Guyana Times Daily - July 1, 2015

Faerber returns at helm of Region 3

… but

PPP/C

makes sweeping changes in other regions

Three-term Regional Chairman for Region

Three Julius Faerber, upon being re-elected as the Chairman for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), vowed to continue to promote the area and uplift the lives of all citizens residing in the region, regardless of their race and political affiliation.

Elections for the Regional Chairs for all the 10 administrative regions across Guyana were hosted on Tuesday 30. In addition to Region Three, the 2015 General and Regional Elections results revealed that the PPP/C won seats in Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo).

Speaking to Guyana Times shortly after being reelected, Faerber indicated that one of the pertinent issues he is seeking to address is that of the growing concerns of rice farmers. He noted that rice farmers have been bitterly complaining about drainage and irrigation, outstanding payments

and limited available markets for their rice.

Faerber explained that he intends to hold a meeting with the new Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to discuss these concerns and develop precise strategies to address them. Another fresh concern for residents of the West Demerara district is the frequency spate of blackouts that are occurring.

“It is quite obvious, even up to last night we had blackouts at Leonora, where I am living. We have noticed that these blackouts are frequent for this period in time. I do not know what the cause of these blackouts is but what I can say is that it is very much displeasing to residents of Region Three. What I can say is that with this new Government in office, I am hoping we can work together to get current on a more regular basis. So this is something we are looking at,” he stated.

Over the weekend, this publication received a series of complaints from residents along the West Demerara district about the constant power outages. Further, first time Vice Chairman Sheik Ayube also related to this publication some of the concerns he would like to see addressed as the new Council takes up their responsibility to serve and represent the people of the Region Three.

“Some of the things I think I can bring to this region is good governance in terms of how we execute work, the type of work we will be doing and the areas. I am looking at the areas in which deserve works to be done and we will be looking in the farming area, the city fences and we will be looking at the educational also,” he stated, noting that it is the aim of the council to push on all fronts to better the lives

of the people in the area.

The other PPP/C members on the Council are Naseer Ahman, Aseef Ahmad, Amelia Ali, Beshpatty, Lindon Fowler, Leotha Greene-Watson, Mahendra Hardyal, Liaquat Hussain, Jainarine Narine, Paul Narine, Chandrowtie Sarran, Steven Singh, Derek Thakur and Yaidat.

The A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) representatives on the Council are Kathlene Armstrong, Perry Birbal, Harrunarine Deokinanan, Deon Gould, Kamal Narine, Leroy Levans and Alshazie Ramlakhan.

Meanwhile, for Region One, the Chairman is now Brentol Ashley while the Vice Chairman is Sarah Browne; Region Two’s Chairman is Daveanand Ramdatt and Vice Chairman is Juliet Conjah; Region Five Chairman is Vickchand Ramphal and Vice Chairman is Rion Peters; Region Six Chairman is David Armogan and Vice Chairman is Dennis DeRoop; Region Eight Chairman is Bonnaventure Fredricks and the Vice Chairman is Headley Pio; and Region Nine Chairman is Brian Alicock and Vice Chairman is Carl Singh.

Bus operators picket Ramjattan’s office

...asks Ramjattan – "we voted for change; where's the change?"

Those were some of the angry outbursts coming from a group of frustrated minibus operators who have had it with the Police for allegedly harassing them on a daily basis.

A handful of minibus operators, particularly from zones 40 and 45, took to the streets with placards in front of the Public Security Ministry on Tuesday, demanding that the subject Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan heed their concerns.

“They victimising you all day and they pushing phone in your face and tekking out your photos and stopping you for no reason, like they just fishing for something to charge you with. It does happen on a daily basis and by the time you done, they give you 8-10 summons in one day,” one of the drivers, Mark Hopkinson, complained.

Collectively, the minibus operators explained that they have to uplift a road service document from the

Ministry which outlines the route that the 40 and 45 buses need to take. In the road service document, it states that the buses, when travelling on the Avenue of the Republic, they must turn onto Croal Street.

“There is no position where the park should be, it doesn’t state that, all it says is that you go into Croal. So when you go into Croal Street and throw off passengers by KFC side, Police come and lock you up. How is that fair? They didn’t say where the park should be. Plus the park does be too full so where else I could throw off the passengers?” another driver vented.

Another explained that he was once confronted by a Police Officer who “pushed” a phone in his face to take out his photo, with no reason given.

“I don’t know who he think he is. Why is he pushing up he phone taking out my photo? When I inquire, he said the Commander in Chief told him he could do

it, so I get vex and I lash the phone away from me face and because of that, I get eight summons,” he related.

Serious crimes

Another of the minibus operators, Donald Rambissoon, claims that the Police Officers spend all day harassing the bus drivers when there are other serious crimes occurring right under their noses which they pay no attention to.

“Sometimes, and this thing does happen very often, when the bus stop at a street light or somewhere and then it about to pull off, passengers gun start shouting for you to stop the bus, because somebody snatch something from them and then when you stop, you get hold up for that, but they don’t do anything about the person that just get robbed. Stuff like that does deh happening. Sometime even, they (the Police) deh right on the park, people does snatch things from people and the Police Officers them don’t do anything,” he expressed.

Armogan re-elected Region 6 Chairman ...Deroop is new Vice Chairman

David Permaul Armogan has been re-elected as Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC). At Tuesday’s sitting of the RDC – the first under the 11th Parliament, Armogan was unanimously elected to serve for a second term. Former Regional Vice Chairman Dennis Deroop who served during the Ninth Parliament has been reelected to that post.

The Region Six RDC has 30 seats, with 19 going to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and 11, the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition. The coalition’s seats have been split 5-4 with APNU having the advantage. There are 17 new faces on the Region Six RDC, 10 among the PPP/C Councillors.

Armogan, in addressing the Council, said he was happy to be able to continue to serve. He thanked the outgoing Vice Chairman, Bhopaul

Jagroo, and the incoming Vice Chairman. According to the Regional Chairman, he will be looking forward to some level of professionalism from all Councillors on the RDC.

Armogan referred to the RDC as the “local parliament” and highlighted that there were certain procedures that Councillors would have to follow. “We are going to have training sessions

very soon for new Councillors so that you can understand what is expected of you and how you have to operate.” A date for the first statutory meeting has not been announced. According to the Chairman, it can only be after he and the Vice Chairman are sworn in at a ceremony to be held at a later date in the capital city. The full Council reads: PPP/C members Zamin Ally, Teerbhawandat Arjun, Sheriann Beharry, Shafiran Bhajan, Grayson Halley, Quaicy Henry, Bhupaul Jhagroo, Dr Vinashri Khirodhar, Gloria Beharry, Lloyd Douglas, Zamal Hussain, Bijulee Moti, Ishwarsammy Narainsamy, Thakoor Persaud, Philip Rose, Lalbahadoor Singh and Haseef Yusuf; and APNU+AFC members Sandra Chisholm, Samuel T Fraser, Khousal Goberdan, Gobin Harbhajan, Sharon Harvey, Hazrat Husain, Patricia Lynch, Donna Mathoo, Janet Samuels, Devindra Sookraj and Jevaughn Stephen.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

Some of the protesters in front of the Public Security Ministry

Newly-elected Vice Chairman Sheik Ayube

Re-elected Regional Chairman for Region Three, Julius Faerber

july 1,

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, July 1 – 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, July 2 – 05:00h-06:30h

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

Wednesday, July 1 – 16:05h-17:35h and Thursday, July 2 – 16:45h-18:15h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day and into 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 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:42h and 16:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.58 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:45h and 22:00h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.63 metre respectively.

AFC denies Cummingsburg violations

...despite President’s acceptance

General Secretary of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson has said that the claimed violations of the Cummingsburg Accord has not yet been hammered out between that party and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) but at the same time asserted that he does not believe there is any violation.

Speaking to the Guyana Times on Monday evening, Patterson said that while there is a six member inter-party committee established - comprising General Secretary of the APNU, Joseph Harmon; Basil Williams, Nigel Hughes, Dominic Gaskin and himself, and meetings are held as necessary, no issue of violation has ever been addressed by the two parties.

Patterson said that the last meeting, which was held some two weeks ago, was in an effort to pave a way for the selection of the Speaker of the National Assembly while the next one, slated to be held this week, will be held to sort out the business of the regional councillors according to the Cummngsburg 60/40 proportionality agreement which is in place and any other business on the agenda.

He further added that the meetings were also being facilitated to ensure that the tenets of the Cummingsburg Accord were implemented accordingly. To this end, Patterson revealed that there is a Chairman of the committee, who happens to be former President of the Guyana Bar Association, Ronald Burch- Smith who is tasked with the responsibility of ironing out any issue which cannot be settled between the two parties and which is a matter of concern. To this end however, he related that no such complaints have reached Burch- Smith since the coalition came into power. This would mean that no one from the AFC has made any complaints of violations of the Cummingsburg Accord, in line with what the leaders such as Moses

Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan have been asserting.

Chairing of Cabinet

Questioned specifically on the matter of the President chairing Cabinet which is in direct contravention of the Accord, Patterson said that that was not a point a conflict within the party since Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is usually present at the all cabinet meetings and co chairs the proceedings. He did not elaborate on what “do-char” meant.

He however admitted that the President has been chairing the past three cabinet meetings since he is tasked with the responsibility of national security and at that time, the VenezuelaGuyana border controversy was prominently featured and as such, the President took the time to meet his Ministers on that matter. In previous announcements it had been asserted that Granger had chaired informally.

President Granger when asked to comment on the violation of the accord, unlike the other leaders, had implicitly admitted that there were violations but expressed that the coalition was presently working on a review of the document. He claimed that to persist with some of the stipulations of the Accord will be unconstitutional and as such, he will be awaiting the constitutional reform so that the agreement can be followed. “To the extent that some things are in collision with the Constitution

they will await constitutional change…we cannot be expected to do unconstitutional things,” Granger told reporters.

When questioned on the matter Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had nonchalantly said that he was not bothered or in any way affected by President Granger reneging on that agreement and chairing the proceedings of the Cabinet. Nagamootoo had further stated that the Accord was not worth more than the country and, as such, those were minor things. “We have an active President and we have to make this Accord work; make this coalition work; and for me the things that are minor irritancies I won’t elevate to any importance,” he had said.

However, former speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, hinted at a possible breakup of the A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government due to the several violations of the Cummingsburg Accord and alleged internal pressure on President David Granger from his party People’s

National Congress Reform.

According to Ramkarran, the violation of the Cummingsburg Accord, which brought the parties together has been blatantly

disrespected and if it not addressed quickly and appropriately, the parties can expect to lose the support of its electorates, particularly the AFC.

He noted that the explanation which has been put forth by the President that

the Constitution will have to be amended in order for the Cummingsburg Accord to be followed is inaccurate. He further added that the fact that the AFC seemed to be tolerating the digress would only seem like a bad omen.

Patterson however posited that the view that the coalition was in the verge or the danger of falling apart could not be further from the truth.

This appeared to be a valid view since the AFC leaders disagreed with President Granger that there had been violations Patterson admitted to this publication however that he does believe that there is some level of miscommunication currently existing between the coalition and the electorates or the population and as such, he believes that it is a matter which be must be clarified at the earliest possible time.

To this, he has promised to discuss the matter with the party and all other stakeholders, alluding that a press conference may soon be in the pipeline.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

President David Granger

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

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

El Derecho de Saber

… The right to know

While in opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change as political organisms within Guyana’s democratic society complained bitterly about what they called the “cloud of secrecy” that surrounded the major agreements entered into by the then Peoples Progressive Party Civic Government, and the denial of critical pieces of information that could expose the alleged excesses of the state and Government at varying levels.

The two parties had severely criticized both the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar Administrations for having poor records of financial transparency and accountability especially when public monies were spent without the knowledge or approval of tax payers and the buy-in of the wider electoral core.

Subsequently, they formed a superb parliamentary alliance in the tenth parliament denying Government critical funding for projects which they believed were shrouded in secrecy while withholding funding for other budgetary allocations which were either not seen as priority areas or a waste of tax payers monies.

These parties also in the lead up to the 2015 elections campaign used the mass media to leak information on exorbitant amount of money spent by the Donald Ramotar Government on dental and medical services for cabinet members which skyrocketed into the realm of millions for at least one member. That aside, it complained bitterly about the misuse of state media by the PPP/C and the misuse of state assets before, during and immediately after the elections campaign.

Now in Government, the two parties which formed a coalition Executive founded on the promises included in the Cummingburg Accord, are now doing a summersault and three-sixty dance move.

The new APNU/AFC Government since taking office on May 16, 2015 has engaged in spending tax payers monies without stating clearly how much is being spent and for what the monies are being spent.

The coalition Government has skillfully avoided the media by hiding behind the triumphalism and excitement which prevailed in certain sections of the country immediately after the declaration of results.

Minister of Presidency (also State Minister), Joseph Harmon has not been forthcoming on exactly on actual expenditures spent on the grand inauguration ceremony for President Granger at the Guyana National Stadium last May 26th.

He claimed not to have exact figures of what the ‘big bash’ cost tax payers in a country where the new President himself alleged was lagging behind because of poverty and lack of sufficient economic progress.

Minister Harmon and his functional aide Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who has responsibility for public information, have failed to state publicly issue a report on the fund the costs associated with the national independence celebrations which took on a new form this year.

Additionally, the President has appointed 26 Ministers of Government who will no doubt draw down on the usual perks and benefits that come with the job. He has appointed several politicians to advise him in various fields without making public their contracts, terms of references, benefits and emoluments. Where is the transparency in Government that citizens were promised by President Granger?

That aside, the Government has unilaterally without input from any other key stakeholder established several Commissions of Inquiries into various issues and industries of the State. But it has failed to disclose the credentials of those appointed, terms of reference, the recruitment process, salaries and other costs involved. So much for accountability!

Auditors have been appointed to do forensic and other work but no one except the beneficiaries of the public purse and the new Government knows how much monies are being spent to fund these exercises. This is an untenable development to say the least.

The President’s vehicle fleet and that of several of his close as well as senior Ministers have been upgraded without the public being given a simple explanation as to what was wrong with the vehicles used by the previous presidents and ministers who returned all or most.

Both Prime Minister Nagamootoo and President Granger, as well as leading members of their Government appear uneasy accepting the reality that they have so far made several missteps in office and are finding it hard copping with the reality of Governance from the seat of the Executive.

They must realize that the public has a right to know about how their monies are being spent, on whom they are being spent, why they are being spent and what amount is being spent.

The new Government is exhibiting dangerous double standards and is cherry picking what issues to bring to the public fore.

In Spanish “el derecho a saber” which in English means “the right to know” is sacrosanct and cannot be wished away even by the most popular Government because sooner or later it will fall when speculation turns into truth and truth slowly becomes an unchallenged and untested fact.

A wall of water

“It is time: to end crime”

Dear Editor, Mr. David Granger announced on May 26, 2015, with much fanfare, the pardoning of 60 criminals who he described served as “young persons, and for petty non-violent offences, and sentences of short duration,” in prison. Every year going forward on the nation’s birthday, Mr. Granger intends to pardon more felons who may meet these criteria.

One month has elapsed and all the Guyanese the public know about the released convicts is that the number of pardoned inmates were reduced from the original 60 and that a US government backed project has embraced the convicts and intends to reintegrate them back into our Guyanese society.

While this may appear

on the surface as a noble cause, I am galled that the media, which was a humbug to the previous administration, is allowing Mr. Granger a free pass by ignoring the limited information that is being provided about who these pardoned criminals are, what’s meant by “young persons” and what constitutes “a short duration”. These subjective terms being used by Mr. Granger need to be questioned and deserves an answer.

It is time the love fest and honeymoon between the new administration and the media simmer down. As the fourth arm of government, the media needs to examine Mr. Granger’s rubric of who gets pardoned.

I recall with trepidation, the cacophony of the Guyana Bar Association

and Mr. Burch-Smith, the Guyana Human Rights Association and the many other proxy cudgels of the previous administration, when Mr. Ramotar pardoned Ravindra Deo.

The silence of these organizations is now deafening with Mr. Granger’s pardon. With Mr. Ramotar’s pardon at least we know who was released and the gravity of his crime. Mr. Granger has not given us that courtesy.

It was reported in some section of the media that cell phone thieves are being pardoned. When I contemplate that ‘Presidential Pardons’ are the new dispensation of justice for short sentences and for being a young criminal, I can’t help but feel empathy for the families such as that of Ms. Sheema Mangar who died after she was run over by car after

chasing after the crooks who stole her cell phone.

The new administration campaigned on “It is time: to end crime” however we are witnessing a surge in violent crimes under their watch. With crime surging uncontrollably, I would like to know who are being pardoned and the nature of the crimes committed.

What if I was a victim of crime that led to conviction and detention of one of the Granger released thugs? Mr. Granger, please release the names of the pardoned criminals and the nature of the crimes committed.

The media needs to do its job, demand the demographical and criminal records of the pardoned hoodlums.

Regards, Many thanks. Tony Edwards

Toshaos’ elections must proceed on July 22nd

Dear Editor,

There are two persons questioning the legality of the Amerindian village council’s elections scheduled for 22nd July, 2015. These two persons are Joseph Torres (S/N Tues June 23rd, 2015) and Patrick Fitzpatrick (S/N Fri June 26th, 2015). Are these two residents of any Amerindian village by the way? Or are they afraid that their favorite contestant for the Toshao elections will be defeated.

The Toshaos and councilors of Amerindian villages around the country are aware that their village elections had to be postponed due to the May 11th elections. And let me say that the village councils are

known to be in preparation for their elections. It must be recognized as well that the Executive Committee of the National Toshao Council (NTC) informed Toshaos of the postponement of village elections as a result of the May 2015 elections.

The national elections have come and gone and our Toshaos, councilors and village residents are all anxiously awaiting July 22nd to hold their village elections despite that there may be a few slight differences with respect to dates as specified in the Amerindian Act 2006.

Torres enquired if an audit will be done prior to village council elections?

The Amerindian Act states

that “Not less than three months before the date of the village council elections the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs shall arrange for a general audit to be carried out of the village council’s records and document”, (Section 33(3) of AM. Act 2006).

It must be noted that while the records of over 100 village councils will have to be audited before the village elections which currently seem to be an impossible task, no audit or audits can stop the holding of such elections.

Also if the results of a village council’s audit are not favorable to a Toshao, that audit cannot stop the Toshao from seeking his second term at the village coun-

cil’s elections. It is only the village residents who can stop the Toshao at the ballot box. The Amerindian Act 2006 is quite clear on this. In the mean while residents reliably indicated that the President (Sharon Atkinson) and VicePresident (Tony James) of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) are campaigning in their respective villages to become Toshaos, (Santa Rosa & Aishalton Villages in region 1 & 9). But the residents claim that a sound trashing awaits them at their village’s ballot box, since they have no confidence in their leadership.

Yours sincerely Martin La Cruz

People look on as water gushes from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir section on the Yellow River, during a sand-washing operation in Jiyuan, Henan Province, China, June 29, (Reuters/Stringer)

Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is

patriotic and committed to the well-being of

Dear Editor,

Former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo is truly committed to the wellbeing of Guyana and all Guyanese. Whatever your personal prejudices, no fair minded person will deny the tremendously significant contributions of the former President who has placed Guyana on the world map in an indelible manner. Any person with sight, hearing and smell can discern this for themselves by simply looking around (even at the simple yellow cabs brought us in line with international standards). High and low, small and large, near and far, black, yellow or brown, Dr. Jagdeo’s imprint is everywhere as he worked to serve Guyanese - not just a portion, true to the legacy of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Even President Granger indirectly acknowledged his contributions at his swearing in ceremony when he acted contrary to his remarks shortly after holding the Holy Bible. At that ceremony President Granger denied any achievements

Guyana and Guyanese

of the PPP/C Government but yet, he opted to have his inauguration at the National Stadium which was built under the tenure of Dr. Jagdeo. How myopic. Imagine that: after holding the Holy Bible.

But President Granger has made a lot of mistakes since taking office and because he is new and elderly one is tempted to forgive him. But he is playing with Guyana and the lives of Guyanese and we do not have the luxury of time.

Like the giving of a medal to a most undeserving Mayor, Hamilton Green who is most unconscionable and without merit, the renaming of the Ministries without public consultation while confusing school children and wasting stationery, the pardoning of prisoners sending the wrong message that crime is acceptable (while most Presidents pardon when leaving office but he pardoned upon arrival).

He speaks about training public officers when his Ministers should be trained.

Some can’t speak properly and try to muzzle media personnel and we call that democracy.

The 100 days is fast approaching without any real action apart from window dressing by the APNU-AFC coalition. But Guyanese are not foolish and distracted by these frivolities. The business community is at a standstill. APNU/AFC should get on with governing this country and stop witch hunting and wasting time and resources.

The PPP/C has set such high standards that the population will not allow you to do otherwise or insult their intelligence.

As President Granger acknowledged in his speech, it took six parties to win the PPP/C. APNU/AFC is easy to topple and the coalition may even undo itself by its own actions. It should know that it’s being watched by all Guyanese, even its own supporters. Start governing, the campaign is over.

B Moses PPP/C supporter

PU&GWU calling on OCGI to publicly apologise to Guyanese workers

Dear Editor,

The People United and General Workers Union (PU&GWU) is calling on Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Inc. (OCGI) to publicly apologize to its Guyanese workers for saying that they’re not internationally qualified and thus cannot be paid based on international rates.

During a number of negotiation meetings between the union and the OCGI, it was requested that the company pay Guyanese workers according to international rates and benefits currently being enjoyed by expatriate workers employed in Oldendorff / (OCGI) Guyana Operation and overseas operations. A Kaieteur News publication dated June 18th, 2015 stated that ‘’the union proposes new labour laws to the new Government. These laws will provide for foreign companies operating in Guyana such as Oldendorff, to pay Guyanese international rates and provide international working standard.’’

However, OCGI indicated that there were no internationally qualified employees and subsequently couldn’t pay international rates.

The majority of the OCGI Guyanese workers after reading the said pub -

lication continue to date to express their extreme dissatisfaction and request that the OCGI respectfully and publicly apologize for issuing such a statement.

The Union responded to the workers indicating that it found the statement to be false and contradictory to its previous promise to the Union that its employment qualification policy had been upgraded to the OCGI Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping (STCW) with capacity building and training initiatives taken care of at the expense of the company.

However, OCGI later reversed its decision since trained workers started to seek employment with other international shipping companies benefitting from international rates and benefits. Some workers couldn’t afford to pay for the STCW training and as such were terminated by OCGI.

Although the OCGI stated to the Union that the STCW training was compulsory because it was a requirement of the Guyana Maritime Department, the Union discovered that the OCGI used the STCW to satisfy the Company’s international Insurance policy which requires it to employ internationally qualified workers.

Anil Nandlall’s reasoning “very shallow”

Dear Editor, It is common knowledge now that Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has taken great umbrage that Government is seeking to “extend advertisements overseas, for the posts of Chancellor and Chief Justice.” Nandlall came to the fore with his attack, after Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, announced that “Government will (indeed) be proceeding with its plan for these posts, and consequently he has raised a number of questions on the matter. However, it appears as though Nandlall is merely ‘imagining’ or ‘conjuring up’ factors that do not reside in what Government is thinking.

Nandlall recalls an incident which occurred in early post-Independent Guyana, when “The then Government “created the office of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, over and above the office of the Chief Justice, as Head of the Judiciary.” This he interprets “was done not only to circumvent but to also humiliate the then sitting Chief Justice (at the time),

OCGI is conducting international operations in Guyana as such Guyanese workers deserve to be paid international rates and benefits.

Furthermore, OCGI is an international company which normally pays employees at its overseas operations international wages, salaries and benefits and provides good working conditions? Yet the Union was advised that Guyanese workers are paid the lowest salaries and benefits and have to put up with poor working conditions as compared to other international employees and expatriates.

The Union will continue to work hard to secure these advantages for Guyanese workers in the maritime sector and has started to review the possibility of using international law to bring the Government of Guyana to respect the international maritime standards in vigor when operating in Guyana.

When the Union completes its review it will submit its proposal to the AFC/APNU government and the assembly to be signed into the laws of Guyana.

Yours faithfully,

Micah Williams

who later resigned and migrated permanently from Guyana.

Government and the public at large want to know where is the logic in this kind of thinking. It should be remembered that pre-1992 People’s National Congress (PNC) administrations were presented as most dictatorial and tyrannical, by the likes of Anil Nandlall. It means that the then particular government could have replaced any Chief Justice as Head of the Judiciary, instead of appointing a Chancellor of the Judiciary, “over and above the office of the Chief Justice.”

Government sees this kind of reasoning as indeed ‘very shallow’ on Nandlall’s part, to draw such an illogical and nonsequitur conclusion; or one can say that now he is now debunking his previous position and view that the pre-1992 governments were not the ‘slaughterers of democracy’ as he and his ilk constantly claimed, when they were in government.

Secondly, the natu -

ral question is why Mr. Nandlall should even think that Government has ulterior motives and a hidden agenda to control, undermine or emasculate the judiciary; also, how is it that ‘outside bearers of these offices’ will be part of this supposed plan of Government.

Naturally, one has to contend a ‘wave of emotionalism’ here as being foundational to this kind of spurious analysis.

One has to posit some questions here, and hopefully elicit from Mr. Nandlall, explanations for his paradoxical contentions: “Do the advertised posts mean that Government is making itself more transparent and removed from the judiciary; or is this modus operandi clearly saying that it is making itself subject to the Judiciary and restoring it to its place of independence and being bereft of any form of politicisation?”

I do hope for some kind of clarification.

Yours truly, Ramos DeSantos

Page Foundation

By Sarah E Ludwig

My daughter Rachel is sitting silently 10 feet away from me, stroking our cat. It’s a hot summer day and nearby her siblings are all splashing in our new pool. Why isn’t my 11-year-old with them? Because she suffers from clinical depression and she isn’t having one of her better days.

I first noticed Rachel’s symptoms when she was six. She started clinging to me more than usual, crying at the smallest provocation, eating less and having nightmares. She seemed anxious. After several weeks, the situation seemed to resolve on its own, but, having been through depression several times myself, I was on the watch for other signs.

Symptoms showed up again two years later, at the end of a long winter. Rachel, by then a third-grader, started telling me that everybody picked on her (though this didn’t actually seem true), and that she wished she had never been born. That last, increasingly frequent comment scared me, but I decided to give her a few weeks to see if it would pass. It didn’t. Her mood became worse and her grades began to slip. I could see that she was suffering terribly. I wanted to hold her and tell her it would be all right. I wanted to vacuum out of her the empty, deceiving emotions that I knew were skewing her reality into despair.

We made an appointment to see the Paediatrician, and

it was obvious from Rachel’s eager anticipation that she hoped someone could help her. Though I wasn’t surprised at her diagnosis, I was surprised by how overwhelmed I felt by it. I couldn’t think of any other parent grappling with this. And I ached knowing that my little girl had to deal with something so much bigger than she was.

Since that day, I’ve

It’s more common than you think (names have been changed to protect families)

Depression isn’t normally an illness that we associate with children, but it should be, says Robert L Hendren, DO, Past President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). The AACAP estimates that as many as one in 20

learned a lot about childhood depression – including the fact that ours is far from the only family affected. If you think you may be seeing the illness in your child, turn the page for what you need to know.

“Depression is no more a result of ‘bad parenting’ than is diabetes or cancer,” says Dr Fassler. “All are real illnesses that require careful evaluation. The good news is that we can help most children and adolescents.”

children and adolescents is depressed. “Another way to think about it is that, on average, at least one child in every classroom will have it,” says David Fassler, MD, CoAuthor of Help Me, I’m Sad: Recognising, Treating and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression

The catch is knowing when a child is more than simply unhappy. “Normal sadness comes and goes and usually clearly relates to an incident,” says Dr Hendren, who is

also Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. “Clinical depression is like a dark cloud hanging over the child, and there’s often a pervasive feeling of gloom, irritability and loss of interest.”

Since childhood depression isn’t on many parents’ radar (and sometimes not on doctors’, either), it can be easy to miss. Sally Davis’s son Richard saw counsellors from age six. But, says the Brockville, Ontario, mom, “the psychologists refused to consider depression because they felt that children that young didn’t get depressed.”

As a result, Richard wasn’t given that diagnosis until seven long years later.

Being the parent of a depressed child is not easy. As Ann Slater, a Columbus, Ohio, mom whose daughter was diagnosed at age eight, puts it, “It’s heartbreaking and scary. Like any other serious medical condition, it consumes your time and thoughts as a parent. Then there’s the guilt: Maybe I could have done something differently.”

Dr Fassler, who’s also a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont, says parents have no reason to blame themselves.

“Depression is no more the result of ‘bad parenting’ than is diabetes or cancer,” he says. “All are real illnesses that require careful evaluation and appropriate treatment. The good news is that we can help most children and adolescents.”

(Parenting.com)

By ChriStinE Coppa

Most parents take five from lifeguard duty when their little ones hop out of the pool or make their way from the surf. Once they’re towelled off, it’s time for juice boxes, snacks and maybe playing in the sand. Right? Hopefully in most cases. But, dry drowning, also known as secondary drowning, can occur hours after your kiddo’s swim session has ended.

We asked Dr Danelle Fisher, Vice Chair of Paediatrics at Providence Saint John’s Health Centre in Santa Monica, California, USA to share crucial information to ensure a safe summer while having fun in the sun – and the water.

watch for distressful breathing, consistent coughing, vomiting, unusual behaviour or extreme sleepiness.

Defining dry drowning First, it’s important to understand what dry drowning is because the name can be a bit confusing. It has nothing to do with sand or heat – and everything to do with water.

“Drowning from fluid in the lungs that occurs not during submersion in water, but up to 24 hours after swimming or bathing, defines secondary drowning,” says Dr Fisher. “If the child inhales water into the lungs, the vocal cords can spasm. The drowning is defined ‘dry’ because it occurs out of the water.”

Warning signs

Because you might not witness your child inhale and swallow pool, ocean or even bath water, it’s important to know the signs. Dr Fisher says to

Seek professional help If you witness an event in the water, the lifeguard can and will perform initial lifesaving measures, but further observation should be in a medical facility.

“Go to the ER,” advises Dr Fisher. “Treatment of dry drowning includes obtaining a chest X-ray, having an IV and being monitored for signs of respiratory distress or compromise.”

Don’t be fooled

Most importantly, Dr Fisher wants parents to know that dry drowning is very sneaky. “Drowning conjures images of someone thrashing around in a body of water, not a child who went swimming several hours ago,” Dr Fishers says.

She’s right. Think of your child at home resting on the couch, worn out by sun and swimming. Your child is only tired, right? Not dry drowning. Or is she?

“The scary part is the timing of the drowning, up to 24 hours after an event in the water,” Dr Fisher says.

Even more scary: Dry drowning can occur while the child is napping or down for the night. Why? Water in the lungs can induce vomiting, followed by choking.

Prevention is key

Dry drowning can be prevented by taking appropriate precautions around water, according to Dr Fisher.

“Children over the age of four years should have swim lessons and be supervised by at least one adult at all times while near a body of water, including bathtubs,” Dr Fisher says.

In addition, parents and caregivers should know CPR. Proper fencing around swimming pools is an important safeguard, too. Don’t forget about boat safety: Passengers of all ages on a boat need to wear a life jacket.

“My number one piece of advice when it comes to summer safety involving large bodies of water is to have someone with your child at all times. Incidents leading to dry drowning can occur in a matter of seconds,” Dr Fisher says. (Parenting.com)

PPP/C elections petition hearing imminent

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is now awaiting a date fixed by the High Court for the hearing of the election petition it had filed on June 24 to challenge to results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

All defendants named in the election petition have been served and an affidavit of service was filed on June 30.

This affidavit is a notarised testimony signed by the server that details the time, date, the manner of service, identity of the person served and other details of the job.

If a party in the case claims to not have been notified of pending legal action, the Affidavit of Service can be presented to prove otherwise.

PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall who is actively involved in this aspect of the party, told Guyana Times that all nine individuals were served on June 29 and the next move was to file the affidavit of service, which was done immediately.

The next step will now be for the court to set a date for the hearing on this matter.

The defendants on the petition are the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Keith Lowenfield, and the representatives of the

List of Candidates for all eight parties that contested the recently concluded election.

These are Donald Ramtoar for the PPP/C, Harold Lutchman for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), Candidates Marissa Nadir for the United Force (TUF), Mark Benschop for the Independent Party (IP), Saphier HussainSubedar for the National Independent Party (NIP), Vishnu Bandhu for the United Republican Party (URP), Genrald Perreira for the Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP), and Leon Saul of the Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP).

The petition was filed by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the applicant, PPP/C Executive Member Ganga Persaud, under the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act Chapter 1:04.

In the petition, Persaud asks the court to “determine and declare that the whole of the electoral process was so flawed, contained so many procedural errors and so many instances of fraudulent and/or suspicions actions that the results that have been derived from the process cannot be credibly deemed to represent accurately the will of the electorate”.

The election results disclosed by GECOM shows that the PPP/C gained 202,694 votes while the APNU/AFC gained 207,200.

Since before the election results were officially declared and gazetted, the PPP/C made several requests to the election body for a total recount of the ballots but to no avail. In the application submitted to the court, the party identified a long list of particulars which led to the conclusion that the May 11 General and Regional Elections were massively rigged in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition.

Norman Mc Lean elected Chairman of PSC

Recently appointed President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Norman McLean will have his position deputised by Ramsey Ali of Sterling Products Limited, as he takes up a new position as the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

The PSC on Tuesday announced that its election, which was held on Monday at the Pegasus Hotel, saw the retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major General being selected as Chairman.

It was the organisation’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Mclean, who was only in May last elected President of the GMSA, told Guyana Times that former Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Ramsey Ali will fill in for him as he takes up his new position.

He said there are a number of issues he feels must be addressed, pointing out that he will be doing so as soon as Executives of the Commission meet.

The retired Major General, who was the first

Guyanese charged for US$12M cocaine-in-shrimp bust

Guyanese Heeralall Sukdeo was denied bail when he appeared in Brooklyn Federal Court on Tuesday charged with allegedly smuggling 268 kilos of cocaine stuffed in shrimp last week into New York.

Magistrate Lois Bloom refused bail to the Guyanese on the ground that Sukdeo posed a flight risk. Heeralall Sukdeo, the owner of Sukdeo and Sons Fishing Establishment in Queens, New York, USA, was arrested following the discovery of more than 268 kilograms (kg) of cocaine hidden among frozen shrimp shipped from Guyana.

In a US Daily News report, it was stated that the shipment of cocaine was addressed to “Randolph Fraser” which is apparently Sukdeo’s alias. Sukdeo was held without bail as the authorities continue their investigation. According to reports, a drug-sniffing dog detected the drug in a shipping container that arrived at the Red Hook Terminal from Guyana last week. The street value of the cocaine discovered is estimated to be more than

US$12 million.

Upon discovering the drugs, agents secretly removed the coke-filled shrimp and tailed the container after it cleared customs on June 15, US Homeland Security Special Agent Ryan Varrone reported. The container was delivered last Monday to an unidentified warehouse in Brooklyn where agents spotted Sukdeo together with others, organising and supervising the unloading of the shipment of shrimp. Sukdeo, 59, was arrested, but reportedly declared his innocence claiming that he was present in the vicinity of the truck containing the shipment, because he was curious about its contents. It was reported that Defence Attorney Andre Travieso said Sukdeo has never been arrested before and was confident that it was a huge mistake. Sukdeo was arrested less than a week after a shipping container arrived at a Red Hook Terminal in Brooklyn where he rents warehouse space, and agents spotted him “together with others… organising and supervising the unloading” of

the shipment. Sukdeo operates a fish processing plant at Lusignan and is said to receive the shipments himself in New York.

A top drug enforcement official here had told Guyana Times on Friday that the cocaine was detected ever since it left Guyana for the United States and they would have contacted US drug agents who began to monitor the container as it reached there with the aim of busting the persons involved. The official said that when a shipment of that amount of cocaine is exported, it means that a ring of persons is involved, hence the collusion with the US authorities to track the container. The container was indeed addressed to Rudolph Fraser in Brooklyn, New York; the official added but the shipper is unknown. Guyana Times also understands that Heeralall Sukdeo who was arrested in Queens, NY would have been in Guyana when the consignment of shrimp left for the US. He reportedly left Guyana a few days ago and it was upon his return to the US that he was arrested after he was seen supervising and organising the offloading of the crustaceans that were packed in crates.

The official believes that Sukdeo knew that the container with the shrimp contained the drug and would have stayed back in Guyana until it was cleared by customs officials. “Once the container was given the green light here, the US agents started their operations and would have also paved the way for the container to be cleared there as well”, the official added.

It is presumed that after

Sukdeo would have been contacted by his colleagues informing him that the container was cleared by US authorities, he travelled back, the drug enforcement officer stated. He is

however hoping that the others who were also arrested in the US assist in the ongoing investigations, both here in Guyana and overseas so that the “big fish” can be caught.

Head of the Guyana National Service (GNS), has held a number of positions since his retirement from the GDF in the late 1990’s.

The 80-year-old McLean served as Director General of the organisation between 1974 to79. McLean was also President of the Guyana Cricket Board of Control and a member of the West Indies Cricket Board during 1980-90; a former President of the Guyana National Rifle Association and a former Vice President of the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Council. He had also served as Human Resource s Manager of the OMAI Gold mines Ltd. The other elected officers include Edward Boyer, who was re-elected as Vice Chairman; Ramesh Dookhoo who was returned as ; and Fitzroy McLeod who was elected to the position of Treasurer.

Retired Major General Norman McLean shares a light moment with officials before the election on Monday

PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall

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

Commonwealth wants media punished for breaching elections code

ommonwealth

CSecretary General Kamalesh Sharma has called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to enforce stricter measures as it relates to the breaches of the Media Code of Conduct (MCC).

Sharma, during a meeting with Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, noted that with regard to the functioning of the local media during the election period, it was recommended that the signed Media Code of Conduct be accompanied by severe punitive measures for offenders, so as to dissuade other potential violators. Also, that the state-owned media must provide equitable coverage of all political parties and move away from the temptation to provide unfettered access to one party only.

The media in the leadup to the May 11 General and Regional Elections had come in for severe criticism for the reports and the opinions expressed in the election coverage. Some media houses were criticised for what was described as the “swelling antipathy towards good journalism practices” and the lowering of standards.

Contraventions of MCC

According to the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) May-June report, over the four-month duration of the programme, there were eight serious violations of the MCC, ranging from the publication of inflammatory content to inaccurate reporting, which the Unit felt had the potential to bring the whole electoral process into disrepute.

“Instructively, these vi-

olations were committed by media houses in both the print and broadcast media, with the overwhelming majority indulged in by the print media. There was also a great many other violations committed, which were not duly highlighted in our reports, since, in the estimation of the Unit, they were merely minor irritants of a systemic nature, which posed no untoward threat to the electoral process. One such violation that was fairly widespread was the editorialising of news reports,” the report read.

The MMU said that the submerging of high journalistic and ethical standards by political favouritism was reflected mainly in the quanta and types of coverage afforded the competing political parties, by the various media houses, in the print and broadcast media; and, in the number of breaches of the MCC that were committed by media practitioners, in their haste to spin stories

to suit the political agendas of their media houses.

On a scale of 1-4, the media houses were judged for their balance, accuracy and fairness, of which a rank of 1 represented excellence, 2 – good, 3 – average and 4 – poor.

Guyana Times was able to score a rating of 3 for balance, a rating of 2 for accuracy and 3 for fairness, while the Stabroek News received 2, 1 and 2 in the respective areas.

The Guyana Chronicle scored 4 with regard to balance, 2 for accuracy and a 3 for fairness while the Glenn Lall-owned Kaieteur News scored 3 for balance, 2 for accuracy and 3 for fairness.

In the meantime, in echoing the observations made by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Elections Observer Mission, that the 2015 General and Regional Elections were conducted in a credible manner, Sharma further engaged the GECOM Chairman in discussing a few rec-

Another outgoing

ommendations that could serve GECOM well in future elections.

According to GECOM, one key area of discussion centred on the multi-step system currently employed by GECOM for the transmission of election results. Both gentlemen agreed that this system was loaded with all sorts of delays which can likely result in a number of unintended consequences inimical to the maintenance of peace and preservation of the good order of society. Moving forward GECOM could try to reduce the many steps currently used to transmit elections results while still maintaining unmitigated transparency.

Other important recommendations addressed in the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Final Report on the 2015 General and Regional Elections would be the need to utilise more buildings as polling stations that are properly equipped to facilitate persons living with physical disabilities.

Further, there was the issue of allowing election candidates and Cabinet members to enter polling stations as Political Party Agents.

This practice the Commonwealth Secretariat recommended should be revised and further clarified, so as to avoid unnecessary confusion among electors on Polling Day.

GECOM said that it remained cognisant of the important role of the Commonwealth Secretariat during Guyana’s electoral period, and looked forward to more of the same professional and objective engagements with the Secretariat in the future.

passenger gets 4 years for drug trafficking

Police Prosecutors at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts are on a roll as they have convicted yet another person accused of trafficking narcotics.

Alex Macey of Corentyne, Berbice was sentenced to four years imprisonment on Tuesday by Magistrate Fabayo Azore after he was found guilty of trafficking 12.250 kilograms of cocaine.

The facts of the case read that on January 13, ranks from the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) saw Macey acting in a suspicious manner at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and intercepted him before he boarded a Dynamic Airways flight to the United States of America (USA).

The cocaine was found in one of two suitcases he had with him. Two plastic bags were found in a ‘Bob Marley’

designed bag which grabbed the officer’s attention.

This became justified when the CANU Officers found small packets containing a white substance in the plastic bags of rice and flour.

During his trial, Macey was not represented but he gave a strong defence of his innocence, claiming that two men were responsible for the cocaine found in his suitcases.

He had elaborated that the men did not have enough space in their suitcases for other articles they wanted to take with them. He admitted that he was a bit hesitant but got into a conversation with the men and agreed to assist.

Macey stated that when he was caught by the CANU Officers he told them all of this and they were able to apprehend the men. However, he said that the CANU officers subsequently let them

go.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Stephen Telford told the court that the accused statements were false, presenting several witnesses that were able to give testimony to the effect.

Magistrate Azore stated that she believed the prosecution’s witnesses, calling Macey’s account of what occurred false. This was even when the accused had been given an edge by the Magistrate a week ago, when the caution statement had been struck out from evidence against him.

The Magistrate ruled that the statements were not freely and voluntarily given as the CANU officers were unable to explain justifiably to the court why the six page caution statement took three hours to write up, thus, giving credence to the defen-

dant’s complaints.

However, Magistrate Azore accepted the testimony of CANU officer Andrew Yarde who had testified to Macey’s response after he was apprehended. She made this the focal point of her ruling of guilt against the now convicted felon.

Apparently, when the illicit substance was found in the Macey’s suitcase, he had responded by holding his head muttering “O God, I know I would get catch, I had a bad dream last night”.

Although Macey had said countered that he had actually responded “this is why they never wanted me to look inside.”

Along with the four-year sentence, Magistrate Azore fined Macey $5,900,000 for attempting to smuggle the 12.250 kilograms of cocaine out of Guyana.

Eyew tness

No country for...

...Corentyne men?

Dr. Rishee Thakur’s a true blue Berbice man. You know...the ones who start salivating as soon as they hear the word “fried kakabelly”! Seriously... it’s not everyday you have a fella who can spout Derrida and Foucault and all that post-modernist jazz - but yet leave the bright lights of Georgetown for the bucolic charms of upper Corentyne.

Thakur’s also one of the iconoclasts of Region 6 who rallied under the flag of Moses in the recent elections. Was even a candidate, if the news reports are to be believed. But like so many folks who believed they’d be led to the promised land, Thakur’s beginning to ask questions. And while this Eyewitness hopes they’ll be answered, he’s not holding his breath. During the hustings, sugar loomed large in Berbice. And with good reason. It was still the largest employer in the region and businesses ebbed and flowed with the turn of the crops to be harvested. Right now, for instance, business sucks: it’s the rainy season and the sugar factories are closed.

Anyhow, it was no secret that sugar was in trouble. The PPP was too successful for its own good with its economic turnaround. Unlike the case in 1992 when Berbicians would beg to get a cane cutting job, right now young people wouldn’t take it even if you stood on your head. There are just so many other alternatives available.

There was also the Skeldon factory which former President Jagdeo candidly accepted had its challenges - even though his sugar expansion plan was strategically sound. So during the campaign the then Opposition, including local boys Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, unfolded all kinds of plans as to how they would “rescue” sugar. Sugar refineries, ethanol, distilleries, co-generation, and gasification were only the tip of the iceberg. But now that they’ve slipped into office they’ve weaseled out and done what the British did for centuries whenever they had a problem. Set up a Commission of Inquiry!!! Now everybody who ever took West Indian History at CSEC knows that this is just to delay making a decision that’s already been made.

Who do they think they’re fooling? And what’s that decision, you ask? President Granger did say - before he coalesced with Moses and crewthat he’ll close down the industry, no? So there! But back to Thakur’s cri de coeur: how come there’s not a single person from the Corentyne on the COI? Did the APNU brain trust go by their experience with Nagamootoo and Ramjattan and conclude all Berbicians are daft?

...gays?

With the U.S. Supreme Court finally making same-sex marriage legal in the good old US of A, this Eyewitness was waiting for the fallout in old mud land. Mind you, here, legislation still hasn’t even been signed to forbid discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

So at a minimum, samesex wedded bliss is a whiles away. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t talk about this change that’s blowing from up north, right? After all, most of our social attitudes are formed from their movies, TV and other outlets for their “culture”. Not to mention our visiting “nouveau” Americans who only last month were living down East Bank.

Haven’t we all seen “Modern Family” or even that oldie, “Will and Grace”?? Point is, the times are always a-changin’ and if we take time to notice, not all change is retrograde. Especially those that reduce hate in our society - especially when all the objects of the hate have done, is to “be different”. Wasn’t so long ago, we were enslaved for that reason, no?

...Amerindians

We accept that the new government wants to get on with “governing”. But are they absolutely tone deaf to the cries that they’re breaking the law in so many instances? The latest is they’re ignoring the Amerindian Act - just to secure the support of the Toshaos.

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma

Essequibo fishers urge stepped up fight against piracy

Essequibo fishermen are calling on the Government to step up its action against piracy; a scourge that has blighted the industry over the years.

On Tuesday, the Fisheries Department of the Agriculture Ministry joined with the Seabob Industry to apply for Marine Stewardship Council Certification (MSC). This certification is a well-recognised eco-label that proves that a country has adopted sustainable fishing practices.

The Seabob Industry and the Fisheries Department are putting measures in place to ensure that such certification will be granted. This includes installing by-catch reduction devices on trawlers to ensure that the quantity of fish that is caught and discarded is reduced, thereby balancing the ocean’s ecosystem. This was told to stakeholders in the sector by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, as they observed Fisherfolk Day 2015, at Fishers’ Port, Charity, Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Monday. The theme of the day was ‘Healthy Oceans, Protecting Livelihoods, Enhancing Food Security.”

Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are being installed on trawlers to allow traceability to give an alert of possible illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. The benefits of MSC include showing that a country’s fishery has been independently con-

firmed as well managed and sustainable, gives an edge over competitors in the marketplace, and it assures buyers that the fish comes from a well managed and sustainable source.

Meanwhile, Minister Holder cognisant of the dangers faced by fisherfolk in plying their trade, said Government will be taking a proactive stand to address the issue, through adopting an inter-agency approach in order that the desired results are attained. The Minister pointed out that “we are aware of the dangers fisherfolk face on a daily basis and are committed to protecting you and will work diligently to ensure we make your working environment a safer place.”

Recently, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, addressing the same issue, told Berbicians that one of the proposals being considered to deal with

this scourge is allowing fishermen to carry arms during their duty. He explained though the fishermen will be allowed to go out to sea with their firearms, and when they return, the Police will take charge of the weapons and ammunition. The procedure will be repeated when the fishermen go back to sea. He further explained that the Ministry has to have practical solutions because measures such as having the “Coast Guard vessels watching how you fish” would not be possible as it would be expensive. “What we would need are some practical solutions,” the Minister said as he identified measures such as ensuring better response time by the Police and Coast Guard units. In this instance, the Minister noted that the latter’s metal shark boats will be put to use. Efforts will also be made to ensure that boats are equipped with ra-

Granger speaks of reformed, refinanced UG

Although the University of Guyana is going through a tumultuous time at the moment, Government is hoping to reform and refinance the country’s leading tertiary institution, making it one that every Guyanese can be proud of.

The University of Guyana has been going through a trying period, particularly with its management and student affairs. But in spite of this, President David Granger on Monday committed to placing the university at that place where it needs to be.

“I’d like to see an educated workforce, I’d like to see a reformed, refinanced university for Guyana, so that we could be proud of our graduates”, Granger said at a private forum recently. He was at the time detailing some of the things his Government hopes to see happen over the next five years, as it operates from the legislative chamber.

According to Granger, the University is not at the place it needs to be academically and even pointed out that quite too often, many corporations are still required to set up training schemes to train graduates from the University.

“It should not be that way... It should be that the university should produce graduates to take their place in any corporation of economic life in this country”, the Head of State posited.

Only last week, the Head of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) of the University of Guyana, Professor Suresh Narine, who is also Co Chairman of the Canadian oil and gas exploration company CGX’s, indicated that much more needed to be done regarding the quality of education being offered to students at UG for the rewarding Industry.

He had said that the oil and gas sector; a major enhancement to any economy, will do wonders for Guyana’s fiscal footing. Unfortunately for him, the country’s premier university is “nowhere near where it needs to be to prepare people for the oil and gas industry”.

And because of the state at which education is at the moment, even if there were to be a start now, there will still be a shortage of people.

“What needs to be done, it’s not just petroleum engineers, it’s not just plumbing, and it’s not just stevedore men. Its environmentalists who will find work in this

sector, the tertiary jobs all the way through and I think that it is imperative of our country that we map that,” Narine had related.

Meanwhile, continuing his focus on tertiary education, Granger noted that the he would like to see a similar quality of education being had by students attending the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

“I’d like to see a strong CPCE. That is why I promised one lap top per teacher so that every teacher student entering there would be versed in information technology from day one. I don’t see laptops as toys being giving out as Christmas gifts; I see it as important tools to assist in the development of this country. I see information and Internet as being an entitlement of all Guyana and not just a few elites”

He said that if this were to become a reality, “children in Aishalton and other far flung areas could access education through the Internet and that is just one way to make education accessible to all.” While the Government will not be able to put campuses in all 10 administrative regions, the Internet must link students together,” Granger said.

dio systems so that their positions could be tracked.

Speaking on the issue as well at the Essequibo forum was Coast Guard Commanding Officer of Essequibo, Adrian Mc Lean, who pointed out that the Maritime Department of

the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has received a lot of assistance over the past few years to better execute its functions. This includes metal shark boats and a floating base in the Essequibo River. However, a major challenge remains the lack of commu-

nication between the Police and the fisherfolk. As a solution to this, Lieutenant Mc Lean proposed that Guyana look into a smart phone technology that was proposed by the University of the West Indies (UWI), which will allow easy communication between the two parties. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry George Jarvis saluted the fishermen for their courage, and pledged the Ministry’s full support towards the fight against privacy. Fisheries, along with agriculture and forestry contribute 31 per cent to the Gross National Product (GDP) of Guyana. The industry comprises three components – marine, inland and aquaculture – and employs approximately 15,000 people.

The gathering at Fisherfolk Day 2015 at Charity, Essequibo

Youths take charge of administration of Region 5

... 16-member RDC sworn in

By Andrew CArmiChAel

Aschool welfare officer attached to the Department of Education, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has been elected Chairman of Region Five. Vickhand Ramphal was elected to the post on Tuesday when the Region Five Regional Democratic Council (RDC) sat for the first time at the RDC Boardroom at Fort Wellington.

Rion Peters was re-elected to serve as Vice Chairman. The Region Five RDC has 18 seats; however, only 17 councillors took the oath of office at Tuesday’s meeting. Overseer of the Union/ Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Renoi McAlmont who was nominated as a councillor by the Alliance For Change (AFC) could not take up the post, as that would have been in violation of the Local Government Act, which forbids persons employed under the Local Government system to take up appointments on any council which falls under the Local Government. These include RDCs and NDCs.

The incumbent APNU+AFC Administration has eight seats on the 18-seat Council with five going to APNU and three to the AFC. The PPP/C has 10 seats in the Council.

The newly-elected Chairman, in his inaugural speech, thanked the Council for the trust it placed in him to head the body. He promised to work to the best of his ability and beyond the call of duty to make Region Five a better place, continuing the transformation of the social and economic lives of the citizens of that region. “I will ensure that the Regional Democratic Council works in collaboration with other agencies to further reduce the amount of cases of crime, suicide and domestic violence. I will ensure that the RDC improves on the delivery of health and education.”

PSC presses Govt on faster Internet, cheaper power

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in Guyana is seeking Government’s assistance on things it said will have a transformative effect on how business is conducted in the country.

Ramphal said sport played a very important part in moulding a strong and healthy nation, and as such extra attention would be placed in that area under his tenure. “Also special attention will be given to communities that are in need for utility services. Most importantly, we must ensure that resources are being distributed in such a way that the citizens of Region Five will receive the maximum benefits,” the new Chairman added.

In welcoming the new councillors to the RDC, Ramphal said that the Region Five RDC has always enjoyed the cooperation of councillors from both sides of the floor as well as staff of the RDC. This, he urged, should continue during the 11th sitting of the Council. He urged the Councillors to work together as a team.

The Vice Chairman, in his address to the Council, said he too was honoured to be re-elected to serve in that capacity. While noting that the Council must work as a unit, Peters said it was the duty of every councillor to ensure that the will of citizens be fulfilled and their livelihood improved.

Meanwhile, APNU+AFC lead councillor Carol Smith-Joseph said as a Councillor, she would be representing the Government of Guyana. “The task is a simple one as we will all be expected to carry out the mandate of the Government.”

The full council is Vickhand Ramphal Rion Peters, Sandra Baldeo, Vidywattie Balram, Hassan Mohamed, Lloyda Angus, Ambika Singh, Bickram Singh, Gopal Singh and Salima Yocoob for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) side of the floor, while the APNU+AFC Councillors are Delon Crawford, Herman Anthony, Dolston Hutson, Gloria Lindo-Wolf, Abel Seekaram and Thakoor Singh. The RDC will meet on the third Thursday of every month.

Outgoing PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud, in his last evening as chairman made the representation at the organisation’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Monday at the Pegasus Hotel. Persaud said much more was still needed to make the environment more conducive for conducting business in Guyana and making the Private Sector the ultimate engine of economic growth. He said the organisation’s collaboration with Government and all stakeholders would continue as it sought to build a sustainable development path.

“Since I have the rapt attention of His Excellency, David Granger and members of the Cabinet, I will venture to disclose the top five things on my wish list of things to be resolved by the Government for the business community. We need faster and more reliable access to the Internet, cheaper electricity, policies that promote an environment of fair play and equal opportunities, regardless of whether a business is large or small, local or foreign,” Persaud told the small gathering at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus.

According to the Chairman, the PSC, still being fairly young with its emergence in the early 1990s, is yet to assume its role as the ultimate engine of economic growth in Guyana. He said a significant part of Guyana’s economy was still driven by government spending and initiatives and the Private Sector’s interdependence on government spending cannot be understated in an economy like Guyana’s.

Persaud recalled that the year 2014 had seen many challenges and opportunities as the global economy grew by some 3.3 per cent

$219,821, as compared to a deficit of $893,354 for 2013. Income from subscriptions amounted to $15,375,000, up from $13,937,500 in 2014. The increase was the result of the addition of two new corporate members. Rental income amounted to $3,381,700, down from $3,904,700 in 2013. Property expenses fell to $3,583,953 as compared to 3,985,151 in 2013.

Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation so that Guyana would be compliant with international standards.

“We are pleased to note the passing of this Bill on June 26, 2015, and we take this opportunity to urge the business community to ensure full adherence and we trust that Government will ensure the full operationalisation and implementation of this legislation. This legislation is a positive step towards protecting legitimate businesses from unfair competition from criminal enterprises and tax evaders,” Persaud said.

On another note, he said the PSC had also expressed dissatisfaction over the non-holding of Local Government Elections and had called on the then Government to set a date as soon as was practical. The call, he said, was drowned out by the subsequent need to have General Elections. However, the need for Local Government Elections should not be forgotten and the business community looks forward to the date being announced soon, the PSC Chairman said.

Persaud noted that a national governance crisis also developed when Parliament was prorogued. During that period, the PSC met “tirelessly” with all political parties and several members of civil society in an attempt to broker a solution to the impasse.

“Our proposals did not meet with success and the stalemate continued until General Elections were held in 2015. In 2014, the PSC also held discussions with the Guyana Revenue Authority in the context of the GRA/PSC Sub-Group set up under the [National Competitive Strategy] NCS with the main emphasis being on the time taken to process transactions. This is a work in progress,” Persaud revealed as he cited other concerns of the Commission.

He said the country has a new

with developing countries growing at an average of 4.4 per cent. In Latin America and the Caribbean, growth averaged only 1.2 per cent. Guyana’s economy, however, grew by 3.9 per cent, the ninth consecutive year of positive growth.

However, the economy grew at a slower rate than in 2013 when growth reached 5.2 per cent. The slower rate of growth was occasioned by lower prices for commodities, particularly gold.

Part of his report showed that at the end of 2014, the Commission’s finances registered a deficit of

The PSC, founded in January of 1992, completed 23 years of service to the business community of Guyana in 2014. It was established when structural reforms by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the then Government through the implementation of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) in Guyana was beginning to have the desired results, and established private enterprises were expanding operations and new companies were emerging. The Private Sector was, at that time, still navigating its way through an economy that was dominated by public enterprises after the Private Sector was significantly shrunk as a result of Government policies in the 1970s and early 1980s.

The PSC participated in the 2014 budget consultation process and reiterated its call for comprehensive tax reform and completion of the work of the tax commission, telecommunications liberalisation, and increased spending on infrastructural projects such as hinterland airstrips and capital dredging of the Demerara Harbour.

Persaud recalled that in early 2014, immense efforts were expended on getting the political parties in Parliament to pass the amendments to the Anti-Money

government which has many challenges and opportunities on its agenda; however, “the PSC would like to acknowledge the work of the [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] PPP/C Government while they were in office and thank them for the many initiatives and policies that contributed to the tremendous growth of the Private Sector. Now that their roles have changed to being the Opposition, we urge them to take up their seats in Parliament as a formidable opposition is needed in a mature democracy,” Persaud said.

A section of the gathering at Monday’s event at the Savannah Suite Pegasus Hotel

Vice Chairman Rion Peters taking the oath of office

Chairman Vickhand Ramphal

Former PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

PPP/C shakes up Reg 2 representation

...elects new RDC, Chairman, Vice Chairman

Newly-elected Regional Chairman and Regional Vice Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt and Juliet Nandranie Coonjah have pledged their support to further developing Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) by working with stakeholders, both private and public, for the continuity of progress, peace and prosperity.

Speaking with Guyana Times immediately after being sworn in as Chairman, Ramdatt, a father of three, said he was happy to have been elected to the position. He credited his success to God; family; parents; the

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) supporters and Executive Members of PPP/C for having confidence in him. Ramdatt said he planned to work with all stakeholders to move the region forward. He explained that it was his responsibility to make sure that the region continued to be managed in a smooth manner underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability.

Ramdatt said that people should come first and as such there needed to be enhancement in the infrastructure within the region. “Although I was elected by the PPP/C I will be a Chairman of all the

people. Transparency and accountability will be a top priority under my stewardship,” Ramdatt noted.

In his effort to continue amicable relationships within the region, Ramdatt said emphasis would be placed on building team spirit among all workers within and outside of the Regional Administration. He continued that he would be working with all farmers and business stakeholders in finding best solutions to solve the many challenges that exist in today’s society.

Under his stewardship, he said, priority would be given to children – the fu-

Guyana Goldfields plugs $8M into Linden Technical Institute

The Guyana Goldfields / AGM Inc has committed some $8 million in financing for the introduction of an occupational safety training component to the curriculum of students at the Linden Technical Institute from September 2015.

The collaborative effort dubbed ReTOOL Guyana is designed by CUSO International in response to an approach by and funding from Guyana Goldfields Inc ,and will provide for the engagement of an industry professional to provide internationally acceptable levels of safety training for tutors and students.

At an official contract signing ceremony at the company’s office on Tuesday, AGM Inc committed the financing necessary for CUSO to provide the personnel – a professional occupational safety instructor, to create and implement a groundbreaking safety training curriculum at the LTI, which will ultimately become the first technical vocational school in Guyana to offer the programme.

According to the company, the LTI has a long history of training for the mining industry and its graduates form a large portion of its employees while a collaborative relationship has long been enjoyed between the company and the LTI.

“In an effort to build on this relationship, several consultations were held with the school’s administration and the AGM Inc’s corporate social responsibility department to arrive at collaborative initiatives that could result in the preparation of students for real world work challenges. A recognition of the fact that students would emerge technically qualified, but lacking the safety culture necessary for today’s competitive work environment provoked the exploration of this curriculum intervention – ReTOOL Guyana: Reinvigorating Training Opportunities and Occupational Learning in Guyana,” Country Manager and Senior Vice President Violet Smith said. She remarked that this project aimed to motivate and provide students with

the opportunity to achieve real world skills that provide a competitive edge to their vocational qualifications in areas that are in great demand by almost all industries and companies.

To this end, she encouraged the students and faculty of the LTI to take full advantage of the opportunity to acquire the unique skill set.

LTI Principal Dennis Jaikaran and CUSO International Country Representative Taramattie Persaud also echoed similar sentiments as the donation was made.

CUSO International has over 50 years of experience in promoting sustainable development through the placement of volunteers, especially in skills transfer sectors, to lift industry standards.

CUSO’s overall approach to development through skills sharing, knowledge transfer and capacity building ensures programme sustainability and that the needs of Guyana’s youths and the industries they hope to be engaged in are met.

ture leaders, young people and the elderly to ensure quality services are being delivered. He also vowed to implement programmes to fight against social ills such as suicide and teenage pregnancy in society.

Ramdatt’s assistant, VC Coonjah said she too would work along with stakeholders to help move Region Two forward. The women

activist served as a councillor on previous Regional Democratic Councils and also on the Women Progressive Organisation (WPO). Coonjah has served the Party for more than 20 years. Speaking with the media just after the swearing-in process, Coonjah said she was open to talking with any other political parties, agencies and non- govern-

mental officials. Coonjah, who will be tasked with managing the drainage and irrigation system, said she would work closely with the Drainage and Irrigation engineers. She said she believed in working in a team and vowed to continue to do so. Ramdatt replaced Parmanand Persaud while Coonjah replaced Vishnu Samaroo.

Newly-elected Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt and Vice Chairman Juliet Coonjah

Guyana Goldfields Country Manager and Senior Vice President Violet Smith (left) hands over the cheque to CUSO International Country Representative Taramattie Persaud as LTI Principal Dennis Jaikaran looks on

wednesday, july 1, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

Govt pushes for judicial settlement – Granger

President David Granger has once again committed to bringing an end to the decades-old border controversy between Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela, telling a group of diplomats and business executives that he would be going the route of judicial intervention no matter the cost.

The Head of State made the pronouncement when he addressed members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday. Venezuela has been bent on seeking to prove that it owns part of Guyana, despite a decision handed down by the Arbitral Tribunal agreed to by both Venezuela and Great Britain, the colonial masters of British Guyana, in the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the border.

“We have to deal with this. One hundred and fifty years ago, this matter was settled ...,” the Head of State said, noting that the part of Guyana’s territory being claimed by Venezuela has an abundance of resources.

Guyana had committed to taking the judicial route of action earlier this year, after years of committing to the Good Offices Process. Government had declared

that the process was yielding little or no results. In a statement at the opening of Guyana’s 11th Parliament on June 10, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge called on Venezuela in joining this nation in moving to the courts to pursue a judicial settlement of the controversy.

“We, therefore, expect them now to join in our approach to the UN Secretary General under the Geneva Agreement for a judicial settlement of their questioning of the validity of the 1899 Award…” Greenidge had said in a subsequent statement. He said Guyana has never strayed from the path of friendship with Venezuela, adding that bringing the matter to an end by due process of international law, as was proposed by Guyana, would be a gift to future generations in both countries

Shadow The Foreign Affairs Minister pointed out that for the past 49 years, Guyana has been living under the shadow of Venezuela’s illegal claims. He added that in order to ensure that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are not compromised, a definite solution has to be found that will put Venezuela’s contention of nullity to rest.

The Vice President outlined that the Good Offices Process adopted under the Geneva Agreement of 1966, which has been in place as a means of peaceful settlement of the issue between the two countries, has failed to resolve the territorial issue and with this new decree, the contentious gap between the neighbouring countries has widened. As such, Greenidge opined that the only way forward may be through a judicial settlement.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had last Thursday postponed the

session of the National Assembly which he was expected to attend to establish a position in defence of the territorial dispute between his country and Guyana over space in the Essequibo. He had reported his visit to the plenary session “to present the official position to defend the historical claim, the dispute over the Essequibo, and to seek national unity, to ask for support from across the country to face the challenge of ExxonMobil,” reported the state-run AVN news.

“I’m going to denounce international manoeu-

vre of the right to provoke Venezuela with problems with neighbouring countries, and I’ll summon the civil union and the military to defend our country, our land and our historical positions,” Maduro had said. The decades-old controversy began in the 1800s when Guyana was a colony of the British. A Tribunal of Arbitration finalised its decision on October 3, 1899, awarding unanimously to Britain almost 90 per cent of the disputed territory.

Final settlement

Venezuela, up until now, has not accepted the 1899 Award as a final settlement of the border dispute although it only made its contention international in 1945.

In 1949, the US jurist Otto Schoenrich gave the Venezuelan Government a memorandum written by Severo Mallet-Prevost, the Official Secretary of the US-Venezuela delegation in the Tribunal of Arbitration, which was written in 1944 to be published only after his death.

Mallet-Prevost, one of the four lawyers who had appeared for Venezuela before the Arbitral Tribunal, surmised from the private behaviour of the judges that there had been a political deal between Great Britain and Russia and for the first time, attacked the

Award. This memorandum led to Venezuela’s revival of its claim to Guyana’s territory.

In 1966 in Geneva, Switzerland, the Governments of British Guiana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed an agreement to resolve Venezuela’s contentions. Since the issue has sporadically flared up and has not been resolved.

The issue reignited in early March when the Government of Guyana granted access to the United States-based oil exploration company ExxonMobil, allowing it to drill for oil in the Stabroek block offshore Essequibo. The Venezuelan Government was peeved at this move and made direct contact with the oil company, urging it to discontinue its attempt to carry out drilling activities in the area. Saying it had no part in the territorial issue, the oil company went ahead with its drilling activity. It recently reported the discovery of oil. Maduro later issued a decree on May 26, which purports to ratify maritime sovereignty over waters within 200 miles including the entire Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo Coast as well as part of Suriname’s maritime territory and an area which is under dispute with Colombia.

President David Granger

Morian installed as Region 10 Chairman

...booted Sharma mulls future

Former member of Parliament Renis Morian was on Tuesday installed as the new Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), replacing the more youthful Sharma Solomon in one of the most divisive Regional Democratic Council elections held in that region for years.

Although there were threats of protests, Lindeners largely shunned the swearing ceremony held at the Region 10 RDC office. According to information reaching Guyana Times, the election commenced at around 09:00h and was smoothly executed. Pastor Morian was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the region, while Errol Adolphus was elected Vice Chairman.

Solomon, who has the backing of most residents of the region, is believed to have been punished by the People’s National Congress Reform for his open chal-

lenge against the leadership of that party – the largest component in the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) coalition. Chief Whip of the APNU/ AFC Amna Ally had predicted that there would have been protest actions over the removal of Solomon as the region’s leader. Since reports began emanating that Solomon would be replaced, the mining town of Linden launched several protests, calling for the decision to be reversed since residents were of the view that Solomon worked assiduously for the welfare of the people and the entire town. Soloman, who is a friend and colleague of the controversial Vanessa Kissoon who was suspended in 2013 for misconduct in the party, was visibly absent from the coalition’s list of Candidates when it was handed to the GECOM on April 7, weeks before the election. He was later named however as the Campaign Manager for the coalition in Region 10 in the lead up to General and Regional Elections and was instrumental in healing the rifts between that town and the party.

While Guyana Times efforts to secure a comment from Solomon proved unsuccessful, Solomon in numerous releases over the weeks had said that despite the fact that his name had been excluded and he will not return as Regional Chairman, he has served the region

with pride and integrity and his record was easily verifiable. “I remain humbled and grateful for the opportunity presented to serve the people. Though some may think I am extinguishable, Region 10 and those who desire a politics of development and not a politics of destruction and tear down, rest assure you will hear from and see Sharma Solomon. I am Guyanese and will continue to play a positive role in the development of our people and this dear land,” he had said. He had noted that public service is one of the greatest honours in man’s earthly life and he was proud of what he had managed to accomplish for the region and will not give up in that regard.

Solomon had also faced accusations of financial impropriety, which he had denied. He had openly challenged President David Granger for the leader-

Escaped psychiatric patient remanded for hijacking car

A24-year-old man who escaped from the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Psychiatric Clinic was refused bail on Tuesday when he made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Raymond Samaroo, who was once a Sales Representative at Neal and Massy, appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer to two indictable charges of carjacking.

The charges read that on June 27, while on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, he stole a motor car bearing registration number PHH 5935 valued $5 million from Rishi Lall. Also, he stole the same car on June 28 from the vicinity of the Kitty Police Station on Alexander Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Samaroo was not required to plead to the offence. However, Magistrate

McLennan allowed him to, once the prosecution made an application for the matter to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He pleaded not guilty.

Regarding the details of what happened on June 27 and 28, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones enlightened the court. He detailed that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was on Sheriff Street with his girlfriend (he was outside the vehicle while she was within). They did not notice when the accused jumped into the driver’s seat of the car until he attempted to drive off with her in the car. The young woman responded by jumping out of the car.

The Prosecutor told the court that an alarm was raised and the Police chased the man in the car. However, he escaped by jumping out of the vehicle with the keys.

The Police was able to recover the car in good order and towed it to the Kitty Police Station. However, Samaroo went there and drove the car away from the Police Station the following day. He was chased once more by the Police and finally apprehended.

Attorney Paul Fung-AFat represented Samaroo. He gave the court the information regarding his client’s mental condition and advised that he be placed in the care of the Psychiatric Clinic once more. He said that he had a fixed place of abode in 20 Boeing Street, Kitty and the vehicle was returned to the VC.

Nevertheless, Magistrate McLennan remanded Samaroo to jail. He is expected in Court Five on July 15, where Magistrate Fabayo Azore will be trying the matter.

ship of the PNCR recently and had fallen out with Congress Place over his often-times radical stance on issues that affected the party. Observers said that his snubbing can come back to hurt the party if he decides to run for Mayor at the promised Local Government Elections. The 2015 General and Regional Elections results revealed that APNU/ AFC won seats in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

To this end, the APNU+AFC coalition grasped 15 of the 18 council seats while the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) copped three seats on the council at the May 11 polls. In the meantime, Morian has committed to ensuring that the region’s development is paramount on the agenda of the new council. He has also expressed his commitment in ensuring that new opportunities are created particularly in the areas of job creation, exploration of the region’s resources and economic development.

Fire guts

Enterprise

home leaving 5 homeless

Afamily of five is now homeless after a fire believed to be electrical in origin gutted their twostorey home on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at 512 Forbes Street, Enterprise Gardens, East Coast Demerara (ECD) around 10:00h.

Those homeless are Imran Khan, his wife Latchmin Nankishore and his three children ages 14, 16 and 18.

Reports suggest that

no one was home when the house went up in flames, and when neighbours realised the building was burning, they immediately contacted the Fire Service which arrived a little too late. It is unclear the extent of the family’s losses. Meanwhile, the fire is believed to have been of electrical origin and reports indicate that investigators are currently investigating the incident from that angle.

Sharma Solomon

Renis Morian

The ruins of the home at Enterprise Gardens

Cuba stamps out mother-to-child HIV

Cuba has successfully eliminated motherto-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says. The head of the WHO, Dr Margaret Chan, called it one of the greatest public health achievements possible.

It follows years of efforts to give pregnant women early access to prenatal care, testing and drugs to stop these diseases passing from mother to child.

The WHO hopes other countries will be able to achieve the same.

Every year, globally, around 1.4 million women living with HIV become pregnant

Untreated, they have a 1545 per cent chance of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding.

That risk drops to about one per cent if antiretroviral medicines are given to both mothers and their babies. And

each year, nearly a million pregnant women worldwide are infected with syphilis. Again, early screening and treatment of these women can avoid complications for their unborn children. In Cuba, according to the available official data, less than two per cent of children whose mothers have HIV are born with the virus – the lowest rate possible with the available prevention methods.

Globally, seven in every 10 pregnant women living with

HIV in low- and middle-income countries receive effective antiretroviral medicines to prevent transmission of the virus to their children.

Among the 22 countries that account for 90 per cent of new HIV infections, eight have already reduced new HIV infections among children by more than 50 per cent since 2009 (based on 2013 data) and another four are close to this mark, the WHO says. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Suriname President fires acting House Speaker

In a move said to avoid a possible legislative vacuum, the President of Suriname on Sunday night dismissed acting speaker of the newly elected Parliament.

As the oldest elected legislator, Paul Somohardjo was sworn in last Friday by President Desi Bouterse as acting speaker to convene the first session of the new Parliament.

Bouterse told journalists that he had no choice other than to relieve Somohardjo of his duties, since he sent a

letter to the head of state informing him that he won’t be able to convene the meeting on June 30.

“I had no other choice than to dismiss Mr Somohardjo since his actions would have created a constitutional incident if by June 30 the new Parliament hasn’t been sworn in,” Bouterse told reporters at his office.

At his own request the acting speaker had a meeting with the President where he told Bouterse that he need more time to prepare the in-

augural session of the legislature. The President argued that such would be against the Constitution, since the term of the current Parliament is ending on June 30, exactly five years after it was inaugurated.

Somohardjo said that taking into account that the results of the May 25 general elections were confirmed on June 15 and as such the newly elected members of Parliament should be sworn in no later than 30 days thereafter on July 15. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Barbados AG wants cooperation in handling citizens who fight with ISIS

Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite wants to see Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries cooperating to determine how to deal with their citizens who return home after fighting with radical Muslim group ISIS.

Trini accents heard in video of kids being trained to use guns

Avideo featuring young children shooting at targets using several high-powered rifles has caught the attention of Trinidadian Police.

In the video, which went viral on social media websites over the last 72 hours, several members of the Muslim community dressed in Army camouflage instruct the children on how to aim at a target and shoot with the weapons. In showing the children how to use the weapons, an adult also shoots at the same target and after completing his demonstration goes back to what looks like an aban-

doned building near an oil refinery.

However, what grabbed the local Police’s attention is the fact that the adults in the video all have Trinidadian accents. Police admitted on Monday that while the video is now under investigation, there were unclear where the video was shot or whether it is authentic.

But in an interview, Assistant Commissioner of Police Carlton Alleyne said if members of the public were indeed involved in the act and the filming and posting of the video, they should desist from this behaviour. He said the video had been

referred to the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit for further investigation.

“I asked them to pursue it and it may not be local. We are checking on it. I don’t know where that is,” he said. Alleyne said it was unfortunate that the adults in the video were exposing children to this type of activity.

“To be embedding and exposing their young minds to that sort of thing is nothing good. It cannot bring positive and asserting that kind of threat in their young minds. How can we be responsible as a country?” he asked. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Visitor covered in oil after swimming in The Bahamas

The oil covering the legs of a visitor after snorkelling off Clifton Bay

The Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation on Monday released a photo of a visitor’s legs partially covered in oil following a snorkelling trip off Clifton Bay, highlighting the persistent environmental threat oil spills are posing to the area.

BREEF Executive

Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert said the oil spill has been “unbearable,” negatively impacting the “precious marine environment, human health, livelihoods and the reputation of The Bahamas around the world.”

This comes despite the fact that the Government pledged US$10 million to-

wards the removal of oil from waters off Clifton Pier in January in response to the longstanding problem.

Last year, there were complaints that significant amounts of oil washed ashore on the nearby Adelaide Beach. McKinneyLambert said: “BREEF has been advocating for the clean-up of this environmental disaster for many years, and is hopeful that the clean-up will start soon. There is no time to wait.

“Last year, BREEF installed the Coral Reef Sculpture Garden to draw attention to critical threats to the marine environment, particularly the use of fossil fuels that can contaminate the environment with spills, and whose combustion changes the global climate. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Riots in The Netherlands after man from Aruba dies following arrest at festival

He said while terrorist fighters and those transiting the region are also of concern, governments should address the issue of citizens going to support ISIS in Syria and other countries.

Protection Border Security Professional Exchange conference on Monday.

“We have to reach a regional position on how to treat such individuals... because of the type of ideology and knowledge that they have [which] we don’t want to be fed to our general populace,” Brathwaite suggested at the opening of a threeday Customs and Border

He later told reporters that the matter was a source of concern but “it is not something that can be dealt with individually”. There have been reports of citizens of the Region’s countries, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, going off to fight alongside the jihadist group. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Pope to visit the powerful and the poor on Cuba, US trip

Pope Francis will meet prisoners, homeless people and immigrants as well as some of the world’s most powerful leaders during his September trip to Cuba and the United States, according to a Vatican programme issued on Tuesday. Francis, the first Latin American pope, will become the first pontiff to ad-

dress a joint session of the US Congress during the much anticipated September 19-27 trip.

That address and one scheduled to be delivered later to the United Nations will give him another chance to influence a major summit on climate change in Paris in December and discuss his recent encyclical “Laudato Si”,

which called for immediate action to save the planet from degradation.

He is the third pontiff to visit Cuba and presided over the Vatican mediation that led to the resumption of diplomatic ties between Washington and Havana last year after a rupture that lasted more than half a century.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Violence broke out last night during a protest staged after a man from the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba died on Sunday, a day after police arrested him at a music festival in The Hague.

An estimated 200 people had gathered outside a Police station in the neighbourhood of Schilderswijk – where a high percentage of people

with a non-Western background live – some wearing T-shirts with slogans like ‘I love Aruba’ and ‘Stop police violence’ and waving banners with messages urging an end to Police brutality and racism and ‘Justice for Mitch Henriquez’, as they accused police of murdering the 42-year-old tourist. The event took a violent turn when some protesters

began throwing rocks and other objects. Riot Police used truncheons, a water cannon and Police dogs to keep protesters at bay, according to media reports.

Some of the demonstrators subsequently spread out into the neighbourhood, smashing shop windows, bus shelters and phone booths and setting fires in the streets throughout the night and into the early morning.

Henriquez, who was in The Netherlands visiting family for the summer vacation, had attended the Night at the Park music festival on Sunday.

Police claimed that while there, he shouted that he had a gun and officers went to detain him, but he resisted arrest and force had to be used to restrain him.

Videos posted on social media show Henriquez being pinned to the ground by five Police Offices. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Every year, globally, around 1.4 million women living with HIV become pregnant

This picture shows how swollen Mitch Henriquez was in the hospital

Around the World

More than 110 killed in Indonesian military plane crash

At least 113 people aboard an Indonesian Air Force C-130 have been killed, when the plane crashed in a residential neighbourhood in the city of Medan on the northern island of Sumatra, according to military officials.

The plane came down on Tuesday hitting empty residential buildings after bursting into flames shortly after takeoff.

There were 12 crew members and 101 passengers aboard the plane, the AFP news agency reported, citing officials who spoke to local television.

At least three other people are believed to have been killed on the ground. So far, rescuers have recovered at least 84 bodies, including 39

men and 29 women.

Late on Tuesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed sorrow at the accident, tweeting in Bahasa, “May the families be given patience and

strength... May we remain protected from disaster.”

The Hercules transport plane was on its way from an Air Force base in Medan to Tanjung Pinang in Sumatra.

Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker said the dead included civilian relatives of military personnel.

“This was a C-130 military aircraft on a routine trip, carrying soldiers and their families,” she said.

Our correspondent said that two minutes into the flight, the Pilot radioed in, saying there was a “technical issue” with the plane.

“He tried to turn back and then the plane went down over Medan. The plane went down in a populated area, hitting two empty buildings. That number could have been much higher.”

She said that questions were now raised as to the safety of the plane, which was built in 1964. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Greece seeks last-minute debt deal

The Greek Government has requested a new bailout deal from the Eurozone, just hours before it must repay €1.6 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Greece is asking for a new two-year €29.1 billion aid deal from a bailout mechanism for Eurozone countries.

Eurozone Finance Ministers discussed the Greek offer in a teleconference on Tuesday evening, but made no decision. If it fails to make the IMF payment, Greece could risk leaving the euro.

The European Commission, which is one of Greece’s creditors, wants Athens to raise taxes and cut welfare spending.

Withdrawals from cash machines in Greece are capped at just €60 a day

thousands of pro-EU protesters braved stormy weather and gathered outside the Greek Parliament in Athens to urge a “yes” vote in a referendum on Sunday over whether the country should accept its creditors’ proposals.

It follows a similar demonstration by those advocating a “no” vote – the path preferred by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras – on Monday.

Greek banks did not open this week after talks between Greece and its creditors broke down.

Around 1200 escape from Yemen prison, including al Qaeda suspects

Around 1200 prisoners, including al Qaeda suspects, escaped during clashes at a jail in central Yemen on Tuesday, officials said.

The incident is the biggest in a series of prison breaks that have freed Yemeni militants in recent years and signals the further erosion of the state amid a raging civil war.

“Groups of al Qaeda supporters ... today attacked the central prison in the city of Taiz and more than 1200 of the dangerous prisoners escaped,” state news agency Saba quoted a security official as saying.

Another local official told Reuters some of the escapees were “suspected of belonging to al Qaeda”, but said they left amid heavy clashes between warring militias in the city.

Shi’ite Muslim Houthi fighters entered Taiz in March, in a southward push from their base in the capital Sanaa that drew military intervention from a Saudi Arabian-led coalition.

But three months of air strikes have yet to push back the group and units in Yemen’s army that are loyal to Houthi ally Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country’s ex-President.

The security official said army forces linked to Saleh allowed the prisoners to escape as the militiamen, dubbed “popular committees” by their supporters, advanced.

“Heavy fighting took place near the central prison and the popular committees approached and seized control of the area, but Saleh’s forces opened the prison doors,” the official said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India: Rebel leader held over Manipur attack on army

India says it has arrested a rebel leader in connection with the killings of 20 of its soldiers in an ambush on a troop convoy in north-east India.

Khumlo Abi Anal of the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland has been held in what is the first arrest in the case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said.

The ambush occurred last month near the border with Myanmar in Manipur state.

Last month’s attack took place in the state’s Chandel district, close to the border with Myanmar.

No advanced economy has ever missed a payment on an IMF loan.

Amid fears of a Greek default on its huge public debt of €323 billion – and a possible exit from the euro – long

Ebola crisis: Liberia quarantine after death

Liberia’s authorities have quarantined the area where a 17-yearold boy died of Ebola.

This is the first reported case of Ebola in Liberia since it was declared free of the disease seven weeks ago.

Deputy Health Minister Tolbert Nyenswah said tests confirmed that the teenager from Nedowein village, near the international airport, had died of the disease on June 28.

Officials are investigating how he contracted Ebola, Nyenswah said.

More than 11,000 people have died of the disease since December 2013, the vast majority of them in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The countries had largely curbed the spread of the disease – but the number of new cases has risen recently, with the start of the rainy season in West Africa.

Nyenswah told the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-

Layleh in Monrovia that the authorities were dealing with the situation effectively and there was no need for the public to panic.

“We have said over and over again that there was a possibility that there could be a resurgence of the virus in Liberia,” he said. “But our surveillance team, our capacity is very strong.

“The only complication is that the person died before we tested the body as part of our surveillance system.”

The number of people quarantined in Nedowein, about 48 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital, would be made available later, Nyenswah said.

The authorities were investigating whether the dead man had contracted the disease as a result of travel, he said.

The man’s body had been buried safely, in accordance with guidelines to check the spread of Ebola, he added. (BBC News)

queues of people are continuing to snake from many cash machines in Greece, where withdrawals are capped at just €60 a day.

On Tuesday evening,

However, up to 1000 bank branches will re-open from today to allow pensioners – many of whom do not use bank cards – to withdraw up to €120. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Israel deports Tunisia expresident over Gaza flotilla

Israel has deported Moncef Marzouki, Tunisia’s former President, and European Parliament member Ana Miranda, after they took part in a flotilla seeking to defy its Gaza blockade, an Israeli official has said.

“The [former] President of Tunisia and the Spanish lawmaker flew this morning. There are another 14 who have begun the expulsion process,” a spokeswoman for Israel’s immigration authority told the AFP news agency on Tuesday.

Israel had on Monday commandeered the Swedishflagged Marianne of Gothenburg, part of the Freedom Flotilla III, and accompanied it to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Sixteen foreign na-

tionals were on board along with the IsraeliArab politician Basel Ghattas and an Israeli television reporter.

Ghattas and the reporter have been released, though Ghattas could face a parliamentary hearing on whether he should face sanctions.

The Marianne was part of a four-boat flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists who had been seeking to reach the Gaza Strip to highlight the Israeli blockade of the territory that they called “inhumane and illegal”.

The three other boats had turned back before the Marianne was boarded by the Israeli Navy in an operation that took place without the deadly force used in a raid to stop a similar bid in 2010. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The Indian army attacked rebel camps inside Myanmar days after the attack.

Indian authorities said at the time that troops had destroyed two rebel camps in Myanmar and “returned safely”, but Myanmar denied the reports. The NIA said in a statement that “investigation has revealed that the accused [Khumlo Abi Anal] was extensively involved in the conspiracy to attack the army personnel”.

Police said rebels used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles to target the soldiers. There has been a fresh surge in attacks on Indian troops along the border with Myanmar after a number of rebel groups joined hands and formed a new coalition in India’s restive north-east. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China climate change plan unveiled

China – the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases – has announced details of its climate action plan. The office of Prime Minister Li Kegiang said that emissions “will peak by around 2030” and China would work hard to achieve the target even earlier.

The statement echoes China’s declaration last November following a USChina summit. China’s pledge comes ahead of talks late this year in Paris to seek a new global deal on climate change.

The statement, released following a meeting in Paris between Li and

French President Francois Hollande, said China aimed to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)by 60-65 per cent by 2030, from 2005 levels. The carbon intensity target builds on a previous plan to cut carbon intensity by 40-45 per cent by 2020. China also aimed to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its primary energy consumption to about 20 per cent by 2030, the statement added. Beijing previously set a goal of getting around 15 per cent of its energy from clean sources by 2020. (Excerpt from BBC News)

This may be the deadliest accident yet for the Air Force

Canadian NGO donates generously to GPHC Burns Care Unit

Representatives of the Canadian NGO, Caribbean North Charities Foundation, Pamela and Harry Harakh, handed over a generous donation of skin grafting equipment to the Burn Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The Burn Care Unit was established in 2002 to increase the level of care provided to burn victims. The Unit was established thanks to the Foundation which was instrumental from the inception, including the purchasing and shipment of building materials for the Unit. Since then, the Foundation has supported the Unit with funding, equipment, training and educational materials.

Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission of Canada, Robert Hart, commended the admirable work of the Foundation and stated that he was proud of the generosity of Canadians to care for persons in other countries and the strong ties between Canada and Guyana.

Harakh stated that

“Canadians are generous people” and shared that the Foundation’s support came from persons all over Canada. He explained that the Foundation took a capacity building approach in its work and was fully confident in the Unit’s team. The head of the Unit, Dr Rajkumar, shared that the mortality rate of burn victims used to be 50 per cent and this rate had been reduced to 17 per cent since the Unit became operational. Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC Michael Khan, shared that he was very proud of the Burn Care Unit and emphasised what a significant contribution the Foundation had made towards the well-being of patients.

Caribbean North Charities Foundation is a Canadian NGO located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. It was founded 12 years ago by Harry and Pamela Harakh along with a few associates. Since then, they have built and equipped a critical burn unit, which has now served thousands of patients, and provided the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

with reconditioned medical equipment donated by Canadian medical centres. The Foundation also organises training of medical practitioners in Guyana and in Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper first made the Americas a foreign policy priority in 2007 with the vision of a more prosperous, secure and democratic hemisphere. Canada’s work to strengthen health promotion and health systems, through organisations such as the Pan American Health Organisation, will help create healthier and safer communities in Guyana for the long term.

The Government of Canada’s work in the health sector is buttressed by the generous Guyanese community in Canada, such as the Caribbean North Charities Foundation, and the supportive Canadian medical community, such as the forty organisations that make up the Canada-Guyana Medical Partnerships Coalition, which contribute to development efforts in Guyana.

2-term Corlette out, replaced by Allen

Two-term Regional Chairman for Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Clement Corlette has been replaced by Region Four Vice Chairman Genevieve Allen when the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) elections were held on Tuesday morning at the RDC office in Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Allen, who is a former Parliamentarian and who is also the Chairman of the Women’s Affairs Committee (WAC) in Guyana and has been actively involved in promoting women’s rights received 21 out of 35 votes to gain the Chairmanship.

The Vice Chairman, Earle Lambert, was unanimously selected by the council to serve in that capacity. The Council comprises 35 members, 22 of who are drawn from the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) and 13 from the People’ Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Corlette was elected by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) in 2006 and was again re-elected in 2011. Since Corlette’s appointment as Regional Chairman, criticisms were thrown in his direction from several sections of society.

In 2006, reports alleged that Corlette constantly misunderstood the laws, his role, his functions and his responsibilities as Regional Chairman; allegations he denied. In 2014, the WAC, under Allen’s leadership, organised and hosted an exhibition called “Women’s Space” which signified the act of women taking action and not sitting around waiting for things to be done.

It was geared towards enabling women to showcase their goods and sell them to generate income.

Speaking to Guyana Times immediately after the election had ended, Allen related that she was

committed towards the development of Region Four, and in so doing, she expects that her council would put aside all political and other differences and work to ensure that this becomes a reality.

“We stressed that we came from political parties but we have made a committee that we will work as a team for the development of the lives of the people of Region Four,” she said.

Allen noted that the Council has plans to establish several committees which will see the works and the agenda of the council being accomplished.

“First of all, I want to say that the constituency of Region Four is from Cane Grove to Industry on the East Coast and Eccles to Moblissa on the East Bank of Demerara, so therefore our plans are to work towards development of our communities. There are going to be a number of communities which will be established and so it is the work of the communities that propel the work of the council itself. We will have a Public Infrastructure Committee, we will have a Public Health Committee, an Education Committee, Regional Women’s Affairs Committee, a committee that will look at civil de-

fence areas,” the newly elected Chairman said. She underscored the importance of education, promising that special emphasis will be placed in that area during her reign. On this note, she said that she was open to suggestions and is willing to listen, and as such, asked that persons who may have issues, feel free to approach her for their matters of concerns to be addressed. “I have an open door policy where anyone can come at any time to raise any issue and we can make representation… we were elected by the people of Region Four to serve,” she emphasised.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members selected to serve on the Council are Tasleem Drepaul, Joan Ann Da Silva, Saleesha Gafoor, Kharamattalee Intercab, Edray Morian, Narindra Persaud, Anthony Philadelphia, Emerton Pole, Chandrowtee Ramnarain, Suresh Singh, David Stoby, Dhanpaul Sukhdeo and Geraldine Torres.

In the meantime, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) in addition to Allen and Lambert, has placed Aseef Balmacoon, Ryan Belgrave, Seivewright Benjamin, Amarnauth Chinkan, Adrian Cole, Dave Danny, Terrence Esseboom, Yonette Vyphius, Troy Garraway, Anthony Haynes, Floyd Hendy, Shondel Hope, Teon Hunte, Ramrattie Jagdeo, Mazaroo Majeed, Neilson McKenzie, Anil Mohanlall, Hazel Pinder, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Sheba Thomas as their 22 representatives on the Council. The 2015 General and Regional Elections results reveal that APNU/ AFC won seats in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Women’s health needs still not adequately met – PAHO

Women’s health needs are not being adequately met by current social and health policies in the countries of the Americas, according to scientific articles published in the latest issue of the Pan American Journal of Public Health of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

Original research articles highlight the multiple health problems the women of the region face, particularly those with fewer resources and among indigenous and rural populations. Other articles focus on the persisting gaps in health systems in responding to these problems. Specifically, the Journal explores a variety of subjects ranging from women’s health throughout the life course, repro-

ductive and sexual health, gender-based violence, non communicable chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and mental and occupational health, to the adaptation of quality health services required to respond to health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation needs during different stages of life and in several regional contexts.

“There is no doubt that women in the Americas and worldwide have gained ground over the past few decades in many spheres. Health is no exception,” stated the Director of PAHO/WHO, Carissa F Etienne, in the Journal’s editorial. Among the advancements she mentions are the decline in the number of preventable deaths and the increased life expectancy among women, increased access to contraceptives, improved ability

PAHO/WHO Director Dr Carissa F Etienne

to control fertility, better prenatal care, and earlier detection of breast and cervical cancer. However, she added that “progress has been uneven on many issues that affect women’s

health.”

PAHO’s Director calls on the countries of the region to develop a new women’s post-2015 health agenda in order to achieve comprehensive care that will appropriately respond to the health problems that most affect them. “A prioritized agenda would make it possible to sort out the problems, assess their real magnitude and develop research and health strategies to solve them,” she stated. Etienne added that accomplishing this “will require a broad, intersectoral, interdisciplinary debate among countries, stakeholders and civil society.”

“Women in our region are facing old challenges – like maternal mortality and violence – as well as new ones, like the increase of noncommu-

nicable diseases such as cancer,” stated Suzanne Serruya, Director of the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women’s and Reproductive Health (CLAP) of PAHO/WHO. “A new agenda would allow us to reorganize and prioritize problems that directly affect women’s health and strengthen the actions and strategies needed to resolve them.”

The 24 articles that have been published in the Journal cover topics and experiences in different countries in the region closely related to the reduction of maternal mortality, the relationship between maternal mortality and socioeconomic factors, femicide, domestic violence, sexual violence, HIV infections in adolescents, breast cancer mortality trends, the inclusion of midwives in health

systems, and protection for the right to health in obstetric services. All the articles are available at: www.paho.org/journal

“The year 2015 marks three relevant actions at the global level, such as the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the final draft of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Serruya. “For this reason, this year represents a decisive moment to redefine the women’s health agenda as an essential human right,” she concluded.

The findings of the Journals’ articles support the previous work in the women’s health field, mainly the 2009 WHO report.

Genevieve Allen

Staff of the GPHC receives equipment donated by the Caribbean North Charities Foundation. Watching on is CEO of the GPHC Michael Khan

Bradford returns as Reg 7 Chairman

…as APNU ignores “voice of the people”

Amid a fallout between residents of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) over the return of Gordon Bradford, that grouping still went ahead and elected him to serve a third term as Chairman of the mineral-rich region on Tuesday.

Bradford has for his deputy, Olinda Griffith, who was elected as Vice Chairman of the region. When Barticians learnt that Bradford was returning, they immediately embarked on a series of daily protest actions against the decision to re-elect him as Regional Chairman.

During their protest actions, residents who claim they voted for the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition demanded that the Government listen to their cries and let Bradford be gone.

The residents insisted that she voted for a Government of her choice and that it is the Government’s right to listen to the people’s concerns and yield to their desires.

“If they put back Bradford, then we will know that this Government don’t care about change either and that they just in it for power and to help them friends out,” one of the protesters concluded.

A Bartica resident from First Avenue registered her surprise that there were no pro-

test actions when Bradford was announced Chairman.

“I don’t get involved in those situations, but I know people were out protesting and so it took me by surprise that they just disappeared. I was expecting a showdown of some sort and a lot of other people were expecting that as well,” she noted.

Efforts to contact Bradford for a comment on his new tenure as Regional Chairman proved futile. However, in a previous interview with Guyana Times, he noted that he would continue to serve his community regardless of a few disgruntled citizens.

“It’s not a lot of people doing this, so they do not represent the entire Region Seven. Bartica alone is not Region Seven,” he said. Bradford made it known that there were numerous individuals who still throw their support

behind his return as Regional Chairman and constantly applaud him for the work he has been doing for the communities.

“Look at Bartica, there has been a lot of development during my tenure, under my stewardship. We have more secondary schools, more primary schools, there are more hospitals, there is a mortuary now, there are wells in the hospital compounds, the roads are better, things were happening,” he boasted.

Meanwhile, some of the promises the coalition made to Region Seven, particularly the Bartica community, include the declaration of Bartica as a town by April 23, 2016.

President David Granger, during the campaign trail, promised also to provide boats for children of riverine communities to go to school in order to lessen the transportation expenses that burden parents. He also promised to establish an agricultural institution in the region to train young individuals. Additionally, he said the Commander of F Division (Lethem and Other Hinterland Regions) will be transferred to the Bartica Police Station rather than be at the Georgetown Headquarters. He added too that the Police needed more All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and an aircraft so that it can conduct better policing of Guyana’s terrain.

Duo remanded for illicit ammo possession

Amother of seven and a Vendor were remanded to jail on Tuesday when they made their first court appearance for unlicensed ammunition possession.

Twenty-nine-year-old Winston Marshall and 27-year-old Faith Fordyce was brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan on Tuesday morning at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where they were read charges of unlicensed firearm possession.

The charges against the duo stated that on June 26 at South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, they had a .32 live round of ammunition in their possession, without being the holders of a firearm licence.

Their Attorney Michael Somersall made an application before the court for bail. He stated that Fordyce is a resident at 67 South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, with seven children while Marshall lives at 84 First

Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara, and have no children.

On the day in question, he stated that Police pushed the door open to Fordyce’s home and proceeded to search in her presence, however, Marshall was not there.

The Attorney raised his thoughts of confusion as to how both of his clients were charged for owning one .32 ammunition and asked the court to consider if this is possible.

Police Prosecutor,

Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that there is no special reason given thus far by the defence why bail should be granted. He stated that the offence against the duo is too grave and should not be granted bail.

Nevertheless, Magistrate Ann McLennan overruled his application and granted bail in the sum of $115,000 each for both the defendants. They are expected back in court on July 21.

Drunken brawl earns vendor 18-month sentence

AVendor was sentenced to 18 months jail time following a ruling by Magistrate Annette Singh for stabbing his drinking buddy in the face.

The accused, Eon Forde, age 33, of Lot 90 Robb

Street, Georgetown was sentenced by Magistrate Annette Singh after Police Prosecutor, Corporal Adduni Inniss proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was guilty of unlawful wounding.

The charge read that

The Linden expo was poorly organised

As Chairman/Founder of RK’s Eco-Star Motos and RK’s Dragnet Satellite Tracking, I was excited over the invitation to participate in the above Expo, and even more so, when we decided to participate.

We went with much zeal and dynamo. However, the turn out of the people was extremely poor, especially for the official launch. The launch itself, though late, was entertaining and educational, even motivating.

This is an expensive venture for companies, small and large, and many participants appeared to be cottage industries, as such this exposure is supposed to be good for them.

The US Embassy was present for which I felt a personal pride as I am much appreciative of the enthused US marketing strategy. There was also

for the first time, The Guyana Forestry Commission.

The Guyana Tourism Authority I understood was disappointed as well as everyone we spoke to who indicated their surprise and disappointment at the turn out. I doubt my company will go there again.

The citizens of Linden explained that the event was poorly advertised.

A former office staff of our company living in Amelia’s Ward indicated that neither she nor her mother living in Linden knew anything of it. There were no banners except for one flying so high that the information was barely visible.

I have two suggestions:

Refund not only the rental fee for space to all participants, but the expenses of all participants, inclusive of

meals and hotels costs.

Promissory note to unhappy exhibitors that next time an EXPO is held in Linden, they will not be charged fees.

For us at RK’s, it is not about the costs really, but the disappointment in the turn out. The organizers should have been more proactive with advertisements.

The Linden Chamber of Commerce didn’t do its work in advertising the event to its people.

It should have done more television promos, radios advertisements, television and radio interviews and should have even made use of free discussions and call in programmes when possible.

A very important reality in towns such as Linden and Corriverton is the use, or possible use of a motor vehicle fitted with an amplifier system, and for several days going around the town

announcing the EXPO. Flyers could have been distributed and posters visibly exhibited around the town, the way people advertise dance and barbecue events.

As I write, my staff stationed at the Linden Expo just returned stressed, distressed and annoyed. The turnout was an embarrassment they said. It robbed them of their zeal. I was there for the launch of the EXPO.

I suggest the Chamber of Commerce of Linden request the Chairman of Region 10, Mr. Sharma Solomon, for aggressive marketing techniques, similarly as was used to get people out to vote in the last elections. He and his team did an amazing job in that.

Sincerely Roshan Khan

on October 8, 2014, Forde stabbed Joseph Adams in his face and stomach during an altercation that occurred between the men on Robb Street, Bourda. Apparently, Forde and Joseph were old friends who were consuming alcohol at the Bourda Market when they had a misunderstanding. Forde slashed Joseph on his face with a knife he retrieved from his stall.

When Adams tried to escape on his bicycle, Forde pursued him, slashing his hands and his stomach as well. Adams was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was treated.

The Justice For All Party should get its fair share

Dear Editor,

The leadership of APNU is applauded for rewarding the constituent parts of the partnership with Ministries and other positions. But as an important constituent of the APNU, should not the Justice For All Party have been rewarded with a Senior Ministry instead of its Member of Parliament, Mr. Jaipaul Sharma, being appointed a Junior Minister of Finance. JFAP is a larger constituent than the other minor parties and as such should have more appointees than the others. I am disappointed that Sharma as the

face of JFAP, a key member of APNU, was not chosen as a Senior Minister since he has shown greater aptitude and competence than several of those appointed full Ministries.

Sharma was the candidate, and by extension the expected Member of Parliament, for the JFAP as part of the partnership. It is noted that Sharma served as MP for the partnership after the 2011 elections, and it was expected that the JFAP would be rewarded with a MP and a Senior Ministry. Sharma has been chosen as a MP again after the May 11

elections, but JFAP has not been given a full Ministry as it deserves.

The PNC leader, Mr. Granger, is applauded for his tremendous expression of gratitude to the constituencies for helping and supporting the coalition in its success. The minor parties were rewarded with Ministries with a few getting Senior Ministries and others junior ministries. But all the minor parties did not contribute equally to the partnership –some contributed more than others and should be rewarded accordingly. The JFAP is undoubtedly the largest con-

stituent of APNU after the PNC. Among the minor parties, it has contributed the most to the partnership in terms of supporters, followers, and resources. Thus, it should be rewarded with more significant appointments than others.

In appointing members from the minor parties to ministries, the leadership of APNU (and PNC) acknowledges the collective share of the constituent parts in the coalition’s success. But it is noted that the JFAP had a larger following than all the other minor parties including the WPA whose de facto lead-

er was appointed Minister of Education. Besides having more popular support on the ground, JFAP contributed significant resources through the media. Sharma promoted APNU and the coalition on his CNS channel 6 TV program, the most watched television station in the country. The Justice for All Program is also the most watched program and has been so since it started more than fifteen years ago. The leader and founder of the JFAP, Mr. C.N Sharma, owner and producer of CNS 6, has for several years been among the most popular personality in the

country. Without JFAP joining the partnership in 2011, it would not have done as well as it did winning 26 seats. Without it being a member of the coalition in 2015, APNU+AFC may not have won the majority. Thus, the JFAP should have been accorded a fair share as compared to other minority parties of the partnership. Jaipaul Sharma, should therefore, as the party’s representative on the list, have been appointed to a senior ministerial position.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford

Eon Forde was found guilty of unlawful wounding

Winston Marshall Charged for illegal ammo possession, Faith Fordyce

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

Remember that jealousy is usually behind criticism, so don’t take it to heart. Those who are most vocal about your shortcomings are trying to cover up their own inadequacies.

You may feel like putting your feet up, but this is not the time to refuse invitations to social or community events. You will meet someone who will become very special to you.

Fatigue will slow you down, causing you to fall short of your goals. Avoid unnecessary physical exertion, and concentrate on intellectual or mental challenges instead.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Simmering relationship issues will boil over if you are too demanding. Be willing to compromise and take others’ feelings into consideration in order to enjoy smooth sailing in your personal life.

If you have been procrastinating about beginning a health or exercise program, now is the perfect day to get started. Take small steps and you will improve your strength and stamina.

You will get results if you put your anxiety aside and take the initiative to make things happen. Don’t procrastinate; be bold and get started.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Unwanted changes at home will end in your favor. You can relieve tension if you let go of old issues and head into the future with a new and improved outlook.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

There are proven methods that will help you achieve your goals. Do your research and you will find useful facts that will help you present your ideas to people who can help you get ahead.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Financial matters must be monitored carefully. Be sensitive to the needs of an elderly family member. Your patience and understanding will be appreciated and handsomely rewarded.

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

Your mood swings will be difficult for others to deal with. Be clear about your needs, and strive to avoid emotional outbursts. Think before you speak, or hurt feelings will result.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Carefree spending habits will offer a temporary lift, but will result in chaos if you go over budget. You need to consider what is bothering you. Spending will only mask the problem.

There are plenty of people willing to provide you with the information you are looking for. Exciting times lie ahead, so put your best foot forward and accept all the help you can get.

CANCER

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert

arChie

Gatlin, Gay, wary of struggling Bolt

America’s top sprinters Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay are not prepared to write-off Usain Bolt just yet as they conspire to dethrone him at the World Championships in Beijing, China in August.

Bolt, who qualifies for the 100m and 200m at the World Championships automatically as the defending champion in both events, has struggled for form this season.

But both Gatlin and Gay are convinced the Jamaican super star will be at his best when it matters, August 2230 in Beijing.

“You never know until you cross the finish line,”

Gatlin said. “I think everybody’s going to be ready and prepared.”

Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, has only managed best times of 10.12 seconds and 20.13secs over the two distances this year.

His decision not to compete at the just concluded Jamaican National Senior Championships has also served to heighten concerns about his fitness level.

However Gay said the best approach was to prepare to face Bolt at his best.

“Right now, I’m not paying to attention to Usain Bolt,” Gay said. “He’s a championship performer. He’ll be ready when it counts.”

Gatlin holds the top time in the world this year in the 100m with a 9.74 seconds while Gay has clocked 9.87 seconds.

Bolt however has yet to break 10 seconds in a 100 in 2015 or 20 seconds in the 200m.

Gatlin and Gay will lead a strong US sprint contingent to the World Championships aiming to wrest the coveted 100m crown from Jamaica’s grasp.

The once-dominant Americans have not won a global 100m title since 2007 – when Gay won both the 100m and 200m world titles. (CMC)

We did not block FIFA reforms - UEFA

UEFA has hit back at suggestions that it and other continental confederations have been responsible for blocking reforms aimed at cleaning up soccer’s scandal-plagued world governing body FIFA.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said there were enough mechanisms in place to ensure that only officials with a clean past were elected on to FIFA committees.

His comments came after Domenico Scala, who is overseeing FIFA reforms, demanded that an independent committee be created to carry out integrity checks on executive committee members before they could be allowed to take office.

Scala said confederations had blocked these reforms and said their “actions must be consistent with their speech.”

Continental confederations, which elect the FIFA executive committee members, currently carry out integrity checks, a system which Infantino said should continue.

“UEFA and the European associations have always been in favour of reforms and have always been in favour of integrity checks being made in the confederations,” he told reporters.

“Our members have to comply with our disciplinary and ethics rules at any time, not only when they are candidates. In addition to this, you have the FIFA ethics regulations which means FIFA can, at any time, make all the checks that they want to any person they want.

“I don’t think this is a real issue, it’s more a communication issue. The real instruments are there, they just have to be applied.”

FIFA was embroiled in scandal when a U.S. probe led to the criminal indictment on May 27 of nine current and former FIFA officials and five executives in sports marketing and broadcasting on bribery, money-laundering and wire fraud charges.

Meanwhile, Swiss authorities are investigating the decision by FIFA’s executive committee to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on June 2 he would step down and call a new presidential election in which he would not be a candidate.

This will take place between December and February with the exact date to be decided by FIFA’s executive committee on July 20.

UEFA president Michel Platini, who did not attend the news conference, has not commented on whether he will run.

“It’s not a question of making deals; of course there are discussions and of course the focus has to be on saving football,” Infantino said.

“This (July 20 meeting) will fix a date and we will take it from there,” he said.

“We need some clarity and we need to work for the good of football in this situation.”

(Reuters)

Record-seeking Federer outclasses Dzumhur

With seven Wimbledon trophies, 15 titles on grass and 136 victories on the lush green surface, there is not much that fazes Roger Federer when he turns up at the All England Club.

The same could not be said of his first-round opponent on Tuesday.

Bosnian journeyman Damir Dzumhur arrived to face the most celebrated of Wimbledon champions without ever having played a match on grass.

Just how ill-prepared Dzumhur was for his grasscourt baptism was clear for all to see as Federer began his 63rd consecutive grand slam event with a regal 6-1 6-3 6-3 victory that was all over in 68 majestic minutes.

The man who has contested nine All England Club finals, and 25 overall at the majors, was certainly feeling the love from 15,000 Centre Court spectators who stood to attention as he sauntered in to begin his pursuit of a record eighth Wimbledon trophy.

“Roger, I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu” boomed a male voice as Federer kicked off his 83rd match at the home of grasscourt tennis with an unreturnable serve.

The cheers from the RF appreciation society grew louder with every Federer winner, be it a blazing backhand, a flashy forehand or a razzle-dazzle volley.

Those spellbinding shots

flowing out of the Federer racket earned him five breaks of serve before he finished off Wimbledon debutant Dzumhur with a love service game to chalk up his 74th victory at Wimbledon.

Dzumhur, who was just 11 when Federer won the first of his record 17 grand slam titles here in 2003, had to make do with the consolation of winning seven games against his childhood idol.

While nerves would have played a part in Dzumhur’s capitulation, the Swiss second seed made a surprising admission when asked what it felt like walking on to a court that might be considered his second home.

“It’s nerves,” the 33-yearold father of four told reporters after walking off drenched in sweat.

“It’s exciting. But af-

ter all, it’s a privilege to be there. I was trying to think how many times I’ve played there now. I don’t know. I know it’s been often. Still every time it feels like it’s a special occasion, for sure.”

With the mercury hitting a sweltering 30 degrees Celsius, 23-year-old Dzumhur spent the changeovers with his head buried under a cool towel but as far as his rival was concerned, the conditions could not have been better.

“It was not hot. It was totally fine,” added the world number two who will next face big-serving American Sam Querrey.

“It was perfect conditions, to be honest. It was nice. No clouds whatsoever. So it was just perfect playing conditions, to be honest. It was wonderful.” (Reuters)

Murray battles through testing opener

Atake a 2-0 lead in the second. But the wheels came off his serve and the Kazakh, ranked 59th in the world, took full advantage and fought back to lead 6-5 with the chance to serve for the set in sweltering conditions on Centre Court. He could not hold his nerve, however, dropped serve and was soundly beaten in the tiebreak as Murray raced into a 6-1 lead and closed it out after another brief wobble on serve. Murray, among the favourites to clinch a second Wimbledon title this year, broke in the fifth game of the third set and closed it out when Kukushkin fired a backhand wide. (Reuters)

Tyson Gay Justin Gatlin

Roger Federer

ndy Murray was given an unexpected run for his money in his Wimbledon first-round clash against Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin, but still came through 6-4

Andy Murray

Injured Bolt pulls out of Paris, Lausanne

Olympic sprint cham-

pion Usain Bolt’s troubled season continued on Tuesday when he pulled out of the Paris and Lausanne Diamond League meetings due to a leg injury.

“I’m disappointed not to be able to compete in Paris and Lausanne. I love running at these meetings but at the moment I am unable to compete at 100 percent. I look forward to getting back into full training as soon as possible,” Bolt said in a statement on his website.

The Paris meeting is on Saturday with Lausanne the following Thursday with Bolt planning to run one 100m and one 200m race.

Jamaica’s 14-times times Olympic and world champion pulled out of the 100m at the Jamaican trials last Thursday.

“He (Bolt) has been feeling discomfort in his left leg since his last competition which has restricted his training,” a statement from his management team said.

“He has a blocked sacroiliac joint which is restricting his movement and putting pressure on his knee and ankle.”

Bolt, 28, has struggled for form this season with moderate best times of 10.12 in the 100 metres and 20.13 in the 200.

The world record holder in both events has wildcard entries to the world championships in Beijing in August.

“He will spend the next couple of days in Munich getting treatment after which he will resume full training in his quest to defend his titles at the world championships,” the statement added.

Bolt’s coach Glen Mills confirmed the lanky sprinter’s training had been hampered.

“For several weeks now he has been complaining and he has been restricted in his training by the complaints, hence it triggered the trip to the doctor,” Mills

told Reuters by telephone.

Mills was pressed about whether he was worried that the eight-times world championship gold medallist would not be ready for Beijing.

“What I can say is I’m very concerned about the progress of his preparation so far,” Mills said. “But as to between now and Beijing that depends on what I learn when I have the discussion with the doctor.”

Bolt only ran a few races last year, including the sprint relay at the Commonwealth Games, after missing nine weeks of training following foot surgery. (Reuters)

Bravo helps cricket break new ground with ESPY nomination

Cricket has made its first-ever appearance at ESPN’s annual awards, the ESPYS, after an acrobatic catch by West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo at the IPL was nominated as a ‘Best Play’.

Bravo was recognised for a leaping, one-handed take on the boundary to dismiss Shane Watson in Chennai, a feat that also earned him the IPL’s ‘catch of the season’ award. He sprinted to his left from long-on to get in line with what seemed a certain six from Watson, be-

fore jumping and arching back to pluck the ball over his head, and then kept his balance to avoid the rope.

“I admit I am still shocked on many levels,” Bravo said. “Firstly, I am shocked and happy that cricket is being recognised by the American market, and on their biggest and most prestigious night in sport. Secondly, I am in a category with athletes that I look up to and admire, titans of their sports, and I am humbled.”

Bravo is also the first

Digicel

Schools Football Tournament

Christiansburg retain Region 10 title – teams

continue to roll invarious parts of Guyana

National defending champions Christiansburg Wismar Secondary School have won the Linden zone of the annual Digicel Schools Football Tournament in the regional final on Tuesday played at the Wisburg Ground.

The national defending champions brushed aside Mackenzie High School 3-1 to take a new set of uniforms and $100,000.

Omar Brewley sent Christiansburg ahead in the 14th minute from the penalty spot.

In the second half, Jovon Bobb sent Christiansburg two up with a header in the

61st minute which found the back of the net.

Bobb had earlier been creating problems for the Mackenzie High defence but after an hour of play found an aerial pass from Dequan Hercules and sent fans into frenzy.

Mackenzie High pulled one back in the 71st minute when Denielson Rose scored from a corner and gave the underdogs a chance, but Bobb would have none of that and in the 71st minute sent in a powerful shot which rocked the back of the net.

Meanwhile, at the Tucville Community Ground in Georgetown, Sir Leon

Lessons outplayed South Ruimveldt Secondary 6-0. Jermaine Beckles recorded a hat-trick, scoring in the 6th, 11th and 47th minutes. Levi Canterbury scored in the 15th while Consdale George’s 16th minute and Curtis Kellman’s 35th minute goals were the final three netted for Sir Leon Lessons.

At the Number Five Ground in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), regional defending champions Bush Lot Secondary defeated Belladrum Secondary 2-1 on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.

Brathwaite to stand in World Twenty20 qualifiers

BESPYS nominee from Trinidad & Tobago. “I am proud to represent my country and value every opportunity to showcase the talent that exists here,” he said.

“Of course I would love to win, so I take this opportunity to ask my fans around the world to vote, not just for me but for our beloved cricket.”

Bravo’s effort was among a shortlist of 16 plays from a variety of sports. Other nominees include Lionel Messi’s mesmerising goal against Athletic Bilbao in May, plays from NFL, NBA, lacrosse and more. The winner will be determined by a public vote, and the contest follows a bracket format.

Bravo’s immediate challenger is a last-minute Hail Mary pass in a college-football game.

The ESPYS, which were first awarded in 1993, is an annual event to commemorate the past year in sports, recognising both sport-specific achievements, such as Best NBA Player, and bestin-sport winners, such as Best Team or Best Female Athlete, that pit nominees from different sports against each other. There is no specific category for cricket, and Bravo’s nomination is the first time the game has featured at the ESPYS. The 2015 ESPYs will be awarded on July 15. (Cricinfo)

arbadian umpire Gregory Brathwaite has been named by the International Cricket Council to stand in the World Twenty20 qualifiers set for Ireland and Scotland next month.

The 45-year-old was the only Caribbean official among a 13-man list announced Monday by cricket’s world governing body for the July 9-26 tournament.

Brathwaite made his international umpiring debut four years ago when he stood in an ICC World Cricket League Championship match in Canada, and has gone on to umpire in 13 One-Day Internationals and ten Twenty20s.

The list of officials is topped by the experienced Nigel Llong from the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires who has stood in 29 Tests, 93 ODIs and 24 T20Is.

The other umpires are Anil Chaudhary, Johan Cloete, Shaun George, Mark Hawthorne, Vineet Kulkarni, David Odhiambo, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Ian Ramage, Ahsan Raza, Tim Robinson and Paul Wilson.

During the qualifiers, 14 nations will contest 51 matches, with the top six advancing to next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in India, alongside the ten full ICC members. (CMC)

Gayle leads Tallawahs to win...

The Tallawahs had wickets in hand but the run rate was rising when Gayle finally came to life with a 106-metre six off Afridi, the largest Hero Maximum in this year’s CPL. Lynn wasn’t to be out done as he hit three sixes in three balls to move to his half century off 31 deliveries.

Lynn could not see his side home, in the very next over he chopped the ball on to his stumps off Carlos Brathwaite. While Lynn will be bitterly disappointed his stand with Gayle of 85 runs off 61 balls was a winning one.

Victory looked certain, however there was some drama before the Tallawahs reached their target. Mahela Jayawardene was out when he gloved a catch to the keeper when he attempted to sweep a Sohail Tanvir slower ball.

Gayle could have gone on 49 when he skied a ball from Afridi but Orlando Peters could not take the catch.

While Gayle continued to struggle to time the ball with the same ferocity as he managed in St Lucia he did enough to keep his side in this game.

from back page

Andre Russell, the player of the tournament at this season’s IPL, was there at the end as the Jamaican side ended up winning the match with relative ease. (CPL Release)

SCOREBOARD

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots innings

M Guptill c NO Miller

b Santokie 53

E Lewis lbw b Santokie 10

T Willett c Russell b Vettori 31

M Samuels* c H Miller

b Santokie 50

Shahid Afridi not out 7

C Brathwaite c Jayawardene

b Santokie 0

Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 1) 9

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 160

Did not bat: O Peters, DC Thomas†, Sohail Tanvir, SS Cottrell, N Dutta Fall of wickets 1-12 (Lewis), 2-88 (Willett), 3-138 (Guptill), 4-160 (Samuels), 5-160 (Brathwaite)

Bowling: Santokie

4-0-37-4,Vettori 4-0-241, Taylor 4-0-30-0,Theron

4-0-34-0, Russell 2-0-160, Miller 2-0-15-0.

Jamaica Tallawahs innings

C Gayle* not out 72

C Walton† c Samuels b Cottrell 10

C Lynn b Brathwaite 52

M Jayawardene c †Thomas b Sohail Tanvir 3 A Russell not out 21

Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6

Total (3 wickets; 19.1 overs) 164

Did not bat: H Miller, DL Vettori, J Theron, JE Taylor, K Santokie, NO Miller Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Walton), 2-106 (Lynn), 3-114 (Jayawardene)

Bowling: Cottrell

3-0-33-1,Tanvir 4-0-34-1, Dutta 4-0-31-0, Afridi 4-026-0, Samuels 2-0-26-0, Brathwaite 2.1-0-13-1.

Usain Bolt

Will Dwayne Bravo’s sensational catch to dismiss Shane Watson win an ESPY award?

Some of the action during the game in Georgetown

YELLOW PAGES

wednesday, july 1, 2015

Shalom Driving School, lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. Enjoy 20% discount. Phone: 227-3869, 622-8162, 644-7052, 227-3835

YOU COULD ALSO OBTAIN AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S PERMIT COVERING OVER 130 COUNTRIES (LIKE US ON FACEBOOK) Tel: 6447050/619-0106/227-3869/2273835

WITH

PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SSEE OR CXC ENGLISH. CALL: 696-7467 GET SUCCESSFUL RESULTS AT YOUR EXAMS WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SSEE OR CXC ENGLISH. CALL: 696-7467 PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE TRAINING CERTIFICATE COURSE. 29 JUNE 2015; REGISTER NOW AND SAVE. CALL: 223-1506/6817567/694-8322

Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

SMALL OFFICE/BUSINESS SPACE, STABROEK AREA. TEL: 2312619/691-7164

One 240 sq ft business place in Hadfield Street to rent (close to Louisa Row) Tel : 231-6982

Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking. Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089

Nadal fires early warning to the big guns

Rafael Nadal might have been condemned to a lowly 10th seeding at Wimbledon but he remains a floater everyone will want to avoid after getting his campaign off to an impressive start with a straight-sets dismissal of Thomaz Bellucci on Tuesday.

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk flo

ral arrangements, gift items, brid

al boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (oppo

site St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 2273553/225-3315

FOR SALE

One property Ogle, One property Anna Catherina, One property Good Hope. Contact: 222-3060/6735546/622-6448/679-0987 Two storied 22ft x 45ft transported concrete property. UPSTAIRS 2 bedrooms , kitchen, toilet, bath. DOWNSTAIRS SEPARATE 2 bedroom apartment, Fully grilled, Block ‘8’ Monrepos, ECD. 20 MILLION. TEL: 625-1514 OFFICE 321-7255 GET SUCCESSFUL RESULTS AT YOUR

Clean Garden earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977

20 tons heavy duty trailer – 2.7 million; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277 Caterpillar skid loader 246B low hours – 6.6 MILLION; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

Caterpillar back hoe /loader with extended arm 8.6 million; Call: 6786022 or 613-9277

2002 Volvo dump truck heavy duty with Cummings engine low hours mileage 5.2kmi, 8.9 million; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer and HP scanner - $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

10 Acres cultivated with animal and poultry rearing. Capacity for 30,000 birds with well for water and completely developed. Going concern with potential to earn immediately. Sheep, Ducks, Turkeys, and Rabbit also reared on Farm. Price 100 million(Negotiable) . C A l l: 6011235 18ft Fiber Glass Boat with 250HP inboard engine - $1,200,000, Diesel engine 4cyl –

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

Repairs and spare parts for fridge, freezers, A/C, washers, gas stoves, etc. Call Nick tel # 683-1312 or 6273206

Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134

tial guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,337-4510,3374259,337-4583,337-3070,337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Audi A4, PSS series, good condition. Price 2.6 million(negotiable) Phone 610-7665, 613-6498 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

Two Self contained single bedroom furnished apartments for rental. Self contained 7 bedroom bungalow idea for family/ guests/ students local or overseas long/ short term rental. Contact # 622-7097 / 624-7111 TAxI SERVICES GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or

The twice champion, who has slipped down the sport’s pecking order after 18 months of injury and below-par performances, showed glimpses of his power and determination in a 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over Brazil’s Bellucci on a sun-drenched Number One Court.

If the draw goes to plan Nadal will have to get past Andy Murray and Roger Federer to earn a shot at a third title, potentially against top seed Novak Djokovic in the final.

Those mouth-watering match-ups would be certain to be tighter than Tuesday’s encounter, though it would have a surprise if it had been anything else.

Through his eightyear career Bellucci had played 306 matches, exactly split between victories and defeats, but it has always been one-way traffic against Nadal.

The two had met five times previously and the nearest the Brazilian came to taking a set was when he forced a tiebreak -– which he lost to love -– during his first-round defeat at Wimbledon three years ago.

Nadal had warmed up for this year’s tournament

by winning on the grass of Stuttgart, though he went out in the first round at Queens.

Bellucci has been allergic to grass for four years, failing to win a single match on the surface since 2011.

Nadal initially struggled to calibrate his forehand and was wayward with his serving but he eventually settled and began smashing Bellucci into submission with his heavyweight backhand.

The Brazilian must have known it was not to be his day when, fighting to stay in the first set, he allowed an under-hit Nadal lob to bounce and planted his smash into the net from two metres.

The crowd gasped in

sympathy and duly accorded him a very British ovation when he responded to the gaffe with an ace on his next serve.

It was all a mere diversion, however, as Nadal warmed to his task, with the full repertoire of grunting, shorts-fiddling, headband-adjusting and hairstroking ticks on display.

The match fell into a pattern of Bellucci holding his own early in the rallies before finding himself stretched and eventually beaten by Nadal’s superior power and accuracy.

It reached its natural conclusion in just over two hours, the ideal preparation for Nadal as he attempts to nurse his battered 29-yearold body through two gruelling weeks. (Reuters)

Mo Farah says he is 100% clean after allegations about coach

British double Olympic champion Mo Farah says he is “100% clean”, following doping allegations against his coach Alberto Salazar.

UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) and the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) are investigating claims made in the BBC Panorama programme Catch Me If You Can.

It alleged Salazar violated various anti-doping rules and used testosterone medication on Galen Rupp in 2002, when the US athlete was 16.

Salazar and Rupp deny all the claims.

There is no suggestion made in the joint in-

vestigation by the BBC and US journalism website ProPublica that Farah has been involved in any doping.

Distance runner Farah, 32, told Sky Sports that for people to think he had “taken a shortcut” was “not right and not fair”.

London 2012 10,000m silver medallist Rupp is a training partner of Farah. Both athletes are part of Salazar’s Nike Oregon Project.

Salazar, 56, last week issued a 12,000-word denial of the allegations, backed by emails and other documents, saying he “will never permit doping” at his US training base.

Farah, who won both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the London Olympics, said he would leave the Cuba-born American if the allegations against him are proven by the athletics authorities.

“If he has crossed the line and it is proven he’s crossed the line, then yes I’m out,” said Farah.

“These are just allegations. If there is wrongdoing then I’m the first person to run, but you have to give people a chance in life and give them the benefit of the doubt.

“I work hard every day. I put my body through hell. Seven months of the year I am away from my family and I miss their birthdays. That really kills me.

“So for people to label me a cheat is not fair. If I am a cheat, prove it. If not, leave me alone to represent my country and make people proud of me.”

Asked about missing two drugs tests before the London 2012 Olympics, Farah said that he had taken 148 drug tests since 2008, including 103 since the Games, adding “every single one has been negative”. (BBC Sport)

Rafael Nadal

Mo Farah

McKinnon lifts El Dorado Steel Challenge Cup

Ryan McKinnon and Peter Hugh emerged winners of the Limited and Wildcat categories respectively when the Guyana Sports Shooting Federation (GSSF) staged the first-ever El Dorado Steel Challenge Cup on Sunday last.

McKinnon clocked 58.10 to win the Limited category, finishing ahead of Joseph Chin (68.67) and Vidushi Persaud (84.51). Hugh was simply outstanding in the Wildcat division, stopping the clock at 78.84.

Second-place Mohamed Gamal Khan was a distant second with 254.71, followed by Roberto Hochand on 266.27.

The first stage “Smoke and Hope” saw targets set at various distances with the Stop Plate located closest to the shooting box. This caused some excitement as seasoned shooters missed the fairly close stop plate and had to take follow-up shots in order to stop the clock ticking.

The second stage named

“Roundabout” saw targets set at closer distances but in somewhat of a tricky arrangement, which caused shooters to engage them in a random order they each felt was best.

The third stage dubbed “Accelerator” caused both the shooter’s trigger finger action and their heart-beat to accelerate as they en-

RHTY&SC

gaged the various targets set in a challenging layout.

Eyes were glued to GSSF’s electronic time display board which was reflecting live shot-per-shot time from the electronic timer. There were many anxious glances directed towards the board from shooters as they battled it out, pushing for faster times.

One of the attractions of this GSSF’s first anniversary match was that members shooting fullpower handguns (Limited Division) were competing for the privilege of holding the El Dorado Trading Steel Challenge Cup.

Earlier in the day, Match Director and GSSF President Vidushi Persaud

teams launch anti-drug/suicide campaign

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) in conjunction with its cricket teams; Edward B Beharry Company Limited, the Guyana Police Force B (Berbice) Division and the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Education Department recently launched a massive “Say No to Drugs/Suicide and Say Yes to Education/Sports” campaign in the Ancient County.

The campaign targets all the primary and secondary schools in Region Six, along with the Technical Institutes; the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Training Centre and several Berbice organisations, such as the Berbice Cricket Board, the St Francis Community Developers and the Berbice Volleyball Federation.

The campaign was launched with 800 students marching with members of the Guyana Police Force and the RHTY&SC from Hampshire to the Head

Office of the St Francis Community Developers in Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant.

Each of the schools had a “Say No to Drugs” banner and students held up specially made placards promoting the theme of the campaign, much to the excitement of numerous onlookers who shouted out words of advice to youths along the parade route.

Former Region Six Vice Chairman Bhoopaul Jagroop, Police Commander Christopher Griffith and Senior Secondary Education Officers Claude Johnson and Selestina La Rose, along with Beharry Marketing Manager Satesh Singh, took the salute at the march past.

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, in giving a comprehensive report on the campaign, stated that the main aim was to get youths across the region to stay away from Satan and his evil ways of drugs, crime and suicide, while encouraging them to

stay in school to obtain an educational background.

The campaign also aims to encourage youths to get involved in sports and culture as an alternative to a life on the streets.

Each of the schools received a banner, posters for every classroom and several copies of a specially prepared 40-page youth booklet, which contains vital information for youths on topics like HIV/ AIDS, Drug Abuse, Public Manners, Table Manners, Peer Pressure, Teenage Pregnancy, Public Speaking and the Importance of Religion.

West Indies and Guyana players of the RHTY&SC – Erva Giddings, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Esaun Crandon, Khemraj Mahadeo, Shemaine Campbelle, Shawn Perriera, Plaffina Millington, Brandon Prashad and Akshay Homraj – all appear on the posters, booklets and banners as the positive role models for the campaign.

Foster expressed grat-

itude to Anjuli BeharryStrand and Vishal Hemchand of the Beharry Group, Commander Griffith and Assistant Superintendent Brown of the Guyana Police Force and the Education Ministry’s Region Six Department for their cooperation. He disclosed that the second segment of the campaign will include the hosting of sports and educational competitions for schools.

The Beharry Group of Companies Marketing Manager stated that his company was delighted to be associated with the programme as part of its corporate responsibilities. Singh urged youths to listen to the advice of their seniors and urged them to follow their educational and sporting ambitions in an effort to fulfil their potential.

Commander Griffith, who was recently appointed to head B Division, urged the attentive youths to stay away from crime, to develop a culture of hard work and honesty, and to be role model citizens of Guyana.

The launch also featured cricketers of the RHTY&SC, members of the Guyana Police Force and the students all pledging to be positive role models and to work harder to get rid of drugs, crime and suicide, while promoting the value of education and sports.

The cricket teams involved in organising the programme were the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Metro Females and Gizmos and Gadgets First Division teams.

welcomed members who came out to compete in the premier event, and encouraged the shooters to have a safe and fun match.

At the conclusion of the day’s activities, El Dorado Trading Managing Director Tamesh Jagmohan indicated that there will be a Challenge Trophy, which McKinnon would have to defend next year during the month of June in honour of the anniversary of the GSSF.

Each year, the winner’s name and corresponding year will be affixed to the Cup’s base. Additional trophies were presented by Pavasky Jagmohan of El Dorado Trading to the top three finishers in each division.

The GSSF, an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), will continue to host this actionpacked shooting sport for local pistol shooters by organising matches on a regular basis.

More information can be found on the GSSF website www. GuyanaSportShooting.com.

Range Master Ryan McKinnon reviewed the safety requirements and reminded everyone of the rules of a Steel Challenge match. Thereafter, the cool Saturday afternoon was punctuated by the melodic pings of lead impacting steel.

“Teach them

Young” Table Tennis Summer Camp set for July 13

The Education Ministry’s Department of Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC) will be conducting their “Teach Them Young” Table Tennis Summer Camp for beginners and semi-intermediate players at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall/ National Gymnasium commencing on July 13.

The programme will be run under the guidance of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and will have the main purpose of targeting young players between the ages of 6-18 while introducing them to the

sport in a fun way. The summer camp that will end on August 28 will also look to help players with the basic skills, help players to be better prepared for future tournaments, train and introduce students to the basic techniques of the game, discover the skills of children, amuse children with sport skills and develop habits of healthy competition. The event will also aim to attract 70 players to be coached by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Level One and Two Coaches and will run from 10:00h to 12:00h from Monday to Friday.

Lady Jags begin Olympic Qualifier...

Bolton highlighted that the women’s budget would not be exhausted on this team for this competition, as those limited funds have been committed to the facilitation of the programmes in the Next Generation Project, including the commencement of the aforementioned Women’s Development League.

The GFF has made the decision to hold two assessment events, prior to the mid-July selection camp, to get a further overview of local female players.

However, this will best allow for the GFF to gauge the level of players that will be moving into the planned Development League. In 2010, Guyana participat-

ed in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which was held in Cancún, Mexico, from October 28 to November 8. The Lady Jags had qualified after beating Cuba in a home (0–1) and away (3–1) playoff to become the first Guyanese team to feature at the Gold Cup – the pinnacle of CONCACAF football. The Guyanese unit failed to pick up a win at the competition, losing 7-2 against Mexico, 8-0 to Canada and 4-1 to Trinidad and Tobago, but in the end, they turned out to be the darlings of the tournament. Most of the players from the 2010 team were standout players in the US and Canadian collegiate systems.

The top performers of the event pose with the trophies in the presence of representatives of El Dorado Trading

Edward B Beharry Marketing Manager Satesh Singh poses with students after making a presentation to the New Amsterdam Multilateral School

GKC officials pay courtesy call on Minister Henry

The Guyana Karate College (GKC) recently paid a courtesy call on Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, at her Main Street office. Heading the visiting party was renowned Karate Sensei Frank Wong-A-Tai.

During the discussions, the members of the GKC informed Minister Henry about the progress being made in terms of preparations for a team that will

be representing Guyana at the International Karate Daigaku (IKD) World Cup Championships scheduled for July 15-19 in Toronto, Canada.

After being given a brief history of the college, Minister Henry was brought up to speed about the ongoing construction of the college’s dojo at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Prior to this meeting, the GKC met with Education

Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. That discussion was focused on the integration of karate into the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) curriculum and at the University of Guyana.

The meeting was a success and the GKC is looking forward to strengthening its relationship with the Education Ministry and the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Sentinel Security sponsors RHTY&SC’s sports award

Berbice sports arena was recognised and honoured.

The RHTY&SC, he noted, is quite passionate about honouring heroes as it is very important that people who make a positive difference in the lives of others be recognised when they are alive.

The long-serving sports executive also expressed disappointment that too many sports organisations were not active in making a difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate and threw out a challenge to them to follow in the footsteps of the RHTY&SC.

The third annu-

al Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Gaskin Memorial Berbice sports award ceremony will be held on July 17 at the St Francis Community Developers Complex, and official sponsor of the programme, Sentinel Security Limited last weekend handed over the sponsorship cheque of $100,000 to the organisers.

Stars line up for charity T20 clash

Current stars and a number of cricketing legends will come together to mark an exhilarating two weeks in which St Kitts will host ten Hero CPL matches, the first CPL matches to be held on the island.

The teams, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis XI and the Sir Vivian Richards XI, will include current Hero CPL commentators Danny Morrison, Damien Martyn, Darren Gough, Murali Kartik, Ian Bishop and Daren Ganga, with more names set to be announced in the coming days.

“St Kitts and Nevis is home to some of the most passionate cricket fans in the Caribbean, so I hope the fans will be out to support us!” Sir Vivian Richards Damien O’Donohoe,

CEO of the Hero Caribbean Premier League expects a “fun and colourful evening of entertaining cricket, whilst raising money for a worthy cause.”

All proceeds from the game will go to a local charity, the St KittsNevis National Education Foundation (SKNNEF), a non-profit organisation that seeks to provide disadvantaged students with the opportunity to receive an excellent education.

St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris was delighted to see the Hero CPL allstar charity T20 match take place in St Kitts and Nevis.

“I am particularly looking forward to being part of this match that brings together celebrities, cricket legends and current stars of the game.”

St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris

“The ‘Biggest Party in Sport’, the most romantic cricket venue in the Caribbean, in the twin-island paradise of St Kitts and Nevis…nothing could be better!”

Sir Vivian Richards is hoping that plenty of fans will attend the match and make it an atmosphere to remember.

“St Kitts and Nevis is home to some of the most passionate cricket fans in the Caribbean, so I hope the fans will be out to support us,” he said.

The all-star game takes place on Thursday July 2nd at 6:00pm. Tickets are expected to sell quickly and fans are encouraged to visit the Warner Park box office. (CPL.com)

The programme is held every year in memory of Gregory Gaskin, the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COPS Security. Under the Berbice Sports Awards, four awardees are honoured each year, namely Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year and Sports Organisation of the Year. Each of the awardees will receive a trophy, medal, framed Certificate of Excellence and a collection of special gifts. Secretary/CEO of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, stated that the main aims of the award were to identify sporting heroes of Berbice and to honour them, to inspire more involvement in sports and to provide positive role models for youths.

Sentinel Security Human Resources Manager Bromwell Gordon, in handing over the sponsorship, stated that his company was pleased to be associated with the RHTY&SC, an organisation he described as Guyana’s best.

He also expressed appreciation to the Club for the role it was playing to promote the memory of the late Gregory Gaskin, who was an avid promoter of the involvement of youths in sports.

Foster expressed gratitude to the management of Sentinel Security, especially its CEO Noreen Gaskin for its continued confidence in the RHTY&SC, and the role it was playing to make sure that every hero in the

Gordon also expressed confidence that the 2015 edition of the Berbice Sports Award ceremony will be well organised and fulfil all of its objectives.

Members of the general public have until July 6 to submit nominations for the awards via email foster_hilbert@yahoo.com.

The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have announced an all-star charity T20 game, choc full of legends from the game that will take place at Warner Park, St Kitts on Thursday, July 2nd.

Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry (centre), with officials of the GKC at her office

Sentinel Human Resources Manager Bromwell Gordon (left), hands over the sponsorship cheque to RHTY&SC member Mark Papannah, in the presence of RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

Gayle leads Tallawahs to win over Patriots

Yet another undefeated half century for Chris Gayle saw the Appleton Estate Jamaica Tallawahs to victory over the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Hero Caribbean Premier League on Tuesday in St Kitts. Chris Lynn also made a fifty for the Jamaican side as they got to their target with five balls to spare. Gayle won the game with a boundary as he finished on 72 not out after his side had been set 161 to win. While the Patriots also had two innings of over fifty from Martin Guptill and Marlon Samuels, the total they set was not enough to challenge Gayle’s men. Having won the toss and elected to bat the Patriots began their innings with a bang as the usually economical Krishmar Santokie struggled with his line in the first over, straying down the leg side allowing Evin Lewis to hit him for back to back boundaries. He got his revenge very quickly when he completely deceived Lewis with a slower ball that trapped the batsman LBW.

After that early breakthrough the Tallawahs struggled to find the same cutting edge on a Basseterre pitch that allowed batsmen to hit through the line with ease with the new ball. Martin Guptill found the

surface especially to his liking in the first six overs as the Patriots made it to 49-1 off the Powerplay overs, their best effort to date.

Guptill put together an excellent partnership of 76 with Tonito

Willett who was playing his first game of this year’s tournament.

Willett had made it to 25 with some excellent boundaries when he charged Daniel Vettori only to be caught at long on.

Some tight bowling from the Tallawahs slowed the scoring rate for the Patriots as Guptill lost his way in the second half of the innings. He did not hit a boundary for 27 balls, scoring 20 runs in that time, all of them singles. He broke the shackles with a big six off Jerome Taylor that brought up his half century in 47 deliveries. He fell attempting another six off Santokie which he toe-ended into the hands of Nikita Miller.

Marlon Samuels did not have the same problem in finding the rope as he struck four boundaries and two sixes on his way to 50 off 31 balls as he once again put together an excellent innings for his side. He was not without luck as he edged the ball past his stumps or the keeper on a number of occasions.

Santokie finished with 4-37 off his four overs as the leading wick-

et taker in CPL history did what he has done so often in the competition.

In his previous innings Gayle scored an undefeated 90 off just 36 balls, and that followed a spell in English county cricket where he made 328 runs in three innings. If the Patriots were to stand a chance they needed the Tallawah’s skipper out early.

Unfortunately for the Patriots they could not find a way to dismiss Gayle. Instead his opening partner was the first wicket. Chadwick Walton played a whippy pull short that he hit straight to Samuels at mid-wicket to depart for 10. Sheldon Cottrell was the bowler so we once again got to see him salute the batsman as he departed.

If was a sedate opening from Gayle, but Lynn got out of the blocks very quickly as he hit three fours and a six in the first five balls he faced. Gayle was happy to give the strike to his Australian partner, satisfied with playing the anchor role.

CPL tickets on sale at Stadium from today Lady Jags begin Olympic Qualifier preparation

From today,

CPL OPCO (Guyana)

Inc has announced the opening of its Ticket Office today at the Guyana National Stadium ahead of Guyana’s hosting of four matches in the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Cricket fans residing on the East Bank of Demerara, West Demerara and communities in close proximity of the Stadium can purchase tickets at the Stadium Box Office, which will be opened from Monday to Saturday from 10:00h to 18:00h daily.

The Central Ticket Office at Middle Street will continue operations daily - Monday to Saturday from 08:00h to 18:00h. Tickets are going fast so fans are urged to take the opportunity to get

the remaining tickets early.

Patrons in Berbice can purchase tickets at Ramdhan Distribution located at 19 Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, a few buildings from Berbice High School. Tickets are also being sold at Courts stores in Main Street, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Parika and Linden.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will be involved in four home games: on July 15 against 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs at 18:00h, on July 17 against St Lucia Zouks at 20:00h, on July 18 against reigning champions Barbados Tridents at 16:00h, and on July 21 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel at 18:00h.

Under the guidance of Technical Director Claude Bolton and Head Coach Mark Rodrigues, Guyana’s senior national women’s football team, the Lady Jags, were hosted in Canada as part of initial preparations for the upcoming Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.

Guyana are drawn in Group Four of the Caribbean Zone of the 2015 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, which will be hosted in St Kitts and Nevis from August 21 to 25, playing against the hosts and Cuba.

Having seen success against both countries in 2010, Guyana will now look to replicate that performance on August 21 when they face St Kitts, and on August 25 against Cuba.

Group One will be hosted by Puerto Rico and fields Aruba, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Grenada. Group Two features St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Cayman Islands and hosts Trinidad and Tobago.

The Group Three games will be played in Suriname and the teams in this group are the Dominica Republic, Dominica and Jamaica.

While the tournament has an age limit of Under-23 for men born on or after January 1, 1993, there is no age ceiling for the Women’s Qualifiers. Three teams will advance from the female category into the CONCACAF Women’s Summer Olympic Tournament for 2016.

According to Rodrigues, “This is a short-term plan … TD Bolton has made quite clear that we must be innovative, calculating, and fiscally responsible as we venture into a competition that many are thinking we cannot possibly be ready for.”

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Next

Generation Project highlights that one of the facets of football that must be a priority in the development plan is women’s football, and as such, the Federation has already held two women’s awareness sessions and participated in the CONCACAF Women’s Football Day with a 3-on-3 tournament.

There are also plans for a Women’s Football Conference that will be the prelude to a Women’s Development League to kick off later in 2015.

Rodrigues added, “This squad, in this competition, can be the impetus for all young women in Guyana to

get out and realise the dream of playing football and playing for Guyana. That is what we want to be the legacy of this squad’s participation in this competition.”

The camp culminated with a competitive 1-1 result versus the undefeated Ontario League One side Durham FC, which the Lady Jags took away with a penalty shootout victory.

Coach Rodrigues said, “I was pleasantly surprised; although, fitness levels are nowhere close to where they will need to be, collectively we were a far better squad than I was expecting at this early stage. It was very promising and encouraging to give simple guidelines and responsibilities and have a majority of players adapt and execute.”

The Head Coach was also excited to inform that four of the highest calibre players available for selection will be joining the selection process in Guyana during the camp planned for mid-July in which players will be taken through the rigours of a full camp that is hoping to include an international friendly.

fans can purchase tickets at the Stadium Box Office

Claude Bolton Mark Rodrigues

Gayle easily marks his second consecutive half century of 72*