Guyana Times Daily

Venezuela releases seized seismic vessel

Sugar unions left out of new GuySuCo blueprint – Chand

Trade unions clash over contract workers

Eid-Ul-Adha is more than killing rams – Ferouz

Miss Guyana Universe 2013 meets Russian ambassador

Guyana committing lands to help fight hunger

Public Works Ministry condemns attack on CHEC technicians

All smiles! Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee exchanges contract documents with consultancy firm The Emergence Group (TEG) Director, Ambassador Dennis Hays following the signing at the ministry on Tuesday afternoon (Carl Croker photo)

Sugar unions left out of new GuySuCo blueprint – Chand

By Samuel Sukhnandan

Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU)

President Komal Chand said he hopes that the new strategic plan for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is a realistic one that will help to revive the local sugar industry.

Chand’s comment comes on the heels of a recent announcement made by Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy that a strategic plan has been finalised for GuySuCo and submitted to the parliamen-

tary sectoral committee on economic services.

The GAWU president told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he was unaware of such a plan being compiled, neither his union nor the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) was consulted or asked to make an input into the plan.

Chand said he took umbrage over the unions’ noninvolvement in this process, as he believes that they are major stakeholders in the sugar industry.

He noted that both un-

ions would have been able to adequately advise and identify areas the corporation may need to pay attention to, in order to revive the industry. Chand pointed out that there was no consultation with unions on the previous plan, which ended in 2009 and failed “miserably”.

Ordinary people

“We, at the union, are treated like ordinary people and not as stakeholders whereby we could have been involved in whatever possible way, to take our views, suggestions, or ideas on board,” Chand said.

Despite this, the trade unionist said GAWU hopes that the plan succeeds. He

noted too that this could only be possible with funding.

The new GuySuCo strategic plan (2013-2017) stipulates that there will be a 100,000 tonne deduction in the estimated annual output, rather than what was outlined in the 2009 plan, which projected a yearly output of 450,000 tonnes.

Dr Ramsammy said the new strategic plan for the sugar sector has taken into consideration the new weather patterns, the way canes are transported from the field to the factory, and the way in which canes are fed to the factories.

The sugar industry is a pillar of the Guyanese economy: it employs some 18,000 persons, the largest percentage of workers in the country and accounts for a major proportion of the country’s annual foreign exchange earnings. (samuelsukhnandan@guyanatimesgy.com)

As it relates to weather, the ministry will be moving to adjust the usual 1618 weeks schedule per crop, per grinding season, replacing that with 8-10 weeks. Mechanisation is another area addressed under the new plan. Sugar production in Guyana has been declining since 2005. During 2002 and 2004, production average was 315,000 tonnes per year. GuySuCo has said that weather, strikes and poor worker turnout are problems affecting the industry. However, GAWU has refuted these claims, contending that the issue lies with GuySuCo providing better predictions and increasing its production with the effective use of workers and machines.

Man refused bail on charge of murdering school friend

Rawle Michael Khan was on Monday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Khan was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on October 6 at Mabaruma Settlement, North West District, he murdered Chris Allicock.

According to the facts, the two men have known each other for quite some time and on the day in question, the two had an argu-

ment which resulted in a scuffle. Khan then picked up a brick and hit Allicock to the back of his head. Allicock made an escape but was found lying motionless a short while later. Based on medical reports, the complainant succumbed to injuries he received to his internal organs due to blunt trauma to his back. An investigation was carried out and the accused was subsequently arrested and charged.

The matter was transferred to Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court for November 19.

GAWU President Komal Chand

WEATHER TODAY

Venezuela releases seized seismic vessel

The Malaysian owners of the U.S.-hired oil survey ship seized last week by Venezuela in Guyana’s waters said the boat and its 36-member crew have been released by the authorities in Caracas.

According to a Reuters news article, there was no confirmation of that from either the government of Venezuela or Guyana and the Venezuelan public prosecutor’s office put out a statement detailing the formal charging of the ship’s Ukrainian captain.

The Panama-flagged Teknik Perdana was carrying out a seabed survey for Texas-based Anadarko in conjunction with Guyanese authorities when Venezuela’s navy boarded it on Thursday and escorted it to Margarita Island.

Reviving a century-old issue with Guyana, Venezuela accused the ship of violating its maritime territory. The government of Guyana, a former British colony of 750,000 people, retorted that the ship was well within its territory and the seizure was an act of aggression.

According to the Malaysian owner, SapuraKencana Petroleum, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government had decided to free the vessel. “We wish to express our gratitude to the Venezuelan government for caring for the safety and welfare of the crew, which comprises multiple nationalities, during the time they were at Margarita Island and also for releasing the vessel,” the Kuala Lumpurbased company said in a statement.

A planned meeting between foreign ministers of

the two South American countries in Trinidad and Tobago – to discuss the saga of the ship and a centuryold border issue – is still set for Thursday, Guyanese officials said.

Casting doubt on the version from Malaysia, the Venezuelan public prosecutor’s office said the ship’s Ukrainian captain Igor Bekirov had been charged at Margarita Island for failing to respect the boundaries of a security zone.

He was awaiting further court appearances, it said. Guyanese officials said the ship’s three dozen crew in-

cluded citizens of eight countries: the United States, Russia, France, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, Panama and Ukraine. Oil companies have been increasingly interested in the northeastern shoulder of South America since a discovery off nearby French Guiana in 2011 that industry experts described as a game-changer for the region’s energy prospects.

Guyana awarded Anadarko Petroleum, a deep-water exploration licence in June last year for a block named Roraima. An Anadarko spokesman did not respond to requests for comment, and the U.S. embassy in Caracas had no comment. Venezuela and Guyana have long argued about the status of the Essequibo region; an area on the border about the size of the U.S. state of Georgia, and over rights to the ocean resources that lie offshore.

SapuraKencana said its president and group CEO Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin had met Venezuela’s ambassador to Malaysia to try and resolve the matter.

The RV Teknik Perdana was released on Tuesday

Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

Editorial

Homeownership

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has just gazetted the Income Tax (Mortgage Interest Relief) Regulations 2013. While this might sound like the usual boring bureaucratic dotting of “I’s and crossing of “T’s”, the act will have a most significant impact in the economic and social arenas.

First announced as a policy innovation in the 2013 Budget, the regulation will establish the foundation for mortgage interest relief (MIR). What this means in that starting from this year, any individual taking out a mortgage of up to $30 million for the purchase of a home, will be able to deduct the interest paid on the mortgage from their taxable income. Immediately, homeowners will benefit significantly from a financial windfall. Since in the early mortgage, most of the payments are applied to interest on the mortgage, these payments will now act to raise the “non-taxable” income of the homeowner from the present $600,000 by the total interest paid for the year.

For instance, on an $8 million, 25-year mortgage at six per cent interest the homeowner’s non-taxable income would now be doubled. The bottom line is that homeowner would have $200,000 more in his/her pockets after he files his taxes than if he had not taken out the mortgage. In addition, the real costs of his mortgage would be defrayed by this amount. With larger mortgages, the gains would be proportionally higher.

For this year, after the MIR kicks in, the government will have foregone $580 million in revenues.

But the benefits from the government’s overall facilitation of housing for the entire population go far beyond the tax exemption, which of course, is very significant, as explained. One of these is that a mortgage is a form of long-term forced savings. Many persons have great difficulty in saving directly from their pay checks or wages, which is not just a problem for the individual but for the nation.

Developing countries need savings to make investments and when individuals take out mortgages, the banks can count on a steady income stream that can be invested. In modern economies, these mortgages can be securitised and sold as investments. For the homeowners, rather than paying rent, they accumulate increasing equity in their houses which historically, has always tended to go upwards.

Homeownership also has immediate spinoff benefits for the rest of the economy as owners seek to furnish and constantly upgrade their property. Businesses that cater to this trade typically employ a large number of unskilled persons as well as giving a boost to local manufacturers of furniture and other household goods. The Neighbourhood Democtatic Councils (NDCs) can now collect rates and taxes to provide various services to the area.

But just as important are the social benefits that give families a sense of stability and security. The moment someone owns a home, the family acquires pride in homeownership and typically sees the family as having a stake in the community. This leads to the development of social capital in the form of trust between residents.

If countries do not have this kind of social capital, it is almost impossible for them to mobilise their citizens for the sacrifices a sustainable developmental thrust demands. It is this lack of social capital that exists in inner city ghettos and which lead to the multitude of crimes and other degradations committed by residents who typically rent the hovels they live in.

The government has long embarked on facilitating homeownership for an ever increasingly larger segment of the population. Starting with the regularisation of squatting areas that had exemplified the demand for housing, the government has become increasingly proactive by providing house lots, then lower mortgage rates for houses followed by even lower rates for low income individuals.

The MIR is only the last step in fulfilling what the previous administration had only dreamt of doing: to house the nation in dignity.

The reform of the Guyana Police Force

Dear Editor,

The reform of the Guyana Police Force can be an outstanding one if allowed to operate without political interference in fighting crime in Guyana. Its emotive power will stem from the implications of progress.

Progress in fighting all kinds of crime implies improvement or betterment of law enforcement units. Reform of the police force in the Caribbean and around the world was associated with the expansion of SWAT teams to fight crimes, the breaking of monopolies of the regular force or desk attitude officers, and the sweeping out of officers with corrupt practices.

The beneficiaries will be the people – the citizens, the common folk, or the lit-

tle man, because there will be swift action. Nowadays, the term “reform” has been abducted and put in the service of change that implies, but doesn’t necessarily deliver greater efficiency, especially the efficiency of fighting gun crimes.

In Guyana, there seems to be disregard for the wellbeing of people’s lives in a country with less than 1,000,000 people. In politics and the police force, traditionally, has been divided in factions. Many see virtue in the status quo and are skeptical of change, especially when change is sudden and challenges established principles in the police force.

Commanders and assistant commissioners should declare themselves responsible when the organisa-

tions or groups they head do something reprehensible. It is the task of delegation that removes the commissioner of police himself from having to take accountability for such situations.

Therefore, it would be correct to point out that the officers in charge at the three police stations should be held responsible for not answering the call for help when Devindra Deodat was shot and killed in a robbery at Hampshire on the Corentyne, Berbice.

The system has once again proved itself as falling short of its responsibilities. The home affairs minister and the commissioner of police must take full responsibility for the unfortunate death of the young businessman, in addition to

Tax evasion should have

Dear Editor, It is inexcusable that the wife of the mayor of Georgetown is at the top of a list of people who are being sued by the acting town clerk. The list compiled comprises of individuals who failed to adhere to the tax compliance regulations of Guyana. One individual owes as much as in excess of $10 million.

Many individuals are aware of why the town clerk was initially being targeted and there is no doubt that more criticism can be expected. What troubles me the most is that the relevant authorities do not appear to be taking any measures to address this act of infringement.

Tax evasion is without a doubt an extremely ruth-

his wife being chopped, and the father being shot in his arm, while coming to their rescue. It was the police’s fault, directly or indirectly, because the force is poorly organised and structured to combat crimes. All the policemen cannot be on foot and vehicle patrols at the same time. There should be serious penalty as it impinges on the behaviour of these officers who took the oath to serve and protect the citizens of Guyana. Once found culpable in their personal capacities, these officers need to be dismissed forthwith from the Guyana Police Force.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

consequences

less crime. Just recently, two particular articles caught my attention. Just recently, the U.S. ambassador of Guyana was discussing means of prosecuting individuals held accountable for such discreditable acts of corruption. This penalty when decided, should immediately be implemented; with likelihood of reimbursement.

Should there be any truth in the Georgetown mayor exerting pressure on the town clerk, simply in an attempt to prevent her from instituting legal proceedings then it is only fair that law abiding citizens come forth and chastise him.

Yours sincerely, Wesley Moore

Dangerous driving must carry heavy penalties

Dear Editor, No one should drive dangerously. So when death ensues because of it, it must be seen as either murder or manslaughter. In May of this year, an Australian man was charged with at-

tempted murder following a hit-and-run incident in Melbourne.

Getting behind the wheel is a major responsibility. A survey in England called for other guidelines where fatal accidents are

concerned – longer prison terms, extended suspension of licences, and direct compensation.

I remember a member of Mothers in Black opining that the term “causing death by dangerous driving”

is actually murder followed by less severe penalties. She was therefore calling on authorities to enforce more serious penalties.

Kind regards, Pennelope Williams

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Tuesday presented a $10 million cheque to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to support Guyana’s REDD+ initiative, in the boardroom of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. In photo, WWF Country Manager Dr Patrick Williams presents the cheque to GFC Planning and Development Division chief Pradeepa Bholanauth. Looking on is Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud (GINA photo)

Anand Goolsarran speaks to serve his own interests

Dear Editor,

“I speak out on issues relating to good governance, transparency and greater public accountability.” So said Anand Goolsarran in defence of himself when he was called out by Education Minister Priya Manickchand for having a personal agenda to serve by pulling the government and governing party down.

Could we remind Goolsarran that government is made up of three arms –the executive, the legislature and the judiciary? Good governance, transparency and accountability must therefore apply to all three and to the members of all three.

We are still waiting to hear him speak out on the fiduciary relationship enjoyed between Nigel Hughes, Cathy Hughes and Sithe Global – a glaring conflict of interest situation.

Nigel Hughes actually admitted the existence of a conflict of interest, apologised for not disclosing the relationship and offered a resignation. But the Alliance For Change (AFC), the party that Goolsarran supports, refused to accept that resignation.

And I have not heard him speak out on how improp-

er it was for Nigel Hughes, the chairman of the AFC, to enjoy a relationship with the foreman of the jury in the matter of prosecution of two accused persons for the Lusignan Massacre, where 11 persons were slaughtered.

Just in case he missed the news, the high court actually found that the Nigel Hughes and the foreman of the jury Vernon Griffith enjoyed a relationship for many years prior to the trial, that they both failed to disclose the relationship, and that this failure was improper.

Could we hear Goolsarran on these issues of “good governance, transparency and public accountability”? After all, it is he who declared that he speaks out on these issues. Or is it that he cannot speak out on these issues because any such venture would expose his party the AFC for what it is. Goolsarran should know that if he continues to refuse to speak on these issues, then he could well be deemed an individual who serves his own interests every time he hereafter opens his mouth.

Best regards, Anson A Paul

Education emphasis must continue

Dear Editor,

The Stabroek Rotary Club’s literacy programme for the new school year is now truly on – it was launched with the Bagotville Community Library when the club held its annual Education Fun Day recently. Now that September has come and gone, the challenge is to keep the spirit all year through. On the day, a lot of children were taking part in fun and educational games, all geared towards helping them to gain a better appreciation for spelling and reading.

English language, like all other languages, has spelling quirks. A lot of people like to say that English spelling is hard, but I say show me a language where this is not so. We have just 26 letters, but so many different sounds. Just take the five English vowels and try forming sounds from each one.

I was told that the spelling bee and other word games really got some children going and this kind of thing can be a part of normal activities. Churches, mosques and mandirs can go this way, even as the leaders teach their lessons and communicate their doctrines.

The club in fact believes in this dual mode of learning, where “read and play” projects are indulged in. The idea is that spelling, reading and writing can all be by products of fun and play. I believe that too, but

of course only at the foundational level.

Learning via the traditional school method must not be misrepresented. At

a certain stage, the fun and frolic will have to go, and serious discipline will have to take their place. In the meantime, we can do some

good work and also have our fun.

Regards, Irvin Pyle

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

Page Foundation

The importance of fathers in the healthy development of children

Anoted sociologist, Dr David Popenoe, is one of the pioneers of the relatively young field of research into fathers and fatherhood. “Fathers are far more than just ‘second adults’ in the home,” he says. “Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring.” Fathers have a direct impact on the well-being of their children. It is important for professionals working with fathers – especially in the difficult, emotionally charged arena in which child protective services (CPS) caseworkers operate – to have a working understanding of the literature that addresses this impact. Such knowledge will help make the case for why the most effective CPS case plans will involve fathers.

This article lays out the connection between fathers and child outcomes, including cognitive ability, educational achievement, psychological well-being, and social behaviour. The article also underscores the impact of the father and mother’s relationship on the well-being of their children.

The impact of the mother-father relationship on child outcomes

One of the most important influences a father can have on his child is indirect – fathers influence their children in large part through the quality of their relationship with the mother of their children. A father who has a good relationship with the mother of their children is more likely to be involved and to spend time with their children and to have children who are psychologically and emotionally healthier. Similarly, a mother who feels affirmed by her children’s father and who enjoys the benefits of a happy relationship is more likely to be a better mother. Indeed, the quality of

the relationship affects the parenting behaviour of both parents. They are more responsive, affectionate, and confident with their infants; more self-controlled in dealing with defiant toddlers; and better confidants for teenagers seeking advice and emotional support.

One of the most important benefits of a positive relationship between mother and father is the behaviour it models for children. Fathers who treat the mothers of their children with respect and deal with conflict within the relationship in an adult and appropriate manner

The link between marriage and fatherhood Caring, involved fathers exist outside of marriage. They are more likely, however, to be found in the context of marriage. There are numerous reasons for this, not the least of which being the legal and social norms associated with marriage that connect a father to the family unit. That may also explain, in part, why research consistently shows that the married mother-and-father family is a better environment for raising children than the cohabitating (living together) mother-and-father family.

It is interesting to note that, contrary to stereotypes about low-income, unmarried parents, a significant majority – more than eight in 10 – of urban, low-income fathers and mothers are in a romantic relationship when their children are born. Most of these couples expect that they will get married. One study found that more than 80 per cent expected they would get married or live together. However, only 11 per cent of these couples had actually married a year later. Why they do not marry is an interesting question open to conjecture. However, as Dr Wade Horn, assistant secretary for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has pointed out, it may be because these couples receive very little encouragement to marry from the health and social services professionals with whom they come in contact.

are more likely to have boys who understand how they are to treat women and who are less likely to act in an aggressive fashion to ward females. Girls with involved, respectful fathers see how they should expect men to treat them and are less likely to become involved in violent or unhealthy relationships. In contrast, research has shown that husbands who display anger, show contempt for, or who stonewall their wives (that is, “the silent treatment”) are more likely to have children who are anxious, withdrawn, or antisocial.

Confessions & secrets TO BEING A BETTER mother

BY SELENA MAE

The impact of fathers on cognitive ability and educational achievement

Children with involved, caring fathers have better educational outcomes. A number of studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities. Toddlers with involved fathers go on to start school with higher levels of academic readiness. They are more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations associated with schooling more readily than children with less involved fathers.

The influence of a father’s involvement on academic achievement extends into adolescence and young adulthood. Numerous studies find that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with better verbal skills, intellectual functioning, and academic achievement among adolescents. For instance, a 2001 U.S. Department of Education study found that highly involved biological fathers had children who were 43 per cent more likely than other children to earn more and 33 per cent less likely than other children to repeat a grade. (Childwelfare.gov)

I have two little humans who feed on my every word, my every reaction, every moment of my time it seems. The more time I spend with them, the better behaved they are. The more ways in which I nurture their creativity, the more they blossom and learn and come into their own. All of which is confusing, right? Since I’m here talking about taking more time for myself. But you see, quality of time and amount of time, I’ve learned – are two very different things. When we came back from our vacation, my heart was aching with how much I had missed them. Over the past five days that we’ve been back home together as a family, I’ve eagerly watched and listened, as a plethora of new words spill from my littlest one’s mouth that she had begun to utter in our absence. My son has new facial expressions and ways of communicating his thoughts and feelings and newly taught ways of self-soothing and calming himself during a meltdown. (Dude gets himself a glass of water and says he needs it to feel better! Oh, my heart – to have a boy so wise).

Since I’m being honest –I’m going to go ahead and admit that while the white sandy beaches, dining by candlelight with my long forgotten love, and heavenly amounts of sleep were all quite divine, nothing compared to coming home. We kept our computers closed (mostly) these past five days and revelled in our children – our family. We took in Family Day weekend every which way we could, without going over-the-top. I envision taking small steps towards such victory much more often. Good outcomes being the natural effect from doing nothing and yet everything with my children (and for myself), from now on. Focus. Stride. Stumble. Repeat.

Without even really trying (except for when I ended up in a toddler mosh pit at a child’s concert), we took some time to engage in activities that nurture our children’s talents and interests. Simple, creative ways to show our children just how much we love them. This is a little sampling of how we spent our Family Day Reunion Weekend. The future for doing much of the same family-friendly activities in our everyday lives looks very promising indeed. (Babble)

wednesday, october 16, 2013 |

NIS will not be able to recover losses from GSL – top official

Asenior official at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), who spoke on condition of anonymity with Guyana Times, said the scheme is at its wits’ end as it will not be able to recover the likely losses, financial and otherwise, if Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) is liquidated in the near future.

Earlier in the week, this publication attempted to contact NIS General Manager Doreen Nelson, but was told she was out of office. The official who spoke with Guyana Times said clearance from “higher authority” was needed before he could divulge any further information in relation to any steps the NIS could possibly take to recover its investment.

Word from several other senior sources at NIS is that the matter of its GSL investment has been engaging the attention of management and the board for quite some time. However, no firm position has been taken, given that the matter is a delicate one which is linked to government’s privatisation initiative.

NIS Chairman Dr Roger Luncheon is yet to comment publicly on the matter in light of the glaring and explosive revelations contained in reports by this newspaper, fol-

lowing a review of the GSL’s annual reports from 2001 to 2009.

Financial analysts say the situation with NIS and GSL mirrors the investment made by the scheme into Clico (Guyana). At the end of 2004, NIS had invested more than $9 billion in the insurance company, which represented in excess of 40 per cent of the company’s assets at that time. But at the end of 2008, this investment had been reduced to $5.6 billion, which represented about 20 per cent of the assets of the NIS.

Guyana Stores When GSL was priva-

tised in 2000, Mohan Lall, also known as Glenn Lall, and Tony Yassin of Royal Investments Inc (RII), acquired 70 per cent, the NIS had 10 per cent, and employees and other small shareholders collectively owned the remaining 20 per cent of the company.

It was revealed, when GSL's annual reports up to 2009 were recently compiled, that directors, including Glenn Lall and Tony Yassin, skimmed off an astounding $602.9 million in “interest, consultancy fees, allowances, and accommodation”.

Of the 1561 small GSL shareholders, about half are

Venezuela releases seized...

“At that meeting, the Venezuelan ambassador gave a firm assurance that the crew were safe and were being treated well by the authorities there,” it said, adding that Malaysia’s envoy in Venezuela had rushed to the island of Margarita to help mediate the situation.

An armed Venezuelan naval ship last Thursday evicted the U.S. oil explorer from Guyana’s waters, sparking condemnation from the Donald Ramotar administration and the main opposition

coalition A Partnership For National Unity (APNU).

A Foreign Affairs Ministry statement had described the incident as “unprecedented in GuyanaVenezuela relations”. It insists that the seismic vessel, the RV Teknik Perdana, was in “Guyana’s waters when this regrettable incident took place”. The seismic vessel was contracted by Anadarko, one of world’s largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies,

From page 3

based in the United States. Anadarko has a petroleum prospecting licence to search for hydrocarbons in the Roraima block offshore Guyana. According to the ministry’s statement, the Yekuma – an oceangoing offshore patrol boat that monitors the exclusive economic zone – trailed the seismic vessel before obstructing its path. Crew members were required to change their route and were directed to Margarita Island off Venezuela.

employees who had spent their hard-earned salaries to purchase shares. Because GSL was in breach of the Companies Act through the dereliction of duty by Lall and Yassin, the small stockholders could not even sell off their shares.

The GSL annual reports, however, disclosed that Lall, Yassin and other directors spent $126.507 million on allowances and accommodation alone. Another $303.399 million was paid as “consultancy fees” to the directors.

Yassin, the owner of the majority of RII shares, had promised to “inject equity” into GSL at the time of privatisation. But the reports show that he made a “loan” available, for which he has been charging 19.5 per cent interest. On the other hand, the millions of dollars government loaned have not only not been repaid, but GSL does not want to pay any interest.

The financial statements of GSL show that in 1999, the NIS’s 10 per cent was worth some $32 million and the small stockholders $64 million. In the following decade, the company moved from

owning assets of $316 million to owing $847 million in liabilities – meaning that the book value of NIS’s 10 per cent equity stake is now a negative $85 million, and the value of other shareholders’stake, a negative $170 million.

Further, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken GSL to court for $354 million in unpaid taxes. A looming possibility now is that NIS could completely lose its 10 per cent investment in GSL and the small shareholders, including past employees, their 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, Lallbachan Christopher Ram, who is listed as the auditor in the GSL annual reports, has refused to comment on the issue, although he has publicly criticised government's financial management of NIS, most notably in the muckraking tabloid Kaieteur News, owned by Lall.

Kaieteur News owner and publisher Mohan Lall, aka Glenn Lall

Opposition adviser Lallbachan Christopher Ram

Owner of the majority share in Royal Investments Inc Tony Yassin

CCWU hails NEW GPC INC as model employer

Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU)

General Secretary Ann Anderson has described the New GPC INC, as “an ideal model of an employer and company”, noting that the organisation gives true meaning to the term “good industrial relations practice”.

In a release, Anderson, who has worked with the management team of the NEW GPC INC for the past six years, said the company’s positive attitude and involvement in the welfare of its employees have resulted in it being the recipient of the CCWU’s first-ever highest Awards of Appreciation. The company was recognised at the union’s third Triennial Delegates’ Conference and 65th anniversary ceremony in August 17.

She stated that the NEW GPC INC is “one of those companies that are prepared to share their successes with employees, sometimes without the input and expectation of the union”. The union head pointed out that the company has not only provided significant increases in benefits to its employees, but has also worked towards creating an environment that is worker friendly and safe.

The general secretary assured the board of directors, management and staff of New GPC INC of the union’s continued support, wishing the company all success as it continues to remain strong, locally, regionally and internationally.

Eyew tness

Pressing buttons...

...on Venezuela

Like any red-blooded Guyanese, your Eyewitness saw red when he heard one of our oil-seeking ships was commandeered by the Venezuelan Navy. As the man said, it was like déjà vu all over again like the Surinamese gunboats chasing away that CGX oil rig a decade ago.

But we settled that quite peaceably in the end, don’t you think? Thanks to the foresight of then President Bharrat Jagdeo, who took the matter to the world court, which ruled in Guyana’s favour. And so, while we’ve made sure all’s quiet on our eastern front, let’s not be too precipitate on the western front as some are urging.

First and foremost, we’re quite pleased that once again our politicians appear most united on matters concerning our borders. Even during our most bitter political infighting, we’ve maintained this line...and we’ve got to continue in this vein. Whatever our internal differences, let’s keep them all in the family.

Secondly, let’s not get involved with battles not our own. We should know that the Americans have been in a bitter dispute with Venezuela ever since Hugo Chávez swung his oil-rich country leftwards and took over its U.S.-dominated oil industry. The U.S. has made no secret of the fact that it would rather have the present Venezuelan opposition take over the reins of government.

Only two weeks ago, the top U.S. diplomat and two of his juniors were expelled from Venezuela.

This seizure of the ship, which is under contract to a U.S. oil company and has five Americans aboard, could then be another power play by the Venezuelans against their bête noir.

But it could also be a jingoistic act by elements of the navy that might be not inclined to go along with the more reasoned policy pursued by first Chávez and now by his successor, Nicolás Maduro on the Venezuelan claim to our Essequibo. We know the opposition’s been pushing this line and has made some rather intemperate statements on

the issue.

We’ll have to see how the matter plays out and in this regard, we note that the ship has been released while the captain has been charged. This indicates that the matter might be just what the Venezuelans always said it was – the ship straying into waters that the Venezuelans believe to be theirs and we believe to be ours. So it’s just a matter of determining our maritime boundaries.

So let’s keep our powder dry for the while and allow the ministers from the two countries to clarify what exactly is the issue.

...on security matters

Also, like every red-blooded Guyanese (or lily-livered if you would) your Eyewitness is more than just “concerned” about the crime situation that’s become endemic in our dear land. These criminals don’t distinguish between Guyanese excepting favouring with extra attention, those they believe to have money. As a tax-paying citizen (unlike those holier-than-thou hypocrites we all know), your Eyewitness would like to know where the buck stops as far as getting a handle on crime.

The opposition, of course, has taken a bead on Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee – going as far as calling for his head after passing a no-confidence motion against him in Parliament. Now the average Joe in the street might think the opposition has a point – after all, doesn’t the police come under his ministry?

But we wonder if they would use the same logic that the secretary of defence in the U.S. should resign if the army in Afghanistan loses a battle. The point is, the police and army are different institutions and the minister can’t get involved in operational matters. Time for the police to step up to bat.

...on cricket

The young Bangladeshis have really exposed the chink in our cricketing armour: we just can’t play spin. Trouble is, we’ve known this for decades. So what’s our brain trust doing about it?

CCWU General Secretary Ann Anderson

Trade unions clash over contract workers

By Samuel Sukhnandan

Top trade unionists are disagreeing on the purpose of contract employees in the public service system, with one saying that contracts will destroy the movement, while the other says this will never be the case.

President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Carvil Duncan is disputing that the increase in contracts workers is crippling the trade union movement in Guyana.

Duncan’s statement comes on the heels of recent comments made by General Secretary of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Kenneth Joseph who stated that the move to hire more persons on contracts will limit trade union involvement.

Inevitable

The FITUG president believes that contracts are inevitable, given a number of reasons and said that there is nothing in the law that stipulates that a person cannot join a trade union of their choice.

Duncan said that contracts are intended for specific jobs and specific purposes. He explained that the procedure by which a person is appointed by the Public Service Commission is too lengthy.

He said this and other reasons illustrate that contracts are inevitable. Another reason he said why persons are placed on contract is in cases where a person reaches the age of retirement and are still compe-

tent to perform the duty, they are hired on contract until a suitable replacement is found.

“There is nothing in the constitution or nothing in any act which would say that a contract worker cannot be a member of a trade union. Because the constitution is clear, any person can join a trade union of their choice. So being a contract employee does not prevent you from being a member of a trade union,” Duncan asserted.

No logic

He further argued that he sees no logic in trade union leaders complaining that contract is destroying the trade union movement.

He said trade unions should seek to organise contract workers, because contracted workers do have problems and once there are problems, there is a role for the trade union movement. Duncan also mentioned that former Presidents

Dr Cheddi Jagan, Linden

Forbes Sampson Burnham and Desmond Hoyte were active members of trade unions, while in office; therefore there is no reason why a contract employee cannot join a trade union of their choice, to represent them in cases where it is necessary.

Further, Duncan believes that the problem lies in the new type of work force, which is dominated by young people. He said that young people have brought a new trend to working in the public service, where they will work for the entity for a shorter period than it used to be in the past and quickly move on to another job.

In the past, persons he said, used to stay with a job for 10 years or more and would try to keep their jobs until the age of retirement, but this is not the case now.

Duncan said, “Therefore the trade union movement has

to now look at this new type of workers that we have.”

He said this must take a collective approach whereby all trade unions must sit and discuss a way forward to addressing the issue of decreasing membership and find ways to attract the younger generation to take up leadership roles in the trade union movement and to become active members.

Restricted

Meanwhile, NAACIE’s Kenneth Joseph told Guyana Times recently that he believes that many companies are moving to hire persons on contracts, which prevents them from joining trade unions of their choice. He said that NAACIE has in some cases been restricted from representing workers in many levels when it comes to industrial relation matters, because of this same issue.

He explained that while persons are allowed to join a trade union of his or her choice, it somewhat restricts them from the full benefits that they are likely to receive if there were not on contract.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has over the years been placing many public servants on contracts for various categories of work.

While this has sparked criticisms for some part, many of the young workers are more in favour of being placed on contracts due to the benefits that come with it.

This new movement is however seen as one that reduces workers from having full benefits and not preparing them properly for retirement.

Mook get blow

Satiricus always liked visiting the Cinderella county. So when his editor decided that he should cover the PPEE rally (“meeting”? “commemoration”?...a rose by any other name) in that unspoilt part of his native land, he didn’t demur. He also didn’t show too much enthusiasm. “You can’t let these editors know that you might actually like work,” was Satiricus’ rule.

Twenty years of democracy. Had the land of rice and lakes still kept its old bucolic nature? How would the PPEE leaders relate to the young ones, who mightn’t even know of the “hard days”?

Well he wasn’t disappointed. The crowds were large...as well as large of heart.

And in addition to the jollity and celebrations, Satiricus was able to clear up a mystery that had bugged him for quite a few years now. WHY THE HECK HAD MOOK LALL TURNED AGAINST THE PPEE IN GENERAL AND B JAGDESH IN PARTICULAR?? As an old newspaper hack, Satiricus could remember the days when Mook Lall and his Muckraking paper couldn’t find enough words to shower praises on them.

Then suddenly – WHAM!!!! They were public enemy number one! From doing nothing wrong, they could do nothing right. Now Satiricus knew Mook Lall from the days of selling shallot at Stabroek Big Market. It couldn’t be the Mook heard a voice from the skies and suddenly he saw the light. There weren’t any skies in the rum shops where the Mook hung out.

Well here in the Cinderella county, Satiricus found out the reason for the somersault. And like most things, unfortunately, it had to do with a woman. Forget all the high falutin’ talk about “democracy” and “transparency” that the Mook’s been throwing around. He wouldn’t know about them if they crept up and bit him on his bamzee. You don’t learn about transparency in the backtracking business.

B Jagdesh revealed that the Mook had a girl stashed away in an apartment in Kitty who cost the Mook a $100,000 a month. And that was just the rental...don’t talk about the gifts and jewellery. So the girl runs into B Jagdesh at a function and makes a play for him. Guess the Mook was...well...just a Mook. The rest of the story is an old one.

B Jagdesh “takes care” of the girl (and we’re not talking rental here!). The cuckolded Mook discovers he’s getting “blow” and all hell breaks loose. And suddenly the PPEE and B Jagdesh are the anti-Christ. It was Satiricus who now saw the light!

FITUG President Carvil Duncan NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph

Acquisition of Sanata Textiles Complex

– Hundreds of millions of dollars spent on rehabilitation/construction of complex

Fromthe time of acquisition in 2007, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) undertook a formidable task of carrying out massive cleanup and construction works aimed at resuscitating the property from a once ruined and dilapidated state to a modern, safe and rehabilitated one. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on restoring the complex which included the following activities:

• Weeding and removal of overgrown vegetation;

• De-silting of drains;

• Removal of solid waste and garbage;

• Removal and disposal of any hazardous materials or chemicals; • Cleaning, dusting, washing and packing; • Treatment for

• Demolishing and gutting buildings;

• Construction of new roads for

• Construction of a

and

Removal of asbestos. Hundreds of millions of dollars (in excess of $400 million) were spent on removing asbestos material in the roof, ceiling and panels according to prescribed regulations. These costs were borne exclusively by QAII

Construction of new buildings with new roofs, ceilings, gutters and floors

Desilting drains in the Sanata Textiles compound

Bushes and debris, which had accumulated in the complex over the years, had to be cleared away

Excavation works in the compound

Almost done. The new improved Sanata Textiles Complex after painstaking effort

GAWU urges Muslims to learn from Ibrahim

Even as mankind is caught up in continuous life-long efforts to achieve personal and international peace to acquire material and economic well-being based on education, good health and security, the peoples of the world realised that spiritual understanding and the solace it brings, can itself be the bedrock for all peace and progress – mankind’s very survival. This is according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) in a message to mark Eid-Ul-Adha. The union said world religions provide guidance through their prophets and holy

literature. “Islam is unquestionably now a worldwide faith guiding the destiny of millions. Against those reflections, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union is again pleased to share in the Eid-Ul-Adha joy of our Islamic community as it observes the feast and festival of the sacrifice.”

According to GAWU, the willingness of Ibrahim to obey God’s (Allah’s) command to sacrifice his dearest “possession” –his only son – must be a spiritual inspiration to all Muslims in terms of both obedience to their God and submission to a highest form of sacrifice – a pillar of the Islamic faith.

Eid-Ul-Adha

People's Progressive Party extends warmest Eid greetings to all Guyanese

The People’s

Progressive Party has extended greetings to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Adha being observed here today.

Eid-Ul-Adha celebrates the occasion when Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his only son Isma’il as an act of obedience. According to the PPP, the festival remembers Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as a test of faith and the rewards he received thereafter.

“Against this backdrop it is understood as an opportunity for second chances. The party recognises the impor-

tance of this sacrifice that symbolises selflessness and faith. It also celebrates the triumph over evil and temptation and the freedom of humanity, as it is a period of sharing of sacrifice to the poor, friends and neighbours.”

The PPP said Eid-UlAdha is also marked by the renewal of faith and purification after the Hajj, which are important attributes of Islam. “This occasion is fitting for the party to reaffirm our call for a national conversation on the need to take back our communities from indiscipline and lack of tolerance. The message of Eid-Ul-Adha is an example of the discipline and commitment needed, if we are to be successful.”

IAC extends Eid greetings to Muslims

The Indian Arrival Committee said that Eid-uI-Adha is a time for believers to learn the value of self-denial by making a sacrifice of the things they love, to Almighty God.

“Abraham’s great act of submission is thus regarded solely as an example of genuine surrender to the will of his creator. Today, more than ever, human beings need to incorporate the lesson of this great sacrifice with humility, thus underlining the importance of the festival in memory of Prophet Abraham’s great act of faith, many centuries ago,” the IAC said in a message.

According to the committee in the spirit of sacrifice, “let’s not forget the poor and needy in our community, by sharing the sacrificial offerings with them. Let it be our sincere hope and prayer that we are able to affirm unity among our peoples and between Islam and other religions.”

Eid-Ul-Adha

President of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) Fazeel M Ferouz has extended Eid Mubarak to Muslims and the Guyanese community at large.

Eid-Ul-Adha commemorates one of the greatest acts of sacrifice in the annals of human history, Ferouz said, adding that the Prophet Abraham, his wife Hagar and their firstborn son Ishmael were all tested by Allah the Almighty. “They as a family have proven togetherness in faith, righteousness and a will to surrender themselves to the laws and commands of the Almighty.”

The CIOG head said Abraham had a lifetime struggle in the mission to teach the oneness of God Almighty in an age of darkness, corruption, oppression, prejudice and ignorance and as he grew for a child but his wife ren. His supplication Almighty was: Grant me a

“Against of all these lessness, suffering guish, the Abraham (AS) Ishmael (AS), the aged Prophet. this son immensely young Ishmael a house filled love. In a dream, Abraham manded to loved most ed it to be his ing example servants of Abraham told Son, I see offer you in see what is

october 16, 2013 |

guyanatimesgy.com

Eid-Ul-Adha greetings

Eid-Ul-Adha is more than killing rams – Ferouz

Central Organisation (CIOG) extendMuslims communicommemoacts of said, Prophet Hagar son by as togethrighteoussurrender and Almighty.” said lifetime to God darkoppression, and

as he grew older, his desire for a child grew stronger but his wife Sarah was barren. His supplication to the Almighty was: “O my Lord! Grant me a pious son.”

“Against the backdrop of all these years of childlessness, suffering and anguish, the Almighty gifted Abraham (AS) with a son, Ishmael (AS), a mercy to the aged Prophet. He loved this son immensely and the young Ishmael grew up in a house filled with joy and love.

In a dream, the Prophet Abraham (AS) was commanded to sacrifice what he loved most and he interpreted it to be his son. An amazing example of being true servants of God Almighty; Abraham told his son: “O my Son, I see in a vision that I offer you in sacrifice. Now see what is your view?”

CIOG President Fazeel M Ferouz

Ishmael’s response was: “O my Father, do as you were commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, patient and constant.” They totally submitted to the command of Allah and passed

the test and were thus rewarded with a ram for the sacrifice.

Ferouz said the essence of the sacrifice is aptly summed up in these verses of the Holy Quran – which are recited before the animal sacrifice, the dua [prayer unto God] of the Prophet Abraham: “I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth and never shall I associate with Allah (SWT) anyone.”

“Truly my prayers and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah Almighty, the sustainer of the universe, no partner has He. This I am commanded and I am among those who submit onto His will.”

Ferouz said Eid-Ul-Adha is not only about slaughtering animals and sharing

meat to the poor and needy, our friends and family. “The most important part of this holy and auspicious day is that it is a day of reflection; it is a day of rededicating our life to the service of the creator and sustainer of this universe. It is a day of understanding that in order to effect any change in our Masjids, community, society or the world at large, we have to start first by changing ourselves. When we are going to sacrifice an animal, we must understand that we are going to sacrifice our evil inclinations, egos and unworthy deeds at the same time. By doing the sacrifice, we are pledging to make a change for the better of ourselves, our family, our community and our country.”

He said in the present world where there are economic and financial cri-

ses, global warming, the rise in poverty levels, increase in the use of alcohol, drugs, widespread violence against women and children and sometimes almost total disregard for basic human rights, “it is a time for us to reflect on our own sacrifices and the need to be connected back with the creator to be guided to attain prosperity and peace within our societies and ourselves.”

“Let us on this auspicious day, pray for peace and unity in the Ummah [community], our beautiful country and the world, protection from natural calamities and any economic and financial difficulties we may face and for all our Muslim brethren in the world. Let us dedicate ourselves to work for the development of our community, our country and humanity as a whole.”

BBCI extends EidUl-Adha greetings

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) on Tuesday extended Eid-Ul-Adha greetings and celebrated the festival, providing sweetmeats for its employees.

In a release, the company said EidUl-Adha is celebrated in Guyana and around the world as the Festival of Sacrifice or “Greater Eid”.

The festival commemorates the testing of Ibrahim by God. After years of worship, Ibrahim and Hajra, his wife, were blessed with a son, whom they named Ishmael. Thus, Ishmael became their most prized possession. In order to test the devotion of Ibrahim, God decided to command Ibrahim to sacrifice his one and only son. After much deliberation and many hindrances put forward by Satan, Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his son, the release said. However, just before he was about to sacrifice his son, God appeared, happy with Ibrahim’s obedience. Thus, Ishmael was saved and instead, a ram was sacrificed in his place.

Govt says dry spell at Amaila Falls was predicted in study

Government said that the dry spell being experienced at Amaila Falls was predicted in a hydrology report released in August, while maintaining that the project will allow an annual net savings of approximately US$100 million.

The government was responding to a series of Kaieteur News reports. Recently, the newspaper published an aerial photograph showing a limited flow of water streaming from the Amaila Falls,

It also clearly indicated that the reservoir to be built as part of this project will be used to store water and protect against dry periods such as the one currently being experienced. The reservoir will enable the station to provide a continued source of power,” the government said.

According to government, the estimated energy that will be supplied has been based on various expert firms, which used multiple sources for their analysis, in-

Amaila site annual energy yield (GWH)

timated at:

Meanwhile, government said regardless of the impact of the dry season water flows, based on the hydrology report, the projected costs of the project and GPL’s generation costs, Amaila will allow an annual net savings of approximately US$100 million. “At the end of the 20-year concession period, Guyana will own Amaila, a project that can last 75 to 100 years, free. Additionally, Amaila will allow Guyana to eliminate

GPL average costs for generation (U.S. cents)

Equivalent annual value in US$

Minimum 884 19 167,960,000

Average 1141 19 216,790,000

Maximum 1343 19 255,170,000

the water source for the proposed Amaila Falls Hydro Power station.

However, government said in August 2013, it issued a press release and a 70-page expert hydrology report prepared by Halcrow, a UK-based internationally-recognised engineering consultancy group. The public is invited to refer to the report located at www. privatisation.gov.gy.

“That report clearly indicates that October is, in fact, one of the driest months of the year and as such, water flow will be limited.

cluding 40 years of flow data, and conclusively demonstrated that the project is entirely feasible and practical. “The study clearly shows that the operation of a reservoir allows the supply of energy to be managed to effectively minimise the impact of the dry season water flows.”

Using the figures in the Halcrow report (page 44), the following energy levels are expected from the base line water flows.

Using GPL’s average 2012 generation costs of 19 U.S. cents, the equivalent annual savings are es-

approximately 90 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.

“Kaieteur News deliberately ignored any reference to the August press release and Halcrow report that were covered in various papers, including their own. One can only conclude that the objective of Kaieteur News is to avoid presenting information in a fair, objective and balanced manner and prefer instead, to distort and misrepresent for their personal objectives,” the government said.

Small miners will not be affected by mercury ban

The phasing out and eventual banning of mercury, which is expected to take effect in 2022, will not have a severe impact on small miners and their operations. This is according to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud.

The government, through the Natural Resources Ministry, recently signed onto the Minamata Convention on mercury, a new international pact to control mercury emissions and gradually phase out its use.

Prior to the signing, local small miners had been nervous about plans to ban the dangerous chemical, stating that there is no immediate and cheaper way to recover gold for its ore.

However, government has actively been encouraging miners to reduce their use of mercury, which poses long-term health and environmental risks. Speaking to media operatives on Tuesday, Persaud said the phase-out will not have a harsh impact, since “this is not an immediate ban… but rather what the convention requires the country to do is to develop a national action plan to reduce its use and to ensure its safe handling and eventually the phasing out of it in the sector.”

Furthermore, he posited that the government did not see the ban having any impact on the mining sector, highlighting that it can only lead to positive benefits for the economy.

Transitioning

Persaud said the ministry has started a programme of transitioning, pointing out that several mining operations have transitioned to mercuryfree mining. “Those establishments and mining operations in Guyana who have transitioned are reporting recovery in the vicinity of 96 per cent to 97 per cent... this means for every ounce of gold extracted with the use of mercury, two ounces are left in the

ground because of inefficiency.”

He added that as part of the convention, there will be no new mercury mining but countries that are already engaged in such will be given 20 years after the convention comes into practice to stop producing mercury. “Over time, it will perhaps be scarce and then not be available globally, because the convention requires some level on restriction on its trading.”

Persaud, who signed the convention in Japan last week, was accompanied by the acting commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Rickford Vieira. At the event, Persaud stated that government has also said Guyana would need financial and technical assistance to achieve compliance.

The Japan government has pledged its support to Guyana in the phasing-out of mercury use. It is planning to provide US$2 billion in financial assistance to fight mercury pollution. Between 2013 and 2022, Guyana will impose restrictions against mercury importation and mercury in mining.

This approach has been supported by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), while discussions were held with Amerindian and riverine communities.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

An artist's impression of the Amaila Falls hydropower dam

Miss Guyana Universe 2013 meets Russian ambassador

trainers, chaperones and friends. She is grateful for the advice given on the pageant and Moscow and courtesy shown to her.

She noted that she was amazed at the simplicity of the Russian envoy and his entire staff. She said he has won her respect and her

heart; she will always remember him, as she has met very few people in life with his personality and sincerity.

Persons who wish to contact Miss

can do so at katherinaroshanamgu@gmail.com.

Miss Guyana Universe 2013 Katherina Roshana made a special courtesy visit to Russian Ambassador to Guyana Nikolay Smirnov, in whose home city – Moscow, the international pageant will be held.

Ambassador Smirnov said he has been monitoring the various pageants in which Roshana was involved, and has admired her. Describing her as exceptional, he said he believes the local queen is very charismatic and could make Guyana proud. In what could be a good omen, he noted that Katherina is a popular Russian name.

The ambassador informed Roshana about the experiences of the Russian Miss Universe and staying warm in the cold of Moscow. He advised that, whether in victory or defeat, the NEW GPC INC/Limacol-sponsored beauty, should always be graceful, self-respecting and be strong enough to face the pressures that come with an international pageant. He offered to host a cocktail reception for the beauty queen on her return to Guyana.

Roshana said she was grateful for the meeting with His Excellency Smirnov and the for the VIP experience extended to her, her family and the Apsara Entertainment Group, her

Duo remanded on robbery charge

On Monday, two men were remanded to prison after they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts after they were jointly charged with robbery under arms.

Seethon Dafenes, a pressman of Lot 72 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown and Akeem Hatton, a mason, of Lot 237 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown made their first court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry where they pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on October 8 at Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown, they robbed Dellon King of $40,000.

According to Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, on the day in question, the complainant was proceeding

along Princes Street when both of the accused walked up to him and pushed him against a wall. The two men then relived King of his money which was in his pocket and made good their escape. The matter was reported and the duo was subsequently arrested and charged.

King came forward and told the court that both men agreed to refund him the money which they stole. Hearing that, Chief Magistrate SewnarineBeharry said that even so, he can still be compelled to give evidence.

There were no objections put forward by the prosecution, however bail was still refused by the Chief Magistrate. The matter stands adjourned to November 4.

Universe Guyana

In photo, Miss Guyana Universe 2013 Katherina Roshana is greeted at the embassy by Russian Ambassador to Guyana Nikolay Smirnov as she enters the magnificent edifice of the Russian Federation’s embassy in Georgetown, Guyana

Wednesday, october 16, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

SWAT team to be up by August 2014

– Rohee says international best practices will be applied

By Whitney Persaud

Guyana’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit will be in full operation by August of next year, U.S.- based security and justice reform consultancy firm The Emergence Group (TEG) Director, Ambassador Dennis Hays said.

He was at the time addressing media operatives at the signing ceremony for finalisation of the SWAT contract between the TEG high-level team and the Home Affairs Ministry in the ministry’s boardroom on Monday evening.

“At the end of the year, we should have started the training ceremony and by next summer, Guyana will have a fully functioning SWAT team… we have had many good and serious back-and-forth discussions on setting up the team,” he said. The TEG has already identified individuals who will be coming to Guyana in the near future to have a firsthand look and assessment of existing capabilities, skills and equipment after which they will develop a country-specific programme. The plan will include training and mentoring exercises aimed at enhancing the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The objective is to create additional crime-fight-

ing strategies to deal with serious crimes in the country that are seemingly bigger than the GPF.

Training programme

Ambassador Hays said the training programmes will begin by December and early in 2014, the TEG will be moving to commence mentoring and training of officers, which will run until August.

“At the minister’s request, we are looking to provide training and experience as quickly as possible, and we have done that by cutting back on our side of our prep time… you will see us in the few weeks; we’ll be back to do assessment work ,” Hays said.

“He will know that he has officers who have training, temperament and ex-

pertise to apply critical judgment in a difficult situation to ensure that there is a resolution that is obtained at the lowest possible level of violence.”

The TEG director stated that this is an area in which the group has a great deal of expertise. TEG has worked in more difficult, high-crime environments including places like Afghanistan.

“We are good at setting up teams to engage and to support the public while providing additional security… when this came through from the Guyana government, we were serious about putting together the best possible team,” Hays added.

Misconceptions

The director said there were many misconceptions about the SWAT team, but officers are specially trained to work together to minimise violence and public unrest. “There are misconceptions out there about SWAT teams like how they break down doors etc… and certainly, there is a capability to do so if required to do that, but the team is trained to work together,” Hay stressed.

The SWAT team will also be tackling small pockets of crime in Guyana.

“Most people think the SWAT team is what they see on TV: the reality is that

there are many forces getting away from the word SWAT, that’s sort of first generation,” he said.

As the SWAT initiative develops and the trained officers gain additional experience, a whole range of issues can be dealt with by a dedicated team.

Best practice

During the signing ceremony, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said Guyana is moving to set up a SWAT in keeping with global standards. He said persons should not be judgmental of its effectiveness just yet, and should give the team a chance to function and deliver services.

“This SWAT team initiative has been long in the making, as you know there is a saying better late than never,” Rohee said.

He said the government and the TEG have had very useful discussions.

Rohee said government will be tackling the crime situation from all angles.

“There’s always room for improvement and if the SWAT team will be able to facilitate additional improvements in the country to fight crime and deal with serious matters, which requires a SWAT team, then I think it behoves to so do.” (whitneyp@guyantimesgy.com)

Man charged for assaulting wife

On Tuesday, a man appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was charged for the offence of common assault.

Women on bail for assaulting each other

On Tuesday, two women appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman after they were cross charged.

Roxanne Williams, 32, of Lot 7 Layne Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown and 47-year-old Vennetta Harding of Lot 145 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown were each charged with one count of assault.

Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on October 8 at Middle Road, La Penitence, she unlawfully assaulted

Harding. Harding who was also charged, pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on October 8 at Middle Road, La Penitence, she unlawfully assaulted Williams causing her actual bodily harm.

According to Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, Harding dealt two slaps to Williams’ face causing it to swell.

There were no objections to bail raised by the prosecution and it was subsequently granted in the sum of $50,000 with respect to Williams and $70,000 for Harding. The matters were transferred to Court Six for October 21.

Minibus conductor in court for threatening police officer

Aconductor was on Tuesday placed on bail after he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of threatening behaviour.

was read to him. According to the prosecution, the defendant threatened the complainant with a chopper.

Matthew Morgan, 37, of Lot 43 Light Street, Bourda, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on October 14 he unlawfully assaulted Vernalinda Morgan.

ant on her knee and he also pulled her hair.

According to the facts, the defendant caused the door to hit the complain-

Representing the defendant was Attorney Paul FungA-Fat who stated that his client is a supervisor at Rocky’s Bar and is denying that he ever touched his wife.

There were no objections to bail raised by Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt and it was granted in the sum of $80,000 by Magistrate Judy Latchman. The matter was transferred to Court Six for October 21.

It was alleged that on July 29 at Hozana Street, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, 20-year-old Jamal Holder of Lot 2498 Ozama Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown made use of threatening behaviour to Jamal Fowler whereby a breach of the peace was occasioned. Holder pleaded not guilty to the charge as it

The defendant was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat. There were no objections to bail raised by Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt who stated that they were all passengers in a minibus when a misunderstanding occurred between them. Magistrate Latchman granted bail in the sum of $80,000, and the matter was transferred to Court Six where it will be heard before the magistrate there on October 22.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

Guyana committing lands to help fight hunger

Guyana has joined in the worldwide quest to eradicate hunger, with the commitment of land for the production of food, and has called on other countries to do the same.

During his address at an event to mark World Food Day on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy noted that with increased food production, one must face the challenge of employing biofuels to counter act the effects and depletion of fossil fuels.

Biofuels are used as an alternative to fossil fuels, to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions emanated from the latter. As such, governments and manufacturers around the world are seriously pursuing alternative energy sources.

“If agriculture will now be saddled with the responsibility of producing biofuel, then we must ensure that land for biofuel is not attained by sacrificing land for agriculture,” the minister said.

Ramsammy said Guyana, as much as many other countries around the world, has the ability to produce more food. However, there was need for better arrangements to be implemented to provide access to food, noting that if the correct systems were

in place, then no one would be hungry.

Undernutrition

The minister added that despite the provision of food, there is still the challenge of undernutrition that is experienced by both the poor and wealthy. As such, he noted that persons need to pay keen attention to their calorie intake.

Delivering Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General’s message on World Food Day, Country Representative Dr Lystra Fletcher-Paul said the event’s theme “Sustainable food systems for food security and nutrition” presents an invitation for all to consider the progress of the food system,

with a view of highlighting inventions to improve it.

“From a rather narrow demand and supply perspective, we can claim that since 1945 the food system has worked remarkably well. The world’s population has tripled in this period and average food availability per person has risen by 40 per cent,” Dr Fletcher-Paul said.

Extraordinary achievement

This is seen as an extraordinary achievement and proof of the effectiveness of the market in providing an adequate supply response to the growth and demand of a rising and richer global population.

According to the FAO director general, “the biggest failure is that in spite

“Sustainable food systems for food security and nutrition” is the theme for World Food Day 2013

of the plentiful food supply, the health of more than half of the world’s seven billion population is affected by under or over food consumption”.

It also noted that 840 million humans face daily food shortages, prevent-

ing them from working and causing stunted growth and premature death. The health of another two billion of the world’s population is said to be compromised too by nutrient deficiency, while some 1.5 billion are obese, thus exposing

themselves to the risk of diseases. As such, Fletcher said, “The market alone does not translate food availability into better nutrition and health productivity”.

National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Chief Executive Officer Dr Oudho Homenauth highlighted cassava as the commodity Guyana will placing emphasis on to produce as a staple food.

He said Guyana imports approximately $1 billion in corn, which is a major ingredient in poultry feed. “A feasibility study that we would’ve done here on the use of cassava as an ingredient in poultry feed… revealed that up to 15 per cent cassava flour could be included as an ingredient feed as a substitute for rice or corn,” he disclosed.

Venezuelan trio fined $30,000 each

On Monday, three Venezuelans were fined after they appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of illegal entry.

Leuis Saladas, Nelson James and Alfredo Enriquo pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on October

8 at Lethem, Rupununi, they crossed a land frontier and did not present themselves to the nearest immigration officer.

Through the help of a translator, the men told the court that they came here to work in a mine and gave money to a Brazilian man who told them he was going to get their pass-

ports stamped. They added that since they gave him US$1000, they have not seen him and are yet to receive their passports.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry gave them the option of paying a fine of $30,000 each or an alternative of one month imprisonment. The men chose to pay the fine.

FAO Country Representative Dr Lystra Fletcher-Paul

SUDOKU

You’ll be offered favours and the support you need if you present your requests to innovative recipients. Use emotional tactics if it will help you maintain control.

By Bernice Bede Osol

(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Check out destinations that interest you, but don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position. Journey to safe places and focus on health, well-being and enjoying the people you love.

If you’re feeling like you’re in a rut, shake things up by attending an event that could put you in touch with people who share your interests. An unusual activity will result in a change of plans. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Size up your situation before making a move. Someone is likely to accuse you of meddling or not keeping your word. Listen and take care of any complaints quickly.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)

Your imagination will lead you on a magic carpet ride. Let your mind wander and your ideas grow. A new and exciting venture can bring in high returns. You’re firing on all cylinders, so get crackin’.

(March 21-April 19)

Follow the current and drift down the path of least resistance. Your heart will lead you in the right direction. Take some time to do what you enjoy most with someone who is special to you.

(April 20-May 20)

Taking a walk down memory lane will encourage you to look up old friends or pursue activities you used to enjoy. Explore the possibilities that are available to you for a richer life.

(May 21June 20)

You will be torn in different directions when it comes to your personal life and professional goals. Give-and-take will be necessary, along with an honest evaluation.

Keep the communication going with family members or co-workers. You have everything to gain by being open and addressing what you can offer a friend, your community or a group in need of help.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Put the people you enjoy spending time with first. Don’t hold back if someone asks you how you feel or what you want to pursue. Honesty will lead to victory.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Look at the big picture and discuss your plans with someone you feel can contribute to what you hope to accomplish. Opportunity and information will come from an unexpected source.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Be aware of what’s going on around you. Be prepared to jump in and make changes to offset something you don’t agree with or like. You could be thrown into an unsafe situation, so take precautions.

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CCJ ruling would facilitate the unemployed, criminals – Barbadian PM

Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel

Stuart on Monday night voiced concern about the implications of the recent ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), saying an automatic six-month stay for Caribbean Community (Caricom) nationals visiting Barbados would attract the unemployed and criminals.

The comments of Stuart may be representative of the views of many of his countrymen and women, as other Caricom nationals have been known to undergo rigorous and often disrespectful treatment by immigration and customs officials – not the least Guyanese and Jamaicans – when checking into Barbados. His comments are, therefore, likely to attract sharp criticism from the proponents of regional integration.

However, he told Barbadians to respect the ruling in the Shanique Myrie case, saying Barbados was not “any banana, plantain or fig republic”, but “a country governed by the rule of law”.

“Hassle-free” travel

He also urged customs, immigration and police officers at the border not to interpret the court’s reference to “hassle-free” travel in Caricom so loosely “that people can walk through the airport without anybody asking them anything” for fear of being sued.

Stuart made the comments in an 88-minute address at a meeting of the St Philip North branch of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) at Hilda Skeene Primary School.

Only last week, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said the judgement by the CCJ in the case of Myrie versus the government of Barbados would cause a shift in the way community business was conducted. “It has also cemented the community’s rulesbased system and continues to engender a high level of confidence,” the secretary general said.

He stated further that the decision was far-reaching, addressing decision-making in the community, the nature and effect of community law, obligations of member states and rights of community nationals.

The secretary general also noted that the ruling reinforced the critical role of the CCJ in the integration movement as a court, which will ensure that the community’s decisions were adhered to.

The judgement issued by the eminent judges should give a considerable fillip to the movement for making the CCJ the final court of appeal in the community thereby completing the circle of sovereignty in the region, he noted.

Pleased with judgement

“Many around the region seem to be pleased with the judgement on this particular matter in the court’s role in its original jurisdiction. It should be borne in mind that it is the same court and the same judges who would be empanelled to consider matters in its appellate jurisdiction.

I hope that this would remove any doubts about the capacity of our jurists to render judgements of the highest cali-

bre,” the Caricom head said.

The CCJ ruled that Myrie, a Jamaican, be awarded a total of Bds$75,000 or J$3.6 million. The ruling by the six-member panel was delivered via a video conference in the supreme court. The court declared that the Barbados government breached Myrie’s right to enter the country under Article Five of the revised treaty of Chaguaramas.

Discriminated against Myrie took the Barbados government to the CCJ, alleging that she was discriminated against because of her nationality when she arrived in Barbados on March 14, 2011.

The 25-year-old also claimed she was subjected to a body cavity search in unsanitary and demeaning conditions before being detained and deported the next day to Jamaica.

The Barbados government denied the claims and argued at the hearing that the Jamaican woman had been untruthful to immigration department officials. Its lawyers also contended that her testimony was contrary to what she had provided in statements to the Barbadian police.

Myrie wanted the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment for Caricom citizens moving within the region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. She had asked the CCJ to award her almost US$500,000 in punitive damages for the treatment she received on her visit to Barbados.

She also wanted the regional court to award costs and special damages.

Public Works Ministry condemns attack on CHEC technicians

Three staffers of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)

– the firm executing the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project – were confronted by cutlass-wielding individuals who robbed one of them of a cellphone earlier this week.

The incident occurred around 13:45h. Investigations revealed that the CHEC staff was backfilling sand to the north of the existing runway when three persons approached the sand truck operator menacingly with a cutlass, ordering him to stop the operation which he readily did.

The trio, alleged to be cash crop farmers in the area, left and went across to the CHEC technicians some distance off and violently stole a cellphone valued US$500 from the pocket of one of the men. Meanwhile, another employee was gripped by his neck by one of the perpetrators.

“The Ministry of Public Works strongly denounces this incident which sends a wrong message to foreign nationals working for Guyana’s development.” The Timehri police are investigating the matter and two persons so far have been arrested.

VaCaNCiEs

Barbadian Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

Shanique Myrie

One of the technicians suffered a bruised neck

Dottin’s half-century, Mohammed’s five-wicket haul give Windies victory over New Zealand

Bridgetown, BARBADOS – West Indies defeated New Zealand by 23 runs to win the first match of the Women’s Twenty20 International TriSeries on Monday night at Kensington Oval.

Deandra Dottin slammed a half century to resurrect a floundering innings as West Indies, batting first, posted 104 for six while Anisa Mohammed led a bowling assault by grabbing five wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for 81.

The Caribbean side lost wickets early and were reeling on 18 for three in the fifth over after the dismissal of Stafanie Taylor, Juliana Nero and Captain Merissa Aguilleira who had promoted herself in the batting order.

Taylor was stumped for five, Nero was caught at point for two and Aguilleira was caught at mid wicket for three.

But the arrival of Dottin, playing in front of her home crowd, pulled the innings around and revived a staggering run flow.

The Barbadian batter outscored Kyshona Knight who she met at the wicket racing to 52 in 50 balls before she was run out.

Dottin hit three fours and two sixes in consecutive balls over long-off and over long-on and shared in an important 50 run stand with Knight who scored 20 before she was caught by Nicola Browne at mid-off diving to her left.

Stacy Ann King scored 12 and provided good support to Dottin who was run

out in the first ball of the last over after standing her ground and ball watching, as King came charging down.

New Zealand ran into early trouble on the chase after losing two early wickets by

way of the run out route as a result of impressing fielding by the West Indians.

The prize scalp of Suzie Bates went for eight due to excellent fielding by King and Tramayne Smartt

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women innings

S Taylor st †Priest

b Bermingham 5

J Nero c Bermingham b Ruck 2

Kyshona A Knight c Browne

b Ruck 20

M Aguilleira*† c Devine

b Bermingham 3

D Dottin run out (Mackay) 52

S King c Bermingham b Bates 12

S Daley not out 1

S Quintyne not out 2

Extras: (lb 1, w 6) 7

Total: (6 wkts, 20 overs) 104

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-18, 4-69, 5-96, 6-102

Bowling: E Ruck 4-1-16-2, E Bermingham 4-0-12-2, N Browne 4-0-18-0, M Nielsen 4-0-22-0, S Bates 4-0-35-1

New Zealand Women innings

S Bates* run out (King) 8

S Devine c Dottin b Smartt 2

A Satterthwaite st †Aguilleira

b Mohammed 31

N Browne run out (Smartt) 1

M Green c †Aguilleira b Taylor 5 R Priest† c Selman

b Mohammed 22

F Mackay b Mohammed 0 K Perkins not out 8

M Nielsen b Mohammed 1

E Bermingham run out (Dottin) 1

S Ruck c King b Mohammed 0

Extras: (lb 1, w 1) 2

Total: (all out, 19 overs) 81

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-12, 3-15, 4-31, 5-71, 6-71, 7-72, 8-80, 9-81, 10-81

Bowling: T Smartt 4-0-12-1, S Daley 3-0-5-0, S Taylor 4-014-1, A Mohammed 4-0-125, S Quintyne 2-0-18-0, S King 1-0-12-0, S Selman 1-0-7-0

while Browne was also run out also due to quick work in the field from Smartt and Aguilleira.

Smartt bowled a tight spell that resulted in a wicket for 12 runs while Taylor also grabbed a wicket to set the stage for Mohammed’s spin attack that destroyed the rest of the batting.

New Zealand at some

stage threatened to take the game to the wire on the hope of a 40 run stand in just five overs between Amy Satterthwaite and Rachel Priest.

Priest was caught at deep square leg for 22 while Satterwaite was stumped on 31 by Aguilleira with the visitors still needing 34 from 21 balls.

Janet Jagan memorial cycling meet set for Sunday

Former President of Guyana, Janet Jagan, will be remembered on Sunday when national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed stages a 50mile road race on the West Demerara roadways.

The race is being coordinated by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Goed Fortuin group and is being sponsored by Caricom Cement Inc.

The race will commence from Wales Police Station at 08:00h, proceed to Bushy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo before returning to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, West Bank of Demerara, for the finish.

The veterans, mountain bikers and females will turn at Uitvlugt Community Centre on the upward journey and finish at the Harbour Bridge.

The first six finishers in the open category; first three juniors, veterans, moun-

Former President the late Janet Jagan

tain bikers and females and first veteran over-60 cyclist will all receive prizes. Eight prime prizes will also be at stake during the course of the race.

The late Janet Jagan was Guyana’s sixth president, holding the post from December 1997 to August 1999.

Likewise their bowlers have been effective on the various surfaces, utilising the majority of slow bowlers who have managed to deceive the West Indies youth batsmen.

Javed Ferdous Rahuttul and Miraj have so far taken fivewicket hauls, while their fast and medium bowlers have made early inroads.

The misfiring WI U19 batsmen need to improve if the team is to put up more of a challenge in the remainder of the series.

The West Indies have not yet replicated a proper batting performance since the first game. Son of West Indies star Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine, has not yet lived up to his expectations and is in and out of the team, while players such as Leroy Lugg, who

scored the only half-century in the West Indies team, has failed in the other games.

Jeremy Solozano continues to hold up his end, while the dangerous Shimron Hetymer has not yet got off to a flier.

Trinidadian wicket-keeper Nicholas Pooran, who had an incredible inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL), failed in his first game played on Monday. Their bowlers have so far shown the consistency in making breakthroughs; as such their slow bowling unit led by Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, continues to bowl exceptionally and has been picking up wickets while being economically effective. Today’s game commences at 13:30h and admission is free.

Mehedi Hasan Miraj took a five-wicket haul in the last limited overs game (WICB photo)

Deandra Dottin

PCC&SC and Eccles/ Ramsburg NDC sign MoU

inject $1.5M into facility

By Rajiv Bisnauth

The

Eccles/Ramsburg

Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Providence Community Centre and Sport Club ground and Management Committee on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting proper accountability and better management of the facility.

The MOU was signed in the boardroom of the NDC office at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara after the council approved the sum of $1.5 million for the upgrading of the facility.

The money was made available from the NDC’s 2013 budgetary allocation and will be used to upgrade the play field and pavilion. Works are expected to commence next week.

In conformity with the MoU, the Providence Community Centre and Sport Club ground and Management Committee will be responsible for the preparation and execution of a yearly work programme and budget, the preparation and submission of monthly reports and financial statement to the NDC; the secretary of the committee will be task with the preparation and presentation of a monthly report at the council’s statutory meeting; the committee must hold a half yearly accountability meeting and all decisions made by the committee must be submitted to

the council for assistance in a timely fashion.

On the other hand, the Eccles/Ramsburg NDC is responsible for calling an election if the committee is not satisfactorily fulfilling the functions it has been designated; request by the management committee must be fulfilled within seven days by the NDC; a councilor should serve on the management committee and by a signatory to the committee accounts.

The NDC is also tasked with the responsibility of employing a caretaker.

Speaking at the MoU signing, NDC Chairman, Saeed Khan said the rehabilitation of the facility will pave the way for the resuscitation of sporting activities within the area.

“For too long this facility has been dormant. We at the NDC want to see youths get involve in some recreational activities, so with the rehabilitation of this facility we hope not only youths will benefit but everyone within the NDC,” Khan said.

He charged the management committee to work hand-in-hand with the NDC and that proper accountability be in place at all times.

Chairman of the Providence Community Center and Sport Club ground and Management Committee Rohan Sarjoo said he is pleased with the NDC’s input, stating that it will enhance the development of not only cricket but sport in general within the NDC.

new format, bigger prizes for digicel cycling meet...

In emphasising the objective of the race, Head of Sales and Distribution at Digicel, Nalini Vieira, said the company would also use the opportunity to offer financial assistance to the Cancer Institute of Guyana, by having the cyclists’ direct involvement in the fight against the disease.

Vieira explained that they will be encouraging participating riders to donate a minimum of $500 dollars, the sum of which would be matched by Digicel and donated to the relevant organisations.

General Manager of the Cancer Institute of Guyana, Fiona Legall, said the body is pleased to welcome the support given by Digicel, noting that collaboration is key to fighting the disease.

She also noted that activities during the month are being held under the

theme “Together we fight.”

Also present at Tuesday’s launch were executives of the Avon Community Help Fund, the Cancer Institute of Guyana, the Guyana Cycling Federation and riders Paul DeNobrega, Raymond Newton, Enzo Matthews and Hamzah Eastman.

Defending champion

In 2012, Paul DeNobrega, then a junior rider, was the first to cross the finish line, thereby copping top honours in both the senior and junior categories.

Geron Williams finished second, while Paul Choo Wee Nam, Enzo Matthews, Michael Anthony and Warren McKay rounded off the top six in that order.

Anthony was the runner-up in the

junior category, while Raul Leal ended third. Junior Niles was the leading rider in the Veterans’ division, with Ralph Williams and Ian Jackson claiming second and third positions respectively.

Naomi Singh was the top female rider with Linden’s Hazina Barrett settling for second spot.

While all the top riders received cash and trophies, 12-year-old Tyrique Hall and 70-year-old Maurice Fagundes were given special tokens for being the youngest and oldest participants respectively.

As was the case in last year, Digicel is partnering with the Guyana Cycling Federation and the Roraima Bikers Club (RCB) to stage the one-day event. RCB president Brian Allen is the chief organiser.

Flashback! The leading performers of the 2012 race around the outer circuit of the National Park (An Avenash Ramzan file photo)

The current state of the Providence Community Centre and Sport Club ground

Fairfield, Helena book semi-final spots

Fairfield and Helena have booked their places in the semifinals of the inaugural Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC)/ GT&T sponsored 35-over knockout cricket competition, following contrasting victories last weekend.

Playing at the Fairfield ground, the home team defeated Strathavon by 33 runs, while Helena sneaked home off the final ball, beating Cane Grove by five wickets at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

Batting first, Fairfield posted 136-9 from the allotted 35 overs with Walter Byrne hitting a topscore of 28. Bowling for Strathavon, Gobindram Hemraj returned splendid figures of five wickets for a mere six runs from seven miserly overs, the best bowling performance in the tournament.

However, his effort would later prove futile, as Strathavon struggled to 103 all out from 27.1 overs. R. Chatura and D. Lovell were the leading wicket-takers for Fairfield with 3-10 and 2-20 respectively.

In the other quarter-final match-up, Cane Grove took first strike and racked up 192 from 27.3 of the reduced 32 overs per side.

Avish Ruckram led all scorers with 42, while

Charlie Pitt bagged 4-18 from 3.3 overs, including a hat-trick. Helena, in reply, knocked off the target for the loss of five wickets, winning off the final delivery via a bye.

Rohit Dutchin stroked 71, the highest individual score in the competition, as Helena reached 193-5.

Darshan Persaud supported with 28 not out, as G. Jainarine picked up 4-37.

Following their victories, Fairfield and Helena will now contest the first semifinal, while the winner of the Duchfour/Perseverance clash this Sunday at Enmore will take on the ECCCC in the second semi-final.

The ECCCC made a rousing start to the competition a fortnight ago, whipping Mahaica by nine

wickets.

After Mahaica batted first and posted 149-5 in a game reduced to 30 overs per innings, ECCCC cruised to victory at 153-1 with as many as eight overs to spare, with openers Javed Mohamed hitting 66 not out and Bheemraj Ramkellewan 51.

The competition, which is being organised by the ECCCC, is aimed at giving clubs from Enmore to Mahaica much needed competitive exposure.

The champion team will receive $30,000 and trophy, with the runner-up set to collect $20,000 and a trophy. Among the individual awards are trophies for the Man-of-the-Match in the final, most runs, most wickets and most catches.

Star Party Rentals on board with indoor hockey tourney

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has secured the support of Star Party Rentals for the staging of its Junior National Indoor Championships, set to start on Friday and end on Sunday.

The company on Tuesday afternoon presented a cheque for an undisclosed amount to executives of the GHB during a simple ceremony.

Vice-president, Ivor Thompson, said the GHB is

grateful for the support provided by Star Party Rentals, noting that sponsorship is crucial to the hosting any competition.

He promised a high level of rivalry among the teams this weekend, adding that the competition will be played in various categories.

The Under-13 division will see GCC, Hikers, Old Fort and Marian Academy doing battle, while North Ruimveldt Multilateral, Christ Church, Marian

Academy, Queen’s College, Saints and St John’s will vie for supremacy in the schools category.

GCC, Hikers and Old Fort will contest the Under-16 and Under-21 Girls competition, with Under-16 and Under-21 Boys segment bringing together GCC, Hikers, Old Fort and Saints.

Matches will be played from 17:30h to 20:30h on Friday; and 10:00h to 18:30h on Saturday and Sunday.

Rohit Dutchin

Star Party Rentals representative Pheona Jones (second from left) presents the sponsorship cheque to national player Tiffany Solomon. Sharing the moment are Kesheka Washington (left) of Star Party Rentals and GHB Vice-president Ivor Thompson

Gobindram Hemraj

Young Windies face tough task ahead of today’s fifth game

Tagnarine Chanderpaul will hope for a change in fortune if he plays today

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Ta day/night fixture at the Guyana National Stadium.

The juniors Tigers, who lead the series 3-1, suffered a six-wicket defeat to the hosts in the first match but bounced back in the second match to level the series to beat West Indies U-19 by 63 runs.

The Bangladesh youth side took 2-1 lead after crushing their West Indies counterpart by 198 runs in the third game and further widened the margin by 3-1 with a four-wicket win in the fourth game on Monday.

Statistics give Bangladesh the edge. However, the Windies will try desperately to keep their hopes alive, but victory will depend largely on how they tackle the Bangladeshi spinners.

The wickets here prove to be more conducive for spinners and the visiting side has effectively used them to their advantage.

A win today will take the Asian side to a 4-1 lead and a series win. However, if the

West Indies U-19s manage to regroup after three horrifying showings, they will place themselves in a possible zone to draw the series, providing they win the final

two games. The Bangladeshi batsmen have racked up tall totals that led by the likes of wicketkeeper and vice captain Jashim Uddin, along

he West Indies Under19s face a tough task of putting their sevenmatch limited overs series back on track after three consecutive defeats to their Bangladeshi counterparts.

The two teams will face each other in the fifth limited overs game today in

with Mossadek Hossain Saikat, Sadman Islam Anik, Nazmul Hasan Shanto and skipper Mehedi Hasan Miraj.

Sadman Islam Anik has been in tremendous form (WICB photo)

New format, bigger prizes for Digicel cycling meet to raise awareness for breast cancer

By Avenash Ramzan

With the aim of raising awareness about breast cancer, Digicel (Guyana) will be partnering with the Guyana Cycling Federation and the Roraima Bikers Club to stage the second annual Avon Breast Cancer Awareness cycling race on October 27. October has been designated breast can-

cer “Awareness Month”, and Digicel is using cycling to heighten awareness of the disease, which has been plaguing women across the globe.

Unlike last year when the race was held for 25 laps around the outer circuit of the National Park, next Sunday’s event will start in Linden at 07:00h and conclude at the Carifesta Avenue entrance of the National Park, covering an approximate distance of 78 miles.

The riders of the Open category will start in Linden, while the females and veterans will commence in front of Splashmin’s Fun Park on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and finish at the National Park.

Speaking at the launch of the race on Tuesday at Digicel’s head office in Kingston, Events and Sponsorship Manager, Gavin Hope, revealed that a hefty package, inclu-

sive of cash and trophies, is being assembled for the outstanding riders.

The winner of the Open category will receive a whopping $240,000, by far the highest cash prize in the history of local cycling. The purse was $100,000 last year.

According to Hope, the total prize money will be in the vicinity of one million dollars, with the categories to be contested being seniors, juniors, females and veterans.

INSIDE TODAY’S SPORT

Last year’s winner Paul DeNobrega (right) shares a moment with other cyclists and officials of Digicel and the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF). From left are GCF secretary Cheryl Matthews; while others in photo are Enzo Matthews, Hamzah Eastman, Gavin Hope, Tandika Stephens, Raymond Newton and Nalini Vieira (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Chairman of the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) Saeed Khan (fourth left) handing over the MoU to Chairman of the Providence Community Center and Sport Club ground and Management Committee Rohan Sarjoo in the presence of NCD councilors, staff and other members of the committee (Rajiv Bisnauth photo)