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Issue No. 2570

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, July 30, 2015

PRICE

Crum-Ewing’s killing

Narine confronts “Grey Boy” in Police presence – claims being set up in "political plot"

Page 6

Bandit shot dead after robbing Berbice couple

Page 18

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Missing miner found murdered at Oku Backdam

…face P8 disfigured, hands tied to iron wheel

Berbice man found dead with wounds to head P10

National Budget 2015

PPP/C’s new MPs prepped for Parliament ...attend orientation, briefing session

Tax reform, wage hike needed to jumpstart economy – Gaskin P11 Page 9

PPP/C MPs attend a training and orientation session in the Parliament Chambers, Parliament Building on Wednesday as the Party prepares to move to Parliament sometime in the near future

Westford, Personnel Officer charged, bailed

ECLAC projects 4.5% growth for Guyana Page 2

Page 3

...amid uncertainty, weak prices for gold

P17 DPP recommends charge against Bheri Ramsaran

Ramjattan urges P18 support for 2:00 am curfew

2 news

thursday, july 30, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

ECLAC projects 4.5% growth for Guyana

...amid uncertainty, weak prices for gold

PPP/C says wasn’t consulted on state boards

D

espite indications of a slowing down of the economy, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is projecting a 4.5 per cent growth for Guyana this year, underpinning its prediction with what it termed a buoyant agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors.

The Commission said too that low fuel prices would continue to benefit the economy, but weak prices for the country’s mining outputs would have an adverse effect. International gold prices have been taking a beating for the longest while and only last week small miners complained about the adverse effects they were having on their output and reinvestment plans.

According to the organisation’s 2015 Economic Survey, although Guyana is not a tourismbased economy, the sector should see a boost from the opening of the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

The survey also mentioned that the split of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry into the Tourism Ministry and the Business and Investment Ministry reflected plans to enhance the tourism infrastructure in Guyana in coming years. “Oil reserves, discovered in Guyana’s territorial waters in early 2015, may represent a further opportunity for Guyana to boost its [Gross Domestic Product] GDP and diversify its economy,” ECLAC said.

Stymieing of projects

Meanwhile, ECLAC said that the Guyanese economy expanded by 3.9 per cent in 2014, down from growth of 5.2 per cent in 2013. It said fiscal policy remained expansionary, widening the Government deficit, which is expected to increase further in 2015. Government expenditure grew, owing in part to wage increases for Government workers. Monetary policy remains focused on continuing to control inflation, which was low at 1.2 per cent in 2014. The Commission said that the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government had had difficulties in implementing its agenda since the Opposition gained control of parliament in 2011.This agenda included regulatory reforms, in particular antimoney laundering legislation, and

Guyanese economy expanded by 3.9 per cent in 2014, down from growth of 5.2 per cent in 2013 and expected to expand by 4.5 per cent in 2015

progress on infrastructure projects, such as the planned Amaila Falls hydroelectric plant. In May 2015, the Opposition coalition won both the General and Regional Elections.

Because the Government is now in transition, it is difficult to predict with any certainty what policies it will adopt for 2015.

According to ECLAC, Central government revenue was up by 6.7 per cent to 22.9 per cent of GDP in 2014, on the back of higher tax and customs receipts. However, revenue was still 13.4 per cent below the Government’s optimistic target. In terms of direct tax revenue, corporate income tax and personal income tax yielded increases of 12.4 per cent and 17.8 per cent, respectively, while withholding tax and property tax fell by 11.8 per cent, and 7.1 per cent, respectively. Indirect tax revenue from the Customs and Trade Administration grew by 5.8 per cent, reflecting higher receipts from Value Added Tax, excise taxes and import duties and lower takings from environmental taxes and export duties.

Total expenditure grew by 9.7 per cent to 21.0 per cent of GDP in 2014, owing primarily to higher transfer payments (including education subventions, grants and scholarships, and subsidies and contributions) and wage costs.

Employment costs rose by 9.9 per cent, reflecting wage increases for public workers. Pension expenses also rose by 5.8 per cent.

In 2014, the central government deficit widened by 28.7 per cent to

stand at US$ 168.5 million, equivalent to 5.5 per cent of GDP. This was largely due to higher current expenditure and lower capital revenue. However, the deficit of nonfinancial public enterprises decreased owing to lower current and capital expenditure. The net result was a larger government deficit, which was financed by borrowing from external and domestic sources.

The organisation said Government is expected to maintain an expansionary fiscal policy, noting that current revenue and current expenditure will both be higher in 2015, and projected increases in capital expenditure are expected to inflate the central government deficit.

Additionally, ECLAC says the economy posted a balance-of-payments deficit, in spite of debt forgiveness. Nonetheless, the stock of domestic debt shrank by 20.6 per cent, while the stock of external debt diminished by 2.3 per cent.

A total of 83.5 per cent of existing bonded debt is held by commercial banks. Interest charges on domestic debt fell by 11.7 per cent in 2014.

The decline in external debt reflects a reduction in credit under the PetroCaribe agreement and lower disbursements from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). External debt service payments swelled by 10.9 per cent to US$51 million, equivalent to 4.4 per cent of export earnings. Total debt at the end of 2014 was equivalent to 51.2 per cent of GDP.

Former President Donald Ramotar

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

By Kristen Macklingam

pointed by Government to oversee and manage the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) where Dr Clive Thomas was awarded the position of Chairman, replacing Shaik Baksh. It was stated that the Board will also comprise a representative of the PPP/C. In addition to a representative of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), its General Secretary, Seepaul Narine who was also a candidate of the PPP/C, and Adrian Anamayah are also on the board.

The other members are noted sugar experts Earl John, former Human Resources Director of GuySuCo and Anthony Vieira, former shareholder of Houston/ Versailles estates and a manager in the industry. Louise Bouyea and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis complete the list of members. The Board will also comprise a representative from the Attorney General Chambers as well as the GuySuCo’s Corporate Secretary.

The issue of the Opposition representation on Government boards and committees has been a long-running issue, which in 1999 scuttled the Herdmanston Accord political dialogue. Under the Jagdeo-Hoyte dialogue, the issue was advanced by the then Opposition party, which had claimed that some of its nominees to the boards, on which it was invited to submit nominations, were not appointed.

However, as a result of the talks, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) nominees were named to serve on over 50 State Boards, commissions and committees.

F

ormer President and Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar, on Wednesday said that there has been no consultation between the present Administration and his Party as it relates to the composition of the various state boards recently announced.

Ramotar, in a telephone interview with this newspaper, acknowledged that the Government has said that it would offer a few seats on specific boards to the PPP. However, the Opposition party is far from satisfied with such actions by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government. “When I was the President, we had offered them seats on more Boards in comparison to what they are offering us.

There were no consultations this time about the seats being offered to us. We had given them a lot of membership and it is not being reciprocated,” stated Ramotar.

He said that because of the lack of consultation and also the limit to the Boards in which the PPP/Civic was being given membership, there would be need for talks with the Government.

According to Ramotar, he expects this issue to be discussed soon, and it is unclear as to whether the PPP/C will accept the seats that are presently offered to them before the discussions with the Administration take place.

Long-running issue

On Tuesday, this newspaper reported that a new Board was ap-

news

thursday, july 30, 2015

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 30 – 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, July 31 – 14:30h-16:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, July 30 – 15:45h-17:15h and Friday, July 31 – 16:35h-18:05h

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

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the morning, with heavy to light rain showers in the afternoon. Light rain showers can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East South-easterly between 2.23 metre and 4.02 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:26h and 15:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.61 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:28h and 21:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.59 metres respectively.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS M 02 03 06 07 20 28 09 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

05 10 19 22 25 LUCKY 3

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Draw De Line 02

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Westford, Personnel Officer charged, bailed

BY ANASTACIA CLEMENTSON

FERRY SCHEDULE

16 21

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

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| guyanatimesGY.com

F

ormer Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Officer (PO) Margaret Cummings were on Wednesday brought before the court to face larceny and forgery charges respectively, in connection with the alleged illegal transfer of eight vehicles to themselves and friends, which were the property of the Public Service Ministry.

Westford was slapped with four counts of attempting to commit a felony and granted bail in the sum of $800,000. The 42-year-old former Minister allegedly tried to have several motor vehicles, belonging to the Government of Guyana transferred to four persons. Motor vehicles bearing registration numbers PJJ 8113 and PKK 8175 were given to Dwayne Walker, motor vehicle with registration plate PFF 1780 was given to Delroy Lewis, while several other vehicles are purported to have been transferred to herself and her spouse Gary Beaton, who is a Guyana Defence Force officer. The four charges were indictable. However, Prosecutor Deniro Jones applied to the court for the Administration of Justice Act which allowed the matters to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Westford pleaded not guilty.

Attorneys Bibi Shadick, Keisha Chase, Dexter Todd and Eusi Anderson represented Westford and appealed to the court for reasonable bail.

Chase, in particular, informed the court that her client has no reason to flee justice as she has been a public servant for several years, has a fixed place of abode at Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, and has never been charged for an offence before.

Also, for the court’s files,

Margaret Cummings awaits her $1.2 million bail

she stated that Westford is a mother to one son who is currently a certified doctor and has been married for several years. No objection was put forward by the Prosecutor for the request of bail. However, while Magistrate Ann McLennan allowed bail she issued a substantial sum of $800,000 – $200,000 for each of the four charges against the former Minister.

Meanwhile, Westford’s Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings at the time the alleged transfers were made was also charged. It is alleged that Cummings signed the supposed receipts that issued the transfers to the above mentioned persons. The court heard she is accused of four counts of intent to defraud after allegedly forging several receipts to indicate that Lewis, Walker, herself and Beaton had purchased the mentioned vehicles. These charges were indictable, but as before, the Administration of Justice Act was applied for and granted.

Cummings pleaded not guilty to the charges and Todd stood in her defence. In his bail application, he told the court that she is 36 years old with three children under her care. She is

Jennifer Westford, after pleading not guilty to the four charges

currently on leave as PO at the Social Cohesion Ministry.

With no objection from the prosecution, Magistrate McLennan granted Cummings bail in the amount of $300,000 for each of the charges against her, bringing the grand total of $1.2 million. Both matters were transferred to Court Five where Inspector Stephen Telford will be prosecuting.

Magistrate Fabayo Azore will be presiding over the matters in that court.

The charges were officially lodged against the accused following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack after it was sought by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. The file was returned to the Crime Chief on Tuesday, enabling the Police to act.

However, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in a statement said that pressure was exerted on the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP’s) Chambers, to advice in favour of bringing charges against members of the Party. “The Party further notes efforts by the Granger Administration to persecute PPP members us-

ing the Police and the courts to do so. The Party wishes to remind of statements made

by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant Ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.” The PPP said Greenidge’s statement is not the only one which is centrally directed to exert pressures on the DPP’s Chambers, the Police and ultimately the courts. “Minister of State Joseph Harmon was purported to have publicly declared that “we are going after the big fishes.” According to the PPP, clearly the aim is to achieve a goal that is consistent with a political-motivated agenda of the Granger Administration.

“The PPP, therefore, urges the DPP’s Chambers, the Guyana Police Force and the Judiciary, to act independently of any political interference. Moreover, the PPP registers its concern over the increasing attempts

by Granger and his cohorts to give orders and directives to constitutional office holders, which by its very nature, constitutes a serious threat to our democracy and the erosion of the doctrine of separation of powers.”

The alleged illegal transfer of the vehicles was uncovered following a request from Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur who had written the Public Service Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hydar Ally requesting that he re-issue a letter, dated April 14, 2015, requesting the transfer of registration for eight vehicles into the names of Westford, Wayne Walker, Delroy Lewis, Gary Beaton and Osbert McPherson.

A change of registration for two vehicles for Walker was sought; one for Lewis; one for Westford; three for Beaton and one for McPherson.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 30, 2015

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

Editorial

Closure for Rodney

I

t would be imprudent to claim that when in 2012, the PPPC administration acceded to the request by the family of Dr Walter Rodney for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into his death on June 13 1980, they might not have considered its political impact. But the irrefutable fact is that it really did not matter when such an Inquiry was conducted: the political fallout were inevitable because of the circumstances of his death, within the history of his political activism against the then incumbent PNC regime.

Back in 2005, there had been already a motion introduced by the then PPPC government to initiate such an Inquiry. They however insisted that the motion speak to the “assassination” of Dr Rodney, while the Opposition felt such a formulation would be self-conclusive. The motion was passed with the PPPC abstaining but no Inquiry was ever launched. The Workings People Alliance (WPA), representing the interests of the Rodney family, claimed that with elections scheduled for 2006, the Inquiry would poison the political climate for the PNC. The Inquiry died stillborn.

It is probably because of that experience that the family of Dr Rodney dealt directly with the then PPPC Government in 2014 to proceed with an Inquiry. Thirtyfour years would have been too long not to have closure of Dr Rodney’s death. The Inquiry began a year before the elections of May this year, but unlike what had been predicted by the WPA in 2006, there was no adverse impact of the political image of the PNC, which by then had been merged in the A Partnership for National Unity.

In fact, in coalition with the Alliance for Change, they won the elections and now form the Government.

With the knowledge that a Rodney COI was not a silver bullet to destroy their electoral chances, it was therefore with a great degree of surprise that citizens learnt via one of the first announcements of President Granger, was that “the COI was a waste of time” and that it would have to wrap up its hearings forthwith. The Government subsequently refused the formal request of the COI grant it one more extension so that it could examine three witnesses to whom it had issued “Salmon Letters”.

The latter is a notification to individuals that they would be presented with aspects of the report of the COI that may affect them negatively. This innovation was introduced in the 1970’s by Lord Salmon to address issues of fairness to witnesses. The witnesses that the COI wanted to examine included, interestingly enough the present Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnarine, who had been a very close associate of Dr Rodney in the WPA. Dr Roopnarine, however, unlike the other members of the WPA such as Eusi Kwayana, had insisted that Rodney had been engaged in collecting arms before his death.

As Mr Granger said at the time when the allegation was made, this justified the security forces taking measures to deal with the “threat” from Dr Rodney’s activities.

When the announcement was made to arbitrarily bring the COI to an end, most of the active members of the WPA, with the exception of Dr Roopnarine, called for the extension to be permitted.

As their release pointed out, the end of the COI in this abrupt manner, unnecessarily leaves an aura of uncertainty and ambiguity over whatever report the COI will now be forced to issue. Since over $300 million have been already spent on the COI, the additional funding would be a drop in the bucket in the big picture. In the opinion of many observers, this uncertainty would leave a cloud not over the hopes of the family of Rodney for closure, but over the PNC, which finally had the opportunity to let the chips to fall as they may on this unfortunate incident in Guyana’s history.

A student holds a portrait of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam during a candlelight march in Mumbai, India, July 28, 2015.

Kalam, considered the father of the country’s missile programme, died on Monday in hospital at the age of 83, a doctor said. Popularly known as “Missile Man”, Kalam led the scientific team that developed missiles able to carry India’s nuclear warheads. He became a national folk hero after helping oversee nuclear tests in 1998 that solidified India’s status as a nuclear weapons state (Reuters/Danish Siddiqui)

Response to questions on the Amaila HydroElectric Falls Project Dear Editor, We, who have been working for over a decade at realising our national dream of harnessing one of our waterfalls to provide our own electricity, welcome the questions on Amaila asked by Mr Puran in his letter appearing in certain sections of the media on July 23.

We had no doubt that the questions put and answers sought by Mr Puran would have been on the minds of and would be informative to many of our fellow citizens, as we are all interested in and seek the development of our people and country.

Our People’s Progressive Party/Civic starting point in the late 1990s was the studies and appraisals undertaken by various aiding institutions during the 1970s and early 1980s, of the potential of various hydropower sites (nearly 70 identified and studied to various degrees). Amaila provided one of the best fits to Guyana’s local needs.

Mr Editor, this reply to Mr Puran was delayed as I struggled to not be left too far behind the late-teens and early 20-year-olds in the foundation computer course to which I enrolled. I can and do now take the opportunity to respond also to the article in the Stabroek News of 2015-07-28, “Government reviewing three Hydropower proposals – Patterson.” Did anyone notice what the Honourable Minister was reported to have said “that right now he did not wish to declare any information of the projects being reviewed” and “he did not even wish to disclose the proposed sites that were being looked at by the private proposals”.

His revelation is remark-

able when one recalls that the then Opposition claimed that a major cause for their objection to Amaila was the lack of disclosure and transparency accompanied with innuendos of favouring friends. But as I said when I was being pestered by reporters to respond to PM Nagamootoo’s comments on the PM residence, “one has to live in the house to know where it leaks; and one has to wear the shoe to know where it pinches!”

Whatever the motivation for their objection we would have lost three to four years in embarking on a hydropower development to meet our needs! In office or out of office, the earliest realisation of a significant, sustainable hydropower development remains a major objective of the PPP/C. Now back to Mr Puran’s questions.

1. Yes: the estimate of US$858 million included all the required substations – there is a substation to deliver power to the Linden area.

2. We do not envisage now any other hydropower development along the transmission route: no doubt however, we can foresee that this transmission line would in time become part of anacross Guyana and transnational electricity grid.

3. We projected that there would be enough demand to justify its construction. When Amaila becomes available, GPL’s demand has risen from 690 to 750 GWh from 2012 to 2014. Overall development would be stimulated by the breaking of ground and the progress of construction of Amaila; and self generators including

BOSAI and the Linden area would transfer to the grid.

But no one knows what the future would be: at times we were criticised that Amaila was too big and at other times that it would not be enough.

4. The US 11 cents per kWh is the total charge inclusive of capital, operating and maintenance charges for the total hydropower plant and transmission line.

However, there is no royalty charge included for the use of the waterfall, so as lower prices to provide to consumers. One should be aware that from about year 11 to the year of transfer (2030 years) the total charge would be even lower, about US seven cent per kWh; and after transfer, (at the end of all capitalisation payments) the charges would be just about US three cents per kWh delivered to Sophia.

Even with crude oil currently at US$50 per barrel, Amaila is still attractive.

Minister Patterson stated that the proposed sites being considered now are a far cry from the US$858 million for Amaila. No doubt true, but the relevant criteria are the overall total unit construction cost (US$ per MW) including transmission to Sophia, and the lifetime average unit energy cost delivered at Sophia(US cent per kWh) Let us see how they will compare!

5. The plant is expected to generate electricity year round: the reservoir though on the small side, would provide enough ‘drawdown’ to operate for one to two months without any rainfall in the area.

6. Yes: it was recognised that GPL would have to

maintain its diesel and other generating capacity to meet foreseen and unforeseen shortfalls in generation from Amaila. On this question one should be made aware that Guyana is participating in an IDB sponsored supported “Northern Arc” study of electricity links interconnecting points in northern Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, so that we could help each other in times of need.

7. Yes: it was way beyond me, but there have been studies of grid stability and the amount of local generation prudently needed.

8. The earlier studies referred to recognised the possibility of delivering some of the headwaters of the Potaro and the Mazaruni Rivers to Amaila to raise generating capacity to about 1100 MW. This diversion has not been included at this time.

9. Yes: one could envisage an arrangement to guarantee year round flow and generation (increase the reservoir and reduce the rated and installed capacity) but it would be less economically attractive.

Can “all studies being made available?” I have been told that there are lots of studies available from the websites of various stakeholders and more could be made available. The question would be whether persons requesting the additional studies would have the time and background to properly review the study. I was satisfied with the information I reviewed.

Sincerely, Samuel A A Hinds Former Prime Minister

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 30, 2015

5

Violence – our insanity and disgrace

Are there rogue cops T in our Police Force?

Dear Editor, One wonders if rogue cops are attached to the Suddie Police Station, after a gun was alleged to have gone missing recently, along with the mysterious disappearance from the same location of a large quantity of marijuana.

A bag with the narcotic was allegedly removed from a house at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, by two ranks (names provided) after the Police were called by the Landlady who resides outside of the district.

The woman who works at the Leonora Fire Station made a sudden visit to check on her house after learning that a lone male tenant had departed, leaving the building unprotected.

It was indicated that she did not know what was in the bag until the ranks opened it and made the discovery.

When the drug was taken to the station, it is alleged that no record was made and that there is proof that could support this claim.

It is believed that this matter was treated like a secret, with the two ranks allegedly claiming that they only informed a Detective about the discovery and seizure.

The Detective who is a senior officer is accused of allegedly conspiring with his two colleagues to conceal the discovery of the marijuana, as well as concealing the fact that a statement was not taken from

the Landlady.

The Divisional Commander was allegedly contacted and would have made it pellucidly clear that he had no previous knowledge about the matter but promised to investigate.

What will the investigation reveal is yet to be determined but the question is, if this is true, where is the marijuana now?

From a public standpoint, the only reasonable conclusion is that if it was indeed stolen, the package must have been sold to known drug, to intensify the illegal trade ever so much detrimental to the society and the country as a whole.

Sincerely, Roland Pilgrim

he flower of youth plucked too soon A mother’s world broken, dreams doomed, A beloved son slain at high noon A most despicable act of violence, Drained all joy from the cup of life Cruel and bitter the pain to endure, Most tragic this turn of fate for sure.

Heavier than the vast and mighty Himalayas The pain and suffering wrought by violence Seen in silent grief and flow of tears In the faces of orphans and refugees, The tormented and abused The crippled and maimed, In the tortured minds of soldiers Recalling many a battlefield horrors In childhood innocence blighted Witness to bloodshed unabated None can chronicle the true toll of violence Flooring so many to eternal silence Yet this macabre dance daily stirred to frenzy Goaded by men with no human conscience Applauding with sadistic delight the evil in violence.

All violence most loathsome and evil The epitome of our disgrace and insanity Whether in wars, conflicts, riots, or communal strife In targeted killings, racial profiling or petty fights In conquests and cruel subjugation Brutal torture that staggers the imagination In quest for domination and power On the streets or on the world’s arena In insatiable greed for wealth and prestige Exploiting and oppressing the poor and meek In asserting our special purity In caste and racial superiority Violence indeed the cardinal sin Even mere thought of harming another However righteous and sacred our agenda Is enough to darken our karma Vain indeed our prayers and rituals Sacrifices and sacred observances When even an iota of violent thought Resides in the recesses of the heart.

Cecil Ramkirath

Fruits safety and qualityMinister Ally, symbol of artificial ripening professionalism Dear Editor, The Social Cohesion Ministry conducted a regional consultation on social cohesion at Belladrum Primary School, West Coast Berbice on July 25, 2015. In the discussions was Amna Ally, Social Cohesion Minister.

During the interactive session, residents raised issues affecting their com-

munities and were beginning to point fingers at public officers.

The Minister very quickly set the Code of Conduct, by not allowing persons to blame, ridicule, degrade, or humiliate any public officer at the meeting.

The Minister stated to residents: ‘’let us deal with the problem and

the systems, not Public Officers’’.

This kind of professionalism is most welcomed by public officers. I will encourage others to follow the same line of approach.

Kind regards, Govind Singh Region Five Deputy Regional Executive Officer

New Army and Police for Berbice, WCD and Essequibo Dear Editor, In most countries, the Army and Police Forces are formed by the people. In the USA, every state has its own Police and regiment. In Britain, each county has its own Army regiment.

In India, every state has its own Police and regiment; namely Punjab, Marati, Bihar, Madras, Dogras and the Gurkha.

In Guyana, the Police and Army are mostly

from Georgetown and do not represent the country’s people.

There is a need to form new regiments in Berbice, West Coast Demerara, Essequibo and Rupununi.

These regiments would be composed of people from each administrative region and trained by outside forces and not the present Army. The Amerindians should have their own Police and Army.

Such a system would prevent violence across the country and also ensure that elections are not rigged.

I hope the People’s Progressive Party is listening because the People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity seems to already be forming a new Army to control Guyana as it did between 1964 and 1992.

Sincerely, DN Singh

Dear Editor, It is apparent that based on my informal research over the last four years, artificial fruit ripening is being practiced by many of our fruit vendors and or farmers.

Bananas, mangoes, papayas and pineapples are the common targets but other fruits and vegetables may be involved as well. One of the tell-tale signs of artificially ripened fruits is usually an unblemished outward appearance, but when peeled, green raw tissue is found inside. Also, in the case of bananas, the skin does not separate easily from the pulp as would happen with a natu-

rally ripened fruit.

There are many ripening agents such as calcium carbide, acetylene, ethylene, propylene, ethrel, glycol, ethanol and others. I do not know which of these are used locally but research worldwide has shown that calcium carbide is commonly used in the process, due to its low cost, availability and minimal technical knowledge requirement.

However, calcium carbide is known to be highly carcinogenic and also causes food poisoning, gastric irritation and other health problems. For this reason, many countries have either

restricted or banned the use of this agent.

Perhaps the local authorities have the necessary oversight measures in place to monitor and regulate this relatively new practice, so that it does not pose a public health hazard, now or in the future.

If so, I am of the opinion that this information should be made widely available as a public service, and if not, then something must be done to provide the public with the assurance that this practice is safe.

Sincerely, Derick Lowe

6news

thursday, july 30, 2015

Crum-Ewing’s killing

Narine confronts “Grey Boy” in Police presence – claims being set up in “political plot”

By Michael Younge

E

x bodyguard of former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) employee, one of the two men who have been arrested in connection with the murder of former soldier and political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing has finally broken his silence to maintain his innocence.

Rajput Narine, speaking during snippets of an exclusive interview with the Evening News aired on Television Guyana Channel 28 on Wednesday evening, said that he never participated in the planning, organization or execution of CrumEwing who was cut down in a hail of bullets at Diamond, East Bank Demerara back in March this year. The main suspect, Regan Rodrigues, who has been arrested for Crum-Ewing’s murder after

police conducted a raid at his home and apparently found a pistol which matched the one used to kill the activist, has recently alleged that Narine contracted him to do a “hit” on social and political activist Mark Benschop.

Rodrigues” aka “Grey Boy”, also told the investigators that a second hit, once the first was completed, would have been CrumEwing but he decided to share the information with Benschop after turning down a $3M dollar offer on that individual’s head. But Narine recounted a totally different story on Wednesday explaining that he never knew “Grey Boy” personally and was never part of any plot to assassinate Benschop or CrumEwing. “I am surprised at these allegations”, he stated before saying that he never participated in any criminal activity in his past as he “is not a person like that”.

Courtney Crum-Ewing Asked whether he knew Crum-Ewing before his death, Narine responded “I never knew him. I never saw him. I never met him before.”

He maintained that the allegations made by “Grey Boy” were false and an attempt on the part of the known criminal to frame him and implicate him in the mix of things with the hope of securing

some plea deal with the police and Government. Asked what his relations to “Grey Boy” were then, the ex-law enforcement officer then explained that they did not share a personal relationship or friendship. “I know of him. He lives like about 8 houses away from my inlaws them and while I am in and out…going to work (and) going about my business, they hang out in gangs… and while passing I does just raise my hand and go my way….no conversation…no, talking…no communications otherwise..” he remarked.

Pressed further as to why the known criminal would want to implicate an apparently unknown, law-abiding citizen in such a high profile crime, Narine opined that Rodrigues knew that he worked with Government and was also aware that he had “links” to persons associated with the former PPP/C

Cops probing alleged multimillion-dollar fraud at Westford’s former ministry

G

overnance Minister Raphael Trotman said Police are currently probing another allegation of fraud occurring at the Ministry of Public Service, as its former Minister, Jennifer Westford has been charged with a similar offence.

Trotman made the announcement on Wednesday as he addressed members of

the media, but refused to divulge any information as to the persons involved.

“By the day things seem to be bubbling up from the deep and one of them indeed pertains to the Public Service Ministry. I don’t want to name the Minister directly, but certainly activities around that Ministry pertaining to allocations of tens of millions of dol-

lars were actively engaging the Guyana Police Force,” Trotman said.

Guyana Times understands that close to $130 million was illegally withdrawn from the accounts of the Ministry sometime before the elections.

Meanwhile, Police Crime Chief Wendell Blanham has confirmed to Guyana Times that the Police are in pos-

session of such a report and that investigations are ongoing in that regard. The revelation of fraud was made even as the former minister and her personnel officer Margaret Cummings were granted bail in the sums of $800,000 and $1.2 million respectively which stemmed from an investigation of allegations of illegal transfer of vehicles from that Ministry.

tween him and “Grey Boy” where the main Crum-Ewing suspect maintained that he was contacted by Narine to carry out a hit on the two political activists. He is expected to return to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today upon the request of the lawmen as he has so far been unable to provide a statement about matters that he insists he has no knowledge about.

Nandlall connection

Self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds Government. He went recounted that the main suspect in Crum-Eqing’s murder would have seen him in the company of some officials in the security sector in their neighbourhood and therefore could have concocted with others a plot to frame him and implicate him in what he insisted was a politicallydriven situation. Narine said that since being arrested by police on Wednesday last, he was interrogated and questioned by different persons but maintained his innocence and lack of knowledge about Crum-Ewing’s murder and the claimed assassination plot on Mark Benschop.

He told the Guyana Times that he was profiled and had his fingerprints taken by the police after consultation with his lawyer Glenn Hanoman explaining too that the police have been dealing with the case in a professional manner. “I gave them all… full cooperation in terms of their investigation…”, the Government worker said.

According to him, police arranged a confrontation be-

Meanwhile, Narine’s statements to this publication also backed up the account by former Attorney General Anil Nandall in relation to how the two came into contact following CrumEwing’s murder.

While Nandlall was a Government Minister and became embroiled in a notorious telephone recording with a local journalist, which went viral Crum-Ewing had been protesting outside of his office calling for his resignation.

Nandlall said that he hired Narine to be his bodyguard after Crum Ewing’s murder and never knew before. After just four days of service, he became dissatisfied with Narine’s service and terminated him.

“I never knew him. I never met him before..I knew that he is the Minister became everybody knows the names of the cabinet and govt ministers and they does see them on publication but personally I never knew him or met him before. I never spoke to him expect for when he came back from the US. My brother called me and tell me to support him in terms of providing security for him and that was the only time I met with him...to discuss the security aspect”, he said during the interview.

He was baffled at the allegations and connections that some are seeking to make explaining that he is not a political being.

“I know in time that people will find out that I am innocent. I am concerned that the lies told by Grey Boy and others have put my life in danger and that of my family. It has tainted my character and now the whole country…the whole world is looking at me…”, he said holding back tears from his eyes. Asked what message he wanted to send to those probing the case and the general public, Narine said, “I am not responsible for this gentleman’s assassination and I’m not responsible for any allegation made against me to plot to assassinate anyone.

The allegations made against me are not true. I feel this allegations made against me is not just an allegation. This is a political motive and I am asking the relevant authorities to go do their investigations properly and to find the true killer of Mr CrumEwing…and try not to implicate ordinary people like that…This is damaging my character”.

news

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thursday, july 30, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

FFTP commissions $42M community project at Akawini ... 27 houses, cassava mills, passenger boat gifted

pressed communities in Guyana, FFTP cannot reach out to, it’s difficult... very costly. Ee depend on the help from local donors in whatever way; whether a prayer or thank you, I commit FFTP to help the community in whatever way we can” Vincent ended. Toshoa of Akawini David Wilson extended gratitude to FFTP for the project. Speaking on

By Indrawattie Natram

T

he livelihood of approximately 895 residents living in Akawini – an Amerindian community located some 50 miles from Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in the Lower Pomeroon, will be significantly improved, with the commissioning of a $42 million community development project, which includes the construction of 27 houses, sanitation blocks and four cassava mills.

On Wednesday, Food For The Poor (FFTP) Inc Guyana, in collaboration with the Rainey family of United States, under the “God is the Foundation” and other generous donors from FFTP Inc commissioned the project, which includes 27 houses and sanitation blocks for families; the construction of 25x8 foot shaded wooden passenger boat and a 42x811 foot cargo boat, for the purchase and distribution of four cassava mills to the village. The houses were constructed by Fildhari and Son Constructing Service and the lumber was provided by the community.

Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt and Minister within the Indigenous Peoples Affair Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe along with representatives of FFTP

ing forward, we want to understand the plight of the people” Garrido-Lowe said.

She urged persons to apply for their land titles, adding too that the hinterland areas are not another country and explained it is part of Guyana, as such, residents deserve everything that the Administration has to offer all Guyanese.

Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt said he

The boat that was gifted to the community

The project was officially commissioned at a ceremonial ribbon cutting done

by Minister within the Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry Valerie GarridoLowe, assisted by Region Two Chairman Daveanand Ramdatt. Also in attendance were Project Manager (Guyana) Andrea Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FFTP Kent Vincent, Projects Manager FFTP Inc (Florida) Susan James Casserly, Toshoa of the village David Wilson and other residents.

Speaking to residents at the inauguration, GarridoLowe said she is happy for the project in the Amerindian community; one that will enhance the livelihood of Indigenous peoples.

The Minister called on residents not to take the project for granted and to care for the houses. The Minister said that the cassava mills are a plus for the village and will contribute significantly to the income of the community. She congratulated Food For The Poor Guyana Inc and the Rainey family for partnering with residents in their bit to become more self-sufficient.

“The new Government does not see people different, despite race; as such as a Government that is mov-

take care of their houses and other assets.

Wilson said the project officially commenced in the village on October 14, 2014, and had the full cooperation of residents in the community. He proudly said that the cassava mill will assist residents to produce and market cassava bread. One beneficiary, Ugenie Williams, extended gratitude to FFTP

is extremely happy for the partnership between FFTP Inc Guyana and the Rainey family, in bringing about projects that are beneficial to the community. He called on residents to sustain and aide in the continuity of development. Ramdatt said that for any project to be executed, consultations and feasibility studies must be done for community participation.

Speaking about the community development, the newly elected Chairman said over the past years, several transformative projects were done in the community to further enhance the lives of residents in Akawini. He pledged the Region Two Administration support in the continuous development of the community as well as the project.

Meanwhile, outlining details about the project was FFTP Guyana Project Manager Andrea Benjamin who told those gathered that the Akawini community development project was birthed after a feasibility study was conducted, saying “there was a desperate need for housing, as well as transportation problems according to a feasibility study”. She said it is the hope of FFTP Guyana Inc that the boats will enhance the villagers’ socio-economic

status; with the cargo boat being utilised to transport lumber and other produce to the various markets, including Charity. Benjamin further explained that the project will further boost the earning capacity of persons residing in the community.

Economic boost

The cassava mill, Benjamin noted, will go directly towards enhancing residents’ ability to process cassava products at a faster rate. Previously, farmers had the tedious task of grating the cassava which sometime took days. CEO of FFTP

Guyana Inc Kent Vincent in his remarks said it is always a joy for FFTP to see smiles on the faces of beneficiaries.

Vincent said the FFTP over the years is pleased to assist various depressed communities in areas of education, housing and sport. He said it is a great honour as a nongovernmental organisation to be able to change the lives of persons living in desperate communities. Further explaining, Vincent said the donors – Patrick and Louis Rainey – were impressed with the community, and as such, gave their support.

“There are very bad de-

Ugenie Williams and her family

behalf of the community, he said the development project was a good partnership, adding that the beneficiaries are thankful. The Toshoa said residents can proudly raise their hands and said they have their own homes and a safer transportation service. Wilson said over the years, the village council tried to enhance housing in the community and several efforts were made to partner with various organisations.

He called on beneficiaries to

for the gift of a new home.

She said she was living in a dilapidated shack with a thatched roof. Today she said she can enjoy a better home and feels more comfortable. Williams has three children and has already occupied her new home. The project was executed by FFTP Guyana Inc, with 67 per cent of the funding being provided by the Rainey family and the remainder of the funding provided by other generous donors of FFTP.

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thursday, july 30, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Missing miner found murdered at Oku Backdam …face disfigured, hands tied to iron wheel

By Bhisham Mohamed

D

ays after going missing, a miner was found dead in an abandoned mining pit in Oku Backdam, Puruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Monday with suspected chop wounds to the throat and face and his legs tied to an iron wheel.

The dead man has been identified as Rishaba Dusrajh, 28, of Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

According to information received, the now dead man was reported missing Saturday evening following an altercation with his colleague during a drinking spree at a popular bar in the area. During the altercation, he was reportedly chopped to the face by the suspect.

After receiving the first blow to his face, the injured man was taken to a mining camp, but the suspect reportedly went there to put an end to the issue once and for all. The suspect, who was arrested in Bartica while boarding a speedboat, re-

portedly confessed to the murder claiming that after he went into the camp and saw the man lying on the bed, he collected a cutlass and dealt him several other blows.

When he was convinced that the man was dead, in a drunken state, he reportedly tied Dusrajh’s legs to a heavy metal iron wheel and threw him into the mining pit in hope that the body would have sunk and never resurface. Dusrajh’s body was brought out to the Lyken Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem examination on Friday.

At the home of the dead man on Wednesday, his sister who asked to remain anonymous explained that her brother worked in the Guyana Defence Force and at a private security firm before leaving for the interior a year ago. She recalled speaking with him in April and her mother had heard from him in May for Mother’s Day. Nevertheless, she stated that on Monday she received

Dead miner, Rishaba Dusrajh

a strange call from a woman in the interior who enquired about her brother’s whereabouts and when last they would have spoken to him.

The woman on the other end of the line was hesitant to release any information, but after being pressured she informed the now dead man’s sister that her brother was missing.

“She then told us the owners of the mining pit will

make contact with them in the evening … after some time passed and we didn’t hear from her, we tried to contact her on several occasions, but the phone was turned off,” Dusrajh’s sister stated.

After some time, the phone rang and this time, it was the owner of the mining camp’s wife who told them that her brother was dead and explained that his body was fished out of the abandoned mining pit. Dusrajh’s sister also confirmed that the suspect had confessed to the brutal murder. He is expected to be transferred to Georgetown where the charge will be read to him at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts.

The grieving sister told Guyana Times that her brother and the suspect were given the responsibility to oversee the camp when the owners were not around.

She could not confirm the reason for the bitter argument between the two men.

The man leaves to mourn his mother and five siblings.

DPP denies being pressured I

n light of allegations made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, in a media release, maintained that she was not pressured into recommending charges against former Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford.

The DPP recommended that criminal charges be brought against Westford for allegedly illegally attempting to transfer several Government vehicles into her name.

However, the PPP/C op-

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack

position, in what appears to be an attempt to defend Westford, hit back with claims that the DPP was pressured to advise charges be instituted against the former Minister.

But the DPP did not take lightly to those claims. In response to these allegations, Ali-Hack strongly affirmed that all legal advice given to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to criminal matters was based on statements contained in the files and the law.

On that note, the DPP maintained that the Office of the Director of Public

Prosecutions is an independent office and prides itself in being independent.

Meanwhile, Westford was charged on Wednesday. On the same day, the DPP issued another recommendation to the Police for charges to be brought against former Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran for his verbal attack on female activist Sherlina Nageer in the leadup to the 2015 Elections.

Guyana Times understands that Ramsaran will be appearing at the Whim Magistrate’s Court before the end of the week.

Govt denies buying 52 luxury SUVs

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has rubbished claims by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), that it was investing some $1 billion for the purchase of 52 new luxury Land Cruisers.

The PPP/C had late Tuesday evening released a statement claiming the Government was soon to receive the vehicles which it said was custom designed with leather seats, highend entertainment centres, inclusive of High Definition TVs, among other luxurious fittings.

But Governance Minister Raphael Trotman

Governance Minister Raphael Trotman

scoffed at the allegation, saying that the Opposition party was probably seeking to shift the public’s attention from the more serious allegations that party is

facing.

Trotman said that Government was informed of a vessel heading to Guyana with the 52 vehicles. He said questions were raised about the purchasing of such vehicles by any government and it was his responsibility to make contact with the Beharry Group of Companies.

Trotman said all Ministers were using the same vehicles that were used by previous ministers and will continue to do so until time and the budget make provision for an upgrade.

The PPP, in a statement late Tuesday, said it was appalled that the

APNU+AFC Government was investing some $1 billion to purchase 52 new luxury Land Cruisers to be used by the Ministers and advisers.

It said the move was sad since the APNU/AFC Government has abandoned its election promises of a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and a 20 per cent pay increase for Public Servants, claiming there was no money in the treasury.

“The APNU/AFC Government continues its exorbitant lifestyle at the expense of the nation, while the sugar and rice industries continue to fall apart,” the statement added.

Eyew tness Unfinished business...

T

...on Cummingsburg

here’s all sorts of reasons being proffered as to why canaries are suddenly singing in Guyana especially when the species isn’t a native of our fair land. OK...we’ve had - and certainly still do - our fair share of the bad, good and the ugly. Even those who’re bad AND ugly. But let’s face it, never in the annals of our history have be we have so few willing to fess up to so many crimes.

It’s not even the day of judgement, when, your Eyewitness was told in Sunday School, “Confession’s good for the soul”. So what gives? Well, one school of thought is that there needed to be a distraction from the castration that’s been inflicted on the two top leaders of the AFC - Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan.

But your Eyewitness don’t buy that. If the two fellas who’ve been most definitely been spayed had made a fuss or even squealed a bit, maybe that theory would’ve made sense.

But then on the other hand, even though a committee was established to enquire into the allegations of neutering of the two Berbicians of 11% fame, it would’ve taken some doing for that Committee to pronounce conclusively on whether Nagamootoo and Ramjattan had been made into eunuchs or not. It’s like those cases we have reported from the courts: fella beats the stuffing out of his wife but she refuses to testify in court - and the judge has no alternative but to throw the case out.

But let’s look at the evidence. After all, castration does lead to visible effects on the fellas who’ve been emasculated. In politics, they become invisible or reduced to cutting ribbons or kissing babies’ bottoms.

Quick now!! When was the last time you saw Ramjattan - even cutting a ribbon? The folks in Berbice were about to stage a rebellion because the crime rate just kept going through the ceiling. And Brigadier Collins wants us to believe that Ramjattan actually sent HIM to soother the nerves of all them Berbicians?

What enquiring minds want to know is if Ramjattan was made the Minister of National Security, and Guyana needed to have all these military brass as advisors, why not make them advisors to Ramjattan?? Why have them report to the President who has to then send them over to Ramjattan to (if Collins is to be believe) to be told to shuffle down to Berbice and see why the natives are also agitated?

So Collins wants us to believe that Ramjattan’s gonna refuse the offer by the President? So we return to the question as to why so many canaries are singing.

Maybe it IS to hide the Berbicians’ balls being excised.

...on Border

Some folks are a bit confused about the swords rattling on our western border. So let’s lay out some basics. First and foremost Guyana holds no truck with the position of the Venezuelans that the Geneva Agreement reopens a DISPUTE over the border. There ain’t no DISPUTE - just a controversy raised by Venezuela about some fella saying that one of the Arbitrators of the 1899 award was “tampered” with.

Now that is an issue - meaning that there two sides to that story. And the Geneva Agreement is to look into this claim. But on the Border Demarcation, that’s a done deal: signed sealed and delivered. Guyana ain’t reopen that award...even though there are some of the old maps that show our “Essequibo” included all the land drained by the Cuyuni - Essequibo River’s tributary - in Venezuela. .

So let’s not get distracted about all the different “interests” - for us Guyana, we just have to settle the Venezuelan controversy - at the World Court!

...on school vouchers

OK...OK...so maybe the PPP was politicking when they introduced the $10,000 voucher for school kids.

So what about the $15,000 demanded by Roopnarine’s old comrades in the WPA? Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

news

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thursday, july 30, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C’s new MPs prepped for Parliament ...attend orientation, briefing session

F

irst time Members of Parliament (MPs) of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) attended a training and orientation session in the Parliament Chambers, Parliament Building on Wednesday, signaling the party’s intention to take up its 32 seats it won at the May elections.

Today, another sitting of the National Assembly will be convened and its anybody’s guess as to whether the party will show up.

Since the 11th Parliament was convened, the PPP/C never participated, holding out that it will only do so whenever the need arises.

When Parliament held

New PPP/C Mps being briefed by Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs

its first orientation session, the PPP/C boycotted the event. Also, its MPs are yet to be sworn in. Nonetheless, in what appears to be one step closer to occupying its 32 seats in Parliament, the PPP/C MPs, along with three A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) MPs, attended that session on Wednesday.

The PPP/C MPs were Harry Gill, Dr Clive Jagan, Gillian Burton, Zulfikar Mustapha, Adrian Anamayah, Alesie Charles, Yvonne Pearson, Charles Ramson, Nigel Dharamlall and Collin Croal. Gail Teixeira, longstanding PPP/C MP, was also in attendance.

For the APNU/AFC, those in attendance were Dr Karen Cummings, Charandas Persaud and Michael Carrington. These three MPs had missed the first session. The Parliamentarians appeared before Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs and Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland and were briefed on basic parliamentary procedures.

The MPs were also introduced to key parliamentary staffed and were briefed on the various parliamentary services offered by the different departments of Parliament.

Govt in moves to lower Berbice Bridge toll … to make announcement in budget after talks with company from $4000 to $3000; fourwheel drives SUVs and pickups pulling horse buggies from $4000 to $3000; fourwheel drive/SUVs/pick-ups transporting BBQ Grills and coolers from $4000 to $3000; motor cars from $2200 to $1000; minibuses from $2200 to $1000; and motor cycles to be free.

The Berbice River Bridge

U

nder pressure to fulfil at least some of its 100-day plan promises, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government said it will be moving to consider a reasonable restructuring of the fares to cross the Berbice River Bridge; something which they had tried while in opposition but was rebuffed by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government and the Private Sector.

The announcement was made by Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman who told a news conference on Wednesday that Finance Minister Winston Jordan will soon commence consultations with shareholders and the Bridge Company and will hopefully make the announcement of the toll reduction in his budget presentation slated for mid next month.

Trotman also informed media operatives that Jordan has received Cabinet’s guidance to engage the management of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated, in meaningful negotiations.

“Government has no intention of interfering with the Company’s right to a rate of fare or rate of returns on their investment… howev-

er; we have heard the cries of the people of Regions Six and Five in particular and we must act on their behalf” Minister Trotman explained that while existing legislation pronounces on the setting of fares, a subsidy by the Government to ensure fares are lowered is an alternative that the Administration will explore, if needed. This move by the Administration is in keeping with the APNU+AFC first 100-day plan in office.

Since the construction of the Berbice River Bridge, commuters specifically from Regions Five and Six have bemoaned what in their view is an exorbitant fees structure. Chairman of the Berbice Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCCI) Rajnauth Ramroop when asked about his take on the proposed idea of a reduction on the bridge toll said “It will affect the Berbice region in a positive way. We have been calling for a reduction in the tolls for a long time and we welcome the move. It is not safe for us in the region to be paying so much when the Demerara [Harbour] Bridge is not even so much.”

However, sections of the Private Sector were against this move. Earlier in the year, President of the Guyana Manufacturing

and Services Association Clinton Williams said he was against the move to reduce the toll because of its implications for the sanctity of contracts in Public Private Partnership financing for projects. Williams’ contention was that this move can affect the Public Private Partnership in the future, as the profits the Private Sector expects to make would be less and therefore, would think twice before investing. “No businessman would want to get into business with the Government as a Public Private Partnership if in fact this is going to be the trend,” he had said. Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud had similar views, asserting that “A unilateral decrease in toll by the Government or any Government will not be received very well by private business…”

In the 10th Parliament, now Minister of State Joseph Harmon had advanced a motion that proposed a reduction in rates for: Large trucks from $13,600 to $10,000; 50-seater buses from $12,800 to $9000; 30-seater buses from $7200 to $6000; fourwheel drive/SUVs/Pick-Ups from $4000 to $3000; SUVs and pick-ups pulling a boat for recreational activities

The motion was rejected by the PPP/C but it was eventually passed by the House during the first half of 2014. The PPP/C had argued in Parliament that this move would be deemed as mismanagement of the economy.

Then Public Works Minister Robeson Benn had said, “I will not reduce the toll for

any person in Guyana until we have determined economically that it will be a benefit… it’s easy to shout reduce the tolls to get some votes; it’s just like saying reduce the VAT… We will not go back to the days of irresponsible management of the economy.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, july 30, 2015

News Granger urges millers to find own markets …some farmers say Govt’s role critical

By Devina Samaroo

L

aying aside a campaign promise to help market the country’s bumper rice harvest, President David Granger on Monday urged millers to find their own markets.

And although some millers across Guyana have agreed with the President, many are still urging the Government to play a bigger role in helping them secure lucrative rice deals.

Currently, the rice industry is going through a challenging period, with limited available markets for the bumper crop and the virtual collapse of the Venezuelan market.

Farmers are concerned about the future of the industry.

Speaking at a rice conference on Monday, Granger said rice millers should not depend solely on the government to fix their problems, but rather, should take the p initiative to find their own markets.

While several stakeholders believe Government has a crucial role to play in the marketing of rice, there are some who believe that millers depend too heavily on the Government.

Rice Producers’ Association General Secretary Dhramkumar

Seeraj said he has been urging millers to recommence the process of seeking their own markets. He said the millers needed to form one unit among themselves so that marketing of Guyana’s rice could be addressed in a more strategic way, as an organisation of millers would be better able to secure markets rather than individuals.

He explained that this system would decrease the chances of competition among millers in Guyana and thus promote the local industry as one by having a single unit marketing Guyana’s rice. “Let’s say Tom Jones is selling to Jamaica for $420 and Harry may turn up and sell at a different price, it won’t be good for the industry,” he stated.

Moreover, stakeholders believe that Government and the Private Sector need to forge a better relationship and develop a concrete marketing strategy that will better promote rice.

Overly dependent

Dr Turhane Doerga, Head of the Alesie Rice Group of Companies, explained that prior to the rice-for-oil deal with Venezuela, rice millers marketed their own rice.

However, when the

Government stepped in and established the PetroCaribe agreement, many millers ne-

be securing markets themselves,” he said.

He pointed out that the millers have their own association and it was this body which should be tasked with

Nand Persaud and Co Ltd Chief Executive Officer Mohindra Persaud shared similar views, noting that his company did not depend on the Government to market its rice products, and encouraged other millers to do the same.

His company builds and sustains its own relationships with international markets, he said, suggesting that this approach be taken by all millers.

Government’s role critical

Another exceptional harvest is expected this year

glected their traditional rice markets and opted to depend solely on Venezuela’s, especially because it was the most lucrative. However, Dr Doerga dubbed this a bad move, noting that millers should always have strategies in place to market their rice.

Additionally, Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association’s Naithram agreed that millers, especially during this time, should divert from exclusively depending on the Government.

“The rice industry is private, so things should be done and operated in that manner…they are supposed to

the responsibility of assisting millers in getting markets.

Nonetheless, although they are urging millers to lessen their dependency on the ruling administration, the rice experts noted that marketing rice was not an easy task and Government’s role is critical in this aspect.

“It needs to be a collaborative

effort,” both individuals admitted.

According to Naithram, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is supposed to act as that link between the farmers, millers and Government and it is through this Board strategies and initiatives ought to be developed to help the industry.

Recently, several rice stakeholders, including Jinnah Rahman and Nigel Dharamlall, underscored the importance of Government in the marketing of the rice, although the industry is privately owned. According to them, some of the measures Government can implement to assist with the marketing of rice include facilitating free trade agreements and tax waivers.

Berbice man found dead with wounds to head ... 4 held as Police open probe

By Andre Carmichael

F

our persons are in custody as Police investigate the death of a 56-year-old man of Brothers Village, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Dead is Pooran Saroop, also called “Beco”, a former security guard of Brothers Village.

Saroop’s body was discovered on Wednesday morning lying on a bed at his home with two wounds to his head. Investigators who were summoned to the scene at about 07:00h removed a cutlass believed to be the murder weapon from the scene. The cutlass was found on a water tank, approximately 15 feet away from the body. Reports are that Saroop was discovered by a man called “Little” who raised an alarm. “Little” had been living with and taking care of Saroop for the past four months. Relatives to Saroop refer to “Little” as a stranger but are thankful for the services he had been offering to the now dead man.

Saroop had suffered a stroke earlier this year while riding a bicycle home and fell into a concrete drain. He became bed ridden after the incident and only recently started using a walker to get around the premises.

According to the dead man’s niece, Ahalia Saroop, “Little” visited her home also situated in Brothers Village at about 06:30h and told her of Saroop’s demise. “He come and holla Anti Hilda, come see what happen to Beco… I wake he up fo go to the doctor an he ent getting up, so I go an shake he an he stiff and when I look is share blood.’ So I leff wha I doing an I go,” the niece related. The matter was reported to the Sisters Police Station in the next village.

Dead: Pooran Saroop

According to the dead man’s niece, when she arrived at the scene, there was a crowd outside of the gate and as soon as the Police arrived, everyone at the gate went into the yard to get a look at the body. “We see the blood on the bed and the whole pillow sock up with blood but when the Police see the chop on he head, they chase ev-

is owned by his cousin. The cousin has been living overseas for more than a decade.

After he became ill, neighbours removed his bed and placed it under the house and supplied him with pampers and food. As his condition improved, he started to use a walker to get around and “Little” who later came into the picture, took care of the sick man by cooking for him, bathing him and taking him for daily outings on a bicycle.

According to neighbours, on Tuesday, several friends had visited the now dead mad and were having a ‘good time’. Sandradea Sahadeo who lives next door said about five friends from around the community were there and they were drinking. The dead man’s niece claims that he does not use alcohol but purchases it for his friends

The blood-soaked bed where Saroop was discovered

erybody out the yard.”

The body was lying on a bed situated under a concrete house and another bed was less than a foot away. It is believed that “Little” slept on the second bed. When undertakers removed the body, it was discovered that his underpants had been removed and he was only clad in a T-shirt. Reports are that Saroop had moved into the small room situated under the concrete house, which

who will in turn do favours for him. Neighbours are baffled by the reports related by “Little” that he was asleep on a bed close to Saroop and did not hear anything. According to one neighbour, on Tuesday even “Little” was found in an intoxicated state lying under a bus shed about 300 metres from the home and was put on a bicycle and taken home.

Police continue their investigations.

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National Budget 2015

Tax reform, wage hike needed to jumpstart economy – Gaskin

By Devina Samaroo

I

t is the hope of the Government that the presentation of the 2015 Budget next month will serve as the ignition to help jumpstart the economy, but social commentator and economist Ramon Gaskin believes that this can only work if the estimates include allocations to implement a complete overhaul of the tax system, better revenue collection measures and increased wages for the public servants and pensioners.

“What the budget can do to stimulate the economy, to move it, I don’t know what the Minister will do, but I do believe that in this country tax rates are very high – corporate rate, income tax rate, the VAT rate is very high and those need to be reduced because taxes take a lot of money out of your pocket and reduces the purchasing power of the citizens and capacity of companies to reinvest,” he affirmed.

In addition to tax reform, Gaskin said

Government needed to be more robust in its approach to prevent smuggling and earn revenue from other available means rather than burdening the citizenship with heavy taxes.

“In terms of raising revenues, I think the Minister has to look at that as the first order of business … should collect real revenue and reduce the burden on the companies and the citizens for the VAT, income tax and corporate tax and we should start collecting royalties from these people [natural resources extraction companies] as starters,” he stated.

Gaskin pointed out that there were many companies in the logging and mining sectors who were exempt from paying royalties for the minerals they extract. He noted strongly that this should not be and Government should have a concrete approach to address this issue if it was serious about revenue collection.

“It should look at charging to charge royalties on

bauxite; you are not supposed to go extract minerals without paying royalties,” he asserted, noting that this was the practice in other countries.

The A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration has been under immense pressure to come up with measures that can help drive the economy. The budget will be presented in Parliament on Thursday and all stakeholders are undoubtedly holding their breaths to see the policies Government intended to implement to help in this process.

The Guyana Times recently reported that there was a high possibility that a stimulus package will be included in the budget.

A stimulus package is a package of economic measures put together by the Government to stimulate a floundering economy.

The objective of a stimulus package is to reinvigorate the economy and prevent or reverse a recession by boosting employment and

Suspect who confessed to Nandy Park murder for court today T

he Police have instituted murder charges against a handyman who has confessed to clubbing to death the owner of Hamson’s Trading Limited, Farouk Ghanie at his Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara home in April.

The suspect will make his court appearance today.

The suspect was arrested late last week as he was making his way into the interior. He was subsequently taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, where he was interrogated and later confessed to the murder. He also revealed the names of two other persons who were involved in the murder.

In June, the Police arrested the main suspect, along with the girlfriend of the dead man and another man, but he and the other two were subsequently released.

However, based on additional information gathered during the ongoing investigations, the suspect was once again picked up

Slain businessman Farouk Ghanie

and when further interrogated, he gave a detailed account of what transpired.

Ghanie, of Lot 97 Collingwood Avenue, Nandy Park, was found dead at his home with at least two stab wounds to his chest.

The businessman was found by his girlfriend Vanessa (only name given)

who went to check on him after several calls to his phone went unanswered.

The man, who lived alone, was found lying on his back and might have been dead for more than 12 hours.

The businessman was last seen dropping off a worker in Georgetown before heading home.

Neighbours claimed that they did not see any strange movements or hear any unusual sounds, except that the man’s house was in darkness the night before the gruesome discovery. At that time, they thought that Ghanie was out of the country.

After the discovery, the terrified neighbours called for Police patrols in the area.

Ghanie’s brother, Fizal Hamid concluded that the murderer had to be someone who was familiar with his brother’s premises and dogs. Hamid also stated that his now dead brother did not have any enemies and was unsure who would want to kill him in such a brutal manner.

spending.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) – the main umbrella body of the local business community – already stressed on the need for the inclusion of a stimulus package in the budget.

Late, lazy, incompetent

Meanwhile, Gaskin believes that the Government lingered too long and allowed the economy to reach this stage because of its failure to complete and present the budget in a punctual fashion.

“It should have been presented since June, since May they were in office and I don’t know, there is no good reason why it wasn’t presented as yet.

It should not have taken so long to do, there was already a budget prepared by the previous people and all they had to do was rework it … it is taking far too long and in my opinion is that the people at Finance started to work too late, or they lazy or they are incompetent,” Gaskin assert-

ed.

PSC Chairman Norman Mc Lean had noted that one of the reasons the economy was currently in a slump was the fact that there was no budget.

“Remember, the Government has a situation where they haven’t put forward a budget as yet, so all the spending they are doing is 1/3 of what was put forth by the previous Government and Government’s spending is critical to any economy,” he stated.

Right balance

Meanwhile, Gaskin noted that while tax reform, increased wages and better revenue collection systems were all vital to kick start economic activity, careful consideration ought to be given to the three critical sectors that are known to be the backbone of the economy.

“In order to understand what is happening with the economy at the present time, you have to know that there is problem with rice

Ramon Gaskin

exports; there is a problem with GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation), it is bankrupt and it is a drain on the treasury; the rice industry is also taking a toll on the treasury; the gold price is down ,so a lot of miners are not investing,” he explained, noting that Government will have to be able to strike a balance to sustain these sectors while ensuring enough money was being pumped into other sectors.

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Boy abandoned at GPHC Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League calls on GDF head five years ago dies

J

oshua Moonsammy, the little boy who was abandoned by relatives at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remained a patient for more than five years, died on Monday, July 27.

Joshua was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP), a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills.

In 2011, when he was perhaps just one-year-old, his mother had reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) that she was unfit to effectively care for her child owing to domestic and financial problems.

Reports indicate that the mother’s spouse refused to use his money to take care of Joshua and she had no other means of getting the necessary funds to take care of her sick son. In addition, Joshua’s stepsiblings were forbidden from interacting with the child and this created an unfriendly environment for a young and sickly child to grow up in. Joshua’s older biological siblings, although willing, were financially strapped and were not in a position to lend support in that regard.

The mother’s last resort was taking him to the CCPA, but she had to do what was necessary to ensure her son survived. Since then, lithe Joshua was looked after

Joshua Moonsammy

by the Hospital’s management and staff, under the guidance of the Child Care Services. He remained a patient there until he succumbed on Monday last.

Joshua suffered from Cerebral Palsy, which is usually caused by brain damage that occurs before or during a child’s birth, or during the first three to five years of a child’s life.

The brain damage that causes Cerebral Palsy can also affect other brain functions, and can lead to other medical issues. Associated medical problems may include visual impairment or blindness; hearing loss; food aspiration (the sucking of food or fluid into the lungs); gastroesophageal

reflux (spitting up); speech problems; drooling; tooth decay; sleep disorders; osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones), and behavioural problems.

Seizures, speech and communication problems, and mental retardation are more common among children with the most severe forms of Cerebral Palsy.

There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy. As a result of this condition, Joshua could not have been placed in a children’s home. Despite his illness, Joshua was known to be one of the jolliest of the children in the paediatric ward.

His story captivated the hearts of many Guyanese, including Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Khan and political activist Mark Benschop, who were regular visitors of the young lad. In fact, reports indicate that every year, Khan would spearhead a birthday celebration for Joshua- most of which Benschop attended.

Current patients and staff at the Hospital would all be part of the birthday celebration, all geared towards making the child feel happy on his birthday.

Newspaper articles indicate that before he died, all Joshua wished for was a home and a family like every other child he knew.

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips with Colonel Dransfield, second from right, with officials of the Guyana Veterans Legion

F

inance Controller of the Royal Commonwealth ExServices League (RCESL), Colonel Nigel Dransfield, paid a courtesy call on Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, at his office at Base Camp Ayanganna on Monday.

During the visit, Colonel Dransfield apprised Brigadier Phillips on the purpose of his visit, indicating that his visit to Guyana was to conduct an audit of the Guyana Veterans Legion, a release by the GDF said.

The audit, he explained, was to determine the efficiency of the disbursement of funding from the RCESL to the veterans of Guyana. He ex-

plained that as Controller of the RCESL, the audit was his responsibility.

“The audit of affiliated Commonwealth Ex-Service Legions is conducted every four years and it is our way of ensuring that funding from the RCESL is actually reaching the veterans whom it is meant to benefit,” he said.

He remarked that this was his first visit to Guyana and expressed thanks to the Chief-of-Staff for his graciousness in accommodating his visit.

Brigadier Phillips warmly received and welcomed Colonel Dransfield to Guyana and to the GDF Defence Headquarters. He noted that the visit was

most timely and expressed the hope that the Colonel’s undertaking would be very fruitful. The Chief-of-Staff also lauded the Colonel’s work to foster harmonious relations between the ExService associations of the Commonwealth.

Accompanying Colonel Dransfield were officials of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion in the persons of Warrant Officer Class One (Ret’d), Arno Solomon (Vice President); Kingsley Nelson (General Secretary); and Major (Ret’d) Stanislaus Canzius (Treasurer).

Prior to his departure today, Dransfield will call on President David Granger and will also visit the Veterans Home at Lamaha Springs.

Indian High Commission opens book of condolences for passing of former President

T

he High Commission of lndia in Georgetown on Tuesday announced the passing of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of lndia who served from July 2002 to July 2007. He took his last breath on July 27, 2015 after suffering cardiac arrest.

Dr Kalam, who would have turned 84 in October, was confirmed dead more than two hours after he was wheeled into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bethany Hospital in critical condition following his collapse around 18:30h on Monday.

Dr Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931 and raised there. He studied physics and aerospace engineering. He was one of the most eminent scientists of the country and took the lead for the conduct of lndia’s nuclear tests in 1998.

He has been awarded the coveted lndian ci-

Former President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

vilian awards – Padma Bhushan (1981) and Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1997.

He led many pioneering programmes such as the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Satellite Launch programme and the country’s Guided Missile programme. He was Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of lndia from July 1992 to July 1997.

The bachelor was very popular with children and young people. He served as the 11th President of lndia from July 2002 to July 2007 and was widely acclaimed as the “people’s President”.

As a mark of respect to the departed leader, a Condolence Book will be opened at the premises of the High Commission of lndia on July 30 from 10:00h to 12:00h and on July 31 from 14:00h to 16:00h.

Gun, ammo retrieved from Grove, EBD trench

T

he Police are now searching for a man who disposed of an unlicensed firearm in a trench in the vicinity of Tank Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) in the wee hours of Wednesday.

According to information received, about 01:20h on the

day in questions, ranks of a mobile patrol were in the vicinity of Tank Street, when they observed a man throwing an object into the drain after which he ran away.

Police ranks thought that something was amiss and went to the drain where they retrieved a .32

pistol with two matching rounds. Information reaching Guyana Times revealed that after the gun was found, Police went in search of the suspect, but he was not found.

The Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.

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Latin America, Rotary Club of Georgetown donates books to National Library Caribbean T will grow just 0.5%in 2015 – ECLAC

T

he countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will grow 0.5 per cent on average in 2015, according to new projections released on Wednesday by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) during a press conference in Santiago, Chile.

Although the deceleration is a generalised phenomenon in the Region, the organisation forecasts heterogeneous growth among sub-regions and countries: South America will contract -0.4per cent, Central America and Mexico will grow 2.8 per cent, and the Caribbean will expand 1.7 per cent.

On a national level, Panama will lead the regional expansion with a 6.0 per cent increase, followed by Antigua and Barbuda (5.4 per cent) and the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua (both with 4.8 per cent).

Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow 2.4 per cent, while Argentina’s will rise 0.7 per cent. Brazil will experience a contraction of -1.5 per cent while Venezuela will face an even greater decline of -5.5 per cent. Upon presenting its most recent annual report, ECLAC called for vitalising the investment process to resume growth and improve productivity in the Region’s economies.

According to the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2015, the economic slowdown is a result of external and domestic factors. In the external arena, the global economy’s slow growth during 2015 stands out, particularly the deceleration of China and other emerging economies, with the exception of India. The report indicates that global trade will remain stagnant as part of what has become a structural problem in the global economy; and in addition to less external demand, there is also a downward trend among prices for basic products as well as greater volatility and uncertainty in international financial markets.

On the domestic front, the report says that a contraction in investment along with the deceleration of consumption growth, coupled with other factors, are contributing to a reduction in domestic demand, which has been the main factor driving growth in recent years. The decline in the investment rate and the lower contribution to growth of gross capital formation are worrisome, since they not only affect the economic cycle but also the capacity for growth and its quality in the medium and long term, ECLAC empha-

sises. That is why one of the main challenges for resuming vigorous growth lies in revitalising the process of gross capital formation, the document states.

Negative consequences

“Revitalising growth in the short and long term requires boosting public and private investment at a complex time. This can be done with fiscal rules that protect investment, resorting to public-private associations and new sources of financing, such as the investment and infrastructure banks of the [Brazil, Russia, India and China] BRICS countries, and alternative mechanisms such as green bonds and triangular loans cooperation,” ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena said.

On labour matters, the Economic Survey signals that the lower growth will have a negative impact on employment. On average, the unemployment rate is forecast to rise in 2015 to around 6.5 per cent of the population, from the 6.0 per cent registered last year. In its report, ECLAC stresses that the ability of countries in the Region to accelerate economic growth will depend on the room they have to adopt countercyclical policies that especially stimulate investment, which will be key to reducing the effects of external shocks and thereby averting negative consequences in the medium and long term. The organisation adds that investment does not only affect the pace and accumulation of capital, but it also relates directly to economies’ productivity. For that reason it is necessary to establish a framework of public policies that promote both public and private investment.

According to ECLAC, public investment can expand fiscal room for stimulating growth, without that necessarily implying an increase in countries’ debt levels.

Furthermore, investment in infrastructure can be central to achieving sustainable development. Although this has increased in recent years, significant gaps persist.

In terms of private investment, ECLAC indicates that countries must improve Small- And MediumSized Enterprises (SMEs) access to productive financing while also orienting financial systems towards the productive sector and the long term. In addition, they should shore up their productive and territorial architecture with industrial policy investment instruments and technological innovation that go beyond tax incentive schemes.

he Rotary Club of Georgetown on Wednesday donated a quantity of books to the National Library.

This donation is the beginning of a great partnership between the Club and the Library, and the ultimate aim of these donations are “to contribute towards higher levels of literacy among Guyana’s children by developing, promoting and supporting the work of the National Library”, the body said. The donation was handed over at a small function was held at the Georgetown’s Club on Camp Street and saw in attendance prominent members of the Club and representatives from the National Library.

Emily King, who is the Chief Librarian at the National Library, expressed gratitude towards the organisation for its contributions to the Library. She said that reading has become “a lost art among young children” and the Library hoped that it would be able to influence more young people to start reading more.

It must be noted that many young persons are struggling to read, and many teachers and parents would attest to the fact that failure to read from an early age can have long-term consequences on these children. As a result of this, the Rotary Club saw it fit to promote literacy among the

Chief Librarian Emily King receives the donation from a Rotarian

younger generation.

In a press release by the Club, it mentioned that “the work of the National Library is often hampered by the lack of funds to upgrade the bookshelves and with this partnership we are hoping that they are able to continue the many programmes they have outlined to us”.

Literacy has always been one of the main focal points for the Rotary Club

of Georgetown and over the years, it has partnered with the Education Ministry to set up book clubs in several clubs across Guyana. It also contributed to many community libraries, updating the books on their shelves.

The Club is calling on the Private Sector and even private citizens to support its future projects that aim at acquiring another “book mobile” for the library.

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One Laptop Per Family now DPP recommends One Laptop Per Teacher charges against former Health Minister

Former Health Minister, Bheri Ramsaran

D

ays after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar AliHack had recommended fraud charges be instituted against former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford, another former Minister has received similar treatment.

The DPP instructed the Police to institute charges against former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran for his “slap and strip” comments, made towards women rights activist Sherlina Nageer while protesting at the Whim Magistrate’s Court in May. The Office of the DPP told the Guyana Times that the file was received on July 21 and would have dispatched the file back to the Police on July 22 with official recommendations. The charges stemmed from a verbal confrontation between Ramsaran and Nageer during which he threat-

ened to slap and strip her naked. The then Minister was quoted as saying, “Shut your mouth and get out my face…I am not entertaining you…You idiot, we have less maternity deaths. I am a Candidate leading these people. We are going to win the elections and do better….Get the hell out of my face ….

F off.”

These comments were recorded on video and immediately went viral.

Several rights groups and civil society had called for the dismissal of Ramsaran, but he apologised to the women’s right activist.

Nevertheless, following the continuous calls by the groups, the then President, Donald Ramotar announced that Minister Ramsaran was relieved of his post and condemned his remarks against Nageer although later he had said he felt sorry for his former Minister who he said was “entrapped” and “provoked”. The former President also said the second set of comments made by the Minister in which he called the rights activist a miscreant and said she needed psychiatric help took on a life of its own and was taken out of context.

Ramsaran himself had apologised for his remarks, but he explained that he was “rudely interrupted and provoked” by the young woman. Nageer and Dr Ramsaran had a very heat-

The One Laptop Per Family Project Headquarters in Forshaw Street Women’s rights activist, Sherlina Nageer

ed exchange outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court, during the hearing of a case against former President Bharrat Jagdeo brought by accountant Christopher Ram. According to reports, Nageer was outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court where she spotted Ramsaran giving an interview to two reporters. It was while he was speaking to the reporters that she approached him, interrupting his interview. The activist was clearly heard being provocative and loud, asking the Minister why he was outside the Magistrate’s Court while the incidence of maternal mortality continues to rise.

She suggested that he was wasting her money and the monies of other taxpayers by travelling to Whim to support former President Jagdeo. Ramsaran then responded.

Pork-knocker’s noble act lands him in jail for 3 years

A

Pork-knocker will be imprisoned for three years after admitting to Police that 390 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) belonged to him and not his nephew, who was arrested for the offence.

Orin Semple of 940 Jackson Street, Tucville, Georgetown, was sent to jail on Wednesday following a guilty plea made in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The uncle admitted that the 390 grams of marijuana found at his residence on July 27 was actually his, thus he admitted to the charge of possession with the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor,

Corporal Deniro Jones explained to the court that members of the Guyana Police Force were tipped off about the narcotics and had thus showed up at the defendant’s home to conduct a search. The drugs were found in a wardrobe in the defendant’s bedroom; however, he was not there, thus his nephew was arrested for the offence.

However, upon hearing of the arrest, Semple went to the Police station and turned himself in to the Narcotics Branch of the Police. The Prosecutor stated that he did so on July 28, giving a statement admitting to the offence and was officially charged.

Before the guilty plea

was recorded, Semple was told that he faces three to five years in jail for the offence; however, the accused stuck to his plea. He nevertheless apologised for breaking the law and asked the court to be lenient with him.

Magistrate Ann McLennan, presiding in Court Two, did so giving him the minimum sentence of three years. But even so, there were expressions of chagrin by those in the court when the sentence was delivered as it was generally believed he was quite nice to give himself up to the Police in his nephew’s place.

With the three-year sentence, Semple is also obliged to pay $585,000 fine.

G

overnance Minister Raphael Trotman told media operatives on Wednesday that the Government was aware of a new batch computers ordered by the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project, and has decided to give these to teachers across Guyana.

He shared that the Cabinet has been in discussions about taking care of the teachers, so the Government of Guyana have been thinking about possibly renaming the project One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT). He added, however, that this move will have to be tied to a programme that ensured that these teachers used the lap-

tops for training in improving their methodology or delivering their curriculum in a faster electronic manner.

In relation to the almost 50 employees of the Project who were sent home, Trotman reiterated a statement made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon that the Government could not continue in good conscience to pay employees to do nothing. He mentioned that on a tour of the project facilities, they discovered tonnes of computers stacked, all faulty for many reasons.

Minister Harmon had placed the Project under review, sent most of the staff members home and shared that

files and documents and officers that managed the project were being reviewed.

Trotman stated that many persons were indeed dismissed, but some were asked to remain to handle certain technical issues and the new batch of laptops that will be in Guyana soon.

The OLPF Project was launched in Guyana in January 2011 by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/Civic).

The Government at the time had planned a distribution of about 90,000 computers to poor families across the country over a three-year period.

Suspected narcotics trafficker found not guilty

A

lthough a prima facie case was made out against a suspected narcotics trafficker, the prosecution failed to deliver a guilty verdict on Wednesday in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Kevin Sanbatch’s smiles completely changed his demeanour on Wednesday morning after Magistrate Ann McLennan told the court that the prosecution had failed to prove that he had knowledge of the narcotics.

He was charged for being in possession of 1.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa (marijuana) after he was busted with it in Yarakabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on March 31. The illicit drug was found in a bag in his vehicle after a search had been done by patrolling ranks.

Magistrate McLennan told the court that the prosecution needed to prove two elements of the charge to establish guilt. However, the prosecution had only been able to prove that the accused indeed had possession and control of the illegal substance. For this, the Magistrate relied on the testimonies of Constables Sukhdeo and Wong who found the suspected drug in Sanbatch’s car.

Kevin Sanbatch

This was substantiated by her belief that the chain of custody was not broken from the time the suspected marijuana was found to the time it was brought as evidence to Court Two. This was explained when Magistrate McLennan told the court that Superintendant Azore had testified to analysing the substance, thus proving that it was indeed marijuana that was found in his car.

However, Magistrate McLennan does not believe that Sanbatch knew of the drug that was in the bag which he had in his possession. She referred to his testimony about one Daniel Davidson, instructing him to collect a bag from someone in Land of Canaan. She reminded that the accused

had told the court that he was not aware what was in the bag as he did not check it and had informed the Police of this when it was found.

At the time of his testimony, he said Davidson’s name was given to the officers which led to his arrest.

However, Sanbatch had further implied that officers released Davidson after being bribed.

Also, Magistrate McLennan stated that Constable Sukhdeo had testified to hearing a statement of admittance from the accused, indicating an inference of knowledge. On the other hand, Constable Wong could not admit to hearing the same so Magistrate McLennan chose not to give this importance.

Conversely, the court gave importance to the testimony of Sanbatch where he had stated that he was instructed by Davidson to collect the bag. She also stated that the prosecution had been unable to properly explain why Davidson was released from custody after being arrested by Police.

Sanbatch was thus dubbed not guilty of being in possession of the 1.2 kilograms of marijuana, with the purpose of trafficking, as he had no knowledge of what the bag contained.

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Govt ups pressure on Bai Ramjattan urges support for 2:00 am curfew Shan Lin, Vaitarna to build processing plants T

C

hinese logging company Bai Shan Lin and its Indian counterpart Vaitarna Holdings Private Incorporated (VHPI), have until the end of this year to honour their agreements, or prepare to have their contracts terminated.

This is according to Minister of Governance and Patrimony Raphael Trotman who on Wednesday said that Government is currently reviewing the agreements and concessions awarded to the two foreign companies.

The companies have failed to honour the promises made to the effect that they would establish a wood processing facility here and the manufacturing of value added products. At his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Trotman said that Government has had consultations with both companies, where assurances were given that they will come up to acceptable standards.

“Both have been addressed, both have been spoken to. They said that they will, in the matter of months, be addressing the value added concern. In a matter of months, I am hoping that by the end of the year, the nation will start to see value added products being produced by the two companies. If they fail in this regard, then their contracts will have to be reviewed for termination”, Trotman told journalists at the briefing.

He said Government has been looking, and will continue to look at, those matters.

He said too that Cabinet will be taking into consideration the recommendations made

by Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr Clive Thomas in another section of the media.

“Thomas has made some pronouncements.

Government will be looking at the recommendations made by Professor Thomas during discussions at Cabinet. I could not stand and say that concessions will be slashed here and there, but Government is in fact reviewing all agreements and seeing where there has been compliance and violation and where things could be tighten up” Asked if Government would be assessing how the nation has been benefiting from the concessions granted to these companies, Trotman said while that is a good idea, such move will require a studied review, as Government will have to look at jobs, taxes paid, concessions on dutyfree vehicles and equipment versus what is being given back, along with value added. Thomas was quoted as saying that he would recommend that the tax concessions enjoyed by these

Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Dr Clive Thomas

companies be taken away, since Guyana could not continue giving out hundreds of millions of dollars worth in tax and breaks or concessions when citizens are not benefiting.

Last year, the Chinese company said it had invested over US$160 million in Guyana since it set up shop here, even as it dismissed allegations that it was shipping out logs illegally. It said in 2008, it had applied to the Government of Guyana through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and other agencies to lease lands to set up a factory to process logs and engage in value-added production, such as the making of furniture, craft and hardwood flooring.

“Because of the fact that our value-added operation is currently in development, the processing of raw materials is currently being done in China. Our products are sold in Europe and North America in addition to China and India,” the company explained.

“We were granted that lease for the construction of our processing plan four years after we applied for it. The lease is around 200 acres of lands located in Region 10.” Bai Shan Lin said for strategic reasons, it would have preferred lands closer to port Georgetown, but the Government insisted that the factory be set up in Region 10 to provide employment to the people of Linden.

“Our company commits to fulfilling its social responsibility to the people of Linden and its environs. Specialist engineers in China drew up the layout and design of this factory in the beginning stages of our company’s engagement in Guyana. The estimated cost of setting it up is in excess of US$80 million. We began clearing the lands but encountered difficulties with the administration of Region 10. Objections were made about processing 100,000m³ logs per year.”

The Chinese firm said it has already expended approximately US$30 million to purchase equipment, conduct site-preparation works,

and recruit specialist engineers for this factory, and other development aspects, but have been unable to commence construction because of the difficulties referred to, among others.

“But we will persist in having it set up. The economic and spill-over benefits for Guyana will, as you have appreciated, be tremendous.

The setting up of a modern wood-processing plant here will result in cost savings for our company as well. There is a significant cost involved in shipping logs to China to be processed and exported from China to the EU, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. The plant will make available to the Guyanese public, high-quality wood products never before produced in Guyana.”

Additionally, Bai Shan Lin said it has already injected around US$160 million of investment into Guyana, noting that it has rehabilitated over 225 kilometres of roads with its own funds and created access for other loggers to areas which were previously inaccessible.

“We have rehabilitated roads and bridges in communities where we have no economic interest. We intend to employ thousands of Guyanese once we are given an opportunity to realise our planned projects. We have successfully promoted species, which were never before marketed commercially.

We entered the sector with the aim to contribute positively to the development of forestry in Guyana through injection of financial and capital resources and by further building Guyana’s export markets for forest products.”

Acknowledging that the law regulates the maximum amount of logs it is allowed to harvest from these concessions, Bai Shan Lin said at no time, “contrary to what the public is being led to believe, have we exceeded the maximum allowable cut.

We invite you to verify this.

These regulations and policies have been in existence well before we began operating here”.

he Public Security Ministry is calling on the public for its full support as the 02:00 am (02:00h) curfew continues to take effect.

Since Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan decided to enforce the shutoff time and threatened to revoke licences of those who fail to comply, there has been a massive public outcry from various sections of the public including those from the entertainment industry.

The curfew took its full effect since the beginning of this month, much to the dismay of restaurant/bar proprietors, club owners and partygoers.

Guyana Times understands that although an official announcement was made regarding the curfew, many prominent bars still remained open past 02:00h.

Buddy’s Entertainment Complex General Manger told this newspaper that it was an extremely difficult transition and admitted that at first, it was hard to turn back devoted customers or get them to leave by the required time.

The imposition of the 02:00h curfew even sparked many debates within the public domain, with the major-

ity of the commentators condemning the Minister for this decision, citing that it was an extremely ineffective and poor move to fight crime.

But unrelenting in his cause, Minister Ramjattan has staunchly maintained that the 02:00h curfew can change the society for the better.

In a recent press release, his Ministry reiterated this position, pointing out that alcohol consumption is closely related to crime; violence, such as domestic violence; traffic accidents, and a decline in the productive capacities of the population, especially the young, along with other attendant circumstances, including the adverse effects of the proliferation of noise nuisance.

As such, it is the view of the Minister that it is in the best interest of the country to enforce “existing laws” which have mandated that the entertainment facilities be closed at 2:00h.

The Ministry noted also that this move has gained wide support from women’s groups and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

In urging the public to give its full support to the initiative going forward, the

Ministry pointed out that such restrictions were not uncommon in other countries.

The 2:00h closing time is, in fact, provided for in the Music and Dancing Licences (Amendment) Act Chapter 23:03, Act #12 of 1982, which states at section 9 that: “A place, so kept or used, although so licensed as aforesaid, shall not be opened for any of the purposes afore said except on the days and between the hours stated on the licence: Provided that the holder of a first-class hotel licence may keep open the licensed premises for the purpose of dancing, singing, music or other public entertainment once in every week until the hour of two of the clock in the morning except on any Sunday.”

“Place” as used in Section 9 means “house, room, garden, or other place” and will cover bars, clubs and restaurants – also inclusive of open spaces used for dances and entertainment purposes.

On that note, the Ministry wishes to remind the public that the law is being enforced in the interest of citizens’ security and safety with the aim of suppressing criminal and other offences which typically occur after 02:00h.

Bandit shot dead after robbing Berbice couple

A

n unidentified man was on Wednesday afternoon shot and killed by police who were responding to a robbery.

Reports reaching the Guyana Times indicate that shortly after 16:00h a couple was having an afternoon beach stroll when they were attacked and robbed by two armed men. Police responded and fatally shot one of them after coming under fire and later recovered a firearm.

In an invited comment Commander B Division

Christopher Griffith said the couple was on the Number 61 Beach, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) when they were robbed. The couple was robbed of two cellular phones, $60,000 cash and a gold chain. An alert Community Police officer who was in the vicinity at the time made contact with nearby officers who responded in a timely manner.

Guyana Times was told that the two men were making their escape along the beach when they were approached

by a party of police officers.

They allegedly opened fire on the lawmen who responded by fatally wounding one of the robbers. The other bandit escaped. The injured man was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead. His body is currently at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary awaiting identification and a post mortem examination. Meanwhile, at the scene of the shooting police recovered two sent shells and one shotgun. The investigation continues.

Essequibo teenager’s cause of death inconclusive – autopsy

T

he autopsy conducted on the body of 13-yearold Nikita Alana Naseeb was inconclusive, offering no definitive cause of death.

The autopsy was conducted by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on Wednesday at the Suddie Mortuary. Samples of parts

of the teen’s body were taken by the pathologist for further testing.

Naseeb died Friday last after collapsing at her grandmother’s Lima, Essequibo Coast residence. The teenager was in high spirit prior to her death.

Her grandmother said after the teenager collapsed,

she complained about having severe abdominal and head pain.

Naseeb succumbed moments after receiving treatment at the Suddie Public Hospital. The family is currently preparing for her burial on Friday.

NAMS broken into, $800,000 stolen R anks of B (Berbice) Division have launched an investigation into an alleged break-and-enter at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Based on reports gathered, the locks of the door were discovered broken on

Wednesday when staff turned up for work.

The Treasurer’s office, which is in the administration block with the Headteacher’s office, Deputy Headteacher’s office and the Secretary’s office, was broken in to and $800,000 removed.

There was no sign of forced entry to the administration

block; however, the door to the Treasurer’s office was broken. Up to press time, it was still not clear why the money was left in the school.

According to sources close to the investigation only three persons had keys to the administration block.

No arrest has been made.

thursday, july 30, 2015

19

Glimmer of hope for banned Rajasthan Royals cricketers T he Delhi court’s decision to drop the charges against Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan has not only indicated that the case against the cricketers was weak but also that spot- and matchfixing cannot be punished under the Indian penal code.

On 25 July, an additional sessions judge in Delhi discharged 42 individuals accused of having been involved in a systematic racket to bet on, and fix, cricket matches during the sixth edition of the IPL. The list of those acquitted included three cricketers who had participated in that season’s IPL: Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. The trio has now been exonerated of all criminal charges levied against them, including those under the draconian Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 [MCOCA]. Their prospects of returning to cricket, while unclear, are certainly enhanced by the judgment.

Even in 2013, when the Delhi Police first charged the three cricketers under the MCOCA, its intentions appeared extraordinary.

The MCOCA is a special law enacted to counter the dangers of serious organised crime. To think that a cricketer, even one who might have taken money to throw matches, could be involved actively in a criminal syndicate that included, among others, notable underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Shakeel, was fanciful, if not incongruous. But that, in substance, was the primary claim of the Delhi Police. Now, more than two years after these allegations surfaced, Judge Neena Bansal Krishna’s judgment has not only lifted the charges against the cricketers, but has also brought to light a void that prevents the Indian state from effectively punishing those guilty of match and spot fixing.

In all, Judge Krishna’s ruling makes three telling points. First, even assuming the three cricketers were involved in spot-fixing, there was no evidence on show to establish their nexus with bookies and brutes, as was alleged. Second, the offence of spot fixing - and, for that matter, match fixing - is not specifically punishable under any Indian penal law.

Third, it was impossible to

The future remains uncertain for Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan with respect to their involvement in cricket

conclude based on available evidence that the three cricketers had, in fact, taken money in exchange for performing any specific feat on the cricket field. Each of these findings is instructive.

Though the allegations against the three cricketers are distinct on facts, a common thread runs through all of them: a woeful lack of corroborative testimony, which ultimately crippled the prosecution’s claims. In Chandila’s case, the state relied almost entirely on a confessional statement by an individual, Sunil Bhatia, who was purportedly a henchman with links to a number of gangsters involved in the business of fixing cricket matches.

Bhatia had claimed Chandila had been gifted money with specific instructions to underperform, at least, on two separate occasions. Both these times, not only did Chandila fail to flounder to the satisfaction of the bookies, but he also returned the sums allegedly paid to him. According to Judge Krishna’s judgment, the prosecution had produced very little evidence to show that Chandila had actually received, and had later returned, these sums of money from the bookies. Their only proof was Bhatia’s statement, which, extraordinary as it was, was later retracted by him.

What’s more, there was no evidence offered showing any direct link between Chandila and Dawood and Shakeel, the alleged masterminds of the criminal syndicate.

Chavan’s case was based on similarly tenuous ground. The prosecution had claimed he had received INR 60 lakhs to perform poorly in a match involving his team, Rajasthan Royals,

and Mumbai Indians on May 15, 2013. But, according to Judge Krishna, there was no direct evidence that was produced, to show that Chavan actually received this sum of money.

Additionally, she ruled, the claims made by his team, the Rajasthan Royals, that they felt cheated by Chavan’s actions were incapable of being considered as any proof that he truly underperformed against Mumbai Indians. The entire case against Chavan, therefore, the court held, was conjectural, and completely unsupported by any corroboration.

In the court’s opinion, the allegations against Sreesanth were also equally unfounded. The prosecution’s case against Sreesanth was built on a series of intercepted phone calls between the cricketer and an individual, P Jiju Janardhan, and between Janardhan and various alleged bookies. According to the police, Janardhan was a close friend of Sreesanth and had convinced him to accept money in return for conceding 14 runs in a specific over. But, the court held, none of the evidence that the prosecution had presented pointed towards Sreesanth’s guilt.

The only fact that was even remotely incriminating, according to Judge Krishna, was a conversation between Janardhan and a bookie, Chandresh Patel. Here, Janardhan tells Patel: “[Sreesanth] is a little stubborn about this. He is playing after a long time and he is risking time … maine usko samjha diya [I’ve explained to him,] but he did not want to take risk.” This conversation, according to Judge Krishna, showed, if anything, that

Sreesanth had refused to partake in any form of spot fixing. What’s more, none of the conversations between Janardhan and Sreesanth, according to the court, established any direct link between the pair and Dawood and Shakeel.

In spite of these acquittals, the path back to active cricket for Chandila, Chavan and Sreesanth is far from assured. The bans imposed against the trio by the BCCI represent actions independent of criminal prosecution. They are sanctions that flow from the board’s own internal rules and regulations, including the IPL’s Anti-Corruption Code. Unlike criminal law, the standard of proof required to establish wrongdoing under these bylaws is far less onerous. The BCCI would not be required to show beyond all reasonable doubt that the cricketers had indulged in prohibited acts, but would merely have to prove that a preponderance of probabilities points towards such illegality.

A reading of Judge Krishna’s judgment appears to suggest that even such minimal evidence, demonstrating any potential offence, might be absent in these cases. The cricketers, therefore, might be in a strong position to approach the BCCI with new petitions to have their bans overturned. Though the BCCI has stood by its original decision, its secretary Anurag Thakur has now confirmed that if a request is made by any of the three cricketers, the BCCI would be willing to consider his case afresh.

Such a review would no doubt be conducted under the various internal rules and regulations that bind the board. The board, unlike the criminal court, would

merely have to find that a preponderance of probabilities points towards a violation of its Anti Corruption Code. But any decision by the board upholding the life bans is unlikely to be final.

Given that the Supreme Court, in January, confirmed that the decisions of the BCCI might be subject to the jurisdiction of the high courts under Article 226 of the Constitution, the cricketers could even conceivably challenge their bans as tantamount to a violation of their civil rights. However, any such process is unlikely to be swift.

Though the Delhi court was unable to find any evidence that could have established beyond all reasonable doubt that these three cricketers indulged in spot fixing, the court also thought it necessary to point out that, in any event, it might have been difficult to sanction the trio under the criminal

law. This is because both spot and match fixing are not specifically delineated as offences under any legislation. What’s more, according to Judge Krishna, such acts would also not fall within any other general offence, such as cheating, which required a specific transfer of property interests between the accused and the victim, in this case, the spectators.

Therefore, it’s arguable that the Delhi police was entirely misplaced in its decision to charge these cricketers of any offence, given that their acts, even if proven, were simply not punishable under Indian penal law.

The legalisation of sports betting is often recommended as a potential panacea to the menace of match fixing.

The real problems, though, as the failed prosecution of these three cricketers shows us, is a reliance on the criminal law to punish cases of cheating in sport. (Cricinfo)

McIlroy out of Bridgestone Invitational defence though injury

D

Rory McIlroy

oubts over Rory McIlroy playing in the US PGA have increased after the injured world number one withdrew from next week’s WGCBridgestone Invitational.

The Northern Irishman. who ruptured an ankle ligament earlier this month, is the defending champion in both events.

Medical experts suggested the 26-year-old could face three months out and he confirmed on Wednesday that he would not compete at Firestone Country Club.

The year’s fourth and final major is held a week later at Whistling Straits.

McIlroy sustained a “total rupture” of the anterior talofibular ligament in his left ankle while playing football with friends on 4 July.

The four-time major winner was forced to miss the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open title at St Andrews.

“Unfortunately, I will not be defending my World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational title,” McIlroy said in a statement from tournament organisers on Wednesday.

“Best of luck to all the competitors and I look forward to returning to Firestone in 2016.” (BBC Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, july 30, 2015

Platini announces FIFA presidency bid

The Ashes…

England in control after Anderson’s six U H

ackneyed though the phrase is, this truly was a good toss to lose for Alastair Cook. There was grass on the pitch and cloud overhead when the coin was flipped, but neither captain was prepared to send the other in to bat. However, Michael Clarke’s desire to play from the front led to Australia being skittled for 136 on the first day at Edgbaston, where James Anderson led a magnificent display of swing and seam bowling.

Anderson claimed 6 for 47, the fourth-best figures of his Test career, as England ran through Australia using only three bowlers. In his first Test for more than two years, Steven Finn collected two important wickets in the opening session, and Stuart Broad chipped in with two later in the innings. By stumps on a rainaffected day, England were three runs from overhauling Australia’s total.

There were shades of Boxing Day 2010 about proceedings. On that occasion, Anderson picked up four wickets as Australia were rolled for 98. But there they had been sent in. In Birmingham, Clarke backed his batsmen, and the move backfired. Chris Rogers was the only man who seemed capable of handling the conditions.

He played the ball late and punched it along the ground to score 52, but had no support of note.

On Boxing Day, though, England closed at a crushing 157 for 0, not only well ahead but with 10 wickets in hand. At Edgbaston, they went to stumps on 133 for 3, with Joe Root on 30 and Jonny Bairstow on 1. When rain arrived to end the day after only 65.4 overs, Ian Bell must have been kicking himself.

James Anderson celebrates his five-wicket haul after removing Mitchell Johnson for 3

Just one over prior he had thrown his wicket away for 53.

Bell had advanced to Nathan Lyon and tried to thump him down the ground, but succeeded only in skying a catch to David Warner at midwicket. It had been an encouraging innings for Bell in his move back up to No.3, full of crisp drives and confident strokeplay. On two separate occasions he struck three fours in an over, once off Josh Hazlewood and once off Mitchell Starc, and his innings could have been so much more.

In the end, it wasn’t even clear if Ian was “Belly of the Day”. He had strong competition from Adam Voges’ stomach, which took two catches. The first came when Adam Lyth drove at a wide one from Hazlewood and at slip, Voges fumbled the ball out of his hands and into his tummy, where he managed somehow to cling on. But an even more remarkable take was still to come.

Cook was beginning to

SCOREBOARD Australia 1st innings CJL Rogers lbw b Broad 52 DA Warner lbw b Anderson 2 SPD Smith c Cook b Finn 7 MJ Clarke* b Finn 10 AC Voges c †Buttler b Anderson 16 MR Marsh c †Buttler b Anderson 0 PM Nevill† b Anderson 2 MG Johnson c Stokes b Anderson 3 MA Starc c †Buttler b Broad 11 JR Hazlewood not out 14 NM Lyon b Anderson 118 Total: (all out; 36.4 overs) 136 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-18, 3-34, 4-77, 5-82, 6-86, 7-94, 8-110, 9-119, 10-136

Bowling: JM Anderson 14.42-47-6, SCJ Broad 12-2-442, ST Finn 10-1-38-2.

England 1st innings A Lyth c Voges b Hazlewood 10 AN Cook* c Voges b Lyon 34 IR Bell c Warner b Lyon 53 JE Root not out 30 JM Bairstow not out 1 Extras: (lb 4, w 1) 5 Total: (3 wickets; 29 overs) 133 To bat: BA Stokes, JC Buttler†, MM Ali, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson, ST Finn Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-76, 3-132 Bowling: MA Starc 9-1-39-0, JR Hazlewood 10-0-50-1, MG Johnson 5-0-20-0, MR Marsh 3-0-17-0, NM Lyon 2-0-3-2.

worry the Australians and had 34 when he pulled a short ball from Lyon off the meat of the bat only to see it rocket into the stomach of Voges at short leg.

Such was the force of the shot that the TV cameras panned out to the midwicket boundary in expectation, but the ball had somehow stuck in Voges grasp, his hands completing the catch that his belly had really taken.

Australia needed some luck to help them back into the match after a difficult day with the bat. They posted 72 for 3 in a rainaffected first session and while England were clearly on top, it was nevertheless a platform from which Australia might have hoped to build a solid total.

Instead, like an over-indulgent uncle on Christmas Day, they suffered a postlunch slump from which they could not be roused.

Cannabis lamps had been used to prepare the pitch, which fittingly had plenty of grass and left the Australians in a haze.

Their remaining seven wickets fell for 64 runs in the second session as Anderson ran through the middle order. England’s bowling was masterful, the ball swinging and seaming just enough to flick edges and cause doubt in the minds of the batsmen.

They literally did not know how to leave well enough alone. Voges (16) and Starc (11) were both caught behind toe-edging when they decided too late to leave a swinging delivery. Clarke had been lucky to survive a similar shot that ran away for four. Peter Nevill shouldered arms to an Anderson

pearler that moved in instead of out, and clattered the top of off stump.

Anderson started the procession when he straightened one just enough to have Warner lbw for 2 in the third over, a futile review from Warner notwithstanding.

Finn then showed why he earned a recall when he had the inform Steven Smith caught at slip for 7 and Clarke bowled by a fullish ball for 10, both to deliveries that moved away slightly.

Rogers shuffled around and bunted runs here and there, a few classy drives through the off side among his highlights. But once Voges fell shortly after the lunch break, nobody threatened to stick with Rogers for any length of time. Anderson enticed Mitchell Marsh into an expansive drive wide of off, which led to an edge behind for a duck, and Mitchell Johnson gave Anderson his fifth when he edged to fourth slip.

A second rain delay interrupted shortly after Rogers posted his halfcentury, and it did him no favours. On 52 he was trapped lbw by Broad coming around the wicket, and another review achieved nothing but confirming that the umpires were in form as fine as the England bowlers. A few tail-end boundaries helped the total along but Anderson completed his six-for when he had Lyon chopping on for 11.

Australia had lasted 36.4 overs, and Clarke might have been left wishing he had called heads instead of tails, for it was not especially a good toss to win. (Cricinfo)

EFA president Michel Platini ended weeks of uncertainty on Wednesday when he announced that he would stand for the presidency of FIFA in place of outgoing Sepp Blatter.

The former French international, who has been UEFA president since 2007 and a FIFA executive committee member since 2002, said he wanted to “to give FIFA back the dignity and the position it deserves.”

Platini, who played in three World Cups for France and led them to the European championship title in 1984, said he had written to the 209 member associations of FIFA, who each hold one vote in the presidential election, to inform them of his decision.

“This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future,” he said in the letter, according to a state-

has been in charge since 1998, and his predecessor Joao Havelange, who ruled from 1974 to 1998.

“Recent events force the supreme governing body of world football to turn over a new leaf and rethink its governance.”

Under Platini’s leadership, UEFA has implemented a controversial break-even policy known as financial fair play in an attempt to stop clubs from overspending.

He has also opposed the use of technology to help referees make decisions and UEFA has instead employed two additional linesmen on the goal-lines during Champions League matches.

As a FIFA executive committee member, he admitted that he was one of those who voted for Qatar’s successful, but controversial, bid to host the 2022 World Cup. He was also among the leading proponents of

Michel Platini

ment published on the UEFA website (www.uefa. org).

“I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.”

“There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands.”

Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term as president on May 29, but four days later said he would lay down his mandate amid the worst crisis in FIFA’s history. Blatter will remain as president until the election on Feb. 26.

Once seen as a Blatter protege, Platini has recently become a leading critic of the 79-year-old Swiss. He urged Blatter not to stand in May and said the series of recent scandals involving FIFA turned his stomach.

However, he has repeatedly said he enjoys his UEFA role and would be reluctant to give it up.

“During this last halfcentury or so, FIFA has only had two presidents,” said the moody Frenchman, referring to Blatter, who

switching the tournament to November and December rather than the traditional June/July slot.

Platini, who also coached France for four years before moving into football politics, said he was standing as a candidate “with enthusiasm and conviction, but also with the humility of someone who knows that he cannot succeed on his own.”

“I am counting on your support and our common love of football so that, together, we can give the tens of millions of football fans the FIFA that they want: a FIFA that is exemplary, united and shows solidarity, a FIFA that is respected, liked and of the people.”

He added: “For more than 50 years, my life has revolved around football. It has never stopped being my passion and it is still what motivates and drives me.”

“It has helped me to grow and mature. It gave me all I could wish for as a player and, over the years, it has helped me to become an accomplished man and a responsible leader.” (BBC Sport)

sports

YELLOW PAGES thursday, july 30, 2015

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21

200m back in play as FraserPryce now eyes double in Beijing J amaican star ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce has made an about turn and now says she could defend both her sprint titles at the World Championships in Beijing next month.

The 28-year-old, who won both the 100 and 200 metres four years ago in Moscow, had said earlier this month that she would focus only on the 100 metres at the Bird’s Nest.

However, speaking on Wednesday ahead of her 100m outing at the Diamond League meet here Thursday, Fraser-Pryce said the 200m was now back in play.

“I was down to do the 100 and relay, but the 200 is still possible,” Fraser-Pryce told a media conference.

“My coach did say earlier that I was not running the 200 but last week I was in practice and he said I should do a 100, a 200 and a 250.”

She continued: “I said: ‘Why am I going all that way? I’m not running 200 at the world champs?’ And he said: ‘Who says you’re not running?’ so I said: ‘You did!’ and he said: ‘I’ve changed

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

my mind. I’m not sure.’

“The thing is, I’ve already earned a spot in the 200 as champion, so I wouldn’t be taking it away from anybody

else.” Fraser-Pryce is one of the most successful women sprinters of the modern area.

She won gold in the 100 metres at the Beijing Olympics

seven years ago and successfully defended the title at the London Olympics in 2012, along with picking up silver in the 200m With obviously more success in the straight sprint, Fraser-Pryce said a lot more thought usually went in to her execution of the half lap.

“The 200 for me is definitely more strategic,” she explained. “When I get to the start line I am thinking ‘do I go hard for the first 50, do I go 80 per cent and then blast the last 100?”

Fraser-Pryce has not raced since clocking a worldleading 10.74 seconds in Paris three weeks ago and said she was looking forward to hitting the track again.

“I didn’t come out of the blocks very well in Paris but my transition from 30 to 70 metres was the best part of my race,” she noted.

“I’ve been training hard since and running some longer distances over 200m, which I don’t like. I’m looking forward to getting my racing started again tomorrow.” (CMC)

Pre-Emancipation domino tourney set for Friday

E

mancipation Day will be celebrated on Saturday, and in a move to mark the occasion, Sport Organiser James “Kool” Lewis has planned a Pre-Emancipation Ministries/Agencies knockout domino competition for Friday afternoon.

The event, which is being coordinated by James and his team from the Foreign

Ministry Office Assistants group in collaboration with the Trophy Stall, will be held on the Foreign Affairs Ministry Protocol Lawns.

Double-six time is 16:00h.

Trophies will be up for grabs for the top-performing teams. So far, several teams have signed up for the one-day event, including Presidential Security, Office of the Prime Minister,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana Forestry Commission, A and B teams, National Insurance Scheme, Lands and Survey, Ministry of Public Security and General Register Office.

James said spots are available for two more teams on a first-come, first-serve basis. James can be contacted on 628-1656 or 672-6179.

James Lewis

RHTY&SC to host anti-crime sport competitions

T

he highly successful “Say No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide and Say Yes to Education and Sports Campaign” coordinated by the cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) will be further expanded with a joint programme with the Community Outreach Department of the Guyana Police Force B Division.

The joint programme will see the hosting of several sporting competitions for youths in Berbice as part of the effort to promote sports as a positive alternative to a life on the road for youths.

Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster stated that the Club and the B (Berbice) Division have worked together in the past and this new venture

Hilbert Foster

would strengthen the bond between them. The two organisations late last year contributed gear to numerous youth and sport clubs, and in June 2015 donated $250,000 worth of school bags to less fortunate students in the Ancient County.

The sport tournaments to be organised under the “Say No to Crime Project”

are a double-wicket competition for females, a basketball tournament, along with a volleyball competition for clubs in the county.

The top three winners will receive attractive cash prizes and trophies and the two organisations will use the opportunity to speak to youths on the importance of ‘Saying No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide’, while urging them to stay in school and to get involved in sport.

Depending on the success of these three tournaments, the programmes will be expanded to other sports, including inter-village cricket, cycling, tabletennis and chess.

The two organisations will also be working to assist less fortunate students with school uniforms and footwear for the new school

year, assist sport clubs with gear purchased with funds raised from the Miss Region Six Fashion Show and the hosting of several children Christmas parties in four less fortunate villages in Berbice.

Foster, the 2011 National Sports Personality-of-the-Year awardee, is urging business entities across Berbice to get on board the project as it would benefit every person in Berbice if the crime rate is reduced by providing alternatives to youths.

The programme is being coordinated by RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Bakewell Under-17 and Intermediate, Metro Female and Gizmos and Gadgets First Division teams.

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thursday, july 30, 2015

Giftland Sports Maxx Mohamed leads Cricketers onboard with Boyce Cove to OSCL 15-over trophy and Jefford Classic

By R avendra M adholall in T oronto

– offers brand ambassador programme for athletes

From left: Giftland Sports Maxx Supervisor Selvin Apple, Boyce/Jefford Classic’s Colin Boyce and Edison Jefford, Giftland Marketing Assistant Breeanka West and Giftland Mall CEO Ian Ramdeo at the presentation on Tuesday

G

iftland Sports Maxx will partner with the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic to introduce athlete branding to the sport.

At a presentation ceremony on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Ramdeo revealed that two outstanding athletes, one male and one female, will be identified for enrolment in the Giftland Ambassador Programme for a period of one year after the event’s conclusion.

In addition, Giftland Sports Maxx will be spon-

soring the male 800 metres under the Under Armour brand and female 1500 metres under the Asics brand.

The store will outfit the winners of both races with respective apparel to the value of $50,000 each. The apparel for the athletes will include track suits, running gear, training gear and sneakers.

Both events have cash prizes of US$250 for first place, US$150 for second and US$100 for third.

The track and field meet, which has become Guyana’s premier event, will be held

at the Mackenzie Sports Ground in Linden.

Meanwhile, Ramdeo pointed out that because of his belief that athletes should be rounded individuals the long-term project is to have athletes benefiting from exposure to educational material.

The Co-directors of Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic, Colin Boyce and Edison Jefford thanked the store for its generosity as well as commitment to working with the Ambassador Programme.

F

ormer national youth batsman Ejaz Mohamed hit an unbeaten, responsible 41 to inspire Cricketers Cove to the 2015 Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) 15over title on Saturday last at the Ashtonbee Cricket Ground, Scarborough.

The right-hander struck three fours and a six as his team safely reached 80-6 with five balls to spare, replying to the former champion Dant’s challenging 79-9 from the allotment of 15 overs.

Veteran batsman Kumar Doodnauth played a useful innings too, contributing a steady 15. Earlier, former Guyana skipper Damodar Daesrath topscored for Dant with 15, while Doodnauth proved his all-round capability picking up two wickets for 13 runs from three overs.

Gopaulchan Beharry was also in the wicket-taking column, bagging 2-15 off three overs, delivering for Cricketers Cove on a sun-drenched day.

This is the first time Cricketers Cove have won the 15-over competition since its introduction three years ago, but they had dominated the 20-over tournament with three consecutive titles in the same Conference A Division.

In the Conference B Division, Rebels captured the trophy having disposed of arch-rivals

Ejaz Mohamed

Wakenaam at the same venue. Wakenaam took first strike and only managed an insufficient 92-9 from the allocation of 15 overs, while Rebels responded with 79-6 off 12 overs.

Krishna Persaud made 26 for the losers as ex-Guyana Under-19 player and Canadian batsman Shiv Seeram claimed two wickets for three runs from a solitary over.

When Rebels batted, another former Guyana youth player Troy Gonsalves produced a fine performance to make 24, while Seeram returned with the bat to score 17.

Moin Khan was the most successful and impressive bowler for Wakenaam with three victims, conceding five runs from his allotted

three-over spell.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times Sport caught up with the Most Valuable Player Mohamed and he expressed great satisfaction with his performance and more importantly, his team emerging at the top of the competition.

Mohamed, who began playing competitive cricket in 2004 in Canada, stated that he was eager to make an impression on such a big occasion and thanked his teammates for being very supportive.

“I am extremely delighted to be on the winning side today [Saturday]; the game was very competitive, but we got a great opportunity to prove that we are a winning team,” the 37-year-old Mohamed related.

Mohamed also mentioned that he wanted to represent the League in the forthcoming Mini Softball World Cup in early September, which will be hosted by Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club. Teams are expected from Guyana, Florida, New York and Ontario to compete.

In Guyana, Mohamed represented Guyana National Industrial Corporation at the FirstDivision level, while he plays in the Cavalier’s colours in North America. He has scored over 30 softball centuries during his entire career. Mohamed expressed gratitude to Ramjit Singh among others for his stint in Canada.

Rodrigues names Lady Jags Olympic Qualifying squad H

ead Coach of the Guyana women’s football team, Mark Rodrigues on Wednesday announced a 19-member squad that will travel to the Dominican Republic to face St Kitts on August 21 and Cuba on August 23 in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Women’s Olympic Qualifiers.

Rodrigues’ announcement comes after a rigorous one-week training camp featuring 22 players that concluded last weekend.

Goalkeeper Ruth George is the lone locally based player selected, with Rodrigues turning to players from his historic 2010 Gold Cup squad as well as from his 2012 under-20 group who are from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Ashley Rodrigues was once again named Captain, and will have the De Souza sisters Kayla and Briana, along with Ashlee Savona, Calaigh Copeland, Otesha Charles, Mariam ElMasri, Olivia Gonsalves, Alison Heydorn, Kailey Leila, Chantal Lynch, Kelly Pelz-Butler, Brittany Persaud, Leah-Marie Ramalho, Justine Rodrigues, Martyne Alphonso, Derienne Busby and Chante Sandiford.

Coach Rodrigues said he was excited to have a wide pool of

The national women’s squad posing for a photo

players to select from, with a few higher level identified players still not in attendance who may be available for later rounds pending Guyana’s advancement.

It was the first time since 2010 that the women were coming together and Rodrigues said: “It was also great to see the developmental maturity of our players after such a long layoff, and see the U20s step up to fight and earn spots.”

“This is a much more experienced squad than 2010, but we must remember that other coun-

tries have also been developing their female players, while also reaching out to their Diasporas for higher level players, so we do not know what to expect from our competition until game day.”

The women’s Head Coach is of the opinion, as is his staff, that focus is what Guyana will put on the field with the intention and hope of dictating the game.

“We have adopted and trained in a new system of play that’s very exciting and adaptable to whatever our opponents may bring to the field. The players’ procedur-

al memory was exhausted at the end of the camp. That was part of the camp’s training plan, so that when we kick start that part of the brain on August 20 (training – the day before the first game), their triggers will ignite and get us as close to peak mental and physical performance as possible early in the game,” Rodrigues noted.

In the absence of an International friendly, the Lady Jags resorted to playing a Georgetown U-17 boys team and the Digicel Schools’

Football National Champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary.

Rodrigues attributed good team selection to how the players reacted during the two contests despite being outmuscled in the two scrimmages, and the contribution to the team during encampment.

The Head Coach says that he welcomes the high expectations for the team, noting “the team has embraced the fact that everyone’s expectations are based on our achievements in 2010 and rightfully so. It was a great, historical achievement for Guyana football” He added, however, “while it’s great to reflect and rejoice on the past and the legacies created and setback then, we must now, first and foremost, remain focused on what we have to do on August 21 and 23, and that is to win our group to advance”.

The Squad: Ashley Rodrigues (Captain); Kayla De Souza; Briana De Souza; Ashlee Savona; Calaigh Copeland; Otesha Charles; Mariam El-Masri; Olivia Gonsalves; Alison Heydorn; Kailey Leila; Chantal Lynch; Kelly Pelz-Butler; Brittany Persaud; Leah-Marie Ramalho; Justine Rodrigues; Martyne Alphonso; Derienne Busby; Ruth George and Chante Sandiford. (GFF Press release)

guyanatimesGY.com

thursday, july 30, 2015

WICB Regional U-15 Tournament …

Guyana face mustwin situation – Moore confident team can retain title

By Rajiv Bisnauth

G

uyana, who came into the tournament as one of the favourites, will play the Windward Islands in a must-win game today in order to retain the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional One-Day title.

Today’s game is slated for the Guyana National Stadium, beginning at 09:30h.

Currently, the defending champions are five points behind the leaders, the Windward Islands and are definitely facing a do-or-die situation.

After four rounds, Windward Islands accumulated 18.2 points with three wins, Guyana sits on 13.2 points with two wins, followed by Trinidad and Tobago with 6.6 points from one win, Barbados on 6.5 points with one win, Jamaica on 0.2 points and Leeward Islands on 0.1 point. A win is worth six points.

Meanwhile, Coach Julian Moore believes his charges possess the quality to defend their title.

“We are pretty much confident of retaining the title.

We know it will be a very important game for us, but we still look at it like any other game. We have been playing excellent cricket throughout the tournament and yesterday (Tuesday) was a very good example of that.

“I think we are a very good batting team as well.

As you know, the bowlers are doing a good job so we will back our strengths and hopefully go there tomorrow

ECCCC fundraiser set for Emancipation Day

W

ith the aim of garnering funds to execute its mandate, the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) will on Emancipation Day 2015 (Saturday, August 1) stage its annual family fun day, barbecue, softball cricket and fair.

The event, in its third year, will get cracking at

09:30h with four male teams and a similar number of female teams competing in the softball competition.

According to a release from the Club, apart from the on-field action, patrons will be entertained beyond the boundary by the Caribbean Hotshots Band and Stereo Sound.

A well-stocked drink and food bar will be in op-

eration all day, while an instant draw raffle with fabulous prizes will be held with face painting for the young ones. Admission to the venue is free, but spectators will not have the option of taking beverages into the ground, while gambling boards are prohibited.

Banks DIH Limited is the major supporter of the day’s activities.

Jumbo Jet 9th annual...

from back page

Julian Moore

Ashmead Nedd

(today) and get one more win,” Moore said.

The former Guyana youth player added: “The performances have been good so far, we would have like to get the opportunity to do more with the bat, but the weather has been against us, but nevertheless the bowlers have been doing a pretty good job: no team has made a hundred runs against us and no batsman has got a fifty, so those are things we are very much happy about. From a team perspective, we are very much happy where we at.”

Guyana, the reigning champions, have claimed the top prize three times with back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999, plus last year’s win.

The tournament started in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title.

They hold the record for the most Regional Under-15 titles with seven, also clinching the trophy in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010, and 2013.

The Jamaicans have won

the title on four occasions – 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, while the Bajans have won it three times – 1997, 2004 and 2012.

The Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, and the Leewards are yet to win the title. There was no winner in 2003.

Guyana squad reads: Ashmead Nedd (Captain); Sachin Singh; Alphius Bookie; Kevlon Anderson; Junior Sinclair; Garfield Benjamin; Qumar Torrington; Haifa Walters; Nivendra Persaud; Pradesh Ballkishun; Kelvin Umroa; Orlando Jailall; Robin Williams and Kevin Christian.

Windward Islands squad reads: Kimani Melius (Captain); Tahj Tavernier (Vice Captain); Jahseon Alexander; Dhan-raj Cepal; Cazari Charles; Lennoy Charles; Ethan Doctrove; Razim Elahie; Simeon Gerson; Micah Joseph; Rene Montoute; Tijourn Pope; Corie Simon and Lee Solomon.

International cricket in Guyana...

from back page

The National Stadium at Providence was built in time to host matches in the 2007 50-over Cricket World Cup

Since then, the venue has hosted several regional age group and senior cricket matches, as well as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) regional T20 competition.

Quizzed by this publication about the possibility of Test cricket returning to these shores, Cameron said, “What I can say to you is that based on the schedule of cricket in the last two years

23

that you will have international cricket in Guyana next year.”

Cameron was at the time in Guyana addressing concerns of local stakeholders during the WICB Town Hall meeting at the Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda, Guyana’s former international cricket venue.

According to the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours

Programme, the West Indies are down to host Australia and South Africa for a tri-series in June 2016, then India a month later for a four-Test series.

The National Stadium was built in time to host matches in the 2007 50-over Cricket World Cup. It has since hosted two Test matches, 13 ODIs and six T20 Internationals.

(Avenash Ramzan)

“We want to encourage people who are not traditional horse racing fans to come out ‘cause we are trying to make it more family friendly ,so more people can come out along with the children and enjoy the races,” Mohamed Junior stated.

Present at the head table to conduct the ceremony were Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; President of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA), Vic Ouditt; Digicel’s Events and Sponsorship Manager, Gavin Hope; Banks DIH Limited Outdoor Events Manager Gavin Jodhan and Banks DIH Limited Water Brand Manager Errol Nelson.

Jones, in his remarks, congratulated the organisers for organising an event of such magnitude. He said that the Government of Guyana stood committed to the development of horse

racing and sports in general.

“The Government of Guyana is very supportive of the Guyana Cup and of course in whatever way we can, the Government is prepared to lend its support,” Jones pointed out.

Ouditt also spoke, expressing that the Guyana Cup has brought the sport to a new level and the GHRA is fully supportive of the event.

“We at the GHRA are very happy that Jumbo Jet continues to host such event. They have brought the sport to a new level in terms of the quality of horses that have been imported into Guyana,” he said.

Both Hope and Nelson expressed their pleasure to be part of this year’s event.

They pointed out that their involvement and commitment to the event demonstrates their willingness to assist in the development of horse racing and sports in general.

The feature race is for animals classified A1 and Lower. A total of $7.5 million will be up for grabs in that race. The race will be contested over a distance of 1800 metres.

Other races listed on the programme are: the Threeyear-old race for West Indies bred horses; Two-year-old race for West Indies horses, E1 and Lower, Four-yearold for West Indies bred animals, F3 and Lower, G3 and Lower, Two-year-old race for Guyana bred horses, I1 and Lower, J1 and Lower as well as a race for unclassified horses.

The top Jockey, the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be rewarded for their performances.

Meanwhile, interested horse owners are required to deposit a 50 per cent nonrefundable fee by August 8.

The remainder of the entry fees must be paid in full before or on race day.

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

thursday, july 30, 2015

Digicel Nationwide School Football Semifinals

Defending champs reach landmark 5th final – Chase in final for 1st time

Ryan Hackett and Jaleel Hamilton scored one goal each for Chase Academy

By Treiston Joseph

T

hree-time defending champions Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School will now feature in all five finals of the Digicel Nationwide School Football Tournament, while Chase Academy will make their first final appearance after the semifinal round was held on Wednesday evening at the National Track and

Field Centre, Leonora.

With Christianburg/ Wismar forced to take on a familiar foe in Waramadong, a team they have met three times in the final, the semifinal encounter was definitely the game to watch.

However, the hyped encounter proved nothing but a walk in the park for the Linden-based champions as they won easily by a 4-nil score line.

International cricket in Guyana in 2016 – Cameron C

Omar Brewley scored a double in the 17th and 27th minute, after Dequan Hercules opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

Kendolph Lewis dropped the hammer emphatically with a goal in the 85th minute to secure the fifth consecutive win for the Lindeners.

Waramadong really never got to settle in the match as the Linden side showed great attacking intent from the first blast of the whistle which resulted in the fifth-minute goal from Hercules.

The rest of the game unfolded with Linden showing their superiority as simply the better and more physical side in the match-up.

Meanwhile, Chase Academy is the first Georgetown school in the final since the first edition of the tournament when the Government Technical Institute won against Christianburg.

Chase topped Annai Secondary 3-1 to secure their spot in the final as they also showcased superior speed

and physicality against their opponents.

In front of a packed venue, Ryan Hackett and Jaleel Hamilton led the winners with solo efforts in the 39th and 85th minute with an own goal in the 44th minute complementing the scoreline. On target in the loss was Garville Daniels in the 33rd minute.

The Georgetown side at-

tacked early which caused a defensive breakdown resulting in the easy score for the Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) based team.

However, an equaliser from Hackett in the 39th minute followed by an own goal in the 44th minute took the wind out of the sails of Annai.

Hamilton simply hammered the final nail in the coffin with an easy conversion.

The tournament will now conclude on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence with Chase Academy taking on Christianburg/Wismar in the final while Annai will face Waramadong for the thirdplace position.

An own goal in the 44th minute was the deciding factor for Chase Academy to seal the win against Annai for their first final appearance (Treiston Joseph photo)

Jumbo Jet 9th annual Guyana Cup receives Govt’s full support

– over $25M at stake

ricket-starved Guyanese fans could witness the return of international cricket to the National Stadium, Providence, next year, according to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron.

The Providence, East Bank Demerara ven-

Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron

ue last hosted a One Day International (ODI) in July 2013, but the last Test match was played there in May 2011 and the last T20 International was during the World T20 tournament in May 2010. turn to page 23

From left Organiser Nazrudeen Mohammed; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; GHRA President Vic Ouditt; Digicel Events and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope; Banks DIH Limited Outdoor Events Manager Gavin Jodhan; Banks DIH Limited Water Brand Manager Errol Nelson and Irshad Mohammed. At extreme right is the winning Guyana Cup trophy

By Rajiv Bisnauth

W

ith the full support of the Government of Guyana, the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales launched its ninth annu-

al Guyana Cup horse racing event, which is scheduled to gallop off at the Port Mourant race track on Sunday, August 16.

The race meet was launched on Wednesday at

the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales office on Smyth Street, Georgetown.

Eleven races are carded for the day and according to race coordinator and ardent horse-racing enthusi-

ast Nazrudeen Mohammed Junior, this event is not only dubbed the largest one on Guyana’s horseracing calendar, but is looked forward to by jockeys and stables across the Caribbean.

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