Guyana Times Daily - December 2, 2014

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Granger rejects guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2332

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

dialogue for Guyana

Page 3

...amid calls for mediation to break impasse

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Goods P8 smuggling hurting local manufacturers Miss World Beauty Pageant...

Husain shines in Beauty with a Purpose Segment P11

GMSA celebrates success of local businesses Page 10

P13 Mother of seven dies after labaria bite

Dynamic P17 Airways plane skids off runway Prime Minister Samuel Hinds joined President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Clinton Williams during the organisation’s annual business awards ceremony last Friday. Also in photo are representatives of the various businesses that received awards

Corentyne man AFC under fire for race- bludgeoned to baiting politics death by bandits APNU/AFC split

Page 17

Page 7

Guyana cops top prizes at King’s P17 Duck Curry Competition

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tuesDAY, deceMBER 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

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tuesday, DECember 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, December 2 from 14:00h-15:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, December 2 from 13:05h-14:35h

WEATHER TODAY

WEATHER: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning with heavy rain showers in the early afternoon. Light rain showers are expected in the late afternoon with partly cloudy conditions prevailing in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Granger rejects dialogue for Guyana ...amid calls for mediation to break impasse

Winds: East North Easterly between zero and 3.12 metres per second.

High Tide: 00:49h and 13:16h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.48 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:44h and 19:19h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.72 metre respectively.

President Donald Ramotar

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here have been fresh calls for some form of dialogue between the Government and the Opposition to break the political impasse, which has dogged development here for years and caused the President to prorogue Parliament last month.

Since proroguing Parliament, President Donald Ramotar has invited Opposition Leader David Granger for talks, but the former army commander has refused, saying that any talks will happen after the reconvening of Parliament.

Granger has also insisted that his coalition will continue to mobilise citizens in daily protest actions calling on the President to reconvene Parliament and also hold Local Government Elections.

Increasingly, Granger and his coalition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – are being isolated with their stance as commentators across the political divide continue to call for dialogue.

President Ramotar on Sunday disclosed that he has no intention of reconvening Parliament to prorogue it again, and will be making an announcement very soon on the way forward. The Head of State, who was at the time addressing scores at the annual Kala Utsav organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, also called for the support of all as his Government moved the country forward.

Ramotar noted that there have been inaccurate media reports on the prorogation of Parliament and what it really means, but reiterated that he made a constitutional decision.

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) President Clinton

Williams, during an address to business executives, on Friday said his association “fully supports the call for continued dialogue among parliamentary parties during and after the current prorogation of the 10th Parliament“. “We renew ad-

Opposition Leader David Granger

vocacy for compromise that would allow for the passing of several pieces of critical legislation, namely the Public Procurement Bill, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, and most importantly, the instruments to facilitate the early con-

duct of Local Government Elections,” Williams said.

One-time candidate for the People’s National Congress Reform and now Executive Director of the African Cultural and Development Association, Eric Phillips said that “unformatted dialogue should have already taken place”.

However, he opined that when Government prorogued Parliament, it closed the doors to all discussions the Opposition was willing to have. “Government has closed the door on dialogue, because they don’t want to discuss the no-confidence motion. However, at some point, they have to talk; both the Government and the Opposition have trapped the country in a nowin situation, resulting in the country being caught in a standstill. Both sides need to speak, but no one wants to speak first,” Phillips said.

He contended that even though the Opposition has written Caricom and other organisations. “They won’t listen to a third party; unless Parliament is reconvened, there will be no speaking,” he said.

Turn to page 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 2, 2014

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Political fatigue N

ow that we are finally in the month of December, citizens would have been looking forward to the excitement of the Christmas season. It did not matter that we are “a multi-religious” society: when it came to Christmas, we were “uni-cultural”. We all celebrate Christmas.

But right now, very few folks have Christmas on their mind: the political onslaught launched by the Opposition and the Government’s inevitable riposte has really placed a damper on the traditional “Christmas spirits”.

In fact, political fatigue has set so deeply into the body politic since the elections of November 2011, that the Opposition is in grave danger of being dubbed the “grinch that stole Christmas”. APNU already sports the grinch’s trademark green colour.

While the Opposition does not want to accept it, the PPP/C won the Executive branch of Government by the rules of our political engagement - as adumbrated in the Constitution. By launching a desperate rearguard action against the Government because of their one-seat control of the Legislature, the populace has been tugged to and fro to such an extent by the Opposition that very few care for politics any more. This is dangerous for the development of our country.

But the people cannot be blamed for their ennui. After all, if the Opposition agreed with the G-20 sponsored Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that Guyana needs desperately to amend its financial controls via the Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, how can they justify not voting for the measure?

Citizens not unnaturally assume that all politicians work for the good of the country and while they may have differences in their approaches, they would not endanger the financial standing of their country. The Alliance For Chance (AFC) introduced even more fatigue into the populace by attempting to blackmail the Government into a cynical quid pro quo to approve the Bill.

The annual battle over the Budget was another source of political fatigue for the people. Even thought the Courts had instructed the Opposition after their cuts to the first 2012 Budget that theirs was not to cut the Budget, but to either approve or not approve, the Opposition repeated their illegal act.

In any democracy, the Courts are the arbiter of the Constitution, which undergirds the Rule of Law: all should be equal before the law - even the legislators. The Constitution is very clear about the limits of the powers the Legislature, so when it ignored the Constitution and insisted that they were above it, to set their rules that were in conflict with its stipulations, the citizens were being encouraged to believe that “some were more equal than others”.

After a thousand other skirmishes into which the people were dragged, the country arrived at the present impasse.

The facts are too well known for another extended rehearsal.

The AFC, almost as an afterthought by its Vice-Chairman Moses Nagamootoo, mentioned in June that he was going to propose that the Opposition introduce a “No-Confidence” Motion to bring down the Government.

This was a power that was always available to the Opposition, since if the Government failed to pass any major piece of legislation, this would be construed as the Government losing the confidence of the Legislature and new elections would have to be called in three months.

But the Opposition dragged out the motion, with APNU, whose support was crucial, hemming and hawing that they would rather agitate for Local Government Elections. Finally, in exasperation at its development programme being halted by the vacillation of the Opposition, the President used his reserve power in the Constitution to prorogue Parliament. He promised that the prorogation would not exceed six months and would be used to have a dialogue with the Opposition.

The Opposition, however, have taken to the streets. They are determined to be the grinch that stole Christmas from a politically fatigued nation.

Student activists stage a 'die-in' as part of the nationwide "Hands up, walk out" protest at Washington University in St Louis (Reuters)

A betrayal of trust Dear Editor, The people said it in clear cut tones: “We are not voting for the AFC, they have misused our votes”. These words were uttered time and time again to, yours truly, who is a Berbician long before Guyana Times newspaper or Oscar Ramjeet ever brought this to light.

We in Berbice knew this well in advance the festering hurt of a party that has betrayed the people. They used their votes to team up with the public’s enemy, the PNC/APNU. As one convert to the AFC remarked to even entertain the idea of that party gaining power, “I am going to sell everything and go back to the US even if it means begging for a refugee status. I am going back there ...it will be the end of Guyana, I cannot trust these people.”

She further explained that all the strides that we’ve made these last 22 years would have gone down the gutter. It means that those gains in education, wages and salaries, in health-care, infrastructure and freedom of speech would come to naught.

Right now, I can go into a super market and buy

anything I want. This will soon end if they take over.

And this is the frightening part of her testimony – a return of the PNC/APNU means that we would have seen the last election; we must be prepared to say goodbye to free and fair elections.

This cannot happen.

I would move earth and heaven to keep these people out. Now, these are the words that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo do not want to hear. In fact, they have responded by saying that the PPP/C is driving fear into the hearts and minds of the people and playing the race card.

But this is furthest from the truth. The PPP/C does not have to foment strife among the people.

The people themselves are the best judge. Look at what they say and juxtapose this with the resultant action and it becomes crystal clear what is going on.

You cannot tell me that you can gang-up with the PNC/APNU at every turn, voting down developmental schemes that should benefit the people of this country and expect me to vote for you. Outrageous!

When you can open-

ly deny young people the right to acquire a loan to obtain a decent tertiary education, that takes the cake. By denying youths the right to a decent education tells the world you are downright callous and heartless, and these are the people who want to rule over us?

It will not happen. As one person puts it, the AFC thinks we are a dumb set of individuals, then think again. Even if we should take the “race fear of the PNC or the divide and rule tactic of the PPP/C” put forward by the AFC, one would find large gaping loopholes in that theory.

Statistics from the 2011 election show that it was the “Indian vote” that made the difference. It was the Indian section of the population that swung their votes in favour of the AFC that made the difference. It was they who became disgruntled with the PPP/C for neglecting them and went into the open arms of the AFC. History was created in Guyana when devout PPP/C supporters voted for another party causing them to gain seven seats in Parliament. It dispels the myth that Guyanese only

vote along racial lines.

On the other hand, the so called Black vote never changed hands from the traditional belief in the PNC. They never changed their vote. So, making out a race argument for the AFC just does not make any sense at all.

What Nagamootoo and Ramjattan are not telling the people is that the people are reacting in a very certain fashion because they have lost confidence in them. And once voters distrust you, you are doomed.

The AFC is a doomed party and they know it.

No amount of damage control can change their status now. The PPP/C needs to capitalize on that void created by the AFC. They need to get down to the arduous task of mending fences.

One sure way in doing this is fixing the infrastructure in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), like putting lights on the access road on the eastern end of the Berbice Bridge and installing street lights along the Number 19 Road.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 2, 2014

The most sued newspaper in the Western Hemisphere Dear Editor, I find Kaieteur News practices the worst kind of journalism in Guyana and perhaps the world. There were quick to report that former President Bharat Jagdeo ordered the dismissal of two former senior workers of the New Building Society (NBS).

Lo and behold the Ombudsman claimed that it was an unfair attack on the former President. He claims that this was just an allegation that one of the dismissed managers claimed.

There have been too many occasions that this despicable practice has happened with Kaieteur News. What many people, especially these unscrupulous people at Kaieteur News, fail to consider when

they publish malicious, libelous and scandalous information about someone, the damage to the person’s character is irreparable.

A retraction of the accusation does litte to repair the damage. Since, and even before, the libel case against Freddie Kissoon and Kaieteur News, the former President has come in for an unrelenting, unwarranted and vicious attacks by the former.

Mr Jagdeo has had to take it in stride. Kissoon and his cohorts at Kaieteur News have a medium (newspaper) which they could have intelligently used to educate the people and provide a forum for meaningful dialogue for national development.

Instead, they have used this newspaper to attack

everyone with a different opinion from what they subscribe to. This is unfair.

Since the libel case, the former President has not responded to Kissoon, must less attack him. Kissoon however attacks Jagdeo at will.

This is unfair.

Guyanese must now stand up to Kaieteur News and demand that they practise fair journalism. Stop allowing columnists to attack people at will when these people have no medium to respond.

The fact that this cowboy outfit has the dubious distinction of being the most sued in the western hemisphere tells the story.

I rest my case!

Sincerely, Rakesh Singh

Hypocrisy of the Opposition Dear Editor, Just a while ago, the Opposition media and its acolytes were up in arms calling for the head of the Attorney General for what he said or deemed to have said during a private conversation with a reporter who ran to his Boss and who in turn wasted no time in using that tape to add to his arsenal in trying to bring down the PPP/C Government.

However, it is very ironical when I read about the magistrate who was suspended for sexual harassment and use of indecent language in open court, yet that incident was only not reported in the Opposition media, but no comments are forthcoming from certain legal circles and the women’s organizations who were so vociferous in the AG’s matter.

They have not come forward and made any statement in support of the woman who was so vilified by the Magistrate. My only conclusion is, after being so clamorous about the Attorney General, that they are completely spent!

But they are so selective since they have their own sinister agenda. Their reticence is echoing loud and clear!

Moreover, some time ago the Leader of the

Opposition pronounced that Guyana is a “narco-state” and even before then, it has always been the mantra of the Opposition that none of the big drug dealers has ever been prosecuted in the Courts. Here is the irony!

A man who has admitted to having 76kg of cocaine in his possession and being in unlawful possession ammunitions was actually freed by the same Magistrate. Is it a co-incidence that this same man was represented by Attorney-at-Law, James Bond who is an APNU Member of Parliament?

Who is promoting and protecting the “narco-state”?

In addition, just look back at who freed the Lusignan killers and how they were freed. Who represented them? The same man who wants to be the Prime Minister of Guyana.

Yet these same people in the Opposition are clamoring about rising crime levels and that “Rohee must go”! Who do you think must go? Such hypocrisy!

Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

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The call of dawn A joy most abiding, a wonder beyond Waking to the call of a new dawn, To capture the silence of the Earth When it has not yet been punctuated, By the noise of men and machines To lift up the heart in songs of devotion, To still the mind in deep meditation On the eternal glories of the Devine.

To let go the river of the restless striving self Into the ocean of tranquility and peace sublime, To cry for freedom from bondage and fear The ego’s deceitful snare, endless earthly cares.

And thus on a daily basis to be reborn again With new eyes and visions, To confront the challenge that still remains To seek the wealth that lies within,

Breaking free from the cycle of birth and death.

This is the call of a new dawn Awaking from the deeper slumber Of the soul’s forgetfulness, illusion’s embrace Deceitful, self-destructive evil ways Many ages we have walked this dreaded path A most heavy burden to mind and heart Harken, therefore, to the call for a fresh start The hour of departure we know not Our time ticking away so fast Delay we must not on so compelling a task To regain our heritage in eternity and bliss Heeding the call of a new dawn Submitted Cecil Ramkirath

The BOSAI strike Dear Editor, Your report on the BOSAI striking employees represented by NAACIE in your November 29 edition (on page 11) is very misleading and antoganising to our membership, as can be attested by the Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle and other members of the Ministry of Labour.

The BOSAI Management and NAACIE’s representatives met on November 26 and only after great reluctance and anticipation did we agree to return to work through a Terms of Tesumption signed by both parties on November 26.

The BOSAI group included at that meeting General Manager Robert Shang and NAACIE was headed by Kenneth Joseph and Linell Warden. The Terms of Resumption included no victimization, dismissal or intimidation, among others.

There was no break of service and the setting of bilateral meeting to continue negotiations was agreed to.

It is very important to note that a discussion between the Personnel Officer and Kenneth Joseph just after the meeting led the Union to believe that BOSAI was contemplating disciplinary action for the Union’s Branch Vice Chairman.

The Union believes that

even after 21 meetings, the company is causing antagonism among the members of NAACIE and the Management of BOSAI. I hope this letter corrects the company’s Personnel Management Team and assures our members.

Sincerely, Kenneth Joseph General Secretary NAACIE

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tuesDAY, december 2, 2014

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Foundation

By Harley A Rotbart, MD

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L

ack of resources has stymied the battle to combat Ebola in Liberia, leaving the country teetering on the brink of collapse.

The first case across the border was confirmed a few days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared the outbreak on March 23.

But it was not until August that the virus really took hold in the capital Monrovia, a densely packed and notoriously poor city in the Montserrado district.

Throughout September, the county was reporting more than 200 new cases each week.

Monrovia is home to around a quarter of Liberia’s total population. The majority of its residents are crammed into rubbishstrewn slums, many of which are built on low-lying swamps and are unconnected to a municipal sewage system.

Ravaged by a 14-year violent civil conflict, that ended in 2003 and saw the neartotal destruction of its infrastructure, Liberia’s health services struggled to deliver basic services long before the Ebola outbreak.

With only around 60 Liberian doctors before the Ebola outbreak, the death of a number of its high-profile and most competent medical professionals left the country’s health staff decimated and demoralised.

Although the infection rate has declined since the summer, the country remains in a precarious position.

Fear of Ebola still prevails and many of those infected continue to stay home.

“People are hesitant and fearful as they don’t know what happens in a treatment unit and have heard lots of negative stories,” says Darin Portnoy, a medical doctor treating patients at a Medicines Sans Frontieres unit in Monrovia.

“That’s where we lose the battle – when people hesitate to come in. We can’t get on top of the disease when people turn up four, five days into their illness.”

Liberia’s Health Ministry has also urged people to stop burying their loved ones secretly at night.

Even as knowledge of best practices to protect from the virus infiltrates the entire region, this will perhaps be the hardest thing to stamp out.

“To die of Ebola is one thing, but to be deprived of an afterlife is quite another,” writes Prof James Fairhead, an anthropologist based at Sussex University and an expert on West Africa. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ebola deaths Liberia: 7244 cases, 4181 deaths Sierra Leone: 6802 cases, 1463 deaths Guinea: 2123 cases, 1284 deaths Nigeria: 20 cases, 8 deaths Mali: 10 cases, 7 deaths United States: 4 cases, 1 death Senegal: 1 case, 1 death Spain: 1 case, 1 death Source: WHO

our children are always watching, listening, and learning from what you do and say.

So express your own gratitude for what you have in life as part of your daily routine. You could weave in comments like these: “I’m exhausted because work was really hard today, but I’m so grateful to have a job so we can buy the things we need” or “Let’s remember to tell Grandma how much we appreciate her coming to stay here this week while I’m out of town” or “Wow, can you believe that the car started even though it’s so cold outside – it would have been a really long w a l k home!”

Also look for low-key ways to remind y o u r children of the things they have to b e thankful for in their lives, by saying things like, “Aren’t we lucky to have our warm beds?” or “It’s so wonderful to put on clean clothes each morning” or “You were so little when you got this toy and it’s still so much fun to play with!” My wife’s grandmother was legendary for frequently telling

her three young daughters, “Remember, children, you’re having a happy childhood.”

Encourage personal and social responsibility

Expecting your child to put his toys away after playing prevents them from getting stepped on and broken, but it also helps him focus on the worth of what he already has. Giving to charity or doing volunteer work teaches children about those who are less fortunate and that we all share responsibility for each other. Try any of these with

residents. Experiencing the gratitude that others feel for their small acts of kindness makes a lasting impression on children.

Do your part to help protect the environment by walking or biking rather than driving short distances, and conserve water and energy. Visit a dump site to remind your children of the effects of wastefulness. Recycling and composting teach children that even “trash” and “garbage” have value and can someday be used again. Helping children recognise the resources they depend on may also make them think twice before leaving the lights on when they leave their room.

How to raise a child who gives

your children: Prepare food bags for homeless people you pass on the street; serve a meal at a shelter; pack goody boxes with personal thank-you notes for soldiers abroad; donate used toys and clothing; participate in a charity walk; help an elderly neighbour with her chores; visit nursing-home

Look at the big picture It’s important for children to understand their life within a greater global context. The freedoms, opportunities, and relative safety and security of our country and communities stand in stark contrast to much of the planet. Only when children are aware of the larger world around them will they best appreciate their own little part of it.

Introduce your child to ageappropriate sources of information, such as National Geographic Children.

Consider sponsoring a child in need

A variety of well-established charitable organisations, such as ChildFund International and Save the Children, offer a chance to form a personal bond with a child who lives in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. For a modest monthly donation, which your children can help contribute to (with a portion of their allowance or lemonade-stand proceeds), your family will receive photos, updates, and letters from the child you are helping.

Create a special place

Help your children design a box or a shelf to hold the possessions that mean the most to them: a vacation souvenir, a beautiful rock or seashell, a charm bracelet, an autographed baseball, a pet’s picture. The spot should be relatively small, so only the most precious objects can fit. Setting aside limited space for objects of special significance helps children remember to appreciate the little things that add up to happiness. If your child asks you to buy her something when you’re out shopping, you could ask, “Is that toy important enough to you that you would take something out of your special box to make room for it?” (Excerpt from parenting.com)

NEWS

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tuesDAY, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Corentyne man bludgeoned to death by bandits

Outar Ramphal

F

our masked bandits on Sunday launched a brutal attack on a family of 54 Princetown Village, Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) leaving one dead and another injured.

The incident occurred around 23:30h.

Dead is Outar Ramphal, 50. He suffered injuries to the head and face after he was severely beaten and stabbed to the head by three of the four men who entered their home demanding cash and jewellery.

According to his mother Champawattie Ramphal, the men with cutlasses and knives entered their home and grabbed her out of bed demanding money.

Champawattie said she suffers from stroke and cannot speak properly but she pleaded with the men not to hurt them.

In tears, the elderly woman said one of the men proceeded to tie her up but she tried to fight him off, but received a bore under the chin.

She told this publication that the man tied her feet with a belt and her hands with a cloth and stuffed a piece of cloth in her mouth.

“I fight up with he but he

bore me on my neck and he cut me up all over lil lil cut.”

The terrified woman added that while she was in the room, she heard her son screaming out for help.

Outar sleeps in the living room on a small bed next to the window.

“I was in the room and me hear my son hollering that them ah beat him and he beg them nah beat we nah kill we, he nah able talk how them man beat am.

They keep asking where the money.”

Champawattie went on to say that her 13-month-old great-grandson, who as in the house was also threatened by the bandits.

She explained that they placed a knife to his neck, threatening to cut if they did

The blood stained clothes and bed sheet of Outar Ramphal

not hand over the money.

The 74-year-old woman said the ordeal lasted for more than one hour.

The woman disclosed that she is a pensioner and her son is unemployed, and as such, she does not have anything valuable nor does she have any sort of money in the house.

She was bewildered as to why the bandits chose to

Granger rejects...

Former Government Minister and Commentator, Dr Henry Jeffrey, in an invited comment, said: “At the end of the day, discussions will have to take us forward so the Government, in order to show good faith, may unilaterally now wish to state its intention to allow the establishment of the Procurement Commission on the terms required by the Opposition and to assent to the Local Government Bills that were passed in the National Assembly.”

Jeffrey said such independent action by the administration may then provide a sensible framework for negotiating some kind of political contact with the Opposition before Parliament is recalled.

Jeffrey, however, was sceptical as to what the Government and Opposition can agree upon outside of Parliament that they could not have agreed upon before the Parliament was prorogued.

He said the Opposition has rightly made it quite clear that the administration should recall Parliament, to compromise and thus move the country’s agenda forward. He said

rob them and killed her son, pointing out that many days she does not have anything to cook and neighbour would help her.

“Why them why robbed me who nah get nothing and kill me son,” the woman cried in a fainted voice.

The woman said she has no problem with anyone, but disclose that the robbers took away her savings of $30,000 and a gold ring.

She went on to say that after the men left, she did not hear any word from her son but she managed to free herself and went downstairs and raised an alarm.

Shortly after, her 21-year-old grandson, Vickram Ramphal returned from a birthday celebration and saw her in a disheveled

from page 3

there were many worthwhile issues on the agenda, including: the money laundering bill, procurement commission, local government bills, noconfidence motion, budgeting issues.

Mediators

state. He called out to their neighbour who came over and assisted in taking her and Outar, who was in an unconscious state, to the hospital.

Outar was pronounced dead on arrival at the Skeldon Hospital, while his mother was admitted. She received stitches and was treated and sent away.

When this newspaper

Adding his voice to the debate, Commentator Ramon Gaskin, in a letter to the editor, said he has had an opportunity to carefully study the President’s 104-word letter to the Opposition Leader in which he states that he stands “prepared to meet”, to “initiate steps” since there was still an “opportunity” provided by the prorogation to still have the 10th Parliament “discuss” and “conclude” those issues. Gaskin said the basic thrust of the President’s letter is a preparedness to meet to “conclude” the issues which the Government wants concluded. Gaskin said any solution to the present crisis must include a willingness to put all issues from both sides on the table, to fix a firm date for reconvening Parliament, say January 5, 2015 and to use this period to attempt to

resolve all issues preferably facilitated by a group of independent, skilled Guyanese mediators. “All of this is still possible. I am sure that there are other ideas around to end the deadlock.”

On November 10, President Ramotar issued a proclamation proroguing Parliament, hoping that the Government and the Opposition would engage in meaningful talks on Guyana’s development. The prorogation came on the day the combined Opposition, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) intended to pass a No-Confidence Motion against the Ramotar-led People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

The move threw the Opposition parties into confusion as President Ramotar insisted that the proclamation was made so that the Opposition would not stall development through their No-Confidence Motion. The President said though the decision was taken to prorogue Parliament, it was not the original plan.

Alleged Police brutality at Leonora...

Man died from multiple injuries to neck, chest

A Champawattie Ramphal

arrived at the home, family and neighbours gathered to offer comfort and support to the elderly woman while others were busy preparing for the wake for her son.

Some family members were also in the process of cleaning the blood that was splattered on the wall and on the floor.

According to one family member, who gave her name as “Priya”, when she arrive at the scene, the entire upstairs was ransacked and her uncle’s bed was bloodsoaked, along with all the clothes, bed sheets and a sofa that was next to him.

Meanwhile, one person is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

The family is questioning why Vickram, who lives with his grandmother and uncle, has been taken into Police custody.

They related that on the said night, he was out celebrating his birthday and when he returned home, he saw his grandmother and alerted neighbours, who came to assist.

P o s t - M o r t e m Examination performed on the body of Asif Rahim Khatoon, 37, who died days after being allegedly beaten by Police revealed that he died as a result of multiple injuries to his neck and body.

According to the report, the father of four suffered a broken jaw and a ruptured ligament in his throat. The autopsy performed by Dr Nehaul Singh also revealed that Khatoon received severe injuries to his chest which resulted in a massive blood clot forming in his body.

Hours after the man’s death on November 27, Police, in a statement, said that Khatoon had complained that he was beaten by another prisoner while in custody at the Leonora Police Station, but relatives have since denied such.

Ever since the man’s death, two officers were placed under close arrest. D Division (West Demerara) Commander Ian Amsterdam had told this publication on Saturday that he was awaiting the post-mortem report to determine a way forward.

On Saturday, the man’s wife, Sursattie Chandrapaul, and other residents protested against Police brutality in front of the Leonora Police Station. Presently, the matter is being investigated by the Office of Professional

Responsibility.

Khatoon was arrested by the Police on Saturday, November 22, following investigations into a report that he had allegedly assaulted his reputed wife.

During efforts to arrest him, the Police claimed that he resisted, but was eventually subdued and taken to the Leonora Police Station.

At the station, he made no complaints against the arresting ranks.

While at the Leonora Station, Khatoon was kept on the bench handcuffed to another man in custody whom he later reported had allegedly assaulted him.

He was subsequently taken to the Parika Police Station where he was kept in the lockup. He was charged with assault and brought to the Leonora Police Station on Monday, November 24, to attend the Magistrate’s Court.

While at Leonora, his reputed wife reported that Khatoon was allegedly beaten by the Police, and as a consequence, he was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was referred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was seen by a doctor.

He was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital before subsequently taking a self-discharge and going home where he died.

8 NEWS Together we must close this gap – Caricom ASG tuesDAY, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

A

s the world observed World AIDS Day 2014, Caricom Assistant Secretary General for Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater stressed that countries must work together to realise the dream of eliminating HIV/ AIDS. Dr Slater was speaking at a brief ceremony to hand over more than $150,000 worth of food items to the Food Bank of Guyana National HIV & AIDS Programme (NAP).

Initiated and organised by the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS’s Coordinating Unit (PCU) in collaboration with the Caricom Secretariat Staff Association, the ceremony, chaired by PANCAP Coordinating Unit Director, Dereck Springer, was held to observe World AIDS Day 2014.

The Assistant Secretary General told the gathering , which included Caricom Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General, “[t]here is a global recognition that even with the best treatment delivery options, without the complementary programmes for prevention and for the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, ending AIDS will remaining a dream…. Together we must close the gap”.

“PANCAP is dedicated to ensuring human rights of all people throughout the Region, and through its Justice for All Programme, aims to close the gap from inequality to equality and humanity for each and every person,” he added.

Dr Slater drew attention to the strides that have been made by PANCAP to accelerate the pace

S

Caricom Assistant Secretary General, Dr Douglas Slater hands over one of several gifts to National AIDS Programme Food Bank Manager Amar Ramesar

for achieving the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“PANCAP has provided the coordination under which many opportunities have been garnered and many gaps have already been closed,” he said.

He highlighted several achievements including: a 40 per cent decline in new HIV infections and a reduction in the prevalence of HIV to one per cent; antiretroviral treatment being available for 70 per cent of those eligible for it; major reduction in AIDS-related deaths; 90 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV receiving treatment, resulting in a 52 per cent decline in HIV infec-

tions among children.

The brief function, which included poetry reading by PCU staffer Karen Cumberbatch and a skit by Merundoi was one of many observances organised to mark the day.

World AIDS Day commemorations are held around the globe each year on December 1 to remember the lives lost to AIDS, recognise the people currently living with and affected

by HIV, and to recommit to the effort of ending AIDS. PANCAP is a 62-member Partnership, which was established

by Caricom Heads of Government in 2001 to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean.

Suspected iPhone thief refused bail

D

owling Reid was remanded to prison after being arraigned for robbery under arms when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan, on Monday morning.

It was alleged that on April 15, at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, being in the company of another and armed with a knife, he

robbed Delon David of one Apple iPhone 4.

The defendant was not required to plea to the charge, however, after the Administration of Justice Act was requested by the Police Prosecutor Michael Grant, Reid pleaded not guilty.

He was represented

by Attorney Paul FungA-Fat who requested reasonable bail for his client.

He noted that the two parties had made an agree-

ment, settling the matter to the tune of $90,000.

However, Prosecutor Grant intervened stating that Reid was previously charged for a similar offence and is presently on bail for that offence.

He also cited the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence.

The Court heard that David and Reid are known to each other. On the day in question, Reid and the other accomplice

approached David who had the said article in his hand at that time.

It was alleged that Reid placed the knife to David’s back and relieved him of the article after which they made good their escape. The matter was reported which led to Reid subsequently being arrested.

He was remanded to prison and will make his next appearance on December 3.

Labourers remanded for simple larceny

T

ony Singh and Chris Etwaro, were remanded to prison after being arraigned for a simple larceny charge when they appeared before Magistrate Ann Mclennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, on Monday morning.

It was alleged that on November 29, at Lamaha Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, they stole a quantity of flex cable valued $50,000 and a quantity of electrical wire valued $40,000; a total value of $90,000. The stolen items belonged to Adam Tunam

Eyew tness Faecal matter...

Tony Singh

Holdings.

The co-accused,

both

labourers by profession, pleaded not guilty the offence. Bail was objected to on the grounds of the nature of the offence, the gravity and prevalence, the facts that they were charged several times for offences similar in nature, that they have no fixed place of abode, that they were caught in the virtual complainant’s yard by a security guard and that the articles were recovered in their possession.

Bail was denied and the two men will made their next court appearance before Magistrate

…daubed by AFC on PPP/C

ome people are shameless...people like Moses Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, for instance. These wankers were in the PPP/C for decades...Nagamootoo claims he clocked in 50 years!! Sounds about right, since he’s in his late 70s, no?? But the problem is, NOT ONCE in all those decades of mobilising and campaigning for the PPP/C did they even MENTION that the latter party PLAYED the race card. Much less EXPLOITED it!

Now if exploiting racial divisions was the PPP/C’s schtick, for Nagamootoo and Ramjattan to have risen so high in the PPP/C hierarchy (they were in the HIGHEST decision making body, the Ex-Co), they must’ve done more than their fair share of race-baiting, no??

Have they ever confessed to such sins?? Apart from giving them some moral grounds for criticising the PPP/C now, it would be good for their souls. And from where this Eyewitness sits, the souls of these two wankers are in dire need of salving. Not “saving”...they’re beyond redemption.

But it’s rather rich for the dyspeptic duo from Berbice to talk about the PPP/C playing “race politics”. That’s a classic case of smearing their doo-doo on the PPP/C’s collective bamzee.

Let’s look at the public record of the AFC and race recently. They claim as an article of faith, they’re a “multiracial” party. In Guyana this means representing Indian, African, Amerindian, Mixed and miscellaneous Guyanese, no??

Well, not if you go by Nagamootoo and Ramjattan’s ACTIONS rather than their words. The AFC’s Africandominated parliamentary partner, APNU - which supported the AFC’s No-Confidence Motion down the line - had a prorogation protest at Square of the Revolution. Rather than attending, they sent their AFRICAN Executives. Why??

They didn’t want to send the “wrong message” to their supporters in Berbice!!!

What message?? That they’re sharing the stage with APNU, the party they’ve been working with for the last two years in Parliament!! Why can they work with APNU behind closed doors and not out in the open?? The only reason is RACE!! As this Eyewitness has said before, they’re treating African Guyanese like they have “Kuh-Kuh-Beh”...

And they have the balls to say they’re not racist??

What the AFC’s doing is playing to the worst prejudices and stereotypes of Guyanese. What kind of leadership is this?? The only way to overcome such prejudices is for real leaders to move beyond the cold calculus of picking up a few racist votes and show the Guyanese people that they’ll stand for principles.

Principles?? Sadly, that’s a word not found in the vocabulary of the AFC’s Nagamootoo and Ramjattan.

...and pawning

The MuckrakerKN spews so much faecal matter into the Guyanese environment, it’s a wonder we haven’t surpassed China’s pollution! Every day it’s another set of sh*t!! Take their latest lurid headline: the Marriott was “pawned” to Republic Bank! In the story you’d figure out that actually a mortgage was taken out on the Hotel!!

But when you’ve been getting your money from backtracking, drug trafficking and snitching on “friends”, we guess you don’t need to take out mortgages to build a Shopping Mall on Wellington Street or a Sweetie Factory in Eccles.

In the early days of selling shallots in Stabroek Market, the only borrowing the Mook would’ve done was to go to the pawn shops. So you really can’t blame him when he thinks a “mortgage” is “pawning”.

If this were so, of course, every building in the US would’ve been pawned!! But we figure most folks know about the kinda sh*t the Muckraker purveys!! They hold their noses.

...on wages

Chris Etwaro

Geeta Chandan-Edmond on December 9.

You’d think the major Opposition party would show some responsibility and not pander to populism on wages.

How can APNU dub 5-8 percent wage increase for Public Servants a “freck”, when inflation is only 4 percent?? Do they want to unleash hyperinflation??

news

9

tuesday, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Goods smuggling hurting Claim money on jet for PPP/C campaign “utter rubbish” – Rohee local manufacturers

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

I

n light of the recent controversy surrounding the legality of the usage of a private aircraft by President Donald Ramotar to travel overseas; the Oppositiondriven media have accused the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) of plans to use the money to fund their election campaigns.

Speaking at the party’s press conference on Monday, General Secretary Clement Rohee refuted the claim, saying it is “utter rubbish”. He said “we work hard for our money through fundraising activities for our campaigns”.

These and other allegations came in light of the recent interception of an aircraft owned by Guyanese businessman Khamraj Lall in Puerto Rico with US$620,000 onboard.

Subsequently, he was arrested by US law enforcement authorities for failure to disclose the cash on departure from the US. Rohee at the press conference contended that there is nothing remotely illegal about President Donald Ramotar or his office chartering a flight to look after the Government’s business.

He said the flight was paid for and was not done in a secretive manner.

“They paid for it and it

was open in the view of everyone. It was a legitimate activity.”

Ramotar has already denied the allegations made against him and former President Bharrat Jagdeo that they travelled on the said aircraft to Brazil and Puerto Rico.

Sources have said the reports were all erroneous and seemed to be targeting Jagdeo for reasons only those writing the articles would know.

Rohee pointed to Kaieteur News as he stated that certain sections of the media have agendas to make the Government and Ramotar look bad.

“Certain sections of the media trying to make an issue out of it, what wrong did the Government do? Efforts are being made to embarrass the President and Government.”

Lall is the owner of KLX Logistics Inc, located in Jersey City, New Jersey in the US, which offers trucking and warehouse services, and was operational from 1995 to 2010.

In Guyana, he owns the Kaylee’s Service Station at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, as well as a limousine service. He also operates a courier service out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

NBS matter

The General Secretary then made reference to previous articles on the New Building Society (NBS) $69.9 million fraud reported on November 29 by all major news agencies.

Holding each of the three main newspapers in his hand, Rohee read the headline of Guyana Times, which said “Media unfair to Jagdeo – Ombudsman”, then Guyana Chronicle, “Ombudsman said KN headlines extremely unfair”.

He cited what he called an

attempt by Kaieteur News to create mischief -- Kaieteur News’ headline read “NBS report: Ombudsman refutes Luncheon and DPP claim.”

Rules for media houses were then called for and Rohee went on to quote the Ombudsman’s statement on the matter which said: “I made no such finding considering the former President in the media, there should be rules.”

On November 28, the Ombudsman, retired Judge Winston Moore held a press conference at Cara Lodge to address the media reports and sensationalisation of the contents of a recent leaked report compiled by the Office of the Ombudsman.

He said “to cast aspersions on the character and tenure of former President Bharrat Jagdeo were extremely unfair to the former President”.

He asserted that the former President should have been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations before he was crusaded against by certain media houses. Kaieteur News had reported that the former President was responsible for the subsequent firing of several staff members.

Justice Moore said the findings of his report in no way insinuated that Jagdeo had a part to play in the outcome of the investigations into the fraud against several NBS employees.

Rohee felt that if rules are not implemented in the media, there will continue to be problems. He appealed to the relevant sections of the media to carry what the Ombudsman said.

The need to have oversight of the media was emphasised by Rohee. He then appealed to persons to refrain from making allegations against anyone with regards to the ongoing money laundering case. He explained that the matter is still being investigated.

C

ompetition from smuggled and imported goods is having devastating consequences on the local manufacturing sector, Head of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, Clinton Williams has said.

He made the comments while addressing a gathering at the Association’s annual dinner and awards presentation last Friday evening at the Pegasus Hotel.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said that smuggling continues to be an ongoing issue, and despite bolstered law enforcement efforts, a large number of business persons continue to engage in this practice. During the first quarter of 2014, the agency seized a large assortment of smuggled goods with a tax value of over $30 million.

Based on information received and the use of coordinated patrols, goods inclusive of cooking oil, cigarettes, foreign chicken, alcoholic and non-alcoholic energy drinks, and mosquito coils were seized. While these are among the frequently smuggled goods, a number of other goods such as electrical items, clothing, footwear, accessories, cell phones, digital cameras, wrist watches and heavy-duty machinery were also seized. These seizures took place in various parts of the country, including Georgetown, the East Coast of Demerara, and Berbice.

Additionally, the GRA said its Enforcement and Investigations Divisions officers have been conducting anti-smuggling activities at Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Mabaruma and Kumaka.

These exercises have resulted in the seizure of large quantities of foreign alcoholic beverages and other goods. While the agency has conducted a number of seizures in the North West District, it has faced a number of challenges including smugglers being informed of impending visits, particularly when officers leave by plane for the area, and lack of easy road access.

GMSA President Clinton Williams

Meanwhile, Williams said that the Guyanese economy has been consistently recording an average growth of five per cent over the past five years, with the main sectors contributing to this performance being: gold and diamonds, wholesale and retail trade, rice and seafoods , building and construction, and Information Communication Technology (ICT).

He said other traditional products such as sugar, bauxite and value-added forest products continued to underperform due to a number of unrelated factors. According to him, manufacturing has seen minimal growth and still accounts for a small percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (approximately four per cent).

Adjust investment principles

“This is a concern to us because in 1963 when this organisation was established, this sector’s contribution to the national purse averaged 15 per cent. Since the global economic crisis began in 2007 (some effects of it are still lingering), numerous studies were conducted within the Caribbean aimed at mitigating against future financial shocks of this kind. The general consensus was that Caricom member states should substantially adjust our investment principles in concert with those challenges.”

Among the sectors that were identified for special at-

tention were: food security; energy security; recovery and re-positioning of the tourism sector; and pursuance of new economic drivers such as ICT, renewable energy, and trade in services.

Williams said the Guyana Government, for the most part, adapted this strategic direction and has formatted specific policy interventions and concomitant action programmes that are enshrined in the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS) and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

However, Williams said there are many structural weaknesses and challenges that have consistently led to poor productivity and lessthan-optimal performance in many cases. Among these are: high cost and unreliable supply of electricity; road, marine and air transportation costs and logistics of cargo; competition from smuggled or imported goods; and the absence of appropriate fiscal and financial incentives for locally manufactured products without impacting on current trade agreements. He said to help manufacturers to overcome these challenges and respond to the need for a knowledge-based economy, the GMSA has been pursuing a comprehensive intervention programme consistent with that of a proactive business support organisation.

Turn to page 10

10

guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, december 2, 2014

News

GMSA celebrates success of local businesses S uperior Shingles Wood Products copped the top award at this year’s Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Awards ceremony held last week Friday at the Pegasus Hotel.

Several other businesses received awards for their sterling efforts in the advancement of the sector. In presenting the Executive President’s Award for Export Achievement to Superior Shingles Wood Products, the GMSA said the company has been able to sustain their overseas markets and penetrate new ones with its valueadded timber products.

According to the GMSA, in just over 10 years, Superior Shingles has accumulated return customers in the English-, French-, Dutch- and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, the USA, Central America, Asia and the Pacific Islands.

“Superior Shingles manufactures roofing and decorative wooden tiles utilising indigenous raw materials and labour, and they export about 95 per cent of production. Wood waste is also converted to charcoal and exported. They maintain their presence in the international marketplace by frequently participating in trade shows, exhibiting their MADE IN GUYANA Turada Shingles,” the Association said.

It added that: “This young company is also serious about its responsibilities to the environment and its host communities at Yarrowkabra, along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

They contribute to business development in these communities principally by donating all of the wood-waste that is not processed in-house to the Yarrowkabra Charcoal Burners Association, a group of mostly women who produce charcoal for the local market.”

Awards were also given

De Mayor-Fuh-Life wanna go Puerto Rico

I GMSA President Clinton Williams received the Lifetime Achievement Award for long and dedicated service to the public and private sectors from Caricom Secretary General, Irwin

LaRocque

out to five companies for “continuous penetration into new foreign markets”.

These companies are Pomeroon Oil Mills for its growth in the domestic market through innovative packaging and labelling; Sterling Products Limited for diversification into fast food production and being a superior Corporate Citizen; Banks DIH Limited in recognition of their sterling achievement in attaining international Quality Certification for every plant and for aggressive market penetration with the new GT Beer; TCL Guyana Inc (TGI) for achieving ISO 14001 Certification which validates the effectiveness of their environmental management systems; and Edward B Beharry Group of Companies for leading local industries in the introduction of new and innovative technologies and methodologies towards greater energy efficiency and conservation.

In addition, there was an EMPRETECO Award, which went to Warren & Tracy Douglas of Pandama Retreat and Winery for utilising local fruit, herbs and barks to produce exotic wines, tonics and natural vinegars, and expanding their market reach into North America and Europe.

Besides, Environmental Management Consultants received an award for successfully responding to a critical need for dedicated Environmental Management Services in keeping with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and the tenets of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

Think Engine Co was awarded for its efforts to promote the development of Small and Medium Sized Economies (SME) through Think Engine Energy Auditing Company, while Gafson Industries Inc was recognised for continuously providing the building and construction sector with

a wide range of locally manufactured products, and for consistently expanding their product line.

Additionally, the GMSA awarded R Bassoo and Sons for 22 years of exceptional service to the public and private sectors, and its immense contribution to the building and construction sector.

Modern Industries Limited copped the Lifetime Achievement Award for its determined leadership in furniture manufacturing and unstinting support to the GMSA. GMSA President Clinton Williams also received the Lifetime Achievement Award for long and dedicated service to the public and private sectors, including the manufacturing, shipping, forestry and mining communities and occupational skills training; Dr Komal Dookie for his “invaluable contributions to national development by utilising his superior business acumen to create awareness of Guyana’s unexplored natural resources”; Lalman Budhu in appreciation for his long and dedicated administrative services to the GMA/GMSA; Twins

s a long time now people been talkin bout cleanin up GT de garbage town and nutten wasn’t happenin. That was because de Mayor-Fuh-Life never do nutten. He was busy cleanin up de cheque book.

Then de Guvament try to do a clean up campaign, but de more dem cleanin, is de more de Mayor-Fuh-Life messin.

Since from when he was small, de Mayor-Fuh-Life had a mess problem. De Mayor-Fuh-Life get old and he still gotta mess problem. So de Mayor-Fuh-Life born wid mess and he gon go to he grave wid a even bigger mess.

De first problem wid GT de garbage town is that it got some very nasty, don’t-give-a-damn people bout de place.

Dem does throw any ting any where any how any time all de time, and then don’t have time to clean up de mess.

One soca man sing a song bout people mashin up de place, but he now need to sing another song bout GT people messin up de place, led by de Mayor-Fuh-Life, who he self is a mess. Some body gon soon have a big mess to clean when he gone.

De second problem wid GT is that de Mayor-Fuh-Life want to clean up de clean up campaign money. That is because he was plannin a trip to some where to do some ting wid he eye.

Hopefully that gone mek he finally see de garbage.

Plus de Mayor-Fuh-Life had need some dollars, since he was always short on cents. And that clean up campaign money woulda come in perfect fuh de Mayor-Fuh-Life, because he accustom to doin a thorough clean up of every ting, except de garbage in GT of course.

De Mayor-Fuh-Life used to clean up people and clean up de Treasury when he was a big one in de Guvament. Usually, by de time de Mayor-Fuh-Life done clean up some ting, nutten ain’t good fuh any ting.

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

And soon he might wanna go all de way to Puerto Rico to clean up a plane!

Manufacturing Chemists for consistently widening their medicinal product line, especially the Tussadryl family, and for expanding their market reach into the Caribbean and North America and National Hardware Limited for consistent growth and for their valuable contribution to the building and construction sector.

Williams said the event “is our means of tangibly recognising the strides that were and are being made by our

Goods smuggling...

Delivering the feature address, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said the involvement and commitment of the Private Sector are essential to achieving the Community’s growth and development agenda. “As members of the Private Sector, you are key players in the drive towards increased prosperity for the people of this country, and this Region,” he told his audience.

The Secretary General noted that the Heads of Government of the Community and their Ministers had heard the “persistent” requests from the Private Sector for a seat at the table in the Councils of the Community. Ambassador LaRocque pointed to the discussions held in Antigua and Barbuda last July between the Caricom Heads of Government and several of the Region’s leading businessmen as well as the agreement by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) that the Private

Sector “must take part in their deliberations in some way”.

Caribbean Business Council

The Secretary General recalled an earlier agreement to create a Caribbean Business Council (CBC) as the body to interact with the Community’s Councils.

However, that body has not yet been created.

“In the meantime, I proposed and the Ministers agreed that the COTED will engage the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) pending the creation of the CBC. The Secretariat and Caribbean Export will work with the Private Sector to facilitate the realisation of the CBC,” Secretary General LaRocque stated.

Ambassador LaRocque also indicated that the Private Sector had been heard on the issue of ease of doing business in the Region, and gave the undertaking that the

manufacturers and service providers”. This, he said has been a very eventful year, both through “our own interventions, and via advocacy in response to emerging sociopolitical and socio-economic environment at the national level which demanded our timely intervention”.

Williams said last year the Association celebrated its 50th year as a business support organisation with a few well chosen, well organised events.

from page 9

Community was committed to making it happen. “We recognise the need to improve the Doing Business Environment in the Community, and align it with international best practices. That includes the harmonisation of businessrelated rules and regulations within the CSME [Caribbean Single Market and Economy].

To put it simply, an enterprise operating in the CSME should be faced with the same regulations, wherever their business is conducted. That will make doing business easier. It is all about creating a single space,” he emphasised.

He cited the work that was close to completion in respect of Harmonised Customs Legislation, and stated that similar work will be undertaken with respect to the laws and regulations governing securities markets. “We are also creating a regional business registry, which would permit registration in one Member State of the CSME to be sufficient to operate in any other.”

tuesday, december 2, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Miss World Beauty Pageant...

Husain shines in Beauty with a Purpose Segment The Beauty with a Purpose segment of the competition provides more exposure to the contestants in the run-up to the finals of the Miss World Pageant. The winner will be announced at a grand show on December 14.

The show on Saturday evening also showcased the gifts taken to London by the 124 contestants, which were all placed on auction, raising some £20,000 for various charitable organisations.

In addition, Miss World 1953 Denise Perrier of France donated the trophy she won at the Miss World Pageant some 61 years ago. It was sold for £30,000.

According to informa-

Miss World Guyana 2014 Rafieya Husain with other contestants in the Beauty with a Purpose Segment of the Miss World Competition

A

fter intense competition with more than 124 beauties from across the world, Miss World Guyana 2014 Rafieya Husain has been placed in the top five of the Beauty with a Purpose segment of the Miss World Pageant.

The announcement was made during the annual Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP) Charity Auction in London on Saturday

evening.

The event was hosted by the Miss World Organisation, and the fashion show was held at the prestigious Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel.

The other countries in the top five are Brazil, India, Kenya and Indonesia. Their representatives were also recognised for their outstanding projects.

GWI extends Free Pass Promotion

T

he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the nation’s supplier of water and sanitation services, has extended its Free Pass Promotion to December 6.

According to a release, the promotion was extended due to the overwhelming demand by customers visiting GWI offices on Friday, November 28 to Monday, December 1.

In excess of 3000 customers filled GWI offices countrywide to capacity on Friday, Saturday and Monday following announcements by the company that the Free Pass Promotion would end last Saturday and countrywide disconnection for unpaid bills would commence on Monday.

According to GWI Customer Services Manager Jeannette Thomas, the company is

pleased with the response, but would like to urge every customer with unpaid service charges to utilise the Free Pass and avoid disconnection.

“While we are extending the promotion for another week, our countrywide disconnection campaign has been intensified,” stated Thomas.

“Our enforcement teams are monitoring and removing the services of customers who have illegally reconnected their service and have refused to make payments.”

The GWI Free Pass will not be extended beyond Saturday, December 6.

“GWI will also extend business hours from 08:00h to 17:00h from Monday to Friday and will be open for late payments on Saturday December 6 from 09:00h to 15:00h,” the release concluded.

tion from the Miss World Pageant website, every year at the pageant, contestants usually take part in charitable projects and selfless acts within their community.

The projects are presented and then go through an analysis, after which the best project is adjudged.

The pageant rewards contestants with points towards the final score and £10,000 goes towards supporting the winner’s platform.

Husain over the past months leading up to the pageant has been actively involved in charity works supporting her platform of domestic violence.

Many of the projects

she embarked on sought to find steps towards spreading awareness and educating young people on teen dating.

Husain has founded her own non-profit organisation called the Rafieya International Vision and Hope (RIVAH) and its mission is to instil in young people strong values of moral and social responsibilities.

In October, Husain commissioned the $3 million outreach centre in Three Friends Village , Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) to aid of the fight against domestic violence.

In the same month, Husain visited sever-

al secondary schools in Georgetown, where she spread awareness about the dangers of teen dating violence (TDV), which is also part of her “Shatter the Silence” campaign.

The beauty queen through several fundraising events raised some $4 million, of which a portion went to spreading cheer to children at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A donation was also made to the Guyana Red Cross and Guyana Help and Shelter.

Guyana wishes Husian best of luck as she continues her journey in London for the title of Miss World 2014.

12 news

tuesDAY, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Duo jailed for causing deaths of children T

Guyana’s high growth raising investor interest

Trichel Williams

driving 4-Runner GKK 8838 at a fast rate and happened to get into the path of motor car PMM 8599.

Seelall was a backseat passenger of the motor car along with her mother at the time of the accident.

The child died after being in a coma for several days.

Gafoor of Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara is also the owner of T and R Sea Foods.

C

.com Marketing Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tazim Gafoor, 40, has been jailed for four years for causing the death of young Varshanie Seelall.

The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court after he was found guilty of driving recklessly, causing the death of the four-yearold on November 22, 2013.

Seelall of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice was killed when Gafoor was at the time

Tazim Gafoor

Meanwhile, another Gafoor was also given a similar penalty by the same Magistrate for also killing a 4-year-old by dan-

Varshanie Seelall

gerous driving.

Naresh Gafoor, 39, a carpenter of Block 8, Mon Repo, East Coast Demerara drove motor car PGG 2527 in a manner dangerous, resulting in the death of Trichel Williams on June 25, 2013.

The accident occurred on the Plantation Foulis Public Road, West Coast Berbice.

Gafoor was driving the vehicle at a fast rate when he lost control of it and hit the nursery school child.

She was rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

CGX announces settlement with Repsol

C

GX Energy Inc has announced a settlement of the claims brought against Repsol Exploración relating to the joint operating agreement governing the Georgetown Block, offshore Guyana.

CGX Resources Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGX Energy, commenced an arbitration against Repsol in the London International Court of Arbitration and received an injunction against Repsol from the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature in January and August.

Under the terms of the settlement, CGX Energy received approximately US$900,000 due to CGX Resources pursuant to the terms of the Georgetown JOA and neither party was responsible for costs or damages.

Repsol has also agreed to evaluate opportunities in the Guyana-Suriname basin and Repsol was granted a 90-day option to present a farm-in proposal to acquire at least a 10 per cent participating interest in any of the Corentyne Block (100 per cent), Demerara Block (100 per cent) or the Berbice Block (62 per cent).

CGX Energy Inc has announced a settlement of the claims brought against Repsol Exploración relating to the joint operating agreement governing the Georgetown Block, offshore Guyana

In addition, CGX Energy and Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp have been granted a similar option on the Kanuku Block.

In the event that a proposal is accepted, any definitive agreements are subject to due diligence and the terms of any pre-existing petroleum agreement or joint operating agree-

ment.

The parties look forward to the prospect of working together again in the future if and when the right opportunities arise.

CGX Energy is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the GuyanaSuriname Basin.

his little known English-speaking nation is enjoying one of the Latin America and Caribbean region’s highest growth rates, and is taking the steps sustain its leading position by more sustainable means As one of South America’s smallest countries – with a population just shy of 800,000 – the tiny former British colony of Guyana is also one of the continent’s least known nations. Besides being often confused with Guinea or Ghana in Africa (due to the comparable spelling/pronunciation), the fact that it is Latin America’s only officially English-speaking country also sometimes raises doubts about its geographical location.

However, despite the linguistic differences, Guyana shares other important characteristics with its neighbours. Besides the obvious likenesses in physical climate, Guyana’s economic climate has benefited from growth widely enjoyed throughout the region, particularly at time when much of the world has continued to suffer from aftereffects of the global financial crisis.

Including Guyana, LAC (Latin America and Caribbean) countries grew at an average 4.3 per cent in 2004-2011, far outstripping global growth.

riod of growth, which I hope snowballs. Success tends to lead to more success.”

Indeed, the country hopes its luck will not run dry when it comes to the ongoing oil exploration, with hopes that a big find could eventually transform economic prospects completely.

In the meantime, Guyana has had to continue to rely on its primary sectors. Much of Guyana’s growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production.

Agricultural expansion has also helped drive growth. However, in 2013, sugar production – a key source of foreign exchange and Guyana’s main employer – dropped to a 23-year-old low due to the loss of preferential access to EU markets and a cut in European sugar subsidies.

Given that Guyana is heavily dependent on the

still get some reward or assistance to avoid going down that road. If they do go down that road, it should be tread in a sustainable way. That reward would help them develop other things. For example, tourism, alternative energy and support for renewable energy.”

While the LCDS aims to facilitate the growth of these industries, the Government is also working to attract a greater amount of foreign investment and promote itself as a business destination.

As a member of Caricom, it has Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with all of the members of Caribbean community of nations. It borders one of the BRICS, Brazil, with whom it also has an FTA, as well as with Colombia and other countries in the region. This gives Guyana easy access to

Expansion

And while LAC economies managed just 2.6 per cent growth last year, Guyana has remained resilient, registering economic expansion of 5.2 per cent in 2013, the fourth fastest in the region. What is more, it is predicted to sustain its leading position this year and next.

Although Guyana remains one of South America’s poorest nations – owing to a tiny economy that is traditionally dependent on agriculture and mineral exports and thus highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices – Prime Minister Samuel Hinds believes that the country’s recent growth has resulted from finding strength in adversity, as well as a change in fortunes.

“We had a pretty serious flood in 2004,” recalled the Prime Minister.

“During that period, the country came together (and) we’ve had continuous growth from that time.

The first stage was recovery, but a number of fortunate things also happened. Gold prices were rising and there was also hope of finding oil.

This led to the drilling that eventually took place along the Guyana coast (French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana) from 2009 to 2012.

In addition, there was demand for rice, and prices for rice were also quite high. All of these factors came together and that has given us a pe-

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

other commodities of bauxite, shrimp, timber and rice, which together with gold and sugar represent 60 per cent of GDP; the Government has identified the vulnerability of the country’s economy, and begun to do something about it.

The Government’s commitment to sound policies and reforms means that the country is now experiencing shared prosperity, poverty reduction and positive projections for future economic prospects.

Meanwhile, a big part of Guyana’s efforts to protect its economy is through protection of its natural environment.

LCDS

With over 80 per cent of Guyana’s land area covered by forest, to protect this national asset and to find ways to utilise it as a means to generate revenue and propel economic development, Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS has become an essential part of its economic development plan.

“Traditionally, countries in the course of development have had to utilise their forests as a source of materials which brought work opportunities and income,” said Prime Minister Hinds.

“Guyana and other developing countries, which still have forests, should

markets in Latin American and Caribbean – 33 countries with a collective population of 580 million individuals and collective GDP of almost US$5 trillion.

Aside from having a highly trainable workforce and an English-speaking population – a very attractive asset for US companies – Guyana is only a four-hour flight away from Miami.

Another major concern for investors looking to use Guyana as an export base to the region is transport infrastructure. However, the Government has invested significant sums to upgrade the country’s infrastructure and there are also numerous plans to modernise and expand the country’s logistics framework.

An important component of this plan is the paving of the Linden-Lethem Road, which will facilitate integration and sustainable development of the hinterland, as well as improvements to port facilities and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Although there is still undoubtedly a long way to go for Guyana, it is certainly a country on the up.

And if people were not overly aware of this tiny South American country before, they are certainly sitting up and taking notice of this developing economic success story now. (Theworldfolio)

news

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tuesDAY, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Beyond reparations:

African Business Awards to boost know-how of beneficiaries

By Samanta Layne

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mid calls for more African Guyanese to get into business, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) recently honoured a number of young Guyanese businessmen and women at its inaugural African Business Awards ceremony hosted at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, Georgetown.

Guyana Times spoke with the mastermind of the initiative, Guyana Reparations Committee Chairman, Dr Eric Phillips, who, said the idea to give the award and an incentive for outstanding and exceptional achievements by young African Guyanese, evolved out of National Reparations discussions.

Dr Phillips said Europe should compensate Caricom for the slave trade, pointing out that the money can be injected into the establishment of African businesses.

“My main concerns were how the money would be spent… there are not enough African businesses or businesses owned by people of African descent for the money to be injected into. I am also concerned about who would manage the money once it was acquired.”

Phillips reiterated the strong need for African

Youth of the Year Awardee Elisa Hamilton with Lifetime Achievement Awardee Eddy Grant (African Business Expo photo)

businesses to be resuscitated, noting that ACDA has been long working behind the scenes to make this possible.

Highlighting the many limitations faced during the preparations for the ABA, including the fact that the initiative was undertaken with very little cash and only one month of preparation time, he is generally pleased with its success.

The ABA, which will now be a yearly event, is slated to take place in August 2015 during the

week leading up to the birthday of Black Social activist Marcus Garvey.

Business Expo The event will kick off with a Business Expo that is expected to see participation from at least 20 Caribbean countries. It will feature lectures, workshops, entrepreneur skills training, and product branding, among other activities.

The expo will culminate with the award ceremony.

Dr Phillips also disclosed that a Business Secretariat

will be commissioned in Georgetown sometime in January, to facilitate the smooth flow of the preparatory for next year’s awards, among other activities.

He said that work is already in the pipeline to have African Business Councils set up in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana, so that small businesses may have an organisation to assist them with their affairs and also for the launch of an African Business Directory.

With an eight month head start, Phillips said the organisation will be enlisting the help of this year’s top awardees and businesses to make the next event an even bigger success.

This year’s awards presentation saw top Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) student Elisa Hamilton being named Outstanding Youth of the Year.

Hamilton received cash awards from Eric Phillips of the African Business Expo and Nigel Hughes of the Alliance For Change (AFC). In addition, she received a week’s trip to Miami, Florida to visit the Disney World Epcot Centre and several pledges of support towards her dream of becoming a doctor.

Hamilton also presented internationally-renowned Guyanese artiste Eddy

Grant with the Lifetime Achievement Award, for his contributions to the music industry.

Grant, who was the keynote speaker at the event, recently celebrated his 50th year in the music industry.

The Heritage Business Award was given to quite a few recipients including Victoria Village, which celebrated its 175th anniversary; Nigel Johnson of Nigel’s Supermarket; Rockcliff Christie of Little Rock, Berbice; Asafa George of W&T George; Wilfred Bransford of Car Care; Lennox John of Ashmins; and Lloyd Austin

of Austin’s Book Store. The award for Outstanding Business of the year was given to Terrence Campbell of CAMEX Restaurants and Shawn Hopkinson of Hopkinson Mining; the Professional of the Year Award went to Charles Ceres while the award for Male Business Executive of 2014 was shared by Derrick and Clinton Williams.

The award for Female Business Executive of the Year was shared by Tracey Lewis of the Guyana Lottery Company and Violet Smith of Guyana Goldfields.

Mother of seven dies after labaria bite

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mother of seven from Siriki, Upper Pomeroon River on Thursday last succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital after she was bitten by a poisonous snake said to be a labaria.

Dead is Marilyn Narine, 57, who was bitten on both feet by the reptile.

Narine was bitten after returning from her farm with her daughter. The mother was walking behind her daughter in a trail when she stepped on the tail of the snake, which reacted by bit-

ing her.

According to reports, the woman screamed for help and was rescued by her husband.

She was rushed to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital, but was transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital then to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she did a few days after admission.

Only recently, a miner was bitten by a labaria in the Port Kaituma jungle, North West District. However, he managed to survive.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, december 2, 2014

Regional

Training in Ebola Jamaican mom makes desperate plea after women snatch infant from her arms management begins in Antigua A nnmarie Karram would cradle her newborn baby, Akeem, tenderly stroke his plump face, and speak to him in a loving, soft tone as she promises to keep him safe.

At times her mother would make a fuss, telling her not to allow the baby to sleep in her arms because “it will spoil him”. But it was her baby to hold and to keep safe.

However, just seven weeks after his birth, on October 8 at home in Content/ Retreat, St Mary, Akeem would be snatched from the loving arms of his mother on Monday, November 24, by two women in the neighbouring parish of St Ann. The incident has devastated Karram, who now feels that she has failed in her duty to protect her newborn from the savagery of the world, and left the extended family and Police puzzled.

“Anywhere you have him, I want you to carry him back,” Karram pleaded to her baby’s abductors during an interview with the Jamaica Observer on the weekend.

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Annmarie Karram is disconsolate as she reflects on how her baby, Akeem (right) was stolen from her arms

“I want you to carry him back safely so I can hold him like before, and for his brother and sister to be with him.

The whole family want him as before,”

she said on the brink of tears. “I have a hope that he will be returned. I love that baby. That’s my last baby. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Law to address food recall in the making

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law intended to strengthen the Antiguan Government’s power to issue food recalls is now in the hands of farmers and other stakeholders for consideration.

Representatives from the Italian based FAO recently concluded their second of three visits to Antigua and Barbuda to help draft the law.

Senior Agriculture Extension Officer, Owalabi Elabanjo, said the proposed law will provide a paper trail of sorts for both locally produced and imported food in the event of an international recall or an outbreak of a food-borne illness.

“Whatever you’re do-

The law will also remunerate locals who become infected with a food-borne illness, like salmonella, at the hands of a negligent restaurant owner

ing as it relates to food, you must be able to have evidence of record as to where you buy your raw materials; how you process it, (and) what stages your processes

go through, so in case anything happens, it could easily be retraced,” he said.

The next phase of the project will include a meeting with the food and agri-

business stakeholders to get their perspective and recommendations for the new legislation. “(It is) very important for all stakeholders who receive the document to take the time to read it, to understand it, ask questions and make your comments to us so the legal officers in charge of the whole programme … will be able to liaise with the FAO legal consultant as to what should be put into the draft law of the legislation.”

Elabanjo noted that Antigua & Barbuda’s growing dependence on imported food makes the island increasingly susceptible to complications that arise in the US, Canada or Europe.

(Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

cores of health officials from across the region will be engaged a three-day training course in the clinical management of the Ebola virus.

The “train-the-trainer” courses, which will start today and end on the December 3, were commissioned by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) and will take place at the Jolly Beach Resort and Spa. “The goal of the workshops is to strengthen the clinical response capacity of doctors and nurses who have been assigned to treat Ebola patients,” said Dr Marcos Espinal, Director of PAHO/WHO’s Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis.

“After this training, we’ll have health staff who are

better prepared to rapidly detect cases, isolate and treat them, and prevent the disease’s spread.” Member of the local Ebola preparations committee in the Health Ministry, Dr James Knight, said in the absence of specific treatment for the Ebola virus disease, the emphasis of the training will be on management to prevent risk of transmission.

“This would include management of the suspected case, management of confirmed cases, and management of those who might have been in contact.

Correct manipulation of personal protective equipment and of contaminated waste are also key features,” he said.

Antigua and Barbuda is expected to be represented by four doctors. (Excerpt from Antigua

Observer)

Trinidadian Police hunt for road rage killer

Dennison Rodney was found dead on the road near his car

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olice are searching a motorist who shot and killed another driver following a vehicular accident early Friday morning.

Police said that the body of Dennison Rodney, 42, was found on the road near his car, at around 04:30h (local time).

Rodney was heading west along the Diego Martin highway, West of Port of Spain, when his car collided

with another. Eyewitnesses said that both vehicles pulled to the shoulder of the highway where the drivers became involved in an argument.

According to the Trinidad Express, “it is suspected that he was followed back to his car and shot”.

Rodney, who was on his way to work at the Diamond Vale Industrial Estate.

British couple to sue Brazil mass wedding: Low-income couples TT for £2 million Venezuela to cut public marry in Rio

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British couple is moving to sue the T&T government for £2 million, five years after a brutal machete attack in Tobago.

In August 2009, Peter Green and his wife Murium were chopped and left for dead at their Bacolet Crescent home. They survived, barely, and with permanent injuries.

Green, 70, a retired hotelier, had a cracked skull, fractured cheekbones, smashed teeth, limited vision after the knife cut out his left cornea, and nerve damage. Murium, who has multiple sclerosis, had both cheekbones and eye sockets smashed, and her jaw detached.

According to UK media reports, the Greens are claiming that the TT Government should have warned tourists the place was “dangerous.”

They are reported as say-

ing that they suffered ongoing physical and psychological damage from the incident. The reports days after a German couple – Hubertus Keil and his wife, Birgid – were found hacked to death at Minister’s Bay, a stone’s throw from their Bacolet residence.

Green is quoted as saying: “It might cost us a lot of money but we’re going to do it. We want to bring it to people’s attention that these islands are dangerous.

“There have been several other incidents. A Swedish couple was decapitated just West of Bacolet not long before we were attacked. It’s a beautiful place but they do not tell you your life is in danger if you’re going over there – it should carry some kind of health warning, like on a cigarette packet.” (Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

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early 2000 Brazilian couples have got married at an indoors sports venue in Rio de Janeiro, in the biggest mass wedding in the city’s history.

The annual event, promoted by the local authorities, is aimed at helping low-income couples who cannot afford to pay for a wedding.

The authorities in Rio booked special commuter trains for the couples and their guests. An estimated 12,000 people attended the ceremony at the Maracanazinho arena.

Couples with a monthly family income of up to US$1000 (£640) were allowed to take part.

Volunteer civil judges presided over the ceremony.

Couples were also blessed by a Roman Catholic Bishop and a Christian evangelical Pastor.

The event has been named “Dia do Sim”, or “I Do Day”. Many of the couples had been living together for many years.

“We got up at 06:00h.

There are so many people and I think we will be here for a while, but I’m very happy,” Emerson Moraes, 34, told O Globo newspaper.

Moraes has been with Ana Rosangela Azevedo, 31, since 2010 and earlier this year they decided to formalise their relationship. (Excerpt from BBC News)

(Caribbean360)

spending as oil price continues to slide

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enezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced plans on Friday to cut public spending as the price of oil continued to fall after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided on Thursday not to cut production in order to boost prices.

The price of Venezuelan oil, source of 96 per cent of Venezuela’s foreignexchange earnings, has dropped from US$99 a barrel since June, closing at US$68.08 a barrel last week, the lowest in more than four years. The country’s economy is in a deep recession and inflation is headed for

triple-digit rates. Basic staples like flour and cooking oil are in short supply.

In a televised address, Maduro, whose approval rating has declined along with the price of oil and now stands at just 30 per cent, said he would create a committee to formulate a proposal for a “substantial reduction” in spending, beginning by revising pay for heads of Government ministries and state-run companies, a move he said would set an example. However, he didn’t offer specific figures for how much he was looking to reduce spending. (Excerpt

from Caribbean News Now)

TUESday, december 2, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

UN runs out of money Ebola crisis: WHO to feed Syrian refugees upbeat on targets T T he United Nations’ food agency has announced that it is suspending its food programme serving more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees because it has run out of money.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday that it “immediately needs” at least US$64 million in December alone to support the displaced Syrians now living in neighbouring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey.

“A suspension of WFP food assistance will endanger the health and safety of these refugees and will potentially cause further tensions, instability and insecurity in the neighbouring host countries,” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin, in an appeal to donors.

“The suspension of WFP food assistance will be disastrous for many already suffering families.”

he World Health Organisation (WHO) says the 60-day goals it set itself for tackling the Ebola outbreak in West Africa have largely been met.

The WHO set a target of isolating and treating 70 per cent of patients and of safely burying 70 per cent of victims in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea by December 1.

The WHO’s Dr Bruce Aylward said only the treatment figure in Sierra Leone had fallen below the mark.

Every month, the UN feeds over four million people inside Syria

Since the war in Syria began in 2011, over three million people have fled to neighbouring countries.

Under the UN programme, the refugees use vouchers to buy food in local shops. The UN provides basics like flour, cooking oil and sugar. But it also gives vital food vouchers to preg-

nant and nursing mothers.

“Without WFP vouchers, many families will go hungry. For refugees already struggling to survive the harsh winter, the consequences of halting this assistance will be devastating,” the UN said.

Every month, the UN feeds over four million peo-

ple inside Syria, and over a million more now temporarily sheltered in other countries.

Muhannad Hadi, the UN coordinator of the food programme, told Al Jazeera the refugees would face a harsh winter without support from the world body.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

He warned much work was still needed to get to “zero cases”.

The WHO’s latest report had put the death toll from the Ebola outbreak at 6928 in the three hardesthit West African countries.

However, Dr Aylward said hundreds of deaths reported at the weekend from Liberia were “actually nonEbola deaths... and we will be taking them off”.

The WHO later pub-

lished revised figures showing 5689 deaths worldwide, all but 15 of them in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Dr Aylward, the Assistant Director General in charge of Ebola response for the WHO, said the “yawning gap” between disease levels and the capacity to cope had narrowed significantly.

This was a “very very different place than 60 days ago”, he said.

“We now believe that two of the three countries – Liberia and Guinea – are currently treating more than 70 per cent of the reported cases and in Sierra Leone they’re probably achieving that in most of the country.”

He added: “In all three countries it’s clear now that more than 70 per cent of the Ebola deaths that we know about are buried safely. And this is because in the past 60 days, the number of safe burial teams has more than doubled.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Twin blasts hit Hong Kong warns protesters not to Nigerian market return after clashes close Govt HQ

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wo explosions have ripped through a market in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, killing 10 people, witnesses said, nearly a week after two female suicide bombers attacked the same area, killing more than 45 people.

Al Jazeera’s Rawya Rageh, reporting from the capital Abuja, quoted a witness in Maiduguri saying there had been 10 fatalities following Monday’s attack.

The attack came hours after explosions and gunfire rocked another northeastern city of Damaturu in Yobe state, in a suspected Boko Haram attack that targeted police officers.

“A middle-aged woman approached the site where

chicken sellers attend to customers but vigilantes who stood nearby insisted on checking the luggage she was carrying,” witness Ahmad Sanusi told the AFP news agency.

“The woman refused, arguing that what she held were her wares. While the argument ensued, some people gathered at the scene and that was when she detonated the explosive,” Sanusi said. Quoting a witness, our correspondent said “there were lots of decapitated bodies scattered around the area”.

“Shops in the area and markets were destroyed and people were being taken to the hospital,” she said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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housands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists forced the temporary closure of Government headquarters on Monday after clashing with police, defying orders to retreat after more than two months of sustained protests in the Chinesecontrolled city.

Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said Police had been tolerant, but would now take “resolute action”, suggesting that patience may have finally run out.

Speaking on a stage on Monday night in the heart of the Admiralty protest site next to Government headquarters, student leader Joshua Wong said he and two others, including a

Thousands of Hong Kong pro-democracy activists forced the temporary closure of Government headquarters on Monday after clashing with Police

secondary school student, would start a hunger strike to pressure Beijing to grant Hong Kong full democracy.

“Today, we have decid-

ed to do this because we feel have no other road to take,” said 18-year-old Wong, to loud applause and chants of support from hundreds of

protesters gathered in the rain.

He was speaking after chaos erupted as commuters made their way to work, with hundreds of protesters surrounding Admiralty Centre, which houses offices and retail outlets, in a stand-off with Police. The central Government offices and the legislature were forced to close in the morning, as were scores of shops.

The latest flare-up, during which Police charged protesters with batons and pepper spray, showed the frustration of protesters at Beijing’s refusal to budge on electoral reforms and grant greater democracy to the former British colony. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

ICC upholds conviction Poland’s Tusk takes EU of Congo rebel chief helm, promising leadership

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he International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga’s conviction for recruiting and using child soldiers, handing down its firstever appeals verdict.

“The Appeals Chamber by majority confirms the conviction decision and rejects the appeal,” Erkki Kourula, presiding judge, said at The Hague-based court on Monday.

Thomas Lubanga was sentenced to 14 years in prison in March 2012 for recruiting and using child soldiers in 2002 and 2003, in a

verdict hailed as a landmark in international justice and a deterrent that would resonate around the world.

Lubanga, 53, was the first suspect convicted by the international court, 10 years after its creation.

Lubanga’s Union of Congolese Patriots fought against militias from the Lendu ethnic group, including the Congolese Popular Army and the Patriotic Resistance Force in the Ituri region.

The conflict was part of a wider war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in which several million people are

thought to have died.

Some Congolese were disappointed with Lubanga’s sentence, and wanted a harsh punishment such as the 50 years handed down in May 2012 by another court in The Hague to former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes in Sierra Leone.

But Lubanga’s sentence was shortened because of his good behaviour in the face of the prosecutor’s failure to disclose some evidence and giving misleading statements to the media, the presiding judge said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

F

ormer Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took over as President of the European Council of EU leaders on Monday, promising strong leadership in foreign policy and “ruthless determination” to end Europe’s economic crisis.

The centre-right Tusk, 57, who led Poland for seven years of economic growth and rising EU influence, succeeded Herman Van Rompuy, 67, a self-effacing Belgian who forged crucial compromises to

save the euro zone as the first holder of the job created in 2009.

“We have also enemies, not only sceptics. Politics has returned to Europe.

History is back. In such times we need leadership and political unity,” Tusk said, referring obliquely to severe tension with Russia over Ukraine.

“Europe has to secure its borders and support those in the neighbourhood who share our values,” he said in English at a brief handover ceremony during

which he admitted being “a little nervous”.

He also said the coming year would be crucial for relations between Europe and the United States, with the world’s two biggest trading blocs negotiating a free trade agreement that faces opposition on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tusk faces his first challenge on December 18-19 when the 28 EU leaders will seek an agreement on a European investment fund designed to revive jobs and growth. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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news

tuesDAY, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

“Cash-in-jet” pilot charged ...placed on US$100,000 bail

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fter spending more than one week in the Metropolitan Detention Centre at Puerto Rico, Guyanese business Khamraj Lall who was caught with US$620,000 in cash aboard his private jet on the island successfully secured bail after appearing in the Federico Degetau Federal Building, San Juan.

Lall was placed on US$100,000 bail and was given the green light to return to New Jersey but was ordered not to visit Guyana by presiding Magistrate Marcos Lopez on Monday. A relative of the businessman told the Guyana Times that Lall had secured the services of an attorney in the US island to make the bail application. She noted that he was granted bail just after 14:00h on Monday by the Magistrate. Guyana Times understands that Lall’s aircraft will remain in Puerto Rico but will be handed over shortly once all the paperwork is completed.

The woman, who requested anonymity, said that Lall’s house was put up as collateral in order to post his bail. She reiterated that the court has finally seen that Lall was a genuine businessman and, as such, granted him bail. He is expected to return to court in the new year.

Lall is a well-established

Guyanese Pilot Khamraj Lall

businessman who owns the Exec Jet Club located at Gainesville Regional Airport (KGNV). Apart from that, he is the owner of KLX Logistics Inc, a trucking business located in Jersey City, since 1992.

In 1997, he purchased a gas station now known as the Kaylee’ Service Station located at Coverden, East Bank Demerara. As part of his expansion project, he started up a limousine and trucking service here as well.

During a stopover in Puerto Rico, US Customs Officers reportedly became suspicious and had the aircraft he was piloting promptly grounded by airport authorities. While on the ground, the officers reportedly asked Lall to report

how much cash he was carrying.

Lall, who was travelling with his father and the copilot of the aircraft, is believed to have initially said he and his father had only US$5000, but later allegedly said they had US$12,000.

On closer inspection of the plane, officers found US$150,000 wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket under an exit seat. As the search continued, several black garbage bags with another US$470,000 in cash were found in a compartment near the engine. Lall reportedly admitted that all the money was his and that his father knew nothing about it. Lall migrated to the US some 30 years ago in pursuit of his dreams in aviation.

He graduated from the College of Aeronautics with a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology and Engineering, and later obtained his pilot’s licence.

He has been flying since 1994 and holds a PIC (PilotIn-Command) type rating approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He worked for Pan American Airlines as an Engineer for five years until the operation was closed in 1991. For the past 15 years, he has been freelancing with Ringwood Airport in New Jersey as a flight instructor.

Vendor granted bail for several offences

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wenty-three-year-old Stacy Fung who is a vendor was placed on $40,000 bail after pleading not guilty to assault, damage to property and assault with intent to prevent arrest charges, when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann Mclennan, on Monday morning.

One of the charges alleged that on November 28 at Water Street, Georgetown, she unlawfully assaulted Police constable James, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

Another charge stated that on the same day at Water Street, Georgetown, she assaulted Constable James with intent to prevent her from being lawfully apprehended.

In addition to that, she is also accused of damaging a shirt; one metal badge and a name tag, together valued $12,500; movable property of a private nature, property of the State of Guyana.

Fung was also charged with unlawfully assaulted Police Constable Hope, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Also, she was charged

Stacy Fung

with damaging a white sleeve valued $15,000, movable property of a private nature, property of the State of Guyana.

The final charge stated that on November 28 at Water Street, she assaulted Constable Hope with intent to prevent her from being lawfully apprehended.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant opposed bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. He further ob-

jected that if bail is granted, it is a likelihood that the defendant may not return for her trial, since she allegedly committed these offences while she on bail for another offence before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond.

The facts presented by the Prosecution revealed that Fung has not been attending to her court matter and an arrest warrant was issued for her.

On the day in question, after the officer made contact with her, she refused to be arrested and armed herself with a hammer and started to beat the officers.

By doing this, she was preventing them from arresting her and after other Police assisted they managed to arrest Fung.

The unrepresented woman said that at the time the Police arrived, she did not have a weapon in her hand.

The Prosecutor’s objection was overruled and the matter was also transferred before Magistrate ChandanEdmond for December 8.

She was bonded to keep the peace pending the outcome of the matter.

Guyana’s poorest still being ravaged by HIV/AIDS – Lifeline Counselling Director

A

s Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing World AIDS Day on Monday, the Director of Lifeline Counselling, Gloria Joseph, expressed concerns for the less fortunate Guyanese population in combating and preventing the disease.

World AIDS Day was observed under the theme – “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation”. The Lifeline Counselling (LLC) Director/Project Coordinator, during a telephone interview, expressed concerns about declining funding for the organisation from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

This decline in funding came as a result of the containment of HIV in Guyana, but Joseph said this has grossly limited the institution’s capacity to provide counselling and support to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The virus is no longer at an epidemic stage in Guyana and as of October, there were 758 new cases, a decline over 2013 October figures, the National AIDS Secretariat (NAPS) said. The rate of HIV transmission from mother to child has also been controlled.

Joseph explained that while most, if not all of Guyana’s middle and upper-class persons who are infected with the virus seek care and carry on with their lives, the poor are often times not able to do so.

Joseph said that the less fortunate persons are not only

A mother and son pay homage to those who died from HIV/ AIDS at a National Cultural Centre event Monday evening

less knowledgeable on HIV and the way it is transmitted, but are also many times not capable of dealing with the stereotypes the disease brings.

The issue of maintaining a healthy diet is a sore one when dealing with the less fortunate who are infected.

Joseph explained that while the LLC support group will work with infected persons and advise them on the need for a healthy diet, “they can’t eat what we tell them to, if they can only afford carbohydrates”.

Children who grow up in less fortunate homes are also at a disadvantage in contracting HIV. Joseph explained that parents who have nighttime occupations (security guards) have to be very careful about where they leave their children, especially at nights.

Many children may be sexually molested and in the process, often times contract

HIV. Joseph said last year 15 infected children who visited the LLC for support and counselling.

However, despite all the negatives, Joseph disclosed that last year, five per cent of the total number of AIDS infected adults who were part of the institution, were able to recover and continue pursuing life. Of the 157 adults at the institution last year, seven progressed to AIDS. The importance of early realisation of HIV status was emphasised by Joseph. This decreases a person’s chances of becoming bed-ridden and progressing to the stage of AIDS. Concerns were also expressed for those who have recovered and have returned to their promiscuous lifestyles.

Joseph also urged persons to relate their status to a close family member or someone they can trust for moral support. “If you tell no one, then no one can help you?”

NA businessman committed to stand trial for murder

P

opular New Amsterdam businessman Charles Henry, also called Charles Bristol, has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for murder.

Henry, of Lad Lane, New Amsterdam and proprietor of Bristol Mall, is alleged to have fatally shot Errol Lindo, a squatter during an altercation on April 16 last. Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus committed Henry on Monday as the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death Lindo, 51, of

Caracas Village, West Canje, Berbice ended.

During the PI, which commenced on August 26, the prosecution called 11 witnesses. However, before the PI commenced, Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Godfrey Platter had indicated to the court that the Police had 20 witnesses, but in July, 43-year-old Dolly Rahaman, a main witness in the matter died suddenly at the New Amsterdam Hospital as a result of pneumonia.

Rahaman, the sister of the

deceased Lindo, had submitted statements alleging that she had witnessed the murder of her brother following a confrontation between he and Henry, which led to him sustaining fatal gunshot injuries to his body.

Some persons who had initially given statements to the Police refused to testify at the PI. Lindo died at the New Amsterdam Hospital hours after being shot, even as medical practitioners valiantly fought to save his life.

Liberians remanded for obtaining money by false pretence and illegal entry offences

T

wo Liberians were remanded to prison after the prosecution’s objection took precedence over their Attorney’s bail applications, on the falsely obtaining money and illegal entry offences, on Monday morning.

Forty-two-year-old Robert Papie Doe, a technician and 31-years-old Anthony Davis, an electrician, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The first allegation read that on March 17, at Springlands, Corriverton, East Berbice, Corentyne, with the intent to defraud, they obtained US$51,340 which is equivalent to G$10,776,040 from Virtual Complainant (VC) Krishanand Jaichand, also known as Hemchand.

The other offence alleged that on November 27 at

Springlands, Corriverton, East Berbice Corentyne, they entered Guyana by sea without presenting themselves to an immigration officer.

According to facts of the case, on March 13, the duo entered Guyana and was staying at City Inn, a hotel in Corriverton, where they met with the VC. They told him that they are importers of electrical items and secured a deal with the VC, which led to him giving them the said amount of money in exchange that they supply him with the electrical appliances. However after receiving the money, they checked out of the hotel in order to return with the goods but failed to do so.

On November 27, the duo entered Guyana by sea at Corriverton and did not produce themselves to an immigration officer but went

to the Aracari Resort at Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara. While residing there, the Police received information and arrested the two men. The VC was contracted and he positively identified the defendants as the men who obtained the money from him.

The duo was represented by an attorney who noted to the Court that his clients are residing at Papie Doe’s common law wife’s residence and are not a flight risk. However, the prosecution objected to the bail application, citing the prevalence, seriousness and gravity of the offence, that they are Liberian nations and they have escaped before, it is a possibility that there may be a reoccurrence.

Papie Doe and Davis were remanded to prison until December 4 where they will be appearing at the Springlands Magistrates’ Courts.

news

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tuesday, december 2, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana cops top prizes at King’s Duck Curry Competition

By Jomo Paul

G

uyana now has duck curry bragging rights for the next year after teams from here stormed off with all of the prizes at the 14th annual King’s Jewellery World International Duck Curry Competition on Sunday at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

The irresistible and unique smell of curried duck, the laughter of children and the sounds of Caribbean flavoured music filled the air at the National Park as judges moved from tent to tent late in the afternoon tasting their way through the competitors.

But as the results showed only the Guyanese contestants managed to satisfy the sense of smell and taste of the culinary judges. Seven of the local 19 participants managed to grab a spot among the winners when the announcement was made late into the even-

ing.

Taking home first prize in the competition was a group called Manniram and Lallje from Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara.

But even before the winners were announced, members of the team told Guyana Times that they were confident they had the prize within their grasp.

Persistence pays off

The 15-man team explained they have been participating in the competition for close to 10 years and each year they have managed to cop a prize, but never the top prize.

When asked how long they have been preparing for the competition, the team explained that they have been making the requisite preparations for some months now.

In addition to the huge trophy, hampers and bragging rights for the next year, the team also took home $500,000.

The King's Duck Curry Champions Manniram and Lallje troupe receiving their trophy

The other winners included Grand Coastal Hotel which placed fifth, winning 75,000; Jaikarran Duck Curry Crew, fourth, winning a trophy and 75,000; Deodat and Salochinie Persaud, who came in third and copped $100,000 and the Sujata Curry Crew placed second

with 250,000 as their prize.

In addition, Ducks Are Us took away the award for best presentation while the Curry Soldiers copped the prize for children’s choice.

The competitors from Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and other parts of the Caribbean failed to gar-

ner any of the top prizes, but nevertheless their dishes were mouth-watering.

Selena Hussain, one of the contestants from Trinidad, told Guyana Times that she won the national competition back home; hence, she was chosen to represent her coun-

try in this competition. She noted that it was a pleasure to be able to represent her country on such a level and hoped to return for the competition next year.

Another representative of Surveyors Duck Curry explained that it mattered not if they won, as being in the competition alone was worthy of heartfelt triumph.

The contestants out of India also expressed similar sentiments, but were a bit gloomy over not winning any of the prizes even with their secret ingredient.

One man shouted that his secret ingredient was love; unfortunately, the love in the curry was just not enough to earn him a top spot.

As the evening progressed, several chutney stars, including Fiona Singh, Terry Gajraj and Ravi B from Karma Band, entertained the crowd. The musical entourage treated the crowd of curry lovers to bouts of sensational music.

Aviation fuel to go on sale APNU/AFC split AFC under fire for in interior – PM Hinds G race-baiting politics G

iven the growing price for fuel in Guyana and increased travel between the coast and the interior, local air service providers are lauding an initiative being undertaken by Government to soon make available aviation fuel in the interior.

Minister with responsibility for energy, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds told Guyana Times that Government was working to have aviation fuel provided to aircraft operators travelling to the Lethem district.

Although the plan of action has not been fully established, the move will see major improvements for operators in the sector.

Among other issues, local companies which service the interior location have been clamouring for this service for some time now. They say that should this become a reality, it will lift a heavy burden off their operations.

Owner of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia told Guyana Times that although his service to the interior consisted of chartered flights only, the move will be a great benefit to the industry.

According to him, this will

reduce the incidence of the planes having to travel with extra fuel, which decreases the aircraft’s capacity to carry passengers.

Companies that will directly benefit from this initiative include Air Service Limited and Jags Aviation, which have several flights per week to the interior.

Prime Minister Hinds said there have been numerous calls by persons in the industry for this to be done, and he even challenged local fuel providers to consider moving in this direction.

Planes at Bartica

“Some of the folks in Bartica want to base planes there. BK international and some other persons and some gold miners want to put planes in Bartica,” Hinds told this publication, noting that the service will undoubtedly facilitate much-needed development in the industry. He said Lethem was in dire need of fuel storage facilities at this time.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of local fuel provider Rubis Guyana Inc, Mauricio Nicholls, said he was open to the challenge once Government was absolutely

sure that fuel could be sent safely and reliably to the region and stored. “We will only do it if we are 100 per cent certain that we could guarantee the quality of our product throughout the distribution chain,” Nicholls told Guyana Times, noting that the provision of this kind of fuel must follow strict procedures.

The unavailability of aviation fuel in the interior is just one of the many issues affecting aircraft operators.

Complaints have been levelled about Government’s failure to pump finances into the development of interior airstrips, the limit placed on the size of aircraft, as well as the number of passengers and the volume of cargo that can be taken to the interior on any one flight.

The underdevelopment of the interior aviation facilities has also become a major cause for concern. Based on travel reports, there has been a significant increase in air travel between the coast and the interior. Some private aviation companies have already indicated their preparedness to invest in larger aircraft, but evidently on the condition that Governments invest in bigger and better airstrips.

Dynamic Airways plane skids off runway

O

perations of the Dynamic Airways resumed Monday afternoon after one of its planes destined for New York ran off the runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Sunday night.

Local representative, Captain Gerry Gouveia explained to this newspaper that the aircraft was taxiing from the international ramp when the right main wheel rolled off into the grass.

He noted that the aircraft was moving at a slow pace. He explained that the pilot missed average the distance thus causing the minor

incident. Nevertheless, Gouveia said since safety is of paramount importance, the flight team took the decision to offload the airplane while it was being inspected. No one was injured during the mishap.

The flight took off from the CJIA at 13:30h Monday and all 117 passengers who were placed in hotels, were safely taken to their destination, Gouveia said. Following many attempts to get permission from authorities in the United States to operate, Dynamic Airways only recently was granted permission to operate in various countries in South America.

eneral Secretary of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson has denied that his party was still utilising ethnicity as one of the fundamental pretexts for its political decisions.

Many observers have been particularly vocal over the last few weeks with respect to race-based politics and are calling on parties to move away from the established fundamentals and scour for new ground.

In Guyana’s ‘racially charged’ environment, it is common knowledge that political leaders make decisions based on the need to appeal to a certain section of the electorate, particularly IndoGuyanese, Afro-Guyanese and Amerindians.

Many persons have noticeably taken to social media to express frustration at this method calling for a change in the modus operandi.

One event that keeps taking centre stage in the online discussions and is constantly being referenced is the recently held A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) rally. It was noted that the AFC took a decision to send only Afro-Guyanese to mount APNU’s platform. There is some speculation that this was done because of the belief that APNU is widely supported by Afro-Guyanese.

Additionally, the fact that the AFC has refused to join APNU protests in front of the Office of the President has caused some concerns. One observer has noted that this may be as a result of the party not wanting to appear to be too cosy with APNU. It was his belief that should the AFC appears too close to APNU, the party might lose the support of sections of Indo-Guyanese

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

electorate.

Despite these concerns being ventilated on social media, the AFC is adamant that this is not the case. The General Secretary of the minority opposition party told the Guyana Times on Monday that the party does not get involved in racial politics.

According to Patterson, the leadership of the AFC is on record as accusing the PPP/C of practicing racial politics.

The General Secretary told Guyana Times that with respect to the APNU rally “the party sent not one but two of our top executives, there was no prescribed move…we will not be baited into this media frenzy” adding that he and Nigel Hughes were selected based on the message that the party had wished to be delivered.

He said that there was no element of racial politicking present in sending he and Hughes, who is party chairman to the rally. “None whatsoever,” he insisted.

Meanwhile with AFC absent from APNU protest ac-

tion, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which forms part of the coalition, contends that APNU protests are losing momentum. “The AFC, the Opposition’s junior partner that initiated the No-Confidence Motion which precipitated the prorogation move by the Government to thwart the vote for early elections, has been so far conspicuously absent from the firing line, except for a guest appearance’ at the APNU rally of November 14. Momentum is being lost and reaction to the Government’s derailing of the No-Confidence Motion appears to be protest in slow motion.”

The WPA is of the view that there is need for a more “vigorous campaign by the Opposition against the prolongation of the proroguing of Parliament.”

But People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says that this call for vigorous campaigning is being seen as inciting violence on the part of the WPA. At a press conference on Monday, PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said the party was not unmindful of the “inciting of violence by the WPA”.

Rohee said that by calling for intensified protest action, the WPA is “desperately trying to ride on the back of the APNU in an effort not to become obsolete”. According to Rohee, it would seem that WPA has learnt nothing from its past “reckless and adventuristic” behaviour that caused it to fade into the political background over time.

“It now seeks to push APNU unto that path of destruction. Casting blame on the APNU for not being more forceful in disrupting the country appears as though the WPA is now biting the hand.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 2, 2014

ARCHIE

ARIES

Your luck is changing.

(March 21- Repayment of a debt or an inApril 19) flux of cash can be expected.

A bargain will help you both stick to a strict budget and find the perfect gift for someone special.

Financial gains are likely TAURUS if you push for advancement.

(April 20- Determine the value of your May 20) assets and skills and make changes to your personal and professional economic strategies.

dilbert

Go ahead and make changGEMINI (May 21- es that can improve your life June 20) at home and at work. You will beat any opposition you face with your wisdom and quick response.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

In order to get ahead, you have to show greater consistency. If you are constantly running around in circles and changing your mind, you will be overlooked when it comes to advancement.

No relationship will sucLEO ceed if one person is more (July 23- demanding or controlling.

Aug. 22) Reconsider who is on your side and who is working against you and protect against being used or discredited.

Calvin and Hobbes

Reassess your personVIRGO al paperwork before it’s too (Aug. 23late to take advantage of a Sept. 22) tax break. Put procedures in place that will help to secure your future. Love is on the rise.

A break from routine will LIBRA help to recharge your batter(Sept. 23ies.

Get out with friends and Oct. 23) enjoy life. An intriguing new acquaintance will capture your attention and your interest. Romance is highlighted.

SUDOKU

Make sure the person you SCORPIO confide in is acting on your (Oct. 24behalf.

Don’t share your creNov. 22) ative ideas or you will witness someone’s act to reinvent something you’ve already discovered.

Go over your personal paSAGITTARIUS pers and investments, and (Nov. 23- look into pending legal or fiDec. 21) nancial matters, and you will discover a way to bring in a little extra cash. Money is heading your way.

MONDAY'S WORD

Monday's solution

Elderly family members CAPRICORN will add to your responsi(Dec. 22bilities. If too much is being Jan. 19) asked of you, take the time you need to consider your response and a course of action.

AQUARIUS

Jealousy is motivating (Jan. 20- someone to undermine your Feb. 19) progress. If partnership problems arise, be true to your beliefs but willing to listen and compromise.

PISCES Someone will show inter(Feb. 20- est in your work, but if an ofMarch 20) fer is made, get the details in writing. A handshake will not protect you if someone steals your ideas.

tuesday, december 2, 2014

19

WICB PCL 4-Day tournament…

Smith bowls Barbados Pride to sensational win – Guyana Jaguars shot out for 66 in pursuit of 69 skipper Vishaul Singh all fell without scoring and Trevon Griffith managed just a single.

Opener Rajendra Chandrika and Raymond

resuming on 214-7, added just 14 more runs, with Hinds hitting a topscore of 68. Permaul, who snared career-best figures of 8-26 in the first innings, fin-

The defeat was Guyana Jaguars’ first this season after comprehensive victories over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and the Windward Islands

The Barbados Pride players are ecstatic after claiming the wicket of fellow countryman, Raymond Reifer

By Avenash Ramzan

A

sprinkling of spectators who came in anticipation of a third consecutive victory by the Guyana Jaguars were left in shock and despair as Barbados Pride romped to a sensational

come-from-behind two-run victory on the final day of the third round match in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) on Monday.

After the Bajans were dismissed within the first hour for 228, expectations

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars 1st innings 261 Barbados Pride 1st Innings 101 Barbados Pride 2nd Innings (Overnight 214-7) K Corbin c Hetmyer b Permaul 35 O Philips lbw b Barnwell 11 S Hope c&b Bishoo 09 J Carter lbw b Bishoo 06 D Smith lbw b Bishoo 10 R Hinds c Beaton b Barnwell 68 S Dowrich c Chandrika b Bishoo 50 C Brathwaite lbw b Permaul 14 A Nurse c Singh b Permaul 12 J Warrican lbw b Permaul 00 M Cummins not out 00 Extras: (w-1, nb-5, b-7) 13 Total: (all out; 74.5 overs) 228 Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Philips, 8.5), 2-58 (Corbin, 17.2), 3-58 (Hope (18.3), 4-69 (Carter, 20.4), 5-76 (22.3), 6-171 (Dowrich, 56.4), 7-196 (Brathwaite, 63.2), 8-228 (Nurse, 73.4), 9-228 (Warrican, 73.5), 10-228 (Hinds, 74.5) Bowling: Beaton 8-1-21-0 (w1, nb-1) Permaul 26-4-75-4, Barnwell 9.5-2-21-2, Reifer 8-1-30, Bishoo20-3-65-4

(nb-4), Deonarine 2-09-0 Griffith 1-1-0-0 Guyana Jaguars 2nd Innings R Chandrika c Warrican b Carter 30 T Griffith c Philips b Smith 01 S Hetmyer c Carter b Hinds 00 N Deonarine lbw b Hinds 00 V Singh b Smith 00 R Reifer c Carter b Brathwaite 11 C Barnwell c&b Carter 12 A Bramble c Nurse b Smith 03 V Permaul lbw Smith 06 D Bishoo c wkpr Dowrich b Smith 03 R Beaton not out 00 Extras: (lb-1) Total:(all out off 29.1) 66 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Griffith, 1.5), 2-3 (Hetmyer, 2.4), 3-9 (Deonarine, 4.5), 4-10 (Singh, 5.4), 5-34 (Reifer13.2), 6-50 (Chandrika, 20.2), 7-57 (Barnwell, 22.5), 8-58 (Bramble, 23.4), 9-65 (27.5), 10-66 (Bishoo, 29.1) Bowling: Hinds 7-2-21-2, Smith 10.1-3-17-5, Brathwaite 4-3-2-1, Warrican 2-012-0, Carter 6-1-13-2

of a convincing Guyana Jaguars victory were high as a small target of 69 to win in more than two and half sessions seemed a straightforward task.

Dwayne Smith and company however, had different ideas as they decimated the hosts batting line-up, which, quite bluntly, did not aid its own cause, as reckless strokeplay was the order of the day.

Smith, bowling with nip and bounce, finished with the remarkable figures of 5-17 off 10.1 overs of misery for the home team batsmen.

It was Smith’s maiden fivewicket haul in First-Class cricket.

The match was done and dusted less than half hour before the scheduled lunch break, leaving Guyana Jaguars with more questions than answers, and Barbados Pride with time to reflect on their first win this season.

When the chase began, Barbados Pride may have been contemplating a few wickets to try and delay what seemed like the inevitable, but within minutes a situation of hopelessness turned to sanguinity as the Jaguars were reduced to 10-4. The scorecard didn’t make for good reading as Shimron Hetymer, Narsingh Deonarine and

Rajendra Chandrika gathers runs on the on-side during a brief period when Guyana Jaguars seemed on course to pull off a win

Reifer tried desperately to forge a partnership, and they were successful at staving off the Bajans for 7.4 overs, adding 24 priceless runs for the fifth wicket. But just when it looked they were settling into a nice rhythm, the left-handed Reifer’s full blooded drive couldn’t clear midoff and he was caught by Jonathon Carter off the bowling of captain Carlos Brathwaite at 34-5.

Chandrika followed soon after at 50-6, being removed

by Carter for a topscore of 30. His demise clearly lifted the spirits of the Bajans, and Carter further dented the Jaguars chances by removing Christopher Barnwell for 12 at 57-7.

Smith was then summoned for a second spell and the right-arm seamer did not disappoint, nipping out the remaining three wickets cheaply to lead the demolition of the Jaguars for 66 in 29.1 overs. Anthony Bramble (03), Veerasammy Permaul (06) and Devendra Bishoo (03) all fell to Smith, leaving Ronsford Beaton not out on zero. Carter finished with 2-13 and Ryan Hinds 2-21.

Earlier, Barbados Pride,

ished with 4-75 for matchfigures of 12-101 to carry his tournament tally to 28 wickets from three games.

Bishoo bagged 4-65, while Barnwell picked up 2-21.

Volcanoes.

Guyana Jaguars’ next game is against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, starting Friday at Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.

Volcanoes beat Hurricanes by nine wickets

W

indward Islands Volcanoes defeated Leeward Islands Hurricanes by nine wickets on the final day of their third round match in the WICB Professional Cricket League at the National Stadium on Monday.

Below are the summarised scores from the game.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 109 (Austin Richards 44; Liam Sebastien 5-39, Alston Bobb 4-31) and 334 (Orlando Peters 104, Austin Richards 54, Lyndell Richardson 48, Devon Thomas 38, Jacques Taylor 25; Liam Sebastien 5-50, Kenroy Peters 2-51, Shane Shillingford 2-110).

Windward Islands Volcanoes 308-5 declared (Devon Smith 145, Romel Currency 50 not out, Johnson Charles 40, Sunil

Tyrone Theophile scored an unbeaten 62 to guide the Volcanoes to victory

Ambris 33; Jeremiah Louis 2-27) and 138-1 (Tyrone Theophile 62 not out, Johnson Charles 46 not out, Devon Smith 25).

20

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesday, december 2, 2014

Bryant creates history Ronaldo, Messi, Neuer with 6000 assist plateau on Ballon d’Or list K

obe Bryant has a habit of making history against the Toronto Raptors, and the Los Angeles Lakers star did so again Sunday.

En route to his 20th career triple-double, the 36-year-old Bryant earned his 6,000th career assist midway through the third quarter of L.A.’s 129122 overtime win over the Raptors.

It made him the first player in NBA history with that many assists and at least 30,000 career points.

“It’s a huge honor. It means I pass more than people say,” Bryant said after the game about the milestone.

Regarding how he evaluates the 6,000-assist plateau against his scoring accolades, Bryant said: “One is more in your control than the other. I prefer things to be under my control. But yeah, the assists [milestone] is actually more enjoyable because it means guys are playing with confidence and they’re more involved. They emotionally feel better. They get more excited, more into

From left: Lionel Messi, Manuel Neuer and Cristiano Ronaldo Kobe Bryant

the game. It makes playing more enjoyable.”

Bryant, now in his 19th season, entered the game with 32,123 career regularseason points.

It represented another mark for Bryant against the Raptors, against whom he scored a career-high 81 points in 2006, still his most in any NBA game.

“He’s just an amazing basketball player. That’s the bottom line. He’s had an un-

believable career. He’s still going pretty strong,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said.

“There’s a lot left in that tank, it’s obvious. His accomplishments are just fantastic. To watch him continue to compete the way that he does at this level is remarkable.”

Bryant finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists on 11-for-24 shooting in Sunday’s win. (ESPN)

Phillip Hughes 1988-2014…

Adelaide confirmed as first Test venue

T

he Adelaide Test has been confirmed as the first match of the Australia-India series and is set to begin on December 9, three days earlier than originally scheduled.

The Brisbane Test will be shifted to second in the series and will begin on December 17, and the Sydney Test will be pushed back by three days to allow the players extra recovery time during a condensed, reworked four-Test schedule.

The changes were reported by host broadcaster Channel Nine on Monday night and the new dates were then posted in the fixtures section of Cricket Australia’s website. Under the new schedule, the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne will be the only match of the series to retain its original dates. In late evening CA released an advisory, in which the chief executive James Sutherland explained the rationale for the changes.

“Nobody should underestimate just what these players are going through right now.

These are difficult days and we need to support them in dealing with their grief,” Sutherland said. “It’s very clear that playing a Test right now is just too soon and we are reacting accordingly. “We appreciate the understanding of cricket fans around the country, particularly those in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney during these highly difficult times. We acknowledge the difficulties this presents within the cricket communities that make these Test matches such terrific occasions.

“We are grateful to State Cricket Associations and venues in those cities for their understanding and willingness to accommodate such last-minute changes. A concern with these changes has been creating congestion within the cricket calendar by holding four Test matches in 33 days. We knew that if we started any later than 9 December, that congestion would only get worse.

“We looked at possibly holding the Brisbane Test in the new year following Sydney but we felt that would only compromise the tri-series against England and India which is important preparation for our ICC Cricket World Cup campaign. There will be knock-on effects from these decisions which people will obviously want answers to. We will work through them

C

ristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer have been named on a threeman shortlist for this year’s Ballon d’Or prize, Fifa has announced.

The three were chosen from an initial 23-man list, which included Gareth Bale, and the world player of the year award will be announced on January 12.

Nadine Kessler (Germany), Marta (Brazil) and Abby Wambach (USA) were shortlisted for the women’s award.

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo won the Ballon d’Or in 2013.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, Germany’s World Cup win-

ning boss Joachim Low and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone are on the shortlist for the Fifa coach of the year.

Portugal international Ronaldo 29, scored 51 goals in the 2013-14 season while helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.

He beat Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Barcelona’s Messi to the 2013 award.

Four-time winner Messi, 27, won the honour in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The Argentina forward broke the La Liga goalscoring record last month and also holds the Champions League goalscoring record.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s Neuer, 28, is the

first goalkeeper to make the final three since compatriot Oliver Kahn made the shortlist in 2002.

Neuer helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which came after helping Bayern to the 201314 Bundesliga title.

The Ballon d’Or - formerly the Fifa World Player of the Year award - has featured Messi in either first or second place in each of the last seven years.

Wolfsburg boss Ralf Kellermann, Germany under-19 and under-20 coach Maren Meinert and Japan coach Norio Sasaki were shortlisted for the Fifa world coach of the year for women’s football award. (BBC Sport)

NBA Roundup…

Warriors records ninth straight win

D

Phil Hughes’ death has caused a shakeup in the plans for the series

as quickly as we can, but just ask for patience given these unprecedented circumstances.”

The Brisbane Test was to begin this Thursday but Cricket Australia announced at the weekend that it would be postponed due to the funeral for Phillip Hughes, which will take place in his hometown of Macksville on Wednesday. That led to complex discussions around the rescheduling of the Gabba Test, with a number of options considered, including cancelling it entirely.

Other scenarios, such as the delay of the Gabba and Adelaide Tests by a few days each and the playing of the Brisbane match last, following the New Year’s Test in Sydney, were ruled out. The former option was judged to allow the players too little time following Hughes’ funeral, while the latter would unduly interfere with lead-in time for the triangular ODI series that will precede the World Cup. (Cricinfo)

raymond Green scored 20 points and Stephen Curry added 16 points and 10 assists as the Golden State Warriors beat the Detroit Pistons, 104-93, in Auburn Hills, Mich., for their ninth straight victory.

Marreese Speights added 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Warriors (14-2). The Pistons (3-14) have lost eight in a row.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led Detroit with 23 points.

Grizzlies 97, Kings 85 — Zach Randolph had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 18 points, and Memphis beat host Sacramento for its fifth straight win.

The frontcourt tandem took advantage of a Kings’ team playing without leading scorer and rebounder DeMarcus Cousins, who missed his second straight game because of a virus.

The Grizzlies ran their NBA-best record to 15-2.

Rudy Gay had 20 points and Reggie Evans had 17 points and 20 rebounds for Sacramento.

Lakers 129, Raptors 122

Draymond Green

—

Kobe Bryant scored 31 points, including 5 in overtime, and Los Angeles defeated visiting Toronto.

Bryant added 12 assists and 11 rebounds for a triple-double. Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 29 points, and Terrence Ross added 20.

Heat 86, Knicks 79 — Dwyane Wade returned from a seven-game absence to score 27 points —

13 in the fourth quarter — and Chris Bosh added 20 as visiting Miami beat New York.

Carmelo Anthony returned after a two-game absence because of back spasms to score 31 points for the Knicks.

Magic 93, Suns 90 — Tobias Harris scored 21 points and visiting Orlando held off a Phoenix rally to snap a four-game losing streak. Goran Dragic had 22 points for the Suns, and Markieff Morris had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Trail Blazers 107, Timberwolves 93 — LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 15 rebounds as host Portland defeated Minnesota.

Wesley Matthews added 23 points for the Blazers. Shabazz Muhammad had 28 points for the Timberwolves.

Bulls 102, Nets 84 — Jimmy Butler had 26 points and Pau Gasol had 25 points and 13 rebounds as Chicago defeated host Brooklyn. Rookie Bojan Bogdanovic led the Nets with 13 points. (Boston Globe)

SPORTS

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Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, 5th ODI, Mirpur…

tuesday, december 2, 2014

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21

Taijul debut hattrick seals 5-0 win

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Taijul Islam became the first man to take a hat-trick on ODI debut

T

aijul Islam’s hattrick, the first by an ODI debutant, spun Zimbabwe out for 128 and spurred Bangladesh to their second 5-0 series win. The home side won with 25.3 overs and five wickets to spare, with Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman unbeaten on 51 and 13 respectively.

Bangladesh’s spin attack was the story of the match.

Taijul, replacing Rubel Hossain, took his first ODI wicket at the start of the 27th over, trapping Solomon Mire lbw. Two balls into the start of the 29th, he had four wickets and had completed his hat-trick, with the wickets of Tinashe Panyangara, John Nyumbu and Tendai Chatara. Taijul became the fourth Bangladesh bowler to take a hat-trick, after Shahadat Hossain, Abdur Razzak and Rubel.

Panyangara left a big gap between pad and bat, and Taijul duly slid one through.

Nyumbu went on the back foot and missed a quicker and flatter delivery, which struck his pads right in front of the stumps. Chatara seemed as eager as the bowler to complete the hat-trick, swinging across the line and leaving his stumps unprotected. Chatara missed, and Taijul slammed his chest in celebration.

When Shakib Al Hasan took the tenth wicket in the 29th over, Taijul was summoned to lead the team off the field. He had finished with figures of 7-2-11-4, and walked off with a sheepish smile on his face with his teammates slapping him on his back.

After the 10-minute innings break, Bangladesh started their chase poorly.

Tamim Iqbal guided one to third-man, Anamul Haque and Shakib edged catches to slip, and debutant Soumya Sarkar gave leg slip a dolly. The top order’s breakdown was reminiscent of Bangladesh’s second innings in the Dhaka Test but it was nothing compared to Zimbabwe’s implosion.

Mahmudullah steered them home in the end, finishing unbeaten for the third

match in a row and scoring his fourth international half-century of the season.

Taijul’s wickets came at the back end of the collapse, with Shakib Al Hasan finishing with three wickets and Jubair Hossain picking up two including the wicket of Hamilton Masakadza, who had till that point been the hero of the match.

Masakadza’s wicket triggered Zimbabwe’s collapse, which saw them lose their last nine wickets for 33 runs in 12.3 overs. Before that, they had looked set for a big total, at 95 for 1 in the 18th over.

Sikandar Raza had fallen in the fifth over, when he chased a wide one from Mashrafe Mortaza after making yet another quick start. Masakadza attacked soon after, and seemed to be justifying Zimbabwe’s decision to bat first for the first time in the ODI series.

Masakadza struck 52 off 54 balls with five fours and three sixes. He pun-

ished anything pitched on his legs, even bringing out the big sweep off Mashrafe to hit him over fine-leg for a six. But the standout shot was a straight drive off Abul Hasan, struck with a lot of force and with perfect stillness of head.

He added 79 for the second wicket with Sibanda, who made 37 off 51 balls with three fours, through point, cover and midwicket. Sibanda enjoyed a life on 16 when Mashrafe Mortaza dropped him at midwicket, but by the time he pulled another catch to the same fielder in the 23rd over, Zimbabwe were already in a trough at 109 for 4.

The collapse had begun with Masakadza missing Jubair Hossain’s googly in the 18th over. The delivery drew him forward and sneaked through the gate to strike the top of middle stump, a beautiful delivery to beat Zimbabwe’s best batsman on the day. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Zimbabwe innings (50 overs maximum) H Masakadza b Jubair 52 Hossain Sikandar Raza c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Mashrafe Mortaza 9 V Sibanda c Mashrafe Mortaza b Shakib Al Hasan 37 BRM Taylor† b Shakib Al Hasan 9 SF Mire lbw b Taijul Islam 9 T Maruma b Jubair Hossain 1 E Chigumbura* not out 3 T Panyangara b Taijul Islam 0 J Nyumbu lbw b Taijul Islam 3 TL Chatara b Taijul Islam 0 T Kamungozi c Mahmudullah b Shakib Al Hasan 2 Extras: (w-3) 3 Total: (all out; 30 overs; 119 mins) 128 Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Sikandar Raza, 4.5 ov), 2-95 (Masakadza, 17.4 ov), 3-108 (Taylor, 20.3 ov), 4-109 (Sibanda, 22.5 ov), 5-112 (Maruma, 25.2 ov), 6-120 (Mire, 26.1 ov), 7-120 (Panyangara, 26.6 ov), 8-124 (Nyumbu, 28.1 ov), 9-124 (Chatara, 28.2 ov), 10128 (Kamungozi, 29.6 ov) Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza

5-1-23-1 (1-w), Abul Hasan 3-123-0 (1-w), Shakib Al Hasan 7-1-30-3 (1-w), Taijul Islam 7-211-4, Jubair Hossain 8-0-41-2 Bangladesh innings (target: 129 runs from 50 overs) Tamim Iqbal c Mire 10 b Panyangara Anamul Haque c Masakadza b Chatara 8

Soumya Sarkar c Sikandar Raza b Chatara 20 Mahmudullah not out 51 Shakib Al Hasan c Masakadza b Panyangara 0 Mushfiqur Rahim† c †Taylor b Chatara 11 Sabbir Rahman not out 13 Extras (lb-6, w-10, nb-1) 17 Total (5 wickets; 24.3 overs; 124 mins) 130 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Tamim Iqbal, 4.2 ov), 2-28 (Anamul Haque, 5.2 ov), 3-47 (Soumya Sarkar, 9.6 ov), 4-58 (Shakib Al Hasan, 12.2 ov), 5-93 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 18.4 ov) Bowling: T Panyangara 10-1-49-2 (1-nb, 3-w), TL Chatara 10-0-44-3 (6-w), T Kamungozi 4-0-21-0, SF Mire 0.3-0-10-0 (1-w)

22

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tiesday, december 2, 2014

Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’…

Rim Kings dominate opening night

Some of the action during the Sunday night’s action

R

im Kings dominated the opening night of action in the Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’ 3-on-3 tournament that tipped off on Sunday evening at the Albouystown tarmac.

Rim Kings won all four of their games and was the first team to reach the 21 point mark by defeating Target 21-17 in a the best game of the evening.

Rim Kings displayed high energy and quick

passes as well as the ability to soot from beyond the arc especially when they played against Rockers who they defeated 19-9.

They also defeated Knights 11-7 and Rim Rockers 1616.

Target was the next top team of the night with a record of 3-1. Target was able to defeat Knights 6-5 as the teams struggled to hit shots while they also defeated Rim Rockers 17-10.

There third win came

against California Square in a walkover result and their loss against Rim Kings.

The Knights were the only other team to win on the evening with two wins and two losses. Their two wins game against Rim Rockers with final scores of 11-4 and 10-7 respectively.

Their losses came against Rim Kings and Target.

Action in the tournament will continue tonight in Plaisance.

GSCL Inc to host President’s Cup this weekend

F

ollowing a break in organising softball cricket in Georgetown due to the playing of several tournaments, including the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association’s Guyana Softball Cup 4, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc.), is back at it again.

The GSCL Inc. Organising Committee, led by the hard working Samuel Kingston, has organised a President’s Cup T20 competition using the ‘big ball’, with the aim of keeping softball teams affiliated to the League, active year round.

The upcoming GSCL Inc. President’s Cup will be facilitating the first six teams to register in the Open and Over-45 categories, with the entrance fee set at $60,000

Samuel Kingston

per team in each category and the winning prizes being $300,000 for first place and $100,000 for second in

both categories, along with trophies.

Closing date for the payment of the entrance fee is Thursday and the playing dates for the tournament are December 6 and 13 for preliminary round matches, while the finals for both categories will be held on December 14 at Lance Gibbs Street based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), with the Open finals being held under lights.

Grounds identified to be used for this competition so far are GNIC, DCC, and Everest Cricket Club and apart from the team accolades, the Man-of-the-Match in the two finals will also receive trophies, while interested teams are asked to contact Kingston on 6149536.

Henry leaves New York Red Bulls

F

ormer Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has left New York Red Bulls after four-and-a-half years with the MLS club.

The 37-year-old’s final match was a 2-2 draw on Saturday which meant the Red Bulls were beaten 4-3 on aggregate by New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Championship play-off.

“The decision has always been that I would leave after the duration of my contract,” Frenchman Henry said.

“I’ll take the next few

weeks to decide on the next chapter of my career.”

Henry won the World Cup with France in 1998 and two Premier League titles with the Gunners, where he played between 1999 and 2007.

He added the Champions League with Barcelona in 2009 and returned to Arsenal for four matches on loan in 2012, coming on as a substitute to score the winner against Leeds in the third round of the FA Cup. In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe

last month, Henry hinted at another return to the Emirates and said: “One thing is certain: I will stay in football, as a coach, a consultant or executive. We will see.

“The second certainty is that I would love to see Arsenal win the Champions League. Whether that is from near or far does not depend on me, but it is sure I’d like to help. This is my club and, as a player, I was not able to give them the Champions League.” (BBC Sport)

Narine takes full responsibility for rehab of bowling action

T

he West Indies Cricket Board on Monday advised that Sunil Narine had requested that he be permitted to take full responsibility for the rehabilitation of his bowling action.

The WICB respects and agreed to Narine’s decision and looks forward to his return to international cricket at the earliest opportunity.

Narine is currently engaged in remedial work in his native Trinidad and Tobago.

The WICB asks that Narine’s privacy be respected during this period of rehabilitation.

Narine was withdrawn from the West Indies tour of India after his bowling action was reported during the last edition of the Champions League.

The 26-year-old off-spinner is currently ranked number two in the ICC bowling rankings for both One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.

Sunil Narine

ICC announces warm-up matches for World Cup

T

he International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the complete schedule of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, including match start time and warm-up matches.

A total of 14 non-ODI warm-up matches will be played across Adelaide, Christchurch, Melbourne and Sydney from 8 to 13 February, with host and four-time former world champion Australia taking on reigning world champion India at Adelaide Oval on the first day.

Four matches will be played on the second day, with Christchurch hosting South Africa and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval, and co-host New Zealand and Zimbabwe going head to head at Bert Sutcliffe Oval. In Sydney, England will face West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and Blacktown will host the Asian clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Three qualifiers will be in action on Tuesday, 10 February, day three of the warm-up matches.

European rivals Ireland and Scotland will lock horns at Blacktown in Sydney while neighbours India and Afghanistan will prepare for the tournament proper at the Adelaide Oval.

Eight sides will feature on Wednesday, 11 February. New Zealand will meet South Africa at Hagley Oval, and Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe at Bert Sutcliffe Oval (both matches in Christchurch), 1992 World Cup finalists England and Pakistan will test each other at the Sydney Cricket

Ground and Australia will play the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

On Thursday, 12 February, the West Indies will play Scotland at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Ireland will play Bangladesh in Blacktown, while Friday, 13 February, sees the UAE play Afghanistan at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in the final warm-up game.

The public will be welcome to attend warm up matches which will be ticketed but free of charge.

Details of how to obtain tickets will be announced in due course.

It should be noted that warm-up matches are not official ODIs and operate under slightly different rules with up to 15 players able to be used throughout the game with no more than 11 players may field at any one time. The spectator experience will not be the same standard as at normal ODI matches.

For media, entry will be through the normal accreditation process and only those that complete the second phase of the accreditation process, which starts on 1 December, will be given access to the venues.

Additionally, the ICC has also confirmed the match start time of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

The 14 February tournament opener between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will start at 1100 (NZT), while Australia will squareoff against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the same day with the

first ball to be bowled at 1430 (AEDT).

The 29 March final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will start at 1430 (AEDT).

Complete schedule with match start time is attached.

The schedule of warmup matches is:

Sunday, 8 February – India v Australia (1400), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Monday, 9 February - South Africa v Sri Lanka (1100), Hagley Oval, Christchurch; New Zealand v Zimbabwe (1100), Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch; England v West Indies (1430), Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney; Pakistan v Bangladesh (1430), Blacktown ISP, Sydney Tuesday, 10 February – Ireland v Scotland (1430), Blacktown ISP, Sydney; India v Afghanistan (1400), Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Wednesday, 11 February – New Zealand v South Africa (1100), Hagley Oval, Christchurch; Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (1100), Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Christchurch; Australia v UAE (1430), Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne; England v Pakistan (1430), Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Thursday, 12 February – West Indies v Scotland (1000), Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney; Ireland v Bangladesh (1000), Blacktown ISP, Sydney Friday, 13 February – Afghanistan v UAE (1000) Junction Oval, Melbourne (ICC Media Release)

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tuesday, december 2, 2014

Guinness Greatest in the Streets football…

PGL Memorial tournament...

Huge win for Festival D City Warriors

By Avenash Ramzan

F

estival City Warriors recorded the largest margin of victory on Sunday night when action in the Georgetown leg of the Guinness Greatest in the Streets football competition continued in the city.

Festival City Warriors completely outplayed a hapless East Front Road, slamming home five unawswered goals. Dwayne Lawrence opened the scoring as early as the second, minute, before Eon Alleyne doubled the advantage four minutes later. Daniel Favourite struck in the 13th minute to make it 3-0, while an own goal in the 17th minute compounded East Front Road’s misery.

A minute later Shaquille Duncan made it 5-0 for Festival City Warriors.

In the opening game, Island All Stars pipped North Sophia 2-1 with Orson McCurdy (15th) and

Phillip Rowley

Daniel Favourite

Devon Hyman (17th) on target for Island All Stars and Andrew Smart (8th) scoring for North Sophia, while Tucville won 3-2 on sudden death kicks against West Back Road after the two teams played to a one-all draw.

Tucville took the lead in the sixth minute through Kareem Knights, before

Akeem Fitzpatrick equalised 10 minutes later for West Back Road.

Laing Avenue coasted to a 3-0 success over Durban Street, with Rayon October, Raphael Charles and Osafo Angel getting on the scoresheets in the 16th, 20th and 24th minutes respectively.

Rawle Adams was the

23

Ravens outshine Pacesetters

only man to breach the defence of the goalkeeper, scoring the all-important goal in the fourth minutes for Hope Street- Tiger Bay in their 1-0 win over Albouystown.

Globe Yard won 2-0 on penalties over Califoria Square after a nil-all draw, while Back Circle prevailed 3-1 over Adelaide Street, Charlestown. Phillip Rowley scored a double (5th and 19th) for Back Circle and Vincent Thomas added a single strike in the 14th minute, while Sherwin Smith netted the consolation for Adelaide Street, Charlestown.

The final game of the night resulted in a 1-0 victory for Alexander Village against West Front Road with Jamal Nicholas on target in the 23rd minute.

The competition is sponsored by Banks DIH under the Guinness brand and is coordinated by Petra Organisation.

yna’s Ravens was able to hold off the Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters to bag a much needed win when the Phillip George Legacy Memorial Tournament continued on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Raven’s youthful exuberance was too much for the much older Pacesetters as Akeem “The Dream” Kanhai scored a game high 20 points while Dominic Vincente netted 19 points in the win.

Sharpshooter Stephon Gillis dropped a team high 13 points while Travis Burnett had 11 points in the loss. Joslyn Crawford and Naylon Loncke had 10 points each for the Pacesetters.

The Bounty Colts continued their dominance in the tournament with a 77-67 win over the Pepsi Sonics.

The big man in the paint, Shane Webster registered 20 points for the Colts while point man Dave Causway and shooting guard Shelroy Thomas had 19 and 13 points respectively. Nikkoloi Smith contributed a valuable 10 points off the pine.

In another tense game,

the Republic Bank Nets survived against the Georgetown Masters to win 71-65.

Mortimer Williams had a team high 16 points while Pelham Doris chipped in with 12 points in the win.

Former national captain, Lugard Mohan continued his scoring in bunched with a game high 21 points while former Ravens’ guard Aubrey Younge had 12 points in the loss.

Linden’s Victory Valley Royals defeated Melanie Patriots 108-72 to be the first team to score over 100 points in the tournament.

Patriots’ defence was porous at best and could not stop sharpshooter Chris Williams from pouring it in who ended with a team high 28 points. Marlon Adams and Marlon Pollydore scored 24 and 18 points respectively.

Sherlan Legal had one of the best offensive outputs of the year with a game high 37 points.

The tournament will continue on Friday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Smith replaces Ramdin calls for better helmets Devon injured Gayle for SA Tests

West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin is calling on the makers of cricket helmets to improve on their product, in light of the death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, who was felled by a bouncer from Sean Abbott.

Ramdin made the comments as the West Indies left the Caribbean on Sunday for South Africa to engage that country in a three-Test series.

Ramdin said: “The helmets that we have needsto be improved because when you get a lash on it, you really feel the pain. It is basically just a piece of fibreglass and this is not adequate protection.”

There is no international benchmark for standards on helmets and the International Cricket Council (ICC) had put a committee in place to look at this in 2013.

Now with the death of hughes, they were likely to fastrack this process, so that helmet manufacturers will have to make a specific grade in order to be used on the market.

Meanwhile, Ramdin said that his team will be looking to give South Africa a run for their money.

“This team is very tough but we have good players on our team and we are going to give them a run. We just need to keep focus and do the right things consist-

O

pening batsman Devon Smith has replaced Chris Gayle in West Indies’ Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

A WICB release on Friday simply stated that Gayle “has been replaced due to injury.” Gayle last played an international match in September, and despite being touted for a quick recovery from a lower back injury, he did not feature in even a single game during West Indies’ curtailed tour

Chris Gayle Denesh Ramdin

ently and we will get the results we want,” he said.

“The senior players including myself have to lead from the front and the younger players have to take their lead.”

The West Indies open their tour with a warmup match against a South African Invitational XI at Benoni on December 10 and this will be followed by the first Test, to be played at Centurion on December

17.

They then play the Boxing Day Test match at Port Elizabeth on December 26 and the final game starts on January 2 at Capetown.

After this three T20s and five ODIs will be played before the team returns home for the short break, ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in February.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Devon Smith

of India in October. He did, however, return to competitive cricket by signing up for Lions in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, scoring two fifties and a hundred in his first three games.

Smith, whose last appearance for West Indies was back in July 2013,

has been in fine form in first-class cricket, having stroked two half-centuries and a hundred in his last three games for Windward Islands in the Regional 4 Day Tournament. He has played 33 Tests for West Indies, but none since May 2011, when he was dropped following two low scores against Pakistan.

The WICB also confirmed that fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell will join the squad on Friday. The selection panel had requested that Cottrell play in the

third round of the first-class competition to determine his match readiness after he had sustained an injury during West Indies A’s tour of South Africa. Cottrell responded by collecting 5 for 42 for Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago, helping his team to first-innings points.

West Indies will begin their tour with a threeday game in Benoni on December 10, before starting the first of three Test matches on December 17, in Centurion. (Cricinfo)

tuesday, december 2, 2014

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

WICB PCL 4-Day tournament…

Ramdhani elected GS of CONCECABA

Smith bowls Barbados Pride to sensational win P Page 19

– Guyana Jaguars shot out for 66 in pursuit of 69

Dwayne Smith sets off in celebration after claiming the final wicket of Devendra Bishoo to hand Barbados Pride a sensational win (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

resident of the Guyana Badminton Association and Secretary General of the Caribbean Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO), Gokarn Ramdhani, was recently elected to a high ranking position with the Central America and Caribbean Badminton Association (CONCECABA).

Ramdhani, who was in Vera Cruz, Mexico, as Manager/Coach of Guyana’s badminton contingent to the CAC Games, was elected as General Secretary of the organisation at the general meeting held at the Omega Sports Complex in Mexico.

He will serve in that position until 2018.

“I am very happy that the badminton arena internationally is seeing my work and interest in the development of badminton and I will continue to do as much as I can to continue this pro-

Gokarn Ramdhani

gress,” Ramdhani said moments after being elected.

At the general meeting attended by 13 countries, his nomination was supported by unopposed by all.

Ramdhani, who is also the national badminton coach of Guyana, is the father of two age group champions, Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani.

Maggie’s, Axe Apparel joins Flex Night partners

Cindy Maloney of Maggie’s presents her company’s cheque to David Gomes in the presence of Flex Night’s Managing Director Donald Sinclair

Onai Vasconcellos receives Axe Apparel’s support package from Proprietor and Manager Kathy Shuffler

s the big Flex Night International event on Sunday draws near more and more sponsors have been coming onboard in support of one of the country’s top bodybuilding shows.

Maggie’s Snackette

cess of the event.

Axe Apparel, a retailer of quality brands in sportswear, has also taken a place in the sponsors’ row Flex Night International.

Proprietor and Manager Kathy Shuffler, herself a sport enthusiast, had no hesitation in linking Axe

A

and Catering Service and Axe Apparel are the latest entities to join hands with the organisers in ensuring Flex Night International 2014 is a major success.

Cindy Maloney of Maggie’s, in presenting her company’s sponsorship, said the business

establishment on New Market Street is proud to be associated with Flex Night.

David Gomes, Flex Night Inc. Director of External Resources, welcomed Maggie’s onboard, noting that sponsorship is critical to the overall suc-

Apparel with the Flex Night event.

When the presentation was made at the store’s Camp Street location, both donor Shuffler and recipient Onai Vasconcellos, Flex Night Inc. Director of Advertising,

were all smiles in acknowledgement of the fit between Axe Apparel and Flex Night.

The Flex Night team wishes to record its deepest appreciation to Axe Apparel for coming joining the list of sponsors for this weekend’s show.

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