The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, March 20 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, March 21 – 05:30h-07:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, March 20 – 16:35h-18:05h and Saturday, March 21 – 05:00h-06:30h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:
Friday, March 20 – 06:00h and 16:00h Saturday, March 21 – 6:00h and 16:00h
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning, with sunny weather expected in the mid to late afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions can be expected 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 4.47 metres and 6.70 metres per second.
High Tide: 03:46h and 16:08h reaching maximum heights of 2.78 metres and 2.86 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 10:24h and 22:44h reaching minimum heights of 0.28 metre and 0.30 metre respectively.
APNU+AFC pegs campaign spending in tens of millions
– AFC to give 40% for 40% position secured
By Janelle Persaud
Campaign
Manager
Co-
of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman said financing for the political campaign would cost millions of dollars, although he was unable to give a precise figure. He also told Guyana Times in an invited comment that the coalition whether in or out of Government will push for the relevant campaign financing laws in the 11th Parliament.
“I can’t give you an exact figure, but for a national campaign of this size it would require tens of millions of Guyana dollars,” Trotman said in a response to a question about general costs. Asked about the source of such funds as well as other forms of fundraising activities, he informed that these come largely from supporters in the various districts.
“As the campaign momentum builds up, people will come in and make donations...different regions will go out and hold fundraising activities,”
he explained. As per the Cummingsburg Accord, the two parties will share financing “on a 60/40 ratio”.
The APNU-AFC campaign strategy involved rallies and public meetings, and radio, television and newspaper advertisements, among others.
The source of campaign funds has always been an issue of concern for many, especially since Guyanese laws had become outdated.
GECOM’s Legal Officer, Wanita Barker had explained to the Guyana Times that the existing legislation governing campaign financing was “really of no value”.
According to the Legal Officer, the legislation is in dire need of being amended given that it stipulates each party is expected to expend no more than $25,000 on a single candidate. She also explained that it did not say when campaigning for elections should start so to ask for parties to submit financial records for any campaigning period would be a complicated task. According to Barker, the enforcement has to be detailed.
Trotman, an Attorney and Speaker of the National Assembly, says he believes that Guyana needs to institutionalise the mechanism to govern campaign finance. “I believe it is something we must have in place and in the 11th Parliament they should meet and agree on legislative framework; the Organisation of American States (OAS) has already provided guidance for model legislation,” he stated. “It is something we did commit to getting done and APNU /AFC coalition will do, whether in Government
or Opposition.”
Meanwhile, speaking to this publication, APNU’s Dr Rupert Roopnaraine expressed the view that the State should finance political campaigns as is done in several other countries. He believes that this will ensure optimum transparency.
“Then you have strict rules of accounting, you must account, you must submit reports and things like that,” he added. He noted that the current system of declaring financial records was not “taken very seriously”.
“It is very important in a situation where you have dubious money floating about, whether it’s narcomoney, backtrack money or whatever kind of money it is; it is very important in that kind of financial environment that the parties be very transparent about what they receive and from whom,” the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader noted.
“There are no real controls,” he lamented, describing the current arrangement as ‘very loose’.
Several years ago, the OAS announced its intent to work on comprehensive political party and campaign finance reform in the Region towards instituting a key recommendation of its electoral observation missions. The objective was to contribute to increased transparency, to strengthen the integrity of political party and electoral finance in the Caribbean, and to establish sustainable mechanisms for the regulation of political party and campaign financing in the Region.
An OAS paper and the model legislation were presented and discussed in a
series of meetings throughout the Caribbean and in Guyana.
State abuses
“Our laws are very deficient when it comes to controlling the ruling party’s access to the treasury,” Dr Roopnaraine noted. He believes that a rigid system of control, much like that used in India is needed here.
“India has the best preelection protocols to my mind, where once election period is defined no minister can open a hospital or a well; it is completely banned,” he noted, declaring that “there should be special rules to ensure that the ruling party does not in effect raid the treasury to carry out their campaign.”
The incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has been continuously accused of abusing state resources to carry out its campaigns, but in an interview with Guyana Times, former President Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed this as “the occasional use of a vehicle”.
APNU/AFC Campaign Manager Raphael Trotman
APNU member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
As the elections campaign begins to heat up in Guyana, it is crucial for all political parties contesting the May 11 polls to not only sign on to the Code of Conduct for political parties, but to make a genuine attempt to adhere to every aspect of it. What is needed also is the establishment of a proper and effective monitoring mechanism to determine to what extent political parties adhere to the Code.
Already we are seeing signs of some politicians across the political divide, behaving in a reckless and immature manner by using race to appeal to their supporters in order to gain political mileage. Certain Opposition politicians in relation to the recent killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing. The lawful authorities charged with solving crimes have not arrived at any possible motive or who may have been responsible for the murder.
Those who are bent on sowing seeds of discord by using the race card to whip up political support were quick to conclude that the killing was politically motivated, even though there is no evidence to this date to suggest same.
Some speakers at a recent event to honour the victim were heard making statements which implied that he was killed by the ruling PPP/C because of his anti-Government stance and more particularly his recent protest actions against a Government Minister. At no time was any shred of evidence presented to substantiate these wild claims.
Such actions have the potential to cause mayhem in an already politically-charged environment. Chairman GECOM Dr Steve Surujbally recently announced that the Code of Conduct for political parties will be immediately available after Nomination Day for endorsement by the contesting parties. The Code should have been strengthened, signed and implemented long before Nomination Day, as the mischief started from the time it was known that Guyanese would have being going to the polls on May 11.
As with the Media Code of Conduct (MCC), the Code for political parties acts as a self regulatory mechanism for the contesting parties and their representatives. According to the Code, the endorsing political party “recognises that peace and public order, freedom of political campaigning, and compliance with electoral laws and regulations are essential and of paramount importance to the conduct of free, fair and credible elections”.
To achieve the abovementioned goal, the parties will have declared and affirmed their belief in the sanctity of human life, and the abhorrence of taking human life and as such, denounce the violation of anyone, because of that person’s political allegiance.
It says that political parties must express opposition to and rejection of the use of violence and intimidation or plans of this nature by any of the candidates, agents, members or supporters as a means of expressing political support or furthering political objectives. There are rules governing the actions of parties on election day, as well as it relates to polling agents and others.
The Code calls on parties to commit and contribute in every way to the goal of a peaceful election process by forbidding the use of threats, harassment or tendency to violence that might cause disruption, whether at political rallies or elsewhere, or any other form of intimidatory behaviour.
The participating political groups are expected to forbid the use of abusive, slanderous or threatening language, or language which could incite people of one group to violence against any candidate, agent, member or supporter of any other group and the publication of any pamphlet, poster, cartoon or any other material containing text which could offend or incite people to cause public disorder.
Citizens are fed up with the usual “cuss down” politics or what some refer to as “political bradarism” kind of behaviour displayed by politicians during elections campaigning here. We urge the various stakeholders to immediately work towards strengthening the present Code and get all parties to fervently commit to its principles thereafter.
The focus must be on maintaining a clean, professional and peaceful elections campaign; one that is based on debating and discussing important issues affecting our people.
A request for Carter Centre to send observer mission
Dear Editor,
The Private Sector Commission, as part of its ongoing quest to ensure that the May 2015 elections will be free and fair, has written to US Secretary of State John Kerry requesting his assistance to have the Carter Center field a full observer mission for the elec-
tions.
The Commission explained that this step was taken after extensive consultation with stakeholders and analysis of recent political developments had indicated that adequate independent and competent observers are needed to en-
sure that the elections are free and fair and free from fear, and that the results are free from contention and accepted by all competing parties.
The Commission asserted that it has full confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to efficiently and effectively car-
ry out their mandate but it is important for the confidence of all stakeholders to have the work of GECOM independently observed and their outputs validated by respected third parties.
Private Sector Commission
Government spends 15% of budget on education
Dear Editor,
During his address to the members of the business community at the GMSA Business Luncheon, the APNU-AFC Presidential Candidate, David Granger promised to transform Guyana’s economical landscape through education if he is elected into office.
Public figures running for political office must learn to tell the truth and not distort documented facts and figures to gain political mileage.
Granger is well aware that this Government spends about 15 per cent of its national budget on education, and through this heavy investment in the sector, more schools have been built and expanded; more teachers have been trained and employed; teachers are better paid; the quality of education has risen significantly to the point where every year, our students are topping the entire Caribbean; and Guyana has the lowest drop-out rate amoung other territories in the region.
Guyana has achieved universal primary education, and is very close to achieving universal nursery and secondary education. Granger is lying through his teeth to win votes and
he knows it. After all, he was part of the PNC that destroyed the education sector for lack of funding prior to 1992.
Please permit me to quote excerpts from the 1992 World Bank Report on Education to illustrate just how dilapidated the system was, broken by the same political party that Granger now heads. Here is what the report says:
“8.46 Worsening economic conditions over the past decade have made it increasingly difficult for the country to maintain the high levels of educational investment recorded in the 1970s and, as a result, real government spending has declined.
“In addition, recurrent spending on education, as a proportion of total recurrent public spending, shows sharp declines since 1988 despite growing public concern over education quality. In 1984, 17.6 per cent of public recurrent spending went to education.
“The percentage declined to 14.5 per cent in 1987 and 6.7 per cent in 1990, rising again to 9.1 per cent in the 1991 budget.
The 1991 allocation is about half the proportions allocated in Jamaica, Belize or Grenada. Education
spending in Guyana, as a percent of the GDP declined from 6.0 per cent in 1984 to 2.4 per cent in 1990.”
“8.50 The availability of textbooks has been consistently associated with higher student achievement in developing countries.
Under Guyana's decentralize education system the MOE retains responsibility for text book provision.
“Budget allocations for textbooks and education materials have been greatly reduced over the past decade and are totally inadequate given that almost all textbooks must be imported from European publishers.
Field visits to primary schools showed that In many cases the teacher used the only text book.
“At secondary school there were generally 5 or 6 students to each book meaning that teachers were unable to assign homework. Other educational materials are almost completely absent from classrooms and learning occurs through repetition and rote learning.”
“However, low pay scales and poor working conditions have encouraged better qualified teachers to move out of the sector leading to a heavy reliance on untrained and unqualified teachers. Thus, while student/teacher ratios continue to be relatively low, the quality of the teaching force is declining.
“There are significant differences between Regions in terms of the quality of their teaching force at the primary level; only 19 per cent of teachers in the municipal Georgetown area are untrained compared to 69 per cent in Regions 1 and 9 and 74 per cent in Region 8.”
“8.52 Investment in the rehabilitation and expansion of school facilities has been extremely limited over the past two decades with the result that school facilities are dilapidated and very crowded.
“Many students do not have access to a desk or writing space and in most schools three or more different classes will share one room, meaning that noise levels are high and teachers must compete with each other to be heard by their students.
“8.51 Although teacher/ student ratios have risen in recent years they remain at acceptable levels, averaging about 40 students per teacher in primary schools and 35 students per teacher in secondary schools.
A man looks at catfish which have fallen from a truck on a street in Kaili, Guizhou province, China (Reuters/Stringer)
The basis of Hinduism
Dear Editor,
The basis of Hinduism is to realize God, the Supreme Being. This is achieved by sacrifices and commitment specified by the code laid down by our religious scripture to achieve salvation. Hindus believe in the Vedic Scriptures, namely the Vedas, Puranas, etc. The name Hindu is a given name to the people of India by neighboring Vedic tribes.
It may appear that the Koran, Bible and Torah are in conflict with the Vedic literature in their precepts. In actuality, their essential principles are basically the same: God is one. Though the Vedas, Koran, Bible and Torah’s literatures may seem different, there are numerous points of similarities that may not be easily detected. Differences arise not because they are different scriptures, but are rather caused by different levels of understanding. There is need to understand that the goal is one: submission to the Supreme
Lord. The Vedic scriptures clearly state that the path is perfect, but we are not perfect.
God is one and when one is situated on that spiritual platform, he therefore understands that there is no disagreement. The process of different worshiping, though it may seem different, is also one.
The process is to act for the pleasure of God and worship Him accordingly. The ultimate goal of different religious systems is to surrender to God. Since one may not be able to surrender to the will of God, then different types of religious systems are needed.
When one comes to the final state of obedience to God’s will then there is oneness in religion. Consequently, on the level of full surrender, there are no differences between the Vedic literature, the Koran, Bible and the Torah.
It is seen that differences exist even among the followers of a particular faith in the understanding of their own
scriptures. Differences are not due to the content of the Holy Book itself but rather exist because different kinds of thinkers have different spiritual conceptions.
Differing opinions arise due to the diversity in people’s nature and experiences. Different interpretations are manufactured according to one’s level of perception, feelings, realizations and taste. People in general are motivated to gratify their personal longings. In this way different individual mentalities are displayed. One may be attached to a particular mistaken concept and reject even a factual presentation that is contrary to his own understanding.
The defect has not to be found in the Koran, Bible, Torah or in the Vedic literature; rather, it is because people are attached to different aspects of the scriptures that suit their particular taste. One may even fervently believe that his version of understanding is the only real
Government spends 15% of budget...
Few schools have libraries and where these exist the books are old and in poor condition. Sanitation facilities are generally completely inadequate.”
“8.55 Dropout and repetition rates at the primary level are not particularly high in Guyana; approximately 11 per cent of the first grade enrollments are repeaters and dropout rates range from 3.2 per cent in the first grade to 7.8 per cent in the final grade. The primary cohort survival rates Is around 80 per cent.
“However, student learning, as measured by the secondary school entrance examination is low. Almost half of the students are unable to answer one third of the question successfully. If the test scores are adjusted to correct for possible guessing, 50 per cent of students score less than one sixth of the marks available. Pass rates in science and social science subjects have dropped during the past decade.”
“8.56 Daily attendance rate at primary schools are extremely low In Guyana, averaging 68 per cent nationally. There are, however, wide variations across regions; attendance rates are close to 80 per cent in the Georgetown municipal area but drop to around 50 per cent in Region 1.
“Attendance rates generally reflect the quality of education offered; poorly trained teachers, limited textbooks and teaching materials, overcrowded classes and a poorly developed curriculum are all factors commonly associated with low attendance rates and are clearly issues needing to be addressed in Guyana.”
“8 58 Secondary school examination results show very clearly that student learning has declined sharply in recent years. Students
in the secondary academic track aim to write the CXC or GCE examinations in their fifth year, but only write the examinations if their teachers think they have a chance of passing.
“In Guyana, the proportion of the 15-19 year old age cohort entering the examination has dropped from 16.5 per cent in 1965 to 4.9 per cent in 1984. This is the reverse of trends in other English speaking Caribbean countries where the proportion of students entering the examination has more than doubled.
“Moreover, the percentage of Guyanese CXC examination candidates achieving passes in the core subjects has fallen sharply in recent years. The 1984 pass rate In English of 23 per cent dropped to 13 per cent in 1990.
“In mathematics, student pass rates dropped from 20 per cent to 15 per cent over the same period. Guyana, which ranked third out of seven Caribbean countries in terms of its student pass rate in 1965, now ranks last.”
“8.59 Students enrolled in the community/vocational schools write the SSPE and these scores are even more discouraging. Results for 1986, for example, show that in mathematics students, on average, scored 12.7 of a possible 40 points, only 2.7 points above the chance score (the score possible from random guessing). In Reasoning and Science, the average student scored 15 out of 40 possible points, 4.9 and 6.3 points above the chance scores, respectively.”
“8.61 The woeful state of education enrollment, expenditure, and performance data in Guyana precludes a rigorous analysis of equity issues. These data are unreliable at the Regional level and no
household income data exist to permit an assessment of equality of educational opportunity.
“However, the partial data which exist permit two conclusions: (i) that there is a relatively high level of participation at the primary level and, (ii) that there are serious inequities in education inputs between the regions.
The quality of the teaching force differs significantly across regions with the proportion of untrained teachers ranging from 19 to 74 percent in different Regions.
“In addition, field visits confirmed that schools in smaller urban and rural areas are less likely to have textbooks and other educational materials.”
It is very easy for politicians to promise the stars and the moon during an election campaign, but to deliberately mislead the nation on the one subject that should be taboo, is mischievous and disingenuous to say the least.
Harry
Gill
meaning of the scripture. In this way difference are sometimes created.
The principle is to share a similar essence, which is the glorification, the worshiping and the acknowledgement of one Supreme God, to surrender and worship one God.
There is no doubt that the Vedic system, the Koran, Bible and the Torah are of divine origin. The Vedas seems different, because its teachings give, as an option, a gradual process of how to reach pure monotheism.
It may seem that Vedic knowledge does not stress monotheistic worship. However, the original Vedic system was highly monotheistic. True religion has to be purely monotheistic and Sanatan Dharma now called Hinduism traditionally is monotheistic. The Vedic religion, Hinduism cannot be traced fully by modern historians. They, modern historians and scholars could only trace back to about 10,000 years. The Ramayana
was in the early Treta Yuga which covers about two million years. The Vedas were before the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Upanisads etc, where Sanatan Dharma started with the Rishis.
Vedic Sanatan Dharma is millions of years old which makes Hinduism the oldest of all philosophies. Ancient time and now, Sanatan Dharma, now called Hindusim is practiced by the Vedic Aryan and tribes all around the world.
The word Hindu and Hinduism are not found in the Vedic literature, which is the scripture of Vedic Sanatan Dharma. Hindu is the name given by the people of Persia, now Iran.
The Sindhu River was called the “Hindhu River Area” by the Persians. They also called the land of Bharata, Hindustan and the people of the Sindhu Valley, Hindus and their religion is called Hinduism. Remember that the Indus Valley was only a part of India, East of what now called Iran.
Modern historians suggested that about 10,000 years ago the mighty Sarasvati River ran dry and later the mighty Sindhu River raised causing the most serious flood in the history of India and the world, sinking the cities and everything around it. Livelihood was impossible in those areas, around the Sarasvati and the Sindhu. These regions were of heavily agricultural areas. Among the civilizations, about 2000 major settlements were in the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
The inhabitants of these areas were Vedic Indus Aryans whose religion is Sanatan Dharma, Hinduism. Eventually, they gradually moved out West of India to neighboring areas to start their new ways of life. They were all Vedic Aryans Indians and formed themselves into tribes and got into different dialects as they moved and maintained their faith.
S N Singh
BBCI makes donation to Comforting Hearts
The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has donated $100,000 to Comforting Hearts to help make possible its afterschool Health and Family Life Education Programme.
The Programme is a comprehensive life and skills project chosen as the vehicle for HIV and AIDS prevention and includes both knowledge and skill acquisition.
On Thursday, BBCI Administrative Assistant Bibi F Alli handed over the cheque. Under this programme, Comforting Hearts serves approximately 200 orphans and other vulnerable children, providing them with free access to counselling, afterschool tutoring, mentoring and recreational programmes.
The Company said it was pleased to be able to make a donation towards the initiative since the Comforting Hearts provides a plethora of services to members of communities across Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who are living with HIV / AIDS and their affected and or infected children.
Shipper caught trying
to
smuggle cocaine in 45-gallon buckets at CJIA
Aman is now in Police custody after he was busted with a quantity of cocaine in several 45-gallon buckets at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara on Thursday.
According to information received, the shipper, who hails from Alberttown, Georgetown, was nabbed around 14:10h by members of the Police Narcotics Branch as he was attempting to ship a quantity of cassareep, fruits and seasoning.
The Guyana Times was told that the
man was about to ship 65 45-gallon buckets of the items when a Police rank inspected one of the buckets and discovered that it had a false bottom. Upon closer inspection, a whitish substance was unearthed, tested and proved to be cocaine.
As a result, the other buckets were inspected and 40 of them had false bottoms. The man was immediately taken into Police custody and is assisting with the investigation. The destination of the cocaine is still to be verified, but the Police probe continues.
NICIL v GSL court case GSL boss admits to owing NICIL US$2M
― says hire purchase service took blows from competition
When the court battle between the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) continued at the High Court on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer of the department store, Tony Yassin admitted that he owed US$2 million for the purchase of the state-owned business.
The Government took Royal Investment Inc (RII), owned by Yassin, to court for the money owed from the acquisition of GSL back in 2000. According to the CEO, he had signed the Share Sales Agreement in October 2000, agreeing to buy 70 per cent of GSL’s shares for US$6 million, but only paid US$4 million.
Yassin made this disclosure when he returned to the stand for cross-examination by NICIL’s Attorney Rafiq Turhan Khan. The Attorney had grilled the GSL boss on the negotiations of the sale and the operations of the business after it was sold.
Attorney Khan showed the witness tendered documents in which investors had highlighted that the return on investments was “slow” and that in 1997 and 1998, there was a 60 per cent decrease in profits. Additionally, the document
outlined other weaknesses in the company such as: poor use of space and the building; poor performance of staff especially middle management; poor purchasing techniques and poor marketing strategies, among others.
The CEO stated that despite these findings from an overall evaluation, RII went ahead with an offer to purchase the company. He noted that the goal was to make the new GSL the first choice shopping centre for consumers across the country. “That was RII’s goal, that is my goal also, but it is unachievable. I haven’t been able to achieve this in the 14 years,” he stated.
Following the sale of GSL, RII became the majority shareholder owning 70 per cent of the shares. Of the remaining 30 per cent,
19 per cent was owned by the public, including the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the employees owned 7.7 per cent and the other 3.3 per cent was owned by the state. This arrangement allowed RII to have seven directors on the Board, the public with two and the employees having one.
Yassin told the court that while he cannot remember the names of all the directors, some of them are still on the Board. He noted that the last time GSL held an Annual General Meeting was in 2001 and dividends have not been paid since.
The Attorney went on to question the witness about GSL’s hire purchase service, point out that its competition were those of household giant Courts and Singers. Yassin agreed to the Attorney’s suggestion that GSL faces strong competition from Courts but noted that the Main Street business did not offer a wider variety of products. “It is similar,” he said.
According to the GSL boss, the decline in business at the department store, “to some extent” is as a result of competition from other businesses that offer better hire purchase service. Attorney Khan suggested to the witness that in the past 14 years, RII never introduced an innovative service to capture the hire purchase market. However, Yassin responded that he did not know.
Prior to Yassin returning to the stand on Thursday, NICIL Executive Director Winston Brassington was recalled to the stand and questioned about the negotiations prior to the signing of the agreement.
When the matter resumes on Monday, GSL’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo, who in association with SC Rex Mc Kay is representing RII, will re-examine the GSL boss. Under the terms of the privatisation agreement, the balance owed by RII was due by September 2002. However, the company failed to make this payment.
In a subsequent agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant on October 5, 2000, the parties decided that the latter would pay interest on the said sum at the US prime rate prevailing at the time of payment, commencing one year after September 30, 2000. In June 2004, the Government holding company initiated legal action against RII for the recovery of the US$2 million plus interest.
GSL boss Tony Yassin
BBCI Administrative Assistant Bibi F Alli hands over the cheque to a representative of Comforting hearts
Political parties condemn Granger’s “insulting” comment
Presidential Candidate of the Opposition Coalition David Granger has come in for high criticism about his controversial comment that “Guyana is a nation of jaguars being led by jackasses”.
Granger was at the time delivering the feature address at the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) luncheon at the Pegasus International Hotel on Tuesday.
Political parties, among other sections of society through various means have spoken out against the statement, condemning Granger for using such explicit language at a public forum.
“Guyana is a nation of Jaguars…the people want development; they want to break out; they want to get rich…but they are led by jackasses,” Granger sternly contended.
But despite the context in which it was used, sections of society took to social media to express their resentment to the statement.
Leader of The United Force (TUF), Marissa Nadir took umbrage to such statements. She indicated her disgust with the manner in which parliamentary parties conduct their campaigns, noting that Guyanese should stay away from that
kind of politics.
“I have been following some of the comments. I find it in poor taste that this is the manner in which parliamentary parties are conducting their campaign.
This is exactly the type of politics that we must stay away from. We want people that will campaign on issues and avoid personal attacks,” she said during a telephone interview with Guyana Times
She further affirmed that the comment is quite insulting to all leaders throughout Guyana regardless of what position they hold.
Additionally, Presidential Candidate of the United Republican Party Vishnu Bandhu said the usage of those words, especially by a person in Granger’s capacity at a public event, casts a bad image on his character.
“Most of the politicians and Mr Granger, they have been using language which
ought not to be used. This is the very bad example for the country. It is disgraceful. How can people like these run this country? It’s absurd,” Bandhu opined.
Leader of the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party, Alfred Clark also expressed his aversion against such language. He contended
that the opposition leader should have selected a more sophisticated vocabulary to express his sentiments.
“I condemn such languages. Do not agree with that styling. Those people that have no vision…You should not have used that sort of words….He should not do it,” he said.
Apology
Former Chief Magistrate, Juliet Holder-Allen, who now heads her own political party, the National Democratic Party of Guyana (NDPOG), also condemned Granger’s choice of words.
“The statement comes across as a condemnation on an entire group of persons… you can’t really condemn an entire group of persons,” she said.
Further, she indicated that Granger may very well owe the entire public an apology.
“It may require a little apology,” she suggested.
In full context, Granger explained that the Guyanese people want development but claimed that the leadership of the country was ineffective.
In a subsequent statement, Granger pointed out that he did not intend to disrespect anyone, but was rather stating that the “policies are not intelligent.”
friday, march 20, 2015
Healing the Nation Theocracy Party joins APNU-AFC coalition
The Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP) has joined the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition despite their initial vision of contesting the upcoming General and Regional Elections as a single entity.
The announcement was made to media operatives via a simple email that read “HTNTP to support Coalition”.
During an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, the leader of the party Alfred Park said he is excited about the future prospects.
The formation is not yet formalised as the signing of documents and merging of ideas is yet to have effect, but Park assured that there is “no turning back.”
“We will be meeting with Brother Harmon (APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon) on Tuesday to finalise everything. There is no turning back. We will collate,” an enthusiastic Park said.
When questioned about what prompted the coalition, Park said HTNTP realised that merging with APNU+AFC will increase the chances of winning the elections.
“We don’t care about presidency, we will be able to represent our people and that is by the le-
galising of marijuana and the eradication of poverty,” he pointed out.
Further, Park added that HTNTP has “concrete” votes to offer the APNU+AFC coalition, which would increase its
chances of being the new government.
During a previous interview with this publication, Park noted that if HTNTP decides to “link with APNU”, the party may be unable to serve its own people, the Rastafarian community, due to the limited power being offered by the coalition.
When questioned on Thursday about the positions and number of seats
the coalition will be offering their party if they are to win the elections, Park indicated that the two entities are still “talking” about those concerns.
“What is important is that this is a coalition for unity, a coalition for change,” he said.
However, on Wednesday, Park had condemned the language used by Opposition Leader David Granger during his feature address at the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) luncheon at the Pegasus International Hotel.
“Those people that have no vision,” Park had said.
Meanwhile, the HTNTP aims to create and equally distribute wealth by transforming the nature of the economy to achieve growth, accelerated poverty reduction and the protection of the vulnerable and excluded by providing proper jobs and employment opportunities through the resurrected “co-operative movement”.
The Party consists of Ras Leon Saul as the General Secretary and Ras Neville Duncan as the interim Treasurer. HTNTP registered on January 30 with the Guyana Elections Commission to contest the General and Regional Elections on May 11.
Leader of HTNTP Alfred Park
TUF Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir
APNU-AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger
URP Presidential Candidate Vishnu Bandhu
Ramsammy dismantles KN’s anti-rice agenda
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said Kaieteur News has an anti-rice agenda, and condemned the newspaper for what he described as “slandering of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Guyana with regards to the rice sector.”
The Minister strongly rejected Kaieteur News usage of the successes of the rice industry to promote an anti-government agenda. In a release, he said, “we note that the Kaieteur News is one of the collaborators of the Opposition and they even fabricate their own lies.”
On March 17, 2015, Kaieteur News in a bold headline stated that Ramon Gaskin claimed that the striving rice industry is benefiting Government’s associates and friends.
In response, Minister Ramsammy said “we do not deny supporting the rice industry. But is Kaieteur News as-
serting that this support is because we are supporting associates and friends? If this means that the farmers are our associates and friends, then we are guilty.”
The Minister is challenging
Kaieteur News to identify the “so called” associates and friends. Minister Ramsammy said the article while failing to identify the “so called” associates and friends, simply stated that Gaskin castigated the Government for providing support to a private business.
“Anyone reading the article would find that the misleading headline was totally not linked to the story and mischievous.”
The Agriculture Minister said Kaieteur News is infamous for twisting stories and fabrication to suit their anti-government agenda. He said that “each day they provide further proof that they are not a newspaper, but a propaganda machine.”
The Government said it is proud of its record in the rice industry and will continue to support the sector.
The Minister reiterated, “the PPP Government has been proud to do so and we have no apologies.”
Area to be named after Courtney Crum-Ewing
In recognition of his cause, Mayor Hamilton Green announced that the block where Courtney Crum-Ewing hosted his lone protests will be transformed into a memorable site in his honour, named ‘The Courtney Crum-Ewing block’.
In a telephone interview with Guyana Times on
Thursday, Green said he already has a volunteer who is in the process of formulating a design for the area.
The funding, he said, will come from various organisations that believed in Crum-Ewing’s purpose and respected the work he was doing.
When questioned about the estimated cost for such a
project, Green noted he will not be able to disclose the amount at this time.
Further, when asked for names of the organisations that will be contributing towards this development, the Mayor said he is not at liberty to release the names.
Meanwhile, the area to be transformed is within the vicinity of the
Attorney General’s Office on Carmichael Street where Crum-Ewing stood protesting for the dismissal of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall following the release of a taped conversation between the Minister and a Kaieteur News reporter.
Crum-Ewing received much media attention from this action, after which he continued to publicly express his opinions about the local political scene.
He was then murdered in coldblooded on Tuesday, March 10 while conducting one such activity through Third Street, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Crum-Ewing, a father of three, was urging people to vote at the May 11 election when a car with four men drove by and discharged several shots at him, hitting him in the head and other parts of the body.
He was laid to rest at the La Repentir Cemetery on Wednesday and saw thousands of people in attendance, including Opposition politicians.
Leading up to his funeral, various organisations collaborated to host vigils and staged protests in his honour as they reflected upon the work he was doing, all by himself.
Eyew tness Where’s the threat...
...to democracy
This Eyewitness is very pleased that the Opposition PNC/APNU/AFC combine were able to impose discipline over their supporters during the funeral activities of Crum-Ewing - so that he was buried in peace.
With all the rhetoric being spewed by David Hinds, David Granger and the usual suspects - esp on social media where there are no holds barred - it wouldn’t have taken much for things to get outta hand.
But with that out of the way, we really have to discuss this insidious, coded discourse - exemplified by the Stabber’s headline: “Defender of democracy CrumEwing hailed”. Crum-Ewing might have been many things, but where was “democracy” being threatened for him to defend it??
If anything, we would’ve thought his brief moment in the public space demonstrated that democracy in Guyana’s more vibrant than most places in the world. What’s democracy to a citizen?? Freedom of speech?? Courtney was allowed to protest in front of the Attorney General’s office for weeks without being stopped, wasn’t he?? We hear he was stopped from peeing in the AG’s toilet. Well, try picketing Attorney General of the US Eric Holder’s office and see what happens. You better be able to “hold it in”...you won’t even get into the building!
Freedom to use a loud-hailer at 20:00h at night to tell folks who to vote for?? Even though it’s reported that one resident thought it strange for a person to be doing this at that time...no one’s shown he was killed because of his “free speech”.
In fact every day of the week you have persons spouting the most incendiary utterances in the press about other folks - especially from the Governmentand not even libel charges are proffered.
But that’s politics in Guyana, isn’t it? Everything and anything can be blamed on the PPP/C Government. Does anyone seriously believe that a 40-year-old fella who dropped in a few months ago and picked up a bullhorn, is so threatening to the Government of the day that he has to be taken out?? We know that the Opposition elements like to snicker at the PPP/C’s intelligence, but surely even this is a stretch for them. But as this Eyewitness said before, if the Opposition’s so irresponsible to suggest that “democracy” is under attack - “obviously” by the PPP/C who they’ve fingered for Crum-Ewing’s death - what stops the PPP/C from going on an offensive blitz to point out that it could very well be that the Opposition wanted to create a martyr?
And Crum Ewing just happened to be at a convenient place at the wrong time (for him).
...from empty promises
This Eyewitness is a bit confused with the Opposition’s strategy for this election. First of all, there doesn’t appear to be a strategy beyond the PNC getting some additional fig leaves (they think) from the AFC’s Mr 11 per cent - (Nagamootoo). He appears to have sold them this particular “pig in a poke”. But that’s grist for another mill.
In the meantime, Granger was forced to confess to an audience of the business community that less that two months before the election, the APNU and AFC haven’t even coordinated their manifestos!! Can you imagine a businessman announcing a product that’s supposed to be the saviour of the company - and not knowing the specs for the product two months before its launch??
We can understand now why all the businessmen in the pic with Granger at the luncheon had such wide open eyes. It’s called the “shock of disbelief”!!
...from leaky roofs
An employee of Mrs Jagan described what she thought was a “funny story” about Dr Jagan. Seems the roof of his “simple house” leaked copiously and he insisted on Janet using pots and pans to collect the leaking water. Ow man!! Couldn’t Comrade Ralph next door offer to plug the holes?? It’s a pathetic story.
Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Courtney Crum-Ewing
PPP/C in Berbice PPP/C made mistakes, but AFC lied – Edghill
By Andrew CArmiChAel
The current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration has made several mistakes over the 22 years it has been in office, but the Alliance For Change (AFC) lied to all Guyanese when it was formed, according to Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill at a political rally in Corentyne.
The Minister within the Finance Ministry added that the PPP/C was big enough to admit to their mistakes, noting that a Government should not be judged solely by its failure to build a road in alluding to the poor condition of the East Berbice road. Addressing the crowd at Third Street Square, Bangladesh, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Sunday, he reminded them that at one time residents of Corentyne villages had to leave home with their shoes in their hands and walk bare footed along deplorable roads to the Corentyne Highway where they washed their feet and got dressed properly before starting a journey to Georgetown. “Now you have roads coming into the village and you can drive all the way into where you live – that is development.”
“When you use to go to the hospital to see a Medic, who giving you aspirin and Panadol, you now go to a hospital and you see doctors, you have specialists. Right here at Port Mourant you have the Ophthalmology Hospital where people coming from all over the Caribbean to look after their eyes,” the Minister said, as he cited some of the developmental projects that have been executed under the current administration.
He said given another chance in office, the PPP/C Government would bridge the Corentyne River and build a deepwater harbour in Berbice, “so that big boats could come right here to Guyana and bring things and take things back to sell outside”. Yesterday, a
Chinese firm announced it would be conducting studies on constructing the Harbour.
Edghill added that in order for there to be more development in Berbice, persons needed to set up industries, which is “why a hydropower project is needed, so the cost for electricity could be reduced”. Electricity is cheap in Suriname, because they have a hydro power,” he reflected. Referring to former President Bharrat Jagdeo as the architect of the modern Guyana, Minister Edghill said one of his major projects was the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which is the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. This project had been torpedoed by the Opposition, however, in Parliament.
He noted that Guyana was also seeking to promote itself as a tourist destination and that gave rise to the Guyana Marriott Hotel and the need to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Don’t trust them
Speaking of the Opposition minor party AFC, Edghill reminded residents that the then newly-formed “third force” had said that it would not coalesce with any party, but in fact is now in bed with the APNU. He asked the ap-
proximately 200 persons in attendance not to trust statements made by the Alliance as they seek power at the upcoming May 11 poll.
PPP/C Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha, who also spoke at the rally, claimed the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/AFC coalition actually started at the commencement of the 10th Parliament on January 12, 2012 and its actions were widely seen when many of the Administration’s development programmes were voted down. “They even cut the budget that had to go to the University of Guyana… Let us resolve today that come May 11, we will change the course of development that has taken place in the past three years, and we will continue with the progress that started from 1992.”
Mustapha shot down allegations made by one Berbice television host from the AFC, Veerasammi Ramaya who claimed that the PPP/C was a race-based alliance. On the contrary he stated that the PPP has supporters and members from every ethnic group I Guyana. “We have written to the Commissioner of Police to investigate that statement. Our party is a multi-racial party.” Ramaya has already been ordered by the Courts to issue an apology to Mustapha and to pay him $250,000 for another “race allegation”.
The Executive Secretary called on seniors to educate today’s youth, saying that they grew up under the current Administration and may not know of the days when persons had to join lines to get basic food items in Guyana. “Let them know of the days when things that we today take for granted were denied to Guyanese,” he admonished. Both Mustapha and Minister Edghill engaged a larger gathering a bit later in the neighbouring community of Miss Phoebe, as the election campaign of the ruling party intensifies.
New British High Commissioner meets GECOM’s Chairman
Shortly after presenting his credentials and receiving his accreditation, the new British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn, last Friday made a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally to discuss issues pertinent to GECOM’s state of preparedness for the efficient and effective conduct of the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
According to a release,
Dr Surujbally informed High Commissioner Quinn on the significant preparatory works that have been completed by GECOM, as well as those activities currently engaging the attention of the Commission.
Dr Surujbally pointed out that the Claims and Objections phase has been successfully completed, noting too that GECOM’s Civic and Voter Education Programme has commenced even as Polling Day Staff are being trained.
friday, march 20, 2015 |
guyanatimesgy.com
Shotgun found in abandoned house
Ashotgun was discovered on Thursday in an abandoned house at Waterloo Street, Georgetown by Police ranks at about 11:30h. The Police are to verify whether the shotgun is linked to the robbery committed earlier in the day on the National
Credit Union Building at Regent and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown.
According to information, Police were patrolling in the area and decided to conduct a search on the building that has been vacant for quite some time. As they searched the wooden structure, the reportedly found that the weapon hidden in one of the rooms. Persons in the area reportedly claimed that they did not see any unusual movements during the morning hours. The Police are continuing their investigations.
British High Commissioner Greg Quinn
Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill
US seeks greater cooperation with Guyana in drug fight
By Vahnu Manikchand
The United States of America (USA) is calling for increased cooperation with the Guyana Government to fight the threat of international drug trafficking, while restating that the country, with its large borders, is being used as a transit point for narcotics smuggling.
The US Department of State on Wednesday submitted its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) to Congress, which contained a comprehensive assessment of the efforts of foreign Governments to reduce illicit narcotics production, trafficking and use, in keeping with their international obligations under United Nations’ treaties.
According to the report, while Guyana has shown strong interest in furthering collaborations with the US under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a more strengthened partnership between the two countries would yield better results in critical broad-based areas. “The United States looks forward to tangible progress on investigations, prosecutions,
extraditions, security sector capacity enhancement, the engagement of at-risk communities, and enforcement of laws against money laundering and financial crimes,” the report outlined.
The US highlighted in the report that Guyana is a transit country for trafficking of cocaine that is destined for other parts of the world such as the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and West Africa. It was pointed out that Colombia-originated cocaine is smuggled to Venezuela then to Guyana via sea or air. Lands bordering Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela are also used as transit points.
Last year, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had stated that Guyana’s location had made it a “safe haven” for drug traffickers due to its porous borders and extensive rainforest.
Cocaine, while being trafficked, is often concealed in legitimate commodities and smuggled through commercial maritime vessels, air transport, human couriers, or various postal methods.
“The influence of narcotics trafficking is evident in the country’s political and criminal justice systems. Traffickers are attracted by
the country’s poorly monitored ports, remote airstrips, intricate river networks, porous land borders, and weak security sector capacity.”
In August, 2014 the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) discovered a selfpropelled semi-submersible craft under construction in the interior. The craft was being constructed for the oceanic trafficking of cocaine and is believed to have belonged to a foreign narcotics organisation. The construction facility at which it was built is likely to have been used for the construction of similar vessels, the US stated.
Guyana had signed a maritime counternarcot-
ics bilateral agreement with the US in 2001 but is yet to take the necessary domestic action to bring the agreement into effect. Nevertheless, the US Department of State underscored that Guyana has legislation in place that could enable a more effective response to the threat of drug trafficking. To this end, the Government is drafting an anti-gang legislation and has implemented an Integrated Crime Information System which is monitoring trends and linking the Home Affairs Ministry to public hospitals, prisons and Police stations.
However, it was highlighted that Police stations in remote areas lack reliable telecommunication services. Additionally, the Government has drafted a new National Drug Strategy Master Plan 20132017. The US also alluded to the establishment of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to investigate suspected money laundering crimes and prosecute persons suspected of terrorism and financial offences.
On the other hand, in its
efforts to reduce the supply and smuggling of narcotics into Guyana, drug enforcement presence has been set up at international airports, post offices and to a lesser extent, at port and land-border entry points.
The four main law enforcement agencies that engage in anti-drug activities are the Guyana Police Force (GPF), CANU, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and GDF.
The latter agency plays more of a supportive role by providing the other agencies with boats, aircraft and personnel. GDF has limited capacity and lacks law enforcement authority. However, GDF’s coast guard has strong ties with the US in maritime interdiction, patrolling local territorial waters and conducting humanitarian search and rescue missions. Last year, the US staged port and maritime training for local coast guards to promote law enforcement professionalisation and more effective narcotics investigations.
“By strengthening Guyana’s counternarcotics capabilities, the United
States seeks to enhance interagency coordination and help gather better intelligence on drug trafficking routes,” the US said.
Demand reduction
According to the US Department of State, Guyana lacks a robust “demand reduction strategy” that adequately addresses drug rehabilitation. It was recognised that marijuana is the most widely used drug in Guyana, followed by cocaine. The Health Ministry’s National Council for Drug Education, Rehabilitation, and Treatment is the lone Government body responsible for addressing demand reduction. The University of Guyana initiated a demand reduction curriculum through OAS/CICAD funding. As part of CBSI, the US supports a “Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment” project that provides vulnerable youths with alternatives to drugrelated activities and provides skills for transitioning to the work force.
The US Department reflected upon reported drugrelated seizures and convictions for the first six months of 2014. This information was provided by the GPF, CANU and GRA. The Police Force had reported seizing 92.77 kilograms of cocaine and 339.95 kilograms of cannabis, while CANU reportedly seized 75.84 kilograms of cocaine and 10 kilograms of cannabis. No seizure of cocaine or cannabis was done by the GRA. Furthermore, local law enforcement authorities have successfully convicted 110 persons on drug related charges during the first six months of 2014.
APNU/AFC promises ‘package of goodies’ in Manifesto
The newly formed A Partnership for National UnityAlliance For Change coalition (APNU+AFC) said it was excited and ready for the launching of its elections manifesto on April 10; promising a package of ‘good stuff’ for the people of Guyana.
This is according to General Secretary of the Alliance For Change, David Patterson, who on Thursday told this publication that the parties are in full swing with preparations for the launch. He noted that the coalition is fine-tuning its policies to ensure a detailed and attractive manifesto.
The General Secretary has promised that the coalition will be unveiling massive plans for the country just days after the parties are expected to provide their list of representatives to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nomination Day. He was
at the time responding to the question of what the Guyanese society can expect in terms of the party’s plans for the country, should they succeed at upcoming May 11 polls.
“We are still meeting and finalizing everything but we are looking to have the launch on April 10... We are bringing lots of good stuff
for everyone. Everyone is included in the manifesto,” Patterson related to Guyana Times Reports indicate that plans target education, security and social services.
On Saturday evening, former Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix who is now a member of the APNU, told reporters that one of the coalition’s plans was to address the poor pay and the conditions of service of the Guyana Police Force.
He noted that once the coalition would have acceded to governance, they will ensure that there is an increase in salary while more training programmes and proper management and supervision policies are put in place.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader David Granger has constantly stated that the education systems in Guyana will be addressed if he is elected.
The self-propelled semi-submersible vessel that was found at a creek in the Waini region
AFC General Secretary David Patterson
Berbice convict pleads guilty to killing fellow inmate
Aprisoner who killed a fellow inmate in the New Amsterdam Prison pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter on Thursday during the Berbice Assizes.
Jason Orlando Mc Kenzie, 28, of Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds to answer the charge which states that between April 27, 2011 and May 4, 2011 he murdered Sebastian Clato.
Justice Reynolds ordered a
probation report on Mc Kenzie which is expected to be presented on March 26. At that time, State Prosecutor Judith Mursalin is expected to present the facts of the case before sentencing takes place.
Justice Reynolds also ordered that Mc Kenzie be separated from the other inmates in the prison.
After being committed to stand trial, Mc Kenzie was moved from the New Amsterdam Prison and was housed at the Timehri Prison before returning on Wednesday.
Mc Kenzie was committed
to stand trial in March 2012 by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo.
In 2011, it was reported in the media that Mc Kenzie along with others, while prisoners at the New Amsterdam Prison, armed themselves with pieces of wood and other implements, and beat Clato and Andy Adams, who were also prisoners of the New Amsterdam Prison.
After the beating, the injured men were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where Adams was treated and sent
away. Clato, who was rendered unconscious due to an injury to the head, was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital where he subsequently died.
Clato was incarcerated for murdering Nizamudeen Khan, a security guard attached to a Rosignol saw mill on July 20, 2007.
At the time of the incident Mc Kenzie was being held on a simple larceny charge which was subsequently dismissed.
Assistant Director of Culture dies at 60
Assistant Director of Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Colonel Lindon Ross has died at the age of 60.
In honour of his achievements and commitment to Guyana, the Ministry will be hosting a Night of Reflection at the Carifesta Sports Complex on March 20 at 20:00h.
On March 21, the GDF will be holding a wake at Camp Ayangana (Carifesta Avenue Entrance).
A family wake will also be held at Col Ross’ sis-
Col Lindon Ross
45-year-old man on trial for having sex with 6-year-old
A45-year-old man appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds during the Berbice Assizes for allegedly having sex with a sixyear-old girl.
The accused, Harold Naurayan of Coopers Lane, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) is alleged to have committed the act be-
tween February 1, 2013 and April 27, 2013. Naurayan appeared before a mixed jury and pleaded not guilty to the offence. The state’s case is being presented by Attorney Judith Mursalin while the accused is being represented by Attorney Raymond Ali.
The state is expected to call its first witness on Monday.
New British High...
The appointment of Returning Officers for all of GECOM’s ten divisions, and the completed list of Polling Places to be used on Elections Day will soon be made available, Dr Surujbally told the High Commissioner.
High Commissioner Quinn was also informed by Dr Surujbally that the Commission has already compiled the Revised List of Electors, and will have it posted on March 23 for 21 days, at two prominent places in all of the Electoral divisions and sub-divisions. Moreover, he was told that the Revised List of Electors will be available on GECOM’s website, www. gecom.org.gy, and will be circulated to all political parties, which have indicated their interest to contest the May 11 elections.
During his visit to GECOM, High Commissioner Quinn visited the Information Technology and Data Entry Sections, and briefly met with the European Union
from page 9
funded Joint Technical Assessors, Daniel Piret and Dr Alexander Gray.
The diplomat then met the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Election Officer, Vishnu Persaud as well as the recently appointed Returning Officers and the Registration Officers from all of GECOM’s divisions and sub-divisions.
He was able to witness the interaction between the GECOM senior staff and the Returning Officers and their deputies and clerks, as together they assiduously identified proposed Polling Places which need to have credibility and functionality acceptable to all stakeholders.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed his satisfaction with the works being carried out by GECOM. He promised to give any possible support, relative to the 2015 General and Regional Elections.
ter’s residence at Lamaha Springs on March 22.
His body will be laid to rest on March 25. A special service and viewing will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at 10:00h after which his body will be transported to Belladrum, West Coast Berbice for a church
service and burial.
Born on October 11, 1955, Col Ross joined the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) in 1976. He was also once a postal clerk at the Welldaad Post Office, and a teacher at the Novar Primary School.
During his tenure, he dedicated and committed to the preservation and promotion of the Guyanese culture.
After his retirement, he was appointed the Assistant Director of Culture.
Col Ross was seconded from the GDF to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport.
While at the Ministry, Col Ross specialized in logistics, industrial relations. In a press release, the Ministry noted he will always be remembered for his kindness, discipline, and dedication to the promotion of Guyana’s culture.
Col Ross died on March 17, 2015.
Jason Orlando Mc Kenzie
friday, march 20, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Challenge to presidential term limit…
Attorney General, Speaker to file affidavit in answer
The motion which was filed by civilian Cedric Richardson challenging the two-term presidential limit was first heard on Monday but has since been adjourned until March 25.
Richardson’s lead counsel, Shaun Allicock told Guyana Times that the Speaker, Raphael Trotman and the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall through their legal counsels, Ashley King and Ariane McLean requested additional time to file an affidavit in answer.
Allicock noted that the request was granted by the Chief Justice Ian Chang, and the defendants now have seven days in which they can file the affidavit.
The plaintiff was also given the opportunity to file an additional response. Allicock, however, said that nothing further will be filed for his client.
In his writ, Richardson claims that Act No 17 of 2001, passed by a two-third majority of members of the National Assembly that altered Article 90 of the Constitution, “curtails and restricts the sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect the person of former President (Bharrat) Jagdeo as the Executive President of Guyana.”
such a period as may be determined by the National Assembly is eligible for election as President only once.
Days after the motion was filed, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had criticised the sponsor of it, declaring that the timing of the challenge and the identity of the plaintiff were suspicious.
He further told this newspaper that from all indications, the matter will be dealt with expeditiously with a decision expected before the end of April.
On February 2, 2015 Richardson, 50, of Lot 4 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, filed a motion in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the limit which was imposed on Guyanese Presidents since 2001. The Speaker of the National Assembly and the Attorney General had eight days to file a response to the motion.
Richardson is contending that the Act diminishes and reduces the level of democracy enjoyed by the electorate prior to the alteration and, therefore, required for its legal validity, the holding of a referendum of the people for such alteration. Guyana’s Constitution, upon passing of the Act, states that a person elected as President after the year 2000 is eligible for re-election only once. The Constitution further states that a person who acceded to the presidency after 2000 and served therein for a single occasion for not less than
The party said, “clearly, this new development is an attempt to throw a spanner in the works. The sponsors of the legal challenge appear to have a hidden agenda in the real sense of the term other than invoking or blocking the boogie of a “third term” for Bharrat Jagdeo.”
Jagdeo has repeatedly said that he was not interested in any constitutional position. According to the PPP/C, the interest of those behind the challenge lies in the “darkest and deepest crevices of a democracy comparable to the galleries of Hades.”
The party stated too that “Mr Bharrat Jagdeo had publicly affirmed time and again his
respect for the Constitution and that he has no interest whatsoever in any so-called “third-term” presidency.”
“It is now become obvious that Mr Jagdeo’s assertions fell on deaf ears and that his expression of disinterest in returning to the presidency notwithstanding, the modern-day Quislings working in close collaboration with the local satraps continue to generate and peddle this absolute nonsense, elevating it to useless legalistic twaddle.”
The PPP/C said since 2011, Jagdeo made clear
his disinterest in this matter within the party and beyond. “The party wishes to state that while Mr Jagdeo remains a highly popular figure within and beyond the membership and supporters of the PPP/C, this popularity is in no way intended to be translated into a “thirdterm” candidature. The PPP/C is aware of the fact that while many of its members and supporters hold the former President in high esteem and would have liked to see his return to the presidency, they are very much aware that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing in our society who seek to sow discord and to engage in deceitful and artful fandangle aimed at misleading and confusing PPP/C supporters. While the other political parties are still dithering to name their Presidential Candidate, the PPP/C has already done so.”
The PPP/C said it has confronted much subterfuge in and out of elections season. “We fought off and overcame all of them. This new subterfuge will be fought off too and consigned to the dustbin of history,” the statement ended.
All set for Nomination Day – Dr Surujbally
With Nomination Day just two weeks away, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is all set to host the event as Guyana gears up for the May 11 General and Regional Elections.
On Wednesday, GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, told Guyana Times that all systems are in place for the much anticipated day. “I don’t have a problem,” he added.
A meeting was recently held with all the political parties, and according to Dr Surujbally, the political leaders are satisfied with the preparations made thus far.
The parties were educated thoroughly on the laws despite their previous knowledge. “They all know how things will happen and what they have to do,” Dr Surujbally said.
Nomination Day will be held on April 7 at the City Hall in Georgetown. Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba was scheduled to meet with Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud to discuss the security arrangements for that day however, they were unable to meet.
The acting Town Clerk told this newspaper that she is expected to meet with the Top Cop soon. Crowd control is among issues on the table to be discussed due to the anticipated crowd that would likely flock the premises.
“We have to make sure the crowds are maintained, we can’t have a lot of people flocking the area,” she stated.
On Nomination Day, political parties will know whether they are eligible to contest in the upcoming polls.
On this day, the par-
ties through their respective Representative and Deputy Representative will present their List of Candidates. According to a GECOM advisory, the Representative or the Deputy in submitting the list to the Chief Elections Officer must ensure that it is submitted in the prescribed form, noting too that a Statutory Declaration would be required for each candidate and for the President named in the National Top-List. GECOM says no one on the list could be on more than one Geographical Constituencies’ List. The Representative must also ensure that the necessary corrections are made and submitted to the Chief Elections Officer no later than the 29th day before Election Day.
If a List of Candidates is in any way defective; the party would be required to make an application in writing to the Chief Elections Officer for the allocation of a symbol no later than the 32nd day before Election Day. This symbol must be approved by the Elections Commission.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall
Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman
GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally
Bandits grab 8 guns
...$15M cash from Regent St insurance firm
At least seven weapons and $15 million were removed from a safe belonging to the National Credit Union, located at Regent and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown. The robbery was committed by three armed bandits in the wee hours of Thursday morning. According to information received, the three men armed with handguns attacked the security guard on duty, proceeded to tie him up and ransacked the office where they discovered the money and weapons in a safe in the upper flat of the building.
Investigators are presently treating the robbery as an inside job on the basis that only persons on the inside are aware of the location of the safe and the content.
A Police source told Guyana Times that the matter was ini-
tially reported as a break and enter, and robbery but after arriving at the scene, they were greeted
and one .32 revolver were taken by the bandits. They also carted off 45 cartridges before making good their escape.
The Police rank further stated that the security guard was questioned and released. He is reportedly traumatised due to the incident. While being questioned, the security guard reportedly told the investigators that before entering the building they disarmed the surveillance cameras that were placed at strategic locations.
The man told the Police that from all indications, the bandits knew exactly where the cameras were which was quite interesting. The three men, he noted were wearing masks.
The guard was bounded using telephone cables and after the men left he managed to untie himself and telephoned his supervisor who
in turn alerted the Police.
Shortly after, the Police along with his supervisor arrived on the scene and an investigation was launched. They have since dusted the area for finger prints. The Police will also be requesting additional surveillance footage from nearby buildings as they continue their investigations.
Police in a release stated that at about 02:00h, three men, one of whom was armed with a firearm, broke into the National Credit Union building at Regent and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown, and torched a safe where they took away the weapons.
The Police also stated that the unarmed watchman on duty at the compound was confronted and tied up by the perpetrators during the incident. Investigations are ongoing.
Karran loses bid for OAS No 2 position
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Bayney Karran lost in his bid to become the next Assistant Secretary General of the hemispheric body at a specially- convened elections at the OAS’s headquarters in Washington on Wednesday.
The 34 member OAS General Assembly elected the Permanent Representative of Belize, Ambassador Nestor Mendez, as the next Assistant Secretary General of the hemispheric institution. The election of Ambassador Mendez took place in a vote in which he obtained 24 votes from the member states, compared with 10 received by Karran. The vote took place following the election of the former Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Luis Almagro to the position of Secretary General, which he will assume on May 26, succeeding the current leader, José Miguel Insulza. Ambassador Mendez will succeed Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin on July 12.
Upon accepting the position, the Assistant Secretary General-elect said he stood before the countries that elected him to the post “with a clear mandate and an unwavering commitment to seize the opportunity that
is before us to work together to transform the OAS into the Organization that we want and that the people of the Americas deserve.” He thanked the member states for their votes, calling it an important gesture for the Government of Belize, and recalled that his country, “considered an effective bridge between Central America and CARICOM has an important contribution to make to the InterAmerican System, anchored in the fundamental principles enshrined in the OAS Charter, the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the Social Charter of the Americas.” “Therefore, I am honoured to reiterate that commitment to the InterAmerican System and to the people we all serve,” he added.
The diplomat from Belize thanked the member states “for the trust deposited in me through today´s vote, which I understand as a show of trust and recognition of my country and myself.” He said “the clear mandate I have received from you shows me that we agree that today, more than ever, is the moment to strengthen our Organization, focusing ourselves on the things we have in common and that unite us and not those that divide us,” and said “this is a job that can only be done as a team and through dialogue, based on respect and with a deep commitment.”
“Today we begin a new stage in our organization; we look to the future with optimism that together we can change and improve this valuable Organization; it is a debt to the peoples of the Americas,” he said. In his speech to the General Assembly, the Assistant Secretary General-elect congratulated the Secretary General-elect, Luis Almagro, and promised to work together with him as a team for the Organisation. “I am ready to work closely with him to transform this Organisation,” he
said, while congratulating Ambassador Karran for “a respectful and well organised campaign, fully aligned with the CARICOM tradition.”
Finally, Ambassador Mendez expressed his gratitude for the support and advice he received from the missions of the member states, with which he has worked for several years, expressed his interest in working with the OAS General Secretariat “toward the transformation of the institutional culture into one that is more responsive to the needs of the member states,” and recognized “the arduous and dedicated service” carried out during the last decade by the Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and the Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin. In concluding the meeting, the current Assistant Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, congratulated the elected authorities and said that the electoral exercise “has demonstrated the relevance of this Organization in all terms.” He said “the value and purpose of the Organization signifies that we are a true platform for dialogue among member states, the 34, and hopefully soon, the 35 active member states in our hemisphere,” and concluded recalling the principles that have guided his work and
that of Secretary General Insulza in the last ten years: “strengthening peace, unity, stability and prosperity in the Americas.”
The XLIX Special General Assembly was chaired by the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raúl Morales, who was elected to the position by the Assembly by acclamation. During the election of the next Assistant Secretary General the delegations of
The Bahamas, El Salvador, the United States, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Canada, Honduras, Chile, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Dominica, Guyana, Barbados, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Saint Lucia, Paraguay, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Ecuador, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,
Grenada, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Belize took the floor. Nestor Mendez has served as Ambassador of Belize to the OAS and to the Government of the United States since June 2008. He was an advisor to the Belize High Commission in London from 1997 to 1999 and holds a postgraduate title from George Washington in International Affairs.
Ambassador Bayney Karran
Ambassador Nestor Mendez
by the security guard who was bounded. He stated that at least five shotguns and one .32 pistol
National Credit Union office that was invaded by the bandits
Sidelined PNCR members return to the fold
....but outlook bleak after AFC’s 3 VPs and 12 MPs deal
By Alexis Rodney
Two members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) who had been sidelined over the years said they were ready to move forward with the newly formed A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition.
Former executive members Aubrey Norton and Doctor Dagleish Joseph, who had parted ways with the political unit under the leadership of Robert Corbin, on Thursday, indicated that they would be intensely involved in the coalition campaigns. Both Norton and Joseph were among a large group of high-ranking PNCR members who had withdrawn from the party back in 2008 following an unsuccessful attempt to oust Corbin. Many of them did not return to active party duties and may not have renewed their membership under current Leader, David Granger.
Corbin would later recall another member, James McAllister as a Member of Parliament. The fallout among the members came about after the party’s former Vice Chairman, Vincent Alexander had challenged Corbin for the leadership post. The other members of
the breakaway team included Julianne Gaul; Andrew Hicks; Sherwood Lowe; Joseph Hamilton – who has since defected to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); Ivor Allen; Hamley Case; Chiyedza James; and Peter Livingstone. They had said that their decision to withdraw from the party was not intended to undermine the political body, but was a reaction to its continued “display of vindictiveness”.
But speaking with the Guyana Times on Thursday, Norton, who had only last year made an unsuccessful bid to oust Granger, said his efforts were now focused on seeing the coalition to victo-
ry. Norton was forced to pull out of the leadership race on the day of the Congress amid allegations of massive fraud.
“I am involved in the campaign, but I don’t want to identify my role...I have been doing what is required to ensure the coalition wins the upcoming elections,” Norton told this publication in an invited comment.
Norton had been up in arms with Granger particularly during the leadup to the PNCR’s Biennial Congress in July of last year. He had also made a public statement questioning the conditions of AFC’s announcement that it was interested in establishing a broad national alliance with the APNU.
But from all indications the issues have been ironed out between the political stalwarts.
However, at the Linden Rally last Saturday, Norton, who had played the major role in APNU’s success in the mining town in 2011, was noticeable by his absence from the stage or the audience. On the other hand, Robert Corbin, who had supported Granger in his assumption of leadership of the PNCR and of the peripheralisation of Norton was very visible. It would appear that Norton may be
playing a private role in the upcoming campaign.
Optimistic
Meanwhile, medical practitioner and former Member of Parliament, Dr Dalgleish Joseph, in a telephone interview with the Guyana Times, was optimistic that the new coalition will bring hope for hopeless Guyanese. “Yes, I plan to make myself available very soon” was Joseph’s response, when asked by this publication about his intent to rekindle the fire with the PNCR leadership. While establishing that he never “really left the PNCR”, Joseph said he has been very supportive of the APNU coalition, recalling that this was so since the 2011 elections.
According to Joseph, the now APNU+AFC alliance “is the best thing” for Guyana and believes that each citizen will now be able to achieve all the “goals and objectives”, that they were unable to under the PPP/C leadership. He said while the party’s manifesto was not yet out, he was prepared, despite his busy schedule as a private practitioner, “to become actively involved in the victory fight”.
Subsequent to his fallout with the party, Dr Joseph had expressed that his heart was still with the PNCR, but would return to the party only under changed circumstances. “I have always said (that) if I can make a contribution (to that party) and the opportunity is there for me to make an unhindered contribution, I would be willing to do that,” he had said a few years ago.
Joseph had entered Parliament in 1998 as a PNCR Parliamentarian under the leadership of the late Desmond Hoyte. He had said that he has reverted to doing what he does best –medical practice and education.
Granger for his part had told the Guyana Times previously that members who had left the party were free to return and become actively involved in the fulfilment of its objectives. He had said the PNCR had no qualms with any such member, noting that his concern and that of the party were to maintain its goals and objectives.
Linden ties
The party has also apparently tightened its loose ends with its Region 10 members Sharma Solomon and Vanessa Kissoon. During the party’s campaign launch in Linden last Saturday, Kissoon appeared on the APNU+AFC platform, fingers locked with Granger, smiling and waving. Approached by the Guyana Times for a comment on whether the wounds between the party and herself had been truly healed, Kissoon responded, saying obliquely only that “my presence here tonight speaks for itself, it really speaks for itself”.
Kissoon’s relationship with the PNCR deteriorated following an altercation with General Secretary Oscar Clarke at the party’s Sophia Headquarters last year while Solomon’s relationship with the party had been weak since he made allegations of elections rigging of the PNCR’s Biennial Congress back in July last year.
Subsequent to the PNCR’s 18th Biennial Congress in July, Kissoon was instructed to apologise for misconduct; however, this recommendation which was made by the party’s Disciplinary Committee was ignored until Corbin’s intervention. It would appear that Kissoon’s concerns were still unaddressed.
Meanwhile, Sharma, who was also locked in a dispute before the begin-
ning of the campaign with the party, was also present on the stage. Solomon told the large gathering that the time has come for all obstacles to be overcome and reminded them that ‘failure was not an option’ if they wanted to see their region and their country develop. While the Guyana Times was unable to contact the other members who had fallen along the way, there were indications that they would most likely throw their support behind the coalition. However, because under the “coalition arrangement with the AFC in which only the positions that would be allocated to that party’s members were agreed on, it is not clear what positions would be available for the PNCR members. For instance on the MPs allocation, with AFC being guaranteed 12 seats and the other members of APNU – the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); National Front Alliance (NFA); Guyana Action Party (GAP); and Justice For All Party (JFAP) all in line for seats, very few remain for the major partner PNCR. Even utilising the old Burnhamite arrangement of having four Vice Presidents, three of these are being allocated to the AFC.
APNU/AFC promises...
He had previously told media operatives that he will ensure that State funds to the University of Guyana are quadrupled should he become President. “Without funds, there will be no change,” he insisted.
Asked whether a study was done to determine whether the probability and affordability of such an increase, the Opposition Leader said “we will find the money, if we could find money from GGMC, we will find the money for education,” referring to the loan the Government took from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader said if elected, APNU will rehabilitate the physical structure, stock laboratories and libraries and ensure that the staff is better paid.
He believes that UG
Council also needs to be depoliticised without acknowledging that the APNU also has representatives on the Council, one of which is Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.
Meanwhile, Catherine Hughes, member of the Alliance For Change (AFC) stated that under the APNU-AFC government, women will be given more respect and opportunities to foster and develop their full potential.
She noted that they will aim to provide more day care facilities for working mothers, drop in centres for victims of abuse and domestic violence with more support services, while it will push for the companies to have some kind of nursery services, for mothers to be able to work from home or on a part time basis and will seek to have more micro credit loans available for women wanting to become entrepreneurs. The parties have also vowed that should they succeed, they will ensure that a turnaround plan for the sugar and rice industries is drafted and implemented, so as to protect the lifeline of the sectors while sustaining the livelihood of those who are dependent on these.
“We would ensure that the sugar industry is reformed so that the poor worker turn out rate is turned around. I would engage the Guyana Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the corporation on a turnaround for the sugar industry to protect the jobs of the working people in that industry. I would ensure that rice farmers are promptly paid or if the millers cannot pay them promptly, some form of stabilisation is established… to iron out the fluctuations,” Granger said.
Former PNCR Executive Member Aubrey Norton
Former PNCR Executive Member Dr Dalgeish Joseph
Hindus celebrate Navratri from today
During the auspicious festival of Navratri, which literally means nine nights, Maa Durga is worshipped and revered in her nine forms: Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahaguari and Siddhidhatri.
This year, Navratri runs from Friday, March 20 to Saturday, March 28.
During Navratri, the energy aspect of God is invoked in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as “Durga” which literally means the remover of all miseries of life. She is also referred to as “Devi” (goddess) or “Shakti” (energy or power). It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruc-
tion.
Among the nine Durgas, Maa Shailaputri is considered to be the first manifestation. She carries the trishul and the lotus in her hands. Her vehicle is the Bull, Nandi.
The narrative regarding her birth has been described in scriptures like the Shivapurana among others. Shailaputri in her previous birth was born as a daughter to Daksha Prajapati. She was named Sati and deeply devoted to Lord Shiva since her childhood. When she grew into a maiden, she propitiated Lord Shiva by her penance and devotion and desired to have him as her consort. Lord Shiva bestowed the desired boon on her and accepted her as his consort. Some time after, her father, Daksha Prajapati, organised a great Yanja in
which all the gods including Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and saints and sages were invited, but Lord Shiva was excluded. When Goddess Sati came to know of it, she could not tolerate the disgrace of Lord Shiva, so she decided to pay a visit to her father. Sati said to Lord Shiva, “O Dear Lord! My father Daksha Prajapati is
performing a grand fire sacrifice. All the gods, saints, seers and sages have been invited to participate in this sacrifice, but he has disgraced you openly by not inviting you. I can never bear your insult. So, you kindly let me go to my father to speak out my mind to him.”
Seeing the infuriated Sati, Lord Shiva said to her,
“O Goddess! It does not behove you to lose your temper over such a trifle. Daksha Prajapati is the performer of this great sacrifice. It is his sweet will to invite or ignore any one. You must not poke your nose into his affairs. Such trivial steps may cause bitterness in your relations.”
Sati’s anger did not subside even after such a lecture given to her by Lord Shiva. Seeing her great obduracy, Lord Shiva ultimately granted her permission to see her father.
When Goddess Sati reached the site of the Yajna, she heard everybody denouncing Lord Shiva. Even Daksha, her father, surrounded by his servants was busy with the condemnation of Lord Shiva. All her sisters were mocking Sati. Such a hostile situa-
tion fanned the fire of her fury even more. She refused to endure such a horrible disgrace of her Lord and consigned herself to the sacrificial flames. When Lord Shiva heard of Sati’s self-immolation, he sent his attendants to destroy the sacrifice.
Sati in her next birth was born as a daughter to Himalaya, the Lord of Mountains. She was named Parvati. Since she was born as a daughter to the mountain-king Himalaya, she is also known as Shailputri. She propitiated Lord Shiva by her severe penance and had him as her husband. Among the Nine Durgas, the importance and powers of Mother Shailputri are unlimited. On the first day of auspicious Navratri, she alone is adored and worshipped.
Deepwater harbour for Berbice
...Chinese firm to conduct study
Guyana moved a step closer to realising its long-held dream of building a deepwater harbour, with a prelimi-
fers to carry out and present preliminary studies of deepwater harbours in Guyana, noting that the deepwater harbour is a
nary study on the Berbice River estuary slated to start later this month.
The Chinese State Construction Engineering Company (Latin American and Caribbean) will be in Guyana as of March 23 to conduct the study on the possibilities of constructing a deepwater harbour near the river mouth.
The study is a followup on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered between the Government of Guyana and the company.
In a statement, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds noted that the study will be carried out for one week at the company’s expense and without any obligations on the part of the Government.
Further, the statement noted that the Government was welcoming other of-
desired economic developmental opportunity for businesses.
The Chief Representative of the Chinese company, Zhile David Zhang, will be accompanied by a technical team to carry out the study.
Incidentally, if a deepwater port on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer basis (BOOT) was to appear feasible, the Government would then proceed by way of an open invitation for proposals.
In 2013, the InterAmerican Development Bank had approved a grant of US$1.5 million to fund studies required to prepare a deepwater port project and a road link to Brazil.
The money was intended to cover the necessary market, engineering, en-
vironmental, social and financial studies required to prepare the road link and deep-water port project for eventual financing through a public/private partnership.
President Donald Ramotar has promised, once re-elected as President, to make the deepwater harbour by the Corentyne River a reality.
Two deepwater ports?
With the possibility of another in the Berbice River, it is unclear how those two major projects will impact each other.
PM Hinds noted that in the mid-1990s, the Aroaima operations of Reynolds Bauxite Company had constructed a Deepwater shipping facility in the mouth of the Berbice River, which could have been the first step towards a traditional PANAMAX (65,000-ton) sized port.
The statement went on to highlight that there have been a number of interests in a deepwater port in Guyana.
“A number of preliminary studies/proposals were put to Government by Boskalis, a team sent by the Government of India and Oldendorff (the Germanybased shipping and barging company contracted to the Berbice bauxite operations – BCGI/RUSAL),” the release read.
It also pointed out that during recent visits of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Caricom and the subsequent BRICS meeting in Brazil, there were announcements that China had commit-
ted large funds for infrastructure development in the Caribbean, Central and South American area.
Consequently, Chinese firms, aware of this financing and always on the search for new business op-
portunities, have been proposing to be partners in such developmental projects.
Maa Shailaputr
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
Minister Persaud reaffirms Guyana’s commitment to forests, global climate agenda
Guyana has reiterated its vision of ensuring forests play an important role in the climate change solution, and has stressed the importance of REDD+ and climate financing to making those solutions possible.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister
Norway and Guyana have embarked on a landmark forest financing deal, which has seen millions of US dollars transferred to this country under an agree-
ment to preserve the forest that covers almost 80 per cent of Guyana in exchange for funds to assist in development that would otherwise be facilitated by the sale of forestry products. The deal
Robert Persaud, accompanied by a local delegation which include technical staff of the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Office of the President, highlighted Guyana’s position on the issue to Norwegian Climate and Environment Minister Tine Sundtoft at a meeting in the capital Oslo of her home country.
IMF says Guyana least affected by drop in oil prices
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that Guyana, along with the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, are the Petrocaribe countries least affected by declining oil prices.
IMF Western Hemisphere Department Deputy Director Adrienne Cheasty, in a press conference in Barbados and webcast on Wednesday, made the disclosure as she gave insight on how member countries are impacted by the fall in oil prices among Petrocaribe member countries. “The drop in oil prices is more complex for the members of Petrocaribe than for other oil importers,” Cheasty said. Petrocaribe was created by Venezuela in 2005 to
draws to a close this year, but Guyana’s visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which it has helped funded, has made inroads to transforming Guyana’s economy to a green one.
Persaud was accompanied by a local delegation, which included technical staff of the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Office of the President, and had several high-level meetings in Norway this week.
The goal of the two-day visit was to exchange strategic views regarding the existing partnership between Guyana and Norway, the global climate agenda and progress towards the Conference of Parties of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (CoP 21), planned for Paris in December this year.
Among the meetings were those held with the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD) Director General Villa Kullid, and State Secretary within the Norwegian Climate and Environment Ministry Lars Andreas Lunde.
Technical discussions sessions were also held with officials of Norway’s International Climate and
Effective governance and transparency
Minister Persaud also met with officials of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Secretariat and expressed Guyana’s commitment to advance the process, given the importance that the Government of Guyana has placed on effective governance and transparency within the natural resources sector.
On the second day of the visit, Minister Persaud presented updates on Guyana’s LCDS and REDD+ pro-
grammes, the achievements and progress so far under the Guyana/Norway Cooperation on Climate and Forests, and the challenges and remaining activities in moving forward on Guyana’s strategic agenda on forests and development. These sessions were attended by Norwegian Government and development agencies, and civil society and provided an opportunity for Minister Persaud and the delegation to interact with a broad range of leading civil society and environmental groups and address a range of matters pertaining to Guyana’s development focus, the
LCDS and various projects under the LCDS.
The mission concluded on a high note, with broad recognition that among Guyana’s significant achievements has been the development of a credible and robust Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System for REDD+, advancement on several projects under the LCDS, and concrete plans were made for taking the next steps forward including on forest governance programmes such as European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade and the EITI.
Psychiatric patient pleads guilty to manslaughter
Aman who was considered to be well enough to stand trial by a Psychiatrist pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter at the Berbice Assizes on Thursday before Justice Brassington Reynolds.
Attorney Raymond Ali told the court that the defendant was a patient of the National Psychiatric Hospital and may not be fit to stand trial.
supply fuel under soft conditions to 18 member countries, including Guyana and some of its Caribbean neighbours.
The IMF Western Hemisphere Department Deputy Director stated that Guyana was listed as one of the countries whose Government was most prepared for a financial response. The countries that are most affected by the decline in oil prices were Haiti and Nicaragua. They were hardest hit because they do not have large reserves or a robust domestic financial market, quite similarly to what happens with Belize. Oil’s current price of around US$50 per barrel is half of what it was in June last year and has affected countries throughout the region.
Charles Albert of Corriverton, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) had to return to court on Thursday when Psychiatric Consultant, Dr Moyda Grajedas who is attached to the National Psychiatric Hospital testified that Albert is well enough to stand trial.
Dr Grajedas was called to the witness stand after
The Psychiatric Consultant told the court that Albert visited the psychiatric institution February 6, 2014 when Justice Diane Inshanally ordered that an evaluation be conducted. Dr Grajedas had told the court then that with medication, Albert could be normal.
Justice Inshanally then ordered that he be put on three months medication and then report to the court.
On Thursday, Dr Grajedas told the court that she last saw Albert as a patient the
day before and he seemed mentally stable. She said that he was able to recognise her even though he had not seen her for the past
four months. “He told me his name, where he lived and we had a conversation. He seemed normal. He is fit to go to trial.”
Based on those words, Justice Reynolds proceeded with the trial. Albert pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, telling the court that on December 12, 2011 he killed Roletta Oneta Greeves.
Justice Reynolds ordered a probation report on Albert which is expected to be presented on March 26.
State Prosecutor Judith Mursalin is expected to present the facts of the case before sentencing takes place.
Finance Minister escapes unhurt after accident
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh escaped unhurt on Thursday afternoon after the vehicle he was travelling in, collided with another at Buxton, East Coast Demerara.
According to reports, Singh was on his way back to the city at around 14:30h, when he ended up in the path of a motor car.
The Finance Minister and his security detail were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Only his driver was injured and is currently receiving medical
treatment at a city hospital.
The occupant of the other vehicle involved in the accident is also unhurt. All parties are reportedly cooperating with the investigation.
The Minister would like to express gratitude to the many public spirited individuals who rendered assistance immediately at the scene of the accident and who transported him and his driver to the hospital. The Minister would also like to thank the management and staff of the hospital for their immediate and professional response.
Forest Initiative.
GFC Planning and Development Division Head Pradeepa Bholanath; EITI Secretariat Head Jonas Moberg; Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud; Office of the President’s Project Management Office Head, Kapil Mohabir; and EITI Secretariat Country Officer Gisela Granados
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud and Norwegian Climate and Environment Minister Tine Sundtoft meet in Oslo to advance discussions on climate change and forests
The countries that are most affected by the decline in oil prices were Haiti and Nicaragua
The Minister's vehicle landed in a nearby trench
Charles Albert
Guyana will be hosting its National and Regional Elections shortly, but soon after, Hits and Jams Entertainment will be rolling out its 2015 entertainment master plan in collaboration with Mc Neil Enterprise. Several mega events are
being planned by the groups that will further boost the entertainment industry and the quality of entertainment in Guyana.
According to several polls, in 2015, Guyanese have been longing to see several international acts grace our shores with performances: Usher, Bollywood actor
Shah Rukh Khan, the super sexy Rihanna, Machel Montano and Jamaican rising Reggae star Chronixx.
Palm Court, Main Street is the place to be this Saturday evening when Pulse Entertainment hosts anoth er exciting concept party ti tled “Jungle Fever”. Pulse is calling all party animals to come out and have a feast in an un tamed environment with sexy princesses of the jungle. Yes, it will undoubtedly be one of the events that will be above the rest as the female jaguars are ready to scratch and purr. The entire Palm Court will be transformed with trees, vines and animals that will captivate the hearts of the hunters. There will be special Bartenura Jungle shots on sale all night. Our wild cage dancers
and sensational Amazon princesses on swingers will be there to meet and greet and be prey or predator.
Unleash your inner animal at “Jungle Fever” this Saturday at Palm Court. The event is sponsored by
side with the best mixture of music that will definitely lead you to the dance floor. Admission to the event is $2000 and ladies in animal print will be admitted free before 23:00h.
HJ Director Kerwin Bollers, during a telephone interview with the Guyana Times Entertainment, stated that discussions were already underway with several of the artistes that will make Guyanese quite happy.
Bartenura Moscato, Best Warehouse Deals, Panasonic Air Conditions, and Real FM. Music, lighting effects and decor will be provided by Pulse Entertainment.
If all goes well, according to sources, Chronixx might be the headlining act at the official opening of the Hits and Jams Water Park at
Providence, East Bank Demerara some time in May. The others will perform at several super concerts before the end of 2015.
Guyanese will now have to keep their fingers cross
and hope that these discussions go down well with the respective artistes and their managers. Last year, Guyanese would have seen several top quality artistes, including John Legend and others. Guyana, it’s time to brace yourself for an experience of a lifetime.
Rihanna Chronixx
Machel Montano
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan
Usher
The second annual Hits and Jams Mash Awards (HJMAs) became the night of Jumo Primo and Team Jumpstart, as the seasoned Soca veteran took two of the three top awards – Best Power Soca and the coveted Song of the Season, while the Jumpstart radio show swept the Radio categories winning Male Personality of the Year – Gordon Moseley;
"Easter
Female Personality of the Year – Nuriyyih Gerrard; Radio Show of the Year –Jumpstart, and DJ of the Year – “Selector Carl”.
Other winners included Kwasi Ace, who got the My Carib Jam Award for “Forking”; Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, who won Best Music Video with “Massive”; and Avalanche, who won Best Groovy Soca with “She Ready”.
In the technical categories, the Best Producer Award went to Joel Brown for his production of “Forking” as performed by Kwasi Ace and the Best Songwriter went to Lil Red for “Mash Up The Place”.
The night was noted for its red carpet fashion and interesting selections. Most were unanimous that Ceon La Rose known by his moniker “Gully Ras” and Kerwin Bollers stole the night for the men in their black and white ensembles, while Leslyn Noble, Macaela “The
Remix Chick” Cameron and Nuriyyih Gerrard were among the best dressed women.
The show on Wednesday was well hosted by Feliz Robertson and Nuriyyih Gerrard and saw performances from the National Dance Company accompanied by the National School of Dance.
Jumo, Vanilla, 2015 Chutney King Young Bill Rogers and newly-crowned Calypso Monarch King Perai also gave good performances.
Fest 2" for Tuschen Ground on Easter Monday
With Easter just around the corner and plans are on track to host another event under the Westsiderz Entertainment Brand called Easter Fest 2 on Easter Monday.
The inaugural event saw a massive turnout at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground with some splendid performances by both regional and local artistes, including Rick Ramotar, Saleem Beharry, Dholly Boy and Vanessa Ramotar.
This time around, the headlining act for Easter Fest 2 will be Prince JP, who is expected to wrap up his New York tour this weekend. From feedback received, he impressed his
audience at three separate shows in the United States.
He will be joined by Princess Halima; Bunty Singh, who recently placed at the National Chutney Monarch Competition; and Aamir Khan, who has also been creating some waves on the local scene.
The versatile artistes are expected to hype the audience with hit after hit.
Apart from all the performances, there will be a kite flying competition during the day during which persons can win fabulous prizes, along with attrac-
Other highlights of the night came from Nuriyyih Gerrard, who broke down in tears when accepting her award for Female Personality of the Year. She thanked all the listeners who tuned in every day for the show, and said she felt privileged to be a part of a team like Jumpstart and the HJ Family.
“Selector Carl”, Carl Primo, who looked surprised
when it was announced that he won the DJ of the Year Award , also got a bit emotional when accepting his award, and thanked Hits and Jams for even nominating him in the category.
The Awards is one of the ways Hits and Jams Entertainment seeks to recognise the talent of our local artistes and the annual show coincides with the anniversary of Hits and Jams Radio.
Mr Guyana International to compete in Mr Caribbean contest
Mtions for the children.
During the day, the kite flyers will be entertained by the DJs of TRS Sound.
There will also be barbecue on sale and lucky patrons can win a free trip to Trinidad and Tobago. But as the sun sets, the older folks will come out to play.
Everyone will be admitted free before 20:00h. The event is sponsored by Carib, Sky Vodka, West Side Taxi Service and others.
ister Guyana International 2015, Paul Charles, will be heading to the beautiful island of Dominica to rep resent Guyana at the Mister Caribbean con test, billed for May 30. Charles, no stran ger to Guyanese, is presently in a full preparation mode, inclusive of gym work with personal trainer Jewan Persaud at Buddy’s gym, public speaking, among other as pects of preparation.
This is Guyana’s first official representative to this pageant and according to franchise holder of Mr Guyana International, Paul Burnette “this is the year when Guyana shines at these international pageants.”
However, the Mr Guyana International 2015 competition is billed for November 2015 and will see greater participation from men from Berbice, Linden, Bartica and Georgetown and its environs. Young men who are interested in being a part of this prestigious event can visit the pageant’s Facebook page Mr Guyana International or send an email to mrguyanaint@gmail.com for more information on audition dates. Mr Guyana International’s mission statement is “Empowering men to empower themselves, their communities and fellow men”.
“Vanilla” Roberts won for Best Music Video with “Massive”
Jumo Primo receives his award from Mr Guyana Paul Charles
The Male Personality of the Year Gordon Moseley; emale Personality of the Year Nuriyyih Gerrard; and DJ of the Year – “Selector Carl” Primo pose with the other members of the Jumpstart team. Jumpstart won the Radio Show of the Year Award
Halima Khan
Prince JP
Paul Charles
More overseas players join Golden Jaguars
Chairman of the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Clinton Urling, says the body is looking to have the “best players” at all times to represent the country, whether they be home grown or overseas-based.
Urling was making the comment a day after the signing of two other overseas players of Guyanese heritage to the Golden Jaguars squad for the upcoming international friendlies against St Lucia and Grenada.
The first, 29-year-old Michael Ten-Pow, was born in Guyana, but migrated to the USA when he was a few months old. The qualified Computer Engineer disclosed that he lived in Chile for five years before returning to the USA. His parents are Rudolph and Bonita Ten-Pow.
Ten-Pow disclosed that he has played at the national pool youth level in the United States and was contacted around the year 2000 by someone from the GFF, but he did not take the opportunity then since he was at the height of his Computer Engineering studies.
“I’ve been an engineer for the last decade and have decided now to get back active in the game so I made contact with the GFF and told them that I need the oppor-
tunity to get involved. I still have skills, still have a good body on me and a desire to represent my country, so it’s an opportunity I’m happy and lucky to have,” he disclosed.
Ten-Pow disclosed that he played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in San Francisco with the San Francisco Stompers Football Club as a left winger.
“I am aiming and expect to become a permanent fixture with the Golden Jaguars with good performances. I would like to see Guyana get back to prominence. I know we had a good
run a few years back and I would like to see us do that again. I know some people have written us off given the kind of turmoil that has happened but I would like to see that change,” he stated.
The second player is 20-year-old Daniel White, who is based in Canada; his dad, James White, is from Campbellville, Georgetown. He said it was always his dream to play for his dad’s country and he intends to make this opportunity count.
“The Golden Jaguars are really welcoming, it’s like a family right now, and they are kind to me and respect-
ful and they treat me as one of them,” he pointed out.
White plies his trade in Canada at an Academy called Sigma FC, which plays in League One. “I’m in my third year at university studying to become a physiotherapist or to get into sports medicine.”
The 18-man squad to face St Lucia would be selected on Saturday morning ahead of Sunday’s game. National Captain Christopher Nurse has also joined the squad. Nurse, a defensive midfielder, was recently re-signed by the RailHawks ahead of the 2015 North American Soccer League (NASL) Season.
Nurse was a key player of the 2011 RailHawks team that won the regular season championship. In 2012, Nurse returned for his second season with the RailHawks, making 10 appearances while registering six starts and one assist.
A release from the club said that Nurse has developed vast experience at different levels of the game throughout his extensive professional career. He has played for several Conference North and Southern Football League clubs in England, such as Tamworth Football Club, Moor Green and Hinckley United, as well as NASL sides Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Puerto Rico Islanders and FC Edmonton.
Cameron promises better Caribbean pitches for upcoming series
Re-elected president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dave Cameron says the West Indies’ upcoming Test series against England and Australia in the Caribbean will be played on better pitches.
The matches, to be played in Antigua, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and Jamaica, will bowl off in less than a month, starting with the Windies a three-match series against England.
“We (WICB) are promising are better-looking pitches for the next five games,” said Cameron.
“Our regional curator, Ken Crafton, has been visiting some venues and pitches, which has been a point of constant discussion around the region.
“He has gone to at least seven ven-
ues, and since then, we have been focusing on the five venues that will be hosting Test matches this year.”
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua is scheduled to stage the first England Test from April 13, the Grenada National Stadium, the second from April 21, while the third start May one at Barbados’ Kensington Oval.
The two-game Australian series, in the meantime, is set to get underway on June 5 at Windsor Park in Dominica before closing out on June 13 at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Crafton, an internationally renowned pitch and field consultant, has been credited for the improvements in pitch conditions during the staging of last year’s second edition of the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20. (CMC)
Indian Wells: Andy Murray sets new record in reaching semi-finals
Andy Murray set a new record for
Open-era wins by a British man after easing past Feliciano Lopez to reach the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
The world number four equalled Tim Henman’s 496-victory mark in beating Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday and moved clear with a 6-3 6-4 win over Lopez.
Murray, 27, is now unbeaten in 10 career meetings with the Spaniard.
Novak Djokovic awaits in the last four after the Serb’s quarter-final opponent Bernard Tomic withdrew due to injury.
Lopez’s dismal record
the back of two wonderful shots. First, a superb passing return set up break point, which he converted with a perfect lob to the back of the court.
Murray wobbled briefly when serving for the match at 5-2, allowing Lopez a first break of the contest, but he held in his next service game to get over the line.
“It was a good match in difficult conditions against a tough opponent,” Murray told Sky Sports. “I passed very well today and it stopped him from feeling comfortable at the net.
in career meetings with Murray never looked in any danger of being reversed as the Briton took control of the match from the outset.
Comfortable holds of service were a feature for Murray as Lopez failed to find his rhythm, and a single break of serve in the fourth game proved sufficient to take the opener.
Murray broke early in the second set before finally being asked a few questions in the next game, holding break points before moving 3-1 ahead.
He unlocked the Lopez serve for a third time on
“It kept him back and I was able to dictate the points.
“I’ve got my level back to where I was before my back injury.”
A rested world number one now lies in wait after Djokovic progressed without hitting a ball due to the withdrawal of Australian 32nd seed Tomic, who has a back injury.
“Against him you’re going to have a play a high-quality match,” said Murray.
“I’ll have to play extremely well. He’ll come to it fresh with a couple of days’ rest.” (BBC Sport)
Daniel White Michael Ten-Pow
Andy Murray
Dave Cameron
Responsible Rohit sees off Bangladesh threat
Bangladesh did a pretty good impersonation of Rafael Nadal for the first 30 overs of the quarter-final, defending everything with intensity and precision, but when the moment came to hit that winner which sets Nadal apart from other defensive players, Bangladesh kept defending and paid the price.
Rohit Sharma kept absorbing the pressure in a largely subdued innings, but exploded in the end to go from 60 off 80 to 137 off 126, helping India score the secondhighest score in a World Cup knockout match.
Bangladesh showed they were no pushovers with bowling and fielding that put India under pressure, but the wheels came off towards the end with possibly everything, including the umpiring, going India’s way. Suresh Raina played his part by stinging Bangladesh in a concentrated attack of 65 off 57, and Ravindra Jadeja made sure the momentum continued with a 23 off 10 in the end, taking India to a total that required high-risk batting from Bangladesh. Tamim Iqbal came out swinging, but the chase was too difficult to sustain against an inform Indian bowling attack, which has claimed all 70 wickets on offer so far. This was MS Dhoni’s 100th win as captain, and 11th on the trot in World Cups.
That the eventual margin of victory was huge should not take anything away from the significance of the umpiring blunder. India had only just started to look threatening with 41 runs in 4.3 overs of the batting Powerplay when Rohit hit a full toss straight down deep midwicket’s throat. This was the time when for a split second Bangladesh
thought they could work at wresting back the control, but to their horror they saw square-leg umpire Aleem Dar had called a no-ball. Replays showed Rohit had met the ball waist-high well in front of his normal stance, and the ball was on its way down. Not only was it not a no-ball, it was inconsistent that the on-field umpire made such a hurried call when extreme caution has been the norm. Nine out of 10 times in modern cricket, Rohit would have been given out after replays; this just happened to be that other occasion.
Rohit was 90 off 101 when he was reprieved. India were 196 in the 40th over. Bangladesh were looking at Dhoni and Jadeja, who have not been in the best hitting form, for the last 10 overs. Instead, they had to contend with some exquisite stroke-play from Rohit. The mayhem in the end all added up to nearly double
the 35-over score of 155 for 3. Rohit’s three sixes took him to the joint-fifth-highest score at MCG, his average of 83.75 the best among those who have scored over 250 runs at the venue, where the final will be played. He also became only the third visiting batsman to score two hundreds at the ground. Some of Rohit’s hitting in the end was just too good for Bangladesh. They were at the wrong end of the umpiring, but they will rue plays both big and small that hurt them in the end. They realised soon enough that this was a flat pitch - the flattest in Australia this summer - and even though India added 75 for the first wicket they defended really well. They were accurate, hardly bowled any bad balls once Rubel Hossein and Shakib Al Hasan came on to bowl, were backed up in the field, and the drying of the runs drew three unforced errors from India.
Lara believes Windies can upset new Zealand
West Indies batting legend Brian Lara says he is backing the Caribbean side to defeat powerhouse New Zealand in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final in New Zealand.
Based on the form of the two teams in the tournament, most pundits have already written off the Windies’ chances but Lara, a former captain, is not in that camp.
“I feel a bit patriotic, but I see West Indies beating New Zealand in Wellington because they have the team,” Lara said.
New Zealand dominated Group A of the preliminary round, finishing unbeaten to top the group with 12 points.
In contrast, West Indies struggled, losing three of their six matches to finish on six points, alongside Ireland. However, they sneaked into the quarter-finals courtesy of a superior net run rate.
The key to the Black Caps’ success has been the excellent new-ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the brilliance of openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, the solidity of Kane Williamson at number three, and the flamboyance of the likes or Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson in the middle order.
West Indies, meanwhile, have been inconsistent in all departments, and have struggled in both
Nadal knows when to pull the trigger, just when he has run the opponent ragged. That moment presented itself when Ajinkya Rahane fell trying to force the pace, making it 115 for 3 in the 28th over. That was when you would have expected Bangladesh to attack Raina and the tiring Rohit, but they held back their attacking options. Mashrafe Mortaza, their captain who has never looked 100% fit in the tournament, came on to bowl. It took Bangladesh 42 balls to bowl Raina his first bouncer. It was duly topedged. Raina, though, had galloped away to 41 off 41 by then after a slow start of 13 off 25.
Other small little things were not paid attention to either. The fielders inside the circle sat back on the ring allowing easy singles, the bowlers did nothing to stop Raina backing up too far and too early at the nonstriker’s end, the fielders threw at Dhoni’s end even when Rohit was struggling with fitness, and when you would have expected them to cut the single with Rohit on 99 they actually bowled a no-ball because they didn’t have enough men inside the circle.
Don’t take much away from Rohit and Raina, though. They were under high pressure of the stifling bowling of a side with not much to lose in the big knockout game. They were both forced to play a game against their nature. They waited and waited, and then they exploded in the Powerplay. The intent was unmistakable. Raina charged at the first ball of the Powerplay, and drove it over extra cover. It helped that it was Mortaza’s gentle pace, and not Rubel’s quickness. He again target-
ed the first ball of the next over, sending Shakib over long-on. The pressure was squarely on Bangladesh, and just when they thought they had caught a break, the umpires let them down.
Rohit then unleashed some artistic late-overs hitting. He saw Raina get out to a slower ball, he saw Dhoni struggle for timing, he was himself exhausted by the effort - physically and arguably mentallybut he exposed gaps in the field beautifully. Without violence he scored 25 off the last nine balls he faced, and Jadeja provided the finishing touches in the end.
Bangladesh, after having competed well for at least 30 of the 50 overs, were now left chasing what had never been successfully chased at
MCG. Tamim made a low-percentage start, which was too good to last. It didn’t, ending to an edge to Umesh Yadav. A panicked run-out followed. Asking rate rose. Disciplined bowling meant Bangladesh had to take risks every time they tried to score faster. Wickets fell almost every time they did so. Dhoni took a diving catch to where a first slip would have been. Dhawan took one at the boundary after stepping over the rope and coming back to control the ball. Everything went for India once Rohit and Raina began to attack Bangladesh. Now they are headed to play the winner of the match between Australia and Pakistan. (Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
India innings (50 overs maximum)
RG Sharma b Taskin Ahmed 137
S Dhawan st †Mushfiqur Rahim
b Shakib Al Hasan 30
V Kohli c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Rubel Hossain 3
AM Rahane c Shakib Al Hasan b Taskin Ahmed 19
SK Raina c †Mushfiqur Rahim
b Mashrafe Mortaza 65
MS Dhoni*† c Nasir Hossain b Taskin Ahmed 6
RA Jadeja not out 23
R Ashwin not out 3
Extras (b 4, lb 7, w 3, nb 2) 16
Total (6 wickets; 50 overs; 239 mins) 302
Did not bat: Mohammed Shami, MM Sharma, UT Yadav. Fall of wickets: 1-75, 2-79, 3-115, 4-237, 5-273, 6-296.
Bangladesh Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0-691, Taskin Ahmed 10-0-693, Nasir Hossain 9-0-35-0, Mahmudullah 1-0-4-0, Rubel Hossain 10-0-56-1, Shakib Al Hasan 10-0-58-1.
Bangladesh innings (target: 303 runs from 50 overs)
Tamim Iqbal c †Dhoni b Yadav 25
Imrul Kayes run out (Jadeja/ Yadav) 5
Soumya Sarkar
30
Nasir Hossain c Ashwin b Jadeja 35
Mashrafe Mortaza* c †Dhoni b MM Sharma 1 Rubel Hossain c Ashwin b Yadav 0 Taskin Ahmed not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 8) 10
Total (all
Ambrose sights Windies bowling duo as key against Windies
Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder have been backed by Curtly Ambrose to lead West Indies into the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.
Curtly Ambrose believes West Indies’ pace duo Jerome Taylor and Jason Holder will be pivotal in their Cricket World Cup quarterfinal with New Zealand.
The pair shared seven wickets in Sunday’s six-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates to confirm their place in the last eight.
Ambrose - West Indies’ bowling coach - has been impressed with the way Holder and Taylor have combined in the group stages and now hopes they can repeat it against the co-hosts in Wellington.
their batting and bowling.
Lara, who quit international cricket following the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, said West Indies needed to improve at the top of the order and said Lendl Simmons could prove to be pivotal there.
“West Indies have to bat technically better batsmen at three, someone like a [Denesh] Ramdin or [Lendl] Simmons,” Lara pointed out. “Lendl can anchor the innings and bat for a long time.” (CMC)
“The combination of Taylor and Holder are working pretty well for us at the moment, we all know how talented captain Holder is,” said the former bowler – who took over 600 wickets in his career.
“Taylor is a wonderful bowler, he swings the ball as well and they are going to be key, I believe to start the innings and as long as we can get into the New Zealand batters early.
“They have some wonderful players, someone like a [Brendon] McCullum who is a dangerous player. If we can pry him out early and get into the middle order, then try to put them under some pressure.
“It’s not going to be an easy game, they
Ambrose
are full of confidence, they are playing well, we have been a little bit inconsistent, but as Sir Richard [Richardson] said, it all boils down to seven hours of cricket, whatever happened in the preliminary rounds, don’t mean a thing now, so it’s who plays better on the day will come out winners.”
Holder’s four wickets in Napier took him to nine for the tournament, while Taylor boosted his tally to 14 with a three-wicket haul. (Digicel Sportsmax)
Rohit Sharma celebrates after completing his hundred
Brian Lara
Curtly
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NBA roundup… Cavs steamroll Nets
Cavaliers coach David Blatt had seen enough, more than enough.
After his team’s sixth turnover in the game’s first minutes, a disgusted Blatt called timeout and gave his players some very specific instructions.
‘‘Stop turning the ball over,’’ he told them.
The Cavs listened and then lit up the Nets. J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov scored 17 points apiece, Kyrie Irving had 10 assists and the Cavaliers shook off the sluggish, sloppy start to win their 14th straight home game, 117-92 over Brooklyn Wednesday night.
LeBron James added 16 points for the Cavs, who had seven players score in double figures. Just back from a fourgame road trip, Cleveland trailed by 13 in the first quarter before going on a 30-8 run and didn’t look back.
paint. Kyrie was great getting guys involved and J.R. was shooting the ball well. Everyone worked well together tonight.’’
Deron Williams scored 20 to lead the Nets, who are running out of games as they claw to get into the playoffs.
Brooklyn led, 22-9, in the first quarter before the Cavs stopped throwing the ball away and started making shots. Smith dropped four 3-pointers and scored 14 in the second quarter, when the Cavaliers’ bench sparked a rally.
‘‘LeBron went in the post,’’ Nets coach Lionel Hollins said. ‘‘We tried to help a few times and he threw it out and they made 3s, and he was in the pick-and-roll and he made plays for people and they made shots. He wasn’t the man. It was the guys making the shots. He set them up. He was the orchestrator.’’
sure off him going forward knowing that other guys can pick up the slack and carry it well.’’
Heat 108, Trail Blazers 104 — Dwyane Wade scored 15 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, including a jumper with 13.6 seconds left to break a tie and help host Miami beat Portland. Wade made 13 of 26 shots for the Heat, who were down 11 shortly after halftime. Luol Deng had 24 points on 4-for-4 shooting from 3-point range for Miami, which got 20 points and 11 assists from Goran Dragic and a 12-point, 10-rebound night from Hassan Whiteside.
LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 34 points and 12 rebounds. After Wade hit the go-ahead jumper, Portland turned it over on the inbounds pass. Wade got fouled and sealed the win with two free throws.
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‘‘The first game after a road trip is always kind of tough,’’ James said. ‘‘We just found our rhythm.’’
The Cavs are 25-6 since Jan. 15, when they were 1920 and being questioned about whether they were NBA title contenders.
Well, Cleveland is an entirely different team these days with balance, inside muscle and a healthy James, who battled knee and back issues earlier this season.
Kevin Love returned after a two-game break to rest his back and finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers recorded 32 assists on 45 field goals, a testament to their unselfishness.
‘‘We moved the ball tonight,’’ James said. ‘‘Mozzy was unbelievable in the
Leading by 12 at the half, the Cavs looked underneath in the third quarter and the 7-foot-1-inch Mozgov took over, scoring 12 points in the period to help Cleveland extend its advantage to 23.The large lead allowed Blatt to rest his starters, including James, who sat out the final 5:04.
Blatt intends to closely monitor his players’ minutes down the stretch as the Cavaliers prepare for the playoffs.
Blatt said the balanced scoring attack is vital for James.
‘‘You can’t expect him to have huge games that he’s had fairly regularly and you can’t expect that all the time,’’ he said. ‘‘The second thing is that it takes a lot of pres-
Bulls 103, Pacers 86 — Rookie Nikola Mirotic scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half, Mike Dunleavy added 21 points and Pau Gasol had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead shorthanded Chicago over visiting Indiana. The Bulls snapped a twogame losing streak despite playing without injured starters Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler and key reserve Taj Gibson.
Spurs 114, Bucks 103
Danny Green scored 20 points and Tim Duncan added 19 points and seven assists as visiting San Antonio bounced back from an embarrassing overtime loss to the New York Knicks Tuesday by holding off Milwaukee. (The Boston Globe)
Jaguars, Volcanoes square...
The Pride are now on 108 points and even with one match to play, they have no hope of catching the Jaguars. A maximum of 20 points are on offer per match meaning the Bajans can only get a maximum 128 points if they get full points in the final round match against Jamaica.
Narsingh Deonarine is Guyana’s leading runscorer with 499 runs followed by Rajendra Chandrika with 490, Captain Leon Johnson
with 463, and Vishual Singh with 457.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul with 429 is also among the leading batsmen with over 400 runs. The veteran West Indies left-hander inched closer to yet another landmark in his illustrious career. Chanderpaul moved to within sight of 25,000 first class runs, with just 38 required to reach the landmark.
Spinners Veerasammy
Permaul and Devendra Bishoo lead the wicket tally with 59 and 41 wickets respectively.
Meanwhile, Windward Islands Volcanoes, once considered the Cinderella side of the regional game, have started to trend upwards in recent years as a number of promising players have started to establish themselves.
The Volcanoes pair of Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile are the leading runs scorers with 710 and 584 respectively.
The other two final-round matches will see T&T Red Force playing the Leewards Hurricanes at the National Cricket Centre in Trinidad, while Jamaica Franchise host Barbados Pride at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
The unchanged Guyana Jaguars squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain); Rajendra Chandrika; Assad Fudadin; Narsingh Deonarine; Shivnarine Chanderpaul; Vishaul Singh; Raymon Reifer; Christopher Barnwell; Anthony Bramble; Veerasammy Permaul; Devendra Bishoo; Keon Joseph; and Ronsford Beaton.
Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile are the leading runs scores with 710 and 584 respectively
Guinness Greatest in the Streets football, East Coast leg...
Big wins for Paradise, Plaisance A on opening night
aradise and Plaisance
PA stitched together convincing wins to start the East Coast Demerara leg of the Guinness Street football competition on a positive note on Wednesday evening at the Haslington Market Square Tarmac.
In the opening match of the night, Paradise inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Church Yard United to start their campaign on a highly successful note. Jamal Garnett opened the scoring for Paradise in the 17th minute, and quickly doubled the advantage with another goal a minute later.
It soon became 3-0 when Christopher Adams found the back of the net, while Jermin Clark further compounded Church Yard United’s misery with a goal
in the 23rd minute.
Church Yard United avoided complete humiliation with a consolation goal from Rolex Goveia, via a penalty.
In game two, Plaisance A outplayed Mahaicony United 3-0, with Warren Gilkes getting on the scoresheet as early as the second minute of play. Teyon Lowe made it 2-0 in the ninth minute, before Carlos Matthews scored in the 13th minute to complete the win.
Beterverwagting B emerged with a 2-0 win over Ann’s Grove Punters, with Threon Petri and Erin Hunter scoring in the space of two minutes, while Buxton won 2-1 on penalty kicks against Plaisance B after they played to a nil-all stalemate.
In the other game of
the night, Nabaclis edged Victoria Eagles 2-1with Allamo Jack and Seretsi Huntley scoring for Nabaclis and Kishawn Alfred netting for Victoria Eagles.
Another large crowd is expected to flock the venue this evening when eight games will be contested from 19:00h. In the curtain raiser, Church Yard United and Melanie B will square off, followed by Beterverwagting A against Plaisance B; Anns Grove Punters versus Mahaica, and Golden Grove Superstars against Paradise before the half-time break.
Upon resumption, Nabaclis will tackle Plaisance A; Vryheid’s Lust will collide with Victoria Eagles; Buxton will face Haslington and Melanie A will confront Beterverwagting B.
David de Caires/Basil Sukhram Memorial golf tourney to ‘tee’
off Saturday
The David de Caires/ Basil Sukhram Open Medal Play format tournament, which promises to be one of the most important tournaments on the Lusignan Golf Club calendar, will be held on Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Club. The tournament, which
is being sponsored by the Lusignan Golf Club and golf enthusiast and former Guyana Open champion Alfred Mentore through his real estate company on North Road, is being held in recognition of the sterling contribution by both de Caires and Sukhram to the sport.
De Caires served as President of the Club and as Club Captain for many years. He died on November 1, 2008 in Barbados.
Sukhram, the father of national ladies champion Christine Sukhram, who coached locally and played professional golf outside of Guyana died in 2009 at the age of 54 when he suffered a heart attack while playing a round at the Lusignan Golf Course.
He had just teed off at the fifth hole when he suffered the attack.
In a press release, the Club said it “had decided to sponsor the tournament as a way of honouring the
memory of the late David de Caires and Basil Sukhram. Meanwhile, Club Captain Chen Deo indicated that the grounds were now in fair condition; hence, golfers can look forward to a good competition. Up for grabs will be prizes for the Best Gross, Nearest to the Pin, and first, second and third Best Net scores. Tee-off time is 12:30h.
BCB arranges two-day trial match for U-19 players
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will begin preparations for the county’s participation in the upcoming InterCounty Under-19 Cricket Competition.
GABF to honour national players, Road to Mecca II winners
TTo this end, the junior selection panel of the BCB has scheduled a two-day trial match, beginning today at the Cumberland Ground in East Canje from 09:00h daily.
This follows intense sessions across Berbice. A final squad will be selected thereafter. Players are asked to report at the venue by 08:15h.
National player
Priyanna Ramdhani made a clean sweep of the Under-15 and 19 Ladies Singles events, while Tyreese Jeffrey won the Under-15 Male Singles title when the Guyana Badminton Association/Trophy Stall annual age group singles tournament continued on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
In the female Under-15 category, Ramdhani defeated Abosaide Cadogan 21-0, 212, while third place went to Siya Persaud, who defeated Cassia Lewis: 21-11, 21-17.
In the female Under-19 category, Ramdhani defeated Abosaide Cadogan 21-2, 21-6, while Amanda Daniels claimed the third place spot after defeating Shonatta Lowe 21-17, 21-19.
sentation ceremony will also be done at the end of the final match.
he Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will be honouring the national players for their brilliant performance against Bermuda in the tri-match series held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall recently on Saturday at the Cara Lodge. Guyana swept the series, showing great character by coming from behind to win two of the three games, with Travis Burnett being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
out individual awards to all of the players who suited up for Guyana as well as the coaches at the event slated to start at 17:00h. The Federation also plans to reward the top three teams in the Road to Mecca II National Club Basketball
The GABF plans to hand
Tournament that concluded in February.
The Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters were the winners of the tournament while Colts finished second and the Dynas Ravens third. (Treiston Joseph)
On the distaff side, Jeffrey defeated Akili Haynes 2119, 18-21, 21-15, while third place went to Ransell Ramsaroop.
The tournament continues on Saturday at the Queen’s College Badminton Courts at 10:30h. The pre-
Matches to be played on Saturday are: Boys Under-19 Finals: Narayan Ramdhani v Jonathan Mangra (11:30h) Boys Under-19 Third Place playoff: Hemraj Beharry v Tyreese Jeffrey (10:30h) Boys Under-13 Finals: Baoxiang Liu v Tyreese Richards (11:10h)
Part of the action on the opening night of the competition at the Haslington Market Tarmac on Wednesday
David de Caires
Basil Sukhram
Priyanna Ramdhani
The successful Guyana team that swept Bermuda
Banks DIH throws massive support behind international friendlies
Banks DIH Limited has renewed its commitment to football by becoming the major sponsor of the Golden Jaguars’ two home games against St Lucia and Grenada over the next two weekends.
Several Golden Jaguars players, in the company of members of the Technical Staff and the Normalisation Committee, were in attendance at a press briefing on Thursday at the Banks DIH Sports Club, where the company announced its full sponsorship of the two games.
The popular Banks Beer brand and the world renowned Coca Cola beverage, known globally for its strong alliance to football, have been chosen by the company as the products under which the sponsorship has been granted.
Chairman of the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation, Clinton Urling, pointed out that the backing from the company was critical for football at this time. He also urged other companies to follow suit since the aim is to take football beyond the heights it achieved during the 2014
World Cup qualifiers.
Urling also called on Guyanese to show their support for the team by attending the games, noting that the matches will signal the return of international football to these
shores following a morethan-two-years break.
Banks Beer Brand
Manager Brian Choo Hen said the company was more than enthused to back the national ballweavers, noting that his expectations
WICB PCL 4-day tournament... Jaguars, Volcanoes square off in final round
– Johnson says team focused on finishing with a win
By Rajiv Bisnauth
The Guyana Jaguars will hope to end the inaugural West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League Four-Day Tournament with a victory when they face the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the final round at Windsor Park in Dominica, starting today.
They swept aside the hosts by 92 runs in their last encoun-
ter at the Guyana National Stadium and with the added motivation of already winning the title, the first in 17 years, the Guyanese will again fancy their chances of an equally dominant win.
Captain Johnson told this publication on Thursday via email that his side would be looking to end the tournament on a high.
“The mood still remains good in the camp. We definite-
Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time) Friday: 4th Quarterfinal, New Zealand v West Indies, 21:00h
ly looking to end the league on a good note by securing a record eight wins for the season,” Johnson said.
The Jaguars have been the dominant force throughout the tournament with seven outright wins for the season.
The Jaguars entered the penultimate round with a 23-point lead over second placed, now dethroned champions, Barbados Pride, and earned seven points from their draw against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to reach 130 points.
The Pride, who started the round with 100 points, earned eight after their match against the Volcanoes also ended in a draw.
were high for the games.
Choo Hen said he was “feeling the vibes” that the Jaguars would go all the way and win both games.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said while the ultimate aim was to
chalk up two wins, the games would also serve to give the Technical Staff a fair idea of the progress the group of players has made since the Barbados friendly on February 1.
The Golden Jaguars will play St Lucia on Sunday and Grenada the next Sunday. Admission to the National Stadium is $1000 for general seating and $4000 for VIP. Children Under-12 will be admitted free.
Some members of the Normalisation Committee and the Golden Jaguars squad and officials of Banks DIH Limited pose for a photo after the sponsorship deal was announced on Thursday (Avenash Ramzan photo)
Shivnarine Chanderpaul require another 38 runs to within sight of 25,000 First-class runs
Veerasammy Permaul leads the wicket tally with 59 wickets
