office. A budget is being prepared and a formal invitation has not been extended to the PPP/c for discussions even though that party had already outlined its own budget.

Again, the President has extended a hand to the PPP to join the “unity train” but there is still no formal invitation and even worse, no signal from him that the PPP/C could join his government.

The biggest injustice over the past seven days was done to the thousands of youth that voted for the coalition.

Not a single Minister appointed was under the age of 35 or could be considered a youth. The youth and sport ministry was subsumed into another ministerial portfolio. This is shameful.

At present, there is ethnic and racial insecurity taking place across the country and while Granger has announced a social cohesion Ministry, he has not rebuked those who are practicing race hate and racial discrimination against East Indians in our society who it is felt by many were displaced when the PPP/C was removed from power.

Granger’s Government is making a mockery out of the concept of inclusionary democracy and the President himself is tightening his grip on his Government and the society as a whole. It would be bold to say that these are early signs of an autocratic, socialist style of Governance.

It’s early days yet, and while some may argue that it would be premature to assess the President’s performance at this point, others may argue that the first few days in a Government’s tell the picture of what kind of leadership to expect over the next five Years.

Granger is not delivered the change envisioned by his supporters and is failing miserably to chart his vision for Guyana’s development regardless of what the public relations czars tell us in their many releases and photo opts as of late.

News of 2nd child might have triggered best friend

As investigations continue into the murder of Latoya Renita Thomas who was killed by her best friend, new information reaching the Guyana Times revealed that the stabbing might have stemmed from the news that the now dead woman was pregnant with her second child.

According to information received, the suspect, Angelique Williams, got upset after Thomas revealed that she was pregnant with her second child.

This subsequently resulted in an argument. Thomas was reportedly sitting in the back seat of the car with her daughter when the news of the pregnancy mistakenly came out.

The two women have been friends for the past five years and would frequently go out together, but at no point in time Williams displayed her other side. However, this did not stop the dead woman’s relatives in warning her about the wild and obnoxious

tendencies Williams exhibited during the consumption of alcohol. A relative of the dead woman recalled that the two friends would sometimes argue over “petty” things but would make up after a short while.

Friends of the duo are still in shock after learning about the incident describing it as “sick”. “I know these girls… they attend every gracious party there is and they are like always together… no one would believe that they can harm each other… but that is life eh,” one friend stated.

She went on to say that it had to be some serious issue between the two women for her to received ten stab wounds to her head, abdomen and chest with a broken bottle. “And to make it worst, the stabbing incident happened in front of about ten other friends… that I can’t understand.” Everyone is at lost as to why the others who were present did not intervene.

The mother of one was

Dead: Latoya Renita Thomas

stabbed to death by her best friend during an outing at the Aracari Resort, Versailles, West Bank Demerara, at about 22:30h on Thursday evening. However, Manager of the resort has since refuted claims that the incident occurred at the resort. The Manger, in a brief telephone interview with this newspaper, expressed her concerns about the misleading information that is being peddled by sections of the me-

dia. However, Police reports confirmed that the two women were at the resort with a group of friend and it was there the incident occurred. Nevertheless, Thomas, 20 of Sunflower Clove, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was reportedly stabbed several times by her best friend, Williams, with a broken bottle. Police disclosed that based on investigations, Thomas was involved in an argument with another female during which she was stabbed to her abdomen and head with the bottle. She was then rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Williams, who also slashed her risk, was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was further treated and handed over to the Police. She is expected to make her first court appearance on Monday at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court to answer to the murder charge.

APNU/AFC’s Ministerial appointments...

Youths feel slighted by President Granger

By Devina Samaroo

After showering the nation with promises of providing a more prominent role for youths in society, President David Granger appears to have failed to deliver upon his words.

All throughout the campaign trail, the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition persistently preached about providing better opportunities for young people, foremost by having greater youth participation in the decision and policy making process of the country.

However, Granger’s selection of Cabinet Members can be considered the most

glaring example of the coalition eating their own words.

Throughout its campaigning and rallying, the coalition succeeded in wooing some 60 per cent of the voting population, between the ages of 18 to 35, by making them believe that APNU/AFC will look out for and represent their interest. However the average age of members of APNU/ AFC Cabinet appears to be above 35-years-old; all the Heads of Ministries, and even the Ministers within the Ministries, are not considered by society to be youths. Thus far, the APNU/ AFC administration did not mention the role of any key APNU/AFC youth personnel such as James Bond, Christopher Jones, Nia Gonsalves, Mark Ross and

Malika Ramsey in their Government.

When placed on the spot by media operatives concerning the Cabinet’s lack of youth participation, Granger said he believes that young people are adequately represented. “We have a balance of experience…there are only two persons in the entire Cabinet who have had Cabinet experience and we need to ensure that persons who have had experience in other fields are in positions to lead those Ministries,” he said shortly after the swearing-in of “aged” Ministers.

Despite the fact that the Cabinet is dominated by older individuals, Granger maintained that his Cabinet is balanced. “You can’t fake experience. We need the experience,” the President said.

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

Another glaring example that the coalition is not at all concerned about the elevation of youth in the Guyanese society is the fact that they subsumed the critical Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under the Education Ministry.

Reports indicate that several youth organisations have since expressed their extreme disappointment by this move, citing that it is a

clear indication that the new Government has betrayed them.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) critics also came forth and condemned the move by the APNU/AFC Government to suppress the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry under another Ministry. Under the PPP/C, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport had a clear objective of building up a strong and modern yet culturally rich Guyana through the participation of young people.

Meanwhile, since the new Government took office, a great portion of the youth population were determined to hold the Government to its glorious promises made on the campaign trail. In particular, through social

media, which can be termed as a key channel for change in the 21st century, has been exploding with warning comments against the APNU/AFC Government, reminding the administration that is has a duty to fulfil.

One young person, who currently pursues his studies in business management, congratulated the APNU/AFC for winning the preliminary vote, noting that he would hold them fully responsible for the state of the country thereafter.

Another, speaking under the condition of anonymity, explained that he was excited to see what a change in the Government will do for Guyana. However, though sceptical of the uncertainty ahead, he said he would give the next administration six months to prove to the nation that they made the right choice. “If families can finally walk on the streets without fear of being robbed or killed; if we can finally live in peace; if a new Government changes anything; that Sophia incident is not the change I was expecting, but I shall wait and see what this new Government brings,” he noted.

“We can see that you’ve won the election. Now understand that you’ve set a

standard and a goal, and you’ve made promises. The public has voted you in because they have faith in you and put their trust in you. You better live up to that standard and fulfil all the promises you made; no slacking off. Bring us the change you promised,” an energetic student declared. Granger, during his campaign trail, promised to fix the flaws of the country without giving many details on how he intended to do so. Granger explained that he was unsure of the condition of the treasury and therefore could not pronounce a detailed plan. Nonetheless, he has constantly assured that he has a vision for change and repeatedly promised Guyana to deliver such a change.

CPL holds auditions to select cheerleaders

In a matter of four weeks, the biggest party in sport will take the Caribbean by storm and as such, Guyana is leaving no stone unturned in making the Caribbean Premiere League the grandest in the Region.

More than 30 young ladies stormed that foyer of the National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue, to be a part of the auditions to select cheerleaders for the upcoming cricket competition. The young ladies came from a wide cross-section of society.

At the auditions, the young ladies are being grilled through routines with various dance moves, in order to be selected to be a part of the cheerleading squad to entertain fans for the Guyana leg of the competition when it is hosted in July.

Surida Nagreadi, the Coordinator of the event explained that the momentum is building in anticipation of one of the biggest parties in the Caribbean. She noted that plans are moving apace to host at least four matches in Guyana, while noting that the auditions were planned to ensure that spectators are well entertained.

She expressed her gratitude to the Amazon Warriors Energy Drink team for being a part of the audition. Nagreadi also stated that out of the lot, 16 young ladies will be selected to be a part of the cheerleading team that will be trained by Director of the

Classique Dance Company, Clive Prowell.

On this note, Prowell stated that he was impressed with the immense talent that the young ladies brought to the table. Unfortunately, he noted that only 16 will be short listed to be a part of the team.

He recalled that back in 2014, he was the Assistant Choreographer, but this year he was given the

mantle to have full control of the young ladies with respect to their routines and appearances.

He intends to have rigorous training sessions with the young ladies to make sure they are ready to entertain. He plans to incorporate a few of the dance company’s routines during the rehearsals which start next week and will be held twice a week.

The team, he stated, must be

energetic and possess excellent physical appearances.

In addition, one of the persons responsible for selecting the final 16 was no other than former Miss Guyana Universe contestant Lakota McPhoy.

She explained that her job was simply to select the young ladies who possess the qualities of being cheerleaders – these she stated are physical appearance, beauty, and

the ladies must show interest and more obviously must have a pleasant personality.

A few hours into the audition, and McPhoy was impressed with the level of commitment and energy that the young ladies brought with them.

Tickets for the Guyana leg of the competition will be available at the CPL Office on Middle Street from June 15.

President David Granger

Christopher Jones

Malika Ramsey Nia Gonsalves

Some of the young ladies during a rigorous routine on Saturday

Dozens killed in Mexico drug battle

At least 43 people have been killed during clashes between armed civilians and security forces in western Mexico, a region torn by drug cartel violence, two Government officials said.

The violence took place on Friday morning in the municipality of Tanhuato, in the state of Michoacan, and the death toll was a “preliminary figure”, an official said on condition of anonymity.

Officials said 42 civilians had been killed in the clash in an area where powerful drug gangs have been active for years. One of the officials said one Policeman had been killed, while the other said that three more are suspected dead. Officials also said that the convoy of federal Police and soldiers was ambushed.

The area between Michoacan and Jalisco is known as a stronghold of the Jalisco New Generation

Cartel, which has mounted several large-scale attacks on federal and state forces in recent weeks. Tanhuato is near Yurecuaro, a town where a former vigilante leader who was running for Mayor was shot dead during a campaign event last week.

Farmers formed vigilante forces in Michoacan

Jamaicans urged to be patient as Govt

executes IMF policies

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security

Minister Derrick Kellier is pleading with Jamaicans to hold strain as the Government executes a reform programme under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement to get the economy back on track.

“Given the present dispensation in which we are forced to operate as a nation, we have no option at this time but to endure a little longer, the stringencies and fiscal discipline imposed by the Administration’s Economic Reform Programme,” he said. He said it was the absence of such a programme, prior to now, that placed Jamaica among the most indebted nations in the world and stagnated the economy for 40 years.

“Happily, the Jamaican economy is a far cry from this reality. A lot of our economic indices in the 20142015 period are demonstrating positive results of the country’s comprehensive Economic Reform

Programme under the fouryear Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement with the IMF,” the Minister said.

Kellier said there is now opportunity for a partnership among all Jamaicans – the Private and Public sectors, the labour movement, civil society and the Government – to “join hands, hearts and brains in the transformation of the economy and society through collaboration at all levels and innovation in terms of research and development, to spur long-term growth and development and the decent work agenda”.

The Minister made the comments at the 33rd Annual Jamaica Employers Federation Business and Workplace Convention and Expo, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The four-day event is being attended by more than 300 participants from the Public and Private sectors, as well academia in Jamaica, the Caribbean, the United States and Canada. (Excerpt from Caribbean 360)

Around the world

China, Peru and Brazil mull Amazon railway

AChinese scheme to build an East-West railway across South America, cutting across parts of the Amazon rain forest, has moved a step closer to its goal after Peru agreed to study the proposal. The decision came after talks between the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala.

in 2013 to drive out the Knights Templar drug cartel, which has been weakened by arrests of its top leaders. Tanhuato is also near the border with Jalisco state, where the powerful Jalisco New Generation drug cartel has battled security forces in deadly clashes this year. (Al Jazeera)

The scheme would link Peru’s Pacific coast with Brazil’s Atlantic shores. If completed, the railway would stretch 5300 kilometres, but campaigners fear the impact on indigenous people. Brazil, China and Peru will now begin feasibility studies into the railway.

Prime Minister Li secured Brazil’s consent earlier this week, as part of his tour of Latin America. The railway would “consolidate Peru’s geopolitical position as a natural gateway to South America”, President Humala said. For China,

US Senate blocks bill to end NSA phone data collection

The United States (US) Senate has blocked a bill that would have ended the bulk collection of Americans’ phone records by the National Security Agency (NSA). It also failed to authorise a temporary extension of the current legislation. Senators are to meet again on May 3, a day before the bill is due to expire.

The NSA’s spying was leaked by Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor who has since fled to Russia. The NSA has collected data about numbers called and times, but not the content of conversations.

It also allegedly spied on European firms. A US appeals court has already ruled the bulk collection il-

legal.

The White House has pressed the Senate to back the a bill passed by the House of Representatives – the Freedom Act – which would end bulk collection of domestic phone records. These records would remain with telephone companies subject to a case-by-case review. The 57-42 Senate vote fell short of the 60 vote threshold.

Supporters of the proposed Freedom Act, including privacy and civil rights advocates, say it protects privacy while preserving national security powers.

The Patriot Act was passed after the 9/11 attacks and which will expire on June 1. (BBC News)

it would reduce the cost of shipping raw materials and farm products.

But campaigners are concerned it might destroy untouched parts of the Amazon rainforest, affecting hundreds of indigenous communities. The Chinese Prime Minister sought to ease fears, saying “to create the

infrastructure, it is necessary to protect the environment” in a declaration with Humala, the BBC reported. It is likely to cost more than US$10 billion. The route is still being examined, but would begin in the gigantic Brazilian port of Acu and ending at a Peruvian port. (BBC News)

UN investigates reports of executions, abuses in Mali

The United Nations (UN) said, on Friday, that it was investigating reports of serious human rights abuse, including the execution of civilians in northern Mali following clashes this week between rebels and progovernment militia.

UN brokered peace efforts in Mali’s North are in danger of unravelling because of repeated violations of a ceasefire. The clashes on Thursday killed at least six civilians, including a Malian aid worker, rebels and a local source said.

The UN mission in Mali said on Friday it had sent a team of investigators to verify reports of serious abuses and the execution of civilians, possibly including an aid worker in Tin-Hamma, in Gao region.

“These abuses followed as a result of the clashes on May 20 between members of the Platform (pro-government militia) and the Coordination of Movements of Azawad,” the mission said.

The Malian Government rejected accusations that its troops were involved in the abuses. It said in a statement late on Friday that Malian soldiers had intervened in Tin-Hamma to drive out insurgents who had killed three civilians in the attack.

“The Government is surprised by the allegations of abuses on the population attributed to the armed forces following the events in Tin-Hamma,” it said. “The Government rejects such accusations.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Indonesia begins search and rescue for migrants

Indonesia has begun search and rescue missions for the thousands of migrants believed to be adrift in its waters. The country had initially been fending off boats but has since agreed to provide them with temporary shelter.

Over 3000 people, mostly Bangladeshi or Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, have arrived in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in the past two weeks.

The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, has called on Southeast Asian nations to do more to protect migrants. “It’s impor-

tant to save human lives. Whatever the reasons may be when they are out on the sea, their life is endangered,” the UN Secretary General said in a speech in Vietnam.

The Indonesian operation covers their territorial waters and beyond, although they have not yet found any migrant boats. “If they (the rescuers) see Rohingya boats experienc-

ing various troubles beyond our territory, we have to help so that they can enter Indonesian territory, which initially I did not want to do,” said General Moeldoko, the Head of Indonesia’s Armed Forces. “But with the President’s order, it is very clear we have to do it,” he added. Myanmar and Malaysia launched similar operations on Friday. Thailand only said it would stop rejecting boats. Myanmar (formally Burma) has carried out its first rescue, finding more than 200 people they described as Bengalis crammed into the hull of a fishing boat. (BBC News)

A fire fighter cleaning up after the drug battle came to an end

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang (right) and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala reached the agreement in Lima, Peru

Jamaica Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister Derrick Kellier

Migrants found by Myanmar

New Ministries created by Granger illegal – PPP/C

By Vahnu Manickchand

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is claiming that the establishment of several new Ministries by the newly elected A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is illegal.

During a press conference held at Freedom House on Friday, the party’s Executive Members highlighted that the new Government is creating new Ministries without following the proper legal procedures.

Former President and Executive Member of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, explained that the formation of new Ministries is illegal since monies cannot be released to those entities, which are not represented in the Appropriation Act.

“You cannot disburse monies to Ministries that don’t exist anywhere except by this new decree. There is no budget now at this point in time… only after the budget or in the budget process, you’ll be able to create a Ministry, have it reflected in the budget and the Appropriation Act, allocate funds to that Ministry

and then you can disburse resources to it. You can’t create a Ministry today and take money from another Ministry and send it to this non-existence in law Ministry,” the former President outlined. Jagdeo further pointed out that the 1/12th rule that was adopted by the PPP/C while in power to fund the various Ministries after Parliament was prorogued, cannot be used to fund the new Ministries.

This view was supported by former Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who stated that the 1/12th rule was in relation to budgetary allocations that Parliament had already approved for

Ministries that were in-existence at the time.

“Now you have monies being obviously spent in relation to Ministries that were not existing and did not fall under any Appropriation Act. This is being done by people, who over the last three years, you would have seen and heard championing causes of constitutional spending, lawful spending and all these novel and lofty ideals. You would have heard them advocate very loudly and you see them now, in just a matter of days, violating the Constitution, violating the financial laws, violating financial regulations,” he noted.

Nandlall went on to point out that there are a series of legislations in place that ascribe Statutory responsibilities to specific Ministers under specific Ministries, but now there are a host of new ministerial bodies.

He added “so I don’t know how they will carry out their statutory responsibilities which the laws of the country would have devolved upon traditional Ministries”. Furthermore, General Secretary of the party Clement Rohee, said that creating new Ministries

also carry legal implications since many bills were passed in Parliament, giving specific Ministries responsibilities to implement those pieces of legislations.

A few days after Leader of the APNU+AFC coalition David Granger was sworn in as Guyana’s eighth Executive President following the May 11 polls, the new Government opted to reduce and rename several of the Ministries that were established under the 23year reign of the PPP/C.

Some of the new Ministries established by President Granger include the Ministry of Citizenship, the Ministry

More emphasis to be placed on indigenous women, youth empowerment

Indigenous Peoples Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock and Minister in the Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe have disclosed that one of their main focus areas would be the empowerment of indigenous women and youths. After being sworn in by President David Granger on Friday at the Office of the President, the Ministers spoke to the Government Information Agency (GINA) both pledging their commitment to the development of the country’s first people, the Amerindians.

Minister Allicock said he is hopeful that Toshaos (Amerindian Leaders) will be elected in June, and that long outstanding issues would be dealt with thereafter. Priority will be jobs, he said, noting that with the rapid growth of the indigenous population and

the shortage of teachers, youths are now moving on to neighbouring countries.

The Minister pointed out too that tourism, agriculture, handicraft and

community based farming would be addressed.

These, he explained, could enable stronger family units. Minister Allicock noted that the effect of mining on Indigenous communities would another priority. This, he pointed out, would ensure the consideration of previous arrangements, and would include dialogue and education.

The effects, he explained, include broken families and drug addiction among others. He noted that a constructive programme for the people in the interior is needed.

Meanwhile, Minister in the Ministry GarridoLowe was very enthusiastic in speaking of her interest in the empowerment of the youths and women in Amerindian communities,

especially those who are in remote locations. She stated that many of these people are not given the opportunity to excel because they cannot afford to travel to the coastland to gain experience or develop their skills. It is her belief that skills can be taught to them in their own comfort zones, which are their communities.

Garrido-Lowe also pointed out that, in the past, she started training programmes for women in some of these communities. These provide a means for income generation as some of them have even gone into the food business and the area of fashion.

Another area high on the Ministry’s agenda is land titling and demarcation, she stated.

of Governance and the Ministry of Presidency, formerly known as the Office of the President.

The Ministry of Social Cohesion has replaced the Culture and Youth Ministry; while the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was renamed the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security was renamed the Ministry of Social Protection, while the Ministry of Health was renamed the Ministry of Public Health.

Also, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has been rebranded the Ministry of Communities. This latter Ministry will envelop the Housing, Water and Local Government Ministries.

On the other hand the Ministry of Business is expected to be responsible for internal trade, information and communication technology. The Ministry of Sports was included under the Education Ministry. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security has replaced the Home Affairs Ministry.

Meanwhile, on the issue of the budget, the new Finance Minister under the

APNU/AFC Government, Winston Jordan, has indicated that extensive consultations are ongoing with high-level Ministry staffers with a view to completing and presenting the National 2015 Budget.

The Minister, who is a highly qualified financial expert, said that he inherited some of the groundwork which was already laid out by the previous Minister, Dr Ashni Singh. However, these preparations were made based on the previous Government’s priorities, but now the focus will be changed to reflect the agenda of the APNU/AFC Administration.

“Mischief” in Region

9… Transport of supplies delayed

Region Nine’s (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Regional Executive Officer (REO), Claire Singh, expressed concerns over the series of suspicious events that transpired on Thursday May 21, which resulted in the transportation of supplies to the various outlying communities being delayed.

During a telephone interview with the Guyana Times, Singh said several persons attempted and succeeded in disrupting the transportation of the supplies to the Village of Karasabai. The REO explained that several persons claiming to be A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporters showed up whilst supplies were being loaded onto a tractor and began making inquiries and taking photos of the process.

In addition, Police intervened and prevented the vehicle from delivering the supplies. “First they stopped the vehicle on the road and they searched it. They let it go and then afterwards they came and impounded the vehicle,” she explained.

Singh related that the men and Police claimed they were given instructions from the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkhan, to stop the process from occurring. When contacted, Bulkhan said, “It

sounds like a lot of mischief to me.”

Meanwhile, Singh vented her frustration over the chain of events that resulted in the delay of the supplies (furniture, stationary, toiletries) being delivered. She demanded an explanation from authorities regarding the proceedings. She noted that she does not have a problem complying with the new Government, but they must ensure their instructions are clear, precise and directed directly to her. “I don’t know why or how they could just come and stop the tractor; I received no call from anyone about it and this should not happen again in the future,” she asserted.

Indigenous Peoples Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock takes his Oath of Office

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe being sworn in by President David Granger

President David Granger

Former President and Executive Member of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo

Former Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Minister of Communities

Ronald Bulkhan

Race relations in Guyana will always remain fragile

(An open letter to Granger)

Dear Mr Granger,

I will stop short of congratulating your new administration because I was very disappointed with the work of GECOM.

Why declare the results when there were so many controversies that, if resolved, could have significantly impacted the results, so much so that the results would have been different?

Why would you, Mr Granger, want to rule Guyana in such questionable circumstances? What do you have to lose? Let the ballots be recounted that the PPP/C requested!

After all your Government will continue to be considered illegitimate until all the mess is cleared up by GECOM. If your Government wants to distance itself from the PNC of the past then it must allow GECOM to honour the worthy requests of the PPP/C.

Another important undertaking of your government, assuming that GECOM honours the PPP/ C’s requests is the fact that you have promised not to engage in any witch hunting. This witch hunting will only hurt the already fragile relationship that exists between the two main races in Guyana.

Remember that when Dr Cheddi Jagan came to power in 1992, no PNC of-

ficial was prosecuted. Don’t be guided by unstable and prejudiced people like Freddie Kissoon who is demanding justice because he feels that his daughter and wife were badly treated during the PPP/C’s time in office.

What proof does Kissoon have that Government officials were involved? How about the hundreds of fathers, mothers and children whose characters were destroyed by Kissoon and Kaieteur News?

Can you also ask Kissoon and Kaiteur news about justice for these people. Mr Granger, you have to put your foot down on Kissoon and Kaieteur News so that they will stop destroying the characters of innocent people.

I hope that you will have the courage to do this and to also ask GECOM to check my vote and those of my fellow Guyanese! Thank you!

Rakesh Singh

The PPP/C is in great danger

Dear Editor,

Someone asked me the question, "How come you are spot on with all of your predictions?" My answer to that person is that I am quite in on information from the two major parties, I have the best of both worlds, so, when I speak I do so from a position of authority.

I was in another discussion with a PNC person recently and quite naturally the heated topic of the last general elections, the disputed results and the PPP/ C's campaign for a recount came up.

I mooted the idea that the coalition has rigged the elections and with each passing day of PPP/C protest, the situation gets worse as the shameful practices at GECOM is internationalized.

In every corner, on every social network at home and abroad, the shocking story of a party brutally axed out of office. How could this be! What is going on in Guyana!

The answer I got was, international or not "we are

in control of things," and no amount of publicity can change that, a win is a win and there is nothing to recount. There will be no recount and of course no court case also.

So I responded with the question, with such countrywide support for the PPP/C's position and mounting sympathies for their cause, how could PNC/APNU ignore that or wish it away? And immediately the answer came back "that is about to change soon…very soon".

Well, that very soon scenario is just after the triumphal celebrations of May 26. After that date there will be significant changes as to the way things are done in Guyana. My friend faithfully promised that the PNC/ APNU will put an end to all PPP/C's protest.

Here's how they will do it. They are going to marshal their thugs on to the street with the expressed intention of sabotaging the PPP/C.

With a series of bomb threats on some of the choiced buildings along

Main Street, they would make it appear that the PPP/C wants to burn down the headquarters of a certain organization. The Police would be called in to make arrests.

As we speak a plot is being hatched to make the PPP/C look like a bunch of sore losers who are now perpetrators of violence. This will open the floodgates for the lynch mob to strike with wanton cruelty just as they did before and during the elections.

My advice to my PPP/C brothers and sisters is not allow this to happen. You have made your point to the world of the "choke and rob" that passed for an election and that the legitimate government was booted out of office. Now is the time to get off the streets and into court with an elections petition.

They want to silence us with violence but we will go the peaceful route. Long live the PPP/C!

Neil Adams

Open letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Prime Minister,

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (ClOG) wishes to extend our warm congratulations to you, on the assumption of the office of Prime Minister of Guyana.

History will undoubtedly record the longevity of your dedicated service, loyalty and commitment to the people of Guyana in the many capacities in which you served.

The ClOG is confident that your tenure as Prime Minister of our nation will further enrich and enhance the quality of life of our people, and build a Guyana in which our dreams and aspirations will be realized.

The ClOG will look forward to the opportunity of cooperating with your good office in promoting the ideals we have in common in assisting the poor and

Most Guyanese feel America played a major role in this election

Dear Editor, If PPP/C has legitimate proof that their SOPs are different from those of GECOM, then it must take its case to the international media houses.

I am sure once the former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo along with Dr Roger Luncheon get an audience, they would love to show the world that there are two kinds of democracies – one is for

America and another kind of democracy for the other countries.

Most Guyanese feel that America played a major role in this election. It became real suspicious when Jimmy Carter to arrived and left just like that.

I am sure they would want to know how fake SOPs ended up in the hands of GECOM officials and why no investigation was carried out on finding

the source of those SOPs. It was an official at GECOM who told the Guyanese people that fake SOPs were found at their headquarters.

I am sure they would want to hear from GECOM why no recount is taking place in such a close election, which one side thinks the other side won it by fraud.

Ted King

No genuine Hindu, Muslim or...

Guyanese men and women are still to raise their voices and condemn the ruling party’s supporters for their Warlock lewdness, African children being led to chorus “bun dem down” and violent assault on their fellow Christian pastor and his traumatized family and horses.

Why the silence brothers and sisters, for Christ sake?

GECOM

Most repugnant and objectionable is current apathy which endorses ongoing Indian indentured subservience as an alloying supplement to African goals in all spheres of Guyanese society.

It would seem that PNC race dominance is to be repaired after the 2015 elections to reign supreme onwards. Where are the promised redeemers who will champion adequate Indian rights of survival?

The PNC is hopelessly worse, but now in charge of Guyanese destiny by GECOM’s shenanigans. It has no ideology, economic road map, redeeming principles, nationalist loyalties or unifying cultural underpinnings, which anchor its existence, political and ethical behaviour.

needy, the homeless and the fostering of unity and brotherhood in our nation.

It is our fervent hope and prayer that the Almighty will grant you the wisdom and guidance to undertake and expedite your duties that will redound to the benefit of all of the people and our beloved country Guyana.

Fazeel Ferouz President

But it has a wealth of educated academics, aggressive writers, loud complainers, highly trained military cadres, and fearless Afro-centric militants who can rabble rouse riotous flash mobs at will.

If the PNC has now won the war let’s see how they win the peace of production by which they expect manna will flow.

Oil

On all sides we find many honest, noble and

the fair minded who know right from wrong but are fearful to speak up. They would rather flight than fight the problems. Right now the PNC led coalition has won over the ABC countries.

But not all of them are lost to reason and justice, especially Canada. Guyana’s oil will not spoil regardless who rules or buys it.

The British behave as if they still rule Guyana. Regaining ABC sympathies is however most urgent for survival of an entire race and culture in the New World.

Genesis

While the PNC’s entire genesis and existence was founded on marginalizing Indians to achieve political power it cannot last forever. As in 1964 again, there is PNC mutual political symbiosis as in 2015 with foreign forces to pave and pay their way.

Will the PNC become mature by rising to power by Indian support this time? For the PNC, race is inconsequential only when they win.

Those Indians who genuinely and sincerely believe the PNC will deliver ethnic, political, economic and cultural security to Indians do so because they believe in the goodwill of humanity not race or religion or cultural preservation.

The PPP/C’s founders were the genesis of such human equality which was undercut by PNC ambition’s conquest. Moses Nagamootoo really believes he was Dr Jagan’s anointed successor. Has Dr Jagan truly become the father of the nation by what Moses has delivered to the PNC?

Record

The PPP/C’s economic record in government is olympian and unmatched compared to its detractors’ claims. Black people have made more economic gains by far under the PPP/C than under the PNC.

Who will be held accountable when the PNC led coalition does not deliver is obvious. The PNC led coalition cabinet has no practising Muslim, Hindu or Christian leader within its cabinet.

Are there any Chinese or Portuguese living in Guyana anymore? In Trinidad the PNM government was unable to find a Hindu Minister during its entire 45 years political dominance. Who now doubts Indian existence will be marginalized, as is, from the get go?

Whatever the PPP/C decides will in due course be known. In the meantime, step by step all efforts must be invested in evaluating, repairing and strengthening cultural and family ties to recoup for the Federalism of Guyana. Violence has not been an option which Indians utilise.

The family unit, culture and behaviour have been the bane of any country’s success and existence. Unless their many good qualities become energised and nurtured the Indian cultural presence faces total extinction in the new world.

No future that pushes us into independence can make us outcast Mohajirs in a country created in our name.

“The fault lies not in our stars but ourselves that we are underlings,” says Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

Sultan Mohamed

President David Granger

Hamilton takes his first Monaco GP pole position

Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time in his career in convincing style.

The world champion beat Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 0.342 seconds, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel third ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

The Australian’s teammate Daniil Kvyat was fifth with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Force India’s Sergio Perez next.

Hamilton was thrilled to finally achieve pole, having been beaten here by Rosberg for the last two years.

The Englishman was defeated by Rosberg in the last race in Spain and heads into Sunday’s race (at 13:00 BST)

Hamilton has looked the in-form driver all weekend, and he carried that form into qualifying.

Rosberg twice locked up and ran wide at Sainte Devote, the first corner - once in the closing minutes of the second session and again on his final run of the top 10 shoot-out as he tried to beat Hamilton’s time.

Hamilton was 0.136secs quicker than Rosberg on their first runs in the final session and improved his time by more than 0.2secs on his final run, although he did not need to, because behind him Rosberg had aborted his final lap following his error.

the driver can make a difference,” Perez said. “To make it into Q3 was a very, very special lap and then to beat some cars we were not expecting to beat in Q3 was a mega effort from the team.”

However, Sainz will have to start from the pit lane after being penalised for missing a weight check during qualifying.

McLaren did not achieve their aim of getting one of their cars into the top 10 shoot-out for the first time this season.

NZ on top after Williamson provides base

Kane Williamson moved to his 10th Test hundred to help New Zealand to a first-innings lead

ly taped up on the honours board pending the official inscribing. Much in keeping with his innings, there were no histrionics on reaching three figures, just a calm salute to all parts of an appreciative ground.

NRosberg said: “I had a good rhythm starting off but then lost touch close to the end.”

Button believed that a yellow caution flag at Sainte Devote on his final run, caused when Rosberg ran wide, cost him a certain place in the top half of the grid.

20 points clear of the German in the drivers’ championship, with Vettel a further 11 behind.

“It has been a long, long time,” Hamilton said. “I can’t explain how happy I am.

“It was a difficult session. A lot of things threw me off my rhythm and I did not have one until the last two laps.

“It is difficult to express how difficult this track is. It is important to get into a rhythm and improve. It is like climbing a ladder and if you slide back down sometimes it is hard to climb back up again.

“It wasn’t easy and that makes it more special.”

Pole in Monaco is the most important of the year because of the difficulty of overtaking on the claustrophobic street track in the Mediterranean principality.

Vettel was 0.751secs off Hamilton’s pace but could pose a threat during the grand prix, which will be characterised by drivers managing their tyres in the early laps to ensure they go the required distance to make the expected single pit stop at the correct time.

Ricciardo put in Red Bull’s best qualifying performance of the season and felt he would have pipped Vettel for third but for a miscommunication with the pits that left him in the wrong engine mode at the start of his best lap. This cost him 0.2secs, he said.

Perez produced arguably the stand-out performance of the day to get the Force India into the top six, by far its best performance of the year.

“Monaco is a track where

“That’s hugely painful; that would have been easy,” Button said over the radio to his team.

The 2009 champion qualified 12th but will move up to 10th because of Sainz’s penalty and a five-place grid drop for Lotus driver Romain Grosjean for changing his gearbox.

Team-mate Fernando Alonso suffered a car failure on his first lap of the second session and qualified 15th, but will start 13th, just behind Felipe Massa in the first of the struggling Williams cars.

Massa’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas was a bigname casualty in the first knock-out session and qualified 17th, between the two Saubers. All move up a place following Sainz’s misdemeanour. (BBC Sport)

ew Zealand were well placed to push for only their second victory at Lord’s after they built a lead of 134 before nipping out two early England wickets. The home side, in the shape of Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, gritted their teeth through to the close on 74 for 2, still 60 behind, although will cling to the fact that should they be able to post a competitive target they will be bowling last.

Kane Williamson’s 132 - his 10th Test hundredwas the main pillar the New Zealand innings, compiled at a healthy four runs an over, in which the top four all passed fifty and they were followed to that mark by BJ Watling, who was left unbeaten 61 despite battling a knee injury that continued to prevent him from keeping in England’s second innings.

England actually did a decent job at clawing back New Zealand’s innings from 403 for 3, taking the last seven wickets for 120, as Mark Wood opened his Test tally after being denied by a noball on Friday while Moeen Ali claimed two wickets in three balls following another lengthy absence from the attack as Cook, somewhat understandably given the overhead conditions, persisted with his quicks.

On an overcast day - rain forced a slightly early lunch and caused an hour delay to the resumption - there was considerable assistance for the pacemen; Trent Boult and Tim Southee made excellent use of it when their chance came again in the final session.

Adam Lyth began confidently with three boundaries but Boult responded with an outswinger which was edged to his new-ball partner at third slip. Lyth will hope for a more profitable outing next

week at his home ground.

Gary Ballance then completed a lean Test when he had his off stump trimmed by a superb delivery from Southee, which nipped away late off the seam, zipping past the edge as Ballance hung back in his crease.

At 25 for 2 all sorts was possible in a lengthy final session, but Cook and BellEngland’s senior pair of batsmen - stayed together for 18 overs. It was rarely pretty, save for the occasional drive by Bell, but hugely important for the hosts. The ball continued to beat the bat and a couple of edges fell short of slip and gully from Bell though in the evening murk it was a commendable effort.

Landmarks were on the horizon when the third day began with New Zealand handsomely placed on 303 for 2. Williamson, who resumed on 92, did not have to wait long for his hundred, which came, fittingly, with a dab towards third man. He became just the third New Zealand No. 3 to score a hundred at Lord’s and, as is tradition, his name was quick-

The ball after Williamson’s milestone, Ross Taylor brought one up for himself with a fifty from 111 balls. That made it just the second time New Zealand’s top four had all scored 50-plus in a Test innings; Brendon McCullum’s dismissal for 42 - made from 38 balls - meant they just failed to match the previous occasion, in Lahore in 1965, when the top five all managed at least a halfcentury. New Zealand’s total was boosted as extras also clocked up a half-century. On a cloudy morning when the floodlights were needed the new ball was vital if England were to get themselves back into the match. James Anderson was a little short but Stuart Broad, from the Nursery End, produced a very impressive spell and it was he who broke through when Taylor gloved a short ball down the leg side which was brilliantly held, full length to his left, by Jos Buttler, ending a stand of 189.

McCullum entered with a dominant position to build on and drove his first ball through the covers. He is currently a remarkable batsman to watch and was soon using his feet to advance at the new-ball bowlers. On one of those occasions, against Broad, he got himself into a tangle and almost fended a catch into the cordon but in Broad’s next over produced a thunderous back-foot drive. (Cricinfo)

Lewis Hamilton

UDCA congratulates APNU+AFC Government

The UDCA is the latest sport association to congratulate the new Government of Guyana, APNU+AFC for winning the 2015 General and Regional Elections in a press release issued on Saturday, below is the full press release.

The President Executive and Members of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association wish to express our profound congratulations to His Excellency President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamottoo, and the Coalition of APNU + AFC for their recent success at the General and Regional Elections held on 11th May, 2015.

We wish to record our recognition of the meaningful role you played in the Special Parliamentary Select Committee and the subsequent support in

NBA

Parliament for the Cricket Administration Bill which is now the Cricket Administration Act. This noble action assured that for the first time offered the young people of Linden (Region 10) the opportunity to participate in the affairs of cricket within Guyana. Had it not been for you we would still be languishing in exile. For this we are extremely thankful.

We are confident that your capable, disciplined just leadership will ensure that the Cricket Administration law would be enforced ultimately ending the current crisis in our cricket. We pray that the Lord continue to bless your Administration as you seek to better the lives of our people. Congratulations are in order, best wishes.

Eastern Conference finals…

Cavs top Hawks for 2-0 series lead

LeBron James helped the Cleveland Cavaliers close in on the NBA Finals with a comfortable win on Friday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers cruised to a 94-82 win over

Cavs are well-placed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007.

James holds a 14-0 winloss record when leading a series 2-0, while the Hawks are 0-16 when trailing by that

the Atlanta Hawks to take another step towards the NBA Finals.

Even without Kyrie Irving, who missed game two due to a knee injury, the Cavs eased into a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

LeBron James had a gamehigh 30 points to go with 11 assists and nine rebounds at the Philips Arena.

Tristan Thompson finished with seven points and 16 rebounds for the winners, while Iman Shumpert had 16 points.

With the next two games of the series in Cleveland, the

Barca draw in Xavi’s final La Liga match to lift title

Barcelona captain Xavi left the pitch to a standing ovation as his final La Liga game ended in a draw against Deportivo de La Coruna.

The 35-year-old midfielder, who has spent 24 years with the club, was withdrawn with five minutes left and saluted by the whole of the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi’s brace had put Barca 2-0 up before Deportivo fought back.

Lucas and Diogo Salomao earned a point for Deportivo who escaped relegation on head-to-head record with Eibar.

Eibar beat already relegated Cordoba but joined them in slipping into the Segunda Division.

Almeria were also relegated after losing to

Valencia, who sealed a fourth Champions League spot behind third-placed Atletico Madrid.

At the Nou Camp, Barcelona’s players wore special shirts to honour Xavi after he announced he will leave the Spanish champions at the end of the season to join Qatari side Al Sadd.

His final bow at the Nou Camp is expected to come in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao next weekend while his last appearance in a Barcelona shirt is likely to be the Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin on 6 June.

“I am the happiest man in the world today and for the 17 seasons I have been here,” Xavi told the crowd after fighting back tears.

“As the coach [Luis

Enrique] has said this hasn’t finished. We want two more titles and we want to be here with you all again in Barcelona on 7 June.”

With the La Liga title already sewn up and both those two matches in mind, Enrique made nine changes to his starting line-up.

That meant ex-Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen featured for the first time since he joined last summer, having endured a difficult spell out through injury.

Barca took the lead in the fifth minute when Deportivo goalkeeper Fabricio parried the ball clear to Brazil midfielder Rafinha, who crossed for Messi at the back post and the Argentine headed in from close range.

The hosts had the ball in the net again before the

break when Messi got on the end of the a sublime lofted pass from Neymar only for the referee to disallow it.

However, the same combination saw Barca increase their advantage with a clinical counter attack just before the hour mark.

The visitors pulled a goal back through winger Lucas, who curled the ball past goalkeeper Jordi Masip from the edge of the area.

And the Nou Camp was left stunned with 14 minutes left as Salomao equalised when he poked home after Haris Medunjanin’s initial free-kick had been blocked by the Barcelona wall.

It did not really take the gloss off the day for Xavi, who lifted his eighth La Liga trophy for the Catalans after the full-time whistle.

Bayern munich presented with Bundesliga trophy

score.

The Hawks got their usual even contribution, with Dennis Schroder (13 points) their top scorer ahead of Kyle Korver (12), Al Horford (12) and Jeff Teague (12).

But James and the Cavs were untroubled, as the team shot at 40 per cent from threepoint range.

Making matters worse for the Hawks, Korver (ankle) and Horford (knee) were hurt during their loss.

Game three is at the Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday.

Moses Nagamottoo

President David Granger

LeBron James

(BBC Sport)

Barcelona hoist their eight La Liga trophy

Munich were presented with the Bundesliga trophy after they ended the season with victory over Mainz. Pep Guardiola’s side had lost five of their last six matches since they clinched the title but rounded off the campaign with a deserved

win. Robert Lewandowski put Bayern in front from the penalty spot after Niko Bungert had handled for the visitors.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who made his 500th appearance for the club last week, added Bayern’s second. (BBC Sport)

The winning Bayern unich team

Resilient Super Kings face red hot Mumbai in final today

Michael Hussey invoked May 26, 2013 after Chennai Super Kings’ victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the second Qualifier. The reference was to the last time his team met Mumbai Indians in the IPL final at Eden Gardens. Hussey is hoping for a repeat of the pattern - not the end result - as two of the most high-profile IPL sides clash in the final again.

sight, winning four of their last five matches, including three in succession.

Super Kings though have found a way to win even when not at their best, like against Royal Challengers on Friday. If they raise their game - as they have always done in the crunch - Mumbai will have a handful. For Mumbai, the key concern will be to sustain the hunger one more time.

In the spotlight:

Top order, bowling give RCB memorable season

After three underachieving seasons, Royal Challengers Bangalore finally had reasons to be happy. Their quick course-corrections after a few defeats revealed a team that was tactically agile. Their bowling continued to be top-notch with Mitchell Starc continuing his fantastic form and the Indian complement of Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel and S Aravind punching above its weight. There was vital all-round intervention from David Wiese as well.

Chennai Super Kings), and he did that.”

Vettori admitted his team had “battled for balance” last year. “I was really content with the makeup of the side this year. This year we got it right and we are really happy with the improvement.”

High Point

say that Starc was the catalysing force behind Royal Challengers’ turnaround. He carried his form from the World Cup to pick up 20 wickets at an average of 14.55 with an economy rate of 6.76 runs an over. His was an intimidating presence both at the start and end of an innings.

“In 2013, we beat Mumbai Indians in the first final [Qualifier 1] and went straight through to the final. And they came and beat us in the main one at Kolkata,” Hussey said. “So this time they beat us in the first final, and hopefully we can come back and beat them.”

Rohit Sharma has had a sizzling love affair with Eden Gardens. Add his tournament form - he has scored 432 runs at an average of 33.23 with two fifties - he will be required to lead by example and provide the stabilising influence in a batting order high on aggro.

Super Kings would like it if their opponents are cold after a four-day break following their win. But Super Kings themselves have stuttered like a jalopy during the latter half of the competition, while Mumbai has razed down every obstacle in

After a quiet beginning, R Ashwin has returned to his stifling ways with the ball. He has been utilised in the Powerplays a lot more frequently by MS Dhoni as the tournament has wore on.

Having conceded only 5.59 runs an over in the tournament so far, Ashwin is Super Kings’ most economical bowler. His duel with Kieron Pollard will be one to watch out for. (Cricinfo)

Federer and Halep in action on day one of French Open

World number two

Roger Federer will start his French Open campaign on today against Colombia’s Alejandro Falla.

The Swiss, 33, playing in his 62nd successive Grand Slam, opens the men’s singles on day one at Roland Garros.

Federer’s compatriot and eighth seed Stan Wawrinka faces Turkey’s Marsel Ilhan while Japan’s fifth seed, Kei Nishikori, plays PaulHenri Mathieu.

Romanian Simona Halep opens the women’s singles with Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina.

And seventh seed Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open winner, faces world number 65 Yaroslava

Shvedova, of Kazakhstan.

Britain’s Andy Murray will begin his tournament against Argentine qualifier Facundo Arguello on Monday.

Federer cannot meet Murray, Spaniard Rafael Nadal or top seed and world number one Novak Djokovic until the final as they are all in the other half of the draw. He suffered losses to each of them at the semi-final stages in Grand Slams during 2013 and 2014.

“There is a chance to go very deep,” said Federer, who has won 17 Grand Slams in his career. “How deep remains to be seen depending on the level of play.”

Federer lost in the fourth round at Roland

Garros last year to Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis, but has a record so far of 25 wins and just five losses in 2015.

On clay, he lost the Italian Open final in Rome to Serbian Djokovic after claiming an 85th career title in Istanbul.

“I feel like I have had a great last 12 months,’’ he added.

“I’ve just got to make sure I adjust my game according to the playing conditions here, and then we will see how far it takes me.”

Spanish sixth seed Rafael Nadal, aiming for his 10th French Open title, faces French wildcard Quentin Halys in the first round after the weekend. (BBC Sport)

The batting department, on the other hand, was largely a three-man assault system in AB de Villiers (513 runs), Chris Gayle (491) and Virat Kohli (505). While the

Royal Challengers’ 71run victory against Royals in the Eliminator was a tour de force of everything that had carried them up to that point. One of the Big Three - de Villiersstepped up with the bat; Mandeep provided a support-act that outshone de Villiers’ effort; and some purposeful fielding and bowling: save for Wiese, none of the bowlers went

Under-par performer With 141 runs from 11 innings at an average of 12.81, Dinesh Karthik was barely the middle-order marshall that Royal Challengers would have wanted when they picked him up for Rs 10.5 crore at the auction. The team resisted the temptation to replace him with another wicketkeeper, Manvinder Bisla, and hoped for that

first two were more about pounding opponents to dust, Kohli was the more composed counterpoint, fortifying one end and finishing games.

Their Indian batsmen didn’t do as much consistently enough, but Daniel Vettori, the team’s head coach, thought otherwise. “There’s limited opportunities when those three guys step up. You can’t expect the same amount of runs from the middle order,” he said after the loss to Chennai Super Kings in the second Qualifier. “Mandeep (Singh) won us two games. Everytime he’s asked to perform, he did. Sarfaraz (Khan) similarly. He only had two opportunities to score runs, once against Rajasthan Royals and once today (against

Sri

for more than 5.5 runs an over. More importantly, the performance revealed a willingness to embrace the pressure of the big stage.

Low Point

They would be grateful that their lowest point came at the start of the tournament. After winning their opening game, against Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers lost three games on the trot. This period coincided with injuries to Starc and Adam Milne and the constant shuffling of players to fill up the fourth foreign player’s slot. Milne was eventually replaced by Aravind, who turned out to be an excellent value addition. It would only be fair to

one telling contribution which never came. But Vettori called him “amazing from a wicket-keeping perspective and a leadership perspective”.

Tip for 2016 If there would be one criticism of Royal Challengers, it would be their tendency to not go all the way after faltering at crucial junctures. The dropped catches against Super Kings in the second Qualifier potentially dashed their chances of making the final. Also, if the uncapped Indian batsmen could shoulder greater load, it would make them a more rounded unit should the likes of de Villiers, Kohli and Gayle have a bad run.

Lanka women cricketers

‘forced into sexual favours’

Members of Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team were forced to perform sexual favours to keep their places in the team, the sports ministry has said. The ministry said evidence of sexual harassment

was uncovered in an investigation begun last year.

It was launched following reports a player had been dropped for refusing to have sex with cricketing officials.

Disciplinary procedures would now be initiated, the

ministry said, without naming the individuals involved. “It is a shameful incident,” Sri Lankan Children’s Minister Rosy Senanayake told the AFP news agency. It is not clear what action will be taken against the alleged offenders. (BBC Sport)

Mumbai’s Captain Rohit Sharma aiming to have another winning moment

RCB will hope to go one step closer in 2016

Roger Federer

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code violations in iPl 2014 clear ed by Bcci’s anti-corruption unit

The BCCI’s AntiCorruption Unit had pulled up various IPL franchises and players for failing to adhere to protocol during the 2014 tournament, but both the board and teams confirmed the ACU was satisfied with the explanations it had received and the inquiries were considered closed.

In an email to some officials in the previous BCCI administration, ACU head Ravi Sawani outlined instances where franchises had failed to provide guest lists for private parties and sponsor events in advance, and certain players had allowed visitors into their rooms without informing the on-duty ACU officer, according to a report in the Indian Express.

ESPNcricinfo confirmed the contents of Sawani’s email with BCCI officials.

The ACU’s concern that certain players were still not following the code strictly stemmed from the scandal of the 2013 season, when some players and team officials were found to be involved in corrupt activities that brought the game into disrepute.

One example Sawani cited, according to the report,

which vets the names and sends an alert in case of any undesirable elements being present.

Another instance Sawani cited involved two Chennai Super Kings players allowing friends to stay overnight in their hotel rooms without informing the ACU officer. They breached ACU protocol, which states no individuals, “except blood relations or wife/ partner,” should be entertained by players in their room.

Ranjib Biswal, who was the IPL chairman in 2014, said all the necessary actions had been taken by the BCCI. “Our ACU chief Ravi Sawani was constantly in touch with all the franchises,” Biswal told ESPNcricinfo on Friday. “Wherever necessary, he had reprimanded the owners and players concerned” A Kings XI spokesperson confirmed the boat party had taken place, according to the newspaper report, and that “the BCCI was satisfied with the action taken by the franchise.” A Delhi Daredevils spokesperson also said the details of their function were shared with the BCCI-IPL management through various channels. Ever since three

was of a private party organised by Kings XI Punjab owner Preity Zinta on a boat on April 30, 2014. In this instance, though only players were invited, there was also a friend of Zinta’s in attendance, whose presence the ACU was unaware of. It is understood the ACU wanted to first establish whether there was a party and whether there was an outsider present.

The newspaper also cited similar examples of Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan and Delhi Daredevils owners hosting events involving their squads without intimating the ACU. The Daredevils reportedly hosted a party at a five-star hotel in Delhi before IPL 2014 where all the players and support staff mingled with more than 100 outsiders.

A BCCI official said franchises have started sending out guest lists for private parties and sponsor events in advance to the ACU,

Rajasthan Royals playersSreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - and a Chennai Super Kings team official Gurunath Meiyappan were arrested during IPL 2013 for their alleged involvement in corruption, the BCCI has been extra vigilant about keeping the game clean.

There is emphasis on educating players during other domestic tournaments as well as IPL, and all franchise squads are accompanied with an integrity officer who keeps a watch on player movements.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had said the efforts were paying off. “As far the players being approached is concerned, the BCCI education policy is working very well. If someone is being approached by anyone, he has reported back to the anticorruption unit,” Thakur said. “I think this is the thing to highlight and admire that the players are reporting back.” (Cricinfo)

VACAnCIeS

Rename the National Stadium after Chanderpaul

SayS avenaSh Ramzan

With so many things being renamed over the past week, the National Stadium has come into focus as one of the national treasures that deserves to bear the name of a son/ daughter of the soil.

Built by the Indian firm Shapoorji Paloonji in time for the 2007 50-over Cricket World Cup, the Stadium located at Providence with a seating capacity of 16,000, has become the premier venue for cricket in Guyana, although football, hockey and rugby would occasionally use the facility.

It has the distinction of being among the fastest drying grounds across the globe, and in its relatively short existence, the National Stadium has already delivered to the world some outstanding feats. Remember Lasith Malinga’s helmet-trick in the World Cup and the Golden Jaguars’ toppling Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors in the 2014 Football World Cup qualifiers on that unforgettable night, 11.11.11?

Despite these remarkable records at the International Cricket Council’s approved venue, the discussion about naming the Stadium after one of the country’s sports heroes commenced even as the sod was being turned to signal the start of the project almost a decade ago.

Guyanese, both home and overseas, have shared their opinions on whose name should grace the edifice, while some believe the fitting thing to do is identify the stands and other areas with the names of the country’s top achievers in sport.

Since the venue is primarily used for cricket, quite naturally names of cricketers would dominate those discussions, and there is quite a long list to choose from, given Guyana’s outstanding production line over the past five decades.

Rohan Kanhai, Alvin

7,000 Test runs

Kallicharran, Colin Croft, Lance Gibbs, Roy Fredericks, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Carl Hooper and Ramnaresh Sarwan are among the premier group of players emanating from the Land of Many Waters.

So too are Clive Lloyd and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, men with

outstanding achievements in the game, and undoubtedly the two most decorated cricketers of postIndependence Guyana.

Lloyd has the enviable distinction of winning the first Cricket World Cup back in 1975 and becoming the first man to successfully defend that title four years later.

He narrowly missed out on a third on the trot, losing to India in the final in 1983.

Lloyd was the first West Indian to play 100 Test matches- 110 to be precise- scoring 7,515 runs at an average of 46.67 with 19 hundreds.

His 87 ODIs produced 1,977 runs with a highest score of 102, his lone hundred in the format, scored in the final of the 1975 World Cup. Lloyd was the first man to score a century in a World Cup final.

His record as captain was also remarkable, including a run of 26 Tests without defeat, and 11 successive wins. Lloyd was also named Wisden Cricketer-of-the-Year 1971.

Chanderpaul meanwhile, based purely on statistics, can be considered the greatest Guyanese batsman to have ever played the game.

Like Lloyd, Chanderpaul has touched age 40 while still being active on the international scene.

The left-hander, with 164 Test matches to his name, the most by a West Indian, is on the cusp of breaking Brian Lara’s Test aggre-

The Guyana National Stadium at Providence

Veerasammy’s all-round effort spurs Rosignol Sec to victory

Abrilliant all-round performance by Chandradat Veerasammy led Rosignol Secondary School to first innings points against Number Eight Secondary in their drawn final Zone A preliminary match of the 2015 A. Ally and Sons InterSecondary School Under-17 cricket competition in Berbice.

With the crucial first innings honours, Rosignol Secondary ended as winner of that zone with 30 points, thereby securing a place in the quarter-finals. Veerasammy slammed 148 to guide Rosignol to a formidable first innings score of 253. When Number Eight replied, he took 3-17 with his off-spinners, which together with 3-11 from Berbice Under-15 mediumpacer Javed Karim, skittled them out for 52 in their first innings.

The follow-on was enforced and when Number Eight batted for a second time, Veerasammy took 4-29 to end with match figures of 7-46, but with opening batsman Deinanauth Persaud scoring 50, they held out for

a draw at 95-9. Number Eight ended the preliminaries as runner-up to Rosignol with 27 points and nevertheless still advanced to the quarter-finals.

In a Zone B match, Berbice Educational Institute’s (BEI) leg-spinner, Mahendra Parasram, took 5-28 to help restrict Tutorial Academy to 119 all out in their first innings. When BEI replied, Berbice Under-17 batsman Steve Deonarine opened the batting and made 56 not out to guide them to first innings victory, closing at 122-8. Berbice Under-17 leg-spinner Brandon Stewart took 5-25 for Tutorial.

Below are the summarised scores from the games played.

At Blairmont: Rosignol Secondary School took first innings points from Number Eight Secondary School in their drawn match. Rosignol Secondary School 253 all out (Chandradat Veerasammy 148, Stephen Saul 3-56, Raymond Braithwaite 3-63, Chetram France 2-38) Number Eight Secondary 52 all out (Javed Karim 3-11, Chandradat Veerasammy 3-17, Geetesh Roopnarine 2-9, Keyon Gangoo 2-14) and 95-9 (Deinanauth Persaud 50, Chandradat Veerasammy 4-29, Geetesh Roopnarine 2-15).

At Edinburg: Berbice Educational Institute took first innings points from Tutorial Academy in their drawn match. Tutorial Academy 119 all out (Brandon Stewart 30, Steffon Anderson 28, Mahendra Parasram 5-28, Shelton Forde 2-15, Gevon Shultz 2-28) Berbice Educational Institute 122-8 (Steve Deonarine 56 not out, Shelton Forde 26, Brandon Stewart 5-25, Tyrell Peters 2-39).

gate of 11,953. He needs another 86 runs, which he should achieve during next month’s two-Test series against the visiting Australians.

Chanderpaul is by far the leading Guyanese runscorer in both Tests and ODIs. His 11, 867 Test runs at an average of 51.37 includes 30 centuries, the most by a Guyanese.

His 268 ODIs- also the most appearances by a Guyanese- has yielded 8,778 runs with 11 hundreds. No other Guyanese has scored more than Carl Hooper’s seven ODI centuries.

Chanderpaul’s dominance in an era when West Indies cricket plummeted from world beaters to minnows saw him being named Wisden Cricketer-of-the-Year 2008, as well as being ranked ICC number one ranked Test batsman three times an illustrious career spanning 21 years and counting. It would be unfair to measure the greatness of Lloyd and Chanderpaul against each other; given the fact the fact they played in different eras.

However, one has to agree that while Lloyd was part of a world champion unit that dominated all and sundry during what is now the heydays of West Indies cricket, Chanderpaul has on countless occasions shouldered the burden of a sinking ship.

On almost every instance, the steely character of the man from Unity, along with a determination and desire to succeed has prevailed, making him the lone light in a usually dark tunnel.

With his career drawing to a close, it would be fitting to honour Shivnarine Chanderpaul by renaming the National Stadium after this great son of the soil. It’s the least a country can do to express gratitude for over two decades of exemplary service at the highest level.

Focus on cricket after emotions settle

Something would have seemed amiss had the first match of Pakistan’s return home ended in anything other than victory for them. They chased down 173 to put cricket at the forefront of a series threatened to be swept up in sentiment. Now that the emotional tide has settled somewhat, both teams will feel they can get down to business.

For Pakistan, it will be finding consistency in the bowling attack and solidity in the middle order, which they will ultimately hope will lead to securing a trophy at home. Wahab Riaz’s waywardness will be an area of concern, especially if the third seamer is as expensive as Bilawal Bhatti was in the first match. While Pakistan will be pleased with the way Mukhtar Ahmed partnered Ahmed Shehzad, they will also want runs from the senior men Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.

For Zimbabwe, it will be building up the confidence to press home any advantage they may get and square a series to set themselves up for the ODIs. Zimbabwe are equally as unused to being ahead of the game as they are to playing in front of massive crowds and the effects of that showed in the first game. After

posting a decent total, their bowlers began poorly and the pressure from the partisan crowd mounted. But they will know they competed deep into the game and will now want to take that one step further by ending up on the right side of the result.

In the spotlight

It’s difficult to imagine Shahid Afridi overwhelmed but he appeared exactly that in the way he managed his bowlers in the first match. He seemed to be rotating them on feel rather than plan but composed himself enough by the time he needed to bat and hit the winning runs to seal cricket’s comeback to his country. His home crowd will hope that

the one delivery Afridi faced, which he bludgeoned over the bowler’s head, was just a taster for bigger innings. Since his second stint as captain began, Elton Chigumbura has notched up his highest ODI (90) and T20 (54) score but the increased responsibility is not the only reason for his improving form. Chigumbura has been bumped up the order to bat in the top five and spending more time at the crease seems to be paying off. Both Chigumbura’s career bests came in losing causes and the man himself has said that he would find it more rewarding if his next major contribution concludes with a victory.

Statistically, Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the greatest batsman from Guyana

Clive Lloyd: Winner of two World Cups, over

Chandradat Veerasammy

Shahid Afridi gave the Lahore crowd a brief taster of what they want

GABA’s “King of the Hard Court” tournament... Ravens rout Colts, Knights hold off Sonics

Dyna’s Ravens trounced Colts 7540 on Friday when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘King of the Hard Court’ Championship continued at the Plaisance Hard Court.

Ravens raced out to an 8-0 run in the opening minutes of the game to seize the reigns of the game, quickly turning the game into a blowout as the first quarter ended with the Ravens outscoring Colts 18-2.

Scoring did not get any easier for the Colts as they seemed to be building a house with the number of bricks that clanked off the rim.

The Ravens were able to shutdown penetration into the lane as well as playing tight on the Colts perimeter shooters.

Point guard, Dominic Vincente and teammate Ryan Gullen were the top scorers with 17 points each while Jermaine Slater

had 15 points and Ryan Stephney 10 points.

Offence was so hard to come by for the Colts that no Colts player was able to hit double figures, with the highest individual effort coming from Niko Fraser, Rawle Nelson and Haslyn Hooper with six points each. Meanwhile in the opening game of the night, Knights defeated Pepsi

Sonics 51-42 as Lloyd Bart top scored for the winners with 17 points while Owan Walton was the next best scorer with 13 points. Chipping in with 10 points was Akil Lewis.

Trevor Smith scored a game high 23 points while Yannick December and Kerwin Jackson scored six points each. Action is slated to continue tonight at the same venue.

GFSCA looks forward to working with new government

The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) said it is looking forward to working with the new government in an effort to further promote the sport in Guyana.

The GFSCA is the organising body of the annual Guyana Softball Cup, which is arguably the largest softball competition in Guyana and the Caribbean. The GFSCA has also offered congratulations to the new government in a release issued on Saturday. Below is the full text of the statement.

“We, the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association, congratulate Mr. David Granger and Mr. Moses Nagamotoo for being the new President and Prime Minister of Guyana. We would like to wish

them and their entire cabinet well, in their most important mission of making our country peaceful and prosperous. As our association embarks on our most important mission of hosting Guyana Softball Cup 5 on October 30 to November 1, we look forward to be partners with the new government through the Ministry of Sport and Ministry of Tourism to make this next international softball tournament even bigger and better. Once again, best wishes, health and strength to our new leaders.”

The APNU/AFC Coalition unseated the PPP/C at the May 11 polls to become the new government.

CONCACAF Women’s Day...

On top of that, there will be announcements about a women’s league, a modified rules league, and a women’s conference to decide how to move it forward.”

Another critical component of development is the involvement of schools; a process Bolton said has already been initiated with the Education Ministry under the previous administration.

“The Ministry of Education just started talks with us over the past three months regarding all of football, but that’s a link we have to bridge because we have the children right there in schools, so maybe there’s something we can put in place,” Bolton pointed out.

The CONCACAF Women’s Day was designed

Claude Bolton

to empower all Member Associations to join forces for an annual day of cele-

All Saints Primary lift Face-off cricket titles

All Saints Primary won both the boys and girls Face-off Cricket competition in New Amsterdam.

The girls defeated St Therese’s by 22 runs in the final while the boys defeated the same school by 11 in the male version.

Batting first, All Saints girls made 77-3 from six

overs with Affia Hartman scoring 20 runs. In reply St Therese’s were restricted to 45-6 from their allotted six overs. Hartman returned with the ball to claim 3 for 6 from her two overs.

Meanwhile in the boy’s final, All Saints chalked up 50-6 off their six overs, with Nicquan Samuels hitting a

blistering 28. In reply St Therese’s boys were bowled out for 39 with Tyrese Alfred top scoring with 12 runs and John Andrews picking up 3 wickets.

The competition was sponsored by Medicare Pharmacy, J. Printery, Polly’s Delight and Party Plus. (Andrew Carmichael)

bration of women’s football. The initiative was the first of its kind for the confederation and focuses on accomplishing several goals.

Among the goals were: to generate awareness about the transformative power of women’s football; to promote and encourage continued investment in women’s football; and to unite every Member Association in creating a memorable day of women’s football.

The event was open to girls from ages nine and up and included several elements, including grassroots girls games; Under-14 three-on-three tournament; women’s three-on-three tournament; women’s national team announcement; and coaching achievement presentation.

Ryan Gullen

Dominic Vincente

The winning male All Saints team.

The winning female All Saints team

President David Granger

CONCACAF Women’s Day attracts large turnout

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday joined the rest of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) region to celebrate Women’s Football Day, and the massive turnout can only serve to inspire administrators of the game to commit more resources to the development of the game on the distaff side.

Female footballers from all across the country converged on the Tucville ground in Georgetown, braving a heavy early morning shower to showcase their skills, and ultimately catch the eyes of coaches and officials of the GFF, as well as die hard football fans, who turned up at the venue.

Female football has been relatively dormant at the national level over the past few years, and the CONCACAF Women’s Day activity was used by the GFF as a springboard to revive that area of the game.

Despite a soggy outfield and occasional slight drizzles on Saturday, approximately 60 young ladies par-

ticipated in three-on-three games where they were assessed by a team headed by Technical Director of the GFF, Claude Bolton.

Bolton said he was impressed with the turnout, given that female football had been stalled recently.

“Oh yes, I’m overjoyed. I noticed someone mentioning earlier that coach Claude helped us put together another event…the reality is, it is not. The best coaches in the world can come here, and unless these girls show up there will be no football. It is proof though that the spirit of sports in women in alive…unbelievable to see the enthusiast faces and the eagerness,” Bolton said.

Bolton also the opportunity to express gratitude to the referees, who volunteered their time to officiate the games, noting the GFF is extremely grateful for their input and cooperation. The newly appointed TD also divulged the short-term plan for the development of female football, starting at the grassroot level.

“The reality is our shortterm is planning for the long-term, so we need to get into that Under-13, Under-15 age group, for

both boys and girls, but the girls in particular to identify players,” Bolton explained.

He continued, “We don’t know where they [the players] all are in the country, but we want to develop them so you will see over the next six months an effort to push that.

Windies women fall to Sri Lanka in D/L loss

Sri Lanka Women beat West Indies Women by five runs in a rain-affected game in Colombo to lead the threematch T20 series 1-0.

West Indies, after being inserted to bat, put up 109 for 6 in 20 overs. They lost two wickets in the first over, as Sripali Weerakkody picked up Kycia Knight and Deandra Dottin. Stafanie Taylor top-scored with 40, sharing partnerships of 32 with Britney Cooper and 45 with Merissa Aguilleira (28). Other than Maduri Samuddika, all the bowlers took at least one wicket.

In the chase, Sri Lanka lost Yasoda Mendis for a duck as she was run out in the second over, but a brisk stand of 46 in 39 balls between the captain Chamari Atapattu (17) and Dilani Manodara (28) got the chase back on track. The match turned again as Sri Lanka lost four wickets in 12 balls, to leave them at 60 for 5. Twenty-two runs were needed to win off 28 balls with four wickets in hand, when the match was interrupted by rain with Sri Lanka five runs ahead of the D/L score. (Crcinfo)

Santokie can’t wait for CPL to start!

Jamaica Tallawahs bowler Krishmar Santokie says he will use the disappointment of the Player Draft to take his performances to new heights in this season’s Caribbean Premier League.

The left-arm seamer, who is the leading wickettaker in the history of the CPL with 33 scalps, was surprisingly not picked until the ninth round of February’s Draft, with his home franchise the ones to secure his services.

Speaking to cplt20.com, Santokie said: “I was very surprised and a bit disappointed with what happened in February. I’m the leading wicket-taker in the history of the CPL so I thought I would be taken higher.

“I always enjoy the challenge of bowling at big-hitters like Pollard, Afridi and Smith” - Krishmar Santokie

“As a player you always want to do your best. There’s nothing I can do about what happened but I will use this to spur me on to better things in this year’s competition.

“I always enjoy the challenge of bowling at the big hitters like (Kieron) Pollard, (Shahid) Afridi and (Dwayne) Smith. There are certain players I am looking

forward to bowling at but for now I am going to keep those close to my chest.”

Santokie’s selection, by the Tallawahs, means that the 30-year-old will represent his home island for the first time in the franchise competition, having spent the previous two seasons with the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

“I’m very excited for the competition to start in a month’s time and it’s great to be going back home,” he added. “My parents and family have brought tickets and will be at the games in Jamaica.”

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle will take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final eliminator for the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, and Santokie is backing his Tallawahs’ captain to return to the Caribbean with the title.

“It’s been great that the top West Indian players have been doing so well in the IPL this year and it really helps the profile of the CPL as the best players are spread across the top four franchises.

“But I have to back my home boy Chris and RCB to do the business.” (CPL.com)

A soggy outfield did not deter the young ladies from showcasing their football skills on Saturday at the Tucville ground (Avenash Ramzan photo)

Stafanie Taylor

Krishmar Santokie