Guyana Times Daily

Economic growth continues unabated – Finance Minister

AFC’s call for Govt Mps to refuse parliamentary salary…

Idle AFC MPs should return salaries

By Michael younge

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister

Anil Nandlall on Saturday urged the Alliance for Change (AFC) to end its propagandistic talk and walk the walk as he rejected calls for Government parliamentarians to refuse their salaries from the National Assembly during the prorogation of Parliament.

On Friday, the AFC through its Executive Member and parliamentarian, Catherine Hughes issued a challenge to the Government parliamentarians to forego their salaries as the debate widens on the prorogation of Parliament and the fact that MPs are stilling receiving their salaries at the expense of tax payers while no work is being done within the 65 seat legislature.

“If the PPP is willing to

publicly state that they will refuse their salaries and payments as MPs, I am sure, I would be more than happy to follow them and I have a feeling that most of my fellow members of the AFC would be willing to do so”, she said, while speaking at a party press conference held at the Georgetown Club.

Another AFC Executive Member, Moses Nagamootoo

went further by calling on some key Government MPs and Ministers to be brave and donate their salaries to some “poor institution” during the period.

But Nandlall, speaking with Guyana Times from Trinidad and Tobago, said that he is not sure why the Alliance for Change is using the Government as a “barometer” on these matters.

“They have accused the Government of committing every wrong under the sun including making allegations of corruption against the government, accusing the Government of unconstitutionalities, labelling the Government as undemocratic, accusing the Government of acting unlawfully and the list goes on…” he reasoned.

He said that it was quite ironic for the AFC to now be using the Government as their measuring rod.

“Is it that they are say-

ing that if the Government stops acting corruptly, illegally and unconstitutionally (like the AFC is suggesting) only then they will stop doing the same”, he questioned as he sought to rationalise the party’s most recent call.

Questioned further on the issue, the AG remarked, “to my mind, they are accepting that they are acting wrongfully but are now say-

ing that they will only stop doing so if the Government stops. This is absolute nonsense”.

He said that if the AFC feels that it is wrong to continue to accept salaries from the Parliament, then it is wrong.

“If the Government Ministers and MPs accept, the same salary would that make it right? What is wrong is wrong if it is wrong, it is wrong then they should stop receiving salaries irrespective of what the Government MPs do”, he declared during the interview.

He in turn threw out his own challenge to the AFC MPs and Nagamootoo in particular who he said was exhibiting double standards.

“And I challenge them to stop committing that wrong that they speak about and stop uplifting salaries from

Parliament. And we urge them to stop the propagandistic talk and walk the walk.”

The AG said he was unsure of the message and mischief the AFC was trying to create by dragging the Government and its MPs into this most recent argument.

Kuru Kuru Training College in trouble – parents –

Youth Minister debunks ‘‘malicious’’ reports

By goMatie gangadin

Parents and students

of the Kuru Kuru Training College located on the Linden/ Soesdyke highway are complaining that the institution is in trouble and in dire need of reform.

They are concerned that enough is not being done to deliver the College’s curricula which results in scores of young boys spending their leisure time gambling and smoking on the streets.

They are also frustrated over the apparent lack of interest shown by the local authorities in ensuring that the College is utilised for its intended purpose which is offering a wide range of technical and vocational subjects.

Additionally, parents are concerned about the general upkeep of the College’s fa-

cilities and the conditions in which their children have to dwell to learn.

Meanwhile, when contacted, some residents of the community told Guyana Times that they are appalled by the stories given to them about what occurs at the College by their children who are currently attending the institution.

According to one parent who spoke to Guyana Times via a telephone interview, his son was accepted to the institution last September and from then to now, there has been nothing but complaints about the conditions which students are forced to put up with at the educational institution which falls under the Culture, Youth and Sports Ministry's remit.

According to the man, the Kuru Kuru Training College

has changed drastically over the years and sadly does not provide encouragement to the young in the village to pursue trade studies there.

He noted that the college at present lacks a motor mechanic instructor and a refrigeration instructor and this has been the situation for quite some time.

“The students do not have an instructor to teach the refrigeration class or the motor mechanic class for the longest while. This is not a college anymore. This is a ‘cowboy’ school. I don’t know what the students going there for”, the man stated.

Meanwhile, another resident, David Williams told this publication that while he has no children or immediate relatives attending the college, there have always been murmurs of the condi-

tions which are present at the facility.

“ I will be honest with you; I don’t have anyone for me going to the Training College but I mean is right here I live eh so I does always hear things, that this going

on and that going on. How much is true, I can’t say, I don’t be there but indeed I have heard whispers that things aren’t rosy there”, the man shared.

However, when contacted for a comment on the al-

have expected these since last year but no one came forward and spoke. If they had an issue, why did they not come forward with it? I find it quite strange that this is only happening now. This is a strange way to do

legations made, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated that as far as he is aware, the College is equipped with the necessary personnel needed for it to function effectively.

“We have instructors; we always have persons there to teach. Even if someone leaves, we always seek to fill that vacancy as soon as it is possible. So that those allegations are not true”, he said.

Dr Anthony went on to state that he is of the strong belief that the reports are meant to be malicious and to put the College and the administration in a bad Light.

“The new term began in August of last year. That is when we took students into the College and I find it strange that from then to now, only now these concerns and complaints are being aired. If there were any complaints, you would

business”, the Minister insisted.

The Minister has said, however, that even though he is of the believe that the reports are only meant to be malicious, he remains committed to ensuring that the College maintains its standards and as such, is asking anyone who may have any a real concern or issue with the College to make it known to the Administration or to his Ministry so that it can be properly addressed before making accusations in the media.

“If they have genuine issues, they should bring them forward. There is the Assistant Director of Youth and if they don’t want to take it to him, there is the Permanent Secretary, and I am also there. Let them come forward so that they can be addressed if there are any.”

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

AFC Executive Member Catherine Hughes

AFC Executive Member Moses Nagamootoo

Inside the Kuru Kuru Training College

Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day with light

conditions expected in the late afternoon. Thundery showers are expected to return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:41h and 14:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.45 metres and 2.63 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:31h and 21:03h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.55 metre respectively.

– 17 domestic operators granted licences to expand ASL, Trans Guyana accounted for 89% domestic passenger traffic in 2014

Air Services Limited and Trans Guyana Airways are the leading operators in the domestic market, accounting for 89 per cent of the industry’s passenger traffic, with market shares of 49.89 per cent and 39.14 per cent respectively. There were similar percentages for cargo (88.06 per cent) with 60.54 per cent and 27.52 per cent market shares respectively.

The overall total of domestic passengers numbered 144,842 for 2014, with 16, 576,429 pounds of cargo and 100 per cent market share.

This was revealed at the Public Works Ministry’s Kingston office on Saturday, by Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulfikar Mohamed, who was updating the media of the agency’s performance for 2014.

Mohamed said that the GCCA recorded a fairly good year, as it was able to carry out its regulatory oversight functions through safety, security and economic oversight and provision of air navigation services.

Mohamed revealed that there was a reduction in passengers and cargo movement through the Ogle International Airport. Domestic passengers and cargo movements declined by 2.60 per cent and 2.48 per cent respectively.

A total of 144,842 domestic passengers and 1,582,005 pounds of cargo were transported as of November last year, as compared with 148,707 passengers and 16,997,675 pounds during the same period in 2013.

International operators Economic Licences were issued to several operators for scheduled services: these include, Insel Air Aruba NV between Guyana and Aruba, Insel Air International BV between Guyana and Curcao, Copa Airlines between Guyana and Panama and Suriname Airways for all-cargo services on the Paramaribo/Georgetown/ Miami route.

Meanwhile, economic permits were issued to Laser Airlines to operate 10 charterd flights between Guyana and Venezuela, and

Dynamic Airways to operate charter flights between Georgetown and New York.

During 2014, seventeen domestic operators were granted permission to expand their capacity with additional aircraft: these

COPA, Insel Air, Dynamic Airways, Secure Innovation and Concepts, Timehri Handling Services, Roraima Airways, CJIA and Travel Span. Inspections were also done on Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL), Laparkan

accomplish many of its goals. Intense coordination was done to facilitate the flight inspection service with COCESNA (Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services) along with extensive coor-

include Air Services Ltd, Trans Guyana Airways, Jags Aviation Inc. and Domestic Airways Inc.

Mohamed also noted that several Air Services Agreements were negotiated between Guyana and other countries. Guyana also participated at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)/ International Commission for Air Navigation (ICAN) event in Bali, Indonesia and commenced Air Services Agreements with China, Kenya, Curaçao, Singapore, Ghana, United Kingdom, Norway, The Netherlands, Iceland, Qatar, Canada and Nigeria. With the exception of Norway, all of the above Air Services Agreements are provisionally applied until signing at the ministerial level, where they will take full effect.

Negotiations have commenced with Chile, El Salvador and Brazil with the expectation of concluding these in the first quarter of 2015.

During 2014, Mohamed said that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) continued its routine regulatory oversight activities, which saw aviation Security Audits being conducted by the GCAA on Suriname Airways Ltd.,

Cargo, Amerijet and Vision Airlines.

During the first quarter of 2014, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) flight BW-484, which operated from Guyana during February was monitored, after CAL’s office in Barbados received a call, which suggested that the flight will be sabotaged. Appropriate security agencies in Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados were alerted and monitoring of CAL BW484 flight was conducted until its departure.

Additionally, a team from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority along with representatives from Piarco International Airport and CAL visited Guyana to discuss measures for in-transiting passengers at Trinidad Airport. Recommendations were made and a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by Guyana and Trinidad, once security measures are deemed to be acceptable at CJIA.

Despite challenges, the Air Navigation Services Directorate was able to

dination with aircraft operators to continue uninterrupted services, while the new VOR/DME (refers to combined radio navigation station for aircraft) was commissioned for use.

Routine flight inspection of the Instrument Landing System was successfully completed while the PAPI at Ogle International Airport existing instrument approach charts were revised and new charts designed for the new VOR/DME.

An Aeronautical Telecommunication Network of the South American Region (REDDIG II) node was installed. The equipment will be commissioned on completion of installation in all the South American countries.

There were 71,009 aircraft movements in the National Airspace up to December 15 of last year, as compared to 70,903 at the end of 2013.

There were also some challenges with respect to the suspension of three licences.

Jags Aviation's new sky truck

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

Oil plunge and PetroCaribe

The stand-off between US “shale oil” and Saudi Arabian “sheik oil”, precipitating a more than 50 per cent drop in oil prices to below US$50 a barrel has resulted in a fundamental reappraisal of economic strategy across the globe.

Since the Saudis insist that with their production costs at only US$5 per barrel, even a US$20 price does not faze them, the world can expect cheap oil for a while longer. While the question of “how long” is quite pertinent in the medium and long term, decisions must be made in the present.

Guyana is totally dependent on imported oil and the precipitous drop in prices should be a welcome shot-in- thearm for the economy. Using approximately 13,000 barrels daily with a US$50 price per barrel, we should be saving US$237 million annually.

The question has been asked why some of this savings has not been transferred into the pockets of the gasoline consumers, which would directly give a boost to the economy, but in this Editorial we will focus on some larger issues.

One of these is the relationship with the PetroCaribe Initiative of Venezuela through which we receive almost half of our oil at concessional rates. When the oil price is US$100 per barrel, we pay 40 per cent of the cost within 90 days and the remainder in 25 year at a nominal interest rate of one per cent.

But the payment schedule fluctuates with the price of the commodity: between US$80-100, 50 per cent must be paid up front; between US$50-80 per barrel – 60 per cent must be paid up front; and below US$50 - the full price must be paid up front.

What this means therefore is that with the PetroCaribe arrangement we are not getting the full benefit of the price drop immediately.

But there is the more crucial question as to whether Venezuela will be able to maintain the PetroCaribe Initiative in light of the price drop. The Venezuelan economy was in tatters even while oil was above US$100 per barrel. I t is estimated that the country needs oil prices to be around US$125 per barrel for its budget to be balanced. The Saudi strategy has hurt arguably Venezuela more than it has the US or even its arch enemy, Iran.

President Maduro has however reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to the PetroCaribe Initiative, which he pointed out, is an integral part of Venezuela’s strategy for regional security and support. But even before the drop in oil prices, there have been moves that signalled Venezuela’s need for increased liquidity might force it to flex on the arrangement.

Last December, for instance, the US$4 billion owed in deferred payments under PetroCaribe by the Dominican Republic, was sold by Venezuela to the US Investment Bank Goldman Sachs for US$1.7 billion - a 59 per cent discount.

The Dominican Republic will issue a bond for that amount, which will be bought by Goldman Sachs at 11 per cent interest and everyone - excepting Venezuela, will come out winners.

The US$1.7 billion cash infusion is a mere drop in the bucket for the oil giant and its willingness to accept the deal simply emphasised its dire economic straits. It has been suggested that Guyana should offer to directly purchase its PetroCaribe debt at the 60 per cent discount.

With approximately US$400 million in deferred payments outstanding, we would save some US$240 million. But since we are repaying with a barter arrangement with rice, the annual value of which might now exceed the 90day payment portion, it is expected that the Government will be negotiating discounts for paying ahead of schedule.

In the meantime, it is to be noted that US Vice- President Biden has invited the Trinidad (not a member of PetroCaribe, but an energy producer), the Dominican Republic, Grenada and Jamaica for an “Energy Summit” scheduled for next week. Jamaica has been mulling the Goldman Sachs debt buyout option.

Aishalton Teacher was allowed to make his points freely

Dear Editor,

Please allow me a space to respond to Tony James in an article in another section of the media.

May I remind Tony that in the first instance, there was no need for any situation for making a petition had it not been for the unnecessary heckling by the Teacher John Adams in question when the Head of State was making his remarks.

Any person with sound mind would have waited for the appropriate time in the agenda to rise to ask any question that one was not happy about.

What is interesting is that that Mr Adams was allowed to make his points freely, when the appropriate time came; therefore the use of “obstruction of the rights of expression” hardly seems apt.

However, it was unfortunate that after the meeting would have concluded, it was alleged that the teacher was manhandled by the Presidential Guards for reasons I am unsure of. If that would have occurred, it was certainly not during the meeting.

What Tony failed to realise is that to be disrespectful is not an acceptable norm. Do we have to accept such attitudes, especially from professionals? Again he referred to the five or six persons of Aishalton known as staunch PPP/C supporters, but failed to mention them as dedicated and concerned villagers.

He should be bold enough to let people know that he has been long known to be a staunch opposition to the PPP/C Government and to the present elected Village Council and Toshao of Aishalton. As such it is not at all surprising for him to demean what transpired at the village general meeting on-

January 5.

He did not stop there, but he also sneered at his fellow Amerindian and villager Regis James. It is true that only the Village Council can represent the village and not an individual or a non-governmental organisation (NGo) like the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), where he sits as the Vice President.

May I tell Tony that since in all his letters in some of the daily newspapers one can conclude that he is speaking for villagers, let his own words denounce him since he himself is not even a member of the Aishalton Village Council.

But we know that one can speak for others who cannot speak for themselves, and that is the right which Tony is enjoying, and yet condemns his own Amerindian brothers and sisters for doing that as well.

He should be ashamed to talk ill of Regis who is his blood cousin. He should tell the world the reasons why Regis does not support him although he is an Amerindian and an Aishalton villager by birth.

Regis has been appointed a Community Support Officer (CSo) for Aishalton for having the skill in the installation and maintenance of the home lighting systems in the village where he trains other younger CSos to acquire this necessary skill.

Added to that, Regis is a dedicated leader of one of the vibrant cultural groups in the village. His group represented the village at various levels including national level on numerous occasions.

Recently his culture team participated at the Indigenous Music Festival at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown late last year. Why then is Tony who claims

to represent indigenous peoples sidelining his brother as merely as a staunch PPP/C supporter?

Now, there is a certain group of persons in the community, who call Regis “Chief” and sometimes “Chief of Chiefs”, which he is fond of, even though the title “Chief” is synonymous with “Toshao” and so is reserved for the head of the village.

So why is Tony dwelling on any deeper meaning of the word “daddy” other than it being synonymous with a figure of respect and authority? Just as ‘daddy’ is the head of households, why should it ache Tony that the Toshao prefers to respect the President’s position as Head of State?

Tony should be reminded that the protest, that this villager may have participated in, was of national concern where the lives of all the Amerindians and the Guyanese people of every political persuasion were affected by the combined opposition parliamentarians in the infamous cutting of the budget . It’s very shameful and questionable on his part not to publish any letter in the press condemning this act by the combined opposition which was against himself, and against his Amerindian brothers and sisters and the Guyanese nation.

He and all Guyanese should stand against the combined opposition antinational development maneuverings. I am reliably informed that the protest that Regis may have referred to, was the time when John Adams would have attempted to block the passage of an excavator passing through Aishalton Village, which to my humble knowledge was illegal.

Finally, Tony referred to the Toshao of Aishalton as a “follower”. But let him be reminded that at times one can be a follower or leader depending on the nature of the situation.

But I can assure the nation and the world that the Toshao of Aishalton, as much as he has his weaknesses, is the legally elected Toshao of Aishalton. And it is funny that Tony does not want to acknowledge that legal position but seeks to undermine the Toshao and the Council for his own interests.

He had wanted the Toshao to be a follower of his, but has failed. Toshao understands his legal functions and has never bowed to Tony’s bullish approaches using the APA in guise for the political opposition.

It was not long when Tony said publicly that he was ‘helping and supporting’ the Toshao and the Village Council for the Christmas festivities only to try to degrade the Toshao, Chair of the council, in a matter of two weeks into the New Year 2015.

I fully respect Tony’s opinion and his ability to write. I also respect him as a villager just as I am. But all what he wrote are questionable. Could it be that he is searching for solutions for his village outside of the community? or is he simply trying to embarrass the Aishalton Village Council? Since most (if not all) of what he would have stated in his letters to the press can be solved by the villagers within the village itself.

But what is pellucidly clear is that he is merely continuing his quest of division in the Amerindian communities for political campaigning.

Douglas Casimero

A young lady spends her Saturday afternoon feeding Manatees in the National Park (Carl Croker photo)

GFC has adequately responded to John Cannon

Dear Editor, I read an article in Guyana Times on January 14 under the headline, “KN article riddled with false accusations, says Head, Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)”.

I am happy that Head of the GFC James Singh slammed and subsequently destroyed the article of lies about the management of Guyana’s Forestry Sector by some journalist name John C Cannon of mongabay.com.

The headline of the article, “Chinese logging company takes over Guyana’s forest”, is a perfect lie and if this is only the headline of the article, then the story

behind is merely a fiction.

Shame on Mr Cannon for lying on his environmental news site. But where did Cannon got his information from regarding the management of Guyana’s forests?

In Guyana Times article I saw the name John Palmer (whose partner is Janet Bulkan) of a forest management trust based in Florida, whom Cannon used as a reference in his article and immediately I recognised that the said article is saturated with lies after reading it.

Cannon was duped. The Head of the GFC has adequately responded to the correspondent at the monabay. com, providing him with re-

liable and accurate information regarding Guyana’s forests and the company Bai shan lin, and I will therefore not further comment on Cannon’s article which is definitely misleading, wicked and unprofessional.

However, I strongly suspect that Cannon’s article is a planned response to a timber operator’s claim in another section of the media that he was unable to get a 10-acre lease along the Linden-Lethem road.

But a valid reason was given by the relevant authority, even according to another article on that matter.

Peter Persaud

Honouring Dr Martin Luther King, Jr

Dear Editor, Americans on each third Monday of January honour the life and achievements of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, (1929–1968), the 1964 Nobel Peace Laureate and the individual most associated with the triumphs of the African-American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

As political organiser, supremely skilled orator and advocate of nonviolent protest, King was pivotal in persuading his fellow Americans to end the legal segregation that prevailed throughout the South and parts of other regions, and in sparking support for the civil rights legislation that established the legal framework for racial equality in the United States.

Dr King, like South African President Nelson Mandela, was a visionary who believed in the human spirit and chose nonviolence to armed resistance.

Like Nelson Mandela, he suffered greatly, but he converted his suffering into inspiration for millions of people in the United States and throughout the world.

In his famous Letter from the Birmingham Jail written in April 1963, he wrote that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”.

The civil rights movement was driven by acts of courage – by individuals who stood up for what was right. Despite the threats and acts of intimidation, leaders like Dr King, Rosa Parks, and Thurgood Marshall stood their ground and fought for their beliefs.

It is because of their courage and perseverance that historic legislation including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed.

With four words, ““I Have A Dream”, Dr King inspired thousands of people to stand up and fight for equality, peace and justice.

His universal words were not just inspiration for African Americans, they gave hope to the poor and disadvantaged all of over the world. By honouring Dr King, we honour all people, past and present, who stand up for equality and justice. These are common values that the United States shares with Guyana.

We lost Dr King in 1968 far too early at just 39 years of age, but his spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of children and adults around the globe. Dr King’s writing and speeches of more than 50 years ago still resonate today.

Let freedom ring!

Bryan Hunt US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires

ASL and Trans Guyana...

Air Safety Regulations

The directorate continued its routine task during the year with respect to the Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness, Aircraft Spot Inspection, approved Training Organisation Audit, ATO Training Programme Audit, Approved Maintenance Organisation Audit, Air Operator Certificate Holder Organisation Audit, Aircraft Records Inspection, and Aircraft Ramp Inspection.

The GCAA was assisted with its flight operations functions by CASSOS, and to Foreign Operations Specifications was issued to Copa Airlines, Insel Air Aruba N.V and Insel Air International B.V.

Two new aerodromes were licenced, and licences for six private domestic aerodromes were renewed, while licences

for 57 government owned aerodromes were renewed. Three operators were issued with Air Operator’s Certificate: Hinterland Aviation Inc., Domestic Airways and Golden Arrow Airways, while six aircraft were imported and placed on the Guyana register with certificates of airworthiness issued to them. These included a new Cessna 208 Grand Caravan, which was added to JAGS Aviation. Meanwhile, the CJIA and Ogle International Airport were inspected, and their licences renewed, while the Caribbean Airlines Accident Report was completed and released during 2014.

The project to achieve compliance with the requirements of ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) has commenced and the target is the achievement

Only three countries have abolished appeals to Privy Council

Dear Editor,

Although only three countries have abolished appeals to the Privy Council, the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) has appointed a Judge to replace Justice Desiree Bernard who went into retirement on March 1 last year.

One would have thought that since the workload is not as much as was expected, the regional court would have continued to function until more countries join the Appellate Division of the CCJ.

However the CCJ, in its original jurisdiction, interprets and applies the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas which established the Caribbean Community Caricom and is an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation of the treaty.

I have been informed that despite the fact that most countries have not yet fully on board, the judges are still busy dealing with matters in its original jurisdiction

It is very disappointing that only Guyana, Barbados, and Belize have severed ties with the London

based Privy Council, and Dominica's Parliament approved a Bill in July 2014 to make the CCJ the final court.

I wonder what is the delay for that country to go join when the British Government has given the greenlight a year ago for that OECS country to severe ties with the Londonbased Privy Council.

The CCJ was established in 2001 and it is very unfortunate that the other Caricom countries have not yet severed the apron string from the Privy Council, despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica gained political independence from Britain in 1962 more than 52 years ago.

In fact, those two countries were in the forefront in establishing the regional court. They are now singing a different tune. Although Jamaica is contributing the most financially it seems no longer interested.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister had intimated that she was considering abolishing criminal appeals to the Privy Council, but recently disclosed that she will seek mandate from the electorate by way of referendum.

St Lucia's Prime Minister said his country will join, but no concrete step has been taken to do so in this regard.

A referendum seeking mandate from the electorates in St Vincent and the Grenadines to join failed five years ago, because in my view it was loaded with other changes to the Constitution, including the removal of the Queen as Head of State.

Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts/ Nevis indicated that they were interested, but they are still to put the machinery in motion.

The new Judge named is Justice Maureen Rajnauth Lee, an Appellate Court Judge of her homeland, Trinidad and Tobago who is a brilliant jurist and copped first class honours which she gained her LLB degree a prerequisite to law school.

Incidentally, she was a colleague of mine at the Hugh Wooding Law School. She takes up her appointment in April this year. She will join six other justices including President Sir Denis Byron.

Oscar Ramjeet

from page 3

of an acceptable level of effective implementation (70%) by December 2015.

Projections for 2015

The GCAA will continue to improve and develop aeronautical surveillance, using the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast System (ADS-B), which will increase the efficiency and capacity of Guyana’s airspace, to accommodate a larger volume of traffic/aircraft operations in the airspace, and also to track aircraft movements in real time.

The agency will also seek to review the organisation’s structure and to increase staffing to enhance the oversight functions of the Authority, and acquire new Air Traffic Control Simulator, for training of air traffic controllers in Guyana.

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

Page Foundation

While Emerson's homily may sound clichéd, like all clichés, it contains more than just a kernel of truth. Last year, around this time that truth came home to me with a vengeance. Returning for my second semester, I'd gotten really, really sick: my blood count had fallen really low, I was running a high fever (with chills) the whole works, really.

Needless to say, that put quite a damper on things. But (another cliché) it definitely taught me a lesson. I'd already known it was important to make sure I was getting all of my vitamins and having regular check-ups with the doctor and all those things they drum that in pretty well, in school.

But there’s so much distance between knowing and actually doing something. I observed many other people who, like me, just weren’t

A healthy mind in a healthy body

bridging the gap between knowing and doing.

I realised how much we take our health for granted. We eat what we want, when we want, not caring about what the nutritional content of the food or our irregular eating times might be doing to our bodies.

Or we adopt a sedentary, couch potato lifestyle. And while we take in the car every 3000 miles for the oil and filter change, we don’t make regular check-ups with our doctor just to check that if the systems are OK. Until we get sick, that is.

But being healthy isn’t just about being physically healthy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health a “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

There might be interminable arguments by philosophers about where the mind might be located and its relationship with the body the old mind-body conundrum. But there's no question men-

tal health is as important for normal-functioning as any of the other aspects of health.

There's a definition of "mental health" that I like: “A state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

Then what about social health...we are social beings, aren't we? "No man (or woman is an island" and all that. Well that brings in our lifestyle choices. Do we want to keel over early from lung cancer?

Then by all means, keep chain-smoking those cigarettes. But secondary smoking is even deadlier to those around. So just quit! Smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are all lifestyle choices that you should say no to, if you (or those around you) want to stay healthy. And as a clincher, remember alcohol and domestic violence are highly correlated.

Other decisions you can

make about your lifestyle are about the food you each. Eat smarter, eat healthier.

In Guyana, we’re at high risk for diseases like hypertension and diabetes. These diseases don’t have absolute cures, just ways to manage the illness. So let’s take preventative measures to prevent ourselves from getting these diseases.

We really should be focusing more on prevention, rather than just treatment, shouldn't we. Even though that might lower my earnings potential when I graduate!!

And there are little everyday things that persons could be a little more aware of. Things like sneezing or coughing into a tissue. Germs, remember? The importance of washing your hands is something that cannot be stressed enough.

So as I’m heading into my second semester of Year two, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ve been putting enough of my knowledge into practice to keep me healthy for the year ahead.

Strategies for parenting children with difficult temperament

BY KAREN STEPHENS

Children are born with an inborn temperament, a preferred style of relating to people and events. Temperament is indicated by behaviour that clusters into three categories: easy, slow-to-warm up, and difficult. No category makes a child good or bad. They merely describe a child’s response patterns.

Some children (approximately 10-20 per cent) are born with “difficult temperament.” Traits include: high, often impulsive activity level; extra sensitive to sensory stimulation; overwhelmed by change in routines and new experiences; intense, inflexible reactions; easily distracted or incredibly focused; adapt slowly to change, not able to calm themselves well; irregular biological rhythms, such as hunger/sleep schedules; rapid, intense, mood swings resulting in acting out or withdrawing completely.

Your discipline interactions can clue you into your child’s temperament. Parents struggling with difficult temperament say they continually remind and nag; name-call, yell, bribe, plead, make empty threats; give into powerstruggles; feel as if their child “calls all the shots” or “rules the roost”; overreact; argue with co-parent over discipline; or give up trying to discipline at all.

None of those characteristics make life easy, for children or parents. But children with difficult temperament can learn to cope with their sensitivities. If they don’t learn, they can become confused, frustrated, and hopeless. In addition, they will most likely have to endure constant negative feedback which creates a vicious cycle of discouragement.

Children with difficult temperament do require extra time, guidance, and patience. But all children can be raised to be welladjusted people with positive self esteem. It takes parenting finesse.

Effective parents develop attitudes, guidance strategies, and communication skills that work with, rather than against, a child’s temperament. Difficult children can learn to be self-controlled, cooperative, and adaptable. Family, neighbours, child care professionals, and school teachers are first to show children the way. Here are some tips:

Dealing with difficult temperaments

• Provide the fundamentals. Children well nourished with enough sleep and the right foods cope best. Daily, give children personalised time, attention, and affection.

• Focus on strengths; look for the positive. Voice your appreciation whenever a child is flexible, positive, or adaptable.

• Avoid name-calling and labelling children as “hyper,”“problem child” or “trouble maker.” Labels chip away at self-esteem.

• Choose your battles wisely. Avoid power struggles. When disciplining, use clear direction and enforce age appropriate limits with reasonable, related, and respectful consequences. Avoid over-reacting, raising your voice, or issuing false threats and ultimatums. Deal with behaviour problems calmly and matter-offactly. This will help your child gain control and develop trust in your support and guidance.

• If family life becomes unbearable, a child psychologist or family therapist can help. (easternflorida.edu)

Anu Dev

The first wealth is health – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Suriname-Guyana Trade Conference a success

– as major hurdles identified

By Gomatie GanGadin

The Suriname-Guyana

Trade Conference

which was held in Guyana from January 15 and concluded on Saturday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, has been deemed a success by the Private Sector Commissions of the two countries.

Speaking to the media at a specially convened press conference on Friday evening at the Park Vue Hotel, Chairman of the Guyana Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Persaud related that as far the Guyana contingent was concerned, major success was achieved since many of the issues they would have had concerns over were aired and discussed.

He said further action has been promised by their Surinamese counterparts on a myriad of issues.

Persaud noted that this conference highlighted the need for more discussions to be held with other countries so that partnerships can be built and fostered for the good of all countries involved.

“This trade conference proves that there is a need for more discussions like these to be held especially as it relates to tourism and agriculture in Guyana. It was especially important for both coun-

tries since major trading blocs were identified and once they have been identified, we can work on addressing those”, Persaud said.

It was disclosed that some 40 official delegates arrived from Suriname and participated in the Conference while there was approximately 130 additional persons who made an appearance at the event.

Similarly, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lance Hinds, told those present that enough discussions are not being held on trading and if Guyana was to progress in the trading arena, then more needs to be done.

“The fact is that we do not trade enough with each other, with other countries and dialogue and deliberation must continue”, Hinds noted.

Meanwhile, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority,

Indranauth Haralsingh noted that his organisation and the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry were committed to improving trade with Suriname and will be working assiduously to ensure that the issues which were raised will be addressed so that fruits can be borne.

“This Trade Conference is just a start of the many things to come. All of the sessions were fruitful and the issues affecting the two countries were extensively discussed. Suriname is important, the Dutch market is important and so we will be working closely to ensure that trading become a smoother process”, he promised.

On the part of the Surinamese, it could not have been at a more opportune time, since they said that many of their members had been looking at making

an entry into the Guyanese market and this trade conference has provided them with the necessary information for such a step.

President of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Ir Henk Naarendorp in brief comments related that he was well pleased with the nature of the discussions and the way they were progressing.

Anilkumar Padarath, Vice President of the SCCI also expressed similar sentiments. He promised that he will remain committed to ensuring that this conference does not become just another “talkshop’ but rather, the beginning of all the good things to come.

Both parties indicated that they have been told by their respective governments to forward reports on the matters of concern raised so that dialogue can ensue to ensure that the matters are effectively addressed.

The Conference was intended to promote trade between Guyana and Suriname, in particular to increase Guyanese exports of goods and services to Suriname and to increase tourism between the two countries.

The Conference saw the participation of forty business executives and Government officials including the Minister of Tourism and Trade from Suriname.

Gunmen rob South Ruimveldt supermarket – escape with cash

By Jomo Paul

Three masked men on Friday evening robbed Andrews Supermarket on Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Park while terrorising customers and staff.

The men escaped with an undisclosed sum of cash.

According to reports, just after 20:20h Friday evening, a grey Toyota 212 pulled up in front of the establishment and three masked men armed with “big guns” rushed inside the entity.

Once inside, the men proceeded to hold up customers and workers, blocking the entrance and exits of the supermarket in the process.

Guyana Times understands that during the three minute ordeal, two shots were fired in the building.

However, no one was injured but the customers were placed to lay on the floor.

The men emptied the cash registers and relieved customers of their cellular phones and other valuables before proceeding to make good their escape.

One woman who was inside the store explained to the Guyana Times that she was just about to make her way to the cashier when the commotion started.

“They took away my phone and my money and everything….I was frightened for my life”, she related.

According to another eyewitness, she saw the vehicle and the men but thought little of it until another woman attempted to enter and ran

away screaming.

“I just see the woman go to the door and she run away screaming, is then I gon know something happen and it happen so fast like I don’t know,” the woman said.

She explained that the men carried “big guns” but operated as though it was nothing. “Lil bit after the woman come outside, I see the men them come running out with the guns, big guns boy.”

Other persons explained that the Guyana Police Force responded in a fairly good amount of time; however it was still too late to apprehend the criminals.

The owners and management team of the supermarket were unavailable for comment on Saturday.

Pump, dredging equipment redeployed to Region Two

– as flood waters rise

By indrawattie natram

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA)

Lionel Wordsworth says in light of the current flooding situation in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) due to excessive rainfall, a pump along with a dredging equipment will be re-deploy to the administrative region.

Wordsworth, who visited Region Two early Saturday morning, said the pump as well as the dredging equipment will boost the infrastructure while simultaneously draining flood water in most affected areas.

He explained that dredging various parts of the Region is of paramount importance.

The CEO disclosed too that the Town Ship, Three

Friends and Windsor Castle areas will be given special attention over the next few days as they seek to bring relief to residents there who significantly affected by the continuous downpour.

According to his observation, the dredging will assist with almost one kilometer of the outfall channels being cleared. He said another challenge exists which relates to dealing with the gravity flow and the effective drainage of the water.

Meanwhile, Wordsworth along with the Regional Chairman for Region two Parmanand Persaud, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture Alli Baksh and the Regional Vice Chairman were in discussions with several residents as it relates to the flooding situation.

Andrews Supermarket on Saturday morning

Chairman of the Guyana Private Sector Commission Ramesh Persaud

President of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ir Henk Naarendorp

Region two Chairman Parmanand Persaud along with CEO Lionel Wordsworth speaking with contractor Mohamed Sattaur and residents at the Three Friends sluice

GRPA to launch ‘Choices’ Project

The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) will soon launch its ‘Choices’ Project with the aim of increasing young people’s leadership skills to advance their own sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

SRHR encompasses the right of all individuals to make decisions concerning their sexuality and reproduction, free from discrimination, coercion and violence; and ensures individuals are able to choose whether, when and with whom to engage in sexual activity; to choose whether and when to have children; and to access the information and means to do so.

The GRPA highlighted that its ‘youth focus’ is strong and the Choices project will emphasise the organisation’s commitment to building a youth friendly environment to facilitate the reduction of the many negative concerns surrounding youth and to empower them to make better decisions.

The objectives of the project are to increase access to services, comprehen-

rights-based comprehensive sexuality education and create demand for these services by empowering youth to demand and realize their rights to those services.

The project will also focus on ironing out issues with the law as it relates to improving elements and removing barriers that prohibit access to such services.

The second objective has to do with access to Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE).

ing Government to advance that commitment.

Under this objective, the project aims to reduce by 75 per cent, the number of schools that have failed to institutionalise comprehensive sex education and reduce by 50 per cent the number of young people who are not covered by health services that address their sexual and reproductive needs appropriately.

Eyew tness Picking up...

sive sexual education and improve policies for young people’s SRHR.

According to GRPA youth coordinator Norwell hinds, one of the challenges young people face is the access to services and information without parental consent.

Therefore, the first objective addresses sexual and reproductive health clinical and educational service providers to increase access to services. They must supply the highest quality services that meet the standards for youth-friendliness and complying with gender- and

The GRPA pointed out that Guyana had signed onto the Ministerial Declaration in 2008 in Mexico City in the framework of the 1st Meeting of Ministers of Health and Education to Stop HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean. During this meeting, 30 Ministries of Health and 26 Ministries of Education, including Guyana, committed to promoting prevention as the main strategy to respond to HIV and AIDS in an effective way.

However, GRPA recognises that it is not being effectively rolled out, thus, the Choices Project aims to collaborate with leaders and influencers, includ-

In addition, the project intends to promote models in which young people are present in clinics to welcome their peers and help navigate the health centre experience.

The last objective is to create advocacy opportunities in 2015 where young adults are encouraged and empowered to share their stories with others.

In a nutshell, the Choices Project aims to reduce teenage pregnancy and similar problems like sexual violence, among others, through innovative methods by engaging with young people to develop a strong connection with them to understand their daily realities and determine the drive behind their choices.

It is only by understanding their circumstances that influencers can make a change.

The Choices Project will strengthen their ability to do those things as well as advocate and work with members, volunteers and staff to advocate for Government to fulfill their responsibility to do so as well.

In addition, young people will be meaningfully involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programmes, national and international advocacy efforts, and institutional governance. The core value reflects an understanding that SRHR programmes and policies impact directly on their lives, and therefore young people have the right to influence their development.

T...on Rodney loose ends

he PNC’s worst nightmare’s about to come true. With elections “imminent”, the CoI into the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, the world-famous author of the seminal “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa required reading in any African Studies programme in any part of the worldwill re-commence next week.

The “Decade of Peoples of African Origin” has also kicked off and with Rodney one of the world’s foremost Pan-African theorists, his assassination will once again be the cynosure of the Afro-centric world.

Rodney’s contribution to the organisation of the Sixth Pan African Congress in 1974 and its achievements his “Towards the Sixth Pan-African Congress: Aspects of the International Class Struggle in Africa, the Caribbean and America”, will be noted. It was delivered just before he returned to Guyana, where he was denied employment by the PNC at UG.

He had to slip out of the country to attend Zimbabwe’s independence celebrations in May 1980, just before his face was blown to smithereens with a PNC-planted bomb on his return. His wife’s recent testimony to the CoI that Rodney’d made the decision to return to Africa just before his death will also reverberate.

This man could have done so much for Africans and the rest of humanity in terms of improving race relations, but was cut down so viciously by the PNC.

So the PNC’s hysterical objection to the CoI being reconvened on the eve of elections must be placed against the foregoing. On the CoI, if not now, when??? Back in 2005, when a Parliamentary motion was moved for the CoI, Roopnaraine of the WPA was authorised to work out the terms of reference with the Rodney family. He dragged his feet until the 2006 elections date was announced. And decided the COI was “not appropriate” because of the PNC concerns.

On this go around, Roopnaraine announced that Rodney was stockpiling arms in 1979. As Granger quickly asserted, the army since its officers, including himself, all swore personal loyalty to Burnham was justified in taking out the historian-activist!! Roopnaraine was rewarded by being made Granger’s second-in-command in APNU.

So expect most of the old “Rodneyites” to support the PNC to demand the CoI go into hibernation. As Rodney found out by paying the ultimate price, political expediency will always trump principles with the WPA. His erstwhile comrades, after all, are now in bed with the PNC expecting their 30 pieces of silver after the elections. To quote Prezzie, all they’ll get is “larwah!!”

...picketing

Your Eyewitness’d heard the US Embassy was giving out visas to every Tom, Dick and Harriet (not to mention Harilall). He couldn’t make up his mind as to why a “visa stamp” worth US$10,000 just the year before (ask former Visa Officer Thomas Carrol) was now free.

Did those worthies at the Kingston Redoubt want to accelerate Guyana’s inexorable demographic shift that stacked the deck against a PPP/C re-election? Or just to give a shot in the arm to their stagnant economy?

Driving to work on Friday, he saw a rather motley crew with pickets in front the Embassy!! Had the US just reversed itself on the Cuba thaw?? Were they bringing in Justin Bieber on a “cultural” exchange?? It was some scruffy AFC hangers on demanding the US pull PPP/C leaders’ visas.

Now why would the US do that?? If they want the PPP/C out, wouldn’t they assist the leaders to leave?? Or if they want to boost their economy, wouldn’t folks accused of “bilking” untold wealth be their best bet??

But then the AFC has to remind their sponsors they’re still alive, no?

...and hiding

Granger’d promised he’d be heading down to Linden to deal with the rift he created by adding the Sandra Adams salt to the leader-rigging wound. As we predicted, he’s disappeared. Into the interior!!

Youth Coordinator of GRPA Norwell Hinds

“We have been waiting on the union forever” – Manickchand

– dismisses claims that MOE ignoring teachers concessions

Education Minister Priya Manickchand says that the Education Ministry has been waiting a considerable amount of time for the Guyana Teacher Union to submit information from teachers so that they can benefit from concessionary packages.

The Minister was at the time speaking at a Education Ministry press conference on Friday where she outlined the steps taken by the Ministry since 2011.

She was responding to claims made in sections of the media by executives of the Guyana Teacher Union (GTU) that the Ministry and Government had not been forthcoming on several arrangements for teachers.

One arrangement in particular was the duty-free concession for Head Teachers and Deputy Teachers at A List and A Grade schools across the country.

Reports in the media suggest that some teachers are yet to receive their duty-free concessions and the fault for this was within the administra -

tion of the Education Ministry.

According to reports from another media entity, GTU President Mark Lyte, GTU has made submissions of several lists of names of teachers who would have met the criteria for dutyfree concessions. Some of these lists were reportedly dated back to 2009.

He is quoted as saying “we have submitted names that would go right back to 2009 for those teachers who did not receive their duty-free concessions when they were eligible, and as such we were expecting the Ministry to ensure that those teachers receive their duty-free concessions…lo and behold, 2014 came to an end and these were not granted.”

“We are saying that this in itself is an injustice meted out to our teachers who would have laboured in this profession for over 30 years, only to have to leave the profession without having that duty-free concession given to them.

Further to that, Lyte reportedly attempted to contact the Ministry but, his attempts were in vain.

“We have not received a response from the Ministry of Education. We are saying that this approach is unacceptable and we will not sit by and allow these things to continue to happen to our teachers” said the GTU P resident in the local daily newspaper.

But according to the Education Minister, all the backlogs have been cleared and teachers that met the criteria for duty-free concessions would have been duly accorded with those benefits.

Manickchand told the press conference “there are no back logs… We have been waiting on the union to give us this information forever, so to lay the blame on our floor steps is less than honest.

The Minister was clearly agitated by what she termed “dishonest rep -

Pump, dredging equipment...

The team’s visit started off at Golden Fleece Sluice, then La Union Sluice, Taymonth Manor sluice, Three Friends sluice, Anna Regina Pump station, Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School ((ARMS), Devonshire Castle sluice, Lima Pump station, Hampton Court before ending at Charity.

Residents from Golden Fleece, Three Friends, Anna Regina, Reliance and Affiance expressed their concerns over the severe flooding, requesting immediate relief.

Persaud told residents that his Administration is doing everything possible to assert relief. He said on a daily basis million of dollars are being spent on fuel for the pumps.

The Chairman said the

flood was as a result of the excessively rainfall. He said the major challenge is the “mudsling” that clogs the outfall making it difficult for water to flow speedily into the Atlantic Ocean.

He explained that despite efforts made for the outfalls to be clean in the different areas, the problem of “overdraft” exist.

Persaud was optimistic that efforts will be made to bring the flood situation under control. He reported that within the communities of Three Friends and Devonshire Castle there are seven sluices, however, only six sluices are operational.

Pumps are working at Three Friends, Anna Regina, Lima, Darthmouth, Windsor Castle, and Hampton Court.

resentations by the GTU in the media.” The Minister stood her ground with her contention being that the Education Ministry cannot be held solely accountable for whatever lapses and delays that were suffered.

According to Manickchand, she has noticed a developing trend coming from the GTU whereby the union seeks to engage the Ministry through the media, which she warned could put considerable strain on the already good relationship shared between the two.

She said it is “extremely unhealthy to be engaging the Ministry through the press. And I think it’s a very new and worrying form of engagement that I see the union engaging in and I would caution them to rethink this strategy…our doors have been open to the union from the time I have taken office”

In fact, Manickchand pointed out that she is taken aback with some of the issues being raised in the media. She explained that it is reasonable to expect that the union’s executives engage the Ministry and thereafter the media or do it simultaneously.

Works Ministry to help improve local contractors’ performance

The Ministry of Public Works has announced that it will be working along with local contractors in the areas of project management and human resources in order to enhance their skills so that they can carry out exemplary works on major projects.

According to Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, the intension behind this step is to award more of Guyana’s major infrastructural projects to local contracting firms.

He made this announcement on Friday at the ministry’s year end review, against the backdrop of consistent substandard and delayed works on projects by local contractors.

The minister explained that his ministry adopted a policy to give opportunities for development to Guyanese as opposed to looking overseas. These include contractors, engineers, and technicians, particularly those who would have graduated from the University of Guyana.

“At the policy level one of the things that we have been paying particular attention to is the question of develop-

ing national capability in all the things that we undertaken in the ministry of works and its related agencies… with respect to creating, developing and facilitating a thorough going, safe, efficient, sustainable, national heavy construction contracting capability,” the minister mentioned.

Benn stressed on the importance of local contractors developing their capabilities, pointing out that it will benefit of the nation if more contracts are awarded locally instead of going to foreigners.

A resident in Reliance inspecting his poultry pen

page 7

B

J omo P aul

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

GTU President Mark Lyte

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn

CIOG hosts first ever luncheon for disabled persons

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana on Saturday held its first ever luncheon for disabled persons aimed at addressing their concerns to construct ways of bettering their lives.

The event was held at the Muslim Youth Organisation Complex at Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands and saw over 150 disabled persons attending.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Jenifer Webster and Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran attended the event to listen to the concerns of the differentlyable.

President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Hajji Fazeel Ferouz said the idea

of the event was initiated by an official of the Guyana Able Sport Cycle WheelChair and Educational Organisation.

Ferouz explained that it was during the Christmas Holidays when everyone

was hosting various events and the official brought it to his attention that he has not seen any official invitations for persons in the disabled community.

“But I knew to myself that we at CIOG and other

organisations have invited disabled persons to some of our event but I thought to myself that the CIOG has never held a function for the disabled, and hence the idea was born, Ferouz explained.

Ferouz added that it is the Organisation’s hope that the event will become an annual one being carried out in various sections across Guyana, starting with Berbice.

He then expressed special thanks to the financial founder of the event, whom he said wishes to remain anonymous. He did however disclose that the Muslim brother is avidly involved in a number of charitable events.

Disabled persons attending the event were given a chance to air their views of issues displeasing them in society. One individual said he is often time frustrated whenever he moves around to run errands at places such as: the hospital and clinics and public offices.

“I am sorry if I talking too much but you ‘all need to get these things in place, when people go to the clinic they have to wait forever and when you do get through, after waiting for such a long time, then you may be told there is no medication,” the man said.

Others highlighted other general issues such as travelling, acquiring jobs among others.

However, Webster reiterated Government’s willingness to support the disabled persons in society. She said at present, there are 5279 permanently disabled persons on the public benefits register of the Labour Ministry.

While there are some 4000 persons who are not on the list, the Government is considering an expansion of the register.

Minister Ramsaran also reiterated the Government’s stance on ensuring the same benefits for all persons in society.

CIOG official, Sheik Moeen Ul-Hack took the opportunity to appeal to persons to treat this section of society with the utmost respect. He explained that while most persons are fortunate not be disabled in any form, it is his belief that life can change in the shortest instance.

It is for this unpredictable fact that Hack said disabled persons must not be looked down on.

The next event of this nature is expected to be held after the Christmas Holidays this year to coincide with Yuman Nabi celebrations, which Ferouz said will be observed on December 24.

The PANTY! fight

Satiricus was aghast!! He pulled in his breath sharply and placed his hand over his mouth. “Oh lawd!!” was all he could mutter. He was looking at the tape of Naga Man cussing out this newspaper for reporting about FUCOP and PANTY!

But instead of saying it “FOOK-OP” as the Mook did to rhyme with “jook up”, Naga Man actually used the “F” word!! Now Satiricus knew that Mook Lall would NEVER use THAT word and HE was the one who came up with FUCOP. What gave?

Satiricus knew “Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency” (FUCOP) was the vehicle Lall was using to funnel funds to the Opposition to throw out the PPP/C Government which he hated more than reading and writing.

Satiricus was sure when Lall coined the name, his chief-cook-and-bottle-washer Badam! Harass had to write it out for him. Mook Lall forming an “acronym”? The last time Harrass had mentioned “acronym” to the Mook, he’d thought Harrass was talking about acrobats!! The Mook formed the name and Harrass formed the acronym FUCOP. But it was not only Naga Man using the “F” word so casually that made Satiricus gasp. Here it was that Naga Man was saying that the acronym his leader of the KFC Rum Jhaat had proposed for the new coalition he was forming with the Pee-an-See - PANTY! was “obscene”! Satiricus let out another gasp and covered his mouth.

Rum Jhaat was gonna go ballistic!! After all, he had spent so much time picking out a letter from the names of all the parties in the coalition Partnership, Alliance, National and joined it to “Trust”.

When the US had launched the KFC in 2005, Big Dick Morris had told him “Trust” was a “positive” word. That’s why so many investment banks used it in their names. And “Yes!” with an exclamation point? Why! Big Dick had assured him that once a voter said “Yes!” The vote was assured!

And now Naga Man thought this was obscene?? Satiricus knew what Rum Jhaat was gonna tell Naga Man the first time he saw him: “Haul yuh FUCOP ass! Naga Man!!!!”

Works Ministry to help...

from page 9

The Minister said, “It is important to note that when Guyanese contracting firms develop their capabilities and are facilitated, it renounces to the benefit of the nation. The monies are spent here and provides a stronger stimulance and energising in our economy so the policy position we have taken with respect to foster, facilitating and developing our national contracting capability is a significant one; one which we have been pursuing.”

He went onto highlight that there are certain challenges that come along with this policy to work along with contractors and ensuring that the projects are executed in the way that the Ministry want them to be, that is, in an internationally accredited way with respect to safety, quality, efficiency and the timely delivery of the projects.

The Works Minister said he is committed to working with local contracting firms to improve their “learning curve” and better enable them to undertake the many major developmental projects that Government have and will embark on.

“Not simply too much contracts but that they have not geared themselves up to fully take on the management of all the issues relating to all the contracts they have… and as I said it’s a question of us working with them to improve their learning curve and to focus specifically in the project management and infrastructure and engineering development,” he noted.

However, the Minister pointed out that his Ministry will continue to sanction local contractors for substandard works done on national projects.

“We have done, in the past, and I think we are looking at actions even now with respect to the issues of liquidated damages and also cancellation, which we will be cancelling out projects. There are times too when we have rejected materials that they brought with respect to construction or we rejected parts of the construction work that they have done,” Benn added.

Meanwhile the Public Works Minister outlined that in cases where major developmental projects are awarded to foreign companies, it provides an opportunity for locals to work along with them and learn about the international standards.

On the other hand, Benn recognised that one of the many challenges facing local contracting firms is their inability to execute more than one projects at a time and will be working to address this area.

A disability ramp at the ELT at the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus

Sandbank grounding fallout...

$366M spent on CJIA expansion project in 2014

By Vahnu Manickchand

CJIA Modernisation Project 2014 Essequibo Ferry Captain, crew face disciplinary action

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Ramesh Ghir disclosed that some $366 million has been spent on the hallmark Airport Expansion Project during the year 2014.

Ghir made this disclosure at the Public Works Ministry year end review presentation on Friday, where he also revealed that the project has exhausted more than US$30 million or G$6.4 billion since its commencement back in 2013.

However, the $366,986,979 million was spent last year in spite of funding for the project not being approved by the National Assembly in the 2014 Budget.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn explained that the continuation of the project was financed with funds received from the Government of China.

The minister pointed out that these monies must be used otherwise Guyanese will lose out on the benefits that can be reaped from it.

“Monies which come from overseas given as loans or grants (and) resides with us and we have to use it; these are foreign inflows called ‘specific’. The money comes to Guyana and you have to use it or if you don’t use most of it, it goes back and we don’t get the benefit of the engagements we have with the various countries with respect to the usage of those funds,” he explained.

Questioned about oversight of the monies provided by the Chinese Government, Benn noted that it is recorded in Parliament and persons are aware of it. However, he reminded,

that it was the National Assembly that had granted the initial approval for the expansion project to get underway.

“Based on approvals in Parliament in late 2011, we accessed and paid out an amount of 20.7 million United States Dollars as the 15 per cent mobilisation advance to the project. So the project was initiated anyway and the contracts were signed. We face tremendous risk if we don’t continue the project by virtue of the necessity of the project,” he warned.

The CJIA Expansion

Progress

According to Ghir, the intension behind the runway expansion is to make it Class 4E and the sight is already ‘built out’ for the sand backfilling.

He noted that there is a total area of 304,000 square metres to be cleared and thus far only 11 per cent has been completed, that is 34,013 square metres.

The CEO further stated that a total of 1.6 million cubic metre or 82,620 truckloads of humus has to be excavated and thus far only 14,960 cubic metres or 18 per cent have been removed.

Project is estimated at US$150 million and in December 2012, payment of US$20 million was approved by the National Assembly for the budget. The project consists of the runway expanding to 10,500 feet and a new terminal building to facilitate double its current capacity. A contract for US$138 million was signed with China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd and works begun on January 2013. The project is expected to be completed by September this year.

Meanwhile, the total amount of sand to be backfilled is 10.4 cubic metre or 522,838 truckloads. To date, the amount of sand backfilled has totaled 575,250 cubic metres or 28,763 truckloads, that is, or 5.5 per cent.

On the other hand, the airport CEO mentioned, the new terminal building will be 60,000 square metres and the construction of site

office along with the accommodation is approximately 95 per cent completed. This area is located between the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) facilities on the main road in Timehri.

He revealed that the preliminary designs were submitted and reviewed during seven meetings held with the airport stakeholders to determine the optimum solution for the new terminal.

Ghir added that the construction of the new Terminal Building is expected to commence in May this year.

Employment

Additionally, the CJIA Head outlined that the airport expansion project is proving to be beneficial for the unemployed population in Guyana. He disclosed that about 230 locals have been employed on the project to date.

Currently, there are 49 nationals and 45 China Harbour employees who are working on the project.

Ghir projected that over 500 Guyanese will gain employment under the expansion project at the CJIA.

Moreover, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Engineering Corps, which was originally on the site that has proposed site for the new Terminal Building, has been relocated to the Base Camp Stephenson Compound.

Construction works are being done to the tune of US$1.1 million and is slated for completion in March.

Approximately three months after the unfortunate incident when the Essequibo Ferry MV Sabanto ran aground, the General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Marclene Merchant announced on Friday last, during a Public Works Ministry press conference, that the Captain and lookouts have faced disciplinary action for their negligence.

Merchant stated that the Captain was dismissed from the department of service and the lookouts were suspended from duty without pay for one month.

She explained that the vessel was travelling at an unsafe pace due to the carelessness of the Captain.

“The Captain and the lookouts lost all sense of direction and position. The captain failed to drop the anchor and wait for the weather to improve, nevertheless the vessel continued to travel at an unsafe speed.”

The General Manager stated that the C aptain then gave the wrong order which caused the vessel to run hard aground onto the South-western side of the Wakenaam Island on the Essequibo River en route to Supenaam from

Parika.

There were no reported injuries and all passengers and crew members had safely disembarked the vessel via water taxis.

Meanwhile, on April 9, the MV Kanawan experienced difficulties which resulted in motor lorry GKK 9159 falling overboard into the Essequibo River.

The mishap occurred after the Captain and crew of the vessel failed to ensure that the rope binding the vessel to the Supenaam Stelling was properly secured, causing the ramp of the boat to collapse.

“The vessel sheared about six to eight feet from the Stelling causing both chains and wire ropes to snap,” Merchant noted.

She explained that the matter is currently engaging the attention of the Legal Affairs Ministry and the T&HD is waiting on a way forward.

The truck was transporting chicken feed for businessman Delroy Griffith who, after the incident, counted over $2 million in losses.

He had blamed the T&HD for the mishap, pointing out that the crew onboard the vessel was negligent in their duty.

The man had also demanded the T&HD give him a new truck.

CEO of the CJIA Ramesh Ghir

Guyoil preparing to meet Govt on fuel prices

BY JOMO PAUL

The Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil)

is preparing to meet with the Finance Ministry to discuss lowering of the excise on imported fuel.

This was confirmed by the CEO of Guyoil, Badree Persaud who told Guyana Times on Saturday evening that being cognizant of the recent price drops in Venezuela, the management team was preparing to meet with the Ministry.

Persaud explained that as per norm, when the price for oil drops, the government would increase the excise tax levied on fuel, however when the price for fuel rises on the international market, the excise tax is lowered.

He assured that discussion with the finance Ministry would be “done soon.”

This means that Guyana could see a raise or decline in the amount of excise tax levied on imported fuel.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, in a notice to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), in November, said that under the Financial Administration and Audit Act, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved increases of the excise tax on gasoline from 20 percent to 40 percent. Diesel was also raised significantly from 15 percent to 35 percent.

But a reduction of 10

per cent was occasioned in December last year.

Venezuela

The price of Venezuelan crude oil and its derivatives has dropped below USD 40 per barrel, the oil ministry said Friday, marking the lowest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

For 2014 alone, global oil prices have dropped a whopping 45 per cent50 per cent, which would make for the highest annual decline since 2008.

State-owned Guyoil imports almost all or most of its fuel from Venezuela, however Guyanese has not been able to benefit from

the price drops which have been happening since June of 2014.

Venezuelan crude finished the week at $39.19 per barrel, the ministry said on its Twitter account.

Since June, Venezuelan crude has shed 61 percent of its value. Oil prices averaged $88.42 per barrel in 2014, down from $98.08 in 2013.

Venezuela was already mired in economic woes before oil began its recent slide, but the sharp downturn in crude prices has been especially punishing for a country that relies on oil for 96 percent of its foreign currency.

Before the steady decline commenced in June, the price for oil was steady at the US$115-$120 range which means that the price for oil has plunged more than 50 per cent in recent months.

In Guyana, prices have been stuck at around GY$1000 which is equivalent to US$5, double the New York prices.

In New York, the per capita income is at least ten times that of Guyanese, resulting in much greater pressure on the average Guyanese.

It is presumed that if the price of gasoline were to fall on the market, even the buses might have lowered their fares, resulting in another boost for commuters.

Daughter wants justice for dead father

Shareema Azab, of 1232 Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, is calling for justice for her father, who was killed by the driver of an allegedly speeding car on January 5.

Abdul Azab Hamied, 54, of Lot 4 Friendship East Bank Demerara, was crossing the road when a motor vehicle bearing the licence plate number PCC 9494 struck him.

According to his daughter, witnesses rushed the elderly man to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and then summoned the Police who took the driver and passenger into custody.

“That’s what I hear, I received a call around 08:30h and I came out to the hospital and I see them trying to save he life.”

The woman then departed the hospital and went home where she received another call around 22:00h that confirmed her father had passed away.

“They say he died as a result of a fractured skull and injured spine.”

Azab said she and several other family members then made their way to the Grove Police Station where the perpetrators were in Police custody.

“I don’t know them, I don’t know their names or anything because I was just all too confused, all I know is I hear they say the people from Sophia.”

The grieving woman is calling for justice to be served as she feels the law is not doing its job stringently in punishing unlawful citizens.

She explained that the driver was reportedly placed on $100,000 bail

ing information from her.

“All they telling me is that the matter will go through the court and the file got to look by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions). But I don’t know when. And he get placed on bail. That’s not fair. My father didn’t deserve to die. Not like that.”

Azab noted that the persons responsible for her father’s death did not even contact her or any other family member to offer their condolences or any form of compensation.

“My father didn’t had much. He was a farmer and he used to live by himself. He used to come by he friend in Diamond every week and I used to go and see he and take food for he. It’s me and my sister from New Jersey had to pool money for the funeral. They couldn’t even offer to help. It’s not like we want it or anything, but they just

the other person in the vehicle- a man, claimed he was the driver.

Reports reaching her revealed that the woman does not own a valid driver’s licence; therefore the man took responsibility for the woman’s wrongful actions.

“Like I don’t know what happened but them people tell me when the thing happen, it was a woman who was driving the car but like she does not have a licence so when the Police come now, the man said it was he who was driving.”

Meanwhile, the woman said she still cannot come to terms with the fact her beloved father is dead.

“We were very close. The last time I see he was on Christmas Day. Like I still feel he is here, like sometimes I does go to pick up the phone to call him but then I remember.”

She said his grandchil-

and it appears the vehicle was returned to the owner as it is no longer in the Police Station’s compound.

She further stated that the Police seem to be keep -

don’t seem like they care what they did,” the woman lamented.

Moreover, Azab said witnesses told her that a woman was driving the car but upon Police inquiry,

dren also miss their grandfather as they often inquire about the situation.

“I does try to explain to them but they small so I don’t know how much they does understand.”

The car that struck down Abdul Azab Hamied

CEO of Guyoil, Badree Persaud

Abdul Azab Hamied

Public Works Ministry stands by China Railway

– says company not responsible for Amaila Road damages

As criticisms contin-

ue to grow over the quality of work delivered by China Railway First Group on the Amaila Falls Access Road, the Public Works Ministry continues to stand on the side of the Chinese company.

According to critics, local contractors working on the Amaila Falls Access Road project are doing a better job than China Railway.

But the Ministry’s Technical Adviser Walter Willis said on Friday, that this is not the case while clarifying that the Chinese contractor is not at fault for the damages caused to the access road.

He explained that the area in which the Chinese company had to work was mountainous.

“The terrain in which China Railway First Group operated was much more hilly and it was plagued by incursions by miners and although we tried diligently to block the road and restrict movement of miners, they continued. When they

come up from the mining area onto the embankment with the heavy equipment, damages occurred,” he ex-

in the section that China Railway First Group is responsible for, have eroded.

He noted that the

ent weather is hindering this aspect.

While the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project has at-

plained.

Willis disclosed that out of a total of 50,000 metres, only a mere 130 metres,

Chinese contracting firm is still on site with its equipment, waiting to repair the affected area but the inclem-

tracted much controversy, Government has gone ahead with the construction of the access road. According to

Willis, some US$28.9 million was exhausted. He further stated that maintenance works for the road are estimated at $200 million annually.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn explained that Government through his Ministry will be standing the cost for maintaining the road until Amaila Falls Hydropower Inc is in place to take over. The Minister explained that the $200 million is provisional, that is, it is not a fixed amount.

The Amaila Falls Access Road is constructed in seven sections that cover a total of 162 kilometres of road, most of which had to be constructed from scratch. Each section was awarded to a different contracting firm and with the exception of China Railway; the others are all local contractors.

At the end of December 2014, approximately 95 per cent of the road was completed and is currently in the condition to be used. Additionally, as part of the project, a series of bridges

were also constructed. Currently, pontoon crossings for Butakari and Kuribrong are being constructed, with the entire project expected to be completed within a few months.

Minister Benn emphasised that the road is a key aspect to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. Asked about the position, as it relates to acquiring funding for the Hydro Project, Benn said that he is not aware of the “specifics” but reminded that Government is working assiduously to have it materialised. He added too that a number of visits and discussions are ongoing.

“I want to remind how critical a national project this is: the fact that we would want to see almost a halving of our light bills; the fact that we have reliable, renewable, sustainable power and that we will have enough power which will take care of providing power at a cheaper rate to have investment into the country,” he pointed out.

Police hunting for killer in Atlantic Gardens execution

The investigations into the execution of businesswoman, Patricia “Patsy” Sanasie are ongoing and the police are working on several leads.

Sanasie, aged 45, was fatally shot around 19:10h on January 12, shortly after she and her daughter arrived in front of her Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, home. The woman reportedly came out of the vehicle to open the gate when she was confronted by a “big built” man who discharged several rounds at her.

A post-mortem examination conducted on her revealed that she was shot five times about her body. The woman’s daughter, Romona, was in the car and witnessed her mother’s killing. She was unharmed during the ordeal and has gone into hiding since the incident.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Saturday, Crime Chief, Leslie James disclosed that Police have not found anything on the surveillance footage they have obtained from the area that can advance the investigations. Asked about other aspects of the investigations, such as tracing the ammunition that were recovered from Sanasie’s body, James said that they are looking into that area but did not reveal much

details.

The Crime Chief further stated that the investigation is still open and they have not shortlisted anyone, who they suspect might have had a hand in the woman’s killing. This newspaper was told that the woman was flown out of the country on Saturday

of the business place in Alberttown, Georgetown.

The businessman survived the injuries but blamed his wife and her younger brother for plotting the failed attempt on his life. However the woman had refuted the allegations, claiming that her husband was mentally ill.

and taken to the United States for cremation.

The woman’s relatives and friends along with residents in Atlantic Gardens are of the belief that she was killed by her husband, with whom she shared a violent pass. The husband, auto spares dealer Deokaran Ram Sanasie called “Monkey Ram”, was shot three times last February outside

Before that incident, the couple was together for some 29 years and havethree children.

The dead woman's husband had left Guyana for the United States last year. He is still denying allegations of being involved in his estranged wife’s death, sources revealed to this publication.

Guyana Times was made to understand that

the woman and her three daughters were in the US for a while but she and her eldest daughter returned recently.

The woman reportedly returned to sell some of her properties including the building that used to house the Academy of

Professional Studies, located in Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown. The school closed down in March last year after allegations of sexual relations between a male teacher and a student, caused school’s population to significantly reduce.

Sources close to the family claimed that “Patsy” was selling out her properties because she wanted to migrate to the US Persons stated that the woman had constantly expressed fear for her life as such her daughter returned with her.

Public Works Ministry Technical Advisor Walter Willis

Patricia Sanasie called 'Patsy'

Despite Opposition contretemps...

Economic growth continues unabated – Finance Minister

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh pointed out that Guyana, under the People’s Progressive Party Civic/ (PPP/C) Administration, continues to experience economic growth and development despite the challenges encountered in the parliamentary process and the inevitable consequences that these challenges have posed for the political and economic environment.

Singh noted that sustaining nine years of consecutive economic growth is not easy and extending it remains high on the PPP/C’s agenda.

“We (the PPP/C) take very seriously our responsibility for ensuring that the economic environment in Guyana continues to be attractive,” he explained.

He also pointed out that the nine years of consecutive growth were achieved despite non-support in the Parliament from the Opposition which can only be deemed as a concerted effort to stymie development.

The Minister further stated that Guyana could have achieved much more, had many pivotal projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion not

been obstructed by the Parliamentary Opposition.

“The Opposition has not been shy of flaunting its tactics for all and sundry to see, and these tactics have been aimed at scaring investors away, intimidating investors, (and even) threatening (them),” he deplored.

Singh then stressed that

was “the starkest example” that the Opposition parties have made it quite clear, that they have no interest in the consequences of an adverse review by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the other external bodies that are responsible for reviewing Guyana’s financial actions.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

in a democratic environment, these ‘Opposition actions’ are not deemed as acceptable behaviour, “since all leaders are supposed to act in the country’s best interest, regardless of which side they represent.”

Referring to the AntiMoney Laundering Bill, the Minister expounded that this

Nevertheless, Singh reinforced that “this Government will continue to implement measures to ensure economic growth.”

Additionally, the Minister noted that the global economic environment has also been faced with its own problems which negatively impacted many of Guyana’s

trading partners. Notwithstanding those challenges, Singh said Guyana’s economic performance is definitely worth commending.

“It is most commendable not just to Government, but indeed to the investors, the entrepreneurs, and the workers, all of whom have contributed to this growth.”

He also noted that the economy was able to perform as well as it did because of investor policies and prudent fiscal management by the Government.

The Minister highlighted that the local economy continues to be conducive to attracting both local and foreign investors.

He said the Government’s policy is to provide the same incentives to local and foreign investors who are interested in investing in Guyana.

“If you look across the spectrum, you’ll see a very strong track record of investors from every jurisdiction, responding to the environment that we have created. We have today companies (local and foreign) in the natural resources sector, in gold, in manganese, in bauxite and in new and emerging industries.”

turn to page 15

President visits flood hit Region 2 areas – meets with affected residents

Head of State President Donald Ramotar, along with a high level team, visited Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Saturday to inspect several flood-affected areas, sluices and outfalls.

Many residents and businesses are counting their losses due to the flooding as a result of the heavy rain falls.

Poultry farmers especially suffered tremendous losses as their chicken pens were inundated with the knee-high water. Other residents suffered losses of refrigerators, televisions and other household items.

Daywattie Sundar told the President that her entire kitchen is flooded and all her electrical appliances are damaged.

Another housewife, Indrawattie Persaud also echoed similar sentiments as she lamented the struggle and great inconvenience of moving her kitchen to the upper flat of her house.

However, during his visit, the President charged residents that the Government of Guyana, along with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Agriculture Ministry and the Region

Two Administration are doing everything in their capacity to bring relief to the residents.

He also expressed the need for dredges and more pumps, which he promised will be soon deployed to various areas.

President Ramotar and his team commenced his tour at the Devonshire Castle

Sluice then moved off to interact with residents in the area.

The delegation then visited the Hampton Court Sluice, Anna Regina and Three Friends pump.

The delegation comprised of the General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association Dharamkumar Seeraj,

Younge’s Take

AFC’s blunder

On Friday, the Alliance For Change (AFC) defended its members’ entitlement to a salary, pension, and other benefits from the National Assembly following the continuation of the prorogation of Parliament.

The party through its ‘power-lifters’ Moses Nagamootoo and Catherine Hughes argued strongly that they are the duly elected representatives of the people, and that getting elected comes with certain entitlements.

They shied away from accepting any blame for the current state of affairs in the Legislature.

In fact, Nagamootoo said publicly that the matter of them reportedly doing no parliamentary work during the prorogation and still uplifting their salaries was not a “moral issue” but a “political issue”.

Hughes went further by admitting that even though Parliament is prorogued, the AFC is still working and meeting with its stakeholders. She argued strongly that the people’s business was still being addressed via outreaches and other party activities which were taking place during the prorogation period.

Surprisingly, the AFC MP declared that if the PPP/C MPs were willing to publicly commit to the refusal of their own salaries then she would do the same. She was also sure that the other members of the AFC would also follow suit the move were it to be done by the PPP/C first.

As expected, Nagamootoo could not resist attacking the Attorney General Anil Nandlall and some of his former PPP/C colleagues. He is reported as calling on Nandlall specifically and others whom he claimed are receiving ‘super pay’ packages to donate their salaries to the poor during the prorogation period.

But he did not say whether he will be willing to do likewise.

There are many things that are wrong and off about the statements made by these two so-called paragons of virtue within the AFC.

Firstly, Hughes needs to choose an argument and stick to it.

She needs to decide whether or not she truly believes that the AFC MPs who are not attending Parliament and are not representing the people at the level of the Legislature during the prorogation are entitled to their benefits.

Hughes also needs to decide whether she views the issue as a moral one, and therefore as a woman and politician of principle would refuse her parliamentary salary given the current state of affairs of the Parliament.

The truth is that the PPP/C has nothing to do with the issue. The party has never raised any concern in respect to the issue at hand. They have never criticised the AFC parliamentarians or any other member of the Parliament for the emoluments they are receiving at the expense of the tax payers during this period.

In fact, it would be foolhardy for the PPP/C to do so, given the fact that it was their party’s Government that prorogued Parliament.

So the challenge thrown out by Hughes makes little sense and lacks any political usefulness. Maybe Hughes’ point ‘auto-failed’ on the way to the land of reason and purpose. It was cheap.

Secondly, Nagamootoo’s hissings have become the norm. While he seeks to defend his own acceptance of the salary he receives, he calls on the other Government MPs who are allegedly taking home ‘big bucks’ to donate it to the poor.

But if Nagamootoo again wants to be seen as the people’s deliverer, then he should lead by example. Maybe he should donate his parliamentary salary, which was described as a “pittance” by his APNU colleague Basil Williams on Friday, to the poor.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud, Regional Vice Chairman Vishnu Samaroo, and engineers.

The flood water is expected to recede from persons’ home over the next three days.

If he does this, maybe he could ‘soften’ the hearts and minds of the AFC’s imagined Pharaohs in the PPP/C to do the same.

After all the Moses from the scriptures, whom he readily identifies himself with, did not follow the people of Israel, he led them.

Thirdly, the last thing one would have expected the AFC to do, taking into consideration its bold stance on a number of policy issues related to corruption, leadership and morals, is to declare that they would “follow the PPP/C Government”.

Minister within the Agriculture Ministry Alli Baksh along with CEO Lionel Wordsworth and Region Two Chariman speaking with residents and farmers at Windsor Castle

“Nothing I have done undermines democracy”

– Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar on Saturday stood his ground in the face of criticisms being made by the political Opposition parties about some of the decisions he has taken since being appointed back in 2011.

He said that the most recent spate of allegations emanating from the A Partnership for National Unity are wicked and vile since they are intended to cause mischief about the legality of several of his actions while in office.

Ramotar, speaking during an interview with the Guyana Times from State House, said he is shocked by the allegations made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU’s) Basil Williams.

Williams on Friday accused the Head of State of undermining democracy while telling journalists that Ramotar’s presidency will be remember forever as he alluded to several of the President’s action.

Williams was stated as saying that Ramotar has failed to conduct Local Government Elections and

failed to recall the National Assembly after he prorogued Parliament on November 10, 2014.

He further said that APNU supports the international criticism of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration over its damage to parliamentary and local democracy.

Williams seems to have been referring to comments made by the international

Economic growth continues...

Examples of such companies include Guyana Goldfields, a Canadian company and Troy Resources of Australia; Exxon Mobil and CGX, internationally recognised oil companies; Qualfon, a Mexican call service provider; and Massy Group of companies.

Moreover, Executive Director of the National Industrial Commercial Investments Ltd., (NICIL), Winston Brassington attested to the Minister’s sentiments.

“We have been witnessing a lot of foreign investment and this itself is an indicator that the fundamentals to attract investment are in the right place.”

Guyana’s development was also recognized and lauded by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Guyana “appears to be a bright growth prospect even amidst the global economic meltdown from September 2008 … (Guyana) has agricultural commodities to sell in which the country still has some competitive advantage… marine resources and gold… also Guyana has abundant hydroelectricity (potential),” Gonsalves had charged some two years ago at the 32nd meeting of the Caricom Heads of

community, including the recent comments by the United Kingdom High Commissioner Andrew Ayre calling for elections to be held or Parliament to be recalled, thus putting an end to the current prorogation of Parliament.

“Nothing I have done so far undermines democracy,” the President said. He further explained that Williams seems to have forgotten Guyana’s democratic state under the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR’s) administration in the past.

The President stated that there are two past Presidents under the PNCR that have undermined democracy.

However, President Ramotar told this newspaper that Caricom has said the UK is out of line following the comments it made through its local envoy.

He maintained that Guyanese can expect the date for General and Regional Elections to be announced soon. He chose not to glorify the other comments made by the Opposition politician with a worthy response.

AG holds fruitful discussions with Hugh Wooding Principal

One week after promising Guyanese law students that everything will be done to ensure that the agreement with the Hugh Wooding Law School stands, Attorney (AG) General and Legal Affairs, Minister Anil Nandlall has announced that he met with the Principal of the institution, Miriam Samaru and fruitful discussions were borne.

According to Nandlall, he met with Samaru on Friday and several pressing issues were discussed, with special regards to those affecting the Guyanese students at the institution.

“It was a very fruitful meeting, and many of the issues which were raised were successfully addressed”, said the AG.

The Attorney General then met with the Guyanese contingent of students studying at the institution on Saturday and briefed them on the discussions he held with the Principal. He also updated them on the decisions which were taken during the dialogue.

According to the Minister, he has informed the students that the Office of the President will make a financial contribution to the GUYANA NITE festivities, which is an annual cultural extravaganza scheduled to take place on the night of February 28 and which has been held and hosted at the law school by Guyanese students over the last 15 years.

Last Tuesday, the Attorney General had met with students from the University of Guyana’s Law

Students’ Society and had promised them that the government is doing and will do everything possible to ensure that the decades old agreement with the Hugh Wooding Law School for the automatic placement of 25 Guyanese students remain in place. He is expected to attend a meeting with the Council of Legal Education (CLE) in Grenada on February 16 for extensive discussions on the matter.

from page 14

Government.

The Minister opined that the people of Guyana have every reason to be proud and optimistic that their country has been witnessing economic growth for almost a decade with every sector showing significant and steady increases.

He stressed that economic growth is essential for improving everyone’s wellbeing and therefore the Government will continue to maintain policies to secure the country’s development.

Additionally, he maintained that Government will not become complacent of emerging challenges and will continue to work assiduously to ensure that the main sectors remain competitive and continue to expand.

Singh stated that the PPP/C Government will continue to place strong focus on the building of key infrastructural projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project.

“We (PPP/C) are persevering with Amaila … we continue to work with international partners … notwithstanding the Opposition’s attempts to stymie and stultify these projects (other transformational projects mentioned above), it is (still) very much our intention to ensure that these projects be realised”.

Missing ASL plane…. Flying in Guyana is a “nightmare”– Aviators

– as search continues after 21 days

BY JOMO PAUL

Today marks 21 days since the Timehri Control Tower lost communication with the Cessna Britten Norman Islander that was operating a flight between Mahdia and Karisparu, Region Eight. Based on records, the aircraft took off from Mahdia at about 11:42h on a routine local cargo flight and the last known position was spot tracker at 11:44h.

Up to Saturday, teams from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were conducting searches in the interior still in hopes of finding the plane, its pilot, Nicky Persaud, age 27, and Cargo Loader, David Bisnauth, 51.

Veteran Pilot, Captain Gerry Gouveia in a post late Saturday afternoon said he was preparing to call off his search efforts for the missing plane.

In a Facebook post he said, “I am closing the curtains on my search effort. We searched all day for the missing aircraft, using all the methodologies, all the training, and all my experience of the past 38 years. I followed every lead, narrow the search area down to a two mile square, grid search the area in detail. But the jungle once again proved mightier than man.”

Meanwhile, several other prominent and fresh aviators have weighed in on the issue of the missing plane via social media and other platforms. One Facebook, Guyanese pilots are saying that it is time for more emphasis to be

placed on human lives and for better mechanisms to be put in place.

“You cannot skimp on safety. The cost of this far outweighs what it would have cost to properly equip each aircraft in the fleet with proper flight tracking equipment and utilise same selectively (transmission delays) for the type of operation you are per-

licopter with a FLIR kit had been deployed the same day they might have picked up a heat signature. Other than that it’s eyesight, eyewitness, an insight into the mishap pilot’s mind and plan, and God’s guidance” said another.

However throughout all of this the resounding concern is that more training needs to be done for pilots to mitigate the

forming” said one aviator in a comment.

Another recommended that, enough mandatory survival gears be placed on all airplanes operating such terrain.

“Convene a panel of experts to figure it out” said the social commentator.

“In addition pilots should be given an initiation course and equipment on how to attract rescuers to their downed spot. So sorry for these guys and their families” said another person during one of the several conversations on social media.

“There is no technology at this time. Nothing to peer through that jungle. If a he-

risks to prevent accidents and to survive in the event an accident does occur.

According to one concerned aviator, the local airline industry, the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) “must collaborate on the creation of a survival kit which must be present on every airplane that flies locally. A first aid kit is not a survival kit and should be added to a more comprehensive but compact survival kit that includes, among other things, water or water purification tablets and food similar to the Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) used by militaries around the world.”

According to Tyrone Williams, “more can be done to aid in the preservation of life and promote the swifter recovery of downed personnel. Therefore, I wish to posit two commonsense recommendations.”

Comparing flying in Guyana to a “nightmare”, Williams explained that piloting an aircraft in “Guyana presents many unique challenges that our brave pilots, including those in the GDF will perhaps only be exposed to by flying locally. The Transport and Hydraulics Ministry, GCAA and the GDF should pool its resources to create a survival training package for local pilots that go through different crash scenarios and best responses.”

He went further to suggest that the GDF’s Jungle and Amphibious Training School (JATS) at Makouria, Essequibo could be utilised for this purpose.

“Who knows, this could be the start of a block of training that could become famous the world over” said Williams in the post. He reminded that Guyana is known for many things but, those things do not include the many perils faced by aircraft operators on a daily basis

“Many are not aware of the fact that our local pilots fly over dense, triple canopy jungle, through mountainous regions; as well as land and take off from airstrips that leave a lot to be desired” he said.

President Donald Ramotar

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall with some of the University of Guyana’s Law students

Missing Pilot: Nicky Persaud

CIIP constructs 18 bridges in communities in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6

The Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) has recently invested over $4.6 million to rehabilitate and construct 18 footpath bridges in several communities in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara), Four (Demerara Mahaica), Five (Mahaica Berbice) and Six (East Berbice Corentyne).

This is according to a press release from the Housing and Water Ministry Approximately 1800 residents are direct beneficiaries of the bridges, which replaced derelict structures encompassing broken rails, loose planks, missing planks and rotten beams all of which made the structures unsafe for users.

The Housing and Water Ministry through this component of CIIP helped to provide improved access within the following Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs):

Seafield/ Tempie;Rosignol/ Zeelust;Profit/Rising Sun;Unity/Vereeniging; GoldenGrove/Diamond Place;Gibraltar/Fyrish; Lancaster/ Hogstye; Hague/ Blankenburg; Best Klien/ Pouderoyen; Greenwich Park/ Vergenoegen; Hydronie/ Good Hope; and Stewartville/ Cornelia Ida.

The targeted areas were identified by the NDCs and communities and works were undertaken in where bridges were non-existent, deplorable or unusable.

According to Bibi Ameena Bacchuss, Overseer of Unity/ Vereeniging NDC, the link between the communities of Good Hope and Hand-en-Veldt, East Coast Demerara is now strengthened thanks to the construction of the bridge, which is used mainly by residents who take their children to the private daycare, nursery and primary school.

She emphasised that this small project undertaken by

the Ministry has great importance to the two communities. For numerous years the NDC was unable to repair the previous structure owing to financial limitations.

“The bridge was in a terrible condition…It was unsafe to cross with some planks missing and some rotten residents avoided using the bridge and were using a private entrance…I am really glad it was repaired,” Bacchuss lamented.

Another area where access to a school was made a priority is Tempie at Quarter Walk, Region Five. The main users of this bridge are students attending Number .29 Primary School and residents. It also provides direct access to the Public Road saving residents time and energy. According to a resident, the previous bridge was abandoned for some time because of its deplorable condition. “The bridge was shaky and had missing planks and so crossing was impossible and so we had to use the dam and of course that was not good during the rainy weather,” the resident said.

A new access was created at Greenwich Burial Ground, Region Three. The bridge was built at the back of the cemetery’s compound to provide access to unused plots. There is a bridge at the front of the cemetery, where most of the land space has been utilised and this had made accessing the cemetery difficult.

CIIP aims at improving access and aesthetics in target areas through initiatives which creates local employment and fosters community cohesion.

Police floating base to be in operation soon

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) will soon be clamping down on illegal activities, particularly smuggling activities, in the Waini River, Region One, area as the floating patrol base is expected to be in operations soon.

This is according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who told the Guyana Times that currently the boat is being outfitted. He disclosed that as soon as this is completed, arrangements will be made for it to be handed over to the police and put into operations.

The vessel named MB Tamakay was built by the Courtney Benn Contracting Services. Construction of the floating base, which is made of marine steel materials that were imported from the United States, commenced in 2013 and was first docked in the waters back in March last year. MB Tamakay is a seventy by twenty foot vessel that has a main deck and two others complete with billets.

Last month at the Home Affairs Ministry’s year-inreview presentation, the minister stated that the

vessel will be used by the Police and other agencies to jointly address smuggling in Guyana. “The Guyana Police Force Floating Base will be located at the mouth of the Waini River and will be used as a platform to monitor activities in the surrounding area as well as interdict smugglers,” he pointed out.

The minister had said that vessel is expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of the year. He outlined that training of Police ranks and the provision of technical advice to fully equip this structure will be facilitated by the GDF Coast Guard, who has a similar vessel operating in the Pomeroon River, Region Two.

Back in February last year, the member agencies of the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband signed of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the joint use of the GDF’s floating patrol base. The training of staff to be embedded on the vessel was also done by Coast Guard and joint operations among the agencies from the floating base have commenced.

Having police presence in these regions of Guyana’s riverain is a good move on the part of the Home Affairs Ministry since many illegal activities goes undetected especially in interior locations. Only in August 2014, CANU, along with the GDF, acting on intelligence from an ongoing investigation conducted an operation along the Waini River.

During a search of one of the creeks branching off from the Waini, a semi submersible self propellant (SSSP) vessel was discovered about two miles in, along with a camp consisting of three structures – accommodation, workshop area and generator. The accommodation structure had the capacity to sleep approximately 12 persons. In addition, there was also a kitchen area located within the accommodation. The workshop consisted of pulleys, power tools, paint, and several fibre-glass materials. Based on the items present, it is believed that the SPSS found in the creek was built in the area and authorities suspect it was built for trafficking narcotics.

South-South cooperation alive and well in Guyana

BY ROYDEN JAMES

Argentina's Ambassador to Guyana Luis Alberton Martino said that the South-South Cooperation is alive and well in Guyana. Ambassador Martino, speaking to Guyana Times, said that the Argentina and Guyana are looking to strengthen their bilateral relations.

He said the South-South Cooperation Agreement is an important instrument for international cooperation, explaining that it provides opportunities for developing countries and countries with economies in transition to achieve their individual and collective pursuit in economic growth and sus-

tainable development.

South-South Cooperation is the exchange of resources, technology and knowledge between developing countries also known as countries of the global south.

Ambassador Martino noted that over the past 25 years, the Argentine Fund for South-South and Triangle Cooperation has been able to finance the development and implementation of several international technical cooperation and bilateral triangular projects.

These initiatives, he said, have developed through partnership, explaining that Argentinean experts and their partnering countries work together to exchange programmes.

Additionally, they collaborate for the implementation of public policies that favour inclusive development, democratic governance, scientific and technical prog-

ress, and respect for human rights.

Martino also disclosed that in the last decade, Argentina’s South-South Cooperation at the bilateral level has experienced remarkable improvements, both in terms of quality and number of projects.

In addition, he said that the number of Argentine institutions involved in these projects has been increasing over the years as well as the number of projects, and this aside, Argentina is looking to expand technical Cooperation Agreement to more countries.

He said already, the increase in cooperation has led to the signing of new and diverse cooperation agreements at the bilateral and

multilateral levels with integration agencies in the Caribbean.

These, he said are aimed at strengthening and searching for long-lasting inter-regional dialogue and relationship.

When asked about the how these initiatives will benefit private and public sectors institutions in Guyana, Ambassador Martino said that after the reopening of the embassy in Georgetown in 2011, Argentina has been trying to strengthen cooperation with all institutions.

The Ambassador said over the past five years under the paradigm of horizontal cooperation, Guyana and Argentina have succeeded in putting in place a wide

range of bilateral projects in a range of areas, including, health, tourism, culture, defense and foreign policy.

With health top on the agenda, Guyana and Argentina are currently working on a number of new projects. In September, a team of Guyanese health practitioners winged out to Argentina, where they were trained.

Only recently, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran announced that Guyana is partnering with Argentina to set up a blood bank here catering specifically to the needs of pregnant women, as he praised the contribution of the Argentine Government to the local health sector.

Happy users of the recently constructed timber bridge linking the communities of Good Hope and Hand-en-Veldt, Region Four

Argentina's Ambassador to Guyana Luis Alberton Martino

MB Tamakay the Guyana Police Force floating base

Guyana Amazon Warriors monitoring Narine, Hafeez

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will be waiting with baited breath on the progress made by offspinners Sunil Narine and Mohammad Hafeez with regards their bowling actions, which have come under scrutiny within the past year.

The two are key players for the franchise in the Caribbean Premier League, playing crucial roles in guiding them to the runner-up spot both years.

In an exclusive interview with this newscast on Friday, Team Operations Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Omar Khan, said the franchise would be monitoring closely the progress of the two spinners ahead of the Players’ Draft, which is slated to take place next month.

Both players have been selected to represent their respective teams in the 50over World Cup, set for February and March in Australia and New Zealand.

“In Sunil Narine’s case in particular, I’ve been having continuous discussions with him in terms of his remedial work and how he’s progressing and he seems to be quite confident that he’s done well,” Khan revealed.

He added, “Remember Sunil wasn’t called at an ICC tournament; he was called in the Champions Trophy in India and he cannot participate in any BCCI tournaments. But he can go ahead and play in any other tournaments. For that matter, he’s now playing in

the NAGICO Super50 and he has been selected by the West Indies for the World Cup so that’s a good sign for us. So we will be monitoring him closely, but having communicated with him, he said he’s very confident his bowling will not be affected.”

Narine’s action first came under the radar during the West Indies Cricket Board’s Caribbean T20 in 2011, and he subsequently worked with bio-mechanical experts at the University of Western Australia in Perth to remodel it.

A proven match-winner, he was ranked No. 2 on the ODI and T20 rankings when his action was again reported as suspect in successive matches during the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) last September. Consequently, Narine missed out on playing in the final for Kolkata

Knight Riders, who lost to Chennai Super Kings.

However, Narine’s citation in the CLT20 has not impacted his chances of bowling in international cricket, as he was only suspended from doing so in Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-organised tournaments.

Hafeez’s situation is different from that of Narine, as he has been banned from bowling in international cricket, after failing two tests late last year.

He is slated to undergo a third test on January 24.

Despite this, the Pakistan Cricket Board has included the right-armer in their World Cup squad with the aim of playing him as a batsman only if the ban on his bowling is not lifted.

“We’ve got to monitor that closely and see how it goes. Again, as a Manager,

you have to be in touch with these players and find out how they have been progressing, because it’s beneficial for us and beneficial to the player. At the end of the day we don’t want to bring a player and contract him and when we have plans of using him as an all-rounder, obviously if he cannot bowl it would affect us...the team composition and strategy and so on,” Khan explained.

Both Narine and Hafeez have been key performers for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the two seasons of the Caribbean Premier League.

In the inaugural competition in 2013, Narine had eight wickets from nine games at an economy rate of 5.66 and followed up with nine wickets in eight matches in 2014 at an astonishing 4.50 runs per over.

Kamesh Yadram impresses in Trinidad

Former national youth player Kamesh Yadram continued his rise up the cricketing ladder with another impressive season for Rousillac United in the Trinidad and Tobago semi-professional league.

The Enterprise Busta Sports Club player was his team’s leading runscorer in the two-day league, finishing with 589 runs in 11 innings at an excellent average of 53.54. Yadram had a highest score of 151, his

lone century, along with four fifties. He also snared 16 wickets with a best of 5-19. Yadram also played four 50-over and four T20 games, making his impact felt with both bat and ball.

In the 50-over segment, he scored 60 runs in three innings with a highest score of 28 not out and captured six wickets, while in the T20s, he chalked up 65 runs in three innings with a highest of 37, to go along

with eight wickets.

All told, Yadram took 30 wickets in 18 innings and racked up 754 runs at an average of 41.88 across formats. Despite Yadram’s heroics, Rousillac United finished sixth in the two-day league.

Satisfied with his contributions last season, the club has renewed Yadram’s contract and he is expected to leave Guyana on January 24 to honour that commitment.

GCB elections, if held, will be...

The AG maintained during the exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport on Saturday that the Guyana Cricket Administration Act is part of the laws of Guyana and no one is authorized and will be permitted to act in contravention of any of the country’s laws.

“And that is a piece of legislation that was supported by the over 80 per cent of the legislators in the National Assembly,” he reminded, as he pointed to the popularity of the hallmark legislation which was assented to after much debate and consultation.

The Legal Affairs Minister said that any attempt by the GCB to proceed with the elections would see “chaos” and “factionalism” returning to cricket which would not augur well for the development of the sport and the administration of the game in Guyana.

“It will result in chaos, but fortunately we are in a position now where there is a law that governs the situation. Before this law was enacted, there was no statute governing the administration of the game.

“That position has changed and those who wish to act contrary to law will be doing so at their peril,” the Minister advised.

However, GCB appears poised to proceed with the elections as planned.

Back in December of 2014, the GCB Secretary had sent out a notice stating that the Board will be holding its elections for office bearers on January 25 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) pavilion.

At this stage, it is unclear if the incumbent Drubahadur will seek a second term in office.

Executive Committee

Based on the Cricket Administration Act 2014 (Schedule 1, Section 7), the “elections to the Executive Committee of the GCB in respect of the first elections shall be held in accordance with Section 17 on the date appointed in writing by the Minister acting in consultation with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)”.

Part VII, Section 17 of the Act states that “the Minister, after meaningful consultation with the WICB, shall be responsible for the appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman, who shall be

responsible for the verification of the Register of Clubs and for performing the functions of Returning Officer for the first elections of the membership of the GCB”. According to the Act, the “members of the Board shall be the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB), (herein referred to as Member Boards or County Boards), and such other cricketing bodies as may hereafter be admitted to membership by the Board as non-voting Associate Members or Honorary Members. The BCB, DCB and ECB shall be responsible for cricket in their respective geographical areas subject to the overriding authority of the GCB”.

New GCB elections under the Act will bring an end to the longstanding impasse between the Board and the Bovernment. The issue dates back to the contentious elections in July 2011.

The elections were boycotted by some of the Board’s constituent members, one of which, the BCB, took the GCB to court, claiming the new administration was not properly established.

Mohammad Hafeez is ecstatic after cleaning up Umar Akmal of the Barbados Tridents in 2013

GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie

GCB President Drubahadur

Kamesh Yadram

Windies aim to grab momentum in second ODI

New One-Day

International captain Jason Holders says the West Indies urgently needs to address a problem of retaining momentum as they prepare to battle South Africa in the second ODI today.

West Indies relinquished favorable positions on several occasions to lose the rainhit opening ODI against South Africa by 61 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method Friday.

Windies had the Proteas reeling at 16-2 in the fifth over only for A B de Villiers to revive the innings by anchoring two excellent stands, and on the chase the Caribbean men faltered after an enterprising 51-run opening stand.

“I was disappointed. We lost wickets in clusters which didn’t help the cause,” declared Holder following his first outing as leader of the team.

“We were in pretty decent positions, but every time we got ourselves a little bit of momentum we just fell away with the wicket.”

Holder suggested that the West Indies would attempt to address the problem as part of their preparations for the second ODI at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

“So I think it is a serious area we need to address,” said the young captain who was credited for effectively rotating his bowlers causing South Africa to lose five wickets for 61 runs in the first ODI.

“Once we address that we would be in a much better position for the second one day.”

West Indies are likely to replace Leon Johnson with Lendl Simmons who was not included in the side for the opening fixture.

ACalifornia high school coach has been suspended for two games for not getting his side to ease up in a 161-2 victory.

Arroyo Valley High girls team led Bloomington High 104-1 at half-time, leading to the punishment for coach Michael Anderson.

Anderson told the San Bernardino Sun: “The game got away from me, I didn’t expect them to be that bad. I didn’t play any starters in the second half.”

Bloomington High coach Dale Chung said Anderson “knows what he did is wrong.”

Chung says Arroyo Valley used a full-court press, a defensive tactic designed to pressure the opposition into making mistakes,

Johnson was drafted in to bat at No. 3 in Durban but was out for a duck.

Holder’s men are expected to rely on flamboyant opener Chris Gayle to give them momentum after he cut loose again with 41 off 24 balls in the first ODI.

But the captain, while justifying the reliance on Gayle, says he is confident that other batsmen are capable of stepping up.

“We have quite capable batsmen. Marlon Samuels has done well for us over the past two years. We have got Dwayne Smith who has been in rich form coming off the last tour of India,” he said.

“So we have got guys who are capable of scoring runs but at this present time Chris seems to be in a very good form so Chris has to be depended on in terms of taking up the mantle.”

West Indies cannot boast an impressive record at Johannesburg, winning two out of the eight matches played on the ground.

Their last victory at Wanderers was in 1993 when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets.

The weather predictions indicate a sunny day at Wanderers today, a contrast from Durban where play was disturbed by rain.

(windiescricket)

Congo coach LeRoy angered by transport delay

Congo coach Claude LeRoy was angered that his side were stuck on a sweltering bus en route to their opening Africa Cup of Nations match.

After his side’s 1-1 draw with hosts Equatorial Guinea, the veteran of eight finals questioned the delay.

“Usually our journey to the stadium takes 12 minutes, today in 40C and no air conditioning it took 65 minutes.

“The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has to protect teams when they are travelling to the stadium.”

LeRoy suggested that more could have been done to clear the way for the team and called for the continent’s governing body to take action.

“They put us in a big crowd in a traffic jam. Everyone was smiling, the policemen... maybe it is not an excuse but if our beginning in the game was so poor, high level competition is about details.

“If Caf doesn’t understand they have to protect the players from then hotel

to the stadium, they have to change. It is not possible for the payers to travel like this.”

As for the game, LeRoy was delighted that side fought back to earn a draw, with Thievy Bifouma cancelling out Emilio Nsue’s opener.

However, he also reflected on the late chance for Dominique Malonga, who should have sealed all three points for Congo.

“We were very good in

the last 30 minutes. For all my 23 players it was their first experience of the Africa Cup of Nations,” LeRoy said. “You need experience of a high-level competition.

“We are not happy that we missed a chance in the last minute to win it 2-1. But we saved ourselves, defeat would have been catastrophic - psychologically and in terms of points. We fought until then and we have huge quality in this team.” (BBC Sport)

New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Auckland... Match abandoned after 28.5 overs

Martin Guptill's 66 not out off 78 and Angelo Mathews' 3-21 were the highlights of a disjointed 28.5 overs of play at Eden Park. Rain interrupted twice, carving large chunks of time from the game, before returning in force just before 6pm to wash out the match completely. New Zealand had eased to 145-3 before the final interruption.

Brendon McCullum set off on his customary charge in the second over when he ran at Dhammika Prasad and tonked him over cover for six. He continued to attack the venue's small boundaries, lifting Prasad over fine leg two overs later, but Guptill swallowed up balls to get himself in.

for the entire first half.

“People shouldn’t feel sorry for my team,” Chung said. “They should feel sorry for his team, which isn’t learning the game the right way.”

Anderson, whose team

had won four previous games by at least 70 points, has already served one game of his ban - in which his team recorded a comparatively modest 80-19 win, while he went off to scout a future opponent. (BBC Sport)

After six overs, McCullum had hit 27 of New Zealand's 32 runs, but the onslaught would soon end. He attempted to put

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand innings (43 overs maximum) MJ Guptill not out 66 BB McCullum* c Kulasekara b Mathews 28 TWM Latham b Mathews 42 LRPL Taylor lbw b Mathews 3 CJ Anderson not out 0 Extras (lb-5, w-1) 6

Total (3 wickets; 28.5 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (BB McCullum, 7.1 ov), 2-139 (Latham, 26.5 ov), 3-145 (Taylor, 28.5 ov)

Bowling: KMDN Kulasekara 6-0-35-0, KTGD Prasad 6-030-0, AD Mathews 6.5-221-3, SMSM Senanayake 7-0-30-0 (1-w), NLTC Perera 3-0-24-0

Mathews' first ball into the stands over deep midwicket, and perished when the top edge was well-held by Nuwan Kulasekara, who followed the high ball over his shoulder at square leg, running from short fine leg.

Guptill's strike rate improved thanks in part to a pair of streaky boundaries behind square, and he soon settled into a more positive rhythm alongside Tom Latham, as spin was introduced. The surface had not offered much in the way of seam movement, and there was not much turn either, but Mathews and Sachithra Senanayake bowled tight lines in tandem to control the run rate, despite having to contend with a wet ball.

The batting pair was secure until the first rain interruption, and continued to play with freedom following the 85-minute break. Guptill took a special liking to Thisara Perera's bowling, slamming a six over deep midwicket in the 21st over,

then moving to 53 with a sweetly-struck lofted drive that ended in the stands beyond long-off. New Zealand hit 43 runs in the seven overs before the second major rain delay, but this time, their rhythm was upset somewhat by the break. When the teams took the field again, now for a 43-overs-a-side match, Mathews struck in the 27th over, breaking the stand at 99 runs. Latham sought to cut an offcutter to third man, but ended up chopping it on to middle stump instead. Ross Taylor's mediocre tour continued when he was trapped in front in Mathews' next over. He burnt a New Zealand review in hopes the ball would be shown to be passing over the stumps, but projections suggested it would have shaved the top of middle stump. Rain began to fall heavily again as he exited the field. It persisted until officials were forced to call off the match. (Cricinfo)

West Indies would want much more than a cameo from Chris Gayle

Congo coach Claude LeRoy has called for protection for teams while travelling

Rain interrupted the match several times

“Happy we are not favourites” – Waqar

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan head coach, is happy that his team is not going into the World Cup tagged as favourites, and pointed to their creditable semi-final finish in the 2011 edition when they went in without too many expectations.

“I am happy that we are not favorites,” Waqar said in Lahore. “To be very honest it’s big pressure of being favorites. We were not favorites last time (in 2011) too but we played excellent cricket. Similarly this time, there are teams which play on those bouncy wickets like Australia and South Africa, and are probably bigger favorites than us. But we hope that with the type of resources we have we can do well.”

As preparation for the World Cup, Pakistan had a five-day camp in Lahore which will be followed by two ODIs against New Zealand in Wellington and Napier. During the camp, batsmen were seen playing on marble slabs to counter short balls though the sessions remained brief. Pakistan recently had a lengthy outing in the UAE and avoided going into an extensive conditioning camp. Waqar said Pakistan have “sufficient” cricket at World Cup venues to adapt to the conditions.

“As far as the camp is

concerned, we had been playing cricket for the last three months, the camp was just for bonding, to recollect things for four-five days. Of course conditions were quite different from where we are going, here it was quite cold, but we are going to New Zealand first, and we have two weeks to get used to the conditions there.

“That’s all you got and it’s not that every team, apart from three teams which are playing in Australia… the conditions will be same for all other teams as well. We had been playing for quite some time now and you don’t want to get burn out, you don’t want to get fatigued.

You need fresh people and we are trying to keep them fresh. We have few matches before the World Cup and I think we have sufficient time.”

Pakistan have named five fast bowlers in their World Cup squad including the injury prone Junaid Khan, who had another scare when he slipped while bowling in the nets on Thursday. Mohammad Irfan may have been in flow but he has a brittle body.

“Unfortunately injuries hit us at the wrong time and you get a setback,” Waqar said. “On the face of it, it looks that we are taking lots of injuries but I don’t think

there are so many injuries. We had problems to our fast bowlers for few months and of course the recent episode with Junaid is a setback. If you can’t have injuries you can’t move forward.

“I don’t want to name favorites and put my team under pressure. All the bowlers will have to share the workload until the World Cup and probably to get the best combination it’s the best thing to do. We have high hopes from Irfan, Wahab (Riaz) and Junaid. They are all experienced bowlers. All they need is to stay fit and fresh.”

Waqar said the recent announcements that Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq would be quitting ODIs after the World Cup had gone down well with the dressing room. “I can tell you from the results of the last four-five days that they decided to finish on a high. Their body language is very positive and it’s a very positive sign for our youngsters that if someone has decided to quit, they have promised to us that they are going to give not 100 percent but 150 percent in their last tournament. After playing for so long they still have something in the tank. I want to see the best from them and I am sure both of them will give their 100 per cent.”

(Cricinfo)

Chelsea go clear of Man City after huge win

Manager Jose Mourinho praised Chelsea’s “perfect game” as they beat Swansea 5-0, but warned his players they must win titles if they want to be remembered.

First-half doubles by Oscar and Diego Costa and a late Andre Schurrle goal moved the Premier League leaders five points clear of Manchester City.

“It was a perfect gameeverything went in our direction,” Mourinho said.

“But there is no history without titles so if we play fantastic and don’t win cups no-one will remember this team.”

Nearest challengers City have a chance to reduce the gap to two points when they host Arsenal today.

And Mourinho would not entertain suggestions that the win in Wales increased the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini’s title challengers.

“I don’t think they feel it,” the Chelsea manager said. “They have to win but they know that.

“We don’t feel pressure,

we feel responsibility. And for a team like them with the experience they havemuch more than us - it’s not a problem.

“This team is a young team with lots of years in front of them, but we are trying this season to make some history by winning something.”

During his first stint in charge, Mourinho led Chelsea to the 2004-05 Premier League title with

a 5-0 whipping

a record 95 points and also won the League Cup in his debut season.

The Stamford Bridge side retained their league crown the following year.

And in Mourinho’s third season, Chelsea won an FA Cup and League Cup double before he left in September 2007 amid claims of a rift with owner Roman Abramovich.

After returning to Chelsea in June 2013, the

Mayweather wants Pacquiao more than

ever, says

Showtime exec

Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants a fight with Manny Pacquiao more than ever, a top Showtime executive said, and negotiations continue to make the long anticipated bout a reality on May 2.

Stephen Espinoza told The Associated Press that Mayweather has not wavered in his determination to fight Pacquiao in what would be the richest fight ever.

“Personally I’ve been involved in these negotiations continuously since the very first in 2009,” Espinoza said. “I can say I’m not sure there’s a point where I personally observed him wanting it more than over the last few months.”

Pacquiao promoter Bob

Arum said this week that his fighter has agreed to all terms dictated by the Mayweather camp and that all that stood in the way of the bout was the approval of Mayweather himself. But Espinoza said there were still some issues to discuss.

“We’re making meaningful progress, but if we were running a race we would still have a way to go,” he said. “Everyone is trying to get to the finish line as soon as possible.”

we’re not going to negotiate in the press,” Espinoza said. “There’s been some misinformation out there and in general all sides realise that the less said publicly the better.”

Arum said earlier that Pacquiao agreed to everything from the purse split (reportedly 60-40 in Mayweather’s favour) to the gloves to who goes in the ring first in the welterweight title fight. His comments were seen as an effort to turn up the heat on Mayweather, who hasn’t spoken publicly about Pacquiao since declaring on Showtime last month that he wanted to fight him on May 2.

Though there has long been tension between the two networks, it is unlikely that friction would hold up the fight. The plan would be for a joint pay-per-view broadcast like the one in 2002 when Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis met for the heavyweight title.

An HBO spokesman said he was not aware of any talks, and said no HBO executives would comment on the possibility of the fight.

Portuguese failed to win a trophy in his first season back.

They finished thirdfour points behind champions City - in the Premier League and were beaten by Pellegrini’s side in the last 16 of the FA Cup.

They lost to Sunderland in the quarter-finals of the League Cup and were beaten by Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League. (BBC Sport)

Espinoza, Showtime’s executive Vice-president for sports, confirmed there have been parallel talks between Showtime and HBO over how the fight would be televised, and that those talks were ongoing. Pacquiao is aligned with HBO, while Mayweather would be fighting for the fifth time in a six-fight deal with Showtime.

The two deals are intertwined, he said, but declined to talk about the details of either negotiation.

“We all mutually agreed

The bout would be boxing’s richest ever, delivering likely paydays of some $120 million for Mayweather and $80 million for Pacquiao. It would likely have the biggest pay-per-view price, too, expected to be in the $85-90 range.

Espinoza said he is confident that it will be a box office smash, despite the time that has gone by since it was first proposed.

“Hard core fans wish it would have happened five years ago, but that doesn’t mean they won’t watch it,” he said. “There doesn’t seem to be any diminution of public interest in this fight even though it has taken a while to get to this point.” (AP)

Waqar Younis on Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi: “After playing for so long they still have something in the tank.”

Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather

Jose Mourinho’s team handed Swansea

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Thunder v Stars, BBL 2014-15, Sydney...

Pietersen fifty eliminates Thunder

Sydney Thunder’s Big Bash League semi-final dreams ended with a whimper, as they hit just five boundaries, the fewest ever in a BBL innings, and were beaten by eight wickets by the Melbourne Stars. A fourth consecutive Victory for the Stars, having lost their first three matches of the season, all but guarantees them qualification for the semi-finals for the fourth season in a row.

After losing three early wickets on a slow and turgid pitch, the Thunder scrapped their way to 8 for 106, and the Stars calmly reached the target with 5.3 overs to spare. Their chase was powered by a vintage Kevin Pietersen innings of 67 not out.

Cricket Australia has been keen to spread BBL matches to non-traditional cricket venues, and the move has been met with excellent crowds. However, the dropin pitches at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne and Spotless Stadium in Sydney have been slow, low and

not conducive to aggressive stroke play.

Still, the Thunder could not blame the pitch for any of their first three wickets to fall. Jason Roy was bowled in the first over for nought by a skiddy arm ball from Michael Beer. Nine balls later, Daniel Hughes was caught well by Pietersen at

SCOREBOARD

Sydney Thunder innings (20 overs maximum)

JH Kallis c †Triffitt b Bird 4 JJ Roy b Beer 0

DP Hughes c Pietersen b Bird 4

AC Blizzard c Handscomb b Hastings 45

AB McDonald b Beer 23

CD Hartley*† b Hastings 4

AR Beadle c Bird b McKay 7

NM Hauritz c Quiney b McKay 12

CP Tremain not out 1

JK Lalor not out 1

Extras: (b-2, lb-2, w-1) 5

Total:(8 wickets; 20 overs) 106

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Roy, 0.3 ov), 2-6 (Hughes, 1.6 ov), 3-9 (Kallis, 3.1 ov), 4-68 (McDonald, 14.2 ov), 5-82 (Hartley, 16.4 ov), 6-83 (Blizzard, 16.6 ov), 7-102 (Hauritz, 19.2 ov),

Reifer, lower order...

The Guyana Jaguars next game in the competition is also a Day/Night contest against the Combined Campuses and Colleges on Monday, starting at 13:30 hours at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Earlier in the day, the Windward Islands Volcanoes and Combined Campuses and Colleges game at the National Cricket Centre in Couva was abandoned.

A wet outfield delayed the start of play and after four inspections, Umpires Nigel Duguid and Gregory Brathwaite decided that conditions remained unsuitable for play.

8-102 (Beadle, 19.3 ov)

Bowling: MA Beer 4-0-14-2, JM Bird 4-0-15-2, JW Hastings 4-0-23-2, SM Boland 4-0-290 (1-w), CJ McKay 3-0-142, KP Pietersen 1-0-7-0 Melbourne Stars innings (target: 107 runs from 20 overs)

CL White* c Lalor b Hauritz 23 LJ Wright c sub (CJ Green) b Lalor 4 KP Pietersen not out 67 PSP Handscomb not out 10

Extras:(w-3) 3

Total:(2 wickets; 14.3 overs)107

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Wright, 1.5 ov), 2-84 (White, 9.6 ov)

Bowling: JH Kallis 3-0-23-0, JK Lalor 2-0-18-1 (1-w), DP Nannes 1-0-10-0, CP Tremain 3-0-18-0 (2-w), AR Beadle 4-022-0, NM Hauritz 1.3-0-16-1

mid-off for just 4 and when Jacques Kallis fell in the third over, caught behind off the bowling of Jackson Bird, the Thunder were starring into the abyss at 3 for 9 in a must-win encounter.

The Stars, without Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner, who were on international duty, never once looked unsure in the chase. Although Luke Wright fell for just four early on to the bowling of Josh Lalor, Pietersen looked imperious as soon as he arrived at the crease and alongside Cameron White, put on 76 for the second wicket to take the Stars to the brink of victory. Pietersen got off the mark with a powerful cover-drive, standing tall and hitting clean and firmly through the line as the ball raced to the boundary.

A second four followed next ball, this one clipped sharply off his pads and threaded through a gap on the leg side. After just thirteen balls and a booming straight six, Pietersen had hit more boundaries than the Thunder had managed in their entire innings.

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Pride innings K Brathwaite* run out (D Bishoo) 73

S Hope c A Bramble

b R Crandon 26 K Edwards c A Bramble

b D Bishoo 7 S Brooks c A Bramble

b C Barnwell 6 R Hinds not out 37 A Nurse not out 11

Extras:(6-w, 2-lb) 8

Total:(for 4 wickets; 36 overs) 168

Bowling: Beaton 7-042-0, Jacobs 7-0-23-0, Permaul 7-0-32-0, Bishoo 8-0-29-1, Crandon 3-016-1, Barnwell 4-0-24-1 Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Hope), 2-78 (Edwards), 3-89 (Brooks), 4-135 (Brathwaite) Guyana Jaguars innings T Griffith lbw b F Edwards 0 R Chandrika lbw b J Searles 2

(11-w,

Kevin Pietersen muscled 10 fours and a six during his 42-ball 67

Facilities among GTA’s priorities in 2015

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

In its quest to ensure local players train and play on turfs on par with those of their Caribbean counterparts, the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) will continue its focus on the establishment of proper facilities as a priority on its 2015 plan.

During her feature remarks at the GTA’s annual awards ceremony recently, president of the association, Grace McCalman, spoke extensively on the body’s desire to improve the sport this year.

“The GTA’s plan for the new year includes primarily our persistent effort to have better facilities. We will seek new avenues for erecting a proper tennis facility with at least four courts in one compound. Another critical area is enhanced coaching, in quality such as comprehensive revision of techniques and in quantity such as giving support to new or struggling club programmes,” McCalman outlined.

She continued, “To this end, we will be assisting the National Tennis Coaches Association to become more effective and professional in their approach. In this regard, we are thankful for the assistance received from the Guyana Olympic

Association through their coaching administration courses.”

McCalman said many of the GTA’s plans would require the steadfast support of sponsors and the wider tennis community, but admitted that the GTA must be able to keep those stakeholders interested by hosting multiple events throughout the year.

“This is not only about finances, but spectatorship for tennis is key element of support. Senior or junior tournaments and their spectatorship, tennis clinics, fund-raising, the possibility of a corporate competition are all potential events on our calendar that require your support,” McCalman said.

“We appreciate your help in strengthening our tennis

family. It is this hybrid of thrust from the GTA executive, the business community, the tennis community of coaches and well wishers and parents that will one day produce players of the caliber that we seek. Until then, all that is needed from us all is honesty, respect and consistency in our approach to tennis development,” she further remarked.

Review of 2014

The GTA head also reflected on the past year, noting that while it was a quite one in terms of the hosting of competitions, some progress was made.

“For 2014, we had fewer than normal tournaments, mainly because of rain in the early part of the year and for the latter part we were overwhelmed with preparations for the Inter-Guiana Games. We have also lost a few, but significant executive members for various plausible reasons. But I must extend my deepest gratitude on behalf of the GTA, to our sponsors and supporters who continue to stand by our side since we started in 2004,” McCalman explained.

She also had a few words of gratitude for those companies and individuals who injected not just finances, but aided the association by providing the necessary fa-

cilities to ensure games and competitions were played.

“It is significant to mention Mr. Bish Panday, CEO of P&P Insurance Brokers, who has been the longest standing sponsor for one of the largest children sports camps in Guyana, the P&P Tennis Camp. More recently Mr. John Tracey, CEO of GBTI, Mr. Sam Barakat, CEO of ECI and Mr. Harry Panday, owner of the famous chain of stores all of whom have gone above and beyond to provide quality lighted facilities to help us conduct proper competitive activities,” she highlighted.

McCalman added, “The New Guyana School, under the Chairmanship of Alphonso De Armas, has allowed us to conduct our inter-school competitions at their spanking new school facilities. The GBTI Open has also evolved as the premier highest valued Open tournament that also attracts novice/adult players. And to the sponsors of the IGG 2014, you have given us the chance to prove that we are capable of hosting international tournaments. You all jumped at the opportunity to help us when we called, when I personally called. This started with Mr. Tracey who greased the wheels by providing his four courts.”

Nadal an extreme pessimist ahead of Australian Open

Asked to predict who will win this year’s Australian Open, Rafael Nadal takes a deep breath, shrugs his shoulders and insists it won’t be him.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner is back on tennis’ big stage after injuries and ailments sidelined him for several months. But rebuilding his confidence remains a work in progress.

‘’I don’t consider myself one of the favorites here,’’ the No. 3-ranked Spanish star said Saturday at a pretournament news conference. ‘’I would be lying if I say I feel that I am ready to

any of those three to win the Australian Open, which starts Monday.

‘’In terms of being favourites, the other names are more favourite than me at this time,’’ he said during the news conference, slumped in his chair and repeatedly casting his eyes downward as he spoke.

An injury to his right wrist followed by appendix surgery kept Nadal out of competition for most of the last six months of 2014, a year that also had its share of triumphs. Nadal won a record ninth French Open and three other titles in the first half of the year. And

YWCC Mash Cup... Jim Bacchus Travel Service joins list of sponsors

Jim Bacchus Travel Service is the latest sponsor on board with the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) for the hosting of the Mash Cup 2015.

The event will be held on February 23, a national holiday, and will involving 11 second division teams in the East Canje/Number 19 area.

The one day event is billed for the Cumberland ground, and will be of a fiveover format.

At the presentation of the sponsorship cheque, Inshan Satar said that the travel agency is happy to be part of this mega event that provides so much fun and enter-

despite his subsequent absence, he finished 2014 in the top three for the ninth time in a decade.

Nadal’s season opener at the Qatar Open earlier this month, where he lost in the first round to a qualifier, didn’t help his morale. He the first to admit he’s not back at 100 percent.

Asked what aspect of his game he was happiest with, Nadal replied: ‘’Nothing.’’ He followed up with a smile, but made it clear he wasn’t entirely joking. ‘’No, I am not serving bad. My serve is working more or less well. I need to be a little but more dynamic on court with my movements.’’

The big question about Nadal over the years has been his durability, and whether his body could hold up to the constant pounding of his hard-charging tennis style.

Nadal did not enter the U.S. Open in 2012, part of an extended absence because of a problem with his left knee. He won the U.S. Open in 2013, but didn’t defend his title because of the right wrist injury.

It was the second time Nadal chose to not attempt a defense of a major title: A year after winning Wimbledon in 2008,

tainment for the family.

Arshad Rahaman, a representative of the YWCC, thanked the travel agency for its support. He called on young cricket enthusiasts to join the club since it is is now equipped with two quality coaches, Hubern Evans and Qwesi Maltay. He added that the club is open to anyone who wishes to join free of cost.

Other sponsors so far are Ashiek and Sons Motor Supplies and Auto Sales, Republic Bank, Scotiabank and J’s Printery. Proceeds from this event will go towards the further development of the club.

he missed that tournament with knee tendinitis.

At the start of 2015, he is reluctant to say he is fit, knowing that any match can present dangers.

Is his wrist better? ‘’I don’t know. I don’t know,’’ he said. ‘’I am not 100 percent confident yet.’’

As for his knees: ‘’I am confident about my knees because (they) are working well,’’ he said.

Another question mark is his back. He received stem cell treatment to repair cartilage in his back in November shortly after the appendix surgery.

‘’I need to take care about this for the moment,’’ Nadal said, referring to his back. ‘’Hopefully (it) will be fine.’’ Nadal knows how to boost his confidence. He needs to win.

‘’Every time you come back, you have doubts, you have the feeling that you are far from your best,’’ Nadal said. ‘’The only thing I can say is I need to play better, yes. But the only way to play better is to win matches.’’

Nadal will hope to win his first match on Monday, the third of the tournament on Rod Laver Arena, against former top 10-player Mikhail Youzhny. (AP)

The GTA is looking to provide more avenues for its younger players to learn the intricacies of the sport

Grace McCalman

Inshan Satar (right) of Jim Bacchus Travel Service hands over the sponsorship cheque to Arshad Rahaman, a representative of the YWCC

Big Four’, along with No.

Novak Djokovic, No. 2 Roger Federer and No. 6

Murray. He favours

Rafael Nadal is not too confident ahead of the Australian Open

Ramkellawan, Dyal receive ECCCC top awards

Skipper Bheemraj Ramkellawan and off-spinner Yuvraj Dyal have been named top cricketers for 2014 when the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) staged its annual award ceremony in the auditorium of the club recently.

Ramkellawan and Dyal were named best batsman and best bowler respectively after some outstanding performances during the period under review.

The right-handed Ramkellawan chalked up a chart-topping 715 runs, including a highest score of

Meanwhile, the ceremony was graced with the presence of Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie and President of the Demerara Cricket Board Raj Singh. In his Chairman’s report, Taajnauth Jadunauth thanked all who had contributed to the club’s significant growth over the past two years. Special mention was made of the input of Dr Anthony, the Guyana Cricket Board and Ravi Etwaroo.

While congratulating awardees for their notice-

101, while Dyal was on top of the wickets tally with 39.

Nandram Ganesh had the best bowling figures for the year, 6-28, while Vishwanauth Ramlakhan and Gavin Moriah were adjudged most improved and most promising players respectively.

Other awardees included Chaitram Ramlall, Satesh Jainarine, Suresh Jainarine, Dave Ramkellawan, Akash Narine, Imran Karim, G. Emanally, H. Pillay, R Malone and V Kaladin.

able performances during the year, Jadunauth lamented the growing tendency in many players who are reluctant to go the extra mile to help younger players and who wanted too many things free.

Minister Anthony lauded the progress of the Club within the short period of two years and wished the members every success over the coming years. The ECCCC also announced that it would be touring Suriname shortly for a three-match engagement.

The top performers pose with their trophies and medals in the presence of officials of the ECCCC, the GCB and the Sport Ministry

Top players, Bheemraj Ramkellawan (right) and Yuvraj Dyal, proudly display their trophies

WICB/NAGICO Super50 cricket...

Reifer, lower order snatch thrilling win for Guyana Jaguars

Led by a composed half-century from Raymond Reifer and strong support from the lower order, Guyana Jaguars defeated Barbados Pride by two wickets in a thrilling finish in a rainaffected match six of the NAGICO Super50 at the Queen’s Park Oval on Saturday evening.

Chasing a challenging 169 from 36 overs after Barbados Pride posted 168-4, the Guyana Jaguars slipped to 32-3 then 77-7 before Reifer, with the help of Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo, took the Jaguars to victory at 169-8 with four balls remaining.

Reifer, a Barbados native, held the innings together, finishing on a responsible 84, but had it not been for the support of Permaul and Bishoo, the Jaguars could have lost quite easily.

Permaul contributed 11 in an eighth wicket partnership of 51 to revive the

innings, before Bishoo continued with the new found momentum, hitting a sol-

Guyana Amazon Warriors monitoring Narine, Hafeez

id 26 in an unbroken ninth wicket partnership of 41 to seal the win. The victory,

the Jaguars’ second in as many games, has virtually sealed a semi-final spot.

The run chase started disastrously with openers Rajendra Chandrika and Trevon Griffith, as well as the veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul back in the hut by the ninth over with just 32 on the board.

Reifer and skipper Christopher Barnwell repaired the damage with a fourth wicket stand of 41, but once the latter went for 16 at 73-4, another collapse ensued. The Jaguars lost Royston Crandon, Steven Jacobs and Anthony Bramble in quick succession to slip to 77-7 before Reifer found able partners in Permaul and Bishoo to steer the Jaguars home.

Bowling for Barbados Pride, Ryan Hinds had 2-33.

Earlier, Barbados Pride were led to a competitive 168-4 after 14 overs were

chopped off from the original 50. Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope laid the foundation for the winning total by adding 67 for the first wicket, while former captain Hinds chipped in with some valuable runs towards the end.

Brathwaite led the way with a fine 73, while Hinds ended on 37 not out and Hope made 26. Bowling for Guyana Jaguars, Crandon, Barnwell and Bishoo had a wicket each.

GCB elections, if held, will be illegal

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said any decision by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to proceed with elections as recently announced will be illegal if they are held ections outside of the procedures laid down in the Cricket Administration Act.

In addition, Nandlall said if the GCB officials act in any manner contrary to the provisions of that Act, their actions and sconsequently those elections will be “illegal, unlawful, null and void, and of no effect”.

2015 elections on Sunday would result in it being declared illegal, when one considers the statutes contained in the recently passed Cricket Administration Act 2014. The provisions con-

tained in the Act are clear and empower only the Sport Minister, following consultations with specified bodies and entities, to set the date for the first elections of core cricketing boards and institutions.

But the GCB appears bent on conducting the elections despite the various provisions within the law.

“The elections would be illegal, unlawful, null and void and of no effect,” Nandlall said.

Sunil Narine exults after bowling a Super Over maiden against Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel last year

The Guyana Jaguars players celebrate the fall of a Barbados Pride wicket

Raymond Reifer