Guyana Times Daily - February 17, 2015

The scene of the accident at Wellington Park, Corentyne Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne)

TUESday, fEbrUary 17, 2015 | gUyanaTimESgy.com

AFC/APNU coalition:

AFC could be wiped out if coalition loses – Ramkarran

By Janelle Persaud

Former

Speaker

of the National Assembly and

Political Commentator

Ralph Ramkarran says the Alliance For Change (AFC) is taking a major gamble with its existence by joining forces with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to contest the May 11 Regional and General Elections.

In an interview with Guyana Times two days after the agreement to coalesce was signed, Ramkarran opined that the party, once considered a “third force”, stands the risk of being “wiped out” if the outcome of the elections is unfavourable.

He reasoned that APNU will maintain its support base and has nothing to lose as a consequence of the coalition but noted that the AFC could lose everything.

“One of the big problems would be, if the Indians would say well this is the PNC back in power and while we were prepared in 2011 to give the AFC our vote, with the expectation that the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] will win …we are not prepared to give you our vote if it means the PPP/C would lose the election,”

Ramkarran reasoned.

Ramkarran is not the only person who has expressed fears for the AFC and also the chances of the alliance ousting the PPP/C.

APNU Member Dr David Hinds has been quoted in a commentary saying that while he welcomes the coalition since it has created history, he also remains skeptical of its strategy to oust the governing PPP/C from power noting that while some may seen the coalition as a breakthrough, it is a gamble.

Skeptical Former Government Minister and Columnist Dr Henry Jeffrey weighing in on the subject also related that he remains skeptical that the approach taken by the two parties was the best one yet.

“I think what they want to do is to get rid of the PPP/C. I am not certain that that is the best option for doing so but I am not convinced that it’s the best option,” said Jeffrey.

According to Jeffrey, now that the AFC has coalesced with the APNU, whose major partner is the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), voters who would have seen AFC as a middle-ground party away from the two larger polit-

ical organisations would stay away from the polls.

“They have removed the possibility of a middle-ground that people run to. If there is no middleground, people have an op-

tion they can stay home or they go back and vote for whom they were voting and that is a great possibility that exists at the moment because the AFC joining with the PNC does not offer that middle-ground any longer,” he said.

Norton’s doubtful PNCR member Aubrey Norton said he does not support the move by the AFC to form any deal with APNU in establishing a broad national alliance for the upcoming elections.

According to him, the APNU is already doing its work in its constituency while the AFC would have had to continue working to garner more supports which were traditionally PPP/C and to break the PPP/C’s stronghold.

He however noted that this would now become a difficult task since those who may have been prepared to back the AFC will

now return to the PPP/C, due to the alliance with the APNU, which is still referred to by Indo Guyanese as the PNC.

AFC’s leader, Khemraj Ramjattan had been previously quoted as saying that joining forces with APNU would severely impact the

AFC’s constituency, especially supporters who are dissatisfied with both the PPP/C and PNCR/APNU.

But the minority party’s Vice Chairman and now Prime Ministerial Candidate for the new alliance, Moses Nagamootoo is on record telling a public meeting at New Amsterdam recently that “APNU is like a large umbrella that has attracted large numbers of people, particularly Afro Guyanese.

But APNU cannot win an election alone, APNU needs to have a strategic alliance with the church and the trade unions and other groups and the AFC could bring in the eleven per cent.” At the last elections, the AFC under an Indian Guyanese leader Khemraj Ramjattan won 10.3 per cent of the votes mainly from the Indian dominated Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) votes.

History of rigging Ramkarran a former PPP/C Executive noted that many Indo-Guyanese are still concerned about the history of “rigging and food shortage” that accompany the PNC, now the largest party in APNU. As such, the AFC would have to convince its supporters many of whom are originally PPP/C supporters.

He speculated that the commitment to shift some of the powers of the President to the Prime Minister and others might be a move to concretise the aforementioned.

“It is to give the AFC some real substantial power so the AFC can go to its supporters that in an arrangement with the PNC or APNU, we have substantial political authority, so we would be in a position to protect your interest,” Ramkarran added.

Under the

Cummingsburg Accord, APNU gets the Presidential Candidate and AFC, the Prime Ministerial Candidate; the latter party has been assured 12 seats in the 65 seat Parliament.

This would be approximately 36 per cent of the combined seats by the two parties in the 10th Parliament.

In the construct of a new Government, APNU will be allocated one Vice President while AFC will be allocated two Vice Presidents, both of whom will be members of the Cabinet.

Under this arrangement, the President will delegate several responsibilities to the Prime Minister including the chairmanship of the Cabinet and matters supporting the Domestic National Affairs.

Deeply political

The former Speaker noted that while this decision would be an indication of the parties’ commitment to reducing the powers of the President, it is deeply political. Asked whether this would require constitutional change, Senior Counsel Ramkarran pointed that this could very well work under an informal arrangement.

“For these to be formally put in place they will have to amend the constitution, but they do not have to amend to operate them informally,” he explained. An amendment of this nature would require a twothirds majority vote in the National Assembly.

“The PPP/C is not going to support any innovative procedures in relation to the constitution because they are comfortable with the constitution as it is and are fearful that any interference would affect their powers when they get back into office,” he said.

Ex-cop shot dead during Grove robbery

Aex-policeman, turn minibus driver was on Monday afternoon shot and killed during a robbery by a lone gunman at Campbell Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara.

Tajeram, the ex-police constable was reportedly shot twice to his neck and back by the suspected bandit who subsequently relieved him of his jewellery.

The shooting incident occurred at about 16:30h. According to information received the bandit was a passenger in the route 42 minibus (East Bank Demerara) and would have carried out the attack on the driver after he dropped off the last passenger.

Based on reports received, the bandit held the man at gunpoint and re-

quested that he hands over the gold chain he was wearing at the time.

The man reportedly put up a fight and it was then the bandit pulled the trigger, twice.

After being shot, the driver reported exited the bus in a bid to escape but instead, he collapsed.

A rank of the Guyana Police Force (GDF) who was in the area at the time saw what was happening and retaliated.

The rank discharged several rounds in the direction of the bandit but he managed to escape on foot.

The injured man was picked up and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was transported

the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting Meanwhile, a taxi driver told the Guyana Times that he was dropping off a passenger in Campbell Street, Grove when he heard gunshots.

He said he saw a man whom he later learnt was a bandit scaling a trench in the area while another man was chasing behind him. As he looked closer, he explained that the driver’s seat of the minibus was drenched with blood as well as spots on the windscreen. He then saw the driver lying on the road in a motionless state. Soon after, he added that the man was picked up and rushed to the hospital. The police have launched an investigation into the shooting.

Political commentator Ralph Ramkarran

AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo

APNU Leader David Granger

tuesday, february 17, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, February 17 – 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, February 18 – 14:30h-16:00h

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

Tuesday, February 17 – 15:15h-16:45h and Wednesday, February 18 – 16:00h-17:30h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 05:00h, 16:00h and midnight

WEATHER TODAY

Remigrant duty-free scam: Glenn Lall flees after initiating settlement

...now claims he was not involved

ublisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall was the one who initiated tax evasion settlement with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) days before he departed for the United States, well placed sources have confirmed.

Lall in an article in his news outfit on Monday denied being involved in the settlement of the case, arguing that he was in no way involved from the beginning.

“I never imported any vehicle; I never sought remigrant status and I was in no way involved in this issue from the beginning,” his newspaper quoted him as saying.

Noting that “even the deaf, the dumb and the blind know that the charges were trumped up against him and others,” Lall told his newspaper that: “I was not surprised while sitting in the US to learn that the charges were dropped. It came as no surprise.”

Guyana Times was told however that Lall was the one who initiated discussions about the settlement of the case before hurriedly leaving Guyana.

“He did that so it would appear that he was not involved but it was he who made the initial contact,” Guyana Times was told. According to reports reaching this newspaper a close relative of the US remigrant couple who was entangled with Lall and his wife, Bhena Lall in the $100M tax evasion case was left to carry through with the settlement deal.

Up to Monday Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur remained tightlipped on the value of the settlement, contending that it was time to move on. “It is time to move on from this matter,” Sattaur said.

Late last year, the

GRA had charged Lall, his wife as well as US couple, Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan. They were on arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on multiple tax evasion charges.

The charges alleged that they made and subscribed to false declarations on two Lexus LX 570 SUVs to be US$44,158 respectively, contrary to Section 217 (1a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

They were also slapped with two counts of aiding and abetting in a conspiracy to defraud the Government of taxes.

It was reported that Lall used the US couple to import the two luxury Lexuses under the guise of the remigrant scheme to avoid paying millions in import duties.

However, in dramatic fashion the charges were dropped two weeks ago and the two Lexuses that were seized by GRA from Lall and his wife were released to the US couple.

Guyana Times was told that despite the case being dropped locally, the US-based remigrant couple could face charges in the US if the Internal Revenue

Service (IRS) there finds out that funds for the two Lexus SUVs were transferred to their accounts to facilitate the purchase of the vehicles.

Such a probe had become necessary since, according to documentation submitted by the couple to GRA for the tax exemption, Naroontandeo was a Maintenance Clerk in the US while his wife was a housewife. It is unclear how with their incomes they would have been able to raise over US$186,000 to purchase two brand new Lexus SUVs. And since Gharbassi does not have a licence to drive either in the US or Guyana, it would appear that if the money was the Brijnanans’ one of the Lexuses was being purchase as a “spare”.

Sources have said that Lall would have likely transferred the over US$186,000 (G$37M) to the couple’s bank account in order for them to purchase the two brand new vehicles, which they later imported to Guyana under the guise of the remigrant duty-free scheme being run by the Government.

This would explain why the vehicles were being driven by Lall and his wife, and were never taken over to Berbice where the elderly couple resided when they returned to Guyana.

According to US laws any cash over US$10,000 transferred to an account must be declared as income and the transfer of the US$186,000 under US tight system would have raised red flags at the level of the IRS, since the banks would have to transmit that information to that Government agency.

Once an investigation is carried out in the US, which is likely follow after the com-

pletion of the local case, the IRS is expected to ask the couple to declare the source of the US$186,000.

A US lawyer surmised that the couple could argue that the funds were given as gifts, but according to the IRS, even this is subject to taxes.

The donor is generally responsible for paying the gift tax, but under special arrangements the recipient may agree to pay the tax in-

stead.

A gift, according to the IRS, is any transfer to an individual, either directly or indirectly, where full consideration (measured in money or money’s worth) is not received in return. The rule is that any gift is taxable. However, there are many exceptions to this rule. Generally, the following gifts are not taxable gifts: gifts that are not more than the annual exclusion for the calendar year: tuition or medical expenses paid for someone (the educational and medical exclusions); gifts to a spouse; and gifts to a political organisation for its use.

Publisher of Kaieteur News Glenn Lall

Bhena Lall

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

The coalition mouse

After four weeks of negotiations, the two parliamentary Opposition parties laboured long and hard, but like the proverbial mountain, they produced a mouse. The Guyanese electorate was expecting so much more.

But really, they should not have raised their expectations because the denouement was foretold as in a Greek tragedy by the prior statements of Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

Ramjattan refused to even consider an “alliance” with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). In a rather candid and expansive statement uttered in Berbice (the Whim Declaration?), he claimed that if such an arrangement were to be consummated, he would be “dead meat”. In his quaint style he was signalling that his supporters from Berbice – read “Indian Berbicians” – would desert his party en masse and leave him politically impotent - “dead meat”.

Ramjattan now claims he made the claim as a “bargaining chip”, but this raises the question that in raising the ante with APNU, Ramjattan and the rest of the AFC were willing to place race so openly, cynically and blatantly on the national agenda without any thought of the consequences.

And it for this reason no matter what comes out of the agreement announced last Saturday, in terms of the electoral fortunes of APNU and the AFC, it has the potential of setting race relations back for decades. The last time race was placed at the centre of Guyanese politics was after the racial riots on the 1960s.

The AFC claimed it was formed to work outside the two major parties so as to nudge them in a “national” direction by voting for either of them depending on their stance on the issue under consideration which contributed to the national weal.

The AFC, however, did support the APNU throughout the life of the 10th Parliament, but at least did so on the claim that in their interpretation, their vote was “progressive”. On votes such as the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, Guyanese were left to wonder as to the veracity of their claim, but at least they genuflected to a positive standard.

What was the standard in the formation of the coalition? Very clearly and explicitly Moses Nagamootoo, the man Ramjattan nominated as his non-negotiable Presidential Candidate for the coalition, declared that if their demands were met, they would “deliver” 11 per cent of the “Indian” votes of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

At no time was there any mention of the interests of the country or even of their constituency in the equation, just the racial quid pro quo: racial votes for high positions.

The danger posed by introducing this express racial calculus in the formation of the coalition is that both supporters of the AFC and of APNU are now forced to tailor their assessment in racial terms. APNU’s putative “African” supporters have to evaluate whether giving 12 seats to a party that has never more than seven when running on their own, is worth losing for “Indian” votes that may never materialise.

Worse yet, if the “Indian” votes from Berbice desert the AFC for reasons totally unrelated to the coalition, but rather on the AFC’s abysmal performance in Parliament, those APNU supporters would still conclude that “Indians” qua Indian-Guyanese are unwilling to vote for a party led by a non-Indian.

And this is why, while the Cummingburg Declaration might have produced an entity numerically larger than either the APNU and the AFC individually, it makes Guyana politically smaller and meaner than before. It will have produced a cornered mouse that will strike out wildly.

The only thing that can rescue Guyana from plunging deeper into the racial abyss is the good sense of the Guyanese people. They must reject the “garbage in garbage out politics” of race. If all APNU and the AFC put into their coalition talks was race, they must be rejected at the polls.

Pressing questions which require clarification ahead of elections

Dear Editor,

Now that Mark Benschop has made a plea for election, a few clarifications are required.

Similar clarifications should also be required of three former PPP/C leaders, that is, Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo and Ralph Ramkarran with their considerable many admirers as they have critics.

Can they still make a national patriotic difference considering their PPP/C origins?

Mark Benschop wrote that “Dr Martin Luther King Jr had achieved this dream of a united nation where people of all races could sit down together at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood”.

Not bad by its lofty piggyback aspirations. Since Mr Benschop was jailed for treason (later pardoned) because of, among other things, for allegedly inciting PNC marchers to storm the gates of the Presidential Secretariat in 2002 (two Guyanese were shot), has he completely and in finality rejected violence as a political methodology?

In promising that Dr King is his new found inspiration so that:

“I would like to expand that dream into Guyanese reality where we do not simply sit down together at the table, but where we (sic) share equally of the fare (sic) laid out thereupon.”

What catalysed his new twilight dreams to achieve its success?

Undoubtedly, any such overflowing table(s) would find multitudes flocking to partake of any freeness offered in such grand generosity.

Freeness, not perchance, but by golly, it would be good to know how any such boun-

tiful “freeness” would all miraculously appear on the table(s)?

Who will be paying the bill and what’s on the menu?

Why not start now by letting loose of its lavish “flowing freeness” instead of waiting for the May 11 elections for the giveaway - afterwards?

Tables, tablecloths, spoons, cups, plates and of course drinks (maybe water into wine), not forgetting chairs (and toilets just in case), so we “all” can, as Mr Benschop promises, be seated to “share equally of the fare laid out thereupon” do not appear as if by magic.

Keep it real now in response. Please don’t forget the halal requirements, if it’s not an imposition.

It could be the thing to catch the conscience of those who will bring it victory on May 11. Leaving no stone unturned can maybe do the trick.

The three former PPP/C leaders may also make a difference.

If their political fortunes are to be reversed, the current PPP/C leadership must seize the initiative to make the difference.

Look at the Speaker Raphael Trotman who has become a born again PNC acolyte by help of the current AFC’s leadership and the PNC’s public forgiving embrace.

The PNC has already done better by unifying Opposition forces camouflaged in APNU.

Conceding the Presidency to the AFC for the first rotating segment may be their knockout punch.

But both PNC current PNC leaders David Granger and his rival Carl Greenidge are old school PNC diehards

who lack the pivotal credibility due to their tainted association with election rigging and starvation economics.

In contrast and now that he was cleared of the paedophile molestation charges, Mr Trotman has emerged as the most visible and likeable PNC-AFC leader with nationwide cross appeal.

Will the PNC prevail with its current “stale bread” fare now on the table?

With Mr Trotman again rising after exoneration is he the better PNC alternative leader?

Most importantly, (1) would any of the three former PPP/C leaders seek rehabilitation in that party where forgiveness is rare?

Only Brindley Benn has been the exception to date. Most importantly are the three still in favour of achieving racial and ethnic balances in Guyana’s civil services and armed forces?

Prominent champions when in the PPP/C, have they now garbaged it despite its paramount urgency?

What changes do they plan to pursue in this regard and in conformity to their previous advocacies?

Acquiring political power in any AFC-PNC Government is not a necessity to certain success.

So far the AFC, since its creation, has nothing to point to which would remind posterity of its existence.

Championing ethnic balance of the armed forces may make a difference with so much at stake come May 2011.

Now that Mr Ramkarran has been rejected by the PNC and AFC, would he anyhow endorse another party?

Would he be amenable to serving in any Government as a civic, or would he still

embrace full PPP/C membership restoration, minus the bullying to which he was subjected?

The Ramkarran name and that of his legendary PPP/C father Boysie Ramkarran have few current equals in that party and still commands wide cross spectrum respect.

Out of power, the blame game will fly fast and furious in the carnage.

In the meantime, Mr Benschop should also reveal his other party activists and by what criteria they were selected; the source of his party’s election funding both in and outside Guyana must be urgently revealed to avoid suspicion.

Mr Benschop has pledged he would be fighting for “all” for real “democracy” and they “can be assured that they will be treated with the respect and dignity they are entitled to as citizens of Guyana”. How does he plan to go about achieving such goal?

These are indeed pressing questions which require clarifications.

To be sure they may be ignored when no one wants to muddy their waters in which they swim.

Most Guyanese will prefer not to drink from contaminated anything. The national health needs strong medicine from the best.

So far the PNC has officially pledged to make marijuana the cure for all ailments.

Such courage to advocate a marijuana cure for Guyana will overshadow election rigging and starvation by far.

The options on the table could not be clearer.Could May 11 be more historic?

Sultan Mohamed

Townswomen dressed as Lamia, with their faces painted white and eyes darkened, sing and dance in the Basque coastal town of Mundaka on Carnival February 15. The Lamia are Basque mythological creatures whose lower extremities are those of a duck or fish depending on their proximity to the sea, and whose favored activity is combing their long blonde hair with a golden comb

(REUTERS/Vincent West)

What do 1964 and 2015 have in common?

Dear Editor,

If your answer to the question above is, “the return of Opposition coalition for political seizure”, then jackpot. There is an old saying that says, “You cannot solve today’s problems with the same intelligence that created it”.

The choice before Guyanese people on May 11 would be one of either, choosing a path that offers hope and security of property, prosperity and a decent way of life – a path that we have been on since 1992 versus a path of uncertainty, insecurity and fear of a return to the brutish reality where the rule of law had no place in society – a path that we were on from 1964 to 1991.

The recent coalition of the APNU and AFC is a clear indication that seizing control of the state and controlling its resources is the end game, at any cost. But this should be no surprise to Guyanese, home nor abroad.

This remains the signature and DNA of the PNC since our independence and further this has been in the making between APNU and AFC since the 10th Parliament convened in 2011.

While there is no external cold war as was the case in 1964, for which we can see our domestic politics as being critical to the geopolitical struggle, there is definitely an ongoing internal cold war in 2015.

Understanding this internal cold war is key to understanding the motive of the recent coalition.

Understanding the motive of the coalition is sufficient for us to predict the reality that will follow, should it become successful at seizing control of the state.

At the heart of it is pursuit of political revenge by the AFC and PNC. On one left hand, leaders of the AFC want much revenge from the PPP/C for kicking them out of the PPP/C platform for their conduct and respect for party policies and procedures.

On the right hand, leaders of APNU are seeking revenge from for being kicked out of power in 1992 or more bluntly the PPP/C ending their 28-year vacation paid for by Guyana’s Treasury.

The struggle is only disguised as being concerned for the economic and social well being of the Guyanese people. It really is about the economic, social wellbeing and power of those seeking

political vengeance. This is ultimately what all this charade is about, a coalition worked the last time, so why not try it again!

The combined Opposition had every opportunity to prove to the Guyanese people that they are serious about the development of Guyana’s economy and make the hard policy choices, even when those choices offered little or no political gains, to improve the economy. The question is, did they do this? The answer is clearly no.

Instead the headlines that the world has seen from the 10th Parliament that epitomized the backward thinking and attitude of the combined Opposition were cutting budget allocations for the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Plant, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan international airport and the Specialty Hospital; stalling of the AML/CFT Bill amidst international blacklisting; and vote of No-Confidence against the Government among others.

These choices dealt a huge blow on the economy and represent significant loss of potential investments, jobs and incomes by signaling economic uncertainty and political instabil-

ity to the world – every investor’s nightmare.

The contribution of the leaders of the Opposition to the death of Guyana’s economy during the 1970s and 1980s is unbelievable and unfortunately unaware by thousands of Guyanese, especially the generation of 1990s and thereafter.

This is understandable because they came at a time when a peaceful and happy life was possible and people were allowed to pursue their own happiness and prosperity freely. It was under the leadership of these Opposition leaders that the economy was declared bankrupt in 1988.

It was under their leadership that more Guyanese live outside of Guyana today than inside because of brutish attack on businesses and households, creating the worse possible economy for anyone to live in.

While some were fighting for freedom to express their right to vote, the same individuals were using state resources to prevent people’s votes from being counted. It is nothing short of being comical that these very individuals want Guyanese to believe that they can manage Guyana’s economy and democracy.

There is a hidden agenda behind this coalition

Dear Editor, The deal is done. The two major parties AFC and APNU are now coalition partners in the fight against the PPP/C. It could not have come at a more opportune time other than February 14, Valentines Day.

It marks a memorable date in Guyana's history when these two entities hitherto sworn enemies can finally sit down as a unitary whole. Yes, it is a marriage of convenience, and as with all such arrange marriages there are bound to be consequences.

In this instance, there will be no disagreement with the dowry - that is a foregone conclusion - but the great fall out rests with their supporters who have taken this union with horror concern.

What! A coalition with

APNU, what a tragedy! You see, a substantial support base of the AFC comes from the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) area and they have been angered, worried sick, with this latest move of Moses Nagamootoo.

How could he be so wrong? To coalesce with the enemy in open violation of the people's wishes is outrageous to say the least! Moses of all people knows the brutal nature of the PNC, having personally suffered at their hands during the long years of the PPP's wilderness.

The beatings, the mysterious deaths and disappearances when that party ruled this country. To conveniently forget these things is of great concern to the people. If Moses wants to conveniently forget, I rest assured the electorate will not.

And this is the point where the rubber hits the road: what will be uppermost in the electorate's mind when they go into that polling booth on May 11? Would they be thinking let us give the AFC our votes when Moses openly said he would give those votes to our arch enemy APNU?

Or would they be saying, let’s vote for them anyway? But come to think of it, most writers have been too judgmental of Moses, this writer included, because we have overlooked the salient points of his argument.

This politician has been true to the people by unlocking the hidden secret he has been carrying all this time. This is his hidden agenda. Tacitly he is saying to the people do not vote for the AFC.

He is inaudibly saying I know I've made this huge mistake in sitting with the enemy but, we can make a way somehow. Silently he is saying, but I don't want them to win. When he can openly say to the world that 11 per cent of the Indian vote will be given to the PNC/APNU he is in essence telling the people do not vote for me.

Nagamootoo is well aware of the Indian's abhorrence of the PNC/APNU and there is no way they are going to vote for the AFC when those votes to APNU. As a Berbician to the bone Nagamootoo knows the psyche of Indians and Berbicians as a whole.

We suffered immeasurably under the PNC now APNU, and will not moil in that mess again ... ever.

Neil Adams

The PYO will be participating in Mash 2015

Dear Editor,

The Progressive Youth Organisation of Guyana (PYO) will be participating in a big way in this year’s Republic and Mashramani celebrations under the theme, “One people, One Culture, One Celebration”.

The PYO believes that Republic Day and Masharamani are significant and important events of national import which form part of the country’s history and struggle to build a unique, free and democratic state.

These events also play

an integral role in cementing Guyana’s cultural identity as a melting pot of culture within the Caribbean, South America and the wider world.

Our youths will use Masharamani as the stage to celebrate all of the achievements that have been made as far as socio-economic development and cultural transformation are concerned.

We will demonstrate that the youths are the ones who will resist moves by others to fractionalize and divide our country and therefore a num-

ber of events will be executed over the next few days to put Guyanese into the mash mood.

A mash camp, which will be established at the side of Freedom House, Robb Street, will see youths from all walks of lives and Guyanese celebrating the cultural diversities of all the six ethnic groups that make our society.

Additionally, each night will carry a different theme and there will be speakers delivering short presentations on various issues relat-

ed to youth and national development.

The PYO will also be decorating its mash float, costumes and paraphernalia at the location.

We invite the media to give coverage for each day and event until February 23 this year.

Under the chairmanship of Irfaan Ali, the media will be kept abreast about the developments related to our participation in Mash 2015 daily.

PYO Executive

Guyanese can look back and be proud of what they achieved as a people under the Jagan, Jagdeo and Ramotar Administrations and more importantly do so with much anticipation of how much more was possible had the PPP/C had a majority in the 10th Parliament.

GECOM and more specifically Dr Surujbally owe much explanation to the Guyanese people as to why thousands of ballots from PPP/C dominated communities were not counted in the 2011 elections.

Not only did the Goverment had to work tirelessly to ensure that Guyana’s economy continues to grow amidst sluggish global and regional economic growth, but a significant amount of efforts had to be put into battling with opposition to ensure that they didn’t succeed in shutting down the economy entirely.

How much more could have been achieved if those efforts were put constructively in planning for economic and social development? Something for us to think about.

It is no doubt that the PPP/C will evolve to ensure that it stays ahead of the economic and political chal-

lenges, some adjustments are necessary and I am sure the leadership have recognized this.

But it is also clear that the PPP/C is the only party that have upheld strongly the most important democratic right of the people, that is, “the freedom to pursue happiness and economic prosperity, without fear”.

With much more to say, I would end by saying to all Guyanese that the choice before is clear.

We can return to the days of brutality and economic murder of our own prosperity and freedom and that of our country and its people by allowing the APNU-AFC coalition to take away our hopes of a decent way of life, or we can continue to press ahead with our work and efforts and continue to develop Guyana by ensuringg that the PPP/C remains in office, but more importantly return with a majority status. The choice is ours.

In the next edition of this article, we will discuss the economic and political reality under the 1964 coalition Government and identify some crucial similarities that is before us today.

Dhanraj Singh and Stephen Kissoon

Page Foundation

Being a supportive grandparent

BY EMMY RAINWALKER

Grandparents are important! Grandparents are very important to families. Our value to our children and grandchildren is enormous. Your grandchildren love to spend time with you and your children are often grateful for the added attention, gifts, and resources you provide for the little ones you love so dearly.

We offer a great deal to our families. We offer experience, enthusiasm, and much needed attention. We love our grandchildren with an open-hearted love, free from the everyday worries and tasks that wear on parents – like getting the children on the school bus on time, getting their teeth brushed, setting the rules on video games or candy. Almost every grandparent I have spoken to, when asked what they like about being a grandparent says, “We get to love them fully and then they go home!”

no success. This was a wonderful, rollicking game full of screeching and laughter that went on for about a half hour. Then we gave them piggy back rides around the house and then read them to sleep. After this we were quite tired and ready for bed ourselves and we were happy to have their parents take over again when they came back!

My husband and I were babysitting our three and four-year-old grandsons while their parents had a much needed dinner and movie date. We noticed that they had a lot of energy and were not interested in settling down so we began to play with them. They would sit on us and we would try to get up, and we pretended they were too strong for us. We tried to rescue each other from their clutches with

As the economics of parenting becomes more difficult for parents, more grandparents are providing help by spending time with grandchildren to free parents up to work outside the home or get some break time. (Of course, for some grandparents who have become primary caregivers for children when their children cannot parent for some reason, there is no going home and the pressures of caring for these little ones full time comes down hard.)

Since I have become a grandparent, I am increasingly aware of the challenges. Here are a few of the ones I have been thinking about.

We live in a society which can give a false picture of

our value. Grandparents are often pictured as “cute” and incidental, or intrusive and critical. We put our enthusiasm, creativity and energy into our families. While most of us do not face the same intensity of everyday time constraints and stress that parents face, it is demanding work to be with children and we as grandparents are not always appreciated for it. We have unresolved tensions with our children left over from raising them. Our society offers little support for parents and we struggled to be the best parents we could. We live with regrets and sadnesses from the errors we feel we made, or the errors our children feel we made as parents. We may try to “make it up now” by loving our grandchildren more and trying to correct our “mistakes,” hoping our children will notice and forgive us. Who among us has not hoped that now that our children are parents themselves, they will understand with compassion what challenges and difficulties we faced when raising them?

We find at times that we “disapprove” of our children and how they are parenting or managing their lives, while at the same time we want to be supportive. This can feel like walking a tightrope! How can we tell when to intervene or give advice or information? Is it ever OK?

(www.handinhandparenting.org)

TO BE CONTINUED

Strategies for hard times in parenting

BY SANDRA FLEAR

When we became parents, most of us had no idea that we would need to master the art of handling stress. Nurturing children is a job that’s best done with ample and relaxed support – several committed people taking a variety of roles to see that each person in the family is able to thrive. But most of us find ourselves more or less alone as we care for our children. This isolation almost guarantees that we will encounter more stress in the work of parenting than in any other work we’ll ever do.

Our children’s behaviour isn’t the core reason parenting is stressful, although it almost always feels that way. We’re stressed because we love our children deeply and are determined to make their lives good. Couple this singular dedication with the lack of information, mentors, help, pay, respite, and daily encouragement, and you get – hard times!

With adequate support, we’d have the help we needed to enjoy our children so much more thoroughly. We would worry less and play more. We’d be freer to anticipate difficulties, and to solve them as they came along.

The things that most upset us are usually connected to “hot buttons” that were established when we were young. If, for instance, you are a parent who grew up in a very strict family, where you and your siblings were yelled at and punished

when you roughhoused, then a “hot button” was set up for you around physical play and laughter. As much as you want your children to play freely, you’ll find it stressful when they romp through the house. It will be hard to join them in the fun. The buried memories of punishment and blame will make you stiff or distant. You might be prone to anger, or, so as not to explode, you might isolate yourself, develop a headache, or reach for coffee or a cigarette to numb the edginess that bubbles up.

We call this triggering of stored hurt that landed on us in childhood “re-stimulation.” When you realise that your history as a child can set you up for bad feelings as a parent, even though nothing hurtful is happening, you’ve taken a big step! This awareness helps you stop blaming yourself and your children for how you feel. You have more power to lower your daily level of upset and unhappiness, because you can figure out:

• What events in your childhood planted that stress in you;

• What triggers in your present life you want to disarm; What reactions you have under stress that you want to change, so that you don’t pass the stress on to your children. There are three basic strategies that can help you tackle hard times in parenting. Move your mind away from the bad feelings that have been triggered.

• Release the feelings that bubble up, so that over time, you carry fewer stored feelings to trouble you.

• Head off the re-stimulation before it builds up. Here are some experiments you might try with each of these strategies

Move your mind away from the upset

• Change the scene. There are many ways of doing this. You can gather up the children and take a walk, or if they’re fighting in the car, you can stop the car and all get out for a short walk or a drink of water. You can take a shower, fix a bath (for you or for them), or simply stop trying to do whatever you were trying to do when stress built up. Don’t fold the mountain of laundry, put on music and pick up the beat. Pour yourself a big glass of water, sit, sip, and pet the cat. Throw a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor, and watch the kids make burrows and tunnels, instead of cooking a hot meal. Cottage cheese and carrots will do. If you feel the need to cry as you give yourself permission to take a break, it’s smart. Go ahead.

• Stop and concentrate on your breath. Many people find that stopping for a few minutes to focus on their breath is a great tension-breaker. For some of us, taking a short time to do this at the beginning of the day or at some other regular time helps keep our tension load manageable. It’s a way of giving respect to yourself, which you richly deserve. (handinhandparenting.org)

Walter Rodney CoI: Rohee rubbishes PNCR’s allegation that PPP killed Rodney

By Vahnu Manikchand

Home Affairs Minister and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee on Monday rubbished suggestions by the people’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) that the PPP had a hand in the assassination Dr Walter Rodney.

The Forbes Burnhamled PNC Administration has long been accused of the killing of Dr Rodney and most of the witnesses appearing before the commission so far have stated clearly that it was the PNC Government which ordered the assassination of the former Working People’s Alliance (WPA) coleader.

Rohee on Monday returned to the stand for the continuation of cross-examination in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that has be tasked with determining the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Rodney back in June, 1980.

Attorney for PNC, Basil Williams, grilled the Minister on his motive for testifying in the CoI. Williams suggested to Rohee that he had no intention of testifying and only came because of the theory that his party was allegedly involved in the killing.

During the Inquiry, the Commission had explored several theories as to who might have killed Dr Rodney including one introduced by the PNC that states the PPP had a motive to kill the then WPA leader.

However, Rohee denied this suggestion saying, that he is not aware of any such theory. He went on to explain under re-examination by CoI Counsel Latchmie

Rahamat, that ever since Dr Rodney’s return to Guyana he had had a cordial relationship with the then leader of the PPP, Dr Cheddi Jagan, not only at a political level but also philosophically.

“The fact that these two individuals were meeting regularly to discuss; the fact that those discussions eventually manifested themselves into collaboration between the two parties, cooperation between the two parties at different levels, at public meetings and so forth… and the fact that the two leaders sought to ensure that the tactical differences that exist between the two parties were minimised to such an extent that they didn’t over flow into any antagonistic relations between the two, I think are grounds sufficient enough to indicate that the PPP to be in any way implicated in any type of physical or other means of threat on Dr Walter Rodney’s life is misconceived, misplaced, mischievous and has no foundation whatsoever, ” he stated. In addition, another theory was suggested to the PPP/C General Secretary that the “imperialist” wanted Rodney dead and Rohee replied that he will answer in a text message language saying “stww”. But when asked by Counsel Rahamat why he rejected the theory, he underscored that while the two parties’ leaders had certain principled positions on the fight against colonialism, imperialism and foreign domination, “they used those international experiences that they had individually accumulated to work together for the freedom of the people.

I don’t recall in any spe-

cific point in time, although they were some solidarity activities with Cuba and Nicaragua, that these two leaders have ever said anything to give anyone any indication that they were foreign accomplice working behind the scene to liquidate either Dr Jagan or Dr Rodney,” he noted, while adding that such claim is a figment of someone’s imagination.

Overthrow claims

Williams went onto suggest that the PPP had withdrawn its support from the PNC Government to join forces with the WPA in attempts to overthrow the Government of the day but Rohee refuted such claims, stating that PPP and WPA joined in a common struggle to improve the livelihood of the people.

Furthermore, the attorney questioned the witness on several documents that

Lima man reportedly confesses to killing wife

ALima, Essequibo Coast woman who was found dead on Saturday was manually strangled, a post-mortem examination has revealed.

Police have since arrested the dead woman’s husband who reportedly confessed he strangled the woman. He is expected to be charged soon for the death of his wife Haimwattie (only name given), also known as “Kathy”.

The 37-year-old mother of one was discovered dead on Valentine’s Day by relatives.

Her husband Annirude, had raised an alarm about the woman’s death around 05:30h on Saturday to relatives.

On Monday, Police from G Division (Essequibo Coast/ Islands) confirmed that the woman died from asphyxia, which resulted from manual strangulation.

The autopsy was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Suddie Mortuary. Following the woman’s death, Police vis-

ited the scene and began investigations.

Police detained the woman’s husband for a few hours and later released him as no marks of violence were found. Neighbours had however told Guyana Times that they heard the woman screaming on Saturday morning.

One neighbour said, “like they were fighting, like we hear he beating her, she was screaming, and all we heard that she died this morning, like he beat her to death,” the neighbour said Saturday.

ness to explain why he rejected the contents from the documents that were shown to him. Rohee pointed out that most of the documents are based on hearsay evidence and speculations as such he would not give too much credence to them.

He further clarified that based on personal experiences he never heard any of the WPA members talking about the use of violence to overthrow the Government of the day.

“I’ve never heard any of the leaders of the WPA; any of the activists of the WPA that I know personally give any indication that this is something that they were working towards.

were tendered in the inquiry by the Police Special Branch. One such document had contained purported details of the WPA engaging Cuban spies in Guyana with the intention of overthrowing the PNC Government and that the leader of the PPP had knowledge of this and was in full support. Rohee, when asked about whether he agrees with this, said “nonsense, I don’t agree with nonsense.”

At this point Chairman of the Commission Richard Cheltenham outlined that the documents presented by the Special Branch are a high or some degree of accuracy.

Nevertheless during re-examination, Counsel Rahamat requested the wit-

It was always a question involving the masses and Dr Rodney succeeded in doing that with the citizens of Georgetown and this is the mission Dr Rodney set out to accomplish (when he joined WPA),” Rohee said while adding that at the time no one know how the Special Branch operate.

The Attorney continued, putting to the witness that he only came to defend the party because of the nature of the evidence that was tendered.

“No, I came here to tell the truth and nothing but the truth,” he said. “But somehow you failed to tell the truth and the whole truth, I’m putting that to you,” said the PNC lawyer to the PPP General Secretary, who again denied this. Rohee further refused a statement made by the at-

torney that he is “nothing else but a witness of convenience”.

Total disaster

Earlier in the session, Rohee was questioned on statements he made in his evidence in chief that during the period 1978 to 1980, the country’s economy was a total disaster. Rohee had stated that around 1974, the PPP had supported the PNC regime to nationalise the various industries (such as rice and sugar.

However he noted that as time progressed, the PPP did not like the manner in which the process was being implemented as such they withdrew support.

The General Secretary went onto point out that the situation had affected the national economy and the country was losing foreigner investors.

He added that the PPP subsequently made calls for a national patriotic front Government to be formed.

While highlighting the issues the economy was facing, Rohee explained that the PPP still continue to engage the Government to find better options to improve the livelihood of citizens but the then Government pursued own their own paths. This, he noted, led to major social issues such as the national budget not showing to have people’s interests at heart while adding that most of the monies went towards supporting the military.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee examining a document shown to him during his testimony at the Walter Rodney CoI

The house where the woman body was discovered

tuesday, february 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Man stabbed to death at Baramita

Police have travelled to Baramita, a remote area in the North West District to probe the murder of a man whose body was discovered with several stab wounds on Monday morning.

The dead man has been identified as Mark Joseph of Baramita, NWD, Region One (Barima Waini).

According to information received, the man’s body was discovered at about 6:20h in a clump of buses along the Baramita Roadway by passersby

The police at the outpost were reportedly summoned and the body was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examina-

tion. The police have since questioned several persons in the area but have not received any substantial information.

A senior police rank told Guyana Times that a team of investigators from Georgetown has traveled up to the area to conduct a thorough investigation. He confirmed that persons have

claimed that they did not hear any unusual sounds during Sunday night. It is believed that Joseph was stabbed in the wee hours of the morning.

From all indication, he would have sustained stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. No one was arrested for the murder.

Man who threatened mother of his child on bond

Thirty-six-year-old

Paul Murphy was released on bail by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry on Monday after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge read that the defendant allegedly assaulted the mother of his child and threatening her.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that the defendant while in Ituni, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) slapped the Virtual Complainant (VC) Natasha Hinds, who is the mother of his child and threatened to kill her.

Murphy pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defendant told the Magistrate that he has HIV and has to take the relevant medication. It added that he was unable to do so while in the lockups and thus was unwell. Murphy also stated that he has never been in

trouble with the law before.

The Chief Magistrate granted placed him on a bond to keep the peace and informed the defendant that he his next cour appearance will be at the Christiansburg Magistrate’s Court on February 24.

Businessman who threatened employees released on self bail

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry released businessman Shameer Ali on his own recognisance on Monday after he appeared before her to face two charges – threatening language and threatening behaviour.

The court heard that the businessman used threatening language and behav-

iour towards two of his employees, Ayvian John and Cammie Thompson. Ali’s Attorney Jerome Khan told the court that his client is a reputable businessman and father who has no prior charge levied against him. He continued that his job entails interaction with employees to ensure that efficient work is done.

Attorney Khan further added that Thompson is no longer an employee, since service was terminated in November 2014, while John walked off the job after he was approached for negligence on the job by the defendant. The Attorney indicated that it was due to this that the allegations were made.

The defendant’s Attorney asked for the release of his client, stating that he is not a flight risk, since his children and his job are waiting for him.

The prosecution had no objection to bail; hence the defendant was released on his own recognisance.

Local singer charged with using abusive language

Jermaine Dey, a local singer appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday before Chief Magistrate Priya

Sewnarine-Beharry to face an abusive language charge.

The Magistrate expressed her surprise that Dey was brought be-

fore the court in handcuffs. The charge allegedly that he used abusive language towards the Virtual Complainant (no name read in court).

He was placed on his own recognisance and will make his next court appearance in Court Four of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on 24 February.

Eyew tness Begging for mercy...

...by Mook Lall

Some people just don’t know to quit while they’re ahead. Imagine the Mook fell on his knees, cried a river of tears, which even his infamous face-rag couldn’t stop up – and got a reprieve on his $100 million tax fraud – and now he’s doing a Shaggy!! You know?? – “It wasn’t me!!” The man wants to commit the crime; NOT do the time – and now pretend he’s not slime!

Who’s kidding whom?? Lall’s crowing he had nothing to do with the importation of the Luxury Lexuses and that the settlement had nothing to do with him. Sure!!

A retired fella with a nondescript blue collar job goes out and buys two Luxury vehicles when he can’t even drive!! Now you might say the poor dears rewarded themselves for slaving away in New York and they’ll learn to drive to tool around in retirement.

But no!! They’re returning to Guyana...not learning to drive...but just having their son’s friends, the Lalls, drive the Lexuses!! Not even their son...but his friends!! Now have you heard a fairy tale like this since Hansel and Gretel?? This kinda scam’s been going on ever since the remigrant scheme was introduced decades ago.

Lall thinks because all the money was transferred in New York to the retired folks to buy the vehicles, he’s off the hook. Well, maybe in Guyana...but not in the US. And this Eyewitness isn’t even talking about the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which recently come into effect.

April 30 is the deadline for filing taxes in the US. Lall and the retired couple have until then to explain the US$160,568 transferred from the Lalls’ bank accounts to pay for the vehicles. The IRS was informed of the transaction and they’re waiting to see if Lall will fess up.

Over there they don’t mess around with tax cheats.... especially small fries like Lall – it’s jail time! The IRS likes to remind tax cheats of what’s in store for them...

In the meantime, Lall is gonna lose corn and husk. Over in the States, they have his orange jumpsuit ready for him. And over here, they’re gonna be looking at him like a hawk to see if he’s ever going to drive those fancy “shine rides”!

The moment he does, he’s gonna be sleeping at 12 Camp Street. Where, if this Eyewitness’ information is correct, there’s not much sleeping going on!! Ouch!!! Talk about begging for mercy!

...by the AFC

The AFC’s crowing that they got the better of APNU in their tussle over sharing the spoils in their coalition negotiations. But soon, they’ll be begging for mercy... and this Eyewitness will tell you why. At the upcoming elections, they’re two possible outcomes: the PPP/C wins or the PPP/C loses.

Let’s take the first scenario. If the PPP/C wins, the AFC gets zilch. Forty per cent of nothing is still nothing!

Because, dear reader, in Guyana without capturing the Presidency, there is nothing left. It’s like Eric Williams said when Jamaica pulled out of the 10-member WI Federation – one subtracted 10 leaves ZERO!

Even if the PPP/C gets a plurality, the AFC’s still out like 1940s fedoras. And what if the coalition wins? The AFC still gets, in the inimitable expression of President Ramotar, “Larwah!!” Zilch!! Nada!

Because in that scenario, Granger’s gonna be President and even if he goes against the gospel according to Forbes and wants to share power with Nagamootoo, the PPP/C won’t let him. They’ll challenge any “delegation” of powers as “unconstitutional”.

But in any case, Granger ain’t sharing squat!! ...because of the name

Word is that Granger begged for mercy and finally relented that the name of the coalition between the AFC and APNU will be Ramjattan’s original proposal: “ Partnership Alliance for National Trust - Yes!” – PANTY! Expect them to wave theirs this Mash.

Berbice man chops wife, commits suicide

ABerbice man was found dead hanging by his neck with a rope shortly after he viciously chopped his wife several times Monday evening. The incident took place at Kendal Village, commonly known as Number 19, East Coast Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne). Dead is Deonarine Guyanand 59, also called ‘ Chiney’ of

Kendal Village. His wife Titawattie Guyanand 49 was up to press news time in a critical condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Reports are that the couple has had problems in the past and on several occasions the man had threatened to kill the woman. On Monday afternoon Titawattie was at work when she was approached by her husband. Titawattie works

as the maid for a 98-yearold woman. According to Punjari Roopram ‘Chiney’ came in and asked for $500 which she gave him. She said he apparently left and when and had a drink (alcohol). “He come back and ask she for thousand dollar more and she say she nah get more. “ It was at this time Guyanand reportedly slapped the woman.

Roopram, who is confined to a bed, said at that point she tried to intervene by rebuking Guyanand who also worked with her as a handyman cleaning the yard. The man then went to the kitchen and collected a cutlass and began chopping his wife. According to Roopram at the time no one else was at home. However, after badly chopping the woman Guyanand exited and went to his house where he reportedly ended is life.

Neville, another occupant of the house told this newspaper that there were several threats by Guyanand to take his own life after killing his wife. He said the last threat he knew about was about one week ago. The couple had been married for more than 30 years.

Missing ASL plane:

No success so far as private search enters 3rd week

After more than two weeks of search in the mountainous terrains in the vicinity of the Mahdia Airstrip Region Eight, the private search party that was launched to find the missing Air Services Aircraft has come up empty handed.

The Britten Norman Islander disappeared on December 28, 2014 while heading to Karisparu after taking off from Mahdia Airstrip with the pilot Nicky Persaud, 25 and the loader, David Bisnauth on board.

A representative of the Rainforest Tours on Monday told Guyana Times that the search will continue for another week.

The official explained that the managing director of the Rain Forest Tours, Frank Singh is leading the search and would give updates as often as possible. “Up to this morning (Monday), he said that there has been no luck but they will continue”.

Initially, a rescue mission was established but after one month without success, both the Government of Guyana and Air Services Limited called it off. This was done after weeks of trekking and no results.

The families of the missing men, however, did not give up and established an independent mission which in-

tended to search for a month at an estimated budget of $6 million. The 20 member team would have been focusing their search in the Toffee area, Region Eight.

“For the first search in the Toffee area, 10 men will be used to comb a four mile stretch… they will be placed 100 metres apart, in that case, they cannot miss anything… as we move towards the more mountainous areas, we will increase the search by an addition ten men,” Singh had stated.

The areas of interest were identified after reviewing aerial footage collected and which showed that several trees were disturbed.

The aircraft bearing registration number 8R-GHE belonging to Air Services Limited took off from Mahdia at about 11:42h on the day

in question on a routine local cargo flight and the last known position was spot tracker at 11:44h.

At 16:20h, Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower made contact with the aircraft operator to establish whether the aircraft landed before implementing a search and rescue operation.

After no information was received, the Air Traffic control commenced an ‘Alert Phase’ and the rescue coordination centre at Cheddi Jagan International Airport was activated.

In January last, a Canadian Pilot Blake Slater and Guyanese Cargo Handler Dwayne Jacobs lost their lives after the plane they were travelling in crashed at Mazaruni. There have been several other mishaps but without any causalities.

PNCR wants Rodney CoI to be put on hold until after elections

basil Williams

People’s National Congress Reform attorney at the Walter Rodney Commissioner of Inquiry on Monday made an application to the tribunal for its work to cease until after the May 11 General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

At the end of Monday’s session the attorney indicated that in light of elections around the corner and political campaigns starting to kick off, the Commission would probably want to stay the proceedings. Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham, informed the attorney that they will consider his suggestion but explained that there were given up to six weeks before the elections to wrap up the inquiry.

However, Williams cautioned the Chairman that as a former politician he should understand the propriety to have overseas persons conducting such a “controversial proceeding during a time that is considered sensitive.” Commissioner Cheltenham reiterated that the attorney’s request will be taken into account. “We have already given thought to that matter but we will revisit it,” he stated.

President Donald Ramotar earlier this month extended the life of CoI into the death of the Political Activist and Historian. The Inquiry, which commenced in April last year, was scheduled to conclude on January 31 but has now been extended until March 31. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, had stated Government would facilitate the financing of the extension. “I want to assure you that funding for the Commission is not an issue and it has never been an issue. Whatever is needed to continue the Commission in its work up to 31st March, 2015, which is the date to which its life has been extended, I can assure you that those funds are secured for that purpose,” he told reporters.

This is the third time the Government has taken a decision to extend the life of

the Walter Rodney CoI. In September 2014, President Donald Ramotar extended the life of the Commission.

Although, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had threatened that the Opposition would have withheld its support for additional funding, the President had indicated that should the need arise, his Administration would pump more money into the exercise.

In 2014, some $112 million was passed by the National Assembly to fund the work of the Commission, which is aimed at determining the circumstances under which Dr Rodney died. Since the death of the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA) Cofounder and political stalwart on June 13, 1980, fingers have been pointed in the direction of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

It has been alleged that under the watch of the then President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, electronics expert and Army Sergeant, William Gregory Smith was hired to plant a bomb in a walkie-talkie; a device that was reportedly of interest to the historian. The device exploded in Dr Rodney’s lap, shortly after he received it. At the time of the tragic incident, the Political Activist was in the company of his brother, Donald Rodney.

Deonarine and Titawattie Guyanand in happier times

One of the bill boards that were erected at strategic locations

UG seeks bigger subvention from Govt

...as workers up strike action

University of Guyana

Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi is calling for a 25 per cent increase in its subvention from the Government, even as the institution battles low morale and three-week-old protest action by workers.

In a statement outlining some of the woes of the university (see other story on page 13), as well solutions to fix them, Dr Opadeyi said that in addition to the increased subvention, there should be a reduction of part-time expenditure and ensuring that lecturers meet their contractual teaching obligations.

Only last Friday Opposition Leader David Granger said that if State funds to the University of Guyana (UG) are not significantly improved, the kind of changes that are needed at the institution will not be possible.

He told media operatives on Friday that funds must be quadrupled for any real change to occur. “Without funds, there will be no change,” the Opposition Leader insisted. Government allotted some $1.4 billion in the 2014 National Budget for the University of Guyana. This amount would have been for both the Tain and Turkeyen

campuses. Of that amount, $450 million was budgeted for the student loan programme. With Granger’s proposal, Government’s annual allocation to UG would amount to some $5.6 billion.

Asked whether a study was done to determine whether

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

The Opposition Leader also said if elected, APNU will rehabilitate the physical structure, stock laboratories and libraries and ensure that the staff is better paid. Describing the cur-

1000 scholarships for students in the areas of Science and Technology and a revision of the institution’s electricity rate, saying that the institution is not an industry or a commercial institution. He also called for the provision of duty-free

the probability and affordability of such an increase, the Opposition Leader said “we will find the money, if we could find money from GGMC, we will find the money for education,” referring to the loan the Government took from the

rent situation as chronic, Granger stated that these issues have long existed and require a change in the attitude of the Government.

Meanwhile, in addition to the increase in subvention, the University’s Vice Chancellor also proposed

concessions to all lecturers with a minimum of Masters Degree and after three years of satisfactory service to the University; provision of land and housing loans at a special low interest rate to all staff after three years of quality service; recovery of student loans that are in default to fund University capital works and the transferring of the student loan scheme to Private Sector as a revolving loan.

Additionally, the Vice Chancellor said the direct duty and VAT exemptions should be given to the University and there should be periodic maintenance of our roads, drains and grounds by the Public Works Ministry.

“If our lecturers are expected to give quality instructions, publish quality papers in international journals, provide quality ser-

A dose of yuh own medicine

Some times in life, de very same tings whah yuh do people in life does come back to haunt yuh later in yuh life. That is why old people seh whah goes around does come around. Nowadays, it does come around more than one time.

Tek fuh instance de Mook man. Well, de Mook man who is a paper man now complainin bout another paper man who expose he fuh de two Lexus whah he get two old people to bring in fuh he duty free from de US.

De whole of de country done know bout de story, yet de Mook tryin to tell people that he ain’t had nutten to do wid no Lexus. De Mook can fool some people like Adumb some of de time, but he definitely can’t fool all people all of de time. But de Mook lucky de Guvament let he off de hook. That was a hook that had de Mook by hook, line and sinker. So much so that dem fellas was already waitin fuh de Mook at de Camp Street gate to welcome he. Lawd, dem woulda had a backanal party that night.

Maybe if was one Lexus de Mook man had bring in, people woulda stay quiet. But de Mook man does deal in sheer twos. And that is why every body around he does want two of every ting as well. Dem just never satisfy with one. Maybe two mooks better than one.

Now de Mook ain’t got no limits when he writin bout people. Accordin to de Mook man, every man jack in Guvament corrupt and de Police always want a raise. Now de other paper man expose how de Mook more corrupt than any body in this country.

Now if de Guvament always tryin to muzzle de Mook, and he does mek a big scene bout that, how come de Mook now wanna muzzle another paper?

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Old people seh a dose of yuh own medicine always hard to go down.

vices to the University and national communities provide quality input in local, regional and international debates, they deserve quality salaries and wages. The two go hand in hand. Again, cheap things no good and good things no cheap” in investing in staff, we will have to hold them accountable through biannual student assessment, annual quality and productivity assessment and peer review,” the Vice Chancellor asserted.

Making a direct call for

the end to strike action, Opadeyi said: “For the sake of our students, I humbly request a return to normalcy, negotiation in good faith, and respect for each other. Respect for our paying students, respect for our hard working students, respect for the staff, respect for the Council who has supported this Administration, and respect for the Governments’ financial regime.

"Let’s work together to build a better University.”

Guyanese nabbed at Ogle with cocaine pellets in stomach

An Antigua-based Guyanese was on Monday afternoon intercepted at the Ogle International Airport after confessing to ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch that he swallowed several cocaine pellets.

Stephan Watson, 28 is presently under guards at the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was given laxatives to excrete the pellets. He was about to board a LIAT Flight L1 512flight to Antigua and Barbuda.

According to information received, Watson was seen acting in a suspicious manner thus drawing the attention of police ranks who were nearby. As the police ranks approached

him, he started to sweat profusely. He was questioned but initially denied carrying any drugs. The police then threatened to arrest him and it was then he reportedly admitted to swallowing the pellets. He was escorted out of the airport facilities and was taken to the GPHC where he was given the laxative. He is expected to be charged once he would have excreted all the pellets. Only recently, Njela Fublar, of Frento Drive, Bermuda was arrested at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after admitting to swallowing a number of pellets packed with cocaine. She later excreted 68 pellets amounting to 551 grammes of the ille-

gal substance. The 23-yearold woman was about to board a Caribbean Airline flight, BW524 destined for the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport when she was seen acting in a suspicious manner. Ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch became suspicious when they recognised that she was sweating profusely and acting in a strange manner. The woman was grilled and admitted that she swallowed the cocaine pellets. Fomdar was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was given a laxative to excrete the pellets. She was later was sentenced to serve four years in prison and fined $1,480,700.

UG workers as they strike outside Education Ministry

Observer missions lining up for May 11 polls – Rodrigues-Birkett

Foreign Affairs Minister

Carolyn RodriguesBirkett said that international observers are critical to the credibility of the upcoming election, noting that she is heartened that some of the top organisations have already indicated their willingness to work here.

She made the comments during a programme on state broadcaster, National Communications Network over the weekend. The Minister explained that international observation is very important for the up-coming election and noted that since 1992, “there have always been observer missions in Guyana, and 2015 will be no different.”

Minister RodriguesBirkett asserted this stance,

indicating that President Donald Ramotar has already informed the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caribbean Community (Caricom), and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) that Guyana will be requesting their overseeing roles. She added that this message came from the very time when prorogation was enacted on November 14, 2014.

Touching on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted that the entity did the usual, that is, it requested the United Nations (UN) to come in and look at the systems, and to see if the country is prepared for the May 11 General and Regional

Elections, as it is important to have the body give a vote of confidence to the systems in place.

According to RodriguesBirkett, the UN mission is important in assisting Guyana, as it moves towards election day. She stated that she is sure that the visiting members would have already conveyed their observations to GECOM, as they did meet with her in her capacity as Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, President Ramotar, and other major players within the fraternity of the election framework. It should be noted that the UN does not necessarily observe elections, as in the case of the Commonwealth or Caricom, but can do so “in circumstances when the General

Assembly or the Security Council so approves.

Minister RodriguesBirkett alluded to Guyana’s democratic milieu and explained that the OAS is really strong in this area, as well as in the aspect of human rights. She reminded that the OAS usually sends a team to observe elections, and this year, there is likely to be about six elections in the Caribbean and South America (Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Kitts).

Her hope is that the OAS will again respond positively to observing Guyana’s elections.

The Minister further detailed on the important aspect of free and fair elections, stating that external and in-

dependent observation is very much en vogue these days. She indicated that in terms of the elections of St Kitts, “we have been requested by Caricom, to be part of that observer mission and Guyana will certainly be participating, as well in that mission to St Kitts. So it’s a very reciprocal kind of arrangement with our member states in Caricom.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister further added that Caricom is very important to Guyana, not only for elections, but for other reasons as well.

She outlined that Caricom, in terms of diplomatic relations, is the country’s first point of contact, and therefore will play a major role in what obtains. In this regard,

the Minister recalled that the Council of Foreign Ministers had issued a statement on the Guyana’s November 14, 2014 prorogation, expressing confidence that President Donald Ramotar had “acted in accordance with the Constitution.” However, she reminded that this “sparked some bitter reprisals and the community of foreign ministers came in for criticism from some sections of the Opposition.”

Along this line, she proffered that that “anyone who would want to be in Government, they put themselves as the alternative to the present Government (and) they would have to start building bridges with Caricom, not burning those bridges.”

tuesday, february 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sugar

workers’ strike: GAWU to visit canefields where manure was reportedly spared

The sugar workers, who protested the ‘unjust’ dismissal of 15 of their colleagues, have returned to work and today their union along with other officials will visit the canefields where the sacked workers had reportedly failed to apply fertilizer.

The leaders of the different gangs signed a Memorandum of Agreement or a Terms of Resumption with GUYSUCO last Tuesday for work to resume on all of the estates. According to the President of GAWU, Komal Chand, the Union along with the workers’ representatives, and the executives from GuySuCo met on Wednesday afternoon where the matter was extensively discussed.

He noted that the workers were asked to return so that negotiations between the union and the sugar company could be undertaken.

Meanwhile, Chand disclosed that it was decided at the meeting that the workers, their representatives, the union and the GUYSUCO representatives will today, embark into the fields where it was reported that the inadequate application of fertilizer took place for examination and gathering of evidence and other necessary information.

However, he noted that it is a difficult task since the incident is reported to have happened since July 2014.

“Measures are being taken to validate the claims at 9 am on Tuesday morn-

ing. The objective is to see if anything can be deduced, whether the fertilizer application process was compromised. It had happened since July so we don’t know what, if anything will come out but we do not want to prejudge anything,” he said. Chand further related that once this would have been done, the Union will then reengage GUYSUCO for another round of discussions on the matter. He noted that while the Union cannot say whether the dismissed workers will be reinstated in the near future, it is working to address the workers’ welfare.

The sugar workers, more than 380 in number, protesting outside of the LBI Estate last Tuesday Morning and expressed dissatisfaction with the actions taken by the management of GuySuCo to dismiss their colleagues, noting that it

was an act of injustice.

According to the workers’ representative, Rampersaud Ramprashad, the matter arose since July of last year and it was proven at a hearing that the workers were not at fault and were reinstated at their respective posts.

However, on February 04, the workers in question were each given a letter by the estate’s security guard, which stated that they were being dismissed with immediate effect for substandard work.

In a statement, GuySuCo said the workers were summarily dismissed for inadequate application of fertiliser, intended for 10 week-old cane plants, at Felicity Fields 49, 49A, 52 and 53, a section of the LBI cultivation, on July 24-25, 2014, noting too that prior to the dismissal of these 15 workers, three junior staff and one senior were earlier dismissed on September 19 and September 26, 2014, for allowing these workers to have fertiliser inadequately applied to the cane plants.

The Corporation had noted that it spends more than $2 billion annually to import fertiliser and finds it totally unacceptable that fertiliser that is intended to nurture the cane plants could not be applied to them in the stipulated amount, noting too that this could have been the contributing factor for the East Demerara Estate experiencing low cane yields and stunted cane growth.

Port Mourant Hospital gets foetal monitor

Texan-based Guyanese philanthropist, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh has teamed up once more with the Tina Insanally Foundation, to meet the needs of another hospital and has provided an essential piece of medical equipment.

Picture shows Dr Vineshri Khirodar, Doctor-in-Charge of the Port Mourant Hospital Complex, receiving a Foetal Monitor from TIF’s Maria Leung. The equipment will help the hospital, which is in the process of rebuilding and retooling, in their quest to reduce the threat of infant mortality.

Mining camp cook who stabbed drinking buddy released on bail

A27-year-old woman from a Mazaruni mining camp, charged for wounding appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge alleged that the defendant stabbed the Virtual Complainant (VC) Richard Ravindra on February 13.

The defendant, Kim Carter, a cook within a mining camp was represented by Attorney Melville Duke, who told the court that the accused acted in self defence. He explained

that the victim and the accused are friends and had been sharing a drink at a bar in Puttering Backdam in Mazaruni, when an argument started.

The suspect had refused a request from Carter, and she relatiated by calling the VC “a girl”. According to Attorney Duke, his client was then slapped by Ravindra.

The lawyer went on to say that his client left Ravindra at the bar after being slapped but he followed her with the intention to “finish her off”. Attorney Duke said at this stage, his client had to defend herself

and she stabbed Ravindra.

The Attorney also pointed out that his client cut her finger during her bid to defend herself against Ravindra’s attack and the slap that she received by the VC still affects her hearing.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant informed the Chief Magistrate that the defendant is the lone female at the mining camp in Puttering Backdam.

The Chief Magistrate granted the defendant bail and ordered that she return to court on February 26 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Corilla cancer research coming along well – Dr Cummings

The bitter-tasting vegetable, Corilla which is a popular Guyanese dish could become the leading fighter against cancer, as it is showing good prospects under laboratory experiments.

According to Head of Research, Dr Emmanuel Cummings, while there are high hopes of success, it is much too early to determine the outcome.“The research is a good opportunity for us to investigate some of the natural remedies and we are particularly looking at cancer because according to the data in Guyana; several Amerindian communities in Guyana, cancer is a major cause of death, but this is just the preliminary stage; the experimental stage, and this will be lasting for 18 months,” the researcher said. He noted that he will be making a disclosure on the findings and progress between October and November of this year. “The investigative process will entail the growing of a variety of cancer cells including that of the

breast, brain and prostate, and then testing these with known anti-cancer drugs that are well established and accepted. The effectiveness of these drugs will then be compared to the anti-cancer properties of the Momordica Charantia [Corilla]. This will be after we would have isolated and purified the active ingredient so that we can compare its effect on cancer cells in relation to other known anti-cancer drugs,” he said. The local scientist had

in April last year, received a US$329,000 academic grant which falls under the University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project (UGSTSP), to examine the Momordica Charantia, which is popularly known as Corilla in Guyana , to ascertain its capability in combating cancer.

The UGSTSP is being fuelled by a US$10 million loan from the World Bank to the Government of Guyana. It is being executed by the Education Ministry and is intended to encourage the generation of knowledge products which will directly contribute to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and support the development of a broader research and knowledge generation.

Dr Cummings, who formerly held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Guyana (UG), noted that the focus on cancer is crucial, since it is currently the third leading cause of death in

Guyana. He has already done a number of research projects on Corilla and has been able to establish the notion that Corilla has anti-diabetic properties. It is slowly being recognised as having anticancer properties as well.

The research is currently being carried out at the University of Central Lancashire in England with Dr Cummings as the principal investigator. A young lecturer, Karishma Jebu, who heads the Pharmacy Department at UG, will be

acting in the capacity as coinvestigator.

The external collaborator to the investigation is Professor Jaipaul Singh of the University of Central Lancashire, who has agreed to have the investigations conducted in his laboratory.

Dr Cummings expressed that he has high expectations from the project.

“We are hoping that this project will give us the opportunity to research the Momordica Charantia to look at its anti-cancer properties

and hopefully, Guyana, the University of Guyana can come up with an anti-cancer drug that can also be accepted in conventional medicine. We are in for the long haul; this is not just an experiment we are doing and then close the book. We are looking to have it patented and then move on to clinical trials and then eventually accepted”, said an optimistic Dr Cummings.

The experimental aspect of the project is expected to be completed by February 2016.

Decomposed body of man found at Christianburg was shot – autopsy

Apost mortem performed on the remains of Richard Remington, 44 whose body was found on Thursday, February 12 at Cholmondely Hill, Wismar Linden has revealed that he died as a result of multiple gunshot injuries. The autopsy was performed by Dr Nehaul

Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary.

Police however, stated that while several persons have been interrogated, no one was arrested for the murder but investigations are continuing.

It was reported that Remington’s decomposed, bloodstained body was discovered at Matthew’s Lane, Christianburg, Wismar by residents in the area who observed a foul scent emanating from the area. The Police were summoned to the scene and the body then transported to the Lyken Funeral Home until the autopsy on Monday.

GAWU President Komal Chand

Dr Emmanuel Cummings

Opadeyi laments lack of clear policy to fund UG

Amid threats of prolonged protest action, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi has lamented the lack of a clear policy to fund to cashstrapped tertiary institution, even as he called on staff involved in strike action to return to their jobs.

Talks between the UG Administration and the unions representing staff broke down last week after workers refused to end their strike action and negotiate. Workers through their unions have been demanding a 60 per cent pay raise, but the UG Administration said it cannot afford such an increase. It instead offered the striking staff an increase of 25 per cent which

of office facilities and teaching materials.” He said it is a pity that the current industrial impasse is being used to point fingers, noting that no one entity should be blamed for the current state of UG, but the national community as a whole who have sat idly by and allowed this noble university to suffer decades of neglect, abandonment, and political grandstanding.

“The problem at UG is not merely a problem of decades of underfunding and poor management but chiefly the lack of a national policy on how to fund the University. In the absence of this policy, the funding regimes are haphazard and arbitrary. In the absence of such a national policy, accountability, trans-

Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi

the unions rejected. The unions demanded that they should be given a 25 per cent increase each year for the next three years. Up to Monday, there was a massive march starting at the entrance of the university’s Turkeyen campus and ended in Georgetown.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Vice Chancellor said on assumption of office as Vice Chancellor, it took him less than two weeks to realise the enormous task of transforming the university back to its days of glory. “The days that UG produced global and regional scholars, business leaders, entrepreneurs, engineers and teachers have contributed not only to the development of Guyana but to the world. The need for transformation is dictated by the inadequate state of its infrastructure: drainage, sewerage, buildings, laboratories, furniture and other facilities. This need is also dictated by the university’s over 30 year-old system of governance, policies, examination and admission regulations, added to the fact that its staff and student welfare services lack modern day requirements. The level of funding and the management of the available funds leave much to be desired.”

Dr Opadeyi said staff and students should be commended for enduring this less than desirable state of affairs, adding “the low level of staff remunerations and the unacceptable state

come with demands for improvement in quality of service and quality of products. This new money will encourage the recruitment and retention of more qualified and student-centred staff, both within Guyana and further afield,” Opadeyi said. The Vice Chancellor stated also that the Council and Administration, understanding these challenges, have initiated a number of actions that are bearing the desired results.

parency, and due diligence can hardly be demanded. Strategic plans, development goals, monitoring and evaluation and score cards will be foreign words to Council and Administration. I ask; when last was the management of UG called before the Parliament to account for its revenue and expenditure? Who dares to ask UG to do such a thing when its income cannot meet its expenditure, when its budgets are unrealistic, when there is no financial discipline,” Professor Opadeyi lamented.

National funding policy

He said it was his hope that the national community will support the call for the development of a national policy on how to fund the university with the required accountability rules and regulations. This is the root cause of UG’s problem.

“The University today is in a catch 22 position: low level of tuition fees, low level of subvention grants, low level of Private Sector investment and coupled with inadequate facilities and inadequate service delivery.

According to a Chinese adage: “cheap things no good, good things no cheap”.

Opadeyi said that the need to inject large sums of money into UG is without question, noting that money is needed to upgrade its infrastructure and build new and modern facilities, as well as money to improve salaries and benefits. “This new money should

Among these actions are special audits that identified the sources of financial mismanagement; appointment of a new Bursar, Chief Accountant, and Accountants that are working to significantly improve our financial system; decision to purchase a new accounting and human resources management software to replace the over 20-year-old software currently being used; increase of retirement age of our lecturers from 60 to 65 years to retain our very best who are still eager and young enough to be of service to our students; upgrading the terms of employment of our maid cleaners; financial and system audits of our units that are running at a loss; audit of teaching loads in order to ensure that contractual obligations are met; Government investment of US$10 million to upgrade facilities of the Science and Technology faculties; institutionalisation of research grants to improve research outputs; institutionalisation of facilities fee to support the upgrading of our teaching and learning resources among other initiatives.

“These are baby steps. We have made some gains, but the road ahead is still far and rough. We need to urgently work on attracting Private Sector funding to enhance our plants and facilities; improve the salaries of our staff in general but particularly that of our lecturers; improve the buildings and facilities of our non-science faculties; seek and obtain accreditation for all our professional programmes and introduce undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that address the developmental challenges of Guyana.

“We cannot do any of these in the face of protracted salary and wage negotiations. We cannot afford to have staff who have low morale because of inadequate remunerations. We cannot afford to keep our students out of classes – they have paid an increased fee for that matter. My support for improvement in salaries and benefits comes with improvement in efficiency and accountability. This support however, comes with the understanding of the issue of how this increase can be funded without reverting to the days of huge deficit,” the Vice Chancellor said.

tuesday, february 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

10 to vie for Calypso crown

Ten of Guyana’s best calysponians will take to the stage on Friday evening as they compete against reigning Calypso Monarch, Lester “De Professor” Charles for the coveted title. The final is set for February 20 at Demerara Park, Georgetown, (opposite Thirst Park) commencing at 20:00h.

The competition drew close to 18 contenders but only 10 made the cut to the final, after the semi-final was held at the Bartica Community Centre ground, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) earlier this month.

Those who made the cut are Kenroy Fraser who will perform “De Tecking Pay”,

Ivan Harry is set with “We Need A Change” and John Marcus will do his bit with “The Law Is An Ass”.

Also taking the stage will be Abigail James with “High Drama”, Karen Bennette will perform “De Lying Tongue Man”, Roger Hinds will be confident performing “Guyanese Fed-up”, Martin Byrne will try to wow the judges with “Deh Can’t See”, while Manoel Ferreira will perform “King Pearai” and

Diana Chapman is set to dish out “No Politics In Calypso”. Rounding off the 10 is reigning Junior Calypso Monarch Daniel Plowell who will perform his piece “Pick It Up”.

On the night of the competition it is expected that

the contestants will bring their ‘A game’ which will see a fierce display of talent, through social commentary. Those coordinating the competition this year persons can expect the best out of the artistes.

“De Professor” will be the last to perform and will defend his title with his tune “ Stop abusing the women”. The contenders will not only be vying for the title, but the for $600,000 the winner will walk away with, while the second place finisher will receive $450,000 and $250,000 and $100,000 for the third and fourth place winners respectively. Admission to the event is absolutely free.

Caribbean to benefit from new ACP study

The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States last week launched a new study that offers a comprehensive view of the various risks faced across its member countries, as well as valuable efforts to reduce them.

The ACP Compendium of Risk Knowledge, financed by the 10th European Development Fund under the Intra-ACP Cooperation envelope for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), revealed that disaster risk in ACP countries is considerably higher than in other regions, with 12 countries from SubSaharan Africa and one country from the Caribbean among the 20 most-at-risk from disasters in the world. The report also notes that over a long period of time, ACP countries on average will lose US$6.9 billion per year from disasters, representing 2.3 per cent of their total GDP.

“This compendium is telling us that disaster risk

management is not the same thing as disaster management. While countries in the ACP have had good experience in managing disaster events in the past, it is now time that we start to proactively reduce the underlying drivers of these risks, to stem this growth of human and economic losses. I believe that political leaders, policy makers and practitioners should use this compendium to understand their risks so that they can judge wisely how best to address them,” said ACP Secretary General Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni.

“The study helps in a practical manner to understand the real nature of risks that countries in the ACP regions face. Reducing disaster risks is at the heart of what we need to do to build the resilience of vulnerable populations, promote sustainable development and address climate change,” said Susanne Mallaum, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection.

Faced with these growing risks, the report also highlights innovative actions by ACP member countries and communities to reduce these risks, and the benefits of this proactive approach to managing risks, instead of managing disaster events. For example, Vilankulos, a tourist city in Mozambique, Africa, despite being struck by a 200 kph Cyclone Flavio in 2007, had zero casualties due to successful pre-emptive evacua-

tion that was led by former Mayor of Suleimade Esep Amuji. Mindful of the possibility of rebuilding back risks, he then proceeded in rebuilding better homes.

“Building back better after the cyclone had many benefits. Not only did we get stronger homes for the next cyclone, but also when we started giving these resilient homes to homeless women, we saw displaced families coming back together. When you start to reduce risks, even disasters sometimes can bring good news,” he said.

Veronica Gordon, President of the Jerry Town Farmers’ Association in Jamaica, had the same observation. “In our view it is better to invest in risk reduction than disaster recovery,” she said. The report, co-authored by Lezlie C. Morinière and Luis Sanchez Zimmerman, uses cutting edge science and case studies to map overall risk in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. The report is released to inform the main agendas of 2015 of what it would take to protect sustainable development in ACP countries, starting with the next disaster risk reduction framework, which will be adopted in March at the 3rd UN World Conference on DRR, in Sendai Japan, the Sustainable Development Goals that will be adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015 in New York, and the new climate change agreement that will be adopted in Paris France later in 2015.

Lester “De Professor” Charles

Daniel Plowell

Roger Hinds

ACP Secretary General Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni

Northern Argentina floods kill at least 6 in Cordoba

Streets were turned into raging torrents after a particularly severe rainstorm

ASanders back in running for Commonwealth Secretary General

Some two months after withdrawing his Government’s nominee for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has now written to fellow heads of Government of the Commonwealth Caribbean to reinstate his nomination of Sir Ronald Sanders for the post.

Sierras Chicas area.

Cordoba Governor Jose Manuel de la Sota said 1000 people had to be evacuated from Cordoba city and the surrounding

t least six people have been killed in deadly flooding in Cordoba province in northern Argentina. Three of them were swept away by strong currents in the town of Rio Ceballos when the local river burst its banks. The river overflowed after 32 centimetres (12.6 inches) fell in the space of 12 hours, trapping people in their cars.

The governor tried to reassure residents saying that “as soon as the rain stops the water levels will drop rapidly”.

Soldiers have been sent to the area to help with the evacuation. (BBC News)

Bahamas Police charge man with murdering 81-year-old mother

A56-year-old man was due to appear in court on Monday charged with murdering his 81-yearold mother.

A post-mortem revealed that the woman, Princess Butler, died due to asphyxia. There were also injuries to her body. A Police statement said that the woman’s body was found at her home and that investigations led to the arrest of her son, whose name has also not been re-

leased.

“The suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday, 16th February to be formally charged,” the statement said, noting that the crime occurred on February 4.

Meanwhile, a 38-year Bulgarian man, who is suspected to have stolen thousands of dollars from several bank accounts using a cardskimming device, has been arrested.

Police said that detectives acting executed a search warrant at a house occupied by the suspect over the weekend, and “found an assortment of fraudulent credit cards, laptop computers, a card reader and over US$75,000 in cash.

“The suspect, along with a 22-year-old Bahamian man, were taken into custody for questioning,” the Police said. (Caribbean360)

New US guidelines on drone use could influence Jamaica

As Jamaica gets ready to use drone technology in its crime fighting, the United States has announced new guidelines governing the use of the technology that could influence Jamaica’s approach.

Last week, the Jamaica Constabulary Force outlined its timetable for the use of the unmanned aerial vehicles in crime hotspots such as St James.

However, already local human rights advocates

have noted that there is need for regulations to ensure that the constitutional rights of Jamaicans are not breached.

On Sunday, US President Barack Obama called for more stringent rules privacy and drone use. The White House issued a Presidential Memorandum stating that drones should not be used to illegally gather or share private data.

It said laws regulating drone use should be evalu-

ated every three years, to ensure that protections and policies keep pace with developments. Civilian drone use has recently surged in popularity, presenting new regulatory challenges.

Drones are usually deployed for military and special operation applications, but are also used in a small but growing number of civil applications, such as policing and fire fighting. (Jamaica Gleaner)

Colombian soldiers killed by roadside ‘rebel’ bomb

Three Colombian soldiers were killed on Sunday when an explosive device blew up the armoured vehicle they were in. The Army said the device was planted by Colombia’s second largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN). The attack happened in Norte de Santander province, near the border with Venezuela, where the ELN has its stronghold. The

ELN announced last year that it was willing to enter into peace talks with the Colombian Government. However, formal talks between the two sides have not yet begun. The ELN, a Marxist rebel group founded in 1964 to fight Colombia’s unequal distribution of land and riches, is estimated to have some 1500 active fighters. It is smaller and commands less territory than

Colombia’s other Marxist rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Peace talks between the Government and FARC have been going on for more than two years, with the latest round ending last Thursday. The two sides have reached partial deals on several issues but have not yet reached a definitive peace accord. (Excerpt from BBC News)

In a letter dated February 12, Browne said that, since writing on December 10, 2014, regarding his withdrawal of Antigua and Barbuda’s nomination of Sir Ronald Sanders for the upcoming position of Commonwealth Secretary General, he has been overwhelmed by messages of regret and requests for reconsideration from within and beyond the Caribbean, including from some heads of Government.

The burden of those messages, Browne said, was that the Commonwealth has been deprived, at a time of crisis, of the candidate manifestly most suitable and most likely to be chosen, given his Commonwealth-wide network and diplomatic experience.

“It has been impressed

on me that Sir Ronald had the declared support of nine of the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean Governments at our December 8th meeting, and that it is still open to me to put him forward as the candidate of Antigua and Barbuda for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General,” he said. Browne continued that he has been reminded that, at the caucus of heads of Commonwealth Caribbean Governments in the margins of the Cuba-Caricom conference on December 8, 2014, in Cuba, no other candidate mustered more than two votes, and that quite recently Caricom Heads of Government did not apply any consensus requirement to candidates for the posts of secretary-general of the ACP Group and the deputy Secretary General of the OAS. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Agreement signed for soil mapping project for Dominica and the OECS

Following discussions held between a Moroccan agricultural technical team and the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, a cooperation agreement was signed for the implementation of the soil fertility mapping project in Dominica.

The project consists of eight work-packages and includes technical and human capacity building within the Agriculture Ministry as it relates to crop nutrients management. Farmers and extension agents will be able to address the challenges as-

sociated with soil fertility, namely the use and management of fertilisers for sustainable crop production.

Considered one of the significant projects undertaken in Dominica by the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) and with the technical and scientific input of Morocco’s National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA), this agreement reinforces the South-South partnership between Morocco and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), particularly, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica. These countries will be joined by St Vincent and the Grenadines by the end of the technical mission in signing county specific cooperation agreements with Khalid Moujaddidi, AMCI’s Deputy Director General, who is in Dominica continuing efforts to initiate formal discussions with the departments of agriculture of The Bahamas and Barbados with the view to expand the project within the wider Caribbean Region. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Phillips cautions unions against unrealistic expectations

Jamaica’s Finance and Planning Minister

Peter Phillips has again given Government’s commitment to doing “everything possible” to accommodate claims for salary increases to civil servants for the 2015 to 2017 contract period.

The Minister, who was addressing a special forum at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston to mark Diplomatic Week 2015 last week, however, cautioned unions that while there is a “good basis” for the increases being sought, they must recognise that “there has to be a reasonable limit to the increases and expectations.”

This is in reference to the Administration’s commitment, under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility to reduce the ratio of

public sector wages to Gross Domestic Product to nine per cent. Phillips, noting that the negotiations, “and more so, the settlements”, could prove challenging to the Administration’s continued implementation of the economic reform programme, said the claims which the Ministry has received to date show a ‘mixed picture’.

“Obviously, there are some trade unions that understand that it makes no sense to have sacrificed and then abandon that sacrifice with unrealistic claims. But there are others who may not have grasped the full extent of the situation,” he stated.

While noting that the “unrealistic claims” were few, Phillips, nonetheless, stressed that “we can’t pay what we don’t have”.

“But, we will, nevertheless, enter, in good faith, into (the) negotiations and see to what extent we can accommodate the claims. If there are non-cash elements that can be accommodated, we will do so, but there is a limit. (We) certainly don’t intend to have gone this far in the programme and not… complete the course…we intend to complete the course available to us,” he said.

(Nation

Finance and Public Service Minister, Dr Peter Phillips

Sir Ronald Sanders

Sri Lankan President signs nuclear deal with Indian PM

by making it

Maithripala Sirisena has held wideranging talks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the newly elected Sri Lankan President continued his first foreign trip since coming to power last month.

The South Asian neighbours, who signed a deal on the nuclear safety on Monday, are seeking to strengthen strategic ties, increase trade and resolve long-standing issues between their nations.

Indian officials said Sirisena’s visit indicated the

easing of tensions that had crept into the relationship as China made forays into what New Delhi considers an area of influence.

Modi said on Monday that the security and prosperity of the two countries was indivisible and that they were committed to unlocking the potential of their economic cooperation, citing the nuclear agreement that was reached.

“The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is yet another demonstration of our mutual trust,’’ Modi told journalists soon

after his talks with Sirisena.

The nuclear agreement would allow India and Sri Lanka to share expertise on the management of radioactive waste, nuclear disaster mitigation and environmental protection, officials said.

It would also allow the training of Sri Lankans in the use of radioisotopes, nuclear and radiation safety and nuclear security. In the past, Sri Lankan politicians have raised concerns about the safety of India’s Russian-built nuclear power plants in Tamil Nadu state, near Sri Lanka. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Teenage suicide bomber kills at least 16 at Nigerian bus station

Ateenage suicide bomber blew herself up at a crowded bus station in North-East Nigeria on Sunday, killing at least 16 and wounding 30 others.

Witnesses said most of the victims were children who had either been selling peanuts or begging for money.

The bomber managed to get through the security check at the entrance to the bus station in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state, and detonated herself at 13:00h local time.

“It was an eyesore looking at the scene which is lit-

tered with chopped flesh and battered bodies of victims,” said witness Hassan Umar, who added the bomber was a teenager and that he had seen her remains.

“The girl that carried out the suicide should be around 16 years old, because her face was a bit matured,” he said.

At least eight of the bodies were taken to the mortuary at Damaturu specialist hospital, a hospital worker told the Associated Press by telephone. The worker insisted on anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, but it fits the pattern of violence by Boko Haram, Nigeria’s home grown Islamic extremist group that caused an estimated 10,000 deaths last year and is fighting to impose Sharia rule over Nigeria.

Boko Haram began using teenage girls as suicide bombers last year, probably because they can evade security by hiding explosives under their hijab garments. In April, the extremists kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls who remain missing. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Mixed opinion polls highlight uncertainty before British election

Support for British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives is at its highest level in over two years, one opinion poll showed on Monday, but two others put the Opposition Labour Party ahead less than three months before a national election.

The mixed results underlined how the May 7 election is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in modern British history. Most polls since the start of the year have had Labour nar-

rowly ahead or level with the Conservatives.

Monday’s Guardian/ ICM poll put the Conservatives on 36 per cent, up six points from last month, and at their highest level in that polling series since May 2012. Backing for Labour fell one point to 32 per cent.

The poll of 1000 adults showed support for the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the Green Party fell two points each to nine per cent and seven per cent respectively,

Around the World

Egypt bombs IS in Libya after beheadings video

Egypt says it has bombed Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the militants released video of apparent beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians.

State TV said the dawn strikes had targeted camps, training sites and weapons storage areas. A second wave of strikes was reported hours later. Libyan officials said Egypt hit targets in the militant-held city of Derna.

The strikes came amid widespread condemnation

of the killings. The US and UN described them as “cowardly”. A video emerged on Sunday showing militants forcing a group of men to the ground and decapitating them.

The kidnapped Egyptian workers, all Coptic Christians, were seized in separate incidents in December and January from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, under the control of Islamist groups.

The video of the beheadings was posted online by

Libyan jihadists who pledge loyalty to IS. It was one of the first such videos to come from an IS group outside its core territory in Syria and Iraq.

The video describes the Copts as “crusaders” and refers among other things to two women, wives of Coptic priests, whose alleged conversion to Islam triggered a sectarian dispute in Egypt in 2010. IS militants claim to have carried out several attacks in Libya, which in effect has rival Governments.

Violence against women is Turkey’s “bleeding wound” - Erdogan

Turkey’s President on Monday described violence against women as the “bleeding wound” of the country after a woman was stabbed and beaten to death after trying to fight off a man trying to rape her.

Despite a surge in violence against women in Turkey last year, the particularly brutal, and public, attack on Ozgecan Aslan, 20, has become a rallying point, prompting protests and condemnation by politicians.

Police say she was travelling home on a minibus in the South-eastern seaside province of Mersin on Wednesday when a man tried to rape her, according to reports carried widely in

Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan gestures during a conference at the Foreign Affairs building in Mexico City, February 12.

Turkish media. When she retaliated with pepper spray, the suspect stabbed her and beat her to

death with an iron bar before enlisting his father and a friend to help dispose of her body by burning it and dumping it in a river.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested with his accomplices, Hurriyet Daily News reported. Prosecutors were not immediately available for comment, Police could give no more details. Women nationwide have worn black in condemnation of the murder, posting photos on social media. The hashtag #sendeanlat, meaning “you tell us too” was trending globally on Sunday with women sharing stories of abuse on public transport. #OzgecanAslan continued to trend worldwide on Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Top China official to face prosecution for corruption

Former senior official Su Rong has been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party for corruption and faces prosecution, said the country’s top anti-corruption body.

Su was a Vice Chairman of China’s parliamentary advisory body. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said he had used his position to obtain “large bribes”.

State media had announced in June 2014 that the Government was investigating him for corruption.

The CCDI statement (in Chinese) said that Su had

while Cameron’s junior coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, dropped one point to 10 per cent.

An Ipsos MORI poll last week also showed the Conservatives and Labour were picking up support at the expense of their smaller rivals. In a sign of how uncertain and close the election remains however, a Populus poll, also published on Monday, put Labour ahead on 33 per cent, compared to 31 per cent for the Conservatives. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

been expelled from the party and relieved of all positions.

It added that his behaviour had “resulted in serious violations of the law” and that “the issue of his alleged crime, clues, and evidence have been handed to the legal authorities for them to take action”.

It said that Su had abused his position of authority, receiving “large sums of illegal bribes” which resulted in “huge losses of Government assets”. The statement did not give figures.

Su, who was previously the top Communist Party official in Jiangxi province, was also found to be “chiefly responsible for the serious corruption problem that has emerged in Jiangxi”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Greece rejects EU bailout offer as “absurd”

Talks between Greece and European Finance Ministers have collapsed early after Greece rejected the EU’s bailout offer as "absurd" and "unacceptable".

They were meeting in Brussels to try and reach a new deal on Greece’s bailout, which it wants restructured.

The International Monetary

Fund (IMF) and European Union (EU) say there should be no change to the conditions of the €240 billion (£178 billion) loan.

There is still time for Greece to agree an extension.

“There is time and ample room to agree on the terms of an extension. When I listen to my Greek colleagues talking about a bridging loan and

so on – that’s a different word for an extension,” said Jeroen Dijsselbloem.

He said another meeting was possible this Friday but that it was “up to the Greeks”. “My strong preference is and still is to get an extension of the programme, and I think it is still feasible,” he told a press conference. (Excerpt from BCC News)

Sri Lanka’s new leader is underlining India’s importance as a regional ally

his first official foreign destination as President

Su Rong, accused of accepting “large sums of illegal bribes”

tuesday, february 17, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

One dead, 9 injured in Corentyne smash-up

ACorentyne East

Berbice woman is now dead and nine others injured when a minibus crashed into another minibus Monday afternoon at Wellington Park.

Dead is Vidwattie Persaud 43, called ‘Bedoo’ of Number 43 Village Corentyne. The accident which occurred at Wellington Park, Corentyne also left nine persons injured.

Reports are that the Number 63 bus in which Persaud was travelling along with her daughter overtook a lorry and at the same time another minibus was crossing the road. A collision resulted in Persaud being thrown out of the vehicle.

Guyana Times understands that at the time of the accident, the speeding bus was approaching a turn and may not have noticed the other bus until it was too late. Eyewitnesses could not say how many persons were injured as several villagers rushed to the scene to assist and passing vehicles stopped to render assistance taking persons to hospital. However police sources say that nine persons were confirmed injured and one dead. Persaud who was tak-

en to the Port Mourant was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors tried to stabilise her before transferring her to the Georgetown Hospital. She died on at her way to the city. At the time of the accident Persaud was on her way to a commercial bank to make a deposit. The documents she was carrying at the time and the cash have not been accounted for.

This publication understands that one of the drivers is assisting police with the investigation. However details are still sketchy about those who were injured. On February 4, a 15-year-old Corentyne unlicensed driver was killed when the SUV he was driving slammed into a parked vehicle before hitting a bridge, sign post and utility pole before turning over.

Police, others trained to address child sexual abuse

The police and other stakeholders are being exposed to the dynamics of child sexual violence as the Childcare and Protection Agency seeks to address the scourge.

A five-day workshop, of which 40 persons attended, opened Monday at the Police Training Center, Kingston, Georgetown.

It is being held in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Childlink Inc. and the Blossom and Forward Guyana on MultiDisciplinary Teams (MDT)/ Forensic Interviewing (FI).

ing with other professors and experienced individuals, in the field of child sexual abuse, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Teresa Gaime, Deputy Director of Policy, Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA), pointed out that it is the willingness of their partners that motivates and strengthens their approach in dealing with this delicate issue.

She added that in 2014, the country’s first ever Child Advocacy Center (CAC) was established, providing training for some 60 chil-

ing the interviewing process, as well as the establishment of integrity and trust.

Also present were Omattie Madray, Programme Director, Childlink and Ayo Dalgety-Dean, Programme Director, Blossom Inc.

This is the second workshop of its kind in two years and it is slated to culminate on February 20.

Child sexual abuse or child molestation is a form of child abuse, in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation.

There are several forms of

The workshop focuses on what is child sexual abuse, the dynamics of it, the reasons for the act, the reason for silence from the victims, introduction to MDTs and FI, how to ask questions about multiple incidents, recantations, false and fantastic accusations, considerations for court, internet crimes against children, and other related issues.

The sessions are being facilitated by Dr. Lisa Fontes, Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts who expressed disclosed that the sessions will entail videos, role playing and even skyp-

dren. Gaime also acknowledged that there are plans for the expansion of the CAC in Regions Two, Three, and Five.

Paul Williams, Senior Superintendent, said that he was very grateful for this initiative, which would bring several benefits, not only to the GPF, but to all the participating agencies.

He noted that the force is currently undergoing a modernization process, and this will aid in providing clarity to investigations and creating greater collaboration among organisations, which are interlinked and necessary, dur-

BK Group's new Islander arrives in Guyana

Aviation, a subsidiary of the BK Group of Companies, continues to expand its operations in Guyana, and on February 14, its new Britton Norman Islander (in background) touched down at the Ogle International Airport (OIA), after being flown from Jamaica by

Jags Aviation now operates a fleet of four planes (two Islanders, one Caravan and one M28 Sky Truck). Briony Tiwari, Manager of Jags Aviation and Director of the BK Group, said the aircraft will be used for commercial and cargo purposes.

BBCI donates cash to Carib Feedback Productions

February 10, the

The BBCI said it was privileged to have the opportunity to make a donation to the television production, which reflects on the contributions of African Guyanese to the history and culture of the Guyanese people.

In picture, BBCI’s Administrative Assistant Bibi Alli hands over the $250,000 cheque to Ras Leon Saul, Writer/Director/Producer of the Carib Feedback Productions.

Mother of 3 gets 4 years for cocaine trafficking

Amother of three, from West Bury, Village on the Essequibo Coast will have to spend four years of her life in prison after she admitted of having in her possession 10.2 grams of cocaine.

child sexual abuse: these include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities, regardless of the outcome; indecent exposure to a child-such as the genitals, female nipples, etc. with the intention to gratify sexual desires or to intimidate or groom the child; physical sexual contact with a child; or using a child to produce a child.

This type of abuse can be accompanied by domestic violence and other forms of abuse including verbal, emotional, physical and mental abuse.

Jennifer Ramcharran appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Monday at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. When the charge was

read, Ramcharran admitted to the offence saying that her husband does not work and she had to upkeep her family by selling narcotics. She was charged with the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

According to police report, on February 13, during search at Ramcharran’s home, two bottles were found in her gas stove oven

containing a whitish creamish substance. She was told of the suspicion where she admitted it was cocaine. The substance was later tested and revealed to be that of cocaine. She was subsequently arrested. In court the woman pleaded guilty and accepted police facts. She was also fined $30,000 along with the four-year jail sentence.

La Belle Alliance man on 2 counts of rape

A34-year-old man of La Belle Alliance, Village Essequibo Coast was remanded to prison until March 24 when he appeared at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with rape.

Astil Paul was charged for rape allegedly committed on two females. He was arraigned before Magistrate Sunil Scarce. According to police report, on February 10, 2015 Paul allegedly raped a housewife. On May 10, 2014 he also allegedly raped another mother. He was represented by attorney-at-law, Yannesson. Bail was objected by Prosecutor, Haimraj Ramsewack on the grounds that Paul is an alleged serial rapist.

A section of the representatives from the various organisations participating in the Ministry of Human Service’s workshop (GINA photo)

Dead: Vidwattie Persaud

Jags

Pilot John Bart.

On

Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) presented a $250,000 cheque to Carib Feedback Productions, after the group requested sponsorship for its television production titled, “Victoria’s Secrets!” The production is aimed at commemorating the 175th Anniversary of Victoria Village, East Coast of Demerara – the first plantation bought by the freed Africans after Emancipation.

tuesday, february 17, 2015 |

Media Monitoring Unit to be launched on Wednesday

…media owners, editors to engage in constructive workshop

In preparation for the smooth running of elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will be launching its Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) on Wednesday at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street with the signing of the Media Code of Conduct by media owners and editors on the same day.

The Media Code of Conduct for this year’s election will be ratified and formally signed off by represent-

managers and editors concerning the revision of the Code, while on the second day, the draft document will be subjected to any further revisions deemed necessary by participants.

Thereafter, the final document be approved and marked with the signatures from the media house representatives.

GECOM in a statement said it recognizes that the Media Code of Conduct is a vital act that is precedent to

atives from all media house representatives who will be participating in two workshops organised by GECOM commencing today. These workshops, which will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, will set aside for views and suggestions that can be inputted into the drafting of a Media Code of Conduct for the forthcoming General and Regional Election which is slated for May 11.

Media consultant Dr. Palomar Mohamed will assist with the organizing and facilitating of the workshops. The first day will allow for discussions among media owners,

the MMU’s operations. The Media Code of Conduct is to be used as the guide for journalists’ reporting of electionsrelated issues during the crucial pre-electoral and postelectoral periods.

The MMU’s functions include monitoring the media and reporting on breaches of the principles enshrined in the Media Code of Conduct and norms associated with international best practices in journalism, and encourages equity, balance and fairness in news reporting. It also promotes the raising of professional standards in the media.

WIndustry and water

ater, like air is an invaluable resource to life on Earth. It is a multipurpose resource used in the home, factories, mining and agriculture. Water can also be used to provide electricity and is a significant transportation “highway” for many people and goods. The competing uses of water make it necessary to manage and monitor our water resources.

Ironically, the very activities that need water, often contribute towards lowering the quality of our water resource. In this article we look at two water intensive activities in our country namely mining and agriculture and how they can impact water quality.

Mining Mining is an important economic activity for our country. This activity requires large amounts of water and changes the quality of the surrounding water bodies.

Mining requires clearing of land the use of various chemicals, both of which affect water quality. Large amounts of water at high pressure are used to convert soil into a slurry form for easy extraction of the target minerals. In the process, increased amounts of soil sediment can enter the nearby creeks and rivers lowering their quality. Chemicals used to collect and extract minerals can also enter and contaminate water.

Miners are usually housed in camps; the domestic and septic waste if not properly disposed, can end up in the waterway, compromising its quality.

Water contaminated with high concentrations of metals, chemicals and other dissolved solids negatively affect surface water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and groundwater quality. Impacts on aquatic life can include death, health or reproductive problems, which would eventually cause a reduction in the number of species present. Impacts on human health can also occur when the heavy metals and chemicals used in mining enter waterways and humans use the water. It enters their central nervous system and their immune systems will be compromised.

There are effective techniques which when used can minimise the environmental impact of mining. One such technique is the use of tailings ponds to impound the “tailings” or mineral wastes, for example sediments that are the end result of mining operations. Sediment is allowed to settle out in the “tailings” pond and only when the water at the top is clear enough is it released into the waterway.

New technologies are being developed to eliminate the use of heavy metals, especially mercury. An example is a screening plant – an apparatus with three parts. The first part washes, tumbles and re-

moves the oversized material. The second part cleans up the material without the use of mercury after which, the ore is reduced to a point where there is only a small amount of impurities remaining. In the final stage, small impurities are further separated to produce pure gold. Another example is the use of coconut activated carbon (coconut shells that are reduced to charcoal in a kiln); a very dilute solution of cyanide would be passed through a charcoal – filled tank to extract gold. Gold adsorbs or “clings” on the activated carbon and is recovered from the carbon by using a hot caustic aqueous cyanide solution.

Agriculture Agriculture is important to our country’s economy and to feed our people. It is a water intensive activity as water is critical for irrigation of crops and for the rearing animals as well as food hygiene. Agriculture also impacts on water quality. Chemical used in agriculture such as, pesticides and fertilisers eventually find their way into our waterways, making them polluted. Excessive amounts of “nutrients” from nitrate and phosphate fertilisers and cause algal blooms which decrease the amount of oxygen in water and causing fish and other aquatic animals to perish. Excessive amounts of animal waste have the same effect on waterways in addition to introducing harmful bacteria that can cause the spread of diseases to humans and animals alike.

To minimise the impact of agriculture on our water resources, organic fertilisers

such as compost can be used to supplementing fertilisers. Compost is formed from the decay of leaves, fruit and vegetable skins and animal manure. To reduce the use of pesticides, biological methods – natural predators can be used to control pests. A simple step to reducing the quantity of “nutrients” and pesticides entering waterways is to ensure that fertilisers and pesticides are used according to manufacturer’s specifications and not in excess. Also research needs to be done on obtaining optimum yield with minimum amounts of these chemicals – this will save money and the environment. Proper water management is vital to reducing water used for irrigation. Technology exists that that can slowly administer water to crops so that none is wasted as runoff. Research needs to be done on their application in our particular setting. Also research could inform farmers on the minimum amounts of water that would give maximum yield and on the best time of the day to water specific crops. Technology and information can improve the management of water use and water quality. However, equally important is participation of persons involved in the economic activities that utilise and impact on our water resources.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com

Fertilizer use to surpass 200 million tonnes in 2018

Global fertilizer use is likely to rise above

200.5 million tonnes in 2018, 25 percent higher than recorded in 2008.

World fertilizer consumption will grow by 1.8 percent a year through 2018, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) new report “World fertilizer trends and outlook to 2018.” At the same time “the global capacity of fertilizer products, intermediates and raw materials will increase further,” the report said.

As the potential to produce fertilizers will outpace their use, the global potential balance - a technical term measuring the amount available over actual demand - will grow for nitrogen, phosphate and potash, the main three soil fertilizers. Global use of nitrogen, by far the largest fertilizer base, is projected to rise 1.4 percent each year through 2018, while phosphate use will increase 2.2 percent and potash 2.6 percent. In comparison, the supply of those three critical

components is expected to grow by 3.7 percent, 2.7 percent and 4.2 percent per annum, respectively, according to FAO’s outlook report. The report does not forecast future prices, but notes that fertilizer prices, after a surge in 2011, were broadly lower in mid-2014 than in 2010.

Nitrogen: growth and volume Demand for nitrogen fertilizers is expected to grow fastest in Sub-Saharan Africa, at 4.6 percent a year. However, as current usage there is low, the region will in 2018 use only 340,000 additional tonnes of nitrogen than in 2014, accounting for less than five percent of the projected global increase.

In East and South Asia, which combined account for 60 percent of all nitrogen fertilizer use, growth over the next four years will be moderate, but account for 3.3 million additional tonnes in volume terms. North American farmers are expected to use an additional 300,000 tonnes of nitrogen fertilizer in 2018,

reflecting an annual growth rate of 0.5 percent, while Western European farmers are set to reduce their use by 50,000 tonnes, according to FAO’s projections. Applying fertilizer is one way of replac-

FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division Director Clayton

Campanhola

ing nitrogen that is removed from soils when crops are harvested. While extensive nitrogen use can entail waste and damage water resources, the huge increase in fertilizer use helped drive a rapid expansion in agricultural pro-

ductivity in the postwar era.

At one extreme, overuse of fertilizer in some places has led to soils pollution in the form of nitrogen deposition and in some cases damaged water systems. At the other, in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa the under-use of fertilizer means that nutrients taken out of soils by crops are not being replenished, leading to land degradation and declining yields. FAO’s “Save and Grow” and the first principle of “Building a common vision for sustainable food and agriculture” show ways of maintaining or restoring soil health while relying on fewer inputs to sustainably increase crop productivity, says Clayton Campanhola, Director of FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division.

The use of locally-tailored crop rotations, mulching and manure can also restore nitrogen to soils. Some plants, notably legumes such as soybeans, have microorganisms in their root systems that take nitrogen from

air and make it available to plants. FAO has also developed methods to monitor crop conditions in real time, allowing for tailored decisions on how much fertilizer is needed. Precision methods of applying fertilizer, as opposed to broadcasting it, also reduce waste and the damage caused by nitrogen runoff. 2015 has been designated as the International Year of Soils, during which FAO is working with its partners to engage the public around the need to sustainably manage this critical resource for food production.

Mapping fertilizer trends Fertilizer use will vary widely by geography in coming years, with sub-Saharan Africa posting robust demand for nitrogen and potash, albeit from low current usage levels. Asia as a whole is the largest consumer of fertilizer in the world and relies on imports of all three major nutrients. That’s the case even as West Asia is continues to supply an important surplus of nitrogen, phosphate and pot-

ash. Europe as a whole will also offer a surplus of all three nutrients due to large positive balances in East Europe and Central Asia. Fertilizer use through 2018 is expected to be flat in Western Europe while growing 3.6 percent a year in the easternmost subregion.

Latin America and the Caribbean will depend on imports of all three during the forecast period, during which the region’s use of fertilizers is expected to grow at a robust 3.3 percent annual rate, according to FAO. Differences in total demand for nitrogen among continents will remain large. In 2018, Africa will demand 4.1 million tonnes, Europe 15.7 million tonnes, the Americas 23.5 million tonnes and Asia 74.2 million tonnes. Even though overall fertilizer use in sub-Sahara Africa is projected to grow at a 4.7 percent annual pace, the fastest in the world, Africa will remain a major exporter of nitrogen, providing an additional 3.4 million tonnes to the global balance.

The GECOM Office

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

If change is required, you should take action. Waiting for someone else to make a move will waste valuable time. You have the knowhow, so stop procrastinating and step up to the plate.

Have fun by becoming involved in creative activities. Include the youngsters in your life and it will bring you closer together. A little can go a long way, so you shouldn’t go overboard.

Your ideas won’t go far if you keep them bottled up. Share your thoughts and take part in events. The more people you meet, the more allies and support you will recruit.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

It is time to step back and re-evaluate a current partnership. Staying involved with someone for the wrong reasons will not bring good results. Discuss your feelings, and make changes.

The extra effort needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle will pay off. If you slip, don’t beat yourself up. The important thing is to keep striving to reach your goal.

It’s hard to get serious about your future if you remain stuck in the same routine and habits. Shake off the cobwebs and get down to business.

Question your commitment to someone or something. It’s not fair to lead someone on or to put in half the effort if you have lost interest. Be true to yourself and what you want.

Making extra time for the people who count in your life will be appreciated. Negotiations will prove to be fruitful. Strive to excel personally and professionally.

Handling finances for other people will be risky and thankless. Without the proper precautions, you will end up facing some serious losses. Consult a professional and avoid being blamed. Keep a close watch on your wallet. If someone comes to you with a tale of woe, help out with suggestions or advice and keep your money safe and secure.

Stay in the background, where you can watch and learn. Adopting a bold stance will not be to your advantage, but knowing where you stand through observation will give you the upper hand.

You will have an incredible impact on others. Discuss your intentions and map out your plans. Your contribution to a favored cause will result in added respect and recognition.

AQUARIUS

CANCER

GEMINI

PeanuTs

Calvin and Hobbes

dilberT

arCHie

Daredevils buy Yuvraj for $2.67M

– Sammy bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore

For the second successive year, Yuvraj Singh attracted a record bid in the IPL auction, this time from Delhi Daredevils who purchased the allrounder for Rs 16 crore (approx. $2.67 million).

There were two other million-dollar purchases on the morning of the auction. Daredevils made another high-profile purchase, signing Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews for Rs 7.5 crore (approx. $1.25 million), while India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik - who had attracted a bid of Rs 12.5 crore ($2.08 million) last year - was signed by Royal Challengers for Rs 10.5 crore (approx. $1.75 million).

South Africa Test captain Hashim Amla, along with Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were unsold in the marquee round of the auction.

Daredevils had came into the auction with the deepest pockets and the franchise was involved in a bidding contest for Yuvraj with the allrounder's erstwhile franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. Last year, Royal Challengers had paid Rs. 14 crore (approx. $2.33million) for Yuvraj but had released him before the auction.

Sunrisers Hyderabad had the largest purse in the auction after Daredevils and add-

ed a few high-profile names to their roster. They purchased Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara - the three England players who were sold in the first half of the auction. While Pietersen was sold for his base price of Rs 2 crore ($330,000), Morgan was bought for Rs 1.5 crore ($250,000), and Bopara had a bid of Rs 1 crore ($166,000). Sunrisers also purchased New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson for Rs 60 lakh ($100,000) and quick bowler Trent Boult for Rs 3.8 crore ($633,000). New Zealand fast bowler Adam Milne was bought by Royal Challengers for Rs 70 lakh ($166,000).

Zaheer Khan, who hasn't played since IPL 2014, was sold in the second round for Rs 4 crore ($660,000) to Daredevils, the fourth-costliest buy on the auction day.

Man-of-the-Match Kelvin Omroa (right) collects his trophy from Chairman of GCB Junior Selection Panel Nazimul Drepaul

The Essequibo line-up had no answers to the guile and deception of Berbice’s left-arm spinner, Kelvin Omroa as they were bowled out for a meagre 53 while chasing 230 for victory.

Losing wickets frequently, the Essequibians innings never really looked set to take off and stuttered and stumbled all the way through, losing by 177-run in the game two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-15 cricket tournament on Monday at the Wales Community

Irfan Pathan, who played for Sunrisers last season, did not attract a bid in the first round but was bought by Chennai Super Kings in the second round for his base price of Rs. 1.5 crore ($250,000). Praveen Kumar, who played for Mumbai Indians last season, was bought by Sunrisers for Rs 2.2 crore ($366,000) but Baroda pacer Munaf Patel went unsold.

Among the uncapped players, Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer and Kishan Cariappa attracted the highest bids. Cariappa, a 20-yearold offspinner who is yet to play a single first-class game, was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 2.4 crore ($400,000), while Shreyas Iyer was bought by Daredevils for Rs 2.6 crores ($433,000).

Australia pacer Sean Abbott was purchased by Royal Challengers for Rs 1 crore ($166,000) and the franchise also added West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy to their ranks, for Rs 2.8 crore ($466,000). Aaron Finch was the most expensive Australia player, purchased by Mumbai Indians for Rs 3.2 crore ($533,000). Medium-pacer Gurinder Sandhu, who made his debut in the tri-series against India and England last month, was bought by Daredevils for Rs 1.7 crore ($283,000). (Cricinfo)

Centre ground.

Man-of-the-match Omroa, demonstrated his wily potency to finish with 8-6 from 5.5 overs. Sevon Bess (not out) and Arnold Adams (11) were the only two batsmen to offer some resistance.

The other successful bowler for Berbice was spinner Seon Glasgow, who grabbed 2-12.

Earlier, Berbice took full advantage of the good batting surface and fast outfield as most if their top-order batsmen reached double figures.

Junior Sinclair’s 53 from 69 balls with six fours was their main contributor. Garfield Benjamin played well for his 43, while Alex Agloo thumped a 39 ball 38.

Kevlon Anderson (18 and Haita Walters (10 not out) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.

Essequibo bowled everyone except their wicket-keeper but only managed to reap success from Bomesh Ramdahin 2-40 and Amos Sarwan 2-56.

Round two will have two matches being played simultaneously today.

Berbice will go up against Demerara at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, while action between Essequibo and the GCB President XI will go down at the Police Sports Club Ground.

Burnham 2-stage cycle race set for Sunday

The Burnham Foundation has committed to staging the annual cycling road race in memory of the former president of Guyana and founder of the People’s National Congress, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

The two-stage event will take place on Sunday in the county of Demerara, according to national coach Hassan Mohamed, who is part of the team tasked with executing the race.

The first stage will start in Linden at 08:00h and conclude just outside the Help and Shelter building on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown, while stage two will commence at 14:00h in front of the Ocean View International Hotel

for a long season ahead. Several races are carded for the month of March, so Sunday’s race will help to build momentum,” Mohamed said.

Team Coco’s Raynauth Jeffrey emerged the overall

Eastman

and

Anthony was the top Junior rider, while Niles took the spoils in the Veteran category.

The first leg was won by Geron Williams in a time of two hours, 50 minutes, 08 seconds (02h: 50m: 08s), with Anthony and Niles winning the Junior and Veteran categories respectively, while stage two was won by Niles in a time of one hour, two minutes, two seconds (01h: 02m: 02s). By virtue of the win, Niles automatically took the Veteran segment, while Alonzo Ambrose was the top Junior.

at Lilliendaal, proceed to Belfield on the East Coast of Demerara, before returning to the start point for the finish.

“We can expect a very competitive race as all the riders are preparing

champion last year, despite not winning any of the two stages. He clocked three hours, 52 minutes, 43 seconds (03h: 52m: 43s) and was followed by Michael Anthony (3h: 53m: 30s),

Representatives of the Burnham Foundation will witness the day’s activities and later assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion. (Avenash Ramzan)

Hamzah

(3h: 54m: 33s), Shaquille Agard (3h: 54m: 35s), Junior Niles (3h: 55m: 23s)

Godfrey Pollydore (3h: 55m: 55s).

Representatives of the Burnham Foundation pose with the top performers of the 2014 event

Geron Williams won the first stage from Linden to Georgetown

Hassan Mohamed

Yuvraj Singh

Regal, Floodlights take Open, Over-40 titles

After two thrilling finals, Regal defeated Farm by seven wickets, while Floodlight overcame Regal Masters by six wickets to win the Open and Over-40 titles respectively, when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc) second Republic Cup concluded on Sunday at GNIC ground.

Batting first in the open segment, Farm managed 137-8 off their allotted 15 overs. Lennox Marks (45) and Rajesh Reddy (43) were the main contributors with the bat.

Delroy Perreira, who claimed 3-28 was the best bowler on show for Regal, who replied with 137-3 in 10.3 overs.

Arjune stroked an unbeaten 111, inclusive of nine sixes and six fours and Rudolph Baker cracked 83 (7x4,6x6).

Essequibian Narine then smashed seven fours and eleven sixes in an unbeaten 115 as Floodlight responded with 228-4 in 17.3 overs.

Narine shared in a 102run third wicket stand with Greg De Franca who made 37 (3x4, 3x6). Lloyd Rooplall supported with 34 (7x4). Mahendra Hardyal snared 2-47, while Raymond Harper and Arjune had one each.

In the Open category, Regal pocketed a trophy and $80,000, while Farm

Man of the match Richard Latiff clobbered 60 (5x4,6x6) and Narine Dutchin 35 not out (2x4,3x6). Vishal Phillips,

Patrick Khan and Vidan Da Silva had one wicket each. In the Over-40 division, Regal Masters posted 2273 in 20 overs. Mahendra

had to settle for $40,000 and runners up trophy.

Floodlight received a trophy and $200,000 and Regal Masters a trophy and $100,000.

Windies unable to get past...

SCOREBOARD

West Indies

D Smith c Mooney

b Kevin O’Brien 18

C Gayle c Kevin O’Brien

b Dockrell 36

D Bravo run out (McBrine) 0

M Samuels LBW Dockrell 21

D Ramdin+ LBW Dockrell 1

L Simmons c Dockrell

b Sorensen 102

D Sammy c Dockrell

b Mooney 89

A Russell not out 27

J Holder* not out 0

Total: for 7 wkts (50 Overs) 304

Extras: (lb 1, w 9) 10

Did not Bat: K Roach, J Taylor.

Fall of Wickets: 1-30 (Smith, 7.3 ov), 2-31 (Bravo, 7.6 ov), 3-78 (Gayle, 21.2 ov), 4-78 (Samuels, 21.4 ov), 5-87 (Ramdin, 23.3 ov), 6-241 (Sammy, 44.4 ov), 7-302 (Simmons, 49.5 ov).

Ireland Bowling: J Mooney

7-1-59-1, M Sorensen 8-064-1, A McBrine 10-1-26-0, K O’Brien 9-0-71-1, G Dockrell

10-0-50-3, P Stirling 6-0-33-0.

Ireland (Target; 305)

W Porterfield* c Ramdin b Gayle 23

P Stirling c Ramdin b Samuels 92

E Joyce c Bravo b Taylor 84

Niall O’Brien not out 68

A Balbirnie c Bravo b Taylor 9

G Wilson+ c Gayle b Taylor 1

Kevin O’Brien run out

Smith/Roach 0

J Mooney not out 6

Total: for 6 wkts (45.5 Overs) 307

Extras: (b 4, w 9) 13

Still to Bat: M Sorensen, G Dockrell, A McBrine. Fall of Wickets: 1-71 (Porterfield, 13.3 ov), 2-177 (Stirling, 27.5 ov), 3-273 (Joyce, 39.2 ov), 4-285 (Balbirnie, 41.3 ov), 5-290 (Wilson, 43.5 ov), 5-290 (Wilson, 43.5 ov). West Indies Bowling: J Holder 9-1-44-0, K Roach 6-0-52-0, J Taylor 8.5-0-71-3, A Russell 6-0-33-0, C Gayle 8-0-41-1, D Sammy 3-0-25-0, M Samuels 4-0-25-1, L Simmons 1-0-12-0

for five in the 24th over, after they were sent in.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell did the early damage, eventually finishing with three for 50.

Opener Chris Gayle made a sedate 36 off 65 balls with three fours and a six while Russell hammered an unbeaten 27 off 13 balls at the death.

Marlon Samuels made an uncertain 21 from 41 deliveries.

West Indies started cautiously with Gayle and Dwayne Smith (18) putting on 30 off 45 balls, before the slide started.

Smith was the first to fall, holing out to John Mooney at long on off seamer Kevin O’Brien in the eighth over, after 24 balls at the crease and striking three fours.

Darren Bravo followed three balls later in the same over, run out without facing a delivery in a mix-up with Gayle over a quick single.

Gayle and Samuels then stemmed the flow of wickets with a 47-run, third wicket stand. The left-handed Gayle

Red Force fall to Pride

Barbados Pride produced an incisive display after lunch to cripple Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, and seal a massive 222-run victory on the final day of their sixth round WICB Professional Cricket League contest here Monday.

Resuming the day on 17 without loss in search of 336 for victory, T&T made it to 91 for three at lunch but collapsed thereafter, to be bowled out for 113 in their second innings, nearly 40 minutes before the scheduled tea break at Kensington Oval.

They were stunned by seamers Carlos Brathwaite (3-17) and Tino Best (319) who finished with three wickets apiece, while offspinner Ashley Nurse picked up two for 34.

Evin Lewis top scored with 38, with Imran Khan and Marlon Richards both hitting 22. Opener Jeremy Solozano was unable to bat because of injury.

and Samuels, who struck a four and a six, were both setting the innings up nicely before both fell in the space of three deliveries in the 22nd over.

First, Gayle holed out to long on off Dockrell and two balls later, Samuels played back and was trapped lbw.

In Dockrell’s next over, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin missed a sweep and was also lbw for one, leaving West Indies’ lower order exposed.

However, Sammy led the revival for West Indies in a whirlwind innings decorated by nine fours and four sixes.

He reached his ninth ODI half-century off 45 balls and then accelerated despite struggling with a back niggle which required on-the-field treatment.

Simmons, content to play second fiddle to Sammy's fireworks in the initial stages, blossomed to register nine fours and five sixes, with the last of these boundaries – a pull through square off in the final over off seamer Max Sorenson – raising his century. (Windies Cricket)

The victory put Barbados on 77 points in second spot while Red Force continued to languish one from the bottom of the six-team table on 30 points.

There was no sign of a collapse when overnight batsmen Imran Khan and nightwatchman Richards pushed the first wicket stand to 55.

Imran Khan struck three fours and faced 62 balls in nearly an hour-and-a-half at the crease while Richards, who started the day on one, also hit three fours and a six off 41 balls.

Nurse eventually got the breakthrough, having Richards caught by Carlos Brathwaite at leg slip and two balls later in the next over, Imran Khan followed to a catch at second slip by Nurse off Carlos Brathwaite, at 59 for two.

When Yannick Ottley top-edged a sweep at Nurse to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich for two, Red Force were sliding at 72 for three but Lewis and Yannic Cariah, who made 13, steadied the innings with a stand

of 28 for the fourth wicket.

The left-handed Lewis, who had retired hurt on four the previous evening, stroked seven fours off 72 balls in 98 minutes at the crease and appeared to be leading a T&T fightback.

After lunch, however, T&T collapsed, losing their last six wickets for 22 runs. Lewis fell in the seventh over after the break, edging Best behind at 100 for four and two balls later in the same over, captain Jason Mohammed missed one and was lbw without scoring.

Carlos Brathwaite delivered the death sentence when he struck twice in one over. He ended Cariah’s 76-minute vigil by gaining an lbw verdict and then trapped wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo lbw next ball, as the innings tailed away quickly. (CMC)

Members of the victorious Regal team

The victorious Floodlight Masters team

The pair put on a brilliant 154 for the sixth wicket which pulled West Indies around from a dodgy position of 87

Roston Chase hits past Imran Khan

YELLOW PAGES

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Boult, Southee lead

Scotland demolition

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Acollective groan went up at the University Oval when Brendon McCullum chose to bowl and the worst fears of the full-house crowd seemed to be coming true when Scotland slumped to 12 for 4 against the new ball. A 97run partnership between Matt Machan and Richie Berrington ensured they wouldn't set any unwanted records, but the rest of their batting fell away and New Zealand wrapped up their innings in just 36.2 overs.

Scotland had beaten Ireland and run West Indies uncomfortably close during their warm-up games, and New Zealand were in no mood to take them lightly, as shown by their decision to retain the same eleven that had taken on Sri Lanka. Tim Southee and Trent Boult were switched on right from the start, and Boult struck with his first two legitimate deliveries, classic left-arm inswingers that showed up the front-and-across shuffles of Calum Macleod and Hamish Gardiner.

McCullum stationed five slips and a gully for the hat-trick ball, which was too wide outside off to really test the left-handed Machan. The attacking field remained in place for the rest of the over, and Boult beat Machan's edge three times in three balls.

Two balls into the fifth over, Southee was on a hattrick, after Kyle Coetzer had clipped him straight to short midwicket and Preston Mommsen had been pinned in front by one that nipped in off the pitch. Scotland were sinking rapidly.

At the toss, McCullum had suggested the pitch would assist the seamers for the first half hour or so before easing out, and the extent of movement slowly decreased as Machan and

Berrington settled in. After the initial plays and misses, Machan's front foot began foraying down the pitch, and a well-timed square drive eased some of his nerves.

Adam Milne replaced Southee in the 11th over and produced the first real bad ball of the morning, a wide half-tracker that Berrington slashed up and over backward point. In the next over, Machan put Boult away for two more fours through extra cover. There were no more boundaries for the next eight overs but Machan and Berrington were looking increasingly assured as Scotland reached 60 for 4 at the end of the 20th. Southee came back into the attack for the 21st over and the fifty partnership came up with both batsmen hitting him for fours. His next over was still more expensive, Machan hooking him for six and Berrington roll-

ing his wrists over a powerfully struck square cut.

Daniel Vettori was typically tight in his first six overs but he too took some punishment in his seventh, when Machan brought up his fifty with a nurdled single before Berrington celebrated his partner's achievement by tonking the next ball down the ground for six. Scotland brought up 100 in the next over – the first fifty had taken them 101 balls, the second only 59. New Zealand turned to Corey Anderson to try and break the partnership, and he went one better by dismissing both batsmen, both out to top-edged pulls. Their dismissals ended Scotland's resistance, and the last six wickets fell for 33 runs. Anderson finished with three wickets, as did Vettori, whose drift and changes of pace proved far too vexing for the Scotland lower order.

(cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Scotland innings (50 overs maximum)

KJ Coetzer c Elliott b Southee 1

CS MacLeod lbw b Boult 0

HJW Gardiner lbw b Boult 0 MW Machan c McCullum

b Anderson 56

PL Mommsen* lbw

b Southee 0

RD Berrington c Milne b Anderson 50

MH Cross† c †Ronchi

b Anderson 14

JH Davey not out 11

RML Taylor st †Ronchi

b Vettori 4

RM Haq c Taylor b Vettori 0 I Wardlaw lbw b Vettori 0

Extras: (b 1, w 5) 6

Total: (all out; 36.2 overs) 142

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (MacLeod, 1.1 ov), 2-1 (Gardiner, 1.2 ov), 3-12 (Coetzer, 4.1 ov), 4-12 (Mommsen, 4.2 ov), 5-109 (Machan, 27.5 ov), 6-117 (Berrington, 29.3 ov), 7-129 (Cross, 33.2 ov), 8-136 (Taylor, 34.5 ov), 9-142 (Haq, 36.1 ov), 10-142 (Wardlaw, 36.2 ov) Bowling: TG Southee 8-335-2, TA Boult 6-1-21-2, AF

not bat: TG Southee, TA Boult Fall of wickets 1-18 (Guptill, 2.4 ov), 2-48 (McCullum, 6.6 ov), 3-66 (Taylor, 10.4 ov), 4-106 (Williamson, 17.5 ov), 5-117 (Elliott, 20.6 ov), 6-133 (Anderson, 23.2 ov), 7-137 (Ronchi, 23.4 ov) Bowling: I Wardlaw 9.5-0-57-3, RML Taylor 4-0-27-0, JH Davey 7-0-40-3, RM Haq 4-0-21-1

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New Zealand celebrate after making early inroads

Grill hockey competition...

GCC Ladies, Hikers Men win season opener

In the brilliant Sunday afternoon sunshine on an immaculate Providence stadium field, the GCC Ladies and Hikers Men shone brightly as they took gold in the opening competition of the hockey

citing year in the sport.

After having finished in the top position of their pool round, the Hikers Men met Old Fort in the first of the men’s semi-final matches. Old Fort’s star midfielder, Aderemi Simon, was notice-

Cole.

The Hikers did not disappoint their fans as they dominated most of the match with national midfielder, Shaquille Assanah, making several surging runs into the Old Fort circle. The Hikers

calendar of 2015.

The annual Bounty/ Antonio’s Grill one day hockey competition saw teams showcasing their skills in what is promised for an ex-

ably absent from his team’s line-up, leaving the weight of the team’s success on the shoulders of Chris LowKoan, Jason Dosantos and national goalkeeper Tony

managed to pull ahead by two goals to nil by the final whistle with unlikely goal scorers Colonel Heywood and Randy Hope leading the charge.

Pacesetters dominate...

Plaisance Guardians held off Amelia’s Ward Jets to pull away in the final minutes of the game to register a 66-56 win.

The contest was nothing short of physical as both teams hacked at each other in the paint allowing no easy buckets.

With Plaisance down 49-42 heading into the final period, their ability to force turnovers won the game as Jets displayed lack of patience f the offensive side of the ball.

Nikkoloi Smith scored a game high 21 points for Plaisance along with five assists in the win. Trenton Woolford added 14 points while Ron Campbell who had to work hard down low ended with 12 points.

Jets offence was generated mainly in the paint with Alister Webster scoring a team high 15 points while crashing the board for 14 rebounds. Adrain Webster also had a doubledouble in the loss with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Kashif and Shanghai Kings toppled the Georgetown Masters 77-61 for an easy win.

Abdulla Hamid ended with 18 points and eight

rebounds while Marvin Hartman had 13 points and four steals in the win.

The other semi-final saw the two GCC entrants face off against each other with huge bragging rights at stake in addition to a place in the final. After a scoreless first half, Kevin Spencer struck twice to put GCC A ahead and young Eliomar Silva, making his debut, managed to add a third for the eventual victors.

GCC B created chances of their own late in the game and were rewarded when a powerful strike by Philip Fernandes found the back of the net. The GCC A side however, predictably emerged to victors.

The men’s final between the Hikers and GCC A had

spectators in an uproar as the high-paced game swung from end to end with both teams creating chances.

While the first half remained scoreless, GCC’s Kevin Spencer teamed up with Orland Semple to produce a string of passes to get around goalkeeper Jason Hoyte and into the Hikers goal. In swift response, the dynamic Jamarj Assanah completed a fine run up the right wing and slipped his pass to a poised Robert France to deflect into the GCC goal.

With Hoyte producing a penalty save for the Hikers in the dying minutes the game reached full

time with scores deadlocked at one each. After the first round of penalties still saw the scores even, the Hikers managed to secure the victory as a Robert France penalty goal could not be matched by GCC. In the all GCC ladies final, defending champs the GCC Tigers and their inspirational captain, Sonia Jardine, pulled off the win by 1-0 to separate the teams in an otherwise dead even match. With each team having their share of possession, Jardine capitalised on the slow recovery of GCC’s defence two minutes into the second half to slam home her shot for the lone goal of the final.

PP11 wins Singh’s birth anniversary cricket tournament

PP 11 of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara edged Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) 11 to win the Indira Singh’s annual birth anniversary softball cricket competition on Sunday at the Nirmal Persaud’s Play Ground, Soesdyke.

Batting first, PP 11 made 77-5 off their allotted six overs with a dazzling display from Colin Benn with bat who slaughtered CJIA’s bowling with 52 runs from just 12 deliveries.

hind Jason Squires 26 points.

Former national point guard and Guyana captain, Lugard Mohan scored a game high of 23 points in the losing effort, almost notching a triple double as he dished out seven assists and grabbed eight rebounds. Kenrick Thomas and Juha Debby scored 10 points a apiece. Meanwhile in the opening game of the evening, Pepsi Sonics routed the Half Mile Bulls 77-60 be-

Squires with the performance is now the leading scorer of the tournament after the opening night of action while adding five steals and six rebounds to his all-round play. Trevor Smith also contributed 19 points.

Leading the way for the Bulls was Terron Welch with 19 points while Dennis Niles had 15 points in the loss.

The tournament will continue on February 18. Part of the action at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last evening

In reply, CJIA’s stumbled in the end to finish two runs short of their target on 75-8. Quincy Grimmond was the pick of the bowlers for PP 11 ending with figures of 3-9. The best batsman prize went to Benn while the best blower trophy went to Grimmond.

In addition, S Wong was adjudged the emerging player while Benn received the prize for the stroke of the tournament and Kevin (only name given) bowled the delivery of the tournament.

Brian Khan walked away with the catch of the tournament. The competition saw

eight teams from the communities of Soedyke, First Hill and Timehri participating.

Robert France, partially hidden in the yellow jersey, about to score for the Hikers

GCC Tigers Princessa Wilkie made a diving attempt that passed inches from the goal

Indira Singh hands over the winner’s trophy to Naresh Ram, captain of victorious team

GVF partners with PYARG, Upper Demerara DOE

Secondary schools in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) will within the next six months unfold a grassroots volleyball development programme, according to information originating from the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF).

This will see participation of students from Levels Nine and 10, who will be a part of the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) programme under the Physical Recreation requirements where the sport of volleyball has been chosen and a partnership with the GVF will commence a major grassroots programme.

In Kwakwani, some 140 students will commence the training under facilitator, former national volleyball player and coach, Ann Gordon at the Kwakwani Park court.

Marketing Executive of the GVF, Mark Bradford, who also heads the Competitions and Fundraising committees, informed the students and teachers and other community stakeholders at the Kwakwani Secondary School on Friday last that his federation has recognised that the best of female volleyball players in Guyana over the past years were from the Region 10 area, including Kwakwani and Linden.

He noted that with the grassroots programme, the various coaches and students now have a short-term goal in preparation for selection, mainly to the female squad, which will play for Guyana at the Inter Guianas Games from August 6-10.

Notwithstanding or side stepping the males, Bradford noted that there

are still places for selection of students of exceptional quality since the male team has been together for some period.

He emphasised the need for the resuscitation of the sport in the area, noting that with the grassroots programme in place others will come onboard in the community and surrounding communities and villages.

Businessman Brian Sampson, who operates the Bush Pool Resort, has indicated his commitment to hosting tournaments of a beach volleyball nature in assistance toward promoting the sport at a high level with the guidance and assistance of the GVF. Sampson indicated that beach volleyball will now become a weekend feature in the calendar of events at his resort.

Assistant Field Officer of the PYARG, Alicia Roache, in conducting the launch of the programme at the Kwakwani Secondary School, said it was initiated in the United Kingdom in 1956 as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and came to Guyana in 1998 under the late President Janet Jagan.

The award, she explained to the students, comprises three categories in Bronze, Silver and Gold.

These categories, she noted, have four compulsory components in Skill, Service Expedition and Physical Recreation that the students must complete to be qualified for each category.

On completion of her presentation, two video presentations of the award were shown as the students got a more in-depth appreciation for the programme.

Registration for Jumbo Jet Sprint Classic closes

on Wednesday

Registration for the Jumbo Jet Sprint Classic, one day PreMashramani horserace closes today and, according to information out from the organisers, no late entries will be accepted.

The one-day meet is set for February 22, and is been held at the Rising Sun Turf Club in collaboration with the Jumbo Jet business enterprise and racing Stable. It is being conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and, according to organisers, those rules would be rigidly enforced.

Nine exciting races are listed on the day’s programme with all the events being 1100-metre sprints. A total of $7 million is up for grabs.

The feature event will now be for animals classified D1 and Lower, and not D3 as was previously advertised. The winning prize is $1 million and a trophy.

The Three-Year-Old Guyana and West Indian bred race will fetch a winning take of $500,000 and a trophy. The E Class event will now be for E2 animals, and not E3, with the winner set to race away another $500,000 and a trophy.

The G1 and Lower animals have a $400,000 winning money and trophy to aim for. There is a race for Four-Year-Old horses, with the winning take being $400,000 and a trophy.

The Three-Year-Old

Guyana bred animals will gallop for a winner’s pocket of $250,000 and a trophy. Horses classified H and Lower will also be competing for take home money of $250,000 and a trophy. The event for I3 and Lower animals will see the winner taking home $200,000 and a trophy.

The final event is for animals classified J3 and Lower for a pole position prize of $150,000 and a trophy.

Interested persons can make contact with Chandu Ramkissoon 624-9063 or 232-0633; Kris Jagdeo 6246123, 322-0369; Rajendra 618-7278; Ramnauth 3375311; Romel Jagroop 6241798; and Sancho 6900569.

Race time is 12:30h.

Josiah-Tanner continues with good start to season

American based Guyanese; Euleen Josiah-Tanner ran her way to another win at the Chattahoochee 10k on Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia.

Josiah-Tanner clocked 40 minutes flat to win the event in freezing conditions at 15 degrees in a race that had 1500 starters.

Former national volleyball female player now coach and sports organiser of the Kwakwani community, Ann Gordon, received 10 volleyballs and a net to commence the grassroots programme, while Sampson received two volleyballs and a net for the promotion of beach volleyball at his resort from Bradford.

“I am happy with the win… in temperatures like that you just have to run for the win and not time, my muscles never got fully warmed, my toes and fingers were numb despite wearing two pairs of gloves and socks so it’s a good win for me,” Josiah-Tanner told Guyana Times Sport.

Meanwhile JosiahTanner will be competing in the Atlantic Mission 5k on February 21 as she aims to add another win to her name. (Treiston Joseph)

Euleen Josiah-Tanner

GVF Marketing Executive Mark Bradford (centre) hands over 10 volleyballs to Coach Ann Gordon, while Alicia Roache of PYARG looks on

Road to Mecca II…

Pacesetters dominate to top Pistons 72-36

By TreisTon Joseph

An old basketball saying goes; defence wins championships and this certainly held true when the Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters opened their campaign on the first night of the Road to Mecca national Club Basketball Championships on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Pacesetters never allowed the Wismar Pistons to get into the flow of their offence often forcing turnovers as well as chasing down the 50-50 balls on their way to the 36 point routing.

Shawn Gillis scored a team high 13 points for the Pacesetters along with dishing out seven assists while Randy Richardson noted a double-double with 11 points and 13. Michael Turner also had 12 points in the win.

Pistons’ shooting was so poor that none of their players were able to make it to double digits in scoring in a display of horrible offence.

ICC Cricket World Cup…

Thompson firing to start 2015

US based Brenessa Thompson continues to showcase her sprinting power with yet another 55 metres win at the Melrose Games on Saturday in New York. Thompson clocked a blistering 6.97s for the win, making it the second time of dipping under the seven second mark for the season over the distance.

“it was a good race, my start wasn’t where I wanted it and I had to come from behind to win it… the competition was good and they actually pushed me to run the 6.97s,” Thompson told Guyana Times Sport

The Medgar Evers sprint ace also shared that she intends on winning at her Nationals before moving onto the Carifta Games to compete for Guyana. Thompson also revealed that training has been going well while her Coach Shaun Dietz highlighted that the emphasis has been on her 100 metres.

Further, Thompson is enthusiastic to represent Guyana and hopes to clock 11.2s at the Carifta games, “Guyana can expect me to medal in the 100 and 200 metres,” the short legged power sprinter noted. (Treiston Joseph)

Windies unable to get past minnows Ireland

Alethargic West Indies slumped to an embarrassing four-wicket loss to minnows Ireland here Monday, as their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign began in nightmare fashion at Saxton Oval.

Defending 304 for seven on a flat track in great batting conditions following Lendl Simmons’ second oneday hundred, the Windies attack bowled poorly and the Irish capitalized, com-

fortably reaching their target with 25 deliveries left in the innings.

They were propelled by Man-of-the-Match opener Paul Stirling who smashed 92 off 84 deliveries, anchored two key partnerships at the top of the order and kept Ireland ticking along in the early stages ahead of the required run rate.

He was supported by Ed Joyce who struck 84 from 67 balls and Niall O’Brien

whose unbeaten 79 came from just 60 balls.

O’Brien’s presence was especially crucial in the late stages when Ireland wobbled briefly with victory in sight, losing four wickets for 18 runs in the space of 28 balls.

Fast bowler Jerome Taylor, whose first three overs gushed 33 runs, woke up with the game already gone to finish with three for 71.

Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time)

Today: 7th Match, Pool A - Afghanistan v Bangladesh, 23:30h

Wednesday: 8th Match, Pool B - United Arab Emirates v Zimbabwe, 18:00h

Thursday: 9th Match, Pool A - New Zealand v England, 21:00h

Friday: 10th Match, Pool B- West Indies v Pakistan, 18:00h

His fellow seamers were all guilty of serving up fodder, as Kemar Roach sent down six overs for 52 runs and Andre Russell, six mundane overs which cost 33.

Captain Jason Holder looked the most menacing but claimed a single wicket for 44 runs from his nine overs. West Indies had earlier

fought back from the brink of collapse with Simmons stroking a superb 102 off 84 balls and Darren Sammy a typically fierce cameo 89 off 67 deliveries.

Lendl Simmons plays a delightful shot during his classy century that was for naught

Brenessa Thompson

Plaisance Guardians’ Ron Campbell goes up against the tough defence of the Amelia’s Ward Jets during his team’s win (Treiston Joseph photo)

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