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Friday, october 18, 2013 | guyanatimeSgy.com

Govt rallies support for end to ban on NY direct flights

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali is urging all businesses to petition the United States Department of Transportation to allow Fly Jamaica to operate direct flights between Guyana and New York.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Minister Ali reiterated the need for all stakeholders, including the business community, to rally in support of the new airline. “We believe that there must be fair and open competition and if the fact remains that there is no American carrier in the market, then we view this as a regressive step.

The decision to deny the application for direct flights is one that does not fit into our business interest and it is something that I think we have to fight and respond to as a country. At present, there is no American carrier in the market and Fly Jamaica will face a very burdensome position of flying through Jamaica,” Ali said.

He said the decision by

the U.S. will only increase the operational cost of the airline, which will undoubtedly affect ticket prices. “The government has been working hard to build and maintain capacity in the air transport sector and we acknowledge that Fly Jamaica’s operations in Guyana will aid in significantly boosting the capacity in the local air transportation sector; we know too that a significant per cent of the Guyanese diaspora live in or near New York and this decision has also left Guyanese without a direct flight option to New York.”

Major repercussions

On September 30, the U.S. Transport Department rejected the application of Fly Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines, which sought permission to have direct flights between Guyana and New York. This means that Fly Jamaica passengers will have to transit Jamaica before heading to New York. Fly Jamaica has since petitioned the department to reverse its decision.

Prominent aviator and businessman Captain Gerry Gouveia said the decision was a “serious blow” to the Guyanese economy.

Weighing in on the matter last Wednesday during an interview with Guyana Times , Gouveia said the refusal to grant the airlines the privilege was unjustifiable, given that there was no airline providing direct flights for that route.

“If Delta was still on the route, for example, and Delta was saying ‘here, lis-

Battery dealer on bail for wounding

On Thursday, a man brought before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was charged with unlawful wounding.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lennox Cort pleaded not guilty to the charge which read that on October 11 at Cornhill Street, Georgetown

he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Leroy Mitchell. Attorney Paul Fung-AFat, who represented the defendant, stated that he has a fixed placed of abode at 1010 Norton Street, Wortmanville and is a battery dealer. Attorney FungA-Fat also made a request for reasonable bail to be granted.

There were no objections to bail raised by the prosecution and it was granted in the sum of $50,000. The matter stands adjourned to October 21.

ten, we’re providing it and so we don’t want a thirdparty country doing it’, that would be understandable, but Delta is not here and I think the U.S. authorities really need to be sensitive to the economic needs of Guyana,” he reasoned. Gouveia added that “this action by the U.S. authorities will not affect Caribbean Airlines or Fly Jamaica as much as it’s affecting the Guyanese economy”. He, therefore, views the move as one that will stymie the expansion of the local economy by preventing access to “our tourism product and investors coming directly into Guyana”.

Newly-appointed Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Kit Nascimento labelled the situation as “unfortunate and unfair”.

As such, he said every effort should be made to appeal the decision taken. “As far as tourism is concerned, as president of THAG, I feel that the position taken is wrong.”

He said there was every good reason that the airlines should be permitted to fly directly from Guyana to New York and vice versa. Nascimento added that he would seek to initiate a petition to persuade THAG members to object to the decision, making way for it to be appealed.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

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

Extreme partisanship

Parliament has completed its “summer recess” and will soon resume its proceedings.

For many citizens the prospect does not elicit much enthusiasm, invoking as it does, the bitter acrimony and resort to the courts that its previous sessions precipitated among its three political entities – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) – following the November 2011 elections.

While the party system has been touted as a facilitator of democracy, in our country, there is a danger that the opposite conclusion might be justified if the present impasse continues much longer.

In one of the earliest expositions of the dangers of the party system to democratic governance, one of the founding fathers of the U.S. constitutional order, James Madison, wrote about the dangers of “factions”.

The latter were groups of citizens “actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community”.

The problem, we have in Guyana today, stems from the inherent assumption by the organisations that have come to represent “factions” in the present age – political parties – that their constituency’s rights are inherently “adverse” by those of other parties.

In the workings of the party system to form a government that would steer the ship of state, the party that wins control of the Executive via the polls according to rules established by the Constitution would be allowed to present their programme as the programme of the entire polity.

Generally, such a party would have secured the majority of the votes in the general elections and in addition to securing the Executive would have controlled the Legislature.

Our Constitution, however, permits the single party with the greatest percentage of votes at the elections to form the Executive and does not permit the other parties that collectively have more seats than that party to form a coalition and collectively become the Executive.

In Guyana, therefore, the opposition parties which collectively control the Legislature, have raised the question of the “legitimacy”. They argue that their greater numbers confer greater legitimacy to them.

However, what they are doing is to demonstrate the dangers of extreme partisanship or “factions” in not recognising the Constitution which was crafted by all the political parties to confer legitimacy by its specified rules.

The Opposition ignores that legitimacy is pursuant to the strictures of the Constitution. If for instance, the opposition believes those rules are not best for the country, then the Constitution itself outlines the procedure through which it can be altered.

As late as 2000, there were extensive changes unanimously made to the Constitution by all political parties then, which made it for all intents and purposes, a new constitution compared to its predecessor. These changes, however, left the clause for the party securing the plurality of the votes to assume the Executive.

What has occurred in the present, however, is that the opposition parties, are arguing for a change in the status quo without calling for a change in the Constitutional rules.

We therefore have a situation where extreme partisanship has reared its ugly head in the refusal by the opposition political parties to accept the national consensus represented in the Constitutional Articles that are supposed to govern our state.

This will not do. We have, according to our Constitution, a very clear demarcation of powers allocated to the three arms of the state – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. The present impasse has arisen, and will arise once again, if the opposition that controls the Legislature refuses again to concede the right of the Executive to exercise its Constitutionally defined duties.

This situation becomes even more untenable when the rulings of the judiciary, which has been granted the power to delineate powers between the arms of the state, are being flouted by the opposition parties.

If Guyana is to progress, the opposition parties will have to reduce their partisanship.

Advances in the rice industry

Dear Editor,

Although there was the resurgence of the paddy bug, the rice industry in Guyana has nevertheless progressed and is not expected to plunge any time in the near future. As such, it is now time for the government to explore its options as it relates to the diverse uses of rice.

Rice is considered as a staple food. It is a versatile ingredient used in many dishes and cultures across the world. Rice is rich in energy-giving carbohydrates, very low in fat, contains no cholesterol, and is free of salt, sugar and gluten. In expanding our cu -

Please

linary horizon and promoting that usage of rice, we stand to benefit greatly. Presently, an equivalent of 160,000 tonnes of impeccable quality rice has been harvested. The projected annual production target of 412,000 tonnes is expected to be easily surpassed. However, we should not take this achievement for granted.

Rice was almost in abeyance for an extended duration at one point, but thanks to the Agriculture Ministry, it is now a major financial force in Guyana.

Like most crops, rice offers byproducts which are also valuable. Rice hulls,

rice bran, broken rice and rice straw are common ingredients in horticultural, livestock, industrial, household, and building and food products.

Research reveals that many breakfast and baby foods contain rice flour milled from broken rice grains.

Rice stubble and some surplus rice hulls can also be incorporated into already harvested soil for the purpose of creating organic matter, which assists in providing nutrients to the soil for future crops.

In time to come, other uses of rice to be consid -

ered can include rice flour; sake, a special kind of rice drink; rice based beer; cat and pet litter; and pet food. Guyana’s rice industry is positively flourishing and expanding its borders both nationally and internationally. Venezuela is currently our largest importer of rice, with also exports being done to a few Caribbean countries, namely Trinidad and Tobago, and also to Europe as well. If we can manage to maintain our current output, then we can efficiently utilise the surplus.

Sincerely, Fareeda Haniff

allow the police to do their work

Dear Editor, A 19-year-old man decided to take matters into his own hands and proceeded to the home of an individual accused and suspected of robbing a family member of his.

Sometime after his visit, he was confronted by six men who attacked him. He is now in the hospital nursing a gunshot wound to his back.

One of his six attackers was subsequently taken into custody to assist with the investigation.

The victim could have lost his life and no one could have been blamed, but himself. He should have desisted from taking matters into his own hands, and should have instead consulted with the police.

It is quite unfortunate that prompt responses by

the police force are not as efficient as they should be.

I’ve also heard of incidents where in order for any kind of immediate action to be taken, some form of bribery has to be involved.

Criminal activities of any nature need to be reported and addressed accordingly. The protocols must be established. Ideally, the police force is here to protect us. Their presence is a sig-

nificant deterrent to criminals and criminal activity. They have been tasked with their own significant duties and responsibilities and we should therefore take full advantage of the services they have to offer. With that said, let the police do what they have been designed to do.

Sincerely, Fabian Gonsalves

Students peruse the syllabus and materials that will be used to teach Portuguese in secondary schools at the launch of the new language training on Thursday at the Theatre Guild, Kingston. The five pilot schools which will commence Portuguese language training are: Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High School, St Stanislaus College, St Roses High School and St Joseph High School

(Carl Croker photo)

your

Kaieteur News is misleading, continues to redirect negative attention

Dear Editor, Kaieteur News recently published a demeaning statement against the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) in an attempt to simply redirect focus from the newspaper’s present predicament. The acting town clerk came forth and denied the accusations pertaining to the unsettled payments. She, along with the city treasurer, further declared that they were unaware of the issue.

Having made that declaration, I would personally like for Kaieteur News to bring forth its evidence for the accusation made against the acting town clerk. The owner of Kaieteur News has for some time now been allowing the inappropriate

posting of ludicrous forms of journalism. They have over time become known for attacking the government, particularly when it comes to the state of Georgetown.

Kaieteur News is currently experiencing some challenges as it relates to the owner’s financial obligations.

It is evident that their motive to humiliate the acting town clerk was done as a desperate attempt for diversion of their existing crisis.

The legal authorities are currently handling the matter as it relates to the accusations made against the city council. Time will eventually reveal the truth.

Records currently show that as of December 2012,

a large percentage of outstanding payments to the M&CC are owed by the commercial sector.

The acting town clerk has all intentions of ironing out the disorder created over the years and even more vowed that she would not allow anyone to thwart the council in its debt recovery drive.

It is important to note that the city cannot be maintained unless individuals abide by the tax compliance regulations of Guyana. We all need to play our role and we can start by paying the city council what is due to them.

Sincerely,

Delroy Morrison

Tax evasion is a serious crime

Dear Editor,

It is a good move to go after all the tax cheats in the city. Some big names are already on the list and word is that there are many more to come. All together, these people owe millions for nonpayment of rates and taxes –the chief culprit owes in excess of $10 million. The owing is not news as such in isolation. We all know why the acting town clerk was being targeted, and now she can expect more criticism. What irks me is that government en-

emies are not saying anything about this terrible breach by this particular person. Tax evasion or circumventing of any sort is a very serious crime.

Yours faithfully, Wesley Moore

Berbice River Bridge makes life easier for those who use it

Dear Editor,

I have read on dozens of occasions how the Berbice River Bridge is a travesty in many respects. There was a time in this country when complaints about what was happening at New Amsterdam were just daily, especially the wait and the practice of favouritism. It left all of us totally fed-up.

I know of teachers at the University of Guyana (UG)

who come and go once every month and they are so relieved that they have no stress to their journey. I am wondering if I should go to Berbice and do a poll as regards the positive impact of this bridge if I would not indeed prove my point, that is, that the bridge is really a big help in terms of the time factor where transportation is concerned.

To those who still take negative jabs at this bridge, I ask that they go and do some field work. The people who have to cross the river are very satisfied. They save a whole lot of time and their lives are so much easier. Some people should swallow their pride or simply shut up.

Yours faithfully, Monty Farrier

or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Passing of firearms bill is vital to fight against crime

Dear Editor, It is not difficult to conclude that the numerous gun-related crimes in Guyana are as of a result of the inadequate existence of policies governing firearm possession. The chairman of governance and security within the Private Sector Commission (PSC) stated that people are liberally importing gun parts into Guyana and then further assembling the unit.

He further implored that Guyana needs the relevant laws to be put into place to address these issues and also emphasised on the importance of the passing of the new firearm bill. The opposition appears to be unsupportive of the amendment of the firearm bill, but yet criticises the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) and the law enforcement unit of their deprived efforts in curbing the recent upsurge in criminal activities.

Initially, the contents of the Firearm Amendment Bill held strict penalties against gun possessors. Unfortunately, the bill was not supported by the opposition due to several preposterous excuses, including the fact that the bill was listed by the home affairs minister.

As a result of the opposition's fight against the bill, we continue to wait for the existence of the relevant policies that can help to minimise the current crime binge. In the mean time, innocent people continue to lose their lives.

Security within a nation should never be com-

promised. The existence of the SWAT team may currently be our only option for decreasing crime of any sort in Guyana. Law abiding citizens will support lethal action taken against individuals who choose to be wayward and indulge in criminal activities. It is unlikely that they will claim violation of human rights, particularly when it is criminals that are being killed. The Guyana Police Force and the SWAT team will offer security to the country and will be rewarded with the recognition that it deserves. Unlawful individuals need to be exposed to the elements of consequences that they will face for the inhumane acts that they commit.

Sincerely,

Garth Haynes

You can send

letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana

Page Foundation

Writing a good research paper

Establish your topic

Try to pick a topic that’s fun and interesting. If your topic genuinely interests you, chances are you’ll enjoy spending time working on it and it won’t seem like a chore.

Finding a topic can be difficult. Give yourself plenty of time to read and think about what you’d like to do. Trying to answer questions you have about a particular subject may lead you to a good paper idea.

* What subject(s) are you interested in?

* What interests you most about a particular subject?

* Is there anything you wonder about or are puzzled about with regard to that subject?

Once you have a topic, you will probably need to narrow it down to something more manageable. For example, say you are assigned to write a 10-page paper, and you decide to do it on Ancient Egypt. However, since Ancient Egypt is a big topic, and you only have a limited number of pages, you will have to focus on something more specific having to do with that topic.

Too general:

Ancient Egypt

Revised:

The building of the pyramids of Ancient Egypt

One method for coming up with a more specific focus is called brainstorming (or free writing). Brainstorming is a useful way to let ideas you didn’t know you had come to the surface.

Sit down with a pencil and paper, or at your computer, and write whatever comes into your head about your topic.

Keep writing for a short but specific amount of time, say three to five minutes. Don’t stop to change what

or browse the shelves to look for books on your topic. If you find a book that is useful, check the bibliography (list of sources) in the back of that book for other books or articles on that topic. Also check indexes of periodicals and newspapers. Check with a li-

you’ve written or to correct spelling or grammar errors.

After a few minutes, read through what you’ve written. You will probably throw out most of it, but some of what you’ve written may give you an idea that can be developed. Do some more brainstorming and see what else you can come up with.

Look for sources

Take a trip to the library. Use the electronic catalogue

brarian if you need help finding sources.

Try to use as many different types of sources as you can, including books, magazine articles, and Internet articles. Don’t rely on just one source for all your information.

Keep a list of all the sources that you use. Include the title of the source, the author, publisher, and place and date of publication. This is your preliminary, or draft, bibliography.

Take notes

After you’ve gathered your sources, begin reading and taking notes.

Use index cards, one fact or idea per card. This way, related ideas from different sources can be easily grouped together or rearranged.

On each index card, be sure to note the source, including the volume number (if there is one) and the page number. If you wind up using that idea in your paper, you will have the information about the source ready to put in your footnote or endnote.

If you copy something directly from a book without putting it in your own words, put quotation marks around it so that you know it is an exact quotation. This will help you to avoid plagiarism.

Before you sit down to write your rough draft, organise your note cards by subtopic (you can write headings on the cards) and make an outline.

Organise your ideas

Using the information collected on the note cards, develop an outline to organise your ideas. An outline shows your main ideas and the order in which you are going to write about them. It’s the bare bones of what will later become a fleshed-out written report.

* Write down all the main ideas.

* List the subordinate ideas below the main ideas.

* Avoid any repetition of ideas.

Write a first draft

Every essay or paper is made up of three parts:

* introduction

* body

* conclusion

The introduction is the first paragraph of the paper. It often begins with a general statement about the topic and ends with a more specific statement of the main idea of your paper. The purpose of the introduction is to:

* let the reader know what the topic is

* inform the reader about your point of view

* arouse the reader’s curiosity so that he or she will want to read about your topic

The body of the paper follows the introduction. It consists of a number of paragraphs in which you develop your ideas in detail.

* Limit each paragraph to one main idea. (Don’t try to talk about more than one idea per paragraph.)

* Prove your points continually by using specific examples and quotations from your note cards.

* Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow of ideas from paragraph to paragraph.

The conclusion is the last paragraph of the paper. Its purpose is to:

* summarise your points, leaving out specific examples

* restate the main idea of the paper. (Teacher Vision)

TO BE CONTINUED

How to teach your children to write essays

BY LOIS WELDON

Many children have difficulties in writing essay assignments, but essay writing skills are very rewarding and important throughout their entire educational process, so you should do your best in order to help them develop those abilities. It can be difficult to teach children to write essays and find this activity interesting, because young people tend to express themselves on a more personal level, which causes them to struggle with crafting the essay structure with strong academic sentences. Children can learn and develop this skill, but they require a methodical approach and a patient teacher. This process is much easier with children who have creative inclinations, but the others require more attention and patience.

Introducing essay writing practices to the child

Before you start hoping for your children to develop strong essay writing skills, you have to make sure that they have a good grasp of spelling and grammar concepts, appropriate to their grade and age. If these building blocks are left behind, this teaching project will fail before it even starts. When you have the spelling and grammar aspect covered, you should start introducing the thesis concept to your child. The biggest difficulties children have when writing essays is focusing and directing their writing in order to develop the thesis. You can provide your child with thesis prompts or a thesis statement if you notice any struggles with the writing concepts. If your children have decent writing skills, simply explain the concept and allow them to express their creativity by coming up with their own thesis statement.

If you are wondering how to explain the concept of a thesis, you should think of it as the main point around which the entire project is being developed. Each page, paragraph and even sentence of the essay has to be in relation to the thesis; otherwise it would be unnecessary. (Betsy Dewey)

Investments made by QAII in hardware manufacturing sector Transformation of Sanata Textiles Complex

With vision and determination, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) has made significant investments in the acquisition of state-of-the-art machinery and equipment for the hardware manufacturing division.

In June 2007, the company Global Hardware Inc (GHI) was incorporated and became the first and only manufacturer of Polypropylene Random Copolymer (PPR) pipes and fittings here with an innovative brand EZeeflow – a line of products that is not only the first in Guyana but in the Caribbean as well. EZeeflow pipes and fittings are replacing the traditional limited longevity PVC, steel and cast iron plumbing supply system hardware used for various streams of applications ranging from residential to industrial globally. With superior physical and chemical characteristics, the PPR pipes and fittings are the ideal choice for hot and cold water plumbing applications for the streams that are classified residential, commercial, industrial and mining thereby enabling high-quality performance. These products have a working temperature range of up to 95°C,

very long service life of more than 50 years, and strong chemical resistance, which provides definite solution to oxidation and calcification problems with no encrustation or bio-burden. PPR is also the safest material in its handling, processing, and application as it is lead free and food grade. Because of complete fusion at joints which give rise to perfect homogeneity, PPR pipes and fittings do not burst and are leakproof.

The pipes are used for HOT and COLD water/fluids/chemicals/compressed air in various plumbing installations such as:

a. Single layer with customised colour for PPR pipes for indoor and outdoor installations.

b. Two layers customised with any colours based on customers’ requirement, also meeting the indoor or outdoor requirements.

c. Three layers (3) PPR pipes for indoor/outdoor installations. Outer layer (green) PPR is UV resistant, which makes our pipes suitable for use above ground or sub-surface installation, with the UV property of the outer and middle layers, this prevents direct sunlight effects into the inner layer of the pipe, so preventing the formation and growth

of algae. This makes the pipes manufactured by GHI superior for the water sector and food industry.

d. PPR is antimicrobial for the inner layer of the pipe, which provides hygiene and protection from internal bacterial growth.

e. Middle layer (black) PPR provides body strength to the pipe. These pipes are so versatile that they can be utilised in all plumbing systems, including mineral water plants, water treatment plants, sewerage networks, residential and commercial buildings, factories,

schools, clinics, hospitals, swimming pools, and solar water heating system, etc.

GHI has the most appropriate infrastructure and enjoys several technological advantages with its wellequipped manufacturing unit, as well as an on-site Quality Assurance/Quality

Control (QA/QC) laboratory. The sophisticated manufacturing unit has several hi-tech machinery as well as equipment. Storage capacity enables the company to execute large volumes of bulk orders in a time-efficient manner.

With superior physical and chemical characteristics, the PPR pipes and fittings are the ideal choice

Colombian nationals charged for forgery

On Thursday, two Colombian nationals appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they were charged with forgery.

Twenty-seven-yearold Samir Edwardo Garcia Salazar of 1414019 Bogotá, Colombia and Jamie Enrique Mereses, 52, of 18 Fifteen Street, Bogotá, Colombia made their first appearance before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Salazar and Mereses, with the help of a translator, pleaded not guilty to the charges which stated that between February 17 and March 21, 2012 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, they conspired with person or per-

sons unknown and forged two Republic of Guyana business visas, numbers 270 and 272 dated February 17, 2012 purporting to show that the same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office knowing it to be false.

Attorney Peter Hugh, who represented both defendants, stated that they are businessmen. He went on to say that they entered Guyana at Imamadai with another man, Hymed Valacais, to meet with Andre Poonai because they were seeking to sell machinery to him. In his applications for bail, Hugh said that the discovery was made at the Ogle International Airport and that his clients were made victims, stating that

the men had visited Guyana before but did not encounter this problem. He added that if his clients were granted bail, they would be staying with Poonai at Lot 111 Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown for the duration of the trial.

Poonai came forward and told the court that he brought the men to Guyana so that they can discuss and invest in his business.

There were no objections to bail raised by Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, who stated that neither defendant has any known convictions in or outside of Guyana.

Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000 for each defendant. The matter stands adjourned to October 31.

Stabroek Market vendor on bail for wounding

AStabroek Market vendor was on Thursday placed on bail after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of unlawful wounding. It was alleged that on October 14 at Georgetown, 33-year-old Stacy Mansfield of Lot BB Durban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown unlawfully and maliciously

wounded Hussain Murray. Mansfield pleaded not guilty to the charge as it was read to him. According to the prosecution’s facts, on the day in question, the complainant called away the defendant’s customer, resulting in him getting annoyed. Mansfield then picked up a knife and dealt Murray a stab below his neck.

Attorney Paul Bram, who represented Mansfield, stated that the two had a confrontation and that his client is not a flight risk. In his application for reasonable bail, he said that his client has not had any run-in with the law before.

Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail on the nature of the charge and that both parties are known to each other and if granted bail there is a likelihood that Mansfield will tamper with the witness. However Magistrate Faith McGusty granted bail in the sum of $75,000 with the condition that the defendant report to Sergeant Gaman at the Brickdam Police Station every Monday and Friday. The matter is set to return to court on November 3.

Eyew tness Back from slumber...

...in Parliament

Parliament’s back from their “recess”, we’re told. Well, they’re supposed to be back since the 10th of the month, but the opposition, which is in charge of the body, has just informed us that not even the committees have met yet.

So don’t ask about the entire Parliament. As to why they need a two-month recess (with pay, of course!) is a question that’s never been really asked, much less answered.

Public servants don’t get two-month holidays (some might say they’re always on holiday, but that’s another story). Ministers who sit in Parliament don’t get two-month holidays...so what’s going on? Some might say, unlike other parliaments, our parliamentarians are part-timers. And your Eyewitness replies, “And part-timers have to get two-month vacations?”

The fact that they’re part-timers only proves our parliamentarians (who don’t work at full time jobs like the ministers) ought to be very well rested, thank you. Maybe a bit sleepy after knocking back $1.7 million in food at every session...but well rested.

So the “recess” has to give these opposition types a break from their protests and marches and press conferences – which they seem to believe constitutes their “national service”.

Anyhow, they’re back. And who knows, we might even have a parliamentary session soon. But from all indications, it’ll start just as how the last session ended: with the opposition throwing a spanner into the works that’s supposed to give us a clean chit with the antiterrorism Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

You’d think after having two months to think about what’s good for this country, the opposition would’ve concluded that having us on an international financial blacklist isn’t the way to go, wouldn’t you?

But then, you’re not the opposition and you’re actually serious about developing the country and not just feathering your nest. But if they’re going to use terms that are redolent of “school” – like “recess” and “session” and

“sir” – maybe what we need for Parliament to get some work done is to set a curriculum for them.

Like how much work they have to cover every session. And we’re not just talking about how much work it is to put away $1.7 million in food. Fact of the matter is that our Parliament is full of opposition types who have a whole heap of authority, without a shred of responsibility.

So they end up being unwilling to even pass legislation that would help the country they claim to serve.

...in mortgages

Mortgages used to be dull business. No more. Time was when ordinary folks wouldn’t even dream of taking out a mortgage to build a house. That was for rich folks. So it ended up that more was added unto “them who had”. But of recent, mortgages have gotten quite glamorous: the banks and even institutions you didn’t know were banks – like insurance companies – are begging you to take out mortgages. What’s going on? Well, one reason could be that there’s a whole lotta money floating around in Guyanese banks, but those banks want a safe haven to invest in. Housing’s one. After all, the bank can actually go out and touch the blocks and wood for which it lent its money. And in case the lender can’t repay... they can always foreclose.

The government’s actually done quite a lot to give housing its present go-go image. It’s been handing out house lots like hot cakes –and for some time now, funnelling through the banks, mortgages for low income earners. With the new Mortgage Interest Rate (MIR) facility to deduct interests on mortgages from taxable income...why housing’s now more exciting than pro-wrestling!!

...to work

Your humble Eyewitness is back from some serious slumber himself...having had to feast. Is it true that dark meat stays in your innards for at least three weeks? Yechhh!

Operation El Dorado cracks down on illegal mining

Police and soldiers recently chased a number of Brazilian and local miners off Prospecting Licence claims during another round of Operation El Dorado – aimed at ridding the hinterland of illegal mining.

Brazilians have dominated mining operations in Guyana, but some local miners have complained that many of them are illegal. It is not the first time operations of this nature have nabbed Brazilians.

In a statement, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said

that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) continues to crack down on illegal mining.

He said that the GGMC team recently conducted a series of monitoring and enforcement exercises within the mining districts, with a primary focus on prospecting property holders.

This exercise was conducted utilising the services of the Guyana Police Force and the Air Corps the Guyana Defence Force to conduct aerial, as well as ground reconnaissance.

According to the statement the exercise resulted

from complaints from PL holders and other property holders of raiding by illegal miners, including Brazilians.

“Investigations revealed several illegal mining operations were present on a property that is intended for only prospecting purposes. The commission has since been instructed to take necessary actions against the licence holder as provided under the Mining Act.”

The ministry said Clause One of the Prospecting Licence Agreement states “The Guyana Geology and

Mines Commission under Section 30 of the Mining Act 1989, has granted the above mentioned tract of land for the purpose of prospecting for gold and valuable minerals but not to be worked for profit, to be given out to lessees or tributors, for a period of three years”.

Further, he said the GGMC is once again reminding all Prospecting Licence and mineral property holders to be guided by the conditions as stipulated with the licences. Several other areas have been targeted and similar monitoring and compliance exercises will commence soon.

“The commission will continue Operation El Dorado in other mining districts to boost ongoing monitoring and enforcement activities with support from other sister agencies.”

Mook Lall get leff out from de wedding

Old people seh once a Mook always a Mook, and yuh gon die as a Mook. Is some ting that does deh wid yuh fuh life like a leech. It does nevah go away. No matter how hard a Mook try not to be a Mook, he gon still be a Mook. A Mook is a known stupidy man. A Mook don’t have any brains even if he go to school. Some people does call it Mookness. It mean de same as madness and stupidness, aka foolishness and dotishness.

After all, it got plenty half Mooks in Guyana. Dem deh all around. Some a dem wid de KFC like Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man, de donkey man. Some a dem wid FLAPNU like Green Bridge, Will Yams and Sly Paul. Some a dem at G-PEE-Hell. Some others at G-TEA & TEA. Some does look like Mooks. Some sound like Mooks. Lall Suspenders Bachan does look and sound like a Mook.

But Guyana only got one genuine made-in-Guyana Mook. Although at 60 he seh he is 50, that Mook got some British Guiana in he, no matter which one yuh accept. That is no Chinese or Taiwan Mook. That Mook head hard like rock, so it don’t bruk easy no matter how hard yuh knock it. Even down to that Mook brains – if he got any left – hard like brick. He is so much of a Mook that Mookness can’t done.

Well, that Mook hear bout a wedding comin up. That’s a big wedding because is a big business man involve. De Mook went ahead and buy a grey long suit and pants. Plus he buy grey shoes and grey socks. As if that was not enough, he buy grey brief too. Well, Madam had to choose that fuh he, but he couldn’t mek Navo see.

Well, Mook Lall still waitin fuh he invitation. He checkin post box whole day and callin de post office. No wedding mean no attention fuh de Mook, and de Mook can’t live wid out attention.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Every body now lookin out fuh see if de Mook gon print he own invitation fuh get attention!

Gun crimes a worry for government – Dr Luncheon

Amid the increase in serious crimes in Guyana, the Donald Ramotar administration expressed disappointment over the functioning of the criminal justice system, endorsing the popular saying that “justice delayed is justice denied”.

Recent police statistics indicate that there has been a five per cent increase to date in serious crime, when compared to the same period in 2012. Robbery under arms has been identified as a major contributing factor to the increase in serious crime.

This five per cent increase cannot go unnoticed, Presidential Secretariat head Dr Roger Luncheon said when he addressed the press at the Office of the President on Thursday. He said the criminal justice system is failing in more ways than one, as he alluded to the “right to bail” and the lengthy period taken to bring an end to criminal matters.

“It is incontrovertible that offenders on bail continue to prey on innocent Guyanese at home, at work, and elsewhere. It is equally true that prosecutions are slow, remand prisoners lists keep growing. More significantly, the right to bail is as-

sured in our jurisdiction, but we too have the right to enjoy our lives, our limbs, and our properties and to be safe guarded,” he posited.

Firearm Amendment Bill

Dr Luncheon, who is also the Cabinet secretary, lashed out at the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) for rejecting the Firearm Amendment Bill – which would have made firearm smuggling a crime – presented by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee in the National Assembly. He reiterated that this rejection comes at time when the statistics show an increase in armed robberies. “Guyanese of all walks of life and of all

political persuasions have to contemplate the opposition’s response to crimefighting, crime prevention, national security interventions by this administration that are brought to the attention of Parliament.”

In March, the APNU and the AFC used their combined one-seat majority in the National Assembly to vote down the Firearms Amendment Bill. The home affairs minister had explained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration was concerned about the impact of gun trafficking on the socioeconomic fibre of society, as well as the safety of all Guyanese and visitors.

He pointed to statistical reports which indicated that Guyana now ranks behind Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in terms of seizure of illegal weapons and firearms. The minister noted that Caricom and the United Nations were taking serious steps to address the increased smuggling of firearms. While Guyana does not produce or manufacture firearms, government remains concerned about the increased prevalence of illegal guns on the streets today.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon

Illegal miners were chased off several prospecting licences during raids

This was one of the illegal operations stopped by GGMC

Former deputy mayor among tax defaulters

By Svetlana MarShall

Sixty-one-year-old Mary Hernandez will appear in the Supreme Court on Tuesday October 22 on behalf of her dead great-grandfather George de Sebastani, who was sued by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for owing $11.5 million in rates and taxes from 1997 to 2013.

Sebastani was the former deputy mayor of Georgetown at the time of his death in 1966. He was also the owner of a funeral parlor, which was operated from his Queenstown residence.

Hernandez, who is now the owner of Lot 235 Albert and Forshaw streets, Queenstown told Guyana Times, during an exclusive interview, that following Sebastani’s death in 1966 and the subsequent death of his grandson Renwick W Lee in 2004, the property was handed down to Hernandez before her father, George Lee, died in 2007.

Payment plan

Presenting a collection of letters, receipts and documents, Hernandez told Guyana Times that in 2005, she wrote the Georgetown municipality concerning her family’s indebtedness to the council, seeking a payment plan but to no avail.

In the letter dated September 2, 2005 which was addressed to then City Treasurer Roderick Edinboro, Hernandez painted a vivid picture of the plight faced by the funeral industry, which at the time, was coupled with a high cost of living, as she pleaded for consideration.

“I appealed to the city council for consideration and until next year, 2006, to start paying. I calculate approximately to pay $800,000 per year...,” a portion of the letter read.

After receiving no response from the municipality, she again wrote but this time to Mayor Hamilton Green on November 23, 2006.

In the letter she proposed to pay $300,000 as a down payment on the debt and $80,000 per month subsequently but this proposal was rejected.

The third and final letter was written on October 21, 2011.

Addressing then Town Clerk Yonette Pluck-Cort, Hernandez explained in detail her concerns. But this

time she had already commenced payments to the council. Receipts indicate that Hernandez commenced payments in 2006. To date she has paid approximately $2.9 million.

Distressed over the situation, she questioned why the council waited so long after the death of Sebastani’s grandsons to enquire about monies owed.

She further pointed out that of the $11.5 million owed, $9 million is interest accumulated from 1997.

Unable to clear debts

Although Hernandez has been paying, she said its highly unlikely that she would be able to clear the debt because of the growing interest.

Hernandez maintained her willingness to clear her great- grandfather’s debt, but said the process was hindered by the lackadaisical behaviour displayed by the council.

The mayor’s wife, Dr Jennifer Basdeo-Green has a debt of $10,145,631 owed for rates and taxes for the period 1997-2013 for her X Street, Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown property.

She is followed by a Rajpati Latchmansingh (Sandra Singh) – $9,244,124 from 1997 to 2013 for Lot 38 Cummings Street, Albertown, Georgetown; Garland Lodge – $2,491,217 from 1998 to 2013 for Lot 134 Fifth Street, Albertown, Georgetown; and Charles James – $5,299,181 from 1997 to 2013 for Lot 21 WerkEn-Rust, Georgetown. There proceedings were filed by former GGG City Councillor and Executive Member, Attorney Euclin Gomes.

Additionally, proprietor of the Kaieteur Newspaper Mohan “Glenn” Lall and opposition adviser Lallbachan Christopher Ram were also were slapped with lawsuits.

Based on documents seen by Guyana Times, Ram is indebted to the council $11.3 million for properties on Waterloo Street, Georgetown, while Lall and his wife Bhena Lall owe more than $5.6 million in taxes for a Lot 24 Saffon Street, Georgetown property.

The cases were filed by Attorney Sandil Kissoon from the Kissoon and Kissoon Law Firm on behalf of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Georgetown.

Mary Hernandez holding up a portrait of her dead great grandfather George Sebastiani who was sued by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council

Caricom, Guyana condemn DR ruling on citizenship for Haitians

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) said it is deeply concerned by the ruling of September 23, 2013, of the Constitutional Court of The Dominican Republic on nationality which modifies retroactively legislation which bestowed citizenship on persons born in The Dominican Republic during the period 1929-2010.

As a result of the ruling, which considers migrants entering The Dominican Republic since 1929 and their children born in the country as “in transit” and requires them to obtain nationality, a large number of persons who are part of the very fabric of Dominican society would be stripped of Dominican citizenship. It is estimated that some 210,000 Dominicanborn people of Haitian descent who were legally considered

Dominican and contributed, as citizens of The Dominican Republic, to the growth and development of their society, economy and politics, would be affected, rendering them stateless in violation of international human rights obliga-

tions, Caricom said in a statement.

“The Caribbean Community notes with regret that the decision goes against pronouncements of the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (ICHR) which

has repeatedly called on The Dominican Republic to adopt measures to guarantee the right to nationality in the country and to adapt its immigration laws and practices in accordance with the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights.”

Caricom said too that it is particularly concerned about the humanitarian implications of the judgment.

“The implications of tens of thousands of persons being plunged into a constitutional, legal and administrative vacuum by the ruling are a source of deep distress to those affected and one of significant disquiet for our community. The Caribbean Community calls on The Dominican Republic to adopt measures to protect the human rights and interests of those made vulnerable by this ruling and its grievous effects.”

On Tuesday, October 15, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs

Minister Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, was briefed at Takuba Lodge by His Excellency Pierre-Richard Casimir, minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Haiti on the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court of The Dominican Republic and its implications for the citizens of The Dominican Republic of Haitian descent.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, Haiti’s Foreign Affairs

Minister Pierre Richard Casimir paid a courtesy call on Minister RodriguesBirkett to lobby Guyana’s support on the issue. Minister Casimir was accompanied by Ambassador Guy Alexandre, consultant and former Ambassador of Haiti to The Dominican Republic; Jean Claude Cenatus, member of the cabinet of the foreign affairs minister and Marie Helene Sandra Tybule.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry, after the meeting,

registered its deep concern over the indiscriminate ruling. “This is a violation of the human and political rights of these citizens and the impact of the implementation of this ruling could be catastrophic. Guyana encourages The Dominican Republic to give serious consideration regarding the application of this ruling in view of the valued contribution made by these persons to the development of The Dominican Republic and more so in safeguarding their human rights,” the ministry said

“The government of Guyana calls on the relevant authorities of The Dominican Republic to respect the right to nationality and international human rights principles. Guyana stands in solidarity with its sister Caricom member state of Haiti in support of its efforts to build international consensus against this inhumane ruling.”

ECD woman wins US$3000 in TRINCHLORO SURE CASH promotion

Roopwattie Mahadeo of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara was selected from approximately 14,000 entrants in the TRINCHLORO SURE CASH promotion to cop the grand prize of US$3000.

The presentation was held on Thursday at ANSA McAL Trading Ltd, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara and Mahadeo was at a loss for words when presented with the grand prize as she thought it was US$300 and not US$3000 that she had won.

Mahadeo later related that when she received the telephone call from ANSA McAL Trading saying that her name was pulled for the grand prize, in all excitement, she did not hear clearly how much she won but just assumed that it was US$300.

The other grand winners were Rhonda George of Victoria Village who

won US$1000; Shaneeza Lochan of Herstelling Housing Scheme who won US$500 and Marilyn Simon of La Penitence and Rosaline Clarke of Albert Street who won US$50 and a three month supply of

TRINCHLORO Bleach. The TRINCHLORO SURE CASH promotion started in June and concluded October 2. Thirty winners from throughout Guyana won U.S. dollars in this grand promotion.

Hampton Court woman dies after being hit by truck

A42-year-old woman who is said to be of unsound mind, died Wednesday night after she was struck down by a canter truck on the Hampton Court, Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

In a release, police

said they are investigating the fatal accident that occurred at about 20:50h, resulting in the death of pedestrian Nalini Sasenarine.

Investigations have revealed that Sasenarine allegedly attempted to cross the road and was struck down by the truck. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Public Hospital.

The driver of the truck is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

Haiti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Richard Casimir pays a courtesy call on Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

From left: AMTL Brand Coordinator Nigel Dodson, along with the winners and other officials from the company, at the presentation ceremony on Thursday

Consultant underscores importance of customer service

JTW Management Institute Inc

Consultant/Principal

Joycelyn Williams said the issue of customer service and customer experience is a vital part of the competitiveness of a nation.

Williams was at the time addressing the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Customer Service seminar held on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown. The customer service expert also told the participants that the overall average level of customer service in Guyana is poor.

She said that inadequate attention, communication and courtesies at hospitals exist at both public and private institutions. “To be truthful, we are all guilty of some aspects of this, because we all have to keep learning and keep reminding ourselves what is good customer service,” she stated. Williams said from conversations with service providers from many organisations in Guyana, she has come to realise that there is a need for more people to improve customer service all around.

Williams said the concept has progressed far past earlier nuances of smile and greeting at the door to very deep connotations of use value, utility and respect that a country’s suppliers of products and services provide to its own consumers and to the world at large. Guyana, she said, must measure up with international standards, noting that customer service has important relevance to economic development.

Williams believes that Guyana is now more a service country, compared to years ago when it was a goods country. “Finance and insurance, education, wholesale and retail, health, social and economic services together make

Management Institute Inc Consultant/Principal

Joycelyn Williams

up the bulk of Guyana’s output. In 1992 just about 35 per cent of Guyana’s output was services. In 2012 this had risen to about 60 per cent,” she said. The sale and consumption of services involves more person to person contact and the sale and consumption of goods and attitudes, style, behavioural patterns of those delivering service is more important than for the sale of goods.

She said, “Among the service industries, I want to make special mention of the growth of call centres and tourism. About 10 years ago, the number of tourists who we served as a country was about 70,000 to 80,000. That number has more than doubled and they are now coming from more countries. Just the other day the GTA welcomed 300 Dutch tourists, giving increasing promotion of our product in neighbouring countries.”

In September, Qualfon, the largest Call Centre in Guyana, announced further expansion plans to employ another 6000 employees in another five years. This Williams said will be a group of human resources for whom behaviour and attitudes will be key in their key skills set. All of these, point to the fact that the need to be interna-

Cabinet green lights contracts for upgrade of Linden highway

The government of Guyana has granted it’s no objection for six projects totalling $330.516 million when Cabinet met on October 15.

During his post Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon disclosed that the sections of the Linden/ Soesdyke highway in the vicinity of Regions Four and 10 will be rehabilitated to the tune of $67.9 million. Additionally under the Public Works Ministry, $16.439 million will be utilised to execute emergency repairs to five log bridges along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Cabinet also granted it’s no objection for the installation of highway lights in the vicinity of Linden, Abary Bridge and

from Number 44 Village to Number 52 Village in Corentyne. This project will be executed during approximately $31.528 million. Additionally, $120.75 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation and construction of miscellaneous roads in Region six, while a bridge will be constructed at Sand Creek, Region Nine, using some $19.9 million. Under the health sector, Cabinet granted it’s no objection for the procurement of drugs for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); totalling $42.5 million while a Hybrid Catheterisation Laboratory will be constructed for the Caribbean Heart Institute to the tune of $31.499 million.

tionally competitive in customer service at the level of country will have to haul upwards.

“Guyana is a reflection of the readiness of every firm, every service provider in banking, in retail, in immigration and police, in hospitality, in our churches, mosques, temples and home, etc. It goes without saying that we have to work at the level of these micro units to raise the bar of customer experience in Guyana,” she asserted.

In short, the entire population of Guyana Williams noted, has to embrace and understand this change in attitudes and behaviour, so that the Guyana experience can become one that tourists and locals alike can readily recommend. She said people should be able to recommend others to visit Guyana because of a good customer service experience.

GPHC working to boost leadership skills

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is working to boost the work performance of its staff through phase two of the Leadership Development Programme (LDP).

The first phase of the programme was hosted by the Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction and Prevention Project, which targeted 25 managers.

According to GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan, the programme which was implemented in March of this year, addressed qualities expected from heads of departments and how they should approach staff. “We did a training programme with the staff concerning the way they speak to people, presently we’re looking at that issue at the management level but also we’re addressing it through disciplinary procedures too”, Khan highlighted.

He expressed optimism that the teachings of the leadership programme would eventually be reflected in attitudes of junior staff to-

wards clients seeking health care at the medical institution. During the workshop, facilitators helped trainees to identify workplace challenges and their root causes, affected stakeholders, and possible solutions. The process also allowed participants to build planning skills that would assist in resolving future workplace issues.

Instead of taking punitive measures, these steps are expected to help staff to use LDP problem-solving strategies to identify the underlying causes of their challenges.

However, he stressed that the visiting public and patients must make the necessary complaints with proper documentation when they experience ill treatment, before hospital officials can enforce disciplinary actions against defaulting staff.

Khan added that, “Because we cannot talk to an employee if we do not have proper documentation.” The GPHC CEO outlined that the correct documentation for complaints include the time and date of the incident experienced, as well as the nature of the issues and a name of the member of staff involved. Last year, managers at the GPHC became frustrated with chronic staff absenteeism and tardiness. They were also concerned about numerous patient complaints regarding the ill-treatment received by staff. In the past, the hospital managers penalised or fired poorly-performing staff. As a result of this, the leadership programme was implemented as a different approach to resolve these issues.

JTW

GPHC Chief Executive Officer Michael Khan

Tardy judges contributing to case backlog – chancellor … says there is urgent need for more judges

By Michael younge

The acting chancellor of the judiciary, Justice Carl Singh said there was urgent need for more judges to be appointed to deal with the increasing backlog of cases and the sloth associated with the dispensation of justice in Guyana.

His sentiments were endorsed by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, who said the executive had recognised the need for more appointments to be made to assist in improving the delivery of justice. He identified several reforms that have been piloted, as far as policy and legislation are concerned.

Justice Singh admitted in an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday that it was “humanly impossible to deal with the number of cases that have accumulated in the court”. He said Guyana has become an “extremely litigious society” as he noted the speed with which new matters and cases are being filed in the High Court.

Singh believes that by appointing more judges, issues relating to the backlog could be further addressed and there could be a rebirth of an effective judicial system. Currently, there are 18 judges in the court system.

Delays

The chancellor readily endorsed any move to boost the human resource capaci-

ty of the judiciary, acknowledging that most of the delays are caused by the direct actions of some sitting judges which he deemed “unsatisfactory”.

He said even as consideration is given to the appointment of more judges, stricter measures and action will have to be taken to ensure compliance by some sitting judges.

Singh explained too that closely linked to the delays is the question “of approach to and the work ethics of judges”. Judges are constantly reminded of the importance of timely judgements.

“I believe the time has come when we have to take a very firm view of this question as a matter of effective administration of the courts. We need not remind judges that persistent failure in the time prescribed by the legislation can result in a disciplinary issue occurring,” he warned.

Accommodation

The attorney general highlighted that over the past two years, three High Court judges and one Court of Appeal judge were appointed. “And for the first time, in approximately 30 years, we have a full complement of judges on the bench,” Nandlall stated.

He admitted that while government endorses the view that more judges need to be appointed to assist in fast tracking the delivery of justice, there are other factors that must be considered

which will not allow for an immediate intervention unless they are addressed.

“Indeed the edifice of the High Court in its current form cannot accommodate another judge and while I recognise the need for even more judges to be appointed, suitable alterations have to be made to physical infrastructure of the judiciary to accommodate new appointees. However, with the family court becoming operational soon, hopefully judges will migrate to that family court building,” he explained.

Reform

Also on the reform list is the establishment of specialised courts with jurisdiction to hear and determine specific types of cases, such as the commercial and constitutional administrative law courts. The installation of audio recording systems in the

courts would also boost the speed at which the system functions, since evidence would no longer have to be recorded in long hand by a judge.

Nandlall also expressed disappointment that the suite of legislation piloted by the executive is not being utilised as it should. He said this could also cause delays in the judicial system and must be addressed.

“The use of them (the pieces of legislation) depends largely upon the practising bar and bench. The executive cannot get involved in that process,” he declared.

Time limit

He weighed in on the concern raised by the acting chancellor about timely judgements.

“Included in the menu of legislation is the time limit for judicial decision act, which mandates a judge to deliver their written decision within six months after the conclusion of a trial and submission of counsel on both sides. Unfortunately, the record will reflect that this legislation is not finding compliance.”

“We embrace the principle that justice delayed is indeed, and in fact, justice denied. I have indicated on a number of occasions that the sloth in the judiciary requires a multifaceted approach if we are to address it successfully,” Nandlall said.

Recht-door-Zee fire started from kero stove

– children were cooking, says fire chief

Chief Fire Officer

Marlon Gentle on Thursday disclosed that the fire, which ravaged the Lot 15 Recht-door-Zee house on Wednesday evening started from a kerosene stove in the kitchen area close to one of the bedrooms.

He explained that from reports received, the children were left unattended without food, which led to them lighting the stove with the intention of cooking a meal.

He noted that there was evidence of cut-up meat being prepared for cooking when the fire officials conducted their investigations.

One of the children reportedly told fire officials that they decided to “cook a pot” on the stove.

The child claimed that after they lit the stove, they went into the yard to play and the stove exploded resulting in the entire home engulfed in flames.

Gentle explained that the fire service received the report of a fire about 17:03h and a tender from the West Ruimveldt Fire Station responded, but by the time it arrived on the scene, the house was burnt to the ground.

Not arson

Guyana Times understands that the two-storey house built by the Food for the Poor organisation was a mostly wooden structure.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle

The fire left at least eight persons, including three minors homeless. It started about 17:00h during a power failure in the area.

The owner of the home, Lorna Robertson, had initially said her house was purposely set on fire.

Robertson on Wednesday evening said she had lost everything in the fire, noting that it will be difficult to start over.

Meanwhile, the fire chief is appealing to the public to desist from starting bush fires around the country especially in this dry season.

He stated that the Guyana Fire Service has responded to several calls about fires that are sometimes purposely ignited.

Gentle also added that as a result of these fires, the service’s human and other resources are exhausted.

Guyanese boat intercepted in Barbados with drugs, ammo

The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF), along with local drug enforcement authorities, are continuing to investigate the recent drug bust on a Guyana-registered vessel Rigina, which occurred on Tuesday evening about 20:20h at Port Bridgetown.

The vessel, which reportedly left Guyana on October 12, was searched minutes after arriving at the port by members of the Royal Police Force and the Barbados Customs Excise Department.

Some 101.02 kilograms of cannabis, 20.6 kilograms of cocaine and one UZI submachine gun and ammunition were unearthed and seized.

According to information, the crew of eight Guyanese: the captain,

Churma Singh and crewmembers Lindon Hazel, Tito Moore, Trevon Peters, Berkley Crawford, Yagpaul Bissoondial, Anthony La Rose, and Cartlon La Caille – were arrested. They are expected to be charged as early as today.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Inspector David Welch of the Royal Barbados Police Force on Thursday disclosed that investigations are continuing into the drug bust, and they have contacted local drug enforcement officials to assist in the investigations.

Inspector Welch said acting on intelligence, the Rigina was searched minutes after it docked at Port Bridgetown.

The drugs and gun and ammunition were found concealed in various parts

of the vessel, including the engine room.

“The seizure was not found in the area where goods were stored,” he reiterated.

Welch added that the police have not decided whether or not charges will be instituted against all eight crew members, but was sure that some will be prosecuted as soon as today.

He said the police were up to late Thursday evening, mopping up the investigation, but all the fine details will be presented in court.

This publication understands that the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has launched an investigation into the bust and also confirmed that the vessel was under surveillance for a while.

Acting Chancellor Justice Carl Singh

Portuguese added to high school curriculum

Guyanese students will now to learn to speak Portuguese at the secondary level, as the Education Ministry on Thursday officially added the language to the curriculum, with five pilot schools kicking off the initiative.

The five schools which will commence Portuguese language training are: Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High School, St Stanislaus College, St Roses High School and St Joseph High School.

Speaking at the launch at the Theatre Guild, Kingston, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said since Brazil and Guyana enjoy close relations, persons learning Portuguese will boost these relations further and in turn, benefit both nations. “While language will never stop Guyana from enjoying relations with anyone, surely familiarity with people of Brazil will help to bolster our friendship.”

Share experiences

She noted too that the countries will be able to share experiences to further develop, pointing out that Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world. Manickchand stated that though Spanish and French are taught in schools, the country needs to examine if they are as relevant as they used to be.

She disclosed that the programme is commencing with five schools instead of six like she initially announced in May, since there are not enough teachers to

teach the language. She added that the ministry will have to introduce the language in the Cyril Potter College of Education curriculum.

The education minister said the launch of the programme is simple but significant, as students can interact with Portuguese-speaking persons hence making them more rounded.

CXC exam

She disclosed that Guyana is in preliminary talks with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) for Portuguese to be an examinable subject. She expressed hope this could occur within the next two or three years. “Don’t treat this as another course; treat it as if you will be first set of students in Caribbean that will write Portuguese at CXC and get distinctions.”

She added that the CXC registrar has already indicated its willingness to examine how it can get Portuguese on the CXC curriculum.

QC language department head Candida Williams, who assisted in formulating the Portuguese curriculum, acknowledged that the students might think that they are already having difficulties with Spanish and French and question why they have to learn Portuguese.

In seeking to convince students of the worthiness of the programme, she pointed out: “There is a large influx of Brazilians into this country and they are opening a lot of businesses here and many of you come into contact with

them… some of you hang out with them, so you want to be able to communicate with them even if it’s just the basics”. She also told the students that the subject is similar to Spanish.

She disclosed that putting together the curriculum was not an easy task, noting that the major problem was getting materials. “I searched as far as North America, the Caribbean, and South America, since I was in Chile looking for materials. We were able to source one text along with some others we received from the Brazilian embassy.”

Curriculum guide

Students will be given two work books: one for in class and one for homework along with a CD to will aid in pronunciation, while teachers will have a curriculum guide for Grade 7 broken down into three-term scheme and weekly plan of work.

They will also be given a handbook on basic Portuguese, a copy of a textbook “Everything Learning Brazilian Portuguese” with a CD.

The developers will visit the schools on a fortnightly basis to observe teachers teaching the language and make the necessary modifications. The curriculum developers will also prepare a common test to be administered in all five of the schools. The ministry is hoping to extend the programme to other schools within the next year.

Guyana must spend more fighting HIV/AIDS – UNAIDS

UNAIDS Country Coordinator Roberto Campos said one of the major challenges Guyana faces in achieving Millennium Development Goal Six – combating HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases is the need for the country to inject more local funds.

He made this observation at a special programme titled “MDG Momentum –1000 Days of Action” hosted by United Nations Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa and the UN country team in Guyana on Thursday, at Georgetown Club.

Campos noted that while the country has made significant progress in striving to meet MD Six, all of the funds utilised to make these achievements possible are coming from international sources. “This is a challenge for the near future… we need to re-establish part-

nerships and leverage domestic funds for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the country.”

He noted that another challenge is fighting stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/ AIDS, stating that this needs to be addressed. He reported that the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS in the general population is 1.3 per cent, adding that the figures are much higher among high-risk populations. “It’s around 16 per cent among sex workers, 19 per cent among homosexuals and six per cent among miners.”

Accessibility

Dr Campos said another major concern is hinterland areas and migrant people, adding that the country must look at scaling up accessibility to treatment in these areas to prevent the

spread of the disease. He said Guyana also needed to place heavy emphasis on the most vulnerable population – youths – to prevent more infections in the future.

Globally, countries are on track to accomplish this goal. Reports disclose that infection among children has dropped worldwide. Currently, 9.7 million people are on anti-retroviral treatment around the world.

In Guyana, 87 per cent of HIV-infected persons are receiving anti-retroviral treatment, while 89 per cent of mothers are in the mother-to-child transmission prevention programme. “This prevalence dropped to about 1.3 per cent in 2012, it means that Guyana is one of 10 countries in the world, which achieved the universal access for treatment and Guyana is on track to eliminate HIV child infection in 2015,” Campos declared.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand (right) with developers of the Portuguese curriculum

UN and other international organisations’ representatives at the head table, including United Nations Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa (third from left) and UNAIDS Country Coordinator Roberto Campos (second from right)

friday, october 18, 2013| guyanatimesgy.com

Seizure of seismic vessel Guyana, Venezuela agree to settle maritime boundaries

By Michael younge

The governments of Guyana and Venezuela on Thursday agreed to explore mechanisms to address the issue of maritime delimitation amid the recent standoff created when the Venezuela navy seized in Guyana’s waters, an oil explorer ship contracted to an American company .

The meeting was organised as part of efforts to overcome the impasse arising out of the detention last week of the RV Teknik Perdana seismic vessel, which was conducting an oil survey in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone. Earlier this week, the ship’s captain, Igor Bekirov, was charged by Venezuelan authorities for allegedly violating Venezuela’s security zone. The captain was then released pending trial.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and the People’s Minister for Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Elias Jaua Milano met in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday on the instructions of their presidents to advance the bilateral political dialogue in light of the recent event.

Joint statement

In a joint statement, the ministers expressed their satisfaction over the excellent relations, which have developed between the two nations under the presidencies of Donald Ramotar and Nicolas Maduro Moros. In this regard, they reiterated that dialogue and cooperation are the means for a peaceful solution of differences between states. The ministers also ratified all the points of the Joint Declaration of September 30, 2011 in Port of Spain, signed by Rodrigues-Birkett and the then Minister of the People’s Power for External Relations of the Bolivarian Republic, Nicolas Maduro Moros, where they recognised that the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between their two states remains an outstanding issue and agreed that such delimitation will require negotiations.

In this regard, Ministers Rodrigues-Birkett and Jaua agreed to explore mecha-

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her Venezuelan counterpart, Elias Jaua Milano sign the agreement while Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert

nisms within the context of international law to address the issue of maritime delimitation. They agreed that a technical team would meet within four months to exchange views on how such delimitation could proceed. Finally, both ministers expressed their appreciation for the hospitality of the government of Trinidad and Tobago in facilitating their meeting.

Guyana Times understands that Minister Rodrigues-Birkett underscored Guyana’s commitment towards abiding by the principles governing dispute resolution, international law and diplomacy, while firmly and candidly relating the government’s and the people’s position on the incident.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud was also part of the local delegation. Other members of the team include Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General Elisabeth Harper, Ambassador Rudolph Collins, Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname Keith George, Guyana’s Ambassador to UNASUR Audrey Jardine Waddell, and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Deputy Commissioner (Technical) Newell Dennison.

Indisputable

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference Thursday morning, Dr Roger Luncheon confirmed that Guyana’s case was “strong”, because it was an indisputable fact that the vessel was intercepted in Guyana’s waters.

“On the question of coordinates, remember that the vessel was engaged in seismic survey work, you recog-

nise that the reports of the seismic investigation are meaningless to save and except their precise location is identified. So all material times, the location of that ship, the coordinates were being captured second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, during this survey. So there can be no question where the vessel was when it was accosted and seized,” he asserted.

Dr Luncheon said the most pressing issue was ensuring that the vessel and crew were released, while explaining that Cabinet expected the local and Venezuelan delegations to resolve the other issues using all of the diplomatic avenues available.

Pressing need

“Issues surrounding the misguided actions of the Venezuelan military should, as has been during the periods before this incident, it should continue to be addressed bilaterally through diplomatic channels, with due attention to international norms and of course relying on the Good Officers’ facility provided by the United Nations secretary general,” he said.

The Cabinet secretary declined to pronounce on whether the actions of the Venezuelan navy were deliberate, saying it was impossible to determine its intention.

Dr Luncheon noted that Guyana’s mission in Venezuela has been playing a supportive role in the diplomatic efforts.

He does not believe that the current border issue would negatively impact the relations between the two sides once a resolution is met.

Govt’s housing policy fully transparent – Ali

...rubbishes

Ramjattan’s accusations about lack of transparency

By Michael younge

There is no lack of transparency or skulduggery taking place as far as the allocation of lands for housing development is concerned, even as the Housing Ministry pursues partnerships with private contractors and housing developers.

This is the position of Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali as he ably defended government’s housing policy against what he described as “baseless” assertions and attacks by Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan.

Ali told Guyana Times during an exclusive interview on Thursday that while he is not surprised or shocked by the comments attributed to Ramjattan in a spurious Kaieteur News article on Tuesday, Guyanese must understand the extent to which some politicians will go to achieve relevance.

The housing and water minister wasted no time in pointing out that “Ramjattan was seeking to politicise a very important issue”. He set the record straight and presented the facts on the policy that governs the Housing Ministry’s involvement with private contractors and land developers.

“It is also noteworthy for us as policymakers and for the public to know that Guyana’s housing programme has been selected by many stakeholders in the region as a model that should be adopted…. We stand proudly by the housing development and housing policy that we have adopted,” he said.

Public-private partnerships

Minister Ali said it was no secret that the ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has embarked on a campaign of building public-private partnerships with critical stakeholders. This is because the planning authority understands the importance of housing development and the direct impact it has on the socio-economic development of all Guyanese, regardless of their political affiliation, class or ethnicity.

He explained that the

private developers were selected to develop land specifically for housing via the publication of notices seeking expressions of interest.

“Most of these developments target the middle-income and high-income markets. In this regard, less than 400 acres of the total land mass of the East Bank development has been allocated to private developers. The assertion that private developers are taking over the housing programme or are being treated preferentially is one that has no basis,” he stated.

The resources garnered from these developers are used as a tool of cross-subsidisation, which ensures there is balance in the market whereby resources from the top end are used for development of the lower end.

Ali stated that the invitation for expressions of interest for private housing development on the East Bank Demerara has seen 14 companies submitting proposals. These companies are Windsor Tech Inc, Navigant Builders Inc, Queensville Housing Development, A and R Jiwanram Printery Inc, Buddy’s Housing Development, Ray Dan Housing Enterprise, DC Construction/Comfort Sleep, Caricom General Insurance Inc, Romell Jagroop General Construction Services, Lakeville Executive Homes Inc, Mr Gentle P Elias & Mr Brian Chase, Chung’s Global Enterprise, Hi Tech Construction Inc, and PREMBURY Consultants T&T Ltd.

“Primeness” of land vs “future value”

“The first issue relates to pricing or, in Mr Ramjattan’s words, the primeness of lots…. Let us take as an example the Diamond Housing Scheme. A lot that was allocated for $92,000 is now worth between $5 million and $8 million. This is because of what is termed the “future value” of land,” Minister Ali explained.

“How do we determine the value or primeness of lots? Let us say, for example, that you are investing in a property that has an opportunity of future value because of an alternative access road.

Now, if you look at the present value, you might deter-

mine that living closer to the existing East Bank highway is of prime value; however, if you look at the future value, which the alternative highway will have a significant impact, you may determine that the future value of living closer to the alternative highway gives your property greater primeness having regard to the market forces,” he stressed.

Complex development

The housing minister admitted that the East Bank development is very complex and one cannot simply ascribe it as prime land, because of the location. He stated that infrastructure work on East Bank Demerara has already tremendously raised the equity value of homes located there.

Government housing programme carries a subsidy ratio of between 70 per cent and 700 per cent, depending on the area and income earned by allottees.

The minister made reference to several other partnerships, including with banking institutions, and professionals, while outlining the guidelines governing the ministry’s interactions with stakeholders.

The first phase of the East Bank development has a total of 1800 acres of land. The ministry has developed and allocated more than 2400 lots for commercial and residential purposes, and will allocate another 3100 house lots before the end of 2013.

Upcoming disaster management exercise to test broad-based responses – HPS

The national disaster simulation exercise “Operation Floodgate” will be conducted by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) from October 21 to 25. According to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, the exercise will take place in Regions Four, Five, Six and Nine, “Essentially, the ex-

ercise will be testing the function of the disaster risk management responses and these will include the activation and deactivation of national and the regional emergency operating centres.”

Dr Luncheon, who also holds the post of national disaster response coordinator, added that the event will also examine the over-

all effectiveness of shift handovers and other procedures essential for the effective running of the emergency centres. The role of the media will also be examined during this period ,which will see “Operation Floodgate” being conducted in three phases. The simulation aspect will be based on flooding due to increased rainfall

and extra-high tides, said Dr Luncheon, “and the activation of the emergency operating centres, in response and their actions to minimise the flood. The second phase will test the functioning of the system in response to a full-blown flood and this would include relocation, it would include the management and the collaboration between

the central Civil Defence Commission and its regional partners. Phase three will deal with procedures, reviewing the efficiency with which the procedures to deal with deactivation and management of the aftermath of the flooding” were implemented.

Reports on the exercise will be compiled and submitted to the national di-

saster response coordinator and Cabinet for consideration. The CDC has trained more than 300 persons from several regions in disaster risk management, shelter management, damage assessment and needs analysis and emergency operations centre management at the commission’s office in Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali

Persaud looks on

SUDOKU

thursday's solution

By Bernice Bede Osol

You’ll be torn between what you want to do and what you are being asked to do. Offer to take on more if it will ensure that you get to do both.

AQUARIUS

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

You may need to make a sudden change of direction. Your emotions will not lead you astray. Follow your heart and engage in whatever activity promises to get you closer to your goals.

Press for what you want. Don’t hold back and don’t give in. The more direct you are, the better you will do. Your intuition is acute and will help you make the best choice.

Complete domestic errands and proceed to take care of your needs. A trip or outing with a close friend with will enhance your life and brighten your future.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

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

Ask, and you shall receive. Figure out what you want and lay down some ground rules. You’ll be surprised by the response you receive. Get everything in writing.

(March 21-April 19)

Don’t veer off in different directions. It’s important to stick to whatever you are working on until you finish. A special reward awaits you if you honor a promise.

(April 20-May 20)

A secret can have an impact on an important decision. Do whatever it takes to uncover information that is sensitive in nature. Your intuition, coupled with persistence, will pay off.

(May 21June 20)

Initiate a plan and watch everything unfold before your eyes. Don’t expect everyone to be happy with your actions, but it will help you weed out who is on your side and who isn’t.

An unexpected change in your physical, emotional or financial situation can be expected. Protect your mind, body and soul along with your assets. Preparation will help avert loss.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Not everyone will look out for your best interests. Take a hands-on approach when dealing with knowit-alls. Overreacting and indulgence should be controlled.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Your talent and ability to get a job done in an innovative manner will win favours as well as enhance your reputation. You’ll be called upon to do something special, so be prepared.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Look before you leap. Excitement and adventure may be beckoning, but so will danger, delays and unfortunate consequences. Stick close to home, where your efforts will be appreciated.

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

arCHie

dilbert

In less than 24 hours, the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara is expected to be packed to capacity when the Redemption Concert is held.

The concert will feature International R&B Singer, R Kelly, ,who will be the headlining act, along with Jamaican Reggae Group, Morgan Heritage and Trinidad’s hottest band, Kes the Band.

live at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday evening.

Trinidad’s JMC 3Veni will be replaced with Trinidad’s Number One Crossover Band, Karma featuring, Ravi B; Nesha B and Gregory. They will be performing

Number 63 Beach will come alive

this Sunday when the third annual

Digicel Duck Curry competition is held, which will see winners walking away with over $600,000 in cash and other prizes.

To date, over 20 groups and individuals have confirmed their participation at the event. These include persons from across the country, including Berbice and Demerara.

Persons wishing to participate in the competition must bring a minimum of 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) of duck meat. All participants are allowed to clean and cut their ducks at home, but the meat must be

There are also ongoing talks with other artistes who are expected to be added to the Redemption Concert cast. R Kelly is due to arrive in Guyana this afternoon while his advance team is already on the ground looking at all logistical arrangements.

Those who already have their general admission tickets are fortunate since new prices has been regulated and will now cost $5000 and the VIP which previously cost $20,000 will now be increased to

$25,000. Tickets purchased for the August 21 Jamzone Super Concert are still valid.

The concert will be held at the National Stadium with VIP accommodations on the field and General admission patrons will be seated in the stands.

marinated and cooked at the venue.

Participant must also bring their cooking utensils and ingredients. A ready to use stove will be provided by the promoters. Registration forms can be uplifted at Digicel stores in New Amsterdam, Rose Hall and Corentyne and the company’s main office, Fort and Barrack streets, Kingston, Georgetown. The competition starts at 11:30h.

As the sun sets, the stage show commences with some of the best in chutney and soca music. These include the 2012 International Chutney/Soca Monarch, Kris Persad and the JMC 3Veni

Band and Guyanese Soca sensation, Michelle “Big Red” King. There will also be Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones to spice things up with some of his outrageous jokes. The stage show starts at 17:00h.

Make sure to come and be ready to party to the vibes and have an entire day filled with fun and laughter. There will also be a number of games for children, including bouncy castle, trampoline, merrygo-round and face painting, among others.

Music will be provided by Crown Vibes International. The event is sponsored by Banks DIH, Sol Gas and Digicel. Admission is absolutely free.

Do you know an Angel’s Secret????? Come find out at the sexiest Halloween party – “Thriller Fallen Angels” – at the Princess Hotel poolside on October 26.

Last year, Pulse entertainment hosted one of the wildest Halloween parties where patrons were given the opportunity to sail on the high seas with the majestic Black Pearl. However, this year Pulse is making Heaven here on Earth with fallen angels. Experience heaven-like décor with the Angels hovering among the clouds and shining stars as patrons sit in heaven's VIP section.

Advance tickets for the event cost $2500 while VIP tickets cost $7000 but for the first time there will be “free drinks for

As fans excitedly await the moment R Kelly steps on to the stage of the Guyana National Stadium, organisers have added yet another name to the cast, Rkhty.

This songstresses’ voice exudes a soothing energy that brings intrigue to the listener. This Brooklyn-bred college graduate with undeniable pride in her Guyanese heritage, has been a child of her culture and music since the beginning of her singing career.

As she seeks to make her mark in the entertainment industry, she hopes to follow the golden standards set by the giants who have preceded her.

Other acts scheduled to perform live at the Redemption Concert are Morgan Heritage, Kes the Band, Karma the Band and R&B Legend R Kelly.

Rkhty’s catalogue of music and influences range from Sarah Vaughn to Nina Simone, Jim Reeves to Stevie Wonder and the Mighty Sparrow just to name a few. With inspiration drawn from a wide array of musical influences and personal experiences, Rkhty proves to be the voice of a rice heritage and brilliant past with her unique contemporary sound.

These early bird tickets last up to October 24 and afterwards patrons will pay $3000 for general admission and $10,000 for the VIP experience. All costumes will be allowed into the venue.

Meanwhile, purchase any pair of shoes from Shoe Heaven from Monday, October 21 and get a free ticket to “Thriller Fallen Angels” sexiest Halloween Party!!! Tickets are available at Glamour Designer Brands (only vip ticket reseller); Gizmos and Gadgets; Shoe Heaven; E-Networks; Giftland OfficeMax; Princess Hotel (front desk); Seeta’s Bar; Ashmin’s Trading; Movietown DVD Club; Lifestyles Boutique and Street Styles. The event is sponsored by Banks DIH; XM Rum; Gizmos and Gadgets/Glamour Designer Brands; Shoe Heaven; Chand’s Printing; E-Networks and others.

Nine to vie for Miss NGSS title

Nine young ladies will be vying for the title of Miss North Georgetown Secondary School (NGSS) when the inaugural pageant is held on October 26.

The delegates were recently unveiled to the public at a simple, yet sophisticated affair at the Pegasus poolside, Kingston, Georgetown. The delegates competing on pageant night are

Jehoshebeth Ferdinand, Jahdiel Harry, Shania Olton, Cindy Khan, Johnali Stewart, Zhoria Wilburg, Yonella Burkett, Nikita Bhoopa and Regena Lall. They will be competing

in the introduction, talent, intelligence based on platform, evening gown and the final question segments. The pageant is slated for Saturday October 26, in the auditorium of

the said school. Apart from the pageant, there will be a fair that will commence at 11:00h while the anticipated pageant will start at 19:00h sharp. Patrons will be asked to

Meet the delegates

number one

Name: Jehoshebeth Ferdinand

DOB: January 5, 1999

Hometown: Plaisance, ECD

Hobbies: Reading, singing and interacting with people

Platform: Neglect of children

Ambition: Lawyer

Name: Cindy Ann Khan

DOB: October 14, 1998

Hometown: Enterprise, ECD

Hobbies: Researching, listening to music and discovering new things

Platform: Child protection

Ambition: Justice of the Peace

Name: Jahdiel Jedidah Harry

DOB: September 7, 1998

Hometown: Lethem, Region

Nine

Hobbies: Athletics, dancing and being adventurous

Platform: Eradication of sexual abuse among children

Ambition: Lawyer

Name: Yonella Burkett

DOB: March 12, 2000

Hometown: Lodge

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, modelling and dramatic poetry

Ambition: Accountant

Name: Johnali Stewart

DOB: November 17, 1998

Hometown: Durban Lodge

Hobbies: Reading, dancing, singing and adventure tours

Platform: Child abuse Ambition: Lawyer

Name: Nikita Natasha Bhoopa

DOB: June 15, 1998

Hometown: Kitty

Hobbies: Reading, dancing, interacting and playing squash

Platform: Animal cruelty

Ambition: Pharmacist

pay $300 to be admitted to the fair while they will pay $500 to gain entry to the pageant. The Caribbean’s Hot Shot Band will be heating things up with their versatile singers.

Name: Shania Olton

DOB: October 15, 1999

Hometown: Lodge

Hobbies: Contemporary dancing, singing acting and writing

Ambition: Author

Name: Zhoria Wilburg

DOB: December 28, 1998

Hometown: Melanie, East Coast Demerara

Hobbies: Reading, dancing, and interacting with people

Platform: The prevention of mobile phones in schools

Ambition: Midwife

Name: Regena Lall

DOB: November 16, 1998

Hometown: Cummings Lodge

Hobbies: Reading, interacting and travelling

Platform: Domestic violence

Ambition: Air Hostess/flight attendant

“The Wickedee Show” for HJ radio

its and Jams Entertainment is pleased to announce that popular radio host and entertainer Malcolm Ferreira has been added to the 94.1 radio team! Malcolm will be joined by Deejay Ackeemon on “The Wickedee Show”, which will premiere on October 21,

Malcolm has been in broadcast radio for over 10 years but has catapulted to the scene in recent years with his racy topics on love, sex and relationships. Also an entertainer, Malcolm has various hit songs under his belt: “Wickedee”

(a collaboration with Lisa Punch), “Independent ladies” (a collaboration with Tennicia De Freitas) and “Popular” (a collaboration with GTT Jingle and Song Competition 2011 winner Brandon Harding).

When asked about the move to HJ 94.1, Malcolm said it was “bitter-sweet” since his stint at the previous radio station was very fruitful. He continued, “I am extremely excited about joining the Hits and Jams team and I promise to provide listeners with a high quality show that will keep them on the edge of their seats.”

“The Wickedee Show” will deal with hot topics that include (but is not limited to) relationships and social issues. Fans of the show will be given the opportunity to initiate discussion, defend their points, share life lessons and find solutions with guidance from a panel of specialists. Deejay Ackeem promises to maintain the trend of the boom deejays by mixing hit songs from the past, present and future. Tune in for “The Wickedee Show” with Malcolm and Deejay Ackeem – Monday through Friday from 14:00h16:00h – on 94.1 Boom FM.

Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

SAT/AP/CXC/IGCSE English classes, personalized tutoring. Phone: 6124821 after 4pm, 274-0437 after 7pm.

Learn to play the guitar, keyboard, drums, and train your voice at Foundation 7. Phone: 225-1151 or 617-4200.

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

YELLOW PAGES

friday, october 18, 2013

Learn transcendental meditation and reduce stress and anxiety, develop full brain potential, increase focus and memory, be healthier & happier, increase energy, vitality and longevity, enjoy more success in life, improve relationships and develop higher states of consciousness. A technique that works for everyone. For next introductory lecture on October 10, contact Ashoke (certified TM teacher) Phone: 233-6921, 6093701. Email kashokejp_68 2yahoo.com askgeneration

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

Are you suffering from abnormal behaviors, addictions, stresses, or psychosomatic sickness? Feeling suicidal, low self-esteem, loneliness, unloved, anger, conflicts and relationship problems? For appointments call 592-621-0552. 12:00pm -6:00pm, Email: healthworldhc@gmail.com

Immigration & Visa Services We han

dle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa mat

ters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates. Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

U.S. Green Card Lottery 2013. We are now accepting entries for the Annual Green Card Lottery sponsored by the U.S. Government. Enter now for a chance to become a permanent resident of the USA. Closing date November 2, 2013. Contact Balwant Persaud Immigration and Visa Services 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings and Light Sts.) Tel: 225-1540, 655-3105, 622-8308

Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 662-1247.

J Eastman & Associates Financial Services: Taxation, VAT Compliance, Accounting & Consultancy, and Cash Flow Projection. Address: 190 Church St, S/Cburg (East of Austin’s Book Store) Phone: 662-7467, 223-2105 House plans starting at $9,000 Phone: 674-0725, 266-2154.

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Suriname astrology palmist and Djuka healer. The most powerful spiritualist in the world. Are you suffering from the following problems? (any religions) love, marriage, family, health, business, husband and wife relationships, property, court, children, promotion, visa, pregnancy, education, depression, job, sexual, jealousy, enemy, money, drinking, also you can have all evil forces destroyed such as black magic, witchcraft, voodoo, obeyah, etc, and gives powerful protection. Private and confidential. Phone: 674-2112.

Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationship, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 10AM - 4PM. Tel: 592-6901824. Email:anew-life@live.com

UNFURNISHED, MEADOW BROOK GARDENS, MR NARAINE. PHONE: 696-8230

Two-bedroom self contained apt. Caneville, Grove. PHONE: 6691954

House at Lamaha Gardens, hot & cold water, A/C, etc. Call 219-4535

Two modern apartments at Campbellville, hot & cold water etc. Call: 219-4535

One customs clerk with at least three subjects CXC including English Language, mathematics. Applicant must be computer literate. Please submit application before the October 11, 2013 to email: windsortechhomes@ gmail.com or call 669-6874 or 682-3481

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1 Bedford truck. Phone: 616:0617, 663-3285.

Vacancy exists for two cashiers/ office clerks and two porters, cashiers/clerks must be literate, apply in person with written application to May’s Shopping Centre, 98 Regent Street, Georgetown. Urgently needed! One plot of land in Parfaite Harmonie, Herstelling and Eccles. Phone: 675-7292

GFW opens on Sunday with spectacular lineup

Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) begins its spectacular run of showcases on Sunday, October 20 at Parc Rayne (Rahaman’s Park) and will conclude on October 27.

The event will begin with a wonderful showcase of fashion, food and fusion music. It’s ‘Cuttin’ Style’, presented in collaboration with Carnegie School of Home Economics.

The event would feature the culinary skills of the chefs, who will be paired with GFW designers to come up with wondrous synergies of fashion and food themed through truly imaginative concepts and backed up by eclectic strains of jazz music by Ras Camo.

This year, the production would include a string of workshops catering to ancillary elements of the creative arts.

A music workshop conducted by Ronnie Morris, founder and director of the prestigious Barbados Music Awards, a dance workshop led by the very talented Broadway star Shakira Marshall, a hair seminar done by regional hair educator and stylist Essenese Sambury, styling and confidence awareness by

Caribbean’s Next Top Model (CNTM) fashion guru Richard Young will all be a part of this year's event.

Photography will be provided by international photographer Donn Thompson. These are just some of the informative and enlightening by-products of this year’s inaugural fashion week.

Adding spunk to the model cast are Arti Cameron, Miss Guyana World 2011; the face of GFW 2013, Athaliah Samuel who is Miss Trinidad and Tobago World 2013/ National Director Miss Trinidad and Tobago World; and finalist of CNTM, Ayana Whitehead – second runner-up, Miss Guyana Universe 2013 –and winner of the face of JQ Rodney Bay Mall, St Lucia.

Accompanying her is Jarron Alexander, known as spoken word poet Crayon Noir, who is the winner of the male face of JQ Rodney Bay Mall.

Also on the cast are regional models from Suriname, Barbados, Trinidad and St Lucia. These models would be lined up with the best of Guyanese model talent – Meleesa Payne, Royan Abrams; winners of Guyana

Search Jamain Victor, Tyrone Hamid, Yohlanda Kerr and runners-up John Gibbons, Paul Charles, and Akeisha Joseph. Designers from Trinidad, Suriname, and Antigua, as well as Guyanese designers living abroad, are all flying in to diversify the range of collections presented this year. Performing talent would be aplenty, colouring the showcases and heightening the calibre of the event, making it all inclusive as well as far reaching in scope. The lineup of local talent is magnificent and multi-faceted, says creative director of GFW, Richard Young. The designers have upped the ante and would be presenting Caribbean meets South American style, imbued with Guyanese flair and possessing international appeal. The public is invited to attend a performing arts showcase on Monday at 19:00h at Parc Rayne. Admission is free. Tickets for GFW event are available at Courts; Nigel’s Supermarket; Giftland; Amanda's Bridals, Regent Street; and Sonia Noel Designs, Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Genesis Fitness “Zumba Pink Party” for October 30

Show off your dance moves and help fight Breast Cancer! Come out and join the Zumba revolution!

Gather your workout gear and meet us at the tennis court of the Transport and Harbour Ground, Woolford Avenue on October 30 for Genesis Fitness Express’ 2nd annual Zumba Pink Party. This one-of-a-kind event, which is being held this year under the theme, ‘Fighting Breast Cancer one dance step at a time’, is aimed at raising awareness and getting more people to support this worthy cause.

Three qualified instructors will host the event, which saw attendance last year from over 120 participants both young and old. This time around, the organisers

are promising two hours of electrifying, body-energising, feel-it-to-the-core dancing to various genres of exciting

Mark your calendars! Invite your sons, daughters, mothers, sisters, brothers and friends to come out and support this very worthy cause.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Guyana Cancer Association. Zumba Pink Parties are held all across the world every year to raise funds and spread knowledge that will lead to earlier detection, which is associated with higher longterm survival rates. The event commences at 17:00h and the admission fee is $1000.

VaCaNCiEs

Model

GDF athletics championship billed for Monday

The Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) annual athletics championship is set for Monday at the GDF ground, Camp Ayanganna.

The event is set to pit the bases with the force against each other in an event to field a formidable team for the Inter Services Athletics

Championships (ISAC) also known as Joint Service, which is scheduled for November at the said venue.

The week long activity, which will conclude on Friday, will see some of Guyana’s top athletes going against each other in an effort to regain the title they lost to the Guyana

Police Force last year at the ISAC.

Quincy Clarke is expected to make a return at the event in the men’s 100 metres after missing a year of competition, due mainly to various injuries.

The event and the GDF will sorely miss sprinter Rupert Perry who was

the top 100 and 200 metres sprinter in the nation last year after he suffered a motor cycle accident and has been sidelined since.

However, competition at the event is still expected to be keen and exciting and a full preview of what is expected come November at the ISAC.

Braithwaite wins second Recorded Shoot

Reigning Guyana and Caribbean individual shooting champion, Lennox Braithwaite, was back in winning ways when he won last weekend’s Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) second Recorded Shoot at the Timehri Rifle ranges.

Braithwaite, shooting in ‘X’ Class, dropped only two points in the match held at the 300, 600 and 900 yards ranges for an overall aggregate of 118 points with 12 V-bulls from a possible 120 points amidst hot conditions with the wind changing direction and intensifying at very short notice.

The defending champion shot a possible 50 points with six V-bulls at 300 yards and was also bang on target at 600 yards with a possible 35 points with four V-bulls, while he dropped two points

at 900 yards for a score of 33 points with two V-bulls

Ransford Goodluck, who won the first Recorded Shoot two weekends ago, finished second with 117 points with 12 V-bulls. He recorded 48 points with three V-bulls at 300 yards, a possible 35 points with five V-bulls at 600 yards and 34 points with four V-bulls at 900 yards.

National captain Mahendra Persaud was third with 115 points with 10 V-bulls.

He shot 49.5 at 300, 34.3 at 600 and 32.2 at 900 yards.

National Vice-captain Dylan Fields was fourth with 109 points, comprising scores of 45.1, 31.00 and 33.00, while Inspector Dane Blair was fifth with an

overall 101 points and five V-bulls and scores of 42.4, 27.0 and 32.0 at the three ranges.

Charles Deane recorded 98 points with five V-bulls at ‘O’ Class with scores of 44.3, 30.0 and 24.2. Lt. Col. Terrence Stuart was also in contention, but retired due to technical problems with his equipment, while debutant Sherwin Felicien had his first taste of competition. There will be another Recorded Shoot on Sunday at the Timehri Rifle ranges starting at 10:00 hours as preparations continue for the three-day National Championships billed for Saturday November 10, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th at Timehri.

McDermott returns to Australia coaching team

Former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott has been recalled to coach Darren Lehmann’s backroom staff ahead of the winter Ashes series.

McDermott, 48, quit his job as Australia’s bowling coach last year, but now returns as Test bowling coach.

The first match of the five-Test series between Australia and England starts in Brisbane on November 21.

McDermott said: “I’ll work as hard as possible to prepare our bowlers for the challenge ahead.”

The Queenslander, who took 291 wickets in 71 Tests for Australia between 1984 and 1996, added: “I’m very happy to be in a position to

join the Australian coaching set-up again and I look forward to working closely with Darren Lehmann. “There is obviously a huge focus on regaining the Ashes this summer.”

McDermott cited a busy schedule as the reason for his departure last May.

Four months later, he coached Ireland’s bowlers for the World Twenty20. Ali de Winter - who was

Misbah-ul-Haq leads hosts to victory

Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan ended South Africa’s 15-match unbeaten run with a seven-wicket victory in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

Chasing 40 to beat the world number one side on day four, Pakistan wobbled on 7-3 before completing only a fourth ever victory over the Proteas.

South Africa had previously been bowled out for 249 and 232, either side of centuries from Khurram Manzoor and Misbah-ulHaq taking Pakistan to 442.

In their last Test match, Pakistan lost by 24 runs to Zimbabwe.

Misbah’s side had also been whitewashed 3-0 in South Africa in February, but they continued a fine run of form in the United Arab Emirates - their adopted home after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore in 2009.

Since then, Pakistan are unbeaten in nine matches in the UAE - a streak that includes the 3-0 whitewash of England in 2012.

Victory over the Proteas was delayed by the efforts of AB De Villiers and Robin

appointed as McDermott’s replacement in August 2012 - will look after Australia’s bowlers for the one-day and Twenty20 internationals.

Lehmann believes the split approach will give McDermott more time to help Australia wrestle back the Ashes urn from England, who retained them this summer with a 3-0 series win.

“It’s great that Craig is now in a position to be involved again,” said Lehmann.

“It also means we are able to allow Ali to focus on the limited overs formats ahead of the ICC World T20 and 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup which are coming up quickly.” (BBC Sport)

South Africa 1st innings 249

Pakistan 1st innings 442

South Africa 2nd Innings

Smith st A Akmal b Ajmal 32

Petersen c A Akmal b Irfan 17

Amla c A Akmal b Zulfiqar Babar 10

Kallis lbw b Junaid Khan 0 AB de Villiers c Masood Khan b Junaid Khan 90

Steyn b Zulfiqar Babar 7

Duminy lbw b Junaid Khan 0

du Plessis c and b Ajmal 9

Peterson not out 47

Philander c A Akmal b Ajmal 10

M Morkel c and b Ajmal 0

Extras (2-nb, 4-b, 4-lb) 10

Total (all out, 82.4 overs) 232

Bowling: Irfan 13-1-42-1, Junaid Khan 18-1-57-3, Ajmal 32.4-774-4, Zulfiqar Babar 19-6-51-2

Peterson, who at least ensured Graeme Smith’s side avoided an innings defeat. The tourists began the final day on 72-4 - still 121 short of making Pakistan bat again - and slipped further into trouble at 133-6 when Faf du Plessis drilled at off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took a fine return catch. De Villiers, though, found an ally in Peterson for a busy stand of 57, only for the wicketkeeper to fall 10 short of a century, driving Junaid Khan to Shan Masood Khan. Peterson’s defiance continued, but with Ajmal wrapping up the tail for four wickets in the innings and seven in the match, Pakistan were facing a meagre target. They stumbled as Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn tore through the top three, but Misbah, supported by Younus Khan, led his side to victory on 28 not out, sealing the win by hitting Peterson for six.

Pakistan lead the twoTest series 1-0, with the second match beginning in Dubai on Wednesday. (BBC Sport)

Fall of wickets: 38 (Petersen), 57 (Smith), 58 (Kallis), 72 (Amla), 104 (Steyn), 109 (Duminy), 133 (du Plessis), 190 (AB de Villiers), 232 (Philander), 232 (M Morkel)

Pakistan 2nd Innings

Manzoor c AB de Villiers b Philander 4 Masood Khan c AB de Villiers b Philander 0 Azhar Ali c Kallis b Steyn 3 Y Khan not out 9 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 28 Extras (1-lb) 1

Total (for 3 wickets, 13.5

Rupert Perry Quincy Clark (right)

Lennox Braithwaite

Craig McDermott

Bigger, better Guyana Softball Cup III set for November 8-10

– 24 teams to battle for lucrative prizes

By Avenash Ramzan

The highly anticipated third annual Guyana Softball Cup will be held on November 8-10 with 24 teams from Florida, New York, Toronto and Guyana set to do battle for lucrative prizes, amounting to $1.8 million in cash, along with trophies and medals.

Speaking at the launch on Thursday in the main pavillion of the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, executives of the organising body- the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA)- revealed that the three-day competition is expected to be bigger and better with a high level of rivalry anticipated among the teams.

Preliminary action in the competition will take place on November 8-9 with the grand finals of the two categories- the Open 20/20 and the Masters 20/20- set for November 10 at the GCC

ground, Bourda.

During the two days of preliminary action, which will comprise 36 games, the venues will be the GCC, Police, Sport Ministry, Demerara Cricket Club, YMCA and Education Ministry grounds.

In the Open 20/20 competition, which was won last year by the New York Softball Cricket League All Stars, the teams will battle for a first prize of $800,000 and a massive trophy, with the runner-up team carting off $200,000 and a trophy.

The Man-of-the-Match in the final will be the recipient of a trophy, while the player of the tournament will receive a gold bracelet, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery.

In the Masters 20/20 segment, of which Savage XI of Guyana are the defending champions, the participating teams will vie for the coveted prize of $600,000 and a trophy, with the losing finalist having to settle for $150,000 and a trophy. Like

the Open category, the Manof-the-Match in the championship game and the player of the tournament will receive a trophy and a gold bracelet respectively.

On November 10, prior to the two category finals, there will be three female exhibition games, featuring four of the leading teams on the distaff side.

Two semi-finals will be followed by a grand final, with the winner pocketing $50,000 and the loser $25,000. The MVP will collect $5,000 and a trophy.

While admission to the venue for the first two days is free, a fee of $500 will be charged per patron on the final day, with the first ball set to be bowled at 10:00 hours.

Corporate support

The competition is being organised by the GFSCA, and Lalta Gainda, speaking on behalf of president Ramchand Ragbeer, who was unavoidably absent,

said they are pleased to welcome their regular group of sponsors, who have stuck with the tournament during the past three years.

He highlighted the fact that with 12 of the 13 sponsors renewing their commitment from the first two years, it is a clear indication that the tournament has been embraced by corporate Guyana, adding that the GFSCA is forever grateful for such support.

Gainda noted that such collaboration has catapulted the growth of the competition, noting that the GFSCA is looking to host the finals at the National Stadium in 2014.

He also used the opportunity to remind the gathering, which included representatives of the various sponsors and executive members of the GFSCA, that the association is more than just a promoter of softball cricket, but an avid contributor to charitable work.

Chairman and

Coordinator of the Guyana Softball Cup, Ricky Deonarine, in explaining the format of the tournament, promised a high level of rivalry among the teams, noting that the best were selected to make this a reality.

He noted that all the teams have been preparing assidiously for the three-day event, which will feature 10 teams from North America and 14 from Guyana.

In the Open 20/20 category, New York Cricket League All Stars will look to defend their title against South Florida Softball Cricket League, Ontario Softball Cricket League, Regal XI, Cotton Field Wild Oats, Berbice Titans, Trophy Stall, Wolf’s Warriors, Memorex XI, Smith’s XI and Farm XI with one of Corriverton or Speedboat XI to be confirmed.

In the Masters 20/20, Savage XI will put their title on the line against Floodlights XI, New York/

Better Hope, New York Softball Cricket League Legends, New York/Sea View, Brooklyn Legends, Ontario Softball Cricket League Masters, Industry Super Kings, Regal Masters, Parika Defenders, SCI Miami and New York President’s XI. The standby team is Success XI.

Meanwhile, at the function on Thursday, the GFSCA also launched its first ever magazine on the tournament, highlighting the first two years of the competition. The event has attracted corporate support from Top Brandz Distributors, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Trophy Stall, Survival Supermarket, Mike’s Pharmacy, Nauth’s Motor Spares, Rohan Auto Spares, Clear Waters, Steve’s Jewellery, Guyana Beverage Company, Rubis (Bel Air), Metro Office and Computer Supplies and Motor Trend.

53rd school championships fixed for November 19-22

The 53rd edition of the National Swimming, Cycling and Athletics championships, sponsored by Digicel, was on Thursday launched at the Ministry of Education (MOE) head office in Brickdam, Georgetown.

The event will commence on November 19 and conclude on November 22 at the National Stadium, Providence.

During the launch, Education Minister Priya Manickhand highlighted the importance of the event to the nation.

“We are also very clear at the Ministry of Education

that our children must be rounded children; our students must be rounded students who can compete globally. Those are the kinds of citizens we would like to be preparing and we know that we cannot do that with only an academic curriculum, and by ourselves,” Manickchand noted.

Further, Manickchand, who noted that the ministry is hoping to lodge the rural athletes at inns and guest houses instead of schools, revealed the possible changes that can be made to the mega event in coming years.

“We are currently examining with the union, which represents the teachers,

whether it is best for us to have all the sporting events happening in the first term of the schools…,” she said.

The minister added, “We are currently examining whether it may be best to have a spread out of the activities over the entire school year, both to accommodate the curriculum, as well as to keep sporting activities on the agenda for the whole year.”

With the championships being held at the National Stadium for the past three years, Manickchand explained the main reason why the event has been kept there since it was last held at the Albion Community Centre ground in 2009.

“It would be better for all involved that we could actually take the sports to every single region but we have to do what is in the best interest of our children that are going to be participating and it would make for great headlines initially if we took it to another region that couldn’t accommodate the children that we have to accommodate and the events we have to accommodate. So I’m extremely pleased that we have a facility like the National Stadium where it will be hosted,” Manickchand stated.

Events and Sponsorship Manager of Digicel, Gavin Hope, related his company’s

pleasure to be part of the event, and the fact that it will be staged at Guyana’s premier facility.

“We have seen the necessity to get onboard three years ago because Digicel is all about the improvement and the development of people, and in this case athletes, so we have been contributing and will continue to contribute to the development of this particular track meet,” Hope said.

He further stated, “We are glad that it’s being held in Georgetown because it gives the children the opportunity to participate at our premier sporting facility and we know that this

ground has the potential for our children to produce fast timings and to perform at the highest level.”

President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), Colin Bynoe, noted that while the event is being run by the MOE, with the GTU playing a supporting role; he would want it to produce Guyana’s next Olympians. Bynoe also thanked the sponsors for coming on board with the event while praising the staff of the Guyana National Stadium for their hard work.

The schools championships will open on November 19 with a colorful match pass of the participating districts.

Senior executives of the GFSCA pose with the magazine that was produced to capture events of the first two editions of the competition

By Treiston Joseph

GFSCA executives and officials of the

(Photos: Avenash Ramzan)