Guyana Times sunday

Laparkan gives back for Mother’s Day P30

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2488 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

May 10, 2015

Ramotar outlines vision, urges Guyanese to vote for progress

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Harper, Rohee appeal for P7 huge majority …outline plans for women, youth empowerment

Granger fans the tragedy of Son Chapman P11

Page 3

...but silences the tragedy of Wismar

...as Jagdeo exposes coalition’s plan to undermine integrity of polls

Police hunt P32 known convict in GNIC gun, ammo seizure

Opposition may reject elections P38 results – supporters continue intimidatory tactics

President Donald Ramotar and People’s Progressive Party/Civic Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper show victory signs at the Party’s final rally at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, which saw thousands in attendance

PNC-led APNU/AFC rally:

Burnham’s touch revived by his daughter

Page 9

Stabroek News, Kaieteur News peddle lies about NEW GPC

GECOM promises results in timely manner

OAS calls for peace during polling day and post- P40 election period My Indian self P43

Page 5

...as Govt seeks to keep

…Joey Jagan backs his "godfather's" party pharma supply chain intact

P40

Ryhaan Shah

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SunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

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sunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, May 10 – 09:30h-11:00h and Monday, May 11 – 11:00h-12:30h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, May 10 – 06:00h and 17:00h Monday, May 11 – 06:00h, 9:00h and 17:00h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure Sunday, May 3 – 06:00h, 14:00h and 17:00h Monday, May 4 – 06:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected throughout the morning and into the mid-afternoon hours. Light rain and thunderstorms are expected to prevail in the later afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 5.36 metres and 6.70 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:51h and 21:38h reaching maximum heights of 2.42 metres and 2.31 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:21h and 15:00h reaching minimum heights of 0.89 metre and 0.78 metre respectively.

Ramotar outlines vision, urges Guyanese to vote for progress ...as Jagdeo exposes coalition’s plan to undermine integrity of polls

By Michael Younge

F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday drove the final nail into the coffin of the opposition coalition as he exposed what appeared to be its plans to undermine the integrity of the elections results by engaging in unscrupulous practices on elections day if there are not adequate systems in place to prevent them this time around.

Jagdeo, holding forth at the Peoples Progressive Party Civic’s Lusignan, East Coast Demerara rally, which attracted over 20, 000 Guyanese from all walks of life, said that it was necessary for the International Observer Missions present here for the elections and the Guyana Elections Commission to remain vigilant while policing certain polling stations.

This is necessary to prevent the Peoples National Congress Reform-led A Partnership for

So we asked them to go to those polling stations because if we can block them stealing, our majority will even be greater come Monday comrades”.

He urged the party’s polling agents and supporters not to be afraid and to stand up for their rights, telling them that the PPP/C has already called on the Guyana Police Force and GECOM to do all that is legally necessary to deal with any personnel or Guyanese that attempts to undermine the integrity of the polls. He warned that there may be attempts to snatch the ballot boxes after 6:30 on elections day as the opposition appeared desperate for power. “But we have gone through elections before…your party is strong… we can fight off any attempt to change the outcome of the polls”, Jagdeo said as warned that “these polls are about the future”.

“Comrades, East Coast

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National Unity and Alliance for Change coalition from padding the ballot boxes and subverting the integrity of the results which will be declared after elections day.

He declared that the PPP/C has already shared with the Observers here, evidence which pointed to the padding of ballot boxes at the last elections. The former president reported to the rapt audience that his party shared a list of polling stations where back in 2011, between 95 per cent and 100 per cent of the people registered to vote turned out and supported the opposition.

Calling it “impossible”, Jagdeo said that the places where the padding of votes may have taken place are at polling stations in Hopetown, Berbice, Belladrum, New Amsterdam and South Georgetown. “We said to the observers that it was impossible that 100 per cent of the people could have voted in these polling stations.

has always been a very vigilant place and I know that you are not going to be bullied as Nandlall said if they are raining on Monday, you still go out there because it is your future, the future of your children… we are strong people and we have to make sure we come out and make sure that this country gets the future it deserves and only Ramotar can lead us into that future…”

Granger’s prediction

Jagdeo dubbed Granger’s assertion that the opposition coalition will win Monday’s poll by “62 per cent” not only as misleading but deliberately so.

Reflecting on his early childhood days, Jagdeo informed the mammoth crowd that he had a teacher from Buxton by the name of Audrey Payne who was very stern and used to use the cane a lot to discipline children in her class. “Granger said that they would win 62 per cent of the votes. If Granger was in

President Donald Ramotar addressing the massive crowd at the Lusignan Rally on Saturday evening

Audrey Payne’s class, he would have had 62 lashes on his backside for misleading people but now we don’t use the cane anymore but the new teachers would send him to the back of the class”, he said to loud applause and appreciative laughter from the crowd.

He quickly warned that Granger did not make the statement of out of the blue but he had two objectives.

According to Jagdeo, these objectives were to set a high figure so that if the coalition loses the elections, they can claim that they were cheated. He reasoned that the second objective was to “say that you are wining 62 per cent because you will demoralize PPP supporters into not turning out….we must not be fooled by this bogus elections arithmetic”.

Refuting Granger’s predication, Jagdeo related that

far. “Nagamootoo got a little truck driving up and down Berbice but he got a big bus parked marked Prime Minister on it. Well I always know that Nagamootoo is not only just spineless (and) a jelly fish that lacks integrity but he has bad judgment too.

He will never be the Prime Minister of Guyana….”, Jagdeo charged from the podium to a very energetic crowd which responded with chants supporting his declaration. Driving home his concern about the alleged deceptive campaign being waged by the opposition, Jagdeo said the two front runners for the top two posts in Government were holding themselves out as “righteous men”. “These two are no David from the Bible or Moses from the Bible. They are a bunch of people who basing their en-

The Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project

the AFC support has collapsed across the country because they misled people and assisted the APNU in cutting $4B set aside for sugar workers.

Jelly fish Nagamootoo

He wasted no time in explaining that Granger’s coalition could never secure 62 per cent of the votes because the Moses Nagamootoo failed to deliver anything so

tire campaign on lies and distortions “.

Taking a swipe at Granger, he asked “How can be righteous and deny an essential part of our history” as he referred to the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition’s candidates declaration that elections were not rigged by his party in the past. turn to page 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, may 10, 2015

Views Sunday Editor: Michael Younge Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Continuity and rejection of coalition Government

O

ur political system, and more so our political culture, were patterned on British practice, and notwithstanding the changes introduced by Forbes Burnham and the People’s National Congress (PNC) in 1980, have remained so to the present.

In the 19th century, when the party system to form Government’s within its democratic polity was being solidified, two-time Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli noted pithily: “England does not love coalitions.”

And so it was that a real coalition Government was not formed until the 1930s when Britain was forced to confront the ravages of the Great Depression and again in WWII when it fought Nazi Germany.

In its 2010 general election, however, not being able to secure a majority, the Conservative Party formed a coalition Government with the Liberal Democrats and governed until this month. But in the just completed election, confounding every prediction of the pollsters, the Conservative Party was given an absolute majority and will form the next government on its own.

Why was this so? After all, the coalition had turned in a solid economic performance that delivered growth. But what the preceding five years had also demonstrated was that because of the need to placate its junior partner, the Conservatives were forced to make compromises that hindered efficient and decisive governance.

It became “Government by committee” which violated the spirit of parliamentary democratic governance, which we inherited. The British people voted for continuity - but without the fetters of coalition Government.

In Guyana, we also do not have a tradition of successful coalition Governments. Our single experience was between 1964-1968 when the PNC had coalesced with the United Force so as to oust the People’s Progressive Party from Government.

The PNC quickly neutralised the UF by buying out several of its MPs and in the election of 1968, jettisoned it completely and unceremoniously. In this election, the PNC, now the overwhelmingly dominant partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is now in a coalition arrangement with the Alliance For Change (AFC).

But even without forming the Government, they have already demonstrated why the British people soundly rejected a coalition Government.

First of all, there is the agreement between APNU and AFC to alter the governmental structure merely as a matter of expediency to satisfy the demands of the latter for “big positions”. If David Granger were to keep to the agreement - and in the unlikely event the coalition wins the election - there would be a derogation of powers that the Constitution now confers on the President. Apart from being unconstitutional, it is merely a device to placate the putative supporters of Nagamootoo and the AFC. Then there are the three Vice-Presidents that were created to also satisfy the egos of other AFC leaders notably Khemraj Ramjattan. Granger had criticised the present Cabinet for being too large but now has agreed to quadruple the top rung without once explaining how this would benefit Guyana. The structure of a Government should serve the needs of governance, not egos.

He has not because he cannot: all analysts agree that Guyana needs a “lean and clean” Government that will deliver continued growth to the economy, just as the PPP Government has done for the last decade.

With the huge salaries and benefits for the Vice-Presidents, this alone precludes the possibility of “lean” Government.

From their ads detailing who will be jailed and who will denied contracts, the PNC-led APNU/AFC government will be “mean”.

Furthermore, in such a government, effective governance would be paralysed as interminable arguments ensue between the two sides on deciding “who gets what, where and when”.

With oil about to pumping at long last, Guyana can ill afford for a coalition government that will only deliver the “Dutch Disease” to Guyana: oil revenues flowing but resulting in a stagnant economy.

Tomorrow Guyanese should vote for continuity and growth.

President Donald Ramotar along with Esso Country Manager Jeff Simon, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon during the meeting at the Office of the President

Freddie Kissoon’s hypocrisy Dear Editor, Freddie Kissoon is a hypocrite and his writings lack objectivity. Freddie spews hot venom on those Indians who plan to vote for PPP/C. If you vote opposition PNC/ APNU-AFC, you are a good Indian, says Freddie. If you vote PPP/C, you are bad Indian.

He cannot accept the idea of an objective voter who “votes” personal or community or national interest.

For him, you must vote only one way – the Freddie way.

It comes as no surprise that his lack of objectivity, among other things, led to his expulsion from University of Toronto.

Freddie targets Indian intellectuals for abuse, but dares not try the same with Africans because he knows the treatment and response; he can only abuse Indians and get away because re-

sponses are hardly allowed in his paper.

He condemns Indians for the slightest misbehavior. But he refuses to condemn behavior of a daughter of an APNU Member of Parliament urinating on a PPP/C election paraphernalia (flag) at a public meeting (on a platform) and then setting it on fire shouting “bun dem out”.

Freddie would not condemn the behavior of a female opposition supporter bending over and disrespecting President Ramotar at a campaign stop in Buxton. He would not condemn the disruption of meetings by other parties in opposition strongholds.

Neither of the two incidents made it in the opposition-affiliated media and Freddie says that is not biased reporting when the slightest incident pertain-

ing to the PPP/C makes front page news.

Freddie condemns what he calls limited access to government media. But he is silent about access by objective writers in the two opposition affiliated newspapers and opposition TV stations.

I wrote numerous responses to Freddie in KN but the paper won’t publish them. I also penned several objective pieces that were not published.

Freddie spews misinformation, malicious lies, allegations and innuendos attacking and insulting Indian scholars who write objectively, presenting both sides of an issue. Freddie vex with them. He wants Indians to write only about one side – attack the PPP/C. He calls Indian writers and intellectuals all kinds of names and insults them in the worse possible way.

He goes down in the gutter.

He tries to fool people clothing his writing in fancy social science concepts. But he does not understand the terms he uses – that is why he got kicked out of University of Toronto.

And he tells filthy lies that he studied history and got two degrees. And at another time he said he studied Philosophy. That is why people don’t bother with Freddie – he is not consistent. He is an ignoramus and a cuss bird.

All Freddie has been doing since becoming a KN columnist is to make empty noise, cussing people without justification and providing evidence for his claims.

Freddie is the epitome of the very words he uses in namecalling.

Vishnu Bisram

Coalition being malicious, inciting at 11th hour prior to election Dear Editor, It has come to NICIL’s attention that the APNU-AFC coalition has issued a statement purporting that “there is an unusual amount of shredding of documents which is taken place at the Privatisation Unit”, suggest-

ing that NICIL/PU is engaging in a sinister plot to cover up or illegally destroy public documents and files prior to an election.

The Management of NICIL/ PU categorically denies there is any activity, shredding or otherwise, carried on at NICIL/PU

that is intended to or being done to destroy any of its public documents, files or records.

APNU-AFC’s suggestion to the contrary is malicious, mischievous and absolutely false!

Upon reading this nonsense from APNU-AFC, the management of

NICIL has called in the Auditor General’s office to verify management’s position and to interview staff to confirm that absolutely no public documents, records and files are or have been destroyed.

NICIL

I am not campaigning for the coalition Dear Editor, The APNU- AFC is now trying to wickedly and maliciously trying to use me to deceive Berbicians that I am campaigning on behalf of them.

On May 8, Charrandass Persaud, the coalition’s national candidate, lied to the public that I am campaigning on behalf of the coalition.

This is a libellous statement since this is false and Persaud know this to be false and misleading and is yet another attempt not only to damage my reputation since I am a Regional

Candidate for the PPP/C party in the upcoming General Elections, but is desperately trying to garner votes for the coalition.

I am seeking legal advice since I intend to sue him. These people in the APNU-AFC are aware that I am the host of various TV programs in which I have been exposing the lies and deception of the AFC. I have also written numerous letters, exposing these lies and deceptions.

I wish to advise the public that I

am not campaigning on behalf of the APNU-AFC coalition and neither have I joined that coalition and never will. The APNU-AFC is in a serious mode of desperation and is doing what they know best and that is to lie in order to deceive the public.

I could recall the words of Mahatma Gandhi. He said that: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win”.

Haseef Yusuf

5 Stabroek News, Kaieteur News peddle lies about NEW GPC NEWS

sunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

... as Govt seeks to keep pharma supply chain intact

I

n a banner headline Saturday, the Stabroek News screamed, "Over $2B speeded up for NEW GPC INC – no drugs supplied yet". It was a clear effort to smear the NEW GPC, the company which had emerged as the only one of the seven bidders in 2014 to fulfil the World Health Organisation/World Bank inspired National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) criteria to become pre-qualified to supply pharmaceuticals to the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The Stabroek News was absolutely wrong on both claims of its headline.

Alleging that it was quoting an "unknown source" at the Ministry of Finance, the Stabroek News alleged that it was told that "a cheque equivalent to US$6,730,526.15 was made out by the Ministry of Finance and delivered to the NEW GPC for the third and final set of payments for drugs to the Health Ministry."

Contacted by the Guyana Times, sources at the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Finance and the NEW GPC were adamant that there was no such cheque for such an amount. Both the MOH and NEW GPC

officials also agreed that there had been partial shipments on contracts given to the NEW GPC and payments were made in accordance with the one-twelfth (1/12) monthly releases from the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry of Health

plied is the prudent thing to do since the country needs medicines and lives will be put at risk if the supply chain is interrupted or delayed. With the Budget not passed, are we to allow people to die?"

But it was clear that in the run up to the elec-

line, "Government shovels US$12.8 million contract to NEW GPC". The Kaieteur News was regurgitating announcements made by Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon that Cabinet had given its "noobjection" to three contracts for pharmaceuti-

pers. Violating most of the norms of professional journalism, the Stabroek News regularly recycles opinions passed off as "News" from blog sites.

Since last July, Dr Luncheon had announced that NEW GPC was the only company that was

tions, the Stabroek News was trying to create a bigger wave of sensationalism than even its tabloid counterpart the Kaieteur News did with its head-

cals. Evidently copies of the three contracts were leaked to an Opposition Internet blog site and were picked up by the two Opposition newspa-

pre-qualified to supply the large contracts of pharmaceuticals and had challenged the Trinidad Company ANSA McAL to produce to the public the

The NEW GPC warehouse facility

official noted, "We are in the business of saving lives and ensuring that the health of the Guyanese populace is enhanced. To order and have drugs sup-

bid it had submitted to the Tender Board. “Our result was that, there is only one company that satisfied those requirements as far as NPTAB was concerned, and that was brought to Cabinet,” according to Dr Luncheon.

Asked whether the criteria used to pre-qualify a company were biased in favour of NEW GPC, the same claim that the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News are making once again, the Cabinet Secretary had replied, “The criteria are biased in favour of safety.”

ANSA McAL has yet to provide evidence that its bid had satisfied all the criteria, but yet its partisans continue with the old claims.

It should be of interest to Guyanese that Guyanese pharma companies cannot bid for supplying pharmaceuticals to the Trinidad public health system, yet both the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News have taken up cudgels for ANSA McAL to enter Guyana's supply chain without even fulfilling the World Bank/WHO criteria adopted by the NPTAB. The NEW GPC pays millions in taxes, provides employment for hundreds and supplies world-class products to the global market.

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SunDAY, may 10, 2015

Page

Foundation

Happy Mother's Day!

“Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love” – Stevie Wonder

T

Anu Dev

oday, the second Sunday of May, has been set aside as Mothers’ Day. Children of all ages, all over the world, will try to do whatever they can to make their mothers feel special.

Some will give their mother flowers or cards. Some might even prepare a home-cooked meal, or take their mom out for dinner.

My Dad's going to call his Mother - my Ajee - in New York...and thank goodness for Skype, we can see her as well. My Mom usually has her Mom over - my Nanie - who's still in Guyana and we usually have a great sit-down meal.

The family that "saa-nays" together sticks together!!

When Mothers’ Day became a recognized holiday in the US in 1914, it quickly spread to the rest of the world. And just as quickly, by

the 1920’s it had become as commercialized as any other holiday. Unfortunately.

But why should you only honour your mother on the second Sunday of May? It's just a date chosen arbitrarily.

It could've been any other date or better yet, it doesn't just have to be one date. Why can't people show their love for their mother every day?

Or rather, why don't they?

Your mother should be important enough to you that you would have no problem with showing her that you love her every day- whether you want to show your love by just saying 'I love you' or by showering her with gifts, it's your prerogative. Be spontaneous; show your love every day in all of the little ways that count much, much more.

You wouldn’t even exist if it weren't for your mother.

With it becoming more accepted for females to have abortions or to be on birth control, your mother could've decided that she didn’t want to have to deal with a noisy, complaining, whiningbrat.

She could've decided she wanted to be some high-powered executive, completely focused on her career, caring about nothing

but her job. But she didn’t.

She decided to have you.

So let’s hear it for those wonderful women who had to put up with our wailing in the middle of the night as babies, our whining about going to school, our teenage angst, and

everything else.

The women who all too often are our shoulders to cry on, the persons we share our hopes and fears with, the persons who worry about us more than we ever worry about ourselves.

And when we become mothers, we often pattern our behaviour after our own mothers. And my mom has

certainly set the bar pretty high - a bit down the road, I’ll have somepretty big shoes to fill.

But the good thing is that your mom would be there to help you get through your own journey through motherhood. She’ll teach you how to hold your new-born child and of course she’ll spoil your kids rotten so they’re always more excited to see their grandmother than you.

And this Mothers’ Day isn’t just limited to celebrating your biological mother.

It’s a time to honour all of those great women who were mothers to you, who at some point treated you like you were their own child.

Hey... we can even honour our country that has given birth to us!! Tomorrow is E-Day, when we get a chance to select those leaders who will take care of this sacred land that's given so much to all of us. And let's be honest, it has, hasn't it?

And even though you should be showing your love every day, it is a nice gesture to go that extra mile on Mothers’ Day. And on E-Day! Happy Mothers’ Day!

guyanatimesgy.com

Baby baby: The tech that rocks the cradle

I got you babe: The sooner you get them started, the sooner they'll be building that million dollar app

O

ne day, your grandchildren will be incredulous you survived the cradle without masses of technology.

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, a traditional hotbed of new gadgetry, has rattled with tech for tots over the last few years.

Inexpensive and power-efficient bluetooth technology and a handy abundance of smartphones has helped deliver this bump in toddler tech.

And even more, young tech entrepreneurs have started families and found themselves with babies to experiment with.

So when it's time for the next mad dash to the hospital, now you can nab your bluetooth pacifier, smart baby bottle, and crying analyser.

To determine whether your new sprog is hungry, bored, tired, or just doesn't like you.

Womb service

Kirstin Hancock was acting deputy head teacher in an inner London primary school.

But when she had a sick baby, she and her husband decided to found Blue Maestro, specialising in bluetoothenabled gadgets.

"I was always taking Olivia's temperature, and could never get an accurate reading in her mouth or in her ear," she says.

"So in frustration one day I threw up my hands, and said, I need a pacifier that can do this."

The result was Pacif-i. It is a baby dummy containing a thermometer, and sends readings to a parent's smartphone by bluetooth. Now in pre-order, it ships in May. It will alert you when your baby has a fever, and whether medicine is having an effect.

And a proximity sensor can trigger alarms if a child crawls out of a defined area.

Only in the last few years, says Mrs Hancock, has bluetooth technology become sufficiently energy efficient.

"The power consumption is very small, so a coin-cell battery will last over the lifetime of the pacifier," she says.

"There's no need to recharge it at all." (BBC) To be CONTINUED

NEWS

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SunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

QAII slams malicious attack during political campaigning – writes int'l observers , GECOM

I

n light of recent advertisements published in certain sections of the media especially, Kaieteur Newspapers regarding the Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII), its Executive Chairman Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop has strongly condemned the content, classifying them as malicious and spurious.

In a letter addressed to former US President Jimmy Carter, other international observers and Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Dr Steve Surujbally, Dr Ramoop said the content of the advertisements, and constant attack on his group by the private media in Guyana are aimed at tarnishing the image of the group of companies and more so, his reputation.

“More recently, and quite disturbingly so, we have observed that the Kaieteur News has been using this elections season to further attack with impunity our group of companies. For example, over the last the days there have been full page advertisments, which contain gross misinformation about QAII and my-

Former US President Jimmy Carter

self,” Dr Ramroop pointed out.

This advertisement, he noted, was clearly designed to damage the reputation and image of his company, not only within the local business community, but indeed throughout Guyana and the region.

More alarming is the fact that the full page advertisement was reportedly placed on behalf of the People’s National Congress (PNC) led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition.

“In our opinion, there are clear indicators that the Opposition and certain pri-

vate media operators are using this elections season, to once again maliciously target QAII and myself, all under the guise of political campaigning,” Dr Ramroop reiterated.

He further stated that the targeting of the company has resulted in many of its 500 staff members feeling threatened and intimated by these public and persistent attacks in the pages of the Kaieteur News.

As a major employer and manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, printed material, and hardware products, and the supplier of a range of services, he lamented that these continued and malicious attacks place its investment, investors, and the safety of all of employees at risk.

The letter further highlighted that the QAII assets were all acquired in a transparent manner, with these facts clearly made public on numerous occasions.

Additionally, he added that the group represents one of the oldest private television stations in Guyana, having acquired in a private transaction, the shares and assets of the former VCT (now

renamed Television Guyana Channel 28) from Tony Vieira in 2009.

As an extension of this private acquisition, Radio Guyana started broadcasting in December 2012 following a High Court decision granting the rights to be first in obtain-

QAII Executive Chairman Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop

ing a radio license, he stated.

“Since that time, the Government of Guyana has issued many more licenses to private radio companies.

The Guyana Times newspaper was established in 2008

following substantial investments in the tens of millions of US$, in the acquisition of the old and dilapidated compound of the former Sanata Textiles.”

However, the group of companies would like to place on record that the unfair and targeted attacks on the companies and employees, represent a violation of basic rights as a private group of companies.

Further, these attacks are a violation of the Code of Conduct for media and political parties during this period thus calling on Dr Surujbally to address the matters forthwith.

“We hope that with the various mechanisms in place, they will experience a peaceful and fair election process during the remaining days of this election period, with all political parties and media outfits respecting the various agreements and applicable norms for the conduct of free and fair elections”.

Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) is a privately owned Guyanese company with its headquarters located at Industrial Estate,

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally

Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

QAII owns several subsidiary companies, including New GPC Inc.-a pharmaceutical manufacturer, Global Printing and Graphics, Global Hardware, Global Packaging, Health International, and a media division which includes the Guyana Times newspaper, Television Guyana Channel 28 and Radio Guyana 89.5, 89.3 and 89.7 FM. QAII is a substantial investor and employer in Guyana with about 500 employees.

Harper, Rohee appeal for huge majority …outline plans for women, youth empowerment

By Gomatie Gangadin

T

op candidates of the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic have urged their supporters to give the party a super majority at Monday’s polls as they outlined massive plans for youth and women empowerment.

Prime Ministerial Candidate of the PPP/C, Elisabeth Harper, and its General Secretary made the calls during their addressPrime Ministerial Candidate of the PPP/C, Elisabeth Harper

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

es to a mammoth crowd at the party’s final rally held at the Lusignan, East Coast Demerara Market Tarmac Saturday evening. Harper told the mammoth crowd that the moment was fast approaching when a decision will have to be made. She noted that the decision on who must lead the country to further its growth and development is dependent on how much attention is paid to the needs of the people and it is the PPP/C who has the best interest of the people of the country at heart.

“The progress in the coun-

try must continue with the choice we make on Monday... we have a stable, growing economy which is the envy of every other country in the region and Guyana is poised for a rapid take off,” Harper told the crowd. The Prime Ministerial candidate expressed that it was only the PPP/C which has been explicitly clear on its policies, plans and vision for the country and how it can achieve what it has planned to do should it be reelected on Monday. “Plans and visions are what you will be voting for on Monday May 11...you will be voting to preserve diversity, human decency and national pride...,” Harper noted.

Youths

To the youths, she promised that a re-elected PPP/C Government will ensure that job opportunities, access to training opportunities, scholarships for further education, and a fiercer war against crime. To the women, Harper assured that they will never be neglected by her government but will rather be respected and given equal opportunities since she was a strong

advocate for women’s and human rights. Harper further vouched that a government led by Donald Ramotar will ensure that women’s empowerment, greater roles in governance and decision making, financial and credit opportunities are provided while the differently able and elderly will be properly looked after even as the transformation of infrastructure continue.

She urged them to take the PPP/C’s track record into account before they cast their ballots on May 11.

Victory is ours

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the party, Clement Rohee told the gathering that on May 11, victory will for the PPP/C since it was that party which has improved lives and put the country on the successful track that it is on. He noted that while the PNC-led coalition has announced that it hopes to take 62 per cent of the votes on Monday, the PPP’s leaders were confident that it will win a majority. “It is the reverse.

It is the PPP/C that will win the majority of votes,” Rohee thundered.

He urged supporters to be vigilant on elections day as he said that Granger has a sordid past and given the fact that he has declared winning a 58-62 per cent of votes, would mean that the coalition was plotting and planning to defeat the PPP/C by not adhering to the rules, regulations and principles for free and fair elections. “These are the dangers we need to look out for...they are plotting and planning to defeat the PPP/C by not adhering to the rules and regulations of free and fair elections…they could cheat these elections if we are not careful… We will not allow them

to rob us of another victory,” he said.

The General Secretary said that it is a shame that the country is now heading to elections even though it was not constitutionally due, but “the irresponsible and selfish nature of the opposition has brought us here…” To this

end, he said that the electorate must not only endeavour to give the party the majority, but a majority with a huge margin. “They have cheated us of one and a half years and that is why we don’t want a slim majority. We want a victory that is wide, that the international observers will not

have a problem accepting that it was a free, fair and credible election. There must be no doubt about it…,” Rohee said.

He advised all of the supporters to not become complacent but to ensure that they take their Identification cards with them to the polling stations and exercise their franchise.

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Ex-convict ordered to keep the peace for 6 months

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n ex-murder convict was, on Thursday, released on his own recognisance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore charged with threatening language.

Harry Lall, a construction worker of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on May 5 at their home, he made use of threatening language against the Virtual Complainant (VC,) his reputed wife Omroutie Lallchand.

In speaking to the court, Lall said that, on the day in question, he had returned from the interior when his younger son told him that another man comes and “sleeps in his bed” with his wife. He stated that when he confronted the woman, she answered him in a disrespectful manner telling him that “he does do the same thing in the bush, so she can do the same”. The man said that he became

Ex-convict Harry Lall

angry and told her that he spent 20 years in prison on a murder charge and is not afraid to do it again.

Addressing the court, the VC said that she is terrified of the defendant.

The woman revealed that she has shared a relationship with Lall for the past 21years and remained by his side throughout his incarceration. She said that all that she desires is that the defendant stops abusing her.

The Magistrate then

called on the couple’s 16-year-old daughter Radha Lall, who revealed some very troubling information to the court. The young woman related that her father had developed a drug addiction some time ago. She revealed that on several occasions he had threatened to kill his wife and children. The 16-yearold also alleged that, on the previous day, her father had confronted her mother and told her that if “he couldn’t have her then no other man can” and began to drag her from where she was standing. It was only after a taxi driver reprimanded him that he stopped.

The court was shocked as the young woman accused her father of trying to poison her younger brother by throwing a substance used to clean metal into food and feeding him.

The mother admitted that she heard Lall say that he would poison the child, but did not see him attempt to do so. The emotional Radha Lall then went on to reveal

that some time back the man had beaten her older sister who was pregnant, burst her head, and after drank her blood.

The defendant admitted to the allegations of beating his daughter, but said the accusations that he drank her blood are a fabrication.

He pleaded with the court for leniency and asked his wife for a second chance.

The Magistrate was baffled at the daughter’s account of the incidents and the VC’s failure to report the other matters. The woman said that although she’s terrified of her husband she wants the relationship to continue as she is old and wishes to have a “happy family”.

The Magistrate granted a protection order to Lallchand and ordered Lall to sign a bond to keep the peace for six months. The couple was ordered to pay a visit to the probation officer as to undergo counselling, and the defendant was released on his own recognisance.

Eyew tness What goes around...

C

...comes around - with coalitions

oalitions aren’t new in Guyana - we all know that’s true. But what we don’t hear much about is what has been their results. Most have heard about the PNC hitching up with the UF back in 1964 after swearing it’ll never happen.

Burnman complained that D’Aguiar - the leader of the UF who owned Banks Brewery and was loaded - wanted to buy the PNC “like a case of empty beer bottles”!!

We know where that marriage went, don’t we?

Burnham didn’t even need a divorce court...he just summarily dumped the UF and rigged the 1968 elections. Didn’t need the UF cover no more. But there was another marriage - one with the PNC and so many PPP big ones who got all kinds of “titles” - that it was coalition in everything but name.

In 1977, after offering “critical support” because he felt the PNC was following a “progressive line”, Cheddi opened “coalition talks” with Burnham. These were quickly abandoned after Cheddi realised it’d be a oneway street to only the PNC. So this group from the PPP - Nagamootoo backed out at the last moment - jumped ship. They said they could “change” the PNC from within. Famous last words!!

What happened? Exactly what’ll happen to Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, Bissessar et al. You can guess their fate from the fact that you know absolutely nothing about the “Deserters of 77” today.

There was Ranji Chandinsingh, who, like Nagamootoo was a senior PPP leader. There was Halim Majeed who like Ramjattan was a PYO chairman. Another biggie was Vincent Teekah - also a senior functionary.

Teekah was murdered - reportedly by a fella who’s today a “mayor for life”. Chandisingh became a faceless rubber stamp with the big title of Vice-President.

Majeed - in Guyana today stumping for the PNC - was “Personal Assistant to Burnham and then Hoyte”.

He became even more PNC that PNC stalwarts like Corbin - his YSM counterpart. But remained a glorified water boy while Corbin eventually became Deputy PM. In the face of all the defectors’ “influence”, the PNC of Burnham went on to rig the 1978 referendum.... rig the 1980 elections, and under Hoyte rig the 1885 elections with an even bigger margin than Burnham!!

Even resorting to political murders and political assassinations!

The fact that the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition of convenience will lose the elections ignominiously tomorrow, will only hasten the denouement of what’s an unfolding Greek tragedy of the most sordid sort.

As President Ramotar presciently said to Nagamootoo in his home village of Whim in 2011, they’ll all get Larwah ...just like the traitors who preceded them!!

...will bite you in the derrière

Some folks are surprised at the explosion of vulgarity and violence from the APNU camp. Did they think a change of name changes the essential nature of the organisation.

What did Obama say about this most transparent manoeuvre? “You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig!” And trust this Eyewitness - it’s not fault of those pissing on flags and sticking their behinds in the air - or even those pelting rocks at the PPP/C candidates. It’s the fault of those who lead the PNC. This was illustrated in the single instance where the young lady performing the obscene act was identified.

She’s Abigail Baghevems, daughter of a PNC MP - Joan Baghevems. Now we don’t even have to go backwards and ask what kind of values did the MP instil in her child. Sometime children will go astray.

What was most telling was when asked whether in subsequently speaking to her child, she raised the issue of her public pissing, she said “No”.

If her silence isn’t encouragement, what is?

...changes?

Roopnarine from the WPA’s been around the block - and then some. How can a fella beaten mercilessly by the PNC now approve their supporters beating others they don’t win the elections?

news

PNC-led APNU/AFC rally:

Burnham’s touch revived by his daughter

Jagdeo exposes coalition’s plan...

…Joey Jagan backs his “godfather’s” party

President Donald Ramotar receiving a garland from this young lad

APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

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ays before Guyanese head to the polls, the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition Saturday night unveiled Ulele Burnham the daughter of the late former President, Forbes Burnham at its final rally held at Revolution Square Georgetown.

Ms Burnham was one of several other speakers who addressed the gathering. Up to press time the coalition Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates, David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo respectively had not taken the podium. England-based Ulele Burnham’s practice spans the law relating to mental capacity and mental health, equality and human rights law. She has been out of Guyana for decades. Her fa-

ambitions with the PNC, as well as disrespectful behaviour towards his immediate family members. In the letter, the former President detailed some of her other concerns about him, explaining that “he lies” and has been abusive as well as disrespectful to her and her husband while they were alive.

But Joey Jagan stubbornly claims that he is following his father’s legacy; a legacy that believed in coalition politics as he endorsed the PNC-led coalition., which he claims was led by his “godfather” Forbes Burnham. His mother was derisive of this claim.

This “coalition ideal” was once again made on Saturday night as he declared to the thousands of APNU/AFC supporters that

An APNU/AFC supporter on his way to the rally at the Square of the Revolution

ther, described by leading academics as “a dictator” has been blamed for much of the woes of post-independence Guyana. His party he founded the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) now leads the coalition which is locked in a desperate bid to unseat the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC).

Also turning out to publicly declare his support for the coalition was Joey Jagan, son of the late former presidents Janet Jagan and Cheddi Jagan. Only recently, a letter written by her mother, the late former President of Guyana, Janet Jagan surfaced. She sought to warn leaders within the PPP/C about her son and his

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a coalition government was always the dream of both his father and his rival and therefore, they should work towards ensuring this dream comes through. He told them that his father and Burnham knew that the answer to the problems within Guyana lied in the hands of a coalition government, and now, Presidential Candidate David Granger and Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo have realised this dream, after too being rivals while Nagamootoo was serving under the PPP/C. The 68 year old Joey Jagan ignored that the coalition’s his father pursued were based on principles for Guyana’s development not for positions. turn to page 40

“If you can start your bid for the presidency by putting out such a big lie then it is either that you are forgetful, have amnesia or Alzheimer’s….we do not want to a President like that… he’s dishonest….He does not speak about the guns that were given to the people in the army….He does not speak about the Army’s involvement in the killing of Walter Rodney …killing the professionalism of the army”,

opment even under the most tumultuous circumstances.

Projects

He spoke about his party’s track record telling supporters that the PPP/C has transformed Guyana’s economy and had reduced debt and given buoyancy to the economy after it inherited a bankrupt, divided and backward country from the PNC. He promised to transform Guyana through massive infrastructural expansion by building the Amaila Falls Hydro Power, the Specialty Hospital, complete the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International

President Ramotar and other members of his Party's List of Candidates, including his running mate Elisabeth Harper

Jagdeo declared that at no time did the opposition ask the Government to do more for people of this country by spending more and investing more. “They never asked Govt to put more money in the budget for sugar workers, rice farmers, education, health care, child care, security…no”. “They had three years where they ruled in parliament and they never used the power for anything positive and that is why we have to take it back on Monday. We have to ensure that we have the majority in parliament”.

He was livid that they Dr Mahender addressing the rally

promises to deliver on as they campaign in the various parts of the country. “They cut money for the student loan programme but they promise free university education…

They promising free computers but the money that could have seen 65 0000 more families having a computer was cut….they cut Amaila Falls and $3B US could have been saved over three years…we could have had cheaper power and more jobs but now they are promising to deliver on it…they say they love the Amerindians and they are campaigning in their communities but they cut $4Billion

from page 3

for Amerindian people”, he said in essence.

“If we want to make real changes in this country… if you want us to continue to solve the many problems that this country still has although we have come so far… we need back that majority in Parliament to allow Ramotar to move this country forward” Ramotar’s Vision Wrapping up the massive rally by looking to the future, President Ramotar asked Guyanese to stand by him and to give his administration an-

Airport, revamp the Sugar Industry by injecting $20B Guyana dollars and build a deepwater harbour. Ramotar, amidst loud cheers, promised to bring down the freight on goods and services thereby boosting economic trade both at the local, regional and international levels. “Tomorrow the world will be our market”, Ramotar declared as his wife, Deolatchmee Ramotar looked at him with eyes brimming with confidence.

He spoke about the development of new economic zones in the country and

Sharma

Jagdeo said amidst thunderous applause.

The former president quickly encouraged Guyanese present at the rally, which saw some making all sorts of mascots with the PPP/C symbol and proudly displaying the same, to take back the power they had given the opposition during the last elections as they had done nothing power to develop the lives of citizens here.

“What did they do with the power that people gave them through some of their votes….They had the majority in the last parliament for the last three years…why are they asking for the majority again…what did they do with the majority”, he remarked before quickly giving an analysis of what took place.

Flag-waving supporters at the massive Lusignan rally

would cut $89B from the budget which could have generated over 200b of flows in the economy if it was spent and created lots of jobs for people.

Jagdeo said it was shameful that many of the projects they cut, they are now making

other chance at modernizing Guyana and transforming the lives of ordinary Guyanese.

He admitted that this year’s elections were hard-fought but his party had a record of struggling and fighting for freedom and to secure devel-

An overhead shot of the large number of supporters that turned out for the rally

the need for Guyanese to remain focused on improving their standard of living as the Government rolls out hallmark policies that will aid in this respect. turn to page 38

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guyanatimesgy.com

News Burglars escape with millions from Enmore cellphone store

May 10, 2015:

2 VERY

worried men

L

ess than two weeks after a technician and the owner of Super Deal Cellphone Store located at Lot 37 Blossom Scheme, Enmore East Coast Demerara, were robbed at gun point, the store was on Saturday morning burglarised, with the bandits carting off more than $4 million in stocks.

The bandits were reportedly seen making their way into the business place at about 02:05h as they pried open the padlock on the shutters. They then opened the glass door and proceeded to bag off several car stereos, more than 40 mobile phones, speakers, car lights and a quantity of car accessories.

Damein Itwaru, the frustrated proprietor, told Guyana Times during a telephone interview that he received a telephone call from his grandparents who informed him about the burglary. They were initially informed by a family friend who resides in close proximity of the store which has only been in operation for than three weeks.

Itwaru and his father rushed to the store only to see the business place ransacked and the aforementioned items missing. A few minutes before the owner arrived at the store, the bandits who were wearing hats, long sleeve white shirts and gloves were seen escaping in a Toyota Allion motorcar which was parked in a dark spot.

Itwaru explained that based on information gathered, a resident in the area who saw what was happening reportedly telephoned the Cove and John Police Station but was told that there was no one to send at the time.

The caller was then referred to the Enmore Outpost. “The Policeman who went to the store claimed that he passed and saw the shutters up and the glass door locked but did not see any unusual movements and went back the station,” Itwaru stated.

The Police rank also told Itwaru that he thought the shutters would normally be up when the place is closed. The young businessman is furious at the explanation given to him by the Police rank. Itwaru explained that when they visited the Cove and John Police Station, the officers on duty were sleeping and a few other Police ranks were at a party in the area.

An empty showcase in the Super Deal Cell Phone Store after the robbery

There, there were told that nothing can be done until dawn. When Guyana Times spoke with Itwaru at about 10:35h, no Police Officer had visited the scene to investigate.

The young man is almost sure that the robbery on Saturday morning is linked to the one a week ago when he and his worker were held up at gunpoint and robbed of over $1 million in cash, cellphones and personal items.

Itwaru and his worker had just closed the business place when they were attacked by three armed men who relieved them of several phones and other items after which they escaped in a waiting motorcar. The matter was reported and based on Police investigations and information received; two of the bandits were arrested and placed before the courts. The other two are still on the run.

The businessman is hoping that the perpetrators are brought to justice while reiterating the call for ranks of the Guyana Police Force to act in a more professional manner.

11-year-old doused with methylated spirits, set alight by father

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n 11-year-old boy is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing burns about his body after he was doused with Methylated Spirits and allegedly being set alight by his father.

Guyana Times understands that the incident happened shortly after 21:30h at Gangaram Settlement, East Canje, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

According to information reaching this newspaper, 35-year-old Davendra Somwaru was attempting to leave his home where he resides with his son and while his son attempted to stop him from leaving, he became aggravated and grabbed a bottle of Methylated Spirits and doused that young child. He then set the child alight. It is alleged that the father was under the influence of alcohol.

The child who only recently wrote the National Grade Six Examination was assisted by neighbours who rushed him to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he underwent treatment and was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received emergency surgery and is scheduled for two others.

According to a reliable source, the child received second and third degree burns on the upper section of his body and half of his face, among other places.

Police arrested the father who was placed in custody a short time after the incident.

Somwaru, a Field Foreman attached to the Guyana Sugar Corporation made an appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus on Friday May 7 where he was slapped with an attempted murder

charge. He was subsequently remanded. Somwaru is expected make his second court appearance on June 3.

According to a source close to the child’s mother, the accused and the child’s mother separated a few years ago after battling domestic issues; the major one being Somwaru’s constant drinking habits.

According to the source, the mother of two had expressed fear for her life and that of her children. After the separation, the child asked to stay with his father and permission was granted about a year ago by the relevant authorities.

According to a family member, the lad is described as a jovial person who loves reading and aspires to be a doctor. It is said that the boy often speaks about placing at a top school and dreams of acquiring a scholarship in the future.

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Granger fans the tragedy of Son Chapman ...but silences the tragedy of Wismar

By Swami Aksharananda

Swami Aksharananda, a Hindu Monk of the Saraswati Order, is the Principal of the SVN High School which, under his tutelage, has become one of the leading Secondary Schools in Guyana within a decade of its establishment.

Before he renounced the life of a “householder” he received a PhD from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a BA and MA from Benares Hindu University in India. A member of the WPA in the late 1970’s, he confessed that at that time, he too felt it necessary to deny or downplay his “Indianness”. in 1998, framed the violence in terms of “class analysis,” to the horror of a 100% Indian audience. One was only left to assume that the violence represented a rising up of the “African working class” against the “Indian bourgeoisie.”

This “class analysis”, along with Khemraj Ramjattan’s call to forget and forgive the history of the PNC and Mr. Moses Nagamootoo’s denial of his Indian identity, is in stark contrast to the way ethnic issues are understood and articulated by voices inside and outside of both the WPA and the PNC, including that

T

that those responsible for orchestrating the bombing are known, but said nothing about why the information has not made public even after 28 years of PNC dominance. While speaking at the event in 2013, after giving a historical analysis of the event that led to the “bombing” of the launch, Granger said, “let the pain of the past propel us to peace and prosperity in the future.”

In 2014, at the symposium in Linden itself to which the commemoration had been moved, the Brigadier went further in clarifying the issues sur-

of all Guyana, the national symbol of unity and reconciliation.

Speaking at the commemoration year after year he has resolutely refused to acknowledge the untold misery that was perpetrated on Indians in Wismar both months before and immediately after the Son Chapman.

Two Indians were killed and 3399 evacuated in the country’s largest “ethnic cleansing”, on May 26 and three more killed and 350 more evacuated.

How can Granger stand on those hallowed grounds to remember the victims of one tragedy and invoke

rounding the violence of the time, when he declared that the communities of Mackenzie, Wismar, and Christianburg had been targeted for terrorism by the “mastermind of terrorism.”

While in his reference to

the “blood of our Saviour” but forget year after year to mention a word about what was done to Indians? How can he stand in the presence of the memorial monument bearing the names of 43 martyrs and on which is

Wismar Indian refugees in Georgetown

he vehement condemnation with which my letters of the last few days, dealing with ethnic issues, have gained prominence in the current election campaign indicates the great discomfort we experience dealing with the question of ethnicity and representation in Guyana. Some people say if we forget history we do so at our own peril. I will add in our context if we pretend that the ethnic issue is not critically important we do so at our own peril.

My intervention in this matter has been occasioned by statements made by two key AFC figures, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, statements which in my opinion have enormous implications for the ethnic question, and which project into sharp relief the incongruities and contradictions inherent in their pronouncements, especially when these are viewed relationally, as they must be, with clear statements and carefully enunciated positions by leaders of the other partner of the coalition.

Before examining these positions and pronouncements of the two sides in the coalition, I wish to state what to me is patently obvious: ethnic concerns have and will continue to have a major impact on political life on Guyana for a long time to come.

How else can we explain the fact that the Indian and African communities voted solidly for their respective parties in the 1992 elections?

How else can we explain the fact that both communities completely shunned the WPA which was projected as an alternative to partisan ethnic politics?

Arguably, not since 1964 has the ethnic issue played such a more visibly dominant role in our politics.

There is a veritable scramble for the Indian vote by both sides of the current po-

litical divide. The PPP is fully aware that unless it can muster the Indian vote its chances of a victory are very slim.

And, as far as the PNC and WPA are concerned, without the Indian votes promised by the AFC, the coalition will certainly end up in the minority. Yet there are people, again on both sides of the political divide, who choose to delude themselves into thinking otherwise, and who spare no pain demonizing those who recognise the role of the race question sand who write about it.

What I have observed is that Indians are not supposed to have an ethnic interest, and worst yet to advocate it. The legitimacy, acceptability, respectability and level of sophistication with which African ethnic interests are articulated are

Guyana once slavery came to an end. Many Indians have internalised this indoctrination much to their detriment, and are giving in to this portrayal of history. There is widespread diffidence, and of course condemnation, when it comes to articulating an Indian ethnic interest. The so-called Marxist analysis of our society also provided a way out for those who find the ethnic discourse distasteful.

Two good examples of the internalization of this domination come to mind and both have to do with PPPstyle class analysis.

Coming on to the general elections of 1992, I remember Dr. Jagan making a distinction between an “African working class” and an “Indian bourgeoisie.”

Giving his avowed commitment to his ideology there could be no guessing where

Robert Corbin at the Hurudai Site

yet to be realized by Indians.

One of the main reasons for this is that from the very inception Indians have been viewed as interlopers depriving Africans what was legitimately theirs control of

his loyalty lay.

The next example is provided by Mr. Ralph Ramkarran when speaking at the GIFT conference in the aftermath of atrocities committed against Indians

The sunken Son Chapman

of Brigadier David Granger.

I am yet to see any African politician, intellectual, or activist in the present configuration who, out of the present political expediency or in the name of unity, has shown even the remotest indication of renouncing their ethnic identity, or who would dare contemplate such foolishness as “forgetting and forgiving” the past.

On the contrary we see, for example, the entire hierarchy of the PNC and WPA making the annual pilgrimage to Hurudaia to commemorate the tragedy of Son Chapman in which 43 African men, women and children lost their lives on July 6, 1964.

Speaker after speaker who has been making the annual pilgrimage has called for history to be never forgotten. In the 2004 commemoration the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin said, “a nation that fails to record its history is bound to make the same mistakes again,” while Mayor Hamilton Green reassures us that the incident would always remain fresh in his mind.

In his contribution in 2011, then and now presidential hopeful Brigadier David Granger promised to make the Hurudaia site “a national park”, claiming

David Granger placing a wreath into the Demerara River in tribute to the Son Chapman victims

Granger as a historian interested in preserving past activities, Mr. Llewellyn John, declared that although the Son Chapman inquest was inconclusive about any perpetrator, the facts are “known” and they must be told and recorded for future generations to know what happened.

However, for me, the most glaring case of selective remembering is enacted

by Brigadier Granger who aspires to be our president

engraved the message: IF WE FORGET THE PAST WE DO SO AT OUR OWN PERIL, and tell us that the Demerara River was a liquid history of sacrifice of blood, and can breathe not a word of what was done to Indians in Wismar?

Is this a sign of things to come?

Robert Corbin at Son Chapman Memorial: “Those who forget the past do so at their peril”

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The Guyana Marriott Hotel

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uyana’s economical landscape has seen significant transformation over the last 23 years under the stewardship of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Guyana as moved from being a highly indebted nation to a middle income developing state. Additionally, the country has experienced nine years of uninterrupted economic growth with citizens reaping the benefit through vast infrastructural development.

In addition to the massive housing drive, the PPP/C Administration is credited with the construction of the US$25 million Guyana National Stadium Providence in 2006 which was not only approved by the International Cricket Council but hosted Cricket World Cup. By 2008, the multimillion dollar Berbice River Bridge was built meeting the needs of thousands of Guyanese, particularly those in Regions Five and Six. It was following years of vision and persistence by the

The Berbice River Bridge linking Regions Five and Six

Sections of the East Bank Demerara Four-lane Highway which has been completed Government, the private sector and other entities that led to the commissioning of the bridge in December, 2008.

In with the aim of keeping the nation’s sugar industry afloat, the Government invested heavily into the construction of the Enmore Packaging Plant.

Effected June 5, 2009 with the signing of a contract between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Surendra Engineering Corporation, Project Gold was born with focii of the US$12.5 million investment being the upgrade and incorporation of the additional sugar processing equipment into the existing factory at Enmore. Over two years, Project Gold evolved from

A view of the Hope Canal Bridge

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a mere process design to the supplying and installation of sugar processing equipment. On Monday, May 9, 2011, thousands witnessed the official commissioning of the Enmore Packaging Plant.

By 2013, the Hope Canal Bridge was commissioned at the cost of $349 million.

It formed part of the East Demerara Water Conservancy’s (EDWC), Hope Canal Project which was designed to boost food security and foster other developments for Guyana.

The $400 million Cotton Tree Water Treatment Plant is just one of

the many treatment plants that have been erected throughout Guyana under the PPP/C Government.

In the Village of Cotton Tree

on the West Bank of Berbice, more than 15, 000 residents are being supplied with clean and safe water.

Additionally, a US$26 million West Demerara Power Generation Plant was set up to boost electricity supply along the coast and other areas.

Notably, this is just one of many

power stations that have been constructed countrywide.

The expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the construction of the four-lane highways at the East Coast and East Bank Demerara are among multimillion dollar projects that are currently undergoing.

In keeping with its policy to enhance the lives of all Guyanese, the Government has invested heavily in all sectors of the country, including Health, Education, Sport, Transportation and Hospitality Sectors among others.

The multimillion dollar Enmore Packaging Plant

The $82.3 million state-of-the-art nursery school which was commissioned at No.77 Village, East Berbice in March 2015

The Guyana National Stadium, Providence

A

fter 28 years of being in Government, the People’s National Congress (PNC) was known for the construction of President’s College, the National Cultural Centre, the Canje Bridge, the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the six Multilateral Schools, of which were constructed during the Presidency of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

But despite these multimillion dollar investments, history indicates that there was a total collapse of the country’s infrastructure under the PNC Government.

Other reports suggest that there was a trail of destruction and degradation under the watch of the Burnham led Administration, with a number of dilapidated physical infrastructure and social amenities.

While the PNC was still in power, it took persons more than three hours to traverse the Essequibo Coast road (38¼ miles) due to the many ponds they had to navigate, the mini hills and valleys, dead sand stretches, broken bridges, and even vegetation in the middle of the road.

Additionally, from the city to the towns and villages, the sewage and water supply systems were all destroyed and never rehabilitated.

Village dams, feeders roads, farm-to-farm-tomarket roads and kokers were never maintained.

Many fell into a state of total neglect.

Due to economic decline which Guyana experienced in the 1970s and 1980s, the existence of the country’s health and education systems was threatened and many facilities under these two sectors were on the verge of a collapse. Building of hospitals and implementing proper health care measures were not put in place to ensure a healthy environment or population.

In the education sectors, teachers and students were forced to operate in rotting buildings which was considered a major hazard to both groups. Some school sessions were even held at “bottom house” schools with children

being taught in a make shift environment at the homes of persons in various communities.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, prior to 1993,

28.7 per cent of the country’s population was living in extreme poverty while moderate poverty stood at 43.2 per cent prior to 1992 – periods in the country’s history when it was ruled by the PNC.

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One of the many housing schemes on the East Bank of Demerara

hile Guyana has achieved tremendous growth under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, it is said that the Administration will forever be remembered by the thousands of Guyanese who have experienced real development through its comprehensive

number of housing policies geared at empowering Guyanese through home ownership.

Across the country, new housing schemes have emerged while others continue to experience massive expansion. In fact, Guyana’s housing sector has experienced impressive

White Water, Region One residents with the keys to their new homes

Sections of the large gathering at the Guyana National Stadium back in June 2012 during a “One Stop Shop” housing programme housing policies.

Since entering Government in 1992, the PPP/C has successfully implemented a

U

growth over the past five years. From 2009 to 2014, the budget allocated to the sector grew by 400 per cent. Back in

nder the stewardship of Linden Forbes Burnham, the People’s National Congress (PNC) had adopted a policy to “Feed, Clothe and House the Nation,” but it was not long after that the then ruling party had no other choice than to admit that it had failed the people of Guyana miserably.

In his address to the nation in December 1976, Burnham said, “We promised to house the nation…we have not done so” – an admission he made approximately four years after launching the developmental programme.

Initially, it was the plan of the then PNC Government to expend a total of G$1.150 million on the programme over a period of five years, ending in 1976.

But when 1976 ended, this national goal was not achieved. In the area of housing, for example, the plan called for the building of 65,000 “housing units” at a cost of G$250 million.

2009, the Housing Ministry implemented 51 projects, and by 2014 170 projects were under implementation. These projects brought with them

Though Burnham had reported to the nation that his Government had built approximately 33, 000 housing units, statistics show that the only 1061 units were built in 1972; 1128 in 1973; 1037 in 1974; and 941 in 1975.

This gave a grand total of 4167 or only 6.5 per cent of the target set out in the plan.

It was the intention of the PNC Government to solicit financial support from multilateral agencies but it was unable to garner the required funds to have the policy materialise. For many Guyanese, the entire housing plan was a “colossal failure.”

Due to the PNC’s failure to acquire adequate support for the initiative, many Guyanese at the time were forced to fend on their own with a significant number being forced to squat on state lands or endure life under slum conditions.

The other aspects of the “Feed, Clothe and House the Nation” programme had suffer a similar fate.

thousands of jobs. It is said that in 2014 alone, 3500 jobs were created and this figure is projected to grow to 4250 by the end of 2015.

Among the programmes that the Housing Ministry has been praised for is the “One Stop Shop” initiative targeting families of every financial groupings particularly the working class. Even as it continues to distribute house lots across the country in keeping with the “One Stop Shop” initiative, other housing initiatives are unfolding as the development of sustainable housing schemes, increased provision of turnkey housing, and expansion of the core

housing concepts. The young professionals’ pilot project was also successfully completed, and a new era in urban planning is beckoning.

In addition to these programmes and initiatives, the Government through the Housing Ministry introduced the Mortgage Income Relief (MIR) programme in 2013 with the aim of boosting home ownership. Thought it is costing the PPP/C Government an average of $580 million annually, tens of thousands of first time owners are reaping the benefit.

MIR allows for first time homeowners who have been granted mortgages of up to

$30 million by commercial banks or building societies, mortgage interest relief.

Moving ahead, the PPP/C in its 2015 Manifesto says it will implement a National Housing Policy that promotes Sustainable Housing Development through the creation of new settlement areas. It was keen on pointing out that new and existing housing schemes outside the urban centres will be outfitted with modern social infrastructure to hasten the achievement of the national priorities in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Guyanese do not want to Is there something the APNU/ return to the dark days AFC coalition wants to hide?

Dear Editor, The campaign in Guyana is going very well and I am very confident of not only a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) victory, but one with a resounding majority.

I have great confidence that the people of Guyana will make the right decision on elections day.

I firmly believe that the majority of the Guyanese people do not want to see our country regress to the dark days of rigged elections, lack of freedom of speech, no freedom of the press, denial of basic human rights, long line ups for basic food items, banned essential staples –like flour, split peas (dhal), etc, empty shelves in supermarkets and stores, high unemployment, high illiteracy rate, high migration rate, high crime rate, kick-down-door bandits, a bankrupt economy, and a huge foreign debt, all of which characterised the dark era of the People’s National Congress (PNC) (now APNU) dictatorship between 19641992.

Of course, the biggest challenge would be to educate and inform the younger generation which was not born during that dark period and hence, unaware of it and, of what it was like to live through the horrible period of the PNC dictatorship/rule.

Our party leadership needs to do more to remind the younger generation of what we and our parents went through when many of us were left with no choice but to vote with our feet, that is, we left the country and escaped to any other country on this planet, many as refugees!

The results were that Guyanese of all races, religions and creed desperately fled Guyana to the tune of approximately 250,000 to the Unites States; 200,000 to Canada; 50,000 to Suriname; 50,000 to Venezuela; 35,000 to England; and another 20,000-25,000 elsewhere.

This, from a country of approximately 750,000 people!

Even the Canadian Government recognized in 1995, after only approximately three years of the PPP/C in Government, that Guyana is no longer a refugee producing country. Again, thanks to the PPP/C. Today, the PNC-led APNU coalition, their cohorts and sympathizers, want us to forget the past and not educate nor inform the present generation of what they did to us, just 23 years ago. Can you imagine asking the Jews to forget what the Nazi did to them, even though, that was 70 years ago?

Try telling the Americans, the Canadians and/or the British People that they should forgive and forget all the atrocities the Germans committed during WW2, or even worse, during WW1?

After all, that 70 years and

100 years ago, respectively.

How do you think they the Jews, the Americans, the British and the Canadians - will respond to you telling them this?

My friends, the PPP/C may not be perfect and is certainly not flawless, but incredibly, they have turned our country around in the past 23 years, like no other party could do with fair, just and prudent fiscal and economic management.

The PPP/C Government has given us back free and fair elections and democracy; given us freedom of speech and freedom of the press; restored our basic human rights and dignity; created equal opportunities for all Guyanese; created universal primary education; created almost universal (93 per cent) secondary education; re-built our collapsed judicial and justice system; re-vamped our Constitution and our parliamentary system; instituted a two-term limit on the Presidency; set-up an Ethnic Relations Commission to address ethnic and racial concerns; established many parliamentary committees and sub-committees headed by Opposition Members as well; and established the National Procurement Committee with full participation by the Opposition yet again.

It is the PPP/C which has restored our pride and dignity.

Guyanese are now running back home to Guyana and boldly, with pride and dignity, reclaiming Guyana as their native land, thanks to the past and present leaders of the PPP/C. The PPP/C has built over 1000 miles of new and repaved roads, built/repaired over 150 primary schools and over 50 secondary schools, many new hospitals and health centres, many new Police stations and Police outposts, built a bridge over

the Berbice River, a new sugar factory at Skeldon, a new state-of-the-art conference center, sports stadium and hotels in Georgetown and nearby, and given out over 100,000 house lots to our poorest countrymen and women to build their own homes, created thousands of jobs for young and old people, modernized our international airport, etc in all 10 regions of the country.

And my friends, if this is not economic progress then tell me, what is??

Yet we Guyanese are supposed to forget what the PNC (now APNU) did to us 23 years ago and if we do not, then we are labelled all sorts of vile names. We must thank God for having strong, intelligent and courageous leaders in the PPP/C. Guyana has advanced from a depressed past with a bankrupt economy and a massive foreign debt burden, to today being an almost debtfree country with a foreign reserve of over three-quarter billion US dollars!

Can you see why the PNC (APNU) along with their newfound bed fellows – both inside and outside of Guyana – would like to get their gummy and dirty hands back into our country’s Treasury?

Can you see why they hate our relentless and great leaders like President Ramotar, former President Jagdeo, Dr Luncheon and Mr Rohee and others?

Guyanese everywhere, are now holding their heads high, and glowing with pride and dignity, returning home by the tens of thousands, many permanently, to reclaim their heritage and splendour, thanks to the PPP/C! I have great confidence that the people of Guyana will make the right decision on election day.

Mani Singh Toronto

Dear Editor, Guyana has and forever will be a land of great riches and exceptional potential for becoming a better country. However, all these contradictions with this current election as well as previous elections, has become poisonous for our Mother Land.

We are faced with multiple dilemmas during this time. But it’s disappointing to read that the some individuals want the past to remain hidden. Is there something that the People’s National Congress (PNC) now known as the APNU+AFC coalition, wants to hide from their people?

Growing up in Guyana I was faced with numerous issues and I have lived through the past of which the PNC wants hidden.

Being the new generation, you must be enlightened about your past and understand the party and people in which you want to put your trust in. Be enlightened my dear brothers and sisters. From experience I cannot come to terms with what I was part of. May 26 is history so why are Guyanese unaware of the genocide in Wismar?

Indo-Guyanese lived their lives as taxpayers in Wismar and were slowly making a living for themselves. It’s embarrassing to remember the ways the Afro-Guyanese were treating the Indians.

For a long period of time in 1964; murders, rapes, beatings and every possible genocidal acts were happening. Young girls were being raped on the streets of Wismar, Indian’s home were burned down, and many Indians lost their lives during that massacre.

The police were no help as well. What a shame to remember those days. If it wasn’t for the British Army; it would have been an impossible future for all of you Indians standing in

Guyana today. I would like to forward a question to Mr Nagamootoo, do you remember what the PNC had done to Peter D’Aguiar?

He was the Managing Director of Banks, DIH which is a higher position than you and yet they used him for his position and threw him out. I can just imagine what they will do to you, my dear Mr. Nagamootoo.

Do you remember, when People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) won in 1992 and the PNC didn’t want to hand over power so they started burning the Indians home in Region Street? I am sure, you do reminisce on those times.

It wasn’t until Jimmy Carter visited Guyana and made his calls indicating that the PPP won and if the PNC parties hadn’t stop burning the Indians home then he will have to bring the Army inside. Only then, did the ruckus end. It’s surprising that you, Ramjattan is part of the collation when your parents had experienced the genocide in Wismar.

It was because of the election and of power that the PNC was ready to take any action to result in them winning. Brothers and Sisters, open your eyes and see what Guyana has become today.

It is more developed and Guyana is an agricultural land which needs the right party to be in charge to make this land grow in a positive way. We are all one, it is still puzzling me, that the genocide in Wismar has not become part of our history as yet?

Open your eyes and search for the truth. Our school systems are better, we have stable and growing hospitals. Why has the PNC (APNU-AFC) been blocking all the great ideas such as a bigger airport, cheaper electricity etc.

Logically thinking, a

bigger airport will bring in more money for the country with tourists.

Does the name Cheddi Jagan intimidate you so much? Since the PPP came into office; the great debt that Guyana was in has been paid off. Can you remember the Health Centers that Jagan build that were given to PNC’s people when they took office?

It’s a shame Nagamootoo, when Granger was the Chief of the Army, he allowed the PNCs to attack your father’s door? How can you even join hands with an individual as such? Guyana is a beautiful land but it takes the right person to make a difference.

There is no need to create a difference between the Afro-Guyanese and IndoGuyanese; but it is history and the new generation should be aware of the past.

This is a big part of the upbringing Guyana.

Brothers and Sisters, open your eyes and make the right decision for your own motherland. Your fore parents came to this country to give you a better life; make them proud.

Think with your brains and don’t fall for false promises. Know your candidates and know which party has actually made a difference for Guyana. I would like to leave you all with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi “Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you.

Never apologise for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you’re right and you know it, speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth.”

I hope this entry reaches you with enlightenment and help you to make your own impact on this country by supporting the right party.

Ram Geer

GECOM has published the Preliminary List of Electors Dear Editor, Please permit me to respond to a letter written by one Tabia Drakes entitled: “The electorate needs urgent information from GECOM” published in some sections of the media.

In this missive the writer argues two main points, the first being that, “Many persons search the Official List of Electors (OLE) to find their names, and much to their frustration they cannot locate their names”.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would like to categorically state that it published the Preliminary List of Electors and commenced its Claims and Objections exercise on February 9 which ended on March 1.

Persons were asked during the Claims subset of the exercise to check the Preliminary List of Electors for their names, to ensure their particulars on the List were correct. Persons who would have been 18 years and over by April 30, had an opportunity to conduct a registration transaction.

Those wishing to have name changes, transfers and their photographs retaken also had an opportunity to get those done during the Claims subset of the exercise which came to an end on Sunday February 22.

Therefore, for the writer suggests that ‘persons’ are not finding their names on the Official List of Electors, the writer may want to inquire of those ‘persons’ if

they would have completed a registration transaction.

All registered persons who would be 18 years and over by April 30, 2015 are listed on the Official List of Electors. The Official List of Electors available on the GECOM website which has a search component that enables a registered elector to enter either his or her name or ID number to see their particulars listed on the Official List of Electors.

GECOM would also like to point out that there is now another search engine mechanism on the website headlined, “Know your polling station”, where a registered elector can enter either his or her ID card number, name and/or address and instantly see the

Polling Station at which he or she would be voting on Election Day. This link is also available on the GECOM Facebook page for easy access.

The second point of note that the letter writer addressed was that “some Polling Places have been changed without notice to the voting public.”

GECOM is not aware that any of its Polling Stations has been changed without the information being placed the public domain. Actually, GECOM posted its Notice of Poll at Polling Stations in all the Registration Districts throughout the country.

GECOM has also been consistently publishing in the media the list of Polling Stations for all the

Registration Districts in an effort to sensitize the electorate about where they have to go to vote on Election Day. GECOM is currently engaged in a series of communication activities aimed at creating national awareness about a number of critical electoral issues including the ways in which registered electors can get to know where to locate their Polling Stations as early as possible before Election Day. We entreat voters to acquaint themselves about the location of their Polling Station prior to Election Day. Richard Francois Public Relations Officer GECOM

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A vote for AFC is a vote for PNC A well calculated, and return of dictatorship centrally directed plot by APNU/AFC to create political tension Dear Editor, The PPP/C condemns the wanton and bare-faced attempts by elements associated the APNU/FC to break up its political meetings.

At a meeting at East Ruimveldt, party leaders including Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon was attacked in what could only be described as an indecent act of vulgarity in which the daughter of a prominent APNU activist was seen urinating on the PPP/C flag.

This resort to threatening language, thuggery and violence is fraught with dangers and could if allowed to continue pose a real danger to life and limb not to mention the dangers to public order and safety.

Several of PPP/C billboards, posters and other campaign materials were pulled down, defaced or otherwise destroyed within the past few days.

The PPP/C is convinced that these are not random actions perpetrated by party fanatics but represented a premeditated, well calculated and centrally directed plot by the APNU to create political tension and ultimately derail the May 11 polls.

What is even more disturbing is that these attacks are taking place mere hours after the signing of the GECOM Code of Conduct which has clearly been honoured in the breach by the APNU/AFC. It seems obvious that Granger, no doubt in anticipation of a defeat at the upcoming elections, is now setting the stage for a repudiation of the will of the electorate.

This explained why he referred to the Voters List as dirty and his rather preposterous claims that all elections since October 1992 were rigged even though it is an established fact that all the elections since 1992 were certified by local and international observers were declared by local and international observers not only to be free and fair but

free from fear.

The PPP/C is strongly of the view that Granger and his APNU/AFC outfit is staging a psychological warfare aimed at driving fear into the electorate and create a false sense of political dominance especially in light of an impending electoral defeat in the May 11 polls.

Part of this so-called offense is the peddling of lies and all manner of deceptions aimed at manipulating the electoral process.

The refusal by APNU to support the vetting of GECOM’s polling day officials on the grounds of logistical difficulties conjures up memories of Hoyte’s describing the counting of votes at the place of poll as a logistical nightmare.

It took much arm-twisting on the part of President Carter before Hoyte reluctantly agreed to the counting of votes at the place of poll.

The PPP/C calls on the Guyanese electorate to be strong and focused and not to allow themselves to be intimidated by acts of political terrorism being perpetrated by the APNU/AFC. The PPP/C also calls on GECOM to put in place all the necessary mechanisms to guard against multiple voting, unauthorised use of proxy voting, others voting for others, storming of polling stations, stuffing of ballot boxes and other fraudulent practices on voting day.

It is clear that as elections day draws nearer and nearer and the prospects of another PPP/C victory looms larger and larger in the elections horizon desperation seems to get the better of the APNU/AFC. The PPP/C urges its members, supporters and friends to remain calm and composed despite acts of provocation unleashed against them by the APNUAFC coalition.

PPP/C Freedom House

Dear Editor, I urge people not to vote for the People’s National Congress (PNC) disguised as the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). I travel around and some people say they will vote for their party, the PNC, renamed APNU, to fool people it is not PNC. The PNC was a terrible party in Government murdering opponents and starving the population with many dying from hunger and malnutrition.

They must like punishment (masochists) for wanting to go back to miserable PNC rule; the PNC betrayed and abused them. Indians, Mixed, Amerindians, and Portuguese were victims of PNC misrule.

They must never allow the PNC to rule Guyana again. Look at the behavior of PNC leadership! They have not changed. They still rig elections two decades after being out of government.

Granger rigged elections to defeat Greenidge and Norton as PNC leader. Granger was the head honcho for Burnham in election rigging; he learned well.

The PNC still engages in thuggery, beating innocent people. They still urinate on flags of other parties and burn other party flags in public. They destroyed numerous flags of United Republican Party (URP) and Mark Benschop’s Independent Party.

The PNC cannot be trusted even when it changes its name to APNU. A cobra changes its outside color, not its character. Inside, it remains vicious and will destroy its opponents and partners including Nagamootoo and Ramjattan. The people will pay dearly for following Nagamootoo and Ramjattan.

The AFC allowed itself to be fooled to join with PNC thinking PNC will treat them well. PNC will kick them out

as soon as it gets power and it is back to dictatorship.

Remember what PNC did to UF! There will be a repeat and it is back to kick down the door, banned goods, guylines, starvation, racial discrimination, and punishment.

Don’t be fooled that when voting for AFC, you will vote for Nagamootoo. A vote for AFC is a vote for Granger to be President and for PNC to run the country. And once PNC gets in there, all the progress the country has made will be gone.

Remember Granger was Burnham’s right hand man. He will be worse than Burnham. It is dictatorship all over again. Granger as President will have all the power. He can kick out Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, Rammayah, Charandass, etc. the next day because the constitution gives him that power.

Voters, I appeal to you

do not make the mistake of voting for opposition thinking you are voting for AFC and Nagamootoo. A vote for AFC is a vote for the return of PNC. I am deeply impressed with all the progress the country has made since 1992. I cannot believe the kind of houses (mansions) I have seen since leaving Guyana.

Canefields have been transformed into magnificent housing schemes more impressive than parts of America. If PNC comes back in the form of APNU through AFC, Guyanese will regret.

It will be back to dictatorship and huckster trade across the border.

Contraband goods all over again for Guyanese! It will be rice flour, eddoes, and black eye dal. Back to wapia and weak knee!

Leyland Roopnarain

Another vile, vulgar characteristic of APNU/AFC Dear Editor, When that woman urinated then later lit the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C) flag, it was the repeat of another vile and vulgar act that is characteristic of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). The violence lewdness and boisterous behaviour is a signature statement of that party and its supporters.

It is common spectacle to see these acts ever so often in Georgetown with rapturous support egging her on she went about her duty to desecrate the flag.

Some might attack me on this one by saying I am belittling “black people” but the point is this that woman can now do such lewd acts because she has the strength and time to do it now. In the PNC years those women and children would have long turned into bed so as to save their energies to join another “guyline” in the morning for basic food items.

They say we must forget the past but it is a sad fact that they have to face up to.

No other party has done so much for these poor communities like the PPP/C. It is the party that brought respectability and dignity back to these depressed communities.

It was Mrs Jagan’s PPP Government that built the East and West Ruimveldt areas. During those early years they instituted an urban development programme whereby, places like Ruimveldt got low cost housing.

These were people who lived in hopelessly shame-

ful conditions, and if I may add the same could be said of Sophia, these places were designated slums under the PNC Government as grinding poverty overwhelmed them. These places were relegated to the dung heap of poverty.

I can speak with authority on these areas because they form a community that I frequented and shared the hopes and dreams of its members; these are places that I am very much acquainted with and to see them behaving like this against a PPP/C Government is truly sad and it hurts any sane person to the core.

My fellow Brothers and sisters, comrades fellow Guyanese, do not allow yourself to be used by a party that has nothing to offer. I ask you to refute people who only see you as tools in their hands to commit despicable acts.

Shun them whenever they ask you to do these things.

Interestingly enough, it was under Mrs Jagan›s Leadership when the same party agreed to waive hundreds of thousands of dollars of back rent owed to the state by those low cost housing areas.

The PPP/C literally gave them a place to live comfortably. Those residents in Ruimveldt now call this home. In essence what that vulgar woman did was to disrespect a party that lifted gave her respect and one that lifted her out of poverty.

She was actually biting the hand that fed her.

Places such as Warlock, Hell’s Kitchen and The Island let them tell you how those places got their names

and the hard work done by the PPP/C to erase that image.

It took a herculean task by a party that believes in people, that although they can be obnoxious we can still look past that stupidity. it is a party that looks past the dark side to see the best in people, to see how best they can lift them to another level.

Former APNU member Africo Selman in one of her reasons for leaving, derided the vulgar way the women of that party conduct themselves and this was so evident in that video.

I wonder what Social Activist Sherlima Nageer is saying on this one. She claims to be a representative of the abused and dispossessed women of society, certainly would have seen this showpiece by a woman.

So Ms Nageer what are your comments on this one?

Why are you silent. My dear lady I must remind you of your stance/oath to protect the children in our midst and what that woman did is child abuse.

To lift ones skirt and urinate in public in full view of children and other minors is child abuse of the worse order. This is a crime punishable by law. So, Ms Nageer this is an important topic to dwell on.

Further to our discussion is a call to Khemraj and Moses to say something.

What are your views on this incident? You must tell us where you stand on this one, do you condemn her or support her?

When Dr Bheri Ramsarran gave that threatening outburst, he was im-

mediately condemned by his own party members chief of which was prime ministerial candidate Elisabeth Harper. Now you are prime ministerial candidate for the Coalition then do likewise come out and condemn this vulgar woman.

But Moses nor Khemraj would dare condemn her for fear of what might be done to them if they utter those words.

They are well aware of the fact that not so far in the distant past when they were subjected to such lewd manifestations by the women of that same party they now pledge allegiance. They are reminded of those days when they had to run for their lives from the felonious attacks by the feline mob. So, they might very well keep their mouths shut.

Let me call out to Moses take note that you are a member of that party now and you have to take responsibility for that woman›s actions.

You cannot run and hide nor can you disassociate yourself from her because you are now part and parcel of that grouping called APNU. Whatever they do or say you must bear the brunt of the attack.

Finally I will close by saying incidents like those in Sophia and most recent in East Ruimveldt are vulgar expressions of a party and people who have lost all sense of decency and pride.

And let me give you the shocking reality, these are the people who want to rule over us.

Neil Adams

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Clarifying the solar I am fearful what APNUsystem distribution AFC will do to rice issue at Port Kaituma

Dear Editor, Solar Home Systems are intended for households that are too far away from an electricity grid or too far apart to make the installation of a grid feasible.

On average, about $100,000 would have been spent in having a Solar Home System installed, and about $200,000 (inclusive of power house and network) in connecting a household to a mini-grid in a hinterland location.

In a typical hinterland village/community, there would likely be a central area that would be served economically by a mini-grid, and outlying households would be served by Solar Home Systems.

It was never intended for Government to provide both systems to any household.

There were errors made in the listing and distribution of Solar Home Systems at Citrus Grove, Port Kaituma.

A number of households ended up with both benefits and were asked to return the Solar Home Systems they had inadvertently received.

There was no question here of political party affiliation,

whether for the Government or Opposition.

From its inception, the electricity supply at Port Kaituma was extended towards Citrus Grove, picking up the area where households were not too far apart.

In preparing for this ongoing second phase of distribution of solar systems, when the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and of Local Government requested lists of households which were still without some degree of electrification, Port Kaituma Power and Light was experiencing some difficulties and so Citrus Grove listed every household.

Those who had been connected to the grid, those who were in the grid area but could not afford to have their buildings properly wired, and those outside of the served area. In the due course of time, when the project was approved and the equipment procured had arrived, the distribution was setup to that original list.

It was recognised after distribution that many of the households that received systems were connected to the grid.

The village leaders (who normally lead the distribution) completed the distribution according to the list.

It should be understandable that requests would be made for those connected to the grid to return the Solar Home Systems, so that a brother or sister citizen of Guyana without any electricity would get that benefit.

As alluded to above, this programme of providing Solar Home Systems to hinterland households began in 2007.

To date, nearly 20,000 hinterland households have benefited. The aim is to give every household some degree of electricity access. As such, the political affiliation or views of members of any household is not a consideration to receive a solar system.

Accordingly, the appeal made for the return of the systems, from those who were given them in error, was not politically driven.

Horace Williams CEO Hinterland Electrification Co Inc

PNC has a dismal record of undemocratic rule, economic mismanagement Dear Editor, This upcoming poll is not about race. It is about the future of Guyana. It is about whether we continue along the path of progress and development as we have experienced over the past twenty-three years or whether we go backwards as during the pre-1992 period when the PNC regime was in power.

In the final analysis, it is about which from among the contending political parties can be trusted to lead this nation. Only two political parties have had experience in government, namely the PPP/C and the PNC which is now in coalition with a number of smaller parties none of which have any experience in government.

In the case of the PNC, it had a dismal record of undemocratic rule, economic mismanagement, suppression of free speech and a host of other shortcomings which cumulatively reduced this country to one of the poorest in the region.

The PPP/C on the other hand has a proud record of re-building a broken economy to one that is today one of the fastest growing in the economy, significantly higher that IMF projection for the Caribbean.

Indeed, from a highly indebted poor country under

the PNC the country has now graduated to middle income status and is poised to move even higher up the pecking order.

This is one electoral race that transcends race. All people benefit when a society grow and prosper. Children of all races and ethnicities do well when more money is spent on education.

The improved performance of our students across the board at local and regional elections is only one indication of the even-handedness of the PPP/C when it comes to distribution of budgetary resources to the education sector. The same can be said for the delivery of health care.

Guyanese today enjoy much higher levels of literacy and numeracy and are in a much better position to make informed choices as to which political party they would like to manage the affairs of state.

The two main indicators of progress is an educated and healthy population. Guyanese are enjoying a much better quality of health care and education delivery.

Additionally, more people today have access to higher education as could be seen from a growing number of young professionals many of whom at early age are

successful businessmen and entrepreneurs.

The number of people who are today the proud owners of their own homes, vehicles and consumer durables have never been higher. This came about because of the several opportunities created by this PPP/C administration including access to bank credits and training programmes.

One only need to look at the number of banks that have been established in all regions of Guyana to get a sense of how far we have come in terms of access to money and credits. Banks are indicators of the state of our economic health and from the published reports our banks are doing well.

The choice we make on May 11 will determine the future health of our economy and our country. Only under a PPP/C government under the leadership of Donald Ramotar can there be a continuation of this growth trajectory that we have been enjoying over the past two decades.

As mentioned earlier, boils down in the end to one of trust. The PPP/C has a proven record of success.

The PNC, by contrast, has failed this nation. The choice cannot be clearer.

Hydar Ally

Dear Editor, As the Minister of Agriculture I am now very fearful that APNU-AFC has intentions to cripple the rice industry.

Now that we have had confirmation that APNUAFC will close sugar, and it appears that the only reason for this act of stupidity is vindictiveness against sugar workers who have totally rejected them, I am fearful what APNUAFC has in store for rice since rice farmers have also rejected APNU-AFC. Their manifesto includes some of the same provisions that crippled rice in the 1980s. Rice has flourished under the PPP/C and every crop has been breaking records.

In the first crop of 2015, with about 85 per cent of harvesting completed, rice production stands at 320,000 tonnes.

At the present rate, when harvesting is 100 per cent completed, Guyana could surpass 370,000 tonnes of rice, the largest ever single crop in Guyana’s history and a production that was not envisaged even five years ago.

Should the first crop production be repeated in the second crop, we should have a production that exceeds the record-breaking 2014 production by more than 100,000 tonnes and exceeding 700,000 tonnes.

Paddy production for 2015 will definitely exceed one million tonnes for the first time ever.

In addition, Guyana has exported thus far, 200,000 tonnes of rice and has also inked contracts for imme-

diate shipment of an additional 200,000 tonnes.

This means that at the end of August when peak export period commences, Guyana would have already surpassed 400,000 tonnes and therefore the target of 515,000 tonnes would easily be accomplished.

Such export figures could not have been dreamt of just five years ago but if has been accomplished under the stewardship of the PPP/C. Rice farmers and their family must protect their livelihood because APNUAFC will do what they have planned to do with sugar. Having now confessed their intentions to close sugar, they now have their sight on rice and their only intention is to cripple the rice industry.

People must recall that their nominee for Finance Minister Carl Greenidge has openly stated that the Government has no right to intervene in the rice industry since it is a private sector business.

The PPP/C’s position is that we nurtured and empowered this private sector business and we have invested to ensure strong private ownership of the rice business. But we also will never separate ourselves from the rice business.

The PPP/C will always invest to facilitate the growth of the rice industry whether it is in research to improve yield or to find new markets.

The APNU-AFC has a plan for rice that is a recipe for disaster. Unlike

sugar where it presents no plan in its manifesto, it has actually presented some specific proposals for rice. But these proposals present a recipe that will paralyze the rice industry once again, just like they did in the 1970s and 1980s.

APNU-AFC has no genuine plan for the rice industry.

Their idea of developing research by farming it away to CARDI is a recipe for total collapse of the rice industry. They have tried to propose an alternative to the PPP/C’s program of value-added products.

Whereas, the PPP/C’s program include the use of rice husk for the production of safe, clean energy and for the production of value-added products such as rice cereal, APNU-AFC has proposed the development of a variety of rice for animal feed.

This will mean spending enormous amounts of money to develop a lowprice rice variety. This is another recipe for disaster.

The manifesto of APNU-AFC is a reminder that the PNC, the parent party of APNU-AFC, destroyed and crippled the rice industry during the 1980s.

Guyana cannot afford to allow them to cripple the rice industry again.

The PPP/C is the only party with a genuine plan to sustain and expand the development of the rice industry in Guyana.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy Agriculture Minister

Christopher Ram has always been packed with criticism of the PPP/C Dear Editor, The pathetic open letter to the President by Christopher Ram in the Kaieteur News on May 8 is another living example of hate by this accountant towards the PPP/C. Those working with him and who have passed through his firm would willingly testify to his many abuses and name callings.

Christopher Ram has withheld his support for the Government on many occasions. Therefore by saying he would not give his one vote to the PPP/C is no surprise.

He should not even mention that for the mere fact that he belongs to another party.

It’s like Mr Nagamootoo

saying he would not vote for the PPP/C. If you are a member of a political party, then it is obvious that your vote would go to that party, unless I am missing something.

Christopher Ram has always been packed with criticism towards the PPPC, what did he expect?

Should the Government leave their supporters to include a critic in their distribution of jobs?

Additionally, to have your staff pictures highlighted to push one’s political agenda is mean, unprofessional and pathetic.

Christopher Ram should be ashamed to do such a lowly act, to disgrace his staff members to that extent.

Many of those very

staff members are doing well with jobs outside of his firm, with income other than the meagre salary that he pays.

Maybe an investigation should be done to know how much of that PAYE he boasts about comes from normal, supervisors and partner’s salaries.

Lastly, (figure provided) would have been his annual turnover from value added services only in 2014. What more do you want Mr Ram? Let others live also.

Keep your one vote and give it to who you want to. It’s your constitutional right and to be honest we couldn’t care less.

Aubrey Stan

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APNU campaign behavior Granger’s election gambit shows it will abuse power is a dangerous strategy Dear Editor, The opposition APNU (PNC) has refused to play by the rules even though it has signed a model code of conduct.

Criminal activity, arrogant and wrong and strong attitude, poor behavior, crass language, and dirty politics are all hallmarks of the PNC (APNU) and they have been on display since February, even more so over the last two weeks.

It is instructive to note that the two media houses supporting the Opposition have remained quiet and have said nothing about the behavior of supporters of the

Opposition – public indecency by bending over in front of the President in Buxton to loud cheers.

A daughter of a PNC MP urinated on the PPP/C flag and set it on fire to wild cheers. Neither the media, nor the Opposition coalition, nor the MP has condemned the behavior.

Everywhere, the coalition has removed the flag of the PPP/C and URP. The country continues to see the treachery of the opposition on display, doing what they did in 1955, 1957, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006, and 2011.

That party and its henchmen have not changed. A co-

bra never changes; it is never nice. They will swallow the AFC which is naïve into believing that it will share power with the PNC-PNC never shares anything.

It is all or nothing. The PNC did not share with UF between 1965 and 1968. And it will not share power if the AFC allows it to win.

If the PNC (APNU) can behave the way it has over the last month and it does not even have power, imagine what the PNC and its supporters will do if it wins power.

Sherlina Bacchus

Open letter to Amerindian communities Dear residents, As you are aware general and regional elections will be held on May 11. You will be voting for a party of your choice to effectively manage the affairs of our beautiful country Guyana and moreso a party that has always recognized the value of its indigenous people in Guyana’s multi-racial society.

As you are aware also that this party is the PPP/C whose symbol is the cup.

And come elections day you will massively vote for the PPP/C for the continued social and economic development of your communities.

You are aware as well that when the PPP/C administration assumed office in 1992 one of their major priorities was to correct the historical wrongs of utter neglect, discrimination and abandonment suffered for decades by the Amerindian people and your communities during the era of the past PNC Government now called the PNC-led APNU+AFC coalition.

The PPP/C Government therefore in earnest set about to right the wrongs

with the aim of ensuring that the development gap between the hinterland and coastland was bridged.

Today the Amerindian Communities of Guyana with the establishment of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs have scored and continues to score numerous social and economic benefits with the aim of empowering your communities.

It is therefore very important that your communities vote for the PPP/C whose symbol is the cup for the continuation of your development programmes at the upcoming elections.

The PPP/C continues to stand committed to the rights of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and currently the government is engaged in the Amerindians Land Titling (ALT) project where the few remaining communities upon their request will be offered titles, demarcations and land extensions.

Under the PPP/C Government Amerindian communities will continue to be exposed to Information Technology and both land and water transportation

systems continue to be boosted to aid in the development process of your communities.

Our Amerindian culture continues to be encouraged and enriched with the celebration of “Amerindian Heritage Month” in September of every year where our rich Amerindian culture is show-cased for one month.

Under the PPP/C Government, the Amerindian communities of Guyana forms an important part of its development agenda which demonstrates its love and care for the indigenous communities of Guyana.

As the Amerindian communities of Guyana, it is therefore vital for the PPP/C be returned to manage the affairs of Guyana which will also see social and economic empowerment of your Amerindian communities.

Amerindian communities, my humble advice to you therefore is to vote for the PPP/C whose symbol is the cup.

Peter Persaud

party, the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) under a new leader, Julian Frazer, has also announced that 13 candidates will vie for seats.

However a few well known names like Dancia Penn, former Attorney General, and former Deputy Governor Omar Hodge, also former Minister, and Vernon Malone, former lawmaker and retired Police Commissioner, are not on the list.

What is more significant is Ralph O’Neal, who served as Chief Minister for two terms is not a candidate. He announced his retirement last year when Frazer was named

government.

Some PPP/C supporters were conned into supporting the AFC, believing them to be the third force that would have contributed to sound, progressive policies emanating from Parliament.

But after witnessing the AFC’s alliance with the PNC lead APNU year after year that slashed a total of $89.4 billion from the national budget during the life of the Ramotar Administration, the AFC support had all but disappeared now.

In fact, apart from the AFC executive members, their families and a handful of loyal supporters, not much is left of that oncepromising political party.

So with their diminished numbers, it is highly unlikely for the AFC to muster up enough votes to propel the PNC-APNU over the finish line, and certainly impossible for the combined APNU-AFC to win between 58 per cent and 62 per cent in a free and fair election.

Of course there was a time in our nation’s history when rigging of national elections were so massive and bare-face, that the PNC used to give themselves a two-thirds majority in Parliament with the help of David Granger’s GDF. For instance: In 1980 the PNC “won” 77.7 per cent of the total votes, and 78.5 per cent in 1985. But in 1992 when former US President Jimmy Carter insisted on free and fair elections, the PNC only got 42 per cent of the total votes. But like the General Secretary of the PPP/C said recently, “This time na lang time”.

The APNU-AFC will find it extremely difficult to rig this one. So Granger has to come up with a different strategy to explain the

rejection of his party once again by the electorate.

David Granger is fully aware of the despicable, lawless behavior by some of his followers who turn out at PPP/C meetings to disrupt those events. He’s well aware that this is a violation of the GECOM Code of Conduct he signed, giving his commitment to keep the peace.

Yet he deliberately fans the flame to ignite anger and distrust amoung the very supporters whose racist, vulgar behavior he is yet to condemn.

Over the last few weeks, Guyanese have witnessed the animalistic behavior of the PNC emerging from the APNUAFC camp. This is frightening to those of us who lived through the dark days of the PNC dictatorship, and I’m sure it is equally frightening to those young individuals who were hoping for change.

But anyone who was willing to give Granger the benefit of the doubt must now surely realize that the old PNC is alive and well in the APNUAFC. I, like most Guyanese, am hopeful for a peaceful election where the outcome is accepted by all. There are enough observers, both foreign and local to ensure this election is free and fair. But our leaders must exercise great care and act responsibility, and avoid the use of inflammatory remarks that can provoke violence of any sort.

Those who incite violence must be arrested and placed before the courts for disrupting the peace. We can no longer afford to rebuild our city from looting and burning every time one ethnicity feels it is their God-given right to run this country. We’ve come much too far to allow such primitive behavior to retard our progress.

Harry Gill

We cannot gamble with our future

Dear Editor, As voters head to polling stations on May 11, the single most important question uppermost in their minds would be one the new leader of the VIP. of trust-which of the presiO’Neal has been a lawmaker dential candidates they can for 40 years and served the trust to take this country sister island of Virgin Gorda forward for the next five extremely well. years.

There were rumours that Can voters put the outgoing Premier Dr Orlando fate of this nation into the Smith will bow out also, but hands of David Granger he is very much in the race, who has little if any poand is heading his party’s list. litical experience and who A new party is also in spent almost all his profescontention - the People’s sional life in the military?

Empowerment Party (PEP) Or would they vote inled by former Minister Alvin stead for a political heavyChristopher, but reports state weight who spent his enthat this new movement will tire life in the PPP and who not make much an impact on took over from the iconic the electorates.

Cheddi Jagan as General Secretary?

Oscar Ramjeet The clear and logical choice is to vote for Donald

BVI goes to the polls on June 8 Dear Editor, Two days after the UK general elections, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a UK overseas dependant territory has announced its general elections carded for June 8.

The announcement came less than three days before Guyanese will go to the polls.

The BVI elections will be important to more than 2000 Guyanese who live and work in that territory.

The incumbent National Democratic Party (NDP) led

by Dr Orlando Smith disclosed that it will field the entire slate of 13 candidates while the main opposition

Dear Editor, The APNU-AFC Leader, David Granger may be setting the stage for his defeat at the polls. Granger’s election gambit is a dangerous strategy that is likely to provoke violence by his supporters, many of whom are being led to believe that the PPP/C is planning to rig the election.

His recent proclamation that the APNU-AFC collation will win between 5862 per cent of the votes on election day, is irresponsible, baseless and unrealistic given voting patterns of election results in Guyana since free and fair elections were held in 1992.

David Granger has no statistics or evidence to support his ridiculous prediction, but this follows the same reckless statements made by APNU member James Bond on his Facebook page earlier, claiming overwhelming votes going to the APNUAFC by members of the armed forces.

In the 2001 general election, the PNC won 41 per cent of the votes casts compared to 53 per cent by the PPP/C. In 2006, the PNC won 36 per cent of the votes and the PPP/C got 54 per cent.

Then in 2011, the PNC led APNU secured 40 per cent of the votes, compared to 49 per cent by the PPP/C. The decline in the PPP/C votes in 2011 was due mainly to complacency on the part of PPP/C supporters who assumed that the PPP/C had already won the election, and stayed home.

The reduced percentage was also due to votes lost to the AFC after Moses Nagamootoo lied to sugar workers, promising them an increase of 20 per cent when they knew they had no chance of forming the

Ramotar who apart from his strong political credentials is also known for his humility and integrity.

Like Dr Cheddi Jagan with whom he worked closely with for many decades and who no doubt influenced and shaped his character and world view, he is a true man of the people-warm, compassionate, pro-people and caring.

Those of us who know him and had the opportunity to work with him can attest to his noble character and his ability to connect with people from all races, religion or political persuasion.

I take this opportunity to call on all Guyanese to vote for Donald Ramotar and his PPP/C List which is by far a superior List in terms of experience, competence, integrity, balance

and trust.

Too much is at stake. We cannot gamble with our future.

As we celebrate and observe Mothers’ Day on Sunday May 10, let us reflect on the great difference our vote would make on May 11 in terms of the realisation of a better Guyana for all mothers, their children, grandchildren and the children to come.

We owe it to ourselves and the entire Guyana that we use our ballot to ensure that this nation continue along that path of peace, progress and prosperity that we have been experiencing over the past twenty three years.

A Happy Mothers Day to all our mothers!

Hydar Ally

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Nagamootoo cannot extricate Prayer for peace, oneness himself from APNU-AFC’s on Elections Day diabolical plan to close sugar

Dear Editor, I heard Mr Nagamootoo speaking to sugar workers as part of a political advertisement. He spoke as the Prime Minister of Guyana, a dream he salivate over, but which will never come through.

He spoke with a forked tongue, with different messages intended to misrepresent the facts and to mislead people. As Minister of Agriculture I feel duty bound to reject Mr Nagamootoo’s claims and promises on the sugar industry.

Mr Nagamootoo spoke directly to sugar workers because he knows that he and APNU-AFC have been exposed – the sugar workers are not fooled anymore and they know that APNUAFC has only one thing on their mind for sugar – close it.

The sugar workers know that APNU-AFC has nothing to say about sugar in their manifesto.

Sugar workers and people everywhere are asking why APNU-AFC has nothing to say about sugar in their manifesto.

Having found total rejection in the sugar estates around Guyana, Nagamootoo and APNUAFC are in serious damage control mode.

It will not work – the people know the truth that APNU-AFC will close sugar. That is no secret anymore, it is a diabolical plot that has been fully exposed.

In desperation, Mr Nagamootoo is trying to persuade sugar workers that APNU-AFC will ensure sugar survives, but he is being wickedly hypocritical.

Worse yet, Mr Nagamootoo is shameless.

Mr Nagamootoo on May 5, Arrival Day, at Highbury stated unequivocally that APNU-AFC will distribute the sugar lands to sugar workers to grow rice, rear livestock, including fish etc.

Nowhere in that statement was any indication how sugar would be kept alive in Guyana.

Everything in that statement is that sugar would be closed. Guyanese and especially farmers are not stupid. This was a clear statement – APNU-AFC will close sugar, no “ands, ifs or buts”. Finding a very smart population of sugar workers, Nagamootoo is trying desperately to change the message – he wants them to now think that APNU-AFC will help sugar.

Mr Nagamootoo was even more clear at a public meeting at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam when he repeated at that meeting what another APNU-AFC Member, Mr Austin, stated – that APNU and AFC would close sugar as the most sensible thing to do.

They have an obsession about sugar and a love story with growing tilapia in the sugar cane fields. There are innumerable times that other members of APNU-AFC have been on TV in Berbice with signals that they cannot wait to have an opportunity to close sugar.

Mr Nagamootoo must tell us why he and all other leaders and members of APNU-AFC refuse to dissociate themselves from a statement which was issued at an official APNU Media Briefing at the APNU Headquarters which demanded a closure of sugar and replacing it with tilapia.

Just a few weeks ago, another senior advisor to APNU-AFC called again for the closure of sugar. None of the senior leadership or anyone in the membership of APNU-AFC has dissociated themselves from a clear statement from APNU+AFC that they will close sugar.

The question is why has none of the APNU-AFC leaders felt compelled to disagree with their sugar advisors who were so bold to reveal the APNU-AFC plan for sugar. That is the real reason they have nothing to say about sugar in their manifesto.

Mr Nagamootoo must further apologize to sugar workers and their families for demanding that the EU refuse to release funds for GuySuCo that was earned

by GuySuCo as part of an agreement for the EU to terminate the Sugar Protocol and reduce the sugar price.

This arbitrary and immoral withholding of EU sugar funds affect sugar workers and their families. The question is why Nagamootoo and APNUAFC so cruelly want the EU to withhold financial resources that would help sugar workers and their families?

For all their efforts to fool people, Nagamootoo and APNU-AFC have never apologized to workers and their families for not supporting subsidies that helped to pay sugar workers.

Mr Nagamootoo will help himself if he comes out now and apologize to sugar workers for betraying them yet again. He must sincerely apologize to sugar workers for being part of a conspiracy to punish them by hatching together an APNU-AFC plan to close the sugar industry.

The truth is that APNUAFC is anti-sugar. The truth is that no amount of appealing to sugar workers and their families will rescue Nagamootoo and APNU-AFC. The PPP/C, the sugar workers and their families and decent

people who can appreciate the importance of sugar in Guyana’s economic and social development will never allow Nagamootoo and APNU-AFC to close sugar.

Sugar was left on death bed by APNU-AFC when they went by the name PNC. Today, they have changed their name, but people, young and old, know that their names have changed, but the PNC lives on, its stripes still fearfully plain for all to see.

Sugar is not their priority. In Parliament, no one will forget how plainly they articulated their position – sugar is a black hole and sugar is not their concern.

Sugar has always been a PPP priority. It is part of our DNA, part of our genes.

We took an almost dead sugar industry in 1992 when it was struggling to even make 100,000 tons, when we were unable to meet our export commitments and when we had given up the total of the Caricom market.

Today, sugar is alive and well. At the end of today, GuySuCo has produced more than 80,000 tons of sugar, an almost 10% increase over the production figure for the first crop of 2014.

GuySuCo is confident that it will surpass the 83,000 tons target for this first crop before it completes its 2015 first grinding season and that it will reach the 240,000 tons target for 2015.

This will mean that an industry which by 1992 was struggling to reach 100,000 tons of sugar, has produced more than 200,000 tons of sugar every year, but one since the PPP/C took government in 1992. We are still on target to reach 300,000 tons by end of 2017 and 400,000 tons by end of 2020.

GuySuCo has a business plan that is now reflected in the PPP/C manifesto for the 2015 elections. We have presented a detailed plan for GuySuCo and we have committed a financial package of more than $20B. These are specific proposals that are presented to people with no ambiguity and no doublemeaning. APNU-AFC has no specific plans, other than one – it will close sugar.

Instead of trying to fool sugar workers, Nagamootoo must come out clearly and state that no matter what the results of the election, he and APNU-AFC commit to support the $20B investment in sugar.

The PPP/C, with the help of sugar workers and their families will ensure that APNU-AFC will have no opportunity to implement their diabolical plan to close sugar.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy Agriculture Minister

Dear Editor, The Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj calls on all religious leaders, people of faith, brothers and sisters of our nation to intone their voices in prayers for peace, harmony, respectability and oneness in our nation at this very important time in our election.

Let us turn to God for His mercy and guidance and to guide our voters to use their best judgment in making their right choices in the interest of electing a President for our beautiful Guyana who will serve our citizen of nation.

We pray that who are elected will do justice, love and goodness to our country. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls of hate and injustice that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish our purposes on earth.

Dear God, who has given us this good land of our heritage, we humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound education, and pure manners and respect.

Save us from violence, discord and confusion.

Endue with the guidance of wisdom to those whom in thy name we entrust the authority of leadership of Government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience of thy law, we may show forth thy praise amongst our people of faith.

As we approach Elections Day on May 11 I would like all to join me in a petition for peace. Let us focus our minds on gathering together peacefully our right choice and for the next President of our beautiful Guyana.

Dear God! Help us to be patient in long lines and courteous to volunteers on Elections Day. Let none of us thrust our agenda upon others, but let us seek to be peacemakers on the day that will determine the future of our country.

After Monday, May 11 we will be the sons and daughters of nation.

Let us use knowledge, wisdom, and discernment as we approach our voting places and be ever mindful of the decision we make and how it will affect the future of our Nation.

And as we walk away from the voting places, let us be prayerful for the man who will be selected as our choice for the next President of Guyana.

Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our country Guyana, and how God compels us to respond as citizens in our country.

We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.

We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.

We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to God. We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth.

Dear Lord! Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from nonviolence to peace. Let peace fill our heart, our world, and our beautiful country Guyana.

Pt Suresh Sugrim

The moment of truth has arrived Dear Editor, The moment of truth has arrived. May 11 will go down as a defining moment in our history in which a democratically elected government will seek re-election to office way ahead of its constitutional mandate given to it in the November 2011 elections.

This is the first time in our long and turbulent political history that a Head of State was forced to prorogue Parliament following a No-Confidence Motion laid in Parliament by the minority AFC which most certainly would have been passed were it not for the dissolution of Parliament by President Donald Ramotar, would have been carried with the support of the APNU. This unprecedented development in our bodypolitic will be put to the Guyanese electorate for a resolution on May 11.

There can be no doubt

that the action of the combined political opposition in Parliament has been greeted with widespread condemnation especially by erstwhile supporters of the AFC who felt betrayed by the leadership of the AFC. Already, there are strong indications that a significant number of AFC supporters are prepared to punish the AFC by switching allegiance back to the PPP/C as could be seen from the huge turnout at PPP/C meetings and rallies in areas where the AFC got most of its electoral support in the last elections.

The re-election to office of the PPP/C will be a vindication of the action taken by President Ramotar to seek a fresh mandate from the Guyanese people after it became increasing clear the combined parliamentary opposition was not prepared to lend support to the PPP/C administra-

tion in the passage of key and critical legislation to implement policies and programmes to advance the good and well being of the Guyanese people.

The action of the combined political Opposition was tantamount to political blackmail and economic sabotage and the President was left with no option but to seek a renewed mandate after all reasonable options to find a resolution failed.

President Donald Ramotar and the PPP/C administration was held hostage by an unscrupulous opposition which was more concerned with the lust for power than with the well being of the Guyanese people.

An injustice was clearly done to President Ramotar and his administration by the APNUAFC coalition which most certainly will be remedied on May 11.

Hydar Ally

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BCCI supports Cancer Society fund raising

Joint Services prepare for E-DAY

Members of the Joint Services during the final briefing on Friday

T BBCI Administrative Assistant Bibi Alli handing over a washing machine to the Cancer SocietyBerbice Chapter

T

he Berbice River Bridge Inc (BCCI) recently handed over a washing machine to the Cancer Society towards their fundraising event, the Mother and Daughter Pageant.

The group received a letter from the Secretary of the Cancer Society-Berbice Chapter requesting the contribution and, without hesitation, a decision was taken to assist the non-profit organisation.

The BBCI stated that they chipped in after considering that the funds gained will be used by the Cancer Society to provide support to persons who are affected in some way by cancer, so as to receive treatment in

Guyana and overseas.

It should be noted that BBCI fully supports the fight against cancer.

As a form of support, the Company has also agreed to waiver toll charges for one vehicle of the Beacon Foundation Ltd, twice per month to transport nurses to render domiciliary hospice care to terminally ill cancer patients residing in East Berbice.

The Cancer SocietyBerbice Chapter is a voluntary, non-profit organisation which provides support to persons within the community, and their families who are affected by cancer.

The Society is dedicated to diminishing suffering from cancer through education,

advocacy and service.

In the past, the Cancer Society has sponsored many events that benefited the communities both on the eastern and western sides of the Berbice River Bridge.

Now, for the year 2015, the Company has thus far received 67 public relation requests and managed to approve 57 of these requests.

They comprise of sponsorships for Mashramani 2015 Events, donations of trophies to various nonprofit and educational institutions, facilitated tours of various schools, waivered toll charges for tour buses, sponsored cricket tournaments, together with others too numerous to mention.

he Joint Services is assuring the Guyana populace that it is fully prepared and ready to ensure that the General and Regional Elections are executed in a safe, secure, and stable environment, and that a state of normalcy is maintained throughout the election process and after.

On Friday May 8, the Heads of the Joint

Services met for their final operational briefing.

Commanders at all levels are now clear on their duties and tasks to ensure the stability and security of the nation is maintained during the entire election and post election period Currently troops are deployed to all regions across the country and have been urged to maintain their professionalism at all

times, and under all circumstances.

In addition, they will ensure that their actions are in keeping with the legal framework governing their conduct in Internal Security Operations.

The Guyana Defence Force is deployed in all Police Divisions so that at short notice they will be ready to assist the Police should the need arise.

Observer Missions all set for Elections

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ith Guyana expecting to hold one of its most crucial Regional and General Elections on Monday, the country will be under scrutiny by international watchdogs, who have flown in for the electoral process and will be looking on from afar.

There are also several domestic observer groups who will be monitoring Monday’s polling day.

The four confirmed international observer teams include the Commonwealth,

Caribbean Community (Carciom), the Carter Centre and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Meanwhile there are seven domestic missions namely, Blue Caps, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB), the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) along with the United States Embassy and the British High Commission.

Guyana Times made con-

tact with some of the observer missions and they indicated their readiness for Monday’s Election Day. In an invited comment, Field Office Director of the Carter Centre Jason Calder told this newspaper that they have a full team of observers, led by former United States President Jimmy Carter, along with United Kingdom’s Dame Audrey Glover and Barbadian Billie Miller, ready to be deployed around the country. turn to page 33

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Younge’s Take

Laparkan gives back for Mother’s Day

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Jolani Allie receives his complimentary card and a bouquet of flowers from a Laparkan Representative

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s Mother’s Day approaches, business entities from across the country have started to do its annual give back to customers who have supported them throughout the years.

Among these, Laparkan concluded its Mother’s Day Promotion on Friday with a presentation ceremony.

Jolani Allie has emerged as the lucky winner of an all expense paid dinner for two at the Marriott Hotel on Mother’s Day. Expressing immense joy, Allie noted that he is very thankful to the kind gesture of Laparkan.

He said that the company has always been one that gives back to its customers in various ways.

In an interview with the Sales Manager of Laparkan, Yonette Jeffers highlighted that this is the second time Laparkan has participated in a Mother’s Day promotion; however, they have always

embarked upon numerous promotions at different segments of the year.

Jeffers said that it is the company’s hope that they will progress towards making this event an annual one, noting that Mother’s Day is a significant occasion where mothers across the world are showered with love and gifts as their children express how wonderful their mothers are and the important aspect they play in their lives.

It was noted that the Laparkan’s Private Mail Box (PMB/GTPAK) Service will continue to access three flights weekly, and consignments benefit from free delivery within Georgetown and its environs.

In addition, a minimal fee will be charged for deliveries outside this area. There are also special arrangements for handling cargo at Linden, Berbice and Essequibo. In as-

sisting persons to make that gift giving decision much easier there is the Laparkan internet shopping and reliable, consistent and efficient shipping options- air and ocean at affordable rates.

The Laparkan Group of Companies was established in 1983 and is involved in transportation logistics, port operations, retailing and the travel industries. Laparkan Trading Limited (Laparkan) employs over 400 persons in its freight network that spans across the Caribbean, Latin America and North America.

The Freight Forwarder Company joins in wishing all the mothers, especially private mail box supporters, the business community, personal effects shippers and every person who has used their service or have any intention of using their service, a Happy Mother’s Day.

The stakes

his Monday, Guyana votes and already there is much energy and enthusiasm among the people who are ready to demonstrate their democratic right and constitutional entitlement.

Already, the halls of public discourse are ripe with debates and conversations about which political should be given the mandate to govern independent Guyana over the next five years.

The discourse is even reaching the point where emotions are flaring and Guyanese are considering all that will be at stake on Monday. They appear concerned not only about their future but that of their children and immediate family members.

The people, unlike back in 2011, are not passively involved but actively involved as is evident from the discourse on social media and in the letter pages of the four main newspapers in this country.

This involvement has reached the point where supporters of one party feel it necessary to reject leaders of the opposing party whenever they enter their community.

The problem with this is that they are not just satisfied with boycotting the meetings but have sadly started the culture of disrupting the meetings and physically abusing the speakers.

This in itself sets a dangerous precedence and it is very worrying that the shepherds in the People’s

National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition have refused to denounce strongly this sort of distasteful and disrespectful conduct.

What is also worrying as Guyanese head to the polls on Monday is the rhetoric from the coalition’s leaders which suggest that they may not accept the results of the election even if they are declared free and fair by the Guyana Elections Commission or the international observer missions.

That too sends a dangerous signal about what Guyanese can expect from the coalition’s supporters if they feel slighted by the system which they have praised time and time again in the lead up to the polls.

That aside, there are also worrying reports emanating from both the PPP/C and APNU-AFC about plots to create instability in the country and rig the 2015 elections ahead of the polls.

These reports are reaching the grassroots levels and Guyanese are not taking them lightly. They are becoming mobilised and vigilant on both sides of the divide to ensure that democracy works and the process to elect Guyana’s next Government is free, fair and transparent.

This has resulted in ethnic insecurities rising and divisions becoming more evident in the society.

But this coming week, Guyanese must resist the

temptation to become involved in all and any activity that could lead this country down the wrong path and cripple a return to socio-economic and political stability.

These must demonstrate maturity and strongly reject those leaders who will no doubt use coded and indirect language via their mass media and social media platforms to incite violence and cause divisions within this country.

Every right thinking Guyanese must understand that after the May 11 polls life continues and it is their responsibility to ensure that Guyana is able to progress and to overcome what challenges may be set it after the close of polls.

When Guyanese vote tomorrow, they must vote understanding the risks that are at stake and understanding the need for Guyana to continue along the trajectory to development.

They must understand that these elections are not about change but rather about progress.

around the world

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Liberia declared Ebola-free North Korea test fires submarine-launched missile after weeks of no cases

A poster in Paynesville, outside the capital Monrovia - part of the Liberian campaign against Ebola

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he World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Liberia free of the Ebola virus, confirming that the country has had no new cases in 42 days.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told the BBC that Liberia had “crossed the Rubicon” and would be celebrating a concerted effort to stem the disease.

More than 4700 deaths from Ebola have been recorded in Liberia, more than in any other affected country.

Neighbouring Guinea and Sierra Leone continue to fight the outbreak. It has claimed over 11,000 lives across the region since last year.

The WHO regards a country Ebola-free after a 42-day period without a new case – twice the maximum incubation period. The last confirmed death in Liberia was on March 17. On Saturday, the WHO said in a statement, “The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Liberia is

over.”

President Sirleaf told the BBC, “We will celebrate our communities which have taken responsibility and participated in fighting this unknown enemy and finally we’ve crossed the Rubicon.

Liberia indeed is a happy nation.”

“It has been a terrible time in the history of our country,” Monrovia resident Emmanuel Tokao wrote on a BBC Facebook page. “I’m firstly grateful to God, who I believe brought us back to normality.”

Although Liberia has now been declared Ebola-free, correspondents say the outbreak will have a long-term impact on Liberia’s fragile economy.

The current outbreak is the deadliest in history. It initially centred on Guinea’s remote south-eastern region of Nzerekore in early 2014, and later spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

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orth Korea says it has successfully test-fired a newly developed ballistic missile from a submarine, in what would be the latest display of the country’s advancing military capabilities.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un, who personally oversaw the test on Saturday, called the newly developed missile a “worldlevel strategic weapon”, according to a report by the official KCNA news agency.

The agency quoted Kim as saying that the Korean military now possessed a weapon “capable of striking and wiping out in any waters the hostile forces infringing upon North Korea’s sovereignty and dignity”.

Saturday’s test would violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions banning North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

The United States called

Submarine-launched missile being tested

on North Korea “to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its international commitments and obligations,” the State Department said.

While South Korea’s presidential Blue House held an emergency national security council meeting to review the threat and discuss possible countermeasures.

North Korea’s capital Pyongyang has issued three

warnings over the past week that it will fire on sight at South Korean navy patrol boats it accuses of violating the disputed Yellow Sea border on the west side of the divided peninsula.

North Korea’s small submarine fleet is comprised of largely obsolete Soviet-era and modified Chinese vessels, but suggestions that it was experimenting with a marine-based missile system have been around for a while. (BBC News)

Russia stages massive WW2 Parade Peru: Troops deployed after deaths in Tia Maria mine protests T housands of troops marched across Red Square in Moscow, and new armour was displayed for the first time.

Many foreign dignitaries were present, but most Western leaders stayed away because of Russia’s role in Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin said global cooperation had been put at risk in recent years. His Ukrainian counterpart accused him of justifying aggression.

In his opening speech, President Putin paid tribute to the sacrifices of Soviet troops during World War Two. He

also thanked “the people of Great Britain, France and the United States for their contribution to victory”. However, he added, “In recent decades the basic principles of international cooperation have been ignored ever more frequently. We see how a militarybloc mentality is gaining momentum.”

The remarks echo previous complaints by Putin about what he says are efforts by the US and its NATO allies to encircle Russia militarily.

Meanwhile, at a wreathlaying ceremony in Kiev, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko condemned

Russia’s portrayal of his Government as fascist over the past year.”Obviously, this is done with one aim alone – to justify... the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

The victory parade in Moscow started at 10:00h local time. Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Pranab Mukherjee of India and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were among more than 20 world leaders watching the event.

Military units from across Russia – some dressed in WW2-era uniforms – marched, and more than 100 aircraft flew over Red Square. (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN climate fund could help Caribbean – French President

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planned international United Nations green fund could help the vulnerable, tourism-dependent Caribbean Region mitigate the effects of climate change. This is according to French President Francois Hollande.

The Associated Press reported that Hollande made the remark on Saturday when he headlined the Caribbean Climate Summit in Martinique, which drew about 40 leaders or top officials from regional nations including The Bahamas, Trinidad and Cuba, as well as experts talking about renewable energy, waste and water management.

The meeting came ahead of a global climate conference in Paris that activists hope will mark the first time that all countries take collective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, the news agency reported.

Hollande said the Paris

P

eruvian soldiers have been deployed near the Tia Maria copper mine after the deaths of a protester and a Policeman over the past week.

The Government says the troops will “help maintain law and order” following weeks of violent protests.

Local residents say the mine will ruin the environment and damage agriculture in the area if it becomes operational.

The company, Southern Peru, says the mine will be compliant with the highest environmental standards.

Local residents in the southern Arequipa region have opposed the mining project since 2009. A new set of protests began in March and three people have died since.

The latest fatalities are construction worker Henry Checlla, injured during

The death of construction worker Henry Checlla on Tuesday angered local residents

clashes on Tuesday, and a Policeman who died on Saturday after being hurt in a protest on Wednesday.

The Peruvian Government has not ruled out declaring a state of emergency in the southern province of Islay, where the copper reserves are located.

“We haven’t lost hope that dialogue is resumed.

Meanwhile, we are taking measures to help maintain law and order,” President

Ollanta Humala said.

The Mexican owned-company which has been given mining concessions in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, says it will invest approximately US$1.4 billion.

“Tia Maria project will use state-of-the-art technology which would be compliant with the highest international environmental and sustainable development standards,” the company says on its website. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Cayman Islands Premier files defamation action against Opposition Leader Caribbean Heads of Government at the last major event in Martinique, celebrating the French Territory’s ascension to associate member status in the OECS (OECS Secretariat photo)

session would highlight the importance of the UN climate fund, which is struggling to find donors.

“Thanks to this fund, we will be able to find solutions to the problem of global warming,” he said.

Officials have said they hope to secure at least 50 per cent of the US$10 billion that Governments have pledged for the fund before the Paris summit begins.

Hollande said climate change is a pressing issue that represents US$600 million a year in costs to the

Caribbean Region alone, adding that he promises to reinforce and expand a local natural disaster fund.

“This is a human issue that has displaced millions of people and caused the disappearance of species every year,” he said.

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, along with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and other regional officials warned that the Caribbean faces rising sea levels that will hit economies largely dependent on tourism.

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ayman Islands political leaders are heading for a major courtroom showdown after Premier Alden McLaughlin’s lawyers filed suit against Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush on Thursday for libel, slander and defamation, claiming unspecified damages.

As previously reported, the territory’s Premier is taking his opposite number to task over allegations Bush made in a proposed private member’s motion and at a press conference, where he accused McLaughlin of being part of a conspiracy that he says unlawfully ousted him from

office.

McLaughlin cited the motion, the press conference called to publicise it, the wide media coverage it received and further comment Bush made to CNS via text message in the wake of a letter sent to him demanding an apology, which was published last Friday, as the grounds for his claim.

The Premier has also requested an injunction by the court to restrain the Opposition Leader from repeating what he states are the malicious falsehoods being alleged against him.

In the writ, McLaughlin’s lawyers, Hampson and Company, state that Bush

convened the April 14 press conference “to ensure that his defamatory allegations had the widest possible media coverage and circulation so that they could do the greatest possible damage” to the Premier’s reputation and position.

The suit states that, on the basis that “some mud sticks”, Bush had made the announcements without informing the Premier so he would not have time to refute the allegations.

This, McLaughlin states in the writ, was because Bush knew “the allegations against (the Premier) were completely untrue”. (Excerpt from

CNS)

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Russian Embassy observes 70th anniversary of World War II

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he Embassy of the Russian Federation in Guyana in collaboration with the Bauxite Company of Guyana on Wednesday held an evening of commemoration in recognition of the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War and also the end of World War II (WWII).

The event which was held at the Theatre Guild, in Kingston, Georgetown, began with a short film on the war and its effects, followed by a reception.

Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nickolai Smirnov, in addressing the gathering said that though the wars are long gone, it will and can never be forgotten.

He reminded that WWII was not confined only to his homeland of Russia or even Europe but leapt over oceans to 40 other countries. Due to this, “many states, though not directly

The Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Nickolai Smirnov at the commemoration event

involved joined the struggle for the human race.”

For those unaware of their world history, the Ambassador explained that WWII was born from the Fascist beliefs of the Germans who believed in a theory of racial superiority of Nazism. This theory enabled the establishment of

several troubling practices such as the adoption of discriminatory laws, embracing of xenophobia and the extermination of “entire ethnic groups and nations”.

It was further stated that over 27 million of his people, during the time of the Soviet Union, gave their lives for the “death of

Nazism”. The Ambassador explained that the Red Army liberated most of the European countries, crushing three-quarters of the Nazi forces at the Eastern Front alone. He said that according to reports, this was the turning point of the war where Russian forces stopped Nazis from gaining entry into Stalingrad.

Smirnov opined that such actions drew “a distinct line between the forces of good and evil” from 1939 when the erupted, crippling many countries in its wake.

The Ambassador reiterated the importance of never forgetting what happened around the mid1900s, of ensuring that the world is never brought to the point of such widespread slaughter.

However, even with this, Smirnov said that the Nazi movement is once again on the surge in Europe, pointing out that such persons

need to remember their history. A documentary was showed that indicated the similarities of the current Neo-Nazi movement now and what it was, stating that it predicts nothing good to the people of Germany and even more so the people of the wider world.

Mention was also made

placed on remembering that aspect of the world’s past so as not to repeat it.

In honour of the occasion, a peace and unity tree was planted on the grounds of the UN. The Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon stated that he has hopes that the seeds of peace will travel wholly to the corners of

One of the pictures on display at the commemoration

of the special meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Meeting in observance of this anniversary. He said more than 30 countries were at the plenary meeting on Tuesday where comments were made about what has been lost but also what has been gained from the WWII. But more so was emphasis

the world that need it desperately during these times.

He stated that by planting the tree “we remember all those who have died and sacrificed in pursuing the mission set out in the charter of the UN and we rededicate ourselves to the founding aims and ideals of the UN.”

Police hunt known convict in GNIC gun, ammo seizure

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he Police are hunting a known convict following the discovery of a large cache of guns and ammunition at the GNIC Wharf, Lombard Street, Georgetown on Friday afternoon.

It was reported that two AK 47 rifles, four .40 pistols, 11 9mm pistols, 15 extra magazines for the firearms, 489 various calibre rounds for the firearms and a bullet proof vest were found in a haversack among a box containing tinned food items.

The box was addressed to Jamal Murphy of Friendship, East Coast Demerara, and was sent by Ron Murphy out of the United States of America.

A Police source stated that the address on the box is incorrect, claiming that Murphy received other parcels and boxes bearing different addresses. This was confirmed by other documents that were recovered in the man’s Cummings Lodge home on Friday evening.

Police believe that this was not the first time guns were shipped to Murphy.

However, the Police stated that the man whom they are hunting has been charged several time with gun related offences. He also lives in the same area as

Murphy.

Immediately after the discovery, Murphy who went to clear the box was arrested and during interrogation, he reportedly told Police that the suspect was supposed to accompany him but pulled out at the last minute.

The 25-year-old construction worker further stated that the suspect did not contact him thus leaving him to believe that he was set up.

Police also confirmed that the young man would usually be accompanied by a woman but this time, he came alone.

The Police have launched an investigation into the discovery which was made by the Drug Enforcement (DEU) Unit within the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The Police was called in following the discovery.

Meanwhile, the Police source explained that the .40 pistols are similar to the .9mm pistols; the only difference are the bullets which are larger than those of the .9mm ammunition.

In the box as well was a thin saw which is normally used to cut glass on buildings. Murphy will remain in custody and is expected to be charged on Tuesday. Police are continuing their investigations into the discovery.

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Wife’s jealousy lands couple in court OAS satisfied with GECOM’s A couple on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts because of a physical altercation that stemmed from a wife’s “jealousy”.

Paul Bacchus, 30, a taxi driver of 32 Austin Street, Kitty, pleaded not guilty to charges which read that on April 29 at the aforementioned address, he unlawfully assaulted the Virtual Complainant (VC), his wife Shannon Bacchus, and also made use of threatening language against her.

According to the particulars of the report, on the day in question, an argument ensued between the couple during which the defendant dealt his wife several punches about her body and threatened to kill her.

According to the defendant, he has been married

to the VC for almost two years and admitted to hitting her; however he maintained that it was not as severe as the woman alleged. He said that, on the day in question, the VC approached him and made several accusations of infidelity against him, a habit he claims she has. The man stated that she threw a “violent fit” attacking him and he dealt her a “box”. The man stated that for some time the woman has been interfering with his job, demanding that he operates his business activities in such a way that is pleasing to her.

In addressing the court, the woman denied her husband’s allegations that she is frequently in the habit of starting arguments between them. According to the woman, her husband is employed by as a driver a 22-year-old male that lives

below their apartment.

She said that on one occasion she witnessed her husband dropping off a young woman dressed in a school uniform at his boss’s apartment. She said that, on the day of the incident, she approached her husband and questioned him when he informed her that it is “the boss’s fiancée”. She said she told her husband that he should avoid having the young woman in the car while in her school uniform, as it could land him in trouble. She said that the man became annoyed and placed his hands around her neck, pinned her to the wall and dealt her several punches about her body.

When asked by the Magistrate how old the young woman appeared to be, the woman said that upon inquiry she found out that the young woman is about 18 years of age.

Observer Missions all set...

According to Calder, on Saturday the Centre had a series of meetings with stakeholders such as Head of State President Donald Ramotar, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), members of civil society, Head of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Head of the Guyana Police Force among others.

“We had a very good series of meetings,” the Carter Centre official stated. He noted that from the group’s observations since its arrival in April, GECOM appears to be “well prepared” with all logistics coming together efficiently. However, Calder expressed his disappointment of reports relating to unwarranted rhetoric that are spurring fear and division among Guyanese.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy stated that it is pleased with the preparations put in place by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“We are confident in the ?Commission’s ability to organise a free and fair poll on May 11, and that GECOM’s announced results will accurately reflect the way in which the Guyanese people vote,” the Embassy told this publication.

According to the Embassy, a total of 68 observers will be deployed to monitor polling on Election Day. There will be teams in nine of the 10 Administrative Regions. It was further noted that the Embassy is actively collaborating with other domestic and international observer

Magistrate Moore informed the woman that it is neither her place nor her husband’s to be minding his employer’s business, and that it was unwise to fuel an argument with her husband based on it. He said, furthermore, it can lead to trouble with her husband and his employer as his apartment is below theirs in close proximity, allowing him to hear their arguments. The husband then informed the court that due to the incident he was relieved of his duties by his employer and is now unemployed.

After reviewing all of the statements and facts presented, the Magistrate referred the couple to counselling and dismissed the threatening language charges. The couple will return to court on Tuesday, May 12, in regards to the assault charges.

from page 29

missions in order to ensure maximum coverage of polling places and to share information.

On the other hand, another local agency, the Blue CAPS, has disclosed it will have observers in Regions Four and Nine. According to the Blue CAPS, it was part of a group of observers that participated in the observer training sessions conducted by the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB).

However, the organisation noted that the EAB, along with the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) and other civil society groups, have observers spread across the country.

At previous press briefings, both the Commonwealth and

Caricom Observer Missions had indicated their readiness for the upcoming elections.

They noted that neither of them have the capacity to solely monitor the electoral process throughout the country adequately, and therefore will be coordinating with each other and other missions to give effective coverage to the country.

preparations

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he Organisation of American States (OAS) said it is satisfied with preparations made thus far by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for Monday’s General and Regional Elections.

“In the run-up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (EOM/OAS) in Guyana has observed and heard from different stakeholders that the organisation of the electoral process is being carried out as planned by the Guyana Elections Commission,” the OAS said.

The OAS also took the opportunity to remind all political parties and citizens that, in the period following the closing of polls, results must be tabulated and compiled across a large territory.

As such, the Mission is calling on all political actors to act responsibly and is urging citizens to wait patiently for the outcome, allowing GECOM – the only official source of election results – the time to ensure a complete and ac-

curate tabulation process.

Meanwhile, the Mission also reiterated the need for candidates and supporters to adhere to the Code of Conduct signed by all political parties to ensure order and tranquility on Election Day, and the days thereafter, in compliance with national electoral laws and regulations.

It was only days ago that the Carter Centre warned against moves to sow ethnic fear among the Guyanese populace.

According to the Carter Centre, “it is imperative that political parties remain conscious of their obligations under the Political Party Code of Conduct for these elections and urge their supporters to behave accordingly.”

As Election Day approaches, the Carter Centre is encouraging all Guyanese to make their strongest efforts to promote a peaceful and transparent electoral process.

“These elections are an important opportunity for Guyanese to strengthen their commitment to one another and further consolidate their democracy.”

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Opposition may reject election results – supporters continue intimidatory tactics

By Michael Younge

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erious concerns are mounting among citizens and various stakeholder groups across the country that the political opposition parties are preparing their supporters not to accept the official results declared by the Guyana Elections Commission if they are unfavourable to them. If past patterns of reaction by opposition supporters to previous defeats at the polls, it is feared that they might precipitate violence.

These concerns have been exacerbated in recent times with the level of intolerance shown by opposition supporters in their «stronghold» communities rising significantly, to the point where they are stoning and hurdling missiles at leaders of the ruling Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) whenever the latter exercise their democratic right of holding public meetings to share their policies and plans for Guyana’s development as part of their reelection bid. There appears to be a closing of these Guyanese voters› minds to free exchange of ideas that is the lifeblood of democracies.

On Thursday, President Donald Ramotar, PPP/C Executives Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall, as well as Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment Odinga Lumumba, were victims of the worst form of insults and verbal abuse meted out by opposition supporters in the community of Buxton, East Coast Demerara. After 2002, that village was the epicentre of a wave of violence launched by an armed gang against neighbouring villagers labelled as PPP strongholds,, as well as members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The meeting by the PPPC in that community was therefore both historic and a sign that the PPP/C was willing to go far and wide, and outside of its comfort zone to take its message of progress with the hope being reelected to Government on Monday. After the 28 years of PNC rule between 1964 - 1968 even though the village was solidly not PPP, the PNC left it neglected to the point of ruination.

The PPPC could point to a complete transformation of the village›s in-

frastructure as well as it›s historic community centre, Tipperary Hall.

The response from the community was unprovoked and appeared well-coordinated by the leaders representing the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change coalition group who did absolutely nothing to urge the crowd of hecklers to dispel and allow the PPP/C to continue the business of their public meeting.

While the President and PPP/C leaders delivered their presentations, supporters of the coalition were filmed and documented loudly and rambunctiously hurling expletives, derogatory statements, «wining» and bending over and even indecently exposing themselves.

One woman’s underwear was exposed as she gyrated to music being played by the PPP/C’s sound system while holding her poster in support of the coalition.

Outrage

Meanwhile, several organizations including the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) has slammed the behaviour of the women and opposition supporters who they believe are displaying disrespectful and distasteful conduct.

The organization even went further by calling for the dismissal of a woman who was videotaped urinating on the PPP/C flag at a meeting held at Warlock, East Rumiveldt back earlier.

The woman has been identified as the daughter of Abigail Baveghems, an employee of the Child Welfare Department of the Ministry of Education who is the The burning of a PPP/C flag

daughter of former APNU parliamentarian Joan Baveghems.

The Women’s group called on the Minister of Education, the Teaching Service Commission, the Public Service Commission and the Public Service Ministry to review the conduct of Abigail Baveghems.

In Statement, the WPO said “she deliberately endangered a

child with [a] disability who was clearly frightened and in distress and was begging to be removed from the location. She is unfit to be a mother and unfit to work with children”.

The WPO called on all women to condemn the incident and join with it in the call for Baveghems’ dismissal from the Ministry of Education as a Child Welfare Officer.

Baveghems when contacted by another section of the media refused to condemn the behaviour of her daughter and instead said that she was an adult regardless of the messages it sent to women across the country.

“We have kept all of our promises to you and I am proud of that track record and we will make all of these promises a reality after we win Monday’s polls”, he declared from the podium. Ramotar, who was making his second pitch to be elected President, argued that his Government had revolutionized Health Care and had worked tire-

lessly to enhance the sluggish education system it inherited from the PNC. He said that he had a difficult presidency because of the unhelpful and vindictive attitude of the opposition. “They are not interested in development” , Ramotar declared before stating clearly that the opposition has done everything in its power to frustrate progress especially in the

for injecting intimidation into the electorate on election day.

The official slammed the opposition coalition for their irresponsible behaviour of setting up their supporters for a victory without even understanding the dynamics of the situation.

Eyewitnesses have pointed out that the language being used by opposition members is in tantamount to organised intimidation as they pointed to the acts of aggression against sections of Guyanese

Granger’s defence

When questioned by the media on Friday about the behaviour of the coalition’s supporters and the unfortunate message it is sending, Opposition Leader and Presidential Candidate for the PNC-led APNU/ AFC coalition, David Granger justified the actions of his supporters explaining to media that they were disgusted and hungry for change.

But while he grudgingly conceded that the coalition would not “condone” such behaviour he did not issuing a forthright condemnation of his supporters disruption and interference with the PPP/C’s meeting.

But the PNC-led APNU/AFC’s coalition’s Executive Member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine argued that the party has always promoted the notion of peaceful elections to its supporters. He was ignoring the evidence from 1992, 1997, 2001, and 2006 and 2011.

Asked by media operatives on whether the party was preparing and encouraging its supporters to accept the elections results after the May 11 polls, Roopnaraine responded in the affirmative, claiming again that the party has always been on record as stating that it wished to see a peaceful election.

However, in further elaborating on the issue, Roopnaraine add a caveat as he went on to state that this will only be possible if all of the electoral laws are stringently upheld.

The executive member of the PNC led APNU+AFC equivocat-

Jagdeo exposes coalition’s plan...

More PPP/C candidates at the rally

ed that the party’s supporters have conditioned their minds to a change, and should, this not be the result after the polls, and if they feel that the process was compromised, it may be difficult for the party to restrain them.

Dr. Roopnaraine expressed that everything will be solely dependent on the course of events which takes place on elections day and the conduct of the Guyana elections commission’s staff.

His comments come on the heels

security sector. Ramotar asked his main opponent Granger to take responsibility for his sordid track record and to return the weapons to the Army that went missing under his watch.

He said that these weapons were still floating around in the hands of criminals and alleged that there was evidence that they have been used in the murders of innocent Guyanese at Lusignan and elsewhere.

“You heard Granger telling the people at Bartica that if he becomes president there will be no more massacres in Bartica…well comrades, there was a man by the name of Forbes Burnham who made the famous statement: “Only he owns the dog can call off the dog”, he remarked.

He questioned whether by making that statement, Granger was admitting that he was “in control of the dogs, the criminals”, stating soon after that this was “a frightening indication”.

Ramotar, asked the thousands of mothers present at

A worked-up APNU/AFC supporter

of an incident which took place at Warlock, East Ruimveldt which saw the coalition’s supporters burning a PPP/C flag and a woman urinating on a PPP/C flag. She then led a group of youths chanting «Bun dem out» as she waved the urine drenched PPPC flag in the air.

That incident alone, sent shock waves throughout the country and resulted in outrage with the ruling party and the Guyana Elections Commission also condemning the distasteful act.

That aside a senior PPP/C functionary condemned the People’s National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change coalition

by coalition’s supporters.

Others say the coalition members are setting up supporters to not accept the election results if the party loses by their intimidatory tone and language at the various rallies and public meetings.

In light of the PNC-led APNU/ AFC refusal to outright condemn vulgarity and violence from being deployed against the PPP,mom Friday night the Secretary of the Cabinet Dr Roger Luncheon was stoned at a meeting in the Stabroek Market vicinity, which is usually peopled by Opposition supporters. In fact the Opposition launched their manifesto in this area, boasting it was «among their people»

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the rally, to help “deliver”, the PPP/C to another majority victory as he remained confident that the party will emerge victorious on Monday.

He argued that it was time

for Guyanese from all walks of life to understand the danger of the politics being exercised by the opposition.

He said that anyone who voted for the opposition was

Even the young showed their support for the PPP/C

voting consciously to take Guyana backward but he was confident that the PPP/C supporters would come out early and turn out in their numbers to exercise their right.

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Miner dies after interior accident Guyanese must support the Ramotar-Harper ticket – Jagdeo H

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar

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ormer President and Executive Member of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Bharrat Jagdeo is of the view that the party’s Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates are vastly superior to those of the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo.

Speaking on Television Guyana’s (TVG) Channel 28 programme, “Under the Microscope” on Thursday evening, Jagdeo told host, Michael Younge that there were no doubts in his mind that the two PPP candidates were the only ones who had the capabilities and experience to put the country where it needs to be. This he said, includes the fact that they had a better vision and plan for the country, one which the APNU/ AFC could not compete with.

“I believe that collectively they represent a party that has a track record that is vastly superior to that of the other side contesting. Secondly, I think they have a vision that; a plan for the future that is immensely superior to the Opposition’s vision. I think they have a team of young people, experienced people, people with the skills, that can make the policies work, can implement the policies, programmes, projects necessary to accomplish that vision,” Jagdeo told Younge.

Nagamootoo vs Harper

In dissecting the four personalities, Jagdeo first proceeded to compare the APNU/ AFC’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo to the PPP’s Candidate Elisabeth Harper. According to the former President, at no point in time can Nagamootoo ever compare himself to the esteemed woman, since she was by far, superior in more ways than one.

“Nagamootoo is being a rabble rouser. He can give a good speech, he can talk about himself in 60 per cent and 40 per cent of it who is corrupt but he is very, very weak on policies and on a track record.

He was a Minister in a junior Ministry, in the Ministry of Information which didn’t deal with policies. I shouldn’t say what some of the judges say to me about his ability as a lawyer but he is one who settles most of his cases. He doesn’t go to trial for many of them

and he gets a lot of cases for bicycle theft and that sort of thing. Nobody goes to him for complex cases,” Jagdeo said of Nagamootoo.

He noted that Harper, on the other hand, while not very vociferous and aggressive on the campaign trail, was a very decent person who has worked her way up as a woman, to have been the chief technical person in the Foreign Affairs Ministry as Director General,” as he pointed out her ability and achievements.

“She has led our Foreign Ministry for many, many years. She’s been a part of some of the most private and confidential discussions surrounding border issues and national policies over many, many years so she has been a part of inner circles and she knows how to deal with these issues. She has led many of our bilateral discussions, she served as Ambassador to [Caribbean Community] Caricom, she is good at management, she is an advocate for women’s rights; she is vastly superior in every way,” the former President shared.

APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

Granger vs Ramotar

Meanwhile, in comparing the two Presidential Candidates, Jagdeo said that it was evident that Ramotar was by far, the most suitable candidate for the position of Presidency.

The former head of state said that it is widely known that Granger has “baggage” that he has refused to account for, something he said which is very telling in its entirety.

“If a person says elections were not rigged in the past… anyone who denies that this has ever happened, he is either dishonest or out of touch with reality or is suffering from amnesia and we don’t want either of the two to be our President because he might forget that he is even in Guyana… he has denied an essential part of our history that everyone knows to be true. If a person can do that, what else he can’t do?” he questioned.

Ramotar, he said, however, has been a leader, and that despite being rebuffed by the Opposition, had still tried to engage them on matters of national importance.

He further pointed out that the current President has always been at the fore front of

the struggle for the people’s rights and will never snatch away the rights of any person.

The PPP Executive said that integrity and the ability to perform were key in choosing a side and it was clear that it was the team of Ramotar and Harper which outshone in that regard.

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper

However, Granger in his last formal press conference on Friday, told media operatives that he believes that he has the qualities that would make his a better President than Donald Ramotar.

Questioned on what made him a better candidate against Ramotar, Granger said that he has been more engaging and interactive with the grassroots and the ordinary man and has the ability to withstand public debates and scrutiny as against Ramotar, who has been constantly absent from forums designed to question his policies and plans.

The APNU/AFC Presidential Candidate noted that his strength and character and that of his entire team can also outshine those of the incumbent.

ours after a miner received injures following an accident along the Aranka Backdam Trail, he collapsed and died on Friday morning in his mining camp.

The dead man has been identified as Sylvester "Carl" Chan, 44, of Lot 58 Houston, East Bank Demerara.

According to information reaching the Guyana Times, Chan and a few of his friends were consuming alcohol at a popular drinking spot in the area and were seen leaving together in the wee hours of Friday morning. It is alleged that on their way to the mining camp, the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) they were travelling in ran off the trail and toppled several times before coming to a halt. Reports state that Chan might have been pinned under the vehicle when it stopped.

He was reportedly picked up and offered to be taken to the health centre but claimed he was okay; hence he was taken to the mining camp. He went to bed as normal.

Sylvester "Carl" Chan

As he woke up a few hours later, he started to complain about chest pains and claimed that he could not move his right hand. A few minutes later, Chan reportedly collapsed and died.

There were no marks of violence on his body, except for the bruises he had from the accident.

The Police were called in and his body was transported to the Sandy’s Funeral Home in Georgetown.

Tina (only name give) told the Guyana Times that she learnt about the accident on Friday when the

body was brought out of the interior. The woman and the now dead man have a child together.

The distraught woman stated that based on information received, the man might have received internal injuries following the accident because there were no visible injuries on his body.

She is also calling on the Police to investigate whether or not, Chan was driving the ATV at the time of the accident and more so, the real cause of his death. She could not recall him having any issue with anyone and described him a very “fun” person.

Chan left for the interior about two weeks ago but has been working at various interior locations for quite some time. The last time the woman recalled seeing her reputed husband alive was on her birthday, which was April 20 last. Chan leaves to mourn his two daughters, reputed wife and siblings.

The Police have launched an investigation into the accident.

Surinamese fined for illegal entry

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2 3 - y e a r - o l d Surinamese national was on Friday fined $30,000 by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts following a charge of illegal entry into the country.

Chris Gobin of Henik Distraught, Paramaribo, Suriname, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on April 24, at Springlands, Corentyne, he entered Guyana by way of sea and disembarked, failing to present himself to immigration authorities.

In a previous court appearance the defendant who does not speak English explained by way of an interpreter that he came to attend a wedding and did not have family in the country. He pleaded for leniency, adding that he does not possess the money to pay bail.

On Friday, the man’s wife Fazie Gobin appeared as an interpreter when the man changed his plea and opted to face the consequences of his actions.

The defendant was fined, reprimanded and released.

Chris Gobin was fined $30,000 on a charge of illegal entry into Guyana

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SunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

GECOM promises results in timely manner

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he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has promised the Guyanese populace that it will endeavour to release the results of the General and Regional elections to be held on Monday, May 11, in a timely manner.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning at the Commission’s media centre, Chief Elections Officer of the GECOM, Keith Lowenfield said that it is the body’s aim to provide the election results in the soonest possible time.

According to Lowenfield, the Commission was expecting that the results can be released as soon as Tuesday evening or by Wednesday morning, providing that all goes well and no unforeseen circumstance pop up.

He was however quick to point out that while the body will want to see the results released as soon as possible and it may be Tuesday or Wednesday, it can also take longer. He promised though

that as results for the various regions are gathered, it will be released and a preliminary report on the results will be issued.

Lowenfield further said that the Commission was working on providing results to the population on a two-hour interim basis.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr Steve Surujbally, however cautioned that while his organisation will conduct its mandate and push for the results to be released as soon as possible, the contesting parties should exercise patience and understanding and should not pressure the body in any way for the results to be released.

The Chairman said that the Commission will never compromise the results by sacrificing on expediency on the alter of accuracy.

Since President Donald Ramotar announced May 11 as the day Guyanese return to the polls, there have been comments on the timeframe

within which the results would be declared. Legally, GECOM has 16 days to officially declare the outcome of General and Regional Elections.

Meanwhile, the People’s National Congress (PNC)led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition has launched a public service initiative to help the general public access unofficial election results in a timely manner.

The initiative, ‘Project GPS’ has two phases, the coalition said in a release.

Phase One is the GPS mapping of all the polling locations for the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Phase Two is the submission of photographs of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) on election night. Members of the public are asked to submit the GPS locations and photos of polling stations nationwide using their smartphones via WhatsApp to mobile number 602-7021.

On election night, members of the public are asked to take a photo of the SOP after it is posted outside the polling station and send the same to the same number or upload to their social media accounts using the hashtag #guyanadecides. According to the coalition, all the SOPs will be collated and posted on the Internet for everyone countrywide and overseas to see unofficial results.

The website on which the results will be posted will be announced later.

However, in an invited comment, former President Bharrat Jagdeo said that such a move can create confusion in the country. Jagdeo said that with this project, persons can post false statement of polls which can lead to false results thus misleading the nation.

He is insisting that only GECOM should be allowed to issue statement of polls.

He is therefore urging the coalition to rethink the project.

OAS calls for peace during polling day and post-election period

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he Organisation of American States (OAS) has issued calls for political parties and their supporters to maintain peace and order on Monday’s polling day as well as during the post-election period.

According to a statement, the OAS/EOM (Electoral Observer Mission) is reminding all political parties and members of the public that following the closing of the polls, results will be tabulated and compiled across a large territory.

As such, “the Mission calls on all political actors to act responsibly and urges citizens to wait patiently for the outcome, allowing GECOM – the only official source of election results – the time to ensure a complete and accurate tabulation process”.

The OAS mission further reiterated the need for candidates and their supporters to adhere to the Code of Conduct that was signed by all the political parties in order to ensure order and tran-

APNU disrupts Burnham’s touch revived...

PPP/C New Amsterdam rally

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s the incumbent Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) closed off its champagne for Monday’s poll, the party held a mini-rally New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) on Saturday which was disrupted by a group of APNU+AFC supporters. The group on more than one occasion drove slowly through the crowd playing loud music. It was the party’s first meeting in the town ahead on Monday’s poll.

The attempt stopping the meeting proved futile as it was only able to temporally stop proceedings on each occasion.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said that the Peoples National Congress (PNC) had not changed in character. Addressing the gathering, Minister Singh said the act was disrespectful but it depicted the PNC led APNU+AFC which practice the politics of bullism. “They have no respect for democracy despite their pretences. We have police permission; our party wrote and got that permission. They came and saw out meeting and decided to turn up their music to the fullest and when they got to the end of the street decided to turn and come again to disrupt our meeting.

Do you call that respect for democracy?”

Minister Singh said while adding that during the champagne the PPP/C had had to endure much of the same type of behavior.

Meanwhile Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy noted that every party has its space and urged supporters to give space the coalition to pass.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in his final address to Berbicians noted that the PPP/C had delivered to the people of Guyana regardless of where they live and has over the past twenty-two years made life 4-5 times better. He noted that in all communities even those which do not support the PPP/C persons now own their own homes and cars.

The Prime Minister said he was leaving office and a legacy of serving a party which has team members.

Also speaking at the meeting were region Six Chairman David Armogan and former President of the Private Sector Commission Clinton Urling.

APNU-AFC running mates David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo, along with their wives, other coalition members and Dr Cheddi "Joey" Jagan Jr dance at the rally at the Square of the Revolution

Meanwhile, Burnham, in her brief remarks, ignored her father’s record while he led the PNC Government that had been accused of killing Dr Walter Rodney.

Instead, she urged supporters to mobilise

Flag waving supporters

One APNU supporter got creative with the coaltion's flag and made a dress

themselves, turn out in large numbers just as they did all throughout the campaigning season and vote the PNC-led APNU/AFC into office. “It is you who can secure an APNU/AFC victory!” she encouraged, noting that once this administration gets into power, it will open up the possibility of ending the “long tortured history of a broken Guyana.” She did not elaborate that most of the “breaking” was done by her father and his successors. Further, she warned them not to just place the power in the hands of the coalition’s executives but must constantly remind them that it was the

quility on Election Day and the days that follow in compliance with national electoral laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the international observer mission indicated its satisfaction with the preparations that were put in place for the electoral process by the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM).

In the run-up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the Electoral Observation Mission of the OAS disclosed that it has observed and heard from different stakeholders that the organisation of the electoral process is being carried out as planned by GECOM. OAS is one of four international observer missions that are currently in Guyana monitoring the electoral process. The other missions are the Carter Centre led by former President Jimmy Carter, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Commonwealth.

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electorate who voted them into power, if such should be the reality after May 11 and therefore, they are the ones who can then vote them out.

Also addressing the crowd was youth activist Nia Gonsalves who joined with her political leaders in encouraging supporters to get dressed in their APNU/AFC outfits immediately after casting their ballots and “parade the streets and guard the ballot boxes” to ensure the elections are not rigged.

Observers who had heard Granger make the same call concluded that he was sig-

nalling that his supporters must present themselves as an intimidatory force to PPPC supporters. The elections commission have rules as to the distance that must be kept by bystanders. She told them, if they succeed in voting the PNC-led APNU/AFC into power, Granger and Nagamootoo will treat them like royalties. “David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo will treat you like kings and queens and you will never feel like a second class citizen again,” she promised.

Further, she recapped on the promises of the coalition including more job creation by ensuring the right level of playing field exists for local and foreign businesses. She claimed that her government will ensure women’s rights are met, better healthcare, better education, better water facilities, electricity and ultimately a better Guyana. On Monday 11, she said, Guyanese will have to take into consideration the information the PNC-led APNU/AFC has been feeding them along with the evidence the PPP/C has shown, weigh their odds, and elect the government they deem best to manage the affairs of the country.

Thousands of APNU-AFC supporters flocked the Square of the Revolution where the final big rally was held

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SunDAY, MAY 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

13 children undergo successful Man in custody for heart surgeries at the GPHC Paradise-Jib rice farmer’s murder

The team that conducted the heart surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital along with the patients and their relatives

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he medical team attached to the International Children’s Heart Foundation, more commonly referred to as the “Baby Heart” foundation expressed immense joy as they engaged in a “meet and greet” on Friday with the children who recently underwent critical heart surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The surgeries were carried out through the collaborative efforts of the Health Ministry, with tremendous support from members of the International Children’s Heart Foundation, especially as it relates to the contribution of equipment for the successful execution of the surgeries.

The Baby Heart foundation donated one hundred and fifty thousand US dollars in equipment to be used at the Public Hospital and were all shipped on the day of the team’s arrival. Monitors, hardware and ventilators were among the pieces of equipment that were distributed. The equipment is expected to be used in the Intensive Care Unit and not just for the execution of surgeries by the Foundation.

In an interview with the Director of the Echocardiography Education Programme, Dr Debra Isaac, she related to Guyana Times that during the first mission that began in Guyana, 13 children had operations and six had cardiac catheterisation, (for clinical cardiac conditions), adding that she is extremely happy to note that all of the surgeries were excellently conducted.

She highlighted that five of the children were discharged last week while the other eight were discharged on Friday. Dr Isaac said that the team has a list of 30 children to be considered for urgent surgery when they return on June 20, noting also that there were extra materials which will be used on their return to conduct

surgeries on the next batch of children.

She explained that there is a great need for these surgeries in Guyana and during her two weeks here, she identified over 100 children who are to be operated upon with regards to congenital heart infections.

It was pointed out that the team’s mission will be the same when they return, however, it was indicated that the members would be able to handle “more children, more angiograms, more surgeries, and more training of the staff at the [Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] GPHC.” The mandate of the entire programme is to edu-

cate people to conduct the exercise themselves. Dr Isaac stated that it is not easy, as “it takes a lot of repeated education and exposure, but eventually, we would like the local physicians and the local health care workers here to utilise all these equipment and to expand their use.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC Michael Khan noted that this was a big boost in the health care provided to the citizens of Guyana, saying “Baby Heart is coming back to do more surgeries between June 20 and July 4.”

Speaking with a few of the patients’ parents, they all expressed the same sentiments in that they

were very happy with the services provided by the Baby Heart Foundation and were pleased with the special care their children received by members of the Foundation.

The mission of the International Children’s Heart Foundation is to bring the skills, technology and knowledge to cure and care for children with congenital heart disease in developing nations. The Heart Foundation does this regardless of country of origin, race, religion or gender. Their goal is to make the need for the Foundation obsolete and work toward this goal through their medical mission trips, where they operate on children and educate local healthcare professionals. The Foundation has been in existence for over 20 years and has successfully completed 7500 surgeries in 32 countries.

Prior to these interventions, children were sent abroad for surgeries and did not benefit from proper follow-up care. However, with the help of the Health Ministry and Dr Marissa Seepersaud, Paediatric Surgeon at the Georgetown Public Hospital, a Guyana Paediatric Steering Committee was established, with the aim of identifying children who needed surgery and others who needed institute screening.

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man is now in Police custody assisting with the investigation into the recent murder of rice farmer Richard Ivan Etwaroo at Paradise-Jib, in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Etwaroo, 68, of ParadiseJib on the Essequibo Coast, was discovered floating along a nearby foreshore.

His body bore marks of violence to his neck.

The main suspect in the farmer’s murder lives a short distance away on the Government reserves by the seawall.

Reports indicate that the suspect, who has been labelled a “threat to society” and is known for attacking persons within the community, would usually get involved in arguments with the deceased.

Guyana Times was told that ranks from G Division (Essequibo Coast/Islands) have intensified their probe into the matter and several persons were already called in for questioning in relation to the murder.

Richard Etwaroo

Etwaroo was last seen on Wednesday morning by family members who reported that he would usually leave home early “to graze his cow” by the seawall.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on the rice farmer’s body on Friday

by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh. The results revealed that Etwaroo died as a result of an incised wound to his neck.

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SunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

May 11 polls:

Political lightweights set for tomorrow! ... urge supporters to accept choice of electorate

TUF Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir

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he political lightweights contesting the forthcoming General and Regional Elections on Monday, competing with the two massive political forces which have dominated Guyana since the beginning of time, have pledged their readiness for the series of events that will be rolled out on and

after Election Day. On Monday, Guyanese will be turning out in large numbers at the various polling stations to elect a Government of their choice to manage the operations of the country for the next five years.

Those in the line up are the two main political parties, which usually attract the majority of the voting population, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the People’s National Congressled (PNC) A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition; and the minor political parties including The United Force (TUF), the United Republican Party (URP), the Independent Party (IP), the National Independent Party (NIP), the Organisation of the Victory of the People Party and the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP).

The latter grouping,

known for being managed by comparatively inexperienced leaders, has expressed confidence in the electorate to vote their individual parties into Parliament to be the voice for change they believe Guyana needs.

TUF Presidential Candidate Marissa Nadir, during a telephone interview with the Guyana Times, said her party as polling agents “strategically” placed throughout the country to overlook the process.

Nadir said that she is sure the activities on Election Day will be executed without any hiccups as she expressed her full confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and their preparations for this significant day in Guyana’s history.

URP Presidential Candidate Vishnu Bandhu also disclosed that he has agents across the country, but only at certain polling sta-

tions in Region Two, Region Three, Region Four, Region Five, Region Six and Region 10.

Bandhu also expressed confidence in the election body to fully executive its mandate but indicated his worry with regards to the current “disturbances” and ineffectiveness of the recently signed Code of Conduct at this time.

Meanwhile, HTNTP,

URP Presidential Candidate Vishnu Bandhu

which is only contesting the Regional Election in Region Four, also said they will deploy polling agents at key polling stations across the region.

However, while generally confident in GECOM to act professionally and ensure everything is done in accordance to the law, the Party still expressed concerns with the Official List of Electors (OLE).

HTNTP Executive Member Ras Leon Saul stated that a question mark still lingers in the bloated List of Electors. He noted that the explanations given by GECOM do not provide any closure to him or his Party, but nonetheless, stated that he is confident that GECOM will fulfil its mandate in a professional manner.

Efforts to contact the other political lightweights proved futile.

Outcome

The political lightweights hinted some worry as it relates to post election violence.

Given the recent occurrences, some of the parties indicated their apprehension about the outcome after May 11, particularly, the outcome following the announcement of the new Government of Guyana.

URP Bandhu noted that he is worried particularly about the PNC-led APNU/ AFC supporters who have been acting in a manner that injects fear into society.

Aside from the vicious attacks at the various PPP/C meetings by the unruly supporters of the Coalition, Bandhu said they have been interfering with URP’s campaign strategies by destroying their posters across the country.

“If they are not in Government and they are behaving in this manner, what will happen when they get into power? They will walk all

over people,” Bandhu said.

TUF Nadir also said concerns are mounting in her camp about the political parties who are inciting their supporters to create the feeling of unrest in society.

She noted, with disgust, that blatancy of political parties to entice their supporters to incite those feelings into the electorate, indicating that if this continues, an outburst of violence definitely lingers. “It (post election violence) depends on the political parties and what they encourage their supporters to do,” she said.

Meanwhile, given the intensity of Election 2015, the urgent need by sections of society to overthrow the current Government, the need by another section to keep the incumbent Administration in power and the country’s vivid history when the election results are ruled unfavourable

HTNTP Executive Member Ras Leon Saul

by some sections, many argue that the possibility of violence lies ahead.

With this in mind, the minor political parties joined hands in solidarity as they genuinely urged their supporters, and the entire of Guyana, to accept the choice of the electorate and not be fuelled by any form of emotion to infuse violence into society.

Mother, son shot in house

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woman and her teenage son were shot and injured in their South Ruimveldt, Georgetown home shortly after midnight on Saturday.

The injured duo was identified as 39-year-old Mai Venezuela and 19-yearold Devon Venezuela of lot 1604 Cadet Lane, South Ruimveldt. According to a release from Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the incident occurred sometime around 02:45h.

Whittaker further stated that, three men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, broke into the Venezuela’s home and confronted the two occupants.

While it is unclear whether the break-in was robbery related, the woman and her son reportedly put up resistances, and as such were shot.

The mother was shot once to her chin and her son in his right foot. Both of them have since been hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) seeking medical attention.

Meanwhile, the perpetrators managed to escape.

When the Guyana Times visited the victim’s Cadet Lane home, relatives and friends were there but seemed reluctant to talk.

A friend of the teenager told this newspaper that while he does not know what exactly transpired in the wee hours of Saturday morning, he was made to understand that the Venezules had just returned home when they were confronted by the perpetrators and shot.

The Police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

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Diaspora pleads with voters: Protect your gains

T

he Guyanese Diaspora is calling on all Guyanese residing in Guyana, specifically those eligible to vote on Monday, to protect the gains the country has made since democracy was restored in 1992 by voting for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

In a statement, several members from the Diaspora appealed to the Guyanese population to think wisely before casting their ballots.

Reflecting on the poor governance of the People’s National Congress (PNC) during the pre-1992 era, the Diaspora reminded Guyanese that people had to run away from their beloved land to escape a life of misery and brutality.

“Guyanese say if APNU wins, they done with Guyana. They say they not sending money again for relatives, neighbours and friends,” the statement read.

The Diaspora pointed out what happened in December 1964 when the PNC, now disguised as the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), formed a Coalition with the United Force (UF) and then dumped the Party subsequent to gaining power. They then established a dictatorship.

The statement further alluded to the fact that the PNC discriminated against those who did not support them, an indication that those within the Party cannot be trusted.

“The PNC wrecked the country during its 28 years dictatorship to the point where people starved to death,” the Diaspora painfully reminisced.

They also recalled that the PNC closed down private businesses and opened government owned shops called KSI, where residents had to stand in line for long hours to purchase groceries, often times, which were of limited quantity and poor quality.

They also noted that the PNC established a National Service where ladies were raped.

Additionally, they noted that the country ran bankrupt by the policies of the PNC so much so that some 69 per cent of the country lived in poverty and

A section of the persons in the Diaspora came out in support of the PPP/C as they braved the freezing temperatures in New York to picket a fundraising event in Queens New York for the APNU+AFC coalition

the country acquired some G$440 billion in debt, most of which was allegedly stolen.

As such, the Guyanese electorate is being encouraged to compare the two Governments and ensure they do not make the same mistake of allowing Guyana to fall back into the hands of the PNC leaders.

The Diaspora said the country has come a long way since 1992 and therefore, every Guyanese who understand this transition should ensure they protect these gains that were earned under the PPP/C. In pointing out the difference between the two rules, the Diaspora highlighted that under the PNC, roads were impassable, phones were not working, pipes had no water, most of the country was without electricity, blackout was a permanent feature of life, food was scare, students were hardly in school and corruption was everywhere as the PNC looted the treasury.

“Under the PNC, there was corruption but no development, no progress,” the group said as they urged Guyanese to take into consideration the way of

life now. “Things have changed considerably for the better over the last 22 years although much more needs to be done,” the statement read.

The Diaspora acknowledged that corruption still exists but pointed out that, unlike the PNC days, today there is progress as the corruption rate slowly decreases.

“One can see the country has come a long way now. But under PNC, the place was blighted as there was no progress. I do not want to go back to that”, said Toronto-based Renuka Singh who left Guyana in 1981. She added, “One can see things being done.

But under PNC nothing was done.”

Further, the Diaspora says the Opposition represents “what is bad and undemocratic.”

Almost all of those interviewed feared that “if the Opposition wins, it is back to Burnhamism” where hardship existed and unprofessionalism was at its highest.

In conclusion, the Diaspora pleaded for Guyanese to vote for progress.

According to Brooklyn-based Joseph Cummings, “If you love Guyana, don’t vote for APNU/AFC.”

Nagamootoo defends APNU/AFC closure of sugar industry

P

rime Ministerial Candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Coalition Moses Nagamootoo, said his Arrival Day speech on the sugar industry was misinterpreted.

During his speech, Nagamootoo outlined plans for displaced sugar workers should the sugar industry be closed. He had said that displaced sugar workers should be given first preference to the land to do what they wanted, including rearing fish.

In an attempt to put a different meaning to what he said on Tuesday at Highbury, Nagamootoo told residents of Corriverton that what was reported was a lie.

“Sugar workers do not fall for that lie,” he appealed.

In trying to clear the air, Nagamootoo explained that the cane fields belonged to the ancestors of sugar workers and therefore it should be given to them for them to decide what they wanted

43

sunDAY, may 10, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo

to do with it, whether it was the rearing of fish, planting cane or rearing cattle.

Meanwhile, at another meeting on the Corentyne, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh criticised Nagamootoo’s comments.

Addressing about 1000 persons at Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Minister Singh said that the Coalition is saying that they will not close the sugar industry but their

actions prove otherwise.

Singh stated the Coalition has no plans for the development of the sugar industry.

“If you read their manifesto, you will see that there are no plans for the sugar industry, this is because there are a people without vision.”

In addressing another matter which has received widespread condemnation on the part of the Opposition, AFC Leader Khemraj

Ramjattan attempted to place the blame on the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), saying that it was the Party that had paid one of its supporters to burn its own flag after urinating on it.

Ramjattan comment comes close to two weeks after the incident would have occurred at a PPP/C rally in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, in which a female coalition supporter and daughter of a prominent politician urinated on a PPP/C flag before setting it ablaze in the full view of children.

His comments came as the APNU/AFC Coalition wrapped up its election campaign in Region Six on Friday at Corriverton.

The AFC leader’s accusation comes as a surprise as the Party had never before made that claim until Ramjattan went to the eastern most part of the country.

Also speaking at the rally were the son of the Late Dr Cheddi Jagan, Joey Jagan, and Presidential Candidates for the Coalition.

My Indian self T

By Ryhaan Shah

o be Indian in Guyana is a revolutionary idea.

It attracts abuse and attacks, and the proud Indian is seen as racist, divisive, triumphal, and a threat to the racial unity and harmony of the country.

Africans can be proud Africans, Amerindians, proud Amerindians, and so on, but from the time we arrived here, Indians were seen as aliens, latecomers, interlopers, outsiders, i.e., people who lived on the Ryhaan Shah margins of society and must always be ready to explain themselves to others.

Not much has changed in 177 years and in order to belong and be accepted, a few Indians have chosen the path of self denial and self hatred which requires that they rid themselves of their Indian identity.

They are not a large group but they are prominent especially since there are sections of the media that praise and proclaim them as the ideal and acceptable Indian. With this kind of media access, they are able to express and promote their views freely.

They also find acceptance into a middle class that is mixed, red, and whitish and which sees itself as raceless and promotes racelessness as the ideal. Indian faces are necessary to show the group as fair, just and inclusive.

To belong, the Indian must execute a cultural annihilation of everything Indian in themselves. They must denounce everything Indian, renounce everything Indian and become willing to promote every other culture and people as being far and above themselves. Ironically, they are made to see themselves as superior to the proud, ethnic Indian who continues to pay homage to his culture and heritage.

This idea has its roots in the colonial past where the Indian was seen as pagan, uncultured, and as a person with no redeemable qualities. This because he retained his name, religion, culture and traditions and was unwilling to conform to anyone else’s idea of himself - he refused to become a mimic man, to use V.S. Naipaul’s term.

Because of their prominence, however, the self denying Indians are the ones consulted and used as representatives of everything Indian even though they never stand up for any Indian cause. They are actually used as part of the insidious anti-Indian racism practiced against ethnic Indians and are often the ones who viciously attack any Indian promoting an Indian cause or perspective. They almost always preface their attacks with their proud claim of being only Guyanese, their diminished and neutered self.

They are not unlike religious converts who constantly fear slipping and reverting to their former self, and attacks on ethnic Indians reaffirm their faith in their racelessness and also prove that they are worthy of belonging.

Their argument for conversion is about curry and cookup, and they reduce race relations to a kind of culinary tourism where everyone delights in everyone else’s food.

With no moral or ethical underpinning for their self denial they resort to such simplistic banalities as the reasoning for their de-ethnicised selves.

But all is not lost. In more recent years, Indian voices have come forward to speak clearly from an Indian perspective. This is a new phenomenon and one that is unacceptable to that raceless middle class that feels it is their right to control the political and cultural spheres of Guyanese life. They counter, argue against, and attack the Indian perspective – and those who forward them - as racist and divisive.

They prefer to deal with the Indian who will ask and be grateful for their permission to speak, write, dance, paint, or claim any space, any honour, or any high office.

For any proud Indian to achieve any success or promotion without their say-so, means you will be ignored, set aside and condemned.

There is a race issue in Guyana and it does appear that the issue revolves around the ethnic Indian. If we could all become culturally neutered, and put away our Indianess, the problem would go away. It is the de-ethnicised Indian who gives way and allows everyone else space to be ethnic and honourable. They find their honour in the ultimate self effacement, the ultimate invisibleness. But to be made so invisible reduces you to nothing.

As proud Indians, we will continue to speak, write and act, and will continue to counter the attacks for our views and expressions which come from our place of truth: our Indian self.

There is no good cause that is not worth fighting for.

For me, this is such a cause. I will not be silenced. There is too much at stake. It is a matter of dignity, pride and honour. Our foreparents did no less and we have to stand our ground or else all will be lost.

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guyanatimesGY.com

in hospital after Knight Riders go top with Pele prostate surgery 1-wicket win B

K

olkata Knight Riders went to the top of the points table with the first one-wicket win in IPL history, off the penultimate ball against Kings XI Punjab.

In their final league game of IPL 2015 at home, Knight Riders completed the secondhighest chase of the tournament at Eden Gardens to finish the season with a 5-1 scoreline in Kolkata.

Kings XI’s spinners had them 83 for 4 in the 11th over in pursuit of 184, but a partnership of 53 in 4.1 overs between Andre Russell and Yusuf Pathan revived the chase. After Pathan fell for 29 off 19, Russell went on to blitz 51 off 21. After Russell fell with 25 needed off 19, Piyush Chawla leveled the scores before the last pair scrambled a leg-bye.

Robin Uthappa had kickstarted the chase with smooth timing against the seamers and Manish Pandey had taken over from him before the spinners slowed things down.

Pandey, Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav fell to the part-time offspinner Glenn Maxwell and Gurkeerat Singh. The asking-rate had gone past 12 by the end of the 12th over when Knight Riders began their fightback.

Russell powered a couple of pulled boundaries off Anureet Singh before he and Pathan launched straight hits off Axar Patel in a 24-

but his 18 off 11 had sealed it for Knight Riders.

The hosts had been responsible for having to chase such a big total in the first place. They put down M Vijay thrice and Manan Vohra twice at the start of the Kings XI innings to let the openers put on 45 inside six overs. Maxwell and Wriddhiman Saha then added 65 for the third wicket in 5.4 overs. Maxwell belatedly found some form as he connected with some reversesweeps and slogs, going past 100 runs for the season in his

eighth innings with 43 off 22.

Both Saha and Maxwell went to Sunil Narine in the 17th over, the offspinner ending with figures of 4 for 19, his best performance of the season tripling his wicket-tally.

Narine out of the way, David Miller slammed Russell for two sixes and two fours in the last over to set the hosts a daunting target.

It consumed almost all their resources, but they scraped through in the end. (Cricinfo)

razil legend Pele has had surgery for a prostate condition after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months.

The 74-year-old threetime World Cup winner was treated in hospital for a urinary infection in November 2014 after having kidney stones removed.

The Albert Einstein

“It was a very simple procedure. He will be released within a couple of days.”

Pele, who has only one kidney, having had one removed towards the end of his playing career, was treated at the same hospital late last year.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, Pele scored a world record

SCOREBOARD

Andre Russell bludgeoned fifty off just 19 balls

run over. Beuran Hendricks, playing his first game of the season in place of Mitchell Johnson, took some punishment as well but removed Pathan with a short ball in the 15th.

Undaunted, Russell swung Anureet repeatedly over midwicket for 19 more in the 16th. Axar had the allrounder caught behind in the 17th but Chawla hit Hendricks for successive fours in the 18th. With seven needed off the last five balls, Chawla heaved Anureet for six over deep midwicket. He was caught behind next ball,

Kings XI Punjab innings (20 overs maximum) M Vijay b Narine 28 M Vohra c & b Narine 39 33 WP Saha† b Narine GJ Maxwell c Botha b Narine 43 DA Miller not out 27 Gurkeerat Singh c & b Russell 4 GJ Bailey* not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 5) 9 Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 183 Did not bat: AR Patel, BE Hendricks, Anureet Singh, Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-78, 3-143, 4-149, 5-169.

Bowling: UT Yadav 4-0-36-0, AD Russell 4-0-50-1, SP Narine 4-019-4, J Botha 1-0-9-0, GB Hogg 4-0-30-0, PP Chawla 3-0-35-0.

Kolkata Knight Riders innings (target: 184 runs from 20 overs) RV Uthappa† c Patel b Anureet Singh 17

G Gambhir* c Vijay b Gurkeerat Singh 24 MK Pandey c Patel b Maxwell 22 SA Yadav b Gurkeerat Singh 9 YK Pathan c †Saha b Hendricks 29 AD Russell c †Saha b Patel 51 J Botha run out (Patel) 2 PP Chawla c †Saha b Anureet Singh 18 GB Hogg run out (Anureet Singh) 5 UT Yadav not out 0 SP Narine not out 0 7 Extras (lb 3, w 4) Total (9 wickets; 19.5 overs) 184 Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-63, 3-69, 4-83, 5-136, 6-159, 7-161, 8-177, 9-183.

Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-035-0, BE Hendricks 4-0-35-1, Anureet Singh 3.5-0-56-2, AR Patel 4-0-33-1, Gurkeerat Singh 3-0-17-2, GJ Maxwell 1-0-5-1.

Pele

Hospital in Sao Paulo described his condition as “stable”.

An aide told AFP news agency that Pele could be out of hospital “within days”.

However, the hospital did not reveal when the exSantos star might be discharged.

Friend and advisor Jose Fornos Rodrigues told AFP: “Everything is going well with Pele; he is resting.

total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

He was also named Fifa’s Player of the Century and won 91 caps for Brazil, scoring 77 goals.

He played in 14 games at World Cup finals, scoring 12 goals, and was awarded the Fifa Golden Ball as the best player at the 1970 tournament. (BBC Sport)

Murray to face Rafael Nadal in Madrid Masters final

B

ritain’s Andy Murray will face Rafael Nadal in the Madrid Masters final after beating Kei Nishikori in straight sets.

Murray produced an aggressive display to dispatch the fourth seed 6-3 6-4.

The Japanese struggled to return serve effectively as world number three Murray reached his first Masters final on clay.

“I returned well and put him under a lot of pressure on his serve,” said the Scot, 27. “And my backhand was really good tonight.”

The British number one is aiming for back-to-back claycourt titles after winning his first ATP crown on the surface in Munich last week.

“I did a few things well,” he added. “Kei has a fantastic backhand and I won the exchanges on cross-court.

“I got a lot of winners down the line and because I was pushing him back to the baseline, I was able to use my to drop shot. I was getting a

Rafael Nadal

Andy Murray

lot of kick on second serve, too, so I got a lot of free points with that.”

At 2-3 on serve in the first set, Murray increased the pressure and reeled off four straight games to move a set ahead.

And although Nishikori broke him early in the second, the British number one hit straight back, and then broke the Japanese again at 5-4 to seal the win. arlier, defending champi-

on Nadal looked near his best in his Madrid Open semi-final against Tomas Berdych, earning his place in the final with ease.

The Spaniard delivered a masterclass of clay-court tennis to prevail 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 against the Czech sixth seed.

The two men were evenly matched in the first set, before Nadal hit a string of forehand winners in the tiebreak Berdych was unable to make an impression on the Nadal serve and became frustrated by distractions in the crowd. Errors crept into his game and Nadal was able to break twice before serving out the second set.

After his struggles with injury in recent years, the Spaniard appears to be hitting peak form before the French Open begins later this month and has not dropped a set en route to the Madrid final. (BBC Sport)

45

YELLOW PAGES sunday, may 10, 2015

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Sunrisers hold nerve to move 4th

A

blitzy half-century from Kedar Jadhav, only his second in the IPL, brought the required run-rate for Delhi Daredevils from almost 12 with eight overs remaining down to less than eight in the last three overs, but the hosts ran out of steam on the last stretch.

Ishant Sharma bowled his last two overs for just 16 runs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar served up a mix of yorkers and low full-tosses to give away six in the penultimate over, the two helping Sunrisers Hyderabad to hold on to a narrow six-run win that propped them up

the fourth over, struggled for timing in the initial half of his innings, and was 10 off 16 deliveries at the end of 11 overs. By that time, Sunrisers had lost all three of their half-centurions this season and the innings was hobbling at less than six an over. Then, with a slog off Amit Mishra in the 12th over landing over the boundary at midwicket, the timing appeared.

Still, Henriques waited for the start of the last five overs before going all-out attack. He smashed a longhop from Mishra into the stands, then took a treble of couples in the same over to

PROCUREMENT SUPERVISOR/ CLERKS: AT LEAST 5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PROCUREMENT FOR MINING COMPANY. KNOWLEDGE OF LEGAL ASPECTS OF COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS, ABILITY TO ARRANGE THE WORKING PROCESS AND MANAGE THE STAFF OF 5 CLERKS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, COMPUTER LITERACY (KNOWLEDGE OF MS OFFICE, EXPLORER, OUTLOOK). WORK LOCATION: GEORGETOWN OFFICE. EMAIL APPLICATIONS TO RADHA. NARINE@RUSAL.COM. Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrate their important victory

to number four in the points table. The result also meant Daredevils became the second team after Kings XI Punjab to fall out of the race of making it to playoffs.

Jadhav hit seven fours and two sixes in the fourover period after 13, reached his fifty off 24 balls, but after edging the first ball off the 18th over to the boundary, he couldn’t get the groove. When a six was needed off the last ball to tie the game, he could merely drill it back to Ishant, the bowler, to Sunrisers’ delight.

The curve Jadhav’s innings followed sloped the other way in comparison to Moises Henriques’ unbeaten 74, that had injected life into Sunrisers innings in the second half and helped it grow to 163, a total that was going to be testing on a sticky, bouncy pitch and the refreshingly large outfield in Raipur.

Unlike Jadhav, Henriques had started slow. He was in early, in

kick-start Sunrisers’ surge.

He continued running hard and brought up his maiden IPL half-century off 39 balls in the 18th over. Three more sixes from Henriques in the last two overs helped Sunrisers to ratchet up 64 off the last five overs, with Henriques scoring 46.

Daredevils’ chase started in sprightly manner, with Quinton de Kock, playing for the first time this season, sprinting to a half-century off 29 balls by the eighth over. But Karn Sharma struck twice in two overs, getting de Kock out stumped and beating JP Duminy’s cut to have him out bowled. In between, Yuvraj Singh disappeared in a painfully familiar, yet now almost expected, manner.

Jadhav and Saurabh Tiwary played their respective best innings this season, adding an unbeaten 91 for the fifth wicket, but it all came too late for Daredevils. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Sunrisers Hyderabad innings (20 overs maximum) S Dhawan c Morkel b Khan 13 DA Warner* c Tiwary b Coulter-Nile 17 MC Henriques not out 74 EJG Morgan c Coulter-Nile b Yadav 22 KV Sharma c Yadav b CoulterNile 16 RS Bopara not out 17 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 163 Did not bat: NV Ojha†, Parvez Rasool, P Kumar, B Kumar, I Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-31, 3-64, 4-99.

Bowling: J Yadav 4-0-19-1, Z Khan 4-0-33-1, NM CoulterNile 4-0-25-2, JP Duminy 2-0-16-0, A Mishra 3-0-340, JA Morkel 3-0-35-0.

Delhi Daredevils innings (target: 164 runs from 20 overs) Q de Kock† st †Ojha b 50 KV Sharma SS Iyer c & b B Kumar 0 JP Duminy* b KV Sharma 12 Yuvraj Singh c KV Sharma b 2 Parvez Rasool KM Jadhav not out 63 SS Tiwary not out 26 Extras (lb 3, w 1) 4 Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 157 Did not bat: JA Morkel, J Yadav, NM Coulter-Nile, A Mishra, Z Khan Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-60, 3-65, 4-66.

Bowling: B Kumar 4-0-20-1, I Sharma 4-0-39-0, Parvez Rasool 4-0-20-1, P Kumar 2-0-34-0, MC Henriques 2-0-14-0, KV Sharma 3-0-12-2, RS Bopara 1-0-15-0.

46 Pakistan take series with 328-run win B guyanatimesGY.com

May 10, 2015

angladesh plummeted to a 328-run defeat in Mirpur, after several top-order batsmen showed little will to survive against a Pakistan attack making merry on a wearing track. Having arrived with effectively eight wickets in hand on day four - Shahadat Hossain unable to bat - Bangladesh were all out before tea, having lost six wickets for 57 either side of the lunch interval. A heavy defeat was always likely, after the hosts had given up a 354-run first-innings lead, but they will be disappointed at the limp finish to what has otherwise been a heartening tour.

Yasir Shah was the primary threat in Pakistan’s attack, as he found bounce and turn from the footmarks to supplement his fine rhythm and variation. He took 4 for 73 and induced plenty more edges and mis-hits that fell into

Imran’s extra bounce. He was out for 42.

Mahmudullah’s tetchy 12-ball innings was defined by dangerous flirtations with Wahab’s bouncers, but it would be Imran who found his

edge as well. Poking at a backof-a-length delivery in the channel, Mahmudullah sent the ball to Younis Khan at second slip, who held the catch on second grasp. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

The Pakistan players celebrate after wrapping up the series

space. Imran Khan claimed two scalps, and Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hafeez and Junaid Khan took one apiece.

Misbah-ul-Haq sought to keep Yasir in action at one end, while he rotated bowlers at

the other. The 1-0 Test series victory follows a whitewash defeat in the four limitedovers matches, for Pakistan.

The fourth day’s slide began with Tamim Iqbal, who exercised more caution than

he had done on the previous evening, yet was drawn into a loose shot in Imran’s first over of the morning. Tamim threw his bat at a wide full-length delivery and edged the ball behind, not having accounted for

Pakistan 1st innings: 557 Bangladesh 1st innings: 203 Pakistan 2nd innings: 195 Bangladesh 2nd innings (target: 550 runs) Tamim Iqbal c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Imran Khan 42 Imrul Kayes b Yasir Shah 16 Mominul Haque c Asad Shafiq b Yasir Shah 68 Mahmudullah c Younis Khan b Imran Khan 2 Shakib Al Hasan c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Hafeez 13 Mushfiqur Rahim*† b Yasir Shah 0 Soumya Sarkar c †Sarfraz

Ahmed b Wahab Riaz 1 Shuvagata Hom b Junaid Khan 39 Taijul Islam c Sami Aslam b Yasir Shah 10 Mohammad Shahidnot out 14 Shahadat Hossain absent hurt Extras (b 4, lb 4, nb 8) 16 Total (all out; 56.5 overs) 221 Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-86, 3-95, 4-121, 5-126, 6-139, 7-143, 8-177, 9-221.

Bowling: Junaid Khan 10.5-145-1, Imran Khan 11-1-56-2, Yasir Shah 21-3-73-4, Wahab Riaz 11-1-36-1, Mohammad Hafeez 3-0-3-1.

May 10, 2015

GABA “King of the Hard Court” tournament...

Pacesetters humiliate Eagles 97-39

guyanatimesGY.com

No Bolt, but galaxy of stars to battle at Jamaica Invitational today

T

rinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters destroyed the Eagles 97-39 when the first division tournament of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) “King of the Hard Court” Championship continued on Friday at the Burnham Court.

Pacesetters were hot from beyond the arc nailing 13 three pointers on their way to the demolishing derby as five players scored in double digits for the team.

Travis Williams was the top scorer with 19 points while Joslyn Crawford, Keith Tute, Kwesi Roberts, Horace Hodges and Stephon Gillis netted 13, 12, 12, 10 and nine points respectively.

Louis James top scored in the humiliating loss with 13 points while Japheth Hackett chipped in with 10 points.

It was evident from the start that the Eagles were in for a long night as Pacesetters came out with stifling defence, limiting Eagles to just four points in the opening period while scoring 22 points of their own.

Pacesetters never eased on the gas and continued to build on the lead as the bench was a big factor during the second half of the game to help with the win.

The game of the night saw Melanie Patriots defeat-

Asafa Powell

S

Stephon Gillis

ing West Side Warriors 7065 to grab their first win of the tournament. Sherlon Legall netted 29 points in the win while Floyd Arthur was the next best scorer with 17 points. On the losing side, Devon Murray netted a game high 33 points.

Ralph Browne was the next best scorer for the West Side team with 12 points.

Action in the tourney is slated to continue at the same venue today with three games.

In the opening game at 17:00h, Eagles will face the Republic Bank Nets in an Under-23 match-up while the University of Guyana will tackle Colts in the second fixture of the division at 19:00h.

The final matchup of the night will witness Pepsi Sonics tackling Melanie Patriots from 21:00h in an Open Division showdown.

Simmons backs West Indies to challenge the world

Phil Simmons

W

est Indies coach Phil Simmons is in agreement with the sentiments of other former players about the promise of his young charges.

According to Simmons, the team has the making of a Test unit that could be competitive.

That competitive team, though, he says, will only come with hard work.

“I think application is a really big thing and it was something that we had talked about. It is a big game, a game of patience, like a chess game and everybody had to understand what application meant, and I think everyone came to the party as far as that was concerned,” said Simmons.

The former West Indies all-rounder was referring to the West Indies third-Test vic-

tory over a touring England side last week.

The West Indies won inside three days, after twice bowling out the England side for a less-than-challenging total.

That result came off the back of a nine-wicket loss that should have been and was a close encounter until the final day in Grenada.

Before that the West Indies also showed promise when they staged a massive final-day fight back to draw the first of the three-match Test series in Antigua.

Simmons said the results show there is talent in the regional side, however, that talent needed to be harnessed with hard work.

“I think the talent is there with a lot of them, we just have to make sure that we work hard with that talent,” he said.

Adding that: “The talent becomes unimportant if you are not working. But if you have the talent and you are hard-working then you are going somewhere.”

West Indies will have a short break before hosting Australia in a two-Test series, which bowls off next month in Dominica and Jamaica. (Digicel SportsMax)

47

ome of the best athletes in the world will grace the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday to compete at the 12th staging of the Jamaica International Invitational Track and Field Meet.

The four-hour meet, which features 19 events, is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm with a pre-event show.

Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt will not compete, but despite the Jamaican’s absence, patrons are still expected to witness top-class action.

The men’s 100 metres will once again be among the top

events.

That event will feature three Jamaican top-class sprinters. They are former world 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell, Commonwealth Games champion Kemar Bailey-Cole and World Championship bronze medallist Nesta Carter.

The Jamaican biggest rivals will be American Ryan Bailey and St Kitts and Nevis’ Kim Collins.

Also down to compete are Richard Thompson from Trinidad and Tobago and Andrew Fisher of Jamaica’s University of Technology.

The women’s 100 metres will feature Jamaican Olympic silver medallist Kerron Stewart, Olympic 200-metre champion Allyson Felix of the USA and Commonwealth Games champion Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria.

Jamaican Elaine Thompson, the world leader at 10.92, is also listed to compete.

Jamaican sprint queen Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is down to contest the women’s 200 metres. She will face her Jamaican teammate Sherone Simpson, American Tori Bowie and Shaunae Miller of The Bahamas.

The men’s equivalent will see American Tyson Gay. The event also includes Jamaicans Nickel Ashmeade, Rasheed Dwyer and Julian Forte.

The women’s 400 metres will feature a star-studded field.

Top Jamaican quarter-milers Novlene Williams-Mills and Stephenie McPherson will face off with Americans

Francena McCorory, Jamaicaborn Sanya Richarrds-Ross, the 2012 Olympic champion and Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britian.

American LaShawn Merritt will be hard to beat in the men’s 400 metres, which includes Jamaicans Javon Francis, Akeem Bloomfield and Edino Steele along with the Borlee brothers Kevin and Jonathon. (Digicel SportsMax)

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

May 10, 2015

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

CPL final and semi-final GABF breaks down national side to 21 tickets go on sale

Fans urged to book early to avoid disappointment - Box Office opening dates also announced

T

he Biggest Party in Sport is just six weeks away, and tickets for the final and semi finals of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League go on sale today at www.cplt20.com!

The Queen’s Park Oval will be packed to the rafters for the climax of what promises to be the most ex-

citing CPL season yet, and fans wanting to guarantee their place at these matches should get online without delay.

Prices start at US$12.50 for the semi finals, and US$15 for the final. Special discount packages for all three games will also be available for the first 48

hours on the CPL website, where fans can also buy tickets to all group stage matches, and find out about further flash sales and great value deals.

The CPL today also announced the Box Office opening dates for all six stadiums. Barbados, St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis will open on

May 27th, with Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago to follow on June 15th, and Jamaica on June 18th.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, said: “CPL is always the hottest ticket in town. We know that all three games will be a sell out at the Queen’s Park Oval, so I urge fans to book early to avoid disappointment.

“We can’t wait to see who will be battling it out in the finals in front of what is bound to be a fantastic crowd at one of the Caribbean’s most iconic venues.”

Global superstars including Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi will join the Caribbean’s finest cricketers, like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine and exciting up-andcoming local talent.

Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it. (CPL.

com)

T

he Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has shortlisted the male squad that will continue training for the 2015 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships, scheduled for Tortola, British Virgin Islands from June 13-22.

The 21 players named are; Captain Akeem Kanhai, Dave Causeway, Travis Burnette, Shelroy Thomas, Nikkoloi Smith, Terron Welch, Jason Squires, Harold Adams, Ryan Gullen, Jermaine Slater, Chris Williams, Dominic Vincente, Rudy James, Royston Siland, Kurt Elias, Shane Webster, Keron McKenzie, Ray Victor, Gordon Klaiber, Delroy James, and John Ashley.

Darcel Harris remains the Head Coach of the team while Marlon Rodriques will be the Assistant Coach.

Two of the five overseas based players named in the squad have confirmed their availability, shooting guard Keron McKenzie and Delroy James, the 6’8” power forward. McKenzie and James are expected in Guyana on June 1 to commence training

Keron McKenzie

with the National Squad.

After sweeping Bermuda in March this year in a threegame series, Guyana played in Suriname in a three game challenge series earlier this month from May 1-3; winning one of the games against a full strength Suriname CBC team that included Surinamese overseas based players.

Practice sessions will continue at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Sundays from 8:00 - 12:00h and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 20:00 - 23:00h.

GFF announces partnership with Eccles/Ramsburg NDC

– high performance Technical Centre to be established

T

he Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday signed a 30year lease with the Eccles/ Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council for use of the Providence Community Centre ground, East Bank Demerara.

Chairman of the Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling and Eccles/ Ramsburg NDC Chairman Said Khan, signed the relevant documents to seal the deal in the presence of General Secretary of the GFF Richard Groden and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry, Abena Moore.

Urling, who divulged that a High Performance Technical Centre will be erected on the 8.5 acres on land, said the signing of the lease is a “monumental occasion” for Guyana.

“This is a blockbuster lease

that would change the face of football in Guyana forever. The process started many months ago. FIFA came here on numerous occasions about reactivating the Goal Project, and for those who have been following the Goal Project… that project was actually started in 1999 by FIFA. Guyana was one of the pioneering countries identified at the time to start the Goal Project. Two years after ‘99, we actually had an attempt at signing a major lease with the University of Guyana, but that project fell through.

This is just a lease signing.

Eventually, we will have the sod turning when we go into Goal Project; do something bigger. So this is monumental,” Urling explained.

Urling added that the Normalisation Committee has been in discussion with football’s world governing body FIFA about starting the Goal Project at the East Bank

GFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling and Eccles/Ramsburg NDC Chairman Said Khan sign the documents in the presence of GFF General Secretary Richard Groden and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry Abena Moore

Demerara location, as well as commencing the FIFA’s Challenger Project, under which an artificial pitch will be built.

That investment, which Urling described as “major”, is estimated to be in the vicinity of US$500,000.

Urling said the ultimate aim is to make the GFF a self-sustainable organisation that would not have to rely on FIFA, and other partners such as the Government and corporate entities.

“In fact, we’ve put some other sporting facilities here.

We will have the artificial turf, we’re looking to maybe put a futsal pitch; we’ll also look to put a beach soccer pitch here on this facility, and some mini football courts. We will also look to establish a cricket pitch, and if there’s space maybe a bas-

ketball court…only if there is space. But this is 8.5 acres, it’s not small, it’s tremendous,” Urling mentioned.

The Normalisation Committee chairman said initial discussions for use of the Providence facility was made possible by Normalisation Committee member Robin Chandarpal and Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who recommended the site to be developed.

Urling added that discussions are currently ongoing with local architects to create the design for the project, and work is expected to start as soon as this week.

“This will not be the only Goal Project in terms of how we expend funds from it.

We’re still pursuing the lease at Leonora to get that facility.

That MOU should be signed very soon with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. We also still have the facility at Essequibo,” Urling concluded.

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