Guyana Times

Soccer player busted with cocaine at JFK

wednesday, june 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Elections 2015

Surujbally blames illiteracy for 4043 rejected ballots

…Nandlall says it is no coincidence

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally believes that the alarmingly high number of rejected ballots recorded in the 2015 General and Regional Elections is owed to the illiteracy level in the country.

The 2015 election results, as officially gazetted by GECOM on June 5, 2015, states that there is a sum of 4043 rejected ballots, with Region 4 (DemeraraMahaica) having the highest at 1305. However, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) believes that this is no sheer coincidence.

PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall, during an interview with the Guyana Times on Tuesday made it clear that, without conceding that the PPP/C was defeated at those elections and while maintaining that there were many irregularities which tainted the electoral process, one of those irregularities was the high

number of rejected ballots.

He posited that while he conceded that the figures may have dropped from previous years, the fact remains that the 4043 rejected ballot corresponds to the narrow difference between the votes gained by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition and the PPP/C. The elections results disclosed by GECOM shows that the PPP/C gained 202,694 votes while the APNU/AFC gained 207, 200 - a difference of 4506 votes.

Nandlall emphasised that these results are inaccurate because of the several irregularities which the PPP/C have publicly highlighted, one being the high number of rejected ballots. “What is significant about the 2015 Elections is that we are dealing with a situation where the marginal difference between the two major political parties coincides with the

number of rejected ballots,” he stated.

However, Surujbally, when asked what could have been the cause for the 4043 rejected ballots, the GECOM Chairman suggested that it was owed to the illiteracy rates in the country. “I have a take on the matter…you find that you may try to give a person a seven digit number, that person will ask you more than once to repeat the number,” Surujbally justified.

This explanation is even as there were several voter

education programmes from civil society including Blue Caps, the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) and GECOM itself. Surujbally said GECOM went overboard with its campaign because it was realised that a significant amount of the constituency was not aware of how they should vote. According to Surujbally’s reasoning, despite these efforts, a significant amount of the population still legitimately failed to vote correctly.

Nandlall, while conceding that a lack of voters’ education may have contributed to some of the rejected ballots, believes the major attributing factor occurred within GECOM itself. “I believe that a major factor was that either the personnel in the polling station through ignorance or intentionally rejected valid ballots wrongly. That, I believe, is a major reason for such a high number,” Nandlall posited.

The PPP/C has been claiming that the 2015 Election results were widely manipulated to favour the APNU+AFC coalition. The Party, which has been ruling Guyana for 23 consecutive years, had been calling on the GECOM for a total recount of the votes, insisting that a recount would prove that the PPP/C are the true winners

of the elections. But GECOM never conceded to a recount.

Meanwhile, in relation to the number of rejected ballots for 2015, Surujbally pointed out that, while the figure is still incredibly high, there has been a significant decrease throughout the years. In 2001, the amount of rejected ballots was 7218;

in 2006, 5899; in 2011, 4484; and 2015 had 4043 ballots. “Relative to international standards, that was extremely low,” Surujbally stated.

A ballot is considered to be rejected – in other words spoilt, spoiled, void, null, and informal – if law declares or an election authority determines that it is invalid and thus not included in the vote count.

This may occur accidentally or deliberately. A ballot can be deemed invalid and rejected if it does not bear the official six digit stamp. Ballots are also rejected if it has any other marks other than the ‘X’ in the box for the political party of an individual’s choice.

Surujbally maintained that the results gazetted for every district and sub district is reflected by every Statements of Poll sign off by the Regional Officers and that, generally, the elections were free and fair.

The GECOM Chairman said it is no surprise that the losers would act in the manner in which they are. “APNU was doing the same thing… the losers get on like that but this time they took it a bit too far by calling ‘Surujbally must go’,” he stated.

Nagamootoo admits road was upgraded after becoming PM

The Office of Prime Minister (PM) Moses Nagamootoo has admitted that the road works which were done in his street, were only done after he became Prime Minister, after his complaints for a better road went unheeded under the previous administration.

The Guyana Times Sunday newspaper pointed out that Nagamootoo’s road was fixed after he became PM but the others in his community, which were in a similar state, were left in a state of disrepair.

The article also said that officials failed to be forthcoming on the cost associated with the road works which were done to this one stretch of road for the PM’s convenience.

It said too that there was an attempt to dodge direct questions with respect to the matter after Nagamootoo decided to remain at home while being PM.

But according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office, responding to an article which was carried by Guyana Times on Sunday, a street outside his house previously known as “Sand Road” was at times, almost impassable.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that he had made repeated representation to former Works Minister Robeson Benn and had submitted a residents’

petition to him for repairs to the bridge and the street. Last year, the bridge was renovated and workmen had started to repair the street. But upon learning that Nagamootoo lived there, the workmen dug up the street and left hurriedly.

Nagamootoo said that he complained to Minister Benn and had invited him to visit his street, with Benn personally assuring him that completion of the works would be done as soon as the rains held up.

“On several occasions Mr Nagamootoo sent photographs to Minister Benn showing that the condition of the street had deteriorated. He also protested against the spite and vindictiveness of the former regime in damaging the street just outside his home. The street was left in its deplorable condition even after Mr Nagamootoo became Prime Minister and had started to use his home as the Official Residence of the Prime Minister of Guyana,” the release said. He noted that he never once requested that the works be done but it is still unclear on whose orders the works were carried out. In recent weeks, criticisms had been mounted on the current Administration for practicing the same things they had accused the previous People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) of doing.

PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall

GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

wednesday, june 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, June 17 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, June 18 – 05:00h-06:30h

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

Wednesday, June 17 – 17:10h-18:40h and Thursday, June 18 – 05:00h-06:30h

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

WEATHER

TODAY FERRY SCHEDULE

Thundery showers can be expected in the early morning, with heavy rains expected to dominate throughout the later morning hours. Light rain can be expected in the afternoon with partly cloudy conditions and in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:39h and 17:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.70 metres and 2.55 metres respectively

Low Tide: 10:41h and 23:53h reaching minimum heights of 0.52 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

Cummingsburg Accord violations

Nagamootoo gets only information portfolio

...returns to where he was in 1992 with PPP/C

Promised a range of high-profile cabinet responsibilities as per the Cummingsburg Accord between the APNU/ AFC, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has only been handed the portfolio of information now that the dust has been settled on the division of responsibilities following the coalition’s victory at the May 11 polls.

According to his gazetted appointment Nagamootoo as Minister of Information will oversee the Government Information Agency; National Communications Network, Guyana Chronicle, National Frequency Management Unit and the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority. This is the identically portfolio he was handed in1992 when as a member of the PPP/C government that was just installed. However, he was promised under the Cummingsburg Accord responsibilities for domestic national affairs and chairing the cabinet; recommending ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structures of ministries for the appointment of the president.” None of these is listed in Nagamootoo’s gazetted appointment. Only last former Foreign Affairs Minister and political commentator, Dr Henry Jeffrey and social activist Ramon Gaskin called on the new Government to offer an explanation to the Guyanese people on the breaches of the Accord. Dr Jeffrey, in an invited comment related that despite the fact that the

Prime Minister has indicated that he was not bothered by the deviation, the fact of the matter was that there were changes from the agreement which was penned by the two parties. He explained that the AFC must now go to the people and explain why it is that there is a deviation.

The political commentator further pointed out that while the Constitution requires that the President chair Cabinet, the Accord had stated that such a task will be delegated to the Prime Minister and as such, the legal minds in the coalition should have known that this could not be. “They should have known this before. They cannot say they did not know this before,” Jeffrey intoned. According to Jeffrey, a deviation is a violation of the agreement and as such, there is now a need for the parties to sit down and explain to the Guyanese society why it is so since Guyanese would have judged them and voted for the coalition based on what the docu-

ment was premised.

“People voted for them based on the agreement so they really need to explain that. Also, from my point of view, I understand that conditions can change, but they cannot unilaterally change. We need to have an explanation,” he opined.

President David Granger for his part when asked to comment on the deviation expressed that the coalition was presently working on a review of the document. He admitted that to effectuate some of the stipulations of the Accord will be unconstitutional and as such, he will be awaiting the constitutional reform so that the agreement can be followed. “To the extent that some things are in collision with the Constitution they will await constitutional change…we cannot be expected to do unconstitutional things,” Granger told reporters. However at the time the Cummingsburg Accord had been announced Mr Granger had confirmed he would follow the agreement while AFC leader boasted that he was a tough negotiator.

Nagamootoo has now nonchalantly said he was not bothered or in any way affected by President Granger reneging on the agreement and chairing the proceedings of the Cabinet. Nagamootoo had further put a bold face on and stated that the Accord was not worth more than the country and, as such, those were minor things. “We have an active President and we have to make this Accord work; make this coalition work; and for me the things

that are minor irritancies I won’t elevate to any importance,” he had said.

Meantime, while Nagamootoo’s promised responsibilities have been reduced, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has been tasked with a number of responsibilities including Cabinet matters, defence and territorial integrity; Civil Defence, emergency, disaster response; national security; land titling; forestry policy; national energy policy; bauxite development; organisation and administration of the public service; public service personnel management; public service training; administrative matters other than those for which the Public Service Commission is responsible. This according to reports would include appointment of agency heads; scholarships; citizenship issues; registrar and births and deaths; climate change; sustainable development and science and technology.

Questionable caution statement ruled inadmissible

The caution statement of an alleged drug smuggler was disallowed from trial by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, after she ruled that it had not been given voluntarily by the accused.

Alex Macey of Middle Street, Skeldon, Berbice was given an edge in the drug smuggling case against him on Tuesday afternoon, after Magistrate Azore ruled that the caution statement given by him while in the custody of the Customs and AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) was not freely given.

Macey is charged with narcotics possession with the purposes of trafficking after he was allegedly caught with 12.250 kilograms of cocaine in his suitcase on January 20, while on his way to the United States (US).

He was checking into his Dynamic Airways flight when CANU ranks noticed him acting in a suspicious manner and subsequently approached him. His suitcase was searched and the cocaine found in two “Bob Marley” bags. From the airport, the Berbician was taken to CANU Headquarters where

he was questioned and the caution statement was taken.

Magistrate Azore detailed in Court Five that the statement gave admission to the offence. However, she noted Macey’s defence saying that he did not make that statement voluntarily as he was not allowed access to the washroom or other basic necessities. Thus, after Police Prosecutor Inspector Stephen Telford had presented his witnesses before the court to prove the authenticity of the caution statement and the solidity of the case against the accused, Magistrate Azore ruled that the statement was indeed made under “questionable circumstances”.

The Magistrate stated that the CANU Officers were unable to explain justifiably to the court why the six page caution statement took three hours to write up, thus, giving credence to the defendant’s complaints.

However, Magistrate Azore told the court that the testimony of CANU Officer Andrew Yarde regarding the accused response to being found with the cocaine will be accepted. She explained that the officer had testified that when the illicit substance

was found in the defendant’s suitcase, he had responded by holding his head muttering “O God, I know I would get catch, I had a bad dream last night”. The Magistrate continued that the accused had testified to never stating such in the CANU Officer’s presence. He said that, at the time, he had stated, “this is why they never wanted me to look inside.”

With this, the Magistrate called on Macey to lead a defence as the prosecution will be leaning heavily on the testimony of CANU Officer Yarde to maintain a case against Macey. Macey presently is on remand at the Camp Street prison as it was disclosed in court that he was a flight risk, having a 10-year US visa to his name.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

President David Granger

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

PYO on the move

In recent months, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) has been working assiduously to defend the policies and principles espoused by the PPP/C while in Government.

The organisation, headed by PPPC Executive Irfaan Ali, appears to be vibrant and determined to represent the views of young people regardless of their political beliefs, ethnicity and social standing.

Recently, the PYO issued several press statements condemning Venezuela’s aggression against Guyana, the attack on young professionals who were being dismissed from their jobs because of their perceived support for the PPP/C and the trumped-up and politically motivated charges brought against PPP/C Executive and former President Bharrat Jagdeo among others.

Before that the group was on point within the last two years with its issuance of press releases on national holidays, political developments and other issues related to the governance of the country as it took on ferocious critics of the Government and party.

Now in opposition, the PYO appears to still maintain its posture which reeks of discipline and the ability to be an effective political organism whether in and out of the Executive power vacuum.

In its June 16 statement, the PYO not only defended young Guyanese who supported the PPPC and were being unfairly treated by the new APNU+AFC Government, but also stood up for those supporters and youths within the ruling parties that were sidelined by their leaders who denied them the right to jobs and appointments within Government and the Parliament.

Compared to the other youth political arms of both parties in office and others still in opposition, the PYO continues to lead the public discussions on the way forward despite the fact that it is continuously ignored by the Stabroek News and deliberately denied coverage in the Kaieteur News.

The PYO must forge on now that the PPP/C is still finding its balance after the results of the May 11 elections.

If the youth body organises itself and continues to work in every region of this country, mobilising young people to become involved in hard-core political work, then there is a possibility that the PPPC could sweep both Local Government and the next General Elections.

There is a possibility too that the PPP/C could use the bright and impressionable members within the PYO to take on key leadership roles within the party and at the level of the legislature.

The PPP/C will have to work with the PYO to rebuild, strengthen and refuel the youth group as the party’s middle order defence which is critical for its continued existence.

The PPPC founder Dr Cheddi Jagan had always believed in creating a ethnically, socially and politically diverse body. The party must use its youthful members that comprise its fold and harness their energies, creative juices and ability to network so that it can regain the horns of Government.

In choosing its representatives, the party must not disrespect its youths and must offer them rewards on the basis of competence, performance, ability to deliver politically sound oratory presentations on the way forward, and a chance to form part of future.

The PYO needs to get on with the business of representing youth as it has every right to accede the throne of political power within the PPP/C, and modernize the party.

Moses Nagamootoo has finally gotten his pound of gold, Khemraj Ramjattan and Ralph Ramkarran have no interest in seeing any form of dynamism within the youth arm of the PPP/C, as they know that their political careers and that of their understudies will be over in years.

So they attack the PPP/C, which will not willingly allow their sons and daughters in the PYO to mount a more formidable, aggressive, modern astute and futuristic defence to save the day.

The PYO could very well turn out to be the light in shining armour for the PPPC over the coming years as the party rebuilds.

Are fake SOPs at GECOM not a violation of law?

Dear Editor, Ralph Ramkarran is now a bitter man for not getting the nod over Donald Ramotar for the leadership role of the PPPC. Sounds like Ralph already knows the outcome of the court decision for him to say what he said.

Ramkarran must be reminded that it is no longer the days when the big powers could speak and others must bend and bow and say

thank you massa.

If the big powers and men like Ramkarran are true believers of democracy and transparency, then they must call for a full and total recount of all votes cast, since the ‘X’ on those ballots is the DNA of the elections that do not lie.

Ramkarran won’t want to talk what should have happened from the time one fake SOP ended up in the hands of GECOM’s officials.

GECOM

Are fake SOPs showing up at GECOM not a violation of law, or is Ramkarran so accustomed to bowing to massa that he wants all Guyanese to forget that and toss it aside?

Ramkarran chides the Opposition for boycotting Parliament – labels as “ludicrous” the recount calls and says they are based on suspicion.

Ramkarran contended that this is “ludicrous”,

while noting that the court cannot order a recount of the votes cast in the 2015 Regional and General Elections. What the PPPC, he said, will have to do is prove in court where violations in law occurred and such discrepancies, if they occurred, would be enough to affect the declared outcome of the elections.

Ted King

has lost transparency, neutrality and honesty

Dear Editor,

As a supporter of the PPP/C, it saddens me to see that their calls for a recount are being ignored by a “wanna-be impartial body”. Make no bones about it, GECOM has lost that decoration of transparency, neutrality and honesty - the very core principles it once stood for.

The resignation of Dr Steve Surujbally, GECOM’s Chairman, will certainly do justice to this fragile nation. At this stage, it appears that this request may seem impossible, considering that GECOM’s new saviours are the ABC countries and the current de facto government.

This block of nation’s repeated actions to subvert the sovereignty of this land, which gained independence on May 26, 1966, are becoming glaring each day. Their actions have become

so predicable to the ordinary Guyanese that anyone can bet that the actions emanating from APNU/AFC or GECOM will be readily endorsed by them.

On the other side, anything and everything the PPPC does will be subjected to disdainful slurs and postures by them.

Perhaps, the best thing to date that the PPPC has done to the ABC countries was the reply by former Education Minister Priya Manickchand.

(To date, she is still regarded as a Minister by the majority of Guyanese who voted for the PPPC at the 2015 elections. Also, in the view of the majority, Donald Ramotar is still the President of Guyana, excepting his role has changed, considering the PPPC were bullied by the current de facto government.)

Why these countries have a fixation on Guyana’s internal issues should bother every Guyanese. We have so many other foreign diplomats in this country, all doing their part, yet they do not see the need to mingle in the everyday running of this country, as the ABC countries.

Perhaps this is where the PPPC should divert their energies. They need to engage the Heads of States of these countries and report the behaviors of their diplomats assigned.

This is the ideal forum to update these leaders about the true current state of this country. They should have an independent observation of the lawlessness portrayed in the media also.

Sadly, the media have criminalized the psyche of Guyanese minds, so now the truth may be difficult to triumph. Every day we

read about how to make a lie a truth. This is the case of the APNU/AFC media houses – they are culpable for the current state of disunity this country suffers. The PPPC needs to highlight at the international level the evils perpetuated by the media outfits in Guyana. They continued slaughtering of best practices in journalism should not go unnoticed.

Commendation must be given to the PPPC for the decision to stay away from the First Sitting of the 11th Parliament. PPPC supporters do not want to hear anything from the de facto President. We are happy that you chose not to listen also. After all, they were all sentiments expressed to make an amusing headline and to give the ABC countries something to endorse.

Lake O’Hara in the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia’s Yoho National Park is “like an emerald in a bowl of mountains”, wrote paleontologist Charles Walcott. Generations of artists have put brush to canvas at this lookout, called All Souls Prospect. (National Geographic)

Fasting: the master key to self conquest

Dear Editor,

To a sceptic, a fast in construed only magic or fad. To an untutored, it’s conjectured deviation of a maverick. To a sensualist, it’s perceived self-torture of a masochist to thwart his sybaritic ways. To a hedonist or epicurean, it’s conceived denying pleasure of palate or starving.

But to fast is not to starve in addition to none of the above. Fasting is beneficial; starvation detrimental. The former is life-enhancing; the latter death dealing.

On the contrary, Ramadan’s four-week plus dawn-to-dusk self-imposed curfew is irreproachable. It’s not mere abstention from food and water; it transcends that. It’s the epitome of self-control or self-discipline.

This Islamic fast, an irrevocable injunction, is enshrined within Al Quran’s imperishable revelation expediency.

We ought to be awakened as we become greater polarized to the predicament of the starving poor. When stomach is constricted, heart is humbled and becomes outlet for compassion.

Brilliant philosopher Al Ghazalli’s words germanely give credence: “Fasting”, he affirmed, “does not make one heedless about the oppressed and hungry.”

The physiology of a fast is when food is withheld, the

body expeditiously accomplishes detoxication best. Its self-purifying excretory system shifts top gear.

Famous French scientist and Nobel Prize laureate Dr Alexis Carrel concisely confirmed: “Fasting purifies and profoundly modifies our tissues.” As cleanser of blood stream, our life stream fasting is unsurpassed when properly observed.

The metaphysics of the fast is we are reminded of the all-embracing truth – Only ALLAH is our Nourisher and Sustainer. Its discipline subjugates body and life unamenable to clamorous tyranny to satiate with victuals.

The esoteric significance of Ramadan’s fast is it appropriately depicts the axiom: “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, and emphasizes the irrefutable truth that in a state of utmost purity we best glorify our Creator.

So eloquently had the Prophet (SAW) put it: “The key to Paradise is prayer; the key to prayer is purification.” Further, fasting fortifies the fact that utter purity is paramount prerequisite for acquisition of divine distinction.

Pertinently, prior to attaining prophethood and recipient of revelation simultaneously, Muhammad (SAW) in seclusion on Mt Hira was fasting and meditating. Didn’t Moses (SAW) on Mt Sinai receive the Ten

Commandments after fasting 40 days? And didn’t Jesus (SAW) deliver his ineffaceable Sermon on the Mount after a 40-day fast too?

Can defiled degenerates be designated purveyors of God’s pristine proclamation of universal love, liberty, peace and fraternity and serve as paragons of excellence and nobility for all humanity?

In the battle and bivouac of life, the indomitable is he who conquers self. Allah’s humble Servant had stated succinctly: “The champion isn’t one who has floored his opponent but one who has conquered himself.”

Man is moulded for mastery of oneself through self-conquest, not of fellow beings by mischievous Machiavellian might.

Though there are subsidiary rewards to Ramadan’s abstinence, its additional prayers and meditation offer admirable antidote against life’s stresses and strains linked to numerous ailments. “The ladies’ best beautifier, it remoulds their body contour” (Allan Cott, MD) and “a recrudescence of vigour” (Prof Edmond B Szekely).

Yet, the ultimate remains self-restraint the quintessence of self-control them master key to self-conquest.

A A Zahoor Scarborough, Canada

PPP/C is calling the wrong...

from page 4

One is confused whether they are diplomats or ministers too. We were hoping for a thriller, where you would have walked out of the Parliament when he was speaking. But staying away was not a bad idea.

We also lend solidarity to the decision to go to the Parliament when you see fit. Don’t hurry. By going or not going, we support your position. That makes sense, since the PPPC is a victim of a rigged election process.

Your call for Surujbally’s resignation is not going anywhere, though valid. Accept it. I agree 110 per cent Surujbally must go! In the first place, was he ever qualified for that post?

As a matter of general knowledge, PPPC supporters are living in fear of victimization. They will not risk their livelihoods to go and protest. There must be other ways to get GECOM to become accountable. What we want to see are as follows:

I. PPPC needs to call for an update from GECOM on the status of the investigation into the fake Statements of Poll, whether an investigation has been launched, who is conducting

it, and its progress thus far.

2. PPPC needs to call for a reshuffle of GECOM’s Secretariat. When a mathematical error was committed by GECOM’s former CEO Gocool Boodoo, no time was spared to fire him.

The same must be applied to the current CEO, under whose watch such devious acts were entertained.

GECOM needs to regain public confidence. It can very well go in a far way in regaining public confidence if both the CEO and the Chairman are removed from the post. Stop calling for only Surujbally’s resignation.

There are many others who need to go. What are your scrutineers doing about misconduct they observe?

3. PPP/C needs to urge GECOM to terminate the services of all permanent staff who acted improperly during elections, whether on issues of accountability, employment favoritism, abuse of power, or otherwise.

4. PPPC needs to file an injunction to prevent GECOM from making additions or deletions to the current Official List of Electors. Moreso, they should demand an exercise to extract all the

National unity begins with trust

Dear Editor

It seems like the PPP/C has killed Christ with that call for a recount. Never in the history of the electoral process of any nation - one man, one votehas there been so many excuses as to why there should not be a recount.

Voting whereby a government is chosen by the people has been thrown out of the window. The process of determining who governs us has taken a battering that we are at a loss as to what went on May 11.

There has been so much flip-fopping and double talking over the idea of a recount of an election that supposedly brought the APNU/AFC coalition to power. From the very outset there has been secrecy on the results of the election.

Even before that there were lots of behind the scenes operatives that readily tells us that all was not well with Guyana’s electoral process. What the result of the last elections has shown us is a total seizure of the people’s will and a decimation of the democratic process. Therefore we are high-

ly suspicious of that “national unity’ call made by the Granger-led administration. The foundation of anything called “national unity” begins on the pillars of trust without these fundamental principles we are going nowhere as a nation; in fact, we are doomed right from the very start.

You cannot convince me that you can run off something called an election, declare a winner under highly controversial circumstances, then turn again and ask the aggrieved party to join you in national unity?

With no accountability whatsoever to the people who voted in that election, we have a very uneasy feeling that there is a “new form of democracy” in place now.

To sum it up, we are asked to give blind allegiance to a system of fraud, which for my own part will not work.

Such blatant disregard for the people of this country means that our democracy is under siege, which is a dangerous place to be. Then, from all indication May 11 is pre-1992 come full circle. In this regard we are in for bitter times.

It is grossly unfair to the people who voted in this election when you can perpetuate a fraud under the guise of a free and fair process, we demand transparency and accountability from those at GECOM.

They are asking us to move on but move on from where? We have to move on from some point and the point of reference we are talking about is one of “fairness and truthfulness”.

At the present time that is a distant dream. We can move on when we know for sure that we are answerable to the legitimate government not a government by fraud. It will be going against our very conscience to respect the coalition when they are a de-facto government placed there by GECOM and a super power.

Yes, national unity is something we support, but this comes on the founding pillars of trust. In a Guyana context, that begins with a verification recount of our votes, then and only then can we move on.

Neil Adams

Hope Canal fulfilling the dreams of farmers, residents

Dear Editor,

The vision to establish a channel and other infrastructure to facilitate the urgent and immediate release of excessive water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) has manifested.

From the time the idea was conceived and brought to the attention of the public, I was convinced that this project would be a dynamic suc-

cess. This proven conclusion was arrived at after experiencing the 2005 floods. All waters from that flooding navigated its way to the Atlantic through different pathways although there were many inhibitions thus bringing relieve to residents and other users.

From the commencement of this project, I joined with other religious leaders seeking

divine intervention to guide and protect this venture.

I can remember very well sought God’s benedictions to fulfill the dream of the initiators, consultants, workers, those who support and even those who were opposed to this project for I knew it will inevitably bring relief and self satisfaction to everyone whether it was supported or not.

turn to page 17

deaths from the list, before proceeding with any activity.

5. PPPC should not support any activity of GECOM, whether registration or elections, under the current management.

6. PPPC must continue to ask for a copy of the list of E-Day workers. It is not late. There could be more truths to be revealed about the staff and their affiliations.

7. PPPC should push for electronic voting.

8. PPPC needs to pursue a review of the employment procedure at GECOM, including renewing the controversial appointment of the PRO.

9. PPPC should insist on no Local Government Elections with the current body.

10. Lastly, we want to know what is the position with the challenging the results at the High Court

So in a nutshell, as supporters of thr PPPC we feel that there is more that needs to be requested from GECOM, apart from asking for a recount and Surujbally’s resignation. Do consider these recommendations with a clear conscience.

A Singh

Page Foundation

We are certain that you enjoyed practicing the Shavasana or the corpse pose and will continue it as well since it was the easiest posture you have learned so far. Now remember we keep saying that Yoga is for everyone- there’s what we are really saying.

Today we are going to be learning about Bālāsana known also as the child's pose or child's resting pose. This posture is also referred to as Garbhasana- the embryo or Shashankasana- the hare pose. The name originates from the Sanskrit words “bala” meaning "child" and asana which you already know means "posture" or "seat".

International

Day for Yoga, June 21... Yoga sensation for the nation

Submitted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)

In “Salutation to the Teacher and the Eternal One,” a paper written by T. Krishnamacharya and distributed to students at the Yoga Mandiram in Madras. He says: “One important thing to be constantly kept in mind when doing asanas is the regulation of the breath. It should be slow, thin, long, and steady: breathing through both nostrils with a rubbing sensation at the throat and through the esophagus, inhaling when coming to the straight posture, and exhaling when bending the body.”

This asana possesses a deep physical and psychological memory of our time as infants. The shape of the pose is useful for many reasons, but in particular, it forces you to confront your

attitudes and patterns of breathing, the health of your organs, and your level of awareness in moving from the abdomen. It is a very simple pose to begin with physically, yet it requires patience and the ability to surrender to gravity and a state of non-doing. How to perform this Asana?

Preparation

Get on your hands and knees

Press the top of your feet to the ground and keep the knees width apart

Inhale deeply, clearing all your mind of the all the worries of life.

Do the Pose

Exhale as you slowly lower your buttocks toward your heels. Lengthen the tailbone and keep it away from the back of your pelvis.

Fold forward using your torso, bringing it closer to your heels.

Lengthen the back of your neck as you come down to rest your forehead on the floor.

Place your arms near your thighs, with the palms facing up. You can also bring them in front of you.

Hold this pose for 5-10 breaths.

Inhale as you rise back to original position

Beginners’ tip: As a beginner, you might forget to breathe properly when folding forward into Child’s Pose. Always remember to breathe deeply, arching your back up a little and then straightening it again on an exhale.

Benefits of this Asana

Stretches your ankles, hips, thighs, lower back and arms. Relaxes the body, particularly the shoulders, spine and neck. Increases blood flow to the brain, reducing and relieving headaches.

Calms the mind

However, although this asana is for everyone it is necessary that you be careful whilst doing it and especially if you have the following:

Knee pain/injuries

Ankle injuries

Hypertension

Ear and eye infections

Diarrhea

We urge you to continue practicing the many different yoga positions and exercises in the correct manner and daily because Yoga is one pathway that many persons take for a healthy lifestyle and a longer life span as well.

We expect you to come out, tell a neighbor, tell a friend and come in your numbers, be a part of the International Yoga Day celebrations. Remember it is at the Everest Cricket Ground, Sunday, June 21 from 10am to 1pm. Let us make thoughts become reality. Let us be fit. Let us do YOGA.

We welcome feedbacks from our reader, so like and comment on our Facebook page- Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Guyana or email us at kseenanan@yahoo.com.

Grim outlook for sugar as GAWU says Govt has no clear plan RPA urges Govt to honour debts to rice farmers

By Devina Samaroo

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU)

President Komal Chand said he believes that the future of sugar, now in the hands of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government, appears to be on unstable ground.

He was at the time addressing the community of Enmore during the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally in observance of Enmore Martyrs’ Day on Monday. “The future of sugar is uncertain and it is deemed as uncertain, because there is no clear position, they (APNU+AFC) are talking about all kinds of things and to make a decision finally sometime down the road, this comrades, is worrying,” Chand told the gathering.

He reflected on the shutdown of the Versailles Sugar Estate in 1978 and the drastic downward effect it had on Guyana’s economy. In doing so, Chand suggested, in a sense, he was hoping that a similar incident did not occur. “When the small Versailles sugar estate was closed in 1978, what happened with the people? The fisherman suffered, the tailor suffered, workers had serious problems, social problems with their children getting jobs, they were not able to maintain them,” he depicted.

Currently, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is facing a series of overwhelming challenges that nearly led to a total shutdown of its operations countrywide. Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Rajendra Singh had explained that the cash-strapped entity was in dire need of financial support, and if it was not provided in a timely manner, the industry would have been closed down.

In addition, the Corporation had found itself in a fix where it was unable to pay workers’ salary. To make matters worse, GuySuCo had failed to remit some $154 million to

GAWU’s Cooperative Credit Union Society Limited.

However, luckily, GuySuCo succeeded in gaining a $400 million loan from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica which assisted in solving some of these problems – temporarily. On Monday, sugar workers had turned up in their numbers to withdraw their savings from GAWU’s Credit Union, saying that they were not leaving anything to chance. This act in itself can see the shutdown of the Credit Union and ultimately, a significant number of people will be out of jobs.

The new Government recently sacked the GuySuCo CEO and forced all of the members of the Board of Directors to resign. It then established an Interim Management Committee which will oversee the Corporation for at least six months.

The future

This committee is being managed by Paul Bhim and Errol Hanoman. There were also reports of launching a Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo’s operations and the plugging of an undisclosed sum of cash into the sugar industry – to ensure its sustainability.

But an official from the Government is yet to announce how much money it intended to spend on fixing GuySuCo and what exactly was the plan for doing so.

Initially, while the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration

was rolling out its plan to keep the sugar industry alive, the APNU and AFC were engaging in talk of shutting it down. As time elapsed, the newly-formed coalition then announced its intent to privatise the sector.

President David Granger had said, “We’ve been calling for a turnaround plan. We were asked from time to time for subventions, but we had asked them [the former Government] in turn what was the plan to make the industry viable… that is the stage where we are at now … to ensure that the industry doesn’t collapse and the means of financing are identified.”

The new Government said it was committed to the full recovery of the sugar industry and would work towards this cause, no matter how long it took.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan have also recently spoken about working towards sustaining the sugar industry. Former President Donald Ramotar had previously indicated to Guyana Times that he was questioning the sincerity of plans put forward by the new Government to sustain the sector.

Ramotar, during the election campaign, had committed to investing in excess of $20 billion to implement a number of initiatives to see the crippled industry beginning to expand and ultimately, contribute significantly to the country’s economy.

Nagamootoo admits road works...

This was after the streets where Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo resides were repaired and upgraded so as to ensure that he travelled in comfort while one section of the railway embankment at Turkeyen, not so far from where he lives, was in a bad state of disrepair and causing discomfort to commuters. After much criticism, repairs have now begun at the location.

When this publication tried to get more clarifications on the matter on Friday, the Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn could not initially be reached as calls from our office went unanswered. However, the Guyana Times reporter subsequently made contact with him via cell-

phone; a call he surprisingly answered after just about three rings.

Questioned on whether the works had been approved prior to Nagamootoo being sworn in as Prime Minister, Vaughn stated that he was not the person who should be contacted for such information, since he does not preside over buildings.

After the reporter had explicitly repeated the question and pointed out that an enquiry was being made into road works and not buildings, and that he was the Chief Works Officer, Vaughn hesitated before stating that indeed the works were approved before the swearing in had taken place. The call subsequently ended and fur-

The Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) is calling on the Government to urgently find the cash to pay paddy and rice suppliers of the state-run Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

At a meeting of its General Council, held on Tuesday at its Head Office in Crane, West Coast Demerara, the RPA noted the plight currently facing the industry because of indebtedness by the Guyana Rice Development Board to its contracted paddy and rice suppliers. “The payment of debts will go a long way towards alleviating severe financial hardships facing farmers. The RPA is calling on the Ministry of Finance and the APNU/AFC (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change) Government to immediately honour their obligation and make the payments long overdue in order to avoid dire consequences to this vital, national export industry.”

Last week, Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced that the Government has been faced with the task of sourcing some US$15 million to pay rice farmers, contending that the PetroCaribe Fund was empty. The PetroCaribe Fund was set up as part of Guyana’s arrangement with Venezuela to pay local famers supplying rice to the neighbouring country under a concessionary fuel supply agreement. Thus far, the fund should have contained sums amounting to hundreds of millions of United States dollars. Guyana Times was told that some G$1.2 billion is owed to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) rice famers by millers; seven of whom have been cited for pay-

ment delinquency. The GRDB also said that several other farmers across the country are owed huge sums, and that Region Two represented just a fraction of what is collectively owed.

Chairman of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers’ Association, Naithram (only name given), during an interview with Guyana Times on Monday said that he has no statistics on hand, however based on information the association received, millions are still owed to famers. When asked to single out those millers, the rice farmer and Alliance For Change activist listed Ramesh Ramlakhan Rice Mill and Wazeer Hussain as millers who owed farmers. Naithram said that millers continue to rip off rice farmers, pushing the rice industry at a “crossroad”.

The Paddy Association Chairman continues to argue for the restructuring of the Guyana Rice Development Board and the removal of its Head, Jagnarine Singh. The farmer noted that millers purchase the paddy and then sell it to overseas markets and

give the farmers a pittance. The grading system law is broken by all the millers without penalties being administered, the farmers also said.

An official, who asked not to be named, said indeed millions are owed to farmers but the problem is not confined to Region Two alone, saying “in fact, countrywide millions are owed in all the rice producing regions”. “When we examine, Region Two farmers are owed less compared to Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)”, the official disclosed. According to the GRDB’s statistics, seven millers including, Golden Rice Investment, Vincent Persaud, Rameshlakhan, La Resource, Deonarine, Old Mac and Caricom Rice Mills, owe Region Two farmers. It was noted that millers such as Imam Bacchus and Sons and Roopan Ramator, are millers who do not owe farmers in the Region.

Minister Harmon had also disclosed that the Cabinet has decided to commission a subcommittee, which will be tasked at looking at and sourcing markets to accommodate the level of production which is being recorded. “The money has to be found because we don’t believe that there is no fault on our farmers, but it has to do with the way the previous administration managed that fund. Additionally, the Cabinet approved of the setting up of the subcommittee to examine and to aggressively look at markets for our rice. Based on the current production, by October/November we will have a great production of rice that the markets available will not be able to sustain it,” Harmon disclosed.

from page 2

ther immediate efforts to contact the Works Officer proved futile.

In the meantime, when contacted for a comment, former Public Works Minister Robeson Benn told Guyana Times that he was not in a position to speak on the matter since there was someone in place to deal with road works.

The PPP/C had in the past been accused of favouritism and being guilty of providing such social services first and foremost to party and Government officials. However, persons are now lashing back at the new Government stating that even while they had accused the PPP/C of these things, they themselves are now practicing it.

General Secretary of the RPA, Dharamkumar Seeraj

Former President Donald Ramotar

GAWU President Komal Chand

Norton Street man opts for 20-day sentence

Aself-proclaimed community cleanup activist was Tuesday slapped with five charges by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, one of which included stealing a bag of rice.

Porter

ATrevor James, a 47-yearold labourer of ‘E’ Norton Street, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, on May 25 at Bourda, Georgetown, he stole one bag of rice valued at $2500, property of the Virtual Complainant (VC) Chandroutie Baldeo. The defendant also denied the charge which read that, on June 11 at Bourda, he resisted officer 18405 Henry, a City Police Officer acting in his duties. Additionally, he accepted the charges which read that on the same occasion he was found to be in possession of an offensive weapon which is a silver blade knife without reason and behaved disorderly. And finally, the defendant pleaded guilty to a fifth charge which read that, on

May 25 at Bourda, he made use of threatening language against Chandroutie Baldeo causing a breach in the peace.

According to the defendant, he is a voluntary community cleanup activist that asks for small donations from the persons who he gives his services to. He said that the VC owed him for his service and was refusing to pay. He said that, as he was hungry, he took the rice as compensation. As it related to the knife, he explained that he used the knife in his cleanup activities. James admitted to threatening the woman saying, “She didn’t want to pay me and I got frustrated so I threatened her.” He begged the Magistrate to be merciful to him as he works hard and has not been paid for his

services by several clients, which was a direct result of being in custody.

He also promised the Magistrate that, if released, he would no longer interfere with Ms Baldeo. “Ah gon go and do meh wuk peacefully Ma’am. Ah ain’t gong ot nothin’ fuh tell the lady,” he pleaded.

After considering the charges, the Magistrate fined the defendant $5000 on each of the charges that he admitted to with an alternative of 20 days in prison. He opted to serve his sentence as he claimed to have no money to pay the fine. Additionally, he will return to court on June 18 to appear before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in relations to the simple larceny and resisting arrest charges.

gets bail for committing felony

porter was, on Tuesday, placed on $50,000 bail by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her charged with committing a felony.

Devon Rodney, 39 of 177 Alberttown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, between Saturday, June 13,

and Monday, June 15, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, he broke and entered into a store belonging to Shazam Ibrahim and stole five DVD players valued at $44,000, four blackberry phone cases valued at $20,000 and $5,400 in cash, all to a total value of $69,440.

The defendant told the court that he did not steal

the articles and was being falsely accused. The prosecution made no objections to bail. The Magistrate, after considering the facts of the charges placed the defendant on $50,000 bail. He will return to court on June 18 when the matter will be brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court One.

Block maker on self-bail for larceny

Ablock maker was on Tuesday placed on $25,000 self bail by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before her slapped with charges of simple larceny and unlawful assault.

Raul Adams of 26 West Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, on Monday June 15 at Albert Street, Georgetown, he stole one mauve and black bicycle valued at $18,000, property of the Virtual Complainant (VC) Beauford

Watson. Additionally, the defendant pleaded not guilty to a charge which read that on the said occasion he un-

lawfully assaulted a second VC, Kurt Anthony, causing him actual bodily harm.

Watson told the court that on the day in question he left his bicycle parked on the roadway and the defendant proceeded to ride away with it. He said that he saw him some distance away and, after shouting at him, the defendant dropped the bicycle and ran away. The defendant denied the allegations telling the court that he knows nothing about the bicycle. As the bicycle was retrieved, the VC opted to discontinue the matter and

the case was dismissed.

As it relates to the second matter, according to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly dealt Anthony several punches to his face. Adams told the court that, as it relates to the charges of unlawful assault, he claimed the VC attacked him and he was acting in self defence. He requested self bail, claiming that he has an elderly mother in her late 80s to take care of. The Magistrate thus placed him on $25,000 bail and scheduled the matter to return to court on June 18.

Eyew tness

Gang of ...

...eight?

When this Eyewitness used to be in College, there was this conundrum posed by one of his professors. Suppose you had a knife and its handle became damaged and you replaced it. Still the same knife, no?

But suppose the blade now got damaged and you replace THAT - do you have the same knife now? So, dear reader, you’re now asking what’s got your Eyewitness into this philosophical mood?

Well, it’s Joey Jagan and his most recent rant about this “Gang of Eight” that’s supposedly running the PPPC. And not to Joey’s satisfaction.

Your Eyewitness had to emphasize “most recent” because old hands in Guyanese politics would know that Joey’s been talking about “gangs of eight” for a long time now. In fact not long after father died and a place wasn’t found in the PPPC for him.

The expression wasn’t exactly a term of endearment since Joey was invoking memories of an extremist “Gang of Four” - including Mao’s wife as the top dogthat’d tried to hijack China.

And of course they’d been reviled by the West for their “anti democratic” ways. But Joey’s allusion to folks from back in the 60s will clue you in that, even though he’s still spoken of as Cheddi’s wayward kid, he isn’t exactly a spring chicken. The man is in his late 60s for goodness sake!!.

Anyhow back to Joey and the case of the mutating knife. Joey first pasted the “Gang of Eight” tag on PPPC’s leaders after his mother became the boss of bosses of the party. But that only happened after Joey himself swore his father had anointed her!! So why did he pull his switcheroo?

With Joey, you never know but clearly, part of the reason was because she knew he was a loose cannon... or SOMETHING was loose...and there was no role for him in the PPPC. Seems that Janet didn’t scratch Joey’s back.

At that time, Joey’s reviled “Gang of Eight” included fellas like Ralph Ramkarran, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, etc. We could see him still using the label when his mother passed away (the handle fell off) and was replaced by Jagdeo.

But when Ramkarran, Nagamootoo and Ramjattan (the blade) had all been replaced, wouldn’t he be more honest to call the AFC rump element in the new government, the “Gang of Four”?

But the final irony is that in China, the Gang of Four was eventually replaced by a “Gang of Eight “ - with Deng XiaoPing as the top dog. And look where they carried China!!!

Maybe Joey believes THIS latter transformative “Gang of Eight” is in the PPPC with Jagdeo posing the role of Deng?

...passers?

In the US, Black folks have been trying for a long, long time to earn equality with the whites. Well, it looks like they’ve finally made it. And how does your Eyewitness figure this? Well when there’s a power difference between groups in a country, the ones at the bottom always try to imitate those at the top.

So in America, we’ve had Black folks “conking” their hair with caustic soda (remember Malcolm’s testimony?), lightening their skin with all sorts of creams, and pretending not to like fried chicken. It was called “passing” and was seen as a one-way street from Black to White.

No mo!! News out of Spokane, Washington is that a White woman’s been passing herself not just as a Black woman - but as the leader of the NAACP - the premier organization fighting for Black folks!

And after her own parents ousted her...she resigned. But that didn’t stop Black folks from saying in disgust, “How COULD she”??!!

Free at last? Free at last?

...of phantom road builders PM Nagamootoo’s upset that GTimes reported the street to his home was the only one repaired in his community. After he became PM. Is he saying this ISN’T TRUE?

Trevor James

Devon Rodney

Raul Adams

Ali explains transfer of Scrap Metal Unit, bank account

Amid speculations that there is something extremely irregular in establishing a commercial bank account for a government agency, former Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali maintains that nothing is wrong in taking that course of establishing the account.

Recently, Ali lashed out at the Kaieteur News media entity for publishing an article that sought to cast aspersions on the management of the Scrap Metal Unit and its financial transactions.

According to Ali, the article was written to create a false impression to “satisfy the propaganda that something mysterious is afoot”.

Even after he clarified the misinformation, speculations still existed, particularly as to why the Unit was moved and why a new bank account was opened.

Ali, during an interview with Guyana Times, firstly explained that the Unit was transferred from the Ministry of Trade,

Industry and Commerce to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) for better management.

“Both sectors had one Minister, the Scrap Metal Unit and the Enforcement Unit of the CHPA were both viewed as having the capacity that can be interdependent in order to police the system.

You may recall that one time there was tremendous vandalism of property, even phone lines and so on as it related to the scrap metal trade, so an enforcement arm became necessary for the Scrap Metal Unit,” Ali said.

Therefore, instead of establishing another enforcement arm, the Minister decided to bring it over to the Housing Ministry for more integration.

In relation to the bank account, Ali explained that when the Unit was transferred, the Board of Directors of the CHPA decided collectively to open a new bank account in a commercial bank – an act Ali

Soccer player busted with cocaine at JFK

Guyanese footballer

Manasseh “Ziggy”

Primo was busted at the John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York, after it was discovered he had ingested a quantity of cocaine pellets.

According to reports, the 25-year-old travelled to the United States last week and while being interrogated by law enforcement officials, it was discovered that he had swallowed the illicit substance. Primo reportedly told immigration officials at the JFK that he was there to participate in a football tournament as well as visit relatives. However, the agents did not believe the sportsman and further questioned him.

It was during this that the young man admitted to ingesting a quantity of cocaine pellets. He was taken into custody over the weekend and excreted approximately 51 pellets, which amounted to some 740 grams of the illegal narcotic.

He has since appeared in court and is currently being held at the Brooklyn Metro Detention Centre. Primo played for the Georgetown-

said is perfectly within the laws of Guyana.

The former Minister said the Kaieteur News article is malicious in its bid of trying to fool the ordinary Guyanese by insinuating that the account in the commercial bank is privately owned.

“It is very important for us to distinguish between a private account and an account held in a private commercial bank. An account in a private commercial bank in the name of an agency is not a private account,” he clarified.

Ali said the account in the commercial bank was in the name of the Scrap Metal Unit and it has signatories who are tasked with managing the account on behalf of the agency.

“The issue that is raised in Kaieteur News in relation to private account is one that is manipulated in such a way to create an impression to the public that some mystery occurred or that Government resources were placed in accounts that

were privately owned.

There is no mystery, there is no secrecy. This de facto Administration went there and found the account. All records and transactions are there to be audited and examined,” Ali said.

Asked for the reason behind the transfer, Ali replied “I don’t see the reason for a rationale… why you should have a reason or rationale in setting up the account… if the Board of Directors sit down and they say we are

going to establish the account in Demerara bank, why should I need a rationale.”

Ali said whether or not the account is with the Bank of Guyana, or with the commercial bank, it is still subject to the same principles.

“Both are audited, both come under same financial scrutiny and regulations,” he opined.

In addition, Ali mentioned that the only difference between the two accounts is that the one in the commercial bank is interest bearing while the one with the Bank of Guyana is not.

Moreover, Ali said there is nothing strange with a Government agency having a bank account in a commercial bank. In fact, he disclosed that the CHPA has many accounts established in commercial banks.

based Alpha United club. Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh, confirmed for Guyana Times that he received information on Primo’s arrest.

This incident comes less than one month after National Power Lifting Champion Colin Aubrey Chesney, of Linden, was arrested at the said airport after he admitted to swallowing cocaine pellets.

The national athlete was busted on May 24, moments after disembarking a Caribbean Airlines flight from Guyana during a routine search by custom officials. Chesney was seen acting in a nervous manner which drew the attention of a few customs officers.

He was subsequently escorted to a private room where he was questioned, during which he started to sweat profusely. The athlete admitted to customs officials that he had swallowed “foreign bodies”, thus he was taken for an X-ray and the objects were detected. He was taken to a medical facility where he excreted 33 pellets containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. The actual weight has not been released.

CANU said that they are assisting with the investigations in the hope of finding the source of the drugs here in Guyana. A senior official stated that Chesney remains in a medical facility under guard.

Several sports figures have been arrested over the years for cocaine trafficking. Some years ago national footballer Marlon Hendricks died in Barbados after he swallowed a quantity of cocaine pellets, which burst in his stomach.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the Ministry of Communities has launched a major investigation into the operations of the Scrap Metal Unit and the bank account, containing some $200 million.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott reportedly said that an investigation was underway along with an audit into the Unit’s bank account which contained millions. “I found it weird that the former Cabinet removed the Scrap Metal Unit from another Ministry and placed it, under strange circumstances, under the authority of the Minister and one other person.

We are investigating this and a number of other things that appear irregular like the operations of the bank account. We are talking about a very large sum of the taxpayers’ monies,” Scott reportedly said.

Further, Ali said when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) were in the Opposition, financial records were presented in the national assembly which clearly indicated that the bank account for the Unit was with a commercial bank.

Former Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali

Guyanese footballer Manasseh “Ziggy” Primo

wednesday, june 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ayoung man, who calls himself the next Chairman of the Haslington/ Golden Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) on the East Coast of Demerara, expressed deep concerns over the nonchalant behaviour of the NDC.

Jason Jacobs of Nabaclis Village, East Coast Demerara recently had a chat with Guyana Times over the ever increasing laissez-faire administration of the Haslington/ Golden Grove NDC. It is the young man’s contention that the NDC does not care about the welfare of villagers and the physical landscape of their communities. The council has come in for wide criticism recently for the overrun

of bushes and blocked drainage that they consciously allow within the 19 villages under their jurisdiction.

Jacobs told this publication about the several self help cleanup initiatives that were launched by the villagers of several communities along the East Coast of Demerara without the involvement of the NDC. He stated that the villagers hacked away at the overgrown bush that had seemingly became part of the sideling dam of the Nabaclis Village, and also cleaned the drains which had been vastly neglected by the NDC.

However, Jacobs stated that when they approached the NDC about the ongoing clean-up, it was not about lending a hand but about us-

ing the village trolley/ garbage collecting vehicle to pick up the waste that had been left alongside the roadways. The young man stated, “We didn’t clean up de trench fuh mess up the roads.” He said it was the least that the NDC could have done as the garbage, once left on the roadways too long, will find its way back into the trench or scattered on the roadways.

Jacobs told Guyana Times that Golden Grove, a village that is home to President’s College, the Golden Grove Primary School and several businesses, held their cleanup activities two weeks back. However the weeds that were cut down and garbage extracted from the trenches are still to be seen along the roadways turning brown

in the sun. “This can’t wuk,” the potential Chairman stated.

He said that two private individuals who were a part of the cleanup had volunteered their vehicles to remove the garbage but added that this cannot continueone of the vehicles have already malfunctioned due to this. Nevertheless, cleanup activities continue in several villages.

Most villagers have committed to making the cleanup launched by the new administration a part of their monthly duties until the NDC can take charge. Young people were seen in impressive numbers working in the trenches and along the roadways last Sunday as they sought to remove the vast greenery that had for long crowded the community.

Michelle (only name given), who assisted with organising the activity in Nabaclis Village told this publication that it was quite heartening to see the number of villagers that came out to clean up the village. She stated that it was not exactly difficult, as one person told another then another, giving rise to a full blown cleanup campaign.

The villager said that persons have been complaining for a while about the conditions of the drains and “bush” along the roads. She said that the cleanup campaign launched by the new administration simply gave the villagers the motivation they needed to do something about their complaints for themselves.

A tale of a saint

Satiricus never knew why people so bad-minded. No matter what Naga Man did he couldn’t please this lot. Here it was he was showing his humility as a son of the soil and refusing all the big jobs promised by the Cunnumunu Accord...but yet they were saying he was shafted.

Naga Man had been shafted many a time, and he certainly would know what a shafting felt like, wouldn’t he?

Back in the day, he’d claimed that his old boss Dreddi Hagan had promised to make him his successor when he passed into the great beyond. But was that ever done?? “Nooooooo!” exclaimed Satiricus.

That was some shafting no?? And never mind those same Naga Man haters said Dreddi had never ever made that promise. Bad minded!

Then there was time there was a big argument in his old place of employment and all he said as he left was, “I done wid y’all!” And lo and behold (as people who’ve heard voices behind burning bushes are wont to say), he received a letter as to how he’d QUIT his job!!

Jeez!! This was as bad as old SollyMoore being sick and his new boss told him he’s quit. No benefits!! That’s shafting no. “So trust me,” said Satiricus, “Naga Man knows a good shafting when he gets one.”

So when he said he didn’t want any big job because for him to be kept as a “gofer” for Prezzie was for the good of the country, he meant it!! The man was a saint.

Satiricus wiped a tear from his cheek and snuffled a bit as he thought of the sacrifice of Naga Man. This great man didn’t mind that his big title didn’t mean anything.

And this was why this nonsense about the road in front of Naga Man’s humble abode being repaired, hurt Satiricus even more. Here this man had refused to move in the big Mansion on Main Street his predecessor had lived in.

Forget his story about finding “two rats in the oven”. Naga Man had never been bothered by rats. In fact, when he’d been growing up in Whim, rats were so common they were treated practically as pets. He just didn’t want to move into such glamorous quarters.

Satiricus was willing to bet anyone that Naga Man would never move to Main Street. Satiricus just hoped all these critics would “shut deh suh-an-suh mouth”!!

Cop busted with $50,000 in bribery sting

APolice Sergeant was on Tuesday arrested with $50,000 in his possession which he had demanded from a businessman in order to settle a matter of threatening behaviour involving the use of a firearm.

According to a Police release, the sting operation was coordinated between the Police Office of Professional Responsibility and Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters. Bribery among Police Officers has become a sore issue in society and the Force has been criticised over the years for not doing enough to curb the illegal practice. Only recently the newly appointed Public Security Minister, Khemaj Rhamjattan, stated that there will be a zero tolerance policy against any wrong doings by law enforcement officers as he vows to put an end to harassment by the Police.

“I want the Police Force out there to know that there will be zero tolerance for any harassment of any sexual type, harassment of people’s rights (and) harassment

to the extent of bullyism,” Ramjattan had told reporters.

Over the years, persons have been complaining about the unprofessionalism of some Police Officers in dealing with citizens. Most of the complaints surround the fervent harassment by certain officers. On his appointment as top cop in March, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had stated that the Force is trying to prevent the routine “traffic stops” in order to put an end to the frequent complaints of harassment.

“So ranks are instructed not to make traffic stops unless they would have seen an offence being committed; so no more routine stops for traffic,” he said, but added that the Police will continue the routine checks as it relates to crime.

Persaud was questioned about his plans to address those reported incidents of Police brutality, the top cop pointed out that since he assumed the post last year he has been working on this issue. He had disclosed that

the Office of Professional Responsibility is now doing unannounced visits to Police Stations to check what is happening, give feedbacks and take actions as needed.

Ramjattan went on to say that while he is ousting such characters from the Police Force, his Ministry will simultaneously work on improving the relationship between the public and the Police Force, so that the Police can benefit from public cooperation. “I have seen over the years that members of the public do not trust the Guyana Police Force.

How do we win back support? How the Police Force is going to do the things necessary for them to win back respect by members of the public? That public-Police relationship is vital to moving and advancing this Police Force.

If we were just to see one of them as a bully and the other as a subject rather than a citizen, we are not going to go anywhere. We have to see them as partners looking after our interests,” the Minister highlighted.

Nabaclis villagers as they get rid of overgrown weeds along the dam bordering the village and Cove and John

Govt will spare no effort to revitalise sugar industry – Nagamootoo

BY VAHNU MANIKCHAND

As Guyana commemorates the 67th death anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said his Government will spare no effort in revitalising the ailing sugar industry.

Speaking at the Enmore Martyr’s annual remembrance ceremony on Tuesday, Nagamootoo who is also First Vice President, pointed out that his Government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the industry is back on its feet and thriving. The Prime Minister informed the gathering that President David Granger could not attend the event because he was having meetings on the survival of the sugar industry and will not leave because they have to find ways of securing millions of dollars to bail out the sugar industry. “He has asked me to assure you, to assure sugar workers that this Government, under David Granger, will do everything possible to bring the sugar industry back on its feet,” he stated.

He pointed out the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had spent billions to “restructure” the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) but have nothing to show for it. He noted that the former leaders claimed to have been turning the sugar industry around but instead turned it upside down. On this note, Nagamootoo stated that it was because of such reasons that his Government felt it appropriate to dismiss the leadership of the GuySuCo and ordered a forensic audit to find out where the monies went.

The Prime Minister further outlined that as they move forward in efforts to revitalise the industry, they are in discussions with counterparts from India, Cuba and the United Kingdom, who have all indicated their willingness to assist the Government. He added too that the Government is expected to meet with the European Union (EU) also on the same matter.

In addition, the First Vice President explained that not only will they include foreign stakeholders but also the unions and sugar workers as well as the PPP/C. “Sugar workers must be part of the solution; they must not be part of the problem… We know the PPP is the problem but at least they could help find some solution togeth-

er with us… The PPP can hate this Government but they must not destroy sugar, come to the table and talk to us on how to make this industry survive,” he declared.

Nagamootoo went on to say that his Government in honouring the Enmore Martyrs will not let their sacrifices go to waste and will remain true to the struggles for which

Carvil Duncan, who spoke at length about the many killings of sugar workers under the Colonial rule, noting that this did not deter their spirits to continue the struggles against “atrocious” living and working conditions. “Today we celebrate the passing of (the Enmore Martyrs). Their blood, which was shed for the cause they believe in, ought to be remembered…

Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry lost their lives in 1948 in a fight for better working conditions and the recognition of trade unions. On the other hand, these sentiments were adopted by the International Affairs Secretary of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), Aslim Singh. He outlined that the sugar industry can be revived under the proper management as he underscored the importance of the industry to the lives of thousands of Guyanese.

“The GAWU is on record that it is confident that the sugar industry can make it through this difficult period with the correct plans, policies and focus. The answer would not come easily but the industry was turned around in the early 90s and we are sure that the industry can be vital again,” he pointed out.

Furthermore, Singh added that the country has come a long way from the colonial rule and while Guyanese should be proud of the country’s achievements over the years, they must be complacent.

Meanwhile, also addressing the gather was President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)

Haiti promises “biggest, best” ever Carifesta

Under the theme “Our Roots, Our Culture, Our Common Future,” the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) is set to be held from August 21-30, in Haiti, and according to a top Haitian official, his country and its people are preparing to make this celebration one of the biggest and best there ever was.

Ambassador of the host country, Peterson Noel, at a press conference held on Tuesday stated that his country is fervently dedicated to hosting this year’s event. He stated that the Government has managed to raise US$7 million and members of the Private Sector are graciously willing to contribute to make this event spectacular. He stated that the Haitian Government is very enthusiastic about the celebrations and noted that though the country is still in recovery after the 2010 earthquake that caused major tragedy to its people, they are all gradually coming around. He also welcomes the interests from other Caribbean countries on ways to better the experience and their dedication for regional integration.

instead of four years, so that it can play a greater catalytic role in the stimulating the Region’s cultural and creative industries.

Browne said that the new CARIFESTA model that is being pursued seeks to ensure that the celebration is more

in 1972. However, the very first celebration of Caribbean Arts had taken place 20 years prior in Puerto Rico in 1952, to which only Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica were represented from among the then British Caribbean colonies. Years later, celebrations which were held to commemorate the Independence and Republic status of Guyana between the latter part of the 1960s into the early 70s, led to a great deal of discussion among the artistes who were involved.

they had made the sacrifice so that we today can live better,” he stated.

In addition, Trade Unionist and General Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, spoke at length about the revolution of trade unionism under the colonial rule as a result of the struggles and sacrifices of Guyanese heroes such as the five Enmore Martyrs and others including Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.

The Ambassador mentioned that the celebrations will take place in five different cities over the two-week period in Haiti. These cities each represent certain popularity within the country or holds significant historical representation. He mentioned knowing that travelling within regions can be expensive and was pleased to announce that the Haitian Tourism Ministry and the Finance Ministry are making arrangement with airlines such as Insel Air and Liat to work out a special price arrangement for CARIFESTA participants.

Head of the Culture Department of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Dr Hilary Browne, noted that this year’s celebration in Haiti is the country’s reintegration into the Caribbean Community. She also stated that CARIFESTA is now being restructured as it is now celebrated every two years

dynamic, economically viable and meets the expectations of the regional and international community.

She also pointed out that the committee has recognised that the festival needs to be received and appreciated by a much wider audiences and urged media operatives to play their part.

CARIFESTA celebrations first took place in this post-independence format in Guyana

Critical to this discussion were two of the Region’s most senior artists, Novelist George Lamming and acclaimed Guyanese Poet Martin Carter. The then Guyanese Prime Minister Forbes Burnham supported the idea of a new Caribbean Arts Festival and offered to host the event; and so, CARIFESTA as we know it, was born. That first CARIFESTA in Guyana lasted for three weeks. The next CARIFESTA was held in Jamaica in 1976 and lasted 11 days, while the third took place in Cuba in 1979 and lasted for two weeks. CARIFESTA was not held for 11 years after this, though it resumed in Barbados in 1981. Since then the festival has been held fairly regularly.

Head of the Culture Department of Caricom, Dr Hilary Browne

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as he lays a wreath on the Enmore Martyrs Monument

wednesday, june 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt could have been more suave in firings – Rohee “I am not going anywhere”– Surujbally

Despite resigning their post to become involved in campaign activities for the 2015 elections, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee, said that the current administration should have used a better mechanism to let go of the Permanent Secretaries (PSs) of the various Ministries.

Speaking to reporters on Monday at the Party’s Robb Street Office, Rohee said retention is not the issue in this case. The question is the modus operandi by which the services of the PSs were terminated. He said it is a norm for outgoing and incoming Governments to make personnel changes. The issue, according to him, is how they go about doing it.

He was asked if he thought that Permanent Secretaries who resigned to participate in the elections campaign should have been retained at those posts. “I see no reason why they should not be. The reasons which the Government gave for the nonrenewal of their contracts or the summary dismissal is, to my mind, whimsical, arbitrary and politically motivated,” Rohee said.

Asked if he would be comfortable serving with someone who was campaigning against him, Rohee said unless there is “incontrovertible evidence” that the work the person was doing professionally becomes unlawful, only in such circumstances they should be considered unwanted in those offices.

Rohee had earlier criticised the Government, describing it as travesty that the governing A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change coalition has been calling for discussions on inclusive or shared governance, while it has been on a “witch-hunting” spree, firing its supporters and members from public office.

He said that since taking office, the new Government has been on a spree of sacking officers, particularly the Permanent Secretaries of Ministries. Others include officials within other governmental organisation. With the public service rule against officials being involved in political campaigns, Rohee said, as he understands it, the public servant under any Government is given lawful duties to carry out and once he is carrying out those duties as they should be, then they are lawful.

But Rohee was further questioned about the stance taken by the PPP/C Government when it went into office in 1992, when similar actions were taken against officials who had served under the People’s National Congress (PNC) administration. He told reporters that there are records that Permanent Secretaries who served under the PNC were also retained under the PPP/C Government.

He further explained the reason for his Government dismissing several officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Giving clarity, Rohee said as Foreign Affairs

Minister in 1992 he was advised by then President Cheddi Jagan and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon to “prune” the staff of the different diplomatic missions of the Ministry of the excesses which prevailed at the time of the handing over.

“When you looked at the budget of the Foreign Affairs Ministry compared to what the Police Force was receiving, the GDF (Guyana Defence Force) and Fire Service, it was more than what they ought to have been receiving. The Government had wanted to restructure the budget and had made that a mere theme that we were going to cut the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the budget of the Office of the President. We said that in our campaign in 1992.”

In fulfilment of that promise, he said the Government “did precisely that”. Not only by cutting the budget, but by also refusing to pay the Government’s contributions to a number of international organisations and agencies since millions of foreign currency, which “we did not have at the time”, was being wasted.

He said the PPP/C had taken over the country at a time when the country was at its lowest economic standing. Rohee further stated that he went to each diplomatic mission, interviewed each employee and found that there were services that were not necessary. “In cases where the services had to be terminated, they all received their benefits,” he said.

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally says he is “not going anywhere” in face of calls by the main opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), for his resignation.

In an invited comment to the Guyana Times on Tuesday, the GECOM official said his job is simply to preside over the operations of the commission and that the most recent call by the PPP/C for his resignation holds no water.

The commission’s head told this publication that when asked for a response to the PPP/C’s position, he is not involved in the complexities of the operations of the commission. His job is simply to overlook and chair the board of the commission. The brunt of the work, in his explanation falls in the arms of the Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield. He said he could not understand the haste to unseat him.

On Monday, People’s Progressive Party/Civic General Secretary Clement Rohee declared that his Party will not be participating in the long overdue Local Government Elections now

scheduled for later this year, if the GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, remains at its helm.

Since the announcement of the results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections, the Party has been calling for the immediate resignation of Surujbally. The call was mounted particularly because of his failure to acquiesce to the Party’s request for a total recount of the ballots, as it contended that the elections were rigged. Rohee made it clear that the PPP/ C’s position remains that Dr Surujbally must give up his position, telling journalists that the PPP/C has been calling for Surujbally’s immediate resignation. He stated that any other changes the Party will be seeking regarding the operations of the election body will be relayed in the petition that will be filed in the High Court.

In an earlier statement the PPP/C had said that, prior to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, it raised concerns both publicly and privately with GECOM’s Chairman, Commission and Secretariat, the advance assessment teams of the United Nations, Commonwealth and the Carter Centre, the diplomatic community, and subsequently with the International Observer Missions with regards to the partiality of the GECOM machinery. The Party had charged that the recruitment of polling staff connected to the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition was known, and the PPPC consistently raised its concerns months before and during the recruitment and training periods.

“Fears were also expressed about the removal of the foreign IT Specialist at a

Liliendaal

critical time just two weeks before the elections and the denial of requests for public disclosures of GECOM Election Day staff. This lack of transparency and willingness to enhance public trust and confidence by GECOM in the face of blatant infiltration of the machinery by known APNU/AFC activists is an indictment. Our public positions were supported with conclusive evidence that a number of irregularities were carried out on Election Day and the period immediately thereafter particularly multiple voting, creation of fraudulent and fictitious SOPs (Statements of Poll) etc, to such an extent that any Government formed on the basis of declared results (without a recount ) would not reflect the will of the people of Guyana.”

The PPP/C said its position remains the same today in the face of the refusal of GECOM to conduct the recount of a close-finish race. “These events, not surprising, have contributed to the loss of confidence in the GECOM machinery and more particularly its Chairman, Dr Surujbally. The PPP/C calls for the immediate resignation of Dr Surujbally as Chairman.”

Bridge reopens after $12M repairs

raffic flowed again on Monday afternoon on the Liliendaal Bridge in Greater Georgetown following a weeklong closure to carry out extensive works to

fortify the structure. The bridge reopened around 17:00h. Repairs to the Bridge’s structure were executed by Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB),

while its surfacing was done by the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Force Account Unit (FAU). The estimated cost of the project was $12 million.

PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee

GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

Road works being done on the Liliendaal Bridge Traffic flowing again on the Bridge

Enmore Martyrs observance

Guyana’s strength lies in its workers – Minister Lawrence

Minister of Social Protection with responsibility for labour, Volda Lawrence on Tuesday attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony for the five Enmore Martyrs at Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown at their gravesites.

The Minister was part of the procession that comprised mainly representatives of trade unions which moved from the Square of the Revolution to Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown. During an address to the gathering, Minister Lawrence observed that “Guyana’s strength lies in its workers and the workers of today have a rich leg-

improved urgently, and not only emoluments, but places of work and the services offered to workers.

“We need to address shortcomings in the formal and informal sectors, but it is imperative that we constantly raise the bar on what is acceptable and build on our successes,” the Minister declared. She observed that the majority of workers spend most of their waking hours on the job rather than at home, “hence employers have an obligation to ensure that they are comfortable, safe and protected”.

This, the Minister explained, would mean that employers cannot continue to demand higher levels of pro-

die. They were hoping that their presence and actions, along with others, would have caused important changes in the conditions of their lives (back then), the lives of sugar workers and Guyanese as a whole,” stated National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) General Secretary Kenneth Joseph. Joseph observed that while the sugar workers from the East Coast of Demerara had begun their protest on June 5, 1948, the management and leadership of the sugar estates were not worried since it was not the first protest action. They moved to bring in employees from other estates to work at

acy of struggle, determination, perseverance and success upon which to build”, the Government Information Agency reported.

Guyanese heroes

The Minister also noted that the five workers: Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Dookhie and Harry were five Guyanese heroes whose lives were snuffed out in the battle for better working conditions, and even though their struggle was within the environs of the sugar industry decades ago, the implications, hardship and successes rippled throughout the workforce, and are even present today. She pointed out that the eulogies given were fitting, but noted that Guyanese must ensure that workers were recognised and prioritised for the important contribution they have made to the country. Minister Lawrence admitted that current working conditions needed to be

ductivity and excellent performance of workers if those demands are not matched with the conducive environment and necessary resources. She pointed out that the approach to work and accompanying ethics were also critical to improving workers’ productivity. She further noted that workers must not see their jobs as a tool to satisfy their economic need, and were duty bound to perform.

“I think they will willingly give their best once they receive the best,” the Minister stated.

She added that at this point, Guyanese should reflect on the struggle of the five Enmore Martyrs and “salute these fallen workers who strove for better working conditions”. She urged all to continue to strive for better working conditions.

Worker heroes

“Lallabagee, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookhie and Harry did not leave home to

the memories of Guyanese, Joseph pointed out, especially at the time of the search for strength over adversity.

In his remarks, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle observed that while these men were shot down and killed during a protest, the objective was for better working and living conditions. “… even though this happened over 67 years ago, what they fought for is still relevant today. Workers, not only in Guyana, but all over the world, are still fighting and protesting, and demonstrating for a better condition of work, salaries and wages, it must be said that we are living in a time where people have to struggle for dignity, respect, and equality on issues of the day-to-day existence,” Ogle stated.

Further, Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) President Leslie Gonsalves pointed out that the five men died and became martyrs, continuing the journey started by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. Gonsalves stated that workers’ voices would never be silent and indicated that Guyanese could make the change for progressive labour which would mean that workers all across the country would be respected and all employers would respect the laws of the land.

8-door

Porter gets 18 months for larceny

Aporter was on Tuesday sentenced to 18 months in prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for a charge of larceny from person.

Nolan Forde, 35, a porter of East La Penitence, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge that on Saturday, June 13 while at Stabroek Market, he snatched a gold chain valued $200,000, property of Higino Rosonen.

Nolan Forde

The defendant expressed his remorse to the court, stating that he has five children to take care of and was in financial straits. He pleaded with the court for leniency promising to never repeat the act. The Magistrate after considering the facts sentenced the defendant.

Charity drug pusher jailed for 3 years

Twenty-three-year-old

Christopher Ruffino of Charity Housing Scheme was on Monday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment along with a $30,000 fine after he was found guilty of trafficking narcotics. He was previously charged for trafficking narcotics.

He made his appearance on Monday at the Charity Magistrate’s Court where he was found guilty after a lengthy trial was conducted.

On March 9, Ruffino, of Xenon Street, Charity, was

found with 35 grams of cannabis in an Avon plastic purse during a Police patrol. He was subsequently arrested and was remanded to prison, the court was told by Police Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack.

Ruffino, who was not represented by an attorney, in his defence, told the court that he had seen a bag which he picked up and put in his pocket which the Police later found. He later told the court that it was his first offence.

sluice to work throughout night as water level of EDWC rises

Enmore in order to force the workers back to the fields. However, the workers remained defiant and the protest culminated on June 15, when many assembled at Enmore to prevent the scabs from working at that estate.

However, as they attempted to gain entry, the Police advanced and started shooting, killing three persons on the spot, while two others died in the hospital. Those who died instantly were Lallabagee Kissoon, 30, who was shot in the back; 19-year-old Pooran, shot in the leg and pelvis; and Rambarran – from bullet wounds in his leg. The hospital causalities were Dookhie and Harry. These men, through the years, became known as the Enmore Martyrs.

A monument was designed by Guyanese Dennis Williams and was constructed in their honour at Enmore. The names of these heroes should remain in

The level of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Tuesday evening was 58.20 Georgetown Datum (GD) having risen again from the 58.1 GD that was recorded Monday evening.

Earlier on Tuesday, the level rose to 58.25 GD which was experienced on Saturday following consistent rainfall over prior days. Head of the National Drainage and

Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth told the Government Information Agency (GINA) Tuesday evening that 54 millimetres (mm) of rainfall was experienced at Flagstaff, hence the rise in the EDWC’s level.

He said that water was released from the Northern Relief Channel of the HopeDochfour outlet Tuesday via the eight-door sluice into the Atlantic Ocean from 06:00h and will continue throughout the night. Temporary lighting has been installed to ensure that workers can monitor the release in the vicinity of the cut that was made at the Head Regulator. Wordsworth said the water level in the Northern Relief Channel was maintained at 56.75 GD Tuesday, prior to its release through the eight-door sluice. He said because the level is high, monitoring will be conducted round the clock, and discharge will be done throughout Wednesday as well. The Northern Relief Channel became the first option over the use of the Maduni and Lama sluices because those could have worsened flood conditions in the upper reaches of the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers, Wordsworth had told GINA on Monday. The operation became necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the Conservancy’s earthen embankments due to the high water level within. Water had reached the threatening level of 58.25 GD in the Conservancy which has a height of 59 GD. Water is also being discharged from the EDWC through the Kofi, Cunha and Land of Canaan relief sluices into the Demerara River.

Minister Lawrence, NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph and others gathered during the annual wreath-laying ceremony for the five Enmore Martyrs at Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence makes her way to lay a wreath in homage to the five Enmore Martyrs during the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Le Repentir Cemetery

The functioning East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) eight-door sluice

Regional

US, Venezuela praise talks aimed at lowering tension

Venezuela and the United States (US) on Monday evening praised diplomatic talks aimed at reducing tension between the two countries. Officials from both sides met in Haiti on Saturday as part of what they called “a process of rapprochement”.

The US and Venezuela have not had ambassadors in each other’s country since 2010. Relations have worsened since the US earlier this year imposed sanctions on a number of Venezuelan officials it accuses of human rights abuses.

US President Barack Obama issued an executive order in March freezing the assets of seven Venezuelan officials and banning them from entering the United States. The executive order triggered anti-US protests in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital.

He also said the situation in Venezuela, including “the Government’s erosion of human rights guarantees (...) constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States”.

The US later said that the wording was “completely pro-forma” and the US and Venezuelan Presidents briefly spoke at a regional summit in Panama in April. However tension rose again in May after the Wall Street Journal reported that US federal prosecutors were gathering evidence against the President of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, on suspicion of having “turned the country into a global hub for cocaine trafficking and money laundering”.

Cabello was part of the Venezuelan delegation that met US State Department Counsellor during the weekend. He said that it was “an important step toward the full restoration of relations between the countries”.

The State Department on Monday also called the talks “positive and productive”. President Maduro said the two sides had “opened a very important diplomatic channel”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Students traumatised as violence grips west Kingston

Students of all ages were hit hard on Monday as the death toll continued to rise in the ongoing warfare battering west Kingston, Jamaica.

An educator in the area has indicated that students have been traumatised by gunshots which have rained in the area during the twoweek war sparked by the burgling of an establishment operated by a member of a well-known family in the community.

A man was killed and a woman injured behind the Kingston Public Hospital while the St Anne’s Infant,

Primary and High School took on the role of a refugee camp. Infants, accompanied by mostly women, were allowed out of the North Street-based institution under the watchful eyes of the Police and were forced to detour from one of three crime scenes.

The nearby primary and high schools that were in session were locked tight with the students behind the closed doors and Police personnel keeping a close watch. “It is extremely hard,” said Stella Forrester, Principal of St Anne’s Primary School. “As

adults, and as the Principal, we have to resolve as far as is possible to ensure that the children are safe.”

Forrester told a local publication that the ongoing violence has caused disruption and distraction to the institution’s entire programme of activities. She also lamented that while the situation is difficult, expectations are very high. “It is not just an immediate situation for just today, as we have children who are traumatised...It is extremely difficult for children to be excellent learners in such an environment,” she said. (Antigua Observer)

Woman caught smuggling cocaine inside fried

United States (US) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have nabbed a 38-year-old woman who travelled from Jamaica with over two pounds of cocaine hidden inside fried fish.

The woman, whose nationality and name were not released by US officials, had the drug-stuffed food in her luggage. She arrived at Miami International Airport in Florida on Saturday, but the CBP only made the seizure public in a statement issued on Monday.

It was during an x-ray examination of the woman’s luggage that officers from the CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO) “noticed anomalies in some of the cooked fish”. “Upon further examination, the officers observed that the bellies of

fish

some of the fish were sewn together and certain fish felt thicker than the rest. CBP OFO officers discovered approximately 2.3 pounds of cocaine and subsequently seized the illicit substance,” the statement added.

Miami International Airport Port Director Christopher Maston said drug smugglers were using increasingly innovative methods and last weekend’s interception was “an excel-

lent example of how our highly trained officers continue to use their experience and knowledge to detect and interdict the flow of illegal narcotics”.

CBP officers and agents seized more than 3.8 million pounds of narcotics across the country last year. OFO officers, whose primary mission is anti-terrorism, screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States. (Caribbean 360)

Region advised to produce, market breadfruit products

An award-winning chef is suggesting that Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean countries invest in developing and exporting products made from breadfruit.

The Executive Chef at St Kitts’ Ocean Terrace Inn, Lynn Williams, said there is much revenue to be gained from exporting the products from the starchy fruit. “There is a lot you can do with it. People make flour (which is gluten free), chips and other goods which can be shipped to the United States and other places,” he

said.

Williams said several people in St Kitts are already producing breadfruit flour using stone grinders. The chef, who has over 40 years’ experience in the culinary arts, said he has already integrated the fruit into multiple dishes in the hotel’s Verandah Restaurant, including a soup infused with the ripe fruit.

He stated that in his country, there is already a thrust to cut the tops of breadfruit trees, including those in the wild, to make the fruit more accessible to

locals and to have less wastage due to falling fruit. Also, people who are not working could find employment by harvesting and processing breadfruit, while the less fortunate can use it as a staple in their meals if needed. Meantime, Williams said the region needs to do more to introduce and popularise cultural dishes that are traditionally eaten across the region. “We have to remember people eat with their eyes first. We have great dishes in the Caribbean but we need to work on presentation,” the award winning chef said. (Antigua Observer)

Brazil Police dismantle illegal mining operation

Six people have been arrested and assets worth up to £10 million seized after an investigation into a criminal organisation illegally mining Paraiba tourmaline was conducted.

Police in Brazil have uncovered a multi-million pound scheme to illegally mine and export Paraiba tourmaline, one of the world’s most valuable gemstones.

A criminal organisation involving several companies and a state deputy allegedly used a complex network of offshore accounts to fund the extraction and export of the stones to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Houston and Las Vegas, federal prosecutors said.

Police arrested six people – though two individuals escaped arrest – and seized assets to the value of £10 million after a six-year investigation.

Among those targeted by the operation was João Henrique de Sousa, a State Deputy in Paraíba, who is authorised to mine Paraiba

tourmaline but is accused of failing to declare extractions to the national department of mineral production; and Afghan businessman Zaheer Azizi, who lives in Thailand, was also named on the eight arrest warrants along with seven other mining bosses.

Investigators said the stones were illegally mined from São José da Batalha in Paraíba, taken to the city of Parelhas in the neighbour-

ing state of Rio Grande do Norte where they were illegally licensed, and then sent to Minas Gerais to be polished and sold abroad. The rare, vivid blue gemstone, was first found in the north-eastern state of Paraíba in the 1980s and can fetch up to £65,000 (US$100,000) per carat. The stone has been used by international designer jewellers including Dior and Tiffany. (Excerpt from the Telegraph)

Chinese airline to begin flights to Cuba, German carrier boosts

airlift

Cuba is attracting some additional and new airlift, including its first ever flight from China.

Air China has announced it will start service between Beijing, China and Havana, Cuba in September, while Germany’s Condor will increase its flights to the island in the winter and add a new route. Leading airline Air China will be operating three weekly flights with a stopover in Montreal, Canada.

Cuba’s Granma newspaper said the new flight has the potential to turn

Havana into a hub for Chinese visitors travelling to other parts of Latin America. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) also said over the weekend that the service is expected to boost economic ties and promote cultural and person-to-person exchanges. The two countries will also expand traffic rights and deepen cooperation on civil aviation.

More than 28,000 Chinese travellers visited Cuba in 2014, an increase of more than 27 per cent over the previous year. Meantime, Condor says it will increase its flights be -

tween Frankfurt, Germany and Havana to four per week and begin weekly flights between Munich and Holguin, eastern Cuba. It will also add a flight from Munich in Germany to Varadero in western Cuba. The additional airlift will provide a boost to Cuba’s arrivals from Germany which is already the island’s second largest tourist market. Canada is the biggest source market. Over 65,000 German tourists visited the island up to April 2015, and that figure is expected to reach 150,000 by the end of the year. (Caribbean 360)

The executive order triggered anti-US protests in Caracas

Cocaine smuggled in fried fish

Paraiba tourmaline

Donald Trump to run for President in 2016

Property billionaire Donald Trump has announced that he will run for the White House in the 2016 Election.

Trump, a Republican, has never formally run for the position of President before, but has often talked about it. “I am officially running for President of the United States and we are going to make our country great again,” he told supporters at New York’s Trump Towers on Fifth Avenue.

He said his fortune would allow him to be an effective President. “Our country is in serious trouble. We don’t have victories anymore,” he said. “When was the last time anyone saw us beating, let’s say, China in a trade deal?

Trump expressed support for gun rights and said he would protect United States Government programmes

like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. He also stated that he would “immediately terminate” President Barack Obama’s executive order on immigration, which would save undocumented migrants from deportation.

With campaign staff in key early voting states and a net worth he puts at more than US$8.5 billion, Trump has the resources to rule the Republican Presidential field. He is polling high enough to get a spot on the

stage in the forthcoming Republican debates, and he’s already proven a willingness to take swings at his opponents. Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio “don’t have a clue”, he said in his announcement speech.

“Sadly, the American Dream is dead,” Trump said. “If I get elected President I will bring it back bigger and better and strong than ever before. We will make America great again.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Morsi’s death sentence upheld by Egyptian court

An Egyptian court has upheld the death sentence imposed on ousted ex-President Mohammed Morsi over a mass jailbreak.

The sentence was initially passed in May, but was confirmed after consultation with Egypt’s highest religious figure, the Grand Mufti. The death sentences of five other leading members of the Muslim Brotherhood, including its supreme guide Mohammed Badie, were also upheld.

Morsi’s supporters have described the sentence as “farcical”. The verdict is subject to appeal. In addition to

Morsi, 101 other defendants were also sentenced to death in absentia.

The ex-President escaped from Wadi Natroun prison in January 2011 and was accused of colluding with foreign militants in a plot to free Islamists during mass prison breaks. The 2011 uprising brought an end to Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule and Morsi was elected President a year later.

Morsi was deposed by the army in July 2013, following mass street protests against his rule, and is already serving a 20-year jail term for ordering the arrest and torture of demonstra-

tors. He was also sentenced to life imprisonment by the same court on Tuesday for spying on behalf of foreign militant groups.

Morsi was overthrown by Military Chief, and now President, Abdul Fattah alSisi and was subsequently imprisoned facing various charges. At the start of Morsi’s first trial in 2013, he shouted from the dock that he was the victim of a “military coup”. Since then, Morsi has been forced to sit in soundproof glass cages in courtrooms, which officials say are designed to prevent him disrupting proceedings.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Pakistan hangs 7 prisoners for murder

Pakistan reportedly hanged seven prisoners on Tuesday, bringing the total number put to death since executions resumed last December to 160, officials said. The executions took place in several cities in the central province of Punjab including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sialkot and Bahawalpur.

Al Jazeera understands that none of the men executed on Tuesday were minors when they were convicted. They had been convicted of murder.

On Monday, the Lahore High Court stayed the execution of a mentally ill man, Khizar Hayat, who was due to be hanged on Tuesday.

On Wednesday last week, the country executed a man who rights groups say was tortured into confessing to a murder when he was 15. Aftab Bahadur, 37, was convicted over the murder of a woman and her two children

in September 1992 and had been on death row for almost 23 years.

Executions in Pakistan resumed in December, ending a six-year moratorium after Taliban fighters gunned down 154 people, most of them children, at a school at Peshawar in the country’s northwest.

Hangings were initially reinstated only for those convicted of terrorism offences, but in March they were extended to all capital offences. The European Union, the

Around the World

South Korea begins plasma treatment trial for MERS

South Korea is to begin trials of an experimental plasma treatment for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which has now killed 19 people. The treatment, which has already proved useful for tackling other deadly diseases including Ebola, uses blood from patients who have successfully fought off the same infection.

To date, more than 150 people in the country have been infected with MERS. Also on Tuesday, Germany reported its first death from the disease. The 65-yearold man died in a clinic in the north-western city of

Osnabruck, German media reports say.

The South Korean Health Ministry said two hospitals would begin the plasma treatment trials. The outbreak in South Korea originated from a 68-yearold man who had travelled to the Middle East. He was diagnosed as the country’s first MERS patient last month.

Officials emphasise that the number of new cases is decreasing, but there is still widespread fear and misinformation. Four new cases were reported there on Tuesday in South Korea, as well as three deaths.

Health workers are spraying disinfectant inside karaoke rooms and other businesses, and teachers are sprinkling salt on school grounds in a misplaced attempt to protect themselves as many schools reopen this week. However, there is currently no cure or vaccine that can protect people from MERS.

The disease is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered China’s deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and is most likely spread by coughs and sneezes. (BBC News)

Russia to boost nuclear arsenal

President Vladimir Putin has said Russia will put more than 40 new, inter-continental ballistic missiles into service this year. It is part of a wide-reaching programme to modernise the country’s military.

Speaking at an arms fair, Putin said the weapons would be able to overcome even the most technically advanced anti-missile defence systems. It comes after the United States (US) proposed increasing its military presence in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) states in Eastern Europe.

Tensions are high over

NUnited Nations and human rights campaigners have all urged Pakistan to reinstate the moratorium.

A local news agency reported on Sunday that Pakistan planned to impose a one-month moratorium on executions for the month of Ramadan, which begins later this week. Amnesty International estimates that Pakistan has more than 8000 prisoners on death row, most of whom have exhausted their appeals. (Al Jazeera)

estle says it will destroy more than US$50 million worth of its hugely popular Maggi noodles, following a ban imposed by India’s food safety regulator.

India’s food safety regulator says tests have found the instant noodles “unsafe and hazardous” and has accused Nestle of failing to comply with food safety laws. However, the company insists that the noodles are safe and is challenging the ban. Nestle currently has 80 per cent of India’s instant noodles market.

The company said in a

Russia’s role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. NATO and Western leaders accused Russia of sending soldiers and heavy weapons, including tanks and missiles, to the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly denied this, insisting that any Russians fighting there are “volunteers”.

Russia has increased its defence spending substantially under Vladimir Putin, and is in the midst of a massive modernisation programme, says the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Moscow, the country’s capital. The missiles are hightech replacements, not ad-

ditions to Russia’s nuclear arsenal, but the nod to the US is clear, our correspondent says.

Russian officials have warned that Moscow will respond if the US carries out its plan to store heavy military equipment in Eastern Europe, including in the Baltic States that were once part of the Soviet Union.

“The feeling is that our colleagues from NATO countries are pushing us into an arms race,” a local news agency quoted Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov as saying on the sidelines of the arms fair outside Moscow. (Excerpt from BBC News)

statement that the value of withdrawn noodles include stocks taken off the shelves and stocks stored in factories and with distributors.

“There will be additional costs to take into account, for example bringing stock from the market, transporting the stock to the destruction points, destruction cost, etc. The final figure will have to be confirmed at a later date,” Nestle said.

Earlier this month, Nestle began withdrawing the Maggi brand from stores, after regulators said they found higher-thanallowed levels of lead in

some packets.The company is challenging the ban in the high court in the city of Mumbai and “raised issues of interpretation” of India’s food safety laws.

Nestle’s Global Chief Executive, Paul Bulcke, has asked to see the results of the laboratory tests and promised to return Maggi to store shelves soon. Several states have also been testing the noodles for the chemical monosodium glutamate, widely known as MSG. The instant noodles arrived in India in 1983 and can be found in corner shops across the country.

Donald Trump announcing his run for presidency

Relatives of Aftab Bahadur mourn beside his body

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin

wednesday, june 17, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

PYO calls out Govt on dismissals of youths

The Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) of Guyana said it has noted the alleged continued verbal and mental harassment as well as the unwarranted dismissal of several young professionals within state agencies since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change administration took office on May 16 this year.

“The PYO strongly condemns this vengeful witchhunting campaign against well qualified and competent young Guyanese which is being rolled out by the Granger-led administration. These dismissals and decisions to send home young professionals, who have toiled for their country and were making significant contributions to its development, are tantamount

to ethnic cleansing and political discrimination when a case by case analysis is done.”

The PYO alleges that campaign has heightened over the past few days that, despite the promises and assurances given by President David Granger and his other Ministers, public servants and young professionals would have nothing to fear.

“This proves that youth and young professionals cannot trust the new Government or Granger to keep their word. Already, young people across the length and breathe of Guyana have noticed the sidelining and disrespect shown by Granger to youths within his own fold denying them State employment regardless of the principle of meritocracy and key appointments at the levels

of the Executive and legislature.” “We urge the aggrieved young professionals to take the necessary legal action to protect their benefits and entitlements. We also urge them to remain calm and collective over the next few months as the PYO will continue to speak out against the atrocities and excesses of this new antiyouth Government. “

Worthy of noting, the PYO said, is the silence of several youth advocates and youth organisations which have beaten their chests and professed to be working in the interest of young people in this country.

Surely, when the dust is settled, this imposed regime cannot say with any sort of conscience or conviction that they speak on behalf of Guyana’s youth.

Guyana urged to participate in global climate deal

As the world celebrates Climate Diplomacy Day today, there is much anticipation surrounding the Global Climate Change deal that is expected to be formulated in Paris later this year and Guyana is being urged to ensure that it participates in the programme.

Head of the European Union Delegation in Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecký, in a statement underscored the importance of addressing the challenge of global climate change given its disastrous consequences.

According to the Ambassador, the issue of climate change is one of European Union’s key priorities and the EU is said to be one of the world’s strongest proponents of ambitious global climate actions. He noted that 2015 is a crucial year for climate as the international community prepares to adopt a new global climate deal that will be made in Paris this December.

“All countries are expected to come forward with their emissions reduction contributions well in advance of the Paris conference to enable us to jointly design and agree a robust and dynamic deal capable of keeping the global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius.

All countries in the world will have to play their part in ensuring that a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement can be reached in Paris.

We can accomplish much more together than we can individually – nowhere is this clearer than in the area of climate change,” he stated.

The Head of the EU Delegation posited that the agreement needs to respond to today’s reality and be fit for the future. He further detailed that the contributions

3 men go to court for abusive language charges

Three men were on Tuesday brought before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with the use of abusive language and threatening behaviour.

Sammy Powell, a 51-year-old labourer of 21 Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that, on May 29 at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, he made use of threatening behaviour towards Onell Rogers, resulting in a breach of the peace. He was placed on $5000 bail by the Magistrate and will

return to court on June 19.

Meanwhile 35-year-old Michael Skeete, a taxi driver of 36 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that, on June 7 at Norton Street, Lodge, he made use of abusive language against the Virtual Complainant (VC) Barrington Browne resulting in a breach of the peace. Browne also pleaded guilty to a charge which read that on the same occasion he made use of abusive language and threatening behaviour against Skeete, resulting in a breach of the peace.

According to the facts presented by the Police

Prosecutor Simone Payne, on the day in question at 09:00h at the New Wave taxi base, an argument ensued between the two defendants during which they made use of threatening and abusive language against each other. It was also revealed that during the altercation, Browne pulled out a cutlass from his car and used it in threatening manner against Skeete. The men expressed their remorse, telling the Magistrate that they have made amends and no longer wish to proceed with the matter. They were reprimanded by the Magistrate and the matter was dismissed.

Man arrested after found with illegal gun, ammo

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Monday evening arrested a man after they discovered was in possession of an unlicensed firearm and matching ammunition.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, Ivelaw Whittaker, Police

that each countries make should be as ambitious as possible given their respective responsibilities and capabilities.

In this regard, Ambassador Kopecký pointed out that the EU has already shown strong leadership with EU leaders agreeing on a binding target of at least 40 per cent emissions reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030.

“The EU is a world-leading contributor of climate finance to developing countries – the urgency of the climate change challenge means that significant financial resources will continue to play a key role in promoting action both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the consequences of climate change within the broader context of sustainable development. It is clear that the Paris deal must also deliver on challenges other than reducing emissions.

We need to be ready to support those most vulnerable to climate change and with least means to cope with its negative consequences. We also need to secure relevant provisions to increase cooperation in the area of adapting to climate change.

The EU is fully committed to doing its part and counts on the continued cooperation and collaboration of its international partners, including Guyana, to reach a successful conclusion in Paris,” the Ambassador outlined.

Furthermore, he highlighted that climate change is a particularly important issue not only for Guyana but the Caribbean region, as such, he urged Guyana to follow the EU’s lead by intensifying domestic preparations to put their intended emissions reduction contribution forward as soon as possible.

Ambassador Kopecký noted that this will be important to build confidence, among all that the Paris agreement can deliver what is needed. Only a critical mass of ambitious contributions as early as possible will demonstrate the seriousness of our collective efforts, he added.

In addition, the EU Delegation head urges the timely delivery of the each country’s contributions, noting it is vital for the credibility of the negotiations demonstrating political willingness of all to act on climate change.

An effective deal in Paris will not be credible if only a few have proven their resolve to act in future he said while adding it is a historic opportunity that countries cannot afford to miss.

ranks were on mobile patrol when the discovery was made around 19:55h on Light Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

Reports revealed that the Police observed a man acting in a suspicious manner, as such they stopped him and conducted a search on his person.

During the search, the ranks unearthed the unlicensed .38 revolver along with six matching rounds of ammunition.

The man was since taken into Police custody and is assisting with the investigations.

Caribbean vows increased action to tackle chronic diseases

Representatives of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Governments ended a highlevel meeting in Barbados this week by declaring that non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes—are the greatest health and development threat facing the Caribbean.

They urged step-up efforts using all-of-Government and all-of-society approaches to tackle NCDs, and called for greater investments in health systems to reverse what they termed a “tsunami” that threatens economic and social development throughout the sub region.

“The truth is that our people are dying; our people are being disabled by chronic diseases,” said Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO). “We are concerned that there is not enough being done to allow the Caribbean to reduce and prevent those deaths from chronic diseases. If we continue as we are now, we will not meet the targets we have set for ourselves.”

Approximately three of every four deaths in the Caribbean are currently from NCDs. More than 70 per cent of these deaths are premature, that is among people under 70 years old, and that proportion is increasing. NCDs place a heavy burden on individuals, families and societies due to suffering and deaths as well as high costs from treatment and care, lost productivity, and displaced

resources from other sectors of the economy.

“We talk a lot about statistics, but there are faces behind them. We are talking about our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers; we are talking about ourselves,” said Etienne. Participants said that NCDs are overwhelming Caribbean countries’ health services and challenging their sustainability, and at the same time are impeding progress toward universal health coverage and universal access. They said needed actions include reorganisation of health services and new models of care; strengthening of health sector governance and human resources for health; and the creation of physical and social environments that are conducive to healthy living.

Participants also discussed NCD “best buys”, that is, highly cost-effective measures that reduce people’s exposure to the top risk factors for NCDs. These measures include laws, regulations and taxation aimed at reducing consumption of tobacco, alcohol, sugar and salt. Because such measures can provoke resistance from the economic interests involved, adopting and implementing them requires active involvement and support from other sectors beyond health, including other areas of the Government and civil society.

“We need to empower civil society to be advocates, to help us get the political commitment that is necessary,” said Etienne. This week’s meeting concluded with Caribbean lead-

ers renewing their commitment to the principles set out in Caricom’s 2007 Port of Spain Declaration as well as in the 2011 political declaration of the United Nations’ (UN) High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the formal 2014 UN review of progress on NCDs.

Participants called for particular focus on the following: strengthening of health systems; prioritised investment in primary health care; strengthening of surveillance and data collection systems, including through bilateral and regional cooperation; support from and collaboration with international development partners and inter-governmental organisations and ensuring that NCD prevention and control remain high on the Caribbean political agenda.

The “Forum of Key Stakeholders on NCDs: Advancing the NCD agenda in the Caribbean” was organised by PAHO/WHO in collaboration with the Health Ministry of Barbados and took place on June 8-9 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Participants included Ministers and other highlevel delegates from Health Ministries, social services, environment, population, and development; Chief Medical Officers; and representatives of Caricom, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, United Nations agencies, collaborating agencies from Canada and the United States, development banks, academia and civil society.

EU Delegation Head, Ambassador Robert Kopecký

Association calls on Pharmacists to educate Guyanese about medicines

As Guyana joined in the observance of Commonwealth Pharmacy Day on Tuesday, the Guyana Pharmacists’ Association extended warm greetings to all Pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and students throughout Guyana.

In highlighting the importance of the day, the Association said in a statement, the Pharmacist was the most accessible member of the health team. “It has been recognised that access to medicines itself does not automatically result in the best state of health. For optimal health outcomes to be achieved, access to medicines must be accompanied with pharmaceutical expertise and this is where the pharmacist is invaluable.”

The Association urged Pharmacists to not see their roles as mere dispensers of medication, but as front-line providers of information. “In essence, we are all counsellors on pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medications and general health matters. Since we, as Pharmacists, are key information providers in the health-care team, our mandate should be to educate all Guyanese through public awareness on issues relating to pharmacy practice.”

The Guyana Pharmacists’ Association said in commemoration of the day it wished to share some important information with the Guyanese public on antibiotic resistance, a growing public health concern.

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance can be explained as an antibiotic having lost the ability to effectively kill or control the growth of bacteria. This means that the bacteria continue to multiply even in the presence of therapeutic levels of antibiotics. These medicines become ineffective

because the microbes mutate or acquire genetic information from other microbes. Antimicrobial resistance includes antibacterial resistance, antiviral resistance, antiparasitic resistance and antifungal resistance. The last class of antibiotics, the Fluoroquinolones, was produced in the 1980s after which there was a void in the discovery of antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern for Governments. As such, they have begun to pay keen attention to this problem that threatens conventional antibiotic therapy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that without urgent action we are heading to “A post-antibiotic era – in which common infections and minor injuries can kill –far from being an apocalyptic fantasy, this is instead a very real possibility for the 21st century”.

WHO’s first global report on antimicrobial resistance released in April 2014 states that resistance to common bacteria has reached alarming levels in many parts of the world, indicating that many of the available treatment options for common infections in some settings are becoming ineffective. There were high proportions of resistance reported in all regions, to common treatments, both in the hospital and community settings. As a result, treatment options for common infections are dwindling. National data from WHO regions on E coli, K pneumonia and S aureus showed that the proportion resistant to commonly used specified antibacterial drugs exceeded 50 per cent in many settings. There is a scarcity of new classes of antibacterial drugs to treat Gram-negative bacteria and this poses an additional problem. This has a negative effect on patient outcomes and healthcare expenditure.

Local multi-drug resistance

The Pharmacists’ Association

Parties must allow internal democracy to prevent fallouts

Dear Editor,

The PPPC made a terrible blunder in its internal party politics in not allowing a closed vote in 2011 in selecting its Presidential Candidate and paid a heavy price at the polls.

Parties must allow internal democracy and joint leadership to prevent fallouts that would cause it the government. Several key figures who were interested in the nomination of President, or some other high profile position, left the party over the issue on internal democracy - closed vote and joint (rotating) leadership.

Dismissed as a “nonentity” by his former colleagues, Moses Ngamootoo took with him a significant amount of the PPPC base, costing the party its majority in November 2011.

Advised on reconciliation, Moses was again dismissed as a non-entity, unable to prevent a victory of the PPPC. In the May 2015 elections, Moses was able to hold on to a signifi-

cant chunk of the votes he received in 2011 and add new voters to his support base.

While the PPPC was able to win office but not a majority in 2011, last month, the PPPC was ejected from office. The party did not learn much from its errors and arrogance since 2011 – reconciliation was not pursued (as recommended by analysts) and the party a heavy price. Moses denied the PPPC a victory for a second time.

Moses enabled the opposition coalition to win an astonishing victory in the election. Indians supported him for change in governance.

But one month into the new government, there has not been “change”, only exchange – PPPC dominance has been replaced with PNC (and its supporters’) dominance and there has not been any political, party or ethnic equity in distribution of office holders.

Vishnu Bisram

said preliminary studies indicate that there is a multi-drug resistance problem in Guyana. One of the resolutions adopted at the World Health Assembly on May 24, 2014 in Geneva was that of antimicrobial drug resistance. The Assembly urged Governments to strengthen national action and international collaboration which requires sharing the extent of resistance and the use of antibiotics in humans and animals; and also involves improving awareness among health providers and the public of the threat posed by resistance. The Assembly also emphasised the need for responsible use of antibiotics, and the importance of good hand hygiene, vaccinations, proper sanitation and clean water, and infection control in health facilities.

“Pharmacists are reminded to counsel their patients with regard to antibiotic use and physicians are also reminded not to prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily. Consumers are asked not to purchase antibiotics over-the-counter and self-treat with antibiotics, this can lead to serious consequences where life-threatening illnesses may not be cured. Antibiotics are only to be used when prescribed by a physician and the entire course should be taken even if the patient feels better. Never share antibiotics with others or use leftover antibiotics.

It is essential to take appropriate measures to preserve the efficacy of the existing antimicrobial drugs so that common and life-threatening infections can be cured.”

“Let us all work together for the betterment of the health of our nation,” Pharmacists’ Association encouraged. It called on all Pharmacists to celebrate their profession and to reach out to patients/ clients utilising every opportunity to disseminate information that will truly help to improve the quality of life for all in 2015 and beyond.

President attends remembrance service for late Bishop Moss

Head of State David Granger, on Tuesday, attended a remembrance service for the late Anglican Bishop of Guyana, Reverend Cornell Moss at the St George’s Cathedral in Georgetown.

The service which honoured the life and work of Bishop Moss was attended by many as he was described as a man who touched the lives of countless individuals during his stint in Guyana. Hymns were sung and prayers offered in remembrance of the late Bishop.

Moss died on May 30 in Miami, Florida where he was recuperating from heart surgery, reports suggest. The retired Reverend Moss, who is a native of The Bahamas, died mid afternoon after suffering a relapse. He had been the Bishop of Guyana since December 2009. He was born on December 31, 1959, and educated at Codrington College, Barbados and Nashotah House, Wisconsin. Moss was ordained a Deacon on January 5, 1983, and

Ram, Goolsarran compromising their personal integrity

Dear Sir,

I find myself so troubled by Mr Christopher Ram and Mr Anand Goolsarran taking up the jobs with the new government as auditors. I always thought that these two men were people with some integrity, but now I am left wondering what to think.

I think that of all people, these two should have insisted that President Granger go through all the proper channels of advertising and tendering the jobs, then selecting independent auditors who have never criticized the previous government.

I do not know how anybody will be able to take their findings seriously when they were always attacking the PPPC for corruption.

And since Granger chose these two for the jobs, we must wonder if it is understood what they are to “find”. It looks like a set-up.

If the government is so sure that the PPPC was corrupt, then they would have

chosen auditors who were independent and whose findings no one would question or find suspect, wouldn’t they?

I think Ram and Goolsarran are compromising their personal integrity in allowing themselves to be part of this charade. It is not too late for them to give up the job and excuse themselves.

They know they were critical of the previous government and if they too want the new government and the Guyanese people to take the results of any audit seriously, they should be the first ones to insist on independent auditors being hired.

As it is, we know what they will “find”. They were always saying how the PPPC was corrupt; so of course they will “find” all kinds of things wrong. If not, they will look the fools, won’t they?

Shanie Jagessar

Priest on January 5, 1984 by Bishop Michael Hartley Eldon, the 11th Bishop of Nassau and The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He was appointed Curate at Christ the King Parish, Ridgeland Park, Nassau, Bahamas, and Rector of St John the Baptist Parish on Marsh Harbour, Abaco in September, 1986.

After six-and-a-half years, he was appointed the second Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Freeport in March 1992.

In 2000, he became Archdeacon of the Northern Bahamas and was elected Bishop in August, 2009. Shortly after his death, a Book of Condolence was opened at the Austin’s House in Kingstown, Georgetown, which was once home to the late, Anglican Bishop. Among the first to sign the book, was Head of State David Granger. Describing Reverend Moss as “a breath of fresh air in the Diocese of Guyana,” the President said he departed far too soon. (GINA)

Hope Canal fulfilling the dreams of...

While I was not personally involved in this significant project, I witnessed the many challenges and constraints, both human and natural which inhibited the acceleration of the project. The tireless commitment by the consultants, the CEO Mr Lionel Wordsworth, engineers and workers must not go unnoticed.

It was the spirit of dedication and cooperation that took precedence in the entire project. Comments, both supportive and critical, were drawing the attention of the Public, both locally and internationally.

These expressions were inevitable and inescapable leaving the ordinary people with doubts in their minds pertaining to the project’s fulfillment.

At an unofficial opening on June 13, I was invited by Dr Narine to seek divine intervention to bless and safeguard the temporary outlet which facilitated the

outflow of excessive waters from the conservancy.

The damns were threatened by the force of excessive water which could lead to possible overtopping and breach.

Dr Narine, Mr Wordsworth and other engineers and workers were transfixed in their expression as the excavators were opening the dam creating a pathway accessible to the main channel. It was an emotional moment for all those who witnessed this spectacle.

Congratulations must be given to all those who diligently applied themselves to create this success.

May the Minister of Agriculture, CEO of NDIA and the other leaders continue to be inspired with vision which will undoubtedly add to the confidence to the citizen of Guyana.

Pt Ravi Persaud

President David Granger greeting widow Carol Moss, at the service observing the passing of her husband, Anglican Bishop of Guyana, retired Reverend Cornell Moss

wednesday, june 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Players pay dispute resolved, say WICB/WIPA

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) say a lingering dispute over the structure of payments to its international players has been resolved following a period of mediation.

WIPA and WICB say resolution was reached during a formal mediation session that ran for five days in Barbados last month before the start of Australia’s short test tour of the Caribbean.

Agreement was reached on the quantity of sponsorship received by WICB to be passed on to its international players, said a joint statement released late Monday.

“During May, the WICB and WIPA participated by mutual consent in a formal mediation process over a period of five days to consider the question of what level of sponsorship funds received by the WICB should international players receive and how that amount should be distributed,” the joint statement said.

“In addition to resolving this issue, the WICB and WIPA were able to reach a greater and more consistent

understanding of the MOU and CBA by clarifying the underlying agreed principles of player payments for a period of four years”.

The pay dispute led to the West Indies cricketers cutting short their tour of Indian last October in controversial circumstances and forcing the Indian cricket board to file a compensation claim of nearly US 42

million dollars against the WICB.

A clear schedule of payments to players has been drawn-up and minor amendments have been made to the memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), said the joint statement.

WICB and WIPA have reported that the new ar-

rangements, including the player payment schedule, were also discussed with West Indies cricketers during a meeting in Barbados before the start of the Australian tour.

“A clear and unambiguous schedule of all types of anticipated player payments during this period has been drawn up and minor amendments to the MOU and CBA

(including the standard player contract) to provide for such compensation has been made,” the statement explained.

“This solution, including the player payment schedule, was also shared and discussed with the players on the weekend of May 23 and 24 in Barbados, prior to the start of the Australia Tour of the West Indies, so that the risk of any future dispute is minimised to the greatest extent possible”.

The outcome was achieved with the assistance of an independent panel that included representatives of the International Cricket Council, the World governing body for the sport, and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, the global organization that coordinates the activities of all the players’ associations that represent professional cricketers.

“We’re all happy to have reached this outcome. It brings greater stability to our relationship with the players and that’s something that we all want and we’re thrilled that we have been able to achieve it,” said

chief Executive Officer of the WICB Michael Muirhead.

“There was a tremendous amount of respect and a great degree of compromise forged by a desire and a willingness to bring about resolution through mediation. Once both sides understood that we were both looking for the best for West Indies cricket, we got things worked out.”

The mediation panel was chaired by Brian Young, a retired senior partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers Jamaica, who currently serves on the board of directors of a number of Caribbean firms.

The other members of the panel were Iain Higgins, general counsel of the International Cricket Council, appointed by the WICB, and Ian Smith, a sports governance consultant, appointed by WIPA.

“The mediation process went very well,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of WIPA Wavell Hinds.

“This represents the best payment scheme for all players in the present reality of West Indies cricket.” (CMC)

Murray wins opening match at Queen’s Nadal crashes put of Queen’s

Andy Murray made a winning start to his grass-court season with a straight-sets win over qualifier YenHsun Lu at Queen’s Club.

The Briton won 6-4 7-5 at the Aegon Championships and will play Spain’s Fernando Verdasco in round two.

Murray, the top seed and a three-time champion, fell behind in both sets but came through in one hour and 19 minutes.

“I’ve had good runs here, I love playing here,” Murray told BBC Sport.

“But it’s an extremely strong field this year, stronger I think than any years previously, so I’m going to have to play good tennis if I want to do well this week.”

On a day when Rafael Nadal made a shock early exit, Murray avoided a similar fate despite some edgy moments against Lu.

The 31-year-old from Chinese Taipei is ranked 63rd but made it through qualifying and can point to a Wimbledon quarter-final appearance on his CV, albeit five years ago, and a win over Murray at the Olympics in 2008.

Lu certainly looked at ease on the grass as he broke serve in game five with a running forehand pass, jolting Murray to life.

The Scot, 28, broke straight back and appeared to have the match under control when a Lu error gave him the set.

There were signs of rustiness, however, when Murray let a 40-0 lead slip at the start of the second and Lu consolidated for a 2-0 lead.

With Swede Jonas Bjorkman - on coaching duties this week - watching from courtside, Murray hauled himself level again at 2-2 with a forehand into the corner.

With serve then holding sway, a tiebreak loomed and the possibility of a third set, but Murray averted that danger at 6-5 by taking his first match point with a forehand lob.

“I felt like I moved pretty well,” Murray added. “I didn’t start the match off serving so well but I got that rhythm more in the second set.

“I felt like I hit the ball well from the back of the court but could have served a bit better today.” (BBC Sport)

Rafael Nadal made an early exit at Queen’s Club with a three-set defeat by unseeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The Spanish fifth seed led by a break in the final set but went down 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 in round one of the Aegon Championships.

Nadal, 29, had arrived in London following victory at the Stuttgart grass-court event on Sunday.

French Open champion Stan Wawrinka and title-holder Grigor Dimitrov both progressed.

Wawrinka began his grass-court season with a 6-3 6-4 win over Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, and Dimitrov completed a 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Sam Querrey.

Britain’s Andy Murray plays Taiwanese qualifier Yen-Hsun Lu later on Tuesday, before US Open champion Marin Cilic plays Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

Nadal made a slow start against Dolgopolov, dropping serve immediately

and almost falling a double break behind.

Dolgopolov served out the first set with little fuss, keeping Nadal at bay with his unorthodox mix of pace and spin, and had his first chance to win the match at 6-5 in the tie-break in the second set.

A swinging serve saved Nadal and the 2008 champion seemingly made the decisive move early in the third, converting his first break point after one hour and 42 minutes.

However, a time violation followed for the Spaniard and Dolgopolov got back on level terms at 4-4, fending off three break points before grabbing his second match point with a forehand winner.

Second seed Wawrinka had earlier impressed in his first match since winning at Roland Garros, needing just 49 minutes to see off Kyrgios, last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing already,” he told BBC Sport.

The Swiss goes on to face big-serving South African Kevin Anderson in the second round of the Wimbledon warm-up event.

Kyrgios said afterwards that he had been “sick for the last week”, adding: “I just felt uncomfortable the whole time.

“He hit the ball massive, free swinging out there. I almost found it difficult to get myself engaged and didn’t want to be there.”

Wawrinka responded: “It doesn’t really surprise me. When I read his interviews, it’s always funny, a lot of things you can take.

“When I read before the match, he was ready, excited for the challenge, and now he is sick.

(BBC Sport)

West Indies players’ payment issued settled

Andy Murray

Rafael Nadal

KKR CEO talks up stake in TT Red Steel

The CEO of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, says their decision to purchase a stake in Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel was the best choice for the organization.

Venky Mysore, also the Managing Director of KKR, says T&T’s demographics and financial stability helped them to arrive at their decision.

T and T have produced some of the leading T20 players in the world who have plied their trade in the lucrative IPL.

“When this situation came along and we wanted to get involved, we felt T&T was the best choice because of the demographics of the country as well as its finan-

cial capability,” said Mysore in an interview with the Guardian.

“T&T is a growing middle-class society so when the CPL contacted us we were quite excited about it. T&T has a connection to India and Bollywood and we felt it made sense to get involved.”

Red Steel is among six teams vying for honours in the third edition of the CPL which begins this weekend.

Mysore has promised that KKR, twice IPL champions, will bring its best practices to the Red Steel, including a winning mentality.

“We want to build our fan base and take KKR to another level. Our fan base is the biggest out of all the IPL teams,” said Mysore.

“We realize it is essen-

tial to build a brand and we can take T&T to another level. What we do in KKR will benefit T&T and vice versa. I think we will favourably impact viewership in India.”

Top West Indies players Sunil Narine of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica’s Andre Russell currently represent KKK while other regional players have had successful careers in the IPL such as Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Lendl Simmons.

Bravo and South African duo Jacques Kallis and Johan Botha will line up for the T&T Red Steel in this season’s IPL.

“Our intention is to come in and learn and not impose all our ideas. We want to absorb and meet all the new people,” said Mysore.

“There is a lot to like about Caribbean cricketers; we have the pleasure of having Narine and Russell at KKR. Players from the Caribbean play with aggressiveness and enjoy their cricket. They are tailor-made for T20 cricket.”

The CPL will begin on Saturday with defending champions Barbados Tridents playing Guyana Amazon Warriors.

T&T Red Steel will play its first match against St Lucia Zouks at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Sunday. (CMC)

olympic Day cycling set for national Park

riders will have a chance to showcase their skills on Saturday at the National Park

The world will celebrate Olympic Day on Saturday, and Guyana will join in the observance with several events planned by the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

One such activity will be coordinated by national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed, who has been entrusted with running off the cycling aspect of the day’s proceedings.

The inner circuit of the National Park will serve as the venue for the cycling event, with action pedalling

Kallis to join TT Red Steel today

South African allrounder Jacques Kallis will join the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in St Lucia today ahead of their opening match of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Sunday against the Zouks, manager Colin Borde has confirmed.

Borde said the inclusion of other international players, the likes of Cameron Delport and Johan Botha also from South Africa and Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal, will add strength to the Red Steel.

“I think we have gotten more experience players in,” Borde said in an interview with the Express.

“With the inclusion of Kallis, Akmal, Delport and Botha we have now strengthened in terms of flexibility in terms of the batting orders and certainly in terms of support for the captain in terms of experience and versatility”.

Red Steel has already started preparations for the third installment of the CPL which runs from June 20th to July 26th.

Borde, who has been with the Red Steel since the inaugural CPL, believes feels the T&T-based franchise has the right formula for success this season.

“We have four spinners in young Derone Davis, Botha, Samuel Badree and Sulieman Benn and we also have Jason Mohammed if needed,” he said.

“So we have some flexibility in terms of the batting order, the bowling options and we have experience so I think we have the right formula for success”.

The Red Steel Manager is also predicting that this season will be the most competitive since the start of the CPL.

He says after two seasons teams have done their homework and have

strengthened their outfits.

“I think the coaches have understood that playing in the Caribbean presents a different style of cricket and I think all of the teams have done their homework,” Borde explained.

“Two seasons have gone and the teams have gotten smarter in terms of the way they play the game and I think this year is going to be very competitive”.

The CPL bowls off on Saturday with defending champions the Barbados Tridents taking on last year’s runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors. (CMC)

Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition starts today

The 2015 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition is set to begin today with three matches at different venues.

off at 09:00h. Five races are carded for the day with the BMX riders taking centre stage.

There will be rivalry in the BMX Boys Open (3 laps); BMX Boys 12-14 (3 laps); BMX Boys 9-12 (3 laps) and the BMX Boys 6-9 (2 laps).

An addition to this year’s activity is a special 10-lap race featuring 12-14, Juvenile and Junior riders. Representatives of the GOA will be on hand to witness the races and assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion.

In the opening fixture, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, West Demerara Secondary take on L’Aventure Secondary from 15:30h, while at the Education Ministry Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, Richard Ishmael tackles GTC, also at 15:30h.

In the other fixture at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground, the hosts play New Silver City at 15:30h as well. Scouts, Technical Directors, Head Coaches and fans will now have

the opportunity to witness Guyana’s future stars in action during the biggest school football tournament in the nation.

Play in the competition will continue on Thursday with four matches at various venues, with all matches.

At Wisburg Ground, Mackenzie High collide with Linden Foundation, while Tagore Secondary and Manchester Secondary clash at Skeldon Community Centre Ground.

At Tucville Ground, Greater Georgetown, Tucville Secondary play hosts to David Rose, while at Grove, East Bank Demerara, Friendship Secondary square off

against Apex Secondary.

On Friday, five matches are scheduled at different venues as Soesdyke Secondary are set to tackle Covent Garden at Grove, while Houston Secondary and St Mary’s engage each other at Tucville.

Stewartville then tackle Endeavour at Leonora and Hope Secondary and La Bonne Intention Secondary square off at Victoria, while New Amsterdam Technical Institute goes up against Corentyne at Burnham Park.

The defending champion is Christianburg/Wismar Secondary who have won the tournament three consecutive times in its fouryear history.

Young

National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed

Flashback: Christianburg Wismar Secondary as 2014 champions

Jacques Kallis

Venky Mysore

wednesday, june 17, 2015

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Rain ruins Amazon Warriors...

“Yesterday [Monday], we had a lot of dot balls, I think seven and a half overs worth of dot balls in 20 overs, which is a lot. It’s something that I’ve spoken to the lads about and will continue to drive home and try to get better, but that was totally unacceptable,” Hooper stressed. He continued, “They’re professional and let it be known that we can’t hope to do well in the competition and [be] batting in that manner. We probably just got to show a little bit more intent. I’m positive we’ll rectify it.”

One of the positives Hooper mentioned was the progress of the fast bowlers, Ronsford Beaton and Paul Wintz, who both played on the Guyana Select XI side in a deliberate attempt to get them to be proactive.

“We try to work on them being proactive and en-

gage their captain in active discussions. We don’t want them to bowl three good balls and then get hit for four and then react. It was good to see last night [Monday], Beaton especially was very good with his variations. Wintz probably didn’t bowl as well in his first spell, but certainly when he came back bowling to [Christopher] Barnwell, he got him out lbw first ball with a good yorker, so these are things we focus on. Know what you want to do, back yourself to do it, so that was good to see, but still a little bit to work on,” Hooper explained.

In other team news, Hooper confirmed that Sri Lankan all-rounders Tillekaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera will be available for the first four games, while their compatriot, fast bowler Lasith Malinga is out of the tournament with

an injury.

The promising South African speedster Merchant De Lange has been named as Malinga’s replacement and will feature from the start of the competition, while another South African, allrounder David Wiese, and the flamboyant Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal will come in for Dilshan and Perera, when they depart the Caribbean for international duty on July 5.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors are looking to go one step further and win the competition for the first time this year after finishing as runners-up the previous two years, in 2013 against Jamaica Tallawahs and last year against the Barbados Tridents.

The other participating franchises are St Lucia Zouks, newcomers St Kitts Patriots and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

Smith fires warning to...

Q. As a wider point what are you looking forward to most in this year’s competition? What gets you really excited about the CPL?

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

A: Every game that we play in T20 gets me excited so I just want to get there and I know that the crowds are going to come out because they love the format of the game. I just want to get out there mainly to see my daughter in the stands smiling, knowing her father has just performed out there and the team has just performed because I know she won’t back another team for sure. It’s her dad’s team or no one’s team. I just want to get out there and play because I know the crowds are ready for the T20 cricket. I just want get out there and put in some performances for sure.

Q. What’s it like playing with Kieron Pollard, what does he bring to the Tridents as the captain of the franchise?

A: First of all the experience, he’s been captain of the team for two years now so he knows most of the players now and also very positive going about the team. Having said that, working alongside him is Robin Singh. He has helped us win games, the record and the improvement is there to see. We have added Vasbert Drakes, who we know is going to do a good job as well, especially with the bowlers he has been doing it for the

last two or three years now. We have seen that it has paid off with the West Indies women’s team as well. But Pollard, he is the person who I cling to from the start just because we have the same mind-set. Over the years he has matured so much, I know people don’t always see it but he has matured so much as a cricketer and now as a captain and as a person. I have learned so much from that I have put into my life outside of cricket and in cricket as well. He is a good person, he means good and that is why a lot of good falls upon him. He wins almost every competition he plays in. So he has the luck, he is a winner, and that is something that affects us. I’m sure that he knows that and everyone in the team knows that. He has our full backing, the team have a lot of respect for him and I love to see that.

“T20 cricket is one of the best games that was ever created” - Dwayne Smith

Q. You mentioned Robin Singh, is he the best coach you have worked under?

A: Robin changed my whole cricket career, especially when it comes to batting. He is one person that I will never ever forget along with a few others that have changed my life in cricket. He helped me to understand myself. Even when I’m doing something now I pick it up really easily instead of someone having to tell me. For ex-

ample when I play on pitches that keep low, he taught me to watch the ball much longer and just trying to stay as still as possible, to me he just made it so easy.

Q. For someone coming to Barbados for the start of the tournament, what three things you recommend they go and do?

A: Go to the beach as number one. I’ve picked up a new sport now in golf, I think it’s the best games I’ve played and there are plenty of great courses on the island. Then just the nightlife anywhere.

Q. You mentioned the nightlife, so if you score a century, whose buying the drinks?

A: I don’t think we have a particular person, we all buy drinks. Sometimes someone will just go ahead and do it but there’s nothing that we worry about, we don’t worry about it that too much.

Q. Finally, for someone who might be attending the CPL for the first time this summer what should they expect to see?

A: To sell T20 cricket is easy, because the cricket is great. You get to have fun, have a few beers and watch cricket. What more could you want? In the CPL you can watch big hits, wickets, amazing players. It’s a lovely family feel and I’m sure that the locals will love to have a drink with you. It’s one of the best games that was ever created. (CPL.com) from back page

The covers were on all day at the Guyana National Stadium (Avenash Ramzan photo)

Lumumba outlines reasons for Golden Jags’ loss

Alpha United Club

President Odinga Lumumba outlined the possible reasons Guyana could not pull off a win in order to move on in the World Cup qualifiers when the Golden Jaguars drew with St Vincent and the Grenadines 4-4 on Sunday. The locals had less away goals that the “Vincy Heat” team.

“I think the problem there is a couple issues, there is not enough football

being played, we don’t have match readiness nor fitness and our players are not up to par,” Lumumba highlighted at a press briefing at his office on Monday. In addition, Lumumba has no issues with having foreign players on the team, since at this juncture it makes the team better.

“I don’t deal with overseas and local players once they’re Guyanese and could play, why not? If our lo-

cal guys are not ready and don’t have match fitness and these guys who have more games and better credentials than most of the locals they should play … everyone else does it,” Lumumba stated.

However, Lumumba said that Guyana’s biggest problem locally is player development, “We have to look at development, we need to bring them in around 12 years old and have national tourna-

ments and spot the talent and then develop it: Neymar and Messi and those guys have been training at a really early age,” he noted.

Lumumba also pointed out that investment in the players and coaching staff is critical to success since he believes that “volunteering services is a thing of the past”.

Meanwhile, with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) elections supposedly

set for September, Lumumba noted that he has not made a decision on whether or not he was interested in running for President of the Federation, but highlighted that he was willing to work with a group of people.

“It is not an individual thing, I’m willing to work with a group of people who wants betterment for the sport and would be willing to invest in the sport,” Lumumba stated.

GSSF pays courtesy call on Minister Henry Republic Bank renews sponsorship of RHTY&SC camp

Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited has renewed its longstanding sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) annual educational camp for the ninth successive year.

The camp, which is being organised by the Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets First Division and Pepsi Under-19 teams, would be for Grade Six students preparing for secondary schools in September.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster stated that 60 students drawn from the four primary schools in the Rose Hall Town catchment area would be part of the student camp which will be conducted by senior teacher Rohan Etwaru. They will be taught basic Spanish, English A, English B, Social Studies,

Mathematics and History.

The students will be involved in several lectures on topics of importance, including drug abuse, importance of education, suicide, peer pressure and public manners and would also be exposed to basic coaching in the sporting disciplines of cricket, volleyball, basketball and circle tennis.

Foster expressed confidence that the camp would meet all of its objectives and that the students would be fully prepared for entrance into secondary school come early September. The members of the RHT Gizmos and Gadgets First Division and RHT Pepsi Under-19 teams would also join the students in one community development project and have oneon-one personal development discussion with them as part of a peer role model project.

Foster lauded the con-

tribution of Republic Bank, which apart from the camp, will also co-sponsor the RHTY&SC annual awards ceremony, annual review magazine, annual cricket academy and charity programmes among others.

Special mention was made of Rose Hall Branch Manager Harry Dass Ghaness and Assistant Manager Seema Brijemal for their cooperation over the years.

The sponsorship package for the five-week camp, which starts on July 7, is $160,000. A total of 545 students have passed through the camp since it first started.

Interested parents of Grade Six students from the Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, Tain and Belvedere schools are asked to contact the Club on 3374562 or email foster_hilbert@yahoo.com.

Board members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) on Monday paid a courtesy call on Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry who has responsibility for sport.

During the visit at the Department of Youth, Culture and Sport on Main Street, Georgetown, GSSF President Vidushi Persaud, Vice President Michael Blake and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Ryan McKinnon discussed with the Minister their plans for the future and gave an update as to their accomplishments thus far.

They reported on affiliations, stating that the GSSF is affiliated to three international bodies – the Steel Challenge Shooting Association, the Amateur

Trapshooting Association, and more recently, the World Archery Federation.

In keeping with its objective to promote the growth of sport shooting locally, the members of the Board indicated that they will be starting regulated Amateur Trap Shooting and Archery shortly. The Minister expressed her commitment to working with the Federation and posited that she also looked forward to introducing archery as a sport to Guyana with a focus on both indoor and outdoor archery.

She will be giving crucial input in this area, especially since it involves two other areas she is passionate about: youth and education. The Federation is currently in discussion to bring an internationally renowned archer very soon to Guyana.

The archer’s years of experience in competing at World Cup events and technical expertise will aid in the establishing of archery on a solid foundation, the GSSF said.

Minister Henry further indicated she was excited to work with the GSSF in promoting and developing the various sport shooting disciplines.

“The Ministry and the GSSF look forward to working together to build a stronger working relationship to the benefit of all Guyanese as the Federation continues to uphold its recognition as a sporting body promoting sport, specifically in the field of sport shooting, locally, regionally and internationally. For more info visit the website: www.guyanasportshooting.com,” the GSSF said in a release.

Odinga Lumumba

Minister with responsibility for Sport in the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry (second right), with some of the Directors of the GSSF Board

Customer Service Representative Lisa Balprashad (centre) presents the sponsorship cheque to RHTY&SC member Mark Papannah. Looking on are staff members Harry Dass Ghaness, Seema Brijemal and Christopher Phagoo

Silver Jubilee 1990-2015

George breaks own 400m national record

Olympic hopeful

Winston George is gearing up to make a push towards qualifying for the 400 metres event with a sensational run on Sunday.

George clocked a blistering 45.31s to eclipse Guyana’s national record of 45.57s that he had set.

The 2012 Olympian is currently training in the USA, under Coach Joe Ryan who coached Commonwealth gold medallist Aliann Pompey. Meanwhile, Stephan James was also in the event and brought second behind James clocking a personal best time of 45.75s.

Blairmont, D’Edward and Tamarind Root declare teams

Three teams have been declared by clubs as the preparation for the historic Assuria Insurance five-over knockout tournament continues.

The tournament has been shifted from June 21 to June 28 at the request of the sponsor and would consist of 12 teams vying for top honours at the Albion Sports Complex.

The winning team is guaranteed $70,000 and a trophy, the runner-up $50,000 and a trophy and the losing semifinalists $20,000 and a trophy each. Tamarind Root of Hampshire, and Blairmont and D’Edward cricket clubs have named strong teams for the tournament.

Below are the respective squads.

Tamarind Root squad reads: Adrian Singh (Captain); Mahendra Ramdial (Vice Captain); Dilip Rengasammy; Ajay Ramsasammy; Avinash Looknauth; Prem Deonarine; Altaf Mohamed;

GRFU releases report on NACRA performance

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) released its report on the recently-concluded North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Seven’s Championships and Olympic Qualifiers pointing out where the team fell down.

Kevin Madramuthu; Kunal Mangal; Linden Austin; Andy Mohan; Ranga Rangasammy; Shastri Persaud and Javed Mohamed.

D’Edward squad reads: Jaipaul Heeralall (Captain); Eon Abel; Pooran Persaud; Keith Fraser; Heeralall Bridgelall; Dinanauth Persaud; Dishawn Phillips; Altaf Khan; Mahadeo Persaud; Navin Rampersaud; Christain France; Hoolsarran Lalsa; Abdool Subhan; Lakeraj Sukra and Jonothan Chowramottoo.

Blairmont squad reads: Nick Ramsaroop (Captain); Shabeer Baksh (Player/Coach); Avishkar Sewkarran; Mahendra Singh; Zammeer Inshan; Javid Karim; Permanand Ramdhan; Derrick Cadogan; Waqar Hassan; Philburg Wilburge; Rameshwar Somwaru; Chandradatt Veersammy; Nigel Trotz; Romesh Boodram and Azad Isihack.

Guyana finished fifth overall in the Olympic qualifiers, while losing their championship and finishing third in the NACRA tournament. Here is the full content of the report:

Despite starting their defence of their 2014 title in the Pool B Group with wins over the Bahamas 38-19 and Trinidad and Tobago 295, crucial losses to Canada 51-0 and Cayman Islands 14-12 relegated the champions to the Olympic qualifier playoffs for fifth place and third place at the NACRA Caribbean Championships with a consolation win against Jamaica 19-5.

The game against the Cayman Islands seemed heading for a favourable result in the Green Machine’s favour until a crucial and unnecessary mistake on the right wing by winger King, who could not gain possession of a ball headed his way which was snatched by an opposing player following through for an easy try as the other Guyanese defenders looked on.

Even more disappointing was the failure by former captain Gonsalves to convert a relatively simple conversion which would have seen the score tied at 14 all. Guyana’s porous defence needs to be addressed by the management of the men’s team.

Last year’s runner s-up Mexico were able to dominate their Caribbean championship game against the Cayman Islands 26-19. Top teams USA and Canada played the qualifier finals against each other with the Eagles totally dominating their opponents through ex-

hilarating attacking skills to win 24-5 and gain the sole qualifying spot to Rio 2016.

Canada and Mexico now go through to the final qualifier to be played against the teams of the other regional associations that placed second and third in their qualifiers.

The women’s segment of the Caribbean competition saw the Guyanese girls returning after an absence of three years giving as good as they got in their matches.

Despite losing to Trinidad 34-12 in the opening game followed by Mexico 27-7, they continued to improve beating

The Bahamas 21-12 before going into the elimination game losing to Jamaica 240, conquering The Bahamas 24-0 a second time before falling to Cayman Islands in a narrowly lost fifth-place final 12-5, but still placed higher than The Bahamas and Barbados.

The work in so short a time by Coach Chase and this support staff has revealed a new upcoming group of players that can likewise be described as rough diamonds needing polish. The future looks bright for women’s rugby.

The Olympic Qualifier

for the women saw powerhouse USA coming up against a game and determined but painfully inadequate Mexican squad, running away with a lopsided 88-0 score.

USA Women now join Canada who qualified via the World Series route in the women’s segment to represent North America. Guyana men’s team finish their international participation for 2015 at the TO 2015 Pan American Championships in Toronto next month, coming up against USA, Canada, Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico.

Winston George

The male and female rugby team before departing for North Carolina for the 2015 NACRA Championships and Olympic qualifiers

Nick Ramsaroop

Assuria Insurance 5-over Cup

Eon Abel

Rain ruins Amazon Warriors final practice game

– players head off to Barbados today

Carl Hooper: “I’m fairly confident: we’ve prepared well, and we should do well”

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Amazon Warriors were robbed of some vital match practice on Tuesday evening when the second warm-up game was aborted without a ball being bowled at the Guyana National Stadium,

Providence.

Intermittent rainfall throughout the day meant that the players were forced to pass time indoors, as they also could not utilise the practice area.

The game was due to begin at 18:00h, but was called off minutes after the scheduled start, limiting the Amazon Warriors to just a solitary practice match ahead of Saturday’s start of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In that match on Monday at the same venue, the Amazon Warriors made 1316 and the Guyana Select XI responded with 134-6.

The Amazon Warriors will head off to Barbados today to face the host franchise and defending champions Barbados Tridents in the opening game this weekend, in what is a repeat of last year’s final.

Despite Tuesday’s setback, Head Coach Carl Hooper is confident the team

are in good shape heading into the tournament, following the culmination of the one-week training camp.

“The rain interfered a lot. I think the important thing was to get a hit out yesterday

[Monday], and while it wasn’t the desired result, what it did was to give some key players like a Brad Hodge a chance to play at this venue for the first time, and we’ve got four games in six days here so I

Smith fires warning to CPL challengers!

On Saturday 20 June, the 2015 Caribbean Premier League will kick off in style with a rematch of the 2014 final, with champions Barbados Tridents hosting Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Kensington Oval.

“I’m sure we’re going to be victorious again” - Dwayne Smith

Dwayne Smith proved to be one of the most important cogs in the Tridents’ success last season, scoring 353 runs at an average of 44, including smashing two of the tourna-

ment’s four centuries. With the Biggest Party in Sport ready for relaunch, we caught up the explosive batsmen to gauge the mood in Barbados ahead of the opening match…

Q: You were part of the winning Tridents team last year, how confident are you of retaining the title this year?

A: Well I’m very confident. We’ve had a strong additions to our team. We have some more experienced guys that have played through the IPL, so I’m sure that we can put

up a good fight. Once we get some luck going and we play some good cricket, I am sure we are going to be victorious again.

Q. Have you got many thoughts ahead of the opening game against Guyana? With everything that went on around the final last year, do you think that’s the best way to open up the tournament?

A: Yeah I think it is. To our advantage we are playing at home, last time they played us there they beat us, but I’m sure we can come out victori-

ous this time. I know it’s going to be a serious match, it’s going to be a grudge match I would say, because we all know how the final ended last year, not our fault even though everyone blamed us. We are ready to go, I’m ready for sure. And I’m sure that our guys are ready to start off with a win.

“I just want to go out there mainly to see my daughter in the stands smiling” - Dwayne Smith

Q. What does it mean for you to be able to start the tournament at home in front of your home fans?

A: I always love playing at home, but it’s going to be normal for me. I don’t worry too much about the fans, I worry about my team. Once I perform with my team I know the fans will come. But I look to perform for myself and my team first, then anyone else comes after. But everyone loves to play at home because you’re more confident, your family is there, we have more backing, and hopefully we can put on a good show.

think that was important and critical. I’m fairly confident: we’ve prepared well, and we should do well,” Hooper said on Tuesday evening. The Australia-based former Guyana and West Indies

all-rounder highlighted that one of the major concerns coming out of the game on Monday was rotation of the strike, something he has addressed with the players.

Blazer secretly cooperated with Fifa investigation from 2011

Acorrupt Fifa official worked undercover for investigators for 18 months while on the governing body’s executive committee, it has emerged.

Chuck Blazer, 70, struck a deal with prosecutors in the United States after pleading guilty to charges of bribery, money laundering and tax evasion.

Details of that agreement have been revealed after a judge agreed to a request by five media groups.

The document shows Blazer was secretly co-operating from December 2011.

The American was on Fifa’s executive committee from 1997-2013.

Last month, US prosecutors indicted 14 Fifa officials on charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering involving tens of millions of dollars over 24 years. The 19-page co-operation agreement was signed in November 2013 - the day Blazer pleaded guilty - but references written agreements between himself and the US government dating back to 29 December 2011.

The document says: “The defendant agrees to furnish to the office all documents and other material that may be relevant to this investigation... and to participate in undercover activities pursuant to the specific instructions of law enforcement agents.”

The New York Daily News reported last year that Blazer had bugged meetings with executives at the London 2012 Olympics with a wire device concealed in a key fob. (BBC Sport)

Chuck Blazer

Hero CPL…

Dwayne Smith

Guyana Amazon Warriors players Paul Wintz, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith and Christopher Barnwell engage in a game of football moments before the game was called off