Guyana Times Daily - June 27, 2015

Jagdeo challenges Ram's “irrational” charge before High Court

Labourer

Guyanese singer Lisa Mary Punch was Friday evening crowned Miss World Guyana at the Marriott Hotel. In photo, Punch strikes a pose with Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes and Miss World Guyana 2014 Rafieya Hussain (Carl Croker photo)

saturday, june 27, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

1 dead, 2 injured in Coverden smash-up

One man is now dead while two others are injured following a head-on collision involving two cars along the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday morning.

The accident occurred at about 04:00h. The dead man has been identified as Marlon Forde, 38, a contractor of Lot P Adams Road, Soesdyke, EBD and the injured are Esther Meertins,

28, of Soedyke Back Road, EBD and Sheldon Mc Lennon, 41 of Danrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Meertins sustained a fracture jaw and a laceration to the head and was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, while Mc Lennon suffered a complete fracture to one of his knees. Up to late Friday morning, he was being treated at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Forde was reportedly in the back passenger’s seat at the time of the accident and received a puncture wound to his right temple, resulting in him bleeding to death. According to information received, Forde and Meertins were in a Toyota Spacio driven by “Cripple” (only name given) and were heading home after partying at Bamboo Bar, Garden of Eden, EBD. The other car, a taxi attached to the India Chief Taxi Service, driven by Mc Lennon, was reportedly heading to Georgetown. While information remains sketchy about the ac-

cident, it was observed that both cars incurred damage to the right sides. From all indications, upon the impact, the Toyota Spacio spun several times before crashing into a concrete bridge. Marlice Forde, twin sister to the now dead man, told Guyana Times that the family would have received the call about the accident at about 04:15h and they immediately rushed to the

scene which is just a village away. Upon arriving at the scene, she saw her brother sitting on the floor of the car and his head was on the rear seat. He was covered in blood and he was not moving which indicated that he had passed away.

“When we reach the scene, people tell we that after the accident happen they tried to call the Police and were not getting through…

apparently my brother was still alive and if the Police de respond at the same time, he might have been saved”, she told Guyana Times

She recalled seeing her brother when he left home at about 22:00h on Thursday evening and claimed that he was going to a karaoke in Timehri along with some friends. She was not sure where he went afterwards but from information gathered, he was heading home when the accident occurred.

A resident who rushed

senger and would have received the brunt of the impact. The female passenger and the driver walked out of the vehicle after it came to a halt.

The driver of the Spacio was reportedly under the influence of alcohol since they were seen drinking at the Bamboo Bar, Garden of Eden. They were also seen earlier in Timehri at the karaoke. The Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Both drivers are being

to the scene of the accident upon hearing the impact told this publication that Forde was alive but was bleeding profusely from his head. He too stated that the now dead man was the back seat pas-

questioned by investigators. Forde leaves to mourn his mother and nine siblings. His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Cocaine in shrimp...

… local agents hunting shipper US, Guyana cooperated for drug interception in NY

Local drug enforcement officers are now hunting for the shipper in connection with the 268 kilograms of cocaine that was shipped to the United States in shrimp last week, as they continue to work with their US counterparts to put a dent in the drug trade.

A top drug enforcement official here told Guyana Times on Friday that the cocaine was detected ever since it left Guyana for the United States and they would have contacted US drug agents who began to monitor the container as it reached there with the aim of busting the persons involved.

The official said that when a shipment of that amount of cocaine is exported, it means

that a ring of persons is involved, hence the collusion with the US authorities to track the container. The container was indeed addressed to Rudolph Fraser in Brooklyn, New York; the official added but the shipper is unknown. Guyana Times also understands Heeralall Sukdeo who was arrested in Queens, NY would have been in Guyana when the consignment of shrimp left for the US. He reportedly left Guyana a few days ago and it was upon his return that he was arrested after he was seen supervising and organising the offloading of the crustaceans that were packed in crates.

Dead: Marlon Forde

The Toyota Spacio in which Forde was travelling when he met his demise

The car belonging to Indian Chief Taxi Service that was involved in the accident

More than 268 kilograms (kg) of cocaine had been hidden among frozen shrimp shipped from Guyana

saturday, june 27, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, June 26 – 12:30h-14:00h and Saturday, June 27 – 13:30h-15:00h

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

Friday, June 26 – 11:20h-12:50h and Saturday, June 27 – 12:30h-14:00h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 11:55h reaching a maximum height of 2.21 metres.

Low Tide: 05:26h and 17:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.99 metre and 0.98 metre respectively.

Venezuela’s threat real

…should not be ignored – Sir Shridath

By Devina Samaroo

Former Foreign Affairs

Minister Sir Shridath

Ramphal has warned the Guyana Government and the nation as a whole not to ignore the threats being made by Venezuela, noting that they are real, present and should definitely not be ignored, not even by ordinary Guyanese.

Sir Shridath made the comments while delivering his acceptance speech after being honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Rotary Club of Georgetown during a grand dinner at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday.

In May, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a decree ratifying maritime sovereignty over waters within a 200-mile range including the entire Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo Coast as well as part of Suriname’s maritime territory. Only recently, Maduro threateningly hinted at his intention to send troops to invade Guyana. He is slated to go to Parliament next week to address the border issue with Guyana. He is quoted as saying, “I will denounce the international manoeuvre from the right wing to provoke Venezuela. They will fail. And I am going to call for the civil-military union.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has said that while the issuance of a decree was well within President Maduro’s constitutional right, what was not his right was to utilise the sovereign territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to generate maritime territory to meet Venezuela’s illegal ambitions. “That is precisely what the decree purports to do in relation to Guyana’s Essequibo. In addition, it mandates and authorises the Venezuelan Navy to secure the area and clearly to prevent any other state from exploiting, without Venezuela’s consent, the resources of the area, an area that now includes a significant portion of Guyana’s

maritime space,” Greenidge had said in a statement to Parliament on June 11. He further described the decree as baseless and a shameless attempt at usurping Guyana’s territory while denying Guyana her legitimate right to continue the pursuit of existing developmental initiatives.

“Not a drop of water”’

Sir Shridath, an expert on international law who has served as Secretary General for the Commonwealth, noted that this threatened the very existence of all Guyanese and, therefore, each and every man must find it a necessity to stand in solidarity with the Government, regardless of their political preference, to defend their land. “Let all note, friends and foe alike, that for the people of Guyana, a united voice adds ‘not a drop of water’ to the national credo ‘not a blade of grass’. Let us confront the evil that is afoot as one people. And let us do so in peace and with honour – faithful to the charter of the United Nations that gave us birth,” he said.

Sir Shridath vigorously reiterated that the claim by Venezuela is “egregious, illegal, immoral and downright

Caracas and Bogota have a long list of diplomatic disputes and temporarily froze trade during the administration of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. At the beginning of June, Maduro demanded Colombia explain why Spanish exPresident Felipe Gonzalez travelled from Caracas to Bogota in a Colombian Air Force plane. The Colombian military said the entry of the plane had been authorised.

Stalking the nation Sir Shridath did not hesitate to expose Venezuela for what it was, saying Guyana’s western neighbour, hidden under a cloak of friendship, “stalks the nation on land and sea driven by a mythical urge that most of our country belongs to them”.

pernicious”.

Many have already stepped forward to condemn the Venezuelan Government for blatantly violating international law. The United Kingdom, Colombia and the entire Caribbean Community (Caricom) are among those who have pledged their support for Guyana in this international confrontation. The Colombian Government has condemned Venezuela’s action as the new decree takes in territory that country considers its. The Foreign Ministry of Colombia last week sent a letter of protest to Venezuela on the controversy. According to Reuters, Venezuela’s Decree 1787, approved May 26, purports to create Operating Zones of Integral Maritime and Insular Defence, or Zodimain, and is meant to bolster Venezuela’s national defence system. However, one of the zones includes an area in the Gulf of Venezuela which the two countries both claim.

“In the past few hours Colombia presented a letter of protest to the Venezuelan Government because of the fixing of maritime borders to strengthen their offensive system,” a spokesman from the Colombian Foreign Ministry told Reuters.

“The people of Venezuela are our friends; but so persistent is the fantasy nourished by expansionist cabals, many of them military regimes, that stealing Guyana has become a national crusade that shades the memory of Bolivar,” he posited.

Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge had disclosed that the Guyana Government already approached the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to go the route of a legal settlement, because the United Nations Good Offices Process adopted under the Geneva Agreement of 1966, which has been in place as a means of peaceful settlement of Venezuela’s contention of territory first aired decades after the countries’ territories were decided by the 1899 Arbitral Award, has failed to resolve this issue even after all these years. This latest action by Venezuela to extend its claim over Guyana’s territorial waters comes in the face of President Maduro’s anger over oil exploration and concessions granted by Guyana to United States Company ExxonMobil, to explore some 23,000 square kilometres of the Stabroek Block.

Sir Shridath Ramphal

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

CPL: An economic driver

Cricket’s biggest showpiece - the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20, now in its third edition, is once again creating high levels of excitement amongst fans, not only in the region, but across the cricketing world.

In a matter of days, Guyana will be hosting its share of the games and as expected there will be sold-out crowds for every match as happened in previous tournaments hosted here.

Prior to the launching of the CPL T20 games in 2013, it was evident that Caribbean people were beginning to lose interest in a game that was once so much loved and respected in the region. This lack of interest was mainly due to the dismal performance of the West Indies team over the years.

Fortunately, T20 cricket, known for its entertaining style, has sparked a renewed interest amongst fans all over the region. Now everyone looks forward to going to the various venues to be part of the CPL entertainment package which has been dubbed “a combination of cricket and carnival”.

But even more important is the fact that, in addition to renewing and showcasing the Caribbean’s enduring love for cricket, the CPL T20 tournament has proven that there is endless potential for growth in the region’s economies. In fact, the tremendous impact the CPL has had, and continues to have, on the region’s economies could never be overstated.

In Guyana, the CPL is seen as a major economic driver, especially after coming out of an elections period, which saw almost every aspect of national life being affected. Many, including the private sector, are of the opinion that the economy is at a standstill. The CPL therefore serves as a major economic boost for Guyana considering the many sectors that would benefit, both directly and indirectly, due to the hosting of the games.

According to an independent Economic Impact study on the tournament last year, Guyana’s economy cashed in on some US$24.5 million from the overall US$166 million that was injected into the Caribbean’s economy during the 2014 tournament – a significant increase of 58 per cent in 2013.

The study conducted by SMG-Insight/YouGov, one of the world’s leading sports measurement, research and analysis companies, showed a breakout across each of the eight markets as follows: Antigua and Barbuda – US$13.8 million; Barbados – US$28.7 million; Grenada – US$13.3 million; Guyana – US$24.5 million; Jamaica – US$25.1 million; St Kitts and Nevis – US$26.3 million; St Lucia – US$13.9 million and Trinidad and Tobago – US$21.1 million.

With an investment of over US$25 million to date, the CPL is the world’s second biggest T20 cricket tournament and is set to continue growing in 2015 and beyond. The sheer magnitude of this event will help to strategically align host countries, including Guyana, as these countries will be featured in the extensive marketing and promotion activities of the CPL to the wider world.

CPL provides a perfect opportunity for stakeholders in the region to showcase not just Caribbean cricket, but our Caribbean lifestyle such as our dance, music, food, our flora and fauna, and our tourism potential in general.

The beauty of the various countries, the people and their warmth will be on display for the world to see. Guyana, in particular has much to gain from hosting these matches as the country has a unique tourism product to offer the world; and here again, another opportunity is presented for all stakeholders to package and market what we have to offer in the most attractive manner.

It is certainly the Caribbean’s time to shine and it is our hope that all stakeholders will utilise every opportunity available to capitalise on the direct and indirect benefits that will flow as a result of hosting this event.

We commend the companies that have come onboard to support this tournament. They have proven that they are serious about investing in young talent and creating a brand that would result in growth of the economy and the development of the country as a whole.

Has the clean-up campaign run out of steam?

Dear Editor, Has the clean-up campaign with all its newfound energy run out of steam?

I ask only because I have to traverse the city streets from time to time and I notice that all the drains along all the streets are still full of garbage and dirt.

I wonder whether these are neglected because the clean-up campaigners have to return to maintain those areas they cleaned up a few weeks ago. Or will everything grow back and silt up and have to await another

burst of energy and finances from the private sector?

I always thought that paying our rates and taxes meant we were providing the funds for the city council to do this work. But apparently not and it appears that everyone is quite happy to wield brooms and spades to clean up their environment unlike the Burnham days when there was much grumbling and suck-teeth about having to go and cut grass and bush.

You notice that I traverse the city streets and

not, as should occur, the city pavements because these are blocked by every kind of trader and vendor imaginable.

The Mayor of Georgetown has said that the vendors are “itinerant”. I know he is an educated man but which vendors, who are parked permanently on the pavements with structures that rival the new skyscrapers, does he view as itinerant?

I hope the new wave of putting things right will eventually get to cleaning out the drains – and main-

taining that cleanliness –and removing the vendors from the pavements permanently.

The new government campaigned on providing so many wonderful new jobs that these vendors can no doubt be all gainfully employed, receive nice salaries and be able to live very contentedly without having to sit out all day on the city pavements. We all want to see such progress for Guyana.

Shanie Jagessar

Communities Minister did not address issue of outstanding payments to BK Int’l

Dear Editor,

BK International is shocked by the contradictory position taken by the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, with respect to the construction and operation of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill (HBSL) as reported in another section of the media.

Minister Bulkan claims that the HBSL being constructed and operated by BK International is not meeting the designed requirements yet at the same time he declares that the HBSL is now processing more than 10,000 tonnes per month while the design was intended for 6,000 tonnes per month.

In fact, as of May 18 the HBSL was processing in excess of 500 tonnes per day, the equivalent of 15,000 tonnes per month.

For the record, BK International has no relationship with or obligation to the IDB on the Haags Bosch Landfill, the IDB has a relationship with the Government of Guyana (GoG).

The GoG has a responsibility to effectively manage the project to the satisfaction of the funding agency, the IDB. If the IDB is not satisfied that the GoG is meeting the terms and conditions of the contract it may terminate the funding.

Contrary to what is suggested in the article today, although the GoG and IDB signed in 2007, BK International was not awarded the contract until November 2009.

It must also be noted that the IDB has also contracted HYDEA, a German

Consulting firm, in association with Guyanese consultants CEMCO, for supervising the project. Compliance with the designs and requirement are in the hands of the GoG and the supervising consultants.

The Minister claims that the contractor is “routinely failing to meet a number of deadlines – the last proposed date being November 15”.

In fact, the last proposed date was January 15, however the Leachate Treatment System designs were not handed over to the contractor until February 22. The construction work, done according to those designs, failed on February 25, and BK International is still awaiting the further redesign.

Minister Bulkan omit-

ted from his interview the fact that in a recent meeting with BK International it was established that former Minister Edghill had instructed that BK International be paid outstanding sums from January 2013 to May 2014 once the contractor was found to be compliant. After review it was established that BK was in compliance and the payment was eventually made. The Minister did not address the issue of the outstanding payments to BK International, which sums are have been outstanding for more than a year, but states that BK “was not in fulfilment with a lot of the requirements that he was expected to deliver”.

Glastonbury Festival is a five-day music festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England. In addition to contemporary music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts. Tens of thousands of music fans have set up camp at the festival which began on June 24, 2015. Roughly 177,000 people are due to attend the festival this year (BBC News)

The Constitution guarantees the independence of the Judiciary

Dear Editor,

The announcement by Mr Joseph Harmon, Minister of State, that “Government will be proceeding with its plan to extend advertisements for the posts of Chancellor and Chief Justice overseas” requires some commentary.

By an almost impenetrable network of provisions, doctrines and mechanisms, the Constitution guarantees the independence of the Judiciary against every form of influence and pollution from every person or authority, especially, the Executive branch of Government.

This is so because it is the Judiciary which stands as the bulwark of the rights and freedoms of the citizens; it is the guardian of the Constitution and it is through its vigilance that the rule of law prevails.

More significantly, it is this institution that has the greatest constitutional duty to ensure that the executive acts in accordance with law and the Constitution and does not abuse its powers and authority.

Against that backdrop, there are some pivotal questions for which answers must be forthcoming.

Firstly, why the expressed intention to advertise the position of the Chief Justice when there is no vacancy in that office? It is common knowledge that the acting Chancellor is the substantive Chief Justice

of Guyana. To my mind, this Freudian slip unwittingly exposes a preconceived mind-set and agenda which ought to be obvious to the rational mind.

Secondly, in almost 50 years as an independent nation, not once was an attempt ever made to recruit judges from outside of Guyana. Why now? Indeed, we are known to be a reservoir that supplies judges, magistrates and lawyers to the Caribbean and as far afield as the continent of Africa.

Why are we now importing judges? Is there an acceptance by the Government that Guyana is devoid of persons of sufficient standing, skill, reputation and learning to occupy high positions in the Judiciary?

Thirdly and most significantly, why the marked reluctance to confirm the two persons who have held these offices for more than a decade and I dare say, have acquitted themselves in those offices with distinction?

No one can sensibly question the qualifications and experience of these two gentlemen who have served their country with eminence. I am aware that these distinguished jurists have won the respect and acclaim of their peers in the Caribbean, the Commonwealth and elsewhere.

As then Opposition Leader, Mr David Granger withheld

Remove from me these eyes of darkness

And replace them with lens of light

So that I can see your goodness

And your blessings shining bright

For too long these eyes of doom

Have held me captive in their chains

Free me please I beg of you

Let me learn to live again

The vicious cords of fear unseen

Have filled my sight with doubting dreams

Despair and dread weigh down my soul

his agreement for their appointments. I called upon him then to candidly inform the nation of the reasons for so doing. Silence, unfortunately, was chosen as the refuge.

Now as President, we are now made aware that the repudiation continues. Again, no reasons are furnished. The nation is left with no option but to surmise.

National speculation on such fundamental matters is indeed an anathema to constitutional democracy. Speaking for myself, this entire saga is nothing short of an onslaught on the independence of the Judiciary.

This event is reminiscent of an incident which occurred in early post independent Guyana. The then Government created the office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, over and above the office of the Chief Justice, as Head of the Judiciary.

It was widely believed that this was done not only to circumvent, but to also humiliate the then sitting Chief Justice. It was, presumably, successful because the Chief Justice resigned and migrated permanently from Guyana shortly thereafter.

The similarities to the current situation are as striking as they are frightening.

Mohabir Anil Nandlall Attorney-at-Law

There is need to have lawyers as prosecutors Memo to God

Dear Editor,

The new administration is extremely busy at this time trying to “right the wrong” of the past years. It is now focusing on investigating frauds and other dishonesty in government’s ministries, corporations and other agencies.

It is also trying to plug the loop holes and the Prime Minister who is also Minister of Information has announced that he will revise the functions of GINA and state media.

It is anticipated that very soon there will be a large number of prosecutions against alleged wrong doers, and therefore it is extremely important that the coalition look into the method of investigations and prosecutions.

There is need to have better trained detectives and more importantly to have trained lawyers as prosecutors in the magistrates’ courts.

Most of the criminal cases (may be more than 75 per cent) are dealt with summarily and it is not a secret that some of the Police prosecutors

Release me please, lest my dreams grow cold

For the eyes of darkness will conceal

The visions the lens of light can reveal

A fantasy world where dreams are born

To become reality where faith is strong

But for me to live this bliss

And to walk this road upright

Remove from me these eyes of darkness

And replace them with lens of light

Devika Samaroo

are mediocre against some defence attorneys.

How can you ask a corporal, a sergeant, or even an inspector to do battle against sharp lawyers. Some of them were not even trained to present cases . This is no doubt is responsible for the poor conviction rate.

It is understood that many of the prosecutors are taxed with other duties in the prosecution department of the Police Force, such as revising statements, briefing witnesses etc.

Moreover because of lack of experience, key ingredients in the prosecution case are omitted and experienced lawyers take advantage over this.

There are scores of lawyers in Guyana and it is my view that the Director of Public Prosecutions should be given a substantial vote to have a full complement of lawyers to be trained as prosecutors for both the magistrates and high courts.

The prosecutors can be classified - the juniors to be in the lower courts and Police

GRDB has no responsibility for management of PetroCaribe fund

Dear Editor,

On the front pages of the Stabroek news and Kaiteur news of Thursday, June 25, 2015 they both carried articles on an imminent shake-up of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) over diverted PetroCaribe funds.

These articles made references to statements emanating from Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at a press briefing on Wednesday, contending that the government is now forced to find US$15 million for the next shipment of rice because money from the PetroCaribe fund was diverted and that GRDB was responsible.

It was also reported that Mr. Harmon said neither of the two agencies affiliated with the rice industry – the GRDB and the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA) will be getting their hands on the money, but rather a mechanism would be formulated under the Ministry of Finance for the farmers to be paid and for the money to be utilized.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I wish to state clearly that those statements

by Mr. Harmon are wholly inaccurate, contemptuous and obviously in-keeping with the wider smear campaign by the APNU+AFC Administration.

The GRDB has no jurisdiction, no authority or no responsibility over the PetroCaribe account/fund and how it is managed. The RPA is of the view that these false statements were designed to fulfill a particular political agenda as it relates to the GRDB.

The Government clearly intends to do what it wants with GRDB, as a State regulatory body but the RPA is strongly objecting to the reasons being put into the public domain for doing so.

It is our contention that GRDB is one of the better run agencies and the RPA is happy to be affiliated with the policy formulation of the GRDB.

The article also reported Harmon as saying that the industry was badly- mismanaged and later on in the said article it stated that the industry was achieving recordbreaking production in recent years and is currently

the country’s biggest foreign currency earner. This is obviously not bad for an industry that is being badly mismanaged.

Harmon’s statement on the shake-up of the GRDB Board of Directors is also misleading as it gives the impression that the new government was going to fire or abandon a board whose life would expire on June 30, 2015. And as a matter of procedure a new board is up for review, consideration and appointment by the Cabinet. It is unfortunate that the new administration has spent most of its time and energy so far on carrying out a smear campaign rather than putting into action those strategies, projects and initiatives it claims are of better value for the advancement and development of the rice sector and the growth of the economy as a whole.

The RPA stands proud of its record and the work it continues to do in the interest of farmers and the industry.

Rice Producers’ Association

Communities Minister did...

BK has not been paid since June 2014 but continues construction and operations, handling more than twice the intended volume of waste arriving at the HBSL. Even more egregious is the fact that the Ministry has failed to observe a clear order of Court mandating that BK be paid interim payments for its monthly operation of Haags Bosch, clearly having no regard for the rule of law.

According to the news report, Minister Bulkan also said that “the ministry and the bank are unhappy with the conditions that obtain at what is now a dumpsite, when it was meant to be a landfill site”.

officers should sit with them to follow the cases and ensure the witnesses available in court. This was how I prosecuted when I was acting DPP in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Far too many cases fell through the cracks because of the unavailability of witnesses at the trial.

It was drawn to my attention by a former Army Officer that there are a large number of retired senior GDF officers who have their Master’s Degree and are very articulate. They can be tapped since they were prosecutors in the Army. The Government should ensure that funds are available for Police prosecution.

The British Virgin Islands is still a territory under the UK government, but its legal system is the best in the Caribbean. Lawyers from the DPP office prosecute all magistrates’ court cases and the court reporting system is “par excellence”.

Oscar Ramjeet

However, it should be noted that soon after taking office Minister Bulkan and a delegation paid an impromptu visit to the HBSL and observed the buildings and paved roads all constructed by BK.

He and the delegation were also able to observe the operations at the site. The Minister is therefore aware that the site is meeting the operating standards, far from his claim of “no environmental safeguards, an environmental hazard and a ticking time bomb”.

It is unclear why the Minister would make these statements that are the opposite to his observations at the site.

from page 4

Finally, the Minister’s claim that “they are working assiduously to remedy the situation in an effort to bring back the operation at the site in conformity with how it was originally designed” is completely untrue; since the Minister’s initial visit there have been no interventions of any kind from him or his Ministry.

We respectfully call on Minister Bulkan to retract these statements and finally settle all of BK’s outstanding claims.

Alex Graham Tagman Media Inc

BK International

Page Foundation

Establishing curfews: How to set and stick with them

By Janet Lehman

Summertime is on the way. While many parents look forward to a more leisurely pace, others dread the season because the structure in their children’s schedules breaks down. It’s important to begin as early as possible to help your children plan their time – and that includes establishing their curfew.

Establishing curfew times – and holding your children to it – can often feel daunting, whether it’s because you know your child will challenge it or because you know you will experience some anxiety as you let your older teen stay out later than they did last summer.

Be clear about what the consequences will be if your child breaks curfew. You do have the power to hold your child accountable for their behaviour.

about how to set a curfew time. And children are good at playing “little lawyers”, arguing that their friends or cousins are allowed much later curfews.

Talk with other parents or school staff to get a sense of what is happening with other children their age. Take into account how responsible and accountable your each of your children has been

few time for each individual child and the consequences if they come home late. This will help you determine the curfew that is appropriate for each of your children, and because you’ve done your homework, prepare you to hold firm when they test the limits.

Here are some ideas that will help you be more comfortable and effective setting curfews.

Every child’s curfew has to match their age and ability—and your trust level with them. Often, parents aren’t sure

during the school year. Think about your own comfort level. Consider the precedent you set with your older child (which doesn’t mean you have to stick with it, just be prepared for the inevitable argument). Come to an agreement with your spouse or partner ahead of time about the correct cur-

Set and communicate clear ground rules. For example, let your child know that when you say 10 pm, you mean just that—and not 10:10. Help them think of things they can do in advance to make sure they won’t be late. For instance, how to clearly communicate their curfew time with their friend who is driving everyone home. Be clear about what the consequences will be if they break curfew You do have the power to hold your child accountable for their behaviour. You have consequences within your control like access to a car, payment for the phone, access to the computer, etc.

If your teen’s curfew is after your bedtime, tell them that when they come home they need to wake you up to let you know that

they are home and safe. Have a clock next to your bed and check the time. This quick “Hello, I’m home” also gives you a chance to look for signs of alcohol or drug use.

Hold your child accountable. Hold your child to the exact time; don’t let them slide into coming home at later and later times. If they do come home late, wait until a neutral, non-emotional time to discuss the situation. It’s often best to deal with it in the morning. Screaming, arguing, lecturing or nagging because you’re upset will simply make the situation escalate out of control and nothing will be accomplished.

When you do talk, keep the discussion focused and to the point. Don’t get emotional, make speeches, or let your child manipulate by engaging you in a long drawnout discussion. Simply review what should have happened, what your child did wrong, and what the consequences are for this behaviour.

It is very likely that there will be times when your child comes home late. You’re going to need to figure out when your child is

pushing a limit or whether they actually had a valid reason. Get the whole story and check up on the circumstances. Once you have the details, you can respond accordingly. Remember, you are teaching your child that he needs to meet expectations – at home, at school and in the real word – this includes you knowing where he’s supposed to be and when he’s supposed to be there.

The Decision to make an exception – or not

You will want to allow for special events and healthy experiences (like working,

social activities, concerts, etc.) that won’t fit neatly into the curfew time; and so, you may need to modify it to match the occasion. For example, when your child with an 11 pm curfew wants to attend a concert that gets over at 11:30, it may make sense to stretch the time to match the event.

But, there will also be times when you won’t be supportive of either the event or the stretch in the curfew time. When you say no, it’s likely your child will be disappointed. You may be crushing their plans, but you have a good reason. Most times, children will just be angry and disappointed. But, there may be other times when what your child was asking was really too much for them, and your saying no gives them a way out. Your child can blame their “mean parents” for saying no, while a part of them is quietly relieved.

Earning the right to a later curfew Don’t be surprised if your child wants you to be more lenient with their curfew. If you’ve done your homework, it makes it easier to hold firm. But, there may be times when you want to give your child a chance to prove themselves. If so, you can tell your child, “If you meet curfew three times in a row that shows me you can act responsibly and follow the rules. If that happens, I’d be willing to have a discussion about changing it. But, first you have to follow-through.” Then, if your child shows you they can be trusted, you can add some time to the curfew. Let your child know that if they don’t follow through, you’ll have to reassess the curfew, likely making it earlier. If that happens, tell them they can work their way back – it’s up to them to earn your trust again.

Setting curfews and consistently and calmly following through on consequences teaches children that there are rules and expectations in this world: they are accountable to those rules and to the people who set them, and they need to behave in a way that shows they can be trusted. When the going gets tough, keep in mind that you are helping your children become responsible members of society.

(Empoweringparents.com)

GuySuCo probe team named

…to craft 15-year plan

Government has named an 11-member team to inquire into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and has set a three months’ deadline for the Commission to complete its work and present a report.

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of GuySuCo will commence on July 1. The Commission’s members are: Vibert Parvatan (Chairman); Professor Clive Thomas (Financial and Economic Analysis); Dr Harold Davis and John Piggot (Agronomists); John Dow and Joseph Alfred (Factory Operations); George James (Sugar Processing); Nowrang Persaud (Industrial Relations); Claude Housty (Marketing); Seepaul Narine, GAWU Representative and Omadatt Chandan, who will

serve as the Commission’s Secretary.

Since gaining office, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration announced its intention of launching a fully fledged investigation into the operations of the sugar industry to determine the root of its troubles so it can then develop solutions to put the industry back on track.

The Commission, during its investigation, will develop a 15-year plan which will be aimed at bringing the sugar industry back to profitability to ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Some of the work to be carried out include the investigation into the current state of cane cultivation, factory operations, production and marketing of sugar, molasses and other by-products.

Investigations will also be conducted into the human resources department, research and development, diversification of the industry, community obligations, weather events, marketing, financing, procurement and overall factory management and per-

formance. APNU+AFC maintains that GuySuCo has been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at the financial and production levels”- at the hands of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

One of the proposed strategies to turn the industry around was the launching of a CoI into the operations. The members of the CoI met with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on Friday to discuss the Commission’s Terms of Reference in charting the way

forward for the industry. The outcome of the investigations is expected to be published by September.

Meanwhile, the Commission will be working closely with the recently-installed Interim Management Committee (IMC). Recently, GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Raj Singh was fired and all the members of the Board of Directors were forced to resign. The IMC was later established to oversee the operations of the industry until a new Board is installed. The Committee is headed by Paul Bhim and Errol Hanoman. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had disclosed that the Government was currently reviewing proposals for members of GuySuCo’s new Board of Directors and would soon make a public announcement of those members.

Parties to ring changes at RDC level

...elections for regional officials billed for Tuesday

Regional Democratic Council (RDC) elections are scheduled for next Tuesday and already the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has identified its list of councillors for the seven districts it won, while the Government is yet to work out who are likely to head the three regions it secured at the May 11 polls.

The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition won Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica; Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The PPP/C won Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Five (MahaicaBerbice); Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Berbice).

In a terse statement, the PPP/C said that at 15:00h Friday it presented its 10 lists of Regional Candidates to become Councillors in the 10 Administrative Regions, subsequent to the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections. These 176 Councillors will represent the PPP/C in the 10 Administrative Regions. Guyana Times was unable to obtain a copy of the PPP/C’s list, but word out of Region Two is that former Director of Youth, Daveanand Ramdatt will replace current Chairman Parmanand Persaud. According to information reaching Guyana Times, the RDC will be convening on Tuesday after which several councillors will be sworn in by Regional Executive Officer Sunil Singh who is the clerk of the RDC. It is uncertain who will be the new Regional Vice Chairman; however, Vishnu Samaroo will no longer serve. Sources indicated that Samaroo will represent the Region as a Member of Parliament. However, Parmanand Persaud was not

And if that was not enough, the Governmentcontrolled Region 10 is also facing internal struggles. Incumbent Chairman Sharma Solomon is in a fight to retain the post even as others in the region more loyal to President Granger and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) establishment try to oust him. In a recent letter to the editor, Solomon denied rumours circulating alleging

notified by anyone that he would be replaced. Persaud served the RDC for 31 years. Persaud, during a recent interview, said that he worked all his life for the Party and he would be happy to know where he erred. He had also mentioned no consultations were held by Party Executives for him to leave office. Meanwhile, across in Region Seven residents have already launched picketing exercises against the possible re-election of Gordon Bradford as the Chairman. On Friday, Barticians picketed the Regional Administration Building expressing their displeasure about reports of the incumbent Regional Chairman. In overcast weather conditions around 11:00h, about 20 persons stood peacefully in front of the RDC building bearing placards with slogans such as “Manifesto 2015 said PPP/C had us in the pit, putting Gordon Bradford as R/C is putting Bartica deeper into the Pit, he does nothing”; “We need quality leaders”;”Under Bradford we are a depressed People”; “PPP/C Cronies must go”; “No more backward only forward.”

financial impropriety on his part at the RDC. He said in the letter that it was unfortunate the region has returned to an era where those who disagree find being disagreeable an appropriate conflict resolution tool. “In the three years as APNU-elect Regional Chairman and a member of the PNCR, I have been accused of receiving millions of dollars from the PPP/C and other sources. I can say to you this much, my people: With very little resources given to me as Campaign Manager, Region 10 had the best showing for the coalition at the May 11 Elections in votes, turnout and reducing the PPP/ numbers. The people of Region 10

have stood tall and have been a formidable force against those who threaten our tranquillity and sought to trample our rights. Despite our political diversity on regional matters we have operated as one region.”

He said an understanding of how the RDC functioned would reveal the administrative line of authority was the Regional Executive Officer, who was the RDC’s chief financial officer and administrator of all executive duties. The Regional Chairman is the political head and presides over the Council in developing policies, deliberating on the execution of the programmes and the management of the re-

gion. The Regional Chairman represents the region’s interests at the national level such as the Drainage and Irrigation Board. Solomon said during my stewardship every effort has been made to keep Government honest and accessible to the people. “This was done through walk-about, community meetings, an open-door communication policy, regional media programmes and having the media present at RDC’s meetings. The RDC was manned by councillors from the PPP/C, AFC and APNU. These meetings were robust and none was spared scrutiny and accountability, including me.”

Sharma Solomon

Members of the CoI meeting with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Guyanese girls graduate with top honours at US high school

BY DENNIS GLASGOW

Three Guyanese students this week graduated with top honours from the prestigious Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School, a New York City public school working in partnership with New York City Outward Bound and Expeditionary Learning.

The school’s objective is to arm students with the knowledge, skills and character necessary to serve as informed, thoughtful and courageous civic leaders in their own communities and beyond. The three students are 19-yearold Kessia Garnett who graduated Valedictorian followed by 17-year-old Anika Lewis and 19-year-old Nashavia Cummings who shared the Salutatorian position. These young women are all in the Honour Society and plan on entering college next semester.

Garnett, who was born and raised in Kitty, Georgetown, left Guyana in November 2013. She now resides in Brooklyn, New York with the other two ladies. Throughout her academic life in Guyana, Garnett had always been a high achiever. She told this publication that, “I attended North Georgetown Primary School and then St Roses High where I secured 11 distinctions, two Grade Ones and two Grade Twos at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC). I graduated 3rd place at my school and 27th in the country.” Garnett was only able to complete on year of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) /Sixth Form but still performed credibly. In the US, Garnett was awarded many prizes for her academic prowess and her participation in other activities but the most inspiring part of it all is the fact that she applied for 15 colleges and was accepted to 13 of them. However, “I decided to com-

mit to the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University as a Sociology major”, the young woman said, since she plans on furthering her studies in law. Additionally, the avid music lover spoke about the difficulties transitioning from Guyana’s weather and its education system, “I was not prepared for the cold weather which gave me daily headaches. Schooling in the US is very different from school back home. I did not have to wear a uniform. I could wear nail polish, weave, makeup, no ribbons, and transportation to school was free because they supplied metro cards based on how far you live from the school”. As Valedictorian, the young scholar had to deliver a speech and she spoke about how nervous and proud she was at that moment. Speaking to our publication via email she expressed her feelings saying “I was extremely proud of myself and felt great because I made my family proud. I’m very thankful for my parents and immediate family, my upbringing as a Rose’s student and my friends who supported me.” When asked to share some words of encouragement, she said,” I urge you to set a goal and work towards it. Success doesn’t come easily. It takes sweat, sleepless nights and a few tears. You can only achieve what you work for; no more nor no less. If people doubt you, prove them wrong. Do not be afraid to ask questions when in doubt. Learn from your mistakes. A pretty face, fancy clothes and a bad attitude means nothing without an education.”

Cummings for her part hails from Georgetown also and attended Marian Academy and graduated in 2012 with eight CSEC subjects. It did not end there. She later went on to continue her studies at St Rose’s High School for Sixth Form, where she completed her first year of CAPE gaining excellent grades in Law,

Sociology, Communication Studies and History. She left Guyana in 2013 and she demystified her thoughts upon adjusting to her new home in New York, “the different seasons here, when I saw snow for the first time in the winter, I was disappointed… lol, it was nothing like the movies, but wearing all those clothes was weird, but staying warm was key.”

The young lady had minor problems adjusting the different spelling patterns she was now exposed to, for example; in Guyana we spell “colour” but in the US it was “color”. She believes that high school in America is “way easier” that in Guyana, although the Americans would say otherwise. The most memorable moment at the school was her senior year when she attended prom and other exciting activities that only her fellow seniors could attend.

Ann’s Grove girl

Anika Lewis, who is the youngest in the trio, left Guyana in 2012 when she was 14 years of age. She grew up in Ann’s Grove Village on East Coast of Demerara with her grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings. Though it was a packed house, she really loved it there. She is a proud past student of Winfer Gardens Primary and North Georgetown Secondary. She wrote about how strong the foundation was that she got from the education in Guyana, her exact words being “Caribbean teaching had already set the foundation for me to dominate when I got here.” She describes her journey towards graduation as amazing and it was her most prestigious honour to be her class’s Salutatorian. The proud young woman said “What was even more awesome was obtaining a 90 and above GPA and receiving awards too numerous to count, over the past three years”, adding she “will be attending South Carolina State University on a Track and Field Scholarship. While competing for South Carolina, I will be majoring in Biology and take part in the pre-med program. I will also minoring in Spanish and attend medical school Post College to become an orthopedic surgeon. I also look forward to competing for Guyana in national competition with hopes of making the 2020 Olympic team”. Finally, her message to young people back home is “When you think you gave something your all, push again because you don’t know your true potential. Always remember that it is okay to fail, that doesn’t mean you’re worthless but it’s unacceptable to never try because you’re limiting yourself! (Better to fail than to not try). Fellow Guyanese students like myself in order to be successful in life you must have five things: Courage – to defeat your fears; Perseverance – to brave the storm; Stewardship – to help those around you evolve; Compassion – because without this humanity, cannot survive; and Respect – because we all want to be treated equally.”

Eyew tness

Ridiculous...

...on crime

You don’t have to be a social scientist with research credentials to know that ever since the new government settled in, there’s been a spike in ALL categories of crime. Now even their political opponents wouldn’t accuse the APNU/AFC coalition of declaring open season to criminals. Or, that they were supposed to “solve” the crime problem in Guyana in a month.

But citizens can’t overlook the fact that “crime fighting”/”crime busting” was a major plank of the APNU/AFC election platform and played a major role in snucking them into office by a whisker.

This was especially true in Berbice, where the AFC told their skittish supporters that they only coalesced with the APNU because only the latter could wipe out crime. APNU itself trumpeted their top-heavy militarised leadership as being “most qualified” to address security issues.

So what citizens are demanding now is: “Where’s the plan to tackle crime?” The new Minister of National Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, had been shouting from the rooftops for decades about his crime fighting credentials.

Old hands would recollect him in 1994 talking on the then Commissioner Laurie Lewis on policing matters. And also his then party - the PPPC. He was the fiercest critic of Gail Teixeira and Clement Rohee as Home Affairs Ministers.

So are we to understand that with all these security mavens, capturing office on a crime fighting platform, never had a plan? And citizens should “bear strain” while they figure out what to do?

As soon as Ramjattan took his oath of office, he ostentatiously announced that transfers the present Commissioner had made in his top brass, be placed on “hold”. Did he just do that to show that he was “man” or did he have some substantive concerns that the transfers didn’t fit in with strategic plans he and his government might have formulated?

Well, with his dithering answers he gave in yesterday’s GTimes as to what he’s doing about crime - correlated with the crime spike - we know this fella had no plans...so he was just mouthing off.

How reassuring is it to be told by Ramjattan that “measures are being put into place to tackle crime”, when he couldn’t be specific on even one such “measure”. What’s the meaning of saying that “communities must provide information and be fearless”?

Didn’t Ramjattan ever hear about “intelligence led policing” which is based on Police actively cultivating sources in communities?

Police all over the world identify neighbourhoods with high density criminal populations and insert snitches to give them tip-offs of impending criminal activities. But it’s becoming clear that the criminals sensed they have a window of opportunity to increase their depredations with the confused “Christmas blow-blow” at the top of the crime fighting apparatus. And they’re making hay, while the people bleed.

....”partners”

This Eyewitness wonders how far the AFC leaders will go along with their castration. Hey, let’s face it... even if THEY don’t want to. Yesterday in Parliament, PM Nagamootoo claimed that folks are trying to “separate” him from the said partners.

And here this Eyewitness thought the actions of the latter had already cast him adrift. Why else would there be teams from the AFC and the APNU meeting to figure how they could put together the Cummingsburg Accord after its Humpty Dumpty - like fall.

Let’s take the major blow - the refusal to have Nagamootoo chair the Cabinet. Deja vu from him refused to chair the Assembly? What’s this about this being “unconstitutional? Wasn’t it Khemraj Ramjattan who boasted “there has been a tremendous climb as to the powers of the Prime Minister” and that’s why they went along??

Have these people no shame?

...to deny CY his due Clive Thomas needs no “bigging up”. At the age of 79, whatever you throw at him in economics, he’s been there done that. The government should have him as a consultant on sugar.

The trio poses for the cameras at their graduation

Dr Clive Thomas urges coordinated management of economy

Recently-appointed Presidential Adviser on economics, Dr Clive Thomas said the new A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government needed to coordinate the management of the economy so as to ensure sustainable growth.

Thomas was at the time speaking at a symposium organised by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), to honour the life and work of Dr Walter Rodney. A founding member of the WPA, Rodney was killed on the evening of June 13, 1980 in a massive bomb blast.

He was also a political activist and commentator, and it is alleged that his death might have been caused because he was a political and social representative of the

working class. He was a prominent Guyanese historian and preeminent scholar. Born into a working-class family, Rodney was a very bright student, attending Queen’s College in the then British Guiana, where he became a champion debater and athlete, and then attending university on a scholarship at the University College of the West Indies (UCWI) in Jamaica, graduating in 1963 with a first-class Degree in History.

In his book History of the Working People, Rodney argued that the social evolution of the Guyanese working people has been guided by specific material constraints and extremely powerful external focuses from Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. He emphasised the destructive fragmentation of the work-

ing class along ethnic, political, and social lines, encouraged by the legacy of slavery, post slavery immigration, legal distinctions between various classes of labour, and the economic bases of the society. In contrast to the well-defined middle and upper classes, the working people appeared divided, disorganised, and leaderless.

The aim of the symposium was to underscore some of the ideals Rodney had fought for. Thomas raised areas, he said, could play a pivotal role in the future political development of Guyana. A close friend of Rodney, Thomas said the move to have a coalition government exaggerates the central contradiction that such governments fail. He said worldwide experience has clearly shown that the coalition succeeds mainly because of economic policy formation.

The APNU, of which the WPA is part, and the AFC came together to form a union, which was successful at this year’s General and Regional Elections. “This occurs because the parties in the coalition are not identical,” Thomas told the small gathering at the public library in Georgetown on Thursday evening. “Their constituency and ideologies are different. And this is something that has to be worked with as a given in this situation”.

He said empirically in

Labourer feared drowned as cargo boat capsizes in Mazaruni

Alabourer is feared drowned after the fuelladen boat in which he was travelling capsized after coming into contact with the heavy wake from a jet boat in the Mazaruni River on Friday about 06:30h.

The missing man has been identified as Adrian Simon, a labourer who was working on the fuel boat at the time of the accident. His address was not immediately available to Guyana Times F Division Commander (Lethem and other Interior Locations) Courtney Ramsay told this publication that the fuel boat was carrying 50 drums of fuel when it capsized. He explained that the Captain and two other persons swam to shore and were subsequently rescued.

The official further disclosed that several persons were up to late Friday even-

ing being questioned by Police ranks at Bartica Police Station. Guyana Times understands that it is normal for jet boats to reduce their speed as they approach smaller boats but in this case, the Captain of the jet boat went full steam ahead.

“Taking into consideration that amount of weight the cargo boat was carrying at the time, it is possible for the waves from the jet boat to cause the boat to capsize,” Ramsay stated.

An investigation into the boat accident has been launched. In April, Ivor Haynes, 45, a businessman of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) who was missing following a boat mishap was found in the Cuyuni River.

It was reported that on April 18, the boat in which Haynes was travelling left Arawak Creek and was head-

ing to Bartica when the outboard engine encountered mechanical problems and suddenly cut off. Pulled by the current, the boat reportedly came into contact with a rock causing it to capsize.

The occupants of the boat at the time were the captain, his nephew and the businessman. The boat was transporting several containers of fuel, groceries and other items, including a metal detector that was purchased by Haynes.

Following the mishap, the Captain and his nephew reportedly plunged into the water and held onto a rock where they stayed for about three hours before swimming to an island where they sought assistance. Haynes, on the other hand, was reportedly more concerned about the metal detector and went to retrieve it, but he never resurfaced. His body was found two days later.

US, Guyana cooperated for...

The official believes that Sukdeo knew that container with the shrimp contained the drug and would have stayed back in Guyana until it was cleared by Custom Officials.

“Once the container was given the green light here, the US agents started their operations and would have also paved the way for the container to be cleared there as well”, the official added.

It is presumed that after Sukdeo would have been contacted by his colleagues informing him that the container was cleared by US authorities, he travelled back, the drug en-

forcement officer stated. He is however, hoping that the others who were also arrested in the US assist in the ongoing investigations, both here in Guyana and overseas so that the “big fish” can be caught. Sukdeo, a Guyanese and owner of Sukdeo and Sons Fishing Establishment in Queens, New York, USA, was arrested after more than 268 kilograms (kg) of cocaine was found hidden among frozen shrimp shipped from Guyana.

It was reported that a drug-sniffing dog detected the drugs in a shipping container that arrived at the Red

Guyana there is an exceptional situation, where one coalition is responsible for governing the overwhelming bulk of the productive sector of the country. “Everything in agriculture and mining and quarrying, everything in business and services, including everything in manufacturers and public infrastructure,” he noted.

This, he said, translates into effective governing re-

nerability and continued dependence on basic goods and elementary services. “There are of course innumerable political and economic challenges or problematic factors which lie ahead for Guyana –the Chinese say “every challenge brings an opportunity”, so I think, by their very nature, are opportunities”.

Speaking also at the forum was former University of Guyana lecturer Dr Morrison

a growth rate between three and five percent over the last few years. “But if one were to look at the situation over the last 15 years (2000-2015), the actual growth rate is less than two per cent. There is massive room for improvement,” he related, highlighting the success had by some 19 developing countries that were able to achieve a seven per cent growth rate in 2014.

“As you know, a develop-

sponsibilities, into inflation, consumption, employment, wealth and the aggregate expenditure taking place in the country. The other coalition partner, he said, is responsible for the coordination and balance and makes the monetary financial and fiscal trade arrangements. “I think with astute leadership and with lots of tolerance, we can survive and make this work. And if we do, we will be making tremendous contribution to the economical, political and social management of society something that was said to be impossible.”

Additionally, he said the economy needed to be diversified so as to reduce the vul-

Ogle, who said that with the change in government, Guyana now has the opportunity of changing the trajectory of the decision making and economic relations. Guyana, he said, faced the challenge of targeting a 10 per cent growth rate. Admitting that these things could not happen “overnight”, Ogle stressed that every effort should be made to ensure that heights and political ambition are set so as to achieve a different set of outcomes in Guyana.

A seven per cent growth rate, he said, is important if there will be a significant dent in unemployment in the country. He said under the previous Administration, there was

ing country tends to grow at a higher rate when compared to a developed country, which has a matured economy.” Nigeria, China and India, he said, ranked number 19 and 13 respectively on the list. They were all able to achieve a growth rate of 7.5 per cent. Guyana, according to the international ranking, was 94 in 2014 at 3.5 per cent. “So we have to do better than this. With our combination of factors of production, land labour and capital, our resource endowment, our expectations and enthusiasm with the change in Government, we should be able to do a bit better than the previous Administration”.

from page 2

Hook Terminal from Guyana last week. The street value of the cocaine discovered is estimated to be more than US$12 million. Upon discovering the drugs, agents secretly removed the coke-filled shrimp and tailed the container after it cleared customs on June 15, US Homeland Security Special Agent Ryan Varrone reported. The container was delivered on Monday to an unidentified warehouse in Brooklyn where agents spotted Sukdeo together with others, organising and supervising the unloading of the shipment of shrimp.

Dr Clive Thomas speaking at the event on Thursday evening

Part of the gathering at the National Library

Robert Persaud, PPP/C could part ways

… members concerned over his utterances, posture

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) could part ways with long standing member and former twotime Government Minister Robert Persaud, amid concerns raised by other senior members about his posture towards the party and several utterances he has made in the past which would have impacted the party in some way or the other.

Additionally, Persaud has already written the party at least twice indicating his intention to go on a “sabbatical” from the politics of the PPP/C and concerns over various positions, as well as decisions the party has taken in recent times. Confirming public speculation for years, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee on Thursday admitted that the party was engaging Persaud on the way forward following the missives he had written to the leadership.

Asked what role Persaud is playing within the leadership structures of the party since the 2011 General and Regional Elections, Rohee said “well he is not really playing a role right now”. The General Secretary then

reminded Guyana Times that “he did write saying that he is going on a sabbatical from the politics of the Peoples Progressive Party. I have had a long conversation with him when I received that communication and we ended the conversation on a cordial note without any rancour”. Rohee refused to disclose the contents of the second letter penned by Persaud to the leadership of the party but confirmed that it has been discussed at the level of the Executive. “…. a course of action has been determined as to how to address the contents of the letter”, the General Secretary told this newspaper. Asked

if it was okay to say that Persaud and the party had an amicable split, Rohee quickly said, “at this point and time, we remain engaged with the comrade and we are at this point and time continuing that engagement until we reach a point where a decision is made by him one way or another”.

The General Secretary maintained that Persaud, who served as National Resources and Environment Minister under the Donald Ramotar Administration and Agricultural Minister under the Jagdeo Administration, remains a member of the PPP. Rohee also admitted that consideration of the contents of Persaud’s letter has not been fully settled as yet and if such time the content of the letter is settled then the party will proceed

further.

Asked if PPP while discussing the contents of Persaud’s letter had accepted his intention to go on a sabbatical from politics and eventually his resignation from the party, Rohee

said “that is a decision Mr Persaud himself will have to make…one comes voluntarily to PPP and one leaves voluntary from the PPP”.

Pressed for more answers, the General Secretary admitted that “…there are a few rare occasions where we will take actions to expel persons from the party but in the case of Robert Persaud, no decision of that nature has been made as yet”. He said “there are individual members of the party who have expressed views on those matters but collectively as an Executive, we have not one way or the other done an assessment as to whether the things he said and did have an impact or non-impact on the politics of the PPP”. Since former President Bharrat Jagdeo demitted office in 2011,

Persaud has been slowly curtailing his involvement in the affairs of the party. He has also from time to time hinted his objection to several decisions made by the party in oblique ways via social media. Unlike the election campaigns of 2006 and 2011, Persaud did not campaign for the PPP in 2015 nor did he mount the election platform to assist the party in regaining the reins of Government.

When the party hosted its 30th Congress back in 2013, Robert Persaud was ranked number 11 with 537 votes from the membership who voted which resulted in him being returned to the party’s Central Executive Committee. Persaud holds an MBA and is the owner of at least two media companies here.

REPSOL to get extension on drilling licence

Days after granting an extension to Canadian oil and gas exploration company CGX Inc, Guyana’s Government is considering granting a similar favour, to Spanish oil drilling company Repsol. The request was made by the company so as to al-

low it to continue the gathering of seismic data on the Kanaku Block, where it is currently carrying out its exploratory activities. The company must commit to drilling or relinquish its exploratory rights by the middle of November later this year. Should they be allowed another six months, that will take them up to May, 2016, allowing them to make a decision on drilling a mere one year before the projected drill date.

Minister of Patrimony Raphael Trotman, who was acting on behalf of President David Granger, who is responsible for the petroleum sector, met with executives of the company – Exploration Manager of the Atlantic Basins Allan Kean and Repsol’s Country Manager Giancarlo Ariza – on Thursday, said the request would be favourably considered.

Acting Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Newell Dennison, who was also present at the meeting, is required to present a report to the Head of State before the request could be granted. Trotman told the team that the President is eager to fast forward the devel-

opment of Guyana for all Guyanese and sees the extractive sector as one that can provide “the fuel that can take Guyana from zero to 100 fast.” He noted that the President is keen on expanding investments in the petroleum sector.

Repsol also applied two years ago for exploratory rights for Ultra Deepwater Block C. The company said it was the first to discover oil in Guyana, when back in July 2012 the presence of hydrocarbons was discovered during its drilling of the Jaguar-1 Well. And although the exploration did not produce oil in economic quantities, the company was able to gather significant seismic data that will be useful for future exploratory work.

The Spanish oil and gas company first set foot in Guyana some five years ago. Known for its expertise in the field of oil drilling, the company has been exploring for oil offshore the Guyana Basin. The company has had a track record of being the most successful oil and gas exploration company in Latin America over the last 10 years.

The company currently has operations in countries including Argentina,

Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Brazil and has a risk capital of over US$600 million. The company had found itself in a legal battle with counterpart CGX Inc over a dispute related to an offshore block located in Guyana. Back in 2014, they agreed to pay US$900,000 to CGX Resources pursuant to the terms of the Georgetown JOA. CGX had earlier started arbitration against the company in the London International Court of Arbitration and received an injunction against it from the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature in January and August, 2014, preventing the Spanish company’s farm-out deal agreement with Germany’s RWE Dea.

The company initiated drilling in the second quarter of 2011 with its vertical exploratory well called Jaguar 1. It carried out test on cretaceous sandstone for oil within the Georgetown Block, located in the offshore Guyana Basin in Guyana. The site is located some 130km North-East of the nearest shoreline, in the vicinity of Port Mourant, and 160km East North-East of Georgetown.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

Former Minister Robert Persaud

Executives of the oil and gas exploration company meeting Minister of Patrimony Raphael Trotman on Thursday

RPA, GRDB have no control over PetroCaribe fund

– Seeraj says Harmon’s statements misleading

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA)

General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), has clarified that the two agencies have no jurisdiction over the PetroCaribe account; expressing utmost shock at the statements suggesting otherwise.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon had accused the two agencies of being responsible for the diversion of money from the PetroCaribe Fund; which now forced the Government to find some US$15 million for the “next shipment of rice.”

Harmon also posited that neither of the two agencies will be “getting their hands on the money” in the future,

Secretary of the

but rather, a mechanism would be formulated under the Finance Ministry for the farmers to be paid; citing that it would be extremely irresponsible to keep “pump-

Crimson Lite Disco murder trial

ing money into the hands of people who have been spending it without giving any proper explanation.”

Seeraj in response has chided Harmon for what he described as spreading inaccurate information about the PetroCaribe Fund, which he indicated will only cause more confusion in the public domain about the Fund’s operation. “To say in this article that the Rice Board was responsible for diversion of funds from the PetroCaribe account is madness, I don’t understand how a senior Government functionary, a senior Government Minister can make such a statement… To make claims as was reported in the papers, to my mind, was grossly distorted to what the reality is,” he expressed.

Seeraj, in explaining how the PetroCaribe works, not-

ed that the initiative was established by the Venezuelan Government sometime in 2005 with the aim of partnering with Caribbean countries in order to enhance

Accused walk free after Judge upholds no-case submission

The two accused in the “Crimson Lite Disco” murder trial walked free on Thursday after Justice Franklyn Holder upheld a no-case submission by the defence. The two, Marlon Fordyce and Troy Stewart, were on trial for the December 2012 killing of Rajmohan Rhaskanram, called “Cow Boy’” of Corriverton. Justice Holder ruled that the prosecution did not establish all the elements to prove that the deceased died as a result of injuries inflicted by the accused. In his ruling, he said that the prosecution’s evidence should be of a certain standard and during the trial, it failed to establish all of the elements which were required.

State Prosecutor, Attorney Natasha Backer called six witnesses to prove the case including the chief witness, the son of the dead fisherman. Satesh Rhaskanram from the witness box said that on the day in question, he saw his father coming from the seawall and he appeared to be drunk. The young Rhaskanram also told the court that he saw three men approaching, two of whom were sitting in court and the third he did not know by name, but he had seen him before. He explained that the two accused ran into the yard while the third person jumped over that gate to gain access to the yard and held onto him. He said his father ran into the house and the two accused followed him onto the veranda. “Marlon and Troy hold on to my father,

both of them had wood and cutlass. Marlon had a stick and Troy had a cutlass. They start fo beat ma fadda an I start fo holla fo thief. Ah tell dem leff ma fadda alone and Marlon ask me if I want some lash,” Rhaskanram told the listening jury.

He said he was able to get away and all three of the men came after him, but he eluded them and jumped over the fence into his neighbour’s yard. After about 10 minutes, Rhaskanram said, he received a phone call and when he went back he saw his father lying in a track in a pool of blood. He subsequently got assistance and took him to the hospital.

No enough evidence

Justice Holder, in his ruling, pointed out that the prosecution failed to say what transpired during the minutes that the now deceased was out of sight and during the time when the accused were running after the witness. He pointed out that during the evidence of Satesh Rhaskanram he said that he left his father on the veranda and returned 12 minutes later and found him lying 200 to 300 feet away in a track outside his yard.

The prosecution’s case was that 35-yearold Fordyce and 31-yearold Stewart murdered Rajmohan Rhaskanram by hitting him with a piece of wood and chopping him.

Meanwhile, Government Forensic Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan gave the cause of death as a fractured skull and severe swelling of the brain. He explained that there were eight

wounds on the body, including a grazing abrasion, an 8cm sutured wound under the right arm and a 14cm infected sutured wound on the body. The inner frontal skull was also fractured into multiple fragments.

Under cross examination, the Pathologist said the wounds, including the fracture to the skull, could be caused by someone falling. He could not pronounce on any of the sutured wounds

to say if they were caused by tearing because healing would have already started.

In making their nocase submission, Attorneys Kim John-Kyte and Tonya Clement pointed to the fact that Dr Bridgemohan said that the injuries could have been caused in a fall and there was no account as to how the deceased moved from his veranda to the track where he was discovered.

economic and political cooperation among them. With this agreement, Venezuela is supplying oil to the individual countries and the payment for the produce will be made at a fixed percentage of the total value of oil supplied and that the balance will be repaid over a specified period of time at no interest rate.

The funds retained by the individual countries can now then be used by the Government for projects that can enhance their physical infrastructure or the social wellbeing of the country. The initial agreement had absolutely nothing to do with rice, Seeraj explained.

However, in 2009, Seeraj said a delegation of rice farmers representatives met with then President Bharrat Jagdeo to raise concerns about several issues affecting the sector. Jagdeo then had a discussion with the then Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and it was only then rice became an addendum to the PetroCaribe arrangement for Guyana. Subsequently, the GRDB became the contracting party to facilitate the export of rice to Venezuela.

Therefore, when the paddy and rice are exported, the Board makes a request to the Finance Ministry of to get paid so they can pay individual millers who export under the arrangement. As such, Seeraj reiterated that it is highly impossible for the GRDB to “abuse the money”, when in fact, the Board has no access to the funds.

“The GRDB has no jurisdiction, no authority or no responsibility over the PetroCaribe account and how it is managed,” he empha-

sised. However, for the longest while, the Government has not honoured those payments to the Board, which it desperately needs so it can settle the debts with the millers who owe huge sums of money to the rice farmers. The GRDB is owed over US$15 million by Government for the previous shipment rice and paddy supply. The millers owe the rice farmers some G$6 billion. The Government is claiming that the PetroCaribe Fund is empty and therefore, it has no money to settle payment with the millers. Seeraj explained that, before the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration came into power, the GRDB was not getting paid; however, he was unsure of the reason. Seeraj maintained that, prior to Harmon’s announcement of an empty PetroCaribe Fund; he had no idea of its status.

Only recently, it was reported that the GRDB received G$800 million from the Government to pay off rice farmers. Seeraj noted that this is not entirely true. He clarified that the G$800 million did not come from the Government, but rather, from the GRDB’s own account. He explained that the GRDB is a self-earning agency and therefore, does not depend on the Government to grant any funding to them. As such, the $800 million paid off the rice millers came from a payment made to the Board from Panama for recent shipment of rice and paddy. Seeraj reiterated that the Government has not yet paid the Board a cent of the money owed.

General

RPA, Dharamkumar Seeraj

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

saturday, june 27, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo challenges Ram's “irrational” charge before High Court

BY MIchAEl YOuNGE

FCourt to challenge the instituting of what he deems to be an unlawful and politically inspired charge against him following the delivery of a historic and frank speech at a memorial service to honour People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Founder and late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan in March.

On Friday, Justice William Ramlall granted two preliminary orders prohibiting Magistrate Charlyn Artiga from making further movements in prosecuting Jagdeo while ordering her to show cause why the charge instituted against Jagdeo should not be quashed.

Attorney-at -Law

Mursaline Bacchus, speak-

Armed bandits snatch $1M from auto salesman

Two armed bandits stuck up a Salesman attached to Sanichar Auto Workshop of Campbellville, Georgetown, and carted off in excess of $1 million is cash before escaping from Police at a roadblock at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) on Thursday.

Reports are that the Salesman and three other staff members of the auto workshop had just completed their last sale on a distributing outing in Berbice when the incident occurred. According to the 28-yearold Salesman, Steve Moore, they had just made their last distribution of spare parts to a customer and were about to go to a commercial bank at D’Edward Village to make a deposit when they were stopped. He explained that while at Cotton Tree Village, WCB and in the distribution canter truck bearing registration plate GKK 6395, a white Toyota IST with registration plate PMM 8556 drove up and stopped in the canter’s path.

Moore who lives at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, said two men of African descent came out of the car and each of them carried a firearm. He said they walked up to the carter and demanded their valuables. One of the men put his hand into the canter and removed a plastic bag containing $1,058,312. Moore was relieved of his cellphone valued at $6500. The money is the property of city businessman Sasnarine Sanichar.

Meanwhile, a porter who was also on the canter at the time of the robbery was also relieved of $7800 he had in his possession. The robbers also allegedly took the canter driver’s cell-

ing with Guyana Times on Friday, explained that Jagdeo’s lawyers felt that Friday was the opportune time to file the application in the Berbice High Court. He said that the lawyers had made submissions be fore the Magistrate re questing that the case be discharged or thrown out for various reasons, but she decided to proceed with the matter, rejecting their ap plications.

Bacchus said he could not anticipate the outcome of the matter which is now before Justice Ramlall, but explained that the Magistrate was expected to make a court appearance along with her Attorney, who is likely to be Attorney General Basil Williams.

Attorney-at-Law

Asked why this was not done earlier, Bacchus maintained that “the strategy was not decided upon up until recently”.

The battery of lawyers is maintaining that Magistrate Artiga’s decision to charge Jagdeo with racial incitement was “irrational, unreasonable, erroneous in law and null and void”. They believe too that the Magistrate has no jurisdiction to inquire into the charge because it is legally defective and invalid and any attempt for her to so do, would amount to an abuse of court. Justice Ramlall is expected to preside over the case when it is heard properly on July 17, 2015 after which a decision will be made as to whether to make the temporary orders permanent or remove them.

On Monday last, Magistrate Artiga rebuked Attorney-at-Law

Christopher Ram for making contact with her via telephone to raise issues he had with respect to the private charge he filed against Jagdeo. Such ex-parte contacts are viewed very negatively by the courts and can even result in cases being thrown out. The Attorney was forced to apologise to the Magistrate following his unethical actions. Meanwhile, the former President was unable to attend court owing to his ill health and the case was adjourned until July 13, 2015 when it was slated to be heard. Jagdeo was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Bacchus, Adrian Anamayah and Perry Gossai who submitted a medical report explaining his absence.

Govt says it will not budge on financial audits

….notes rise in external, domestic debts

phone. Following the robbery, the two armed men entered the car and headed in the direction of Georgetown. The incident occurred at about 16:30h. According to a source close to the Police, following a report of a robbery at Cotton Tree Village, a road block was set up in the vicinity of the Fort Wellington Police Station. Commander of B Division (Berbice), Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith told Guyana Times that the Police acting on information set up a road block at the Fort Wellington Police Station where the suspects were spotted approaching the road block in a white car. He said upon their approach, the driver increased his speed and passed the Police road block. According to the Commander, shots were fired at the vehicle but the car drove away and was later discovered abandoned at Bush Lot Village.

Meanwhile, one eyewitness said the occupants in the car were both East Indian. According to Godwyn Allicock, sometime after 16:30h, the car in which he was travelling in was stopped at a road block in front of Fort Wellington Police Station. He said while there, a white Toyota approached the road block and the officer in charge signalled to the car to stop.

“The car was driving very slow and it pull down in the corner as they reach up to the Police and then just pull off with a speed.” He said the officers fired two shots, one of which hit the vehicle. Meanwhile, Police have confirmed that the vehicle belongs to Varrell Ramdatt. The owner of the car reported to Police on Thursday evening that the car was stolen. Police are investigating.

BY GOMATIE GANGADIN

Amid questions over transparency and objectivity, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said that the President David Granger-led administration will not budge from its position with regards to the financial audits that are being carried out at various state agencies countrywide. Jordan also noted rising external and domestic debts, pleading that systems would have to be put in place to address this before it gets out of control.

Jordan made the comments while speaking on the motion to commend President David Granger’s speech at the opening of the 11th Parliament. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has since objected to two of the main auditors – Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram and Anand Goolsarran. Both men were fierce critics of the former PPP/C administration and have publicly commented on some of the entities they are being contracted to audit. Jordan told the House during the debate on a motion of the President’s speech that transparency and accountability were tantamount and were important in ensuring that the mandate of the new Government – the reduction of poverty – is achieved as he further added that there was a nexus between accountability and the level of poverty which exists in a country.

Jordan said that despite the fact that criticisms have been pouring in over the selection of certain entities to conduct the forensic audits at the agencies, the Government will remain firm in its stance and will await the reports. He fur-

ther stated that Guyanese and all critics should await the report on the matter before any judgement is passed on the credibility of the report.

“Despite all of the noise and what is being said, we will not be moved. These audits are not just to find funds which has been misappropriated, abused or misused but for a Government that is coming into this situation after more than 20 years, it would be foolish not to conduct these audits to know what you have so it is not a question of witch hunting… we have to move from this whole harping and carping about witch-hunting and to also stop the abuse on those who are carrying out the audits and let us wait on the reports to determine whether they were biased or not,” Jordan told the House on Friday.

An accredited chartered accountant had also told this newspaper that it was wholly inappropriate for Ram and Goolsarran to audit some of the entities given their public criticisms of these agencies. The Accountant had warned that going ahead with the former Government critics could

destroy the credibility of the audits and had urged the accountants to walk away from the contracts and follow the principles of their profession.

In the meantime, Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma had played down reports that the involvement of Ram and Goolsarran present a conflict of interest in the financial accounting. According to Sharma, he was more than confident that despite the previous stance of the men, that they will be able to remain “professional” and carry out their duties effectively. The junior Finance Minister further noted the fact that the men have an understanding of what is being looked for and know what the aims of the forensic accounting are, the work will now be easier. He is also contending that a forensic audit is usually underpinned by legislative provisions, which are non-existent at the moment, and also called for greater transparency in the awarding of the contracts, citing that no tender was advertised for the auditing services but firms were just handpicked for the job.

In the meantime, the Finance Minister said that poverty is manifested when corruption is present and as such, it was important that the Government put systems in place to ensure transparency and accountability in an effort to eradicate poverty in the country. “There is a nexus between poverty and accountability… and poverty has been on the rise. To tackle poverty we also have to root out corruption, we must go after this scourge wherever it is… big corruption or small those who will transfer vehicles illegally or those who will get

free gas, it is still corruption,” the Minister told the National Assembly.

Debt rising

The Minister disclosed that as it now stands, Guyana was highly indebted, even carrying a deficit or more than $60 billion. “Guyana’s external debt is US$1.6 billion, and we were recipients of generous debt write-offs from both bilateral and multilateral agents that have put us in a category where we have to pay careful attention to what we borrow, how we borrow, and what we borrow for,” Jordan intoned.

Continuing, Jordan told the House that there was a large magnitude of work which must be done, including the crafting of a National Economic Policy, achieving stable macro economic growth and ensuring infrastructural growth. Further, he added that the National Procurement and Tender Board administration will soon see a major shake-up since it was pertinent to have a professional, competent and unbiased Board in place. “We are going to be reforming the procurement system. OF course, we will start where we have some control and that is the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board. A new board will be in place by next week and some of the practices reviewed.” Guyanese can also expect to see gender budgeting and budgetary allocations for the poor and needy in the upcoming budgets and a major overhaul and centralisation of the Guyana National Bureau of Statistics (GNBS) so as to ensure that proper surveys and the National Census are produced to assist the Government in policymaking.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

ormer President

Bharrat Jagdeo has moved to the High

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Christopher Ram

CJIA expansion project

PPP/C urges Govt to stand by project design

…says Harmon misleading Guyanese on additional costs

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Friday urged the David Granger-led coalition Government to adhere to the design/build, fixed price contract entered into by the Guyana Government and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) as it warned against paying any additional costs to the contractor.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had told the media that the former PPP/C Administration grossly underestimated the overall cost of the project and additional works to be done. He said an additional US$65 million was needed to fund the entire project which was originally pegged at US$150 million.

But, in a statement, the Party said that Harmon was making an invidious attempt to deliberately misrepresent

the project contract.

“The PPP/C Administration always identified a design/build, fixed price contract entered into between Guyana and CHEC which identified an amount of US$150 million for specific activities, items and specified related amounts, detailed in that contract signed in 2011,” the Party said. It noted that this contract is funded by US$138 million provided for by a low-interest, concessional loan from the EXIM Bank of China and a matching US$12 million provided by Guyana as the country’s required contribution for the total contract sum.”

The Party argued that these amounts were agreed, after intensive work and negotiations were done to bring the final contract sum into limits imposed by the funding available on offer from the

People’s Republic of China funding mechanism at the time, and what was possible via the then budgetary provisions.

“It was often stated that the activities, items and amounts for other works which had to be done, on Guyana’s account, were identified and worked up for funding via subsequent budgets and for completion through public tendering”, the PPP/c explained.

Additional work

The Party held on to its position that the items and amounts, stated by Harmon, are basically the figures of the PPP/C’s Government work specified to achieve all activities both for the CHEC contract and for the other works. These items and activities include: a new car park –US$2.5 million; baggage han-

Development of comprehensive citizenship policy underway – Minister Felix

The newly created Ministry of Citizenship will eventually realise the amalgamation of several services currently under the aegis of the Guyana Police Force.

This move is in keeping with recommendations made by the Disciplined Services Commission since 2014. Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix spoke of this development in the National Assembly on Thursday during the second sitting of the 11th Parliament. He noted that “civilians should be contracted to perform Police functions that do not require Police training.”

It was explained that this would include examination of vehicles for road fitness, processing of applications for passport, and typing and secretarial work.

The new Ministry will encompass these areas and more according to Minister Felix. He outlined several ways through which persons can become citizens, including naturalisation.

In quoting the vision of the Immigration Services, that is, “Developing to its full potential, Guyana’s registration and immigration system”, he noted that it is envisaged that in the longterm, the country would be serviced by an efficiently run decentralised registration, immigration and naturalisation service or RINS. This service will have branches in all of Guyana’s townships such as Bartica and Lethem, and will give persons the ability to know their rights and responsibilities, and “have access to recourse in the event of anomalies to the system.”

The Minister stated that for too long these agencies have had a disparate re-

lationship, and they were unable to share information, and hence completely serve the purpose for which they were designed. The Ministry of Citizenship, currently housed in the compound of the Ministry of the Presidency, will review the existing system and structures and the formulation of a strategic plan to integrate the systems to achieve the development of a comprehensive citizenship policy, a border policy, decentralisation of services and a national model that includes civic education to transform the sector to realise its full potential.

The Ministry will comprise two divisions, Minster Felix added, “One involved in the registration of births, deaths and marriages, while the other will be engaged in the registration of citizens, naturalisation, visa extensions, passport applications and other related matters.”

A Managing Board will be put in place to guide and be responsible for overall policy. An Operations Manager will assume responsibility for the delivery of the services, administration and daily operations while a Legal Advisor will also be appointed.

An Integration Technology Manager who will oversee the integration of the systems and relevant data, and a Public Relations Manager will be employed. All new births will be registered with a unique number issued to them, Minister Felix further explained, stating that this number will be instrumental in the registered person’s obtaining of a national identification card at age 14, where biometrics will also be done to ensure that Guyanese can

be easily identified wherever they are. Agencies such the Guyana Revenue Authority, Immigration and the Ministries of Education and Public Health will eventually have access to this information under a secure database system. All of these measures will be implemented using best practices from overseas nations.

With over 40 different nationalities present in Guyana for various reasons, Minister Felix stated that the numbers give rise to the need for the review of this country’s laws. The current method of persons outside of Commonwealth nations being able to reside in Guyana for five years and automatically being given naturalised citizenship must be revised. The Minister emphasised “examples from other countries suggest that apart from residency in that country, for five or more years, there is need to write and pass a written exam. A review of chapter 1401 to review these shortcomings is in order”.

He added that as a small developing country with high unemployment among a small population, where foreign investors enter to generate wealth, the jobs of Guyanese must be protected.

Recalling the issue with the previous Government which allowed Chinese unskilled labour to work on the construction of the Marriott hotel, the Minister stressed that unless highly specialised skills are required, vacancies must be advertised locally, “before importing labour from outside of Guyana. This situation ought to be corrected to allow Guyanese to be beneficiaries of employment.” (GINA)

dling conveyors, ticketing and other counters, furnishings and equipment for the terminal building – US$12 million; navigational aids – US$1.3 million; utilities – US$0.06 million; fencing and lights –US$0.565 million; and building relocations – US$0.510M – all of which do not add up to the US$65 million quoted as now being”...additionally required”.

“It is worthy to note that the relocation of the GDF Engineering Corps building was known to be required for the creation of the new car park and was funded by a separate contract to CHEC, much later, as funding was sourced through what was available to the GDF. A new building was completed, westwards of the airport site on land identified by the GDF making the land available for the construction of the car park,” the Party said.

The PPP/C explained further that funding for all the other activities and items were identified to be split between the Ministry of Finance, the Cheddi Jagan

International Airport and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. Modifications to the nature, extent and costing of the other works were adopted , from time to time, particularly contingent on CHEC’s concerns that underlying ground conditions, on the originally intended northern extension, were poor, as a result of thicker pegasse and associated soft clay sections.

“It is surprising that the amount US$65 million, identified by the two ministers as being required for other works, is the same amount requested by CHEC in meetings with the PPP/C Government in 2014, to deal with the ground conditions and other issues. CHEC at those meetings was firmly advised to take seriously into account the design/build, fixed price contract which they had entered into, and that no further funding could be provided under the contract,” the Party maintained.

The PPP/C noted that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) alliance, which

had imposed delays and blockages to the project and its execution, in and out of Parliament, in addition to cutting out all of the project’s scheduled funding in the 2014 budget proposals, is now embracing it and seemingly seeking to lay the groundwork for an astronomical increase in the contract sum to CHEC for what is a fixed price contract.

“It would now appear that the basic validity of the project is no longer in question, but is founded in a new reality for the coalition now that they have assumed power,” the Party stated.

The statement read: “Minister Harmon is also reported as saying that only six percent of work was done against an expenditure of US$30 million. This deliberately disregards and misleads on the fact that US$20 million was required and paid as the normal mobilisation payment necessary to initiate the project. This has previously been stated publicly. The balance of some US$10 million has been paid against payment certificates invoiced for measured works completed.”

New Brazil delegation travel to Venezuela after ‘bus attack’

Agroup of Brazilian Senators has travelled to Venezuela to try to promote dialogue between the country’s Government and Opposition.

More than 40 people have been killed since last year in street protests.

Most of the senators in the delegation are close to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and support Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Last week, a delegation of Opposition Brazilian senators said their bus came under attack in Caracas.

The group, which included former Presidential Candidate Aecio Neves, said they had to flee the country after landing in Caracas because their bus was stoned by Government supporters.

The Venezuelan authorities have denied involvement in any violence.

The Brazilian Government delegation arrived in Caracas on Thursday and said it would

talk to all sides.

“Brazil has a duty to identify and promote conditions for dialogue and the reduction of aggression, which has been a feature in Venezuela’s democratic pro-

cess,” said Senator Roberto Requiao, who is leading the mission.

The Senators later met Lilian Tintori and Mitzy Capriles, the wives of jailed Opposition politicians Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma.

They have also met former Presidential Candidate Henrique Capriles and will hold talk with Government officials.

“In Brazil, we are in principle against the arrest of anyone taking part in the political process,” said Requiao, who is leading the delegation.

But the Senators are not planning to visit Lopez or Ledezma, who were arrested last year after being accused of inciting violence during anti-government protests.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Barbados’ largest Public Sector trade union threatens island-wide strike action

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) is threatening that its members across the public service could take industrial action next week over the refusal of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) to withdraw termination letters given to over a dozen workers over the age of 60. And the biggest trade union in the island, the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU), says it is backing the NUPW in its fight with the statutory board over its forced retirement of the employees.

NUPW General Secretary Roslyn Smith

said at a news conference Thursday that if the letters given to the 13 BIDC workers are not withdrawn by next Tuesday, “serious” in-

Police investigating hacking of Jamaica Govt information service website

Police have started investigations into the hacking of the websites of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) and five other entities that the Government agency hosts.

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining State Minister Julian Robinson said Thursday that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has committed resources “to try and identify the source of this cybercriminal activity” which occurred on Monday night, affecting the websites of JIS; the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports, and Education (CHASE) Fund; GC Foster College; Social Development Commission (SDC); Houses of Parliament; and Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO.

Robinson said while it was not yet clear whether the attack originated locally or overseas, “there were certain things that were posted which we have to treat with seriously, as a country”.

Visitors to jis.gov.jm saw a black background with a “message to all peoples of the world and especially governments” that the Islamic State (ISIS) would restore the rights of Muslims who have been killed by governments, and “restore dignity for Muslims”.

Robinson said the Cyber Incidents Response Team (CIRT), which responded when the breach was identified, is continuing work to ensure that all potential “loopholes” are closed and prevent future attacks.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

dustrial action will commence.

“We have not ruled out a shutdown of the country,” she said after meeting with

workers from all statutory boards.

“We will recommend [to the Union’s National Council] that if BIDC fails to change their decision, then the only option that we will have is to embark on serious industrial action . . . We will not be going backwards, we are going forward.”

Last week, a day before its management was to meet with the Union, the BIDC distributed the termination letters, triggering protests at the statutory board. It said its Board of Directors had decided to invoke its right under the Statutory Boards (Pensions) Act to retire officers reaching the age of 60. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

UN calls on Dom Rep to rethink deportation policy

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Haiti, Sandra Honoré, says the deportations being carried out by the Dominican Republic must not result in statelessness of people of Haitian descent.

She says such acts should be consistent with the dignity, human rights and international humanitarian law.

Last Friday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) appealed to the Government of the Dominican Republic to ensure that people who were arbitrarily deprived of their nationality as a result of a 2013 ruling of the Dominican Constitutional Court would not be deported.

According to UNHCR, in May 2014, the Dominican Republic adopted a naturalisation law which provided for the re-issuance of nationality

documents for some individuals born in the Dominican Republic and gave others the possibility to apply for special registration until February 2015, opening a path to eventual citizenship.

In an interview with UN Radio, Honoré said that in a recent meeting with the Foreign Minister and the immigration authorities in the Dominican Republic, those officials explained to her that during the process of deportation they would “take all necessary measures so that there was full respect for the basic guarantees of the people”.

Honoré, who is also head of UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), said that to date, there has been an increase in the flow of returnees and that both Governments have decided that there would be two official points for carrying out deportations. (Excerpt from CMC)

Caribbean banks say EU blacklist could hurt Region’s financial institutions

Regional banks are concerned that the European Commission’s listing of Caribbean countries among the world’s worst tax havens could hurt the Region’s financial services sector.

The Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB), a community of banks and other financial institutions in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), says the list has caused it “grave concern”.

The Commission, the European Union’s executive body, released a list of 30 non-cooperative, nonEU jurisdictions – including more than a dozen from the Caribbean – that had been identified by at least 10 EU member states.

The EU subsequently sought to clarify that the list was only a compilation of members’ lists and was not a new one. However, several Caribbean countries have challenged it, saying that they did not even do business with some of those EU

countries that pointed fingers at them and labelled them non-cooperative.

“Notwithstanding that the European Union has now clarified that the final decision, regarding which countries should be on the list, has not been made; it must be highlighted that the timing of this publication and its general perception as a new ‘blacklist’ could have far-reaching effects on the Caribbean’s financial services sector,” the CAB said in a statement Thursday.

The Association pointed out that indigenous banks in the Region are already being challenged with the threat of loss of correspondent banking relationships with international banks.

An additional blacklist, “based on unclear criteria, may serve to exacerbate the perception of our Region as a high-risk area and consequently, negatively impact the Risk Rating profile of financial institutions by correspondent banks”, it said. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Chairman of Antigua Opposition party and talk show host charged with fraud

Chairman of the Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) and former Speaker of Parliament, D Gisele Isaac is facing fraud charges connected with alleged wrongdoing while she served as Executive Secretary of the Board of Education (BoE).

Radio talk show host Algernon “Serpent” Watts, who served as a debt collection officer for the Board, is also facing charges.

Both appeared in the St John Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Joanne Walsh Thursday and were released on bail.

Isaac and Watts are jointly accused of conspiring to defraud the Board of Education of EC$13,983.97 (US$5,179.25) between March 2013 and March 2014.

Isaac also faces additional charges of fraudu-

lent conversion of the same money and fraudulent conversion of another EC$9,000 (US$3,333), as well as corruption.

Watts is singly accused of failing to pay Education Levy to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue between March 2013 and February 2014, being a person self employed as a debt collection officer at the BoE.

Isaac has been released on EC$35,000 (US$12,963) bail, with a cash component of EC$15,000 (US$5555) while Watts’ bail was set at EC$15,000 (US$5555) with an EC$5000 (US$1851) cash component. They will return to court on October 25. As a condition of their bail release, the two had to surrender their travel documents and ordered to report to the Police every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. (Caribbean360)

Senator Requiao met Lilian Tintori, the wife of jailed opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez

Picketers outside the BIDC office, including NUPW officials (Barbados Today photo)

Former Executive Secretary of the Board of Education and Speaker of Parliament, and current UPP Chairman D Gisele Isaac

Tunisia attack on Sousse beach “kills 37”

At least 37 people, mostly foreigners, have been killed and 36 injured in an attack on a beach in the Tunisian resort town of Sousse, according to the Health Ministry.

Video footage showed the body of a suspected gunman lying in a street.

Tunisians, Britons, Germans and Belgians and at least one Irish citizen are among the dead.

In March, militants killed 22 people, mainly foreign tourists, in an attack on a museum in the capital Tunis.

At least five Britons are confirmed dead, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said, adding “we must expect more reports of fatalities”.

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has gone to Sousse’s Sahloul hospital to visit the injured and promised “painful but necessary measures” in the wake of the attack.

Security officials said one attacker, who had posed as a

swimmer but was carrying a rifle under a parasol, started shooting on the beach before entering the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba, continuing to shoot as he walked past the pool. He was then shot dead in an exchange of fire with Police, officials said. They said he was a student not previously known to authorities.

Local media reported that a second suspected at-

tacker had been arrested, but this has not been confirmed.

One British holidaymaker in Sousse, Steve Johnson, told the BBC: “We were just laying on the beach as usual and... we heard what we thought at first was fireworks.

“But it was soon pretty obvious... that it was firearms that were being discharged and people screaming and starting to run.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Vatican under fire from Israel over deal with Palestine

The Vatican has come under fire from Israel

after signing a historic first accord with Palestine that called for “courageous decisions” to end the IsraeliPalestinian conflict.

The historic accord signed on Friday covers the activities of the Church in the parts of the Holy Land under Palestinian control, is the first agreement since the Vatican recognised Palestine as a state in February 2013

and drew an immediate response from Israel.

“This hasty step damages the prospects for advancing a peace agreement, and harms the international effort to convince the Palestinian Authority to return to direct negotiations with Israel,” Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said.

The product of 15 years of discussions, the agreement between Palestine and

the Vatican was finalised in principle last month despite Israel’s opposition to both the symbolism of Palestine signing international accords and the specific content of the agreement.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al-Malki said at Friday’s signing ceremony that it would “not have been possible without the blessing of his Holiness Pope Francis for our efforts to reach it”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UNHCR: Burundi crisis propels refugee exodus

Hundreds of ordinary Burundians continue to flee political instability and election-related violence just days before the country heads to the polls next week, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.

Massoumeh FarmanFarmaian, Spokesperson for the UNHCR in Kasulu, Tanzania, told Al Jazeera on Friday that the UN agency had a plan for up to 150,000 more fleeing neighbouring Burundi.

“With everything happening in Burundi, we are anticipating that up to 150,000 more people could still flee Burundi and we are prepared for that,” FarmanFarmaian said.

At least 127,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring Tanzania

At least 127,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring countries [ Zoe Flood/Al Jazeera]

(62,000); Rwanda (45,000); Uganda (8855); the Democratic Republic of the Congo (10,590),and Zambia (400), with the insecurity spurring on thousands more to flee.

The UNHCR said between 200 and 300 refugees continue to arrive in Tanzania, and are being transferred to the Nyarugusu refugee camp,

Around the World

France put on high alert after attack on chemical plant

France has been placed on high alert for the next three days after a person was found decapitated in what officials are calling a “terrorist” incident at a gas factory in southeastern France.

French President Francois Hollande, speaking in Brussels, said the incident began shortly before 10:00h local time on Friday after a car crashed the gate and ran into gas canisters, causing an explosion. At least two others were injured in the attack.

A security official said a severed head was found

posted on the gate at the entrance to the factory, located in Saint Quentin Fallevier, about 30 kilometres southeast of Lyon. According to legal sources, the man decapitated was the boss of the suspect now in Police custody.

Two flags, one white and one black, both with Arabic inscriptions, were found nearby, a security official told the AP news agency.

“The attack was of a terrorist nature since a body was discovered, decapitated and with inscriptions. As I speak, there is one fatality and two injured,” said

President Hollande, speaking in Brussels. A French Prosecutor says four people are in custody and that Police were still searching buildings for evidence.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, speaking to reporters near the scene of the attack, said the suspect had links to the Salafist movement and had previously been on an intelligence watch list between 2006 and 2008.

Cazeneuve said the suspect was apprehended by a fireman who had responded to the incident. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Sri Lankan President dissolves Parliament

Political pundits have welcomed the news of the dissolution stating that the political uncertainty in the country will now come to an end

The Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena, has dissolved his country’s Parliament, 160 days after assuming office in January this year.

It was also announced on Friday night that the parliamentary elections will be held on August 17, while the new Parliament is scheduled to meet on September 1. The dissolution ends weeks of speculation af-

ter the President promised to dissolve Parliament 100 days after his victory in the January presidential election.

Despite his pledge, the President delayed the dissolution as he attempted to repair the cracks caused in his own party following his defection to the Opposition.

Despite hailing from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which holds the majority in the cur-

rent Parliament, President Sirisena has been governing with the support of the United National Party (UNP) who nominated him as the Opposition Presidential Candidate back in December 2014.

Minister of Plantations, Lakshman Kiriella, told Al-Jazeera that the UNP welcomed the news of the dissolution and was fully prepared for the elections: “We promised the people we would govern for 100 days, we have delivered on many of our promises and now we will seek a fresh mandate from the people during this election.”

Opposition Leader Nirmal Siripala de Silva said they were disappointed that “the electoral reforms could not be introduced prior to the election, but we are ready for the election and will secure the people’s mandate once again.”

However, political pundits have welcomed the news of the dissolution stating that the political uncertainty in the country will now come to an end. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US Supreme Court rules gay marriage is legal nationwide

The US Supreme Court has ruled that samesex marriage is a legal right across the United States.

It means the 14 states with bans on same-sex marriage will no longer be able to enforce them.

which has long being overcrowded.

“The camp is overcrowded, services are stretched and we are trying best to accommodate all,” FarmanFarmaian said.

It is understood that the UNHCR and partners were closing in on agreement with the Tanzanian Government on a new camp site for new arrivals. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the plaintiffs asked “for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right”.

The ruling brings to an end more than a decade of bitter legal battles.

Same-sex couples in several affected states including Georgia, Michigan, Ohio

and Texas rushed to wed on Friday.

However officials in some states, including Mississippi and Louisiana, said marriages had to wait until procedural issues were addressed.

President Barack Obama said the ruling was a “victory for America”.

“When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free “ he said.

However, Christian conservatives decried the decision.

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee called the ruling “an out-

of-control act of unconstitutional, judicial tyranny”. And Kellie Fiedorek, a lawyer for an anti-gay marriage advocacy group, said the decision “ignored the voices of thousands of Americans”.

Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, a state where marriages licences will now be issued to same-sex couples, said the Justices “have imposed on the entire country their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Dozens of people were also injured in the attack

saturday, june 27, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Govt still mum on cost of President Granger’s inauguration Sir Shridath honoured at Rotary dinner ...Club

outlines plans for new year

The new Administration has remained mum on the actual cost of the Independence Day celebrations and inauguration ceremony of President David Granger which was held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara on May 26.

When questioned by Guyana Times on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency on the cost of the event, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon related that he was not in a position to disclose such information since it was not with him. Working on the presumption that the Culture Ministry, now under the purview of the Education Ministry, headed by Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, would

be able to shed some light on the issue, Guyana Times approached the Minister.

However, when the question was posed to Roopnaraine, he noted that he had no idea what was the cost for the ceremony, since none of the entities under his watch had footed the bill. “I had nothing to do with the inauguration, but I do have everything to do with the 50th [Independence] Anniversary, that is what you can ask me about,” he said.

Questions had been raised about the cost of the ceremony which some had dubbed as glamorous while others had described it as poorly planned and lacking in many areas. Reports emanating from various sections of society have placed the cost of the event at approximately $200 million. Thousands from near and far had flocked the Guyana National Stadium for the inauguration of Granger, Guyana’s Eighth Executive President.

GTA donates cleaning tools to ECHO

The Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Wednesday donated a quantity of cleaning tools to the Environmental Community Health Organisation’s (ECHO’s) Club of St Margaret’s Primary School.

The small ceremony which took place on the school’s premise was attended by Director of the GTA, Indranauth Haralsingh along with representatives from ECHO and the Tourism Ministry, as well as members of the media.

Samuel King and Clive Muridall who are both representatives from ECHO explained what the organisation is about. They illustrated that there are about 60 ECHO clubs in schools across Guyana and their main aims are to educate young people about their environment, make them young ambassadors of the environment and to promote a clean and safe environment. They noted that, young people are the best target for the promotion of such a cause. They are the future leaders of the environment and they need to become aware of global warming and all the other issues we face as a result of mistreating the environment. The organisation also promotes healthy living among its young members and they boast of hosting numerous workshops and

seminars for young people regarding their environment. They also mentioned that members of the club visited Suriname and other places to observe the environment and the ways in which it is kept clean.

Headmistress (HM) of St Margaret’s, Georgenia Lewis, said that the ECHO initiative has been running for several years at the school and it is one of the most vibrant clubs of the 60. She said that the school has taken part in many clean-up activities, tree planting exercises, plant shows, and debating and art competitions geared at promoting a “clean and safe environment”. The club has collaborated with many other environmental organisations such as Guyana Shines and the other ECHO clubs across Guyana. HM Lewis stated that it is very important that young people are encouraged to care for the environment, adding “We feel that at this stage, it is easy to harness good attitudes among the children”. It is at this stage that children are more supportive of such efforts and there is a strong chance that they will take such initiatives into consideration when they are adults. One of the persons present said “You have to bend a tree when it’s young, not when they are old and it is too late”.

Among the items presented to the club by Haralsingh

were shovels, a wheelbarrow, rakes, spades, cutlasses, garbage bags and gloves. He said he is happy that the school is taking this initiative to keep their environment clean and safe, added too that “The Ministry of Tourism and the GTA have always been keen advocates for a clean environment” and Guyana’s biggest criticism over the years has been “the state of our environment as it relates to solid waste management”. Director Haralsingh expressed that he was happy when President David Granger encourage Guyanese to keep the country clean. The GTA has adopted a few corners and bridges along South Road, Georgetown, that they will be responsible for maintaining. “As Guyanese we need to take pride in our environment and cooperate in clean ups,” the Director added.

The Head Teacher and students expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Ministry for their generous donations. Student President of the ECHO Club Isaiah Jackson, encouraged his fellow young people by saying “they should not litter because at the end of the day, when people come to Guyana they must see a clean environment”. The students sent a “Thank You” to Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, who was unable to be present at the ceremony due to pressing obligations.

Internationally renowned Guyanese scholar and statesman, Sir Shridath Ramphal was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Rotary Club of Georgetown for his outstanding work in Guyana and across the globe.

He was honoured with the Award at an elegant dinner hosted by the Rotary Club at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday. The Paul Harris Fellow Award is the highest honour a Rotary Club can bestow upon a person, either inside or outside the Club. Sir Shridath, though not a Rotarian, has been providing selfless service to his community, his country and the entire world. The Paul Harris Award acknowledges “service above self”, hence Sir Shridath being conferred with the honour in recognition of his significant services.

Born on October 3, 1928, in New Amsterdam, the Guyanese patriot played an instrumental role in shaping Guyana’s foreign policy and establishing its foreign service. Sir Shridath was actively involved in Caribbean politics and in the major international organisations of which Guyana is a member — the United Nations, the

Commonwealth, the Group of 77, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

He is also known to have strengthened relations between the countries of the Caribbean and those of Latin America. He was a key spokesman for the developing countries of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific in the negotiations with the European Community.

In accepting the award, Sir Shridath thanked the Georgetown Rotary Club for the signal honour while applauding the work of the Club and its members. “Service is your motto and we are now called to serve as one people, as one nation if we are to secure our national destiny. We need national unity if we are not to destroy ourselves,” he said.

Year ahead

Meanwhile, at the dinner, the Rotary Club announced its new Board of Directors for the year 20152016. Liz Cox became the new President; Lisa Foster, the Vice President; Harrinand Persaud ,the Secretary; George Edwards, the Treasurer; Peter Peroune, the Director of Administration; Pearson Burch-Smith ,the

Director of Foundation; Arron Fraser, the Director of Service; Ariane Mangar, the Director of Public Relations; Sheldon Hazelwood, the Director of New Generations; Roger Harper, the Director of Membership; Johnny Carpenter, the Sergeant at Arms and Ronald BurchSmith, the Immediate Past President.

President Liz, in her acceptance address, outlined some of the Club’s plans for the year 2015-2016. Some of these include refurbishing the playground at the Red Cross Children Convalescent Home, hosting a series of seminars in schools focusing on ethics, partnering with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association to send 100 girls back to school and assisting the National Library to upgrade the “Book Mobile”. The Georgetown Rotary Club succeeded in executing a number of projects in the past year, including a medical outreach in Mahaica Creek, a social gathering for senior citizens around Christmas, supplying maternity care hampers to the Georgetown Public Hospital and distributing more than 400 pairs of shoes to orphanages and needy communities.

120 graduate from VYC youth project

The Volunteer Youth Corps Inc (VYC) hosted a graduation ceremony for 120 young people who participated in a “Marginalised Youth Project”.

The project derived from a two-year sub-agreement between the VYC and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and El Centro de Orientacion e Investigacion Integral (COIN) under the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) - Global Fund Round 9 Project. The theme for the project was “Improving the quality of life of marginalised youth”.

The project targeted young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who were directly or indirectly affected by HIV/ AIDS, unemployed or homeless. There were two main areas that the participants benefited from, namely HIV Prevention and Livelihood Development. There are many benefits of signing on to the programme, includ-

ing: counselling and testing, case management support, employment training and job placements for some.

The ceremony took place at the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Music Centre on Brickdam. Although the ceremony began very late, all of the participants present were well dressed and patient. In welcoming remarks, VYC Project Coordinator Shevon Savory congratulated all of the participants for completing the project. She noted that “such projects are few in number” and urged the Government and organisations to make “marginalised” youth a priority.

Training

Zenita Nicholson, the country coordinator for CVC/ COIN, thanked the participants for their efforts in completing the project. The participants came from places like Tiger Bay and Albouystown; some of them were school

dropouts, and a few teen mothers also took part. They were all trained in areas such as masonry, hair and nail design, HIV/AIDS awareness, mechanics and various skill activities.

The highlight of the event, which featured a few talent displays by beneficiaries of the programme, was the handing over of certificates and other awards. One of the proud participants said: “The programme has been successful for me, because I learned many things like cooking, hair and nails, computering, cosmetology, etc.” They were also exposed to the world of work and organisations and businesses that may offer them jobs such as are Kevin’s Reflection, SANA Construction Services, GTIC, Chase’s Academic Foundation and Davis Memorial Hospital.

The VYC thanked the organisations that partnered with it and looked forward to a glittering future of collaboration.

Sir Shridath Ramphal poses with members of the Georgetown Rotary Club

Thousands from near and far had flocked the Guyana National Stadium for the inauguration on May 26

Director of GTA Indranauth Haralsingh hands over tools to the Head Teacher of St Margaret’s Primary in the presence of representatives from ECHO and students

saturday, june 27, 2015 |

Personal effects now subject to random inspections – GRA

In the interest of revenue protection and adherence to the country’s border laws and regulations, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will now be randomly selecting personal effects for inspection.

In a statement, the GRA said that Customs procedures have been revised to facilitate profiling of non-commercial cargo for examinations based on criteria that seek to avert smuggling of prohibited, restricted or undeclared goods.

“The examination will be done jointly by officers of Customs Excise and Trade Operations (CETO); Goods Examination Unit (GEU) and Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID) who will also determine the degree of examination (ie 25 per cent, 50 per cent and 100 per cent) and present a report on all the examinations to the Commissioner General for his information,” the revenue body said.

According to the GRA, prior to this new system, personal effects such as barrels, boxes, bin skids, pallets, and other packages, were not subject to inspections. They were released after a flat rate duty was applied. However, with the frequency in attempts in re-

cent years to use personnel effects as a smuggling guise, the change was seen as necessary.

Chief among the violations were attempts to declare commercial cargo as non-commercial cargo by shipping them in barrels, boxes, bin skids, and pallets. Consignees who make false declarations will be subject to a fine implemented by LEID.

Meanwhile, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), passengers who voluntarily join the Nothing to

Pomeroon River boat accident

Declare line will be profiled for 100 per cent baggage examination by CETO, and LEID and a report will be presented to the Commissioner General. The GRA said it was confident that the new systems will strengthen its capacity to detect discrepancies in classification and valuation of goods, ensure the Customs duty and taxes are remitted, and improve compliance from importers/exporters resulting in increased revenue collection.

Govt, China hold talks on major infrastructural projects

Representatives of the Government of Guyana, an official from the People’s Republic of China and the General Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company have been engaging in talks about the infrastructural development here which is likely to kick-start soon.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon disclosed that the foreign officials have indicated an interest of helping Guyana transform its infrastructural landscape through various means including grants, loans and expertise. This move, Harmon said, is greatly welcomed by the new A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration.

During the various meetings among these officials, President David Granger outlined his vision for the direction of Guyana’s infrastructural development. “We outlined a vision which was detailed by President Granger which said that we will not utilise grants and loans by the Chinese Government for ‘small-small’ projects, but that we want a major infrastructural project which links the hinterland with the coast

Body of Captain recovered at Diamond in Lower Pomeroon River

Three days after a boat mishap in Liberty, Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), the decomposed body of farmer Orton Benjamin was recovered around 02:00h Friday by members of Guyana Defence Force and residents.

Benjamin’s body was recovered near Diamond in the Lower Pomeroon approximately two miles from where the accident occurred on June 24. The body was recovered

after intense searches done by Police, soldiers and residents around the area. It was then brought to Charity and later transported to the Suddie Funeral Home. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed shortly.

Police are said to be investigating the matter. The GDF will be offsetting the funeral expenses for the deceased Benjamin, whose boat collided with an Army Coast Guard boat. It is unclear whether the Captain of the GDF vessel

will be charged for the death of the 47-year-old.

Benjamin went missing on June 24 after the GDF vessel collided with his 15-horsepower boat. At the time, he was transporting his wife, Simone, and a seven-year-old to Liberty Primary School. His wife, who survived the horrific collision, was discharged from the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital. She related that the GDF boat hit the back of her husband’s boat removing the engine and causing the entire

boat to overturn. She said all she could remember was her husband being tossed into the air and then falling into the water. She was saved by public-spirited residents. Officers from the GDF boat escaped unhurt and rendered assistance. The widow thanked all those who assisted in the search for her husband. She and the now deceased shared a marriage of 20 years. She described him as very loving and understanding.

St John’s Brigade holds medical outreach on Water St

A St John’s

a blood pressure test to a member of the public while her colleagues look on

The St John’s Brigade is celebrating its 138th Anniversary week and on Wednesday, it hosted a Health Outreach at Fogarty’s, Water Street, Georgetown.

During the outreach, the aspiring nurses administered blood pressure and sugar tests, along with CPR demonstrations on the bottom floor of Fogarty’s. The young batch

of recent graduates spoke about the week of activities they have planned. Speaking to this publication, Natasha Caldesa said that this was the 138th Anniversary for St John’s and they wanted to celebrate it by giving back to society. On Monday, the team was on various media platforms to promote the week of activities; the following day it had a Health

Retreat at the Uncle Eddie’s Home for senior citizens. On Thursday, the team visited the Gentle Women’s Home to provide more blood sugar and blood pressure testing. To conclude the week of activities, today it will have another outreach at the Joshua’s Home. One of the nursing students explained that they did courses at St John’s and the

… we’re looking at major infrastructural projects that will move this country forward,” Harmon detailed.

On that note, the Minister said it was the vision of the new Government to have rails, bridges, tunnels and airdromes all across the country. This, Harmon disclosed, was outlined to the Chinese officials who were willing to help Guyana in this regard. However, this potential partnership between the Government of China, the Government of Guyana and the Chinese-owned company comes at a time when only recently, both the APNU and AFC were highly critical of Chinese investment in the country.

Throughout the elections campaigning season, the co-

alition spoke vociferously against foreign investments in the country.

When the APNU+AFC took its campaign to the New York-New Jersey area, Granger and now Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo took special pains to identify Brazilians and Chinese as competitors to overseas Guyanese investors in Guyana. It was reported that Granger said the Brazilians and Chinese were pushing Guyanese “to the periphery”. Also, in August 2014, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had cause to criticise both the Opposition and the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News for what it then described as “calculated” attacks perpetrated on foreign investors, especially those of Chinese origin. Reports indicated that Chinese investment in Guyana’s economy for the fiscal year 2013 tipped the scales at US$180 million (G$369,000,000). Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had lauded the Chinese investments, saying that “Guyana’s infrastructural development continues apace with solid support” from China and Chinese investors”. He went on to say that Chinese companies have invested in Guyana’s infrastructure and in its forestry and mining sectors among other areas, thereby contributing significantly to Guyana’s development and the economic prosperity of the Guyanese people.

4 held for murder of Rubis accountant

…2 confessed, mobile phone recovered

Four men including the alleged mastermind in the murder of Rubis Account Executive Jason Cort who was gunned down on June 18 at his Meadow Brook Gardens, Greater Georgetown home were arrested on Thursday evening.

first stage of the programme was First Aid, followed by Home Nursing. Jahanine Clarke further mentioned that the reason she was so passionate about “nursing” is because “my mother died very young and I did not get a chance to help her out in her sickness and that was my push”. The overwhelmed young lady was very excited to help persons and she thanked her classmates and teachers for always being there to offer an extra push towards success. Another student by the name of Leslie-Ann Balgobin was asked why she applied for the course and she said: “I would basically say it is a good step to take.” Balgobin then said that she was always interested in nursing but never got the opportunity before to pursue it and as a result of St John’s training she really loves nursing and plans to further her education in the nursing field.

The four Tucville residents were taken into Police custody by members of the Major Crime Intelligence Unit within the Guyana Police Force and were presently being grilled.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times on Friday that two of the men have since confessed to the crime, while the other two are holding out that they were not part of the orchestrated robbery.

In addition, the official disclosed that the mobile phone belonging to the victim was recovered during the raid in Tucville. Other pieces of evidence are also in possession of the investigators as they continue their probe.

Guyana Times was further told that the initial plan by the four men was to rob the executive but as they advanced towards him on the night in question, he whipped out his firearm

and it was at this time, one of the suspects discharged a round hitting him to his chest. He was rushed to the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In addition, Blanhum stated that the four men will be placed on an identification parade to determine if they were part of other robberies that were committed over a period of time. The Crime Chief, however, stated that the hard work by the Unit has paid off and it will continue to pursue other unsolved matters.

Cort, 27 of Lot 262 Jamoon Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens, was gunned down moments after returning to his Meadow Brook Gardens home.

Based on reports, he was shot once to the chest by a gunman who escaped on foot. According to information reaching this publication, Cort was in the lower flat of the house while his girlfriend, Shauna Garraway, was in the upper flat when he was reportedly confronted by a group of men armed with handguns. Cort was relieved of his licensed firearm, a sum of cash and a cellular phone.

Personal effects such as barrels, boxes, bin skids, pallets, and other packages, now subject to inspections

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Brigade student administering

Barber nabbed at CJIA with cocaine in milk

A33-year-old barber of Canje, Berbice was on Friday evening intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with 12.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed in milk powder and in false walls of his suitcase.

James Singh, Head of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) confirmed that the man was booked to travel to the John F Kennedy International Airport on a Dynamic Airline Flight. He also stated that the bust was carried out by members of CANU at about 16:00h. The barber, Guyana Times understands is a first time traveller to the US. As the young man checked in his luggage and as they were being scanned, several packets of the milk power were detected which raised some suspicions by CANU ranks which prompted them to conduct a search. As the

search was being conducted, the cocaine was found among the milk power and in the false walls.

The Berbician was questioned, told of the offence and was arrested. He is presently in at the CANU headquarters where he is being further grilled. Only last month, two air conditioning technicians attached to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), were arrested after over 14 pounds of cocaine was found in several bottles of rum on an outgoing passenger.

Keon Bruster, a 21-yearold mechanic of B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Loric Williams, a 24-yearold air conditioning (AC) technician of 51 Prospect, East Bank Demerara; and Chris Douglas of X Alliance Street, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, were all remanded to prison. It was reported

that on the day in question, Guyanese-born American Bruster was an outgoing passenger at CJIA when a routine search was conducted on his person and luggage. During the search, three bottles of unusually thick El Dorado Five Year Old rum were discovered. The rum was tested, and was discovered that it contained a very high amount of cocaine. The young man admitted ownership of the substance and pointed out two airport employees who conspired with him to traffic the substance. Bruster claimed that the two AC technicians gave him the cocaine laced rum in a bathroom at the airport.

A subsequent review of the CCTV footage revealed the men going into the same washroom together at the airport. They were subsequently arrested and taken into custody.

Govt passes new AML/CFT Bill ...despite PPP/C objections

By Gomatie GanGadin

Despite fierce objection by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), the new A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government on Friday evening passed the highly controversial Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill 2015, paving the way for all financial transactions in the country to be monitored.

The Bill, which was introduced by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams just after 19:00h on Friday, was seconded by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who said that in order for investment to bloom in the country, it was important that the Bill be passed, before it can subsequently be signed into law.

Jordan said that investors with whom he has met are willing to plug finances into the economy, but have expressed that their only condition would be to see the AML/ CFT Bill passed and made into law. “This Bill represents the Government’s firm resolve to counter money laundering and the fighting on terrorism. The impact of money laundering on a country’s financial system can be quite severe. It can lead to large-scale insolvency…,” the Finance Minister said.

In presenting the Bill to Parliament, Williams detailed the two years of backand-forth arguments in the National Assembly which had led to its non-passage and the subsequent blacklisting of the country by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). “This Bill has had a chequered past in this House. I seek to amend the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of

Terrorism Bill Act Chapter 10 and 11 and related legislation by strengthening the regime to combat money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.”

Williams reminded that the Bill was first presented in the National Assembly on April 22, 2013 as Bill No 12 for 2013. It was debated for the second time on May 10, 2013. Following its second reading, the Bill was committed to a Special Select Committee of the National Assembly for consideration. At a meeting held on August 2, 2013, the Special Select Committee agreed that the Bill could be resent to the National Assembly. “That did not include members of the Opposition, then the Government. The report was formally submitted on November 7, 2013 at the third reading. The Bill was again introduced on December 12, 2013…,” Williams detailed as he declared that “it is now the Government’s Bill, this is our Bill”.

Amendments were made to Section 37 (A) and another section where the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) was previously appointed by the Minister of Finance or the President. Describing the situation as “untenable”, the Attorney General said that an independent authority will now be placed over the FIU with the National Assembly having oversight. This independent body will advertise for and scrutinise persons for the position of Director and Deputy Director of the Unit.

Evidence-based According to Williams, the PPP/C’s rejection of Amendment 37 (A) to allow Senior Police and Customs Officers to seize monies in excess of $10 million in cash in a person’s possession, once the money is suspected to be

Scotiabank Guyana on Friday donated US$14,000 to the Tina Insanally Foundation (TIF), so that they may continue their generous contributions to society through music.

Marketing Manager of Scotiabank Guyana, Jennifer Cipriani, noted that she first fell in love with the foundation when she paid a visit to one of their annual shows and saw the passion that the children portrayed for the art of music, after which she decided she had to be a part of helping this programme to stay alive. And through Scotiabank, that promised she made to herself was fulfilled. She added that over the next two years, the Foundation will receive an additional US$28,000 to help as-

the proceeds of money laundering or to finance terrorism, had no firm ground as he sought to explain in detail what it meant and how the clause will work.

“It can’t be done whimsically; it requires cogent evidence that means they cannot seize cash in possession of persons doing business or engaged in trade or commerce. They can’t wake up and target people; they must be armed with information and evidence given to them,” Williams noted. He assured the House that any acts of victimisation using this particular amendment, which has generated a lot of interest, will expose law enforcement officials to prosecution.

In the meantime, Williams related the CFATF will now have to scrutinise the document to ensure that it was in full compliance with its regulations, so that Guyana can enjoy the confidence of the body and other countries it has transactions with.

It was earlier this week that the PPP/C said that the proposed Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill contained some provisions that have been rejected by the CFATF as well as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Government ran the risk of passing into a law a bill that may not be compliant with international requirements.

Guyana was referred by FATF to its Americas Review Group In September 2014 and went before this body on two occasions (most recent April 2015) to work on an agreed Action Plan with targets and six monthly reports to ensure targets were being achieved. These targets included legislative and nonlegislative interventions.

The Tina Insanally Foundation was created by the Insanally family in 2010 in memory of Tina Insanally, a 23-year-old with a passion for music, who’s tragic and sudden death cut deep for the family. The Foundation was created with the goal of working to enrich the lives of Guyanese children. Vic Insanally of the organisation stated that he believes that music can make a difference in young lives, and in its potential to promote learning, to encourage healing, and generally to enrich the lives of children who otherwise have few opportunities of self expression. The Foundation collaborates with local partners to ensure that the children in their programmes have the resources they need to live healthy and

the Foundation for four years and she has learned more than she thought she could ever possibly know. The good-humoured 16-year-old said that music has become her resting place with every situation in life. She explains that the Foundation has become a second family for her and she is proud of the person she has become through this initiative.

Mark Lee, the Music Teacher mentioned that it was a great privilege to be part of such a movement. He states that he is very proud of his students and he hopes that the Foundation can continue to live up to its motto of using music to change the world.

The family shared that Tina’s tragic and sudden death in 2010 had cut deep, but more indelible was the profound impact this young woman had on the lives of so many during her 23 years on earth, towards her family and friends to her Brescia College alumni and the many disadvantaged children she gave so much of her time and heart to.

Encouraged by her mother, she attended piano classes run by Marilyn Dewar. She completed piano courses in Grade Four, won the Orin Barrow Trophy in 2003 for the best National Grade Four Performance.

sist in the expansion of the organisation and she applauded them for their generous contributions to Guyana through music.

Vic Insanally, Co-Founder of TIF, mentioned that it is always a good feeling when you’re working against all odds and someone finally notices and decides to be a shoulder for you to lean on. He added that he was very grateful for this generous donation from Scotiabank as it couldn’t have come at a better time, as it will be used to expand the learning capabilities of the members of TIF. He stated that the foundation will purchase new and more interesting instruments so that the student can learn in a broader perspective.

fulfilling lives.

In the beginning, the Foundation had begun with only a few students from the St Andrews Primary School, but over the last five years, the Foundation has seen over 200 children. The group has so far hosted five annual concerts and mentioned that they get better every year. The Foundation currently consists of members from the Ruimveldt Children Aid Centre, St Ann’s Orphanage and other institutions.

The students expressed their love for music as they said they felt like were at home when they are with the group, on stage performing or just playing among them.

Jasmine Grant told Guyana Times that she has been with

Tina left for Brescia University College in Canada in 2007. During her summer visits home, she linked up with Chad Arthur and his band – Francis Bailey, Mark Lee and Jason Harper. Tina spent many happy hours rehearsing with the band. She performed with the band in 2009 at the Oasis Café, where she sang her signature tune, Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why” and again on Friday night, August 6, 2010 at her sister Lisa’s nightclub “Mojos”, where she performed Cindy Lauper’s “Time After Time.” TIF celebrates Tina’s generous, compassionate and enduring spirit and sets out to give the gift of music where it is needed most.

Fire alarm goes off at Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

Afalse alarm of fire rang out at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts as the fire alarms went off in every corner of the court house, highlighting the unpreparedness of the courts in the case of an actual fire.

Visitors and employees of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts were shocked into inactivity when the fire alarm on the left side of the wooden building rang out, triggering the other alarms located in every section of the courts. However, it took minutes before persons realised the importance of the alarm and vacated the courtrooms, if not the building itself.

Fortunately, there was no fire. Apparently, the fire alarm at one of the country’s prestigious Magistrate’s Court malfunctioned as none of the triggers spread out around the courts was activated. A Police Officer confirmed this, stating that the glass that surrounds the fire alarms would have been broken if anyone had activated one.

Even so, Guyana Times noted that several courtrooms were still in session during the alarm, prompting the question of the courts’ preparedness in the event of a real fire. Instead of moving briskly as one would ex-

pect, persons sat in their respective seats in the courtrooms listening and wondering about it before a rush was made to seek out the source of the sound. Although there was no actual fire, no steps were made to vacate the building or guide civilians to safety or even contact the Fire Department for a routine check to be sure of the problem.

Guyana Times understands the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts has not had a fire drill for some time, although it was only in 2012 that the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts Annex was damaged due to fire.

Members of the Tina Insanally Foundation

Jennifer Cipriani handing over the cheque to Sarah Insanally of the Tina Insanally Foundation

Mo Farah to keep Alberto Salazar as coach

Britain’s double Olympic champion Mo Farah has announced he will continue to work with his coach Alberto Salazar.

On Wednesday, Salazar denied at length that he had violated anti-doping rules.

“As someone I’ve worked with for many years, I feel I have to believe in Alberto and the evidence he has provided,” said distance runner Farah.

“Based on that evidence, I’ll continue to work with him and hope now that I can focus on what I do besttraining hard to win medals for my country.”

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos said: “British Athletics notes and respects Mo Farah’s decision to continue his coaching relationship with Alberto Salazar.

‘The Salazar response: What questions remain?’ Read more from BBC Scotland’s Mark Daly.

“As is normal at this time of the year Mo is currently training at altitude under the guidance of British Athletics as he prepares for the August defence of his world titles in Beijing.

“As has always been the case, British Athletics will continue to take responsibility for all nutritional, medical and sport science elements of Mo Farah’s training regime.”

UK Athletics has ordered an independent review into the matter, which will conclude in early August.

There is no suggestion that world and Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion Farah, who is part of the 56-year-old’s Nike

Oregon Project training operation, has broken any rules.

Farah’s American training partner Galen Rupp said earlier he was backing Salazar “100%” despite allegations the coach practised doping techniques on him as a teenager.

Rupp, the 2012 Olympic 10,000m silver medallist behind Farah, spoke after winning his seventh consecutive United States title over the distance on Thursday, which secured his place at the World Championships in Beijing in August.

The 29-year-old said he thought “the truth would prevail”, adding it had been “difficult to focus” following allegations - made in a BBC documentary in collaboration with US journalism website ProPublica - that Salazar violated various anti-doping rules and used testosterone medication on a 16-year-old Rupp in 2002.

The BBC understands Salazar is being investigated by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) to determine whether anti-doping rules may have been violat-

ed.

Both Salazar and Rupp deny all the allegations.

On Wednesday, Salazar issued a 12,000-word rebuttal, backed by emails and other documents, saying he “will never permit doping” at his NOP training base.

Salazar’s former assistant, Steve Magness, said the American coach’s lengthy response to claims in the BBC investigation “reeks of desperation”.

Magness’ allegation of being in Salazar’s office when he was handed a report showing Rupp was on “testosterone medication” was one of several key claims made in the BBC documentary.

In Salazar’s denial he said Magness’ contract was terminated because he “proved to be a poor coach who had difficulty building rapport with world-class athletes”.

Magness described Salazar’s rebuttal as “disheartening” and “saddening”.

“I know what happens to whistleblowers, I know they get attacked,” Magness told the BBC. (BBC Sport)

GFF reports successful...

The Normalisation Committee’s tenure is set to end in September this year, but if the GFF Congress does not materialise by then, the life of the Committee will be extended by FIFA.

Meanwhile, Cavaro hailed the atmosphere that prevailed during the Extraordinary Congress, noting that it was a “historical moment” for local football.

“I think what has been achieved today should help, as the Chairman (Urling) said, to move forward positively,” he said.

Cavaro said he observed

many positive signs, which make for a bright future for Guyana’s football at the administrative level.

“I take this opportunity also to really commend the work that has been done by the Normalisation Committee made up of people who had no experience in football, but that was also on purpose. I think they did a great, great job by bringing the family together. What struck me today was at time you had delegates saying ‘it has been long since we couldn’t have such a positive meeting with that dialogue and

mutual respect’. So those are signs, positive signs, which make me very optimistic about the future,” he intimated.

Included in the new constitution is provision for 22 delegates, eight from elite football, something that Cavaro said is not unique to Guyana.

Members to serve on the Ethics Committee, Electoral Committee, Disciplinary Committee, and Appeals Committee will all now be elected by Congress. They were previously appointed by the Executive Committee of the GFF.

Armstrong to ride part of Tour de France route

Lance Armstrong will go ahead with controversial plans to ride part of the Tour de France route for charity.

The disgraced drugs cheat will join ex-England footballer Geoff Thomas for the hilly stages on 16 and 17 July.

Cancer survivor Thomas and a team of amateurs are aiming to raise £1m for Cure Leukaemia by cycling each stage a day before the official peloton.

“We know Lance’s involvement has split opinion, so we’ve tried to be as respectful as possible,” said Thomas.

“The stages Lance will be riding come towards the end of week two, when I know all the riders will need some support.

“I know his arrival will give them the encouragement they will need to carry on with this gruelling challenge and in turn raise as much money as possible for blood cancer patients.”

Armstrong will ride the 198.5km 13th stage between Muret and Rodez on 16 July and the following day tackle the 198.5km 14th stage from Rodez to Mende.

The American was stripped of his record seven Tour titles and banned from most organised sport for life by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) in 2012. He later admitted on US televi-

sion that he had used performance-enhancing drugs during all of his Tour victories, and news of his controversial return to France has shocked many within the sport.

In March the Texan was warned not to take part in the ride by International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson, who said it was “completely disrespectful” to the current riders, cycling authorities and the race.

“Lance would be well advised not to take part in that,” he said. “I’m sure Geoff Thomas means well, but frankly I think that’s completely inappropriate.”

Armstrong, who recovered from life-threatening cancer in 1996, told the BBC in January that his ban made it very hard to do the charity work he did throughout most of his post-cancer career.

Thomas was diagnosed

with leukaemia in 2003, a year after he retired from a 20-year football career that saw him captain Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final and win nine England caps. Inspired by Armstrong’s story, he rode the 2005 and 2007 Tour de France routes ahead of the professionals, raising £250,000 to fund research nurses at the Birmingham hospital that treated his cancer.

Now 50, he is trying it again and persuaded Armstrong to join the team in a bid to raise money for the Cure Leukaemia charity.

Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford told The Times Armstrong had “done enough damage” to cycling and the Tour already.

“For the sake of all clean riders in the peloton, who’ve already suffered enough from that era, leave them alone - enough’s enough,” Brailsford added. (BBC Sport)

Blatter says he did not resign as FIFA boss

Sepp Blatter says he has not resigned as Fifa president.

The 79-year-old Swiss was thought to have ended his 17-year reign on 2 June amid claims of corruption in world football’s governing body.

A Fifa statement confirmed a report in Swiss newspaper Blick, which said Blatter told a party: “I did not resign, I put myself and my office in the hands of the Fifa congress.”

Blatter is thought to be considering standing for reelection as president.

Two criminal investigations into alleged Fifa corruption began in the week that Blatter was elected for a fifth term in charge.

Four days after being voted president, Blatterwho is reportedly under in-

vestigation in the United States - said: “While I have a mandate from the membership of Fifa, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football.

“Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as Fifa president until that election.”

However, Blatter did not use the words ‘resign’ or ‘resignation’. He did add, however, the election would be for his “successor” and said: “I shall not be a candidate.”

The Fifa statement added the quotes in Blick were “fully in line with the speech of the president on 2 June”.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, the shadow secretary of state for culture, said: “Sepp Blatter’s antics remind me

not so much of the hokeycokey as Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.

“It’s time Fifa put an end to all this speculation, which is harming the sport, and give a final date for Blatter’s departure.”

Meanwhile, Blatter may not attend the final of the Women’s World Cup in Canada because of the twin investigations into Fifa by American and Swiss authorities. He would normally present the trophy to the winning team, but Fifa will not confirm whether Blatter or secretary general Jerome Valcke will attend.

A Fifa spokesperson said: “In terms of the Fifa president and the Fifa secretary general, their future travel plans will be confirmed in due course.”

Lance Armstrong

Mo Farah

No resolution in BCCI, WICB dispute

Apayment structure dispute has halted talks between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with no resolution in sight for issues stemming from an aborted tour.

The BCCI has claimed US$41.97 million in damages after the West Indies aborted a tour of India in October of last year.

The Indian cricketing body also suspended bilateral relations with the WICB until the dispute is resolved.

The WICB had refused to meet the demands of the BCCI, but it was reported in recent weeks that the pair were close to a compromise after months of correspondence.

Bowlers benefit from ODI rule changes

In a move to give bowlers a bit of breathing room in 50-overs cricket, the ICC board has decided to do away with catching fielders in the first ten overs, get rid of the batting Powerplay, and allow five fielders outside the 30-yard circle in the last ten overs of an ODI innings. The other notable change that will take place from July 5 will see free hits awarded for all no balls in ODI and T20 internationals, not just when bowlers overstep.

Explaining the move to remove the batting Powerplay, Richardson said bowlers were getting a “hiding to nothing” with batting teams going on a rampage during the last fifteen overs, taking advantage of the expansive gaps in the outfield. “We have got rid of the batting Powerplay where you were only allowed three fielders outside the circle. It was normally taken between the 36th and 40th overs. So you had those 15 overs where it was all hell broke loose and especially if a batsman was set on a good batting wicket we were on a hiding to nothing.”

fielding and batting perspectives.”

Asked by veteran West Indies commentator Tony Cozier whether the ICC considered the big totals that teams were scoring regularly detrimental to ODI cricket, Richardson disagreed.

However, according to reports carried in regional paper T&T Guardian, no headway has been made.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is currently keeping their annual general meeting in Barbados and the WICB and BCCI used the opportunity to officially meet yesterday to discuss the problem.

“We just held the meeting with the West Indies Board and there is nothing we can report. No decision has been made, so we are going to look at helping West Indies cricket but no decision has been made as to the aborted tour,” said BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur Singh. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Powell dips below 10 seconds en route to semis

Former World record holder Asafa Powell continued his impressive recent form when he won his quarter-final heat here Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the 100 metres at the National Championships.

The 32-year-old clocked 9.98 seconds to beat former World champion Yohan Blake who was second in 10.24 seconds, with

Kemarley Brown third, also in 10.24 seconds.

“It was a very good race. I just wanted to win it as easy as possible. My coach told me to just run the first 40 metres and just control the race and take it home easy, so that’s what I did,” Powell said afterward.

He added: “Over the years I have been making it a real big deal and putting too much pressure on

myself, so now I am going to relax and do what I am supposed to do.”

Blake, meanwhile, overcame a stumble at the start to clinch his place in the semis and said he was hopeful of a more clinical performance in Friday’s outing.

“I was too eager (to run) and that was what caught me at the start,” he said. “If I had gotten out, I would be right up there with Safa (Asafa) but I have to just take my time.”

Nesta Carter, meanwhile, bronze medallist at the last World Championships in Moscow, clinched his quarter-final heat in a time of 10.12 seconds while Commonwealth Games champion Kemar Bailey-Cole of Racers took heat three in 10.05 seconds.

The last quarter-final heat was won by Nickel Ashmeade in 10.12 seconds. (CMC)

Arsenal agree terms for Chelsea goalkeeper

Cgoalkeeper

Petr Cech will undergo a medical at Arsenal today ahead of his proposed move to the Emirates.

The clubs have settled on a fee and the 33-year-old has agreed personal terms.

The Czech Republic in-

ternational will be Arsenal’s first summer signing.

Belgium international Thibaut Courtois, 23, became Chelsea’s first-choice keeper last season, leaving Cech - with one year left on his deal - to look elsewhere.

He played 16 times for the Blues last season and

has been at Stamford Bridge 11 years.

He has made more than 300 Chelsea appearances and won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, one Champions League and one Europa League title.

He joined the Stamford Bridge club from Rennes in 2004.

Cech’s agent said last month the player had been given permission to speak to other clubs, despite manager Jose Mourinho wanting him to stay at Stamford Bridge.

FA Cup holders Arsenal have been alternating between goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina. (BBC Sport)

These changes to the playing conditions were part of the recommendations made this May by the ICC’s cricket committee headed by the former India captain Anil Kumble. David Richardson, the ICC chief executive, said the modifications were made to make the “game simpler” for the fan and were approved by the ICC’s chief executive committee and further ratified by the ICC Board at the annual conference in Barbados this week.

“What we tried to do is make the game simpler for the fan and at the same time try and at least claw back a little bit of balance in favour of the bowlers especially in the last ten overs of the innings,” Richardson said during a media conference on Friday. “So to that end we have got rid of the requirement to have compulsory close catchers in the first ten overs.”

From October 2012 the ICC altered the fielding restrictions to ensure that no more than four fielders could be outside the circle at any stage of an ODI; previously five was the maximum. Although the change was implemented for the first time in a World Cup hosted earlier this year by Australia and New Zealand, teams have strongly criticised the move.

Incidentally in March Richardson had told ESPNCricinfo that he supported the fielding restrictions as they made the cricket and team tactics more aggressive. “Personally I’d like to see that we stick to the current fielding restrictions because I genuinely believe that has lead to a much more attacking approach, from the captaincy,

“Not necessarily, Tony,” he said. “There is a great appreciation for the attacking nature of the play. The level of skills that batsmen have developed over the years are largely due to T20 cricket and just an overall attacking approach to the ODI game is actually welcome. The indirect impact of that is the only way the fielding team can survive is [by being] more attacking themselves. So you see an effort to get wickets especially early on in the innings. So the overall attacking approach is certainly not something we want to get rid of.

“Whether it is 300 or 400, as I said, towards the end of an innings in particular if you have just four fielders out, there is always two places you just cannot defend. But by allowing five fielders there is only one place. So if you have two places which are undefendable, you have to change the field and then the batsman knows exactly where you are going to bowl. Because you can’t bowl anywhere else as you would be murdered. (So by) reducing undefended area to one it makes it a little bit easier for the bowler.” (Cricinfo)

Murray’s Wimbledon begins against Mikhail Kukushkin

Britain’s Andy Murray will begin his Wimbledon campaign against world number 58 Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan.

The 2013 champion is in the opposite half to top seed Novak Djokovic, who takes on German Philipp Kohlschreiber - ranked 33rd in the world.

Third seed Murray, 28, could face Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals and Roger Federer in the semi-finals should he progress that far.

British women’s number one Heather Watson plays 32nd seed Caroline Garcia.

Watson’s compatriot Laura Robson, who returned from injury last week, will begin her first Grand Slam since the 2014 Australian Open against Russia’s world number 101 Evgeniya Rodina .

Top seed Serena Williams starts against Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan.

British number two Johanna Konta, who reached t he quarter-finals at Eastbourne this week, will face fourth seed and 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova.

Reigning champion Djokovic, 28, will open on Centre Court on Monday against Kohlschreiber, who reached the quarter-finals in 2012.

The Serb, who has played no competitive grass-court

tennis before Wimbledon, is in the same half of the draw as Swiss fourth seed Stan Wawrinka, who beat him in the final of the French Open earlier this month.

Scot Murray, whose first-round match will be on Tuesday, has won his two previous meetings against Kukushkin, both of which were on Australian hard courts in 2012.

The world number three looked in impressive form when he beat Kevin Anderson on Sunday to secure a fourth Queen’s Club title.

With Nadal only seeded 10th, Murray could face the two-time winner as early as the quarter-finals, should both men reach that point.

Nadal could face eighth seed and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, who starts against Britain’s 110thranked wildcard James

Ward, in the fourth round. A potential final with Djokovic awaits for Murray, with the Scot’s last victory over the world number one giving him the title at SW19 in 2013.

Swiss Federer begins his bid for a record eighth Wimbledon title against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.

In the women’s draw, reigning champion Petra Kvitova starts her title defence against Dutch player Kiki Bertens, and will face a potential semi-final against third seed Simona Halep, whose first-round opponent is Jana Cepelova of Slovakia.

In the other half of the draw, five-time winner Serena Williams could meet seventh seed Ana Ivanovic in the last eight and either Sharapova or Czech French Open finalist Lucie Safarova in the semi-finals.

Andy Murray

Dave Cameron

Asafa Powell

helsea

Petr Cech

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21 sports

Mathews, Silva consolidate Sri lanka’s lead

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aushal Silva’s 80 and 77 from Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews helped Sri Lanka finish the second day of the second Test with a lead of 166 runs. The hosts will, however, be disappointed with a few of their dismissals on the day, which held them back from a more dominating performance. For Pakistan, Yasir Shah was the best bowler, picking up 5 for 95 - his second, successive Test five-for - and crossing a few personal milestones on the way.

Mathews was the common thread between two partnerships that stabilised Sri Lanka after wobbles had threatened to erode the advantage of a lead. In the first session, Mathews and Silva came together after Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne had been dismissed within a short span of time. The pair added 72 for the fourth wicket, seeing the side through to a crucial period of play before lunch, and then capitalising on the loose deliveries on offer from a Pakistan attack that had to shoulder the extra burden of Wahab Riaz’s absence.

It was Mathews’ partnership with Dhammika Prasad, however, that was far more crucial for Sri Lanka. The lead had been gained but the advantage seemed to be slipping away when Silva, Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage were dismissed for an addition of 11 runs to the score. Mathews, himself, received a few reprieves. He came close to being run-out for 25 in the 69th over when a throw from an off-balance Yasir Shah bought him time. He was dropped on 32 when Yasir Shah couldn’t hold on to a top-edge at mid-on, and then poor communication resulted in Silva’s run-out.

He then had to watch as Dinesh Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage played poor shots to fall quickly before Prasad held steady at the crease after surviving an lbw appeal off his first ball. The onus of scoring rested largely on Mathews, but Prasad didn’t hold back on poor deliveries, even stepping out to Babar to score a four over midoff. By the time the partnership was broken Prasad

had contributed 35 runs to Mathews’ 36. That partnership helped Sri Lanka’s lead swell from 64 to 137.

Mathews, who came into bat a few overs before lunch, started off with a four off Yasir, using his wrists to play against the turn and he steadily accumulated runs, seeing Sri Lanka through a tricky period before lunch. He favoured the legspinner’s bowling, taking four of his eight boundaries off Yasir, including a powerful reverse-sweep, where he dragged the ball from outside leg stump and played it past point. He even came down the track to Junaid Khan, drilling it straight down the ground for a four.

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, both batsmen were dismissed in successive overs. Prasad was trapped plumb in front by Mohammad Hafeez, while Mathews became Yasir’s 50th Test wicket. The Sri Lanka captain was hit on the pads by a quicker delivery that stayed straight and kept low. He reviewed the on-field umpire’s call, but replays showed there was no inside edge. That wicket helped Yasir become the fastest Pakistan bowler to 50 Test wickets. Soon after, he got rid of Tharindu Kaushal to overtake James Anderson and Stuart Broad as the top Test wicket-taker in 2015 with 24 wickets.

The five-for was also a just reward for long spells of bowling, a burden that all Pakistan bowlers had to bear after Wahab was ruled out of the Test due to a knuckle fracture he suffered on the first day. Yasir bowled 34 overs in the day,

bowled 25 and Junaid Khan bowled 17.2 overs. Mohammad Hafeez who did not bowl during Sri Lanka’s session on the first day, pitched in with ten overs and took Prasad’s wicket.

Resuming from an overnight score of 70 for 1, Sri Lanka were cautious in the first session as Kumar Sangakkara and Silva strove to negate any early-morning advantage the Pakistan bowlers might have. There was little on the track, however, and the first wicket of the day came against the run of play, after the pair had settled down. At the start of the 44th over, Sangakkara made it back to the striker’s end just in time to avoid being run out after a misunderstanding with Silva. When Babar tossed the ball up, Sangakkara stepped out and his lofted shot was held by Asad Shafiq at long-on, who completed an overhead catch.

Babar came close to another breakthrough, when Thirimanne turned the ball to Azhar Ali at short-leg. The fielder couldn’t hold on to the catch, but the drop did not prove too costly for Pakistan, as Thirimanne fell to a similar shot off Yasir Shah only three overs later. Silva’s confidence grew as the session progressed. He brought up his half-century with a square-drive off Junaid Khan and he pushed Sri Lanka into the lead with another four off Babar, this time a pull through midwicket. He was finally dismissed for 80, stranded midpitch after a poor call while batting with Mathews. (Cricinfo)

Babar

Angelo Mathews held Sri Lanka’s innings together after a wobble in the second session.

I still want to play Test cricket - Chanderpaul

West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has said he still wants to play Test cricket and that he is unlikely to retire until at least the end of 2015.

“Definitely, but I am on the outside just waiting to see what is happening,” Chanderpaul told Cricket365.com when asked if he wanted to play Tests again. “Retirement isn’t on the cards at the moment. Not for now, probably the ending of the year maybe then.”

Chanderpaul needs 87 runs to overtake Brian Lara as the leading Test rungetter from the Carribean but said he wasn’t overly concerned about the record. “Well I am not thinking too much about that,” Chanderpaul, who is playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the CPL, said. “You can’t have all these things at the back of your mind but if it happens it happens, but if it doesn’t it doesn’t.”

Chanderpaul, 40, was dropped for the two-Test series against Australia in June after managing only 92 runs at an average of 15.33 in the three Tests against England in April and May. Chanderpaul had six singledigit scores and only one fifty in his last 10 innings. His axing from the West Indies squad polarised opinions, with Lara saying his former team-mate deserved a farewell series, even as Michael Holding felt

Chanderpaul wasn’t good enough to hold down a place in the West Indies team any longer.

West Indies suffered huge defeats in both the Tests against Australia, going down in the first by nine wickets and in the second by 277 runs. (Cricinfo)

ANSA McAL embraces BCB’s Caricom Championship

ANSA McAL Trading has joined hands with executives of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to stage the inaugural Caricom Championship on July 5 at the Albion Community Centre Ground. At a simple ceremony recently, it was announced that the company has been given full bar rights for the fundraising event. Moments after sealing the deal with the BCB, ANSA McAL’S Berbice Manager, Mark Bhikhai, commended the initiative by the Board to raise its own funds to carry out its mandate.

Bhikhai was happy to hear also that proceeds from the event will go towards a long awaited threeday cricket competition for

First-Division teams in the county.

Speaking on behalf of the Board was Angela Haniff, who thanked ANSA McAL for its support once more and for recognising the work of the BCB.

Haniff said that while the West Indies Cricket Board receives lots of funding from the International Cricket Council for cricket development, it would seem that money was only channelled to certain preferred boards and areas.

She is calling on the new Minister with responsibility for sport to intervene in the current cricket situation in Guyana and bring back normalcy, for all and sundry are affected.

Meanwhile, the BCB is also calling on other spon-

Digicel Nationwide School Football Tournament MLC rout Tutorial – St John’s crush Essequibo Islands 11-0

By TreisTon Joseph

After a slow start to the game, Morgan Learning Centre (MLC) displayed their superiority in the second half to register a 4-nil win against Tutorial High School when the Digicel Nationwide School Football Tournament continued on Friday at the Education Ministry Ground. Exquisite passing and deliberate possession play allowed MLC to easily top Tutorial High School.

While the first half produced little between both sides, MLC separated them-

selves in the second half with a brilliant display of attacking football, as Leon Richardson opened with a double in the 49th and 55th minute.

David Coates scored the third goal in the 64th minute, while Akosi Jarvis capped off the game with an easy goal in the 66th minute.

Meanwhile, at the Tucville Ground, former Georgetown winners Lodge Secondary dismantled Carmel Secondary by a 4-0 scoreline.

The Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) zone will have a new champi-

Under-23 Olympic Qualifiers

on as titleholders Bush Lot Secondary went down to Fort Wellington Secondary by a 2-1 margin at the Number Five Ground. At the Leonora Sports Facility in the Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) zone, St John’s crushed Essequibo Islands Secondary 11-0. At the Victoria Ground, International Business Education (IBE) squeaked past Buxton Youth Foundation 3-2 on penalty kicks after normal time ended 2-2. Over at the Timehri Red Ground, Covent Garden Secondary crushed Dora Secondary by a 4-1 margin.

Guyana booted after another 0-2 loss

Guyana can now kiss their dreams of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games goodbye, after going down 0-2 to Antigua and Barbuda on Friday night as Group Two action continued in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Olympic Qualifier.

The Guyanese had fallen to Cuba by a similar scoreline and were hoping to rebound against the hosts in order to stand a chance of making it out of the group.

After watching Antigua dismantle Aruba 7-1 in their first game, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz called the

host nation a “formidable opponent” and one whom he believed would be tougher to get by than the Cubans.

Playing at the Antigua Recreation Ground, Elvis Thomas, the 21-yearold forward who plays for Shabazz’s Caledonia AIA in the TT Pro-League, opened the scoring just three minutes into the contest to give his country the lead.

Thomas blasted in his second of the night in the 29th minute and from then the game was out of reach of the Guyanese.

The Antigua and Barbuda forward’s team-mates at

Caledonia AIA Trayon Bobb, Domini Garnett and Pernell Schultz tried their best to claw Guyana back into the game and ultimately the tournament, but resolute defending by the home side thwarted their every move. Guyana will now play the perennial whipping boys of the group, Aruba on Sunday, in an attempt to not leave the island emptyhanded.

Meanwhile, Cuba hammered Aruba 11-1 to set up a showdown with Antigua on Sunday to see who will advance to the next round. (GFF)

ICC suspends USACA over ‘significant concerns’

sors to come on board. The Caricom Championship will see the top eight T20 First-Division teams in Berbice competing in a 10over knockout competition with the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80,000 and a trophy. The runner-up will receive $40,000 and a trophy with the losing semifinalists getting $15,000 each.

The participating teams are: Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Albion, Young Warriors/Edinburgh/ Rose Hall Centre, Police/ Bermine, Blairmont/West Berbice and Bush Lot/ D’Edward. Admission is $300 per person and action will bowl off at 10:00h.

The ICC board has suspended the membership of the USA Cricket Association with immediate effect. The ICC made its decision based on the findings of a review group it had constituted to look into the status and activities of the USACA, and after meeting USACA representatives during the ongoing ICC annual conference week.

According to an ICC release, the review group “had expressed significant concerns about the governance, finance, reputation and cricketing activities of USACA”.

The suspension will cut the USACA off from ICC funding, and rule it ineligible to determine whether events staged in the USA are given approved status

or not. As per the ICC operating manual, the ICC will take over that function.

Despite the USACA’s suspension, the USA national team will be allowed to take part in next month’s World T20 Qualifier in Ireland and Scotland. The USA Under-19 team will also be eligible to participate in the Americas U-19 Championship in Bermuda.

“The ICC Board has made this difficult decision after careful consideration and in the best interest of the game and all cricketers in the USA,” the ICC chairman N Srinivasan said.

“The country has tremendous potential but because of governance, financial and cricketing challenges, the opportunity to grow the game is not being properly nurtured.

“The ICC Board had put USACA on notice in its January meeting this year and had hoped that it would show some urgency to address and improve in the areas that were identified as weaknesses. Unfortunately, the response to date has been inadequate and it has proved necessary for the ICC Board to take further action.”

To have its membership reinstated, the USACA will need to show the ICC board that it has addressed “conditions relating to governance, finance and its cricket activities”, with the ICC chief executive David Richardson - assisted by representatives from the BCCI, ECB, CA and WICB - monitoring its progress. (Cricinfo)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

ANSA McAL Trading’s Berbice Manager, Mark Bhikhai, hands over the sponsorship cheque to BCB representative Angela Haniff, in the presence of Alicia Anderson, Marketing Assistant of the company and BCB selector Leslie Solomon

One of Leon Richardson’s goals as it rocked the net (Treiston Joseph photo)

saturday, june 27, 2015

Ramdhani siblings dominate podium

The Ramdhani siblings, Narayan and Priyanna, displayed their dominance at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Olympic Day Future Open badminton tournament, by making a clean sweep of the four titles on offer.

Narayan Ramdhani won the Men’s Singles and the Men’s Doubles with Nicholas Ali, while Priyanna Ramdhani captured the Ladies Singles and the Ladies Doubles with Abosaide Cadogan.

In the Men’s Singles final, Narayan defeated Ali 21-6, 21-11, while in the

Ladies Singles, Priyanna got the better of Kara Abrams 21-3, 21-4.

Jonathon Mangra took third place in the Men’s Singles by beating Avinash Odit 21-14, 9-21, 21-13.

In the Men’s Doubles final, Narayan and Ali combined to beat the pair of Mangra and Odit 21-15, 9-21, 21-15, while William Holder and Haymant Ramdhani defeated Gokarn Ramdhani and Grandison Robinson 219, 21-10 to take third place.

Priyanna and Cadogan partnered to win the Ladies Doubles title by beating Siya Persaud and Kara Abrams 21-9, 21-14, while Emelia

Ramdhani and Ayana Wickham-Watson defeated Andrea Bernard and Amanda Daniels 21-13, 2111 to take the third spot. The tournament was

coordinated by executives of the Guyana Badminton Association, who would like to thank the GOA for making the event possible once again.

GCF National Championship begins today

Under new leadership and with a new course for this year’s event, the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) will this weekend stage the highly anticipated National Championship with the two-day activity centred in Georgetown and the East Coast of Demerara.

The event will be the first undertaking of the recentlyelected executive body of the GCF, led by United Statesbased Guyanese Horace Burrowes.

The Time Trial will start today at 07:00h from Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara, and end

The

performers of last year’s national championship pose with their medals (Avenash Ramzan file photo)

Ramdhan Distribution appointed CPL Ticket Agent in Berbice

have been very supportive of the Caribbean Premier League since its inception in 2013

Cricket fans in Berbice can purchase tickets for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches in New Amsterdam following the appointment of Ramdhan Distribution as a new ticket agent in Berbice.

Ramdhan Distribution is located at 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, a few buildings from Berbice High School.

Tickets went on sale on Thursday last at the location and will be available for

the Guyana leg of the Hero CPL, which will be played from July 15 to 21 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Two-time runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors will be involved in four home games: on July 15 against 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs at 18:00h, on July 17 against St Lucia Zouks at 20:00h, on July 18 against reigning champions Barbados Tridents at 16:00h, and on July 21

against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel at 18:00h.

Ramdhan Distribution can be contacted on the following phone numbers: 3335981, 676-9931 and 6220982 for further information on ticketing. The business hours are 08:30h to 16:00h.

Meanwhile, fans countrywide can purchase tickets at the CPL Central Office on Middle Street, Georgetown, while from July 1 tickets will go on sale at the Ticket Office at the Guyana National Stadium.

On Sunday, the nation’s riders will then compete in the road race, but unlike previous years when it was held from Linden to Georgetown, it will take the format of a circuit race, starting and ending in front of the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Speaking to this publication on Friday, Racing Secretary of the GCF and long-serving national coach, Hassan Mohamed, said the road race would commence at 07:00h on the southern carriageway outside the Ocean View International Hotel.

The race will continue West along the roadway, turn at the Russian Embassy, proceed along

the Kitty Public Road, turn right on the Kitty Public Road and Vlissengen Road junction, proceed to Sparendaam, then turn right and return to the point of origin. The senior riders are required to complete 13 laps, which is equivalent to 149km, while the Veterans are mandated to do seven laps (79.96km); Juniors six laps (69km); and Juveniles/ Ladies three laps (34km). Last year’s winners were Geron Williams (Senior); Stephano Husbands (Junior); Claire FraserGreen (Ladies); Andrew Hicks (Juveniles), while Raymond Newton (Over45) and Stephen Fernandes (Under-45) won the Veterans categories.

The respective category winners proudly display their medals

at the Rubis Gas Station at Bel Air, covering a distance of approximately 10 kilometres.

Flashback!

outstanding

Guyanese

The St Lucia Zouks won a classic in the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League against the Guyana Amazon Warriors to make it two wins out of two.

In a match that was delayed by rain twice and reduced to 18 overs per side, the Zouks triumphed by two runs, with Fidel Edwards -

Zouks hold nerve to win thriller against Amazon Warriors

just - holding his nerve in the last over as the home crowd went wild at the Beausejour.

The Zouks were put into bat by Denesh Ramdin and the Warriors and they got off to a flier, Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles continuing their excellent opening partnership with another wonderful stand of 77 as they flayed the pacemen to all parts of the ground.

But the Warriors spinners got them back into the game after Ronsford Beaten

dismissed Fletcher for 36 off 22, with Sunil Narine (2-32) and Veerasammy Permaul (2-24) both bowling superb spells to bring the run rate down and chip away at the Zouks batting line-up.

Charles whacked 47 off 26 with 4 sixes before Narine did for him, while Ross Taylor (30* off 25 balls) and Darren Sammy (18 off 17) took the Zouks to a decent total of 156-6, though some way short of what they would have been expecting having

been on 99 in the 10th over. Guyana’s openers similarly started in impressive fashion, but after crashing Fidel Edwards for three fours in one over, Tillakaratne Dilshan’s stay at the crease was ended by a brutal Kemar Roach ball that struck him on the helmet and cut his face, the Sri Lankan needing some attention on the field before retiring hurt on 19 off 10 balls.

Roach was superb as he accounted for Lendl Simmons

for 14, and Edwards bowled with real pace too, before Eddie Leie came on and struck twice in his first over, getting rid of Ramdin for a 10-ball 21 and Shiv Chanderpaul, who had struggled on to 7 off 17 balls.

Brad Hodge played a superb innings, the veteran Australian 45 not out off 30

balls as he and Christopher Barnwell (26 off 18) got the Warriors close, but the rate just got too high in the end, and despite Edwards bowling two wides in his final over, the Zouks sneaked over the line.

The celebrations in St Lucia will last long into the weekend! (CPL.com)

SCOREBOARD

St Lucia Zouks innings (18 overs maximum)

innings (target: 157 runs from 18 overs) LMP Simmons c Sammy b Roach 14 TM Dilshan b Edwards 29 S Chanderpaul st †Fletcher b Leie 7 D Ramdin*† c Edwards b Leie 21

BJ Hodge not out 45 CD Barnwell c Mayers b Edwards 26 SP Narine not out 2

Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 6, nb 1) 10

TotaL (5 wickets;17.5 overs) 154

Did not bat: ST Gabriel, FH Edwards, E Leie Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-93, 3-99, 4-107, 5-115, 6-154

Bowling: M de Lange 4-0-37-0, PG Wintz 3-0-17-0, RR Beaton 3-0-40-2, V Permaul 4-0-24-2, SP Narine 4-0-32-2. Guyana Amazon Warriors

bat: PG Wintz,

GFF reports successful hosting of Extraordinary Congress

statutes adopted, UDFA ban lifted

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Friday concluded what has been described by Chairman Clinton Urling as a “very successful” Extraordinary Congress attended by FIFA’s Head of Member Associations, Primo Cavaro.

Hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, members of Congress were able to adopt the amended statutes of the GFF Constitution. They also reviewed and subsequently lifted the sanctions that were imposed on the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) executives by the previous GFF administration.

Urling, addressing media operatives at a post-Congress press briefing, said the meeting was “successful” and “very cordial”.

“It lasted just about

an hour and a half, and we adopted unanimously the new statutes of the Guyana Football Federation. We also lifted the sanctions that were imposed on January 17, 2014 on the UDFA executives. They will now be able to participate in football and football-related activities; they won’t resume their roles as the executives of the UDFA,” Urling explained.

Those executives are Sharma Solomon, Collie Hercules, Terrence Mitchell, Wayne Bethune, Rawle Johnson, Jeffrey Trotman, Ansawatt Barrett, Patrick Day and Clive Brushe.

The aforementioned officials of the UDFA were suspended by the Christopher Matthias-led GFF for having their tournament final on January 1, 2014, at the MSC Ground, simultaneously with the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup Finals at the Guyana National Stadium.

Congress at the time believed that the two finals should not have been played on the same day, but the UDFA explained that the final being played on New Year’s Day, 2014 meant a lot to the Linden community and as such, went ahead

with its hosting. Notably, all the associations present on Friday with the exception of the GFA voted for the suspension to be lifted with immediate effect.

First step

Urling added, “This process today – the adoption of

the constitution – is a first step. Again, our mandate continues as the Normalisation Committee. The next step is for us to go to every Member Association; under the new constitution, we have now 22 members, as opposed to before – we had 12 members. So, we have to ensure their constitution is in order and we also have to serve as the electoral body to supervise all those elections.”

Following the elections, the GFF Congress will be held where an Executive Committee will be elected to lead the local governing body forward.

Representatives of Member Associations who attended Friday’s

Tillakaratne Dilshan after being struck had to retire causing the Amazon Warriors significant momentum in their run chase