Guyana seeks int’l help in locating missing aircraft
Fire destroys Diamond house, 4 homeless
Govt closing in on financial deal for Amaila Falls Hydro Project
Good Hope man accused of killing lover's husband Essequibo mother dies after delivering still born baby
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and other senior officers inspecting some of the new vessels (Carl Croker photo)
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: and Thursday, January 1 – 14:00h-15:30h Friday, January 2 – 14:30h-16:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, January 1 – 13:25h-14:55h
Friday, January 2 – 14:20h-15:50h
FERRY SCHEDULE
The Management of the Transport and Harbour Department wishes to notify the general public that vessels operating the Parika/Supenaam services will no longer be operating according to tidal conditions. The new daily schedules are as follows:
Parika departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h Supenaam departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with sunny intervals prevailing in the early afternoon. Light rain showers and thundery showers are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-easterly between zero and 5.81 metres per second.
High Tide: 01:21h and 13:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres and 2.43 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 07:12h and 19:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.91 metre and 0.78 metre respectively.
Glenn Lall pumps millions into Opposition parties
Aconfluence of seemingly disparate events is bringing to the fore the massive financial support Glenn Lall, the owner of the Kaieteur News tabloid, has been pumping into the political Opposition parties, Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
This support has been estimated by objective observers as totalling in the tens of millions annually.
When this newspaper spoke to Lall earlier this month, the scandal-ridden publisher made a perfunctory denial of the charges and suggested he would not even vote for those parties at the upcoming polls.
This would certainly come as a surprise to the APNU and AFC since they, Kaieteur News and its publisher have supported each other's causes for years – especially the concerted action to depose the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.
In addition to monetary support, both of these parties have been given free columns in the Kaieteur News and their opinions are solicited on every possible issue that places the PPP/C in a negative light and then published with alacrity. The press coverage alone would be worth additional tens of millions, said one manager from the publishing industry.
The Guyana Times was told by several businessmen that they were forced by Lall to join the Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency (FUCOP). This is reminiscent of the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) – formed in 1990 by businessmen like C N Sharma.
They pumped in millions for the reelection of then President Desmond Hoyte. The businessmen said Lall "made them an offer they couldn't refuse" since he had made up stories and "snitched" on them previously to the US Consulate, as revealed by WikiLeaks.
At its November Congress, the AFC declared that it was "financially sound"
and had the resources to campaign for the next elections. But it adamantly refused to divulge the Financial Report, which they claimed to have presented at the Congress, much less its source of financing. Its party’s constitution demands an audited financial report.
APNU appears broke, since it had sold some land from Congress Place earlier this year.
Starting in 2008, Lall had been rebuffed by then President Bharrat Jagdeo for some preferential treatment he had requested and in retaliation embarked on a vendetta to remove the PPP/C Government through various stratagems.
There was first of all his sensationali-
sation of reports on Government projects by claiming "corrupt practices" in every one of them, while ignoring and even covering up blatant Opposition excesses.
Lall's open support for the Opposition was quite clear in the extensive coverage he gave to their operations and his ability to obtain quotes from them on any topic that was skewed against the Government. Presently, there were the recent quotes from AFC's Ramjattan and APNU's Carl Greenidge on "terroristic" phone calls from Attorney General Anil Nandlall.
But the actual funnelling of money to the Opposition coffers only began to surface in the wake of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) conducting an audit on Lall's network of "businesses" in Guyana.
As reported earlier this month, this audit is still ongoing but the Guyana Times was able to learn that tens of millions were transferred to the political parties as "contributions to charitable organisations". Political organisations are not accepted as "charitable organisations" by the GRA.
The audit has been ongoing for quite
some time, but the GRA appears to be trying to ensure that the labyrinthine interlocking of companies owned by Glenn Lall locally and in the US are clearly delineated.
The Guyana Times understands that the commingling of funds between the two related group of companies were done deliberately to evade taxes both in Guyana and the US. In several instances, the "corporate veil" will have to be pierced, to expose Lall's direct involvement.
It is widely accepted by financial experts that the major reason why APNU and AFC apposed the passing of the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering of Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill in Parliament, was because their trail of funding from illegal sources and Lall's businesses, foreign and domestic, would have been exposed.
Since 2009, the Organisation of American States (OAS) created a new source of pressure on the Kaieteur News' contributions to the AFC and APNU, by insisting on the introduction of campaign financing laws.
These laws are not intended just to capture the quantum of funding to political parties, but also the nature of the source of the funding. Since that time officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), as recently as last October, have echoed such calls.
While the AFC and APNU had given lip service to the introduction of such laws – one of which was ironically introduced since 2011 by the AFC – they have studiously avoided making the law operational.
Lall's ownership of a newspaper allows cash to be collected every day and this gives him the opportunity to cover the money trail from his other "sketchy" sources of income as described by the US Political Officer, to be funnelled to political Opposition through FUCOP.
APNU Leader David Granger
Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
As the world rotates on its axis and simultaneously careens in its orbit around the sun, the periodicity of the movements has given us “days” and “years”. And we have incorporated this periodicity to measure our own human movements through our cycle of birth and death.
Every morning we wake up knowing “it’s a whole new day” - in which we have been offered the opportunity to begin our lives anew.
When it comes to a new year, capitalised as - “New Year” - it is not surprising that we are asked to take a deeper breath than usual and make resolutions to guide our actions in the year ahead. “New Year” marks the beginning of a larger passage of time, and inevitably a larger quantum of accomplishments is expected.
For us in Guyana, most are transfixed by the elections that we know must be scheduled sooner rather than later. What can we resolve to do about this event today?
We can take a step away from “the politics of race” that has blighted our existence, not for one new year, but for over half a century. Two generations have gone by in the 60 revolutions our planet has made around the sun since 1964and we have only in the last decade surpassed the standard of living achieved then. So while in the upcoming elections we will be bombarded by the subtle and not so subtle cues, to “vote for our own”, we will have to ask the politicians as to actually, “what” and “who” are our own.
To answer this question they will have to abandon the false equivalence that some are trying to foist onto us - that “the PPP/C is just like the PNC at best - and the PNC is no more”.
Let us examine in the new year, the first part of that answer with whatever metric the Opposition may choose. Economics? In the 28 years of PNC rule, the economy was brought to such ruination that the then Finance Minister (and now the PNC/APNU point man on Economics) Carl Greenidge had to confess the country was “bankrupt”.
One would be tempted to retort with the folk wisdom: “Dis time na lang time”. But while this is indubitably true, since the economic ruination of the country, the PNC has not shown that it is interested in changing itself or its modus operandi. All it has done at each throw of the electoral dice is to seek to camouflage itself behind an increasingly irrelevant number of “coalition partners”.
In “politics” it has been the same story.
The PNC had run what even its sponsor, the US, had to admit, was an “authoritarian” regime. Others less biased, dubbed them an out and out “dictatorship”, which ran roughshod over the Guyanese people through their control of the Disciplined Forces.
In the first decade of their rule, they increased the armed forces from 2600 to 32,000 - the highest military-civilian ratio in the world.
Today, the PNC and APNU are dominated by the Officer Corps of the Disciplined Forces, who were explicitly trained in the rigid top down hierarchical structure of the military that dictators the world over - including Burnham - love to imitate.
The PPP/C Government since 1992, on the other hand, has been a totally different kettle of fish. The economy since then has been continuously growing while free and fair elections have been held regularly. Even the upcoming elections, some would say, is the result of an “over abundance” of democracy.
In this new year, therefore, Guyanese will have to make a very simple choice which on which they must make a resolution today: do they want to take a chance with the very same personnel from the discredited PNC machinery or rather the PPP/C which has brought very respectable prosperity to Guyana during their watch.
Happy New Year, Guyana!!
New Year
Beginning of another year in Guyana
Dear Editor,
Another eventful year has come to a close in Guyana. The naysayers and doomdayers have been running amok like flies looking for sores. At the same time, they have conveniently ignored all the developments in the country.
The mudraker and its reporters with their jaundiced eyes have not seen developments that every other Guyanese have enjoyed.
The prorogation of Parliament by the President was a very important decision in the field of politics. This, I strongly feel, is a judicious decision and the best of the options available to the President under the Constitution.
The Opposition was bent on passing a motion of No-Confidence on the Government and the President would have been foolish enough to allow them do that and create confusion and mayhem in the country.
There is also the fact that both APNU ( Arrogant People Not Understanding) and the AFC (Always Feeling Confused) did not want to go into negotiations with the PPP (Progress and Perseverance Plentiful).
The learned DPP ( Madame Shalimar Hack)
also wisely ruled that the Attorney General did not threaten Glenn Lall and his staff. I listened to the tape ad did not find any evidence that a threat was made.
What was interesting was that Leonard Ghidarie’s parts in the conversation were deleted. What was Glenn Lall trying to hide? Who is to say that this conversation was not doctored?
Anything is possible with Lalloo. The veteran Berbice lawyer Murselene Bacchus, who claimed that he holds no brief for anyone also made the same observation, that is, there was was no threat in the tape.
Christopher and Freddie Kisssoon, who are pandering to Lall, think otherwise with no concrete proof. Mr Bacchus exposed them for what they are - “loud mouths with no substance to back them up”.
Vishnu Bishram also wrote an interesting article,”No country wanted Freddie”, in which he pointed out the propensity of Freddie to attack whomever he thinks denied him opportunities.
This is a very malicious and vindictive attitude to not only have but publicly (whether subtle or obvious) demonstrate. Bisram
is a very intelligent and articulate writer. Freddie is no match for him. What Freddie is good with is attacking people, not issues. This is not a characteristic of an academic.
When Henry Jeffrey chastised Nigel Hughes for his double standards in the Lusignan murder trial (not disclosing his relationship with the foreman of the jury), as well as he conflict of interest with being Company Cecretary for Sithe Global for the Amelia Falls Hydro Electricity Project and being in a party (AFC) which voted against the same project, Freddie attacked Mr Jeffrey without dealing with the issues raised by the latter.
Is this the quality of an academic? Freddie is always going to be a stooge for people whom he benefits from. In the case of Hughes, he goes so far as to call Hughes “Man of the Year”. So much for paying back Hughes for the pro-bono work Hughes offered him in the Jagdeo/ Kissoon libel trial.
Haseef Yusuf has also been courageously battling with the AFC Berbice grouping and exposing their double standards on an almost daily basis. So far no AFC member, including Ramjattan, has responded
to the claims by Mr Yusuf.
Do these people in the AFC think that Berbicians and, by extension, Guyanese are that gullible? Keep up the fight M Yusuf.
I remember when the AFC Berbice “Bush Dacta” formed the “Bird Party” sometime in the late 90s, voters, especially in the Whim area, were offered free rum and tee-shirts to vote for his broken wing party.
This man who professes to be a psychologist was offering rum to voters knowing very well the great damage alcohol inflicts on those who imbibe it. I guess their thinking is that the end justifies the means. Yes, these people want to be incharge of this country!
Another letter writer, Balram Singh, also exposed the hyprocrisy of the AFC leaders in his letter, “AFC leadership embroiled in repeated controversy”. His letter and that of Yusuf’s “The AFC has been focused on derailing development”, make for interesting reading. The ‘writing is on the wall’ for the AFC. Let us have the elections so that the PPP/C can win back their majority in Parliament!
Rakesh Singh
What can be classified as terrorism?
Dear Editor, Please forgive my ignorance of the term “terrorism”. Can you explain which of the undermentioned incident/s will be classified as terrorism?
The slaughter of innocent Guyanese citizens at Lusignan, Lindo Creek and Bartica; incidentally the perpetrators of the
Lusignan massacre were defended in court by the AFC’s Nigel Hughes. Isn’t this aiding terrorists and hypocrisy by the leader of the AFC?
The daily attacks on persons and their property on the East Coast Demerara, Linden and Agricola when insurgents supported by the former Commissioner
of Police, now member of Parliament, and the lawyers of AFC who sought to create several diversions.
The daily robberies committed against innocent citizens, where they are threatened by guns, knives, beaten and sometimes raped. Then to add insult to injury, when these criminals are caught, they are readily defended by the lawyers of AFC and APNU.
Can we equate the above with statements made by the AG, which are true, and consider them both as terrorism? Please clarify.
Mohamed Ikbal
Fireworks light up the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during an early light show before the midnight New Year fireworks, December 31 (Reuters/Jason Reed) Happy
Bank freezes account of Civil Society 'wannabe' leader
…Conference Centre, other businesses affected
After failing to host what should have been Guyana’s first historic Civil Society Summit this month, Dr Phillip Mozart Thomas has found himself between a rock and a hard place as well as major debts.
The Guyana National Council on Public Policy (GNCPP) still owes the Guyana National Conference Centre for its services provided to facilitate the threeday summit for the Guyana National Civil Society Council which was held earlier this month.
Management of the National Conference Centre has confirmed that the GNCPP owes them a total of $4,208,360 for the services they provided to the organisation for their malfunctioned Civil Society Summit.
Management told this publication that they were informed by their bank that the GNCPP Chairman, Dr Phillip Mozart Thomas’ bank account in the Bank of Nova Scotia is frozen, therefore, the cheque that was prepared to pay some of the money was bounced.
The representative explained that Dr Thomas deposited a cheque on December 17, the same day the summit was scheduled to begin, but on December 31, the bank informed him that the cheque was bounced.
He further stated that the money owed covers the cost for catering and for the provision of the venue. Up to press time, he disclosed that he is unsure of his next move in receiving the money from Dr Thomas.
Dr Thomas, through the Civil Society group, report-
edly wanted to create change and to make the movement more “effective” in lobbying the Government. However, the three-day summit, which was to be the starting point of such movement, was unsuccessful as many persons who were expected to attend boycotted the event.
It was reported that Dr Thomas’ organisation may have a hidden mandate which is being pursued by the GNCPP towards supporting an Opposition elections agenda.
Research showed that Thomas at one point had exhibited interest in running for a key leadership position in the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) after he struggled to get his Civil Society initiative off the ground. He had also filed a bold court case against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) challenging aspects of the country’s electoral system and laws.
Furthermore, a very interesting list appeared in the daily newspapers and on tele-
vision with the names of persons and organisations that had either joined the GNCPP as sponsors or were nominated for various positions.
Another list appeared soon after with the names of politicians and parliamentarians who were invited to attend what was billed as a “historic” summit in Guyana. But history and time favour the ploys of no man or entity. Following the publication of their names without permission, GNCPP’s Civil Society sponsors and nominees started an outcry. Some rushed to publicly disassociate themselves while others privately expressed concerns over the GNCPP’s move.
Soon after, the Office of the President (OP) urged Civil Society entities to stay away as it questioned not only the legitimacy of the agenda being pursued but the legality of the entity itself. The OP also questioned the credentials of Dr Thomas.
The end result was shameful as none of the planned speakers and sponsors turned up to the event. Dr Thomas’ GNCPP Summit suffered possibly the biggest boycott in the history of this country.
Meanwhile, Dr Thomas has admitted that his organisation might have been too “rash” in its approach to seek consultations with Government over the recently concluded Civil Society Summit.
He contended that the summit was “phenomenally successful” and noted that that might have probably been one of the major contributing factors to the Government’s stern criticism of him and the organisation.
Aishalton teacher was drunk! …says
President Donald Ramotar
President Donald Ramotar says that 29-year-old Aishalton school teacher John Adams, who has accused the Presidential Guards of assaulting him, was under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
During a visit to the Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) community early in December, it was reported that the teacher was allegedly assaulted by two members of the Presidential Guard.
According to reports, Adams was accosted by the Presidential Guards and told to stop heckling the President while he was speaking. When Adams refused he was reportedly slapped by the guards. It was reported that
Adams sought refuge in the home of another Aishalton resident.
However, President Ramotar said residents of the area were outraged at Adams’ behaviour and had asked for him to be removed from the school where he serves as a teacher, following the incident. “He was drunk and the entire community was very upset at his behaviour,” Ramotar said.
Persons in some quarters have said that Adams’ behaviour was politically motivated. It has been said that Adams was given alcohol by a member of the Opposition in the Region in order to motivate him to upset the proceedings of the President.
The President stated that his meeting was a well at-
tended one. He said while everyone was enjoying the meeting, “it was just two or three persons that came and attempted to upset the proceedings”.
In response to a recent recording which surfaced, Ramotar said Adams made derogatory remarks about former President Bharrat Jagdeo. “Whatever I said to him was off the top of my head and not premeditated, Ramotar said.
It was previously reported in sections of the media that Adams said that at the time he was only making jokes with friends when he realised that the President was not addressing the issues that are directly affecting his community, hence his reaction.
Taxi driver remanded for illegal firearm possession
Samuels Adams, age 27, of Lot 9 Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was remanded to prison after being charged for possession of an illegal firearm.
He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry, on Wednesday morning.
Adams pleaded not guilty to the offence which alleged that on December 29 at Festival City Exit, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol, when he was not
a the holder of a firearm licence.
Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question, the Police acted on information and visited a house in North Ruimveldt (near the Exit Point), and upon their arrival, they saw two vehicles which were parked on the public road in front of the residence.
Ranks approached the accused and conducted a search on his person and found the weapon in his pants crotch.
However, this was disputed by the defence, which stated that the weapon was found in a vehicle with Adams and
several others. Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Fabayo Azore court for January 7.
GNCPP Chairman, Dr Phillip Mozart Thomas
Guyana seeks int’l help in locating missing aircraft … rescue mission moves into recovery mode
BY BHISHAM MOHAMED
Transport Minister
Robeson Benn at a specially convened press conference on Wednesday disclosed that the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) at Timehri Control Tower has been in constant contact with their Surinamese counterparts and those from the United States Mission Coordination Centre as the search continues for the missing Britten Norman Islander aircraft.
He was at the time addressing the media on the search and rescue mission for the missing aircraft which had one pilot and a loader on board when it disappeared on Sunday in the vicinity of Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro Siparuni). He explained that Suriname has assisted in the search and rescue mission with an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to zero in or enhance any signal from the wreckage site. This he noted has not panned out as yet. Benn added that the rescue aspect of the mission has passed and the mission has now gone into recovery mode, noting that the search will continue. “We have been flying systematic gridlines and we have been infilling those lines on a twomile separation and then we bring it down to a 1000 feet or 500 feet spacing in spe-
cific define areas of interest based on endurance and other issues relating to the aircraft”.
He went on to say that helicopters are used primarily because they can fly at a slow speed which gave them ample time to zero in on the areas of interest. Based on calculations, the RCC has plotted a search grid of 20 miles by 20 miles from the last time the spot tracker located the plane. Up to Wednesday evening, there were no signs of any wreckage or any indication of a crash. Benn described the areas of interest as rough mountainous terrain, heavily forested with variable weather patterns which pose a major challenge for the search team. Benn also lashed out at a media report which quoted ‘reliable sourc-
es’ contending that the only reliable sources are those who are operating out of the RCC.
He related that the RCC is well coordinated by persons of several agencies including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Air Services Limited (ASL) and others who are behind the search and rescue mission. He said that the Centre has been doing all in its power to locate the wreckage, and as such, dispel any information that speaks ill of the operation. However, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Zulifikar Mohamed explained that the RCC has plotted a grid with the most probable flight path of the aircraft and where it is most likely to
systematically to ensure they cover the entire area. He also confirmed that they have received at least nine reports from persons in the area noting that those reports have been investigated but with no success. These areas include Deer River and North Fork, Region Eight, Potaro Siparuni.
“We will continue to investigate reports as they come in… we will also continue the search”, he added. He did not give a time line when the search will end while explaining that they
abort their search. Annette Arjoon, Air Services Limited representative lauded the RCC for their efficiency in responding to the situation which arose on Sunday morning.
She added that the ASL team has also been on the ground since the aircraft went mission. She also noted that they have been in contact with the two families updating them and more importantly taking them on their search mission to get an appreciation of the difficulties the search
have flown and based on information they would have determined and area of interest which is being flown
have had challenges with respect to bad weather which would have forced them to
and rescue mission faces on a daily basis. They will continue to lend support to the families of 27-year-old Nicky Persaud and 51-yearold, father of four, David Bisnauth. On Sunday last, the Timehri Control Tower lost communication with the Cessna Britten Norman Islander that was operating a flight between Mahdia and Karisparu, Region Eight. Based on records, the aircraft took off from Mahdia at about 11:42h on Sunday on a routine local cargo flight and the last known position was spot tracker at 11:44h.
In addition, at 16:20h, Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether the aircraft landed before implementing a search and rescue operation. After no information was received, the Air Traffic control commenced an ‘Alert Phase’ and the Rescue Coordination Centre at Cheddi Jagan International Airport was activated.
In the meantime, two Air Services Cessna 208 Caravan flying within the area were vectored to commence a search operation. Presently there are six other aircraft and helicopters deployed to the area to assist in the search and rescue operations. These include three Belle helicopters, one Cessna Caravan and one Cessna 206 fixed aircraft.
The plotted map of the search area
From left: Senior Air Traffic Controller, Roy Sookhu; Transport Minister Robeson Benn; Director General GCAA, Zulfikar Mohamed and Annette Arjoon, Air Services Limited representative at the press conference on Wednesday
Govt closing in on financial deal for Amaila Falls Hydro Project
President Donald Ramotar has assured Guyanese that his Government will deliver the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project along with all its attendant benefits and that within months they are expected to achieve financial closure on the administration’s flagship project.
“...We expect to achieve financial close and commence construction, and this project will come into operation during our new term in office,” Ramotar told the nation in his New Year’s address. The project had hit a snag when the opposition derailed the passage of a critical piece of legislation back in 2012 causing a major investor to walk away. However, the administration has pursued other avenues. President Ramotar said with an opposition that has displayed a “remarkable anti-developmental tendency” it is important that “we regain the majority in the National Assembly to ensure continued social and economic progress.” Ramotar reiterated that the foundation has been laid for a brighter tomorrow for all Guyanese.
“With a renewed mandate, my Government pledges to sustain and build on the gains we have already made as a country. We will continue to invest heavily in the physical infrastructure that is so critical to creating jobs and improving livelihoods. High amongst our priorities will be to ensure the achievement of more affordable and more reliable energy. For too long, Guyanese have looked forward to harnessing our country’s vast hydropower potential. The time for realizing this dream is long overdue. Unreliable and unaffordable electricity continues to be the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Guyana.”
Fresh mandate
However, despite no hints at a date for general elections, President Ramotar said that his Government needs a fresh mandate to move this country forward in the face of opposition obstructions.
“Indeed the year was very eventful and marked with both significant gains and major challenges. Many of
the events that occurred in the just concluded year will impact on developments in this New Year. I have no doubt in my mind that we will overcome the challenges, and we will continue to advance our all round gains and improve the quality of life of our people.”
He said however, that his optimism is grounded in the history of this country. “Our people have always displayed remarkable strength and resilience in the face of major challenges. It is this history that has moulded our character. We must now use this eternal optimism and strength
Good Hope man accused of killing lover’s husband
Donald Calender, 24, of Good Hope Village on the Essequibo Coast was remanded to prison for the murder of Vibert Benjamin when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Calender was not represented by an Attorney and was not required to plea to the indictable charge of murder. It is alleged that on December 26, at Good Hope Sand Road, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), he murdered Vibert Benjamin by stabbing him several times during a fight. He was subsequently arrested and placed under Police guard at the Suddie
Public Hospital.
Calender reported received injuries to the ears, back and abdomen during the fight with Benjamin.
He was remanded to prison pending the hearing of the preliminary inquiry which is slated to commence at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on January 22, 2015.
that our fore parents displayed to continue to forge ahead in the face of the many challenges that are posed due to both international and local events.”
He said that it is significant that 2014 saw Guyana growing economically for the ninth successive year. “This is the longest period of continuous economic growth in the recent history of our country. It is even more noteworthy that this growth was achieved in the most testing of circumstances. Over just the two and a half years to mid-year 2014, the size of our economy has increased by 25 percent to $650 billion, our country has attracted more than US$629 million in foreign direct investment, credit to the private sector has grown by 41.5 percent to $190.5 billion, and total
deposits in the commercial banks has grown by 22.1 percent to $334.6 billion.”
Ramotar said all of this was achieved despite the fact that the international environment was not favourable for some of the important sectors of our economy.
Parliament
Turning his attention locally Ramotar explained that on November 10th, he was forced to prorogue the National Assembly because of the attempt by the opposition to close it down.
“I did this for two reasons mainly. First I had hoped, as I still do, that we can have dialogue on many important issues that I would like to see resolved by this 10th Parliament. I have already highlighted the education and AML/CFT Bills that are pending before the Assembly. In addition to these, we have the important Telecommunications Bill which will liberalise the sector, promote competition, reduce telecom cost to consumers, create conditions for more job creation and improve our competitiveness as an investment destination.”
Ramotar said he thought that these were important enough to get through without delay. Secondly, he said it is important to note that, had the opposition proceeded with their intended No
Confidence Motion, thousands of Guyanese voters would have been disenfranchised “given where we were in the voter registration process.”
He said thus far the opposition has spurned his attempts to discuss these issues and in their customary manner have rejected his invitation to dialogue. “Clearly, we can’t continue in this way. We need a mandate to continue the progress that we have started that has brought our country such a far way from what it was two decades ago.”
The President said his government will continue to expand roads and bridges network, including ensuring greater access to “our geographic neighbours.” He said during the next term of office, “my Government will work with our partners to bridge the Corentyne River and to complete the road from Brazil along with the accompanying deep water harbour. We will also improve ease of movement within our borders by upgrading the major hinterland arteries and widening our major coastal highways. Within our towns and villages, rehabilitation and upgrading our urban and community roads will continue apace, all with the aim of improving access.”
President Donald Ramotar
Mon Repos residents reap rewards of composting efforts
Residents of Block CC, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, recently reaped the rewards of their composting efforts when they were able to gather the compost they made.
Under the Clean Green Guyana Campaign administered by the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry and funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), a number of Block CC residents learnt the heap composting method from local composting expert Rufus Lewis.
In a release, it was explained that Lewis visited the area several times over the course of the last six weeks and worked closely with these residents to show them how they could turn their kitchen and yard waste into compost that could be used as a soil enhancer.
As part of this project, residents of Block CC placed their kitchen and yard waste in a community compost heap, following a process super-
vised by Lewis. Composting is often described as nature’s way of recycling as the process converts organic waste into a valuable product instead of disposing of organic waste by undesirable means such as dumping or burning. Composting these waste
leads to cleaner, healthier communities. Further, by separating and diverting organic waste for composting, the life of landfills is extended.
Hiralal Bissessar, a resident, said that residents were pleased to learn how to
compost, and hoped to continue to do so in their backyards. He noted that the project progressed smoothly and that residents experienced no bad odours or pests due to the compost heap as a result of Lewis’ constant supervision of the process.
Woman dies after giving birth at GPHC
Awoman has died days after giving birth at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, the medical institution said in a statement.
In its statement the
GPHC said that the patient who they refused to identify delivered a baby on December 25, 2014, passed away on Tuesday.
According to the hospital the patient was discharged on December
26, however, she became ill and was taken to the Diamond Hospital from where she was referred.
The patient succumbed hours after admission to the Accident and Emergency Unit of
the Georgetown Public Hospital. A Post Mortem is to be performed to ascertain the cause of death.
“Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation extends sincere condolences to the bereaved family.”
St Lucian citizen granted bail for overstaying in Guyana
Fifty-three-yearold Lloyd Roberts McGonnie, residing at Lot 52 D Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden (Region 10Upper Demerara- Berbice) was placed on $50,000 bail after being charged for overstaying his time in Guyana.
The defendant appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Wednesday morning. It was alleged that be-
tween April 18, 2012 and December 28, 2014 at Georgetown, he failed to comply with conditions which permitted him to stay in Guyana from January 13, 2012 to January 18, 2013.
The unrepresented St Lucian citizen pleaded not guilty to the offence. The Chief Magistrate asked the defendant whether he has a legal representative. He noted that someone had arranged it for him but has no idea where the lawyer is or
even the name of the lawyer since he was denied a phone call while in Police custody.
Attorney Peter Hugh who was present in court at the time was asked to fill in the post by the Chief Magistrate, to which he did.
The defence lawyer made his bail application for McGonnie. Hugh noted that the defendant is not married but has one minor child. He further stated that he has no prior or pending matters and is not a flight risk.
However, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant stood his ground stating that the defendant is not a Guyanese national and is a possible flight risk, adding that the defendant accepted the offence when he was in Police custody.
The defence’s objections took precedence over the prosecution and Roberts McGonnie was granted bail in a sum of $50,000. The trail for this case is set for January 7.
Eyew tness
Inanities...
...and schupidness
Glenn "Mook" Lall heard about a call via which the AG cautioned him through one of his reporters (and earlier to his house-slave Editor) that "knock got knock" back.
The Mook was so shaken up he shed a "River of Tears" (where are you, Johnny Braff??) into his face rag. And then quavered he became so terrified, the AG should be charged for committing a "terrorist act"!! Now THAT...is what we call pure, unadulterated schupidness!!
But Henry Jeffrey seems determined to top that! Was he imbibing too much over the Christmas holidays when he wrote his Stabber piece? This Eyewitness is still trying to figure out why he would pick this time of the years to launch such a vicious attack on one of the core beliefs of Christianity. Is there nothing sacred to these wankers??
For reasons that are still unfathomed, Jeffrey drags out an old chestnut from high school civics classesLeo Strauss' contradistinction between "Jerusalem and Athens". "Jerusalem" of course - the home of Christrepresenting "faith" while "Athens" signifies "reason"associated with the ancient Greeks. There is supposedly, the "tension" between faith and reason. By now all of this is so banal that you, Dear Reader, must be exclaiming "So what?!!?"
Well, Jeffrey doesn't start with "Jerusalem"....but goes back to the Creation...which even the Good Book conceded was quite a while before "Jerusalem". But he introduces this sleight of hand to deliver what he thinks is a death blow to Christianity.
When Eve bit into the "Forbidden Fruit", he chortled, she was really launching humanity on the path of seeking knowledge. And while Christians might say this was the original sin...it was really the first blow against blind faith (which is how Jeffrey sees Christianity) and the beginning of rationality. No dichotomy between faith and reason here!!
Fast forward to the present. Citing physicist Stephen Hawking as the trope for "scientific knowledge", Jeffrey announces, "Eve ignited the present scientific revolution"!! The problem of course, is that we all know that Eve didn't act on her own to take that bite out of the apple: she was seduced by the Serpent, who was the Devil!! So the Devil's responsible for our modernity and technological wonders??
What next from this wanker?? Lucifer's the one true God?? Now we know that "stupid" isn't a word in favour right now - thanks to the Stabber's vendetta against Prezzie - but have you ever heard more "schupidness" than this??
God help us in the new year!!
...in ignoring your own
Today, in addition to being New Year’s Day, it's the last day of Kwanzaa. The value we're supposed to meditate on and inculcate is imani (faith): "To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle." So we ask: what IS our struggle?? Just think of the other six values we were taught - they all revolved around our community and our people rather than just ourselves.
Contrary to what the west has pushed into our heads, when we make decisions we first have to ask "what'll be the effect on our society??" Man is a SOCIAL animal... we're certainly not islands that can survive in isolation.
While we will have ‘imani’ or faith in our leaders etc... it's not a BLIND faith. It must be tested by asking whether what the leaders, etc ask us to do is for the good of all... rather than themselves.
That's the question we'll have to answer later this year!
...and honour
Led by the bitter Mook of the Muckraker, the Opposition continues to attack former President Jagdeo. All his accomplishments for Guyana are buried. But thank God the Muckraker and the Opposition are not the entire world.
Let them ask why their "elder statesman" Corbin hasn't been asked to even witness a funeral, much less an election in Sri Lanka!!
Residents of Block CC Mon Repos have been applauded for their composting efforts
Dr Ramsammy gives thumbs up to GuySuCo
T–for
surpassing production target
he Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) surpassing its production target after five years of rising challenges has been applauded by Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
GuySuCo’s grinding operations came to a halt on December 24 after it surpassed its 2014 production target of 216,000 tonnes.
Minister Ramsammy acknowledged that it was not an easy target to reach, given the many difficulties that confronted the industry in 2014.
“The calamitous drop in sugar price on the global and preferred market scene proved to be a challenge for all sugar industries. The dramatic fall in earnings and therefore cash flow would prove pre -
cipitous for any industry or any business. In addition, while generally rainfall was down in 2014, rain fell and affected the industry at critical times,” he explained.
Recognising the important role the industry plays in the country’s economy, the management of GuySuCo with the support of the thousands of sugar workers toiled earnestly to meet the target.
“While the industry faced financial challenges, workers, like workers in other settings in Guyana and internationally justifiably expect better remuneration. They did not get all they wanted, but they also recognise that this is a Guyanese industry and will serve Guyana and her people for more centuries
GTUC calls for creation of job policy
As Guyana joins the rest of the world in ushering in the New Year, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has sought to address the country’s state of affairs, contending that it is plagued by poor governance.
According to the union, the absence of a comprehensive Job Creation Policy remains a major problem. It explained that high school and university graduates continue to experience difficulties in securing gainful employment, consistent with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Core Labour Standards.
The country’s high unemployment rate is being compounded by a poor industrial relations climate, the union argued in statement issued on Wednesday.
“Collective bargaining for some sectors of workers is treated with contempt by employers, with the major violator being Government. For the 12th year, the Government refuses to engage in good faith negotiations with unions in the public service,” the GTUC alleged.
Though being the largest union in the public service, the GTUC said the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) finds itself in a difficult position, having being undermined by the imposition of contract workers.
“Whilst the intent may have been to break the back of the union, workers are compromised for even though they may receive higher wages; they lose benefits, safety and security of organised labour,” the GTUC posited.
The union complained bitterly over the posture of the Bauxite Company of Guyana
Incorporated (BCGI).
It explained that for a fifth year, workers at the bauxite company are being denied the right to representation by the legally recognised union, the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU).
It added: “Our industrial climate is such where some Guyanese are denied every right under the Laws, with the Government not only being a major player but also a protector of foreign business engaging in these malpractices.”
Turning its attention to the sugar industry, the union said workers continue to be challenged by poor performance in the industry and price on the international markets. Despite the many challenges, it said the unions in the sugar industry continue to fight for improve wages and benefits.
“These unions traditionally hyperactive in militancy are less militant than former years, causing widespread perception that workers’ rights are sacrificed on the altar of political allegiance.”
Additionally, the union remains concerned over the spate of industrial accidents.
It is now calling for the Labour Ministry to establish a core department to address Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) at the workplace.
“The matter was raised with the Ministry at the merging of the Labour and the OSH Departments. For instance, massive construction and sanitation works are being done and workers are put to perform duties without basic safety wear and the Ministry has failed to correct this unhealthy situation and risk to workers health and safety.”
to come,” he posited.
He added: “For that, I am grateful and dedicate our success this year to the workers. They are our heroes and I am profoundly moved by the many times the workers spoke to me and assured me that nothing will prevent them from doing what is necessary to see the industry overcome its many difficulties.”
Blairmont, East Demerara, Uitvlugt, Albion and Rose Hall were singled out for surpassing their 2014 targets. He said the other estates also came very close to meeting their targets.
The Agriculture Minister said he is looking forward to 2015 when the target is being set significantly higher than the 216,000 tonnes.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has surpassed its production target after five years of rising challenges
$149M spent on boats for Police
The marine branch of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday received five new vessels that will be used to Police the country’s waterways in order to protect fishermen and other persons who work offshore.
The five vessels were procured as part of the Force’s anti-piracy strategy, an area which is of grave concerns to authorities.
One work boat and four patrol boats were handed over to acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud on Wednesday
at the Police Marine Wharf, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
In brief remarks, Persaud said these vessels will better equip the Police Force to fulfill their mandate. He noted too that they will add capacity and better enable the Force to
Police the riverine and coastal areas.
“This will go a long way in bringing relief to fishermen and other others who operate offshore and have been threatened by piracy,” Persaud stated. He added that it will
also enhance the Police Force’s ability in joint operations with other agencies such as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard in dealing with the smuggling of good and narcotics.
The acting Police Commissioner further remarked that the vessels have the capacity to traverse the coastland of Guyana and will be used in such patrols.
Additionally, Persaud disclosed that earlier this year, several ranks of the Police Force had undergone marine training and will be deployed to operate the vessels.
The work boat MV Baramani cost some $71.9 million and was procured by US company Sun Missionary Company while the four other patrol boats cost $76.8 million and were acquired from Houston Industrial Services Limited.
According to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Government has made this investment to fight piracy and other forms of illegal activities in the country, and is looking forward to better results as far as the fight against piracy is concerned.
“These are huge sums that the Government is investing in building capacity for the Guyana Police Force to ensure it is able to conduct its lawful duty. We know that in the interior parts of our country these are certain challenges and therefore we need to strengthen the capacity of the force in order to patrol the riverine areas,” he pointed out.
Rohee said only recently a semi-submersible vessel, believed to have been built for narcotic-trafficking purposes, was found at a creek in the Waini area, Region One. He noted that there might be other illegal activities that are undiscovered.
“One has to assume that the criminal elements used areas which they consider to be vulnerable areas that are to their advantage to carry out their various activities,” the Minister stressed.
Rohee explained that these vessels were acquired under the anti-piracy strategy which was formulated since 2012 and were budgeted for in the 2013 budget to strengthen the marine wing of the Guyana Police Force.
New year but same old
Today is a new day in de new year and every body does mek resolutions to do this and to do that. Everybody does hope that things gon change fuh de better in some way. Some does wanna change dem life and some does wanna change other people life.
Some don’t have a life like de Nagga Man, so ain’t nutten to change wid he. Expect de same kinda dotishness de whole year.
Is not easy to change another man or woman, especially when dem done set in dem own wicked ways. Old people right fuh seh yuh can’t teach a old dog new tricks. Is no wonder Freedie gon always like freeness no matter how much people know.
Rum Jhaat fuh instance want to change de view whah people have of him, which is a rum booggie. But once Rum Jhaat deh bout, de rum also deh bout. So ain’t nutten gonna change whah people tink of Rum Jhaat.
Old people right again fuh seh that yuh can get de pig outta de mud, but yuh can never get de mud outta de pig. Not that Rum Jhaat is a pig, even though he does look like one and sound like one.
But fuh repetition’s sake – yuh can get Rum Jhaat away from de rum (fuh a short while, even if just to sleep), but yuh can never ever get de rum outta Rum Jhaat, and not even in de name. If only yuh coulda hadda look at Rum Jhaat last night, yuh woulda realise is name and nature...!!!
On de other hand, some people don’t know whah dem wanna change, and yet still some others does wanna change whah can never change.
In this case, Lalloo desperately wanna change every ting whah happen in de past and whah he do to he family. But some body seh even if that coulda change, Lalloo gon do de same ting all over again.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Happy New Year, but look out fuh Lalloo and de whole pack of wolves in sheep’s clothing!
The MV Baramani docked at the Police Marine Wharf, Ruimveldt, Georgetown
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee handing over the keys for the five vessels to acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud
Fire destroys Diamond house, 4 homeless
Afamily is now counting its losses after a fire gutted its Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara home on Wednesday morning. The fire began around 09:30h.
The fire, which started in the front room of the twostorey house and is believed to be of electrical origin, gutted the upper flat of the building located at Lot 123 Block Y (Seventh Avenue), Diamond.
Fortunately, none of the four occupants were at home when the fire started. After observing smoke emanating
Times that he and his 76-year-old father, along with his niece and her baby, lived in the house. The man related that he left home at 06:00h, while his dad departed about 30 minutes later and his niece was the last person to leave.
Rahim explained that he was at work when around 09:45h he received a call from a neighbour informing him of the fire. “When I come home, the whole house was already in flames; I couldn’t do nothing. Everything get destroyed,” he stated.
The owner said that he
from the house, neighbours had raised the alarm.
Owner of the house, Adil Rahim, told the Guyana
was informed by neighbours that they initially saw smoke coming from the front room, which his dad
occupied. However, the man explained that there was nothing much in the room and was baffled as to what might have caused the fire.
A devastated Rahim was confident that no electrical appliances were mistakenly left on that could have caused the fire. The man said that the three-bedroom house was fully furnished with appliances and furniture.
Rahim explained that he had taken out a mortgage to build the house and was still paying it off. He noted that he had been living in the building for the past five years and still had additional work to do on the house. He was working on completing the lower flat of the house.
When this newspaper visited the scene, neighbours and persons from around the areas were in the streets watching fire-fighters try to put out the flames. The immediate neighbours vented their anger at the tardiness and unpreparedness of the Fire Service, stating that the house could have been saved if they had arrived on time and prepared.
One woman, Ranetta Greene, who lives opposite the destroyed house, said that they were sitting in their veranda when
a child saw the smoke and informed them. The woman noted that they immediately call the Fire Service and asked another neighbour to contact the family.
She noted that despite being right in the scheme, the tenders from the Diamond Fire Station took a while to get there and even when they did, there was not enough water to douse the flames.
“If they de come earlier, they could have saved the people them house. When
you pass there (Diamond Fire Station), they don’t get on clothes and does be playing in the yard. Guyana Fire Service is a waste,” she vented.
Greene added: “They come and them ain’t get water, the water lasts two minutes in the tank when they blowing out and they had to set up a pump in the gutter. A tanker come from till in town in five minutes after they reach.”
Another woman related that about four calls were
made to get the Fire Service there speedily, since there was only smoke visible, but by the time the fire tenders arrived, flames had engulfed the inside of the house.
Another neighbour said that after the alarm was raised, he telephoned the owner of the house and then went over to the yard. “There was no flames just smoke coming out the house, so I went over and try to go up the step, but the heat was too much, I couldn’t do anything,” he recalled.
The fire quickly spread throughout the interior of the upper flat
The devastated owner Adil Rahim
CANU seized 92 kgs of cocaine last year
to routine coordination function, the Force formulated several activities including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the joint use of the GDF’s floating base at the mouth of the Pomeroon River. That MoU was signed to ensure that smuggling of goods and contraband to be reduced at a minimum.
The Customs and AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has reportedly made significant strides in 2014, upping its seizures of drugs.
For 2014, CANU seized some 92 kilograms, 279 grams of cocaine and 1223 kilograms, 140 grams of cannabis. Home Affairs
Minister Clement Rohee at his Ministry’s end of year review on Wednesday said the organisation continues to work with local and international partners to re-
duce the rising incidence of drug trafficking across the country. Rohee said routine operations at both the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle international airports and the Guyana Post Office continue to unearth drugs destined for
exportation. “The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit continues to fulfill its mandate in terms of narcotic seizures and interceptions. Routine operations at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Ogle Airport
and the Guyana Post Office Corporation were on-going during 2014. Several drug interceptions were effected, as well as other operations with international agencies such as the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Royal Canadian Mounted Police Force (RCMP) of Canada and others resulting in significant information and intelligence gathering”, Rohee told stakeholders.
He reported that the unit benefited from upgraded programmes from both local and international law enforcement agencies, and has also provided training sessions for other local law enforcement agencies. Cabinet has also given its no objection for funding for the restructuring of the unit, including an increase in staff members and their salaries.
Meanwhile, Rohee said the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons continued to promote and foster inter-agency cooperation and collaboration aimed at enabling the best use of law enforcement intelligence to advise on the effective conduct of operations in relation to the narcotics trade and trafficking in illegal weapons. He said in 2015, the force will continue to be the necessary “impact and influence in policy formulating in respect to persons who traffic in firearms and are involved in the illegal trafficking and possession of narcotics”.
The organisation is working with several bodies including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), CANU, Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
Prior to 2014, the Task Force had engaged the Food and Drug Analyst Department and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards in meaningful consultation to sensitise the general population about the harmful effects of acquiring or purchasing counterfeit goods and products, as well as the negative effects of smuggling.
This initiative resulted in more sustained collaboration between the GRA and the GEA, Rohee said. In addition
The Ministry has also arranged for the construction of a Police floating patrol base for the Police Force to assist the Force and other agencies to jointly address this issue. The floating base will be at the mouth of Waini River and will be used as a platform to monitor activities at surrounding areas as well as to interdict smugglers. The training of Police ranks to take command of the base has already begun.
The work of the central immigration department was also lauded by the Minister for exemplary work executed throughout the 2014. The department granted numerous work permits, visas and extensions of stay.
The Department successfully collaborated with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and other relevant stakeholders which resulted in the retrieval of work permits and immigration approval documents by miners who no longer had to wait for lengthy periods.
The monitoring and guiding of the implementation of the amendment of the Immigration Regulations which resulted in Eteringbang, Charity, Parika and Ogle being designated official ports of entry continued in 2014. As a result, Immigration ranks were assigned to the Gazetted Ports of Entry but they are still operating out of Police stations.
Meanwhile, recognising the need to enhance the security at wharves, Rohee said that the Task Force has embarked on strategies in collaboration with MARAD to ensure that port facilities are not used for illegal purposes.
This activity has received the full support of all agencies including MARAD. The objective of this exercise is to encourage the owners of wharves to upgrade their security infrastructure.
The Ministry’s assessment is that 2014 was another good and productive year for the two task forces, in which further inter-agency collaboration was achieved. 2014 also initiated a number of joint operations with other agencies on the Task Force.
As a result of the collaborative efforts of the agencies, a more effective stand has been taken against the smuggling of fuel and contraband in the country as a whole.
Rohee said in 2015, the task forces will continue as a coordinating body to ensure that there is synergy and cost effectiveness in their efforts to further reduce the smuggling of fuel, illicit weapons, contraband and narcotic drugs in Guyana.
CANU officials unraveling cocaine and cannabis to be burnt
Head of CANU James Singh displays a smalta bottle and a set of hand cream in which cocaine was stashed
Region 5 agriculture sector experienced boom in 2014
– Regional Chairman
The $203 million injected into agriculture for Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) in 2014 has resulted in a boom in the sector there, Regional Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth said.
According to the Chairman, the region is topping the country in rice, coconut and cattle production.
The announcement was made at the regional administration’s year-end press conference held on Tuesday.
Region Five produces over 60 per cent of the country’s rice and has surpassed it projected rice and sugar targets for the year.
In 2014, it was projected that the region will cultivate 66,600 acres of rice, but this target was surpassed as some 81,042 acres were cultivated.
The region had also set a target to produce 29,312 tonnes of sugar, but was able to produce 33,499 tonnes.
The efforts of cane harvesters deserve commendation, Bisnauth said, noting that the bumper crop is a reflection of Government’s commitment to
improve the fortunes of the ailing industry.
He said there were less strikes this year and the workers won themselves
a bonus of 18 days tax-free dollars.
Cash crop in the region is also on the move. According to Bisnauth, Region Five can now challenge the other regions for the title of top cash crop produce in the country.
“We are on the rise. We have close to 800,000 acres under cash crop cultivation in the region, and that is good, because previously, we were depending too much on the other regions,” he told reporters.
Also, some 4000 acres of coconut are under cultivation in the region, the highest in the country.
With almost 40,000 heads of sheep and goats, along with pig production being at its highest in recent years, Region Five has also become the top pork and beef producer in the country.
Despite being the country’s largest rice producing region, Region Five has close to 60,000 heads of cattle.
The Chairman congratulated all farmers, noting that they have contributed to the success of the region’s agriculture sector in 2014.
Caribbean rocked by Chikungunya
Three general elections and continued socio-economic problems may have made the headlines in the Caribbean in 2014, but it was the Chikungunya virus, the mosquito borne disease that really caught the attention of the region over the past 12 months.
In addition, while no cases had been recorded, Caribbean countries were putting in place various measures to deal with the deadly Ebola virus that have killed more than 7,000 people in West Africa and spread also by the same mosquito responsible for the Chikungunya virus.
A crippling mosquito-borne virus with a tongue twisting name, Chikungunya first appeared in the Caribbean towards the end of 2013. But by the end of 2014, every Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country had recorded cases of the virus caused by the aedes aegypti mosquito that causes a dengue-like sickness. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with Chikungunya than with dengue. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) warned the Caribbean has not yet felt the “full impact” of the disease. “There is an estimate in excess of 600,000 cases in total, most of those being from the bigger countries like the Dominican Republic and Haiti with 37 deaths in total. So it continues to spread,” said CARPHA’s executive director Dr. James Hospedales.
Dr. Hospedales said that with a population of 17 million people, the region is still in the early stages of the virus, warning “the full bloom of Chikungunya virus is yet to come. “I am saying because everybody in this part of the world and there is no resistance to this virus and we have an abundance of the vector and we have a lot of movement. In six months it has moved to all the islands and we can expect further increases in levels of cases because of what has happened elsewhere in the world where in some countries you find a 30 per cent attack rate of the entire population within a year or so.”
The situation forced regional leaders to hold a special summit in Trinidad and Tobago in November and at the end of the three hour deliberation, they outlined a series of meas -
ures to deal with both the Chikungunya and Ebola viruses. “Heads of government expressed considerable concern, not just in relation to the possible health impact of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), but also about the disruption a single case could cause in the economic and social life of the region,” CARICOM Chairman Gaston Browne, the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister said afterwards.
Browne said that the leaders had adopted a 10-point plan to deal with Ebola and a four point plan to deal with the Chikungunya virus with CARPHA coordinated the strategy that would have an international input. “There must be a well-coordinated, continuous public education campaign on how the disease is spread, targeting the citizenry, travellers and tourism stakeholders,” said Browne, noting that the leaders had agreed that there must be a multi-sectoral approach to fighting the disease that would include education, tourism, media, local government and other sectors and capabilities, including private enterprises and explore the use of new technologies.
Regarding the Ebola virus for which there is no cure, some Caribbean countries took the unprecedented step of imposing a travel ban on nationals from three West African countries, namely – Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.
Browne, defending the position, said “even if we end up with a single case of Ebola, it has serious consequences for our tourism product. Most of our countries are dependent on tourism and I can assure you that if any of our respective countries has a single case of Ebola then you can see potentially maybe a 30 to 50 per cent drop in tourism. That means immense hardship for our people.” The Ebola virus may have been at the center of the decision by Suriname to back out of hosting the 100th session of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Council of Ministers in November. Paramaribo announced the cancellation of the November 3-4 event even though it said it was making all necessary preparations for the summit, including putting in place measures to prevent possible transmission of the deadly Ebola virus by visitors from West Africa. As a result, the summit was held in Brussels in December and Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European, Dr. P.I. Gomes was elected as the new ACP Secretary General, replacing Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni. (CMC)
Region Five Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth
GAWU claims GuySuCo still in the doldrums
…despite achieving 2014 target
The main sugar union –
Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said that there should not be too much celebration over the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) surpassing its 2014 target, saying that the sugar company has failed miserably especially in reaching the target set out in its 2014 strategic plan.
On Monday, GuySuCo reported that it was able to surpass its 216,000 target set for 2014, by 147 tonnes.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Raj Singh had expressed gratitude to workers at all levels of the Corporation for their efforts in achieving the target, the first year since 2005 the Corporation was able to do so. But GAWU President Komal Chand told the Guyana Times that that figure represents another year of “very poor production”.
GuySuCo, he claimed, has been bolstered with a glut of resources, including land, machinery, factories and a workforce. According to him, it is unfortunate that the production remains so poor.
Chand said based on his knowledge, the sugar company had an original 2014 target of 219,000 tonnes. That target, he related, was given to the Economic Services Committee when they met earlier this year. But the GAWU President said that even if the company was able to achieve that figure, it still would have fallen way below the 274,000-tonne target set out in its Strategic Plan.
The 2014 first-crop production target of 75,000
tonnes was surpassed by some 5000 tonnes, prompting the Corporation to revise the 2014 target and raising hopes that the industry was beginning to turn the corner after a dismal 2013.
Declining production Analysts and critics alike have condemned the performance of the company over the years, contending that although Government continues to pump billions of dollars into the industry, there still remains much to be desired.
GAWU’s President said too that although the Corporation has been seeing a slight decline over the past 10 years, production had still been up.
He said years before, even with fewer resources, the company was able to produce exceedingly, boosting economic growth, and quoted comparative figures over a 10-year period, showing the decline in
In a release, GuySuCo’s CEO said that there was
still much to be done to ensure that the Corporation returned to profitability. He had related that the performance of the industry was encouraging and that most of the key performance indicators were achieved.
In the coming year, more focus and energy will be placed on increasing production; reducing the cost of production; enhancing the mechanisation programme; growing the market base; and diversifying lines of business with new products, particularly value-added ones. According to him, during the current out-of-crop maintenance, the Corporation will be focusing on getting the factories ready for production by mid-February 2015.
Last year, sugar production came in at 186,500 tonnes – the worst performance in 22 years,
according to GAWU.
Guyana has been taking steps to turn the tide of the industry’s fortunes and meet a production target of 300,000 tonnes soon, and is projected to reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020. GuySuCo, however, continues to operate at a loss, even with more than 15 years of billions of dollars in investments.
Back in 1995, the Corporation was producing sugar at a relatively high cost; today, the situation remains the same. From 1995 to 1996, the cost of production was US$0.23 per pound with the figure dropping to US$0.22 by 1997. When compared with production costs in Guatemala, the United States, North-East Brazil and India, the cost of producing sugar in Guyana is most unfavourable.
Appearing before the Economic Services Committee back in July, Dr Singh had disclosed that the cost of production stood at US$0.34 per pound of sugar. Recognising the high cost of production, he assured the Committee that mechanisms were in place in the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan to reduce the figure to US$0.26 per pound. Singh had said that the industry has a history of poor profitability.
With the exception of 2006 and 2007, GuySuCo has operated at a loss for the past 10 years. After investing approximately $9 billion into the industry in 2005, GuySuCo recorded a profit of $476 million in 2006. In that same year, an additional $12.5 billion was pumped into the industry, leading to a profit of $630 million in 2007.
GuySuCo’s production.
GuySuCo’s CEO Dr Raj Singh said the performance of the industry was encouraging and that most of the key performance indicators were achieved
Thank you for your usual support – PPP/C
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) extends New Year’s greetings to all Guyanese. The dawn of a new year’s always brings with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism for a better and more prosperous Guyana. The PPP/C shares this optimism and feels proud of the role it has played as the ruling party in influencing and shaping the several programmes and policies which cumulatively have impacted positively on the living and working conditions of the Guyanese people.
The PPP/C is confident that the best days in our individual and collective lives are still ahead of us. There can be no doubt that the foundations for a strong and secure Guyana has been firmly laid, thanks to the visionary leadership of the PPP/C and the current administration.
Regrettably, the full potential of our development has been stymied by a reckless and unsupportive Opposition which have used their combined oneseat majority to deny the people of Guyana a better quality of life.
And, as if that were not enough, they have now joined forces in their attempts to remove the popular, democratic and duly elected PPP/C Government led by President Donald Ramotar by way of a No-Confidence Motion.
One consequence of such reckless action by the Opposition was the decision by President Ramotar to prorogue Parliament to allow for political stability and normalcy in the Administration of the affairs of the state.
There can be no doubt that despite the setbacks, we have achieved much. The hard
work of our President and his Administration has paid dividends and the tidal wave of prosperity has lifted all boats.
All Guyanese look forward for a continuation of this momentum of growth and development in the coming period ahead. The New Year of 2015 from all indications will be an exciting one which hopefully will see and end to political gridlock, greater political maturity on the part of our political Opposition and a continuation of the peace, progressive and prosperity which has now character-
ised our national life.
The PPP/C takes this opportunity to thank all its members, supporters and friends for standing by the Party over the years and looks forward to their continued support, especially at this critical time in our history when dark clouds are hovering the land. The PPP/C is confident that the Guyanese people will make the correct political choices when called upon to so do so that the dreams and aspirations of our citizens can be realised.
Once again, a happy and productive New Year to one and all!
2015 brings new hope – AFC
2014 was a year of many challenges and it brought to the fore the indomitable spirit of the Guyanese people as we sought to overcome these challenges. We saw an increase in serious crime that more often than not, resulted in the gruesome murder of our citizens. This was compounded by the failure in many instances of the Police to bring the perpetrators to justice. Many families will go in to
2015 without a loved one due to speeding on our roads. On the last day of 2014, we learnt of yet another young mother dying in child’s birth. For so many families, 2014 was a devastating year where murder, suicide or other fatal incidents brought grief and pain. For many more, the past year was one of stagnation where hope for promotions and advancements were not realised as personal economic
growth did not materialise despite additional efforts.
In the business sector, the hardships and trials continued as many of our local businesses struggled to compete in an uneven playing field.
On the political front, we saw the suspension of the National Assembly rather than the Government defending its record in a debate of a NoConfidence Motion. But 2014 was not without
its successes. Our CSEC student did our country proud as they excelled at the National and Regional levels. Our sportsmen and women also kept our flag flying high, especially our Rugby players. Throughout the year, the unconquerable spirit of the Guyanese people shone through and allowed us to rise to every challenge that we faced. 2015 will no doubt have its share of challenges but it also
presents that periodic opportunity to free ourselves of the shackles of bad governance. It is expected that early in the New Year, we will have the opportunity to go to the polls to elect a new Government. Let 2015 be the year when we take back our country. Long live the unconquerable spirit of the Guyanese people and a just and rewarding 2015 to all of us!
Hmunity flung country. The National Reform tends Happy Guyanese in the be true past all of that society. the tory, ple overcame. As dawns, on all regardless nicity, ation join National in bringing
President Donald Ramotar
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan
January 1, 2015|
guyanatimesgy.com
this opits memfriends for over the forward to their especially at our history hovering confident people will political choicso do so aspirations realised. and proone and all! periodic opporourselves of the governance. It early in the have the oppolls to Government. Let we take unconquerable
Guyanese people rewarding 2015
Happy New Year to all Guyanese – PNCR
Happy New Year! To every home, family and community across the farflung regions of our country.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends greetings for a Happy New Year to all Guyanese at home and in the diaspora. It may be true to say that the past year brought forth all of the possible ills that can overwhelm our society. Yet, and not for the first time in its history, the Guyanese people overcame.
As the New Year dawns, the PNCR calls on all of our peoples, regardless of race, ethnicity, political affiliation or religion, to join A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in bringing about the
transformation of our country so that Guyana’s vast resources may, at last, be made to serve the imperative for development and social advancement of all the people of Guyana.
Guyanese in 2015 will have an opportunity to choose a new Government in the forthcoming General and Regional Elections. The opportunity to correct the many ills facing our beloved country; opportunity to remove many of the fundamental obstacles that have halted the development of our country and ourselves; and, opportunity to place Guyana on the path to national harmony and real progress by electing APNU’s multi-party partnership and ushering in a Government of National
APNU: Guyana’s year of democratic renewal dawns on January 1, 2015
Unity.
On this the first day of the New Year, it is our hope that all of us will realise a measure of prosperity in our personal lives and that each of us, wherever we may be, will endeavour to make some contribution, however small, to the development of our country.
The PNCR, therefore, looks forward to participating, as it has successfully done in the past, in the continuing drive for the peaceful development of this dear land of ours. The party wishes all Guyanese a very Happy New Year and looks forward to the New Year with optimism and hope. May God Bless our nation as we strive to provide a good life for all Guyanese!
Guyanese in 2015 will have an opportunity to choose a new Government in the forthcoming General and Regional Elections. The choices facing the nation are clear.
Our choice will be between the inauguration of a ‘Government of national unity’ proposed by A Partnership for National Unity on the one hand or a continuation of the ‘winner-takes-all’ approach adopted by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration on the other hand.
Our choice will be between electing APNU’s multi-party partnership and perpetuating the PPP’s one-party dictatorship. Our choice will be between inclusionary democracy and oneparty dictatorship. Our choice will be between electing new Councillors in fresh municipal and Local Government Elections or enduring further incapacitating Central Government control of our towns and neighbourhoods.
Guyanese, far too frequently in 2014, have had to protest against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration’s
dictatorial prorogation of Parliament and its refusal to hold Local Government Elections. We have had to demand investigations into Police torture. We have had to demand regular and reliable electricity supply in hinterland centres such as Bartica, Lethem and Mahdia. We have had to demand the payment of ‘living’ wages for our working people, improved schools for our children, enhanced social protection for senior citizens and safer roads for everyone.
We have had to bear the brunt of the high rate of crime including armed robberies, arson, inter-personal violence, murder, piracy, rapes, fatal road accidents and trafficking in persons. We have suffered most from the high cost of living, high level of unemployment and high rate of migration. These have all taken a toll on our families and our quality of life.
We deserve a society in which we could look forward to living in safety, to working for ‘living wages’ to cope with the cost of living and to enjoying adequate social protection in our old age.
2015 must be a ‘Year of democratic renewal’. APNU is prepared to participate with political and social partners in a Government of national unity to make this a reality. Such a Government will aim at improving educational standards for our children, providing jobs for our young people, protecting our women and girl children from criminal violence and ensuring the country is safe for all.
Best wishes for a happy New Year to everyone!
APNU Leader David Granger
Post-mortem on teen postponed – after Pathologist collapses
The post-mortem examination which was scheduled to be performed on the remains of 14-year-old Dhaniram Ramgopaul, also called “Ryan”, who was found dead in a creek, will now be done on Friday.
Jankie Seecharam, the mother of the dead teenager told Guyana Times that her husband and eldest son went to witness the autopsy, but the pathologist collapsed at the mortuary and had to seek medical attention.
She noted that this is definitely a set back to the family since they wanted to have some closure on the matter. The grieving mother however stated that from reports received, the four young men and the woman are still in Police custody.
In tears, she said to this day, the family is still looking for answers as to the motive for people wanting her son dead. Nevertheless, she is holding out that her son was murdered and then thrown overboard.
The family reportedly searched throughout the night and came up emptyhanded but resumed their search on Monday and again, they were unsuccessful. It was not until Tuesday morning that a handyman who works at the creek found the body floating in the black water.
The man told Guyana Times that he woke up about 05:00h as normal and went to the shop to buy something to cook, and as he was returning home in a taxi, he saw something floating in the water but initially thought it was a bag.
He then recalled that a teen was missing and asked the taxi driver to stop the vehicle and as they looked closer, they realised that the floating object was the body of the missing teen. His body was face down and it was obvious that there was a bite near the mouth, likely caused by fish.
The Police have said that until a post-mortem examination is performed to determine the cause of death of the teenager, they cannot confirm if he was murdered. The teenager leaves to mourn his parents and six siblings.
The dead teen of 134 Phase Two Good Hope, East Coast Demerara went missing on Sunday during an outing at the resort with his family and friends. The former Apex Academy Fourth Form student was reportedly last seen going to use the washroom and subsequently disappeared.
Dead: Dhaniram Ramgopaul
National Museum displays Chinese photography
The Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, in collaboration with the China Photographers Association, opened a photographic exhibition on Monday called “Beautiful China”, at the Guyana National Museum.
The exhibition involved a 35-picture display showcasing various aspects of Chinese life.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared that the showcase was a great opportunity for Chinese and Guyanese photographers to interact on the finer points of their talent.
Members of the China Photographers Association, responsible for the exquisite pieces, unfortunately could not be present for the exhibition due to flight issues.
Closer ties
Minister Anthony expressed his appreciation that the exhibition was still able to go on as planned, as it was a great opportunity for Guyana to be able to appreciate the pieces.
In his address to the attendees of the exhibi -
tion opening, the Minister emphasised that these engagements are intended to strengthen Guyana’s bilateral relations with China and other countries like India and Argentina.
It was only in October that the Ministry had hosted a long tour for Argentina’s celebrated singer Nestor Basurto, across the regions of
Guyana. This had proved educational and entertaining, for young musicians particularly.
One recent Chinese interaction that Guyana has had the opportunity
to be part of is the teaching of the language at the University of Guyana (UG). This was made possible with the opening of the Confucius Institute (CI) at the University this
year. This in itself solidifies the relationship of the countries as it enables easier communication, which can facilitate the building of relationships.
Minister Anthony stated that these languages were also offered to assist with commercial relations between the states, acknowledging that China has made its mark on the world and thus was an important partner to have.
Anthony informed that the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Limin, had requested the exhibition, indicating that it was too much of a golden opportunity for improving relations to be turned down.
Recognising the increasing Chinese presence in Guyana, Minister Anthony reminded those in attendance that Guyana was also putting down roots in the Asian state through the works of Professor David Dabydeen,
who heads up the Guyana Consulate there.
The Minister disclosed that on January 8, 2015, Professor Dabydeen will be launching one of his books in Mandarin. While one of the Guyana Classics – “The Chinese in British Guiana” by Cecil Clementi is currently being translated into Chinese.
Ambassador Zhang remarked that official ties may have been formed only 42 years ago, but Guyana and China share a relationship that goes back 160 years, with the first coming of the Chinese to local shores. He commented on the tremendous growth this friendship has seen over the years.
With regard to the exhibition, Ambassador Zhang explained the pictures to those in attendance, stating that they capture the harmony between humans and nature.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony (second left); Chinese Ambassador Zhang Limin (far left); and members of the Diplomatic Corps as they look at one of the exhibits
Essequibo mother dies after delivering still born baby
B y I ndrawatt I e n atram
What should have been a joyous moment for the Rampersaud family of Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast has on Tuesday turned out to be a big loss.
They are mourning the death of their daughter-inlaw Bavani Rampersaud, 25, who lost her life around 05:30h at the Suddie Public Hospital after undergoing several hours of operation to remove her placenta after birth.
According to her saddened mother, Meena Prashad, her daughter’s life was snatched away too early and unexpected.
The frustrated mother said Bavani was forced to rush into an early delivery after she was told that her baby had died inside her.
The tearful mother said her pregnant daughter became ill with a normal fever and was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital for treatment. Doctors administered two injections and sent her home.
On December 30, Rampersaud complained to her husband Satyanand Rampersaud and home circle of feeling unwell and was immediately rushed to the Emergency Unit of the hospital.
The doctors on testing her discovered that her baby was not moving and she had to undergo an immediate surgery.
“All this was going on, we were outside, they didn’t say anything, no doctor or nurse informed us what was going on, all we seeing is commotion and they ask the husband to sign a paper for permission of the surgery,” the tearful mother said.
The mother said they then connected “drip” to her daughter and tried to induce labour. The baby was pressed out; however, the “placenta” was still inside.
The mother related that her daughter was moaning and crying out in
pain and the nurses allegedly shouted at her to stay calm.
“She went in the surgery with eight pints of blood and when she came out, she only had one pint. If they knew the surgery was going to take all her blood, they should have tell us, we would have get blood for my daughter.”
The mother also noted that prior to the surgery, a female gynaecologist reported pushed her hands up inside her daughter trying to pull something out.
“My daughter was screaming for her life, all those pains, they were so ruff; I still have visions of my daughter screams in my head.”
The mother said too that a nurse in care of her daughter was very rude.
“The nurse told us we have to wait until visit and Bavani stands a chance of 50-50 living and barred us.”
The family is very disturbed over the death of the young woman and the alleged unprofessionally attitude by medical officers attached to the Suddie Public Hospital.
Meanwhile, a medical officer of the hospital said all efforts were made to save the mother, but what they found was the patient had used medication to abort the child earlier.
The doctor confirmed that the child died in the mother’s womb, noting that this resulted in her bleeding profusely.
The medical officer disclosed that the mother died from Vasoactive Intestinal Polupeptide (VIP).
The family said they would prefer not to have an autopsy performed on the deceased. Rampersaud leaves to mourn her two sons, reputed husband and her younger siblings.
She was described as a very caring and loving person. She was a clerk attached to the Region Two Department of Education at the time of her death.
Dead: Bavani Rampersaud
Let’s work together for a better Guyana in 2015 – Dr Ramsammy
Iwould like to extend best wishes to my Guyanese sisters and brothers for a blessed and a very successful 2015. In spite of the many difficulties that we confronted in 2014, we still managed to have a successful 2014. I am confident that we will work together and succeed together for a better Guyana in 2015. There were many successes in 2014. Our country made impressive progress in our economy with a ninth year of economic growth. Our children continue to improve in their performance in education. The health sector expanded. Our safe-
ty nets with increasing pension and support for electricity and water continue to bring relief for thousands of people.
In agriculture, we led the way. Rice and sugar production increased, as did cash crop, fish, poultry, beef and pork production. New crops were introduced. Agriculture research has expanded to meet levels never imagined before.
While we must continue to build our infrastructure and our economy, 2014 has also shown us that we must confront a number of increasingly worrying problems. Road accidents and suicide are major challenges for our country. Cyber crimes have become a new challenge. Domestic violence and sexual abuse are issues that Guyana and the world face.
But I am certain that as a country, we can overcome these and other problems we face. We have reasons to be proud of our country. I pray and wish that 2015 will provide us with many more reasons to celebrate and so please have a blessed and happy new year.
Guyana Prize for Literature launched
The University of Guyana Faculty of Education and Humanities has launched the annual Guyana Prize for Literature, and is seeking entries from writers in Guyana and across the Region.
The Guyana Prize for Literature was established in 1987 to provide encouragement for the development of good creative writing among Guyanese in particular and Caribbean writers as a whole. Its objectives are to provide a focus for the recognition of creative writing by Guyanese at home and abroad and stimulate interest in and provide encouragement for the development of good creative writing.
The competition is open to works produced in Poetry (a collection of poems or one long poem by a single author); Fiction (a novel or collection of short stories by a single author); Drama (a fulllength play) and first-time publication of books of poetry and/or fiction.
The awards include a US$5000 prize for poetry; US$5000 for Fiction; US$5000 for drama; and US $3000 for first books. Publishers, or authors in the case of drama or manuscripts, are requested to submit six copies of each title.
No selected poems or collected poems or stories, the bulk of which have been previously published in book form outside the prescribed
Final winner of Courts Big Prize Promo takes home $3M
Courts Guyana Inc is still in the giving spirit for the holidays, with the final winner of its Christmas promotion taking $3 million on Tuesday.
In addition to the $3 million, five Curved Screen Smartphones and a Samsung Entertainment Package were handed out during a presentation at its Main Street branch. Aretha Lowenfield, the last winner of the Big Prize Promotion, received a cheque with her winnings of $3 million from Courts.
The Big Prize Promotion is an annual promotion of promotions that were implemented for the holidays for Courts lucky shoppers. The promotion had included a Harris Paint Package, a Mabe package, a Samsung promotion and a host of others.
Other winners of the Big Prize Promotion are Latchmin Singh, Sarah Mohamed, Maxwell
and
They were declared winners during a weekly draw by Courts this month.
A total of $15 million was given away. Courts also had the LG Promotion where customers shopping LG dig-
ital products were entered to win one of 10 LG Curved Screen Smartphones, what Courts calls “one of the most innovative cell phones currently on the market”.
There were also winners of three Samsung Entertainment packages which allowed winners to take home Samsung entertainment gadgets upon buying Samsung televisions. Persons purchasing Mabe appliances were also entered to win their purchase free with three customers winning weekly.
time, will be accepted. According to an advertisement published in local newspapers, all entries must be accompanied by a separate typed sheet with information on the entrant’s full name, date and place of birth, citizenship or residence qualifications, current address, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail. In the case of poetry and fiction, it must be stated whether or not the work is a first published book in the relevant category. Also included should be a brief biographical sketch and career resume of the author, together with a recent photograph.
The deadline for the receipt of entries will be February 28, 2015. Winners shall be selected by a panel of five judges of whom one will be the chairman.
The five judges will comprise persons from within Guyana and abroad well known for their work in these fields. The Management Committee may ask the Commonwealth Institute or the British Council to nominate one of the judges. If it ever happens that all five judges are unable to read all entries, each entry will be read by at least three judges. A short list of finalists will be announced not later than one month before the award ceremony. The decision of the judges will be final and no correspondence on the results will be entertained.
Boyer, Jewan Deodat
Mahendra Deonarine.
Courts hands over the $3 million cheque to the final Big Prize Promotion winner, Aretha Lowenfield
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Around the world
Thousands protest against Peru labour laws
Thousands of people have rallied in the Peruvian capital against a new labour law that discriminates against young people.
At least 5000 people marched against The Youth Employment Law in Lima on Tuesday, new legislation that allows employers to reduce employment benefits for those aged between 18 and 24.
Under the new provision, bonuses, social security and life insurance will be affected, and holiday entitle-
ment will be cut from 30 to 15 days.
Despite opposition by various student groups and labour unions, the Government claims the new law will reduce youth unemployment and help the poorest people with little experience.
Protester Leonardo Rojas said: “We cannot allow the Government, through their inaction and the few measures they have taken to reactivate our economy, to claim it has an effect on us young people with this pack-
age [law], with these abusive measures that violate the labour rights of the young.”
Marco Aguirre, another protester, said: “Unfortunately the fundamental rights of young people are being assaulted, many young people, this law is affecting all the young people in the country.”
According to official figures the unemployment rate for those aged between 18 and 24 is four times higher than those aged 30 to 65.
(Al Jazeera)
Venezuela recession confirmed as Maduro attacks US ‘oil war’
The Venezuelan economy is now officially in recession after the central bank released figures showing that it has been shrinking all year.
The bank said the economy had declined by 2.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2014.
It also revealed for the first time that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 4.8 per cent and 4.9 per cent respectively in
the first and the second quarters of 2014.
President Nicolas Maduro said the economy had been hit by political instability and falling oil prices.
He accused the United States of flooding the markets with oil as part of an economic war against Russia.
The central bank also said inflation had reached 63.6 per cent in the 12 months to November, one of the highest rates in the world.
Maduro announced a number of measures to boost economic growth and control inflation, including reforms to Venezuela’s currency control system.
“The details will be extensively explained after the New Year’s greeting,” Maduro told reporters.
Maduro said speculation had affected inflation, but he also praised Government efforts to rein in the increases.
(Excerpt
Robert F Kennedy Jr: We have so much to learn from Cuba
"Earlier
this month, President Barack Obama announced the restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than five decades of a misguided policy which my uncle, John F Kennedy, and my father, Robert F. Kennedy, had been responsible for enforcing after the US embargo against the country was first implemented in October 1960 by the Eisenhower administration.
“The move has raised hopes in many quarters –not only in the United States
but around the world – that the embargo itself is now destined to disappear.
“This does not detract from the fact that Cuba is still a dictatorship. The Cuban Government restricts basic freedoms like the freedoms of speech and assembly, and it owns the media.
“Elections, as in most old-school Communist countries, offer limited options and, during periodic crackdowns, the Cuban government fills Cuban jails with political prisoners.
“However, there are real tyrants in the world with
whom the United States has become a close ally and many Governments with much worse human rights records than Cuba – Azerbaijan, for example, whose President Ilham Aliyev boils his opponents in oil; Saudi Arabia; Jordan; China; Bahrain; Tajikistan; Uzbekistan; and many others where torture, enforced disappearances, religious intolerance, suppression of speech and assembly, mediaeval oppression of women, sham elections and non-judicial executions are all Government practices.
(Excerpt from IPS)
Palestinians decide to join ICC
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed a document at a meeting in Ramallah requesting membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
President Abbas signed the document on Wednesday, a day after a United Nations Security Council session failed to pass a resolution that had aimed to set a deadline for Israel to end its occupation of territories sought by the Palestinians.
Abbas also signed a raft of about 20 other treaties, aligning Palestine with various international organisations.
The decision sets the stage for filing a war crimes case against Israel for its actions in Gaza. Israel’s President Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take action following the announcement.
The signed statute will now be passed to UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon, who will consider the application to join the ICC. While not guaranteed, legal experts think the process is likely to result in Palestinian membership being approved.
“The one who needs to fear the International Criminal Court in The Hague is the Palestinian Authority, which has a unity government with Hamas, a terror organisation like ISIL, which commits war crimes,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
“Israel will respond and defend the soldiers of the IDF [The Israeli Army] the most moral army in the world.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
AirAsia victims remembered at vigil
Avigil has been held in the Indonesian city of Surabaya for the victims of the AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crash.
Hundreds of residents and relatives of those on board lit candles and observed a minute’s silence for the victims.
Flight QZ8501, carrying 162 people from Surabaya to Singapore, disappeared on Sunday. Debris from the flight
was located in the sea on Tuesday.
Seven bodies have been retrieved, but weather conditions have hindered further salvage efforts.
There were 137 adult passengers, 17 children and one infant, along with two pilots and five crew, on the plane.
The majority of those on board were Indonesians.
Hundreds of people,
including young children, turned out to the vigil in Surabaya on Wednesday evening.
Surabaya’s Mayor Tri Rismaharini said: “Let us pray for the grieving families of those on board the plane. Let us pray this will be the last tragedy for Surabaya.”
All New Year’s Eve celebrations in East Java province were cancelled.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed about 20 international agreements a day after a UN Security Council resolution failed (Reuters)
Rayon Mantoos – Student
“Well, I think whether any party is running the country, whoever it is, they should all hold one head and run it good.
I’m hoping to see that this year. I didn’t see that last year, because the Opposition and the leading party always have some dispute among themselves and we, the people, are facing all the negative impacts because of those disagreements. All those projects like the Marriott and the airport expansion; it’s a way to develop our country as to attract tourists and make our country better so I’m hoping we see improvement with those this year.”
Verindra Singh – Student
“I think for the New Year, Guyana needs to increase its Public-Private Partnerships on capital investments so that there can be long-term GDP [Gross Domestic Product] growth, which in turn can decrease unemployment, especially of the younger generation. Also, there needs to be the introduction of public buses to compete with the Unions, who hold the entire country at ransom. Look at the situation on the 42 bus park. It’s terrible. The parties simply need to look at the needs of the people, at how they can directly benefit from projects. I hope to see that in 2015.”
Darroll Williams – Student
“2015 is a new beginning, a new year. In a country desperately trying to live up to its motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, 2015 presents a chance to execute this. Starting with our Head of Office, Members of Parliament and Leaders of the Opposition need to start working towards one goal. Political success and country development is no accident. What we do today dictates our tomorrow. So until our leaders understand this, 2015 may very well be 2014’s twin brother.”
New Year's wishes
Ajai Balram
“Last year, I don’t even know how to describe it. It was a lot of back and forth and up and down with these people who running and want to run our country. I don’t know; I want to see smooth and effective changes, but I guess with politics, that can never happen. So I don’t care much about their battles and arguments, once the people of the country are satisfied, they have jobs and food and freedom of speech and everything, every human right, then everything is good. Once people aren’t being victimized when they walk on the streets, everything good. So I don’t know what the parties will do, they need to think about the people rather themselves, but which party will do that?”
Sonya Bevaun – Student
“Well, I just want what’s best for the people and the country and the Government and Opposition really need to work together to figure that out. This nonsense, I’m hoping that it stops in 2015. I actually think we need a new party, with new people with new vision, because, if 2014 repeated, then I don’t see any change or progress happening in this country.”
Ray Khan
“Well, 2015, I’m hoping to see a lot of improvement, because 2014 was a terrible year with all the battles between the political parties. I mean, if other people look into our situation, what will they think, how will they view our country? We need leaders with a vision for a better place, and we cannot start big, we need to start small, start with the people, and then once the people are satisfied, then we can move forward. But of course, this is just my views. And then there are some people who are never satisfied. But I know, regardless of what, I will make my 2015 a good year.”
Mark Sami – GuySuCo Worker
“Well in 2015, I want to see the Government, whoever it may be, I want to see them actually looking out for the people of the nation. Because right now, everything that they doing is for themselves, I mean, some people benefiting and some are not. So I want to see a government who will look after its people. But 2014, it was great: there was a lot of problems and so in the system, but things worked out, and no matter the challenges in this year, I’m sure it will be a great year. The people just need to come together as one, instead of being separated, you know. They need to end this barrier, of who is better than who and who racial, it all needs to stop. I’m seeing changes and I hope to see more in 2015.”
if we will get that, but I can only hope, right? What else can I do?”
Stacy Correia – Employee at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
“In 2015, I want to see a common goal which is to get Guyana further than where we are, both Opposition and Government need to be working towards that and stop the finger pointing. We have no sort of benefits and opportunities for anyone here, not even the younger generation. We also, as students, need to be rewarded for our long hours of studying and hard work and if we begin to receive some benefits for our hard, hard work, and I emphasise on the fact that we may have a better society rather than turning to violence and crime even though we know that we can never completely stop crime, things will at least be better. And this is just one aspect, there are so many more.”
Cindy Kishun – Student “Well, I hope for a better New Year, obviously. Everyone will hope for that. We obviously need change and I’m not sure
Venezuela commits to resolving border controversy
The Venezuelan Government said it is willing and committed to finding a practical, peaceful, and satisfactory solution to the border controversy with Guyana just over a week after this country said it was putting all options on the table to resolve the decades-old problem.
According to the Venezuelan El Universal Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has made a great deal of effort to further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries in all areas, particularly in trade and cooperation via Petrocaribe.” Maduro’s government remarked it still looks forward to reaching a solution to “finally leave behind the scars left by colonialism in the heart of Our America as it endeavoured to divide us to avoid the union of Latin America and the Caribbean...”
The communiqué stressed that appointing promptly by common consent the personal representative of the United Nations secretary-general for the
purpose of the Good Offices Process was a good sign.
“The Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela firmly believes that this mechanism continues to be the right political and legal path to settle the border dispute. This explains why it is so critical for the sake of the process that the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana responds to the requests made by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the prompt designation of the Good Officer.”
The Guyana Government last Monday announced that it was exploring a menu of options in its quest to resolve the controversy. Among options being considered are judicial action and arbitration, but this is not for the Government to decide.“It is not for the Government of Guyana to choose but the United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon. It is in the hands of the Secretary General,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn-Rodrigues-Birkett told a news conference at her office. In August 2013, Maduro during a visit to Guyana had signed a joint declaration with President Donald Ramotar recommitting to the search for a peaceful and practical settlement of the controversy in accordance with the Geneva Agreement of 1966. Under the Good Officer Process, the Presidents agreed to the reappointment of the Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Profession Norman Girvan for another term, but he has since died.
The Good Offices Process has been in place for more than 20 years, but, according to the Foreign Affairs Minister, progress has been slow. “Well, if in two decades you have not had the kind of progress you would like to see, and you would have had “additions”, that complicate that. I think you need to look at the options, but let me emphasize that we have not made a decision as yet; we are looking at it.”
Expert advice
Nevertheless, Guyana, through its Foreign Affairs Ministry, is seeking expert advice as it explores the options under the Geneva Agreement. “We are doing that to ensure that whatever course we decide on, it must be with all the necessary advice,” she added. Once a decision has been made, Minister RodriguesBirkett assured that Guyanese will be informed and the relevant stakeholders consulted on the way forward. On February 17, 1966, the Geneva Agreement was signed by Venezuela and Guyana, paving way for a mixed commission of Guyanese and Venezuelan representatives to be established with the primary objective of finding satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controver-
sy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom. Venezuela had contended that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void. The Agreement also provided that no new claim or enlargement of an existing claim to territorial sovereignty in these territories (of Venezuela and British Guiana) shall be asserted while this Agreement is in force, nor shall any claim whatsoever be asserted otherwise than in the Mixed Commission while that Commission is in being. However, under severe diplomatic pressure, Venezuela agreed to a 12-year moratorium on the dispute with the Protocol of Port of Spain in 1970.
Recent events
Meanwhile, on the matter involving the removal of a vessel from Guyana’s waters, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela had agreed to address the issue, but only one meeting was held in 2013 with the technical teams. “Unfortunately, we have not made a lot of progress in that area.”
Recognising the importance of resolving the matter, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett wrote Venezuela’s new Foreign Affairs Minister. “It is not an easy issue, but I believe that with political will on both sides, we will be able to resolve this.” In October 2013, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister and the People’s Minister of Foreign Relations of Venezuela ratified all the points of the Joint Declaration of September 30, 2011; recognising that the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between their two states remain an outstanding issue and agreed that such delimitation require negotiations.
The parties met after the Venezuela Navy had seized a research vessel in Guyana’s water. In October 2013, the Guyana Government was informed that a Venezuelan Navy boat, the Yakuana was trailing the seismic vessel RV Teknik Perdana, which was under contract with Anadarko.
But it went further, the frigate stopped the research vessel and instructed it to change course. The Venezuelan crew aboard the frigate insisted that the vessel was doing its work in Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone and instructed that the vessel switch off its engines and shut down its seismic equipment. The Venezuelan frigate subsequently ordered the RV Teknik Perdana to sail to the island of Margarita in Venezuela. It was then clear that the vessel and its crew were not only being escorted out of Guyana’s waters, but were under arrest.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Major developments anticipated in Wakenaam
… as GPL officially launches 24-hour power supply
Major economic developments are anticipated in Wakenaam in light of the island recently receiving 24 hours of electricity supply for the first time in the history of the country.
The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) recently announced that residents of Wakenaam are receiving 24-hour power supply.
President Donald Ramotar during his remarks at the rehabilitated Wakenaam Power Plant, said electricity is a vital ingredient for development on the island and across Guyana.
He explained that his Administration is striving to improve the quality of life of people in rural areas so as to give them the same opportunities available in urban settings.
The President explained that the 24-hour power supply in the area is expected to create lots of opportunities for residents, including allowing access to the Internet, improving entertainment and creating and enhancing business opportunities.
“In the past when housewives would have had to use traditional methods to preserve food items, they can now refrigerate their perishable goods,” Ramotar said.
He said residents of Wakenaam will also be able to do University of Guyana (UG) courses which will soon be available online, through the continuous supply of electricity.
He urged residents to make the most out of the new opportunity and to desist from getting carried away with television shows, which in some cases have no merit.
GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal was also confident of an economic boom on the island. He explained that for a number of years, there have
been requests for continuous power supply on the island, but because of the population size, it was not a feasible idea.
Wakenaam used to receive electricity from 04:00h to 20:00h on week days while power supply was continuous on weekends. The continuous supply of electricity Dindyal said was possible after two generators were brought to the island on the instructions of then acting President Samuel Hinds.
GPL Chairman Winston Brassington pointed out that the cost to supply a kilowatt hour of electricity on the is-
land is higher than what residents elsewhere will be paying per kWh. As such, he urged residents to do their part and refrain from stealing electricity and to pay their bills.
He said technical and commercial losses in Wakenaam currently stand around 37 per cent.
Brassington also said that had it not been for the recent budget cuts, the island would have been able to receive 24-hour power supply earlier.
However, Dindyal said the power company is presently considering linking
Wakenaam and Leguan. This is expected to create the opportunity for larger machines to service the two islands and reduce production cost. The islanders can expect this new initiative to take form by 2017.
Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faeber said the new development well put the island on an upward trajectory.
“With the 24-hour power supply, I expect significant economic growth. I expect that children will perform better in schools because they would be able to get bet-
ter access to the Internet,” Faeber said.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was also present at the event, reiterated the expectation for anticipated development and added that the initiative was taken to meet the needs and demands of the schools and businesses on the island.
A week ago, President Ramotar also commissioned the rehabilitated Leguan Power Station. During his remarks at Leguan, Ramotar emphasised that link between education and development.
He pointed out the economic growth being experienced over the last eight years in Guyana and the amazing performances of students who continue to win regional awards.
He said the availability of power is all part of the plan to have the islands (Leguan and Wakenaam) benefit from increase agriculture production and encourage agro-processing.
The President had explained that the plan is to eventually link Essequibo to the other areas across Guyana. Government remains bullish on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project, and President Ramotar is optimistic that it will soon become a reality.
President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, GPL Chief Executive Officer Bharat Dindyal, GPL Chairman Winston Brassington, other officals and residents at the commissioning
Guyana Times 2015 Razzies Awards
Best 'Gutter' Riposte: Khemraj Ramjattan's "haul yuh ass!!!”
Slickest Guyanese Reporter: Leonard Gildharie for illegally recording his 'friend's' conversation' ensuring a mega salary boost and an even bigger Christmas bonus
Whopper of the year: Glenn 'the Mook' Lall for claiming two pensioners donated two luxury Lexuses for his security dodges
Most Efficient Public Corporation: This award goes to the
Style
Foul-Mouth (literally) and Best Bummer Awards: Ruel Johnson, who believes in four-letter words and bumming. Get a life, Bummer
Gagger of the Year: To Raphael Trotman for successfully gagging Johnny Welchman for several months
Media Mamma: This award goes to the 'ever-learning, but never able to come to knowledge of the truth' reporter Julia Johnson for being the great grandmother of the media
Most Successful Researcher: AFC's MP Valerie GarridoLowe for recognising that women have the highest rate of prostate cancer in Guyana
The Second Top Feral Blaster: To none other than our AG for his gyaaf with his 'friend' Gildarie...
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer of the Year: To Adam Harris, who defined the role of 'steppin' and 'fetchin' for the Saffon Street Massa Glenn 'the Mook' Lall
Best Actors: This award has been jointly awarded to acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh, acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang, and acting Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud
in the sexual molestation case
Guyana Power and Light for its every-day blackout
Clowns for the Year: Jointly awarded to Hamilton Green and his sidekick Royston King
Best Gangnam
Dancer: To David Granger for his horse-prancing moves in front of a bunch of innocent children
New Zealand thriving on ‘team-first mentality’ – Hesson
For so long the sport’s spirited overachievers, 2014 has been a year in which New Zealand have earned a place at cricket’s top table. In Tests, they have won five of their nine matches - three of those, overseas - and have been impressive home and away in ODIs as well.
The improvements, New Zealand coach Mike Hessson said, are thanks to a new team ethos, coupled with the development of high-quality cricketers. Among those is Brendon McCullum, whose rich year with the bat coincided with a purple patch for the side. He possesses just the qualities required to lead a team that aims to be greater than the sum of its parts, Hesson said.
“If he can back up 2015 with another year like 2014, it will be brilliant,” he said. “He’s a very selfless player. I think we’ve seen that in the way he goes about things in all three forms.”
Hesson had backed McCullum for the captaincy in a controversial leadership-reshuffle in late 2012. The pair had known each other since their time together at Otago, where Hesson also coached.
“I’ve known Brendon for quite some time and I’ve always enjoyed his company, but there’s no doubt that he’s more of a mature individual now. He’s a family man, and a mature calculating guy. The guys love playing for him. He’s what
New Zealand cricket fans want to see - a guy who’s willing to take the opposition on. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But he drags a few people along.”
New Zealand’s rejuvenation after several dark years had in part been because of serious introspection in 2013, and a sharp focus on the team’s needs, which has evolved in the past 18 months. Hesson said that collective philosophy has been universally embraced within the unit.
“Everyone thinks of the team. You can’t have a team-first mentality if only a few people are buying into it. A lot of teams talk about it, but I think it’s more about what you do. When you have players sacrificing their own personal records for what the team needs, that’s what it’s all about.
”We’ve also been pretty consistent in how we’ve gone about things in terms of selection, in terms of the way we want to play the game, and in terms of the people we think fits that mix. We’ve given them time to try and grow into the game. By doing that you end up playing for the team, rather than trying to just stay in the team. When you’re fighting for your place all the time the team aspect can be neglected, and we certainly don’t do that in this group.”
While the team’s star players - the new ball pair, and the middle-order featuring McCullum, Kane
Williamson and Ross Taylor - have been in exceptional form in the past few months, Hesson also reserved praise for the supporting players who have been a part of their success.
“When you have roles, you might not get a 100 every game, but you have to play the way the team requires. That gets the best out of the group. The way our openers batted the first hour against Sri Lanka after losing the toss, was them fulfilling a role. They might not have made a lot of runs individually, but it was important for the team.”
Hesson said the team would reassess their combination in light of the heavy workload the fast bowlers shouldered in Christchurch. Tim Southee delivered 49 overs in the Boxing Day Test, while Trent Boult bowled 50 overs. Though they are now up 1-0 in the series, New Zealand would not cease to press for a second win, he said.
“We’ve been proactive in the way we play our cricket in the last 18 months. At times we’ve been aggressive, maybe risking a result not going our way - but that’s the way we want to play. That’s the way we want to move up the rankings and be acknowledged as a good cricket side. All we’re thinking about is the next Test at the Basin Reserve. We’re not even thinking about the World Cup.” (ESPN Cricinfo)
Give this team 12 months – Shastri
Despite India losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the draw against Australia at the MCG, team director Ravi Shastri is not too concerned. India made a fighting attempt at chasing 364 in Adelaide, but fell short by 48 runs. Then they lost the Brisbane Test following a second-innings collapse, before holding on for a draw in Melbourne where Australia were on top for several periods of play.
Shastri said he does not care “if the scoreline reads 3-0 or 4-0”, as long as India continue showing their attacking intent and push their opponents.
“What I am more focused on is the mindset to go out and perform. The scoreline does not matter,” Shastri told Star Sports after the third Test, with particular praise saved for Ajinkya Rahane and India’s Test
Ravi
captain-in-waiting Virat Kohli, who produced a 262run partnership on the third day.
“Two young turks took the attack to the opposition and Australia took notice. I am happy with the mindset. The batting that I saw on day three was something I
have not seen in a long time. The whole of Australia stood up. India have not come out to compete, they are here to win. Mark my words, give this team 12 months and they will be back in the top two.
When asked about the areas in which India could do with immediate improvement, Shastri conceded that the absence of a fifth bowler was hurting the team.
“What we miss overseas is a batsman who can bowl a bit. When Sourav Ganguly was there, he could bowl 10-15 overs. Combinations have to be tried out that can fit the billing.
“If you have three fast bowlers, the workload is hard. One needs a fifth bowler. The way India bowled on the fifth morning, they have the confidence to keep Australia quiet. We will go to Sydney without a care in the world.” (ESPN Cricinfo)
Murray set for Hopman Cup
Andy Murray’s aim for a successful 2015 will begin with a return to Hopman Cup action after a three year absence.
The annual Australian Open warm-up tournament, between January 4-10, will feature Murray representing Great Britain alongside Heather Watson before he begins his renewed assault on the majors.
Murray last played in the event in 2011 alongside Laura Robson, with whom he reached the final in 2010.
Having made changes to his coaching staff following an underwhelming 2014 season, Murray has retained Amelie Mauresmo as his head coach and the Hopman Cup will offer an insight into the pair’s off-season pro-
gress.
But what exactly is the Hopman Cup?
An annual tournament in Perth in early January, the Hopman Cup pits countries against each other with a male and female player making up the teams.
Eight nations are selected to compete with individuals invited to participate. The eight nations are divided into two groups of four, so each team will play the other three teams in their group in a round-robin format. The two group winners meet in the final.
A match between two teams consists of a men’s singles set, a women’s singles set and a mixed doubles set.
Who’s playing?
Murray and Watson, who
is making her Hopman Cup debut, will represent Great Britain, who are in Group B against Australia, France and Poland.
The host nation have selected teenage sensation Nick Krygios and Casey Dellacqua, while France team up Benoit Paire and Alize Cornet and Poland bring a strong team of Jerzy Janowicz and Agnieszka Radwanska.
In Group A, the United States pairing of John Isner and Serena Williams are likely to be favourites, Canada feature Vasek Posposil and Eugenie Bouchard while Fabio Fognini and Flavia Pennetta represent Italy and the Czech Republic go in with a team of Adam Pavlasek and Lucie Safarova. (Sky Sports)
Mike Hesson on Brendon McCullum: “The guys love playing for him. He’s what New Zealand cricket fans want to see – a guy who’s willing to take the opposition on” (AFP)
Shastri
Heather Watson and Andy Murray will team-up at next month’s Hopman Cup in Perth
KP: Break will do Cook good
Kevin Pietersen believes being dropped as England’s oneday captain might be a blessing in disguise for Alastair Cook.
Cook was dropped on December 19 - just two months before February’s World Cup - after a dismal 2014 with the bat in which he hit just one 50 in 20 ODI innings and averaged 27.52.
“I actually think it is really good for his cricket that he’s been given a bit of a break this winter,” Pietersen said while commentating on the Big Bash League in Australia. “I of course feel sorry for the guy. He’s been put under a hell of a lot of pressure.
“But he can go back and have a real look at his game now and come back stronger in the summer.”
Cook’s struggles haven’t been limited to one-day cricket, with his last Test century coming against New Zealand over 18 months ago.
Pietersen feels a spell away from the game could have him back firing in Tests, as he continues as captain in the longer format.
“He’s scored 25 Test
hundreds for England,” Pietersen said. “No mug goes out there and does that.
He’ll be England’s greatest run-scorer – I’ve said it for a long time – and I want him to be, he’s a good guy. And he’s key for England in Tests in starting the innings off well.”
Commentating on the Adelaide Strikers’ eightwicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes on New Year’s Eve, Pietersen also reflected
on his own year.
The 34-year-old was part of the England team whitewashed 5-0 by Australia in the Ashes and was then axed from the England setup, after which he released a controversial autobiography.
“It has been a brutal 2014 for me,” Pietersen said. “So I just want to look ahead positively to next year, focus on my cricket and see what it can bring.” (Sky Sports)
Liverpool owners see “positive signs” with results at Anfield
Liverpool’s American owners have told supporters they are encouraged by recent performances.
Manager Brendan Rodgers had been under recent scrutiny with his team 11th in the Premier League and out of the Champions League at the group stages.
But successive league wins have lifted them to eighth, five points behind fourth-placed Southampton.
Chairman Tom Werner said: “We are pleased to see a number of positive signs as new players start to settle.”
Liverpool were in sight of their first Premier League title last term before finishing runners-up, two points behind champions Manchester City.
“There was much to celebrate during our memorable season that ended in May,” Werner and John Henry wrote on the club’s website.
“While we did not achieve our ultimate ambition in winning the Premier League, our style of play captured the attention of the world as the club played attacking football, scoring 101 goals.”
After the departure of star striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona in July, Liverpool recruited a series of players in the summer.
Southampton trio Rickie
Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, Benfica winger Lazar Markovic and controversial striker Mario Balotelli were all brought in, but early season displays were disappointing, losing at home to Aston Villa and also failing to score in stalemates with Hull and Sunderland.
“As you would expect, losing a footballer as capable as Luis Suarez and making a number of new signings, our season has gotten off to a slower start than we would have wanted,” the owners admitted.
Striker Daniel Sturridge scored 21 league goals last term but has not played for the club since August after a succession of injuries, the first of which came while training with England, but the Liverpool owners expect him to return soon.
“We look forward to the return of Daniel Sturridge sometime in late January. We are very encouraged by his efforts and determination to resolve his injuries.
“Great progress has been made that should help him going forward.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers says major changes to the playing squad are unlikely during the January transfer window.
“I don’t think it is a good time to spend,” he said.
“Last year we never brought anyone in.
“The beauty of our owners is they will always back what it is we want to do and if there was something there we felt would improve us for the short-term and longer term we would do that but I am happy with how the group is progressing.”
Kevin Pietersen (left): Believes a break will benefit Alastair Cook (right)
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Manny Pacquiao: “Let’s make fistory”
As 2014 came to a close on Wednesday, Manny Pacquiao continued to publicly chase the fight that he and most of the sports world want most – a showdown with pound-forpound king and fellow welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), who turned 36 on December 17, has been way more vocal in recent months about his desire to make what would easily be the richest fight in boxing history, and on Wednesday he tweeted to Mayweather yet again, saying it was time for the two all-time greats, both in the twilight of their careers, to get together and make the fight.
Pacquiao spoke often of his desire for the fight during the lead-up to his November 22 demolition of Chris Algieri and even made a Foot Locker commercial spoofing the quagmire the sides have been in. The fight has gone unmade since 2009, when it was first discussed, only to fall apart after everything but drug-testing protocol had been agreed to.
On December 16, Pacquiao also tweeted to Mayweather, “Don’t be a boxing humbug. Let’s give the fans the fight they want. They have waited long enough.”
Behind the scenes, there have been recent discussions between Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top
Rank and Leslie Moonves, the head of CBS, which has two fights left on a six-fight contract that CBS and subsidiary network Showtime signed Mayweather to in early 2013.
For it to happen, CBS/ Showtime, which has Mayweather under contract, and Time Warner/ HBO, which has Pacquiao under contract, likely would have to come together for a joint pay-per-view broadcast. They did it once before, in 2002, for another longanticipated fight between HBO’s then-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and Showtime’s Mike Tyson. Both were near the end of their careers, and the fight became was the highestgrossing fight in boxing history at the time.
Even if Arum and Moonves can come to an agreement on the param-
eters of a deal – and the Pacquiao side is clear that it is willing to accept less than 50 per cent of the money –Moonves still has to persuade Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs), who will turn 38 on Febuary 24, to make a deal.
So far it does not appear that there has been any serious movement on the Mayweather side even though Mayweather said in a Showtime interview on Dec. 12 that he wanted the fight and wanted it to happen on May 2.
“We are ready. Let’s make it happen May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let’s do it,” Mayweather said in the interview. However, in the same interview, Mayweather put up other obstacles, including saying that the fight had to be a Showtime pay-per-view. (ESPN)
Duminy, Phangiso picked for WI T20s
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JP Duminy and Aaron Phangiso, who had both been nursing long-term injuries, have been included in South Africa’s squad for the upcoming Twenty20 series against West Indies.
A release from Cricket South Africa said that while Duminy had made the squad, he “will not play the first two match-
es but should be available for selection for the third.” In Duminy’s absence, Faf du Plessis, who had been rested for the T20s in Australia, will lead the side.
South Africa have also recalled wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk, in place of the injured Quinton de Kock. Van Wyk has not played an international game since the 2011 World Cup.
Duminy had captained South Africa during their last T20 series, against Australia in November, but picked up a knee injury which ruled him out of the subsequent ODIs on that tour, as well as the home Tests against West Indies.
Phangiso was also included in the squad for that Australia tour, but did not play a single game due to a finger injury. He last played for South Africa in September, going wicketless in the final of the Zimbabwe Triangular ODI series, against Australia in Harare.
The selectors have stuck with the young trio of Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw and Kagiso Rabada, who all made their international debuts in Australia last month.
“Once again we are resting a number of senior players who are involved across all three formats,” Andrew Hudson, Cricket South Africa’s selection convener, said. “This will be the last chance to rest them before we get into World Cup mode with the Momentum ODI Series against the West Indies.”
South Africa will play the first of three T20 matches against West Indies on January 9 in Cape Town.
South Africa T20 squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Morne van Wyk, David Wiese (ESPNCricinfo)
Manny Pacquiao
JP Duminy picked up a knee injury in Australia which ruled him out of action for a month
Jaguars to resume training on Saturday
– to undergo fitness tests
By Rajiv Bisnauth
The Guyana Jaguars training squad ahead of this month’s Nagico Regional Super 50 Tournament will continue preparations at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Saturday.
The players will undergo a number of fitness tests from 08:00h, according to Chairman of the Senior Selection Panel of the GCB, Rayon Griffith.
The re-evaluation fitness tests will be conducted on the players before the selectors pick the touring 14man squad for the tournament, which will be played in Trinidad and Tobago from January 15 to 25.
Griffith disclosed that the tests will play a big
part in coming up with the players who will represent Guyana in the competition.
He also noted that two additional practice matches are also part of the preparations, but those matches will depend on the availability of venues.
Meanwhile, head coach Esaun Crandon, on Wednesday, expressed optimism on the squad’s progress thus far.
“The first phase of preparations was good,” said Crandon.
“Overall, we are optimistic going into the Nagico tournament and we intend to do well with the bunch of players we have at our disposal. Training is great to date and there are several positive signs.”
Guyana Jaguars have been drawn in Group A along with reigning champions Barbados Pride, as well as the West Indies Under19s and Windward Islands Volcanoes.
Group B consists of the Combined Campuses & Colleges, Jamaica Franchise, Leeward Islands Hurricanes and hosts Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.
This year the West Indies Under-19s and Combined Campuses & Colleges form part of an eight-team Tournament.
The tournament is be-
ing used by the Windies Under-19s as part of a long-term build-up for the next International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in 2016.
The CCC have been an integral part of the regional scene for the last seven seasons – but they are not a part of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament, following a shift to franchisebased teams.
The Jaguars’ first game is against Windward Islands Volcanoes on January 15 at Queen’s Park Oval. They will then play Barbados Pride on January 17 at the Queen’s Park Oval, and the Combined Campuses & Colleges on January 19 at the same venue.
GFA Banks Beer Cup ... Alpha, GDF to collide in hotly anticipated final
Alpha “The Hammer” United will marshal their troops to the battlefield in an effort to upstage the resilient Guyana Defence Force (GDF) football club when the final of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup is played tonight at the Guyana National Stadium.
Alpha has been a goalscoring terror, but will match up against a much more physical GDF team who hardly tolerate nonsense from their opponents. What will also make this battle of titans so intriguing
is the fact the GDF defeated Alpha in last year’s tournament to make their way deeper into the competition.
The sting of last year’s defeat will definitely be on the minds of the Alpha players as they prepare for the game.
Nonetheless, the fans will be in for a treat of a game as both sides usually try to play attacking football.
With Alpha United being the hottest team with their leading goal tally and GDF more of a physical team on the field, the collision is expected to be colossal when
Stag Super XVI football tournament
the two sides square off tonight.
Meanwhile, in the thirdplace playoff to whet the appetites of the fans, Pele FC take on Western Tigers. Pele and Western will definitely get the fans going as both teams enjoy the thrill of scoring.
Both Pele and Western will also be looking to showcase that they were deserving of a spot in the final and this should make for great tension between the two teams as they search for the third-place win.
Action is expected to start from 19:00h.
... Exhilarating final expected tonight in Berbice
The final of the Stag Super XVI knockout football tournament is set.
Grove Hi Tech will do battle with Anns Grove at the Number Five Ground, West Coast Berbice in what is expected to be a top-class final between the two sides.
While Grove will be at full strength for the encounter with their most lethal striker Domini Garnett leading the attacking line, Anns Grove will be without the services of their first-choice goalkeeper, Travis Allen.
Allen suffered a fractured jaw following a collision with a Cougars player in their semi-final game on December 28.
Navado Denny will start in goal for Anns Grove and is expected to be the only change to the starting XI from the semi final despite Jamal Blair’s excellence after filling in for Allen in the semi-final.
Grove Hi Tech will hope to put away their third East Coast opponent having taken
care of BV Triumph United and Buxton United in the knockout stages.
However, with Anns Grove topping sides such as Corriverton Links, Victoria Kings and Cougars, the task will not be easy for Grove Hi Tech.
To add to the thrill of the game, the winning team will be the only undefeated side for the tournament, a task that is hard for any one side in any tournament on any given day.
Hi Tech’s goalkeeper, Rondell Alleyne, who has conceded two goals in three matches, both in the last game, will hope to keep his side focused from the uprights in an effort to pull off the win along with the likes of Captain Shermon Doris, Travis and Trevoc Jones, Clive Matthews Jr, Wayne Andries, Nathaniel Pilgrim, Romel Matthews, Devon Joseph, and Orson Francois.
Meanwhile, the thirdplace showdown between two home teams is expected to be laden with fireworks as the
respective sides aim to end the tournament on a high. New Amsterdam will be led by Adams siblings, Leonard and the competition’s leading goal scorer, Adrian, who has netted seven.
Jamal Butts, Jermaine Samuels, Rondell Hazel, Dane Johnson, and custodian Javano Dos Santos will all be working in tandem to secure a NA United win. Cougars will look to Adrian Bess, Dirk Henry, Carlton Brutus, Stefone De Florimonte, Dalton Moore, Ron Wilson, Sherwin Halley, Collis Bennett and Jermaine August to see them through to victory.
After the on-field action is served up and consumed by the fans as the main course, dessert will take the form of an international show that will feature Lil’ Rick and Skinny Fabulous, who have promised to make the evening an unforgettable one for the fans and players after a hard two weeks of competition. Action is expected to start at 18:00h.
Wigan owner banned and fined
Wigan owner Dave Whelan has been given a six-week ban from all football-related activity and fined £50,000 for making racist comments about Jewish and Chinese people.
The 78-year-old, who has a week to appeal against the punishment, was also ordered to attend an education programme run by the Football Association.
Last month, Whelan accepted a charge but denied remarks he made during a newspaper interview were racist.
The FA Disciplinary Commission said it was “satisfied” Whelan “is not a racist” and did not intend
to cause offence by his comments.
Whelan stated in November that he would resign as Wigan chairman if he was “found guilty of being a racist”.
Whelan said he was misquoted in an interview with the Guardian last month, during which he used the term “chink”. The Guardian also reports the businessman said: “Jewish people chase money more than everybody else.”
Whelan subsequently apologised for any offence caused by his comments, in which he was defending the appointment of Malky Mackay as the club’s new manager.
Mackay is currently under investigation by the FA regarding allegations the Wigan boss sent “sexist, racist and homophobic” text messages during his time in charge at Cardiff. (BBC Sport)
Rayon Griffith
Esaun Crandon
Dave Whelan
Table tennis on the rise
By TreisTon Joseph
Table Tennis in Guyana is moving forward with baby steps. Definitely not the richest association in Guyana, the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has managed to progress during the year of 2014.
With the hosting of various camps and training sessions, the Association with limited funding was able during 2014 to have players at all levels emerging.
While not the most talented association with regard to their senior players, the GTTA does have immense depth with their junior talent.
The pool of talent in the junior level came through the GTTA’s ability to integrate their sport actively with schools, from the cadet to the junior level; it is an aspect that other associa-
tions should try to emulate in order to develop their sports.
To give an idea of how actively engaged the Association has been with their youth talent – the GTTA has hosted three specific tournaments for juniors while every other local tournament included categories for the juniors.
In addition, schools were specifically sent invitations to participate in the tournaments; hence, the GTTA always have a database of their youth talent.
Hopefully in years to come, the Association will be able to groom the young stars such as Kaysan and Khalil Ninvalle, Elishaba Johnson, Selenas Jackman and Kyle Edghill into top flight seniors.
Not forgetting the junior stars such as Chelsea Edghill, Shemar Britton and Kristie Lopes who have immense potential to turn into Guyana’s next Table Tennis icons.
The Association seem to be running as a welloiled machine as their executives can never be seen sharing public grievances which also counts as a plus for the growing sport and Association.
The year 2014 also saw the Association having more events during their calendar year, with 14 events inclusive of international meets.
The level of Table Tennis especially among the juniors has also risen due to the number of youths involved in the sport as well as the constant moulding of their skills.
Man City extend Frank Lampard’s loan
Manchester City have extended the loan of midfielder Frank Lampard until the end of the season.
The 36-year-old’s deal from New York City was due to expire on 31 December but he will now stay until the summer and miss the start of the MLS season.
Former England international Lampard is available to face Sunderland in the Premier League on Thursday.
Lampard has scored six goals in 17 appearances for City this season.
He signed for New York after being released by Chelsea last June and his new starting date in the US will be confirmed “as the Premier League and MLS seasons unfold”, New York City said in a statement.
New York City FC director of football Claudio Reyna said: “Frank is a star and it is no surprise Manchester
City is rewarded by his contributions on the field every single day.
“He is eager to get to New York once his commitment ends in England and will be available to play on arrival as a permanent member of the squad, given he will come to us having played at the highest level.” (BBC Sport)
UDFA GT Beer Super 16 football tournament ... Winners Connection aiming for repeat
DTable Tennis will be a sport to watch in 2015, especially with the Association already gearing up for their 2015 Mashramani tournament in February.
efending champions Winners Connection have an opportunity to repeat tonight when they face Hi Stars in the final of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)/GT Beer ‘Supa 16’ tournament, at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground.
The defending champs have shown a winning pedigree especially with their two come-from-behind wins during the knockout stages of the tournament.
In their quarter-final clash against Botofago, Winners Connection had to come from behind to advance to the semis thanks to the experienced and crafty Rawle Gittens, who fired in a brace with a solitary strike coming off the boot of Delroy Dainty.
They faced a similar scenario in their semi-final encounter against Eagles United who took the lead after 23 minutes of play, before Gittens got into the act, sending a perfect corner kick into the box for
Chris Younge to head home. Such determination and willpower should be assets when they play against the Hi Stars squad.
Hi Stars who fans believe are the surprise package are the underdogs, but have produced big performances against some of Linden’s top
teams with the mining town’s most famous team Top XX being the latest victim.
Julian Allicock and Stephan Tappin will once again be called upon to lead their quest for victory with secondary support expected from Tony Adams.
With the MSC being one of the top football grounds, a large turnout is anticipated as fans are expected in their numbers.
The mining town of Linden for over two decades has established itself as the place to be on New Year’s Day for football and judging from last year’s crowd, an even bigger turnout is expected, especially with Winners Connection aiming to repeat as champions.
In the playoff for third place, Top XX go head to head with Eagles United and this affair promises to be a sizzler as well, with bragging rights a central theme in this fixture.
The winning team will take home $1 million and a trophy. Kickoff is set for 19:00h.
Chelsea Edghilll
Shemar Britton
Frank Lampard
Rawle Gittens
Jaguars to resume training on Saturday
Flashback! The Guyana Defence Force trainers were part of the national cricketers training last year
to undergo fitness tests
South Africa expand spin options against West Indies
South Africa will literally be trying to make up for lost time when they take on the West Indies in the third and final Test at Newlands on Friday.
Although the West Indies put up an improved performance, South African captain Hashim Amla stopped short of acknowledging their credentials in his postmatch comments after the rain-hit second Test in Port Elizabeth ended in a draw.
Amla suggested that South Africa`s first innings total of 417 for eight could have been bigger had his team not been trying to force the pace after most of the second day`s play was washed out.
He also pointed out that the West Indian reply of 275 for nine was largely due to a third wicket partnership of 176 between Kraigg Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels, who both hit centuries. The next highest West Indian score was 22 by Devon Smith.
According to Amla, the South African bowlers performed well on an unresponsive pitch in Port Elizabeth.
“I think on a different
surface we may have picked up a lot more wickets a lot quicker. We did very well to take seven wickets in 35 overs (on day four) so we
have a lot of positives to take into the next game,” he said.
Amla clearly felt that South Africa would have been favourites to win if the
weather had not cut more than half the playing time from the second Test.
The South African bowlers can expect more pace,
bounce and possibly seam movement at Newlands.
South Africa, who lead the series 1-0 after an innings win in the first Test in Centurion, added uncapped off-spinner Simon Harmer to their squad for Newlands.
“We would like to have the option of a second spinner,” said selection convener Andrew Hudson.
It would be unusual for South Africa to include two spin bowlers in the same team but Harmer, from the Eastern Cape Warriors franchise, is also a useful batsman.
If he plays he could possibly replace one of the seven specialist batsmen who played in Port Elizabeth if he is not picked ahead of legspinner Imran Tahir, who took three wickets but was expensive at St George`s Park.
The West Indies will have to choose between bolstering a fragile batting lineup or go in with the same bowling line-up that played in Port Elizabeth.
After Centurion, they dropped batsman Jermaine Blackwood and picked allrounder Jason Holder. It
led to an improved bowling performance but the lower order batsmen, including Holder, crumbled against the pace of Morne Morkel and spin of Tahir.
West Indian coach Stuart Williams said his team was a “work in progress” and the players were looking forward to playing at Newlands in what is traditionally South African cricket`s biggest occasion.
Teams:
South Africa (likely, from): Hashim Amla (captain), Alviro Petersen, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wkt), Stiaan van Zyl, Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Simon Harmer.
