The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic from
Wednesday, May 20 - 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, May 21 - 05:00h-06:30h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, May 20 – 05:15h-06:45h and Thursday, May 20 – 05:15h-06:45h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:
Wednesday, May 20 - 05:00h and 16:00h
Thursday, May 20 - 06:00h and 16:00h
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning, with heavy rain showers dominating throughout the afternoon. Thundery showers with return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres per second.
High Tide: 05:38h and 18:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.76 metres and 2.58 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 11:39h and 23:52h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.
Mahdia pit cave-in... Injunction blocked GGMC from shutting down illegal operations …
3 bodies identified, 3 still missing
By Vahnu Manikchand
ays after a mining pit collapsed at Mowsie Backland, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is reporting that the operations at the site was illegal, but it was prevented from shutting it down due to a court injunction.
The mining regulatory body also said that during an inspection of the mining site following Sunday’s tragedy, it was observed that the owner was in breach of basic safety standards. Ten people have been killed and seven others escaped when the pit caved in. Up to press time, three of the 10 were still
trapped in the pit. Three of the bodies recovered have been identified so far.
According to the GGMC, they were made aware of the illegal operations since August 2013 but the owner, Imran Khan, had obtained an injunction from the High Court, barring the GGMC from taking any action again him and his mining activities.
“The summons in the matter has not been determined. Therefore, the injunction has continued and has been in force against GGMC since 21st August, 2013. The Guyana Geology and Mines is thus prohibited from interfering with the mining operation of the Plaintiff,” the statement detailed.
The GGMC explained that on August 8, 2013, the Commission received a complaint from one Edward Hopkinson, owner of mining permits H-78/MP/000 and H-79/MP/000, who claimed that Khan was mining on one of his properties without the necessary approval. Following an investigation a few days later, it was found that there were several breaches in compliance with the mining regulations.
Consequently, the Commission issued two legal documents to Khan – a Ceased Work Order and an Order to remove within 48
hours. However, on August 21 that same year, Khan obtained an Injunction against Hopkinson and the GGMC. The Commission was the second named defendant on
the legal order, which restrained the GGMC from interfering with the operator’s use of SD No 12126, SD No 12127, SD No 12128 and SK Kobelco Excavator, until the hearing and determination of the matter, which is still ongoing in the Court.
Furthermore, the Commission noted that on April 1 this year, a team of officers were inspecting operations in the Pepper Creek, Konawaruk area and found the mine operated by Khan was still unsafe and breached several aspects of the Mining Regulations.
“Attempts were made by the technical officers to advise/sanction the personnel at the site, but they were reminded of the injunction and as such, legally, no further action could have been taken,” the statement added. On the issue of the mining pit that caved in on Sunday killing 10 men and injuring seven others, officials from the GGMC went to conduct investigation at the site. They found that the operator failed to adhere to standard safety practices when mining is progressing beyond 50 feet in depth. It was also pointed out that the pit limits were too narrow to allow for safe operation utilising the current method of mining. TheGGMC highlighted that in cases like this, when the courts grant such in-
junctions; the Commission is hindered from effectively carrying out its lawful functions of monitoring and inspecting mining operations within the sector. “(This) regrettably, led to the demise of the 10 miners,” the statement noted.
Survivors
According to the GGMC, management had sought to have this situation reviewed. This proposition was supported by the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry and the GGMC Board of Directors, however nothing substantial was done.
The survivors of the incident include Sheldon Adams, Andrew Lazarus,
five bodies were initially retrieved and flown to Georgetown on Tuesday morning. They were taken to the
tified. However during the course of Tuesday, two other unidentified bodies were identified and are to be flown to the city by this morning. Relatives turned up at the funeral home with a glimmer of hope that their loved ones were among those who survived but instead, confirmed their worst fears.
Henry Xavier, Regan Greene, Alex Greene, Shawn Xavier, and an unidentified man. Following the incident, an intense search was conducted and
Lyken Funeral Parlour where only three were iden-
The mining camp where the incident took place
Dead: Raymond AugustDead: Bobby Brittlebank
Dead: Michael Gardener turn
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Shrouded in controversy, the 2015 elections results were announced last Saturday placing the APNU+AFC coalition in the seat of government. The new government is beginning to take shape with the appointment of ministers and other top government officials.
The general situation in Georgetown and its environs seems to be getting back to some sense of normalcy. Georgetown literally ground to a halt during the week of elections. School children, especially those sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Exams, were affected.
Businesses also took a beating as there was a feeling that there would have been a breakout of violence in the commercial areas of the City and other areas. Except the unrest in Sophia, there was general peace and quietude around the country.
Guyanese want to move on with their lives without being fearful that they would be attacked. However, while the country may be gradually returning to normalcy, this does not mean that the many critical issues which were brought to the fore by the political parties, and which no doubt had an impact on the outcome of the elections should be ignored.
The task of running the State must go on but there are numerous questions which GECOM still has to answer to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, especially the ordinary citizens who had a passion to vote for a government of their choice.
It is now public knowledge that the leaders and supporters of the PPP/C feel that they were cheated out of office. Whether this is true or not, GECOM has an obligation to ensure that all such concerns are addressed fully. One cannot dismiss these allegations easily as such approach would have a negative impact in relation to the level of confidence persons place in the elections machinery and governance systems as a whole.
From the evidence gathered so far, it looks as if the PPP/C has a strong case for an elections petition to challenge the results. The party has every right to take the matter to the courts to determine whether these elections truly reflected the will of the people.
An election is about the will of the people. It’s an exercise of their freedom to choose their government and representatives. To dismiss the importance and significance of these alleged cases of fraud is to disregard the sanctity of the democratic rights of the citizens.
The PPP/C is alleging that after the counting and the transfer of Statements of Poll to the DROs, and then on to GECOM, something happened that might have altered the results in favour of the coalition. One must note also that it was the Chief Elections Officer who told the nation during a live press conference that fake Statements of Poll were detected.
There were a number of questions being raised about the entire elections process. GECOM has merely provided vague statements in response to the concerns of PPP/C and other key stakeholders. No one really told the nation how many of these fake SOPs were found, for which box and which division and whether the votes for political parties corresponded with the authentic SOPs.
The discovery of even one fake Statement of Poll should have triggered a forensic audit immediately that involved all parties, including the Observers. There should have been an inquiry immediately to find out how and by whom these fraudulent SOPs were introduced within the architecture of GECOM.
Given the issues raised in relation to the elections results, many persons are still of the view that GECOM should not have allowed a declaration of the results to go ahead without comprehensively discounting that these fake SOPs had no influence on the outcome.
In addition to the PPP/C moving to the courts to determine if the elections were a reflection of the will of the people, the party must also register its strong objection to the performance of the international community and the Observers Groups tasked with overseeing the process here.
From what we gather they were more concerned about GECOM releasing the results early as against ensuring the integrity of the elections and securing the democratic rights of citizens. That said, we believe that GECOM is faced with a huge challenge of regaining public confidence in the work it does.
Seeing isn’t everything!
Who says you’re limited when you cannot see? Perseverance
for the Blind;
your
Dr Hinds did not get Ms Musa’s memo
Dear Sir,
I read Dr David Hinds’ gushing letter on May 18 and could not help but be enthused by his enthusiasm of
the coalition’s victory.
I expect UN Coordinator Khadija Musa to castigate him for his references to African Guyanese and
African Guyanese Sisterin and Brethren, since Ms Musa has decided that we must all only be Guyanese without “divisive” racial identities. Obviously, Dr Hinds did not get Ms Musa’s memo. Ryhaan Shah
The Indian presence in Australia, Guyana and America
Dear Editor, Indians (or other South Asians and Indo-Fijians) and Asians (Orientals – Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodians, Indonesians, Filipinos, etc) are transforming Australia in much the same way they are transforming large swaths of America investing their wealth and skills or how Guyanese have been changing parts of America with their presence and bringing their wealth and talent to propel industries.
Of late, the Chinese and Indians have transferred huge amounts of wealth into Australia somewhat similar to Guyanese who brought wealth and their skills to America.
As in America, IndoAustralians come from a variety of countries just like how Indian Americans come from several countries. When I first visited Australia in 1995, there were few Indians and other Asians; prejudice and palpable racism was very evident in my movements everywhere.
But in a trip last April, I was shocked at the demographic transformation of Australia. At every turn, there were Indians and Chinese (Asians) and countless Chinese and Indian restaurants and shops. And similar to America, Indians own and or manage hotels, corner stores and newsstands.
Shockingly, I also saw the fluttering of Jhandis, one of which caught my attention in the backyard of a home
on the outskirts of Sydney similar to those flown by Guyanese in New York. It could be a Fijian Hindu home. But there are also a handful of Guyanese and Trinis in Australia.
Indians and other South Asians account for just about two per cent of the population of Australia; Asians (including South Asians) over 12 per cent. They are the fastest growing groups in Australia, as they are in America, which has occurred mostly through immigration.
They were welcomed with their money and skills and are viewed as an asset to the country. Once a person has money to invest, Australia will not turn him away. Asians (including Indians) buy huge amounts of property in the country.
Indians were first brought to Australia by the British during the early 1800s to work on cotton and sugar plantations, similar to how Indians came to Guyana, though they were not indentured laborers. Some also came as camel drivers for transporting goods across the desert.
After finishing their contract, many remained as small businessmen, merchants and hawkers, selling goods between small rural communities; jobs were difficult to obtain because of their limited skills and the racial prejudice.
Recently, however, just like Guyanese, Indians came as students (and stay on after
finishing) or as professionals (medicine, engineering, commerce and information technology, constituting a model minority) following a similar pattern as Indo Guyanese in America – laborers, students, professionals as a model community.
It is noted that a significant number of Indians are from Fiji – most came after the 1987 coup that toppled the democratically elected Indian majority government.
At one time, there were more Indo-Fijians than nationals from India, but that has changed in the last twenty five years with more of the latter than former. However, the two groups get along well and do inter-marry just as they do in America.
As in America, most Indians live on the East Coast in the big cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. But some are scattered in other cities like Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, etc.
As in America, they have established their religious institutions. There are temples and masjids. The Hindus have held on to their religious traditions celebrating various festivals as they do in Guyana.
I was directed to the home of an Indo-Guyanese on the outskirts of Sydney by Guyanese couple in Toronto who I met in the city. Hindus and Muslims celebrate their various festivals at temples and masjids or at the homes of relatives and friends as
Guyanese do in America. The various nationals live relatively peacefully and in harmony with the White and native Australian population.
A time line of the Indian presence in Australia on wikipeda shows Indians came to Australia as early as 300AD. It noted that Indonesian Hindu merchants make contact with Australian Aborigines.
In 1788, Indian crews from Bay of Bengal came to Australia on trading ships. In 1816, domestic servants in European households left the port of Calcutta to take up labouring work in Sydney.
In 1844, P Friell who had previously lived in India, brought 25 domestic workers from India to Sydney and these included a few women and children. In the 1850s, a Sindhi merchant, Shri Pammull, built a family opal trade in Melbourne that has prosperously continued with his third-to fourth-generation descendants.
In 1857, the census showed a small Indian presence in the state of Victoria. The gold rush years attracted many Indians to Australia and across the borders to the gold mines in Victoria.
Serval also stayed behind in trading trips. In 1893, the census showed Indians were living in the state of New South Wales. In 1921, the census showed the presence of Indians in Queensland. By 1921, there were some 2200 Indians in Australia.
continues on page 5
determines
limits. Tyeisha Gillyard (L), from the Overbrook School
Esmeralda Chavez (C), from the New York Institute for Special Education; and Kelsey Lora, from the New York Institute for Special Education, compete in the girls 75-yard dash during the 68th annual Eastern Athletic Association for the Blind track and field tournament at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts May 16 (Reuters)
Let’s work together for peace, eradication of poverty
Dear Mr President,
The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), its President, Deputy President and Executives wish to express our sincere congratulations to you on the assumption of the Presidency of the Republic of Guyana.
We send our warm congratulations to the members of the APNU-AFC coalition on the victory at the 2015 polls.
As you embark upon your new and challenging responsibilities, we wish to assure you and your administration of our continued friendship, and our support for all humanitarian causes, the sick, elderly, poor, homeless, disabled, the orphans and all other causes that de-
mand our sympathetic interest to which we subscribe.
It is our considered opinion that you are blessed by the Almighty at a critical time in Guyana’s history to be given the mantle of leadership that augers well for the unification of our nation and the healing of the divisions that engrossed our political landscape.
We look forward Sir, with the help of God in working with you and your administration to developing a close relationship that will concert our efforts in the cause of peace, the eradication of poverty, and the achievement of brotherhood for all the citizenry of Guyana.
Fazeel M Ferouz President-CIOG
The Indian presence in Australia, Guyana...
In 1971, Swami Prabhupada arrived in Australia and founded first Hare Krishna center in Sydney. In 1977, three Indians – Dr Prem Shankar, Dr Padmanabn Shrindhar Prabhu and Dr Anand – bought an old house in Auburn, NSW for $12,000.00 and converted it into a temple.
It was called the Sri Mandir Temple, was built, similar to how Guyanese started temples (and Masjids) in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. The 1981 census showed there were some 45,000 Indians (mostly Hindus) in the entire country.
The population grew slowly thereafter. By 2001, the number of Indians surpasses 100,000. By 2006, it was over 150,000. By 2011, it was way over 300,000. And now it is way over 400,000.
When the Indians became somewhat affluent, they summed up money and built their own temples from scratch (with Indian architecture) as was also done in America and was done in Guyana right after indenture ended.
As is the case for IndoGuyanese Americans, cultural and religious connections, through festivals and concerts, worshipping in masjids and temples, community gatherings and shopping districts, etc, have helped the Indians to preserve their identity.
There are several Indian (Hindu and Muslim organizations) and the Indian and Muslim groups maintain a separateness as is the case also in America; there is an apartness among Muslim groups from various countries (with Indian and Arab Muslims having their own religious institutions) as is observed in New York.
The level of education of Indians is extremely high in terms of academic degrees,
UN ready to support Guyana to promote respect for diversity, national unity
Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter titled, “Diversity is a celebration of life”, published in the Guyana Times letter column dated May 18.
I would like to reaffirm that I believe that cultural heritage is very important to a plural society like Guyana’s. However, Guyanese
should not allow their ethnic identity to divide the nation.
It is evident from current conflicts around the world, the devastation such divisions can lead to, examples of which can be seen today in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Successive governments in Guyana have in -
vited the UN to support national efforts to enhance social cohesion and unity.
In this regard, the UN in Guyana stands ready to work with all the people of this country to support the promotion of respect for diversity, intercultural dialogue and understanding, and na -
tional unity. Hence, my message is that it is important for political leaders and citizens alike to advocate to unite the country, while celebrating its beautiful cultural diversity.
Khadija Musa UN Resident Coordinator
“Rise for Democracy and Unity”
Dear Editor,
Now that the 2015 General and Regional Elections are over and we have been removed from office under unfair circumstances, our Facebook group page will no longer be called "We for President Donald Ramotar" and now be renamed "Rise for Democracy and Unity".
page 4
the highest among varied ethnic groups, even higher than White Australians, similar to America where Indians are the most highly educated among all ethnic groups.
A recent report noted that Indo-Australians, like IndianAmericans, have the highest proportion of postgraduate qualifications.
The report reveals that Indians are professionals in community services – working as medical personnel, surgeons, psychiatrists, social workers, counsellors, nursing sisters, engineers, teachers, IT computer specialists, and science technicians – it is a pattern similar to that in America and Britain.
Many are also in managerial and semi-professional jobs that include wholesale and retail trade and management of restaurants and hotels. But the bulk of Indians are at the bottom of the economic ladder doing menial jobs.
And quite a number of them are employed as home care attendants as is the case in America among Indo-Guyanese females. Unemployment is extremely low among Indians as is also the case with most Orientals; some work more than one job as is also the case in America.
They are very productive similar to their work ethic in America even among IndoGuyanese. As in America, Indians are one of, if not the, highest income earning groups in Australia and they contribute significantly to the tax coffers of the national as well as various state governments.
As in America, the Indians have had a difficult but fruitful experience in Australia. It has been a tough but productive life and as has been the case for America they are grateful for the government allowing them to settle.
Vishnu Bisram
We believe that more than half of the country voices were not heard in the 2015 elections and as such we must keep our presence and let our voices continue to be heard on every platform, in-
cluding social media.
Our goal is to make this group a place where everyone in Guyana but more specifically the supporters of the PPP/C can be heard and share their views on Guyana politics and how it is affecting them in their daily lives.
More importantly this is a special place for people who are currently being molested, harassed, victimized and bullied by supporters of the current Government. Please share your experiences here and we will do our best to protect your rights. Our aim is to create a
unified group of all races, cultures and class that reflects fair minded and civilized Guyanese who cares about their country, embraces democracy and want to see the best for Guyana.
We will not accept any form of racism, whether it’s direct or implied. The PPP/C is a party that has always bears the burden of wrong doers and still has the dignity to forgive and move forward in the interest of all.
And finally this is a group that will seek to find our roots back to the founding father (Cde Cheddi
Jagan) and strengthen the core of who we truly are as Guyanese and take strength from him.
I have decided to let the members of the group be the main contributors with less of my sentiments. However, since I have gained a following I have created my Public Page (Malcolm Watkins, Public Figure) as a place for my political views where my followers can like and follow. Join us on Facebook and be heard! Long live the PPP/C!
Malcolm Watkins
Concerns in the APNU/AFC camp
Dear Editor, Reliable sources suggest that the political partners in the APNU/AFC coalition are becoming increasingly concerned that they are being sidelined by the major partner, the PNC, in the aftermath of the May 11 elections.
Since the elections and the swearing in of President David Grainger, there has been no meeting of the Executive of the APNU faction of the APNU/AFC coalition to discuss issues relative to the running of the government.
The APNU partners, it is understood, are even more concerned that the process of selection of Cabinet members and members of other positions in the new government has begun without them even being privy or part of the discussions surrounding these discussions and decisions.
The parties, sources say, are concerned that this is not a good sign for the future of the coalition if the PNC will continue to operate in this manner.
Michael Brown
Ogle Airport up in arms against land grabbers
The newly-elected A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has reiterated its call against the sudden upsurge of land grabbing activities in the country.
Standing firmly by its side is the management of the Ogle Airport which is threatening to use law enforcement intervention into the situation. A statement from the Airport explained that residents have begun squatting on Airport land
any person found unlawfully entering the Airport,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, APNU/ AFC Executive Member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, during an interview with the Guyana Times , reiterated the Government’s call against the widespread squatting, cautioning residents to desist from engaging in such unlawful activities. Roopnaraine could not comment on what the current administration intends to do to address this issue, but he assured the
Since David Granger, the Leader of the APNU+AFC coalition, has been announced to be Guyana’s new President, citizens particularly along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara turned out in large numbers and hastily rushed to abandoned Guysuco lands to start squatting.
The land grabbers have already declared their reluctance to stop, claiming that the Government, particularly the new President, promised to represent the
and were warned that legal action will be taken by management, if necessary, to bring this to an end.
The statement noted that the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Civil Aviation Authority have been notified of the development, and legal actions will be taken where necessary.
“Ogle Airport Security will apprehend, and hand over to the Guyana Police Force,
general public that the Government will ensure that everyone will, during the course of time, be provided with land; therefore, there is no need for any conduct of this kind. He strongly condemned “this type of aggressive behaviour” as he asked the embittered residents to give the Government adequate time to settle-in before it sets out to address those pressing issues.
rights of the poor people. The Guyana Times recently visited some areas along the East Coast of Demerara where defiant residents maintained that they will not retreat from marking their territories on unoccupied lands because they are determined to hold Granger to his word.
According to the residents, they expect Granger to allow them to have the lands, in keeping with his
promise to provide for the poor people of the nation. “I need it. We all need lands. I live at renting home and I can’t afford it because I have two children and they go to school. The expense alone is just too much. Granger said vote for a change. He promised we better, so now we need it and he got to give we. We not moving from here,” Devi Raghubir said.
Thus far, residents estimate that approximately 500-1000 individuals have already began squatting on the Guysucuo lands which stretch from Vryheid’s Lust to Chateau Margot. “We want house lots. We need house lots. We got to get this place for house lots. We nah move from here. Five years now, nuff people here complain that they apply for house lot and they never get. We can’t afford to be paying rent every month. It nah easy so we want this place to build house,” Sahadeo Baijnauth, another squatter, related.
A father of four, Fyouse Shakair, explained that Granger promised the poor people of the country a better life and that many residents are looking up to him to fulfil those promises, either by allowing the residents to keep the lands that they already marked or offering it up for sale at an affordable price of around $100,000.
“When he was campaigning he said that this country has enough wealth for everybody. So I want him to do that and make sure the poor people look after. We fed up. Its long now poor people suffering,” he stated.
Using himself as a “classic” example of the struggles of poor people in Guyana, Shakair said
APNU/AFC Executive Member
Dr Rupert Roopnarine
“I working at Guysuco for nine years now. I apply for house land since 2008 and it take me long to get land. When I finally get it, I can’t afford it. The land they give me is $800,000.
Where I gon get the money for that. I don’t work for much. I can’t afford that. I have four children to mind. I live in a renting home. I don’t mek nuff money,” he vented off.
Additionally, some residents complained that the poor people of the country have been neglected for quite too long and it is time for them to stand up for their rights. “It’s too long. We want change. They give lands to all them big people and them big rich businessman, and they don’t give to we nothing. We don’t have a life? Why we can’t get house? We need it more than them. I want Granger to listen to we and keep his promise,” a mother of six blurted out.
This publication understands that hundreds of eager residents have also been illegally claiming lands on the East Bank of Demerara, particularly in the villages of Diamond and Grove.
Higher pay for public servants a guarantee – Harmon
Acting Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Joseph Harmon said that high on the agenda of the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government is a higher salary scale for public servants, and it will materialise.
“We believe that (for) a quality public service, you have to pay better. They (the public service workers) must be properly rewarded for their work.” He said it was the coalition’s opinion that better pay would result in less corruption which would enable the country to become better.
“The increases in the 100-day plan is a commitment which we gave to all the people who provide public service, which we will provide to get a proper public service.”
Money which was previously placed in the Consolidated Fund will furnish the salary increases, according to Harmon. He was at the time speaking during an interview with the National Communications Network on Monday, Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. He said, “We believe there is still a high level of corruption, and if we are able to reduce that, we can find the money to pay. Our economists have looked at the situation very carefully and said to us that we are capable of finding the money for paying these people.”
Asked about the Public Procurement Commission, Harmon said this unit will
be established as soon as possible. “There is no reason why the Public Procurement Commission cannot be established. We are respectful of our Constitution and the ‘no objection’ (as obtained previously) is not what we support.”
LGEs
There are also plans to conduct long overdue Local Government Elections (LGEs) according to the acting HPS. “We will announce a date. We had protested in front of Parliament and we will name a date, we believe that is an essential plank of our local democracy, which will ensure that a more informed electorate will come forward to vote for a party.”
During its campaign, the APNU/AFC touted its Ministerial Code of Conduct, and this Harmon said will be used to hold Government Ministers accountable for their actions.
“We believe that if you are a Minister, there must be some kind of code,” he observed, “which monitors the conduct which should be above board, which conforms with international best practices that say to the people that you are committed to serving them and not yourself. All of the APNU/ AFC MPs will subscribe to the code.”
Other issues such as the Berbice Bridge toll, the reduction of the President’s pension and the return of the television station to the people of Linden, will be sorted over the coming weeks, he said.
A crowd of residents turned out to mark their territories on abandoned Guysuco lands
APNU/AFC allocation of ministerial responsibilities: Harmon, Nagamootoo share powers in Assembly
By Michael younge
President David Granger’s decision to create a new Government Ministry headed by retired Colonel Joseph Harmon could see the sharing of powers by him and Prime Minister elect Moses Nagamootoo in the Legislature and Executive as a whole.
Nagamootoo, according to the Cummingsburg Accord which was signed by the Alliance For Change and A Partnership for National Unity ahead of the coalition agreement, was expected to look after the domestic affairs of the country while chairing the Cabinet. He was also expected to make recommendations for ministerial appointments while providing organisational structures for Ministries to be approved by President Granger.
Additionally, the Prime Minister elect was slated to appoint heads of agencies and non-constitutional commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appointment; and domestic security.
Nagamootoo, who is still to be sworn in, was also expected to be the Government’s Chief Legislator in Parliament and be fully in charge of the Government’s business. This means that he would also take full responsibility for the legislation to be piloted by the Office of the President (OP) and act on the President’s behalf as his most senior representative in Parliament.
However, Granger on Monday announced that Harmon would be the Minister-in-Charge of the affairs of the Office of the President which would be renamed Ministry of the Presidency. President Granger also confirmed that Harmon would act the Minister of State in Parliament and will function under his direction and instruction. “Some departments will continue, some
Canadian High Commission congratulates new Government
The Canadian High Commission has extending its congratulations to the newly elected Government and the Guyanese people on holding a peaceful 2015 General and Regional Elections.
In a press release from the High Commission of Canada, Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles stated, “On behalf of all Canadians, I congratulate the Guyanese people on holding democratic and peaceful Regional and
General Elections. Your participation in such great numbers on May 11, 2015, was a testament to how Guyana values democracy.”
She further went on to extend congratulations to President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on their victory, and said she looked forward to working with the Guyanese Government to continue to advance economic growth, increase security and stability and broaden people-to-people
links within the region.
International observers, including the Organisation of American States, the Commonwealth, Caricom, the Carter Center and the Union of South American Nations, observed the entirety of the electoral process and have found that the elections were done in a free and fair manner.
The High Commissioner, therefore, calls on all political parties to respect the democratic choice made by the Guyanese people, and to lead by example.
Bandits grab $32M in Annandale home invasion
Two gunmen on Tuesday morning carted off some $32 million in cash in a brazen robbery at a businessman’s premises in Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara.
According to Police, about 11:00h Tuesday, two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm, entered the premises of a businessman at Courbane Park, and held up the housekeeper Nandrani Manick, 59, of Mon Repos, ECD and handyman Ulric Fingall, 20.
The housekeeper and handyman were reportedly tied up and the perpetrators ransacked the home and took $15 million and US$85,000 before making good their escape. When Guyana Times visited the crime scene on Tuesday afternoon, there was a large presence of security men who were all armed, guarding the gates and the building.
The house where the robbery took place
Upon enquiry, this publication was told that the businessman was not at home and was expected to be gone for a short while. However, a relative who spoke to this publication under conditions of anonymity said that the housekeeper and the handyman were the only two persons present at home when the incident occurred. As such, he related that the two are in custody
will remain, but the most important thing is that we ensure there is no disruption, simple. Comrade Harmon will be doing the job that Dr Luncheon did, with some exceptions, he won’t be doing NIS (National Insurance Scheme), but as far as OP is concerned, he is Minister-inCharge,” Granger is quoted as saying.
Additionally, Harmon will be responsible for acting on behalf of the President himself as far Granger’s ministerial portfolios are concerned in the Legislature.
This means that he could announce policy positions of the Head of Government, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, while also making parliamentary statements on Granger’s responsibility as far as the appointment of Constitutional Agencies and Commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appointment.
So far, President Granger has made all of the announcements of who he has confirmed in various ministerial posting and not Nagamootoo, who should have done so after making recommendations and consultations with the President.
When contacted on Tuesday, the representative of the coalition list, Dr Harold Lutchman, said that the President can divide the powers where he sees it fit. He presumes that’s what the coalition will be doing over the next few days.
Another top executive of the coalition, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, said that he is unsure of how the powers will be divided. “I am not entirely sure what the Prime Ministerial portfo-
lio will be,” he admitted. He said teh Prime Minister will be responsible for a number of things, but he is unsure of what those things will be, citing that he is certain the Prime Minister will be responsible for government information. Roopnaraine did say for Harmon, in Parliament he will be representing particular areas like defence, citizenship, immigration and public service. When asked who will be senior, he suggested that Nagamootoo will remain senior in the National Assembly.
assisting Police with the investigations.
The relative said that while investigations are still ongoing into the matter, it would appear to be an inside job and Police were looking at all possible angles. Guyana Times was reliably informed that the businessman is an exporter of fresh vegetables to the United States of America and several other countries.
Newly elected President David Granger
Prime Minister elect Moses Nagamootoo
Retired Colonel Joseph Harmon
42-year-old sentenced, blames devil
A42-year-old man was sentenced to two years in jail by Magistrate Zamina Allie at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court after admitting to a break-and-enter charge on Tuesday.
This is the second conviction for Owen Armstrong of Lot 19 Republic Drive Boulevard, East Coast Demerara. He was once found guilty of a threatening language charge and spent six months in jail for it.
Armstrong did not disagree with the prosecution’s account of what happened on Monday; however, he claimed the devil had to be involved to make him do it.
For the court, Armstrong detailed what exactly he did on the night in question.
Armstrong broke and entered the home of Virtual Complainant (VC) Sheron Burnett last Monday in Graham’s Hall, East Coast Demerara. He also stole a flashdrive valued $35000
and an adaptor valued $12,500, the property of Stacy Burnett.
Police Prosecutor, Inspector John Singh elaborated on this. He told the court that the two VCs are mother and daughter and live in the lower flat of the house. He stated that one VC secured the home late in the day while the other was out.
The Prosecutor said that once the VCs opened the door, they saw Armstrong in the house and thus raised
an alarm. The defendant was then apprehended. Both VCs made a check of their home and noticed that four windows had been removed from the eastern side of the house and the adaptor and flashdrive were missing.
Once Police Officers arrived, the defendant was told of the offence he had committed and he admitted to them that he did indeed break in. He was thus arrested and charged for the offence.
Assault charge dismissed against taxi driver
Acharge of assault against a taxi driver was dropped after the Virtual Complainant (VC) failed to show up for the third hearing of the case at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.
Thirty-nine-year-old Travis Holder, of 70 Golden Grove, is purported to have unlawfully assaulted Michael Peters in Golden Grove on January 26 during an argument between the two of them.
The VC had not been present when the case was called for the first time on January 27, thus the defendant had been released on bail. Holder subsequently had showed up for court each time when the matter
was called up. However, the VC did not.
Given the no-show, the presiding magistrate, Alisha George dismissed the case against the defendant.
GPL employee on fraud charge
An employee of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was brought to the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after being accused of conning someone out of $45,000.
The defendant, 55-yearold Lloyd Jonas of Lot 33 Factory Road, Paradise, East Coast Demerara, was charged with fraudulently converting $45,000 to his own use after being entrusted with it by the Virtual Complainant (VC), Hazelyn London on December 17.
The VC had entrusted Jonas with the money to install an electric meter but he did not do so, and converted the VC’s money to his own use.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. His lawyer explained to the court that his client had not conned the VC as he had to check to see if the meter was disconnected before anything could have been done with it.
He asked that his client be placed on self-bail, telling the court that he was placed on $10,000 station bail
Presiding at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Alisha George placed the defendant on $20,000 bail, informing the defence counsel that he can claim the station bail money as his client did report to court. They were ordered to appear in court again on June 23.
Monday night blackout blamed on tripping of transformers
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) said that Monday night’s blackout was caused by the tripping of transformers at its Kingston plant.
In a statement, GPL said Monday at approximately
22:21h, two 35 MVA transformers at the Kingston Wartsila Power Plant tripped, causing a total shutdown of the DemeraraBerbice Systems. An assessment of the origin of the initial trip is ongoing in an
effort to perform the necessary remedial work and mitigate future occurrences.
However, repowering efforts commenced about 20 minutes into the shutdown in Demerara continuing into Berbice with the last affect-
ed community being repowered at 01:37h. “GPL extends sincerest apologies for any inconveniences caused and reaffirm our company’s commitment in providing quality and reliable electricity to our valued customers.”
Eyew tness
Countering...
...the silence
After every election in Guyana, folks complain: "the voting was along ethnic lines". In truth most folks say "racial lines"'and it's done with a rueful shake of the head. But your Eyewitness thinks it's time we all stop the charade. And begin to ask "Why the heck is this so?" Fact of the matter is that for most of the time we do get along very nicely, thank you. So how come the blood rushes into some heads at elections time and all hell breaks loose?
And there is that rush of blood, isn't there? Leading seemingly ordinary people bashing fellow citizens, burning houses and on occasions, even murdering some innocents. We saw a small sample of what usually happens in Sophia during election night. A couple of houses torched, eight or so cars thrown in for good measure - and the entire episode captured on video. Showing ordinary folks walking nonchalantly past the acts of arson, chatting and generally behaving as if they're witnessing a bonfire. Sort of like a secular version of the Hindu "Holika" that sets off the Holi Holiday.
Maybe an examination of the Sophia arson might offer a clue as to what sets off these horrendous acts of savagery - as has happened after previous elections in the last decade. First of all, there was the tension in the populace that some hanky-panty gonna take place to rig the elections. Now this tension wasn't precipitated by an irrational contagious paranoia epidemic...but because rigging has actually been a feature of our elections for such a long time. And such claims were touted long after "free and fair" elections was returned in 1992.
So when a rumour in Sophia spread that the house which was later torched was being used to secure ballot boxes or some such shenanigans, it wasn't surprising that matters unfolded as they did. Three fellas have been charged with looting...but that's an effect not the cause. The mindset that start the violence - usually exploited by the politicians - is what this Eyewitness hopes the society will examine with some honest introspection and not sweep the dirty under the rug.
That violence is uppermost in the minds of the people at elections time is why Georgetown became a ghost town for a week. And why throughout the country the shelves of supermarkets and groceries were emptied as if families were preparing for a hurricane that would trap them in their homes. And it WAS a hurricane they were expecting.
A hurricane of violence that for far too long has been inflicted on innocent citizens. So who's gonna bell the cat?
...the race card
This Eyewitness is very upset that not enough credit's being given to that staunch defender of Guyanese democracy - David Hinds for helping to neuter the "race card" in our benighted land. All sorts of analysts have washed their mouths on our people that the voting in the last elections were "racial". "Not so!!" cried Hinds as he provided the evidence that "African Guyanese did not vote "race".
"As they did in 2011, African Guyanese voted for National Unity, Equality and Mutual Respect and in the process have helped to lift our collective political culture." Now this Eyewitness hadn't know this. In 2011, he could swear that African Guyanese had deserted the AFC because Khemraj Ramjattan was at the helm - as apposed to when Raphael Trotman was "the boss" in 2006. And had voted for APNU, for instance, in Linden to return that town to its traditional "home".
But obviously your Eyewitness was wrong. African Guyanese who'd rejected Hinds and the the WPA in 1992 must've also been been voting for "unity" when they gave their all to the PNC, then and ever since. Like the brother said, "Big up the Massive!!"
...age discrimination
The PPPC demanded Surujbally, "resign". He replied he was a "septuagenarian". We guess he's resigned to being older?
APNU/AFC still to decide on “civil society” Speaker
With less than 14 days before the 11th Parliament is slated to be convened, the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition is still to decide which person from civil society will become the Speaker of the House.
The entities in the Cummingsburg Accord indicated that they will elect a competent individual from civil society to be the Speaker of the National Assembly.
According to APNU/ AFC Executive Member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, the coalition has several persons in mind who it believes are qualified to be appointed as Speaker; and senior members of the coalition are in the process of reviewing their profiles to determine who will best fit the position.
Asked which persons are being considered, Dr Roopnaraine declined to comment.
Nonetheless, Roopnaraine explained that the new Government is putting much effort into ensuring that the person it selects commands the respect of both sides of the House: the APNU/ AFC Government and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition.
When Parliament is convened sometime in early June, the APNU/AFC
Members of Parliament will then have to appoint the Speaker of the House before any other business is addressed.
Former Speaker Raphael Trotman, who presided over the 10th Parliament, had explained that the coalition decided to chose someone from civil society to ensure he/she is impartial when presiding over the National Assembly.
He added that a neutral person from civil society would contribute to the elimination of party biases.
But former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran, who presided over the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments, said if the coalition was attempting to send a message to the public that it was not interested in dominating the Parliament, it really did not matter from which grouping the Speaker was select-
ed.
“I don’t think it matters one way or the other,” Ramkarran noted, pointing out that the new Government can find an acceptable person from within their ranks to be Speaker.
According to him, while the perception that the Speaker tends to favour the political party that nominated him/her in some cases is true, most Speakers have tried to maintain an even balance.
Ramkarran said maintaining neutrality was not a difficult task.
“It is not difficult; the rules are there and you just implement them,” he stated, acknowledging that members of the party from which he came would often be upset at the rulings that were not in their favour.
“In many instances, the rulings were on minor issues,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the newly-elected APNU/AFC Government is taking shape with at least five persons identified to head key Ministries within Guyana.
Former Finance Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government, Carl Greenidge will take up the post of Foreign Affairs Minister; Former Director of Budget, Economist Winston Jordan will now head the Finance Ministry; Basil Williams will be the Legal Affairs Minister
while Dr Roopnaraine is being touted as the next Natural Resources and Environment Minister. Also, Joseph Harmon will be made Minister of State, which will replace the post of Head of the Presidential Secretariat.
However, those identified to head the various Ministries have not yet been confirmed in the various capacities since Parliament has not yet been convened.
The Parliament would have to be convened and its Members sworn in before taking up ministerial posts, and the Speaker appointed.
wednesday, may 20, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Injunction blocked...
Those identified are Bobby Brain Errol Brittlebank of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden; 17-year-old Raymond August of Dartmouth, Essequibo, and Michael Moore Gardener, 26, of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara.
The brother of Gardener, Randolph Wilson, told Guyana Times when they heard about the incident they were hoping that his youngest brother was among those who survived. “But it was a very dangerous situation he was working under,” he noted. Wilson added that his brother left to go work with his brother-in-law in early January but shifted camps about a week later.
Meanwhile, the brotherin-law, Donald Gouveia, related to this newspaper that after he was informed that Gardener was involved in the incident, he went to the site where the owner offered to help with the finances. He added that at the time, persons were busy on the ground trying to retrieve the missing miners.
Also speaking with this publication was the sister of August, Lubina Greene. She disclosed that along with August, she had another brother Regan and a cousin Alex who were involved in the accident but managed to escape. However, the same cannot be said for her 42-yearold reputed husband, Esmond Martin, of Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara, who is still missing.
The distraught woman related that her brother and cousin had told her whatever bit they remembered from the incident. “My cousin Alex
told me he was closer to the wall than any other person and when it collapse, he was pushed and when he regained consciousness after a while, he was next to Regan so he pulled him out,” she noted. The sobbing woman went onto say “he said after he looked around he didn’t see Raymond so he went on his knees and start screaming and tried using his hand to see if he can find him but didn’t anyone else. He said he was confused after he realised that Esmond wasn’t there either”.
On the other hand, relatives of 46-year-old Brittlebank called “Banko” are calling for improved safety regulations at interior mining locations. A grieving Bacchus told Guyana Times that when she was told the miners were backing about five walls inside the mining pit, she immediately knew it was bad news. “As soon as I heard about this incident I said ‘he dead’, because as soon as anything happened he would call me... and from I calling he phone and getting voicemail, I know something was wrong”, she related.
The teary eyed woman also expressed her dissatisfied with the way in which the family was left to identify the dead, noting that the bodies were all mixed up and in a terrible state. Brittlebank is survived by a two-year-old child, six siblings and other relatives.
Furthermore, Guyana Times was informed that the other unidentified bodies are expected to be identified by this morning.
Former Speaker Raphael Trotman
Former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran
No formal invitation extended to PPP/C –Ramotar
Former President
Donald Ramotar
said his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has received no formal invitation from President David Granger to join his unity movement.
He said any attempt by the Guyanese leader to suggest that the PPP/C has scoffed at inclusionary governance would be disingenuous.
Speaking during an interview on Monday morning, Granger said that he was particularly disappointed that the former President has not yet shown any indication that he wished to take up the olive branch which he had extended to him on Saturday, during his swearing-in ceremony at the Parliament Building.
“There has been no indication of acceptance. I have seen an article in the papers which says that there will be no acceptance … I am disappointed not surprised … this is a moment that Guyana has been waiting for. It is a moment that we should regard as the start of a process of building national unity; as a process of creating inclusionary democracy and rejecting the winner-takes-
all governance,” the newly elected President said.
Granger noted that this was a missed opportunity for the PPP/C leader which may never come again, noting that this was the chance for Ramotar to show the people of Guyana that he was serious about the good of the country.
“It is missed opportunity. It may not come again … What happened in 2011 and 2015 is that the people have changed. It shows that the people have stopped thinking race and started thinking about the issues. It would be a good opportu-
nity for the PPP and former President Ramotar to send a message to his supporters that we want Guyana to move forward and we are prepared to join this movement of national unity rather than stay on the sidelines and criticise and complain ... Guyana has turned the corner. It will be better government … we are not in the business of winner takes all and locking people out. I would like a government of all the people and that is why I would like to ask former President Ramotar to reconsider his position,” Granger said.
Discussions
In his invited comment, Ramotar explained that President Granger never had any discussions with him or any senior member of the PPP/C about forming an inclusionary government.
Reports indicated that Ramotar did indeed engage Granger but the conversation was about the provocation being directed at PPP/C supporters and nothing about him joining the “unity train”.
In the meantime, Granger noted that he was humbled that the majority
of the Guyanese people have chosen him to lead the country, noting that he intended to do so to the best of his ability.
“I now have the support of the majority of the population to do the things that they wanted done and that is why I am here. That’s why they elected me. It’s a feeling of great responsibility and I expect to discharge that responsibility and as I
said at my inauguration I will be a good president…. I have been to all of the regions here in Guyana and I have a good idea of what the people want,” he said.
The newly-elected President told reporters that during his tenure, while there were many things he would like to address, there were three key areas to which he wanted to pay specific attention: education
and literacy, poverty and employment for the youth population. “Three things, one is that there will be universal literacy --that we will be a complete literate population; complete education; two is that poverty will be abolished, that there will be no extremely poor people and three is that young people will be fully employed –full employment,” he shared.
PPP/C Election Night victims attacked, robbed again
The nightmare continued for the Khublall family who were brutally attacked when the community of C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was transformed into a warzone on Election Night.
Just when the family thought they were on the road to recovery from that horrific incident, bandits broke into their residence at 588 Section C Field, Sophia, on Tuesday, May 19 at around 01:00h, ransacked the home, brutally attacked the occupants, and escaped with millions of dollars worth in items.
According to Narine Khublall, the breadwinner of the family of four, following the traumatic experience on Election Night, the family – his wife Poonadai and his two children – went to stay by relatives in Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
During that time, Khublall’s nephew Shaan Ramrattan and his friend Leon Rampersaud were staying at the home in Sophia.
Guyana Times understands that when Rampersaud heard the bandits attempting to break the
doors with crowbars, he immediately called Khublall to inform him of what was transpiring.
Khublall then contacted the Police who promptly responded, causing the six bandits to flee, leaving the valuables behind.
However, according to reports, the Police instructed the two occupants of the home to go to the police station and give their statements and it was during that period, when they were away from the house, that the bandits assumingly returned and carted off the items.
The family, who were too traumatised to say much, explained that Ramrattan was badly beaten and could have died if the Police had not intervened in a timely manner.
“They had him tied up like an iguana; you know how they does tie them up right. They had a cloth around he neck, choking he. He couldn’t breathe and plus they had a knife by he neck and they de going and slit he throat when the Police show up,” Poonadai explained, telling this publication what her nephew related to her.
The family is now in a state of despair as they desperately try to cope and recover from the series of unfortunate events that are casting a black shadow on their lives.
“I feel, when I come and see my place this morning, it was not my place. That night I feel like the world was falling down on me. Now this happened. I thank God I wasn’t here. But me nephew. They beat he up bad… they could have killed him,” a weeping Poonadai related.
On Election Night, angry Sophia residents stormed
the Khublall’s home, attempting to light it ablaze. At the time, although almost two dozen Police Officers were on the scene, they could have hardly contained the raucous crowd. On the night of the ordeal, the house was in utter confusion and millions of dollars in valuables were being taken away. In addition, the family stood by and watched their neighbours burn their minibus into ruins.
Narine Khublall, a Pastor in the area, explained that his family would normally do charity work for the community, host Sunday school sessions for the children, distribute free items and help the residents in any way they can and yet the very same residents who turned against them to cause terror upon their lives.
“It’s not a political thing like they try to make out. They just malicious and they want rob we. After all we do, we does help them, anybody want lil help, we does always help them. Now look what they do to we,” he vented off.
Former President Donald Ramotar
Narine Khublall
Poonadai Khublall
Harmon eyes swift enactment of Telecoms Bill
...touts its importance to education, business
The long awaited passage of the Telecommunications Amendment Bill could become a reality in the 11th Parliament if the David Granger-led Administration sticks to its promises.
Acting Head of the Presidential Secretariat Joseph Harmon, in an interview with the National Communications Network Inc on Monday indicated that the new APNU/ AFC Administration intends to put on the frontburner the passage of the Telecommunications Bill in the 11th Parliament. Harmon explained that the Bill was on the verge of conclusion, prior to the prorogation of the last Parliament. The Bill which was first introduced in 2011 and revised in 2013, was at the level of Select Committee in the 10th Parliament. It is set to address concerns, including those of the industry’s stakeholders.
“When the Parliament was prorogued, we were on the verge of completing the works in the Special Select Committee for the entire package of legislation… since the bulk of the work was already done, I think we can have consent on the way forward, to ensure that that happens (the Bill is passed),” Harmon explained. “We have to really move this sector forward. It is important not only to businesses, but to school children, the people in the education system, so we can have better bandwidth, faster communication with the rest of the world,” he said.
He noted that “it is something that is so unusual, when foreigners come and they want to access the Internet and it is so slow, it can hinder them from doing business in the way
they want to do it.” Harmon said that the APNU/AFC Administration will aggressively push the completion and passage of the Bill.
The Bill seeks to create a competitive regime in the telecommunications sector. It provides for an open, liberalised and competitive sector that will be attractive to new market entrants and investors, while preserving the activities of the current participants. By creating this competitive environment for telecommunications, the Bill is expected to result in greater choice, better quality of service and lower prices for consumers. The Bill also specifically addresses the expansion of telecommunication networks and services into un-served and under-served areas, through the institution of a new universal access/universal service programme, in an effort to further national, regional, social and economic development.
Following the prorogation of Parliament, former Digicel Guyana Inc Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gregory Dean had lamented the situation the Telecommunications Bill had found itself in, pointing out that it is another missed opportunity for the sector to be liberalised. The Telecommunication Bill is among 12 other bills that will have to be recalled in the 11th Parliament. The others include the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, the Customs (amendment) Bill, the Broadcast (amendment) and Education Bills, among others. The Telecommunication Bill had been before Parliament and has been awaiting debate and assent, which would in essence free up the over 20
year monopoly enjoyed by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T).
GT&T is Guyana’s premier telecommunications provider, coming into existence some 23 years ago. Chief Executive Officer Radha Krishna Sharma had stated recently that the company was prepared for Government’s plans to liberalise the sector, pointing out that the company was looking forward to contributing to the refinement of the legislation. He had stated that there are tremendous opportunities within a “liberalised” sector. The move, he said, would afford the company the opportunity to speed up planning and focus on strategic business decisions, which include capital allocations.
Dean, who was hoping that the Bill would have been passed since earlier last year, said the sector continues to operate with uncertainty, which negatively impacts the much needed investment. He said while he was disappointed, he is not surprised since it is the latest in efforts to liberalise the sector. He said, however, that the passage of the legislation lies in the hands of the National Assembly. The company had been at the hub of numerous consultations seeking to have the bill, which was first tabled in August 2012, passed in the National Assembly. Dean had said the liberalisation of the sector would lay the base for the company becoming fully competitive with GT&T. He also said that liberalisation would draw other companies into the Guyana market.
Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who had tabled the Bill in Parliament, had also told Guyana Times
that although he was disappointed with the new development, all is not lost. He said he is extremely disappointed that the Bill, which had made significant headway, would have to be re-tabled. Hinds noted then that the Special Select Committee was within sight of taking the Bill to the floor to be passed. He said persons, who were part of the Select Committee, will return and complete the process speedily. Since coming to Guyana in 2007, Digicel Guyana Inc has invested close to US$80 million, providing coverage to close to 96 per cent of the population, including persons residing off Guyana’s coastland.
Region 10 welcomes election results with thanksgiving
Region 10’s (Upper Demerara-Berbice)
co-chairs of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, Sharma Solomon and Audwin Rutherford, have thanked the coalition’s supporters and the rest of Guyana for welcoming a change in the Government, following the swearing-in of President David Granger.
At a thanksgiving ceremony held at the Wismar Market Square in Linden on Monday evening, the two expressed gratitude to all, including the Almighty God. Scores of residents came out to show their support, as well as join in on the celebration.
Solomon noted that the region will remain united as one as the country moves forward. “We fought a hard campaign on the moral conviction that, as children of Guyana, we too deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and benefit from the nation’s resources. For many, it has been a hard road to travel and a rough, rough way to go.
“Guided by faith, we knew that we could not hes-
itate to be the change we wanted to see and the only path desired is the path to move forward. Thus, with grit and determination, undeterred by challenges or setbacks, we worked our hardest to make May 11 the date to affirm. Thank God Almighty...,”,he said. In his presentation, Rutherford said victory was attained as a result of the coalition’s supporters and that the 2015 elections results were free and fair. He also thanked all whom he noted contributed to victory for the collated parties.
“We give thanks since the victory is of divine intervention. We must work together and, most importantly, we must live in one love and unity for we are ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’; a destiny of prosperity and progress under this APNU/ AFC Government”, he said. The event, which was chaired by Former Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and Pastor Selwyn Sills, also featured cultural presentations and speeches from well wishers such as Pastor Morris McKinnon and Raulston Mitchell, among others.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Joseph Harmon
wednesday, may 20, 2015 |
AML/CFT Bill blocked by APNU, AFC in Opposition
...up for early passage in new Govt
The newly-elect-
ed A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change ( APNU+AFC) Government has promised to pass and implement a new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill when the 11th Parliament opens in about two weeks’ time.
This assurance was given by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS)-designate, Joseph Harmon who was on the Opposition benches in the 10th Parliament when they blocked the very legislation from being passed.
The then Opposition had argued for what they called a stronger bill and pushed for a series of amendments –some of which were deemed unnecessary by the international regulatory bodies. However, Harmon disclosed that the country will, within the 11th Parliament, join the rest of the countries that have passed and implemented the AML/CFT Bill. This Bill was at the level of a Special Select Committee, ready to facilitate amendments put forward by the new administration, when
Head of the Presidential Secretariat-designate, Joseph Harmon
it was in the Opposition. These amendments had to do with strengthening the enforcement of the Bill, so as to make it more relevant.
“I can say that that (the passage of the AML Bill) is a priority for us,” Harmon said. He said that this was one matter in which the new Administration will test the truthfulness and the positions of the now Opposition, to see if they really want the Bill to pass.
“We will put it back on
the front burner, and we will let the Guyanese people see that we are going to push aggressively for it,” Harmon said. “We have always said that we wanted anti-money laundering legislation that was wholesome, that dealt with the mechanisms for enforcement, and we have those things already in the draft before the Special Select Committee. So it is just a matter of getting back there, getting the arguments finished very quickly and getting it (the Bill) before the floor,” he explained.
Passage of the internationally-required legislation, emanating out of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), a body that is responsible for monitoring the operations of legislation of this type throughout Caribbean, is to achieve effective implementation of and compliance with international recommendations on the prevention and control of money laundering and the combating of the financing of terrorism.
Petition
In addition to blocking the Bill, the then Opposition parliamentary parties used
their one-seat majority in the National Assembly to block the presentation of a petition from the Private Sector Commission of Guyana which had sought to call on them to give support to the anti-money laundering legislation in the interest of avoiding economic hardship and financial blacklisting.
The petition, which would have been presented by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir, was surprisingly described as “offensive”, “vexatious”, “malicious” and “inaccurate” by then APNU Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge. Greenidge had argued staunchly that the correct procedures were not followed by the petitioners or Nadir as far as the standing orders had allowed for its presentation to the National Assembly.
As late as October last year, Guyana had averted being placed on a blacklist by the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF), largely due to the high-level commitment of the then Government coupled with demonstrable actions taken in the country’s attempts to comply with recommendations made to address the technical deficiencies identified in the country’s AML/ CFT regime.
However, Guyana continues to be subjected to an “Ongoing Process in Improving Compliance” to ensure that it discharges its obligations under the Action Plan which was worked out with the Americas Regional Review Group (AARG) and submitted as Guyana’s action plan. Guyana had committed to fixing loopholes in its antimoney laundering regime during the first day of its review by the Financial Action Task Force’s International Cooperation Review Group (FATF-ICRG), in Paris, France back in October.
EU launches new Disaster Preparedness Plan for Caribbean
The European Union (EU) has allocated €10 million for risk reduction activities in the Caribbean. Communities highly exposed to floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes will benefit from disaster preparedness projects funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), through its DIPECHO Programme (Disaster Preparedness ECHO). A total of 14 projects will be implemented in the region, between 2015 and 2016, in order to reduce the vulnerability to natural hazards and to better prepare communities and authorities to respond to emergencies.
“We have been working on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Caribbean for more than a decade. We recognise this topic has become more relevant, but there are still significant needs in terms of resources and capacities,” said Virginie André, the ECHO official responsible for the Caribbean. “Through the DIPECHO Programme, we support local and national efforts in order for institutions and communities to better anticipate the potential impact of any natural adverse event, and to limit their consequences. The focus is on strengthening capacities and changing attitudes to save lives,” commented André.
The 2015-2016 DIPECHO Action Plan aims at reducing the impact of future disasters in the Caribbean by preparing vulnerable populations affected by frequent disasters, strengthening their resilience. Activities funded include simple and inexpensive preparatory measures carried out by the communities themselves, such as risk mapping, emergency plans, early warning systems, education campaigns and small infrastructure
projects; all activities are aimed at avoiding the loss of lives, property and livelihood. Actions also focus on urban risks and are aimed at reducing cities’ vulnerability. More than 400,000 people will benefit from this assistance throughout the region.
ECHO’s strategy in the Caribbean in the framework of the DIPECHO Programme includes the consolidation of successful experiences developed in the region during the past years, support to national programmes for safe schools and hospitals, strengthening of early warning systems, and optimisation of information management and communication about Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the region. ECHO advocates for the integration of DRR efforts into the Caribbean development policy, that is why it facilitates meetings and dialogue between the actors involved in risk management and promotes the adoption of policies and strategies related to DRR. In that way, all DIPECHO projects will be implemented in close coordination with the national risk management systems of each country, and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
The Caribbean, one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world, is the scenario in which disaster preparedness projects funded by ECHO have been constantly and successfully tested, as it has been shown in recent emergency responses. Since 1994, ECHO has allocated over €488 million in humanitarian assistance to the Caribbean. Of these, €70 million were allocated to disaster risk reduction and preparedness in the region, contributing to strengthen resilience of the most vulnerable people in the region.
PPP/C to rebrand, revamp
... plans series of actions against GECOM, Surujbally
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), fresh from its electoral defeat, has promised a major shakeup in its representation on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in the Party and at the parliamentary levels.
The Party has also warned of actions against GECOM to remove Dr Steve Surujbally even as it prepared to file an elections petition over allegations that the just-concluded elections were rigged.
In a statement, the Party said that its Central Committee met on Tuesday, the first meeting of the Central Committee since
the May 11 General and Regional Elections with the aim of reviewing some of the developments which occurred during and after the elections. The Committee said that based on the feedback from its Polling Agents and the Statements of Polls which it has received, it remains convinced that it won the majority of the votes in both the national and regional elections. “However, notwithstanding that support, the results of the election as declared by GECOM failed to reflect the true will of the Guyanese people,” the Party said.
In this regard, the
Police launches probe into missing NSC equipment, files
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport said it has made itself available to assist in any investigations to be carried out by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), in relation to the allegations brought before a Senior Sport Official.
In keeping with its responsibility to secure state resources, the Ministry has also stepped up the security of all facilities under its wing. Permanent Secretary (PS) Alfred King, who is currently in charge of the Ministry in the absence of a Minister, told a media briefing on Tuesday that any unauthorised movement or destruction of state assets are criminal in nature, noting that the Guyana Police Force is the only institution to carry out legal proceedings.
The PS was responding to questions regarding allegations brought against director of Sport Neil Kumar, who it is alleged was seen removing equipment from the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall earlier this week. While he has not had an official report of any such action, King related that if the allegation is true, it will be thoroughly investigated. “Of course whatever is the outcome, we will be supportive of that
outcome”, he assured.
Another local newspaper had reported, on Sunday, that the Sports Director, who is still employed by the Government under a contract, had removed millions of dollars in sport equipment from their storage bond in the governmentowned sport hall. It is still unclear what the said equipment is.
King said clear instructions have been given to all heads to ensure that the government records and assets remain intact to facilitate the smooth transition that the Ministry anticipates.
He said this is also in keeping with President Granger’s counsel to staff members at the Ministry
of the Presidency on Wednesday, where he advised that they be professional in the transition process, meaning that records, assets and inventories must remain intact to be properly handed over to whoever is next to take over. “We expect people to confirm to all of that”, King said.
He noted that the Ministry has already put measures in place to not to deprive members of the public from attending the sport facilities, but in the interim has stepped up the security
checks of the facilities.
King related that any loss of government record is a criminal act and should be reported to the Police. If what is being said about the Director of Sport is indeed true, then the report should be with law officials. Wherever it takes the Police, he said the Ministry will “follow the lead”.
Neil Kumar became the Director of Sport when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic took office in the 1992 elections and remained in the position until the party was defeated at the May 11 polls by the A Partnership fopr National Unity + Alliance For Change coalition.
Central Committee reiterated an earlier call made for the immediate resignation of Dr Steve Surujbally as Chairman of GECOM, even as it indicated that it was considering ways of improving its future representation at GECOM. To this end, the Committee said that it was convinced that there was a need for the Party to be strengthened both organisationally and ideologically, noting that it also planned to introduce some changes at the Party, parliamentary and GECOM levels.
“The Central Committee deliberated on ways to strengthen and rebrand the
Party in order to be better positioned to defend the masses against the undemocratic imposition of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition to the seat of Government,” the Committee said in the release.
Meanwhile, it was disclosed that the Party is in the process of organising sev-
eral protest actions at all of the GECOM offices throughout the country in an effort to demand a total recount of all votes cast and the resignation of the GECOM Chairman. It was further disclosed via the release that the PPP was presently compiling evidence to file an elections petition with representation from local and international lawyers.
Multi-racial
The Central Committee further said that it has taken note of the false statements made by President David Granger that the APNU+AFC is a multi-racial party which encompassed representation from all ethnicities even as a large percentage of the population who were perceived to vote for the PPP/C were harassed and intimidated by APNU+AFC supporters.
The decision-making body for the Party said that it was recognised during the meeting that the election observers were duped into be-
lieving that the elections were free and fair, since they would have only observed the first stage of the electoral process and not the entire process as was required.
“The main aspect of the electoral process which was to observe the counting of ballots and the verification of Statements of Poll was left entirely in the hands of the GECOM officials many of whom are activists and supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition.
The PPP/C, after serving 23 years as the ruling administration, lost the battle for executive power to the APNU+AFC coalition in the General and Regional Elections 2015, amid allegations of election rigging with the presence of fake Statements of Polls. As a result, PPP/C will become the minority party in Parliament with 32 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly. With the PPP/C contemplating a change at the Party and the parliamentary levels, it is expected that some new and youthful faces that appeared on the PPP/C’s List of Candidates are possible Members of Parliament including Clinton Urling, Africo Selman, Charles Ramson, Mahendar Sharma, Romel Roopnarine and Alexei Ramotar. Some long-serving members of the PPP/C, however, are expected to return as MPs including General Secretary Clement Rohee, former Finance Minister Ashni Singh, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall and former Chief Whip Gail Teixeira.
Permanent Secretary of the Culture Youth and Sport Ministry Alfred King.
Director of Sport Neil Kumar
Former President Donald Ramotar
PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee
Dr Steve Surujbally
Regional
New mosquito-borne virus ZIKV threatens Jamaica
The Health Ministry is urging Jamaicans to take all the necessary steps to rid their surroundings of mosquito breeding sites as it prepares to ward off the threat of another mosquito-borne virus.
In a release on Monday, the Health Ministry said the outbreak in Brazil of the Zika virus poses a potential threat to Jamaica. Brazil confirmed its first case of the Zika virus or ZIKV earlier this month.
Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr Kevin Harvey, says the Ministry is taking the threat very seriously as the virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which also carries the dengue and
Chikungunya viruses. He says there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the virus. The Zika virus is
‘There’s no chance’ we will change our position on CCJ – Opposition
The Jamaican Opposition says there’s no chance it will change its position on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by the time the Senate votes on three bills to accede to the court’s appellate jurisdiction.
Last week, the Government used its majority in the Lower House to voted in favour of bills to replace the UK-based Privy Council with the CCJ as Jamaica’s final appellate court.
However, the Jamaican Government will need to sway at least one Opposition Senator to ensure successful passage in the Upper House.
Leader of Government Business in the Lower
House Derrick Smith says none should expect a change in the Opposition’s stance by the time the Senate votes. Smith is also dismissing concerns raised by public commentator, Dr Paul Ashley who has questioned the Opposition’s call for a referendum.
According to Ashley, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which was the biggest change to the Constitution, was never put to a referendum.
He argued that political expediency was driving the Opposition’s suggestion that Jamaicans vote to decide on the CCJ. Smith says it does not matter what Ashley says, the Opposition is sticking by its position. (Jamaica Gleaner)
from the same family as the dengue and Chikungunya viruses and share similar symptoms which include fe-
ver, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, headache, weakness, rash and swelling of the lower limbs.
Symptoms usually appear three to 12 days after an infected mosquito bites a person and can last for four to seven days. The Health Ministry says to date no deaths due to the Zika virus have been recorded worldwide although outbreaks have taken place in 2007, 2013 and this year.
The threat of the new mosquito virus comes less than a year after the Chikungunya virus was declared an epidemic in the Caribbean and governments including Jamaica’s were criticised for being ill-prepared. (Jamaica Gleaner)
Bolivian Army steps in as bakers go on strike
Bolivian soldiers have begun producing tens of thousands of bread rolls because of a bakers strike.
The army is helping to supply the population of the country’s main city, La Paz, and neighbouring El Alto. The Government called in the troops when there were reports of shortages in several neighbourhoods.
Bolivian bakers went on a 48-hour strike in protest against a Government decision to scrap subsidies for wheat flour.
“We have, indeed, experienced some shortages. But we will produce 70,000 rolls (today) and we have the capacity to increase the output if necessary,” said Development Minister
Veronica Ramos. The Government will sell the bread rolls at stateowned shops for 40 cents of the local currency, the boliviano (US$0.05). The bakers say they need to sell each roll for 50 cents in order to make a profit (US$0.07).
The left-wing Government of President Evo Morales says subsidies for wheat flour are no longer required. “Bolivian bakers have benefitted from subsidies for many years. They are strong now and can walk with their own legs,” said Ms Ramos.
Bolivia is the poorest country in South American nation. But poverty and inequality have been greatly reduced since Morales was first elected. (BBC News)
Dominica’s Petrocaribe plant to be named after Hugo Chávez
The Petrocaribe plant in Dominica is to be renamed in honour of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez next month, exactly a decade after he signed the fuel deal with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
The announcement was made on Monday by Minster of Lands, Housing, Settlements and Water Resource Management
Reginald Austrie, who has responsibility for Petrocaribe, at the media launch of celebrations for the 10th Anniversary of the Petrocaribe Energy Cooperation Agreement under which Venezuela sells gasoline, diesel and liquid petroleum gas to Dominica at preferential rates. He said the June 29 renaming of the plant from Waitikubuli Storage Facility
to the Hugo Chávez Storage Facility would be done “in recognition of the effort and the hard work that President Chávez has put into the programme”.
The Petrocaribe agreement, conceived by Chávez who died on March 5, 2013, at the age of 58, benefits several other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America as well.
Austrie said while there were many detractors when the deal was signed in 2005, Petrocaribe is now being hailed as “one of the most serious economic programmes in the region over the last 25 years”. Dominica will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the signing with five week of activities. (Caribbean360)
Study finds global warming fuelling fewer but stronger hurricanes
Anew study published in Nature Climate Change has found that warmer sea surface temperatures are pushing some hurricanes to be more intense even though there are fewer storms overall.
Researchers NamYoung Kang and James Elsner of the Florida State University came to that conclusion after examining how warmer ocean temperatures have affected the relationship between frequency and intensity of hurricanes.
“We’re seeing fewer hurricanes, but the ones we do see are more intense,” professor of geography at Florida State University and co-author Elsner told the Washington Post. “When one comes, all hell
can break loose.”
The reason for this is that while warmer oceans provide more energy for hurricanes to utilize, it also creates an unfavourable mid and upper-level atmosphere for the storms. Colorado State University research scientist Phil Klotzbach, in his forecast for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, predicted below average activity, citing cooler than average Atlantic ocean temperatures, and an El Niño event, which generates upper level winds that disrupt storm formation. He is predicting seven named storms, three hurricanes, and one major hurricane during the season which runs from June 1 to November 30. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
CSEC students from Chaguanas South Secondary School will sit exams in neighbouring school
Provisions are being made for CSEC students from the Chaguanas South Secondary School to sit their exams in another school. The Ministry of Education announced this on Tuesday in a press release.
On Monday, a small fire damaged three pre-fabricated classrooms at the compound. The building, which is located at the back of the school, accommodated approximately 90 Form Five students.
The fire started at about 11:25h and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS)
was contacted immediately. They responded within minutes and quickly extinguished the blaze. Both staff and students were safely evacuated and there were no injuries reported.
The Education Ministry of stated that alternative arrangements have been made at neighbouring Chaguanas North Secondary School for students writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) is continuing investigations into the cause of the fire. (Trinidad Guardian)
The virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito which also carries the dengue and Chikungunya viruses
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit (left) with the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez
Gutted and melted prefab building of the Chaguanas South Secondary School
US charges 6 Chinese citizens with economic espionage
The United States Government has charged six Chinese nationals with economic espionage, saying that they stole secrets from two companies that develop technology often used in military systems, the US Department of Justice has said.
One of the suspects, Professor Hao Zhang, 36, was arrested on Saturday in Los Angeles after he arrived on a flight from China, the Justice Department said in a statement. The other five suspects are believed to be in China and were charged in absentia.
Tuesday’s accusations were the third made by US authorities of economic es-
pionage by China, signalling that the US is increasingly focused on what it has termed a top national security concern.
Zhang and two other professors from Tianjin University were charged with stealing source code and other proprietary information from chipmakers Avago Technologies Ltd and Skyworks Solutions Inc, where two of them worked. Zhang, a former Skyworks employee, and others established a company, ROFS Microsystems, at Tianjin with secrets stolen from the US firms, prosecutors said.
The five others were identified as Wei Pang, Jinping Chen, Chong Zhou, Huisui Zhang, and Zhao
Gang.
According to the indictment, Pang and Zhang met while studying at University of Southern California and took jobs as engineers at Avago and Skyworks, respectively. Both companies specialise in Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator technology, which is primarily used in mobile devices like cellphones, tablets and GPS devices, but also has military applications.
Between 2006 and 2007, Pang and Zhang launched a plan to start manufacturing the technology in China and met with Tianjin University officials. If convicted, the defendants could be sentenced to up to 50 years in prison. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Afghan Police jailed over Farkhunda mob killing
Eleven Afghan Policemen have been sentenced to one year in prison for failing to protect a woman killed by a mob in the capital Kabul in March. The 28-year-old woman, called Farkhunda, was beaten to death after being accused of burning a copy of the Koran, although witnesses say she did not do it.
The judge said there was no evidence against a further eight Police Officers, who were acquitted. The 19 officers stood impassively in the dock as the sentences were read out. “You are sentenced... for negligence of duty to one year in prison,” Judge Safiullah Mojaddidi told those found guilty.
gued with an amulet seller about his practice of peddling charms to women at the well-known Shah-DuShamshaira shrine, which is within walking distance of the Presidential Palace and Kabul’s main bazaar. In the course of the argument Farkhunda was accused of burning the Koran and a crowd overheard and attacked her. In confession statements read in court, some of the accused admitted they had been drawn in by the claims.
Around the World
South Sudan groups targeting children
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says boys and girls as young, as seven years old, have been abducted, raped and killed in South Sudan.
Dozens of children have been killed, at least 12 raped and others abducted and recruited in attacks in the country’s Unity state over a two-week period.
Witnesses believe the attacks were carried out by armed groups aligned with South Sudan’s military, UNICEF said in a statement on Monday.
“Survivors reported to UNICEF staff that whole villages were burned to the ground by armed groups, while large numbers of girls and women were taken outside to be raped and killedincluding children as young as seven,” the statement said. It goes on to say,”At least 19 boys...and seven girls were killed. Others were mutilated or recruited to join the fighting and take care of stolen cattle.”
James Elder, a UNICEF spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that “unfortunately these are the numbers we have verified and we know the numbers are on the low side”. It’s quite horrifying and a very dark time, he said.
South Sudan’s military recently launched an offensive against anti-government forces, drawing concern from watchdog groups and the regional monitoring bloc over fighting in Bentiu, the capital of Unity state. Fighting is also taking place in Upper Nile state. It was not possible to immediately get a comment from South Sudan’s military. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Philippines may open doors to Rohingya migrants
THowever, an official investigator has said there is no evidence she burned the Koran. Farkhunda was beaten to death before her body was driven over by a car, dragged through the streets and then set on fire.
Farkhunda had ar-
The treatment of Police in this case has immediately been condemned as too lenient. One Member of Parliament (MP) called it a symbolic verdict and said the wrong people were in the dock. The MP said that the Kabul Police Chief should have been put on trial.
Greece enters final stage of bailout deal
Greece, on Monday, entered the final stretch of tortuous talks with its international creditors on a bankruptcy saving loan deal, with the Government calling for a breakthrough by the end of the month.
“A deal is required immediately, this is why we are talking about the end of May, to resolve these critical liquidity issues,” Government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis told reporters.
Greece’s new Government and its European UnionInternational Monetary Fund (EU-IMF) creditors have been stuck in a deadlock for four months over the reforms needed to release a final US$8.2 billion in bailout funds.
European Economic Affairs Chief Pierre
Moscovici lamented that the Greek anti-austerity Government seemed more interested in ditching promised reforms than in making proposals of its own.
“They are more eager to say what they don’t want to keep in the programme than to propose alternatives,”
Moscovici told a news conference in Berlin, while insisting that “some progress” had been made in some areas in recent days.
The country faces a hefty repayment schedule to the IMF and the European Central Bank in the coming months, and also needs to continue paying salaries and pensions.
“I think we are very close to an agreement”, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said late on Monday, pointing to “maybe in a week”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
(Excerpt from BBC News)
he Philippine Government has said it is willing to open the country’s doors to minority Rohingya migrants who have fled Myanmar and Bangladesh, saying that it is committed to the United Nations’ pledge to protect asylum seekers and refugees.
“Let us not fall short of providing humanitarian re-
lief and assistance that is asked of us...We call on the proper international agencies to process the legal issues immediately for the welfare of the boat people,” Senator Paolo Aquino said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The statement came after Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that the
Obama places new limits on military equipment to Police
President Barack Obama announced new reforms to the kinds of military-style equipment available to state and local Police Departments on Monday, in a reversal from the administration’s previous stance to continue such programmes.
The transfer of tracked
armoured vehicles, weaponised aircraft and vehicles, bayonets, grenade launchers and large-calibre firearms from the Federal Government to local agencies is now prohibited. Other equipment, such as riot gear and specialised firearms and ammunition, will only be disbursed to agencies that
meet specific requirements or go through additional training.
The new controls come as a result of recommendations by an interagency working group, formed by President Obama through an Executive Order earlier this year. Speaking in Camden, New Jersey, which
country has an obligation to admit and protect asylum seekers, even when the refugees have no documents to prove their status. “If there are boat people who come seeking the protection of our Government...there are existing mechanisms on how to handle these refugees or asylum seekers,” de Lima said. The statements were is-
sued as other Asian nations continued to reject taking in more migrants stranded on boats off Southeast Asia’s shores. Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have been in high-level talks in an attempt to solve the refugee crisis after boats holding more than 2000 migrants landed in their countries in recent weeks. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
has had high rates of crime and poverty, Obama said that the new restrictions on military equipment would ease tensions and help officers rebuild trust with the residents they serve.
“We’ve seen how militarised gear can sometimes give people a feeling like there’s an occupying force, as opposed to a force that’s part of the community that’s protecting them and serving them...We’re doing these things because we’re listening to what law enforcement is telling us,” Obama said, after meeting with both young people and law enforcement in Camden. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Some of the children believed to be abducted, raped or killed
Farkhunda
US President Obama speaking to law enforcement at Camden, New Jersey
wednesday, may 20, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
McCoy relates sordid details of E-Day attack
Former Press and Publicity Officer to the President and Central Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Kwame McCoy has been discharged from hospital.
McCoy was recently released from the Woodlands Hospital where he was being treated following injuries he sustained on Election Day at the hands of supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) following an incident at the St Sidewell’s Primary School. During an interview with Guyana Times, he related the abuse he suffered at the hands of supporters of the new APNU/AFC.
From video footage seen, it would appear that McCoy was safely escorted from the scene, but it was actually only up to a point, he related. He said the brutal attack came after the vehicle had driven off and lost the attention of the media.
“They put me in the vehicle, in the back seat in the middle, with two Police Officers at the side and they drove off. Three buildings down the road, they recognised that Mr Granger and I believe Mr Harmon were still at the back of the vehicle. So they stopped three buildings away from St Sidwell’s School to put them off of the vehicle. As soon as they put them off of the vehicle, someone threw a missile through the back window of the open back pickup and it catch me in the right side of my face,” he clarified.
The attack resulted in McCoy undergoing surgery
of the primary school. Due to their aggression, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff decided to close the gates to the school, denying them entry. This move triggered more aggression as the residents started protesting and yelling out threats.
Some 15 minutes into the episode, then Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC coalition David Granger and APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon arrived on the scene. Instantaneously, the agitated residents halted their aggression against McCoy and rushed to Granger’s aid as he made his way to the polling station. Granger determinedly entered the building, had a discussion with the GECOM staff present there and, once again determinedly exited the premises into the arms of his supporters who flocked at his side begging him to assist them in getting rid of the
and he is now slowly recovering, both physically and mentally from the horrific incident.
On Election Day, hundreds of supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition attempted to barge into the St Sidwell’s Primary School after they learnt that McCoy had entered the premises as ballots were being cast.
McCoy had gone to the station as a candidate of the then ruling party to observe the voting process. This is allowed under election regulations.
When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, there was chaos as scores of residents swarmed the vicinity
PPP/C politician. Granger then proceeded to get on top of a Police pickup to address the crowd, pleading with them to end their commotion and allow McCoy to walk away unharmed.
However, as McCoy exited the building, some people were still trying to attack him which forced a group of persons to form a human barricade to prevent the aggressive mob.
Mc Coy was seen safely entering the Police vehicle.
Therefore, when the PPP/C almost immediately issued a statement condemning the brutal act,
Senior Canadian politician congratulates PM-elect Moses Nagamootoo
Senior Canadian politician and former envoy to The Dominican Republic, Dr Alvin Curling has written to congratulate Prime Minister-elect Moses Nagamootoo.
thousands of Guyanese believed it was a little white lie being peddled by the administration as an election gimmick to gain support.
Until now, not many are aware of what happened after McCoy drove off in the Police pickup.
To date, no one has been charged in connection with the incident and there has been on official statement from the Police in connection to what took place after McCoy left the polling station.
Additionally, no one from the APNU/AFC Administration has since registered their commiseration or condemned the vile act of their supporters.
“It is with great honour that I extend the heartiest congratulations to you and your election as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Guyana,” Dr Curling, a Jamaican born Canadian politician wrote, according to a release by the coalition. “The greatest honour that can be bestowed upon anyone is to be elected by the people to represent their interest and serve the nation. This achievement culminates some 50 years of selfless commitment and dedication to Guyana’s political development. The Republic of Guyana has chosen well,” added Dr Curling who served as a member of the Ontario Parliament for over 20 years.
Dr Curling served as Canadian envoy to The Dominican Republic from 2005 to 2006. He was also Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario until 2005. “You have demonstrated over the years as a person of strong belief in the goodness and dignity of all human races and for that and that alone stand you tall among mankind. The
people have chosen well,” Dr Curling wrote.
“I want to wish you and President David Granger my very best as you lead a new Cabinet and a new Government into a renewed path of governing in a land yearning for a unified Government,” Curling concluded. Nagamootoo thanked Dr Curling for his warm greetings and confidence and said that he looks
forward to working with the Jamaican/Canadian in furthering the interest of Guyana and the Guyanese people on the regional and international stage. Dr Curling had hosted a private meeting at his residence with Nagamootoo on his recent visit to Canada during the election campaign. Nagamootoo is expected to be formally sworn in as Prime Minister shortly.
New Govt planning ‘big bash’ for Independence
Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary celebration is expected to take on a whole new form this year with a symbolic wreath laying ceremony at the historical Independent Arch on Brickdam, Georgetown and then later a cultural show, which will coincide with the inauguration of President David Granger.
President Granger will be among the group of Guyanese who will lay some eight wreaths in memory of those who fought for Guyana’s Independence. This year’s anniversary celebrations are expected to be very different from the usual activities held to commemorate Guyana’s freedom from the United Kingdom. Granger has appointed an event management team including retired Colonel Laurie London of the Guyana Defence Force and Bobby Vieira to oversee the activities.
At a press conference on Tuesday in the boardroom of the Culture Ministry, Vieira related that the usual flag raising ceremony held during the night of the 25th has been moved forward to the early morning of May 26th. According to Vieira, the most significant event of that morning will be the laying of eight wreaths. The
President has selected this to use as his first major ceremonial event as President, paying tribute to those who had struggled for independence. A number of agencies, organisations and persons will be laying wreaths at the base of the arch. They include representatives from the Trade Union movement, representatives of women and youth, and the political parties that were part of the struggle for Independence. According to him, “It will be both ceremonial and emotional.”
He stated that because the President’s whole “thrust” is to make independence something for Guyanese to remember, he has requested that the entire Georgetown be cleaned
up. The area is currently being cleaned through the concerted effort of the Mayor and City Council, BK International and Ming’s Service Limited, free of cost.
There are three events scheduled to take place on Tuesday May 26. These include the formal wreath laying and flag raising ceremony at the Independence Arch, to be attended by President Granger and members of the diplomatic corps during the morning hours. The event will also see the participation of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a military guard of honour reeling of a general salute upon the arrival of the President.
The Head of State will deliver a speech to the na-
tion after which he will leave.
Following the independence activity, President Granger will be inaugurated at the Guyana National Stadium. There, Ministers of his Cabinet will also be officially named. The Inauguration is expected to see the participation of some Caribbean Heads of State and will include a cultural presentation, prior to the official ceremony.
Guyanese are being encouraged to assemble themselves early at the site so as to secure their seats at the stadium which has an approximate capacity of 16,000. Vieira assured that the stadium will be filled because of the many Guyanese who have an interest in the symbolic event. He related that a stage will also be set up on the stadium’s tarmac where a video screen will be erected for those who would not be allowed to move farther in.
Later in the evening, President Granger will make brief remarks to guests at the private inaugural reception scheduled for 20:00h at the Pegasus Hotel. The programme is still being tailored, but will involve some aspects of military guard of honour, paratroop jumps and entertainment from various sectors.
PM-elect Moses Nagamootoo and Dr Alvin Curling in Canada in April
The hundreds that gathered outside of the St Sidwell’s Primary School when McCoy arrived
Kwame McCoy sustained severe injuries from the attacks on Election Day
The Independence Arch at Brickdam, Georgetown
Women in fisheries sector remain underpaid – FAO study
While women are estimated to make up nearly half of all people in the fisheries sector, their work often goes unrecognised and underpaid, their access to opportunities and resources remains limited and their representation in positions of leadership trails far behind other industries.
These are among the key findings of a new review of women’s participation in the industry, published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Tuesday. Capture fisheries, aquaculture and related post-capture activities support the livelihoods of over 120 million people, many of whom work in the traditional, small-scale sector.
Fish are also an important source of nutrition across the world and provides more than 20 per cent of animal protein in low-income food-deficit countries.
Increasing gender equality in the fisheries sector is important for food security – both at a household level, where women contribute essential food and income to their families, and at the global level, where the seafood industry faces the challenge of sustainably increasing production to feed a growing world population.
Production in the sector will need to rise by 20 to 30 million tonnes a year to meet these growing needs, according to FAO. The globalisation of markets, stagnating catches from the world’s oceans, and climate change are among the factors putting extra pressure on the livelihoods of women in the fisheries sector.
In many cases, this adds to existing limits women entrepreneurs face due to established gender roles and a lack
of access to resources like processing technology and storage facilities, according to the report, which traces women’s participation across the industry – from catch to professional conferences to corporate board rooms.
Invisible women
While men continue to dominate capture fisheries – particularly offshore and industrial fishing – women across all regions are often relegated to processing, local sale and support roles, including cleaning boats and bringing fish to market, the report says.
These jobs are typically lower paid – in some cases unpaid – and less recognised for their contribution to the economy, employment and food security.
Future growth in the fisheries industry is expected to come from fish farming, while FAO is supporting Governments and the Private Sector to keep capture fisheries stable and sustainable. Yet, women who want to enter into fish production in some developing countries still face a lack of ownership rights that prevents them from own-
ing a boat or land needed for fishing and fish farming.
Limited access to loans, in addition, often bars women from starting or upgrading their own businesses and adding value to their products to better compete in an increasingly globalised and mechanised industry.
Widespread gaps in sexdisaggregated data for the fisheries and aquaculture sector, however, are hindering efforts to address these gender issues, says the FAO’s study.
A new network for women in the industry
The problem of gender equality in the fisheries sector is not limited to small-scale fisheries in developing countries. It is also reflected in their relative absence in the boardrooms, executive positions and fisheries conferences. Out of the world’s 100 top seafood companies, only one company is currently run by a woman as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), according to the report, compared with eight per cent of top positions held by women in the Fortune 100 USA companies. “Right now, the higher
OAS deploys electoral observers to Suriname
The Organisation of American States has begun the deployment of an Electoral Observation Mission (OAS/ EOM) to observe the general elections in Suriname on May 25.
The delegation, headed by Chilean economist and former Director of the Department of International Affairs of the OAS, Irene Klinger, who was designated by Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, comprises 24 experts and observers of 13 countries (Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Spain, and the United States). The first members
of the Mission arrived in Suriname on May 17.
The Mission will observe the election and analyse aspects regarding electoral organisation, constituency boundaries, electoral technology, political financing and the equal participation of men and women in the electoral process.
In the days leading up to the election, the OAS/ EOM will meet with electoral authorities, representatives of political parties, Government officials, as well as members of the media and civil society organisations to learn about the preparations of the electoral process. On Election Day, members of the Mission will visit polling stations across
the country to observe the various stages of the process from the opening of the polls to the counting, tabulation and dissemination of the results.
This is the fifth time the OAS has observed elections in Suriname since 1991. The day after the election, the OAS/EOM will present its preliminary findings in a press conference and will subsequently present a report to the Permanent Council of the Organisation in Washington, DC. The Chief of Mission, Irene Klinger, who will arrive in Suriname on Tuesday, is the only person authorised to make public statements on behalf of the Mission.
up you look in the industry, the fewer women you see,” added Audun Lem, Deputy Director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and Economics Division.
This, in turn, is keeping the industry back from rising to the food security challenge that lies ahead, he says. “The industry will not rise to the challenge of scaling up production sustainably if it can’t attract the best people. And it can’t afford to exclude 50 per cent of people,” added Lem.
To bring more women into higher management and research positions, FAO is working with corporations, seafood associations and universities to create a new network for women in the seafood industry.
The network will aim to give visibility to women in leadership positions and attract more female professionals to the sector. The new network will be the first mechanism of its kind to target women’s roles in research and leadership positions in the industry and will augment other FAO initiatives that support women in small-scale fisheries at the community level.
Red Thread looks forward to working with new administration
Red Thread extends congratulations to President David Granger, Prime Minister in waiting Moses Nagamootoo and the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition on their elections success. As Guyana prepares for a new Government, members of Red Thread are optimistic that the administration will work towards eliminating poverty, defending the rights of women and addressing the basic needs of constituency literacy.
Representative of Red Thread, Joy Marcus highlighted that it is evident that the newly elected administration has a lot to get accomplished in relation to the many promises that were made during the campaign period, which was reflected in the 100 days plan put forwarded by the officials of the coalition. She indicated that the Red Thread will be looking sturdily to the work of the administration, and will be holding them accountable for any fall back in the state. Moving to the wide spread issue of domestic violence, it was noted that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been doing their part, and the previous Government has introduced programmes to curb domestic violence.
However, in the quest of reviewing what has already been done and ways in which it could support the work of these same NGOs that have continued to help scores of domestic violence victims, there is hope that great support will be given by the new administration in solving the many humanitarian challenges.
Red Thread is an antiracist organisation that defends the rights of women, sticks out its neck to speak out against violence against women, help those suffering during floods, transportation, and also assist mothers on acquiring food and other basic necessities.
The Red Thread explained their project as twofold, bringing together low-income Guyanese women of African, Indian, and Indigenous descent; and developing the skills, information, and other resources needed to understand and contest the inequalities that oppress grass roots women. Marcus said that much emphasis should be placed on the grass root because, often times, this category of persons is labelled as the invisible group. On this note, she stated that their association will continue to work within the governmental arena once it deems beneficial to the country.
Women are estimated to make up nearly half of workers in the seafood industry
Swami Aksharananda has been a leading voice for a peace and reconciliation
Dear Editor,
We would like to congratulate President Granger and Prime Minister-elect Moses Nagamootoo and wish them well in the gigantic task of reconstruction and inclusive governance.
Peace, stability, prosperity, real democracy and human progress now have the best opportunity to flourish since Independence in 1966. Long period of oneparty rule, whether for 28 or 23 years, must be a thing of the past.
Since the election is over, we would like to unreservedly condemn the attacks on Swami Aksharananda ji waged by Frederick Kissoon and to a lesser extent by Khemraj Ramjattan in the period preceding national election.
Both of them skirted the substantive issues raised by Swami ji who, totally disinterested in the outcome of electoral politics, power and privileges, is a voice of conscience in the national interest.
This much is clear from his recent and historical positions and actions. Yet it is amazing that Swami ji, a man who wears the same pair of sandals for several years now and whose collective material belongings fit in a single traveling hand-luggage, is able to capture the imagination of the masses by his selfless actions and erudite speaking and writing.
He preaches what he practices and has led an exemplary and chaste lifestyle.
The vicious attacks began when Swami ji critiqued Mr Ramjattan, the AFC leader, for advocating that Guyanese “move beyond the history of the PNC”. Yet Mr Ramjattan’s position that he “will never become enslaved by history” is patently untenable for the simple reason that it is essentially an “unconditional amnesty” to the PNC.
Instead of addressing the substantive issues raised by Swami ji, Mr Ramrattan wrote in Kissoon-like manner: “Swami ji’s thesis of only wanting East Indians to remember the ugly days of PNC has an inherent danger in it. It is a vision of vengeance rather than a state of forgiveness.”
He continued: “Disappointingly, Swami ji reminds me of a cynical young man rather than the local sage.” Swami Aksharananda has never written anywhere that he wanted only “East Indians to remember the ugly days of PNC,” nor does he claim
to be a sage.
It is no secret that Swami ji has been a leading voice for a peace and reconciliation commission to address political injustices meted out to all ethnic groups so that the country can heal and move forward.
It was no other than Swami ji who advised: “Hindus must be free to support any political party of their choice.” It is sad indeed that a top leader of the AFC could be so shortsighted and insulting to a respected Hindu leader and scholar.
Mr Kissoon grounds his arguments in wild speculations and beliefs. He resorts to barbaric character assassination: “I do not recognize Aksharananda as achieving the status of a Swami. I know him as Dr Oudaipaul Singh. I have never enquired about his Swami status because I believed and still do that it is self-appointed.”
For his information, Dr Singh is an “ordained” swami. We doubt not that Mr Kissoon and his family have been subjected to political victimization, but that does not give him license to label Indian scholars, whom he disagrees with, racists and supremacists.
For several years now, Swami Aksharananda organizes and leads an annual blood collection drive, the largest such endeavor in the history of Guyana, so that all Guyanese, irrespective of race or religion, can be a beneficiary.
How on earth can such a man be deemed a racist and an Indian supremacist? It is a great shame that year after year such an event go largely unnoticed by the media – and Mr Kissoon.
There are few, if any, who have done so much for his country and remains as unassuming as Swami Aksharananda. As a key figure in Dr Walter Rodney’s WPA, he bravely fought against the oppression of the PNC, but his role has been sidelined by manipulators of that critical period of our history.
Along with others, he vigorously opposed the 1978 Referendum Bill. His opposition caused him his teaching job. During the 1980 treason trial, Swami’s efforts to defend the accused almost cost him his life when a man with a dagger attacked him in his classroom at the Lenora Secondary School.
In a separate incident, he was beaten and thrown in a muddy drain by certain “Pandits” of the then Pandits’ Council because of his protest action. Swami
ji was jailed for leading protest marches after Dr Rodney was assassinated.
He chained himself to Guyana’s Parliament to protest injustice, where he was joined by Eusi Kwayana and Dr George Lamming who was visiting Guyana.
In recent times, Swami Aksharananda created the prestigious, not-forprofit, Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), which is one of the most successful high schools in Guyana today. He is the Principal of SVN but he does not take a salary.
Swami Aksharananda has facilitated scholarships for top SVN students to US institutions. What lasting public service has his critics done?
When the country was on the brink of trouble on May 14 due to GECOM’s delay to declare the winner, it was Swami Aksharananda who issued the first noteworthy call on the ruling party to accept that it lost the election.
He was praised by several online bloggers on the side of the APNU-AFC, but vilified by PPP/C supporters. Most interestingly, when he urged GECOM the following day to allow the recounting of the 22 ballot boxes called into question by the PPP/C in order to “remove these doubts once and for all,” those who previously praised him lambasted him.
Such sudden and sharp swings in ‘ethnic opinion’ has been a mainstay of Guyana’s ethnically divisive political landscape; we can only hope that the coalition vicotry ushers in its death knell.
On our part, we have known Swami Aksharananda for a long time, and categorically say that his moral compass is moved neither by praise nor condemnation as he works for the well-being of all.
According to Bhagavad Gita (for example, III.20), the central idea of ‘lokasangraha’ - working for the welfare of the society - is important in a Hindu›s effort for salvation.
Swamis are required to take a stand on issues of societal importance. All the great Swamis, including Adi Shankara, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati down to Swami Purnananda in Guyana, have fearlessly stood up against injustice and inequity.
In Guyana, Swami Purnananda, the founder of the Cove and John Ashram, was very vocal on issues of national interest. He was very much maligned but never wavered, for he understood his societal role.
It is shocking that the current Guyanese Swamis in the lineage of Swami Purnananda seems to practice only ‘mauna’ (silence) devoid of any public stance on matters of national interest.
Silence is the standard expected of Guyanese politicians (and pandits), but it is dangerous and alien to Sanatana Dharma. We can only agree with Yesu Persaud, a distinguished son of Guyana: “He (Swami Aksharananda) is a very, very exceptional human being.”
Somdat Mahabir Ramesh Gampat
We must stand up with our supporters, ensure their protection
Dear Editor, We must commit to work in areas of common ground and where debates are needed, it must be done respectively but at no time, we will “not” stand up for our supporters and what is right for Guyana.
If the attitude towards PPP/C supporters continues as is happening around the country, there will be need for more drastic measures. I call on President Granger to ensure his people do not “fail” him.
Saying we will work for a better Guyana, or move our nation forward or even congratulations should not be construed that we accepted the cheating of a win.
With our party winning six out for ten regions despite the failure of the recount of the votes demonstrates that the PPP/C still commands massive support.
With over 202,000 people voting for the party, there was an increase of almost 40,000 new votes. This indicates that many believe that our economy and the PPP/C was on the right track.
The PPP/C received 22 per cent increase of voters in 2015 versus only 18 per cent for the coalition from the 2011 Elections. PPP/C voters should be proud that we still are in charge of the most successful economic regions in the nation.
In Region Eight, where the recount was refused, the PPP/C gained 148 per cent increase from 2011 and yet GECOM refused the recount. We even had
15 per cent increases in Region Four compared to only 19 per cent for APNU. In Region One, the PPP/C had 40 per cent versus 22 per cent for APNU. Region One, Two, Three, Five, Six and Nine are the richest regions in the country and the backbone of our economy.
Without a well-run machinery from these regions by our leaders, President Granger can see the entire economy fail and his Government will have to depend on us to ensure the country move forward.
Most PPP/C supporters understand where the changes need to be made in the rebuilding of democracy and the party.
Our PPP/C Version 2.0 effectively demonstrated where the economy needs to be heading. We have to keep that focus and ensure that despite of not being in Government. We cannot stop advocating for economic progress and building on the solid foundation.
Economic progress depends on sound policies that will ensure our nation continues to progress.
The APNU/AFC 100day plan indicates no new initiatives that will balance the giveaways projected. I warn again that or economy can go into a tail spin if many of the initiatives are not offset by new revenues. Our supporters can be assured that the fight is on to protect our nation from failing.
Dr Peter R Ramsaroop
Beware the ‘hoppertunists’
Dear Editor,
A ‘hoppertunist’ is someone who hops – like a grasshopper – from plane to plane scavenging for opportunities.
A hoppertunist shamelessly defends the untenable just for gain. A hoppertunist pounces on every opportunity – one day against you and the next day for you, depending on which position suits his greed best.
A ‘hoppertunist’ is a portmanteau word derived from ‘hopper’ and ‘opportunist’. The coinage of this word has its origin in this very letter, and this word will be patented by this publication.
The worst hoppertunists are those who pos -
ture as preachers of the gospel and impugn the character of Christianity by their flagrant collusion with evil just for some connections, cash and contracts.
How a man can preach integrity, righteousness, transparency, equity and godliness and still be mired in the opposite is incomprehensible; how he manages to keep a church membership and congregation is mindboggling.
Hoppertunists are so patently greedy, they possess the forest, yet they grab for a seedling; they snatch at the raindrop though they own the ocean.
Now that the PPP/C is
ousted from government, some will now jump ship and grab at the opportunities to be had from the Granger administration.
Ah, the love of money…
Anthony Nedd
Momentum with Royal Challengers in knockout clash
Shane Watson and Chris Gayle are crucial to their team’s fortunes in their respective top-order roles
After having crisscrossed a vast country to play 14 games each in less than six weeks, it comes down to one match for Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. The loser will be out of the tournament. The winner will stay on and make another long journey, from Pune to Ranchi, to meet either Chennai Super Kings or Mumbai Indians in one more knockout clash.
There is little to separate Royals and Royal Challengers on the surface. Both have had the same number of wins and losses in the league stage. Both have had their campaigns affected by rain; Royal Challengers have suffered more on that count, with rain playing a role in as many as five of their matches. Both rely considerably on their top orders - Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson and Steven Smith for Royals, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers for Royal Challengers.
Both would want those top orders to fire once more, but in case that does not
happen, Royals can count on a middle order that has been more productive than Royal Challengers’ has. Royal Challengers make up for that on the bowling front, with an attack that has consistently picked up wickets, led by the incisive Mitchell Starc.
As far as momentum goes, Royal Challengers are clearly ahead, with six wins in their last eight completed matches, compared to Royals’ two from their last seven.
Royals, though, will have the advantage of having played in Pune earlier this season, when an all-round performance from James Faulkner helped them beat Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs. The last time Royal Challengers played at the venue was more than two years ago.
Head-to-Head
The teams are split at 7-7 overall in the IPL, with one no-result. That came in Bangalore this season after Royal Challengers had piled up 200 for 7 and rain prevented the Royals chase
‘Deflate-gate’:
from even starting. Before that, Royals had suffered their first heavy defeat of the season in Ahmedabad, after being restricted to 130 for 9. Kohli and de Villiers hunted that down in 16.1 overs.
In the spotlight
Ajinkya Rahane has scored 498 runs this season with four half-centuries in 12 innings at a strikerate of 133.15. Virat Kohli has made 481 with three fifties in 14 innings at 133.98. Just like the overall record of these two teams, these numbers are neck-and-neck, and go to highlight the importance of the two leading Indian batsmen in their respective line-ups.
Mitchell Starc has transformed Royal Challengers from a top-heavy batting side to one that can strike and contain with the new ball as well as at the death.
Chris Morris may not have taken as many wickets as Starc has, but he has been equally hard to get away and his nagging bounce has been a crucial asset for Royals too. (Cricinfo)
New England Patriots will not appeal penalty
New England Patriots will not appeal against the $1m (£642,000) fine and draftpick punishment handed out by the NFL over the ‘deflategate’ scandal.
A report ruled Patriots staff deflated match balls in January’s 45-7 play-off victory over Indianapolis Colts which sent them to the Super Bowl.
Owner Robert Kraft said he wanted to take the issue “off the agenda” at a news conference on Tuesday.
Quarterback Tom Brady is still appealing against his four-game ban.
Brady was found to be “at least generally aware” of a scheme to under-inflate 11 of the 12 game balls for the rain-affected match, giving Brady more grip in the cold and wet conditions. (BBC Sport)
NBA Playoff roundup… Harden leads Rockets come back to eliminate Clippers – Conference finals begin today
James Harden scored 31 points, Dwight Howard had 16 points and 15 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 113-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, sending them to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1997.
It’s the ninth time in NBA history that a team has overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win a playoff series.
The Rockets needed an epic comeback to overcome a 19-point third-quarter deficit and force Game 7. No such heroics were needed Sunday when they were up by 17 after three and Howard opened the fourth quarter with a 3-point play to push it to 88-68.
Blake Griffin scored five points in a 9-0 run to cut the
lead to eight points with less than 2 1/2 minutes remaining. Harden made a pair of free throws after that, but a dunk by DeAndre Jordan got the Clippers within eight again. This time Trevor Ariza hit a 3 from the corner
to secure the victory.
Griffin had 27 points and Chris Paul had 26 points and 10 assists.
The Western Conference finals begin Today night at Golden State. (Portland Press Herald)
Gillespie needs England ‘persuasion’ to leave Yorkshire
Jason Gillespie says he would “take persuading” to leave Yorkshire for the England coaching job.
England cricket director Andrew Strauss has named the 40-year-old ex-Australia fast bowler as a possible replacement for sacked coach Peter Moores.
Gillespie has been the Yorkshire coach since 2011 and led them to the County Championship title last year.
“I’m in my dream job,” he told BBC Sport. “It would certainly take persuading [to leave].”
When asked about being linked to the England role, he added: “It’s very humbling, very flattering.
“The Yorkie boys have been giving me enough grief about it, which has been quite funny. But I haven’t had any contact and until that happens I can’t say anything.
“We’ll just have to wait and see. Strauss mentioned my name publicly, so I may get a call. It’s just fantastic [at Yorkshire], but I don’t know what the future holds.”
Gillespie’s former Australia Test team-mate Justin Langer had also been
named as a possible contender but ruled himself out of the running by signing a two-year contract extension with Western Australia on Tuesday.
Moores’s second stint as coach was ended on 9 May by Strauss following a dismal World Cup and a drawn Test series in West Indies.
At his unveiling last week in his new role, Strauss named Gillespie as a contender for the coaching job, but also ruled out a return this summer for Kevin Pietersen despite the batsman scoring his first triple century the previous day.
Pietersen later claimed he had been “led down the garden path” by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves, who had appeared to open the door to a recall. Graves denies offering Pietersen any guarantees.
Gillespie played in four Ashes series victories for Australia between 1996 and 2006, as well as the 2-1 defeat by Michael Vaughan’s England in 2005.
He coached in Zimbabwe and the Indian Premier League before joining Yorkshire in November 2011.
He won promotion to the
first division in an unbeaten first season and last year secured the Headingley side’s first Championship title since 2001.
Gillespie’s England prospects are further complicated by a contract agreed last month to coach Adelaide Strikers in the Australian Big Bash League for the next two winters.
“That’s a role I’m really excited about and looking forward to sinking my teeth into,” he added.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do here at Yorkshire, we’ve got a good core of senior lads and some young lads coming through and making their name. It’s an exciting time for our club.”
Yorkshire batsman Joe Root, England’s vice-captain, has spoken highly of Gillespie’s credentials as a potential England coach.
“I’ve loved working with Jason at Yorkshire, so would love to do so for England,” said Root.
“People have got to make decisions that are completely out of my hands. Of course his experience at international level is going to be a benefit but he’s great with everyone in and around the squad.
James Harden
Pollard, Harbhajan put Mumbai in 3rd final
Mumbai Indians dished out the perfect formulaic farewin toss, score enough runs and throttle the opponent in the field - to subdue Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs and march into the final.
After Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard took Mumbai’s score to 187, they shadowed Super Kings throughout their chase, never allowing them to get on top. Harbhajan Singh’s dismissals of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni off consecutive deliveries in the 11th over helped Mumbai make the decisive surge.
Apart from Faf du Plessis, who consolidated after an early wicket, and R Ashwin, who dealt a few powerful blows towards the end, Super Kings’ batting, as Dhoni later put it, was soft. It was only a matter of time before Mumbai clinched their eighth win in nine games.
After a decent start, Super Kings found themselves in the rather unfa-
miliar territory of a middle-order collapse, and more disturbingly for them they didn’t have the right response. The very next ball after Raina pushed one straight back at Harbhajan, Dhoni , attempting a sweep, was caught plumb in front. But the lbw that caused much angst to Super Kings was that of Dwayne Smith, ruled out by Richard Illingworth when a Lasith Malinga low full toss in the first over struck him well outside leg stump.
But du Plessis, who was later dropped on 14 by Malinga, remained Super Kings’ banker. However, his dismissal in the 14th over, which was followed by Parthiv Patel’s sharp run-out of Dwayne Bravo, quelled any late uprising. Ashwin belted out some elegant hits, but with no recognised batsman at the other end there was too much for him to do. Super Kings folded up two balls after his dismissal in the 19th over.
Even though Mumbai
didn’t go berserk from the beginning, openers Simmons and Parthiv Patel didn’t panic after a slow start.
After negotiating tidy opening spells from Ashwin, who opened the bowling for the second time this year, and Ashish Nehra, Simmons blasted a brace of sixes off Ashwin to shrug off the inertia. While he played out 25 dot balls, he compensated with five sixes and three fours during the course of his 51-ball 65. Simmons looked to be hurling everything he had at the ball, and besides hacking the ball down the ground, his fast hands came in handy while guiding the ball late.
Parthiv joined in with his clear-the-front-leg-andswipe approach soon after, and together they completed their fourth 50-plus partnership of the tournament. After Bravo sent back Parthiv, the incidence of wickets appeared to be a
little more frequent, but it didn’t have a palpable impact on the scoring-rate: they scored 49 runs from the 10th to 15th overs, and managed 52 in their last five.
Pollard played an influential role in this respect, slamming a 17-ball 41 with five sixes and a four. He largely favoured the leg side, besides going straight every once in a while. That he kept going despite wickets falling at the other end hurt Super Kings, whose fielding was uncharacteristically patchy. It rubbed on to their bowling towards the end: Bravo bowled three wides in the last over, which cost him 16 runs.
Super Kings were on exactly the same score - 86 - as their opponents at the halfway mark, having lost two wickets to Mumbai’s none. But the loss of four wickets in the next five overs saw them slide irreversibly. (Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
Mumbai Indians innings (20 overs maximum)
LMP Simmons c Negi b Jadeja 65
PA Patel† c Jadeja b Bravo 35
RG Sharma* c Jadeja b Bravo 19
KA Pollard c Raina b Bravo 41
HH Pandya c Jadeja b Nehra 1
AT Rayudu c Raina b Sharma 10
Harbhajan Singh not out 6
J Suchith not out 1
Extras (w 8, nb 1) 9
Total (6 wickets; 20 overs) 187
Did not bat: MJ McClenaghan, R Vinay Kumar, SL Malinga
Fall of wickets: 1-90, 2-113, 3-137, 4-139, 5-164, 6-185
Bowling: R Ashwin 3-0-22-0, A Nehra 4-0-28-1, P Negi 4-0-46-0, RA Jadeja 2-0-18-1, MM Sharma
3-0-33-1, DJ Bravo 4-0-40-3.
Chennai Super Kings innings (target: 188 runs from 20 overs)
DR Smith lbw b Malinga 0
MEK Hussey c †Patel b Vinay Kumar 16
Board to address issues in town-hall series
The West Indies Cricket Board will stage a series of townhall meetings over the next three months, as it seeks to engage the public on the plethora of challenges facing the regional game.
Dave Cameron, the WICB president, said in a statement on Monday the move was an attempt to interact with the cricketing public and other stakeholders, with the objective of helping to restore their confidence in the board.
“We believe the public town-hall meeting is a great way to hear what people across the Caribbean have to say about the important issues facing their game,” Cameron said.
“It presents a great opportunity for our stakeholders to learn more about initiatives which the WICB is working on at this time.”
Dave Cameron
He added: “We want to restore the public confi-
dence in the WICB and we can only do this if we talk to our public – the fans, sponsors and our governments.
“We are looking to engage in open, honest dialogue with the public, so we encourage all to attend and actively participate, as we seek to rebuild West Indies cricket together.”
Barbados will host the first town-hall on Friday, at the UWI Cave Hill Campus starting at 7 pm.
A second town-hall meeting is being scheduled for Dominica next month, just prior to the opening Test between West Indies and Australia at Windsor Park.
The WICB has come under heavy criticism in recent months for their handling of the abandoned one-day tour of India last October, and the subsequent fall out. (CMC)
Bolt sprinting to secure legacy
Jamaica’s six-time Olympic gold medallist, Usain Bolt, says his main focus for the remainder of his sprinting career is to secure a legacy as the greatest athlete of all times.
Bolt’s disclosure comes ahead of his eagerly anticipated showdown with worldleading American Justin Gatlin and Jamaica’s peren-
double world record 9.69 and 19.30 seconds, respectively, at the 2008 Olympics.
There is mounting anticipation over his potential clash with his main rival Gatlin, who ran the fastest 100 metres of his life and the quickest in the world this year at 9.74 seconds in Doha on Friday.
The global sprint icon
nial sub-10 sprinter Asafa Powell.
says he has no intention of slowing down.
F du Plessis c Vinay Kumar b Suchith 45
SK Raina c & b Harbhajan Singh 25
MS Dhoni*† lbw b Harbhajan Singh 0 DJ Bravo run out (McClenaghan/†Patel) 20
RA Jadeja c Suchith b McClenaghan 19 P Negi c sub (UBT Chand) b Vinay Kumar 3
R Ashwin c Rayudub Malinga 23 MM Sharma not out 3 A Nehra c Simmons b Malinga 0 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 Total (all out; 19 overs) 162 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-46, 3-86, 4-86, 5-110, 6-119, 7-126, 8-147, 9-161, 10-162. Bowling: SL Malinga 4-023-3, MJ McClenaghan 3-0-46-1, R Vinay Kumar 3-0-26-2, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-26-2, KA Pollard 3-0-220, J Suchith 2-0-18-1.
The sprint super star says his primary focus now is his place in history as he prepares to hang-up his spike in 2017.
“In the past, we (coach, Glen Mills) have sometimes focused on the clock and getting records. Other times, it has been on medals. Now it’s all about securing my legacy,” said Bolt in a Jamaica Olympics interview posted Sunday on the website www. teamja.org.
“Someone may come along one day and break one of my records, but to beat my legacy, they have to beat my whole body of work. So the more I can win, the greater that gets, and the harder it will be to overshadow. That’s what’s getting me out of bed now”.
In August, Bolt is returning to the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China, where he sped to a sprint
“I’m already the greatest sprinter of all time, but if I continue to win golds, I could be the greatest athlete of all time,” said Bolt.
“Legacy is the main word in my life now, and that means if I’m five metres ahead with 10 to go, I won’t be slowing down and beating my chest. I’ll be pushing to get the best time I can, every time”.
Apart from the World Championships in Beijing in August, Bolt’s schedule also includes the Rio Olympics 2016 and the London World Championships in 2017 before calling it a day.
“The plan in that time is three golds in Beijing; three in Rio to make a triple-triple; and then one in London, as I’ll only be doing the 100 metres,” said Bolt.
“In short, I’m aiming for continued greatness”. (CMC)
gatlin says he was ‘kicked out’ by Beijing meeting organisers
Justin Gatlin says he has been “kicked out” of the Beijing World Challenge by meeting organisers.
The 33-year-old, who has served two doping bans, was due to race in China on Wednesday after running his fastest ever 100m time of 9.74 seconds in Doha.
Gatlin was unsure about his fitness following a flight
to Beijing but appeared ready to compete after coming through a training session on Monday.
“They didn’t have any respect for me so they said ‘you better leave’,” he said.
“I was happy to stay. I was cramping a lot after the fastest my body has ever run.”
The meeting organisers have yet to respond to the American’s comments.
Asked whether the sudden departure may have been linked to his controversial reputation, the sprinter’s manager Renaldo Nehemiah said: “No, it has nothing to do with that.
“No, this is because they think he is injured and they don’t want him here if he’s injured.”
Gatlin’s time of 9.74 from Friday’s Doha Diamond League meeting is the fastest in the world so far this year and joint-sixth quickest 100m time in history.
“It’s crazy. I have no idea what they were thinking. I think they thought I wasn’t man enough and I might pull up in the race, or not finish it and then still ask for money,” added Gatlin.
“But I’m not a man like that. I’m not the kind of guy to cheat people of their money or let the fans down ... that’s not what I do.” (BBC
Caption: Kieron Pollard muscled fives sixes in 17 deliveries
Usain Bolt
Justin Gatlin
YELLOW PAGES
wednesday, may 20, 2015
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Adominant opening partnership by Wahied Edwards and Mortimer Fraser propelled Young Warriors to a commanding eight-wicket win over Canje Pathfinders in the 2015 New Building Society (NBS) Second Division 40-over cricket competition in Berbice.
4.
Jason Thomas, batting at number eight for Jai Hind, made 86 not out with four fours and six sixes to steer his team to 269-8 in 35 overs against Kendall’s Union B. In reply, Kendall’s Union B could only muster 90 runs in 19.3 overs, with Thomas taking 5-26 from seven overs.
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Edwards led the way with 74 and Mortimer Fraser scored 58 not out in a partnership of 150, as Young Warriors made light work of a target of 167, winning in 17 overs.
Defending champions D’Edward also benefitted from two half-centuries from Devendra Lalsa 77 runs (four fours and five sixes) and Lakeraj Sookra 69 not out (three fours, six sixes).Giving a total of 2216 in 30 overs against Bath Spartans, whose leg-spinner, Vishal Bejai, took 5-21 from six overs. The Spartans could only respond with 163 all out in 29.1 overs with medium-pacer Navendra Rampersaud picking up 22-
turned in by former Berbice Under-15 player Parasram Tilkuram of Whim National, Lakeram Latchman of Number 73 Young Warriors and Avinash Loaknauth of Tamarind Root.
Below are the summarised scores from the games.
At Cumberland: Young Warriors beat Canje Pathfinders by eight wickets. Canje Pathfinders made 166-9 in 30 overs, (Ravin Dayaram (47), Roberto Britton (25), Ishwar Singh (14-3), Anil Beharry (24-2)) against Young Warriors, who made 167-2 in 17 overs, (Wahied Edwards
Rakesh Kallicharran (363)), while Kendall’s Union B made 90 runs in 19.3 overs (Jason Thomas (26-5), Chanader Goberdhan (233)).
At Belvedere: Tamarind Root beat Belvedere United by 55 runs. Tamarind Root made 231 runs in 30 overs (Avinash Looknauth (58), Adrian Singh (38), Renrick Batson (26-2), Nazeem Samad (29-2), Davendra Rampadaret (47-2)), beating Belvedere United who managed 176 in 26.1 overs (Troy Mckenzie (38), Nazeem Samad (29), Ajay Ramsammy (9-3), Adrian Singh (12-2), Avinash Looknauth (40-2)).
At Kilcoy: Sand Reef beat Fyrish Road by two wickets. Fyrish Road gained 152 runs in 33.4 overs (Anand Singh (21-3), Shivnarine Sahid (16-2), Zaheer Azeez (20-2)), while Sand Reef gained 154-8 in 25.1 overs, (Hemraj Ramsaroop (35), Zaheer Azeez (27), Hassan Hussain (17-4), Safraz Khan (35-3)).
At Port Mourant: Whim National beat GuySuCo Training Center by four wickets. GuySuCo Training Center made 135 runs in 33.4 overs (Devendra Singh (29), Naresh Persaud (28), Parasram Tilkuram (234), Deeraj Venkiah (143)), with Whim National achieving 136-6 in 26.1 overs, (Parasram Tilkuram 53, Devendra Singh (19-2), Akeem Bollers (33-2)). At Number 73: Scottsburg United beat Number 73 Young Warriors by five wickets. Number 73 Young Warriors made 140 runs in 32 overs (Lakeram Latchman (59), Odiraj Singh (39), Odell Kyte (15-3), Trishan Ramsarran (24-2), Curtis Willeps (29-2)), while Scottsburg United scored 141-5 in 22 overs (Nicholie Ceres (42), Kevin Clarke (38), Lakeram Latchman (16-3)).
Taylor praises Windies women’s sensible batting in come-back win
Dependable middle order batter
Stafanie Taylor says West Indies women batted sensibly to recover from a tentative start to beat Sri Lanka Women by 18 runs under Duckworth/ Lewis, in the third One-Day International of the fourmatch series on Monday.
Taylor hit the top score of 86 not out and Deandra Dottin supported with 69 not out to set up the win in the rain-affected match in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.
Taylor said she was happy to play a leading role in the victory.
“I am very pleased. Dottin did extremely well also. Both of us stayed at the wicket and, stick it out and the Sri Lankans they have been playing some good cricket and we know that we have to put a big target on the board in order to defend that,” said Taylor.
“We thought we batted sensibly and that is what we needed. We needed a big partnership and we knew that the partnership we needed was between both of
us”.
Taylor and Dottin shared 151 unbroken for the fourth wicket, as the visitors reached 215 for three from their allocation of 50
stricted to 170 for eight in 40.2 overs following a rain delay in the middle of their innings.
Taylor said she was highly satisfied with her in-
Stafanie Taylor
overs on a slow Premadasa Stadium pitch.
Spin bowlers Afy Fletcher and Anisa Mohammed then grabbed two wickets apiece, as the Sri Lankan Women were re-
nings due to the challenging condition of the pitch.
“The conditions …I don’t feel we have adjusted as yet. Sometimes we don’t know how it will be,” said the West Indies women
vice-captain.
“It’s totally different from the Caribbean, the pitches are slow and the Sri Lankans are even slower so we have a lot to adopt to and we pretty much like the ball coming on and they have, spinners so we really have to work through that”.
The victory handed West Indies a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, and also gave them their first ICC Championship points of the campaign.
“We knew it was very important. We knew that we had to play catch up and no team like to play catch up”.
The result also meant that the Windies Women drew level 1-1 in the second match of three between the two sides in the ICC Women’s Championship, after the Sri Lankans drew first blood last Friday with a six-wicket victory. Both teams have played eight matches in the Championship – the Windies Women currently have eight points – three more than the Sri Lankans.
(CMC)
earth.
Lakeram Latchman
Wahied Edwards
Mortimer Fraser
RHTY&SC, BCB congratulate President Granger
Newly-sworn in President David Granger continues to receive messages of congratulations and words of support as he assumes the highest office in the land. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) are the latest organisations to join in wishing the newly elected Head of State a bright and successful future in office.
Below is the message from the RHTY&SC: “The management and members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, would like to extend congratulations to H.E. David Arthur Granger on his accession to the Presidency of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
The Club wishes His Excellency success in the execution of his duties and looks forward to a period of growth and development especially in the educational, social, sports and youth development areas.
As the RHTY&SC has showed over the last 25 years, success can be achieved through a simple formula of hard work, discipline, honesty, visionary leadership and commitment.
We commit ourselves to working with the incoming Government to make a positive difference in the lives of youths as we have always done.
The RHTY&SC strongly believes
in the promotion of sports, culture and education in the development of youths and would be very grateful if special emphasis is placed on getting our youths to Say No to Drugs and Suicide and Yes to Sports and Education.
As we celebrate our Silver Jubilee throughout 2015, the RHTY&SC recommits itself to working with President Granger and his team to make sure that every youth in Berbice fulfils his/ her full potential. We would also like
to extend gratitude to members of the former Government of Guyana for their assistance to the RHTY&SC over the last two decades, especially former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and former Ministers Jennifer Westford and Dr Frank Anthony.”
The President, executive and members of the BCB also took this opportunity to congratulate the APNU/ AFC Coalition on their election to Government for the next five years.
A release from the BCB offered congratulations to President Granger and his running mate, Prime Ministerelected Moses Nagamootoo.
Further, the release also thanked the former Government for all the support that was given to the Board over the years and said it was confident that the relationship with the new Government would be no different.
“Cricket is our number one sport and it is the single largest unifying force for our country and we all must recognise the importance of this game. It is a noble game that crosses all race and religion, and we hope that the newly-elected Government will quickly help to remove all the controversies that exist in our cricket today. We must all recognise the task ahead and it can only be achieved if all of us put our shoulders to the wheel,” the BCB release stated.
GFF concludes successful instructor course
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) successfully hosted a referee instructor/assessor course for its local assessors on May 16 and 17. The course saw referees and instructors from Regions three, four, six, eight and 10 in attendance amounting to a total of 16 participants which included
for the first time, two female referee assessors. This is the first course of its kind which was facilitated by the federation’s local instructors/assessors Abdulla Hamid, Ingram Johnson and Roy McArthur.
In the opening remarks, Stanley Lancaster, head of the referees department expressed that the aim of the
course was, “to have well trained assessors/instructors to properly assess our match officials during all levels of tournaments across Guyana, also to aid in the development of our referees”.
The GFF will be hosting a series of recruitment drives with its first Beginner’s Course starting
from May 22-25. Interested persons are asked to contact Lancaster on 2278758 or via email at slancaster@gffonline.com. These courses are part of the continued development plans of the GFF for the sport of Football with training sessions for Coaches, Referees and Players.
Barbadian Cummins hoping for happy return to Red Steel
Fast bowler Miguel Cummins is already training his sights on the upcoming Caribbean Premier League, and says he hopes to help Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel make a big impression on the tournament.
The 24-year-old Barbadian has returned to Red Steel whom he represented in the inaugural CPL season, before
and which will be led by West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. They bowl off their campaign against St Lucia Zouks at Beausejour before clashing with reigning champions Barbados Tridents in their second match at Kensington Oval. Cummins believes Red Steel have a strong enough side to challenge any team in the July 20 to July 26 tournament.
turning out for Antigua Hawksbills last year.
Cummins had a disappointing season, bowling just nine overs in five outings and claiming a single wicket.
“Last year had some okay games and some not so okay games. It is a learning process. You have to keep learning to get better,” Cummins told the Trinidad Express newspaper.
“My goal is to do what the team wants. I am a team person first and once the team does well I will be happy.”
He will be part of a Red Steel side that features the likes of South African star Jacques Kallis, Pakistan’s Kamran Akmal
I think we have a pretty good chance this year. The team is well balanced. We have a lot of batsmen and a lot of bowlers and everyone has the potential to be a game-winner and a game-changer so we will just go out there and do our best,” he said. Red Steel reached as far as the semi-finals last year where they were outed by 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs.
The CPL is the Caribbean’s premier Twenty20 tournament and features six teams – Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia Zouks, T&T Red Steel and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. (CMC)
Phelps moving to Arizona to keep training under Bob Bowman
Michael Phelps is happy for a change of scenery. His biggest rival, Ryan Lochte, can relate.
Phelps said Thursday he will relocate to Tempe, Arizona, to continue training under longtime coach Bob Bowman. Phelps currently lives and trains in Baltimore but is making the move after Bowman was hired as the men’s and women’s swimming coach at Arizona State.
“It’s going to be different,” Phelps said as he prepared to compete in Charlotte this weekend. “I get my Vitamin D year round, which is nice. I get to be tan all
year, which is also nice. But I’m somebody who loves changes. If we do the same thing in training month after month, I get sick of it.”
Lochte made a similar move in October 2013, relocating from Florida to Charlotte to join SwimMAC Carolina’s elite-level program and train under NCAA championship-winning coach David Marsh. Under Bowman’s tutelage, Phelps became the Olympics’ mostdecorated athlete, with 22 total medals and 18 golds. After coming off a six-month suspension levied by USA Swimming, he is training for the 2016 Rio Games.
Phelps called the move a new opportunity not just for Bowman,
but for himself and fiancee Nicole Johnson.
“It’s 12 months of being on the golf course,” he said. “I’m not nervous about it. I think I’m more excited about it. It’s sort of a new beginning.”
This is Bowman’s second stint as a college coach. He led Michigan’s program from 20052008, while also coaching Phelps.
“I know what I’m getting into, whereas when I went to Ann Arbor, it was a completely new world,” Bowman said. “On this one, I’ve had a lot more input on how things are going to be. It’s a little more tailor-made for every-
one’s needs, what I need.
“The thing I’m most excited about is getting to work in the university environment again. It’s kind of stimulating on all levels.”
Phelps is entered in six events this weekend, and he said he plans to swim in every one. Lochte is entered in seven, but he will need to drop one before prelims begin Friday.
“I would like to challenge myself to see how much I can put on the line, how much I can force my body to hurt, and see what happens,” Phelps said. “What do I have to lose here? Nothing.” (ESPN)
President David Granger
The participants pose for a photo after the conclusion of the course
Michael Phelps
Miguel Cummins
Chanderpaul looking for final hurrah against Aussies
West Indies ace batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is looking forward to suiting up against Australia in the upcoming two-match Test series as his illustrious career draws to a close.
The veteran of 164 Test matches, the most by a West Indian, has not enjoyed the best of times recently, scoring just 92 in the six innings against England a few weeks ago, but he is determined to rebound against the visiting Aussies.
The Australians will travel to the Caribbean for two Test matches, the first of which is set for June 3-7 in Roseau in Dominica, while the second match is fixed for June 11-15 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Guyana Times Sport was reliably informed that Chanderpaul has indicated an avid interest in playing the two Tests, a desire he would have communicated to newly-appointed West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons.
This publication was told that Chanderpaul and Simmons had a meeting following the conclusion of the England series, and from all indications it was very cordial.
Once selected, Chanderpaul said he would use the series to thank the
Shivnarine Chanderpaul is just 86 runs shy of surpassing Brian Lara as the Caribbean’s leading runscorer in Test cricket
Caribbean people for their support over the past 21 years he has been playing international cricket.
Chanderpaul’s former teammate, the Barbados opener Philo Wallace, recently said that Chanderpaul should be given a place in the side for the five home Tests – three against England and two against Australia – and then
properly honoured by the West Indies Cricket Board for his service to the regional game.
Currently, Chanderpaul is just 86 runs shy of overtaking Brian Lara as the Caribbean’s leading runscorer in Test cricket. He has amassed 11,867 runs at an average of 51.37 with 30 hundreds and 66 fifties.
Raffik and Sons 2nd division T20 cricket… Johnson, Baldeo lead their teams to victories
iddle-order bats-
Mmen Joel Johnson blasted five fours and four sixes in scoring 56 runs, which together with 35 from Levi Thomas and 34 from Nazrudin Bux, saw Cheskoy Riders posting 206-6 in their 20 overs game against Whim National in the Raffik and Sons Construction’s Second Division T20 cricket competition in Berbice. The total is the highest posted by a single team in the tournament. Johnson then came back with his off-spin and took 29-3 from three overs which, together with threewicket hauls from Ravindra Hardyal and Sheldon Phillips, saw Whim being restricted to 169 all out in 19.3 overs. Elsewhere, Guyana Under-19 all-rounder
Balchand Baldeo led Albion Community Centre to two consecutive victories in their latest matches. In the match against Travellers of Albion Front, he took 3-3 from 2.2 overs, with his off-spin, to lead the destruction of the opposition for 45 runs. He
then scored a quick fire 30 to see Albion to a 10-wicket win. In the next match against Fyrish Road, Baldeo took 7-2 from three overs and Berbice Under-15 left-arm spinner
Kelvin Umrao grabbed 13-4 from four overs to skittle them out for 55. He opened the batting again and, this time, scored 43 not out to lead Albion to a second consecutive 10-wicket win.
Below are the summarised scores from the games played
ECCB congratulates APNU+AFC Government
The President, executives and the entire membership of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB), extended heartfelt congratulations as well as best wishes to His Excellency, President David Granger, Hon Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the coalition APNU + AFC on their victory at the recent polls.
An ECCB press release further stated that the success at the elections was a clear indication of those who have placed their confidence in new Government’s leadership skills to lead the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
“We believe your victory was neither by sheer magic
nor coincidence, but by your hard work and the confidence of the majority of those who have faith in your management skills and your ability to steer the ship of this great nation.
“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to shower blessings, wisdom, courage and sustained good health for the onerous task ahead. In this regard, we are looking forward to work diligently with you to bring decency, transparency and democracy at all levels in our cricket administration. Congratulations once again!”
italy police arrest 50 in football match-fixing probe
Police have arrested more than 50 people as part of an investigation into suspected matchfixing in Italian football.
Those detained include players and directors from around 30 clubs from Italy’s third and fourth divisions.
More than 70 people are also under investigation in the inquiry led by prosecutors in the southern town of Catanzaro.
Police said that some of those charged had links to mafia organisations.
Catanzaro prosecutors said they had uncovered an
alleged network between club presidents, coaches, players, and some management members.
Organised crime
Those arrested are suspected of “conspiracy to commit sporting fraud”, ANSA news agency said.
Police said they were studying suspicious results in dozens of matches.
Reports say that the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate is believed to be behind some of the match-fixing.
The syndicate is a network of clans in Calabria - in the ‘toe’ of Italy - that
dominates the country’s cocaine trade.
Local media said that one police officer was also involved in the scandal.
It is not yet clear whether Tuesday’s police inquiry is linked to a previous antimatch-fixing operation.
Police had already placed more than 100 people under investigation for suspected match-fixing since 2011.
But prosecutors in the cities of Cremona, Bari and Naples had been focusing on Serie A and B matches. (BBC Sport)
At Kilcoy: Cheskoy Riders beat Whim National by 37 runs. Cheskoy Riders got 206-6 in 20 overs, (Joel Johnson (56), Levi Thomas (35), Nazrudin Bux (34), Sheldon Phillips (21), Taijpaul Harrinarine (282), Deeraj Venkiah (35-2)), while Whim National made 169 runs in 19.3 overs, (Mahesh Ramoutar (48), Andy Singh (27), Deeraj Venkiah (23), Ravindra Hardyal (17-3), Joel Johnson (29-3), Sheldon Phillips (473)).
At Albion: Albion Community Centre beat Travellers by 10 wickets. Travellers made 45 runs in 11.2 overs, (Balchand Baldeo (3-3), Satesh Dwarka (172)), and Albion Community Centre made 46 without loss (Balchand Baldeo (30)).
At Albion: Albion Community Centre beat Fyrish Road by 10 wickets. Fyrish Road made 55 runs in 19 overs, (Kelvin Umrao (12-4), Balchand Baldeo (72)), and Albion Community Centre made 56 runs without loss in 5.1 overs (Balchand Baldeo (44)).
President David Granger
Balchand Baldeo
WI legend Haynes has big expectations for 3rd edition of CPL
West Indies batting legend Desmond Haynes has backed this year’s Caribbean Premier League to be one of the best ever.
The 59-year-old, who serves as ambassador for the Barbados Tridents, said with the quality of overseas players and the well-balanced nature of the six franchises, the June 20 to July 26 tournament could prove to be the stand-out edition.
“I believe this could be the best Limacol CPL because looking at the teams I find that the teams are well balanced and all the teams are very competitive,” Haynes said.
“With those big stars coming to be a part of CPL I think it is good for the competition. Over the last couple of years, CPL has been very good in having some very balanced sides but as you know, cricket is played on the day.
“But looking at the teams on paper, you would think that this CPL will be the best one of the
three.”
South Africa’s Jacques Kallis heads the list of overseas stars coming for the third edition of the CPL, with Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga, England’s Kevin Pietersen and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi also set to feature.
Despite the influx of stars, Haynes says he did not expect any one team to dominate the tournament, as success would also be down to team unity.
“All the teams are very competitive. You may look at one or two teams that do have some big names but a lot of the teams have good units and play together,” he pointed out.
“Take the Tridents for example, if it is one thing you can say about us is that we always play together, we gel well and everybody likes the leader.
“Polly (Kieron Pollard) has an influence on the team which makes everybody happy to be around him
and we’ve got the senior players that don’t matter what you ask of them, these guys are willing to do it for the team.”
Barbados Tridents are the defending champions after beating Guyana Amazon Warriors in
a highly charged final in St Kitts last August.
The two teams will feature in the curtain-raiser at Kensington Oval, the first of four matches that are expected to draw sell-out crowds.
Tridents will also take on 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs, last year’s semi-finalist Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and new franchise, the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
Though the Tridents have lost the likes of Shakib al Hasan, Raymon Reifer and Kyle Mayers, Haynes believes his side still possessed enough firepower to threaten.
“We’ve also got some exciting young players in our midst, fellows who are interested in making sure that we retain the trophy and so far, looking at the Barbados Tridents, they look they will be force to be reckoned with even through some of the other teams have been strengthened with some
Jeffrey suffers broken collar bone in freak accident – could be sidelined for the rest of 2015
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Team Coco’s champion rider
Raynauth Jeffrey will be off his saddle for an indefinite period after he broke his left collar bone in an accident on Monday night.
Jeffrey was doing his usual afternoon training on the East Coast Demerara Public Road, and it was on his return journey to his home in Annandale that he encountered the mishap.
The 20-year-old Team Coco’s rider related to <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> on Tuesday that he stopped to visit some relatives at Nonpareil, and it was during his ride out of the village that he struck a dog which had sprinted across the main access road.
Jeffrey stated that upon hitting the animal, he was tossed several feet through the air, landing on his left side and breaking his left collar bone in the process.
“I was going at a reasonable pace and this dog just run across the road. The braking distance was too short, so I couldn’t avoid the collision,” Jeffrey said.
The cyclist, who won the 2013 “Ride for Life” Five-Stage, also stated that had it not been for his helmet, he might have suffered severe head injuries. The helmet was broken in three places, Jeffrey related. Immediately after the accident,
Jeffrey was rushed to a medical institution where it was discovered that the collar bone was broken.
Jeffrey was due to travel to the United States of America on Tuesday afternoon to compete in several races, but will now use the trip to seek additional medical attention.
The injury means the talented rider will not be able to defend the Guyana Cycling Federation’s National Time Trial road race he won last year, and will definitely miss the upcoming Independence Three-Stage and possibly the “Ride for Life” Five-Stage.
Jeffrey said, “From the look of things, I might be out for the rest of the year.”
This is a major setback for the rider, who earlier this year returned from vacation in the United States of America and was just about reaching full throttle in terms of his preparations to participate in local events.
“I was really feeling good recently, because I was getting back into the groove. It was a bit hard at first coming from North America and getting back accustomed to the climate here, but up to Monday I was riding well and getting back to top condition,” a disappointed Jeffrey said.
Jeffrey is considered one of the leading cyclists in Guyana, having enjoyed tremendous success since joining the sports a few years ago.
big names,” Haynes contended.
“We have (Dilshan) Munaweera who is a very exciting opening batsman, and seeing him and Dwayne Smith opening the batting this season could be very exciting for crowds around the Caribbean. We’ve lost one or two players but we’ve got the likes of Shai Hope and we still haven’t seen the best of Jonathan Carter even though he did very well for us in the Champions League last year.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in our side but in T20 cricket you need that big of luck and you need to play together. You also need to think long and hard about how you’re going to go about your game so the planning is very important.”
The CPL features six franchises – Barbados Tridents, Jamaica Tallawahs, T&T Red Steel, St Lucia Zouks, Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots – competing in 33 matches. (CMC)
“I have nothing to hide” – Kumar
Director of Sports, Neil Kumar has spoken out publically, disclosing that all paperwork and financial records of the National Sports Commission (NSC) are in order.
Kumar was responding to claims in a Guyana Chronicle article dated May
Meanwhile, Kumar revealed that the break in to his office happened about two months ago, contrary to the Guyana Chronicle report, and the matter was reported and an investigation was carried out at the NSC office on Homestretch Avenue.
19 that he controls all the paper and financial records.
“We have a Chairman of Commission and an accounts department. I don’t keep financial paperwork, they can check with them, because I have nothing to hide,” Kumar noted.
Kumar also stressed that as Director of Sport, he had the right to give out gear as he so wished and never did it “willy nilly”.
Kumar also stressed that all information can be verified, reiterating that he has nothing to hide.
Desmond Haynes
Raynauth Jeffrey is one of the country’s leading cyclists
