Weather: Thundery showers can be expected in the morning, with heavy rain showers prevailing during the remainder of the day. Thundery showers are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly between zero and 3.12 metres per second.
High Tide: 09:58h and 22:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.34 metres and 2.35 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 03:27h and 15:53h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.90 metre respectively.
July 18, 2014
... “misconceived and bad in law”
The Alliance For Change’s (AFC) Police complaint filed against Finance Minister, Dr Ashni for allegedly unlawfully spending funds from the treasury is bad in law, a prominent Attorney has said.
The Attorney, who requested anonymity, said the “criminal action” filed against Dr Singh is not clearly defined as a crime, asking what are the elements of the law that Minister Singh allegedly violated?
The Attorney noted that if Minister Singh acted outside of his remit, then this is a case for the Courts.
“They’ll first decide through “judicial review” whether a conferred power has been exceeded... until then there is no case,” the Attorney contended.
Attorney Sase Gunraj, also weighing in on the matter on Friday, told Guyana Times that the Finance Minister is authorised to make any such decisions to spend, especially when consideration is given to the ruling of the acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in the budget cut case.
Gunraj said should the AFC or any other person feel “strongly” against the Minister’s action, they should institute private criminal charges against him.
In its formal complaint, the AFC said the Finance Minister together with other officials at the said Ministry and elsewhere in other Ministries and Government agencies, namely the Office of the President, the Amerindian Affairs, Public Works and Health Ministries have misused, misapplied, and improperly disposed of public monies to the extent of $4.533 billion during the period ending June 16 for financial year 2014, by knowingly permitting contraventions of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 contrary to Sections 48 and 85 thereof.
“Unlawful spending”
“This formal complaint, couched in simple terms for a layman’s understanding, is but an accusation made against Minister Ashni Singh and other Government officials that they spent the sum of $4.533 billion illegally when, not having been given legislative authorisation for spending this sum, they proceeded to spend this sum. Exactly, this kind of miscon-
duct is made an offence under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 by a conjoint application of sections 48 and 85 thereof,” the AFC complaint said.
The party said the Supreme Law of Guyana is the Constitution. Under Title 8 “Finance”, provisions are made in articles 216 to 221 which govern the appropriation of revenues or public monies for purposes of spending. These provisions are but a distillation of the parliamentary practices of England’s House of Commons concerning financial matters, which Guyana inherited at Independence in 1966 and which are in use up to today in our Guyanese equivalent, the National Assembly of Guyana.
The party argued that an important, most paramount principle concerning spending of public monies is that adumbrated in article 217 of the Constitution. It says: “No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund except… a) to meet expenditure that is charged upon the Fund by this Constitution or by any Act of Parliament; or b) where the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an Appropriation Act; or c) where the issue of those moneys has been authorised under article 219.
According to the party, where any moneys are charged by this Constitution or any Act or Parliament upon the Consolidated Fund or any other public fund, they shall be paid out of that fund by the Government of Guyana to the person or authority to whom payment is due.
The AFC said since Constitutional provisions are by their nature general and invariably attempt at capturing principles and precepts, there is need for accompanying leg-
islation to give more specific and direct instructions to ensure that the letter and spirit of the Constitution are met.
One such piece of legislation in this regard which sought to ensure compliance with the Constitution on matters financial is the Fiscal Management and Accountability(FMA) Act 2003.
“Clearly, this FMA Act 2003 specifically provides for the law and practice govern
ing appropriations and spending of public moneys. Its provisions have the object of preventing and counteracting misappropriation by unauthorised, fraudulent and other means. It provides for a number of offences which may be committed by persons who fail to act in accordance with its provisions. Criminal sanctions are stipulated.
Section 16 of the FMA Act 2003 is a core provision which wholly endorses article 217 of the Constitution. It provides thus: “There shall be no expenditure of public moneys except in accordance with article 217 of the Constitution.” Its marginal note is most instructive – “No expenditure without appropriation.”
“There is thus this almost absolute rule which governs Guyana’s public finances. It is that there must be no spending without appropriation, or in other words, no spending without legislative authorisation. For every item of spending, there must have been some parliamentary approved appropriation or authorisation. This rule is very strict in the sphere of public finances in all Westminster-type democracies. But it is subject to a constitutionally provided exception, namely, that there can be spending without prior appropriation if there is an emergency situation, say for example the 2005 Great Flood. However, once moneys are so drawn out of the Contingency Fund, which is a sub-fund of the Consolidated Fund, the Executive through the Minister of Finance must come to the National Assembly at the next following sitting and report how much he spent, to whom it was paid, and its purpose.”
The AFC pointed out that a Supplementary Appropriation Act covering these advances which were paid out will have to be approved by the National Assembly. So here there is a
post facto legislative authorisation which must legitimise and regularise such spending. This happens when the situation is urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen. But this kind of urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen circumstance must only see such expenditure totalling no more than two per cent of the previous year’s annual budget. This very limited quantum of prior expenditure without prior appropriation emphasises the paramount principle of “appropriation before expenditure.” This contingency exception is provided for in article 220 of the Constitution and Section 41 of the FMA Act 2003.
To make it all the more emphatic and unequivocal, the existence of this rule of “appropriation before expend-
iture”, is the reason why sections 48 and 85 were provided for in the FMA Act 2003. Section 48: “A Minister or official shall not in any manner misuse, misapply, or improperly dispose of public monies.” Section 85: “An official who knowingly permits any other person to contravene any provision of this Act is guilty of an indictable offence and liable on conviction to a fine of $2,000,000 and imprisonment for three years.” Criminal liability can befall the Minister of Finance or any of his underlings at the Ministry of Finance by a conjoint operation of sections 48 and 85 of the FMA Act 2003 if there was any spending of public moneys without appropriation first had; or, spending not legislatively authorised post facto in the exceptional case of the “urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen” category of a contingency spending. This was exactly what the framers of the FMA Act 2003 wanted to criminalise. This was the context that informed the text of Sections 46 and 85.
Editor: Nigel Williams
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, letters@guyanatimesgy.com
Guyana is desperately in need of a National Youth Policy that would respond to the challenges facing youth here, while creating opportunities for them to further transform their lives through equitable access to education, housing, health services and economic opportunities.
This policy is the missing link between the state of hopelessness that is hovering over youth and their ability to make more meaningful contributions to the growth and development of Guyana.
Any procrastination on the part of the Executive and Legislature in advancing such a policy is almost criminal. No excuse is sufficed to justify a delay in producing a hallmark policy that has the potential to tackle youth crime and violence, the needs of differently able youth, unemployment and socialills.
As a matter of fact, the report of the Caricom Commission on Youth Development, “Eye on the Future: Invest in Youth Now for the Community tomorrow”, states that there is an urgent need for governments to respond to the school dropout rate which was at “a staggering height”.
It noted that youth unemployment and joblessness remain high, at a rate of 23 per cent, when compared to other developed countries. It advised too that urgent focus should be placed on the involvement of youth at all levels of the decision making strata, through a well-formulated policy.
There have not been much statistics available about the circumstances under which youth exist here, and it is hoped that the just concluded National Population Census will dedicate parts of its overall report to this area.
Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has promised to deliver such a policy to thousands of Guyanese youth time and time again, but is yet to do so.
There can be no rational excuse for the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry failing to produce a document it has been working on for more than six years.
It should be noted that the finalisation and consultations of the National Development Strategy, the National Competiveness Strategy and the Low Carbon Development Strategy, together, took less time, compared to the National Youth Policy which is still incomplete.
In 2011, the Minister announced the commencement of countrywide consultations on the document to meet the changing socioeconomic circumstances facing Guyanese youth.
These consultations and distribution of 2500 questionnaires concluded about three years after, but all the Minister is saying is that the document is being completed. One wonders what is causing the delay.
It is situations like these that jeopardise the outstanding work done by the Government over the last 22 years to advance the interests of youth in the areas of health, education and sport.
It also sends the wrong message to young people who have been eagerly awaiting the impact of Government policy that would have emanated from their direct input.
In 2014, youths want to redefine the role they play in the world through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), science and research, social media and sport. Such a policy, which could be revised every two years, could provide them the platform to grow and advance in this regard.
Other problems such as juvenile delinquency and the emergence of a new cadre of youth criminals could be effectively tackled through prudent planning at the community level. Issues related to domestic abuse, rape, incest and teenage pregnancy are also matters which should be adequately dealt with in this document.
Guyana has to become the guiding light for the other Caricom countries and South American neighbours. It must advance the best National Youth Policy to further advance the spirit and aspirations of young Guyanese, who are already making sterling contributions to the world over.
President Donald Ramotar, who has the overwhelming support of Guyanese youth, can ill-afford to allow the implementation of a National Youth Policy to be an opportunity missed and squandered during his tenure in office.
It is time he intervenes, and brings the long overdue visionary and guiding document to fruition.
Dear Editor,
The second edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League is breathing freshness into the lungs of Guyana’s tourism, hospitality and business sectors, with the matches billed for the Guyana National Stadium this week already under way.
Last year, the League made an indelible impact on Guyana’s economy which was highlighted by President Donald Ramotar.
In fact, an impact study conducted by experts at the Mona School of Business and Management in Jamaica revealed that Guyana invested US$175,000 and would have derived approximately US$915,000 worth of marketing exposure for various service and business sectors in the country.
Additionally, the Limacol League reportedly had an overall economic impact of US$4 million on the
Guyanese economy when compared to other countries where franchises are held.
An additional US$54 million was raised by spending across all six countries that hosted various matches with Jamaica raking in US$10.65 million and Trinidad US$12.8 million last year.
There can be no doubt that the Limacol CPL created much stimulus for the country’s economy at a time when it was still dealing with the impact of the global financial crisis and the aftermath of the US recession.
This year, it is anticipated that the Limacol CPL will have a much bigger impact on the country’s economic bill of health. Small and mediumsized businesses, especially hotels and restaurants, have already positioned themselves to absorb the trickledown benefits from the tournament.
The overall economic im-
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Islamic Trust, on behalf of the Muslim community of Guyana, strongly condemns the indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza, which has resulted in the killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinians, including women and children and the injury and maiming of thousands more. This blatant atrocity is being carried out at a time when Muslims are supposed to be observing the fasting and prayers of Ramadan in solitude and peace within the comfort of their homes with their families. Additionally, this wanton destruction of lives only adds to the already unbearable strangulation of the residents of Gaza due to the tyrannical policies imposed on them by
the Israeli forces. Furthermore, the stubbornness of the Israeli Government to heed the desperate call of the United Nations and listen to the moral conscience of the peoples and governments of the world is totally unacceptable and immoral by any standards of civilised behaviour.
Notwithstanding, it remains the moral obligation of the world community, especially the staunch allies and supporters of the Israeli regime, to exert greater influence and sanctions on them to immediately stop the massacre of the innocent people of Palestine and to bring an end to the siege of Gaza.
The Guyana Islamic Trust, therefore, calls on the United Nations, the
pact is pegged to be triple what it was in 2013. This is dependent; however, on the Guyana Amazon Warriors also bringing home the coveted title.
During this period, visitor arrivals will also climb and more liquidity would characterise the local financial system.
There is a buzz and heightened sense of patriotism hovering over the Guyanese society at the moment. There is talk not of politics in the public discussion halls, but of the Limacol CPL experience last year and the expectations this year.
The overwhelming support for the Guyana Amazon Warriors here and abroad in the Diaspora is not surprising, but refreshing, when one considers the diverse makeup of our society and the undertones that exist. It proves true the school of thought that sports and, more particularly, cricket can unite a nation.
The truth is that the Limacol CPL presents a host of opportunities that can be exploited and translated into real direct benefits for the masses, including the sport sector. It creates a platform for sports development to take place in a structured way in the area of cricket.
Given all of the challenges facing the advancement of this area, there is urgent need for the key stakeholders to consider making proposals to the principals of Limacol CPL that could have medium and long-term economic and social benefits for young sportsmen and sportswomen here. The local Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry should also create a draft marketing and promotion plan to piggyback on successes that could be discussed with the Limacol CPL group.
Sincerely, Annalisa Ally
United States of America, the European Union, and other world bodies to use all means at their disposal, diplomatic and otherwise, to immediately stop the massacre and bring an end to the Israeli Blockade of Gaza.
Additionally, the world community must earnestly work for a just solution to the long outstanding problem of the Occupation of Palestine.
The Muslim Community of Guyana supports our Government in its consistent stand for justice and human rights of the people of Palestine and its opposition to the aggression of the Israeli Government against the innocent civilians. We once again appeal to our government to use its diplomatic channels to seek an end to the current de-
struction and slaughter taking place in Gaza.
The Guyana Islamic Trust urges all Muslims to utilise these blessed Days of Ramadan to make special prayers (Duas) for our suffering brothers and sisters in Palestine and other places and for all the oppressed peoples in the world.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: Supplication is the true weapon of a Believer.
Allah states: Consider not that Allah is unaware of that which the wrongdoers do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror.) Al-Quran Ch. 14 verse 42.
Sincerely, GIT
Dear Editor,
We welcome the payment for rice farmers in Region Two which will bring much benefit to the farmers and their families, in addition to advancing the welfare of both farmers and the country. Allow me to return my attention to this very topical problem – the question of Government bailing out a private rice miller to pay rice farmers from its coffer. As far as I can remember, this particular rice miller has been owing farmers for decades and on many occasions I had to represent rice farmers at this mill to get their money.
Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly that I am not against the rice farmers of Region Two receiving their monies in principle, but I do not believe that Government should, in every instance, be the first and only option to bail out rice millers when there is a European Union
The
Financial Facility Fund of G$1657.5 million or Euro 6.5 million at GBTI for rice millers as a revolving loan. But here we are speaking of using taxpayers’ money from the Government coffer, which was built up by generations of Guyanese.
It is prudent to draw your attention to the recent revelation by millers that they are engaged in high pricefixing for rice and paddy on the overseas markets. They have also admitted that rice farmers are playing a crucial role in production and the economy. The farmers have thus called on the Government to reintroduce subsidies on fertilisers, insecticides, seed paddy, fuel machinery and other agricultural tools and equipment which will increase the income of small rice farmers which would have resulted in an improved quality of life. The Government should
Dear Editor,
The German football team had shown overwhelming organisation from the start of World Cup 2014. They consistently played well as a team – supporting and encouraging each other. Their demolition of the Brazilian team during the World Cup semi-finals was no ordinary feat. What they have shown is that a team focused on the same goal, no pun intended, can achieve it.
Furthermore, if the game-by-game performance of the German team is reviewed, one will quickly notice that their wins were not based on a “one-man show”, but, instead, were based on the contribution of each team member. This was critical for their success.
A little closer to home and heart is Lisa Punch. Her last-minute advancement into the quarterfinals of the ABC show “Rising Star” was the result of a similar team effort by her adoring fans. Guyanese, both locally and internationally, downloaded the Rising Star app and stayed up past midnight in order to vote YES.
Now, Lisa Punch is in the Top 30 for a show that initially had 40,000 contestants!
This is an astonishing accomplishment for a Guyanese on the international stage. So what can the German football team and Lisa Punch’s recent achievement teach us about national unity and civic pride?
We can learn from these examples the effectiveness of a collective approach. We need to stop working in our little silos – this tunnel vision that paralyses us. We are plagued by this mindset and approach – from civil society organisations to public bodies to the private sector. We are failing to realise that it is in our collective benefit to work towards a shared developmental agenda.
Mr Editor, more than anything, this letter is another voice in the call for unity. We should celebrate and embrace individual successes, both abroad and locally –for the sake of national unity and international identity. We must all encourage our fellow Guyanese of all walks of life to join forces – to put differences aside, to focus on the bigger goals, and to band together as a nation. And we must remember: If our politicians, public sector, private sector, and general public could all work towards a shared vision and goal – one that caters for the collective benefit of all Guyanese – just imagine the Guyana we could be.
On behalf of an organisation of youths, we say: It is time the people of our beautiful country lived up to our motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.
Yours truly, Dr Rosh Khan Curator Global Shapers Community –Georgetown Hub
set up small or medium-size rice mills and dryers in the old GPL compound at Anna Regina which will make the farmers independent and hence result in competition in the free market system.
This will help ease the suffering of the farmers and subsequently result in an increase in prices offered by millers for their paddy, I believe this is one way forward. We hear over and over that the world is becoming more interdependent.
Much talk is going on about the global economy. Millers do not allow differences to affect their profits. By way of conclusion, Mr Editor, allow me to extend my solidarity to all the rice farmers who are defending their rights so they can receive their last crop paddy payment.
Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan
Inform the public about what is really happening
Dear Editor, We need to inform the public about what is really happening with some of the leaders in the Opposition parties. These people are getting many innocent Guyanese agitated and bothered. I think that too many Guyanese are not into the ‘thick of things’ and it is the duty of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to do some laymantype of informing.
Many, just too many, Guyanese do not buy and read the papers and listen to the news. So when they hear something, they respond to that which is louder and more convincing. Here is where the people must be told the truth, over and over again, and in a simple way.
I bring this matter of the supposed crime that Khemraj Ramjattan is placing at the feet of Dr Ashni Singh, who is the Finance
Minister. Very simply put, Dr Singh did nothing different from what he did in 2012 and 2013. It is that he constitutionally restored monies that the joint Opposition had cut. If the Minister was not in breach of the Constitution and did not abuse his powers in 2012 and 2013, then how come this is the case now? This is what is being peddled by the two Opposition parties, via Mr Khemraj Ramjattan. The whole thing is silly.
I feel that people know how A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are trying hard to derail the PPP/C and to tarnish its good image. I feel also that APNU and the AFC are all about trouble making and stirring up people.
I am still awaiting the ‘no-confidence’ motion, against the PPP/C as well as
Dr Ashni Singh being asked to answer criminal charges in court. Somebody is fooling Mr Ramjattan that he has a legal leg to stand on. I have a little question for this Ramjattan fellow. Is it that he is bitter and jealous? Maybe, he is just too childish and since his leaving the PPP/C did not matter, as he probably expected it to, he is now in a quandary. He really seems frustrated.
I make a little plea here for the ruling party. I recall how the leaders went around informing the public about many issues and there was a time too when legal matters were explained. It is time to go back to some of these things. People need clarification and I think that they must be met right where they are. They can be led astray if left alone.
Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton
Residents’ help crucial to CleanUp My Country Programme
Dear Editor,
The recently-announced joint venture Clean-Up My Country Programme by the Guyana Government is long overdue and most welcomed, especially in Georgetown. The Government, through its Finance Ministry, had earmarked $1 billion for the restoration of communities in and around Georgetown. While a billion dollars is a lot of money, it is woefully inadequate to aggressively curb the culture of littering, and the beautification of the city, but Government, like so many of us, realised that something needed to be done, and quickly.
Already community out-
reach consultations have commenced and residents are contributing their voices on issues they face in their respective communities.
There is, however, a recurring theme in the concerns of those residents at these meetings, they seemed to have abandoned ownership of self and service to their communities and a kind of dependency sickness have replaced selfreliance.
It’s clear residents support the clean-up project by Government, but disown any responsibility for the deplorable condition of many of their communities.
We have become an invalid people, depending heavily on Government to cater to our every need. While there is nothing wrong with expecting our elected officials to act in our interests, we too have a responsibility to our country and future generations.
In a 1998 InterAmerican Development Bank report, the generation of waste in Georgetown exceeded 190 tonnes on a daily basis. That is a lot of filth. Though, in a fledging economy the accumulation of waste is nothing out of the ordinary, it is the failures of the city’s Council to better manage collection of
solid waste that remains worrisome. Poor governance by Georgetown’s Council have resulted in the backlog of tonnes of solid waste in just about every nook and cranny yet very little, up until now, has been done to adequately confront this crisis that exist at the Mayor and City Council.
Though the project is a long way from completion, one could hope that by its end, the Mayor too would have been weeded out of office. In the meantime, the city is stinking.
Sincerely, Erin Northe
Patriotism means love, respect and loyalty towards one’s country. Instilling values of patriotism in children will help them to become responsible citizens.
Guyana is a great country with a rich culture and heritage. Our country achieved independence on May 26, 1966 before which we were under the rule of the British. There were many great leaders and freedom fighters who fought bravely for independence from the British. Guyana is a country where many great people were born Parents must try their best to ensure that children love and respect their homeland.
Teaching them about great Guyanese leaders
Many great leaders such as Cuffy, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and the Enmore Martyrs have been born in our country. They underwent
great sacrifices and hardships for achieving independence. Parents or grandparents should definitely teach children about these leaders. This transfer of knowledge through the generations provides an opportunity to teach your children about those who came before and whose lives shaped the nation we know as Guyana today. You can talk about their humble beginnings and how they fought for what was right and just for all. There are many institutions, roads, monuments and even a town in Guyana named after leaders such as Linden Forbes Samson Burnham, Critchlow, Cheddi Jagan and Cuffy, among others. Every time you travel on these roads or pass these institutions with your child, it gives you an opportunity to tell them something about that person. Our six peoples came from all over the world. Tell your children about the
teachings of great saints and leaders born in their ancestral homelands. All this will help your child develop greater devotion, love and respect for the country of their ancestors as well as the country of their birth.
Teaching them about respect and honour
Children should be taught to honour and respect the national flag, national emblem and other national symbols. They must be taught to stand up when the national anthem is being played anywhere. They should be taught to never destroy national
property and always be civil citizens. Along with this, they should also be taught to keep their country clean. They should be taught to avoid littering on roads. Keeping your city, region and country clean shows respect for your country.
Patriotic activities
You can teach your children patriotic songs. You can get the lyrics printed on a paper and sing together with them. For events like fancy dress competitions, dress up your children like great Guyanese personalities. Instead of dressing them up like a cat or dog, dress them up
in the attire of great leaders. Encourage your children to participate in Republic Day and Independence Day functions. Take your children out to visit historic places which hold patriotic significance and visit the memorial sites of those lost in the struggle. Visit national monuments together as a family.
Make use of media
You can show your children DVDs and videos which have a strong patriotic flavour. You can check out some classic books related to the freedom struggle and other similar books which can build a spirit of patriotism in your child. Every year, live
television which you can watch with your children. You can teach them the significance of these celebrations and watching them provides the entire family with a chance to witness the rich culture and diversity of various regions and peoples.
Sharing stories and folklore
Parents and grandparents should share stories of the freedom struggle. Old people, especially, might have some interesting stories to share. Schools should encourage interaction between defence personnel and children. Parents and schools can collaborate together and invite defence personnel such as members from the Army, or the Police Force and others to share stories of war, etc. This will interest the children and provide them an opportunity to have close interaction with these persons. Patriotism should be taught to children so that they become better citizens. After all, children are the future of the country and we must strive to make the future bright.
The Constitution Your child must know when Guyana adopted its Constitution and when did it become a Republic. Many children confuse and Republic Day. As parents, you should clarify the difference between the two dates. Moreover, your children must know about some historic facts.
Guyana’s current Constitution officially came into effect on October 6, 1980, however, it was not Guyana’s first Constitution. Previous to this current one, Guyana had a different Constitution –the Concept Plan of Redress, which was promulgated under Dutch rule in 1792 and remained in effect with modifications under British Administration until 1928. Numerous changes were made over the years and a new version was enacted in 1966, upon Guyana’s independence from the United Kingdom. The Constitution of Guyana contains 12 Chapters that are further divided into 232 Articles. It also contains a preamble and an oath. Since its 1980 enactment, it has gone through 12 amendments, most recently in 1995.
The ceremonies Festivities and competitions held in the Capital, (including the flaghoisting by the President), should be watched on television. It will generate a definite patriotic feeling. At the same time, it will mean quality time spent with your children. Children have to be told the significance of these annual cultural programmes. Otherwise, they are bound to grow up without any special fond feelings for their country.
(India Parenting and wikipedia.org)
An alleged mentally unstable man was on Friday morning crushed to death after a house collapsed on him at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
The family of Domitri Reis, 23, formerly of 134 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, received the news of his death a few hours after the incident.
According to information received, the man does not have a fixed place of abode and was reportedly sleeping in the old wooden house when it fell.
The young man’s head was reportedly caught between two wooden beams of the house.
Neighbours most likely heard when the structure collapsed about 1:30h, but it was until sunrise they discovered the man’s bloodied body trapped among the rubbles.
At the home of the dead man, his mother Jennifer Hoppy told Guyana Times that she was preparing for work when she received a call from a relative, who claimed that her son was dead after a house collapsed on him. She hurried to the scene but was not allowed to see his body after relatives confirmed that it was a too gruesome sight. Nevertheless, the mother stayed until his battered body was removed. She recalled that
her son had left home after they were against his smoking habits and had moved in with his sister.
But he did not spend long there and left for his aunt’s home at the Side Line Dam.
He left his aunt’s home, claiming he wanted some breeze. She also confirmed that her son has not been himself since he returned from the interior a few years ago.
Hoppy claimed that while Reis was in the interior, she received a call from one of the workers informing her that her son was acting in an abnormal way. She recalled that a few days after receiving that message, her son was sent home in a taxi.
It was after a few days upon his return; he picked up the smoking habit which escalated into a major problem as she was against it. This, she added prompted him to leave home in the
first instance.
Hoppy also disclosed that her son left Guyana at the age of 11 for Canada, but due to his bad behaviour there, his father brought him back to Guyana.
The aggrieved mother said after he left home, he returned several times, but only to ask for food and would often ask for money.
The mother said she never gave him money since she thought that he would use it to purchase “things to smoke”.
The young man was the fourth of six children and was described as a kind and intelligent person before he got into the bad habits after following bad company.
His body was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and is awaiting post-mortem examination.
Reis leaves to mourn his parents and five siblings.
WCD woman found with throat slit – husband
Amother of one was on Friday morning discovered dead in her home at Crane Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD), tied to her bed with her throat slit.
The gruesome discovery of Candace “Candy” Rawlins, 30, of Lot 4 Crane Village, WCD was made by her 11 year-old daughter about 08:00h. The woman, who is formerly from Berbice, was at the time living with her husband of four years and her daughter from a previous relationship.
According to reports received, the Police have since recovered a blood stained knife and pieces of duct tape suspected to have been used in the heinous crime. They were taken by Police as evidence.
Investigators also found a suicide note from her husband, who stated in the letter that he had accomplished his mission and that they will also find him dead. There were no signs of the man as Police continue their investigations.
While information remains sketch about the murder, Guyana Times understands that the woman’s child was also tied to the bed in another room by her stepfather Vider Rawlings.
The motive of the murder is not known, but the child is still in a state of shock and is being counselled by professionals from the Child Care and Protection Agency.
The child reportedly told media operative that the man went berserk, rushed into her room and strapped her to the bed using duct tape and went to the other room and did the same to her mother, who begged him not to harm her.
The very abusive man reportedly dealt the woman several blows and finally took the knife and slit her throat. After doing so, the man reportedly packed a bag with a few personal belongings and was seen by
Close to two weeks after a five-member Guyanese crew was attacked, beaten and thrown overboard in Surinamese waters, the captain of the vessel returned to Guyana on Friday and is being questioned by local law-enforcement officers.
The incident has left one dead and three others missing.
Salim Hack also called
Feroze, 48, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, travelled to Guyana via Springlands and was taken to the Beterverwagting Police Station.
From reports received, the man sustained injuries about his body, apparently from blows from a cutlass.
However, there are some inconsistencies in the story told by the Captain compared to the one that was initially reported.
The Police are looking at all the possibilities, but at the same time, their investigation is facing a setback as the attack had occurred in Suriname.
According to sources, the Guyana Police Force cannot prosecute the captain, if they found that he was indeed involved in the attack as it had happened outside the jurisdiction.
According to information gathered, the captain is hold-
ing out that the attack was done in Suriname, but several questions have arisen, since the boat was discovered in Mahaica and the body of crew member Andrew Goppie at Mahaicony. Hack reportedly told the Police that he was rescued by a fishing vessel after spending eight hours in the rough waters, along the Corentyne Coast. Initially, the captain had told the owner of the boat that it took him some 19 hours to reach land.
The Police are looking at the story from all angels, but Hack also claimed that after they were beaten and thrown overboard, they managed to untie themselves and upon seeing this, the pirates went full force with the intention of slicing them with the propellers of the boats. It was when this happened, he said, they lost track of each other.
neighbours leaving the area in a taxi.
However, the woman’s daughter managed to untie herself and raised an alarm, but by the time neighbours responded, the woman was already dead. The Police were summoned and responded quickly to the scene, cordoning off the area as they investigate the killing.
By this time, angry relatives of the dead woman arrived at the scene and were heard saying that she was killed due to a stormy and abusive relationship. Neighbours confirmed that the couple had frequent fights.
Candace late last year was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital after she sustained a broken arm as a result of a thrashing she received from her husband. She had made several reports at the Vreed-enHoop Police Station which she never followed through.
The woman relatives said she will be laid to rest in Berbice next to her mother. Her body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination on Monday. Police have launched a man hunt for the suspected murderer.
The Guyana Police Force is cur-
rently investigating an armed attack on four officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LIED) on Thursday in the vicinity of Dundee, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.
According to a release, the attack reported occurred around 23:25h.
The officers, who were conducting a surveillance exercise based on intelligence received, came under heavy gunfire after detaining three minibuses with 150 boxes of chicken, for which no papers could be produced.
The car was being driven by the son of a suspected smuggler. It is alleged that
shortly after the keys for the vehicles and the cellphones of the occupants were seized, the suspected smuggler and three accomplices arrived in a grey Toyota Allion motor vehicle, exited and opened fire in the direction of the LEID officials.
GRA said the officers were forced to retreat and take cover, while the detainees escaped in several waiting motor vehicles. When the dust had settled, the motor vehicle used by LEID officials to conduct the exercise was badly damaged after being riddled with bullets, as well as two of the detained minibuses.
“One officer who was not so fortunate was injured about the body with pellets allegedly fired from a shotgun.
“A number of spent shells, live rounds
and warheads were reportedly recovered by Police from the scene,” the GRA said.
Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur has expressed grave concern at the extent to which persons are willing to go to ply their illegal trade, defraud the Government of revenues and endanger the lives of consumers with smuggled goods. He said that he is heartened by the commitment of his officers to duty, even in the face of danger to life and limb.
“I commend the officials of LEID for so ably carrying out their duty inspite of the many challenges,” Sattaur said.
He noted that GRA will continue to play its role and take a strong stance against such nefarious activities and criminal elements.
A35-year-old fireman was released on bail Friday after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with assault.
It is alleged that on June 3 at Charlestown, Stephan Wellington, of 599 Section C, Sophia, Greater Georgetown,
unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jevon Glasgow with intent to maim, disfigure, and cause grievous bodily harm.
He was represented by Attorney Clive Forde, who made an application for reasonable bail to be granted to his client; however, the virtual complainant’s attorney, Adrian Thompson, told the court that his client was
still in the hospital nursing his injuries. The Prosecutor did not object to bail.
Bail was granted to Wellington in the sum of $150,000 and he was prohibited from getting within 500 yards of the residence of Glasgow until the end of the trial. The defendant will make his second appearance on July 25.
The Police will continue their investigations by questioning the boat owner, who would have been in constant contact with the captain after the attack and during the searches conducted in the area where the alleged the incident had occurred.
Local Police are working with their Surinamese counterparts with the aim of finding out what really had occurred on the dark Tuesday night.
The official recalled a recent incident in which a fisherman
from page 7
was attacked and murdered by pirates and despite sufficient evidence was gathered to warrant murder charges against him, it could not have been done since the actual attack had occurred in Suriname waters.
Meanwhile, after 10 days, the badly decomposed body Goppie, 41, of Sand Reef, Annandale, ECD, who went missing during the attack, washed up at the Good Faith Foreshore in Mahaicony, ECD on Thursday afternoon.
The decomposed body was positively identified by missing teeth. His sister Debbie confirmed that he did not have four of his front teeth; hence, the identification was easy.
The body was found lying face down with portions of it missing, probably eaten by fish.
Still missing are Vinesh Drunarine of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara; Raymond Gomes, 37; and Chandrapaul Jallim, 19, of Recht-Door-Zee, West Bank Demerara.
Seventeen-year-old Nequan Nestor will be spending the next 50 months of his life in jail after he was convicted of robbing a couple in the Promenade Gardens on May 1.
The repeat offender appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday on the charge of robbery under arms.
Prosecutor Joel Ricknauth told the court that on May 1 at Middle Street, Georgetown, the victim, Kerlin Isaacs and his girlfriend were at the Promenade Gardens when the accused, in the company of another person and while armed with an offensive weapon, approached him and robbed him.
The articles taken were one gold band valued $80,000; one gold ring valued $70,000; one gold chain valued $60,000; and two BlackBerry Bold cellphones valued $60,000 each, along with $120,00, a total of $342,000 in value.
Nestor, of Lot 124 Rosemary Lane, South Cummingsburg, was previously convicted for a similar offence.
Looks like Khemraj Ramjattan and his AFC outfit have a “thing” against Ashni Singh. We can’t find out if the man ever did anything against them...but what they’re doing is more than a witch hunt: it’s a downright vendetta. With such small-minded people, but venally ambitious politicians, it’s got to do with seeing Singh as a “block” to getting their hands on the Consolidated Funds.
The AFC and their bookkeeper publicity hounds were the main architects of the hue and cry against the wife of the Finance Minister being an auditor in the Auditor General’s Office. Remember? The woman was there long before the Minister was appointed. (In fact, the fella probably met his wife there, when he too was a member of that watchdog outfit: love among the numbers!) The AFC insisted one of the couple had to resign – preferably, the Minister, of course.
Most of the executives in the AFC, being ambulancechasing lawyers, couldn’t conceive of professionals actually being PROFESSIONALS!! How could they?? The Chairman of the AFC was locked in a blatant conflict of interest as Company Secretary to the same company he swore was raping Guyana’s hydro. And the leader of the party, the selfsame HONOURABLE Ramjattan (aren’t they ALL “honourable” men??) himself was fighting valiantly in Parliament for projects benefiting only clients who’d lined his pockets with money.
We’ll move past the nasty innuendos by the AFC on an accident in which the Minister was involved – even though one of the same leaders of the fledgling party was involved in a far more egregious incident. We’ll focus on this ridiculous “criminal action” the AFC says they’re taking to the Police against Minister Singh. We’ve always wondered if these fellas bought their law degrees from some fly-by-night mail-order school.
How the hell do you bring a “criminal action” against someone unless you can first have the action defined as a crime??? And that law must be defined very specifically and plainly? So what are the elements of the law that Minister Singh violated? That’s what the Police have demanded and which the AFC wankers will never be able to produce.
Now we’ll offer Ramjattan some free advice before he’s slapped with a malicious prosecution charge – which is quite clearly and specifically defined, thank you. If he thinks Minister Singh acted outside his remit – then this is a case for the courts.
They’ll first decide through “judicial review” whether a conferred power has been exceeded. Until then, Ramjattan’s just pi55ing in the wind. And with that, there’s always the certainty of “blowback”. And that can be nasty!
Ramjattan and the AFC also tried a “thing” against the President: they threatened to gang up with their PNC coalition partner and call a “no-confidence” motion against the Government. This would bring down the Government and new elections would have to be called. They were going to be the big-bad wolf who’d “huffed and puffed” to “blow the house down”. While they may have Big Bad’s big, yellow teeth and all, they forgot the ending to the story.
Pressie had already shown this country what a bunch of charlatans the AFC are. They’d promised to work with either the PPP/C or the PNC after the elections, but after they jumped into bed with the PNC on the Speaker’s Chair, no one’s been able to pry them apart. One shudders to think what might be holding them together! If it’s anything this country doesn’t want it’s another taste of the PNC wolf who’s trying to get into some sheep’s clothing.
Pressie called their bluff and drawled, “Make my day!!!”
...in cricket
Looks like Trinidad’s attempt to motivate their Red Steel by “disowning” them, backfired: the poor “stateless” fellas just fell apart.
The Warriors will now make the Zouks look like Mooks!!
As the inaugural Guyana Festival draws closer, more companies are coming forward to lend support to the event slated for August 8-10 at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara.
This week, four companies pledged their support to the event and presented cheques to acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali at the Ministry’s office. On Thursday, ANSA McAL Group of Companies donated $2 million while R Basoo and Sons Construction Company showed their support with a cheque of $500,000.
Then on Friday, BK International handed over $1 million to the acting Tourism Minister, while Continental Group of Companies handed over a cheque for $1.2 million. All of the monies will be plugged into making the Guyana Festival a success.
Speaking at the hando-
showcased Guyanese culture with 100 per cent authenticity. She also encouraged others to get involved to make this event one that Guyanese will cherish for a lifetime.
The owner of R Basoo and Sons Construction Company and the Lotus Restaurant located at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, R Basso stated that
initiative for the country and its people. He noted that his company, through its Sujata Curry Powder and Sun Burst brands, will have products on display at the Festival and encouraged Guyanese to go and support the event.
BK International Marketing and Sales Director Briony Tiwarie pointed out that her com-
ver ceremony, ANSA McAL Public Relations Manager Dharshnie Yusuf said her company understood the importance of the Guyana Festival and the need to promote the country’s meltingpot culture. She stated that ANSA McAL was proud to be part of any event that
the Guyana Festival would celebrate who we are as a people and his company was happy to be part of such a movement of displaying Guyanese culture.
In his remarks, Continental Company Secretary Percival Boyce said the festival was a good
pany was committed in promoting Guyana not only through construction but in all sectors. She explained that the Festival was an avenue to promote the Tourism Sector and her company was proud to be participating in it.
The University of Guyana Students’ Society is advising that it will be hosting a live panel discussion and callin programme on Sunday, 2014 at 20:00h, about the Administration’s bid to increase tuition fees.
The panel will feature acting UGSS President Joshua Griffith, Secretary Saieed Khalil, and a guest panellist who is yet to be identified.
In accepting the cheques, the acting Tourism Minister expressed his gratitude to the companies for their contributions while assuring them that they will be put to productive use. He stated that the Guyana Festival was one of the most-anticipated family-oriented events in Guyana at the moment, and that many persons were eager to be part of this new endeavour.
Ali said BK International and Continental Group of Companies were two diverse companies and their contributions reflect their commitment to fulfilling their corporate responsibilities.
The inaugural Guyana Festival promises to be one of the country’s best events, with performances by Guyanese artistes such as US-based Terry Gajraj, who is already in Guyana and is excited about the event.
Griffith said the discussion was planned to address issues facing the University at this time, including the proposed tuition increases which should be made public today – two days later than announced; financing options available for those who cannot afford the increased tuition fees; and further discussions which can prove beneficial to the transformation of the University.
The UGSS is, therefore, urging all students and prospective students to tune in and have their concerns voiced and discussed as they seek to formulate advocacy to best respond to the needs of the University.
Persons wishing to tune in and partake in the discussion can do so by going to the following link http://www.ustream.tv/channel/livesplash.
In March, UG Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi signalled his intention to increase tuition fees, noting that it costs the institution $345,000 each year to maintain a single student who pays $127,000 annually
for four years.
In an effort to gain widespread support, the Vice Chancellor had embarked on a week of consultations in June, explaining that the University, in its quest to attract and retain qualified lecturers, must be able to sustain them.
Dr Opadeyi noted that the tuition fee was set at US$1000 in 1994, which was equivalent to G$127,000 at that time. However, he continued that as a result of the Guyanese dollar depreciating, US$1000 would now be around G$210,000, but UG still charges G$127,000 as annual fees.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the University must be a self-sustained one so as to avoid political interferences. As a result, the increase in tuition would aid in assisting all these developmental strategies and provide better services to its students.
Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the first-ever CaricomJapan Summit on July 28 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Since 1993, Caricom and Japan have enjoyed friendly relations and this summit
signals a quantum leap in their engagement as it is the first time that a Japanese Prime Minister is visiting the region.
It is being held during the designated Caricom-Japan Friendship Year to observe two decades of relationship in diverse fields such as culture, trade and tourism; and a special logo has been created to symbolically express this relationship.
The summit’s agenda issues for discussion include: The vulnerabilities of Caricom and the necessary cooperation for its sustainable growth; strengthening exchanges and the bonds of friendship; and deepening cooperation in the international arena.
At a time when regions across the world are engaged in discussions on the priorities for the Post 2015Development Goals and the upcoming Third United
Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), this September, in Samoa, the summit provides a timely opportunity to advance Caricom’s priorities in these areas and for fostering solidarity between Caricom and Japan.
The summit comes on the heels of the 35th meet-
ing of Heads of Government which approved the community’s strategic plan for the next five years (2015-2019) which includes deepening foreign policy coordination among its priorities.
The official opening of the summit will be addressed by Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Trinidad of Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar; Caricom Chair and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne; and Prime Minister Abe.
Farmers at Moruca, North West District, Region One (BarimaWaini) are calling on the Agriculture Ministry to assist them in starving off an Acoushi ant invasion on their farmland.
Farmers living in the Karaburi community are predominately affected by the ants, which are wreaking havoc on their plants.
Karaburi Councillor Benedick Rodrigues said farmers who cultivate cassava, suckers and vegetables are affected the most.
The Council said the village has a fogging machine, but there is no chemical to conduct the fogging exercise.
People disownin people like crazy nowadays. Even yuh own people disownin yuh. It don’ matter wheh yuh come from. Or who yuh belong to. Or who is yuh mummah and yuh daady. Or how much money yuh got. Or wheh yuh live. Or who yuh married to.
Not even wheh yuh wukkin does wuk to help yuh out nowadays. Because is every body dem pullice men does ask fuh a raise. And de bigger de wuk place, de bigger de raise. That was a thing of de past when yuh coulda turn up and people woulda know yuh right away and treat yuh nice. And pullice woulda give yuh a break instead of breakin yuh down fuh a raise.
De Mayor-fuh-Life fuh instance used to turn up and every body used to fall down at he feet. Especially when he was Pee-M under de Pee-N-C, although that was a lotta pee. Now de Mayor-fuh-Life is de one who fallin down instead.
In fact, de Sober woman seh every ting fuh de Mayorfuh-Life does fall down nowadays. Plus she not givin he any more free gas to put in he free car fuh any more gallavantin all over de place. Is de same as when yuh cut a fowl wing so it can’t fly. Well, de Mayor-fuh-Life never coulda fly but some ting get cut.
As fuh de disownin problem, Pee-N-C now disown de Kiss woman who had a problem wid Oscar de bite man. If de Kiss woman had only know that Oscar still got teeth, she woulda be more careful wid she kissin and both of dem woulda still be kissin and bitin wid no problems. Now de whole of Linden bitin, and all dem skalliwags in de PeeN-C fightin.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! And de Trickydadians disown dem own cricket team. Plus de man who cause it was same Tricky Minister who disown all dem people and ‘stuff’ whah he was hidin in a hotel. He thought he had more tricks than de mohawk fella who turn round and trick dem!
The National Community Policing Executive (NCPE) has extended congratulations to the community policing members who were awarded at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Awards Ceremony hosted at the Tactical Service Unit, Drill Square , Eve Leary , Georgetown on Wednesday.
The event formed part of the GPF’s 175th anniversary celebrations, and saw participation from community policing members, along with 1300 officers, inspectors, and other ranks, while some $12.3 million in awards was paid out.
Acting Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, in delivering the feature address, acknowledged the positive motivational impact that such an activity will have on ranks who work beyond the normal call of duty.
He also said the ceremony, which was started by former Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis in 1990, remains relevant and will be continued.
A Community Policing Group official receiving an award at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Awards ceremony on Wednesday
Commissioner Seelall also said the Police Force, as part of its modernisation phase, is focused on fortifying relations with communities countrywide.
He also spoke about the strategic hierarchy tenet of partnership within the Guyana Police Force’s strategic plan, where already in each division, the implementation of plans to further integrate with community policing groups is already on stream.
He further stated that
each division now has several community-based projects, but the Impact Albouystown project is most known.
The NCPE also recognised the outstanding efforts of the recipients at the Community Policing Awards in going beyond the normal call of duty patriotically to keeping the flag of community policing flying proudly in synchrony with the movements of maintenance of law and order and the promotion of peace countrywide.
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) on Wednesday hosted a workshop to educate the lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Community of their rights under the laws of Guyana.
The occasion was held under the theme “Know your rights: Citizens rights vis-a-viz Police powers” at Moray House, Georgetown.
The workshop was facilitated by former Police Commissioner, now A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Winston Felix.
The aim of the workshop was to enlighten LGBT Guyanese, sex workers, other marginalised groups who frequently interact with Police and civil society practitioners who work with these vulnerable groups, on the rights afforded to them
as they frequently come into contact with law enforcement officials and many of them are unaware of their rights and the powers of the Police.
According to a release, Felix enlightened participants about the laws as it relates to being questioned, searched and arrested by the Police. He informed them of the powers, responsibilities and limitations of the Police and also about their rights and protections guaranteed to them under the Guyana constitution. He also went through the standard operating procedures that officers should follow if they are questioning, searching or arresting an individual.
The interactive workshop allowed participants to frankly share their experiences with the retired Commissioner on their interactions with Police officers. Many of them noted instances where their
as Guyanese citizens vis-aviz Police powers as stipulated under the Police Act and the Guyana Constitution.
SASOD embarked on this workshop as a means of empowering these groups
rights” workshop
rights were violated by officers who do not afford them equal treatment under the law because of their real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
Felix in his discussions
The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has expressed condolences to the relatives of Roger Hudson, 29, and Kathleen Marks, 36, who died on Monday in a motor vehicle accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
The coalition in a release reiterated its call for stricter methods of enforcement and road safety, contending that far too many Guyanese have lost their lives on the poorly lit and inadequately patrolled Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
“Road accidents are a grave human safety problem. The Ministry of Health’s National Rehabilitation Services Strategy 2009-2013 revealed that road accidents were among the top 10 lead-
ing causes of death and account for the greatest number of disabilities. One thousand, five hundred and sixty-three persons have been killed in traffic accidents in 2002-2012. It is estimated that there are 12 road fatalities in Guyana every month.
“Thousands more have suffered injuries or lost limbs as a result of traffic accidents. It is estimated that the cost of medical care of accident victims exceeds more than G$100 million per year at the Georgetown Public Hospital alone. The loss of productivity, loss of earnings of the victims and premature funeral expenses resulting from accidents cost Guyana many more millions annually,” APNU pointed out.
with the participants noted that constant sensitivity training is required for Police officers, both in train-
ing and as refresher courses in order for them to become more familiar with the issues affecting LGBT
Guyanese and other vulnerable groups, and how to interact with them on a daily basis.
Attending the workshop were 30 participants from a number of civil society organisations, including, Artistes In Direct Support (AIDS), Diverse Youth Movement (DIYOME), Guyana Trans United (GTU), Guyana Sex Work Coalition (GSWC), Guyana Youth Coalition, Hope For All Foundation from the Essequibo Coast, Family Awareness Consciousness Together (FACT) from Corriverton, United Bricklayers from New Amsterdam, and members and associates of SASOD.
The workshop was supported by the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and conducted under SASOD’s Human Rights programme to promote social change by empowering LGBT Guyanese to understand their rights as citizens and to sensitise the public on the LGBT issues.
saturday, july 19, 2014
– expresses seriousness about no-confidence motion
Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader
Khemraj Ramjattan has written to President Donald Ramotar expressing concerns over what he claims was the “unauthorised” and “unconstitutional withdrawals” made from the Consolidated Fund by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh.
Ramjattan in a letter circulated to the media, said the AFC believes that such withdrawals as reported in Financial Paper Number One of 2014 are in clear contravention of Article 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana, and Section 16 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act.
The Opposition-led National Assemby had repeatedly voted down provisions to improve the lives of ordinary people, but still Ramjattan claimed that the will of the Guyanese people is reflected in the composition of the National Assembly, where the Opposition has a one seat majority.
He was also quick to point out that one of the key roles played by the House is the authorisation of all public spending.
Unacceptable
“My party, therefore, finds it wholly unacceptable that your Government is now spending from the Consolidated Fund beyond the provisions of the Appropriations Act of 2014 or any other approved by the National Assembly.
“We cannot condone, participate in or lend any support to such a serious breach of the Constitution and laws of Guyana, and we find it necessary in the light of the clear and present danger to the Constitution and the rule of law to explore all options necessary for safeguarding the public purse against further lawless spending.
“I am aware that Article 106(6) of our Constitution provides an option that is currently being discussed nationwide, ie, the forced resignation of the Cabinet including the President following a defeat in the National Assembly on a vote
of no confidence.
“In the light of what has occurred, I wish to formally clarify that my party has indeed been actively considering this option and currently is of the view that the options for lawful and constitutional alternatives have rapidly decreased.
“Our party sees no other alternative than to proceed with this constitutional mechanism for removal of an unpopular Government,” Ramjattan said.
Lawful restoration
The Attorney General Anil Nandlall had referred to Article 218(3) of the Constitution that authorises the restoration of monies by Minister Singh.
Article 218 (3) of the Constitution states thus: “If in respect of any financial year it is found – (a) that the amount appropriated by the (a) Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act; or (b) that any monies have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate or, as the case may be, a statement of excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the National Assembly by the Minister responsible for
Finance…” This was done by the Government, he said
The claim of unlawful spending was first raised by AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo. The Attorney General reiterated that Dr Singh “had acted in accordance with and in obedience of the letter and spirit of the said Article, contending that Nagamootoo is in a greater state of confusion “as he is still grappling to understand the distinction between the Contingencies Fund and the Consolidated Fund”.
Dr Singh had also maintained that his actions are in keeping with the Constitution of Guyana.
“I maintain that this
Government has used the Contingency Fund in a prudent and judicious manner; in a manner that has met fully the requirements of the law,” the Minister said.
Alluding to Article 220:1 of the Constitution, Dr Singh said it provides for the Finance Minister to make advances from the Contingencies Fund if there
is an urgent need for expenditure for which no other provision exists, while Section 41 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003 also gives the Finance Minister the “sole authority” to release monies from the Contingencies Fund.
“The Minister shall have the sole authority for the release of monies from the Fund… an authority which shall not be delegated. The Minister, when satisfied that an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need for expenditure has risen, for which no monies have been appropriated or for which the sum appropriated is insufficient or for which monies cannot be reallocated or provided for which cannot be differed, may approve a Contingencies Fund advance as an expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund by the issuance of a drawing right,” Dr Singh quoted from the Article.
However, the Finance Minister made it clear that systems have been instituted to guarantee transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the funds, as he alluded to the Contingencies Fund Advance Request procedure.
The AFC threat of no confidence has been seen as a bluff by many and the main Opposition coalition, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Leader David Granger has been downbeat in supporting the move.
President Ramotar had also dared the small political party to table the motion in the House. “We do not take threats, if the Opposition wants to pass a no-confidence motion, let them pass it and we will be ready to deal with the consequences of that,” the President said.
The Local Government Ministry in collaboration with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) has officially launched the new GT Recyclers Cooperative at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill on Wednesday.
Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker reflected on the group’s beginnings at the Mandela Dump site, and congratulated them for now playing a critical part in society.
He noted that many of them came from a situation in which their prime concern was only to make extra income to satisfy basic needs, but overtime, with the support of the Local Government Ministry, the Health and Labour Ministries and others partners, they have been guided to recognise the importance of being formalised.
Whittaker advised the individuals that their jobs have now taken on a new importance, stating that their works are contributing to the local economy, supporting environmental efforts and contributing to public health and safety.
Despite the social stigma associated with this initiative, he pointed out that these workers were once referred to as “junkies”, but they made an honest living and that is the first thing that they should be proud of.
Whittaker also stated that because of this initiative, the Local Government Ministry is hoping to replicate similar programmes in the different regions.
With support from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry has been working to identify areas to be used as landfills and persons to work in solid waste management.
The Local Government Minister told the group that their successes ultimately
depends on how well they work as a team, and for them to know that the Local Government Ministry is there to support them.
At the ceremony, IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makennon said the Bank is happy to be a part of the launching of GT Recyclers Cooperative.
She noted that the launch is a significant achievement under the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme, supported by IDB funding. She also stated that the GT Recyclers have come a long way from when they used to operate on the Mandela Dump Site before its closure in 2010, to where they are now at Haags Bosch. Makennon stated that measures were taken to ensure that the group would make as much money as they use to at the Mandela site, but in an approved and environmentally safe manner.
Measurers
These measures include giving ID badges to recyclers, protective gear, dedicated quarters with lockers, bathroom facilities, material storage facilities, medical checkups, vaccination health and security.
Sophie Makennon noted, however, that there is still quite a lot of work to be done at Haags Bosch in order to ensure not only the safety of the GT Recyclers, but also residents and other operators there.
Makennon also acknowledged that the public perception of the group has also changed, which is very important, and most importantly, they have begun to see that the recyclers are not just picking waste, but they are contributing to society and their own livelihoods in a meaningful way.
She stated that now the group has been formalised, they can be considered
within the strategic priorities of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which supports opportunities for enterprises in vulnerable groups with access to finances and opportunities to improve technical and business skills.
The IDB representative applauded the determination displayed by the young men and women of GT Recyclers, the success of the social components of the programme and Government’s commitment in changing both the image and the lives of the persons involved in the initiative.
Makennon reiterated that the IDB’s collaboration with the Local Government Ministry has been a vibrant partnership and the IDB is looking forward to even more collaborations in the future.
The Government and the IDB entered into a loan agreement to finance the US$20 million Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill Project. The agreement was signed in 2007; however, operations began in the latter part of 2011. The landfill facilitates garbage disposal from Georgetown and some 15 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC).
Anumber of flight delays have rocked Fly Jamaica Airways Limited over the past month, leaving passengers angry at the inconvenience.
On Thursday, news emerged that a flight to New York from Georgetown, Guyana, scheduled to leave last Friday, was delayed for two days. Before that, on July 10, the Kingston to New York flight was cancelled, an irate passenger told the Jamaica Observer. “People were at the airport at 02:30h for a 05:30h departure. Up to 09:30h, nobody was talking to my family and they didn’t know what was happening. Eventually they were re-routed on another airline,” the passenger said.
Yet another passenger told the Observer that a flight that was scheduled to depart New York on June
26 arrived in Jamaica on June 28 due to repairs and maintenance on a plane. At the time, Fly Jamaica is reported to have said the exercise took longer than expected. On Thursday when the Observer sought to get a comment from the airline, it was told that the three founding members of staff – Jamaicans Lloyd Tai, Christine Steele and Nadine Silvera – had re-
signed from the company. Their resignations were said to have spanned the period November 2013 to March 2014. The Observer also learnt that Sophia Chang, the former Security Manager, also resigned during that period. Fly Jamaica is a private airline with no financial arrangements with any government. Currently, the airline operates with six aircraft. (Jamaica Observer)
Ahigh-profile team from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) led by Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said the $6 billion approved by the National Assembly would be used to transform the sugar industry.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services on Thursday, GuySuCo Finance Director Paul Bhim said the subvention would be used to aid in the mechanisation process.
He explained that $2.1 billion is being spent on infrastructural works in the area of agriculture, while approximately $1 billion is being utilised to purchase field
equipment, including mechanised harvesters.
GuySuCo has also budgeted $1.1 billion to offset mechanical and electrical work in the factories, including work being done on the punt dumper system at the Skeldon Sugar Factory. Approximately $946 million has been set aside for the tillage and replanting exercises, while spare parts and cane punts would be bought at $351 million and $271 million respectively. The CAT Generation Sets would be overhauled using some $100 million.
Despite stern objection from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2013, GuySuCo
Government is currently engaged in discussions with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) to have the second phase of the multimillion-dollar Citizens Security Programme (CSP) implemented, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has confirmed.
The first phase of the programme concluded in April this year. According to Rohee, discussions are going well; however, he could not say when the conclusion and implementation processes will begin. The Citizens Security Programme is aimed at giving the populace an opportunity to have an input in the welfare and development of the Police Force, while at the same time, developing themselves and their communities. It was launched in 2008 and had a life span of seven years.
CSP adopts a multidimensional approach, which is aimed at preventing, reducing, and fighting crime. It specifically targets disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Regions Four and Six, while at the same time promoting capacity-building of the Police Force and the Home Affairs Ministry, along with the modernisation of the Force.
Rohee pointed out that Guyana has benefited a lot from the programme, with the remodeling of several Police stations, vocational training for young people and the establishment of sport facilities. These sports facilities, the Minister explained, are run and maintained by bodies established in Regions Four and Six.
Some 18 Police stations were rehabilitated under the programme, with 12 of them in Region Four and the others in Region Six. These Police stations were upgraded to include a modern computerised data system and fully air-conditioned rooms. Another project that was implemented under the CSP, the Home Affairs Minister said is the Forensic Laboratory, which was commissioned on Monday last at a final cost of $1.49 billion.
The state-of-art building is located at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown,
The $22.2 million project
was divided into three stages.
The first stage looks at equipping school dropouts between the ages of 14 and 25 with skills that will make them employable or enable them to enter in the field of business. These skills include masonry, carpentry, cosmetology and catering.
Stage two of the programme caters for residents of communities, and they were given resources, training and guidance to aid the reformation process.
Several Police stations and outposts were also rehabilitated during this phase.
The Third stage was the construction of the Forensic Laboratory.
Since the launch of the programme seven years ago, some 308 instructors of the Guyana Police Force were trained in various areas including crime investigation and detection, information management, recruitment training, case management, ethnic and human rights, and the strengthening of internal and external accountability mechanisms.
In addition, approximately 1000 youths have been trained in personal development, youth violence prevention and youth life skills, while some 1000 adults benefited from training programmes on intimate partner violence prevention, youth violence prevention, and child abuse prevention.
The CSP programme also saw the establishment of several crime observatory systems and the implementation
benefited from a $4 billion subvention.
According to Bhim, the subvention was a timely intervention on the part of the Government, allowing for significant investments to be made in the industry.
From the grand sum, approximately $2.2 billion was spent on drainage and ir -
rigation, land conversion, field equipment, cane punts and the construction of all weather roads, among other capital projects in the area of agriculture.
“Approximately $438 million was spent on the conversion of land for the purpose of mechanisation. We could have done a lot more, but
we were quite constrained by the weather last year,” he explained.
The Finance Director further disclosed that the remaining $1.8 billion was used to offset operating expenses, inclusive of payments to the National Insurance Scheme, SOL, Hand in Hand Trust and the Guyana National Shipping Corporation Limited. Cane farmers were also paid from the sum and weekly contractors, in addition to the purchase of lubricants and fertilisers.
In addition to Bhim and the Agriculture Minister, GuySuCo was represented by General Manager of Agriculture Services Raymond Sangster and General Manager of Technical Services Yusuf Abdul. On the other hand, the Economic Services Committee was led by APNU Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, who was supported by committee members Desmond Trotman, Ernest Elliot, Reverend Kwame Gilbert and Manzoor Nadir, among others.
China’s President pressed a charm offensive with Latin America on Thursday, signing deals with Brazil, meeting regional leaders and proposing a US$20 billion infrastructure fund that highlights Beijing’s growing interests in the Region.
President Xi Jinping was greeted with a military honour guard in Brasilia by
President Dilma Rousseff before overseeing the signing of a raft of agreements during a state visit. Xi then met behind-closed doors with a dozen Latin American and Caribbean leaders, including Cuba’s communist President Raul Castro.
After the summit, Rousseff said China proposed the creation of a $20 billion fund to finance infra-
structure projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also offered a credit line of up to US$10 billion to nations of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
In addition, a ChineseLatin American Cooperation Fund of US$5 billion would be set up for investments. Earlier, Rousseff and Xi oversaw the signing of sev-
eral agreements between the two emerging powers.
Chinese companies agreed to buy 60 Brazilian Embraer E190 passenger airplanes worth a total of $3.2 billion. The two countries also reached agreements to cooperate in railway projects and shipping that could facilitate Brazilian exports to resource hungry China. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)
n a first-ever vis-
Iit to The Dominican Republic, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday addressed the National Congress, saying “one country with dedication and solidarity can move the world,” helping to spur progress across the three pillars of the UN – development, human rights and peace.
“Our world is facing many trials – a warming planet, growing inequality, rising insecurity, terrible upheaval in the Middle East, the Central African Republic and beyond. At the same time, we face a pivotal moment to chart a future
Chaos at Curacao airport: Two dead, six injured in drive-by shooting
Two people were killed and others injured in a drive by shooting late Tuesday at the Curacao international airport. Dolfijn FM said the shooting occurred just outside the arrivals area at Curacao International Airport. It said one of the dead was a young man from the Buena Vista neighbourhood of Curacao.
The Police report that suspects in a white car were waiting for the victims and fired multiple shots, killing two and injuring six others. The airport Police engaged the suspects in a shootout, however they managed to flee the scene.
According to the Associated Press, last year, Curacao had 22 homicides, down from 45 in 2002. Among the 2013 slayings was the unsolved assassination of influential lawmaker Helmin Wiels, who was shot to death on a beach as he socialised and sipped a beer. (Caribbean360)
of more opportunity, more dignity and more hope for people and our fragile planet,” said Ban, adding that The Dominican Republic “is helping achieve our collective ambitions.”
On a lighter note, the UN chief said that while Germany just won the World Cup, The Dominican Republic had won the World Baseball Classic. Indeed, the island nation is a “top producer of Major League Baseball talent – from Juan Marichal and Pedro Martínez to David Ortiz and Robinson Cano, to young players of
Dominican heritage like Platinum Glove winner Manny Machado.”
As for the country’s efforts on the wider international stage, Ban hailed The Dominican Republic’s efforts towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including through cutting in half the number of people who suffer from hunger and undernourishment, reducing extreme poverty in all parts of the country, lowering HIV rates, putting more girls in school and more women in positions of power. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Rogue soldiers found to be carrying out unlawful operations and physically abusing citizens will be arrested and charged. However, several reports in the media about residents of Laventille and east Port of Spain being beaten by soldiers are yet to be reported to the Defence Force. Public Relations Officer of the regiment, Captain Stefan Alfonso, said the regiment had not received any official reports of soldier-abuse or complaints by residents.
He, however, assured investigations have begun into the reports highlighted in the media. Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, during an interview on a
morning radio programme, said the reports of abuse in some communities were worrying. “I have directed my officers that if they get any reports in relation to soldiers abusing citizens and carrying out searches, they need to investigate those matters and if necessary prosecute these soldiers, just as we, the Police, prosecute our Police officers. “Just as Police, if soldiers fail to fulfill their duties and responsibilities and commit criminal offences they will also be prosecuted,” Williams said. He insisted he did not request soldier patrols independent of the Police and added that in January he requested joint Police/Army patrols. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kevin Harvey on Thursday confirmed that Jamaica now has its first imported case of the chikungunya virus. A report from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) confirmed that the sample sent Tuesday is indeed positive for the virus, he said.
The case is of an individual who travelled from an affected country and fell ill.
“The Ministry will continue with its heightened surveillance and will be taking steps to reduce the vector through its vector control programme,” Dr Harvey said. “Individuals should ensure that they protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellent containing DEET and covering their body as much as possi-
ble by wearing long-sleeved clothing, for example.”
Symptoms of chikungunya include high fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and a rash. CARPHA’s website said the fever can be continuous or intermittent and may be associated with relative bradycardia or abnormally slow heartbeat. CARPHA also said that the joint symptoms are symmetric and most commonly occur in the hands and feet, but may affect other joints.
The rash, according to CARPHA, occurs two to five days after the onset of fever in approximately half of all patients. “It is typically maculopapular, involving the trunk and extremities, but can also include palms, soles and face,” the website said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
According to Russia’s state-owned news agency ITAR-TASS, President Vladimir Putin has denied that Russia plans to reopen its signals intelligence (SIGINT) base in Lourdes, Cuba.
Speaking at the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Brasilia, Putin noted that “Russia is capable of fulfilling its defence capacity tasks without this component (Lourdes)”.
Earlier this week, Russian business daily Kommersant reported that, during Putin’s visit to Havana last Friday, Russia and Cuba agreed to reopen the base in Lourdes, which was primarily used to spy on US communications and missile launches during the Cold War and was closed in 2001, partly as a result of US financial pressure fol-
lowing the collapse of the Soviet Union.
According to Kommersant, Moscow’s interest in reopening the facility increased significantly at the beginning of this year during Russia’s attempted expansion into the Ukraine, when the Russian military had several meetings with their Cuban counterparts. After all remaining issues were resolved, arrangements to reopen the base were reportedly finalised during Putin’s visit to Havana last week.
The reported agreement to reopen the spy base in Cuba and Russia’s move into the Crimea earlier this year has served to draw attention to remarks made in 2012 by then US presidential candidate Mitt Romney that “without question Russia is our number one geopolitical foe”. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
Pope Francis has demanded justice for the victims of a bomb attack against a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires exactly 20 years ago. In a recorded video to mark the anniversary, the Pope described the attack as an “act of madness”.
Eighty-five people were killed in the attack, which was masterminded by Iran, according to Argentine courts. Iran denies any involvement. Last year, Iran and Argentina agreed to set up a Truth Commission.
Pope Francis said the suffering of the families cannot be forgotten. He was the Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires at the time.
“My prayers for all the victims are accompanied today
by my call for justice. Justice must be done,” he said.
“And may God give peace to all of those who died in this act of madness.”
The video was recorded on the mobile phone of a friend of the Pope and Jewish community leader who went to visit him at the Vatican last month.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the reconstructed Jewish cultural centre and the Justice Palace building to pray for the victims and demand justice.
The old seven storeybuilding of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (Amia) in the centre of Buenos Aires was completely destroyed by a car bomb on July 18, 1994. (Excerpt from BBC News)
US President Barack Obama demanded Russia stop supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine after the downing of a Malaysian airline by a surface-to-air missile he said was fired from rebel territory raised the prospect of more sanctions on Moscow.
At least one American was among the almost 300 killed, he said, a revelation that raises the stakes in a pivotal incident in deteriorating relations between Russia and the West.
Calling it “an outrage of unspeakable proportions”, Obama stopped short of directly blaming Russia for the incident but warned that he was prepared to tighten economic sanctions. He echoed international calls for a rapid and credible investigation and ruling out US military intervention.
But, noting the global impact of the crash, with victims from 11 countries across four continents, he said the stakes were high for Europe, a clear call for it to follow the more robust sanctions on Russia already imposed by Washington. Russia, whom Obama said was let-
“This outrageous event underscores that it is time for peace and security to be restored in Ukraine,” Obama said, adding that Russia had failed to use its influence to curb rebel violence
ting the rebels bring in weapons, has expressed anger at implications it was to blame, saying people should not prejudge the outcome of the inquiry. There were no survivors from the
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, a Boeing 777. The United Nations said 80 of the 298 aboard were children. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Indian parents have begun a boycott of a Bangalore school after claims emerged that a six-year-old student had been raped by two staff members.
The parents, who staged a protest on Thursday, have asked the school to step up security for students. The alleged assault happened on July 2 but her parents discovered it only a few days ago after she complained of stomach ache and was taken to hospital.
Parents accused the school of being in denial
Police have registered a case, but they are yet to make any arrests. The girl was allegedly raped by a security guard and a gym teacher, but as there are multiple guards and gym instructors in the school, Police say they are trying to identify the guilty, BBC Hindi’s Imran Qureshi reports from Bangalore.
As news of the incident became public, hundreds of parents gathered outside the school on Thursday. Now the parents say they will stop sending their children to the school until they have assurances about better security for the students.
“We have told the management that we do not think it is safe to send our children to school until it concedes our demands on the security of our children in writing,” one parent, Anita Makharia, told BBC Hindi. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The Islamic State group has threatened Christians in the Iraqi city of Mosul with death if they do not to convert to Islam or pay a tax, Al Jazeera has learned.
The Sunni rebel group issued the orders in a letter after Friday prayers. The document obtained by Al Jazeera, states that the order was issued after Christian lead-
ers failed to attend a meeting called by the group.
In response, the group says in the letter that Christians must either convert to Islam, pay a special tax on non-Muslims known as jiziya, or face death “as a last resort”.
Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, was overrun by the Islamic State group and allied rebel groups last month. The
Iraqi army units stationed in the city, most of whom were Shia, fled after the group crossed from Syria and attacked the north of Iraq.
Before the attack, Mosul’s Christian community was estimated at 3000. Many are believed to have already fled the city as part of an exodus of up to one-third of the population.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Scores of leading AIDS research experts were among those killed when a Malaysian passenger jet crashed in Ukraine after being allegedly shot down.
Among them was Joep Lange, who researched the condition for more than 30 years and was considered a giant in the field, admired for his tireless advocacy for ac-
cess to affordable AIDS drugs for HIV positive patients living in poor countries.
“He’s one of the icons of the whole area of research.
His loss is massive,” Richard Boyd, Professor of immunology at Monash University in Melbourne, told Reuters.
As many as 100 people heading to the AIDS 2014 conference in Melbourne were
on the doomed flight, Fairfax Media reported, including Lange, a former President of the International AIDS Society which organises the event.
“The cure for AIDS may have been on that plane, we just don’t know,” Trevor Stratton, an AIDS consultant who was attending a preevent in Sydney, told the ABC network. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
On the birthday of Nelson Mandela on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the late South African icon, saying it is an occasion to reaffirm commitment to work towards world peace.
“The beloved Madiba’s work, ideals and principles continue to inspire us. He demonstrated the triumph of peace, equality and service,” Modi said.
The birthday of the leader, who died in December last at the age of 95, is celebrated as ‘Nelson Mandela International Day’ as declared by the UN.
The Prime Minister said Mandela Day is “not only a day to remember the great man himself but also to reaffirm our commitment to work towards world peace.”
In Johannesburg, a digital exhibition featuring the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela kicked off a month-long Indian festival on Friday that will celebrate the strong bonds between India and South Africa.
Hosted jointly by the South African Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Indian High Commission, the festival will see various Indian arts and cultural activities being taken beyond the major cities of the country, as has largely been the case in the past with visiting Indian artists.
South Africans marked the day with charitable acts, like picking up litter, cooking at homes for the elderly and donating food, blankets and other basic necessities to the poor. (Times of India)
People around the world have paid homage to the memory of Nelson Mandela by volunteering 67 minutes of their time for the common good to mark the anti-apartheid activist’s birthday.
For the first “Mandela Day” since his death, events were planned in Paris, New York, Dallas, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, while a film portraying his life was to premiere in China on Friday.
Thousands across the globe donated 67 minutes of their time for the common good to mark Mandela’s 67 years of activism for South Africa’s freedom. South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma called on South Africans to bring out their brooms and mops and help spruce up their country.
“In this way, we will be promoting working together to build our beautiful country, which is what Madiba taught us as South Africans,” he said, using a
respectful tribal name to refer to the country’s first black President.
Zuma himself helped to clean a school in Mvezo in the Eastern Cape, the village where Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. Government officials, Opposition politicians and trade unionists also set aside an hour to volunteer – many with an eye on the free publicity.
Around the country, citi-
zens cleaned schools, planted vegetables and adopted penguins to celebrate “Mandela Day” for the first time since the death of the iconic leader on what would have been his 96th birthday. Images of people doing good deeds or famous quotes of the late revered peacemaker were posted on social media and news outlets, remembering the long life of the anti-apartheid hero. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
The United Nations accused Islamic State fighters in Iraq of executions, rape and forced recruitment of children during a campaign to seize much of northern Iraq, part of a conflict it said has killed almost 5600 civilians this year.
In a report, the UN focused on a range of violations committed against civilians, particularly by the Islamic State, though it also said Iraqi forces and allied fighters had not taken pre-
cautions to protect civilians from violence.
“(This)... may also amount to war crimes,” it said in its report into months of unrest which culminated in advances by Sunni militants led by the al Qaeda offshoot Islamic State, formerly known as ISIL, across the north of the country.
“ISIL and associated armed groups have also continued to... perpetrate targeted assassinations (of) community, political, and religious leaders, Government
employees, education professionals, health workers... sexual assault, rape and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls, forced recruitment of children, kidnappings, executions, robberies.”
The report, the UN’s most comprehensive review of the impact of months of unrest, also accused the Islamic State of wanton destruction and plundering of places of worship and of cultural or historical significance.
saturday, July 19, 2014 | guyanatimesgy.com
The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is in the final few weeks of execution of a project support by the Guiana Shield Facility titled “Strengthening of Guyana’s Technical Capacity to Implement MRVS & Other REDD+ Related Activities”.
The Guiana Shield Facility is a flexible delivery mechanism within the United Nations Development Programme to promote the conservation of biodiversity and to support sustainable development in the Guiana Shield eco-region.
The European Union and Government of the Netherlands are the donors. This facility is a follow on the previous phase called the Guiana Shield Initiative which saw the delivery of key technical assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
A close off workshop was held at the GFC on July 17, at which the
Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry and the GFC outlined the main outcomes of the project and next steps forward.
The Ministry said Guyana has a vibrant extractives sector and protecting the natural wealth of the eco-region has to be done while balancing the impacts of these activities.
The Ministry noted that demand for Guyana’s natural resources is high and the need to limit the impacts that utilisation may have on the environment, is essential.
Useful opportunity
It also said that through this project, the opportunity presented itself to examine natural resources within the broader context of the ecoregion, and identify options for moving forward.
This project was implemented by the GFC over a two-year period and commenced in August 2012. The overall goal of the project was in keeping with the principles of the Guiana Shield Facility, and reflected the national priori-
ties for Guyana on REDD+, which sought to strengthen the technical capacity of the GFC and other key agencies involved in Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) implementation, while assisting the Government in the development of key technical components of REDD+ readiness activities in Guyana. These components contributed to the implementation of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and REDD+ readi-
ness activities, including the development of Guyana’s Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) system.
Among the main areas of work addressed under the project include support to technical assessment to inform Guyana’s national reference Level for REDD+, analysis to explore co-benefits of REDD+ and integration of monitoring mechanisms within the national MRVS, the conducting of stakeholder engagement on REDD+ and MRVS areas, and the development
of initial work on REDD+ strategies.
These activities have been completed and have supported national priorities areas for Guyana’s REDD+ programme. Guyana’s role in the Guiana Shield Eco Region is one of the largest blocks of primary tropical forest worldwide as well as an eco-region with very high biodiversity levels. With 90 per cent covered with intact rainforest, it plays a critical role in mitigating climate change and in water regulation of Amazon and Orinoco basins.
A significant percentage of Guyana’s forests of approximately 18 million hectares forms part of this eco-region and highlights the importance of the role within the eco-region. With over 1.16 million hectares of Guyana’s forest designated as protected areas, and several areas under community management plans, Guyana’s role in the eco-region is vital.
By IndrawattIe natram
Twenty-four fledging doctors have successfully completed their one-year internship programme at Suddie Public Hospital.
A simple graduation ceremony, on Friday, courtesy of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana, at the hospital’s Boardroom marked the culmination of the medical apprentice-
ship of the doctors who had trained in Cuba for six years before embarking on the internship.
In his address at the ceremony, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud commended the Government of Cuba and its people, with whom Guyana enjoys a good bilateral relationship, for training the Guyanese doctors.
The Region Two Chairman congratulated the 24 new doctors and said they will provide a significant boost to the health sector, noting that full-time services will be offered to the public at health centres on the Essequibo Coast.
He told graduates, parents, doctors and other hospital officials present that the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana is doing an excellent job, and owing to their efforts, the health sector has been enhanced.
The Chairman said over the years, Cuba as a country has offered tonnes of humanitarian services to people in various countries, including Venezuela. On this note, Persaud called for the sanctions on Cuba to be lifted, saying he could only imagine the magnitude of humanitarian services that would be offered to people around the world by Cuba if the economy is freed up.
In her remarks to the graduates, Director of the Teaching Process of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana, Ana Antonia Fernandez Assan, said the internship programme was successfully achieved with a 100 per cent pass rate. She said in this present batch, the programme was
realised with quality and the results of students are recognised.
The Director stressed that “a doctor is like a Pastor, a missionary and a crusader of health” and stated that the training was made possible through the spirit of kind solidarity of Cuba.
Beginning of journey Regional Health Officer (RHO) Allison Brown also congratulated the doctors on completing their course, and thanked their parents and relatives for supporting them during their six years of study in Cuba. Brown told the doctors that it was the beginning of their journey and urged them to continue to do research.
The RHO also advised the young doctors to always take correction and guidance from senior doctors, professionals and experienced nurses.
The top graduating doctors were Amit Rajpersaud, of Hubu Backdam, Parika, Region Three; and Jewel Chester of Linden, Region 10. Dr Amit Rajpersaud told Guyana Times that studying in Cuba was the best opportunity given to him, and expressed thanks to his teachers, parents and the Government of Cuba. Dr Chester also expressed gratitude to the Government of Cuba. She added that she enjoyed her training at the Suddie Public Hospital, and was aspiring to become a great medical officer.
Dr Rajpersaud’s mother, Angela Persaud, who was present at the ceremony was very happy and proud of her son’s success. She said herself and her husband, a sawmill foreman, supported Rajpersaud during his study in Cuba and she has seen the results of their efforts today.
President Donald Ramotar said though the move by the Alliance For Change (AFC) to lay a no-confidence motion against his Government is within their constitutional right, the basis assumed by its leader Khemraj Ramjattan is baseless and spurious.
The AFC is contending that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, together with other officials at the said Ministry and elsewhere in other Ministries and Government agencies, namely the Office of the President, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Public Works and Health Ministries have misused, misapplied, and improperly disposed of public monies to the extent of $4.533 billion during the period ending June 16 for financial year 2014, by knowingly permitting contraventions of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 contrary to Sections 48 and 85 thereof.
But the President in a statement said: “I resolutely maintain that the actions taken by my Government
about which you complain are expressly authorised and permitted by both the letter and spirit of the Constitution. Indeed, you yourself participated in this identical process in the years 2012 and 2013 by supporting Financial Papers 1 of 2012 and 1 of 2013.”
Article 218 (3), President Ramotar said is unambiguous in allowing expenditure to be incurred in the absence, or in excess of available appropriations as approved in the extant Appropriations Act. That Article reads thus:
“In respect of any financial year it is found… that
any moneys have been expected for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act… a statement of excess showing the amounts… spent shall be laid before the National Assembly by the Minister responsible for Finance…”
The Honourable Chief Justice, Ian Chang in his July 18, 2012 ruling on the budget cuts case, is equally unambiguous. He states thus:
“The application of Article 218(3) is premised
on a finding of insufficiency of an appropriate amount for a stated purpose or of no amount for a purpose for which a need has arisen and which has received no appropriation it is not this court to substitute itself for the Minister of Finance. It is he who must make the perquisite “finding” under Article 218(3) of the Constitution…”
Prepared to face electorate
The President reiterated that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is prepared to face the consequences of such a motion and the electorate.
He explained that it will give the party the opportunity to demand that the AFC explain to the Guyanese people their denial of them having cheap energy by opposing the Hydro Power Station at Amaila.
“In so doing, you have opposed the industrialisation of our country and the creation of decent jobs for our people, particularly our young people. You will have a chance to explain why you have voted against giving the Guyanese people bet-
ter health care due to your Opposition to a Specialty Hospital. Moreover, you will clarify for the electorate whether it was because your client lost out in the bidding process to construct the complex.
“It will be a good occasion for you to explain to the people if your Opposition to the construction of a Marriott Hotel was rooted in the fact that your chief financier is also in the hotel business.
“It will give you the opportunity to explain to the Guyanese people how and why the Chairman of your party interfered with the judicial process causing the persons who were charged with the Lusignan Massacre to walk free,” the President told Ramjattan.
He reminded the AFC leader that an opportunity will be presented for him to explain why he partnered with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) calling for the closing down of the sugar industry, thereby jeopardising the lives and livelihoods of thousands of sugar workers and their families.
“You will explain to the Guyanese people why you cut budgetary allocations to the indigenous peoples, affecting development in their communities. Indeed, you will explain to all the people of this country, especially the poor people, why you cut monies out of the national budget which were allocated to improve and advance their welfare and that of their children, for example, the poverty alleviation initiatives, including the student loans and uniform and transportation allowances for school children.
“You will explain why you opposed the Anti Money Laundering Bill, thereby exposing our country to international sanctions and our people to economic and financial hardships.
“Of course, I can continue, but I think the point is made. In conclusion, I reiterate that I will never stand in the way of any person or political party seeking to exercise any constitutional right, power or freedom which they enjoy,” the president concluded.
“In an ordered society, courts have an important role to play...” Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Carl Singh said, as he re-christened the Christianburg Magistrates’ Courts, Linden Magistrate’s Court and revealed that it will soon be part of a larger Upper Demerara Magisterial District, complete with a resident magistrate.
Present at the ceremony on Friday in the mining town were Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Magistrate Clive Nurse, Justice Singh and Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry who chaired the event, among other special invitees.
The Chancellor explained that it was his intention to merge Linden with the Kwakwani and Ituni districts into the Upper Demerara Magisterial District, and said the law should be upheld by all, regardless of their status in society. A violation of the law, he stressed, will make way for consequences, “... we live in a society that is ruled by law and so if you violate the law...there are consequences. The law is a leveller of standing....”
He added that the courts are not only about punishment, but are a place where persons seek to assert their fundamental human rights. Justice Singh also thanked Solomon for his cooperation in making the event possible.
In his remarks, the
The newly-commissioned Linden Magistrate’s Court
Attorney General said the Linden Magistrate’s Court is a product of the recently-concluded Justice Modernisation Sector Programme. He noted that magistrate’s courts, including Linden's, rehabilitated under the programme, are now being equipped with residential facilities for the magistrates, in an effort to improve delivery. The newly-commissioned building, situated at Burnham Drive, Wismar, was built after the former magistrate’s court at Christianburg, Wismar, was destroyed by fire in April 2011.
The Attorney General stressed that Linden Magistrate’s Court will soon be declared a new magisterial district with its own office. This means that Lindeners
in need of certain services, such as child support, will no longer have to travel to Georgetown and Vreed-enHoop in order to access the services.
“Deep sense of pride”
“It is with a deep sense of pride that I associate myself with the re- commissioning of this facility...this is but yet another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to resource the judiciary and the justice sector in order to ensure that all the people of our country...have access in an equal way, to the facilities of justice,” he said.
“I don’t think in the year 2014, anyone can dispute the importance of a functioning legal system and a system that protects the liberties
of individuals...to the development and equation of any country. No nation can advance economically...intellectually...socially, if there is not a system of laws that are in place to protect...”
Nandlall said the absence of law and order, as well as a place where people can go when their rights are being violated, results in anarchy. He said Government is committed to ensuring that the legal and judicial systems are properly resourced so that they can function effectively and in accordance with the law. Addressing Solomon, the Attorney General said the newly-commissioned court is now part of his regional network, owned by the people of Guyana, more specifically Region 10. He urged
the people of the Region to treat it as their own and protect it, noting that they are the sole beneficiaries.
In her presentation, the Chief Magistrate said in recognition of the importance of a court system which must be equally accessible to all, the Government of Guyana has significantly added to the legal landscape, improving facilities to communities across Guyana to access justice. She added that the need for the appointment of competent and impartial magistrates cannot be overstated, noting that improved facilities would be meaningless without magistrates.
Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry, in highlighting some shortcomings in the local judiciary system, stressed that it was no secret that there are not enough magistrates to manage the various districts, adding that the magistrate for the Christianburg court in Linden also presides over the Wales and Vreed-enHoop Magistrate’s Courts, in addition to sharing responsibilities at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.
Speedy appointment of the Judicial Service Commission
“In this regard I would like to call upon the speedy appointment of the Judicial Service Commission, which is tasked with the responsibility of furnishing the courts with competent judicial officers,” she said.
In his address, Regional Chairman Solomon said it was indeed a proud moment for the community, to have restored the building
which represents justice for the people. Solomon called for the constitutional rights of all citizens to be upheld and for all Guyanese to be adequately represented by the judicial system, noting that in the aftermath of the Linden protests, Guyana imported jurists for the Commission of Inquiry into the incident, when we have “many esteemed jurists”. In an attempt to paint a contrast, he told the gathering that only moments before, he attended the memorial wreath-laying ceremony for the three men killed during the protests in Linden on July 18, 2012.
“I wanted to make that contrast of here it is that we are here to celebrate the commissioning of a building that represents justice, but two years on, this community still seeks justice. We hope that this building that is being commissioned will symbolise that which we are pursuing...,”he said.
“… I hope that our representation across our divide, racial, political, and everything that makes us different individuals, we understand that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere...” He expressed gratitude to Chancellor Singh for ensuring that the people of the Region have an opportunity at justice, through the recommissioning of the courthouse.
Following the presentations, the ribbon was cut and the plaque unveiled by Justice Singh and Minister Nandlall to officially declare the building open.
ment”.
On the other hand, the St Lucia Zouks will look to get their campaign back on track after losing their opening game to the Jamaica Tallawahs by seven wickets. Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher and captain Darren Sammy have all demonstrated their abilities on the world stage a few times.
Among the remote, enlisted people, Roelof van der Merwe and Sohail Tanvir will be valuable parts of the group. They have been additionally restricted with the absence of Kevin Pietersen and he will stay distracted because of the progressing Natwest T20 Blast.
Nevertheless, captain Darren Sammy is optimistic his team can rebound from their opening loss.
According to the former West Indies Test captain, it was a just a few moments of lapses that caused their demise in the opening match of the tournament.
The game boiled down to one of the most remarkable finishes in Twenty20 cricket with Sunil Narine gaining the spotlight. Defending 11 in the Super Over, the Amazon Warriors’ spinner delivered a wicket maiden.
Narine was up against Red Steel’s wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran, who had hit the spinner for 11 runs off four balls during the chase.
In the Super Over, however, Pooran could not get bat on ball for the first four deliveries, before holing out at long-off. The Amazon Warriors had all but won the game, and Narine beat New Zealand’s Ross Taylor with the final ball to complete his maiden over.
For the Warriors, the key has been their bowers, especially
Narine who has done a tremendous job.
The other spinners, together with the fast and medium pacers, have also been pictures of consistency so far in the tourna-
However, the Amazon Warriors batting line-up has failed to complement their bowlers so far and Head Coach Roger Harper acknowledged that the batting department must im-
“First of all we are delighted to win the game, we know the good thing [is that] we are capable of batting much better and I expect that with the quality and experience we have we will turn it around soon,” the former West Indies vice-captain said.
“We are delighted with the wins, it is points in the bag but we know each game brings new challenges and we also realise we are not playing the way we know we are capable of playing and that is what we are striving for, continuing winning and playing at the level we are capable of”.
Harper is of the view that shot selection and failing to assess the conditions and play accordingly may be the main contributing factors for the batsmen failing.
Looking forward as the tournament progresses, Harper said: “We need to bat better; we have what I think a good allround team. Our teamwork is pulling us through at the mo-
“We are proud of him. I hope he makes the West Indies team in the future; we want to wish him well in all his endeavours. We pray that God would keep him in perfect health and strength so he can make all Guyanese proud; he really did well, we were glued to the television. We are so proud, very proud.”
Urla Pearson, who watched the game in its entirety, was proud to watch her nephew playing in a tournament of international stature for the first time.
“It was superb; words
cannot explain seeing him play and the way he pulled Guyana through, because the last over he played was the defining moment for Guyana Amazon Warriors. We are indeed proud and he has our full support all the way,” said Urla, visiting from Grenada. Guyana Times Sport also caught up a few villagers of Reliance, who were excited about what the future holds for the 21-yearold cricketer.
Roy Singh said, “I think Beaton performance was mighty; really good. I ad-
mired the way he bowled in the game and how he batted at the end. As a Reliance boy he made us proud; I wish him well. My wish is for him to join the West Indies team sometime soon.”
Bishnu Ganpat, Ronsford’s neighbour, remarked, “I feel good watching my fellow villager playing, he made us proud. The match was very thrilling and if it wasn’t for him the Warriors would have lost. I want to congratulate the team, especially him; he did well and we are all proud.”
Sewmurdee Ganpat pointed out, “Beaton’s a very good boy. He can play; he got talent and he made all of us from Reliance village [proud]. I think he need to go further because he has the talent, he needs the push now. The West Indies selectors should watch him now as a player; he has a far way to go.”
In years to come, this match would no doubt be remembered for the guile and artistry of Sunil Narine in the Super Over, which was a wicket maiden. For Beaton however, it’s a time-
“The atmosphere is brilliant going into tomorrow’s (today) game. We had a difficult game against the defending champions, I think (Chris) played a brilliant innings and that was the difference but we are very optimistic and assured of the calibre we have in the dressing room and now we are here in Guyana, we want to do the same thing we did last year,” Sammy recalled.
He added “The team that shows the nerves and plays more sensibly will come out victorious and that’s what we are looking to do”.
The St Lucia Zouks were victorious against the Amazon Warriors by five wickets and three balls to spare when the teams met last year in the inaugural edition of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.
Guyana Amazon Warriors squad: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Sunil Narine, Robin Bacchus, Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith, Martin Guptill, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Mohammad Hafeez, James Neesham, Veerasammy Permaul, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons and Navin Stewart.
St Lucia Zouks squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Brad Hodge, Shane Shillingford, Roelofven Der Merwe, Tino Best, Andre Flethcer, Sohail Tanvir, Johnson Charles, Garey Mathurin, Sunil Ambris, Keddy Lesporis, Liam Sebastien, Mervin Mathew and Tonito Willett.
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Red Steel skipper
Dwayne Bravo on Thursday played down the Super Over defeat to Guyana Amazon Warriors in match five of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, noting that there is no need to hit the “panic button.”
Bravo made the comment at the post-match press conference at the Guyana National Stadium after the Red Steel endured their first defeat of the 2014 competition.
“No reason to hit the panic button as yet. As I said it’s a longer tournament than last season so we have a bit more room to play with, but at the same time we can’t keep thinking it’s a long tournament and we have time on our hands. I think we need to keep winning games and get some early points, because we don’t know what can happen later down in the tournament,” the bubbly all-rounder told the press.
Despite the defeat, Bravo was full of praise for his players, refraining from faulting anyone for the loss.
“Obviously I’m disappointed we came out on the losing end, but at the same time I can’t fault the efforts of the entire team. When we batted first obviously we assessed the conditions; it was a surface maybe [a total of] 130-135 would have been a different game, but 120 to get it to a Super Over, I have
Dwayne Bravo
to give credit to my team. They played their hearts out and that’s all I can ask for as a captain,” Bravo explained.
Batting first, Red Steel laboured to 118-8, an inning built around a late onslaught from young Nicholas Pooran, who belted three sixes in a 17-ball 37.
Guyana Amazon Warriors slipped to 56-6 in the 10th over, but recovered well through a fighting partnership of 44 between Christopher Barnwell and Sunil Narine. Another collapse ensued and it was left to last man Ronsford Beaton to level the scores with some precious runs off
the final three deliveries.
In the Super Over, Guyana Amazon Warriors made 11-1 before Narine sent down six dot balls to Pooran and Ross Taylor. The only ball that hit the bat resulted in the dismissal of Pooran, caught on the long-off boundary by Martin Guptill.
The win for the Guyana Amazon Warriors was their third in four matches against the Red Steel, who will be in action again on Sunday when they take on the Antigua Hawksbills at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. First ball is at noon.
RSteel coach Simon Helmot has labelled Nicholas Pooran a special talent after the teenager emerged as both hero and villain in the thrilling encounter against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Limacol Caribbean Premier League on Thursday night.
Pooran hit a strokefilled 37 from 17 balls to revive a faltering Red Steel innings, but later dropped a simple catch that resulted in the match being tied.
In the ensuing Super Over, the diminitive but strong left-hander struggled against mystery spinner Sunil Narine, missing the first four deliveries before skying a catch off the fifth.
Helmot, speaking at the post-match press conference at the Guyana National Stadium, said the experience could only serve to make Pooran a better player.
“He was a hero, he got us back in the game; he was outstanding. He got us back into a partnership just like the Warriors did too,” Helmot reckoned.
He added, “Look it’s disappointing for him, obviously missing a catch and not getting bat on ball at the back end. But that happens in cricket and he will be better for the experience as a young man, and I think he’s an exciting prospect, not just for
the Red Steel, but West Indies cricket.”
In his brief career so far, 18-year-old Pooran has emerged as a no-nonsense batsman, boasting a healthy strike rate of 135.33 in 15 T20 matches.
He burst onto the Limacol CPL in the opening match last year, smoking 54 off 24 balls, inclusive of six sixes, but could not inspire victory against
the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
In February this year, he emerged as the West Indies leading runscorer in the Youth World Cup in Abu Dhabi, racking up 303 runs from six games. His highest score of 143 was made out of a total of 208 against Australia, while he also made 67 not out against Canada and 54 against India.
Lahm’s international career started in February 2004 with a 2-1 defeat of Croatia and ended with the 1-0 win over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final
Germany captain
Philipp Lahm has retired from international football after leading his side to victory at the World Cup in Brazil. The 30-year-old Bayern Munich defender, who can also play in midfield, played 113 times for Germany.
Lahm will continue playing for his club side, where he renewed his contract until 2018 shortly before the World Cup.
His retirement from the national side was confirmed by the German FA (DFB). “I am happy and grateful that the end of my career with the national team coincides with winning the World Cup in Brazil,” he said in an open letter on the DFB website.
Lahm’s international career started in February 2004 with a 2-1 defeat of Croatia and ended with the 1-0 win over Argentina
in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Lahm now plans to focus on the club side that he joined aged 11 and has been captain of since 2011. “There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world champion at the peak of your career,” Bayern chairman KarlHeinz Rummenigge said.
“But for the national team, it will not be easy to replace Lahm as a player, captain and a man.”
South African bowl -
er Vernon Philander has been fined 75% of his match fee by the International Cricket Council for ball tampering during the Test match in Sri Lanka.
The 29-year-old was deemed to have scratched the surface of the ball with his finger and thumb dur -
ing Friday’s third-day’s play in Galle.
The punishment was accepted by the player without contest.
Philander is the second South African to be found guilty of ball tampering.
Last October, Faf du Plessis was fined 50% of his match fee after he was caught by television cam -
eras rubbing the ball close to the zip on his trouser pocket during a Test match against Pakistan in the UAE.
Philander’s offence was not captured live on air but was picked up after the day’s play had finished when on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Richard Kettleborough, along with third umpire Nigel Llong, reviewed the day’s footage.
Altering the condition of the ball is a level two offence under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which carries a penalty of 50-100% of the match fee and/or suspension from one Test or two one-day internationals for a first offence.
A five-wicket haul from Dale Steyn on Friday afternoon put South Africa in charge of the first Test in Galle, where they hold a 172-run lead after scoring 455 for nine declared and then reducing the home side to 283 for nine.
England batsman
Gary Ballance struck his second successive Lord’s century, but two late wickets gave India the edge in the second Test. Ballance scored 110 in a partnership of 98 with Moeen Ali (32) to revive England from 113-4 following a top-order slump in which struggling captain Alastair Cook managed only 10.
But when Moeen and Ballance fell in the final half hour of a baking-hot London day, the momentum swung back in India’s favour, with England closing on 219-6 in reply to the tourists’ 295.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was comfortably the pick of India’s bowlers, getting the ball to swing from a full length and claiming 4-46. He was ably supported by India’s other seamers, who nagged away at a probing line, and spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Murali Vijay, who both chipped in with a wicket.
Ballance, who was this week pictured shirtless in a Nottingham nightclub, nicked between wicketkeeper and first slip on 32, but played a mature and calculated innings to drag England out of danger. It was not until he had reached 80 that he really opened his shoulders, driving and cutting Stuart Binny for successive boundaries and bringing up his hundred off 186 balls with a crisp on-drive.
He scored 104 not out against Sri Lanka at
Lord’s last month, having made 130 for Yorkshire against Middlesex in the County Championship earlier this season in his first first-class game at the ground.
Moeen lashed his first ball from spinner Jadeja over mid-on for four but was a model of calm for the majority of his 106-ball innings until he lost concentration against Vijay’s part-time spin and was lbw missing a flick to leg.
Ballance’s fine innings was ended in the third over with the second new ball as he got a thin edge down the leg side.
It is not the first time this summer that England have relied on one of their bright new batting talents to atone for the failings of their more established stars.
While the scrutiny over Cook’s position as captain and opening batsman intensifies with every low score, Ian Bell finds himself in a similar rut. The Warwickshire batsman, who was out tamely as he gloved an attempted leave to third slip, has made only four fifties and no hundreds in 18 Test innings since the third of his centuries in his golden Ashes summer of 2013.
Cook actually made an encouraging start to his innings, looking solid in defence and leaving adroitly outside off stump. But he was undone by some clever bowling by Kumar, who set him up
with some inswingers before shaping one away, drawing a tentative push and finding the edge.
Cook, who swished his bat in anger before departing to stunned silence, has not scored a century since May 2013 against New Zealand. Since then he has averaged 23.69 in 14 Tests, with a highest score of 72. Sam Robson, dropped on eight by Ajinkya Rahane at second slip off Mohammed Shami, was out for 17 when he edged a flashing drive to Dhoni. For the second innings in a row, Bell’s indecisiveness was his undoing. Caught between playing and leaving, he allowed the ball to cushion off his glove and loop to Jadeja in the slips. Joe Root has scored a 150 and a double-hundred this summer, but this was not to be his day. The Yorkshireman was harshly given out lbw to a skidding delivery from Jadeja, as Hot Spot detected a thick inside edge.
After their travails on Thursday, when India recovered from 145-7 to 2909 on a green, seam-friendly pitch, England needed only 10 balls to take the final wicket on Friday morning.
Shami nicked Ben Stokes to first slip, where Cook clung on to a juggling catch at the second attempt. It was the only piece of good fortune the England skipper would enjoy on another gruelling day.
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Defending champion Phil Mickelson took 70 to end level par, with England’s Justin Rose two under after a 70.
But Masters champion Bubba Watson, two-time winner Ernie Els, England’s Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were among those to miss the cut, which fell at three over.
McIlroy put his recent trend of poor Friday rounds behind him with a masterful display over the Royal Liverpool links on a day when conditions favoured his later start time.
an
Iof three
talian Vincenzo Nibali extended his overall lead in the Tour de France by winning stage 13 from to Chamrousse. The Astana rider proved strongest dur-
ing the long final climb to come out on top ahead of Rafal Majka, who took second, and Leopold Konig in third.
Nibali holds an over-
all lead of three minutes, 37 seconds over Alejandro Valverde with Romain Bardet third. Team Sky’s Richie Porte, who began the day second overall, struggled on the final climb, losing nine minutes.
Porte, who took over as his team’s leader following the withdrawal of reigning champion Chris Froome, fell back with 12km remaining of the 18.2km hors categorie ascent to Chamrousse, to drop to 16th in the overall standings.
The Australian was not the only rider to struggle in the searing heat in the Alps with Joaquim Rodriguez, who was wearing the polka dot King of the Mountains jersey, also dropping away.
By TreisTon Joseph
Wherever one might have gone on Friday, they would surely have heard the talk coming out of almost everyone’s mouth: the Super Over bowled by the “mystery man” Sunil Narine and the thrilling events that led to the deciding moment in the game between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Red Steel at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Spectators in the almost filled-tocapacity stadium erupted from their silence in the final overs of the game, as Guyana made a remarkable comeback to force a tie and eventually the victory after a flawless over from Narine.
Loyal cricket fans, most decked out in Amazon Warriors colours, could not believe what a remarkable outcome they had just witnessed- the first Super Over of the Limacol CPL and a convincing victory after an amazing fightback by the Guyanabased franchise team.
The “Biggest Party in Sport” just got bigger with Guyana once again the stage for an exhilarating encounter that has thrown the cricket- loving nation into a frenzy.
Limacol CPL compensates
Meanwhile, the huge crowd at the Guyana National Stadium not only underlined the passion Guyanese have for the game of cricket, but also may have given a clear indication of how many persons would have been disappointed when the West Indies Cricket Board pulled the third Test between West Indies and New Zealand in the recently concluded series.
The interesting part of all of this is that the Guyana National Stadium was not at full capacity, yet still had the largest turnout of the 2014 Limacol CPL, despite the game being on a week night.
The crowd for today’s match against St Lucia Zouks is expected to be even greater, while the match for Sunday against the Jamaica Tallawahs is said to be sold out.
It is without a doubt that the huge crowd also turned out to be the crucial 12th man of the game that seemingly helped will the Amazon Warriors onwards, in spite of their early collapse.
Guyana, a nation starved for the sport of cricket that is as much a part of this nation’s culture as the blood that runs through the veins of every citizen, spoke loudly on Thursday for the love of a sport that is referred to as “the gentleman’s game.”
That is why over this weekend, the cry will only boom louder as the Guyanese people stand behind their Amazon Warriors to fight to the very last ball.
Further, it is why the Guyanese populace will dress proudly in their yellow and green Amazon Warriors colours in support of a culture that only a prideful people will understand: “One People, One Nation” and as the Friday’s Guyana Times headline noted: “One Victory.”
However, the most impactful part of all of this was the simple fact that it did not matter that Narine was Trinidadian; that Krishmar Santokie was Jamaican; that Martin Guptill was from New Zealand or that Christopher Barnwell was Guyanese, to see this mixed group of guys fighting “till it’s over” to make the people of Guyana proud, to show appreciation for the large turnout, was simply a thing of beauty that should not be overlooked.
This camaraderie and excitement are what make cricket the sport that it is, reasons why the Guyanese populace have embraced the Limacol CPL and the main reasons that Guyana will have the most electric atmosphere throughout the tournament.
Annai Secondary booked their place in the quarter-finals of the fourth annual Digicel Schools Football Tournament with a 9-1 win over Charity Secondary on Friday.
Led by a helmet trick from Granville Daniels, the Rupununi boys dominated the game from the start at the St Ignatius Ground in Region Nine.
Shivraj Lall opened the scoring when Sheral Daniels passed a ball to him and only had the goal keeper to contend with. After 17 minutes it was 1-0.
In the 32nd minute, Granville Daniels scored after receiving a ball in the 18-yard box.
The home team had missed several opportunities as a result of a pool of water left on the pitch from a downpour just before the start of play. However, in the second half, and aided by the wind coming from the Kanuku Mountains overlooking the field, Annai ensured almost all the action took place at the other end
of the pitch.
After being 2 down, Charity took their star player Richard Corriea out of the defense and used him as a forward but it only made matters worse as Sheral Daniels netted for Annai, hammering home in the 48th minute.
A minute later Granville Daniels also struck. He scored his third goal with a shot from outside of the 18-yard box in the 59th minute.
Sheral was not to be outdone by his brother Granville as he got on to the scoresheet in the 70th minute for his second goal.
Five minutes later Granville was brought down in the box but the ensuing penalty was denied by the woodwork.
In the 79th minute, however, Daniels got it right and recorded his second helmet trick of the tournament to go with the hat trick he scored in his school’s opening game of the tournament.
Steward Edwards, who was a
late substitution, finished off the trashing of Charity with a goal in the 80th minute.
Charity were plagued with goal keeping problems, firstly having their first choice goalkeeper leaving the team for national duties. The goalkeeper issue took a harder toll on the team when in the 38th minute, with the team already 2-nil down, goalkeeper Wayne Fernandes was injured and had to be replaced. The young Gavin Duke was not up to standard for what was coming at him although he gave a good account of himself.
Annai Secondary will move on to play Bushlot Secondary on Monday in quarter final action. Bushlot Secondary reached the quarter final with a 3-1 win over Port Kaituma Secondary in Region One on Friday.
Semi-final action of the tournament is set for Wednesday with the finals to be played on July 27. (Andrew Carmichael in Lethem)
By Jomo Paul
Six young men of visual disabilities departed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Friday evening for Jamaica where they will be a part of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Blind Cricket Tournament.
The seven young men with varying visual disabilities will be taking part in the seventh edition of the tournament where they will vie for the championship against several other Caribbean countries.
The members of the team are Leroy Phillips, Patrick Howard, Kevin Douglas, Vishal Mohabir, Anthony Robinson, and Keshawn
Rodney. The young men are accompanied by Team Manager Ganesh Singh. Theresa Pemberton, Treasurer of the Guyana Council for the Blind, explained to Guyana Times Sport that the team is also comprised of two Jamaicans, one Trinidadian and two Barbadians who will be joining the Guyanese team in Jamaica. She explained too that based on the performance of the team at the regional levels, it would be decided whether they would advance to the world tournament.
The tournament will be played at the Sabina Park
in Jamaica and thereafter the international leg will be held in South Africa.
She also lauded the management of Fly Jamaica airways who came on board in a dynamic way to provide sponsorship for the team to travel to Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Wesley Tucker, Senior Reservation and Marketing Officer of Fly Jamaica told Guyana Times sport that this venture was seen as another way to get involved in society.
He explained that the company sees itself being the long term carrier for the team since it wants to be deeply involved in the development of sport holistically.
Guyana’s shooting quartet of Lennox Braithwaite, Mahendra Persaud, Ransford Goodluck and Dylan Fields scored a major victory at the 2014 Rifle Shooting championships at Bisley rifle ranges in the United Kingdom on Thursday.
The Guyanese won the Junior Overseas Competition with an overall score of 408 points with 40 V-bulls, beating into second position the New Zealand side who ended with 407 points with 49 V-bulls.
Braithwaite, the reigning Caribbean individ -
“Teach them young” TT camp gains momentum
The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) is moving ahead with its “Teach them young” camp as some of the players went through serving drills on Friday at the National Gymnasium.
When Guyana Times Sport visited the venue, some of the youngsters were seen going through the paces with their serves while others were engaged in some long table action. Speaking with this publication, long time coach and Secretary of the GTTA Linden Johnson explained where the programme stands at the moment.
“We expect a larger turn out by next week. We’re picking up, to date we have 18 registered players but you won’t find everyone coming every day. Right now they
Some of the action during the camp are just going through the basics, they learnt the four basic strokes and we are teaching them to serve, because that’s the first thing you have to do,” Johnson highlighted. The camp, which has produced some of Guyana’s top table tennis talents over the years, serves as a nursery for talent spotting.
However, Johnson noted that due to the young age of the programme, no particular player has really stood out so far. “Well we won’t see it right away, it is going to take some time like two to three weeks into the programme. As a matter a fact, the programme should be going
until the Friday before school reopens so probably by the next three weeks we will see something,” Johnson noted.
Meanwhile, the programme is still in its early stages and the GTTA is imploring that parents can still sign up their children for the camp.
ual champion, national captain Persaud and national champion Ransford Goodluck are currently in training for the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, later this month.
The team was captained by United Statesbased Guyanese Sigmund Douglas. The shooting condition was one Sighting shot and seven rounds to count at 300, 500 and 600 yards, for a maximum score of 420.
Braithwaite and Persaud are Guyana’s twoman pair, while Goodluck will serve as manager/ coach for the Games which will open on July 23 and will run until August 3
At the X1X Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in 2010, Guyana’s representatives then – Persaud and Goodluck- placed a creditable fifth place from a lineup of 43 countries.
Persaud said: “It was a dream come through for us to win this prestigious match. We had been planning for this feat for some time but we never had a full squad. The opportunity presented itself today (Thursday).”
Persaud said the Guyana contingent is very focused ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the shooting ranges at Bisley are helping the team to prepare adequately.
The Guyana shooters have been in the United
Kingdom for the past two weeks and Braithwaite, Persaud, Fields and Goodluck have performed exceptionally well.
In recent results, Goodluck and Fields both shot 49 with five V-bulls in the Conan Doyle 900 yards range match while Braithwaite had an aggregate of 182 with 23 Vs at the 500 yards range.
Persaud dropped two points for a score of 73 points and 11 V-bulls in the St George’s First Stage while Braithwaite and Goodluck both recorded 103 points with 14 and nine V-bulls respectively.
The Times 300 Yards match saw Persaud scoring a possible (50.6), while at the Wimbledon T.R 600 yards Ransford Goodluck shot 49.4 and Braithwaite had an aggregate of 196.24 in the Holcroft shoot.
In the Century competition, Goodluck shot scores of 50.6 and 49.5 at 500 and 600 yards. Braithwaite and Goodluck are doing well after competition while Braithwaite shot scores of 50.7 at 500 yards and 50.5 at 600 yards, for an overall score of 100.12. He finished in the 29th position.
Meanwhile, the Guyanese shooters will be in action again this weekend in the all-important Queen’s Prize individual championships, where over 1700 shooters from around the world will battle for supremacy.
Persaud finished in the top 100 last year.
The equation is nine to win, eight to tie from three balls with one wicket standing. There is a deafening silence from the near-capacity crowd at the National Stadium as last man, fast bowler, Ronsford Beaton strolls to the middle to join spinner, Veerasammy Permaul.
Tension is in the air as they touch gloves; whatever words they exchange cannot be decod ed from the relative calm of the Media Centre.
Krishmar Santokie’s run out at the striker’s end means Beaton, with little batting credentials, would have to face an exponent of death-bowling, Dwayne Bravo.
With the odds heavily stacked against him, it was no surprise the once electric atmosphere at Providence was reduced to a sober, reflective mood with many visibly worried about the Red Steel spoil ing the Amazon Warriors’ party.
As Bravo starts to move in, Beaton taps away nervously. The sensible thing to do is scurry a single and get his more competent partner back on strike.
Bravo delivers a length ball outside off stump, Beaton steers it to point and the single is on, but as they complete it Fidel Edwards on the boundary makes a costly field ing blunder as the ball eludes him for four. Suddenly, the crowd is back on their feet.
Five to win; four to tie; two balls to go.
Bravo bustles in and the line is better, as Beaton’s top edge goes high into the night sky. As they scamper for a run, wicketkeeper Nicholas Pooran floors a dolly of a catch, enabling the last standing Warriors to steal another single and level the scores.
The crowd goes into a frenzy and so too the Warriors players in the dugout, as Beaton and Permaul give the South America-based franchise a lifeline, orchestrating the first Super Over finish in the history of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League. Hands on waist, drooped shoulders and Pooran down on his knees in disbelief sum up the mood in the Red Steel camp.
They had been conquered by Beaton and outdone by a comedy of errors in the field in three nerve-wracking deliveries.
Known primarly for his exploits with the ball, Beaton, the pride and joy of Reliance Village on the Essequibo Coast, emerged as the protagonist with the bat, leaving fellow bowler Permaul to play the supporting role.
Two young sons of the soil were heroes of the night, their names now firmly etched into the record books of the most exciting T20 tournament to
Reliance proud
Miles away in Reliance, the atmosphere is no different to that of the National Stadium, as proud
While all the acclaim has been heaped on Narine and Barnwell following the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ win on Thursday night, the critical contribution of Ronsford Beaton has unfortunately gone virtually unremarked.
By
Avenash
Ramzan and Indrawattie Natram
With the horns and flags back out, Bravo delivers another length ball, but this time Beaton slogs it to the on-side, the ball dropping in no-man’s land as the batsmen complete two runs.
Three to win; two to tie; one ball to go
The horns and flags are back out, as a situation of despair swiftly turns to one of hope and expectation. Another mid-pitch conference between Beaton and Permaul is soon over and it’s now or never for both teams.
followers of Beaton basked in the glory of his success, viewing the action live on their television sets.
Kirk Beaton, Ronsford’s father, could not contain his joy. “My son did well; his performance is really overwhelming. It’s so exciting that sometimes it makes me wonder what the next step is in his future. We’ll keep on praying for him; some day he will reach to the top, he will be there with the help of the Almighty.”
Alma and Darrell Pearson, Ronsford’s grandparents, echoed similar sentiments.
– Roger Harper calls on top order batsmen to deliver; Sammy confident of rebounding
