Guyana Times Daily

CGX concerned over low oil prices

– reflects on 2014 challenges

By Devina Samaroo

Co-Chairman of CGX

Energy Inc Professor Suresh Narine on Saturday told media operatives that while the company is considerably concerned about the astonishing low price for oil on the global market, they are not particularly worried at this moment.

He stated that CGX Energy Inc, and all other oil exploration companies around the world, are constantly monitoring situation of the falling oil prices and making careful decisions.

“We are very concerned about the price for oil…but for us, we are not worried at this moment.”

Nevertheless, he noted that if the price continues to

for the first time ever, to conduct an aerial survey on the Berbice onshore block.

However, at this moment, the aircraft is being “loaned” to assist with the search for the missing Air Services Limited plane.

Furthermore, in 2014, Narine disclosed that they already finished shooting a 3-dimensional seismic on the Demerara Block which cost in excess of US$20 million.

CGX Energy Inc is also keeping a close watch on the political situation in Guyana; however, the Co-

decline, then many companies will have to revise their strategies.

However, Professor Narine commented on the huge confidence the company has in the Guyana basins noting that in the past 6 years, CGX has invested over $300 million.

In fact, Narine said they are quite optimistic towards the future as the company will be moving to drill a well sometime this year.

He noted that they already have an aircraft in the country which will be used,

Chairman noted that even if there is a change in Government, the company should not be affected.

“We don’t feel that the political change threatens the legal framework of operating here.”

He mentioned the conflict the company had with Repsol and noted that the “rule of law and order” took precedence in that situation.

He said that Guyana’s petroleum laws are very clear therefore the tension in the political atmosphere should not greatly affect

them as an oil exploration company.

Professor Narine pointed out that the oil exploration business sector is a difficult one as it involves heavy investments with little chance of hitting the jackpot.

He highlighted that the world has been experiencing a prolonged economic recession which affected the company throughout 2012 and 2013.

He explained that a huge part of why CGX has not been successful relates to the investors’ confidence and their disposable income.

On that note, he stated that in 2012 when they found petroleum in small quantities but they lost some investors’ confidence, which resulted in their stock going down.

Nonetheless, Professor Narine disclosed that CGX managed to secure partnership with another oil giant Pacific Rubiales Energy who has an 8.5/10 rate of finding oil.

Moreover, with the dipping prices of oil on the world market, Professor Narine highlighted that renewable energies are being threatened.

“Renewables are going to hurt,” Narine warned.

He explained that cheaper energy results in cheaper electricity, therefore the demand for hydropower and other renewable resources will gradually shrink.

Police to start using body-worn cameras

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force will this year be equipped with body-worn cameras.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee made this disclosure during a recent press conference at the Guyana Police Force’s Training Centre, Camp Street, Georgetown.

The technological device will be used to solve crimes committed by civilians and even ranks. It was pointed out that from January 1 to December 22, 2014, a total of 3478 serious crimes were reported.

Body worn cameras are a video recording system typically used by law enforcement to record their interactions with the public and gather video evidence at crime scenes. They are often placed on the front of an offi-

cer’s shirt, which allows for a first-person perspective and a more complete chain of evidence.

The body-worn cameras form part of a menu of technological applications that will be introduced in the Police Force this year. Minister Rohee explained that digital occurrence books will be introduced at Police Stations across the country to aid in the reduction of paperwork. Additionally, problem solving tools for domestic violence crimes and tools for locating the nearest CCTV cameras will be introduced.

The Minister also expects the integrated crime information system to “leapfrog” from its present position to fulfill its mandate as a tool for gathering and analysing data to enable the Force to make quick decisions.

Police ‘name and shame’ six more drunk drivers

As the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues its ‘name and shame’ campaign against driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, six more drunk drivers have been charged and placed before the courts.

These offenders were all intercepted at the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and were found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption. They all subsequently made appearances at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on December 19, 2014.

Gordon Gilkes of Lot 93 Bel Air Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on December 13, 2014, last while driving motor car PJJ 7933 on the Providence Public Road, EBD. He was found to be above the legal limit and subsequently appeared in court where he was fined $7500 after pleading guilty.

While driving motor car PRR 4327 along the said EBD road, Abdool Khan was stopped at Providence Public Road on December 13, and was found to be above the legal limit after he was tested with a breathalyser. Khan of Lot 248 Duncan Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was charged and made an appearance in court five days later, where he pleaded not guilty to the offence. That matter is continuing before

the court.

Another Campbellive resident, Jagnandan Kawar, also pleaded not guilty to the DUI offence when he appeared in court on December 19, 2014.

The Lot 54 Seaforth Street, man was found to be above the legal limit after he was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on December 13, while driving motor car PPP 82 on the Providence Public Road. The matter is continuing before the Providence Magistrate's Court.

The trial into the DUI case made out against Junior Cupidore of Lot 36 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, is ongoing in the courts after he pleaded not guilty to the charge that stated on December 13, 2014, he was found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption. Cupidore was stopped while driving motor car PPP 9748 and tested with a breathalyser when the discovery was made.

Marlon Baichu of Lot 17

Grove, EBD, was also stopped and tested with a breathalyser on December 13, while driving motor car PRR 3195 on the Providence Public Road. He was subsequently charged and placed before the Providence Magistrate’s Court after he was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. Baichu pleaded not guilty to the offence and the matter was adjourned and will be continued on another date.

Finally, while driving motor car PHH 9878 on the Providence Public Road, Ravi Khan of Lot 477 Herstelling Public Road, EBD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyser on the said December 13, 2014. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol as such he was charged and placed before the court on December 19, 2014, when he pleaded not guilty to the offence. The matter is continuing before the court.

Ravi Khan Jagnaden Kawar

Body-worn cameras used by law enforcement in other countries

Co-Chairman of CGX Energy Dr Suresh Narine

Winds: East North-easterly between 5.36 metres and 6.25 metres per

High Tide: 03:47h and 15:59h reaching

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Yesu Persaud and Ralph Ramkarran have “lost objectivity” –

By Michael younge

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran and businessman Dr Yesu Persaud are losing their objectivity in their pursuit to appear balanced, impartial, and independent when criticising the ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

These were sentiments expressed by President Donald Ramotar during an exclusive interview with this newspaper following a slew of public statements and articles by Ramkarran in his blog and blistering criticisms from Persaud at the recent Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) dinner.

Ramkarran’s comments from his blog are routinely carried as “news items” in the Opposition friendly Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News.

Persaud while delivering brief remarks at the TIGI dinner had decried what he described as the disrespect shown to fundamental human rights of Guyanese by the Donald Ramotar Administration.

He had also sharply criticised the Government for allegedly targeting its critics in various forms.

The businessman wasted no time in calling for constitutional reform at the event and a change of administration at the upcoming elections.

He said that he felt like an “enemy of the state” again given the actions of the Ramotar “regime”, using the term which is usually applied to 'authoritarian' Governments.

His relations with successive PPP/C

Administrations went downhill over the past decade.

Back in 2008, former President Bharrat Jagdeo had also taken the businessman to task over some comments he made at the launching of this newspaper with respect to purported concessions granted.

Similarly, Ramkarran, who resigned from the Executive of the PPP/C following the 2011 elections and the party’s failed bid to get him back in the Chair of the National Assembly Speaker, had also rabidly criticised the Ramotar Administration.

He had also competed unsuccessfully against Ramotar for a chance to become the PPP/C’s presidential candidate ahead of those elections. After resigning, he launched sev-

eral attacks on the party criticising it for condoning corruption and poor governance strategies.

He has also kept up his putative analysis of the party’s failure in several respects in his blog “Conversation Tree”.

But President Ramotar on Thursday said that the men were missing the mark as far as objectivity is concerned after he dissected some if not most of their criticisms.

“I think they are allowing their own personal issues that they have had to cloud their objective judgment of what is taking place in our country under the PPP/C Government,” he maintained.

He accused the duo of being strangers to the truth, in essence, as many of the positions they have articulated as of recent cannot withstand the test of independent scrutiny.

“I do not think that they are being objective because their comments are not actually reflecting the reality that exists in our country today but rather their own personal hurt or issues that they have had issues

with the Administration,” he reiterated.

President Ramotar stayed away from attacking the individuals or making any derogatory statements about their ambitions or political career interests.

He said that he was not too bothered about the statements that they are making along with several other so called ‘independent’ commentators because he has confidence in the collective intelligence of the Guyanese people.

On Wednesday last, President Ramotar responded strongly to those who continuously criticised his presidency by explaining that he has strengthened his resolve this year to deal with unfair, unfounded, and unhelpful criticisms.

He maintained that he has honoured all of his Executive and constitutional obligations as President while working to further advance the lives of the Guyanese people. He insisted that he would not allow himself to be distracted by those unconstructive criticisms but will work to achieve the vision he has of a more developed and prosperous Guyana this year.

President Donald Ramotar

Dr Yesu Persaud

Ralph Ramkarran

Sunday Editor: Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

The need for hydro power

In his New Year message to the Guyanese nation, President Donald Ramotar made a very solemn promise: “My Government will deliver the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHEP) to the Guyanese people, along with all its attendant benefits. Within months, we expect to achieve financial closure and commence construction, and this project will come into operation during our new term in office”.

The President’s predecessor, President Bharrat Jagdeo, had described AFHEP as the flagship project within the visionary and pioneering Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) that the administration had crafted for the development of the country in a fossil fuel-challenged world.

The LCDS received much acclaim as a model for the world to combine development with a low carbon footprint. Within that strategy, it was crucial that the use of fossil fuels be reduced in the generation of energy for vehicles and manufactories.

AFHEP was designed to generate 165 MW of electricity – approximately Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) present generating capacity to satisfy consumer and industrial demand. It accomplishes this solely from imported oil that consumes scarce foreign reserves.

The utilisation of our renewable water resource to generate electricity would, after the investment were paid off in twenty years, allow these funds to be utilised for social or infrastructural spending.

The scuttling of AFHEP by the Opposition is not just about the generation of electricity but is actually metaphor for all the Opposition represents post 2011. The shifting goalposts used by the Opposition from the beginning to “evaluate” and finally kill the project demonstrated most conclusively that AFHEP was simply the occasion for their war against the government, and not its cause.

Take the Opposition’s early dismissal of the project as a “pie in the sky” dream of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. It was subsequently revealed that from studies done by the World Bank in the 1970’s, they knew all along that Amaila Falls was a contender for a hydro-electric facility.

Then they claimed they did not have information of the financial and other contracts. But President Ramotar supplied these immediately upon assuming office. Even though Guyana is without a sovereign rating after the PNC destruction of the economy, the Government was able to secure the US$840 million financing for the AFHEP.

Guyana was to put in US$100 million (of which US$80 million would come from the Norwegian Fund accessible to Guyana); the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) partner Sithe Global US$152 million; InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) US$175 million, and China Development Bank (CDB) US$413 million.

The contractor China Rail had already signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Sithe for US$506 million, when Sithe Global pulled out of the project last August because the “consensus” between the government and the Opposition it demanded was not reached. At that time the Opposition were demanding completion of the “due diligence” the IDB was conducting.

But at the presentation of its Budget last April, the government included the US$80 million that would come from Norway and the Opposition promptly excised it. At that time, the Minister of Finance revealed that “all the participants” in AFHEP were still “interested and engaged” and that the IDB’s due diligence would be completed in “the third quarter of 2014”.

With the President’s announcement, we can now assume that the latter was submitted, and that when his administration is returned with a majority in Parliament at the next elections, Sithe Global would accept those state of affairs as a sufficient “consensus” for proceeding.

It would appear then, that the upcoming elections can be seen as both a referendum on AFHEP in addition to the metaphor of the Opposition’s Luddite obstructionism towards development for Guyana in general.

We hope that all Guyanese would agree with us that at long last we should use our “many waters” to sail into energy self sufficiency.

New Year in Budapest, Guyana and New York

Dear Editor,

New Year’s in Guyana is hardly a comparison to many other countries and many big and small cities. We in Guyana have our own features in terms of companionship and enjoyable foods and cakes and being with extended families.

New York remains the best for glitter and crowd. But the celebration everywhere is pretty much the same – loud cheers, hugs, kisses, toasts, endless drinking, food gorging, noise making (horn blowing), merry making, lights, music, dancing, and the like.

This year, I was in Budapest, capital of Hungary, where the celebration is very much like that in every other European or Asian or American city I experienced, except perhaps in New York where the celebration historically has been very unique with the visit to Times Square or walking Broadway.

Budapest is a gorgeous, romantic city, beautiful architecture, a lot of similarities of Paris.

As in Georgetown or around Trinidad, Budapest includes big festivities, fireworks and plenty of partying for the holiday season and for the New Year. People party everywhere. Champagne and a buffet dinner complete the party. The finest champagne is extremely cheap here compared with New York or Guyana.

As in Georgetown or Richmond Hill, Budapest New Year›s celebration was filled with a lot of music, dance and fun, and fireworks. Children have a most lovely time as they do in say Guyana or Richmond Hill.

There is some kind of entertainment or boozing for ev-

eryone. The bars, clubs and restaurants in the city as in Richmond Hill offer great year-end parties. And like New York, Budapest also has its ethnic clubs.

There are many hot spots around the city similar to Richmond Hill or other communities in New York. The Jewish quarter has lovely pubs which attract a lot of party people. There were also concerts early in the old year afternoon and evening, a tradition in all of the Slavic countries.

In public areas, there were also pan handling jazz performances (Prague, in particular) entertaining crowds similar to public performances in New York, Paris, Amsterdam and other big cities.

As in New York where hundreds of thousands of Guyanese are settled with many showing up annually at Times Square for the ball dropping, in Budapest, unlike in Guyana, people gathered publicly (in bitter cold temperature) at various squares around the gorgeous city for a countdown to midnight and the sky lit up with fireworks –but not seen is the spectacular fireworks that welcomed New Year in Hong Kong, Saigon, Bangkok, Manila, Sydney, Los AAngeles Chicago or New York.

People look forward for the fireworks, the highlight of the evening just as many go out to watch fireworks at the GDF ball at Ayangana. The Square and banks of the Danube River are nowhere as crowded as say Singapore or Vienna or Switzerland or Las Vegas for the fireworks, but the view around the river banks is a sight to behold - no comparison to New York and

certainly no comparison to any of the rivers in Guyana.

In Budapest, there was no ball count down like that in the Big Apple; people did their own count down as in Guyana and then toasted each other. In New York, people watch the countdown and ball dropping on TV. And while more brightly illuminated than say Vienna, Prague and Bratislava, the city lacked all the glamour and glitter of Times Square.

But Budapest is a charming, romantic beautiful city as is Vienna, Prague and Bratislava all of which have its own unique charms. Budapest gives one a different feeling about the season and the celebration of the New Year. It has its own traditions and customs and has a romantic aura about it that one can only experience and not describe. And it has the loud noises, blow horns, and music with champagne flowing everywhere.

The city was brutally cold like Prague and Bratislava but not as cold as Moscow or other eastern cities like Shanghai or Beijing or Seoul. It had snowed in the region a few days earlier – Austria, Czech, Slovakia, and Hungary were covered with snow.

But the amount of snow the continent gets is no comparison with a normal Richmond Hill type winter. And in Richmond Hill, people don’t gather in parks or squares to welcome the new year but they found themselves at bars and halls in drinking and eating binge – not good for their health.

In Budapest, there are endless fireworks around the Danube River which criss cross several countries in Central Europe and on which

one can go on a romantic or a dinner cruise. There were literally tens of thousands of people in the streets to watch the night sky overlooking the fast moving river - much larger than in Guyana but no comparison to NY.

From atop a high rise hotel on the bank of the Danube overlooking an old huge historic castle, where I was, one could see fireworks for miles. At my hotel, one encountered people from all over the world (including neighboring Brazil, Colombia, Australia, England, US, China, Russia and off course all over Europe) welcoming in the New Year.

People gorged and drank incessantly. Five-star hotels hosted high end parties. It was not a financial burden for the Hungarian nouveau riche to lay out $200 for a New Year’s eve party. They ate, drank and danced the night away as they were entertained by their own local star or deejay music in their own Hungarian language or American rock, much like what took place in Richmond Hill among IndoGuyanese or other communities in the city among their ethnic stars.

New Year in Budapest is a worthwhile experience. One got to see its most romantic side, experience an hour long of fireworks from its center, and enjoy a fantastic atmosphere with complete strangers. It is an experience highly recommended.

Those Guyanese who studied in Budapest, including one of my cousins on a scholarship, during the cold war period, must have had a terrific experience.

Vishnu Bisram

Schoolchildren’s New Year performance “We Are the Happiest in the World” is given at the Central Youth Hall on the occasion of the New Year, December 31, in this photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, North Korea, December 31, 2014 (Reuters)

Int’l Decade for People of African Descent…

Baby Dwayne’s death… Guyana planning several major activities

Grandmother wants justice, $5M compensation

By AnAsticA clementson

Phyllis Carter last Friday held a onewoman protest in front of the Health Ministry in her bid to seek justice for the untimely death of her two-week-old grandson, Dwayne Wright.

Wright died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on New Year’s Day. Carter told this publication that on Old Year’s morning, her grandson became ill and was not breathing properly, so the infant was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he was given oxygen.

Telesha Carter, gave birth to little Dwayne on the December 18, 2014 at the West Demerara Hospital. However, on New Year’s Day, the infant passed at GPHC from what the doctors concluded was a lung infection.

The grandmother told Guyana Times that the baby and her daughter were referred to GPHC without the family being given any information.

She admitted that she was worried about the failing health of her grandson and behaved badly when she arrived at the hospital, since the nurses in attendance at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit were not telling her anything.

Carter said due to her behaviour she was asked to leave the hospital more than once and was also escorted out.

The grieving woman said she believes this is the reason why her grandson is dead. She believes the doctors and nurses “spitefully killed” her grandson because of how she behaved.

The baby’s mother told Guyana Times that she believed more could have been done

to save her son. She said the doctors seemed to just give up on him.

After she broke the news to the family about his baby’s death, the distraught mother said a nurse told her that “they were supposed to give him an injection earlier” that could have saved his life.

The mother hangs on those words as she meditates on her dead son.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on little Dwayne next week but she said that she may not opt for it as she is not sure she wants to “have him go through that.”

Phyllis Carter admitted that her daughter experienced some complications during the delivery at the West Demerara Hospital.

She elaborated that her daughter was

rolling from the labour pains. Carter expressed outrage that there was no one attending to her at that time although her daughter was told that they will begin the delivery at 18:00h. The woman said her daughter was not attended to until around 20:00h.

Carter shared that a doctor had informed her that the baby had passed meconium (baby’s first feces) in the womb, which made it dangerous for the mother and the baby.

Compensation

Phyllis Carter is calling for compensation from GPHC for death of her grandson. She is seeking $5 million. She stated that this will not bring him back but it will serve to take care of her daughter who may not have any more children.

Wismar man stabbed to death in mining pit

One man is in police custody for the murder of 41 year-old Seibert Moore of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, which occurred on Friday.

According to information received, the now dead man and another man were working in a mining pit of the Empire Mining Company, at Frenchman, Upper Demerara River when an argument started. The argument quickly escalated and turned into a scuffle when the other miner whipped out a knife and stabbed Moore to his

chest and stomach area. He was rushed to the Mackenzie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested by a group of workmates and is assisting with investigations.

This was the fourth murder was committed over the holidays. Andre Britton, 50, of 111 Miles, Mahdia was stabbed to death by another whom he had confronted about throwing a squib into his yard at Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro Siparuni) on New Year’s Day.

On Old Year’s Day, Augustine Samuels,

54, also called “Jack” of Aracru Village, North West District (NWD) was stabbed 14 times by his assailant after he attempted to bring peace during an altercation between two men at a popular drinking spot at White Water, Aracru, NWD.

In addition, at the dawn of the New Year, twenty-two-year-old Errol Campbell, also called “Bakie” of Lot 23 Anns Grove, was stabbed at least six times with an ice pick by his attacker with whom he had an old grievance.

Guyana’s Reparations Committee is working closely with the Culture Ministry to establish a menu of activities to observe International Decade for People of African Descent.

The International Decade for People of African Descent was launched on December 10 by the United Nations; however, locally it was launched at the commencement of Kwanzaa on December 26.

Though the activities are now being formalised, the Reparations Committee has laid some ideas on the table for the first 12 months.

The Chairman, Dr Eric Phillips said the committee hopes to release a booklet on African Guyanese history.

“Much has been distorted in the history books. Much has been left out. Much language has to change. For example, slaves were not brought from Africa…instead Africans were enslaved in Guyana,” he explained.

In addition, the committee hopes to recognise an African Guyanese or African hero, in addition to the facilitation of essay competitions, lectures and

poetry nights.

Alluding directly to the decade, Dr Phillips said it is founded on three main principles recognition, justice and development. During the 10 years, he said issues affecting African people would be brought to the fore.

But Dr Phillips was keen on pointing out that Africans are the first people of the world and with them all races were created. According to him, people of all ethnicity need to recognise themselves, their history, and their culture before attending to the issues that plague society.

According to Phillips the second principle, justice, is part of the Reparations process. He stated that it is

not only about money but “how we treat ourselves, how we respect ourselves, how we honour our culture, how we celebrate Kwanzaa and those departed in the African Holocaust.”

Development is also key to the process, Phillips posited, explaining that though Africans were the first, they are the least developed in the physical realm.

It is time all ethnicities embrace the opportunities that this decade offers, he said, emphasising that the barriers should be removed to allow for collective development.

During the official launch on December 10, President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Sam Kahamba Kutesa, said in 2001 the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) tackled the issue of racism.

“Racism exists in all countries, in all regions”, the President said, positing that it should be given “international priority.” He said it has been thirteen years since DDPA was created but more is needed to effect real improvements nationally and regionally in the lives of people.

Chairman of Guyana’s Reparations Committee Dr Eric Phillips

Dead: Two-week-old Dwayne Wright

Phyllis Carter protesting in front of the Health Ministry for the death of her grandson at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Page Foundation

Well, we’ve rung out that old 2014 and rung in 2015. So what if the bells rang across the mud instead of snow? 2015 used to seem so very, very far away. In 2011, with CXC competing with the World Cup for my attention, it seemed like the next WC was ages away- 2015?

Why’d we have to wait so long for WI to have another shot at the Cup after our ignominious early exit? In 2012, it seemed like so long until the next Avengers movie would come out in 2015. And now 2015 is actually here, unfortunately WI seems even less likely to lift the Cup now that they did then. It looks like we may be in for some Déjà vu this WC.

Happy New Year!

“Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

But with all of that, for some reason, I really, really love New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Daythey’re probably two of my favorite days of the year, even though I’m not too enamored of the noise that accompanies the fireworks that usually fill the sky.

I’ll take my parents word that this year’s display was the most spectacular. I was still pigging out on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy after baking up a storm earlier in the afternoon: cheesecake, fruitcake, sponge cake (Blackcake, my dad’s favorite, we get every year from some aunts of mine).

I think it’s because I love fresh starts and new beginnings. At the beginning of each year I feel like I’m getting another chance to fix whatever I didn’t like about myself last year.

And I think most people have that feeling as well - that’s why so many

people make New Year’s Resolutions. But making New Year’s resolutions are tough. And I think they get tougher every year because if you’re like me, the amount of resolutions you didn’t manage to keep the previous years keep piling up.

So that’s why I’ve decided that this year I’m resolving to be more realistic with my resolutions. I usually have the habit of being overly ambitious in my goals- planning to complete huge amounts of things in one day that realistically, I probably won’t be able to complete in a week. It’s like stacking the odds against you and setting yourself up to fail.

But it’s really exciting thinking about all the things that might happen in 2015. You might meet new people, reconnect with people you already knew and check off things from your Bucket List if

you have one.

For now though, I’m resolving to enjoy what’s left of my time at home until I’m hurled back into the Med School fray. I’ll take the time to assess where I fell short last year and readjust my strategies for 2015.

And I think that’s important for everyone to do. I know it’s especially important for kids at school, especially those writing CSEC and CAPE. This side of the New Year the months quickly fade away and before you know it, you’re sitting at a desk writing down your candidate number for your first exam.

The good thing about that though, is that the exams flit past just as quickly and you’ll soon be kicking back, relaxing and enjoying the August holidays!

Here’s to a fantastic 2015! Happy New Year, everyone!

Positive thinking for children

BY JON GORDON

have a confession.

IDespite the fact that I work to develop positive leaders, schools and teams, I’m not naturally a positive person.

The research says it’s not my fault. Turns out some people are born with a more positive disposition while others are born with more of a negative disposition.

But there is hope. The latest research in neuroscience and positive psychology demonstrates that we can mould our brains and ourselves to be more positive, which is great news for me and my children.

For the past eight years I’ve researched and practiced countless strategies to enhance positivity. I’ve worked really hard at becoming more positive which

day. The success could be a great conversation, an accomplishment at school, something they are proud of, a situation where they helped someone, etc. The important thing is to help them focus on accomplishments instead of failures. When we help our children expect success, look for success, and celebrate success they find more success and gain more confidence. Of course they need to learn from their mistakes and failures, but let’s help them to not dwell on them.

Bedtime prayer

A ritual such as this provides your children with a foundation of peace, security, and confidence that gives them the strength to take on the daily challenges of being a child.

I guess is why I’ve become such a good teacher. I’ve seen the fruits of these efforts in my life and in the people I’ve taught – most importantly my own children. I’ve seen how simple strategies and daily rituals can make a tremendous impact on their mindset, belief system and outlook on life.

I believe that positive children become positive adults and as parents we can play a significant role in shaping our children’s perspective and mindset. In this spirit I want to share with you several tips to develop positive kids.

Success of the Day

Each night before bed, at dinner or while taking an after-dinner walk ask your children their success of the

Implement the no complaining rule

It’s a simple rule that says you’re not allowed to complain unless you identify one or two possible solutions to your complaint. This empowers children to become a driver of their bus instead of being a passenger griping on the bus.

Teach them the Positive Shark Formula, E + P = 0 The formula reveals that we can’t control the (E) Events in our life. But we can control our (P) Positive Response to these events and our response determines the (O) outcome. This formula helps children develop a strong locus of control which is a perspective that through their beliefs and actions they have an influence on their life.(www. guideposts.org)

Anu Dev

Traffic Chief: “We are doing things, not just sitting back” – as road fatalities, accidents climb…

y V ahnu M anichand

B

With the alarming increase of road accidents and fatalities recorded last year, head of the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, Superintendent Hugh Denhert said that there are a number of initiatives that have been put in place to address this issue.

Speaking with the Guyana Times , Denhert pointed out that his department had could not sit back and watch mass carnage on the country’s roadways. “We had to do something, and we are (doings things)” he said.

According to the Traffic Chief, there are several initiatives that are in place to better police the roadways and regulate the manner in which it is being used especially by errant drivers.

Denhert noted that his department is big on enforcement activities particularly on motor cyclists and drunk drivers.

He explained that police will be clamping down on motor cyclists who do not adhere to the relevant safety regulations in place such as wearing helmets, the appropriate type of helmets, and having them strapped on.

As it relates to drunk drivers, the Traffic Chief mentioned that with the implementation of the ‘name and shame’ campaign, they are hoping

that it augurs successes and serves as a wake-up call for those delinquent drivers on the roadways.

Additionally, Denhert outlined that the Force has employed a “towtruck” initiative, where they have a crash truck on patrol removing vehicles that are wildly parked.

The police are also on the lookout for those public transport vehicles, particularly minibuses that are usually overloaded.

Only recently, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, in his year-in review presentation, expressed his concerns over the number of traffic accidents that have occurred. He pointed out that the ministry has been working in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council, National

Commission on Law and Order and other stakeholders in order to come up with innovative ways to deal with the situation.

The minister said that such a situation requires not only law enforcement inputs but also better road engineering and increased visibility.

He insisted that moral suasion on the part of road users is also needed.

“We are experiencing significant infrastructural development in our country and while this is a positive outcome, the better quality of roads could be one of the contributing factors to the situation but this must not be an excuse for reckless and wanton use of the roads,” the minister stated.

According to police statistics, during the pe -

PPP/C confident of winning elections

Triod January 1, 2014 to December 30, 2014 there were 135 fatal accidents that resulted in 146 deaths. This record represents a 30 per cent increase when compared to the same period in 2013, where there were 103 fatal accidents resulting in 112 deaths.

The records show that the largest categories of deaths were pedestrians and motor cyclists. The new year has already recorded its first death on Thursday last when 61-year-old George Baker was killed.

Rohee stated that his ministry is not happy with this current situation as such this year; efforts will be made to have additional mobile patrols and breathalysers. In addition, the Minister noted that more traffic wardens for the Police Force will be employed to radically reverse the situation.

“It is significant to point out that the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to provide resources to the Guyana Police so that the agency can execute its mandate efficiently to the citizens of this country. We are committed to do so even though the budget s of police forces in other countries of the world is being drastically reduced,” he pointed out.

he ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said it will return to Government following the holding of General and Regional Elections.

The PPP/C expressed this high level of confidence in a press statement issued on Saturday, positing that it is the only political party that has never lost a free and fair election in Guyana.

According to the party which is celebrating 65 years as a political faction, it was kept out of office for close to three decades through a combination of force and fraud unleashed by the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime.

The PPP/C said it reemerged from the ashes to win a resounding victory in the October 1992 elections; a victory which brought an end to 28 years of “authoritarian rule.” Since then the PPP/C has been in the driver’s seat leading the struggle for a democratic, free and prosperous Guyana.

“As in the past, dark forces are again ganging up to destabilise the PPP/C and the PPP/C Government and to thwart the country’s forward march.

"The PPP/C is confident that like in the past these forces will be defeated and the Party will again emerge stronger and victorious,” it said.

The party pledged to continue to work hard to create a just and prosperous Guyana where “every Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or creed would be provided with the opportunity to realise their full potential and benefit from

the economic and social gains that the country has to offer.”

According to the PPP/C, it is proud of the role played in the granting of internal self government and subsequently in the struggle for political independence to the then colony of British Guiana after over 150 years of British colonial rule.

“The records will show that it was the PPP that led the struggle for universal adult suffrage and other constitutional advances including the current ministerial system of government.”

From the very inception, the party said it embraced a working class ideology and has never deviated from its path “despite the several attempts by foreign vested interests in collaboration with local reactionary elements to destroy the Party.”

The PPP was founded on January 1, 1950, and was the first major political party in Guyana.

“Regrettably, the Party suffered a major blow in 1957 when Forbes Burnham and a group of opportunists broke away from the PPP and formed their own Party but the Party displayed remarkable resilience to emerge even stronger winning all subsequent elections until it was engineered out of office through the intrigues and machinations of vested interests in the 1964 elections.”

After the PPP won the 1957 elections, Burnham’s moderate faction left the party to establish the AfroGuyanese dominated PNC establishing an ethnic divide between the two parties.

Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, Superintendent Hugh Denhert

Gas shortage ends

– Guyoil CEO says all service stations functional

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) Badree Persaud has said that all Guyoil fuel stations have been provided with fuel and opened its pumps to customers commencing Friday morning.

According to the CEO, the shipment of fuel was supposed to have arrived sometime on December 29, 2014; however he noted that because of further delays, the new estimated date for arrival was January 1.

Speaking to Guyana Times, Persaud related that the delayed shipment of fuel

from neighbouring Venezuela has arrived and fuel was dispatched to all of the pump stations and fuel distributors.

He said “everybody is back to normal as of Friday morning; all of our pump stations have fuel.”

According to Persaud, this included fuel stations in Essequibo and West Coast Berbice.

Up to Thursday, the fuel shortage which was first reported in Essequibo had spread to several parts of Georgetown and the East Coast of Demerara, as more of the state-owned Guyoil gas stations closed its gas lanes.

When Guyana Times spoke with some of the drivers from the different areas, they all expressed satisfaction that the fuel situation was back to normal.

One rice farmer explained that as a result of the shortage, he had to resort to travelling a few more miles for fuel; hence the news of the restoration was welcomed.

In Georgetown it was the same with public transportation operators, who made it clear that the fuel shortage had damning effects. Some persons describe at length the uncommon routes that had to be adopted to ensure they had fuel.

One driver from West Coast Berbice told this publication that he does not understand how this situation arose, since Guyoil is the state-owned company and should at all times be able to provide fuel given its importance. He contended that “there is some slackness going on somewhere.”

This is especially alarming given the fact that Region Five’s economy is based on agriculture production. For cultivation to be done in this area, fuel is needed for machinery, such as tractors.

Eyew tness Pussyfooting...

D...by AFC on APNU coalition

avid Granger’s miffed. How may times is Khemraj Ramjattan gonna disrespect him?? Granger remembers the song from his days: “How many times can a man turn his head/ Pretending he just doesn’t see?/The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind”.

And the answer is: He’d better cultivate a backbone or a couple of cojones and let Ramjattan know where to get off! Or APNU’s gonna be the laughing stock of Guyana when the voters go to the poll later this year.

Here it is Granger let Ramjattan get away with insulting him to his face by declaring that he, Ramjattan, gotta be the “leader” of any pre-election coalition with APNU/PNC!! Is it only now Granger’s recognised he has more that four times the seats of the AFC??

What kind of “new math” did Ramjattan use to claim that 5 was greater than 27??! Even if Ramjattan and Nagamootoo had gotten that answer during one of their boozing sessions at some rum shop or other, why hadn’t Granger bitch-slapped the wankers right away??

Granger’s now whining that Ramjattan’s pussyfooting around even setting out the agenda for their coalition talks – much less giving a date for the meeting! Wake up and smell the pepper-pot, Granger: Ramjattan’s not pussyfooting – he believes he has you pu55ywhipped!! He’s jerked you around so many times over the past three years, he’s convinced you’re a jerk.

The moment Granger allowed Ramjattan’s threat to make him renege on his promise to the President and precipitate the Linden protests, he became Ramjattan’s bitch. Granger unsurprisingly lost the respect of his Linden PNC group, who – even though wet behind the ears – also felt he could be challenged and “taken”.

From then on one humiliation followed another: ending with Granger having to put his “Local Government call” on a back burner to support Ramjattan and Nagamootoo’s “No-Confidence motion”.

So here’s some gratuitous advice for Granger...(this Eyewitness thinks you have to show old people some respect) – start making some demands on Ramjattan. That wanker’s at the end of his 15 minutes of being in the sun.

How many time can he cash the “friend of the US” cheque? Start by demanding Ramjattan name the three PNC MPs he claimed were bribed by the PPP/C to the tune of $30 million each.

If Ramjattan isn’t lying (his default mode) then you have $90 million for the campaign. If, on the other hand – as is almost certain, Ramjattan was doing what comes naturally to him, tell the wanker to take a hike. Into oblivion!!

...on some home truths

The Opposition’s upset about some of Prezzie’s language. Even though Granger’s complaining that the AFC’s making an ass of him on the coalition (non) talks, he complained Prezzie shouldn’t have called Nagamootoo a “jackass”!! If Granger thought so highly of Nagamootoo why’d he reject him so dismissively as the Speaker in favour of Trotman??

Another complaint was that Prezzie said instead of Nagamootoo getting a “Vice Presidency” as promised by Ramjattan for jumping the PPP/C ship, Nagamootoo would “get Larwaah”!!! (For the uninitiated - that’s the Creole equivalent of to “get wood”!! With the same connotations.)

Now since, after the elections Nagamootoo didn’t even get the Speakership or even “dog catcher” – much less a “Vice-Presidency” – getting Larwaah would’ve been a step up for the wanker, no??

Granger also has his bukta in a knot because Prezzie reminded Guyanese that 155 guns were transferred to the PNC when he was head of the GDF. So the buck doesn’t stop with the head of on organisation??

Then why knock Prezzie for, say, traffic accidents?

...on charging

That “Bannuh”, Winston Felix declared that the alleged “tap” of the head of a heckler by a Presidential Guard is “criminal”. And “heading off” the Home Affairs Minister from the perpetrators of the Agricola Massacre isn’t?? Jeez!!!

Gold mining stakeholders support new Gold Board GM

Stakeholders in the gold mining sector have expressed their support for the appointment of Lisaveta Ramotar as the new General Manager (GM) of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB).

Head of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Clinton Williams has also expressed his support for Ramotar’s appointment.

Williams said though he is not personally acquainted with Ramotar, he is impressed with her qualifications and anticipates a bright future for the GGB under her guidance.

He hopes that her experience in Banking, Finance, and Investment will help to place Guyana firmly back in the market place which would result in a boost of sales.

“Based on her experience and qualifications, it can only serve well to counter gold price fluctuations on the international market and to put us firmly back into the international market,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, Head of the Guyana Gold Miners’ Association (GGDMA) Patrick Harding also expressed support for Ramotar’s appointment.

While Harding felt the findings of the recent fraud case at GGB Bartica should

have been disclosed or reported to the GGDMA before hiring a new manager, he nevertheless wished Ramotar the best.

Harding also felt that this lingering fiasco is somewhat an injustice to Ramotar.

After former GGB General Manager Anantram Balram resigned in the midst of fraud investigations at GGB Bartica Branch, Ramotar, who is also the daughter of President Donald Ramotar recently garnered the post.

According to reports she took office on Friday being one of fifteen persons who had applied for the post.

During the mid of last year, after fraudulent acts were suspected to have been carried out at the GGB Bartica branch, investiga-

tions were launched into the matter which led to Balram’s resignation.

Harding said that subsequently, GGB branches in Charity Essequibo and Port Kaituma closed. He explained that these offices are supposed to serve as outreaches to miners.

He highlighted the Bartica branch as the most needed at the moment since initially it contributed to 40 per cent of harvested gold.

He was displeased that the GGDMA has not received any results of the findings of the fraud investigations or neither have they been told whether the investigations are completed.

“We need to know what happened with Ramotar’s predecessor that was never disclosed to us,” Harding said.

Nevertheless, he added, “I wish her all the luck. We at GGDMA support the GGB and we are hoping they get their act together in light of the new appointment.”

Ramotar holds a Masters Degree in Finance and Investment from the University of York in the United Kingdom (UK) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA.) from the University of Toronto in Canada. She also has 12 years working experience. She also worked at the World Bank.

Hicken, James, Chapman top Police promotions list

―324 other ranks promoted

ADivision Commander

Clifton Hicken, Crime Chief Leslie James and Senior Superintendent of Police Carl Chapman have topped the list when the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announced its promotions for 2015.

Hicken, James and Chapman were promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police with addition duties on their plates.

Hicken has severed as the E&F (Region One, Regions Seven-10) Divisional Commander for a number of years and was in 2014 given the mandate to head A Division (Georgetown and East Bank Demerara). Also, in April 2014, James took over the post of Crime

Chief after Assistant Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud took the helm of the GPF, following the retirement of Leroy Brumell.

Efforts on Saturday to contact both James and Hicken for a comment proved futile.

Carl Chapman, however, is serving as second in command in B Division (West coast Berbice to Upper Corentyne).

In addition to their promotions, 324 other ranks within the Police Force were promoted. Eight ranks were promoted from Superintendent of Police to Senior Superintendent of Police. These include R Andreis-Junor, R Budhram, E Watts, C Brutus, S Mansell, R Das, W Blanhum and L Denny.

Nine ranks were confirmed as Superintendent of Police and included K Pareshram I Trotz, W De Hearte, D Fowler-Goodman, T Paul, L Lord, E Cooper, J Ramlakhan and M Sutton. The promotion continued with 10 ranks being promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police, 23 as Assistant Superintendent of Police, five promoted to Chief Inspector, 33 promoted to Inspector, 65 promoted to Sergeant, 85 promoted to Corporal and 86 promoted to Lance Corporal.

Apart from the regular Police promotions, several ranks attached to the Regular Special Constabulary were also promoted. These promotions saw 11 ranks being confirmed as Sergeants, 23 promoted to Corporal and 35 to Lance Corporal.

With respect to the GUYSTAC Special Constabulary, nine ranks were confirmed as Sergeants, 12 promoted to Corporal and eight promoted to Lance Corporal.

The above mentioned promotions from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant, Lance Corporal and Constable to Corporal, and Constable to Lance Corporal have been approved by the Police Commissioner with effect from January 1.

Leslie James Clifton Hicken

Lisaveta Ramotar, new General Manager for the Guyana Gold Board

Granger’s court action…

Injunction has no applicability to Govt spending – AG

By Svetlana MarShall

The Conservatory Order being sought by Opposition Leader David Granger has “no applicability beyond 2014,” Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said on Friday.

In what was described as a baffling move, Granger on December 11, 2014, made an application for a Conservatory Order to block Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh from spending taxpayers money on programmes disapproved or not authorised by the National Assembly.

In an interview with Guyana Times, the Legal Affairs Minister explained that there are no implications, positing that the move will have no impact on Government’s operation given that 2014 has ended.

Moving ahead in 2015, he said Government will be guided by Articles 119 and 220 of the Constitution.

“2015 is governed by different constitutional arrangements which allow for the Government to spend until an Appropriation Act is passed,” he explained.

(2) of the Constitution lawfully disapproved in the Annual Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of 2014, $36.7 billion which was signed into law with the Appropriation Act No 10 of 2014.

Amid this fact, it was pointed out that the Finance Minister unlawfully spent $4.5 billion for the period ending June 16, 2014, thereby breaching Articles 217 and 219 (2) of the Constitution. This was confirmed in Financial Paper No 1 of 2014 Statement of Excess on the Current and Capital Estimates presented to the National Assembly.

In the court document filed, Granger said the decision to spend disapproved funds by the National Assembly was unconstitutional, ultra vires [beyond the powers], null and void, unreasonable and in breach of the Doctrine of the Separation of Powers.

FUCOP

Satiricus knew this New Year was going to be fun. It wasn’t that he was bending his elbows with the fellas at the back street bar. It wasn’t that he was psychic or anything. It was just that GrainJa’s reply about his receiving FUCOP money reminded Satiricus soooo much about that song Shaggy’d made popular back it in the days of Desmond Hoyte:

“It wasn’t me!!!”Satiricus burst into the refrain with gusto while Cappo and the rest of the crew supplied the chorus:

“Honey came in and she caught me red-handed/Creeping with the girl next door/Picture this, we were both butt-naked, banging on the bathroom floor.

But she caught me on the counter (It wasn’t me)

Saw me bangin’ on the sofa (It wasn’t me)]

I even had her in the shower (It wasn’t me)

She even caught me on camera (It wasn’t me)

She saw the marks on my shoulder (It wasn’t me)

Heard the words that I told her (It wasn’t me)

Heard the scream get louder (It wasn’t me)

She stayed until it was over”

They all took a drink for their efforts as other patrons in the bar gave them a round of applause. “With elections this year, man it’s gonna be real fun with GrainJa denying Mook funding him and RumJhaat with FUCOP money!!” chortled Satiricus to his buddies.

“Ai! But you gat fuh give credit to de Mook. When yuh collecting donation is important fuh come up wid wan good name fuh de group. FUCOP a wan master name!!!” exclaimed Cappo the canecutter. The crop was done and Cappo and Bungi were treating the fellas from their four-day payout.

“Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency!!” intoned Teacher Samad with a smirk. “FUCOP!! Can’t get a better name for something involving the Mook!!”

“But why GrainJa denying he getting money from Mook through FUCOP??” asked Suresh. “At least he coulda keep he mouth shut like RumJhaat!”

In the injunction filed by the Opposition Leader, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Speaker of the National Assembly

This is nothing new, the Legal Affairs Minister emphasised.

Raphael Trotman were identified as the defendants in the matter.

In the legal document filed to the High Court, Granger pointed out that the National Assembly in pursuant to Article 218

Additionally, the injunction is intended to block further spending to aid in projects that did not receive the blessings of the House. Late last month, the High Court ruled that it will hear Granger’s application on January 7.

“Yuh right!” exclaimed Bungi. “He shoulda larn from how RumJhaat treat he – like he gat Kuh-Kuh-Beh when he try fuh RumJhaat jine up wid he!!”

“Budday!! GrainJa know if he admit he tek FUCOP money... is jail time fuh he when de GPA big man done with the Mook books!!” chuckled Cappo.

“But them businessmen the Mook blackmail to put money in FUCOP complaining all over the place,” pointed out Hari. “Is public knowledge.”

“Budday!! if is waan ting me know is “Time mo lang dan twine. When de election done, is de Mook gon get FUCOP!!”

Man fined for assaulting common-law partner

Twenty-seven-yearold Abnar Garner of 245 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was fined $10,000 after being arraigned on an assault charge.

The man who is employed at Edward B Beharry in the Maintenance Department was brought before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The unrepresented Garner accepted the charge which stated that on December 30, 2014, at Lot 199 John Smith Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted the Virtual Complainant (VC), 20-year-old Alexis Nowel, with whom he shares a common-law relationship.

Prosecutor Kerry Boswick told the court that the parties have been in a relationship for the past three years and they share a one-year-old daughter together. Boswick related that on the day in question, Garner returned home in a drunken state and requested to have sexual inter-

Abnar Garner

course with the VC. When Nowel refused, Garner became annoyed and dealt her several slaps to her face and hit her with a pressure pot.

In self defence, the woman armed herself with a hand saw and hit Garner causing minor injuries on his body.

Both parties sought medical treatment and were later arrested and charged. Boswick added that the defendant gave conflicting addresses, noting that he gave the court a Diamond address but gave the Police the John Smith Street, Campbellville, Georgetown address.

The defendant told the court that he is sorry for everything that happened and that he would like to close everything. He then asked for forgiveness from the court but the Magistrate stopped him saying he needed to apologise to his partner and not the court. He then sought forgiveness from Nowel saying “…I’d like to move forward and look after our kid as the New Year start”. The VC accepted his apology.

Nowel was also slapped with an assault charge against Garner. The young woman who is a labourer pleaded guilty to the offence. Prosecutor Boswick intervened, recommending counselling for the couple since according to him, “they want to make another shot at it and I will go for it”. The court ruled that Garner be fined $10,000 and Nowel $5000. They were both placed on bonds to be on good behaviour and were ordered to report to Help and Shelter for counselling.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Granger defends APNU’s militarisation

– objects to

flyer comparing him to Hitler

As debates about the effects of former military officers joining Guyana’s political arena, and moreso the political Opposition continues, Opposition Leader David Granger says that he finds the issue “astonishing.”

Granger speaking at a press conference said that while concerns have been raised about the two former military officers in A Partnership For National Unity’s hierarchy, it is clear that more military officers are working in government offices.

Granger pointed to several Major Generals who currently hold posts in varying government positions and

Singh is working there (Office of the President) Why doesn’t he talk about Singh? Is it something wrong to be an officer?” questioned the opposition Leader.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary of the Defence Board, Dr Roger Luncheon recently said if he had his way he would make it constitutionally impossible for former military personnel to take leading roles in political parties shortly after demitting office.

Dr Luncheon had said that a “military-dominated” Opposition, and further a military dominated Government is disturbing. He views former military officers going into politics soon

days, weeks of their resignation, retirement, removal from service,” he said.

But according to Granger, he does not see anything wrong with being a retired Brigadier and an Opposition Leader.

He said that he doesn’t see how two ex-military officers can dominate a parliament of 65 members.

Meanwhile, Granger said he was “at loss for words” when questioned about a flyer being circulated in Guyana’s interior which depicted him alongside Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein with the caption “Is Guyana Ready For A Military Dictator?”

“I can’t believe that. Who

said that if the two officers in the Opposition should be of concern, then those should also warrant concern.

He said he is “deeply concerned at the amount of exmilitary officers in OP” naming some of those persons as Major General Joseph Singh, and Major General Norman Mc Lean both of whom are retired.

“Right now Major General

after leaving office as one that could be addressed constitutionally.

“Were I to be given the authority by whatever possibility, I probably would have a constitutional amendment that would not allow this situation that sees within a reasonable time frame, serving members of the disciplined forces ensconced and actively engaged in politics within

would do such a vile thing? I am lost for words. I can’t imagine any self respecting political party in Guyana would compare a Guyanese politician who has never been convicted of any offense regarded as Hitler – a mass murderer” said Granger.

He questioned which political party would “stoop so low” to circulate such a poster.

Multimillion-dollar coffee factory to be opened in Pomeroon

Within weeks, a multimillion-dollar coffee, citrus, and cocoa factory will commence operations in Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon River with the aim of capitalising on local and international markets.

The establishment of the factory is being financed by a group of local farmers who have been operating in the field of agriculture for more than a decade.

With the requisite machines already installed, the farmers are currently conducting a series of tests ahead of the grand opening.

In explaining the process of production, one of the farmers, Michael John pointed out that the coffee will be produced using the wet system method.

In the wet method, coffee berries are soaked overnight in a tank of water in an effort to soften them. Subsequently, a machine called the pulpier will be

used to press the coffee berries against a screen with holes large enough for only the seeds to pass through.

Notably he said the ripe berries will break apart against the screen, removing the skin while releasing some of the pulps and seeds.

John further explained that the coffee seeds will be left to ferment in large cans for a period of three days before being flushed out with water to remove the remaining pulp.

In the final stage, he explained that the seeds will be sent to an electrical dryer. It is estimated that the drying process will last for a period of one week. A head of the grand opening ceremony, this entire process is currently being tested, John disclosed.

Asked where the berries will be sourced from, the farmer explained that coffee berries will be purchased from local farmers at a cost of one thousand dollars

($1000) per bucket.

Just recently, Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Alli Baksh applauded the efforts of the local entrepreneurs for the initiative and the confidence shown in the local economy of the region during a visit.

Minister Baksh said this initiative will create a new market for farmers who produce coffee berries, citrus and cocoa in the Upper Pomeroon and simultaneously add value to the produce.

In developing countries across the world, tens of millions of small producers make their living by growing coffee. It is estimated that more than 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world every day of which 90 per cent produced in developing countries. Notably, however, consumption occurs primarily in the industrialised economies.

Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Alli Baksh standing in front of the coffee actory in the presence of the Region Two Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, farmers and other Government officials

The flyer being circulated in the interior

Investigators identified for Police Complaints Authority

Out of ten former police officers interviewed, four have been shortlisted and names presented to Home Affairs minister Clement Rohee to form part of the new investigative team of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

The Home Affairs Minister on Wednesday announced that the PCA would be establishing its own team of investigators to deal with all complaints against members of the Force. The PCA was established in December 1989 but began operations in January 1990, and has since been hearing and addressing issues brought before it about the errant conduct of police officers, by members of civil society.

Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority Cecil Kennard told Guyana Times that he has already submitted the names of the four prospective investigators to the Home Affairs ministry and is awaiting its decision.

Approval has already been given by Cabinet for the establishment of the team. The PCA is now awaiting the undisclosed funding so that operations could commence.

The four investigators, one of whom will soon retire from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), will be solely responsible for extensive investigations of Peace Officers who are found to be guilty of gross misconduct.

Kennard said he welcomed the addition of the first time investigators as it is long overdue. He said since taking up the office in 2002, he had been calling for his own team of investigators since the process, usually carried out by the Office of Professional Responsibility is oftentimes lengthy.

The PCA chairman said his organization over the year had carried out outreaches to several communities across the country, holding consultations with members of the communities. These areas include Anna Regina, Lethem, Annai, New Amsterdam and Corriverton.

Most of the issues raised surrounded the “slothfulness and neglect” of police officers to take and act on reports and wrongful arrests. He said consultations were also held with ranks in these communities, who have promised to improve

their operation during this year.

Minister Rohee reported that The PCA For 2014 received and investigated some 243 written complaints against police officers.

Meanwhile, the Home Affairs minister reported a total of three hundred and twelve 312Neighbourhood Police are now serving in six Police Divisions. At his end of year review, Rohee lauded the work of the Neighborhood and Community policy, urging them to continue their efforts in helping to curb the growing incidence of crime in Guyana.

Highlighting the accomplishments of the two bodies over the year, Rohee reported that the significant growth and activities within the Community Policing Organization. Divisional and National Elections were conducted across the country for Divisional Executive Committees and National Community Policing Executive Committees, respectively, and the new office bearers were elected and installed.

Regular training sessions are provided and visits are conducted by the Subordinate Officers at the various Police Stations. Their presence in the various neighbourhoods will boost the efforts of the Guyana Police Force in its drive to build partnerships. Some 270 Community Policing Groups are now active across the country with

a total membership 5201. Members of the respective Community Policing Groups in 2014 benefited from training in the areas of statement writing, first aid, trafficking in persons, domestic violence, suicide awareness, communication, custody arrest and firearm training. Groups and Divisions carried out community service activities such as environmental cleaning, road safety, providing assistance to the less fortunate and the establishment of women’s and youth groups within respective communities.

In 2014 Community Policy received much needed items including uniforms, motor cycles, boats, brush cutters and vehicles to aid their efforts in empowering their communities. In 2015 the Community Policing Organization of Guyana (CPOG) will aim to further increase its strength in non-traditional areas, while promoting further training in Communication, Management and Computer literacy among its members.

“The CPOG also intends to utilize the electronic and social media to promote road safety and security awareness within communities. Additionally, with the implementation of a Home Security Programme, businesses and home owners can obtain advice to enhance security consciousness and to further design an environment to resist crime opportunists”, Rohee said.

New Chinese “Redbud” Restaurant opened at Cotton Field

After 10 years of business in Guyana, "Red Bud" Chinese Restaurant opened its first branch at Cotton Field Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), after opening in Linden in 2005.

The restaurant officially opened its doors to the public at 11:00h on Saturday, offering 36 Chinese’s delicacies including sea food. It has two aquariums where Tilapia fishes are housed and anyone who wishes to taste a tantalizing grilled fish from the aquarium could have it done on spot.

The original owner, Tom Liutangzhou partnered with Essequibo businessman, Ganesh Jaigobin to establish the first branch, thereby creating employment for 10 persons. It is located on the lower flat of Jaigobin’s four storey building.

In explaining the domino

effect, the restaurant would have on the local economy, Liutangzhou pointed out that all vegetables will be purchased from local farmers within the region.

In a brief statement, Jaigobin said Essequibo was “starved” for a new and “high” end eating place. According to him, the restaurant is one with a difference, pointing out that it will accommodate families in a pristine and clean environment.

“Often when you go in Chinese restaurant one would usually see people drinking…but this food place will be offer a different kind of atmosphere,” he said.

When asked why the location was selected for the restaurant, Jaigobin said Cotton Field is becoming a “Hot spot” with the establishment of a wide cross spectrum of businesses.

The newly opened "Redbud" Chinese Restaurant at Cotton Field

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

Youman Nabi greetings pour in

Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (Youman Nabi)

Messages poured in on Saturday ahead of the observances planned for today and Monday.

Youman Nabi marks the birth of Hazrat Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam.

In joining the worldwide observance, Guyana’s First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar extended heartfelt greetings to all Guyanese but in particular to the Muslim community.

“I want to join with them in honouring the Holy Prophet whose life was dedicated to the service of others and to the spread and deepening of the Islamic faith.”

According to her, it is time for Guyanese to distill the treasures of the truly exemplary life of the Holy Prophet and apply his principles on a daily basis.

“We here in Guyana have been spared the misfortunes and tragedies that have visited many other countries afflicted by the scourges of religious conflict.

And I believe that contributing to this internal religious harmony in our country is that fact that there exists a high degree of religious tolerance and understanding amongst our peoples,” she added. The high level of tolerance, the First Lady said has allowed multiculturalism to flourish in society.

In addition to the First Lady, the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA) extended greetings to the Muslim community.

GUSIA said generations of nations are preserved by the teachings of Muhammad.

“They experienced progress in their affairs to the extent that indelible footprint of the past and guidance of the future permeates the history of mankind. The establishment of progressive nations and successful people are results of adherence to the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (SAS), the final Prophet of God to mankind,” the organisation posited.

Reflecting on the life of the Holy Prophet, GUSIA said he advocated for the poor and needy and was a friend to the downtrodden, positing too that he commanded respect by his honesty, fairness and compassion for his followers and enemies alike.

“When tribalism, political turmoil, moral and social chaos were rampant, a child was born into what can be conceived as poverty and deprivation. He rose up to become a man who by example pioneered a new way of life that heralded into a worldwide admiration of principles that changed the course of civilisation,” President

General of Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, Hakeem Khan said as he offered Youman Nabi greetings.

Khan explained that 1400 years ago the greatest benefactor to Mankind was born. His birth, according to him, fulfilled a prophecy of the finality of prophet hood on earth.

He explained that the Holy Prophet influenced people’s behaviour and altered their evil inclinations.

“His life was a means in which rulers and subjects alike, copied the art of leadership, nation building, family orientation, political stability, economic reforms and last but not least, spiritual elevation. He, the Best of All Creation (Ussawatul Hassanat), provided civilisation on earth with the direction of great success in this life and the life hereafter,” he added.

As a result, ACIC is calling on all Muslims to observe special prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and integrity of the Muslim community; local and worldwide. Additionally, it is urging Guyanese to strengthen national unity by emulating the foot-steps of the Holy Prophet.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) did not fall short in extending greetings. The political party said it takes particular note of the that Prophet Muhammad has left a legacy of a religion that is universal in scope and purpose, which promotes an end to human suffering, disease and poverty.

PNCR said this legacy is consistent with the promotion of peace and harmony.

“This legacy is important not only for the spiritual development of this nation but also for its commitment to ending disease, poverty and backwardness and the promotion of harmony in Guyana. Guyanese can benefit from this legacy by using it as an instrument not only for the promotion of understanding among our various ethnic groups but also and more importantly for bringing a healing touch to the dilemmas and challenges which afflict the nation at the present time.”

The spiralling drug culture, the scourge of violence, and the spate of brutal murders, a situation which has scarred the social landscape cannot go unnoticed, the party posited.

As the world reflects on the life of the Holy Prophet, PNCR said all should capitalise on his message and lessons and use them as important instruments for improving society in such a way that brings end to the vicious cycle of violence.

Man dies after New Year’s night beating

B y B hisham m ohamed

Twenty-six-year-old

Istekar Khan succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was reportedly beaten and left on the roadway at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The man who is also called "Imran" of Lot 106 Timehri Hyde Park, was found on Friday morning by residents who immediately alerted the Police.

He was picked up and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre but was later transferred to the GPHC where he died.

According to information received, Khan and his girlfriend had gone to Georgetown to celebrate the New Year but an argument ensued between them after she asked him to stop drinking and return home with her.

The man reportedly told her to leave him alone and return home. The circumstances surrounding the man’s death are still sketchy but the Police on Saturday confirmed that they have launched an investigation.

Khan’s mother Rita confirmed that the girl called her and complained that he was drunk and did not want to return home.

The grieving mother went on to say that she asked the woman to give her son the phone so that she could have spoken to him but he

refused to collect it.

“She said that she left he in front of Parliament Building and catch a bus and come home”, the mother stated.

In tears during the telephone interview, the woman stated that after time elapsed on Friday and her son did not return home, family members went to make a report at the Timehri Police Station. She added that as they lodged the report they were informed that someone was picked up in friendship in a battered state and the possibility exists that it might have been Khan.

“The Police ask me if he had any tattoo and I said yes… right away they tell we that we have to go to Grove Police Station… when we reach Grove, they showed we pictures of the tattoos on the person body and as soon as we see them, we know is meh son”.

After confirming that it was Istekar, they were told that he did not make it and they were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary where the body was identified.

The woman stated that based on information collected from the Police, her son was alive when he was picked up and continued calling for his mother and his girlfriend.

He leaves to mourn his parents and five siblings. Police are continuing their investigations.

President General of ACIC Hakeem Khan

Badrudin Hassan, GUSIA President

Cemetery Road accident… Second victim still critical, being prepped for surgery

Sixty-two-year-old

Brian Devine, who was injured in an accident on Cemetery Road three days ago, has been stabalised but is still critical at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Devine along with two other persons were injured after a speeding car lost control at a speed bump and veered off the road, uprooting two stalls and hitting the three persons into a nearby trench.

The two other persons involved in the accident are a young woman who is still unidentified and 61-yearold George Baker, who succumbed to his injuries.

According to the sister of Devine, Audrey, the man suffered very serious inju-

ries. She said that his neck is fractured, eyes are bulging out, both feet broken, several ribs are broken, and his spinal cord is damaged.

The distressed woman stated that her brother is not eating and had to be given blood. She noted that the medical staff had to stabalise her brother and is now preparing him for surgery which is expected to be done today. Audrey said that her brother is not in a good condition.

“He deh real bad, this accident just damage he up bad,” she lamented. The woman said that with extent of the man’s injuries, she is unsure whether he will make a full recovery.

Devine left his Lot 30 East La Penitence on Thursday morning to go col-

lect newspapers for a friend when the accident took place around 07:00h.

Meanwhile, the post mortem examination for the lone fatality from the accident has been scheduled for Wednesday. Barker of Lot 41 Freeman Street East La Penitence, Georgetown, was the first person that was hit by the car.

According to the man’s brother, Edward Baker, George went out on the road to uplift his newspaper, a daily routine for him. The man said that his brother was standing on the road watching the speeding car, which lost control at a speed bump a short distance away.

Edward related that the car swerved off of the road crashing through two stalls

before hitting his brother, throwing him into the trench. The car then hit Devine and the young woman before plunging into the trench.

Public spirited citizens assisted the persons out and rushed them to the GPHC. The young woman sustained minor injuries hence she was treated and sent away. Edward explained that while there, his brother was conscious as he gave the staff his contact details.

However by the time he got to the medical institution, the 61-year-old man had already succumbed. Both of his legs were broken and he had sustained internal injuries.

The Police in a statement said that the driver lost control of the vehicle after it suffered a punctured tyre however eyewitnesses claimed that the driver was speeding and was reportedly intoxicated. One man told this newspaper that the sister of the driver was overheard saying that she told him not to drive, as he was too inebriated.

The driver was in Police custody but may have to be granted bail since the constitutional 72-hour period would have expired. However he is expected to make a court appearance during the coming week.

Prison, Fire Services announce promotions

Gladwin Samuels was appointed Senior Superintendent of Prisons with effect from December 3, 2014 as the Home Affairs Ministry released its annual promotions.

Among the other sustentative appointments were five ranks to Superintendent of Prison. These include Nicklon Elliot, Kevin Pilgrim, Richard Brown, Alexander Hopkinson and Evelyn Crandon. Carlton Cameron, Deoraj Gyandat, Mark Smith,

Kelvin Hutson and Kofi David were promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Prisons. In addition, 11 prison ranks were appointed as Chief Prison Officers while eight were promoted to Principal Officer II and 11 as Principal Officers I.

Closing off the promotions for the Guyana Prison Service were Justin Eastman, Frank La Rose and Erwin Mentore as Prison Trade Instructors.

In relation to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Station

Officer Compton Sparman was appointed Divisional Officer since June 1, 2013 while Sub Officer Debbie Stephenson was appointed Station Officer from June 1, 2013 along with Aubrey Hardy who took office on March 1, 2013 and Everard Harding from March 1, 2013.

Section Leaders Ezla Bynoe, Fitzroy Sutton and Courtney Springer took up position as Sub Officer from March 1, 2013 while Dehola Jacobs took office from June 1, 2013 and Tricia Lawrence

from August 1, 2013. Shannon Crawford took up the post as Sub Officer from March 1, 2014.

Leading Fireman Michael Davidson, Delbert Pitt and Ryburn Williams were all promoted to Section Leader. Four firemen were appointed as Leading Firemen which took effect between April and November of 2012.

Firewoman Melissa Belle and Franka Thomas were promoted to Leading Firewoman in December 2012.

Younge’s Take

Massive cover-up

There is a massive cover-up taking place at Congress Place and within the main Opposition party, APNU.

Since the party’s 18th Biennial Congress, which was marred by protests as a result of scores of delegates being disenfranchised and other issues, several high profile personalities have either been muted, gone cold or have disappeared altogether from the scene. For instance, the very vocal Vanessa Kissoon, who declared last year that she will not be bullied or cowed by the party’s Executive or its Leader David Granger to apologise to General Secretary Oscar Clarke with whom she had a dispute, is now muted.

She appears to most times be unwilling to update the very media and public that stood by her side throughout her time of trial in the party about the outcome of the matter. No report was ever made public by the five-member disciplinary team that was appointed by Granger to investigate the matter.

Kissoon is no longer speaking on behalf of the party at media conferences or official party engagements either in her home town or within the ranks of the party. The last thing that was communicated to the public was that she was suspended for three months back in July 2014. No information was ever communicated on what actions, if any, were taken against the party’s Clarke for the role he played in the altercation. This matter appears to have been swept under the carpet by the spin-doctors in the PNC’s Communication Unit and Granger’s advisors. In other words, the public is left to deduce that Granger and his Executives managed to break Kissoon’s back, force her into compliance, and muzzle her from further exposing the lack of democracy within the PNC.

That aside, a very ambitious and strong willed Sharma Solomon is also absent from the political scene for the most parts. After the role he played in mobilizing and defending the party’s supporters and delegates in Linden against the politics of authoritarianism practised by Granger, he appears to be also be muzzled.

Recall that the young politician had also been nominated to run for several top posts at the party’s Congress, but later withdrew his bid to challenge Granger and the other ‘ole boys’ for a piece of the pie. He said that he was concerned about the process and systems in place to conduct the elections.

Granger also strategized a plan to reduce his influence in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) which he chairs by putting another handpicked colleague and loyalist, Sandra Adams, to run the political affairs of the region, leaving him in the cold.

Not surprisingly, former PNC General Secretary Aubrey Norton, who posed the biggest challenge to Granger for the top leadership post in the party, has also apparently gone back into hibernation.

Since also expressing concerns over the path that the party was preceding Norton, it would appear, was bullied into silence. He has not of recent said anything about the injustices meted out to various consistencies by Granger and his elitist Executive.

Norton has failed to express concern too over the decision by the party to also sully his good name and those who rallied around him during the pre and post Congress period. Nothing has been said by Granger about the outcome of the investigations which he promised the public he would have mounted.

No official report was tabled or findings made public even though the entire issue had a damming impact on the party’s image and reputation as well as it’s over mantra of supporting democratic norms and conventions. Where is the high level of transparency, accountability,and democracy that the PNC demands of the Government?

Maybe, the trio mentioned has been converted and are now likely toe the line of Granger’s philosophy and political vision. Maybe, the trio is now the collateral damage of politics of elitism and militarily compliance. Maybe, the PNC has done an excellent job in covering up the Congress fiasco and removing it from our membranes of our brains in time for the next elections. Even if this is the case, the pages of history are already written and the events of 2014 documented.

The two stalls that were damaged when the driver lost control of the car before hitting three persons

1 dead, 8 hospitalised after Sophia blaze

Asixty-eight-year-old man is now dead and eight others hospitalised after they were forced to jump from a burning building at ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Only one person managed to escape with minor injuries.

Clifford Sampson died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). His reputed wife, Aletha Buelow and their children, 4year-old Tyrice Buelow and 7-year-old Troy Buelow are among those nursing injuries at the Public Hospital. They resided in the upper flat of the two storey building along with one of Buelow’s daughters and her husband.

The other fire victims included Buelow’s eldest daughter, Tibola Abrams, her reputed husband, White (only name given) and their children

Weldon Webster and Ashanti Giame who were residing in the lower flat. Only Webster managed to escape with minor injuries to his hands. According to reports, the house ignited on Friday night while its 10 occupants were asleep. It is suspected to be the job of an arsonist who was identified as Gavin Graham, a long time lover of one of the family members.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene on Saturday, some parts of the house were still on fire. Webster recalled that he was awakened by his mother during the ordeal.

“Well everyone was sleeping, all I know is that me moda came and wake me up. When I wake up, I see she and me step-

flat but they were sound asleep. By the time they were awakened, the entire building was already engulfed in flames; as a result they suffered the worst.

When asked who the family suspects to be the arsonist, the teenager responded, “my old time stepfather.”

According to Shawn Ault,

father on fire. I jump up and wake up me lil sista.”

He said due to the heavy flames, it was difficult to find the keys, resulting in them jumping through the window. Webster said he attempted to alert his relatives in the upper

Abrams’ brother, Graham lit the house afire after having a misunderstanding with his former spouse (Tibola Abrams).

It is believed that at around 17:00h on Friday, Graham visited the house with the intension of ‘patching up’ an old

time relationship that he and Abrams shared. However, upon noticing White, Graham became annoyed and stormed out of the premises.

Ault noted that the former couple had relationship issues which landed them in the court causing Abrams to file a restraining order. This, he said, added to Graham’s anger which allegedly led him to douse the house with gasoline and set it ablaze.

Reports are that after setting the house afire, he fled from the premises running into the street. However, eyewitnesses claim that they did not know why the man was running until they saw the burning house.

“I see when he went running up de road but I didn’t budge cause them man always deh pon stupidness but is when I see de house on fire then I start calling people” an eyewitness said.

However, it was a bit late since Graham already made good his escape. During the blaze, the family tried saving some of the items by shipping it out through the window

World oil prices plunged in 2014 – most in 6 years

World oil prices plunged the most last year since the 2008 financial crisis.

As markets closed at the end of 2014, the price for both the international benchmark Brent crude drilled in the North Sea and the West Texas Intermediate tapped in the United States had fallen by more than 45 per cent for the year. Almost all of the freefall occurred since June, when prices were above US$100 a barrel. By year’s end, Brent was trad-

ing at US$57.33 a barrel and US crude at US$53.27.

Analysts attributed the plummeting prices to a glut of oil on the world market, caused by a variety of factors.

The United States and Canada have increased their oil production, aided by fracking technology that allows drilling companies to reach oil deposits deep in shale formations that previously could not be tapped. US oil production reached nine million barrels a day, the highest level in more than 30 years.

but the only articles that were saved was a chair set and a television.

While eight of the family members are receiving medical treatment at the GPHC, Burn Care Unit, other members are

trying to assist the family financially.

The family has estimated their lost to be approximately $2 million. A man hunt has been launched by the Police for the suspect Gavin Graham.

Search for missing aircraft intensifies

Three teams were flown into Mahdia, Region seven from Timehri by Guyana Defence Force Skyvan on Saturday, joining the search for the Britten Norman Islander and individuals that went missing on Sunday.

At the same time, economic growth slowed in China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, while Japan’s economy dropped into a recession and Europe’s 18-nation euro currency bloc edged close to a contraction.

But in the US, cheaper oil has led to the lowest gasoline prices for motorists in several years, helping accelerate growth in the world’s largest economy. Oil experts say prices could continue to fall in the first quarter of 2015 before rebounding later in the year.

Ten members from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC); eight ranks from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Special Forces and eight Line Cutters from the St Cuthbert’s Mission were inserted by helicopter into an ‘area of high interest’ to commence ground searches bordered by the North Fork and Blackwater rivers.

Standard ‘three-man’ teams from GFC and GDF have mapped a route to systematically comb the mountainous terrain in search for the twin engine aircraft, pilot Nicky Persaud and loader David Bisnauth.

“The teams are equipped

with modern communication equipment inclusive of satellite telephones; handheld radios; global positioning instruments, and are in regular contact with the Rescue Coordination sub-Centre at Mahdia,” the Transport Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Aneka Edwards disclosed.

Simultaneously, aerial examination continues with the use two helicopters which are supported by two fixed wing aircraft, not only in the ‘area of high interest’ but along the pre-determined grids which were prepared by the RCC, Timehri Control Tower. At 16:30h the search was discontinued due to bad weather on Saturday but continues today. The area of high probability was based on reports of sightings in an area above the highest peak, east of Deer Creek, approximately 10 miles, South-west of Mahdia.

GDF Special Forces on the ground at Mahdia on Saturday

The aftermath of the fire

Dead: Clifford Sampson

Around the World

AirAsia QZ8501: Plane crash blamed on weather

Bad weather was the biggest factor in the crash of AirAsia flight QZ8501, the Indonesian weather agency believes. The BMKG agency said initial analysis suggested icy conditions in the air had caused the engine to stall.

The Airbus A320 vanished with 162 people aboard en route from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore last Sunday. The discovery of four large objects believed to be plane debris has raised hopes of

Griffith says TT Carnival will be Ebola-safe

National Security Minister Gary Griffith says everything is in place for Carnival 2015. His announcement follows a detailed threat assessment by the National Ebola Prevention, Information and Response Team (NEPIRT), which is headed by Vice Chief-of-Defence-Staff, Brigadier Anthony PhillipsSpencer.

During a media briefing at the National Operations Centre, Port of Spain on Friday, Griffith said, “I wish to inform the public that there is a full green light for Carnival 2015 as at this time, and based on the very good work we have seen by this committee.” He assured citizens that the Ebola situation had been “properly locked down at this time.” Griffith added: “All concerns have been dealt with and during the course from now until Carnival, all matters to ensure that TT will

be Ebola free will continue.”

Following Griffith’s statement, Phillips-Spencer confirmed that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) risk for TT continued to be low. He said the land-based early warning surveillance programme’s design was now complete, enabling its use at all major carnival events.

Phillips-Spencer said in addition to improving screening at all legal ports of entry, site readiness surveys had been done at both the airports and seaports. He added that officials were prepared to efficiently respond to any probable or confirmed case of EVD and effectively contain its spread.

Referring to the public campaign blitz which was done between December 15 and 19, 2014, to educate citizens about the virus, Phillips-Spencer said NEPIRT was moving ahead with its preparedness measures. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

finding the fuselage, where most bodies are believed to be trapped.

Just 30 bodies had been recovered from the Java Sea as of Saturday morning.

The plane’s black boxes, its flight data and cock -

pit voice recorders, have yet to be located.

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says search is still being hampered by bad weather

BMKG found conditions at the time of the plane’s disappearance suggested it had probably flown into a storm.

“From our data it looks like the last location of the plane had very bad weather and it was the biggest factor behind the crash,” said Edvin Aldrian, head of research at BMKG. “These icy conditions can stall the engines of the plane and freeze and damage the planes machinery.”

Officials have said the plane was travelling at 32,000 feet when the pilot’s last communication was a request to climb to 38,000 feet to avoid bad weather. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Five arrested in India over gangrape of Japanese tourist – Police

Indian Police have arrested five men in connection with the alleged abduction and gang-rape of a 23-year-old Japanese tourist, officials said on Saturday.

The woman had filed a complaint through the Japanese consulate in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata saying she had been staying in a Budget hotel in the city in November when three local men who spoke Japanese befriended her and took her to the seaside resort of Digha in the state of West Bengal.

According to Kolkata Police, she said they had robbed her of 76,000 rupees (US$1200) using her ATM card, and then taken her to Bodh Gaya, a ma-

jor Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist centre in the eastern state of Bihar.

There, she alleged that two more men joined them and raped her. “We have arrested three people from Kolkata and two from Gaya in Bihar in connection with the incident,” said Pallav Kanti Ghosh, a senior Police official in Kolkata.

He said two of them had been charged with gangrape. The incident has again turned the spotlight on the safety of women in the world’s largest democracy.

Millions of Indians took to the streets in 2012, after a medical student was gangraped and killed in New Delhi, to demand official action to reduce the number of assaults on women. (Reuters)

Caricom urged to recommit to integration movement

Outgoing Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman Gaston Browne says regional countries should recommit themselves to strengthening the integration movement in 2015, as the Caribbean emerges from 2014, “an exacting year”.

Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who is being replaced by his Bahamas counterpart, Perry Christie, said in a New Year’s message that the difficulties with which governments and the people have been confronted in 2014 “demanded strength of character and resilience which, to our credit, we have demonstrated”.

“The lingering effects of the global economic and financial crises, heavy debt burdens, high unemployment and low growth have had a negative impact on our lives and our standard of living,” he said.

“However, as a Region we have put our heads together to seek solutions to the problems and identify strategies to pursue which would put us on a path to growth and development and, importantly, create jobs,” added Browne.

He said that Caricom’s first-ever Five-Year Strategic Plan is yet another example of how the Region has been able time and again, to find its own solutions to overcome its problems.

“From CARIFTA to Common Market to Single Market and Economy, we have made economic strides. Through CXC, PANCAP and CDEMA we have successfully devised our own solutions to education, health and di-

saster management issues.

“Our regional security apparatus has served us with distinction. We have proven beyond a doubt that we are capable of devising appropriate measures to help ourselves, he said.

Prime Minister Browne said that those examples are also a clear indication that the region’s best efforts result from actions as an integrated unit.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Libyan on trial over US embassy attacks dies UK Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey in critical condition

ALibyan charged over the 1998 alQaeda bombings of US embassies in East Africa has died, days before he was to stand trial in New York, his lawyer said.

Abu Anas al-Liby, 50, was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s mostwanted list with a US$5 million bounty on his head when he was captured by US troops in the Libyan capital Tripoli in October 2013.

He and Saudi busi-

nessman Khalid al-Fawwaz were due to stand trial on January 12 over the attacks in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people and wounded more than 5000.

But al-Liby, a computer expert, died at a hospital in the New York area on Friday, his lawyer Bernard Kleinman told The Washington Post , saying the health of his client – who had advanced liver cancer – had deteriorated significantly in the last month.

Liby and Fawwaz both previously pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges. A third suspect, Egyptian Adel Abdel Bary, last year pleaded guilty to playing a role in the 1998 attacks.

Liby, who also suffered from Hepatitis C, told a federal court in Manhattan in October that he had been on hunger strike when questioned by FBI agents –during which he made an incriminating statement.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ABritish nurse who was diagnosed with Ebola after returning from Sierra Leone is now in a critical condition, the London hospital treating her has said.

The Royal Free Hospital said it was “sorry to announce that the condition of Pauline Cafferkey has gradually deteriorated over the past two days”. Cafferkey, from South Lanarkshire, was given an experimental anti-viral drug and blood from disease survivors.

Meanwhile a patient in Swindon is currently be-

ing tested for Ebola. Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed it was testing an individual with a history of travel to west Africa as a “precautionary measure” – but said those using the hospital should not be concerned.

Cafferkey, a public health nurse, was diagnosed with Ebola in December after volunteering with Save the Children in Sierra Leone. On Saturday Prime Minister David Cameron said on Twitter: “My thoughts and

prayers are with Nurse Pauline Cafferkey who is in a critical condition with Ebola.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also expressed his concern, adding: “I know Dr Mike Jacobs and his team at the Royal Free Hospital are working tirelessly to provide her with the best possible care.”

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “My thoughts are with Pauline and her family at this extremely difficult time. Thanks to all who are caring for her.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Bodies of the victims are being flown back to Surabaya after being recovered from the Java Sea

(Left to right) Perry Christie takes over chairmanship of Caricom. Gaston Browne... "we have put our heads together to seek solutions to the problems and identify strategies"

President urges use of renewable energy

– to combat unpredictable fuel prices internationally

BY ERICA WILLIAMS

In light of the recent fluc-

tuations of gas prices internationally, President Donald Ramotar recently made the suggestion that Guyana look seriously at the alternative of utilising renewable energy.

The Head of State explained that that type of energy will help safeguard Guyana against the effects of the price of gas on the international market. “We need to look at using renewable energy because the price of fuel is unpredictable internationally,” Ramotar said.

He added that at times, the cost for fuel is exorbitant while at other times the cost falls significantly. It was previously reported that over the last month, the price for crude oil on the international market has continuous decreased.

“We want to be in a position where we can anticipate prices better and look at other alternative forms of energy in this society,” President Ramotar said.

President Ramotar further explained that Guyana has the ideal climate for

the use of renewable energy, namely hydro electricity and solar electricity. “When I say these things, the technical people tell me they have to do studies but I know you don’t have to be very bright to know that you are facing the Atlantic and can get a hell of a lot of breeze.”

He added that in European countries, the sunlight is not readily seen and nevertheless, these countries use renewable energy such as hydro-power and solar energy, “so why can’t we do the same?” he questioned.

Renewable energy a reality

President Ramotar is also adamant that the use of renewable energy will become a reality during his second term in office. He explained via a telephone interview with Guyana Times that Norway has transferred US$80 million into the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) which will be used as Guyana’s cash contribution to the Amaila Falls Hydro-Power Project.

“This has given me the confidence that even if we use different investors, the project will still stand,”

Ramotar said.

The move by the IDB to continue forward with their investment is a show of confidence in the project, President Ramotar said. He reiterated the need for the project and the purpose it will serve to the Guyanese people.

He explained that large amounts of monies expended by the Government to the Guyana Power and Light will be invested in the people of Guyana instead, thus boosting development.

Issues of development in Guyana, such as the Amaila Falls project and the Specialty Hospital among others are what he passionately wants to see materalise. Ramotar expressed his frustration at the present high cost for electricity and said hydro power will also ensure the availability of a more reliable and cheaper power supply.

With the realisation of this project, $9 billion in electricity subsidies and $40 billion in the cost of fuel is expected to be saved. Electricity produced by the Amaila Falls project will be distributed to Georgetown and Linden.

Sophia residents satisfied with new roads

“Smooth ride”, “no difficulty”,” less mechanic money”, “no mo’ long walking” – these were some of the phrases used by residents and commuters from the Sophia, Greater Georgetown area, since the roads were rehabilitated during the holiday season.

The access road to the various ‘Fields’, known as “stem-roads”, underwent major maintenance through works executed by the Public Works Ministry, since the community is not managed by a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). The roads were previously graded and the materials would often wash away whenever it rains but this has changed with the tarring of the roads.

Contractors worked throughout December so as to ensure that by 2015 the roads were completed or at least a significant portion of the job is finish before the New Year.

As residents step out of their homes, smiles can be seen on their faces while the minibus and taxi drivers drive comfortably without worrying about potholes or anything that would cause damage to their vehicles.

The residents are especially more pleased with this since transportation is more easily accessible now. Guyana Times spoke with some of the residents who reside at the back of Sophia and would have experienced difficulties in getting transportation.

Keesha Gonsalves told this publication that “It use to be hell, I use to had to wait long, long on one bus and sometimes when de bus reach down at the back hey, it full”. Another resident, Sharmilla Thomas, stated that the roads were so bad that after a certain hour, the minibus drivers refused to drive in the field and diverted through other parts of the community.

Some of the minibus drivers also spoke with this newspaper and expressed their delight with the works done. Winston (only

name given), explained that he has been driving the C Field route for the past six years and is very happy for the rehabilitated roads. “I had to buy another bus because the road before damaged every possible part of my bus, but only God knows how happy I am with the new road,” the relieved driver said.

Another bus driver, who identified himself as Mike, indicated that he would normally drive the B Field route and would usually help out the C Field persons. He said “this is a really good of the Government; I will have less mechanic money to spend.”

With this step taken by the Ministry, the residents of Sophia and other commuters are satisfied. Persons residing in the A, D and C Fields are pleased and thankful for the work that the Public Works Ministry has done. However, those residents from further down in Sophia, where the roads have not yet been done, are anxiously awaiting the commencement of works.

CGX gives back to top performing Providence, Covent Garden students –

makes donation to Tina Insanally Foundation

In keeping with its social responsibility outreach programme and promoting education amongst Guyana’s younger generation, CGX Energy Inc at a lunch reception at the Providence Primary School, East Bank Demerara, rewarded the top performers of the Providence Primary and Covent Garden Secondary Schools with Samsung Galaxy Tablets.

Additionally, CGX Energy embarked on another project where they donated US$16,000 to the Providence Primary School to build a lunch room and vendors’ canteen facility and $400,000 to the Tina Insanally Foundation.

During the simple ceremony on Saturday, the top performers, their parents, and other residents of the community were urged to make education the key achievement in their lives.

Parents were specifically told to encourage their children to further their education and not set out to seek jobs immediately after completing their secondary school.

Additionally, the children were encouraged to use their brand new electronic devices to broaden their horizons and widen their minds about the possibilities that exist for them after secondary school.

Registrar of Companies

Azeena Baksh charged parents to invest just a little more money, time and confidence in their children’s edu-

cation.

She explained that for females residing in the country areas, complications can arise when they request to head out to Georgetown to study at the University of Guyana as parents may believe they will indulge in immoral behaviours.

However, Baksh encouraged parents to have trust in their children and motivate them to pursue their academic career.

Meanwhile, Providence Secondary School also received a whooping sum of money which will go towards constructing a canteen facility and lunch room to improve the school for the children.

Being a former resident of Providence and also a past student of the school, CoChairman of CGX Energy Suresh Narine noted that the Providence Primary has definitely served the East Bank communities throughout the years.

He reasoned that they should therefore be awarded for the impact they made on people’s lives.

Providence Primary School was also previously equipped with an Information Technology Laboratory, compliments of the company.

CGX Energy Inc. continuously funds the maintenance of the labs, supply of ink for the printers and supply of the internet bills.

Meanwhile, the Tina Insanally Foundation received a cheque of $400,000

from CGX Energy. The Tina Insanally Foundation uses it proceeds to teach underprivileged children and orphanages to play musical instruments.

Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul thanked CGX Energy Inc for its generous contributions to moulding the younger generation of Guyanese. He acknowledged that CGX spends heavily in giving back to communities despite the fact that they have so far been unsuccessful in their exploration.

“They continue to do things which touch people’s lives,” Minister Gopaul commented.

He further commented on the tremendous progress Government has made in the education sector, which resulted in significant progress throughout the years such as Guyanese scoring top positions at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Counsel (CSEC). Also speaking at the event was the Director of Conservation International David Singh, who is also a part of the Providence “alumni”. He urged the students to focus on making their primary school life memorable while at the same time remaining focused on their education.

He noted that education does not mean who writes the best composition, but it is who demonstrates the greatest responsibility.

Three Muslim scholars return from South Africa

Three Muslim scholars who were selected to go to South Africa to further their education in science recently returned to Guyana after a rigorous one year programme.

This is according to a release from the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), which on Saturday said that the scholarships were made possible as a part of collaboration with the AlMadina Institute in South Africa.

The Guyanese students, Momin Ali Sugrim, Mohamed Iqbaul Faroude Khan and Sheriff Haniff were involved in a one year intense program which saw a wide range of topics being covered mainly in the

field of science of Islamic Knowledge as well as practical skills in leadership, communication research.

The program which was tutored by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad bin Yahya alHusayni al-Ninowy saw the students benefiting from classical knowledge of the pure Quaran and authentic sunnah within the modern context that we live in.

Meanwhile, students from different countries were also invited to a new approach of learning Islam in a warm environment. Students also benefited from Knowledge from acclaimed scholars from South Africa and the United States of America.

According to the release from CIOG the stu -

dents were able to benefit from a solid foundation in the core subjects which will increase them in knowledge, certainty and conviction, purify your hearts and which will enhance their contributions to society.

In addition, the students were also exposed to community work and leadership opportunities to develop their skills in teaching, public speaking, writing and service to humanity. After successfully completed the program they were then awarded with Ijazah certificate. The three scholars were selected from Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice and will now be attached to the education department of the CIOG.

CGX Energy Co-Chairman Suresh Narine and students posing with the Samsung Galaxy Tablets

The new and repaired C Field road in Sophia, Greater Georgetown

President Donald Ramotar in conversation with former President Bharrat Jagdeo at Palm Court. Also in pic are Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali and former Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad

President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and his wife Yvonne Hinds along with Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips and his wife looking at the spectacular fireworks on display by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)

Hundreds of Guyanese turned up at the Kitty Seawall to watch the GDF fireworks

Ushering in the New Year partying in Georgetown

Looking all glamorous for the beginning of the New Year

These two ladies were getting their groove on at an Old Year's night party

Many flocked the Kitty Seawall to get a glimpse of the fireworks moments after the New Year

President Donald Ramotar with a guest at the Sleep-Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Bar on Old Year's Night

Sangakkara, Chandimal lead SL fight

Afighting half-century from Kumar Sangakkara and his unbeaten sixth-wicket stand with Dinesh Chandimal kept New Zealand’s bowlers at bay on the second morning. Sangakkara and Chandimal knew they had to survive an opening burst from Southee and Boult to get any closer to New Zealand’s total. It was Boult who had dismissed Sangakkara in both innings in Christchurch with full and away-swinging deliveries, and he served a similar wake-up call to the batsman first ball, squaring up the batsman. But Sangakkara tightened the game, scoring just two boundaries in the session and helped Sri Lanka come unscathed.

For New Zealand, the first objective for the second day was straightforward - break the stand between Sangakkara and Chandimal, and expose the tail to its seamers - but not simple. Sangakkara’s pedigree aside, even Chandimal has in the past shown a stomach for fight in overseas Tests. Moreover, the ball was 25 overs old and there was no overhead cloud cover, making the conditions

seemingly appear relatively easier for batsmen - relative being the keyword - than they had been on the first day. Still, New Zealand’s

seamers and even the spinner generated enough from the pitch to keep the batsmen alert. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand 1st innings

TWM Latham c †Jayawardene b Lakmal 6

HD Rutherfordc †Jayawardene

b Pradeep 37

KS Williamson b Prasad 69

LRPL Taylor b Pradeep 35

BB McCullum* b Lakmal 0 JDS Neesham c †Jayawardene

b Pradeep 15

BJ Watling† c Chandimal b Mathews 11

MD Craig c Mathews b Lakmal 7

DAJ Bracewell b Prasad 16

TG Southee c Sangakkara

b Pradeep 0

TA Boult not out 16

Extras (lb 1, w 3, nb 5) 9

Total (all out; 55.1 overs; 269 mins) 221

Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Latham, 7.1 ov), 2-62 (Rutherford, 16.6 ov), 3-141 (Taylor, 32.5 ov), 4-142 (McCullum, 33.6 ov), 5-162 (Neesham, 38.4 ov), 6-181 (Watling, 43.6 ov), 7-182 (Williamson, 44.5 ov), 8-194 (Craig, 49.6 ov), 9-195 (Southee, 50.3 ov), 10221 (Bracewell, 55.1 ov)

Bowling: RAS Lakmal (17-2-

71-3); N Pradeep (16-0-634); KTGD Prasad (11.1-1-502); AD Mathews (9-3-29-1);

HMRKB Herath (2-0-7-0)

Sri Lanka 1st innings

FDM Karunaratne c Neesham b Boult 16

JK Silva b Bracewell 5

KC Sangakkara not out 66

HDRL Thirimanne c McCullum b Bracewell 0

AD Mathews*c †Watling b Southee 15

HAPW Jayawardene† c Neesham b Bracewell 6

LD Chandimal not out 45

Extras (lb 2, w 2, nb 2) 6

Total (5 wickets; 54 overs) 159

To bat: HMRKB Herath, KTGD Prasad, N Pradeep, RAS Lakmal

Fall of wickets: 1-18

(Karunaratne, 8.1 ov), 2-25 (Silva, 11.3 ov), 3-29 (Thirimanne, 13.2 ov), 4-58 (Mathews, 20.3 ov), 5-78 (Jayawardene, 25.4 ov)

Bowling: TA Boult (13-3-291); TG Southee (17-3-541); DAJ Bracewell (17-2-513); JDS Neesham (4-0-13-0); MD Craig (3-1-10-0)

Josiah-Tanner starts year on a high

US-based Guyanese distance athlete

Euleen JosiahTanner had a successful start to her 2015 season with a win at the Red Nose Half Marathon on Saturday morning in Columbus, Georgia.

Josiah-Tanner who is one of Guyana’s top distance athletes record -

ed a time of one hour, 27 minutes, 54 seconds to win the event ahead of Patricia Coppel (1:29:37s) and Kristie Poole (1:29:49s).

“It’s my first event of the year and I’m pretty happy with the results, it was a bit cold along with some rain but it was a good race. I’m doing a lot

of long runs and I haven’t started speed training as yet, so it was a decent outing,” Josiah-Tanner told Guyana Times Sport.

Josiah-Tanner who noted that she felt “great” after the race will race again on January 25 in the Silver Comet 10k road race. (Treiston Joseph)

Taylor-made for women’s cricket

It has been 38 years since a woman cricketer won the Sportswoman of the Year award and that trend will likely continue despite the wonderful season Stafanie Taylor had for the West Indies team.

In 1976, female cricketing legend Vivalyn LattyScott won the prestigious award and is actually the last non-track and field person to win for over three decades.

The odds are certainly against Taylor being crowned RJR National Sportswoman of the Year, but she remains a worthy contender.

Taylor, 23, who made her international debut for the West Indies as a 17-year-old, led the West Indies Women to the semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh last March where they lost to eventual champions Australia.

The Spanish Town native scored 153 runs from four matches with a topscore of 56 not out and finished with an average of 51 per cent.

Taylor, who was the first West Indian female cricketer to win the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2011, hit 15 fours and two sixes to end with the impressive strike rate of 108.51.

Taylor scored 56 with a strike rate of 124 per cent as West Indies defeated England by nine runs in their first Group A match. West Indies had made 1337 and restricted England Ladies to 124-9.

Taylor missed West Indies’ second match where they defeated Bangladesh by 36 runs, but returned for

the third match hitting 56 not out as West Indies beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets with 30 balls remaining.

Sri Lanka had struggled to 84 and Taylor stroked seven fours from 45 balls in a 56-minute stay at the crease to wrap up an easy victory.

Taylor was dismissed for 17 as West Indies lost to India in their final group match and again to defending champion Australia in the semi-final, chasing 141 for victory.

Taylor was promoted to the opening spot and she was first dismissed being run out for 24 with the score on 43 in the eighth over as West Indies pressed for victory. They would eventually lose by eight runs, making 132-4.

But Taylor’s effort was recognised as she was one of four persons nominated for the 2014 ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year and ICC Women’s T20 Cricketer

of the Year.

Taylor, a two-time winner of the Women’s Cricketer of the Year Award and considered one of the best women’s cricketers in the world for the past four years, was up against Indian women’s team skipper Mithali Raj; England’s women’s captain Charlotte Edwards, winner in 2008; England wicketkeeper/batter Sarah Taylor, who eventually got the nod in the ODI Cricketer of the Year. Meg Lanning of Australia won the Women’s T20 Cricketer of the Year.

Earlier in the year, Taylor led Jamaica to victory in the regional one-day competition to retain their title.

Taylor is currently the top-ranked all-rounder in the ODI version of the game and fifth in batting. She is seventh for batting and fourth among all-rounders in the Women’s T20 rankings. (Jamaica Observer)

Johnson hails Kohli ahead of fourth Test

Australia fast bowler

Mitchell Johnson believes new full-time India Test captain Virat Kohli, who hes clashed with repeatedly during the first three matches of the four-Test series, will bring a new, aggressive approach to the way India plays cricket.

Kohli and Johnson have had frequent run-ins in the series which Australia has clinched with wins in the opening two matches at Adelaide and Brisbane. But Johnson said Friday he expects Kohlis in your face approach to the game will spill over to his captaincy.

Following Mahendra

Singh Dhonis surprise decision to retire from Test cricket after the drawn Test earlier this week at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Kohli assumed the full-time captaincy ahead of the final Test in Sydney beginning Tuesday.

“It could be quite interesting because they’re not known for that aggressive type of play,” Johnson said yesterday. “But ever since I’ve seen him play cricket, I’ve always seen him pretty fiery.”

“So hell definitely be an aggressive type of captain I think in the way he sets fields, and I think you’ll see a lot of difference from

what Dhoni did. He is a fierce competitor and he really does like to get involved in it all.”

Kohli has been a master batsman in this series, scoring 499 runs at an average of 83.13 in three Tests.

“It doesn’t matter who he plays against, he plays in your face and that is how he likes to play the game, Johnson said.

Virat’s just been telling us how many runs hes scored and we’ve just been saying were two-nil up in the series so thats pretty much it. It’s always been part of the game and always will be.” (Jamaica Gleaner)

Kumar Sangakkara hit just two boundaries in the first session

Stafanie Taylor

Convicted rapist not allowed to resume career overseas

Convicted rapist Ched Evans will not be allowed to resume his career overseas, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.

Evans left prison in October after serving half of a five-year term for raping a woman in a hotel in May 2011.

On Friday, Maltese side Hibernians said they wanted to sign the Wales international striker, 26, on a deal until the end of the season.

But an MoJ spokesperson said strict conditions imposed on sex offenders “effectively rules out working abroad”.

The spokesperson added: “We are determined to have one of the toughest regimes in the world for managing sex offenders, to stop them reoffending and to protect victims.

“Probation officers must give permission for sex offenders on licence to take up new jobs and this includes ensuring they hold regular face to face meetings - this

effectively rules out working abroad.

“The offenders will also be subject to strict conditions such as exclusion zones, non-contact orders and having to attend sex offender treatment programmes.”

Clarification of the MoJ’s stance comes amid disputed reports that Evans had been offered the chance to play for Hibernians.

The Maltese club’s vicepresident Stephen Vaughan said an offer had been made to the ex-Sheffield United striker, but on Saturday a spokesman for Evans denied that claim.

“There have been numerous false stories, and stories of which Ched knows nothing about, of which this is one,” Evans’s spokesman said.

Vaughan had said on Friday: “We’ve spoken to his agent and have offered a deal from now until the end of the season.”

Hibernians are 15 points clear at the top of Malta’s domestic league, having

dropped only two points in 16 games.

The champions of Malta will enter next season’s Champions League at the second qualifying round.

Evans played for Sheffield United at the time of his conviction and, after his release from prison, was given permission to use the League One club’s training facilities.

The Blades later retracted their offer after strong opposition from some supporters and club patrons.

More than 165,000 people signed a petition opposing Evans’s possible re-employment by the Yorkshire club.

Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore stated in December he would like to sign the forward before the Football League’s bottom club ruled out any such move.

Evans maintains his innocence, and an investigation into his conviction by the Criminal Cases Review Commission is under way.

WICB should go public

With a huge bill facing the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) due to the aborted tour of India, Caribbean citizens are worried that their leaders would dip into their taxpayers fund to bail out the regional body.

Initially the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr Ralph Gonzalves said he would look to seek Caricom’s help with the problems facing the WICB but quickly indicated that he was not going to ask the governments of the region to foot the bill.

In between his call and explanation citizens started to make noise from Woodford Square in Portof-Spain, across to Oistins Fish Market in Barbados right down to Stabroek Market in Georgetown. With their nerves now calm because of the fact that no one has continued to push the idea of a government bailout, they are still concerned of the fact that the board has this bill facing them.

Sometimes good comes out of a bad situation and I am thinking that the Board should go public—sell shares and allow people to invest. The money accrued from this can go towards assisting with settling the bill and more importantly it makes the WICB accountable to the investors.

Many years ago Brian Lara had made mention of this and used the Green Bay Packers as an example but the idea fell on deaf ears. Time and time again you hear people criticising the board and saying that they are doing what they want. Well I hold no brief for anyone but would like to add that the guys at

the board have been trying their best to serve the game. What you do in a situation like having investors is holding these guys accountable for their actions. It would mean that they now become paid employees of the board instead of volunteering their services and this would ensure that they give top value.

I am not suggesting that the directors of the board are money hungry men. What I am saying is that we all have to live and while these guys carry about their day to day work in order to survive financially, they have to find time in between to serve West Indies cricket. What you do now is to pay them well and allow them to focus on the job of taking West Indies cricket forward. Right now you have people on the different committees that are volunteering their services and sometimes we look to criticise them for untimely delivery.

Personally I think that the marketing committee of the WICB can do a lot more. We have the Nagico Super50 series starting here in two weeks time and they seem to be depending on the media to project the series. We are not seeing advertisements about the place, so that an awareness of the tournament is achieved. I remember last year visiting Dharamshala for the fourth and what was to be final ODI of the ill-fated West Indies versus India series. This was just a simple limited overs match during a bi-lateral series and I was amazed at the degree of advertising that was taking place. There were huge billboards all over the place, adver-

tisements on the television and even flyers at the various food joints. We keep on looking at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and saying that they are well off and they control cricket. I took the opportunity to observe close at hand their dealings when it comes to cricket administration and let me tell you, we will do well to follow them. When you visit India to look at, or in my case cover cricket, you are greeted with professionalism. In a press box of over 100 journalists, everyone is taken care of, there is a structure in place to do things and do it properly yet we in the region fall down when we have even three journalists in the press box.

We continue to make the call for professionalism from our players but are our administrators carrying our their duties professionally? Trust me, if we decide to go the way having men financially invest in the WICB, not as sponsors but as owners, professionalism is sure to become the order of the day. Our cricket has hit rock bottom at the moment and the only way we can go is up. Hard tough decisions need to be taken and probably we have gotten to this state in order to make the right changes in our cricket to once again command the respect of the cricketing world. As it is right now we are the laughing stock on and off the field and as one of my journalist friend from Dhaka recently told me, Bangladesh will soon pass us on the pecking order because they are starting to handle their cricket like big business. (Trinidad Guardian)

Steven Gerrard: Fewer Liverpool starts reason for MLS switch

Liverpool captain

Steven Gerrard says being told he will start fewer games is the main reason he has decided to leave Anfield for America in the summer.

Gerrard will join a Major League Soccer (MLS) club at the end of the season.

The midfielder, 34, told Liverpool’s website: “The key conversation was when the manager sat me down and said it was time to manage my games.

“It was a very difficult conversation to have. I’m bright enough to realise it is the right thing. I accept it.”

Gerrard has started 17 of Liverpool’s 20 league games this season. Only Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have started more.

But the former England skipper had to deny rumours of a rift with boss Brendan Rodgers after being omitted from the Reds’ side which beat Stoke in November - on the 16th anniversary of his debut for the club.

Gerrard added: “When

you’ve been a starter and a mainstay in the team for such a long time... I had an idea the conversation was going to come at some time, but it was a painful conversation.”

MLS club Los Angeles Galaxy have been mooted as a possible destination for the former England skipper, but Gerrard said he is yet to agree terms with a club.

“I’m not over the line with any team yet. I’m close and as soon as I know, I’ll make the announcement,” he said.

A clearly emotional Gerrard said he had been “blown away” by the reaction to the news that he is to end his long association with Liverpool.

“I can’t read much of the reaction at the moment. I keep switching the TV over,” he said.

“I didn’t realise it would be as big as this. It’s very flattering and I’m very humbled by it. “

He also expressed regret that his association with Rodgers had not begun earlier.

“I wish I’d met Brendan when I was 24 because I think I’d be sitting here talking about a lot of titles that we’d won together,” he said.

“Brendan came into this club when I was 32 years

Frank Lampard in the MLS. Lampard, 36, left Chelsea last year to join New York City FC, but has been playing for their co-owners Manchester City, where he will stay until the end of this

“These next six months are a very important period for myself and the team,” he said. “I’d love to leave this team with a top-four finish.”

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has said

Steven Gerrard

of age and it’s a shame that relationship didn’t start 10 years ago.”

Gerrard could join his former England team-mate

season.

Gerrard stressed that he is fully focused on doing his best for Liverpool for the remainder of the season.

the club should have made more of an effort to keep Gerrard.

“Steven is not someone who would be comforta-

ble just sitting on the bench and, in that sense, he has made the right decision,” Carragher wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

“Still, I cannot help feeling Liverpool’s hierarchy should have done more to ensure he remained at Anfield.”

Rodgers said he had wanted Gerrard to stay, and that the midfielder wanted to carry on playing and was not ready to move into coaching.

Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Henderson says the club should aim to win the FA Cup this season to give Gerrard a fitting send-off.

The 24-year-old told BBC Football Focus: “That’d be nice for him because he deserves something like that for how good he’s been over so many years for Liverpool.

“That’s what we hope to achieve and it would be brilliant for us as a team and for him personally to get something in his last year.”

Gerrard’s 35th birthday falls on the day of the final at Wembley. (BBC Sport)

(BBC Sport)

Ched Evans

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Murray wins title after Djokovic withdraws in Abu Dhabi

Andy Murray won his first title of 2015 after Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Mubadala World Tennis Championship final in Abu Dhabi because of illness.

Djokovic, the world number one, said he was unfit to play ahead of the final of the exhibition event on Saturday.

“I’ve been sick today with a fever and I’m not fit to play,” said the Serb, who beat Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka 6-1 6-2 in the

semi-final.

The Australian Open gets under way in Melbourne on 19 January.

Djokovic’s withdrawal handed the Abu Dhabi title to Murray, who had looked in good form as he beat Feliciano Lopez in round one and then swept aside Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-0 in the semi-final on Friday.

Murray, 27, had revealed after that match that he felt pain in his left shoulder, but he was reassured by the results of a scan on Saturday.

“It’s fine,” he said. “There aren’t any tears, just soreness.”

After collecting the trophy, Murray confirmed that he would fly to Perth on Saturday and continue his build-up to the Australian Open at next week’s Hopman Cup.

The Scot will team up with Heather Watson to represent Great Britain at the mixed team event, with their opening match against France on Monday.

Windies, SA 3rd Test...

He perseveres throughout these long spells as if fatigue will not be long coming and only an iron will is keeping him going, seesawing through the crease slightly stiffly as if springing out of a rocking chair in search of his favourite slippers.

South Africa lost a wicket in each session. The morning went swimmingly as they took slightly less than ten overs to take the last four West Indies wickets as they fell for 329, the one blot on the landscape when Dean Elgar succumbed to the penultimate ball of the session, lbw working to leg as Jason Holder produced a big inducker from around the wicket.

ish ball, felt like a different proposition. Steyn sensed some quick pickings, finishing with four wickets as West Indies opted for an enterprising finale to their innings, thwarted in his search for another five-for by a deserved intervention by Morne Morkel, who had bowled well on the first day without reward.

An exploratory over from Simon Harmer was an unexpected prelude, designed for Dale Steyn to switch ends but, that dispensed with, the threat was more physical. 33 were rattled up in 25

balls. Blackwood, 45 not out overnight, secured his halfcentury before Steyn had him lbw with a fullish delivery. Blackwood reviewed to no avail. Holder, having got away with a pull against Vernon Philander, took on the more challenging task of pulling Steyn and scythed a catch to mid on. Morkel caught the mood: another short ball, an uncontrolled flick of his hips and Jerome Taylor picked out Steyn, moving back at long leg. It all ended with Benn pushing Morkel low to mid off. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

10-329 (Benn, 99.5 ov)

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A dryer-than-normal Newlands surface gave West Indies encouragement, but there were few alarms, one painful rap on the glove for Elgar when Jerome Taylor found some uneven bounce proving to be a harbinger of well, not much at all really. But South Africa have to bat last on this surface and, if West Indies can keep them within 50 runs on first innings they would remain very much in the game as they seek a victory in this third Test to pull back to 1-1 in the series.

If six down for 276 overnight could be presented as a job well done for West Indies, as batsmen remember the labours undergone, six down the following morning with Steyn steaming in with a new-

out 4 Extras (lb 5,

ov), 4-162 (Samuels, 51.1 ov), 5-172 (Chanderpaul, 56.1 ov), 6-266 (Ramdin, 85.2 ov), 7-299 (Blackwood, 94.1 ov), 8-316 (Holder, 96.3 ov), 9-319 (Taylor, 97.1 ov),

Bowling: DW Steyn (25-6-784); VD Philander (19-2-73-0); M Morkel (19.5-1-83-2); SR Harmer (26-5-71-3); S van Zyl (8-2-13-1); D Elgar (2-0-6-0) South Africa 1st innings AN Petersen run out (Blackwood) 42

(BBC Sport)

Andy Murray lifts his trophy after being awarded the win

Moakan voted Berbice’s Umpire of the Year

– Latiff honoured by BUA

Berbice Umpire Imran Moakan was voted Berbice’s Umpire of the Year by the Berbice Umpire Association (BUA) when the award ceremony was held on Friday at the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters in New Amsterdam.

Moakan ascended to the senior regional level in 2014 and acted as the stand-by umpire in the match between Guyana and the Windward Islands at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Mokan is considered the leading emerging umpire in Berbice from a field of four, who have the potential to become international umpires.

Meanwhile, Raffik Latiff was honoured for his dedicated service to cricket umpiring in Berbice along with Roshan Moakan for his dedicated service to cricket umpiring and administration in Berbice cricket as well as umpiring at the local and regional (West Indies) levels.

Latiff who started his career in 1974 and qualified

as an umpire on December 16, 1991, says his most memorable moment in officiating was in 1978 when Guyana faced Barbados at the Canje ground.

“Lance Gibbs was playing for Barbados and Gary Sobers was playing for Guyana. With two legends in one game, I will always remember standing in the middle during that game,” he told Guyana Times Sport

On the flip side of the coin, the umpire says his most disappointing period as an umpire was in 2013 due to a one-year suspen-

sion.

The aged and experienced umpire noted that if he had to do it again he would ensure that umpires are exposed to more training, noting that training is lacking among the current batch of umpires.

During his tenure as an umpire, Latiff has successfully trained 16 umpires. He is of the view that there are not enough qualified umpires in Guyana.

“In the 70’s we used to fight to get matches to umpire. Now today because we do not have many umpires

Johnson doubtful for Aussies’ 4th Test

Australia’s spearhead Mitchell Johnson is in doubt for the fourth Test against India after complaining of hamstring soreness.

Johnson did not travel to the SCG on Saturday for Australia’s first training session following a heavy workload in the first three Tests of the summer, and will have his hamstring assessed closer to the start of the match.

However, the presence of Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle in the home side’s squad for the fourth Test provides plenty of options for the selectors at a time when they may also be conscious of granting Johnson some rest to ensure he is fresh ahead of the World Cup.

Earlier this week, Johnson said he would be talking to the captain Steven Smith and the coach Darren Lehmann about bowling shorter spells in Sydney, having endured longer stints on unresponsive pitches in Adelaide and Melbourne. Johnson’s pace has been down this summer, another indicator he may be in need of a rest.

Starc is eager for another chance, something that would maintain his on again/off again status in the Test team - he has not

played consecutive Tests since the 2013 India tour.

“It depends on the fitness levels of other blokes and how they pulled up from last week,” Starc said. “I’ll always prepare to play, and I feel like the ball’s coming out well from the last two BBL games, I’ll keep doing the same and preparing

to go. It comes back to any cricket that I play, to keep taking wickets and preparing the best I can.”

Having made his debut in November 2011 against New Zealand, Starc is still working on finding the consistency of skill required to be a threat in Test matches. He has fared better in ODIs

around, one is certain that if there is a competition, you will get a few matches…” the veteran umpire related.

According to Latiff, since more cricket is being played now, a larger pool of umpires should be available.

Currently Latiff works as an umpire for matches organised by the BCB, as well as an umpire in the USA for the Inter-county League there.

While trying to impart some of his knowledge and experience as an umpire, Latiff feels many young umpires do not value his expe-

rience. “Plenty of the young umpires don’t like to be corrected,” Latiff highlighted. After being qualified in 1991, Latiff officiated in four four-day regional matches, five one-day regional matches and one ODI between the West Indies and New Zealand at the Bourda Cricket ground in 1997.

On the local level he has umpired 13 Senior Intercounty four-day matches and 17 Senior Inter-county one-day matches. His first game as an umpire was in 1974 when Mental Cricket Club played Albion.

Letter to the Sport Editor

A challenge for basketball stakeholders for 2015

Dear Editor,

My 2015 wish for Guyana Basketball is for the stakeholders and shareholders to come together for the sole purpose of growing and developing this beautiful sport.

My challenge to the Basketball Federation is to re-engage the heads of all basketball entities responsible for administrating, coaching and promoting this lovely sport with a goal of collectively agreeing on a common way forward.

reporters is topromote pre and post game interviews with coaches and players. This method will see more comprehensive reporting as well more confident players and coaches.

My challenge to the Coaching Association is to go into the schools and teach the game of basketball with the hope of inspiring more student athletes to want to become professional athletes and more well-rounded citizens.

and Twenty20 assignments, and said he benefited from having a set formula to bowl to.

“The amount of cricket I’ve played with the white ball means I’ve got that added confidence in my game and what I want to do whether its in four overs or 10 overs,” Starc said. “It comes back to playing more red ball cricket and stringing a few games together, which comes back to performing in games as well. I think in those four to 10 overs with the white ball I know my game really well.

“We all adjust differently but with four overs, T20 cricket’s done and dusted pretty quickly. It’s 24 balls to nail as best you can and I guess I know that side of my game really well and am happy with where that’s at. It’s more coming back to the red ball cricket and getting that consistency I need and that starts with my preparation this week.

“I don’t get the red ball in my hands too often these days, but it’s still a Kookaburra, so it’s still going to swing at the start and hopefully reverse somewhere towards the end. In my game it comes back to my accountability and getting that consistency out of myself.” (Cricinfo)

My challenge to the subassociations is to establish a framework that will ensure that rules, standards, transparency and integration are present in the administration of this lovely sport.

My challenge to the Guyana Basketball Official Council is to get more young people involved particularly school students who are interested in being a part of this lovely sport.

Provide stipend for them to cover travel expenses and refreshments for games attended. We need a bigger pool of officials (that is, Referees - Table Officials).

An urgent need for statisticians to be available with software application equipped to provide full statistical coverage of games at half time and at the end.

We need to move away from the idea that fouls and points are the only stats needed for a game. In addition to the above a game tape should be available by the official before the team next game. This cost should be transfer to the club requesting a copy.

It should also be noted that the game of basketball should not be perceived as an art but more of a science.

My challenge to independent promoters of this lovely sport is to give back to the sport in the form of partnership/donations to various needs withinthe basketball fraternity.

My challenge to the sport

Create a national code of conduct manual for players and coaches who wish to become players at the national level.

My challenge to players is to ensure that you strike a balance between your education and the time spent studying are playing the game. A basketball player that has an education has a far better chance of achieving his/her goals.

Set goals and believe in them, also surround yourself with people who will push you to become better. My Challenge to Sponsors is to invest into the sport with a strategic goal of partnering in developing this lovely sport.

A donation is well received but we need sponsors to be at games to offer feedback and interact with fans. Gather information on the ground that will help provide a platform for your company.

Last but not least our fans, for without you the game would not be the same: continue to show support and demand from us higher standards of this lovely game call basketball.

In all our dealing let us be aggressive and respectful of each other in the pursuit of achieving our goal for 2015.

Junior Andrew Hercules President, Guyana Amateur Basketball Coaching Association

Mitchell Johnson

Umpire Raffil Latiff (left) receives an award from Attorney Rahan Chandan

T20 has messed our cricket up – Lloyd

Former West Indies cap-

tain Clive Lloyd has said that West Indies cricket has been “messed up” by the T20 format, creating a situation where playing Tests for the country did not seem to be a paramount goal for players.

Speaking at the Annual New Year’s lecture in Cape Town, which is also hosting the third Test between South Africa and West Indies, Lloyd said that the ICC needed to be stronger and that the game could not be ruled by only three countries - a reference to the governance and financial restructuring of the ICC cricket’s governing body, which took place last year and was based on changes devised by the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB.

“They [the players] earn a good wage and that’s the situation that they have. They have the choice to play Test cricket or T20,” Lloyd, who is head of the West Indies selection panel, said. “We are small islands and if you get a whole host of money, you are

a king. This T20 competition has messed our cricket up.

“Someone like Andre Russell, I spoke to him only a month ago and said you can get into our Test side because you are one of the best allrounders in the world. A couple of weeks later he told me he has got a bad knee and could only play one-dayers. It’s such a waste that we have a guy who could be a great cricketer who is now not thinking of playing both formats. We have contracts, probably not as exorbitant as others, but they are getting good money. It doesn’t seem playing for our country is paramount where these players are concerned.

“I don’t think there is any cricketer who should strike for money now because they are well paid. We have to impart to our young people the importance of playing for your country. Money is a subsidiary of success.”

Lloyd, who has had stints as an international match referee and as chairman of the ICC’s cricket committee, said that the ICC should be

running the game and it was important for the governing body to work out a better system of revenue distribution for all countries. The revamp of the ICC last year, based on changes devised by the Indian, Australia

must be stronger. It should be like the FIFA or the IOC [International Olympic Committee] - very strong in the things they do. FIFA said when you kick the ball back to the goalkeeper he has got to kick it out. I don’t

and English boards, gave more influence to the three boards. Lloyd also stated that policies like the use of Decision Review System (DRS) should be unanimously followed.

“I agree that the ICC

see Italy and England and France saying we are not playing. We have one team playing without DRS. If we have something it has got to be globally done. Everybody has got to work together.

“We can’t have three

countries ruling cricket. It can’t be done. It comes back to money. I hope one day everything will come back to normal. I think the ICC should be running cricket. They should say to the highest bidder, television company to send out a tender - saying we want 5 million for so many Test matches for the next couple of years. That money should be distributed either on rankings or equally. That money can be used to run cricket properly. Players can be paid better. If we are saying Test cricket is the highest cricket you can play, you should be paid better. We all have to sit down and work out a better system for all countries.”

Lloyd said that the establishment of a national cricket fund, to aid retired cricketers, is imperative and the fund could be built through proceeds from one game of a Test series, or a percentage of television deals.

“In spite of the big contracts a few of our players receive for various T20 tournaments, we must recognise that these are only a few players and it is imperative that a national cricket fund be established,” he said. “We should play a game in every Test series and those proceeds should go to a fund for retired cricketers. When we have television deals, a percentage of that should go to the fund. There are quite a few people who played for their country and I think they should have some remuneration.” (Cricinfo)

Lloyd gave the example of West Indies, who could benefit from the distribution of TV revenues: “Where West Indies is concerned, we have a special case. We have to fly everywhere. We can’t drive anywhere. you can’t go by boat either. It’s expensive for West Indies to hold Test series. It’s in high season and we have to compete with that. We can’t fill the stadium. We don’t have the amount of people to do so. Television would help us out in that respect. We would just play cricket and we wouldn’t have any wranglings. We have a system.”

Ragnauth is GSSC Cricketer of the Year

Chandrika Ragnauth copped the Cricketer of the Year award when the Good Success Sports Club (GSSC) of Wakenaam, Essequibo, held its annual awards ceremony last Monday at Mustak Mohamed’s residence.

Ragnauth, who had a fine year with both bat and ball, also grabbed the Batsman of the Year prize, while offspinner Nazeer Mohamed landed the Bowler of the Year accolade.

Former National Under-15 player Imran Khan pocketed the Allrounder of the Year trophy.

Overseas-based friends donate US$450 to YWCC

Overseas-based friends of the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) handed over a total sum of US$450 to assist with the purchase of pitch covers which were stolen from the ground late last year.

In handing over the cash, Ramoo Singh said that group of friends has been following the progress of the club over the years and are happy to know that it has produced so many cricketers. Some even went on to play for the West Indies Under-19 team, with Shimron Hetmyer being the latest.

In response, club Treasurer/Secretary; Anil Beharry thanked the group of friends for their kind gesture and challenge Berbicians, especially residents of Canje, to follow suit.

Beharry said he was hurt and disappointed at the actions of a few hooligans in the area, but added quickly that such actions will not deter the club from moving forward.

The club Secretary re-

minded that the cricket venue is open to all and encouraged parents to send their children – both male and female – to join the club, free of charge.

The club is open to children of all ages, and has two qualified coaches – Hubern Evans and Kwesi Maltay. He thanked Ramoo Singh and friends for their generosity, adding that as soon as the

club raises the balance of the funds for the purchase of the covers, they will be replaced.

Beharry hinted that the club’s annual fundraiser, Mash Cup 2015 will be launched soon. The second division clubs in the Number 19/Canje area are asked to make contact with executive members of the Young Warriors Cricket Club.

Lokram Narine was voted the Most Improved Player of the Year, while the most discipline player prize went to Vickram Ramnarine.

Jaidat Persaud was recognised for his outstanding service rendered as the club’s Secretary. He served in this position for five years.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the GSSC,

Mustak Mohamed said the club stands financially strong despite some challenges.

He lauded the performances of the players and informed that the club reached the finals of three competitions in 2014.

Mohamed stated that the club is planning a tour to Trinidad and Tobago in

March, and a cricket coaching and education programme for young and aspiring cricketers in August. He thanked the members for their support in 2014 and called on the business community for more support, adding that there is need for more cricket to be played on the island, especially the longer version.

Clive Lloyd

Nazeer Mohamed

Chandrika Ragnauth

Ramoo Singh of the USA hands over the donation to Anil Beharry, Treasurer of the Young Warriors Cricket Club

Windies, SA 3rd Test well poised after day two

It was a languid day at Newlands. A decent crowd lolled contentedly for much of the time under blue skies and confidently awaited a position of South African dominance: if not today, maybe tomorrow, a few bottles of Castle hence. A dry, cracked surface only occasionally displayed the awkwardness that many anticipate later in the Test. It was the sort of day for Alviro Petersen to get his Test career on track; instead he found his own devils.

It looked as if Faf du Plessis drew Petersen into a misconceived single that caused his downfall, enquiring about a single to Jermaine Blackwood at backward point and agree-

ing to it with doubts already forming. But it was Petersen, the non-striker, who accepted it and he was still well short of his ground when Blackwood’s graceful throw struck the stumps. That left Petersen with only limited reward for a disciplined innings: 42 from 85 balls, an innings of undelivered promise in a Test full of them. In the Cape Town New Year’s Test two years ago, he made a century against New Zealand. He must have had visions of another one. Instead, he has three fifties in 26 knocks.

South Africa made two mistakes - and even one feels out of character for their top-order batsmen when they cloak themselves in the disciplines

of Test cricket, as natural an accoutrement for them as the cloud dressing Table Mountain, a cloud that gathered during the day and caused rain to end play prematurely with nine overs still unbowled.

Du Plessis, partial architect in Petersen’s downfall, will also wonder what he was playing at when he charged at the left-arm spin of Sulieman Benn and never got to grips with a wide delivery, leaving Denesh Ramdin with an age to complete the stumping.

For du Plessis to falter on 68 maintained the pattern of this Test in which six batsmen have been dismissed between 42 and 68, most of them carelessly.

Hashim Amla also has a

Sangakkara now fastest player to reach 12,000 Test runs

ri Lanka batsman

SKumar Sangakkara has become the fastest player to reach 12,000 runs in Test cricket - and only the fifth to reach the landmark.

The 37-year-old achieved the feat in his 224th Test innings, during his side’s second Test in New Zealand.

India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Australia’s

Ricky Ponting both needed 247 innings to surpass the mark.

Sangakkara’s 33 not out helped his side to 78-5 after the Kiwis were all out for 221 on day one in Wellington.

New Zealand lead the series 1-0 after an eightwicket win in Christchurch.

Sangakkara began his innings on 11,995 runs and

was given a standing ovation when he became the first Sri Lankan to reach 12,000 by knocking Trent Boult square for two.

Tendulkar (15,921), Ponting (13,378), South African Jacques Kallis (13,289) and India’s Rahul Dravid (13,288) are the only four players to have scored more Test runs than Sangakkara. (BBC Sport)

Kumar Sangakkara

half-century, but his is unbeaten and he is better designed than most to play the quintessential innings.

His presence in a rainabbreviated final session, firstly with du Plessis and then with AB de Villiers, guided South Africa to within 102 runs of West Indies’ first-innings 329: a conscientious commitment in the face of a solid West Indies bowling display towards what they hoped would eventually be a position of authority.

It was Benn, who bore much of the West Indies burden in the second half of the day, a big man varying his pace intelligently and finding occasional, if unstartling, turn.

continued on page 21

Pacquiao’s New Year’s resolution is to fight Mayweather

If Manny Pacquiao has his way, there will be a big announcement in 2015 and an even bigger event.

Maybe, just maybe, 2015 will be the year in which Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fight. They’ve been going back and forth verbally all month, with Mayweather challenging Pacquiao to a May 2 fight.

Pacquiao, in mid-December, warned Mayweather “don’t be a boxing humbug” on Twitter and, on the last day of the year, he followed it up with what might be called a New Year’s resolution on Twitter: “Let’s make fistory.”

Pacquiao really, really seems to want to fight Mayweather and seems to be banking on his rival's holiday spirit to help make such a mega-event happen.

The Filipino boxer/congressman sent out the tweet to Mayweather on Wednesday.

That came on the heels of this December 16 tweet, in which Pacquiao urged Mayweather not to be a scrooge during the Christmas season: “Don't

be a boxing humbug. Let's give the fans the fight they want. They have waited long enough."

Of course, these two have been going back and forth about this for years now, squabbling over things like money splits and drug testing, but the fight to end all fights has yet to materialize.

At this point, though, both fighters have gone on record saying they want to make it happen.

But just in case nothing happens as 2015 starts to unfold, Pacquiao needs to stick with the holiday-themed tweets.

He could tell Mayweather not to break the fans' hearts on Valentine's Day ... or threaten to kick Mayweather's ash at the beginning of Lent ... or say how egg-cited he'd be if they'd fight on Easter ... or say he won't leaf Mayweather alone till he agrees to fight on Arbor Day. If those don't work, nothing will, as Mayweather seems to be finding one excuse after another along the way. (Adapted from www.latimes.com and www. washingtonpost.com)

Jason Holder celebrates a wicket just before lunch

Manny Pacquiao, who beat Chris Algieri in November, wants to fight Floyd Mayweather in 2015