Guyana Times Daily

monday, october 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Baby among three injured in Kitty accident

The four-month-old daughter of a journalist attached to the Guyana Chronicle is among three persons injured in an accident at the corners of David and Alexander Streets, Kitty, Georgetown, on Sunday.

Injured are Jude Abrams, his baby Jonique Abrams and sister Lena

Abrams. They are all patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to reports, Jude Abrams was driving along Alexander Street when another car slammed into his car at the junction of David and Alexander Streets. The driver of that car is yet to be identified. The impact caused

Abram’s car to topple once. Guyana Times was told the car that slammed into Abrams’ was proceeding at a fast.

Speaking with Guyana Times , Svetlana Marshall mother of the injured child, said the trio left their Herstelling, East Bank Demerara home to go to Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, when the accident occurred.

She said the child’s life was saved because she was properly strapped to the car seat. The child however still has to undergo a brain and spine scan.

When Guyana Times visited the GPH, Abrams was crying out for severe pain about her body. She said she was flung out of the car.

Jude Abrams appeared dazed, but was occasionally wrenching in pain. Police are continuing their investigations.

Mega salary increases

It is more

‘rewarding’ than ‘deserving’ –

Former Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has challenged the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government over its decision to increase salaries of Ministers and Members of Parliament, saying the move is more “rewarding” than it is “deserving”.

For a Government that has been in office for just a few months, the former MP said, the new Government has really worked its way up into the public purse, grazing off millions of dollars that could have otherwise gone to Guyana’s poor.

“Upon assuming office APNU/AFC told the people that the country was in a bad state, the economy was ruined and the treasury was bankrupt and

Dr Ramsammy

they could not give public servants the promised 20% increase, reduce VAT, give the $10,000 per child in school, double old age pension and increase the school uniform voucher to $20,000 per child, all promises that were made during the elections campaign” Ramsammy said Under the circumstances he noted, it would therefore have been reasonable to expect the new Government would instead cut their salaries. Instead, they have increased them, “not by a little, but by what is indisputably the highest salary increases in the world”.

According to Ramsammy, this is a slap in the face of the new Government, which while in opposition, had vehemently argued that teachers, police, doctors, nurses, engineers and other public servants deserved far better salaries.

He said the Government, which has weakened Guyana’s economy, is moving headon to further doom and there is no saying where this will place the country’s economy.

“They wrecked the rice industry by causing a collapse of the market and the price for paddy because it is a Private Sector business. They are proud of the “wise” decision to cut out the $10,000 per child school programme and mortgage subsidies for first time home owners. They “brag” about dismissing 2000 young Amerindians and hundreds of East Indian public servants. They “delight” in cutting out the water and electricity subsidies for pensioners. They sabotaged parliamentary independence and transparency and the procurement and tender standards. Above all, they steward the downturn of the economy and the plummeting business and investments in our country,” Ramsammy said.

According to the former Minister, Government continues to argue that the pay

increase for Ministers will prevent them from “thiefing all over the place”.

“They arrogantly explain that they could not work for the low salaries the PPP/C Ministers were willing to work for. These people who had told the GRA they worked for small salaries and, therefore, paid little taxes, now claim they were earning big salaries in their private practices with a PPP/C Government, but refuse to produce evidence of taxes they paid.”

He cited the case in the United States where the average citizen earns about US$53,000 and the minimum salary is about US$20,000 per year, its President (Obama) makes about US$400,000 per year or just over US$33,000 per month. Next door in Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Jamaica, the Prime Minister’s salary is about US$100,000 annually (US$8000 per month). In Brazil, the President’s salary is about US$12,000 per month. All these countries are much richer than Guyana.

While the salaries of our President and Prime Minister are not as low in comparison to the US President’s salary and are as high or higher than the salaries of the Prime Ministers of Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Brazil and much higher than the salary of the President of Venezuela. Obama’s salary is about 20 times that of the minimum salary in the USA, while Nagamootoo who is not the Head of State is earning, without benefits, more than 50 times the minimum salary in Guyana.

Last week, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told the media that his Government has no apologies for the increase in salaries for Ministers. He said if Government wanted the Ministers to perform their duties in a meaningful way, then they needed to be paid toward such expectations.

The damaged car

Former Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy Minister of State Joseph Harmon

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, October 12 – 16:10h-17:10h and Tuesday, October 13 – 16:40h-18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

09:46h and 22:04h

Mega salary increases

Repercussions will be felt at local Govt polls – Dr Jeffrey

By Kristen MacKlingaM

In light of the recent move by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to award itself a whopping 50 per cent salary increase shortly after giving public servants a miserly five per cent increase, the Administration will now have to deal with the repercussions of such a decision.

According to former Foreign Trade and Education Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey, there will be major repercussions at the upcoming local Government polls.

“Of course, there is no question about it. They (the Government officials) are disillusioning people,” Dr Jeffrey said on Sunday during an interview with Guyana Times

He said that APNU/ AFC supporters obviously feel disenfranchised by the move, and the coalition would feel the consequences of it.

“While these people (the APNU/AFC supporters) may not vote for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), they certainly wouldn’t go to the polls…This would stay in the public’s mind until the next national elections also. So there is no question about this,” Dr Jeffrey posited.

He stated that the stigma of this act would go down in the history of the APNU/AFC coalition, and as such, there would be major ramifications that the Administration would have to address for its future in office.

“It is not going to go away…certainly they (Government) only won by a small majority in the last General Elections. People,

particularly those who are at the poorest levels, might just decide not to go to the polls…the enthusiasm that they (Government) generated during the last elections, they would be unable to do that the next time,” he stated.

When Guyana Times published some months ago facts of the proposed salary increases for Government officials, the public responded negatively, which prompted the Administration to deny the reports. However, they later went ahead and increased their salaries. The increase was publicised by Guyana Times, after it was published in the official gazette on September 25 without the public being notified.

Unfortunate

Responding to questions about the manner in which the increase was done, Dr Jeffrey stated that such a move cannot be “morally justified”.

“It was unfortunate definitely, the Government was told not to implement salary increases by the people of this country, when they tried at the previous occasion, and I think that it is unfortunate that

they did not take heed of that.”

He added that Ministers and senior Government officials have always been paid “relatively well in comparison to the ordinary public servants”.

Dr Jeffrey added that it was ironic that it was the very same Government who were the ones that were always complaining about the high salaries of Ministers in the previous Administration.

“Fat living and all of that, they complained about… it makes no sense politically, it makes no sense. The justification itself was waffled, I mean when you listen to it, it has no content. The literature does not bear out any notion that by paying people that kind of money it means that they wouldn’t be corrupt,” Dr Jeffrey added.

Even as the public was outraged over the move by Government to increase its Ministers’ salaries by 50 per cent, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon defended the Cabinet’s decision calling the increase “justified”.

Minister Harmon on Tuesday said that the Government had to pay itself well if it wanted itself to perform well.

“I am not going to say that I make any apologies whatsoever for Ministers getting increase in salaries, they deserve it,” he told the media at a recent press conference.

The Minister’s statement sent shockwaves throughout the country given the fact that the new Government and its Ministers have only been in office just under four months.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who vehemently protested the

extravagant lifestyle of the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Ministers, and had condemned the super salaries paid to its Government officials, will now receive a salary of over $20, 580, 000 annually.

The three other Vice Presidents (Khemraj Ramjattan, Carl Greenidge and Sydney Allicock) who will now pocket $11, 135, 064 annually will altogether cost the public purse $33, 405, 192 per annum. The Senior Ministers in Government namely Cathy Hughes, Joseph Harmon, Ronald Bulkan, Noel Holder, Amna Ally, Winston Felix, Rupert Roopnaraine, Raphael Trotman, Dr George Norton, David Patterson, Dominic Gaskin, Volda Lawrence and Winston Jordan will each cost the public purse over $10, 439, 124 per annum. Altogether, they will rack up a bill of $135,708, 612 annually.

In addition, the Junior Ministers namely Jaipaul Sharma, Simona Broomes, Valerie GarridoLowe, Annette Ferguson, Nicolette Henry, Karen Cummings and Keith Scott will pocket $8,346,492 annually. Altogether the public purse will be charged $58,425, 444 per annum for these recently-appointed Ministers.

Former Foreign Trade and Education Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Fostering Inequality

The problematic of growing inequality in societies is not confined to Guyana. In this day and age, it is banal to point out – as the sociologists and economists do - that all societies are stratified economically. The question of “why” is more pertinent, since over the last two hundred years or so the egalitarian imperative has supposedly triumphed everywhere.

The French Revolution promised “Liberty, fraternity and equality” and inspired the momentous Haitian effort for Caribbean peoples. One suspects Haiti’s extreme economic inequality might be a metonym for the unfulfilled promise of a levelling of societal economic hierarchies. In Guyana, the founding fathers Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham, each inspired n his own way by Marx, promised “equality”. Burnham had the first go at creating the society of equals –and chose “cooperative socialism” as his vehicle.

In the Third World states that emerged into “independence” after WWII however, there was an added complication: the consequences of the state – led by their governmentstaking the leading role in “economic development”. Because of this critical intermediating role, those in Government were expected to set by their example the ideal of “service” to the nation. Half a century later, it is clear that one of the major variables for the differences in economic development experienced by former colonies has been the role and example of the political leaders.

In Guyana, Burnham was unabashedly a man inspired by a sybarite lifestyle and he and his Ministers and high officials pursued the same through their control over the state and the “commanding heights of the economy”. Guyana became equal by the time he died: equally poverty stricken - even his Ministers most of them gradually sinking into genteel poverty. While control over resources might have been better for them to enjoy the high life without the headaches of ownership, it exposed the challenge when that control is lost. It provided a strong incentive for maintaining power, even to the point of rigging elections.

Inadvertent or not, there was a great levelling down of the inherited colonial economic hierarchies because of the utopian policies of cooperativism mediated via race based political support during the PNC years. Jagan took over under the straightjacket of the IMF Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) negotiated by Desmond Hoyte and his Finance Minister Carl Greenidge. Since this Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) explicitly repudiated the utopian incentive premises of socialism for the profit motive of the market driven “free enterprise system” inevitably entrepreneurs and owners of capital soon formed a thin economic upper stratum. This has also been the case even in paradigmatic, egalitarian states like the US, where the term “1%” is now the metonym for inequality.

The successors of Jagan were heavily criticised by the parties in the present PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition Government for their salaries and “benefits” and for not following in Jagan’s lifestyle which was rather Spartan compared with Burnham’s.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s riposte that Jagan could not possibly have intended the present PPP leaders to live in sackcloth and ashes, stirred howls of outrage in the coalition. They implicitly and explicitly vowed to live modestly and lead by example in putting the people first and creating an egalitarian society.

More than anything else, it is a growing yawning chasm between promise and performance that has outraged even the coalition’s own supporters. Guyanese of all political persuasions expect that their leaders must live in dignity but must not be hypocrites. Breaking or compromising every promise to make the society more equal in the distribution of the national patrimony, the APNU/AFC has rejected their asseverations on egalitarianism in giving even their supporters a 5% raise while grabbing a stunning 50% over the salaries and benefits they have so trenchantly previously criticised.

Their rush to live “a Cadillac lifestyle in a donkey cart economy”, evocative of Burnham’s hedonism but by controlling PLUS owning assets – must be put on hold by the people.

Freddie ill-informed on Jagdeo’s NY visit

Dear Editor, Reference is made to Freddie’s remarks on Bharrat Jagdeo’s public meeting in Richmond Hill (Oct 7). Freddie is a manufacturer of news; he is a specialist in writing fake news. His report and description of the Jagedo meet are replete with inaccuracies and fake news. He has a history of reporting inaccurately on events. Freddie is not a journalist or reporter and as such it is not surprising that he makes basic writing errors. Also, given his dislike for Jagdeo, he exaggerates anti-Jagdeo acts. Freddie’s commentary on the meeting is an example of gutter journalism. My response penning the facts of the meet were not published -- so much for free press.

I was at the meet on October 2 evening in my role as a reporter but left early to attend the wake for Prof Jainarine (Paul) Erriah. It is not correct, as reported by Freddie, that “Asquith Rose was the sole African” at the meet. The African lawyer, Collymore, who endorsed APNU in last May’s election, along with his “Mixed race” wife were there. Collymore asked a couple of questions and got up to leave. But Jagdeo asked him if he was not going to stay for the answers, at which point he and his wife sat back down. There were also other nonIndians at the meet including supporters of APNU and AFC. It is not correct that there were only 60 people at the meet; it was a lot more. People braved the heavy storm that evening to attend the meeting; lives were lost during the storm and many homes lost electricity due to downed wires. Freddie practically called Jagde o “unpatriotic and a liar” for utterings at the meeting. None of that was

not in evidence as Jagdeo defended Guyana’s sovereignty against Venezuela’s claim. Jagdeo was factual in his briefings.

Jagdeo gave illustrations of how the election was rigged. He mentioned different ink (used to stain fingers before voting at the polling stations) were used in PPP and PNC strongholds. He said the ink in African strongholds on the East Coast and Georgetown were easily washed off with bleach or soap whereas in Indian strongholds the ink permanently stained fingers. He also claimed some APNU-AFC supporters were recycled from polling station (PS) to PS; recycled voters were brought to the attention of the Presiding Officers and the Police but no action was taken as the recycled voters were allowed to leave the stations, suggesting a conspiracy to rig through this and other method.

Jagdeo noted that some 41 polling stations were not manned by PPP agents or observers (out of fear for their lives) in Georgetown and the East Coast. They did not show up after they were threatened by thugs. Also, Hundreds of PPP agents left their posts before the close of poll because of intimidation and threats to their safety. At several of the PS, after the count, the number of votes exceeded the actual number of voters on the list and/or the turnout was above normal or the general voting trend elsewhere. He noted that many Returning Officers are activists of APNU and that Gecom refused to provide a list of names of ROs despite repeated requests and as such the PPP could not object to have them removed. He also said several polling stations were located at homes of PNC activists.

Jagdeo made reference to fake statements of polls claiming that the Chief Election Officer said there were about 400 such fake statements of poll when asked by reporters. Jagdeo said Dr Surujbally is not interested in finding out how the fake statements made their way into Gecom although it was a criminal act. He said Surujbally reiterated his opposition to a recount of ballots. Jagdeo felt a recount may have shown a PPP victory. Jagdeo also stated that without the skulduggery that occurred on election day and the days preceding the election, in the selection of ROs, the PPP would have won the election. He blamed much of it on Surujbally. Jagdeo also mentioned briefly the Venezuela-Guyana border conflict expressing support for Guyana’s position. I left the meet during the question period. I was told by other attendees that Asquith Rose spoke for more than five minutes rather than ask a question as others implored him. He accused Jagdeo of being a racist among other things without supporting evidence – a typical Kissoonian tactic. Rose was given ample time to ask his multiple questions. Jagdeo actually encouraged him to continue to make his points and ask questions rather than cut him off. But he rambled on and people were getting impatient with his “carrying on”.

Jagdeo, to his credit, actually spent more time encouraging Rose to continue with his questions. It is not Jagdeo’s style to cut off questioners – not at meetings I attended. Jagdeo spent more time answering Rose’s questions than all the other questions combined. So Freddie is not correct

when he penned that, “Ten Indians tried to wrest the microphone from Rose, and sought to assault and evict him”. None of that was in evidence; that is gutter journalism.

Also, Rose stayed to the end of the meeting and even socialised with Jagdeo and the rest of the people afterwards with smiles and encouragement for his questions. A female supporter of the AFC asked a ton of questions and Jagdeo encouraged her to finish even when people were grumbling.

I was told there were also reporters from INews and Kaieteur News at the meet with questions written on pieces of paper. I was informed that Jagdeo allowed everyone to ask their questions, and he answered all appropriately in a civil and courteous manner till the end. So Freddie got it all wrong (what is new) on what occurred at the meeting.

Rose has an ethical responsibility to convey the truth and not have Freddie spreading lies and misinformation. That is irresponsible behaviour.

In contrast to how Rose was treated with patience and respect by PPP supporters last Friday, political activist Vishnu Mahadeo reported that last April at the same venue at an APNU/ AFC meeting, an elderly gentleman was “collared” and “chucked out” of the hall for heckling the speakers Moses Nagamootoo and David Granger. Heckling is part of our culture and should have been tolerated. Asquith Rose and Freddie did not protest how that Indian senior citizen was ill-treated by his coalition friends — for merely uttering remarks.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Women from the Burrowes School of Art add some finishing touches to their painting on the wall of the pump house at the Kitty Sea Wall (Carl Croker photo)

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

Government ‘disses’ public servants by increasing its own pay

Dear Editor,

The recent move by the Government to increase its salaries by exorbitant amounts (50 per cent) has sparked much debate and disheartenment among the populace. It is imperative that we remember they promised ‘significant’ salary increases for Government workers. This turned out to be a meager increase (fice per cent plus $5000). Maybe they meant significant salary increases for themselves.

In an attempt to justify the salary increase, Minister of State Joseph Harmon uttered “That is money I paid to one of my Attorneys who worked with me when I was in private practice. Why should I be working for that?” This was an extremely arrogant response and is tantamount to total disregard for the people of Guyana. Mr Harmon should be asked if he was receiving the benefits and allowances (exceeding $500,000) he does now while he was in the Private Sector.

Mr Harmon should keep in mind that he's no longer in private practice. He should also be reminded that he made a conscious decision to leave private practice and to serve the Guyanese people. If Mr Harmon wishes to receive a salary equal to the amount he claims he

worked for, he should willingly return to private practice and not depend on the public purse for it.

We should reflect on previous comments made by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, then Alliance For Change (AFC) Vice Chairman, when advocating for higher public servant wages. He was quoted by Kaieteur News (December 4, 2013) as saying “Minister Jennifer Westford should try living on a Nurse’s salary for one month and then she would be able to accurately report on whether the five per cent increase in salary is enough.” He added “public servants don’t get lump sum allowances for travel, nor are they provided with maids, chauffeurs and gardeners all paid for by the State.”

Mr Nagamootoo seemed aware of the nature on the man of the ground. He seemed concerned that public servants were struggling while the Public Sector elitist enjoy ‘life in London’. He wasn't aggrieved by the salaries received by the then Government but rather the salaries received by Nurses and Police Officers. Mr Nagamootoo should remind his fellow Ministers not only of these words but the reality that our pub-

lic servants face. He should come forward and rebuke Mr Harmon for his illogical justification of the salary increase.

It is also important for the APNU/AFC Government to note the likely effects of Mr Harmon’s utterances.

The self inflicting wounds would only worsen if Mr Harmon is left unharnessed.

The Government should keep in mind that we, the people, are more vigilant than ever before. In fact, we are less tolerant than ever where Government mismanagement and misappropriation is concerned. Just as the previous Administration was removed, so can they.

The same way we became frustrated by the 23-year-old Government, the same way we can become frustrated by this infant Government –should it continue along this self pleasing trajectory.

The Government should be reminded that their duty is to serve the people and not serve self. If any group deserves a 50 per cent salary increase at this time in Guyana’s history, it should be the Nurses, Teachers and security personnel (joint services). Our nation’s development rest primarily with their contributions and efforts.

Yours faithfully, Elton Bollers

Open Letter to GTT

Dear Editor,

Please allow me space in your newspaper to voice my views to the CEO of GTT on the recent move by his company to change the Internet service offered from prepaid to postpaid users as of July 18, 2015.

I was taken by surprise when upon paying the monthly charges for internet usage (like I usually do) I still could not connect to the internet; so I called customer service and after a lengthy wait on the phone line I was finally connected to an agent who after checking my account told me I still have an outstanding amount which I must pay before my internet service could be restored. She divulged that notices were sent out to subscribers informing about the change to postpaid instead of prepaid. I would like to reiterate that I never got the memo and I am quite disappointed

with GTT.

Some burning questions I would like answered: How can this company hold its subscribers at ransom and decide for them that the post-paid service would be preferable?

Why weren’t subscribers consulted in a survey on which of these two was preferred; and given a choice as to individual subscriber (as it is offered with prepaid or postpaid cellular service) before any decision was made for the customer?

Why should a customer be charged a reconnection fee each time the self-imposed deadline for internet payment is not met?

I find this move by GTT dictatorial and most unfair to all of their customers.

Another point I would like to make is that with the prepaid service, one could use the internet when he/ she was present instead of paying for a service and not

making use; for there are times a subscriber may be out of the country or out of their residential area for a few weeks or months.

From my personal experience I found prepaid DSL suitable to my lifestyle and I echo this opinion of numerous subscribers because believe me, before writing this letter I carried out a survey (n initiative which should have been taken by GTT!)

I believe GTT is getting away with this incongruous behaviour because the Internet Service is an unregulated service by the PUC; and had prepaid cellular service not come under the PUC, I suspect customers would be charged a reconnection fee when credit runs out.

Therefore, I urge GTT to please reconsider and rethink the internet services offered and give customers the option to choose either

Risk factors on renting lands

Dear Editor, Rice harvesting for the 2015 Spring Crop has been completed in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). It is reported that while the average yield is 50 bags per acre, the average grade for paddy produced has improved but the prices has declined. Extra A $2200. A $2100. B$2000.C $1900, Sample Grade $1800, and 7% paddy with damaged grains $1650.Lets’ take a brief look at the costs of production in Region Two to cultivate one acre and the farmer’s profit: Two cuts ploughing $8000, one backblade or levelling $4000, shying or broadcasting $2000, seed paddy $9000 per bag, (140 lbs clean and dry), 3 bags fertilizers 6-2525 $21,300 per (3 split ), urea $15,600 (3 split), spraying 2500 5 walk, with mist blower, shying 9 bags of fertilizer $1500.

These factors of input have shown that rice cultivation has implied risks, especially to farmers who are renting rice lands at $35,000 per acre with low yield below 40 bags per acre. It discusses the costs and financing of rice cultivation and the distribution is also a risk, noting that the institutional arrangements favour the miller and place the burden of financing on small farmers, exposing them to a disproportionate share of the various risks they the farmers must face. The institution-

prepaid or postpaid as per individual need.

Before I close, let me take this opportunity to address the issue of landline customers being charged a reconnection fee each time there is a late payment of their bills; which is most unfair as more often than not these bills are received past the due date.

I suggest GTT setup commercial offices in every region that they have their services and in doing so they will alleviate the unemployment issue for those who have the necessary qualifications but are yet unemployed.

I strongly believe IT IS TIME for GTT to end the Monopoly!

Yours truly,

Juliet Dukhi Social Activist

al arrangements fundamentally limit the capabilities and freedoms of small farmers, depriving them of the agency and entitlements required for development.

The average costs of rice cultivation on a crop to crop basis, and the source of farmers’ financing of these costs are classified as preharvesting, operating, harvesting and overhead costs. There are two crops in any one year and the costs per crop, if the farmer does not have working capital, will need requiring external finances, he sometimes does not borrow from the commercial banks, but rather from the miller. This may occur in the purchase of fertilizer, seed paddy and in harvesting, where combines are needed, with tractor and trailer for transportation needed to take the paddy to the mill.

Millers provide all of these services in the harvesting stage; sometimes the farmer does not necessarily have to rely on the millers for land preparation because he will pay another farmer who owns a tractor to prepare his land and harvesting, and after receiving his payment from the miller, he will then pay the farmer from whom he rented the machine without any interests.

The prices at which the millers will buy the paddy will reflect repayment for all his supplied inputs and importantly, he tends to downgrade the paddy to make the farmer indebted to him crop after crop.

Grading of paddy is done by the miller’s licensed or unlicensed graders, without Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) grading and quality control officers being present at time, and the farmer usually has no influence on the grade the grader pronounces — whether he appeals it, the results will be the same. The point is, most farmers cannot work out their grading factors so as to determine their correct grade.

GRDB needs to hold grading courses for farmers so they can know how to calculate their factors along with moisture and dockage. While graders are licensed by the GRBD, they can still be expected to act in the millers’ inter-

ests even though they are being overlooked by GRDB officers’ quality control; because they are employed by the millers and take orders as to either add more moistures, dockage, undergrade the paddy, and short weighting. The miller will offer sufficiently attractive incentives for his graders to act in his interests. These are all parts of their game I have seen while working at quality control department at the rice millduring my tenure.

Some rice millers do not pay farmers until after they have actually sold the rice and paddy and received payments, though the 2009 Amendments to the Rice Factories Act 1998 require payment of 50 per cent of the total amount within two weeks from the date of receipt of the paddy and the remaining amount within 42 days. Very often, famers find themselves having to sell their paddy to a miller who hasn’t paid them for paddy supplied from the previous crop or even longer.

Farmers earn no interest on delayed payments, but must instead bear the full costs of lost opportunities and purchasing power, foregone time preference, lower living standards of this institutional arrangement, which itself is facilitated by the contractual lock-in of farmers to particular millers.

These days millers are purchasing and paying farmers using by the metric measurement; and they are at a disadvantage because they don’t know that 1000kg of paddy dried to 14% moisture and cleaned is = 1 tonne of paddy and gross weight 13,015kg, tare weight 5,5705kg, net weight 7,310 kg, less 1.2 dockage (1.2/x 7310-8772kg, weight of clean paddy (7310- 8772kg – 7222.28kg moisture 20.4% = 1074kg = 1074kg paddy delivered in tons (722.28 kg/1074kg) = 6725mt or 6725kg.

For farmers to find bags: 1 bag = 143 lbs = 65kg, amount of bags delivered = 67,225/65 = 103 bags, 1kg = 2.2 lbs.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Former Rice Extension Officer

Page Foundation

Recipe for a Happy Family

A Barrel of Trust

A Bushel of Patience

A Gallon of Faith

A Liter of Understanding

A Quart of Respect

A Pint of Humour

Combine all ingredients. Blend with consistency; Stir well to form a ball of love.

Sift out jealousies, guilt, resentments, anger and frustrations.

Whether we can cook or not, the above recipe will prepare us to empower our children to look for the best within themselves; to experience their self-worth; to envision their future; to never have to say ‘if only’. Even if we aren’t equipped with all the ingredients all the time, they have an eternal shelf life we can tap into as needed. It’s up to us to keep

be taught how to behave; be allowed to make mistakes; be treated fairly; accept responsibility; be spoken tonot talked at; separate wants from needs; be held accountable; understand limits imposed by family values and, finally, speak to others as they would speak to themselves.

First-hand experience in dealing with problematic

Pour in encouragement; soften with decency; Shape into equal parts of caring, humility, inspiration and communication; Place in lightly coated heartfelt holder; Sprinkle with fondness and affection.

Bake in a high degree of common sense until bubbles of positive parenting form.

Serves a loving family. Preserved for life.

our pantry well stocked. ***Effective parenting equals a happy family***. Our children (the benefactors of our recipe), in turn, have a right to: be loved unconditionally; cry when they are hurt; be considered disciples; be given choices; be treated with firmness and consistency; be a part of family decisions; not be evaluated or judged; be respected;

children has reinforced the importance of effective communication. Even the worstcase scenario proves that communicating and disciplining the behaviour rather than the child results in the child accepting responsibility for their behaviour while trusting us to help them recognise their own emotional intelligence. Bon Appetite! Hugs! (Excerpt from more4kids.com)

We all want a happy family. The truth of the matter is that none of us are perfect parents. Life happens. We are all only human and, therefore, we are bound to make mistakes. I don’t believe that any mistake that we make bothers us more, causes us to lose more sleep then a mistake we make with our children. It is important to realise and understand that mak-

awareness helps me correct myself and to better communicate with my children.

Pitfall #1: Being your child’s friend and not their parent

This pitfall I believe in large part is due to the society that we live in. All too often parents want to be the cool parent. They want their children to talk to them, confide in them, feel as though they are so cool it is alright to be seen in pub-

This is why I am a firm believer in family dinners. The entire family sitting together and sharing the last meal of the day gives everyone a chance to talk, enjoy good food and enjoy time with one another. Make

ing a mistake or two doesn’t make you a bad parent. We all parent with our best intentions, trying to keep in the forefront of our minds what is in the best interest of our children, but sometimes we slip up.

Here is a list of some of the most common parenting pitfalls. This list is to prove to you that you are not the only parent in the world that has done this, to make you aware if you are doing it and to help you stop it. I am guilty myself of all these pitfalls, but knowledge and

lic with them. Guess what, your child has enough friends their own age. What they need from you is guidance, rules, restrictions. They need to learn the difference between right and wrong. Be not only the adult, but be the parent. Your child will appreciate that so much more.

Pitfall #2: Lack of quality time

your children the focus of the dinner table, talk about their day, school, friends. This helps build a good line of communication and helps the children know that they are important to you.

Notice that the key word there is quality. We as parents are very busy working trying to make sure that we are providing our children with everything they need. There is nothing wrong with that, but in our efforts to meet materialistic needs, we overlook their need to have time with us.

Pitfall #3: Inconsistency with rules and punishments Do what you say you are going to do. If they break curfew and you have told them that there was a punishment for that, then when they break curfew enforce that punishment. If you have more than one child, make the rules the same. If it isn’t okay for your 12-year-old to sit on the couch with their feet in it, then it isn’t okay for the 9-year-old either.

Don’t just tell them that they are going to lose a privilege or be grounded… take away the privilege or ground them. If you were to talk to my son, he can still tell you about losing his game cube for three weeks for not brining home good grades. We haven’t had a bad report card since.

Pitfall #4: Overtalking to your child

Unfortunately, we parents, as adults feel that we have all the answers to what is going on in our children’s lives. Well, while we have “been there, done that and got the t-shirt”, it is important that we remember that our children are people too.

They need the same respect we ask of them. If your child is trying to talk to you, let them talk. Let them say what it is they need to say without you interrupting and finishing the sentence for them or worse dismissing what they have to say as unimportant. If you want your child to listen to you, then you do need to listen to them. (By

Economic downturn

PSC mum on Government’s role to stimulate economy

...focuses on “bottlenecks”

Guyana’s Private Sector continues to face major challenges as a result of the precipitous downturn in the economy and the consequent limited spending power by citizens. However, Chairman of the Trade and Investment SubCommittee of the Private Sector Commission Ramesh Dookhoo refused to comment on steps the Government could take in stimulating the economy and instead focused on bureaucratic bottlenecks that have always been a problem.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Sunday, Dookhoo opined that the present burdens borne by the private sector can be alleviated by executing some key actions.

“Everybody is complaining. What I would like to see is the speeding-up of containers from the wharf because you know things are slow, spending is low. What we would like to see is the Customs helping us, not to keep commercial goods especially and manufacturing goods at the wharf longer than the three days period,” he told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview.

The Chairman explained that the abovementioned issue is an additional encumbrance to the private sector at this time when “business is very slow.” He was referring to the retail industry that normally peaks at Christmas but ignoring the slowdown that has affected the rice, bauxite, gold, sugar and forestry sectors that actually generate exports to bring in foreign currency. Without this influx of foreign currency, our currency would devalue and there are already worrying signs that the US dollar is trading at G$209 to US$1 instead for the G$200 to US$1 that held for years.

Dookhoo in this regard

averred he is encouraging the Tender Board to “speed up” the issuing of contracts in the various Regions of the country.

“It is my understanding that nothing really has been issued. I urge the new chairman to speed up their work and issue contracts so that the Government’s spending gets back on track. I think that would help a great lot. We also need to speak and chalk up the economy because everybody in the world is listening to us at this point in time,” Dookhoo noted.

He told this publication that the negative comments about the state of the country’s economy is doing much damage on the international market.

“We have great resources… we just have to do the remedial works or the corrective works to make the economy move again,” the Chairman concluded.

Other commentators, such as Ramon Gaskin, have noted that in the developed countries where the private sector is the engine of growth, the government regularly intervenes to stimulate the economy, both through monetary and fiscal policies.

In Guyana however, in

one particularly egregious instance where the largest employer in the country - rice industry - is in crisis over the loss of the Venezuelan market, the Government has told the farmers that “marketing is their responsibility.”

It is felt that the PSC which is supposed to represent business interests has been too timid in demanding that government cease witch hunting but to embark on large infrastructural projects that might give a kick start to the economy. It is felt Government could also reduce the corporate tax rates to encourage businesses not to continue with retrenchment of workers that has already begun.

Meanwhile, in the counties of Essequibo and Berbice, many businesspersons are constantly complaining to their respective Chambers of Commerce about the ‘financial squeeze’ they are experiencing. They have been more outspoken on the need for Government interventions than the PSC.

Many are of the opinion that more funds need to be pumped into the public sector by the Government to allow for more spending.

In Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

Police still processing grenades, AK-47 ammunition discovery

The Guyana Police Force is still processing the grenades and AK-47 ammunition which were discovered on Saturday.

On Sunday, A Division (Georgetown-East Bank)

Commander Clifton Hicken told Guyana Times that it appeared that the grenades and ammunition were in the canal for a while now.

“We are still processing the discovery and it seems it has been there for a long time,” he said.

Sixteen grenades, several rounds of AK-47 am-

munition, 13 grenade fuses and seven rounds of .9mm ammunition, along with a gun cleaning kit, were on Saturday afternoon discovered partially submerged in the Lamaha Canal in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens. The discovery was made by a Constable attached to the Mayor and City Council Constabulary unit about 14:40h.

According to information received, the Constable reportedly was in the area and observed a green box partially submerged in the water at the edge of the ca-

nal and out of curiosity, he pulled it from the water.

On account of the weight of the box, the Constable reportedly prised it open and upon doing so, he discovered the objects.

He immediately contacted the Police and informed them of the find.

Ballistics experts arrived at the scene and took possession of the box and its contents but not before examining them.

From all indications, while the grenades are in working condition, the pins/fuses were detached.

this newspaper was told the economy is stagnant and businesses are not having any ‘turn over ’.

Executive Member of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ravi Mohan had stated last week that the situation in the Region continues to worsen as some businessmen can no longer afford to pay their staff. Rice is overwhelmingly the largest industry in Essequibo and as rice goes so does Essequibo. The Government’s disavowal of intervention with marketing of rice has hit the entire community very guard.

Meanwhile, in Berbice, Region Six, (East Berbice/

Corentyne), President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce Tejpaul Ajodha explained to this newspaper that the business sector is also being badly affected. He said he has received numerous complaints from businesspersons in the Central Corentyne area concerning the state of the economy and the flow of monies in the Private Sector.

“Everyone is lamenting the fact that business is not what they expect. We all hope it picks up soon. We need something to stimulate the economy. We’ve got to do something,” he added.

Local commentators have stated that the health

of Guyana’s economy is deteriorating and are calling on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Administration to focus on introducing new and innovative measures to stimulate the country’s economy.

Political Commentator and Economist Ramon Gaskin has been very vocal in this regard, saying Guyana’s economy is at a “dead standstill”. Guyana Times recently spoke with some of the entrepreneurs along Regent Street who complained bitterly about the economic crisis they are facing.

President David Granger and Finance Minister Winston Jordan with members of the Private Sector Commission during a previous meeting

RK guard shot as bandits attack money transport car

Asecurity guard attached to the RK Security Service was shot on Sunday during a daring daylight robbery on Middle and East Streets.

Injured is Garvin Trotman, 29, of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, who was shot twice to his right shoulder.

According to reports, the guard along with his armed colleagues had just uplifted cash from the Balwant Singh Hospital and was en route to the bank when three bandits pounced on them.

Reports stated that the three armed bandits rode up on motorcycles alongside the RK Security vehicle and opened fire on the guards while demanding the cash.

The guards were relieved of the undisclosed sum but not of their weapons.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Commander of A Division Clifton Hicken said

Investigators at the scene of the crime

the police are examining CCTV footage from cameras in the area to determine the identity of the bandits. He confirmed also that the

bandits escaped money belonging to Balwant Singh Hospital.

When Guyana Times visited the security firm’s head-

West Berbice grandmother’s murder

quarters in Charlotte Street, employees were tight-lipped about the incident. Investigations are ongoing.

Police accused of sloppy investigation

Relatives of murdered grandmother Vaulda Britton called

“Auntie Vaulda” are blaming Police for the sloppy investigation into her murder

after the 78-year-old woman was found dead in her Hopetown, West Berbice

monday, october 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

home. According to the dead woman’s son, Randolph Britton following the discovery of her body, a report was made to the Fort Wellington Police Station, but instead of visiting the scene, the Police advised relatives to take the body to the Fort Wellington Hospital for the doctors there to pronounce her death.

“The Police lapse big, at no time Police should say ‘carry the dead to the hospital and let the doctor pronounce it dead’ if you tell them that you come in the house and see the person lying dead on a bed,” the grieving son told this publication.

He said that it was not until he insisted that the Police visit the mortuary that a rank showed up and took pictures of his dead mother’s injuries.

According to reports, initially Police treated the incident as a natural death. However, when Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh confirmed in a postmortem examination that the elderly woman died from asphyxiation due to manual strangulation that the Police acted.

On Sunday last, Britton was found dead in her house. Initially, she was thought to have died from hypertension.

Her great nephew, Devon Griffith of Cemetery Road, Hopetown Village, has since been charged for her murder. During his court appearance, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Racquel Mars told the court the accused had admitted to committing the crime. The case will continue on November 5.

Firestorm…

…won't die down

There are some who think that comes Christmas, the outrage over the fat-cat salaries the Executive gave themselves will be forgotten. We doubt this – but if it happens, it’d be living proof of how much our political culture has degenerated. This Government was voted in on the back of the AFC picking up some votes in Berbice.

And those votes saved the AFC’s blushes (no “dead meat” as Ramjattan feared) because of Nagamootoo’s promises to Berbicians at Whim in the APNU/AFC’s rally. And you can bet the PPP ain't gonna let those folks forget the sickening display of hypocrisy that performance turned out to be. And we know that's all it was – a performance.

And what did Nagamootoo promise? Your Eyewitness will quote from the Muckraker, lest you dear readers think he’s making this up! (Truth, though, is always stranger than fiction!) Nagamootoo boasted he was, “the first Minister to refuse to accept an increase in his salary unless the Cabinet could have agreed to pay more to nurses and teachers”. Imagine that!! This means that the PPP, according to Nagamootoo, never increased the salaries of Ministers more than that of other public servants.

So can we now expect that this paragon of rectitude and parsimony to refuse his $200,000 increase in salary, retroactive July 1st? Because we know that all “nurses and teachers” got was a ridiculous 5% or about 1/50 of Nagamootoo’s increase. This Eyewitness isn't going to hold his breath though.

Nagamootoo also lashed out at (who else?) Jagdeo. “The nation would have to fetch Jagdeo ‘like a goady’, speaking about the former President’s salaries...”

Well, who is the “goady” the nation will have to fetch around now – after Nagamootoo’s monthly $1.7M salary, $400,000 allowances, $63M saved on duties on the SUV, travelling first class (he just bought 3 first class tickets to NY, Texas, Toronto), $79M to fix up the PM residence that was good enough for Sam and Yvonne Hinds – with the asphalted road to his home thrown in for good measure. Then his pension will be bigger than Jagdeo’s – who was President! Guyanese will need a Hymac to fetch THIS “goady” called Nagamootoo.

Finally Nagamootoo said, “only someone who is a fake and a pretender will try to compare himself with Cheddi Jagan”. In “throwing talk” at Jagdeo, Nagamootoo was merely projecting his own sick hypocrisy that’s laid bare for all the world to see. Jagan tooling around in a Black Landcruiser?

Your Eyewitness has learnt that the salary fiasco was precipitated when Nagamootoo blackmailed Granger for a salary bigger than the AG’s. The matter was never discussed in Cabinet.

Cabinet members must reject Nagamoototo’s blood money.

...suffocated?

There was a wonderful open letter written by former Jamaican PM PJ Patterson to British PM David Cameron... Cameron was announcing a US$550M grant to the Caribbean to build infrastructure.. Prompted by present Jamaican PM Portia Miller to respond to Caricom’s claim for reparations for slavery, Cameron (in the words of PJ) threw down the gauntlet and told Jamaicans they must “move on”!.

Paterson eloquently described the inanity of that statement – especially in the absence of even an apology, much less reparations, for what is, “A crime against humanity”. But this Eyewitness was struck by the studied silence of OUR Government officials. This became even more flagrant after the local British High Commissioner sanctimoniously re-announced Cameron’s “aid”.

The carrot of a new Demerara Harbour Bridge was dangled. That’s never going to materialise – a fixed bridge would eat up at least US$200M – and Guyana ain't getting even a third of that!

But what about our government reminding the British rep we can't be bought and sold any longer? Or can we?

…evasion

Did you realise, dear reader, that Nagamootoo’s sudden “leave” (after 4 months on the job!!) without explanation coincided with the firestorm over his salary demands?

It may have coincided but it ain't no coincidence! He’s hoping the storm will blow over.

David Cameron is 'ignorant' over slavery reparations, says Danny Glover

Actor Danny Glover has called British Prime Minister David Cameron’s suggestion that the Caribbean should “move on” from slavery “outrageous”, and said it showed the UK Prime Minister’s “ignorance” of the issues.

In comments reported by the Gleaner, Glover, best known for his role in the “Lethal Weapon” movies, but also a long-term leftleaning activist on a wide variety of causes – said: “To make such an outrageous statement is an insult ... it’s outrageous ... and it just shows his ignorance.”

Glover was visiting Jamaica as part of a campaign for reparations for slavery, and addressed an editorial meeting at the

don’t bring up the issue, the brutality of it, you don’t get a discussion around it.”

RPA did not take loan from GRDB – Seeraj

– miller taken to court by rice farmers, matter still to be addressed

The $100 million which the Rice Producers Association (RPA) had received on behalf of the Region Three Co-op Society formed by rice farmers in the area were paid to over 150 farmers.

This is according to RPA Chairman Dharamkumar Seeraj who told Guyana Times on Sunday that while some of the affected farmers received fertilizers from this sum, others collected ‘actual cheques’ from the RPA.

at about the final stages of exporting the paddy to Venezuela, it was discovered that the paddy was not processed properly as per contract.

Seeraj explained to this newspaper that as a result the farmers were unable to export the rice and were not getting paid.

The RPA then made representations to the Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) for a resolution of the matter.

Gleaner, the country’s bestknown news publication. Glover told the meeting: “I’m not holding out for the reparations, but I think certainly that reparations provide an opportunity for us to organise in different ways around the question itself ... If you

Glover also responded to the UK Government’s plan to use foreign aid money to build a prison in Jamaica and transfer large numbers of Jamaica-born convicts there. Glover said Jamaican authorities should tell Britain to “keep your prison, give us schools, give us infrastructure, not prisons”.

Following Prime Minister Cameron’s comments, there was outrage

across the Caribbean including Guyana with the local Reparations Commission also condemning the statements.

The Caribbean PanAfrican Network (CPAN) has also since denounced the offer made by the Prime Minister. The organisation with a widespread membership in some 17 Caribbean countries said that it was not interested in the Prime Minister’s endowment, but would, in no uncertain terms, prefer exactly what the Caribbean countries were demanding – reparations.

Britain is one of the European countries that were involved in the transatlantic slave trade that is said to continue to have a traumatic effect on the inhabitants of Caribbean countries. Some believe that the severe debt being carried by Caribbean nations is one of the consequences of chattel slavery.

He explained that the farmers did not receive any payments from the millers because there was a problem with the paddy and as such the Venezuelans did not accept it.

“Some of the farmers were so badly affected in terms that they had expenses and were unable to meet those payments. This $100M was not a loan the RPA took but the money was what the Government had loaned to the Co-op and it was the RPA that was an intermediary in this case,” he stated.

According to Seeraj, the disgruntled farmers took the matter to Court and the case currently is engaging the attention of the court.

“The farmers have an abundance of evidence in this matter. The miller in

that Region was tasked with cleaning, drying, storing the paddy because his mill was available for them to use since these farmers did not have a mill of their own.”

Guyana Times understands that a group of farmers in Region Three formed a Co-op called “Quality Rice Co-Op” and the RPA supported them to get involved in milling and exporting.

The primary target at that time was the Venezuelan market and these Co-op members entered an agreement with a mill in Region Three to contract an individual to process the rice and paddy for exporting purposes.

Unfortunately after the processes had begun, and

“What happened is that the Government at that time was supportive and sympathetic to the plight of the farmers and they agreed to loan some amount of money to pay the farmers of the Co-op. By then the Co-op had taken the mill to court so they said it was best that they pass the money through the RPA. Then the RPA would make the payments to the farmers and that is what was done so it is only that the RPA facilitated the payments to the farmers,” he said. It was further explained that a lot of these farmers were still owed since it was not a 100 per cent payment.

(kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

RPA Chairman Dharamkumar Seeraj

British Prime Minister David

Danny Glover

Diversion of Specialty Hospital funds

Govt and India in meaningful talks – High Commissioner

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam has confirmed that the Indian Government and the new Administration are in meaningful talks on Guyana’s new proposal for the primary healthcare improvement project.

And while he has not yet received the actual proposal from Government, he has assured that both parties were ready to move ahead.

Mahalingam told Guyana Times on Sunday that “it is a work in progress”.

Guyana’s Government is expected to submit a new proposal for the primary healthcare improvement project, which will use the funds set aside for the Specialty Hospital Project, which was scrapped by the new Administration when it took office.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had told this newspaper recently that Government was able to acquire the approval of the Indian Government to divert some US$14 million from the Specialty Hospital Project into pri-

mary healthcare. This will see modernisation and rehabilitation works being done at three major secondary hospitals in the sector – the Bartica Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Suddie Public Hospital.

However, before the work can commence, the Government was informed that it needed to submit a project proposal to the Indian Exim (ExportImport) Bank for the funds to be redirected into this new project. According to Dr Norton, Government has since appointed consultants to conduct a study and an evaluation of the three projects.

Line of credit

The Indian Government had initially objected to the redirection of the funds approved for the construction of the Specialty Hospital, insisting that the new Administration would have to request a new line of credit to carry out those plans.

High Commissioner Mahalingam recently indicated to Guyana Times that the funds were available

for Guyana, noting that his Government was just awaiting the new project proposal from Guyana to fulfil the necessary procedure before releasing the funds.

The previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had entered into the agreement with the Indian Government to construct the Specialty Hospital, with a line of credit granted by India to the tune of US$18 million. Some US$4 million has already been expended on certain preliminary works.

The Specialty Hospital aimed to cater for compli-

cated surgeries, ranging from heart operations, organ transplants to cosmetic surgeries. The PPP/C Administration had conceptualised the project as the opening venture into “medical tourism” which is now a multibillion-dollar industry that caters to patients from the developed world where medical procedures are usually high-cost. In 2012, the contract was awarded to India-based company Surendra Engineering

Corporation Limited, which was tasked with designing and building the controversial facility. Guyana is currently suing the company for unsatisfactory work after then President Donald Ramotar revoked the contract.

The current Administration which was on the Opposition side of the House during the 10th Parliament had heavily criticised the project. The now Vice President and

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, the then leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), had represented a competing firm Fedders-Lloyds in their bid to secure the contract.

The PPP/C had brought to the notice of Parliament the clear conflict of interest, but the matter was not entertained by the Privileges Committee in the Opposition-controlled House.

Mother and toddler found dead

at Lower Pomeroon River

The bodies of a 22-yearold mother of two along with her twoyear-old daughter was discovered floating in the Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).

Dead are Attica Sukhai and Zelonia Sukhai of Lower Pomeroon.

Surviving was Alica Sukhai who is 9 months old.

According to information reaching Guyana Times the mother along with her

two-year-old daughter were discovered around 09:00h Sunday by neighbours who were heading to church. They were discovered several metres from the decease’s landing.

Reports further stated that the neighbours upon investigating, noticed the woman’s nine-monthold baby crying on a wooden structure near the river in front of the home. The child’s foot was stuck be-

tween the wood.

As they approached the structure, they saw Sukhai’s body face down in the water along with that of her twoyear-old. According to one neighbour, they immediately raised an alarm and called the Police. The bodies were taken to the Suddie Mortuary and are awaiting an autopsy.

Police are continuing their investigations.

UK to revive Security Sector Reform Programme in Guyana

Some six years after the US$4.7 million Security Sector pact with Guyana was cancelled, the United Kingdom Government will be conducting an assessment in Guyana with aim of reviving the Security Sector Reform Programmed (SSRP) here.

This was confirmed by British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn on Friday, during a media conference at his residence. However, High Commissioner Quinn noted that before the programme can go into effect, a new assessment will have to be done on the security sector in Guyana.

He explained that because the SSRP programme was formulated some nine years ago, things have significantly changed over the years, as such, the first step of the process will be for the British Government to bring out an assessment mission.

“(The assessment) will look at the whole security sector again and they will come up with a new plan and we will go from there. We are hoping that that needs assessment mission will come out the first quarter of next year,” Quinn outlined.

According to the British High Commissioner, it is expected that the needs assessment report will also come out during the first quarter of next year.

The Security Sector Reform Programme was launched in 2007 but was scrapped two years later, after major disagreements between the then Bharrat Jagdeo Administration and the UK Government over some of the conditions of the plan.

Guyana walked away from the reform programme, since aspects of the project threatened to encroach on this country’s sovereignty. However, the British had contended then that the Guyana Government proposed a “fundamentally different” programme, focused on Police modernisation rather than the holistic reform originally requested. The UK’s proposed project had aimed to build a sustainable foundation for improving national security and reducing serious crime in Guyana by 2011.

Asked whether his Government will continue to push for their demands or will take a back seat approach going forward this time around, High Commissioner Quinn maintained there were no attempts to make any imposition on Guyana or any of the Caribbean countries as a matter of fact.

He explained that the claims made by the previous Administration that the UK was seeking to impose or basically run Guyanese law enforcement, was without basis.

“There was no attempt or desire on our part. I think it was a fundamental misunderstanding of the programme in the first place. This is not about us imposing a certain way or a certain series or certain specific project on any of the countries… We are not imposing, we are not seeking to impose,” he posited.

Furthermore, High Commissioner Quinn told reporters the needs assessment will be done in collaboration with the Government as well as other partners to prevent any redundancies.

“It will be produced on the basis of what Government also thinks they need. It will (also) be done in collaboration with other partners so that we ensure that we don’t all do the same thing but ultimately whatever comes out of that mission will be something that is agreed with the Administration,” the British High Commission added.

Amid soaring levels of crime in the country, President David Granger back in June announced that his Government has approached the British Government to have the UK designed SSRP revived. The Head of State told a Private Sector Commission forum the programme must be reintroduced since the country needed to be safe.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam

GRC celebrates 21 years of service to Guyana

appeals for corporate support

At a luncheon and Dutch auction held at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, in celebration of the 21st Anniversary of the Guyana Relief Council (GRC), Chairman of the Council Yvonne Hinds has appealed to corporate Guyana to join its cause to ensure a better life for those who have been victims of natural and

been devastated by disaster, ripped of their worldly possessions, stripped of their self-esteem and dignity, and whose lives have been shattered by unfortunate events,” the GRC Chairman explained.

Hinds further explained that disasters do not discriminate, neither does GRC, which reaches out, with the only criteria for

Vincent DePaul Mission were recipients of donations from the GRC.

The GRC Head also mentioned that the Yvonne Hinds Home of Hope is currently occupied by two families, including four adults and seven children, in the wake of a recent fire at 79 William Street, Kitty.

The aforementioned, Hinds noted, are about

manmade disasters across Guyana.

Hinds told the gathering that for more than two decades the GRC has provided relevant and unconditional assistance in a timely manner to persons whose lives were altered in a disaster, whether natural or manmade, throughout the Ten Regions of Guyana.

“I am making a direct appeal to corporate Guyana, be it large, medium, small, and long standing or recently established businesses, to get on board in a bigger way. We want you to adopt our cause and help us make a bigger difference for the better, for those whose lives have

help being “genuine need”. She stated the Council does not take into account race, religious persuasion, political affiliation, gender, geographic location or any other distinguishing factor.

For 2015 so far, Hinds said through the generosity of many, the Council has been able to ease the suffering of 50 families (231 individuals), whose places of abode were destroyed by fire. She also noted the Council had a handle on 23 welfare cases and further assisted two families who experienced damage to their homes due to high winds.

Additionally, the Uncle Eddie Geriatric Home, Night Shelter and St

a few examples of the Council’s outreach.

She added that in order for the Council to be able to give consistently, it requires equally consistent resources and funding, and noted the luncheon and auction not only celebrates the dedicated staff and members of GRC, but is also an opportunity for the group to garner much needed resources to satisfy the needs of families in distress, and for the Council to always be prepared whenever disasters occur.

“When you give genuinely of your time and resources, you are setting yourself for greater success”, the GRC Chairman noted, as she thanked do-

Senior citizen busted with cocaine at Ogle Airport

A60-year-old woman was on Sunday busted with four kilos 612 grams of cocaine along with three kilos 826 grams of marijuana at the Ogle International Airport.

Police Narcotics Branch made the bust at about 14:40h on Sunday. In a statement Police said the woman was an outgoing passenger at the Ogle International Airport (OIA) but did not say which country she was distained for. She is in Police custody

pending charges.

On Friday, a Canadian citizen was jailed for four years after he was busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with cocaine.

Miguel Sardina, 53, of Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on October 8 at the CJIA, Timehri, he was found in possession of 13.006 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He was an outgoing

passenger on Caribbean Airlines destined for the Pearson International Airport, Ontario. It was revealed that when he placed his suitcases on the x-ray scanner, a Customs and Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Officer observed the suitcase contained a suspicious object.

A search was conducted and the narcotics found concealed in four Kerry Gold milk packets, one Fernleaf milk packet and two boxes of frozen fried rice.

In conclusion, Hinds reflected on a Kaieteur News article, dated August 23, 2015, which reported

that the senior Minister of Social Protection alluded to the willingness of the Government to work with all persons interested in helping to develop and change the lives of the less fortunate and vulnerable in society.

Hinds said the GRC has always worked closely with the Social Services Ministry and added that the organisation continues to look forward to Government’s commitment to working with organisations such as the GRC.

(jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

GRC Chairman Yvonne Hinds during her address to the gathering nors for their generosity to the Council on behalf of the many recipients who they may never know.

A section of the gathering at the luncheon

monday, october 12, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

British High Commissioner excuses PM’s rejection of reparations

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn on Friday declared that his country’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, is being misunderstood regarding comments he made on reparations during his recent visit to Jamaica.

The United Kingdom Prime Minister recently met with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who had pressed him on issues relating to the transatlantic slave trade. But instead of dealing with the issue directly, Cameron reportedly told the Jamaican leader, who, along with 13 other Caribbean leaders, had approved a 10-point plan to seek reparations from the former slave trading nations that the Caricom countries should move on and forget about reparations.

During a press conference on Friday at his residence, High Commissioner Quinn sought to justify the Prime Minister’s statement, saying that he never intended to downplay the implications or the nature of slavery. In fact, the High Commissioner pointed out that Cameron had even called slavery an abhorrent activity.

“I hope nobody came away with an opinion that

he doesn’t actually understand the amount of hurt and the strength of feeling about it, he does understand that and he doesn’t want to downplay that. But as he said whilst acknowledging what happened in the past and acknowledging the implications of what happened in the past, we also have to start thinking about moving forward in the future and that’s not undermining what happened in the past, but we need to start looking at the future,” Quinn stated.

The British High Commissioner acknowledged that his country may have taken a bit too long to

realise what slavery was, but noted that it tried to ensure it was abolished everywhere. “We all accept, everybody accepts the nature of what happened, obviously it was completely unacceptable and it’s even more unacceptable today as well,” Quinn noted.

On the other hand, High Commissioner Quinn added that the whole reparations issue was currently under discussion and would be for a long period of time.

“I know there are requests for apologies and requests for reparations. If anybody took away from what he said a belief that he didn’t actually care, that certainly wasn’t his intention… and he certainly didn’t want to downplay the whole issue.”

Following Prime Minister Cameron’s comments, there was outrage across the Caribbean, including Guyana with the local Reparations Commission also condemning the statement.

That body’s Chairman, Dr Eric Phillips, said that Guyana and other Caribbean nations were really looking forward to the payment for the crimes committed against their ancestors. He noted that some 46,000 Britons benefited from what was criminal enrichment, which includes

invading the countries and enslaving their inhabitants.

More than that, Dr Phillips said the Caribbean would have to figure out how the money would be accessed, since some Caribbean countries were in more dire economic straits than others.

The Caribbean PanAfrican Network (CPAN) has also since refused the

offer made by the British Prime Minister to provide developmental aid rather than reparations. The organisation with a widespread membership in some 17 Caribbean countries said that it was not interested in the Prime Minister’s endowment, but would, in no uncertain terms, prefer exactly what the Caribbean countries were demanding – reparations.

Britain is one of the European countries that were involved in the transatlantic slave trade that is said to continue to have a traumatic effect on the inhabitants of Caribbean countries. Some believe that the severe debt being carried by Caribbean nations is one of the consequences of chattel slavery.

Guyana’s laws discriminatory against LGBTI community – SASOD

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), in a report submitted to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), reported that Guyana was failing to comply with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The report made claims that a large number of Guyana’s laws and policies were very discriminatory against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community.

According to SASOD, this discrimination can be observed on a daily basis and has a profound impact on the lives of LGBTI people in Guyana. This announcement was made by SASOD Advocacy and Communications Officer Schemel Patrick who submitted the report during a review of the ICESCR that was being conducted in Geneva during September 28-29.

Patrick, in a discussion with the media, reflected on the stakeholders’ review submitted to the Committee. She also revealed that the organisation submitted this report to the Government, along with recommendations to rectify the shortcomings highlighted.

According to the report, “social stigma against homosexuality is so strong that complainants are reluctant to test existing legal redress mechanisms”. The stigma of homosexuality is in the allegation itself and these

discriminatory laws confer a status of unapprehended criminals on LGBTI people for simply being who they are,” the report said.

SASOD said the State has a duty to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all its citizens, including LGBTI people. The organisation emphasised that it was a violation of human rights that discriminatory laws exist and the fact that the law offered no protection for the LGBTI community, which was a minority group.

It is the view of the organisation that it was imperative that Guyana took urgent action to remedy the existing deficiencies. The report highlighted several of these deficiencies, especially the fact that Guyana has failed to enact and implement non-discrimination legislation so as to reduce the number of instances of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identification.

The report also highlighted the fact that Guyana has failed to consider the unique health needs of LGBTI persons, so as to improve the health care provided to them and their unique needs, as well as to improve the training of heath care professionals so as to increase their sensitivity to the special health issues of LGBTI people.

SASOD is also of the opinion that by failing to repeal laws criminalising consensual sex between male adults and cross-dressing, the State has violated human rights. The report also gave insight into the fact

that Guyana has failed to introduce policies to prevent bullying and harassment of LGBTI students in the education system.

During the discussion, the issue of discrimination faced by LGBTI people in the workplace was raised, in terms of equal rights and fair remuneration. It was emphasised that even though the Labour Ministry stated that Guyana’s Labour Policy provided for the elimination of workplace discrimination, LGBTI individuals continue to suffer from discrimination.

UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr Martin Oudit, in a short address at the forum, stated that human rights were a key aspect that the United Nations was working towards. “From the UN point of view, laws should not be there to harm, but to bring good to society,” he posited.

Dr Oudit reflected on the discrimination that victims of HIV/AIDS face in the workplace, adding that this discrimination was a scourge that must be wiped out.

“Traditionally, the LGBT community faces societal stigma. Yes, we do know that some of the infections, in terms of discrimination, affects the LGBT community and because of this observation…we placed human rights in the centre of UNAIDS interest,” he stated.

He added that it was his belief that the UN has been making significant strides in the area of human rights advocacy.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn

SASOD Advocacy and Communications

Officer Schemel Patrick, SASOD Managing Director Joel Simpson and UNAIDS Country Coordinator Dr Martin Oudit during the delivery of the report submitted to the CESCR

Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations Guyanese respond to first call for volunteers

Persons assemble to register as volunteers for

TFriday with much pomp and celebration, the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, explained that this launch was the catalyst for more activities that will intensify with the continuation of preparations for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee.

he National Commemoration Commission (NCC) for Guyana’s 50th Independence Celebrations hosted a volunteer drive at the Carifesta Sports Club on Saturday, which saw Guyanese registering to serve in a number of areas at next year’s events.

ment, infrastructure, youth, diaspora, and heritage and indigenous culture.

Some of these areas include academia, ceremonial, commemorative, entertain-

As the logo for the independence anniversary celebrations was launched at the National Cultural Centre on

Greater political dialogue between Caricom and EU needed – LaRocque

The need for greater political dialogue and cooperation between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the European Union was emphasised as the new EU Ambassador to Caricom presented his credentials to Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque.

LaRocque noted that cooperation could be further enhanced by increasing the political dialogue, while EU Ambassador Mikael Barfod spoke of the need to strengthen the political cooperation. They were speaking at the presentation ceremony at the headquarters of the Caricom Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana.

Noting that the EU had launched a consultation on the future of their relations with the African Caribbean Group of Countries (ACP), the Secretary General stated that the partnership between the two sides should be expanded to “take into account the common challenges and interests that we all share”.

LaRocque took the opportunity to raise a particular matter of great concern to Caricom leaders. He referred to the citizens of the Dominican Republic, primarily of Haitian de-

scent, who had been rendered stateless by a ruling of the Constitutional Court. He recalled a decision of the high-level meeting of the Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM) and the EU in Brussels last June, which proposed a monitoring mechanism with respect to the situation of those persons. He said the proposal was being pursued as the mechanism was very necessary and the EU’s influence “could be critical in its establishment”.

The Secretary General praised the EU for its significant role in the Community’s quest for sustainable development. He also thanked them for their assistance to Dominica, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines in the wake of the natural disasters that affected the islands. He also pointed out that such assistance would be welcome for The Bahamas as they coped with the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.

Referring to the two major international conferences that have taken place this year –the Third International Conference on Financing for Development and the UN Post 2015 Development Agenda, which approved the Sustainable Development Goals, the

Secretary General emphasised that access to development financing would be critical for the Region to achieve the Goals.

LaRocque called on the EU to support the Community’s position that criteria for access to such funding should be expanded beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita to include vulnerability in particular.

Ambassador Barfod said he was convinced that the only “effective, sustainable way to address the issue of vulnerability” of the Region was integration.

“The real weakness is smallness and the only way out is to share resources and work together,” he stated.

The EU Ambassador pointed out that next week would mark seven years since the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and more must be done to ensure that increased access to the EU market was transformed into increased presence.

The new plenipotentiary representative said the relationship between Caricom and the EU was one that was between “two of the most advanced integration processes in the world”.

In remarks at the volunteer drive, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry emphasised that all Guyanese will be working as a team to make the celebrations a success. Importantly, the volunteer drive will aid the creation of a database that will be used extensively in 2016.

Training will be provided for the volunteers, which

was said to not be a herculean task for the Ministry as this will build on experiences from Carifesta X and Cricket World Cup. The volunteer drive is a

Guyana’s Golden Celebration

Minister within the Education Ministry, Nicolette Henry

continuous one and citizens can uplift and submit forms at the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport on Main Street.

(Left to right) CARIFORUM Director General Percival Marie; EU Ambassador Mikael Barfod; Maxia Barfod; Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque; Adviser to the Secretary General, Neville Bissember, and Caricom Assistant Secretary General (Foreign and Community Relations) Colin Granderson,

Former Antigua PM

says he didn’t know donation was bribe money

Former Antiguan Prime Minister Baldwin

Spencer has broken his silence about his acceptance of money from an exdiplomat charged in connection with a bribery scheme, saying he had no reason to believe it was dirty money and insisting that bribes were never necessary to secure an audience with him while he was in office.

legedly received more than US$1.3 million in bribes in 2013 and 2014, in exchange for supporting Chinese business interests. It is also alleged that he shared some of his bribe money with politicians from Antigua, including the Prime Minister at the time, to secure an audience with them.

Run-off likely in Argentina’s presidential election – poll

The Argentinian ruling party’s candidate Daniel Scioli maintains a commanding lead in the presidential race, but still lacks enough voter support to win outright in the first round, a poll by the Poliarquia consultancy showed on Sunday.

His nearest rival Mauricio Macri, the centre-right mayor of Buenos Aires city, trails with 26.2 per cent, while Sergio Massa, who defected from the ruling party in 2013, has 20.1 per cent ahead of the October 25 ballot.

tal controls, import restrictions, rampant inflation. Some polls show a united opposition would win a second round.

Spencer, currently Leader of the Opposition, sought to clear his name amid calls for him to resign, following the arrest of former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr John Ashe on tax evasion charges linked to his alleged acceptance of US$1.3 million in bribes.

“While I am deeply saddened by the circumstances in which Dr Ashe now finds himself, based on the court document, he gravely misrepresented the United Progressive Party (UPP) Government by implying that bribe money was necessary to gain an audience with me or my colleague Ministers. That was never the case during the 10 years of our Administration,” Spencer insisted in a statement.

Ashe, who served at the UN mission between 1989 and 2014 and was President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) from September 2013 to September 2014, al-

He added that he had absolutely no reason to distrust Ashe or be suspicious of the source of the funds he gave to the UPP during its 2014 election campaign.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Brazil Opposition demands sacking of Congress Speaker

Brazil’s main Opposition parties have made public a demand for the Speaker of the Lower House of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, to resign.

He is being investigated for alleged corruption in a kick-back scheme at the state run oil company, Petrobras.

A request for his resignation had already come from Government supporters in Congress.

Cunha holds the power to allow impeachment proceedings against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

One of the most power-

ful members of the PMDB (the Party for the Democratic Movement of Brazil), part of the Government coalition and hostile to Dilma Rousseff, Cunha has been under investigation for months for allegedly having benefited from the Petrobras corruption scheme.

Prosecutors say firms bribed Petrobras executives to secure contracts and that some of this money was passed on to politicians in various parties.

In July, Cunha left the Government coalition after allegations by a jailed former consultant to Petrobras, Julio

Camargo, that he had demanded a US$5 million bribe to push through contracts for equipment.

Cunha has denied any involvement.

As Speaker of the Lower House of the Brazilian Congress, Cunha has the power to reject or push forward the numerous requests by Opposition parties to open judicial processing against President Rousseff.

Earlier this week, a Brazilian audit court ruled that the President broke the law in managing last year’s budget. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Bahamas resort negotiations resume

What slim hope exists that the multibillion-dollar Baha Mar megaresort project would open in time for the peak tourism season for The Bahamas – November through April – is being bolstered by the hope of a positive outcome to ongoing negotiations, conducted in closed-door meetings like the one Guardian Business understands was held on Thursday.

Embattled developer Sarkis Izmirlian, financier Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM Bank), contractor China Construction America (CCA), the Government of The Bahamas and the liquidators would all have been represented at the meeting, it is understood. Guardian Business understands that Izmirlian may have been personally present, which has not always been the case. The negotiations have

The Baha Mar development on Cable Beach

apparently reached what at least one Cabinet Minister referred to as “a delicate stage”, and the current round of meetings was set to continue Sunday.

Back before Bahamas Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder granted the application to wind up Baha Mar and appointed joint provisional liquidators and, before US Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Carey dismissed the Chapter 11 cases of the Bahamas-based Baha

Mar companies, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts wanted out of Baha Mar. And even in the new era of “détente”, it is not yet clear that the brand wants back in.

Last month, Rosewood asked the Delaware bankruptcy court to void its Baha Mar licensing agreement, citing a number of factors including the fact that the developer of the resort filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Scioli, a moderate Peronist from President Cristina Fernandez’s Front for Victory Party, has support from 37.1 per cent of those who have decided how they are going to vote, according to the poll published in the daily La Nacion.

Scioli owes much of his support base to Fernandez loyalists. While he has made new investment a pillar of his campaign platform he has given little away on how far he would unwind state controls in the economy.

That has limited his appeal to voters weary of capi-

Macri promises swift reforms to open up markets in Latin America’s third biggest economy, but many voters worry he would return Argentina to the neoliberal policies of the 1990s that led to a devastating economic depression.

To win outright in the first round a candidate requires 45 per cent of valid votes or 40 per cent and a 10-point lead over their nearest rival. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trinidad: Rekha Ramjit is new ILP leader

Attorney Rekha Ramjit has been elected as the new political leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP).

The party held elections Saturday, with seven polling stations across T&T, to select a new leader following the resignation of party founder Jack Warner last month.

The Sunday Guardian spoke to Chairman of the party’s elections committee, Amarnath Jagessar, after the ballots were counted.

Rekha Ramjit got 262 votes and her opponent, Simeon Mahabir, got 85 votes, said Jagessar.

Shortly before 18:00h Saturday, Jagessar said the party’s Chaguanas office was quiet and there were no celebrations taking place.

“We are not having anything in Chaguanas, I don’t know if she is having anything anywhere else.”

Earlier in the day, when

Ramjit visited the San Fernando polling station to cast her vote, she told reporters she expected about 2000 people to turn out for the elections.

“Turnout for internal elections are always extremely low. If we get about 2000 we will be very happy having regard to the fact that just 6000 people voted for the ILP in the last election,” Ramjit said. “The registered list is 37,000 but obviously all our members did not vote.”

She also outlined the future of the party, which failed to capture any seats in the recently concluded general election.

“We are waiting for this event (election) to be over so that we could start to build on whatever foundation we have for the ILP because we know that Local Government Elections are due next year, so we want to get in preparation mode for that.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Diaspora urged to invest more in Jamaica

Jamaica’s new Ambassador to the United States, Ralph Thomas is calling on members of the Diaspora to seize the opportunity to participate more fully in the development and growth of Jamaica.

He was addressing a reception held in his honour at the St Gregory Hotel in Washington, DC last Thursday.

Ambassador Thomas stated that this could be done by engaging in wealth creation and investment, an important role that is being performed by foreign investors, but which can be broaden to include

Diaspora investors.

Thomas further pointed out that there were a myriad of investment opportunities that are now available in Jamaica, that Diaspora members could avail themselves of.

“I will be working with the Diaspora to build bridges and connections between people, communities, institutions and Government to connect with Jamaica in different ways so that they can benefit from these opportunities that currently exist with respect to the issue of economic empowerment,” he said.

The Ambassador further stated that the Government was commit -

ted to seeing that the role of the Jamaican Diaspora fully evolved as a centrepiece for national development strategy.

Ambassador Thomas also used the opportunity to laud the Diaspora for continuing to provide invaluable support and assistance to the process of nation-building in Jamaica.

“Today, I formally on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, express sincere thanks to you members of the Diaspora for all that you have done, and will continue to do in the years to come for the Jamaica people everywhere,” he said.

(Excerpt

Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer denies knowingly accepting bribery money while he was Prime Minister

Rekha Ramjit

Around the world

Ankara attacks: Turkey in mourning after blasts kill almost 100

Thousands of people gathered in the centre of Turkey’s capital, Ankara, to mourn the victims of twin bomb blasts which killed at least 95 people.

Scuffles broke out with the Police after some mourners tried to lay flowers at the sites where the bombs went off on Saturday.

A pro-Kurdish party involved in the rally where the bombs went off believes the true death toll is 128.

Security sources say they suspect Islamic State (IS) bombed the rally.

The Government has furiously denied suggestions it was involved in the attacks itself.

The blasts took place near Ankara’s central train station as people gathered for a march organised by leftist groups demanding an end to the violence between the Turkish Government and Kurdish separatist PKK militants.

In an expected an-

nouncement, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday, calling on its fighters to halt its guerrilla activities in Turkey except in cases of self-defence.

However, on Sunday the Turkish military said it had carried out air strikes against the group, attacking targets in south-eastern

Turkey as well as PKK positions in northern Iraq, and killing 49 people.

Sunday saw the start of three days of mourning for the victims.

In Istanbul, hundreds of mourners at the funeral of one victim, Kubra Meltem Mollaoglu, chanted “The killer Government will be

Guinea votes after campaign plagued with violence

Guineans are voting in a controversial presidential election that is expected to see incumbent President Alpha Conde reelected for a second term after a campaign plagued with accusations and violence.

Polling stations opened on Sunday with national borders closed for the day and traffic restricted to the vehicles of electoral observers, Government officials and the security forces, according to a presidential decree.

Opponents of President Conde had called for the postponement over what

they called the unreliability of the electoral lists and problems with distributing voter cards, which are required to cast a ballot.

The results of the first round are not expected until Tuesday at the earliest.

Conde’s seven rivals vowed to challenge the results, raising the spectre of further unrest in the days to come, after deadly clashes between Conde and Opposition supporters in the final days of campaigning.

An African Union observer mission and a 72-member European Union delegation

are in Guinea to monitor the ballot, along with 19,000 Police and members of the security services.

Conde is hoping to win the first round, avoiding a “run-off” election with his closest rival, but his opponents contend this feat would be impossible without vote-rigging.

Conde, whose campaign slogan promises to deliver a “knock-out blow” to his opponents, is hoping to trade on his five-year record of reforms in the impoverished but mineral-rich West African country. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

KP Sharma Oli becomes Nepal’s new Prime Minister

Nepal’s Parliament has chosen Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli as the new Prime Minister, sweeping him into a number of challenges from rebuilding recently earthquake-hit areas and calming street protests, to soothing tensions with neighbouring India.

On Sunday, politicians

voted for KP Oli of the country’s second largest party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist). Current Prime Minister Sushil Koirala stepped down as required by the new Constitution, which was adopted on September 20.

Oli is immediately tasked

with calming protests in the country’s southern plains triggered by the adoption of the new Constitution, which is aimed at bolstering the Himalayan nation’s transformation to a democracy after decades of political instability and a civil war.

The Constitution is the final stage in a peace process that began when Maoist fighters laid down their arms in 2006 after a decadelong rebellion aimed at abolishing an autocratic monarchy and creating an equal society.

But the charter, the first to be drawn up by elected representatives, triggered a blockade along India’s border by protesters, cutting off fuel supplies from India and sparking a nationwide shortage.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Islamic State figures killed in air strike;

leader not believed among them

Eight senior figures from Islamic State were killed in an air strike while meeting in a town in western Iraq, but the group’s reclusive leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi did not appear to be among them, residents of the town and hospital sources said.

Iraq said on Sunday its air force had hit the meeting and had also struck a convoy that was carrying Baghdadi to it. It said Baghdadi had been driven away from the convoy in an unknown condition.

held accountable for its crimes!”

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggested either IS or the PKK could be behind the attacks, but two senior Turkish security officials who spoke to Reuters news agency said the initial signs were that IS was to blame. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The Iraqi military’s announcement was the latest unconfirmed report of the possible death or injury of Baghdadi, who has survived a year of US-led air strikes and multi-sided wars in two countries since proclaiming himself caliph of all Muslims after his forces swept through most of northern Iraq last year.

A Twitter site which publishes statements from Islamic State said “rumours” that an air strike had targeted Baghdadi were false.

A US military official in Baghdad, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States has not seen any indications Baghdadi was killed or injured during the operation.

“Iraqi air forces have bombed the convoy of the terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi while he was heading to Karabla to attend a meeting with Daesh commanders,” the Iraqi military said in a statement.

Daesh is the Arabic acronym for Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. Karabla is a town in Iraq’s Anbar province near the Syrian border, an Islamic State stronghold, not to be confused with Kerbala, a Shi’ite holy city in the south.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Palestinians killed in Israel Gaza air strike

Israel says its jets have hit two targets in the Gaza Strip after rockets were fired into southern Israel.

Israel’s military said it targeted Hamas weapon-making facilities. Palestinian officials said a woman and child in a nearby house were killed.

Later, three Israelis were stabbed near Hadera – the latest in a spate of such attacks amid mounting tensions.

West Bank medical officials say a boy of 13 was shot dead by Israeli forces in clashes near a Jewish settlement.

Earlier in the West Bank, a Palestinian woman set off an explosion at a checkpoint, Israeli Police said.

She was stopped while driving early on Sunday

near another settlement, Maale Adumim.

Security forces said she shouted Allahu Akbar (God is great) before the explosion. The Shin Bet internal security agency said she tried to ignite a gas cylinder using flammable materials.

“We are not talking about an explosive device,” a statement said.

Following Sunday’s air strikes, Israeli Army Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said: “The IDF holds Hamas responsible for any act of aggression from the Gaza Strip.”

There have been weeks of tension over access to a site in East Jerusalem sacred to both Jews and Muslims.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Japanese woman ‘held in China for spying’

AJapanese woman is being detained by the Chinese authorities on suspicion of spying, Japanese media has reported.

The unnamed woman from Tokyo, said to be in her 50s, worked at a language school in the Japanese capital. She was arrested while in Shanghai in June.

She is the fourth Japanese citizen to be detained on spying charges since May, all in different parts of China.

The arrest is likely to in-

crease tensions between the two countries, the BBC’s Jill McGivering says.

China has not commented on the latest report.

But our correspondent says the leadership in Beijing has toughened its stance on national security –with a new commission and stronger laws.

Sino-Japanese relations are already strained by revived war memories and tensions over the South China Sea.

The Japan Times reported that the woman who is

being held had made several recent visits to China. The purpose of her most recent visit to China was unclear, it said.

China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed at the end of September that two Japanese men were arrested in China on accusations of spying.

Japan’s top Government Spokesman denied at the time that Tokyo spies on foreign countries, insisting that his country was “not engaged in such activity”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Istanbul saw the funeral of at least one blast victim on Sunday

There is increasing concern about the rising violence

KP Oli was arrested on and off and spent 14 years in prisons in different parts of the country during the 1970s and 80s [Reuters]

12,

What the people say I SAY...

Local Law School not a priority?

Berachah Garrett - 3rd year student of law

“Some Ministers of the Government need to express themselves properly and stop being arrogant in their responses. Assuming, when the Attorney General said it is not a priority means that it’s not at the top of the to do list; there are other pertinent issues to be addressed. However, the law school hopefully is on the list of things to do and the AG said he will form a committee to look into the matter. Understandably, it’s only persons who have direct interest and want their LEC now, are really infuriated. The President said in his campaign speech maybe not in the first two years but in 5 years. Therefore it will take some time. We are still in the first year and they are unduly pressuring the Government about it. In the coming years the availability of Oil and the revenue it earns can do wonders for Guyana. For example, further develop different Regions, making them more accessible and with development there will be a rise in population. This will undoubtedly create a void for more attorneys to fill.”

Chevy Devonish – 2nd year student of law

“The Government does not see the establishment of a local law school as an immediate priority is not a surprise. I was in the GWLT at UG when the President told students that students could expect to read for their LEC in Guyana in five years as he did not expect that it could be done in two. And as such we will be looking to see that this promise is honoured. We would also like to be part of the consultation process which will eventual be adopted toward the establishment of such a school.

Shonelle Streete – 2nd year student at law

“How could they think that investing in their youth is not a priority? It is really sad that this is a reality. This move lowers their standards in the eyes of the youth (especially that of the law student}.I am disappointed”

Reaud Hassan - 3rd year student of law

“Speaking as a LLB student, it’s disappointing to hear such a comment, but given the fact both the previous and current Administrations have had similar stances on the issue, it’s not an entirely surprising comment. Whilst it may not be a priority, I think it shouldn’t he an afterthought either. There’s an undoubted prestige that comes with having your own law school and given the increased number of students studying to become lawyers across the Caribbean, it can be seen as a necessity and sound investment.

Shonette Walker – 3rd year student of law

“A government should always be concerned with how plans affect the present and the future of any nation. One such important concern is the education of its youths. By not advocating for a law school, the Government is limiting the development of its legal system, its young people, and its future.”

Ron Motilall – 3rd year student of law

“It means that government can’t full all the vacancies for magistrates, judges and other legal staff like legal aid attorneys and what not... and if they do get people they are trained in another territory with different cultural and social norms.”

Brandon DeSantos – attending HWLS

“I always expected that there were no immediate plans for a law school. So it isn’t surprising”

Sherod Duncan – Law graduate

“I disagree that a local law school is not a priority on the basis that we continue to restrict students’ pursuit of the Legal Education Certificate via Hugh Wooding Law School. Statistics show that countries in the Region with a Law Schools have a higher lawyer to citizen ratio and those Schools still operate, so saturation of local market cannot be a consideration. Our vision for the future is what has to change. Trinidad’s then Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Fazal Karim in June 2014 declared: “There can never be too many lawyers in T&T.” At the time five classes were graduating from the undergraduate laws programme in T&T and 8039 people were enrolled. Their government recognising its citizens’ appetite for law entered into an arrangement with the University of London for distance learning. In 2014 of the 4000 people doing long distance learning with the University of London in the Caricom region, 3000 of them were from T&T. What is it that T&T knows that we don’t?”

Patrice Wishart – 2nd year student of law

“For the Government of any developing nation to infer that moulding potential legal minds is not a priority is boldly mistaken. While a law (school) gives one great advantage, the ability to practice law creates new avenues for all facets of nation building. Diplomacy must take a back seat to a country’s development and that in itself should determine how feasible this venture is, both short and long term.”

Romario Samaroo – 3rd year student of law

“The response by the new Administration in light of their response to a local law school is disappointing, in my opinion. The annual saga between HWIs and Guyanese law students create a somewhat lack of certainty in the minds of students. To add to that difficulty, there is the issue of the increase. It may not seem daunting but compared to a country with an exchange rate over 30:1 it is significant not to mention the excess expense of rent, travelling and other miscellaneous spending. This automatically eliminates a portion of students with potential and no means of acquiring this large expense. Furthermore, if those mentioned aren’t an issue, there is the realistic possibility of a 30% chance of making the automatic 25 as every year more and more students are accepted. Seeing the interest expressed not only by Guyanese but other countries across the Region, it is not doubtable that Guyana is not a prime location for a law school. I am no economist but practically I believe Guyana can gain money from establishing a law school and students can save in the comfort of Guyana. Seeing the interest expressed not only by Guyanese but other countries across the region, it is not doubtable that Guyana is a prime location for a law school.”

Renee Anderson – 3rd year student of law

““Local law school not a priority right now.” To say that a local law school is not a priority right now would shatter the aspirations of so many hopeful minds. If it is that persons are desirous of practicing law in Guyana, then why should that desire not be fulfilled based on the yardstick of a few? I believe the issue arises when we fail to appreciate how legal principles have developed globally, forming various distinguished laws. Guyana has a need for development of a stronger more diverse legal fraternity without limitations of practice. Our lives are defined by opportunities, establishing a local law school will definitely create and fulfil a lot of opportunities.

Derwayne Wills –Foreign Student

“A law school can’t be the priority. Setting up a law school in Guyana would be an insular step by the Guyana Government, which would create instability in the legal fraternity. What the Guyana Government must do is pay the economic cost for its students, just like other Governments in the Region. Guyana is not above this arrangement, and unless the Administration moves in that direction, Guyanese students will continue to pay US$15,500 per year for their two-year legal education in Trinidad.”

Nicklin Belgrave – 3rd year student of law

“The fact that there’s a substantial amount of students entering the law department every year means that there’s some sort of demand for a law school. There may already be a lot of lawyers but who decides that we should not educate our children. There’s constant need to run here and there negotiating every year for just 25 Guyanese to go to Hugh Wooding. It’s obvious that some sort of measure should be put in place. Law students should not have to suffer.”

Cassandra Forde – 1st year student of law

“First off it’s not feasible for most students even though they may be capable, cannot attend law school because of the financial burden. If the Government were to subsidize maybe things would’ve been different. Having to depend on Trinidad to take just a small number of students from Guyana which most times isn’t even half of the class is rather unfortunate but understandable because they won’t have room to accommodate that much students, so if Guyana were to have their own law school We’d see more students fulfilling their career goals. However it isn’t a priority so many able students don’t get the opportunity. On the other hand, It’s not feasible right now because the country is pretty much in an economic crisis and really doesn’t have any need for more lawyers at the moment so that wouldn’t be the best decision to invest so much money into something that isn’t a necessity”

$5.5 million creativity centre commissioned

The United Women for Special Children (UWSC) officially commissioned a creativity centre, which cost some $5.5 million. The centre was recently handed over to the East Bank Special Needs School, several months after the centre’s construction.

ly the New Amsterdam Special Needs School, David Rose School for the Handicapped, the East Bank Special Needs School.

During a simple ceremony, the keys were handed over to Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

President of the UWSC Angela Rahaman said the UWSC has been in existence since 1987 and offers support to schools, main-

The group also assists in other Special Needs establishments such as the Ptolemy Reid Centre, and the Linden Care Foundation. She said some two years ago this project started with a conversation where the acting Headteacher of East Bank Special Needs School expressed the need to have an Arts and Crafts room for the students. Rahaman explained

that after deliberations, members agreed and construction commenced at the last school break in July of this year.

“It is our hope and mission that this building promotes creativity in these special students and aide them with the confidence and ability they require to properly integrate into society”, Rahaman said.

The UWSC President also shared that the organisation remains committed to the weekly swimming programme for the school. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

International Day of the Girl Child 2015 celebrated —

UN calls for more investments in areas of health, education and human rights

Under the theme:

“The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030” Guyana joins the rest of the world today in commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child 2015.

The United Nations (UN) has set aside this date to be celebrated annually with the aim of ensuring that adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into young ladies and women.

According to reports this year, as the international community assesses progress under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) since their implementation in 2000, and sets goals to be achieved by 2030, the females born at the turn of the millennium have reached adolescence, and the generation of girls born this year will be adolescents in 2030.

As such, upon reflection of the achievements of the past 15 years, and with plans currently underway to ensure sustainable development goals for the next 15 years, the UN opines that this is an opportune time to consider the importance of social, economic, and political investment in the power of ado-

lescent girls.

This is seen as fundamental in breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination, as well as integral to achieving equitable and sustainable development outcomes.

According to the UN, if effectively supported during adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders.

“An investment in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability. Over the last 15 years, the global community has made significant progress in improving the lives of girls during early childhood. In 2015, girls in the first decade of life are more likely to enrol in primary schools, receive key vaccinations, and are less likely to suffer from health and nutrition problems than were previous generations,” the

United Nations noted.

However, it was lamented that there has been insufficient investment in addressing the challenges girls face when they enter the second decade of their lives.

Some of these challenges include obtaining quality secondary and higher education, avoiding child marriage, receiving information and services related to puberty and reproductive health, and also protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and gender-based violence.

“As the global community launches the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for implementation over the next 15 years, it is a

good time to recognise the achievements made in supporting young girls, while at the same time aspiring to support the current and upcoming generation of adolescent girls, to truly fulfil their potential as key actors in achieving a sustainable and equitable world,” the UN posits.

As a result of this, UN agencies, Member States, civil society organisations, and private sector stakeholders are being called upon to commit to putting adolescent girls at the centre of sustainable development efforts.

This newspaper further understands that this can be done by making critical investments in their present and future such as investing in high quality education, skills, training, access to technology and other learning initiatives that prepare girls for life, jobs, and leadership.

The UN believes there should be more investment in health and nutrition suitable to the adolescent years, including puberty education, menstrual hygiene management, and sexual and reproductive health education and services, and the promotion of “zero tolerance” against physical, mental, and sexual violence.

There should be the en-

actment and consistent implementation of social, economic, and policy mechanisms to combat early marriage and female genital mutilation as well as investment in the creation and maintenance of social and public spaces for civic and political engagement, creativity and talent enhancement.

According to the UN, gender-responsive legislation and policies should be promoted across all areas, especially for adolescent girls who are disabled, vulnerable and marginalised, and victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“The commitment by the global community to realising the potential of adolescent girls will directly translate into the girls as powerful and positive change agents for their own empowerment, for advancing gender equality and for the sustainable advancement of their nations,” the international body added.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of UN Ban Kimoon, in his message for International Day of the Girl Child 2015, stated that the newly adopted SDGs rightly include key targets for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

“They offer an opportunity for a global commit-

ment to breaking intergenerational transmission of poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination –and realising our vision of a life of dignity for all. Our task now is to get to work on meeting the SDG targets and making good on our promises to give girls all the opportunities they deserve as they mature to adulthood by 2030. That means enabling them to avoid child marriage and unwanted pregnancy, protect against HIV transmission, stay safe from female genital mutilation, and acquire the education and skills they need to realise their potential,” the UN Secretary General explained.

It was emphasised that it also requires ensuring their sexual health and reproductive rights and that girls in every country/ state should be able to lead lives free from fear and violence.

“If we achieve this progress for girls, we will see advances across society… Let us resolve to invest in today’s adolescent girls so that tomorrow they can stand strong as citizens, political leaders, entrepreneurs, heads of their households and more. This will secure their rights and our common future,” Ban Kimoon added. (kristenm@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Secretary General of UN Ban Ki-moon

Students and Teachers of the East Bank Special Needs School, members of the UWSC and Education Minister Rupert Roopnaraine

The commemorative plaque of the Creativity School

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

You will receive news that will suggest an exciting change. A romantic relationship will figure prominently in your life. Problems at home can be avoided if you compromise.

Current adjustments in the workplace will turn in your favour. Embrace these changes and let your superiors know that you are willing to take on additional responsibilities.

Even if you have a romantic attraction to someone, you should avoid a joint money venture. Keep your assets separate to avoid being left in a vulnerable position that could diminish the partnership.

Make yourself available to people who helped you in the past. A close friend or family member is in need of your support, and your gesture will bring satisfaction and rewards.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Reach out to an old friend and take a walk down memory lane. Keep in mind that although you have history with this person, you would be wise to keep the focus of your interaction on the past, not the future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Keep an eye on your budget. Extravagance, overindulgence and emotional outbursts will be your downfall. Don’t feel that you have to pick up the tab to impress people.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Your head will need to win over your heart when it comes to personal choices. Avoid making an emotional or impulsive decision. Apply your knowledge and experience practically.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Offer your concepts to colleagues or clients. Ready yourself to act quickly on a promising prospect that comes your way. Travel and location will play a role in your decision.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Newfound wealth is within your reach. A settlement, windfall or investment will come your way, but expect conditions to be attached. Love and romance are heating up. Plan a private rendezvous with someone special.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Self-control and focus will be the key to your success. Keep your emotions in check and dedicate all of your time, effort and energy to your professional goals.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

If you update your skills, you will find a way to make some extra cash. An unorthodox idea or service could be turned into a profitable venture with a little elbow grease.

Your high energy should be put to good use. Participate in lively activities in order to make new friends or find a potential business or romantic partner.

CANCER

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

Germany, Albania, Romania and Poland join 2016 party

World champions

Germany and perennial also-rans Albania do not share much in common in football but both were united in joy on Sunday when they qualified for Euro 2016 in France along with Romania and Poland.

The World Cup winners,

World Cup or European Championship since first entering both in the mid-1960s as a secretive state shrouded in hard-line communist aloofness, secured their place with a 3-0 win over Armenia in Yerevan.

Thousands of their supporters in both Albania and Kosovo, where a number of

playoffs. The winner was a stunning diving header by striker Robert Lewandowski who took his tally to a record-equalling 13 for a single Euro campaign.

Romania also secured their berth in France when they won 3-0 in the wintry Faroe Islands to secure second place in Group F behind

who have lifted the Henri Delauney trophy three times as European champions, left it late but sealed their spot with a 2-1 win over alreadyeliminated Georgia which gave them top spot in Group D.

Albania, who have never previously reached the

the Albania players were born, took to the streets, letting off fireworks and driving around towns and cities hooting their car horns in celebration.

Poland finished behind Germany with a 2-1 win over Ireland in Warsaw forcing the Irish into the

already-qualified Northern Ireland.

Romania’s victory lifted them to 20 points, one behind the Irish who finished on 21 after a 1-1 draw in Finland, leaving Hungary in third spot with a place in the playoffs.

Extraordinary Game

Hungary lost an extraordinary game 4-3 to Greece, the first time the 2004 European champions had won in all 10 qualifiers, and the first time they had scored at home.

Sixteen teams, including hosts France, are now assured of a place in the expanded 24-team finals.

Along with the four who qualified on Sunday, Iceland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Wales, holders Spain, England, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Austria, Italy and Portugal are also through.

Six teams are sill in contention for automatic qualification: Slovakia and Ukraine from Group C, Russia and Sweden from Group G, and Norway and Croatia from Group H.

The marathon week of qualifiers continues on Monday and Tuesday with another 18 matches after which 20 finalists will be known, including the team that has qualified with the best record from the thirdplaced finishers in he nine groups.

The other eight thirdplaced teams enter the twolegged playoffs to be held in November, with the draw for those matches scheduled for next Sunday. (Reuters

WICB names 13-member Windies women sqaud

The WICB has named a 13-player West Indies Women’s squad for this month’s four ODIs and three T20Is against Pakistan Women beginning on October 16 in St Lucia. Stafanie Taylor will lead the side for the first time after being appointed captain last month, replacing Merissa Aguilleira who had served in the role since the 2009 Women’s World Cup.

The selectors had named an 18-member training squad last month. The group got together in St Lucia last week, and at the end of the first seven days the five players released were Shaquana Quintyne, Chedean Nation, Karishma

Ramharack, Vanessa Watts and Shemaine Campbell. West Indies Women defeated Sri Lanka Women in three of four ODIs in May,

including two of three as part of the ICC Women’s Championship, during West Indies Women’s tour of Sri Lanka.

West Indies currently sit third on the championship points table, one point behind South Africa and five points behind Australia. A series sweep over Pakistan, including the last three ODIs which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will put West Indies level with Australia at the top of the table.

Pakistan Women currently sit tied for fifth with New Zealand Women on eight points. They lost two of three matches to South Africa in their last action held in March in Sharjah. Following the four ODIs, both teams will travel to Grenada for three T20Is beginning on October 29. (Cricinfo)

Mercedes take title as Hamilton wins in Russia

Mercedes clinched their second successive Formula

One constructors’ championship on Sunday and Lewis Hamilton took a huge stride towards his third drivers’ title with victory in Russia.

Congratulated on the podium by President Vladimir Putin, Hamilton took his ninth win of the season and 42nd of his career after a throttle problem forced the early retirement of German team mate Nico Rosberg.

The Briton now has a lead of 66 points over Ferrari’s second-placed Sebastian Vettel and, if results go his way, can secure his own second successive crown in Austin, Texas, in two weeks’ time.

Mercedes team bosses had left the circuit long be-

overtook him and after that, or maybe even before, he started to have some problems. It is very unfortunate for the team.”

Mexican Sergio Perez finished third for Force India, in a race with two safety car interludes following crashes, after Raikkonen rammed the rear of fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas’s Williams while battling for the final podium place.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s penalised, because I’m never getting those points back,” said Bottas bitterly.

Opening Lap

fore the constructors’ title was confirmed, however, with the outcome depending on a stewards’ enquiry that eventually demoted Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen from fifth to eighth.

“We found out (about the title) upstairs. It just feels special to be a part of it and to have contributed to a team success,” Hamilton told reporters some two hours after the race had ended.

“It is a great, great, great feeling.”

With four races remaining, and a maximum 100 points to be won, Hamilton has 302 points to Vettel’s 236 and Rosberg’s 229.

“It looked like we were going to have a race and I was thinking this is great and we were going to put on a good show,” said Hamilton, who also won the inaugural Russian Grand Prix last year, of his afternoon.

“Nico made a mistake at turn one and went wide. I

The safety car was deployed after Perez’s team mate Nico Hulkenberg spun on the opening lap and was hit by the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson with Max Verstappen’s Toro Rosso also caught up in the action.

Rosberg had led from pole, holding off Hamilton through the opening corners, but was forced to retire in the pits on the seventh of 53 laps.

“F1 is pretty incredible sometimes how tough it is,” the German told the BBC.

“After a great start, leading the race and feeling confident. Straight after the safety car the pedal broke. It was quite dangerous. Definitely not a nice way to end the day.”

Hamilton, who has now won more races than the late triple champion Ayrton Senna, had already taken over the lead as Rosberg wrestled with the problem.

However his advantage was whittled away when Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who was unhurt, crashed heavily on lap 12 and brought out the safety car again. (Reuters Sport)

Germany’s Marco Reus celebrates a goal of team mate Max Kruse (not pictured) against Georgia during their Euro 2016 Group D qualifying soccer match against Germany. (Reuters photo)

Stafanie Taylor will lead West Indies Women for the first time later this month against Pakistan. (Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin ( 2nd L). Ferrari Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (3rd L) and Force India Formula One driver Sergio Perez of Mexico (2nd R) watch as Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain throws his trophy in the air (Reuters photo)

Impressive Ireland top group but at a heavy cost

reland beat France 24-9

Iin a brutal Cardiff encounter to earn a quarterfinal meeting with Argentina, leaving the well-beaten French the daunting prospect of facing New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup’s pool phase came to a close on Sunday.

In the most eagerly-awaited match outside of Pool A, Ireland overcame their Six Nations rivals for the first time in four World Cup meetings. But the win came at a heavy cost, with the flyhalf Johnny Sexton and captain Paul O’Connell in danger of missing the rest of the tournament.

Ireland have never previously reached the semi-finals but have given themselves every chance this time, while France will have to repeat their stunning 2007 quarterfinal win over the All Blacks in a game that is also a re-run of the 2011 final.

It will not be plain-sailing for the Irish, however. Argentina warmed up nicely with a nine-try, 64-19 thrashing of Namibia and look a considerably more dangerous attacking side than the toothless French.

Earlier on Sunday Italy ended their underwhelming involvement with a 32-22 win over a spirited Romania to secure third spot in Pool D and automatic qualification for 2019.

The hosts of that tournament, Japan, signed off from their best-ever World Cup with a 28-18 victory over the United States, becoming the first team to win three pool games and not progress -- having only ever won one match in all their previous World Cups.

Cardiff Cracker

The game of the day, however, was in Cardiff. France and Ireland had both cruised through their first three pool games with an eye on Sunday’s finale and the Millennium Stadium produced an atmosphere worthy of the occasion.

Ireland fans were in the majority but their faith was severely tested by early injuries to Sexton and O’Connell,

with the latter likely to be forced into retirement from international rugby three weeks earlier than planned after 109 Ireland appearances and seven for the British and Irish Lions.

The squad’s strength in depth was illustrated, however, by the way they took the problems in their stride to lead 9-6 at the break.

They then strangled the life out of a disappointing France in the second half and underlined their dominance with tries from Rob Kearney and Conor Murray.

“I’m incredibly proud of the performance,” Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said. “It was a battle that was attritional but a battle that showed a fair bit of character in the side.”

Argentina’s final outing in the pool phase was a considerably less taxing affair and

Namibia, as they have all tournament, showed real grit and were rewarded with tries for Johan Tromp, JC Greyling and Eugene Jantjies.

Uplifting Moment

The largely amateur team also provided one of the uplifting moments of the tournament when giant prop Johnny Redelinghuys was given the chance to convert Jantjies’ last-minute try to mark his 50th and final international.

After lumbering up, his kick dropped short and wide but produced smiles and handshakes all round and earned the loudest cheer of the day from the Leicester crowd.

It is easy to forget how dire Japan’s record was before this year, with their only win in seven previous tournaments coming against

beat Japan.

Loose forward Amanaki Mafi and wingers Yoshikazu Fujita and Kotaro Matsushima scored tries for Japan, with fullback Chris Wyles and winger Takudzwa Ngwenya replying for the Americans, who depart having lost all four games.

Italy, still the only Tier One country never to reach the quarter-finals, looked set for a convincing win when tries by Leonardo Sarto, Edoardo Gori, Tommaso Allan and Alessandro Zanni had them in control at 29-3.

But Romania, who came from 15-0 down to beat Canada on Tuesday, again hit back with two tries for Adrian Apostol and one for Valentin Poparlan in a rousing final 15 minutes.

There was bad news for Wales after their defeat by Australia on Saturday as

nine different Pumas players scored a try.

Juan Martin Hernandez, playing at flyhalf, Matias Moroni, Horacio Agulla, Facundo Isa and Lucas Noguera helped them to a 36-7 halftime lead, with Matias Alemanno, Leonardo Senatore, Julian Montoya and Tomas Cubelli joining in after the break as the Pumas turned on the style against the tiring Africans.

Zimbabwe in 1991 and an unwanted World Cup record to their name when New Zealand hammered them 145-17 in 1995.

However, after shocking South Africa in their opening game and then beating Samoa, they played with confidence and panache to beat the United States in Gloucester but finished behind Scotland, who gathered two bonus points and also

back Liam Williams became the latest to join their long injury list and has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a foot injury.

Wales face South Africa in the quarter-finals while Australia will take on Scotland, both games at Twickenham next weekend. The other two quarter-finals will be at the Millennium Stadium. (Reuters Sports)

Ramdin expects Bishoo to be dangerous

Former West Indies Test captain

Denesh Ramdin is looking forward to the threat to come from teammate Devendra Bishoo.

Bishoo is returning from a finger injury he sustained earlier this year during a Test series against England.

The threat of spin became apparent on the first day of West Indies’ three-day game against a Sri Lanka President’s XI where Suraj Randiv bagged three for 33 to reduce the visitors to 127 for six.

That being said, Ramdin believes Bishoo good enough to exploit the wickets in Sri Lanka.

“Since Bishoo has been recalled into the Test team he has been bowling well. I would say he is bowling a lot of wicket taking balls. He is testing the batsmen a lot more,” said Ramdin.

Bishoo has been dominant in the Caribbean’s major tournament, the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League, racking up 61 wickets to lead his Guyana Jaguars romp to last season’s title.

“In the Caribbean the pitches were spinning and bouncing which he got some purchase and hopefully he is going to get some here as well in the subcontinent,” said Ramdin.

The former skipper does know, however, that Sri Lankans are notoriously good at playing spin, but still believes in Caribbean spinner.

“He is going to be challenged by these guys who play in their back yard so it’s going to be a good contest for him and he is going to do well,” said Ramdin. (Digicel Sportsmax)

SPORTS Pulse

Life after the Normalisation Committee

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

As the name aptly suggests, the FIFA-installed Normalisation Committee was instituted to bring some semblance of normalcy to Guyana’s football. It became a necessary step in the administration of the game, following major fallouts among stakeholders, the struggle for power, and the filing of a no-confidence motion against immediate past president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Christopher Matthias, by disgruntled members. The fact that the world governing body was summoned to intervene was enough evidence of the level of contempt and disrepute that had permeated the game over time. A group of individuals, with no experience in the administration of football it must be pointed out, was entrusted by FIFA with stabilising the way the sport was being administered in the country, and businessman Clinton Urling was appointed to head the five-member team. Dr Karen Pilgrim, the lone female on the body, was joined by Rabindranauth Chanderpal, Tariq Williams, and Stuart May, who later resigned on personal grounds, and was replaced by Dr Eric Phillips. Since its formation in October 2014, the Normalisation Committee has been working extensively to correct the deficiencies that exist, and create a smooth pathway for the next batch of administrators to take over the leadership of the GFF. From the onset it must be stated that the past 12 months have brought about a high level of maturity by those very Member Associations whose actions necessitated the birth of the Normalisation Committee. The controversy that raised its ugly head almost daily when stakeholders chose to often utilise the media to air their greivances rather than the medium of constructive dialogue to chart a way forward had stagnated the developmental process. Hardly any competitive football was being played, apart from the privately organised youth and school tournaments, and the national teams had become dysfunctional. Not unlike any other Normalisation Committee activated by FIFA to solve a football crisis, the Urling-led team had inherited a messy situation, and with just a year to complete its mandate, a mountainous task loomed. Apart from the setting up of a proper and solid structure to drive the process of development, the Normalisation Committee had the huge job of mending the fracturous relationship that existed among persons in the fraternity. Football wise, the Normalisation Committee has been successful in resuscitating the national Men’s and Women’s senior teams- the Golden Jaguars and the Lady Jags respectively- while Jamaal Shabazz, Claude Bolton and Mark Rodrigues were appointed to key posts in the national set-up. Shabazz’s third coming, this time as Head Coach after previously serving as Technical Director, may have raised a few eyebrows, while Rodrigues’ re-appointment as Head Coach of the Lady Jags was justified given his success with the team in the glory days of 2010 when the girls qualified for the Gold Cup for the first time. Bolton’s elevation to Technical Director on a four-year contract brought a fresh perspective to the post, and in 10 short months since his appointment, the Canada-born Guyanese has been pivotal in the crafting of Guyana’s first-ever Elite League, currently in the Genesis phase. “The potential for Guyana’s football is immense, I wouldn’t call it a sleeping giant yet, but we still haven’t tapped where we can go as a country,” Bolton told media operatives moments after inking his contract in January. Indeed, Bolton’s utterances cannot be over emphasised- the potential has always existed; it is the system that must be fully functional to ensure it is maximised.

The Normalisation Committee has laid the foundation for a fresh approach. The columns must now be built strong enough to support that magnificent structure we all envisage, called ‘Guyana’s football’, to stand as a beacon in the FIFA community. With most of the Member Associations already adopting the new constitutions, the GFF Congress on November 14 is seen as the most important one in local football history.

It will, more than anything else, give a clear idea whether acrimony still lingers in the system.

Avenash Ramzan

Ireland celebrate final group stage win. (Reuters photo)

Devendra Bishoo

monday, october 12, 2015

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Sri Lanka Board President’s XI v West Indians, 3rd day, SSC, Colombo… Windies made to toil as Siriwardana hits 105*

Milinda Siriwardana’s unbeaten 105 from 149 deliveries was the highlight of the third and final day of the West Indians’ warm-up encounter at the SSC. Siriwardana is in line for a Test debut on Wednesday, when the first Test begins at Galle. Sri Lanka Cricket Board President’s XI finished their first innings on 455 for 6, at which time the match was called off.

The practice outing was a difficult one for the West Indians, who had earlier been bowled out for 209 in their first innings. They did, however, have tougher conditions to bat in. The pitch had slowed down and flattened out by the second day, when the President’s XI began their innings.

A debut was always likely for Siriwardana, as

the selectors had chosen only eight batsmen for the Test squad. This performance makes it almost a certainty. He hit 18 fours in his innings, and was involved in a 68-run stand with overnight centurion Udara Jayasundera and a 93-run stand with Angelo

Jayasinghe.

The West Indian bowlers gave away 222 runs and took three wickets in the 48.2 overs that were bowled in the day. Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel and Marlon Samuels claimed one apiece. Perhaps of concern to the visitors may be their spinners’ inability to return good figures on a track that Presidents’ XI offspinner Suraj Randiv had taken a five-wicket haul on - particularly as spin is always expected to feature at Galle.

As this practice game had been postponed by a day, the West Indians only have two clear days in which to recover and prepare for the Galle Test.

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Windies players should consider self-imposed social media bans

Former West Indies fast bowler Collin

Croft has called for complete focus from the regional team during its tour of Sri Lanka, including a self-imposed ban for players from social media.

Players in various sports across the globe often use social media implements like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep in touch with their fan bases. There are no hard and fast rules as it relates to its management from the sporting disciplines involves, with policies ranging from no regulations at all to a complete bans dur-

ing competitive play.

In some instances players have enforced self-imposed bans, a move which Croft believes could be prudent for the regional team during this tour.

“While all acknowledge usage of Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp etc, it still seems strange that players use social media so prolifically, especially during games. That must take away focus,” Croft states in his weekly column published by Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.

With all-rounder Jason Holder recently installed as captain, Croft believes the

tour represents a solid opportunity to get the tenure of the 23-year-old off to a strong start.

“Nothing should distract nor disorganise WI’s all-important thoughts on playing well. Players must find that singular frame of mind to do whatever it takes to win, as it would be very uplifting, fulfilling, even surprising to some, if they manage to beat Sri Lanka in all three formats,” he added.

The team will begin its tour on Tuesday with the first of two Test against the host at Galle International Stadium, in Galle. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Simmons demands answers before WICB meeting

Embattled West Indies coach Phil Simmons will not meet with WICB officials until he has been formally informed of the regulations that have been breached.

Simmons was suspended indefinitely by the WICB two weeks ago following statements that the selection process was being influenced by outside factors. The coach was due to meet with a human resources committee set

up by the WICB last week. Where he would have been required to explain what was meant by his statements. If the resources committee found the allegations to be unproven Simmons would be required to face a disciplinary committee, which would decide his fate.

However, in a twist of events the coach has demanded that the specific breach be named in order to be able to adequately pre-

pare himself to face the committee, Trinidad and Tobago publication Trinidad and Tobago Guardian has reported.

In light of his suspension ahead of the West Indies team tour of Sri Lanka Simmons was replaced by selector Eldine Baptiste as coach for the current series in Sri Lanka. The team will get the series under way on Tuesday. (Digicel Sportsmax)

BaBy serVICes

Milinda Siriwardana hit 18 fours during his ton

Kadir’s memorial “Ounce Of Gold”

cycling

Supreme Jeffrey crowns flawless weekend

The name on everyone’s lips in cycling at the moment is Raynauth Jeffrey. He goes by the alias “Obeah Man”, but that has nothing to do with it.

The Team Coco’s prodigy is the talk of town, not for his nickname, as catchy as it is, but his prowess in the saddle.

Bubbling with confidence after lapping the entire field in the Hand-in-Hand 35-lap race at the National Park on Saturday, the East Coast Demerara wheelsman stormed to victory in the Kadir Memorial “Ounce of Gold” road race 24 hours later.

Jeffrey braved the searing Sunday heat to cross the finish line first, thereby securing an ounce of the precious mineral, estimated to be worth over $230,000.

to the start point for the finish.

Jeffrey finished the course in three hours, 12 minutes, 28 seconds (03h: 12m: 28s), while Team Mengoni’s Alanzo Greaves ended second.

Team Gillette Evolution’s Raul Leal took third, followed by Andrew Hicks, Hamzah Eastman, Michael Anthony, Jamal John and Orville Hinds in that order.

Hicks was the top junior, winning from Jamal John and Raphael Leung, while Deeraj Garbarran, Briton John and Nigel Duguid were 1-2-3 in the Juveniles segment.

GRFU/Trophy Stall 7s

UG Wolves howl in triumph

By TreisTon Joseph

The University of Guyana (UG)

Wolves defended their backyard by topping the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 17-12 in the final of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)/ Trophy Stall Sevens Championship on Sunday at the UG Campus Ground.

The physical matchup between the two power teams was a thriller that brought the fans at the UG Campus Ground to the sidelines in order to get a closer look at the action.

away with a few ticks left on the clock, a bad pass resulted in UG walking away as victors on their home ground.

Two tries by star winger Broomes, a try by Jamal Angus and a conversion by Lance Adonis along with the leadership of Captain Rondell “Bull” McArthur was enough to lead UG to the historic win.

With the event being the first time that a rugby tournament was played at the UG Campus, McArthur highlighted the significance of the win.

“The victory for our team means a lot: this is the first time we played a tournament on our home turf and we won this championship. It was very challenging, because all these teams, especially GDF, came here today hungry for the championship. I must take my hat off to the guys, we have improved tremendously under Coach Larry Adonis,” he stated.

It was a majestic return to the local circuit for the young cycling sensation, who only last week returned home from campaigning overseas.

Sunday’s 80-mile race, organised by the Flying Star Cycling Club and sponsored by Kadir’s Enterprise of Bartica, started on Homestretch Avenue, proceeded to Dora and returned

In the Veterans race, Horace Burrowes won the Under-45, with Raymond Newton and Ralph Williams second and third respectively, while Ian Jackson, Shameer Baksh and Kennard Lovell were the top three in the Over-45. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

With both teams locked on 12 points, a crucial mistake by GDF Captain Dwayne Schroeder in the dying moments allowed UG winger Godfrey Brooms to pick off a pass and run it in for a gameclinching try.

While Joseph Rahaman would get a partial break-

Tries by national players Patrick King, who scored the first try of the game in impressive fashion by out-running all players from one side of the field to the next before straightening up down the left sideline to reach the end zone, and Avery Corbin, along with a Schroeder conversion could not get the job done for GDF to retain their trophy.

Corbin was, however, the standout player of the game and earned the MVP award.

Before the men’s final, the over-35 female team dominated their rivals to take home the spoils on the distaff side.

Rugby action continues next week with the hosting of the Banks Sevens. The Wolves are the defending champions. (josepht@guyanatimesgy.com)

Rabada holds nerve to seal thrilling win for SA

The Green Park ground in Kanpur saw its two highest ODI totals scored on the same day in a match that seemed to be a mirror image of itself until India cracked. Kagiso Rabada defended 11 off the last over, in which he dismissed India captain, MS Dhoni, and derailed an Indian chase that was on track until the start of the 47th over.

Then, Rohit Sharma, who had racked up 150 - the third-highest score of his ODI career - was sapped of energy and handed a return catch to Imran Tahir. The South Africa legspinner had not had much of an impact on the innings until that point but went on to dismiss Suresh Raina in the same over to change India’s task from a relatively straightforward 35 runs off 24 balls with seven wickets in hand to a more challenging 31 runs from 18 balls with five wickets in hand.

Rabada’s penultimate over cost nine runs and Steyn’s final over 11, to leave the 20-year-old fast bowler with only 11 to defend at the end. Far from being overwhelmed by the occasion or the opposition, Rabada kept his cool, banged in the short ball and watched both Dhoni and Stuart Binny mistime their pull shots. Rabada completed the catch to dismiss Dhoni, and ensure South Africa found a bowling hero after AB de Villiers had headlined their effort with the bat.

De Villiers played a per-

fectly paced innings to score his 21st ODI century and guide South Africa to the highest ever total, and the only one over 300, at the Green Park in Kanpur. De Villiers had a solid start to build on, thanks to Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, and worked his way through a quiet middle period before attacking with Farhaan Behardien at the end. South Africa plundered 109 runs off the last ten overs, which included 65 off the final five, capitalising on India’s weakened attack that lost R Ashwin to a side strain. On a slow surface, India’s bowling tactics were pulled out of shape by Ashwin’s

niggle, which meant that he bowled less than half his quota of ten overs after Dhoni held him back. Ashwin bowled one over in the Powerplay and was kept for later in the innings while Dhoni rotated his other slower bowlers. After he was brought back into the attack, Ashwin bowled 3.4 overs before he picked up the niggle and could only deliver one more over later on. As a result, India’s fifth-bowler duties were shared between Suresh Raina and Stuart Binny, who conceded 100 runs. In comparison, South Africa’s fifth-bowler options - Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy - gave away only 74.

In a match where margins were tight, numbers like that made the difference.

India were in the thick of things when they were asked to bowl in conditions that offered something for the seamers in the first hour. Bhuvneshwar Kumar found some early movement to test Quinton de Kock outside the off stump, a stern examination of the returning opening batsman’s confidence.

De Kock was dropped during the Bangladesh series partly because of his lapses outside off stump and he showed greater awareness here, especially in his footwork. He may not have

been happy with the eventual outcome of his innings though, after he was dismissed by Ashwin for 29 through a perfect off break that drew him forward and took the edge.

Ashwin was taken out of the attack despite his early success as Dhoni turned to Amit Mishra, Stuart Binny and later Suresh Raina. The trio were largely disciplined but their occasional lapses allowed Amla and du Plessis to build slowly with a focus on strike-rotation and patience. Their partnership had reached 59, and Amla had already crossed the 1000-run mark in ODIs in this calendar year, when he was beaten by a faster ball from Mishra that deflect-

ed off his pad and onto the stumps. That brought de Villiers to the crease but the expected fireworks came from du Plessis at first. He was on 33 when Amla was dismissed and raced to his half-century off 11 balls after that, reaching it with the first six of the innings off Raina. With the milestone over, things quieted down and Dhoni brought Ashwin back. Two balls into the third over of his second spell, Ashwin fielded a ball off his own bowling and two balls later left the field with a side strain. Virat Kohli completed the over and Dhoni was left with a conundrum as he sought to make up Ashwin’s overs. (Cricinfo)

UT Yadav 10-0-71-2, R Ashwin 4.4-0-14-1, A Mishra 10-0-472, STR Binny 8-0-63-0, SK Raina 7-0-37-0, V Kohli 0.2-0-1-0. India innings (target: 304 runs from 50 overs)

Amla b Rabada 2 B Kumar not out 1 A Mishra not out 0

Extras (lb 4, w 13) 17

Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 298

Did not bat: R Ashwin, UT Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-191, 3-214, 4-269, 5-273, 6-297, 7-297 Bowling: DW Steyn 10-054-1, K Rabada 10-0-58-2, F Behardien 6-0-38-1, M Morkel 10-0-51-1, JP Duminy 4-0-360, Imran Tahir 10-0-57-2.

Raynauth Jeffrey is in ripping form, and with the Tour of Guyana just weeks away, he is now a firm favourite

The South African players celebrate their tight win. (AFP photo)

Stag Elite League Slingerz move to 2nd in League standings

Monedderlust break 3-game losing streak

By TreisTon Joseph

Slingerz FC manhandled Buxton United for a comfortable 2-0 win when the Stag Elite League continued on Saturday evening at the Number Five ground in Berbice.

Slingerz, from the onset, looked the better side with smoother passes as well as a fluent flow to their offensive build-up.

Their offensive strategy paid dividends in the 21st minute when Slingerz Dominican Striker Julian Wade scored an easy goal to put the West Side team up 1-nil.

Buxton, looking a bit out of sorts especially on defence, would have the wind in their sails snuffed out with a goal just before the end of the first half in the

Travis Henry Travis Henry

44th minute from Domini Garnett that would prove to be the game winner. Meanwhile, in the second game of the evening, Monedderlust broke their three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win against the

Georgetown Football Club (GFC).

GFC, the country’s oldest club (formed in 1902) started hot and played with a lot of vigour as they penetrated the defence of the host side to score in the

10th minute of the game with a strike from Mikhail Stewart.

The Berbicians rebounded with a strike from Travis Henry to equalise in the 25th minute, while Kevin Cottoy slammed in the eventual game winner in the 44th minute to finish an intense first half of action.

The second half while having breath-holding moments did not live up to the promise the first half of the game showed, with both teams being unable to find the back of the net for a fourth time.

The League will continue on October 13 at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground with two matches: Alpha United taking on Buxton United and Slingerz FC battling GDF. (josepht@ guyanatimesgy.)

Guyana Jaguars to engage in 1st practice match today

The Cricket Guyana Inc's Guyana Jaguars will be in action today at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground in their first of two four-day practice

The second practice match will start on October 26; however, the match today is expected to begin at 09:00h.

The Jaguars will face the Windwards

Police fire 1st shot with swimming championships win at ISASC

– GDF win road

By TreisTon Joseph

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) are the inaugural champions of the swimming championships that have been added to the Inter Services sports which began on Sunday at the National Aquatic Centre.

GPF amassed 226 points to win the swimming championships of the Inter Services Athletics and Swimming Championships (ISASC) ahead of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who finished second on 179 points. City Constabulary finished third with 17 points, while the Fire and Prison Services finished tied for fourth on nine points.

It was an action-packed day of swimming, with Shenelly Debideen of GPF showcasing her talent with a double in the women’s open 50 metres freestyle and the 50 metres backstroke.

relay

ping the field in the women’s butterfly event in a time of 1:00.19s.

On the male side of things, Deon Primus of the GPF looked the part in the men’s 50 metres freestyle, winning the event in a time of 27.02s, while Nickel Sancho of GDF was second in 28.73s. GDF’s Michael Williams finished third in 29.03s.

Linden Barkoye of GPF won the male 50m breaststroke in a time of 39.20s, while Rudolph Doobay of the GDF won the male 50m butterfly in a time of 34.50s. In relay action, GDF easily won the male 200 metres freestyle relay, as GPF finished second, while the roles reversed on the distaff side.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Army men and women ran away with the road relay event, with GPF finishing second.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chairman of the national Selectors Rayon Griffith in discussion during Monday’s fielding session. (Marceano Narine photo)

matches in preparation for the upcoming Regional four-day tournament.

The matches will be the final kinks to iron out the Guyanese squad that is expected to be named shortly as Guyana aims to defend their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Premier Cricket League (PCL) title starting November 6.

Volcanoes from November 6 at the National Stadium, Providence before facing the Leewards Hurricanes and Barbados Pride at the same venue before departing for Trinidad and Jamaica for the last two games for the 2015.

The teams are as fol -

lows: Leon Johnson

team: Assad Fudadin, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson, Vishaul Singh (Vice captain), Christopher Barnwell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Steven Jacobs, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Kemol Savory, Anthony Bramble and Akshaya Persaud. Shimron Hetmyer team: Kandasammy Surujnarine, Shimron Hetmyer, Robin Bacchus (Vice captain), Tevin Imlach, Kevon Boodie, Keemo Paul, Dexter Solomon, Javon

Searles, Paul Wintz, Steven Sankar, Keon Joseph, Raj Nannan, Gudakesh Motie and Raun Johnson. (josepht@guyanatimesgy. com)

Debideen won the freestyle event in a time of 38.03s, while topping the field in the backstroke with a time of 51.40s.

Eva Harry was also outstanding winning the women’s 50 breaststroke in a time of 52.63s, while top-

Action will now turn to the track on Tuesday from 10:00h at the National Track and Field Centre. The points from the swimming championships will be added to the track and field championships points garnered to determine the overall winner of the ISASC. (josepht@guyanatimesgy.com)

Guyana Jaguars to engage in 1st practice match today

The Cricket Guyana Inc's Guyana Jaguars will be in action today at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground in their first of two four-day practice matches in preparation for the upcoming Regional four-day tournament. The matches will be the final kinks to iron out the

Guyanese squad that is expected to be named shortly as Guyana aims to defend their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Premier Cricket League (PCL) title starting November 6.

The second practice match will start on October 26; however, the match today is expected to begin at 09:00h.

The Jaguars will face the Windwards Volcanoes from November 6 at the National Stadium, Providence before facing the Leewards Hurricanes and Barbados Pride at the same venue before departing for Trinidad and Jamaica for the last two games for the 2015.

during one of the female events at the swimming championships (Treiston Joseph photo)

of the action during one of the male swimming events on Sunday

Some of the action during the physical final between the Wolves and GDF (Treiston Joseph photo)

Head coach, Esaun Crandon making a point during Monday’s fielding session. (Marceano Narine photo)