Family Court to be opened next month – Chancellor P16 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com
Issue No. 2515
THE BEACON OF TRUTH
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Gunmen cart off over $6M in items from electronics store ...staff tied up beaten Page 17
Broomes orders PSC to “cease interviews”
Page 3
... "a vulgar manifestation of authoritarianism" – former AG
School of the Nations students show 'beauty in trash' P7
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Wakapao P8 father charged for having sex with 14-yearold daughter No arrest yet in night club fatal shooting P10
– Dr Norton says it's unacceptable
School of the Nations students Friday turned trash into beauty as they hosted an exhibition as part of World Environment Day 2015
Govt promises Berbice Regional to bail out Health Authority GuySuCo P Norton flexes ministerial muscles…
– Dr Mahadeo sent on leave
$80 vat included
Psychiatric patients drinking, bathing with trench water P11
World Environment Day…
suspended
PRICE
11
P12
– no indication on source of
undisclosed $$$$
Local justice sector to benefit from Canadian grant P13
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saturday, june 6, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 6 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, June 7 – 08:30h-10:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 6 – 06:40h-08:10h and Sunday, June 7 – 07:30h-09:00h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings : Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h
Broomes orders PSC to “cease interviews” ... "a vulgar manifestation of authoritarianism" – former AG
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers can be expected in the morning and into the early afternoon, while heavy rain showers can be expected in the late afternoon. Thundery showers will return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres per second. High Tide: 06:52h and 19:27h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.54 metres respectively. Low Tide: 00:25h and 12:56h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.53 metre respectively.
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes BY MICHAEL YOUNGE
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inister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes is once again at the centre of controversy as she seeks to dispatch new remit and execute her ministerial functions. Broomes had on Thursday, May 28, ordered the Public Service Commission (PSC) to cease interviews aimed at filling existing vacancies within the Human Services and Social Security Ministry which has been renamed the Ministry of Social Protection. The Junior Minister, in a letter seen by Guyana Times under the subject “Re: Cease all interviews”, said “It has been brought to my attention that there are alleged clandestine efforts to fill vacancies within the Public Service, and more particularly, within the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security (now Ministry of Social Protection) and these interviews are to be conducted tomorrow”. The Minister went on to state, “Please be advised that all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to cease forthwith until further as instructed by his Excellency, the President, David Arthur Granger’s notice.” No other details or evidence of “clandestine” efforts to fill the vacancies were presented or attached to the Minister’s correspondence to the Public Service Commission which is a constitutional body that functions independently and without political influence. When contacted for a comment, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said the Minister appears confused about both her remit and the scope of her authority. “This is yet another
flagrant violation of the Constitution and a vulgar manifestation of authoritarianism”, he related. He argued that the Public Service Commission, like the Police Service Commission, and indeed every constitutional commission, is an independent and autonomous constitutional body that must discharge its functions independently and free from political pollution, dictates and directions. Nandlall advised that, “This is the cornerstone of good and democratic governance. These principles are captured by the express language of Article 226 of the Constitution. It reads “… in the exercise of its functions, a Commission shall not be the subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”. He explained that neither a Minister nor the President has any lawful authority to give directions to any of these entities. The Commissions should therefore ignore such directions. The former Government Minister said that only recently, Guyanese witnessed Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan boldly and blissfully asserting that he gave directions to the Police Commissioner and the Police Service Commission to dismiss two members of the Guyana Police Force. “I raised, publicly, similar objections. I am not concerned about the persons involved and I speak not in their defence. I am concerned about the principles, due process, the rule of law and constitutionality. Mr Ramjattan’s public response to my comments confirms my view that there is a deliberate attempt to undermine these independent bodies whose functions include ensuring that there is
Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall
no executive abuse of power. There is also a lack of understanding of how Government functions in a constitutional democracy”, he related.
Ramjattan and “justice”
Taking another jab at Ramjattan, Nandlall said his response was that he was doing what he feels justice demands. “The truth is that it is not the function of Mr Ramjattan or the Executive to deliver justice. That is a function of the judiciary and even the judiciary must do so in accordance with law and not caprice. If Mr Ramjattan wants to deliver justice, then he either must join the judiciary or shut it down and save the country millions of tax payers’ dollars and every time there is a crime persons must report to Mr Ramjattan and he would fashioned his own remedy to deliver what he perceives to be justice”, he remarked. Nandlall went on to say that in this factual matrix, one cannot turn a blind eye to the reality that
Ramjattan, when he was in private practice, represented the young man who was the victim of the allegations of torture made against these two Policemen and received substantial financial reward from the judgment which the state paid. “This is yet another reason that he should not involve himself in this matter”, he said before saying “Should we now expect the Judicial Service Commission to be written to by the Attorney General instructing them who to appoint as Magistrates and Judges… I hope the nation understands the ramifications of what may now appear to be innocuous interference”. He insisted that these blatant violations of due process, natural justice and the rule of law are being committed openly by an administration that is not yet a month old. He held the view that if the old adage “new broom will sweep clean” has any truth in it, the reality becomes frightening as the administration ages. “In the face of these gross violations of the Constitution and the rule of law, I note that the Guyana Bar Association, a previous vibrant and loud commentator on these matters has suddenly gone mute. Similarly, I am not hearing from all those other organisations and persons who spoke emphatically on similar issues in the recent past”, the former Attorney General scuffed.
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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
Tenterhooks and rule of law
T
o be on “tenterhooks” means that persons are stressed out, in a state of tension, just like the freshly woven fabric that used to be stretched on the original contraption when left to dry out in the open, centuries ago. With the change of government, it is not without reason that there are quite a great number of persons on tenterhooks. Immediately following announcement of the elections results, it was expected that some persons in government would have to go. But it was never expected that these persons would lose the protection of the rule of law. What this overarching doctrine - which subsumes the entire edifice of our civilization - does, is to assure all that “no man is above the law - and all must be treated equally before it - in accordance with the stipulated procedures”. The last requirement is normally given its own pride of place as “due process”. But the first nettlesome actions that hinted at reasons for the “tenterhook tension” did not even necessarily affect specific individuals. When the venue for the independence flag raising ceremony, which had been conducted for years at the National Park, was moved to the Independence Arch on Brickdam there was no question that the locale was connected to Independence. But was it connected to the flag raising ceremony in a more organic way? The arch had been commissioned, designed and constructed by the Canadian company Alcan, which owned the Bauxite industry that would be nationalized by the PNC government four years later for “exploiting Guyana for decades”. Then PM Burnham accepted the gift on May 22, 1966, four days before Guyana’s independence at the stroke of midnight on May 26. It was then that the British Union Jack was lowered for the last time, the Golden Arrowhead raised and the two leaders of Guyana, Forbes Burnham and Dr Cheddi Jagan hugged each other for one fleeting, evocative moment. But the ceremony was moved without any discussion with individuals who felt that the original independence “unity ethos” was best reflected in the National Park. While the rule of law was not violated, the spirit in which it was executed certainly was. There were raised eyebrows, which went further skywards when National Awards were announced in the absence of a properly constituted Awards Committee. The Opposition Leader was supposed to be consulted on one of the Committee Members, but there was no Opposition Leader at the time of the announcement. So it appears that both the letter and the spirit of the law were violated. Voices of concerns were raised even by the government supporters about possible “authoritarian creep”. And then came more concrete cases that turned “unease” into actual “tenterhook tension”. One case was the firing of former Minister of Local Government Clinton Collymore, who had been employed as an advisor to the Ministry, and terminating all his benefits for not being on the job for three days. Some tension was raised by the cold and callous manner in which the firing was done by the new Minister of Communities. But more worrisome was the refusal to accord Mr Collymoore his due process right to a hearing. There was then the infamous case of the head of the Child Care Protection Agency being sent home on 36 days leave because she “dared” to offer come advise to her new line Minister. Once again, due process was notable through its absence. The new Minister of Security then got into the act by exceeding his remit to confine his instructions to policy rather than operational matters by directing the Commissioner of Police to rescind a shuffle of his top tier staff. Most recently, the tenterhooks were tightened when the CEO of GuySuCo was dismissed by the Minister of Agriculture, when this is a prerogative of the Board. Nerves are stretched taut and we hope that the new government acts quickly to relieve those tensions.
The setting sun bathes at St Audrie’s Bay in Somerset, United Kingdom (The Telegraph)
NAMILCO commends Food and Drug Department for packaging initiative Dear Editor, The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) has been lobbying the Food and Drug Department for some time to address the issue of packing flour in unlabelled plastic and paper bags, and would like to thank Mr Marlon Cole for his press release on this topic.
Food safety is a topical subject and is engaging the Governments of many countries. While the practice of unlabelled packaging has its genesis in cultural and traditional practices, it is time we move from that to ensure food such as flour, sugar, milk and salt be packaged in a hygienic and safe manner by business-
es approved by the Food and Drug Department. NAMILCO has invested millions in packaging machines to ensure its products goes from the mill into packaging, untouched by hand. It is upsetting when shops, supermarkets and market vendors for whatever reason best known to them, conduct their
own packaging under the guise the consumer prefers it since it is “cheaper”. We commend the Food and Drug Department for this initiative and hope it will be a sustained effort. Taijwattie William Quality Assurance Manager
Introduce comprehensive sexuality education in schools Dear Editor, The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) is deeply concerned over the startling number of school aged students being involved in sexual activities, especially those filmed and uploaded to social media, in school uniforms and on the schools’ premises. In particular, the Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) would like to address these pressing issues facing youth and the whole society. We have seen over the years that an increasing number of these “incidents” have occurred and have been responded to with hastily called “press conferences” and promises of “immediate action”. More recently two tapes were released on social media of students purportedly in 2nd and 4th forms involved in sexual activity at a
Georgetown School. We welcome the announcement that the Ministry of Education is conducting a probe and ask whether this occurrence does not present yet another case of the need for a comprehensive sexuality education programme and universal access to sexual and reproductive health for young people, including inschool youths. It’s our opinion that due to the lack of sexual and reproductive health and rights education in the school system, instances of adolescent students getting involved in risky unplanned and unprotected sexual activities is constantly increasing. This lack of education results in many persons experimenting and doing so in dangerous ways. The GRPA calls for a shift from the abstinence only to a comprehensive approach to sex
education taking into the reality that youths are becoming sexually active at a very tender age both forced and voluntarily. A comprehensive approach is age appropriate and responds to the sexual diversity and rights of young people and equips them to make informed decisions about sex. Sexual and reproductive health refers to the total health and wellness of young people and should be viewed as much more than lessons on safe sex. Low self esteem, sexual confusion, poor negotiation skills and access to information and services are all factors addressed by a comprehensive approach. It is also necessary to address policies, laws and structural and cultural barriers to young people’s control of their sexual lives and health. Parents, teachers, health workers and oth-
er service providers need to be involved together with young people themselves in addressing this issue as “all are involved, all are consumed. GRPA urges that every effort be made to introduce a comprehensive sexuality education programme in schools. The Association is committed to strengthening its relationship with the Ministry of Education to advance such a programme. For far too long the Ministry has been too slow in taking key steps to implement the commitments of the Ministerial Declaration on Comprehensive Sex Education signed by Guyana in Mexico in 2008 and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) signed in 1994 in Egypt. turn to page 5
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Carl Parker is seeking TT PM in stiff re-election to be REO for Region 9 contest in Trinidad
Dear Editor, Please permit me to respond to Carl Parker’s letter published on May 30, under the headline, “An apology for a flag raising in St Ignatius.” Carl Parker of the coastland and formerly a regional official in the 1990s in the Rupununi region is basically trying his best to get the attention of the New Minister of Local Government to regain his lost status. The Vice-Chairman in his presentation simply referred to the role Dr Cheddie Jagan, Peter D’Aguiar, LFS Burnham and Stephen Campbell all played in the Independence struggle that resulted in Guyana achieving political Independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966.
But typical of a Parker who had supporters next to him led them into loud shouting “Granger” when Dr Cheddi Jagan’s name was mentioned in the ViceChairman’s presentation. Parker’s display at the St Ignatius flag raising ceremony showed clearly that it was he who was still on the campaign trail, ignoring that he was in attendance at a flag raising ceremony to celebrate Guyana’s 49 year as a sovereign state. Parker is currently seeking to be the Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo). In this connection Parker’s letter is his lobbying effort. And this is where he spewed his poison of lies when he said in
his letter that the “PPP/C is telling residents of remote areas that they are still in power”. Parker’s letter is wickedly misleading to the general public and instead of playing an active and constructive role in bringing about social cohesion in the Rupununi region, which the new APNU+AFC coalition is pursuing, he is busy sowing the seeds of division and disunity. In the Rupununi therefore, Parker can certainly harm the APNU+AFC government’s social cohesion agenda. It is very important that Minister Ronald Bulkan and other relevant Ministers take serious note. C Antone
The PPP/C is a party of free speech
Dear Editor, Some of those who came on to the PPP/C’s team were of the assumption of “what I will get out of the system” – something akin to a gravy train. Now that the supposed gravy train has crashed, some are jumping ship. Let me categorically say the PPP/C has no gravy train. We only call men and women to work for the good of this nation. So, this idea of a gravy train is not solely a PPP/C problem, but one for the coalition also. Wherever
there are people with a certain mindset, instances like these are going to pop up from time to time. The PPP/C is a party of free speech and free wills, but when this process is abused, steps have to be taken to curb it. In this particular instance that process is being abused, something I have always challenged the leadership of the party to keenly address. It is a problem that has plagued the PPP/C for quite some time now and which I sagely believe has been
the leading cause for their downfall. The PPP/C is a laid back democratic party... too democratic for my liking. The country grew, the economy grew, our country became an investor’s paradise, something unheard of during the PNC years. Guyana earned its position on the map. At this point the PPP/ C’s main focus is getting the recount and exposing GECOM, then we move on from there. Neil Adams
Introduce comprehensive... from page 4
These commitments recognised the need for universal access to information and services. Although a Health and Family Life Education programme is being implemented there is agreement in CARICOM on the need to review and bring this in line with a Comprehensive Sexuality Education Curriculum. The Education system is very lacking in its contribution to young people’s awareness of sexuality, rights and sexual health. Tell us why is it that the only thing we’re being taught at school as young people is the names and parts of the sex organs and their functions? Is that all we need to know? As a result of not addressing this issue we see that Guyana is second to Jamaica in this part of the world for having the highest rate of teen pregnancies.
This clearly indicates that the approach leaves a lot to be desired and that’s the reason why we have so many instances of school aged children having sexual intercourse or performing sexual activities. Equally alarming is the risk of sexually transmitted infections. We need to teach our children all they need to know about sex, their bodies, self awareness, self respect, condom use and responsible behaviour, and ensure that they have access to family planning education, counselling and services. While adolescents and teenagers should be guided by a healthy approach to their wellbeing and encouraged to delay their sexual debut until the time and circumstances are right, it is evident that the abstinence only approach has failed our young people
in and outside of schools. GRPA as a youth friendly Space provides family planning counselling and services. We encourage young persons, including students to visit our clinic where we offer medical services at special prices for young people. We encourage our peers to visit our Quamina Street office, call our telephone numbers or reach out to us on social media to access information and services. We invite the public to join us in our campaign to engage in a shift towards healthy lifestyles. Today, we start a petition calling on the Ministry of Education to honour the commitments made to young people and implement a comprehensive sexuality education programme in schools. GRPA Youth Advocacy Movement
Dear Editor, On the occasion of the fifth anniversary since she was elected Prime Minister, Kamla Persad Bissessar faces a stiff reelection challenge according to a poll conducted by NACTA. Although the PP and the PNM are neck and neck in popular support, and although Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar leads the Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley in popularity and likeability ratings, her coalition trails the PNM in key battleground constituencies that will determine which party wins the next elections. The poll shows the PNM leading in nine critical seats in Trinidad that it lost to the PP in 2010 (in a 29-12 victory). This will put the party one seat behind the PNM. However, all of the marginal seats are closely contested within the poll’s margin of error of four per cent and in none of them where the PNM or PP leads is either party over the 50 per cent mark to seal the deal. In addition, over a quarter of the population remains undecided and many don’t plan to vote expressing dissatisfaction with the choices before them. In the bellwether
Tunapuna constituency, PNM leads 35 per cent to 31 per cent with the other parties nine per cent and 25 per cent undecided. The latter voters wish for an alternative that is nowhere on the horizon. The latest findings show Kamla remaining enormously popular among PP supporters, and she is also attracting racial cross over voters, though not as wide a margin as obtained in 2010 when she won a landslide 29-12 victory. The PNM base is also somewhat solidified behind Dr Rowley, but he is not getting cross over support to win, thereby making it an indeterminate election at this time. The mini parties are attracting nearly eight per cent of the votes and they could very well influence the outcome of the next election either in an alliance with one of the major parties or splitting the base of the two larger parties. Although PP supporters like Kamla and are behind her for a second term, they are dissatisfied with most of her cabinet and the performance of most of her MPs. Her supporters want an almost new slate of candidates with only a handful of the incumbents gain-
ing their nod. Voters say replacing most of the incumbents will enhance her chance at re-election. The poll’s findings reveal Kamla’s job approval rating as Prime Minister is 51 per cent with a disapproval rating of 37 per cent and 12 per cent not offering an opinion. Dr Rowley’s job approval rating as Opposition Leader is 47 per cent with 40 per cent disapproving and 13 per cent not offering a rating. The PM’s approval rating just after she began her term in office was 82 per cent. The government’s approval rating five years ago was 69 per cent. The PM’s popularity has been on the mend in recent months. With regards to national support, the two parties are at a statistical dead heat: PNM 33 per cent, PP 32 per cent, four per cent ILP, four per cent Other parties, and 27 per cent undecided. The approval rating of the government is 35 per cent with a disapproval rating of 39 per cent, and 26 per cent not offering a response. In general, the findings show the ruling PP struggling to retain its political support from 2010. Vishnu Bisram
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Foundation International Day for Yoga, June 21...
Yoga sensation for the nation: Tip 4 Submitted by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)
Let’s follow these simple techniques as we continue staying fit.
Y
ou
don’t need a specific time w h e n d o i n g y o g a . You can practice any time of the day, though early in the morning is the best time as yoga practitioner says. Today we are going to do the Tree posture. This wonderful asana is called Vrikshaasana which has great benefits.
VRIKSHAASANA (TREE POSTURE) In this position the individual stands inTadasana. It involves bending the right leg and place the right foot on the
root of the left thigh. Stands thus like a tree on the ground. When doing this asana you need to take deep breath and hold the position so as to get the best out of it. This asana has magnificent benefits such as: • Strengthen the bones of the hips and legs due to the weight-bearing nature of the pose. • Improves balance and stability in the legs Stretch the chest and shoulders. • S t r e n g t h e n s thighs, calves, ankles, and spine. • Calms and relaxes your mind and central nervous system. Increases your • mind / body awareness. TECHNIQUE (i) Stand with the feet together and the arms by your sides. (ii) Bend the right leg at the knee, raise the right thigh and bring the sole of the right foot as high up the inside of the left thigh as possible. (iii) Balancing on the left foot, raise both arms over the head keeping the elbows unbent and joining the palms together. Hold the posture while breathing gently through the nostrils for about 10 complete breaths. (iv) Lower the arms and right leg and return to the tadasana, standing position with feet together and arms at the sides. Pause for a few moments and repeat on the opposite leg. Drink on glass of water after you have completed this exercise. Hope you enjoy doing this today and eagerly awaits tomorrow tip.
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saturday, june 6, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
EU, Guyana celebrate 40 years Guyanese teen killed in NY accident of socioeconomic cooperation T – $150B spent on developmental projects, grant aid
President David Granger meets EU Ambassador Robert Kopecký
T
he European Union (EU) and Guyana on Friday celebrated 40 years of socioeconomic cooperation aimed at strengthening both their ties and boosting the growth of the Guyanese economy. On Thursday, EU Ambassador Robert Kopecký and his team met with President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency, where they discussed a number of issues of importance to relations between the European Union and Guyana. Ambassador Kopecký congratulated President Granger on his election and noted that 2015 marks 40 years of excellent relations and partnership between Guyana and the EU. Issues discussed included development cooperation, climate change, security, the sugar industry, and regional integration. Human rights issues were also discussed, and President Granger welcomed an EU proposal to hold a regional conference on abolition of the death penalty at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. He also welcomed an EU proposal to fund a feasibility study into the restoration of Georgetown’s historic City Hall.
“Over the last four decades, more than €630 million (equal to some G$150 billion) of combined EU funds have been allocated to Guyana’s development. To this day, the European Union remains the main provider of grant funding to Guyana, and also the biggest donor of development and humanitarian assistance both in the Caribbean Region and in the world”, the EU Ambassador said in a letter to the media. He noted that in Guyana, European development funds have helped reconstruct and maintain the sea defences, mangroves, and the rehabilitation of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. “The EU has also funded several infrastructure projects to help Guyana’s integration in the region. These include the expansion of Ogle International Airport to accommodate international flights, the Corentyne ferry connecting Guyana with Suriname, and the technical upgrade of Cheddi Jagan International Airport in 2004,” the Ambassador related. Over €220 million has been committed to measures directly supporting the sugar, rice and bauxite industries and the people depending on them. Water
supply systems have been put in place in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara; Rose Hall, East Coast Berbice; and New Amsterdam, East Bank Berbice to provide fresh water to agriculture and households. Many small businesses have also gotten off the ground thanks to the Micro-Projects Programme and the Linden Economic Advancement Programme. Currently over €30 million is being put to use to further upgrade Guyana’s power utility network and improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure. EU support to civil society organisations, non-state actors and local authorities has reached out to beneficiaries in the most remote areas of Guyana, for example Southern Rupununi and Regions One and Two. Ambassador Kopecký said, “As we look to the future, our shared priorities are in the area of climate change adaptation and continuous efforts towards the eradication of poverty and the promotion of human and social rights. Our political relations have always been excellent, and we look forward to many more decades of mutual EU-Guyana cooperation, friendship and partnership.”
wo days after a deadly accident on Interstate 95 highway, New York (NY) City that already taken one life, a Guyanese teenager is the second victim to have succumbed to his injuries. Rajiv Sardjoe, 17 of South Richmond Hill, Queens, NY and formerly of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, died on Friday while receiving medical attention at the Jacobi Medical Centre in the Bronx, NY. The other life claimed was 16-year-old Vanessa Hoodith, who died moments after the accident occurred on Wednesday. According to information received, the vehicle, a red 2013 Audi A4, was attempting to exit Interstate 95 onto Exit 19 at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate the right-hand curve.
Dead: Rajiv Sardjoe
The car left the roadway and struck the centre concrete barrier. Hoodith was a rear-seat passenger and was pronounced dead at Greenwich Hospital in Westchester County. Sardjoe was one of the three who were taken
to the Westchester Medical Centre immediately after the accident and were listed as stable. The driver of the car is reportedly 18 years of age and is from Hollis, Queens, NY. Relatives of the dead teenager who reside in Guyana stated that they received the news of the accident on Wednesday and were told that he was in a stable but serious condition. One relative stated that when they received the unfortunate news that the teenager had passed, it came as a shock. The young man left Guyana at the age of seven to live with his father and other relatives in New York. His mother lives in Suriname. He was the only child for his parents.
World Environment Day…
School of the Nations students show 'beauty in trash'
W
orld Environment Day was commemorated at the School of the Nations with innovative art pieces as the students displayed their concerns for the environment in quite a unique way. June 5 was World Environment Day, with the world highlighting the environment and its many ailments. Persons around the world used different methods to sensitise others to the disasters that occur and how everyone can be part of the solution. The theme for this year’s Environment Day observances is “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with Care,” as it is the world’s aim to bring to the attention of its people, the unnecessary amount of products they consume daily and the waste that usually results. The students at School of the Nations understood this concept as they used what everyone would call trash to make several beautiful piec-
es, of which some are quite useful. Third Form students, Daisha Henry and Luisa Franco explained their pieces to Guyana Times. The young ladies, with help from their colleagues, hadused cardboard, empty toilet rolls and several other pieces of discarded items to make little decorative pieces like paper holders, picture frames, among other pieces. Quadad Defreitas too was quite eager to showcase the creative ways he was able to use several discarded plastic bottles and plastic cups. The young man, along with his Fourth Form classmates, made a miniature speed boat with the bottles while he used the cups to make his very own speaker. He said that the piece had morphed into something of its own as he had initially intended it to be a disco ball. From Nations students, this publication gleaned that the World Environmental
Day is the principal vehicle used by the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the environment. A Fourth Form student shared with his colleagues that “many of the earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development.” By 2050 if this cannot change, it has been estimated that three planets will be needed to sustain the wasteful way of life that has become the norm. Coordinator for the activity, Sir Chase who is the school’s art Visual Arts Teacher told Guyana Times that the concept was developed to give students a chance to get ‘creative crazy’, while making them aware of the continued depletion of the environment. The students are expected to be rewarded for their creations by the Teachers who will select the winners.
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saturday, june 6, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
Wakapao father charged for having sex with 14-year-old daughter
A
38-year-old man of Wakapao A m e r i n d i a n Community, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was charged with the offence of having sexual activity with a child who is a family member. The man (name withheld) made his first appearance before Magistrate
Sunil Scarce on Friday at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that during the period January 1 to January 31, 2015 at Wakapao Amerindian Community, he engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old female who
was his daughter. He is a labourer, and the sole breadwinner in the home. Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack objected to bail as he stressed that the victim is presently hospitalised and is five months pregnant. He told the court that the offence was very prev-
alent and was of a serious nature and should the defendant be granted bail, there is a likelihood he would tamper with the victim. Bail was, however, refused by Magistrate Scarce. The matter was adjourned to July 26 for statements.
Miner accused of armed robbery on $75,000 bail
A
miner was on Friday placed on $75,000 bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of armed robbery. Keyvin Quipidore, 20, of 71 Guyhoc Gardens, Greater Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on June 2 at East Ruimveldt while being armed with a gun, he robbed the Virtual Complainant (VC) Michael Jordan of one
motorcycle valued $420,000, one Blu cellphone valued $40,000, a wallet worth $7000 and $6000 in cash, a total value of $473,000. According to the defendant’s legal representative, Attorney-at-Law Paul FungA-Fat, on the night in question, his client was at home watching television with his family. He added that the VC described the perpetrator of the crime as an individual with a teardrop tattoo on his face who was
wearing a red cap and highlighted the fact that his client has no tattoos. Fung-AFat also made reference to the fact that no identification parade was conducted and his client has been locked up since Wednesday. He made an application for bail, stating that his client was not a flight risk. The VC who was present in court claimed that he did not recognise the perpetrator, but recognised his voice as that of the defendant.
This was refuted by Fung-AFat who stated that the VC had never heard the defendant speak. Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence. His objection was overruled by Magistrate McLennan who granted the defendant bail with the condition that he reports to the Police every Friday at 08:30h. The matter will return to court on June 15 for statements.
Trio implicated in Warlock arms, drug cache remanded
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hree persons were on Friday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on charges related to the guns, ammunition and narcotics found during a raid at Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown on Thursday. Eustus Thomas, a 43-year-old security guard of 606 East Ruimveldt; Orvin Paul, a 57-year-old security guard of 597 East Ruimveldt along with his 52-year-old wife, Waveny Paul, all pleaded not guilty to the charges which were read to them by Magistrate Fabayo Azore in Court Five. The first charge read that on June 4 at Warlock, they were found to be in possession of 482 grams
of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The trio also pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that they were found to be in possession of two .38 revolvers and 16 matching live rounds of ammunition without being the holders of a firearm licence. Additionally, they denied the allegation that on the same occasion they were found to be in possession of one black Magnum 11 9mm firearm and 11 matching live rounds. According to Police Prosecutor Simone Payne, on the day in question, acting on information received, ranks of the Guyana Police Force conducted a raid of the homes of the de-
fendants. During the raid, a quantity of the ammunition, firearms and narcotics were found in the couple’s bedroom. It was also stated that upon searching Thomas’ premises the Magnum firearm, ammunition and a quantity of the narcotics were discovered. Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat, who represented the couple, stated that the articles were found in the upper flat of the house which is not occupied by the couple and that the house was occupied by 10 other individuals. He also stated that he saw no reason why both the husband and wife are being charged together with Thomas for items
found in Thomas’ residence and both of them are being charged with the same offences. On this note, he made a request for reasonable bail, citing the special reasons highlighted. Prosecutor Payne requested that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice. After reviewing the facts presented, the Magistrate placed the couple on $150,000 bail each for the narcotics charge and refused bail on the guns and ammunition charges. Thomas was refused bail on all of the charges. They were remanded to prison until June 30 when the matter will return to court.
Eyew tness
Bitter... I
...sugar
n one of his most famous tracts, “Bitter Sugar”, Dr Cheddi Jagan took the name in the 1950s from an even more famous quote by Dr Eric Williams’ book, “Capitalism and slavery”, written the decade before. “Strange that an article like sugar, so sweet and necessary to human existence should have occasioned such crimes and bloodshed.” In Guyana today, while the situation mightn’t be as dire as that which those two great West Indian leaders were referring to back then, the new Government’s about to discover the other side of sugar. It was rather sweet when they were in Opposition castigating the PPP/C for all the challenges that beset sugar. They’ll taste the bitter now that the shoe’s on the other foot. What the government will have to acknowledge in that Skeldon was, and remains, absolutely necessary for the survival of a viable sugar industry. For decades the Demerara estates were high cost producers - and had to be cross-subsidised by the lower cost Berbice production. The plan was to increase Berbice’s production so that the Demerara production’s high cost could be covered to such an extent that the industry would be competitive overall on world markets. And Skeldon remains the only part of Berbice where production could be ratcheted up to the necessary level. And since the Old Skeldon factory’d long passed its expiration date, it made sense to construct a new highvolume factory rather than hauling cane to Albion. In hindsight, it’s all well and good to say that the Guyana government should’ve gone with, say, an Indian supplier for the factory. But could we be honest for once, dear reader? Can you imagine the protests that would’ve been launched if the PPP/C government’d gone in that direction? So they went with a Chinese company since the Chinese government was footing most of the bill anyway. And let’s not forget - as most seem more than willing to do - that GuySuCo was then being run by Tate and Lyle, which had signed off on the deal. Ditto for the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank, the other financiers. But let’s not even ask whether this new IMC’s capable of turning sugar around. Because the problems of sugar are even bigger than Skeldon. The problem is labour. Whether the new agricultural experts plunge into diversification in and out of the sugar industry - they’ll still need labour for an AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. Which just ain’t there. For the simple reason that the PPP/C government provided so much alternate well-paying jobs. We wish the new government the best of luck in sending the “40 per cent of unemployed youths” they bemoaned, into the cane fields!
...old men
There are some bitter old men who’re seeing jumbies everywhere. And we know that jumbies just don’t exist, don’t we, dear readers? Well to be more exact in this case, they’re seeing breaches of agreements where none exist. Everyday they’re bringing up the same nonsense. First they were the whining that the AFC didn’t get their 40 per cent of the Cabinet because the “stock” had been diluted, so to speak, with the creation of 12 “Junior Ministers”. “What “Junior Minister”?” they whinge, “Is Simona Broomes behaving like some some “junior” anything ?” And today the whine du jour is President Granger chairing the Cabinet. Well, what else is the good man to do? Doesn’t the Constitution, Article 106: say rather clearly, “Cabinet meetings shall be presided over by: (a) The President (b) In the absence of the President, the Prime Minister. If he’s “present” how the heck can anyone else but him chair? “The Cummingsberg Accord,” you murmur, dear reader? Well your Eyewitness did warn when that “Accord” was signed that Mr Granger would obey the Constitution, didn’t he?
...memories spared
Whatever the result of the First Test against the Aussies, the 144 run stand between Samuels and Dowrich spared a lot of blushes.
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Meadow Bank robberies...
Irate fishermen to meet with Public Security Minister A
delegation comprising fishermen is expected to meet with the Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, on Wednesday to address the issue of security in light of the recent robbery committed to two men attached to the Georgetown Fishermen Coop Society on the Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown. Leonard Jetto, who is soon to open a fishing processing facility at the wharf, explained that there is a lack of security at the facility. He recalled that since he has been operating at the wharf, several fishermen were robbed on land and sea, but the Police have since failed to address the issue. Jetto stated that they have requested the Police presence for at least four hours in the morning during the peak time most of the robberies are committed, however this request appears to have fallen on deaf ears. He lashed out at a recent report published in the Kaieteur Newspaper about the robbery which occurred on Thursday. He recounted that he received a telephone call from a clerk informing him about the robbery. When he arrived
ey and the jewellery, the two men made good on their escape, but not before discharging a round into the air to ward off anyone who would give a chase. On the other hand, both Das and Hill were furious at the report that was published in the Kaieteur Newspaper and refuted the claim which suggested that they might have been in-
Sub-machine gun found in septic tank
The station which was robbed by the bandits
he saw the Police questioning the Suresh Das and Ivan Hill, the two men who were relieved of their money and jewellery. The Police also retrieved a spent shell from the gun that was used by the two gunmen. Soon after, he was approached by a young lady purporting to be a reporter attached to the Kaieteur News. She asked him to comment on the robbery in the capacity as a businessman. To his dismay, he claimed he was misquoted. “These people turn this whole story around to make
it look like the workers colluded with the gunmen… I know these two guys for over 20 years and they were never untrustworthy,” Jetto stated. The seemingly upset man posited that the reporter who wrote the article should be fired with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Das and Hill, who were at the wharf when the Guyana Times visited, recalled the ordeal. Das stated that he was in the fuel station when he was accosted by two men who were both armed with hand guns. One of the men held his
volved in the robbery. They stated that they have been working at the establishment for quite some time, and did not see any reason to commit a robbery to the place which provides food on their tables. The Police have launched an investigation into the incident but no arrests have been made.
right hand, ordered him to the ground, and then subsequently kicked to the head. The gunman demanded that he “hand over the bag with the money” which he did not have. Das pulled out the only money he had, $24,000, from his back pocket and handed over to the men. They then focused their attention on Hill who was already on the ground. One of the gunmen reportedly pulled off a ring that the labourer was wearing on his finger and took a gold chain they found in his back pocket. After collecting the mon-
O
ne man was arrested on Friday morning following the discovery of a Lugar Intratec .9mm sub-machine gun with eight spent shells which he reportedly disposed of during a Police chase. Investigations revealed that about 05:30h on the day in question, the Police responded to a report which suggested that a man was discharging a firearm along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown. As the Police approached, the suspect who had a firearm in his possession was seen running away from the
scene but was pursued by Police ranks. As the chase continued, the man disposed of the firearm in a septic tank. He was apprehended and the firearm was recovered. The man is assisting the Police in their investigations and is expected to be charged shortly. This came one day after an East Ruimveldt man was found with an Uzi sub-machine gun with 14 matching rounds of ammunition. In addition, he had one .38 revolver with six live rounds. He was also found with 482 grams of cannabis.
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GAWU urges release of EU funds to bail out sugar industry T he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has called on the newly elected A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to ensure that the European Union (EU) budget support funding for the sugar industry is released to bring some relief to the cash-strapped entity. Under the 11th European Development Fund, some €34 million was allocated to Guyana but the EU aid is channelled through different modalities with budget support being one of them. There are two on-going budget support programmes in Guyana; one for the sugar sector to the tune of €28.9 million and another €4.8 million for sea defence. However, the monies were withheld after Guyana failed to meet “all eligibility criteria”. In a release on Friday, GAWU expressed its concerns over the continued financial crisis being experienced by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), warning that any delays or hesitation by the Government to pursue the EU grant would be “unforgiveable”. “The financial plight of the industry was correctly commented on in recent weeks by both of our major political entities. Both approaches, in our view, were positive. But the time to act is now. GAWU is aware that GuySuCo is yet
to receive the (monies) that have been earned under the European Union sugar sector budget support programme, although GuySuCo met the indicators required to qualify for this sum of grants,” the union outlined. On this note, GAWU called on the new Government to take the necessary steps in ensuring that the money is received from the EU and that this sum is paid over immediately, and in full, to GuySuCo for the resuscitation of the industry. The union further reminded the ruling Administration of the thousands of lives that are dependent on the success of the sugar industry. “The Government, although quite recent, should not be totally at sea on this question or of the industry’s challenges. GAWU wishes to emphasise that thousands of workers in the sugar industry and their families’ livelihoods are threatened,” GAWU outlined. In January, former Finance Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Dr Ashni Singh, disclosed that the European Union has been withholding millions of euros in budgetary support funding despite Government meeting the criteria required. The EU then responded, indicating that it would not release the monies until Government met “all eligibili-
ty criteria”. A release from the international organisation detailed, “The latest partial payments related to these two programmes (sugar sector and sea-defences) have been temporarily put on hold until all eligibility criteria, inter alia budget oversight, are satisfactorily addressed.” However, the then PPP/C Government expressed concerns over the position taken by the EU Delegation and had even published a correspondence between the EU Delegation and the Finance Minister. According to the former ruling Administration, the communication dated September 8, 2014, indicated “clearly that Guyana had met the eligibility criteria required to qualify for disbursements totalling €25,858,025, and that the same Delegation had recommended disbursement of this sum to the EU Budget Support Steering Committee in Brussels which was due to meet on September 17, 2014”. The emailed correspondence stated: “This is to inform you that the Delegation has submitted a positive disbursement advice to its Headquarters with regard to the budget support tranches listed below. They will all be discussed for decision by our Budget Support Steering Committee on 17 September, 2014.” The correspondence was sent by Ewout Sandker, Head
of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU to Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. Sandker mentioned in the correspondence that this was the first time that the budget support disbursement requests for Guyana had been submitted that early in the second semester. Sandker added that this maximised the chances for payments within the budgetary year since that is subject to the availability of payment credits.
Over the past few weeks, GuySuCo has been facing grave financial difficulties and had even threatened to shutdown operations after it could not have paid employees. The news got worse when reports surfaced that the already cash-strapped entity had failed to account for some $154 million of employees’ Credit Union savings owed to GAWU. Former Chief Executive Officer of Sugar Corporation,
Dr Raj Singh previously stated that approximately $16 billion is required to bailout the company. However,, GuySuCo received a bailout of some $400 million from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica which allowed the continuation of operations for the remainder of the week. Nevertheless, the Grangerled Government has assured that it will do everything in its power to ensure the resuscitation of the sugar industry.
No arrest yet in night club fatal shooting
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s Police continue their investigation into the shooting outside Baroombar, North Road, Georgetown on Thursday morning that left Manu Durant dead, they are yet it apprehend the shooter, who is still on the run. Guyana Times understands that the shooter is a security guard attached to the night club. In addition, it is believed that when Durant and his friend arrived at the night club, the facility was closed but the now dead man demanded that the security guard give them access. This resulted in an argument. It was during the argument that Durant pulled out his gun and discharged a round in the direction of the guard. He missed and the guard retaliated by firing a
Dead: Manu Durant
few rounds at Durant, with one hitting him to his chest. A Senior Police Rank informed the Guyana Times that, based on reports they have been receiving, information about the shooting still remains sketchy. All re-
ports, he noted, were inconsistent with the each other. Nevertheless, the Police are on the lookout for the shooter. The family members of Durant, however, are remaining tight lipped about the shooting incident. Durant was a promoter who brought in several regional artistes to perform at shows in Buxton and other villages along the East Coast of Demerara. Back in 2008, Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Durant for the alleged kidnapping of Buxton teen Tenisha Morgan, who was at the time the girlfriend of Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins. It is believed that it was the abduction of the teen that triggered Rawlins’ rage causing the Lusignan and Bartica massacres.
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Govt promises to bail out GuySuco – no indication on source of undisclosed $$$$ By Alexis Rodney
G
overnment on Friday announced a multimillion dollar bailout for the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), days after sacking its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and requesting the resignation of the members who served on the Management Board. No mention was made on the proposed amount that would be paid to keep GuySuCo afloat or where the monies were coming from given the fact that there was no budget in place. The sacking of the officials was said to be the first step to bring the industry back to a place of acceptable standards following some major setbacks in operations. The second step is the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI), expected to be launched shortly, which will undertake a forensic audit of the operations of the corporation. Finance Minister Winston Jordan told Guyana Times that while the amount to be allocated has not yet been approved, Government is committed to its promise to see the sustenance of the industry. In a release to the media on Friday, the
Agriculture Minister Noel Holder
Agriculture Ministry headed by Minister Noel Holder said that the Government has approved the release of monies to the sugar corporation so as to ensure that operations return to normalcy. It said sugar workers should therefore be assured that all measures are being taken to ensure the progression of the corporation. “The Government wishes to assure workers that investing in sugar is investing in Guyana, and, as such, all necessary action will be taken to ensure its sustenance.” The release noted that although there has been a change in the corporation’s management, workers could
Psychiatric patients drinking, bathing with trench water – Dr Norton says it's unacceptable
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ublic Health Minister Dr George Norton has described the current water shortage affecting the National Psychiatric Hospital as unacceptable. During a visit to the institution on Wednesday, the Minister witnessed firsthand the deplorable conditions at the country’s only psychiatric hospital. He stated that he was not surprised at what he saw because he visited the institution many times before and according to him, it is the same sad state of affairs. “I have been privileged to see a little more than on previous visits. I can’t imagine the wards are being cleaned with water from the drains, persons are bathing with water from the drain and some are even drinking it,” he reported. He said, according to some nurses, the situation has been ongoing for the
past two months. “That is totally unacceptable,” he stated. Store rooms at the institution, the Minister noted, were water logged with many of the items destroyed. “So many things that we can use at our public hospitals, there are being destroyed here.” Minister Norton also described as unsatisfactory the fact that the institution was without a functioning phone line for several months. He was told by some nurses attached to that facility that they would have to use their personal cellular phones to get hospital business done. One staffer said that she does not have a cellular phone and it is almost impossible to get to her supervisor when she needs to. The National Psychiatric Hospital currently has more than 175 patients.
“rest assure that the industry is here to stay”. In addition, all sugar factories “will remain operable”. To ensure that GuySuCo continues to survive, the Ministry said that an Interim Management Committee has been put in place, is currently working and have already been meeting with management to ensure a way forward for sugar in Guyana. The committee will oversee the work of the corporation for at least six months. The industry, over the last few days, has seen a major shakeup when the Government terminated the services of the CEO, Dr Rajendra Singh, and requested that the six member Board hand in their resignations. The Board was chaired
by former Minister Shaik Baksh and included Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linden Enterprise Network; Dr Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Livestock Development Authority; Keith Burrowes, Executive Chairman of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director of Guyana Oil Company; and Geeta SinghKnight and Dr Raj Singh, who sat on the Board as an Ex-officio Member. The Government said that GuySuCo has over the years been “sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at the financial and production levels”. It said GuySuCo has been suffering increased losses over the years.
Noting that in 2014, the corporation received a $6 billion bailout, and for this year, the corporation has requested a $16 billion bailout package. According to information reaching this publication, the bailout allocation will however, not reach that request. Just last week, GuySuCo reportedly told workers’ unions – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) that it was unable to pay sugar workers for the month of May. The news got worse when reports surfaced that the already cashstrapped entity had failed to account for some $154 million of employees’ credit union savings owed to GAWU.
The union had to make a “regrettable, but unavoidable decision” advising GuySuCo to cease deductions from workers’ earnings in this regard. Meanwhile the President of GAWU, Komal Chand, on Friday told Guyana Times that although it represents the interest of workers in the affected industry, the Government had failed to consult or communicate with it on any of the recent actions taken. These include the termination of the service of the CEO and the Board, and now the plan to pump money into the operations. He said while he not upset at the occurrences, he felt that as a representative body, the union should have been consulted on these important matters.
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saturday, june 6, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
Ramjattan to Berbice Regional Health consult with Authority suspended Top Cop on – Dr Mahadeo sent on leave Police transfers Norton flexes ministerial muscles...
Public Health Minister Dr George Norton By Andrew Carmichael
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ewly appointed Public Health Minister Dr George Norton has flexed his ministerial muscles by ordering the suspension of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), while instructing that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) be sent on immediate leave pending the outcome of an audit of the entity. Dr Norton took the decision on Friday, stating that the entity had no legal bearing and is non-exist-
ent under the Constitution of Guyana. He told the Guyana Times that the unit will remain suspended until the relevant paperwork in put into place to make the BRHA a legal entity. “It is practically illegal because of what we found; the system might be described as a still birth. We have decided that we will look at the legislation once again. We will do that which was supposed to happen by the written order by the Ministry to make it effective, which was not done, and we will also have look at it again to see where we can make necessary adjustments to make it a legal entity,” he said in an earlier interview. Meanwhile as the BRHA’s suspension came into effect on Friday, CEO Dr Vishwa Mahadeo was sent on leave and stripped of all of his responsibilities for health services in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). This means that the regional administration once again has the responsibility for health service delivery, just as it has for education in the region. Minister Norton told the Guyana Times that the New Amsterdam Hospital
BRHA CEO, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo
has a CEO, a Medical Superintendant and a Matron who are responsible for the affairs of that institution. “The Skeldon Hospital has a Management Committee to run the affairs there, and the Port Mourant Hospital will be run by the Medical Director there,” Dr Norton said. He noted that both the Mibicuri Hospital in Black Bush Polder and the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje, also have their own management systems which will be
responsible for the day-today running of those institutions. “They will all fall under the regional administration like in all the other regions,” the Minister said. Asked about the two hospitals in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), the Minister said that both the Fort Wellington and Mahaica Hospitals will be run by that regional administration. “Those hospitals never wanted to be associated with the BRHA. They have told me, in no uncertain terms, that they will not function under the BRHA”, he advised.
Forensic audit
Meanwhile on Thursday a forensic audit commenced at the regional stores which are housed in the compound of the National Psychiatric Hospital. Moments after the auditors walked into the compound, a senior staff member of the BRHA allegedly went into one of the stores and attempted to remove several computers. A truck belonging to the health department was parked in the compound and the driver was instructed to pack the items into the vehicle. The BRHA staffer said that the computers were not to be included in the audit because they were part of a donation from Food for the Poor. However staff of the psychiatric institution objected to the removal and contacted regional officials. Reports are that the BRHA staffer locked herself in the bond and refused to come out. The Police were called and staffer was later escorted out of the compound by regional officials. Deputy Regional Executive Officer Imran Ally later ordered that all the locks on the storage bonds be changed and the keys be given the Regional Executive Officer. When this publication visited the compound of the National Psychiatric Hospital on Friday, audit staff was seen removing damaged items and equipment. The items had been damaged by water, rodents and insects. Among the items included supplies which had been in short supply at the New Amsterdam Hospital for months. In one of the storage bonds was also seen four domestic washing machines, those which are used by the laundry department of the National Psychiatric Hospital. In that department there are two non-functioning washing machines. The BRHA in December last paid a private contractor several million dollars for refrigeration services which also included the repairs and servicing of
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ewly appointed National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has disclosed that he is yet to approve the transfer of several top officials within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and will only do so after he consults with the Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud. Some three weeks ago, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud made some high-level changes in the command of key departments within the Force. However, the transfers were halted by President David Granger until the appointment of a subject Minister. During a press briefing on Thursday at his Brickdam office, Minister Ramjattan said that he is pleased that the President stayed the transfer so that he could have had an input in the process. He disclosed that he will soon be making a decision on the Police transfers since he has been consulting with top officials on the reconfiguration. “I have since been asking around and consulting with other Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners, and Commanders of Divisions and even those persons who are to be reconfigured. I have gotten their opinions and I will soon make a decision as to whether I will go along 100 per cent with the Commissioner or I will tweak it and make some inputs myself or and ask him to have those implemented instead of his,” the National Security Minister explained. According to Ramjattan, he is awaiting the return of the Top Cop to have final discussions before a discussion is made. Commissioner Persaud was expected to return from a three-day overseas training session on security matters. However, Ramjattan previously told Guyana Times that he had already met with the Police Commissioner and discussed the list of transfers and other matters of importance to the GPF. The Minister iterated that he wanted the best protection for citizens, thus it warranted the best leaders in the Force. While the decision on the transfers is pending, Crime Chief Leslie James remains at the helm of the Criminal Investigations
National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
Department, while Wendell Blanhum remains his deputy. The proposed transfers had stipulated that Blanhum would take over the Crime Chief position, while the incumbent would be assigned to the Police Commissioner’s Office. Although Blanhum is well qualified and has served 16 years in the Criminal Investigations Department, some thought that his appointment was premature. However, the Top Cop has the authority to make changes within the Police Force. One transfer that has taken immediate effect is that of former B Division Commander Brian Joseph as head of the Presidential Guard Service. This would have taken place mere days after David Granger was sworn in as Guyana’s eighth Executive President. At that time, the other transfers were put on hold after the President intervened. At that time, the Minister was not sworn in. Apart from the removal of James as Crime Chief, some other transfers were announced in B Division (Berbice) as well as C Division (East Coast Demerara), D Division (West Bank DemeraraEast Bank Essequibo) and E Division (LindenKwakwani). Presently, Christopher Griffith who commands C Division is expected to be interchanged with D Division, which will also see Marlon Chapman being reassigned. Calvin Brutus who heads E Division is expected to take up a position in B Division. In addition, there are expected to be some minor changes in the Traffic Department at headquarters.
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Local justice sector to benefit from Canadian grant
Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Basil Williams along with the Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles at his office on Friday morning
T
he local justice system is expected to benefit from a Canadian grant that will see the enhancement of certain key areas within the judicial sector. This announcement was made by newly appointed Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, following a courtesy call by the Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles. The grant is part of a Justice Education Society Project that will see Guyana partnering with a Canadian non-government organisation to strengthen the justice system in the areas of crime scene investigation to Police investigations, prosecution of cases and the hearing of cases by judges. According to the Attorney General, the grant was discussed during a brief meeting with the High Commissioner at his Carmichael Street, Georgetown, office on Friday morning. He disclosed that during the meeting, they discussed several developmental programmes that the North American country has interest in. “Her Excellency has indicated to me that Canada has, in really what was unprecedented, approved a Cdn$750,000 grant to us to look at certain aspects of improving the justice system in Guyana… such as legislative drafting, improving the administration of the courts, swearing in of Judges and lawyers among other things,” he outlined. Williams added too that the grant will also be plugged into improving certain administrative matters such as due delays and the backlog of cases.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Giles detailed that the grant to Guyana was announced by the Canadian Prime Minister at the recent Summit of the Americas. She noted that through this grant, her Government will get to work along with Guyana to improve its justice sector. “We believe in Guyana there are strong opportunities to make a difference to improve the justice system. I think everybody accepts that the impunity rates are not acceptable at this point in time and there is also very strong will on behalf of the Police and the Prosecutors, the judiciary and the courts to try to address that. So we have a strong partner and strong opportunities to make a difference and that’s why we want to work with Guyana,” the Canadian High Commission added. Some of the key stakeholders that the Canadian High Commission will be working closely with in a few months when the project is implemented include the Attorney General office, the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Guyana Police Force. In addition to this grant, Dr Giles disclosed that there are two other multimilliondollar regional justice programmes for the Caribbean of which Guyana is one of the key beneficiaries. She highlighted that the programmes are under Canada’s Regional Development Programme for the Caribbean. One of the project will be implemented through the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the other through the University of the West Indies (UWI).
In observance of World Environment Day, Education Ministry receives books
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n observance of World Environment Day, Conservation InternationalGuyana, WWF-Guianas, and the Iwokrama International Centre presented a quantity of books entitled Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World written by Dr Graham Watkins to the Education Ministry for distribution to secondary schools and other educational and cultural institutions. The handing over ceremony was held at the St Stanislaus College Secondary School on June 5. Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine in acknowledging the significance of the World Environment Day theme, “Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet: Consume with Care,” posited that everyone has a responsibility to live in such a manner that
resources are not wasted. He added that, “we should not pollute our rivers and creeks with garbage, poisons and mining run offs. It means we must not cut down our forests in a manner that does not bring benefits, firstly to the people of Guyana and Guyana as a whole, through economic benefits.” He said that this means that the country must get the maximum returns from the logging industry. The Minister also said that skills are needed to make value added products from the logs but it must be done in a matter that leaves trees standing. “That is what resource efficiency and conservation means. There is a wellknown saying: we have not inherited the earth from our parents, we have borrowed it from our grandchildren.
And if you think about that, it means we have to be very careful to give them back at least what we borrowed and more,” he noted. Dr Roopnaraine pledged that he will do his utmost to ensure that all the necessary tools are provided for students to receive a good quality education. “As a person who benefited all my life from free education in the finest of schools and universities, I wish to pledge to you and your grandchildren that I will do my utmost to ensure that you are provided with the tools you need: good and well equipped class rooms, vibrant with music and culture, nutritious school meals as needed and high quality education to make your dreams real so that you can live not only to your full human potential, but live and grow as the most valuable asset
to our Guyana”. Twenty-one schools were present for the symbolic handing over of the books. The remainder will be distributed to secondary schools throughout the country via the Ministry’s Book Distribution Unit. Books were also presented to the Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe. World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries.
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saturday, june 6, 2015
News
Dr Barton Scotland tipped Pomeroon coconut farmers to be Speaker – sources meeting to discuss disease F A
fter much deliberation between the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (AFC+APNU) Government, civil society member Dr Barton Scotland is reportedly set to be the Speaker of the 11th Parliament. Well-placed sources have revealed that the former senior diplomat of the Foreign Affairs Ministry will take up his seat when Parliament convenes on June 10. Dr Scotland’s appointment comes at a time when several names had also been touted to take up the post. Former Justice of Appeal, Claudette Singh was the first civil society member named to take up the position. However, this was never confirmed by either Singh, who is also the legal adviser to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) or any senior member of Government. Recently, reports surfaced that practising Attorney Roysdale Forde had also been nominated by the AFC component of the coalition, as the most suitable candidate for the position. He was said to be alongside colleague Stephen Fraser. None of these recommendations were confirmed. According to the Cummingsburg Accord – signed between APNU and the AFC, the Speaker would have to be chosen
from civil society, in an effort to remain neutral and balanced and to maintain order in the National Assembly. Scotland, who holds a Master of Law degree and a PhD in International Law, has held various diplomatic posts and served as an adviser to the Foreign Affairs Ministry back in 2012. He also headed the Department of International Economic Cooperation under the Desmond Hoyte led People’s National Congress (PNC) Government. He also served as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Caricom Competition Commission (CCC) launched in 2008. Dr Scotland works in private practice in the areas of natural resources and investment law, negotiations and international law. After each General Election, a Speaker is selected (not being a Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary) or any other suitable person to preside over the proceedings of the House. The Speaker oversees the administration of the House and chairs several committees including the Parliamentary Management Committee. The Speaker is also the spokesperson and representative of the National Assembly in its relations with the executive and other bodies outside of the House. Meanwhile, according to the President’s proclamation, the sitting of the
11th Parliament will be convened on Wednesday, June 10 at 14:00h. According to Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, currently minor rehabilitative work was ongoing along with major clean-up activity in preparation for the big day. He said he was also working on the programme for the opening session, which will see the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, senior political leaders and the family members of the Members of Parliament (MPs). He is currently putting together the invitation to be sent to the special invitees. After an inactive nine months, parliamentarians will gather in the legislative chamber. However, the tables will be turned as the Government which existed in the 10th Parliament will now be sitting on the Opposition side. Threatened with a NoConfidence Motion tabled by the then junior Opposition party, the AFC, former President Donald Ramotar prorogued Parliament on November 10, last year. The prorogation came at the end of the three-month recess which began in August. Following the prorogation, Ramotar dissolved Parliament and called elections in May this year which resulted in his party losing power to the APNU+AFC coalition led by President David Granger.
ollowing numerous complaints made in the media about a disease that is affecting Pomeroon coconut farmers, the Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will be hosting meetings with farmers in the Lower Pomeroon. According to Regional
Agriculture Officer Khemraj Khandai, two meetings will be held with coconut farmers in the Pomeroon on June 9 and 10 to address the Red Palm Mite disease. The disease has taken a toll on the industry affecting the growth off coconut plants in the Lower Pomeroon River. Khandai said the meeting on June 9 will be held from 13:00h at Friendship Cricket Ground, while on
Wednesday, June 10, the meeting will be held at Ms Vilma Da Silva’s residence at Grant Beach Profit in the Lower Pomeroon River. Farmers are encouraged to attend those meetings. Technical advice will be given on how to treat the disease. Farmers have been complaining that they are losing thousands of dollars in sales owing to the disease.
26-yr-old charged with Tain double murder
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26-year-old man was charged with murdering his ex–wife and her companion in the wee hours of Wednesday, June 3.Based on reports, the man entered the dwelling home of his ex-wife’s lover and hacked them both to death. According to information received, he waited until the two retired to bed before making his move. Using two buckets, Boodhoo elevated himself and then removed the grill from a window of the bottom using a crow bar. After gaining access he ventured to the upper flat where he committed the horrific act. Ian Boodhoo of Number Three Settlement, Blairmont, West Coast Berbice faced the capital offence of murder when he made an appearance at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court on Friday, June 5, before Magistrate Charlyn Artiga. Boodhoo, who showed no sign of remorse and sported a calm look, was unrepresent-
ed and not required answer to the indictable charged. The charge read that, sometime between midnight and 03:00h on June 3, he murdered United States based Guyanese Ramdat Persaud called “Buddy”, 56 years old of 62 Clifton Settlement, Tain and Queens ,New York, and 38-year-old Parbattie Vrayuen called “Nicki” of Kilcoy Village ,Corentyne. The bodies of the couple were discovered at around 06:30h by a relative of Persaud, who noticed a broken window on the lower flat of the home. According to reports, after a troubling two years together, Vrayuen on June 1 indicated to Boodhoo that she no longer want to continue their relationship. It was noted that he would harass and threaten her on many occasions. This move annoyed Boodhoo as he had hopes of reuniting with her. Meanwhile, a friend of Persaud indicated to this publication that on sever-
al occasions Boodhoo had threatened him, and would often spends hours at the stalls of the market, located in front of Persaud’s home, often calling him and verbally abusing him in his cellular phone. This caused Persaud to change his phone number. A few months ago, Persaud was also attacked by Boodhoo and was hospitalised for several months; on that occasion he was chopped to the head with an axe causing him to suffer cranium fracture. Friends and relatives believe if he had taken the threats, stalking and previous actions seriously, he would still be alive today. Swift action by the Police led to the arrest of Boodhoo a few hours after the disturbing incident, which sent shockwave throughout Berbice, occurred. He is expected to return to court on July 13, where the matter has been transferred to the Whim Magistrate’s Court.
Colombian Police launch 2 Haitians dead, more than 100 search for kidnapped girl detained in illegal boat landing
A major search operation is underway to find the kidnapped schoolgirl
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widescale rescue operation has been launched by the Colombian Government to find the kidnapped 11-yearold daughter of a high profile security official. Daniela Mora was taken on Thursday. Her father, Diego Mora, is Director of the
National Protection Unit of Colombia. The unit is responsible for providing protection for people who are considered to be at risk. This sort of high profile kidnapping has become unusual in recent years, says the BBC’s Natalio Cosoy.
Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo said the country’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, had ordered that all necessary resources are used to find Daniela. “This is no doubt a kidnap. We have deployed an operation,” Cristo said. The kidnapping took place in the northern city of Cucuta, on the border with Venezuela. The girl was taken by a group of unknown men as she was being driven out of her school in a bulletproof car. Authorities found the car and her driver a few hours later after tracking the vehicle’s GPS (Global Positioning System), but have not been able to trace the girl any further. National Police Director Rodolfo Palomino told local media that a call had been received from what could be the kidnappers. (BBC News)
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he bodies of two people believed to have been among Haitians who entered The Bahamas by boat illegally, have washed ashore in the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. And Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell is pushing for murder charges to be added to the charges which the boat captain now faces. Several others, including Bahamians and Haitians living in the Bahamas with work permits are facing charges. Speaking in Parliament after the first body was discovered, Mitchell said, “We believe it is connected with the landing at Eleuthera. We think that we may have identified the captain of the vessel and our intention is to recommend murder charges if the evidence bears it out. This once again underlines the seriousness of this matter to the Bahamas.”
A defence boat carrying some of the illegal immigrants
The Bahamas Department of Immigration said in a statement that it appeared there were two landings at Eluethera and it had managed to detain 73 people, 24 of whom were apprehended earlier in the week and 49 who were taken into custody following a search of the island. The Eleutheran newspaper reported that authorities said another 20 were detained up to midday yes-
terday – 13 in an abandoned house in Weymss Bight and seven on the Bannerman Town beach. The Department of Immigration said the captains of the two vessels will be charged for assisting in the illegal landings. Additionally, it said three Haitian nationals and a Bahamian national will be charged under the amended Immigration Act for harbouring illegal persons.
(Excerpt from Caribbean 360)
saturday, june 6, 2015
guyanatimesgy.com
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Around the World
8 out of 10 Malala suspects Millions of US Govt workers hit by data breach secretly acquitted C E ight of the 10 men reportedly jailed for the attempted assassination of Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai were acquitted, it has emerged. In April, officials in Pakistan said that 10 Taliban fighters had been found guilty and received 25-year jail terms. But sources have now confirmed to the BBC that only two of the men who stood trial were convicted. The secrecy surrounding the trial, which was held behind closed doors, raised suspicions over its validity.
The court judgement, seen for the first time on Friday more than a month after the trial, claims that the two men convicted were those who shot Yousafzai in 2012. It was previously thought that both the gunmen and the man who ordered the attack had fled to Afghanistan. Muneer Ahmed, a spokesman for the Pakistani High Commission in London, said on Friday that the eight men were acquitted because of a lack of evidence. Saleem Marwat, the District Police Chief in Swat, Pakistan, separately confirmed that
only two men had been convicted. But Sayed Naeem, a Public Prosecutor in Swat, said after the trial, “Each militant got 25 years in jail. It is life in prison for the 10 militants who were tried by an anti-terrorist court.” In Pakistan, a life sentence is 25 years. The acquittals emerged after reporters from the London-based Daily Mirror attempted to locate the 10 convicted men in prisons in Pakistan. The whereabouts of the eight acquitted men is not known. (Excerpt from BBC News)
hinese hackers are suspected of carrying out a “massive breach” of the personal data of nearly four million United States (US) Government workers, officials said. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed that both current and past employees had been affected. The breach could potentially affect every federal agency, officials said. US officials said the hackers were believed to be based in China. OPM said it became aware of the breach in April during an “aggressive effort” to update its cyber security systems. It stated that it
5 suspects charged over Kenya university massacre
would be contacting all those individuals whose personal data may have been breached in the coming weeks, and offering them 18 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft insurance. OPM serves as the Human Resource Department for the Federal Government. The agency issues security clearances and compiles records of all Federal Government employees. Information stored on OPM databases includes employee job assignments, performance reviews and training, according to officials. Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the hackers
were believed to be based in China. She called the breach “yet another indication of a foreign power probing successfully and focusing on what appears to be data that would identify people with security clearances”. But China denied there was any official involvement in the attack. “Cyber attacks are generally anonymous and conducted across borders and their origins are hard to trace,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular briefing. “Not to carry out a deep investigation and keep using words such as ‘possible’ is irresponsible and unscientific.” (Excerpt from BBC News)
Former Iraqi deputy PM dies in prison
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Former Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz
The five suspects charged
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enyan Police have charged five men in connection with the attack by the armed group alShabab on a university in eastern Kenya in April in which 148 people were killed. The five men pleaded not guilty to 152 counts of committing acts of terrorism in a Nairobi court on Thursday afternoon. Four al-Shabab gunmen stormed the Garissa University College at dawn on April 2. The attack went on for hours before it finally ended by a Specialised Police Unit and
the four men were killed. The prosecution alleges that the five suspects colluded to carry out the attack, but have not said what their roles were. Prosecutor Daniel Karuri urged the court to deny the suspects bail. Magistrate Daniel Ochenja directed that they be imprisoned until June 11, when the court will determine whether they will be granted bail. The five suspects complained they were tortured for 10 consecutive days as Anti-terrorism Police tried to
force confessions from them. Speaking through an interpreter, the four Somalis and a Tanzanian claimed their heads were forced into buckets full of water, and that they were electrocuted and whipped after they denied involvement in the attack. Al-Shabab has vowed to carry out attacks against Kenya for sending its troops to Somalia to fight the armed group. Kenya has experienced a wave of explosive and gun attacks since October 2011 when its troops went into Somalia. (Except from Al Jazeera)
ariq Aziz, Iraq’s former Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Foreign Minister, has died in prison aged 79 years old. Iraqi officials said Aziz, who was one of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s top deputies, died on Friday afternoon after suffering a heart attack on Thursday. Al Jazeera has learnt that Aziz’s son, Ziad, expressed outrage that Iraqi officials had not informed him of his father’s death, and he had instead found out through local media reports. Aziz was Iraq’s Foreign Minister between 1983 and 1991 and Deputy Prime Minister between 1979 and 2003. He was sentenced to death by the Iraqi High Tribunal in 2010 for his role in human-rights abuses committed under the former Government, which was overthrown in 2003 when
Iraq was invaded by a United States (US)-led alliance. Aziz surrendered to US forces shortly after the invasion and had been a prisoner since. Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from Baghdad, said that Aziz was one of the most hated figures from the old regime and Iraqi TV stations had largely ignored his death. “There will be no eulogies for him, no day of mourning for him. He was hated as a member of the former regime,” he said. One of the best known faces of Saddam’s Iraq, Aziz travelled globally where he defended his leader from the many allegations of abuses he was accused of. Aziz remained loyal to his boss in the aftermath of defeat during that war, and through the 12 years of sanctions that followed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
OPEC agrees to keep pumping Court backs France over right to die as oil glut fears persist
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il group OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) agreed to stick by its policy of unconstrained output for another six months on Friday, setting aside warnings of a second lurch lower in prices as some members such as Iran look to ramp up exports. Concluding a meeting with no apparent dissent, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said OPEC had rolled over its current output ceiling, renewing support for the shock market treatment it doled out late last year when the world's top supplier said it would no longer cut output to keep prices high. With oil prices having rebounded by more than a third after hitting a six-year, officials meeting in Vienna saw little reason to tinker with a strategy that seems to have resurrected moribund growth
in world oil consumption. "You'll be surprised how amicable the meeting was," Naimi told reporters after the meeting. Oil prices rose by nearly US$1 a barrel after the decision, paring some of this week's losses on news that OPEC had not raised its output ceiling to match current output levels that are much higher, as a handful of analysts had suggested. Friday's decision defers discussion of several tricky questions set to arise in the coming months as members such as Iran and Libya prepare to reopen the taps after years of diminished production. OPEC Secretary-General Abdullah al-Badri, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said he saw the oil market as "very positive". "The economy is growing, demand is growing. We see non-OPEC supply is not growing as in the past," Badri said.. (Excerpt from Reuters)
V
Vincent Lambert
incent Lambert, 39, has been in a coma for seven years after a motorcycle accident left him tetraplegic. His family have been split over whether he should be kept alive. The case was taken to the European court last year after France’s highest court had ruled in favour of ending his life support. It sparked fierce debate in
France where euthanasia is illegal, although doctors can withdraw care under a 2005 passive euthanasia law. The court in Strasbourg ruled on Friday that the decision to stop intravenously feeding Lambert did not violate European rights laws. Lambert has been kept alive with the use of intravenous food and water at a hospital in Reims
in north-eastern France. His wife, Rachel, and some of his brothers and sisters had agreed with doctors’ recommendation that his life should be ended as there was no hope of recovery. However Lambert’s parents, who are said to be devout Roman Catholics, and other siblings say he has shown signs of progress and believes that he just needs better care. They took the case to Strasbourg after France’s highest court ruled last year in favour of ending Lambert’s life support. And their lawyer hinted before the ruling that they would fight on if it went against them. Jean Paillot said the decision to stop life support “was taken by a doctor and can only be carried out by this doctor”, who is no longer in charge of Vincent Lambert’s care. He said they would seek a new medical decision through the French courts. (Excerpt from BBC News)
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saturday, june 6, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com
Family Court to be opened GECOM Commissioner next month – Chancellor Release of disaggregated elections results…
forced to write CEO
GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj BY MICHAEL YOUNGE
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hief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield is yet to release the disaggregated results emanating from the May 11 General and Regional Elections, even after he was ordered to do so by a unanimous decision of the GECOM. This has forced GECOM Commissioner, Attorney Sase Gunraj to write the
CEO renewing his request for the information which was promised to the Commissioners at the Commission’s June 2 meeting. Gunraj recalled that at that meeting, the CEO indicated to the Commission that the disaggregated results were ready, explaining that it was the expectation of the Commission that these results would have been released with dispatch. “This decision followed a previous formal request I made to the Chief Elections Officer for, inter alia, the said results. Additionally, the Carter Centre, in a preliminary report on the 2015 General and Regional Elections, urged GECOM to make complete data available as quickly as possible regarding results at the polling station level”, he said in a statement to the media. Gunraj said that he has personally made several attempts to contact the Office of the Chief Elections Officer, for the promised results, without success. He advised that up to June 5, Lowenfield is yet to provide these results and as a consequence, he was
GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield
forced to write to the CEO. In the letter seen by Guyana Times, Gunraj made a special renewed written request for the information. GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally is copied on the correspondence. It is unclear why the CEO has refused to comply with the simple request made by the Commissioners and the Opposition party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic which is alleging that the elections were fraudulent and rigged internally at the level of the Commission.
BY ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON
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hancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh says Guyana’s first Family Court is expected to be opened next month, five years after the edifice was completed. Singh speaking to media operatives on Friday said that several changes to the Rules of Court were now ready for the consideration of the National Assembly which will have the responsibility for their passage or non-passage. He said that he is expected to transmit the same Rules of Court to newly appointed Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams who would lay them in Parliament when the House convenes. “We now have to await the sitting of the National Assembly which I read in
dren in this court were highlighted by several Justices as they explained the changes that have been implemented for more efficiency at the Family Court. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards explained to the assembled legal practitioners that the overriding objective of the rules before them is “to enable the court to deal with family matters justly and in a way which proceeding that involves children gives them first and foremost priority.” She elaborated this to mean that the court is obligated to ensure that the contending parties are on an equal footing and not prejudiced due to financial advantages, settlements are encouraged through the alternative dispute resolutions which can permanently put an end to the issue, proportionality, expedi-
Rules (FCR) was elaborated upon by Justice Brassington Reynolds. He detailed that time will play an important part in the various regulations and protocols of the court. Justice Reynolds told the legal practitioners present that the “rules will serve to guide litigants information and education. However, “it does not necessarily prohibit bad habits”, the Justice said. This he relegated to the implementations of the sanctions. He explained that these changes will be quite groundbreaking for the new court in to enable quick resolutions in matters and also a tighter control on the number of cases that comes and goes. This was further elaborated upon by Justice Rozanne George and Justice Sandra Kurtzious who enlightened the practitioners
Port Mourant man found dead in Backdam
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he Guyana Police Force said in a release that the decomposing body of male was discovered in Port Mourant, Berbice, on Friday morning.
The dead man has been identified as Sasenarine Baljit, age 41, of Clifton Settlement, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice. The body was found at about
07:00h on Friday morning in Tain Backdam, Corentyne, with suspected shotgun injuries. Investigations are in progress.
The legal practitioners at the seminar on Friday
the papers will happen in the new week. I have spoken with the Attorney General and the revised rules will be transmitted to him,” he said. Justice Singh explained that a number of factors were responsible for the delay in the operationalisation, completion and opening of the new court before indicating that it will have its full complement of resources and staff. Justice Singh made the comments just as a training seminar for legal practitioners was underway on Friday. Practitioners interested in family law packed the conference room at the Georgetown Club on Friday morning where a seminar was held to highlight the new rules of the newly constructed Family Court. The seminar was attended by Justice Singh and Marianna Flach, UNICEF Country Representative. Rules, protocols, the changes in case management, filing of applications and the importance of chil-
tiously and also the parties expense are to be considered. The Judge quoted a ruling that had been made by Justice Lord Woolf on a English Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), that “the achievement of the right result needs to be balanced against the expenditure of time and money needed to achieve that result.” The second aspect of the overriding objective, according to Justice CummingsEdwards, however, is to give paramount consideration to the welfare of children, if involved. She detailed that no matter the case, the capability of parents, cultural, economic and other background of the child needs to be considered. She stated that the court have discretion to apply these aspects of the overriding objective nevertheless, as long as it is in line with the laid out rules created for guidance. The application of and transition of old matters under the new Family Court
of the new provisions of the FCR and the various changes made in applications and direction hearings. The Justices explained the complex workings and fine rules that make up the numerous applications, originating and procedural and how they should be filed. The seminar went on all day with Justices Dawn Gregory and others presenting on the various technicalities with which the FCR will be managed by. To conclude the seminar, several case studies were put forward to the legal minds in the room and there were opportunities for questions to be put forward. The overall response from the legal minds at the conference room of the Georgetown Club stated that they have their work cut out for them once the Family Court opens. Nevertheless, it was agreed that the relevant protocols and rules should indeed enable the purposive approach being taken by the court.
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saturday, june 6, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com
Digicel assists visually impaired student
Communication manager, Vidya Bijlall-Sanichara hands over the laptop to Adelphian Adams
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delphian Adams was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an inherited disease that affect the photoreceptor (light sensing) cells responsible for capturing images from the visual field. It has since progressed as a result of aging and affects him severely in the evenings. He can make out objects and colours during the day, and can subsequently move around on his own. However he needs assistance in the evenings. Adams was eager to finish high school but since this disease is a progressive one he was forced to quit
school before completing his Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. He is now a part of the Guyana Society for the Blind, where he and one of his bothers with the same condition previous took CSEC classes together after leaving high school. He has since been on the path to completely May/June examinations in the subject areas of Human and Social Biology, Social Studies, English A, Principal of Business and Office Administration. Adams was relentless in his bid for assistance from Digicel. He approached
them almost daily for a donation of a laptop to continue his studies, since his previous one is not in working order. “Since Digicel came to Guyana I loved the company...Digicel is always helping persons and communities, and always getting things done in the community. I reached out and my humble request was kindly granted. I am so grateful to Digicel for assisting me,” he stated. Adams will be assisted with loading the JAWS (Job Access With Speech) software for the visually impaired on the laptop so he can continue his studies. After completing CSEC, Adams hopes to someday own his own business. Adams indicated that he would like to return to the Guyana Society for the Blind in the future to assist visually impaired persons on how to use the computer. Adams is married and his wife is a teacher. He hopes to one day be able to join her in the workforce so they can start their family. Digicel Communications Manger, Vidya BijlallSanichara, stated that, “Digicel is not only about assisting communities and organisations, but we are also inclined to assist individuals that are forward thinking and would like to help others in one way or the other.”
Forensic audit for Georgetown’s cleanup fund
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he David Grangerled administration is keen on investigating what has become of the $500 million allocated to the city of Georgetown’s “Clean Up my Country” campaign fund. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration had last year allocated some $1 billion towards the campaign, an initiative with an objective of providing extensive restoration across the country. Out of that amount, $500 million was set aside for the clean-up of the capital. However criticisms mounted that while such a hefty sum was pumped into the city’s clean-up, there
has not been any significant change. Under the Georgetown aspect of the “Clean Up my Country” programme, some 63 communities from Agricola to Atlantic Ville engaged in community cleanup activities; a total of 75 groups had signed on to the project, which saw 2239 community enhancement workers employed for the massive cleanup programme. The programme had also set aside $100 million for the clean-up of the Le Repentir cemetery in Lodge, Georgetown. Asked by journalist about that project, Public Infrastructure Minister
David Patterson said, “We all know why I’m here. The country knows why I’m here. One of the things that came out of Cabinet is forensic auditing. This is our responsibility now and we fully intend to look after it. It is our baby, malnourished, deformed or whatever it is. How it got so, that is a question for the forensic auditors to answer, but we are here to nourish it back to health.” Commenting on the unaccounted for allocation, Patterson assured, “Where your $500 million went, I can’t say. There is a department that will be looking at that.”
Carpenter remanded to prison for having sex with 7-year-old girl
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hirty-five-year-old Leroy Fredericks of Onderneeming Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Friday remanded to prison charged for having sex with a seven-year-old girl. Fredericks made his first appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. He was charged with rape of a child under
the age of 16. The charge stated that on May 31, Fredericks sexually penetrated a child under the age of 16 at his home. Representing Fredericks was Attorney-at-Law Haimraj Ramjkumar, who said his client was before the court for the first time. He added that Fredericks was not a flight risk and has a permanent place of abode.
Bail was objected to by Police Prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack on the grounds that the offence was prevalent, the child in question was seven and has been hospitalised. She was later discharged. Bail was refused by Magistrate Scarce and the defendant was remanded until June 26, for statements at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.
Gunmen cart off over $6M in items from electronics store ...staff tied up, beaten
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hree bandits on Friday carted off with over $6 million in electronics from Local Tech Electronics store on Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, in a brazen daylight robbery. Reports reaching Guyana Times revealed that the men entered the building under the pretence of purchasing a handset. As they looked around, the men who were not masked pulled out handguns and demanded the General Manager and another staff lay face down on the floor. They then proceeded to tie up the General Manager and locked him in a wash
room after which they ransacked the business place. The other employee was reportedly beaten and forced to open a door that leads to the store room. There, the men collected a quantity of high-end phones, several Samsung tablets, at least three lap tops, a television set and other valuable pieces of devices. They also collected a quantity of money from the cash register. After committing the act, they went to the CCTV system where they removed the logs hence; there is no footage of the robbery. The men reportedly made their
escape in a white Toyota 212. The furious General Manager told media operative that after the robbery, he contacted the Kitty Police Station which is a stone’s throw away from the business place but up to 20 minutes after the robbery, the law men were yet to show up. The General Manager who asked to remain anonymous stated that he was fearful for his life. This was the first time the store was robbed, according to him. The Police have since dusted the store for possible finger prints as they continue their investigations.
Minibus driver on $125,000 bail for causing death by dangerous driving
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minibus driver was on Friday placed on $125,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Mahendra Moonsammy, 29, a bus driver of 177 Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on January 15 at Kitty, he drove a minibus in a dangerous manner causing the death of Devon Forde. According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question at 04:30h, the defendant was at home when he heard his vehicle’s alarm go off. Upon checking, he discovered Forde and others in his yard and they subsequently sped away on a motorcycle. Moonsammy gave chase in his minibus and collided with the motorcycle
The defendant Mahendra Moonsammy
some distance away. During the collision, Forde was thrown off of the motorcycle and received injuries. He died while receiving treatment at the hospital. The defendant’s legal representative stated that his client was willing to lodge his passport with the court if granted bail as he was not a flight risk. It was revealed that the defendant paid $30,000 station bail and is cooperating with the
investigation. The prosecution made no objections to bail which was granted on the condition that the defendant report to the Kitty Police Station every Friday at 17:00h. The matter will return to court on June 29. Forde had related a different version of the incident before he died, claiming that he was just riding on the roadway when the defendant collided with him.
Probation and Youth Officers trained in coaching methodology
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he United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) programme conducted a twoday training programme for Probation and Youth Officers in the programme’s coaching methodology, which concluded on Friday. The training, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection and the Ministry of Education (Department of Culture, Youth and Sports), built the capacity of the officers, allowing them to enhance their skills in coaching and mentoring at-risk youth and other youth in a more interactive manner by focusing on youths’ talents and individual strengths. This coaching approach enables youth to develop in a sustained manner and ultimately reduces their vulnerability to acts of crime
and violence. At the opening ceremony on Thursday, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence gave the keynote address. She emphasised the importance of education for youth, as well as the critical role of adults and institutions to take responsibility in the guidance, care and protection of youth. Minister Lawrence urged participants particularly those from her subject Ministry to participate fully in the training activity so that they can acquire enhanced skills to help the at-risk youth with whom they will interact. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires (a.i.) Peter Anthes thanked partners in Government and other sectors for continuing to support the goals and objectives of the SKYE programme and remarked that “in order for this work to be expanded and for partners to reach increas-
ing numbers of youth and ensure that they continue to receive support during and beyond the existence of the SKYE programme, we must deepen our partnerships, with Government and other partners, transferring technical capability and sharing tools that are proven successes.” Participants were also briefed by the main facilitator of the training, distinguished Professor Erik Butler from the Educational Development Centre, the implementing agency for the USAID SKYE programme, who shared the expectation that the training would be equally beneficial to participants and trainers as it provided a forum for sharing experiences and expectations. Going forward, the use of the coaching in serving youth populations will be monitored and adjustments made as necessary, in order to improve effectiveness.
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guyanatimesgy.com
saturday, june 6, 2015
ARCHIE
You will find yourself sinking if you take on too many (March 21- projects at once. Don’t make April 19) lofty promises or commitments. Complete one task at a time in order to excel. ARIES
Your appeal is strong, TAURUS drawing people to your side. (April 20- Love is on the rise, and playMay 20) ful action will bring a positive response. Enjoy the moment, but don’t go over budget.
dilbert
You have more options at GEMINI your disposal than you real(May 21ize. Use your resourcefulness June 20) to fulfill your creative ideas. You have the stamina and dedication required to reach your goals. CANCER (June 21July 22)
Peanuts
Your eye for spotting trends is an asset. Don’t let old habits drag you down. Options and opportunities are taking shape. If you are hesitant, you will have trouble moving forward.
Consider what is necesLEO sary to ensure greater stabil(July 23ity. If you have gone as far as Aug. 22) you can in your current line of work, moving on will be in your best interest.
Calvin and Hobbes
It’s a good day to engage in VIRGO a distraction from your regu(Aug. 23lar routine. Take up a hobby, Sept. 22) sport or pastime that will put you in touch with enthusiastic people who will motivate you to chase your dream. Follow your heart. LIBRA Sticking with a position you (Sept. 23hate will make you resentOct. 23) ful and unhappy. Going after your dreams will take time, but the satisfaction that ensues will make it worthwhile.
SUDOKU
Don’t give up just because SCORPIO someone doesn’t understand (Oct. 24Nov. 22) or approve of your plans. Find someone who is in tune with what you want to do and form a positive, collaborative alliance. Some enjoyable recreaSAGITTARIUS tional time spent with friends (Nov. 23- or neighbors will lead to an Dec. 21) intriguing introduction. Your progressive ideas will find a sympathetic ear and a promising, lucrative partnership.
LAST PUBLISHED
solution
Your judgment will be CAPRICORN clouded by an enticing of(Dec. 22- fer filled with lots of conjecJan. 19) ture and little substance. Get promises in writing and go over the fine print before you proceed. AQUARIUS
Do something special for someone you care about. An (Jan. 20- outing or meaningful token Feb. 19) of affection and a commitment you make will strengthen your relationship and your future.
PISCES Take the plunge and get (Feb. 20- out and participate in comMarch 20) munity events. Your skills are worth sharing and will lead to projects based on your dependability and expertise.
saturday, june 6, 2015
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NBA finals…
Gayle force continues to Warriors overcome deliver as Somerset win Cavs in overtime C to take game 1
T
he Cleveland Cavaliers only scored two points in overtime as they went down to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. Not even a huge performance from LeBron James could stop Golden State as the Warriors claimed a 108100 overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the NBA Finals. James starred with a game-high 44 points, but the Warriors took a 1-0 series lead after dominating overtime. Steph Curry (26 points) and Klay Thompson (21) led the way for the Warriors, who capitalised on the Cavs’ struggles in OT as Cleveland scored just two points in the additional period. Making matters worse for the Cavs ahead of game two on Sunday, Kyrie Irving - already playing injured limped off late in the clash. He had 23 points, while Tristan Thompson pulled down 15 rebounds for Cleveland. The Cavs started the better as James’ 12 first-quarter points helped them into the lead. But the Warriors fought back and, with less than two minutes remaining in the
Stephen Curry
match, scores were level. Curry hit a jump shot with 53.6 seconds left to put the Warriors ahead, before Timofey Mozgov (16 points) made two free-throws after being fouled by Andrew Bogut. The main men had their chances to win it in regulation, but Curry missed a lay-up under pressure and James - followed by Iman Shumpert - squandered chances. Curry made four freethrows to start OT before Harrison Barnes hit a three to make it a 7-0 Warriors run. Golden State had scored 10 points before the Cavs finally scored in OT - James making a lay-up that meant nothing in the dying seconds. (Digicel Sportmax)
hris Gayle took his run tally in three NatWest T20 Blast innings for Somerset to 328 as his side beat Hampshire by eight wickets in front of a sell-out 6,500 Taunton crowd. The hosts reached a modest target of 168 with nine balls to spare, Gayle blasting an unbeaten 85 off 49 balls, with eight sixes and four fours, and Peter Trego 51. James Vince cracked an unbeaten 64 off 53 balls to help Hampshire to 167 for 3 after winning the toss, Sean Ervine contributing 30 at the death. But it never looked likely to be enough in excellent batting conditions. The Hampshire innings featured only two sixes on one of the smaller grounds on the county circuit. Both were hit over deep square, by Owais Shah in the 14th over and Sean Ervine in the 19th. By the end of the six overs of Powerplay the visitors were 51 for 1, having just lost Michael Carberry for 20 to a well-judged catch by James Hildreth on the square-leg boundary off Sohail Tanvir. Vince, who survived a stumping chance on 34, was never able to totally cut loose, but reached his halfcentury off 44 balls, with 6 fours, while Ervine provided some necessary late acceleration with a 17-ball cameo. Jim Allenby was the pick of the Somerset bowl-
ers, surprisingly bowling only three overs for 11 runs and the wicket of Shah, caught at midwicket for 16 with the total on 113. By then Hampshire had also
Gayle got the scoreboard moving with two sixes and a four off Chris Wood. Even so, it was only 38 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay. Trego had been dropped on
Chris Gayle’s imperious form continued
lost Jimmy Adams for 23, including four fours, a victim for Lewis Gregory, and Somerset could feel well satisfied with their bowling efforts in bright sunshine. The home side’s reply got off to a poor start when Marcus Trescothick, having faced five dot balls in the second over from Fidel Edwards, top-edged the sixth to third-man and departed for a single with the score on six. After four overs Somerset were becalmed on 17 for 1, thanks to a lively opening spell from Edwards. But
six by Shah at midwicket off Wood and was soon making Hampshire pay with sixes off Danny Briggs and Will Smith. Trego, the powerful allrounder outscored Gayle to move to his half-century off 32 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, before top-edging a catch to wicketkeeper Adam Wheater off Briggs. That over had also seen Gayle dropped on 36. The West Indies star was given another life by Smith off his own bowling in the next over and promptly hit the next delivery for his
fifth six. The sixth, a soaring straight hit, saw Gayle reach a 36-ball half-century after which the result was never in doubt. He ended the match with yet another maximum, punching the air in delight at another seemingly effortless display. “I’ll be having a few ciders with the lads to celebrate,” Somerset matchwinner Gayle said. “It was an important win for the team in the group because now we have two victories from four games and I’m delighted to scored some more runs. The crowd pumped me up at the end and I was able to finish the game with the six they were calling for. I love the atmosphere at Taunton and I’m looking forward to another home match against Surrey before I leave. I’m sorry my time here is so short because things could hardly have gone better. It was good team performance today. We bowled and fielded well.” Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “The crowd came to see Gayle and were royally entertained by a fantastic innings. From our point of view, we felt we were 15 runs short because Somerset bowled particularly well and then we failed to take our chances in the field, dropping both Trego and Gayle at vital times.”
(Cricinfo)
Fifa crisis: Ex-President Mbeki approved South Africa’s $10M S
outh Africa’s sports minister says the decision to donate $10m (£6.5m) to Fifa to develop Caribbean football was approved by then President Thabo Mbeki. The payment, which South Africa denies was a bribe to secure the 2010 World Cup, is central to the Fifa scandal. The claim comes after a letter emerged that appears to show officials seeking an indirect route for the transfer. South Africa’s government said the letter did not contradict its statement that this was a legitimate payment. It says the cash was to fund the development of football for the African diaspora in the Caribbean and that the reporting of the letter in South Africa’s Mail & Guardian was “regurgitation and sensation”.
The letter was written by then South Africa FA head Danny Jordaan three weeks before the first amount was paid in 2007. US prosecutors say the money, which is a key plank in the wideranging criminal inquiry that has engulfed world football’s governing body, was a bribe to Fifa officials. Seven top Fifa officials, including two vice-presidents, were arrested last week in Switzerland as they awaited Fifa’s congress. They were among 14 new indictments in the US investigation, which alleges they accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m over a 24year period. Four other people were charged earlier. One of them, exFifa official Chuck Blazer, has pleaded guilty in the US to taking bribes related to South Africa’s
Thabo Mbeki
bid. Sports Minister Fikile Mbulula confirmation’s that it was former President Thabo Mbeki who made the decision to donate $10m is not proof of a bribe.
The South African government maintains it was a legitimate payment. But together with the leaked letter from Danny Jordaan, it does show the lengths the government appeared to go to not to be associated with the transfer of funds and that the top man in South Africa sanctioned the payment. All this begs the question: If it was an above-board donation to boost Caribbean football, why the accounting gymnastics? Mr Mbeki has said in a statement that he was “not aware of anybody who solicited a bribe” in return for South Africa being awarded the right to host the 2010 World Cup. Mr Jordaan’s letter, dated three weeks before the first tranche of the $10m payment was made, sets out how the transfer was to be made - based on a prom-
ise - and honoured three years after South Africa won the right to host the tournament. The US indictment revealed a conundrum faced by the South African government; that it was unable to arrange payment directly from government funds. ‘Diaspora legacy’ On Friday, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula told the Beeld newspaper that Mr Mbeki had authorised the payment after he “spoke with the leadership of the 2010 World Cup local organising committee”. “[It was] the government’s idea,” he added. In a statement released last week when the scandal began, Mr Mbeki said: “I wish to state that the government that I had the privilege to lead would never have paid any bribe even if it were solicited.” (BBC Sport)
20 Chanderpaul’s age-defying Williams favourite stunts to cough up 3rd O French title S guyanatimesGY.com
saturday, june 6, 2015
ver a career that lasted 21 years, S h i v n a r i n e Chanderpaul played 57 Test series (excluding oneoff-Tests), of which only in 16 did he average below 30. That, in a nutshell, illustrates his consistency, even when playing for a relatively weak team for much of his career. There were instances when he batted for himself, which comes through in the number of times he remained not out among those who batted in the top seven, no one was unbeaten as often as he was (49 times). Yet, there is no arguing with the sort of numbers he stacked up. Only six batsmen have scored more Test runs than he has, while among West Indians he is second to Brian Lara. More than anything, though, it’s his consistency over a couple of decades that stands out: apart from a four-year period between 1998 and 2001, when he averaged 31, he hardly had a lean spell. His last six Tests (11 innings) fetched him 183 runs, which was the only other period when he didn’t pull his weight in the side. In the first third of his career, one aspect that Chanderpaul struggled with was in converting starts into centuries: after 49 Tests, he had two hundreds out of 24 fifty-plus scores. Through the rest of his career, though, he made up, scoring 28 hundreds in
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
115 matches - an average of one every 4.1 Tests. One of the features of Chanderpaul’s career was that he preferred to bat at No. 5 or 6 till the end of his career, instead of moving up the order as many batsmen tend to do when they gain experience and expertise. Out of the 11867 Test runs he scored in his entire career, 9411 - or 79% - of his aggregate came when batting at Nos. 5 or 6. Only Steve Waugh, with 9919 runs from 221 innings, has scored more from those two positions, while these two are the only batsmen to play 200 or more innings from these positions. Among the current batsmen, Michael Clarke and AB de Villiers have strong numbers at those positions, but both have moved up
the order after the retirements of Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis. Even after Brian Lara’s retirement, though, Chanderpaul preferred to stay at No. 5, while others like Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo took the No. 4 spot. Chanderpaul didn’t move up the order when Lara retired, but his batting certainly moved up a couple of notches. When Lara was around, Chanderpaul was already a solid middle-order batsman - he averaged almost 44 and scored 12 hundreds in the 84 Tests he played with Lara - but after Lara’s retirement, Chanderpaul’s batting really took off - in 80 Tests during this period, his average shot up to 61, and included 18 hundreds. Clearly, the added
responsibility of being the best batsman of the team helped him lift his game even further. And while Chanderpaul added more partnership runs and century stands with Lara than with any other batsman, his average partnership with Carl Hooper, Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan fetched more runs than his average partnership with Lara. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his career, though, is the runs he churned out even after the age of 35. While most other batsmen’s runscoring abilities diminish, Chanderpaul amassed 3291 runs after the age of 35, at an average of 57.73. His average is the second-best among batsmen who’ve scored at least 2000 Test runs after turning 35. That ability to churn out runs and hundreds even as the team performed poorly kept Chanderpaul going till the tour to South Africa late in 2014, when the runs finally dried up in five innings he managed 91 runs; six more innings against England at home fetched only 92, prompting the West Indian selectors to drop him for the series against Australia, and look towards younger talent. He may not play a Test match again, but the standards he has set are so high that any younger player replacing him will struggle to measure up. (Cricinfo)
Champions League final has exceeded B Juve’s expectations J
erena Williams is overwhelming favourite to win her third French Open on Saturday but after a tournament of surprises and an untimely bout of illness for the American, Czech Lucie Safarova will sense a rare opportunity. World number one Williams, 33, could not practise on Friday, still suffering from an illness that left her coughing and spluttering during her three-set semifinal win over Swiss Timea Bacsinszky. Thirteenth seed Safarova, meanwhile, warmed up for the biggest day of her career by winning the women’s doubles title alongside American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Williams has laboured to the final, losing the first set in four of her six matches against opponents with an average world ranking of 67. Yet in a tournament where high seeds were scattered liberally by the Paris winds, she survived, showing the hunger to add to her 19 career grand slam singles titles is insatiable. Safarova, on the other hand, arrived in her maiden grand slam final without dropping a solitary set and her six opponents, including defending champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, had average rankings of 24. That is where the good
news ends, though, for the 28-year-old Czech whose six career titles are dwarfed by the 66 belonging to the woman who will be on the other side of the net on Saturday. She has lost all eight previous meetings with Williams, 16 of the 19 sets they have contested and the last time they met in a final, three years ago in Charleston, she lost 6-0 6-1. “It’s first time for me, so it’s kind of new,” Safarova told reporters. “I mean, Serena is number one in the world, a great player. I will just go there and play my game and obviously try to get the trophy.” The outcome, as it usually is when Williams is playing, will largely be decided by her racket. If the American is fit and firing, it is hard to see lefthander Safarova being able to cope with her power and the occasion simultaneously. Williams, winner in Paris in 2002 and 2013, not only has another French Open crown to win, she also has Steffi Graf’s professional era record of 22 grand slam titles within reach. Should she win on Saturday she would be only two behind and with Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to come -- a calendar year slam would start to look a distinct possibility.
(Reuters)
Batting collapse sends...
uventus did not expect to reach the Champions League final and despite being underdogs on Saturday against Barcelona the Italian champions are hopeful of causing an upset, captain Gianluigi Buffon and coach Massimiliano Allegri said. One match away from winning their first ever treble after their domestic league and Cup double, Juventus face their biggest challenge this season when they take on the in-form Spaniards, who are chasing their second trio of titles after 2009. “Probably we did not think that this year would be a good year or ideal year to reach the final,” goalkeeper Buffon told reporters on Friday. “We thought it would take two or three so it was an unexpected surprise, a nice surprise.” “I think it would be fair to say objectively Barca are the favourites to win because they have great play-
ers with great skills,” Buffon said. “It’s only fair that a team with Messi, Suarez and Neymar are favourites,” said the former World Cup winner, chasing his first European crown at the age of 37. Juve, who have lifted the European title twice, won three consecutive league titles under previous coach Antonio Conte but failed to have any major impact in Europe before Allegri took over this season. Allegri said Juventus had set out to reach the quarter-finals as the Turin outfit adapted to his 4-4-2 system from a more aggressive lineup under Conte. “I tried to improve a team that was already at a high level. We started the season with an important objective that we wanted to get to the top eight and we now got to the final. So now we have to be first,” Allegri said. “How do we stop Messi, Suarez and Neymar, that’s the usual question. We have
to be very skilled but we also need to accept that we just cannot draw. We need to score,” said the coach. Barcelona’s South American trio have been sensational this season, netting 120 times between them in all competitions. “We need to attack their weaknesses. They have some like everyone. We need to think how to score and be technically skilled because Barca are also technically very strong.” Allegri will be without injured defender Giorgio Chiellini but said Andrea Barzagli was fit to play while Angelo Ogbonna was also an option for his backline. “We are sorry about Chiellini. We lost a player who accompanied us from the very beginning of a great season,” Allegri said. “But that is football. So tomorrow we need to take the final step however difficult it is.” (Reuters)
oth attacked Lyon, with Dowrich clearing the long-off ropes with the bowler in the sixth over after lunch and Samuels twice dancing down the wicket to collect a four and a six with straight hits, in the spinner’s next over. Samuels brought up his 22nd Test half-century, 50 minutes after lunch with a single off part-time spinner Adam Voges and Dowrich followed 20 minutes later, when he pulled Johnson to the mid-wicket ropes. Dowrich was looking increasingly likely to reach three figures when he got an an ordinary delivery from Hazlewood and lazily clipped it to a close-in midon, where Shane Watson snared the low offering, with tea beckoning. His dismissal set in train a period of misery for the Windies. Jermaine Blackwood never suggested permanence with a couple of loose strokes before tea and he added only six to his tea time score, before falling for 12 in the seventh over after the interval. He came down to the fifth ball of Lyon’s 22nd over, was deceived in flight and failed to make his
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ground before Brad Haddin had him stumped. Two balls later in the next over, Samuels’ essayed an injudicious hook at a short one from Johnson, and only managed to a topedge a catch to Starc at deep backward square – a carbon copy of his first innings dismissal. With the innings in freefall, captain Denesh Ramdin did little to renew hope, dragging an innocuous delivery from Lyon onto his stumps for three, at 206
for seven. Taylor was a blatant lbw casualty to Starc off the first ball he faced but Jason Holder, who was 12 not out at the end, freed his arms to gather two boundaries off the next over from Johnson. But the Aussies were in no mood for generosity and Starc finished off the innings clinically, bowling Devendra Bishoo (1) and Shannon Gabriel (0) off successive deliveries. (CMC)
SCOREBOARD
WEST INDIES 1st Innings 148 AUSTRALIA 1st Innings 318 WEST INDIES 2nd innings (overnight 25 for two) K Brathwaite b Starc 15 S Hope c Clarke b Johnson 2 D Bravo c Warner b Hazlewood 5 S Dowrich c Watson b Hazlewood 70 M Samuels c Starc b Johnson 74 J Blackwood st Haddin b Lyon 12 *+D Ramdin b Lyon 3 J Holder not out 12 J Taylor lbw b Starc 0 D Bishoo b Starc 1 S Gabriel b Starc 0 Extras (b11, lb10, w1) 22 TOTAL (all out, 86 overs) 216 Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Hope), 2-21 (Brathwaite), 3-37
(Bravo), 4-181 (Dowrich), 5-198 (Blackwood), 6-198 (Samuels), 7-206 (Ramdin), 8-206 (Taylor), 9-216 (Bishoo), 10-216 (Gabriel) Bowling: Johnson 15-338-2 (w1), Starc 18-7-28-4, Hazlewood 16-7-17-2, Lyon 24-7-67-2, Smith 2-0-160, Watson 7-3-6-0, Voges 2-0-15-0, Clarke 2-0-8-0. AUSTRALIA 2nd Innings (target: 47 runs) S Marsh not out 13 D Warner c Bravo b Taylor 28 S Smith not out 5 Extras (nb1) 1 TOTAL (1 wkt, 5 overs) 47 Fall of wicket: 1-42. Bowling: Taylor 3-0-22-1, Gabriel 2-0-25-0 (nb1)
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Guinness to bring football icon Desailly to Jamaica
saturday, june 6, 2015
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Marcel Desailly
he Guinness Street Football Challenge Caribbean final, set to take place June 27-28, will see a special appearance by Guinness “Made of More” Ambassador and former French international football star, Marcel Desailly. The renowned footballer
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Desailly, in sharing his excitement, commented on the brilliant initiative by Guinness to incorporate players, community members and lovers of Guinness into one event. “Whether you are playing, supporting your community or just coming out
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The Guinness Greatest of the Streets has attracted massive crowd support over the past five years
is well-known as a member of the enigmatic French football team which won FIFA World Cup in 1998, as well as the European Championship in 2000. The professional footballer, popular for his unique style and combination of defensive, physical and mental skills, was also included, in 2004, as one of the world’s greatest living players on the ‘FIFA 100’ list of notable footballers compiled by Brazilian football legend, Pele. Speaking ahead of his appearance on the island,
to enjoy the entertainment, this is a fantastic initiative of Guinness that has been growing year after year and something I’m so delighted to be involved in. I can’t wait to see what the Caribbean has to offer. Come support your team, your community and enjoy Guinness responsibly,” he added. The former Champions League and FIFA World Cup winner will be joined by five-time Guinness world record holder and world-renowned professional football freestyler, Daniel Cutting. Now in its fifth year, the
Street Football Champion. The 10 teams will represent Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts, Aruba and newcomers Haiti. Guinness promises that the event will showcase over two days, nothing short of a thrilling spectacle of flair and style reflecting the culture of the Caribbean streets to the hundreds of spectators expected in attendance and thousands of viewers across the Caribbean.
Woods narrowly makes the cut at Memorial Tournament
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iger Woods made the cut by one shot but England’s Andy Sullivan was only two off the lead at the halfway stage of the Memorial Tournament in Ohio. A frustrated Woods bogeyed the 16th and 17th and needed to par the last for a 70 to make the cut at one under. Sullivan, the 29-yearold world number 58 from Nuneaton, who won twice in South Africa this year, had eight birdies in a 64 and reached 10 under. Swede David Lingmerth leads by one at 12 under after seven birdies in a 65. Former US PGA
Championship winner Jason Dufner is second after a 67 in which he birdied the 14th, eagled the 15th and then made a hole-in-one with a six-iron at the par-three 16th. Woods, a five-time winner of the event at the Muirfield Village Golf Club, began his round with three birdies in the opening four holes but some wayward tee shots into thick rough led to a number of dropped shots. At the last he drove left into more thick rough and was just short of the green in two, but a majestic chip finished three feet from the flag and he calmly holed the putt to maintain his record of never missing the cut in 15
Memorial appearances. Former US Open champion Justin Rose, winner of this title in 2010, is three shots off the pace in a share of fifth after seven birdies in a 67, recovering from a double bogey at the 12th when he found the water at the par three. Masters champion Jordan Spieth was five under for his first eight holes but finished with a 70 and is six strokes adrift at six under. Scotsman Russell Knox, who had seven birdies in a first round 64, had only one in a 74 on day two and is eight back on four under. (BBC Sport)
22 ScotiaBank, GCB teaming up to present personal development programme S guyanatimesGY.com
saturday, june 6, 2015
cotiaBank in collaboration with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) met with Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) contracted players on Friday at the GCB boardroom, to disseminate information relating to players’ financial planning. At the meeting, ScotiaBank took time out to initiate Bank-player relationships on potential financial investment aimed at enriching the lives of the players. The interactive session saw ScotiaBank personnel articulating the need for players to have disciplined investment procedures, through step by step financial planning processes, geared at enabling such players to attain their future goals. According to a GCB release, they emphasised that though these visionary plans may vary from individual to individual, early, careful and professional planning was vital to assist players in enhancing their socio-economic standing in society. ScotiaBank personnel indicated that professional
From left: ScotiaBank Relationship Officers Zainab Khan-Hemraj and Vonetta Payne and ScotiaBank Personal Banking Officer Adrian Fraser, interacting with cricketers
planning for areas such as studies, mortgage, marriage and family (children’s education), retirement and unfortunate sudden situations were critical to the players’ holistic needs, and as such should be carefully and thoroughly examined by the players. As such, the players were guided to take control of their present economic position to ensure favourable
economic futures. Vonetta Payne, a ScotiaBank Relationship Officer, outlined a variety of important areas for players’ consideration, which included an honest opinion of what the players wanted from life, the essential need for players to become financially better-off, guidance on developing traits to improve such financial capa-
bilities, and measures that can be facilitated through ScotiaBank in helping players attain their varying but set levels of financial stability and wealth. Zainab Khan-Hemraj, another of ScotiaBank’s Relationship Officers, highlighted the role the Bank was willing to take to help players achieve financial prosperity.
She pointed out that as an individual’s life changes, it was likely so too would their plans. She alluded to the fact that unexpected financial gains, death of a spouse or relative, and such unforeseen events were likely to stimulate essential adjustments in a person’s life. Prior and realistic economic planning was, therefore, seen as the key to effectively dealing with such situations. As a consequence, she went through a number of possible options that are available at ScotiaBank for players of varying income levels. Adrian Fraser, Scotiabank’s Personal Banking Officer, highlighted the differential plans and facilities that are available at ScotiaBank for the players. These included the automatic savings plans, purchase of land and home builder loans, Government mortgage and existing procedures to receive credits and loan bonuses. Fraser, along with Payne and Khan-Hemraj, also clarified a number of the questions presented by players. Colin Stuart, the
Territorial Development Officer of the GCB, indicated that the initiative by ScotiaBank in targeting the players’ holistic lives was indeed welcomed by the Board. He opined that without careful and professional planning, players may very well complete their cricket careers without putting much energy into financial planning, and as a result may not be adequately equipped to deal with life after cricket. In this regard, the GCB finds this intervention by ScotiaBank as invaluable – since it adds value to the existing cricket-related programmes conducted by the Board that are geared at enhancing not only Guyana’s cricket but the life of individual players. Another session is being planned for all Academy 4 Tier players and others. ScotiaBank, the proud sponsors of West Indies Kiddy Cricket, started its operations in Guyana in 1968 and in the Caribbean since 1889, and today operates in more than 50 countries.
Initial work progressing on Providence football facility – Urling By Avenash Ramzan
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hairman of the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Clinton Urling, said initial work is being carried out at the Providence, East
Bank Demerara facility, which was acquired by the GFF through a 30-year lease with the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council. Speaking at a press conference at the GFF office in Campbellville earlier this
week, Urling updated media operatives on the project, which came into being when the agreement was signed on May 9. “We are currently talking and negotiating with FIFA’s Development Committee about developing that fa-
cility into the home of football for the Guyana Football Federation. We’ve contracted the services of architects here in Guyana to design the plan for that facility,” he outlined. Urling added, “I know at the basic level, it will include a new artificial synthetic turf, it will also include seating stands, dressing rooms to accommodate games at the facility. We will also have a beach soccer pitch installed at the facility; that’s at the basic level.” As the plan for the facility is developed, Urling said other changes and additions will be made, pointing out that engineers are currently doing typography studies of the area. “The first step will be to raise the ground level of it to ensure that we have adequate drainage systems so that the facility doesn’t flood easily. Once we have the holistic vision of what we want for the facility, FIFA’s Development Division is going to start to allocate funds under the various programmes available, and there are a number of them,” Urling highlighted. According to the Normalisation Committee head, Guyana is entitled to two artificial turfs under the Challenger Project, which the country will also pursue. Besides acquiring the Providence venue, Urling divulged that the GFF will continue to seek other grounds across the country to ensure football development takes place in all areas. “We’re still pursuing grounds across the country.
Claude [Technical Director Claude Bolton] spoke about the League that’s to come on stream … we have various communities from across the country which will have teams, so if we can acquire grounds, and when I say acquire, all those teams or anybody interested, if you can get someone to donate land to the Guyana Football Federation or lease for at least 20 to 25 years minimum, we can start to talk about utilising some of the funds available from FIFA to develop those facilities across the country,” Urling told media operatives. He continued, “For us, we know Linden is one of the strategic areas which we will be targeting; we’re also looking at Berbice. It comes down to in the end which one of those groupings or geographic locations, persons can identify lands for us, and also help the Federation to acquire those lands.” The FIFA appointed official said the Normalisation Committee will also approach the new Government with the aim of acquiring leased lands or lands as gift to help fulfil its mandate.
Monumental occasion
Speaking at the lease signing last month, Urling, who divulged that a High Performance Technical Centre will be erected on the 8.5 acres of land, said the acquisition of the plot of land is a “monumental occasion” for Guyana. “This is a blockbuster lease that would change the face of football in Guyana forever. The process started many months ago. FIFA
came here on numerous occasions about reactivating the Goal Project, and for those who have been following the Goal Project … that project actually started in 1999 by FIFA. Guyana was one of the pioneering countries identified at the time to start the Goal Project. Two years after 99, we actually had an attempt at signing a major lease with the University of Guyana, but that project fell through. This is just a lease signing. Eventually, we will have the sod turning when we go into Goal Project; do something more big. So this is monumental,” Urling explained. Urling added that the Normalisation Committee has been in discussion with football’s world governing body FIFA about starting the Goal Project at the East Bank Demerara location, as well as commencing the FIFA’s Challenger Project, under which an artificial pitch will be built. That investment, which Urling described as “major”, is estimated to be in the vicinity of US$500,000. Urling said the ultimate aim is to make the GFF a self-sustaining organisation that would not have to rely on FIFA and other partners such as the Government and corporate entities. He said initial discussions for use of the Providence facility was made possible by Normalisation Committee member Rabindranauth Chandarpal and former Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who recommended the site to be developed.
guyanatimesGY.com
saturday, june 6, 2015
Prime Minister Nagamootoo named honorary member of Golden Jaguars – urges Guyana to support national side
No difference between alleged Bin Hammam bribe and Beckham tour – Warner
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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (left sitting) enjoys his moment as an honorary member of the Golden Jaguars squad
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rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was named an honorary member of the Golden Jaguars national football team on Friday at the Ministry of Presidency. The team made a courtesy call on the newly-installed Prime Minister before its departure for St Vincent and the Grenadines for their Round Two World Cup Qualifier on June 10. Captain Christopher Nurse, Mathew Briggs, Vurlon Mills, Neil Danns and Anthony Whyte were the Golden Jaguars present while the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) team was headed by Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling, Tariq Williams and Eric Phillips, along with GFF General Secretary Richard Groden and Director of Marketing and Communication Rawle Toney. “You can depend on me and my team for the support. Sports is one of the tools used to bring people together and football, as much as what’s going on presently, it can unite a nation and that’s what we
want right now; everyone together,” Nagamootoo told the visiting contingent. The team’s Captain presented the Prime Minister with an official player’s jersey with a special message. “We want to welcome you to our team. The number 15 was chosen to represent the year you were voted into office. Welcome,” Nurse said. Nurse added, “I promise that we’ll put our best foot forward; play with heart, passion and desire and everything that’s required of a player when they’re representing their country. The result of the game at the end of the day will be in God’s hands, but we will go out there and play our best.” Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for sport, Nicolette Henry wished the team well and noted her eagerness to be at the return game set for June 14 at the Guyana National Stadium. Meanwhile, Urling spoke of the prospects of having the Golden Jaguars and other national teams of the Federation become
Ruggers ready...
from back page
Peter Green
“The important thing right now is having the practice matches, playing between yourselves will only reach to a certain level and we need to move off from that and that is what we were lacking, hopefully the couple games we might get in America will help us
somewhat to rise to the level we should be at,” Chase stated. Coach of the men’s side Theodore Henry revealed that his team has been working on some short comings from their Hong Kong Series and believes that the team is ready to go. “These short comings can be exposed by teams such as USA and Canada such as our kickoff reception because we don’t have very tall guys compared to them as well as our wing defence, we have put things in place and we are comfortable,” Henry highlighted. Both the male and female side will depart on June eighth for New York where they will play a couple of warm-up games before leaving for North Carolina on June 10 for the championships and qualifiers.
sports ambassadors, something Minister Henry fully supports and pledged her Ministry’s willingness to work together with the GFF to bring the idea to re-
ality. Guyana will depart on June 8 to take on ‘Vincy Heat’ at the Arnos Vale Stadium from 15:30h.
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mbattled former CONCACAF president Jack Warner claims there is little difference between former FIFA official’s Mohamed Bin Hammam’s allegations of bribery in the 2011 cash-forvotes scandal and England’s use of David Beckham to garner support for its 2018 World Cup bid. Bin Hammam was banned from the sport in 2011 after he was accused of paying £25,000 to Caribbean officials in exchange for votes in the FIFA presidential elections. Warner resigned in the wake of the scandal, as several regional officials were suspended. “When Bin Hammam came here, what he did or didn’t do was not inconsistent with FIFA practice over 100 years,” Warner said at a rally following his release
from a night in prison. Warner faces extradition to the United States on charges of money laundering, bribery, corruption and racketeering and was one of 14 current and former officials served with indictments, among them was CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb. “Of what is the difference between Bin Hammam and the English national team coming here to play Trinidad &Tobago? “What is the difference between Hammam and David Beckham having coaching clinics at the Centre of Excellence?” he asked. Beckham only recently voiced his disgust with FIFA practices and revealed that he was happy the prospect of reform was on the horizon. (Digicel Sportmax)
Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business
saturday, june 6, 2015
Batting collapse sends Windies to heavy defeat I
nept batting took the gloss off defiant halfcenturies from Marlon Samuels and Shane Dowrich, and sent West Indies crashing to a chastening nine-wicket defeat inside three days in the opening Test against Australia here Friday. Mounting an admirable fightback at 181 for three before tea after resuming the day on 25 for two, West Indies lost their last seven wickets for 35 runs to be all out for 216, half-hour before the scheduled close at Windsor Park. Samuels top-scored with 74 and the debutant Dowrich got 70, in an excellent 144-run fourth wicket stand which dug their side out of a hole after Darren Bravo perished for five in the sixth over of the morning to leave the hosts tottering on 37 for three. The right-handed Samuels faced 184 balls in just under 4-1/4 hours at the crease and struck seven fours and a six while Dowrich, also a right-hander, carved out five fours and
a six in an innings lasting 150 minutes and 185 deliveries. However, once Dowrich lost concentration and fell nine minutes before tea, West Indies suffered a rapid decline, collapsing from 189 for four at the break and leaving the Aussies with just 47 runs to get for victory. Left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc captured four for 28 while pacer Josh Hazlewood (2-17), left-armer Mitchell Johnson (2-38) and off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2-67) picked up two wickets each. Big-hitting left-hander David Warner promptly set about the Windies bowling with relish, smashing three fours and two sixes in 28 off 20 deliveries, to propel the visitors to their target in just five overs. His dismissal, caught at first slip by Bravo off Taylor, was purely academic as Steve Smith arrived to gather the winning runs, working the same bowler into the onside for a single to give the Aussies a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. For the second time in
the game, the Windies’ brittle batting was laid bare, though for the better part of two sessions, they took the fight to the Aussies through Samuels and Dowrich. The pair came together after Bravo, resuming the day on three, added just two runs before loosely driving Hazlewood up to midoff where Warner dived to his right to complete a fine catch. Samuels and Dowrich then ensured the Aussies went without a wicket for the remainder of the session, as they pushed West Indies up to 97 for three at lunch. With the focus on rebuilding, neither batsman took undue risks, and just four boundaries came in the session – two of these to Dowrich who twice pulled Smith’s part-time spin to the mid-wicket boundary in successive deliveries in the bowler’s first over. After lunch, the duo raised the tempo slightly as they looked to increase the scoring rate. turn to page 21
Kumar out, Jones in as Director of Sport
Christopher Jones
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hristopher Jones is the new Director of Sport, succeeding Neil Kumar in the position that he had held for over two decades. Jones, a member of the new A Partnership
for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government, confirmed the appointment today during a telephone interview with Guyana Times Sport. Jones highlighted that the immediate plans of the National Sports Commission (NSC) will be to develop a sports policy as well as to upgrade some of Guyana’s sport facilities. “The facilities that we have need urgent upgrading and modernizing … we will be doing site visits from next week to start that process. “Another thing is the establishment of a sports policy so that it can guide us and the people of this nation … there is a draft that was not implemented and we will re-visit it and get input from the various federations in order to upgrade it,” Jones stated. In addition, the newly appointed Director of Sport also revealed that the re-establishment of relationships with all sports federations was crucial to the success of sport in Guyana. Meanwhile, Jones assured that the change will not hamper the first leg of the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) that is scheduled for August 6-10 in Guyana. (Treiston Joseph)
Mitchell Starc celebrates as a glum Jason Holder looks on in the back ground
Ruggers ready for NACRA, Olympic challenge despite limited funds By Treiston Joseph
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e go with what we have, we always do well when we don’t have,” were the words of the President of the Guyana Rigby Football Union (GRFU), Peter Green on Friday
for the first time while the women will have the goal of making a good run at the title in their return to competitive rugby. Green, speaking at the press conference at the Guyana Olympic Association headquarters was confident in both teams despite the
the dedicated efforts the women’s coach (Elwin Chase) he has managed to mold this team which is a combination of experience and youth into something that I would describe as formidable and capable,” Green mentioned of the women’s team.
From left: Elwin Chase (Women’s Coach), Petal Adams (Women’s Team Manager), Theodore Henry (Men’s Coach), John Lewis (Men’s Team Manager) and Terrence Grant (General Secretary of the GRFU) at the press conference
ahead of the national ruggers departure for the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) seven’s championship set for June 13-14 in Cary, North Carolina. The men’s side will be aiming to defend their North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) seven’s championship title as well as making the Olympics
shortage of funding. “The priority of the union will be to win the NACRA championships so that they can go back to Hong Kong with the goal in mind now of really making the core qualifier groups of the Olympics, Green said about the men’s side. He added, “I’m happy to say that the women have answered the call and through
Both the male and female squads are placed in Group B and will have to finish at least in second place in their respect8ive groups to go onto the knockout stages. Meanwhile Coach of the women’s squad, Elwin Chase expressed confidence in the team’s ability to play well, shared what will be key to the women’s side development as a unit.
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