Guyana Times Daily - January 16, 2015

Another Whale dies after entanglement in fisherman’s nets 12 P

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2375

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, January 16, 2015

Guyana not in breach of Commonwealth Charter Page 7

...Luncheon says Ayre’s remarks “disrespectful”

Essequibo Ferry hits sandbank ...passengers stranded for hours

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Rodney CoI:

APNU fears revelations during P9 elections campaign Bees buzz students P11 out of Stella Maris

Page 12

UNDP hands over 3 ATVs to P11 GECOM

The MV Sabanto grounded in the middle of the Essequibo River

AFC dodges PPP/C will questions on always champion FUCOP funding democracy – Ali Page 2

...but dirty money trail lingers from “sketchy” businessmen

Page 3

... prorogation extension claims mischievous

Youths urged to embrace technical P13 education

2 NEWS

friday, JANUARY 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

AFC dodges questions on FUCOP funding

...but dirty money trail lingers from “sketchy” businessmen

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

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he Vice-Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Moses Nagamootoo on Thursday outrightly refused to answer any questions relating to his party being funded by Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency (FUCOP) Nagamootoo at an AFC press conference made it clear that he was not morally bound to provide any answers to the Guyana Times on the issue or several others which this newspaper raised. A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger has already denied that the main Opposition party is being inpart funded by Publisher of Kaieteur News Glenn Lall or the newly established FUCOP. The APNU Leader at a press conference at his Hadfield Street Office, recently said that he does not know what FUCOP is

or how it came into being.

According to the Opposition Leader, “A Partnership For National Unity has never received any money, any funding from Mr Lall or Kaieteur News. I don’t know what FUCOP is about.”

He went on to deny that the coalition has held meetings with the group that is believed to be funding it.

Granger said, “I’ve never had any meetings with FUCOP.” But Nagamootoo told reporters at a press conference the Guyana Times has a record of “obscene articles.” “When you begin to sink that low to use slimy language as part of your political diction, then I don’t have the moral responsibility to respond to anything you say in that newspaper” said the AFC vice chairman.

It should be noted that no question was asked pertaining the party and FUCOP but Nagamootoo in his rant proffered that response before any was asked. Guyana Times in an explosive report had revealed that the Kaieteur News publisher was funding the political Opposition. This support has been estimated by objective observers as totalling in the tens of millions annually.

When this newspaper spoke to Lall late last month the publisher denied the charges and suggested he would not even vote for those parties at the upcoming polls. This would certainly come as a surprise to the APNU and AFC since

they, Kaieteur News and its publisher have supported each other’s causes for years – especially the concerted action to depose the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

In addition to monetary support, both of these parties have been given free col-

AFC Vice-Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

umns in the Kaieteur News and their opinions are solicited on every possible issue that places the PPP/C in a negative light and then published with alacrity. The press coverage alone would be worth additional tens of millions, said one manager from the publishing industry. Guyana Times was told by several businessmen that they were forced

by Lall to join the FUCOP. This is reminiscent of the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) – formed in 1990 by businessmen like C N Sharma.

Jailer gets 6 months for smuggling cigarettes into prison

S

ean Paul of Lot ‘Y’ Bent Street, Week-en-Rust, Georgetown, was sentenced to six months imprisonment after accepting the charge of entering prohibited items into the prisons.

The defendant who has been a Prison officer for over a year appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday.

His first charge alleged that on January 12, at the Georgetown Prison, he had in his possession 30 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The other allegation read that on the same day, he entered eight packs of Bristol cigarettes and one Digicel SIM card into the prison.

The unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the first charge but accepted the second allegation. However, he said that he only had two packs of cigarettes as opposed to the eight packs that were stated in the charge.

According to the facts read in court, a search was conducted on Paul. One pack of the cigarettes was found in his right side pants pocket, six packs in his pants crutch and another pack in his shirt pocket.

As it relates to the narcotic that was allegedly found in his possession, the court heard that a transparent plastic bag was found in his right shirt pocket. When examined, leaves, seeds and stems were found which was suspected to be cannabis.

The defendant then made his own application for bail.

He stated that he has a sister and two nieces whom he looks after and he admitted to his wrong doing.

Paul told the court that he does not wish to say anything wrong or proceed without a lawyer and admitted to having the two packs cigarettes.

The tearful Paul then told the court “from time to time, other prison officers would take these items

for the prisoners in the cell and I only did it once.” The Chief Magistrate told him that “not everything someone does you must follow...”

He was then told that any Prison officer or Police officer who is caught and brought before the court for such an offence will have his rights terminated as an officer.

With that being said, the Magistrate then asked the defendant if he would still wish to proceed with the plea to which he replied “Yes Your Worship”.

The City Magistrate then laid her ruling which read that because he pleaded guilty to the charge, he saved the Court’s time, cited the seriousness of the offence and the need to prohibit other officers from committing the act. Paul was given six months imprisonment.

As for the narcotics arraignment, he was placed on remand since no special reasons were given for bail to be granted to him.

NEWS

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friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 16 – 14:00h-15:30h and Saturday, January 17 - 14:30h-16:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 16 – 13:00h-14:30h and Saturday, January 17 - 13:50h-15:20h

0h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 18:00h Supenaam departure – 06:00h, 11:00h and 18:00h

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with heavy rain showers dominating for the remainder of the day. Thundery showers will return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between zero and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 12:41h and 13:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.24 metres and 2.37 metre respectively.

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

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PPP/C will always champion democracy – Ali ... prorogation extension claims mischievous

H

ousing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali has dismissed the views expressed by some commentators that the Government is aiming to extend the prorogation of Parliament as mischievous.

The Minister in a statement said that President Donald Ramotar has on numerous occasions made it clear that he has no interest in prolonging or extending the prorogation.

His only interest in prorogation was to seek consensus and move the nation’s business forward, Ali stressed.

“Now that it is clear that the Opposition is least concerned about consensus building and moving important legislations required to advance our country and our economy, the President would make his call. It is obvious that President Ramotar has been consistent in his approach to secure good governance and build political consensus. However, this seems not to be priority for the Opposition.

“Let us be clear on one thing – the PPP/C, along with the people of Guyana, has always championed the cause of democracy. It is this PPP/C Government that opened the wings of parliamentary democracy and we did this while we had the majority in the National Assembly. We were never forced into expanding our democratic landscape; we did so willingly and in the interest of Guyana.

“The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was established under a PPP/C parliamentary majority Government. The decision to have the Opposition chair this Committee was made under a PPP/C parliamentary majority Government.

The appointment of an Opposition Deputy Speaker of Parliament was done by a PPP/C parliamentary majority Government. The

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali

establishment of several sectoral committees with rotating Chairmanship (rotating between the Government and the Opposition) was done under a PPP/C parliamentary majority Government,” the Minister said.

He noted that these are just a few examples where the PPP/C Government has demonstrated its commitment to democracy and inclusionary politics.

“It is, therefore, interesting to note some attempts by the Opposition to discredit this history,” Minister Ali observed.

Over the last few days there has been a lot of noise in the public domain surrounding the present political environment of Guyana, with some of the commentators alluding to the lack of clarity in the existing political circumstances.

“I wish to dispel these fears and to remind all Guyanese that President Ramotar outlined a very clear and comprehensive strategy in his address to the nation. This strategy was based on: (1) consensus building, (2) creating an enabling environment for dialogue, (3) advancing Guyana’s development priorities, and (4) giving space and time to resolve the numerous parliamentary is-

sues.

“Some key questions that I wish to address are: firstly, did the President act democratically and in the interest of Guyana in proroguing Parliament?

This question was answered previously by many commentators and it was clear that the President acted within the confines of the constitution and within the ambits of democracy” the Minister said.

For a matter of fact, he added, the single reason of wanting to consult with the Opposition and find consensus on the way forward on the numerous parliamentary issues that will affect Guyana’s economy is most laudable.

“Can the desire to build consensus be not in the in-

terest of Guyana? Can the desire to find consensus for the passage of important legislations such as the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, the Education Bill, and the Telecommunications Amendment Bill be considered not in the interest of Guyana? Can the consideration of important supplementary papers to ignite spending within the economy and advance the numerous social programmes be considered not in the interest of Guyana? It is clear that the President acted both democratically and in the interest of Guyana.”

“What was the alternative to prorogation?” he asked, answering that it was to have the Opposition shut the country down without addressing any of the above parliamentary issues in their sole effort to bring the Government down.

“This would have led to immediate National and Regional Elections. This action would have immediately removed any chances of having these important legislations approved, which cannot be considered to be in the interest of the people of Guyana.

The net effect of this would have been no opportunity for dialogue. Let us recall that during that period most commentators were calling for dialogue.”

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friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

Views 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

The Pope and Nagamootoo

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ope Francis on Thursday defended freedom of expression and condemned the attacks on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The Pope also admitted that freedom of expression has limits.

One of those limitations includes mocking people’s religion and their faith. However, violence in God’s name cannot be justified. Pope Francis appeared to be promoting respect for a diversity of views, but also a non-violent response to publication of information interrupted as disrespectful.

Freedom of the press in any modern democratic state involves reporting without fear, freely and independently as possible. There is much food for thought stemming from the comments made by the Pope when one considers the dynamics in which the free and supposedly ‘independent’ media operate in Guyana today.

Some privately owned and Opposition aligned media houses are allowed to publish misinformation and deliberate lies under the guise of ‘news’ that paint the Government, members of the Private Sector and public officials in a bad light.

They are allowed to manufacture sensational headlines and defame individuals in society who do not support the views of their political backers. These media houses are allowed to set the news agenda as they see fit through spurious reports that have as their central source Opposition spokespersons, tainted columnists, former public servants who aspire to achieve political careers, and phantom analysts.

Yet they are regarded as independent paragons of virtue by some, including in the diplomatic corps with a vested interest in influencing the domestic affairs of this country.

On the other hand, if any other media house, whether privately owned or not and supportive of the Government, attempts to follow suit the trend set by these Opposition media houses to take a position, albeit an opposing one, there is an often an immediate outcry in some political quarters of society.

The Opposition political parties, as of recent, appear to find it difficult to accept that each media house will adopt different editorial policies, angles of reporting, interpretation of socioeconomic issues and positions on governance.

It is their right to freely express their views and communicate information in this respect to the public. While they are under oath to do so in a balance and independent manner as far as possible, they are not under any oath to ensure that the Opposition political parties are satisfied with their reporting.

Perhaps, the Opposition parties are of the view that media houses are operating with integrity only when they scandalize the Government and adopt a passive, neglectful eye to the inconsistencies in policies articulated by their own rank and file. Does freedom of expression only apply to a select few?

Recently, the AFC’s handpicked Presidential Candidate Moses Nagamootoo questioned the integrity of this newspaper.

He went on a bandwagon about its coverage of issues related to his small party in general.

But when asked to comment on controversial and contradictory statements made by one of his own party members on a political issue, he said his party could not “do a Charlie Hebdo about it”.

Nagamootoo, who claims to be a former journalist, having worked for the information machinery of the party he now criticizes, went further to express great worry about the satirical columns and investigative pieces in the newspaper before slinging his usual mud at the entity.

But Nagamootoo did not deny the substance of a single report carried in this newspaper, neither did he offer any conflicting evidence to prove that they were manufactured.

Nagamootoo must address real issues and desist from raising red-herrings and arguments that are non sequitur and ad hominem if he is to be taken seriously. Nagamootoo, therefore, is supporting double standards and is an enemy of sections of the truly free and independent press by Guyana’s standards and standards which he himself has claimed he supports in other sections of the media.

This newspaper will continue to report without fear, freely and independently.

This young ballerina put on a show for the attendees of the Lions Clubs Fundraising Dinner and Award Ceremony at the Pegasus on Wednesday (Marceano Narine photo)

Obama to visit India to strengthen relations

Dear Editor, Statements from the US White House and India Prime Minister’s Office say President Barack Obama will be in India from January 25 throu 27 as Chief Guest of India’s Republic Day celebrations, making him the only US President to visit India twice, once in each term in office. Obama visited India in 2011.

During his visit, Obama will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a range of issues to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership. This Delhi trip follows up on Modi’s debut visit to the White House in September and a meeting between the two leaders in Burma and Australia in November.

The two leaders have been courting each other as partners to strengthen diplomatic, security and trade relations.

They have lauded each other’s policy and achievements. This new relation-

ship is a complete reversal from the recent past when Washington cancelled Modi’s visa in 2005 over riots in his home state of Gujarat.

India became a Republic on January 26, 1950. India’s Republic Day is marked by a massive, spectacular parade with fireworks in the capital city of New Delhi near the mounument of eternal flame dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, celebrating India’s ethnic diversity.

The parade offers a chance to spectators to catch a glimpse of its outstanding home developed military hardware as well as various stunts and cultural presentations. It has been a tradition for India to have a Chief Guest at its prestigious Republic Day celebrations.

Previous guests included Mandela, Putin, and Presidents of Brazil, Germany, France, Ghana, Tanzania, etc.

The Japanese Prime Minister was the guest last year and

the South Korean leader the previous year.

Modi tendered an invitation to Obama to be his Chief Guest and the President accepted. The White House said Obama would be the first US president to attend India’s Republic Day celebration.

The Indian President will host a state banquet for Obama on January 27.

India is seeking to attract American corporate investment to help reinvigorate its economy that has seen stalled economic growth in recent years after growing some 10 per cent a year.

Modi wants to build 100 smart mini-cities and using more renewable energy to shift dependence away from oil and gas. Recently, the two countries resolved a dispute over a World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement that India had blocked over concerns about its food-security program.

Also, the two countries

are seeking to build closer defense ties as a counter balance of power against an increasingly assertive China.

Business will form a major part of Obama’s visit. He wants India to import from US and to tap into American companies for services. Obama will address a townhall-style meeting at one of the colleges in Delhi.

Obama will fly to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal before departing for the US. He will be accompanied

by First Lady Michelle Obama and a number of businessmen. Just last week, US Secretary of State visited India.

The India-US partnership will redound to benefits for poor countries like Guyana. A wealthier, stronger, and more tech adept India means more handouts for poor countries. Indian has been generous to poor countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

Vishnu Bisram

Please investigate this potential kidnapping Dear Editor, I am an Amerindian resident of the Rupununi region and I do need your help in letting the public know what is taking place in my region.

There is a so-called women’s activist in the Aishalton village who claims to belong to an Opposition party and is agreeing with her son to kidnap his three children from their mother and take them across to Brazil.

This potential kidnapper who used to talk a lot

about Wapichan territory also snatched a young female school teacher of the Potarinau village and took her to Brazil, taking all his wife’s money from her small business before the Christmas holidays.

The Amerindian villages in south and south central of the Rupununi are of the view that the teacher may have been sexually assaulted from a tender age, since she grew up in the matrimonial home of the snatcher.

The wife of the potential

kidnapper is presently living in fear with her three children.

The matter has since been reported to the Lethem Police Station, but I will like the Lethem Police and the relevant authorities’ in Lethem to monitor the activities of the potential kidnapper including the village council and our Toshaos.

Also I would like the APA’s Vice President Tony James, who lives in Aishalton village, to seriously investigate this mat-

ter and stop the potential kidnapper from his criminal intentions. If not, the Georgetown Prison is awaiting him.

Concerned village residents would like your newspaper, the Guyana Times to publish this letter and to follow up on this criminallike matter and other activities taking place in the Rupununi region.

We love the Guyana Times newspaper.

Shelly Winter

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Government opened airwaves for freedom of expression Dear Editor, It is so amusing that those who deliberately attempt to distort the PPP/C’s record on press freedom and freedom of expression are perhapsthe most vocal and outspoken in our society.

Everyday these individuals pontificate on radio, television and in the newspapers on subjects ranging from rain to romance without any fear of contradiction.

It seems to me a contradiction that with this glaring reality, Arif Bulkhan is desperately trying to convince us there is no freedom of expression and freedom of the press inGuyana.

Mr Bulkhan’s Letter to the Editor on January 12 cannot be read without taking into consideration, the entrenched hatred by the Bulkhan family of the

PPP/C for their own mismanagement of their family business that eventually collapsed.

I consider this observation necessary and useful at this point because it has implications for the measurement of his objectivity.

However, it has long been recognized that these individuals, inclusive of Mr Bulkhan’s mistake, challenge to their distortion, misinformation and outright lies for everything else other than the right to reply and indefence of the PPP/C record and its leaders’ character.

It would therefore not surprise most people if he now claims he is under attack for his views.

Apart from the obvious inaccuracies contained in Mr Bulkhan’s letter, he has

executed poor judgment in his arguments since the examples he used can hardly be deemed appropriate indicators in the measurementof freedom of expression and press freedom.

The mere fact that Mr Bulkhan misused his opportunity to be factual, by telling us Freddie Kissoon was fired from the University of Guyana, is enough to tell us what we are actually dealing with. The University of Guyana Council did not consider Mr Kissoon for post retirement employment.

With respect to his reference to the termination of appointments of Carl Grenedge to CARIFORUM and David Hinds to Arizona University, Mr Bulkhan deliberately omitted to say that these appointments had required individuals who

were independent, objective and fair and neither of these gentlemen met these criteria and were therefore considered unsuitable.

I can hardly believe that Mr Bulkhan’s insinuations of ulterior motives by those honourable professionals in these institutions will make it to success.

Worse yet, his position on the tax evasion matter implicating Glenn Lall is unpopular since the majority of Guyanese recognize the dangers of encouraging and allowing the ‘’rich and famous’’ to deprive ourcountry from the benefits of revenue generation.

An illegality is what it is and Mr Lall is no different from anyone else who is required to pay his taxes.

Again, Mr Bulkhan gave the Opposition a free-pass

by exculpating it from blame for the delay in the opening up of frequencies to accommodate additional radio and television stations.

There is a history to this matter and the whole truth is nevertheless that the PPP/C Government opened up the airwaves to widen the opportunities for freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Based on his argument, it appears as though he has resolved himself to embrace illegality by supporting the violation of the law by CNS Channel 6.

At least though Mr Bulkhan lived up to one of my expectations – the certainty of him mentioning Gordon Mosely, who was deemed persona non grata for a period at Office of the President.

This decision was considered on the basis of his poor mannerism, disrespect and discourtesy and the privilege of access tothe Office of the President is contingent on adherence to the rules andregulations of this high office.

Overall, Mr Bulkhan has delivered a poor case. His arguments are laced with subjectivity. In a country with a population of over750,000 people, Mr Bulkhan can only present us with less than 10 examples in his attempt to nullify the PPP/C’s good record on freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

I could imagine that hatred would drive you to any desperation point.

Kwame Mc Coy

Some lawyers in Essequibo not representing their clients Dear Editor, I wish to bring to the attention of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Chief Justice and the Guyana Bar Association a matter of serious concern which is affecting clients who are hiring some lawyers here on the Essequibo Coast to represent them in their cases in the Magistrate’s Court.

My sister had retained a lawyer to represent her in a matter for four months’ outstanding rent and possession of property. A one-month notice was served on the tenant, but he refused to receive the lawyer’s notice and pay the rent.

The lawyer then proceeded to summons him to be in court. My sister then went to Suddie and took the Court Marshal to serve the summons upon him.

Each time he refused to open the door to collect his summons.

The Magistrate was informed by the Marshal about these happenings.

All this time my sister kept going to Anna Regina, Charity and Suddie Magistrates’ Courts with the expectation of a hearing which was set, only to be postponed on four ocassions because of the tenant’s non-appearance in court.

Lo and behold, my sister first lawyer’s took $ 65,000 to file the summons and appear in court on her behalf , but he never turned up to represent her one day in court.

This simple court matter for rental and possession took four months without a hearing. All the time my sister keep going to court from Charity, Anna Regina and Suddie hiring a car, which costs her large sums of money.

She became frustrated and has decided to retained another lawyer who charged her another $ 65,000 without issuing any receipt although she had demand one.

After going around in circles with these lawyers and no hearing, she became more frustrated. In the meantime the tenant had refused to turn up in court and was disregarding the Marshal’s order.

The Magistrate was fully aware. The Magistrate then decided to go to trial without the tenant at the Anna Regina court. When the matter was called the tenant appeared with a

lawyer who is the nephew of my sister’s lawyer.

The Magistrate then asked the tenant why he did not collected the summons for the past four months and appear in court. He made a lame excuse that he now received it and the Magistrate just give him a nod.

A n e w date was set for hearing at Suddie. After my sister saw the tenant had retained her lawyer’s nephew, she decided to drop him and hired another lawyer.

A letter was sent to the Magistrate to this effect informing him that she had another lawyer and

will not proceed with her former lawyer, and if he can set a new date because her lawyer is the the High Court.

The two lawyers, having learnt of this new development, informed the Magistrate that both clients had agreed to settle the matter out of court.

The Magistrate asked all parties to meet in a private room and come to a decision then returned to him so he can pronounced on the verdict.

In the private room my sister was intimidated, overpowered and threatened by the two lawyers.

They told her if she did not agree to their proposals she can be placed in the lock-up, and if she did not give in to their demands and allow the tenant to live in her house for six months, and she will receive two months’ rent instead of four months.

For the other two months’ rent, she will have to summon the tenants again in court.

All parties then returned before the Magistrate with the under-

standing that the tenant will be given six months to vacate the premises and pay his outstanding rent, and on the first day of each month he will post each month’s rent at the post office to my sister.

She received only two months rent of $100,000 in the presence of the Magistrate from the tenant.The Magistrate knew that in the initial sum was $200,000 outstanding, because the case took four months to to conclude.

In the meantime the tenant was not paying his rent since he received the lawyer’s notice.

I have heard similar stories like mine, where these two lawyers are taking clients’ money without proper representation and not issuing receipts and working in collusion to defraud them.

These two lawyers have been behaving like legislators, making laws as they

see fit.This type of egregious overreaching behavior by some lawyers here on the Essequibo Coast has already poisoned the legal profession.

We Essequibians are asking the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice to launch an investigation into the functions of the justice system of the lower court and these lawyers who are out to fleece clients of their hard earned money.

Most of the clients who are being fleeced of their money are single parents who are house-wives. Some of them are taking care of their disabled husbands and have no proper source of income. Sometimes they are borrowing money to hire lawyers to represent their case.

Concerned Essequibian Name withheld by request

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BY ALLISON HENDRIX

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friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

t only happens once a year, so why not CELEBRATE! In my experience, it is rarely the gifts my children remember. It is the feeling of excitement when they get out of bed, the element of surprise throughout their day, and the enthusiasm surrounding them. This week my baby turned six. We each now need two hands to share our age and I’m not sad at all; I’m thrilled.

With three children, I’ve accumulated a variety of birthday ideas with the hopes of filling my children’s love tank on their birthday. I think we should pool our ideas, borrow freely, and be inspired to make those we love feel special.

Isn’t that our goal? I slightly cringe when I see a mom relishing over her recent DIY project while another looks on feeling defeated by her sense of inferiority. I tap into my sister’s bag of tricks all the time when I am just not feeling it. So, here’s what’s in my birthday bag this week:

Foundation

Build the excitement with a countdown. There are many ways to do this. Window marker your car with “Honk! It’s Lily’s 10th birthday!” This has delighted my children for years. With every honk, we all cackle with joy.

Candles in their breakfast, why not? This is sure to make any little one light up with joy and excitement.

Use the special “Celebration Plate”.

We made one years ago at a painted pottery place. We’ve used it on

birthdays, potty training milestones, soccer goals, and when loved ones visit.

Declare it a Screen-free Day for the parents. If the child is awake, put your cell phones down and turn off the tv/

computer. Be present, not distracted.

Wrap each food item in their lunchbox. Throw in a balloon if it will fit.

Pure delight.

Measure them.

We have a wall, a very messy wall, with dates, ages, and heights of our children, nieces and nephews, and neighbourhood children. Kids loved to be measured!

Retell their birth story.

Even get their baby book out.

My baby books stopped after the first child, but they take such

delight in hearing about their first cry in the delivery room. My mother still calls me at the exact hour I was born with “Oh, I feel a contraction. Ouch. I think you’re coming today Allison.” I love it.

Make or buy them a spe-

cial shirt or socks with their new age on it.

Allow your child to pick the dinner for everyone.

Eat at the fancy table. We have a formal dining room table we NEVER use. Last year

we used it to eat the delivery pizza for my daughter’s birthday. We light candles and the children knew without doubt, that day was SPECIAL. Have siblings serve them, clear the table, and do their assigned chores for the day.

Fill their closet or the kitchen cupboards with balloons. When they open them, they will fall out. Delight!

Teach siblings that the most important thing on somebody’s birthday is making them feel special. When we go to a birthday party, our goal should be to make the birthday person feel special. This can be an especially difficult in a society when the party favours are sometimes nicer than the gift brought.

Make a party hat for your pet. I’m kinda kidding on this one, but kinda not. It doesn’t make your child feel special, but it sure is funny.

Let your child know that your greatest joy in life is that you GET TO BE THEIR MOMMY! They need to hear it…and often. (thehouseofhendrix.com)

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twins with Guyana not in breach of GPHC China’s Sobei Hospital Commonwealth Charter – expansion of surgical capacity on the table ...Luncheon says Ayre’s remarks “disrespectful”

BY ALEXIS RODNEY

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ead of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr Roger Luncheon has recorded the Government’s outrage over recent pronouncements by British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre saying that it was nothing more than “disrespectful.”

At his post Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Luncheon said Government patiently awaits the departure of the British High Commissioner, who in a hail of threat to Government, warned that the continued suspension of the National Assembly could cost Guyana

Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon

its support to developmental projects funded by the Commonwealth.

Luncheon said the Ambassador sought to prove that the decision by Government to prorogue Parliament was unconstitutional.

“Ayre is dishonourable, knowingly depicting that the prorogation of Parliament was a constitutional crime. He attempted to portray the prorogation as an act by Government that was worthy of sanctions; Commonwealth sanctions to be precise. He also unveiled threats of the withdrawal of developmental aid to Guyana. This is dishonourable”, Luncheon said on Thursday.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, Ayre has also attempted to damage Guyana’s credibility and its economic prospects. “This has been considered by Cabinet to be unpardonable”.

The British Ambassador on Monday had lashed out at Government, a few days after the United Kingdom’s Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Ellwood, had urged an early resumption of Parliament.

Luncheon said Government was hurt that Britain would go to such lengths with its threats of sanctions. Government was even more upset that the Ambassador used the media

to communicate these concerns.

“Mr Ayre is about to leave Guyana soon.

However, just like another departed western diplomat and head of mission, the High Commission has opted to use the opportunity of his parting to be unusually remembered by Guyana’s Government. Like his fellow departed head of mission, the Commissioner spoke to the Government through the media here, knowingly mis-depicting prorogation, severe enough to utter sanctions against Government.

The Cabinet Secretary said Ayre’s statements simply revealed the UK’s handiwork in the recent European Union’s dishonouring of its agreement with the Government on budget’s support.

He described too as “irksome” the apparent trend by western diplomats to make outlandish remarks against Government, a short while before the end of their tenure. Luncheon said the British High Commissioner has served Guyana for the past three years.

“There must be something about leaving Guyana that western diplomats and heads of missions to be involved in final fields of folly” declared Luncheon.

Meanwhile, a release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry made it clear that Guyana was not in breach of the Commonwealth Charter.

According to the release dated January 15, after contact was made to the Commonwealth General Secretary Kamalesh Sharma, it was confirmed that there were no “Commonwealth discussion on Guyana’s state of affairs.”

The Secretary General also confirmed that there has been no discussion about the situation in Guyana with the British Government or its High Commissioner in Georgetown or by any other Commonwealth body for that matter.

The release said that as such, there has been no conclusion by the Commonwealth that Guyana is in breach of the Commonwealth Charter.

In a Facebook post, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett had said that as far as she is aware Guyana is not the subject of any impending sanction by the Commonwealth body.

She explained that she is a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) under whose responsibility such an action would fall. CMAG is a group of representatives of members of the Commonwealth of Nations that is responsible for upholding the Harare Declaration. That declaration dictates the

Commonwealth’s fundamental political values, and sets the core membership criteria of the organisation.

However the Alliance For Change (AFC) in a statement today that it appreciated the steps taken by the High Commissioner to remind the Government and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP?C) Administration of it democratic obligations.

“Instead of crucifying the messenger, the PPP/C Government should pay attention to the intent of the High Commissioner’s statement” said AFC Member of Parliament Trevor Williams.

He contended that it is clear that Guyana has found itself at a point where whatever gains would have been made over the past decades on building a democratic state, are in danger of being erased.

“In no democratic state would the Government suspend elected representatives of the people to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny.

The PPP/C Government must remove its blinders and see that while Guyana is a sovereign nation, it is also a member of international groupings such as the Commonwealth and is obligated to practice and uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter.”

He said that for too long and in too many other instances the Government of Guyana has “shirked” its obligations to international charters.

The six Chinese delegates from the Sobei People’s Hospital stand in front of a plaque that was erected in honour of the hospitals’ Friendship Agreement, with Dr David Samaroo (third left) and Dr Sheik Amir (fourth right)

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday joined forces with the Sobei People’s Hospital of the Jiangsu Province of China.

This step is expected to enhance GPHC’s capacity to conduct spine surgeries.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Khan signed a Friendship Agreement with Sobei People’s Hospital Secretary of the Party Committee, Sun Jie, with the aim of enhancing the hospitals’ relationship. The signing ceremony took place at GPHC’s Resource Centre in the presence of 12 executives from both institutions.

Khan told Guyana Times that the Friendship Agreement signifies an increase in the relationship between the hospitals. He explained that the hospitals will exchange doctors, staff and equipment, noting too that training of health professionals is also on the agenda.

However, it was further explained that a detailed agenda will soon be developed to specify the areas to be covered under the agreement.

According to Khan, the expansion of GPHC’s surgi-

GPHC’s CEO Michael Khan (far left) and Sobei People’s Hospital’s Secretary of the Party Committee Sun Jie

cal capacity to include spinal surgeries is being contemplated by both parties.

He reminded of the fact that the Head of the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade, Dr Yong Xiang Wang, had performed the team’s first spinal surgery in Guyana in November, 2014.

Khan is of the opinion that GPHC has the most to gain from the friendship, as the Sobei People’s Hospital is very “impressive” with the latest of standardized equipment like Computed Tomography (CT) scan machines.

Director of Medical and Professional Services and

Surgery Consultant, Dr Sheik Amir, who was a part GPHC’s delegation, told this publication that the agreement is simply an officiating of the friendship between the hospitals, as they have been collaborating with each other since the first Chinese Medical Brigade arrived in Guyana. Dr Amir explained that the Sobei People’s Hospital is the main health institution around the Jiangsu Province, with other maternal hospitals, pediatric hospitals and orthopedic hospitals being managed by it. It is from these hospitals that the medical brigades originate.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Teenage pregnancy:

GRPA urges more frank discussion on sex

By Devina Samaroo

T

here is still a lot of shame that exists when it comes to talking about sex – extensively talking about sex, at least in Guyana.

While most of the world’s attitudes have changed concerning discussion of sexuality, there seems to be a taboo surrounding this incredibly important subject in this country, which could very well be a contributing factor to the high rates of teenage pregnancy recorded in this small nation.

This is according to Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times concerning the soaring cases of teenage pregnancies in Guyana. The Director believes that since there is no comprehensive approach to discussions surrounding sexual matters, youths are often ill-equipped with the knowledge and information needed to make safe and wise decisions.

“Even in terms of being open enough to share about our own lives and our mistakes, our myths and all of that, we’re not sharing these things because there is still a taboo on that, so what we do is that we decry and we so-call moralise everything and that is just to throw a wet blanket on the questions youth have … and they go to the wrong source of information.”

Sheerattan-Bisnauth pointed out that “we live in a highly sexualised culture” and it was time Guyanese stop treating sex as an uncomfortable conversational topic, especially with children.

She explained that other cultures, even in prudish regions like India and Africa are more comfortable with sex.

“For too long, we have been so entrenched in that Victorian way and mindset,” Sheerattan-Bisnauth contended.

She noted that the GRPA aimed to change the negative perspective about sex and encourage people to view it as healthy and God-given.

“We do believe everyone has a right to live a safe and satisfying sex life…”

She further stated that religion has a great influence in keeping that darkness around detailed sexual conversations and what defines a respectable man or woman.

The Director said too many young people were ignorant about sex and called for more comprehensive educa-

GRPA Director Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth

tion on sexuality.

GRPA Youth Coordinator Norwell Hinds pointed out that parents usually tell their children ‘not to have sex until marriage’ and such concludes the discussion.

“When their parents say don’t have sex, they may think oral sex is not sex, because sex has to be contact with penis and vagina and not contact with any other body part,” Hinds explained.

He said young people often would believe several myths about sex, which causes them to engage in unsafe sexual practices.

Through his experience and interaction with many youths, Hinds stated one such myth was if you have sex while standing, you would not get pregnant.

In some instances, youths were unaware of how pregnancy occurred. He explained that some believed they can use alcohol to get rid of the foetus while some take cyclo-tex for abortion, both of which were unsafe practices that can lead to severe complications.

Desperation, loneliness

Meanwhile, many may wonder why teenagers who realise they are pregnant keep the child and face social and economic problems instead of having an abortion.

Truth is, some teenagers are not well-informed of their options.

Sheerattan-Bisnauth presented

several theories as to why teenagers do not terminate their pregnancies.

She said one of the reasons could be that they were looking for affection that was lacking in their homes and so they went after what made them feel needed and loved, even if it was just momentarily. In some cases, out of desperation and loneliness, they keep the baby so they will have someone who can love them, who they can give their love to.

“The guy provides them with this love and they feel he will be there forever.”

Another point that was raised is the fact that, based on the home situation, some teenage girls seek love and affection from other people, and they believe if they make a child for that person who showers them with the attention and love they crave, he will not leave them. Therefore, they unwisely enter the relationship with the intention of getting pregnant.

“They feel if they keep the child, they keep the guy,” the GRPA Youth Coordinator added.

He further noted that some situations involve the value system that surrounds abortion.

Hinds said that based on cultural and religious upbringing, certain value systems may not accommodate abortion. He pointed out that everything led back to a lack of information.

Millions of dollars lost

Additionally, Hinds stated that millions of dollars were lost due to teenage pregnancy.

“Often the teenager will not finish school, which means she will not get a good job or no job. Then, she will most likely have a second pregnancy in her early twenties and she will be with child and caring for children right in her forties. Millions of dollars are lost due to teenage pregnancy as women are not able to enter the workforce.”

Generally, the major concern of teenage pregnancy comes back to the information and knowledge the teenager had before she made her decision.

Sheerattan-Bisnauth called on all parents and guardians to engage their children in comprehensive sexual discussions and to explore all possibilities as it relates to sex.

“Persons with more information make better decisions. They avoid risky sex. They are more secured in themselves where they hold off having sex.”

Eyew tness Electoral constructs...

Y

...and smart fly Ramjattan

ou’ve heard the one about wanting to have your pone and eat it too, no? Well in case you haven’t, just look at what the AFC’s doing to (and with) PNC/APNU and you’ll get the general idea. So what’s going on?? The AFC of Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo are caught between a rock and a hard place, that’s what!!

When the AFC was launched by the trio of ship jumpers - Trotman (PNC), Ramjattan (PPP/C) and Holder (WPA) their claim to fame was they were a “multi-racial party”.

With Holder’s passing, Trotman departing and Nagamootoo joining, the equation’s so ethnically unbalanced it ain’t even funny. Nigel Hughes, supposedly to “replace” Trotman, was so defanged and emasculated by the Sithe Global scandal, he’s just praying his name doesn’t come under scrutiny.

But the AFC’s still insisting - with a straight face - that it’s “multiracial”...even though that “face” is all Indian. And that’s where the eating and sequestering of the pone comes in. The AFC believes the Indian card will play in Berbice so they’ve gone all out to augment their local Bush Doctor Ramayya with the Nutty Professor Samad to bring home the bacon in the soon-to-be-elections. The AFC’s Indian!! That’s the eating of the pone.

In the meantime, back at the old homestead of Georgetown, the AFC’s desperately trying to preserve the pone by insisting they’re “multiracial”. Now, since they can’t prove this by pointing to any African Guyanese in the party with even a smidgen of power, Ramjattan came up with three-card-monte manoeuvre to claim he’s FINALLY going to CONSIDER coalescing with the African-Guyanese dominated PNC/APNU. Not being aware that Ramjattan had come up with any magic potion to ward off the certain “kiss of death” he’d predicted if this act were consummated, it wasn’t difficult to see that the sly wanker’s just wanking Granger’s chain.

After all, he’s demanded to be LEADER of the coalition were it to fructify. That’s like a pesky gnat insisting he’ll lead the elephant on whose back he’s landed!! He knows that Granger ain’t gonna be committing political hara-kiri and so he’ll be keeping his pone.

And now we have one of Ramjattan’s “beards” -General Secretary Patterson - insisting that by the end of the month, the AFC will reveal “under what construct” the party’s gonna go into the elections!! Construct?? What the hell is that??

What this Eyewitness is gonna say loud and clear here is that folks like Ramjattan who speak from both sides of their mouths think they’re real smart flies.

But he should remember where all smart flies end up...!

...and Jeffrey’s impossible dream

A “pipe dream” is wasting your time over something that’s never gonna happen. The American phrase entered the language via the babbling of opium smokers who thought their drug induced hallucinations were real.

They were just “pipe dreams!! As is Henry Jeffrey’s fantasy in transposing the defeat of the incumbent Government in Sri Lanka onto the PPP/C Government in Guyana, come the next elections.

Jeffrey’s at it again with his “bi-communal” analogy between Sri Lanka and us in Guyana. What the hell does that mean when even he concedes that Sri Lanka has 74 per cent Sinhalese speakers and only 18 per cent Tamil speakers - language being the most reliable indicator of voting behaviour.

With one group being such an overwhelming majority, EVERY study of political behaviour in divided societies suggest that THEIR vote might be split without too much concern.

Not so in Guyana where none of the groups have even a simple majority. Go smoke that in your (opium) pipe, Jeffrey!!

...with new parties

This Eyewitness takes note of several smaller parties that’ve come out of hibernation to throw their hats into the electoral construct ring. Is it a pipe dream to hope that maybe “the Eagle” might land again??

news

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friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rodney COI:

APNU fears revelations during elections campaign

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

By Alexis Rodney

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has dismissed concerns raised by the Attorney representing the People’s National Congress (PNC), Basil Williams over the state of affairs of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry and the body sitting during the elections campaign.

Williams, speaking with the Guyana Times on Wednesday had expressed concerns over the resumption of the Commission, during a time when political parties were involved in election campaigns. The investigation which seeks to ascertain who was responsible for the death of historian Dr Walter Rodney on June 13, 1980, will go into its seventh session on January 26.

While President Donald Ramotar was still to name a date for the holding of General and Regional Elections, the three main political parties, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU); and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have all relayed that they were at the middle of some rigorous elections campaign.

Williams told the Guyana Times that the PNC had expressed con-

cern when it received a notice that the CoI would be commencing on January 26. “Why would you want a Commission during this time?” he questioned. He said the three-member Commission had already expressed some reservations about carrying out the investigation during the “political atmosphere “that will prevail.

Walter Rodney Secretariat Chairman Hugh Denbow had told the Guyana Times last week that the Commission, upon its resumption on January 26, will run for some five days before it takes a break and resume on February 9.

Based on the Commission’s plan of action for 2015, they will be continuing the investigation way into March. President Ramotar had said that he would announce a date for the elections, which he hoped could happen before the end of the first quarter of this year.

No connection – AG But the Attorney General told the Guyana Times he saw no connection between elections and the investigation, since the Commission has nothing to do with politics. He said it was simply an inquiry into what has been considered a “colossal tragedy”, noting that it was long overdue.

He said while Commissioners have indeed expressed some amount of concern about the Commission sitting during the elections, “we are not at that stage”.

“I see no nexus between the Commission of Inquiry and elections,” Nandlall told this publication. “Maybe Mr Williams knows something to which Government is not privy and is apprehensive about that.”

Concerns were also raised about further funding for the Commission, since there have been talk

that the initial multimillion allocation approved by the National Assembly during the budget presentation last year has almost dried up. Williams said the PNC has been calling for an account of the monies spent thus far, but has never gotten down to it, particularly owing to the prorogation of Parliament.

This concern was thrown to Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon. He said that from all indications, the Commission was at a satisfactory position on every level. This includes finance and the commis-

PNC Attorney Basil Williams

sioners’ presence during the election period.

The Secretariat’s Chairman had told the Guyana Times that the Secretariat was still finalising the list of participants for the upcoming one-week session. On that list to take the stand and complete his cross-examination is Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul, who was still giving evidence at the end of the last session in early November last year.

Before the end of session six, there was talk that Donald Rodney, the brother of the slain historian would be opening this session. However, the Secretariat’s Chairman could not confirm this, since according to him, neither Rodney nor his law-

yer Keith Scotland could say definitely if he would be present. Donald is said to be the only known witness to the June 13, 1980 bomb blast, which claimed the life of his brother, as he was said to be in the driver’s seat of the car when

the incident occurred some distance away from the Georgetown Prison.

Barbados Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham heads the three-member commission, which seeks to ascertain the circumstanc-

es surrounding the death of Dr Rodney. The other investigators include Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels Brown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam.

Sex education not effectively tackled in schools …say parents, teachers in light of high teenage pregnancy rate

P

arents and teachers have expressed concern that sex education in secondary schools is not being effectively tackled, resulting in the current high level of teenage pregnancy in society.

While some may want to argue that sex education should be taught at home, some headteachers have said that while parents play a significant role in this aspect of their children’s life, the school is the ideal place to tackle the issue.

“We have some parents who are still stuck in the mentality of yesteryear and they may not even want to use certain words in front of their children and this is why I feel the school is an ideal environment to ensure the message gets across in the manner it should,” Headteacher of the Cummings Lodge Secondary Murline Valentine said.

It was recently disclosed by the Georgetown Public Hospital that 1332 teens conceived there during 2014.

It was further stated that the teenage mothers ranged from ages 14 to 19.

Recently, the Education Ministry introduced the Health and Family life Education Programme (HFLE) which it says is not a subject, but an integrat-

ed programme.

Further, to improve the effectiveness of the programme, during last year the Ministry collaborated with Caricom and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and a number of other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the programme.

This newspaper understands that the HFLE is being taught in most schools across the country, from Grades Seven to Nine. This programme seeks to educate students on making the right choices on a number of issues faced in society and challenges they will encounter.

Further, sex education is a part of the programme.

Sex education is also addressed in the Science subjects as well as Social Studies. However, teachers say while sex education is touched on in these areas, it is not widely available since not every adolescent enters into an area of studying science or Social Studies.

“So if they don’t enter these subject areas, their chances of learning a bit more in-depth on sexual habits are diminished,” one teacher said.

Headmaster of the Annandale Secondary School Nicholes Persaud shares the view of many school teachers and head-

teachers on this issue. “I think more needs to be done in this area,” he said.

He explained that his school teaches HFLE in Grades Seven and Eight.

“I won’t say it is effectively tackled but while teaching, sometimes children ask questions,” Valentine said.

On this note, she urged teachers not to avoid answering these questions.

She further suggested that a seminar on sex education should be kept once per term to educate teenagers on the topic.

She opined that the more children are educated about sexual intercourse, the better are their choices in society.

The need for a much more fundamental sexual education system in schools seems to be very wide spread with a vast amount of teachers and parents feeling that the issue needs to be more effectively addressed.

One parent said she finds it difficult to effectively relate to her daughter on the topic of sexual intercourse and was of the view that teachers can do a very effective job in schools.

Nevertheless, another parent still felt it is a responsibility that needs to be shared 50/50 between parents and teachers.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

News

TravelSpan Flight Attendants unemployed months after closure

… remain hopeful for carrier’s return

D

espite making promises to Guyanese in 2014 that they were here to stay, 25 Flight Attendants attached to the TravelSpan Airlines are currently unemployed but are hopeful that the air service will live up to its promise of returning and staying on Guyanese shores.

In 2014, the 25 Guyanese were selected and extensively trained in Los Angeles to serve as Flight Attendants on the company’s air carriers which were leased from Vision Airlines Corporation.

However, due to constant mechanical issues with Vision Airlines which resulted in a lack of consistent service proven by the significant amount of cancelled and delayed flights that caused major inconveniences to passengers, TravelSpan had

TravelSpan CEO Nohar Singh

terminated its agreement with Vision Airlines as of September 27, 2014, closed its operations and returned to the United States, with no alternative plans for its 25 Flight Attendants.

Speaking to Guyana Times in a telephone interview on Wednesday, one of

the flight attendants, who asked for his name to be withheld, related that since the company closed operations and left in September, he has been unemployed and is currently at home.

“Since they closed operations and left, we have not been working. They had no alternative operations for us so we had nothing else to go to after the operations closed down in Guyana,” he stated.

Another Flight Attendant, who also indicated her desire for her name to be withheld, stated that she too, has been facing the same situation as her male counterpart since the air service’s last flight on September 27, 2014.

She indicated that while some may be of the belief that the Flight Attendants are not seeking jobs and are simply

playing victims, this is not true.

“It is not that we want to be unemployed but we were trained as Flight Attendants.

That is the work we were trained to do. It is already difficult to find a job with a degree here in Guyana but it is even more difficult when you are a flight attendant. Most of the airlines here already have their personnel so there aren’t positions open for us,” she lamented.

Promise

The two related that the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Nohar Singh, had on several occasions made contact via email with the Flight Attendants during the past months and promised that they will be re-employed as soon as it can be arranged.

“What he has indicated to us is that he is trying to find a new carrier which the company can use and once an agreement has been drawn up, operations will resume in Guyana. We usually get updates from time to time about what is happening and we are remaining hopeful that something will pull through. We need our jobs; we can’t stay at home all the time. We were promised that they are here to stay, that our jobs were there to stay,” the male Flight Attendant expressed.

According to information received by this publication, the company was slated to sign an agreement with the troubled Dynamic Airlines for the provision of a carrier, but due to the number of issues affecting that airline with regards to its operations here in Guyana, that agreement fell through.

A source close to the company when contacted for a comment on the matter indicated that while she cannot say much on the matter at this point, she was informed by the CEO that he is trying to secure a new carrier and once this is done, the Flight Attendants will undergo new training before being placed on that carrier. She stated that from all indications, TravelSpan has not altogether close its operations in Guyana, but business is simply suspended until an agreement is born with a new carrier.

Pandemonium broke lose at the local office in September last year and Police had to be called in after irate passengers accused the company of failing to meet their obligations and began behaving disorderly.

The situation is not new to the company since in early 2003, Guyanese passengers were left stranded when the company had again pulled out of the market at that time. It was alleged that the lease for the carrier at that time had expired and the leaser had reclaimed its plane.

Samad run from de fryin pan!

I

t gotta lotta people who does run around all over de place in Guyana. It got those who does run fuh exercise and it got those who does run from some ting or some body. Some does run from de truth and some does run mad every day like Freedie de man kisser.

Moon does run till day ketch up too, and de man who knock down dem people in Providence de other day had tink he coulda run run like de moon. But he fuhget that day does come when night done.

So when Police hold on pun he in Eccles, he wish it was still night time. But he couldn’ta run no more. Now dem fellas at Camp Street got he runnin backwards and he don’t even get a chance to see day nor night wheh he deh.

And dem fellas mekkin he see daylights when get tired runnin backwards!

Dem mini-bus and taxi drivers does wanna run down people just like how Green Jah wanna run down de country, and every body know which rum shop Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man does run to, whether is a wukkin day or not.

Lil Johnny used to try hard to run from Uncle Rafeel whenever Uncle Rafeel was hard on (in?) him, but now poor Lil Johnny don’t know wheh to run. All because Uncle Rafeel know good how to trot down any man – any where, any how, any time and fuh any ting.

Lalloo mighta been de only man Lil Johnny coulda run to, because Lalloo don’t get hard wid no body. But then again Lil Johnny mighta been in more danger because Lalloo is a cut throat who who does run and pick up knife to cut people throat.

Some people simply gotta runnin problem altogether.

Samad de nomad is one of dem who gotta runnin problem.

When he run and seh one ting, Rum Jhaat does run and seh some ting different.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

So Samad de nomad run from de fryin pan and into de fire!

Two in custody over shooting of Warlock man

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have arrested two persons in connection with the shooting of a man on Wednesday night at Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to reports, 40-year-old Eustace Thomas of East Ruimveldt was shot to his right thigh during a confrontation with a man known to him, around 20:00h.

He survived his injuries and is currently admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical attention.

The Police in a release said that Thomas was involved in an argument with a man when two others intervened. The release stated that one of the two men was armed and shot Thomas in the right leg.

Based on information related to this newspaper, the man with whom Thomas was involved in the argu-

ment is known to him and is from the area.

Persons living close to where the incident took place related that Thomas and the man have an ongoing grievance which was sparked again on Wednesday night.

An eyewitness said the man left but returned a short time after with two others.

“One ah the man that come had a gun and they start beating he (Thomas), lashing he in he head with the gun and he couldn’t fight back because them man had the gun.”

The woman added that the armed man then aimed the gun at Thomas and discharged two rounds at him before making good their escape. She noted that at the time, it seemed as though the man was hit in his leg and shoulder.

The injured man was subsequently rushed to the medical institution to seek treatment.

friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

UNDP hands over 3 ATVs to GECOM

Bees buzz students out of Stella Maris

A scene at the schools on Monday

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield receiving the keys from UNDP representative Trevor Benn

T

he United Nations D e v e l o p m e n t Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday handed over three Honda AllTerrain Vehicles (ATVs) to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to assist the Secretariat with its work at its various interior locations in Guyana.

Speaking at the simple handing over ceremony in GECOM’s compound, UNDP representative Trevor Benn, while handing over the keys for the ATVs to GECOM’s

Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield, expressed the UNDP’s commitment to supporting a transparent electoral process. Benn urged GECOM to utilise the ATVs to better serve the needs of the Guyanese people as preparations are being made continuously by GECOM for imminent elections in 2015.

Lowenfield, upon receiving the keys to the three ATVs, thanked the UNDP for this timely gesture of support and promised to utilise these vehicles for the

purpose for which they were intended. He further emphasised that with the help of these ATVs, GECOM will be greatly assisted with its ability to move a little more freely within its interior locations.

As GECOM continues to prepare assiduously for forthcoming elections, a number of strategic measures are currently being put in place to ensure the efficient, effective and transparent management of General and Regional Elections.

Fish vendor slapped with 60 months in jail for robbery under arms

O

thello Duncan of Lot 117 Canet Street, Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment after being found guilty as charged for a robbery under arms offence.

The fish vendor appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday morning.

His charge alleged that on July 25, 2013 at Meadow Bank Wharf, being armed with a gun, he robbed Virtual Complainant (VC) Hayman Harden of $316,000 cash.

During his first appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry, on November 12, 2014, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court heard that on the day in question, at around 10:10h, the VC was at Meadow Bank when the defendant approached him and tried to relieve him of the money that he had in his possession. The accused placed the firearm to the victim’s head and asked him to hand over his cash. After the victim refused to hand over the money, Duncan pushed his hand in Harden’s pocket, took away the money, then

made good his escape. The matter was reported to the Police.

Prosecutor Michael Grant opposed bail based on the nature and gravity of the offence and the fact that a firearm was reportedly used in the commissioning of the crime. He also noted that the defendant has been evading the Police since the allegation, which lead to his remand.

However, during his conviction, Duncan gave an unsworn statement as to what occurred, and his witnesses were absent. The Magistrate placed weight on the VC’s statement which stated that he saw Duncan for three to five minutes since the incident occurred during that period and he had nothing covering his face.

The Magistrate added that she is well aware that an identification parade was not conducted but knowing and seeing the defendant for such a long period (three to five minutes) during the ordeal is quite enough time to recognise the defendant as nothing was obstructing the Harden’s sight.

Duncan’s Attorney Melville Duke told that the court that “nothing can be

said at this point of time” but reinforced his client’s particulars. He noted that Duncan is a father of two, with no previous brushes with the law. He added that Duncan has been employed at the Fisheries for the past 13 years from 03:00h to 10:00h next day. Duke further added that this will cause a severe blow to the family and that they are considering compensating to the VC.

C

lasses at the Stella Maris Nursery and Primary Schools were disrupted on Monday after a swarm of bees invaded the building.

Following the disruption, some parents took their children home fearing for their safety. The bees came from a nest outside

the schools’ compound.

The Education Ministry in a release has informed parents and guardians of the schools that all necessary precautions have been taken and the bees nest has been removed.

“The area has also been cleared. Further checks will be conducted on Friday,

January 16 to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff of the schools.

“We therefore wish to advise that Stella Maris Nursery and Primary will re-open on Monday, January 19, 2015,” the Ministry said in a release.

LIAT announces “Spring Time Madness” sale

L

IAT, the Caribbean Airline has launched a “Spring Time Madness” seat sale on Thursday, offering big savings on fares to its 17 destinations.

Tickets for travel must be bought no later than 23:59 pm on February, Sunday 08.

The tickets on offer for sale apply for travel between January 16 and March 22, 2015 inclusive.

In order to access the special fares, customers must enter or quote the Promo Code SPM15 when making a booking with LIAT. The discount will only be displayed on the LIAT website when the code is entered.

With fares as low as US$162.16 inclusive of taxes and surcharges, LIAT said the “Spring Time Madness” seat sale is the perfect op-

portunity for customers planning to travel over the next couple of months, including to such events as Puerto Rico’s Carnival.

Tickets can be booked on

liat.com, through the LIAT call centre, airport ticketing offices and travel agents.

Seats are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

12 News

friday, JANUARY 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C Councillor calls for Essequibo Ferry hits sandbank floating ramps at Parika, ... passengers stranded for hours Supenaam stellings

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eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor and women advocate Juilet Coonjah has called on the Parika/ Supenaam Speed Boat Association to construct floating ramps at both stellings to ensure safety of passengers.

Coonjah was at the time speaking at the first Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Meeting for the year in the RDC boardroom, Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The Councillor told the meeting that passengers utilising the speed boat service from Region Two to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-

West Demerara) are faced with a number of challenges, especially when the boat is being off-loaded.

She related that on one occasion while travelling she was compelled by a boat operator to use the ‘big boat’ stelling instead of the steps.

Coonjah said she refused and the boat operator had to moor at the usual landing where she had access to the steps.

The Councillor said because she was reluctant to come off the boat, the operator had to moor properly.

She said many persons have had similar experience as her, noting that those who use the stellings are vulner-

able to mishap.

She called on the Region Two Administration to construct the new floating ramp by working with the Public Works and Hydraulic Ministry or the Parika/Supenaam Speedboat Association.

Coonjah noted that senior citizens who utilise the speed boat service are at high risk.

Meanwhile, in responding, Region Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo said the region will give the idea of construction of the ramps due consideration.

The Vice Chairman said once the ramps are constructed operators will have to pay a landing fee.

Another Whale dies after entanglement in fisherman’s nets

Stranded passengers on the MV Sabanto

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he Essequibo Ferry MV Sabanto which usually ply the Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) route was grounded in the vicinity of Hogg Island after hitting a sandbank.

The vessel was on its way to Supenaam on Wednesday evening when the incident occurred. The abrupt halt resulted in several passengers being stranded.

The boat was said to be 40 minutes away from the Supenaam Stelling. Reports indicate that the boat landed on an ‘Island of sand’ due to low tide.

Persons who went to purchase tickets Thursday morning were told that no boat was available and Transport and Harbours Officers said they are unsure when operations will be back to normal.

Persons were forced to hurry to Supenaam to access

the speed boat service.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the boat left for Parika at 18:30h and was supposed to moor at Supenaam around 19:30h.

Due to the boat landing on the ‘sand bank’ in the middle of the river, the Captain was unable to discharge passengers at the stelling for the specified time.

Several persons, including owner of businesses were stranded for hours until they were rescued by speed boat operators.

Information revealed that the other Ferry Kanawan which usually ply the same route malfunctioned a month ago and the MV Malali has been put into operation to assist passengers and businesses.

Some 15 trucks and other vehicles were onboard when the incident occurred. The Captain of the boat is said to be waiting on high tide to get the boat off the bank.

This newspaper was also informed that the MV Malali got stuck in a sand bank last week due to low tide.

In November last year, what should have been a simple smooth journey for passengers utilising the Sabanto to travel from Parika to Supenaam turned out to be a chaotic experience.

According to reports, the Captain reportedly sped his way into a clump of bushes on Wakenaam.

The vessel reportedly left Parika with approximately 120 passengers and 15 vehicles onboard.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the Captain left on time for the journey to Supenaam.

Information revealed that the river was very calm and the ferry was moving at a fast pace.

About 20 minutes into the journey, passengers were greeted with the news that the boat lost track. Soon after, they reportedly screamed with fear as they shouted for help as the boat was heading into the direction of the trees.

Reports say that the boat reportedly experienced mechanical problems and the steer wheel became inoperable.

The vessel eventually ended up in some bushes where it remained for some time.

According to one passenger Joseph Curt, he was on the boat with his children heading home when the accident occurred.

He said luckily his children were asleep when the incident occurred.

Pandora’s Box to be launched this weekend The animal subsequently died

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nother Whale found itself entangled in the nets of a Guyanese fisherman and died as a result. Shortly before 01:00h on Thursday, Stanley D’ Aguiar, a fisherman of Ross Village, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) discovered the young animal in his seine.

The beaked whale measured about 10- 12 feet in length. According to D’ Aguiar while hauling in his seine, it suddenly became heavy. “After I realise that it look like a whale, I start to cut the seine so it ain’t gon get strangle,” he explained.

He said he pulled it in with his other catch and stopped about half a mile from the shore where he was able to stand on the ocean floor and get the whale out of the seine.

Meanwhile, officials from the Region Five Administration were contacted and visited the scene where the animal was

tied by its tail. Regional Information Officer Sandie Ross-Hendricks told this publication that they later contacted the relevant organisations from Georgetown who responded. “When we got there, he had dug a hole so that the whale be fully submerged and not be exposed to the sun.” she said.

It was hoped that when the tide rose, the animal was going to be released; unfortunately, it died at about 15:00h on Thursday.

Following the report from Region Five officials, a team comprising Biology students from the University of Guyana and lecturer Dr Calvin Bernard; and staff from the Agriculture Ministry; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Natural Resources Ministry and the Public Works Ministry’s Sea Defence section visited the scene.

The dead animal was taken to the University

of Guyana for tests to be run. Beaked whales are the members of the family Ziphiidae which consists of 22 species. These toothed whales are notable for their elongated beaks.

Beaked Whales comprise nearly 25 per cent of all cetacean species, yet these whales are one of the least understood families of cetaceans. Species identification is difficult.

Accurate species identification is critical for developing conservation strategies and management of stocks, and serve as a fundamental step in initiating biological investigations.

In December, a Sperm Whale measuring 45 feet in length washed up dead at the Kitty Seawall foreshore after becoming entangled in a fisherman’s net hours earlier.

Thousands of Guyanese converged on the seawall to get a glimpse of the animal, which was eventually buried on the beach.

Al Creighton, NSTAD Director of Studies

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he doors of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) will be opened on Saturday for the staging of Pandora’s Box; the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama’s (NSTAD’s) first play since it was launched in 2013.

At a recent press conference, NSTAD’s 2014 Best Graduating Student, Esther Hamer, explained that Pandora’s Box will be performed by the graduated

class of 2014.

Hamer said it is a combination of five plays which draw on a diversity of emotions. The five plays will overlap and be guided by a narrator.

The young actress said that the portrayal of emotions was a challenge for the young actors initially but they have since matured and are geared for the play on Saturday.

Pandora’s Box was produced by actor and director, Ron Robinson and NSRAD’s Director of Studies, Al Creighton.

In addition to Pandora’ Box, NSTAD will also be performing “The Trouble with Nikita” in schools around Guyana. This play focuses on Guyanese Creole and the way it is viewed by the populace.

Creighton said the shows are being held in collaboration with NSRAD, GEMS Theatre Productions and the Education Ministry. He said too that the plays are in keeping with the school’s responsibility to promote the different types of theatres in Guyana.

In a press statement, NSTAD said it be placing emphasis on Theatre Education where drama is used as a vehicle for national education. It also signaled the school’s intention to promote the study of dramatic

Esther Hamer, NSTAD 2014 Best Graduating Student

arts in secondary schools.

NSTAD will also be compiling syllabuses to assist with this initiative and to “demonstrate material important to the CXC drama, performing arts and theatre arts.”

news

13

friday, JANUARY 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Youths urged to embrace technical education

By Devina Samaroo

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abour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul urged students to lessen their focus on business management, sociology and instead pursue technical areas of education in an effort to reverse the unemployment rate in Guyana.

A large number of students seemingly opt to pursue studies in the field of business and social sciences, all of which are fields that Guyana has little scope for, while technical education is considered disdainful and a degraded option for only high school dropouts.

“Technical education must not be seen as something with a scorn, but as something outside the scope and with great potential to develop the country.”

The Minister pointed out that while the usual areas of studies were excellent streams for academic pursuits, in Guyana, there is

not much opening for a career thereafter, which then results in some form of employment challenge.

In fact, it can be noted that the average Guyanese never actually does for a living what they initially planned to do or what their initial studies would have allowed. So while technical studies were initially for persons who did not succeed in academics, Minister Gopaul said that attitudes needed to be changed towards the sector.

He highlighted that persons with certificates in academic studies can also opt for a career change and focus on attaining or developing a skill which would then increase their chances of earning a decent livelihood.

Growing unemployment

The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) administers and delivers training programmes for people all across Guyana in efforts to

Drivers complain of gas pump tampering – GNBS says tampering impossible

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everal local drivers have complained about the suspected tampering of gas station pumps by operators, but the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is contending that the tampering of pumps is impossible.

Clinton Eary of East Coast Demerara complained to Guyana Times that a few gas stations along the East Coast area are not patronised by drivers due to suspect tampering of their pumps.

The disgruntled driver said he uses his car to move goods for his employer who owns a store and it becomes a problem when the price for the gas does not match what he expected to have in his gas tank.

Another driver, who uses his car to go to work every day said in his experience “the motor come on like if its working but fuel don’t be go to the tank”.

He said the sound usually signifies that gas is going into a vehicle’s tank but this is not the case as one hears the sound and at the end, only half of what is paid for is there.

However, Mike (only name given) told this publication that sometimes when this occurs, it is due to a malfunction in the pump and not tampering.

He stated that tampering of course does happen as he has been a victim of it.

In an invited comment to clarify the reports by the drivers, GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David stated that tampering of the gas pumps or “sticking” is impossible.

The PRO informed that this is impossible as seals are put on the inside of the gas pumps to prevent tampering and it is impossible to break without the GNBS’ knowledge.

The PRO told Guyana Times that all gas stations are verified every six months by GNBS officials, with their being standard time for checking the pumps in January/February and June/August.

He said upon checking the pumps every six months, they are opened and closed

by GNBS officials.

A Senior Inspector of the Legal Metrology and Standards Compliance Department Dillon Beckles explained that the seal is put in the pump to prevent anyone from opening an “adjusting mechanism” within the gas pump.

This mechanism manages the quantity of gas that is sold to drivers.

Beckles stated that with this seal, the quantity remains the same for all gas stations; however, he noted that the GNBS has no control over pricing as pricing is under the discretion of the owner of the gas station.

The PRO and Beckles said this is what the drivers are affected by and not the tampering of any gas station pumps as the gas meters give one price, but the gas station can call another.

When this reasoning was put before the mentioned drivers, it was declared “ridiculous” as the pump meter indicates the prices they are suppose to pay for the gas they receive.

Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul

reduce the growing unemployment rate in the country. In 2014, the Board trained 2786 persons, most of whom were subsequently employed. BIT utilises over 400 agencies countrywide to provide training and employment opportunities. The organisations run the gamut from Public Sector to Private Sector to non-governmental organisations.

Last year, 482 businesses were onboard this initiative includ-

ing the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC); Guyana Power and Light (GPL); Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI); Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL); Barama; and Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Persons were trained in 41 occupational skill areas in the various sectors of industry including engineering, building construction, clerical and office support, health services, forestry,

and home economics. The aim is to actually equip the beneficiaries with the skills that would most likely earn them a job, or allow them to create their own enterprise.

Possibilities range from mechanic work to carpentry, plumbing, catering, cosmetology, cake decoration and garment construction— all of which are relevant and feasible in Guyana’s economy.

Moreover, BIT provides persons with the impetus to engage themselves in their area of skill by providing monthly travelling allowance during the duration of their training and the materials required for their programmes.

By the end of 2015, the Board aims to have 25003000 persons trained and employed. “The Board will continue to focus its programmes on enhancing the skill set of the persons in the technical and other areas, and rekindling motivation of persons to further benefit from training and therefore

gain employment.”

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) acknowledged that it was a challenging task for youths to get a job even after they would have invested significantly in their studies and made the necessary sacrifices to put themselves on the educated path of developmental growth.

The Party noted that it was making significant strides to provide jobs for youths within the services sectors, such as the hotel and tourism sectors, with thousands of jobs to be created when the Marriott and other similar investments in the services sector are completed.

Moreover, Cabinet recently approved a $114 million contract to construct a call centre in Tuschen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and a $116 million contract to construct another in Enmore, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which would create jobs for an additional 1000 young people.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

News

Electricity theft:

APNU MPs sending wrong signals to thieves – PM Hinds P rime Minister Samuel Hinds has said that his Government does not condone electricity theft and has urged the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to be watchful of former employees who he believes might be used to connect illegal cables.

Hinds made the point in responding to an article in the Kaieteur News in which A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament questioned what was done with the millions of dollars given to Guyana by the Inter-American Development Bank to fight electricity theft.

“This Government is against all types of crime, whether petty, serious, violent, ‘white-collar’, or drug trafficking and in the case of electricity theft, we go after all – the many, small illegal connections, the sophisticated by-passes, and the direct connections,” Hinds said in a letter to the Editor of this newspaper. He said one would be aware that different degrees of “knowledge” are involved in stealing electricity from GPL Inc and contractors, “knowledge” such as would be had by current and past employees of GPL

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

Inc. The power company has a high turn-over in areas where knowledge required to provide electricity may be used to provide un-metered electricity.

“I want to assure my colleague MPs [Carl] Greenidge and [Joseph] Harmon that I have no desire to stigmatise anyone. There is no glory, no achievement, in that. What I want is a change in our electricity culture, and the avoidance of huge investments to fight electricity stealing, which might bring little returns,” Hinds said in relation to his recent comments identifying West Ruimveldt as a hotbed of electricity theft.

“I am keeping the faith

that our people will follow their leaders, once they are given a consistent message – explicitly, implicitly, and ‘body language’. I beg forgiveness if I am wrong, but the language of my colleagues, Harmon and Greenidge, in my view, provide excuses, if not justification, for electricity stealing, and is not helpful, most of all, to those who look to them for leadership. I call again on my colleagues and, indeed, all leaders, to lead those with whom they have some standing, into right paths which bring sound success and satisfaction.”

Hinds said Greenidge could put his mind at ease, for the IDB funds were being well spent, well applied, in increasing “our understanding and identification of electricity losses”. “As usual, the IDB is keeping a watchful eye on how the money is being used, in keeping with its procedures.”

Studies

The Prime Minister clarified that IDB funds have gone into a series of studies of electricity losses – technical and non-technical –in various geographic areas, in various improved and more costly me-

APNU MP Joseph Harmon

tering, in reducing tampering and information loss, in various ways/degrees of hardening of distribution lines, so as to make it more difficult to obtain electricity, except through the meter, and so on.

“It was out of one of these studies that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc’s Loss Profile for the first quarter of 2013, was prepared, showing the losses and separating technical and nontechnical losses, in the geographical areas served by various feeders.”

He said the networks’ average total losses of about 31 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, were not the highest re-

corded, as the KN article stated, pointing out that indeed, total losses were estimated to be over 40 per cent unto about 2009, and have been falling as GPL Inc worked to reduce same. He said in 2012-2013, the fall seemed to have stalled, prompting deeper studies and contemplation of costly systems which would be alerted on the withdrawal of electricity, except when the withdrawal was being done through a meter.

“This information was not sprung on anyone. Recall that for this first quarter of 2013, electricity losses were disclosed to Sector Committees in the National Assembly, and more recently, presented in their entirety to the public at large, by paid advertisements in our national daily newspapers.

It was intended that everyone should see the losses in his area – wherever he/she lives; in Wakenaam, East Coast Demerara, sections of Georgetown or its environs, West Coast Demerara, Bartica, Berbice, wherever. It discloses a range of total losses from 9.8 per cent to 60 per cent, and non-technical losses from 0.2 per cent to 42 per cent. What a wide

APNU MP Carl Greenidge

range! “ Hinds said the information released was a total disclosure, and not selective, not biased, not politically, or otherwise, inspired, but just factual, seeking what, “I have no doubt, my colleague Members of Parliament (MPs) Carl Greenidge and Joseph Harmon want – Guyana to match, and even ‘better’, Barbados, which has been reporting six per cent, seven per cent; eight per cent total losses, two per cent to three per cent non-technical losses, over the years, with traditional, conventional distribution networks and meters.”

Rasville resident jailed New Suriname minibus requirements “impractical” for cannabis trafficking – Rodrigues-Birkett A … to meet with Surinamese counterpart

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birket

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uyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett will meet her Surinamese counterpart, Winston Lackin, in the near future in an attempt to brainstorm a way forward on recently implemented Surinamese travel restrictions.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry, in a release to the media on Thursday, confirmed that after several attempts to get the matter resolved, it had been decided that the two parties should meet.

According to the release from the Ministry, in December, the Embassy of Guyana in Paramaribo, Suriname, was informed by four minibus operators that the Surinamese authorities had instituted new require-

ments for buses plying the Guyana to Paramaribo route.

“More specifically, they indicated that the new requirement is that they have to transport the identical passengers they brought from Guyana on their return from Suriname. Needless to say, this requirement is impractical given that persons have varying lengths of stay and passengers might also be travelling one way only.”

The Ministry said the Embassy immediately contacted the Surinamese Foreign Affairs Ministry, which promised to speak with its Customs authorities and return with information pertaining to the issue.

“Serious implications”

“Having received no information, on the 24th December 2014, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett spoke to her Surinamese counterpart Honourable Winston Lackin explaining that the new requirement has serious implications for free movement between the two countries, especially since tourism and general movement between Guyana and Suriname have been growing.

Minister Lackin promised to get more

information on the matter and that he will do his best to have it resolved.”

It was noted that the Embassy of Guyana also continued to follow up with the Foreign Ministry in Suriname, but to date, no formal transmission of the new requirement was received.

Simultaneously, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has recently learnt that another requirement instituted by the Surinamese authorities is that Guyanese operators need to apply for a licence to operate from Guyana to Paramaribo.

The release said that this requirement and the one previously mentioned are inconsistent with the Cross Border Protocol of October 22, 1998.

As such, on Thursday, Rodrigues-Birkett again spoke with her Surinamese counterpart and they both recognised the good neighbourly relations that exist between Guyana and Suriname, which in part facilitated the increased movement of people between the two countries.

“They have agreed that the resolution of the matter is urgent and that a meeting between the two sides must be convened soonest.”

resident of Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Greater Georgetown, was jailed for two years and 10 months after being convicted of possession of 28.5 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Magistrate Ann McLennan found Andrew Williams, 41, of Lot 1435 Rasville, guilty as charged at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Thursday morning.

The particulars of the

charge read that on November 3, 2014 at Rasville, around 23:10h, Police ranks were on duty and received a tip-off.

Acting upon information received, they went to the defendant, told him of the allegation and asked to conduct a search on him to which he agreed.

While conducting the search, the Police found a transparent plastic bag in his right hand. In the bag, leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa were found.

The ranks then told the defendant of the offence after which he was arrested and charged.

During his first appearance, the court heard from the defendant’s lawyer that Williams was the sole breadwinner of his household and on the day in question, there was a group of persons with Williams. Upon seeing the Police, the four men ran, but Williams stayed to prove his innocence.

Williams was also sentenced to pay a fine of $34,200.

Businessman remanded for illegal firearm, ammo

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40-year-old West Bank Demerara businessman allegedly found with an illegal firearm and matching ammunition at his residence was remanded to prison on Thursday afternoon.

Ravindra Rampersaud appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Particulars of the two charges alleged that on January 15 at Block Z’ Schoonard, West Bank Demerara, he had a .38 Taurus Pistol and 33 live matching rounds of ammunition without being a licensed firearm holder. The defendant denied the charge.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said the Police, act-

ing on information received, went to Rampersaud’s house and conducted a search in the presence of the businessman and his wife. He explained that during the search, the ranks found the gun and ammo in the closet.

Mangru told the court that when the couple were shown the items, the wife denied owning them, while Rampersaud admitted that they belonged to him.

According to the Police Prosecutor, the businessman said he had applied twice for a gun licence for the past 10 years, but was refused, so he bought the illegal weapon.

Representing Rampersaud was Attorney-at-Law Ronald Burch-Smith, who told the court that his client was going through a divorce and was

threatened by his wife on several occasions. He told the court that his client has been living in fear of something like this happening for some time and brought the gun for protection. The lawyer further told the court that his client, who owned several stalls at the Bourda Market, was not a flight risk and added that society had no reason to fear his client.

Mangru objected to the businessman being allowed his pretrial liberty, citing the serious nature and prevalence of the offence. He argued too that no special reasons had been raised for bail.

Bail was refused and the case was transferred to the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates’ Court. The case will be called again on January 19.

friday, JANUARY 16, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

eases Cuba travel and Deaths in Belgium US trade restrictions ‘anti-terror raid’

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wo people have been killed in a “counterterrorism” raid in Verviers in eastern Belgium and the security alert level has been raised in the country, according to a Belgian prosecutor.

Magistrate Eric Van der Sypt told reporters in Brussels

highest level,” he said.

Local media reports said there were no casualties among the security forces involved.

Police closed the streets around the building where the operation was taking place, national La Libre newspaper said.

happening.”

Another local resident was quoted as saying that “machineguns were firing for about 10 minutes”.

The incident comes a week after the deadly attacks in Paris that killed 17 people, including journalists and Police Officers.

The sudden reconciliation between the long-time foes has divided US politicians across party lines and interests, but some probusiness types have welcomed the opportunity

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Local police closed the streets around the building where the operation was taking place [EPA]

on Thursday that the suspects were on the verge of committing a major attack, and that they immediately opened fire on security forces.

He said in an emergency news conference that raids were under way in the Brussels region and Verviers.

“Belgium’s terror alert level was raised to its second

Witnesses said gunshots and several explosions were heard on a residential street in Verviers near the railway station.

“I heard a sort of explosion, followed by several gunshots,” one local told RTBF. “For the moment, I cannot tell you anymore because I do not dare go out to see what is

Al-Qaeda’s Yemen branch claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper and a kosher supermarket.

Belgian investigators said earlier on Thursday they were probing whether an arms dealer sold weapons used in the Paris attacks. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Hollande reassures Muslims, Islamists hack French websites

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resident Francois Hollande assured Muslims in France and abroad on Thursday that his country respected them and their religion, but would not compromise its commitment to freedom and democracy.

Speaking a week after Islamist militant violence that killed 17 people in Paris, he told a meeting at the Institute of the Arab World in Paris that Muslims were “the first victims of fanaticism, fundamentalism and intolerance”.

The French military’s cyberdefence specialist meanwhile reported a surge of hacking against some 19,000 French websites in the past

four days, with Islamist messages appearing on some and denials of service blocking others.

The Interior Ministry said it would grant French citizenship to Malian immigrant Lassana Bathily who was hailed as a hero after he concealed shoppers at a kosher grocery last Friday to save them from an Islamist gunman who killed four hostages before Police shot him dead.

Hollande’s speech struck a balance between France’s commitment to protect its five-million-strong Muslim minority and to defend free speech even if Muslims find it offensive.

French Muslims have reported dozens of attacks on mosques since Islamist gunmen targeted satirical journal Charlie Hebdo last week.

Authorities in several Middle East countries have denounced the newspaper’s decision to print more cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in its latest edition on Wednesday.

“Islam is compatible with democracy and we should refuse any confusion (about this),” Hollande said at the Institute, where “We are all Charlie” was written in French and Arabic on the building’s facade. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Nigeria survivors recall Boko Haram attacks

Satellite image taken on January 7, showing almost all of the structures razed and much of the vegetation cleared. The inset demonstrates the level of destruction of most structures in the town

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urvivors have recalled how they escaped from Boko Haram fighters in the aftermath of last week’s devastating attacks on two Nigerian towns.

The witnesses’ accounts came to light on Thursday after Amnesty International re-

leased satellite images showing what it says is “indisputable and shocking evidence” of the scale of the attacks.

Before and after images of two neighbouring towns, Baga and Doro Gowon in northeast Nigeria taken on January 2 and 7, show the effect of the

attacks which left more than 3700 structures damaged or completely destroyed.

Alaji Bukar, a young boy who fled Baga to Maiduguri, more than 150 kilometres south, told Al Jazeera that fighters caught families as they tried to escape.

“They separated the children from the adults who were asked to lie down. They were shot dead,” he said.

“We were taken back to their camp. We escaped when they were busy burning homes.”

Another survivor, Muhammad Umar, said Boko Haram fighters chased him for more than a week before he made it to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he United States has announced that it will ease travel and trade restrictions with Cuba immediately, implementing last month’s agreement to begin normalising ties with its Cold War-era foe.

While a US trade embargo remains in place, rule changes taking effect from Friday will ease restrictions on travel, raise a limit on remittances, allow US banks to estab-

lish accounts in Cuban banks, facilitate telecommunications services with the island and allow exports of communications devices and supporting services.

“These changes will immediately enable the American people to provide more resources to empower the Cuban population to become less dependent upon the statedriven economy, and help facilitate our growing relation-

ship with the Cuban people,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

US President Barack Obama and Cuba’s President Raul Castro announced their historic agreement on December 17, opening the way for a reconciliation after more than 50 years of hostile relations.

The deal was the product of 18 months of secret talks that culminated in the exchange of imprisoned spies and release of Alan Gross, a US Government contractor who had been imprisoned in Cuba for five years.

The sudden reconciliation between the long-time foes has divided US politicians across party lines and interests, but some pro-business types have welcomed the opportunity to open up a new export market in a country so close to US shores.

The US and Cuba are scheduled to hold migration talks in Havana next week, the next step in their normalisation process. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Colombia ready for truce talks with FARC – President

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olombia’s President has said his Government is for the first time prepared to begin talks on a bilateral ceasefire with FARC rebels.

Juan Manuel Santos said he had asked negotiators to start discussions “as soon as possible”.

He said a unilateral truce declared by the leftist rebels last month “has been a step in the right direction”.

The Government had previously refused to join the ceasefire, saying the FARC would use it to rearm.

The two sides have been en-

gaged in peace talks in Cuba since November 2012 to try to end decades of conflict.

In a televised address on Wednesday, Santos said peace was closer than ever and it was now time “to de-escalate the intensity of the conflict”.

“We’re closer than ever to secure peace and make it a reality for us, our children and our children’s children.

“I have given instructions to the negotiators to initiate as soon as possible a discussion on the point of the definitive bilateral ceasefire and end of hostilities.”

Santos added that high-

ranking military officials had already been appointed to manage the process.

Correspondents say up to now the President has been under pressure from the military not to discuss a bilateral truce because of concerns that the FARC would use it to rearm.

For years, talk of a truce between the government and the rebels was simply unthinkable, says the BBC’s Arturo Wallace in Bogota.

But his latest announcement means the Government believes the talks are entering into the final stretch, our correspondent adds. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Google tests “build your own” smartphone project in the Caribbean

Puerto Ricans will be able to buy up to 30 modules, including cameras, speakers, processors and even a pollution sensor, Google announced

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he global tech giant, Google, will be launching the pilot test of its new smartphone project in Puerto Rico.

The Project Ara smartphone is a modular phone that allows users to swap out individual components of the phone, from the camera to the speaker to the lights.

According to Google, the aim is a totally customisable phone that turns the phone into a collection of “physical” apps.

Puerto Ricans will be able to buy up to 30 modules, including cameras, speakers, processors and even a pollution sensor, Google announced.

Project Ara is part

of Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects Group.

According to a Daily Mail report, “Puerto Rico was chosen because it is a market where roughly 75 per cent of people use a mobile as their primary phone”.

The phone will run the Android operating system.

(CMC)

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mystic

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omeo Nermal, popularly known as “Mystic” has been creating some stir with his song “Coolie Bhai” and is presently in the United States and is expected to perform at several shows organised by a US-based Guyanese.

The ‘coolie bhai’ who hails from the Ancient County of Berbice has a packed schedule during his stay in the New York area where thousands of Guyanese reside.

The buzz has been creating the right atmosphere for the young Guyanese ar-

tistes and he plans to make his stay in the US a memora-

Terry Gajraj ble one.

He is expected to visit several functions where he will obviously sing his signature tune but one of the bigger concerts is set for January 24 in New York.

He will be the main act for the evening and will share the stage with Guyanese ‘Baboo’ Terry Gajraj who has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of his fellow countryman.

Also slated to perform at the event will be Remmi D,

hile the Global Beauties Leaders Board has Miss Venezuela as the potential favourite to win the 63rd annual Miss Universe title, Miss Guyana Universe Niketa Barker has definitely been creating some buzz in the pageant camp.

Ever since her arrival at the pageant in Doral Miami, USA she has been in competition mood, showcasing her toned physique in the most beautiful swimsuits, with the aim of securing Guyana’s first international crown.

She also participates in various events on a daily basis as the competition intensifies with no less than 80 other delegates vying for the coveted title.

These events include dinners at luxurious hotels in Miami, photo shoots, charitable events and the filming of the Miss Universe Pageant that is slated to be broadcast

live on January 25.

On Tuesday evening last, the Guyanese beauty, who hails from New Amsterdam, had her first official interview where she nailed it.

During the interview, she spoke of her country’s diversity; one being its ethnic makeup of six races, of which she is a split image. She said growing up as a young girl, she was always quite but with her two brothers by her side, she always got into fights with them.

She also noted that while growing up, her childhood dream was to become a doctor and this passion grew even stronger with the passing of her father due to a chronic illness.

With confidence and charm, Barker related that Guyanese are the most hospitable people and they look after each other. “In Guyana everybody knows each other”, she reiterated.

Geeta Bisram, Wataflo and others. There will also be special dance pieces by the Aliana Dancers and adding the vibes to the live performances will be New York’s finest, the Angel’s Caribbean Band.

Tickets have been going like hot cakes and with his presence a few days before the massive show, ticket sales are expected to sky rocket.

Apart from the live performance by the Guyanese songster, there will be an on the spot ‘Coolie Bhai’ dance competition where patrons can win great prizes.

There are several vehicles that are advertising the poster featuring the concert and this alone has been a major advertising technique which has proven to work in favour of the artiste.

Those Guyanese who are thinking about travelling up to the US this weekend, make sure to support our own. The event is set for the Harmony Banquet Hall, 1410 State Street, Schenectady, NY.

amaican dancehall artiste Konshens has selected Guyana as one of his birthday celebration spots and will be doing so in grandeur.

He hosted his original birthday party as a beach edition in Portmore, Jamaica where many other artistes were in attendance and from feedback, it was off the hook.

Come Saturday, January 24, Konshens will be hosting his birthday party – the Georgetown edition – at one of the most spacious night clubs, Gravity Lounge.

In a Facebook interview with the Jamaican artiste, he stated “Guyana has been like a yaad fi me.

Me affi come party with unnuh, me luv unnuh!!”

Konshens completed his birthday celebration in Jamaica, and has scheduled parties for Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Brooklyn, NY; Bronx,

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Friday, January 16, 2015

As Barker creates a name for herself and Guyana, Guyanese here and abroad have been rallying around the local girl and are all optimistic that she can make it into the top 15.

Social media has been eating up everything she does and with the much needed publicity and support, Miss Guyana might just find herself in one of the top spots.

She was also leading the online Sash People’s Choice Awards for sometime but unfortunately the site crashed.

Barker remains humble and focused. If selected into the top 15, she will be competing in swimwear, evening gown and most importantly, the intelligence segment.

A delegation from Guyana will be travelling up to the United States to show support for the aspiring doctor.

NY; and Georgetown, Guyana.

H e also encouraged his fans to come

out and party with him, take some photographs, pop some bottles and party the night away. “Let’s see which one a these cities got the most love for me,” the artiste stated.

In addition, some of his Guyanese friends are slated for the event as well. Guyana dancehall diva Jackie Jaxx and rising hip hop star Remár will be making appearances in support of his birthday celebration. Music will be provided by DJ Shizzle and DJ Diamond.

Early bird tickets are available exclusively at Electronics City for $2500.

General tickets and gate price will be more. Other ticket outlets are Exclusive styles and Gravity Lounge.

Tickets are limited so it is recommended to get them early before they are sold out. The event is sponsored by Electronics city, Boom Energy Drink, and Carlsberg Beer.

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f fine theatre is magic, then “Demerara Gold”, Ingrid Griffith’s onewoman show, now touring in Guyana, is pure alchemy – the mythical practice of turning ordinary substances into gold.

Demerara Gold, written by and featuring Ingrid Griffith, is a story about the unconquerable spirit of a seven-year-old Guyanese girl, who is left in the care of two grandmothers.

When she finally arrives in America to reunite with her parents, Ingrid finds a father railing at “this blasted life” as he lashes out at his family and a mother wrestling with her disappointments and a family secret. That’s when Ingrid discovers her true birthright.

Ingrid Griffith plays no less than 18 characters in Demerara Gold.

Comfortable with farce and confrontation and with subtle adjustments of voice and bearing, the Guyanese-born actress transforms herself easily from a precocious seven-year-old to an arthritic grandmother to a swashbuckling pork knocker.

The classically trained Griffith has been busy. In May, 2013, she brought audiences out of their seats at the center stage at the Southampton Cultural Centre on Long Island, NY in a supporting role in “Buckingham”, a period piece by

FRIdAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

Tina Andrews about slavery and African bloodlines in British royalty.

In June 2013, she performed excerpts from Demerara Gold at Soho Playhouse in New York City.

In April 2014, Demerara Gold she drew rave reviews for her perIngrid formance at the John Jay brings Demerara Gold to its College Black Box Theatre dramatic heights and heartin NY as Mama Nadi; the pounding conclusion. lead character in “Ruined”, a The National School of play by Lynn Nottage about Theatre Arts and Drama brothel women in war-torn presents Demerara Gold Congo. and Pandora’s Box on But there is nothing Saturday January 17, at like seeing an actress like 20:00h at the National Griffith tell her own sto- Cultural Centre, while ry through the words of a GEMS Theatre Productions range of characters on a bare will be presenting Demerara stage.

Griffith, with the Gold on Sunday January 18 help of her Director, Margit at 18:30h at the Theatre Edwards, sheds a Guild. Tickets for the show bright light on at Theater Guild are availthe personal able at Oasis Café and price of as- Theatre Guild. similation.

On Thursday, January And with 15, the show was staged her agil- at the New Amsterdam ity and Multilateral School while toa r t - day it will be featured at the i s t r y , Lichas Hall, Linden from 10:30h and the final show for school children will be done on Monday, January 19 at 13:00h at the National Ingrid Griffith Cultural Centre.

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ock Fusion Guyana will be hosting its first ever event titled ‘Rock Fusion Guyana Concert and After Party’ on the roof of the King’s Plaza Hotel, Main Street, Georgetown, on Saturday January 31.

Among those performing live are ‘LipsStick’ from Suriname and Guyana’s hottest metal band Feed The Flames. In addition, local pop rock band Desi will be performing live.

After the live performances, there will be an after party, with music provided by Guyana’s very own DJ Pharaoh. Patrons will have a chance to win the Rock Fusion Guyana VIP experience, inclusive of a complimentary weekend stay at the hotel, signature event T-shirts, a bottle of champagne and access to all of the

Lipstick

weekend’s activity.

This includes access to the exclusive ‘Meet and Greet’ event slated for January 30, where guests will have the opportunity to mingle with the bands, promoters and

Feed the Flame

Rock Fusion girls and have a behind the scenes look at the Rock Fusion experience.

Tickets are on sale and cost $1500 each. Ticket locations are the popular Jerries All-Night Long, Waterloo Street; Howard’s Restaurant in Eccles Old Road; Butcher’s Bar on Middleton Street, Campbellville; The Feed Shop at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty and all Feed the Flames band members.

Look for the Rock Fusion poster at these locations, and pick up your ticket before they are all gone. Limited tickets are available. Don’t miss the event on January 31 and be a part of the Rock Fusion experience.

Massive was written on the concept of fans suffering from a lack of energy, vibes and the party spirit, so “Massive” is the call to arms for fans and citizen alike to become a soca junkie and have a mass movement to bring a real party spirit on the road and in the fetes.

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oca sensation Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts recently released her Carib Soca Monarch (CSM) entry titled “Massive”.

It is the first song for 2015 and it has been creating some vibes on local airwaves. The song was written by the former road march queen and Director of Kross Kolor Burchmore Simon.

The song was released under the Kross Kolor label.

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ineteen-year-old Ayana Whitehead who is said to be the most prominent Guyanese model of her age continues to dominate the industry.

Whitehead who now resides in St Lucia has been raising eyebrows in the Caribbean and New York with her signature walk.

Late in 2014, Whitehead was featured on the cover of Caribbean Life New York entertainment segment. During the same period she also modelled for the Caribbean, New York fashion week and was also contracted by designers across the New York to do other shows.

The low-cut hair beauty has her faith planted firmly in Christianity and also has a passion for dancing and working with children. Ayana’s favourite quote is “with hope and faith nothing is impossible” In 2012, Whitehead competed for the Miss Guyana Universe title, where she placed second runnerup.

J u s t before winging out of St

The video, which will be released this weekend, goes further, as Vanilla comes up with a formula for a drink called... you guessed it...

Massive! This drink is designed to give fans the vibes and energy to join the massive movement.

The video depicts the lab-

Lucia to compete at the Miss Guyana World Pageant in 2013, Whitehead was once again recognised and she was one of the faces of the St Lucia Fashion Week and was a l s o featured o n a billboard as the face of the

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oratory in which the Massive drink is formulated and how this drink affects the behaviour of the Massive army. It also sees a cameo appearance by Tennicia Defreitas who stars as the lab technician.

The video is directed by “The Viper” who also directed Jumo Primo’s video “Unruly”.

V a n i l l a would like to extend her gratitude to Guyana Times Entertainment, her label Kross Kolor Records, M i n s t e r Irfaan Ali, her sponsors, all the people who came out to the video shoot, Nelsion Nurse from Nandre’s Kreations and fellow label colleagues who are helping her to promote her song. Special gratitude to her fellow Berbicians for their support, the DJs and Selectors of Boom FM, NCN, Love FM and Rock FM.

Rodney Bay Mall, St Lucia.

She was also named the third Princess at the Miss World Guyana Pageant held in May of last year, where she also copped the prizes of best talent and best gown.

After the beauty continued to dominate the catwalk, she was selected to represent Guyana at the Miss Caribes Hibiscus Pageant which was held in St Maarten and featured beauties from all across the Caribbean.

While on the French island, yet again the stunner was recognised for her impeccable catwalk skill. She also made the top 10 cut on the final night of the pageant.

Speaking to Guyana Times Entertainment of Thursday, Whitehead noted that the industry should expect a lot from her in the new year, as she plans to hit the runway by storm.

She also disclosed that she is currently in the process of preparing for her first photo shoot of the year.

Ayana competing at Miss World Guyana 2013 Pageant

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K

ross Kolor Records over the past 14 years has always contributed to the success of Mashramani in a grand way, especially in the area of music and the participation of its artistes in the various competitions during this annual festival.

According to Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records, Mashramani is seen as the festival that provides an excellent opportunities for artistes to express their creativity through the platforms of The Carib Soca Monarch, the children’s Junior and Senior Calypso Monarchs, the Chutney Monarch and the Road March competition.

Additionally, the annual float parade also provides an opportunity for costume bands to utilise Guyanese music on

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friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

humble, intelligent, articulate and hardworking individual are just some of the words to describe George “Chiney” Abrams.

Originally from Silvertown, Wismar, Linden, Abrams has released a brand new song entitled “Mirror.”

He wants Guyana to know that he is back and ready for the challenge of this year’s Carib Soca Monarch Competition.

With the release of his new song “Mirror”, Chiney appeals to his fans by creating and composing a sound which taps into the five senses of those listening to this new song. The beat and words of the song he says gives a fresh and new flavour to the soca genre.

The song tells persons that the perspective which they should have on life should be one of happiness, so forget about the baggage and negative things in life that bring you down each day.

Apart from God, he thanked J-Lyrics; his Producer Dorian Poggsly from DP Records; his family; the Guyanese public, and Devin Sears from Devin Entertainment who played a very important role in this new song but also recognising his talent and also helping him to perfect his art.

The new song “Mirror” offers a positive message to its listens. The artiste says the song sends a positive message but at the same time, has a soca vibe which is uniquely added to

the road, thus giving some songs an additional avenue to gain popularity.

This year, the participation of Kross Kolor in Mash is no different.

The team comprises of Jumo Primo – two time Carib Soca Monarch and reigning Banks Groovy Monarch king. Primo is expected to bring his A game to the Carib Soca Monarch and Road March competitions with the song “Unruly”; Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts – the reigning Road March Queen and four time winner of this competition – will also be gunning for the Carib Soca Monarch title, while trying to retain her road march crown with her song “Massive”.

Another member of the team is three time Carib Soca Monarch winner and seven time Road

the composition so as to enhance the overall quality and sound of the song.

Chiney says that he gets his inspiration for his songs from the environment, what is happening around him and the experiences which life has to offer. He noted that he developed his writing ability at a very young age.

When one listens to any track produced by this young and talented artiste, you are guaranteed an excellent, wellcrafted, original piece. He emphasised that a lot of hard work goes into the production of music and the finished product.

Abrams who uses the stage name “Chiney” says he is glad to be back. “I was away for some time. I was not releasing any tracks, or even getting involved in promoting my music.”

However, he wants Guyanese to know that he is back, even better and stronger.

When Guyana Times Entertainment asked Abrams what he had in mind as his next project, he responded, “I need to grow some more, music needs to be a part of me. I need to be

on

Burchmore Sim

March winner Adrian Dutch who is coming as strong as ever with his song “592 Posse”.

Kemmyanna Grant is also making her second appearance on the team with the song “One for my Country”. “Kemmy” as she is more commonly known, won the Best New Comer prize last year for her performance of “Designated Wina” and will be posing a challenge for the other contestants as well as her team members in the Carib Soca Monarch and the Road March competitions.

Making their first appearance on the Kross Kolor team are Diana Chapman and Tshanna

Cort, both former participants in the GT&T Jingle and Song competition. Chapman, who is a former Junior Calypso Monarch will be performing the song “No Politics in Calypso” and her objective is to capture the crown ahead of veteran calypsonians. She has been refining her craft in order to achieve this.

Tshanna will be participating in the Junior Calypso Monarch performing the song “Ansa Me” and if she wins, she will be participating in the senior competition.

Head of Kross Kolor Records Burchmore Simon is predicting that Cort will become one of the brighter shining stars in calypso in the very near future. Kross Kolor records would like to extend its sincerest wishes to their team for a successful season.

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more serious. Learn to love more, I need to do more collaboration. I think that I have been focusing too much on singles and I need to sing more songs that will appeal to my fans. In addition, I need be more diversified. I need to be more aggressive to the music for 2015.”

For those who are young in the music, he advises not to do it for the fame but rather they must have a love for the trade. “You need to be extremely careful when it comes to managing your finances and be ever mindful of the amount of hard work and sacrifice it takes to get the finished product out there. Persons may not take you seriously at first, but you need to try to find your sound and what works for you and eventually you get it right.

Ignore the negativity”.

he National Cultural Centre (NCC) will play host to the first Broadway production ever to come to Guyana. Demerara Gold, the dramatic piece, will be held on Saturday.

At a recent press conference, solo performer, Ingrid Griffith, who wrote the 18 character dramatic piece, said the play is initially set in a Guyanese background, as it portrays her life growing up in both Guyana and the United States of America (USA).

In the play, little Ingrid’s parents acquired visas to the USA but had to leave her behind, along with her sister.

But it was not long after that the girls migrated to the “land of many opportunities.”

At this point, the setting of the play changes to the USA. In Ingrid’s mind, American was everything she had dreamed but the decision to move had several disadvantages.

“Culture, family dynamics and teenage sexuality” are among themes that will be highlighted in the play, come Saturday.

Griffith said she wrote the dramatic piece two years ago when she found herself free of a job for two months. She not only accomplished the task of writing the play but challenged herself to act the roles of the 18 characters.

Initially, performing 18 characters was a “difficult” feat; however, she worked on each character separately, three times a week and was

Actress and writer, Ingrid Griffith (far left) and CEO of Gem’s Theatre, Gem Madhoo-Nascimento at the NCC

able to perform each of them quite ably. Subsequently she learnt how to transition from one character to another.

According to Griffith, it was an opportunity for her to test her range of acting and emulate the work of American actress Whoopi Goldberg.

Goldberg was the very first actress to try such an act and became quite famous for it.

Griffith said that it has been the same for her, as her career has truly blossomed due to the production of the dramatic piece. Since the launch of Demerara Gold, she has gotten many opportunities to direct and write plays for a number of productions.

On Saturday, the play will commence at 20:00h at NCC while on Sunday, it will be held at Theatre Guild from 18:30h. Schools across Guyana

will also benefit from the performances of Griffith from January 15-16. The first performance will be at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, then at the Lichas Hall in Linden and a final performance will be done at NCC for schools in Georgetown.

Demerara Gold has come to the shores of Guyana due to the collaboration of Gem Madhoo-Nascimento; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEM’s Theatre Productions, Margaret Lawrence through the Culture, and Sport Ministry Youth and the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD).

The play has been performed in Dorothy Strelsin Theatre in Manhattan and the SoHo Playhouse in New York City.

friday, january 16, 2015

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Windies to face tough ODI test ahead of World Cup P

lay time is over and it’s down to business as both teams begin their final journey on the road to the World Cup. For South Africa, it is the culmination of something which began six months ago when they started intense preparation for the tournament. They hoped by the time this series came around, they would be able to field their full World Cup squad to give them a dummy run - or five - ahead of the event. But one of the most important members of that outfit is unavailable so the perfect practice will not happen.

Quinton de Kock, although recovering well from an ankle ligament tear, will not feature in the series, which leaves South Africa with a stand-in opening batsman and gloveman.

They are likely to be Rilee Rossouw and AB de Villiers, although Morne van Wyk could fill both roles if required.

In all other departments South Africa are at full strength but not fully settled. JP Duminy’s return will require some rejigging in the line-up while

they still need to consider the composition of the lower order. The time for experimentation is not completely over for the hosts, but this is their last chance to come up with a formula that works.

South Africa may not be comfortable with that level of uncertainty but West Indies will be envious of it, especially as for them, this series is about starting over. Their most recent ODI outing was the abandoned tour of India and the aftermath of that walkout is being strongly felt. There is a new captain in place and a significant senior core missing but for an outfit used to operating on the fringes of crisis, that may not be so bad after all.

In the spotlight

JP Duminy spent more two months out of cricket rehabilitating from a chronic knee condition but if you saw the first ball he faced on his return, you would never have guessed it. He hit Dwayne Bravo high over his head for six. That kind of shot is what South Africa’s middle order was missing for the time Duminy was

West Indies celebrate their T20 victory against South Africa

out of action, when they lost 4-1 to Australia. His bowling will also come in handy, especially if South Africa are looking for variety.

A month before the World Cup may not be the ideal time to begin your captaincy career but that is what Jason Holder has to do. He takes over from Bravo at a difficult, but crucial, time for West Indies

cricket. The isolation of some of their highest-profile players means the team will have to rely on more than just big reputations but it also affords them the opportunity to band together before a major tournament. How Holder, who is just 23, oversees that process will be closely watched as West Indies plan for the future.

Meanwhile in team news, South Africa will look for a makeshift opener to fill in for the still-recovering de Kock, with Rossouw the likeliest candidate to fill in.

That will also ensure there is space for both Farhaan Behardien and David Miler, despite Duminy’s return. De Villiers confirmed he will take the gloves for now but may not want to

do it in all five games. The first-choice attack should be fired up and ready to go after a break from the T20s.

South Africa: (possible) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 Faf du Plessis 4 AB de Villiers (capt, wk), 5 JP Duminy 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 David Miller, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir Chris Gayle took part in training and should return to the top of the order after being rested from Wednesday’s T20 with a long-standing back issue. If he is unable to play, Lendl Simmons will have to fill in.

Without Darren or Dwayne Bravo, an extra batsman may have to be found in Leon Johnson but West Indies should have a decent pack available to them with Jerome Taylor and Sulieman Benn both back.

West Indies: (possible) 1 Chris Gayle/Lendl Simmons, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Leon Johnson, 5 Andre Russell, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Jason Holder (capt), 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Sheldon Cottrell

B-Hop: “I want to fight one fight at 50” B

ernard Hopkins, the self-titled “Alien” because he believes he is not of this Earth due to his mind-blowing longevity as one of boxing’s elite fighters, ain’t done yet.

As he celebrates his 50th birthday -- yes, the big 5-0 -- Thursday, Hopkins still has his mind on making more history inside the ring, where he has worked since 1988, meaning more than half of his life.

Most top athletes are done with their careers in a meaningful way in their late 30s. Some still perform well into their early 40s. Hopkins was still going strong at 49, although he got knocked down and lost a lopsided decision and his two light heavyweight belts to Sergey Kovalev in a unification bout Nov. 8.

But that defeat -- in a fight many favored him to win -- has not convinced Hopkins to walk away.

“I want to fight one fight at 50 but I want it to be a meaningful fight,” Hopkins

told ESPN.com this week.

“I’d rather it be a championship fight and I’d like it to be done in a timely fashion, hopefully before June.

We have to see what makes sense and what don’t.

“But for right now, I am not retired. In 2015 I’m looking to do something at 50 to make history and to keep proving that age is nothing but a number. But whatever happens, I’m comfortable with it.

“I will not sleepwalk my way through something. I have too much pride [to take a small fight]. I’m not going to be a circus act for anybody. I don’t have to, but I want to keep us old guys relevant. But I know I can’t do it for my entire life.”

Hopkins’ achievements are remarkable. In 2001, he knocked out Felix Trinidad in the 12th round of a onesided fight to become the first undisputed middleweight champion since the great Marvelous Marvin Hagler in the 1980s. In all, Hopkins held a mid-

Bernard Hopkins

dleweight title from 1994 to 2005 and made a division-record 20 defenses before losing twice to Jermain Taylor by debatable decisions.

Then Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs with 2 no contests) jumped up two weight classes to light heavyweight and upset Antonio Tarver to win the lineal title. He also upset Kelly Pavlik and, in 2011, outpointed Jean Pascal in a rematch of their draw to become, at 46, the oldest fighter in history to win a world

title. He surpassed that record in 2013 when he was 48 and beat Tavoris Cloud to become a three-time light heavyweight titlist.

The age records really began to mount when he was 49 as he became the oldest fighter to defend a title (against Karo Murat) and oldest fighter to unify belts (against Beibut Shumenov).

Then Hopkins lost his belts to Kovalev, a fight many were surprised Hopkins even pursued in the first place. He said he

would do it all over again despite the loss.

“I made it happen with no regrets,” Hopkins said.

“Champions should fight champions. I’ve always tried to do that.” So what is left for the “Alien” to do?

He said he’d like a chance to fight for another light heavyweight belt but also said he would be comfortable going down to the super middleweight division for a title shot, or even to face middleweight titlist/destroyer Gennady Golovkin at a catch weight.

“I skipped over super middleweight when I jumped up and made history by beating Tarver, but I’m not the biggest light heavyweight,” Hopkins said. “Matter of fact, I’m considered one of the smallest light heavyweights of the last 15-20 years. So I can fight at super middleweight, but it has to be somebody who has a title or who is relevant.”

Hopkins said he recalls Golovkin mentioning his

name so he’d be willing to do that.

“He has nobody to fight who anybody cares about,” Hopkins said. “It would be the best teaching to a student other than what I did to Kelly Pavlik. But I think Triple G is better than Kelly Pavlik. I can fight at 168 with no problem.”

Another name Hopkins mentioned was unified titlist Carl Froch, the Englishman who badly wants to have a major fight in Las Vegas.

“Froch is a big fight that I think people would be interested in,” Hopkins said.

“It wouldn’t be an easy fight, but it would be a good fight that would be challenging for both of us. I would entertain that. No problem.

That would be something I could get up for. He’s a credible guy and that’s one of the guys that I’d like to fight if I’m going to do something special, if I do one more fight, two more fights -- nothing I can see past that -- that would be a good fight.” (ESPN)

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friday, january 16, 2015

Dilshan, spinners foil NZ S

ri Lanka sauntered to their first victory of the New Zealand tour, after Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a breezy 116 off 127 balls on a fine batting surface at Seddon Park. The six-wicket win had been forged by the spin bowlers - Dilshan among them - who delivered 37 overs between them, and

by New Zealand’s several indiscretions between the wickets. A target of 249 never looked a testing on a pitch that offered little in the way of seam or turn, and thanks to Dilshan, Sri Lanka were in control for the entire duration of their chase.

New Zealand losing four wickets to run outs will be cause for concern, but their batting was also ineffective, except for Brendon McCullum, who struck a supercharged 117 from 99.

Of the other top-six batsmen, only Ross Taylor had made more than 10, and his contribution had been a pained 34 from 69 balls.

Once Sri Lanka dismissed McCullum, four more wickets fell in eight overs, effectively scuttling the hosts’ chances of posting a competitive score.

Dilshan began the chase by collecting an easy four to fine leg in the third over, but was very nearly out for 6 in the next, when a Matt Henry delivery jagged in sharply off the seam to collect his inside edge. Luke Ronchi couldn’t hold on to a tough chance to his left and Dilshan profited from his luck.

He dismissed Adam Milne down the ground in the fifth over and initiated the theme of his innings: his driving, in the arc between cover and mid-on. Dilshan sent one screaming past the bowler in Milne’s next over

It was a dismal return for McCullum who had been positive against Sri Lanka’s new-ball pair and use his maturity to sustain the tempo against the spinners as well. He sat back and allowed the bowlers to stray into his enormous strike zone, and twice lifted Mendis’ short balls into the crowd, carved Rangana Herath over cover, and slapped Sachithra Senanayake to deep midwicket as well. A boundary seemed to come every few balls for much of McCullum’s innings. With 12 fours and five sixes, 78

of his runs were composed of them.

That Sri Lanka managed to weather the blitz was due to canny bowling to the men at the other end.

Martin Guptill was strangled out and Tom Latham was the victim of a Herath slider that caught the outside edge.

When McCullum was reprieved on 104 in the 28th over, the other batsmen had collectively scored only 35 off 73 balls. His team-mates’ ineptitude would continue even after he was out to a smart catch by Mendis off his own bowling. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Tillakaratne Dilshan played one of his many strokes during his breezy century

as well, and hung back next ball to cut viciously to third man when the change of length came.

Sri Lanka cruised through their batting Powerplay with Dimuth Karunaratne making a good start as well. He was eventually trapped in front by Nathan McCullum for 21, but the chase would stay on track. Kumar Sangakkara launched three hits over the straight fence to kick-start his innings, and was the aggressor in a 52-run secondwicket stand with Dilshan.

Milne returned to test Dilshan with the short ball in the middle overs, and soon found that his pull shot was as punishing as his drives. The batsman slowed after the field had spread, but collected regular singles from the seam bowlers and was untroubled by the spin of McCullum and Daniel Vettori. Meanwhile, Sangakkara and Mahela

Jayawardene glittered briefly, then fell to well-set New Zealand traps.

Dilshan’s drives had largely been down the ground in his first fifty runs, but he began to unfurl the manic thrashes through the covers as he approached three-figures. It was that shot, off Milne, that took him to his 19th hundred.

By then, Sri Lanka’s victory was almost assured, and Angelo Mathews took his side home with a hooked four off Henry in the 48th over.

Vettori was the first runout victim in New Zealand’s innings, moments after he had been saved by his long stride. An lbw referral found the impact to be 300cm in front of the stumps and the umpire’s call of not out was upheld. But he was caught short by after some nifty work by Jeevan Mendis at short midwicket in the 34rd over, and the batting

Powerplay brought New Zealand even more woe.

Taylor top-edged a sweep to fine leg. Luke Ronchi was run out before facing a ball as he responded late to the prospect of a quick single.

Corey Anderson was run out the next over, driving to mid-on and tore two-thirds of the way down the pitch when he realised Nathan McCullum had not made the slightest response. The next domino in the chain, Nathan McCullum, was caught short of his ground attempting another quick single too. He punched towards mid-off in the 45th over, and was struck down by a Jayawardene direct hit.

At the end of the 30th over, New Zealand had been 158 for 2. At the 45th, they were 208 for 8, and only recovered to 248 thanks to a 26-run last-wicket stand between Henry and Trent Boult.

New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum) MJ Guptill c Mathews b Kulasekara 10 BB McCullum* c & 117 b Mendis TWM Latham c †Sangakkara 5 b Herath LRPL Taylor c Perera b Herath 34 DL Vettori run out (Mendis/†Sangakkara) 7 CJ Anderson run out (Mathews/†Sangakkara) 5 L Ronchi† run out 0 (Dilshan/†Sangakkara) NL McCullum run out (Jayawardene) 13 AF Milne st †Sangakkara b Senanayake 19 MJ Henry not out 20 TA Boult c Thirimanne b Senanayake 13 Extras: (w 5) 5 Total: (all out; 50 overs) 248 Fall of wickets 1-35 (Guptill, 6.4 ov), 2-73 (Latham, 12.6 ov), 3-158 (BB McCullum, 30.1 ov), 4-171 (Vettori, 33.2 ov), 5-183 (Taylor, 36.3 ov), 6-183 (Ronchi, 36.5 ov), 7-185 (Anderson, 37.6 ov), 8-207 (NL McCullum, 44.4 ov), 9-222 (Milne, 47.1 ov), 10-248 (Boult, 49.6 ov)

Bowling: KMDN Kulasekara 8-0-40-1, NLTC Perera 4-041-0, SMSM Senanayake 10-0-55-2, HMRKB Herath 10-0-36-2, BMAJ Mendis 10-047-1, TM Dilshan 7-0-27-0, AD Mathews 1-0-2-0 Sri Lanka innings (target: 249 runs from 50 overs) FDM Karunaratne lbw b NL McCullum 21 TM Dilshan c †Ronchi b Henry 116 KC Sangakkara† c Latham b Milne 38 DPMD Jayawardene c Taylor b Henry 27 AD Mathews* not out 39 HDRL Thirimanne not out 2 Extras: (lb 5, w 4) 9 Total: (4 wickets; 47.4 overs) 252 Did not batBMAJ Mendis, NLTC Perera, KMDN Kulasekara, SMSM Senanayake, HMRKB Herath Fall of wickets 1-64 (Karunaratne, 12.5 ov), 2-116 (Sangakkara, 22.5 ov), 3-163 (Jayawardene, 31.5 ov), 4-237 (Dilshan, 45.3 ov) Bowling: TA Boult 10-1-520, MJ Henry 9.4-0-34-2,AF Milne 8-0-61-1, NL McCullum 6-0-40-1, DL Vettori 10-140-0, CJ Anderson 4-0-20-0

Genoveva Anonma: ‘I had to strip naked to prove I was a woman’ G

enoveva Anonma was used to the insults. For years, she had shrugged off the suspicions, ignored the accusations.

But what she was not prepared for was the degrading ordeal that followed her starring performance for Equatorial Guinea in the 2008 African Women’s Championship.

Scorer of the winning goal on home soil as her country became the first team other than Nigeria to win the tournament, Anonma should have been savouring the realisation of a dream. Instead she was plunged into a personal nightmare.

As her energetic and powerful performances prompted rival teams to accuse her of being a man, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) chose the crudest of methods to establish Anonma’s gender.

“They asked me to take all my clothes off in front of officials from CAF and the Equatorial Guinea team,” she recalls.

“I was really upset, my morale was low and I was crying. It was totally humiliating, but over time I

have got over it.”

Overcoming adversity was nothing new to this most resilient of individuals.

Growing up in Equatorial Guinea – where the 2015 men’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday – her desire to become a footballer made her an outcast at school, and indeed at home.

“When I was five years old in my village the girls didn’t accept me because I just wanted to play football, so I always used to play with the boys,” says Anonma.

“My dad was living in another city with another woman and my mum didn’t want me to have anything to do with football. She wanted me to study for a Masters, become a teacher, or help children.

“I had some serious problems with her. She told me she didn’t want to see me again.

“Eventually, I went to live with my uncle. He took me to the city so I could carry on studying and playing football.”

Anonma was signed by her local team in the capital city, Malabo, when she was 15 in 2002. After a year in South Africa with Mamelodi Sundowns, she joined FC Jena in

Genoveva Anonma

the German Bundesliga, where she was the team’s top scorer for two seasons in a row.

However, after Equatorial Guinea’s run to the final of the 2010 African Championship they booked their place at the 2011 Women’s World Cup, and she became embroiled in an all-too-familiar scandal.

Winners Nigeria, along with South Africa and Ghana, accused Guinea of having three men in their team: sisters Salimata and Bilguisa Simpore, as well as the team’s captain, Anonma.

“You only need to have physical contact with them on the pitch to know this [that they are men],” said Ghana defender Diana Amkomah at the time.

As the story made headlines around the world, Anonma faced up to the media to refute the allegations.

“These accusations come because I am fast and strong, but I know that I am definitely a woman,” she said at the time.

As the row rumbled on into the build-up to the World Cup, Equatorial Guinea sought to defuse the controversy by dropping the Simpore sisters from their squad, although it was never stated that their omission related to gender. And the allegations were never proven. Anonma, meanwhile, kept her place and scored Equatorial Guinea’s only two goals at the tournament.

To this day, Anonma’s biggest frustration remains that she has never been permitted to undergo medical gender testing in the expectation of silencing her doubters once and for all.

“I was hoping they would call me to tell me they were taking me to hospital to do tests, but they never did,” she says.

“They did nothing to me. It was just down to me alone to defend myself, to state that I am not

a man, I am a woman.”

A woman good enough to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year after her goals inspired Equatorial Guinea to their second African Championship in 2012.

And a woman good enough to line up in Germany for Turbine Potsdam, the six-time Bundesliga champions and two-time winners of the European Champions League.

“I think Germany is the best league in Europe,” she says. “There are lots of internationals and biggame players.

“But on a personal level, it’s not easy when you don’t speak German very well. You can’t have many friends or talk to people well.”

If Anonma hints at homesickness, she is not yet ready to return to Equatorial Guinea, where she is feted as a hero whenever she walks the streets.

Instead, she’s weighing up offers to play in France or Sweden, two other established hubs for women’s football.

Despite the tribulations of her turbulent career, Anonma remains a player at the summit of her powers. (BBC Sport)

YELLOW PAGES

World Cup flashback…

friday, january 16, 2015

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21

The catch that shook the world

T

hey called his fielding a liability and his build that of a club bouncer, but Dwayne Leverock didn’t take the derisive descriptions to heart. Instead, on the global stage, he got two high-priced wickets, took the catch of a lifetime, and met his favourite players.

At the 2007 World Cup, where Bermuda were one of six qualifiers, Leverock was their most experienced cricketer. They lost all three of their group matches, against Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, but had plenty of memories to take away from the tournament.

To qualify for the World Cup, Bermuda first hosted the six-nation 2004 ICC Americas Cricket Championship, in which they finished third and qualified for the 2005 ICC Trophy, along with Canada and the United States. Leverock took nine wickets in each tournament, helping Bermuda qualify for the main event in the Caribbean.

At the World Cup, Leverock took the wickets of Kumar Sangakkara and Yuvraj Singh, rubbed shoulders with Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, and befriended Bangladesh’s Mohammad Rafique. But it is the journey that he treasures, and not just the glitz and glamour of the World Cup. “I cherish the road from the qualifications,” Leverock said.

“We had [former West Indies player] Gus Logie as coach, and he shared with us the wealth of experience he had. He tried to teach us life skills and those benefited me playing in the World Cup. Because of my size, people didn’t realise the sort of cricketer I am. If you look at my stats, you will see that I have over 150 wickets for Bermuda and I was handy with the bat.

I was a batsman before I was a bowler.

“In the World Cup my job was to take wickets for the team. But I very much enjoyed my ride. I got to represent my country. I made good friends during the tournament.”

Leverock’s big moment was, of course, that catch. He leapt, stretching fully to his right and grabbing the edge off Robin Uthappa’s bat from the first ball of the second over in the game against India, bowled

by Malachi Jones.

“Before the delivery was bowled, I stood there and told the wicketkeeper, Dean Minors, next to me that we will get a wicket this over. We didn’t talk after that but the first ball Malachi bowled, Robin Uthappa went on the drive and the ball flew away from me. I just dived to my right and got the ball in my hand. I got up and ran off to celebrate, and the rest of the team joined me,” said Leverock.

Seven years on, Leverock still enjoys talking about the iconic moment of his 18year international career for Bermuda. “The catch itself was funny. I was going to give Malachi a high-five but when I saw the group of guys who were running towards me, I changed direction and went the opposite

Dwayne Leverock dives to remove Robin Uthappa with a brilliant catch

way. When I looked behind, quite a few of them were running after me. I thought that was very funny.”

During the tournament he became friends with a fellow left-arm spinner. “Mohammad Rafique and I became really good friends while we were in one of the flights during the World Cup. We used to stop and talk whenever we crossed each other, spent a couple of hours on a few occasions.

“We just talked about life, spin bowling and why he was the top spinner for Bangladesh.

He told me how he achieved what he achieved, and we picked each other’s brains. He was telling me how he was making the last part of his career successful.”

Leverock, a policeman by profession, also coaches in schools in Hamilton these days.

During the World Cup, he was a prison-van driver but recently he has been working with the emergency dispatches.

“Few of my bosses played

cricket, and we played together in the police team. They allow me to do the coaching and visit the schools to help out the youngsters.”

Despite Bermuda’s slide from World Cup participants to the ICC’s Division Four, Leverock remains optimistic and is ready to help out. “On the whole, Bermuda cricket has had a little slip-up. I feel it will be a struggle for them to go up to Division 2 or 1. It will take some work. I will be part of that.

“I will try to help out with the youth programme and the national programme. I will tell the president that I am available to continue to try to get Bermuda to get forward. I want to see Bermuda in the upper echelons, especially with Ireland and Scotland.

We played against those guys many times and we have competed, beat them. I can’t see why Bermuda can’t get back to where they are supposed to be.”

(Cricinfo)

Jaguars whip... from back page

However, Vishaul Singh hit three fours in his score of 49 and starred in two halfcentury partnerships that reconstructed Guyana’s innings.

Singh put on 60 runs for the third wicket with Chandrika and a 75-run stand for the fourth wicket with Barnwell.

Shane Shillingford offset

Guyana’s momentum, momentarily, by picking up the wickets of Singh and Barnwell – both falling with the score on 150.

But Bramble kept Guyana on course towards a competitive total by smashing three fours and three sixes in an aggressive knock of 43 towards the end of the innings.

SCOREBOARD Guyana Jaguars T Griffith c S Ambris b M Matthews 5 R Chandrika run out (D Smith) 52 S Chanderpaul LBW D Johnson 1 V Singh c M Bascombe b S Shillingford 49 C Barnwell* c M Bascombe b S Shillingford 34 R Reifer not out 23 S Jacobs run out (D Johnson) 2 A Bramble+ not out 43 Total: for 6 wickets (50 Overs) 227 Extras: (1nb 8w 7lb 2b 0pen) 18 Did not Bat: V Permaul, D Bishoo, R Beaton Fall of Wickets: 1-7, 2-15, 3-75, 4-150, 4-150, 6-156.

Windward Islands Volcanoes Bowling: D Johnson 101-42-1, M Mathew 101-50-1, C Emmanuel 4-0-28-0, L Sebastien 100-35-0, A Bobb 6-0-29-0, S Shillingford 10-0-34-2.

Windward Islands Volcanoes (Target; 228)

J Charles LBW V Permaul 21 D Smith st A Bramble b S Jacobs 13 M Bascombe LBW V Permaul 5 K Lesporis b V Permaul 0 S Ambris+ not out 26 C Emmanuel c S Jacobs b V Permaul 3 L Sebastien* run out(V Singh) 2 A Bobb LBW C Barnwell 0 S Shillingford c T Griffith b C Barnwell 2 M Mathew c A Bramble b D Bishoo 5 D Johnson c S Jacobs b D Bishoo 3 Total: All Out (33.4 Overs) 85 Extras: (0nb 4w 1lb 0b 0pen) 5 Fall of Wickets: 1-34, 2-34, 3-34, 4-41, 4-49, 6-60, 7-60, 8-67, 9-77, 10-85 Guyana Jaguars Bowling: R Beaton 2-0-18-0, S Jacobs 10-1-20-1, C Barnwell 6-023-2, V Permaul 10-5-124, D Bishoo 5.4-0-11-2.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

friday, january 16, 2015

Sarwan lashes out at WICB West Demerara leg set R Guinness Greatest in the Streets football...

to kick off January 24

The Guinness Street football competition has been a hit with players and fans alike, as is evident in this Avenash Ramzan photo taken at the conclusion of the East Coast leg last year

W

ith the aim of deriving the quota of teams to contest the national playoff later this year, the Guinness Greatest in the Streets zonal football tournaments will resume on January 24. This is according to Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste.

Speaking to this publication during a telephone interview on Thursday, Baptiste confirmed that the West Demerara leg of the tournament is slated to kick off in just over a week’s time.

A total of 16 teams will vie for top honours over six nights of rivalry at venues across the West Demerara corridor. This will be followed by zonal competitions for teams on the East Coast of Demerara and Berbice during February and March.

Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste

The Linden leg will also be contested this year, culminating during the Town Week celebrations. The Georgetown leg was held late last year with North

Ruimveldt beating Festival City Warriors in the final.

The top teams from each of the five zones will earn the right to contest the national playoff, set for early May, with a dozen teams set to compete for top honours.

The champion team will earn the distinction of being Guyana’s representative at the Guinness Caribbean Street Challenge, which is fixed for Trinidad and Tobago in June.

The Guinness Street football competition, which is being sponsored by Banks DIH Limited and coordinated by the Petra Organisation, has been a big hit with the public, attracting massive crowds at the numerous venues across the country.

(Avenash Ramzan)

amnaresh Sarwan lashed out at the WICB through his twitter account where he said, “I honestly don’t understand when these people [WICB] keep talking about rebuilding. It’s almost 15 years now we talking about rebuilding when it comes to West Indies cricket, 15 years later we are still rebuilding.

I am starting to wonder what really we are building in the Caribbean. No one wants to accept the real problems facing WI cricket.”

“They should ask themselves why we are so good at under-15 and under-19, but at the top level we are not as good. We can keep chopping and changing as much as we want but if we don’t have a proper system is place we would not be able to produce players to perform consistently at international level,” he added.

He also blamed the directors for not taking care of the development of the board and the players. Instead he blamed them for just being concerned about their own profile. “I wonder who they are going to blame for no

– NSC yet to approve use of CASH for Bermuda encounters

T

he basketball season will bounce off in February with the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) tournament titled “Road to Mecca”, which is scheduled for early February.

While all the kinks were currently being sorted out, GABF President Nigel Hinds confirmed that the event was definitely on for next month.

Hinds, who highlighted that the GABF will be focused

T

A Ally and Sons Managing Director Faizal Ally presents a sponsorship cheque to BCB Secretary Angela Haniff in the presence of Carl Moore and Leslie Solomon

timents and thanked the Regional Education Officer Volaika Jaikishun for the support received.

She said teachers, parents, and students should make full use of this opportunity. She added that cricket was a perfect alternative to drugs and provided huge financial opportunities to cricketers and their families.

A Ally and Sons Managing Director Faizal Ally, in brief remarks, stat-

ed that his company was pleased to be associated with the BCB and was highly impressed with the work of the board over the years.

Ally further stated that he was always willing to assist with school cricket and sports in general as was evident over the years.

He added that the development of young people was pivotal in the progress of any community and country as a whole and as such, his com-

facilities in the Caribbean.

These people who are fighting for positions on the Board just care about profile. We are not getting better but yet for the past 15 years the same directors are looking after WI cricket,” he said.

“Now they say they are going to chop and change until they find the right players, it’s not a quick fix people, it has to be a process. We need facilities in the Caribbean for our players. Cricket is not about just talent anymore. We are so backward, we decided to

“Road to Mecca” to bounce off in February

BCB launches A Ally & Sons U-17 Inter-Secondary tourney

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday launched the A Ally and Sons Under-17 Inter-Secondary School tournament during a simple ceremony at the company’s main office in New Amsterdam.

The round-robin tournament, which is aimed at developing new talent, will commence on January 23 from 11:00h. The games will consist of two innings per side. Players eligible to participate have to be born on or before September 1, 1998.

BCB Competition Committee Chairman Carl Moore stated that 22 secondary schools from Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have confirmed participation in the tournament.

Moore described the tournament as a massive boost for Berbice cricket at the youth level as new players would be identified, and advised cricket clubs to feed from this tournament. He expressed gratitude to the management and staff of A Ally and Sons for investing in Berbice cricket.

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff echoed Moore's sen-

Ramnaresh Sarwan

drop two of our better players because of EGO and because we want to show we are untouchable. Guess the fans mean nothing to these people,” he added.

Sarwan also said that the board needs to step up and put things in the right direction rather than blaming other factors for their down fall. “When John Dyson was the coach, WI cricket looked like it was making baby step forward, steps we haven’t seen before. Then they fire John because he stood up for his senior players, they had a campaign to get rid of the senior players, John did not agree with them. So what they decided to do was get rid of him and bring someone who they can control and agree to screwing up WI cricket,” he said.

“Now they are saying T20 is the reason why our cricket is the way it is.

REALLY? We need to accept cricket has evolved and we need to stay with the world. We must appreciate what those guys have done around the world. They keep West Indies cricket alive,” he concluded. (WICRICNEWS)

pany was committed to playing its part.

The Board’s junior selectors will witness the matches to spot talent for the youth inter-county teams.

The Board is in negotiation with US-based Dalchand Rambharose, a friend of Berbice cricket, for the sponsorship of the Under-15 tournament, which will commence just after the Under-17 is completed.

on grooming a national side for the upcoming Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in June, noted that the GABF will be aiming to have a successful 2015.

Further, Hinds revealed that just as the “Road to Mecca” tournament concludes, Bermuda will be visiting Guyana for a three-game clash from March 11 to 14.

However, Hinds also related that the GABF’s only hiccup so far was acquiring the use of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the clash with Bermuda.

“We sent a letter to the NSC [National Sports Commission] requesting dates for training and the games since October 10 and we haven’t received a response as yet … we visited the NSC on two occasions after and we still have not received a response,” Hinds told Guyana Times Sport.

Nevertheless, Hinds hopes to secure the CASH in an effort to plan effectively for the Bermuda games.

Meanwhile, Hinds noted that he was looking forward to a successful “Road to Mecca” tournament, “We are not interested in the profit; we just want to get the fan base

Nigel Hinds

to come out and showcase our players.”

In addition, the GABF is expected to work along with the Office of the President in an effort to refurbish the Burnham Hard Court, the Retrieve Raiders Hard Court (Linden) as well as the Vrymens Erven Hard Court.

Hinds also pointed out that both the Georgetown and Linden Basketball Associations are set to have their elections by month-end and hoped that the process goes smoothly.

WICB to implement... from back page

•

"The WICB will develop a players handbook which will be issued to all players. The handbook will outline responsibilities, expectations, protocols, standards and matters of general conduct."

The task force appointed by the WICB to assess the contracts dispute involving the players, WIPA, and the board had said that all three parties were at fault. It said that it was imperative the

"WICB must now build pillars of trust and respect with the players", and that the WIPA had a "very real role to play" in this process.

At a meeting on January 10 in Antigua, the WICB also shortlisted seven candidates for the position of West Indies coach, with the aim of appointing one after the 2015 World Cup. The board said Stuart Williams would continue functioning as the coaching coordinator until then. (Cricinfo)

friDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

guyanatimesGY.com

23

“Caribbean Collision” 5-fight boxing card...

Oprecht gives “Six Heads” vote of confidence

By Avenash Ramzan

F

ormer coach of Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis, George Oprecht, popularly known in boxing quarters as “Kanchee”, has expressed confidence in the former world champion’s ability to defeat Jamaican Sakima Mullings during the “Caribbean Collision” boxing card next month.

Lewis and Mullings are set to headline the February 21 five-fight card, which will now be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall after it was initially slated for Kingston, Jamaica.

Mullings, whose WBC CABOFE Welterweight belt will be at stake, requested that the fight be held in Guyana, as he is out to prove that he can defeat Lewis, the former WBA Welterweight title holder, in his own backyard.

At 44, Lewis is in the twilight of his career, while Mullings at 32 is a potential world champion. However, the experienced Oprecht believes age would not be a factor in the outcome.

“That won’t affect him in any way, because I can remember training in those years and I used to train hard and beat a lot of young men.

So, I think “Six Heads” got a very good chance at beating Mullings. He’s a more advanced boxer technically. I mean Mullings is young, he might be strong, but boxing is a very, very serious game

George Oprecht

and is a very tricky game,” Oprecht opined.

Oprecht argued that Lewis would be very hard to hit, given his supreme boxing skills, adding that the main aim of the coaches working with the pugilist should be to get “Six Heads” back in the type of condition that prevailed during his prime.

“They don’t have to teach “Six Heads” how to box now; “Six Heads” already knows how to box well. You have to get him back in condition so that he can move as he used to, punch as he used to, and must be able to take a punch as he used to and so on. And I think he will give Mullings a boxing lesson; I don’t know much about him knocking out Mullings, but I know he would make him look real

Sakima Mullings

bad in the ring,” Oprecht predicted.

Never stopped training Oprecht based his analysis on the fact that Lewis was very rarely out of the gym, despite being inactive since October 2008 when he suffered a loss to compatriot Howard Eastman. ““Six Heads” is a man don’t stay out of the gym.

If “Six Heads” is away for two weeks or a week or so, you would find he would come back in the gym and he would do some work; he would work out with the youths … he maintains a certain programme right: he would spar, he would work out and everything just like before, so it’s just now to bring back the strength and

GSSF shows appreciation for Director of Sport

From left: GSSF Director, Dr Bhiro Harry; Director of Sport Neil Kumar; and GSSF President Vidushi Persaud during the courtesy call

T

he Guyana Shooting Sport Federation (GSSF) paid a courtesy visit to the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Thursday morning to present a certificate of appreciation to Director of Sport, Neil Kumar.

The Federation, which was sanctioned in August of 2014 by the Sport Ministry, as well as the NSC, has lauded Kumar for his support to the budding sport.

The NSC has rendered assistance whenever pos-

sible and has facilitated several courses that were hosted by the GSSF at the recently-constructed National Sports Resource Centre.

These courses saw the members of the Federation learning the basics of Firearm Safety and Range Discipline.

In addition, the Federation looks forward to introducing archery as a sport in Guyana with a focus on both indoor and outdoor archery with the NSC

committing to making the venture a success.

At the courtesy call, Kumar committed to making the National Gymnasium available to GSSF for indoor archery events.

Currently, the special equipment needed to facilitate this is being sourced and initial communications with the relevant authorities for regulation of same have begun so as to commence this form of sport shooting on a formal basis.

the stamina and he would be there,” Oprecht divulged.

Lewis, who turned 44 on December 14 last, has a record of 30 fights, 23 wins, 20 by way of knockout, with four losses and two drawn encounters.

After 18 fights, Mullings has an enviable record of 17 wins with 12 knockouts and one defeat. A point to note, Mullings has never lost to a Guyanese fighter, defeating Winston Pompey, Howard Eastman, Revlon Lake and Dereck Richmond within the last three years.

Meanwhile, the undercard will start with a clash between debutants

Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis

Travis Fraser of Guyana and Charwin Estwick of Barbados in a Junior Middleweight six-rounder.

This will be followed by a six-round Catchweight contest between the Guyanese pair Dexter Marques and Quincy Gomes, and an eight-round Middleweight rematch featuring Edmond DeClou and Dereck Richmond.

The last time these two

met, DeClou suffered a broken jaw and has not entered the ring since. The other fight is a female showdown between Lorissa Rivas of the United States against Guyanese veteran Sharon Warde.

The action will start at 20:00h at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and admission to the venue is $3000 (Ringside) and $1500 (Stands).

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

friday, january 16, 2015

WICB to implement Task Jaguars whip Windward Force recommendations Islands by 142 runs

NAGICO Super50 Tournament...

W

indward Islands Volcanoes crumbled under spin as Guyana Jaguars hammered them by 142 runs in the second game of the NAGICO Super50 Tournament at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Thursday.

Veerasammy Permaul led the spin attack with an impressive four-wicket haul that dismantled a run chase, bowling Volcanoes out for 85 in 33.4 overs after the Jaguars totalled 227 for six off their 50 overs.

Their innings was built on a half century from Rajendra Chandrika, 49 from Vishaul Singh, 43 not out from Anthony Bramble and Chris Barnwell’s knock of 34.

A 34-run opening stand between Johnson Charles and Devon Smith and a stubborn unbeaten top score of 26 from middle-order batsman Sunil Ambris were all the resistance Windwards could offer.

Ambris fought to revive the chase by batting

Rajendra Chandrika

Veerasammy Permaul

throughout the rest of the innings without scoring a boundary as wickets fell around him.

Smith was stumped

by Anthony Bramble for 13 and Charles got to 21 before he was trapped lbw to Permaul, who finished with remarkable figures of 10 overs, five maidens, 12 runs, four wickets.

Devendra Bishoo and Captain Christopher Barnwell picked up two wickets each with all the other Windwards batsmen scoring less than 10 runs.

Windwards, after winning the toss and electing to field, had their opponents on the ropes with an early breakthrough.

Mervin Mathews and Delorn Johnson had removed Trevon Griffith and Shivnarine Chanderpaul cheaply to send Guyana sliding at 15 for two, before they were pegged back further at 75 for three, when Devon Smith ran out Chandrika for a top score of 51, which included six fours. turn to page 21

Former Captain Dwayne Bravo and the West Indies players during the India tour last year

T

he WICB board of directors has accepted the recommendations of the task force set up to conduct an inquiry into the dispute that led to the West Indies players abandoning their tour of India in October 2014. The accepted recommendations were: • "The WICB will plan a team building activity in the first week of April, prior to the start of the England tour of

the Caribbean. This activity will be geared towards building greater understanding and trust among the players, the board of directors and the WICB management."

• "The team manager is the designated head of the West Indies team delegation and reports to the Chief Executive Officer. The head coach is responsible for team performance."

• "The players will be issued with match/tour contracts at least three weeks prior to departure for/start of a series."

• "The WICB will pursue engaging the services of a sports psychologist for the West Indies senior team. The WICB will also pursue engaging the services of a mental kills coach at the developmental levTurn to page 22 els."

GFA/Banks Beer Cup top performers rewarded

GFA and Banks DIH Limited’s executives pose with officials of the various clubs, with their cheques (Paul Vanvield photo)

T

op performers of the recently-concluded Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup were on Thursday presented with their prizes at Banks DIH Limited headquarters at Thirst Park,

Greater Georgetown.

At a simple presentation ceremony in the boardroom of the company, the top teams and individuals were rewarded with their cash incentives.

Alpha United copped

the top prize after defeating Guyana Defence Force 3-0 in the final, while Pele got the better of Western Tigers in the third-place playoff on New Year’s Day 2015 at the National Stadium, Providence.

A total of 16 affiliates of the GFA participated in the tournament, and while the event had to compete for attention in light of the hosting of several other inter-association competitions, Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian

Choo-Hen believes it was a success.

He also urged the teams to work hard in the coming year as they seek to enter the 2015-16 competition with the competitive edge. ChooHen concluded by stating

that Banks DIH Limited will continue to invest in not just football but sports in general.

The year-end tournament is the premier event hosted by the GFA, which is under the leadership of Vernon Burnett.

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