GuyanaTimes

No state protection for criminals

Public spirited citizens assist one of the seriously injured passengers into a vehicle en route to the hospital on Saturday after a Route 44 minibus toppled on its side at the corner of Camp and Church Streets, Georgetown

Bartenders Association to implement server intervention, mixology training

…raising quality of bartending in Guyana

With the aim of raising the quality of bartending in Guyana, the fairly new Bartenders Association is embarking on a longterm initiative to continuously offer a variety of training programmes to bartenders all across the country.

Headed by Raphael Lochand, who is boasting some seven years experience in the industry, the Association will set out to train bartenders to be on par with world standards and become familiar with international best practices.

One of the top priorities for the Association is to have bartenders trained in server intervention. This programme trains bartenders to detect inebriated customers and take appropriate action. It also teaches people how to prevent alcohol related problems and proper ways to intervene if a problem does occur.

Bartenders can also undergo etiquette training, customer service training, mixology and multitasking training. “Not only should foreigners come to Guyana and experience high quality service and drinks but Guyanese should also take pride in this industry,” Lochand said.

“A good bartender wants his customers to come back, so you can’t overfull the cocktail with alcohol and then the customer may end up in a tough situation. You need to control the alcohol you put in each drink you make…

A bartender is not supposed to change a person’s mind though; he is supposed to change a person’s mood. If a customer comes in and he is depressed, he is having a bad day; a bartender must be able to cheer him up,” Lochand related.

Online reports indicate that bar-

tending is not just about preparing and serving a drink, but rather involves a whole lot more. “When a bartender starts his shift and steps behind his bar, it’s like an actor going on stage to perform. It’s show time,” San Diego Bartender College described.

San Diego Bartender College stated that bartenders need to be alert at all times. “Watch to see if any customers need another drink or to pay their bill; when a customer’s drink is getting low, ask if they want another; don’t wait for customers to call you when they need your attention.” These are some of the training the Bartenders Association wants to offer to its members.

On July 30, the Association will be hosting a mixologist competition which will serve as a recruitment exercise for the Bartenders Association. The event is set to be hosted at the 704 Sky Lounge and will see approximately 20 bartenders from top bars from across Georgetown, the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara competing. According to Lochand, the Association plans to “create mixologists and improve their services to develop the tourism industry”.

Several injured after bus topples on Church Street

Several persons are now injured after a Route 44 minibus toppled on its side at the corner of Camp and Church Streets, Georgetown. The accident occurred sometime around 12:15h on Saturday.

According to information reaching the Guyana Times, minibus BSS 6952 was on Camp Street waiting on the traffic light at the corner Church Street. When the light hit green, the bus was proceeding south when a silver Fielder wagon sped across from the western side of Church Street, heading east.

The car, bearing registration number PRR 7216, collided with the bus, which then spun and toppled on its right side before finally coming to a halt. Persons nearby rushed to bus and had to break the windows and front windshield in order to get the passengers out. At the time, there were about 12 persons in the bus including the driver.

While there were no serious external injuries, some of the passengers were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital after they complained about pain about their bodies. A Police minibus was passing at the time and assisted with transporting some of the persons to the hospital.

However, one woman was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state. There was also an eight-year-old child, Salomi Daniels, among those rushed to the hospital. Her mother, Simone Daniels, and sister Zoe Daniels, who suf-

fered a bruised right shoulder, were also taken to the hospital.

Some of the other injured persons include Beverly Romain, Oneka Grenado and sisters, Stacy and Staciana Wilson. They were all given pain killers and sent away. Meanwhile, Simone Andrews and her daughter, Nellisa Andrews, also sought treatment at the hospital. Nellisa had hit her right side hand and shoulder, resulting in numbness.

Additionally, Fiona Ramcharran who was travelling with her husband, Junior Ramcharran, also suffered pain in her lower back as a result of the impact. Her husband was not injured.

Back at the scene, some persons were claiming that the bus driver was going at a fast rate while others laid the blame at the hands of the car driver. An argument erupted between persons on whose fault the accident was.

One woman who was standing nearby when the accident happened was adamant that it was the car driver at fault. “I was standing talking to this guy and bus was coming this way (heading south) and this car fly across the road (from Church Street). The bus man tried to swerve and end up facing north and then it fall on the side,” she recalled.

The woman maintained that the bus had the rightof-way, since the light was green. Nevertheless, both the bus driver and the driver of the car were taken into Police custody.

Raising quality of bartending in Guyana

Public spirited citizens assisting one of the injured women into the Police bus to be taken to the hospital

Winds:

Low Tide: 05:37h and 18:04h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 1.01 metres respectively.

Waddell’s execution…

Ironclad alibi for Merai confirmed

–

gym owner

By Micheal younge

Tconfirms cop was exercising

he owner of Body Image Gym has confirmed the alibi given by former Assistant Police Commissioner Steve Merai that he was exercising in the gym at the time the murder of political activist and journalist Ronald Waddell was taking place.

Aubrey Bacchus, who was both the 69-year-old owner of the residence located at Lot 102 Third Avenue Surbryanville, Georgetown and the gym located at the bottom, came forward to directly refute the information gratuitously placed in the public by self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds.

Hinds had told another media house that he saw the retired B Division Commander in the company of another Police Officer identified as Patrick Denny at the scene when Waddell was murdered back in January 2006.

But Bacchus said that “Merai could not have been in two places at one time”. He insisted that the former Policeman was with him in the presence of several others at the gym working out when

they heard what appeared to be gunshots. “I came downstairs immediately and asked Merai if he heard the loud explosive noise. I asked first if he thought it was fireworks and he told me no….it sounds like gunshots”, Bacchus said when interviewed by the Guyana Times on Saturday.

Bacchus also stated that while the men were in conversation, another hail of bullets were fired and activity in the gym halted for several minutes.

Asked whether he could recall the time Merai arrived at the gym on the day in question, the man responded in the negative, explaining that it was a long time ago. He did, however, confirm that Merai did not leave the gym and in his company until half an hour after the shooting incident, which claimed the life of the political activist.

“I jumped into my car and headed up Third Avenue out of curiosity and then onto Sheriff Street. I noticed a police car in front of Mr Waddell’s home and then a crowd,” he remarked, explaining that he returned to his home soon after.

Bacchus said to his surprise, law enforcement offi-

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy…

cials turned up at his home the next day. “They told me that I needed to go with them because someone has made very serious allegations against me,” he recalled. He cooperated with the Police and went to the headquarters to be questioned.

When he enquired about the nature of the offence he had reportedly committed, he was told that “somebody said another left the gym with a heavy bag”.

“Well, I said people come to the gym with bags. I do not know what they are talking about. I don’t know why they asking me that”, Bacchus said

he responded. They also asked him about his whereabouts while the shooting was taking place and he told them that he was at the gym and Merai could testify to that.

He explained that he was detained for about an hour after which he was released. The Police never made contact with them again. He denied knowing Sean Hinds or ever meeting the controversial figure but expressed shock at his statements against Merai which he said were untrue.

According to Bacchus, Merai was a member of the gym for about a year before the incident took place and it was normal for him to work out on the day when the unfortunate incident took place as on any other day.

One columnist from another newspaper recently mentioned that he conducted an interview with Merai at the gym in Subrayanville. He confirmed too that Waddell’s partner, Bonita Harris, was also a member of the gym. Years after the incident, Bacchus sold his property in Surbryanville and moved to another location.

Venezuelan experts urge their Govt to move to ICJ

Venezuela is likely to move to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle to border controversy between itself and Guyana, once and for all.

According to Venezuelan media, tenured Juridical Sciences Lecturer at the Central University of Venezuela Elsie Rosales said the Geneva Agreement which was signed between the two countries at the initial stages of the border controversy, establishes several methods for the legal solution between the parties.

Rosales explained that such methods encompass good offices, negotiation, historical investigation, mediation, conciliation and even litigation at the ICJ, once all the previous steps have been exhausted.

She clarified that if any of the methods is refused by either country, “the UN Secretary General (Ban Ki-Moon) is requested to make the selection and so on in each step.”

The Geneva Agreement, she said, is meant to settle the territorial controversy by peaceful means, and exhausting the methods is what ap-

plies, from the most flexible one to arrive at the last resort – litigation at the ICJ.

“Venezuela is prepared to appear in the Court, I speak as a jurist,” the expert related. The People’s Progressive Party Administration had already indicated that it was moving away from the UN Secretary General Good Offices process and was electing to go to the ICJ to resolve the controversy. The new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Administration of Guyana had adopted this approach.

Another Venezuelan expert on international law, Attorney Eduardo Trujillo Ariza, said

Venezuela can resort, in agreement with Guyana and within the framework of the Geneva Agreement, to the ICJ, but not only to resolve the controversy on the territory but to interpret the agreement.

Trujillo also said Venezuela should move forth and swiftly with the distribution of identification document and welfare programmes to the people born in the Essequibo as they are true “Venezuelans by birth”.

The lawyer, in a sense, is lobbying for his Government to establish an expert committee to work on this cause for the next couple of years.

In addition, he suggested that Venezuela form an international movement with its neighbours as its main allies, particularly Brazil.

“It is unthinkable that a Foreign Ministry as expert as that of Brazil is not to back us,” Trujillo said, adding that the Government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro did the right thing by seeking support from the Common Market of the South (Mercosur).

“Venezuela has to get ahead legally in the case with Guyana, but should combine political and diplomatic actions to make it”, he insisted. It should be noted that the Government of Maduro has insisted to the UN Secretary General that it wants the Good Offices process to continue. It should be noted that Venezuela and Guyana have completely opposed positions as what the Geneva Agreement entails. Venezuela and Venezuelans contend that the actual Arbitral Award of 1899 must be reviewed, while Guyana holds that the controversy to be settled is whether revelations issuing four decades after the Award have any effect on its legality.

Elsie Rosales

Eduardo Trujillo Ariza

Assistant Police Commissioner Steve Merai

Sunday Editor: Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Parliamentary oversight of Executive

After the 1997 elections were won by the PPP/C, the PNCR used its street power to bludgeon the Janet Jagan government to its knees and extracted constitutional changes via the Herdmanson Accord to increase its powers as the Parliamentary Opposition. A most significant innovation was the formation of four "Sectoral Committees": (i) natural resources; (ii) economic services; (iii) foreign relations and (iv) social services.

The legislation forming the committees succinctly summaries the panopticonic power of the Committees to scrutinize almost all aspects of the work of the Executive in real time. The PNC had complained that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by the Opposition, performed essentially an auditing function, long after objectionable activities would have been completed.

The Terms of Reference are: The committees shall, in the discharge of their scrutinising role, examine all policies and administration, for each sector, to determine whether the execution of government policy is in consonance with the principles of good governance and in the best interest of all the people of Guyana.

The committees shall have the authority to: Determine areas of Government activity for scrutiny or specific examination; Request the Minister assigned responsibility for the sector to submit written or oral information, including government documents and records about any specific area of government policy and administration; Review existing legislation on Government policy and administration for any of the sectors; Summon persons to give evidence, scrutiniseGovernment documents, papers and records; Visit any Government activity or project in Guyana as agreed and arranged by the Committee and In the discharge of their mandate, utilise the services of experts, specialists and other sources of advice as they determine."

The Chairperson and Deputy are from opposite sides of the Assembly. The Chairs, half of which are from Government and Opposition, are rotated annually while Ministers of the Government barred from being members of the committees. In addition to their MP's salary, members of the committees are paid a monthly stipend. The Sectoral Committees preclude the Opposition from claiming they are not au fait with governmental actions in any particular area.

Let us take the present Government's claim that they are unaware of the details of the PetroCaribe rice agreement with Venezuelans. When they were in Parliament, the now Government members could have used the Economic Services Committee to summon the Agriculture Minister, the GRDB, the Finance Minister or any other individual or agency to obtain those details. Their claimed lack of knowledge is the consequence of their lassitude in conducting the necessary investigations.

What makes their claim even more untenable is on obtaining their one-seat parliamentary majority in the 10th Parliament, the then Opposition used that majority to change the composition of the Committees so that they, rather than the Government, occupied the majority of seats in each committee. They insisted that their compositional change only to facilitate a heightened scrutiny of the Government. Their present insistence in changing the legislation back to what prevailed before, suggests that the Government is not comfortable with the more rigorous scrutiny they insisted on subjecting on the PPP Government in the 10th Parliament. This is unfortunate, because with that party obtaining a mere 1% lesser endorsement from the electorate, they can deploy same argument on the need to "ensure the will of the people" be exercised.

However, when the PPP enters Parliament, as they have signaled they will do soon, the Sectoral Committees present them with the wherewithal for holding the new Government's feet to the fire on any number of their "excesses" that are presently alleged - from firings to audits. The opportunity is also presented for their younger MP's to be "blooded" in the examination of the mechanisms and processes of governance. That the media can be invited to Committee hearings, will ensure the populace is informed as to who are actually working in their interests. Let democracy blossom.

First the economy, now real estate

Dear Editor, Guyanese from all walks of life are already seeing and experiencing the contraction in the economy, which set in immediately after the coalition assumed office. On one hand, we are seeing a marked reduction in pedestrian traffic, vending, partying and hiring and on the other hand, there is an upsurge in job dismissals and crime. In response, some letter writers are in total denial while at least one is trying to blame the People’s Progressive Party by implying it fabricated economic indicators. On the Government front, the coalition seems to be at sea when it comes to financial matters and the soon to be released budget will validate or vitiate this.

Instead of trying to rem-

edy the situation with policy measures, known Government spokespersons have been deployed to justify the lack of achievements and to convince the populace how unreasonable it is to expect the fulfilment of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) 100-day promises. When in Opposition, the APNU/AFC members were very certain they could bring positive change and persons who voted for change will either hold them accountable or believe their excuses. In addition, there also appears to be a deliberate attempt at distraction with all manner of financial irregularities including the ever so popular discovery of dormant bank accounts and now criminal confessions and revelations, which are only seeding fur-

ther loss of confidence within the country.

In light of what has been happening, property/real estate transactions have dried up. One prominent real estate dealer has confirmed that nothing is selling and a financial advisor repeated this position. Recall several years ago, the gold boom saw miners buying out properties in Georgetown at premium prices, which had the effect of driving up real estate to unprecedented levels. Now gold is at rock bottom and coupled with the economy in decline, prices will naturally reset downwards. Moreover, before the election, the APNU/ AFC ticket promised free or cheap lands to all and after the election, there was also an explosion of squatting on state and private lands. All

these will contribute to a lowering of real estate prices in the long term. Fortunately for Guyana, banks here do not grant loans to the full extent of the collateral and therefore in theory should be fine. However, reselling has stopped so this could still pose problems. At the moment, potential buyers are most likely going to first weigh the benefits of staying liquid to seize bargains or whether to buy up US currency to hedge a possible slide in the local dollar. It is therefore a tricky situation. What is needed is for the Government to start saying and doing the right things to start the ball rolling again.

Sincerely, Ravi Ram

Inconsistencies during tender board procedure

Dear Editor,

I bring to your attention an observation I have made on July 1 at the opening of tenders at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

An A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Councillor of Region Five was at the opening of tender, signing on all tender documents. This kind of action

was very strange and surprised all contractors and suppliers who were present at the opening. Under the People’s Progressive Party Government, there were no political representatives carrying out such activities at any time during the tendering process.

According to the Procurement Act of Guyana, only members of the Regional Tender Board are allowed to verify and

sign-off on a contractor’s bidding documents.

Contractors and suppliers are concerned about this kind of political influence at the opening of tenders. Contractors and suppliers are planning to seek legal action on this issue.

I want to remind the APNU/AFC Government that during the election campaign, the coalition had promised a fair and transparent process without any

political interference. I want to call on the President of Guyana, to investigate this Councillor’s wrong doings at the RDC. It is known by the public that this APNU/AFC Councillor has a history of fraud and matters with the Police. Many contractors are scared of this individual.

Concerned supplier, Aslim Khan

Australian Bobby-Jo Clow was leading a photographic safari in the Moru Kopjes area of Central Serengeti, Tanzania, when the tour came upon a very unusual sight: a tree full of lions taking naps. The group had been photographing thousands of wildebeests and zebras that were part of the Great Migration when the lions were spotted in a sausage tree about one meter away (GrindTV)

Kissoon disregards Guyanese (Part two)

Dear Editor, Previously, I reacted to Freddie Kissoon’s controversial declarations made in his Kaieteur News publication of July 19, “I lived in white man’s country. The non-white record is awful”.

In pursuit of my response, I believe that Freddie is right on one aspect, and that is we must not blame the West for all the ills of our society. After all, slaves were also bought from local slave merchants. However, the West has planted a seed of discord among Guyanese which will take more than 49 years to overcome.

Kissoon in his unfounded debate asked if Guyanese have been more cruel to their own than the “white man” was to us. He is quick to quote Joshua Nkomo but omits that Nkomo and Mugabe were of different ethnicities, a determining factor for the war they engaged in. He then refers to Angola’s Dos Santos’ daughter as being the richest woman in the world, but he omits that Angola has imposed itself as the sub regional leadership in Central Africa, and that the West has turned a blind eye to the corruption of the Angolan Government due to its interest in its oil.

The inhumane treatment of women and others convicted of immoral or religious crimes in some Middle Eastern countries famous

for their oil, has gained immunity in the eyes of Western universalism. Has Kissoon questioned why peace keeping has so miserably failed in Africa? Has he asked where the Hutus had gotten their machetes from to commit a genocide of six hundred thousand, or why they are still able today to acquire weapons in the Kivu district of the Democratic Republic of Congo? Does he not know that Kabila still shakes hands with the West behind closed doors, or that Kinshasa is backed by Angola? What about the support of Saudi Arabia for Sunni militias in Syria, and the support of the US for the continuous violations of human rights of Palestinians and neighbouring inhabitants of the Golan Mount by Israel? Let Mr Kissoon explain to Guyanese how their future is independent from the “white man”, from the grips of the West. Kissoon asks Guyanese what they have done to reclaim their cultures and institutions after the “white man” left. Does Kissoon not know that there are at least nine distinct Amerindian cultures, a pronounced Indian culture, and visible remnants of African cultures surviving among Guyanese? Does he not know that we have developed our institutions in the space of 23 years and have attained a majority of MDGs? Despite welldeserved criticisms in some

areas, one cannot remain indifferent and vehement as Kissoon is, to the achievements of this country.

As he rightfully points out, this is indeed one of the poorest countries in the world, yet progress has moved us from a GDP of US$807 million in 1992, to US$1512 million in 2000 and US$3748 million in 2014. It is why we are no longer listed among the poorest countries in the United Nations Human Development Reports. The “lackings” of Guyanese as Mr Kissoon should know, have contributed to the quadrupling of our GDP in the space of two decades.

Finally, Kissoon tells Guyanese that the “white man, out of nationalistic love, fashioned a modern nation”. However, as Benedict Anderson reminds us, the nation is a political imagination which when materialised crushes those who do not wish to engage in nationalistic objectives. Nationalistic love, as Mr Kissoon should know, is one of the primary mottos of dictators who in their outlined quest for power; lure the people into an invented concept – a nation. It is why in some of Mr Kissoon’s idealised Western examples, minorities and minority cultures have no space to coexist. Maybe Kissoon confounded patriotism with nationalism and nation with State?

In response to Reginald Sookram's letter

Dear Editor, In reference to the letter, ‘Congratulations to Mr Hamilton Green for receiving Order of Roraima’, by Mr Sookram asking for a second on the nomination of His Most Honourable Worship (HMHW), please permit me to take the opportunity. I trust that Mr Sookram and others are more familiar with the work of “Fineman” and “Blackie” and will leave such second nominations in their capable hands. Notwithstanding, I support HMHW for the Order of Roraima. Least you recall his 30 plus years of defending the independence of Guyana; please be reminded that, over these years, he has been a great soldier in the fight of what we see of Guyana today. HMHW has assiduously worked at managing Georgetown’s beauty, religiously tended to the needs of its citizens, and vigorously pursued an agenda beneficial for all the city’s denizens. HMHW, without a shadow of doubt, has worked at managing the city’s beauty. He has seen to it that Georgetown’s splendor remains a lasting memory, especially among those of us who have lived as long as we have known independence.

HMHW presided over the diverse and beautiful architecture that remains. Take for instance the markets –Bourda, Kitty, and Stabroek where the structures remain romantic remnants. And do not forget his management of City Hall itself, where its external state no doubt exemplifies its inner workings. In addition, HMHW has seen to it that the cemeteries’ dead spaces now show the multiplicity of life. Not only has HMHW shown respect for the dead but also HMHW continues to embrace the welfare of the living.

HMHW religiously tended to the needs of Georgetown’s citizens. Yes, we may recall that financial issues plagued the city, but HMHW continued to collect rates and taxes beyond expected levels, ensured that a lean workforce existed, and kept valuations low for all the new and splendid buildings that pepper a more modern looking city skyline. Our HMHW has shown restraint in exercising his power of office to bring order to the city with the support of the Constabulary. Here, touts come to mind, among other examples. In addition, parking plans, in spite of the increase in the amount

of vehicles in the city, remain sturdy. Cleary, he shows his sensitivity towards all of the city’s citizens.

In concluding my remarks on seconding the nomination, know that HMHW vigorously pursued an agenda beneficial for all the city’s denizens. He shares his responsibilities with all and sundry and never takes the entire burden onto himself.

HMHW has brought a new meaning to ‘Guyana, Land of Many Waters’. Wouldn’t you agree with me that he has seen to it that waterfront property is not preserved only for the rich? Even the poor in many parts of the city can now easily claim such living.

Our children are so happy, they wade their way to school, and where there are no rivers, the lakesides create those buzzing tingly effects, come evening. As Mr Sookram noted, when HMHW gets to heaven, we all should wish him sainthood. Hopefully, in the words of Dave Martins, when he gets to heaven, he will not put down his roti and say, “It’s a new arrangement.” Enough said.

Sincerely, Omowale Odinga

While the “white man” is in a hurry to build “bigger universities... larger trains” and “cleaner hospitals” where does Mr Kissoon believe that they are getting the resources from? Contextualising our current situation, is necessary before even attempting to judge Guyana’s performance. Mr Kissoon’s concern for our non-achievement of Human Rights is illegitimate if he chooses to compare our society to those of the West. I in turn ask Mr Kissoon, when has the Independent Guyana deported immigrants at the expense of their lives, after having plundered their lands and destroyed their societies for hundreds of years? When has Guyana enclosed indigenous peoples in reservations and refused to return their lands? When has Guyana discriminatingly distinguished between citizens’ rights and human rights and when has Guyana suffocated freedom of speech in the past 23 years?

Mr Kissoon, if he is as concerned as he claims to be about this country’s affairs, should first be informed that Guyanese are not gullible, but are instead aware and conscious of their history and those involved in its fabrication, even as they make it.

De Sá

The more things change

Dear Editor, I am sending these thoughts to a few Guyana newspapers, hoping that one of them would pay attention. I have just returned to London from a short holiday in a lovely country, among lovely people, who, in spite of all the challenges of daily life, still manage to remain cheerful, warm, friendly and helpful. I speak of Guyana.

However, at first, I was reminded of the well-known saying about “the more things change...”, when I discovered that there was still an airport baggage handling problem. I travelled from London with Caribbean Airlines Limited, changing planes at Trinidad, for the onward trip to Guyana. When I checked my suitcase the next day, I found the fairly large packet of sweets on sticks, labelled “Lots of Lollies”, which I had bought to distribute to children as I went along, had been breached, half the contents missing – the most attractively wrapped ones –the bag was then folded and resealed with staples and straight pins. This seemed to explain why my suitcase and those of two other wheelchair users took such a long time to reach the carousel. The ‘poachers’ were probably hunting around for straight pins and staple guns. How mean. When

I mentioned this later to a store man, he commented that “it is our boys”. Who am I to disagree? Off-putting. I am still trying to figure out the purpose of the zebra crossings in Georgetown. Although standing on the first white bar, sometimes using a walking cane, the stream of rushing motor vehicles would not slow down or stop. Now and then, fellow pedestrians would talk, or accompany me across. The only zebra crossing I felt comfortable with was the attractive one by the cenotaph, with its ‘walking’ green man.

I was impressed by the fine dishes at the top-of-therange restaurants that kind friends and relatives had taken me to. Portions were generous and we were allowed to take away whatever we could not eat on the spot – my dinner thus ensured. The country has a lot going for it. But if tourism is to be encouraged, those in the business might have to “play a fair game” – or lose out. To ‘seasoned’ tourists, normally those from industrialised countries, they expect to get what they pay for. Business reputations are at stake and word about dodgy dealings is spread rapidly.

Sincerely, Geralda Dennison

You can send

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

Page Foundation

Anu Dev

When I was in primary school, my mom used to regularly douse my hair in coconut oil. I hated the smell and I hated the feel of the slippery oil on my hair and the inevitable tendrils of oil that would snake down my neck. When it was time for my hair to be soaked in oil, I pouted, I whined and I cried- you know those tears of anger and frustration that spring to your eyes when you know you’re being deeply wronged.

As I got older, my mom eventually caved to my whining and I no longer had to suffer through the horrors of the coconut oil hair treat-

Coc

ment. Of course, for some odd reason, my hair was no longer as silky, smooth and luxurious as it used to be. Whether my callow mind just didn’t realize that it was the coconut oil that'd moisturized my hair, or whether I was just too stubborn to admit it, I’m still not quite sure. But time marches on and there I was, my first year of med school, not quite pleased with my hair- still a bit too dry for my liking. So I hopped onto the Internet for a reme dy to my ailment and angst. And lo and behold! All of the beauty gurus and hair wiz ards were extolling the vir tues of coconut oil. “No!”I thought, “Could it be? My nemesis is to be my salva tion?”

“I told you so.”Just like she didn’t when I admitted that she was right about cod liv-

uid. They say, “Use it for you hair! Use it as a body scrub! Cook with it! Use it

I came to grips with the truth of my situation and on my next visit, I sheepishly asked my mom to procure some coconut oil for me. To her credit, she didn’t say,

like it so far, this article isn’t about the trials and travails of my hair. It’s like the title says- it’s about coconuts. They’re everywhere! Coconut oil is being pushed as some sort of miracle liq-

and on and on the list goes on. And imagine the Americans had convinced us a while back that coconut oil wasn't healthy for cooking. And our local coconut oil in-

dustry collapsed under free trade in U.S. and European "vegetable" oils. After they had to reverse themselves, they then went into market the very same coconut oil!

Yes, we still manufacture some coconut oil, but unfortunately most of the ones I’ve seen aren’t as "pure" as the ones on the international market. Just the other day in Survival Supermarket, I saw a bottle of Crisco Coconut Oil- it looked amazingly pure. We really shouldn’t be importing that- we should be making that right here at home and exporting it!

Coconuts really do have a lot to offer- coconut water being one of my favorites. There’s not much that’s more refreshing than a tall, cold glass of coconut water on a hot day. And it’s good

for you! It’s chock full of electrolytes and it’s healthier than sports drinks because it has less calories and sodium. And the branches of the coconut trees are used to make brooms! Coconut milk is used in cooking in so many cultures. Conkie, anyone?

And we have so many coconut trees in Guyana! We really need to do more with them. We should capitalize on everyone going gaga over coconut oil and market it like that. Make soaps, lotions, hair products- the whole 9 yards. And coconut water! Why are we importing canned coconut water?

The bottom line is that our entrepreneurs have to step up to the crease and the government has to provide incentives for them to bat on a more even wicket. Just think of all the jobs that'll be created.

It’s pretty coconuts that we aren’t doing more with our coconuts.

Education Minister encourages more investment in creative industries … as Republic Bank invests in music programme

As the Education Ministry embarks on the reintroduction of a vibrant music programme in schools, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine is encouraging corporate entities to facilitate more investment into the local creative industries.

Dr Roopnaraine was at the time delivering the feature address at an award ceremony for children who participated in Republic Bank’s “Right Start Music Literacy: Pan Minors Programme”. During his address, the Minister said that the young people who benefited from the programme are learning more than a musical skill. He told the young people that they have started a process that would see them “becoming part of the living embodiment of what we are as a people, which was forged by the history of Guyana and the Region.”

In that light, the Minister lauded Republic Bank for its investment into the creative industry and its role in budding future musicians.

“Republic Bank deserves

recognition and applause for its role in supporting this Pan Music Literacy Programme in itself, as well as part of its wide commitment to the redevelopment of steel pan music in Guyana,” he said.

On that note, the Minister underscored the importance of investment in this area, particularly because the creative industries account for billions of dollars within the Caribbean;

and as such, Guyana should redirect its focus to begin taking advantage of its geographical location to boost its economic activity.

Food for the soul

More specifically, Dr Roopnaraine urged other corporate organisations and Republic Bank to turn their attention to the Theatre Guild, which is a vital national resource that “must not be neglected”.

“Books are for the mind; music is for the soul. The aim of education must be the education of the whole child,” he said in underscoring the importance of music in a child’s life. Moreover, Dr Roopnaraine said the Bank’s investment in this area is ultimately an investment into the human resource development of the regional creative economy.

Meanwhile, Dr Roopnaraine also took the

opportunity to reiterate commitment to mapping, consolidating and replicating such efforts as this, not just in music, but in all of arts education. He believes that this is a model that can be replicated by other corporate partners.

Recently, the Education Ministry launched a fourweek music workshop for primary school teachers, with the aim of building capacity and developing the

necessary skills to effectively deliver a music programme in primary schools.

According to the Education Ministry’s website, “a wealth of scientific research over the last decade is proving that music education is a powerful tool for attaining children’s full intellectual, social and creative potential.”

It also highlighted that music study requires a high degree of precision in auditory processing: being almost in tune is not good enough. This means that musically trained children are better able to distinguish subtle details of speech, leading to improved reading, better comprehension and also a greater ability to interpret what other people – children and adults – are really saying. Most importantly, music gives children a means of expressing themselves, an outlet to unleash their creativity and to be inspired by their own boundless capacity for personal growth.

Against this backdrop, it is the Ministry’s intention to get its young people more involved in this art form.

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine with representatives of Republic Bank and the Early Start awardees

No date set for election petition hearing

Roughly one month has passed since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) filed its election petition in the High Court, challenging the results of the 2015General and Regional Elections, but yet there is no word from the Court regarding a date for the hearing of the said petition.

Many are left to wonder what has become of this petition, which the Party had promoted as its most valuable tool to achieve a recount of the ballots cast, rid the “de facto Governement” – A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition – of Executive office and ultimately, restore democracy to Guyana.

Having been declared the new Opposition by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) after the recently concluded election, the PPP/C insisted that the election was massively rigged and that its Party was cheated out of office.

On June 24, the Party filed its election petition with the High Court, questioning the validity of the May 11 General and Regional Elections, while asking the court to grant a number of orders including the nullification of the May 11, 2015 election, as well as an order for new elections to be held, among several others.

Thereafter, all the defendants named in the petition needed to be served and an affidavit of service needed to be filed.

This affidavit is a notarised testimony signed by the server that details the time, date, the manner of service, identity of the person served and other details of the job.

If a party in the case claims to not have been notified of pending legal action, the Affidavit of Service can be presented to prove otherwise.

The defendants on the petition are the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of

GECOM Keith Lowenfield, and the representatives of the List of Candidates for all eight parties that contested the recently concluded election.

These are Donald Ramotar for the PPP/C, Harold Lutchman for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), Candidates Marissa Nadir for the United Force (TUF), Mark Benschop for the Independent Party (IP), Saphier HussainSubedhar for the National Independent Party (NIP), Vishnu Bandhu for the United Republican Party (URP), Gerald Perreira for the Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP), and Leon Saul of the Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP).

This process was completed since June 30.

The Court was then required to set a date for the hearing on this matter.

The petition was filed by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the applicant, PPP/C Executive Member Ganga Persaud, under the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act Chapter 1:04.

In the petition, Persaud

asks the court to “determine and declare that the whole of the electoral process was so flawed, contained so many procedural errors and so many instances of fraudulent and/or suspicions actions that the results that have been derived from the process cannot be credibly deemed to represent accurately the will of the electorate”.

Additionally, a request was made for the court to “determine and declares that the number of valid votes cast differs from the number of votes upon which seats in the National Assembly were allocated to that list, and further that the Guyana Elections Commission be directed to review the said lists and to accordingly reallocate such seat in accordance with Section 97 of the Representation of the People Act”.

The party is also asking the court to find that the refusal of the Returning Officers (ROs) to grant a final general count, as requested by the Counting Agents of the PPP/C is unlawful, null and void.

Furthermore, a request was made also for the recount of all ballots cast in the May 11 election and for the court to grant such re-

dress in conformity with the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act, Chapter 1:04, as may be just, appropriate and necessary, including, but not limited to, ordering fresh election to be held in the whole or part, for the purpose of rectifying the said results; and that the court give such incidental, ancillary and supplementary direction as the court may deem fit, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the reallocation of the seats in the National Assembly.

Some of the grounds laid out in the election petition include valid ballots being wrongly deemed rejected; Statements of Poll (SOP) used to ascertain the results contain arithmetic errors; multiple voting by persons and impersonation of persons; PPP/C ballot attendants and polling agents being prevented from accompanying the ballot boxes; and the fact that there were fraudulently concocted SOPs.

Another ground highlighted in the court document states that many of the SOPs used by GECOM and the CEO to ascertain the results were not the Statements of Poll which emanated from the polling stations but were fraudulently concocted and inserted into GECOM’s machinery.

Prior to the filing of the petition, the party was required to file an ex-parte application, seeking permission from the court to file the actual election petition.

Magistrate gets tough with absent Police witnesses

The norm of Police Officers affecting justice at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts through their absences may be coming to a close. On Friday, Magistrate Judy Latchman issued an arrest warrant for a Police Officer after she failed to show up to testify in an ongoing trial.

The Magistrate expressed her frustration at officers who seem to never be present to testify after bringing matters to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Guyana Times heard that the Police Sergeant (name unknown) was not present in Court Three, where she was needed to testify in an ongoing matter on July 16. This was further exacerbated by the fact that no one received any excuses for her absence from court, as she was told of the date for the trial.

When present in the court on Friday July 24 and asked about her absence, the Sergeant told the court that she was unaware that she was needed on July 16 and thus did not show up. This was later amended when she told the court that she was present at the time, but was not called on testify so she left.

Magistrate Latchman called the excuses of the Sergeant “ridiculous”, stating that she will not be recalling the arrest warrant for her, which had been issued on July 16. She stated that the Sergeant, with another officer, appear to be playing a game of “cat and mouse” as when one is present to testify, the other is not. She was quite adamant that this will not be repeated; warning the other officers what shall happen if it does.

The issue of absent Police witnesses for trials of all level of seriousness has been a growing concern for prosecutors who have lost several, seemingly air tight, cases due to the absences of Police witnesses. Magistrate Latchman’s court in particularly has been victim to such truancy of the Police Officers.

Her prosecution has lost several cases due to the absences of several officers, being obliged to dismiss matters once it has been dragged on unnecessarily due to their being no witnesses for the prosecution to substantiate their case against the defendant. This has enabled the release of several suspected narcotic traffickers, thieves and even fraudsters.

This publication understands that lack of communication between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the courts seem to be the main reason for the absences as the officers are usually given duties or assignment that tend to clash with their given court dates.

There have been many instances in several courts at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where a Police Officer’s absence was excused due to him being reassigned to a different station or division, which affects his ability to testify in a particular magisterial district.

The matter appears to be of little concern when looked at from afar, however, it does cause speculation when an accused dismissed of an offence is once again before the court. Thus enabling crime, and making the citizenry vulnerable to such occurrences where it could be avoided.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, on behalf of the applicant, PPP/C Executive Member Ganga Persaud filed the elections petition in the High Court challenging the General and Regional Elections Result 2015

Son who beat mother sentenced to 18 months in jail

“

Guilty” was the verdict handed down by Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday afternoon at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in the case of a son charged for beating his mother.

Magistrate Latchman informed the court that the accused 32-year-old Michael Williams is guilty of unlawfully and maliciously wounding his mother, Lucille Donlap. Thus, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

The charge alleged that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was in the kitchen of her Cauliflower Street, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, home when her son came in and indicated his disgruntlement over an incident that occurred hours earlier. They got into an argument and he dealt her several blows to her head which result-

ed in her receiving a tender shoulder, swelling along her neck and a gash near her right eye with lacerations.

Donlap was able to escape the blows through a door that was ajar in the kitchen. She fled and went to the Ruimveldt Police Station where she lodged a complaint against her son.

Williams pleaded not guilty to the offence, stating that his mother slipped and hit herself. He produced a video to the court to prove this. However, the Police Officer who investigated the matter testified to the defendant’s behaviour upon being arrested, what is known about the accused and produced the medical report from the doctor who discounted a slip.

The VC also told the court about the countless times her son raised his hands against her and the

fact that she has grown afraid of him. She said the tendency to lash out has reached a point where he also assaults his siblings too. She informed the court that he was arrested two years ago for assaulting his sister.

Donlap declared that she was at her wits’ end regarding what to do with her son, stating that she has even wondered if he may not be mentally unbalanced to treat her in such a way. However, she said her husband was the same way and that is why she left him in 2000 but indicated her despair as her son appears to be his “carbon copy.”

After hearing the testimonies, Magistrate Latchman announced the guilty verdict. She said she believed the VC received no further injuries after she left home to go to the Police station. The Magistrate

also indicated that it was Williams’ continuous cuffs to the VC’s head which caused her skin to be broken, adding that she believed his actions were “intentional and unlawful”.

Magistrate Latchman called the actions of the accused “unjustifiable”, stating that she places no importance on his testimony as the video taken by him has no date and could have been from anywhere.

In sentencing him, she considered that his mother had lodged a protection order against him recently and it was granted in her favour. However, Williams maintains that he did not beat his mother. In Court, he admitted that he has beaten her and his siblings in the past but he said that this was not the case on July 22. However, his pleas fell on deaf ears as the court had already handed down its decision.

...and cynicism deepens

While we (and the Germans) may scoff at the pretensions of the French for trying to punch above their weight category, nothing expresses your Eyewitness jaded view of politics than that Gallic shrug of the shoulders, one lifted eyebrow and unturned palms that accompanies their world-weary expression: “Plus ca change...” The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Take this budget business. When the Opposition secured their razor thin majority to control the house, they fought tooth and nail to roll back the proposition that the Budget was the Executive’s responsibility. They chopped and hacked three successive budgets - the last two times even in the face of the courts ruling that an Opposition just can’t do that.

If their cherry-picking chopping were allowed, the resulting budget would their artifact -not the Executives, ruled the Courts. “Not so!” cried not only the APNU and the AFC but also the fella who was supposed to be a neutral referee in the House: the Speaker. Trotman jumped feet first into the fray saying in effect that the Chief Justice didn’t have all his marbles. If the majority Opposition in the Assembly wanted to use a chain saw on the budget, then - paraphrasing the inimitable Bobby Brown - it’s their prerogative!!

It had nothing to do with who’s the “Executive” or the “Opposition” - it’s all about the numbers in the House. But here it is, after first backing down from its braggadocio on not consulting the PPP, who were defeated (?) by a mere 5000 votes from being the Executive, the Minister of Finance sat down with them on the Budget.

But just to make it clear where they were coming from, the goodly Minister was careful to point out: “at the end of the day, the Executive is responsible for the budget”!! Plus ça change... (You, dear readers, have to do the Gallic gestures, OK?) How many times have we experienced this sort of backpedaling? Shall we count the ways?

Salary increases for Public Servants, Policemen, nurses and all other government workers who normally vote for APNU? Lowered VAT? And you know their responses: “Hey! We have to look at the impact of these actions, OK? So we hadn’t thought of this when we made the promise, OK? Not OK? So what are we to do? Commit hara kiri? Hey! That was a rhetorical question, OK?”

For a host of reasons (gold prices, loss of rice markets, sugar travails, political uncertainty, etc) the economy appears headed into a free fall. So this Eyewitness will offer this gratuitous advice to the government. Don’t cut PPP’s nose to spite Guyana’s face. Consult!!

...and Ramjattan’s quarantine continues

While this Eyewitness knows that “all skin teeth na laugh”, Ramjattan’s sequestration since he snagged the Ministry of National Security isn’t even a smile. This has serious implications for the parliamentary notion of Ministerial responsibility. So with upraised arms, we ask: exactly what is Ramjattan, as Minister of National Security responsible for?

We know he’s not responsible for Immigration, which was hived off to former COP Winston Felix, under the rubric of “Citizenship”. As to what else is covered under that umbrella, only time will tell. We also know that President Granger has some expertise in this area: witness the endorsement in the U.S. after his speech at his alma mater? And we saw this after his summons to Ramjattan to suggest a plan, when the latter was fumfering on the crime wave.

Then of course, there’s Brigadier Collins in Berbice and Commodore Best in Georgetown. But the most alarming trend has been Harmon pronouncing on all crime matters, most recently on Sean Hinds’ warbling.

Is (gasp!!) Ramjattan just a token?

...on crime

As we head into another upsurge of criminal violence, the focus as usual is on the perpetrators and their angst and not the victims.

The latter don’t bleed, do they?

Man on malicious wounding charge granted $150,000 bail

... VC says he is not the

A21-year-old male who was described at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday as a “staunch Muslim” was released on bail following a charge for unlawful and malicious wounding.

Sean Barrow, of 8 East La Penitence, Georgetown, was brought to Court Two to answer to the charge after he allegedly shot Virtual Complainant (VC), David Pyle on June 23 with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him actual bodily harm.

However, the VC told the court that Barrow was not the one who fired at him. Barrow’s attorney, George Thomas told the court that the VC, upon hearing of his client’s arrest for the offence, had approached him to state that it was not the man arrested that shot him on June 23.

Thomas substantiated this by informing the court that his client was in a Masjid during the shooting as he is a “staunch Muslim.”

With this compelling evidence before the court, the Attorney appealed for the release of his client on bail. He said Barrow has never had any problems with the law before but he relayed that his brother was recently killed and he had enlisted the lawyer’s assistance in finding the person(s) responsible. Thomas voiced his suspicion that these person(s) may be the actual shooter(s) whom may be trying to frame his client.

However, news reports indicate that this may not be the first shooting charge against Barrow as he was arrested in March, 2014 for allegedly discharging a loaded firearm.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that several rounds were discharged at Pyle which wounded him. He called on the investigating officer, Detective Constable Lowenfield to ex-

shooter

plain before the court but he simply produced more questions than answers when he related that there was no identification parade or confrontation done to confirm Barrow as their suspect.

Magistrate Ann McLennan, hearing this, allowed bail for a substantial sum of $150,000 and ordered the case to be resumed on August 11 where a more detailed report is expected to be given on the matter.

Former BCCI Chairman against scrapping of BASS

– Chairman welcomes any move to combat smuggling

In an effort to implement a more effect anti-smuggling system, the Government intends to disband the Berbice AntiSmuggling Squad (BASS) and merge its operations with that of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Law Enforcement and Investigations Division (LEID). However, the former Chairman of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Mark Roopnarine, asserts that the move will be vain, while present BCCI Chairman Rajnauth Ramroop appeared nonchalant about the decision, saying that he welcomes any system which will combat smuggling.

Roopnarine, in an invited comment, told the Guyana Times that instead of quashing BASS, the Government should have worked with the unit to correct its shortcomings and get them up to speed to the level in which they were required.

“LEID will not have the same impact because those guys (BASS) were more in the field, more on the shoreline trying to work to combat smuggling. I don’t think GRA persons are more field oriented, so I don’t think the move will be effective,” he said.

Roopnarine explained

that when BASS came into existence there was an immediate and significant reduction in smuggling in Berbice, but as time went by its efforts were dwindling. BCCI Chairman suggested that the reason such was happening is because the workforce of BASS probably became corrupt. “It’s like what is happening on the road with traffic Police. Instead of doing what they have to do, they collect payments from the offenders,” he stated.

Ramroop highlighted that business operations in Berbice are not as vibrant as it was and suggested that the increase in smuggling, owed to the ineffective work of BASS, could be a contributing factor. Nonetheless, he said he welcomes any system in place to fight smuggling, once the unit does what it is required and support systems are in place to ensure such a unit does not get sidetracked.

Ramroop argued that it is extremely unfair for those businesses who comply with the tax regulations as those who smuggle goods (and avoid paying taxes) are the ones who ring in more sales as their produce are cheaper. “It creates an unlevel playing field,” he said.

In a statement, the GRA

said that after careful consideration, a decision was taken to disband BASS. The unit was established in November 2000 with the objective of curbing smuggling activities within the Corentyne-Berbice area. An examination of the effectiveness of BASS revealed that the unit was performing below expectation, with a rapid decrease in revenue collection over the period 2012-2015 and, as such, it was deemed not feasible to continue operations.

“Based on the foregoing and the closeness in nature of BASS’ operations with that of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Law Enforcement & Investigations Division, a decision was made to fully integrate BASS’ operations into the Regional Operations of LEID,” the GRA said. According to the revenue authority, “it should be noted that prior to the implementation of BASS in 2000, LEID was responsible for the function performed by BASS. These functions included the patrolling of waterways and roadways to suppress smuggling activities. Moreover, persons currently employed in the BASS Unit will be paid their full benefits owed to them once the unit is disbanded.”

The VC said Sean Barrow did not shoot him

Police Force remembers 62 fallen officers

As part of its 175th anniversary, the Guyana Police Force remembered those members who were killed while serving and protecting the lives of others.

On Sunday last, the Force held a memorial wreath laying ceremony to pay tribute to the fallen Policemen and women. The event was held at the monument site located in the Police Officers’ Mess Compound, Eve Leary, Georgetown. It was attended by family members of the fallen officers, as well as the top ranking officials of the Force.

Addressing the gathering, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, said he is proud to be paying homage and respect to those fallen Police Officers, who would have paid the ultimate sacrifice selflessly in order to have a more secured society for others. “They were the fighters for good over evil. And though they may have fallen, their cause is never a lost one... we

must never forget the lives lost by the Force,” he stated.

The Minister disclosed that to date, records in the history of the Guyana Police Force shows a total of 62 officers were killed in the line of duty. He pointed out that the increase of drug trafficking activities, possession of illegal guns and organised crimes have all contributed to these officers’ losing their lives, adding that the number is too high.

However, Ramjattan went on to say that this reality indicates that the number will grow as a matter of course.

“The constantly changing nature of crime and the increasingly violent intent, methods and postures of perpetrators, make being a member of the Police Force an extremely dangerous profession. Therefore, due respect must be given to the many men and women who put themselves in danger in the line of duty; and more so, to those who have paid the ultimate

price for the safety and security of our citizens,” the Public Security Minister remarked.

Nevertheless, he commented that in spite of these challenges, members of the Guyana Police Force are expected to carry out their functions in a manner that is consistent with international standards for policing; thus ensuring the rights of citizens are maintained.

Ramjattan further remarked that Police Officers are expected to maintain the balance between the apprehension of suspects and the protection of their rights. These attributes, he noted, are the hallmarks of professional policing. The Public Security Minister empathised the pain and suffering of the relatives of those “fallen heroes” and extended his Ministry’s support in an effort to help the families negate their suffering.

“The Ministry therefore supports this “Ceremony of Remembrance” that is being

held here today and will support the better provisioning of equipment, conditions of work, and related training to aid the Guyana Police Force in combating all forms of criminality, while ensuring that our fallen heroes remain at 62,” Minister Ramjattan declared.

Earlier this month, 19-yearold Constable Edison Williams of Lot 32 Public Road, Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was killed in a freak accident at Providence, East Bank Demerara. According to reports, the young officer was at the Providence Access Road offloading and setting up barricades for a Hits and Jam event when a sand truck passed.

The barricade hooked onto the external rearview mirror on the right hand side of the vehicle, dragging Williams to the ground. The officer ended up under the truck and was run over by the back wheel.

Undercover asset

Satiricus always admitted he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the room. Any room. So he wasn’t too embarrassed when he discovered that the “asset recovery” programme launched by the Government had nothing to do with ex-workers of the Government services filching office supplies and stuff.

Satiricus’d been fretting that after two months of “auditing” no asset had been recovered beyond some old cars. And those’d been turned in voluntarily! It was only when he read the interview with Naga Man, (who’d been raised to the high office of Vice Poomba) what “assets” the Government was talking about.

The Naga Man referred to the recent “Confessions of a Hit Man” on TV. Unlike what Satiricus first thought, Naga Man wasn’t talking about Neeshan “D’Hitman” Parboo, the chutney singer whose greatest hit was that sublime love ballad “ Ah love yuh mo’ dan rum”. As a Vice Poomba, those days were now done: Naga Man now had to get home before 2 am.

No. He was referring to the self-confessed one-man killing machine Shawnsy, who’d made more hits (if he’s to be believed) than The Terminator. Naga Man revealed that the Hit Man had recently been on a “recky” near his house. Satiricus gasped! It was now obvious to him that Naga Man was a highly trained undercover agent. Even he, who’d looked at the MI6 TV series and all the James Bond movies, hadn’t known that you referred to “reconnaissance missions”’ as “reckys”. No wonder Jagan had picked him as his successor!!

Going back a few years to April 2013, Police Corporal Romain Cleto was fatally shot after he and two other officers on patrol duty came under fire by an armed man, who they were tracing. Cleto of 42 Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, was shot in his face while two of his colleagues were injured.

A few months later in November, a miner and licensed firearm holder, Derrick Kanhai, went berserk killing five persons, two of whom were Police Officers. Lance Corporal Sherwin Pantlitz and Lance Corporal Michael Forde were first responders to reports of Kanhai fatally shooting three persons.

Vice Poomba Naga Man then made everything fall into place when he next revealed that he thought that The Hit Man thought that he, Naga Man, was “either an asset or a target”. Now this was the “assets” that the Government must’ve been trying to “recover”!! From his deep knowledge of spy-craft gleaned from the aforementioned MI6 and James Bond movies, Satiricus knew that “assets” were spies who were buried into enemy territory to be “activated” when necessary.

So when the Government - dominated by all those military brass - launched the “audits to recover assets” this was just code for “operations to uncover enemy spies”. And this explained more. No wonder GrainJa had been suspicious of the Naga Man initially and had rejected him. GrainJa’s “spy-dar” was highly refined after 40 years of military training.

“So Naga Man is clearly in grave danger,” said Satiricus to himself through clenched teeth. “He was not EITHER an asset or a target: he was BOTH an asset and a target!”

It was time for the Naga Man to come in from the heat. ...29

Balram Kandhai remembered at Wreath Laying Ceremony

Balramnauth Kandhai, who lost his life on July 22,2002 at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) congress held in Port Mourant, Corentyne in 2002, was remembered on Wednesday at a simple wreath laying ceremony held at the Lima Sands Biodiversity Park IN Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The wreath laying ceremony was organised by his relatives and members of the PPP/C to commemorate the life of Kandhai.

The former teacher of the Abram Zuil Secondary School was only 17 years old when he was brutally shot during the Party’s congress in Port Mourant. He was scheduled to venture to Cuba to pursue

medical studies when his life was snatched away.

Paying tribute on behalf of the PPP\C and the Region Two Administration was Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt. During his address at the wreath laying ceremony, Ramdatt said Kandhai’s death was a great leader and a lost for his Party and referred to the young man as a martyr. Ramdatt brought greetings on behalf of PPP\C General Secretary Clement Rohee, members of the Party and well wishers.

He stated that the passing of Balram Kandhai some thirteen years ago had certainly affected the Party in many ways; “He would have been a true leader and a champion for Region Two”. In re-

membering Khandai he mentioned that the slain martyr was a very active member of the PPP/C’s youth arm, the People’s Progressive Youth Organization (PYO). “Balram was a courageous and simple individual he was a very active on the PYO; valuing the lost of his life is very hard,” Ramdatt said. Speeches, poems, tribute and religious songs were recited at the moving wreath laying ceremony, where representatives from the PPP/C, PYO and Women’s Progressive Organisation laid down wreaths for the lost life. Greetings were extended to the family members by stalwart of the PPP\C Ishahack Basir and other well wishers.

Corporal Romein Cleto Constable Edison Williams Lance Corporal Sherwin Pantlitz

Lance Corporal Michael Forde

Golden Fleece residents call for improved drainage and irrigation

Residents living in Golden Fleece Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are calling on the Region Two Administration to fix the drainage and irrigation issues they face on a daily basis; the most common being outrageous flooding in the area whenever it rains.

In a meeting held earlier this week, attended by Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Vice Chairman Juliet Coonjah, overseers and rangers within the dis-

trict, the issue was once again raised. Some of the issues addressed at the meeting were the disposal of excessive garbage at the burial ground, upgrading of the Fisher Primary School road, fixing and digging new pipelines to alleviate flooding in the area and smoke pollution.

In responding Chairman Ramdatt stated that the committee meeting was organised specially to meet with residents from various areas and listen to their concerns. He promised that

these concerns will be address in a prompt manner and necessary recommendations will be made.

He, however, cautioned that the region does not currently have any budget or monies to execute certain projects.

Vice Chairman Juliet Coonjah also echoed called for residents to cooperate and help settle minor issues in their communities, stating that most of the problems can be solve by mutual understanding among residents.

Second fraud charge for Lusignan Salesman

For the second time since April, Ramotar Rampersaud was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a fraud charge.

Rampersaud, age 43, a Salesman, who resides at 39 Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara, was seen once again in handcuffs in Court Two after he was accused by an acquaintance of fraudulent conversion.

The facts of the case alleged that the Virtual Complainant (VC) Ian Rodrigues had given Rampersaud two fuel pumps valued $250,000 to sell, but the accused took the items for his own use instead, never returning the proceeds to VC. The charge was indictable, however, an application was made for the matter to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts – saving Rampersaud from a High Court penalty if found guilty.

Nevertheless, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the accused had admitted to having the items in his possession to the Police. However, they were not recovered. He

offered no objections to bail.

When addressed, Rampersaud told the court that he was innocent of the charge. He explained that he gave the fuel pumps to a “man from Berbice”, whom he named. However, Rampersaud said no payments were made to him, nor have the items been returned.

Magistrate Ann McLennan gave him the benefit of the doubt and granted him bail in the amount of

$150,000. However, he was asked to report on the payment on August 4.

Coincidentally, the same thing happened last April when the accused was brought to court for a similar charge. He had been entrusted by his friend, Ramesh Sahadeo with a quantity of spare parts, bearings, a tool kit and several other items which is estimated to be worth over $1 million. The items were given to Rampersaud in September for him to sell.

A deadline was even given for the proceeds to be given to the VC but this was never done. It was Sahadeo’s complaint that the defendant had fraudulently converted the items to his own use.

When he was read that charge, Rampersaud had stated that he had sold some of the items and can give Sahadeo the money. But there was no explanation regarding why the proceeds were not returned to him earlier. He was granted $100,000 bail. That matter is still ongoing in Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

“Killer

gang” member apprehended on East Bank Highway

Close to a week after five members of a ‘killer gang’ were charged for murder and armed robbery; another member was apprehended on Friday afternoon while travelling in a minibus along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Highway.

This was confirmed by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum who further stated that upon his arrest, a quantity of cannabis was found in his possession.

The man, whose name was given as Jason Primo, is a well known character to the police and would have been wanted for several gun related robberies, including that of Land Court Judge, Nicole Pierre.

Five members of the gang – Lennox Roberts, Fazeel Bacchus, Damian Benington, Nicholas Narine and Anthony David – were charged and remanded to prison when they made their court appearances at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Roberts and Bacchus,

who are taxi drivers, purportedly killed Regent Street Multiplex Mall owner Ganesh Ramlall, also known as “Boyo” on July 5 at his La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara home.

Both men reportedly confessed to the murder of the businessman moments after they were arrested. They gave a detailed account of the execution which they claimed was planned more than two months prior to the hit.

On the other hand, Benington, Narine and David were arraigned for armed robbery on Land Court Judge Nicole Pierre on July 9 at Felicity, East Coast Demerara (ECD). They were accused of stealing a quantity of watches, a Samsung Note Tablet, a Sony Playstation 3, video games, a Samsung S5, two Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles and a HP laptop from the Judge after they launched a brutal attack against the Judge and her husband. An estimated $1 million worth in items was taken.

At the same time, they were charged for the robbery committed against the husband of the Land Court Judge, Mohamed Chand on the same day. They supposedly relieved him of a wedding ring, sun glasses, two Samsung Galaxy S5 cellphones, and US$8000. They were not required to plead to the offence.

Thirdly, the men allegedly discharged a loaded firearm to Ron Peters with the intent to maim, disfigure or injure him. Roberts and Bacchus will make

their next court appearance on August 3 while Narine, David and Benington will make theirs on July 30. The group was arrested following an operation carried out by members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Guyana Police Force at Craig Village, EBD.

During the operation, 29-year-old Rolston Morrison, called “Mappy” or “Sadam” of Nabaclis, ECD and Providence, EBD, was shot and killed. He was wanted for the murder of Dwayne Kennedy who was executed at the Golden Grove Market in March, during an argument. His accomplice, 22-yearold Warren McKenzie of Brutus Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, is the suspect injured durng the exchange between Police and the gunmen. McKenzie was charged back in 2013 with armed robbery. He, along with the Constable who sustained a gunshot wound during the shootout, was hospitalised.

Bagotstown man wanted by Police for fraud

The Guyana Police Force on Saturday has issued a wanted bulletin for a John Spence for questioning for a series of fraudulent matters they are presently investigating.

The 44-year-old man Lot 26 Public Road, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara was charged in 2008 for impersonating the son of the then United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, John Jones. Spence was sentence to one year imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to several charges of fraud in 2008

It was also alleged that, between October 31 and November 24, 2008 at Baganara Island Resort, Spence falsely and deceitfully impersonated Jamal Jones, the son of the Ambassador of the US to Guyana, John Jones in order to obtain credit for items. It was reported that he incurred a credit of 407,600 for boat tours and

other travelling expenses.

In addition, he incurred a debt or liability to the resort by credit of articles, accommodation, food and beverages worth $234,254. More so, Police stated that between October 21 and 24 of that year, Spence at the River View Hotel, Linden, incurred a debt or liability to Audie Webster, by obtaining credit for articles, alcoholic beverages valued

$50,540 and hotel accommodation valued $8,000. Now Police are looking for the fraudster once again in connection with several similar offences. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of John Spence is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 2256411, 225-8196, 226-7065, 227-1149, 911 or the nearest police station.

Fraudulent conversion accused Ramotar Rampersaud

Murder accused Fazeel Bacchus

Murder accused Lennox Roberts

Wanted, John Spence

Why not women?

Are we as women doing ourselves a disservice when we continually define ourselves as the caregivers and nurturers of the world? That in 2015 we can have a Governmentwithonly three women ministers is surely a backward step especially when none of the women areseated in any of the vital sectors of national security,international relations, financeor governance.

Previous PPP administrations had competent women in the Ministries of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Education and Health and, to date, Guyana’s only female President. But is the Granger government at fault or is it simply responding to women’s own perception and promotion ofthemselves and their specific talents?

The US National Democratic Institute which works to empower women in developing countries states that women leaders are more committed to addressing the socio-economic challenges that face those countries because they are the main caregivers and understand the needs of children, the elderly and disadvantaged groups. Because of this, women leaders ensure positive developments in education, infrastructure and health services at national and local levels.

Chairman of the NDI is Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State of the world’s superpower with a career that showcases the formidable abilities of women. Yet, even the NDI continues with a clichéd promotion of women’s place in society and government even as Ms Albright says, “Every country deserves to have the best possible leader and that means that women have to be given a chance to compete. If they’re never allowed to compete in the electoral process then the countries are really robbing themselves of a great deal of talent.”

But is that talent confined to being the world’s caregivers? No one would argue that women are still not treated equally or have equal access to job opportunities in many societies, including ours. Our girls do well at school, leave with top grades, become professionals then disappear from public view. Marriage and motherhood still stymie a woman’s career options since our men folk are not brought up or educated to understand that they have an equal and supportive role to play in a marital relationship.

But when women corner off the nurturer role for themselves, how are men to learn that they too must be caregivers? In more developed countries women are discussing post feminism. Some believe, especially younger women, that feminism is no longer relevant in a world where women are now routinely heads of state and business leaders. Most women agree, however, that feminism is a constantly changing discourse that must suit changing times and changing expectations.

There is no doubt that Guyana is a macho society. The regular reports of violence against women fully attest to this as does the verbal abuse that can be so casually handed out to women by even high officials. And all the president’s men, including the many male advisers to the Granger government, leave no doubt that there is a problem and that it runs deep.

Women make up half of the world’s population and, as now in Guyana, they continue to be under-represented as political leaders and elected officials. Democracy cannot be truly delivered if half of a country’s population remains unrepresented especially since that lack of representation eschewsall theskills and talents that women can bring to the table.

“Being a woman today is about having choices; managing, leading and loving your family; having an opinion and making it known,” says Ursula Burns, 53, CEO of Xerox and the first Black, female chief of a major American corporation.

Over the past decades, one of the greatest changes to democracy has been the inclusion of increasing numbers of women both as voters and as members of parliament. Equality for women and women’s empowerment are human rights and there is every need to promote, respect and protect these rights.

Women can also help themselves by stepping up to the plate and being counted. In a developing democracy such as ours, wecan engage at various levels as leaders of community movements and civil society groups, can be activists and informed citizens who participate at the level of engaging in public discussions. At these levels, women can advocate for change, help shape policies, gain confidence, and caneventually run for public office.

There is no reason why we should continue with the clichéd images. Why not a woman minister of finance and a man, showing his nurturing side, as head of social protection? This is surely doable and would be the right fit for a developing and changing society.

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

Colombian remanded for defrauding GBTI

AColombian was refused bail at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after being accused of stealing over $1 million from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Friday.

Forty-two-year-old Freddy Rivera Vargas, a Colombia national, was remanded to prison by Magistrate Ann McLennan after pleading not guilty to four counts of theft.

The charges detailed that on July 17, while in Lethem, Rupununi, he stole $90,000 from the GBTI bank branch there and $210,000 from its Water Street branch in Georgetown on July 18. The same branch purportedly became his victim the following day when $80,000 was found missing; while, $90,000 was taken the same day from the GBTI branch in Providence, East Bank Demerara. Vargas was charged for both offences.

This spree of bank robbery continued on July 20

and 21 when $250,000 and $330,000 were taken respectively from the GBTI branch in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

All the charges were indictable, making the case liable to be tried at the High Court. However, an Administration of the

Judicial Act was applied for and granted in Court Two, making it possible for the matter to be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The defendant’s Attorney Peter Hugh, was quite eager that his client be granted bail, in a reasonable amount. He stated that Vargas’ lack of family ties to Guyana makes him less a flight risk as he would have no help or know how to do so as the Police had already take possession of his passport. He also explained that Vargas is a family man with a wife and two children with a fixed job at a security firm in Colombia.

In addition, he said his client is a former Major of the Colombian Army. Another factor the Attorney asked the court to consider is the fact that one of the offences occurred in Lethem where the Magistrate’s Court is only heard every three months. He said this will simply drag the matter out.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, disagreed. He said the fact that the accused has no family in Guyana makes him more of a flight risk, emphasising the point that he is a Colombian national. He also mentioned that Princess International Hotel is a hotel and not a fixed place of abode for the accused. He further told the court that the accused was caught on camera in one of GBTI’s ATM booths withdrawing the monies and when he was apprehended, several fake cards were found on his person. It is believed that these cards enabled him to withdraw the money although he does not have a bank account with GBTI.

Nonetheless, Prosecutor Jones had to accede that the Police’s investigations are not yet complete. Thus, after hearing both parties, Magistrate McLennan refused bail until the report for August 10.

Robbery accused heads to Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court

The verdict of guilt or innocence for an 18-year-old robbery suspect will be decided at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court after the matter was delegated there by Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Quincy Messiah, a Porter who resides around the Port Kaituma Airstrip in Region One (Barima-Waini), is charged for stealing over $3 million in items from a storage facility on Floor Road, Port Kaituma, North West District.

He allegedly made away with 119 pails of hydraulic oil valued $2,380,000, a welding torch valued $95,000, $52,000 in ATV rims, an oxygen bottle valued $100,000 and a $380,000 AC motor clutch for a excavator. The charge was indictable but the court granted that it be allowed to be tried in at the Magistrate’s Court instead of the High Court.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones had no objections to bail as most of the items were recovered. With this, Attorney Euclin Gomes asked the court for reasonable bail for his client. He said the defendant belongs to Region One as he grew up there and it will be an advantage if he is closer to home during the trial where he shall be obliged to go to court.

Gomes said his client has never been charged for an offence and has been cooperating with Police. He emphasised that it was “only”

due to his cooperation that the Police were even able to recover the items.

Thus, Magistrate McLennan allowed bail

in the sum of $100,000 and transferred his case to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court for August 4.

Alleged bank thief Freddy Rivera Vargas

Quincy Messiah

Ryhaan Shah

Ryhaan Shah

Increase in fertiliser prices worries Region 2 rice farmers

– rice farmers seeking answers

With the constant fluctuation of the prices for fertilizer rice farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are seeking answers from the Granger-led administration, A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance Force Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, as to why there is not a stabilisation of the price for the fertilizer being sold on the local market.

At the moment, Urea increased from $5000 per bag to $5700, while Tong Seng Produce (TSP) increased from GY$7000 to GY$7800 per bag. The sudden increase has sent frustration into farmers as their overhead expenses are high when it comes to the cultivation of rice.

Rice farmers who vented their frustration to Guyana Times said that they are now wondering whether the promises of lower input cost

and high paddy prices were a campaign gimmick by the coalition, since they are now faced with the reverse.

Rice farmers said they were told by representatives of the APNU+AFC Government that fertilizer will be reduced to about an average of $3000 per bag if the APNU+AFC was elected to office, but now that the coalition has secured the victory, they are faced with an increase instead.

“They kept coming every time; saying farmers who feed the nation cannot be the poorest and we have to be offered the best price; what happen now?” one rice farmer questioned.

Farmers still owed Meanwhile, the farmers complained that they are still owed millions of dollars by millers on the Essequibo Coast, particularly Wazeer Hussain and Ramesh

Ramlakhan, and that they are not being told anything substantial by these millers.

In addition to that, rice farmers complained that they were promised prompt payments under the coalition and, according to reality, it is the opposite.

“What change is this, we sell we paddy we can’t get we money; fertilizer increased; Venezeula market almost collapsing; millers are getting the money and investing in their own mill, these millers are living above their means and owing innocent farmers,” another farmer questioned.

The farmers complained that they were misled by the Chairman of the Essequibo Paddy Farmer’s Association, Naithram, and another representative, Tagepersaud, who promised that farmers will be enjoying immediate payment for their paddy and a reduced input cost.

The farmers are also asking for Chief Executive Officer of the Alesie Group of Companies, Turhane Doerga who they said made similar promises, but suddenly “disappeared”. Meanwhile, the farmers are calling on the Government to give them a “heads up” on if they will receive the promised $10,000 or, if not, for Agriculture Minister Noel Holder to say what exactly farmers will be paid. Paddy farmers are also questioning why the Government did not provide any assistance to them following recent floods, which saw many farmers re-planting.

When contacted, Minister Holder’s Public Relations Officer, Erika Haag-Tularam, promised that the Minister will respond by Wednesday, since he was “stuck” in other business.

Budget to be ready before September

The first National Budget of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change coalition Government is on track to be presented before the start of September. This is according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Minister Jordan declined to give details but explained that, “we are looking at a package of revenue and expenditure measures that, even in this short period of time, can result in the stimulation of the economy.”

While the Minister does not fully support that a stimulus “to the extent that some people are touting” is needed, he said the Government clearly has to “go to the sources of the slowdown in the economy”.

He explained that the slowdown in the economy started since 2014. “You will find at the last budget, the last Minister was projecting 5.2 per cent growth...well we didn’t get that kind of growth. In a sense, that is a slowdown…,”he said.

Younge’s Take What Sean Hinds said

his week, self-confessed

TDeath Squad member Sean Hinds made what is being described as “shocking” and “explosive” allegations against retired and serving members of the Guyana Police Force, while implicating as well the Peoples Progressive Party Civic in below-the-belt activities aimed at crushing the criminal enterprise which was wreaking havoc in the country following the 2002 jailbreak.

Hinds, in an exclusive interview with an broadcast media house here, claimed that he and others obtained guns from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Guyana Police Force to go and take ‘criminals’ on the orders of Axel Williams who was in turn taking directions from then PPP/C Minister Ronald Gajraj.

He confessed that he was hired to murder political activist Ronald Waddell and claimed that he saw two policemen including Steve Merai while Waddell was being killed back in January 2006. Additionally, Hinds admitted that he bought illegal guns recovered from police operations including raids for local businessmen here from serving policemen on several occasions.

He alleged that he guarded former Town Clerk Carol Sooba with a “toy gun” with the aim of dissuading Mayor Hamilton Green and Patricia Chase Greene as well as others from hurting her, and was still owed for two months of service. Apparently, a local business is responsible for paying the debt.

That aside, Hinds says that he played no part in the death of Courtney Crum-Ewing and suggested that officials at the PPP may be the ones behind Ewing’s death. He claims too to have an alibi on the night the political activist was killed.

According to the Finance Minister, the prorogation of the National Assembly also created an impact on the economy as, “any businessman watching that activity would tend to hold back on investment decisions, because of the uncertainty that was being created.”

He stated too that the uncertainty created by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s initial refusal to accept the results of the polls also fuelled economic uncertainties. “A further period of angst and uncertainty would have been created,” he said adding that, “given these circumstances, no investor, foreign or local, is going to want to come in, in that whole period of uncertainty.”

The financial expert emphasised that one of the key factors to attract investment is a stable governance framework or a stable political environment. “You ought to know that when there is political upheaval, everybody will pack and run; and once that happens, it takes time to rebuild the confidence in the economy. You can’t blame a two-month-old Government for slowdown in the economy,” Jordan said.

According to the Finance Minister, “policies must be developed to reactivate the economy, to push it back, and those policies must be a combination of monetary and fiscal inputs along with confidence-building, to get businessmen back in to producing and consumers in to the habit of spending”.

With regard to the presentation of the National Budget to the National Assembly for approval, the Finance Minister said, “That will be done well in advance of the due date...before September.”

(Excerpt from GINA)

Summing his confessions up, the death squad informant also insinuated that the State under PPP/C’s tenure sponsored extrajudicial killings, murders, political assassinations and hits with the full cooperation of the top brass and lower strata of the Guyana Police Force.

He is threatening to release more recordings, video evidence and other material which he claims could authenticate his story.

If Mr Hinds wants to be taken seriously by persons with aboveaverage intelligence in this country then he must stop pussyfooting and release all of the evidence he claims to have to support his confessions.

He must turn himself into the State and cooperate fully with the local and international law enforcement agencies that will have an interest in the information he supplied.

Hinds, a former cop, must know that his story also sharply conflicts with a sworn testimony given in a US Courtroom by a member of the phantom squad Selwyn Vaughn that it was a local drug lord that organized, funded and was responsible for Waddell’s execution. Surely, he cannot now throw ex-policemen under the bus who, by any stretch of the imagination, are most unlikely trigger men when one considers the facts already available on Waddell’s death.

A closer look should also be paid to Hinds’ statement that he was wrongfully charged and does not plan on going to jail again for crimes he did not commit. Perhaps, the time is ripe for Hinds to release the names of all those persons he was either hired to kill or killed during his stint with the death squad.

Also, he might want to explain why he has made himself unavailable to a wider media corps and other senior as well as seasoned journalist who may have interest in asking him far more probing questions than he was asked during his sit down with the broadcast media house that gave his story prominence.

Meanwhile, the silence of the Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud is unacceptable. He has to at least make an attempt to defend the integrity of the Police Force on the basis of its record book. Was there a death squad or a unit operational that mirrored such activities in the police force according to records? Who was Axel Williams and what was his connection to the police force? Are there records showing missing weapons recovered from raids and weapons being given to men other than serving policemen?

Persaud must come out of hibernation and announce a widespread probe or deny the allegations made by Hinds. The integrity of all those who served before him depends on it. They too cannot afford to be silent.

Where are Messers Floyd Mc Donald and Winston Felix who were the Commissioners of Police during the period 2001-2008?

The PPP/C has wasted no time in pointing out that Hinds is part of a political plot aimed at criminalizing the party and linking it to all sorts of nonsensical activities during the Jagdeo tenure.

It does appear that the new Government is way too comfortable with all that Hinds has said. It also appears that Hinds allegations come at a time when crime in this country is on the increasing and Government is incapable of fighting it effectively. Some may feel that all of these empty explosive statements could be an attempt by those close to the new Government to distract citizens from the decaying state of affairs locally and internationally as well as a lack of fulfillment of promises including in a 100-day plan.

The line and style adopted by Hinds mirror that of successive Peoples National Congress politicians.

In the end, even though Hinds has said a lot, he has said nothing. At least nothing new, and nothing that can stand the test of factual scrutiny and analyzes….

Confessions are good for the soul, but half-naked confessions can pollute not only the soul but the entire being as well.

PM claims Sean Hinds staked out his home

– Crime Chief renews calls for Hinds to surrender

out that statement, the Guyana Police Force can only treat the allegations in the public domain as information,” he said.

The Chief also stated that despite the seeing the

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Saturday renewed his call for ex-Police and self confessed death squad member, Sean Hinds to turn himself in since he is wanted for questioning into several “serious offences”, one of which Guyana Times understands is him allegedly staking out the Prime Minister’s (PM) home two weeks ago.

While Blanhum did not reveal information about the Prime Minister’s complaint to the Police, acting President Moses Nagamootoo has confirmed that a report was lodged at the Sparendaam Police Station.

In addition, this publication understands that security personnel attached to the Prime Minister’s residence noticed a strange

car parked close to the official’s North Sophia house about two weeks ago. As they approached the car and reportedly recognised Hinds as one of the occupants, they immediately fled the scene.

In light of this incident, Guyana Times understands that Hinds might have gotten a tip off that the Police was looking for him and decided to approach the HGPTV television station (Channel 67), where he revealed information and names of several persons whom he stated would have been involved in some serious crimes, including the murder of Ronald Waddle.

Recently, the Crime Chief disclosed that Hinds was wanted for a number of serious crimes, but not Crum Ewing’s murder. At no point in time was Hinds

implicated in the murder of Crum Ewing, he noted.

However, on Saturday Blanhum urged Hinds to turn himself in to assist with the investigation of allegations levelled against named individuals in a recent explosive interview on HGPTV. “I am urging Mr Hinds to turn himself in to the Police to assist with the investigation related to the serious allegations levelled against a few named individuals during an interview with a journalist,” he reiterated.

Blanhum further stated that, as former Policeman, Hinds is aware of the standard procedure in dealing with cases such as his. “Investigators will require his presence to submit a detailed statement in relation to these matters. At this point in time, with-

PGS honours employees with award ceremony

The Second Quarterly Presentation Award ceremony for the employees of the Professional Guard Services (PGS) Inc was held on Saturday which saw 11 women and men honoured.

The award ceremony was held at the Kirkpatrick ‘s Garden Room where $10,000 each was distributed to the pleased women and men.

The special award of $5000 was given to Lieutenant Selma David for

her commendable work at PGS. However, another special award was allotted to Joon Rowe, who returned to the security firm after dedicating 24 years of service to it.

The other men and women, who were given the $10,000 award, are Shift Commander Albert Barker; Inspector Samuel John; Bank and Factory Shift Commander Simon St Hill; Duty Officer Devonne Sobers; Lieutenant Ronald

Headley; Baton Sergeant Abdool Shaw; Security Officer Claudine Cameron; Driver Jermaine Wilson; Cash Crew Driver Anthony Vasconcellos; and Cash Crew Command Forbes Corlette.

The Managing Director, Sean Kirkpatrick, expressed his thanks and deep satisfaction with his employees, encouraging them to continue on with their great work as protectors.

interview on HGPTV, he is still to receive a copy of the raw interview.

Guyanese journalist, Ronald Waddell was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside of his

Surbryanville home by several criminals in an incident that shocked the country and still today forms part of the unsolved murders that occurred following the 2002 jailbreak.

Steve Merai Sean Hinds

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

The awardees at PGS’ award ceremony

Budget consultations with Opposition… Govt will not reduce VAT nor give 20% pay hike – PPP/C

The oppositional People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says that the Government reported that it is unable to deliver on its promise to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) in a phased manner and also to increase the salaries of public servants by 20 per cent.

The Party said it learned of the Government’s decisions during the first round of Budget discussions with Finance Minister Winston Jordan on the 2015 National Budget, which is expected to be presented soon to the National Assembly.

The Party reported that it was informed by the coalition administration that it is just not feasible to pursue with the promises made on the campaign trail.

In a press release to the media, the PPP/C said “in response to a question in connection with Government’s 100-day plan for implementation, the delegation was informed that it is unlikely that the plan will be fulfilled within the first hundred days.”

It went on to specify that Minister Jordan advised that there will not be a 20 per cent increase in salaries for public servants, nor will there be a reduction of VAT.

The Government had already indicated that it may, in fact, be difficult to deliver upon the promise of an across the board salary increase in the Public Sector. Government stat-

ed that any increase must be tied to “productivity”.

The PPP/C had warned on the campaign trail that salary increases for such a large pool of workers without productivity increases could unleash inflationary pressures.

The statement, which was made by the Finance Minister shortly after taking up his ministerial post, introduced a hint of caution and reappraisal of the across the board salary increase. This announcement is likely to have a big fallout in the Public Sector, particularly considering that various trade unions have already voiced their want of a big pay hike for its workers.

Recently, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana – which is the umbrella body for the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, the National

Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees, the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union and the Guyana Labour Union – met with Finance Minister Jordan, and during that interaction the Union pressed for enough money to be set aside for significant increases in wages and salaries, a complete tax reform, lowering of the Brice Bridge Tolls and an increase in the Old Age Pension.

The Guyana Teachers Unions (GTU) also demanded that enough money be set aside to ensure there is a considerable increase in teachers’ salary.

“This must be treated as a priority in the budget planning,” GTU President Corletta McDonald insisted.

Reports indicate, however, that the Finance Minister recently assured the Private Sector Commission that Government’s current priority was the implementation of its 100-day plan with an attendant focus on increasing pensions and salaries.

Meanwhile, the PPP/C reports that the Government is preparing a three-month budget, which is likely to be laid in the National Assembly in mid-August. The budget is being crafted to project a three per cent growth in the economy and will concentrate on boosting aggregate demand.

The PPP/C was also in-

formed that Cabinet had its first look at the budget last Tuesday. The Party already submitted its recommendations to the Finance Ministry regarding the budget.

Violation of rules

At the meeting, the PPP/C used the opportunity to bring to the Finance Minister’s attention, the everyday violation of rules and regulations pertaining to public expenditure management being practiced by the Government.

In addition, the Minister was advised that the “pervasive ethnic cleansing and the political and social discrimination as well as the continuing arbitrary dismissal of persons once employed by the PPP/C administration” will not help

the country go forward. Also, his attention was drawn to the “scaring away of foreign and local investors and the persistent haranguing of local private sector enterprises of being involved in money laundering, corruption and other and illegal activities”, which too, is of no economic benefit to the country.

On Friday, PPP/C was represented by General Secretary Clement Rohee, former Ministers Robeson Benn, Pauline Sukhai, Juan Edghill and Member of the Executive Committee Dharamkumar Seeraj. During this meeting, the two parties exchanged their views on the 2015 Budget.

GPHC staff participates in cleanup activity

On Saturday, employees attached to the national provider of quality health services, popularly known as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) participated in a mini cleanup exercise in the northern and southern compound of the hospital.

This activity was coordinated by the GPHC’s

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee, and was aimed to positively contribute towards the rehabilitation of the drainage mechanism at the hospital.

The compound usually floods very easily when the rain falls, so the OSH executed the activity in order to reduce mosquito breeding sites and enhance the

overall look and sanitation of the compound.

In a press release the GPHC’s Quality Improvement Manager, Yolanda Renville, expressed “gratitude to persons who participated in the initiative and highlighted that the OSH Committee is hoping to initiate more similar cleanup exercises in the future.”

Some of the participants at GPHC on Saturday

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

No state protection for criminals

By Michael younge

The new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government has made it clear that it will not offer State Protection to persons who are engaged in criminal activities or have deep rooted links to the criminal underworld.

cause people who give the information, what you call them? Whistleblowers…we will provide the kind of protection that is needed,” the Minister of State said.

underworld in exchange for State protection.

... residents peeved no community members included - “whistleblowers “ accommodated, not “snitches” – Govt

State Minister Joseph Harmon on Friday told reporters that Government is prepared to offer individuals with information that would lead to the capture of persons who are responsible for serious crimes explaining that both the legislative and structural apparatus are in place to facilitate such a move.

“If people are prepared to come and provide information to us that will lead to the capture of these criminals and so on, certainly we will provide the kind of protection for them be-

Harmon’s statement comes against the backdrop of growing uneasiness amongst the populace about the sudden hike in criminal activity which is occurring as a result of a breakdown in law and order in several policing divisions in the country.

His comments are also coming on the heels of scandalous revelations made by self-confessed Death Squad Member Sean Hinds who have made allegations against several high-ranking officials and policemen seeking to link them to extra-judicial killings and criminal activity.

Hinds has reportedly expressed interest in meeting with Harmon and the Government to share information that he says he has about the involvement of certain persons in the criminal

“Something got to set up before I talk to the police. I willing to talk to Mr. Harmon, I am no stranger to Mr. Harmon”, he said. He did not expand on the reasons why he is familiar with Harmon.

He has also expressed fear that persons that he has and will expose in the coming days will come after him.

“When you mash some people toe, they will come after you. They will come after me, they will ‘try a ting’… they will come after me because I gun be mashing some people toes. If I don’t get to say what I want to say, tapes would be dropping off at different media. I ain’t stupid. I tired going down for people”, he is quoted as saying in another section of the press.

But most likely alluding to Hinds, Harmon made a distinction between “whistleblower so” and what is known in the underworld as

“snitching”. He made it very clear that his Government does not support criminals or persons who have had their hand muddied by taking part in murders.

“Persons who are part of the criminal enterprise… involved or engaged in killing people… then they will have to face the music too. So we are prepared to give the kind of protection to persons who are going to give us the information that will lead us to the arrest of these criminals that will get to the intellectual authors of crime”, the Minister insisted.

The previous administration had passed the Whistle blowers Protection Bill will also provide for the procedure by which individuals in both the private and public sector, may in the public interest disclose information that relates to irregular, illegal or corrupt practices; to provide for the protection against victimisation of persons who make such disclosures.

“Stay Alive” Suicide Prevention Fair calls to young Guyanese

The epidemic that is suicide in Guyana has a new enemy called the “Prevention of Teenage Suicide” (POTS) Programme headed by Guyana’s very own Miss Guyana World Lisa Punch. The young lady held a fair to raise awareness on the burgeoning issue of suicide in Guyana on Saturday, where yellow embodied the ongoing fight.

The fair took place at the Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown where a group of counsellors from the Public Health Ministry educated on the focus issue.

Suicide has been and remains a matter of concern for Guyanese where a study done by the World Health Organisation indicated that 44 out of 100,000 persons commit suicide every day. This has been the practice more so in young people who find themselves unable to cope with life’s troubles and thus try to end it all by killing themselves.

A number of organisations have come forward to raise awareness on this issue, some even working

with the Health Ministry for a solution to combat what is seen as an epidemic.

For Punch, POTS is not just a passing fancy but one such organisation that can contribute to eliminating suicide altogether. She explained that the issue is one close to her heart as she almost became a victim of suicide herself as a teenager.

However, Miss Guyana World said that somehow she began to see others more and less of herself which enabled her to think of the effects such an act would have on her family. For Punch, extra-curriculum activities and helping others acted as a good coping mechanism as she was kept busy and proactive which slowly boosted her spirits.

This is what she aims to do with POTS. She said that the right perspective on things is important as well as empowerment so persons do not get beaten by their troubles. Though counseling and several activities with school age person, it is her hope that POTS can make an impact in the fight.

Miss Guyana World said

that suicide prevention will be given much emphasis on her platform for the Miss World pageant.

She said that she has been going to schools around Guyana to speak to school children about the impact of suicide and what one should always be on guard against.

She stated that the Education Ministry will soon be launching its

Mental Health Strategy, which will add more to the fight against suicide.

She said the proceedings from the fair will assist in such initiatives. One such activity is the upcoming day for suicide prevention on September 26.

On that day, schools will be targeted as the education of suicide prevention continues through DVDs and other materials.

Government replaces two IMC with supporters

The new A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration has committed to removing several Interim Management Committees (IMC) across the country and replacing its members with party supporters, causing a lot of upset within many communities.

Only Friday, the Ministry of Communities installed new members to manage the welfare of the Anna Regina Town Council in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The new members were installed during a special meeting held in the boardroom of the Council.

The installation process was conducted by two officers from the Ministry of Communities. The Councillors installed were Prince Holder, Daral Khan, Ariff Khan, Bibi Zameen Zaman, Duddk Moore, Robert Edwards, Mark McLean, Carmelita Laylus, Leonard Bonbar, Nazir Mohamed, Bhim Sain, Clementus Ross, Devika Persaud, Cyclin Jones and Arzad Ally.

These persons will serve as Councillors of the new IMC. They are empowered to ensure transparency, ethical practices, effective decision making, democratic representation, social inclusion, good governance and meaningful community engagement.

A special meeting will be held on Tuesday to select the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the IMC.

The previous Councillors who served on the committee were on Thursday evening issued with letters informing them that their service was no longer needed.

The letters of revocation of service was issued by an employee of the Anna Regina Town Council. The previous IMC Councillors were elected and installed by former Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker under the People’s Progressive

Party/Civic Administration in 2012.

The letters issued stated that their appointment as Councillors of the IMC of the Town of Anna Regina will be revoked with effect from Friday July 24, 2015. The letters were signed by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and copied to Emil Mc Garrel, Permanent Secretary.

The revelation was very shocking as the council was in the process of planning the Anna Regina Town Day activities. Rights were already sold and several meetings were held.

Meanwhile, the IMC of the Ireng/Sawariwaru Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was also recently dissolved and a new IMC comprising solely of supporters of the governing coalition were installed by Minister Bulkan.

In a letter from the Communities Ministry sent to the outgoing Councillors, it was explained that the Ministry noted with dissatisfaction that the NDC last held a statutory meeting since January last. “This is an untenable situation as residents expect the administration of council to meet and make decisions to their benefit,” the letter signed by the Communities Minister stated.

The newly installed members of the Ireng/Sawariwaru Neighbourhood Democratic Council IMC include Carlton Beckles, Terrence Boston, Ahrens Laundry, George Henry, Natasha Torres, Judith La Rose, Melanie Dainty, Phillip Reid, Aubrey Semple and Beverly Abrams. Beckles was elected the Chairman while Boston was appointed the Vice Chairman of the IMC.

Moreover, Guyana Times was informed that no representative from the Moco Moco Settlement or Quarrie was named in the new IMC and residents are peeved.

“Petty Boy” wanted for Turning Point fatal shooting

The Guyana Police Force on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for Edward Skeet, also called “Pretty Boy”, for questioning into the murder of Rayon Clementson, who was gunned down at Turning Point, Tucville, Georgetown on July 14. The last known address for the 28-year-old murder accused is Lot 309 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown. Rayon Clementson, 25, of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara succumbed to his injuries after he was shot by a lone gunman while in the

company of another man at Turning Point, Tucville, Georgetown. Ayodella Solomon, 32, of Tucville was injured in the process.

According to information received, Clementson was standing on the bridge at Turning Point when a man drove up on a motorcycle and discharged several rounds in his direction before fleeing.

The now dead man was hit in his right leg, while Solomon, who was in the vicinity, was hit to his right shoulder.

It was believed that he who was also armed did not get a chance to return fire as the suspect managed to flee the scene. Both Clementson and Solomon were known to the Police since they were previously charged with murder. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Edward Skeete called “Pretty Boy” is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 2258196, 226-7065, 227-1149, 911 or the nearest police station.

Wanted, Edward “Petty Boy” Skeet

Lisa Punch and her colleagues from the POTS at the fair

Former President Donald Ramotar has pointed out that the $400 million increase accumulated on the money that Guyana was ordered to pay Rudisa International, is as a result of the then combined parliamentary Opposition, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC), refusing to pass the amended legislation.

In May last year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ordered the Government of Guyana to pay the Surinamese beverage company some $1.2 billion, for imposing the controversial “environmental tax” on each non-returnable bottle imported into the country. However, Government’s failure to repay the money in a timely manner has resulted in the cost being racked up by an additional $400 million; to a total of $1.6 billion.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon has disclosed that the increase includes interests to the tune of US$338,000, as well as legal costs amounting to US$120,000. However, Government has since entered an agreement with Rudisa, obtaining a US$1.5 million reduction in the total amount to be repaid.

In a statement on Saturday, Ramotar pointed out that as the Head of State at the time when the proceedings were filed, he takes umbrage to the persistent and incredulous attempt by the current APNU/AFC Administration to deflect blame away from themselves and further placing Guyana and its people in this current precarious financial debacle.

According to the former President, in 2012, Rudisa wrote the Government, threatening litigation if the local laws were not amended to bring Guyana in conformity with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Ramotar stated that his Administration subsequently held consultations with the Surinamese beverage company, which

responsible for

interests – Ramotar

indicated that if the necessary amendments are to be passed, then they will not proceed with the litigation.

Consequently, the then Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh presented the necessary amendments to Parliament for passage, Ramotar said, while adding that the amendment was voted down by the then joint APNU/AFC Opposition, despite vigorous explanations of the repercussions. He noted too that the letter was even read to the National Assembly but the efforts proved to be in vain.

He went on to say that Rudisa subsequently filed legal proceedings, during which the company indicated its willingness to withdraw the litigation without any costs to the Government of Guyana if the laws are suitably amended. The CCJ was even indulgent, that it adjourned the matter for substantial periods of time in order to facilitate the amendments being presented and passed by the National Assembly.

A copy of the amended legislation was presented to the CCJ and the Surinamese company to demonstrate the bona fides of the Guyana Government. And for the second time, the then Finance Minister laid over the Bill but again, it was voted down by the combined Opposition.

“During the debates, it was thoroughly explained that unless the Bill was passed, judgment would be granted against Guyana.

The nature and importance of the litigation and the Bill were expansively explained, both in and out of the National Assembly, by the then Attorney General and Minister of Finance. All our arguments and pleas fell on deaf ears and judgment was granted against Guyana,” the former Head of State pointed out.

Ramotar posited that the argument being touted that the Bill his Administration laid in the National Assembly was not the “right Bill”, is nothing but a “belated concocted farce”. He explained that the said legislation was presented to the CCJ as well as Rudisa and neither of them raised any objections.

Furthermore, the former President outlined that if their Bill was “wrong” then why the then combined Opposition did not make the necessary amendments as they did with several other pieces of legislation. On this note, Ramotar maintained that the issue should not be about the non-payment of the award but who is responsible for the judgment in the first place.

“This current de facto APNU/AFC Administration must not be allowed to pull wool over our eyes so that we lose sight of the fact that they are solely responsible and wholly to be blamed for the judgment being granted against Guyana. In terms of payment of the judgment, it is public knowledge that my Cabinet promptly approved payment. However,

the far reaching financial consequences and constitutional implications of suddenly withdrawing 1.2 billion Guyana dollars from the treasury are obviously beyond the current Attorney General as he continues to harp on the fact that the judgment was not paid without even trying to understand why,” the former Head of State declared.

Ramotar clarified that the judgment was granted in May 2014 and since the sum was not budgeted for, it could not have been withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund without the approval from the National Assembly, which was at the time dealing almost exclusively with matters such as the AntiMoney Laundering Bill and a host of other similarly important issues.

He continued that Parliament subsequently went into recess, followed by its prorogation, then it being dissolved – all of which were as a consequence of the APNU/AFC threat of a NoConfidence Motion. This, he added, was done notwithstanding him underscoring that a number of urgent matters requires the attention of the Assembly.

The former Head of State pointed out that despite this series of events that prevented his Administration from obtaining the finances to make the payment, even if the sum was granted then, Government will still have to wait on technical advice on whether it would have been prudent to withdraw such a huge sum of money from the treasury at that point in time.

“I have made it clear that this Administration, while it was in the Opposition, was solely responsible for this judgment and its consequential increase. It is in the nation’s best interest that the Government stop playing impish political games with this matter and work out an arrangement to pay off the judgment swiftly,” Ramotar concluded.

Former President of the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (GTUC) and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Gillian Burton expressed utter incredulity over the rationale given by Minister of State Joseph Harmon regarding the sacking of over 40 individuals who were employed under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project.

Harmon, during a public meeting at the Stabroek Market Square on Friday, told the gathering that the Government fired the employees because “there was no work for them to do” and it was not wise to have so many persons employed under a project which really did not require that magnitude of a workforce.

However, Burton took to social media to express her dissatisfaction with the move to fire the professionals and ridicule Harmon’s justification of the decision.

“Mr Harmon’s utterances are riddled with inaccuracies as it relates to the operations of OLPF…Mr Harmon never addressed the staff of OLPF during his visit there, he was more or less on a walkthrough of the facilities, during which time he spoke to individuals in their respective departments, and after his visit no one mentioned having been told those comments.

“Mr Harmon must be truthful and state that the main reasons for the hurried closure of the OLPF project is: 1- the final batch of laptops will not be distributed in the same framework as it was done by the PPP/C Administration…2there is the urgent need for office space to house sections of this administration such as the Youth Empowerment Programme and… 3-the most important aspect is that the majority of those sent pack-

ing are known supporters of the PPP/C,” she posted.

Further, Burton pointed out that the only person to address all staff meeting was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff, and it was he who delivered the news of the termination.

Moreover, Burton argued that the problem really is not what was done but rather the manner in which it was executed. “The competent staff of OLPF 95 per cent of whom are young qualified Guyanese were fully aware that being employed on a project had its defined operational schedule such as a close out time frame. However, what is offensive is the fact that after May 11, 2015, no one sought to engage the staff as it relates to the way forward for the project. Hence, they were all left in a state of uncertainty. The only hint that something was afoot was the constant charade of government officials that kept visiting the OLPF office within recent weeks,” she said.

In fact, Burton insisted that it was “clearly obvious” that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change coalition had no intentions of keeping the OLPF project.

“After all, it’s a Bharrat Jagdeo initiative,” she said.

Small miners stand to lose most – GGDMA

As gold prices continue to steadily tumble, with a drastic drop to US$1094.5 per ounce, the livelihood of over 100,000 Guyanese are at stake.

Experts have already predicted that gold prices will continue to slump, hitting more than a five year low with a high possibility that the precious metal could plunge to a detrimental US$1000 per ounce.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has taken note of this grave situation, already foreseeing prolonged hardship for miners and a crumbling economy. “Mining remains the largest creator of pri-

vate wealth among Guyanese and the current slump, if not checked, will result in poverty for many,” the body said in a release to the media. It noted that there is already a noticeable downturn in the economy of many hinterland mining communities such as Bartica, Port Kaituma, Mahdia, among others. Other communities such as Linden, Diamond, Beehive, Ann’s Grove, Essequibo Coast and other coastal communities where miners generally reside are also seriously affected as there is a visible reduction in the economic spending power.

Compounding the situation is the fact that, even as

prices continue to fall, the cost of production, particularly for the small and medium scale miners of gold and diamond remain largely unchanged.

“At the current price, miners are finding it extremely difficult to meet their obligations and the sector is now plagued with repossessions, of mining equipment and property, and defaulting bank payments as many of the smaller operations find it difficult to continue to subsidise the cost of production,” GGDMA stated.

The Association reminded too that the current gold price, combined with the unmoved cost of production, put at a risk not only the jobs of direct employees, but also the

thousands of other Guyanese who indirectly depend on the industry for a living.

“The GGDMA recognises the contribution that these companies can make to Guyana, but notes that the thousands of Guyanese in the local industry contribute far more in terms of gold production, spin off benefits and employment and should be entitled to assistance.”

“Small and medium scale miners, for the past few years, have been producing more gold than is currently projected to be produced by the large scale companies.” The new world market price could spell doom for many smaller operations which operate largely

through self-financing and on very narrow margins.

“The GGDMA members, who are mainly small and medium scale miners represent more than 90 per cent of the operations in the interior and almost all are financed via the personal pockets of the operators,” the release read.

Engaging the Government

In light of this grave situation, the GGDMA assures all miners that it is already engaging the Government of Guyana at the highest levels to discuss and offer suggestions that would ensure the industry survives these troubling times.

“The engagement is to be

seen as proactive and aimed at preventing the need for any bailout as the industry is heading into a recession,” it noted. The Association added that it will actively pursue the long outstanding issues and concessions that can aid in cushioning the gold price drop.

In the meanwhile, the GGDMA is calling on its members to continue to examine methods of cost saving and increased efficiency without any compromise in safety or sound environmental practice.

The Association also reminds miners to continue to sell their gold to the licensed dealers or the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) and to demand a receipt for gold sold.

Former Head of State Donald Ramotar

Former GTUC President and PPP/C Member of Parliament, Gillian Burton

Digicel Nationwide Schools Football reaches quarter-finals stage

Play in the Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition will continue today with quarter finals matches planned for three venues across Guyana.

Defending champion Christianburg / Wismar will aim to make it into the semifinal for a shot at their fourth title when they face Region Four Champion Annandale at the Wisburg Ground.

With the Linden based side growing in confidence after every game they will be depending on the likes of the skilful Omar Brewley, Dequan Hercules, Javon Bobb and goalkeeper Tevin Crawford who was big time during their last game.

However, Annandale’s search for a semi-final berth will rest on the shoulders of Damentry Grant, Trioni Semple and Jan Dooker.

Meanwhile last year’s second place finisher, Waramadong, will face Berbice High School at Burnham Park in Berbice.

This encounter is a stern test for the Waramadong side that has lost all three times in the final to the defending champs. Captain Mcferen George, Dean Rodrigues and Delman George will bare the

brunt of the work load in order for the three-time finalist to make the final.

Berbice High School’s quest for victory will be spearheaded by the likes of the prolific Shenar Arrindell

with support from Rawle Bourne, Tozu Aaron and Derick Taylor.

Two matches will be at the Track and Field Centre, Lenora as Chase Academy will tackle Charity and

Dolphin will face Annai. Chase Academy is the favourite to win their encounter, especially with the likes of the Kelsey Benjamin. Charity has some good players as well with Samson

Waramadong

Secondary and Berbice High School (BHS) will clash today at the Burnham Park in the 2015 quarter-finals of the Digicel National School Football Tournament.

Both schools stand a good chance going through to the national semifinals, although they appear to be opposites as they progressed in the fifth tournament this year. The three-time national finalists, Waramadong, entered this year’s tournament with only six players who participated in last year, while BHS is fielding the same team that participated in the fourth edition of the tournament.

The players from BHS boast that they have been a unit since 2013 when they participated in the National Pepsi U-15 Final, but this is nothing compared to the boys from Region Seven who live-in the school dormitory.

The progress in the tournament this year for both teams has been contrasting; Waramadong struggled to a 3-2 on penalty kicks win

over 3-Mile Secondary after a 2-2 draw in their first game and then beat Bartica Secondary 3-1 in the Region Seven final. In their playoff against the Region Five champions, Bush Lot Secondary, Waramadong had their best game when they won 6-1.

BHS on the other hand registered an 11-0 win again Canje Secondary in their opening game, and then followed it up with a 7-0 win against former regional champions New Amsterdam Technical Institute.

Port Mourant Training

Centre were their next victims, who they beat 4-3, and then in the regional final against Orealla, BHS won 2-1.

Waramadong played their first two games on a soft outfield in Bartica and had difficulty scoring but in their playoff against Bushlot the surface was hard. A visit to the Burnham Park where BHS was practicing say conditions similar to those at the Bartica Community Centre where Waramadong found it difficult to score.

Coach Lourie Thomas of the Waramadong Secondary

says the team trained very hard for this year’s tournament. He said the boys are more accustomed to playing on a sandy outfield. In peroration for this year’s tournament, Waramadong played eight practice matches.

“All was against seniors not junior players. We played against senior clubs in our area we had eight practice matches… we lost a couple of games, we drew a few and won some of them.”

He said that training starts at 5:00h from Mondays to Fridays and the

players get a two hour work out and then return to the field in the afternoon for another session.

Speaking about tactics that the school has employed, where only one forward was utilised and five midfielders, Thomas says the team will implement different strategies depending on the game. In rating the 2015 team as against the 2014 team which made it to the final, Thomas said this team is green to playing in conditions out of their home district with only six players having the experience.

Culpepper, Barry Fraser and Ariel Chester having the ability to cause some damage.

The Dolphin and Annai clash should see the latter moving forward in emphatic fashion. Dolphin lost to Sir Leon Lesson 9-0, but was reinstated after winning a protest against the lessons during the Georgetown zone final. However, Dolphin will have to improve in order to defeat the far superior Annai Secondary School. Shawn Mohamed and Malachi Nelson have been among the best players for them so far and they will have to play out of their skins to engineer a win. Annai ,on the other hand, is a very solid team both on the offensive and defensive ends of the field and skipper Garville Daniels and Naron Williams are a twoman wrecking crew and extremely potent in attack. All matches commence at 16:00h.

The team sports a striker in Leon McNaughton who will be a player to watch.

Meanwhile coach of BHS, Roshan Mokan, says that though injuries have affected preparations for Sunday’s playoff, he is confident that the team will give a good showing of themselves. Since being crowned Regional Champions the team has been engaged in morning and afternoon practice sessions. “One of the problems is that not everyone has been coming out.” Mokan is very confident in his captain, Derrick Taylor, who he says has done a very good job thus far in the competition in controlling the middle and creating scoring opportunities.

The Arrendell brothers, Randy and Shemar, will be the main force in the defence which BHS has proved good at. They will be supported by Kellon Castelo and Akeem Tucker. Mokan is also counting on two of his midfielders, Tozo Aaron and Mustapha Nicholson, to make a big impact on the game.

Sunday’s game is scheduled to start at 16:00h.

Bolt ready to beat Justin Gatlin at World Championships

Usain Bolt says he is “ready to win” at next month’s World Championships after securing 100m victory at the Anniversary Games in 9.87 seconds.

American Justin Gatlin has run the four fastest 100m times this year, setting a personal best of 9.74 in May.

But Bolt twice ran under 10 seconds at the Olympic Stadium on Friday to show he is coming back to form after injury.

“I was never number two, I am still number one. Until I retire that’s the plan,” said the double world champion.

“I was happy with what I did,” added the six-time Olympic champion who has struggled with a pelvic problem this year.

“I’m ready to go and I’m ready to win.”

With less than a month until the Jamaican defends his 100m and 200m world titles in Beijing, it was a confidence-boosting win for the 28-year-old.

Prior to Friday, Bolt had only once raced over 100m this year - a pedestrian 10.12 in Brazil in April - so there were those who questioned his ability to challenge Gatlin in August.

But he effortlessly won his heat

Usain Bolt

running into a headwind and while winning the final was more of a challenge, he still equalled his season’s best - produced in his heat earlier in the evening - which is the equal sixth quickest time of the year.

“Yeah, I had a poor start,” said Bolt of the final. “I need to work on that, but overall it was an OK race.

“My coach [Glen Mills] told me about my start. It was bad. I wanted to run faster and it threw me off but I’m getting there.”

Gatlin, a two-time drugs cheat, has run under 9.8 four times this year9.74, 9.75, 9.75, 9.78 - while Bolt has run just three races in the blue riband event in 2015.

But the fastest man in history is closer to the heels of Gatlin than many had previously thought.

“I don’t fear anyone,” he told BBC Radio 5 live sport.

“It’s all about hard work and dedication and pushing myself.”

The pelvic problem which forced him to withdraw from Diamond League meetings in Paris and Lausanne this month did not hinder him as he ran twice in 80 minutes on the first of a two-day Diamond League meeting in London.

“Anything is possible in Beijingit’s all about the effort you put in,” he added. “I’ve been running fast in training, but it’s easier in training because you’re under no pressure and you can execute well.”

Asked whether he planed to race again before starting the defence of his double sprint world titles on 23 August, Bolt said: “I don’t know. It’s all up to the coach. He’ll tell me if I need more meets.” (BBC Sport)

Barcelona will "fight" Premier League exodus, says President

European champions Barcelona will “fight” to stop the best players joining the Premier League, says the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The Premier League’s new £5.1bn television deal will give English clubs huge financial power from the 2016-17 season.

But European champions Barcelona feel they can combat the threat.

English media before Barcelona’s pre-season game with Manchester United in Santa Clara on Saturday, Bartomeu covered a range of issues.

Can Barca get even better?

“Last year was probably the best season in our history because we won everything. This year we have tried to work with the same team but also bring in some players who can give us a

“We are going to fight against the Premier League. We want to have the best players in our league,” Bartomeu told BBC Sport.

“It’s true that the Premier League right now is the best league competition in the world, not only in a sporting way but in terms of income too.”

In recent years, the Premier League’s top players, including Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez, have moved to La Liga with Spanish clubs keeping their top stars.

But the English league will get stronger from the new deal.

Bartomeu said: “The new Premier League television rights contract is something that the rest of the leagues have to follow.

“But no other club in the world has as big an income as Barcelona.”

Asked if that meant he would ever consider selling four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi, Bartomeu replied: “Ha. No, no, no, no.”

Bartomeu, 52, was elected last week to remain as Barcelona president for a six-year term.

In leading one of the world’s biggest clubs, who won an unprecedented second Treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, Bartomeu has a powerful voice within the game.

And speaking to the

bit more competition for places, like Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal.

“In our opinion, our team will be more competitive. This year we have six possible trophies - La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, World Club Cup - that we want to win. It’s not going to be easy but we are going to try.”

Will the Premier League’s TV deal make it harder for Barca to attract top players?

“The Premier League is a reference point. La Liga are learning a lot of things from them. We have a new law that obliges the clubs to sell all the TV rights jointly because we have to follow the Premier League.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid are the biggest clubs but others like Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla or Athletic Bilbao are doing a nice job.

“We want people to watch our competition, not only the Premier League. On an individual club basis, we know the competition is getting closer, not just with the Premier League but also Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich.”

Barcelona’s kit deal with Nike expires in 2018 and shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar Sports Development ends in 2016. Both are expected to lead to big increases in revenue. (BBC Sport)

Josep Maria Bartomeu has been Barcelona President for a year and a half

SHALOM ENTERPRISE 2 CROAL STREET, STABROEK. INQUIRE ABOUT OUR DRIVING PACKAGE & INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S PERMIT (JOIN US ON FACEBOOK) 2273869/622-8162/644-7052

GET SUCCESSFUL RESULTS AT YOUR EXAMS WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE

TUTOR FOR SSEE OR CXC ENGLISH.

CALL: 696-7467

GET SUCCESSFUL RESULTS AT YOUR EXAMS WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SSEE OR CXC ENGLISH. CALL: 696-7467

PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

TRAINING CERTIFICATE COURSE. 29 JUNE 2015; REGISTER NOW AND SAVE. CALL: 223-1506/6817567/694-8322

Private Custom’s brokers certificate training course. All importer/ exporters and others who trade is on the increase globally and locally. Learn how to prepare custom documents. Date :4th August 2015 (for three weeks). Classes from 2:004:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm (optional). For more information call:6948322 or 223-1506. Register early and save$$$

FOR SALE

Clean Garden earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977

20 tons heavy duty trailer – 2.7 million; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

Caterpillar skid loader 246B low hours – 6.6 MILLION; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

Caterpillar back hoe /loader with extended arm 8.6 million; Call: 6786022 or 613-9277

2002 Volvo dump truck heavy duty with Cummings engine low hours mileage 5.2kmi, 8.9 million; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer and HP scanner - $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

Lot 63 West Ruimveldt; Call Mark 618-9744

2 storey concrete house , 3 bedroom , 1 self contained, 1 laundry room, located at Mon Repos East Coast Demerara; 32.5 Million. Tel : 642-2116

One property Ogle, One property Anna Catherina, One property Good Hope. Contact: 222-3060/6735546/622-6448/679-0987

1 two Storey house , two bathroom, four bedroom. At Diamond Scheme Golden Grove. Price : $14 Million (negotiable). Call : 692 -8814 Furnish house, double lot with land for sale located at 328 Newtown Enmore, East Coast Demerara; Tel # 255-0147, Must see owner at above address. Asking 14 million (Guy) dollars (negotiable)

Two storied 22ft x 45ft transported concrete property. UPSTAIRS 2 bedrooms , kitchen, toilet, bath. DOWNSTAIRS SEPARATE 2 bedroom apartment, Fully grilled, Block ‘8’ Monrepos, ECD. 20 MILLION. TEL: 625-1514 OFFICE 321-7255

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

Repairs and spare parts for fridge, freezers, A/C, washers, gas stoves, etc. Call Nick tel # 683-1312 or 6273206

Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997

HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs

Prayer Line 322-5081,337-4510,3374259,337-4583,337-3070,337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business Call 612-6417, 6875653, 220-0708

TAxI SERVICES

GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking. Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089

Three Storey 75ft’x 30ft’ bldg, open floors, 2 offices, 2 washrooms, driveway. 25B Princess St, Charlestown. Tel : 223-0654, 225-0605

Two Self contained single bedroom furnished apartments for rental. Self contained 7 bedroom bungalow idea for family/ guests/ students local or overseas long/ short term rental. Contact # 622-7097 / 624-7111

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO

MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

Missing Champions Trophy could be wake-up call for Windies

West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron wants the almost-guarantee of missing a spot in the International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy in 2017, to serve as a wakeup call.

The West Indies have fallen behind both Bangladesh and Pakistan in the One Day International ranking, with the tournament catering to the top seven teams in the world and the hosts.

“We are probably about 90 per cent sure that we won’t make the Champions Trophy at this point in time because I’m not sure if you are aware, but Pakistan have actually beaten Sri Lanka in the series and have moved a couple a points ahead of us,” Cameron said. The president believes missing out on the tournament would be a direct result of the team’s inconsistency.

“It’s part and parcel of not performing year in year out that we have found ourselves in this position. All we (WICB) can say is that all our programmes have to be geared towards mak-

ing West Indies cricket better. I don’t think that we do,” Cameron said.

“It may be a wake-up call to some of our players. Yes, we have some talented players, we have some players who have done well for themselves, but as a team, as the West Indies cricket team, we have not done well enough,” he added. However, the West Indies have a chance to tussle with Pakistan for the final spot in the series, should the Tri-nation series that includes them and host nation Zimbabwe set for the August-September period go on as planned.

Red Steel advance...

Kallis was the second wicket to fall after the early departure of Cameron Delport, but then the Red Steel innings changed. Kamran Akmal 49 from 41 balls, and yet that 119.51 strike rate was wildly bigger earlier on in the wicket-keeper’s innings as the Pakistani went on a rampage. David Wiese was the victim, Akmal striking five consecutive boundaries as he amassed nearly a fifth of the run chase in less than an over.

Darren Bravo, a batsman in flying form, showed more than some evidence of the touch that he’s enjoying right now and one of his two sixes found the top of the stand at Queen’s Park Oval as the hosts looked like chasing down their target of 109 to win very quickly indeed.

Yet the Amazon Warriors did pull back their opponents as captain Ramdin let Narine, Bishoo and Permaul bowl out their allocations as he desperately searched for wickets. The match situation did look potentially interesting at brief moments, including when the Red Steel required 14 runs from 18 balls, but the hosts always had plenty in hand and they never seriously looked like coming up short at any stage.

Ramdin said: “This was not a pitch where you could blast it out. They bowled well but we had no partnerships and we kept losing wickets in blurts. I think we were short by 30-

35 runs.”

But the captain had no complaints about the bowling efforts of his team here or throughout this year’s tournament.

“Credit to our bowlers throughout the entire CPL – I think we bowled brilliantly. We just didn’t bat right, but hopefully we can regroup for next year.”

The captain also singled out Kamran Akmal, who was named the man of the match for his contribution to the Red Steel run chase.

“He took the initiative and changed the momentum of the game.”

Winning captain Dwayne Bravo said: “This really is a special feeling – you can’t ask for better than to play in front of your own fans. We had a very slow start at the be-

ginning of the tournament, but to perform like this is a great achievement.

“Before the game started I thought we were going to win this game. It was our gameplan to bowl first actually and everything went right.”

And Bravo also could not helpbut mention the partisan home crowd that will be cheering on the Red Steel to victory in Sunday’s final.

“The fans are the reason why we won this game. They put pressure on the opposition and they really are our 12th man. I know there will be another packed house on Sunday. We are looking forward to a good final – I’m very excited and we are going to deliver for our fans.”

(CPLT20.com)

We buy lands in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Farm, Herstelling, Uitvlugt and Elsewhere. C A l l: 675-7292 / 611-7223

Parfaite Harmonie $1.5 million, Tuschen $1.6 million, Linden/ Soesdyke highway -30 acres agricultural land $9 million. C A l l : 6757292 /611-7223

Experienced Supermarket Clerks & Cashiers. Apply in person with written application – Panglobal, 158 Barr St. Kitty

VACANCIES

Dave Cameron

WICB holds discussion with Minister Roopnaraine

President of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Whycliff “Dave” Cameron; VicePresident Emmanuel Nanthan; and WICB Director Anand Sanasie; held discussions with Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, last week to look at measures to improve cricket in Guyana.

According to a release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), “The Minister was thoroughly briefed on plans for Secondary and Primary School Cricket Leagues and the integration of secondary schools’ cricketers into the club system. Officials of the WICB visited Guyana during the tenure of the past Minister responsible for Sports, but not much was done in terms of cooperation to get school

cricket going.”

The WICB officials outlined their plans which were well received by the Minister who himself played cricket in his younger days.

Minister Roopnaraine expressed his delight to hear of the macro plans to improve cricket in the schools’ system in Guyana and the region at large.

Nauth’s Motor Spare’s 11-race cycling…

The cricket officials also assured the Minister that international cricket would return to Guyana in 2016 after almost three years. The specifics were agreed

to be discussed at a later date. Discussions were also held specifically on the controversial Cricket Administration Bill and its shortcomings.

The GCB release stated that President Cameron expressed his disappointment that the past Government’s commitment to amend the Act was not honoured.

Minister Roopnaraine promised to continue dialogue to ensure that a solution is found so that the business of cricket can take priority and the continued good performance of the national teams are enhanced.

In the past, the WICB had expressed its dissatisfaction and concerns about a Bill that sought to enforce its own constitution on the GCB Membership among other controversial issues.

Cameron and Nanthan were in Guyana for one of the WICB town-hall meetings intended to enlighten the general public about the work of the oldest regional institution and to listen to the concerns of regional stakeholders.

While in Guyana, they used the opportunity to meet with the authorities that would be able to assist in resolving some of the problems affecting cricket in Guyana.

“The WICB and GCB are also grateful that the new Minister of Education, who oversees Sports in our country, was eager to meet with officials of the WICB to plan strategies that would pave a way forward for cricket development in our country and region,” the GCB statement concluded.

Anthony wins as Team Gillette Evolution dominates

BY AVENASH RAMZAN

Nauth’s Motor Spares made its first dip into the sport of cycling on Saturday, but not for the first time Team Gillette Evolution dominated proceedings with its riders claiming some significant podium positions.

The 11-race programme, hosted on the inner circuit of the National Park, signalled the company’s entry into the cycle sport, and its owner Surendra Nauth was on hand to witness the riders display their skills and competitive juice.

Led by the ever-improving Lindener Michael Anthony, the men in white and black uniforms captured four of the six top positions in the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race, which featured some of the country’s leading wheelsmen.

Team Gillette Evolution kept a steady presence in

one hour, 18 minutes, 08.64 seconds (01h: 18m: 08.64s) when Anthony, who also collected five of the eight prime prizes, crossed the line.

Team Alanis’ Alonzo Ambrose finished third, while Akeem Wilkinson (Team Gillette Evolution), Paul DeNobrega (Team Alanis) and Orville Hinds (Team Gillette Evolution) round-

won the Juveniles race ahead of Kemuel Moses and Brighton John respectively. Seon Budhan took top honours in the Mountain Bike category, defeating Ozia McUally and Shane Daniels in that order, while Alexander Leung continued his rich vein of form in the BMX 6-9, winning ahead of Jessica Mohabir and Antone

the peloton, and towards the end of the race, Anthony and fellow teammate Stephen Fernandes pulled away from the pack.

Coming down the homestretch, none of the two riders made an attempt to sprint for the win. Instead, Fernandes eased his pace in the dying moments to allow his young partner to take the spotlight.

Race official Joseph Britton stopped the clock at

ed off the top six in that order. Ambrose won two prime prizes, while Fernandes took the other.

Earlier in the day, Toshawnna Doris won the 1214 Boys and Girls race, leaving Ronaldo Narine to take second spot, while Junior Niles, Shameer Baksh and Jaikaran Sookhai were 1-23 in the Veterans Under-50.

Linden Blackman was the only entrant in the Veterans Over-50, while Jamal John

Vanderburg.

Yannick John and Adealia Hodge were the respective winners of the BMX 9-12 and 12-14. At the presentation ceremony which followed National Coach and organiser of the activity, Hassan Mohamed, expressed gratitude to Nauth for coming onboard, adding that the sponsor has agreed to stage a road race later this year on the East Coast of Demerara.

Guyana Amazon Warriors support...

At the policy level, at the government level, I think we’ve come to the point where associations need to be supported more.”

The Guyanese will play their first game on July 30. The other participating countries are Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the Windward Islands.

The Jamaicans are the defending champions of the 40-over competition, while

Trinidad and Tobago cricketers are the reigning champions for the T20 version.

The Guyanese are looking to improve on their best-ever position of third, achieved in the 2008 competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Guyana squad reads: Kevin Douglas (Captain), Ganesh Singh (Vice-captain), Vishaul Mohabir, Leroy Phillips, Musa Haynes, Crystal

Aulder, Anthony Robinson, Gordon Sandiford, Douglas Tika, Ceion Rollex, Sean Mitchell, Teshawn Rodney, Malita Bailey and Relon Sumner.

Four officials will travel with the team and they are Theresa Pemberton (Manager), Patrick Howard (Coach), Desmond Fraser (Adjustment to Blind Technician) and Cecil Morris (Assistant Coach/ Physical Trainer).

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, with the WICB and GCB officials at his office last week

Winner Michael Anthony receives his trophy and prime prizes from Managing Director of Nauth’s Motor Spares, Surendra Nauth, in the presence of Hassan Mohamed and Joseph Britton

The top performers proudly display their trophies and prime prizes (Avenash Ramzan photos)

GBIT to put money on the road today

Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) will today have cash and other prizes up for grabs when the fifth annual GBTI Cycle Road Race pedals off from in front of the bank’s Corriverton outlet.

The annual event, which has been moved from a 50-miler to a 60-miler, is the Corriverton Branch’s signature community activity. The event will see cyclists riding off from in front of the GBTI at 8:00h and comprised of four categories –open males, females, beginners and BMX.

WICB Regional U-15 Tournament…

Guyana

triumphs Leeward

Islands by 7 wickets

BY RAJIV BISNAUTH

Asuperlative bowl-

ing performance and a cool Sachin Singh helped Guyana muster a seven-wicket win over the Leeward Islands in round two of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Under-15 one-day Tournament at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday.

Leeward Islands made 90 all out batting first, but that was nowhere near enough as the defending champions chased down that total with 24.4 overs to spear. They eventually ended on 94-3 off 25.2 overs.

The left-handed Singh anchored his innings to perfection and led Guyana’s run chase with an unbeaten 38, with three fours and a six.

The hosts’ bowling attack performed creditable to completely strangle the Leeward

um-fast bowlers Walters and Torrington. Torrington accounted for Smith, caught at mid-off while Walters bowled Hodge.

Thereafter panic took hold of the batsmen and the Guyanese spinners then discovered the turn available on the pitch. Elroy Francis made a fighting 15, but he was also bowled by off- spinner Umroa.

Left-arm spinner Balkishun also got into the act removing Zawanoi White for ten, while Umroa picked up his second wicket of Tariq Newman (2) to leave the visitors at 38-5.

Shaquon Pemberton and Miller then joined forces with the visitors in desperate need of a big partnership from the duo. However, a 23run partnership between the two was all that came about, as Pemberton was taken at deep mid-wicket off spinner Anderson for ten.

Islands batsmen, leaving Guyana with a chaseable total to overhaul. The bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to unsettle the Leeward Islands rhythm throughout the innings. The batsmen showed lack of application on what appeared to be a batting-friendly track, with only Paul Miller, who was the topscorer with 20.

Man-of-the-Match, Alphuis Bookie, was the pick of the bowlers with 3-8. Fellow medium pacer Qumar Torrington and off- spinner Kelvin Umroa picked up each, while Haifa Walters, Pradesh Balkishun and Kevlon Anderson shared one wicket apiece.

The Leeward Islands made first use of the wicket hoping to have the best of the batting, however it did not work out. Guyanese put the brakes on the scoring immediately by removing both openers Uri Smith (1) and Damien Hodge (4) within the first 12 overs.

Both batsmen fell to medi-

The race will commence in front of the Corriverton Branch and proceed to Number 37 Village in front of Nand Persaud Race Mills before returning to the point of origin. The female cyclists will commence at the Number 52 Bridge, while the BMX race will start

Number 74 Village Arch and finished at the bank. Cash and other incentives will be awarded to the first six finishers in the open category.

Defending champion Curt La Rose is expected to face stiff challenges from the rest of the field. And top fe-

male cyclist Marcia Dick is expected to have things her way on the distaff side.

The Manager of the Corriverton Branch, Keiola Blackman, says there will also be special incentives for riders from the Upper Corentyne who excel in the event.

Most of the junior riders who are expected to participate are from the Corriverton based Corskel Cycle Club. The event is also open to riders of Trojan Cycle Club and Flying Ace Cycling Club, which are both Berbice based organisations.

The struggle continued for the visitors when medium pacer Bookie bowled both Asher Muarry Cornelius (2) and Kerry Gokarran (0) in the 42nd over.

Torrington returned for his second spell and immediately removed Miller, while Bookie took the last wicket of Bogenarine Sharma for eight.

In reply the Guyanese reached the interval on 28 without loss with Robin Williams on 16 and Junior Sinclair on nine. The duo added a further ten runs before the hosts lost Williams for 19. Sinclair (10) and Boodie (4) also went in quick succession.

However, those wickets did not affect the momentum of Singh, who batted with great composure. He shared an unbroken fourthwicket stand of 44 runs with Anderson, who finished unbeaten on 15.

Guyana with 6.6 points will play Barbados on Monday in round three at the Everest Cricket Club.

Sachin Singh collects runs on the on-side

Red Steel advance to 1st CPL final as Amazon Warriors crumble under pressure

Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel caused Guyana Amazon Warriors to crack with the bat and then made fairly little fuss with the run chase to run out deserving winners in a must-win Eliminator match-up and earn a place in the final of the Caribbean Premier League against current holders Barbados Tridents.

The hosts lost the toss but Red Steel captain Dwayne Bravo was not concerned. Amazon Warriors opener Lendl Simmons cracked the first two balls of the innings to the boundary and plundered 12 runs from the first over, but that was the highlight for Guyana as their innings halted and then quite spectacularly unravelled under intimate examination from the slower bowlers of the Red Steel attack.

Jacques Kallis bowed with customary economy to haul momentum back for the Red Steel, while Sulieman Benn was unplayable at times as he claimed 2/24 from his four overs. Yet

the pick of the bowlers was Samuel Badree, who completed his allocation with figures of 2/9 – including one maiden – in a fine spell of bowling as the Amazon Warriors ground to a halt.

Brad Hodge departing for four runs from four balls was a significant blow, while

the promoted Sunil Narine and Umar Akmal were both dismissed for ducks as Denesh Ramdin’s team lost four wickets – and top order wickets – for just six runs.

Christopher Barnwell was the only batsman to reach double figures bar Simmons, who performed

heroically for his team in adverse circumstances. While his contribution was ultimately a losing one, the opener became the all-time leading run-scorer in CPL history courtesy of his 64 from 51 balls, and his knock was absolutely pivotal in the Amazon Warriors reaching

treble figures for the innings and indeed batting out the overs.

On a pitch that seemed to offer ample assistance for the spinners - and up against a vaunted spin attack including Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and Narine – a facile Red Steel run chase was not a forgone conclusion.

Guyana Amazon Warriors innings (20 overs maximum)

LMP Simmons run out (Mohammed/Cooper) 64

TA Griffith c Botha b Cooper 5

D Ramdin*†c & b Benn 6

BJ Hodge c DM Bravo b Badree 4

SP Narine b Badree 0 Umar Akmal c Kallis b Benn 0

CD Barnwell run out (DJ Bravo/†Kamran Akmal) 12

D Wiese c & b DJ Bravo 5

V Permaul c sub (JPR Scantlebury-Searles)b DJ Bravo 1 M de Lange not out 2

D Bishoo not out 2

Extras (b 2, lb 4, w 1) 7

Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 108

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-50, 3-55, 4-55, 5-56, 6-77, 7-87, 8-101, 9-101

Bowling: DJ Bravo 3-119-2, JH Kallis 3-0-16-0, KK Cooper 3-0-14-1, DYA

And the Amazon Warriors made a good start, restricting their opponents to 9/1 from the first three overs, and a run-out chance to dismiss Jacques Kallis not taken.

Davis 3-0-20-0, SJ Benn 4-024-2, S Badree 4-1-9-2. Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel innings (target: 109 runs from 20 overs) JH Kallis c Umar Akmal b Bishoo 8

CS Delport b Permaul 3 Kamran Akmal† b Narine 49

DM Bravo c Simmons b de Lange 22 DJ Bravo* not out 8

JN Mohammed not out 17

Extras (w 2) 2

Total (4 wickets; 18.3 overs) 109 Did not bat: KK Cooper, J Botha, DYA Davis, S Badree, SJ Benn Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-48, 3-78, 4-85 Bowling: V Permaul 4-0-20-1, M de Lange 4-0-16-1,

Guyana Amazon Warriors support Guyana's blind cricket team

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

It has become crystal clear over the last few weeks that the Guyana Amazon Warriors are more than just a group of cricketers hunting victories in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and entertaining their large fan-base in Guyana and the diaspora. During their four home games a week ago, the Denesh Ramdin-led Amazon Warriors were willing to put aside their tools of trade and dispense their vast knowledge to dozens of eager, young aspiring Guyanese

cricketers.

It was the type of ‘innings’ that brought joy to the youths, and left them with a desire to aim for the highest level.

On Friday, the Amazon Warriors franchise played yet another master-class, this time batting for the Guyana Blind Cricket Association's cricket team,

which is set to compete in the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WICCBVI) eighth regional blind cricket championship in St Lucia this week.

The Amazon Warriors, two-time runners-up of the CPL, chipped in with a cash incentive of $100,000 to help the blind cricketers offset

their expenses for the tournament, which will be contested in two formats: 40over and T20.

Vice-captain of the team, Ganesh Singh, was grateful for the assistance, noting that securing financial support for blind cricket in Guyana has always been a bugbear. With the Amazon Warriors assistance pack-

age, the national cricketers are now approximately $400,000 short of realising the $4.7 million budget.

They have received significant support from various businesses and individuals, as well as the government, which presented $2 million to assist with the purchase of tickets.

In an interview on Friday, Singh revealed that the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GuyBCA) has had to resort to players moving around with donation forms to solicit funds from the public to ensure all areas of the budget are covered.

In terms of financial support from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the various territorial boards, Singh pointed out that the GuyBCA receives US$10,000 annually, which goes mostly to gear and encampment. He dubbed the WICB’s assistance package as “minimal support.”

With regards funding

to compete in the regional tournament, Singh was quick to point out that the national team does not receive such from the WICB. However, the national team did receive G$50,000 from the Guyana Cricket Board for this year’s competition. However, Singh is of the firm belief that much more can do done by the stakeholders in terms of financial support for blind cricket. He posited, “It’s just not just a set of blind people going out there making fools of themselves, it’s a professionally played sport, and it’s not just competitive cricket for these people, it’s a vehicle for the empowerment of them- building their self-esteem, their confidence and so on, and we’ve seen the fruits of blind cricket, like myself. Blind cricket was the reason I came out of my home, and I’m now all over the place doing a lot of things. WICCBVI and the local cricket boards need to do a lot more.

Guyana Amazon Warriors representative, Alisha Alli (centre), presents the cheque to Vice-captain of the team, Ganesh Singh. Sharing the moment are (from left) Amazon Warriors Project Manager Mark Sookhai, national player Gordon Sandiford and Adjustment to Blind Technician, Desmond Fraser (Avenash Ramzan photo)

Jubilation by the Red Steel as Amazon Warriors crumble to a measly total of 108