Guyana Times Daily

Anti-TIP P9 trainers urged to take the fight to traffickers P7 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 1886 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, September 9, 2013

Dr Gopaul moves to straighten crooked co-ops

PRICE

$60 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: P2 Police investigating armed robbery of Wakenaam businessman

See story on page 8

Court P2 upholds ban on crossdressing

New mining equipment firm opens doors in Guyana

Region Four work plan behind schedule P12

See story on page 17

Surinamese businessman Karel Dawson and his wife, Jane (left), along with Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, local businessman Captain Gerry Gouveia and other attendees, at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to open HFD Mining Supplies on Sunday

Guyana, TT in joint farming scheme See story on page 3

Toddler drowns in Pomeroon River See story on page 8

Popular P19 businessman identified as Davis’s suspected killer

2 news

monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Court upholds ban on Inter-American tourism confab cross-dressing concludes – groups to appeal decision

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cting Chief Justice Ian Chang has ruled that cross-dressing is not a crime once it is not done for improper purposes, lifting a partial ban on the practice which goes to the heart of transgender activities here.

Gay and rights activists have already indicated that they will appeal the decision, clamouring for an absolute ruling that nullifies the decades-old legislation that restricts the way people dress in this country.

Chang’s ruling last Friday afternoon was delivered in a case involving Quincy McEwan, Seon Clarke, Joseph Fraser and Seyon Persaud against the attorney general of Guyana.

Constitutional motion

The four men were charged for cross-dressing several years ago, but later through their attorneys filed a constitutional motion calling for the court to nullify the law. Section 153 (1) (XLVII) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) provision makes a criminal offence of a man wearing female attire, and a woman wearing male attire, publicly, for any improper purpose.

The acting chief justice said that cross-dressing in a public place is an offence only if it is done for an improper purpose, according to the ruling.

He also found that the police violated the human rights of the four litigants in the case during their crackdown in February 2009 when they arrested them under section 153(1) (XLVII) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act and he awarded each of the four arrested compensation of $40,000 for breach of their rights to

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang

be informed as soon as reasonably practicable as to the reason(s) for their arrests under Article 139 (3) of the Guyana Constitution.

Justice Chang also decided that section 153 (1) (XLVII) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, is immune from the constitutional challenge brought by the four transgender litigants and their supporting organisations.

As an 1893 law, pre-dating Guyana’s independence, the chief justice said “legislative rather than curial action is necessary to invalidate the provision”.

Praise, condemnation

Meanwhile, a joint release by several rights groups led by Colin Robinson of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) and manager of the CariFLAGS Secretariat based in Trinidad, praised the court’s finding that “it is not criminally offensive for a person to wear the attire of the opposite sex as a matter of preference or to give expression to or to reflect his or her sexual orientation”.

The court also found that the law applies only to “attire” and not other gendered accoutrements such as head wigs, ear rings or even shoes.

Reacting to the judgment, the first-named applicant, Quincy McEwan, better known as “Gulliver”, who is also the director of Guyana Trans United (GTU), noted that the chief justice was relatively clear that once someone is expressing gender identity, it is not criminal for a man to wear female attire.

“But the law really stifles us, because what could be an improper purpose? The trans community is very worried, and still fearful of arrests, in light of this decision,” he said. ‘The court did not clarify what improper purposes gave rise to the arrests in this case.”

The groups said in their release that the acting chief justice was not convinced that the cross-dressing law amounted to “discrimination” on the basis of gender, which would have been in violation of the Guyana Constitution.

The court ruled that the prohibition in the 1893 law is against persons of both genders for the same conduct, and as such, does not amount to discrimination based on gender.

“No locus standi”

The court also ruled that SASOD had no “locus standi” (standing) in the matter since the individual applicants brought the claim in their own names as the persons who were personally aggrieved.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Zenita Nicholson, secretary of SASOD’s board of trustees. “I feel the court lost a golden opportunity to give life to the Guyana Constitution by vitiating this 1893 law against cross-

dressing and establishing that all Guyanese are entitled to fundamental rights and freedoms, including our transgender citizens, who unfortunately will continue to be vulnerable to human rights abuses, with this dubious decision. We must appeal it,” she said.

Dr Arif Bulkan, who argued the case on behalf of the litigants, is a lecturer in constitutional and human rights law at the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Law, St Augustine campus, and a coordinator of the Faculty of Law, UWI Rights Advocacy Project (U-RAP), which has managed the litigation.

Non-discrimination

Dr Bulkan said this case raises issues of great public and constitutional importance relating to the scope of the restrictive savings law clauses in the Constitution that limit challenges to repressive colonial laws and the new provisions in the Guyana Constitution dealing with equality and non-discrimination.

He added that the legal team for the litigants looks forward to arguing these important human rights concerns before the Court of Appeal.

“In the content of our laws and details of our conduct, we must give meaning to the strong commitment in the Constitution to eliminate any and every form of discrimination in Guyana,” he said.

The case of McEwan, Clarke, Fraser, Persaud and SASOD against the attorney general was initiated four years ago following the February 2009 conviction and fine of seven individuals for violating section 153 (1) (XLVII) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act.

Police investigating armed robbery of Wakenaam businessman

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usinessman Rohan Dhanayshure, 40, of Success, Wakenaam, was shot and injured in the right shoulder during an armed robbery at his home Saturday

night.

The incident occurred around 20:00h. In a statement, police said investigations have revealed that six men armed with firearms broke into the home

and held up Dhanayshure’s daughter and son-in-law and took away an undisclosed quantity of jewellery and cash.

During this time, Rohan Dhanayshure returned

home and was confronted by the men and shot.

The armed men escaped in a boat. Dhanayshure has been admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Local Govt Ministry concerned over slow pace of regional contracts

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ocal Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud has expressed displeasure over the pace at which some contractors are executing the regions’ projects that are being implemented under the 2013 national budget.

The minister’s comment came following several rounds of inspections of the projects. Minister Persaud said too, that the ministry is not pleased that some of the regional officials are accept-

ing excuses that the contractors are proffering as many are less than plausible.

Teams from the Local Government Ministry, in addition to visiting a number of these project sites also conducted meetings with the various departmental heads in the regions. The most recent meetings were held with officials in Region Two, and prior to that, with those in Regions One and Eight.

With regard to implementation of the education

programmes in the region, Minister Persaud said that the ministry is cognisant of instances where some of the contractors who won bids to effect work on education facilities have lagged behind. He said that during the rounds of meetings, the ministry sought to reinforce to regional officials the need to take a very strong approach in ensuring these contractors complete their task as early as possible.

“If there is need to institute liquidated damag-

es, we have advised the regional executive officers and the regional education officers to so do because we cannot have these facilities not being up to standard and the school term would have commenced,” he said.

The minister also shared the view that by the end of September, there should be significant movement with regards the implementation of current and capital programmes in the regions, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

– Guyana offers to host event in 2016

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali

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ecretary of state of Honduras in the Office of Tourism, Nelly Jerez Caballero, and executive secretary for Integral Development of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Sherry Tross on Friday last closed in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the XXI Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism, the main theme of which was “Geo-tourism to benefit the communities”.

Ministers and senior officials in charge of tourism from 22 OAS member countries were in attendance in Honduras, as well as representatives of the private sector, academia, civil society and high-level experts, who emphasised the need for further cooperation and publicprivate partnerships to advance this issue in the region.

Guyana

Guyana was represented at the event by acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali and has offered serve as host in 2016.

Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a fluid dialogue on various issues such as geo-tourism, public safety and community within the framework of sustainable tourism, and sustainable management, all of them with a view to developing

specific programmes for the benefit of local communities.

The high-level tourism authorities adopted the Declaration of San Pedro Sula on geo-tourism in the Americas, which describes “geo-tourism” as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, its environment , culture, aesthetics and heritage, as well as promoting the welfare of its residents and visitors.

Within the congress, the Federation of Chambers of Tourism of Central America (FEDECATUR) and the Tourism Business Council of South America (CETUR) signed a cooperation agreement, which was also signed by the Secretary of State Jerez Caballlero as witness of honour. This agreement seeks to be the first step for business tourism integration in the Americas.

Secretary of State Jerez said in her closing statement that “geo-tourism has proven to be a tool to consolidate sustainability, community inclusion, to promote the identity of peoples and contribute to their development”.

Meanwhile, Tross said that “there is a growing recognition that tourism is an important driver of economic activity in our countries, one that creates jobs and income and boosts other productive sectors such as agriculture, telecommunications, transportation and infrastructure”.

The government of Barbados has offered to host the XXII Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism, to be held in 2014. Peru and Guyana have offered to host the XXIII and XXIV Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High Authorities of Tourism in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

ECLAC to present report on foreign trade performance in Caribbean

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ngoing weaknesses in the euro zone and an even greater slowdown predicted in emerging countries have prevented the world recovery from taking hold.

The way in which, this context impacts Latin American and Caribbean foreign trade will be analysed in the new Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) report, which will be presented on Tuesday in Santiago, Chile.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) will launch Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 20122013, which analyses the region’s foreign trade perfor-

mance in the last few months and provides a few estimates for the rest of the year.

It also examines the regional implications of megaregional negotiations.

The annual report, which is one of the most important ECLAC documents, will be presented by the Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena, at a press conference in the commission’s headquarters in Chile.

This edition of the document, which has been prepared by the ECLAC International Trade and Integration Division, will tackle issues including the weak global economy, megaregional and negotiations towards a new governance of world trade.

News

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, September 9 from 05:30h to 07:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday, September 9 from 06:20h to 07:50h.

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Heavy rain showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly at 2.68 to 1.79 metres per second.

High Tide: 06:43h and 18:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.72 metres and 2.73 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:33h reaching a minimum height of 0.56 metre.

monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana, TT in joint farming scheme T

rinidad and Tobago's Finance Minister Larry Howai is to announce today in the country’s national budget that 10,000 acres of land in Guyana will be made available for use by local farmers under the terms of a new facility to be administered by the Food Production Ministry.

The facility is the result of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Guyana which, sources last week told Sunday Newsday, Howai is to announce. Under the facility, investors will be able to apply to the Food Production Ministry for licences to use the lands in Guyana.

These applications are to be made in the form of business proposals which will be evaluated by the ministry.

The land must be used for the purposes of food production and to address demand for food locally.

It is expected that the initial amount of land to be made available will be 10,000 acres, but this could be increased to 100,000 acres.

"Jagdeo Initiative"

saturday, september 7, 2013

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Back in November last year, a team of government officials of Trinidad and Tobago led by Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj had met President Donald Ramotar to deepen discussions on the offer advanced in the "Jagdeo Initiative" to shore-up food production in the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud were also at the meeting at the Office of the President, exploring the options.

Maharaj was accompanied by Agriculture Planning Director Matthew Lee, Programme Coordinator Nigel Grimes and Deputy Permanent Secretary Myrna Thompson, all in the Food Production Minister. The Trinidad and Tobago government had given priority to Guyana’s offer to assist other Caricom countries

Flashback! This November 2012 photo shows Trinidad and Tobago Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj (fourth from left) and a team from his ministry following a meeting with President Donald Ramotar, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud in the area of food production, and had included it in the twin Island Republic’s 2012 national budget of TT$58.4 billion.

Howai was reported by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) since last year in October saying that the Kamla Persaud-Bissessar administration is looking to establish a food security facility with Guyana that would commit both governments to expand agricultural production in Guyana through the establishment of commercial relationships for funding the establishment of several large agricultural estates in Guyana.

Food security has been an issue of international concern for policy makers, facing the climate change phenomenon and the convergence of land for cultivating food solely for renewable energy purposes.

Establish facility

In the 2013 budget, Howai had noted that steps were being taken to establish such a facility. “The Ministry of Food Production, with agricultural land becoming less and less available in Trinidad and Tobago, is moving to establish a Food Security Facility with the government of Guyana,”

Howai said. “The facility would commit both governments to expanding agricultural production in Guyana through the establishment of commercial relationships for funding the establishment of several large agricultural estates in Guyana.”

The announcement of the new facility is likely to trigger debate on the question of local land-use and the accessibility of land.

Howai is also expected to note that the agriculture sector has recorded, for the first time in years, two successive periods of growth, and to underline efforts to encourage economic diversification.

It is also understood that the 2014 budget will once more focus on the vexed issue of the fuel subsidy.

Though incentives to encourage Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), fuel use did not appear to take off or make much of a dent on the overall fuel subsidy, the government is set to once more announce incentives to encourage CNG use as part of its strategy to cushion the taxpayer from the billiondollar subsidy.

The budget is to contain more aggressive attempts to

encourage changes in consumption habits, with the introduction of “CNG credits” to off-set the cost of conversion to the alternative fuel. One high-ranking cabinet source last week refused to rule out any changes to the fuel subsidy regime, which was adjusted last year with the subsidy on premium fuel being reduced, making that class of fuel more expensive.

Increased prices

The source said, however, that in the 2014 budget, the underlying principle will not result in any increased prices at the pump for the consumer, an indication that Howai could be set to maintain the status quo or introduce a marginal adjustment.

The budget will be the second for Howai, who has already hinted that the issue of pensions reform will be addressed in his presentation due at the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain at 13:30h.

Government Chief Whip Dr Roodal Moonilal on Friday agreed to defer all parliament questions due to be answered for the day, as per the convention on budget day. (Trinidad Newsday)

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 8, 2013

Views 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

Public administration

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t has long been a routine complaint among members of the public about the ineffectiveness of long lines and inefficiencies when attempting to update, collect, renew, apply for, or transfer documents requiring official approval.

It has even become a source of humour, exasperation and frustration – the tediousness and inconvenience because of this dearth of concise information, no doubt adding to the long lines and frustration among the public. Why does it have to be so?

Efficient administrations should, at best, run like clockwork, not like the chaos of the first day of school at kindergarten. Yet Guyanese experience on a daily basis the effects of administrative incompetence and apathy that reflect the ineptness of its workers, heads of departments and ultimately its systems.

Often, with no public information as to the processes necessary for official documents, persons may hop from one line to another and at the end of the day, be no further in their quest than when they first arrived – an inept process that lends itself to corruption.

Efficiency in the public sector is a crucial aspect of public administration in Guyana that must be fixed. More importantly, efficiency should not just be about how well the official department collects public funds, but must include the efficient service delivery.

One reason many public administration systems are not working as they should is their inability to adapt quickly enough to the development the country is experiencing. Old systems, which once catered for small numbers and simple processes, are now overwhelmed by the increase in public demand that follows a developing economy.

Another just as crucial factor is staff training. Many public servants have little to no training in dealing with the public, and many have little motivation to want to do so as well – the “us and them” attitude and evident lethargy of public servants when communicating with the public is well known.

Administrative policies are also to blame for the ineffectiveness of, and inefficiencies within, the public sector.

Even in well-developed administrations, the question of where the politics ends and administration begins remains a challenge, and in Guyana, that distinction is even harder to find and agree upon.

Public administration is a constantly changing field, which may also account for the inefficiencies of our systems.

Economic and socio-political changes are dynamic – constantly evolving and transforming – and may be putting today’s theories and practices off the field by tomorrow.

Administrations unable to keep up or think ahead because of a lack of qualified management are fated to provide mediocre public service and routinely play “catch-up” at best.

Increasing the efficiency and therefore effectiveness of the public service through better administration requires among other things, reducing bureaucracy and installing or modernising computerised processes that can limit or reduce the incidence of fraud or corruption, and encourage transparency to the satisfaction of the loudest of critics.

To gain the trust of its citizenry, it is necessary for public administrations to illustrate their commitment to improving the quality of their daily interactions with the public. Citizens expect professional and quality services when dealing with government’s public administrations.

Without this expectation being met, corruption, mistrust and mismanagement will continue to stymie any progress in the efficiency of Guyana’s public administrations, and keep the daily long lines going.

That said, credit must, however, be given to those government ministries and public sector agencies which have actually demonstrated signs of improvement and greater efficiency in their overall service delivery.

Indeed, there continues to be long lines, but customers do end up getting processed eventually – a far cry better now than what obtained under the government of the People’s National Congress (PNC), when corruption and mismanagement were at their pinnacle.

Colourful reflections in Buttermere in the Lake District in Cumbria, as parts of the UK enjoyed another warm late summer day (BBC News)

Carl Greenidge must rise above partisan politics Dear Editor, I was a bit bemused by vocal member of the A Partnership for Unity (APNU) Carl Greenidge, as he eloquently argued his position on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project.

In his letter, which was published recently in a local newspaper, Greenidge penned that an extended runway is needed, but not a new terminal building. I could not help but smile and shake my head at this senseless remark.

Is this man for real?

The existing CJIA facility has reached a point where airlines are complaining that they cannot process their pas-

sengers in a timely manner because there is not enough space to accommodate the equipment and staffing necessary to make this process and seamless and pleasant one.

Let’s examine this rationally – if the runway is extended it means larger transatlantic flights with more passengers frequenting the airport on a daily basis. Yet, Greenidge has not envisioned, or should I say refuse to admit, that it would create a messy situation, especially the buildup of passengers waiting to be processed.

With the current terminal building our international airport would fail miserably.

If two or three large flights

with 300-400 passengers each were to arrive almost simultaneously, the lines will meander from the arrival hall to maybe the stairs of the aircraft. That is not an exaggeration! And with no boarding bridges, the passengers would have to endure the long wait in Guyana’s sunny or rainy conditions.

I paint this realistic scenario to make this bold statement, to support a longer runway without expanding the terminal building is impractical, and that is putting it mildly.

It makes one scratch one's head and wonder if Greenidge has seriously contemplated the ramification in his mus-

ings.

And while it’s commendable that he supports the runway extension and its viability, I think Greenidge needs to seek further guidance on this industry and how it truly operates.

One would hope that this project will be looked at holistically and as a long term developmental project for Guyana.

Please, APNU and Mr Greenidge, do not continue to destroy the future of our children because of egoism and a failure to rise above partisan politics.

Sincerely, Salma Williams

When the veil is gone

Dear Editor, Guyana has recently been rocked by some startling revelations – revelations that have changed the public’s view of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and its leadership forever. These revelations concern two very tragic events in Guyana – one literally and one figuratively.

The AFC has been accusing the government and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) of all sorts of impropriety in their conduct of government’s business. From their accusations it would appear that anyone, no matter how remotely connected they are to anyone in the government or the PPP/C, should not in any way benefit from any government initiatives.

While this could be a hard and fast rule for countries of large populations such as the U.S., Guyana is a very small society and, therefore, connections and inferences can always be made. But are members of the opposition exempt?

The gross hypocrisy of the AFC has once again been exposed. Nigel Hughes, a practising lawyer of many decades, an aspiring senior counsel and president of Guyana, has to now accept that these aspirations of his will never materialise.

His blunder in relation to the Amaila Falls Hydro

Electric Project (AFHEP) proves that he cannot be trusted. He is now a public disgrace in the eyes of his colleagues and a liability to the AFC. But if anyone thinks that his conflict-of-interest position with the AFHEP is damaging, then consider his defence of one of the accused in the Lusignan Massacre murder trial, and his gross misconduct in that trial.

From what has been reported, most Guyanese, including yours truly, believe that the murder accused was found not guilty, thanks to the gross misconduct of Hughes. Imagine Hughes is claiming that he cannot remember having a lawyer-client relationship with the foreman of the jury, Vernon Griffith – a relationship that lasted six years!

Why do these guys think that they can continue to insult the intelligence of Guyanese?

Now, amnesia, especially convenient amnesia, is one disease that is incompatible with the legal profession.

No lawyer suffering from this dreaded disease should ever be allowed to practise law, just as how a doctor suffering from Parkinson’s disease is not allowed to conduct surgery. I recommend that the Guyana Bar Association look to the medical profession for some guidance in professional ethics and conduct.

This convenient amnesia that Hughes recently suffered has resulted in what I believe to be the greatest miscarriage of justice ever in Guyana. The nation was shocked when the jury returned a not guilty verdict for two men who, to every sane Guyanese, were proven guilty of murdering 11 people, including five innocent children, some of whom were sleeping.

How could this be, we all wondered, but it all became clear when it was revealed that both the foreman and Hughes failed to disclose to the judge that they had a six-year lawyer-client relationship.

The pieces then began to fall into place and the legal profession in the entire Commonwealth looked on with dismay and disbelief that one of their most respected and competent criminal advocates suffered an episode of convenient amnesia.

The door is now wide open for all manner of speculation as to the true reason for this convenient amnesia that Hughes and the jury’s foreman suffered simultaneously and in the presence of each other.

There is also another important question, which most Guyanese find extremely puzzling to answer – why the chairman of a major political party, a person who is aspiring

to be the president of a country, chose to defend a criminal who is accused of cold-bloodedly murdering innocent women and children? It is not that he had no choice. For him to say that it is his professional duty is to insult the intelligence of Guyanese.

Lawyers, unlike medical doctors, do have a choice.

What could have motivated Hughes to defend someone accused of committing hideous crimes against women and children in a society he is aspiring to lead? The result of all of this is that Hughes is now damaged property.

Personally, I think his chances at “silk” have all but disappeared. His credibility as a national leader has evaporated. His professionalism has been eroded for life. With regard to the AFC, he is now a liability and the party may never recover from the damage caused by Hughes. But where does all of this leave Moses Nagamootoo? Remember, he and Hughes have been sidelining Ramjattan?

Ramjattan must be smiling, but then the damage has been done and there seems nothing to smile about anymore.

Yours sincerely, Sundar Nauth

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 9, 2013

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

Lecture series on Hinduism NGSA must be closely parsed was a success

Dear Editor, “Understanding Hinduism” was a six-week lecture series or course that was completed on August 24. As a new venture, it was indeed a resounding success. The course, an initiative of yours truly, started on July 20, with weekly lectures held at the MetenMeer-Zorg (East) Vishnu Temple on the West Coast of Demerara.

The series saw participants to the tune of 45, most of whom were from academic backgrounds at the secondary and tertiary levels. These included students who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate

(CSEC) examinations recently, current university students, tertiary graduates, teachers and other intellectuals. These participants hailed from Regions Two, Three and Four.

Subject matters dealt with during these sessions were vast indeed. These included a brief history of Hinduism, distinguishing features of Hinduism, God in Hinduism, trimurti, fatherhood and motherhood of God, Hindu scriptures, stages of life, varnashrama, the pancha maha yajnas, yoga, the law of karma and reincarnation, image worship, rituals and mythology, the guru, mantra shakti – the power of mantras, major

Hindu sects/cults/sub-religions, man’s search for God, Hindu philosophy in brief, vedanta and its schools of thought, Hindu ethics, samskaara, Hindu outlook on life, universal outlook of Hinduism, scientific heritage, fasts and festivals, and avataras, among others.

These subjects and much more were thoroughly researched and compiled into a textbook, which was used for the programme at no cost to the participants. Also, the book is not for commercial purposes.

Lectures were mostly done by yours truly and saw full support from pandits of the Sanatan Vaidic

Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region Three – chiefly among them its president and prominent pandit, Ramdial Balbadar.

It is my hope that this course can be moved to other places and can be arranged at no cost to participants, as well as with no profit motive by organisers.

I close by thanking all those who participated in the series, which brought to light so much of the ancient wisdom, philosophies and rich heritage of Sanatana Vaidic Dharma, that is Hinduism.

Regards, Pandit Charranlall Nandalall

Making Angoy's Avenue more friendly

Dear Editor, The police are moving towards making Angoy's Avenue more friendly. As a resident, I want our police to be proactive. If there are known areas where people gather to indulge in all kinds of activities, then the police should be out there.

Their very presence will serve as an inhibiting factor. Angoy's Avenue is now getting to be scary and I feel that villagers want some kind of assurance. We must not go to bed knowing that dope indulgers are walking around us.

The next thing is about

informing the police. We have telephones and many of us know some officers personally. Thus we need to call the police and inform them.

Whenever I am making my calls, I make sure that the police promise to stay secretive. The general citi-

zenry can help fight crimes if they are sure about their calls being kept in confidence.

Yours truly, Resident of Angoy's Avenue Name withheld by request

Littering should not continue to be a problem Dear Editor, Next to cleanliness comes godliness. What is so difficult about keeping a small garbage bag in vehicles, easy-tomove bins next to stalls, or a large bin in front of all businesses? These should have been the norm by now.

If we are talking tourism, this culture of keeping the place clean must be well entrenched. We are very far back – it is time for us to stop being nasty.

There should be campaigns in as many places as possible – individual homes,

schools and work places.

When litterers are found guilty, they will be without excuse, and thus, should be properly dealt with.

We had a “Pick It Up” campaign in June 2012, and now we must have a “Do Not Drop It” campaign. Our peo-

ple must be socially, environmentally and hygienically responsible. We know how to behave in other countries. So why not and how come not here?

Sincerely, Hansraj Chand

Dear Editor, Examination results must be complete. If and when we give mere highlights, we are just kidding around. I like how the Region Six chairman expressed his concern over the current state of education delivery in his region.

He declared that he cannot accept the performance of the students of Region Six at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations. Why is he upset?

Let us see the reason.

The statistics read the following: 2272 pupils from 53 schools in Region Six sat the 2013 NGSA, but only a very small percentage of those schools are performing at 50 per cent.

Only 70 students in the region acquired over 500 marks – this accounted for 3.8 per cent. A total of 1496 students gained 350 to 499 marks, representing 66 per cent of the total, and 706 got fewer than 350 marks.

As far as the chairman is concerned, students with fewer than 350 marks have badly failed the exam. The bottom line for him is that if 31 per cent of Region Six students can be classified as failing, then the situation is totally unacceptable.

It would be useful to obtain a breakdown for each administrative region and then have this collated. We have to do this in order to know how well or badly we are faring.

When the NGSA was called Common Entrance, my class, Standard Four A, got one student each for Queen’s College and Bishops High School. Out of some 41 students, 30 failed completely and nine passed for Annandale Secondary.

This amounted to a 75 per cent failure for that class alone. The Standard Four

B did not get a single pass.

However, back then, as it is now, the big noise was about the two top students.

I think this is what is happening here with both the NGSA and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. That is why there is need for a numerical analysis of our NGSA results.

Are we really reaping success? If we can assess here as well, then we will know how to better ameliorate our situation.

If private schools are producing better results, we need to see who is teaching there and who is going there as well.

It is mere sophistry to say that Queen’s College or Bishops' High School are our best schools. We hand them the best, don’t we? They get the finished product.

From as early as Grade Four, the better ones are taken over by the private schools and, as expected, they come up with the better results. Is there a way to standardise our schools?

We have tried to synchronise schools and places of residence, where students are concerned, so maybe we should do the same for teachers as well. Also, where lessons are concerned for the NGSA students, we should seek to have a reduction here.

I get the impression from what I see, that the workload is too much. Why must lessons run for as many as 23 hours per week? Regular class hours are around 40.

There is something amiss here and I hope that we will make the necessary adjustment.

Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Chesney

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monday, september 9, 2013

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation PARENTING FOR SUCCESS

The plights of a teenager– part two - Childlink's vision is a Guyanese society where every child enjoys the right to a childhood in a safe and caring family, free from poverty, violence and exploitation

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ase Study – Names and places have been changed to protect the persons’ pri-

programme at her school.

Malika is now out of the school environment and is looking to further her studies in a tertiary institution where she will be able to have a fulfilling career. Her mother has not changed her behaviour and Malika is constantly dealing with the frustration caused by her mother who now wants to spend any money that she earns. Because of Malika’s personality, she was able to use the power of focus to propel her to pursue a better life. And she decided that not even the abuse she experienced will hinder her from doing better with her life.

which was implemented through her school. Malika was selected by her teacher to be a participant in the

Death of an Innocence She puts on a smile only to hide her fears, you can’t tell she’s hurt but she cried enough tears, it’s the death of an innocence.

With one wicked touch it’s the withering of a youth and it hurts so much.

When evil strikes in our homes through someone we trust, It’s a world of hurt and revenge is a must.

A girl throws down a card talking about how much fun she had her’s was so hard and it just hurt so bad, it’s the death of an innocence.

With one wicked touch it’s the withering of a youth and it hurt him so much, his family trusted that man, he told him it was his fault he should have ran, he feels so guilty, why didn’t he leave?

He makes him feel so filthy and worth nothing, it’s the death of an innocence.

With one wicked touch, it’s the withering of a youth and it hurts so much.

She spills it to spring her closest friend, she says the cops are on their way and that her wounds will soon mend.

She tells spring that she can’t stay and she’s running again.

Did he even think what he was doing to them?

Does he know what he did and how it’ll affect them?

He killed that innocence and now... She’s/he’s not the same again.

— Song by Alexandra Gomez vacy.

A ChildLink counsellor got in contact with Malika through a youth programme,

programme. During the initial interactions with Malika several strengths that she possessed were highlighted.

She was always willing and made a special effort to learn new things and she took all opportunities to share with her peers. Over a period, the counsellor had developed a relationship with Malika and she was comfortable and began sharing with the counsellor all she had been experiencing at home.

The first step taken was to support Malika and to help her realise that she was not the person at fault for what has been happening to her.

This was the most difficult of all the sessions with Malika, because she had convinced herself that since her mother needed money to take care of her, she had to protect her mother by remaining silent.

The counsellor also informed Malika that her abuse needed to be reported to the relevant authorities, because it is a crime for an adult to force a child to have sexual intercourse with them. She was not comfortable with this because of the shame and family embarrassment that may come with reporting. However after a long discussion, she saw the reason why the abuse needed to be reported. The case was then reported to the relevant authorities.

After the report was made, Malika continued sessions with the counsellor in which she focused on better self-knowledge and self expression of rights. These sessions allowed her to explore

the person she is after all of her experiences and the work of self protection was enforced in the sessions. Because of Malika’s ability to adapt and see the positive light in her life, she was able to benefit from the sessions to develop her self-exploration and coping skills. Her ability to focus and look ahead was also further encouraged in the sessions and she was encouraged to begin journal writing of her thoughts, feelings and experiences to cope with the trauma of sexual abuse. Malika has enormous strength in spite of all she had experienced at home and the abuse that was perpetrated against her. She performs well at school and continues to excel in the youth

Children's protection our business!!!!!

Like Malika, many children are experiencing this level of sexual violence within their home environment and communities. Strangely enough though, there is often no one for some children to depend on or to call on to rescue them from abusive situations. Some like Malika may have the strength to overcome and with time cope with the trauma and still rise and excel in their lives, while others may not have the same ability to cope. Regardless of a child’s ability or inability to cope with abuse of any form, NO child should have to experience this level of violence. It is our responsibility as adults to ensure the children around us are safe and secure from all forms of violence/abuse and exploitation. It takes more than one to raise a child – let us encamp around our children who are the future.

More children are becoming vulnerable as a result of poverty, crime, corruption and they are exposed to abusive situations. Children have little or no power to protect or provide for themselves and little influence on so much that is vital to their well-being. Children need others to speak out for them; they need their parents, their extended families, their neighbours, their teachers, their friends and peers, community leaders, sports men and women and other children to put the well-being of children ahead of selfish adult interests.

Adults must respond when a child cries out for help, their cries should impel us to help and create positive changes for children who are in need.

Please take a moment to connect with any child you think may need your help, since it is our responsibility to protect and act for the wellbeing of children in our society.

Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or email us at programmes. childlink@networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and other challenges you are experiencing with your children.

news 7

monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

trainers urged to take UGSSA seeks review of Anti-TIP the fight to traffickers bursar’s, accountant’s dismissals – vice chancellor says had no part in it

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ead of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association UGSSA Dr Pat Francis said that the decision by the University Council to fire Bursar John Seeram and Senior Accountant Hazel Bentick is unacceptable.

The UGSSA head recently told this newspaper that while an audit was carried out and a few discrepancies were found; it is not enough to allow the University Council to fire the two staffers.

Dr Francis said an appeal has already been prepared and will be signed by staffers.

Appeal

She said the UGSSA is appealing on the ground that the dismissals were done prematurely.

This is especially since the decision was made based on a draft report.

In addition, the UGSSA head noted that Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi did not present the written responses of the two dismissed officials to the council, at the same time.

Further, Dr Francis noted that while the bursar has been an employee at UG for a number of years, Bentick was only appointed to her position in March of this year, but yet she was sanctioned.

According to her, this is an unacceptable move, given the fact that the auditors’ report ended in April. The union is therefore insisting that the senior accountant cannot on any grounds be fired for the systemic problems.

Dr Francis, however, believes that neither

Deputy Permanent Secretary Partick Findlay

A John Seeram

Dr Jacob Opadeyi

Bentinck nor Seeram is to be blamed for the financial difficulties faced by UG. Instead, it is the administration and the past vice chancellors who should be held accountable. The report has revealed things that already exist in the system and is nothing that staffers were not aware of.

She explained that if the university requires a certain amount of money and it is allocated a lesser sum, then there is some expectancy that something was happening.

in an effort to find a solution to the “huge deficit” it faces. The termination of Bentick’s and Seeram’s contracts was agreed when the council convened on Thursday, August 22, to discuss, among other matters, the findings of the auditors.

Meanwhile, the audit of cash in bank and accounts receivable processes identified key financial and information technology deficiencies, including improper segregation of duties, user access and reconciliation with regard to the payroll function.

Vice Chancellor Dr Opadeyi told Guyana Times on Sunday that the decision to terminate the two senior employees was made at the level of the council and despite reports that the decision was made by him, this is not so.

He explained that the recommendation was made to the council, which made the final decision. According to him, it is the council to decide now, whether to review the decision, after calls were made by the UGSSA to have this done at the soonest possible time.

Legal action

The UGSSA, she said will decide whether to take legal action against the University Council. This is specifically because the nature of the posts that were held by Bentick and Seeram would jeopardise their ability to get employment elsewhere. The union is also looking to take industrial action, by way of picketing both the University Council and the vice chancellor’s office.

The independent special audit into the university’s account was undertaken to determine the state of its finances

group of anti-human trafficking trainers were on Friday urged to use the skills acquired at a recent workshop to take the fight to traffickers here.

Government has also pledged to strengthen collaboration with its local and international partners to battle the scourge even as the three-day workshop geared at empowering and training instructors on the art of passing on their knowledge on TIP concluded last Friday.

The workshop, which began on Wednesday, was hosted in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the U.S. embassy at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Prevent trafficking

The programme began with approximately 50 persons from across Guyana who were trained in areas to prevent trafficking in persons, detect trafficked victims and offer protection. The sessions were held

by IOM’s Trinidad Project Manager Chissey Mueller.

Mueller noted that the objective of the workshop was to equip the participants with

new skills so they can go out and conduct trainings with the tools they would have gathered from the sessions.

“This was a training of trainers workshop to build their technical skills and knowledge on how to deliver their own trainings… to deliver your own trainings, you have to think about your content, the objectives, the planning, the time-keeping and the logistics, these are all the things we talked about throughout the three days,” revealed Mueller.

Four Ps

The facilitator added that she also discussed with the participants how to get content for target audiences using the four Ps in TIP, that is, prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. She noted that the sessions were well received by the participants and they did both theory and practical sessions, which included individual presentations.

At the closing of the workshop, the participants were urged to utilise the materials distributed during the sessions to educate others within their respective communities so that there will be widespread knowledge of fighting TIP. Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes urged the participants not to compromise on what they have learnt when it comes to reporting a trafficker.

“You know what the procedure is and use it to do what is right, no matter who the offenders are, because the only way we can fight this stigma is if we get rid of the people who cause it in the first place,” Broomes noted.

She commended the organisers of the workshop and the participants on the work they have done to make it a successful one.

IOM’s Chief Mission in Guyana, Rui Oliveria Reis, told the participants that they now have a tough job, but encouraged them not to give up since the reward is not in how many persons they rescue but what they do with those whom they rescue.

“You have your functions and your work and so do I, I am not hesitant to share my knowledge to my friends and neighbours because the more people aware of this problem, the more we get results,” Reis stated.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Chisa Mikami said the workshop was an intensive one which equipped the participants with the necessary skills to work on TIP in Guyana.

“This workshop is not the end but the beginning of your work when you go back to your community,” she said.

Share knowledge

Meanwhile, Human Services and Social Security Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Partick Findlay, urged the participants to share their knowledge gained so that they can reap more results in the fight against TIP. “You are trained now, so if you take this knowledge and only look for people who are trafficked, you would rob yourself. Your job is not only to look after victims, but to also train people so that they too can go out and multiply the effects,” said the deputy permanent secretary.

He further encouraged the participants not to “short change” themselves with the impact they can make in their communities. Findlay pointed out that the ministry is usually strapped for facilitators whenever they have outreaches on TIP; however, that will now change with the more than 30 newlytrained participants.

8 news

monday, september 9, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

Dr Gopaul moves to straighten crooked co-ops

BY SVETLANA MARSHALL

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ooperatives and friendly societies can face closure if they fail to make contact with the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry by November 30.

This move is necessary for the auditing of financial records for this year.

Approximately 1000 co-ops are registered under the Cooperatives Societies Act, Chapter 88:01, but a large number of them are dysfunctional or on the brink of a collapse due to financial difficulties.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul said reports have indicated that there are co-ops that have not held elections for an extensive period; creating a series of problems such as poor financial records.

Audited accounts

“Many of the co-ops have not had elections in years; many of them have not had their accounts audited for years. So we want to rectify all these problems,” he said.

Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul

When contact is made with the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, systems will be put in place for the holding of elections for coops whose progress has been stymied due to lack of elections.

In addition to the auditing of co-ops’ financial records, the reassessment of co-operative societies will determine whether these societies are fulfilling their mandates.

“We cannot have unregulated co-operatives; we cannot have co-operatives which are not fulfilling their mandates.

If you can’t do that we will be

moving to strike these co-ops off,” Dr Gopaul warned.

He said the Labour Ministry continues to experience difficulties with co-ops that were given plots of land, noting that some entities have indulged in the illicit sales of houselots and illicit sales of government properties.

“So wherever land is allocated by the government for cooperatives and they have not utilised the land and they are not paying drainage fees and rent, we will ask government to take possession of these lands back,” the labour minister said.

Recommendations

Additionally, he will be making recommendations for land titles and benefits to be given to cooperative movements that continue to perform exceptionally well.

According to the minister, the cooperative movement in the country, the third largest institution, owns in excess of $15 billion in assets and this cannot be compromised.

Similar treatment will be meted out to the hundreds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country

registered under the Friendly Societies Act, Chapter 36:04.

These friendly societies will be held accountable, in particular those who have been soliciting financial assistance from the public for the execution of various activities.

“They should have their books in order, audited. So we will ensure that they conduct their activities in a transparent and accountable manner,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, the ministry is in the process of hiring persons to occupy various posts in the Division of Cooperatives.

Already, two regional co-op officers have been appointed.

Several other regional coop officers will be appointed within months.

In March, the labour minister announced that the Cooperative Department would have been revamped.

His announcement came shortly after Chief Cooperative Officer Kareen Abdul Jabar was sent on leave following his involvement in the sale of the Lamaha Gardens playground to the tune of $25 million. Jabar’s service was subsequently terminated.

Toddler drowns in Pomeroon River

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he quiet community of Jacklow Village in the Lower Pomeroon River has been plunged into deep mourning after a two-yearold boy drowned early Sunday morning.

Dead is Teyon Roberts of Lower Pomeroon River.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the Roberts’ family was preparing to go to church early in the morning when the child’s mother Barbara Roberts left to go shower.

She had left the toddler outside dressed and waiting to

go to church.

Reports further stated that after finish bathing, the mother went outside to look for the child, but did not notice him. She then raised an alarm, alerting her husband Ivor Roberts about the missing lad. The husband, along with

neighbours, launched a search and discovered the child’s body in the Jacklow area.

The child’s father said his son was in the habit of rushing to the boat whenever he was dressed and about to go out. The father said he was busy getting dressed and did not even realise the child was missing.

Drunken policeman knocks down lad

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policeman has been arrested after hitting down a boy on the Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) Public Road early Sunday morning and attempted to escape.

The lawman was drunk, according to a police release.

The release stated that about 02:40h, an 11-year-old boy was attempting to cross the road at Tuschen, EBE, when he was struck down by a motor car, the driver of which failed to stop at the scene.

Public-spirited persons pursued the vehicle which led to the driver being arrested by the police at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara.

He was found to be a member of the police force and was over the legal limit in terms of consumption of alcohol. The victim has been admitted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital as investigations continue.

Eyew tness Barefacedness...

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...by Nigel Hughes

e use the word “barefaced” to describe the selection by the Alliance For Change (AFC) of Nigel Hughes to explain their position on the derailing of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project in their column in yesterday’s Muckraker. The Yiddish-American “chutzpah” emphasises a touch of boldness in an act of audacity – but our local “barefacedness” brings much more to mind the total lack of grace, much less shame, that’s so redolent in Hughes self-serving declaration.

As a lawyer, he would know that self-serving statements are “hearsay” and, therefore, to be disregarded by anyone interested in the truth about the AFC and his role in the scuttling of Amaila. But let’s deconstruct some of Hughes’ utterances to illustrate the depravity into which these fellow will sink to feather their nests. Hughes claims, “The AFC believes that this project was handled badly from the inception.”

Well if Hughes was company secretary and legal advisor to the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc (AFHI), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established to execute the project, whose fault is it? Does Hughes believe Sithe Global, as majority and controlling partner in the venture, hired him for his looks?

When foreign companies invest in countries like Guyana, one of the first things they do is to hire local personnel who’re familiar with the terrain (in the widest possible meaning of the term). A “fixer” in other words. Hughes is therefore admitting he blew his high priced assignment.

The funds set aside for legal fees were some US$5 million!!

And Hughes now says the AFC is concerned about inflated “advisory fees”!!

Developing the theme, Hughes says the opposition wasn’t given information by the government in a timely fashion. Well the government could only do so with the consent of the company who’d hired Hughes as legal advisor. Shouldn’t Hughes have advised his client of what was going down in the opposition ranks?

Then Hughes complains that “there is no evidence of a formal and transparent tender process leading to the identification and selection of the project’s developers”.

Well, excuse me, but is Hughes claiming that the “project developer”, who was (is) his employer, clinched their internationally conducted bid through unfair methods? The U.S. laws are very clear – and draconian – on this type of behaviour by U.S. corporations. We hope Hughes is willing to testify in U.S. court on what basis he made this charge.

Finally Hughes says, “The AFC is today rising in the conscience of the Guyanese people.” A feeling of revulsion against the AFC is what’s rising in their conscience.

...by APNU/PNC

The lack of shame must be contagious as the opposition AFC remains joined at the hip with A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress (APNU/PNC).

Imagine, APNU becoming indignant about President Donald Ramotar pointing out that between 1964-1992 the PNC had done practically nothing for the Amerindian people!!!! We can only attribute their barefacedness to their contempt for Amerindians who, they obviously believe, should’ve been satisfied with whatever crumbs fell off the PNC table back then.

As far as the lot of the Amerindians in those long 28 years, the PNC can spout nonsense about all sorts of “projects” they initiated in the hinterland. The proof of the paiwari is in the drinking. And the pathetic bottom line is that the Household Income and Expenditure Survey of 1993 (right after the infamous 28 years) proved that the economic and social conditions of Amerindians had deteriorated far below those of 1964.

To say that this is what happened to the rest of the population also is of no comfort. The poverty of Amerindians – extending to 100 per cent in several communities – had increased in absolute terms. Barefaced PNC wankers!!

...by Greenidge

Carl Greenidge continues to inflict cruel and unusual punishment on Guyanese with his page-long letters.

Yesterday, he takes issue with the local business reps not investing in Amaila. Maybe they would – if the opposition stops spiking “political risk” through their new “slow fyaah”.

news

9

Monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Manickchand to unveil 2014 Suriname’s most popular novel to be released in English literacy plan of action

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I

n observance of International World Literacy Day 2013, Education Minister Priya Manickchand announced that the government and her ministry is committed to unveiling a 2014 literacy plan of action and projected results, with a goal of working with everyone, to ensure all has a right to literacy.

She explained that it is even more urgent that citizens acquire and master basic literacy skills and strengthen and expand these skills throughout their lives.

Love for knowledge

“We must sustain a culture of love for knowledge across this nation, we must inculcate in our Guyanese citizens an embrace of innovative thinking, of original ideas, of fresh exploration of the world of knowledge, ideas and information,” she said.

In recognition of the fact that the task before Guyana is of profound importance to its future, Minister Manickchand emphasised that a national literacy programme must be crafted and implemented with a view to making each Guyanese citizen of every age, of every background, of every persuasion able to enhance their individual lives by being able to read and write.

“As minister of education, I extend to every Guyanese, everywhere, here at home and in the diaspora, from within the government and across Parliament to the opposition camps, to civic organisations, our school teachers, community and religious leaders, parents, business leaders, our young people, our senior citizens – to every Guyanese, everywhere – my hand in invitation and cooperation to achieve this task,” she declared.

Sober task

The world observes International Literacy Day 2013 with a sober task before it. The United Nations Literacy Decade, launched in 2003, ended last year with worldwide literacy still a cause for deep concern, despite a reduction in the global rate of illiteracy.

“Whilst the UN is drafting its evaluation of the programmes that defined the Literacy Decade for release at the UN General Assembly this year, with a global Plan of Action to tackle the problem, we in Guyana face the daunting task of lifting our human resource capital to be able to perform at our optimal potential as a Guyanese nation, in the 21st century global village,” stated Manickchand in her Literacy Day message.

The United Nations sees literacy as a fundamental

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

human right, and the government has always recognised this right, and literacy has always been regarded as the foundation of a good education. “Education has always been at the forefront of our vision to develop this nation,” she noted.

Since Dr Cheddi Jagan’s idea for the formation of the University of Guyana was made into reality, Guyana has strived as a nation to stand tall, to be outstanding on the world stage in its literacy achievements and in educating Guyanese.

human resource capital that is world class”, she stated.

Investments

Over the past decades, significant amounts of money have been expended on physical infrastructure, teacher training, providing teaching resources, and looking after the welfare of school children, across the country.

Such is based on the government budgeting well for education year after year, and has resulted in a young nation producing renowned leaders, great writers, internationally acclaimed intellectuals, accomplished thinkers and world class citizens.

“Our commitment and resolve to develop this nation on the solid foundation of education and literacy is an outstanding tribute to the visionaries who shaped us as a nation, always emphasising literacy and education… we need to recommit ourselves to this vision,” Minister Manickchand said.

However, the 21st century is unfolding a new global literacy paradigm which is even more challenging than the basic literacy needs of previous years.

As communications technology sees the world becoming more and more a global village, as citizens of this new world are able to compete across borders for skilled human resource assets and original thinkers, as skilled Guyanese become more and more in demand in the developed world, “we face unprecedented challenges to train, keep and maintain a national pool of committed

Foundation

The minister highlighted that the government recognises that a fully literate Guyanese society is the foundation upon which this nation can be developed.

“We have demonstrated our commitment and dedication to the vision of literacy for our people,” she added. The minister said that it is a new world, with new challenges, where many children no longer like reading long texts, where literature no longer plays a big role in a child’s imagination, where parents hardly read to their children anymore, where the village no longer raises the child.

“Yet, the Guyanese nation is resilient, ambitious and ready to take on this challenge… as minister of education, I commit to the nation all my energy to see that every Guyanese citizen becomes a global citizen embodying an educated imagination,” Minister Manickchand stated.

Literacy vision

In this regard, the Education Ministry will work hard to implement a dynamic literacy vision that is flexible and reaches every Guyanese.

In her message, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Director General Irina Bokova emphasised that literacy is a basic right and an essential motor for human development that paves the way to autonomy, the acquisition of skills, cultural expression, and full participation in society.

She noted that illiteracy in the world has fallen over the past two decades, thanks to international efforts and work towards the Millennium Development Goals.

International Literacy Day, September 8, was observed under the theme, “Literacies for the 21st century”.

he London-based epublishing house, Hope Road has announced that it will soon release the English version of one of Suriname’s most popular novels – “The Cost of Sugar”.

“We acquired the e-book rights in 2011. From the moment I read the book, I fell in love with it and we are delighted to have now acquired the print edition,” said Hope Road Commissioning Editor Rosemarie Hudson.

“The Cost of Sugar”, the first book to be published

by Hope Road in print, will be on shelves internationally just before the movie premieres. Hudson characterised the book as an engrossing account of 18th century Suriname at the time when the country was ruled by the Dutch.

The Dutch edition of the book sold 50,000 copies and has also been produced as a theatre play. The “Cost of Sugar” has also been produced as a six-CD audiobook, narrated by jazz singer Denise Jannah. The “Cost of Sugar” is the successful debut of Suriname’s most cel-

Cynthia McLeod

ebrated historical novelist, Cynthia McLeod. Published in 1987, the novel was an instant bestseller in Suriname for Vaco Press, and also in the Netherlands in 1995 for Uitgeverij Conserve. About 100,000 copies were sold.

The book was also published in German.

In an engrossing historical account, McLeod takes her readers back to the 18th century (between 1765-1779), recapping those intriguing rabid times through the eyes of two Jewish stepsisters, Elza and

Sarith, descendants of the settlers of ‘New Jerusalem of the River’, know today as Jodensavanne, the oldest Jewish settlement in Suriname, which boasts the first synagogue in the western hemisphere.

The “Cost of Sugar” is a frank exposé of life in the Dutch slave colony when sugar ruled as king – and the tragic toll it took on the lives of colonist and slaves alike. McLeod was decorated as Dame in the Honorary Order of the Golden Palm in 1988 by the president of Suriname. She is the widow of the late Ambassador Donald McLeod, and daughter of Dr Johan Ferrier, the last governor and first president of Suriname.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 9, 2013

News

World Physiotherapy Day observed Dem who nah hear does got to feel

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Physiotherapy exercises for a patient with burns at the Mabaruma Hospital, Region Eight

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isability and rehabilitation services have been provided through the Health Ministry in Guyana for over six decades, with physiotherapy being the main service for more than 30 years.

Physiotherapy is recognised as a healthcare profession, which involves the assessment and management of persons with physical impairment through physical interventions, aimed at improving and maintaining function.

The Physiotherapy Department is located under the surgical wards on the northern section of the Georgetown Public Hospital.

It is the administrative centre for physiotherapy services in Guyana.

Beverly Nelson is principal physiotherapist.

The department provides physiotherapy for both in and out patients. There is also a service for sport-related injuries. The department is equipped with electrotherapy and exercise equipment. * Scheduled outpatient physiotherapy is provided Monday to Friday * Inpatient physiotherapy (ward) service is provided Monday to Friday * Sports clinic is held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon * Weekend services for acutely ill inpatients Location of services REGION One: Mabaruma Regional Hospital, Moruca District Hospital REGION Two: Suddie Public Hospital, Charity Hospital REGION Three: West Demerara Hospital, Wakenaam, Leguan REGION Four: Georgetown Public Hospital, Palms, Rehabilitation Centre, Enmore Poly Clinic, Cheshire Home, Diamond and David Rose Special Needs School REGION Five: Fort Wellington Hospital, Mahaicony Hospital, REGION Six: New Amsterdam Hospital, Port

Mourant Hospital, Skeldon Hospital REGION Seven: Bartica Hospital, Kamarang REGION Eight: Mahdia Hospital

A patient being treated for a neck problem at the Palms Rehabilitation Department, Brickdam, Georgetown

REGION Nine: Lethem Hospital, Annai, Aishalton REGION Ten: Linden (McKenzie) Hospital, Wismar Hospital, Kwakwani District Hospital, Upper Demerara

Hospital The Physiotherapy Department can be contacted on telephone number 2253294

ld people does seh when people nah hear dem got to feel. Well, that is how some people does behave even to this day. Even some countries and guvaments does behave like that. It got some political parties stay like that too. And some party leaders. Dem does don’t like fuh hear so dem does got to feel. At first, every ting does feel nice and soft. After that is de hard part.

Even Bush and Blair didn’t hear when de rest of de world tell dem not to bomb down Iraq. Now dem feelin it hard every where in de Middle East and in dem own backyard. This time dem gon feel it more hard wid Syria.

It got some people like de old Rams and Freddie Kissmansoon who does like de hard part. De Kissman like de hard part so much that he even kiss another man to get it. De two old Rams, however, very happy wid one another. Dem don’t friend out like de Kissman. Dem happy to kiss one another only and just wait fuh de hard part.

No Gel Hugly was one of dem who didn’t like fuh hear and he had to feel it hard. De only ting that feel it good was he bank account. He feel it so hard he had to turn round and bow out. Ducktor Rose and Hardish Singh seh No Gel gon can’t get straight fuh a long time.

Is only now No Gel bowin down and walkin backto-back to Rum Jhaat and Naga Man. Well, Naga Man is a donkey man already. So he gon be waitin fuh No Gel back-to-back to he. After all, is both of dem want to be on top. So Rum Jhaat gon have a lotta climbin to do.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Cat Hugly in de same boat wid No Gel too. But wid No Gel still back-to-back, it gon tek a while fuh she to feel it hard. He gon tek all de hardness fuh she.

World Physiotherapy Day Message by Barbara Lawrence, president, Guyana Physiotherapy Association Patients using the gymnasium at the Physiotherapy Department, Georgetown Public Hospital

A Patient being taught balance and gait training in parallel bars at the Linden Hospital Complex, Region 10

O

n World Physiotherapy Day, which was observed on September 8, I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all the physiotherapists in Guyana for their commitment to the profession.

As we celebrate the strides that have been made to advance the noble profession of physiotherapy in Guyana, let us also use this day to look objectively at where we are currently positioned and to reflect on the obstacles that remain.

Under the theme “Movement for Health”, physiotherapists around the world are making significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of citizens and communities and in Guyana we are no different.

According to the World Disability Report 2010, over one billion or approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population live with some form of disability. Persons with disabilities, the world’s largest minority group, often face barriers to participation in all

aspects of society.

As physiotherapists, we do and will continue to make a difference in the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

In the intensified global efforts to prevent and control the epidemic of chronic diseases, we must embrace the important role the physiotherapist play in promoting activity and health among population at every stage of life; thereby keeping them well, mobile and independent.

The Guyana Physiotherapy Association will continue to work across the board to maintain professional standards.

We are committed to ensuring access to appropriate healthcare and rehabilitation for all Guyanese.

As a professional body, we look forward to working with you to make even greater strides for the advancement of physiotherapy in the years to come.

This is our promise on World Physiotherapy Day.

11 Feature

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 9, 2013

Times Notebook Do something about Syria – bombing is not the answer

T

imes Notebook today takes a look at Syria and hopes that a resolution to the conflict will soon emerge.

We believe that the use of chemical weapons in Syria is an abominable and criminal act and we hope that sooner than later the responsible people must be brought to justice and be punished.

Guyana has taken a position, as expressed by President Donald Ramotar several times in the last two weeks. Guyana believes that the use of chemical weapons is deplorable.

Guyana, like the Caribbean Community (Caricom), has insisted that we await the results of the United Nations (UN) investigative mission to Syria before drastic action is taken.

Definitive conclusion

The governments of the U.S., France and the UK have stated they have evidence that the guilty party is the Bashar al-Assad government of Syria.

Why then do they have a difficulty awaiting the findings of the UN team, which spent a considerable time on the ground and said it has accumulated evidence that will allow them to make a definitive conclusion as to who is responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria?

We believe we must await the results of this investigative team.

We remind people that the U.S., in 2001/2002, similarly claimed they had irrefutable evidence about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Twelve years later and thousands of deaths later, it is now accepted that those evidence never existed. Just because the U.S. says it exists cannot be good enough.

Act together

Let us make it clear, the guilty party must be punished. We should be united in this position. But we must take the time to verify the evidence and we must act together.

We must act in a manner that is in the interest of the Syrian people and that halts the ongoing civil war.

Times Notebook has another problem with the way the world has responded to Syria. We truly believe that it is heinous and diabolical to use chemical weapons.

But we will never accept that the use of chemical weapons to kill more than 1400 persons in Syria is any more objectionable and horrifying than the killing of more than 100,000 people through

the use of guns and bombs.

Innocent people, in addition to soldiers and insurgents, were injured, maimed and killed and continue to be killed by guns and bombs in Syria. The present urgency should have emerged since the beginning of the conflict.

In addition, Times Notebook also raises the issue of those parties that must also own the results of the conflict – those international governments and groups that have sided with one or the other party in the conflict in Syria.

They have provided the support that has inflamed the situation and sustained the conflict in Syria.

Whichever side is guilty of the use of chemical weapons will share the guilt with those who have provided support for the conflict in Syria.

But the resolution in Syria cannot be simply to punish the user of chemical weapons. The killing of innocent people and the destruction of a country by whatever means – chemical weapons or guns and bombs – are equally nauseating and demand a resolution now.

Stand in solidarity

Both Guyana and Caricom have expressed concern and disgust at the massive amount of people who have been harmed and who have lost lives in Syria since the civil war started.

They have both called for countries around the world to stand in solidarity to end the conflict through diplomacy and the right kinds of pressures on the different sides of the Syrian conflict.

The U.S.’s case for striking Syria is perplexing and misguided. The silver lining is that the U.S. has delayed acting and sought congressional consent.

During the debate which starts today in the U.S. Senate, we expect people will see why we believe that the case made by President Barack Obama is perplexing and misguided.

The lives taken during the August 21 attack amount to less than 1.4 per cent of total number of Syrians slaughtered during the Syrian conflict and the responsible parties have been both Assad’s security forces and the insurgents.

So why did the horrific killing of 1000-plus people become unacceptable when over 100,000 have perished, and with no military response from the United States for over two years? Is there something about murdering people with chemicals that sets the act apart entirely from doing so with rifles, bombers, heli-

President Donald Ramotar

copter gunships and artillery barrages?

If so, what is that difference, why does it necessitate an attack on Syria, and for what strategic purpose?

Washington’s own attitude towards the use of chemical weapons has, by the way, been less than consistent. Some 5000 people perished when Saddam Hussein in Iraq used them in March 1988 against the Kurdish inhabitants of Halabjah.

The imperative guiding American policy then was to back Iraq in its long war with Iran. There was no forthright American call for sanc-

tions against Iraq, let alone punitive strikes. The White House even lobbied successfully against a condemnatory congressional resolution.

The U.S. faces a credibility conundrum. The imperative of maintaining America’s reputation for resolve has been implicit in the administration’s case, but those outside government who favour a strike, or something even bigger, have also stressed it.

Yet the purpose for which the U.S. wants to protect its credibility is hard to define, particularly because of the benefits – for the United States or for suffering

Syrians – is not self-evident and haven’t been clarified by the administration or those backing its position.

Times Notebook urges world governments to act together to change the paradigm of merely acting as if we are doing something about a terrible situation.

It is time we act morally and legally. It is time we act to save lives and save a country, not merely to address a credibility conundrum, as the U.S. is doing.

Readers are invited to comment on this article via email (times.notebook@ gmail.com) and on Facebook.

12 News

monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

New generator handed over Region Four work plan behind schedule to Orealla Health Centre

R

esidents of Orealla now have access to a more reliable source of healthcare delivery following the handing over of a 60 horsepower diesel generator from the Materials Unit of the Health Ministry to the Region Six administration.

The generator will be used at the Orealla Health Centre. Medex and midwife at the health centre Jessy Jessamy said the equipment will greatly enhance the centre’s capacity to deliver health care.

“On occasions, there is a power outage in the village and if it occurs at night, needed health care will not be provided in time of emergency.”

Currently, the Orealla Health Centre is equipped with solar panels which provide power only for a refrigerator in order to keep vaccines at a required temperature.

Jessamy said he sees as much as 30 patients per day.

“Most cases that you would find here is like accidents because it is a timber producing community, you can get snake bites and these

Regional Health Services Costal Coordinator Zetta Alberts handing over the generator to acting Region Six Regional Health Officer Dr Haripersaud Chand on Friday

tend to occur in the evening and sometimes at night and as a midwife, we also get delivery cases, so the generator is very important.”

Senior medics attached to the Health Ministry and Regional Health Services Coastal Coordinator Zetta Alberts said the department has undertaken the project to acquire and supply the generator to Orealla as part of its extended and supportive activities.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that healthcare is delivered in a timely man-

ner across the 10 regions of Guyana.” The Amerindian community of Orealla is situated 50 miles up the Corentyne River and has a population of about 1500.

Recently, the Health Ministry also supplied a generator to the Port Kaituma Hospital, Region One. The Materials Unit also supplied maternal pads for antenatal mothers and medication to the Orealla Health Centre.

Acting Regional Health Officer Dr Haripersaud Chand, in expressing appreciation on be-

half of the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA), said “We are happy that the Health Ministry has taken the initiative. It has been a problem for some time getting constant electricity there.”

He noted that the health centre at nights referred cases to the Skeldon Hospital, which is some 50 miles away.

The Orealla Health Centre also provides services to some residents living in remote parts of neighbouring Suriname.

Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette

R

egion Four Chairman Clement Corlette said the region is working to ensure its work plan for the year is accomplished, especially in the areas of health, education and public works.

Corlette told Guyana Times during a recent interview that there are a few issues being addressed through the Works Committee of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The regional chairman said he is not pleased with the infrastructural works.

“I am not too pleased with

the level of execution; a lot of work is still behind time. I think more than 50 per cent of work is behind time,” Corlette said.

Meanwhile, he noted that progress is being made in maintaining health centres in the region. This, he said, is important to proper accommodation and better healthcare services.

“A number of health centres have also been under repairs and maintenance and they are in varying degrees of completion… $20 million was given for those works for this year,” he said.

The regional chairman also noted that a lot of attention is also paid to having schools maintained and repaired, and this too is progressing smoothly.

He added that while there have been concerns raised last week, regarding certain schools within the region being unprepared to open, these works are to be completed soon.

According to him, these issues are likely to be ironed out and hopefully by the end of this year, almost all works will be completed.

Trio placed on bail UG unions to continue protest for changes for larceny charge at Turkeyen campus T

Dr Pat Francis

BY SAMUEL SUKHNANDAN

T

he University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) are planning to take further protest action against Vice Chancellor Dr Jacob Opadeyi until their concerns are addressed.

UGSSA President Dr Pat Francis told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview that both unions will not stop, until something is done to address the many issues facing its members.

According to Dr Francis, the vice chancellor is yet to meet with union representatives to discuss a way forward.

She explained that UG staffers are still working under poor conditions. Nothing has changed since the unions raised these matters with Dr Opadeyi and the university council.

The UGSSA head stated that while the vice chancellor is not responsible for fi-

nancial matters, particularly to look at issues relating to an increase in wages, the matters for which he holds responsibility have not been addressed or even discussed with the unions.

It was noted that during a meeting with Dr Opadeyi, before the commencement of the new academic year; concerns were raised about the readiness of washrooms and other facilities.

However, to date, these issues have not been addressed; rather some washroom facilities are still in the process of being completed. Other matters relating to proper seating and materials for classroom facilities are still to be looked at.

No response

Dr Francis told Guyana Times that the UGSSA has written Dr Opadeyi to have a meeting with the negotiating team that was set up to look at the union’s concerns. However, to date, the union has not received any response on the matter.

The union hopes to present its demands for increases in wages and salaries and to look at the pension scheme for staff, along with other financial matters.

“To date, we have received no response from him; we are giving him another few days, because he is probably trying to put the team together. The staff is very agitated and we don’t intend to wait for eternity on that matter,” she said.

Aside from that, Dr Francis noted that the university has not been paying in monies to the pension scheme on time and the pension scheme is in a

perilous state. She wants this matter to be addressed soon.

Further, the UGSSA said it is dismayed at the action Dr Opadeyi has taken as regards many issues under his duty and the alleged threats he has made to reduce the status of the university.

Dr Francis said her union is particularly upset about that issue and said the vice chancellor had suggested that lecturers teach 18 hours.

Bizarre

“This is not done at any university anywhere in the world, certainly not the one from which he came.

Secondly, he has not done anything to really address the problems, which affect quality assurance,” she said.

Much of this work has already been done. According to her, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has trained several persons and the blueprint is there for setting up a quality assurance centre.

She also raised concerns that some $2.5 million was spent to host a retreat for staffers of UG at the Arrowpoint Resort, noting that this money could have been used instead to establish the centre.

This, she believes is a waste of resources.

The UGSSA head said her union is upset about the venue for the retreat, stating that it could have been kept at the Turkeyen campus instead.

“This is a very poor university. We can’t spend all that money to party, while we languish here and people haven’t been paid for services already rendered,” she as-

serted.

The union representative believes that the vice chancellor has not done anything for quality assurance, or to improve the lives of the academic staff at the university.

Imposition

“Everything that he has done to date with respect to academic staff is an imposition of some kind that is deleterious to scholarship.

"So we are wondering now if he has come with a mandate to reduce UG to a high school status, so we no longer have a position on the map. We have worked too hard over the past 50 years to bring this university to what it is… we take serious offence to his current actions,” said Dr Francis.

The UGSSA has raised issues pertaining to staff not being able to access drinking water because of no petty cash, and non-payments of all deductions for social security, credit union, pension, income tax and insurance.

According to other staff, the authorities are claiming that inflation is being kept at bay and calls for increased salaries are out of the question.

However, reports indicate that staffers have not received an increase for a number of years.

Reports disclosed that on average, $60 million is provided monthly to the university.

However, this is inadequate since more funding is needed to pay part-time lecturers, retirees, staff on study leave, and staff gratuities.

hree New Amsterdam men have been granted bail in the sum of $250,000 each when they appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court last week on a charge of break and enter.

Kevin Gomes, 20, of Lot 46 Stanleytown; Stephen Grant, 20; and Glenroy Grant, 32, both of Lot 36 Stanleytown, are jointly charged for larceny committed on Montgomery Robin.

The three are accused of entering the home of Robin at Lot 47 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam on August 25 and stealing one flatscreen television set valued $175,000,

two cellular phones valued $85,000, two music systems valued $210,000 and $510,000 in cash.

Meanwhile, the court was told that the police have an ongoing investigation in relation to similar offences against the trio.

After being told that additional charges are likely to be laid against the accused, Magistrate Rabindranath Singh ordered that bail will only be granted under the condition that the trio report to the Central Police Station every day.

The matter has been transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court for today.

No bail for alleged thief

M

a g i s t r a t e Rabindranath Singh refused bail to Malcolm Henry of Angoy’s Avenue when he made a court appearance at the Albion Magistrate’s Court on a change of break and enter.

Police are alleging that Henry, on August 25, broke into the dwelling place of Roopesh Persaud of Vrymans Ervin, New Amsterdam and stole $800,000 worth in jewellery.

The court was told that at the time of the alleged offence, no one was at home when Henry entered and removed one diamond ring worth $80,000, three gold chains valued $370,000 and two gold rings valued $60,000.

Henry is also accused of stealing a gold band valued $170,000, two pairs of gold earrings worth $50,000, six gold pins valued $24,000 and two pairs of gold bangles worth $49,000.

The court was told that apart from the jewellery,

Henry also stole two laptop computers valued $300,000 and a flatscreen television set worth $160,000.

The items have not been recovered and the court was told that the police are still investigating.

The 23-year-old Henry will have to return to court on September 29 for a report.

The matter has been transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, Joel Gittings of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, was placed on $50,000 bail when he appeared before the same magistrate on a similar charge.

It is alleged that on August 25, he broke into the dwelling house of Temica Hinds and stole a laptop computer valued $120,000. The 20-year-old defendant will have to return to court on September 23.

The matter has also been transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

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monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

14

monday, september 9, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Cancer causing Jamaicans financial TT finalises new gas deal with Venezuela ruin, says health minister

Jamaica’s Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson

J

amaica’s Health Minister, Dr Fenton Ferguson says cancer is among the non-communicable diseases that is causing financial distress

for Jamaicans and costing the government millions to treat.

“A diagnosis of cancer can cause financial ruin of a family. I gave an example recently of a drug for breast cancer that cost J$200,000 per dose and 18 doses are required for treatment. That is J$3.6 million for just one aspect of treatment,” said Dr Ferguson.

“This is not affordable for the average Jamaican family. This however is the reality among many persons in this country,” he lamented.

Dr Ferguson, speaking on Friday, at the official launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2013 held at Rooms on the

Beach in Ocho Rios, St Ann explained that many families in Jamaica face the prospect of paying out millions of dollars to treat cancer and other NCDs. “Among these conditions cancer is being highlighted for special focus not only because of the emotional anguish it causes but also because mortality statistics show that as a group cancer is the second leading cause of death among women and the third leading cause of death among men in Jamaica. The cost to treat these diseases from the standpoint of the government is significant,” Dr Ferguson said. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

T

T and Venezuela have reached a deal to jointly produce gas from fields located between the two countries, Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said. According to a Prensa Latina report, Venezuelan state-owned oil giant Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and Chevron Corp will produce the gas from unified offshore fields that contain nearly 12 trillian cubic feet of natural gas.

The deal was sealed on Tuesday night with Energy

Minister Kevin Ramnarine, who travelled to Caracas to wrap up the agreement, Ramirez said. He said the gas production agreement is scheduled to be signed in Caracas next week. “We are going to sign the document approving the functional structure and governability of the operations of the unified fields next week with the presence of Minister Ramnarine”, Ramirez said.

The biggest of the fields has 10.25 trillion cubic feet of gas, of which “73.75 per

Save the jobs, says Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

Cuba proposes direct mail service talks with U.S.

C

uba has proposed that a United States government delegation should visit Havana this month for a second round of talks on resuming direct postal services.

Mail service between the United States and Cuba was cancelled in 1963 as Washington tightened economic sanctions on Havana, as a result, letters and packages now go through third countries, such as Mexico, Canada or Panama.

According to a report in the Miami Herald, Cuba proposed the talks be held

September 16 in Havana.

Talks on reopening the postal service took place in 2009 in Havana, but the Obama administration cancelled the contacts after U.S. government sub-contractor Alan P Gross was sentenced to 15 years in a Havana jail for delivering sophisticated communications equipment to Cuba’s tiny Jewish community.

The Cuban government claimed that Gross was involved in espionage and sought to destabilise the revolution.

The mail talks howev-

er, resumed in Washington from June 17-18. The following month, both sides also renewed talks on migration issues, considered far more important to the bilateral relations.

After the June talks, the Cuban government declared that those meetings had been satisfactory and helpful even though the issue of direct mail service was subject to unspecified “obstacles” because of the U.S. embargo on the Spanishspeaking Caribbean island, the Herald said. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

cent is Venezuela’s and 26.25 per cent is Trinidad and Tobago’s”, Ramirez said.

Production from this field will be undertaken from the Venezuelan side, said Ramirez, who is also the CEO of PDVSA. “We have reached an agreement. We are going to exploit it from the Venezuelan side, where 73.75 per cent of the gas is… and we are going to do it between PDVSA Gas and Chevron”, the energy minister said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

P

rime Minister Freundel Stuart has directed heads of government departments and permanent secretaries not to send

home a single temporary worker unless every other option is explored.

Not only has he advised them to do some juggling of their accounts

to keep people employed, but he promised that government was moving urgently to correct the recurring problem of temporary workers waiting for their pay for months.

Stuart made those disclosures on Saturday as he addressed the second day of the Barbados Workers’ Union’s (BWU) 72nd Annual Delegates’ Conference at Solidarity House.

He also responded to questions from members about the 2013 Budget, including the proposed Bds$30 million reduction in the allocation in the estimates for temporary posts/employees. (Excerpt from Nation News)

Guatemalan bar attack leaves 11 Uruguayan found alive after four months lost in the Andes people dead

A

58-year-old Uruguayan man who disappeared four months ago in the remote Andes Mountains was found alive on Sunday, after he spent a brutal winter eating rats and raisins to survive, local media reported.

Raul Fernando Gomez Circunegui reportedly got lost in May. He was trying to cross the mountains from Chile to Argentina on foot because his motorcycle broke down.

Argentine officials from the northwestern province

of San Juan stumbled upon Gomez in a shelter 2840 metres (9318 feet) above sea level when they travelled there to record snow levels.

“The truth is that this is a miracle. We still can’t believe it,” San Juan Governor Jose Luis Gioja told the local Diario de Cuyo newspaper.

“We let him talk to his wife, his mother and his daughter.... I asked him: ‘Are you a believer?’ He told me, ‘no, but now I am.’”

Sugar, raisins, rats and the shelter’s leftover supplies kept Gomez

alive through the Southern Hemisphere’s winter. He lost 20 kilos (44 pounds) during the ordeal and is dehydrated. He is receiving medical attention, according to media reports.

Photos of an emaciated, bearded Gomez resting on a bed were splashed on the websites of Argentine newspapers Clarin and La Nacion.

A doctor who examined Gomez was surprised by the man’s resilience, according to Uruguayan newspaper El Pais. (Excerpt from Reuters)

New crime plan for The Bahamas Police said several children were among those wounded in the attack

A

group of armed men in Guatemala has killed 11 people and wounded another 15 in an attack at a bar in the remote town of San Jose Nacahuil.

Some of the victims were found dead after they tried to hide in the liquor store’s bathrooms and nearby alleys. The motive is not clear, but Guatemalan police are investigating the possible involvement of the country’s notorious crimi-

nal gangs, or maras.

Guatemala has one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America.

The attack took place on Saturday night. No arrests have been made. The group escaped in a car it seized from someone who lived near the bar.

The vehicle was found abandoned outside the town, which can only be accessed by dirt road. Local newspaper Prensa Libre reported that a gang had

been expelled from the liquor store shortly before the attack.

They are said to have returned, wearing balaclavas, to shoot randomly at those at the bar. “Nothing like this had ever happened before. We have never seen a massacre like this,” said Nacahuil resident Victor Tepen.

His 20-year-old nephew, Javier Tepen, was among the dead in the attack. (BBC News)

I

n the face of the recent dramatic rise in murders and violent attacks in The Bahamas, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage on Friday announced that all police officers on New Providence will immediately be placed on 12-hour shifts.

Additionally, he said 150 defence force marines will be immediately deployed to assist with the crime fight.

“This will have the effect of doubling the number of officers on the frontline,” he said during a press conference at

police headquarters.

“Secondly, all officers on the police band, as a consequence of this, have been deployed to front line policing. Further, I wish to advise members of the public that for the time being, all requests for the use of the police band have been suspended.”

The announcement of the initiatives, which all take effect today, came as Nottage acknowledged that gang and turf wars have fueled the recent increase in violence. In the past two weeks, 13 peo-

ple have been murdered.

Nottage added that police officers serving in administrative and support service capacities will also be deployed to the front line.

He said a police superintendent has been charged to take over the firearms and tracing investigation unit.

That superintendent will be joined by a team of weapons experts and sharp shooters.

Nottage said this will result in an increase in the firearms unit by 100 per cent.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

15 Around the World

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 9, 2013

Syria chemical arms: “Global ICC trials of Kenya’s red line” crossed – Kerry leaders threaten to

U

.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says he and Arab League foreign ministers have agreed that the Syrian president’s alleged use of chemical weapons crossed a “global red line”.

Kerry, speaking in Paris, is in Europe to muster support for action against President Bashar al-Assad. “Assad’s deplorable use of chemical weapons crosses an international, global red line,” he said. Assad has reportedly again denied any link to the attack.

In an interview for U.S. broadcaster CBS, to be broadcast today, Assad

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry: “There is no military solution... but to enforce the standard with respect to the use of chemical weapons”

also reportedly “suggested that there would be, among people that are aligned with him, some kind of retaliation if a strike was

made”, CBS said.

Arab countries are divided on the question of military strikes on Syria.

The BBC’s Hugh Schofield

reports from Paris that some like Saudi Arabia and Qatar are in favour while others like Syria’s neighbours Jordan and Lebanon are far more cautious, worried about the conflict spreading across their borders.

The U.S. accuses Assad’s forces of killing 1429 people in a Sarin gas attack on August 21.

Assad’s government blames the attack on rebels fighting to overthrow him in the country’s twoand-a-half-year civil war, which has claimed some 100,000 lives, according to UN estimates. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Afghan president condemns Mubarak-era minister deadly NATO strike Moussa to head Egypt’s constitution panel

A

fghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned a NATO air strike in the east of the country that he said left 16 civilians dead, according to a statement from his office.

“Hamid Karzai considers attacking women and children against all accepted international norms and strongly condemns it,” Sunday’s statement read a day after air strikes hit Kunar province.

NATO said 10 fighters died in Saturday’s strike, and that it had no reports of any civilian deaths. The latest disputed air strike occurred in the Watapur district of Kunar province, which lies near the border with Pakistan.

It is a stronghold for

armed groups, and many Arab and other foreign fighters are believed to operate there alongside the Afghan Taliban. Some are suspected of links to the alQaeda network.

Kunar province police chief Abdul Habib Sayed Khaili said the air strike hit a pick-up truck carrying women and children in Qoro village soon after three Arab and three Afghan fighters boarded it on Saturday evening.

He said some reports called it a drone strike, but that Afghan officials had been unable to confirm that. Of the 16 dead, four were women, four children and one the driver, the police official said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

mr Moussa, a stalwart of the government of Egypt’s veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak, has been selected to chair the committee entrusted with amending a constitution pushed through by the deposed Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi.

Despite promising an inclusive approach, the army-backed government included only two Islamists on the crucial committee, neither from Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, now the target of a sweeping security crackdown after more than a year in power.

Moussa, who was foreign

Somalia aims to get a million more children into school

T

he authorities in Somalia are launching a campaign to get one million more children into schools. The Go 2 School initiative started simultaneously in the capital Mogadishu and in the main cities of Somaliland and Puntland.

It’s being supported by the UN children’s agency, Unicef, at a cost of US$117 million (£75 million).

After two decades of civil war, aid agencies say Somalia’s formal education system has almost completely collapsed. School enrolment rates are among the lowest in the world. Only four out 10 Somali children currently attend school.

Girls are particularly badly affected. Only one in three is at schools in south and central Somalia, where the militant Islamist group Al-Shabab still controls many areas. Unicef says the project will give a quarter of young people current-

minister for 10 years under Mubarak, won the votes of 30 of the committee’s 50 members when the group convened for the first time on Sunday. The interim government, installed by the army after it overthrew Morsi on July 3, wants the panel to complete its work within 60 days. The constitution will then be put to a popular vote and provide the basis for parliamentary and presidential elections and a return to civilian rule early next year.

A first draft of the new charter, leaked two weeks ago, would remove Islamic additions forced through under Morsi. (Excerpt from Reuters)

reopen wounds

Men push their handcart past a danger sign at the sprawling Kibera slums in Nairobi, September 6

T

he approaching trials of Kenya’s president and his deputy in The Hague are worrying the upland communities that were rent apart by a post-election bloodbath more than five years ago, violence the two men are accused of orchestrating.

When Deputy President William Ruto enters the dock at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, to be followed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in November, members of their two ethnic groups fear the course of justice could open old wounds.

Their victory in this year’s peaceful election under the Jubilee Alliance has done little to heal rifts on the ground between Kenyatta’s Kikuyu and Ruto’s Kalenjin clans, which clashed after a disputed 2007 poll, when the two backed rival cam-

paigns.

It leaves on tenterhooks east Africa’s biggest economy, where tribal loyalties have long driven politics or fuelled violence. It also worries the West, which sees a stable Kenya as vital to regional security and the fight against militant Islam.

For the ICC, the first trial involving a sitting president is its biggest test to date as the institution set up in 1993 faces mounting opposition in Africa, where it is seen as biased for having only charged Africans.

“The alliance between Kenyatta and Ruto bought us time,” said 34-year-old Regina Muthoni, who lives near the western city of Eldoret, close to where her mother and about 30 other Kikuyus were burned to death in a church torched by a Kalenjin gang. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China releases prominent dissident early

C

Only four out of 10 Somali children attend schools

ly out of education a chance to learn.

“Education is the key to the future of Somalia,” Unicef’s Somalia Representative Sikander Khan said. In June the Somali prime minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon, promised that his government would give education the same priority as defence and security.

“We have lost two generations of children to war,” Somalia’s education minister Maryam Qasim told the BBC, “the Somali child cannot wait for another generation.”

She said she was undeterred by the security threat from Al-Shabab saying that education would prevent children joining the militant group. (Excerpt from BBC News)

hina has released from prison early a prominent dissident and journalist who was jailed in 2005 for leaking state secrets abroad after Yahoo! was accused of helping authorities identify him, a rights group said.

Shi Tao was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Yahoo defended itself at the time, saying it had to abide by local laws.

The group PEN International said late on Saturday that Shi had been released 15 months before the end of his sentence.

“We welcome news of Shi Tao’s early release, at a time when there seem to be increasingly long shadows over freedom of expression in China,” the group’s Marian Botsford Fraser said in a statement.

“Shi Tao’s arrest and imprisonment, because of the actions of Yahoo

A picture of jailed Chinese journalist Shi Tao is reflected in the entrance sign of China’s embassy in Berlin, August 24, 2007

China, signalled a decade ago the challenges to freedom of expression of Internet surveillance and privacy that we are now dealing with.”

A Chinese rights activist, who is in contact with Shi, confirmed he had been released just over a week

ago. The activist, who asked not to be identified, said Shi was not accepting interviews for now.

It was not immediately clear why he had been let out early, though such releases can be granted in China due to good behaviour in jail. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16

monday, September 9, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean

Marginal economic growth forecast for Saint Lucia and other OECS countries

Africa: The Global Competitiveness Index 2013-2014

North America

Asia

S

aint Lucia and other member states of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union are forecast to record marginal economic growth estimated at 1.5 per cent in 2013 and 2.2 per cent in 2014.

The economic performance of the region continues to be hampered by the global recession and is linked largely to growth in the economies of major source markets like the United States and Europe.

Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union

(ECCU) and prime minister of Saint Lucia, Dr Kenny Anthony, said it is imperative that member countries adopt effective strategies to stimulate growth of at least 3.5 per cent between now and 2015 and at least eight per cent in growth thereafter.

“We are conscious of the need to stimulate growth as this is linked to the achievement of financial stability, fiscal and debt sustainability and ultimately sustainable employment for our citizens.

In this environment we must

pursue efforts to return our economies on a path of growth by carefully selected investment initiatives.”

In recognition of the need to aggressively address the region’s debt situation, the Eastern Caribbean Development Bank (ECCB) is collaborating with the Centre for Latin American Monetary Studies to develop a proposal to address the peculiar circumstances of small, middle income and highly vulnerable countries. (Caribbean News Now)

Apple faces e-book restrictions

A

U.S. judge has imposed restrictions on the agreements technology giant Apple can make with book publishers to prevent it fixing the price of e-books. The move follows a court ruling in July that Apple conspired with five publishers to control e-book prices.

The judge also ordered Apple to hire an external monitor to ensure it complies with the new rules. The U.S. Department of Justice, which launched legal action against

Apple, said it was “pleased”.

Apple is now not allowed to enter agreements with the five publishers that would allow prices to be fixed. The judgement expires after five years, though the judge can order extensions if necessary.

“We’re pleased that the court has issued an order supporting the Department of Justice’s efforts to address Apple’s illegal price fixing conduct,” said assistant attorney general Bill Baer in a statement.

“Consumers will continue to benefit from lower e-books prices as a result of the department’s enforcement action to restore competition in this important industry.

“By appointing an external monitor to ensure future compliance with the antitrust laws, the court has helped protect consumers from further misconduct by Apple.” Apple was found to have encouraged publishers to set the price of their e-books, rather than allowing retailers to decide the price. (BBC News)

Europe

Greece PM sees end to recession in Thessaloniki speech

G

reek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras says the country’s six years of recession will end next year. He said that Greece was now an “island of stability” in an ever less stable region.

Samaras was speaking at the Thessaloniki trade fair, which has been the scene of protests about the country’s tough austerity measures.

More protests were expect-

ed on Saturday, this time in support of civil servants who face losing their jobs.

Four thousand police have been deployed to avoid violence. Greece’s economy has shrunk by 23 per cent since 2008. So far the country has received two bailouts of about 240 billion euros (£205 billion).

As part of current bailout conditions, the government has been forced to im-

pose drastic cuts, tax rises, and labour market and pension reforms. The BBC’s Mark Lowen in Athens said that in a country where economic confidence is sorely lacking, the prime minister showed plenty of it in his Thessaloniki speech.

He told his audience that talk of “Grexit”, Greece’s departure from the euro, had been replaced by “Grecovery”. (BBC News)

Market statistics Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates Bank of Guyana

Cur GBP CAN USD

Fixed as at July 24, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Buying

Selling

U.S.

$1335.00

$ 319.14 $196.07 $204.99

$323.15

Cambio

$198.32 $207.43

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

$202.67

Indicators as on September 6, 2013 Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask

$1388.80

$1389.80

Low/High

$1359.80

$1394.50

Change

+21.10

+1.54

USD GBP EUR

AM

1368.25 877.87 1042.24

Sept 5 USD GBP EUR

AM

1391.75 891.06 1054.60

Crude Oil Price Silver Platinum

London Gold Fix

Sept 6

Indicators

USD Per Once

US$ per barrel

Change %

$115.26 USD per Ounce

+0.30

23.84 $1491.00

Change %

+0.63 +8.00

PM

1387.00 886.89 1052.91 PM

1385.00 887.82 1053.47

T

Country Profile highlights – North Africa

unisia places 83rd in this year’s report. The country’s positioning reflects the important challenges Tunisia will have to tackle in order to put its economy onto a sustainable growth path and resolve its daunting unemployment problem.

The country’s macroeconomic fundamentals need to be brought back on track by narrowing the budget deficit and further reducing inflation.

Ensuring that the labour market contributes to more efficiently using talent is crucial to

raising competitiveness.

The country currently ranks very low at 132nd overall on the labour market efficiency pillar. At the same time, financial markets do not efficiently fulfil their role in providing the business sector with financial means to grow. Moreover, the banking system needs to be stabilised further to build trust and confidence, which at present is ranked a low 129th.

Egypt drops by 11 positions to reach 118th place in this year’s GCI. This assessment is likely influenced by the country’s

continued transition since the events of the Arab Spring. The deteriorating security situation and tenacious political instability are undermining the country’s competitiveness and its growth potential going forward.

Although resolving political friction needs to remain the priority as this report goes to print, many of the underlying factors that will be decisive about the sustainability of the country and the cohesion of the society over the medium to longer term are economic in nature. (allAfrica)

China August exports beat forecasts, point to stabilisation

C

hina’s exports rose more than expected in August, boosted by improving demand for the country’s goods in major markets and adding to evidence that the world’s second-largest economy may have avoided a sharp slowdown.

The Customs Administration said on Sunday that exports rose 7.2 per cent in August from a year earlier and imports rose seven per cent, leaving the coun-

try with a trade surplus of US$28.6 billion for the month.

The figures compared with market expectations in a Reuters poll of a rise of six per cent in exports, an 11.3 per cent rise in imports and a trade surplus of US$20 billion.

“China’s August trade sustained the upward trend seen since July, in line with accelerating growth momentum and improving market sentiment, pointing to an upside

bias in Q3 GDP growth,” ANZ economists Liu Li-Gang and Zhou Hao said in a note after the data.

After slowing in nine of the past 10 quarters, the world’s second-largest economy has shown signs of stabilisation, with surprisingly firm rebounds in trade in July and surveys in the last week showing manufacturing regaining momentum and growth in the services sector at a five-month high. (Reuters)

Middle East

How Dubai renters can save by opting to buy

D

ubai renters could save money by buying a similar property, an analysis by Arabian Business has revealed. As rental levels increase and mortgage rates remain low, the value of annual rents and mortgage repayments has become comparable and, in most cases, it is now cheaper to buy.

For example, the average price of a one-bed apartment in Dubai Marina is AED1.4

million (US$381,000), according to the Arabian Business Better Homes Live Property Index.

Taking into account a 20 per cent deposit, which is the level most UAE banks expect, the average mortgage rate of 3.99 per cent plus fees and a 25-year loan, annual mortgage repayments for an average one-bed apartment in Dubai Marina equal AED70,941, according to the

HSBC online mortgage calculator.

That is a saving of more than AED14,000 compared to the average annual rent of AED85,000.

The savings are similar in Downtown Dubai, where a one-bedroom apartment costs an average AED1.7 million and annual mortgage repayments using the same calculations equal AED86,143.

(Arabianbusiness)

Investors' guide Wall St Week Ahead: Markets could turn choppy as Fed, Syria risks mount

U

.S. stocks could be in for a jolt of volatility in the week ahead as Congress debates whether to authorise a military strike against Syria and as the Federal Reserve’s pivotal decision on winding down its stimulus grows near.

U.S. equity markets have remained on a relatively even keel recently even as others such as U.S. Treasuries and emerging markets have been roiled by worries over what the Fed is likely to do at its meeting later this month and by the Obama administration’s campaign to punish Syria for an alleged chemical weapons attack

against civilians.

After falling 3.1 per cent in August, the benchmark Standard and Poor’s rebounded 1.4 per cent in the first week of September.

For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.76 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite gained nearly two per cent.

The CBOE’s Volatility Index, or VIX, a proxy for investor anxiety, fell seven per cent for the week, its largest weekly decline since mid-July. Its closing level of 15.85 on Friday was near a two-week low, and the so-called “fear gauge” is within a point of its average level for the past year, so it is far from elevated.

Still, President Obama’s efforts to convince reluctant lawmakers to back his request for a military strike could get the volatility needles rising.

A Senate vote is likely to come this week. “(This) week has the potential to see increased volatility and perhaps a jump in the VIX,” said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer of Solaris Group in Bedford Hills, New York, with US$1.5 billion in assets.

The worry for investors would be if a U.S.-led military strike against Syria escalates into a prolonged conflict, Ghriskey said.

That could be negative for stocks. (Reuters)

Business concept – Competence

Last: 14922.50

Changes: -14.98

% Change: -0.10

Open: 14947.16

High: 15009.84

Low: 14789.40

% YTD: +13.88

52Wk Hi: 15658.43

52 Wk Lo: 12035.09

A cluster of related abilities, commitments, knowledge, and skills that enable a person (or an organisation) to act effectively in a job or situation.

Competence indicates sufficiency of knowledge and skills that enable someone to act in a wide variety of situations. Because each level of responsibility has its own requirements, competence can occur in any period of a person’s life or at any stage of his or her career.

news

17

monday, september 9, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

New mining equipment firm opens doors in Guyana

G

uyana’s economy is looking more lucrative to foreign investors as their numbers are increasing, this time with another Surinamese businessman taking the plunge in the local mining sector by investing millions of dollars in expanding his mining supplies company here.

Located at Forshaw and Oronoque streets, HFD Mining Supplies is a subsidiary of a Surinamebased company specialising in supplying mining equipment throughout South America.

Mining sector

Owner of HFD Mining Supplies, Karel Dawson said he has been exporting high-tech gold detectors to Guyana for years and has observed the growth of the mining sector each year despite the fluctuation of the gold price; hence, his decision to enter the Guyanese market.

He added that his company is also the supplier of high-quality mining equipment imported from Brazil.

Dawson noted that his venture here was made possible with the partnership of three other Surinamese investors.

He pointed out that the products offered by his com-

pany are compatibly priced with the local market, while noting that he is not looking for huge turnovers but to serve the needs of the mining sector fairly, while providing employment for Guyanese in the process.

Dawson, whose Suriname business is 20 years old, noted that he had his eyes on the Guyana market for some time now, but had to go through all the procedures before he could have set up shop here. He noted that finding a suitable location and acquiring property were the two major factors he had to deal with.

Great job

“For businesses like this, we needed a property with a lot of volume, you have to look at the right building for you to set up your business and once you have that, it gets easy because the government is doing a great job for foreign investors,” Dawson stated.

He disclosed that now his business is in full swing, he will be looking to open sites in mining areas so that products can be readily available to miners when they are in need, rather than having to source them from

bouring country.

Persaud said that investments such as this will strengthen the countries’ relationship.

“The relationship between Guyana and Suriname is healthy, and it is our intention as the government to ensure that we maintain that good relationship and that at the end of the day, we make it possible for two people or the business communities or even our political leaders to build on the successes we had so far,” the minister noted.

The newly-commissioned HFD Mining Supplies store in Queenstown, Georgetown

Georgetown. The businessman noted that while security will remain a concern, business always go with risks.

Dawson told the small gathering at the opening ceremony of his company on Sunday that he feels at home when he is in Guyana because of the close relationship and similarities between the two countries.

He noted that his move into the Guyanese market is because of the local economic explosion over the decade.

“What’s happening here is not only an investment for me but a realisation of

the dream of being a part of the continued economic explosion taking place in Guyana,” he stated.

He commended the government for the procedures in place, which he said are convenient and efficient.

Attending the opening ceremony was Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, who expressed his delight in seeing more Surinamese investors entering Guyana’s market.

He advised that Guyana’s private sector reciprocate and also look for opportunities in the neigh-

Expanding sector

He pointed out that Guyana has a dynamic mining sector, which is expanding and growing technologically, thus, the need for better environmental practices.

The minister disclosed that currently, there are 16,000 dredges in Guyana and close to 10,000 licensed operations, which is testimony to the success of the sector.

Minister Persaud urged the businessman to treat Guyanese miners fairly and not exploit them since the success of his business is link to the miners’.

Chairman of the Trade, Intelligence and Investment

Committee of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Dookhoo said the local private sector welcomes the investment.

He noted that the PSC has been advocating for foreign investors to be given the same priority and privileges as the local ones.

"Economic bubble"

Dookhoo noted that Guyana is an “economic bubble that keeps bubbling all the time” and there must be no turning back from all that has been achieved.

Meanwhile, Suriname’s Ambassador to Guyana, Nisha Kurban-Baboe, said she is pleased to see that Surinamese businesses are expanding, especially when they do so in Guyana.

She extended her help whenever it is needed, noting that there are a lot of opportunities in the mining sector in both countries for businesses to flourish.

Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association President Patrick Harding said the local mining industry is built on private investments, and he welcomes all investors.

He said he hoped that the HFD Mining Supplies brings new technology to enhance the operation of the mining sector.

Political leaders make stirring appeal to encourage reading

T

he United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) defines literacy as a right and a foundation for lifelong learning, better well-being and livelihoods, and a driver for sustainable and inclusive development.

The organisation states that over the years, the notion of literacy has evolved, and that the conventional concept limited to reading, writing and numeracy skills is still in wide use, as well as the notion of functional literacy which links literacy with socio-economic development.

This year’s International Literacy Day is themed “Literacies for the 21st century”, to highlight the need to realise “basic literacy skills for all” as well as equip everyone with more advanced literacy skills as part of lifelong learning.

Educational priority

“Literacy is much more than an educational priority – it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the 21st century.

"We wish to see a century where every child is able to read and to use this skill

izens free education from nursery to university, but at the heart of education is literacy.

“Literacy is the gateway to a good life, it’s the gateway to self-empowerment, and it’s the gateway to human and national development.

"So as we observe International Literacy Day, make it meaningful, read something, give a child a book and this is the way we would promote literacy in Guyana,” said Granger.

President Donald Ramotar

to gain autonomy,” stated UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova.

On International Literacy Day, on Sunday, Guyana joined the rest of the world in observance, with the national observance slated for today.

President Donald Ramotar said life transforming ideas have often come to him through reading.

“I read to be kept informed of events countrywide, as well as on global issues. On a personal level, I also derive great pleasure from reading. Reading with understanding is the basis of learning effectively in all other areas. On Monday, September 9, 2013, my entire office and I will join with

Opposition Leader David Granger

the Ministry of Education at 11:00am in reading for 15 minutes, if you can, please join us,” he said.

He urged: “Remember to give a book to someone. For those who, for one reason or another, cannot read as well as they wish to, resolve to learn.

"In the next year, the Ministry of Education is mandated to offer accessible programmes to help all persons, young and old, who want to learn to read.

Together, let us build a nation of readers.”

Education Minister Priya Manickchand said reading has always been a huge part of her life.

“This is Education

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan

Month and on September 8, the world observes World Literacy Day and on September 9, Guyana is going to observe it by doing two things: one, we are going to ask all of Guyana to give a book to someone and at 11:00h, we’re asking you to drop whatever you’re doing and read.

"When we say Read, we mean read anything. Read a magazine, read a text book, read a novel, read the newspapers, read a memo, read your horoscope, read emails, read from a recipe book – just read. Drop everything and read,” she said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader David Granger noted that the Constitution of Guyana guarantees all cit-

Ideal occasion

Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan said International Literacy Day is an ideal occasion to reinforce the importance of literacy in building a competent and productive nation.

“It also provides a wonderful opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to eliminating illiteracy as far and wide as possible in our society.

"I join the Ministry of Education in encouraging everyone on Monday, September 9 to give a book, any book, old or new to someone, and at 11:00h to drop everything and read. Let us unite in the fight to eliminate illiteracy,” said the AFC leader.

Education chief of the

Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, Sheik Moen UlHack said in a message that reading is knowledge and knowledge is power; poverty is when one cannot read.

“So empower yourself and learn to read, for reading is the best weapon against intolerance and illiteracy.

"There is no friend as loyal a book so let us join the Ministry of Education on Monday, September 9 at 11:00h and let us all read for 15 minutes. Let us invest in each other by giving a book to someone,” he said.

Importance of literacy

Chief Education Officer Olato Sam noted that many have been lucky enough to have had someone – a parent, a teacher, relative or guardian, who passed on to the value and importance of literacy.

“The fact that we pause to reflect on it, we quickly realise how much being literate adds to the quality of life we enjoy today and how much harder life would be if we were illiterate,” said Sam. Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) top student Zimeena Rasheed said reading contributed greatly to her success.

There were also messages from cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan and Caribbean Table Tennis Champion Chelsea Edghill.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, september 9, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) The more you accomplish, the more buzz you’ll attract. A partnership will bring new life to an old game. You’re in a cycle where nothing can slow you down, so get moving!

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) Bypass anyone trying to stifle your plans or your emotions. An inventive approach will add to your appeal in the workplace or at home. Try to mingle if you have time.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) It’s a good day for drawing up contracts or reviewing old papers. If you forge new partnerships with people of similar talents and interests, you’ll find much success.

CANCER (June 21July 22) Check out destinations packed with historic information involving your family background.

Educational exploration will broaden your outlook and the way you express yourself.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Concentrate on changes that will make you feel good about who you are and how you look. Don’t let anyone discourage you. Someone close to you is likely to show jealousy – just ignore it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Revisit old plans and people you have done business with in the past.

Discussions will lead to agreements and an opportunity to do something gratifying.

Peanuts ARIES (March 21-April 19)

SUDOKU

Jump into a challenging situation and show everyone that you have the skills to handle the impossible. You will make a powerful connection with much potential.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You may want to make changes at home, but be careful.

Disagreements or carelessness can lead to hurt feelings. Seek advice from all the concerned parties before taking the plunge.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23) Say little and do a lot when it comes to your work or career. You can achieve recognition if you are hardworking. Don’t let personal matters interfere with your productivity.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) Know what and what not to share. Your ideas for professional advancement are sound, but keep them to yourself until they’re implemented.

Saturday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20)

SAGITTARIUS

Do your own fact-finding. Someone is likely to present you with false information. Be responsible for whatever you choose to do. Romance will ease your stress and improve your personal life.

Your innovative ways will help others, but you must be careful not to let anyone take advantage of you. Invest more of your time and money into your home and family.

(Nov. 23Dec. 21)

news 19

YELLOW PAGES monday, September 9, 2013

Divinations and cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá and Khemetian spiritual guards, pendants, crystals and rune stones to help you overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money and many more. Call 10:00-16:00h on: +592690-1824. Email: anew-life@live.com

ACCOMMODATION

Tourist villa apartments 1, 2 & 3 bedroom, long & short term, and car rental service. Phone: 227-2199, 227-2186

car rental Journey Inn Apartments & car rental. Rooms & car to rent from $3000 Premio, Vitz. Phone: 679-7109, 6896668, 639-4452.

TO let

7-bedroom family/students/ individuals. Bungalow for long & short term rental (local & overseas guests), facilities included, vegetarian meals available. Contact BG Real Estate Agency on: 622-7079, 220-2130.

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

EDUCATION Electronics course - practicals 12 persons per class, register early, beginning September 4, Abdul Electronics.

Phone: 226-6551, 225-0391.

Music is fun! Register now and learn to play the keyboard, guitar, drums and do voice training. Call Foundation 7 on: 225-1151/617-4200

flowers 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

One office space for rent at 195A Camp St, Georgetown. Phone: 6173673, 677-0073

lAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie $1M and $1.2M phone: 675-7292 Residential area between Charles & Peter Streets, Parika, EBE. Phone: 622-6971/6612289

optician 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.

FOR SALE Mixed breed pups. Phone: 253-3114, 692-0126 One 320 CL Excavator located at Mahdia; excellent working condition.

Owner migrating, call 682-0365 or 614-1669 Gold Land, excellent investment.

Priced to sell, call 682-0365, 6141669

health Healthworld Holistic Centre: Psychotherapy available for all types of abnormal behaviors – addictions, emotional, suicidal, anger, relationship and sexual problems. Treatment of stress disorders, depression, fear, low self-esteem, insomnia, trauma, psychosomatic sicknesses, and children's disorders. We also conduct IQ evaluations and behavioral assessments.

By appointments only. Clinic hours: 11:00 – 17:00h. Tel: 592-621-0552.

Email:healthworldhc@gmail.com Ayurvedic herbal treatment for all chronic genetical /none genetical and diseases, including, HIV, Cancer, diabetic, pregnancy, sexual (weakness) etc. Phone: 685- 3220.

Are you pouring on pounds? Then call Raul /Carol Wilson: 660-6818, 6415923, 216-3016, 216-3601 for your healthy eating package.

Stay healthy and flexible with yoga.

Phone: 693-2233

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK, Immigration and Visa matters. Self Sponsorships, Holiday/ Visitor’s Visas, Work Permits, Students Visas, Family, Class, Immigration Forms, Embassy Enquiries, Appeals for Refused Cases, U.S 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

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 2253923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

PENPAL Retired Engineer aged 66 would like to know a single female over the age of 50. Phone: 604-7022

property for sale

2 bonds with 30,000 and 15,000sq ft space, with offices and residence; 15 minutes from Georgetown, ample parking. Call 647-8077/613-0567 One house located in Lamaha Gardens, hot and cold water. Call 219-4535 2 modern apartments located in Campbellville, Georgetown, hot and cold water, self-contained rooms etc. Phone: 219-4535

VEHICLES FOR SALE One Honda Cappa (Yellow) ideal for taxi or private use. Leather seats and roof, reverse camera, DVD/TV/ CD player, mag rims. Also Motorola Base Radio with Antennae. HC series; immaculate condition; give away price $1.2M. Call 647-2491.

One black scooter for sale, excellent condition. Phone: 602-7277, for information.

One new Yamaha R1 Motorcycle 1000cc (candy red & black) recently registered 2013. Latest double exhaust, bug lights, immaculate condition. Give away price, call 647-2491

One business property, Lamaha Street.

Phone: 669-3313, 231-4586, 695-4382.

Properties for sale. Phone: 642-2116 1 large 5-bedroom house with business.

Diamond. Phone: 627-3902 2-storey concrete house 32’x 55’, 4 bedrooms, block 8 Mon Repos, ECD, $35 million. Phone: 642-2116

services Dutch healing and upliftment, for clearing of land, dredging and ground work (strictly interior operation). Phone: 6621247.

lar businessman who owns a store on Water Street, Georgetown.

Brumell added that the investigation into the murder is progressing well, despite some hiccups.

The police chief made the comments during a

vigil held for the late biker in front of the Brickdam Police Station, Georgetown on Sunday evening.

When questioned who the murderer was, the commissioner gave a response that indicated the main suspect was a prominent young businessman.

Several witnesses have reportedly also placed the said businessman at the scene of the crime.

He is believed to be hiding in Suriname. However, the police are yet to issue

a wanted bulletin for the businessman.

Davis was reportedly shot by the businessman, who accused the now dead 30-year-old of having an affair with his wife.

According to police investigations, the businessman turned up at Davis’ East Bank Demerara home with his wife and sister-inlaw to confront Davis when an argument erupted, during which Davis was shot.

Davis was shot 15 times, a post-mortem report said.

Two injured in separate incidents

T

wo men are currently nursing wounds after being injured in separate incidents on Sunday afternoon.

The men are Simeon Lewis, 25, of Haslington, East Coast Demerara, who was stabbed to his leg and Devnauth Sumeer, 43, called “Puntin” of Lot 665 D Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was hit in the head with a glass bottle.

An injured Sumeer told Guyana Times that he was drinking with some friends at a shop in D Field, when his attacker known as “Lawrence” joined them. He said they were chatting when Lawrence began “disrespecting” him and tried to kick him.

Sumeer said the man had a bottle in his hand and after he dodged the kick, the man hit him with the bottle in the head. “I

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cting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell has identified the suspected killer of well-known biker Kirk Davis The acting commissioner identified a popu-

didn’t even do he nothing, we de gaffing and he start disrespect me, so I de talking back, you know, defending mehself and he knock me with de bottle in meh head,” he stated.

The man said his attacker lives a few houses away from him and after the incident, he went to the police station to make a report and was given a medical certificate to seek treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. The incident occurred sometime around 12:45h on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Lewis, a police officer, was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital after he was stabbed in the leg on Sunday. While the circumstances surround this incident are sketchy, reports reaching this newspaper indicate that Lewis was allegedly stabbed by his girlfriend.

A relative of the injured man told this newspaper that no one really knows what transpired and who committed the act. She said they do not want to pressure the young man by asking, so they are letting him rest and “when he is up to it”, he will talk about what happened.

The woman said that she got a phone call around 13:00h and was told that Lewis was stabbed so she rushed to the hospital. She said that the young man sustained a single stab wound to his right leg.

According to information received, the alleged perpetrator was held by the police but was later released.

The injuries received by both men are not life threatening; so they were treated by doctors and sent away.

Bel Air man shot dead

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Bel Air man was killed on Sunday evening after he was reportedly shot to the head during an encounter with the police.

The dead man has been identified as 44-yearold Kampta Persaud called “Krishna” of Bel Air Village, Greater Georgetown. The incident occurred sometime around 20:00h.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Persaud was confronted by police ranks after a report was made against him. However, he attacked the police with a cutlass which led to them reportedly discharging rounds at him.

A release from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation stated that the injured man was taken to the

hospital about 20:31h with a gunshot wound to the head. “On arrival, he was unresponsive and gasping for breath,” said the release, which further stated that Persaud succumbed about five minutes later.

A well-placed source told this newspaper that Persaud had reportedly threatened a man by the name of Jaimohan Sookhu with a knife.

Sookhu made a report to the Sparendaam Police Station and ranks went to Persaud’s home.

Persaud reportedly armed himself with a cutlass and attacked the officers, injuring one of them on his left arm and the other on his fingers. He began running towards his house, which caused the police to fire three warning shots.

The man did not stop and went into his house, hence, the police discharged a round which reportedly passed through the wall and hit Persaud in his head.

At Persaud’s home, a wooden building a few inches off the ground, bloodstains were seen in front of his bedroom door and there was a trail leading to the front door.

No one in the area saw what transpired; however, neighbours said that they heard gunshots around 20:00h and sometime after they learnt that Persaud has died. Reports indicate that the deceased was living alone.

Upon receiving the news of his death, relatives of Persaud gathered at the hospital; however, they declined to speak to the media about the incident.

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monday, September 9, 2013

Clarke fires Aussies to ODI win

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ichael Clarke scored a century as Australia beat England by 88 runs in the second one-day international to go 1-0 up in the fivematch series on Sunday.

After Friday’s opening match was washed out, the visiting skipper’s 105 from 102 balls helped his side to 315-7.

George Bailey supported Clarke with 82 off 67 balls to hand Australia a best ODI score against England in the UK. Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler made fifties but the hosts were dismissed for 227 with 5.4 overs left.

England named a strong batting line-up with Ben Stokes at number eight but were arguably a bowler light, relying on Ravi Bopara and Joe Root to deliver 12 overs.

But Morgan’s side got off to a good start when Steve Finn dismissed Shaun

Marsh caught behind with only the fourth ball of the match.

There was controversy as Shane Watson was adjudged lbw the very next ball, but reprieved by the Decision Review System when third umpire Aleem Dar viewed that the Australian number three had edged it.

Watson was eventually out for 38 to Bopara, as England opted to review Richard Kettleborough’s not out decision and Dar ruled there had been an edge to Buttler.

Aaron Finch made 45 before holing out off James Tredwell, although it was England’s spinner who was repeatedly punished on a good pitch by Clarke and Bailey.

The pair were in breathtaking form as they put on 155 for the fourth wicket to take the game away from England.

Bailey struck four sixes before eventually falling

SCOREBOARD Australia innings S Marsh c †Buttler b Finn 0 A Finch c Root b Tredwell 45 S Watson c †Buttler b Bopara 38 M Clarke* c †Buttler b Rankin 105 G Bailey c Tredwell b Bopara 82 A Voges not out 16 M Wade† b Rankin 0 J Faulkner c Morgan b Finn 18 M Johnson not out 6 Extras: (b1, lb1, w2, nb1) 5 Total: (7 wkts, 50 overs) 315 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-60, 3-116, 4-271, 5-283, 6-283, 7-308 Bowling: S Finn 10-1-682, W Rankin 10-0-49-2, B Stokes 10-0-66-0, R Bopara 10-0-57-2, J Tredwell 8-060-1, J Root 2-0-13-0 England innings K Pietersen c Faulkner b Watson 60

M Carberry c Clarke b Johnson 4 J Trott c †Wade b Johnson 0 J Root b Faulkner 3 E Morgan* c Clarke b McKay 54 R Bopara c & b Voges 1 J Buttler† c Johnson b Fawad Ahmed 75 B Stokes c Bailey b McKay 5 J Tredwell run out (Clarke/Faulkner) 1 S Finn c Voges b McKay 16 W Rankin not out 1 Extras: (lb1, w6) 7 Total: (all out, 44.2 overs) 227 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-9, 3-38, 4-97, 5-103, 6-154, 7-167, 8-169, 9-216, 10-227 Bowling: C McKay 9.2-1-473, M Johnson 10-2-36-2, J Faulkner 8-1-39-1, A Voges 6-0-32-1, Fawad Ahmed 7-055-1, S Watson 4-1-17-1

H

William Porterfield holds the WCL Championship trophy

Michael Clarke made his second Old Trafford hundred on tour to set up a big Australia win

to Bopara down the leg side while Clarke nicked behind to Boyd Rankin not long after completing his first oneday international century against England and eighth in all.

That left Morgan’s side needing a record ODI run chase of 316 and their chances vanished after a slow start to their innings.

Opener Michael Carberry, making his home ODI debut, struggled before picking out Clarke at backward point off an inspired Mitchell Johnson for just four and Jonathan Trott departed in the same over for a duck attempting to fend off a wicked lifting delivery.

After Joe Root was

bowled by James Faulkner, Pietersen, appearing for the first time as a ODI opener on home soil, gave England a glimmer of hope with two sixes in his 66-ball knock.

But once he fell to Watson for 60 it was game over with Bopara falling caught and bowled to Adam Voges before Morgan went for 54, caught in the deep to give Clint McKay a deserved first wicket.

Although Buttler scored a defiant 75 off 65 balls before giving Fawad Ahmed his first ODI wicket against England, the hosts were bowled out for just 227 and will head to Edgbaston on Wednesday with plenty of food for thought.

Vettel wins Italian GP ahead of Alonso

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ed Bull’s Sebastian Vettel beat title rival Fernando Alonso with a dominant performance in the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Vettel’s sixth win of the year extended his lead over his Ferrari rival to 53 points, with 175 available in the remaining seven races.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber beat Ferrari’s Felipe Massa to the final podium place.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton fought up to ninth after dropping almost to the back when a puncture forced him to make an extra stop compared to his rivals.

The Englishman enlivened the final few laps by passing Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen and both McLarens to haul himself up into the points.

But Hamilton is now 81 points behind Vettel in the championship, which has effectively devolved down to a straight fight between the German and Alonso.

“It was a fantastic race

Sebastian Vettel

but you can hear the difference when you don’t win here in a red suit,” said Vettel on the podium, in response to booing from the Ferrari fans. “But it means you have done well and beaten the red men but it was a great team effort today.

“The race was terrific for both of us [Vettel and

Ireland claim WCL Championship with thumping win

Webber]. We had problems with the gearboxes at the end, but I was OK because I had a good cushion.”

Vettel now appears in total control of the season, just as he was of this race.

Starting from pole position, the world champion damaged his right-front tyre with a flat spot when

fending off a challenge from Massa into the first corner but still managed to eke out an advantage in the opening laps.

Alonso, who started fifth, moved up at the start to fourth past Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, who had qualified an excellent third, and then brilliantly passed Webber for third around the outside of the second chicane on lap three.

The Spaniard then passed Massa into the first chicane on lap eight but initially could do nothing about Vettel, who extended his lead by about half a second over each of the next few laps.

Vettel was 6.6 seconds in front by lap 18, when Alonso started to come back at him, reducing the gap to 5.3secs over the next four laps.

Red Bull brought Vettel in on lap 23 but Ferrari decided to keep Alonso out for another four laps, hoping the fresher tyres might pay dividends later in the race.

(BBC Sport)

aving already ticked off one major box – qualifying for the 2015 World Cup in July – Ireland secured the World Cricket League Championship trophy after beating Scotland convincingly by seven wickets at Stormont.

It was a one-sided encounter after the two sides played out a thriller two days ago, with the hosts winning both games. Ireland’s seamers set it up by bundling out Scotland for 165 and their batsmen, led by Niall O’Brien, needed just 33 overs to chase it down.

Scotland chose to bat and lost their first wicket in the fourth over when Freddie Coleman was trapped lbw

by Max Sorensen. Hamish Gardiner and Matt Machan added 25 for the second wicket before Gardiner edged to the keeper, giving the seamer Eddie Richardson his first ODI wicket. The Ireland top order failed to put up sizeable stands, and were struggling at 61 for 4 in the 21st over.

Calum MacLeod and Richie Berrington then staged the only half-century stand of the innings.

The pair struggled to push the scoring initially, at one stage scoring just five runs in as many overs.

Berrington broke the drought with two boundaries off Richardson. Scotland took the Powerplay in the 36th over, but failed to capitalise, scoring only 19 runs off it.

The partnership ended in the 42nd over, when Berrington chipped a full delivery to wide mid-on, giving Kevin O’Brien his third

wicket. MacLeod tried to slog a slower ball by Richardson to cow corner but lost his stumps, leaving Scotland at 145 for 6 in the 45th over.

The pressure caused by the lack of runs led to the lower order throwing their bats around and Scotland could only manage a modest 165.

Stuart Thompson ended the innings when he bowled Iain Wardlaw in the 50th over.

Wardlaw was in action early with the ball when he removed the Ireland openers within seven overs. William Porterfield, who scored a century against England in an ODI earlier in the week, fell for 5 and the visitors had claimed an important wicket. However, Scotland couldn’t sustain the pressure after those breakthroughs.

Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien took the game away from them with a stand of 69, interrupted by rain. Joyce fell in the 19th over when he was bowled by the spinner Majid Haq. An aggressive stand of 75 between Niall O’Brien and Gary Wilson sealed the win for Ireland with 17 overs to spare, a testament to their domination in the tournament in which they dropped just one game out of 14.

Scotland needed to win both their weekend fixtures to boost their chances of gaining direct qualification for the World Cup. Having failed to do so, they will have to try their luck in the World Cup Qualifiers in New Zealand next year.

Afghanistan, currently third in the points table with 15 points, can finish second and gain qualification, if they can beat Kenya in their two remaining games.

SCOREBOARD Scotland innings H Gardiner c †Wilson b Richardson 18 F Coleman lbw b Sorensen 1 M Machan c N O’Brien b K O’Brien 23 P Mommsen* c †Wilson b K O’Brien 12 C MacLeod b Richardson 39 R Berrington c Dockrell b K O’Brien 35 D Murphy† not out 20 S Sharif b Sorensen 4 R Haq c Joyce b Thompson 0 G Drummond lbw b Sorensen 4 I Wardlaw b Thompson 0 Extras: (lb5, w4) 9 Total: (all out, 49.3 overs) 165 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-38,

3-58, 4-61, 5-127, 6-145, 7-155, 8-156, 9-164, 10-165 Bowling: S Thompson 9.3-020-2, M Sorensen 10-0-363, E Richardson 8-0-39-2, K O’Brien 10-0-31-3, G Dockrell 10-1-25-0, P Stirling 2-0-9-0 Ireland innings W Porterfield* b Wardlaw 5 P Stirling c †Murphy b Wardlaw 13 E Joyce b Haq 39 N O’Brien not out 65 G Wilson† not out 35 Extras: (b2, lb3, w2, nb2) 9 Total: (3 wkts, 33 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-22, 3-91 Bowling: I Wardlaw 10-0-602, G Drummond 3-0-15-0, S Sharif 7-0-38-0, R Haq 10-139-1, M Machan 3-0-9-0

monday, September 9, 2013

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Serena Williams wins fifth U.S. Open title

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Wrestling reinstated to Olympics

Serena William and Victoria Azarenka after Sunday's match

W

orld number one Serena Williams won her fifth U.S. Open title in a thrilling final against Victoria Azarenka at Flushing Meadows on Sunday.

The American, 31, overcame a determined opponent and a testing wind to win 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 and repeat last year’s final victory against the Belarusian.

Williams has now won 17 Grand Slam singles titles, moving her within one of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.

But after letting a double-break lead slip in the second set, and twice failing to serve out the match, Williams was made to dig as deep as in any of her 16 previous major wins.

Azarenka, 24, had beaten Williams twice this year, the last time in Cincinnati on the eve of the U.S. Open, and clearly believed she could defeat the American on a bigger stage.

Williams looked in ominously good form when she cracked a backhand crosscourt to break in the opening game, but a couple of errors gave the advantage straight back.

Azarenka was dealing better with the gusting wind on Arthur Ashe Stadium and serving well, in marked contrast to Williams, who also had to cope with a skirt that was clearly not designed for such conditions.

Serving to staying in the set at 4-5, a nervous Williams came up with a double fault and a foot fault, but fought her way out of trouble with two tremendous backhands and an ace.

The pressure suddenly switched to Azarenka and, now swinging freely, Williams hammered a cross-court forehand and a return at the second seed’s feet to clinch the set in 58 minutes.

Williams was on a roll and broke twice in the second set on her way to a 4-1 lead, but Azarenka regrouped and got one of the breaks back as the American endured more skirt issues and sent a forehand wide.

The champion still had the comfort of that second break - but faltered twice with victory in her sights.

A double fault and a wayward backhand saw the chance disappear at 5-4, and Williams missed with two

backhands at 6-5 and then, to gasps from the 23,000 spectators, double faulted for a seventh time.

When Williams missed another backhand to offer up two set points in the tie-break, she swiped her racquet in anger, appearing close to tears, and despite seeing off the immediate danger, the pressure told and she sent a backhand long when facing a third set point.

Williams could see another Grand Slam title slipping away but she responded superbly to dominate the final set.

Azarenka had served for the title last year, so knew all about going into a decider against Williams, but at 2-1 down she double faulted on break point. When the American broke for the seventh time, the contest seemed all but over.

There was one more flutter of nerves for Williams when she netted on her first match point, but Azarenka put a backhand over the baseline moments later to send the American leaping deliriously in celebration after two hours and 45 minutes of tension. (BBC Sport)

Wrestling has been reinstated to the Olympic Games

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restling has been reinstated as an Olympic sport for the 2020 and 2024 Games after being voted in ahead of baseball/softball and squash.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) members conducted a secret electronic ballot on the issue in Buenos Aires.

Wrestling had been dropped from the 2020 Olympic programme in February after the IOC assessed the performance of all 26 sports at London 2012.

On Saturday, the organisation’s 125th session awarded Tokyo the 2020 Games.

Wrestling - which was the favourite - received a majority of 49 votes, while a combined baseball/softball bid got 24 votes and squash 22.

The sport - one of the original disciplines at the Ancient Olympics - had been due to end its Olympic participation at Rio 2016 following its dismissal by the IOC earlier this year.

English 2010 Commonwealth bronze medallist, Leon Rattigan, told BBC Sport: “I am so pleased that the pinnacle competition to which we all aspire is saved.

“Wrestlers across the world continue to have something to work for.”

Members of amateur wrestling’s world governing body, the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (Fila), gave a roar when the result was announced by IOC president Jacques Rogge.

Wrestling’s triumph in the vote follows a number of sweeping reforms made following its exclusion, including overhauling its rules, administration, gender equality and operations.

Fila president, Nenad Lalovic, said the IOC would not regret its decision: “With this vote, you have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our sport have made a difference.

“I assure each of you that our modernisation will not stop now. We will con-

tinue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be.”

Earlier on Sunday, Lalovic had declared during wrestling’s presentation to IOC members: “Today is the most important day in the 3,000-year history of our sport.”

British Wrestling chief executive, Colin Nicholson, told BBC Sport: “In Britain we will now re-focus on growing participation in this Olympic sport.”

Squash suffered its third failed bid to take part in the Games for a first time. It had topped an IOC vote in 2005 for Olympic inclusion but failed to get the required two-thirds majority. It then failed again in 2009.

“Today’s (Sunday’s) decision is heart-breaking for the millions of squash players around the world, particularly given the 10-year journey we have been on to join the Olympic Games Sports Programme,” World Squash Federation president, Narayana Ramachandran, said. (BBC Sport)

Nadal is world’s best player – Djokovic

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afael Nadal is the best player in the world heading into the US Open final, says world number one Novak Djokovic.

The top two seeds will meet for the 37th time, and sixth in a Grand Slam final, at Flushing Meadows today.

And after one win apiece in their previous US Open finals, Nadal’s form this year has made him many people’s favourite to win a 13th major title.

“With no doubt he’s the best player in the moment this year,” said Djokovic, a six-time Grand Slam champion.

“It’s always the biggest challenge that you can have in our sport now. I mean, he’s the ultimate competitor out there.

Rafael Nadal

“He’s fighting for every ball and he’s playing probably the best tennis that he has ever played on hard courts.”

Nadal, 27, has won all 21 matches on hard courts this year since returning from a

seven-month lay-off because of a knee injury, and dropped serve just once while powering through the draw in New York.

He also leads the headto-head 21-15 and has won five of his last six matches against Djokovic, including a dramatic semi-final victory at the French Open, after the Serb had won seven times in a row in 2011 and 2012.

“I prefer to play against another opponent,” joked Nadal. “Talking about a final, I want to play against a player that I have more chances to win.

“Novak is a great opponent. There are other ones, but it’s true we have already played a lot of important matches for our career, so that makes that confronta-

Novak Djokovic

tion special.

“And when you have the chance to win against the most difficult players, it’s true that the victory is more special.

“But not in a final of the US Open. In the final of the

US Open, what’s really is important is to win the tournament, not the opponent.”

The final has been scheduled for a Monday this year, having been postponed until Monday for the last five years because of rain.

It has given the men’s finalists the guarantee of a day off between the semifinals and final, but leaves the controversial three-day opening round in place.

“I’m not in support of a Monday final, but this is what it is,” said Djokovic, who is appearing in his fifth final in New York, and fourth in a row.

“I mean, it’s just an ongoing subject with the US Open and with people who are in organisation here. I don’t see why the US Open should get

an exception in that.”

Nadal was in agreement, saying: “I like to finish the tournament on Sunday, not on Monday (today).”

Djokovic said he was “physically fine” after his five-set semi-final win over Stanislas Wawrinka, and knows what to expect today.

“The way he’s been playing he’s very confident, but I know how to play him,” said Djokovic.

“Hard court is the surface that is my most successful.

I have played him already here twice in the finals. I know what I need to do.

“Now it’s of course easier to sit here and say, ‘I know what I need to do,’ but I’ve got to do it on the court. I’ll be ready to give everything I have for the trophy.” (BBC Sport)

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monday, september 9, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

LDMAA cops top awards at WI stars converge on Papua New Guinea martial arts competition

P

Kemar Roach

Top performers of the LDMAA international martial arts tournament strike a pose with their medals, trophies and certificates. Miss India Guyana (standing centre) shares the moment

T

he Little Diamond Martial Arts Academy (LDMAA) hosted its international martial arts tournament recently at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, carting off the lion’s share of the accolades that were at stake.

Fifty-eight competitors from three schools in Guyana and one from Suriname participated in the two-day competition. The LDMAA, under the stewardship of Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim, earned 13 first place finishes, 16 runner-up spots and 11 thirds; they also claimed one grand champion trophy.

The LDMAA had students from their Enmore, Covent Garden, Parfaite Harmonie and Wales dojos competing in the tournament.

The Guyana Martial Arts Masters Association (GMAMA) hall-of-fame award went to Parsuram Arjune of Wales, while Omesh Jankie of Covent Garden was voted student of the year. A special award went to Marcell Lynda Yassim for her contribution to martial arts over the years, while the founder and master instructor of the year award went to Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim.

The LDMAA was also voted martial arts school of the year, while Michael Chotoo of Wales copped the

Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim and Marcell Lynda Yassim with their accolades

parent of the year accolade.

The Shuriken Karate School of Suriname, with six students, won 22 trophies/ medals and was the recipient of two hall of fame awards.

A special award was given to Instructor Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe of Suriname, while his son Lorenzo Khedoe was presented with a student of the year award.

Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe also received his fifth Dan Shin-Kai-Ryu certificate and third Dan certificates in self-defence and mixed martial Arts, while Christopher Norville was also presented with his fifth Dan Shin-Kai-Ryu certificate.

The LDMAA lost the team championship trophy to Black Hawks Martial

Arts Network, while the other competing school was the Harpy Eagle Martial Arts Club.

Also at the tournament, Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe and Marline Younge of the Enmore dojo were presented with LDMAA life members certificates, while Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who was present at the championship, received an honourary third Dan black belt and a life member certificate.

The tournament was a collaborative effort by Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim, the Sport Ministry, National Sports Commission, Macorp, 4R General Store, Survival Supermarket, Rohan’s Auto Sales, Starr Computers, Len’s Craft Optical, Gizmos and Gadgets, Mr Sharma of Enmore and Mr Deokanandan.

Meanwhile, the GMAMA also distributed several awards during the tournament. Among the recipients were Shihan Nowieldath Khedoe, Shihan Abdool Nazim Yassim, Barton Scotland, Marcell Lynda Yassim, Parsuram Arjune, Chetram Mortley, Michael Chotoo, Lorenzo Khedoe and the LDMAA. The GMAMA received support for their project from Apsara, Woodpecker Products, Kevin Jeffrey and Johnny Carpenter.

apua New Guinea will get a taste of cricket Caribbean style this week when current and former West Indian stars touch down in Port Moresby to participate in the annual Cricket PNG Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash.

West Indies Cricket One-Day international captain, Dwayne Bravo who has signed on as a development mentor and ambassador to Cricket PNG will be joined by Kemar Roach and Richie Richardson for a week of activities the likes of which the nation has never seen before.

In a first for Cricket PNG the Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash will be a beach cricket tournament held in the coast village of Hanuabada, due to the ongoing redevelopment of the Amini Park precinct.

Former Australian Test player and current Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell says that the impact of the trios visit will be huge.

“Papua New Guinea is a cricket-mad nation and our team has historically always looked up to West Indies cricketers,” said Campbell.

“In fact, the West Indies were the first international team to tour PNG back in 1975 and our cricketers look to emulate their entertaining style of play and their spirit of the game.”

“The atmosphere and excitement in the air that Dwayne Bravo, Kemar Roach and Richie Richardson are coming to town, has been astonishing,” he said.

In addition to partici-

pating in the beach cricket carnival the three West Indian greats will be involved in a number of other promotional and development initiatives to kick start Bravo’s Ambassador Role with Cricket PNG. The Ambassador role will see Bravo make sponsored visits across schools, academies and rural communities throughout greater Port Moresby. The objective of these visits will be to assist with junior participation programs and use cricket as a platform to motivate and inspire PNG youth.

Bravo will also act as a mentor to Papua New Guinean cricketers who are beginning to make a genuine impact on the world stage with more than a handful catching the eye of talent scouts within professional T20 franchises around the world.

Campbell says that Bravo’s profile, achievements and experience will play a crucial role as PNG enter the most important six months in the ICC Associate member’s history.

“We wanted to align our top players with a mentor and a powerful global superstar who could inspire them with his presence and his invaluable international experience and guidance. Dwayne Bravo has achieved incredible heights of success within both West Indies Cricket and on a global scale, and as the current Captain of the West Indies ODI squad, we felt he was the perfect candidate.” (First published on Box Score News)

New female football club launched

F

emale football development will be given a boost after a new club was formed as part of an initiative birthed out of the Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy.

A launch was held on Sunday at the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) building, Thomas Lands.

The formation of the club

is the brainchild of Lawrence “Sparrow” Griffith, coordinator of the annual academy. The club will comprise females mostly under the age of 23; however, the door will be open to all females interested in playing football.

The Scotiabank/Pepsi School academy is a concept developed by Colin Baker of the Guyana Sports

Development Association.

Griffith said there are not many female clubs in Guyana, and in order to ensure that aspect of the game is developed, more clubs are needed, hence more games will be played.

After the national female Under-17 team was defeated by wide margins in the just-concluded Caribbean Football Union tournament,

Griffith decided to form the club with the aim of enhancing aspiring players’ performance with sound tactical and technical training by qualified and competent coaches.

Griffith said he is hoping interested parents and young girls will attend the launch, as part of the agenda is the election of office bearers to administer the

club.

When officially formed, Griffith said the club will approach the ministries of education and sport for use of their grounds for training.

Griffith added that persons desirous of being part of the structure and are willing to assist in the successful running of the club are invited to the launch.

Lawrence “Sparrow” Griffith

monday, september 9, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Johnson, Fudadin aiming for consistency on WI A team tour

Fudadin, who was second to Johnson with 289 runs in the WICB Regional FourDay tournament, concluded.

Johnson and Fudadin are among five Guyanese selected for the tour. The others are left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine and the fiery fast bowler, Ronsford Beaton.

By Avenash Ramzan

C

onsistency is the watchword for West Indies A team middle-order batsmen Leon Johnson and Assad Fudadin as they prepare to head to India for a one-month series against the hosts, starting next week.

While Johnson features in the “Test”, One-Day and T20 squads, fellow lefthander Fudadin has been selected solely for the three “Test” matches, the first of which starts on September 26.

The 26-year-old Johnson said he is looking forward to the tour and is keen on achieving the goals he has set himself.

Fixture and squads

High expectations

“I have high expectations of myself for the upcoming tour to India. I’ve had a good year playing First-Class and one-day cricket and for me it’s just about adapting as quickly as possible to the conditions [in India],” Johnson, who played three ODIs for the West Indies, pointed out.

In June, the former West Indies Under-19 captain notched up his maiden First-Class hundred, a brilliant 144 for West Indies A against Sri Lanka A in St Kitts, but followed up with scores of 12 in the next “Test”; he had scores of four and five in the List A games.

Despite a string of low scores after the hundred, Johnson said he worked diligently on his game over the past months and is confident that he is in prime condition for the upcoming series.

“Yes I did fall away in

Assad Fudadin batting during his career-best 145 for West Indies A against Sri Lanka A in St Kitts earlier this year

Leon Johnson has high expectations

the one-day series with two single digit scores in the two games I played, but that was three months ago and I’ve put in a lot of work since then and I’m happy with my form at the moment,” he reckoned.

Johnson added, “Due to constant rainfall over the last couple of months in Guyana it was almost impossible to have practice out in the middle, so I have been using the artificial surface at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) cricket ground for the last three weeks on a daily basis.”

The Georgetown Cricket Club batsman was Guyana’s

leading runscorer in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day competition earlier this year, posting 430 runs from six games. He also topped Guyana’s aggregate in the Super50 tournament, notching up 204 runs from six matches.

In shape

Like Johnson, the 28-year-old Fudadin, has been making maximum use of the artificial turf at GYO, spending the last few weeks getting in condition for the tour.

With the experience of three Test matches for the

West Indies under his belt, Fudadin is looking to draw on all the knowledge gained from playing almost a decade of First-Class cricket when he gets into action in India.

“Putting up a consistent performance every time is key for me,” he told this publication on Sunday. “My aim on this tour is to put runs on the board and try as much as possible to contribute to the success of the team.”

A staunch Muslim, Fudadin only recently resumed training after observing the fast during the month of Ramadan, and he is positive his body is ready

for the rigours on an international tour.

“I had three matches since then, but apart from that I’ve been putting in the hours at the GYO facility and I can tell you that I’m feeling well physically, and I’m hitting the ball pretty well,” he reasoned.

Fudadin also had a good series against Sri Lanka A, hitting a career-best 145 in the first “Test” in St Kitts, his third First-Class century.

“I want to carry that same sort of momentum in India, and hopefully I can get the same results and help the team to win,”

During the upcoming series, West Indies A and India A will clash in three OneDay games on September 16, 18 and 20 in Shimoga, while the lone T20 match will be played on September 22, also in Shimoga.

The first four-day “Test” will take place on September 26-29 in Mysore, while the second and third “Test” will take place on October 3-6 and October 9-12 in Hubli and Bengaluru respectively.

The “Test” squad reads: Kirk Edwards (captain), Kieran Powell (vice-captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathon Carter, Sheldon Cotterell, Miguel Cummins, Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin, Jahmar Hamilton, Delorn Johnson, Leon Johnson, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Veerasammy Permaul and Chadwick Walton.

One-Day and T20 squad reads: Kieran Powell (captain), Veerasammy Permaul (vice-captain), Ronsford Beaton, Nkrumah Bonner, Jonathon Carter, Sheldon Cotterell, Miguel Cummins, Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Leon Johnson, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Andre Russell and Devon Thomas.

George returns with a bang, Albouystown/ Charlestown wins 100m and 400m notch opening

O

lympian Winston George signaled his return home by capturing the sprint double at the Police Gymkhana on Sunday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

George, who left Guyana early in the year to participate in a training camp in the United States of America (USA) before participating at the World Championships held in Russia in August, clocked in at 10.3s to win the men’s 100m event.

George used his drive phase expertly to get ahead of the field by the 50m mark before shutting down around 90m to win the event. Second went to Patrick King, who spent the last eight months in Trinidad and Tobago studying to become a physical fitness coach. He clocked 10.5s to finish ahead of Chavez Ageday who clocked 10.6s for third.

The women’s 100m saw Alita Moore having a field day when she easily defeated Carifta 200m bronze med-

win in InterWard basketball championship

A

Alita Moore cruises to win the women’s 100 metres

alist Tirana Mitchell to win the event. Moore was quick out of the blocks and into her quick turnovers by the 40m mark before smoothly transitioning into her deceleration phase to pick up an easy win in 11.7s.

Mitchell who was with

Moore at the 40m mark fell behind by the 70m mark, clocking 11.9s after shutting down at the 80m mark.

Akeila Alves was a distant third in a time of 12.4s.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 400m George easily won the event in 52.1s. Shawn

Semple was second in 52.4s while Quacey Simpson was third in 55.00s.

On the women’s side Moore doubled easily, winning in 1:02s while Onica Eastmond was second in 1:04s. Juanita Hooper was third in a slow time of 1:07s.

huge second quarter from defending champions Albouystown/ Charlestown gave them a tough 51-45 win over Lodge/ Meadowbrook to start their title defence of the Mackeson/ Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters Inter-Ward Basketball Championships on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Lodge/Meadowbrook capitalised early on their advantage in the paint and dominated the post as they tormented the defending champions’ defence with size, height and power for a first quarter lead that ended 16-7.

The tournament, which allows all teams to have two players outside of their community, benefited

Albouystown/Charlestown in a huge way as Dave Causeway and Sheldon Thomas sparked a 20-4 run to end the second quarter, putting the defending champs ahead 27-20.

The third quarter resumed with Lodge/ Meadowbrook going back to work on the low block while playing a high 2-3 zone defence that resulted in some easy fast break opportunities that brought them within one point of the defending champions as the third quarter ended 38-37.

Causeway’s ability to penetrate, Thomas’ smooth jump shot and Nico Fraser’s defence in the paint held off the Lodge/Meadowbrook side in the final period to come out with a win in their search for back-to-back titles.

monday, september 9, 2013

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Sheldon Thomas shoots over a defender from Lodge/Meadowbrook during the tightly contested encounter GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, Tel: 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230, 223-7231, Editor - 225-5128 Fax: 227-0685 SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.