Guyana Times Daily

Ban on Styrofoam put on hold

thursday, june 19, 2014| guyanatimesgy.com

Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected during the day with light rain showers late in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 29 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East north-easterly between 3.12 metres and 3.57 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:29h and 22:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.44 metres and 2.40 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 03:00h and 15:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.80 metre and 0.78 metre respectively.

Govt restores funds chopped from budget

… to table supplementary papers today

Two months after the National Assembly disapproved $37.5 billion from the $220 billion 2014 National Budget, the Government will today present a Supplementary Paper to the House for approval of portions of the disapproved funds that have already been used.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon has indicated that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has already reinstated a percentage of the disapproved money for the Office of the President. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in April used their collective one-seat majority in the National Assembly to disapprove $5.1 billion that was budgeted for the Office of the President, in their quest to cut funding for the National

resorted to use of expenditure beyond that which was approved in the House during the consideration of the 2014 Budget.

“The Minister, essentially, relied on constitutional grounds and rulings of the Constitutional Court to initiate his exercise of restoration of appropriation in the 2014 fiscal year.”

According to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, the Finance Minister has, by no means, deviated from the norms, the Constitution or the final ruling given by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang. “The Constitution specifically addresses expenditure and shortages inadequacy for agencies in discharging their work programme in any fiscal area. The Constitution does offer remedies that we have collectively termed restoration… the Constitutional

Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Speaking at the Office of the President, Dr Luncheon said the Finance Minister in his address to Cabinet on Tuesday disclosed that he

Court ruling has been used by this Administration, used by the Minister of Finance to undo the unconstitutional acts that have been perpetrated by the parliamentary Opposition,” the Cabinet Secretary said, as he sought

to justify the actions of Dr Singh.

Full restoration likely

However, in keeping with his constitutional obligation, the Finance Minister is mandated to present to the National Assembly supplementary papers indicating the restoration of funds.

According to Dr Luncheon, the actions of Minister Singh were not limited to the Office of the President, but sought to address the needs of other agencies, institutions, and programmes that were affected by the Opposition’s disapproval of some budgetary allocations. In addition to the Office of the President, the Amerindian Affairs, Health, and Transport Ministries were affected.

But while there has been and will be restorations of the disapproved funds, the Cabinet Secretary fell short of giving details. He, however, indicated that the majority or all of the rejected $37.5 billion could be restored by the end of the fiscal year.

“I am certain that you

recognised that the Minister is not constrained in his restoration functions, abilities, powers and authority to a single act and indeed the fiscal year is only half done…, but, indeed, it is more than likely, possible that each and every one of those areas, those budget agencies whose appropriations were not authorised would be attended to by the Finance Minister,” Dr Luncheon said. These moves, he said, are necessary to mitigate the impacts of the budget cuts. According to him, the consequences created by the disapproval of funds for the Office of the President and other pertinent agencies are of no concern to the Opposition. “The parliamentary Opposition did not vote one penny for the public servants at the Office of the President for the year 2014. The consequences were apparently of no concern to the parliamentary Opposition.”

Despite the challenges, he said the Government will continue to honour and discharge its obligations in keeping with the Constitution.

Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

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

Editorial

Sugar survival

Sugar and its survival in Guyana will always occupy the minds of many due to its historical importance to this country’s development and political struggles associated with the industry. No Guyanese wants to see the industry fail as thousands of workers depend on it for their daily living. Sugar was the bedrock of Guyana’s economic development, when most other industries were struggling.

The Government understands the need to keep the industry alive and has made the necessary investments to ensure that it continues to be profitable, including pumping millions of dollars annually in subsidies into its operations, establishing the Skeldon Modernisation Plant, among other interventions.

The administration has rightfully acknowledged that for the industry to cope with the many challenges it is currently facing, it must be restructured. This has always been the view of numerous stakeholders in the society and we are encouraged that the issue is still very much engaging the policymakers at the highest level of government.

Over the years the sugar industry has been beset by issues associated with managerial capacity, unpredictable weather, labour shortages, price cuts on the international market and other constraints, which have sometimes resulted in annual production levels being less than what was projected. The industry has survived to this date and in fact is doing fairly well.

Many sugar industries in the Caribbean have disappeared such as Trinidad and Tobago’s, while Grenada is looking to go into specialty sugar and Jamaica is getting assistance from China to survive. While the Union representing sugar workers here are demanding an increase in wages and salaries, others in the Caribbean are being forced to take salary/ wage cuts.

Workers must understand the international financial situation and how the local sugar industry, in particular sugar workers themselves, are being affected due to the price cuts in particular. Some politicians here have been using the situation to gain political mileage as part of a wider campaign to mislead workers with the aim of winning votes.

While installing a new management board for the industry is another important aspect of restructuring the industry, this alone will not be enough to ensure the industry returns to its glory days. Much more will have to be done in order for GuySuCo to achieve its goals.

During his 2013 budget presentation, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh gave a brief overview of the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan which seeks to address the challenges besetting the industry. In line with this new three-year plan, a strong and committed management response is necessary to deliver the anticipated output from investments.

Minister Singh had said that GuySuCo will have to reengineer its management and human relations functions accordingly. Hence, promoting a harmonious industrial relations climate is considered an absolute priority and will require accommodation on all sides.

He was reported as saying that whereas, Guysuco’s lands are capable of producing in excess of 400,000 tonnes of sugar, field interventions to address the weather and labour constraints can only be successful with the requisite agronomic inputs.

Agricultural operations must capitalise on the relative advantages of each estate, ensuring daily field supervision. Minister Singh had suggested that focus will therefore be needed in determining the right balance of mechanisation, field conversion, drainage and irrigation, transport infrastructure and plant breeding within the full spectrum of agricultural related interventions.

It is crucial that the issues affecting the Skeldon factory, which is described as a key and critical facility for the overall improvement of the industry, be addressed forthwith. This is a critical element as part of a wider vision to restructure the sugar industry.

The external outlook for sugar remains positive given Guyana’s comparative advantage as a main producer within Caricom, the existence of a market protected by the Common External Tariff, and the continued market access with the recent extension of the EU Sugar Regime to 2020.

Strategic planning!

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo poses with officials of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) during a retreat being held in Seoul, South Korea to develop the organisation’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan. Jagdeo, who is President of the Assembly of this newly

created international organisation, has been a global icon in the fight against climate change with the famed Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) of Guyana. GGGI was established to help shift the global model of development by drawing on working examples of green growth and low carbon development. The former Guyanese head of state was nominated for election as President by Korea’s Ambassador for Green Growth. Guyana is one of the founding members of GGGI. President Jagdeo was a member of the Board of Directors of GGGI since 2010

PNC repentance is still an option

Dear Editor, Prejudging black slave descendants as automatically wrong has now been confirmed, as the norm within Guyana, or so it seems. The same has always been applied to Indo-Guyanese and many other targets by similar prejudgment, regardless. Where else can we find such abundant notoriety, especially in the 21st century, as in Guyana?

For boldness to become so self evident by a “foolishness” to selectively rush to label black people as readymade Judas-traitors suggest there may be more behind it. Like no credible PNC admission of election rigging in Guyana, there can be no exceptionally clearer evidence and reasons why no official confession, repentance and atonement would be forthcoming for the PNC’s many original sins.

They believe they did no wrong and with sincere requests for apology and reconciliation rejected, it completes the circuit for whatever is new. Examine Paul Jacobs’s letter on June 15 titled, in which the apparently eminently displeased, objects to the people’s witness Robert Allan Gates at the Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), being allowed unsupervised emancipation to facilitate his closure of the brutal murder of another black man who was beloved worldwide.

That explanation which accommodated Mr Gates’s presence with his cathartic testimony as given by the CoI’s lawyer Glenn Hanoman, was found inconsequential, and dismissed in Mr Jacobs’ own words as “factious, not even fit for

fools like me”.

Why would any civilised mindset imply that a remorseful black former Policeman and credible witness should instead bare his soul in chains and handcuffs encircled by security guards with guns and bullets can only be reflective of an unfathomable debilitating norm which continues to keep the black mind shackled.

How more will the PNC rejoice when such a shameful alternative spectacle occurs, but is hastily targeted to focus and divert attention away from the dignified courtroom closure of Dr Rodney’s murder? Blaming such a Jacobean implied alternative as the best approved method to facilitate the witness in cahoots with an allegedly insensitive PPP/C Government can be no more deliberate design to chisel away at Rodney’s legacy by diversionary set up.

Even the academic theoretical excellence which has, not, placed the WPA’s celebrated Dr Rupert Roopnaraine into “inebriated luxurious elevated occupancy” as the authentic Indian representative and the future PNC Prime Minister, could not anymore become eclipsed by his own personal sacrifices and astuteness, or could it?

He hired Mr Gates as his personal bodyguard when he was in custody at the Police station by paying five times more than the original salary which the Policeman earned monthly. Now with Dr Rodney’s stuffed head mounted in display above the WPA’s altar-mirror in a house of ill repute due to his alleged heirs pursuit, in pauperised prominence, of

a political by perverse prostitution of poor people’s plight, with pitiful promises of pointless possibilities, provisionally on payment, whatever can be so positive next to expect, please?

If it’s to experience Sophia’s finest complete services, in all “equality”, can someone, anyone, kindly ask: mirror mirror on the wall, what’s behind this free for all?

Whatever may be the painful, enslaved mentality which has not found adequate relief for the last three centuries since slavery’s abolition in 1838, cannot amicably be resolved by apologies in Guyana , or be expected to benefit by acquiring, a new and improved better tarnished reputation by constantly destroying or degrading anything , including Guyanese remorse in constant, enraged fury.

How much is Linden more blessed or worse today than before PNC rule with PNC people still in charge?

Which investors are rushing at the behest of the powerless rabble rousers to make life in Linden better?

Demanding economic relief in shared governance by race entitlement through a new forever interdependency, especially from those on whom all violent savagery is sporadically targeted, cannot be realistic. Even voluntary acquiescence in mass self destruction visiting assured extinction onto a unique cultural presence, by their ethnic cleansing, cannot ever become justified under any circumstances, especially so in today’ s Guyana’s democracy.

What underlies Mr Jacobs’ underlying motives

or ire implicitly dismisses Dr Walter Rodney’s gifted life’s worth, as lesser Guyanese, when he is definitely no evil Pan Africanist black man, in comparison to Mr Gates’ felony, could be an affirmation of certain confidence in complete black self sufficiency, or is it the usual claim by historical entitlements?

The answer is best summarised by Mayor Hamilton Green’s old times values which famously reminded us in the 21st century that “it’s all about the money”, in his own words.

Why Mr Jacobs thrashes the candid explosive testimony from the black former Policeman is certainly because he would rather Mr Gates damaging eyewitness evidence be swiftly dismissed as insignificant in spite of the bodyguard’s torn tormenting loyalties of conscience in June 1980 ( when Dr Rodney was killed).

Instead, Mr Jacobs would rather the tormented bodyguard be judged by “yesterday’s 2013” fresh additional currency of ill fortunes – still awaiting judgment by court appeal – since the black man, as Mr Jacobs reminds us, “was convicted and sentenced to 48 months imprisonment by a Magistrate in August 2013, for obtaining G$6,000,000 by false pretence from 12 persons”.

So what? The black man, a former Policeman, must get his misfortunes again flung into his face for our benefit? The WPA in 2010 disclosed Dr Rodney was stockpiling weapons and they were kicked upstairs by the PNC to the master bedroom to become Guyana’s future Prime Minister!

GPL Main Street – a nightmare Evidence will be forthcoming in great abundance

Dear Editor, I would like to publicly compliment the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which has brought light to places in Guyana that had for so long been in darkness, and for trying to bring relief and excellent management to a most corrupt and difficult utility. This is a Herculean task.

There is a growing phenomenon taking stranglehold on many public corporations, and GPL with all its innovativeness of pre-paid meters, is a victim of this trend. I refer to the adoption of systems that frustrate and anger customers and result in lost manpower, and as a result, money, for the country as a whole. Something is very wrong when it will take someone an entire day to conduct business at any office.

Just recently, someone was conducting business on my behalf. After waiting for some time for her to return, I called her and was told that she was letter ‘I’ number 86 and that there were now dealing with letter ‘G’ number 76. This meant that they had to get to ‘G’ 100, then begin again at ‘H’ 1, get through another 100 persons before they got to ‘I’, and she was holding number 86 in the ‘I’ series. This was around 14:30h. She had left to conduct business at 11:00h. At 15:30h, I asked her to come out of the line and return to the office.

The next morning she returned to GPL and at 07:30h there was already 35 persons in front of her waiting in line. How early does

one have to be at GPL in the hope of getting business done so that one could go about the rest of the day as scheduled?

My frustration goes beyond merely my own inconvenience. As a businessman, I wonder at all the businesses bleeding money, while their employees spend the day at GPL; and these employees have no choice, if they don’t want to be left in the darkness some unexpected night.

Think about the thousands of people who have their lifestyles disrupted every day, those who lose money because they have to stay away from work, and the hundreds of businesses undermanned because their employees are standing in line at GPL.

Something has to be done to better customer service at GPL. Some better system has to be put in place to deal with customer issues and these seem to be many. It is easier to get into the American Embassy and obtain a visa than it is to get into GPL and be sure of service.

Recently, the line meter and connectors were erroneously removed from a property our company manages for a client on South Road. Was this supposed to have led to an offer to corrupt us by assuming we would offer a bribe to have it remain?

We contacted a Manager, and after going through all the hurdles of the bureaucracy endemic at GPL, we were told that a huge mistake had been made. He also indicated his frustration

with the entire process.

We took the issue to GPL Main Street, Georgetown and the customer service representative, without listening to the matter to the full details, said to us, “If you thief electricity, it got foh get disconnect”.

This is what paying customers have to put up with on a daily basis. Realising that I was not going to get a proper hearing from someone displaying that level of incompetence, I went further and spoke with another staff member, who, like the professional he is, listened to my complaint and between himself and the first Manager, the service was restored after a few days. In the meantime, my client’s tenants had to suffer because of the incompetence of one GPL Field Officer.

Additionally, I manage two other locations where the tenants are receiving free electricity since the pre-paid meters have malfunctioned. Reports have been made over and over to the relevant senior management personnel at GPL. Investigations were done and straight connections were made. I think it is wrong for someone to be receiving a service free that everyone else is required to pay for.

GPL needs to put its house in order so that citizens of this country do not have to go through so many frustrations, in order to get a meter, get a query heard, or get new service.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

Questions for Freddie Kissoon

Dear Editor, I have read several letters, some even recently, written by Freddie Kissoon, where he refers to the late former President and Prime Minister Desmond Hoyte as the best President Guyana ever had.

I would like to respectfully ask what Mr Kissoon’s

The PNC killed Rodney, will not apologise and still has a democratic right to be elected! How conveniently can anyone loudly trumpet anti ethnic sentiments among Guyanese to destroy their self worth and aspirations in buttressing well known “stereotypes”.

Afterwards the entire black brigadier battalion can about turn and lavish themselves within Guyana’s democratic freedom to surreptitiously fuel and divert black people’s rage into the usual repetitious forever misery of self destructive vi-

opinion(s) is/are regarding the rioting and violence that occurred after the General Elections of 1992, 1997, and 2001, during which time Mr Hoyte was leader of the PNC? Also, what is/are Mr Kissoon’s opinion(s) regarding Mr Hoyte’s infamous calls for “slow fyah”, “mo’ fyah”, and “make the coun-

try ungovernable”?

I am very curious to know Mr Kissoon’s answers to these questions as I find his letters and editorials quite informative and interesting.

Thank you,

Name withheld by request

olence as ignited by the AFC in Linden and Agricola. Was Mr Jacob’s letter a contrived, clever or most sincere endorsement of the black human aspirations for their betterment? Pray do tell whether or not “it’s all about the money” as old people with wisdom remind Guyana so that our local Tom Cruise’s screaming affirmation to Cuba Gooding, “I like black people” remains priority, lest it be forgotten. And no apologies. But freedom in a democracy permits the choice of association

to everyone by race, religion, gender etc with whomever they respect and admire by all the criteria well known.

Pity Barrington Braithwaite remains enslaved in more than one way, destroying everything in his prejudices and cannot realise his original sins have already divided the baby, while he constantly hacks the limbs and attempts to sanctimoniously perform mass lobotomy for total victory.

Respectfully, Sultan

Mohamed

Dear Editor, It seems as though we may have to go for another Commission of Inquiry and this time we should have some form of recrimination. I say this because Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) David Granger is saying that until “evidence is produced of any wrongdoing, allegedly committed by his party in the past”, he will not be offering any “blanket apology”.

I am very sure that if we are to go back to the dark and dangerous era of the PNC, it will take a long time to complete proceedings. Literally, thousands of people will come forward. I notice that the Rodney Commission of Inquiry is ratifying so many ills of the PNC, and the Rodney issue is just one aspect of the PNC’s wrongdoings.

I think here of the Enmore Hope Estate phenomenon, when even the old and the sick had to slave for a little bit of necessities – cooking oil namely. What was shameful was that the folks were even given a few packs of cigarettes and these they would sell ‘to make a raise’.

How about when people were arrested for a pound of flour? The kitchen was left without ‘dhaal’. I think that the PNC went beyond political, legal and social blunders. The party had a wicked form of getting pleasure from people’s discomfort and pain.

Bringing people to relate how they suffered under the PNC will take too long. Maybe Granger is banking on this kind of near impossibility, and that is why he is not for an apology. Maybe he is trying to save face too (of what is left).

The general atmosphere in Guyana, under the PNC, was most frightening – political meetings were raided; civil rights were non-existent; suppression of all forms was common; and there was the ban on the importation of basic food items. By the way, how about the rigging of all pre-1992 elections? In fact, elections during the PNC tenure became a farce.

Here is another thing and common sense will show how rotten the PNC was and how deliberately blind and illogical the party is coming over to the public.

If the PNC had the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force gunning for Dr Walter Rodney and the WPA leadership, and this according to Granger, was “a responsibility to defend the state against any form of threat”, then Granger has no right to condemn these two bodies when they were called upon to protect the lives, safety and property of Guyanese, during the Buxton crime spree and the Linden protests. When the Police and soldiers went out to ensure peace and order, the PNC was upset, and the few rebels who got killed, were deemed as freedom fighters.

I add here too that when the WPA went in protest, there was nothing like looting and other forms of criminal activities. I cannot say the same for what I saw as protests here recently. So if evidence is what Granger and PNC want, it will be forthcoming in great abundance. I still think that he will find some kind of excuse for the evils of the PNC.

Sincerely, Baldeo Mathura

Concerns about fogging exercise

The Health Ministry's Vector Control Services Unit carrying out a fogging exercise

Dear Editor, The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) welcomes the on-going fogging exercise in local communities. However, the organization has serious concerns about this activity by the Ministry of Health.

Firstly, inadequate notice to residents of local communities is affecting the effectiveness of the campaign. Some citizens expressed surprise about

the exercise in their area.

Secondly, residents have no information about the chemicals used to fog and what are the likelyside effects, if any, particularly to those residents living with respiratory challenges; they need to know to take appropriate measures to protect themselves from any potential risks.

The dissemination of information is a vital aspect of any public health campaign because it allows

world beneficiaries to understand and appreciate the benefits of it and the role they ought to play to enhance its effectiveness. Therefore, echo is calling on the competent authorities to provide citizens with all the necessary information about this exercise.

Sincerely, Royston King Executive Director ECHO

Page Foundation

BY LORA SHINN

Does your child need help with taking exams? Follow these tips to help your child be a whiz at pop quizzes and tests.

Tests are one method for a teacher to gauge what her students know (and need to know), but tests aren’t just for the teachers. By taking tests, children learn solid study skills, learn from errors, and learn how to handle the unknown (like pop quizzes) in an academic setting. Through practice and preparation, children will feel equipped and ready to handle tests – without feeling the need to cheat. They will also be less afraid of failure or mistakes because they’ll rely on their own abilities and put in their best efforts. Try these test taking strategies for children to smooth the transition between learning and recall, schoolwork and test day. Soon enough, your child will become a master of test taking.

Talk to the teacher

Teachers often offer a study guide for the test, outlining the format and the featured information. If you haven’t received a study guide through your child or in an email, visit or call the teacher. Ask about the specific things your child should prep for, along with any weak spots in his learning. Teachers may also be able to offer targeted study techniques or worksheets, depending upon your child’s needs.

Involve the whole family

Play short and relaxed 15-minute games (or “study breaks”) instead of enforcing a stressful cram session. Involving siblings and grown-ups will also make learning fun instead of fretful. “At dinner, play a little game with multiplica-

tion tables,” suggests Laura Laing, author of Math for Grownups, and a developer of middle and high school math curriculum. She suggests passing around an object, such as a napkin. Whoever has the napkin has to answer a math question asked by the last person. “Stumped? The object goes to

ber facts than when they’re just sitting at a table, skimming textbook information,” says Ann K Dolin, a Washington, DC-based tutor and author of Homework Made Simple: Tips, Tools, and Solutions for Stress-Free Homework. Throw a beach ball back and forth with your child as she recites science

where. Make the flash cards unique, with index cards, colourful pens, magazine pictures, and stickers for different subjects. Instead of acting as the quiz leader, let your child hold the flash cards to test you. “[Children] take ownership and [they] like to be the teacher,” Dolin says. Offer a few

the next person, who then gets a chance.” Change questions based on the ability of the participants; younger sibs may need easier questions. End the game when the time feels right, or when someone achieves three correct answers.

Engage the senses

Some concepts stick better if you integrate the senses of touch, smell, and sound in fun ways.

“When there’s movement involved, children are more likely to remem-

facts or state capitals. To help with reading or spelling, let children use icing to write words on a cake pan or shape cookie dough on a baking tray to practice letters. Or sing the multiplication tables to a popular tune to help with memorisation.

Craft fun flash cards

Whether your child is prepping for a spelling, math, or social studies test, a set of flash cards can help her review fast facts any-

wrong answers, she suggests, to increase the silly factor, and allow them to correct you. “It makes it fun for the children.”

Talk test strategies

Test-taking tactics don’t come naturally to most children, but teach them this one: When they’re first handed a test, they should take a few minutes to scan all the directions and questions. Dolin advises coaching children to “slash the trash.” Use a pencil to cross out

incorrect multiplechoice answers, so wrong answers are immediately eliminated. Teach children to skip the most difficult questions, but leave enough time to return to them later. They may think of the answers later; even if they don’t, they’ll still have time to make the best educated guess. Then, if there is still time left, they should review the questions and chosen answers. (For Maths tests, children may want to review their calculations.)

Design a practice test

A night or two before a big quiz, draft a practice test for your child; this will help both of you figure out what she does and doesn’t know. Ask your child to write down spelling words while you dictate or put together a multiple-choice historical facts worksheet. Help your child observe which ones she misses and practice just those elements. “Writing really helps cement information in the brain,” Dolin says. Younger children may need help with this task, but with practice, older children will learn how to study independently and effectively.

Heal

the Achilles heel

Before the test, review past worksheets and help your child look for consistent mistakes. For maths, help him improve any addition or subtraction issues he constantly struggles with; for science, practise terms he seems to forget regularly. Master flawed concepts with this fear-removing method: Instead of using a pencil and paper, use a whiteboard and dry-erase marker. “If the child makes a mistake, he can fix it and there’s no evidence,” Dolin says. “With paper and pencil, there’s more frustration, because even when he gets it right, it’s clear that he erased.”

Boost the basics

The night before any big test, make sure your child gets plenty of zzz’s, to improve her chances for an A the next day.

For optimal school performance, most six- to eight-yearolds need 11 hours of sleep, and nine- to 10-year-olds need closer to 10 hours, says Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, author of Sleepless in America “Your children’s cues are the best clue that they are getting enough sleep,” Kurcinka says. “If you have to wake them in the morning, they’re not.”

On test day, fuel your child’s brain with a healthy breakfast. One study showed that children who eat a healthy breakfast (about onequarter of the day’s nutritional requirements) make fewer errors on tests.

Ensure that your child has a well-rounded meal with protein, carbs, and fats; for instance, a meal of eggs, fruit, and toast. (Parents.com)

Thieves plunder over $4M from Springlands businessman

Ranks at the Springlands Police Station have launched an investigation into an alleged break and enter and larceny committed on businessman

Sheed Salim at his Lot 3 Springlands, Corriverton, Berbice home between monday and Tuesday last.

According to information received, the burglars carted off CDN$21,000 ($4.2 million), two Havictti cell phones, one Bob marley bag, three white vests and two slippers.

Police investigations revealed that Salim operates his business in the bottom

flat of his three-storey concrete building. The second flat houses a boutique and the third floor is living quarters, but no one was occupying it at the time of the robbery.

The victim alleged that one of his former employees went to his store on monday and was enquiring about a job. He was at the time balancing off his books for the day’s sales. After he would have counted the money, he placed it in a canister under the counter and then secured all the doors to his building and went out.

Upon his return to the store on Tuesday, about 06:55h, he discovered the

cash mentioned missing. As he made checks, he saw footprints on the shed leading to the veranda on the second flat. From all indications, the perpetrator continued to make his way to the third flat where he opened the veranda door and gained entry into the building.

The bandits then removed the keys from the lock in the lower flat and the cash and other articles mentioned. The Police were alerted and responded to the distress call. They dusted the area for fingerprints. Checks for the businessman’s former employee proved futile.

Chess coach charged for assault and attempted robbery

National senior chess champion and chess coach Wendell George meusa was released on $150,000 on Wednesday on charges of assault and attempted robbery.

Twenty-eight-year-old meusa, of Lot 142 Guyhoc Park, Greater Georgetown, was arraigned at the Georgetown magistrates’ Courts before magistrate Judy Latchman.

The charge alleged that on June 15 at High Street, Georgetown, while he was in a bus, along with another passenger, Shaleeza mohammed, he told the bus driver to stop the bus and he then tried to pull mohammed’s handbag away.

George

However, she protested and held on to her bag, which resulted in meusa pulling out a rusty cutlass and firing chops at her , inflicting several gashes across her body.

The Virtual Complainant (VC) managed to kick the defendant who then fell out of the bus, whose door was open. meusa was subsequently apprehended by public-spirited citizens and taken to a Police Station.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He will make his second court appearance at the Georgetown magistrates’ Courts on July 2 for submission of statements.

Seven improvised weapons found in NA Prison

Seven improvised weapons were among the items found in various sections of the New Amsterdam Prison during a search of the correctional institution on Tuesday.

The search was conducted between 16:30h and 17:35h by a party of 20 Policemen from the New Amsterdam Police Station. The other items discovered were two cellphone batteries, four cellphone chargers, five mobile phones, three metal spoons, a quantity of playing cards, two smoking utensils, one tattoo machine, three DVD motors, 59 grams of suspected cannabis, 15 cigarettes, a quantity of wire, two speak-

ers, one canvas belt, one leather belt, two Sim cards and one nail clip.

The Police have since questioned several persons about the find, but no one has been arrested.

The raid was done in light of the recent attacks by inmates of the penitentiary over the past weeks, with the most recent being on Saturday last. it was reported that Tameshwar Khemraj, called “Rambo”, 27, of Lot 171 Nigg, Corentyne, Berbice, was stabbed several times and chopped once by three other prisoners at the New Amsterdam Prison. Khemraj is currently serving a four-year sentence

for robbery under arms.

According to reports, as is the norm, the prisoners were allowed to empty their in the night, and it was while Khemraj was doing his chores, he was attacked.

On may 23, four men were injured after an attack by a group of men.

The injured men were later identified as Abdussalam “Sato” Azimullah, Kwame Bhagwandin, Davendra “Bara’’ Harricharran and Clarence “Dark Face” Williams.

The four men attacked were reportedly part of a gang which would normally bully other prisoners at the facility.

thursDay, june 19, 2014|

Gunmen terrorise Berbice couple

ABerbice couple were on Tuesday evening terrorised by armed men, at their Number 59 Village home, who subsequently relieved them of a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery and cash.

Based on reports received, the armed robbery was committed on indrawattie Ramkissoon, 28, a grocery store owner and her husband, micheal Peters of Lot 181 Section A, Number 59 Village, Corentyne, about 21:00h.

A Police investigations revealed that about 20:50h

on the day in question, Ramkissoon went to open the front gate to allow her husband entry into the yard.

The victim reportedly left one of her doors in the lower flat of her home open and went to her gate, where she spent about 10 minutes. As the victims were heading back to the door, they were confronted by three masked men, two of whom were armed with long guns and the other with a cutlass.

The men demanded cash and jewellery from the victim and her husband. Out of fear, the woman handed

over $160,000 to the bandits and a quantity of jewellery.

The armed man then discharge a round in the air with several fragments hit Ramkissoon about her body.

Upon hearing the gunshot, neighbours raised an alarm and the men made good their escape through a fence. The Police were summoned and Ramkissoon was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where she was treated and sent away.

The Police are conducting an investigation into the robbery.

Cannabis found in NA Prison

Aquantity of marijuana was on Tuesday morning found in the compound of the New Amsterdam penitentiary by prison authorities, who immediately alerted the Police.

According to information received, upon arrival at the correctional facility, an officer handed over a transparent plastic parcel containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

Based on investigations, it was revealed that about 19:30h on Sunday, Assistant Superintendent of Police Thurston Brad was making routine checks along the male block, during which he found the transparent plastic parcel at the southern section.

The suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted to 120 grams. investigations are continuing into the discovery.

meanwhile, on the same day, about 14:00h, New Amsterdam Prison officials contacted the New Amsterdam Police Station and reported that while a search was being conducted on an inmate, a transparent plastic parcel with a quantity

of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, was found on his person.

The inmate, Narde Deodat, 40, of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, who is serving an 18-month sentence for break and enter and larceny, was earlier in the day working on the prison farm, and it was upon his return to the facility, the cannabis was found in his shirt pocket.

Deodat was immediately told of the suspicion, cautioned and the illegal substance weighed in his presence. it amounted to eight grams. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.

Wendell

Meusa

Ban on Styrofoam put on hold

… lack of awareness cited as reason

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has announced that the proposed ban on Styrofoam food boxes has been postponed indefinitely, citing a lack of awareness by stakeholders.

Guyana Times understands that local food companies have welcomed the move, as they have not yet been able to make proper provision for the transition to the use of the required biodegradable material.

Patricia Bacchus, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Container Inc, the only supplier and distributor of the Eco Pak biodegradable material, told this publication on Wednesday that very few businesses have been taking advantage of the materials. She mentioned a few, including Cara Lodge, The Oasis Cafe, and Marian Academy, that have made the “responsible decision to use the product”.

Bacchus told this publication that her company may have moved too fast after the decision was made to restrict the use of Styrofoam. “From the very first conversation in early 2012, we went ahead and started the Eco Pak line of products, with the stocking and distribution.” She said it was the company’s expectation that consumers would take the opportunity to gradually familiarise themselves with the products. However, that was

never done; nonetheless, the CCI remains hopeful that businesses will soon adapt to the change.

Bacchus, who is also the new Chairman of the board of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said there has not been an official decision to implement the ban. She told Guyana Times that the EPA is currently working on the draft policy and specifications on alternative uses. She said it would be an unwise move to impose a ban on the product when persons are unaware of what should be used instead.

Deadline expired

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry had initially set a deadline of June 1, to ban Styrofoam, expecting that by that date, consumers, especially those within the food industry, would have been ready for the transition. Styrofoam boxes have been partly responsible for the build-up of garbage and a major contributor to flooding in the city. However, the Ministry on Wednesday announced that businesses that use the material may still not be fully knowledgeable about the issues surrounding the ban.

Styrofoam is not considered hazardous waste; however, its impact on the environment can be detrimental as experts agree that Styrofoam

will never decompose. Added to that, Styrofoam is generally not recycled as the polystyrene resin contaminates the recycling process.

The Ministry reported that millions of dollars are used to offset the expenses attached to the use of Styrofoam. This cost is also borne by the taxpayers. “This has rendered Styrofoam as one of the cheapest and most available food service containers. As a matter of fact, Styrofoam food packaging is so popular that businesses seldom stock alternatives as they are not specifically mandated to either through legislations or policies.”

For that reason, the Ministry said it has embarked on an initiative that will see a significant reduction in the improper disposal of Styrofoam products, which will lead to the further development of new enterprises since biodegradable containers will be utilised.

Litter R egulations

The Ministry said while the new date for the deadline is being set, it is working with the EPA to set standards for the chemical composition of imported biodegradable products. The Litter Regulations have recently been tabled and enacted by Parliament, after which the Ministry began working diligently on the implementation plan of the regulations.

Although the Litter Regulations do not capture any penalties for the use of Styrofoam, they focus on the improper disposal of waste that affects the environment and Guyana as a whole.

The first national stakeholders consultation on the importation ban on Styrofoam was held on November 18, 2013 at Duke Lodge. A second consultation with both Government and private stakeholders, including the Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Ministry, and the Georgetown Chamber of Industry and Commerce, was later held. At that consultation, stakeholders were duly informed of the pending ban on Styrofoam and the interim actions to be imposed on the importation of Styrofoam containers.

Prisoner charged for trying to sneak narcotics into jail

An accused rapist landed himself in more legal hot water by attempting to smuggle narcotics into the Camp Street Prison, the court was told on Wednesday.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ronald Armstrong, of Lot 41 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman charged with possession of narcotics.

The charge laid against him alleged that on May 7, Armstrong was found with

two large parcels containing 181 grams of cannabis and 32 packs of cigarettes upon his return from the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, where he is presently facing a charge of carnal knowledge, to the Georgetown Prison. The discovery was made after the defendant was searched by Police ranks in the receptionist department of the Georgetown Prison. Armstrong pleaded not guilty to the charge and was further remanded to prison. He will make his next appearance on June 27. Accused Ronald

Eyew tness

Leaders...

...and losers

LEAD may be on hold, if you go by what the plenipotentiaries of the US and Guyana told us last month. But it doesn’t look like the fellas at the bottom of the US food-chain on LEAD took that communiqué seriously. They’ve blithely and seamlessly passed the baton to some of their native informants. In this case, a fella well practised in the art not only of soup drinking – but actually making the stuff.

You know they’ve been searching for a “perpetual energy machine” for centuries? This local soup drinker has hit on a “perpetual soup machine”. Imagine, in only three months the fella’s CAPS has been holding leadership training sessions and is now ready to occupy the Parliament!! If a graduate of another version of LEAD is to be believed. We’re talking about Speaker Raphael Trotman, of course.

Remember how he and his co-leader Ramjattan boasted about their sponsorship by the US Embassy during the 2006 elections? The same Embassy Ramjattan used to “carry news” to and for which act he was kicked out of the PPP/C. We heard they were paid in cash and kind. The “kind” being the famous “Dick” poll of Dick Morris, which predicted they’d win that election!

Anyhow, CAPS was hosted by Trotman and he allowed the smirking soup drinker to sit at his side. They continued the hallowed tradition of Burnham who sold Guyana down the river for control of Parliament. Trotman allowed as to how the country isn’t progressing because of the divisions of the leaders. He, of course, was mute about his hero being the one who created those divisions – just to get his paws on power.

Trotman confessed that in the parliamentary chambers there’s a lot of “action, but very little “work” done. He should know. He was there for a decade after Hoyte roped him into the PNC’s corral. What else has been done, save to coin the slogan that the PNC’s sole purpose was to “expose, oppose and depose” the PPP/C. But we don’t care how much “leadership” training these wankers receive: you can’t “force ripe” leaders.

Once they have to face reality, they’ll wilt and crumble. They’ll be trained to utter nice sounding phrases. Sure – but to put those words into practice? Well, that’s a horse of another colour, no? Look at Burnham –- from the first wave of pre-LEAD leadership training, run by the CIA. With all his fancy speeches, he ruined Guyana.

He and this present lot are nothing but a bunch of losers for selling out their country for a mess of pottage.

...losing the plot

This paper has supported the Reparations movement from the beginning. This Eyewitness has also done so fervently. The time for Reparations has come and that time is now. But for the battle to be won (and it will be many battles, amounting to a war), the peoples of the Caribbean will have to be as one on this issue. They can’t allow themselves to be split.

As has happened before (see Burnham’s buyout above), once the movement is split, the old “masters” will exploit the divisions. We all have to agree that because of slavery of Africans and genocide of Amerindians, the Imperialists developed their countries and underdeveloped ours. That’s the nature of the claim, plain and simple.

So the claim is against those that used the profits of that era to launch their industrial revolution that has kept them on the top of the heap and us at the bottom. Eric Williams showed us this even before Rodney. Recently, some Reparations groups voted to make some local claims. This is a poor strategy.

...of cricket

While there’s the nasty infighting between the WICB, the GCB and the constituent boards, the professionally-run Limacol CPL has launched campaign 2014. Notice how free of rancour it’s been? That’s what “professional” means.

Armstrong

Styrofoam boxes plague Guyana

Gays more prone to commit suicide – Dr Harding

… urges repeal of anti-gay laws

BY JOMO PAUL

One time Presidential Candidate contender, Dr Faith Harding said she would immediately repeal laws that prohibit same-sex unions here, if it were in her power to do so.

She also said that based on her experience as a Psychologist, owing to the stigma and discrimination attached to homosexuality, a majority of persons with alternative sexual lifestyles have suicidal and/ or homicidal tendencies.

The former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Executive also said that anti-gay “discriminatory” laws are irresponsible and infringe on the fundamentals laws of human rights.

Dr Harding, a Psychologist made the comments while addressing mostly an LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trangender, Intersex) audience at a SASOD-sponsored film festival and panel discussion held at the Dutch Bottle Café, North Road on Tuesday

evening. She was asked a direct question, “Were you President of Guyana and a Bill to legalise gay marriage and es-

sentially repeal existing anti-gay legislation were to come to you for assent, what you would do?”

A wake and a death announcement

Ivor Mendonca play he last shot de other day. That was a good cricketer who ain’t no more. Old people gotta phrase dem does use: “that was a damn good man”. That was Ivor. Good fuh cricket. Good to nuff people. Good fuh de game. Good fuh Guyana.

He was even good fuh Test cricket, but as usual, not good enuff fuh de Waste Indies selectors who never pick de man after just two test match, even though de man was good in both of dem. Not even good fuh a standby, accordin to de Waste Indies. No wonder a Butt man can be Chief Selector.

A old cricketer seh de Mendonca man gone to heaven, because all de good cricketers does go to heaven, but de umpires does end up in hell. Somebody gon have to go to hell to see if that is true. Any one of dem fellas from de Waste Indies Cricket Board or de office in Antigua gon do. Or from de Gee-C-B fuh that matter. Or both. And better if dem ain’t come back.

Some times bad tings does talk bout good people and at other times good tings does talk bout bad people. Mendonca though was a good man and only good tings coulda talk bout he. De Gee-C-B decide to keep a wake fuh Mendonca and every body talk good tings. That was that a lotta bad people talkin good tings bout a good man in a bad place.

But de wake shoulda be fuh de Gee-C-B instead, because dem half dead, and de new Bill whah de Prezzi gon soon sign gon kill de other half. That is when de real wake gon have to keep. That bound to be a long wake because Guyana cricket gon tek a long time to wake up from de dead, thanks to de Gee-C-B.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! So de death is announced of de Gee-C-B. Pretended father of cricket in Guyana and cruel step-father of de Bee-C-B and of a former Treasurer. No wreath of investigation by request!

Guyanese woman, two children found dead in Maryland

Police in Hagerstown, Maryland, USA, are investigating the disturbing discovery of a woman and two children who were found dead in a middle school parking lot in Maryland. The three bodies were discovered in a car in the parking lot of Western Height Middle School on Monday afternoon.

Authorities say Police responded to a call to find the woman in the front seat and two children in the back seat – all were pronounced dead at the scene. There were no signs of violence and the bodies have been taken to the medical examiner’s office for autopsies, which hopefully, will shed some light on the situation.

Though there were no signs of violence, the deaths are definitely suspicious. “I would say that nothing’s off the table at this point,” Hagerstown Police Chief

Mark Hotlzman told News4. The deceased have not been identified, pending next of kin notification. Some details about the woman and children have been released though. The children were identified as belonging to the deceased woman and were six months and 16 months old, Herald-Mail reports, citing Captain Paul Kifer. The woman, originally from Guyana, is believed to have lived in the tri-state area.

“She recently lived in West Virginia,” Kifer said, “I don’t know how long she’s been in the country.” Toxicology reports are expected to take a couple of weeks, and in the meantime, Police continue to investigate this heartbreaking case. “It’s a very somber mood. This is not an easy one to work. There are professionals, but there’s a human side to everything,” Hotlzman said. (www.modvive.com)

The panelists, Pastor Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, Swami Aksharananda and Psychologist, Dr Faith Harding

New Indian High Commissioner accredited

Newly-appointed Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam on Wednesday presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar and called for more efforts to enhance cooperation in several areas.

President Ramotar, receiving the High Commissioner, noted that the relationship between the two nations has grown since formal ties were established in 1966, “based on the promotion of economic interests and the strengthening of cultural ties. We are also cooperating on issues such as a reformed United Nations and sustainable development goals”.

Guyana has also, and is continuing to benefit from Indian’s human resource development assistance, offered through the Indian Technical Economic and Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, President Ramotar said.

With Government intensifying its efforts to improve the science and technology curriculum, he noted that India’s assistance, given its expertise in these fields, would be welcomed.

Explaining that Guyana is ready for foreign investments, the President encouraged Indian businesses to invest locally, noting that, “a number of Indian businesses are already flourishing and will add to the growing potential for increased opportunities and advantages for joint ventures in the private sector”.

On the international arena, the President said he was looking forward to the upcoming Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa/ Union of South American Nations (BRICS/UNASUR) meeting in Brazil, where important views on a range of topics can be exchanged.

The Indian High Commissioner noted that al-

though separated by a large distance, both nations have commonalities in a colonial past, predominantly agricultural, rural-based, multi-cultural societies, and also hold common views on important issues.

Stating that further strengthening of the relationship has occurred, due to previous visits by President Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the High Commissioner said there is potential for India and Guyana to work together in many fields. These include agricultural development, renewable energy, education, forestry, health infrastructure and pharmaceuticals. The High Commissioner declared his intention to take the current relationship, particularly in the aforementioned fields, to a higher level.

“It is imperative in this regard that more frequent high-level visits need to take

British Guiana stamp breaks world record three times

… sold for $1.95B

The only known remaining British Guiana One Cent Magenta commonly referred to as the “holy grail” of stamps has managed for the third time to break records set in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the priciest stamp.

It was sold for US$9.48 million ($1.95 billion) on Tuesday in New York.

According to Sotheby, the fine arts gallery that facilitated the sale of the stamp, the auction lasted only minutes and was won by an anonymous bidder.

Sotheby’s had valued the stamp, which was made under British rule in 1856 when a shipment of stamps from England was delayed.

Bought most recently by convicted murderer and American multimillionaire, John du Pont, it has not been seen in public since going on display at a stamp exhibition in Chicago in 1986.

David Redden, Director of special projects and Chairman of Sotheby’s Books, said the stamp “was a magical object” and the definition of “unobtainable rarity and extraordinary value”.

In the mid-19th century, the postal service in British Guiana depended on supplies of stamps being shipped from England. But when a consignment was delayed in 1856, the postmaster commissioned a contingency supply made locally by printers of the Royal Gazette newspaper.

The printers ran off one cent and four cent magentas and a four-cent blue.

The British Guiana One Cent Magenta

The stamp was rediscovered in 1873 by L Vernon Vaughan, a 12-year-old Scottish boy living with his family in British Guiana. A budding collector, Vaughan found the stamp among a group of family papers and added it to his album.

He later sold it to another collector for several shillings and the stamp eventually made its way to Britain in 1878.

It was then bought by French Count Philippe la Renotiere von Ferrary, perhaps the greatest stamp collector in history, who later donated it to a museum in Berlin.

After World War I, France seized his collection as part of war reparations due from Germany and sold the stamp in 1922 at auction to Arthur Hind, a textile magnate from New York.

Hind paid a then record US$35,000 for the stamp. It sold for a second record of US$280,000 in 1970 and was bought in 1980 by the late du Pont for a third record of US$935,000.

place between our two countries for providing political leaning and support.”

With both nations being Commonwealth mem-

bers and sharing convergent views on many issues, High Commissioner Mahalingam said that both can play a constructive role in the interna-

tional fora, adding that India was counting on Guyana’s support on efforts to restructure the United Nations, including the Security Council.

Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam presenting his credentials to President Donald Ramotar

thursday, june 19, 2014

Calls mount for repairs to Vreeden-Hoop, Georgetown stellings

Passengers using the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry stellings are complaining about the dilapidated state of the facilities, calling on the relevant authority to fix the structures before tragedy occurs.

Only last week, a speedboat had made a hard mooring, crashing into the stairway, dislodging three treads in the steps and cutting a tie-rod that held the string boards together.

The Transport and Harbours Department had said that workers were immediately dispatched to effect repairs to the stairway as management of the Transport and Harbours Department was “very mindful of its obligations to provide safe access to persons using the service, but greater care and cooperation must likewise be exercised by boat captains”.

The department had said that it would be working with the Maritime Administration Department to rein in reckless captains like the one whose boat had damaged the step.

Poor shape

Meanwhile, Guyana Times on Tuesday visited the facilities to get a firsthand view of some of the issues passengers have been complaining about and found that the stairways leading from the boats to the stellings, both at the Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown sides, are in poor shape.

Speaking with Guyana Times, a boat operator who identified himself as “Dodson” said the ferry service is a main mode of transportation.

The Guyana Ferry Service is an alternative mode of transportation for many persons who have to travel to and from Georgetown, and wish to avoid the traffic that accumulates at the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The service is used mainly by individuals who reside in Region Three.

At present; however, he stated that there has been a huge problem when it comes to the maintenance of the service.

The stairs that the passengers have to use is in a terrible condition, Dodson said, noting that the wooden steps have begun to rot and can “collapse any day”. Dodson said his major concern is the steps which the passengers have to use. “Our duty is to bring pas-

sengers safely across, but if the steps is not in proper order, then we failing to perform our duty.”

He also noted that a number of meetings were held and the matter of fixing the stairs often arose, yet nothing is being done about the situation.

“You know how many times we brought up this matter, but every time they (the Transport and Harbour Division) say that they’ll look into the matter,” the boat operator said. Dodson also recalled that a man broke a leg recently after stepping on a rickety tread on the step shortly after disembarking at the Georgetown Stelling.

The Public Works Ministry, through the Transport and Harbour Division, has been constantly repairing the main on and off loading steps as its prime focus.

“In the morning and afternoon when people travel, the step used to go to the boats are filled with people and the steps don’t have rails… the time people would be pushing to get on and off the boat,” Dodson said, adding that “once a child almost fell into the water due to the rush on the steps”.

Unlike the Georgetown Stelling, the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling does not have washroom facilities. Operators are also clamouring for a shed spanning across the stelling building to the stairway. These, they say, are matters

which have been raised several times with the relevant authorities, but nothing has happened.

According to the operators, they also pay a daily landing fee to the Transport and Harbours Division, which is supposed to be used to develop the facilities.

“Imagine about 10,000 persons using this walkway and the wood is not good, eventually, someday this building will collapse,” one boat operator lamented.

Falling overboard

Many of the operators who spoke with this newspaper said while they did not personally experience any mishap while using the facilities, they were witnesses to several incidents where passengers slid off the stairs and almost fell into the Demerara River. Boat operators also complained about the fact that they have to pay a fee of $100 to use the washrooms at the stellings while passengers are exempted. Guyana Times also managed to speak to some of the passengers, most of whom lamented the conditions of the steps, deeming them unsafe. They are calling on the Transport and Harbours Department to move swiftly to rehabilitate the facilities, to avoid any major mishap.

Stakeholders’ consultation for implementation of

$1B cleanup programme

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will host a National Conversation on a clean environment for members of the public to discuss challenges and opportunities to improve solid waste management in Guyana.

According to a release, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry will be a key participant.

The National Conversation will be held on Saturday at the Amerindian Village, Sophia Exhibition Complex from 09:00h, with Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud, Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, Private Sector Commission

Chairman Ramesh Persaud and environmental experts will interact with the public as it relates to the challenges and the way forward for solid waste management in

Guyana.

“Further, persons will have the opportunity to contribute ideas on chal-

“Save a life, get on board”

– Region Two blood drive Coordinator urges

“Save a life, get on board,” Coordinator of an upcoming blood drive on the Essequibo Coast Kumar Das urged, as several organisations gear up to help those in urgent need.

The Guyana International Relief Organisation (GIRO), the Health Ministry, the National Blood Transfusion Service and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant are partnering to support the worthy cause.

Das, a Pharmacist attached to the Suddie Public Hospital, said the exercises will begin with a health fair and blood drive on Friday at the Suddie Public Hospital, starting at 09:00h.

On the following day, there will be a medical outreach and blood drive at the Anna Regina Town Hall, starting at 09:00h.

“Our generosity in sharing this life sustaining substance is the difference between life and death for some people, please join us so that the lack of blood does not deprive anyone of life… if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved

the life of all mankind,” Das said.

He added that through blood donation, a person becomes less susceptible to heart diseases, pointing out that the blood donated is reproduced by the body in 48 hours.

Persons desirous of supporting the worthy cause can contact Anwar Baksh on telephone number 678-1201, Zoreena Ally on 641-9315, Aisha Muntaz on 771-1109 and Kumar Dass on 6476348.

Dartmouth farmers expecting bumper bean cultivation

lenges discussed which will be fused into an action plan to change the current status of solid waste management in the city, towns and communities in Guyana. This initiative coincides with the implementation plan of the $1 billion budgetary allocation by the Government for the cleanup of Georgetown and communities along the coast,” the release said.

The event will also host an exhibition and displays on clean environment. For further information, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry can be contacted on telephone numbers 231-2506-11, extension 218.

Members of the public, particularly environmental activists and students are invited.

Scores of bean farmers from Dartmouth on the Essequibo Coast are expecting a bumper harvest this crop. Approximately 70 acres of red beans are under cultivation in the sandy area.

Farmers recently benefited from the distribution of new bean seeds from the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

According to Agriculture Officer Kaimraj Kandhai, the bean crops are in blossoming stage and a bumper harvest is anticipated.

He said NAREI is working with farmers to improve crop husbandry practices through extension education, demonstration plot and farmers’ field school.

The Agriculture Officer said the field school is in operation and NAREI has given each farmer 1kg of bean seeds for cultivation.

One farmer, Bella John welcomed the initiative, pointing out that it had assisted her to produce planting material (clean seeds).

She said the field schools provide much needed education to farmers and they are more aware of things.

NAREI also provides technical advice to farmers on plant growth and development. There are also constant visits by Agriculture Officers to the bean cultivations.

Farmers are thankful for the support of the Agriculture Ministry.

A bean cultivation at Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast

Passengers embarking a boat at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

Kumar Das

Rohee dismisses APNU's criticism of drug fight

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee on Monday lashed out at the leadership of a Partnership for National Unity (APNU), saying the coalition lacks the moral authority to question Government’s fight against narcotics.

Rohee, who was speaking at a news conference at Freedom House, told reporters the APNU’s leadership was morally compromised and should not put itself in a position where it is critiquing the Government’s drug fight.

“Neither Granger, Harmon – nor the entire APNU outfit have the moral or the ethical authority to lecture this nation about the challenges to fight drugs,” said Rohee, as he explained that both APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have not made any compromise to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, which would be instrumental in the fight against drug trafficking.

According to Rohee,

APNU’s leader David Granger has effectively managed to sully the names of honourable businessmen and act as a deterrent to local and foreign investors. He said they are now scared to embark on projects in fear that they would be accused of being drug traffickers or money launderers.

Anti-government rant

He said that Granger’s allegations are nothing but anti-government, not based on any factual developments and a far cry from the actual truth about the Guyanese reality.

“The thrust of Mr Granger’s typical anti-government and most absurd statement is to establish the erroneous notion that Guyana is a country where the drug trade has reached every part of society and that drug money is responsible for the successive annual economic growth that reflects a developing country,” Rohee said.

The Opposition Leader had previously criticised Guyana’s anti-drug fight, mentioning that the Government has failed to implement proper public security mechanisms to counter drug trafficking and money laundering.

“Narco-trafficking is the engine of growth that is driving this country’s high rates of money laundering, high rates of gun running and execution, murders and armed robberies,” Granger said.

Scandalous

However, Rohee said that “Granger’s assertion is deliberately scandalous and deceptive and aims to discouraged local and foreign investments and to put the country in a bad light.”

Rohee added: “Perhaps, Mr Granger in his self-right-

Irregularities at NGSA

The Education Ministry’s probe into irregularities of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) at the Kwebanna Primary School, Region One, has found that all 23 candidates of the school who sat the examinations gained marks to make them eligible for hinterland scholarships.

The Education Ministry has not been disclosing the name of the school or what “irregularities” reportedly occurred, but has stated that the affected school would have to re-sit the entire examination on July 2 and 3.

The Education Ministry had issued a statement late May, disclosing that the irregularities were detected at a Region One school.

“It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Education that there were irregularities in the conduct of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in a particular school in Region One that has affected the integrity of that school’s NGSA results,” the statement had said.

According to a source in Kwebanna, some 23 Grade Six students of the primary school there would have to re-sit the examinations next month. The Education Ministry had previously disclosed that no other irregularities were found in any of the other schools in Guyana. Meanwhile, the source alleged that the NGSA results indicate that all of the 23 students from the school gained marks for hinterland scholarships.

It is suspected that the examination papers were tampered with after the examinations were written and may have been done while the papers were kept overnight in Kwebanna. Students in hinterland regions attaining more than 470 marks are eligible for Hinterland Scholarships provided by Government. It was announced last week by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, that Mareisa Nascimento of Santa Rosa Primary was Region One's top student with 510 marks. She was awarded a spot at Bishops’ High School.

eousness may want to contemplate foregoing his parliamentary salary or the budgetary allocation to his Opposition Office as there may be contaminated.”

The PPP General Secretary maintained that the Government has been working assiduously to implement stricter measure to combat drug trafficking in Guyana.

He quoted the 2014 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report of the US State Department as saying: “As a matter of policy, the Government of Guyana does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of narcotics or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.”

This, Rohee explained was a positive development and noted that “Mr Granger must cease twisting the Guyanese reality and seek treatment for his blurred vision of the Guyanese reality”.

The second spot was taken by Alex Abraham of Karaburi Primary, with 505 marks and he was given placement at St Rose’s High School. A different source also told Guyana Times that education officials had visited Region One; however, the teachers there have not been told what were the irregularities.

“We don’t know what really happened because we have not been told anything. I hear only the headmistress knows and she is not giving out any information. Even the teachers there are scared because the situation has been tense and made even more with them not being told anything,” a Kwebanna resident stated.

Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand had pointed out that “an investigation is ongoing to minimise the likelihood of this happening again as well as determining what really happened”.

It is not clear if anyone has been found culpable for the alleged irregularities and what actions may be taken.

thursday, june 19, 2014

PCA receives medical certificate of boy allegedly burnt in lock up

Police Complaints Authority (PCA)

Chairman, retired Justice Cecil Kennard is in receipt of the medical certificate of 19-year-old Junior Thorrington, who accused a detective of burning his hands while in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station.

It took more than two weeks for the document to reach the former Chancellor of the Judiciary, which would have affected his timely recommendation in the matter. Nevertheless, the Chairman confirmed that he received the file on Wednesday morning. He said that it will now take him a few days to make his recommendations and expects to have the file with the Director of Public

Prosecutions (DPP) by the end of the week. Police Spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker in a release stated that the Force would have received the medical report in respect of Junior Thornton from the Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday last. He added that the document was subsequently submitted to the PCA Chairman on Wednesday.

Justice Kennard received the file at least two weeks ago, containing 34 statements and a number of exhibits, but the medical certificate was absent. Thorrington sustained second degree burns to his hands reportedly between May 25 and May 27, while he was in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station, East Coast Demerara.

The young man was reportedly taken into Police custody for loitering and was later accused of being a member of a gang that had committed a robbery.

According to information received, the teenager lives with his grandmother and would normally stroll about the community.

It was reported that after spending a few days in custody, he was subsequently released and it was then it was discovered that both of his hands were badly burnt during his interrogation, by the Police rank who allegedly put methylated spirits on the teen’s hands and set them on fire.

The rank involved reportedly offered the teen an undisclosed sum of money to settle the matter, but the offer was refused. Relatives of the tortured teen subsequently met with top ranks of the Guyana Police Force, who condemned the alleged act.

In the last few weeks, several officers were charged following the DPP’s recommendation on issues pertaining to use of excessive force. Two officers were charged for assaulting Colwyn Harding while a Cadet Officer was charged for playing Russian roulette on Alex Griffith, who was shot in his mouth at the East La Penitence Police Station.

While Kennard is yet to make his recommendation in the case, the probability of the officer being charged for Junior Thorrington remains high.

Gays more prone to...

Dr Harding responded: “I would have assented to it because it is a basic human right, it is very important to ensure that such laws are in place… I have seen too many young people distraught.”

Her comment apparently embolden one member of the audience, who sprang to his feet, passionately declaring that it is wrong for the Government or any constitutional body to deny the LGBTI community the right to marriage when the same right is afforded to heterosexual couples.

She further related to the gathering that her experience as a Psychologist is informing her judgement.

“We are responsible”

“If the society rejects us because of our difference, then we are all responsible for their deaths, all those persons that have committed suicide because of being different, we are responsible.”

Meanwhile, a leader of the Hindu community, Swami Aksharananda related that the recent pronouncement by individuals and other religious communities have seemingly served to invoke a different train of thought into the citizenry, who would have otherwise not been bothered by the entire issue.

According to him, the damnation of alternate sexual lifestyle stems from Christianity.

Also part of the panel discussion was Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) Executive

Director, Pastor Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth, who related that the condemnation of homosexuality as a lifestyle is a typical right-wing view.

She urged persons condemning the lifestyle to return to the Bible, as therein, they would see that the Bible insists on “liberating love throughout all generations”.

She dismissed the notion that being gay is a choice, noting that the situation cannot be remedied by a pastor.

During the discussion, homosexuality was touted as not wrong.

“You have no right to impose your virtues on me, we are a diverse community,” one member declared.

The furore on homosexuality arose following an interview aired on a local radio station recently, where Pastor

Ronald McGarrell, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) and a GRPA Board member, said that homosexuals and persons with alternative sexual preferences should be restricted to reside on an island.

He said that this should be done so that the rest of society will not be endangered on the prophesied Judgement Day. However, subsequent to making the statement, McGarrell confirmed that it was nothing more than a light-hearted joke and that he meant no harm.

His views on the issue of homosexuality have since been supported by Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill and several other members of the Christian community.

Opposition Leader David Granger

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

Junior Thorrington

From page 10

A member of the LGBTI community posing a question to the panelists

Trinidad-based NorthGate College wins global award for Best Space Experiment

You wouldn’t normally expect to hear a conversation about “ionisation in the earth’s atmosphere” happening between a group of 12 to 14-year-old youngsters. But that conversation is exactly what led enterprising youths from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago to the top prize in the Cubes In Space global contest. Seven students from NorthGate College, in Trinidad and Tobago, cap-

tured the 2014 Cubes In Space™ MPAC Group Top Design Award, for a science experiment that will be launched into space on June 26.

One member of the team, 13-year-old Deron Khelawan

confidently explained, “the Ionisation Investigation seeks to measure the extent to which an electromagnetic field is generated as the payload moves through the ionosphere.”

Their creative idea did not only impress their teachers and parents, it impressed a global panel of judges that included some of the finest minds in the aerospace industry.

“The quality of thought and depth of understanding of the science behind their experiment far exceeded most of what was submitted to us by other schools and countries. The NASA engineers to whom we have shown the proposal and video were utterly impressed and astounded that the application was submitted by middle-school aged students,” said Agee-DeHart, Founder of the Cubes In Space programme. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Prize-winning Cop freed of rape in Jamaica

There was jubilation in the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday when a panel of seven jurors acquitted Police Sergeant Oneil Patterson –a former winner of the Lasco Top Cop Award – of rape.

There were tense moments in the court as the jury of three men and four women deliberated on Patterson’s fate for 90 minutes. But relief was etched on the Policeman’s face as the jurors announced the verdict, much to the delight of his colleagues inside the Number Eight Courtroom and those peering through the glass sections of the doors.

“I just want to thank all my supporters and my legal team,” Sergeant Patterson told the Jamaica Observer following the verdict. “It has affected me,” added Patterson, a father of three children, as he spoke about the effect of the allegations on his career and personal life.

Gun murders worry authorities in Barbados

Six murders involving the use of firearms this year have Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, vowing to crackdown on people trying to smuggle guns into the country.

On Monday, Brathwaite said as of the end of May, there were six murders committed with the use of guns, compared to two for the same period last year.

“If firearms are coming into the country illegally, it is not just a Police matter. It is a Customs matter, it is a Coast Guard matter,” he said.

“I need to speak to the Commissioner [of Police] to determine if this is a sign of things to come, because it could be that guys now feel that they need to resort to firearms, or it could

be that there is an increase in the availability of firearms. Whatever the cause, it is clear to me that all agencies need to get on board,” he added.

“We need to sit down at a national security level and make a determination in terms of what interventions are required.” He also proposed a combination of Police and community intervention to deal with gun violence in the communities.

The Attorney General’s count of gun-related murders did not include that of a 21-year-old man who died last Wednesday from gunshot wounds. Brathwaite said although statistics reflect an overall decline in crime, gun-related murders are still cause for concern. (Antigua

Clinton proposal to lift Cuba embargo to be canvassed

The Journal Jersey has launched a survey with the question: “Do you agree with Hillary Clinton that the US Cuban embargo should end?” and plan to announce the results on Saturday.

The New Jersey-based online publication noted that, in an appearance in New York hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, the former Secretary of State said, “I think we should advocate for the end of the embargo. We should advocate for normalising relations and see what they (Cuban officials) do.”

According to the Journal Jersey, Clinton believes that the younger generation of Cuban Americans will not go against her for having suggested that Washington should lift the Cuban embargo.

“I will be coming back stronger,” he quipped. Patterson, the Lasco Top Cop for 2012, had been on trial since last week Thursday for allegedly raping a medical doctor in the compound of the Elletson Road Police Station on May 23, 2013 after they reportedly went on a date.

in-camera trial that the sex was consensual.

The defence contended during the

At least 28 bodies found at a ranch in eastern Mexico

Mexican authorities said on Wednesday they had found the remains of at least 28 people in a mass grave at a ranch in the eastern state of Veracruz, which has been wracked by violence between feuding drug gangs. In a statement, state prosecutors said investigators and forensic experts had been sent to the ranch, which was being guarded by members of the Mexican Navy.

There was no information on the sex of the bodies, or the cause of their death, and the local government said the number of corpses discovered could rise.

“So far, we’ve exhumed 28 bodies,” Deputy District

Attorney Arturo Herrera said in the statement. The eastern state of Veracruz, a major oil-producing zone, has suffered outbreaks of violence since former President Felipe Calderon sent in the army to tame the drug cartels soon after taking office at the end of 2006.

The Gulf Cartel and the brutal Zetas gang have fought for control of Veracruz, in one of the many territorial battles across Mexico that have left more than 85,000 people dead since 2007.

But between January and April of this year, murders in Veracruz had fallen by 40 per cent from the same period last year to 171, according to official data (Excerpt from Reuters)

“The victim only cried rape,” the defence said, “because she found out on the night they slept together that Patterson was not a single man as he had told her prior to them having sex.”

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

American Airlines cuts flights to Venezuela

American Airlines says it is cutting almost 80 per cent of its flights to Venezuela from next month. From July 2, American will operate only 10 flights per week instead of the current 48.

The move comes as part of a continuing dispute over the repatriation of revenue due to tight currency controls in the oil-rich country. A number of airlines have already suspended or reduced the number of flights to Venezuela.

“Since we are owed a substantial outstanding amount (US$750 million, £442 million, to March 2014) and have been unable to reach resolution on the debt, we will significantly reduce our flights to the country after 1 July,” the airline said in a state-

ment.

American said it would only fly to Venezuela from Miami, suspending its flights from New York, Dallas and Puerto Rico. Tight foreign currency controls make it difficult for foreign airlines to repatriate money from ticket sales in Venezuela.

The authorities have restricted access to dollars and want to make them more expensive to purchase, which may lead to losses for companies that are still waiting for cash from as far back as 2012.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) estimates Venezuela is delaying payment of US$4 billion.

American Airlines is the largest foreign carrier serving Venezuela. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The publication also explained that the economic embargo of Cuba has been enforced for over half a century now, while major US presidential candidates have trodden carefully in discussing the lifting of the US policy on Cuba for fear of alienating voters in the state of Florida.

Meanwhile, a Florida International University (FIU) poll released on Tuesday indicates that Cuban Americans in Miami would welcome changes in US relations with Cuba, while they still support some elements of current US policy. Most respondents of the 2014 FIU Cuba Poll expressed strong support for increased contact between US citizens, including Cuban Americans, and the Cuban people. A large majority – 68 per cent – favours re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, while 69 per cent supports the lifting of travel restrictions. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Easier TT visa process for Chinese nationals

Chinese nationals travelling to TT for the first time may not require a visa, and it is hoped there will be reciprocity for TT nationals travelling to China. This hope was expressed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she delivered the feature address at the 40th anniversary celebration of bilateral relations between TT and the People’s Republic of China at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s Port of Spain, on Sunday.

Persad-Bissessar hosted a special dinner in honour of the two countries’ long-standing and developing relationship. She said the Chinese community had

invested much in TT in the areas of culture, economics, and the arts, to name a few, since its members first arrived on the country’s shores almost 208 years ago. Earlier this year, the Government opened a TT Embassy in Beijing, which went into full operation on March 15, making it easier for Chinese nationals to obtain visas. Before that, she said, they would have had to go through the UK to obtain it. “When I visited China last year, there was a great difficulty with the Chinese getting visas to come to Trinidad. That is no more since we have opened the embassy,” said PersadBissessar. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Front (L-R): Yoland la Pierre (NGC Director), Charise Laveau, Shanade Ali, Chaela Wooding, Jenae Edwards, Shaniah Rudden, Jeanelle Looby (Teacher). Middle: (L-R) James Mohammed, Ethan Wilson, Nicholas Maharaj, Phillip Janes, Brian Ripoll, Arendel Owen. Back (L-R): Zachary Joel, Daniel Harper, Sebastian Rudden, Conrad Taitt, Brandon Wooding, Deron Khelawan, and Ruth Rudden (Teacher)

Sergeant Oniel Patterson (left) with his lead attorney, Peter Champagnie, following his acquittal for rape in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston on Tuesday

Iraq formally asks US to launch air strikes against rebels

Iraq has formally called on the US to launch air strikes against jihadist militants who have seized several key cities over the past week. “We have a request from the Iraqi Government for air power,” confirmed top US military commander General Martin Dempsey in front of US senators.

Earlier the Sunni insurgents launched an attack on Iraq’s biggest oil refinery at Baiji north of Baghdad. Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki earlier urged Iraqis to unite against the militants.

Obama met senior Congress members on Wednesday to discuss the Iraq crisis. The White House said Obama had “reviewed our efforts to strengthen the capacity of Iraq’s security forces to confront the threat from ISIL [ISIS], including options for increased security assistance”.

Ahead of the briefing Senate leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said he did not “support in any way” getting American troops involved in the Iraqi “civil war”.

At least 13 killed in bombing of Nigerian World Cup viewing venue

At least 13 people including young children were killed when a bomb tore through a venue in northeast Nigeria where fans had gathered to watch a World Cup soccer match, witnesses said.

for an attack on another venue screening soccer matches in the northeastern state of Adamawa that killed at least 14 people and wounded 12..

Some people at the scene told Reuters an attacker dropped a device in front of the venue on Tuesday night in the town of Damaturu and ran off, while others said it was the work of a suicide bomber.

Afghan candidates spar over fraud claims

The convivial atmosphere of the Afghan presidential elections has fallen by the wayside with one candidate lobbing accusations of voter fraud and rigging in the June 15 runoff and the other calling those allegations “uncivil and dangerous behaviour”.

Abdullah Abdullah, the one-time leading candidate who now trails in the poll, said at a news conference on Wednesday that alleged election fraud was “an affront to the rights of all Afghans”, which had “destroyed our confidence in the election commission”.

Abdullah called for a full investigation and has asked for all ballot-counting to stop until it was complete. Preliminary results are due on July 2.

Early estimates put exWorld Bank economist Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in the lead, even after another candidate, Zalmai Rassoul, dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Abdullah.

“We regret that Dr Abdullah has taken such a premature position without letting IEC [Independent Election Commission] carry on its duty and complete the process,” said Ghani’s campaign in a statement to Al Jazeera in response to Abdullah’s allegations.

“Furthermore, whenever a candidate decides to run, they sign a contract with IEC and today’s decision by Dr Abdullah does not abide by terms and condition of that contract,” it said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US President Barack

Government forces are battling to push back ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and its Sunni Muslim allies in Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, after the militants overran the second city, Mosul, last week.

But General Dempsey told a Senate panel that it was in America’s “national interest to counter [ISIS] wherever we find them”.

France unveils ambitious bill to boost green energy

France’s Government has unveiled a muchtouted bill to reduce the country’s dependency on nuclear energy and fossil fuels over the next four decades.

The legislation, currently championed by Environment Minister Ségolène Royal, aims to cut France’s energy consumption in half by 2050 in comparison with 2012.

The ambitious bill, presented on Tuesday after months of intense debate, also seeks to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the country by 30 per cent in the next 15 years.

Royal called the proposed law “a great challenge for the country” that in the long run would save consumers money and make companies more competitive, but will

initially demand billions of euros of new investments. Among the bill’s 80 articles are plans to develop technology for renewable energy and boost clean transportation.

In what will likely be a difficult sell, the bill also looks to reduce France’s huge dependency on nuclear energy. Hollande campaigned in 2012 on the promise of reducing electricity generated from nuclear reactors from 75 per cent to 50 per cent.

Among the many measures, the so-called “energy transition” law hopes to force builders to make buildings and houses more energy efficient during renovations and encourage the use of electric cars. (Excerpt from France24)

Indonesian city orders red-light ‘Dolly’ district shuttered

Officials in Indonesia’s Surabaya city said Wednesday one of Southeast Asia’s biggest red-light districts would close for business in July, despite protests by hundreds of sex workers who say the shutdown will leave them destitute.

Workers against the move earlier blockaded roads to “Dolly”, a seedy district of narrow lanes where women are famously touted in shop windows of old crumbling buildings in Indonesia’s second-biggest city.

Protesters covered their faces with black cloths emblazoned with slogans rejecting Dolly’s closure and banged pots and pans together. “Fry Risma! Fry Risma!” they shouted, using the nickname for Surabaya mayor Tri Rismaharini, who spearheaded the closure and put it high on her administration’s agenda.

A declaration read by 160 residents in favour of the closure said: “To take firm action against human traffickers, those committing indecent acts and the use of buildings for

immoral activities, we the people in this area... want development for a place that is safe and in order.”

Authorities said around two doz -

en brothels could continue to operate until Eid in late July, at the end of the holy Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

No one claimed responsibility for the blast, but Damaturu and the surrounding Yobe state are at the heart of a five-yearold insurgency by Islamist group Boko Haram.

The group was blamed

A Reuters reporter at Damaturu’s General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital counted 13 people dead –including small children –and at least 20 wounded. The Nigerian Government has advised people to avoid gathering in public to watch the World Cup, concerned about potential attacks. Many fans in soccer-mad Africa rely on informal venues – often open-sided structures with televisions set up in shops and side streets – to watch live coverage of the sport.

Anti-paedophile Police fight child porn “epidemic”

The Internet trade in images that show child sex abuse is now “an epidemic”, according to the head of the global initiative to combat the problem.

Police officers from around the world serve on the Virtual Global Taskforce. Its Chairman, Ian Quinn, tells the BBC there has been an “explosion” in cases handled by US authorities.

The US alone has 61 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) units, each made up of state, local Police and federal agents. BBC News joined a recent operation in Los Angeles.

Twenty-one officers were briefed at dawn in a parking lot in central Los Angeles.

Lieutenant Andrea

Grossman, from the Los Angeles Police Department, told us they conducted such operations “three to five times per week”.

The amount of images of child sexual abuse on the Internet, she says, is “beyond out of control, we’re now just getting to the surface of it”. Their target was a man who had tried to send obscene images via his Gmail account.

The team was led by an officer holding a pump-action shotgun, backed up by others with an assault rifle and hand guns. A suspect was detained.

The man’s computer was analysed in a mobile laboratory, housed in a large camper van parked outside the address. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jonathan Beale in Baghdad: Special forces are “ready to take on ISIS”

Officers removed the suspect’s hard drive and analysed it in a mobile laboratory

Indonesian sex workers cover their faces in Surabaya city’s red light district – popularly known as Dolly – as the military conduct patrols in the area on May 3

thursday, june 19, 2014 |

Rodney CoI should examine Granger’s statements – Dr Luncheon

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon said Government has reached some level of contentment with the recent revelations from Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), David Granger. The question now, however, is: Will he be willing to appear before the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI)?

The COI was established to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Rodney, who was killed on June 13, 1980, allegedly by the then PNC Government. The party, headed by the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, was said to have embraced a position of party paramountcy, and was considered autocratic in its activities.

A section of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference (ToRs) seeks to ascertain the political climate during late 1979 and early 1980s, and whether or not the security forces, including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); the Guyana Police Force (GPF); the Guyana People’s Militia; and the Guyana National Service, were ever tasked with the surveillance of the political Opposition.

Security forces

Witnesses testifying at the Commission have said that the security forces back then were used against the political Opposition. Testimonies against the security forces also suggest that their leaders at the time, retired Major General Norman Mc Lean as Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and the late Laurie Lewis of the Guyana Police Force, had worked their way into the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) through members of the lower echelon. Dr Rodney was a founding member of that party.

Granger’s statement, during a recent interview with this publication, suggested that the GDF had a responsibility to protect the state from anything deemed a threat to national security around the

Former Pro Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Prem Misir has been appointed Executive Director of the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU), a post left vacant by Keith Burrowes, who resigned from the position late last year. Burrowes is now heading Guyana Office For Investment (GO-Invest). Misir resigned his post at UG back in May, citing his pursuit of other professional career goals. Dr Misir’s contract at the university was due to come to an end next year. UG Registrar Vincent Alexander had said that Misir cited in his resignation that he was moving on with his life. Dr Misir was appointed as Pro Chancellor of UG on October 21, 2003, and he was expected to leave in October 2015. He also acted as Chancellor

time of Dr Rodney’s death. And although he made reference to a massive upheaval against the Government by the WPA in 1979, he pointed out that his role as Commander of the Army at the time did not allow him any scope to be involved in any intelligence matter, if any had been carried out. Such responsibilities would have rested entirely on the Chiefof-Staff at the time, Norman Mc Lean, he said.

Dr Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, said the Government is encouraged by the voluntary statements made by the former commander of the country’s defence body. However, Government cannot say with certainty whether the retired Brigadier will share this information formally with the Walter Rodney CoI. “Cabinet remains unclear on whether his public comments would be followed by greater commitment, more commitment to the ToRs. What is certain was that the military was under some obligation to perform some acts that may be material for consideration of the Commission,” Luncheon told the news conference.

Evidence emanating from the CoI continues to tie the PNC to the allegations that the party had played a major role in the death of Dr Rodney, who was killed when a bomb exploded as he sat in

a car outside the Georgetown Prison.

The PNC Reform has denied the allegations. Dr Luncheon said Granger, in essence, may have inadvertently confirmed the allegation. He added that the Cabinet is pleased that the party has withdrawn from its position that it will not be participating in the Inquiry. “Cabinet welcomed further evidence of the abandonment of the APNU/PNC, of their earlier position of not supporting the Commissions of Inquiry. And we saw that with the retention of Mr Basil Williams to represent the interest of the PNCR at the inquiry”.

Legal counsel

Granger, during the interview, had once again cleared the air that his party was not cooperating, by means of evidence giving, but was participating through the presence of its legal counsel. He stated too that as an individual, he would not be willing to participate in the Inquiry, since, at the time of Rodney’s death, he was on official business in Yugoslavia.

Dr Luncheon informed that the Commission has already approached the Defence Board where he sits as Chairman, “soliciting information from the military, about the military and information the Commission considers germane in the discharging of its responsibilities”.

The Commission’s legal team, led by Attorney Glen Hanoman, had made a promise to approach the Guyana Defence Board to receive relevant files. Lawyer for the Guyana National Trades Union Congress (GTUC) Selwyn Pieters, during the last week of the second CoI session, had strongly condemned the work carried out by the Commission, regarding the efficient documentation of evidence to be tendered at the Inquiry. His argument was that all important documents should have been secured for the work of the Commission.

from time to time. Misir has a doctorate in Social and Behavioural Sciences among his many academic achievements. He was appointed Professor in Public Health at the University of Central Lancashire in England in 2012. Misir is also a Director of the Bank of Guyana. The Pro Chancellor

Guyana making headway in achieving UNDAF strategy

Two and a half years into the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Guyana is making headway in fulfilling the four-year strategic framework.

At a meeting held on Wednesday with the UN team, Government officials and other stakeholders, the midterm review report was presented on progress of the implementation of the UNDAF 2012-2016 strategy.

UNDAF is a strategic framework which showcases areas that the UN can contribute effectively to the achievement of countries’

agencies in Guyana. “The feedback received from Government agencies indicates that a significant amount of work has been done and in some instances, we can humbly say that most of the targets have been met even though it is still in the midterm,” she pointed out.

Levy noted that several of the targets set in each of the thematic areas will be assessed in order to determine the level of achievement. “Those targets, which are no longer relevant due to changes in the environment and people and the needs of Government and people, will be revised and included in the UNDAF moving for-

UNDAF is still aligned with Guyana’s priorities as outlined in the country’s National Development Strategy. “Many results have already been achieved, but, since we are only midway, there are still much more to be done. Greater efforts will be needed to ensure strengthening joint collaboration, monitoring and reporting on the UNDAF; increased rigour and wideranging partnerships will be needed to fast track the achievement of the lagging MDG goals as we enter the last lap to achieve the MDGs [Millennium Development Goals],” she said.

The UN Resident Coordinator added that they

national development priorities. It was developed through intense consultations to address key development challenges in Guyana and was signed by nine UN agencies in 2011. The document focuses on four thematic areas: inclusive governance, inclusive growth, human and social development, and environment and sustainable development.

Positive feedback

The Head of the Finance Ministry’s bilateral relations unit, Donna Levy, told the gathering that the implementation of the UNDAF strategy has been receiving positive feedback from

ward for the second half of the cycle,” she stated. Levy assured the UN Country Team that despite all the targets not being met, the Government remains committed to implementing the framework.

In her presentation, UN Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa highlighted that most of the involved agencies have developed and commenced implementation of their respective action plan. However, she noted that while Guyana is lagging behind, the Government has indicated that it is aiming to achieve these in 2017.

Musa pointed out that the review shows that

are committed to enhancing efforts to achieve greater coherence and reduce duplication and will continue to provide high-quality technical services partners. She explained that the framework is based on a few key premises and as a joint venture, can only be successful with continued collaboration.

The goals of the UNDAF are to: assess the progress towards achieving the expected outcomes, assess the continued relevance of expected results, identify resource gaps, and make recommendations for resolving implementation challenges that are impending progress where necessary.

was a Professor in several programmes at various New York universities. He then represented Guyana in several organisations, including the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

Some $1 million is missing from the City Constabulary Unit at the Mayor and City Council, an official at the body has confirmed. Guyana Times was told that the money represented funds paid as bail

and fines to the constabulary. According to reports, acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba has since informed Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker about the situation and an investigation has been launched.

PNCR Leader David Granger Prem Misir appointed head of HSDU

Dr Prem Misir

Some of the representatives at the UNDAF midterm review meeting

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

Health Ministry lauds contribution of Chinese medical teams

The Health Ministry on Tuesday lauded the 10th Chinese Medical Team for its sterling contribution to Guyana’s health sector through its many interventions at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) over the last two years.

The high praise was

gist, two persons who are specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology, two anaesthesiologists, one radiologist, a pathologist, acupuncturist, a paediatrician and two chefs. Eleven members from the Chinese Medical Brigade will be operating from GPHC, while the remaining five will offer their expertise to the people of Guyana.

lationship continues to evolve,

Minister Ramsaran said the Health Ministry would be soon turning to its Chinese counterpart to aid in medical research.

Director of Medical and Professional Services Sheik Amir said the outgoing Chinese Medical Brigade has been outstanding in the execution of its service to the Guyanese populace; display-

challenge,” he posited.

According to him, the 11th Batch will take up the mandate delivered to them and follow in the footsteps of the predecessors who moved beyond the walls of GPHC and LHC and conducted outreach programmes in the hinterland and other parts of Guyana.

The 10th Batch was also saluted by the Chinese

sung at a farewell reception held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre in honour of the 14 medical practitioners and one chef who had offered their services to the people of Guyana.

It was also an occasion on which the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade was introduced. The 16-member team led by Orthopaedic Yongxiang Wang comprises a plastic surgeon, two general surgeons, a nephrologist, an ophthalmolo-

Addressing both the outgoing and incoming batches in the present of the Charge D’affaires of the Chinese Embassy Yuying Liu, Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said the outgoing batch has made a mark in the local health arena. “China is making its mark in the Caribbean, in the New World. Many things are being said about the Chinese present in Guyana, small things but good things.”

As the Guyana/China re-

ing excellent work ethnics and even working beyond the call of duty.

Amir said the medical experts have endured a challenge for two years due to the lack of some key medical resources but, nevertheless, they have served Guyana well. “I know their work was not without challenges, they are accustomed to a lot of other resources, other things that we were not able to deliver to them. However I must say they rose to the

Charge D’affaires. He said both batches have left their families behind to offer their services to Guyanese. He called that one of the practitioners had to embark on his journey to Guyana three days after the birth of his daughter. Despite the challenges, Liu said the outgoing brigade has served Guyana well, noting that he expects no less of the incoming patch. In honour of their work, members of the 10th batch were presented with plaques.

Man

killed after struck down by pick-up

Aman was killed when a pick-up truck ploughed into him as he was standing on the Number 72 Village Corentyne Public Road, Tuesday evening.

Dead is 29-year-old Satesh Ramdass called “Ravi”, a speedboat operator of Number 72 Village, Corentyne. The incident occurred at approximately 19:30h.

Police have disclosed that the driver of motor pick up GHH 7827, Christen Deo, 46, of Lot 15 Line Path, Skeldon, told investigators that he was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road when he felt his vehicle drive over something. He said this caused him to stop the vehicle and upon checking, he discovered that it was a man that his vehicle had driven over.

The man, who was allegedly lying face down on the road, was picked up in an unconscious state with bruises on his chest and rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The pick-up is lodged at the Springlands Police Station awaiting examination, while the driver is in Police custody.

The body of the late Satesh Ramdass is presently at the Skeldon Hospital mortuary

awaiting a post-mortem examination. This publication visited the home of the deceased and spoke to his uncle Eno Bharrat Ramdass, who recounted what he heard had transpired. Ramdass said he was at the mandir when he received a phone call informing him that his nephew was involved in an accident.

“From what I heard, he was standing at the side of the road waiting for transportation, to come home by me, he stop a car and the driver told him he has to drop off some passengers and come back for him,” Ramdass’s uncle said.

He explained that 10 minutes after, the speeding pickup hit his nephew. It was alleged that the driver was under the influence and did not immediately stop to render assistance to the injured man but drove some distance before bringing his vehicle to a halt.

Ramdass’s uncle is adamant that the driver was under the influence and informed this publication that when he requested a Breathalyser test, they told him they did not have any equipment available. The dead man, who was the sole breadwinner of his family, leaves to mourn his wife and three children. Police investigations are in progress.

Mexican Embassy using drawing contest to share culture

The Mexican Embassy hosted its third annual Children’s Drawing Contest to enlighten Guyanese children about the Mexican culture.

The drawing contest was held on Wednesday at the Mexican Embassy on Brickdam, Georgetown, under the theme “Rights of Children”. Thirty-two students between the ages of seven and 11 were selected from various Georgetown schools; Marian Academy, St Agnes Primary, and Smith’s Memorial Primary, and Joshua House Orphanage. The children were engaged in a morning of learning, drawing, and interaction with each other.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin

explained that the objective of contest is to promote cultural understanding of different people. He noted that they are approaching children, since it is an opportune time in their life to think and learn about people and cultures while dis-

covering a world that is becoming close-knit.

“They learn our way of dressing, our food, our cultural expressions, our cities, our people… the idea is to begin an ordinary interaction of cultures with people from other parts of

the world,” the Ambassador stated.

He pointed out that the drawing contest is held worldwide wherever there is a Mexican Embassy or Consulate. He noted that the response is usually good from local schools.

Cementing progress for the future

The Ambassador stated that they selected different schools every year for the contest to give children from various backgrounds a chance to take part in this learning experience. This year, they also included children from Joshua House.

In addition, the Mexican Ambassador noted that in keeping with the theme for this year’s contest, the Embassy partnered with the

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to host the drawing contest. He noted that international human rights has been an issue since the Cold War era and one of the several instruments signed to ensure human rights was the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

“So we thought it was appropriate to have UNICEF be the main subject. For children, it may not be as simple to know about it but the idea of the United Nations, is to allow people to know and learn about each other, as a way of cementing progress for the future,” the Ambassador said.

He added too that with the aid of UNICEF, they provided materials to educate the children on the

Convention of Rights of the Child.

Ambassador Olguin further stated that they had also shown cartoons about rights of children which were age-appropriate for their ages so that they can understand that they also have rights, including the rights to education, family and to be cared for.

The children were invited to also create a drawing that will allow them to participate in the 18th Children’s Drawing Contest “Éste es mi México” (this is my Mexico). The “Éste es mi México” contest will see drawings from around the world being judged in Mexico this October by a panel of painters and art specialists, led by world-renowned painter Fernando Andriacci.

The 16 members of the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade standing alongside Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Charge D’affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Yuying Liu

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Charge D’affaires of the Chinese Embassy, Yuying Liu flocked by the 10th Chinese Medical Batch

Some of the children creating their art pieces

Staesh Ramdass’ wife and two of their children

SUDOKU

Get in touch with someone you haven’t seen in a long time. Whether it’s an old business acquaintance or friend, reestablishing the connection will be eye-opening.

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Money matters appear favourable. Financial aid will appear from an unexpected source. An intriguing offer will lay the groundwork for a change of direction.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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Family members are relying on you to help out around the home. Don’t complain or try to rationalise your behaviour. Do your share and avoid criticism and bad feelings.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

When champions are paupers!

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The score is 15-8, the Golden Arrowhead is dancing in the open air, fans are overjoyed, so too the players! All is well with the world, or so it seems.

Guyana’s tried, tested and proven ruggers have done it again- nemesis Trinidad and Tobago have been beaten, sweet revenge for the South American after suffering the ignominy of a 0-20 defeat in 2013.

The Southern Zone title of the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 15’s competition is now with Ryan Gonsalves’ men, who, in their previous game, also disposed of hosts Barbados.

Successive victories have had a positive impact on their world ranking, moving from 60 to 53 on the International Rugby Board’s (iRB) list from a total of 154 countries. It’s a scenario the ruggers are all too familiar with, for they have a set a standard that is the envy of many a national teams.

But with success comes certain responsibilities, or in Guyana’s case, heavy burdens. Such burdens are not unique to rugby, as all other disciplines, maybe with the exception of cricket and football which receive an annual subvention, face the enormous challenge of acquiring funding.

The perspiration of victory has barely dried and the ruggers are at battle again, not in pursuit of tries and conversions, but secur-

ing the necessary financing to ensure they honour their match date with USA Southwinner of the Northern Zone of the NACRA 15s championship.

It’s a ‘game’ they must win before the real game, originally scheduled to take place this Sunday in Atlanta. Such a dire situation can result in Guyana lobbying NACRA for a shift in the date, if the funding is not forthcoming, according to president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRUF), Peter Green.

A whopping budget of $8 million is needed to send the reigning Southern Zone champions to Atlanta, and with the GRFU “in the red”, as reported by Treasurer Roger Perriera, a humongous task has landed on the shoulders of those who administer the sport.

NACRA, as is the norm, has covered the cost of airfare for the entire contingent of players and officials, as well as part of the expens-

es related to accomodation, leaving the GRFU to solicit another $2 million, which will be expended on meals, accomodation and visas for eight players.

The outstanding sum is just 25 percent of the budget, yet it seems like a mountain, given the current financial predicament of the GRFU. Green, during a press briefing on Monday, said corporate entities and the government would be approached for assistance.

At the same function, Vice-president of the GRFU,

Mike McCormack, also revealed that the Union receives an annual grant of £15,000 from the world governing body, the iRB. That assistance however, is specifically for the “development” of rugby in schools, and the payment of stipends to officers who execute the programme.

Apart from the NACRA concession and iRB grant, the GRFU is left with no other option but to present their empty piggy bank to corporate entities and the government when all other

means have failed.

Despite all the successes of the national ruggers over the years, rugby in Guyana is yet to reach the level where the gate receipts can be a form of income, presenting another dead-end for the financial viability of the sport here.

Like any other product, marketing is a key component of its success, and that is an area Green has promised to tackle going forward. It’s a concerted effort geared at bolstering the coffers of the GRFU, thereby reducing

the need for ambassadors of the nation to literally beg around for funding.

Only time will tell how successful Green’s marketing programme will be. Rugby needs it to match the on-field accomplishments of the national ruggers, who have found themselves at two extremes: champions and paupers at the same time.

The national ruggers have never let this nation down. Guyana must now return the favour.

GCC congratulates Johnson on WI Test selection

The President and Executive Committee of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) have extended congratulation to Guyanese left-handed middle-order batsman Leon Johnson on recently being selected by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the ongoing West Indies vs New Zealand series.

The 26-year-old, along with Jamaican batsman Jermaine Blackwood, gained a maiden Test call-up for the sec -

ond match against New Zealand, which started on Monday in Trinidad and Tobago.

Johnson is not playing in the match but the GCC believes the call-up is “a great opportunity for him to be part of the West Indies Test Team,” the club stated in a press release on Wednesday.

Lionel Jaikaran, President of the GCC in a statement said: “I’d like to congratulate Leon on a successful international career and thank him

for his enormous and continuous contribution to cricket at our club.

“Leon’s on-field achievements are a testament to his exemplary work ethic off the field and the GCC’s coaching success over the years.”

The release also said Johnson is an active member of the Georgetown Cricket Club and is captain of its 1st Division team. “The club is very proud of Leon who started his cricket training at the club in our Kiddies’

programme.”

The GCC also said Johnson has benefitted from the club’s experienced coaches over the years, including Ivor Mendonca who passed away recently, Harold Dhanraj and Monty Lynch.

“The President and Executive Committee would once again like to congratulate Leon Johnson and thank all those who have made this possible,” the GCC statement read.

Peter Green

The national ruggers have never let this nation down. Guyana must now return the favour

Leon Johnson

Today’s Games: Australia vs Netherlands (12:00h); Spain vs Chile (15:00h) and Cameroon and Croatia (18:00h)

Netherlands survive scare to beat Australia

Netherlands moved to the brink of securing a place in the last 16 of the 2014 Fifa World Cup as Memphis Depay gave them victory over Australia.

Arjen Robben angled in a shot to put the Dutch ahead, but Tim Cahill soon equalised with a stunning volley.

Mile Jedinak slotted in a penalty for Australia before Robin van Persie lashed home to level it at 2-2.

Mathew Leckie then missed a chance for the Socceroos, and Depay sent in a 25-yard shot for the winner.

Netherlands demolished holders Spain in their opening game and, though they came nowhere near those heights, they had enough to overcome a bold Australia at the imposing Estadio BeiraRio in Port Alegre.

Progress to the last 16 is now virtually secured - and will be guaranteed if Spain fail to beat Chile later.

Having lost to Chile in their first match, Australia’s hopes of reaching the next round appear to be over, but their youthful side certainly gave Netherlands a scare.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou said before the game his side intended to attack - and they were true to his words in the opening exchanges.

But a flash of quality from Robben saw the Netherlands take the lead against the run of play.

The Bayern Munich forward feinted his way past Alex Wilkinson on the half-

way line, raced towards the Australia goal and drove in an angled shot for his third goal of the World Cup.

The Socceroos responded immediately with one of the goals of the tournament so far, Cahill meeting an angled ball from the right with a powerful left-foot volley which crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Had midfielder Mark Bresciano and defender Matthew Spiranovic shown the same poise, Australia could have taken the lead earlier than they did.

Bresciano ran onto a low Leckie cross only to shoot over from just inside the area, while Spiranovic got away from his marker at a free-kick but side-footed an eight-yard shot straight at keeper Jasper Cillessen.

Cahill and Van Persie were both ruled out of their teams’ final group games after being shown their second yellow cards of the tourna-

ment, either side of Leckie having a goal disallowed after he was adjudged to have fouled Daley Blind.

But Australia continued to press, and went in front when an Oliver Bozanic cross struck the hand of Daryl Janmaat and Jedinak slotted home from the spot.

The lead did not last long, though, as Van Persie netted his 11th goal in 10 internationals, controlling the ball before turning and firing into the roof of the net.

Australia again opened up the Dutch and Tommy Oar crossed for Leckie, who chested rather than headed the ball straight at Cillessen.

But it was Depay who decided the outcome of the game, the 20-year-old PSV Eindhoven winger curling a shot beyond the reach of Mat Ryan to give Netherlands their first victory in four games against Australia. (BBC)

Croatia boost hopes, Cameroon bow out

Cameroon have crashed out of the FIFA World Cupafter a resounding 4-0 defeat to Croatia in which they were reduced to ten men. The Indomitable Lions were second best throughout this Group A encounter in Manaus, which ended with their European opponents having boosted their hopes of vying with Brazil and Mexico for a place in the Round of 16.

Croatia now know that the winner of their final group phase encounter with El Tri will advance, while Cameroon will conclude their doomed campaign against the hosts.

Niko Kovac’s side had impressed in spells against Brazil in their opening match and their class told in this encounter, with the outcome rarely in danger from the 11th minute onwards. That was when Ivica Olic, 34, became his country’s oldest World Cup goalscorer, firing home first time with his left

foot after being teed up at close range by Ivan Perisic’s perfectly weighted pass.

Perisic was a dangerous and influential player throughout, and he found the net with nine minutes of the first half remaining, directing a powerful header just over. Cameroon had barely threatened at this stage and their frustration boiled over four minutes later when Alex Song earned an inevitable straight red card for a off-theball arm in the back of Mario Mandzukic. That show of indiscipline made an already difficult task near-impossible, and Croatia effectively moved out of sight just three minutes into the second period.

This goal was something of a personal disaster for Charles Itandje, whose botched clearance was seized upon at the halfway line by Perisic. Plenty of work remained to be done, but the Wolfsburg midfielder’s pace took him clear in the left

channel and he deceived Itandje by shaping to cross and instead side-footed into the net at the keeper’s abandoned near post.

Croatia continued to dominate and Mandzukic could and should have added a third shortly after when he raced clean through only to delay his shot too long and, under pressure, scoop the ball wide. But the Bayern Munich striker would not be denied, and he completed a brace midway through the half. The first saw him rise unchallenged at corner to bullet home a downward header, while the second came about when he profited from another mistake by Itandje, who spilled a tame Eduardo shot at the feet of Croatia’s predatory No17. The scoreline offered just reward for Kovac’s side’s overall superiority, and they will now hope to continue their free-scoring ways against a Mexico team that shut out the hosts. (FIFA)

Holders Spain suffer early World Cup exit

Spain’s dominance of global football was brought to a crushing end as they were knocked out of the World Cup by an impressive Chile.

The defending champions were aiming to become the first nation to retain the title since Brazil in 1962, but after losing their opening match 5-1 to the Netherlands, they surrendered their crown in a cauldron of noise in the Maracana.

First-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz did the damage as Spain failed to contain the rampant Chileans, or muster a response of any real substance.

Their elimination means they are the fifth defending champions to fail to progress from the group stage at the World Cup.

It was Chile’s first competitive victory over Spain - and just reward for an attacking masterclass.

Questions will inevitably be asked about the international futures of Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque and several of his most trusted players, such as goalkeeper Iker Casillas and midfielders Xavi and Xabi Alonso.

There was little sign of shock as the full-time whistle sounded; more despondency and resignation. Chile celebrated, but not wildly; they deserved their victory and will not want to stop there.

Spain must now contest a dead rubber against Australia on 23 June, while Chile and Netherlands meet in an encounter that will determine who finishes top of Group B.

Chile were tipped by many to do well in the competition, but few predicted they would administer the fatal blow to Spain and one of the game’s most glittering eras. Their fans arrived in huge numbers and helped

generate an incredible prematch atmosphere, although a group of them storming the media centre before kick-off provided a sour preamble. They seemed to enjoy far greater representation inside the ground, and the noise levels rocketed as Jorge Sampaoli’s team made an encouraging start - Alonso forced into a vital goalmouth clearance before Gonzalo Jara headed narrowly wide.

Spain were narrow victors when the sides met at the 2010 World Cup, and again in a friendly the following year, but needed a last-minute equaliser to snatch a draw last September.

Chile have been dubbed by some the ‘Spain of South America’ - a reference to the Spaniards in peak formand their pace, power and pressing is a sight to behold.

They opened the scoring

in style after Alonso carelessly under-hit a pass, allowing Alexis Sanchez to begin a scintillating move that ended with Aranguiz squaring for Vargas to round Casillas and slot home.

Spain responded positively, and predictably enjoyed plenty of possession, but Alonso shot way over the bar and Diego Costa fired wide.

Del Bosque made a massive call by relegating Xavi

to the substitutes’ bench, moving David Silva into his attacking midfield position and using the younger, quicker Pedro on the right. But, if anything, Spain looked worse without a man who, while enduring a poor campaign and struggling in Friday’s thrashing by Netherlands, has for so long been La Roja’s outfield leader, the symbol of their philosophy and one of the best players in the world.

The dropping of centre-back Gerard Pique was less of a surprise but, similarly, did not benefit Spain and their defence looked no more assured or unified with Javi Martinez partnering Sergio Ramos. They needed to get to half-time without conceding again, but even that proved beyond the European champions as Casillas palmed a Sanchez free-kick straight out to Aranguiz, whose control and finish with the outside of his foot was of the highest order. (BBC)

Arjen Robben of the Netherlands shoots and scores his team’s first goal past goalkeeper Matthew Ryan of Australia. Photo: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Vargas has scored 13 goals in 17 games under Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli

Croatia now face Mexico in their final Group A game knowing victory would assure them of a place in the last 16. Photo: Getty Images

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Big-name broadcasters such as BT Sport (UK), ESPN 3 (North America), Fox Sports (Australia) and Sony Six (India) have all signed deals to carry live coverage of this year’s tournament, which is set to be bigger than ever, featuring global cricketing superstars Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Dwayne Bravo, Ross Taylor, Saeed Ajmal and Kieron Pollard.

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half-century for Blackwood...

Seventeen runs came in the first eight overs of the morning, a period during which Trent Boult and Tim Southee generated enough movement from the pitch to keep New Zealand interested. They beat the bat a number of times but the early breakthrough, that of nightwatchman Kemar Roach, took 8.1 overs to come.

Blackwood’s partnership with Chanderpaul then helped West Indies take the game further away from New Zealand. Until he was dismissed, Chanderpaul maintained his usual stoical stance to frustrate the bowlers. His 33rd run took him past Kumar Sangakkara in the list of leading rungetters in Tests. Out of nowhere, though, he fell padding up in the same way to the same bowler - Sodhi - as in the previous Test.

Ramdin joined Blackwood and the increased urgency caught New Zealand somewhat offguard. Ramdin’s three consecutive boundaries on the first three balls after lunch, off New Zealand’s most threatening bowler - Boult - unravelled their intent. The partnership between the two batsmen inflated to 50 in 67 balls. By that time, the Netherlands had reasserted their supremacy over Australia in the football World Cup match and West Indies’ lead was past 200 too.

Faced with a survival situation similar to what

defending champions Spain were facing against Chile, New Zealand also had to adjust their batting order because Hamish Rutherford was not available due to an illness. Brendon McCullum promoted himself to open with Tom Latham, but the move didn’t work as McCullum was trapped lbw by Jerome Taylor in the sixth over. New Zealand were 9 for 1.

Both Jerome Taylor and Roach stuck to impeccable lines - around off stumpand with the ball darting around just enough, another wicket didn’t seem too far. Taylor was particularly impressive, starting up with an opening burst of 7-3-8-1

while Roach complemented him with a spell of 6-3-9-0. Only two boundaries came in the first 14 overs as New Zealand trudged to 19. Sulieman Benn and Shannon Gabriel kept up the pressure once the two frontline bowlers were off; Benn kept pegging around the off stump line, while Gabriel’s disconcerting bounce troubled Williamson more than once. Still, both Williamson and Latham made most of the infrequent loose deliveries. Two fours in the 27th over, bowled by Chris Gayle, took New Zealand past 50. While Spain withered away from Brazil, Williamson and Latham took the fight to another day. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies 1st innings

CH Gayle b Boult 1

KC Brathwaite c & b Boult 129

SJ Benn b Southee 4

KA Edwards c †Watling b Sodhi 55

DM Bravo c Craig b Williamson 109

S Chanderpaul lbw b Sodhi 47

KAJ Roach c Neesham b Boult 6

J Blackwood c Taylor b Sodhi 63

D Ramdin*† c Taylor b Neesham 32

JE Taylor c Craig b Sodhi 4

ST Gabriel not out 0

Extras (lb 6, w 3, nb 1) 10

Total (all out; 137.1 overs; 592 mins) 460 (3.35 runs per over)

Fall of wickets 1-4 (Gayle, 2.6 ov), 2-16 (Benn, 11.3 ov), 3-109 (Edwards, 30.3 ov), 4-291 (Bravo, 79.2 ov), 5-310 (Brathwaite, 88.2 ov), 6-333 (Roach, 100.1 ov), 7-380

(Chanderpaul, 114.1 ov), 8-456 (Blackwood, 135.3 ov), 9-460 (Ramdin, 136.5 ov), 10-460 (Taylor, 137.1 ov)

Bowling: TA Boult 30 -6-753, TG Southee 30-9-69-1, MD Craig 29-4-111-0, JDS Neesham 15-1-68-1, IS Sodhi 19.1-2-964, KS Williamson 14-2 -35-1. New Zealand 1st Innings- 221 New Zealand 2nd innings TWM Latham not out 30 BB McCullum* lbw

WaNteD Driving

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel:

“Think outside the box”

Workshop

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

Local sports administrators have been urged “think outside the box” and be agents of change following the opening ceremony of the firstever Sports Management workshop hosted at the National Sports Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

Addressing the 65 participants on Wednesday morning, Olympian Grace Jackson of Jamaica said she was enthused by the turnout, noting that it is a clear indication of the interest persons have in the development of sports here.

Jackson and another Olympian, Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago, among others, will conduct the three-day workshop, which concludes on Friday.

“We have spent the last two and a half months really putting together, researching and planning to see how it is we were going to help this group, because the paradigm has already shifted in sports in the Caribbean,” Jackson said.

She added, “And the question is ‘do I see Guyana in the shift?’ I did not see Guyana in the shift and so it was clear to me by Minister Anthony recognising the need to have this kind of workshop that was going to be able to help you sport administrators to effect the changes that are needed.”

In giving a brief description of the workshop, Jackson, who appeared in three Olympic Games- 1984, 1988 and 1992, highlighted that the participants will be placed in groups and will be given the chance of coming up with ways to ensure the growth and development of sports in Guyana.

“We have prepared to work with you; you will be selected into teams [because] we want you to start putting on your thinking caps and we’re going to ask

you to get out of the box. So I’m going to ask you to start thinking outside the parameters that you have normally done…let’s break down these chains as we prepare for the next two and a half days,” Jackson, who is a member of the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Women’s Committee, emphasised.

New ideas

Sport Ministry Dr. Frank Anthony, in endorsing the views of Jackson, told the

of elite athletes”, noting that the workshop is the beginning of what would be an ongoing process of development beyond the field of play.

Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K.A. Juman Yassin, lauded the Sport Ministry for hosting the workshop and securing the services of such distinguished sportspersons to share their expertise.

Both Dr. Anthony and Yassin implored the partic-

the Providence National Stadium; public squash courts at Non Pariel Park;the National Sports Resource Centre; theOlympic-sized swimming and warm-up pools at Liliendaal and the synthetic track at Leonora.

Kumar also expressed gratitude to Jackson and Boldon and all the other facilitators for agreeing to conduct the sessions, and urged the participants to make maximum use of the opportunity being afforded them.

Participants of the course have been drawn from all three counties, and apart from Jackson and Boldon, the other facilitators are GOA Vice-president Dr. Karen Pilgrim; Sports Management Professional June Rudder; former president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union Christopher “Kit” Nascimento; former Guyana Football Federation president Franklin Wilson; Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James; fourtime Jamaican Olympian Cathy Rattray Samuels; and Michelle Johnson.

Among the topics to be covered are (a) Reviewing, re-doing and revitalising the sports structure, (b) Sports Administrators and nation building, (c) Building and strengthening sports associations, (d) Marketing your sport to the Region/world, (e) Development of elite ath-

officials that the workshop provides a perfect opportunity for locals to open up to new ideas which can help to foster the expansion of the various disciplines.

He reiterated that the workshop is another step by the administration to promote the concept of sports education, incorporating new ideas, scientific training and research.

Dr. Anthony also highlighted that there must be a “multi-disciplinary approach to the development

ipants to spread the knowledge garnered during the three-day event, since withholding such information would defeat the purpose of having the workshop.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar echoed similar sentiments, adding that the government has been unwavering in its support for the development of sports countrywide, the evidence of which is in the construction of facilities for various disciplines.

He made reference to

Digicel schools football tourney… goals galore continues!

By TReisTon Joseph

St. Mary’s Secondary School went on a scoring spree on Wednesday when the Digicel Schools Football Tournament continued at various venues across Guyana.

Notably the biggest school football tournament in Guyana, St Mary’s put the rest of the tournament teams on notice of their scoring prowess with an 11-1 drubbing of New Campbellville Secondary School at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Starting out in a passive mode, St. Mary’s quickly found their rhythm with crisp passing and often times displayed tremendous speed along the wings to ease past defenders. Andel Smith, who terrorised defenders with his skill, opened the scoring for St. Mary’s in the ninth minute.

New Campbellville’s defence would withstand a number of counter attacks after giving up the ball easily but could not stop Raphael Charles from netting St. Mary’s second goal in the 17th minute.

Two minutes later, the already lacklustre defence of New Campbellville gave way again as Raphael Bollers made it 3-nil in the 19th minute.

The 22nd minute of the game would provide New Campbellville with some reprieve as a wild shot bounced off Charles for an own goal.

Smith would then score back to back goals for his first hat-trick of the tournament, netting in the 35th and 42nd minutes, to end the half on a high note for St. Mary’s who held a 5-1 advantage.

On resumption of the second half, both teams showed signs of fatigue as New Campbellville tried to find their groove to get back into the game.

However, after a few possessions of promising play from the New Campbellville School, St. Mary’s flipped a switch and drained their sixth goal of the match after a cross from the right wing into the box found Alyne Haynes who maintained his composure to rock the back of the nets in the 60th minute for a 6-1 lead. Again playing to their strength on the wing, with the ability to get around their defenders, Sean Turney was on the receiving end of another crisp pass that he slotted in during the 65th minute of the game.

Lennox Cort would then add to the lead making it 7-1 two minutes later in the 67th minute while Colin Denny would notch a goal in the 72nd minute to make the game 9-1. Bollers would end the encounter emphatically with goals in the 81st and 89th minutes to complete his hat-trick.

Meanwhile, at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden, Mackenzie High School defeated Wisburg Secondary 3-0 to open their campaign in the tournament.

Quailan Andreas dropped in the first goal for Mackenzie High in the ninth minute while Kellon Primo would score in the 24th for a 2-nil lead heading into halftime. Anthony Allicock would score in the 55th minute to hand Mackenzie High the handsome win. Meanwhile, games in the tournament will continue today at various venues across Guyana.

Ato Boldon: Guyana needs...

from back page

letes- a framework for progress, and (f) Connecting with the people through event planning and management.

The Sports Management Workshop has been specially designed for Sports Administrators to gain a greater understanding of the management of sports events, teams and their application to the national delivery. Participants will be introduced to several methods/strategies used in preparing teams and events.

Further, Bolden took it a step further noting that all else would fail unless such a change occurs. “Until you establish a culture of sport being important, sport being something to aspire to then none of the other plans… you can build all the stadiums you want, everything else nothing happens, it starts from the culture it starts from the young people,” Bolden firmly stated.

So what will Bolden bring to the table during the three day programme?

“As a broadcast analyst I get to see track and field from every level, from the very grassroots to the Olympic Games.

“As a result I am able to share with this workshop what works and what does not

work, what my experience has been both as a world champion and Olympian as well as somebody who has been a part of Olympic and world class sport for the past 20 years.”

Bolden, who is the first junior to win a sprint double at the World Junior Championship, also gave reasons for wanting to be a part of the workshop in Guyana.

“The business of sport is where Grace and I decided that I would make the trip here to Guyana… this is nothing new to me. I’m used to sharing what knowledge I have of world class sport,” Bolden noted.

Both Bolden and Jackson are scheduled to visit the Leonora Synthetic track today.

A section of the participants at Wednesday’s opening

- Olympian Grace Jackson urges participants of Sports Management

Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony delivering remarks at the opening. Sharing the head table are (from right) Mexican Ambassador Franciso Olguin, facilitator of the workshop Grace Jackson and GOA president K.A. Juman Yassin

New Campbellville’s keeper looks on as he is unable to stop a goal from St. Mary’s. (Carl Crooker photo)

Routes confirmed for national cycling championships

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has tweaked the routes for this year’s national cycling championships, set for June 28-29. Following a GCF executive meeting on Tuesday night, the routes for the Time Trial, to be held on June 28, and the Road Race the following day were finalised.

The Time Trial will start at Long Creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, proceed to Loo Creek and return to the start point for the finish.

The Road Race will be contested at four different distances; however, all the

riders of the various categories will start in a bunch on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

The Seniors will proceed to Kairuni Creek and return to Homestretch Avenue, competing for exactly 100 miles, while the Juniors will turn at the Police Outpost on the Highway and return to start point- a distance of 60 miles.

The Veterans and Female riders will turn at Kuru Kuru and head back to Georgetown, covering a distance of 45 miles, while the Juveniles will turn at Coverden- a distance of 40 miles.

This year’s champion-

ships should produce some improved times, especially with all the Commonwealth Games selectees set to use the two-day activity to test their readiness for the July 23- August 3 event in Glasgow, Scotland.

In intensive preparation for the Games at the moment are Raynauth Jeffrey, Marlon Williams, Geron Williams, Alanzo Greaves, Scott Savoury and Claire Fraser-Green.

Incidentally, Jeffrey is the defending senior champion of both the Time Trial and Road Race, after securing a clean sweep last year. Riding for Team Coco’s (Guyana), the 20-year-old clocked an overall time of

three hours, 48 minutes, 40.71 seconds (03h: 48m: 40.71s), crossing the finish line approximately three minutes ahead of his nearest rival, Greaves, who had to settle for second.

Greaves’ Roraima Bikers Club teammate Warren McKay ended in third spot.

In the Junior division, Michael Anthony emulated Jeffrey by copping both the Time Trial and Road Race, clocking two hours, 59 minutes, 36 seconds (02h: 59m: 36s), leaving Shaquille Agard and Hamzah Eastman to settle for second and third respectively.

Naomi Singh of East Coast Demerara finished almost two minutes ahead of Linden’s Hazina Barrett to cop the female title, while England-based Fraser-Green, who won in 2012, occupied third spot.

The top three finishers in the Veterans Over45 race were Ian Jackson, Raymond Newton and Gary Benjamin, while Junior Niles comfortable won the Veterans Under-45 ahead of Ralph Williams and Sybourne Fernandes.

In 2013, the Time Trial was held on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, while the Road Race started at Homestretch Avenue, proceeded to Soweto on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and returned to the start point for the finish, covering a distance of 90 miles.

Swimming selects two for Commonwealth

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) will be sending two athletes to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for July 23 to August 3.

Olympian Niall Roberts will be representing Guyana at the event in the 100 metres freestyle event, while Onika George will be competing in the 50 metres backstroke.

Roberts will have a wealth of experience behind him when he arrives in Glasgow, having competed at the 2008 and 2012

Olympics, while also competing at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona.

George, at the tender age of only 14, will plunge into the pool against some tough competition with only her participation at the Carifta Championships and the South American Youth Championships to boast about.

While Britany Van Lange was considered for the event, the talented swimmer was selected for the World Youth Olympics which is scheduled for around the same time as the Commonwealth Games.

St George’s top Dolphin on penalties

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

The lads of St George›s Secondary maintained their supremacy over Dolphin Secondary on Wednesday afternoon when action in the Georgetown leg of the fourth annual Digicel Schools football championship continued at the Education Ministry ground, Carifesta Avenue.

In a rematch of last year›s Georgetown zone final, which St George›s won, the game came down to penalties after a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time. In the shootout to break the deadlock, St George›s converted all four of their shots, while Dolphin could only breach the defence twice as the game ended 4-2.

Played under overcast condition and intermittent passing drizzles, the game produced a dour opening half, with both teams guilty of carelessly squandering possession. St George›s created the most opportunities at goal, coming close to scoring on at least three occasions.

With a goalless score at the halftime break, an

interesting final half beckoned and so it was.

Fourteen minutes upon resumption, Leon Richardson produced a dazzling piece of football to hand Dolphin the lead. Bearing the infamous #10 on his back, Richardson collected a pass from midfield, pierced his way through two defenders and worked his way past the advancing goalkeeper Royston Dublin to easily tap in on an open goal.

The enthusiasm of the Dolphin players was shortlived, however, as Travis Cotton equalised in the 64th minute, blasting in at close range after collecting a rebound from a corner kick. That proved to be the only two goals of regulation time, although both teams came agonisingly close to scoring in the final 25 minutes.

The Georgetown leg will continue this afternoon with two more games from 15:30 hours in the city. Christ Church will take on South Ruimveldt at the Education Ministry ground, while St John›s and Sophia Special School will clash at the Police ground, Eve Leary.

Niall Roberts Onika George

Part of the action between Dolphin Secondary and St George›s on Wednesday afternoon at the Education Ministry ground (Photo: Carl Croker)

Half-century for Blackwood on debut but NZ resist

Ahalf-century on debut from 22-year-old Jermaine Blackwood was the key performance on the third morning, during which West Indies stretched their first-innings lead to 239 in the Trinidad Test.

Blackwood added 47 for the seventh wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, then followed it up with a 76run association with captain Denesh Ramdin, to thwart New Zealand’s plans of limiting the damage.

In response, New Zealand were setback by the early loss of Brendon McCullum but held fort till the end of the day with old-fashioned attritional cricket. With two days remaining and a 166-run lead, West Indies are in the pole position to square the series.

West Indies had much to owe to Blackwood, who was circumspect to start with and went hard at swinging deliveries. One inswinger from Boult cut him in half, but his response was to launch the next delivery over long-on for six. He was lucky early in his innings when Tom Latham could not hold on to a low

chance at short leg. Blackwood was on 11 then. With the spinners serving up a regular dose of easy deliveries, he grew in confidence.

Ish Sodhi, the legspin-

ner, went on to pick up four wickets, including those of Blackwood and Chanderpaul, but his inconsistency meant New Zealand neither controlled the flow of runs nor

looked like taking a wicket in between. Blackwood found it easy to score runs off him - the full deliveries were smashed down the ground for a six and a four - and apart from the delivery that took the outside edge of his bat to first slip, he didn’t appear in any trouble. Gaining in confidence through the innings, he reached his maiden fifty off 93 balls. His dismissal spelt a quick end for the West Indies innings, but a healthy lead was already on the board.

And Sodhi was not the only bowler who struggledMark Craig, the hero of the Jamaica Test, went for more than 111 runs in 29 wicketless overs, Jimmy Neesham’s seam-ups served no purpose, while Williamson was just steady at best. The damage though was done in the morning session.

While the ball was still new, New Zealand would have hoped to pick up early wickets in a bid to limit the damage. They were already behind by 89 runs, and Chanderpaul’s stubborn presence meant West Indies continued fortifying their position....

Ato Boldon: Guyana needs a ‘culture of sport’

Ato Bolden

B y T reis T on J oseph

Four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon, who is in Guyana to conduct a Sports Management work shop, believes there must be a “culture of sport” if Guyana is to develop and reap success in sport.

Boldon and Jamaican great Grace Jackson are two of the facilitators of the

3-day workshop that started on Wednesday at the National Resource Centre on Woolford Avenue.

Prior to the Trinidad and Tobago Olympian giving his remarks at the opening of the workshop, Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony advocated the need for change in attitude and Jackson highlighting that she did not see Guyana as part of the par -

adigm shift currently happening in sport throughout the Caribbean and by large the world.

Bolden, a track and field analysis for NBC Sport and consultant to nations such as Saudi Arabia and Australia, stressed that the biggest change that needs to occur in Guyana is the adaptation of a culture.

“The first thing that

has to change is the culture. If you don’t have a culture of sport then young people don’t have an incentive to get involved. We look at the World Cup and Brazil plays a certain way because their culture involves playing football and that’s what has to happen in a country like Guyana,” the 1997 Athens 200 metres World Championship gold medalist stated.

Jermaine Blackwood’s 63 on debut helped West Indies stretch their lead. Photo: Associated Press