Guyana Times Daily

Guyana-Suriname trade worth $37.1B annually

...but most one way – from Suriname

Given the heavy imbalance of trade between Guyana and neighbouring Suriname, Foreign Affairs Minister

Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said she hoped a threeday trade mission, hosted by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) here, would open avenues for trade that would see both countries benefiting equally.

of ironing out difficulties and generally encouraging trade between Suriname and Guyana.

Delivering a feature address to the packed room of Government officials, businessmen and mini exhibitors, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that while there were similarities between the economies of Guyana and Suriname, there were dissimilarities. She pointed out that Guyana’s exports to Suriname between 2010 and 2014 were valued at some $5.3 billion, its imports from that country during the same period amounted to $31.8 billion, an imbalance of $26.5 billion in favour of Suriname. Of that amount, $21 billion was for bunker fuel.

ketplace” and strategies on the way forward. She said, however, that the two countries needed to be cognisant of the challenge presented, since their population together was a mere 1.2 million people.

“There is only so much we can sell to each other, yet the possibilities are endless if we combine our efforts,” Rodrigues-Birkett emphasised, noting that the countries have “so many things on our side”.

Lucrative partnership

confident that the event would create the scope for continued business relations between the two countries.

Surinamese Trade Minister Don Tosendjojo stressed that Guyana and Suriname had the same challenges and successes. Tosendjojo has been championing the cause of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and expressed that initiatives like these make success stories.

Rodrigues-Birkett made the statement at the welcoming ceremony for the first-ever GuyanaSuriname Trade Mission Thursday evening.

The 40-man delegation of entrepreneurs and political leaders from the neighbouring republic came with the intention

She said the conference was timely and would provide the two countries with the opportunity to examine the factors in the “mar -

Guyana and Suriname are the only two countries in Caricom that share land borders, as well as the only two Caricom States that are members of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). Both countries are party to an agreement with Brazil, and from all indications, the movement of people between the two countries has been registered as the highest in Caricom.

The three-day mission, being hosted at the Ramada Princess Hotel, is intended to, among other things, explore strategies for trade and build the

“These partnerships should have a regional and interregional dimension in a clearly defined strategy to connect Private Sector and Public Sector across the border.” He said the opportunities for growth are “enormous”, and pledged his government’s support in every way possible to the success of the initiative.

The Trade Minister explained that the linkages between Guyana and Suriname should not be based on economic activities only, but should involve every sector, including education and other developmental areas.

President Donald

platform for continuous networking between the two countries. Guyana and Suriname have resourcedriven economies, and the trade mission is intended to bridge the gap in this regard.

Suriname Chamber of Commerce President Ir. Henk Naarendorp was overwhelmed by the success of the first-time venture, which he declared would do great things for both countries. He was particularly pleased with the interest shown by the numerous entrepreneurs from his country who were operating in Guyana, in seeing an established and maintained trade relation.

“There are a lot of persons from Suriname that are business persons here and they have asked what can be done to enhance trade relations between Guyana and Suriname?” Naarendorp said. He was

Ramotar, in his short address, expressed sentiments similar to his Foreign Affairs Minister. While commending the PSC for facilitating such an extraordinary event, he said it was always encouraging when persons can take it upon themselves to initiate integration.

“Some members of Caribbean countries have oftentimes expressed frustration at the level of integration. I have often said to people that integration is not just the job of the Government, but we will create integration when we have more links between our economies and that is going o help us greatly to promote integration,” the President said.

The second day of the trade mission ends today with field visits by the Suriname and Guyanese entrepreneurs.

Attendees examine a booth of one of the many exhibitors at the Guyana-Suriname Trade Mission held at the Ramada Princess Hotel Thursday evening

Surinamese Trade Minister Don Tosendjojo has pledged his Government’s support to the continuous strengthening of trade between Guyana and Suriname

JaNuarY 17, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 17 – 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, January 18 – 14:30h-16:00h

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

Saturday, January 17 – 13:50h-15:20h and Sunday, January 18 – 14:45h-16:15h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Foreign Minister promises Caricom:

Election date “imminent”

...non-interference in domestic affairs stressed

TWEATHER TODAY

Parika departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h Supenaam departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h Thundery to

Winds: East north-easterly between zero and 3.57 metres per second.

High Tide: 00:41h and 13:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.24 metres and 2.37 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:34h and 19:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.96 metre and 0.82 metre respectively.

he Guyana Government on Friday announced to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) that a date for General and Regional Elections is “imminent”, and assured the 15-member regional bloc that the Donald Ramotar Administration was not in breach of the Commonwealth Charter and is not facing any sanctions as was threatened by outgoing UK Ambassador, Andrew Ayre earlier this week.

Guyana Times was told that President Donald Ramotar will soon announce a date for elections. The statement of

the “imminent” announcement of an election date was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett during a Caricom Council meeting held at the Community’s Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

In a statement issued late Friday evening, Caricom said that the Community Council received an update from the Foreign Minister of Guyana regarding developments in relation to the prorogation of the Parliament of Guyana.

Ministers recalled that the Government of Guyana had formally advised the Caribbean Community regarding the prorogation and the reason for this course of action.

According to the Caricom statement, in her update,

the Foreign Minister advised of the “imminent announcement of elections by the President of Guyana”.

Ministers, the statement said were satisfied that the prorogation of Parliament was in keeping with the provisions of the Guyana Constitution and did not constitute a breach of the Commonwealth Charter.

Caricom Ministers also underscored the need for the respect of diplomatic proprieties and for adherence to the principle of noninterference in the domestic affairs of Member States, the Caricom statement concluded. Only Thursday evening at a reception to welcome a Surinamese delegation at the Princess Hotel, President Ramotar when asked about an election date said: “I haven’t decided as yet but not this weekend but soon, soon.”

Back in December last year President Ramotar had told a news conference that steps are being taken to set a date for the holding of the 2015 General and Regional Elections. He said while he is continuing his consultations and engagements, steps are also being taken to properly dissolve Parliament to pave the way for these elections. “It (the announcement) definitely will be made in the first quarter of next year (2015),” he had said. He had stressed that there was a lot of speculation being made about his decision and noted that while persons may have an approximate idea of when he will be calling elections in accord-

ance with the Constitution, the specific date will remain with him. After three years of political gridlock, President Ramotar on December 8 announced that following a series of consultations, he decided “we will go to elections”.

The President had suspended Parliament on November 10, after the combined Opposition threatened to proceed with a No-Confidence Motion against his Government at the first post-recess sitting of the National Assembly. The President pointed out that his actions were aimed at the preservation of the life of the 10th Parliament while at the same time giving the parties the opportunity to engage in talks on matters that failed to gain adequate parliamentary consideration.

From the onset, the Alliance For Change (AFC) stated its unwillingness to engage in any talks.

Nevertheless, President Ramotar wrote Opposition

Leader David Granger inviting him to dialogue; however, Granger responded in a brief letter dated December 2, 2014, refusing to have any discussions. President Ramotar had said: “My administration more than justified its resort to prorogation…. During this time, the Guyanese people were exposed to an Opposition that rejected dialogue…. I had to conceive that my objective for prorogation were unlikely to be achieved. It logically followed that other options to prorogation be considered,” the President had outlined.

He explained that he had two options: either return to Parliament or go to elections.

noted that the former choice would allow the business of the House to resume, which included the debate of the No-Confidence Motion; as such, he resolved to call elections.

The President

President Donald Ramotar

Opposition Leader David Granger

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Gender and development

Representatives of the Governments of Chile and Norway and senior officials from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) at a highlevel dialogue held on January 12 agreed that “the Post-2015 development agenda should not only include gender equality as a specific objective, but also as a cross-cutting perspective to increase women’s economic autonomy”.

This is the view held by many across the world where women and their economic empowerment are being debated.

The dialogue, “Challenges for Equality: Women’s economic autonomy on the post-2015 development agenda: building new responses from Latin America and Europe” is part of the debates on the new agenda that will be taking over from the MDGs once the period set for achieving them expires this year.

Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been proposed, including one aimed at achieving gender equality and autonomy for all women and girls.

The worldwide survey, MY World, being carried out by the United Nations, has had an especially wide reach: so far more than seven million people, about half of whom are women, have participated by voting on their priorities for the new agenda. Over 2.2 million people put “equality between men and women” in their top six priorities – alongside better education, health care, jobs, honest and responsive Government, and affordable and nutritious food.

Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has reinforced the point that gender equality matters in and of itself. Clark reminded us that investments made in opportunities and services for women and girls are great multipliers of development progress. The benefits to child and maternal health – MDGs 4 and 5, respectively – are very clear.

In giving an update on the level of progress made worldwide in terms of commitments to gender equality, Clark reported that there has been improvement in some important areas, but it is slow and uneven.

On average around the world, gender parity in primary education has been achieved. Most children now enroll in primary schooling, although completion rates and the quality of education are not high across all countries.

In this area, Guyana is faring well, as both girls and boys have equal access to educational opportunities, infact over the years, girls have been outperforming their male counterparts. This country has achieved Universal Primary Education and is well on its way to achieving Universal Secondary Education.

While the rate of maternal mortality has dropped in the last two decades, approximately 800 women continue to die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. It is one of the MDG targets on which the least progress has been made.

In this area, there is much room for improvement in Guyana, as there are quite a few cases of mothers and babies dying from child birth.

Sexual and gender-based violence sadly continues in every country, both developed and developing. Women are still being raped and abused on a daily basis.

Guyana is also one of those countries where a high level of domestic violence in various forms exists. Inspite of several interventions being made by the authorities to address the issue, quite a number of women have been killed by their partners.

Globally, while more women than ever before are participating in the work force, official statistics show that women earn less than men. For example, women’s earnings fell short of men’s by 23 per cent from 2008 to 2009.

This represented only a small improvement since 1995, when women’s earnings were 26 per cent less than those of men. At this rate, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), it would take 75 years to achieve equal pay for work of equal value.

These are all issues which affect women and their ability to achieve their full potential and must remain high on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. 2015 is a big year for global development – and it must be a big year for gender equality too.

The old makes way for the new

Overturning Obama’s immigration policy could result in more deportees

Dear Editor

The Republicandominated House of Representatives passed a Bill on Thursday defying President Obama’s Executive Order to grant protection to illegal immigrants who have not run afoul of American laws.

The President’s directive protects some five million illegal immigrants, including thousands of Guyanese, who came to the US prior to 2012 and have not broken any laws.

They would be required to pay a fee and work legally, although they will not be able to travel overseas. The Executive Order could later on be amended to allow for overseas travel. The Order does not permit a green card or citizenship or grants social benefits or health care, but it is a relief

from deportation. The directive is supported by legal immigrants, but Americans are divided on it, mostly along party lines. Democrats, including likely Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, support it.

Most Republican lawmakers are opposed to the directive. House Republicans accused Obama of taking “reckless unconstitutional actions on immigration”. The resident said his action is within the ambit of the law.

Last Thursday, the House voted on partisan lines to overturn the President’s immigration policy. The House Bill would eliminate the new deportation protections including of young immigrants in school. Before the Bill could become law, the Senate will also have to ap-

prove it. There it faces an uncertain future although the Republicans control the Senate 56 to 44.

Some Republican lawmakers support a limited amnesty for illegal immigrants. Even if the Bill is approved by both houses, President Obama has promised to veto it. A revote in both houses by two-thirds majority could make the Bill into law. That support is virtually impossible.

Immigrant advocates are upset with the Republicans saying the Bill risks alienating Latino and immigrant voters who will be crucial in deciding the winner of the 2016 Presidential election.

House Speaker John Boehner said the President’s directive is an overreach and an affront to the rule of law and to

the Constitution itself. But Democrat Representative Luis Guiterrez, accused Republicans of “viciousness” for trying to make it easier to deport immigrants brought to the US as children. The Republicans promised to go to court to stop the President’s Executive Order. If the Republicans succeed in their endeavour, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will resume deportation proceedings that could see an increase in deportees to Guyana and other Caribbean territories.

However, Obama’s directive does not protect convicted or accused criminals from being deported.

Yours truly, Vishnu

Bisram

PPP/C has always been in forefront of all major developments in Guyana

Dear Editor

It is amazing the extent to which some people will go to denigrate the PPP/C and the role played by the party in the liberation struggle for a free, democratic and prosperous Guyana.

The fact that the PPP/C is the only political party that survived until today as a political party since its formation on January 1, 1950 is an achievement by itself. This fact makes the PPP/C not only the oldest party in Guyana but the party with the highest lev-

el of political maturity with the most multi-racial support.

The PPP/C is also on record as the only political party in Guyana that has always won free and fair elections in Guyana ever since its formation some 65 years ago. It was engineered out of office by foreign vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary elements in the elections of 1964 and denied office by the PNC for 28 years, but came triumphantly back to office in 1992 after democracy was finally re-

stored to the country.

It is no exaggeration to say that the PPP/C has always been in the forefront of all major developments in the country. It led the struggle for the right to vote and for internal self-government and for national independence.

After the PNC-UF coalition was catapulted to office in 1964, it waged a relentless battle for the return of democracy to the country.

One reason for the continuing longevity and popularity of the PPP/C has been

its embrace of universal values such as freedom, democracy, the rule of law and good governance. It takes small minds not to recognise the greatness of the PPP and the role it has played and continues to play in the construction of a modern, democratic and prosperous Guyana. The PPP/C, unlike those with petty minds, is ideas driven. Small minds think people; great minds ideas.

Respectfully, Hydar Ally

A 22-storey building in Chongqing, known as Yixin Mansion, collapses after being blown up by explosives as part of an urbanisation project in the city in south-western China

GT&T’s questionable service

Dear Editor,

Last year I wrote in the press concerning the lack of service by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, GT&T. In that letter, I mentioned the fact that my telephone service became nonexistent in August of 2012.

In her response to my complaint, the company’s Public Relations Officer Allison Parker wrote that my telephone service was disconnected because of non-payment – something that is a blatant lie.

You see, Ms Parker, who would have done some background checks, would have realised that I am not permanently residing in Guyana, rather I am an overseas-based Guyanese who comes home every three months, so she seized the opportunity to tell a lie on me that I owed the company.

In fact, she also hinted in her response that when they visited the house to do repairs, in her words “the house was locked and desolate”, another excuse for the company’s poor and inefficient service.

We are in 2015 and I am

still without service; however, let me put my dilemma on hold while I highlight the plight of a village in the West Canje district, Sandvoort. Most of the residents in the adjoining village of Sandvoort are without telephone and Internet service.

Like, yours truly, they too have made their concerns known via the printed media. Ms Parker, in her usual deceptive style, has taken a swipe at Sandvoort in saying that the problem there is as a direct result of vandalism – another mendacity in her arsenal of lies. Honestly speaking, who is Ms Parker talking to?

Who vandalised the cables in the West Canje district? Could Ms Parker provide tangible proof of this?

The answer is a resounding no! The point is, Ms Parker simply goes around making all the excuses for a company that has a multitude of woes. She knows it and they at GT&T knows it, but they keep throwing the blame on everybody else save the company. Right now, we are saddled with the irritating annoyance of not getting

through on calls to Guyana. Callers from overseas cannot get through to telephones in Guyana.

Even text messages are not getting to their destination there, a clear case of a GT&T problem. This utility company’s services is poor and unacceptable; its performance is at the barest of minimum.

Recently, I’ve seen the GT&T entering into discussions with the Guyana Public Utilities Commission for a hike in their rates. This is outrageous to say the least, how can it ask for a hike in prices when the company hasn’t been delivering to the public what is rightfully theirs?

The services of this utility company are poor, lousy and unacceptable and I think the PUC should vehemently reject its proposal for any hike. It is tantamount to rewarding the company for its horrible performance. Whatever hike there is should be a request to work on the vast improvement of the quality of its services.

Yours sincerely, Neil Adams

Amerindian communities are now rallying around the PPP/C

Dear Editor, I read one Tony James’s letter, “Aishalton villagers did not sign on to any petition”. First of all, those who did not sign on to the petition to have controversial teacher John Adams removed from the Aishalton village included James and his cabal calling themselves PNC/ APNU supporters.

But since the teacher’s behaviour pattern has proven to be not in accordance with the traditions and customs of Aishalton village, an indigenous community, no petition, neither vote is necessary for the teacher’s expulsion from the community.

James is a PNC/APNU activist and the teacher is the Chairman of the PNC/ APNU group.

But James must not speak for the Aishalton villagers, since he is not a Toshao, neither a village Councillor, but an old PNC/ APNU supporter who wants to control Aishalton villagers.

In his old age though, James still wants to be Toshao. But many villagers have no confidence in him since they claim that he has

outlived his usefulness.

Aishalton Toshao Bernard Conrad is worthy of emulation. He respects the traditions and customs of the Wapichan people, but the teacher does not, hence his expulsion from Aishalton village by the council, the governing body.

On the matter of protests mentioned by James in his letter, certainly nothing is wrong with being involved in protest activities, but Adams’ involvement in such activities is normally done when he should be doing the work he is being paid for, and this is teaching the students at the Aishalton Secondary School.

If Adams wants to be a protester, then he should simply leave the teaching profession. This would be only fair to the Aishalton Secondary School.

James said in his letter that “there are followers and there are leaders; unfortunately, based on my experience and conclusion our Toshao is a follower”. It is important to note here that the Aishalton Toshao, being a true leader, is following the residents of Aishalton

who elected him to be their Toshao and who is currently working in their best interest.

James unfortunately is in a sour grapes situation. He is a slow learner and at present he has not recognised that it is he who is a blind follower and more so a slave of the PNC/APNU in his old age.

Let me congratulate Guyana Times for exposing to the general public the improper conduct of the teacher by way of information obtained from the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

For James’s information, justice will be served by the relevant authorities in the interest of Guyana’s indigenous school children.

But James needs to understand despite his senility and asininity that our Amerindian people will never rally around the PNC/ APNU, which discriminated, neglected and abandoned the Amerindians of Guyana when it was illegally in Government prior to 1992.

The Amerindian communities of Guyana are now rallying around the PPP/C.

Peter Persaud

Service to be restored Monday

Dear Editor,

We thank you for the opportunity to respond to Mr Adams’ letter.

Mr Adams complained in a letter to the press in April 2014 that his service was non-functioning since 2012 and sought to ascribe blame to GT&T. After concluding our internal investigation of our system, we explained then and will do so again with the hope of clarifying the sequence of the issues. This can be easily verified.

We responded then that “Mr Neil Adams’ service on telephone number 333-5003 was ceased for non-payment on February 28, 2013, because he had failed to clear the outstanding balance on his account. In fact, his last payment on that account was received on August 24, 2012. In these circumstances, for service to be resumed, the customer was required to clear his outstanding debt to the company and to apply and pay for re-provisioning. Service re-provisioning was paid for on December 10, 2013 and GT&T allocated the customer a new number 333-4656.”

The installation of his service was then delayed as a result of cable dam-

age in the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) area, which caused the diversion of our technical team to effect repairs to several affected areas.

We made several attempts to install Mr Adams’ service and our technicians were repeatedly informed by persons in the neighbourhood that Mr Adams was out of country, a fact which he substantiated in his second and current letter to the press.

We visited his location on December 12 and more recently on January 14, 2015. His premises remained inaccessible to the installation team.

The content of our letter on the Sandvoort disruption indicated that service was affected because of the deterioration in the line plant that serves that area. The repairs, we indicated, were delayed because of the diversion of the repair team to the vandalised location in Canje. We can only conclude that Mr Adams misinterpreted the Kaieteur News caption.

To answer his question on, “who vandalised the cables?”, we wish to remind Mr Adams that cable vandals continue to operate with impunity and are of-

ten times not apprehended; unfortunately, the Canje incident is one such.

We have repeatedly asked that persons be vigilant in protecting the GT&T facilities that serve their communities and encouraged the public to report such acts or suspicion of acts to 0908.

Based on routine network monitoring, GT&T was already aware of similar complaints as was reported by Mr Adams of the quality of his calls from St Lucia. We detected that the problem was due to the international carrier LIME (located in St Lucia). This issue was affecting all international calls from several Caribbean countries to Guyana irrespective of the network used in Guyana and was resolved by LIME on January 14, 2015. In relation to the other issue of access to the building to effect installation, we have since communicated with someone who has identified herself as the caretaker of Mr Neil Adams’ property. We are scheduled to visit this location on January 19, 2015.

Allison Parker Public Relations Officer

News

T&HD slashes spending in 2014

... but still racks up massive losses

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

The Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) was able to cut its expenditures last year, but the agency is still running at a massive loss, with the cost of fuel for the department’s vessels eating up a large chunk of its revenues and subsidies.

Comparison figures of the department for the last two years show that it is running at a financial loss. This was disclosed by the T&HD General Manager Marclene Merchant at the Public Works Ministry’s year-end review on Friday. Merchant disclosed that during the course of 2014, a total of $694.4 million in revenues were recorded while expenditure was fixed at $701.8 million. These figures reflect a deficit of $7.3 million but an increase when compared to the figures of 2013.

In that year, she added, revenue was recorded at $679.4 million while expenditure was recorded at $806.9 mil-

lion, marking a deficit of $127.5 million. She further pointed out that the average revenue received per month is recorded at $54 million compared to $101 million in expenditure; this represents a deficit of $47.5 million per month.

According to Merchant, the T&HD has a fleet of eight vessels including two motor barges. She noted that the two new vessels, MV Kanawan and

MV Sabanto, operate the Parika/Supenaam Ferry Service route and are assisted by the MV Malali which also plies the Wakenaam Service. The Bartica Ferry Service route is being run by the MV Makouria while the MB Sandaka operates the Leguan Service.

In addition, the MV Kimbia and MV Lady Northcote ply the North West District route to Kumaka and Port Kaituma respec-

CIOG hosts luncheon for disabled today

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana in commemoration of the month of Rabbi ul Awwal (the Birth Anniversary of Prophet Muhammad) is hosting a luncheon today for persons with disabilities at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) Complex, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

The programme will serve to address some of the

many misconceptions that plague persons with disabilities, and give the CIOG the opportunity to listen and where possible provide assistance.

It is the firm belief of the CIOG that in this month of the birth of “our Beloved Prophet (OWBP), we should endeavour to realise and practise the many teachings he left us, and follow his examples of kindness, support and assistance to the

tively; and the Berbice Ferry Service is being severed by the MB Bonasika. The General Manager revealed that the ferry service has been doing well and has recorded increases in the number of users. Passengers have increased by 10 per cent with 31,508; vehicles increase by seven per cent with 3586, and the tonnage of cargo transported using the ferry service has increased by 16 per cent with 19,707 tonnes. The revenue gained from these increases stood at $694.4 million.

Fuel cost

poor, vulnerable and disabled. This time will be spent to reiterate the many qualities of the holy prophet’s life, which if emulated will, no doubt, be beneficial to the moral and social elevation and well-being of mankind”.

The CIOG is undertaking this activity, which starts at 10:30h, in collaboration with the Guyana Able Sports, Cycle, Wheelchair and Educational Organisation.

On the other hand, the Transport Department received a subsidy of $400 million from the Finance Ministry that goes towards the payment of fuel. According to Merchant, some $33.3 million is paid for fuel per month but the total cost for fuel and lubricant is some $46 million. The General Manager further explained that this amount reflects a shortfall of $13 million, which is provided by the Department from its current revenue along with assistance from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). She went onto say that the average fuel consumption per week for all the vessels under the T&HD is recorded at 14,188 gallons totalling $11.5 million. Merchant further stated

“

that the average fuel consumption per month is estimated at 56,752 gallons, therefore tallying to a total $46 million. MV Sabanto and MV Kanawan use the most fuel, that is, 4242 gallons at $3.45 million and 4191 gallons at $3.41 million respectively. Additionally, she mentioned that last year saw the Department receiving a total budgetary allocation of $483 million and this money catered for the dry-docking of three vessels, acquisition of spares and the rehabilitation of a few stellings. Some $62 million was allotted for the rehabilitation of works at various stellings. Works on the Parika Stelling were done to the tune of $31.6 million; Leguan Stelling at $10 million; Wakenaam Stelling at $6 million and Supenaam Stelling $10 million.

Improved ferry service

Improved ferry service was as a result of several initiatives undertaken by the Department in association with MARAD. MARAD had dredged the Chalmers and Sting Ray crossing in the Essequibo River, which made it possible for vessels to traverse the river more freely. In addition, the vessels that are plying the Parika/Supenaam and Parika/Wakenaam route were previously restricted to operate on tidal conditions,

but this have changed and they are no longer operating under such restrictions. On the other hand, instead of a boat every 12 hours, there will be a boat every five hours that will make three trips daily, that is 06:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h. Then the Mazaruni Dock Gate was rehabilitated at a total cost of $17 million. Merchant added that renovation works were done at the Department’s head office totalling $12 million. These works were funded by MARAD and as resulted in the working condition/environment at the Department being greatly improved. The works included the addition of cubicles, new desks and other office furniture.

Merchant continued by saying that during last year, some of the challenges the T&HD faced includes shortage of marine officers, inadequate equipment and machines for maintenance operations, limited funds for dry docking and rehabilitation works, and aging fleet of vessels that have obsolete machines. Moving ahead in 2015, the Department will be docking and rehabilitation MV Kimbia and MB Sandaka, rehabilitate the Bartica Stelling, construct passenger accommodation at the Parika Stelling and restore the Berbice River Service, among other works.

7 Billion Acts of Goodness” to touch Guyana

The Brahma Kumaris, in collaboration with the Kids First Fund, will be hosting a “7 Billion Acts of Goodness” seminar

on Sunday as part of its outreach programmes for 2015.

The 7 Billion Acts of Goodness initiative is designed to exponentially increase expressions of benevolence in the world. It is a movement based on the spiritual truth that goodness is innate, and that by cultivating a spiritual awareness of the self, we can tap into this inherent.

A release from the Brahma Kumaris said that “as global violence is escalating, let us start this New Year with the gifts of love, stillness, peace and community spirit. The Brahma Kumaris (BK), in collaboration with Kids First Fund, warmly request you to join us as we pour the cool waters of peace on a raging world.”

The event is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, at the BK Headquarters, High Street, Kingston, Georgetown from 18:00h to 19:30h.

The release said that Life Coach Ramprakash Singal, PE, will be a part of the discussions for three days.

Ram is a Professional Engineer, a Raj Yoga practitioner for 39 years, and

survivor of the 9/11 bombing, leaving the 64th floor of the World Trade Centre a mere five minutes before the building collapsed.

He travels around the world sharing his personal experiences on how meditation and positive attitude, faith, love for people, and nature help us in times of crisis.

“He is also helping to share the BK “7 Billion Acts of Goodness”. The aim is to inspire everyone to make our world better by performing 7 Billion Acts of Goodness for self, others and nature. The philosophy being a single good act, as simple as a smile, lending a helping hand, saying a kind word, the act of forgiving etc, has a radiating positive energy which is magnified manifold and can alter any situation.”

The release said that the more people participating in these loving acts, the greater the impact we will make on today’s world.

“Love is the most powerful energy there is and can transform any situation, including personal, family, community, nation and the world.”

T&HD General Manager Marclene Merchant

APNU not surprised by AFC “pussyfooting” ...Samad's remarks confirm suspicions

D“nothing new”. It was reported earlier this week by the Guyana Times that Samad had said that the AFC has no intentions of coalescing with the APNU as is publicly stated by the party. According to Samad, the AFC’s true intentions when they do meet with the APNU would be to scout talent from the opposition in an attempt to boost its already growing membership.

Samad, who was introduced as a new party member in December last, highlighted that the AFC never had the intention of going into a coalition with APNU and this was a party policy.

eputy Speaker of the National Assembly and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Basil Williams has dismissed recent statements made by Alliance For Change (AFC) consultant Professor Daizal Samad as

However at an APNU press conference on Friday morning, Williams pointed out that he does not see anything new in the statement made by Samad. According to him this had been the AFC’s position until recently. He said “That’s not anything new we have been hearing things like that over the years.” Williams indicated that just a few months prior to the December announcement, the AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had insisted that his party AFC/APNU

Region 6 guards continue strike over December pay

Workers attached to a private security company continued their protest action for a second day on Friday, pressing demands for their December wages by picketing the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) office in New Amsterdam.

The workers posted at Government agencies in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) walked off the job on Thursday morning leaving those agencies without security. The workers, who staged a picketing exercise outside the RDC office, are employed with Home Safe Security and are posted at hospitals, schools and ministries. They are demanding salaries for December before they return to work.

The RDC, which pays Home Safe Security for the services those workers provide, has not issued a cheque for an invoice which was issued at the end of December.

While the guards were protesting on the outside, some of their colleagues who boycotted the strike guarded the RDC compound from behind the fence. Some of the workers say they have not received salaries for November, while the majority has not been paid for last month. The New Amsterdam Hospital has been the hardest-hit entity with 27 guards on strike.

It was a bad Christmas, some of the workers told this publication. According to one employee, Janis White, this is not the first time salaries are late. “Every month, we get the month before till the third week in

the month, but is overbearing now. Christmas come and gone, no money.”

Another worker, Wendy Luke said the constant lateness in payment of salaries has severely impacted negatively on her. “I got bills to pay and every month I late. I got two minors to send to school and the last time I get pay is since November 17.”

Some of the workers claimed that the non-payment to date of December salaries was also affecting their children’s school attendance. Vanessa Benjamin, who has been working with the firm for six months, says she has not been able to purchase milk for her 10-monthold baby for weeks now. “I have a child that I could not send to school today. I don’t have money for passage and nothing to cook,” she added. She said her four-yearold has been asking her when she would be making Pepperpot. “I have to tell her that Mommy don’t have money and when I get pay I will make Pepperpot, because the child still want her Christmas Pepperpot,” she said.

Region regretful

Meanwhile, at the New Amsterdam Hospital, there was confusion at the Accident and Emergency Unit as no security personnel was there to direct persons in the early part of the day. However, later in the day, hospital staff was doing some of the work security personnel would normally do.

Regional Vice Chairman Bhopaul Jagroo told this publication that administratively all accounts were

would be “dead meat” should they join forces with APNU.

“I don’t know if he was speaking on behalf of the AFC or it’s his own opinion” said the Deputy Speaker during the press conference. The AFC when posed with the question of their approach to the APNU being genuine did not confirm nor deny Samad’s statements. Instead the ViceChairman of the party Moses Nagamootoo said he would be seeking clarification from Samad on what was said.

Political observers have noted that if Samad’s statement was taken out of context the AFC would have wasted no time in denying the statement or attempting to set the record straight. However none of this was

done, instead Nagamootoo shirked answering the question providing no tangible reason. Since the AFC announced that it was open for talks with the APNU and other civil society bodies, there were several delays and false starts with the talks between the two political parties, which the AFC insisted should be secret, yet to commence. Both parties have repeatedly indicated their interest in moving forward in this regard despite criticism from sections of society and the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Samad himself had publicly spoken out against the coalition, saying on Monday that he did not see it happening.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was

presented to APNU by the AFC for them to go into secret talks, it was unclear whether that MoU has been signed and talks have ensued.

Farmer remanded for wounding friend

Barrington Cyprien, age 22, of Karasabi, Rupununi, Upper Takutu-Essequibo, was remanded to prison after the prosecution’s objections were upheld over Attorney Jarome Khan’s bail application on behalf of his client.

closed off in November. He said the Administration lapsed and did not make provision for funds to be released to Home Safe Security. However, Jagroo said that the Finance Ministry was appraised of the situation on Thursday and efforts were being made to have funds released to the Region Six Administration.

Workers have also expressed concern that on occasions they have had to travel to Georgetown to collect salaries. They say when this is done they have to pay their own fare to and from the city while at the same time losing a day’s pay.

Regional Chairman David Armogan, in expressing regret over the situation, said that the administration was making every effort to ensure Home Safe Security got its money to pay the employees.

The farmer appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Friday afternoon arraigned on an intent to commit murder charge.

It was alleged that on November, 14, 2014 at Irish River, Karasabi Village, with the intent to murder, he wounded James Salvadore John.

The facts read that on the day in question at around 16:00h, John and Cyprien

were fishing when the accused, who was holding a gun fired a shot towards John. He was taken to hospital and the matter was reported to the Police but Cyprien fled the jurisdiction.

On January 12, he returned to Guyana where he was arrested and charged for the offence.

Attorney Khan told the court that his client, John and another, Joseph Francisco were out fishing. There was no hostility, drugs or alcohol involved between the parties and the gun was not his client’s. He went on to say that Francisco handed the gun to Cyprien who accidently fired the weapon, releasing one bullet. He noted that after the gun was fired, his client rendered assistance. He pointed

out that his client had taken John to the hospital and assisted with the medical bills. As it related to the January 12 incident, the defence lawyer noted that John was ordered to report to the station but was adamant that his client never ran away. Khan reinforced that it was a mere accident and it was just one bullet that ‘went off’. Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail citing the prevalence and seriousness of the offence, the fact that a gun was used and the defendant may be a possible flight risk.

After listening to both parties, Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry refused bail and transferred the matter to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for March 2.

Police seek help to identify dead man

Police say the body of a man whose name was given as David Emmanuel Marks is at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting identification by a relative.

It was reported that Marks, who is of African descent, was allegedly seen attempting to illegally enter a shop at Papi Show Landing, Mazaruni River, on January

4 when he was confronted by residents.

In a desperate attempt to escape, he reportedly jumped into a river. His body was sub-

sequently found on January 7. The man appears to be in his mid-thirties, is brown in complexion, about 5’8’ in height, and medium built.

APNU MP Basil Williams

AFC Consultant Professor Daizal Samad

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Bagotstown resident remanded for causing death

Asif Khan was refused bail after being arraigned on a causing death charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

The charge read that on December 20, 2014 at the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara he drove motor car PRR 555 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of 18-year-old Parmanand Deokaran.

He was also charged for failing to render assistance to those injured – Davindra Mangal and Kishan Ramnarine – and failing to report the accident to the Police within

24 hours.

The unrepresented defendant who resides at Lot 25 Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The court heard that on the day in question, at around 00:30h, Khan was driving motor vehicle PRR 555 proceeding South along the East Bank corridor. When he reach the vicinity of the Princess Hotel, Khan lost control of the vehicle and collided with the now deceased, Deokaran.

It was heard that Deokaran was pitched into a nearby trench. Soon after, some persons came and rendered assistance,

taking the injured man and the other persons he was with to the hospital. Deokaran was pronounced death on arrival.

After the accident, the defendant fled the scene, leaving the injured passengers – Mangal and Ramnarine – in the car.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail citing the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, the fact that the defendant fled the scene and stated that the defendant may be a possible flight risk.

He was then remanded to prison until January 23.

Woman pleads guilty to illegally exporting birds, gets $100,000 fine

Lusan Maria Younge was fined $100,000 after pleading guilty to exporting animals without obtaining a licence.

The woman appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. It was alleged that on January 15 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, she attempted to export 27

Towa Towa birds out of the country without authority or permission.

The unrepresented defendant accepted the charge and did not say anything in her defence. Chief

Magistrate SewnarineBeharry fined Younge $100,000 as well as prohibited her from obtaining an import or export licence for the next two years.

Eyew tness

Satire under fire…

...in Guyana by Nagamootoo

Seems like your humble Eyewitness is under fire from that self-proclaimed “veteran journalist” Moses Nagamootoo. After being tutored for three decades by Janet Jagan at the Mirror, the kindest description we can bestow on him in that department is “journeyman journalist”.

Even she couldn’t wean him to rise above the tired and hackneyed cliches that were his forte. Maybe that’s why he turned to law in his dotage: “tired and hackneyed cliches” are praised as “precedents”!!

But back to his tirade and fulminations against yours truly and his fellow columnist, the more directly named “Satiricus” - whose genre of writing even an old hack like Nagamootoo couldn’t have missed. So what gives??

Like most bullies, Nagamootoo and his sidekick Ramjattan (henceforth “N and R”) are thin skinned: they like to give blows, but whine like sissies once they’re given the same. Just like the terrorists who took out the satirists at Charlie Hebdo. N and R like to posture pompously, but once the straw’s knocked out of them and folks see what fakes they are, they collapse into the ignominious heaps of dung they really are.

But folks like N and R are such obvious caricatures for satire, we wonder how’d anyone could ever take them seriously. Seriously, dear readers, if this Eyewitness were writing fiction he’d have hesitated to create such characters. Take their epic boozing sessions in practically in every rum shop across Guyana. That’s such public knowledge that they didn’t even bother to deny it.

Then there’s their obvious, low-class Chamar behaviour that’s so turned off fellas like Granger?? How do you satirise a fellow who BOASTED to the entire Parliament of Guyana that he’d screamed to his pubescent grandson, “Shut yuh so and suh mouth!!!” The “suh and suh” being explicitly illustrated in the original feral blast.

One would’ve hoped that after being exposed to the bright lights of “town” for a couple of decades, they would’ve gotten used to satire and wit instead of their usual “cuss down” that ends their nightly excesses in one rum shop or another.

But what precipitated Nagamootoo’s latest meltdown at the AFC’s press conference wasn’t even the satirical columns. He dubbed as “obscene” and an “insult to women” the name his leader Ramjattan had proposed to PNC’s Granger for the coalition between AFC and PNC/ APNU - Partnership Alliance for National Trust - Yes! (PANTY!)!! This newspaper, the messenger, was blamed!!

While we hold no brief (or “bukta”) for Ramjattan, this Eyewitness doesn’t understand why PANTY! is an “insult to women”.

Even if it were called “soiled PANTY!” because of the people like Ramjattan and Nagamootoo it’ll have in it!!

...by FUCOP

Some things you don’t even have to satirise. Nagamootoo also took time to deny his party was receiving money from the slush fund held by “Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency” (FUCOP).

Being the congenital “cuss-bud” he is, Nagamootoo - in the presence of two female members of his party - pronounced the acronym to rhyme with “DUCK-UP” rather than “FUKE-OP) as it’s correctly pronounced by decent people. And imagine he had the nerve to object to his leader’s use of the term “PANTY!” as “obscene!!

Now, even though Glenn “The Mook” Lall’s the coordinator (enforcer?) for the FUCOP, it’s no surprise Pegasus Badal’s a card-carrying member. He’s just revealed that Ramjattan, his lawyer’s been holding US$8 million for him that can be used as a down payment on the Marriott.

Now, dear reader, you know businessmen don’t have such funds just sitting around. It has to be FUCOP money!

...and racism’s alive and kicking at Stabber

It’s been more than three years since China donated two ferries to us. We named them Kanawan and Sabanto and they’ve been plying the Essequibo ever since. But one just ran aground and the Stabber insisted on calling it “the Chinese Ferry”. Racist to the bone!

Asif Khan

Region 10 honours 2014 outstanding performers in education sector

Outstanding performers in the area of education in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were honoured at the Department of Education Awards ceremony held in Linden last Thursday.

The event, which was held at the Kara Kara Primary School, saw awards being presented to teachers, including retirees and students in various categories, including sports.

Present were Chief Education Officer Olato Sam; Region 10 Education Officer Marcia Paddy Andrews; Literacy Coordinator Ava Chapman and Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman, among others.

Andrews, in her presentation on the 2014 educational highlights and achievements of the region, noted that there was a 50 per cent increase in Mathematics and English passes at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examinations.

Additionally, the region was among those which attained a more than 50 per cent average at the National Grade Four Examinations. Among other achievements Andrews highlighted: schools in the region, which accounted for 11,385 students last year, participated in a number of activities and competitions which saw students performing exceedingly well.

Testimony of this she noted was that Region 10 copped nine trophies at the 2014 National Science Fair, including best overall tertiary project, in addition to cap -

turing first place at the Children’s Mashramani road march.

It was also noted by Andrews that the Amelia’s Ward Primary School stood out in its accomplishments last year, as the school was able to provide hot meals to 75 new pupils, which she stated led to an improvement in attendance rates at the school. Andrews’s highlights also revealed that there was an increase in the number of nursery admissions across the region due to the reduction in the mandatory age limit. In 2013, there were 1261 admissions, while, 2014 saw 1496.

The Regional Education Officer noted too that all administrators reported for duty at the commencement of the final term last year. Among the achievements, she noted, was the successful launching of the E Division drugs campaign in schools. In the area of sports, Andrews made mention of the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) being crowned winners, for the second time in a row, of the Digicel schools’ football tournament. The jump rope competition, held as part of the Linden Town Week activities, was also noted as a successful event where students were awarded for being outstanding.

Positive difference

Guest speaker at the event, Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman, in her remarks, cautioned awardees not to become complacent and urged them

to make a positive difference in society.

“Never become mediocre/ average in what you do,” she said. Chapman also thanked the region’s teachers for their dedication to the profession, while she urged retirees to use their retirement years wisely. “Use your retirement years wisely, enjoy them but don’t retire. Today, you will receive a token of our appreciation.”

She stressed that too many young men in society were falling prey to committing serious crimes and were not performing well academically when compared to females.“Our young men are at risk … too many young men are committing suicide and acts of murders … many boys are not taking education seriously, resulting in girls outperforming them.”

Chapman further noted that activities such as these will motivate teachers and students to continue to strive for excellence, adding that her hope is to see more awardees next year. “You have to maintain a high level of excellence. Too often, good and excellent performers are in the minority.”

She urged awardees to strive to become mentors to their peers, in an effort to raise the bar on performance. “We must cultivate a culture of giving back to society … our children are our greatest resource in any community,” she said.

GNBA rejects Region 10’s request for Channel 13

– Solomon complains to President Ramotar

Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice)

Chairman Sharma

Solomon has registered his disappointment at not being able to acquire Channel 13, which is currently being managed and operated by the state-owned National Communications Network Inc. (NCN) in Linden.

He expressed his disappointment over the issue at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting on Thursday, in response to an approval letter sent to him by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA). The Broadcasting Authority, while approving a licence for the region, stated that Channel 13 was unavailable.

It was noted in the correspondence letter, dated December 17, 2014, that the Region’s request for a television license had been approved and acknowledged by its governing board. The letter which was addressed to the Regional Chairman and read by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Yolanda Hilliman stated that while the requested Channel 13 was unavailable, another frequency would be made available to the region.

However, Solomon pointed out that the region had signalled its interest in taking the television station back from the state, as part of the August 2012 agreement signed in collaboration with Central Government.

“The RDC sees the move as denying the people of Region 10 there fundamental rights...we will not be able to get Channel 13, that is where our problem is,” Solomon told RDC councillors. To further register his concern, Solomon said he would have dispatched

a letter to President Donald Ramotar and leaders of the main Opposition parties on Thursday. A copy of the letter was read to councillors by Solomon.

“The Regional Democratic Council wishes to strongly register its dissatisfaction…it’s been more than two years since the RDC and Central Government signed the August 2012 Agreement, in which a commitment was given to return to the people of Linden and Region 10, the vHf transmitter…

“Channel 13 was originally assigned to Green Construction…now in the possession of the Government of Guyana, under the management of NCN…to be returned to the people of Region 10, as agreed in the August 2012 agreement. This agreement said that the dish and transmitter would be handed over to the region within 14 days of signing, which should have been no later than the 14th of September 2012…,” excerpts of the letter stated.

Following the signing of the agreement in 2012, the RDC had advanced to establish the Region 10 Broadcasting Inc in an ef-

fort to secure the television station. Solomon said the building for the television station is 95 per cent complete, and is expected to be completed before week-end.

“We have in place, a board of five members,” he noted, adding that two more members are expected to be added to the board. Solomon noted that the matter is one of national importance, noting that GNBA’s role in the issue is “administrative”.

The Regional Chairman further stressed that the Government should take responsibility in honouring all aspects of the 2012 agreement.

Solomon has always accused the Government of failing to honour certain elements of the August 2012 Agreement. The agreement had brought an end to violent protests in Linden over an increase in electricity tariff. The tariff increase has since been put on hold.

As part of the agreement, a technical team should have been set up to investigate the electricity situation in Linden while an economic committee should have been established to assist in the transformation of the region’s economic landscape.

Since the resignation of the Linden Economic Committee Chairperson Joycelyn Williams in January 15, 2014, the work of the committee has been at a standstill.

The RDC had submitted a number of names to Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon to replace Williams but the Ramotar Administration has refused to allow the Economic Committee to work, contending that the region must agree to the imposed nominees for the Technical Committee.

Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon

Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman urged awardees not to become complacent and them to make a positive difference in society

GECOM promises transparency in upcoming polls

…in light of PPP/C’s concerns

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has promised transparency and fairness during the upcoming elections after concerns about shortcomings of the agency were raised by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Speaking with the Guyana Times, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Vishnu Persaud stated that transparency started at the level of the Commission.

He explained that GECOM was established based on a structure proposed by former United States President Jimmy Carter whereby representation was given to the Opposition and the governing political parties.

Recently, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said there were flaws in practices and behaviour of election staffers during the 2011 General Elections.

He said there was an instance of where 19 ballot boxes at the Herstelling Polling Station were rejected as a result of the ineffi-

ciency of election staffers. He queried whether these staffers would be allowed to again work during the upcoming elections.

The Party has also called for the background of elections workers to be checked before they become part of the body.

The Deputy Chief Elections Officer could not quite recall the instance Rohee referred to, but said in the tabulation of votes, some statements of poll for the regional elections were not taken into account. However, when they did the calculations, the votes that were omitted could not have

affected the results of the elections.

Persaud said he was not in agreement with what happened and the Registration Officer in question said he was under pressure from the political parties’ representatives and under that pressure, he misplaced the statements.

He added that the officer found the statements afterward and he apologised to the Commission. Persaud said it was a matter of concern which GECOM has not taken lightly and has developed systems to ensure that there was no recurrence.

He said the Registration Officer has not reapplied to work with GECOM. “If we have solid evidence pointing to any staff to the effect that this person has conducted him/herself in a manner that affects the outcome of the elections, we have procedures to deal with that.”

However, he said such persons would not be tolerated on board in the first place. “We emphasise during our currently ongoing training sessions that the

last thing we would want to do is to have persons who are Political Activists, working on the behalf of GECOM on Election Day.”

Further, at the level of the Commission, non-members of political parties are nominated for employment as general staffers, Persaud said. “The level of what we do starts, there because that’s where the policies of the Commission are developed.”

“At a different level, our transparency involves sharing what we do with the political parties. We keep them in the loop. Outside of our arrangement where we would keep them informed, we have an open-door policy where any of the political parties can seek clarity from us on any issue of concern to them and we have never had complaints to date that we have failed to provide whatever information they sought.”

The DCEO said the laws of Guyana provided for the appointment of persons to scrutinise GECOM’s work; these scrutineers are accredited by GECOM and they work alongside field staffers in all field offices. He added that they were present to witness GECOM’s registration process and they would sign on every registration and verification form to authenticate the accuracy and completeness of the registration process.

He said that in the recent past, GECOM met with representatives of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and this week, they met with representatives from the PPP/C and they were supposed to meet again to continue the already started discussions.

On Nomination Day, every political party contesting the elections are entitled by law to appoint a party agent, assistant agents at the regional level, and polling agents to work at each polling stations, Persaud said.

2011 Elections issues

Persaud said that GECOM was aware that with respect to the last elections, the PPP/C had raised some concerns that their candidates were not allowed to access polling stations. “I do not have the specifics and I am not aware if any investigations in relation to those occurrences have been completed, so I would not bench up an opinion on it; I don’t know the details.”

He said international observers who monitor the process have not given a bad review to the agency thus far. An international observer is already in the country to monitor the events as it leads up to elections.

Nagga sorry he open he mouth

Some people born stupiddy, some grow up stupiddy and some just plain stupiddy fuh all dem life. And nowadays, people does quick to know when some body dumb if dem look or behave stupiddy.

Fuh a good while over de last couple of weeks, de Nagga Man had turn like de poor dumb boy, which is a lil different from bein stupiddy. But in Nagga Man case, both stupiddy and dumb fit de man perfect, unlike dem suit whah he does wear.

Nagga Man still dumb even in he old age and he does behave like a lil boy. Now law school mek he lil more dumb. Nagga Man don’t even have to hang a “poordumb-boy” notice by he neck.

But Nagga Man certainly not poor wid all that money whah he collect from de NICE-LIL place in Kingston. Plus if yuh consider all de FUCOP money, then Nagga Man life set fuh life.

And he is a man who don’t miss out on he duty free. Least Nagga Man coulda is help out de FUCOP man who always lookin fuh duty free. But now de FUCOP man gon end up in a pumpkin jump suit if he don’t beg hard enuff, or tek de same FUCOP money and pay de $100 million.

Nagga Man jump up in Parliament and tell de whole country that he tell he grandson to shut he so-and-so mouth. But these past couple of weeks, it look like some body tell Nagga to shut he so-and-so mouth.

So Nagga Man wasn’t sayin nutten to no body. Some body seh was Rum Jhaat who shut up Nagga Man. Another some body seh Nagga Man couldn’ta seh any ting to any body because Rum Jhaat wanna keep every ting a secret, even de FUCOP money.

So at this stage it look like both Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man gon end up with plenty FUCOP money.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But as soon as Nagga Man decide to open he mouth again, he sound more dumb and more stupiddy!

McDoom man remanded on break and enter, larceny

Twenty-year-old Edgar Blackman of Middle Street, McDoom, Greater Georgetown, was remanded to prison after being arraigned on a break and enter and larceny charges.

The man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday.

It is alleged that on October 28, 2011 at East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, Blackman broke and entered the dwelling house of Quincy Bavagins and stole three PlayStation games worth $260,000, 15 controls worth $129,000, four compact discs (CDs) valued $43,000 and a laptop adapter worth $4000; a totaling value of $436,000. The defendant denied the charge.

In addition to that, the defendant also denied the claim that on August 26, 2013 at McDoom, being in

charges

legal custody of Constable Zakeer, pending an investigation into allegations of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking charge, he escaped custody.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not read the facts of the case in court but made a successful bail objection. He citing the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, adding that Blackman has a similar matter pending in the Providence Magistrates’ Court and while he was on bail, he committed these offences.

Prosecutor Grant added that Blackman had been convicted before for a matter of a similar nature. The defendant had no lawyer and again denied having been ever convicted for any matter.

Bail was refused and the Prosecutor was ordered to file statements. The case will be called again on February 13.

GECOM DCEO Vishnu Persaud

saturday, JaNuary 17, 2015 | guyaNatimesgy.com

saturday, JaNuary 17, 2015 |

Nagamootoo attacks satirical articles

...on FUCOP funds and PANTY coalition

Moses Nagamootoo, who was handpicked as the Presidential Candidate of the Alliance For Change (AFC) by his party leader and friend Khemraj Ramjattan, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on satirical commentary.

He criticised the Guyana Times for reporting on the acronym his party leader coined to name the coalition they are negotiating with PNC/APNU – PANTY! [Partnership Alliance for National Trust - Yes!] as well the group this newspaper was informed is funding the Opposition –FUCOP [Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency].

Nagamootoo, himself a former journalist and Minister of Information, took particular offence to the acronym PANTY!, which this newspaper discovered was the name suggested for the coalition the AFC and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) are working to put together. He claimed that the word “PANTY!” was insulting to women, even though it is an essential part of their garb. One wag in the audience suggested,

sotto voce, that a person from Nagamootoo’s generation might be more used to the expression “bloomers”.

The outburst came as Nagamootoo responded to a question by this newspaper on whether indeed the AFC was serious about any coalition with APNU given that their Consultant, Professor Daizal Samad had said conclusively that the negotiations were a sham. The AFC is under pressure from its Georgetown members to go into the coalition, but this is adamantly opposed by those in Berbice. Nagamootoo launched into a tirade saying that Guyana Times has a record of “obscene articles.”

“When you begin to sink that low to use slimy language such as PANTY! as

part of your political diction, then I don’t have the moral responsibility to respond to anything you say in that newspaper,” said the AFC Vice Chairman.

Nagamootoo also complained about the groupFUCOP, from which his party is said to be receiving funding. Mispronouncing the acronym as a vulgarity, Nagamootoo on national television and at the

OPR probing bribery allegations against cops

The Police Office of Professional Responsibility

(OPR) is conducting investigations into an allegation that two police ranks attached to the Kurupung Police Station took a bribe in an attempt to free 12 men arrested for the illegal possession of a shotgun.

In a release Police said that te men allegedly had an unlicensed shotgun and nine cartridges. According to the release the ranks were allegedly involved in a corrupt transaction with a view to having the men released from police custody.

news conference said “F.. kup”much to the consternation of the reporters at the news conference, especially the younger ones, and his colleagues AFC members at the head table. The AFC had ostentatiously introduced campaign financing laws in Parliament but has steadfastly refused to discuss its sources of funds. At its last Congress it did not table an audited financial statement on its funding even though this is demanded

by its party constitution.

Nagamootoo’s attack against the Guyana Times for articles which have a satirical tone is extremely troubling.

Guyana Times questioned why Nagamootoo has never lashed out at the Kaieteur News-one of his party’s funders – which publishes a daily satirical column “Dem boys seh” that has the penchant for extreme vulgar and disrespectful commentaries.

Parliament Office donates fans to Police

The Parliament Office on Friday donated four industrial fans, worth over $200,000, to the ranks of the Guyana Police Force’s Tactical Services Unit (TSU) based at the Public Building. Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, while handing the fans over, said it has always been a goal of the Parliament Office to ensure that the ranks based at the Public Building were as comfortable as possible so that they can discharge their responsibilities as efficiently as possible. He said over the years, the Office has been employing various methods to ensure that this was done and the donation of these fans was just another example of these. Isaacs noted that the Office has always enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the ranks tasked with maintaining the security of the Public Building, the Members of Parliament and staff, and opined that he was confident this would continue in the future.

Receiving the fans on behalf of the TSU ranks was Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, Officer-inCharge of the TSU, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the ranks. He said he was grateful for the continued support of the Parliament Office, and noted that the fans would go a far way in creating a comfortable environment for the officers as they perform their duties.

AFC Vice-Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Mash to kick off with Children’s Competition come Monday

By AnAstAciA clementson

“One People, One Culture, One Celebration” is the theme that children all over Guyana will be representing, when the 2015 Education Ministry’s annual Children’s Mashramani Competition kicks off on Monday.

The children’s competition will form part of a range of activities that will usher in Guyana’s 45th Anniversary as a Republic.

At a press conference on Friday, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry said this year’s celebration will

2015 when the event kicks off on January 31 with the semifinals in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The final is set for February 14 at the National Park Tarmac, Georgetown.

The chutney competition will begin on January 20 with the Shakti Strings Orchestra band supporting the junior contestants while Mingles Sound Machine will back the adult competitors.

Mention was also made of the relatively new Steel Pan Competition, which Dr Anthony said is something to be proud of, noting that the competition is aiding in the resuscitation of the art which

the National Museum from February 9-March 6.

However, on February 23 all roads will lead to Camp and Church Streets where the traditional float parade will start. Minister Anthony said a number of Government agencies and private businesses have enlisted their participation.

On a sad note, the Dr Anthony said that this will be the first year in quite a while that the Prize Giving Ceremony for the winners of the float parade will not be held at the Umana Yana.

Though systems are in place to ensure that it is avail-

take Guyanese by storm. Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts Desiree WylesOgle announced that the Children’s Mashramani Competition will commence at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground in Region Two with the much anticipated dramatic poetry and calypso segments.

The competition will subsequently spread across the country with nursery, primary and secondary schools competing in the dance and masquerade, costume and physical display, dramatic poetry and calypso segments. These competitions will come to a conclusion with the finals from February 12-14.

Meanwhile, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that the Children’s Mashramani Competition is just a tip of the iceberg. He pointed out that the calypso competitions will be held on January 30 and February 20, where the junior category will be followed by the adult category. In a bid to advance the work of the National School of Music, Minister Anthony said students of the school will be supporting the competitors in the various categories.

Approximately 11 participants are expected to compete in the junior category while 20 will compete for the Calypso Crown in February at Thirst Park.

The Carib Soca Monarch competition was praised by Minister Anthony for the number of songs that are produced in the lead up to the competition. Already 18 Guyanese Soca singers have been shortlisted to vie for the title of Carib Soca Monarch

was slowly dying. He thanked Republic Bank Guyana Limited for its continuous support in this regard.

He said this year has seen a noticeable increase in the number of bands that will be participating in the competition. There will be a school band category on February 7 and a regular competition where the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and a number of other bands are expected to take part. There will also be solo competitions.

Masquerade competitions have been a sore spot, Minister Anthony said, explaining that the cultural practice is losing steam every year. However, he said there is hope, pointing out that the ministry has put in place a strategy to ensure its revival.

Dr Anthony said he will be taking the masquerade competition to Essequibo where it is highly practiced. The competition will be held on February 15, with masqueraders parading from High Bridge in Essequibo to the centre ground. Also for the Mashramani celebrations, there will be a public lecture at the National Library on February 17 and a literary street fair on February 20.

Minister Anthony said it is his ministry’s wish to enhance the knowledge of Guyanese on the significance of Republic Day. He said Oonya Kempadoo, an internationally acclaimed Guyanese author and publisher, will be giving the lecture.

There will also be National Art Exhibitions at Castellani House on February 26 and at

able for other ceremonies, he said that this ceremony will be held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

Linden issues not irresolvable – PNCR Chairman

…willing to make every attempt to set things right

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairman and Deputy Speaker Basil Williams said that whatever differences being faced by the PNCR and its Linden members can and will be resolved.

PNCR has been at odds with its Linden group for the past several months. The issue escalated with the suspension of Regional Representative and Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon.

Lindeners are gearing themselves up for a major showdown with PNCR Leader David Granger after the latter agreed to a meeting with a large number of disgruntled members over a range of issues.

According to Williams at an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) press conference on Friday, Granger has “no difficulty meeting party groups in Linden … As far as I know, Mr Granger and his team have always been willing and able to engage with the constituents in Linden.”

Williams admitted that the PNCR and its Linden arm had some differences, but was adamant that whatever those issues are, they could and would be worked out.

He said the issues were not irresolvable, adding that “all attempts” would be made to ensure that the issues between the two groups are resolved.

High on the agenda of the meeting which could happen next week are the suspension of Kissoon; the alleged rigging of last year’s Congress, which returned Granger as leader of the party; and a range of other issues, including the imposition of Sandra Adams as the party’s Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Coordinator and the sidelining of key figures such as Aubrey Norton, Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon and Kissoon, all of whom

helped the party sweep the two seats in the region at the 2011 elections.

While Solomon has declined to disclose the agenda of the meeting with Granger, Trade Unionist Leslie Gonsalves confirmed that issues surrounding Kissoon and Adams would definitely be placed on top of the agenda.

Another key party official said that they would bring up the Congress fiasco as well at the meeting. Granger has so far managed to dodge from confronting the issues that have angered Lindeners since August last year.

However, observers believe that he has finally realised the importance of meeting the key constituency with General Elections on the horizon.

Over the weekend, Solomon dispatched a letter to the PNCR Leader inviting him to meet with supporters in the mining town. When contacted by the Guyana Times on Tuesday, Solomon said he would only pronounce on the meeting after it was held, but Gonsalves said supporters would be calling on the Opposition Leader to address burning issues that have been placed on the table for more than a year.

Supermarket employees allegedly caught stealing granted bail

Two men and a woman were on Monday granted bail when they appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a simple larceny charge. The trio was placed on $75,000 bail each for allegedly stealing more than $1 million in items from J’s Supermarket of Strand, New Amsterdam.

Shanele Simon, age 38, of Lot 1 Reliance Settlement, Corentyne a Supervisor and a single mother of two; along with Alex Beharry, 25, a father of one of Lot 22 Cumberland Village, East Coast Berbice; and Kevin Ramesh, Cashier Assistant, age 20, of Lot 20 Bones Bush Dam, East Canje, were not required to plea to the joint indictable charge which was instituted by Detective Constable Eustace Lynch.

According to Police Prosecutor, Inspector Godfrey Platter, between January 6 and 9, 2014, at Strand New Amsterdam, Simon, Beharry and Ramesh stole five Hamilton Beach Blenders valued $54,975; three Hamilton Beach Toasters valued $17,985; two ConAir hair curling irons valued $9000;

13 bags of Fonterra milk powder valued $325,000; six Home Basic pot sets valued $23,970; 11 cases of Ensure nutritional drink valued $93,000; three cases Pediasure nutritional drink valued $31,500; five cases of Danish cookies valued $50,000; seven cases XL energy drink valued $26,600; three cases Red Bull energy drink valued $23,400; four cases Red Strong Shake valued $20,000; two GE microwaves valued $56,000; six cases UNOLI Soyabean oil valued $45,600; 48 cases Ponds cream valued $66,900; 24 cases AXE deodorant valued $98,400; four cases evaporated milk valued $18,000; 18 cas-

es BRUT deodorant valued $28,500, and 18 cases of Haiku perfume valued $35,910; all totalling in value $1,161,875 and the property of Ramanand Shirpaul called “Raymond”. They were not required to plea to the indictable charge.

Platter told the court that Ramesh was caught with a bottle of Double Black Johnny Walker Whisky concealed in a black plastic bag in his possession and was about to leave the business premises.

Asked by the court if any of the items had been recovered, Platter said that some of the booty was found on an empty ploy of land.

In a bail application, Attorney Charrandas Persaud told the court that the three accused were detained by Police for four days at the Reliance and Central Police Stations. “They were subsequently ordered to report, on their own to Central Police Station and they did so… that would give reason for them not to run away, but would instead attend court hearings. I ask for reasonable bail, Your Worship,” Persaud said.

Prosecutor Platter however asked the court to place the accused on substantial bail. They were then each placed on $75,000 bail. They will return to court on February 6.

Allied Arts Unit Administrator Desiree Wyles-Ogle (far left); Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and Mash Director Lennox Canterbury (far right) at the press conference

Chairman and Deputy Speaker Basil Williams

Shanele Simon

Kevin Ramesh Alex Beharry

Trinidadian appointed Judge with CCJ

The Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) Friday announced the appointment of Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee as a judge to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“Judges appointed to the

CCJ are evaluated on the basis of wide-ranging criteria that include experience, high moral character, intellectual and analytical ability, sound judgment, integrity and an understanding of people and society,” the RJLSC said in a statement.

It said she was selected from among applicants from the Caribbean, North America and Eastern Europe.

The Trinidad-born Justice Rajnauth-Lee is a Court of Appeal Judge on her country and will assume her new post in April.

A First Class Honours graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as well as the Hugh Wooding Law School she was admitted to the practice of law

in Trinidad and Tobago in 1980.

The former State Counsel in the Solicitor General’s Department in Trinidad and Tobago was, for many years as a member and then Vice-Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association.

She was appointed a judge in 2001 and was elevated to the Court of Appeal a year later. Justice RajnauthLee is a member of the International Association of Women Judges. She was a member of the Steering Committee and now serves as Vice President of the Caribbean Association of Women Judges. She is Vice President of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Women Judges. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

4 killed, including 2 children, in fiery St Lucia highway accident

Four people, including two young brothers, were killed when a truck in which they were travelling struck a utility pole, overturned and burst into flames on Wednesday, Police said.

Local media reports said the driver, whose name was given only as Arthur, his girlfriend, Sarah Antoine and her grandson, David Agard, were trapped in the wreckage and burned to death.

The accident occurred along the Bexon Highway, Southeast of Castries.

According to a report from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the St Lucia News Online website, Benjamin Antoine, another of Antoine’s grandchildren,

succumbed to his injuries and died in the hospital. He was initially rescued from the burning truck suffering from burns and injuries sustained in the accident.

A relative of Antoine told St Lucia News Online that the couple had planned to buy some gasoline (in a fuel bottle) after picking up the children. According to the St Lucia News Online report, “the relative believed that the gas container – if it was bought – may have helped fuel the explosion after the truck crashed.”

Media reports said that Antoine, who operates a bakery in Sarrot, was returning to her home after picking up the children from the L’Abayee SDA Primary

School.

One eyewitness said that Arthur and Antoine “were alive when the guys took out the child… but they were stuck, so they burned to death.

“The emergency people took a while because we were waiting for a while for them to come, I tried calling them but the line said busy” the eyewitness added.

The horrific accident comes only two days after the tragic bus crash in Rock Gutter, St Vincent that claimed the lives of five people including several children. Two others are still missing and presumed dead after the minibus overturned and crashed into the ocean. (Caribbean360)

Emailgate defamation lawsuit −Rowley

Trindad’s Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley is moving to strike out a legal victory being claimed by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan in the emailgate scandal. This was announced by his Attorney, People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Faris Al-Rawi, in a hastilycalled press conference at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Charles Street, Port of Spain, on Thursday evening.

moves to strike out

It was in response to statements by Ramlogan at Thursday’s post-Cabinet press conference in St Clair. Ramlogan told the media Rowley’s legal team had failed to file a defence in a defamation lawsuit against him over statements made on the emailgate issue.

He filed the suit in the High Court on September 11, 2014.

Following this, Rowley’s lawyers filed an application on October 31 for an extension of

Around the world

More than 100 bodies recovered from India’s Ganges

More than 100 bodies have been found in the river Ganges in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, prompting the authorities to order a probe. Reports said the bodies were of people who were dumped in the river or buried on the banks after their families could not afford a proper cremation.

Many Indians regard the Ganges as holy and use its bank for cremations.

The 2500 kilometre (1500 mile) river has been badly polluted by industrial waste, farm pesticides and sewage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to clean up the river after his election victory last year. Bodies were first found

floating near the banks of the river on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district.

Villagers noticed the bodies when many had become stuck on the river bank with dogs and vultures circling the area. More were found on Wednesday, and authorities said so far 104 bodies had been retrieved.

“It seems that as the water level has receded in the river, these bodies have surfaced,” news agency AFP quoted district magistrate Saumya Agarwal as saying.

“We are trying to figure out the reason. We have sent a team of doctors on the spot to collect the samples from bodies to investigate the case.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN’s Ban Ki-moon worried by El Salvador violence as murders soar

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday he was concerned by violence in Central America and El Salvador, where there has been a sharp spike in murders and police assassinations over the last year.

Visiting the poor Central American country to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of peace accords that ended a 12-year civil war that killed around 75,000 people, Ban urged El Salvador to remember that spirit of reconciliation as it grapples with a rising spate of

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks during a press conference at the presidential house in San Salvador, January 16

gang warfare.

time to file a defence.

On Thursday, Al-Rawi said the application for an extension was made because Rowley’s legal team had requested copies of CDs featuring the audio recording of alleged statements made by Rowley but had received blank CDs and because the transcripts required had not been produced.

“We have to check the recordings and whether they were doctored or not.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Central America is home to some of the bloodiest countries in the world, blighted by corrupt institutions, widespread gang culture and chronic unemployment which last year sparked a wave of child migrants that overwhelmed the southern US border.

“We’re very worried at the levels of insecurity and violence across Central America and El Salvador,” Ban told reporters in San Salvador. Honduras has the world’s highest murder rate of 90.4 murders per 100,000 people; according to the UN neighbouring El Salvador is in third place with 41.2 murders per 100,000 people.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The accident occurred along the Bexon Highway, Southeast of Castries, St Lucia

The Ganges is India’s most polluted river

Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee

How do you think Guyana’s music industry can be improved?

Neeshan B Hitman – Singer

“I did record a song in Guyana… I think I am the only artiste who is not Guyanese to do an entire song in Guyana. I think Guyana is on the right track, right now there is not much need for improving because if I can come here and do my music videos and song, then Guyana is doing great. I been working and collaborating with Guyanese artistes for a long time now and I know Guyana is doing great music and have great talent. I really do think Guyana has come a far way in the music scene and today have top studios on par with everywhere else.”

Drew Thoven – Director of Kindred

“We have no industry at the moment. One has to be built from scratch. Some are trying to do so. But will continue to fail because our attempts are still much pocketed and defeat the purpose entirely. In order for one to succeed, one needs to take the risk no one is willing to take... like any other business, invest but with standard protocols and industry schematics. If you’re gonna talk Industry than you have to go the full length of the very complicated road rather than take of an individualistic approach to building an “industry”. Your music makes no sense if you’re not marketable. And for music on that level, one would need a team. It’s not a one man show.”

Jenell Pierre – Former GT&T Jingle and Song Competition Contestant

“Firstly, we need copyright laws to protect our music. Artistes need to make money too, studios have to be paid. Better studio equipment is needed. And once those things are in place, the music needs to be played more on the airways.”

Gavin Mendonca – Bassist in Feed the Flames Band

Jumo Primo – Singer

“Copyright laws need to be in place and we need to bring back music into schools so that kids can have the basics on how to play instruments and sing and even learn to produce music. That’s my take on it.”

“I’ve only been in the music Industry for five years, and as a rock musician in Guyana, it’s a completely different scene. Rock music is not on the main stream level as soca and chutney, etc are. It’s obvious that Guyana has a music scene, but not so much an industry. The Guyana Music Network was put in place to help develop, or I should say create, a proper functioning music industry. But for some reason, most Guyanese musicians care less about the ‘industry’ aspect of being a musician and that is making an honest living strictly off of being a musician. Most musicians have day jobs because the ‘industry’ cannot provide for them. I believe there are a few things we, Guyanese musicians can do to help create a functioning music industry. We need cooperation; we all need to work together, regardless of our preferred genre of music. We could move forward with things such as an official National Music Chart, annual awards for different categories, etc. We need to promote more Guyanese music on local airwaves. Guyana has fallen victim to American culture. Should Guyanese television and radio stations put more emphasis on local talent, it would give the industry a boost by creating an audience, thus creating a market.”

Ashok Wairawen – Deejay

“The music industry in Guyana has taken flight because not only is our music popular in our country but in many other countries around the world. Guyanese music is quite popular, and we’ve had some stars that really shined and they still are doing so. However as the music industry in Guyana in growing, they should try to make better ways that would make the industry grow more. The music industry should input lyrics that are relaxing in every way possible, however, it should make an impact on the listeners and have more of its talent being broadcasted. Lastly, Guyana’s music industry cannot only be moved by our talents we showcase and lyrics we bring to the stage, we need support from our Guyanese nation.”

Jered Gilbert – Pianist

“Well, in my opinion, it has to start with the musicians and artistes. They have to do a self evaluation and analyse where they are in terms of skill and talent and project where they can be. Once that is done their attitude towards music will lead them in a new direction. As the world progresses, so does music. While some standards may not change, there is so much one can learn. If everyone takes music seriously and adopt it as a way of life then we will see changes. And people say the Guyanese music industry has no scope, while that statement may hold truth, it does not deter from the fact that the attitude of the artistes and musicians can determine how far they can project. We may not have scope but if we act like it then the overall sound of our music will change.”

GECOM to begin Claims and Objections exercise soon

Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Vishnu Persaud said persons who failed to register during the 7th Cycle of Continuous Registration will soon be presented with another opportunity to do so. In an interview with Guyana Times, Persaud said subsequent to the publication of the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE), GECOM will conduct a Claims and Objections exercise which will accommodate persons who were unable to register by the December 31, 2014 deadline.

“Any person who would have had their source documents and did not get the opportunity or did not find the time or make the time to register during the last cycle, will have an oppor-

tunity to do so in the upcoming Claims and Objections exercise.”

However, he pointed out that only persons who are above the age of 18 will be qualified. “Only those who would be 18 years and over by a date which we will announce, they can register during this exercise. The below 18 to 14 cannot.”

Persaud said GECOM has provided many opportunities for registration throughout the years, therefore if persons fail to register during the Claims and Objections period, then they will not be eligible to vote in the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

“If they fail to get on the list then they will not be included in the Official List of Electors (OLE) that we will be producing, which means, you won’t be allowed to vote.” The Claims and

Objections period will also allow persons to apply for change, corrections and transfers.

GECOM had indicated that preparations are underway for the publication of the PLE. The Commission’s Secretariat is currently conducting a thorough fingerprint cross-matching exercise as it analyses the fingerprints of registrants on the existing National Register of Registrants (NRR).

When that exercise is completed, the list will be produced and displayed throughout communities across Guyana. Persons are urged to check the lists to ensure they are listed.

GECOM now awaits the announcement by President Donald Ramotar of the date for General and Regional Elections.

Joshua Premdas – Guitarist “Technically, I would say they need to host shows more often and sponsor events. Also they need copyright laws. This will benefit both the music network and the artiste because the artiste will get a percentage off their own work and the music network will gain more members therefore get more popular.”

Neil Ramdial – Vocalist of Project X

“Well basically, it comes back to the support we get from our own Guyanese, as it relates to supporters and fans, businesses that can assist with shows and concerts or band performances, they don’t really do it. We are too foreign minded, we support other artistes and do not support our own talent, which may in some cases, our talent is better. And I think if we get this support, from all stakeholders, then we can see great development in our industry. But nevertheless, there has been some great improvements in the overall output of the local industry and if we just get the local support, we can go far.”

UNASUR Secretary General to visit

Guyana next week

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that Dr Ernesto Samper Pizano, Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) will be paying a visit to Guyana on January 20. The Secretary General will be accompanied by two officials of the General Secretariat of UNASUR, located in Ecuador.

Dr Pizano, a former President of Colombia, was appointed for a twoyear term in August 2014,

as Secretary General of UNASUR.

During his visit, he will meet with President Donald Ramotar and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on issues of importance to this regional integration process.

On the conclusion of his short visit to Guyana, the Secretary General will host a press conference on Tuesday, January 20, at 11:45h in the Main Conference Room of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

NAACIE backs

GGMC protesters

The National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE)

General Secretary Kenneth Joseph has dismissed claims that the ongoing protest at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is illegal.

On Tuesday, the Chief Labour, Occupational and Safety Officer Charles Ogle said that the GGMC workers, who are protesting for better wages and salaries, are participating in an illegal act. According to Ogle, the protest is not in accord with known and acceptable principles of good Labourmanagement relations.

Ogle’s comments were made days after the Labour Ministry condemned the strike action, saying that it is illegal and disrespect. A call was even issued for the protest to be called off.

But NAACIE General Secretary on Wednesday said that it is a sad affair and a very serious situation when Trade Unions here observe the denial of important workers’ rights in silence.

Joseph said it is important for the Chief Labour Officer to note that there are legal and illegal strikes, according to legal luminaries.

Joseph explained however, that the GGMC strike

is not defined as illegal because it is one of the attempts by workers to pressure their employers to concede to their demand for improvement in wages benefit and work rules. NAACIE said it supports the workers who are still struggling for a better life.

Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) had also spoken out in support of the workers, it represents. GPSU Industrial Relations Officer Jermaine Hermanstyne said it was agreed that no industrial action would have been taken within one month of the agreement but that the one month ended on December 31, 2014.

Less than two months after their salary increas-

es were promised, GGMC workers on January 5 downed their tools after a failed agreement.

The Commission’s Senior Industrial Officer Dennis English explained that the protest resumed because the management of GGMC continues to act in violation of the terms of resumption that were signed and agreed upon at the Labour Ministry.

“We entered into that agreement based on commitment given by the relevant authority which we accepted in good faith, and we hear that those agreements were not honoured. There was a timeframe set out and stipulating the terms of resumption with the view that the issues will be resolved. Today, the issues have not been resolved and there is no clear indications where the document that we have submitted to the Minister for payment is,” he said.

In addition, English pointed out that they have indicated to the management that payments should be done without prejudice to the ongoing discussions they were having, but, to date, no payments were made. As such, he noted the workers met and collectively decided that they will resume industrial actions.

Granger leads APNU’s mission to Region 9

Leader of the Opposition, retired Brigadier David Granger is leading a team of Members of Parliament from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

The team departed Georgetown on Friday. The APNU team will visit 28 villages in the North, Central and South Rupununi

Savannahs. Some of the villages to be visited include: Aishalton, Maruranaw and Achiwib in the South; and Parishara, Nappi, Yupukari, St Ignatius, and Moco Moco in the North-Central Savannahs.

Brigadier Granger’s team includes APNU Chief Whip and Shadow Education Minister Amna Ally, APNU Campaign Director and Shadow

Public Security Minister Winston Felix, Shadow Local Government and Hinterland Development Minister Ronald Bulkan, Shadow Health Minister Dr George Norton, MP Annette Ferguson, MP Sydney Allicock and several other high-ranking APNU regional officials. The team will be in the Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo Region for four days.

Youths urged to get involved in social, political spheres

Under the theme “Movements, Advocacy and Activism,” Guyanese youths were urged to be more involved in the social and political spheres, as the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) staged its first monthly forum since it was launched in October, 2014.

At the forum which was

held at the Cara Lodge Hotel on Monday, CUSO International Guyana Representative Rikki Alexander, who later garnered the majority of the participants’ support, said many young people are ignorant to the issues that affect society.

Part time lecturer at the University of Guyana (UG), Chevy Devonish fur-

LaRocque lauds regional collaboration for Strategic Plan implementation

Positive energy infused fruitful discussions, this week, among key implementation partners of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Five-Year Strategic Plan 2015-2019, heralding a productive start to 2015. These sentiments were expressed by CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, when he addressed the opening ceremony of the 35th Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers of CARICOM. The meeting commenced on Friday morning at the Georgetown, Guyana Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat.

The Secretary-General told the Council that following the CARICOM Heads of Government approval of Strategic Plan last July,

work has begun to implement the Plan. He stated that critical steps are being taken to establish the governance and operational structures among all the implementing partners of the Strategic Plan which is a critical element in the Reform of the Community.

Preceding the meeting of the Council on Friday, two significant engagements were held on Tuesday and Wednesday among the Member States, the Regional Institutions and the Secretariat, and between CARICOM Ambassadors and Change Drivers to consider the draft Implementation Plan.

The Secretary-General said he was encouraged by the positivity which has been a factor throughout those discussions, adding that it was a spirit impor-

tant at any time, but more significantly this year being the first of the Strategic Plan.

Those inputs have served to elaborate the relationship between the national and regional agendas, Ambassador

LaRocque said, noting that CARICOM Member States, Institutions, and the Committee of CARICOM Ambassadors have all contributed significantly to various elements of implementation plan.

“There was a full appreciation that each of us had a role to play in the successful implementation of the Plan. The enthusiasm and commitment displayed by all parties involved is testimony to the strong belief in the Strategic Plan’s potential to assist the Member States in meeting and defeating their current challenges,” he stated.

He noted that the collaboration which materialized from the meetings was envisaged in the Strategic Plan and it was fuelling a new mode of operation in Community geared towards

ensuring cohesion and working towards achieving common goals. It was a sign of the readiness of the parties to begin their work on fulfilling the objectives of the Strategic Plan to the benefit of the people of the Community, he added.

The Council is now considering the revised Implementation Plan which benefitted from the “rich engagement” among the implementing partners, Secretary-General LaRocque said.

“2015 can therefore be a watershed year in the history of our Community. The effectiveness of acting together has proven itself time and again. Let us continue to use that strength in our on-going quest to provide a better life for the people of our Caribbean Community,” he encouraged the meeting.

ther explained that most young people do not particularly care for anything that is not immediately within their sphere of life. Pointing to the University, Devonish said many students are often unaware of the “issues of the day.”

According to him, youths in Guyana often depend on “political parties to tell (them) what the issues of the day are” and how they should react. There is no use of critical thinking or thinking of any kind, the lecturer stated.

Self proclaimed activist, Nicole Cole echoed similar sentiments. She said “there’s no appetite for change among young people.”

Another participant, Brian Andre Smith contended that the young population is in a poor state because there is no value system in Guyana.

In comparing youths in Guyana with those in the United States of America (USA), Smith said Americans are taught from infancy to respect their national flag and “think of America as the best place in the world,” while here in Guyana, families teach their children that migration is the best option to prosperity.

Meanwhile, speaking on the area of civic movement, Youth Activist, Professor Danny Shaw, who is attached to the New York University, said a movement does not simply happen but the need for it is realised when society experiences a lack of resources.

Such movements, he said do not happen overnight, as it takes years for frustration and the feeling of oppression to build up to unacceptable levels.

In alluding to the ongoing Ferguson Movement, where an African American teenager, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by a Police Officer, Professor Shaw said the shooting stimulated the movement. However, he said the momentum was built since the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s, when “black” communities were labelled crime zones and the social system sought to disenfranchise African Americans.

The aggrieved workers protesting in front of GGMC

NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

Professor Danny Shaw, New York University

SUDOKU

Wednesday's solution

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Your creativity and artistry will be recognized and rewarded both at home and at work. Youngsters will be impressed with your ideas and talents if you include them in your activities.

You have plenty to offer. Share your ideas for improving your job or the environment in which you work. You will be admired for your dedication and input.

Valuable networking opportunities must be taken advantage of. Stay informed by attending business functions, seminars or discussions. The information you receive will lead to a promotion or valuable opportunity.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Join a club or group that will get you moving and motivated. Sports or other physical activities will increase your energy level and help to reduce stress.

Do your own thing, as now is not the time to take on too much or make unrealistic promises. You want to rejuvenate, not exhaust yourself.

Time spent with someone special will be rewarding. With your experience, you can help cultivate a desire to learn and take on new challenges while you build a closer bond with each other.

Your love life will be volatile if you are too possessive or secretive. Don’t blow minor events out of proportion and avoid getting into a discussion that could lead to regret.

Don’t share personal matters with a friend who can’t keep a secret. Ask for advice from a professional who will not reveal the information you disclose. Delicate matters require discreet treatment.

Romance is in the air. Eliminate outside distractions and spend quality time with someone you want to reassure. Don’t let work-related stress endanger your partnership. The people you live or work with will be jealous or possessive. If you can’t see eye-to-eye, it would be best to get together with a good friend who doesn’t judge you.

Legal advice may be necessary in order to understand inheritance, insurance or tax matters. Don’t offer personal advice to a co-worker or friend, or you will be considered a meddler.

Don’t share your opinion if it isn’t asked for. Criticism or interfering in other people’s affairs will make you appear pushy or domineering. Take care of your responsibilities in order to avoid complaints.

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

dilbert

arCHie

Thompson heating up the track in America

United States-based Guyanese sprinter

Brenessa Thompson is torching her competition on the indoor high school circuit.

The talented sprinter currently holds the fastest 55 metres indoor high school time in America with a time of 6.95s after competing at the Hispanic Games last weekend.

Thompson’s dad, Brenon Thompson, who was a former national sprint champion in his day, believes that the talented athlete can dominate the track this year.

Thompson is expected to continue her indoor season during the next few weeks before the outdoor season begins later this year. Brenessa Thompson

“I think she can run 6.75s in the 55m and once she stays on course she can do 11.24s in the 100m. She is working hard at it, because she wants to represent Guyana at the next Olympics,” Thompson told Guyana Times Sport.

CPL 2015...

During the first two instalments in 2013 and 2014, the tournament started in July and ended in August. Khan revealed that with the dates now known, the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise is busy putting the necessary systems in place to ensure a victorious campaign for the team, as well as a successful hosting of the Guyana leg, which is expected to have four games.

“Our home games in Guyana will be from July 13th to the 19th and with that in mind, we’re putting things in place not only for the team’s preparation and putting together the players to combine the team, but more importantly to prepare for hosting of the games here in Guyana and putting all the logistics and all the necessary arrangements that we need to put in place for hosting these games,” he divulged.

Khan, a former West Indies Senior Team Manager, pointed out that the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise has already started to lay the groundwork to ensure the franchise goes one step further and win the title, after finishing as runner-up in the previous two editions.

Currently, the franchise is preparing its list of desired players with the aim of capturing them at the Players’ Draft, but is cautious about the new system being employed this year.

from back page

“From this year, the Draft will be different from the previous two years. There would be no icon players assigned to each team; all players go back into the Draft. The franchises do have the opportunity, if they so desire, to retain players and you could retain only four players this year from last year’s team. Those are players who would have played for you last year. So all those things we need to look at – strategise and identify what are the best options we have available and pick the best group of players that would suit our needs when the Draft takes place,” Khan explained.

During the first two years, each franchise was assigned an icon player, namely Marlon Samuels (Antigua Hawksbills); Kieron Pollard (Barbados Tridents); Sunil Narine (Guyana Amazon Warriors); Chris Gayle (Jamaica Tallawahs); Darren Sammy (St Lucia Zouks); and Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel).

The Caribbean Premier League is the region’s premier T20 tournament, attracting sold-out crowds and being viewed by millions across the globe. It has been a massive contributor to the economies of the host countries, surpassing its financial gains last year in comparison to 2013.

Swimming in need of innovative ideas

By TreisTon Joseph

It is high time that swimming becomes one of Guyana’s premier sports.

The sport has been floundering over the past couple of years, achieving moderate success at a few events and is still to win an Inter Guiana Games (IGG) title.

The fact is the pool of legitimate senior swimmers is limited to around five as the sport has failed to really develop their young talent.

There needs to be a better system in place to develop the abundance of young talent that Guyana has, not allowing them to fall by the wayside.

The likes of Onika George, Britany Van Lange and Hannibal Gaskin just to name a few should be guided down a path where their lives must revolve around the sport.

Athletes are groomed from a very young age to be top flight and such can be said for the likes of the Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe’s of the world.

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) needs to move away from hosting three-week programmes for a team and hoping that they perform on the world stage or even at the regional level.

Camps will only work if these young swimmers are involved in the right system from day one.

GASA President Ivan

Persaud has long talked about the science of the sport, but has seemingly not yet utilised.

Studying athletes physiologically and physically and deriving the perfect balance of work ethic, diet and mental training go far beyond a few camps or training sessions.

What about the use of race simulations; for instance, how can someone of Nail Roberts’ talent have a race simulation when the rest of his competition is not close to his level?

Measures must be put in place to transition the young swimmers into their senior phase and even before that from a youth into

junior. This would mean that talent spotting, and hence forth grooming as well as sticking to a plan for the talent spotted will be needed in order to produce results.

While other factors will obviously affect such a process, the main one being finances, swimming is in good stead with the National Sports Commission which should be able to provide funds for such a project, even if it is just for a few swimmers.

Now while most might think that such plans should be instituted for any sport in order to develop talent, swimming is such a

technical sport that the attention to detail is critical. Hence having 15-20 youths being supervised by two or three coaches will never improve the quality of swimmers in Guyana. New ideas are needed; there is also the fact of exploring the hinterland regions for talent, something that GASA has not fully tapped.

Swimming has the potential to bring recognition to Guyana, especially given the current crop of youths and juniors and with Guyana being dubbed the Land of Many Waters, Guyana should not have any reason for not producing quality swimmers.

Defoe completes Sunderland move

Toronto FC and England striker Jermain Defoe has completed his move to Sunderland, signing a threeand-a-half-year deal with the club.

Defoe, 32, played alongside Gus Poyet during the first of his two spells at Tottenham, and was then

coached by the Sunderland manager at White Hart Lane.

Poyet said: “His exceptional goal-scoring record speaks for itself.”

United States international Jozy Altidore, 25, moves back to the MLS with Toronto as part of the deal.

Defoe could make his de-

but against Spurs at White Hart Lane if international clearance is - as expectedreceived by 13.45 GMT on Saturday.

“It is a great club and I’ve always enjoyed coming up here and playing against Sunderland because of the stadium and the supporters,” the striker said.

“It is a great place to play and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Defoe, capped 55 times by England, is 14th on the list of all-time Premier League goalscorers, with 124 from his time with Spurs, West Ham and Portsmouth. He scored 11 times in 16 games in his first season with Toronto and had been training with Tottenham during the MLS close season.

Sunderland currently lie 16th in the Premier League, with only Aston Villa having scored fewer than their 18 goals.

Altidore departs having failed to score in 13 appearances this term.

The American striker netted just once in 42 games for Sunderland after arriving in a £6.5m deal from AZ Alkmaar in July 2013. (BBC Sport)

The National Aquatic Centre

Jermain Defoe

Warner ton seals win against England

Two high quality hundreds were notched in this match, by Eoin Morgan and David Warner, while no other batsmen passed 40. The difference between Australia and England was that Warner’s 127 at the top of the order set the tone for the hosts, whereas Morgan’s 121 served merely to add a veneer of respectability to the tourists’ tally after their top order had been perforated by the day’s other major performer, Mitchell Starc.

Ian Bell and James Taylor barely had time to adjust their eyes to a brilliantly sunny Sydney afternoon before Starc’s fast new-ball inswing pinned both lbw, but Morgan marshalled the lower order to drive the visitors to a total they could not have contemplated at a forlorn 5 for 69.

Starc returned later to snip off the England tail, and Warner’s innings epitomised the level of certainty he has brought to his game in recent times, without any apparent loss of momentum. At the start of the week Warner had acknowledged his oddly diffident ODI record. Wtih a World Cup on the horizon he is intent on changing that, and the evening’s effort made for a fine start.

Morgan’s appetite for Australian pitches and

bowling is well known, but he had only once passed 50 in the 12 months since he performed well down under last summer, including a century in Brisbane that was to be overshadowed by James Faulkner’s rescue act when Australia chased. England needed something from their new captain, and Morgan delivered with a combination of smart placement and the odd blazing blow.

Nevertheless, a chase of 235 was never likely to challenge Australia without a rush of early wickets, and Warner’s poise was such that this never appeared likely. There was the odd moment of early bluster, but these soon faded to the steady drum of his bat on the white ball, finding gaps and manipulating fields while the rest of the Australian order accompanied him in a series of useful stands.

None of Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey or Glenn Maxwell kept Warner company for too long, but England’s poor start meant they did not need to, even as Chris Woakes bowled an exemplary line and also showed useful variation in pace for his four wickets. The major stutter of the innings took place after Moeen Ali flighted an offbreak past Smith’s

outside edge; any anxiety was settled by a hat-trick of Brad Haddin boundaries.

Starc and Pat Cummins had been fast and accurate with the new ball, the latter also finding the outside edge of Joe Root’s bat before the match was four overs old. Faulkner and Xavier

from the white Kookaburra, but in that time Starc bent it past Bell - who may have edged the ball - and Taylor. Root drove at the line of Cummins without noting the length nor the pace, and a bold cameo by Moeen was ended when he found deep cover, though one steelwristed flick over the longon fence will linger in the memory.

Morgan had much to do, and Ravi Bopara contrived to cut Doherty straight to backward point. But Jos Buttler and Chris Jordan were able to hang around while a pair of 50 stands were raised, and Morgan’s confidence grew in direct proportion to his score. No

fewer than 11 boundaries and three sixes flowed from his bat, leaving Australia to wonder about their prospects of chasing on a pitch that was starting to wear. Morgan hit out once too often after passing his century, picking out the man at deep midwicket having already carted Starc for a six and a four in the 48th over. The last man Finn was yorked the very next ball, England failing to bat out their 50 overs not for the first time in recent times, the sort of trend that helped lead to another defeat at the increasingly assured hands of Warner.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

England innings (50 overs maximum)

Doherty offered sturdy support through the middle of the innings, but the likes of Watson and Glenn Maxwell were less able to put a clamp on the English scoring rate.

A bare-looking Sydney pitch and a warm, sunny day had Australia selecting Doherty ahead of Gurinder Sandhu, while Bailey led in the absence of Michael Clarke. England elected not to choose James Anderson as he continued to build his workloads after his recovery from knee problems. Only around two overs of swing could be coaxed

of wickets 1-0 (Bell, 0.1 ov), 2-0 (Taylor, 0.3 ov), 3-12 (Root, 3.4 ov), 4-33 (Ali, 8.3 ov), 5-69 (Bopara, 15.3 ov), 6-136 (Buttler, 34.4 ov), 7-168 (Woakes, 40.2 ov), 8-224 (Jordan, 46.6 ov), 9-234 (Morgan, 47.4 ov), 10-234 (Finn, 47.5 ov)

Bowling: MA Starc (8.5-0-424); PJ Cummins (9-1-42-1); SR Watson (4-0-23-0); JP Faulkner

(10-1-47-3); GJ Maxwell (6-037-1); XJ Doherty (10-0-38-1); Australia innings (target: 235 runs from 50 overs)

DA Warner c Bell b Woakes 127 AJ Finch b Woakes 15 SR Watson c Woakes b Jordan 16 SPD Smith b Ali 37 GJ Bailey*c †Buttlerb Woakes 10 GJ Maxwell c †Buttler b Woakes 0 BJ Haddin† run out (Bopara) 16 JP Faulkner not out 6 MA Starc not out 0 Extras (lb 7, w 1) 8 Total (7 wickets; 39.5 overs) 235 Did not bat: PJ Cummins, XJ Doherty Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Finch, 6.2 ov), 2-71 (Watson, 12.4 ov), 3-158 (Smith, 27.6 ov), 4-199 (Bailey, 36.2 ov), 5-200 (Maxwell, 36.5 ov), 6-227 (Warner, 38.4 ov), 7-233 (Haddin, 39.4 ov) Bowling: CR Woakes (8-1-40-4); ST Finn (8-1-48-0); SCJ Broad (6.5-0-49-0); CJ Jordan (60-33-1); MM Ali (9-0-45-1); RS Bopara (2-0-13-0)

McIlroy records first hole-in-one

World number one Rory McIlroy recorded his first professional hole-in-one and is only two shots off the lead after day two of the Abu Dhabi Championship. The 25-year-old’s tow -

ering nine-iron at the 177yard 15th pitched a foot from the flag before trickling in, and he birdied the last to finish on 11 under.

Leader Martin Kaymer did not drop a shot in adding a 67 to his opening 64.

It was the third ace of the week after Tom Lewis at the seventh and Miguel Angel Jimenez at the 15th. Big-hitting Belgian Thomas Pieters, the 6ft 5in 22-year-old who was runner-up to Jimenez after a play-off at last year’s Spanish Open, also reached 13 under before dropping a shot at the ninth, his final hole.

McIlroy’s playing partner Rickie Fowler, who was level with the Northern Irishman three shots back after day one, carded a triple-bogey eight at the eighth in a 75 and dropped to two under, making the cut by just a single stroke.

Commenting on his hole-in-one, McIlroy said: “It was a perfect number, straight downwind 177 yards, and it took a nice little hop to the right, so obviously the beers are on me tonight. “It wasn’t one of my goals for the year but it’s a nice little bonus.”

David Warner celebrates his century

Rory McIlroy

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India still feeling their way to best World Cup combination

On Friday, Australia and England played in an ODI in Sydney. The qualifying matches for Australian Open were in full swing at the tennis centre close to the MCG in Melbourne. The big screen at the sports precinct, near Federation Square, showed tennis from Kooyong. At the MCG, quietly, away from all the attention, India had their first nets session in what is now officially the lead-up to the World Cup.

India have got a new training kit, a blue almost identical to the Rod Laver Arena surfaces. They are trying more things in the nets, more specific training than just reacting to the ball as in the lead up to the Tests. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is trying to hit the base of a pair of shoes left on the crease, MS

2015 doesn’t have that feeling of calm around it. Akshar Patel is an absolute newcomer. Dhoni didn’t trust Ambati Rayudu enough to get a single in the closing stages of a Twenty20 match in England not long ago. Rayudu is not quite what Suresh Raina was in 2011, the reserve batsman who could slide into the team seamlessly should a first-choice player lose form. A bigger issue is, before leaving for Australia India hadn’t even decided on their opening combination.

The biggest issue, though, is how weak and inexperienced the pace bowling looks. India have not been able to manage any continuity from 2011 in terms of fast bowling. Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel disintegrated fast after the event. Praveen Kumar,

much more behind the ball. Shikhar Dhawan has had two different opening partners, who have both had varying degrees of success. Dhawan himself was dropped once in New Zealand. This tri-series, four matches at the least and five if India make the final, will give India that chance to finally go over their options. They like to keep their cards close to their chests, so it will be a matter of big interest who walks out to open the innings on Sunday: Ajinkya Rahane who was consistent in England or Rohit Sharma who struggled in New Zealand but scored a double-century in India? Akshar will get chances, for he seems to be a back-up for Ravindra Jadeja, who is with the squad but is not likely to play in the triangular be-

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Dhoni goes through a session where he wants to hit everything - no matter what the length - over cover. There is a new verve, some new energy, more focus but less order after close to a week off after the Tests, but the problems with the team are old.

When India selected their squad for the last World Cup, only one slot was a matter of debate: an extra batsman in Rohit Sharma or an extra spinner in Piyush Chawla. Dhoni had what he wanted: a settled team. He wanted his side to have already gone through various close situations that arise during ODIs before they arose in the World Cup. He wanted his players to have played around 70 matches at least before they went into the World Cup. He led the ODI side from 2008 to 2011, and made sure he built just the team he wanted. Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Chawla and Yusuf Pathan might not have played that critical mass of 70 matches back then, but they were pretty certain of their roles in the side. That can’t be said of the side that has assembled in Australia.

The team selected for

who could have been India’s big hope in ODIs after that World Cup, is nowhere on the scene. Others just haven’t been good enough to cement a place in the side for long enough to get into that experienced bracket. As a result, Ishant Sharma, whom India had earlier preferred to keep aside for Tests and who has had quite an ordinary ODI career, is part of the attack, and it can’t even be argued that there is a better option available.

The World Cup is effectively a three-match tournament (the knockouts, after a relatively relaxed group stage), which is why India can never be ruled out under the ODI astuteness of Dhoni, but it is fair to say the side is not as fine-tuned as Dhoni would have wanted it to be. There has been some experimentation since the start of the Champions Trophy in 2013. Some of it has been forced by injuries. India went to South Africa with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohit Sharma as their main ODI seamers, but it took them one game to realise Ishant was going to be required in conditions that ask the bowlers to put in

cause of a shoulder impingement.

India haven’t left themselves too many choices with seam bowlers in the World Cup: surprisingly they have picked only four, and three will play in almost every match. It won’t be as much about the personnel in the seam department as it will be about the strategy and the form they can hit. Mohit and Dhawal Kulkarni are in the reserves for the triangular, but they are not supposed to be here for the World Cup. It is possible that should Jadeja not make it to the Cup, India might go in for a quick replacement because there will be two spinners playing here already. In that light, it becomes interesting as to how much India use Mohit in the triangular. Normally this wouldn’t be time - so close to the World Cup - for such fun and games, but India can be thankful they have this triangular to sort - or try to sort - some issues out in similar conditions as they will encounter in the World Cup. Provided they don’t get exhausted by the time the real thing starts. (Cricinfo)

India hoping to find right combination in time for World Cup

Jaguars aiming for win against Barbados Pride

By Rajiv Bisnauth

On a roll after completing a 142-run victory over the Windward Islands Volcanoes, the Guyana Jaguars will aim to continue with their winning ways in the ongoing NAGICO Super50 Tournament when they meet defending champions, Barbados Pride in their second group A game today.

The game is a day-night encounter, beginning from 13:30h at the Queen’s Park Oval in central Trinidad.

For the Jaguars, the key has been their spinners, who did a tremendous job on Thursday evening.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul was the main destructive force with 4-12, while off-spinner Steven Jacobs and leg-spin-

en fifty by one run. Anthony Bramble, who smoked an unbeaten 44 from 23, and Barnwell, who chipped in with a decent 32, were also among the runs against the Volcanoes.

Barbados Pride will look to navigate the pressure that comes with the defence of a title and the washout during their opening game against the Combined Colleges and Campuses at the National Cricket Centre on Thursday.

Pride won the competition last year when they trounced hosts Trinidad and

Tobago in the final, but with their team weakened by the loss of key players and the pressure of the title defence hanging over their heads, they are expected to have

ner Devendra Bishoo were pictures of consistency during the Jaguars’ opening game. Jacobs should be lauded for the manner in which he bowled with the new boll. He was fantastic with his clever variations.

Fast bowler Ronsford Beaton has not performed up to his potential, but the helpful conditions with a bit of lateral movement off the pitch have made skipper Christopher Barnwell a handful for the opposition batsmen.

However, the Jaguars’ batting is cause for concern; they will need a much better batting performance in today’s key encounter.

Opener Rajendra Chandrika stroked a fluent half-century, while Vishaul Singh missed out on a maid-

their work cut out for them.

Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite has returned from South Africa to take his place in the squad and he will be joined in the batting department by Kirk Edwards, the experienced Ryan Hinds and the likes of Captain Kevin Stoute and rookie Shai Hope.

Tino Best will spearhead the bowling attack; Kenroy Williams, Hinds and Jomel Warrican will also be called upon to bowl.

Barbados have been a recent nemesis of the Jaguars, following the Jaguars’ abject surrender in the nightmare loss in the paused first leg of the four-day competition, which until then saw the Jaguars being unbeaten. They have also beaten

Scotiabank and RHTYSC renew highly successful relationship

the Guyanese in the semifinals in last year’s tournament, so today’s encounter can be billed as a highly anticipated grudge match.

Guyana Jaguars squad reads: Christopher Barnwell (Captain); Rajendra Chandrika; Trevon Griffith; Shivnarine Chanderpaul; Vishaul Singh; Raymon Reifer; Anthony Bramble; Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain); Devendra Bishoo; Ronsford Beaton; Paul Wintz; Steven Jacobs; Royston Crandon; and Jonathan Foo.

Barbados Pride squad reads: Kevin Stoute (Captain); Tino Best; Kraigg Brathwaite; Shamarh Brooks; Kyle Corbin; Shane Dowrich; Fidel Edwards; Kirk Edwards; Ryan Hinds; Shai Hope; Ashley Nurse; Javon Scantlebury-Searles; Jomel Warrican; and Kenroy Williams.

The Bank of Nova Scotia has renewed its sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC).

Scotiabank and the RHTYSC established the highly successful relationship in 2009, and the sponsorship package for 2015 is worth $300,000.

Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster stated that the RHTYSC, apart from being one of the top cricket clubs in Guyana, strongly believed in making a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and

less fortunate.

Each year, the RHTYSC, apart from its involvement in sports, undertakes over 200 programmes/activities under banners such as pro-education, anti-drugs, social, youth development, community development, charity, and awards/honour.

The long-standing Club Secretary/CEO hailed the Bank of Nova Scotia as a true friend of the RHTYSC and described it as a responsible corporate entity which has invested heavily into youth development. The Bank’s sup-

port for 2015 would assist the RHTYSC to make its Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration a success as it covers co-sponsorship for the annual review magazine, the annual Tribute to Teachers programme, a county-wide essay competition and the Club’s cricket development programme.

The RHTYSC Silver Jubilee celebration, which would be observed throughout the year, will be unmatched in the history of Guyana with special emphasis been placed on sports, pro-education, welfare of the elderly and less fortunate, anti-drugs/suicide, awards/honours, community development and assisting 25 cricket clubs in Berbice. Foster expressed profound gratitude to the Bank for its support.

Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani stated that the bank was pleased to support the work of the RHTYSC as it was fulfilling its mandate to make a positive difference in the lives of youths. She congratulated the Club on achieving 25 years of progress and noted that the Bank was pleased with its association with the RHTYSC. As a responsible corporate entity, Cipriani noted, the Bank invests heavily in sports, education, youth development, and culture.

scotiabank onboard with yWcc mash cup

Scotiabank’s New Amsterdam Branch is the latest sponsor to support the 2015 edition of the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) annual fundraiser – Mash Cup.

At the simple presentation ceremony held recently, Scotiabank Business Banking Manager Mohamed Azim said the bank was happy to be part of this fun filled event.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the cricket club, Senior Coach Hubern Evans thanked Scotiabank for its kind gesture.

He promised that the tournament would be done in a professional and transparent manner.

Proceeds from the event will go towards replacing the stolen covers, further development of the venue, and the day-to-day running of the club.

The tournament will be played February 23, a national holiday, and will in-

volve 11 second-division

teams from the Number 19-Canje area. Matches will be five overaffairs with incentives of over $150,000 to be won.

Gate prizes for the fans will be up for grabs too. The Club is encouraging cricket fans to come and support this worthy cause.

Veerasammy Permaul was the Jaguars main destroyer with the ball against the Windward Islands Volcanoes

Shivnarine Chanderpaul will definitely look forward for a better performance this time around

Tino Best

Rajendra Chandrika stroked a fluent half-century in the opening game

Kraigg Brathwaite

Scotiabank Business Banking Manager Mohamed Azim hands over the sponsorship cheque to YWCC Head Coach Hubern Evans

RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receives the sponsorship cheque from Scotiabank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani

saturDay, January 17, 2015

Hooper is Guyana Amazon Warriors’...

“The Amazon Warriors have done a tremendous job over the last two years; the players really brought everything together in terms of the way they played.

“But at the end of the day, we just need to evaluate where we’re going,” Khan commented.

He continued, “As I said, we’ve reached two finals and we’ve not been able to win those finals and win the tournament.

“Having said that, we have been a fantastic team, we’ve done a great job to play in two finals, but at certain times you

need to make decisions and move on and it’s just in that aspect of it that we’re moving on – looking to do things differently and hopefully, we would get the result we want to

of the selection panel for the Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Players’ Draft due to take place shortly.

In brief remarks, Hooper said, “I am ex -

Hooper holds the accolade of being the first cricketer in the world to have scored 5000 runs, taken 100 wickets, held 100 catches, and received 100 caps in both ODIs and Tests, a feat only matched since by the South African, Jacques Kallis.

achieve,” explained Khan Hooper’s first task will entail him being part

Amla’s milestone sets...

from back page

Andre Russell tried to make the extra bounce work in his favour by holding back his length but the South African pair were quick to pounce on anything short. They brought up a hundred inside 17 overs and a massive total was looming but Amla was in such a hurry to get there, he underestimated Russell’s arm. He was runout but South Africa’s momentum was not. They promoted David Miller ahead of JP Duminy and de Villiers immediately adjusted his pace. He slowed down to allow Miller to settle and the pair formed the spine of South Africa’s total. They shared the highest partnership of the innings of 123 runs and batted for a ball shy of 20 overs, to take South Africa to the brink of a flourishing finish as West Indies flagged in the searing heat.

It was only when both holed out that West Indies had the opportuni -

ty to come back into the match. Russell used fancy footwork to run Farhaan Behardien out - the second time on this tour his boot has ushered the ball on its way to breaking the stumps - had Duminy caught behind off a short ball and Philander in the deep before a storm swept through.

It was accompanied by gale-force winds, of the literal kind, which only made it more difficult for South Africa when they took the field and met the other Gayle-force. West Indies were off to a flier but they needed support from the rest of the line-up, particularly the experience.

But Marlon Samuels was run out lazily, Dwayne Smith was deceived by a slider and Jonathan Carter beaten by the googly. Vernon Philander was rewarded for consistent effort towards the end and Steyn cleaned up the tail as the inevitable outcome was completed. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa

H Amla run out (Russell/ Ramdin) 66

R Rossouw b Taylor 0

F du Plessis LBW Taylor 0

AB de Villiers*+ c Russell b Benn 81

D Miller c Smith b Holder 70

J Duminy c Ramdin b Russell 12

F Behardien run out (Russell) 12

V Philander c Johnson b Russell 4

D Steyn not out 6

M Morkel not out 2

Total: 279/8 (48.2 Overs)

Extras: (b 4, lb 11, w 11) 26

Did not Bat: Imran Tahir.

Fall of Wickets: 1-5 (Rossouw, 2.4 ov), 2-16 (du Plessis, 4.5 ov), 3-115 (Amla, 19.2 ov), 4-238 (Miller, 39.1 ov), 5-246 (de Villiers, 40.5 ov), 6-262 (Behardien, 43.3 ov), 7-271 (Duminy, 45.2 ov), 8-272 (Philander, 47.1 ov).

West Indies Bowling: J Taylor

9.2-0-50-2, J Holder 9-1-52-1, A Russell 10-0-51-2, D Sammy 10-0-52-0, S Benn 10-0-59-1.

West Indies (Target; 226 From 32 Overs)

D Smith LBW Imran Tahir 29

C Gayle c de Villiers b Steyn 41

L Johnson LBW Philander 0

M Samuels run out (Behardien) 12

D Ramdin+ b Imran Tahir 31

J Carter st de Villiers b Imran Tahir 17

D Sammy c de Villiers b Philander 4

A Russell c de Villiers b Philander 19

J Holder* c Miller b Steyn 2

J Taylor c de Villiers b Steyn 2 S Benn not out 0

Total: 164 All Out (28.2 Overs)

Extras: (b 1, lb 1, w 5) 7 Fall of Wickets: 1-51 (Gayle, 5.4 ov), 2-53 (Johnson, 6.5 ov), 3-85 (Samuels, 12.6 ov), 4-89 (Smith, 14.6 ov), 5-118 (Carter, 20.5 ov), 6-126 (Sammy, 22.6 ov), 7-148 (Russell, 24.5 ov), 8-161 (Ramdin, 26.6 ov), 9-164 (Holder, 28.1 ov), 10-164 (Taylor, 28.2 ov). South Africa Bowling: V Philander 6-0-44-3, M Morkel 5-0-36-0, D Steyn

5.2-1-27-3, J Duminy 6-0-250, Imran Tahir 6-0-30-3.

tremely delighted to be appointed as Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Team and to be part of the CPL 2015.

“I do look forward to working with the immensely talented and exciting group of cricketers that are involved with this team. I also want

to assist with the overall development of the young Guyana cricketers who will be part of the squad for CPL 2015. It will be remiss of me if I didn’t express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop, Franchise Owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, for providing me with this opportunity.”

Classy cricketer

Hooper was an elegant right-handed batsman and off-spin bowler, who came to prominence in the late 1980s in a side that included stalwarts such as Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh, and Curtly Ambrose. He represented the West Indies over a 21-

year international career and had a highest Test score of 233 against India

in 2001 and scored some 5762 runs in his Test career. He has 13 Test cen -

turies to his name.

Hooper appeared in 227 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring 5761 runs with seven hundreds and 29 fifties.

Hooper played for Guyana at the FirstClass level and played English County Cricket for Kent and Lancashire. In 2003, he became only the second player to have scored a century against all 18 County teams.

Hooper holds the accolade of being the first cricketer in the world to have scored 5000 runs, taken 100 wickets, held 100 catches, and received 100 caps in both ODIs and Tests, a feat only matched since by the South African, Jacques Kallis.

Omar Khan

Hooper is Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Head Coach

ormer West Indies all-rounder and Captain Carl Llewellyn Hooper has been appointed Head Coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise for the 2015 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Amazon Warriors lost at the final hurdle on both occasions, to Jamaica Tallawahs in 2013 and Barbados Tridents last year. Appearing on TVG’s Sports Beat programme on Friday, Team Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise, Omar Khan, made the announcement, noting that it was in keeping with the franchise’s desire to derive the best possible group of technical staff and players to ensure success.

“In evaluating the overall performance of the team, not only the players but in terms of the support staff and the management team, there is a time when as a business you need to make decisions in terms of trying things differently and make changes to see if things would work out differently,” he said.

“And with that in mind, we’ve looked at it and the franchise ownership and management team have decided we’re going to look at a new coach, and we started discussions and we recently came to an agreement and we’ve contracted Mr Carl Hooper.”

Wealth of experience Hooper, a former West Indies Captain, brings to the post a wealth of experience playing at the international level and for Guyana and English county sides Kent and

Amla’s milestone sets up easy SA win against Windies

Hashim Amla became the fastest South African batsmen to reach 5000 ODI runs a run-aball 66 in his 101st innings and set South Africa up to take the series lead. He starred in a 99-run thirdwicket stand with AB de Villiers, in which runs were scored at 6.82 to the over before de Villiers and David Miller posted 123. That ensured even when South Africa fell away and lost 5 for 34, they still had enough despite the two-hour-45-minute rain interruption.

West Indies’ target was adjusted to a 229 off 33 overs and then 226 off 32 overs when rain returned again but they were only in with a chance of chasing it when Chris Gayle was at the crease. He plundered 41 runs off 24 balls but his high-risk style of play left him vulnerable to an early dismissal. When it came in the sixth over, it sparked a top-order collapse of 4 for 38 which gave way to a lowerorder folding of 6 for 46. Imran Tahir claimed three of those wickets chiefly through well-executed googlies and sliders to bring up his 50th ODI scalp.

Jason Holder, in his first match as captain, would have wanted more from the men he said were ready to show fight. He shouldered the bulk of that responsibility when he opened the bowling, brought himself back on at crucial times, tasked himself with

targeting the South African lowerorder and ran an impressive 9.8 kilometres in the field but he learnt that one man cannot do the job on his own. Just ask Gayle.

After missing out on Wednesday night’s T20, also at Kingsmead, with a recurrence of his back problem, Gayle approached this innings as though it was two days’ ago. He flung his bat at everything, despite the steep target. “I am trying to understand it, but I can’t,” Michael Holding lamented, when discussing Gayle’s strategy, or lack thereof. It only took the introduction of Dale Steyn to cause Gayle to run out of luck and allow South Africa the only inroad they needed.

Gayle should have modelled his innings on Amla’s to start with. He saw off a tricky opening period, when Jerome Taylor found the right length to dismiss both Rilee Rossouw, who racked up a fifth duck in 10 innings, and Faf du Plessis, a first duck in 61, in the Powerplay. But West Indies failed to cash in on their early breakthroughs and lost their lines.

They offered so much width. Amla was able to treble his score from 13 off the first 19 balls he faced to 39 by the time he’d faced 40. AB de Villiers, sent in earlier than usual at No. 4, was also off to a speedy start. 17 runs came off 15 balls.

Lancashire.

Since his retirement in 2003, Hooper has ventured into coaching, completing stints with the West Indies Cricket Board’s Sagicor High Performance Centre and Australia state side Queensland. He was also the Assistant Coach of the Antigua Hawksbills in the CPL last year.

Quizzed on what he expected the 48-year-old Hooper to bring to the position, Khan pointed out that it would be much more than tutoring the players on the technical aspects of the game.

“People’s management skills is a key aspect in terms of motivating, especially the players we have today; you know those who need guidance, who need a lot of motivation and a lot of direction in terms of being focused on the task ahead.

“Sometimes, you need to communicate differently; you need to be able to do things differently in terms of getting through to the players so that everyone is on the same page in going about achieving the objectives and goals,” Khan related. He added, “Carl brings a wealth of experience and skills to our team, and I am confident that he will be a great motivator and [will] use all of his expertise to bring the best out of all the players in their performances so as to contribute to the team winning the tournament this year in what promises to be a much more hyped-up and high-profile 2015 CPL.”

The Amazon Warriors were able to reach the final both years, but stumbled when it mattered most, being forced to settle for the runner-up spot.

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The “Biggest Party in Sport” is coming! The dates have been finalised for the third edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and the tournament will be much earlier in the year than it was in the previous two editions. In a wide-ranging interview with this news outfit on Friday, Guyana Amazon Warriors Team Operations Manager Omar Khan revealed that the 2015 CPL will take place from June 20 to July 26.

Hashim Amla salutes the crowd after reaching his half century

When in full stride, Carl Hooper was Mr Graceful

The Guyana leg of the 2015 Caribbean Premier League will be held in mid-July