Guyana Times Daily

Why Linden and not Bath Settlement?

Father jailed for stealing daughter’s jewellery

Minibus driver remanded for kidnapping 15-year-old

Police

Bouterse’s foster son arrested in

saturday, november 14, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Closer examination needed of Linden schools – Education Committee Chairman

– cites several difficulties

BY UTAMU BELLE

Chairman of the Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Education Committee, Denise Belgrave wants the Administration to “take a closer look” at schools, more specifically nursery schools in Region 10.

In her report to the Council at its statutory meeting on Thursday, Belgrave made repeated calls for the Administration to visit schools to see how teachers are coping, citing a number of issues affecting their productivity. The Committee Chairman said based on her observances, the time has come to have one-to-one discussions with affected teachers.

More specifically, she said a closer look should be taken at the ‘teacher to child ratio’, since an uncustomary

larger amount of students at the nursery level are being allotted to teachers in some instances.

According to Belgrave, some teachers in the region are experiencing difficulties with the larger amount of students allotted per class, given the fact that the acceptable teacher to child ratio at the nursery level is 20 to 1.

“Because nursery is the foundation... if we don’t have a proper foundation, we’re going to go out of order... we really need some help in the region”, she pleaded with the Council.

Additionally, Belgrave said there is need for the introduction of administrative courses to assist teachers with coping at that level. In some instances, she related, head teachers are left with no other alternative than to supervise classes when teachers proceed on leave.

ers. “What I’ve realised is that when they are appointed head teachers, there are lots of problems... so what I would like to recommend is courses in administration for our senior teachers, whether it’s once or twice a term, to have them exposed to courses in administration.”

Belgrave further recommended that primary school teachers be given an opportunity to assist at the Nursery level in the area of the transition stage from nursery to primary school.

Belgrave further explained that there are difficulties in numerous cases where senior teachers who are not exposed to administrative courses at the University encounter difficulties upon being appointed head teach-

Outlining other areas necessary for attention, the Education Committee Chairman stated that several nursery schools in the region are in need of sport equipment, which is necessary for developing physical skills. She further recommended an assessment of schools lacking relevant

equipment, such as computers and printers; since many times, teachers are tasked with spending out of pocket to have school related items photocopied.

Belgrave said that while it is presently difficult for her to visit schools she will be doing so in the near future to have a one-to-one with teachers in the region.

Meanwhile, Region 10

Regional Chairman Renis Morian assured that the Council is looking into the issue of having relevant equipment, which is lacking, being made available to schools. He also cautioned members of the Administration not to visit schools without seeking permission from the Region 10 Department of Education.

Fire ravages East Bank Demerara home

Eight persons are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin completely destroyed an East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

Guyana Times understands that the fire began around 16:15h at Lot 214 Prospect, EBD. Speaking with this publication, the owner of the home Sookram Sewcharan said he was on his way home from work when a neighbour informed him that his house was on fire. He said that when he arrived, the house was already completely destroyed and he was not able to save anything.

Sewcharan's distraught wife, Saheeda Hazeez explained that she was in the kitchen of her two-storey home cooking when she started to smell smoke and alerted her son. It took them several minutes before they realised the smoke was coming from the upper flat of the

house. Hazeez said she attempted to enter the upper flat but flames had already completely engulfed the entire level. She said she hurried back to the lower flat where she quickly turned off her stove, disconnected the gas bottle and placed it out of the fire’s path. She added that the fire spread quickly and as such, they were not able to save anything.

She said that the house was occupied by extended relatives; herself, her husband, their three children, their son-in-law and two grandsons.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, firefighters were attempting to extinguish the flames.

The Fire Service, however, came in for much criticism, since according to residents; some time had elapsed before the tender responded to the fire. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

Region 10 RDC Education Committee Chairman Denise Belgrave

Firefighters attempting to put out the last of the flames at the Prospect building

Sookram Sewcharan

Saheeda Hazeez

saturday, november 14, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, November 14 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, November 15 – 05:30h-07:00h.

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

Saturday, November 14 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, November 15 – 06:05h-07:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 26 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 05:45h and 17:56h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.70 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:31h and 23:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metre and 0.51 metre respectively.

Why Linden and not Bath Settlement? – Jagdeo

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

ath Settlement, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) residents continue to protest against what they deem the unreasonable removal of their streetlights simply because “government cannot afford it” while the people of Linden continue to benefit tremen

are other ways in which the administration could have addressed the matter.

“The increase in a Ministers’ pay can be used for the street lights in Bath Settlement,” Jagdeo proffered.

PPP/C Member of Parliament Priya Manickchand had previously pointed out that if

dously from a whopping $3 billion electricity subsidy.

Government is claiming that it cannot afford to inject monies to pay the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for streetlights installed in Bath Settlement, but they can afford to award themselves supersalaries after only four months in executive office.

And, while the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) does not pay its fees to GPL for the streetlights in Georgetown, the people of Bath Settlement had their streetlights removed.

“How can you justify that? Why the assault on the people of Bath Settlement,” Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo demanded to know.

He was at the time being interviewed on the “Under the Microscope” show aired on TVG Channel 28.

“There seems to be a very partisan move and assault in PPP/C areas,” Jagdeo stated as he commented on where he saw the future of Guyana in the next five years.

“You can’t afford a few lights in Bath Settlement but you can afford a 50 per cent ministerial salary increase… Look at Linden, they are subsidising electricity for the homes there, but you can’t afford it for a few street lights in Bath,” he stated.

The Opposition Leader blasted government for choosing this course of action, especially since there

mere campaign promise by the former regime during the elections period; but the government really cannot afford to bear the cost.

Patterson firmly stated that, “GPL cannot afford to subsidise the cost.”

After this was explained to residents, Patterson said the Private Sector Body had requested 30 days to come up with a payment plan, however the time expired and the lights were removed.

According to media reports, GPL is asking that residents pay $3500 per streetlight monthly.

Guyana Times understands some residents reluctantly paid the fee just so the streetlights can be reinstalled while others are holding strong, demanding an explanation for the biased treatment.

Negotiations

Meanwhile, government noted that GPL is currently in discussions with Bath Settlement residents to arrive at a solution.

one calculates only one Minister’s pay increase, the money would suffice for 394 streetlights whereas Bath Settlement only needs about 20.

Moreover, Jagdeo pointed out that GPL is presently saving millions of dollars as a result of the prevailingly low oil prices on the international market and that the company is just accumulating larger and larger sums of money through savings on the purchase of fuel.

He suggested that this is an avenue government can look into to ensure Bath residents get to keep their streetlights.

Residents of Bath took to the streets to vent their concerns over the removal of streetlights in their community. The protest commenced after the new government made a decision that the community would now have to pay for the electricity of its streetlights. The Region Five Private Sector Body had asked for one month to come up with a payment plan, but the lights were removed after their time had expired.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson defended the decision, insisting the free streetlights to Bath residents was a

According to the Government Information

Agency (GINA) the power entity has clarified it is responsible for the supply of electricity, and not the installation of streetlamps and automatic power supply for these, as they are personal matters and fittings, and are quite different from regular GPL streetlamps.

Linden subsidy

That aside, it must be noted that the people of Linden, Region Ten (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) are paying a mere $5 per kilowatt hour for electricity while the rest of Guyana are bearing the brunt of high electricity costs. Residents of Lethem pay some $80 per kilowatt hour for electricity. The residents there get the first 15 kilowatts of energy free but incrementally thereon, the next 15-50 kilowatts is at $60 and for over 50 kilowatts they pay $80. Other areas in Guyana are charged a flat rate of $48 per kilowatt per hour. Commercial costs are higher. (devinas@guyanatimesgy.com)

Public Security Ministry’s PS dies

The Permanent Secretary of the Public Security Ministry Angela Johnson died on Friday.

Johnson died at a city hospital after a short period of illness, this newspaper was told.

Despite her being absent from work for over two weeks, her coworkers have expressed utmost shock at her demise as they described her as a “hardworking” and “dedicated” worker.

Johnson served as Permanent Secretary in that Ministry since 2002.

She started working at the Ministry under former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Friday, Rohee described Johnson as “extremely helpful in managing the Ministry”. He stated she was exceptionally professional and knowledgeable as to the functions of the Ministry and did a tremendous job in managing several Ministries and

PS Angela Johnson

entities, inclusive of Police Complaints department, Prison service and Fire department. He stated that the country is facing the loss of a splendid public servant as she did a tremendous job in all of her endeavours.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

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

Traffic congestion

Care, caution, courtesy, consideration and common sense, the five Cs of the roadways, which is taught in every drivers’ class on traffic rules, are clearly rarely being followed these days. The consequence of which are road carnage and mayhem and more so in Georgetown, total chaos.

Contributing more to the chaos in the city is the recent decision to implement a ‘no diagonal parking’ rule. It is understandable that indeed major congested streets in the city will be less choked with this new rule but to blanket downtown with this rule is beyond comprehensible logistics. Regent Street, the major minibus route, and one of the busiest streets in the city, is indeed in dire need of such a rule.

But why Robb Street? Yes it is a major shopping street, but it is a one-way. How can the "no diagonal" parking rule bring more order to that street? As a matter of fact it has brought with it more confusion. This is so because vehicles are now double parking, thus impeding traffic flow. Another example is Sharon’s Building on King Street. This facility with diagonal parking can accommodate at least 12 vehicles but with the new rule will accommodate a mere five or six vehicles.

Where is the reasoning behind such a decision? What should have been considered before implementing this rule, is the fact that some business entities around the city can accommodate diagonal parking without impeding on the roadways. As such these entities should have been measured as an exception to the rule.

There are two major parking facilities along Regent Street, but it cost a motorist $500 per hour to accommodate a vehicle. In an economy that has plunged significantly over the past few months, it will not be erroneous to conclude that motorists will find it very difficult to pay such cost. As has been the case in the past, these parking fees increase during the holiday season, and with Christmas around the corner, there is no doubt parking in the city will be chaotic.

Added to the parking woes, more often than not minibus and taxi drivers add to the confusion of traffic in the city. Although there are designated ‘Bus Stops’ these drivers drop off and pick up passengers anywhere along the streets of the city. These drivers exercise no consideration for other road users, they drive on the right lane, then stop, blocking traffic in both lanes so they can manoeuvre to get passengers. Then there is the "boring in" chaos at the Demerara Harbour Bridge during rush hours - in full view of the police.

Can we blame this on insufficient driver education? Do drivers know that the right lane is only to be used for overtaking and turning? The answer to that question is certainly yes but because of the culture of tempting traffic officers with inducement, defaulters have developed the confidence that such violations can be effortlessly dismissed. As was called for before there must be an unbendable system implemented for those Traffic Officers who may be tempted to take an inducement and allow these defaulters to go free.

As the Christmas season approaches, the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department will have to employ more rigorous traffic control tactics to curb congestion in the city of Georgetown. To assist in easing the bottleneck in the city, the responsible agencies should ensure that roads are properly demarcated, traffic lights are working correctly and there be a review of the ‘no diagonal parking’ rule.

As we continue to observe Road Safety Month 2015 under the theme: “Be wise, stay alive, stop speeding, don’t drink and drive,” pedestrians, authorities and all road users alike must work together to control the congestion which burdens the city daily.

Others seem to know Jagan better than PPP leadership

Dear Editor,

Both the Stabroek News and the Guyana Chronicle came out recently firing on all cylinders. Lengthy editorials reflected the thinking of the Editorial Boards of these two dailies.

The target was the PPP’s staunch defence of Cheddi Jagan’s legacy associated with the Red House.

The Party is accused of pandering to a culture of “dominance instinct”, of being “undemocratic” and “antiJagan” “Jagan,” they claim, “would have wanted Red House to be shared”. They seem to know Jagan better than the leadership of the PPP.

One cynical letter writer suggested: “Put Jagan’s records at Congress Place and Burnham’s at Freedom House” He called for the creation of one PPP/PNC Party Headquarters named; “Common Place” or “Common House” where, PPP and PNC apparachiks would cohabitate.

He ended by calling for Jagan’s remains to be removed from Babu John and to be put at the place of the Seven Ponds and to put

Burnham’s at Babu John.

The demand “from above” is clear “either the PPP shares it or vacates it”. Jagan they declare has no right being there alone. Red House must be shared with Burnham and Hoyte! is the cry.

History is turned on its head, logic is turned upside down and authoritarianism rears its ugly head.

Recall Fanon’s “Wretched of the Earth”; “By a kind of perverted logic, it turns to the past of the oppressed people, and distorts, disfigures and destroys it!”

Jagan’s followers are being pressured to accept Burnham and Hoyte as coleaders of the PPP and this is being pursued in the context of a crusade to reverse/ revise the annals of Guyana’s political history. And the recent statement that “Guyana needs a second independence” must not go unscrutinised. Its objective seems altruistic but the subterfuge can be pernicious.

Intellectual heresy has replaced objectivity and consistency. Nothing of historical significance seems to matter these days save only what is associated with the Burnham

era on the one hand and all that is anti-PPP and antiJagan on the other. This is clearly the flavour of the day.

Nowadays, in certain quarters, it appears anathema to speak out or to write in favour of the PPP. Much less, to have such views published in certain newspapers.

An aggressive psychological war is being waged for the hearts and minds of Guyanese workers, farmers, women and youth.

A section of the media continues with the role being anti-PPP while it was in government to anti-PPP now it is in the opposition.

Historical distractions, defamations and degradation are inching their way into the psyche of the gullible and the unsuspecting supporters and sympathizers of the APNU+AFC, who in their innocent naivety, either cast the plague on the houses of both the PPP and PNC or, with a sense of total abandonment simply respond, in whatever way they deem fit, to what is told to them by their political leaders.

Media generated stereotyping of the PPP and its leaders by the rulers has be-

come the order of the day, the objective is to control and adjust the flow of information to the public to keep a particular picture of the PPP in their heads.

A culture of sycophancy and subserviences being promoted by the Granger-led administration and the trend in certain quarters seems to be “go along to get along.”

This culture of sycophancy is gradually infecting sections of Guyanese society and its depth and pervasiveness is dangerously inching its way into the pages of sections of the media and as a result, is helping to play the game dictated from the top by the APNU+AFC.

But the fight back by the PPP to undermine this sycophancy is exemplified in the movie; “Any Given Sunday” with Al Pacino and Jaimee Foxx, the coach and the Quarter Back respectively, who, together with the “Sharks”, fought back valiantly to win the game.

Clement Rohee, General Secretary, People’s Progressive Party

Four Indians in Canada’s Cabinet

Dear Editor,

Four Indo-Canadians have been appointed as Ministers on November 4 in the newly sworn in cabinet of that nation after the October 19 general elections. Guyanese overwhelmingly supported the victorious party. Some 19 Indo-Canadians won seats to the parliament in elections for the ruling Liberal and opposition Conservative parties. Two of the new Ministers are turbaned Sikhs who have had good relations with IndoGuyanese in Canada and Richmond Hill.

Justin Trudeau, 42, took

oath as the country’s 23rd prime minister at a grand public ceremony in Ottawa on November 4.

Indo-Canadian Harjit Sajjan was appointed defence minister, and 38-yearold Navdeep Bains got the portfolio of innovation, science and economic development. Another Sikh, Amarjeet Sohi was sworn in as minister for infrastructure. A young Sikh woman, Bardish Jhagger, who is a first-time MP, has been sworn in as minister for small business and tourism. Bains, who played a key role in Trudeau’s elec -

tion as the Liberal Party leader in 2013, was awarded with the important cabinet berth. Bains, who became MP for the third time last month by winning from Mississauga-Brampton; the large Guyanese and West Indian community voted for him. Indo-Caribbeans are classified under the IndoCaribbean category for identification purposes.

India-born first-time MP Harjit Sajjan is a decorated police and army official. He is the first Indian to command a Canadian regiment serving in British Columbia.

Justin Trudeau, the son

of charismatic late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who is credited with opening Canada to new immigrants in the 1970s, led the Liberal Party to win 184 seats in the 338-member House of Commons. The overwhelming majority of Guyanese and South Asians voted for the Liberal Party that featured a large number of Indian candidates. He rewarded the IndoCanadian community (inclusive of Indo-Caribbeans) for their support.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Courts Main Street Light Up: Thousands were treated to the dawning of the Christmas spirit with the Courts annual Christmas Light Up and Concert on Main Street on Friday (Marceano Narine photo)

GECOM Chairman out of touch with Guyana’s new realities

Dear Editor, “This Government holds that all the peoples of this country are equally important whether they belong to a large group or a small group. To us the Amerindians are important, to us the Chinese are important, to us the Portuguese are important, to us the Europeans are important, to us the mixed races are important, to us the Africans are important, and to us the East Indians are important” said PNC founder leader Forbes Burnham in his 1964 inaugural address.

Long before its 1992 removal Burnham’s PNC had dumped its UF coalition partner and wrecked Guyana’s economy.

Some 50 years later Guyana’s economy is again in freefall with the current PNC led coalition at the helm.

Now compare the most preposterous and disappointing statement by GECOM’s Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally that there is no racial or ethnic imbalance at GECOM. Did APNU seek a coalition with the AFC for just “Guyanese” votes? “We have a procedure, we have a process. We do not employ AfroGuyanese! We do not employ Indo-Guyanese! We employ Guyanese!” said Dr Surujbally.

Responding to a concern expressed by General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee that there was racial imbalance at GECOM, its chairman Dr Surujbally was reported in the KN that “Surujbally rejects notion of racial imbalance at GECOM” on November 13, 2015.

Dr Surujbally is obvious-

ly with mandate to make political policy that would rival or best PNC founder leader Forbes Burnham.

PNCR Vice-Chairman Volda Lawrence echoed the PNC leader when she told the PNC regional conference at Pomeroon -Supenaam (Region Two) last weekend that, “… to build this country, a Government of national unity must see all of its people as important and that is the Government that you have today (sic).”

Why would Dr Surujbally lie so blatantly that there was no racial and ethnic imbalance at the elections commission?

It’s so obvious that GECOM is overwhelmingly Africanised and no racial equality exists. Shouldn’t GECOM be correcting to “include” rather that label Guyanese as “important” as Lawrence told delegates that was coalition policy?

Few believe that with the indentured servitude AFC in Cummingsburg contract to the PNC led coalition, it will achieve anything significant.

All Guyanese know the AFC was specifically co-opted into the PNC-led coalition because it was expected to deliver 11 per cent Indian votes to the African APNU which it did. There was no hocus-pocus ambivalence in expressed public language or about APNU’s goals that Indian division should be their continuing priority for victory.

Now sugar, rice, timber, gold, bauxite and tourism are all in economic freefall with no visible solutions. Again the Cummingsburg contract gets trampled.

From the frying pan we are now being roasted in the fire. Since no problem exists to employ Indian Guyanese

at GECOM - they are Guyanese - why must racial imbalance still persist and any concerns be dismissed. If all are Guyanese by say so there is no need to pump up the volume for “national cohesion”. All are empowered with equal rights to be employed at GECOM but the imbalance is still dismissed as ‘insignificant’.

Dr Surujbally’s defence is most callous, insensitive and out of touch. He must go since his is a stumbling block mindset which infects GECOM. Despite the criminal evidence of fake statement of polls (SOPS) at the 2015 elections there has been no police investigation. Why not? Why has Dr Surujbally and CEO Keith Lowenfield refused to call in the police to investigate? A clear breach of law occurred and no investigation occurred at GECOM Strange or normal?

This proclivity of GECOM to dismiss all complaints as “one luv - all abee a waan family” does not cut it. It shames GECOM and Guyanese that 50 years after independence there exist blatant racial discrimination in employment.

Dr Surujbally cannot continue to blatantly fudge the issues by blatantly rejecting legitimate complaints. He must go as he is now part of the problem. Completely out of touch with Guyana’s realities and demonstrating unusual obstinacy to correct the racial balance at GECOM it is now obvious he is most unqualified to remain as GECOM chairman. He is completely out of touch with the policy for national inclusiveness.

Respectfully, Sultan Mohamed

Fiddling of the coalition

Dear Editor,

Can you imagine that the Minister of Public Security is busy pontificating on the date for Diwali while the crime situation is spiralling out of control? This man is being paid a huge salary increase yet all he could come up with is a ‘2 a.m. curfew’ and the use of ‘dogs and horses’! One only needs to look at the front page of our newspapers or tune in to the newscast to be bombarded by an escalating crime situation. How can Ramjattan reasonably justify his ‘perverse’ salary and benefits increases? This is most shameless! Nowhere in the world pays for ineffectiveness.

Raphael Trotman and others have made comparison to the salaries in the Private Sector but I am unable to rationalise this since an entity in the Private Sector will only pay a high salary for efficiency, competence and productivity. So I am requesting that Ramjattan and the others return their pay increases back to the treasury with immediate effect!

We have seen that since the Coalition took over they have been busy spending the taxpayers monies on a plethora of forensic audits and Commission of Inquiries, all of which are exercises in futility! None has brought any solution to our social and

economic problems. These ‘fiddlings’ have cost the taxpayers in excess of $300 million and have only served to put money in the pockets of the ‘fat cats’ of the Coalition Government. All these wastes coupled with the extravagant spending could have been used to give sugar workers even a ‘nominal’ increase (in the words of Nagamootoo).

In addition to this, the Coalition has been embarking on doing the work of the Mayor and City Council instead of running the Government. Moreover, the Coalition has been busy dismissing competent public servants and replacing them with a potpourri of incompetent APNU and AFC ‘party hacks’ who are also experts in ‘fiddling’.

Lastly, I have made a trip from New Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek on the evening of the ‘Government’s Diwali’ on 10 November, and as was expected I have witnesses a fitting response to Ramjattan’s ‘fiddling’ - the homes which participated in Diwali on that day can be counted on my fingers! This is in direct contrast to the ‘People’s Diwali’ which was held on 11 November and supported by the masses! It was a fitting response to Ramjattan. The dubbing of Diwali as ‘Government

Diwali’ and the ‘People’s Diwali’ is not my doing, but it is how the majority of Berbicians view Ramjattan’s interference in the religious Festival!

We Berbicians are calling on Ramjattan and his Government to address the many social and economic problems facing this country and leave religion to its leaders! For the past six months Guyana is slowly burning so please stop’ fiddling’ and respond to the needs of our citizens!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Page Foundation

By Janet Lehman

Your child: “Everyone else is going to the party. Why can’t I?”

You: “I don’t care what ‘everyone else’ is doing. You can’t go and that’s final.”

Your child: “Why are you so mean? You never let me do anything!”

Do you ever wonder if your rules are too strict – or too lenient? When is it time to reel your child back in, and how will you know when it’s safe to loosen the reins a bit? Most importantly, is your child ready for more independence, or showing clear signs that he’s not?

If your child is asking for more independence, it’s important to realise that this is normal. Children really should want more freedom. They should want to do more with peers as they get older rather than isolating themselves at home. On the other hand, don’t let your child bully you into giving them more freedom. If your child is pushing and pushing in order to get you to agree to something, you don’t have to respond right away. You can always say, “I need to think about it. I want to talk to your father and your friend’s parents first.” Take that time to figure out if you’re comfortable with the request, if it’s safe, if your child is ready for more free dom, and what the normal ex pectations are for children in his age range. Remember, it’s okay to say “no”—and in fact, sometimes that’s exactly what your child needs.

Here are five things you can do as a parent to determine if your child is ready for more freedom (or not), and how to give it to him or set firmer limits.

***Develop reason able expectations***. In order to strike the right balance as a parent, it’s important to lay the groundwork first by doing your homework. That means finding out what normal expectations are for chil

dren in your child’s age group. Norms differ for every age range: younger children might want to stay up later, watch a special TV show, or play a new video game. Maybe they’re starting to ask if they can stay overnight at a friend’s house. Older children, on the other hand, are looking do to things like borrow the car and attend concerts and parties.

***Investigate****. Talk to others. It’s important not to stay isolated as a parent around these kinds of subjects because then you run the risk of having your child be the one to tell you what the norm is. They might try to push things on you by saying things like, “Tommy’s mom lets him do it.”

You don’t necessarily have to abide by his friends’ parents rules, but it’s good to know what others out there are doing. Make your own judgment about what your child should be allowed to do based on your family’s values and what you know of your child. How do you know when your child is ready for more independence? I always tell parents, “You’re the best judge of what your child needs. Listen to your gut.”

***Be clear and complete with your expectations***. Let your children know what the rules are. If you have a rule that’s really im

other child in the car when you drive,” or “Follow the speed limit.” ***Know the facts.*** If your child is asking if he can go to a party, you want to get the facts first and attend to safety concerns. Ask the following: “Who’s going? How are you getting there? Where are you going? and who’s going to be home?” If he can’t give you those details, then he may not be ready for that kind of activity. If he can and you decide it’s okay, you can say, “Yes, you can go, but you can’t drive anyone else. And you need to be back by your curfew.” (Don’t worry if your child grumbles. Believe it or not, children actually feel safer when parents set some parameters around their behaviour.) Let’s say your child goes to the party, follows all the rules, and comes back in good shape. Chances are the next time it will be easier for you to give him that kind of freedom. Eventually, you might let him take another step toward independence by allowing other kids to go with him in the car.

***Make incremental steps***. When it comes to giving your child more independence, start with small steps. If she successfully meets the expectations of each step, then you can add more responsibility or more freedom. For example, if your child wants to have a curfew of 12 pm. instead of 11 pm, you might say, “Let’s start at 11:30 pm. If you can come in at that time for two weeks, we can talk about moving it to 12 pm.”

YThis way, your child is showing you that she can follow the rules. If you always say “no” out of fear that something bad might happen, the risk is that your child will never learn how to manage independence because she won’t have had the opportunities to learn.

If your child is acting up and can’t follow your incremental rules, this tells you that she’s not ready for more independence. Generally children want more freedom and can learn how to earn it. (Excerpt from Empoweringparents. com)

our daughter is clamouring to go to a party this weekend. You know the parents so you’re not worried about safety, but you want your daughter to earn the privilege to go. You only ask that she cleans her room, and she’ll be able to attend the party. She happily agrees. Thirty minutes before it’s time to go, she tells you to come take a look. You notice a pile of clothes in one corner, an unmade bed in the other, and a floor in desperate need of a vacuum.

You explain that she still has some work to do before she can go to the party. She’s not impressed.

I did what you asked me to do and I still can’t go?!

With that attitude, she’s definitely not going. You throw up your hands and think, Why does every day have to be so difficult? Why can’t she just listen to me? What am I doing wrong?

If you identify with this scenario, you’re not alone! I talk to a lot of parents who think they’re being very clear with what they ask of their children. Commonly, what you say and what your child hears can be two different things. To help your child better understand what you are asking of them, start with being crystal clear with your expectations.

Clearly defined expectations offer your child safety and security. If they don’t understand the boundaries that are being set, they are much less likely to be motivated toward good behaviour.

In this example, the parent’s definition of a “clean room” was much different than their daughter’s. Again, it’s important to be specific. Next time try:

If you clean your room – that includes putting your clothes away, making your bed and vacuuming the floor – then you can go to the party this weekend.

The goal is for your children to earn privileges through good behaviour – this parent has it right! When you clearly define what is and isn’t allowed, you help your child understand what your expectations are and how to meet them. If you’re not explicit when outlining rules and consequences, your child will eventually stop trying to follow the rules and give up. Then, everybody loses. To avoid this, try discussing your expectations as a family. This will help put everyone on the same page, so you’re less likely to be misunderstood.

(Empoweringparents.com)

Increased Police patrol for banks, airports

– Police launch Christmas security plan

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) A Division on Friday launched its Crime Security Plan in preparation for the Christmas season.

The plan will take effect from Monday 15 November and will continue until the first half of January 2016.

Giving a brief of the plan in the auditorium of the Officer Training Centre, Commander of A Division Clifton Hickens reminded that during the festive season, the incidences of crime tend to build up across the country.

The Force he said will be intensifying its presence on the streets, particularly in areas that have increased economic activities.

“We will increase the foot patrol, vehicle patrol (in and around Georgetown), we will look at the Georgetown Prison, nightspots, commercial banks and post offices”, Hickens assured.

He said the force will continue its crime prevention programmes in local communities, meeting with both youth and their parents.

According to him, A Division will be divided into five sectors so it could be adequately policed. Apart from providing security for citizens, persons must themselves take every precaution to protect themselves.

“You are not going to wear lots of jewellery and walk in dark spots with-

out any security, and you should not walk around with large sums of money to make yourself vulnerable”, the Commander said. Hickens said the force will continue its partnership with the Community Policing Group (CPG) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to build capacity.

He said the CPG continues to work assiduously to ensure the communities are rid of criminal elements. He said during this time, their support will be greatly needed.

“We are not going to wait until something happens then the police are going to go swarming in. What we are going to do is go into the communities and find out what are some of the problems so we could deal with those problems before they escalate.

Meanwhile, Traffic Chief Dion Moore stated that his department will also be upping its game during the festive season to avoid any possible traffic accidents.

“Our intention is to maintain a free flow of traffic by ensuring that traffic

congestion is brought to a minimum as far as practicable in Georgetown and its environs”

He said the traffic department will continue its zero tolerance campaign against traffic offenders, particularly those who continue to drive under the influence of alcohol, speeding, the use of mobile phones while driving, overloaded minibuses and hire cars. He said special focus is placed on persons operating hire cars, since there will be an increase in the number of persons using these modes

of transportation during the season.

Meanwhile, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said if everything goes as planned, Christmas 2015 will be the best for citizens and the worst for criminal elements.

His comments came after his presentation on the successes of the GPF to tackle the crime situation.

Although there has been an eight per cent increase in serious crimes, the Force has maintained that crime in Guyana is not spiralling out of control as is peddled

by the media. The crime chief said the Police Force has been working tirelessly to counter the high incidences of crime across the country. These were accomplished particularly because of the strategies used.

These included intelligence-led operations, the deployment of the SWAT team on special operations, the deployment of ranks based on temporal and special analysis and the setting up of road blocks at strategic locations.

Giving details on serious crimes, Blanhum disclosed that criminal activities were found to be high during the June to August period.

However, for 2015, from the beginning of June when he took office, the figure on serious crimes stood at some 13 per cent. However, the force has been able to reduce this by five per cent.

During his power point presentation, Blanhum showed that the higher percentage of criminal activities, have been occurring in A Division.

The other remaining figures were distributed among the other divisions. According to the data shown, there had been some 126 murders by the end of October. Reports of rape showed a 14 per cent increase with 245 incidences. According to him, those figures do not show that crime is spiralling out of control”.

Courts, Lucky Dollar instalments can be paid via MMG

Instalment payments for Courts and Lucky Dollar can be now be paid via GTT’s Money Mobile Guyana (MMG). This feature came into effect on Friday as part of the “Do More” campaign.

Payments can be made with any mobile phone from anywhere, at any time. Digicel users with Android and Blackberry phones who register for MMG will also

be able to pay using their phones, via the MMG App. Unregistered users can make payments over-thecounter at MMG Agents or GTT Business Offices countrywide. A nominal fee of $60 is charged for payments under $60,000. Customers should have their 12 digits account number available to effect payment.

Accounts will be updated on the Courts and Lucky

Dollar databases within 24 hours of payment.

GTT Director Eshwar Thakurdin stated “Only two weeks ago, we opened our service to customers of the other network; so it’s exciting to announce today our partnership with Guyana’s leading furniture and electronic giants – Unicomer (Guyana) Inc. We can now offer the convenience of Mobile Money to Unicomer’s

huge base of loyal patrons.” Unicomer’s Director of Credit Kenneth Scrubb noted that with a hire-purchase customer base of over 40,000 Guyanese from all corners of the country, the management of Unicomer agreed that a more flexible and convenient option of making monthly payments would be in our customer’s best interest, especially those residing out of town, or who finds

it difficult to visit a store to make a payment.

Mobile Money was an easy choice since it now caters for customers from both networks, he added. The list of bill payments that can now be made with Mobile Money include GTT, GPL, GWI, GRA, Courts, Lucky Dollar, IPED, Hand in Hand and Demerara Mutual Insurances.

Mobile Money since its

inception has long pledged to make the lives of all Guyanese easier, allowing persons to make everyday payments in an innovative, safe and most convenient way. The goal has always been to reduce the need for physical cash; as GTT’s MMG ushers Guyana into the ‘New Age of paying for goods and services’.

A section of the attendees at the GPF’s launch of Christmas Crime Security Plan

saturday, november 14, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Father jailed for stealing daughter’s jewellery

AMeadow Bank, Greater Georgetown man was on Friday jailed for six months after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with stealing a quantity of jewellery from his daughter.

Richard Benis, 50, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on November 10, at Lot 7 Second Street, Meadow Bank, he stole three gold chains, two pairs of gold earrings and two gold rings all valuing $88,000, property of his daughter Meryl Fraser. Additionally, he was charged for stealing a quantity of silver jewellery valued at $15,000 also belonging to his daughter.

Police Prosecutor,

Garbage bin thief jailed

Aman who admitted to stealing two Mayor and City Council garbage bins was on Friday jailed for eight months by Magistrate Alex Moore.

Andrew Duncan pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that he stole two garbage bins property of the Mayor and City Council valued $17,000 each.

He had been previously charged on two occasions for simple larceny, and given these facts the Magistrate sentenced him to serve eight months in prison.

Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that on the day in question at about 13:30h, the Virtual Complainant returned home and found the defendant asleep in

Linden

her veranda. She reportedly gave him a meal upon his request and took him into the house, and subsequently went about her daily chores.

The Prosecutor related that the woman went into her bedroom and discovered the defendant inside, and when she inquired what he was doing there he remained silent. She then asked him to leave and after checks to her bedroom, she discovered that her jewellery box was missing. A report was made at the Ruimveldt Police Station and the defendant was arrested.

He reportedly told Police that he was in debt and so he took the items to pay his credit.

When given the chance to speak, the defendant accepted the charges and expressed remorse for his actions. He was sentenced to serve six months in prison.

larceny accused on $100,000 bail

Three Lindeners were on Friday placed on $100,000 bail each when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with stealing $500,000 in articles from a house they raided.

Preston Skeete, 19, of Lot 1103 Central Amelia’s Ward; Lennox Estwick, 29, of Lot 636 Central Amelia’s Ward and Jermain Mitchell of Lot 1640 Central Amelia’s Ward, all pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 06 at Lot 1572 Central Amelia’s Ward, they stole a quantity of electrical and personal items valued $436,000,

property of Cheryl Whims, Virtual Complainant (VC).

Skeete was also charged with being found with the stolen articles in his possession on the day in question at his residence. He also denied this allegation. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that all the items

were recovered at Skeet’s home. He also informed that Skeete was previously released on $300,000 bail in April by Magistrate Fabayo Azore on a charge of theft of a minibus and car in Linden.

The case will continue on November 25 at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Eyew tness It’s only money…

…rice farmers’ money

Some folks make business more complicated than it really is. If you’re in retail, all you have to do is “buy low; sell high”. In any kind of production – whether manufacturing or agriculture or service – you have to get your costs below where’s the market’s at. But most of all, make sure there’s a market for your stuff and if you have a good one – do all you can to hold on to it for dear life!

If you don’t follow these simple rules, then you’ll have to drop your prices (and sometimes your pants) and take whatever you’re offered – which could even be BELOW what your costs are. That’s the iron law of supply and demand. And if you keep on doing this regardless – because of circumstances or an irresponsible government - then before you know it, you’re not only broke - but you owe everybody and their uncle who can then repossess all you THOUGHT you owned. Including your firstborn if you were careless enough to sign him away.

So here you have it - we had a market for rice with Venezuela that was TWICE THE WORLD MARKET PRICE! And what did we do? Watch it collapse and uttered not a word to save it. But we’ve already told that story on more than one occasion and you may be wondering why another retelling. Well, just to let you know, dear reader, why this lot in government will take this country right past Haiti in the “poorest in the hemisphere” sweepstakes. And not too long from now.

Can you imagine the man in charge of rice – the Minister of Agriculture - actually saying “Too much of a big thing is being made of Venezuelan rice?” And that shipments this year are ahead of last year’s? Well, sure it is. But do farmers produce rice to make profits or just to feed a hungry world? Minister Holder obviously thinks the answer is the latter. Because as opposed to the Venezuelan price of US$780 per tonne, all we’re getting now is a measly US$335-400 per tonne!

At this price rice farmers will be taking big blows since their cost of production for paddy is far above those prices – when you factor in milling costs, etc. But that is not really our focus today... what this Eyewitness wants to know is who in this government has the slightest inkling as to how business operates? Is their principle “buy high and sell low”?

Do they want rice to become like sugar where the more you produce, the more you lose? How dirty can politics get?

…Saudi’s money

Past President Desmond Hoyte brought S Korean Barama to Guyana just before demitting office. In 1994, PPP’s Cheddi Jagan led a team to Asia on an all expense paid trip courtesy of Barama. The PNC of Desmond Hoyte, correctly pointed out, that no matter Jagan hadn’t changed a single paragraph of the PNC-negotiated contract with Barama, Heads of State just can’t accept such freebies.

Jagan was hauled over the coals because he’d created (at least) the perception of compromising our national sovereignty – represented by the Head of State. Your Eyewitness thought Guyanese politicians – especially the president – would’ve been taught a lesson: not only they can’t be bought by a foreign power – they mustn’t even be even PERCEIVED to’ve been bought.

And we arrive at President Granger – and his entourage - being flown up to Saudi Arabia, courtesy of that country. Especially in light of no real agenda for the visit, it achieves the impression that Guyana is “easy”.

…so buy the Marriott!

Before the election when the Hong Kong prospective buyer of the Mariot fell through, Badal of the Pegasus said he already had the US$8M to consummate the deal. So what’s holding him back now?

Is it the Marriott people won’t have him? Or was he just full of it?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

Richard Benis was sentenced to six months in jail for stealing from his daughter

Georgetown businessman beaten by City Constables

Popular city businessman Paul James, owner of Fix-it Hardware located at Main and Holmes Streets, was on Tuesday beaten by members of the City Constabulary of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

According to information reaching this newspaper, James was severally beaten while some of his personal property was damaged during the ordeal.

Guyana Times understands that the issue stemmed from the removal of some building materials, which James had at his business entity on Main and Holmes Streets. Reports are that the City Constabulary Officers went to the businessman’s property and removed a quantity of steel and decking. This prompted the businessman to enquire the reason for the removal of the items. However, he was met with a hostile response, following which he was punched to the face and about the body.

This newspaper understands that the

businessman’s cellular phone was smashed during the ordeal and other personal valuables were taken away.

From all indications, the attack is a clear instance of bullyism and thuggery on the part of the City Constabulary Officers.

Minibus driver remanded for kidnapping 15-year-old

Aminibus driver was on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Rhondel Weaver after he appeared before him at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of abduction under the kidnapping Act.

Broan Luke, 42, of Lot 140 Albion Highway, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on November 9, at Albion, with intent to secretly or wrongfully confine him, he abducted a 15-yearold boy.

The accused reportedly abducted the teenager, took him to a village on the East Coast of Berbice and tried to get a confession out of him. According to sources, Luke’s stepson was recently charged for robbery and the stepfather is of the opinion that the teenager he abducted may have information about the incident. After being abducted and beaten, the teenager held out that he knew nothing of what he was being forced to admit. He was later taken back to his home where he related what transpired to his parents who

reported the matter to the Police.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Philip Sheriff revealed to the court that the Virtual Complainant (VC) and the accused live in the same village. He also related that it was not the first time that the accused was charged for an offence. Sherriff objected to bail being granted citing the seriousness of the offence. Magistrate Weaver remanded the man to prison and transferred the case to the Albion Magistrate’s Court for November 24.

Police seize over 325 pounds of cocaine for 2015

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has seized 149.7 kilograms of cocaine so far for 2015. This is according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum who was at the time addressing Police ranks at the launching of the GPF’s Christmas Security Plan, on the overall statistics on the incidences of crime over the last year.

According to Blanhum, this figure represents a reduction in the number of seizures of drugs for 2015, when compared to the same period in 2014.

Recalling various incidences, including the seizure of cocaine in shrimp, in the walls of a suitcase and cocaine being strapped to the body of a female passenger, Blanhum related that the seizure of drugs has decreased marginally, when compared to the previous year.

Last year, around this time, ranks had intercepted 155.5kg (342.1 lbs).

A breakdown of the statistics shows the majority of cocaine interceptions occurring at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with 131kg being seized at the end of October.

“Drug enforcement activities, we had seizures at both airports, and a number of eradication efforts

According to him, the cocaine seized over the past five years could be attributed to the large seizure in Bartica and the large seizure of cocaine in lumber in 2013.

Berbice gang member remanded

An East Canje, Berbice, teenager alleged a gang member was on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Rhondel Weaver at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court when he appeared before him charged with armed robbery.

Eshwar Ganyah, 19, also called Vicky of Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Region Six denied the allegation which read that on November 8 while

in the company of another at Albion Access Road, Corentyne, and armed with a dangerous weapon, that is a cutlass, he robbed Leon Crandon of one gold band valued $40,000 and one cellular phone valued $20,000; all to a value of $60,000.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Philip Sherriff the accused was positively identified by Crandon. He revealed that police are conducting more investigations and is in re-

ceipt on information of the other suspect involved in the robbery.

Sherriff objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence. He also made reference to the nature and gravity of the charge and advised the court not to allow the accused pre-trial liberty.

The Magistrate remanded the accused and transferred the matter to the Albion Magistrate’s Court for a November 24 report.

of 37 acres of cannabis and 30kg 746g of cannabis,” the Crime Chief said.

No transparent system in hiring GECOM staff – Jagdeo

BY DEVINA SAMAROO

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed claims made by Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally when he insisted individuals are hired based on merit and not on their ethnic composition.

“If you hire people on the merit, the imbalance that we see in GECOM staff wouldn’t be so glaring… You can’t say that 95 per cent of the people of one race are the only ones who can past the test,” Jagdeo posited, expressing his belief that deliberate actions are being taken to ensure a certain group of persons are employed with GECOM for sinister reasons.

On Wednesday, Dr Surujbally told the media that People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary (GS) Clement Rohee made several queries about the supposed “ethnic imbalance” of GECOM’s staff.

In response, Dr Surujbally accused the GS of promoting ethnic division as he insisted there is no ethnic imbalance within GECOM’s staff, pointing out that even if there was, individuals are hired based on merit and nothing else.

“If you want to change the procedure and say we must have “x” amount of this race and “y” amount of that, then GECOM will have to be under another Chairman…,” he had stated.

During a televised interview on TVG Channel 28, the Opposition Leader said he strongly believes there is an element of dishonesty in the hiring process for GECOM.

“Some people’s applications were thrown away. Some people, IndoGuyanese, finished the University of Guyana and they failed the test, a simple test that a person with secondary education can past yet they fail the test. The issue is that there is no transparency… We think it is deliberate and that is why we want a transparent system to hire people,” Jagdeo stated. He disclosed that these concerns were addressed with GECOM and discussions have commenced on the issue.

Controversy

Meanwhile, controversy over the issue emerged after it was revealed that the PPP/C General Secretary had requested data relative to the ethnicity of GECOM’s staff. Rohee has since came in for harsh crit-

icisms from both GECOM and Government for making such inquiries since it was deemed as fuelling ethnic division in the country.

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally during a recent interview lashed out at Rohee for making such inquiries, claiming it goes entirely against the work of her Ministry.

“Responding to Mr Rohee’s concern on ethnicity and employment, I would like to say that the sooner politicians realise that we are all Guyanese and we

need not to divide Guyana based on race, the sooner Guyana will be taken to a higher level of fostering social cohesion,” Minister Ally said.

GECOM Chairman also blasted Rohee as he urged politicians to stop using the race card for political gains.

Sinister plot Coming off the topic of ethnic imbalance within GECOM, the Opposition Leader alluded to a sinister plot being concocted by

government to ensure they win the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

Jagdeo said people have expressed concerns to him about issuance of fake and multiple birth certificates from the Citizenship Ministry, which would aid in ensuring multiple voting by one individual on elections day.

“So if that happens, if GECOM does the registration process, even if that process is fair, it will still result in people who ought not to be on the electoral role will be on the electoral role. There is a sinister plan surrounding this…,” Jagdeo said, noting that similar activities have occurred in the past when the People’s National Congress (PNC) continuously rigged elections.

The second part of the sinister plot which people have expressed concerns about is the recruitment of individuals into the army and the damaging of the army’s professionalism.

“About half of those soldiers are who coming in are not from the career stream but from a political stream… significant number of the new recruits are being put in there, politically planted there,” Jagdeo said, noting again this was an action in

the past where the PNC government gained total control of the army.

“Young political activist from the YSM were placed in the army, they got accelerated promotions to the top and then the professionalism of the army got subsumed by political leadership and at the time Mr Granger was reporting to the Office of the President. Now that is being replicated,” he stated.

Free and fair elections

Therefore, Jagdeo contended that all of these actions, if proven to be true, are a part of a bigger sinister plot to ensure there are no longer free and fair elections in Guyana.

“So even if you get the reforms at GECOM, you will have other influences that would lead to us not having free and fair elections in the future,” Jagdeo stated.

Previously, he had told Guyana Times the PPP/C is investigating a corruption ring in government and that more information will become available in time.

This sinister plan is also being investigated and Jagdeo noted that if evidence is found, the Party will sure draw international attention to the matter.

(devinas@guyanatimesgy. com)

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

saturday, november 14, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

10-year-old air dashed to city –

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

Quick action by

Roraima Medivac

helped save the life of a 10-year-old boy from Port Kaituma, after he was bitten by a Labaria snake.

The child was bitten on Wednesday but his condition deteriorated at about 22:00h, forcing hospital staff to medivac him to the

city for further medical attention.

Despite a rain storm Captain Gerry Gouveia and Captain Collin Martin managed to medivac the child and his family to the city.

The 10-year-old was admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital and his condition has been listed as stable.

E Division records reduction in fatal accidents

minor accidents increase

BY UTAMU BEllE

As Guyana observes Road Safety Month 2015, police in E Division (LindenKwakwani) has reported a decrease in fatal accidents along with reduced incidents of speeding.

According to statistics released by E Division Traffic Department, there were 14 road accidents for 2015, two of which were fatal. This represents a reduction for the corresponding period last year where there were sev-

en fatal accidents. However, the Division has recorded an increase in minor accidents.

Corporal Dervan Semple of of the Division told this newspaper that the presence of traffic ranks in and around the division can be credited for the overall reduction in traffic violations.

He said the Division is increasingly focused on lorries transporting lumber, which are often involved in accidents and a number of traffic violations because of the lack of reflectors.

Semple noted that a number of activities are organised for Road Safety Month 2015 in the Division.

A School Safety rally is also scheduled for November 26 in Linden, as part of Road Safety Month. He said the school with the ‘Best Banner’ will be awarded the E Division Commander Calvin Brutus trophy along with other trophies. A num-

ber of seminars, media sensitization programmes, a fitness walk for drivers and a breakfast session also form part of the observances in collaboration with the Region 10 Road Safety Association.

“We will visit schools, conduct lectures with driv-

ers to let them know what is expected. We will also host seminars with drivers. We’re targeting speeding, persons driving under the influence of alcohol, all heavy-duty vehicles traversing our roadway and plan to continue with our daily enforcement “, the Corporal related.

He added that last year, speeding was one of the main contributing factors in the cause of road accidents within the Division. Corporal Semple said violations such as overloading and tinted vehicles are on top of the list. Additionally, Semple noted the Division launched its School Safety Patrol last month where students guided by teachers act as road safety officers. The initiative, he said, has so far received much support from the Region 10 Education Department.

Budget 2016 consultations THAG wants VAT waiver, duty-free incentives

Budget 2016 consultations continued this week with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), where discussions were focused on strategies which can be implemented to enhance the tourism sector in Guyana.

During the meeting, THAG pressed the Government for VAT waivers and duty-free incentives which would legitimately aid in the development of the local tourism sector.

According to a statement from the Finance Ministry, THAG President Shaun McGrath related that tourism is currently the only export in Guyana that is subject to domestic tax. He pointed out too that the VAT burden on tourism is not shared evenly, since VAT is waived for the entire sector in the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) and this leaves the industry players in the other regions at a distinct disadvantage.

Consequently, McGrath recommended that a national flat rate of no more than eight per cent be introduced for the tourism sector and for licensed tourism service providers.

Additionally, McGrath highlighted that there is a lack of a duty-free incentive scheme on vehicles for tourism which is a serious restraining factor on the development of the industry. As a result, he suggested that licensed companies be given duty-free status for up to three suitable vehicles once every five years.

Among other proposals mooted by THAG were investment incentives and concessions for tourism, in-

cluding duty-free importation and waivers of VAT on supplies and building materials and equipment for construction, rehabilitation or refurbishment of tourism-related building, tax write-offs for marketing, as well as training of staff by tour owners and operators.

He also said that companies applying for concessions should be registered for VAT or exempt and compliant with all statuto-

gave his assurance that the proposals would be considered.

Jordan told the THAG delegation that works have begun on some of the infrastructure for the sector through the rehabilitation of two hinterland airstrips and that his Ministry is actively seeking the help of donors to refurbish the others. Meanwhile, THAG pointed out that there is no

ry requirements. He added that companies claiming to be in the tourism industry should be subject to inspection or provide proof of involvement through audited accounts, physical inspection of property and or office by the relevant authorities where applicable, printed tourism-related material such as brochures and electronic material such as websites and other social media promoting their business.

In response, Finance Minister Winston Jordan

definite figure on tourist arrivals in Guyana. McGrath stated that the data released by the various airports encompasses all the visitors to Guyana- not just genuine tourists. As such, he took the opportunity to lobby the Government to have the information disaggregated. In response, Minister Jordan conceded that such information is critical as the data on tourist arrivals are critical to the consideration of the proposals for concessions and incentives.

Corporal Dervan Semple

Tourism is currently the only export in Guyana that is subject to domestic tax

Though leased to “manage” from Govt

...Correia claims Ogle Airport “not Govt owned”

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

Chairman of the Board of the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) Michael Correia Jr, has announced that OAI is not owned by government but rather by a private company.

According to Correia, the airport is owned by Ogle Airport Inc by virtue of a lease issued by the Lands and Surveys Department for 441 acres for a period of 25 years, which commenced on July 17, 2003. However according to legal opinion a “lease cannot transfer ownership”, so the government still owns the airport.

He told reporters this land lease completed the privatization process under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded Air Transport Reform Programme which recommended that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo)-owned airport be privatized as the preferred method to deal with safety concerns which existed at that time.

At the time of the lease in 2001, the government had secured a US$30 million loan in 1999 from the IDB for enhancing the air transport sector, including Ogle Airport. There was a ten-year moratorium on the loan which Guyana started repaying in 2009. The lease

was for the “management, operation and development” of the airport. Ownership was never passed to OAI.

However Guyana Times was told the other option available to the administration at that point was to close off all commercial operations at Ogle, East Coast Demerara and relocate the operations to Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

Correia explained that the “land lease” to OAI is bound by specific conditions agreed to between government and the OAI. He admitted that these conditions are represented by a Lease Agreement for the Management, Operation and Development of the Airport signed between the two parties on November 5,

2001. There was no mention of “change of ownership”.

The OAI chairman posited that this Agreement was prepared by international aviation experts who were hired through the IDB Air Transport Reform Programme.

This Lease Agreement provides for the Airport to be developed and operated as a “public aviation facility” in accordance with the Civil Aviation Laws of Guyana and compliant with all other applicable laws, statutes, regulations and international agreements that pertain to the operations of an international airport, including those promulgated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Air Transport Association and other international bodies having jurisdiction.

The agreement is therefore clear that OAI is a “public” and not a “private” facility. It is simply managed and operated by the private entity controlled by Correia.

“The responsibility of the airport operator is comprehensively defined in Article Four of the Lease Agreement. Ogle International Airport is also regulated and licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority through its Airport Operations Manual which has to be approved by the Guyana Civil Aviation

Granger donates $100,000 to Salvation Army

President David Granger has made a personal donation of $100,000 to the Salvation Army at the launching of the group’s annual Christmas Kettle Appeal.

Founded over a century and a half ago, and having spent over 120 of those years in Guyana, the Salvation Army has always been engaged in the war against poverty.

President Granger at the Salvation Army’s annual launch noted that the issue of poverty is one of the toughest challenges the people of Guyana are facing.

Granger explained that the group has become one of the pillars of society in Guyana and added that he was very happy with the work being carried out by the organisation.

The Head of State encouraged persons to give generously as he shared that in giving, one receives.

Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army Cedric Boyer told the gathering that this launch signifies the start of Christmas and the starting of the group’s campaign to collect funds for the Salvation Army.

Boyer expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Granger for being able to

donation

join in the launching ceremony.

The event was also attended by several members of the diplomatic community, including British High Commissioner to Guyana Gregory Quinn, members of the Private Sector Commission, including Norman Mc Lean and others who all made generous donations to the charity.

The work of the Salvation Army began in Guyana in

Authority (GCAA).

This license is exercised under OAI’s current Aerodrome Certificate issued on September 30, 2015 and the OAI cannot make changes to its operating Manual without approval of the GCCA,” Correia also stated.

However, management of the Airport is done jointly between the government controlled agencies of Customs, Immigration, Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit, Port Health, and Air Traffic Control, and the OAI is led by an independent

and very experienced Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anthony Mekdeci and his management team.

Defending against NATA charges

Defending himself against charges made by the newly formed small operators group, the National Air Transport Association (NATA) Correia claimed that Mekdeci is the “accountable officer” to the GCAA and he is one of the seven members who sit on the Board of Directors for the OAI.

These seven are responsible for representing the 14 Shareholders of OAI and as such there is no room for the Airport management to do as it pleases, he added.

Correia made reference to the president of the newly formed NATA Annette Arjoon-Martins and vice president Captain Gerald Gouveia whom he said presented a “highly distorted, misleading and patently unfair description” of the operations of the Ogle Airport at a recent media conference.

“Ogle Airport is a high-

ly competitive environment with operators having a choice of the main essential services available to them. It is wholly irresponsible to suggest that any single airline exercise a monopoly or control in this environment,” the OAI said.

With respect to the allegation of OAI being Correia controlled, and the environment being anti-competitive and oppressive, Correia said “it is clear from my discussion with the small operators, who I believe are being misled, that this is more the agenda of one of two of the large operators.”

Correia referred to a complaint which he said was issued by Captain Gouveia that “one competitor is regulating his competitors” and emphatically denied this.

“It’s simply not true. If this is what Mr Gouveia and Ms Arjoon-Martins are saying to the President then they have set out to mislead the government at the highest possible level. You may rest assured that I will ensure that the government is properly informed at every level.”

1895. It was the second Caribbean nation in which the Army commenced operations after its 1887 start in Jamaica.

Salvation Army ministries in Guyana include a kindergarten school for 90 students, a youth evening school, two residences for men and one for women, three feeding centres, three prison aftercare centres, a retired officers’ residence and corps ministries.

President David Granger making his

to the Salvation Army on Friday morning

Chairman of the Board of the Ogle Airport Inc (OAI) Michael Correia Jr

Captain Gerry Gouveia

Pressure mounts on Venezuela to allow election observers

More than 150 lawmakers from Latin America and the United States have signed a letter addressed to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

They urge him to allow international observers to monitor Venezuela’s legislative polls on December 6.

Venezuela has invited monitors from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) but has rejected those from the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The lawmakers also called for the release of jailed Opposition leaders.

The letter to Maduro was signed by 157 lawmakers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru

and the United States.

It says that “as citizens go to the polls, the presence of qualified interna-

266 criminal gangs creating mayhem across Jamaica

Despite assurances from Jamaica’s Police Commissioner, Dr Carl Williams that murders have been declining over the past 10 years, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF’s) own statistics indicate that gangs continue to run amok, creating “franchises” across the island and spreading their wings further than ever before.

Dr Williams told the Internal and External Affairs Committee of Parliament on Tuesday that Police intelligence estimates that there are 266 criminal gangs operating islandwide, with half of them actively committing murders and contributing to the current 22 per cent increase in the murder toll over last year.

“Gang murders emanate primarily from internal rifts within gangs and the desire to break away from the parent gang and operate independently. This is the source of

large amounts of violence and numerous murders,” said the police chief in a text prepared for the committee’s deliberations, from which the media was barred.

He pointed to the Clansman gang in Spanish Town and the Stokely Collins gangs in Central Village, both in St Catherine, as examples.

“One of the biggest challenges we have is that they have intimate knowledge about their rivals’ whereabouts, their modus operandi and so on, especially gangsters who were once friends and cohorts; they know where to find their targets and the relatives of their targets [so] it presents for us a very serious challenge to keep track of them, and of their victims,” the Commissioner said, pointing out that it puts a strain on the police’s resources to try to track down the killers as well as to protect potential victims.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

tional observers would permit all Venezuelans to have the highest degree of confidence in the integrity of the

process and the electoral results”.

It calls on Venezuela to allow monitors from the European Union and the OAS as well as UNASUR to observe the election.

Some polls suggest it may be the first time in 16 years that the governing coalition could lose its majority in the National Assembly, Venezuela’s legislative body.

The lawmakers’ letter was published just a day after OAS head Luis Almagro sent a similar request to Venezuelan officials. Mr Almagro, who is from Uruguay, urged the head of Venezuela’s National Electoral Council, Tibisay Lucena, to guarantee free and fair elections. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Chile’s high court asks Vatican for records in sex abuse case

Chile’s Supreme Court on Thursday formally requested that the Vatican hand over all records that Pope Francis has relied upon to defend a Chilean Bishop whose alleged knowledge and coverup of church sex abuse has provoked controversy in the South American nation.

Many politicians, parishioners, and abuse victims say that Bishop Juan Barros knew of and helped cover up abuse by Chilean priest Fernando Karadima over a period of decades.

In 2011, the Vatican sentenced Karadima to “a life of prayer and penitence” for abusing children as far back as the 1950s. A judge later determined the accusations were valid though Karadima was not prosecuted as the

statute of limitations had expired.

In March, Francis appointed Barros as the bishop of Osorno, a small city in south-central Chile, provoking raucous protests both there and in the capital, Santiago.

In the face of strong dissent among many Chileans, Francis has repeatedly defended the appointment, saying the accusations against Barros are unfounded.

During one high-profile incident at the Vatican on May 6, which was broadcast by a Chilean television station in early October, Francis told a group of Chileans in Saint Peters Square that the accusations were cooked up by “lefties.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bajan Dentist pulled off US flight explores legal options

Ais now seeking legal advice. That “suspicious item” turned out to be a replacement cable for a Cavitron ultrasonic scaler used during teeth cleanings and Anthony McCaskie was eventually released and allowed to con-

tinue on his flight home.

But he told the Weekend Nation newspaper that he was shocked at what had occurred, considering his bag had been checked twice by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) scanners. It turned out that there was a miscommunication and the bag was flagged by the TSA and was to go through a secondary checkpoint, but did not.

A TSA officer had stopped the X-ray machine at a checkpoint to conduct further screening of the carry-on bag, but “in the process of transitioning other passengers to an adjacent screening lane, standard procedures were not adhered to and the passenger was allowed to depart the checkpoint and proceed into the terminal,” said TSA spokesman Mike England.

There was then a search for the man and his bag. When McCaskie was found on the AA flight bound for Barbados, he was taken off in handcuffs. (Excerpt

Swine flu outbreak in T&T, 2 dead, Guyana at high risk

In the face of two confirmed cases of swine flu and reports of other cases, the public is being advised that there is no need to panic. The assurance came from Medical Director of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), Dr Anand Chatoorgoon, on Thursday who played down the spread of the virus.

He said there were no unique symptoms of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) which is spread by droplets from an infected patient.

“H1N1 is with us all the time. It is not that we never have it. Every now and again patients get infected with influenza viruses... There are many types of influenza and H1N1 is one. If we suspect someone has pneumonia that is galloping unusually fast and getting severe that they need to go on a ventilator, then we have a high index of suspicion this could be H1N1. So there is nothing specific about H1N1,” he is quot-

ed as saying in the Trinidad Guardian.

He said three patients, including the two deceased – Cherrie Ryce, who died from H1N1 on October 16 and Himraj Mungroo, 60, of Quarry Road, Quarry Village, who died earlier this month – and another case involving a security officer, being treated, are all from south Trinidad but did not indicate that the virus was confined to any particular part of the country. He also confirmed that test results done by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on swabs taken from 16-yearold Shannon Nashaud came back negative for H1N1. Meanwhile, this newspaper was told that Guyana is at high risk for the virus. The local health authorities are on high alert. However no announcement has been made as to the measures that are in place to protect the outbreak of the virus here.

Grenada beekeepers win gold award for best honey in the world

The highly coveted Medal of Ukraine, which is awarded to the best honey in the world outside of the British Isles, was won this year by a boutique organic apiary from the Caribbean island of Grenada.

The winning beekeepers are Environmental Scientist Dr Valma Jessamy and Attorney Gerry Edwin. They own and operate Eden Apiaries located at the Grenville Vale Tropical Botanic Garden.

“I am stunned,” said Jessamy, when she learned that she had been awarded the prestigious 2015 Gold Medal from among the international competitors, including Mauritius, Oman, Cameroon, Morocco,

Canada, Uganda, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The winning honey was gifted to the head beekeeper at Buckingham Palace.

The first Medal of Ukraine went to Mauritius in 2010, the second was not awarded and the third was won by honey from the Royal Apiaries of Oman. Eden Apiaries is the fourth winner of the Medal and the first from the Caribbean region.

The National Honey show is held in London every October and continues the tradition established back in 1923. It’s the oldest, most sophisticated and the most rigorous beekeeping contest in the world. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Maria Corina Machado is one of the opposition politicians barred from standing

Dr Valma Jessamy (right) who won the award along with Attorney Gerry Edwin, paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell

Barbadian Dentist who was pulled off an American Airlines flight at Miami International Airport by armed officers after a “suspicious item” triggered an alarm, and led to the delay as many as 50 flights,

ARMED officers took Dentist Anthony Mccaskie (inset) off the flight

At least 150 dead in Paris attacks, Hollande declares emergency

Gunmen and bombers attacked restaurants, a concert hall and a sports stadium at locations across Paris on Friday, killing at least 150 people in what a shaken President Francois Hollande called an unprecedented terrorist attack.

A Paris City Hall official said gunmen systematically slaughtered nearly 100 people attending a rock concert at the Bataclan music hall. Anti-terrorist commandos eventually launched an assault on the building, killed the gunmen and rescued dozens of shocked survivors.

Some 40 other people were killed in up to five other attacks in the Paris region, the City Hall official said, including an apparent double suicide bombing outside the national stadium where Hollande and the German Foreign Minister were watching a friendly soccer international.

Paris Public Prosecutor Francois Molins said the overall death toll was at least 120. Five assailants had been "neutralised".

The apparently coordinated assault came as France, a founder member of the US-led coalition waging air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq, was on high alert for terrorist attacks ahead of a global climate conference due to open later this month.

After being whisked from the soccer stadium near the blasts, Hollande declared a nationwide state of emergency – the first in decades –- and announced the closure of France's borders to stop perpetrators escaping. The Paris metro railway was closed and schools, universities and municipal buildings were ordered to stay shut on Saturday. However, some rail and air services are expected to run.

"This is a horror," the vis-

ibly shaken President said in a midnight television address to the nation before chairing an emergency Cabinet meeting.

He later went to the scene of the bloodiest attack, the Bataclan music hall, and vowed that the Government would wage a "merciless" fight against terrorism.

All emergency services were mobilised, Police leave was cancelled, 1500 Army reinforcements were drafted into the Paris region and hospitals recalled staff to cope with the casualties. It was unclear whether any gunmen were still on the loose.

Radio stations broadcast warnings to Parisians to stay home and leave the streets and urged residents to give shelter to anyone caught out in the street.

Witnesses in the hall heard the gunmen shout Islamic slogans and slogans condemning France's role in Syria.

"We know where these attacks come from," Hollande said, without naming any individual group. "There are indeed good reasons to be afraid."

France has been on high

alert ever since the attacks on Charlie Hebdo newspaper and a kosher supermarket in Paris in January killed 18 people.

US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel led a global chorus of solidarity with France and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "despicable attacks" and demanded the release of the hostages.

Julien Pearce, a journalist from Europe 1 radio, was inside the concert hall when the shooting began. In an eyewitness report posted on the station's website, Pearce said several very young individuals, who were not wearing masks, entered the hall while the concert was under way armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles and started "blindly shooting at the crowd".

"There were bodies everywhere," he said.

There was no immediate verifiable claim of responsibility, but supporters of the Islamic State militant group which controls swathes of Iraq and Syria said in Twitter messages that the group carried them out. (Excerpt from Reuters)

S African Deputy President linked to Marikana

Alawyer has accused South Africa’s Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, of partial responsibility for the decision to forcibly remove miners in Marikana during a prolonged strike that led to Police killing 34 miners.

Geoff Budlender, speaking on Wednesday as part of the closing arguments to the probe into the Marikana massacre, said Ramaphosa’s phone call to the South African Police Service (SAPS) acted as a “trigger” for the deadly crackdown.

“The South African Police Service acted from improper political reasons in deciding to remove strikers,” said Budlender, one of the lawyers for the Commission of Inquiry.

“One [motive] was to respond to the call Cyril Ramaphosa made to the Minister of Police.”

But Budlender added that Ramaphosa, who was then a Director and shareholder at Lonmin platinum mines before becoming Deputy President in May 2014, could not have anticipated the killings that resulted.

Thirty-four miners were killed on August 17, 2012, when Police opened fire on them while they were engaged in a protracted strike outside the Marikana mines. Miners were demanding better wages, working and living conditions.

Ramaphosa has admitted he spoke to the

Around the world

Modi visit: Indian PM addresses crowds at Wembley Stadium

Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi has addressed a crowd of about 60,000 people at Wembley Stadium.

The event is designed to celebrate the Indian Diaspora’s contribution to the United Kingdom economy, and the Indian PM was introduced by PM David Cameron.

Earlier, Modi had lunch with the Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced they would make their first visit to India.

His three-day UK visit is the first by an Indian PM in a decade.

The Wembley event includes performances from Indian and British performers and a fireworks display, billed by the organisers as the UK’s biggest.

Cameron said that the UK-India relationship was “about our potential”, and said both countries were “united by the scale of our ambition”.

“Team India, Team UK – together we are a winning

combination,” he added.

Manoj Ladwa, a founding member of the Europe India Forum, which organised the event, said there was huge demand for tickets.

“We’ve got 60,000 people but we had at least 100,000 more people wanting to register,” he said.

The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to the UK is seen as highly significant, coming three weeks after

Chinese leader Xi Jinping also visited. Modi has described India’s relationship with the UK as being of “immense importance”, but his appearances have also attracted protest over allegations of religious persecution and a reduction in civil liberties since he came to power.

A small group of protesters have gathered outside Wembley, BBC News has confirmed. (Excerpt from

Eight babies’ bodies found in Germany town

German Police say the bodies of eight babies have been found in a flat in a town in the southern Bavaria state.

The bodies, wrapped in towels and put in plastic bags, were discovered on Thursday after a woman in the town of Wallenfels raised the alarm.

Police said they were yet to interview the previous occupant of the residence, a 45-year-old woman.

Examinations are under way, but with the bodies in poor condition, the results are expected only next week.

Ministers for Mining and Police to urge action, but denies encouraging a violent crackdown.

Budlender alleged that at the time, the Police plan to disperse the strikers included having mortuary vehicles on the scene.

But it was not just Ramaphosa who came under intense scrutiny from Budlender. The lawyer also urged the panel to look beyond criminal liability and punish the leadership failure on all sides. (Excerpt from BBC News)

It is not clear how long the bodies had been there for or how the babies died.

Earlier on Friday, Police reported about seven bodies – but the eighth body was later discovered in the flat.

German media reported that a couple with several children had been living in the property, but had recently separated.

The woman sought by Police worked at a newspaper kiosk and also as a lifeguard at a swimming pool, unconfirmed reports say.

Wallenfels Mayor Jens Korn told inFranken.de that residents of the town

near the Czech border were stunned.

“This incident has occurred in this safe little world and now many people here are touched and sad about it,” he said.

Germany has seen several cases of infanticide in recent years.

Last year, a woman was convicted of killing two of her children and hiding their bodies in a freezer, while the bodies of nine newborn babies were discovered hidden in flower pots in a town close to the Polish border in 2005. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China probes market watchdog’s vice chair after stocks rout

China’s top graft-buster announced an investigation into a senior official at the nation’s securities regulator on Friday, as the Government deepened its crackdown on the financial industry in the wake of a US$5 trillion stock-market selloff.

Yao Gang, one of four Vice Chairmen at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, is under investigation for “alleged serious disciplinary violations,” the Communist Party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in a statement on its website, employing language that often refers to corruption probes. Yao, 53, assumed his post in 2008 and had been put in charge of the regula-

tor’s issuance department since 2002, according to the statement. He could not be reached for comment.

China’s financial industry has become the focus of a crackdown as President

Xi Jinping expands his campaign against corruption and officials grapple with the aftermath of the stock rout over the summer. A number of high-ranking industry figures have since come under scrutiny as officials investigated trading strategies, decried “malicious short sellers” and vowed to “purify” the market. The Government’s response to the market slide involved state-directed purchases of shares, a ban on initial public offerings and restrictions on selling equities, raising questions among investors about its commitment to market reforms. Concurrently, a campaign was started to root out financial wrongdoing. (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the crowd

Yao Gang

At least 15 people have been killed near the Bataclan arts centre, where up to 60 people are reportedly being held hostage (source: www.cbc.ca)

The Marikana massacre is considered the most violent Police operation since the end of apartheid [AFP]

saturday, November 14, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Specialty Hospital Project

Wasted opportunity carries a price – Irfaan Ali

... slams APNU/AFC for objecting to project 2 years ago

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali has condemned the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration for wasting more than two years on the construction of the Specialty Hospital project – which would have by now been nearing completion or already operable.

“Time is money and wasted opportunity carries a

price,” Ali stated. After wholeheartedly rejecting the idea of a specialty hospital while the PPP/C was in Government, the APNU/AFC has backpedalled on its position and will be moving ahead with the construction of the facility.

Commenting on the situation, Ali argued that the coalition did a great injustice to Guyanese through “deceptive politics”.

“So the Government has finally agreed to the

Specialty Hospital. This is not only a flip-flop but a grave injustice to the Guyanese people and more so, barefaced political dishonesty. From ‘we do not need a specialty hospital to this position’; from cutting this project out the budget to accepting it today shows how deceptive this Government was when they denied the people of this country this project. It is this deception that has eroded political trust in our

country. It is these deceptions that have robbed us of further growth and development and who suffers at the hands of such deception... the people of this country,” Ali posited.

The former Tourism Minister also lamented the fact that Guyana is now two years behind a project which would have been a great success and a critical boost to Guyana’s health-tourism sector and which would have been of great benefit to the Guyanese people.

That aside, the parliamentarian concluded that the Government is finally coming to an understanding that the “good economy”

and the “good life” has been given a serious blow due to their own slothfulness in moving the transformative agenda forward and their lack of understanding in the management of the economy.

“So now that the pressure of a seriously underperform-

ing around to the position of jumping on to the once PPP branded project for survival,” Ali stated.

Moreover, Ali posited that “I hope I don’t hear the farcical argument that we have reduced the cost like that presented for the continuation of the airport be-

ing economy is hitting home, the importance of spending and moving ahead with these projects branded quite rightfully as PPP/C projects and now being pursued. The economy needs stimulation and Government spending is critical in driving up demand so it is no surprise to see the Government com-

cause if you reduce scope of work coat would be affected. Let us look at the foot print cost, the square footage and the cost of the services we cut out. Let us also calculate the project delay cost and tell the people of this country what the deceptive politics of this Government has cost them.”

PPP/C Parliamentarian Irfaan Ali

An artist's impression of the Specialty Hospital

Bouterse’s foster son arrested in robbery investigation

The foster son of Surinamese President Desi Bouterse has once again landed himself in trouble with the law; this time for allegedly being a member of a gang that was recently involved in a robbery in Paramaribo North.

Reports out of Suriname state that 31-year-old Romano Meriba was arrested on Friday after he turned himself in to a Police station in Suriname.

The Public Relations Department of the Suriname Police Force released a statement confirming that Meriba had been arrested by officers of the Capital Offences’ Department.

This department is the country’s Police unit which investigates serious crime including armed robbery, murder, drug trafficking and money laundering.

“Romano is believed to be a member of the gang that was involved in a robbery in Paramaribo North”, said the Suriname Police.

According to the release, Meriba became a suspect after preliminary investigations revealed that his vehicle was involved in the said armed robbery.

It was during a shoot-out with Police units, including the SWAT Team, that two robbers were shot dead on Monday last, while three others were seriously wounded.

Guyana Times understands that two Police ranks also sustained injuries but they were not life threatening.

Meanwhile the Police of-

ficials have arrested three other suspects including a Surinamese local businessman. It was during a search at a home in the Zorgen Hoop neighbourhood that detectives found a car belonging to the deceased suspected robber Melvin Tob.

The release also stated that the Police also seized several firearms and a motorbike

during the businessman’s arrest.

This publication understands that it was a few hours after the shoot-out took place on Monday that Meriba appeared on a radio station responding to questions which were asked to ascertain whether his car had been used by the bandits as one of the getaway cars during the robbery.

As he claimed his innocence, Meriba disclosed that he lent his vehicle to a friend sometime last week because

the friend requested to borrow the vehicle to transport items to a new apartment. This friend was relocating to a new address.

Meriba who noted security reasons stated that he would not disclose where he was when the robbery occurred. However, he has promised that he will assist the Police during the investigations.

Ten years ago, Meriba was convicted to serve a 15-year prison term for robbery, along with the killing of a Chinese shop owner in 2002.

It was reported that he shot the businessman at point blank range through the rear window after the man had jumped on the trunk of the getaway car.

Meriba was also sentenced for throwing a hand grenade in 2002 at the residence of Ruud Treffers, the then Dutch Ambassador in Suriname.

After Bouterse became President in August 2010, he granted pardon to Meriba in December 2011. Bouterse at that time defended his decision after protests from the Opposition, saying that the Court of Justice had already sanctioned the early release in March 2011.

Meriba, in 2012 was arrested once more in Paramaribo after being accused of assaulting and beating a Police Officer and a patron in a night club. Meriba remained for a short period in lock-ups, since the complaints were retracted the following day by his alleged victims.

Though leased to “manage”...

With regards to the quantity of shares owned by the Correia Group, he explained that early in the life of the OAI, when there was need for “critical cash injection” to satisfy the mandatory safety and development obligations of the Lease Agreement, the Correia Group was left alone to meet the demand.

“Either the Correia Group had pumped the necessary funds to do so or the OAI would have to face the collapse of the Airport Development Project,” he said.

“All the Shareholders at the time had an opportunity to contribute equally; they chose not to, there was no objection then on the part of any of the Shareholders to the Correia Group meeting the financial demands for the survival of the Airport. While the failure of the other investors has resulted in one Group owning the majority of shares, the structure of our conditional Operations Manual and Procedure by the GCAA will not permit anti-competitive and oppressive behaviour. Mr Gerry Gouveia if nothing else has proved himself a master of half-truths and deliberate deception,” Correia maintained.

In relation to the seizure of assets it was explained that the draft agreement

was circulated to all board members for review prior to its presentation at the board meeting in question.

Anthony Mekdeci told reporters the operators have to pay for the usage and services provided by the airport but that these payments are usually done after they have used these services.

It was highlighted that the operators do not pay the OAI and this has a severe effect resulting in OAI losing millions of dollars.

“There are several instances where people have failed to pay the fees. The airport is owed a lot of money. So we have to find a mechanism in which to collect our fees,” Mekdeci stated.

Meanwhile, according to the OAI Chairman, Captain Gouveia has focused on an Airport Operators Agreement which was presented to the Board of Directors of the Airport for their consideration that he alleges triggered the formation of NATA.

“Gouveia is not a member of the board and was not present when this document was presented to the Board and is not, therefore, in a position to speak with any authority on what actually occurred,” he said.

According to Correia, even if the board approves

UN envoy in Guyana to discuss HIV response initiative

Social Cohesion

Minister Amna Ally was on Friday paid a courtesy call by Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General in the Caribbean Region, Dr Edward Greene who is currently on a six-day official mission in Guyana.

Dr Greene was accompanied by UNAIDS Country Director to Suriname and Guyana, Dr Martin Odiit.

The purpose of this mission is to discuss with key Government officials, issues in relation to the Fast-

Track of HIV Response 2015-2020 Initiative. This is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda and the UNAIDS Extended Strategy 2016-2021, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Meanwhile, the team also met with First Lady Sandra Granger at her Office. During that engagement, Dr Odiit assured that the UNAIDS stood ready to support the First Lady in her advocacy and efforts.

The First Lady, in an invited comment, said:

“Moving forward, there is now a clear picture of what strategies can be used to aid UNAIDS work to reach their goal of ensuring that by 2030, 90 per cent of people with HIV are tested and 90 per cent of those tested are on treatment.”

The Joint UN Programme in HIV/AIDS brings together the efforts and resources of 11 organisations to unite the world against AIDS. It is coordinated by the UNAIDS Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

from page 13

a revised document, the management of the Airport would still has to seek GCAA approval and go through their process before it could be implemented.

Correia added that Captain Gouveia would “have the country believe” the Ogle Airport’s management attempted to force this Agreement “down the throats of the Operators” when exactly the opposite occurred.

However, Captain Gouveia told Guyana Times on Friday evening he was appalled at the statement made by Correia that he is of the belief the Captain is misleading the small operators.

“They (small operators) are experienced aviators, pilots, aeronautical engineers, they are business owners… When Michael Correia made that comment he is not only disrespecting me, in fact, what he is doing is disrespecting those people and their level of education and intelligence. If in fact, he made that comment that those people are being misled, he is highly disrespectful to those educated professionals that sat at that table to suggest that any one person could lead those educated people around like blind sheep; I think he is very disrespectful to those people,” Captain Gouveia stated.

Foster son of Surinamese

President Desi Bouterse

From left UN Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, Dr Edward Greene; First Lady Sandra Granger and UNAIDS Director to Guyana and Suriname, Dr Martin Odiit following their meeting

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER

Don’t make an impulsive move or purchase. You can bring about change in a costefficient manner that will impress onlookers. Getting along with your peers will bring high returns.

Don’t hesitate or you will miss a shot at success. There is money to be made from opportunities that will help you raise your quality of life. Take action.

Listen and ask questions. Be precise and honest about what you want, expect and are willing to do. Don’t be led astray by someone offering something that’s too good to be true.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Give and you will receive. Sharing will lead to better relationships and allow you greater freedom to explore your interests with people who are heading in a similar direction.

Your changing attitude will be difficult for some to relate to, but will attract others who are up for an adventurous ride. Step into the spotlight and share what you have to offer.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Deals can be struck, but before you make a final decision, be sure that you have done your research and know exactly what the cost will be financially or emotionally.

Find out all you can about a subject before you decide to enter into a debate. Your resourcefulness will be recognised and rewarded by someone unexpected. Romance is highlighted.

Not everything will be made clear. You’ll have to ask questions if you want to get the facts. Keep your spending to a minimum and your indulgences under control.

Speak your mind in order to grab the attention of someone willing to contribute to your plans. Take time to celebrate your victories with someone you love.

Look for new ways to earn extra cash. Find a way to use your talents to benefit not only yourself but also those around you. Offer a service that you enjoy doing.

Don’t let confusion slow you down. Flesh out your ideas and put them into practice. Leave time at the end of the day to spend a cosy moment with someone special. Think outside the box. Use your imagination and don’t be afraid to take an unusual route to reach your destination. Let your mind wander and your curiosity have free rein.

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

GCB/Banks DIH/Digicel NSSCL

Camille’s Institute, Covent Garden through to EBD zone final

Camille’s Institute and Covent Garden

Secondary registered victories to book their places in the final of the East Bank Demerara zone of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Banks DIH Limited’s Coca Cola and Rainforest Water, along with Digicel.

At Thirst Park, Camille’s Institute batted first and scored 197 all out in just 24 overs, as Andsuegay Rodrigues topscored with a well-played 69. He was supported by former national Under-15 all-rounder Bhojnarine Singh, who scored 39, and D Fernandes (30). Bowling for Diamond Secondary, Jante Thomas returned impressive figures of 4-34.

Diamond Secondary in reply fell short by 30 runs as they were dismissed for 167 runs in 24.1 overs. S Hassan made 27, but it was M Araun with a shot-filled 65, who gave Diamond Secondary great hope of reaching the target score.

However, such was curtailed by some intelligent and economical bowling by Camille’s Institute’s Bhojnarine Singh and N Evelyn, who returned figures of 4-26 and 4-18 respectively.

In the second semi-final of the East Bank Demerara zone, Covent Garden Secondary prevailed against Friendship Secondary by 53 runs. Batting first, Covent Garden Secondary amassed 202 all out in 27 overs, as Sagar Hetheramani stroked 48, Anthony Antonio hit 37 and Scott Singh, 22. Bowling for Friendship, Orlando Ghisiawan took four wickets, while Shem Zaman had two.

In reply, Friendship Secondary were limited to 149 all out. Ghisiawan’s top score of 29, along with Zaman’s 24, were the only scores of significance. Bowling for Covent Garden Secondary, Scott Singh had four wickets, K Kaisie, three and Antonio, two.

Meanwhile, in the North Georgetown zone, St Stanislaus College defeated Brickdam Secondary by a massive 101 runs. Batting first, St Stanislaus College reached 156-7 in 27 overs, due to some sensible batting by Kennard Moonsammy (48) and

Joshua Bankay (40). Bowling for Brickdam Secondary, Kempton David grabbed 3-20.

The Brickdam Secondary lads were then blown away for 51 in 19.1 overs as Moonsammy returned with the ball to snatch 3-9, as Joshua Bankay and Travis Thomas added to the misery of Brickdam by grabbing 3-8 and 3-7 respectively.

At Everest, Bishops’ High School brushed aside The Business School by five wickets. After being inserted in to bat by Bishops’ High School, the Business School were dismissed for a paltry 82 in 18 overs as David Sears had terrific figures of 6-15 off five tidy overs. Troy Persaud supported with 2-13.

Bishops’ High School then overcame a shaky start to complete a five-wicket victory, thanks to a level-headed 34 not out from Sachin Ramroop. A Singh and D Rhonohan had two wickets each.

The final game of the first round of matches in the North Georgetown zone was played between Christ Church Secondary and St Mary’s High School which Christ Church Secondary won by 58 runs.

St Mary’s won the toss and chose to bowl first; however, Christ Church Secondary managed to get to a respectable 174 all out in 25 overs, as Alphius Bookie hit 54 and Aaron Beharry struck an even fifty.

Bowling for St Mary’s High School, Enos Braithwaite returned excellent figures of 6-34.

In reply, St Mary’s batsmen folded for 116 in just 19 overs as Beharry returned with the ball to bag 4-15. Junior Phillips had 3-28 and Bookie also completed a good all-round performance with 2-18.

Guyana’s first female race car driver excited about Sunday’s meet

– Guyoil providing sponsorship for driver

By Akeem Greene

Sharima Khan is brim-

ming with confidence as she is in her final stages of preparation for the race meet this Sunday.

Khan, who took some time out of her busy schedule to speak to Guyana Times Sports, revealed that when she goes “into a race, gender does not matter”. The female driver, whose Honda CRX is nicknamed “The Pink Beast”, said her passion for driving came from her father, Rafeek Khan, who was a race car driver.

In terms of her driving skills. Khan said she needed to improve a bit more, as constant improvement would certainly see better performances. “I race for the fun; I do it for the adrenaline,” the Group One driver cheerfully said.

Khan will not be the only female racer, as Jamaican Natasha Chang will also be taking part in the race meet. In a sport which is dominated by males, Khan is already making a name for herself as she explained she placed fourth at the last race meet.

The driver is very grateful for the support given by her father and mechanic, and other persons. Khan will certainly be one who has the ability to challenge for pole position on Sunday.

The Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) has thrown its sup-

port behind the driver to make her participation possible. Khan expressed her gratitude for the sponsorship, noting that she would give of her best on race day.

The November race meets usually attracts a wide cross section of drivers from throughout the Caribbean and the Tourism Ministry is pleased to once again be on board. A representative from the Ministry explained how the races help in the promotion of sports tourism. With a new suit and new sponsor, Sharima Khan is set for the November 15 race meet at the South Dakota Circuit

The 2015 Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship is geared to be a spectacle as the Region’s top drivers are brimming with confidence as they head to the circuit. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

Warner’s double-century crushes NZ spirits

After his performance at the Gabba, it seemed impossible that David Warner could bat any better. But there it took him both innings to reach 200 runs. Here he managed the same feat in one innings. In one day. Another day of utter disheartenment for New Zealand, forced to bowl in hot conditions at the WACA. Another day of complete domination by Australia, who went to stumps at 2 for 416, with the series all but wrapped up.

That might be presumptuous only one day into the second of three Tests, but as the old cricket cliché goes, you need 20 wickets to win a Test. At this rate, New Zealand will struggle to take 20 in the series. So far in the Tests they have taken 10 for 1230 and Warner, who finished the day unbeaten on 244, has scored 42% of those runs himself. Apart from Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja, the rest of the batsmen have barely been needed.

Steven Smith might be in doubt for the Adelaide Test with a chronic case of pad-rash. He moved himself down to No.4 for this series but might as well have shifted to No.11 for all the work that has been left for him. Eventually he did get the chance to walk to the crease late on day one at the WACA, after a tiring Khawaja prodded a catch to cover off Doug Bracewell for 121, and Smith was 5 not out at stumps.

It was just the second wicket of a long, long day for New Zealand. Burns had chopped on

before lunch when Matt Henry gained a bit of extra bounce. He made 40, but on a day like this it must have felt like a duck. Perhaps only the sweat on the brows of New Zealand’s fast men flowed more freely than Australia’s runs, which came at 4.62 per over. The only maiden of the day was the first over of the morning.

Again Trent Boult was the biggest disappointment for New Zealand, struggling to swing the ball, struggling to find the right length, and struggling to go for less than a run a ball. Of the fast men, Bracewell adapted best to the conditions and consistently hit the right lengths, but pressure never built on anyone but the New Zealanders themselves. At times Mark Craig bowled better than at the Gabba, but that said more of how poor he was in Brisbane than of him being threatening in Perth.

As the end of the day loomed, Brendon McCullum resorted to bowling himself as he waited for the second new ball to become available. Off a few steps, his slow-mediums were barely even dibbly, let alone dobbly. All it served to do was make it easier for Warner to reach his maiden Test double-hundred. That came with a single off Martin Guptill’s offspin, and capped off a remarkable period for Warner, who has become the fourth fastest Australian to reach 4000 Test runs. As well as being his first 200 in Tests it was his third consecutive century, and his hundred stand with

Burns for the first wicket their third in a row since joining forces at the start of the Brisbane Test. The only other Australian opening pair to have achieved that feat was Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden. Warner could yet be eyeing off Hayden’s Australian record score of 380, if Smith doesn’t declare earlier.

Warner’s wagon wheel showed few regions that were truly unpopulated, but some areas were heavier on the boundaries. His work through the off side was especially strong, driving through mid-off and cutting anything short and wideof which there was plenty on a WACA surface offering bounce but not much seam movement. Perhaps most remarkably, by stumps only 100 of his runs had come in boundaries - he had run, and run, and run all day. (Cricinfo)

Bhojnarine Singh

Sharima Khan

David Warner takes off after his third consecutive hundred.

(Getty Images)

‘Ton-up’ Singh, Chanderpaul to the rescue

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Agutsy 171-run partnership between Vishual Singh and Shivnarine Chanderpaul rescued the Guyana Jaguars from a perilous position as the hosts battled to 218-5 on the first day of their second-round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day game against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

The left-handed Singh, who has hardly played a false stroke in 330 minutes at the crease, scored his second FirstClass hundred, and is unbeaten on 111 off 294 balls with 10 boundaries. Christopher Barnwell is the other not-out batsman on 19.

The experienced Chanderpaul made 65 from 210 balls after 272 minutes at the crease with six boundaries.

The pair undertook a salvage operation after they had been thrust together with the Jaguars in deep trouble at 213.

The duo, who came to the crease before lunch, never looked troubled throughout their time in the middle. The partnership ensured the hosts ended the day with a margin-

al point’s victory after losing the toss and being asked to bat first.

The Hurricanes knuckled down to their task on a slow, dry-looking pitch and dismissed both openers Rajendra Chandrika and Assad Fudadin along with skipper Leon Johnson in less than an hour of play. It was an hour of slow accumulation on a pitch that initially gave the pacers a hint of movement.

Alzarri Joseph (3-44) bowled with great control to pile much misery on the Jaguars, picking up the three wickets.

The 18-year-old removed both Chandrika (7) and Johnson (0) with consecutive balls in the sixth over. Both batsmen were caught in the

slip corridor, before the lefthanded Fudadin misjudged the length to be hit leg before wicket for five, as Joseph finished with 3-20 off six overs in his opening spell.

Singh and Chanderpaul then joined forces and consolidated the innings, as they gradually brought some respectability back to the Jaguars batting.

Arguably Jaguars’ two best batsmen for the situation, Singh batted with typical aplomb, mixing sound defence with aggression to reach the interval on 45, while Chanderpaul, who typically accumulated his runs, was on seven. They comfortably batted through the session with little incident, and took the score to 72-3.

Singh brought up his sixth First-Class half century with his fifth boundary, but the pair were particularly watchful, scoring 27 runs in 20 overs at the end of the first hour after the interval.

Chanderpaul eventually scored his first boundary after facing 117 balls, as the duo batted out the entire second session, with Singh unbeaten on 73 and Chanderpaul on 40.

In the final session, the 41-year-old Chanderpaul completed his workman-like160ball 50 with five fours, while the diminutive Singh reached his milestone from 242 balls.

The Jaguars then lost Chanderpaul and Raymon Reifer (0) in the closing stages of the day’s play.

Play continues today at 09:30h, and admission to the venue is free. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Jaguars first innings

A Fudadin lbw b Joseph 5

R Chandrika c Peters b Joseph 7

L Johnson c Liburd b Joseph 0

V Singh not out 111

S Chanderpaul c Cruickshank b Taylor 65

R Reifer b Cornwall 0

C Barnwell not out 19

Extras: (nb-2, w-3, lb-4, b-6) 15

Total: (for five wickets; 95 overs) 218

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-16, 3-21, 4-192, 5-193

Bowling: Tonge 11-3-21-0, Joseph 13-0-44-3, O Peters

5-1-11-0, Cornwall 36-1463-1, Cruickshank 6-1-210, Taylor 19-8-39-1, Bonner 3-1-6-0, S Peters 2-1-8-0

GTT Indoor Hockey Championships

GCC, Old Fort play to high-energy draw

GCC and Old Fort squared off in the feature match-up of the Men’s First Division competition as the GTT National Indoor Championships continued on Thursday evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Both teams were undefeated and both seemed to be in top form, based on their performances so far in the competition. GCC would once again be leaning on their national midfield standout and leading goal scorer thus far in the competition, Orland Semple, while Old Fort’s Aderemi “Dove” Simon, a sure candidate for tournament MVP at this stage, has been wreaking havoc against all opposition.

The high level of energy brought to the match was evident as both teams scrambled around the floor searching for every opportunity to gain an advantage. After a scoreless nine minutes, it was an unlikely counterattack by left back Dwight Sullivan that separated the teams with a diving finish to resounding applause.

Old Fort would add a second through Jason Clarke, who made a nifty deflection from a penetrating pass by Simon in the 12th minute. Although Old Fort would

9th Macorp golf tournament tees

Top local golfers will challenge each other when the ninth annual Macorp golf tournament tees off from noon today at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

In an invited comment on Friday, Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) President Oncar Ramroop said he was enthused to once again have Macorp on board for another year.

He pointed out that the tournament has grown to become one of the country’s leading competitions over the years.

Ramroop further stated that the Macorp tournament has had a significant and positive influence on the growth and development of the sport.

Carlos Adams and Christine Sukhram are the defending male and female champions. Adams shot a net 62 and a gross of 88, while Sukhram had a net of 69.

Macorp is one of Guyana’s leading companies and plays an integral role in providing machinery, especially to the mining sector.

take a 2-0 lead into halftime, GCC seemed composed and created several attempts during the half, only to be denied by the fine goalkeeping of Andy Sampson.

Lady Luck finally broke GCC’s way in the second half as veteran Dwayne Scott scored their opening goal eight minutes into the second half to decrease the Old Fort margin to 2-1. Less than a minute later, Kevin Spencer drew the match even at 2-2 by surprising goalkeeper Sampson with a quick rebound off his own shot from the right side. The match swung in GCC’s favour as Scott then fired in a bullet of a shot to give GCC its first lead of the match, with 11 minutes remaining on the clock.

Tension built as the game saw several more chances miss the uprights by millimeters. With four minutes remaining in the match, Sullivan would be the hero for Old Fort as a GCC goalkeeper clearance fell perfectly onto his stick and he made no mistake with the opportunity. After a keenly contested battle, both teams remained undefeated with the final score settling at 3-3.

The Pepsi Hikers, being the third undefeated FirstDivision side at the begin-

ning of the evening, suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of the Pumas. After Pumas talisman Aroydy Branford scored an early double and teammate Keon McKenzie added one, the Hikers would fail to meet the challenge. Captain Robert France managed to salvage a late goal for the Hikers, but could not reverse the 3-1 outcome in favour of the Pumas. The Jaguars rounded out the First-Division matches of the evening with a 3-2 defeat of newcomers Phoenix. National Under-21 striker Aliyah Gordon scored the lone goal in the evening’s Ladies match-up to give her side its first victory at the expense of Old Fort. The Men’s SecondDivision competition saw pool leaders GCC and Old Fort face off with a different result from their FirstDivision counterparts. GCC’s Michael Craig and Trevon Smith were both on target to give their team a 2-0 victory. Saints managed a 4-2 victory over Saint Stanislaus College, while Phoenix upstaged the Hikers 3-1 to round out the evening’s Second-Division matches. The competition will wrap up with the category finals on Sunday, starting at 17:00h.

off at noon today

Alzarri Joseph bowled with great control to finish the day with figures of 3-44

Old Fort’s Aderemi Simon executes a clean tackle against GCC’s Orland Semple

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Team Unity or Team Integrity?

– GFF Congress to vote on new Ex-Co today

Guyana’s football future lies in the hands of representatives of the 21 Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Member Associations, who have been confirmed to participate in the highly-anticipated GFF Congress at the Marriott Hotel today.

Today’s Congress will end the life of the FIFAinstalled, Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee, and pave the way for either Team Integrity or Team Unity to lead the GFF for the next term.

Team Unity is being led by presidential candidate, Attorney-of-Law Nigel Hughes, while the other man aspiring to fill the seat of GFF President is businessman and President of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Wayne Forde.

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While the Normalisation Committee was installed to bring some level of stability with regard to the administration of the sport, and proper delivery of the mandate of the GFF, the lead-up to today’s Congress has not been all smooth, as a very influential member of Team Unity had accused Team Integrity of “unscrupulous behaviour”.

Alpha United FC President Odinga Lumumba, who has since relinquished the First VicePresident slot of Team Unity, issued a letter to the media on Thursday expressing his concerns.

“These misguided individuals have gone so far as to suggest that the honourable counsel Mr Nigel Hughes and fellow respected counsel Mark Waldron were hired by me to secure a victory in the upcoming GFF elections, and then after elections they would have ride away in the sunset. Not only do I find this position ridiculous, it also shows the level of unscrupulous behaviour that is presented by members of Team Integrity,” Lumumba said.

He added, “This group has decided that in order to win, it must say degrading things about two young Attorneys, strip them of their integrity, and accuse

them of taking bribes. In any other society, they would have been brought before the courts or at the least, the ethics council of the governing body for the sport.”

Moments after the letter surfaced, Forde responded via social media, stating, “We note with much disgust Mr Lumumba’s attempts to engage in the kind of dirty politics that have marred our national political environment. We will reject this behaviour and call on the entire football fraternity to do same. We all have an opportunity and a responsibility during this process to demonstrate that we are committed to the creation

of his campaign in October at the Pegasus Hotel, “The image of football is experiencing its worst days and not very often we are given the opportunity to directly charter the course of our beloved sport…we are here to work religiously to restore the image of football. The best days of football are ahead of us and we will have a rule-oriented fraternity.”

Forde noted that becoming the President of the GFF was never a passion of his, but said he was confident his slate could change the fortunes of local football.

“GFF presidency was never an ambition of mine; my involvement in football

ward with Team Integrity, but that did not materialise.

In an open-air launch at the Albouystown Basketball Tarmac in late October, Hughes spoke of the Team’s plans should they ascend to office, highlighting the need to start the development process at the bottom, and properly remunerating and upgrading coaches to serve the system.

“The solution doesn’t lie in just getting an individual to come and head a team, and say that he or she is going to do great things for football. It is really the plan that one has for the development of football, and like the development of any sport or

of a matured and respectful football fraternity.”

Plans unveiled

Prior to the accusations and their subsequent counter, the two sides had made public their plans to take Guyana’s football to the next level, by unveiling their detailed manifestoes.

Team Unity has based its programme on six main pillars, namely (1) Good governance, openness and responsibility; (2) Improved community-based facilities and social programmes for football; (3) Improved education and training for football; (4) Establishment of a National League Structure for Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23; (5) Improved financing for football development in Guyana; and (6) Improved livelihoods of footballers.

Forde said at the launch

has always been grounded in the service to football, but now it has more to do with having real love and passion for the sport and I felt the need to get involved at this level, because I think I can offer another alternative than what we are accustomed to,” Forde stressed.

Forde aside, Team Integrity comprises Colonel Bruce Lovell, Rawlston Adams, Thandi McAllister, Dion Inniss, Magazine Stewart, Rayan Farrias and Keith O’Jeer.

Team Unity has been basing its message on the need for positive change in football administration in Guyana, noting that its group has people with the requisite experience to steer the process forward.

Presidential Candidate Nigel Hughes had extended an invitation for a possible joint slate on the way for-

any business, you have to go to the foundation, you have to go to the start…,” Hughes outlined.

He added, “You can’t sustain successful football purely on volunteerism –we have to pay coaches. You cannot possibly talk about expecting the national team to qualify into World Cup finals when you’re depending on whether or not people volunteer. So one of the first things we have to do is look at the structure.”

Team Unity candidates are Hughes, Lumumba, Waldron, Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, Troy Cadogan, Javid Ali, Robbie Rambarran, Carmel Williams and Faizal Khan.

The Congress is billed for the Marriott Hotel at 11:00h sharp. Officials of FIFA, CFU, CONCACAF and the GFF’s Normalisation Committee will observe the process.

Presidential Candidate Wayne Forde (right) and two Team Integrity members Rawlston Adams (centre) and Dion Inniss

Presidential Candidate Nigel Hughes (third right) is flanked by other members of Team Unity

GTT Round Robin Knockout tournament…

Wins for Top XX, Winners Connection

Battle for GCN top spot truly on

Team Gillette Evolution is confident of keeping Orville Hinds in the number one spot of the Guyana Cycling News (GCN) Rankings after this weekend’s double-header.

Topp XX and Winners Connection secured wins on the third night of action in the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) Round Robin Knockout Tournament that continued on Thursday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, Linden.

In the first match, Winners Connection pulled off a 1-nil win against Victoria Kings in a physical encounter.

Both teams found it tough to find their groove with a constant exchange of

possession between the two sides as no one was able to gather any sort of momentum.

However, Keon Sears would score the game winner in the 41st minute of the game as threatening moments were few and far between.

The second game provided a bit more spark that got the crowd going as Topp XX were able to defeat Milerock 2-nil.

The game started with a bang as Travis Watterton struck 15 seconds into the match.

Despite the hot start for Top XX, the first half would play to a 1-0 finish as both teams still searched for a flow to their offence.

In the second half after a few attacks by both sides, defence was the name of the game for Topp XX as they fended off a few attacks from Milerock.

A solid counterattack would provide the opening for Top XX, and Shawn Daniels took advantage to score the second goal in the 75th minute.

Banks DiH, Foreign affairs ministry...

After being down 5-1 at halftime, Banks DIH fired off eighth goals led by Rawle Adams with a hat-trick in the 20th, 24th and 30th minutes.

Ceon McKenzie in the 29th and 30th scored backto-back winning goals while James Meredith also scored a double in the 15th and 27th minutes. Phillip Rowley also got in on the action with a double in the 11th and 30th minutes.

The win saw three different players from Banks DIH scoring in the final minute of the encounter to pull off the major comeback. Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, the Foreign Affairs Ministry cruised to a 9-3 victory over the Public Infrastructure Ministry. Courtney Britton led the way for the Foreign Affairs Ministry with a quintet of goals in the 12th, 13th, 19th,

23rd and 24th minutes. Godfrey Powers also scored a double in the fourth and 16th minutes.

Jeffrey Luther in the 17th and Devon Jackman in the 30th were the other two scorers for the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The final of the event will be played on November 20 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with the top team walking away with $200,000.

of Roriama Bikers Club and Hinds are separated by 13 points at the top of the standings.

Since returning from an impressive stint in the United States of America, Greaves has closed a massive 50-point gap with Hinds, by winning two races and riding consistently in the top three in the other events.

However, Team Gillette Evolution Captain Marlon Williams is confident that his strong team will stamp their authority and retain the number one spot after this weekend’s races.

With the cycling season set to close after the two races – today’s Payless Variety Store 11-race event at the National Park and the Diamond Mineral Water 50-miler on Sunday in West Demerara – Alanzo Greaves

He said that reigning Tour of Guyana champion Raul Leal, who trails Greaves by 13 points, is number three in the standings, and Team Evolution will be looking to move him up to the number two spot by the end of this weekend’s twin events. While the outcome is anyone’s guess, what’s for sure, a ding-dong battle between the country’s top riders is definitely on the cards, as victory and bragging rights are at stake.

NSC supports teachers for role in Pee Wee football

– female action to start today

With the boys’ segment of the Pee Wee tournament concluded and the girls’ event set to start today at the Education Ministry Ground, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has played a massive role by providing the teachers with financial aid.

The Petra Organisation, which organises both the male and female Pee Wee tournament, garnered the support from the NSC to provide the teachers who dedicated their time to the development of their respective school teams with financial aid.

Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca thanked the NSC for seeing the importance of the role that the teachers play in the lives of the young children.

“Petra, over the past five years, have been fighting to get support of the teachers, because we know to have them out on Saturdays, as well as the extra time to prepare these teams; we know that you would need some support… this gesture by the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones will go a far way in achieving that and we are extremely happy to know that the Director of Sport is supporting our programme in such a tangible

way,” Mendonca noted.

The Director of Sport was pleased to be associated with the event and noted that next year, the Sports Commission would hope to do more.

“I want to commend Petra again and the National Sports Commission is key on supporting female participation in sport; we will also work along with Petra in order to provide better assistance next year,” Jones mentioned.

Meanwhile, action in the girls’ tournament will begin today at the Education Ministry Ground with eight thrilling games. The march past is set to commence at 09:30h.

Alanzo Greaves

Orville Hinds

Raul Leal

Some of the action during the first semi-final

By TreisTon Joseph

The teachers pose after receiving their financial aid from the Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, in the presence of the Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca

Stag/EBFA 7-a-side KO football

7 teams advance after opening day’s play

When the Stag Beer-sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) seven-aside knockout competition kicked off in fine style on Tuesday last at the Farm Community Centre Ground, there were wins for Agricola A and B, Grove A and B, Kuru Kururu Warriors B, Soesdyke B and Diamond B teams.

Playing in sunny conditions at the senior level for the first time at the Farm Ground in years, Agricola Red Triangle made light work of Herstelling B, whipping them 3-0. Gordon Grant hit in a brace (4th, 19th), with the other coming from Anthony Rawlins in the 18th minute.

Herstelling had the chance to score at least once when they were awarded a penalty in the second half of the 20-minute (two halves of 10 minutes) match, but muffed the chance when Seon Alfred hit the right upright.

Timehri Panthers A made light work of Kuru Kururu Warriors B with a comfortable 5-0 win, having led 2-0 at the halfway mark. Alvin Adams got proceedings underway in the second minute and thereafter, it was a steady flow to the back of the nets for the Warriors.

Andy Higgins placed his name on the score sheet in the ninth minute; O Grant in the 14th; Collis Messiah (16th) and Jarel Wallcott in the 17th sealed the deal and a place in the next round for the Panthers.

Soesdyke Falcons B were 1-0 winners over Diamond United A, compliments of a sixth-minute strike off the boot of Chavez Sullivan.

Agricola B ensured that the home team, Herstelling, did not secure a win on the day, with their B team going down 2-0. Akeem Rawlins in the second minute and Bilall Jabar in the

15th secured the victory for Agricola B.

The second widest margin of victory was secured by Grove B against Mocha A, as the match ended 4-1. Akeem James opened the scoring for the day and the competition in the third minute of the match.

Floyd Matthews then converted twice, in the 10th and 13th minutes, before his brother, Nichaloi Matthews, blasted the net on the stroke of full time to seal the win. Mocha were able to salvage some pride with a goal of their own, from Orin James in the 14th minute.

Grove A won via the walkover route from Mocha B. Similarly, Diamond United B advanced at the expense of Timehri Panthers B and Kuru Kururu Warriors A over Timehri Panthers B. The competition will continue on Sunday afternoon at the Grove Playfield.

GTA, Trophy Stall Doubles tourney serves off today

Tennis Association over the years. She pointed out that it was the intention of the company to continue its support for tennis and sports development.

Goodluck noted that the tournament has become the feature Doubles event on the GTA’s calendar with 34 registered participants in 2014. The Association believes that participation will increase substantially as more tennis facilities and clubs have evolved, since they now have more recreational players who predominantly play Doubles.

This is evident in the fifth annual event, which now features players who were once in the Novice categories just over three years ago.

Once again spectators will be treated to keen competition in the Men’s Open Doubles category, as three-time Men’s Doubles champions Jason Andrews and Anthony Downes have split their partnership in this tournament.

According to a release from the GTA, “This creates a more level playing field as Downes will partner with top veteran Harry Panday, and Andrews partners with top junior Daniel Lopes. They hope to pose a great threat to defending champions Nicolas Fenty and Leyland Leacock.”

The tournament will be coordinated by coaches Leyland Leacock and Andre Erskine. Most matches will be played at the National Racquet Centre; however, some matches will be played at Nash and Le Ressouvenir Tennis Clubs.

RHTY&SC Busta Champion of Champions

Action bowls off today with four games

The 12th edition of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) annual Busta Champion of Champions Cricket Tournament will bowl off today at four venues across Berbice.

The competition, which is sponsored by the Guyana Beverage Company under its Busta brand, is being coordinated by the Cricket Development Committee of the RHTY&SC. Eight teams have been invited to be part of the tournament and they are Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets, Bush Lot United, Blairmont Community Centre, West Berbice, Police, Tucber Park, Upper Corentyne and Young Warriors.

Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the RHTY&SC, Hilbert Foster, stated that Bush Lot United was invited to participate after the Cricket Development Committee reviewed the participation of a senior Berbice cricket club after concerns were raised about the attitude of that Club’s management and players.

The tournament will be played 40-overs per side with white balls and black sightscreens. The winning team will take home $100,000 and the Busta trophy; the runners-up, $50,000 and a trophy, while the Man of the Finals will also receive a financial award and a trophy. Today’s four matches will bowl off at 11:00h, and will see Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets playing Upper Corentyne at Area H Ground, Young Warriors versus Police at Cumberland, Tucber Park against Bush Lot at Edinburgh, and Blairmont colliding with West Berbice at Blairmont.

Among the top players expected to participate in the tournament are Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Kellon Carmichael, Raun Johnson, Nick Ramsaroop, Norwayne Fredericks, Michael Newland, Shimron Hetmyer, Gajanand Singh, and Anthony D’Andrade.

The Tourism Ministry on Friday handed over a cheque of more than $1 million to the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) to aid in the preparations for the highly-anticipated 2015 Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships on this Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit.

At a simple press briefing held in the Ministry’s boardroom during which the cheque was handed over, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes disclosed that the races would see a large influx of per-

sons coming in to the country. The Minister further said that the races help promote sports tourism in the country and she was, therefore, pleased to be on board with such an event.

GMR&SC Secretary Carey Griffith expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship, and said it would go a far way in producing a spectacular event.

The South Dakota Circuit on Sunday will be a hive for the Region’s top drivers and bikers, and fast times and breathtaking driving can expected.

Part of the action on the opening day of the competition at the Farm Community Centre Ground

uyana’s top Doubles tennis players are looking forward to this weekend’s serve-off of the annual Trophy Stall Doubles tournament, which is scheduled to commence at 08:30h today at the National Racquet Centre in Georgetown.

Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) Public Relations Officer Jamal Goodluck received the symbolic trophy from Trophy Stall co-Director Devi Sunich on behalf of Trophy Stall, as she recounted the good relationship that the entity has enjoyed with the

Assad Fudadin Shemaine Campbelle

GTA’s Public Relations Officer, Jamal Goodluck (left) and Trophy Stall’s codirector, Devi Sunich display some of the trophies that will be up for grabs

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes making the presentation to GMR&SC Secretary Carey Griffith

By TreisTon Joseph

Vishual Singh plays a pull shot during his unbeaten innings

Shivnarine Chanderpaul collects runs square of the wicket