Guyana Times Daily

Guyana’s economic freedom has advanced – U.S. think tank P 17

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2060 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

FIU filed one money laundering report since 2009 – DPP See story on page 13

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Door of ASL plane flung P2 open midair Prime Minister’s son gets bail for abusing sisterP7 in-law

Four arrested during drug P9 bust Fun, frolic as Lindeners P10 Mash

President Donald Ramotar and Guyana Olympic Association President K A Juman Yassin make their way with the Queen's Baton along Main Street as part of the Baton relay in Georgetown. In photo at right is A Partnership For National Unity Leader David Granger as he relays the Baton along Church Street. Below: students of city schools share in the moment with staff of UNICEF outside the UN agency's headquarters on Brickdam

Digicel makes donation to students of P12 Hobodeia Primary

Man stabs wife 27 times, commits suicide See story on page 2

Japan signs US$2.9M pact with Guyana See story on page 13

11 children home after P13 successful heart surgeries overseas PPP/C roasts GTUC for rejecting changes to CLC board

P17

2 news

tuesday, March 4, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Door of ASL plane flung open midair T

Man stabs wife 27 times, commits suicide

A

major disaster was averted on Monday after the door of an Air Services Limited (ASL) chartered plane flung open midway while approaching Kamarang, Region Seven.

The incident occurred about 12:15h, and according to reports, five passengers including a woman with a three-month-old baby were onboard the interior-bound flight.

Guyana Times was told that about 20 minutes before the plane landed at the Kamarang airstrip, the passengers noticed that the left side door was opened.

The worried pilot on seeing what happened, asked the passengers to hold the door shut until the plane lands, but the passengers reportedly told him it was no easy thing to do, but nevertheless, they tried.

However, after a few minutes, the door suddenly flung open again.

Good policeman

One of the passengers on the plane, a police officer, was asked to hand over his belt as it would effectively lock the door. And it did.

The plane eventually landed safely and both the passengers and the pilot lauded the policeman for his extraordinary effort in guaranteeing their safety.

When Guyana Times contacted ASL Operations Manager Annette ArjoonMartins, she said she was unaware about the incident,

ASL Operations Manager Annette Arjoon-Martins

but promised to investigate it.

Late Monday evening, the airline in a statement said about 12:06h, its Britten Norman Islander, registration 8R-GHE departed the OIA for Kamarang with four passengers and during descent into Kamarang, “the left passenger door came ajar”.

“The pilot immediately advised one of the passengers seated nearby to secure the door in the closed position.

"He then advised the passengers to remain calm as the aircraft would be landing shortly. The pilot executed a safe landing at Kamarang and the incident was reported to the authorities.

"There was no harm to any of the passengers,” the statement said.

Arjoon-Martins said that on return to Ogle International Airport (OIA), the aircraft was taken into ASL’s Maintenance Department where inspections and checks were done to ensure that there is no future reoccurrence.

In June last year, an ASL plane crashed at Matthews Ridge, North West District, Region One. The company in a release then had said that immediately after the incident, it dispatched emergency responders to the scene to assist passengers and crew with efforts focused on getting the best medical care for those involved and this was achieved.

Medical treatment

According to ASL, all 13 persons onboard the aircraft were given initial medical treatment at a triage centre at the Matthews Ridge Hospital; 12 were later transferred to other medical facilities in Georgetown.

“ASL cannot overstate the quality of the responses from all of the agencies who answered the call for immediate assistance.

"From the initial response on the ground by the police at Matthews Ridge to the eventual care in the hospitals in Georgetown, and everything in between, we have been given the highest support and service at every stage and are deeply appreciative,” said ASL.

wenty-six-yearold Tamika MillerPatterson, a mother of one, is clinging to life at the Georgetown Public Hospital after she was reportedly stabbed 27 times by her estranged husband at her home at Lot 18 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara in the wee hours of Monday.

After committing the act, her husband, Andrew Curtis Patterson, 32, of Lot 63 Lancaster Street, West Bank Demerara went to his rented apartment at Roraima Housing Scheme and committed suicide. He was found hanging from the rafters in the apartment around 05:00h.

According to reports, Patterson got annoyed with his wife after she refused to answer a question that was posed to her. In a rage, he pulled out a knife and carried out the vicious attack, striking her all over her body.

The woman reportedly managed to escape and ran towards a relative’s home nearby but collapsed.

Patterson reportedly continued stabbing her after she collapsed.

The relative who lives nearby explained that about 03:45h on Monday, she was in her home when she heard loud screams. The woman said she ran outside and saw Patterson with a knife in his hand leaving the scene, and as she took a closer look, she recognised Miller-Patterson lying on the ground.

The injured woman was picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but, owing to the severity of her injuries, she was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she was admitted.

The relative, who asked to remain anonymous, said

Andrew Curtis Patterson and his wife, Tamika on their wedding day

it was only recently that a Magistrate issued a restraining order against Patterson who was instructed not to visit his wife’s home, but, in spite of this, she would allow him to visit, to spend time with their child.

Guyana Times was told that the couple used to live together, but, as a result of constant problems, MillerPatterson moved back to her mother’s vacant house.

According to her relative, on Sunday evening, Patterson was seen lurking around the woman’s house, in front of which she operates a food bar. Miller-Patterson was last seen attending to her customers about 22:00h on Sunday.

Crashing sound

When contact was made with the dead man’s mother, Telle Patterson, she explained that she was in bed when she heard a crashing sound and thought that it was her husband who had fallen, since he was under the influence of alcohol.

The devastated woman said she went to check, and saw her husband on the kitchen floor; he told her that he had stopped their son from “pushing a knife to his chest”. Upon inquiring further, she was told that her son had left the home with a knife in his hand.

Soon after, she received a telephone call from one of her daughter-in-law’s relatives who informed her of the stabbing incident. The distraught woman stated that she immediately went to the young woman’s home where she saw her relatives and made further inquiries.

She then went to the West Demerara Regional

Hospital where she saw her daughter-in-law covered in blood. She, along with a few other relatives, accompanied Miller-Patterson as she was being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

At the hospital, the woman recounted, several X-rays were taken of MillerPatterson after which she was taken to the trauma room where she was being monitored.

While at the hospital, Patterson’s mother was in constant contact with her daughter, inquiring about her son, but was told that he had not returned home.

Soon after, she was approached by two young ladies and one of them informed her that her son was found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment. She then telephoned her daughter to verify the news, but was told that it was a rumour. A few minutes later, her daughter called, confirming the horrific news.

Patterson’s mother said the couple had their ups and downs and there came a time that her daughterin-law decided that it was time to move on. She left the Patterson home on January 31 with her daughter for her mother’s place on the public road.

The grieving woman lamented that it was hard to lose her son in such a manner. She is praying that her daughter-in-law recovers, as she does not want her granddaughter to grow up parentless.

Patterson is survived by his parents, three siblings, wife, and daughter.

His body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

News

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TuesDay, March 4, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, March 4 from 05:00h-06:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, March 4 from 06:00h-07:30h

WEATHER TODAY Countrywide: Light rain showers can be expected during the day and into the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Wind: East north easterly between 3.33 metres and 3.61 metres per second.

High Tide: 06:27h and 18:49h reaching maximum heights of 2.82 metres and 2.74 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:45h reaching a minimum height of 0.33 metre.

saturday, March 1, 2014

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Monday, March 3, 2014

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Mayor claims 2014 budget deficit “deliberate”

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

G

eorgetown Mayor Hamilton Green on Monday admitted that the $246.7 million shortfall in the Council’s $2.5 billion 2014 budget was “deliberate” and predicated on certain conditions when it was presented to key stakeholders at City Hall.

The budget presentation exercise was lacklustre for the most part and appeared not to have much focus or direction with respect to the objectives it hopes to achieve for the current financial year.

Mayor Green, who endorsed the budget, explained that the Council agreed to the budget with the deficit because it is expected that municipal elections would be executed this year.

He said that the Council also anticipated that the suite of legislation which was passed by the National Assembly that embodied a regime of local government reforms would also be signed into law this year.

Fiscal transfers Green said the deficit assumes that at least one of the bills passed would see direct fiscal transfers to the municipality, based on the size of its geographic location and population.

This, according to Green, would see the Council garnering more resources to discharge its mandate.

The Mayor spent much of his time decrying the state of affairs at the council and what he called the culture of “micromanagement” by the ruling

Town Clerk Carol Sooba

City Mayor Hamilton Green

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

He contended that the government had no interest in working with the council to address the problems which are retarding the growth and overall development of the city.

Green alluded to the many woes being encountered at the council as he again recorded his disapproval of the way the city is managed. In doing so, he consistently insulted the Town Clerk, citing several shortcomings which were akin to corruption and executive manipulation of the council’s bureaucracy.

Town Clerk Carol Sooba appeared to be growing inpatient as the Mayor continued his verbal assault, moving from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker.

The budget was presented by Finance Committee Chairman, Councillor Junior Garrette, who when questioned by this media house as to how the Council planned to finance the deficit, stated that the council is depending on assistance

from Central Government.

Garrette insisted that the government should increase the annual subvention to the council as he expressed hope that relations between two sides would improve.

He lobbied for the council to be exempted from paying Value Added Tax (VAT) as he claimed that it was losing millions of dollars by having to remit all this money to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Garrette reported that as much as $160 million could be saved if the threeyear negotiations on making the Council exempt from paying VAT conclude soon and on a positive note.

The Councillor also called for the Government to designate a judge to deal with municipal matters in addition to the efforts being made at the level of the magistracy, explaining that the Council would then be able to go after and prosecute those who owe the city millions of dollars in rates and taxes.

He brought up the issue of revaluation of properties in the city, stating that monies from this

were also expected to flow into the Council’s coffer.

He noted that discussions are continuing in this respect.

Garrette said the Council is burdened as 61 per cent of rates and taxes collected go towards payment of wages and salaries, coupled with the fact that it owes the Guyana Power and Light Inc a whopping $20 million.

Additionally, he reported that the Council has not increased taxes over the last 16 years. There were no major announcements at the budget presentation but hope was expressed for things to get better sooner than later.

Rates and taxes This year, the Council hopes to rake in $2.5 billion, with 80 per cent coming from rates and taxes.

It was explained that $295 million, which accounts for 14 per cent of the expected revenue, will come from the markets.

The remaining amount will come from the City Engineers Department.

The Town Clerk’s Department will rake in $14 million this year, but is budgeted to spend over $328 million on expenses while the City Constabulary Department will rake in $4 million before spending $370 million on expenses.

The Solid Waste Department will rake in over $3 million, but will spend more than $386.9 million. The Public Health Department is budgeted to rake in $58 million but will spend a whopping $219.8 million.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, March 4, 2014

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

Industrial farming

W

ith the Caribbean locked in a seemingly intractable economic crisis on account of the steep decrease in the arrival of tourists from the north, which is locked in an even more intractable financial crisis, the search is on for a way out. After previous experiences with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the 1980’s, few Caribbean leaders have any faith that the medicine being administered will solve the crisis. The said leaders will have to return to basics if they are to offer any hope to their citizens.

One “basic” in the Caribbean was its agricultural base.

In fact, agriculture was the raison d’être for the colonisation of the Caribbean after the original Spanish “discoverers” discovered that there was no gold in the islands. The focus on agriculture by the later arriving English, French and Dutch led to a new form of agricultural production – what is now referred to as “industrial farming”. And it sustained the economies of the Caribbean for centuries.

It is therefore rather surprising that while “experts” (mainly from outside the region, as usual) have proposed that, for instance, we look at the newly emerging economy of China for tourists, they have not considered “industrial farming”, in a world in which “food security” is at the top of the agenda in every international gathering.

Before the Caribbean agriculture, farming was generally done on smaller family farms and in fact, the earliest commercial crop here, tobacco, was produced in this fashion.

When American farmers made tobacco uneconomical here, the new crop, sugar cane, took over and its cultivation very quickly set the parameters of “industrial farming”. At its core is “monoculture”, where single crops are cultivated intensively on a very large scale. Sugar, corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton and rice are all commonly grown this way in many parts of the world.

As was shown very early on here, with monoculture farming, the soils are very quickly exhausted of the nutrients that are necessary for their growth. The practice of crop rotation with legumes that replenish the nitrogen content in soils is not practical with mono-cropping. In fact, in Guyana, the first sugar plantations were along the riverbanks and moved to the coast when the riveraine soils became exhausted. Our coastlands were exceptionally rich in nutrients but not long after, techniques such as field fallowing had to be introduced to replenish the soils.

In modern times, especially after the “green revolution” from the 1960’s the newer crops that were more productive, also inevitably demanded more nutrients. It is not a coincidence simultaneously, the industrial production of fertilisers also reached new heights. The point we wish to make is that in modern industrial farming, needed to support the burgeoning billions, chemical inputs such as synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are inevitable. The latter are needed because monoculture fields are highly attractive to certain weeds and insect pests.

This background is necessary to consider the alarm being raised by certain Opposition elements at the use of fertilisers and pesticides that were found to be necessary in the Santa Fe farm in the Rupununi, where rice was being grown for the first time. It is rather disheartening to find individuals who have been elected to guide the development of this country to only now raise these concerns. They are the new Columbus who “discovered” lands where people were already living for thousands of years.

In the modern world, all crops that will be grown on an industrial scale will have to use fertilisers and pesticides. We can avoid this by either using slash and burn techniques, prevalent earlier in our interior by the native Amerindian, or collect the droppings of cattle as was used on the coast by early small farmers.

We should accept, however, that we would be consigning our country to permanent a subsistence economy. Which is evidently where the Opposition want to keep us.

While government tries to protect wildlife in Guyana (see page 9), iguanas fetch quite a price and many savour the delicacy. These were available in Georgetown on Monday for anyone interested and willing to pay the price

NACTA survey on government ministers Dear Editor, People rate Ministers Anil Nandlall, Dr Ashni Singh, Irfaan Ali and Priya Manickchand as the leading ministers of government, according to the findings of an opinion survey conducted last week by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA).

The same individuals, plus Gail Teixeira, are the leading parliamentary debaters on the government’s side, while veteran parliamentarians Moses Nagamootoo and Carl Greenidge were rated as the leading debaters on the opposition side.

A sample was constructed of 450 voters to yield a demographically representative sample of the population (43 per cent Indians, 31 per cent Africans, 16 per cent Mixed, nine per cent Amerindians, and one per cent other races). The survey was conducted at random by several interviewers

(in face to face contact) with many years of experience in survey interviewing.

The results of the findings were analysed at a 95 per cent significance level and a statistical sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points was found, meaning the findings could vary in either direction by three per cent.

Sampling results based on subgroups (such as Indians or Africans) have a larger sampling error of about five per cent.

Asked if they are satisfied with the performance of the government, 42 per cent said yes, with 38 per cent saying no, and 20 per cent not offering a response.

Asked who they would rate as the most effective Minister, Dr Ashni Singh (Finance) leads with 16 per cent; followed by Irfaan Ali (Housing and Water, Tourism) – 14 per cent; Anil Nandlall (Attorney General

and Legal Affairs) – 13 per cent; Priya Manickchand (Education) – 10 per cent; Dr Frank Anthony (Culture, Youth and Sport) – eight per cent; Dr Leslie Ramsammy (Agriculture) – seven per cent; Dr Bheri Ramsaran (Health) – five per cent; Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Foreign Affairs) – four per cent; Robert Persaud (Natural Resources and Environment) – four per cent, and Dr Nanda Gopaul (Labour) – three percent, with the others trailing way behind.

Asked who they would rate as the most effective debater in Parliament on the government’s side, Nandlall leads with 17 per cent, followed by Teixeira with 14 per cent, Dr Singh (12 per cent), Ali (12 per cent), Manickchand (nine per cent), Dr Ramsammy (six per cent), and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (four per cent), with the others trailing behind.

Asked who they would rate as the most effective debater on the opposition’s side, Moses Nagamootoo leads with 19 per cent, followed by Carl Greenidge – 14 per cent, Khemraj Ramjattan – 11 per cent, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine – 10 per cent, David Granger – eight per cent, Joe Harmon – five per cent, and Basil Williams – four per cent, with the others trailing behind.

Asked if an election were called now, how they would vote, 46 per cent said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), 38 per cent said People’s National Congress (PNC)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), four per cent Alliance For Change (AFC), and less than one per cent other parties, with 11 per cent saying they were undecided.

Respectfully submitted, Vishnu Bisram

The outlook for 2014 rice production is uncertain Dear Editor, Harvesting of the present rice crop has commenced in Region Two in the central parts of the Essequibo Coast. The exercise is moving apace in the southern sections.

The paddy is somewhat infested with red rice and it is likely that prices will decline further from its present price of $3000 for the highest grade. It is reported that the price has fallen from $4000 to $3000 for a bag of Extra Grade paddy.

The consequences of these declining prices are already being felt. This trend, which was non-uniform in the past, has had more serious consequences for the rice farmers.

Guyana is the Caribbean’s main rice producer. In the last year, Guyana faced serious threats to its rice production and earnings, and other rice producing countries began offering more competitive prices.

This is undoubtedly a bold move by the other countries to capture a greater share of the international market. However, there used to be significant disparity in the export prices, but this disparity is greatly being reduced. And it is not clear what is responsible for this drop in paddy prices.

It was reported that there is a lot of last crop rice in the millers’ warehouses.

With the current trend, it is

expected that at some point these prices will level off.

The implications for rice farmers can be quite serious indeed. Rice farmers will have to expect that these falling prices will soon be translated into this year’s market, and will inevitably threaten the comparatively high prices previously enjoyed.

In addition, if rice from outside sources enters the Caribbean markets, Guyana’s producers will have grave difficulties in competing. The farmers will have to pay greater attention to cost of production and efficiency.

However, with the high stocks in the country, a cutback in production will not

provide temporary reprieve, as the release of stocks primarily from other countries will further add to the pressure on the low prices.

The outlook for the 2014 rice production is quite uncertain at the moment.

Guyana has been expanding its rice production. However, recent changes in the international arena and trade liberalisation could eliminate or at least sharply reduce Guyana’s access to rice export markets.

It is also prudent to draw attention to the recent revelation that millers and rice buyers are engaged in low price fixing.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, March 4, 2014

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

Police should practise what they preach Dear Editor, In your March 3 issue of Guyana Times, you featured an article entitled "Guyana Times reporter accosted by police for taking photo".

Permit me please to briefly address this subject.

It is time that the public put their foot down on civilian harassment. As a citizen, I have heard every senior police officer in Guyana on more than one occasion make public calls for the police and communities to work together, while they have all stated that the police cannot fight crime alone.

These calls have also been echoed by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

In order for the police to get that message across, it is the media that they have used.

The media play a critical part in the fight against crime; by highlighting what law enforcement agencies are doing and have done.

Reporting on criminal activity also makes persons more alert and security conscious, hence the media’s role in the fight cannot go unnoticed.

Many accidents on our country’s roadways have been caused by speeding (that is, according to the police). In an attempt to curb this form of misuse of public roads by drivers, the po-

drivers who argue that they were below the speed limit, and that which the radar gun recorded.

The media’s job is also to highlight how drivers are nabbed as they think that they are on safe turf. The reporter who was harassed and asked to delete his photograph should have been praised for what he was attempting to do, but instead he was ridiculed and manhandled.

If you truly want to improve the relationship between the police and other members of society,

A traffic police officer hiding behind a post

lice have been attempting to monitor the speed that vehicles travel, and when they are found to be driving above the recommended speed limit for that area, the driver is charged and placed before the court. One way the police use is the element of surprise – this is realised by hiding behind an object which will obscure them

from view.

The element of surprise which is used worldwide to catch errant drivers is having some amount of success here in Guyana. Keep up the good work ‘hiding officers’.

It is the media, in my opinion, that has a responsibility to highlight how effective this operation is. In addition to that, there are

For love of country (Part two) Dear Editor, Let’s look at the case of Turkey. Turkey was on the FATF’s grey list, so were Kenya and Tanzania. In 2013, Turkey passed laws to counter the financing of terrorism.

Earlier this month, Kenya and Tanzania were removed from the grey list, but Turkey was not – the body was most concerned about Turkey’s weak framework for identifying and freezing terrorist assets, for example, its definition of “terrorism financing” is too narrow and its asset freezing procedure is too slow, and urged investors and other countries to think twice before diving in.

I think we can accordingly rest assured, as a country, that Guyana will be similarly monitored. Our institutions and systems would have to work; our deficiencies would have to be fixed; after all, we are answerable to the regional and international regulatory body.

Wouldn’t the passage of this Bill be a step in the right direction in any anti-corruption campaign?

So what now? Our leaders continue to dance around in circles while we go closer to being named a ‘high-risk, non-cooperative’.

It would appear that we have no solution in sight, a position compounded by the rushed and fruitless meet-

ings between government and opposition parties, and the total disregard shown for the sentiments expressed by the private sector and other stakeholders – including the CFATF. What a very frustrating position to be in as a nation. One that’s made worse by the magnitude of work in dire need of being embarked on by our leaders. We’re spending so much time on the AML/CFT Bill and getting nowhere, it is consuming the minds of politicians, business owners, the working class, and the single parent who depends on foreign remittances, to the point of absolute frustration.

What of sentencing reform? What of other areas in dire need of law reform? What about other institutional and regulatory strengthening? When will these issues be addressed?

Take sentencing reform for instance.

How absurd is it that our leaders can turn a blind eye to a provision in the law that requires that a magistrate impose a minimum of three years imprisonment for anyone found with 15grams (0.055 of a lb) of marijuana?

That’s less than an ounce. Let’s see how this equates with the rest of the civilised world, In Florida 25-2000 lbs would earn you three years. The courts in Trinidad have even recent-

ly declared a mandatory disproportionate jail term for marijuana possession as unconstitutional. This is just one example.

If better sense prevails, we would be looking at sentencing reform that is fair, and that reflects societies’ needs. In light of the rise in violent crimes in our country, the levels of road fatalities caused by recklessness such as drunk driving, the troubling cases of domestic violence, why don’t we look at reform and mandatory minimums here?

Or are these issues too miniscule for our leaders to consider because they are too consumed by the AML, Amaila Hydropower and Budget Cuts? And ineffectively so, I should add. Your voters would love a little proactivity, we can even settle for some reactive action at times.

But if you’re hell bent on being both reactive and ineffective – then you’re asking for too much, and in the process doing us – the people, a grave injustice. Compromise and reasonableness in putting country first, is the only practical option you have as leaders. If you can’t give us that, then you’re all incapable of the act of leading.

Respectfully submitted Patricia Bacchus Attorney at Law/Business Executive

then Commissioner Leroy Brummell and all divisional heads must put an end to the harassment of members of the public by some police officers.

Those officers should be made examples of, so as to let others know what the force stands for and what it will not allow.

There is hardly a price that could be placed on intellectual property and a photograph is intellectual property. Asking someone to delete a photograph is also destruction of property.

Mr Commissioner, do not

allow this breach to pass like many of the others in the past.

Start putting your foot down now and if you do, Guyana will know what you stand for, but if you do not, then we all agree that you do not practise what you preach.

Allow me to mention that several other such operations have been photographed. Are we all to start deleting those pictures?

Yours truly, Andrew Carmichael

PPP/C had long called for a CoI into Rodney’s death

Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) welcomes the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of the late Dr Walter Rodney. This is indeed a commendable gesture on the part of the current administration.

It should be recalled that the PPP/C had long called for an independent commission to be set up to inquire into the circumstances which resulted in the death of Dr Rodney.

Dr Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980 in a car bomb explosion. His death took place at a time when there was mass mobilisation against the People’s National Congress (PNC) dictatorship.

It is widely believed

that the PNC, under the then leadership of Forbes Burnham, was instrumental in this killing because of a perceived threat he posed to the regime’s survival and militant stance he took against the anti-working class and dictatorial policies of the then PNC regime.

Rodney was a close friend and associate of Dr Cheddi Jagan and the PPP. Despite his academic brilliance, he was denied employment at the University of Guyana (UG) by the PNC-dominated UG Council.

He became the target of a brutal and oppressive regime which boasted about ‘its steel being sharper’ in an attempt to silence and intimidate the political opposition. During that period, several opposition mem-

bers and activists were harassed and charged on trumped up charges. Some were killed under mysterious circumstances.

The PPP/C is pleased with the composition of the commission, which consists of reputable and experienced members of the legal community in the region.

The PPP/C calls on the PNC and indeed all Guyanese to cooperate fully with the work of the commission.

The PPP/C is hopeful that findings of this commission, which is long overdue, will bring closure to a very painful and embarrassing episode in our national and political history.

PPP/C Freedom House

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tuesday, march 4, 2014

Page

Foundation

How can a parent help a I

slow learner?

f your child struggles in one or more areas of school, he or she may be a slow learner. Continue reading for more information about slow learners and for ways to support your child outside the classroom.

Slow learners are students who’ve progressed normally in the developmental areas of physical dexterity, social aptitude and concrete thinking ability, but who consistently struggle in one or more school subjects. These children usually don’t display learning disabilities; however, they take more time than their peers to acquire abstract thinking and reading skills. They may struggle with multiple-step instructions, standardised achievement tests and self-esteem.

As with any student, slow learners are capable of mastering new concepts with concentration and practise; however, they may need extra time for review.

Tutoring options

Consider hiring a private tutor to work on homework assignments with your child after school. One-on-one assistance may help your child stay on-track with his or her homework and strengthen the development of an effective learning style. A professional tutor may have experience working with slow learners.

Alternatively, you can

guyanatimesgy.com

also hire or ask a high school student to tutor your child.

Children enjoy working with teenagers, and a high school student’s manner of speech may help your child pick up unfamiliar concepts with greater speed. Your local high school may have a list of students available for tutoring or offer a mentoring programme.

Strategies for slow learners at home

Eating breakfast and getting enough sleep are two factors that have been shown to encourage learning. A minimum amount of stress at home also can promote an environment without distractions, which many slow learners need when they’re working on homework assignments. Provide a quiet place for your son or daughter to study where he or she can easily communicate with you.

Organise your child’s homework ses-

sions into brief periods that allow time for review. When he or she has completed a new assignment, suggest a fun activity that relates to the concepts just learned.

Free math and verbal games are available online in a variety of topics. Your child might also enjoy painting a picture or performing a theatrical skit related to the learned concepts. Allowing for variety within your child’s homework sessions may reinforce his or her capacity for recall.

Offer your child choices during homework sessions.

You might ask him or her to order homework assignments, choose a scratch paper colour or propose an activity to do once the homework period is over. When your child feels a degree of autonomy with his or her schoolwork, he or she is more likely to actively engage in academic activities.

Allot one or two act i v i ties per homework a s -

signment that highlight your child’s strengths. Speak with his or her teacher about minimising the amount of problems he or she must complete per homework assignment to enhance a feeling of self-accomplishment. Make sure to give your child enough time to think through homework problems; it’s helpful if he or she doesn’t feel overwhelmed by a time constraint.

Before bed, review the concepts your child has worked on that day. Ask him or her questions about school topics. Explaining concepts aloud may improve your slow learner’s ability for recollection and articulation. Finally, consider taking your child to lively places where academic skills are used outside the classroom, such as an aquarium or a local university event.

Reassure your slow learner

If you expect that your slow learner will eventually grow out of his academic challenges, your child may feel your lack of acceptance of his or her present condition.

It’s helpful for your child to feel supported by you, regardless of the pace at which he or she learns. According to Jere Brophy’s book Motivating Students to Learn, students with high levels of self-confidence learn with greater ease than children who are overwhelmed by anxiety or a fear of failure. (mathandreadinghelp.org)

Six things every teacher should know about slow learners

By Kathy Houk

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low learners are not non-learners!

They must be taught and they so want to learn and succeed! A few adjustments in their learning process can make a big difference!

Slow learners want their teachers to know

We need more time to figure things out

* Give more practise problems in a particular area * More time may be needed on speed drills or reading comprehension than is allowed for in the curriculum * Show patience! Tutor after school in help classes, if necessary * Create emotional security by not embarrassing them in front of their peers * Modify curriculum, if necessary – that is, shorten spelling list

We need more explanation

and direct instruction

* Be sure that instructions and expectation are given clearly * Define the terms – read, circle, count, find, define, copy, list, discuss, summarise, compose, identify, etc * Have them repeat the instructions, if necessary.

Point to the area on the paper that you are explaining; see it, say it, cover it, say it * Explain material in creative ways * Teach them to listen for key words in explanations

We need help in organising our work, our desk, and our priorities

* Provide a homework sheet or planner with a checklist format * Show what an organised desk looks like * Work closely with the parents to check completed work

We need to know why we have to know what you are teaching us

Motivate with practical reasons to learn material Set short range and attainable goals Give many encouraging words and praise often Say “I love you” often and write it in personal notes Pray for students and tell them that you are praying for them

We have difficulty focusing our attention on learning tasks

Eliminate as many distractions as possible Seat them in the front of the classroom Be punctual and prepare materials well before class Expect accuracy and neatness in work Model correct behaviour in front of student Stay as consistent as possible in classroom management and expectations

We sometimes have a hard time sitting still

* They need an active recess * They need organised sports at recess to learn social skills * Pair them with brighter students who will help the slower student and be humble about helping. (ministry127.com)

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tuesDay, march 4, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Police hunting for new suspect Prime Minister’s son gets bail for abusing sister-in-law in Paradise murder

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rime Chief Seelall Persaud on Monday disclosed that the boyfriend of Paradise murder victim Patricia “Catty” Young has been released from police custody and the police are searching for another suspect.

He said the police are looking for a man whom they believe frequents the area and might have been involved in the murder. The police have not released the name of the suspect, but it is believed that he may be mentally ill.

An autopsy performed on the body of the woman confirmed that she was strangled with her underwear, which was tied around her neck when her body was discovered. Samples were also collected from the body for further analysis to determine whether she was raped, as is suspected. The results are due in three weeks.

The young woman, who was employed at Bettencourt

Dead: Patricia Young

eatery, D’Urban Street, Georgetown, was laid to rest on Monday afternoon.

Young, formerly of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, was found without underwear, her skirt pulled to her stomach, and the top and underwear she was wearing tied around her neck. Her boyfriend was taken into police custody, minutes after the gruesome discovery.

According to informa-

tion received, the teenager and her boyfriend had been living together for more than a year, a stone’s throw away from where her body was discovered. She reportedly left home on Sunday just after midday to join her friends in the city to witness the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade, but did not return home.

After she did not return, her boyfriend inquired from her friends as to her whereabouts, but no one knew where she was. It was not until Tuesday that he reportedly found a slipper belonging to the young woman, and went straight to the Vigilance Police Station where he lodged a missing person’s report and told them about the slipper.

The police reportedly accompanied the young man and relatives to the area where he found the slipper and, after a few minutes of searching, the teenager’s body was found under some dried bushes.

No arrest yet for Cuyuni woman’s murder

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s police continue their investigations into the murder of Bibi Shaneeza Bhola who was found dead in her shop at Rock Creek, Cuyuni River; Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said that they are working with information that they received from sources at Bartica.

From all indications, the two suspects were seen leaving Bartica hours after the discovery, and as such, all police stations have been informed to be on the lookout. Persaud said that to date, the two men who stayed at the woman’s business place are the two main suspects and are being hunted down.

Bhola, 35, of Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara was on Thursday last found dead in her shop at Rock Creek, Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

Based on reports, Bhola operates a shop in the area, and about 02:30h on

Dead: Bibi Shaneeza Bhola

Thursday morning, a relative left the premises after the woman closed the business place.

Investigations revealed that the relative went back to the woman’s shop later in the morning where he recognised that the door was locked from the outside and thought that something was

amiss.

The relative upon gaining entry into the house; saw the woman’s motionless body. Her abdomen bore a stab wound. When checks were made for the two tenants, the're were no signs of them and their belongings.

According to a source, one of the suspects is referred to as “Kishan” while the other is commonly called “Nathan”. Kishan is said to be from Mahaica while Nathan is reportedly from Corentyne. It is believed that the men carted off cash, jewellery and other valuables items.

It was reported that the woman operated the shop while her husband worked in a mining camp. Her husband was not around at the time of the incident, but was later contacted. The woman leaves to mourn her husband and two children.

The police are continuing their investigations.

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he Prime Minister’s son appeared in court on Monday before Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer the charge of unlawful assault and threatening behaviour.

Nikolai Hinds, 33, of Lot 83 Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charges after it was alleged that on February 28 at Duke Street, Kingston he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Tenzin Lyn causing her actual body harm. It was also alleged that on the same day in question he made use of threatening behaviour.

Police prosecutor Kenita Benton said on the day in question the defendant called the woman a thief and threatened to kill the virtual complainant like a thief, adding that the defendant also physically abused the woman. Facts stated that the accused grabbed the virtual complainant’s hair and slammed the woman to the

ground after which he allegedly stomped the woman to the face. The prosecutor went on to say that the accused also dragged the victim by the hair and dealt her multiple lashes about the body with a cane. The defendant also allegedly drew his firearm and threatened to kill the victim. Prosecutor Benton objected to bail on the grounds that if he is released on bail, the defendant can be of more danger to the virtual complainant, since he still has the firearm in his possession.

Attorney Charles Ramson Jr, in association with Sanjiv Datadin, appeared for the defendant.

Attorney Ramson told the court that the defendant is a gold miner and a father of a six-year-old child. Council told the court that the victim and defendant had an argument, and the virtual complainant attacked his client, council noted that the virtual complainant grabbed a knife and threatened to kill his client in the presence of

her sister. Ramson said his client felt threatened and reached for his firearm but did not cock the gun (which he noted the defendant owns a licence for).

The attorney also stated that the woman was also charged for assault and causing bodily harm to the defendant. The attorney asked for bail to be granted on the grounds that the accused and the virtual complainant no longer live at the same address and even if so, he noted that his client is willing to move from the said address and is prepared to lodge his passport with the clerk of court and the firearm at the police station.

Bail was granted in the sum of $150,000 on the conditions that the defendant stay 200 yards away from the virtual complainant and all witnesses, and that he report to the Brickdam Police Station every Friday at 15:00h. The defendant is expected to make another court appearance on March 21 for trial at 10:00h.

Guyana Times reporter robbed at gunpoint

G

uyana Times/ TVG/ RGI Reporter Jomo Paul was held at gunpoint and robbed $13,000 Sunday night a few blocks from his home in Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Geogetown.

Paul said he was making his way home around 19:00h when he heard someone shout behind him.

He related that when he turned around, a masked man was approaching with a hand gun.

“For a moment I was in complete shock, I mean, I thought it was some sort of prank, these things don’t happen, especially at those hours,” Paul related.

He said it was only after several subsequent threats and his inability to identify his attacker’s voice that he

realised that the threat was indeed real.

The media operative related that he was instructed to hand over his haversack, which he did. The bandit searched it and found $13,000. The bandit then asked the young man to hand over the cellphone he had in his pocket. At this stage, he refused and a scuffle ensued.

“I said to myself, this man already got my money, he can’t get my phones too, and I made up my mind to fight him,” the reporter said.

He explained that during the scuffle, a car approached and on seeing the vehicle, his attacker backed off and made good his escape on a bicycle.

Paul, however, is yet to make a report to the police.

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tuesday, march 4, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Man sentenced to one year in jail for stealing cellphone, radio

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n Monday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, a man appeared before Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond to answer the charges of simple larceny and breaking and entering.

Carl Truder, 41, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the charges af-

ter it was alleged that on Thursday, February 27, in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, Georgetown, the accused broke into the compact room of Stabroek Market and stole one cellular phone valued $9000 and one Panasonic radio valued $11,000; all property of Rawle Paul of the Mayor

and City Council.

Police Prosecutor James Garnett said from statements received that on the day in question, the virtual complainant left his post to pick his daughter up and upon his return; he saw the accused leaving the room with the said articles. The virtual complainant held on

to the accused and took him to the City Constabulary enforcement unit housed at the Guyana Fire Service where he was subsequently arrested and charged.

The accused begged the Magistrate for leniency. He was subsequently sentenced to one year imprisonment.

West Coast Demerara man remanded for alleged possession of ganja

A

man appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry charged for the possession of cannabis.

Rajendra Laichan, a carpenter of Ruimzigt, West Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was alleged that on Friday, February 28 at Four Miles, Port Kaituma, North West District, the accused had in his

possession 1350 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said that on the day in question, around 19:00h, ranks from the Port Kaituma Police Station were on patrol of the area when they came across four men on motorcycles. One of the four was the defendant, who the police say was acting in a suspicious manner. A search was carried out and a quanti-

ty of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis, were found. The defendant was told of the offence and arrested. Mangru went on to object to the possibility of bail being granted to the accused.

Bail was refused by the Chief Magistrate. The accused is expected to make another court appearance on May 6 at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

Man sentenced to jail for stealing wiri wiri pepper

A

man appeared in court on Monday before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond to answer the charge of simple larceny when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Shawn Gadders, 40, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the charge af-

ter it was alleged that on Wednesday, December 18 in Bourda Market, he stole one basket of wiri wiri pepper valued $20,000, the property of Rajee Seechan.

Police Prosecutor James Garnett said on the day in question, at 03:00h, the defendant went to the virtual complainant’s stall and

picked up the item and ran.

Seechan called out to him to bring back the mentioned item but he ignored. A report was made and he was subsequently arrested and charged for the said offence.

The accused maintained that he moved the pepper but only because the item appeared rotten. Two wit-

nesses were called to testify; the arresting police officer and Police Corporal Conway 1809.

Further, the accused was given the opportunity to call witnesses to testify on his behalf, to which he refused.

The defendant also admitted to the court that he threw the item in a garbage bin in front of a pharmacy.

However, he was found guilty and sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Wakenaam carpenter charged for using abusive language

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carpenter from Marias Pleasure, W a k e n a a m , Essequibo Islands, was granted bail for cursing a fellow villager. Bisnauth Ramdial appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce on Monday at the Charity Magistrate’s Court. Ramdial was charged for abusive language.

According to police, on February 5, Ramdial made use of abusive language to Manwattie Gordon.

Ramdial, who was not represented by an attorney-atlaw, pleaded not guilty to the charge stating he did not commit the offence.

Prosecutor Krishna Datt Ramana did not object to bail although Ramdial failed to attend court on February 26, when his first court appearance was scheduled.

Bail was granted in the sum of $10,000 pending trial.

Eyew tness Who’ll blink?

...in Crimea eems we’re having a repeat of the 1962 faceoff between the U.S. and the USSR – the latter run by Russia. Then it was over the USSR shipping missiles to Cuba. U.S. President JFK delivered an ultimatum to the Russians – remove the missiles or its war! Khrushchev and the USSR were the first to blink and the missiles were removed.

Today, the shoe’s on the other foot. While a lot of water has flowed under the U.S.-USSR bridge, we’re smack in the middle of another faceoff. This time the showdown is in Crimea where Russia delivered an ultimatum to the western (read U.S.)-backed Ukraine government: “Get your troops out before this morning or we will invade!” Where in the heck is Crimea, you asked? Well, Crimea’s been part and parcel of our modern sensibility for over a century – only we didn’t realise it.

The Crimean War of the 1850s was the first “modern” war as far as technology was concerned – with steel battleships, modern guns and telegraph, for instance. But in a time of change, there were still enough of the “old” around to have the famous “Charge of the Light Brigade”.

The one where a whole Battalion on horseback charged into Russian guns and were wiped out.

The senseless death of all those young men was justified in the famous lines: “There’s not to reason why/There’s but to do and die”. A million Russians perished by the end of the Crimean War, as did hundreds and thousands of British and French troops. Florence Nightingale, epitomising the modern nurse, also did her thing in this war. So Crimea’s been around.

Now since the Cold War – dictating the showdown in Cuba back in 1962 – has been over, what’s the beef this time? Well it has to do with the fact after Russia lost that Cold War by 1989, it suffered the breakup that led to provinces such as the Ukraine becoming independent.

Crimea became part of Ukraine – which by then had become dominated by ethnic Russians – as for that matter, was the entire eastern part of Ukraine.

So it’s the same ole, same ole struggle for dominance under a different rhetoric. The West, using organisations such as the ubiquitous IRI (straining at the bit to get going in Guyana), has been working for “democratisation”. The Russian-backed President was forced to flee and the western-backed successor has called upon the West to back them.

And by this morning we’ll know who blinked first, this time.

S

...on the police “Service” Well, we do know that that Home Affairs Minister wasn’t able to have his proposal to change the name of the Police Force into “Police Service”, implemented. The Opposition’s not talking to him: seems they’ve “cut out” with him.

Anyhow since the Police Top brasses have been insisting they’ve implemented most of the Disciplined Forces Report’s recommendations, and this re-orientation of the organisations modus operandi was quite high on the agenda, we assumed our lawmen (and law women) were all au fait with the new dispensation. To wit to treat John Public with a modicum of respect as befitting their status as worthy of being “served”.

But it does look like your Eyewitness presumed too much – if he’s to judge by the treatment meted out to one of our senior reporters. The fellow was in a minibus that was hailed by some cops and dared to take out their photographs.

For this he was roughed up under the made-up-on-thespot “law” that you can’t take out the photos of policemen! ...on reform We’re kinda hoping that the Police brass would say that some policemen on the beat haven’t gotten with the programme as yet. We know it takes some time to implement change. What we wouldn’t like to happen is for there to be excuses and denials.

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tuesDay, march 4, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

Region Six municipalities urged to step Collaborative approach needed up rates collection A to stamp out wildlife smuggling – Persaud

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atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said effectively tackling the illegal wildlife trade requires a holistic approach, involving the cooperation of all stakeholders.

He expressed these sentiments as Guyana joined the rest of the world on Monday to observe World Wildlife Day. Persaud said the Ministry is cognisant of its responsibility to protect and conserve Guyana’s wildlife resources and this could be seen by the recently successful piloting in the National Assembly and gazetting of the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations in November 2013.

This is to be followed by a Wildlife Import and Export Bill which deals specifically with the regulation of international wildlife trade (import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea).

According to the Minister, the bill will lead to a comprehensive legislative and legal framework to address issues of conservation, management and trade of the nation's wildlife species.

“Our goal is to develop a robust system particularly to address illegal exploitation and trade of fauna and flora. We can only successfully combat the illegal trade in wildlife if it is done in a holistic manner with cooperation from other agencies.

“As we observe World Wildlife Day, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment calls on adjacent communities, nongovernmental organisations and various agencies of the state to enhance cooperation and collaboration in managing our wild fauna and flora.”

Join the fight

Persaud urged all Guyanese to aid in the fight to protect the country’s prized natural heritage in order to ensure that a rich legacy of these resources can be accessed and enjoyed by generations to come.

He said: “In the face of changing world climate and other factors adversely affecting wildlife the world over, Guyana has managed to retain much of its wild biological diversity.

However, it is critical that more emphasis is placed on raising awareness with regard to wildlife, and as such, the addition of World Wildlife Day on the 3rd of March, every year, is a welcome inclusion to our calendar. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and our regu-

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

latory agency, the Wildlife Management Authority therefore, takes this opportunity to signal its continued commitment toward ensuring the protection of Guyana’s biodiversity, particularly the traded species.”

He said proper wildlife management is important as plants and animals have a role to play in the preservation of the earth as a suitable home for humans. Each species is important to the proper functioning of the ecosystem in which it is found and these ecosystems contribute to the protection of water and other resources.

Protection of wildlife

“The protection of our wildlife patrimony is the responsibility of every Guyanese, and with this in mind, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment through its regulatory agencies, specifically the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wildlife Division has given enhanced attention to their responsibility in protecting and managing our wild fauna and flora.”

At the 16th Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the parties adopted Resolution Conference 16.1 which declared March 3 of each year as World Wildlife Day. The resolution also invited the UN General Assembly to consider declaring March 3, the date of adoption of CITES, of each year as World Wildlife Day. On December 20, 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 3, 2014 as the first World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.

cting Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker has urged municipalities in Region Six to step up their efforts to recoup outstanding rates and taxes.

Whittaker, along with a team of senior ministry officers on Friday, visited the three municipalities of Region Six and held talks with the respective councils.

The high level of outstanding rates and taxes for residential and commercial properties, the underutilisation of available market buildings and facilities, and the high incidence of roadside vending were identified

by Minister Whittaker as a scourge that needed to be addressed.

Whittaker said municipalities must seek to intensify efforts to collect rates and taxes and to have vendors move into the markets.

Commenting on the request by the municipalities for property revaluation with a view to increasing rates, he said he was not unsupportive of this – new properties and those extended and/or reclassified as commercial valued by the rightful authority, the Office of the Chief Valuation Office. However, he stressed that efforts ought to be intensified to have existing defaulters honour their debts.

Otherwise, he posited, the pressure will continue to reside on the shoulders of the disciplined and honest ratepayers who have been fulfilling their obligations.

Acting Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker meeting officials of the Corriverton Town Council

In discussing Councils’ 2014 Estimates, Whittaker pointed to the fact that in all three municipalities, more than 70 per cent of their Capital Works are to be funded from government’s subvention, while their maintenance works are to be funded from an average 17 per cent of the Estimates with employment costs/overheads averaging 67 per cent for the municipalities. He expressed his dissatisfaction and asked that more resources garnered mainly from rates and market fees be utilised to provide the core services of drainage, vegetation removal, solid waste management, and road maintenance for residents.

The Minister also discussed with the Councils the issue of illegal occupancy of reserves, and called on them to work with the government to address these illegalities which continue to contribute

to the problems of traffic congestion, dumping of garbage, and destruction of the environment in which we live.

The meetings focused primarily on the projects proposed by the Councils in their respective 2014 Budget Estimates. Also high on his agenda were the issues of roadside vending and solid waste management, both of which are challenging the municipalities.

Waste disposal

Zaheer Osman, Managing Director of Advanced Environment Solution, the company responsible for solid waste collection and disposal in the region, was also present for these meetings at the request of the Minister.

The parties discussed the challenges of addressing the issues preventing improved solid waste management, and agreed on a menu of measures aimed at deal-

ing with these challenges.

These measures include the contractor making available to the municipalities and to residents a collection schedule; and an intensified solid waste education and public awareness programme that involves not only the contractor but the municipalities, the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six and the private sector.

The Minister while stressing that the residents and the municipalities must work with the contractor, also alluded to the Solid Waste Management Bill, which would, when approved in the National Assembly, undoubtedly impact the way solid waste is stored, collected, transported, and disposed of. Osman’s responsibilities include developing, operating, and maintaining the landfill sites identified and approved by the EPA in Region Seven.

Four arrested during drug bust

T

wo men and two women were on Sunday evening taken into police custody following the discovery of a quantity of marijuana and cocaine during a police operation in Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to information received, the police acting on a tip off went to a house at Good Hope, ECD, and carried out a search where 171 grams of cannabis sativa and 43 grams of cocaine were unearthed.

The four people were at home at the time and were all taken to the Sparendaam Police Station where they were interrogated.

They are expected to make their first court appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court today, where they will be slapped with possession of narcotics charges.

On Saturday last, two women and a man were taken into police custody after 1.482 kilograms of cannabis sativa and 78 grams of cocaine were earthed in two houses at Parika Old Road, East Bank Essequibo.

Upon the discovery, one of the women reportedly told the police that they were linked to the drugs and that they were just visiting the

place.

Guyana

Times

under-

stands that the two houses were in one yard and from

reports received, it is known as the distribution yard.

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tuesday, march 4, 2014

News

Fun, frolic as Lindeners Mash T

he streets of the mining town of Linden were the scene of fun, frolic and flamboyance as Lindens celebrated the country’s 44th Republic Anniversary on Sunday.

The annual float parade featuring a string of revellers decked out in colourful costumes, made its way from Purpleheart Street and the Five Corner area, Mackenzie, around midday, to the Washer Pond Road, across the MackenzieWismar Bridge, to the Wismar shore, culminating at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground.

The procession was led by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and the other floats include the Linden Technical Institute (LTI), which had an unusually small contingent compared to previous years; the President Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG); and the Kuru Kuru College.

Three popular sound systems, Movements, Future

the One Mile Public Road and made its way to the Bayroc Community Centre Ground.

This year’s Carib Soca Monarch Kwasi Ace, who made an appearance on one of the party trucks, had the crowds going with his winning tune “Still In The Game”.

His performance was one of the biggest highlights of the float parade. While some onlookers expressed disappointment at the limited turn-out of floats for this year’s float parade, others noted that it was good to be out and joining in the festivities. There was some disappointment on the part of onlookers with the Digicel Party Band, which was much anticipated and expected at the event, but was a no-show.

Fewer floats

One of the floats in Linden on Sunday

Sounds and Supreme, kept the atmosphere alive as hundreds of onlookers lined

Lindeners in the mood during the Mash celebration

the streets, many joining in with the revellers as the procession moved along

“More partying less floats. I expected more out of it,” remarked one onlooker. Last year had more floats and more people.

This year, Linden Mash lame,” remarked another.

Many were pre-occupied enjoying the music, food, drinks and fun activities.

Amid the festivities, this newspaper caught up with Jimmy Hamilton along the One Mile Public Roadway at Wismar as the revellers were making their way through. Hamilton, one of the members of the Jaycees group, which started the organising of Mashramani activities in Linden in 1970, stood and watched the procession. A smile lit up his face when he was asked how he felt returning to the community where Mashramani activities started 44 years ago. He indicated that it was encouraging to see young people in happy mood.

“Almost 60 per cent of the people out here appear to be below 20, and that is encouraging... I am heartened by the enthusiasm that they all went

Fuh some reason de Mayor-fuh-Life never show he qualifications

F

uh some reason, GT de garbage town always in a mess, and fuh some reason it gotta power drunk Mayor-fuh-Life, who ain’t seem to be doin any ting but talkin. Fuh some reason, a Sober woman come pun de scene and try and do some ting wid GT de garbage town.

But de same Mayor-fuh-Life fuh some reason still doin de same kinda talkin and even start bad talkin de Sober woman. Yet fuh some reason, de same Mayor-fuh-Life can’t do whah ever he accusin de Sober woman of doin and not doin. And fuh some reason de Mayor-fuh-Life deh pun de wuk fuh donkey years.

Fuh some reason, it look like de more de Mayor-fuhLife talk, is de more de garbage pilin up in GT de garbage town. Fuh some reason, de more de garbage pile up, is de more de Pee-R-O wanna be Tongue Clerk. Fuh some reason de Pee-R-O look like he wanna help de Mayor-fuh-Life do more talkin than whah both a dem doin already.

Fuh some reason de Pee-R-O seh he qualify fuh de Tongue Clerk wuk, but fuh some reason he seh de Town Clerk ain’t qualify. Fuh some reason de Pee-R-O is a man who seh he got communications qualifications. Yet fuh some reason, he seh he qualify fuh de wuk and fuh some reason he wanna see de Town Clerk qualifications.

Fuh some reason de Pee-R-O wanna be Tongue Clerk so bad he tek a lawyer. But fuh some reason de Pee-R-O never ask de Mayor-fuh-Life fuh he qualifications. And fuh some reason a lotta people seh that de Mayor-fuh-Life ain’t got no qualifications.

But fuh some reason de Mayor-fuh-Life was a Prime Minister and since before that time, fuh some reason he never show people he qualifications. Now fuh some reason, people wanna know why de Pee-R-O ain’t wanna ask de Mayor-fuh-Life fuh de same ting whah he askin de Town Clerk.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie!

It musbe be that de Mayor-fuh-Life got some ting to hide.

Or he got nutten to show! into it (Mashramani); that it is still there, that people still want something Guyanese... the only thing completely Guyanese is Mashramani... that’s our culture,” Hamilton noted.

However, he expressed disappointment at the slow movement of the procession, noting that onlookers were out in the sun waiting for too long to catch a glimpse of the floats. As

Another section of the crowd during the celebrations on Sunday

the last of the revellers made their way to the final destination at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground at sundown, persons picnicked, while others interacted and converged along the ball field, while being entertained by music and activities for both children and adults.

Adult parties were also held at several popular night spots.

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Tuesday, March 4, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

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tuesday, march 4, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Crimebot wins Digital Jam 3.0 “Caribbean Edition” mobile apps competition – Silicon Valley experts offer digital work opportunities to young Caribbean techies

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mobile app to map crime hotspots and notify users of crimes happening nearby won the grand prize at the Digital Jam 3.0 “Caribbean Edition” competition. Crimebot was one of 160 finalists from the Caribbean region that were celebrated Sunday night at the closure of the “Get up, Start-up” conference in Kingston.

More than 50 teams from Jamaica, Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Kitts had a chance to network with key experts from the Silicon Valley, and learn from leading tech companies how to find online work opportunities or get funding

A section of the crowd at the Digital Jam 3.0 “Caribbean Edition” GET UP, START-UP Conference, held March 1-March 2 at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in St Andrew

for e-business ideas.

“Digital Jam 3.0 provides Jamaican and Caribbean youth with a stage to show-

case their talent, creativity, and innovation to generate new products and services and at the same time create

jobs and new startup companies,” said State Minister for Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining Julian Robinson.

Today, more than 120,000 Jamaican youth are neither in school, nor employed nor on the labour market. Youth unemployment rates in the Caribbean are alarming and governments in the region have put forth a number of initiatives to provide young people with skills and job opportunities.

Digital Jam is one of them.

“Digital Jam 3.0 is about creating a brand to position the Caribbean as a potential hub for the tech industry, linking the Caribbean youth with digital entrepreneurs, angel investors and centres of excellence in the Silicon

Valley and across the Latin American region,” said World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist Fabio Pittaluga.

Entries were reviewed by a panel of expert judges, including Bedy Yang, SFO of 500 Startups; JJ Geewax, Vice President of Engineering of Invite Media; Yousef Hamidaddin, CEO of Oasis500; Peter Corbett, founder and CEO of iStrategyLabs; and Jeff Burton, Executive Director from Skydeck Berkeley.

Top five

The top five winners in the competition are: Grand Prize: Crimebot (US$10,000 and a contract with the Jamaica National Building Society Group). For beginners: Route 876 – a transportation app to help you find which bus you need to take and determine how long it will take you to go from A to B. For games: Pan Chicken Dash – a chicken chase game, where users direct the chicken to collect all the eggs on various levels. For expert developers: MediReview – a medical app to help doctors and patients suffering from NonCommunicable Diseases such as diabetes and obesity to keep track of appointments, treatments and pa-

tients’ health conditions.

For e-learning: E L Jam Tutor – an education app for children to support learning in Jamaican classrooms.

“It’s shocking to see how an idea can really become a reality,” said Gareth Thompson, who won the Grand Prize in the competition. “We have to have a serious next step, which is developing Crimebot further and trying to address the real issue – crime,” he added.

Following the conference, all finalists will be offered follow-up trainings to turn their app into viable and monetizable products and services.

The coalition behind this initiative includes the Government of Jamaica, the World Bank Group, the Government of Canada, and key partners such as the Caribbean Development Bank; the Development Bank of Jamaica; the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat; Microsoft; LIME; Google; the Jamaica Gleaner; JAMPRO; InfoDev; and other corporate entities.

Archives of live streaming are still available online courtesy of sponsors LIME. To view, go to https://new. livestream.com/LIMELive/ DigitalJam3.

Digicel makes donation to students of Hobodeia Primary

Students of the Hobodeia Primary School displaying the reading books that they received from Digicel

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igicel Guyana Inc last week donated footwear to 100 students of Hobodeia Primary School in Region One, in response to an appeal from the school’s principal.

Headmistress Vieda Wills made the appeal when she took office in May 2013 after she saw that the students would come to school bare-footed, and as such, were prone to injure their feet.

The students and teachers were very excited by Digicel’s visit, smiles and waves greeted the boat bearing the telecommunications company representatives as it approached

the landing of the village.

It was even more exciting when the time came for the students to find that perfect pair of shoes.

Digicel Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope said, “This is something that these students appreciate so much, you see the appreciation on their faces. Digicel is committed to fostering development, and education is one of the areas that are high on our agenda.”

In providing each student with a pair of shoes, Digicel has met one of their basic needs, Headmistress Wills said. “This is something that will help our students get to school capably

and the hygienic purposes of this act cannot be emphasised enough. Many of the students get to school by using the river and by walking on the banks, so they would come to school with cuts, bites, and abrasions on their feet,” she explained.

Apart from the shoes, Digicel also donated a quantity of books to the school’s library and to serve as teaching aids.

Senior Village Councillor Marget Jardine was present on behalf of the Village Captain and thanked Digicel for visiting the village, which lies along the Moruca River, approximately 45 minutes from Mabaruma by boat.

news

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tuesday, march 4, 2014 | guyanatimesGY.com

FIU filed one money laundering report since 2009 – DPP

Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack

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irector of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack said the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has filed only one report on suspicious money laundering transaction since the first Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act 2009 was passed.

The DPP’s statement was contained in a letter in response to a Kaieteur News editorial over the weekend which claimed that some 800 reports were forwarded to the chamber, but nothing was done.

Kaieteur News falsehoood

“I wish to categorically state that more than 800 reports of suspicious transactions were NEVER forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, as was stated falsely in your editorial,” Ali-Hack said in her letter.

She clarified that according to the Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 section 9 (4a), the FIU shall compile a report and send it to the competent authority, if having conducted its analysis, the FIU has reasonable grounds

to suspect that the transaction involves money laundering, proceeds of crime, or terrorist financing. She said according to Section Two of the Act, “competent authority” means the Director of Public Prosecutions, and includes any person authorised by him in that behalf. “The only agency, therefore, that has a statutory duty to send a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions of suspicious transactions, once there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the transaction involves money laundering, proceeds of crime, or terrorist financing, is the FIU,” AliHack asserted.

She said since the Act came into force, the FIU has only sent one such report via letter dated December 21, 2011, from the Director of the FIU. “The DPP, by letter dated January 9, 2012, responded to the letter stating that the information contained in the report was insufficient and requested that documents and statements in support of the information in the report be provided to the DPP. To date, the DPP has not received any response,” Ali-Hack said.

“The DPP wishes to state that every report and/or file, which is received from any law enforcement agency is addressed, given appropriate and adequate attention and response in a timely manner, and not filed away. Any report of suspicious transactions under the Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 will receive this same attention and response as do all other reports and /or files we receive.”

The restructuring of the FIU to make it more vibrant is one of the sticking points

Director of FIU Paul Geer

in the delayed passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.

The opposition A Partnership For National Unity has argued that the unit, which functions out of the Finance Ministry, is poorly staffed, which does not allow it to conduct proper investigations into allegations of money laundering.

APNU parliamentarian Joseph Harmon had told this newspaper that the coalition had major issues with the establishment of the FIU. He said the opposition had some concerns with regard to Section Eight of the Bill under which the FIU was established. According to him, while the party is in support of the outlined prerequisites for the appointment of the FIU Director, which includes legal or financial experience, in addition to 10 years of relevant experience in the field of law, financing and accounting, the coalition wants to reduce the powers of the Finance Minister.

Section Eight stipulates that “the minister responsible for finance shall appoint a person with expertise and experience in legal, financial, or administrative matters to be

known as the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit to carry out the functions of the Financial Intelligence Unit in accordance with this act.”

Additionally, it states that the FIU Director may only be removed from his office by the President of Guyana.

“We have a problem where the Minister of Finance is responsible for appointment and what we are saying is all those responsibilities should be transferred to the National Assembly from a shortlist of persons submitted by the Minister – who would head and the composition of it as well,” Harmon said.

Strong talk

Back in March 2010, then President Bharrat Jagdeo had said he was “not very happy” that no one has been prosecuted under the old and new anti-money laundering laws. But he said then that FIU was working. Jagdeo said at a press conference at the Office of the President that he had expressed his displeasure with the head of the Unit.

He said they had a “strong talk” about this. He noted that the Unit has the authority to request any information and “they should be doing that and making the case”.

“I’ve seen a few reports, so to be fair, I need to say that they have done this and I know that they’re in collaboration with external agencies, but, by the very nature of these issues, you can’t speak all about it,” Jagdeo had said.

“But I think we need to move to actually (prosecute), because that was the purpose of this legislation… to go after assets that people accumulate from criminal proceeds and that they build up, so that’s very important.”

11 children home after successful heart surgeries overseas

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran

H

ealth Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran has stated that the 11 children who were sent to Dominica for heart surgery have returned in good health.

The Health Ministry had announced in early January that it would be sending the children with life-threatening cardiac problems to

Dominica for surgery, as a result of a collaborative effort with the University of Calgary and international non-governmental organisation Baby Heart.

This decision was made after a team from the University of Calgary had visited and conducted screening for cardiac-related illnesses.

The children were shortlisted from among many, owing to the seriousness of their cases. Minister Ramsaran, during a meeting with the children and their families, had highlighted that the Ministry, along with its two partners, would be financing the surgeries.

A team from the University of Calgary is expected to arrive as soon as month-end to conduct checks on the children to ensure that they are healthy and progressing well.

Meanwhile, it is expected that the Health Ministry, via the Georgetown Public Hospital, will facilitate the

monitoring of the children’s condition until the team from Canada arrives to conduct further tests.

Japan signs US$2.9M pact with Guyana

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Japanese Ambassador Yoshimasa Tezuka at the signing ceremony on Monday, while another official looks on

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US$2.9 million grant aid project agreement was on Monday morning inked between the Governments of Guyana and Japan in the boardroom of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The grant is intended to boost Guyana’s economic and social sectors. Monies will be available for lending to members of the private sector and will also be utilised for the importation of products such as civil engineering equipment and electric power machinery.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said the funding was a unique mechanism. She explained that while the private sector would be allowed to borrow funds, the repaid loans will be used by Government for the further development of Guyana.

She pointed out that the project was a manifestation of the growing relationship between the nations.

Rodrigues-Birkett said the countries have been developing in different areas over the years, and recalled the many Japanese-funded projects that have taken root in Guyana.

“I would also like to say that this is a further demonstration of Japan being a true friend to Guyana, as Japan has, over the years, provided quite a lot of resources to our dear country. You would remember the New Amsterdam Hospital, the Corriverton water supply project, Japan’s contribution to work in the water conservancy, and we have been benefiting from scholarships,” she told media

operatives.

Rodrigues-Birkett added that government would welcome the day when Guyana would be able to export its products and services to Japan, since there has been an increase in trade from Japan to Guyana. Currently, more than 90 per cent of vehicles in Guyana are imported from Japan, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said.

Bonds of friendship

Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana, Yoshimasa Tezuka said the Japanese Government considers the project an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship and deepen the mutual understanding of the two countries.

“Japan and Guyana have long enjoyed and benefited from friendly relationships.

In fact, this year, we are celebrating the Japan-Caricom Friendship year, which marks 20 years since the first Japan-Caricom consultation in 1993. This grant aid is a good indicator of the strength of our relations,” he said.

Ambassador Tezuka said 2014 will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica, and Japan and Trinidad and Tobago. He said the Governments of Japan, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago will observe the historic event with celebrations in Japan and Caricom member countries. These activities, he declared, will enhance Japan-Caricom relations in diverse fields such as culture, trade, and tourism.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 4, 2014

Regional

Large protests in Venezuela Cuban dissidents say political arrests top despite carnival 1000 in February T P ens of thousands of opposition supporters have rallied across the capital, in what seems to be their largest show of force since unrest began in February.

But it is unclear whether the protest movement can keep its momentum, or where it can go from here.

“I don’t know what will happen next,” said businesswoman Ana Sosa, as she marched through the upscale Las Mercedes district with her friends on Sunday.

“We are waiting for another plan from the students” who have played a leading role in ongoing unrest.

The death toll from weeks of protests stands at 18, according to government figures, with at least 260 reported injured.

A total of 863 people have been arrested since February 9, Foro Penal, a non-government organisation, reported, with 30 still behind bars.

Detainees arrested following violent protests on Friday included eight foreigners “held for international terrorism,” state VTV television reported. At least some of the eight were international reporters, including a team from the AP news agency.

The government released 41 detainees on Sunday, including Italian photojournalist Francesca Commissari, arrested on Friday. It was not immediately clear if the whole AP team was part of that group.

At least one National

The protests took place in opposition strongholds in eastern Caracas (BBC News)

Guard soldier has been killed in the unrest and groups of opposition protesters covering their faces with masks sometimes hurl stones and Molotov cocktails at security forces.

“There are small groups in the opposition bent on causing violence,” said Douglas Caraballo, an electrician celebrating carnival in central Caracas with a friend. “What they are doing is against a legitimate, democratic government.”

Carnival holidays

Unlike previous opposition mobilisations, President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government did not call a rally on Sunday.

Instead, they urged Venezuelans to go to the beach to enjoy the six-day carnival holiday.

Opposition supporters said they cannot enjoy festivities as the country grapples with high-crime, inflation, food-shortages, and

what they consider political repression.

“We don’t want any more negotiations with the government, Maduro must leave,” Ana Frederico, an unemployed computer engineer, said of the socialists who have won 18 out of 19 elections since 1998.

“This is not a revolution, it’s a ‘rob-o-lution’. They are just tricking the poor and giving our money away to the Cubans.

“We will stay in the streets until something happens. There is no going back.”

Others say they want dialogue with the government, but they have conditions, including the release of all prisoners arrested during demonstrations, investigations into alleged human rights abuses, and the disarming of pro-government collectives, before serious talks can begin.

“A coup would be worse than the government that

we have right now,” leading opposition politician Henrique Capriles, the governor of Miranda state, told Al Jazeera’s Adam Raney on Saturday. “I [do not] want Venezuela to have an all-out social explosion. However, the conditions are there.”

Capriles and other opposition politicians refused to attend a government-sponsored peace conference last week.

Opposition supporters say they are trying to reachout to lower class backers of the government, but Eleazar Tineo does not trust them.

“Maduro is a workingclass president,” Tineo, who works in food distribution, said of the former bus driver.

“Illiteracy has dropped massively, so has poverty.

There are now free apartments for poor people and we are building new alliances with China, Russia and Latin American countries.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

olitically-motivated arrests in Cuba topped 1000 for a third straight month in February as the result of wider public demonstrations against the one-party state, a leading human rights organisation said on Monday.

The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation said arrests in the past three months have nearly doubled from the monthly averages of the previous two years.

The commission reported 1051 arrests in February that it considered arbitrary and politically motivated, although all the people jailed were released, usually within a few hours.

The February number was similar to the 1052 reported in January and down from 1123 in December.

Reuters could not independently verify the numbers, which the commission’s President, Elizardo Sanchez, said were based on first-hand reports from

activists around the island.

The commission excludes any arrest report that it cannot verify, Sanchez said.

The Cuban government says the commission is illegal and counterrevolutionary, and normally does not respond to its monthly reports.

It generally considers dissident groups to be in the pay of the United States as part of the 55-year-old hostility between the two countries since Fidel Castro came to power in a 1959 revolution.

A Reuters request for government comment was not immediately answered on Monday.

The commission said the December number was the highest on record since March 2012, when Pope Benedict visited Cuba. It has been keeping records since 2010, and says the arrests rise when there are international events in Cuba, such as a summit of Latin American and Caribbean leaders in late January. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Post-quake benefits extended for eligible Haitians

T

he United States government has extended residency and employment benefits for Haitians displaced by a 2010 earthquake in their Caribbean homeland.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials said Monday that temporary protected status for eligible Haitian nationals had been extended through January 22, 2016.

Haitians who had been liv-

ing in the U.S. before January 12, 2011, and were previously approved to temporarily live and work in the U.S. have until May 2 to register for the 18-month extension. The immigration benefits had been set to expire in July.

Temporary protected status allows immigrants from a handful of countries experiencing armed conflicts or environmental disasters to temporarily live and work legally in the U.S. (Jamaica Observer)

Large cruise ship runs aground Expert: Region failing to in Antigua safeguard cultural heritage

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nvironmentalists are serving up a healthy dose of ‘I told you so’ after a cruise ship ran aground on Bishops Reef in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua on Monday.

The activity to get the ship free involved revving massive engines and churning up silt and debris in an area important to many forms of sea life, including endangered turtles.

“So, this cruise ship – 400 feet long – was stuck on Bishops Reef for about an hour today,” said Antigua Conservation Society President Eli Fuller.

Cruise ships have been allowed to dock on the southern end of Antigua as part of attempts to decentralise the cruise sector, but residents rimming the harbour have

I

A ship like the one that ran aground (source: www.cruisemates.com)

been complaining that the ships are too large for the inlet and too disruptive to their lives.

“The harbour entrance is about 600 feet from one point to the other and this boat is 400 feet, so it’s kind of dan-

gerous as it is,” Fuller said.

Also among the objections is that the sail-bearing ships routinely drop massive anchors onto the area’s reef and billows smoke downwind towards nearby homes. (Antigua Observer)

n the context of the just-concluded Black History Month, world heritage consultant Dr Janice Lindsay is calling on Caribbean States, to step up efforts to safeguard their music from economic exploitation, and do more to turn it into an economic powerhouse for local communities.

Dr Lindsay, who was speaking at the recentlyheld Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) Conference at the University of the West Indies, said the region was not making full use of safeguards put in place by the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to guard their intangible cultural heritage, despite being signatory to a 2003 UN convention.

Lindsay said there are 63 files to be reviewed

World heritage consultant, Dr Janice Lindsay

by UNESCO’s inter-governmental committee in November this year, and none of them are from any country in the region.

“It is never enough to

simply ratify a convention like this. It does nothing for the cultures and peoples of the respective state parties if the instruments that are designated to assist in safeguarding are not utilised...

Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage is not a luxury, it is a necessity to meet the challenges of today’s world,” she said.

She said UNESCO had three separate lists in place, which she referred to as “complementary safeguarding mechanisms”. They are: the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding; a Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, loosely referred to as the world intangible heritage list, and finally, a Register of Best Safeguarding Practices. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

15 Around the world tuesday, march 4, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

blast kills Russia “demands Ukrainian Bahrain three policemen – navy surrender” Interior Ministry

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ussian forces that have surrounded the military bases in Ukraine’s autonomous region of Crimea have given ultimatum to Ukrainian navy forces there to surrender, according to the headquarters of the Ukrainian navy in Sevastopol. The claim is later denied by Russian sources.

A commander at the headquarters confirmed to Al Jazeera the ultimatum from Russian forces to lay down their weapons, adding that the ultimatum includes two main bases in the region and ships patrolling the bays of Kurinaya and Streletskaya.

The headquarters did not confirm if the ultimatum only includes the navy or the entire Ukrainian military force in Crimea.

Al Jazeera correspondents in Kiev and Crimea say that the ultimatum is likely to include the whole Ukrainian army force in Crimea.

Al Jazeera’s Zeine Khodr, reporting from Crimea, said she did not get the impression that the armed forces were considering surrender.

“A commander that talked to us said they only received orders from Kiev,” she said.

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Ukrainian border guards say Russia is building up armoured vehicles across Crimea (AFP)

Russia’s Interfax news agency also reported that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Crimea has told Ukrainian forces in Crimea to surrender by 03:00 GMT today or face a military assault. The ultimatum, Interfax said, was issued by Alexander Vitko, the fleet’s commander.

“If they do not surrender before 5am [local time] tomorrow, a real assault will be started against units

and divisions of the armed forces across Crimea,” the agency quoted a Ukrainian Defence Ministry source as saying.

Later, Interfax quoted a Russian official at the fleet’s headquarters as saying that they have not issued an ultimatum to Ukrainian forces in Crimea to surrender or face an assault. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

n explosion killed three policemen in Bahrain on Monday during a protest in a village near the capital Manama, the Interior Ministry said, in one of the worst incidents of violence in recent months.

The United Arab Emirates said one of its police officers, serving in a Gulf Cooperation Council force operating in the island kingdom, was among the three dead officers, according to the UAE state news agency WAM. The Bahraini Interior Ministry said on its Twitter account that a group of protesters had broken away from a mourning procession in the village of Daih and started blocking roads. The explosion took place as police were trying to disperse the rioters, it added.

There was no immediate word on what had caused the blast. The state news agency BNA quoted the Ministry as

saying that the policemen had died “while confronting a terrorist group in Daih”.

WAM identified one of the dead as Lieutenant Tareq Mohammed al-Shehhi.

The Sunni Muslim-led island kingdom, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, has suffered low-level civil unrest since mass protests in 2011 led by majority Shiites demanding political reforms.

Both the UAE and Bahrain are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a political and military alliance that also includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait.

In 2011, Saudi Arabia and UAE sent forces to support Bahrain’s rulers and quell pro-democracy demonstrators demanding reforms.

However, small-scale demonstrations remain frequent and often lead to clashes with security forces. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

China captures train station Islamist militants kill 31 more attack suspects in northeast Nigeria

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hinese police have captured three suspects for a knife-wielding railway station attack that killed 29 people and wounded 143, authorities told state media.

“Three suspects involved in the terrorist attack in the south-western city of Kunming had been captured,” the official news agency Xinhua said on Monday, citing the Public Security Ministry.

Altogether, eight members of a “terrorist gang” carried out the stabbing spree late on Saturday, Xinhua said.

Four more of the group were shot dead by police and

a wounded woman was captured at the scene, it continued, naming their leader as Abdurehim Kurban.

China has blamed separatists from its restive far-western region of Xinjiang, home to the mainly Muslim Uighur minority, for what it describes as an “act of terror”, with state media dubbing the incident “China’s 9/11”.

The incident that happened at around 21:00h local time late Saturday night at Kunming Railway Station in Yunnan province “was an organised, premeditated violent terrorist attack”, Xinhua earlier reported, citing authorities.

Defiant Kunming residents queued to donate blood on Monday, while others vented their anger.

Many Chinese Internet users accused the United States of double standards on social media, after Washington condemned the bloody rampage by attackers but refrained from calling it a terrorist incident.

Meng Jianzhu, China’s top security official, arrived in Kunming early on Monday to oversee the handling of the incident, while President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang sent condolences to the victims and their families. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

I

slamist insurgents have killed at least 31 people in a village in northeast Nigeria, a lawmaker said on Monday, taking the death toll from three days of attacks to 116 as soldiers struggle to contain raging violence.

Insurgents have killed more than 400 people in just over a month, security sources say, making it one of the deadliest periods in the Islamist sect Boko Haram’s insurgency, which began with an uprising in Borno state in 2009.

Gunmen stormed Mafa village in Borno, around 50

kilometres (30 miles) east of the state capital Maiduguri, around 20:00h on Sunday, shooting fleeing civilians and throwing explosives at occupied houses, witness Auwalu Gunda said.

State senator Ahmed Zannah said 29 civilians died in the raid and two policemen were killed in a bomb blast on Monday, while they were trying to remove bodies and question survivors about the initial attack.

Twin bomb blasts in Maiduguri killed at least 46 people on Saturday evening while, around 50km away, dozens of gunmen were raz-

ing a farming village, shooting dead another 39, as Boko Haram increasingly focuses on the civilian population.

President Goodluck Jonathan launched an intensified military campaign almost a year ago to crush Boko Haram, but the bloodshed has since escalated, albeit with violence largely contained in the sect’s north-east stronghold.

Zannah said the military had abandoned their posts in Mafa, along with most of the women and children in the village, after the insurgents sent prior warning of the attack. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Obama warns Israel’s Netanyahu over India to examine claims over ‘1857 rebel’ bodies peace talks failure

U

nited States President Barack Obama has warned Israel of “international fallout” if it does not endorse a U.S. framework for a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Ahead of talks at the White House, Obama told the Bloomberg news agency that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needed to “seize the moment”. But Netanyahu reacted defiantly, vowing: “I won’t give in to pressure.”

There has been little sign of progress from the direct talks that resumed in July after a three-year hiatus. At the time, Washington said it sought to achieve a deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama last met in Washington in September

on a solution to the decades-old conflict by April 29, but officials say a framework accord on core issues would enable negotiations to continue beyond that date.

The BBC’s Kim Ghattas in Washington

says Netanyahu wants Monday’s talks to focus on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme.

He believes the U.S. and other world powers are being naive in their negotiations with Tehran, and he is opposed to an

agreement that would allow uranium enrichment to continue at low levels.

But Obama is unlikely to budge and is planning to press the Israeli Prime Minister on peace with the Palestinians, our correspondent adds.

The U.S. President wants both sides to agree to the framework document – not yet made public – proposed by his Secretary of State, John Kerry, which seeks to achieve consensus on core issues.

They include the borders between Israel and a future Palestinian state; the status of Jerusalem, and Israel’s insistence that it be recognised as a Jewish state. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

A

rchaeologists in India are examining claims that remains of people dug up from a disused well in the northern state of Punjab belong to soldiers who revolted against the British in 1857.

A Sikh temple said villagers in Ajnala had exhumed the remains of 282 soldiers who were executed by the British. But historians and archaeologists say it is too early to come to that conclusion.

In India, the mutiny is often described as the first war of independence. Hindu and Muslim soldiers rebelled against the British East India Company in 1857 over fears that gun cartridges were greased with animal fat forbidden by their religions. The British ruled India for 200 years until the country’s independence in 1947.

Amarjit Singh Sarkaria, the chief of a local gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Ajnala in Amritsar dis-

trict, told reporters that villagers had excavated a well that was located in the shrine and recovered the remains of 282 mutineers.

The remains included skulls, teeth and coins, he said.

Archaeologists have reached the shrine and are examining the remains, Navjot Singh Randhawa, chief of Punjab’s archaeological department, told the BBC. He said “40 to 50” human skulls had been found in the excavated well, along with skeletons, coins and medals “that seem to date back to the Victorian period”.

It is not clear whether experts will rely on radiocarbon dating to assess the remains.

Randhawa, however, said there was still “no evidence” to link the remains to those of Indian soldiers who died in the 1857 mutiny. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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tuesday, march 4, 2014

guyanatimesgy.com

Africa

Caribbean & Latin America

Barbados Minister calls on citizens Ethiopia: Micro-finance institutions to finance artisanal miners to help reverse economic woes

A

senior Barbados government Minister last week said every citizen must play a role in turning around the ailing economy, warning “if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem”. Labour Minister, Dr Esther Byer Suckoo, addressing the Productivity Council’s Week of Excellence, said that whilst the Freundel Stuart government was fully conscious of the challenges and has a mandate to seek and implement solutions which

will engender economic recovery, “we all have a role to play in the recovery process.

“We know that there is no panacea for all the challenges which we encounter, whether it be at the level of government, social partnership, the workplace or even in our personal lives; but whatever the solutions we decide upon, ingenuity, proactivity and fortitude would make them attainable,” she said.

Noting that the adage “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”

was appropriate in these circumstances, Byer Suckoo explained that the ongoing recovery programme, though difficult, was necessary if some of the current problems were to be resolved.

“Government is actively working on solutions in the 19-month recovery programme that we’re all aware of, which includes reducing its expenditure and starting projects such as the Barbados Water Authority’s mains laying programme, which was started last week. (Trinidad Guardian)

D

ifferent micro finance institutions are to finance artisanal mining cooperatives in improving modes of gold production. The Mines Ministry is in talks with the micro finance institutions on the procedures of lending money to cooperatives who would use the money to buy gold ore processing machines. Tamrat Modjo, artisanal mining transaction coordinator with the Mines Ministry, told The Reporter

Australia

that the cooperatives will be able to access financing with the micro finance institutions. “It is in the pipeline,” he said. Tamrat said the cooperatives could use the money to improve their way of production.

According to him, the Mines Ministry is giving due attention to artisanal mining, adding that the ministry was giving training on improved gold panning. Dedebit Credit and Saving SC, Oromia

Credit and Saving, Omo Micro Finance, and Amhara Saving are micro finance institutions that will disburse loans to the cooperatives engaged in the production of alluvial gold. Dedebit Credit and Saving general manager, Yohannes Gebremeskel, told The Reporter that it was the duty and responsibility of the micro finance institutions to provide financing to help them improve their production capacity. (allAfrica)

Federal Government says it will not Wall Street falls on Ukraine tensions offer debt guarantee for Qantas North America

U

.S. stocks fell on Monday alongside other risk assets globally as Ukraine and Russia prepared for possible war after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade his neighbour.

Ukraine mobilised for war on Sunday and Washington threatened to isolate Russia economically as Moscow’s biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War unfolded.

The S&P 500 had closed at

a record high on Friday, and profit-taking was expected on Wall Street due to the political uncertainty. “There’s been a very significant rally,” said Rick Meckler, president of investment firm LibertyView Capital Management in Jersey City, New Jersey. “If you need an excuse to sell, this is a good one.”

Russian stocks and bonds fell sharply and the central bank hiked interest rates to defend the ruble. The Market Vectors Russia ETF fell sev-

en per cent in heavy volume, hitting a session low of US$22.16, its lowest in four and a half years.

Energy stocks could lose if relations between the United States and Russia deteriorate further. Volatility will likely spike alongside the uncertainty of the situation.

“Anything that involves a boycott of Russian supplies, which are very significant, could impact the energy sector dramatically,” said Meckler. (Reuters)

Europe

T

he Abbott Government has refused to offer a taxpayer lifeline for struggling airline Qantas and will instead push ahead with new laws which could see Australian jobs go offshore.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he “did not believe in government by chequebook’’ as he rejected Qantas’ plea for a debt guarantee, which the government estimated could leave taxpayers liable for as much as AUD$7 billion.

Instead, the government

will seek to open up the airline to foreign ownership, with laws to repeal parts of the Qantas Sale Act to remove the requirement the national carrier stay in Australian hands.

“Just because a business is not wholly owned by Australians doesn’t mean that it is not in a real sense an Australia business,’’ Abbott said after a two-hour Cabinet meeting. Qantas said last night that the removal of foreign ownership provisions were an “important long-

term objective’’ but the airline needed immediate government action to compete with its foreign-owned rival Virgin Australia.

Qantas executive manager of corporate affairs Andrew McGinnes said: “If this proposal by the government to change the Qantas Sale Act is not passed, we would expect the government and the Parliament to consider alternative measures to balance the unlevel playing field in Australian aviation.’’ (news.com.au)

Middle East

Oman targets big rise in gas output Russian rouble hits new low against over next five years – official the dollar and euro

R

ussia’s rouble has fallen to a fresh all-time low against both the dollar and the euro after the political turmoil in Ukraine intensified. The rouble fell 2.5 per cent to 36.5 roubles against the dollar and 1.5 per cent against the euro to 50.30.

Stocks on Moscow’s MICEX main stock index also fell more than 11 per cent.

The Russian Central Bank was reported to have sold up to US$10 billion (£6 billion) of reserves to support the rou-

ble, according to Reuters news agency.

The Russian Central Bank said last month that its international reserves totalled US$493.4 billion as of February 21.

The sharp falls came as Russia’s central bank hiked its key lending rate on Monday to seven per cent from 5.5 per cent. “The decision is directed at preventing risks to inflation and financial stability associated with the increased level of volatility

in the financial markets,” the central bank said in a statement.

Neil Shearing, chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said the success of the central’s banks moves would “depend largely on political rather than economic developments”.

The dramatic market reaction came as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said a team would arrive in Kiev on Tuesday to discuss conditions for urgent aid. (BBC News)

Market statistics Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates

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

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Selling

GBP

$343.45

$347.74

CAN

$184.76

$186.90

USD

$205.98

$207.93

U.S.

$1335.00

Cambio

$202.67

Gross

$254,331

Net

$236,527

Selling

$262,426

Indicators as on February 28, 2014 Live Spot Gold

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1328.60

$1329.60

Low/High

$1319.30

$1334.20

-3.20

Change

-0.24

London Gold Fix

Feb 28 USD GBP EUR

Feb 26 USD GBP EUR

AM

PM

1327.75 793.21 961.65

1326.50 793.93 961.58

AM

PM

1340.00 803.12 975.33

1331.75 799.90 973.64

Indicators Crude Oil

Price Silver

Platinum

US$ per barrel

$108.96 USD per Ounce

$21.23 $1442.00

Change %

-0.51 Change %

-0.04 -6.00

O

man expects a significant increase in its natural gas output over the next five years but little improvement in oil production, its undersecretary for oil and gas said on Monday.

Oman aims to raise gas output to an average of 120 million cubic metres per day (mcm/d) over the five-year period from 2014 through 2018, Salim Al Aufi told journalists on Monday, a gain of 17.65

per cent over 2013.

In 2013, gas production rose to an average of 102 mcm/d, up 3.7 per cent from the previous year. Oman’s modest gas exports have been constrained over the last few years as it has struggled to raise production quickly enough to keep pace with its own demand growth.

Muscat hopes the planned start-up of BP’s Khazzan tight gas project in 2017 will pro-

vide a big boost to supplies, with Khazzan alone expected to add about 28 mcm/d to gas output by 2018. Crude oil and condensate production is expected to average 950,000960,000 bpd over the five-year period, Aufi said, an increase of less than two per cent over last year’s average level.

The non-OPEC oil producer averaged 942,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2013, up 2.5 per cent from 2012. (Gulf Business)

Investors' guide Should a small business owner take accounting courses? (continued from Saturday)

Learning about financial statements and writing a business plan

Writing a financial plan for a business can be challenging for many business people.

Nevertheless, knowing and understanding your company’s financial statements can be invaluable in running any size business.

The four principal types of financial statements for a business are: * Balance Sheet * Income Statement * Statement of Retained Earnings * Cash Flow Statement Taking an accounting course can be extremely helpful in gaining the knowledge

to write a business plan and in learning the particulars of each financial statement.

Learning how to choose and maintain an accounting system

Businesses generally use either a cash method for accounting or an accrual method. In the cash method, income and expenses are tallied as they are made, and this is the accounting method most commonly used in small businesses.

The accrual method records income when a sale occurs, instead of when payment is received. Expenses are then recorded after the product is received, instead of when the product was paid for. The accrual method is

generally used for larger businesses that use invoices and maintain a large inventory.

Maintaining your accounting system requires accurate record keeping. A number of accounting software packages are available that allow you to keep accurate records and save you the trouble of keeping records manually.

Overall, a basic accounting course can be invaluable to any business owner, especially if the entrepreneur has little or no accounting experience. The knowledge gained from a basic accounting course can make a difference in both profitability and efficiency. (Business Dictionary)

Business concept – Patent

Last: 16321.71

Changes: +49.06

% Change: +0.30

Open:16273.23

High:16398.95

Low: 16226.09

% YTD: -1.54

52Wk Hi:16174.51

52 Wk Lo: 12471.49

Limited legal monopoly granted to an individual or firm to make, use, and sell its invention, and to exclude others from doing so. An invention is patentable if it is novel, useful, and non-obvious. To receive a patent, a patent application must disclose all details of the invention so that others can use it to further advance the technology with new inventions.

17 Guyana’s economic freedom has advanced – U.S. think tank news

tuesday, march 4, 2014| guyanatimesGY.com

H

istorically, the Washingtonbased think tank, the Wall Street Journal/ Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom has always been critical of Guyana, failing to recognise the strides made in moving the economy forward.

However, the organisation recently ranked Guyana the 121st freest country out of 178 countries with a score of 55.7, about two points higher than that of last year’s.

Over the 20-year history of the index, Guyana has advanced its economic free-

dom score by 10 points. This overall increase has been achieved by enhancements in seven of the 10 economic freedoms, notably the management of public spending, freedom from corruption, and monetary freedom, the scores for which have improved by 10 points or more.

The report which was released last month stated that this increase reflected notable score increases in control of government spending and investment freedom.

According to the report, “Guyana slipped back into economically repressed” sta-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

tus during the late 2000s but has risen out of that category since 2012 and recorded its highest score in eight years in the 2014 Index.”

Guyana has been experiencing real growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately five per cent per annum for the past eight years as a direct result of the conducive policy framework that the government has put in place.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh in a recent interview stated that economic performance in the last two years has not only seen GDP growth, which is the

universally accepted measure of economic performance in a country, but all of the correlators are evident as well.

These include: strong inward foreign direct investment, continued growth in credit to the private sector, stable prices, low inflation rates, low interest rates which continues to trend downwards and other key macroeconomic fundamentals remaining on a favourable trajectory.

Last month, the United Nations’ annual World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report

2014 projected that Guyana and Haiti will take the lead in economic growth for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Caribbeanbased financial institution, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) also projects that Guyana and Haiti will take the lead in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which is the authoritative institution for assessing a country’s economic performance projected economic growth of six per cent for Guyana this year.

PPP/C roasts GTUC for rejecting GTUC demands correction of CLC changes to CLC Board compromise T

T

he Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) on Monday said the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) move to support the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in changing the composition of the Critchlow Labour College’s (CLC) Board may have “ominous undertones”.

GTUC is demanding that the National Assembly take corrective measures following Thursday’s resolution which will now see the CLC’s Board compromising four representatives from GTUC, and four from FITUG. Addressing the press on Monday, GTUC President Leslie Gonsalves said when the AFC’s motion which sought to reintroduce subvention for CLC was passed in the National Assembly on Thursday with amendments; GTUC had thought that “the opposition was out manoeuver as can happen in politics”.

But Gonsalves said AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan and APNU Co-Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine's sentiments in the Stabroek Newspaper have now changed the perception of the union. Both leaders had expressed disappointment with the GTUC’s rejection of the proposal. “Now the GTUC is convinced that the vote taken in Parliament has more ominous undertones.”

According to the GTUC President, the National Assembly has used GTUC and CLC as an example to make clear to the nation its collective policy position that all non-governmental organisations that are recipients of “taxpayers money” will now be subjected to government’s indirect ownership. But this move will not be condoned by GTUC,

GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis

GTUC President Leslie Gonsalves

Gonsalves declared, stating clearly it will not compromise its rights. “We are unrelenting when it comes to violating our rights to determine the composition of the CLC’s board.”

Because CLC is privately own, Gonsalves argued that APNU, AFC or PPP/C members cannot sit at the level of the National Assembly and dictate the composition of the college’s board.

ion of the union that had the matter been referred to a select committee, the outcome might have been favourable.

Now the union is calling on Williams and APNU finance spokesman Carl Greenidge to offer an explanation and further pronounce on the matter, asking whether the National Assembly had acted in keeping with best practices by voting on an issue that seeks to undermine the structure of a legitimate private entity which it has no control over.

“GTUC is cognisant of its resistance and its impact on political and executive lawlessness, even on our current state of being… This is the GTUC’s right and it is uncompromising on this matter because rights are not negotiable.”According to him, the National Assembly should apologise for the decision taken.

Asked whether the union is willing to compromise given the reinstitution of the subvention for the college, GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis said “this subvention is not the government’s subvention, it is not PNC government, PPP government or any political party, it is the state’s money.”

‘Wrong’

“Decisions for the college are taken at the college board, the GTUC’s decisionmaking forum, the college nor the GTUC has never taken a decision to change its management structure and there is no need for such.”

During the heated debates on Thursday night before the passing of the resolution, APNU’s shadow labour minister Basil Williams had called for the matter to be sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee, but now the question is being asked what could have spurred the major change.

“GTUC is concerned what led to the diversion and strange position taken in Parliament.” It is the opin-

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C/C) on Monday took to task the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) for its opposition to a National Assembly vote to broaden the representation on the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) to guarantee state funding.

Last week, the House approved a motion with amendments which would see GTUC’s rival, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) having the same number of representatives on the CLC Board. However, GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis swiftly denounced the National Assembly which unanimously voted to restore the subvention.

In a hard-hitting statement on Monday, the PPP/C said for the past six years there have been calls from many quarters, especially the political opposition and anti-government public figures, to restore the subvention which the government had suspended, citing that there must be accountability and democratic governance within the CLC. “The rejection by the TUC of the National Assembly’s unanimous motion is a clear indication that all the hullabaloo they made about the restoration of the subvention, had nothing to do about money and the students, but was merely about politics,” PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Manzoor Nadir said.

He noted that the TUC leadership has stood steadfast that it would prefer to “rule over ruin”, a sick philosophy of many in the People’s National Congress (PNC), rather than come to a consensus that would be in the interest of all stakeholders of the college and the national labour movement as a whole.

“Last week in the National Assembly there was that consensus, every one of the Members of Parliament, registered their vote for reform in the governance of the Critchlow Labour College, by ensuring that the collective

PPP/C MP Manzoor Nadir

voice of the organised labour movement is represented on the board of the CLC. The swift and complete rejection by the TUC is not only a slap in the face of the Alliance For Change which brought the motion and the amendment, but it also reflects on the labour aristocracy which has hijacked the CLC,” Nadir himself, a former Labour Minister charged.

Inconceivable

He alluded to current Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul, who in his contribution to the debate, said that it is inconceivable that one of the smallest unions in the country, with under two hundred members out of an organised labour population of 50,000, could hold the presidency and general secretary positions of the GTUC and for so long.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in all of its conventions and policy statements speaks to the state and stakeholders consulting with the “the most representative organisations of labour”.

The GTUC and certainly the composition of the board of the CLC cannot and does not, pass this litmus test of the ILO. Nadir said at least two former CLC principals, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and the late Godwin McPherson wanted to ensure that the CLC would revert to being

an institution of education rather than a vehicle of politics.

Dr Roopnaraine, now deputy leader of ANPU, in his contribution to the motion last Thursday, acknowledged that there was need for the broadening of the labour representation on the CLC Board.

“Dr Roopnaraine who spoke his heart that night had worked hard towards bringing the financial records of the CLC up to date and to deal with the accountability aspects of the CLC.” Nadir said it is this bitterness and stubbornness of the GTUC dictatorship that is now turned on the National Assembly.

True to form

“The PPP/C notes that both the TUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, and its President Leslie Gonsalves, have now zeroed in on the character assassination of Dr Roopnaraine and Dr Nanda Gopaul. True to form, the leadership of the GTUC would oppose all initiatives to bring democratic governance to the CLC.” The PPP/C said as a party of workers, it feels vindicated that it has all along correctly spoken about the leadership of the GTUC’s efforts to keep out democratic governance from being the norm in the TUC. “This has been the plague of the TUC since the days of the PNC dictatorship, when at one time even two ministers of the PNC regime sat on the GTUC executive – another element which is against all of the ILO conventions,” Nadir said.

Nadir said this refusal to bring democratisation to the TUC has also been the cause of the split in the labour movement and the formation of the FITUG. “Last week’s unanimity in the passage of the motion in Parliament was a rare show of consensus where the CLC was concerned; however, these hopes are once again being dashed by the minority that calls itself the Guyana Trades Union Congress.”

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 4, 2014

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) You need to deal with matters on your own.

Otherwise, you will expend a lot of needless energy trying to get others to agree to your way of thinking.

dilbert

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19) There is a group or organisation that is looking for someone with your credentials. Participate, meet new people and spend time with those who share your interests.

Calvin and Hobbes

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Choose an occupation that interests you, and learn as much as you can about it. Developing a plan for the future will lead to advancement.

Concentrate on increasing your employability.

Peanuts

CANCER (June 21July 22) Now’s the time to take special care of your personal interests. You should refuse any loan requests or other pleas for financial contributions. Others may not be as trustworthy as you believe.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22) Romance and enjoyment will be the order of the day. Your goals are being realised through perseverance and hard work. Travel and socialising will help develop a rewarding insight.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Slow down and take a good look at your commitments and challenges. You risk damaging your health if you don’t stop to reassess your situation and to rejuvenate.

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Nothing will be able to hold you back today. Your energy level is high, and you are in a happy frame of mind. Share your enthusiasm to attract followers.

If you are unhappy, consider the circumstances that led to your current situation. Perhaps your expectations are unrealistic. Think things over to avoid making the same mistake twice.

SUDOKU TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Address a problem that is concerning you.

Listen carefully to the advice of individuals who have experienced similar difficulties, and you may find the solution you have been looking for.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) The key to security is the ability to manage your finances effectively. Share your dreams, and you are likely to come across a kindred spirit who has similar goals and much to contribute.

Monday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) There are many changes on the horizon.

A chance encounter will lead to a very special partnership. You will be praised and congratulated for your unselfish contribution to a worthy cause.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) You will be inspired to take on a new project.

Go ahead and take the plunge. Your creativity and imagination will lead to a very successful outcome.

sports 19

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Hemraj, T. Chanderpaul replace injured Sarwan, S. Chanderpaul

By Rajiv Bisnauth

W

est Indies middle order batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan will not be available for Guyana’s second game in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day tournament from March 7-10 because of an injured finger and back respectively.

Guyana will take on Barbados at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara under lights from 15:00h daily.

Both Chanderpaul and Sarwan missed Guyana’s opening round against Jamaica. The Guyanese were beaten by seven wickets in that game.

The in-form Tagnarine Chanderpaul and the talented Chanderpaul Hemraj have been chosen as their replacement.

Young Chanderpaul, who recently returned from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup, held in

United Arab Emirates finished the tournament, scoring 293 runs at an average of 58.60 runs, inclusive of two half-centuries and a century.

Chanderpaul also ended the tournament as the fifth highest run scorer, behind fellow teammate Nicolas Pooran, who scored 303 runs at an average of 60.6 runs, South Africa Aiden Markram (370), Pakistan Imam-ulHaq (382) and Bangladesh (406).

The left-handed opener made his first-class debut at the age of 16, for Guyana against Leeward Islands last year and has so far played four games.

On the other hand, Hemraj, who is regarded as one of the best young batsman in the region, recently completed the first phase at the Sagicor High Performance Centre (HPC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus.

Hemraj and national First-Class fast bowler Ronsford Beaton of Essequibo are the Guyanese on the 2013-2014 batch of

young players at the Centre.

Veersammy Permaul, Brandon Bess, who was called up by the West Indies selectors to play a Test match against South Africa while being part of the programme in 2010, and openers Rajendra Chandrika and Trevon Griffith, are the Guyanese who have previously passed through the HPC programme.

The 20-year-old, Hemraj has three First-Class matches under his belt after making his debut in the 2012 season against Trinidad and Tobago.

The Guyana squad reads: Christopher Barnwell (Captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Narsingh Deonarine, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Amir Khan, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph and Vishaul Singh.

The Manager is Alvin Johnson and the Coach is Esuan Crandon.

Julian Moore will join the team as the assistant Coach.

Malta Supreme HRC Bodybuilding show…

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Bernie Fernandes, Marketing Director of John Fernandes Limited (centre), hands over the cheque to Dexter Garnett in the presence of Hugh Ross

W

ith attention now shifted from the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s Novice championships which saw Sylvester Andrews being crowned the new novice king, focus will now be on this month end’s fourth Hugh Ross Classic Bodybuilding and Fitness Show at the National Cultural Centre.

Joining the list of corporate entities showing support for the Classics is John Fernandes Limited Shipping Agents and Stevedore Contractors, located at 24 Water Street, Georgetown.

Marketing Director

Bernie Fernandes recently handed over a cheque for an undisclosed amount to HRC Sponsorship Officer,Dexter Garnett, in the presence of HRC Chairman, Hugh Ross.

Fernandes, in brief remarks, said that the company was delighted to be on board with the HRC Classic that is slated for March 29 at the National Cultural Centre.

“We at John Fernandes are very pleased to be a part of this event which allows our athletes the opportunity to compete against each other in a high level atmosphere. We commend Mr. Ross and team for having

the show another year and we know that the athletes are looking forward to competing once again,” he said.

Ross thanked Fernandes and his company for their timely support of the Classics, indicating that the HRC Committee will be pulling out all the stops to bring off a quality show.

“We would like to thank you sincerely for supporting this event. I want to let you know that we are having a quality guest poser in IFBB Pro Jeff Beckham who would be in Guyana a few days before the actual show to interact with athletes and fans,” Ross indicated.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesday, march 4, 2014

South Africa v Australia, 3rd Test, Cape Town, 3rd day…

Harris, Johnson tighten Australia’s grip

T

his series was billed as the showdown of the two best pace attacks in the world and on day three in Cape Town, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson bowled Australia into a position from which they could hope to claim the match and the series. Hurt by Dale Steyn’s hamstring injury, South Africa failed to bowl Australia out the first time; led by the intent and intensity of Harris and Johnson, Australia skittled South Africa in less than a day.

It left the Test tantalisingly poised with two days to play. Michael Clarke chose not to enforce the follow-on after South Africa were dismissed 207 runs behind he did not want to bat last on this surface. But nor is he the kind of man who will die wondering; with a series on the line, Clarke can be expected to declare early enough on day four to give his bowlers plenty of time to skittle South Africa a second time. If one day was enough in the first innings, he will hope one and a half is enough in the second.

Ryan Harris was relentless as Australia tightened their grip on the match on day three

By stumps, Australia’s lead was 234 runs as the openers moved without drama to 27 for 0 - David Warner was on 25 and Chris Rogers had 1. It is the kind of scenario in which Warner has often thrived in recent times and if he motors

SCOREBOARD Australia 1st innings 494-7 declared South Africa 1st innings GC Smith* c †Haddin b Harris 5 AN Petersen c †Haddin b Johnson 53 D Elgar c †Haddin b Pattinson 11 HM Amla b Harris 38 AB de Villiers† c Clarke b Johnson 14 F du Plessis c Warner b Johnson 67 JP Duminy c †Haddin b Harris 4 VD Philander not out 37 KJ Abbott b Watson 3 DW Steyn c Watson b Johnson 28 M Morkel c Watson b Pattinson 7 Extras: (b-8, lb-3, w-6, nb-3) 20

Total: (all out; 82.5 overs) 287 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Smith, 4.5 ov), 2-42 (Elgar, 11.4 ov), 3-95 (Petersen, 21.2 ov), 4-121 (Amla, 28.1 ov), 5-133 (de Villiers, 35.4 ov), 6-146 (Duminy, 38.6 ov), 7-241 (du Plessis, 67.2 ov), 8-249 (Abbott, 73.6 ov), 9-279 (Steyn, 81.3 ov), 10-287 (Morkel, 82.5 ov) Bowling: RJ Harris 22-9-633 (1-nb), MG Johnson 19-542-4, JL Pattinson 18.5-4-772 (2-nb, 2-w), SR Watson 9-1-34-1, NM Lyon 12-153-0, SPD Smith 2-0-7-0 Australia 2nd innings CJL Rogers not out 1 DA Warner not out 25 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (0 wickets; 6 overs) 27 Bowling: M Morkel 3-024-0, KJ Abbott 3-1-2-0

along on the fourth morning, Clarke might just call his men in earlier than expected. Whatever the case, South Africa will need a more sturdy batting display than they delivered on day three, when they were dismissed for 287.

Partnerships

It was notable that Australia’s first five partnerships in the first innings were all worth more than 50, and that only two in South Africa’s entire innings reached that level. Alviro Petersen made a quick fifty at the top of the order, Faf du Plessis tried to recall his Adelaide fight with 67 and there was some late resistance from Vernon Philander and Steyn, but Harris, Johnson and their colleagues were so unrelenting that sustained defiance was impossible.

Johnson finished with 4 for 42 but it was Harris, due for knee surgery after this Test, who really delivered for his captain. Earlier in the series, Harris had looked distinctly fatigable but here

he was unflagging, sending down 22 overs including nine maidens on his way to 3 for 63. James Pattinson offered lively pace and picked up two wickets and only a 95-run stand between du Plessis and Philander looked like causing Australia any real problems.

There was seam movement, there was reverse swing and there was the occasional bit of roughing up, like when Petersen was struck on the arm at 150kph

by Johnson just before losing his wicket, or when Johnson banged in a bouncer that pinpointed the badge on Steyn’s helmet. Mostly, though, it was the movement and persistent lines that did the trick, and the tone was set by the early loss of Graeme Smith for 5 after Clarke declared on Australia’s overnight total of 494-7.

Wickets

Smith tried to close the face and work Harris to leg but the ball angled across him off the seam and his edge behind was taken by Haddin. That was a regulation take for Haddin, but the same could not be said of his effort to get rid of Dean Elgar for 11. Pattinson moved a ball back in to Elgar at 145kph and an inside edge flew over the stumps and was brilliantly taken by Haddin diving full stretch to his right.

That left South Africa at 42 for 2 and relying on Petersen and Amla to rebuild. Petersen was far more effective than in the first Test in Centurion and regularly walked across his stumps to work the ball to leg.

His aggressive mindset brought him eight fours and he reached his half-century from 50 balls, but Johnson’s pace also provided him with the odd nervous moment.

(Cricinfo)

Jamaica's Boys’ Town FC in Guyana – to clash with Alpha United, Slingerz FC and Buxton United

N

ot since the days of the Georgetown Cobras, has a Jamaican club team visited Guyana – that’s 21 years ago to be exact and now, thanks to Vizions Sounds Entertainment, one of the Island’s most storied football clubs arrived in Guyana to play a series of matches.

Boys’ Town FC will face off against Guyana’s leading club Alpha United, the emerging Slingerz FC and the pride of the East Coast Buxton United, begging on Wednesday evening at the Georgetown Football Club Ground.

The men from the Land of Wood and Water will play Slingerz FC as their first game in Guyana in the second game of a planned double header while Buxton United and Alpha United go

head-to-head in the night’s opening clash.

On Friday March 7, action heads to the Buxton Community Centre ground where the host comes up against the Jamaicans while Alpha United and Slingerz FC square off in what is expected to be one of the biggest games to be played locally to date.

On Sunday, at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Alpha United will have show what they are worth against the Jamaicans and Slingerz play Buxton United for the first time.

“Boys Town Football Club is one of Jamaica’s brightest club with a great story behind them, representing a community; Trench Town, that was once the light of Jamaica” said Reggae Super

Star Duane Stephenson who is here as part of the nightly after football entertainment planned by the organisers.

“Most of reggae artistes in Jamaica present and past supports the club and we are happy that Vizions Sounds is giving them an opportunity to showcase their talent outside of Jamaica. I know, the club is playing plenty football right now and I know that Guyana has a strong history in the sport and has some strong players as well, but what I’m happy about also, is the fact that the tournament brings together the players to share their different culture as well” Stephenson said.

Stephenson will perform on Friday at Buxton while on Wednesday, another reggae sensation ‘Ginja’ performs and on Sunday evening, Dancehall group Voicemail

and Christopher Martin will take the stage.

Boys’ Town was founded as a Christian project in 1940 by Reverend Father Hugh Sherlock for the young people in Kingston’s Trench Town community. They have won the national league title on three occasions, the most recent in 1988.

After finishing runnersup to Tivoli Gardens F.C. in the 2010/2011 season, they started the 2011/2012 season on a low after fielding an ineligible player (Marvin Morgan, Jr) in their first two matches and were deducted one point.

The team presently sits in ninth position in the Red Strip Jamaican Premier League; picking up nine loses, drawing seven while winning six games in the process.

Counting down the days until Brazil welcomes the world

By Ronaldo Nazário de Lima

O

nly 100 days. It`s hard to believe it`s so close. It seems like only yesterday that Brazil was confirmed as the 2014 FIFA World Cup host nation.

I remember the excitement I felt once I realised that my country was going to stage the most important football event on the planet.

Even though I won`t be out there on the field, I`m starting to get the same butterflies in the stomach as I used to do when a big game was coming up. After all, the World Cup will be a kind of “final” for Brazil, in terms of the country establishing itself on the global stage. The spotlight will be on us, and it`s a great chance to show the world just what`s so special about Brazil and the Brazilian people.

With the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics taking place here in Brazil, we have the chance to prove to the world not just how much we love sport, but also how strong we are economically.

Brazil is a world leader in biotechnology and one of the biggest meat, mineral and soya producers on the planet.

Very soon thousands of tourists and foreign journalists will arrive on our doorstep, anxious to discover the real Brazil.

Although Brazil is a country of great social contrasts, we have made significant progress in tackling this problem in recent years. We are a diverse but unified society, a land of talented, determined, creative and innovative people - characteristics that are captured perfectly by Neymar`s dizzying, magical dribbles, the music of Tom Jobim, and the scientific achievements of Miguel Nicolelis, whose exoskeleton research has given paraplegics hope that they may one day walk again.

Brazil is such a colourful country, blessed with breathtaking natural beauty.

Tourists that come here for the World Cup should prepare themselves for an unforgettable experience.

Whether it`s from visiting the beaches of the northeast, witnessing the vastness of the Amazon River, or taking in the dazzling blend of ocean and mountains that makes Rio de Janeiro such a special place, every visitor will take home a treasured personal memory. Brazil is a place of great happiness and joy, and we will welcome World Cup visitors with open arms. But until then, we must keep working.

As a 2014 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee Management Board

member, I have been lucky enough to observe up close the dedication and skill of the workers who are helping to construct this unique event. In all 12 host cities I`ve witnessed the commitment of the thousands of people who are striving to create the best World Cup possible.

We faced some tough tests during the preparations.

Last year, we hosted the best FIFA Confederations Cup in history. That`s not just my opinion, but also that of fans, journalists, and even FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

Less than six months later, we successfully organised another challenging event: the Final Draw at the Costa do Sauípe in Bahia. And after we discovered in which cities the games would be played, the 32 national teams that will dispute the tournament discussed their operational plans with members of the LOC, FIFA, and the Brazilian government.

This exchange of ideas and opinions between organisers and national teams is an ongoing process, and another key event, the National Teams Workshop at the Costão do Santinho in Florianópolis, took place last month. Subjects such as safety, transport, and how the teams are to be looked after were discussed in detail.

Now we`re really on the home straight. Since the beginning of the year two new stadiums have opened: the Arena das Dunas, in Natal, and the new Estádio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre.

They`re beautiful, just like the Arena Amazonia, the Arena da Baixada, the Arena Pantanal and the Arena Corinthians, which are also almost ready.

By the time the World Cup begins, all the stadiums will have carried out test events. These are of vital importance so that the tournament organisers can make final adjustments to their plans.

There is not much time left now until the tournament begins and the greatest players on the planet go head to head. Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Iniesta, Neymar... I can`t wait. I`ll be expecting you in Brazil. See you at the World Cup!

tuesday, march 4, 2014

Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup, Mirpur…

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Webster wins ECI golf tournament

Sri Lanka cruise to final with third win

Kumar Sangakkara held Sri Lanka together with his third half-century of the Asia Cup

T

wo days after achieving their highest profile ODI victory, Afghanistan’s diverse attack added to their growing reputation, against Sri Lanka, but in pursuit of 254, the batsmen could not muster the same pugnacity.

Scuttled by Sri Lanka’s own varied threats, they fell short by 129 runs. The victory, their seventh in a row, assures Sri Lanka a place in the Asia Cup final.

Afghanistan had muzzled Sri Lanka expertly in the early overs, before Mohammad Nabi’s carousel of bowling talent exerted further control to induce a middle-order wobble. They had had Sri Lanka at 158-5, then 1846 in the 42nd over before a calculating final surge from Angelo Mathews ensured Sri Lanka achieved the competi-

tive 253-6 nonetheless. That finish had been set up by Kumar Sangakkara’s third 50-plus score of the tournament, but Afghanistan may take pride in the fact Sangakkara was compelled to reticence against them.

Runs had flowed freely from his blade against both India and Pakistan.

Mathews had arrived in the 37th over, but did not hit his first boundary until the 47th as he steadied the innings by working the field in the interim. Afghanistan had hidden their inexperience well for 90 per cent of the innings, but could not maintain their standards at the death.

Mathews prospered in the poorly-protected midwicket region, as the Afghanistan fielding waned, and the bowling grew more erratic.

Mathews finished unbeaten on 45 off 41 as Sri Lanka took 49 runs from the final four overs. The beamer that forced Dawlat Zadran out of the attack in the final over epitomised Afghanistan’s indiscipline at the close.

Thisara Perera and Ajantha Mendis had no such trouble and tormented Afghanistan with the ball, taking three wickets apiece to stifle any hopes of an upset.

Afghanistan lost their first wicket in the second over, and they could not string together a stand that might have worried Sri Lanka.

The last wicket fell in the 39th over. Only Lasith Malinga, who was being saved for the death, finished without a success. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka innings (50 overs maximum) MDKJ Perera b Mirwais Ashraf 33 HDRL Thirimanne b Shapoor Zadran 5 KC Sangakkara† run out (Dawlat Zadran/Mohammad Nabi) 76 DPMD Jayawardene c Mohammad Nabi b Mirwais Ashraf 14 LD Chandimal b Hamza Hotak 26 AD Mathews* not out 45 PC de Silva c Mirwais Ashraf b Dawlat Zadran 17 NLTC Perera not out 19 Extras: (lb-6, w-6, nb-6) 18 Total: (6 wickets; 50 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Thirimanne, 5.4 ov), 2-50 (MDKJ Perera, 15.1 ov), 3-83 (Jayawardene, 21.2 ov), 4-157 (Chandimal, 36.5 ov), 5-158 (Sangakkara, 37.2 ov), 6-184 (de Silva, 41.5 ov) Bowling: Najibullah Zadran 3-0-9-0, Shapoor Zadran 9-146-1 (3-w), Dawlat Zadran 9.20-60-1 (2-nb, 1-w), Mirwais Ashraf 8-1-29-2, Mohammad Nabi 6.4-1-23-0, Hamza Hotak 7-1-43-1 (1-w), Samiullah Shenwari 4-0-20-0, Nawroz Mangal 3-0-17-0 (1-w) Afghanistan innings (target: 254 runs from 50 overs) Mohammad Shahzad†

b Lakmal 7 Noor Ali Zadran c de Silva b Mendis 21 Asghar Stanikzai b NLTC Perera 27 Nawroz Mangal c †Sangakkara b NLTC Perera 4 Samiullah Shenwari c Thirimanne b Lakmal 6 Mohammad Nabi* lbw b de Silva 37 Najibullah Zadran c Mathews b NLTC Perera 11 Mirwais Ashraf c NLTC Perera b de Silva 1 Hamza Hotak lbw b Mendis 1 Dawlat Zadran b Mendis 0 Shapoor Zadran not out 0 Extras: (lb 2, w 7) 9 Total: (all out; 38.4 overs) 124 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Mohammad Shahzad, 1.4 ov), 2-53 (Asghar Stanikzai, 12.3 ov), 3-59 (Noor Ali Zadran, 15.1 ov), 4-61 (Nawroz Mangal, 16.1 ov), 5-73 (Samiullah Shenwari, 20.2 ov), 6-121 (Najibullah Zadran, 31.3 ov), 7-121 (Mohammad Nabi, 32.3 ov), 8-122 (Hamza Hotak, 35.5 ov), 9-124 (Dawlat Zadran, 37.6 ov), 10-124 (Mirwais Ashraf, 38.4 ov) Bowling: SL Malinga 5-0-230 (4-w), RAS Lakmal 7-2-302, NLTC Perera 10-2-29-3, PC de Silva 9.4-1-29-2, BAW Mendis 7-2-11-3 (1-w)

Winners of the ECI Engineering Services golf tournament along with company representatives

S

honel Webster took first prize in the ECI Engineering Services sponsored golf tournament held on Saturday at Lusignan Golf Course.

Playing off a 34 handicap, the rapidly improving Webster shot a net 63, handily beating the rest of the field. Alfred Mentore took second with a net 69, one shot ahead of four other

players, who all shot net 70 and another logjam of players at net 71.

After some calculations as to who had a better back nine score, third place went to Avinash Persaud (73 gross, net 70), fourth place to Christine Sukhram (79 gross, net 70) and fifth place to Fazil Haniff (83 gross, net 70). .

Best Gross was Avinash

Persaud with a 73 and nearest-to-the-pin was won by Alfred Mentore.

Conditions for the tournament were tricky with gusting winds, and hard and fast greens which meant approach shots often flew over the greens.

In remarks at presentation, Shaneeza Lochan, the Customer Service Associate of ECI, based at Friendship,

East Bank Demerara, expressed support for the club. In turn, the club’s Public Relations Officer, William Walker, thanked ECI for the generous sponsorship while also acknowledging club member Matti Wesslin, whose company Wartsila is working with ECI to construct a new generating plant on the West Coast.

“Awo” hat-trick guides Slingerz FC to finals I n football, a striker’s sole purpose on the pitch is to score goalssomething Anthony “Awo” Abrams knows more than a thing or two about. In fact, the Slingerz FC forward has now scored seven goals in two matches for the club who acquired him from Alpha United during the last transfer window.

Nicknamed “Awo”, Abrams scored a hat-trick on Sunday evening to help guide Slingerz FC to a 6-0 win over Uitvlugt in the semi-finals of the 2014 Stag Beer/West Side Mashramani Champions Cup at the Uitvlugt Community Centre.

The win also means that fans on the “West Side” will see a rematch of the 2013 championship, after Den Amstel edged Pouderoyen 3-2 in the other semi-finals.

It was just his second game at the club and following his helmet-trick in his first game, pundits were eager to see what his next performance would be like and Abrams certainly didn’t disappoint.

Pairing up once again with Devon Millington up front, Abrams gave Uitvlugt defenders a scare off the first touch from center field when he received a flick from mid-fielder Deon Charter over the heads of

Slingerz FC scorers! From left: Clive De Nobrega, Olvis Mitchell, Anthony Abrams and Devon Millington

the Uitvlugt players, but the opposing custodian reacted fast enough to take the ball off his feet.

However, two minutes later, Abrams would replicate his run, this time receiving a ball from Millington and using his superior speed; he was able to reach the ball before the advancing goal keeper and calmly placed it at the back of the net.

It was basically a one-sided affair with Slingerz controlling the position which saw Abrams scoring his second goal in the 23rd minute then setting up Millington to score his only goal of the game in the 32nd minute.

Abrams rounded off his hat-trick performance five minutes later (37th minute)

as Slingerz ended the first half 4-0.

Uitvlugt never put up much of a fight and Slingerz FC went on to score their other two goals which came from the booths of Clive De Nobrega (55th minute) and Olvis Mitchell (83rd minute).

The night’s opening game was nothing much to cheer about, though the score line would reflect differently.

Den Amstel was able to register the game’s first goal in the 11th minute though Jeffery Perreira and doubled the lead in the 16th minute when Delon Lanfaman scored from the penalty spot.

Lanfaman would extend the lead seven minutes later when he scored his second goal of the game as

Den Amstel ended the first half 3-1 after Delon Josiah scored for Pouderoyen in the 32nd minute.

Referee Stanly Lancaster handed out the second penalty of the game just 12 minutes into the second half and Josiah stepped up and scored his second goal of the encounter, but his one man army style on the pitch didn’t pay off for Pouderoyen who will now have to settle for the third and fourth place play-off against Uitvlugt.

The final will be played on Saturday at the same venue and fans would be eager to see if Den Amstel could avenge the 3-0 defeat in last year’s final to upset the tournament’s host and claim the $500,000 first prize.

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guyanatimesGY.com

tuesday, march 4, 2014

Scenes from the Queen’s Baton passing through Georgetown Photos by Treiston Joseph and Carl Croker

British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre and staff pose with the Baton on Main Street

Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Chief Education Officer Olato Sam are all smiles as the Baton passes through Brickdam

These two students were also delighted to be part of the activity

The Baton was also taken to the Indian Monument Garden on North Road

Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist Michael Parris (right) is presented with the Baton on Regent Street Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman and Patricia Chase-Green as the Queen’s Baton made a stop at Parliament Buildings, Georgetown as part of its relay

The national hockey players enjoy their run with the Baton

The Baton also made a stop at the world famous GCC ground, Bourda, where young cricketers had a chance to share in the moment

tuesday, march 4, 2014

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Anthony wins first leg of Dr Jagan memorial race M

ichael Anthony enhanced his growing reputation on Sunday by pedalling to top honours in both the Senior and Junior categories of the first leg of the Dr Cheddi Jagan memorial cycling road race on the West Demerara roadways.

Competing in the 50mile race from Wales Police

Lindener outgunned a band of accomplished riders, including Alanzo Greaves, who finished second, and last year’s winner Robin Persaud, who ended fourth.

Paul DeNobrega, a former Team Coco rider, took third spot, while Delroy Hinds and Hamzah Eastman round off the top six by copping fifth and sixth

Members of the Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial Organising Committee and race officials pose with the outstanding performers at the conclusion of the race on Sunday

Michael Anthony crosses the finish line at Schoonard to win both the Senior and Junior catgeories

Station to Bushy Park, Parika, and back to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish, the Team Coco rider clocked an impressive one hour, 54 minutes, 32.05 seconds (01h: 54m: 32.05s), nearly two minutes less than last year’s winning time.

In winning the race, the

positions respectively.

The victory was Anthony’s second on the West Demerara roadways for the year. Last month he took both the Senior and Junior divisions of the 23rd annual R&R International 50-miler.

In the Junior race,

Stephano Husbands was second and Silvo Inniss third. The Mountain Bike event was won by Michael Holder, with Wayne Nurse and Michael Jacobs finished second and third respectively.

Devendra Ramnarine, Talim Shaw and Kennard Lovell were 1-2-3 in the Veteran showdown, while Anthony Fariah was rewarded for being the oldest rider to complete the course.

Toshawna Doris was the top female of the day.

Unifying force Speaking at the presentation ceremony after the race, Chairman of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Organising Committee, Navin Chandarpal, expressed profound gratitude to the riders, noting that sport goes hand in hand with education and culture.

Pillars

These pillars he said were always embraced by former President Dr Cheddi Jagan, in whose memory the event was held. Chandarpal

also noted that sport is a unifying force, reminding that Jagan was an avid supporter and enthusiast.

National coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, and his team came in for high praise from Chandarpal for his consistency and hard work, while members of the Guyana Police Force were also complimented for doing a professional job once again.

Member of Parliament, Bibi Shaddick, also complimented the riders, pointing

out that she admired their commitment to the sport.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsor Jiffi Auto Sales and Spares, Sase Gunraj, noted that they were pleased to be associated with the event even at short notice, positing that sport and youth are vital for the development of Guyana.

The second leg of the Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycling trilogy will take place this Sunday in Berbice, while the third and final leg will be held in Essequibo on March 23.

Pacesetter down Kuru Kururu Warriors, Timehri Half Mile Bulls Falcons notch Stag Beer/EBFA Division One League…

By Treiston Joseph

T

up second win

K

uru Kururu Warriors have taken over the lead in the Stag Beer/East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Division One League following a 3-1 win over Mocha Champs when action continued on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield, East Bank Demerara.

Also recording their second in as many matches were the boys from Timehri Falcons who needled a resurgent Diamond United in a pulsating match-up.

The Warriors, based on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, looked a solid unit in another compact showing.

They were led to victory by Ryan Scott who netted a brace of goals, rocking the network in the sixth and 52nd minutes. Rakesh Haimnauth sealed the deal with a goal of his own in the 59th minute.

The Mocha boys were able to net a consolation goal in the 63rd minute through

the effort of Travis Anthony.

Timehri Falcons, one of the teams favoured to lift the champion’s trophy and first place prize of $300,000, lived up to its billing but were pushed to the extreme by a determined young Diamond side.

It did not take too long for Timehri to assume the ascendancy, breaching the Diamond defence and goalkeeper in the 15th minute when Collis Messiah found the back of the nets. It was the only time that the Falcons were able to penetrate with any success.

The Diamond players fought valiantly for the equalising goal, but were not fortunate on the day. They however, proved that they are improving with every game.

This Sunday, Agricola Red Triangle will come up against Herstelling FC in the opening match at 13:00 hours with feature play between Grove Hi Tech and Soesdyke Falcons to follow.

Travis Burnett drives the lane for a fast break lay-up against the Half Mile Bulls (Photo: Treiston Joseph)

he Trinity Grid Holding Pacesetters ran all over the Half Mile Bulls for a 70-52 win on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

While the Pacesetters ran the ball every chance they got, both Randy Richardson and Keith Tute played big down low, as they banged their bodies in the low post for easy inside scores.

Richardson finished with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Travis Burnett had 13 points and seven steals. Tute ended with 12 points to help in the win.

Michael Turner had 11 points in the loss, while Mark Rows had 10.

The Pepsi Sonics routed the Canjie Knights 95-46 to move onto the next round as they displayed a high motor offense.

Jason Squires was the high point man with 26 points 12 rebounds and 13 steals to record the tournament’s first triple double. Kerwin Jackson, had 14 points while Colis Pluck had 12.

Kevon Emanuel had a

team high 17 points and game high 20 rebounds in the loss for the Canjie Knights.

The Victory Valley Royals (VVR) of Linden pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Plaisance Guardians 66-58 in a grinded out effort.

Both teams were tied at 53 late in the fourth before VVR went on a run to pull off the win, with Harold Adams leading the way with 23 points and 18 rebounds.

Alwyn Rodwel had 10 points as well.

Colvin Nurse dropped a game high in the losing effort with 25 points, while Enoch Matthews had 10.

Meanwhile, Amelia’s Ward jets ran wild on Black Sharks from Berbice with a 84-32 win to move onto the next round.

Steve Webster had a game high 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Emmanuel Archibald scored 13 points.

Parish Cadogan also chipped in with 10 points.

The Black Sharks had one bright spot in Jovell Fraser, who dropped a team high 17 points.

The next round in the Road to Meeca will be this coming Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

tuesday, march 4, 2014

TOP SCORES

Queen’s Baton arrives in Guyana

By Treiston Joseph

T

he Queens Baton with a message from the queen encased inside was taken on a trip around the city of Georgetown on Monday in the form of a relay in order to spread the spirit of the 20th Commonwealth Games which is set for July 23.

The event started with President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) KA Juman Yassin taking the baton from the GOA headquarters in Kingston to State House, where President of Guyana Donald Ramotar took over.

Ramotar then took the Baton to the Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who then released the baton on a tour that passed through Parliament and then to the British High Commission, where British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre took it some distance before the relay ended at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Ramotar, after his light jog that delighted the following, expressed his hope for the Commonwealth Games. “I hope that the athletes would be encouraged to get some medals,” Ramotar stated.

Dr Anthony expressed his views, noting that he is “proud” to be a part of the event for the second time since his tenure as Sport Minister.

Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman, Mayor Hamilton Greene and Guyana’s lone Olympic medalist Michael Paris were also able to carry the baton for short distances.

In addition, to passing significant sites in Guyana, such at the St Georges Cathedral, the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), the Magistrate’s Court that displayed a statue of the Queen, athletes from various sporting disciplines carried the baton along with students from various schools who were given the opportunity to be part of the event.

Meanwhile, the Queens Baton will be in Guyana for two days. (See photos on page 22)

Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony is flanked by the students of Bishops High School infront the National Library one of the many stops that the Queen's Baton made as it was relayed throught Georgetown

Jamaica's Boys’ Hemraj, Tage Chanderpaul replace Town FC in Guyana injured Sarwan, Shiv Chanderpaul

See stor y on page

20

Boys’ Town FC’s Marvin Morgan Jr will be on show for the Jamaican Club in Guyana

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Tagnarine Chanderpaul

Chanderpaul Hemraj

est Indies middle order batsmen Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan will not be available for Guyana’s second game in the West

Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional four-day tournament from March 7-10 because of an injured finger and back respectively.

Guyana will take on Barbados at the Guyana

National Stadium under lights from 15:00h daily.

Both Chanderpaul and Sarwan missed Guyana’s opening round against Jamaica.

The Guyanese were

beaten by seven wickets in that game. The in-form Tagnarine Chanderpaul and the talented Chanderpaul Hemraj have been chosen as their replacement.

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See tory on page 21