The opening ceremony for the 2014 GuyExpo was captivating. First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and Yvonne Hinds cut the ceremonial ribbon to get the annual trade fair started, ably assisted by their husbands, President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds respectively. Among those also present: Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill; GuyExpo Co-Chair, acting Tourism, Commerce and Industry Minister Irfaan Ali; Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud
Edghill to contractors: “We won’t condone skulduggery”
In a stern warning to hundreds of bidders and contractors from across Guyana, Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill stressed that there should be no room for “skulduggery” in the tender and procurement process.
He also warned them that the unsavoury practice of threatening officials concerning contracts is not something that is appreciated at the level of Government. It was explained that some contractors on being informed of their failure to acquire bids, threaten to go to the media and the Opposition political parties.
“No contractor, supplier or bidder worth his salt should be bullying any official for a job. You must not get a job because of fear, intimidation and ‘I will deal with you in the media or I will go to this person to you’. You must get a job, because you are qualified and technically competent to get the job done… once you have open competitive bidding, let the chips fall wherever they may,” the Minister highlighted.
He was at the time speaking at a major symposium organised by the Finance
Ministry and the National Tender and Procurement Administration Board (NTPAB) at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, on Thursday.
The symposium was held under the theme, “Empowering Bidders; Ensuring Responsiveness, Advancing Accountability, Fairness and Transparency in Public Procurement”.
Edghill established the need for a system whereby reports on works in progress and works completed by contractors will be made available to officials. This way,
he pointed out, there will be no room for contractors who have failed to complete jobs or have several jobs pending.
Contractors who are not in default or have not performed satisfactorily will not be able to acquire contracts, since the information available will warrant immediate disqualification or blacklisting.
“We cannot fund failure”
“We cannot condone skulduggery; we cannot fund failure and we cannot cover up for contractors, bidders and suppliers. We want a fair and open process,” Edghill declared.
In recent months, despite the presence of the NTPAB, contractors have complained about an unfair bidding process, with some persons saying they were not awarded contracts although their bid price was the lowest.
However, Edghill cleared the air on the issue, explaining that the lowest bid does not automatically win the contract.
It was explained that contractors have to fulfil several prerequisites before they are awarded a contract. Those criteria include capacity and manpower, a complete bid with all relevant information, and the ability of the bidder to deliver.
Edghill warned Regional
Executive Officers (REOs) that no “parking” of jobs should occur, pointing out that officials should take note of the capacity of bidders, and be more alert to ensure that no jobs are being parked or awaiting a particular contractor.
“We will not park any project waiting on a contractor... so anybody who believes that they have the God-given right to a particular job… that Government will have to park and wait until they finish a job to come on this job, I got news for you, it will not happen. And if it is happening, we will stop it… this issue of you having the lowest price must also be matched with the capacity and ability to deliver. You might have the lowest price, but you can’t get on the job till November, because you’re al-
ready saturated,” the junior Finance Minister noted.
He added: “When we read our budget and it’s debated and it’s passed, the implementation of that plan largely depends on the persons sitting in this room... somebody’s got to build the bridge, somebody’s got to supervise that work to ensure Government gets value for its money.”
Moreover, the Minister pointed out that evaluators must be able to withstand public scrutiny of their work. He maintained that this is part of the transparency process and should be treated with importance.
“Politics is never part of the evaluation criteria. Let us leave the politics out of the evaluation criteria and get on with national development,” Edghill said.
Junior Finance Minister Bishop Juan Edghill addressing the crowd of bidders and contractors
A section of the contractors and bidders in attendance
OPENINGS
WEATHER TODAY
Spectacular GuyExpo opens!
By Svetlana MarShall
Amid much pomp and ceremony, GuyExpo 2014 was declared opened Thursday evening by President Donald Ramotar who announced that his Government is currently working on a range of economic ventures totalling some US$2.5 billion.
The opening of the fourday event, being held at the Sophia Exhibition Site, was attended by thousands, including local and international exhibitors. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; members of the Private Sector and members of the diplomatic community were among officials who joined
a free, open and democratic society. We uphold the Constitution and the rule of law this is one of the hallmarks of this Government,” the President said, as he alluded to the conducive environment that has been created by the PPP/C Administration to foster economic growth and development. He further stated that social and economic progress cannot be achieved on a sustained business without political democracy.
“Our people live in a stable society with a functioning democracy. The people of Guyana can now speak their minds freely and act independently without looking over their shoulders. This is one of the most important reasons we have had this growth in an atmosphere in-
the President and the First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar as they declared the muchanticipated event opened.
In delivering the feature presentation, President Ramotar applauded the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry led by Irfaan Ali and the Private Sector for upholding the legacy, which was initiated more than 19 years ago. Dubbing it the largest exposition in Guyana, President Ramotar said GuyExpo continues to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.
According to him, the nation’s achievements are linked to the effective management system that has been put in place by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.
“We have constructed, over the years,
ternationally, that was not so favourable,” he added.
President Ramotar further added that Guyana is where it is today, because the PPP/C Government has restored the broken infrastructure, both physical and social, that it inherited back in 1992 when it took office. If Guyana is to move beyond borders and boundaries, President Ramotar said, greater investments must be made in the area of infrastructure in an effort to rapidly industrialise the country. “We must have cheap energy to go to higher levels of social and economic development in Guyana,” he said, even as he alluded to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which was derailed by the Opposition in the National Assembly.
“This is one project that every single Guyanese
would benefit from: those that will receive electricity from this project will save between 20 per cent and 40 per cent of their electricity bills, thus giving themselves more disposable income,” he explained. He added that the subsidy currently being provided for the supply of electricity could be used to transform other sections of the country that are in need of development. Reference was also made of the Deepwater Port, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and other projects that have received strong objections from the Opposition.
Public-Private Partnership
Meanwhile, acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister in keeping with the theme “Transformation: Partnering for a Better Guyana” underscored the importance of Public-Private Partnership in the transformation of the country’s economic and physical landscapes.
According to Minister Ali, Guyana has undergone major transformation, now promising a bright future for all. “We cannot be static and be a part of a transformative process. We must be able to think, act and work beyond what seems confined boundaries that
can limit the development of our country,” he posited. He said in “thinking transformation”, Guyanese need not be risk adverse; hence, it is important to be an optimist. “The time has come for us to understand that good decisions, good policy and major transformation come with risk. Every project has risks, but, in the calculation of that risk, we must not become static in our outlook. We must be able to present an outlook that shows to the world that we have an expanding and growing economy with a diversified portfolio.”
He said even as one sector or industry blooms, Guyana must not be averse towards another, stressing that the Sugar and Rice Industries must complement each other. He too underscored the importance of having infrastructural development such as a Specialty Hospital. GuyExpo 2014 is expected to attract more than 100,000 persons from across the country and neighbouring countries. In fact, 10 international companies spread across more than 50 booths are participating in this year’s exposition. These international booths are part of over 400 booths that will be promoting various businesses, products and developments.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali making his remarks at the opening of GuyExpo 2014
Exhibitors at GuyExpo
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
The No-Confidence Motion filed against the Government in August and set for debate on October 16 has been a subject of much debate. The Motion is unprecedented in Guyana’s history, but action of this sort appears to be an emerging Caribbean culture, with three in the last four years, namely Jamaica (2010), Grenada (2012) and Trinidad and Tobago (2012).
The No-Confidence Motion brought by the St Kitts and Nevis Opposition Leader Mark Brantley against the Dr Denzel Douglas Administration is yet to be debated after it was filed more than 15 months ago.
The Motion here, if passed, will force the dissolution of Parliament and the President will have to call General Elections within three months. This will automatically cause a push back in Local Government Elections, which both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have been calling for, the latter more than the former.
Strikingly, the Motion is not only unprecedented as it is a first in Guyana; the thrust seems more steep in the show of might, and raises the question of how far has Guyana come in terms of political maturity since it became an Independent nation more than 45 years ago.
The question is asked based on the posture of the AFC, the mover of the Motion, which is yet to articulate how the Motion, if passed, will improve the standings of Guyana and the lives of ordinary Guyanese. Based on the public outpourings of that party, it appears that the move is nothing but a wild slug at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, rather than a genuine effort to charter a better future for all Guyanese.
The bitterness can be gauged by comments of AFC Executive Member Moses Nagamootoo who had said that the Motion is an alternative to a violent removal of the Government.
Both Nagamootoo and AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan were former PPP/C Executive Members who lost favour with the party, and judging from their public utterances, the reason for their action appears to be grounded in bitterness.
Here is where APNU has to be careful as it has indicated that it will support the Motion when it is brought before the House for debate. The question the coalition has to ask itself is whether it is prepared for General Elections in early 2015 and if it will yield better results for them.
APNU will have to bear in mind that it is supporting a motion that is brought by a political rival constantly on the prowl to expand its base and sees nothing wrong in scoring cheap political points. This is coupled with the fact that neither Ramjattan, Nagamootoo or any other AFC Executive have indicated that the party will coalesce with APNU if the No-Confidence Motion is passed to challenge the PPP/C at the polls.
What APNU has to be very careful about is joining forces with the AFC to pass the No-Confidence Motion against the PPP/C and having to end up three months after facing the AFC in a bitter elections battle to hold on to its seats in Parliament.
And the desperation shown by the AFC has been no secret, as it has demonstrated that it has no second thought in casting aspersions on APNU, even though it heavily depends on the coalition to make the No-Confidence Motion breathe. The $30 million buyout claim of three APNU members, who they could not name and could be the APNU Leader, is the strongest example yet, and should be a workable yardstick for the coalition’s leadership to strongly rethink the move it intends to make.
This aside, the AFC has been beset with problems ranging from executive resignations, conflict of interest matters, naked protestors and more recently child sodomy. Understandably, it will be looking for an avenue to create a smokescreen to hide the sordid controversies, but needs a footstool to do so.
Aggressive public education programme needed to fight Ebola
Dear Editor,
America’s health authorities have confirmed recently that they have diagnosed the first patient with Ebola in the United States of America. This really demonstrates the interconnectedness of our world – the global village.
We, in Guyana and the Caribbean, ought to be paying very careful attention at what we are doing here, and constantly evaluating our own preparedness in the event of the presentation of any signs or symptoms of Ebola by anyone.
Indeed, it is a frightening situation particularly in circumstances where we may not have the medical and other technologies and other critical resources to manage any such
situation. Beyond that, the Ebola is spiralling into a sort of global public health crisis. If there is a public health crisis, then other sectors of society will be severely affected, and may even collapse. Looking at it from a global perspective; it would affect international trade and consequently change the landscape of economies, facilitating poverty and poor sanitation, making it more difficult to eradicate the virus. It is a circular situation whose effects could be more debilitating than wars. The activities of humankind are elevating heating up the planet earth.
Confined primarily to West Africa, sadly, the Ebola outbreak continues to claim lives. This disease
is believed to be animal-borne, with fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family acting as the natural Ebola virus hosts. Humans first contracted the virus via contact with bodily fluids of an infected animal, where it was then spread to other humans by contact with the bodily fluids of an infection person.
Poor sanitation conditions in West Africa coupled with mourners coming into contact with the deceased at burial ceremonies and rituals enabled the disease to spread rapidly. Unfortunately, Ebola is just one of many diseases considered to be “zoonotic”, or shared with animals. When a disease is able to be shared with animals, its impacts are intensified.
continued on page 5
Government and Diaspora working together
Dear Editor,
The Diaspora is playing a very important role to the country’s development, and the Government has recognised this, so much so, that the President Donald Ramotar and two senior ministers addressed the Guyanese community in California and South Florida during the past few days.
In California, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh told a large gathering that his Government is appreciative of their assistance to
their relatives and friends at home, and in Florida the President and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall expressed their gratitude to the Diaspora which turned out in large numbers at Miramar.
Members of the Diaspora – besides sending regular remittances to relatives and friends in Guyana – send books, computers and other assistances to their former primary and secondary schools. A few offer scholarships to students in
Guyana.
Recently, businessman Brian Ramphal, who hails from Kitty, Georgetown, and now resides in California, decided to give back to his community and offered two scholarships to students of his alma mater, St Stanislaus – Omefia Garraway and Oral Mc Alister – to study at the University of Guyana.
Ramphal is known to be very generous and several instances contributed to disaster relief funds,
personal tragedy victims, US Armed Services personnel, universities and his alma mater.
The Guyana Government has planned to work in collaboration with the Diaspora through the numerous Guyanese Associations in several cities and towns in the United States mainly in New York, Florida, California, Atlanta as well as a few in the Caribbean islands.
Respectfully, Oscar Ramjeet
Even the very young was part of the GuyExpo opening ceremony in all its splendour, during the cultural presentation (Carl Croker)
Nigel Hughes failed to tell the nation what the consent order means
Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Education notes that Nigel Hughes in his attempt to distance himself from the controversy that is the Guyana Health Care Education Institute, attempts to mislead the Guyanese public by withholding relevant information.
The Ministry of Education having been deliberately drawn into the fray by political activists of the opposition feels compelled to respond so as to fully inform the people of Guyana about this issue.
Firstly, the Ministry wishes to commend Nigel Hughes for admitting that he advises and represents Nanda Kissoon and Guyana Health Care Education Institute, bodies that many young people have alleged have robbed them.
The Guyana Health Care Education Institute also known as the School of Nursing also known as American Health Institute applied to the National Accreditation Council (NAC) for registration. The Ministry is advised that the NAC denied the application on the grounds that the Guyana Health Care Education Institute had failed abysmally to meet the required standards for registration.
In an effort to force the Council to register the Guyana Health Care Education Institute, proceedings were filed in the high court by Nanda Kissoon and Guyana Health Care Education Institute claim-
ing that the Council had not reached and its decision not to register the Guyana Health Care Education Institute according to fair hearing principles.
Whether the Council was right or had grounds to have denied registration was never an issue that the Court would have considered. What was under examination was the process by which that decision was taken. In other words it was a procedural incorrectness and not the substantive decision that was being complained about.
The Ministry is advised that it is true that the Council consented to the order being sought by Nanda Kissoon and the Guyana Health Care Education Institute. The Ministry is disappointed in Nigel Hughes for failing to tell the Guyanese nation what the consent order means.
The Ministry is advised that consenting to the order that was sought by Nanda Kissoon and Guyana Health Care Education Institute only means that the decision by the National Accreditation Council not to register the Guyana Health Care Education Institute is quashed.
It does not mean that all of sudden and automatically, simply because Nigel Hughes and his controversial client wishes it were so, that Guyana Health Care Education Institute has now met the required standards to which our young people
are entitled and which are internationally set and demanded by the Council.
Once the order by the Council was quashed whether by consent or otherwise, it is the status quo ante that would kick in. This means that the status enjoyed by the Guyana Health Care Education Institute just before the Council made the decision not to register that body is what would kick in. At the time the Council denied registration the Guyana Health Care Education Institute was not registered. Therefore the Guyana Health Care Education Institute is still not registered.
The Ministry is advised that a prudent lawyer would have prayed for and obtained an order compelling the registration of the Guyana Health Care Education Institute. The Ministry is advised that such an order was never prayed for and therefore never granted and so the contempt proceedings compelling the members of the National Accreditation Council to register the Guyana Health Care Education Institute or be jailed, is perverse and bound to fail.
In light of the above, what exactly is the relevance of all the legal jargon and fluff written by Nigel Hughes in his press release if not to mislead the nation? He speaks of a consent order but that order does nothing to change what the Ministry said the day before in its press release.
Aggressive public education...
If an individual is sick, they are able to generally keep to themselves until they are healed avoiding spreading their sickness. But with animals, this is not the case. Other animals that can transmit this disease may continue to come into contact with the disease-carrying bats, or even other animals who contracted the virus in the forest.
Undoubtedly, the active of humankind to encroach upon natural habitats, changing them as they go along, to fell trees, and extract other natural resources and move animals and people, and the different viruses they carry, the greater the potential for infection and the spread of pathogens new to humans.
Clearly, people are disrupting natural resources through all the moving they are doing. This plays a huge role in the spread of diseases.
Human activities are driving bats to find new habitats among human populations. For example, more than half of Liberia’s forests, home to 40 endangered species, including the western chimpanzee, have been sold off to industrial loggers during President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s postwar Government, according
to figures released by Global Witness.
Logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, and chopping down trees are all driving deforestation in Sierra Leone, where total forest cover has now dropped to just four per cent, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which says if deforestation continues at current levels, Sierra Leone’s forests could vanish altogether by 2018.
Again, the 1994 Ebola outbreak was confined to the small African country of Gabon, and took 31 lives. It occurred in gold mining camps, which saw frequent nomadic habits of people –moving in for a season, moving out when the work was complete.
But what if the situation were different where people had never disrupted ecological arrangements in order to extract precious minerals? Would individuals have moved to that area and risked coming into contact with disease carrying animals?
Perhaps, we may never know the answers to these questions. Nevertheless, the recent discussions on how Ebola and other diseases are
Additionally and significantly, Nigel Hughes recognizes his constitutional right to practice in whatever matters he desires but characteristically, he fails to recognise the rights of other lawyers to so practice. In fact in the same missive that he seeks protection of the constitution, he clumsily attempts to chauvinistically drag the name of the young, female lawyer who represents the Council, a statutory body, into disrepute by vulgarly pointing to other matters where she appears. This behavior is typical of the AFC and its leaders.
The crux of the matter is that the some poor Guyanese students are alleging that they are being robbed by the Guyana Health Care Education Institute. Nigel Hughes has admitted that he advises that body and its owners. He has not apologized to the students or to the nation.
He is in fact seeking to jail people who are trying to prevent those students from falling prey to what the students have alleged is a fraud. These are the facts. Nothing he has said in his press release says otherwise.
Contrary to the role of other players in this sad story, the National Accreditation Council and the Ministry of Education are inspired by a duty to ensure that those who seek to offer educational training to our people are duly qualified and competent to do so. From this responsibility, we shall not shirk!
From page 4
affecting the natural environment are forcing us to look at our world from a different standpoint. Earth is not just humans, but rather we are tied to other species.
We are afraid, that if we do not begin to look at the world around us as being more than just us, we risk letting future diseases become even more disastrous than the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
This is why we are calling on the competent authorities to begin an aggressive public education programme on this virus; train our airport and other allied staff on how to approach any such case; enhance the competencies and capabilities of environmental and public health bodies to enforce compliance to public health and environmental policies and rules, in all communities; establish a shared data base among concerned ministries and agencies and work with community leaders and other stakeholders.
Time is not on our side; we only have today. Let us be more conscious and alert and remember that public health is everybody’s business.
Yours faithfully, Royston King
A woman after my own heart
Dear Editor, It was about two months ago that I first had a close up view of this courageous and no-nonsense lady Ms Carol Sooba. She was giving out orders to the drainage and irrigation team at the Le Repentir Cemetery.
She was there to ensure that everything went according to plan; a meticulous lady who is sticking to the task of restoring Georgetown to its former glory. So, this is why I call her a woman after my own heart.
The city has been neglected for years now which resulted in its cemetery being overgrown with bushes and tall timber sized trees. All the drainage canals are covered with weeds while hillocks of garbage greet you at each street corner.
There are also the ever present health hazards of overflowing sewers, in some cases non functioning sewer lines. All of this is taking place in the very presence of a dinosaur Mayor and council who are bent on playing politics while the health and safety of the people of this city go to ruin.
She has been planted there to put things right, quite to the chagrin of Mayor Hamilton Green and his gang. She began with the cleaning up of the blatant corrupt practices that are endemic in the municipality.
This was done in the classic move of drying up the resources that the Mayor and council delved into from time to time in a private capacity. She is now in the process of cleaning up a putrid city; Sooba is in essence the de-facto Mayor of Georgetown. She was placed there to do her job and that is what she is going to do.
Without fear or favour she is beautifying the city, one of the clear signs of her handiwork is the restoration of Le Repentir Cemetery to a reasonable resting place for our beloved departed.
This brings me to the question – when could we with pride stand and have a clear view of this iconic cemetery from one point to the other, let us say from Princes Street to Sussex Street?
Priya Manickchand Education Minister
They are of the view that Georgetown should be run, that is, financed solely by the Government while the Mayor and council do nothing. Well, the Government of Guyana did address this anomaly with the institution of a Town Clerk in Ms Sooba.
The answer is, an impossibility, an unheard of exercise for a number of years. Now, thanks to the effort of Ms Sooba and team, this can be done. I say kudos to Ms Sooba, keep up the good work.
Sincerely, Neil Adams
BY RONALD ALEXANDER, PHD
Today many of us are dealing with devastating losses in our lives from natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, to losing our homes, jobs and relationships. After the initial shock of any type of trauma there are of course the various stages of grief that everyone goes through such as denial, rationalisation, anger and acceptance. For those who are on this journey it is important to have faith in yourself and your inner compass that guides you. If you do this, you’ll understand that opportunities for growth and happiness lie in the most unexpected places, ready to be seized if you’re open to recognising and embracing them. I don’t believe we ever get over a significant loss, but we do learn to move through it and live with it, and perhaps even learn to use it creatively to find our life’s purpose as well as harvest its lessons.
Mark and Selena, a couple I treated a few years ago are a remarkable example of how they dealt with a devastating loss and transformed their lives. They came to me shortly after their two young children had been killed in a car crash when they were with
their teenage babysitter who had somehow survived. Mark and Selena were overwhelmed with guilt, anger, and feelings of loss. They could barely function and couldn’t begin to imagine how they could go on without their children or why they would want to. I discussed various treatment options and we agreed upon a method that combines a mindfulness practice with positive psychology and creative thinking to help one let go of the past, tune into the present and their core creativity and finally move forward with the future. While we were working with the tuning in stage, I was concerned that due to the depth of their sadness it could take several years before they would be ready to move out of their grief and begin to envision a new life.
I decided to meditate on their situation, and what came to me was the visual image of the subcontinent of India.
“That’s curious,” I thought, but decided to sit with it and soon, as if a voice had spoken to me, I had an inner knowing that I needed to suggest to Mark and Selena, who had conveyed an openness to the idea of travelling, to take some time off from their jobs and travel to the city of Varanasi in India. Varanasi is known as a holy place where the dying go to prepare for death and where bodies are prepared for the traditional cremation and return to the sacred Ganges River. My logical, rational mind said, “Ron, that’s crazy. Why would you send two griev-
ing and suffering parents who have no spiritual connection to India, and who are Lutherans from the Midwest, to Varanasi, where they know no one and would see death and suffering all around them?”
I discussed it with several of my colleagues who agreed it was a terrible idea but every morning when I meditated and connected to my intuition it kept telling me the same thing. Finally, one of my old teachers and mentors, Ram Dass, told me, “I think you may be on to something. They need to immerse themselves in their grief instead of denying it. Where better to do that than India?” When I mentioned it to Mark and Selena they weren’t sure how they would benefit from a trip to Varanasi, but meditated on it and told me that taking the trip felt “right” to them.
In India, Mark and Selena connected with their grief as they observed the dead and dying, but at the same time, they started to feel a sense of connection to other people and to a world in which suffering is inevitable. While there, they spent time working with a committed humanitarian in her facility for the poor. She did not try to explain to Mark and Selena how they might handle their loss but instead invited them to join her in her everyday work of attending to the sick and dying.
When they returned to the United States, Mark and Selena told me they had finally begun to heal. The deep compassion that had been awakened in them had eased their grief, and they felt they’d transformed from suffering parents who had lost their children to people who reached out to other suffering parents. They said they no longer felt quite so alone.
Over the next few months, Mark and Selena continued their mindfulness meditation practice and began to move forward with their lives. (www.psychologytoday.com)
TO BE CONTINUED
Dr Luncheon discharged after being rushed to hospital
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon has been discharged from the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was taken there early Thursday morning.
The Cabinet Secretary was taken to the medical institution after he complained of feeling unwell while at work at the Office of the President (OP). Reports reaching this publication state that Luncheon was quickly rushed by ambulance to the CHI, where he was treated and later discharged. Based on further information reaching Guyana Times, it was explained that the Cabinet Secretary was also
suffering from dehydration. In a terse statement, the OP confirmed that Dr Luncheon was discharged from the CHI after a medical assessment. The OP release said Dr Luncheon was taken to the CHI after complaining of feeling unwell at his office. Dr Luncheon is resting at home, the OP statement concluded.
Three days after his return to office following prolonged sick leave in early April, Dr Luncheon had disclosed to media operatives that he had been diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. He had explained that the malignant disease had spread to his lungs, and he had decided not to undergo any surgery. He was reportedly diagnosed with cancer in 2013.
Dr Luncheon explained that he had decided to proceed on sick leave while he dealt with his decision not to undergo treatment. While he had returned to work, the HPS said he was very much conscious of his health and that his duties and responsibilities had been limited as he was still recuperating. “I have taken a decision not to do anything of an interventionist nature. That is what I want and that is what I’m abiding by,” he told reporters.
The 65-year-old Cabinet Secretary had been on sick leave for some two months, before returning to the public eye in April.
He had also disclosed that he was vacating his chair, and that the process had begun for his replacement, but just recently, the Cabinet Secretary had announced that he would not be leaving his office in a hurry, since he wanted to be part of the history making No-Confidence Motion, and the elections which will follow.
“My commitment is beyond doubt; I love this country and I believe there are more people that love Luncheon than hate him,” he stated.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon
Georgetown beginning to look clean
As one traverses various areas of Georgetown, groups of people are seen diligently working within their communities to play their part in aiding the restoration of the aesthetics of the City under the “Clean-Up My Country” Programme.
For the Georgetown cleanup, approximately 80 per cent of communities in the South of Georgetown are about 80 per cent complete and are benefiting from cleanup activities while attention is shifting to communities in the North of Georgetown.
In Festival City, community workers undertook the task of cleaning decades old silt from drains within the community.
According to the Community Coordinator, the major problem affecting that community is ineffective drainage. When a team from the Ministry visited the area to have a firsthand view of the work in progress, the Ministry’s team spoke with the workers and some of the residents.
Together, there is a feeling of joy since the concrete drains are now visible after many decades. Similar sentiments were echoed in East Ruimveldt, when one community worker stood in the drain he was cleaning and began rhythmically tapping
the drain with a spade, allowing the sound to resonate for others to hear.
The community worker who is also resident said, “yuh hear that? That is concrete…we touch bottom first time in decades”. Listening to him and the rhythm of the spade hitting the concrete drain, it brought laughter to his team members and the Community Coordinator.
On Hadfield Street, a group of young men put their muscles together to pull a portion of over grown water weeds. After several rounds of chopping and pulling, eventually the deeply rooted and dense vegetation which weighed approximately 120lbs began to disintegrate into smaller chunks.
Looking further up
Hadfield Street towards Vlissengen Road, it seemed as though the same strategy will be used to clean the drain of overgrown vegetation. While one portion of the team was de-weeding the drain, another community worker took on the task of weeding the parapet.
In Durban Backlands, one brave community worker decided that in order to cut the decade’s old trees he had to insert himself between the vegetation to be able to cut the trees which are intricately interwoven into the fence and deeply rooted in the drain, making it impossible for water to flow. Cheerfully he said, “Ensure you take a good picture of me” as he laughed out loudly.
In Ruimveldt Gardens, passersby are pleased that
the walkway which was hidden by overgrown vegetation is now visible. They are
pleased that they can stand on the walkway while awaiting transportation and not worry that they might be bitten by crawling insects or snakes.
Just a stones throw away in Postel/Stevedore Housing Scheme, where the labour of love and act of patriotism continued to be the main ingredient of that community cleanup.
As the Ministry’s team passes through community after community, the sentiments and the noticeable benefits are soothing and pleasing to the eyes. Residents are pleased that their communities are given
the long needed attention. To date, 20 communities are benefiting from the Georgetown aspect of the Government's “Clean-Up My Country” Programme of which half of the resources were allocated to. Meadow Brook and South Ruimveldt Community Groups will sign their contracts today, and several more communities from the northern side of Georgetown including Cummings Lodge, Atlantic Ville, Kitty, Campbellville East and West of Sheriff Street and Alberttown are expected to have their contracts finalised and signed this week.
Police burn more ganja on Linden Highway
Two days after 15 acres of marijuana was destroyed by members of the Police Narcotics Branch at Haurauni, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, another raid along the said highway unearthed a small field of the illicit drug.
This time, the raid was carried out by ranks of a mobile patrol unit at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway on Monday
and led to the discovery of a field about half an acre in size.
The 500 cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants ranged from one to four feet in height. The marijuana and a camp were destroyed by the ranks.
No one was arrested.
On Friday last, members of the Police Narcotics Branch conducted a drug eradication exercise at
Haurauni and destroyed more than 17,000 cannabis plants.
In addition to the marijuana plants, which range from one foot to eight feet in height, 25 nurseries containing approximately 9000 seedlings were destroyed, along with seven camps.
The size of the marijuana field was estimated at 15 acres. At the time of the raid, no one was arrested.
Government's “Clean-Up My Country” Programme underway at a drain in Hadfield Street
DPP reopens probe into Mahdia rape allegations
The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has reopened an alleged rape case, which occurred recently at Mahdia following the submission of statements and photographic evidence by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA).
In their initial investigation, Police had dismissed the allegations of rape and proceeded to probe the case as one of physical assault.
However, following protest by residents, the GHRA was able to gather further statements and pictures.
In a statement, the GHRA said the initial Police reaction to the allegations made by a young Amerindian woman in Mahdia was to set aside the sexual assault aspect and focus solely on physical assault.
The organisation said this was reflected in an editorial by a local newspaper, which stated that “the Police had already sent the file to the Chambers of the DPP and had been advised that one man be charged
with assault causing actual bodily harm.
"Whether that person has since been charged is not known at this time”.
However, the GHRA said while that position was accurate up to last weekend, in light of further statements and photos being provided to her office, DPP Shalimar Hack-Ali has recalled the Police file.
“The GHRA is encouraged by the swift action taken by the DPP to broaden the investigation into the full allegations made by the young Mahdia woman.”
The GHRA said sev-
eral useful lessons may be drawn from this development: firstly, although medical examinations may be delayed by Police or medical personnel, this is not an absolute barrier to sexual assault charges being brought.
“There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault cases,” the body said.
It added that unwillingness by the investigating ranks and recommendations of lesser charges can be countered by tendering evidence gathered independently directly to the Office of the DPP.
Such evidence, the GHRA said, in the form of
statements, photos, etc, is likely to be taken more seriously if it is restricted to facts, shorn of political or other bias and signed by the submitting individual or organisation.
Moreover, the GHRA said in light of three almost identical cases in the past week (Mahdia, Matthews Ridge and Essequibo) in which sexual assaults have reportedly been reduced to physical assaults by local Police ranks, the GHRA is encouraging relatives, friends and solidarity organisations to seek ways to circumvent lack of cooperation from Police or medical personnel.
Public Works Ministry’s Highway Lighting Project still ongoing
The Public Works Ministry said it is continuing its Highway Lighting Project, which emphasize lighting for areas
vulnerable to accidents.
A statement explained that a recent survey carried out by Ministry’s Traffic and Highway Lights Unit on September 18 along the Stanleytown Area and Republic Road in New Amsterdam and East Bank Berbice established the areas considered to be highly unsafe, especially where there were dark spots for the installation of new lights and repairs to defective lights.
A preliminary budget has been prepared, and approval to fund the maintenance project will be finalized by today, the statement said. By employing the Ministry’s prequalified contractors in a bidding process, work would likely start by the end of October.
The Ministry said it views an article in the Kaieteur News of September 30, in which some Stanleytown residents were said to be accusing the Government of “neglect and discrimination”, as a dishonest attempt by some individuals to piggyback on the certitude of the highway lights being imminently placed in Stanleytown.
“The Ministry’s Highway Lighting Project will continue based on the availability of resources, safety prioritization, and the time scheduling necessary to have safe optimum emplacement,” the statement said.
“No other considerations are relevant. The Ministry continues to urge for the care and protection against vandalism of the lighting systems once activated,” added the release.
Eyew tness
Wasting time...
...on Ebola
Now that the US has been hit with its first case of Ebola, we’re sure we’re gonna see a lot more action on finding a cure for the disease. In the last few months, there’s been all kinds of predictions and prognostications – including in the newspaper – about the number of infections reaching 1.5 million by 2015. And with a fatality rate approaching 90 per cent, you’d think all the pharmaceutical companies would’ve been working 24/7 on a cure, won’t you??
Well, you would’ve thought wrong. There’s one drug KMapp that was used to cure two Americans who’ve been infected by Ebola. And they lived. As you’d expect, the people in Africa were pretty pissed. But the drug companies claimed they were in a Catch-22 situation –damned if they did and damned if they didn’t. If they’d used experimental drugs on Africans, they’d been accused of using those folks as human guinea pigs.
Thing was, they did use the experimental drug on Americans and they did survive. Somehow we don’t think Africans would’ve made much of a fuss if the 3000 persons who died from the disease had been saved. But then we were also told there wasn’t much of the drug around and it takes a drawn-out process to make. So it’s not available right now. There’s also about three or four other treatments available, but they’re all at the same stage as KMapp.
Meaning that we’re going to see a lot more deaths before we get a handle on this epidemic. This experience exposes a dirty little secret of the global Pharma industry – it’s not the seriousness of the disease or the dangers it poses to humanity that drives research for cures. It’s whether the sick people have the deep pockets to pay!!! And the pockets of the affected West African countries most severely hit by Ebola sure are shallow!
But we have a question as to what are the health authorities right here in our neck of the woods doing to prepare for the inevitable first case of Ebola. Way back in August, this newspaper connected Chikungunya with Ebola and told the selfsame authorities to treat Chikungunya (with its minuscule fatality rate) as a dressrehearsal for Ebola. Well, from what this Eyewitness has seen of the official response to Chikungunya – Lord help us when Ebola hits.
Looks like we’ll be cleaned bowled by Ebola.
...by Felix
Did you notice how much Granger’s “bigging up” Winston Felix?? Fella can’t string together two sentences that makes sense – right Bannuh?? – and suddenly he’s indispensable?? Imagine he’s part of the APNU delegation to negotiate with the AFC on their “No-Confidence Motion”! What’s he gonna do?? Parse the Constitutional constraints??!!
But then again, Basil Williams – his buddy on the (in) famous Agricola Massacre tape – was there and needed to hold his hand!!
But Felix was in the news even before that. Seems this former Police Commissioner who confessed to “heading off” the law enforcement agency of investigating the Agricola Massacre, called Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, a “blunderer”!! Talk about Freudian projection of personal weaknesses and insecurities!! So what about the full page ads in the national newspapers detailing his close and cozy relationship with Roger Khan??
But hold it!!! Those were “blunders” from the standpoint of our national security. But for Felix they weren’t “blunders” but a carefully orchestrated plot to carry out the agenda of the PNC!!! Much as then Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira had charged at the time!! Rohee said if Felix wants to see a “blunderer” he should look into a mirror! But don’t expect Felix to change, as Michael Jackson asked.
...to cancel trip
We noticed some local parliamentarians cancelled a trip to Africa because of fears of Ebola. Were these fellas planning to exchange body fluids with some folks in Africa? That’s how Ebola’s contracted.
DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack
Social activist trashes Police “sperm” comment
Social rights activist
Sherlina Nageer has trashed comments made by G Division (Essequibo) Commander Kevin Adonis who had brushed aside claims by a Devonshire Castle woman that she was raped by contending that “sperm” was not found in her. According to Nageer, the comment by the senior Policeman reveals a great lack of understanding of rape.
“Sperm does not need to
be found on a victim for a rape claim to be valid. Rapists can use condoms to contain their bodily fluids; rape can be inflicted using objects which would not leave sperm, etc. These basic facts about rape should be common knowledge; the fact that Commander Adonis, a senior officer in the Guyana Police Force exhibits such ignorance is extremely disturbing.
“Much training about rape and sexual assault has been conducted with members of
the Guyana Police Force over the years, at multiple levels. It is clear that what is needed at this point is not really more training, but more understanding and accountability,” she said.
The social rights activist said Police Officers, from junior to senior ranks, need to understand the seriousness of the violation of rape, the physical and mental suffering that victims experience, as well as the importance that their words
and actions can have on that individual as well as in society at large.
Rape, she said is a grave crime and should be investigated and not downgraded to assault or brushed aside callously.
“When Police Officers make statements that belittle and disrespect victims and their traumatic experiences, fewer victims will feel comfortable coming forward to seek justice and more perpetrators will feel
Guyana should be Caribbean’s breadbasket – TT Manufacturer
In efforts to strengthen relations among Caricom countries, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have been urged to take advantage of the market opportunities available in the two countries.
This was the collective call by officials from Trinidad and Guyana as the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) held a seminar aimed at strengthening and forging new bilateral relations between the two countries.
The seminar was held at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara where the foreign delegation here for GuyExpo met and engaged local stakeholders.
According to TTMA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ramdeen, Guyana has a significant amount of goods that can be sold to TT, notably food produce.
“Trinidad and Tobago imports about TT$4 billion and there is no reason why Guyana, and I have always advocated that Guyana supposed to be feeding the entire Caribbean Region. In terms of large manufacturing, in terms of electrical products, we can sell to Guyana and Guyana can sell to us. We can source raw materials, we can source finished products from Guyana and also we can sell some raw materials and finished products to Guyana,” Ramdeen noted.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett pointed out that Caricom has to be self-supportive and build relationships among its member states. He stated that bring his delegation here is not just about looking for market opportunities, but investing in Guyana to build its economy.
President of the TTMA Lok Jack noted that Guyana should be considered the food basket of the Caribbean as he recoginised the need for the agro-pro-
cessing sector in Guyana to expand.
He went on to say that while there are some issues within Caricom regarding agro-processing, the demand is still there.
“So we are here to find out what are the issues in exporting food to Trinidad and Tobago or the wider Caricom; how can we lend the expertise; how can we help; how can we participate; and how can we move together to help build Guyana and get investment going here,” Lok Jack stated.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett acknowledged the marketing opportunities available within Caricom for Guyana to tap into.
She said with Trinidad being Guyana’s closest island neighbour, this should foster a stronger bond between the two countries.
“We have the largest land mass in Caricom and Trinidad is one of the large economies in the Region and so our econom-
ic relations should be, in my view, one of the most robust in Caricom and so I’m therefore impressed with this collaboration today because it will benefit both of our countries,” the Minister said.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that Trinidad is Guyana’s number one trading partner in Caricom, number three globally and number four among its top five export destinations.
She noted that during the period 2010 to 2014, Trinidad exported to Guyana an average of $330.6 million in products per year while Guyana exported a mere $36.5 million to the twin island republic.
“These figures demonstrate there is a massive trade imbalance between the two countries, and of course in Trinidad and Tobago’s favour,” she mentioned.
Some of the products that Guyana is importing from
Trinidad and Tobago are oil and gas, which accounts for 73 per cent of all imports, while the top five imports are cement, cigarettes, beers, aerated beverages, and bars and steel rods.
On the other hand, Trinidad’s top five imported products from Guyana include rice, cane sugar, fish, timber and rum. It also imported a lot of gold bars last year from
Guyana.
The agriculture trade opportunities between the two countries have been identified by Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
He noted that if Guyana starts to plant some of the produce imported in the Region, it would be able to tap into markets available in other Caribbean countries.
comfortable acting with impunity and getting away with brutalising others.
“I call on the Guyana Police Force to sanction these officers for their ignorant public statements, and to demonstrate a greater commitment to ensuring justice for the many victims of rape and sexual assault in Guyana today,” Nageer said.
Guyana Times on Wednesday reported that Commander Adonis has said that medical examinations by doctors have failed to support the claim that the woman from the Region Two village was raped during a brutal attack.
According to the Commander, “no sperm” was found in the victim, but he said that the woman has received treatment for bruises she sustained at the hands of her attacker.
The victim’s mother said her family has been living in fear since the incident.
Her daughter, she said, is receiving treatment from doctors and has seldom spoken since the attack.
According to the mother, her daughter was brutally attacked and raped, noting that
she received news about the incident from a neighbour around 04:00h on Sunday.
She said when she went to see what happened, she could not imagine the sight before her – her daughter was bleeding profusely.
The mother related that her daughter said the ordeal was committed while the perpetrator held a knife to her throat. The victim, who is 30 years old and a mother of four, was found nude lying in a clump of bushes in the neighbourhood.
The mother said a man from the neighbhourhood took off his shirt and covered her daughter, after which she was taken to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital.
According to reports, all the groceries from the victim’s home were also stolen.
The victim’s husband, Doodnauth Singh said he has to search for a new job since he cannot go back to sea.
Singh usually spends most of his time at sea to provide for his family.
The husband said his wife begged him not to return to sea as the perpetrator had threatened to kill her.
TTMA Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Ramdeen
Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
GT&T, CIOG ink $9M cooperation pact
The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) on Thursday inked a threeyear Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) totalling some $9 million.
The money will be spent on various programmes executed by the religious organisation.
The signing of the MoU was done at the Herdmanson Lodge, Peter Rose and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown in the presence of officials from both GT&T and the CIOG.
The $9 million will be handed over to the CIOG over a three-year period.
The first disbursement was handed over on Thursday and will be used primarily by the organisation on its education faculties.
At the simple ceremony, the telephone company’s Marketing Manager Fay
Warton explained that the partnership between the two entities has come a far way, while noting the signing of the agreement comes at an auspicious time when Muslims will be celebrating
Eid-ul-Adha. She added that GT&T recognises CIOG as a strong organisation with significant representation of the Muslim community in Guyana, and as such, it
believes that the MoU will further strengthen their relationship.
A total of three million will be given to CIOG annually. Warton explained that $1 million will go towards the education of orphans and vulnerable children attending the Meten-meerZorg Islamic Academy.
Another million will go towards the sponsorship of CIOG’s Ramadan programmes while $1 million will also go towards the sponsorship of a cultural programme in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr.
More importantly, the MoU will also provide the opportunity for CIOG to formally adopt GT&T as its exclusive mobile service provider.
CIOG President Fazil Feroze commended the telephone company for the kind gesture, and reiterated that portion of the money will be used on the Orphan and Vulnerable Children Programme which has about 360 children.
He said while there are children at other centres across the country, focus will be placed on the ones at Metem-mere-Zorg, West Coast Demerara.
He also noted that the programme does not only cater for Muslims but children from other religions as well.
The CIOG President added that as a community, it has an obligation to look after children without parents and by doing so for the past years, they have seen the successes of the programme.
He posited the programme helps to provide a better future for the children in need.
In addition, he said the money will be used to carry out various educational programmes during the month of Ramadan and more so, help towards pulling off its cultural extravaganza later in the year.
Transparency in de dark
Guyana got two Annas. One does stab people in dem back at de Stabber newspaper and de first four letters of de other one last name is “Gool”, which rhyme wid Fool, which is only one letter away in de alphabet anyway.
Some people seh is simply because Gool is a real fool, even though he been to school. Some people seh he went to Pee-N-See school, which is August month school, but is school anyway. Never mind nobody was teachin at de August month school.
Gool de Fool vex because people write letter bout he in de papers. But Gool de Fool does write all kinda ting bout people every week, and sometimes when he talk to de other Anna at de Stabber, he does even appear two times during the week.
And nuff times de same tings does appear two times too, even pun de same day. But Gool de Fool is well known to be a two time man anyway. Not de kinda two time tings whah does go on behind closed door in de dark.
Gool de Fool is a two time man in broad daylight, just like how dem thief robbin people nowadays in broad daylight. And that is just how Gool de Fool was keepin people in de dark when he was wukkin fuh de Pee-N-See.
Gool used to allow all de wickedness in broad day light and keep people in de dark. Plus he used to keep de people in de dark, while he allow de Pee-N-See to do dem wickedness in broad daylight. Now he turn round and talkin bout de Guvament keepin people in de dark.
But de problem is that Gool de Fool so accustom to de dark that he don’t know whah light look like. Word deh out that Gool de Fool used to keep the Transparency people in the dark too.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! In fact, people seh de reason why Gool de Fool leff de Transparency wuk is because nutten bout Gool was ever transparent.
First Lady extends Eid greetings
First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar has extended greetings to all Guyanese, especially to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
The First Lady in a statement said the event reminds of the significance of this feast by the timeless story of Ibrahim whose belief, faith and trust in Allah was so unquestioning and complete that he was prepared to sacrifice the life of his own son in obedience to the Command of Allah.
Ibrahim’s willingness to obey Allah at the price of his own son’s life, the First Lady said has become an important benchmark of faith.
“His example reminds us today of two important principles that should continue to be guide to our actions. The first of these is our submission to the will of our Creator. No one is more powerful than the Supreme Being, the fountainhead of all truth, knowledge, righteousness and virtue. Our submission to the Creator is the surest path to a life of happiness and fulfillment.
“Secondly, Muslims throughout the world com-
memorate Eid Ul Adha by making their own sacrifices and by giving generously to others, especially to those in need. If we, too, allow our lives to be characterised by expressions of kindness and generosity, we too would reap great rewards in abundance, both materially and spiritually.
“May Eid Ul Adha therefore inspire us all to live our lives in submission to the Creator and dispel the notions of selfishness and selfcentredness! Happy Eidul-Adha to all Guyana!” the statement concluded.
First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar
CIOG President Fazil Feroze and GT&T Marketing Manager Fay Warton sign the MoU on Friday. Public Relations Officer Alison Parker looks on
President Donald Ramotar and other dignitaries digging into their bowls of rice cereal which was launched by the Institute of Applied Science and Technology and the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry
Baishanlin’s Furniture Booth
A couple feeds a toddler ice cream as he enjoys the
Nestor Basurto, an iconic Argentine musical composer the opening ceremony
A staff of Global Technology showing a customer some of their products
A dance group performing during the opening ceremony
Photos by Carl Croker and Marceano Narine
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and his wife, Yvonne, glancing through the Guyana Times GuyExpo Magazine
cream as he enjoys the atmosphere at the Sophia Exhibition Centre
Argentine musical composer and tango legend serenading the audience during
President Ramotar and PM Hinds along with his wife, viewing some of the produce at the Guyana Shop
A section of the audience at the opening of GuyExpo
during the opening ceremony at the Sophia Exhibition Centre
Guyana’s Ambassador to lecture on international affairs
Ambassador Bayney Karran will deliver a lecture, “Climate Change and the Development Challenge in the Caribbean” at the Howard University Graduate School’s Contemporary Issues on International Affairs forum on Thursday at the Graduate School.
Ambassador Karran is also Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS). He previously served as Ambassador to Venezuela (1997-2003), with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Chile and Colombia as well as Ecuador.
Since 1997, he has also been a delegate to ministerial summits of multilateral organisations such as the Rio Group, the OAS, the Association of Caribbean States and the Latin American Economic System.
Ambassador Karran’s professional experience includes establishing a private law firm in Guyana and serving as Director of the nonprofit Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic,
Chairman of the Guyana National Service Scheme Appeals Tribunal and Secretary of the Guyana Bar Association. He is a member of a lawyers’ group that advises his country’s Attorney General. Ambassador Karran has worked in broadcasting, as an announcer, operator, programme producer and was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.
The Certificate in
International Affairs was instituted by the Graduate School of Howard University in response to the clarion call from both national and international communities for increased cultural and global competencies in the populace at large.
The Contemporary Issues in International Affairs Forum is the core requirement for the certificate and offers a broad introduction to the key theories, concepts, and issues in international affairs.
The forum begins with a history of international organisations and then uses historical foundations to understand contemporary events and issues, including: gender, global issues, migration, the African diaspora, European and Middle Eastern relations, conflict and cooperation, strategy of arms control, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.
Experts have been invited to address these and other issues of international interest to the 2014 fellows and the Howard community at large.
Foreign Affairs Minister meets new Islamic organisation head
BY RAY CHICKRIE
Foreign Affairs
Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, met last week with the new Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Amin Madani, on the sidelines of the United Nations 69th General Assembly, Guyana and Suriname, the only two Latin American and Caribbean countries to do so, joined the OIC in the 1990s.
Madani recently was elected to the top OIC position by consensus. Madani attended the State University of Arizona and has authored several books in English and Arabic.
He is seen as a progressive reformist. He also held a Cabinet position in the Saudi Government, was head of the Islamic International News Agency, Haj Minister and Culture and Information Minister.
Discussion between Madani and Rodrigues-
Birkett focused on expanding Guyana’s ties with the OIC in the fields of sport, education, social and economic development.
In a press release, the OIC said, “The meeting with the Foreign Minister of Guyana, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, also focused on involving Guyana more in the activities of the
OIC.” Rodrigues-Birkett, referring to the meeting, said, “We discussed, among other things, scholarships that are available to Guyanese offered by OIC countries.”
Madani expressed his intention to visit Guyana in the near future. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Pepper sauce receives rave review at Guyana Folk Festival
Lorna’s Lip Smacking Pepper Sauce –Guyanese style received rave reviews from customers who lined her kiosk at the recent Guyana Folk Festival in Brooklyn, to purchase the delicacy.
“The relish is a must have, on cook-up rice, or any dish from back home,” said entrepreneur Lorna WelshmanNeblett, who is excited about her cottage industry.
The Scotch Bonnet peppers that are picked weekly from her Elmont, Long Island kitchen garden, are seasoned with Caribbean spices, bottled and distributed to markets in the community.
Lorna’s Lip Smacking Pepper Sauce that is fast becoming a popular produce, comes in three fused colours. The red ripened vegetable, Lorna explained, is flavoured to suit any meal and adds zest to any BBQ sauce and stew.
The connoisseur of pepper sauce has made blending a science, using her secret ingredients to jazz-up the yellow scotch bonnet best with a savory mustard-based blend. She recommends a dash of the mix on grilled hotdog and hamburger, while the aged green scotch bonnet goes well with guacamole and spinach dips, paired with plantain, or potato chips.
With her irresistibility smiley face emblazoned on the label of her pepper sauce bottle, Lorna no doubt is charming customers, who have been keeping storeowners busy with inventory.
The businesswoman remembers all too well in the summer of 2010, when she reaped her first big harvest of the Scotch Bonnet and asked herself, “What will I do with so many peppers?” Her question was quickly answered after friends tasted the first serving of the
pepper sauce, and raved that it was lip-smacking good. Today, the successful launch has led to a website: www.lornashotsauce.com and home delivery in the New York area where the merchant is busy with doorto-door sales.
“Customers are offered a single 12-ounce bottle, priced at US$7 and a tri-colour pack priced at US$12, a US$3 saving,” said Lorna, who is bent on sharing her tasty flavoured sauces with the community.
A former Marketing Executive with Thierry Mugler Perfumes, Clarins USA, the go-getter brings a passion and drive to her new business and credits her grandmother for motivating her to join a girl’s club in her homeland of Guyana.
“This is where I learned to make lots of pickled items and garnishes that our entire family enjoyed daily,” said the entrepreneur.
(Caribbean life)
Ambassador Bayney Karran
Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett shakes hands with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretary Iyad Amin Madani
Lorna Welshman-Neblett showcasing her Lorna’s Lip Smacking Hot Sauce at the Guyana Folk Festival in Brooklyn
Dr Ramsammy underscores youth involvement in agriculture
The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) on Wednesday hosted the first Agriculture Month 2014 activity focusing on the “Promotion of Youths in Agriculture” with the aim of not only creating job opportunities for young people, but to further expand the industry.
Youths play an integral role in the development of any country and cognisant of the fact, much emphasis continues to be placed on areas youths can further excel, especially in Agriculture.
Agriculture Minister,
In Guyana, family farming is nothing new as 90 per cent of farms are operated by a family and predominantly reliant on family labour from both male and female.
“This year, we aim to raise the profile on family farming and the role of small farmers as they have been playing a significant role in the development of agriculture in Guyana and for Agriculture Month 2014 we will celebrate their accomplishments,” the Agriculture Minister said.
Minister Ramsammy stated that while family
Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
“As a colonial country prior to 1966, the family rice farms was intended to feed our people. Today, this has led to the transformation of the industry that in 2014 will surpass 600,000 tonnes of rice and close to 1,000,000 tonnes
nal fishermen invested $10 billion each in 2014, and this is due to them seeing the profitability the sector has,” he said.
The Agriculture Minister noted that while much has been achieved and the sector continues on an upward spiral, Government will continue to support small farmers.
of paddy being produced,” he said.
Through much investment and the dedication of farmers, Guyana is firmly set to export in excess of 500,000 tonnes of rice this year.
This would not have been
Dr Leslie Ramsammy in delivering the feature address to the gathering, acknowledged the significance of family farming which is linked to several areas of rural development.
farming continues to be the foundation on which agriculture is built in Guyana, much emphasis must be placed on the work of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the
achieved, according to the Agriculture Minister without the role of farmers.
“In the rice industry alone, small farmers invested more than $30 billion while cash crop and artisa-
Agriculture continues to be a major contributor to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and according to the Agriculture Minister, the Ministry will continue to celebrate the achievement and work of farmers.
While the Government reaffirms that the sector is a vehicle for sustainable growth, Guyanese should take pride of its many achievements over the years which has positioned Guyana to be an important exporter of food to the Caribbean.
During Agriculture Month, a number of events will be held, bringing the spotlight not only on the achievements of the sector, but the important role farmers continue to play to ensure is sustenance.
Agriculture Month 2014 is being held under the theme, “Enhancing Agriculture through family farming and the use of sustainable technologies”.
Man dies in mining pit cave-in
Afather of three died on Thursday after the mining pit in which he was working caved in at Princeville,
Region Eight. The unfortunate incident occurred around 12:30h.
Dead is Rocklyn Solomon, 32, of Lot 13 Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).
Information reaching the Guyana Times revealed that Solomon, along with other workers, was in a pit when the wall collapsed, trapping him. After some time, the other men managed to extricate him, but he was motionless.
The former Police rank, who was attached to the Mahaicony Police Station, was rushed to the Mahdia Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Sharon Solomon, mother of the dead man when contacted, explained that
she was at home when she received a call from a member of the crew informing her of the fatal accident. During the phone interview, she recalled the person on the other end of the line telling her that her son was in the pit working
when the walls caved in.
The grieving mother went on to say that his siblings who were with him at the time attempted to pull him out, but he was quickly covered with the dirt. After an hour, she said they eventually pulled him out, but it was too late.
Solomon, she noted, left home about a month ago with his siblings and a friend for Mahdia. He worked most of his life in the interior, she stated. He also worked with RUSAL Bauxite Company for some time before he branched off into the family business.
The young father of three leaves to mourn his reputed wife, mother, and five siblings. His body is at the Mahdia Mortuary and will be transported to the city as soon as today.
The Police, in a release, stated that they are investigating the incident, which
Private nursing students picket Education Ministry
– Ministry says action misdirected
The Education Ministry has expressed surprise at a small protest led by known A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) “activists” outside the Ministry on Wednesday.
The Ministry in a release said from a perusal of the placards held by the participants, it appears that said participants were protesting the treatment meted out to them by the Guyana Health Care Education Institute also known as the School of Nursing, also known as American Health Institute.
“The Ministry is perplexed as to why the APNU and PNC activists would grace the Ministry with their presence when the facts of the matter would show clearly that the Ministry of Education is far from being in a place where any sensible person can lay the blame for the predicament the students face at the doorstep of the Ministry.
“The Ministry wishes to make it clear that the National Accreditation Council, a statutory body, denied registration to the Guyana Health Care Education Institute as an accredited institution on the ground that this Institution had not met the required standards and one Ms Nanda Kissoon, who had applied for said registration was duly informed.”
The Priya Manickchandled Ministry said the Council was startled to have received an Order of Court calling on the Council to show cause why the decision not to register should not be quashed.
“Notably, it was Nigel
has left Solomon dead. A team of investigators were dispatched to the area to take statements from those who were at the worksite at the time.
As recent as August 13, Clifton Rodrigues, 55, of Aishalton, Region Nine and Leon Mootoo, 20, of Berbice lost their lives when they were trapped in a cavedin mining pit at Marudi Mountain, Aishalton.
It was reported that Rodrigues was trapped beneath tonnes of gravel after the walls of the pit that he and two other colleagues were working in collapsed.
Mootoo, who was pulled from the pit before Rodrigues’ body was found, succumbed to his injuries. The miners were reportedly trapped many feet below the surface. One of the men managed to escape unhurt.
Hughes, aspirant for the post of Prime Minister, and Chairman of the AFC, who went to the court to have Guyana Health Care Institution and Nanda Kissoon considered authentic.
“Ms Nanda Kissoon and her lawyer have gone so far as to file Contempt of Court proceedings against the relevant body and persons, threatening to incarcerate them. The Council intends to vigorously defend these efforts by Kissoon and her lawyer. The Ministry of Education stands in solidarity with the Council.”
The Ministry said it is clear that the decisions by the Council are now vindicated by the behaviour of the parties who the students are alleging scammed them.
“The Ministry of Education urges all Guyanese and particularly our young people to ensure that institutions that they seek to enter are fully recognised and registered appropriately by the relevant bodies such as the National Accreditation Council.
“The Ministry is truly saddened by the plight that the victims of the alleged Health Institute/ Nursing school scam suffer. We do urge those suffering students not to allow themselves to be used and exploited by opportunistic politicians who can offer nothing more than loud and aggressive but empty promises. The Ministry urges the Opposition politicians to speak to their fellow Opposition politician Nigel Hughes to ensure the students get their money back,” the release concluded.
Students at a booth during activities held at the Guyana School of Agriculture on Wednesday
A section of the gathering at the Guyana School of Agriculture
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy addressing the gathering
Potaro River,
Dead: Rocklyn Solomon
The 20th edition of Guyana’s biggest exposition and trade
play also captivated the attention of the audience.
But that is just the beginning… The real party kick starts this evening at the main stage area of the National Exhibition Site, Sophia, with top Guyanese artistes performing live at an event called “Guyana on Show”.
The event, de -
signed to promote and showcase local talents in Guyana, will feature the likes of Sammy Baksh, Sash Persaud, Winston Caesar, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson and other artistes who will rock the stage. Dancers from the Crystallite and Nrityageet dance troupes will also take to the stage to entertain the audience.
The heat will increase on Saturday evening when Banks DIH hosts its Arthur Guinness Night Concert featuring Guyanese reggae sensation Natural Black.
Jackie Hanover and Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson are among the other locals expected to perform at the Guinness event that will engage the crowd to the fullest. There will be specials on the night as well and patrons can win fabulous prizes. There
pense on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Golden Boy Entertainment has finally disclosed that the headlining act for the mega concert in November titled “Boom Bastic” is no other than Mr Boombastic himself, Shaggy.
Shaggy, a Grammy award winning artistes and his entire “Ruff Cut” band will be in Guyana at least two days before the massive event billed for the Guyana National
will also be Guinness specials all night. Music and lighting will be provided by Traveller’s Sound System.
On Sunday evening, patrons will be blown away as Stag hosts its Stag Soca Concert. This concert will feature Super Jigga TC and Iwer George from Trinidad and Tobago. The two artistes are known for their energetic performance.
Jigga TC, known among his peers and fans as Super Jigga TC – The King of Swag, is the voice behind the popular song “Action” and has been in the entertainment business for more than 10 years. He has a long list of songs, among them “Do Yuh Thing”, “I Feel”, “Wuk” and “Boot Camp”.
While Iwer “D Boss” George exploded onto the scene in 1987 with the runaway favourite “Boom Boom Building Calypso award with “Times Hard, Hold Tight”.
Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, for November 29. On the same night, Baby Cham and his wife, Miss O, who are popular for their tune “Pum Pum” will also be performing along with Christopher Martin who is no stranger to Guyana.
Thus far, Guyanese artiste Lil Million who has ‘dancehall swag’ is also in the lineup, with more lo cal talents expected to be added to the cast. Emcee for the evening will be no other than Wonder Boy and Party Boss, WR Reaz.
Tickets for this mega event will be available on October 10 with the general admission being sold for $3000 and the stage front will cost $16,000. Ticket locations will also be released shortly, but the pub lic is encouraged to look out for the branded Golden Boy vehicles and make their purchases since offers on tickets will be unbeatable.
On the night of the concert, some 250 additional stage lights will be added to give the kaleidoscope effect on and off the stage during performances.
Since his controversial debut on the soca music scene, he has been perhaps the most successful artiste of the Jump and Wave theme, with
hits such as “Yes Iwer,” “Jump and Dunk”, “Ah Reading”, “Carnival Come Back Again”, “Gimme Ah Bligh”, and “We Reach”. These two artistes along with Jackie Hanover will definitely heat up the ANSA McAL has definitely gone big again this year. In addition to the culminating Stag festivities, on Thursday night, the company will be promoting Carib Beer, while on Friday, the evening hours will be Mackenson Night, and Saturday, Heineken Night. At the soca party, patrons will also be given the opportunity to win prizes from the “Stag Command Centre” Promotion and obvious-
Senior Inter-County 4-day tournament…
Chanderpaul defies...
Deonarine’s unbeaten innings has so far spanned 108 deliveries, decorated with three sixes and one four.
Seon Hetmyer made 41 but Kandasammy Surujnarine, Devon Clements and Johnathan Foo failed to offer any meaningful contributions and were the batsmen dismissed.
Earlier, wicketkeeper batsman Kemol Savory was
dismissed off pacer Keon Joseph for 40.
Chanderpaul, who resumed on his overnight score of 77, soon reached his century off 225 deliveries, courtesy of a well timed pull-shot off Joseph through mid-wicket but was dismissed minutes before lunch when the short-cover fielder completed a good catch of Royston Crandon’s bowling. After lunch, Yatesh
Dhanpaul struck three fours in his 15 before he fell to Crandon while Sharaz Ramcharran (15 not out) and Sankar’s cameo of 37 with five fours and one six, took their team to a respectable total.
Raun Johnson (2-42), Deonarine (2-41), Crandon (2-53), Joseph (2-66) and Veerasammy Permaul (292) were the successful bowlers for Berbice.
Meanwhile, Demerara defeated Essequibo by three wickets at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.
Chasing 181 for victory, Demerara lost Trevon Griffith (09), Shemroy Barrington (38) and Vishal Singh (15).
However, an unbeaten 90 from opener Rajendra Chandrika was the backbone in Demerara’s chase. Chandrika faced 180
balls and slammed eleven fours and one six in 120 minutes. Christopher Barnwell was the other unbeaten batsman when the victory target was achieved.
Ronsford Beaton (1-24) and Anthony Adams (1-65) were the wicket takers for Essequibo.
Earlier, Essequibo resumed on their overnight score of 101-6 with Ricardo Adams on 62 and Mark
Tyrell on two. They eventually lost Tyrell (07), Beaton (7), Kevon Boodie (4) and R Adams (97). R Adams batted for 190 minutes and faced 158 balls, hitting eleven fours and one six. Amir Khan was the chief destroyer with five wickets. He was capably supported by Raj Nanan 2-29 and Zaheer Mohamed 2-31.
Rohit set to miss West Indies ODIs
Rohit Sharma, who missed the Champions League Twenty20 due to multiple injuries, will be unavailable for the limited-overs' leg of India's home series against the West Indies. Rohit is likely to be available for the three-Test series, starting October 30, that follows the five ODIs and one-off T20.
Rohit was initially ruled out for four weeks, which meant he could have recovered in time for the last two ODIs and the T20 game. But though his fractured finger has healed, it is understood he will take three more weeks to recover from his shoulder injury. Sharma is being monitored by BCCI physios at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
It is also understood that neither the player nor the selectors are willing to rush him back to international cricket considering the major assignments that follow the West Indies series. The selectors and the team management believe Rohit will be a vital cog during India's winter tour to Australia and the World Cup to be staged in
Australia and New Zealand in February-March. As a result, he will not be considered for selection for the first leg of the series against West Indies. The ODI and T20 squads will be named on October 4.
Ajinkya Rahane, who scored his maiden ODI century while filling in for Rohit in England, should continue to partner Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order, while the selectors are likely to persist with Murali Vijay as the back-up opener. Rohit could be asked to prove his match fitness before he is selected for the Test series. If he recovers as per schedule, Rohit could feature in the Duleep Trophy semifinal if West Zone beat East Zone in their quarterfinal. If West Zone do not qualify for the Duleep semis, Rohit might be selected in the Board President's XI, which will face the West Indians in a three-day tour game in Kanpur from October 25.
Rohit played only one of India's five Tests in England and had to cut short his tour after fracturing his finger in the field during the second ODI.
(Cricinfo)
Rohit Sharma is in a race to be fit for the West Indies Tests
WDCA 40-over cricket competition…
Dhanpaul slams double century in massive win
Yatesh Dhanpaul slammed a breathtaking double century last weekend as Zeeburg shattered Western United by 300 runs in the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) 40over cricket competition.
Batting first at the Zeeburg ground, the hosts piled up 407 before being bowled out in 38 overs. Dhanpaul was unbeaten on 212, which included 17 huge sixes and 16 boundaries. He was well supported by B. Shewpersaud, who made 62. In reply, Western United was bowled out for 107 in 20 overs with M. Deonarine claiming 4-33 and R. Kellawan 3-11.
In other matches, All Youth defeated Supreme by five wickets at the LaGrange ground. Supreme made 178 all out in 28.4 overs with R. Adams scoring 53 and M. Bacchus 40. A. Haniff took 4-27 and D. Scott 3-28. All Youth reached 180-5 in 19.1 overs with S. Persaud making 40, G. Persaud 33 and A.
Carrington 37, while R. Baksh picked up 3-20.
At Joe Vieira Park, Canal Number Two Sports Club outplayed Christ Ambassadors by 110 runs. Canal Number Two Sports Club posted 198 all out in 34.2 overs with A.Azeez making 38 and S. Mohamed 37. P. Ashby bagged 3-20 and M. Gittens 4-24. Christ Ambassadors were bowled out for 88 in 18.3 overs with R. Wills being the only batsman into double-figures with 22. P. Parsram grabbed 4-33 and J. Mohamed 3-12. At the Meter-Meer-Zorg ground, Meter-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) edged Invaders by one run. MMZ scored 131 all out in 31.4 overs with V. Rajkumar (21) and S. Evans (20) being the main scorers. P. Persaud grabbed 3-33 for Invaders, who responded with 130 in 26.2 overs. V. Dhaniram top scored with 24 and A. Azim made 23, as S. Alexander nabbed 4-33 and V. Rajkumar 3-27.
At the Zeelugt ground,
the home team knocked over Transport United by 87 runs. Zeelught posted 227 all out in 29 overs with T. Dass leading the way with 56 and T. Mangro chipping in with 28. D. Nandon was among the wickets with figures
of 4-47.Transport United batsmen folded for 140 29.3 overs, L. Andrews making 27 and T. Mangro taking 4-53.
In the other game of the round, McGill Super Stars got the better of Malvern Sports Club by 53 runs.
Super Stars tallied 2958 in their allotted overs. Abdool Razack top scored with 98 and was supported by Balram Airan (52) and Daniel Basdeo (36).
Victor Dass captured 4-55 and Azar Deen 2-47 for Malvern, who replied with 243-9 in 40 overs. Dereck Mangar knocked a brilliant 78 and Peter Persaud registered 58. Also among the runs were Davindra Singh (34) and Victor Dass (26). Balram Airan was the pick of the bowlers, grabbing 4-29.
St Stanislaus donates football gear to West Ruimveldt Primary
Sixth form students of the St Stanislaus College earlier this week made a donation of football gears to the West Ruimveldt Primary School.
The donation which was made at the school’s Brickdam location entailed a full football kit along with soccer shoes. The gear was donated to the top secondary school by its Toronto Alumni as a part of their efforts to encourage balance between education and organized sports in schools.
Sixth form student of St Stanislaus Kendra Warner encouraged the young soccer players to keep studying while working hard to achieve their goals.
Three Guyanese in WI Women’s squad to Australia
The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced on Thursday a 14-member West Indies Women’s squad for a tour of Australia. Three Guyaneseall-rounder Shemaine Campbelle and fast bowlers Subrina Munroe and Tremayne Smartt- have been included.
The tour, starting later this month, comprises four Twenty20 Internationals and four One-day Internationals, the first three of which will count towards the ICC Women’s
Championship (IWC).
The IWC is a multiyear, bilateral competition between the top eight international women’s sides that will lead to qualification for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup to be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The squad is Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), Stafanie Taylor (Vicecaptain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa
Kings XI v Super Kings, 2nd semi-final, CLT20, Hyderabad…
Bravo, bowlers smother Kings XI
Seven. That is the number of times Kings XI Punjab had been bowled out before tonight. None of them has been for below 100. Their revamped top six seemed to have cracked Twenty20 batting. Tonight though, their firepower was doused by a relentless bowling performance from Chennai Super Kings. There were four ducks, only five batsmen could muster double-figures and the match turned out to be a brutally one-sided affair that culminated in Super Kings making their seventh final. Their trophy cabinet had last been updated three years ago and MS Dhoni wanted his side to convert the opportunities they create. He was just as conscious of wanting his bats-
men to assess the pitch and react accordingly. Dwayne Bravo took his captain's words to heart. He did not have a solid base to work from, having come in with the score at 41 for 3. Steadying the innings was the priority and that was taken care of by a 65run partnership with Faf du Plessis.
Then Kings XI forced the innings to repair with Parvinder Awana's hattrick, that was capped with the wicket of MS Dhoni for a first-ball duck in the 17th over. The score was a healthy 141 but a major source of acceleration had been muted and Bravo was left with much of the finishing duties too. He changed his game to suit that need as well. He slashed, drove, cut and flicked to score 67
of only 39 balls and was the primary reason Super Kings managed 182 for 7. Kings XI would not have been perturbed by that target. George Bailey, their captain, had said the pitch was "beautiful." It received similar plaudits ahead over the evening game as well. But when play got underway, it showed itself to be on the slower side. Strokeplay would not be unduly difficult though and Kings XI have hunted 180plus totals nine out of 11 times. However, adding to that tally is difficult when you lose four wickets inside the Powerplay.
Ashish Nehra and Mohit Sharma delivered a telling spell. They did not threaten with undue pace. There was barely any swing on offer. The only thing they could
do was be accurate. Their efforts were underpinned by a ruthless display on the field. Brendon McCullum dived low to his left to pull off a screamer to knock over Virender Sehwag for nought. Du Plessis, having been teased twice before, successfully tracked down a skier from the other opener Manan Vohra. Wriddhiman Saha wore a nasty hit on the helmet before losing his off stump. And Glenn Maxwell feathered a short ball down the leg side.
Kings XI tumbled from 24 for 4 to 34 for 6 in the eighth over. David Miller was left to tackle an abominable equation of 149 needed off 75 balls. It was far too much of an ask, especially with Super Kings' wealth of spinners and Kings XI were bowled out for their secondlowest total.
"It was the complete game," Dhoni said. He, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina had totaled only 26 runs between them. By the
Letter to the sport editor SCOREBOARD
Kings XI Punjab innings (target:
Cricket should be included in CXC Curriculum
Dear Editor,
Ever since the dissolution of the West Indies Federation in early 1962 and individual countries in the Region, starting with Jamaica and Trinidad moving towards independence, the trend has been that Governments in the Region have been thinking more in terms of developing their own countries.
Then came the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), followed shortly after by the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
However, unfortunately Caricom seems not to be as effective as it should be since some members of the 15 countries grouping are not adhering to the Treaty of Chaguaramas which established the regional body.
Some countries especially Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda give nationals from other countries a difficult time to enter their countries.
West Indies cricket and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are two institutions which keep the West Indians together. UWI has campuses in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and
Tobago and has representatives and staff in all Caricom states where continuing studies are being conducted.
Cricket is the most popular sport in the Caribbean and it brought joy, fame and recognition to the West Indies especially during the glory days when the Caribbean side won the World Cup in 1972, and 1976 and lost the final in the 1980 tournament.
Before that period, players like Garfield Sobers, Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott, Sonny Ramadhin, and Alfred Valentine placed us in the limelight not to mention the great Sir Learie Constantine; lawyer, diplomat, writer.
Cricket is part of the Caribbean. It is more than 86 years since the Windies started to play Test cricket. And I feel that the time is long overdue for the sport to be included in the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) curriculum.
CXC was established since 1972 by the participation Governments of Caricom States and the Council is free to include subjects in the curriculum as members think appro-
priate.
I strongly feel that the Council which comprises the Vice Chancellor of the UWI, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana and the representatives from all the member states should invite educationalists, former cricket administrators as well as past outstanding cricketers to discuss the issue.
Sir Hilary Beckles who is the Vice Chancellor of the UWI (Cave Hill Campus) who is an authority on cricket should be invited to spearhead or advise on the move.
The subject should be taught at primary as well as secondary schools – history of the sport, names and information of world renowned West Indian cricketers, rules of the game, statistics, and other suitable areas.
This move might also generate more interest in the sport since the youngsters in the Region tend to be attracted to other sports such as basketball, and soccer which dominate television sport programmes.
Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet
end of the night that only highlighted how strong Super Kings had been. (Cricinfo)
Dwayne Bravo's 39-ball 67 set up Chennai Super Kings' 65-run win over Kings XI Punjab, taking them into the Champions League T20 final
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21 SPORTS
Spin tornado sees off Hurricanes
Kolkata Knight Riders took their winning streak to 14, the joint second-highest in Twenty20 history, and made it to their first Champions League T20 final after the spinners reduced Hobart Hurricanes to 140 for 6. Having lost captain Tim Paine to a stomach bug, Hurricanes had to contend with 16 overs of spin, including the opening spell of Yusuf Pathan. They couldn't break free of their chokehold, reaching 140 thanks only to Shoaib Malik's late surge. Knight Riders, however, made a bit of heavy weather of the chase, with Jacques Kallis and Yusuf getting stuck in the end, bringing the equation up to 21 off 13 before finishing it off with five balls to spare.
Knight Riders stuck to their winning formula after the standin Hurricanes captain Xavier Doherty chose to bat on what looked like a flat hard pitch. By the time Yusuf sent down the first over, it was obvious it was a pitch slower than expected. Andre Russell provided the first breakthrough by latching on to a tough leading edge off his own bowling, with Dom Michael being undone by the slowness of the surface. In the next over, Hurricanes' batsman of the tournament, Aiden Blizzard got a rough decision, given lbw off a thick
inside edge.
From then on it was going to be a catch-up game for Hurricanes. Knight Riders made sure they didn't take too many liberties by bringing on their two attacking spinners, Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav, one after the other. As a result, Hurricanes had to be watchful, crawling to 54 for 3 in 10 overs, their lowest 10-over score of the tournament. Ben Dunk did majority of the scoring in the first half, but Kuldeep accounted for him.
It was down to Malik, their best player of the spin, to provide them some sort of fighting total. Malik obliged, taking 21 runs off the 19th over, bowled by
Kuldeep, but the support from the other side was hard to come by. Take out 105 from 75 balls scored between Malik and Dunk, you have precious nothing from the rest of the team. However, the rest of the team was spirited in defence of the small target. The fast bowlers, Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger, got stuck into Gautam Gambhir and had him early. An adventurous shot off Doherty accounted for Robin Uthappa, and Knight Riders were 44 for 2 off 44 legal deliveries. Kallis then provided the solidness, and Manish Pandey gave them the impetus by peppering his favourite wide long-on area. Hurricanes didn't help their own case with three missed run-outs, and Pandey's wicket off a noball. The free hit went for four, followed by another, bringing the equation down to 49 off 42. When Pandey holed out to longon in the 16th over, he left Knight Riders just 34 off 28. The next 15 balls were mostly yorkers, conceded just 13, drew some frustrated shots from Yusuf and Kallis, and the game was in the balance with 21 required off 13. Ben Laughlin then failed to execute his yorker with the last ball of the 18th over, and Yusuf crashed it through extra cover. Doherty was now left with a big decision. He and Bollinger had an over each left, and he went against the conventional wisdom to bowl the 19th himself. Kallis stepped out first ball, and crashed him for a six first up. That was game done for all practical purposes, but Hilfenhaus provided the finishing touch by parrying off the first ball of the 20th over for a six after having misjudged a catch. (Cricinfo)
Yadav 4-0-31-1, PP Chawla 4-035-1 (1-w)
Kolkata Knight Riders innings (target: 141 runs from 20 overs)
c ten Doeschate b Narine 13 JW Wells b Chawla 3 EP Gulbis run out (Pandey/†Uthappa) 15
Bowling: YK Pathan 4-0-241 (1-w), AD Russell 4-0-24-1, SP Narine 4-0-24-1, Kuldeep
RV Uthappa† b Doherty 17 G Gambhir* c Wells b Bollinger 4 JH Kallis not out 54 MK Pandey c Shoaib Malik b Laughlin 40 YK Pathan not out 14 Extras (w-10, nb-2) 12 Total (3 wickets; 19.1 overs) 141 Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Gambhir, 3.3
Andre Russell leaps in joy after taking a wicket
GRFU launches Seven’s league
B y T reis T on J oseph
The Guyana Rugby Football Union
(GFRU) on Thursday launched their 2014 Seven’s league at set to start on Saturday at the National Park Rugby Field.
At the launching held at the Wind jammer hotel, President of the GRFU was high on the league and saw it critical to the development of the national squad.
“This is the premier of rugby that will display player‘s skill and talent… the league is essential to the process of the national team in order for them to perform in the NACRA championships and the Pan American Games in July,” Green stated.
Win Jammers’ representative Carey Griffith
was pleased to be associated with the tournament, “It the first time for us in Rugby but we are always happy to be a part of sport and events that brings people together in unity, so would like to wish the tournament success,” Griffith noted.
Meanwhile Captain of the Yamaha Caribs Theodore Henry noted that his team was aiming for redemption.
“We after our loss to UG in the Banks seven’s our team is looking at the seven’s league as a chance to redeem ourselves and hopefully this time we will walk away with the crown,” Henry lamented.
University of Guyana team member Daniel Anderson highlighted that his team has a positive out-
look heading into the tournament.
“Last year we finished as runners up in everything and this year we are trying to change that, we are just looking to be the leaders by winning tournament because we sleep and dream rugby,” Anderson stressed.
Captain of the Pepsi Hornets Ryan Gonsalves noted that his team will not settle for anything less than win while the army men will be looking to return to top form.
The first game will kick off from 15:00hrs with the two arch rivals butting heads when the Caribs and Hornets collide.
There will also be five other games inclusive of a female encounter before the end of the day’s play.
Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares softball...
Wolf’s Warriors floor Speed Boat by 126 runs
Wolf’s Warriors defeated Speed Boat XI by 126 runs to come out with the largest margin of victory in terms of runs when action in the Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares softball cricket competition continued last weekend at various venues.
Also recording victories were Parika Defenders, Fishermen Masters, Regal Masters, Trophy Stall Angels, 4R Lioness, Wellman, Challengers and Princess Hotel.
Below are the summarised scores from the games played.
At the Parika ground: Wolf Warrior defeated Speed Boat XI by 126 runs. Wolf Warriors 206-7 in 20 overs (Ricardo Adams 70, Vishnu Tannechandra 32, Safraz Karim 21, Greig Singh 3-18, Imran Hamid 2-28) Speed Boat XI 81 all out in 12.4 overs (Diaram Persaud 5-10, Mark Harold 2-17).
Parika Defenders defeated Enterprise Legends by 15 runs. Parika Defenders 1777 in 20 overs (O. Chandler 46, S. Mohamed 24, N. Roopdeo 2-20) Enterprise 162-6 in 20 overs (D. Hemraj 63, S. Mohabir 28, R. Rambarose 3-26).
At the DCC ground: Fishermen Masters defeated Slingers by six wickets. Slingers 165-8 in 20 overs (Ramo Malone 32, Shaimendin Mohabir 43, Surajlall Kumar 22) Fishermen Masters 169-5 (Robert Mohan 50, Danny Gangadin 30, Ramo Malone 2-33).
Regal Masters defeated Floodlight by three wickets. Floodlight 173-9 in 20 overs (Wayne Jones 78, Ricky Deonarain 43, Troy Kippings 2-18, Clyde Butts 2-41) Regal Masters 179-8 in 16.3 overs (Eric Thomas 62*, Satrochan Seeraj 43, Eon Abel 38, Clyde Canterberry 3-23).
Trophy Stall Angels defeated Blue Divas by 54 runs. Trophy Stall 122-3 in 10 overs (Kavita Yadram 44*, June Ogle 36) Blue Divas 68-5 in 10 overs (Rehanna Shelto 22, Amanda Roberts 2-11).
4R Lioness defeated Sleepin Warriors by nine wickets. Sleepin 61 all out (Akaze Thompson 2-8, Shian Goodluck 2-9) 4R Lioness 62-1 in 3.1 overs (Tamika Wilson 31*, Ruth George 28*).
Wellman defeated Industry Super Kings by four wickets. Industry Super King 175-9 in 20 overs (B. Heralall 34, N. Chand 33, GreigDeFrance 2-22, Mike Singh 2-32) Wellman 176-7 in 19 overs (Hardat Heranand 62*, Lloyd Rooplall 42, Jagdesh Persaud 2-20).
At the GNIC ground: Challengers defeated Trophy Stall by 12 runs. Challengers 170-5 in 20 overs (Anand Rooplall 45, Nizam Khan 40, Fazal Rafeek 2-20) Trophy Stall 158 all out (Raj Ramkissoon 39, Diaram Ramnauth 3-10, Latchman Chinapen 3-26).
Princess Hotel defeated Brickery Superstar by seven wickets. Brickery 182 all out (S. Ramdhan 47, M. Mangar 37, Gary Mandhall 3-25, Navin Beharry 3-33) Princess Hotel 186-3 (Gero Singh 72*, Amit Singh 39).
The competition will continue on Sunday and Monday with another round of matches at several venues.
Guyana opts not to participate at South American Under-23 games
Guyana will not be sending a track and field contingent to the 2014 edition of the South American Under-23 games which is scheduled for this weekend in Argentina.
The reason why is simple, the selectors of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) were not impressed by the performances of the under-23 athletes at the National Senior Championships.
“While we applaud the
efforts of Mr (Elton) Bollers and (Tevin) Garraway we don’t think what we saw warrants us sending a team,” President of AAG Aubrey Huston told Guyana Times Sport.
Bollers clocked 10.9s and 22.0s to win the men’s 100 and 200 metres respectively while Garraway clocked 11.1s and 22.1s to finish second behind Bollers in both events and were the obvious leading
candidates for the event.
Further, Hutson gave more reason on why the team was not selected, “While some of it is financial, we must participate at one South American event and we are leaning to the South American Youth because we saw some good performances from the youth at the championships and School Nationals will be in gear around that time.
“So we believe the youth athletes will be in better shape,” Hutson reasoned.
Centurion Abel guides D’Edward to final
Former Berbice allrounder, Eon Abel, following his brilliant match-winning First Division knock of 83 for D’Edward on Saturday, produced another crucial innings on Sunday, this time a century, to guide D’Edward into the final of the 2014 Hand-in-Hand Second Division 40-over cricket competition in West Berbice.
In the semi-final, which was played at Cotton Tree, D’Edward defeated defending champions Cotton Tree Die Hard by six wickets. Cotton Tree Die Hard, choosing to bat first, soon found themselves 10-2, but recovered first through consistent middle-order
contributions from Abdool Subhan (43), Patel Jairam (40), Pooran Persaud (34) and Romesh Boodram (53*), as they made 212 all out in 33.5 overs. Bowling for D’Edward, medium-pacer Navindra Rampersaud took 3-31 from seven overs, off-spinner Eon Abel 3-50 from 5.5 overs and off-spinner Hoolsarran Lalsa 2-40 from five overs.
D’Edward, in their response, had a start of 27 between Devendra Singh and Abel, before the former fell for 11. They soon lost Devendra Lalsa (11) at 44-2 after which Abel took matters into his own hands, firstly blasting 58 in six overs with Mahadeo Persaud (9) for the third
wicket and then 107 for the fourth wicket with Jaipaul Heeralall in 10 overs. Abel fell for 114 (4x4s, 8x6s) at 209-4, his knock being the highest individual score in the competition so far. In the end, D’Edward were 214-4 in 28.4 overs with Heeralall unbeaten on 31.
Meanwhile, Hopetown United also earned a place in the final when they defeated Blairmont Community Centre by 30 runs in their semi-final played last Sunday at the Blairmont ground.
Hopetown United, sent in to take first strike, made 123 in 33 overs with former Berbice cricketer Kwesie Mentore making 38 and Kenje Sedoc 23. Bowling for Blairmont, off-spinner Ritesh Bridgelall took 2-15 from seven overs and Berbice Under-15 left-arm spinner Javed Karim 2-24 from three overs.
Blairmont Community Centre replied with 93 in 31.1 overs with Ryan Sutherland scoring 34. Bowling for Hopetown United, pacer Derick Cadogan took 3-18 from seven overs and off-spinner Sedoc 3-21 from seven overs.
Aubrey Hutson
Elton Bollers
Tevin Garraway
Eon Abel
Romesh Boodram
Kavita Yadram Ramo Malone
Ramdyhan crowned Bakewell Junior Girls champion
Sixteen-year-old national Ladies champion Nicola Ramdyhan made light work of the promising 12-yearold Kalyca Fraser, defeating her 6-0, 6-1 to be crowned the Bakewell Junior Girls champion at the President’s College Court.
The remaining finals of the competition are on this weekend leading up to the closing ceremony at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue. In other latest results, Sarah Klautky defeated Jeremiah Kalekyezi 6-1 and Adesh Khayyam defeated Vadeanand Resaul 6-2 in the Medley Under-10 semi-finals to secure their places in the final.
Today, the Boys Under-14 final is scheduled to be a keen showdown between the two talented 12-year-olds, Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton, starting at 15:30 hours at the GBTI Recreational Centre.
However, this match will only be played if Resaul fully recovers from a recent brief illness. On Saturday, the Medley Under-10 final will be played be-
tween Sarah Klautky and Adesh Khayyam and the Boys Under-18 final will be contested by Keenan Persaud and Jordan Beaton. These two matches will start concurrently at the National Racquet Centre at 15:00 hours.
Meanwhile, for the first time since its construction in 2012, a small gathering of students of President’s College were able to witness competitive and exhibition matches played by members of the national squad last weekend.
As a tribute to the late Chief Executive Officer of Bakewell, Naeem Nasir, the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) engaged the executives of the company and President's College to arrange for tournament matches to be played at the school.
The GTA hopes once again that the school will be able to adopt tennis as one of its primary recreational sports through teachers who are willing to make progress with the sport as part of Physical Education classes.
Cairns to fight perjury charge
Chris Cairns, the former New Zealand allrounder, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday to contest a charge of perjury relating to his 2012 libel trial against Lalit Modi. The case was sent to Southwark Crown Court - which deals with criminal cases - and adjourned until October 16.
Cairns was last week charged with making a false statement in judicial proceedings under the Perjury Act, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years. Andrew Fitch-Holland, a barrister who appeared as a witness for Cairns against Modi, faces a count of perverting the course of justice. Both appeared in the dock and spoke only to confirm personal details. Their legal representatives indicated that the charges would be "fully contested".
In March 2012, Cairns was awarded £90,000 in damages after a High Court judge found that Modi, the former IPL chairman, had libelled him over Twitter. Modi had tweeted in 2010 about Cairns' alleged involvement in match-fixing. Cairns denied the claims and Justice Bean said that Modi had "singularly failed" to prove his case.
In the submissions before presiding magistrate Emma Arbuthnot at Westminster it was alleged that Cairns wilfully made a statement in the legal proceedings against Modi "which you knew to be false or did not believe to be true namely that you never, ever cheated at cricket and nor would you contemplate doing such a thing".
Fitch-Holland is charged with asking Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman banned for life earlier this year after admitting his involvement in fixing, to provide a false witness statement in support of Cairns.
Cairns and Fitch-Holland will face a criminal trial, likely to be in mid-2015, after entering their pleas during the case management stage at Southwark Crown Court in two weeks' time. Both were granted unconditional bail.
After being informed that the Crown Prosecution Service intended to press charges last month, Cairns said he would fight to prove his innocence. "I'm obviously extremely disappointed, however, at least there will now be an opportunity to face my accusers in an open forum, with some rigour and proper process around that, so that I can clear my name once and for all," he said. (Cricinfo)
The Bakewell Junior exhibition team at President’s College Tennis Court. From left are Gavin Lewis, Jordan Beaton, Kalyca Fraser, Viraj Sharma, Keenan Persaud and Nicola Ramdyhan
Chris Cairns arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court to hear a charge of perjury
Senior Inter-County 4-day tournament…
Chanderpaul defies Berbice
–
Demerara beat Essequibo by 7 wickets in 3 days
The evergreen Shivnarine Chanderpaul stroked a superb century for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Developmental XI, but Berbice made a courageous fight back at the end of the penultimate day of the final round of the GCB four-day Inter-County tournament at the Wales Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara.
The veteran Guyana and West Indies batsman hit a 263-ball 123 which was contained 13 fours.
Riding high with a first innings lead of 52 runs, Berbice closed the day at 136-4, extending their overall lead to 188-runs after umpires stopped play due to bad light. At stumps, skipper Narsingh Deonarine (55 not out) and night-watchman Keon Joseph, who is yet to trouble the scorers, will resume their innings in today’s final passage of play.
continued on page 18
Narine banned from bowling in CLT20 final
Sunil Narine has been barred from bowling for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Champions League T20 final on Saturday after being reported for a second time in two matches for a suspect action. He was reported by the umpires after Thursday's semi-final against Hobart Hurricanes, which Knight Riders won by seven wickets. He had also been reported following their final group match, against Dolphins, when the umpires questioned his quicker delivery.
ESPNcricinfo understands that this time the umpires, Rod Tucker, S Ravi and Vineet Kulkarni, had noted in their written complaint that several of the 24 deliveries Narine bowled against Hurricanes were suspect. "It was three deliveries in
the last match. But this time all his four overs were reported," an official privy to the complaint said. No official from Knight Riders' management responded to queries, so it is not yet known whether the franchise might appeal against the penalty.
According to a Champions League T20 release, the umpires reviewed footage of the semi-final and "felt that there was a flex action in Narine's elbow beyond the acceptable limit when bowling during the match". He had already been on the tournament's warning list and, since he had not subsequently had his action cleared, is now automatically banned from bowling further in the tournament.
Knight Riders will now be "advised" to send Narine to the Sri Ramachandra
University in Chennaiwhich has been accredited by the ICC as a testing centre for suspect bowling actions - to have his action tested.
The bowling ban will not affect his West Indies duties, thoughit is confined only to the Champions League T20 and other BCCI-organised tournaments, including the IPL.
Darren Sammy, Narine's West Indies teammate, came out in support of him on Thursday, prior to him being reported a second time. "I am not worried. Narine is a champion. Whether they stop him from bowling the faster ball, he is still the most dangerous spinner in the world," Sammy had said. "I believe that he will still be a great asset to us. He will do whatever he has to do and have all his differ-
ent tricks up his sleeves by the time the World Cup is here. I still feel he will be our a champion spinner."
Narine is the fourth bowler to be reported in the Champions League - the others are Lahore Lions' Adnan Rasool and Mohammad Hafeez, and Dolphins' Prenelan Subrayen. However, he is the first bowler to be reported a second time. This comes at a time when the ICC has been stepping up its action against suspect bowling actions, with several spinners being called and suspended from bowling in international cricket.
It comes as a big blow to Knight Riders, as they look to extend their T20 winning streak to 15 and secure the double of winning the IPL and the Champions League T20 in the same year. (Cricinfo)
Sunil Narine was reported for a second time in two matches for a suspect action
